The Old Radleian 2023 by Radley College

the

Old Radleian 2023

This is the only surviving marionette (that we know of!). It was adapted to become the Fool’s staff for a production of King Lear in 1962, directed by PDL Way. Peter Way was an OR (1936, F), and returned to Radley for an active career at the College: Head of English, Radley’s first Director of Drama, Tutor of A Social for ten years, Assistant Master, and prolific director of theatrics including writing and producing five Dons’ Plays.

 Peter Way

 Peter Way’s 1962 production of King Lear.

the

Old Radleian 2023 3 Letter from the Warden

4 Gazette 20 Business Network

FEATURES 26

26 From Am Dram to Ambitious Drama 34 Making a Blockbuster 40 Stars of the Stage and Screen 44 Spotlight on the Industry

50 Radley Film Society in the 1950s & 60s 54 Life Through The Lens 60 The Marionette Society

68 Charities 74 News & Notes

87 OR Letters 93 New Releases 97 Clubs & Societies 111 College Update 123 Obituaries

Contents

64 Radley Video: A History

2022 College Production of Sweeney Todd. 2

the old radleian 2023

LETTER FROM JOHN MOULE, THE WARDEN

Dear ORs, I am occasionally asked whether I miss teaching in my role as Warden; after all, goes the argument, you must love your subject and you went into a profession to communicate that and inspire the same in others. Now you have to deal with an endless supply of regulations, inspections complaints and government initiatives. Don’t you regret it? There’s something in that. I certainly do not miss the marking load . . . but there is something magical about helping a boy to understand something for the first time, lighting a spark of interest that can launch a lifelong passion, and engaging in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of a lively classroom. There is the intellectual joy of researching a new discipline and the refreshing challenge of how to make that accessible and exciting for a class. Of course, I miss that. There is something I miss more, however. Although I had (have) no professional expertise, I love directing plays. And I used to have more time for it: between 2000 and 2005, I directed seven plays in the school I was working in at the time: five full length house plays and two whole school productions. Directing is without doubt the most rewarding and enjoyable thing I have done in my career. So, I am delighted that this year’s Old Radleian has the theme of theatre and filmmaking. Partly because there is such a richness of achievement – past and present – to celebrate, of course (who can fail to marvel at the constant brilliance that emanates from the Radley Video unit?), partly because it plays to a particular interest of mine. And partly, perhaps, because it made me think about why I value it so much. Imagination matters. It is wonderful to mix together past productions of a text you have seen, develop your own interpretation, share that with a cast and see them develop in their roles as an ensemble over the rehearsal process. We are told, quite rightly, that creativity is a crucial component of the ideal skill-set: there are other areas of College life to develop it, but none better than the stage. It is about collaboration. Every cue has

to be about more than one person; it will never work unless there is a clear understanding of what others are doing; there has to be an ability to listen. The production moves at the pace of the slowest line learner. A director is like the conductor of the orchestra but with one crucial difference: when it comes to the performance, the conductor is no longer there, the team takes over. Hard work is crucial. Few who have not been involved in putting on a play have any idea how difficult it is to do well. Learning lines is tough. So are rehearsal schedules. There are always disastrous moments where real resilience is needed. The weeks approaching a performance are full of real pressure; there can be no extended deadlines and there are no places to hide. I once co-directed a musical with a legendary school director who was demanding, to put it mildly. We survived his public suggestion to the cast two weeks out that we change the plans and ‘just do a concert’ … as the singing was at least ‘ok’. We got to the first dress which started very badly with a curtain malfunction, distracting those on stage and resulting in a few lines being missed. He started slow hand-clapping, helpfully explaining in a stentorian voice that ‘this is what the audience will be doing’. We survived that too. After five great performances to packed and rapturous houses, however, I suspect the cast look back on it as a major highlight of their school career. It was not easy … but it was worth it. Worth it because of the sense of achievement. When I reflect on what I am proudest of in thirty years of teaching, plays I was involved in come immediately to mind. It is about the cast themselves: seeing them develop as individuals, as a team, and surprising themselves. Connecting with an audience on an emotional level. I once challenged a cast by saying we should not be happy with our production of Noel Coward’s ‘Still Life’ unless there were members of the audience in tears. There were. Those are memorable moments.

education: imagination, collaboration, endeavour and achievement. These are seen in so many aspects of what Radley has always done and continues to do, all four elements are at the heart of what we are about. Drama, indeed the arts in all forms are less and less available to young people and we should beware the society that results. At least we can, and do, stand against the tide. Radley always has, as these pages illustrate well. One final bit of indulgence. Good education should also be fun. When once directing Lord of the Flies, the boys became more and more feral as the plot developed, their costumes responded: trousers ripped, shirts removed, no socks or shoes. As we finished a rehearsal, slightly late, I was standing next to a boy as he received a phone call from an understandably irate mother sitting in the car park. ‘Don’t worry, Mum’, he said cheerfully. ‘I’m with the Head Master [aka Warden] and I’m just putting my clothes back on’. I still laugh at that. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Old Radleian and especially its celebration of a theme that, to me and to many, matters very much. John Moule Warden

Enough of the indulgence. It is not just about marginally pretentious thespian nostalgia. It is about what makes a good the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

development director’s introduction As Development Director, I work closely with both the Radleian Society and the Radley Foundation, and I am also a member of the Radley College Management Team. I have the unique position of being fully integrated into life at the College, while also connecting to life beyond Radley outside of our glorious 800-acre campus. I am incredibly fortunate to have one foot inside the ‘Radley bubble’ but it is also of vital importance for me to have one foot in the ‘real world’! In recent years, the role, influence and impact of the Radleian Society has expanded significantly and is more important to Radley College than ever before. The strength and vibrancy of the Radley community has been built upon generations of ORs and parents who have invested time, money, and commitment. My work in the Development Office is to ensure that our founding ethos remains at the heart of our work, but also that we continue to be relevant and to evolve within a modern and changing world. It is a huge privilege to be entrusted with these responsibilities. Over the last twelve months, the focus of the Radleian Society has been on increasing opportunities for social connections, business and entrepreneurship, and careers and networking. It has been wonderful to watch how each stream of activity does not occur in isolation but adds value to our overall mission, and it has been exciting to see how our work progressively intersects and adds real benefit for the boys while still at school. The Radley community is becoming an essential component in preparing current Radleians for the world of work.

Our work in the Foundation fully aligns with the College’s strategic vision of increasing funding for boys to attend Radley who would otherwise be unable to do so, and to help support improving facilities and broadening educational enrichment. We are delighted that so many areas within the College are now benefitting from philanthropic support from across the Radley community, and that small gifts to specific departments are making a tremendous difference. Following recent retirements, the Warden has restructured the College Management Team, so my focus now includes working closely with the newly appointed Head of Sixth Form, Tim Lawson, and more closely with the Head of Futures, Dan Pullen. This new alignment allows for a more seamless transition from sixth form to university and into work. There is now greater support for boys and recent leavers as they enter a more competitive and more challenging work environment, and from what we have experienced this year, there is tremendous willingness from ORs and parents to help. The first step in keeping the Radley community connected is through effective communication, and I do hope that you will enjoy reading this edition of the Old Radleian. Thank you to all who have contributed to this publication, and to those who have shared their news. We can only accomplish our work in the Development Office with the help and support of many volunteers who serve on committees, speak at events, and provide expert advice. I would like to thank the Radleian Society Committee members, those who run the OR Sports Clubs and Groups, the Radley Foundation Trustees, and the Radleian Society (Hong Kong) for their tremendous support for all of our endeavours. Elisabeth Anderson Development Director

A Radley student and young OR at the April 2023 RadSoc business networking event, The Great Energy Challenge. 4

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

radley melodies As a fundraiser, I love hearing stories from the many ORs I meet. There is a great wealth of memories and experiences that each of you holds, weaving the fascinating tapestry of Radley’s rich history. I hear stories of Bigside, the stage, Socials, the Library, Dining Hall – all displaying the great breadth of experience across the community. Everyone has a unique Radley story to share.

The Music School is certainly an ‘historical’ building. Built in the 1920s, it is now only just able to support all that goes on. It is rapidly becoming unfit for purpose. So, we look ahead. In line with our ambitious vision for Radley music, the refurbishment and expansion of the Music School will commence in summer 2024 and will ensure the building is able to accommodate our wide-reaching music aspirations.

But if there is one thing that almost every Old Radleian I meet holds dear, it is the deeply cherished memory of singing in Chapel. It is a moving and, dare I say, spiritual experience for all, regardless of one’s own faith. It is also one of the best things about any OR reunion here at Radley.

The plan is to expand the existing structure, rather than starting from scratch. Just a glance at the wonderful architect’s impressions here will give you a sense of just how tremendously impactful the space will be: a refurbished Silk Hall, which will retain its original structure; a brandnew recital room to provide additional performance space; a dedicated rehearsal room for the choristers and visiting partner schools; a new recording and mixing studio. Architects’ impressions are only half the story, as we learned from the recent Chapel extension. It is when these spaces are filled with Radleians, filled with life, and filled with music that the true brilliance of this project will be realised.

A love of music is lifelong. I think of the late David Bastyan (1959, D) who, when losing his hearing, retained a passion for music, reciting and replaying music in his mind. When he sadly passed in 2009, he left the majority of his estate to establish a music scholarship in his name. So far, ten young musicians have come to Radley thanks to David’s generosity.

I am thrilled that I will be able to speak to so many of you over the coming months about the Music School expansion, and I very much hope you will be able to support it in any way you can. If you would like to find out more sooner, please do be in touch with me at hrc.cosh@radley.org.uk or call +44 (0) 1235 548 547. I would love to hear from you.

I am so lucky to walk around Radley today and experience the wealth of musical opportunities on offer to all Radleians. There are 14,000 music lessons each year. There is the brilliant jazz band. There are numerous a cappella groups. There are regular – and very popular – open mic nights. And of course, there is singing in Chapel.

But for now, I am here, in my office at the top of Mansion. The angelic voices of the Choristers are floating up from downstairs where they are practising. A boy is scratching at a cello in nearby E Social. My colleague is blasting a recording of the Milligan cup across the room from me. A cantankerous cacophony playing all at once – one that encapsulates the great variety of music that is enjoyed at Radley. It is inspiring.

Music at Radley builds on a strong heritage. Our first precentor, Edwin Monk, was one of the four men at that historic meeting in the Turl in March 1847. Making music was at the heart of Radley’s founding. Today, this spirit is embodied in our Music School and our fantastic colleagues who thread music into daily life at Radley, led by Precentor Sam Gladstone.

I hope that as an OR, wherever you may be in the world, you still hear those Radley melodies in your thoughts. Let them play on! Henry Cosh Foundation Associate Director

Design proposal for the renovation of Silk Hall.

See further plans by using the QR code below, or visiting bit.ly/RadleyMusicSchool

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME At the end of last year, to round off the 175th year of the College, a magnificent school timeline was installed in Covered Passage, making the most of the iconic linear space. Starting near the Richard Morgan Library (previously ‘School’ or ‘Big School’), the timeline charts the development of the school, and ends near Cloisters, with the 175th Anniversary celebrations in 2022. You can explore it online by visiting https://bit.ly/RadleyTimeline. Better yet, if you are visiting the College on Old Radleian Day (14th September 2024) or for another event, make sure you take a stroll down Covered Passage. This year we have had the opportunity to celebrate the commitment of several long-standing dons, with some much-loved characters retiring from the College after many years of service (see the Vales section for more info). One individual particularly stood out for RadSoc, for his contribution to the College, but also for his 8 years of service to the Radleian Society Committee: Richard Greed (RMCG). In May, we hosted his retirement party in London, and it was an incredibly heart-warming evening. I felt a real outpouring of affection for a member of Radley staff who had clearly impacted the lives of so many Radleians – in B Social, where he was Tutor, on the rugby pitch, in the history classroom, and in a multitude of other ways. What struck me at the event was the huge breadth of our community, as I looked around at the crowd of Radleians of all ages, standing alongside parents and dons. The Radleian Society is so much more than it was founded to be back in 1888, an association of Old Radleians. Alongside ORs, our community now includes current and former parents, past and present dons who have made a significant impact on the school, as well as special friends of the Society. We are all the richer for this, as expanding our network allows us to bring in further expertise and

good will, enriching the business ecosystem that we have created to support all Radleians. Find out more about this in the new ‘Radley Business Network’ section of this edition of the Old Radleian. 2023 also saw the launch of a new Radleian Society website, including the RadSoc ‘Hub’ homepage, bringing together the latest news, sports updates, and OR career stories from the community. The vibrancy of this online space is a testament to the incredible variety of activities and work that you all do. I recommend exploring these pages to access a wealth of fascinating articles: careers as varied as paramotoring, craft beer brewing, and ecological activism, as well as brilliant slices of history from the Radley Archives. Our thriving OR sports clubs have had another busy year of fixtures and matches, and have been enriched by a new cohort of recent Radley leavers. In January, the leaders of all the sports teams gathered in London, the first time this has happened, to meet and share their experiences. This has deepened the connection between the clubs, and with RadSoc, and there are plans afoot for a new event in the 2024 RadSoc Calendar – a Sportmen's Social – more to follow on this in our Event Bulletin. The Radleian Society offers so many ways of staying connected to Radley. Whether it is through the packed events programme on offer, by using or supporting our business network, playing your favourite sport alongside other ORs, or exploring the latest news and stories on the Radleian Society website or Instagram … we invite you to get involved! Finally, so much of the change has been driven by the Radleian Society office under the directorship of Caroline Monaghan. I would like to thank Caroline and her team for their efforts and energy. The overall Radleian Society committee deserves thanks too for their efforts on behalf of the whole community. Sam Melluish (1976, B) Radleian Society Chairman

EDITOR’S NOTE

In this edition of the Old Radleian we hear from ORs working in film and theatre, a thriving part of the creative industries sector which was estimated to contribute £109 billion to the UK economy in 2021.

Film and theatre are much more than a pleasant distraction from our frenetic world of technological innovation and geopolitical instability. They are a way of understanding ourselves, each other, and the world around us. They remind us that the experiences, feelings, beliefs and motivations of others are different to our own, by seeing the world through other eyes, and walking a mile in other shoes. And it’s not all about exploring the real ‘lived experience’ of those around us. Film and theatre can take us to worlds vastly distant from our own, transporting us through space and time to the blood-soaked 6

the old radleian 2023

sand of the Colosseum, to the neon dystopia of a future Los Angeles, or even to a galaxy far, far away (points if you can name all three). Films and plays entertain us, encourage us to practice empathy, express truths that are complex or painful, interpret our collective history, and help us consider what future we want to build. In this edition, we will hear from ORs who have worked on blockbusters like A Clockwork Orange, and Top Gun: Maverick, from a Radley don who has nurtured a passion for filmmaking in hundreds of Radleians, and from those using theatre and documentary films as a vehicle for education and social change. Drama has roots much deeper than Ancient Greece, stretching back through ritual, dance, and storytelling, beyond the earliest cities and human societies. Doubtless some of our stories will continue to have meaning 2,500 years from now, and beyond. Sophie Torrance Engagement Office & Editor of the Old Radleian

GAZETTE

RADLEIAN SOCIETY COMMITTEE MEETING AND AGM The annual Radleian Society Committee Meeting & AGM took place on Wednesday 10th May at the East India Club, London. At the AGM the Committee was bolstered with a healthy influx of new membership including Old Radleians James Pritchett, Chris Tufnell, Harry Behrens and Paddy Langdale (who will become Treasurer of the Radleian Society in 2024). We were also delighted to welcome two new Radley parents onto the Committee, Rosie Jenkins and Joanna Thompson. Long serving member of the Committee, Richard Huntingford, stepped down, as did Richard Greed, retiring from the College too, and George Coles, Old Radleian. We thank them for their dedication and service to the Committee over the years, they will be missed. After the Committee business was completed, the RadSoc Vice Presidents joined the Committee for dinner, with speeches from Sam Melluish, Committee Chairman, and the Warden. The dinner was a wonderful opportunity for Committee members, VPs, Old Radleians, parents and dons to come together and share stories of the College.

HEADS OF SPORTS CLUBS DINNER The leaders of the various OR sports clubs gathered for the first time on Thursday 26th January at the Cubitt House Pub, London.

This fruitful meeting allowed the sports club leaders to discuss their operations, and best practices, exchange ideas on recruiting new members, and plan for the coming years. A number of useful ideas were raised, including a plan for a joint OR sports dinner to which members of all the OR sports clubs will be welcome … watch this space!

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

overseas radsoc events A number of overseas events took place in 2023, bringing ORs together across the world. The Warden and Development Director met with members of the community in Hong Kong and Bangkok in March, and were very grateful for the warm welcome they received at the Hong Kong Country Club and at Aqua at the Anantara Siam Hotel, Bangkok, where so many ORs and Radley parents had gathered. In August, Ross Gearing (2003, B), son of Radley don and Head of Rowing, John Gearing, kindly organised and hosted a networking drinks evening at The Hallway, Sydney, for ORs in Australia. The event was a roaring success, with 10 eager attendees who spent the evening discussing their areas of business and interests, and their recollections of Radley.

Radley is planning a trip to the USA and Canada in spring 2024, and we are excited about reconnecting with ORs, parents and friends. If you'd like to meet with us, email foundation@radley.org.uk.

INTERESTED IN HOLDING A REGIONAL BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT FOR ORS? Get in touch with the RadSoc team to discuss: radsoc@radley.org.uk.

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

young or xmas drinks 2022 Over 120 ORs under the age of 30 gathered at the Eaton Square Bar in London for festive drinks, and they managed to drink the bar dry! It was a wonderful evening, and the dons that joined them were pleased to see so many recent Radley leavers doing well in their studies and early careers.

uni supper: oxford 42 young ORs studying in the Oxfordshire area crowded back into the Radley JCR for a Uni Supper event on Monday 27th February, alongside their favourite dons, and current boys who were due to start studying locally in autumn 2023. Plenty of beer and pizza were consumed beneath the hallowed and much-loved vaulted brickwork, against a backdrop of Led Zeppelin and other classics.

More photos of these events are available on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/radsoc/

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

archives events 2023 We continued our series of popular virtual Archives talks this year, in which topics and eras are discussed as part of an ongoing oral history project, asking the Radley community to share their memories to build a vibrant archive of school history. These talks are all lead by College Archivist Clare Sargent. To celebrate the installation of the new College timeline in Covered Passage, we charted the early history of this familiar route between Big School and Chapel in November 2022 with A Glimpse into the Archives: Covered Passage. We heard about some of the early escapades that were staged there by ORs like Walter Bradford Woodgate (1850, B) who performed the ‘singular athletic feat of running up and down its eighty yards a hundred times, and eating two pots of jam, in one hour,’ through to the Amnesty Cage of the 2000s. A Beautiful Place: Radley’s Changing Landscape took place via Zoom on 2nd March 2023. The talk was enriched by contributions from the College’s Estates Bursar, David Anderson, the Director of the Countryside Centre, Charlie Herbert, and plenty of valuable input from members of the community who joined the event. The talk explored the more than one thousand years of history of the College landscape, including evidence of medieval farming visible through modern LIDAR imagery, landscaping by Capability Brown, and Radley’s future plans for sustainable energy production, and new woodland planting. On 18th April, and during the centenary celebrations of that wonderful Radley institution, our focus moved to theatre, for The Dons’ Plays. In 1923 began 100 years of truly bad puns and jolly dodgy costumes. The most popular performances were written in-house. There were pantomimes in the 1940s by Theo Cocks with music composed by Ceddie Borgnis; in the 1960s until the 1980s, Peter Way wrote a series of 'masterspieces' with music composed by Donald Paine. We heard from many who remember these theatrics fondly, and there were marvellous contributions from the College’s Director of Drama, Victoria Buse, and former don & Tutor, Hamish Aird. Rugby was the final theme for our Archives events in 2023, with Radley Then & Now: Rugger Will Be Played. On 1st November, 15 people gathered online to hear about the history of rugby at the College; the talk was led by Clare Sargent, with the assistance of dons Niall Murphy and Nick Wood, the current Master in Charge of Rugby. We heard how the first team formed in 1914, but had its numbers swiftly depleted by the call to join up at the Western Front, and also about the formation of the OR team in 1925. Radley had to wait until 1990 for its first unbeaten rugby season but, having gained a taste for victory, this feat was repeated in 1995 under Richard Greed.

All our Archives events are available to watch on our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RadleyArchivesPlaylist 10

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

parents’ summer drinks Events were held for parents of all year groups at the East India Club this summer, and over 320 parents joined us. As well as an opportunity to meet each other, these events provided a chance for parents to hear about the Radleian Society. The evenings were enjoyable and lively, and we were pleased to see everyone who came.

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

or ladies’ reunion On Saturday 13th May we were thrilled to welcome seven OR ladies back to Radley for the day. They joined the College Archivist, Clare Sargent, and then 6.2, Niamh Murphy, now herself an OR. Despite being an all-boys school, girls have attended Radley as pupils since 1975. They have primarily been the daughters of dons, and join the College in the sixth form. Being a teenage girl at an all-boys school is a pretty unique experience, and certainly requires a strong mind. The OR ladies had plenty to catch up on, and notes to compare about their experiences of Radley. After some lunch, the ladies toured the school, visiting their favourite spots and meeting some familiar faces along the way. “It occurred to me that there was a unique club of people walking around with this shared experience, and yet most of us didn’t know each other. I was keen to hear about everyone else’s experiences and discover what interesting things everyone had gone on to do. 12

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

“We all had such similar stories stretching back over the last 50 years of girls at Radley. It was amazing to hear how things have changed and improved over the years, yet how the core Radley experience remains the same. I look forward to meeting newer members of our very selective club as time moves on and seeing what equally fascinating things those future girls go on to do.” - Alexandra Yorston (sixth form 2014-16, H) “Being invited to join the JCR committee had an immense impact on my being accepted. I believe Alan Dowding was responsible for this opportunity. It was felt that I might (being female) be socially adept and therefore a ‘useful’ member of the committee encouraging others to support the club. The boys would allow me to choose which school might come and join us on a Saturday evening for a dance … I often suggested my previous school pals from Tudor Hall, which generally seemed to go down well. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the committee (and still have my tie … not often worn!). “One of my proudest moments was at the Warden’s Assembly in the Silk Hall at the end of 6.2, when it was very clear that much to my father’s dismay, I was not going to win any academic accolades (I’d had huge fun learning about the French Revolution in his classes but as his report states: there was still ‘my reluctance to use factual evidence to prove a point’). However, as Mr Silk continued his description of a person who had contributed much in other ways and ‘her’ … etc, every eye in the room turned to me and it became clear that I had won the prize for being the best girl in the school. “It was so lovely to have the opportunity to meet the other female ORs. Thank you for inviting us, giving those of us who shared the same unique time the chance to chat and discover similarities in our experiences. I am still grateful to all the Radleians who were at school during my two years who showed such warmth and support, enabling me to embrace the immense opportunity that being the ‘only girl’

 The OR ladies point to the date on the Covered Passage school

timeline, 1975, when girls first began attending Radley as pupils.

at Radley (at the time!) gave me. It was particularly special to hear Niamh is also having a good time and to learn that the Radleians of today are as kind and embracing of their token female contemporaries as they were in the 1980s.” – Nicky Beard née Hudson (sixth form 1986-87, C) “When people ask me – wide eyed and breathless – what it was like to be one of two girls in a school of 500 odd boys (Radley was smaller in my day and there were, hilariously, more girls) I think my answer always slightly surprises them. Because my abiding memory is the friendships. The study conversations, the walks on the pitches, the odd bit of rule breaking, the celebrations after exams. And the fact that they have been among the most enduring friendships of my life. “If you can keep your head while walking into chapel for the first time followed by 500 pairs of curious eyes, (as a matter of interest why did we have to sit near the front?), not much is going to scare you. “What an extraordinary event. Radley has a proud tradition of educating girls: 0.08 of a girl educated for every year of its existence. And 41% of us were gathered together in the Mansion – the first time that female ORs had ever gathered together in a single space. A memorable occasion, superbly instigated by Alexandra Yorston. And, as the current flag bearer, the delightful, multi-talented Niamh Murphy surely demonstrates, (and I do feel qualified to say this) the Old Girls of Radley have definitely improved over time!” – Fiona Stout née Dowding (sixth form 1978-79)

View the full photo album online: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAE8MP

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

old radleian day We were delighted to welcome over 150 ORs back to the College on Saturday 16th September for OR Day 2023.

Senior Prefect Zach addresses ORs at dinner in Hall.

In the morning, around 50 ORs celebrating 50 years since leaving Radley, or aged 75 and over, joined tours of the College (including their old Socials) with current boys, to see what has changed (and what hasn’t) in the intervening years. After exploring the College grounds, the groups collected in Mansion for a drinks reception, and a chance to catch up with each other while perusing some fascinating items from the College Archives. The beagles made an appearance, to the delight of all assembled. Lunch followed, in the newly refurbished shop, and the crowd was very impressed by heartfelt speeches from the Warden and Sepehr, the Second Prefect. Their day was rounded off with some rugby spectating on Bigside, and a service in Chapel. The Chapel service marked the middle point of OR Day, and was the moment where the 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-year reunion groups arrived for the start of their reunion celebrations. After raising the roof with a roaring rendition of Jerusalem, they set off on tours of the College and their old Socials with current boys. After this, they returned to Mansion for a leisurely reception which gave ample opportunity for ORs to share news with each other and catch up with their favourite dons. There was even time for the 1993 Third VIII to recreate their historic team photo, 30 years on.

“Thank you for organising such a great day. I especially enjoyed the tour of my Social, the service in the very sympathetically extended chapel, and the Senior Prefect’s speech”. Charles Heller (1998, B)

Dinner in Hall certainly brought back some memories, as over 100 people passed through the servery to collect a delicious supper, and seated themselves on the iconic wooden benches. The notable difference from their school days was the candle-lit atmosphere and generous provision of wine, but these seemed to be well received. The Warden led the speeches, and the Senior Prefect, Zach, brought the house down with a brilliant address to the assembled company, rewarded by frequent bursts of laughter and a huge round of applause. Like all the best nights at Radley, the evening ended in the JCR. To crown what was a marvellous day all around, the Serpents achieved a magnificent victory on Bigside with a 43-17 win over Reading University. Thank you to all the ORs who joined us, and especially to those who played a part in gathering groups together, such as the 1971-73 rowers, the 1993 Third VIII, and the Serpents.

Photos are available to view on Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/ aHBqjAVgmz. We would love you to share your own photos of the day by emailing radsoc@radley.org.uk.

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

“It was great to catch up with old friends and see C Social again (and how little had really changed!). Being in Chapel again was a great experience, and I was very impressed at the gusto with which the hymns were sung.” Ben Walden-Jones (1998, C)

Recreation of the Third VIII's 1993 team photo.

“A wonderful meal, old friends, beautiful surroundings, amusing speeches, what a lovely evening!” Paddy Woods Ballard (1988, B)

“Thank you for such a super day. It was great to see the College in such good health. One of the real highlights was to reconnect with old friends and staff, the majority of whom I hadn’t seen for thirty years. It was tremendous for re-connecting, catching up and reminiscing.” James Owens (1988, H)

“Thank you for a very special day. I found it more moving and thought provoking to visit the river and boat house than I was expecting. The welcome and food and drinks were delicious.” Guy Henderson (1971, G) the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

or dinner 2023 Over 100 ORs attended the biennial Old Radleian Dinner this year, which took place at the Royal Automobile Club on 14th November 2023. Guests were greeted in the Rotunda foyer by the impressive spectacle of two historic cars including a very early motorcar prototype built by Frederick Simms in 1990 with the registration 1 RAC. Upstairs, guests arrived at a champagne reception, providing an opportunity for warm reunions with friends ahead of the dinner. ORs were called to dinner in the newly decorated Mountbatten Room, overlooking Pall Mall, which was set out for the opulent meal; candlelight reflected off the plentiful mirrored panels and chandeliers, not to mention the tantalising glasses and bottles upon the tables. Radleian Society Chairman, Sam Melluish (1976, B), welcomed the assembled crowd, and grace was said by Hamish Aird. After the starter, the Warden, John Moule, and Senior Prefect, Zach (J Social), gave speeches, touching on the recent successes that Radley has achieved (including being voted Tatler Best Public School 2024, and 15 rugby fixture wins against Harrow over a single weekend), and also on the strong bonds of friendship that persist between ORs long after they have left the school – a testament to the shared memories and goodwill that characterises the community. Towards the close of the evening, the Chairman led the timehonoured toasts. The loyal toast to the monarch in the form ‘The King’, was spoken for the first time at an OR Dinner in seventy years. Alongside the gathered ORs, plenty of well-known and much-loved dons were in attendance, including Charlie Barker, John Beasley, Tim Lawson, Niall Murphy, Andrew Reekes, and Tom Ryder. View the full album of photos from the night by using the QR code below, or visiting www.radley.org.uk/newsevents/news/ORDinner2023. If you have photos from the evening to share, or an idea for the perfect venue for future dinners, email radsoc@radley.org.uk.

the old radleian 2023

“It was an huge success and good fun!” – Sam Melluish (1976, B), Radleian Society Chairman

GAZETTE

“Thank you so much for the very enjoyable OR Dinner – perfectly organised, as always.” – John Bridcut (1965, A)

“Thanks so much for the OR Dinner. There were a number of people from the past who I was really glad to see.” – Hamish Aird, former don & Tutor.

Want to know more about the history of the OR Dinner? Visit https:// bit.ly/ORDinnerHistory or use this QR code:

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

farewells to isy and rmcg This year, Radley bid farewell to two long-standing and much-loved dons, Ian Yorston and Richard Greed. Both have had a profound impact on the school, and the many hundreds of Radleians that they have taught and coached. To mark their departure, they agreed to allow the Radleian Society to hold parties so that ORs, past parents, and other members of the community could thank them, and wish them well for the future. To read the farewell tributes for both Ian and Richard, as well as a number of other well-known departing dons, turn to the College Update section towards the back of this edition.

Ian and Caroline Yorston.

Richard and Julie Greed.

the old radleian 2023

GAZETTE

gaudy – 2023 leavers At Gaudy, 1st July 2023, we welcomed 152 new ORs to our community. Special leavers’ celebrations were held in Socials where they said farewell to their Tutors, and received prizes. Later, everyone gathered around Bigside for picnics, cricket, and to watch the Beagles’ Parade. We welcome our newest ORs, and we are looking forward to seeing what you do next!

View the full photo album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjALdAa

the old radleian 2023

BUSINESS NETWORK

THE RADLEY BUSINESS NETWORK Each year, we will be dedicating a section of the Old Radleian to sharing the vibrancy of the Radley Business Network. We are seeing an increasing number of ORs starting their own businesses, or tackling business challenges with creativity and innovation, and we want to share these inspiring stories with you. We will also tell you about the many networking opportunities available to you through RadSoc, and how you can get involved, either to help others, or to find help yourself. Caroline Monaghan, Radleian Society Associate Director

BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENTS These yearly events are held in London and are designed to help boys, parents and Old Radleians network and share knowledge. Themes so far have included: angel investment, entrepreneurship, career change, disruptive technology, artificial intelligence, marketing, sustainability and fintech.

“At these events you meet like-minded individuals and gain valuable connections. I have been introduced to no fewer than five different investors from the network to help grow my business.” – Henry Reilly-Collins (1997, E) In line with requests from the community, the theme of our business networking events in 2023 was technology. The first, ‘The Great Energy Challenge’, was generously hosted by Charles Palmer (1985, F), Senior Managing Director at TFI Consulting, and compèred by Vincent Neate (Radley parent), formally Head of Sustainability at KPMG. It focused on the career opportunities in the booming green energy sector. Over 100 members of the Radley community, including 16 current boys, gathered to hear from OR experts from across the sector – solar, hydrogen, power storage, and grid – as they shared their experiences and expertise.

With thanks to our speakers: James Basden (1980, F), Founder Director of Zenobē; George Gray-Cheape (Radley Parent), Director at Dalcour Maclaren; Ben Hanson (2001, D), Business Developer (Hydrogen) at bp; Julian Pertwee (1977, F), Founding Director of Footprint Zero; Rory Scott Russell (1992, G), Head of Venture Capital at East Alpha; Will Stinton (2003, B), Chief of Staff at Protium Green Solutions. The event in November was also attended by over 70 members of the community, and focused on ‘Shaping the Future of Finance’ and the career opportunities in the fintech sector. Our expert speakers were: Peter McBurney, Professor of Computer Science at King’s College London; Spencer Hanlon (Radley parent), Catch up with Global Head of Travel Payments at Nium; previous events: https://bit.ly/ Hugo Thorp (2002, G), Fintech, Payment RadSocBisVid Services & InsurTech Team Leader at Protean Risk; Alan Vaksman (Radley parent), Founder & Managing Partner of Digital Horizon VC; and Sigurd R.Wendin (2009, J), Head of Business Development at Levenue.

GET INVOLVED

the old radleian 2023

Suggest future themes and topics, volunteer as a speaker or a compère, or offer a central London venue for these events. Most importantly, come along and network!

BUSINESS NETWORK

GET INVOLVED

BEYOND RADLEY TALKS & PODCASTS

Volunteer as a speaker to inspire others and show them the opportunities in your sector.

These online events are designed to open a window into a variety of careers, providing first-hand knowledge of industries or topics in an accessible way, and are recorded and shared with the boys. Previous talks have been on topics such as the changing nature of the world of work, music production, the charity sector, accountancy, acting, finance careers, gap years, and much more. Our 2023 Beyond Radley talks included a fascinating talk and Q&A from Mark Fawcett (Radley parent) on the ‘Changing Nature of Work & Leadership for Today’s Career Starters’. He focused on the developing world of work, attitudes of employers, what they are looking for in future talent, and how to get ahead in the early years of your career. A bank of Beyond Radley recordings is available on the RadSoc YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/BeyondRadley These talks have also been made into podcasts for access on the go! You can find Beyond Radley on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Q0pz45

“Employers are looking for talent and potential, they want to see skills, and people’s potential to develop them – including adaptability, resilience, ability to change and networking; they are also genuinely looking for people that will add to the morale of the organisation …” – Mark Fawcett, Radley Parent, Beyond Radley Talk

OR CAREER PROFILES This series of written interviews is available on our website showcasing the career journeys of Old Radleians across diverse industries. These are an invaluable bank of resources to which boys and ORs can refer. Visit www.radley.org.uk/ careers-profiles/ to explore the interviews.

GET INVOLVED

“Choosing to start a business once in the workforce would carry a much greater opportunity cost than whilst at university, so I would urge anyone thinking about starting their own business to start as young as possible.” – Ed Newall (2013, G), Career Interview, June 2023

Get in touch to share your career story or to tell us how the network has supported you, so we can encourage others.

the old radleian 2023

BUSINESS NETWORK

GET INVOLVED

BUSINESS NETWORKING PLATFORMS Our networking platforms are designed to enable 6th form boys and Old Radleians to find the careers help they need in a targeted way, through seeing the skills of individuals within the network and how they are willing to help.

RADLEY CONNECT Our global online

networking platform for careers advice and mentoring within the Radley Community, with a particular focus on trying to help those aged 16 - 25. Everyone who signs up says how they are willing to help and this sits against their profile, making it clear they are happy to be approached.

2000 REGISTERED LIVE JOBS BOARD UPDATED REGULARLY

80% USERS WILLING TO HELP

OVER

53 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

460

NETWORKING INTERACTIONS EACH YEAR

Our contact profile and group are ideal for searching the network more broadly and seeing wider connections within organisations. Individuals can also post for help and guidance on the LinkedIn RadSoc Business Network group.

the old radleian 2023

3000

1ST DEGREE CONNECTIONS

“Everyone I have reached out to through these networks has been really helpful and responded within a week. I also had an internship with an Old Radleian last summer, whom I connected with via Radley Connect. The opportunities are endless, and the people are always happy to help and advise!’’ – Kacper Rutka (2014, E)

Over 100 6.1 boys attended our first Futures and Networking Evening on 29th June, which started with a series of 20-minute ‘introduction to industry’ talks by Old Radleians and current parents from a variety of companies. The boys found out about career progression in areas such as cyber security, logistics, law, journalism, medicine, and entrepreneurship. This was followed by a ‘speed-networking’ session where participants moved between speakers every five minutes to help them to understand the breadth of career options that are out there.

RADSOC ON LINKEDIN:

Follow us on Instagram: @Radleian Society. We regularly feature career stories, innovation and entrepreneurship from the community!

NETWORKING AT RADLEY

Current Radleians Lade, Angus and James (all 6.1s) are running the Investment Society at Radley and have requested speakers to help cultivate a deeper understanding of the financial world, so that like-minded Radleians can explore, learn, and excel in the world of investments. We are delighted to say that three Old Radleians have already agreed to come and talk to the boys at Radley.

Join Radley Connect and mark yourself as ‘Willing to Help’. Tell the community what you are working on, post jobs and promote your own business on the platform.

GET INVOLVED

If you’d be willing to come to Radley and talk to the boys about your industry, let us know by emailing radsoc@radley.org.uk.

BUSINESS NETWORK

THE NEW RADLEY BUSINESS NETWORK PROGRAMME Rapid technological changes, hybrid working, a competitive job market, and the gap between students' skills and employers' requirements continuing to widen, all means that Radleians need as much support as possible to enter the world of work. In response to this, we have developed a Business Network Programme designed to harness the good will and wisdom of our parent and alumni network, and to provide a greater understanding

of the world of work. Working in close collaboration with the Futures department within the College, our Business Network programme will underpin the education of Radleians as they transition from school, to university and onwards into their early careers. It will sit alongside the social and professional networking opportunities already offered by the Radleian Society, but with an emphasis on helping Radleians aged 16 to 25; a formative time for early career exploration.

There are three main objectives to our programme to support the ‘world of work’ education for Radleians: Build an understanding of the value of networking and building a network for life.

Create an ‘experiential’ understanding of the world of work through business events, talks, career advice, mentoring and opportunities for work experience.

Help to develop early business skills and knowledge, and an understanding of the importance of innovation, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Realising these objectives is a collective effort and Radley alumni and parents are a vital professional network for the boys whilst they are at school, and beyond. We are interested in your perspectives on: Early career pathways • What a university or course is like. • The degree apprenticeship landscape. • The best type of work experience for your industry area. • How to approach an internship or job application. • Starting a business while at university. The shifting careers landscape • Which transferable skills are most useful. • How to navigate a change in career. • How to raise investment to start your own business. • What it is like living and working abroad. Insights into your industry and career path: • How to forge a career path in a particular industry. •U p and coming trends and innovations you have seen in the workplace. •H ow to stay motivated through continuous professional development. •H ow to manage personal and family pressures alongside work.

Join Radley Connect and say how you can help: radleyconnect.org.uk

the old radleian 2023

BUSINESS NETWORK

FOCUS ON: INNOVATION & CREATIVITY IN THE RADLEY BUSINESS NETWORK

HUGH PETIT (2004, F/K) CO-FOUNDER OF GRUB CLUB PETS What is Grub Club? I co-founded Grub Club Pets back in 2021. Born out of the crazy fact that 20% of the world’s meat and fish is consumed by our pets, we make pet food a little differently, using insect protein instead of traditional meat protein sources. Grub Club is there to provide a more sustainable option for pet parents, plus insect protein is packed full of omegas and aminos, richer in protein than beef and it’s hypoallergenic, meaning it’s great for pet nutrition as well as the planet too. Why did you choose to start your own business? It’s not something I embarked on by design. I wasn’t really cut out for a typical corporate career, nor did I feel it was somewhere I belonged. I’ve just pursued opportunities that excite me as they’ve come up, though I often envy the stability and salaries a steadier job can bring! I initially trained as a chef and worked in hospitality before helping launch a grab and go restaurant chain across London in 2016 franchising it into France. I guess that is where I got a taste for launching and running a start-up business. Going off and launching my own business with a co-founder seemed like the logical next step. What inspires and motivates you? Building a business that aims to have a long-lasting impact is probably the most motivating factor. Seeing it grow from an idea into a fullyfledged product and business is hugely rewarding, especially when receiving positive feedback from customers, particularly as so many of our customers have faced issues with their pets’ health and allergies which have been fixed by switching to our insect-based products. The other big motivator is the environmental impact: an average dog switching to Grub Club from a meatbased diet can save up to 1.5 tonnes of CO2 every year. If 1% of the 12m UK dogs switched to Grub Club, we could save up to 180,000 tonnes of CO2, that’s the same as 181,000 flights between New York and London … every single year! What advice would you give to someone aspiring to pursue a career in your field? Starting a business is not for everyone, it’s certainly not as structured as a typical job and can be all-consuming at times. That said, every day is different: you can be working on one thing one day and something completely different the next. So, you get a lot of exposure to various different work streams and facets to a business, widening your skillset. I enjoy the agility and fluidity of start-up life, and being at the heart of decision processes. The highs are very high and the lows can be very low, but that’s a good reflection of life itself and to me that’s what’s exciting. 24

the old radleian 2023

Find out more about Grub Club and enjoy a 20% discount on your order with the promotional code ‘OR20’.

BUSINESS NETWORK

Find out more about PAWD DRINKS and enjoy a 20% discount on your order with the promotional code ‘Radley20’.

RORY HANNA (2010, H) & ARCHIE WILSON (2010, J) CO-FOUNDERS OF PAWD DRINKS What are you up to right now, career wise? Archie and I have founded PAWD DRINKS – a daily hydrating wellness supplement for your dog. Our hydrating supplements are designed to address the common health-related issues faced by dogs. We have successfully closed our initial funding round and are now preparing for our product launch, which is scheduled before Christmas. Why did you choose to start PAWD DRINKS? The inspiration behind PAWD DRINKS stemmed from my own family dog, Scrumpy, who lived to the old age of 17. In his later years, he encountered health challenges, which, despite his overall good health, were exacerbated by difficulties in consuming and absorbing essential nutrients. The frequent and costly vet visits, coupled with the cumbersome process of administering pills, proved to be a significant strain. Therefore, my mission was to create a product that would be both easy for dogs to consume and provide the necessary health benefits. When thinking of the idea for PAWD DRINKS, I recognised the importance of partnering with

a co-founder whose experience and skill set complemented mine, but more critically, someone with whom I get along and trust implicitly. Archie Wilson, OR, became the ideal choice. With his experience in product management and operations, gained from his time at Amazon, and having faced similar challenges with his own late dog, Pickle, Archie was instantly aligned with the PAWD DRINKS mission. Our longstanding friendship, dating back to our first day at Radley, supported my confidence in him as the perfect co-founder. Together, we embarked on the journey to turn PAWD DRINKS from a concept into a reality. What inspires and motivates you? The motivation for founding PAWD DRINKS springs from a desire to address a widespread issue that affects many pet owners: the heartache of seeing their beloved dogs suffer from health problems. This personal connection inspired our dedication to creating a solution. The happiness and gratitude of potentially assisting both pets and their owners is immeasurable. It is exceptionally rewarding to provide a product that is not only attractive to our dogs but also provides direct health advantages. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to pursue a career in your field? In the entrepreneurial journey, recognising the inevitability of ups and downs is crucial. It's essential to choose a co-founder with whom you’re eager to navigate these fluctuations. Challenges become more manageable and triumphs more enjoyable when shared with a teammate. Remember, every problem has a solution; patience is key, and seeking advice from seasoned professionals should never be daunting. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

FROM AM DRAM TO AMBITIOUS DRAMA ‘… acting just like a real play.’ On Whit Monday in 1857 ten-year-old John Godley had his first experience of a dramatic performance: it left him stage-struck. This was ‘acting just like a real play’, with a stage set up in the schoolroom (now the Library), great curtains, a grand piano, tickets, and costumes all brought from London. The play was Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1. Afterwards, John requested (and received) the complete works of Shakespeare for his birthday. William Sewell had introduced drama to Radley. For Sewell, this was a part of the beautiful, Arcadian aspect of life at the school – an appropriate cultural and leisure activity associated with living in a country house. Educationally, through performing

or reading plays and memorising speeches and poems to give as recitations, boys would become familiar with both Classical and modern European cultures. They would learn posture, voice projection, memory techniques and teamwork as part of fitting them for public life. But above all, they would have great fun.

The classics

From 1880 onwards, the whole school, and most Old Radleians, gathered at Radley for the annual All Saints' Day celebrations where, alongside a Chapel service, a concert, sports and a dinner, theatrical entertainments were put on. There were scenes from Shakespeare, Molière (performed in French during a period when the playwright’s works were seldom performed in France) and Restoration comedies but the highlight was the Latin play. These were produced from texts specially prepared for performance at Radley and printed for sale by Oxford University Press. Performance at Radley was something to be done properly. From 1880 until 1897 four Roman comedies were performed in Latin in strict rotation: Andria, Phormio and Adelphi by Terence, or Trinummus by Plautus – on the whole, the school preferred Plautus.  Productions of Terence’s Adelphi in 1894 and Andria in 1903.

The cast of the 1892 production of Plautus’ Trinummus.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

After 17 years they branched out into a new repertoire: Aulularia by Plautus, and then in 1897 a group of the senior boys were taken into Oxford to see the Oxford University Dramatic Society’s production of The Knights by Aristophanes: ‘May we venture to say that none of us really appreciated a Greek play before we saw one actually put on the stage.’ (The Radleian, 1897). In response, the new century was celebrated by an excursion into Greek: The Frogs by Aristophanes, which went on to receive a full review in The Times of 3rd November 1900. The specially adapted Latin plays were abandoned in favour of a mix of a new Latin play (Rudens by Plautus) and Greek comedies: Aristophanes’ The Wasps in 1905; The Frogs was revived in 1906 with Sir Hubert Parry’s music; Euripides’ satyr play Cyclops in 1908; and The Wasps again in 1911. All were performed in the original languages. Then followed five years of silence until in 1916 the Literary Society began an annual event: the reading of a Greek tragedy in the new translations by Gilbert Murray. In 1946, don Charles Wrinch reintroduced plays performed in Greek, beginning with Sophocles’ Electra. For the next 25 years, Radley produced a biennial Greek play which attracted reviews in The Times and enticed eminent academics and actors to view performances. The influence of Classical plays continues into the 21st century, although now performed in English, such as the Shells’ play of 2004, Tales from Ovid (Ted Hughes’ retelling of Ovid’s Metamorphoses), or Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex for the 2017 school play.

The play’s the thing

From 1924, Drama became the preserve of RCADS (Radley College Amateur Dramatic Society), headed by dons Kenneth Boyd and Charles Wrinch, and senior boys, with backstage support from members of the community. From its foundation, RCADS aspired to be far more than a smalltown Am Dram group. They performed a wide-ranging repertoire which included Shakespeare and contemporary drama such as R.U.R. by Karel Čapek (1920), the Czechoslovakian play which introduced the word ‘robot’ into English. Just as Wrinch’s Greek plays had a lasting influence, so did the fully staged performances of Shakespeare which far exceeded normal schoolboy productions. Boyd’s book, The Technique of Play Production, published in 1934, became a standard textbook for school drama departments across the country. National recognition of their work culminated in a five-day conference at Stratfordupon-Avon in 1953 about the role of Shakespeare in schools. Peter Way joined Boyd and Wrinch in running RCADS in 1952. Way had been a member of the Society while a boy at the school in the 1940s and breathed new life into it for the next 28 years, beginning by introducing a new dramatic form to the repertoire: 17th-century masques. Examples included John Milton’s Comus in  Top: 1883 production of Molière’s Le Médecin malgré lui.

Middle: 1906 production of The Frogs by Aristophanes, showing the orchestra accompanying the performance. Bottom: 2017 production of Oedipus the King, starring Jamie Walker (2014, K). the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

 From left to right: Cyril Holland (1899, E) as a prefect in 1902, the subject of James Walker’s (1992, H) one-man show Born to be Wilde, the

1991 production of Dead Poets Society and the 1992 production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. 1956, accompanied by the original music of Henry Lawes played on the harpsichord, and Way’s own composition Lusimasque written to celebrate the opening of the Arts Centre in 1979. The most distinguished of RCADS’s productions during the 1950s were probably Christopher Fry’s A Sleep of Prisoners, performed in the parish church in 1955, and Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II in 1958. Edward II remains a highly controversial play. Its performance encouraged one teacher to apply to work at the school because it demonstrated such an innovative and bold approach to education. In 2023 Radley is still the only boys’ school known to have given a performance open to the public in the 20th and 21st centuries. Radley plays would continue to be chosen from cutting-edge drama. Peter Shaffer’s Equus, performed in 1983 under Jim Hare’s direction, was charged with a sense of such fierce psychological danger that it was asked whether it would be safe for junior members of the school to see the production: ‘The answer was “no” and was probably right. For in Justin Grant-Duff ’s boy and

Maurice Lynn’s Dysart there was an intensity that was frightening’ (Hamish Aird). Robert Lowe, Director of Drama in the 2010s, also introduced a challenging repertoire of plays, particularly The Laramie Project in 2012, which, like Edward II, remains a controversial play for school performances: just three years before Lowe’s production at Radley, a group of parents in Nevada tried to get the play banned. He also oversaw an ambitious approach to Shakespeare, with several years devoted to a cycle of performances of the complete history plays from Richard II to Richard III. Cast members quickly added stage-combat lessons to their acting skills! The most spectacular was Jim Hare’s own dramatisation of Piers Paul Read’s 1974 book Alive about the survivors of the 1972 Andean air crash, Maybe Tomorrow. The original play had a cast of more than 40. In 1992, Hare adapted his own script for a smaller cast of Radleians who took it to the Edinburgh Festival. In the early 1990s, Hare also wrote his own adaptations of the films Dead Poets Society and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest;

The 2012 production of The Laramie Project. 28

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

the latter was also taken to Edinburgh. In this he was following a tradition already in place: Radleian Jonathan Griffin’s (1920) play The Hidden King premiered in the Assembly Hall at the Edinburgh Festival in 1957; while the introduction of Radleians to the Edinburgh Festival continued after Hare retired when Quadrant Productions, a troupe of four Radleians, took Frank McGuinness’s Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me in 1996, and James Walker (1992, H) took his one-man show Born to be Wilde (the story of Oscar Wilde’s eldest son Cyril Holland, who was at Radley) in 1998. In 2007, the Edinburgh Festival came to Radley, when Cambridge Footlights became the first visiting company to perform in the New Theatre.

Teaching theatre

RCADS came to a natural end with the retirement of Peter Way in 1980. Drama was changing, becoming a part of the curriculum, rather than an extra-curricular activity for a society, although there was still room for innovation and participation for those not explicitly studying the subject, while members of the community who had worked backstage continued to do so. The annual school play once again became an all-school production under the direction of newly

Productions of The Royal Hunt of the Sun.

appointed Jim Hare. He already had a distinguished career behind him as a director for the National Youth Theatre and as Head of Drama at Blundell’s School. In addition, he had a wide range of experience in other theatres including Bristol Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company. His innovation was to set up small studio-based productions as part of ‘additional subject drama’, alongside the major annual school play, and the continuing Drama Festival in which all the Socials took part. His first production at Radley, Tom Stoppard’s Dogg’s Hamlet, introduced the new 6.1 Drama Workshop. His first major play at Radley, Peter Shaffer’s The Royal Hunt of the Sun, took the College by storm and proved to be the first in a run of stunning productions: ‘It had many of the features of Jim’s productions as we came to be familiar with them: great visual power, a natural sense of space on the stage, seamless acting and a sense of danger. In The Royal Hunt of the Sun the danger lay in the massive wheeled tower that careered across the stage with Atahuallpa atop. No one had seen anything quite like this at Radley before’ (Hamish Aird). The tradition of the Drama Festivals pioneered by RCADS from 1937 came to full fruition under Jim Hare with ‘additional subject drama’. These initiatives gave pupils room to grow not only as actors, but as writers, directors, producers, stage managers and designers. Short plays or films popped up all over campus: ‘Jim let his actors develop. When you were in trouble with a part, he was endlessly patient, and he understood the crises that actors have with their lines. He had very clear ideas about how he wanted things to look, and his confidence conveyed itself to his actors and often gave them an acting ability they’d barely dreamed of. In addition, he produced a stunning series of leading ladies. He would want to record the pioneering work of [Radleians] Sally Fielding and Nicola and Lucy Hudson’ (Hamish Aird). With Drama firmly a part of the taught curriculum in the 2020s, the Drama Department was faced with the problem of the Covid-19 lockdown and how to teach throughout Virtual Radley. Rehearsals and casting for the school plays had to take place online for much of 2020, only bringing the project together on stage in the last few weeks of rehearsals.

Productions of The Royal Hunt of the Sun. the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Prized performances

 Richard Haddon (1940, A)

after whom the Haddon Cup was named.

To recognise the skills displayed on stage, Radley started its first acting competition in 1929 – the same year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded its first Oscars. RCADS held it at irregular intervals until 1937 when the competition became the annual Radley Drama Festival, which would continue into the late 1980s. The Junior Drama Festival was introduced in 1939, eventually becoming the Haddon Cup, named after Richard Haddon (1940, A), Senior Prefect and Secretary of RCADS in 1945.

A more recent addition to the prizes is the Milligan Cup, initiated in 2011 by Tom Milligan (2005, D/K) for musical theatre performance. He had starred as Jean Valjean in the 2009 production of the musical Les Misérables. Instituted by Robert Lowe, Director of Drama, and Precentor Stephen Clarke these biennial collaborations with the Music Department produced fully staged musicals, beginning with West Side Story in 2007. Boys in the casts expanded their theatre skills into street dance, ballet, circus skills and singing.

 2009 production of Les Misérables, featuring Tom Milligan

(2005, D/K) among a cast and crew of over 140.

the old radleian 2023

However, musical theatre was not entirely new to Radley. The community had an active Gilbert & Sullivan Society in the 1980s, and Cabaret, Guys and Dolls and Jesus Christ, Superstar were all performed by the school in the 1990s and 2000s. Warden Richard Morgan also invited composer Sir Tim Rice to serve on Council. But it was under Lowe and Clarke that musical theatre at Radley reached professional heights, with several boys awarded places at the National Youth Music Theatre and going on to careers in this field. From its earliest days, members of RCADS also achieved national and international fame on stage and screen, most notably from this period Dennis Price (1929), who joined John Gielgud’s company and later starred in Ealing Comedies, and Desmond Llewelyn (1928), best known as ‘Q’ in the James Bond films. And the most recent of the performance prizes is the Peter Cook Cup, a monologue competition instituted in 2018 in honour of one of Radley’s most famous actors.

Backstage

Radley originally had no theatre in which to house plays, and so made use of the grounds and buildings to frame the performances. The Frogs in 1900 was performed in the Old Gym, Rudens in 1904 was staged in front of Clock Tower, and by 1906 The Frogs had been moved to the terrace of the Mansion. Lionel James, Classics Master from 1892–1906, took his cast to Bradfield College to watch Aristophanes performed in the Greek theatre there, and campaigned for a similar venue to be built at Radley, but to no avail. As RCADS took over productions, the masques, Greek plays and Shakespeare plays, such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest, that lent themselves to open-air performance used Chapel Quad, the Mansion terraces, private gardens and College Pond as backdrops.

FEATURES

2017’s Wind in the Willow’s was performed in the RCBC Boathouse, and on the River Thames.

Even once purpose-built theatre space had been constructed in the early 2000s, it did not stop the use of the whole campus for productions. Since 2006 plays have been performed in the garden at Queen’s Court; a peripatetic piece began at the Lodge and worked its way along the drive; and The Wind in the Willows was performed in the Boat House and on the River Thames in 2017. However, until 1939 Radley’s plays were for the most part performed on a temporary stage set up in the corrugated iron building which had served as the school gymnasium since Sewell’s day. They shared the space with gymnastics, physical training, exams, dinners, concerts, speech days and anything else which required a large, covered area. Yet RCADS achieved remarkable performances which drew admiration from external theatre critics:

“Speaking as an outsider who sees many school plays, one can ask to be believed in saying that Radley is building up a new dramatic tradition for schools. It is favoured by having almost as much space above and behind its stage as an ordinary theatre, and almost unlimited space on both sides. The white wall which takes the place of a cyclorama at the back – set back from the stage with a well between – facilitates lighted sky effects. The moveable wings, and the proscenium which can be set at any height, reduce the need for scenery to a minimum. With the ever-improving lighting arrangements it should be possible to get even more striking light effects than those which have already attracted so much interest, such as the ghost scene and the graveyard scene in last year’s Hamlet.”

-Anonymous Review of ‘The White Chateau’, in RCADS Minutes Book, 1934. In 1939, Radley’s latest building project was a properly designed gym, to be kept exclusively for sport. With the arrival of the Barker Gym, the existing gymnasium could be set up permanently as the Old Gym Theatre – although the space was still to be shared for speech days and (sometimes) pottery. A dedicated theatre gave opportunities for props and costume departments, a green room, and for many more boys and members of the community to become involved in set design, sound and lighting. RCADS were able to share their experience of theatre design when they helped with the construction of the Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon. Set design was a close collaboration with the Art Department, in the 1950s to 1960s master-minded by Chris Ellis, followed by Charlie Mussett, Paul Kilsby and Ian Ellis from the 1960s until the 2020s. But from the 1960s until 1993, it was don Geoff Treglown, man for all seasons, who was stage manager behind the scenes in

 A 1956 production of

Aristophanes' The Frogs being performed outside Mansion.  The 2022 production of Michael Frayn’s Donkeys’ Years was staged in Chapel Quad, and made use of the side door to Hall as well as a fire escape. more than 400 Radley productions. His team of boys showed a mastery of scenery, props, lighting and effects which was the envy of many professional theatres. The Old Gym Theatre was to be the home of drama at Radley until the late 1990s, when planning for the New Theatre, begun under Warden Richard Morgan, came to fruition under his successor Angus McPhail. The New Theatre brought a new team of professionals into school life with Matt Barker as Theatre Technician and Lianne Oakley-Rowland as Wardrobe Supervisor. Drama at Radley had moved on a long way from the performance of The Frogs in 1900, where costumes were designed by members of the community. The aim was to turn the New Theatre into a professionally run venue that would not only host the College’s output of drama productions but would also in time be able to host visiting professional theatre companies, providing a new performance venue in the area. Clare Sargent Archivist

For more on the history of drama at Radley, visit the Radley College Archives: https://radleyarchive.blog/150-years-ofdrama-at-radley/

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

DONS’ PLAYS – MEMORIES FROM ORs Robert Hutton (1948, F)

One of my enduring memories as stage electrician for the Dons’ Plays was at the time of the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. Ivor Gilliat and Paul Crowson sang this irreverent ditty: What do they think of us at Helsinki, I’d like to know? Do they throw roses or turn up their noses at our not very good show? It’s a wonderful place for athletes as athletes come and go, some come in first and others come later. But no girl thirsts for a second-rater. In fact, if you want to know The girls at Helsinki go wink a wink winky at Russians and Swedes and Persians and Medes But not very often at us, no not very often at us, for our not very good show.

Terry Blake (1967, H)

It was always a treat to see my Tutor, Dougie Birks, hamming it up!

Robin Phipps (1948, E)

They were always great fun, but it took me several years to realise that there was no such place as ‘Himazas’. I forget which don impersonating a well-built woman was ‘Going back to Himazas … him as ‘as the pub next door’. It was possibly Ivor Gilliat, who always entered into the spirit. (I’m Going Back to Himazas was a well-known 1920s comic music hall song by the Debroy Somers Band).

Peter Fullerton (1943, B)

I remember well the three leading figures in the Dons’ Plays in 1943-48. They were ‘Plugs’ Rawlinson who wrote the witty and topical pantomime script, and acted. ‘Tiny’ Southam as Widow Twankey, in a huge dress to cover his bulky figure. Cedric Borgnis as composer, singer and dancer. It was a brilliant production, and such fun to watch.

Jonathan Cardale (1959, D)

I remember the Dons’ Plays being a really good laugh, and that Peter Way, who directed me as Goneril in King Lear, produced them for light relief. Peter Stuart, my Social Tutor, gamely starred in one, but since a by-pass machine stole many of my memory marbles, I cannot remember much more about it. I’d be glad to be reminded, if anyone else does!

George Wall Morris (1951, E)  Top & Middle: 1972 Dons' Play production of

Horse Play. Bottom: 1995 Dons' Play production of Peter Pan. 32

the old radleian 2023

I remember a play in the 1950s that revolved around the Festival of Britain, in which Ivor Gilliatt sang in an extraordinary but good falsetto much to everyone’s amusement. I would love to see that play again, though I should think that it will have lost most of the humour by now.

FEATURES

John Gammage (1962, A)

Tom Colville (1965, F)

Michael Bawtree (1951, G)

There were two galleries above the stage, accessed by counterbalanced sliding ladders. The ‘fly gallery’ above stage right, and the lighting gallery stage left. All the cables for each light were led into the gallery area high up under the roof stage left. From here each bank of fixed lights and some fixed individual spot lights could be switched or dimmed as required. The circuits were led to a wide array of ancient wire-wound Rheostats ... which sparked ... each one with its own slider. Several of the sliders could be linked together, to form a group, so that 3 or 4 units could be moved simultaneously. For scenes that required different lighting sets, and so that circuit fuses never exceeded capacity, feed plugs had to be swapped around. Any quick – and correct – surge of light required many hands to work precisely and in unison.

I have searched in vain for an original Dons’ Plays programme, and can only recall the actual name of one: See the Chalk Dust Fly, which carried the picture of a huge fly on the cover. Otherwise, my memories of the Plays consist of mental snapshots: 1. Richard Morgan acted, and sang, as a very convincing Little Richard, standing precariously on a tall bar stool. 2. ‘Daddy’ Eyres wielded an invisible hammer with which he proceeded to strike someone repeatedly in what was a real thriller, and not in the regular mould of the plays. 3. Finally, and probably the most memorable and astonishing moment, was David Goldsmith as Fairy Godmother, complete with wand and wearing a (was it actually pink?) tutu! As my maths teacher, and someone I genuinely feared at times, this broke with all possible belief!

The high point of Dons’ Plays when I first came to Radley was, in fact, not part of a play, but Charles Wrinch singing a couple of songs. The one I remember part of was a spoof Russian love song, of which I remember only a few lines: Under the Russian moon-ski We’d kiss-ski And spoon-ski And all the wolves would howlavitch And growlavitch And prowlavitch’ That’s all I remember, but it brought the house down! I’ve often looked for the song since, but with no success. Mr. HammondChambers-Borgnis was the composer in 1951, and was always thought to be the finest of them. Anthony Caesar took his place in 1952, and wrote some good songs, but not with quite the same H-C-B panache. I remember Ivor Gilliatt as a queen in all his finery, starting off one play with a monologue which began: Not in the upper world reign I, a queen, But in the demi-monde I am much seen. Theo Cocks often wrote the book for those plays and his ironic wit was much admired. They were great events in Radley life in the Old Gym.  Below: 1977's production: The Case of the Compromised

Question Papers Below right: 1954’s production: Coal

During my time at Radley, I became involved with the group of boys that operated the stage lighting set up, back-stage in the Old Gym. Under oversight of Geoff Treglown, the don in charge, we would build up the gantries onto which the heavy flood and spot lamps were mounted. The gantry bars could be lowered on ‘fly’ ropes from within the scenery ‘tower’ above the stage. Any final directional tuning of the pattern of any light or fitment of a colour filter, required the use of a very tall step ladder.

During rehearsals a complete page-book was created for each performance, setting out lighting sequences with exact timings or wording cues. The team in the gallery, working with torches in whispers, (I think 3 or 4 of us), had to see to it that the correct bank of lights were plugged in and the Rheostat sliders would move to their predetermined positions. It was a real team effort to get it right. I doubt many in the audience ever gave much thought to how this miracle of light was achieved. So, as well as being involved with Social plays and other events over a couple of years, I became very privileged to get a memorable view of top of the heads of many dons in their costumes, as they performed Peter Panto. The back stage lighting team would be leaning over the gallery rail in less frenetic moments, some 12 ft above the stage. During my final years at Radley the whole Old Gym was rewired. A new state-of-the-art transistorised lighting control room was constructed right at the rear of the Old Gym auditorium. All cables were led back there. Electric winches for the heavy lighting and scenery flies were installed, and a team of two could do the whole job. Our happy “risk … what risk ?” era has passed now. A time-warp secret, possibly totally overlooked today? But it is part of College history. Maybe we should be happy that today, in the modern age, boys would be forbidden to get involved in that manner ... but where’s the character development in that?

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

MAKING A BLOCKBUSTER Eddie Hamilton (1985, D)

Film Editor Known for: Top Gun: Maverick (2022), Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), X-Men: First Class (2011) Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) Obsession with film started at a young age for Eddie Hamilton. He remembers begging to be taken to the cinema, listening to movie soundtracks on repeat, and reading any book about films that he could get his hands on. At Radley, Eddie benefitted from the investments that Max Horsey had made in new equipment, using them intensively, and becoming familiar with the rudiments of film editing. French don Charlie Barker’s Foreign Film Society was also influential, by introducing a wider scope of cinema.

“Max Horsey and Charlie Barker were instrumental in fostering my passion for technical and creative filmmaking.”

Eddie went on to University College London, where he studied Psychology, and joined the thriving student film society. Throughout his studies, Eddie was involved in student film and TV projects, and as soon as he finished his degree he secured a job as a runner at a post-production facility in London.

“You go in at the bottom, and make tea, get everyone lunch, and you start to learn how to use the equipment in this professional environment. It’s so different to what you experience as a student filmmaker, where expertise is rare, and deadlines aren’t crucial.” His first jobs in the industry as a runner allowed Eddie to become familiar with the pace of filmmaking, begin to navigate the politics of working with others creatively and, importantly, to make mistakes.

“You make a lot of mistakes when you’re starting out, which could be extraordinarily costly on a bigger budget film. It’s good to make plenty of mistakes earlier on, when the stakes and the budgets are smaller. That way, you learn, okay, I’m never gonna do that again.” Gradually, Eddie worked his way up in the industry. At first, he paid for rent with a couple of days’ work per week editing 30 second promos for Paramount Comedy, so that he could spend the other five days working for free on small-budget movies to gain experience and widen his professional network. From the late 90s to 2010s, Eddie worked on around 40 productions, eventually landing editing roles on films like Kick-Ass (2010) and X-Men: First Class (2011). The real breakthrough came when Eddie was called to edit Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), a huge blockbuster from this popular series, with a budget of over $150 million. The commercial success of the film is evidenced by the subsequent titles, all of which Eddie has edited, Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), with further instalments forthcoming. Eddie was also the editor on Tom Cruise’s recent film Top Gun: Maverick (2022). What does film editing involve? Editing is the creative hub of any film. There are 200 – 300 people all working frantically to make the magic happen between ‘action’ and ‘cut’, in front of the camera. All that data then makes its way onto the editor’s laptop, and it’s all over to them! Productions start off a bit lumpy and baggy. Over time you keep working and working to refine it, until it’s ready to go to the sound team, the music team, the visual effects team, and the colour team for the final touches. It’s a creative process, but one that involves plenty of technology. As the editor, you’re the single person responsible for everything that the audience sees and hears, from the very first opening credit all the way

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

through to the end roller. Everything goes through your fingertips, for however long it takes to make the film. That’s nearly three years, in the case of the Mission: Impossible film I’ve been working on. This is why it’s the best job: you’re also the first person in the world to see the film come together, and watch the scenes start to come to life. It’s a huge privilege. It sounds like an artist with a painting – how do you know when a film is finished? It’s never really finished. You could keep working on it and improving it forever. However, films have a release date, and there will be, perhaps, 15,000 cinemas around the world all waiting to show this film. The publicity department may have spent millions of dollars on commercials, posters, publicity tours. So, you have to finish the film. There’s also a process of showing the film at an early screening, and listening to what the audience says. If they tell you the film is confusing or too long, or boring, then you keep working at it until they stop telling you it’s too long or boring. I’ve noticed that there are ‘fashions’ in film editing that change over time – such as fades, montages or dissolves. Have you noticed any editing fashions in recent years? The thing that I’ve noticed is that the pace of movies is faster than it was in the 60s and 70s. Audiences today are more mature, and they seem to perceive, process, and understand visuals quicker.

For example, in the original Top Gun, the opening montage with the jets taxiing on the deck of the aircraft carrier and taking off was about two and a half minutes. For the new film, Top Gun: Maverick, I originally did a montage that was almost exactly the same length, but test audiences said that it felt too long. So, I cut a minute out. The final version is about a minute and a half, but it has a lot more shots than the original, meaning that it’s a faster pace, more dynamic, and more exciting. I think this modern taste for faster pace in film and TV is a sign of the times. That’s not to jump on the bandwagon and say that “Gen-Z have short attention spans”, because they will sit and watch eight hours of a TV show in one go. I think people are just used to perceiving and processing information quicker. What advice would you give someone who wanted to get into the industry? There are some good online options: you can watch a lot of videos on YouTube about editing, because there are plenty of good ones. There is a great online course called Inside the Edit: www. insidetheedit.com/ where you can study at home, get one-to-one feedback, they also have free taster sessions. Try making a film: write a little one-page script, go out with your friends, shoot it on your phone, load it onto a laptop and try using some free editing software. The software I use, Avid Media Composer, offers a free version which you can download and work straight away. Use it to create something small, and upload it to YouTube. You’ll make loads of mistakes, but you’ll learn about filmmaking. To do editing professionally, you’ll probably need to be based in a big city: London, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, somewhere where there’s plenty of film and television being made. The industry in the UK is booming: many big studios have been booked up for 15 years by big companies like Netflix and Disney. The list of productions being made in the UK is enormous: the DC movies, Star Wars, James Bond … Aim to get a job in a post-production facility. Start from the bottom, making tea, working long days, and learning about the equipment. It’s like any job: it’s repetitive, but if you love it, it won’t matter. You’ll be an asset and move up fairly quickly if you are enthusiastic and willing to work hard. It takes a lot of sacrifice. You’ll miss friends’ birthday parties, and family gatherings, but you’ll make it eventually, and you’ll have found your passion. Filmmaking is the most wonderful, creative collaboration between people: people who are experts in fashion, hair, makeup, prosthetics, design, architecture, photography, sound, music, storytelling, engineering, electronics … all the creative industries come together to make films. What’s next for you? I’m currently on a five-year journey to make these two Mission: Impossible movies - Dead Reckoning Part One and Part Two. They’re two gigantic films for Paramount Pictures. They are very ambitious, very complicated, very exciting, action-packed movies, and they take a long time to make. Visit Eddie's website to find out more about his career and projects: www.eddiehamilton.com the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

During this exploratory period of the mid-1990s, Daniel and Mr Horsey developed a side line in educational click-and-learn CD-ROMs, the first, That’s Magic, featuring Daniel performing and explaining magic tricks, and the second, Scientific Adventures, explored scientific theory. The CD-ROMs were stocked by Hamley’s for a while but, more importantly, the project affirmed Daniel-Konrad’s love for visual storytelling.

Daniel-Konrad Cooper (1996, D) Producer, Rather Good Films Known for: Dunkirk (2017), The Colour Room (2022), The Man In The Hat (2020) An Oxfordshire boy, and keen Oxford United fan, Daniel Cooper came to Radley on a scholarship. He was academically gifted, an avid chess-player, and threw himself into extracurricular activities, quickly making friendships that are still going strong today. He was one of the rare handful nationally who took triple maths, encouraged by Mr Garry Wiseman, and did an Electronics GCSE with Max Horsey while the department was still in its infancy. Watching films such as La Haine (1995) and Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) in Simon Barlass’s classes was transformational, introducing greater levels of nuance and realism, and starting his fascination for world cinema.

Despite his strong mathematical background, Daniel went on to Balliol College to study English. Alongside his studies, he became treasurer of the Oxford University Drama Society, and was involved in plenty of productions, alongside contemporaries like Riz Ahmed (actor and rapper), Felicity Jones (actor), Gethin Anthony and Harry Lloyd (both actors known for roles in Game of Thrones). After trying his hand in theatre, Daniel started applying for jobs in the film industry, and was offered a role as the assistant to producer and director Matthew Vaughn on his film Stardust (2007). “And,” Daniel observes, “if you watch that film very closely, you can see that everyone who appears on screen looks as though they just had a fantastic cup of tea. That’s my doing. It’s not an Oscar category yet.” Like many in the industry, Daniel’s first jobs were largely photocopying, running errands, and making beverages. But he was working alongside Hollywood superstars like Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Importantly, he was gaining a better understanding of what it takes to run big-budget films. Daniel started to gain a reputation for being able to handle the more difficult characters in the industry, “I got this rep for being able to handle tricky people, and not taking things too personally which, actually, Radley sort of built me up for.” Daniel fell in with a US producer, Jake Myers, and has worked with him regularly on projects ever since. He was encouraged to increase his responsibility over a number of films, starting as an assistant, and eventually being the Production Supervisor on Dunkirk (2017). Over the course of eighteen years, Daniel has worked on a number of Hollywood blockbusters, and in between these projects he produces smaller films of his own, first shorts, and later feature films. He’s a freelancer with his own company, Rather Good Films, and is enjoying telling stories that matter to him, alongside working on other people’s projects in the UK and overseas. Recently, Daniel has produced The Man In The Hat (2020), starring Ciarán Hinds. It is a road-trip style comedy in which the protagonist has only two lines of dialogue, yet it magically communicates a Francophile celebration of people, culture, music and food. The film won Best Actor and Best Film awards in the 2022 Richard Harris International Film Awards, and is available to watch on Amazon.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

What is the role of a producer on a film project? My job is to bridge the gap between the creative and commercial. You are responsible for raising a bunch of money from investors based on the commercial potential of a film. The key thing is to ask yourself, from a business perspective, am I generating a product that there is a demand for? What am I offering the audience? Who is going to watch this, and why? Once you have a project outline, and funding, a producer hires writers, a director, and oversees the project, managing the shoot until the point of distribution. Is good story material always obvious to a producer? I’ve found that often the stories that I really want to tell don’t necessarily have a mass market. So, it’s harder to raise the finance for those. The thrust of my company, Rather Good Films, is to tell thought-provoking British independent stories. It’s often easier to raise finance for a horror or action movie than for some of the films that I’m incredibly proud of, and I think have a deeper message. It costs the same to watch an independent movie at the cinema as it does to watch a James Bond movie or a Star Wars, even though they cost so much more to make. But there will always be a place for more thought-provoking films. I think what sells is good ideas. I think if you have an idea that you can communicate succinctly, then you can get people excited about that idea. How do you choose a director for a production? What a lot of people don’t realise is that, in many cases, the director is the least experienced person on the film set. A director only gets to make one film every couple of years, if they’re lucky, and most of the crew are working on six or seven movies a year. When I’m trying to raise investment, often the hardest thing is convincing someone to put up millions of dollars for a project where the director hasn’t done something similar before. It’s important to find someone you can trust and who communicates well, brings energy and enthusiasm, and is a good storyteller. The experience of the director often dictates the scale of budget that the film can be made at, and their network affects which actors might be attracted to roles.

How has the landscape of film production changed over the last decade? At the moment there’s a big boom in the British film industry, and there’s a lot of exciting projects being shot by US Studios in the UK. However, a lot are what we'd call ‘blockbuster’ films: explosions, tidal waves, superheroes, whereas independent film is what I really love. These are stories that don’t need big budgets and crazy visual effects, and they’re often a lot more affecting: they make us laugh, they make us cry because they’re about people, and people’s responses to events, rather than the events themselves. It’s much harder to get people to go and see these types of independent dramas, it’s trickier to sell: come and watch this movie, it’s about people and how people change. That doesn’t sound as exciting as an explosion or a tidal wave. So, I think that there’s been a big shift, generally in the industry, towards safe bets – big action

and horror films that are more likely to be profitable, especially post-COVID, with investment harder to raise. Can we fix that? Give me $20 million, and I’ll tell some good stories! My hope is to make Rather Good Films a bit of a brand that people can trust, across all genres of movies. I want to deliver a consistent quality and integrity of storytelling, not just meeting audience expectations but exceeding them.

What advice do you have for those thinking about entering the industry, and film production particularly? People in the film industry are really amazing, resilient, and dedicated to what they have a passion for. The hours are long, at first the pay isn’t always great, and there’s a lot of travelling. Building up work and life experience is always wise. Go to university if you can, embrace the opportunities that life gives you: join film societies, find the talented people, pull them together and make things with them. Build your network. Work your way up slowly, rather than just going for the top jobs straight off the bat. I don’t think that films schools are necessarily the best environment to learn how to be a filmmaker. You will learn most by getting onto film sets in the real world where you can see successes and failure first hand. Today, anyone can be a filmmaker; you don’t need professional equipment, you can shoot a story on your phone, and you can get it out to a mass audience online. So, if you have stories to tell, there’s no excuse. If you want to be a director, find some people who want to act, and go create. You’ve got to do something very special to get noticed, though, and this is always the challenge for an emerging director. In short films or lower budget features, you’re trying to do two things: you’re trying to show that you understand film convention, and how a story is told. But you’re also trying to put your own mark on it. I think that we all have a duty in whatever we’re doing in our lives, whatever our jobs are, to think, what am I really good at? The earlier that we can recognise what our skills are, and start thinking about how we get those out into the world, the quicker we find happiness.

What’s next for you? I’m putting together the pieces for a feature film titled “The Narrows”: a revenge thriller set in 1900 on the canals of Northern England. It’s a kind of British Western with the spirit of Peaky Blinders. For this project we’re incorporating some Virtual Production elements and using advances in technology to add scale and production value. We shot a proof-of-concept that is working really well and overcomes a lot of the logistical challenges and costs around filming on the water. The Narrows is an independent film with lots of soul, but I also worked for much of this year on the upcoming Sony/Marvel release Kraven The Hunter (in cinemas Summer 2024), which was better for the bank balance than the heart! the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Designer with the crew, and on his recommendation took a drafting course, building his artistic portfolio. Securing jobs on productions was initially very hard, and required a great deal of patience, tenacity, and the occasional white lie when it came to the intricacies of his skillset. Eventually, he was offered a week’s work on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016). After gaining the contact details of as many people as he could on the production, and sending 60 emails after the end of his placement, Olly was rewarded with two interviews, and a place in the art team of Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016).

Olly Williams (2005, B)

Art Director Known for: Gladiator 2 (2024), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Stan & Ollie (2018) Radley is, by today’s standards, a unique school, and it took Olly Williams a while to acclimatise, spending his first year as a somewhat ‘shellshocked shell’, in his words. He found his feet, and spent much of his time with Ian Ellis and Tom Ryder in the Art Department. Olly grew to enjoy many of the school’s peculiarities, for example, participating in Declamations each year.

“I was never particularly outgoing, in that sort of gregarious, charismatic way that others were. I was never theatrical. But Declamations allowed me to do something that I really loved, which was learn poetry. In first year, I declaimed Jabberwocky. I think I got through to the finals every year, but never won.” Olly is introspective about the privilege of his education, suggesting that Radley is something of a ‘system’. One, perhaps, a little distant from the real world. The longer Olly has been out of the system, though, the more he looks back on, and appreciates it.

“I’m sure that others that come through Radley probably feel the same way: that it was very strange leaving it, entering the real world, and seeing what other people’s life experiences have been, and how privileged you are.” After a gap year in New Zealand, Olly studied Architecture at Oxford Brookes University, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, L. P. Williams, who studied to be a qualified architect before using his drafting skills as an artistic director in the film industry, including as the Art Director of Oscar-nominated film, Brief Encounter (1945). Inspired by his grandfather’s career and his own love of film, Olly was determined to make his way into the industry. At this time, he was living near Pinewood Studios where, among other shows, Midsomer Murders was based, putting his home into a catchment area of potential filming locations. “A lot of the houses around us have had murders in them. When it was our turn, we had two murders: a woman who was electrocuted by a roulette wheel in the living room, and a man who was squashed in a huge oldfashioned printing press in the garage.” Olly spoke to the Production 38

the old radleian 2023

Since this breakthrough, Olly has worked on a number of large films, in draftsman and concept artist roles. Among the highlights for him have been BAFTA nominated Stan & Ollie (2018), a film about Laurel and Hardy, where as a concept artist Olly painted 20 or 30 paintings as part of the team tasked with making the film look authentically of its era. The role of Assistant Artistic Director on Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) was ‘baptism by fire on a monumental scale’ and, despite being an incredible challenge and cinematic triumph, was traumatic enough to turn Olly away from large productions for a while. As an antidote to the experience of working on these big movies, Olly decided to make a film of his own – to tell a story that meant something to him, in his own way. Adira’s Dream (2021) is a beautiful, claustrophobic story in which issues as diverse as mental health, online dating, intergenerational trauma, and the reliability of the protagonist are explored in a sidelong, dreamlike way, over the course of a dinner date. For his current project, Olly has returned to big-budget films, and is working as the Art Director on Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2.

FEATURES

What are the phases of artistic direction? The initial sketch can come from anywhere, really – from a director, the production designer. First sketches are often quite bold and hard to discern, and drawn in Sharpie. But there’s an idea, a fragment. Sharpie is quite useful for these early sketches, as it doesn’t allow for too much detail, and encourages broader ‘toplevel’ thinking. In this first phase, conversations can be very casual. Later stages focus in more on the detail, developing ideas and designs with the production designer, predominantly. This is where you start thrashing out ideas and making it a presentable piece. And then you arrive at the point of showing it to the director, the director of photography (DOP) and, potentially, the producer. They will have feedback, and you may have to re-present a number of times before a vision for the film can be agreed on, within the constraints of budgets and practical feasibility. What are the key skills and traits needed to make it in the industry? Resilience is critical. The industry really is demanding and it does filter people out quite quickly. It’s not only the long days and unsociable hours, but also the ebb and flow of work, especially as a freelancer. Getting your finances in order is important; making sure that you have enough of a cushion to see you through the gaps between projects. COVID definitely compounded this, as many in the industry went a long time without work. The recent industry strikes are a good example of preparing yourself for the worst and being out of work for a while - 75% of the industry were out of work because of them. I’ve kept myself busy by writing during this downtime and have completed seven feature length scripts. How did you find the process of making your own film, Adira’s Dream? It’s common to feel the need to stay in control of everything on a project like this, but a very important part of writing is having to let go. That’s very difficult when you’ve conceived this story in your head, and oftentimes it’s quite personal. But, the whole process of making a film is a massive collaboration: you’re not the only creative person in the room. Everyone, down to the person who’s pouring you a cup of tea in the morning, has something to add to the project. The character, Adira, struggles to control all aspects of her life, so that made for an interesting counterpoint. There are definitely elements of my own feelings and emotions in the story. Making the film was a real whirlwind: from the point of first putting pen to paper, to shooting everything, including the stuff in Iceland, was three months. I have bipolar disorder, which imbues you with a superpower sometimes, and it cripples you other times. In order to make the film, it was entirely necessary for me to be that kind of person: to be supercharged enough to get collaborators and investors on board, to raise the finance, and to project manage all the details. I had plenty of help throughout – from Angelique, the actress who plays Adira, at the writing phase, and by Patrick the editor towards the end. Their fingerprints are all over it. At the end of it, we have got a film that I think we all feel proud of, and has been appreciated by audiences who have seen it.

What advice do you have for someone looking to work in artistic design and direction? Don’t think that you need to be armed with all the skills you’ll need from the outset – in junior roles what’s important is: can you develop them? Given the right training, the right tuition, the right coaxing, you can exceed everybody’s expectations, including your own. Seize the opportunities that you’re given with both hands and really make the most of them. Try to make sure you meet the right people, and don’t overlook contacts like assistants and coordinators – they often have a surprising amount of leverage to get you onto projects, and have their ears to the ground. Be eager to get involved. Be humble; ask for introductions. Be appreciative of opportunities, and take time to reflect on what you’ve achieved. And make sure you congratulate yourself when you’ve done well! What’s next for you? At the moment, I’ve got to focus on this big project, the Ridley Scott production. After that, I’d like to start thinking about being a supervising art director or production designer in my own right. That’s my ambition, to progress to that level. I really feel that the industry needs to keep moving forward and introduce more people into it; it’s growing at such an exponential rate, and we need the right sort of people in the right places.

Adira’s Dream is available to watch on Amazon: https://amzn.to/467OsAz

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

STARS OF THE STAGE & SCREEN In the earliest days of Radley College, acting was not considered a gentleman’s profession, but that did not stop those with a dramatic flair from treading the boards. As the era of the silent movies came to an end, giving way to the ‘talkies’ of the 1930s and the Hollywood boom of the 1940s and 50s, the acting profession went from taboo to desirable. Here are just a few of the many Old Radleians who have taken to the stage and screen. Kenneth Douglas (1892, E)

Kenneth Douglas Savory was born in 1876 in Eastbourne, and came to Radley in 1892, staying for only a year. He became a stage actor in London, and later New York. He married composer and singer Grace Lane in 1903. He was best known for his role in silent film A Girl of Yesterday (1915) starring Mary Pickford. Apart from a handful of stills, this film is among the 75% of silent-era films now presumed to be lost due to the volatile nature of early film reel. Kenneth and Grace were the parents of Gerald Savory, a TV and film writer and producer.

the old radleian 2023

Nicholas ‘Beau’ Hannen (1895, C)

A member of the 1st VIII and a prefect at Radley, Nicholas Hannen worked in the office of famous architect Edwin Lutyens before becoming a stage actor in 1910. He appeared in almost 50 plays during his lifetime, alongside such talent as Sybil Thorndike, Ralph Richardson, and Laurence Olivier. He was awarded an OBE for his service during military operations in France during WWI, and soon returned to the stage once back in Britain. He had roles in dozens of films from 1930 – 1960, including as Seneca in Quo Vadis (1951), and Vice Admiral Ramsay in Dunkirk (1958).

FEATURES

Sutton Vane (1902, E)

The eldest son of author and playwright Frank Sutton-Vane, Vane Hunt Sutton-Vane (known, somewhat bewilderingly, like his father as Sutton Vane), headed to the stage after leaving Radley, and acted until the outbreak of WWI. He was invalided out after a period of service at the front line, and after recovering he returned to the combat zone as an entertainer for the troops, performing with artillery blasts within earshot. He wrote a number of plays, including the extremely popular fantasydrama Outward Bound, which was adapted for both stage and screen.

Geoffrey Goodhart (1911, G)

Geoffrey Goodhart came to Radley as a junior scholar. He began his life in entertainment as a musician, recording a number of dance band tracks in the mid-1920s. He went on to be an actor and producer, and appeared in films such as Always a Bride (1953) and The House in the Woods (1957). He produced The Flaw (1955), The Dynamiters (1956), and The Gelignite Gang (1956).

Arthur Wellesley (1905, A)

Born on Christmas Day 1890, Christian Arthur Wellesley, known as Viscount Dangan and later as 4th Earl Cowley, trained at Sandhurst after leaving Radley. After service in WWI, he took to the stage in London, acting as ‘Arthur Wellesley’, and had roles in numerous comedy pieces such as Betty and Fallen Angels. He played the lead with American actress Tallulah Bankhead, and met his first wife, New York showgirl Mae Pickard, while playing in musical drama The Girl on the Film.

Allan Bourne (1921, C)

Allan Charles Bourne Webb was born in Wiltshire in 1907, and was at Radley for four years before going up to Worcester College, Oxford. He was an actor and baritone, having roles in the TV plays The Pilgrim’s Progress (1939) and Magyar Melody (1939). After serving in WWII between 194045, he joined the historic Sadler’s Wells Opera Company, and also appeared in Lady Audley’s Secret (1949). He retired from the stage in 1949 to become the director of a publishing firm.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Patrick Barr (1922, C) A talented rower, both at Radley and Oxford University, Patrick Barr’s first screen role was in The Merry Men of Sherwood (1932). After a break, he began acting again in the late 1940s, and soon landed appearances in a number of blockbusters such as The Dam Busters (1955), The First Great Train Robbery (1979) and Octopussy (1983). Over the course of his life, Patrick featured in more than 140 films and television series.

Desmond Llewelyn (1928, E)

Desmond Llewelyn played Q, the head of the R&D division of the British Secret Service, in 17 James Bond films between 1963 and 1999, alongside all of the first five actors to play the role of Bond. Q was, by far, his best known and best loved role, but Desmond also appeared in a number of films and theatre productions, including Cleopatra (1963), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and alongside Laurence Olivier on stage.

 Patrick Barr (second from left, front row) with the 1st VIII in 1926.

Dennis Price (1929, E)

Best remembered for his portrayal of the valet Jeeves in the television adaption of P. G. Wodehouse’s short stories, Dennis Price was also widely known for his role as the ambitious serial murderer, Louis Mazzini, in the film Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949). He acted throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and one of his final roles was as the King of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (1972), alongside Peter Sellers and Dudley Moore.

Peter Dyneley (1935, G)

A player in the Radley rugby 1st XV, Peter Dyneley Hessey Hessey-White studied at McGill University and served in the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII. He returned to London to study opera, developing the bass voice that would make him famous. He appeared in over a hundred stage productions, films, and TV shows, and was best known as the voice of Jeff Tracy (and the introductory countdown) in the TV series Thunderbirds.

 Peter Dyneley (front row, centre) with the 1st XV in 1937.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Richard Burrell (1939, D) The cox of the 1942 1st VIII, Richard Burrell trained at the Old Vic Theatre. His TV career spanned two decades, during which time he became a familiar face, appearing in dozens of roles in shows including Dixon of Dock Green and The Newcomers. He also played supporting roles in a few wellknown films, such as Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956), Act of Murder (1964) and The Ipcress File (1965).

James Bree (1942, A)

A prefect in his final year at Radley, James Rutherfoord Worsfold Thomson served in the RAF during WWII. He studied at The Central School of Speech and Drama, and made hundreds of appearances on stage and screen, including in Rising Damp, The Bill and Silent Witness. His bestknown roles were as Blofeld’s attorney, Gumbold, in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and as Nefred (series 18) and Keeper of the Matrix (series 23) in Doctor Who.

Noel Harrison (1947, G)

After leaving Radley aged 15, Noel Harrison became a member of the British ski team and represented Great Britain at the 1952 and 1956 Winter Olympics. He embarked on a musical career, and moved to the United States, where he had a number of successful records including The Windmills of Your Mind and secured the role of Mark Slate in The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. alongside the star, Stefanie Powers. Throughout the rest of his life, Noel toured both musically and theatrically.  Peter Cook (front row, left), as a prefect in 1956.

Peter Cook (1951, C)

Following involvement with drama and the Marionettes at Radley, and the Footlights Club at Cambridge, Peter Cook began a long-running creative partnership with Dudley Moore. His career included opening Soho nightclub The Establishment, playing a foundational role in the satire boom of the 1960s, financing, supporting, and contributing to Private Eye, and dozens of television and film appearances. He was awarded a BAFTA in 1966, and Grammy Awards in 1963 and 1975. The Peter Cook Cup, introduced at Radley in 2018, is a yearly drama competition in which boys perform monologues.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

SPOTLIGHT ON THE INDUSTRY We hear from ORs working in the TV, film and theatre industries. Rick Barker (1990, B)

Role: Editor Experience: 20 years in the industry Your career story in 150 words … Tom Crowther, Jamie Campbell and myself were given a huge amount of support at Radley, and made three films while we were there. After studying Film at university, I worked for Oxford TV directing, filming and editing short reports. I then got a place on an ITV scheme for youngsters called The Lab, where I developed a love of editing. After a year there, I was offered the chance to become freelance, and learn on the job. I edited a couple of short TV docs, before cutting an episode of Who Do You Think You Are. 20 years later, I’m a BAFTA winning editor with over 100 credits across a huge variety of unscripted TV, still learning from every job and loving my time in the cutting room.

Ed Tuke (1991, E)

Role: Writer & Producer Experience: 22 years in the industry Your career story in 150 words … I directed a couple of plays at Radley, including a TERRIBLE Haddon Cup entry. To my eternal shame the second half fell apart when the cast forgot their lines, but we made it to the end with a healthy dose of surprisingly comedic ad-libbing. I was never much of an actor, unlike other ex-Radley creatives I know of, but instead played extras in a few big productions (Nosferatu, Midsummer Night’s Dream) and helped to build sets for a number of other plays. Just being in the theatre was an experience, and always carried with it an incredible sense of potential and excitement. My background is as a TV producer, a role I have held for nearly twenty years, working on shows such as The X Factor and Big Brother. However, in 2019 I set up Six Films in order to focus on writing my first feature film, an adaptation of the novel Far As The Eye Can See by Robert Bausch, which we optioned over lockdown.

the old radleian 2023

Key to my career are my relationships with directors and producers, who often ask to work with me repeatedly. Lately the shows I’ve edited have been up for or have won awards. I’m the busiest I’ve ever been and lucky to be paid to do something I love. What has been your favourite project? The Real Mo Farah - I was given a huge amount of creative freedom by the director Leo to craft the film. It has gone on to be awarded Broadcast, BAFTA TV, and Rose d’Or awards. What’s next? I’ve just finished as lead editor on the recent BBC series Parole, and I am about to start as the lead editor on Amazon’s first true crime documentary. Explore Rick’s work: The Real Mo Farah is currently available on BBC iPlayer. Check Rick’s profile on imdb.com for a list of over 25 other projects he’s worked on, including Bin Laden: The Road to 9/11, popular TV series Who Do You Think You Are, and a number of Panorama episodes.

What has been your favourite project? I am completely obsessed with our current adaptation for the big screen of Robert Bausch’s seminal novel. But prior to this, I’d say that producing Big Brother for Channel 4 was a career highlight. It really taught me how to tell stories, especially on those slow summer days when nothing much was happening in the house. Those subtler, quieter stories were almost more satisfying to produce than something brash and obvious, and I am absolutely convinced that this is how I cut my teeth as a storyteller. What’s next? As well as our adaptation of the novel Far As The Eye Can See, Six Films also has plans to produce a number of other drama features and limited series for broadcast or theatrical release, and we are very excited about what the future holds. Explore Ed’s work: You may have seen TV shows that Ed’s worked on, such as The X Factor, Big Brother, and Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star. Take a look at his production company website, sixfilms.co.uk, for forthcoming projects.

FEATURES

James Bachman (1985, F) Role: Actor, Screenwriter & Comedian Experience: 30+ years in the industry

Your career story in 150 words … As far as I can remember, I was in two plays at Radley: The F Social production of You Too Can Have A Body, a comic murder thriller by Fred Robinson, in which I think I played the butler. I’m pretty sure it was directed by Harry Waldemar-Brown. The second one was Tom Stoppard’s Night and Day, quite a serious drama about journalists in a war in Africa, with a very small cast, and directed by my then very good friend, Oliver Niesewand. I started as a sketch comedian as part of the Cambridge Footlights, then began writing sketch comedy for radio and TV in the UK, eventually performing material I had written live on stage and on television. What has been your favourite project? I’ve enjoyed so much of the work I’ve been allowed to do, especially as a performer. Acting is honestly the easiest job in the world if you have the knack for it, and I’m very glad it

turned out that I do. But the most fun I had making a show was probably working on ‘Bleak Expectations’, a pastiche Dickensian comedy for Radio 4. I played the lead character’s upbeat idiot best friend, Harry Biscuit, in all five series of the show. The project was written by my old writing partner, Mark Evans, who I had worked with almost exclusively since university - though by the time of Bleak Expectations we were no longer working as a writing partnership - and because we had known each other so long he knew instinctively how to write a part so perfectly tailored to my performing skills that it was just a dream to perform every time we did a recording. The show was recorded live in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre, and getting that instant feedback to such a funny script alongside a really talented cast of comic actors was such a hit of pure joy. Loved every minute of it. What’s next? Now I live in Los Angeles as a TV and film actor and writer, developing scripts for sitcoms and comedy dramas. Explore James’s work: James has had roles in over 40 productions for TV and cinema, including Transformers: Age of Extinction and That Mitchell and Webb Look and most are available on streaming services. Check his profile on imdb.com for a full list.

series for Channel 4, The Sharp End. After making a number of contemporary history series, I set up my own company, Crux Productions, and over the past 30 years or so have produced feature-length documentaries on classical music for BBC2 and BBC4, plus a number of films about the royal family for BBC1. What has been your favourite project? It’s always the last one! In this case, that’s Michael Tippett: The Shadow and The Light, a film about the life and music of one of Britain’s greatest composers of the 20th century, which was shown on BBC2 in June.

Composer Michael Tippett, the subject of John Bridcut's recent documentary.

John Bridcut (1965, A)

Role: Director & Producer Experience: 48 years in the industry, joined the BBC in 1975 Your career story in 150 words … I was in the training scheme (with attachments to different parts of the BBC) for two years, then I was on the staff for ten more. I worked in Radio News and The World at One, and was in New York for six months as the radio current affairs producer there. Then I moved to TV: Nationwide, the Money Programme (where I began making short films), Panorama (my first long film) and Newsnight, where I was editor of the day. I then left to become an independent producer, making a current affairs

What’s next? Time to put my feet up, and let others take the strain! Classical music is a hard row to hoe on BBC Television at present, with the threat of cuts in the BBC orchestras, and very little TV programming except for the Proms. Taken with the recent Arts Council England cuts, classical music is in an existential crisis, just when youth orchestras in this country are at a peak of excellence. Not only that, but we now have a monarch of great artistic and musical sensibility, as the Coronation service showed. A strange juxtaposition with the leadership of the Arts Council, which is characterised by incompetence and ignorance in the musical field, and a neglect of excellence. Unfortunately, music has vanished from the curriculum of so many schools – so Radley’s wonderfully high musical standards, and its encouragement of music in the local community, are a kindly light amid the encircling gloom! Explore John’s work: Michael Tippett: The Shadow and The Light will be available on BBC iPlayer until May 2024, and visit his website for a list of productions: johnbridcut.com. the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

South Korean boy band BTS on the set of Hot Icarus’ shoot for Adidas x Footlocker.

Wij Travers (2007, D)

Role: Director Experience: 8 years in the industry Your career story in 150 words … The odd school play aside, at Radley I was always more into sports! But after leaving, I picked up some experience in advertising before taking a job with fellow OR Archie Hewlett (2007, B) as Creative Director of his footwear brand, Duke + Dexter. I then spent four years with a business partner, Giles Rozier, running a creative agency and production studio. Of course, we gave ourselves the jobs we wanted to direct! Today, the agency is wrapped, and I’m focusing on life as a directing duo called Hot Icarus. It’s a mix of time on set, writing treatments for brand films and commercials, and crafting original material – documentaries and scripted narratives. Even at school, creative writing has always been a strong suit in my skillset, so it’s both rewarding and a fresh challenge to pick it back up and apply it to film scripts I want to see brought to life. What has been your favourite project? We worked with Singapore’s Adidas x Footlocker teams to deliver a 46

the old radleian 2023

stills and film campaign used across Asia-Pacific & Australasia. This was a real coming-of-age moment as we’d worked hard to find the client, win the client, and then deliver the project all in a totally different location to shoot. Being sent videos of your work playing in stores across the other side of the world was a bit of a pinch-me moment! What’s next? Commercially, we are looking to sign for representation in the US, Europe and Asia. It means a little bit less pressure to find all of our work and is the next step in developing our career. I’m excited about a short film project I’ve written, and I am raising funds to direct it in September this year. The film is called The Dartmoor Cowboy, a 1950s biopic that tells the legendary story of Ross Salmon, a war hero turned cow puncher who has set out to tame a new frontier and establish a pioneering ranch-style cattle farm on the wild plains of Dartmoor. A British Western set in Devon ... I think it’s fair to say I love a challenge! Explore Wij’s work: Visit hoticarus.com to view projects that Wij has delivered for brands like Adidas, Cupra, Ettinger and Smirnoff.

FEATURES

Phil Waller (1986, E)

Role: Founder & Artistic Director Experience: 3 years in the industry

packed 5-day course which includes over 35 hours of masterclasses taught by industry professionals, and ends with a live public performance.

Your career story in 150 words … I was in A Comedy of Errors and plenty of Social plays at Radley. I gained a Bachelor of Education in English and Drama from UWE Bristol, before working in TV production for a few years. I started teaching at Cranleigh School in 2010, where I became Head of Drama.

What has been your favourite project? Audition Masterclasses with Kerry Ellis, leading lady of the West End and Broadway.

In 2019 I founded In2Drama, an academy for young aspiring performers wishing to carve out a career in the performing arts, or simply to explore a new hobby. We run an action-

Explore Phil’s work: Visit in2drama.com to find out about the In2Drama Academy courses for young aspiring performers, and find their latest news on Instagram.

What’s next? We are currently looking at setting up academies in different regions of the UK to provide more young people with the opportunity to become involved with acting masterclasses.

Henry Hereford (1989, G) Role: Actor & Producer Experience: 21 years in the industry

Your career story in 150 words … After leaving Radley, I trained at the prestigious Drama Studio London. I’m currently starring as Brian Lee in Luther: The Fallen Sun streaming on Netflix and the lead in #FOLO; the latest commercial for Amazon. Other career highlights for me have included roles in the NBC series Crossbones (starring John Malkovich, Claire Foy and created by Luther scribe Neil Cross), The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, True Blood, and a recurring part in the hit sketch comedy show Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am for the ABC in Australia. In 2022, I won the award for Best Actor in Los Angeles for my role as the quirky Dr. Dudley Allen in the multi-award-winning short

film Last Chance of Evil. I also work as a producer on both sides of the Atlantic, and recently I was a co-producer on the hugely successful break out feature film, To Leslie. What has been your favourite project? Crossbones for NBC. I got to spend a significant time filming in the Caribbean. I was cast in a guest role that was murdered in the first episode, but after impressing the producers so much, they ended up offering me another role that recurred until the end of the season. I had to be unrecognisable, so I spent two hours every day being transformed. I think I’m one of less than 1% of actors to be cast in two roles in the same season of a television show. It was a career game-changer. What’s next? I recently went to Lithuania to film an Amazon commercial that has just been released. I currently have two features and three television shows in development. Explore Henry’s work: Look out for the #FOLO Amazon advert on TV, and read more about To Leslie in the New Releases section.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Rupert Baynham's A Brixton Tale.

Rupert Baynham (2005, B) Role: Writer, Director & Producer Experience: 6 years in the industry

Your career story in 150 words … I was always a terrible stage actor back at Radley; I couldn’t creep the boards without freezing up! I did, however, co-write a short play for my Theatre Studies A-Level, and it was about an American Football player who wanted to make it into the big time, but had issues with his coach’s pushiness. To this day it has to be up there with one of the cheesiest things ever produced by anyone ever … I often wake up in a nightmarish sweat dreaming about the awfulness of it! No fault of the Radley Theatre Studies Department, of course … I think my co-writer was just watching too much Friday Night Lights at the time. After graduating Trinity College Dublin with a bachelors in philosophy, I went to London Film School where I completed a screenwriting masters. It was at LFS where I wrote my debut feature - A Brixton Tale. What has been your favourite project? It’s still pretty early in my career and we’ve only just finished postproduction on our first feature film – A Brixton Tale – so I’d

Richard Gibson (1967, F) Role: Actor Experience: 53 years in the industry

Your career story in 150 words … In 1970, I was at Radley when a film casting director by the name of Boaty Baker came to the College in the search for boys to be in The Go-Between (1971). I was fortunate enough to have been selected by Dennis Silk, with another boy, Simon Hume-Kendall. Dennis arranged for us to receive her in his impressive house, and encouraged us to behave with the kind of noblesse oblige that an American might expect from young English gentlemen. We somehow convinced her, and a few short weeks after meeting the director, Joseph Losey, we were on location in Norfolk. I later trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, and have acted ever since in all media, in roles as diverse as Gaev in The Cherry Orchard, assorted pantomime dames and villains, and as Herr Flick in the comedy series, ’Allo, ’Allo! I owe that flying start to Radley, and particularly to Dennis Silk.

the old radleian 2023

probably have to say that. The film was met with great critical acclaim and we had a great time on the film festival circuit. Although making a micro-budget film came with its fair share of trauma!! What’s next? This next project my co-writer/director and I have had optioned is far less gritty, far less political, far more silly, has a bigger budget and is hopefully a bit more commercially viable!! We go into principal photography on the project next year and we’ve already got a great team attached, including cinematographer Yves Belanger, who shot Dallas Buyers Club, Brooklyn, The Mule, and is considered one of the top DPs in Hollywood. Explore Rupert’s work: Visit https://youtu.be/2-3HygWFKaw to view the trailer for A Brixton Tale.

I was a keen member of the Radley Drama Society, appearing initially as blonde secretaries and Swedish au pairs in 1960s farces, wearing wrinkly tights. I have the pictures to prove it, but anyone trying to get hold of them will have to kill me first. I later took part in many more sober productions, including Shakespeare plays – in which the wrinkly tights were given a chance to be seen once more. What has been your favourite project? A difficult question to answer, as each project comes with its own joys. But it has been a special privilege to play such a rare character part as Herr Flick for two of British comedy’s greatest writers, Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft – the latter of whom is undoubtedly also one of its greatest directors. What’s next? A romantic comedy film, which is due to start shooting in a few weeks. My days of playing the love interest have now passed, and I will be appearing in a character role with – sadly – no love scenes. Explore Richard’s work: The classic sitcom ’Allo, ’Allo! is widely available to watch online, including via Amazon Prime, YouTube, BBC BritBox and Apple TV.

FEATURES

Jon Tarcy (2007, G) Richard Medrington (1969, A) Role: Founder, Artistic Director & Performer Company: Puppet State Theatre Company Experience: 39 years in the industry

Your career story in 150 words … In 1984, underqualified and unemployed, I bought a set of rather beautiful German hand puppets, built a puppet booth, wrote a play and began entertaining audiences in primary schools and community venues in the North of England. In 1991 I moved to Edinburgh, where I found a strong community of puppeteers and storytellers and began performing at the Fringe. Shoestring budgets and small audiences turned to full houses when I was granted permission to perform A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories, and I toured these across the UK, culminating in a sell-out run at the National Theatre. In 2006, with American puppeteer Rick Conte, I adapted Jean Giono’s environmental tale The Man Who Planted Trees as a twoman multisensory puppetry and storytelling show. The production has since taken Puppet State all over the world, with over 1,800 performances and repeat visits to the Sydney Opera House and New York’s Lincoln Center. What has been your favourite project? Touring my one-man retelling of JRR Tolkien’s immaculate short story Leaf by Niggle, this time taking to the stage without a puppet in sight! Performing before hundreds of dedicated members of the Tolkien Society at their 50th anniversary gathering in 2019 and receiving a standing ovation felt very special. It has also been a total joy for the last 18 years to work alongside my wife Elspeth Murray who has uncomplainingly added touring stage manager to her career portfolio. What’s next? A rest from theatre. Time to concentrate on writing projects. Explore Richard’s work: Visit his website at https://www.richardmedrington.com

Role: Actor & Producer Experience: 8 years in the industry Your career story in 150 words … I had a fantastic time at Radley as I had the opportunity to take part in so many school plays, concerts and performances. Les Misérables and Sweeney Todd were the highlights. After graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, my first job was playing Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music Live on ITV. Since then, I’ve worked on a wide variety of theatre, TV and Film jobs. Some highlights include working at the Royal Shakespeare Company on their Rome Season, and a recurring role in the TV show Outlander. I’ve also been producing projects alongside my acting work and run Bonaparte Films which currently holds a slate of projects in development – several of which were selected for Film London’s New Talent Strand and Film Bazaar’s co-production market in India. Most recently I produced an independent feature film called The Effects of Lying starring Ace Bhatti, Laila Rouass and Harry Potter’s Mark Williams. The film was released in the UK on ITVX and screened at festivals around the world, including Galway International Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival and Dinard Film Festival. What has been your favourite project? It’s very hard to pick one project! In terms of my acting work, it would have to be working at the RSC on the Rome Season. I’d always wanted to work with the company and had the chance to perform in three different Shakespeare plays simultaneously with an incredible company of actors, so it was very special. The Effects of Lying was my favourite project I’ve produced and despite being exhausting – we shot it in only twelve days – I’m really proud of the film we made! What’s next? I’ve recently finished filming two acting roles in a TV show and a film, which will be out early next year. And I have several production projects at various stages of development. Explore Jon’s work: Visit Jon’s production company online at www.bonapartefilms.co.uk and https://www.imdb.com/name/ nm6879708/ the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

RADLEY FILM SOCIETY IN THE 1950S & 60S “In 1952, some boys asked Warden Wilkes if they might form a society to watch films.” This sentence opens a special supplement in The Radleian, 1967, written by John Barneby (1963, A) the then Secretary of the Radley College Film Society. The Film Society was re-founded (an earlier iteration apparently existed in the 1930s) by Radleians Richard Langstaff and Illtyd Lewis (both 1951, H), under Warden Milligan in 1954. Richard and Illtyd became the first secretaries of the Society, which was overseen by don, Kenneth Brookman, and their intention was to hold six meetings a year at which films would be shown. The first meeting took place in March 1955; John Huntley, film historian and member of the British Film Institute, gave a talk about ‘The Growth of Humour in the Film’, complete with film extracts to illustrate the discussion. The first film shown was The Wages of Fear (1953), a French thriller in which four desperate men drive two trucks loaded with highly volatile nitro glycerine over mountain roads in order to win a much-needed pay check. Encouraged to make films, as well as show them, the Film Society and Kenneth Brookman went on to create a number of productions, initially using an archaic hand-cranked camera from the early 1920s. There was a flurry of titles over the following years, some of which gained impressive commendation:

RADLEY FILMS • 8 Oars to Henley (1955) – a documentary about the 1955 Radley 1st VIII. •W e Remember Those Years (1955) – a documentary film about Radley life, which was shown on ITV’s ‘Children’s Hour’ and resulted in an offer to commission six further films, though this was turned down due to time constraints. •R eflections on the 139th Psalm (1956) – a visual accompaniment to the psalm which won the Oliver Bell Trophy for the best serious amateur film of the year, the British Film Institute’s award for the Best School Film, and was shown on the BBC. •D own (1959) – a thriller in which the villain, Kenneth Brookman, falls to his death off the Mansion fire escape. This film reached the finals of the Schools’ Film Competition in 1959. •T he Lord’s Prayer (1960) – a ‘sequel’ to Reflections on the 139th Psalm which did not achieve the same critical acclaim. •R adley 1962 (1962) – a documentary film about the College. •T he Scholar Gipsy (1967) – a film adaption of Matthew Arnold’s poem.

the old radleian 2023

 Radley don, Ken Brookman, with the 1957 Athletics Team.

 The Radleian, May 1955.

 The Radleian, March 1956.

 The Radleian, February 1957.

FEATURES

We approached a number of ORs who were involved in these early years of the Film Society, to see if they had recollections of the film screenings, meetings, or film productions.

Illtyd Lewis (1951, H)

Founding member of the Film Society It is great to read how the Film Society grew and thrived in the late 1950s and 1960s, from such modest beginnings. Much of the credit for this must go to Ken Brookman who, right from the start, ‘hit the ground running’ and, it appears, never stopped! In its earliest days, the Film Society was very much focused on screening selected films on around three or four occasions per term. A list of suitable films was chosen from a catalogue and submitted for ‘clearance’ to Ken Brookman and the Warden. The selection was based on our holiday viewing and ad hoc research within Radley, and had to be ‘good decent viewing’, The Wages of Fear (1953), being a good example. At this time, Radleians were allowed to watch The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) in black and white on an 8-inch screen in the old infirmary, if one was lucky enough to secure a spot; there was room for a maximum of some 14 people! So, the attraction of a feature film was obvious.

 The Radley 1st VIII in 1955. Their rowing year was captured in

the Film Society’s 1955 film 8 Oars to Henley.

I seem to remember that, in stark contrast, we followed The Wages of Fear with a wonderful old police film called The Blue Lamp (1950), featuring Jack Warner as PC George Dixon (later, Dixon of Dock Green). Nevertheless, it played to a packed house in those somewhat confined and restricted times at Radley, especially when they are compared with the splendid current day freedom and balance. The old hand-cranked camera, with which we shot 8 Oars to Henley, was discovered in the basement of Mansion, and nothing would stop Ken Brookman with Richard and I in tow. It’s good to hear that the modest production is remembered, even if no copies have survived.

 The Radleian, 1959.

 The Radleian, October 1957.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Mike Stanger (1956, H)

Honorary Secretary of the Film Society, 1960-61 I only vaguely recall being associated with the Film Society at Radley, but I do recall making what I claim was the first-ever ‘pop video’. Using the Film Society’s Bolex 16mm camera, this featured a goodlooking Radley teenager trying to synchronise his singing with that of Lonnie Donegan’s hit record The Battle of New Orleans. It was a huge success when shown to fellow Radleians… so much so that our lead singer (whose name I have conveniently forgotten) asked if he could borrow it to show to the BBC as part of his job application. I never got it back, but the BBC certainly embraced the idea of the pop video. After leaving Radley, I put together a 25-minute pastiche drama entitled ‘Remember, Remember’ starring a character named Brooke Bond saving the world. It won the Highly Recommended prize in a UK competition run by the MovieMaker magazine, and prompted me to join the BBC as a graduate engineer. I spent 25 years with the BBC, acting as Press Officer for the Eurovision Song Contest from the Usher Hall in Edinburgh in 1971, and concluding my stint as senior producer in charge of all programming from the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988. I ‘retired’ in 2009, but then became aware that the technical bandwidth of the internet had started to permit the possibility of livestreaming. The Scottish cricket team meanwhile had reached the fourday final of an International Cricket Council global tournament, in Dubai in December 2010. As there was no interest from the Scottish media, I decided to put live-streaming to the test, and with a former

BBC colleague Jack McGill and some pretty dodgy software and my amateur cameras, we somehow managed successfully to produce live coverage of the event for the benefit of interested viewers having their breakfast back in snowbound Scotland. The ICC told me it was the first time anyone had asked for permission to do what we did, and they were impressed. In July 2011, with better equipment, we covered a fantastic cricket match in Edinburgh which attracted thousands of viewers. Immediately afterwards, Jack and I founded the company which is now known simply as QTV. It is now the largest independent TV production company in Scotland, broadcasting events in more than 20 sports, including 150+ football matches, for which we are also the suppliers of video refereeing facilities. I have now retired, again. But it all began at Radley!

 The Radleian, October 1957.

John Oliver (1957, E)

Director of Radley 1962 I was intrigued by references in the 1967 edition which referred to my being the creator of a documentary, Radley 1962. That certainly opened some files in my memory which have been left on the shelves for the past 60 years. I am most likely the J G Oliver at Radley at that time, so I confess to having had a hand in Radley 1962. As it happens it was my last year at school. I then moved to Australia to join my parents in Canberra and after a 40-year stint in the foreign service I am still here. I have only the best of memories of my time at Radley and while I have not been back since the 70s, I have sought to keep in touch through the Old Radleian, an excellent publication. I must say that in the intervening years the film Radley 1962 has not crossed my mind. And I probably never expected our primitive efforts would end up anywhere other than the cutting room floor. I have few creative genes left and probably did not have many then. While I am pleased the film was viewed as quite good, I do not recall any sound track. I am sorry it was deemed a bit cynical (as the 1967 Radleian review suggests). It must have been one of my few rebellious moments at Radley. Indeed, for one who enjoyed his time in College, it was a bit churlish to not take that effort more seriously. 52

the old radleian 2023

 The new biology lab in 1961.

Sadly, I do not recall with whom I made the film. I have some vague memories of filming down at the bottom of the main drive near Mr Batten’s house (I think). But whatever else we did or filmed is lost in some long abandoned neural pathway. It is the only piece of cinematography I have ever made. With luck some of your readers, most likely my contemporaries, may have better recollections of the making of this documentary.

FEATURES

camera which could have a sound track on the film, although this was unreliable technology at the time. I assume that we had no problem obtaining film and that the Society also had basic film editing equipment. We started filming in May 1966 after deciding a broad scheme of how we would proceed. This continued spasmodically throughout the summer and autumn terms and by December we had a rough cut of the film and had music composed for it. At this stage we ran into a problem as both our director and producer had taken Oxbridge entrance and left.

John Barneby editing The Scholar Gipsy in 1967.

John Barneby (1963, A)

Honorary Treasurer of the Film Society, 1967-68, Director of The Scholar Gipsy, Author of the 1967 Radleian ‘Making Films’ supplement Although I was the author of much of the Film supplement in the Radleian of 1967 I only have hazy memories about how I got involved in the Film Society. When I arrived at Radley in January 1963 the driving force behind the Society was Ken Brookman who had encouraged a team of boys to make the film Reflections on 139th Psalm which had won the BFI award for best School Film and was shown in black and white on BBC television. I recall that in addition to trying to make films, the Society showed about three films per term to boys in the lecture theatre in the upstairs of the 1930s Science Labs which, of course, no longer exists. I think it seated about 130 boys at a time and had a projection room at the back. I think that we charged a moderate entry fee but I don’t remember what films were shown. I see from the Radleian that in the spring of 1967 we showed The Spy That Came In From The Cold and had intended to show Zulu but it did not arrive in time and had to be substituted with a film called The Long Ships. It appears that we became quite sophisticated using two projectors to prevent having to stop at the end of each reel. I also remember showing a film called The War Game about a nuclear holocaust which the BBC wouldn’t broadcast, but we had to be selective in who was allowed to attend. I think that my interest in making films was a result of having attended a lecture by Mr Brookman on editing film at some time before he left at the end of the summer term in 1965, but my only filming experience was in using my mother’s unsophisticated cine camera. Without Mr Brookman we lacked guidance, but a group of us decided that we should make a film of Matthew Arnold’s Scholar Gipsy. I have forgotten exactly who was involved, but it might not be a coincidence that there had been an article on the Scholar Gipsy in the February 1965 edition of the Radleian. At some time before that, the Society had acquired an 8mm

The remainder of the team regrouped and from memory there was a large amount of rejigging what we had already filmed and adding extra shots to fill in gaps. This resulted in the slightly curious landscape in some scenes, where Herefordshire had to pretend to be Berkshire. We had great difficulty in attaching the sound to the film but eventually managed to have a working version. I showed this to a group of people in Steventon Village Hall at the request of a don who I think was called Mr Martin. As it was well received, we were brave enough to show it at Gaudy but the inevitable technical problems with the sound reappeared and we had to run the sound on a tape recorder synced to the film. It was watched by 419 people in several showings. Unfortunately, it appears that the original has disappeared, and when it was made it was difficult to copy so it remains only a memory. However, it gave me a good excuse to visit the College to talk to Sophie, the editor of the Old Radleian, and see how the place has changed and what has become of the old Laboratory building.

 The Radleian, Summer 1967.

To read the original 1967 Making Films supplement, visit http://bit.ly/ MakingFilms1967 or use this QR code. Share your memories of the Radley Film Society by emailing radsoc@radley.org.uk.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

LIFE THROUGH THE LENS “Sometimes one feels one has hardly met somebody when you photograph them, because the camera comes between you; it can feel like a real separation: photographer and subject. Usually, it’s possible to find a way through, but sometimes, I’ve just taken the photo and left … there’s nothing more to say.” Dmitri Kasterine (1945, C) attended Radley College from 1945 to 1950, as Europe began its long recovery from the ravages of WWII. At Radley, Dmitri surrounded himself with contemporaries who shared his interest in the arts, particularly those who liked to read and write literature. His enduring passion for the literary world has manifested in the long list of acclaimed authors he has photographed: Roald Dahl, Tom Stoppard, Graham Greene, Muriel Spark, and Samuel Beckett to name only a few. At school, he set himself apart in the OTC (now CCF), and became Senior Under Officer towards the end of his Radley career. Academically, Dmitri professes that he ‘wasn’t a good student’, and considers music to have been his favourite subject, having, as he did, an exceptionally good piano teacher.

“It was extremely cold, and very harsh. In many ways, it was quite unpleasant. When I’ve spoken to young ORs, and from what I’ve seen in the RadSoc publications, it’s just a completely different place these days. In some ways, things at Radley back then were quite lax, and in others they were too strict. I was homesick, no doubt about it.” It was in his teens that Dmitri’s passion for photography began to grow, and he was not alone. Images captured during Princess Elizabeth’s visit to Radley in June 1947 include many that show boys clutching the box-like cameras of the period. Indeed, photography is at the heart of a vivid memory from his school years: a visit of the French General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny to the school. De Lattre, 54

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Radleians with cameras during the visit of Princess Elizabeth in 1947.

 Stanley Kubrick under a camera platform, on the set of

A Clockwork Orange near Kingston-upon-Thames, England, photographed by Dmitri in 1969. asking in French if he could take a photograph, and the request was granted. “I think that was one of the bravest things I’ve ever witnessed,” Dmitri recalls, and perhaps this fearlessness inspired his approach to photography in his later career, of which he simply says: “Anything, or anyone that strikes me – I’ll photograph them.” After leaving Radley, and a short stint as an airline pilot, Dmitri began his career in photography at the beginning of the 1960s. Up to that time, there had not been nearly so much of a market for photographs, but opportunities were just starting to open up as magazines began using more images to supplement their stories and articles. Uninterested by wedding and village-fete photography, Dmitri jumped on the opportunity of photography for publications. He secured plenty of work for the Radio Times, The Telegraph, and publications like Queen, in the first years of his career, eagerly searching out public figures who he had not yet photographed, and writing to them to request a sitting.

a renowned military hero, was the youngest French general at the outbreak of WWII, and was also the French representative at the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender in Berlin on 8th May 1945. He went on to be the Chief of Staff of the French Army, and was posthumously elevated to the title of Marshal of France in 1952. After the distinguished General had inspected the Radley corps, a friend of Dmitri’s, aged around fourteen, retrieved a camera that he had secreted in Covered Passage and boldly approached him,

Stanley Kubrick came into Dmitri’s life through a friend who recommended he watch Paths of Glory, a 1957 film by Kubrick loosely based on the executions of four French soldiers for failure to follow orders during WWI. The film had a profound effect on Dmitri, and he immediately approached the editor of Queen magazine to suggest a shoot with Kubrick, who was in London at the time, filming Dr. Strangelove. It was not long before Dmitri’s talent for ‘standing in the right place’ (a compliment that clearly meant a great deal coming from Kubrick) led to a deeper working relationship, and eventually friendship, between them. Dmitri worked on three of Kubrick’s films: Dr. Strangelove (1964), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and A Clockwork Orange (1971). His original brief was to take ‘making of ’ photographs of the crew during the shoots, which Kubrick initially planned to use during the film credits. Dmitri learnt a great deal from both the work, and from Kubrick himself. the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Roald Dahl leaning against the wall of his swimming pool. 56

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

“I was pretty hopeless in those days, in my early 30s, but he modelled good characteristics: persistence, courage, and the ability not to be put off by anything. The importance of seeing though the things that you want to do.”

Mick is personable, and could ‘talk to anyone about anything’, and was a very promising student at the London School of Economics before dropping out to pursue his music career alongside Keith Richards. Dmitri is a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, and describes the shoot as ‘hero worship’. To this day, he regrets that he has never had the opportunity to photograph Keith Richards, especially when the opportunity was within touching distance in the mid-70s.

The real work, Dmitri recalls, happened off-set in the rehearsals, and it was extremely rare that anyone but the cast and Kubrick were privy to the artistic process. Rehearsals took place behind closed doors, strictly between the actors and the director. Just occasionally, Kubrick’s creativity would overflow onto the set, where a last-minute flash of inspiration would change everything. It was then that you would see his strong sense of conviction. One instance of this was during the early stages of filming Dr. Strangelove, which was originally set to be a very serious study of the Cold War and nuclear conflict. Stanley recognised that that wasn’t going to work and, according to Dmitri, gave the actors the simple command ‘ham it up!’

Dmitri considers his favourite subject to be Roald Dahl, who he describes as ‘very friendly, generous, and a wonderful cook’. They maintained a friendship over the years, sharing many evenings together over dinners and excellent wine.

After three films, the excitement of working on sets, where the subjects and activities changed very little, had worn thin. Throughout the 1970s, Dmitri captured some of the best-known authors, musicians, actors and artists of the time: Michael Caine in 1974, Mick Jagger and Tom Baker in 1975, Francis Bacon, Liv Ullman, Patricia Highsmith, and Queen Elizabeth II in 1976. This period provides plenty of brilliant anecdotes, and was clearly a time of great fulfilment. When asked about his favourite subjects, Dmitri is quick to name Mick Jagger who, despite keeping very strange hours (starting his day at 9pm), was no rock and roll diva.  Houses in snow on Liberty St. (L) Hello Boys (R) from Dmitri's

Newburgh Project.

“The easiest person to photograph was Queen Elizabeth II. She was so used to it, and damn good at that sort of thing. When I had an appointment to photograph her, I went into the gardens to scope out a good backdrop near the water, but the ducks had already been there, and left a terrible mess behind. I asked her, ‘Will it be all right?’, and she said ‘Yes, the Queen doesn’t clean her own shoes, you know.’” In 1986, he left Britain to move to the United States, which he had first visited on an assignment to photograph Mick Jagger in Los Angeles for the Radio Times. Settling in the state of New York, Dmitri became absorbed by the people and the history of the surrounding areas. In 1996, he began taking photos in Newburgh, an important early settlement, and prosperous industrial city of the 19th century, before it fell into decline throughout the 20th century. Newburgh’s population, which is marginally majority African American, continues to struggle against the challenges of deprivation, alleged electoral fraud and corruption, and civic issues such as water contamination, against a backdrop of historic architecture and urban decay. “Whoever you are,” says Dmitri, “you can’t help but be struck by Newburgh. It’s a beautiful place, what’s left of it.” He describes the

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

people of Newburgh as warm, hardworking, and suspicious of authority – hardly surprising given the lack of municipal support they have been offered over the decades, despite their considerable need. When Dmitri started visiting the area, he had an advantage: “I spoke funny, and they rather liked that. And I was too old to be a cop.” Continuing to visit with his camera for 22 years, Dmitri’s Newburgh Project expanded into a book and, in 2012, a film. Intertwining footage of the decaying splendour of the historic neighbourhoods with interviews, discussions, and other glimpses of Newburgh life, Dmitri’s film, Newburgh: Beauty and Tragedy, is not strictly a ‘documentary’, and does not take a cause-and-effect stance on the situation.

“I’m not an investigative journalist, and that shows in the film. I never attempted to ask the question ‘why has this happened in Newburgh’ in my documentary. I just made a film about people’s lives, and I liked that.” Newburgh is only one small city in the US, but the experiences of its population are ubiquitous, and this relevance means that Dmitri is regularly called upon to speak about his project and film at public talks. It is clear from the enthusiasm with which he speaks about Newburgh that the people of the city are still close to Dmitri’s heart. However, since he and his wife have moved to the wilds of central New York State, fewer visits to the area have been possible. His current agrarian surroundings have brought his lifelong passion for horses to the fore, and a new interest too, in the lives of the local farmers, has provided him with new subjects for his photography. Despite being in his ninth decade, Dmitri continues to be exceptionally busy. His life, he explains, revolves around ‘two Ts’. He is a sought-after speaker on the local talks circuit, visiting audiences in libraries, galleries and arts spaces to discuss his career in photography. The second T is tennis, which he plays weekly with a retired Army Officer. 58

the old radleian 2023

“I’m very lucky, because I’ve got two legs that work. My mind’s not quite all there, but … more or less, I’m okay. I forget people’s names, that’s really the only issue, and so I write them all down on a piece of paper before I speak, and my wife usually comes with me, and she’ll prompt me.” Dmitri has recently written a book about his career, which has sold well at his talks, and is currently looking for a publisher. A second book is in the pipeline too, focussing on local farms and women farmers. In 2013, Dmitri generously gifted the College a wonderful selection of his photographs. A number of these framed pictures hang on permanent display in Radley’s Coffee Shop for all to enjoy. For those looking to build their own career in photography, Dmitri says the following:

“No one can advise people on what sort of photographs to take – that comes from you. It’s not really about the camera or the equipment, it’s about what you see, what you observe. You’ve got to put over, clearly, what your point is. I recommend young people to listen to Tom Stoppard and James Baldwin. They both speak so precisely and clearly, calmly and without too much emotion. In order to sell yourself, or your idea, you need to be clear and precise. If you can do that, you will find your market.” Visit www.kasterine.com to see some of Dmitri’s work, and to learn more about his Newburgh Project.

FEATURES

Felicity and Anna Birn, Garrison, NY, 2014. the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

THE

MARIONETTE

SOCIETY Any Old Radleian from the 1960s or 1970s, when walking down Covered Passage, will look towards the glass room at the end and quietly say, ‘That was the marionette theatre.’

The Marionette Society was the place in Radley where all the performance and creative arts came together: art, sculpture, craft skills, orchestral music, writing, mechanical design, wood working, sound engineering, lighting, acting and singing. The marionettes provided space for fantasy, ingenuity, skill and team-work. Most productions required a minimum of three performers for each character – the operator, the speaker, and the singer – all of the cast and the technical back-stage crew squeezed into the space behind the wooden stage, using microphones for projection. It was also the place for grandeur; no other group in the school has performed Mozart’s Magic Flute with orchestra and all singing parts. And it was the place where Radley’s most celebrated alumnus gave the first public performance of his own writing when Black and White Blues with words by Peter Cook (1951, C) and music by Michael Bawtree (1951, G) was shown in 1956. Peter Cook went on to star in the Edinburgh Festival and to apply his gift for satire to founding Private Eye, eventually being described by actor Stephen Fry as ‘the funniest man who ever lived.’ Michael Bawtree went on to an international career as a theatre director, beginning with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario. Radley College Marionettes Society wasn’t just ‘playing with puppets.’

 The only surviving

marionette. It was adapted to become the Fool's staff for Peter Way's RCADS production of King Lear in 1962. 60

the old radleian 2023

 Production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, 1946.

FEATURES

In 1934, the doyen of German marionette theatre, Paul Brann, left Munich with his theatre troop and eventually settled in Oxford. In 1938, the Munich Marionettes performed a sequence based on the Nativity of Christ at Radley College, which impressed by its sheer beauty and power. Brann remained in Oxford until his death in 1956 and the school’s new Society certainly worked with him and received advice and encouragement when they took performances into Oxford. The earliest repertoire of Radley’s Society borrowed heavily from the repertoire of the Munich Marionettes, particularly operas by Mozart. When Eastbourne College were evacuated to Radley in 1941, they brought their own marionette troop with them. Collaboration between the two schools resulted in the first performance, an adaptation of TH White’s novel The Sword in the Stone by James Worthington (1938, D), entirely by Radleians (which included sculpting the puppets and making costumes) in March 1942. Richard Haddon (1940, A), Secretary of RCADS, joined the team in 1945, bringing with him the skills and standards learned in the Dramatic Society. Two key members then came on the scene: David Bass (1944, A), who designed the puppets in a style which was to remain unchanged throughout the life of the society; and don Christopher Ellis, who joined the Art Department in 1947 with a brief from Warden John Vaughan Wilkes to: ‘give unacademic boys a chance to concentrate their attention by following their own bent.’ David Bass went on to become a professional puppeteer. The set designer for Chris Ellis’ production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute was Anthony Walton (1948, B), who would go on to win an Oscar in 1979 for his work as production designer on Bob Fosse’s musical All That Jazz, having received nominations for Mary Poppins and Murder on the Orient Express. Professional stage lighting designer Robert Morris (1955, F) also learnt his trade with the Marionettes.

 Marionettes from The Sword in the Stone, 1941. The protagonist

‘The Wart’, left, and a knight, possibly Sir Kay, right.

 The Sword in the Stone, 1941, showing a knight in armour and

a creature, possibly a horse or a dragon, with an elaborately painted castle scene in the background.

Production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, 1946.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

Christopher Ellis’ first production was Mozart’s opera Bastien and Bastienne. The female role was spoken by the school’s Catering Manager, Brigit Kirrage, who had been an understudy for Vivien Leigh in the West End. Members of RCADS complained about this since all female roles in their productions were performed by boys. But the Marionettes remained a place for the whole community, with Liz and Diana Llewellyn-Jones taking part in later performances. The orchestras, as at all Radley events, were drawn from both professional musicians and the community, as well as boys. Into the 1950s, the repertoire alternated between Mozart, John Gay’s The Beggars’ Opera, and Gilbert & Sullivan. As many as forty people could be involved in each production, on occasion rising to nearly seventy, as every prop or set was hand-built or adapted. The work often took a year or more from concept to performance.

 Radleians with marionettes in 1941.

 Don, Hugo Langrish with puppets in the 1960s.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

 Clockwise from top left:

Courtroom scene from Toad, 1969. The Marionette Society in 1966. A 1973 marionette production called The Ghosts of Berkley Square, adapted from No Nightingales by Caryl Brahms and S.J. Simon. A vinyl recording of Monday at Mandolino’s, a Marionette show put on at Radley in 1959. Visit the Radley Archives to hear the track: https://bit.ly/3EJc2rm. In 1956, Cook and Bawtree’s original script and music for Black and White Blues gave the society a new direction. They were followed in 1959 by Monday at Mandolino’s by Paul Raby (1952, C), Roger Shawcross (1954, C) and Richard Moseley (1954, E), with music by Michael Morley (1954, C) and Ian Gordon (1954, G): ‘the fact that two weeks after the show the top deck of an Oxford-bound bus was heard humming it speaks volumes for its quality.’ More original work came in 1960 with For Better, For Worse by Patrick Howell (1956, B) and Richard Wilson (1956, F), later to be Cabinet Secretary and Chairman of Radley College Council. Hugo Langrish arrived at Radley as Succentor in 1959. He took on the Marionettes shortly after and we are indebted to him for the minute books and most of the photographs which are held in the archives. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s the time needed for each production was beginning to tell, with gaps of several years between, leading to an inevitable loss of knowledge and skills. Brecht’s Threepenny Opera was performed in 1963, then a series of Victorian melodramas, and some highly original pieces such as Potted Lobster, in an ‘underwater’ setting.

But the Marionettes’ time was drawing to a close. The last curtain came down in 1980. It had been a wonderful experiment:

‘There is a village atmosphere about the occasion of a Marionette performance, with the bare trestle tables loaded with Mars bars (on sale in the interval) and a ‘retiring collection’ which, in the informality of the occasion, someone forgets to take. So, the professionalism of the actual performance comes as something of a shock.’ The Radleian, 1975 In spring 2024 there will be a Radley Then & Now online event on the topic of the Marionette Society and Drama at Radley. Email us your memories: radsoc@radley.org.uk.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

RADLEY VIDEO: A HISTORY Max Horsey arrived at Radley as an electronics don in 1989. He brought with him not only technical expertise, but a passion for film and filmmaking. During his 34 years here, he has built a rich archive of footage documenting the life of the school, ensured that Radley remains at the forefront of filming techniques and, most importantly, has nurtured the passion and talent of hundreds of potential filmmakers.

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

How did you become so passionate about film and video? At the age of five, I was taken to the cinema. The film made no sense to me at all, but I was fascinated by the way a moving picture could appear in front of me. Neither of my parents were technically minded so, despite repeated questions, neither could tell me how it worked! This mystery was solved when, at the age of seven, I was given a toy projector with a loop of film.

Choosing a career was difficult. Going into film or TV seemed impossible, as there was no obvious route, and nobody could give me any advice. The decision to teach was because I enjoyed explaining how things worked, and I knew that electronics, photography, and film clubs would always be popular. Being surrounded by students just as enthusiastic as me is an amazing privilege that over decades never becomes boring.

At that time we didn't have a TV, but I was regularly invited to a friend’s house to watch Bill & Ben the Flowerpot Men. Entertaining though it was, I was always more interested in how the TV worked, with its magical glowing valves inside. Similarly, it was the back-stage engineering that fascinated me at theatre productions. In an empty room in my childhood home, I constructed an elaborate stage, with a water pipe for a curtain rail, old sheets for curtains (complete with pulley-system), a record player for music and sound, and a spotlight made from an empty tin. I even carefully tied the stage lights into the mains circuit of the house. With some friends, we put on quite a production, even if the script was potty.

What’s your favourite film, and which filmmakers do you admire? The film that made the greatest impression was The Sound of Music; it was the first 70mm film I’d ever seen, with an image so large and sharp it completely filled my vision. I had also never heard stereo sound, let alone 6-channel surround sound. It was so popular, it stayed for two years in the Bournemouth Odeon, and you had to book many days ahead to get a seat.

My older sister occasionally took me to the cinema. She loved epics like Ben-Hur. She also appreciated the magic of cinema: the swell of the music before the film started, the coloured lights on the curtains which slowly dimmed, as the audience hushed. She arranged with a friend, who was a projectionist, to let me visit the projection box to watch the newly released Goldfinger. I can’t remember much about the film, but the projectors were amazing. Enormous, noisy, flickering light spilling from the carbon arcs inside, and the mercury rectifier, looking like something from Doctor Who. Each reel of film only lasted 20 minutes, so the projectionist and his assistant had to watch for the small circle at the top right-hand corner of the screen, which indicated to start the second projector. Then, ten seconds later, it was time to switch over the image and audio to the second projector. This was followed by rewinding the first reel, before loading a third reel, ready for the next changeover … a full-time job for two people, and it all happened without the audience noticing. At school, I was keen to make motion films, but nobody could afford a cine camera or the expensive reels of film. I owned a Russian 35mm stills camera, the Cosmic 35. I started experimenting with projecting sequences of static images; it was as close to film as we could afford. During my 6.2 year, I decided to make a film this way, with black & white slides set to an audio recording. I picked a contentious topic at my school – rugby, which had replaced football, to great disclaim – and appointed a script-writer, an exceptionally talented boy very fond of satire and keen to mock what we saw as an absurd new sport. We had everything in place: narrator, actors, lighting, props, music (including a catchy chant), rudimentary special effects, and a title: The Great Pound Robbery. The great train robbery was still fresh in people’s minds, and the “Pound” was the name given to all the lost rugby kit, which formed a large heap and was supervised by ‘the Pound Prefect’. The first showing was for just the staff and headmaster, and he left quite abruptly at the end. The following day we were all summoned ominously to his office, only to be congratulated on our initiative. We had two school showings and raised more than enough money to cover the cost of the film.

In my view, film directors need to fully understand how film works, both artistically and technically, and this is the case with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. I’ve also admired British directors such as David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago), and Ken Russell (Tommy, The Music Lovers). When you first came to Radley in 1989, it was to teach electronics. Was video always part of that? There is no connection between video and electronics other than that a knowledge of electronics is useful for film and video. The subject of video didn’t arise at my interview, and it was sheer chance that, when I arrived, I was told a pot of money had been put aside to set up video. Nobody knew what to spend it on … I was asked if I could help! What was video technology like back then? Video tape technology was developing rapidly. The decision to go for video rather than film was a little controversial with the boys who would have preferred film, but the cost of 16mm film would have limited what could be done. The visual quality of video was no better than 8mm film in the late 1980s, but the audio options were much better, and the tape cost almost zero compared with film. The first S-VHS camera cost a little over £2000 back in 1989, and the full editing suite to enable properly edited films to be made cost about £14,000. Amazingly, allowing for inflation, that would now be over £50,000. Nowadays, that would buy cameras and editing systems that any professional film company would be proud of. In 1989, despite the large sum, the quality we could achieve was less than half the resolution broadcast by the BBC. How did ‘Radley Video’ first come about? The original Radley College website contained no video; I was told that a school website wasn’t a suitable place for video. So, some students helped me create a separate website called ‘Radley Video’. This continued for several years, until Roger Shaw commissioned a new school website with video at its heart. Thanks to income from VHS and DVD sales both at Radley and other schools, we were able to switch to widescreen and then High Definition, so maintaining the highest quality possible. The resolution of our images was now equal to the broadcasters – something I never thought would be possible back in 1989. the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

How did you and the students come to make the short ‘Glimpses of Radley’ films? At interview, I remember driving past the lake to Warden Silk’s house (now L Social) and thinking how impressive the place was. I tried to find out more about the school (I had watched the BBC series) but there were no photos, no prospectus, just a short history of Radley College written by Tony Money. So, during my first term I decided we should start capturing the stunning surroundings. The first ‘Glimpses’ was a test film called I’m Glad You Asked That Question. I had no idea if a fairly random collection of footage would work when set to music. I chose Bernstein’s overture to Candide,

which seemed almost composed for the task. We had a showing in the Lecture Theatre and it was given a very generous response. The formula appeared to work, so I decided to make a longer ‘Glimpses’ film to mark the retirement of Warden Silk. The digital switch in the mid-90s allowed video to be edited on a computer. The process was complicated, and fraught with frequent computer crashes and losses of data, but possible with the help of keen and talented boys. We edited ‘Royal Glimpses’ this way, a film recording the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh opening the Queen’s Court building in 1997, the 150th anniversary of the College. ‘A Medley of Glimpses’ followed in the early 2000s, with most of the editing done by Johnny Langridge (2000, C), assisted by Richard O’Brien (2000, C). Johnny’s extraordinary musical talent placed music at the centre, and it remains my favourite Glimpses film. ‘Glimpses of Radley 2008’ did more than anything to show the usefulness of archive filming, as it showcased all the building projects of the time, under Bursar Richard Beauchamp. The film drew in the talents of many staff who wrote and narrated their own sections. It was premiered in our new Theatre and received a very long round of applause, notably from Richard Beauchamp himself. Why do you think it is important to document the life of the school through video rather than photography or written literature? Video provides a more accurate view of the scene or event, especially as the audio is captured in sync with the visuals. A drone shot, gently drifting over the campus, gives a unique 3D impression which a still image can never do. Photography and written literature will always be important, and both have instant respectability. Back in the 90s, video lacked respectability; most parents, if they owned a TV at all, had it tucked away in a cupboard or in a separate ‘TV room’. If it wasn’t for the support of people like Tony Money (OR, don, and Archivist) and staff such as Andrew Reekes, who saw the archival value of recordings, I might have given up. I don’t think any of the Wardens until John Moule, really appreciated the value of recording events on video. Though their support for my electronics work was unwavering, and as headmasters, they were all in a different league to the headmasters I’d known before Radley. In 2009, Radley Video moved to new space in the Theatre building, and it’s due to move again soon. What will the new space be like? Retiring from teaching Electronics wasn’t easy, so a part-time post continuing Radley Video seemed too tempting. It was difficult to

 Top :The title screen from ‘Glimpses of Radley.’

Bottom: Max filming interviews with departing dons in summer 2023.  Max and Radley Video students in the space designated to house

the unit (previously the theatre cloakroom). Radley Video will move into a purpose-built room in winter 2023. 66

the old radleian 2023

FEATURES

find a room and, after a lot of deliberation, the theatre cloakroom was allocated. It was far too small but the best on offer! The present Bursar and Warden really appreciate the usefulness of video and have been very supportive. Building work is underway, and we will be moving into a dedicated room in winter 2023. It’s a great step up for Radley Video but, like anything, demand will likely increase to meet capacity. How do Radley students benefit by working on film projects? What skills do they learn? The Wednesday Activity has always been open to Shells, and was the way into video for many boys, though others have joined later on. Our multi-camera filming of plays and concerts provides the opportunity to learn the techniques of operating cameras both technically and artistically. Working on film projects offers valuable opportunities to work both independently and as part of a team. Considering the amount of time we all spend watching films and TV, it’s extraordinary that ‘amateur’ filming is so bad. I generally run a clip from a feature film and ask boys what the camera operator hasn’t done. Few notice that the camera hasn’t panned across the subject, and hasn’t zoomed. The rules are a little different when filming plays and concerts, but physically moving the camera on a jib or track still looks far better than a pan or zoom. What advice would you give to a young person who is thinking about a career in filmmaking? I try not to be too positive, as, like acting, it’s a very tough business. The team behind the camera is far larger than the number of actors in front, so there are opportunities out there. Most boys aspire to be directors, though, so doing one of the more basic jobs may not appeal. However, the rewards are enormous for those who succeed and there has probably never been a better time to enter the film industry, with new studios under construction, and very high-end productions on streaming services.

Plenty of ORs remember their time with Radley Video fondly and cite you as a huge influence in their decision to pursue creative careers. How does it feel to play such an important role in boys’ futures? It’s an extraordinary and humbling thought, particularly as it wasn’t planned that way. We made films for the fun of the process and the thrill of watching an audience watching our film. There is nothing as exciting as a film premiere on a large screen. Of course, with most of our output now on YouTube, we have to make do with watching the viewing figures rise. But even that can be quite exciting! What do you think the future holds for Radley Video? At my advanced age that’s tricky to answer with certainty. I’m in the process of organising an archive of filming back to 1989 which will be readily accessible by our Archivist, Radleian Society, and Communications teams. I hope that whatever happens in the future, the boys will be fully involved; it is their interest and enthusiasm which makes the task so appealing. It’s such a joy chatting over a pizza about the latest technical developments, or filming techniques. There have been more exceptionally talented boys involved over the years than I can begin to mention, and I’ve loved working with each and every one. It’s often said that if you enjoy what you do, it isn’t work. I can safely say I have never done a day’s work at Radley.

Plenty of Radley’s Video’s work is available to view online via Vimeo and YouTube. Visit the Radley College channel on YouTube to explore the back catalogue, or visit https://bit.ly/GlimpseRadley to watch the Glimpses of Radley playlist, dating back to 1991.

the old radleian 2023

CHARITIES

OLD RADLEIAN CHARITY ENDEAVOURS 2023 was a busy year for fundraising by Old Radleians. We are aware of over £310,000 being raised for good causes across the world, and doubtless this is just the tip of the iceberg. Huge congratulations to all ORs who took part in challenges, events, and other endeavours to raise money for deserving charities that make a positive impact in so many walks of life. James Gosling (2012, A) & Harry Clifton (2012, H) Raised £20,885 for the Ruth Strauss Foundation by cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. https://www.justgiving.com/page/harryjamesmegasauruslejog2023 Archie Barrow (2014, J) Raised £1,090 for the Samaritans by running the Santiago Marathon. https://gofund.me/af24f156 Roger Shaw (Senior Master) & Andrew Shaw (2015, H) Raised £1,820 for the Ukraine Crisis Appeal by cycling from Radley to Romania. https://www.justgiving.com/page/radleyromania-cycle Ed Newall (2013, G) Raised £6,715 for the Olive Branch Partnership by running three marathons in three days (and would have been joined by Benedict Yorston but for an injury!) https://donorbox.org/renewed-learningand-the-olive-branch-partnership Colin Sinclair (1963, E) Raised £1,100 for Headway and his local parish church by holding a classic car, supercar, and motorcycle event at his home. Phil Waller (1986, E) Raised £3,106 for St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Chichester, by running the TCS London Marathon. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ SWHLondonMarathon2023 Jack Folkestone (2012, E) Raised £25,736 for Horatio’s Garden by completing the Ice Ultra (read about his experience on pp. 72-73). https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-folkestone2 68

the old radleian 2023

Oliver Browne (1995, C) Raised £231,570 for Starlight UK by rowing the Atlantic in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge as part of a crew of four. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamthiswayup Sid Keyte (1984, D) Raised £10,321 for Muscular Dystrophy UK by running the London Marathon dressed as a phone box. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Sid-Keyte7 Gavin Maitland-Smith (1991, A) Raised £1,900 for Alzheimer’s Research UK by running 100km in the Thames Path Ultra Marathon. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ gavin-maitland-smith Tom Bracey (2012, C) Raised £1,272 for Protect Our Winters UK by running the Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon while wearing ski boots (and claimed a Guinness World Record in the process!). https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ thomas-bracey Rupert Strutt (2001, G) Raised £8,296.50 for The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust and Surfers Against Sewage by running the Marathon des Sables. https://www.givewheel.com/ fundraising/389/rupert-is-runningmarathon-des-sables-2023/

ARE YOU RAISING MONEY FOR A CAUSE YOU CARE ABOUT? Let us know by emailing radsoc@radley.org.uk

CHARITIES

THE RADLEIAN SOCIETY CHARITY ALLIANCE Last year the Radleian Society introduced a new way of highlighting some of the inspiring charitable activities that take place in the RadSoc community: the Radleian Society Charity Alliance. This initiative involved RadSoc forming a year-long alliance with a charity that has been founded by, or has key support from, an Old Radleian. Throughout the last year, RadSoc has allied with Cricket Builds Hope, a charity which uses cricket as a vehicle for social change and women’s empowerment in Rwanda. Cricket Builds Hope was co-founded by ORs Alby Shale (2004, E/K) and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (1997, D) in celebration of their late father, Christopher Shale. As well as sharing and promoting their work through RadSoc, representatives from Cricket Builds Hope visited the College to speak to the boys about their work, and the value of making a difference in the world through charitable activities and organisations.

The last 12 months at Cricket Builds Hope

At the Gahanga Cricket Stadium, opened by CBH in 2017, we have now added a second, international-sized cricket pitch. Having two grounds makes a huge difference: more senior and international games can be played but, more importantly, this has provided a great space for youngsters in the community to play. Each weekend, more and more children access the facility to play cricket, with over 300 now coming regularly. We have also started to provide regular English language classes for these children once they’ve finished playing. As Justin, one of the teachers, says, “English lessons are important for children playing cricket at Gahanga, building confidence and motivation for

their wider studies, because many subjects are taught in English. They’re developing great discipline too, and parents are happy because they can see the impact on their kids.” CBH also ran hugely www.cricketbuildshope.org successful summer camps, where over 500 local children benefitted from sexual and reproductive health and leadership lessons, alongside cricket and other fun activities. Female empowerment through cricket has remained central to CBH’s work. Women’s cricket is thriving in Rwanda and in January this year the U19 Rwandan women’s team made history by qualifying for the World Cup, and then defeating established cricketing nations Zimbabwe and the West Indies. We have also been redesigning our Women’s Empowerment Programme, which supports marginalised women to build a leadership mindset, develop entrepreneurial skills, and access opportunities to increase their income levels. We look forward to launching that programme this month. Scaling up the impact we are having for Rwandan communities would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful partners and supporters in the UK. We’re especially grateful to Radley College and the Radleian Society for providing publicity for us this year and fundraising over £2,000 through the annual Eton fixture. To keep up to date with all our work in Rwanda, people sign up to our mailing list at: http://eepurl.com/gEqkQ5. Will Hammond, Director.

the old radleian 2023

CHARITIES

INTRODUCING THE RADLEIAN SOCIETY CHARITY ALLIANCE FOR 2023-24:

KIT 4 KENYA

Kit 4 Kenya was founded in the summer of 2017 by 6.1s Tom Sweetnam & Archie Barrow (both 2014, J). At school they loved sport, football in particular, and landed on the idea of recycling sports kit by sending it to those who needed it, in Kenya. My name’s Tom Sweetnam, and I’ve recently graduated from the University of Exeter. Just a few months ago I landed a job at Red Bull Racing working in the Marketing team. I am the co-founder of Kit 4 Kenya (Registered Charity number: 1202039) and have been running it since its inception, six years ago. I’ve always been incredibly passionate about sport (football in particular) and, like most young boys, I dreamt of playing for my boyhood club, Arsenal! As I came to realise my ability wasn’t anywhere near good enough to scrape into the first XI at Radley, let alone play for Arsenal, I realised I would have to try and find another way to fulfil my dream. Fast forward 15 years and my charity, Kit 4 Kenya, is an official partner with Arsenal FC. We work with the club helping to recycle their excess stock, sending out thousands of their kits every year. So, how did we get to where we are now? At the beginning of my 6.1 year at Radley, I was involved in an extracurricular activity called Ed Club, in which we made online

calls to kids in Kenya on a weekly basis, teaching them English and Maths. After seeing the stark reality of what life in the Kenyan slums looked like for these children, and with the help of my mate Archie, we decided to collect as many unwanted pairs of football boots as possible from our mates at school. In our first collection we managed to amass 50 pairs of second-hand boots which we subsequently sent out to the kids in a couple of suitcases. We were not prepared for the reception that these seemingly unwanted football boots, donated by Radley boys, would generate … the videos of pure elation and joy only spurred on our drive to take the venture to the next level.

U FOLLOW 70

the old radleian 2023

CHARITIES

Kenyan children wearing Oxford United kit.

Kit 4 Kenya Arsenal partnership.

Beanies are now available to purchase, and all profits go to Kit 4 Kenya!

I decided to send an email to all 20 premier league clubs at the time, in the hope that one of them would get back to me, but initially had no responses. However, a few months later and rather out of the blue, I had a reply from the kitman at Arsenal who told me to be at the Emirates Stadium the next morning to collect what he described as “a few boxes.” I rented a small van for the day and made the trip down south. He gave us all his excess stock, which turned out to be over 100 boxes, equating to 2,000 kits, and we had to quickly work out how to send these halfway across the world to a small slum village in Kenya.

to come up with their own ideas, with our guidance, and can be as creative as they like! If you are accepted onto our programme, you can look forward to receiving our care package of a football kit and various Kit 4 Kenya items to kick start your journey!

Lockdown unfortunately meant that our ability to send out kit and run events to raise funds came to a grinding halt. However, this was an opportunity to try something new … TikTok. To my complete shock, in just over a month, Kit 4 Kenya managed to gain over 10,000 followers. The videos blew up, regularly reaching hundreds of thousands of people. One, featuring a giant England flag made up of football shirts went viral, with almost 2 million people seeing it. This attracted interest from football clubs, and the official England account even posted my video across their social channels!

We have acquired a warehouse in Milton Keynes where we store all our kit, and have an established shipping partner who we use on a regular basis, which has helped us reduce our costs. Last year, we reached a huge a milestone: successfully shipping out over £1 million worth of football kit to Kenya! Scaling up has meant that for every £1 that is donated, one full kit can be sent to an aspiring young footballer in Kenya.

Off the back of this increased exposure, and coupled with the influx of people messaging us about wanting to get involved, in 2021 I decided to launch a student ambassador programme. For the last couple of years, Kit 4 Kenya has taken on a team of 10 ambassadors yearly to represent the charity. Our ambassador programme is open to anyone over the age of 16. It has been designed as a part-time role for students to get involved alongside their studies and it is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who’s passionate about sports. Our ambassadors get the opportunity to gain real life, practical experience, planning and running their own fundraising events. They are given the freedom

Find out more and apply now for the 2024 intake, as we’ve just opened applications on our website! https://www.kit4kenya.com/studentambassadorsapplynow

We rely solely on donations to allow us to continue doing the work we do, so if you want to help us on this journey, and our exciting future projects, we would be exceptionally grateful.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Donate via our website: www.kit4kenya.com • Follow us on Instagram and share our content with your network: www.instagram.com/kit4kenya/ • Buy our Kit 4 Kenya beanies (all profits go to Kit 4 Kenya) https://www.kit4kenya.com/shop

the old radleian 2023

CHARITIES

THE ICE ULTRA FOR HORATIO’S GARDEN Jack Folkestone (2012, E) Upon finishing the Marathon des Sables in 2021, I thought that it may be wise to hang the running trainers up for a little while and potentially take up a less arduous hobby. However, such is the running ‘bug’ that having taken on the heat of the desert, I set my sights this time on the cold of the Arctic Circle. The Ice Ultra in its 9th iteration is a 230km footrace across the Northern arena of Lapland, Sweden, taking on the golden abyss of arctic temperatures as low as -50 degrees. The Beyond the Ultimate race challenges all competitors to run across snowfields, arctic tundra, frozen lakes and much more in the race for the finish. Below, I will try my best to recount the days as it happened throughout the race and most importantly explain the amazing cause I was running for, Horatio’s Garden. The first, and logistically most challenging, task was managing to get to the start of the race. The runners made the long journey up to northern Sweden to the small town of Gallivare, a town where a snow shovel was a must, and my pronunciation of the town’s name certainly gave the locals something to laugh about. From here, we set off in pursuit of the start line at the Mountain Centre at Stora Sjöfallets, where we had a rigorous kit check of all the essentials, from blizzard bags to thermal insoles; it was not the best place to forget to pack warm things. Our first night was undoubtedly a wake up for all the senses, sleeping atop reindeer skins which had a hearty smell, and

Competitors at the finish line.

out on the snow in teepees. Needless to say, I have had better nights’ sleep, and hoped that the rest of the camps were not quite as cold.

Day One

The team set out with a flat section of easy running to lure the runners into a false sense of security, until we got to the UNESCO world heritage area of Laponia. Before long, we were climbing up to a high plateau with our snow shoes, where we started to be exposed to the elements. Crossing the first frozen lake of the race I stood, for the first of many times, with nothing but a layer of ice between me and the deep, bone-chilling water. The first day was 60km long excluding the elevation gain and it was certainly a relief descending through the thick pine forest to the hunters’ cabins at Aktse: our camping spot for the night.

Day Two

After the gentle conditions of day one, we set off on day two with a certain sense of optimism. This stage, known as ‘The Climb’ or ‘Kabla’, required us to make a steep climb up Mount Kabla. However, our optimism was short lived as we summitted and found ourselves at the mercy of the wind and snow. These battered us during our climb, with temperatures plummeting to -50 degrees and winds flailing. The Sami tribesmen and race directors even struggled in the comfort of their teepees. Fortunately, with the help of some of the fellow runners’ supportive group mentality, I found myself two stages down after the 44km ‘Kabla’ stage, and needed to 72

the old radleian 2023

CHARITIES

defrost at camp. That day alone wiped out half the runners through cold, and several required medical care.

Day Three

Day three was upon us and, having just about dried our kit over the fire, we kitted up and headed for the start line of ‘The Lakes’. Throughout the day we traversed across 44km of frozen lakes and with the number of runners being slowly depleted, it was becoming quiet. It was important to stay on the track, to avoid any water on the ice or, worse, managing to put a foot through the ice. Despite the danger, the lakes were beautiful and we caught a glimpse of reindeer, arctic foxes and, to top it off, we had Swedish fighter jets dogfighting above us – certainly a day to remember.

Day Four

This fourth stage, ‘Sami’, is named for the Sami people who are indigenous to this area of Sweden. They make up our local race team and their skills in this environment keep competitors safe during the race. We passed through a number of their villages, which was bewildering, as they were the first people we had seen in a while. They smiled and waved us on. The 64km stage felt never-ending and, in a battle for 3rd place, I spent a lot of the day chasing the man in front. However, having put my foot through the ice, I found myself behind, cold, but placed fourth at the beginning of last day. I was very much in need of being cut out of my snow shoes!

Day Five

The final stage, or ‘The Sprint’ due to being ‘just’ 15km, was the final test. We woke up on the Arctic Circle and headed for the finish line. Sitting 10 minutes off 3rd place, my competitive instinct kicked in, and I gave everything I had left to catch up with my competition. However, it was not meant to be – I crossed the line with the 3rd and 5th runners.

It was quite the overwhelming experience coming back to the normality of an Arctic Camp, with running water and showers, but the most important part of it all was raising over £25,000 pounds for an amazing cause. As ever, an epic challenge is in need of an even greater cause. Horatio’s Garden nurtures the wellbeing of people after spinal injury in beautiful gardens located in NHS spinal injury centres. The charity holds a very special place in my heart, and I have seen it grow from one spinal centre in Salisbury District Hospital, to a presence in practically every spinal unit in the country. Recently, Horatio’s Garden won ‘Best in Show’ in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show which, in the horticultural world, is as good as it can get! However, there are more gardens yet to be built, and more amazing spinal patients and their families to be supported. The gardens themselves offer a vibrant, beautiful sanctuary for patients suffering from spinal injuries, within the heart of the NHS. Impact studies demonstrate that everyone benefits – patients, their families and loved ones, and the hospital staff too. A great friend I met through Horatio’s Garden, and a victim of a spinal injury, described Horatio’s Garden in the only way I see fit: as ‘putting life back into a lifeless body’. Olivia Chapple and her team do such an amazing job and it is an honour and a privilege to work alongside them all.

To learn more, and support Horatio’s Garden, visit their website: https://www.horatiosgarden.org.uk/ To contribute directly to Jack’s total for his Ice Ultra Challenge, visit his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-folkestone2

the old radleian 2023

NEWS & NOTES

NEWS AND NOTES 1940s

HENRY SANFORD (1940, F) I am now aged 97. Most of my peer group have gone to rest. I have just completed my memoirs which has an account of Radley. JOHN CLEMENTS (1946, E) Memories of my time at Radley are always with me. Especially my time as Stroke of the 2nd VIII and taking part in the Marlow Regatta for two years (1949 & 1950). After leaving Radley, I started my National Service with the Devonshire Regiment. I left with a commission and at my request, I joined the Kings African Rifles in Zomba, Nyasaland (now Malawi) – the town of my birth in 1932. After a short period, I joined the Nyasaland Police where, after attending Senior Police training in the UK, my career began; I achieved the Rank of Acting Superintendent. My service included running various Police Districts, prosecuting, and keeping close liaison with the Provincial and District Administration and various Government departments. In Nyasaland, I met my wife, Joyce (Jo). She was the governess to the Chief Secretary’s children. We married in December 1954 and had two daughters: Bridget and Marilyn, both born in Nyasaland. In 1960, in view of the political changes in Nyasaland, I resigned and our family moved to Kent in the UK. But Africa was in my blood so in 1968 we sailed for South Africa. I have lived in the same town of Somerset West (not far from Cape Town) ever since. I was a director of a small Placement Company in Cape Town until my retirement. I actively served for 18 years with the National Sea Rescue Institute in Gordons Bay, after which I received a shield for ‘Long and Loyal Service’. I attended 79 callouts. I have been blessed with good health, a very active life, and numerous hobbies. Unfortunately, my legs are very weak now and I need the assistance of a walker. I loved hiking in the mountains and joined the Mountain Club of SA, where I also led their Rescue Team and took part in many rescues. I also became an active member 74

the old radleian 2023

of the Bird Club and obtained my Bird Ringing License. I helped run a local bird nature reserve and did bird ringing for 16 years. I am now an honorary member. The one hobby I am still able to enjoy is painting. I originally painted in oils but for the last few years, I have changed to watercolour. My passion is the sea and yachts. I have been an avid sailor and have taken part in various yachting ocean races. So, I mainly paint yachts and the big clippers. I undertook several commissions in respect of yacht portraits. In recent years I have specialised in painting scenes on board various ships from the age of the clippers. I also paint birds, and my bird paintings are still being used in our local nature reserve to help people with bird identification. I now live in a retirement village in a comfortable little cottage. Sadly, my wife died in 2012 and my daughter, Bridget, died in 2018. My daughter, Marilyn and son-in-law, Niel visit regularly and we go on drives and still do a bit of birding. I have four grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. My grandson, Matthew, lives in Yorkshire but all the rest are here in South Africa. DAVID GIRLING (1948, E) I’m still going strong and living in Cornwall. I survived a hip operation in 2021, and a heart pacemaker in 2022. Still playing golf at St. Enodoc, and enjoying the Cornish scenery. Best wishes to any of my contemporaries who remember me. NICHOLAS JACKSON (1948, H) I met a lovely French girl in Paris when I was giving an organ recital at Notre Dame in 1972. We have now been happily married for over 50 years. Our 42-yearold son Graham is a Liveryman of the Drapers’ Company and a Governor of his old school Christ’s Hospital. We have a duo playing two harpsichords together. Although I shall be 89 next month, I am still quite busy. I continue to be involved with organising the annual concerts at Drapers’ Hall, which I inaugurated when I was Master 30 years ago. I also organise the ‘Monday Night is Music Night’ recitals

John Clements (1st exhibition, aged 91). at the Oxford & Cambridge Club. I am an Hon Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford, and Patron of the College Music Society. My most recent opera (the 3rd one) ‘Le Petit Prince’ was performed by students of the RCM and can be viewed on YouTube. My most memorable experience at Radley was beating Ted Dexter in a racquet competition, which wasn’t quite as amazing as it sounds as he had entered the competition without having ever played before! LINDSAY PHILLIPS (1948, B) I live in the centre of the Var in Provence in Lorgues 83510 and have my old classic 36 ft motor boat in Sainte Maxime. If any ORs are passing by, I would be pleased to take you out around the Gulf of St Tropez. Contact: www.stmarcdesomedes.com. MARSHALL RUTTER (1949, D) I was extraordinarily fortunate to have attended Radley for one year (1949-50) after being awarded an English-speaking Union Exchange Fellowship from The Hill School in the US. It was the most illuminating year of my formal education. I returned to the US and attended Amherst College (as in, Lord Jeffery Amherst) and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. I spent many years of my adult life helping form and support the now world-famous Los Angeles Master Chorale that opened the Salzburg Music Festival in 2019 and 2023. I have a much-loved and loving family. I have recently retired from practising law for 60 years. I have supported and will continue to support the Radley Foundation for what Radley did for me.

NEWS & NOTES

1950s

DAVID BERKLEY (1950, G) I’m getting old and slower but I’m still around, living in Cambridge as I have been since retiring from teaching 25 years ago. Apart from being a lay minister for much of that time, I’ve been one of the official guides leading groups of tourists around Cambridge and focusing on the immense input Cambridge has made to various fields. The Reformation in England began here only eight years after starting in Germany with leaders such as Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley and Thomas Bilney. In the 17th century, Puritans left for North America, resulting in the founding of towns called Cambridge in North America and Canada; part of what came to be known as New England was also known for a while as ‘Emmanuel’s Land’, many of the migrants being former members of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. One Emmanuel College alumnus was John Harvard who gave his name to the American university. More recently, Cambridge has contributed enormously to science, especially at the Cavendish Laboratory, for example, the splitting of the atom by Cockcroft and Walton, and the mapping of DNA structure by Crick and Watson. Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin were at this university at an earlier time. Cambridge is now the biggest area of research in Europe, with 2,500 firms on science parks in a 30-mile radius of Cambridge centre. It’s almost the size of Silicon Chip Valley in California. At the last count, Cambridge had gained 95 Nobel Prize winners, more than any other educational establishment in the world. All the best to fellow OR readers, especially those of long ago. RICHARD HALE (1950, G) I continue to live in Singapore and have recently published two further books on the history of this wonderful country. Fraser’s Hill and Lewis J. Fraser of Singapore was published in 2018 and, more recently, Pioneer Merchants of Singapore: Johnston, Boustead, Guthrie and Others was published in 2022. I was able to return to Radley for the first time in around a decade in the summer of 2022 and had a very pleasant visit. (See the ‘New Releases’ section for full details about Richard’s book)

GEORGE CORNELIUS (1953, A) It has been a busy year for my involvement with ecological projects! At the Woodland Trust, both capital projects I am involved in (Snaizeholme in North Yorkshire, and Green Farm in Norfolk) have been designated as ‘hero’ projects, each awarded £2 million from Aviva Plc’s huge £100 million sustainability initiative. I am involved in the Wildlife Trust projects at the Nattergal Wetland and Strawberry Hill Farm in Bedfordshire. I am happy to have facilitated Radley becoming a corporate member of the regional Trust (BBOWT) for an initial 3-year period. My wife and I particularly enjoyed the Blue Marine Foundation’s event in London in February, our lunch with Charles Clover and colleagues at Somerset House in June, and our visit to the exciting Solent Oyster Restoration project. In May, a nearby farmer agreed to let me fund the creation of a 5-acre wetland, in a beautiful area where there had always been a seasonal pond. Now cattle- and dog-proof, the drive to attract more wildlife begins, and a new building stands neatly on top of a redundant (sunken) water reservoir - this to double as a hide and ‘field’ classroom for our village primary school. It might be that this permanent wetland will now just about capture the carbon dioxide emitted in flights each year around the globe, by members of our huge family. Quite a thought! Onwards and upwards, with so much to do in my 85th year. DAVID ARMITAGE (1954, H) I am now 82 years of age and still living at Elm Tree Cottage in Farnham Common. Janet and I now have five grandchildren who we see quite often, although they do not live too close to our home. I am still keen on music and have recently taken an active interest in the contemporaries of Beethoven who are very little known although some of their music is wonderful. I would welcome any contact with those keen on music who I used to know. I am still active in the Conservative Party. MARCUS ALLEN (known at Radley as Simon) (1955, G) I am still involved with the distribution and promotion of Nexus Magazine, as I have been for the past 30 years. I also do public presentations and give interviews about the alleged Apollo Moon landings. I contend that they did not happen as NASA claims they did.

I produce hard evidence for that contention. As some say, it’s not rocket science ... OLIVER BARRATT (1955, B) I came to Radley in January 1955 and had elected to be a wet bob, which I later enjoyed. But my first day on the river was very cold, with a damp Thames mist hanging over the water, and ice on the riverside reeds. I was put in a tub boat with another new boy and a second-year coach on the towpath. As we headed upriver I was very cold, with my hands going blue. We pulled hard to try and keep warm, but this was not very successful, so we just got colder, and miserable. When our coach stopped us at the bank to give advice, my head dropped forward and there, between my feet, was a plastic label: ‘Thames Conservancy Licensed Pleasure Vessel’. WILLIAM HUGHES (1955, D) I graduated from West Point, New York, the Army University, and completed an additional 21 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Training included the Airborne Badge, Ranger Tab, 3 years of combat in Vietnam and SE Asia, and the Bronze Star for Valor medal. PostArmy work included computer banking for Banque Européenne pour L'Amerique Latine (BEAL) and AMRO (Amsterdam and Rotterdam Bank). I also worked in computer support for ADIA in Paris and for a home inspection service in Maryland, USA. I retired from all work in 2002. My major hobbies included hiking the Appalachian Trail, large dogs as pets, travelling, reading, and stamp collecting. I travelled to a number of European countries and made multiple trips to Japan. I attended Japanese language courses, read most major literature that was Chinese or Japanese, and specialised in Chinese and Japanese stamps. I married soon after university, and have two children and four grandchildren. HUGH DUMAS (1956, A) I have been painting daily, or so it seems, since retiring from The City 13 years ago. I have just held an art sale to raise money for the Ukrainian mother and son who have been our guests for the last 14 months. They are ready to fledge their wings and have moved into Winchester, where David is at Henry Beaufort School and Yuliya can hopefully find permanent employment. My art exhibition raised £6,000 which I have donated to our guests and several other local Ukrainian-linked causes. the old radleian 2023

NEWS & NOTES

DONALD LEGGET (1956, B) 2023 was another season of success for St Paul’s Boat Club, where I have been a consultant since 2015. The 1st VIII reached its 3rd Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup Final in successive years, after winning in 2022. They lost narrowly to St Edward’s as they had in the Final of the Queen Mother’s Cup at the National Schools Regatta. JOHN MCVITTIE (1956, G) In the 2022 edition, the editor of the Old Radleian requested old photos be sent in. My great-grandfather was Henry Benyon Crichton (born 1835), one of Radley’s first pupils. He joined in 1848 before Socials existed. He was at Radley with his older brother, Arthur William Crichton (born 1833). Henry Benyon Crichton had eight children, including Alan Henry Crichton and William Llewelyn Crichton (twins, born in 1866) who left Radley in 1885. I have a photo which includes them all, three ORs together, taken in the 1880s. Henry Benyon is sitting on the ground in the right foreground, William Llewelyn is standing at the back on the left, and Alan Henry is standing at the back on the right. The names of the dogs have been lost to history …

Mike Stanger (L). covering 20 other sports, finally reaching football in 2017. QTV now has multi-year contracts with the SPFL and SFA to cover 150+ matches a season, and QTV’s new Glasgow headquarters includes the facilities for VAR, introduced in 2022. After surviving the Covid pandemic, QTV became the largest independent company of its kind based in Scotland, with a full-time staff of 40. Now retired as executive chairman, aged 80, I remain a shareholder and pioneering founder. DAVID JENNINGS (1958, C) It has been an extraordinary 12 months - the privilege of acting as Chaplain at Summer Fields, Oxford, the death of my mother aged 105 (!) and then recently Sally and I returned from the journey of a lifetime: 40 days in the USA and Canada visiting her three brothers and a cousin of mine, ending up with a 950mile drive through the Rockies. What a privilege!

June 2023 by Scotland Street Press. It’s the biography of RB Cunninghame Graham (my great-great-uncle) who is best known as the co-founder, with Keir Hardie, of the Scottish Labour Party, forerunner of the modern Labour Party, and later as the founding president of the Scottish National Party – though in a long and extraordinary life he was many other things including celebrated writer, horseman, traveller and adventurer. (See the ‘New Releases’ section for full details about Jamie’s book) COLIN SINCLAIR (1963, E) We had a fabulous sunny day for our annual Holly House Classic, Supercar, and Motorcycle show at my home in Allensmore, Herefordshire, this year, on 6th August. Around 180 cars of all shapes and sizes joined us, ranging from a 1908 White (one of eight remaining in the world) to pre-war Blower Bentleys, Rolls Royces, over 30 Aston Martins, MGs, Austin 7s, to a new Lamborghini and all sorts of other makes. People brought their own picnics and refreshments and a good time was enjoyed by all. Please have a look at http:// www.classiccarsathollyhouse.co.uk for more pictures. The event raised around £1,100 which will be split between our parish church, St Andrew’s, and the Hereford branch of Headway, a charity which helps people after brain injury and strokes.

1960s John McVittie - three Radleian ancestors. MIKE STANGER (1956, H) I have had time to reflect on my working life. After Radley and Cambridge, I joined the BBC in 1964 as a transmitter planning engineer, before marriage took me north to Scotland. I left BBC Scotland in 1989, took up sports journalism, and produced YouTube highlights of Scottish cricket’s international matches. At the age of 68, encouraged by internet development, myself and a friend live-streamed the final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Dubai in 2010 – the first in the world at this level. In 2011, we formed a limited company, 76

the old radleian 2023

ANDY DU PORT (1962, F) My wife Kate and I are still actively sailing in our 34-foot yacht. This summer we were away for eight weeks cruising on both sides of the English Channel. I have written three books on sailing, and contribute articles occasionally to yachting magazines. Our elder daughter was married this year. HILARY JALLAND (1963, F) I am a retired clergyman and live in Bruton, Somerset. However, I am still involved - officiating in a number of churches both in the Dioceses of Bath & Wells and Salisbury. JAMIE JAUNCEY (1963, B) Don Roberto: the Adventure of Being Cunninghame Graham was published in

Colin Sinclair's charity car show. CHRISTOPHER BOCHMANN (1964, E) I was in Goldsmith’s from 1964 to 1967 only three years because I did my A-levels in Latin and Greek, which at the time was usually done in a single year and then went on to study music elsewhere. After teaching in Britain and Brazil, I moved to Portugal in 1980 and have lived there ever since. I taught at the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa for 23 years (and was Director for 6); I then moved to the University of Évora where I spent 14 years (for 8 of those I was Director of the

NEWS & NOTES

School of the Arts there). I was awarded an OBE in 2005 and in January this year, I was made Comendador da Ordem do Príncipe D. Henrique (Commander of the order of Prince Henry) by the President of Portugal. I have conducted the Lisbon Youth Orchestra since 1984. I studied composition in Paris and Oxford from the year I left Radley, with Nadia Boulanger, Robert Sherlaw Johnson and Richard Rodney Bennett, and have spent my life composing, teaching and conducting. In 2018 a book was published with various analytical essays about my music (Christopher Bochmann, Edições Atelier de Composição, 2018) and in 2023 a biography in dialogue form was published (Sem música a vida seria um erro, OSJ, 2023). My music is mostly available on the site mic.pt. Happy for ORs to get in touch! MARK HOLFORD (1964, B) I am one of the UK’s leading collectors of contemporary glass (not a very difficult thing to be!). It is, however, challenging to find a museum willing to take and (more importantly) display a collection of any artefacts. I have been fortunate that The World of Glass is willing to do just that. A third of my collection (75 pieces) is now on magnificent display under a permanent loan. The rest of the collection will be loaned on my death with the owner becoming the charity of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers. Following a £1 million refurbishment, The World of Glass, located in St Helens, Merseyside, has become the best glass experience in the UK. Furthermore, St Helens has also become the glass capital of the UK with the opening of the factory of Glass Futures, a £54 million project to decarbonise glass making. I sit on its advisory board. So please come and visit The World of Glass: it is particularly child-friendly. SIMON MOFFETT (1964, C) My wife Mererid and I continue to enjoy reasonable health, our grandchildren and the wonderful area that we live in. One area in which I am active is as a volunteer for Prostate Cymru. Our primary focus is on trying to raise awareness, although we do fundraise as well which mainly means having fun. There are lots of pub jokes about men and their visits to the loo, whereas, in reality, these could be symptoms that need treating. More men are dying from prostate cancer in Wales than women die from breast

Simon Moffett's first car, Jemima. cancer and one of the reasons is because men present to the doctor later. So my message to old Radleians is: get any symptoms checked. As a small group in Pembrokeshire, we are hoping to reach £500,000 in our tenth year next year. For information and to donate, visit www.prostatecymru.com. I bought a car when I was still at school and still run her. She’s called Jemima as she makes puddles everywhere. She’s 87 this year. How many other old Radleians still have their first car? SIMON LYSTER (1965, C) I’m Chair of the Essex Local Nature Partnership and Chair of Conservation International, UK. I’m still trying to do my bit for wildlife at home and overseas... MASON SCOTT (1967, B) Still working in the sun - I have a wee yacht on Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia, to potter on! RICHARD MEDRINGTON (1969, A) I am still working through the emotional damage caused by being sent to boarding school. NICK RAILSTON-BROWN (1969, E) The highlight of my years at Radley was opening the bowling for the 1st XI in 1973/74. Though I graduated in Agriculture from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1978, the Senior Professor advised I would have been more suited to studying politics, philosophy and economics! Nevertheless, I trained as an Agronomist and followed a career in agriculture initially in the UK. After an MBA from Cranfield, I moved to Africa in 1990 with my family to Zambia and ran a soya processing company and traded agricultural commodities. Then I moved to Ghana in 1999 to run TechnoServe a US non-profit that applied business solutions to reduce poverty, such as training 18,000

cocoa farmers to increase their cocoa yields fourfold. I also introduced BizPlan Competitions to help train and develop entrepreneurs. During this time, my wife and three children Chris (property, London), Jono (a teacher, Poole) and Caroline (environment, Bristol) stayed in the UK and we eventually divorced. I married Akos and we have a 16-year-old son, NK. In 2014 I joined Opportunity International as Africa Director (Agriculture) and provided loans to 100,000 small-scale farmers across seven countries and we moved to Hillcrest, South Africa (just outside Durban). I retired in 2018 to run the back office for Orobaa, my wife’s natural skin and hair care products business, and build a house on a golf estate, where my Parkinson’s will be tested by golf, called Cotswold Downs! A home from home after 30+ years in Africa. OLIVER SHERWOOD (1969, A) After almost 40 years training horses, including a win at Aintree in 2015, I have now retired. Being ill with lymphoma, the associated treatment, and the loss of my good friend Richard Aston to cancer, have put a different perspective on life, and I’m ready for a change of direction. I will continue to work with horses in a smaller capacity, helping another trainer, my friend Harry Derham. GAVIN SPICKETT (1969, E) My new book on running for beginners entitled If I Knew Then What I Know Now (published by Crowood Press) will be released in October 2023. Medicine at a Glance, 5th Edition, to which I am a chapter contributor, should also appear towards the end of the year or early in 2024. I am using my retirement to continue working on a number of other publishing projects. I am also using the time to re-acquaint myself with areas of knowledge that I had at Radley, such as Latin, Greek, ancient history and archaeology, but which were side-lined by the demands of a career in the NHS. I continued to run competitively on both trails and roads and completed the Kielder Marathon at the end of 2022. (See the ‘New Releases’ section for full details about Gavin’s book)

1970s

MARTIN FRYER (1970, C) I’m now living back in London. I retired in September 2022 after a career in the British Council. It’s good to be settling into the old radleian 2023

NEWS & NOTES

a life in the UK after many happy decades living and working in Argentina, Brazil, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the UAE - enjoying all that London has to offer. I am a trustee of the Art Monthly Foundation. CHRISTOPHER SANDFORD (1970, C) I have a new book coming out around Christmas 2023 called 1964: The Year the Swinging Sixties Began, or some close equivalent. Older ORs may dimly recognise the subject matter, and I can confirm that at least one of our number the late Ted Dexter - features prominently in the text. I still live mainly in the US but I am trying to rectify that. (See the ‘New Releases’ section for full details about Christopher’s book) HUGH WOLLEY (1970, F) Accepting every invitation for work and play makes for a full and fascinating life. I’m working part-time, providing financial direction to several SMEs, family companies and angel/seed/VC-backed growth businesses. A few voluntary jobs too. I’m Captain of Aldeburgh Golf Club (93 rounds in 140 days so far) in 2023. CHARLES HAWKINS (1973, E) It has been a full and eventful year for me. I have been appointed Trustee of the largest hospice in North Wales while continuing to serve as a Director of the local Credit Union. I have also stepped up my artwork, taking commissions and exhibiting; an abstract of mine won the Spike Holly Award in one exhibition. It has been good to reconnect with some ORs. My wife and I continue to enjoy travelling amongst all this too. NICK HOLLAND (1973, D) I have just returned from the first-ever World Rowing event on South African soil. I competed in the World Rowing Masters’ Regatta and have returned with four gold

Nick Holland competing in the World Rowing Masters' Regatta. 78

the old radleian 2023

medals. I am the Champion of the World in the following Men’s F (aged 60-64) races: 8+, the 4x, the mixed 4x and the mixed 2x. I also came 6th in the Men’s F Single A Final. NICHOLAS VETCH (1974, F) Nick Vetch, Co-Founder of the Big Yellow Self Storage Company, was awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours 2023. The CBE reflects his role in a range of human rights initiatives, most recently for founding a charity engaged in assisting Ukrainians to settle in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. TOBY CLARK (1975, D) Nicki and I have now been in France for 10 years and we enjoy very much living in the Forest of Rambouillet, outside Paris. Our family consists of a beagle, a labrador and two horses. I have recently taken up rowing again, with the Cercle Nautique de Versailles. We row in the spectacular setting of the gardens of the Palace of Versailles on the Grand Canal. I am still working with the European Space Agency, hoping to see Europe’s new rocket, Ariane 6, launch before I retire. ALASDAIR EMSLIE (1975, B) I was awarded the appointment of Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) from the King in the 2023 New Year Honours for Occupational Medical Services to the Royal Household. ANTHONY TALBOT (1975, H) Still living in Sydney. It’s a relief to be somewhat distanced from the British headlines, but I always enjoy my regular return visits. It will be interesting if one of those coincides with an OR event ... I wonder what you all look like now? MARTIN COOK (1976, E) I was called to the Bar at the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn in July 2023, and specialise in costs law.

Martin Cook.

Charlie Mackesy at the BAFTAs, February 2023. CHARLIE MACKESY (1976, E) The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse, an adaption of Charlie Mackesy’s (1976, E) bestselling illustrated book, won a BAFTA for best British short animation. MARK CADBURY (1977, C) I’ll be 60 years old in November 2023, and I am still working and playing sports. I have played for Babington House Cricket Club for 24 years and still going - getting a little slower but still enjoying batting. I play golf about once a month and tennis once or twice a week. I work for Bath Recreation Ltd as Chief Marketing Officer, a charity that is the landlord of Bath Rugby, amongst other activities, and also work pro bono for NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Support, a charity based in Bristol. I have a wife and three sons, who are all excellent sportsmen - rugby, hockey, cricket and tennis - a great deal better than their father! GEORGE HOLLINGBERY (1977, C) Sir George Hollingbery was appointed British Ambassador to Cuba in February 2022. He was previously the Member of Parliament for Meon Valley from 2010 to 2019, working in No 10 for 2 years and as Minister of State for Trade Policy as the UK prepared to leave the EU. Prior to being an MP, he ran his own businesses including the country’s first chain of surgeries, based in the Pets at Home pet superstores. He met his wife Janette at the Wharton Business School and they have three adult children. SIMON PERKINS (1978, E) The 1983 1st VIII held a very enjoyable 40-year centenary lunch at Henley in July. Six of the crew were able to make it, two had other commitments, but contact sadly has been lost with one. Andrew Trotman, the crew’s coach, and his wife Mary were welcome guests. It was a great chance to catch up with old friends and reminisce about highlights of a successful

NEWS & NOTES

Toby Ashworth - High Sheriff of Cornwall. for young people facing today’s challenges. May I encourage you to have a look at their website www.childrenssailingtrust.org.uk. Top row (L to R): Andrew Trotman (coach), Simon Shaw (1978, A), Julian Beck (1979, F), Justin Young (1979, H) Seated (L to R): Andrew Laing (1979, G), Simon Perkins (1978, E), Charles Hunt (1978, F). season, including the first Radley win over Kent School, USA and numerous regatta victories. The 1983 1st VIII reunited at Henley. ROLFE HAYDEN (1979, E) I have retired from Simmons & Simmons. I will spend time between London and Hong Kong. SALLY LINES NÉE FIELDING (1979, D) Having retired last year after 25 years leading various UK charities, I now live in Puglia, Southern Italy. It is a bit strange because we are subject to the Brexit regulations and can only be there for 90 out of 180 days, so we are travelling around the world in between, which is an odd but exciting semi-nomadic existence and hopefully not a permanent thing! We had to leave the UK because my husband, Pete, developed a severe chemical reaction to agriculturally generated ammonia while we were living in Somerset, and the specialist consultant’s advice and conclusion to this untreatable and rare reaction to UK air was ‘move or die’, so we moved. We are converting our previously

Sally Lines née Fielding with her husband Pete.

derelict Italian farmhouse, going ‘selfsufficient’ as far as possible with regard to energy and water, managing our 120 olive trees and producing the best extra virgin olive oil we’ve ever sampled (!) and developing a large-scale dry Mediterranean garden. If any ORs are interested in what we’re doing out there, then you can watch our episodes on YouTube (search for our channel which is @LaBollaPugliaYT), follow us on Instagram (@LaBollaPuglia) and/or take a peek at our website www. labollapuglia.co.uk . OR visitors are also always welcome!

1980s

TOBY ASHWORTH (1981, G) I am very honoured to have been appointed by The Duke of Cornwall to be the High Sheriff of Cornwall for 2023/4. The High Sheriff ’s charity I have chosen for the year is The Children’s Sailing Trust, founded in Cornwall. I am particularly keen to encourage all children in Cornwall to experience the sea and feel comfortable on the water. This is our surrounding environment in Cornwall and we must embrace the local opportunity. Like many Cornishmen I learnt much from my early experiences in boats in local waters; but also crucially at Radley (Capt Sailing) before going on to join the Royal Navy, to serve in ships around the world, and then off-shore racing etc. The valuable lessons and experiences gained, of Independence, Creativity, Resilience, and Confidence, are the key watchwords of #childrenssailingtrust and are just so apt. They are essential and necessary skills

PETER SWEATMAN (1982, F) My work in climate change and innovation was profiled in a commemorative book entitled ‘His Majesty at 75: The Leadership and Vision of King Charles III’ that was launched at Claridge’s in London on His Majesty’s 75th birthday, 14th November 2023. I became a social entrepreneur after leaving JP Morgan in 2000, and I’ve worked in climate finance since 2004. MATTHEW HANCOCK (1983, H) I have been Master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, my City Livery Company, for 2023. I have recently published a book, Celebrating the Cherry, for Livery charities. I continue to run a fruit business and spend as much time as I can in Corfu and Cervinia with my family. (See the ‘New Releases’ section for full details about Matthew’s book) JAMES HUNTLEY (1983, B) After 10 years as a Consultant in the UK NHS (I paid my dues!), I relocated to Doha, Qatar to be part of the inception team of a major Children’s health initiative in the Middle East: Sidra Medicine. After letting the dust settle from the World Cup, I decided on another relocation: to be a Professor of Paediatric Orthopaedics at the University of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

James Huntley - Sidra Medicine Hospital. the old radleian 2023

NEWS & NOTES

ADRIAN THEED (1983, B) I’m still river and coastal rowing hard. Off to Boston, MA, to defend an HOCR title in Oct. My son is in Vth form, B Social. I’ve been growing timber and renewable energy on Exmoor while working with health data to make a difference. RICHARD CLAXTON (1984, C) In parallel with my work as a GP, I’m continuing to work in Garden Design and Therapeutic Horticulture, trying to bring Green Therapies to all who might benefit from them, on the NHS. If you’re interested, have a look at www. gardening4health.co.uk and www. richardclaxtongardens.co.uk (Instagram under the same name). MATTHEW GODFREY (1984, H) I was appointed Senior Deputy Head of Downe House - the all-girls boarding school near Newbury, Berkshire - in September 2021. One aspect of my role is managing the school’s close and longstanding relationship with Radley; this involves fairly regular visits to the College, which are always enjoyable. Julia and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in May 2023 and live within walking distance of Downe House. We have three children, now aged 18 (Grace), 17 (Alec) and 15 (Sam). I still love tennis and have fond memories of playing at Radley. I have wonderful friends from my days at Radley and it was my English teachers there who inspired me to (eventually!) switch from business to teaching at the age of 30. SID KEYTE (1984, D) My brother Robin (1985, D) suffers from a very rare genetic muscle-wasting disorder called myotonic dystrophy, which is a type of muscular dystrophy. It is incredibly debilitating and has progressively got worse over the last 20 years. Along with having to live with this, he is also recovering from non-Hodgkinson lymphoma cancer for the second time in less than 4 years. His muscle wasting disorder means Robin now can’t hold a cup of coffee securely, stand for too long, do his belt up, or get out of the bath. He is only 51 years old. Robin and his wife Jenny, who is his full-time carer, are amazing people and so positive, despite what they are going through. They never complain or ask for help. Very little is still known about myotonic dystrophy, so I wanted to raise awareness and help provide some vital funding for deeper research. 80

the old radleian 2023

Sid Keyte ran the London Marathon in 2023, dressed as a phone box, to raise awareness of myotonic dystrophy. I decided to dress up again in my iconic 15kg red Telephone box for the London Marathon 2023. I managed to stumble around just about in 6 hours and 54 minutes and even had a race with a Rhino in the final mile! Robin, myself and the charity have been totally blown away and so thrilled seeing all the amazingly generous donations coming in. Thank you to everyone who kindly donated and sent messages. www. justgiving.com/fundraising/sid-keyte7 RUPERT MACINNES (1984, C) After a fantastic two-plus decades at Capital One UK (latterly as General Counsel, Board member and Consumer Duty Champion), I am now on gardening leave till the end of 2023. Trying to spend as much of it as possible on adventures with my three daughters and wife and/or on the high seas. The plan is going well so far with a summer spent in Namibia, the Isle of Wight and sailing from Portugal to the Canaries, and from Oslo to the Solent. Excited about the rest of 2023 and to see what 2024 holds. MARK MILLING (1984, C) I have now lived for ten happy years at Lancing College in West Sussex where I am the Bursar. My clever wife, Francesca, has just become Head of Lancing Prep at Worthing and my daughter, Purdey, has just started at the Senior School in Year 9. How time flies! GILES MORGAN (1984, F) With a 30-year career in the international sports marketing industry, 2023 was perhaps my most manic year. Combining my duties as co-host of the award-winning Are You Not Entertained? sports business podcast and as a Board director of Matchroom Sport, Major League Pickleball, in 2023, I took the role of Group Head of Sponsorship

Revd James Shakespeare and his wife Alison outside Ely Cathedral. of Howden Broking. In July this year, we announced the shirt sponsorship of the British & Irish Lions alongside our sponsorship of Ascot Racecourse. Away from work, I married Penny ChetwyndTalbot - blending our family of 6 kids aged 18-24 and instantly creating the Brady bunch of South West London, where we live in disordered harmony. JAMES SHAKESPEARE (1984, D) Life continues happily in Cambridge, and I had the privilege of serving as Interim Archdeacon of Cambridge during the past year. Our oldest offspring, Hannah, graduated from York University, and our son Edward began at the University of East Anglia. We’re settling into being empty nesters! BEN TWISTON-DAVIES (1985, G) Ben Twiston-Davies created a life-sized bronze statue of crime novelist Dame Agatha Christie which is located near Wallingford Museum which houses an exhibition about her. Dame Agatha Christie was the author of over 60 detective novels which featured the wellknown characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Christie lived in Wallingford for more than 40 years.

Ben Twiston-Davies' statue of Agatha Christie.

NEWS & NOTES

creating connections within the media and communications space. Headquartered in Singapore, Telum has offices across APAC and they welcome more connections!

Lucy Rooney née Hudson's business sells Bedouin picnic rugs.

Ed Butterworth & Jules Facer. ED BUTTERWORTH (1986, G) Colonel Jules Facer ADC (1982, C) has handed over to Colonel Ed Butterworth, the new Head of Arm and Colonel Army Air Corps, 27th Jun 2023. NICK NEWBURY (1986, D) A meeting of past and future Radleians took place at Henley this year, when Olympic medallists Tom George (2008, G) and Ollie Wynne-Griffith (2007, D/J), winners of The Silver Goblets & Nickalls’ Challenge Cup 2023, met Nick Newbury and his son Marco, who will be joining Radley in the near future. FRASER OWEN-SMITH (1986, B) Still in New York working in banking 25 years later, although I made the move to Greenwich just before Covid. I have three wonderful children: Sam, Poppy and Finn, who will hopefully be going to Radley in a couple of years! SIMON ROBSON BROWN (1986, G) I was appointed Governor of St Paul’s Cathedral School in late 2022. Having worked in Fund Management across

Olympic medallists Tom George (2008, G) & Ollie Wynne-Griffith (2007, D/J) at Henley, with Marco, son of Nick Newbury (1986, D).

the road from the school for around a decade, I was keen to be involved in this educational and musical harbour in the City of London. LUCY ROONEY NÉE HUDSON (1986, C) After many years of working in Distribution, I recently set up www. bitesizeluxury.com with my husband importing Bedouin picnic rugs from the Middle East to the UK and New Zealand. TOBY TILL (1986, B) I currently command the Army’s Experimentation and Trials Group in Warminster, attempting to accelerate the modernisation of the British Army, and I’m also Regimental Lieutenant Colonel of the Coldstream Guards. I live near Marlborough. DAN CHANNER (1987, G) I’m running a property business in Reading and am Chair of Europe’s lowest carbon laundry. I live in Oxford, still drinking at the Lamb & Flag. Two daughters, one wife. My debut novel will be unleashed next year. NICK HISCOCKS (1988, A) The sunny south coast is our home as we continue to serve Christ Church Westbourne in Bournemouth (www. christchurchwestbourne.com). I’m just about clinging on to playing squash, still trying to master the perfect flapjack and otherwise loving the sea! We love visitors popping in so get in touch if you’re passing through! I just celebrated 20 years of marriage to the patient and wonderful Cecilia, enjoying the parenting privilege together of Lucy (18), Millie (16) and Jonty and Titus (13). MICHAEL WEBSTER (1988, E) Brothers Michael, Nick and Jonny Webster (1988, 1991 and 1996, E) and Matthew Law (1996, F) founded Telum Media in 2013, an APAC subscription business

HENRY HEREFORD (1989, H) Co-produced the feature film To Leslie (2022) which saw Andrea Riseborough nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress. I starred as Brian Lee in the Netflix feature Luther: The Fallen Sun and currently featuring as the lead in the Amazon commercial for Ring doorbell ‘#Folo’. All in all a very busy 2023! (see the ‘New Releases’ section for more information about Henry’s film To Leslie) ROBIN MARTIN-JENKINS (1989, B) Now living back in East Sussex after eight enjoyable years at Harrow. Still channelling my inner GeoDave and Chopper Harris in the geography classroom.

1990s

GILES BANCROFT (1990, G) In July 2023 I skippered Tango in the 50th edition of the Fastnet Race. I thought some readers would enjoy these photographs of her taken from Hurst Point two hours into our race! Solent officiandos will identify the North East Shingles east cardinal in the latter shots, and my figure is the one in the yellow jacket and hood on the helm. The race was started in strong winds that became a severe gale over the first night (force 9, or 50ish mph in lay speak) and it was a rather brutal race which challenged boat, body and mind. Our electronics failed during that first night, leaving us unseeing and unseen whilst in the Channel’s busy shipping lanes ... nerve-wracking. Having got my Coastal Yacht Master in March 2020, I was the navigator on a boat in the 2021 Fastnet and skippered a couple of RORC races in 2022, so it was thrillingly full-on to take part in this year’s adventure as a skipper. Tango is part of London Corinthian Sailing Club’s (just by Hammersmith Bridge if you’re interested) new offshore racing initiative and the multi-national crew (8) are all Londonbased members. With three storms during our five days and twenty-one hours on the course, some fared better than others! The storm coming back across the Irish Sea was the most psychologically challenging part for me, but (despite a spinnaker wrap at 3am off the Channel Islands, deep the old radleian 2023

NEWS & NOTES

their international growth efforts. Having left in 2010 with a young baby, I have returned to the UK with three American children and we are reacclimatising to life here after a decade of non-stop sunshine. I continue with the NFL in London, leading their UK business.

Going, going, gone! Stormy conditions make sailing a challenge for Giles Bancroft in July. frustration) it was great to get around and finish in Cherbourg with the crew and boat largely in one piece! Drinks followed. Tango placed 186 from a starting field of 430, 100 plus retired in the first twenty-four hours! RICK BARKER (1990, B) Rick and the team behind the BBC documentary The Real Mo Farah have scooped a number of awards for this shocking and revelatory project, including Broadcast, BAFTA TV, and Rose d’Or awards. HENRY HODGSON (1990, C) I recently moved back from 12 years living in Los Angeles, where I was working for the National Football League (NFL) leading

Rick Barker's documentary The Real Mo Farah won a number of awards in 2022 & 2023.

the old radleian 2023

TOM STEMP (1992, A) The family and I are still in Hong Kong after nearly 15 years. We’ve seen some interesting times in the last few years, with pro-democracy protests and some of the most aggressive covid restrictions in place right up until May 2023, but we held out and things have bounced back quickly! I joined BlackRock as Head of Executive Search for Asia Pacific in March 2022, and I am loving every minute. Catherine is still at Goldman Sachs running the Equities Legal team and Eliza (10yrs) and Hugo (7rs) are enjoying school (Kellett) and spending a lot of time on the tennis court and in the pool. Boarding school in the UK is on the cards in the next few years for both which is exciting and terrifying at the same time. CHRISTOPHER DAVID (1993, C) I’m living in London with my family: Jane, Charlie (11), Ben (8), Sam (5). I was recently promoted to partner at Clifford Chance representing companies and individuals in white collar crime matters and investigations. WILL STEMP (1993, A) Lots to update everyone on! I became fully Spanish in April this year, after 17 years of being a British expat in Spain. In May, I was appointed Commercial Director for an MGA (insurance underwriting agency) in Madrid called DUAL Iberica, which means that I have now moved from Barcelona to Madrid permanently, with my family. I

had previously been Regional Manager for Berkley Spain for 7 years, so it was time for a change! If anyone is ever in Madrid, please do look me up! OLLY LANGTON (1994, G) J Social leavers of 2016 invited former Tutor of J Social, Olly Langton, out for supper in London. Olly reports that he, Rosie, Trish, and all the J Social boys had a wonderful evening: “All of them made it, which was amazing!” BEN WITHINSHAW (1996, C) I have set up Surrey Hills Accountancy, a local accountancy practice in Albury, south of Guildford. We specialise in cloud accounting in real-time and are growing in outsourced finance provision. We are always on the lookout for ambitious people to join our growing business. ALEX LEDGER (1997, A) This year we continued our theme at SkySchool of offering ORs the opportunity to learn how to fly in exchange for photography and film content. Arthur Davie-Thornhill is the third OR that has gone through this process and we hope to keep the tradition alive going forward. JONATHAN STEEL (1997, G) After 10 years away from the UK, 2024 is the year when my family and I shall return home and hope to put some roots down. Global sports marketing and football have allowed me to travel much of the world, but priorities have changed and home is where the heart is. Hope to catch up with as many old friends as possible upon our return. CHARLES ROBINSON (1998, B) After 12 happy years in Zurich, our

Tutor Olly Langton and J Social 2016 leavers.

NEWS & NOTES

Ilyas Kassam at his solo exhibition in London.

20-year B Social reunion. family of four moved to Bermuda in the summer of 2022. We miss the mountains but the beach is a good short-term replacement. BEN VAN DER GUCHT (1998, B) We held a 20-year reunion for the B Social class of 1998 in June this year. HANNAH FRASER-MACKENZIE NÉE NYE (1999, E) Life continues to be a juggling act with two little boys, a singing career, and a trusteeship of a local preschool on my plate. Jude (4) has just joined his brother Adam (6) at primary school and is thrilled to be there at last! I am regularly performing with Armonico Consort, John Lubbock’s OSJ, and enjoying having more time for solo opportunities now it’s quieter at home. I took over as Treasurer of Long Wittenham Pre-School in October 2022, and am relishing getting stuck into the numerous challenges of keeping a not-for-profit charity financially viable in these trying times - I’m happy to say that hard work and determination from a dedicated committee are reaping success. When I manage to find a bit of spare time I am a keen crocheter, regular cinema goer, and runner (with a half marathon in my sights for 2024 all being well). I had a wonderful day over at Radley for the OR girls’ reunion in May. It was such fun sharing stories and experiences with the other members of our very exclusive club!

Many thanks to Alexandra & RadSoc for putting the day together. FRED GASCOIGNE (1999, B) I retrained a few years ago as a Chartered Surveyor in the utilities industry, with a focus on large infrastructure projects and clients. I’m married to Emma with two young children who are keeping us busy! JAMES MACDONALD (1999, D) On 3rd November, a gathering of classof-1999 ORs took place at the Hollywood Arms. With young children and family commitments, spontaneous events have been more difficult in recent years. When a date was put out there for a few drinks, demand was high and momentum gathered quickly! Conversation encompassed career changes, babies, sleep deprivation, an engagement, Charlie Fellowes racing, and memory lane. Attendees: James MacDonald (1999, D), Georg Bauer (1999, C), Will Michell (1999, G), Tom Davies (1999, A), Tommy Dailey (1999, H), Tommy Haughton (1999, A), Ben Kelly (1999, C), Oli Wilson (1999, B), Ben Mounsey-Heysham (1999, H), Bertie Russell (1999, E). MATTHEW O’CONNER LOMAS (NÉ LOMAS) (1999, H) After a few years working in refugee shelters here in Berlin, I took time off to raise our children, including seventeen months of paid

paternity leave. After completing a master’s degree in political and social philosophy at the Free University in Berlin I am now working in software development for a company that makes devices that connect cars to the cloud and provides customers with digital key services. My wife and I have been getting into sailing again, and I am glad of the experience I garnered with Mr Wylie out sailing Laser 2s and 420s (I think!) on a reservoir somewhere in Oxfordshire back in 2003-2004.

2000s

ILYAS KASSAM (2000, D) I’m an artist and had a big exhibition in London earlier this year: ‘Ilyas Kassam’s solo exhibition Every Spell Is Wet When Held Too Tightly was shown at The Arx, Knightsbridge London, in April of this year. The exhibition showcases a collection of abstract paintings that explore the nature of language, and how it is held within the body and within our subconscious. Drawing from Japanese and Arabic calligraphic and esoteric traditions, Ilyas uses his whole body in the process of creation. The result is a collection of large paintings that are performative, gestural and deeply meditative in their presence.’ JAMES LEATHAM (2000, D) For no particular reason other than to get everyone together again, a reunion of the Year 2000’s D-Social Shells took place on

Reunion of class-of-1999 ORs.

Reunion of class-of-2000 D Social ORs. the old radleian 2023

NEWS & NOTES

and Music Producer for the 60-minute comedy Prince Andrew: The Musical for Hat Trick Productions/Channel 4. In 2023, Freddie has, among other things, been conducting Fiddler on the Roof at The Volksoper Opera House in Vienna, Austria.

James Kent. 15th December in London at The Hunter’s Moon, Fulham Road. It was a resounding success, with a full turnout including Mr Holden, our Tutor for the full five years, who was a particularly enjoyable addition to the evening... he seems to have completely forgotten the significant majority of our less savoury antics! JAMES KENT (2001, E) I am starting my second season as Assistant Coach of Stade Français in the Top 14, after three seasons with the French national rugby set up (FFR), with the Senior Team and U20s. I will also start doing some lecturing at LUNEX University in Luxembourg, on Coaching and Leadership which I am really looking forward to. From a personal point of view, my wife Hilda and I have a little girl who will turn 1 in September. Combining fatherhood and career coaching has been challenging but exceptionally rewarding! JAMIE LAING (2002, B) It’s been a big year for me: I got married, launched two new podcasts under my production company JamPot and continued to grow Candy Kittens to be bigger and better than ever. After talking about it for so long on our podcast, NewlyWeds, Sophie and I finally got married in May in Spain and it was the best! We later spent our honeymoon on an island in Panama. My company JamPot Productions now produces three podcasts, NewlyWeds, Wednesdays We Drink Wine and NewlyDads. We continue to create a hub for all the shows you didn’t know you needed! At Candy Kittens we launched our first ever Gourmet Sour and a multiflavoured Sainsbury’s exclusive called Wild & Free (my personal favourite!). I got back behind the Radio 1 mic at the start of the year, chatting to the nation at 7am! MAX RENDALL (2003, B) I have been hired as the Managing Director for a new start-up called Neutral 84

the old radleian 2023

Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo were married on 14th April 2023. Ignition. Neutral Ignition is a UK-based company helping the UK tackle climate change by offsetting the carbon produced by our vehicles. Carbon offsetting is not the long-term solution to CO2 emissions. However, we believe that it is a perfect intermediary. In the UK, we collectively drive approximately 330 billion miles a year. If we offset all the CO2 emissions produced in just one day, we would be sequestering about 238,500 metric tonnes of CO2 from our atmosphere. We believe it is important to show absolute transparency and that is why all our projects and project partners are British-based: from afforestation in Somerset, reforestation in County Durham, to Peatland Restoration in Scotland. This way people can see the project sites for themselves, rather than shipping the work abroad to places with no accountability. The system is highly scalable, with the programming interface supported by the DVLA. It’s a very exciting step in a new direction for me, but one I hope will help bring about a better world for my daughter to grow up in. FREDERICK BOLTON (2004, G) I will be marrying Carla Devereux in Co. Cavan, Ireland, on 29th September 2023. We live in London and I work in equity research covering mining companies. GILES BROMLEY-MARTIN (2004, G/K) I’m serving in the Irish Guards and have recently taken on the role of Adjutant, which has proved to be very busy. I’ve managed to fit in some fun in between the work, skiing for the Army over in Val D’Isere in the New Year and I played at Twickenham in the Army vs Navy rugby match in May 2023. I’m now living in Wandsworth, London, with my girlfriend Molly. FREDDIE TAPNER (2004, F) Freddie Tapner branched into television in 2022 where he was the Musical Supervisor

MAX RIGBY-BELL (2006, H) Research and career update - one for the nerds ... I’ve recently published a paper looking at silicon carbide composites and their potential in structural applications in tokamaks. Check it out here if you’re interested in materials science or nuclear fusion: https://www.sciencedirect.com/ science/article/pii/S0955221923005836. I’ve been working as a materials scientist for the UK Atomic Energy Authority for two years now, after a PhD at Manchester and a BSc at Leeds. Before that, I was taught by a number of excellent individuals who helped me forge an interest in science at school into my current academic career. Three of these teachers who I’d like to thank especially are Kevin Mosedale, Ian Yorston and the legendary Garry Wiseman. Equally, a shout out to the organiser (probably one of those just mentioned) of the school trip down the road to the JET fusion device at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (where I currently work), which has had me obsessed with fusion energy ever since. Geographically speaking, I’ve gone full circle to end up at UKAEA, where I now help out with a tour that I had first joined with a group of Radleians (I think we were Removes at that stage) about 15 years ago. Now for some shameless marketing: The UK, along with a wider international nuclear community, has been investing in fusion energy research for decades, but things have been ramping up significantly in recent years. The most vital driver of the delivery of fusion and the construction of a new power generation industry is people - the current and future generations of scientists, engineers, technicians, policymakers, lawyers, accountants and everyone else who keeps the world spinning, so to speak ... We offer everything from work experience weeks, summer placements and graduate internships through to apprenticeships and full-time positions - and we’re actively hiring in both my team (materials science) and across the company. If you know someone who is interested in fusion and wants to get

NEWS & NOTES

involved, you can contact me on LinkedIn or at max.rigby-bell@ukaea.uk. JAMES TUFNELL (2007, G) In this past academic year, James Tufnell (G, 2007) supplemented his career in Management Consulting at Capgemini with a part-time History degree at Oxford University. If asked why he elected to do the course, after some waffle about the relevance of History, he will invariably list all the sports he has done for the University in the last year and the real reason for study becomes clear. In the last year, James had won the Varsity matches in Rugby League, Athletics (Discus) and American Football. He also played rugby for Capgemini UK with fellow OR Rupert Grace (2006, J) against Capgemini France in May at the French National Training Centre. Through the Rugby League he also played for the Scotland Students Team but sadly had to cut short his playing time with the team to go on Operation Cabrit in Poland with the British Army Reserves where he is currently trying to organise a game of Rugby League between NATO and the Polish National Team. Ultimately James is keen to remind all ORs that amateur sport doesn’t need to end after your 23rd birthday/university graduation ceremony.

Hugh Wolton (R) with Joe Root. HUGH WOLTON (2007, G) I’ve spent much of 2023 working in India with the Rajasthan Royals IPL team. It was a real adventure to witness the inner workings of a professional sports team and travel across the country to iconic venues in Jaipur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. Working alongside cricket stars such as Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Ravi Ashwin, Yuzi Chahal and Jason Holder was an extra bonus. Given that I never made it beyond the lower cricket teams at school, my time was best served outside the boundary rope and off the pitch! BERTIE BEOR-ROBERTS (2009, H) I have finished pupillage and am now practising as a barrister in Lincoln’s Inn. A highlight of the move back to London was an excellent reunion for H Social’s 2009 intake in January. WILL STUART (2009, D) Will Stuart’s professional rugby career goes from strength to strength. He continues to play for Bath Rugby Club and had a successful season playing for England in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

On Operation Cabrit in Poland, Guy Scott (2005, D, centre) has been second in command of Aliwal Troop, Royal Lancers, the British Contingent of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Poland led by the US 9th Cavalry Regiment. Nick Bennett (2011, J, left) has been working on the Operation as a new Royal Lancers Troop Commander, fresh from completing his officer training at Sandhurst and subsequent Cavalry Officer Training at The Armour Centre at Bovington. For the second half of the tour, they were joined by fellow OR and Royal Yeomanry Reservist James Tufnell (2007, G, right) who took a secondment from his job at Capgemini Invent to lead on Information Activities and Outreach within the British element of the Battlegroup.

WILL DODD (2010, D) On 21st August 2023, I bought Itchenor Boat Hire which is operating from March through to the end of October. There is currently a choice of eight boats to hire for pleasure cruising within Chichester Harbour, 1 of 46 designated areas of outstanding natural beauty in the UK, with a great choice of pubs, restaurants and cafes accessible by water, and a stunning sand dune beach for barbecues and picnicking - give us a buzz! http://www. itchenorboathire.co.uk HENRY TREGEAR (2010, G) Three G Social boys deployed with the Household Cavalry Regiment on Op

Padre Tim Watts, Capt Henry Tregear and Lt Edward Henderson. TOSCA 38 in Cyprus this year: Padre Tim Watts CF (1979, G), Captain Henry Tregear RHG/D (2010,G), Lieutenant Edward Henderson RHG/D (2010, G). BEN WELDON (2013, G) I have just finished my history degree at the University of Edinburgh. During my third year, I took a year abroad to the University of Maryland, College Park in the US and I was lucky enough to work at the Federal Public Defender - District of Maryland from January to May 2022. A huge influence in this experience was Andrew Norman (1964, F) who lives in the Baltimore area and was incredibly influential in pushing me in the direction of the opportunity and helping me through the application process. I thought I would get in contact in case other ORs find themselves in a similar situation in the region at some point and would like some guidance regarding career opportunities, particularly in the legal sector as Mr Norman is very open to helping those who find themselves there. FELIX RAWLINSON (2014, F) I started rowing at Radley and recently got to see almost a decade spent in the sport pay off with a gold medal at the U23 World Rowing Championships for GB. My younger brother (currently an F Social 6.2) also got gold at the U19 World Rowing Championships, so the whole family is feeling very grateful for Radley rowing right now! CHRISTOPHE WALLENDAHL (2014, F) After four years at Magdalen College, Oxford, I’ve just graduated with a Full Blue in Fencing and a Master’s in Engineering Science, specialising in machine learning. I’m now in my final year of education, reading for a Master’s in Financial Analysis at London Business School. the old radleian 2023

NEWS & NOTES

ORs AT THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III A number of ORs had roles during the coronation celebrations.

Back row (L-R) Lt Tom Allan (2012, C), Welsh Guards; Capt Tom Windsor-Clive (2005, A), Coldstream Guards; Capt Giles BromleyMartin (2004, G/K), Irish Guards; Capt Freddie Bradshaw (2008, A), Irish Guards; Capt Hugo Brewer (2009, A), Irish Guards Front row (L-R) Maj Charlie Beare (1997, G), Welsh Guards; Col Guy Stone (1985, D), Welsh Guards; Col Julian Facer (1982, C), Army Air Corps; Col Toby Till (1986, B), Coldstream Guards; Maj Ollie Roston (2001, B), Irish Guards.

Irish Guards involved in the coronation, including Capt Max Brewer (2007, A) ADC to the General Officer Commanding London District (far right), Capt Freddie Bradshaw (2008, A) (centre) and Capt Hugo Brewer (2009, A) (behind Freddie).

Col Toby Till.

ALSO INVOLVED IN THE CORONATION DAY: Capt Jamie Bruce Crampton (2006, F), The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) Capt Harry Sayer (2008, D), The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) Lt Rupert Elmhirst (2011, E), Grenadier Guards

the old radleian 2023

LETTERS

OR LETTERS Motorsport: A Family Tradition

The Mortimer family is one steeped in transport history. My father Charles Knight Mortimer (1927, D) attended Radley at the turn of the last century and, although the family had no motoring history, this is a profession that he chose to pursue. In the early 1930s motor racing had already been going for over twenty years and as the family lived in Dorking, only a short distance from the Brooklands racing track, my father decided that Brooklands was where he needed to be. He rented a small workshop at the track and very soon had bought himself his first racing motorcycle, a 175cc Fernihough-Jap, with which he started his two-wheel career. This was, in fact, a very uncompetitive motorcycle and was the last belt driven bike ever raced at Brooklands. He soon progressed to Norton, AJS, and Brough Superior motorcycles, gaining the coveted Gold Star awards given to any rider that could lap the banked outer circuit at over 100mph average, which he achieved on both 500cc and 1000cc machines. In late 1937, my father decided that he had gone as far as he could go on motorcycles at Brooklands and started racing cars until the outbreak of war in 1939 curtailed his activities. Brooklands was the headquarters of the aeroplane makers Vickers-Armstrong and, in the immediate pre-war era, this was where he met my mother Jean Mary Summers, 10 years his junior. Her father, my maternal grandfather, was Capt. Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers, the famous chief test pilot for Vickers. He had done the first flight of the world-renowned Spitfire aeroplane from Southampton in 1935. Mutt was also great friends with Barnes Wallis of the Bouncing Bomb fame and, during WW2, it was Mutt who did all the test flights with the early prototype bombs, dropping them from a Wellington bomber at Chesil in Dorset. Mutt is portrayed in the Dam Busters movie by actor Patrick Barr (himself an OR, 1922, C*). After the war my grandfather continued his career in aviation and performed the first flights of the Vickers Viscount and Valiant commercial aircraft amongst others and was awarded the CBE for his work in aviation. He is also in the Guinness Book of Records as the pilot achieving a record 54 first flights. Both Mum and Dad raced cars in the early 1950s, so one of my earliest memories is sitting on a pit counter and watching them racing at Goodwood. Therefore, it was inevitable that when I left school I would take up racing which I did shortly after my 16th birthday in 1965. Fortunately, I had a natural talent for the sport which I had inherited from my parents and by 1969 I was British Champion in the 125cc class. In 1970 I committed to a full season of world championship racing riding 250cc and 350cc privately entered Yamahas and was picked up by the Yamaha factory in 1971. My first Isle of Man TT win came that same year followed by a further seven wins on the Island over the next decade. Although I failed to win a world championship, I was fortunate enough to finish runner up in the 125cc class in 1972 and was classified 3rd in the 125cc and 350cc classes in 1973 and 1976. I am also lucky enough to be in the Guinness Book of Records as the only rider

ever to have won races counting towards the world championship in the 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc and 750cc categories, a record never to be beaten as the Moto GP World Championship only has three classes in the modern era. My father passed away in 1996 aged 83 having written five books on motoring, motor racing, motorcycle racing, motor yachting and book collecting. I retired from racing after 15 years in 1980, and built up the biggest specialist motorcycle transport businesses in the UK which I sold three years ago. My retirement years have seen me return to my real passion in life and I am now putting back into the sport that has offered me such a great life. I currently run a motorcycle racing school for children aged 8-14 (including, coincidently, the son of a Radley staff member) in the UK and Spain, alongside a modern semi-retired racing professional Danny Webb. * For more about actor Patrick Barr, see p.42 Chas Mortimer, son of Charles Knight Mortimer (1927, D)

Wartime Radley

I have been invited by the editor to write a short account of Radley in Wartime. My main memory is that Radley just went on as usual, as a pretty self-contained community. That is true, as a school has a regular timetable pattern of lessons, games, mealtimes and, in Radley’s case, Chapel. What changed was the world around it. In 1939, when I joined, Great Britain was the unchallenged major power in the world. We ran an Empire covering some 40% of the world’s population and had no great competitors. Germany had been disarmed after WWI, Russia had had a revolution and lost a small war with Finland, America had retreated into isolation, and France had not fully recovered from occupation in WWI, and was divided politically. While Germany under Hitler had broken many of the 1919 peace settlement rules, very few people realised the extent of their ambitions and powers. The first six months of the war was called the ‘phoney war’ and the joint power of Britain and France was expected to lead to a re-run of 1914. All this was cruelly shattered in 1940, when Britain found herself isolated and without allies to face Germany, which had been joined by Italy and had formed an alliance with Russia. Britain was alone, but with its highly supportive Empire. Clearly, many Radleians would be required to join in battle, and Eastbourne College was evacuated from the Channel coast to Radley. Curiously, this had little effect on Radley and the only obvious effect was their occupation of Smale’s Social (H) and some alterations to meal and class times. Lessons were not shared and they were seen by us juniors as a different tribe, although they came from a similar social background. We called them the Bogs. The OTC (CCF) became more important and we all soon knew how to take a Sten gun to bits and reassemble it. Dickie Waye was the CO and ran it very well. Senior boys joined the Home Guard and Radley came onto a wartime footing. But the essentials did not alter. We still had cold baths and early morning school before breakfast, and corporal punishment continued. I am afraid I felt myself a little sissy as I was never the old radleian 2023

LETTERS

beaten; we all rather admired young Forster Browne who got a Pup’s beating for breaking the 2nd XI pavilion windows with a catapult. Boys were kept firmly in their places in those days. One of my happier memories was the Chapel singing and the Social Orchestra competition. I discovered that, as the only instrument player, I was the whole of Hope’s Social orchestra, and I had to perform solo. So, I learned a Bach sonata by heart and stood up all alone to play. This was my musical making; I went on to win the Wharton Cup for Piano and became a competent flautist. For this, many thanks to Ronald Dussek, the Precentor, and ‘the Goat’, Mr Goater the bandmaster, who taught wind instruments. One must not omit the Dons’ Plays and I still recall seeing Joe Eason and ‘Tiny’ Southam, two highly respected Social Tutors, doing a joint knees-up act to the song I must go to Moscow, accompanied by a very catchy tune by Ceddy HammondChambers-Borgnis. I also remember summer holidays in camps bringing in the harvest and how heavy a corn stook was when heaving it onto a horse-drawn trailer. Petrol was severely rationed. But I suppose my most important memory of the time was my friendship with Richard Ohlenschlager (1939, E) and John Knox (1939, E). We were all school prefects together and shared two studies – one for work and one for social. Along with John Talbot (1939, G), we all went to Oxford together to volunteer to join the Royal Artillery on call up, literally took the King’s shilling; we remained friends for the rest of our lives. For that, we all had to thank Vyvyan Hope, our Social Tutor, who guided us on our way. He was the most efficient man I ever met and the man to whom Radley owes much of its present prosperity by the timely instigation of the Land Appeal, which he pursued with his customary energy, ensuring the continuation of Radley’s green belt, as envisaged by its Founders. It was all a long time ago. James Gunn, OBE (1939, E)

Of Battledress and Blackberries

This ancient photograph has a story behind it. It shows the inspection of Radley College Combined Cadet Force by General ‘Legs’ Lathbury in the summer of 1965. The Air Force Section stands nearest to the camera and the Totally Terrifying flight sergeant Steve Fairbairn is at the far right of the picture. Walking behind the general is Warden Milligan and the officer in battledress is Ranulph ‘Dickers’ Waye who taught me – or tried to teach me – most of the German that I know. Dickers was known for his disparaging diatribes: “Fairbairn, you have less brains than a flea!” or “Fairbairn, you are quite transparent; I can see straight through you like a plate-glass window!” I especially remember an early morning class when he asked me cryptically, “Eeeh, Fairbairn, do you like blackberries?” Suspecting that this unusual question belied a prickly remark, I mumbled something to the affirmative, and Dickers promptly replied, “Well, there’s no need to come into my class looking as if you have just been crawling backwards through a bramble-bush!” It turned out that I had merely forgotten to brush my hair. I really got on quite well with Dickers and ended up winning the Sixth Form German Prize, so he must have been doing something right. Prizes were books of one’s own choice and I remember the Warden’s raised eyebrows when he presented me with my book and noticed that my German prize was a book on Art History that I had found in Blackwell’s in Oxford a few days previously. So much for German, but for the last fifty-odd years it has mostly been Art – as a profession – and Icelandic – for everyday communication – which all goes to show that you never know your luck! Stephen Fairbairn (1961, E)

Inspection of Radley College CCF by General ‘Legs’ Lathbury in summer 1965.

1943 prefects with Warden Vaughan Wilkes, including James Gunn, Richard Ohlenschlager and John Knox (all 1939, E).

The Radley 1st XV v Eastbourne, 1940. 88

the old radleian 2023

Tragedy at RAF Swanton Morley

In August 1965, five Radleians from CCF RAF section, together with 25 or so boys from other schools, went to a gliding camp for a week at RAF Swanton Morley, in Norfolk. We should have had the time of our lives, and mainly, we did. But on 18th August, Jonathan Spencer flew into the ground and was killed. It is believed that Jon stalled the glider at a low altitude whilst approaching to land. Those old gliders required a rather unnaturally steep angle when landing, I think he was a bit low and was trying to clear the various obstacles near the edge of the airfield by flattening out his glide … this leads to a stall in fairly short order and no height to recover. I had flown that aircraft immediately before Jonathan, and I have never forgotten that.

LETTERS

Memorial headstone and the grave of Hugh Jonathan Spencer (1961, F), in Swanton Morley, Norfolk. I am not quite sure how we all carried on at the time. But we did. Things were very different then. No counsellors. Nobody sued anyone. I don’t even remember a policeman coming to put striped tape around the scene.

I continued to love long distance running but it took me another 35 years before completing a full Marathon. From the age of 50 I completed a total of five: Houston, London (twice), Amsterdam, and Rotterdam (where I achieved my personal best marathon time of 3h 40m). My distances came down over the years and I was still competing in 5k races right up until last year, age 73, when I needed a new hip. Now my doctor has forbidden any further running, but there’s still speed-walking and cycling … John Gammage (1962, A)

It didn’t cause me or anyone I was aware of, to change their attitude to the flying side of the CCF. Indeed, I went into the airline business in Operations Management as a career, albeit in a non-flying capacity. I spent most of my time in Bahrain and Dubai with Gulf Air and Emirates. It was a difficult thing to see. I can recall it vividly. It wasn’t until very recently that I discovered the location of his grave, purely by chance. I have a friend who lives in Norfolk, and he came across his grave in the churchyard at Swanton Morley, in the small section reserved for RAF Servicemen. I have found it most moving to see this. I think it incredibly brave of his parents to bury their only son at that location, so far away from his home. Richard Bailey (1962, D)

The Value of Early Encouragement

During the first week of Autumn term 1962 the playing fields were too wet to use and other forms of exercise than rugger had to be chosen. As a new boy I was assigned to Midgets under the Don-in-charge, Morris Wyles. We were divided into ‘forwards’ and ‘three quarters’ and sent on a cross-country run. Coming through Memorial Arch to finish the run I was amazed to discover that I was the first forward home and was presented with a box of Black Magic chocolates by Morris. This was the first competition that I had ever won in my life, and what a sweet surprise for my first week at Radley!

The 1966 Hedsor 1 crew. Back row, L to R: Audley Twiston-Davies (1964, G), Chris Baillieu (1963, D), Giles Catchpole (1962, F), Andy Du Port. Front row: Tim Macfarlane (1963, A), Simon Hunter (1962, G), Jonathan Storey (coach), Alan Ferens (1962, C), John Gammage (1962, A). Cox: Mark Eastman (1964, A).

Starehe Boys Centre, Nairobi

Readers might be interested in a Radley success story that originated some 50 years ago with Dennis Silk’s interest in a charitably-funded Kenyan school based in the slums of Nairobi, the culmination of which has come to light on a recent visit of mine to Kenya.

I must also have shown some ability in the gym because the physical training instructor told me that he was looking for a Captain of the Gym Team for 1966, four years away. But much as I enjoyed gymnastics, I wanted to be a wet-bob.

I am not clear as to how Dennis’s contact with Starehe Boys Centre came about, but he made the school the focus of a Radley fundraising effort in the mid-seventies. I recall a 30 mile ‘whole school’ sponsored walk along the Ridgeway as part of the effort, and Richard Morgan (my Social Tutor) encouraged C Social to sponsor a pupil, Philip Godana, through a year at Starehe, at a cost of £90.

My big handicap for rowing was that I was too small and was destined to become a cox, but I wanted to row! I also believed that coxing would ruin my voice. Although I never exceeded 10 stone 2 pounds whilst at school, I still won the sculling Head of the River in 1966 and rowed bow in Hedsor 1 that year.

This link with Starehe sparked in me an interest in the Kenyan school and I applied to Starehe to become a volunteer teacher for the year between my leaving Radley and starting my degree course. I travelled out to Kenya in September 1977, to work at Starehe, and met Philip Godana. A bright and charming 16-year-old.

By protecting my voice I was chosen to sing the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City at the opening of the Carol Service in 1962, and went on to win the Ferguson singing Prize for Trebles in 1963. That would not have happened without the coaching of Richard Deakin who set Rupert Brooke’s poem The Soldier to music for me and selflessly entered the composers name as ‘Anon’. My voice broke shortly after this and I would go on to sing the Three Kings solo at the Carol Services in 1965 and 1966.

Many years later it crossed my mind that it might be interesting to find out how Philip had fared after leaving Starehe, to see if his enhanced education had been an effective game changer for a young Kenyan from a one-parent family with a minimal income. I had no contact address but that of the school, and an e-mail message to Starehe in 2005 went unanswered for many, many months. Finally a PO Box number for Philip’s primary school in Northern Kenya was forthcoming and I wrote, hoping that my letter would be forwarded to reach him. It did. Philip had become a teacher and then an MP in the Kenyan Government, for the pro-democracy Orange Democratic

Somewhere in between all the above I found time to study, but more on that another time.

the old radleian 2023

LETTERS

Movement party. Married, and with four children, he was working tirelessly for the people of his home area, Moyale, supporting their ancient culture and heritage, which was being rapidly eroded by the then current political practices. In 2011, a few years after making contact with Philip, I made one of my regular trips to Kenya, and planned to meet up with him. Unfortunately, we found ourselves to have been travelling, both on the very basic and somewhat dangerous public transport of the day, in opposite directions, on the same road and at the same time, missing each other’s mobile phone calls en route. A rendezvous was therefore impossible as I was leaving the country the following day. Three years later he was killed in a robbery at his Nairobi home, most probably a politically motivated murder. His mother, wife and children all survived the robbery attack. The ‘success’ of this narrative, despite Philip’s death, lies in his four children, two of whom I met along with his widow in October 2022, on my most recent return to Kenya. His eldest daughter, Orge, who works, with a very clear and determined ambition, in the finance department of a large coffee house chain, and Godana, his son (a recently qualified lawyer), were inspiring examples of what an education can do. Twin daughters Bala, a lawyer based in The Hague, and Balafu, a nurse with Medecins Sans Frontieres for some years and now working in hospitals in the USA, were unable to meet with me, for obvious geographical reasons, but they are clearly equally as successful as their siblings. The letter that I received from Philip in 2007 stressed his struggles to provide a good education for his children, at a time in his working life when his income was irregular. I’m sure his education at Starehe gave him so much more than the national educational provision in Kenya at the time would have done, and he passed on to his children the benefits that he himself had gained at school. On a taxi journey during this recent trip of mine to Kenya, I talked with my driver of this story of Philip and his education at Starehe Boys Centre. Remarkably, the driver’s elder brother had also been funded through Starehe and, as a result through securing a good job, had been able to provide the money to pay the fees for his younger sibling, the taxi driver, to attend his local school (as opposed to not being able to attend at all). The taxi driver refused to accept my fare, in gratitude for the help that C Social had provided for a young Kenyan, all those years ago. Mike Woodhouse (1972, C)

Mike Woodhouse and Philip Godana shake hands at Starehe Boys Centre, Nairobi, in 1977. 90

the old radleian 2023

Jeremy Holt (1945, E) – OR, don, artist

A tribute by Duncan Forbes (1960, B) The name and memory of Jeremy Holt is very much present in my mind because for the first time ever I have seen a painting attributed to him for sale at auction. It’s at Burstow and Hewett in Battle, Sussex, and is described as an oil on canvas, boat on a lake, 20" x 18", framed. Estimate £100 -150. The painting bears the studio stamp of Jeremy Holt, 1965, and I’m told over the phone that it bears the comment in pencil ‘pond near Bampton’. That is where he lived and had his home and studio because I remember him taking us there one summer afternoon in his open-topped Mercedes in what must have been the summer of 1964. J.J.Holt. He taught us Art in our first year at Radley and, at the time, I could not imagine a more brilliant and suave individual. I remember him explaining perspective lucidly and on another occasion he showed us copies of The Studio magazine with illustrations of work by Alan Reynolds and the challenging canvases slashed by Lucio Fontana. He had an end of term art quiz for which the prize was ‘a tanner’: sixpence, and to my surprise I won it. Later, he showed us some colour photographs of the society portraits he had completed in America and I was astonished by his versatility and verisimilitude. Lucky those wealthy and perceptive enough to be painted by him. I did not know then that he had trained at Chelsea and Camberwell. There was a picture of him in games kit hanging in the corridor in E Social. An adolescent, black and white, snub-nosed J.J.Holt in what must have been the late 1940s. In 1947 when I was born, he must have been sixteen or so. Insouciant, charming, talented, casually brilliant and smooth, he stepped onto the stage during a staff entertainment known as the Dons’ Plays in a white suit with a guitar to a resounding cheer and he sang ... well, what does memory imagine he sang? Little Bitty Tear? No. Big Rock Candy Mountains by Burl Ives (‘where they hung the jerk/ who invented work’), and Foggy Foggy Dew, or was it Puff the Magic Dragon? He seemed utterly nonchalant and totally in command of his audience. It was he who explained to me what the terms ‘toffee-nosed’ and ‘chocolate box’ meant.

J J Holt - Portrait of a Girl wearing a Blue Headband.

I remember him in the corrugated-iron, redpainted old art-school which needed a paraffin heater in winter. He was a tall man with engaging grey eyes, a retroussé nose and a genial grin. In the disused Fives Courts, he painted a portrait of the Sub-Warden, the Reverend Charles Neate, who was nick-named rather cruelly ChromeDome for his polished bald head. It seemed an

LETTERS

ART SCHOOL

J J Holt - Boat on a Lake (oil on canvas). astonishing likeness to me and it was exhilarating to watch the work of Jeremy Holt in progress. I remember him saying to me once, ‘How can we get you to spend all your time on this?’ He was referring to art and the remark meant much to me, even though I have spent so much more of my time on the word. He had a kind wife and, if I remember rightly, two young children in that house in Bampton. I think he left schoolteaching in the summer of 1964 to concentrate on his own work and the next I heard he had died in a car crash sometime in 1965, during the summer of my last year at school.

With a red corrugated iron roof and a paraffin stove, it contained pot plants and a battered kettle suitable for still lifes, a paint-bespattered basin and a pungent studio smell. Sometimes a radio played – or is that an afterthought and memory of elsewhere? – but it might well have done beside the Art School skull. Various nicknames it had, that archetypal head. We wondered whose it was and where it might be from. Artist and teacher both, Jeremy Holt couldn’t tell (alas now also dead, killed in his charming prime in a car-crash near his home). It had two brass hinges on and the cranium lifted off to reveal the receptacle or pit where brain would have been: small with a yellow smell. We did all the usual things like Hamlet imitations and made our morbid jokes till we were set to draw the holes where the eyes had seen and register the dark constructions of the bone so that the following week when we drew Robert Grange, cheerful smiling Bob who volunteered to pose, we could also understand the skull beneath the face and hold it in our minds.

JEREMY HOLT

Smooth was the word people used and smooth he was without doubt in his white American suit, especially with the guitar, posh voice and casual wit. The family money came from shipping and brewing though it seemed appropriate that he should teach us art and be skilled in portraiture. Brilliant I realise now. Once he painted at speed over a pupil’s oil some green geranium leaves and when not knowing whose I criticised the style as slick and superficial he readily agreed with a knowing look and smile. He also took us once to his Bampton studio before the seat-belt days in the open-top Mercedes in which he was later killed, killed in his charming prime. And whom did he leave behind? A widow and his children. She too I remember as kind and beautiful in a restrained and very English way. There were some paintings too, gentle Thames valley scenes of migrant birds in flight and flocks of starlings against soft watermeadow skies.

Too many years later, I wrote a couple of poems which tried to recapture what Jeremy Holt had meant to me, both of them inadequate as memorials to a very special person who died long before he could achieve his full potential. One day I hope there will be a retrospective and memorial exhibition to commemorate his unfulfilled talent. It interests me that Cobbold & Judd Fine Art, the one gallery currently advertising some of his work for sale, describes him as follows:

I realise that if he were still alive today Jeremy Holt would now be an elderly painter of over 90. As it is, he is arrested in the memory as a brilliantly talented individual in his elegant, humorous and youthful prime.

Jeremy was an exceptional draughtsman. His landscapes show a mastery of colour and a love and understanding of the countryside both in England and Spain. Born in 1931, he studied at Chelsea and Camberwell, becoming the art master at Radley College. He enjoyed a growing reputation at home and in the USA before his untimely death in 1965.

And now that I look at it again, with hindsight, the tranquil lake scene seems to have greater depths. The sunlight on the surface is counterbalanced by darkness and reflected shadows, while the small and solitary figure in the frail boat looks humanly vulnerable but can also be re-read as the ferryman Charon on the River Styx, or on a lake near Bampton. Duncan Forbes (1960, B)

Neither poem is adequate to what I wanted to say, but they bring memories back for me even if they do not create them for others.

the old radleian 2023

POETRY

OR POETRY SUBMISSIONS PEACE PAYS

The killing fields of war have robbed us all of our humanity; lives wasted for a cause which most do not believe. They stall our better side which cares and cripple pure embracing love for those who share our world. War’s rally cry is cloaked as patriotic which cons us so our fighting flags unfurl and leave us either dead or just chaotic. As if this carnage isn’t gross enough, consider all the silver spent to fuel this most expensive habit since the stuff of war is dear; an army needs its gruel. If we could live in peace, then this would pay for better futures than we have today.

POEM

A poem is a dream in words when we catch it in mid flight if not, it fades and trails away and the words don’t come out right. But when they do it brings us close to the dream like state of mind that we all share when, if we dare, we can leave our fears behind. To dare, to dream, to feel, to yearn to be free of life’s dull woes to live our life in poetry and to leave behind dull prose. Paul Isolani-Smyth (1960, D)

William Greig (1969, C) William is still ballroom dancing and writing poetry (although not at the same time!)

WHERE THE SPRING VIOLETS SOFTLY GROW CARRYING THE TORCH, 20TH MARCH 2022

Thomas Cranmer, tried in St Mary’s, High St, Oxford; burnt outside the Northgate, 21st March 1556. This unequal midnight I walk through from the High, down Catte Street, past the Bod & along the Broad, seeking the stone cross layered in the tarmac opposite Oxfam. In the small hours it can be not unsafe to stand here. Once I even knelt. Shutting out the streetlight you can hear the flinch of doubt, the crack of thorn & flame. For all our prayer for peace, our nature does not change. The same opportune power tempts. What can I say, this night of Putin’s war? The barbarians at the gate are always us. Thomas, our burnt Archbishop, pray for us. Help us to trust your doubt, your faltered faith. Help us stretch our hand into the fire. Andrew Robinson (1960, H) From In Personam, 2022, £10 from www.hovelpress.co.uk 92

the old radleian 2023

Where the spring violets softly grow Around the moss stone head, A lullaby is stirring slow Beside his body’s bed. A forest finch with pillowed breast To twilight turns her tune – She hops the purpled place of rest, And plumps her downy plume. The gentle melody rocks to sleep The pinkend cloudy sky; The breeze can hardly dare to peep, Or waken the lullaby. Perhaps she sang just to the grave, Perhaps it was just for me; Who knew but that she sang to save What darkened eyes can’t see.

As in some thoughtless trance she knew – And so to truth did sing – Of something through the air which blew Of more than suffering. Charlie Child (2007, F) Charlie has recently launched his career as a poet, after many years of writing. For more of his work, take a look at his website https://www.charliechild.com/.

NEW RELEASES

Looking In

Author: Christopher Hill (1948, A) Publisher: Self-published.

Cuba ’62: Preludes to a World Crisis James Tennant (1997, D) Authors: Richard Hollis & JS Tennant Publisher: Five Leaves.

The thirteen-day stand-off between the US and USSR in October 1962 was the most dangerous period of the Cold War. Richard Hollis chanced to be in Cuba as the Soviet troops were arriving, documenting his experiences with a camera, through diaries and letters. Months before, the Spanish novelist Juan Goytisolo had toured the island writing the journals he was to turn into a book. The Cuban film-maker Tomás Gutiérrez Alea’s masterpiece, Memories of Underdevelopment, is set in 1962 and conjures perfectly the tense atmosphere of that time. Half a century later, JS Tennant visited several of the former missile bases in Cuba, collecting oral histories and photographs. This book provides the reader with a basic political context to the Missile Crisis. More than this, Cuba ’62 attempts to conjure that year through juxtapositions of text and image, past and present; it is a love song to cinema and photography and an elegy for a Cuba that no longer is.

“This very old Old Radleian (Paton’s, 1948-52) has a few copies remaining of the first edition of his memoirs, Looking In. His youth was conventional: a prosperous home in Sussex, Radley, Cambridge, a first job in the City. Then, to his own surprise, he found himself in SIS (MI6) for a few years. That led to a lectureship in Government at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland at Salisbury, Rhodesia, a short-lived appointment because he offended the authorities and was imprisoned and deported. For the remainder of his career, he taught Politics in the calm surroundings of the University of York and became the Founding Director of the University’s Centre for Southern African Studies. The proceeds of this book go to Médecins Sans Frontières and to a children’s feeding scheme in South Africa. If you would like a copy, please let me know as soon as possible by emailing me at CRHill764@gmail.com.”

https://amzn.eu/d/8ZzdNy4

The Effects of Lying

Role: Jon Tarcy (2007, G) (plays Steve Nagy) Broadcast: July 2023, ITVX Naveen (Ace Bhatti) has lived his life by the book; he’s a loyal husband and loving father. He’s sacrificed everything for his family, but today is going to be different. After finding his teenage daughter Simran (Lauren Patel) secretly gorging and his dissatisfied wife Sangeeta (Laila Rouass) in bed with his brother (Navin Chowdry), lies come pouring out and the truth is uncovered. Naveen must now get to grips with the key relationships in his life that he bases his identity on. What is he, if not a husband, a father, a brother? He’s allowed himself to be passive too long, pushed around by the currents of other people’s whims and desires. He must learn to take responsibility for his own life and his own happiness.

The Vanishing Glaciers of Patagonia - 100 Years in Retrospect Author: Martin Sessions (1961, H) Publisher: Inspiring Publishers In 1839, Charles Darwin remarked, with some amazement, about the occurrence of glaciers at sea level in the Gulf of Penas, Chile, latitude 46° 40’. One glacier to which he referred was the San Quintin glacier. This remark must have triggered the interest of Professor Otto Nordenskjöld, the famed Swedish explorer and geographer. In 1920, Professor Nordenskjöld led a small expedition to explore and document remote parts of South America. The second phase was to the North Patagonian Icefield and its largest glacier, the San Quintin. This is the story of that episode as told by Nils Pallin, the expedition’s surveyor, with additional extracts illustrating the challenges they faced in this unforgiving region from Allan Bäckman’s letters. In the process of researching this expedition, 200 uncaptioned photographs were assembled and a selection has been added to enhance this story. A chronology of significant events affecting the region has been included together with a summary of subsequent exploration. Whilst Professor Nordenskjöld may have left this dynamic region feeling that the expedition had not achieved as much as it might have done due to the challenges of the terrain and the inhospitable weather, the expedition’s photographs are used to reveal the mind-shatteringly fast disappearance of the smaller glaciers together with the rapid thinning of the largest glacier, the San Quintin. glaciar-benito.cl t h e o l d r a d l e i a n 2 0 2 32

NEW RELEASES

Michael Tippett, The Shadow and the Light

Sleeping on Islands: A Life in Poetry

Producer: John Bridcut (1965, A) Broadcast: June, BBC

The latest in John Bridcut’s collection of awardwinning films about British composers features the life and music of Sir Michael Tippett, who died 25 years ago in 1998. For many years, Tippett dominated the contemporary classical music scene in the UK. His life spanned almost the whole of the 20th century, and embraced many of the social issues of his time, from pacifism to homosexuality. His most popular work, the oratorio A Child of Our Time, made his name in 1944. Provoked by Kristallnacht – the 1938 Nazi-led pogrom against German Jews – it continues to speak powerfully about refugees and persecution. www.johnbridcut.com

Celebrating the Cherry: Growing Around the World Author: Matthew Hancock (1983, H) Publisher: Red Communications

This book celebrates the world of cherries by raising awareness of the hard work of producing them: from growing and transportation to retailing. Matthew Hancock’s second edition of his father’s 2007 book provides an update on an industry that has changed massively in the intervening sixteen years. Beautiful photography and brilliant anecdotes create a light, educational read. Sales of Celebrating the Cherry will go towards charities supported by the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.

Author: Andrew Motion (1966, A) Publisher: Faber & Faber

Andrew Motion has been close to the centres of British poetry for over fifty years. Sleeping on Islands is his clear-sighted and open-hearted account of this remarkable career. It takes us from scenes of a teenage home-life coloured by tragedy and silence — where writing was as much a refuge as an assertion — to the excruciations of early public appearances, to the decade he spent as Poet Laureate, promoting and ensuring the central place of poetry in a nation’s character. Along the way, we hear about the risks and sacrifices involved, as well as the difficulties of sustaining a commitment to writing within a helix of other obligations. We see in close-up the significance of Motion’s formative relationship with W. H. Auden and his subsequent friendship with Philip Larkin. And during his time as Laureate, we witness memorable encounters with Royalty and Prime Ministers, and discover the costs and complications that accompany such a high-profile role. By turns moving and humorous, this is the intimate story of a rare poetic life. And it proves Motion’s contention that the poems we most enjoy ‘are not weird visitations, or ornaments stuck on the surface of life, but part of life’s daily bread’. Weblink: https://amzn.eu/d/iK4PaLo

New and Selected Poems 1977-2022

It would be impossible to invent Don Roberto today – a fantastic combination of Don Quixote and Sir Gawain, Indiana Jones and the Lone Ranger. He was so multifaceted, so complex, that every chapter in his story reveals some new and contradictory aspect of his personality. He is best known as the co-founder, with Keir Hardie, of the Scottish Labour Party, and later as the founding president of the Scottish National Party. But in a long and extraordinary life he was many other things besides.

Author: Andrew Motion (1966, A) Publisher: Faber & Faber This comprehensive edition draws on Andrew Motion’s distinguished body of work from Secret Narratives (1983) to his most recent volume, Randomly Moving Particles (2020), and includes a substantial selection of new and previously uncollected poems. Certain preoccupations unite the book, which from first to last is particularly concerned with the ways in which our lives are shaped by loss - by wars, by accidents, by the erosion of time and by grief. Motion is an energetic and protean spirit, a listener and a watcher, and while his poems mostly develop his themes by using intimate and lyric forms, they also sometimes adapt from direct speech and documentary sources. In every case, and especially movingly in the long poem ‘Essex Clay’, Motion uses acts of personal witness to reflect the vulnerabilities of the world at large. These are extraordinary poems of and for our times, enlarging our sense of the cost of human experience even as they refine those sensibilities that keep us most alive and engaged with the present.

Weblink: https://www.jamesjauncey.com/

Weblink: https://amzn.eu/d/6qU0lCd

Don Roberto, The Adventure of Being Cunninghame Graham Author: Jamie Jauncey (1963, B) Publisher: Scotland Street Press

the old radleian 2023

NEW RELEASES

Pioneer Merchants of Singapore: Johnston, Boustead, Guthrie and Others Author: Richard Hale, OBE, BBM (Singapore) (1950, G) Publisher: WSPC

Pioneer Merchants of Singapore tells the stories of some of Singapore’s earliest merchants, including Alexander Laurie Johnston, Edward Boustead, Alexander Guthrie, and eleven others, including Tan Che Sang, Dr Jose d’Almeida, and D S Napier. Much has been written about Sir Stamford Raffles and Lt. Col. Farquhar, but almost nothing has been published about these merchants of all races operating in Singapore during the first few years following its acquisition by the East India Company in 1819. It includes never-before-published information drawn from letters dating back to 1818. These, including letters from Johnston’s first employee and business partner Andrew Hay and a previously unrecorded letter from Raffles himself, shed light on much which otherwise would have been lost to us. This book aims to fill a gap in our knowledge of the early days of Singapore and the challenges faced by its early residents. It is a must-read for those who are interested in the history of Singapore’s early years as a trading colony. Weblink: https://amzn.eu/d/h3coTGV

1964: The Year the Swinging Sixties Began Author: Christopher Sandford (1970, C) Publisher: The History Press (UK)

1964 is a living history of the uniquely turbulent year which brought us the likes of the Beatles, the Stones and Goldfinger at one end, and events such as the horrific Moors Murders and the advent of the Vietnam War at the other. Veteran author Christopher Sandford tells the story through the first-hand accounts of those who were there, whether in the forefront of politics, fashion, music or sport, or merely sitting at home watching their furniture-sized black-and-white television sets showing the likes of Harold Wilson or Lyndon Johnson, or the swashbuckling OR Ted Dexter leading the England Test team against the visiting Australians. Christopher Sandford, who’s written bestselling books on everything from cricket down to modern politics, was recently described by Rolling Stone magazine as ‘probably the preeminent author in his field today.’ https://amzn.eu/d/cWG4YB5

The Airliner’s Youth Years: 1945-1970

Author: Rolf Richardson (1947, H) Publisher: Independently published When World War Two ended in 1945, travel by air was still restricted to a tiny minority, most of whom in Britain were wealthy or servants of its dying empire. However, those six war years had accelerated the growth of aviation. The airline infant of 1939 had, by 1945, become an ambitious teenager, determined to make its mark on the world. Competition between nations was intense, but onesided, the industrial might of the USA dominating all rivals. However, war-torn Britain was not going to allow her position as the former world number one to go lightly; she was determined to fight her corner, not least in the aviation market.

Sable Grantham in Belgravia Part Two: In Pursuit of Power Author: Roderick Archer (1963, G) Publisher: Pegasus Publishers

Sable Grantham returned to London after her unexpected and magical weekend away in Gibraltar with Hugh Mannston. Her divorce behind her, she now has to build herself a new and stable private life and combine that with her satisfying career in the Foreign Office. And she is ambitious. Happy to help the prime minister, she visits Chequers in a semi-business capacity and makes certain observations. She also visits his constituency, gets a feel for the place and gives him valuable advice. Temporarily distracted by the Dutch prime minister who wants an affair with her, she builds her life and is careful to avoid predators. Then her career begins to take off when she is promoted and is posted to the embassy in Brussels. She continues to offer help and advice to the prime minister purely as a friend, but especially when he loses his seat and his world is turned upside down. She clearly demonstrates her skills as a diplomat in Brussels and also befriends the Military Attache. But when she finally retires, her commitment is to enter politics. A new door opens for her … https://amzn.eu/d/6lftYA5 the old radleian 2023

NEW RELEASES

Strongholds of Satan: Volume One – The South-East Author: William Morgan (1972, C) Publisher: Mainholm Press The first of the series, published in 2022, concentrates on the populous south eastern counties of England. Its 1032 pages contain a wealth of information and images. More than just a racing enthusiast’s reference work, this sumptuous book also reveals the social history behind the events and the impact of the local geography on the way they were run, and how changes in both altered the way that the sport evolved. It’s a big book, in its scope and in its physical dimensions, and readers will be sure to find many fascinating nuggets of information in its meticulously researched pages. Vol 1: The South-East and East Anglia: the area surrounding the capital was home to some of the most interesting – and outrageous – fixtures, especially those that mushroomed in the 1860s which caused Parliament to intervene after the Jockey Club failed to bring them to heel. Hampton was as big an occasion for Londoners as Epsom, yet the hilly countryside around Harrow was one of the first centres of steeplechasing. Further away, the headquarters of Flat racing at Newmarket invigorated many of the fixtures for miles about and several of the county meetings. www.mainholmpress.co.uk

To Leslie Co-producer: Henry Hereford (1989, G) (Co-producer) Broadcast: Premiered in March 2022, and thereafter distributed by Momentum Pictures To Leslie is a 2022 American drama film directed by Michael Morris in his feature directorial debut, and written by Ryan Binaco. The film stars Andrea Riseborough as Leslie Rowland, a single mother and alcoholic who squanders all the prize money she receives after winning the lottery. She soon finds the chance to redeem herself when a motel owner offers her a job. Allison Janney, Marc Maron, Andre Royo, Owen Teague, and Stephen Root are featured in supporting roles. To Leslie premiered at South by Southwest on 12 March 2022, and was given a limited release on 7 October 2022 by Momentum Pictures. The film received critical acclaim, with Riseborough’s performance garnering widespread praise and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Ten Pound Poms

Executive Producer: Jamie Campbell (1990, A) (Executive Producer) Broadcast: May, BBC One million Britons were sold the dream of a modern way of life in Australia and were seduced by a fare of just £10. Follow the story of the largest planned migration of the 20th century. In this series, a group of Brits leave post-war Britain in 1956 to embark on an adventure. www.elevenfilm.com

the old radleian 2023

Bright the Vision Public School Missions from the Victorian Age

Editor: Malcolm Tozer Publisher: Sunnyrest Books Edward Thring, Headmaster of Uppingham School, encouraged his privileged boys to remember the plight of the poor and to assist them through charitable donation and direct action. They responded by founding a public school mission in 1870, at North Woolwich in London’s East End. Over the course of the next 40 years, many more schools and two universities followed this example. Bright the Vision is the story of 22 of those school missions and their legacy, including Radley College.

If I Knew Then What I Know Now … Author: Gavin Spickett (1969, E) Publisher: The Crowood Press From park run to ultras, this book gives you the support and encouragement you need to start – and keep you – running injuryfree. This thorough handbook gives detailed practical advice to all adult runners. It covers everything you need to embark on a running career, but goes further and explains training needs and regimes to established runners. Written in an accessible easy style, it answers all your questions – before you’ve thought of them – and encourages everyone to get fit and enjoy your running safely. https://amzn.eu/d/fjZyxa2

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Radley Mariners The Boat Club enjoyed another successful season across all the age groups. Highlights for the senior squad included a win at the Fours Head in the J18 Coxless Four event, in a new record time, and a second place in the J18 Coxed Four event. There was also a win in the J18 1st Eight at the Wallingford Head, as well as a win in the Junior Fours event. At the Schools’ Head of the River, the 1st Eight achieved 2nd place as did the 2nd Eight, with the 3rd Eight winning their division. Radley also won the Thames Team Trophy for the topperforming school in the senior division for the second year in a row. At the National Schools’ Regatta, the 1st Eight narrowly missed out on the medals, finishing in 4th place overall. The 2nd and 3rd Eights both won the gold medal in their respective divisions. Special mention should also be made about our J15 group who won the gold medal in the 15.1 and 15.2 events with the 15.3 crew winning bronze in the 15.2 division. Sixty-five Shell rowers were also active on the river this season, which bodes well for the future of the club. At the Henley Royal Regatta, the 1st Eight came up against a strong crew from the USA, St Joseph’s Preparatory School, in the first round and managed to win fairly comfortably. They then had good wins against Reading Blue Coat School and King’s College School to advance to the semi-finals. In the semi-final they raced a strong St Edward’s crew who had won the gold medal at the National Schools’ Regatta. The Radley crew raced very well, holding overlap with St Edward’s all the way down the course, but unfortunately were not able to get their bows into the lead in what was one of the fastest times in the event. St Edward’s went on to win the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. After Henley we had seven candidates who had qualified for the final GB Trials after some intensive testing during the course of the year. Niamh Murphy (2018, C) was selected as cox for the England U19 women’s team and went on to win a gold medal in the Eights event and a silver medal in the Coxed Fours event at the Home International Regatta. Adam Fowler (2018, E) and Angus (6.2) were selected for the GB Team for the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Amsterdam which has finals on both the last two days of the event. Adam won two gold medals in the Coxed Four and a gold and silver in the Eight. Angus won a gold and silver in the Coxless Four event. Ben German (2018, H) was also selected for the GB team, but unfortunately had to pull out due to an injury suffered in training during the event.

Tom George and Ollie Wynne-Griffith, silver medalists in the Men’s Pair at the Senior World Rowing Championships. Championships which take place in October. Bob (6.2) and Gabriel (6.2) were selected for the GB Eight for the U19 World Rowing Championships which was held on the Olympic rowing course in Paris. The Eight won the gold medal in the final. This was the first time since 2018 that GB has won the gold medal in this event. Old Radleians were also very active and successful in their rowing endeavours over the past season. At Henley Royal Regatta we had two Mariners crews who both narrowly missed qualifying for the Brittania Challenge Cup. Ned Rae Smith (2014,A) competed for Dartmouth University in the Wyfold Challenge Cup, Joshua Bowesman-Jones (2012, J) reached the final racing for Leander Club in the Visitors’ Challenge Cup, and Cameron Tasker (2017, E) raced with Washington University in the Temple Challenge Cup (during the season Cameron also raced for the Washington University 1st Eight which came a very close second in the Inter-Collegiate Championships, the premier rowing event in the USA). Tom George (2008, G) and Ollie Wynne-Griffith (2007, D/J) won the Silver Goblets and Nickalls’ Challenge Cup in the pair, and Felix Rawlinson (2014,F) raced in the GB U23 eight in the Ladies’ Challenge Plate. On the international front, Tom George and Ollie Wynne-Griffith won the silver medal in the men’s pair event at the Senior World Championships, Felix Rawlinson was in the GB U23 Eight that won the gold at the U23 World Championships, and Charlie Elwes (2010, J) won gold in the GB Eight at the Senior World Championships. 2023 was the first time ever that a single nation (Great Britain) had won all three eights’ events at the three official World Championship events (Senior, U23 and U19) and the only school that had pupils or past pupils in all three boats was Radley College. John Gearing, Head Coach Sam Townsend, MiC Rowing

Hector (6.2) won the junior beach sprint title at the British Coastal Rowing Championships during the summer holidays. This achievement gained him selection to represent GB at the European Coastal Rowing Championships and the World Coastal Rowing

For more information about joining or supporting the Radley Mariners, visit their webpage: https://www.radley.org.uk/radleian-society/clubs-societies/

The GB team, including Charlie Elwes, winners of the Men’s Eight at the Senior World Rowing Championships.

The GB team, including Felix Rawlinson, winners of the Men’s Eight at the U23 World Rowing Championships. the old radleian 2023

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Radley Galleons

2023 was a somewhat quiet year for the Galleons as we struggled to find enough old-boy teams who were able to field sides against us. However, as we look to the end of the year and 2024, the fixtures list is thankfully busier and we aim to keep it that way! In January we managed to pencil in a fixture against Cheltenham Old Boys at Battersea Park. As typical with Hockey at this time of the year, it was a cold and windy affair but this did little to deter the Galleons from turning up for this fixture. The team sheet featured a mixture of ages, with recent ORs such as Tommy Williams (2016, H) making their Galleons debut, whilst Harry Swift (2006, F) bravely agreed to play his first game of hockey in twelve years. To make it a full family affair, Toby Swift (2008, F) also featured in the line-up. What he hadn’t been told was that we were missing a keeper but he keenly agreed to pad up and go in goal for us. The Stalder family was also strongly represented with Luke (2011, E) and Marcus (2014, E) turning up, as well as other Galleons usuals such as Ben Dezelsky (2016, C). It is safe to say that both teams showed signs of rustiness at the beginning of the game, but Cheltenham quickly took the lead with a goal just before half time. Fortunately, we were quick to respond in the second half with a characteristically clinical short corner finish from James Cunningham (2012, G). The Galleons did brilliantly to fend off various attempts at goal and also did well to keep up with Cheltenham who had brought an army of substitutes compared to our empty bench. Furthermore, there were some valiant saves from Toby Swift in goal. Our efforts were rewarded with a lateish goal from Tommy Williams to make it 2-1 and thankfully the result stayed this way until the final whistle. All in all, a great game and thank you to Cheltenham who are always up for playing us in London – we look forward to further battles with you in the future.

the old radleian 2023

Galleons Day 2023. In March it was time for the annual Galleons Day back at Radley. Our goal this year was to make Galleons Day bigger and better than previous years. The day featured: two games of hockey (boys & dons), a slap-up lunch in Hall, followed by drinks in the JCR. With boys always eager to roll back the years and return to the College, turnout for the Galleons is always strong. This year we returned with a squad of twenty, featuring both recent and more “mature” ORs. Our first game was against the boys’ team who were coming off the back of an incredibly successful unbeaten season. Much to our relief, we learnt that they were missing their star player due to England Hockey obligations. Against a strong boys’ side, the Galleons began the first half slightly apprehensive. However, much to our surprise, we found ourselves 3-0 up at halftime after some short corner wizardry and a fantastic counter-attack goal. I’m afraid the goalscorers’ names escape me!

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

The Gallons played the boys and the dons at Gallons Day 2023. After a stern halftime talk from their coaches, the boys returned with renewed energy to show us who was boss. With fitness on their side, the boys beat us on the counter countlessly and, after some mishaps at the back from yours truly, the boys made it 3-1. Despite chances of a Liverpool 2005-style comeback, the Galleons maintained their lead and even managed to top it up with a goal in the closing minutes. The game ended 4-1 and the boys’ unbeaten status was in tatters – although I believe they did not count this one! After a hearty Sunday roast in Hall and some generous glasses of red wine, we headed back to the Astro for the dons game. The dons game is a chance for the Galleons to face their old teachers, but since the previous year it seems the College has made various changes to the Common Room, as their team consisted largely of teenage boys. Yet despite the youthful nature of the dons team, the Galleons managed to achieve their second victory of the day by beating the dons 2-0. Some standout performances during the day were James

Todd’s powerful mastery of the central midfield role, some speedy wing play from James Bilderbeck (1985, A) and strong defending from Max Jardine-Brown (2016, K). After another successful and hugely enjoyable Galleons Day, we ended things in the JCR. My thanks to the College, in particular Mike Hills, Pete Bennett and Sophie Torrance, who continue to make the day possible – we look forward to next year. We had planned to play a game of hockey for OR Day at Radley in September, but due to our opponents pulling out at the last minute we regrettably had to cancel this. However, we plan to play a game next year in addition to the London fixtures in Autumn 2023 and Winter 2024 – stay tuned! If you are interested in playing hockey for the Galleons, please do get in touch. Due to the continued generous support of the Radleian Society, we charge no annual subs or match fees. Will Swift (2010, F), Captain of the Radley Galleons swifwd@gmail.com +44 752 138 5754 the old radleian 2023

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Old Radleian Golfing Society

ORGS is a hundred years old this year! We may not be the earliest established of the OR sports societies, but we can probably claim to have the oldest OR sportsmen and the greatest age range of active participants amongst our membership (from 18 to 87!). One of our best players arrived at D Social in 1950, with at least three others, including the past and present President, starting at Radley in the 1950s. Our youngest member started at Radley in 2018, and half of the 2023 Halford Hewitt team were under 25 years of age. ORGS now also has two presidents among its membership: David Harvey (1955, B) is President of Royal St George’s and Christopher Clarke (1958, F) is President Elect of Huntercombe Golf Club. 2023 was not our year in the Halford Hewitt, losing in the first round to a strong Haileybury side. The Halford Hewitt Cup celebrates its own centenary in 2024. Richard Palmer (1956, D), President and evergreen stalwart of the Hewitt, writes: “Although we were drawn to play in the first Halford Hewitt Cup as one of the 16 senior public schools selected, we failed to enter a side for six years giving a bye to our opponents. This was in spite of the fact that Radley had two current internationals in Sir Ernest Holderness (1903, F), also that year the current Amateur Champion, and Noel Layton (1902, E).

Class of 1978-9: Olly Morris-Adams, Richard Evans, Angus Chilvers, Robin Maxwell. A special mention goes to the match managers for organising their teams: Philip Godden (1979, B), Clive Seigal (1960, F), Jonathan Eliot (1979, B), Tobin Ashby (1985, F), Duncan Ritchie (1964, C) and Angus Chilvers (1979, F). Congratulations to Tom Etridge, who teamed up with Hugh Mackeown, for an extraordinary achievement in winning the Royal Medal for the lowest scratch score in the Royal & Ancient Autumn Medal. He carded an 8 under par 64 on the Old Course – the best score since the medal was presented by King William IV in 1837.

It took us until 1930 to get to the 1st tee, losing in the first round to Malvern. Since then, we have played each year with varying degrees of success, winning in 1996, runners up in 2016 and a number of times with excellent performances, which means that we rank in the top 15 of the 64 schools who compete.”

Matches and meetings are always well subscribed with a wide variety of ages, but there’s always room for more. Please register at www.orgs.org.uk, and join us – you will get to play great courses, with a good lunch and with like-minded people. Generous subsidies are available for ORs under 30.

The Halford Hewitt Centenary Dinner will be hosted on January 10th at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, and details can be found on the ORGS website (www.orgs.org.uk). Players from our 1996 winning side will be at the dinner, sporting their medals if they can find them, alongside other past players.

Those who attend our Spring (Berkshire GC) and Autumn Meetings (Royal St Georges GC), know how much fun and great value these events are. I joined the ORGS late and it was one of the best things I have done. Golf and lunch at great clubs is legendary. Meeting old and young faces and making connections ... reminiscing about singing Jerusalem in the back of the coach coming back from an away match is an added bonus! There’s something about a Radleian … Tim Rowntree (1971, B), Captain

The 1996 winning team was: TJ Etridge* (1985, A), JTA MartinJenkins (1986, B), MN Walker (1987, E), HN Mackeown (1955, A), CJ Ball (1958, A), SJE Peck* (1985, C), RH Palmer (1956, D), AD Chilvers (1979, F), WES Bailey (1968, D) and MN Gareth-Jones (1960, F) *played in the 2023 team. In addition to these, we had two new fixtures in 2023. A weekend at Aldeburgh hosted by Hugh Wolley (1970, F), past Captain of ORGS and Captain of Aldeburgh GC, and a match against Ampleforth at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, hosted by Tim Marshall (1960, A).

Ollie Meade-King, Alex Wright and Charlie Davies. 100

the old radleian 2023

Tom Etridge, winner of the Royal Medal for the lowest scratch score in the Royal & Ancient Autumn Medal.

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

ORGS Results 2023 SPRING MEETING David Turner Scratch Cup

Simon Peck: gross 70

Alex Wright

Nicholas Craigen

Charles Jeffreys Silver Bowl (Stableford)

Simon Peck: 39 points

Angus Gubbins

Nicholas Craigen

The Bruce Cup <35

Angus Gubbins: 37 points

Nicholas Craigen

Ranulph Leigh-Pemberton

J H Mobbs Salver >55

Richard Evans: 31 points

James Male

Robin Maxwell

Foursomes

Alex Wright and Angus Gubbins: 37 points

Jonathan Eliot & Gavin Maitland-Smith

Clive Seigal & Michael Kfouri

Paul Cooper Cup (Past Captains)

William Bailey: 30 points

Christopher Clarke

MATCHES 2023 Radley Team

Lost

1 to 2

Old Canfordians

Won

3.5 to 2.4

Old Haileyburians

Lost

2&5

Royal Ashdown

Halved

2.5 all

Lancing

CANCELLED

Old Carthusians

Won

4 to 1

Old Amplefordians

Halved

4 all

Old Shirburnians

Won

5 to 3

Results from matches

HALFORD HEWITT 2023 Lost round 1 MAY 2023 GRAFTON MORRISH QUALIFIER Arthur Tapner & Tom Beasley: 26 points Alex & Tom Wright: 28 points Simon Peck & Dominic Cotton: 31 points ALBA TROPHY AT WOKING (JUNE 2023) Simon Stalder and Keith Seward representing the ORGS with a good gross score of 163

SENIOR BERNARD DARWIN 2023 (>65) Team of 3 pairs/foursomes scratch knockout at Woking. Another very enjoyable Senior Darwin and Bernard Darwin. Yet again we eventually came up against the unstoppable might of Charterhouse. A few years ago, they holed a shot from 210yds to beat us in the Halford Hewitt and since then the golfing gods continue to favour the opposition when we are playing Charterhouse. We did however have success in the first two rounds overcoming Westminster and Marlborough, but then it was Charterhouse in the semi-final. The top match halved, one highlight being our opposition learning he had become a grandfather on the 14th tee and was overcome by emotion. We thought that might be to our advantage! The 3rd match lost despite a courageous, rock-solid birdie putt by Michael Kfouri on 18th to half his match, it was not enough. In the Bernard Darwin a win and two halves is a win.

OCTOBER GRAFTON MORRISH FINAL (ROYAL WEST NORFOLK AND HUNSTANTON) Team was: Simon Peck, Alex Wright, Tom Wright, Adam Leetham, Baz Butterwick, Oscar Phelps • 1st Round v Loretto (Halford Hewitt champions last 2 years) Won 2-1 • 2nd Round v Eltham Won 2-1 • 3rd Round v Culford Lost 0-3 PUBLIC SCHOOLS PUTTING COMPETITION AT ROYAL WIMBLEDON Finished a respectable 4th with the following team: Simon Curtis, Alex Beare, Simon Stalder, Arthur Fane.

BERNARD DARWIN 2023 (>55) Angus Chilvers (team manager) reported: The Radley team met strong oppo in the first round of the Bernard Darwin in the shape of Charterhouse. Their first pair boasted 126 Hewitt matches and 12 Hewitt winners’ medals between them. Which is a prelude to saying that Chilvers & Gammon lost 1 down. A 91 foot putt for birdie stopped them from going down 3&2 and, when they also nicked the penultimate hole the Carthusians were looking distinctly wobbly, but a solid half in par at the last meant Radley lost the first point. In the second match, the new pairing of Curtis & Marshall had a tight tussle, also facing seasoned HH campaigners. We were ahead for much of the match and 1 up with six to play when the oppo made a strong par at the very difficult 9th hole (we started at the 15th) to level the match and then birdied the short 10th to go ahead. Radley eventually lost by 2&1. Bailey & Male were strong once again in the third pair, a reprise of last year, winning 2&1 when only a handful over par. Good golf.

the old radleian 2023

101

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Radley Keys SEASON STATS: 54 players took to the field, 24 games played, 14 won, 3 drawn, 7 lost, 80 goals scored, 46 conceded. “We wish to surround the boys with an atmosphere breathing greatness and goodness”. When these words were first uttered by former warden Robert Singleton in 1847, it is likely he might not have had the ORs’ league position in the Arthurian League in mind. But had he known that the season of 2022/2023 would bring 80 goals scored, 14 games won and promotion into Division One, I am sure he would agree that the foundations upon which he intended to build the school were well and truly standing the test of time. Following on from the relegation scrap it had faced in the prior season, the summer saw the club undergo an extensive recruitment drive to bring through the next crop of generational talent. Of course, we could still rely on the old guard to contribute (Rory MacInnes’ (2003, E) rousing pre-match remarks, Henry Taylour’s (2004, E/K) warmups, George Mitchard’s (2004, F) super sub status, Harry Hall (2006, B) at right back) but we knew that some new faces (and importantly legs) were essential to get back to winning ways. We were fortunate that the uptake was healthy and, as though we had combined burger night with the JCR, demand was booming. The academy welcomed into its midst a raft of talent; Jack Elvin (2012, C), Charlie Williams (2012, B), Jamie Adams (2010, J), Tom Eden (2012, D), Freddie Barlow (2013, B) and Patch Sayer (2013, D) amongst them. This paid dividends almost immediately with the club going unbeaten in its first eight games and seeing notable victories come against Aldenham, Sevenoaks and the old foe Eton IIs. This latter match saw a seemingly depleted Keys XI fight hard to win 3-1, with goals coming from Elvin, Williams and James Sloan (2012, C). Having won Young Player of the Year in the previous campaign, James repeatedly remarked that he scored 20+ per season in his Sunday league side; it was helpful therefore to see him finally find the back of the net and that it only took 15 games to achieve. This period also saw an outright epic play out against Dulwich IIs, a side that rarely loses in Division Two. The Keys felt confident both in form and in the ability of the squad that turned out, with

102

the old radleian 2023

the backbone of the side comprising Keys stalwart Andrew Sweerts (2006, A) in goal and the Oliver brothers (2009 & 2011, A) as the centre back pairing. But disaster struck early on. Angus Oliver’s hamstring gave an audible pop chasing a loose pass and, amongst cries for his mother, he had to be substituted and the chuckle brothers were split up. To make matters worse, we then lost our goalkeeper; this time not to an injury or for tactical reasons, but for an early red card brandished by the referee. Andy, running out of his box and like a fish out of water, was seen to have taken out the striker as last man. The Keys were now down to 10 men, despite the uncharacteristic protestations by skipper Alex Kelly (2007, F/K). Cue Jack Elvin removing the shirt from Sweertsy’s back and taking on the responsibility of guarding the onion bag. Having gone 2-0 down immediately thereafter, it looked like it would be one of those days, but in an incredible turn of events, spurred on by spirit and the Duracell bunny that is Wilf Marriott (2007, G), goals from Kelly, Lowe and Hewlett (x2) left us 4-2 up with

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

10 minutes to play. To eventually draw the game (in the last minute of play) was a blow but credit must go to Dulwich who pushed us right to the end. The lead up to Christmas always stifles availability and this year was no different. As several were off engaging in sports that weren’t football, the Keys recorded their first loss of the season and then again losing 4-3 to a decent Highgate side. Had it not been for the demolition job done on Harrow IIs, Christmas could have been ruined. At the turn of the year, however, the Keys were deservedly top of Division Two and ready to get back to winning ways. And boy were we. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the excess surrounding the festive period would have had most players rolling out of the team bus for the first game back, but not this Keys team. Having clearly swapped pints for smoothies and food for the cross trainer, we beat Epsom in a scintillating 11-2 victory. The biggest win since records began (back in 2021). The boys should be immensely proud. Goals came from several players but Gus Lowe (2007, E) took the plaudits with four and was awarded man of the match accordingly. The next six league games saw 4 wins, 1 draw and a loss to Malvern. It was really encouraging to see consistency in the XI turning out each week, and even more so with the quality of football being played. The midfield trio of Williams, Sloan and Kelly were becoming more established, the defensive unit in Barlow, Winkler, Adams, Elvin, Oliver et al. always up for the battle and Messrs. Hewlett and Lowe were (as ever) scoring the goals. More often than not, it was our defensive structure which served as the bed rock of most performances, tending to frustrate the opposition and allow us to counter and score on the break. This left us in prime position and, from the last two games left of the season, all the Keys needed was one win to secure the title. The penultimate game came against Eton who were a close second and who knew they needed a win to keep in the race. We started the game slowly and, after a poor first half, the Keys were 1-0 down. Having shouted some sense into each other at half time, and bringing Charlie Williams into the midfield, the game was transformed and we began to take control. Eton could no longer sustain the press from the first half, and we took full advantage with goal machines Hewlett and Lowey making it 2-1, with a goal apiece. Within touching distance

of the title and with only 5 minutes left on the clock, disaster struck. The referee awarded two hand balls; one as a freekick and the other a penalty. Both were well converted by the youngest Alun-Jones brother. The title now lay in the final weekend of fixtures for both clubs. The final weekend saw us take on an Aldenham side which had been entirely transformed. Bottom at Christmas, the tide changed and they won their preceding four games. Needing a win against us to stay up, we knew that we had a fight on our hands. Unfortunately for the Keys, it was just one of those days. Both teams had chances, but the opposition took theirs and we lost 4-2. We congratulate Eton IIs for having won the division – they proved a fierce rival all season and we wish them the best in Division Two (no IIs sides can be promoted). In the end, it was the breadth of their squad which we feel really made the difference. We had narrowly missed out on the title but, importantly, we were promoted to Division One after a three-year absence. Given that the season before had seen us very nearly relegated, it was a remarkable campaign and the players deserve a great deal of acclaim. What’s more, the squad is still in its infancy. There will be much more to come from the Keys in the next few years. As this is being written, we are unbeaten in the new season and top of Division One after four games. We would also like to congratulate the prize winners for their contributions. Archie Hewlett (2007, B) won the Rolt Cup (player of the season) having scored 21 goals in 14 games and showed how important a cog he is in the Keys machine. Humphrey Kelly (2006, J) took goal of the season, netting like prime Becks against Wimbledon in 1996 (as seen on our Instagram page). James Sloan won clubman of the year for his unfettering dedication to the club. Freddie Barlow was awarded young player of the season for a fine first campaign at left back. And the most spirited award went to Jack Elvin, our very own Swiss army knife, having played in every single position at least once (in goal on two occasions). If you are interested in playing old boys’ football for the next season, then please reach out on our Instagram page: @oldradleiansfc Alex Kelly (2007, F/K), Captain of the Radley Keys the old radleian 2023

103

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Radley Rangers

The 2023 season saw the end of an old era of the club and the dawn of a new one. It had epic games, howling rain effected disappointments, and some special victories. It saw players of all ages enjoying the day together, recalling stories that sounded all too familiar, whatever their vintage, and some familiar tales with the bat in hand unfolded … It was a season where the Hon. Sec, Johnny Wright, decided to hand over the role after years of loyal service to the club to take more of an advisory seat on the Rangers Committee. It was also the season where Rupert Henson’s efforts as Hon. Sec and now President was marked with a few (actually, quite a few) sharpeners

in the Turf Club, with an impressive vertical of Rangers from 1979 to 2018. To read about the event, visit https://bit.ly/3FezOfg. I would like to thank both Johnny and Rupert for all their past work, and the continued work they put into the club, of which we are all so lucky to be a part. George Greville Williams (Fixture Sec/ Membership Sec), James Cunningham (Treasurer), and myself (Hon. Sec.) are now left with the task of taking the Rangers into the next generation. Our aims are simple: to get cricketers of all ages to play for the club, to win games (particularly the Cricketer Cup games), and to have a bloody good time doing it! It is our hope that this account of the season will make you all want to get in touch and put yourself forward to play in one of our upcoming 20 or so games, 10 of which are played on Bigside, the remaining being played in some of Britain’s most illustrious locations, from the HAC, Burton Court, The Hurlingham Club, Warnford, Escrick, and Longford Castle. Below are two reports from the 2023 season from the match managers, and further reports can be viewed at: https://bit. ly/3MjRkCP or by using the QR code opposite.

Rangers v Guards - 7th June 2023

The Rangers won the toss and chose to bat on a beautiful day in central London. Despite the Guards’ reputation for punctuality, they started the game with eight in the field with others arriving late. We noted that the Russians probably would have been and gone by their tardy arrival. This meant that three Rangers dutifully took the field in their place. Having been run out for 7, Jack Folkestone (2012, E) took the field for the Guards and caught Bevan Fawcett, putting the Rangers in a precarious position at 55-4. One of our own, James Cunningham (2012, G), had the Guard’s best figures with 2-20. However, some characteristically gritty and patient batting from Jonty Robinson (2012, K) (48*) helped by Tom Eden (2012, D) (37) and Henry Wakefield (2006, H) (38*) kept the Rangers in the game, declaring on 193. The Guards faced menacing opening spells from Ned Greville Williams (2013, K) and Jonty Robinson. At 20-4, the game was looking wrapped up. However, the Rangers Treasurer was keen to not let the Rangers win their first game of the season. James Cunningham made an impressive 54* with support from Xandy Hanbury (2010, J) (47). The game was at a nail-biting point, when Bevan Fawcett came on and changed the game. Bevan’s 3-17 from 4.4 overs would have made Shane Warne proud – an exhibition of leg spin bowling. In the end the Guards were bowled out for 131. A comfortable 63 run win and the Rangers’ first win of the season.

Radley Rangers v HAC, 23rd August 2023

On a beautiful day in August, the Rangers made the short journey from their offices in the City to the HAC in Barbican for a 13.30 start. Surrounded by skyscrapers, a strong, young Rangers team were keen to impress the stockbrokers onlooking from their desks. The Rangers and the Guards at Burton Court, Chelsea. 104

the old radleian 2023

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

The Rangers return to play at Radley. The Rangers at the HAC, City of London.

The Rangers won the toss and elected to bat. After a controversial LBW dismissal first ball of the match, Rory Betley (2013, E) and James Todd (2010, G) were tasked rebuilding the innings. Betley, in particular, took control of the innings and flew to 59 off 43. After Betley was out caught, it was the James Todd masterclass. An elegant, commanding and fluent innings resulted in 129 runs from 115 balls, only falling when knowing the declaration was incoming, and a questionable reverse sweep prevented him from carrying his bat. 243-7 (dec) from 41 overs felt like a strong total for the Rangers, particularly with a strong bowling line up. However, the HAC started quickly, aided by some mandatory dropped catches by the Rangers which put the HAC in a commanding position at 170-4. Charlie Williams charging in for a long spell, coupled with George Greville Williams bowling some birthday bombs, creating chances galore, were the stand out bowlers before Rory Betley continued his strong game by picking up 2 wickets in an over, to leave HAC 171-6 which gave the Rangers hope. Sadly, for the Rangers, the HAC captain held firm and batted well for an unbeaten 56 guiding the hosts to victory to win by 3 wickets. It was a great game at a very memorable venue. Looking forward to next year’s fixture! The Rangers’ really is a club for all Old Radleians, and it is our hope that these reports and photographs will make you excited to get involved. If so, please contact our membership secretary George Greville Williams (grevillewilliamsga@gmail.com). We would love to hear from you.

We also have a new kit order, including space for some sponsorship. Please contact Jonty Robinson (jonty.robinson8@ gmail.com) if this is of interest. I look forward to seeing many of you on the pitch and on the boundary next year. For further updates, please take a look at our Instagram page @ RadleyRangersCC: www.instagram.com/radleyrangerscc/ Jonty Robinson Hon. Sec. Radley Rangers CC

To read the additional match reports of the Radley Rangers for 2023, scan this QR code, or visit https://bit.ly/3MjRkCP.

the old radleian 2023

105

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Radley Serpents

MATCH REPORTS

The Serpents had another successful year in 2023 and have set ambitious plans for the 2024 season! It has been great to see an increasing number involved in a variety of capacities from pulling on the boots, photographers, medics, and beer drinkers! There were three games during the year and again the Serpents demonstrated the champagne rugby style of rugby and camaraderie built on the hallowed Radley turfs. It was very special to see the numbers of Radley Rugby players with friends and family at RMCG’s leaving drinks over the summer. This was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate not only the commitment by RMCG to Radley Rugby but also the community spirit derived through this that the Serpents thrive upon. We continued to embrace a dynamic Barbarian Style of Play with innovation and creativity on and off the field. With the Rugby World Cup currently ongoing hopefully this fuels the fire for more of the Radley Community to engage whether it be through playing or coming to enjoy the hospitality on offer at all games. Upcoming events are below and we will be circulating further details shortly for those that wish to attend. A massive thank you to all those who have pulled on a Serpents shirt, come to any of the events or who have supported the club this year. The Serpents look forward to welcoming you all again soon! For those that are currently at university or need support to attend any event please do get in touch and we will look to facilitate any assistance we can. Find us on Instagram: @RadleySerpentsRugby, or contact the RadSoc Office who can pass on your details: radsoc@radley.org.uk. 2023/24 FIXTURE LIST DATE

OPPOSITION

VENUE

Friday 29th March

Sherbourne

Chiswick RFC

Friday 26th April

Marlborough Malones

Chiswick RFC

Richmond Summer Social (date TBC)

Various

Richmond Athletic Ground

OR Day, 14th September

Sherbourne

Bigside, Radley College

SERPENTS V SHIRBURNIANS (17.03.2023) On the eve of a classic ‘Super Saturday’ in the Six Nations there was little doubt as to what the game of the weekend would be. Conditions were optimal for the ORs to put on a display at Rosslyn Park. Sherborne kicked off and immediately put Radley under pressure. This pressure was relentless for 20 minutes, but the Serpents held strong with a scrambling defence in the outer channels. Crunching hits from George Redmayne (2014, D) and Max Anderson (2012, J) eventually turned the tide, and the Serpents were able to exit the first third with scores level. Early into the middle third the Serpents returned the favour to Sherborne. The Serpents were remembering how to handle the ball and were stringing several short-range efforts together which eventually ended up with Paddy Langdale (2013, A) going through to score. The pressure continued with the Serpents knocking away at the line again and questions were beginning to be asked about whether hiring the whole pitch was necessary. On cue, Sherborne broke against the play and went the full length to open their account and level the scores at 7-7. Sherborne scored again just before the break to take control. It looked like the Serpents might have punched themselves out but after a regroup and reset, the final third commenced. Sherborne scored almost immediately from a fumble in the backfield with a move seen too often by England fans in recent times, get in the 22 and whack a high ball up. A very unfortunate bounce ended up in the hands of a Sherborne forward right underneath the sticks. The Serpents stuck to the task and found forward dominance to strike from close range again through Charlie Robertson (2014, J). Luke Theophilus (1993, H) was keeping the ORs running with extra tape and was great to have an OR assisting with medical cover. With the score now 21-14 and Tom Allan (2012, C) continuing to be a menace at the breakdown the Serpents quickly scored again. A well-constructed lineout move front peel got Fred Ahern (2005, F) over the line. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed, and the game ended 21-17 to Sherborne. The Serpents might have lost on the pitch but did not disappoint in the post-game function. A good crowd had gathered to enjoy a few healthy scoops of Lager and multiple pizzas. MOM - George Redmayne DOD - Max Anderson - thought the game might be cancelled due to rain earlier in the day

The Serpents v Reading Uni on Bigside, September 2023. 106

the old radleian 2023

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

SERPENTS V MALONES (28.04.2023) Just like back on 22nd April 1977 when the world used optical fibre for telephone communications for the first time, an equally revolutionary event took place at Chiswick rugby club. The long dormant Radley Serpents took on a competitive Marlborough old boys’ side. The appetite to play and attend was strong, and the evening poised to be a promising affair. Having negotiated the intricacies of Barnes bridge railway station and the last-minute preparation of buying gumshields in sports direct, the Radley side arrived predictably past the meet time. After trying to overcomplicate line outs and backs moves, confidence was high and after a few inspirational words from RMCG, NM and the referee (Nick Wood), the men were ready! In a feat of physical performance normally reserved for the Olympiad, the Serpents started strongly and were unlucky to go behind early doors. A brace of tries from Hugo Eyre (2012, F) brought the sides level and the Serpents had the momentum. A particular mention must go to Hugo’s second try which he claims he intercepted within his own 22 before going the length. Throughout the night this distance kept getting longer until it became a 100m run in! Industrious performances from Charlie Saunders (2010, H), Tom Oliver (2011, A), Alex House (2012, B), and Jude Wakeley (2015, K) were some of the standout contributions. In the second half cramp predictably started to kick in and Richard West (2011, F) started the rehydration process with one of Chiswick’s finest lagers. In the last 5 minutes, the Serpents super sub (who will remain nameless as apparently the Proctor is still looking for him), was tempted out of his claret Schöffel and onto the pitch. He made an immediate impact in the loose with two crunching tackles before quickly needing a break. The rugby was fast flowing, well contested and at times very entertaining. In the end Marlborough ran out winners 27-12 but a great time was had by all. MOM: Cosmo Cotton (2012, G) (Excellent choice of Shorts – White TK Cotton Classics) DOD: Marlborough lad who thought he was mustard … SERPENTS VS READING UNIVERSITY (16.09.2023) The Serpents returned on OR day again to an immaculate Bigside turf. The late summer sunshine again appeared for what promised to be a spectacular opening day of the Radley Rugby season. Unfortunately, the anticipated opposition of the Sherborne were

unable to field a side but in true Radley style an opposition was sorted on the banks of the Garonne in the heart of Toulouse! Reading University were delighted to take up the mantle and much credit must go to Arthur House (2016, B) and current Reading University Student for stepping up to the plate and organising his XV. There were concerns that a well drilled and youthful university side could cause significant problems for the Serpents, but an expansive game was just as suited to the Serpents (for the first 45 minutes). The Serpents started strongly after a classically relaxed warm up with a brace from Hugo Eyre which were both impressively converted by Charlie Davies (2012, D). Reading University struck back with an early score of their own demonstrating superior organisation and relentless front foot pressure from within their own half. Industrial performances were seen across the Serpents with a particular mention to Robin Bridge (1997, D) who had arrived after a full night of childcare and a mammoth journey. Wesley Brolley (2014, E) & Max Anderson completed the front row with the former scoring the Serpents’ 3rd try of the game from a pursuits special rolling maul. A period of pressure from the students resulted in a 5-metre lineout on the Serpents line before Charlie Saunders turned defence into attack, flying off the back of the lineout an intercept to go the full length. Towards the end of the first half George Dillion-Robinson (2013, E) made a remarkable effort to go over in the corner with a diving finish but was ruled out by the officials. From the resulting line out, Saunders again struck when the overthrow landed in his arms to flop over. This left the Serpents in a steady position at the break but concerns about the management of second half legs were a priority for halftime. The Serpents began the second half with the same momentum but less of the accuracy and the attack was blunted for the first 15 minutes. After Hugo Eyre’s early 2 scores it was widely noted that he would be searching desperately for his hattrick, and it was decided it must be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, Hugo broke through and found the energy for a 60-yard dash while rounding the last man. His conversion attempt was unsurprisingly unsuccessful with the ground staff running for cover as it skewed towards the sheds. Some spectacular defence including Max Anderson kept Reading out by hauling a player back from a yard over the whitewash to leave the score at 43-17 to the Serpents. The post-match activities ensued with outstanding hospitality in the JCR and throughout the Old Radleian Day dinner. It was great to see the display from the current boys on the field after and we look forward to welcoming these to the Serpents over the coming years.

PLAYING XV:

The Serpents v Malones at Chiswick.

Max Anderson (2012, J) Wes Brolley (2014, E) George Dillion-Robinson (2013, E) Lucas Sopher (2013, C) Robin Bridge (1997, D) Tiger Beck (2013, A) Fred Ahern (2005, F)

Douglas Wryley-Birch (2014, G) Hugo Eyre (2012, F) Alex House (2012, B) Angus Tufnell (2014, G) Charlie Saunders (2010, H) Charlie Davies (2012, D) Matthew Chapman (2014, G) James Tufnell (2007, G) Richard Butterworth (2015, G)

the old radleian 2023

107

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Old Radleian Sailing Association (ORSA)

The Old Radleian Sailing Association (ORSA) provides social and competitive sailing for ORs, develops and maintains a community for ORs who sail, and maintains Radley’s presence, through ORs, in the wider sailing community. ORSA welcomes all ORs, Honorary Members of the Radleian Society, current and former Radley parents and current members of Common Room. All are welcome, irrespective of sailing experience or ability! Contact details are available through the Radleian Society website or on the ORSA Facebook page – find us on Facebook by searching for ‘Old Radleian Sailing Association’. 2023 was a bit quieter than most but did see ORSA take part in two main events: the Seaview Regatta on Sunday 17th September and the Arrow Trophy on the weekend 7-8th October. SEAVIEW REGATTA 17TH SEPTEMBER 2023 The annual Radley vs Winchester vs Ryde School Regatta is a one-day event which sees current and former pupils from each school racing against each other on the Seaview Yacht Club’s twelve Mermaid keel boats. After the excellent Radley vs Winchester preRegatta dinner in the Yacht Club on the Saturday evening, the three schools gathered first thing on Sunday morning for the race brief. The ORSA boats were crewed by Jules Facer (1982, C) and Simon Palmer (1987, F) and by Sam England (2018, J) and his father Simon England (1979, D). The wind was strong but manageable and everyone was looking forward to an exciting day on the water. All three schools put on a good show, but just as the first race was concluding, an enormous thunderstorm rolled across the fleet. Very strong winds, big waves, torrential rain and lots of lightning all around the boats resulted in a quick dash to the moorings and a retreat to the clubhouse for an early lunch. Unfortunately, although the thunderstorms moved on, the wind and sea did not abate and the afternoon’s racing had to be abandoned. The results from the morning’s race stood however, which saw the Old Wykehamists win against the former pupils, and ORSA win against Radley. ARROW TROPHY 7-8TH OCTOBER 2023 The Arrow Trophy is a sailing competition between Independent Schools, raced as an annual weekend regatta, in two fleets of one-design yachts crewed by former pupils. This year saw ORSA

Race 1 with the spinnaker. racing as part of the 10-strong Fairview Oceanis 37 fleet (the other fleet consisting of 10 Sunsail F41s). Strong winds again made for challenging but outstanding sailing conditions and the ORSA boat, skippered by Ross Culbertson (2003, B) and crewed by Ed Butterworth (1985, G), Simon Palmer (1987, F), Mike Baldwin (1980, D), Edward Hamilton (1985, D), Jules Facer (1982, C) and a couple of ringers, produced good results across the four races on the Saturday, achieving 2nd place overall in the Fairview fleet. The Regatta dinner attended by nearly 200 people that evening in Cowes was, as always, a great opportunity to catch up with the rest of the competitors from across 20 schools and relive the highlights of the day’s racing. As the Sunday dawned however, it was clear that although everyone was cutting around in shorts and t-shirts in early October (!) there would be no racing as there was barely a breath of wind. This was a shame, but it did secure ORSA’s 2nd place. The line-up for 2024 is looking good. February will see an ORSA dinner in London. There is a cruising weekend planned for May and October and ORSA will be entering at least one boat in the Round-the-Island Race on Saturday 15th June. The Seaview Regatta will feature again in mid-September, followed by the Arrow Trophy 5-6 October. We would love to see anyone with an interest in sailing join us at any or all of these events. Please do get in touch via our Facebook group, or via the contact details on our page at https://www.radley.org.uk/radleian-society/ clubs-societies/ Seaview Yacht Club: Radley & ORSA Crews.

108

the old radleian 2023

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Real Tennis Report

Amongst the ORs who have played and still play the complex, difficult and captivating game of Real Tennis are those who have challenged for the World Championship, won national amateur and Open titles and many more who have not scaled such dizzying heights but play with enjoyment, skill and gusto. As yet there is no OR Real Tennis Society competing on the schools’ alumni circuit, but its creation seems overdue. Every year, there is a handicap doubles tournament played at the court at Middlesex University in Hendon for alumni of British schools. This well-established, popular and successful tournament was set up by Paul Cattermull (Worth), who has run it for the past twenty years or so. Pairs have represented Canford, Charterhouse, Clifton, Eton, Harrow, Malvern, Marlborough, Shrewsbury, Stoneyhurst, St Paul’s, Taunton, Wellington, Winchester, Worth and others. There is a goodly number of ORs who will be eligible to play, as the upper threshold of handicap is 65, and it would be splendid to enter at least one pair in the 2024 event.

OR Fives Club

The OR Fives Club play several fixtures throughout the year. A principal aim is to encourage fives playing at the school & beyond, and anyone interested in playing or attending should email duncanjneale@gmail.com for more details. There is no joining fee. For a description of the team and sport visit https://therfa. uk/#promo We run weekend fixtures against the College in term time, plus participation in the Owers Trophy, where the ORs will play against old boys & girls from other fives playing schools. Please contact the organiser, Duncan Neale for further information: duncanjneale@gmail.com.

If you would like to be considered for the Radley team in the Cattermull Cup, please contact Maggie Henderson-Tew, Captain of the Radley College Tennis Club (maggie.ht@ btinternet.com), to discuss details further. If you have never played and would like to try this fascinating game at one of the 28 courts in GB, she will be able to advise you on how and where to get started.

Radley Wildebloods Radley’s LBGT+ Alumni Society

This year has been highly successful for the OR LGBT+ society. In December, we made the Yuletide gay as we took over the ground floor of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese for our pre-Christmas drinks. Tickets for the drinks sold out within hours of being released, so be sure to get yours early this year. As the summer rolled around it was our turn to host the Joint Summer Drinks for the other LGBT+ alumni societies. This year we rented out the Blueprint by Alexander and Bjorck, selling over 100 tickets and having an amazing night overlooking the Thames. We are looking forward to another amazing year and to seeing everyone again at our next event. You can find information about the Wildebloods, sign up to our mailing list, and contact us by visiting our website: https://www.radley-wildebloods.com/

the old radleian 2023

109

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Radleian Society Racing Syndicate After a hiatus, we are looking to relaunch the Radleian Society Racing Syndicate in 2024. The first horse who raced in the Radley colours was College Oak who won four races for the syndicate including in a valuable race at Ascot. Unfortunately, the ability to attend the races and stable visits were diluted at that time because of the Coronavirus pandemic and so we are very keen to reignite this venture. The syndicate is very much open to anyone connected to Radley to join. The horse would again be in training with Jamie Snowden (1992, H), fresh from another Cheltenham Festival victory earlier this year thanks to You Wear It Well. The intention is to find a mare to lease and keep the number of shares in the syndicate limited to 20. Shares in this proposed venture would be in the region of £2000 for a 5% share and you would receive all of the usual benefits such as owner’s badges, trips to Jamie’s stables in Lambourn, regular communications about your horse and a share of the prize money with a percentage being donated to the Radleian Society Charity Alliance partner, Kit 4 Kenya (see pp. 70-71). So, whether you are an old boy, a staff member, or a current or former parent, please make contact so we can add you to our interest list over the coming months. There obviously needs to be a decent level of support in place before any horse is considered so, please do support this venture if you can. Jamie reflects, “I am delighted to be relaunching the Radian Society Racing Syndicate. Previously we had College Oak in our colours who won over four occasions and was quite successful, despite the syndicate coinciding with the height of the pandemic. Old Radians, parents and staff are encouraged to join us as we need your support to get this venture off the ground!” Being a racehorse owner in this syndicate is unique at it provides you with a fun way to connect with Radley as well as friends, old and new! Finally, this exciting venture will be delivered with the support of Henry Kimbell as Syndicate Manager. Henry has run racing syndicates for over a decade, including a successful model for Stowe. He will work alongside Jamie to ensure everyone is kept well informed about all the news and events taking place for the syndicate.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For further information, email Henry Kimbell (henryk@ gallopingtogive.com) or call 07979 522744. Alternatively, contact the Radleian Society by emailing radsoc@radley.org.uk

110

the old radleian 2023

COLLEGE UPDATE

Bursar, Andrew Ashton, and departing Academic Director, Stephen Rathbone, reflect on the past year at Radley College, including the central role that creative and co-curricular activities play in at the College, and in Radley’s educational offering.

bursar’s report 2022-23 The last school year was vibrant, busy and successful. How nice to say that! It is striking that we don’t seem to talk about Covid anymore, and the restrictions from those dark times now seem long behind us. But the whole experience serves as a reminder for us all not to take anything for granted; we remain vigilant and prepared for the next challenge but celebrate success as it comes. It is striking too that despite all the difficulties in the world, and we are mindful of these at Radley as we seek to look outwards, the campus provides a safe haven where we are equal and can treat each other with respect, and try things out. As we look back on each year at Radley, it is always a delight to reflect upon that year in which, invariably, much has happened and much has been achieved. Of course, there is little time to reflect, as we immediately turn forward and look ahead to what more needs to be done; our work is never finished.

education sector it informs the very rhythm of our lives. The current year and the current year’s aspirations will always feel the most important, but they soon slip into the rear-view mirror as we (pupils and staff alike) look ahead to new goals and targets. In my case, and I am sure in many current and prospective parents’ cases, we also worry about the affordability of fees, even before the possibility of VAT being added on top. What is our response? Nationally, to support the sector contributing to the debate, and locally to let our actions do the talking such as in the fantastic outcomes from our partnerships across the community. In addition, at a school level, scenario planning to prepare for change, reviewing our cost structure and assessing the possible scale of VAT recovery that will help mitigate the challenge. In addition, we retain a focus on growing our endowment to help soften any affects where we can through our bursary programme, while continuing to deliver what we do as well as we can. But let’s not dwell on VAT. We must celebrate the moment; it is the very essence of life. So, art at Radley, drama at Radley, music at Radley, and performance in all its forms are to be cherished. The build up to an event, the rehearsal and continual improvement in preparation, the adrenaline rush during an event and the reflection afterwards  Donkeys' Years - a play set against the backdrop of Chapel Quad.

So, what did we achieve last year? In writing a review, it might seem odd that I do not comment on specifics, but I choose this year to reflect on what success looks like. I might talk about that in terms of financial stability, of bursaries awarded, of building projects delivered, or of a vibrant and committed team of staff supporting all that we do; I could give examples of each. Others will rightly talk of exam success or university entrance, or the many successes we hear about from our Old Radleians as they pursue their careers and interests; they could give examples too. However, for boys and parents (and for many staff) the standout measures of success come in the world of the co-curricular such as the hard-fought battles on the playing field, and outstanding performances on the stage. Examples here are individual and personal – we will all cherish moments either as a performer or as a spectator and play them back in our mind, whether they be in declamations, school plays, musical performance or a singular sporting moment over in a flash. We are all familiar with the rhythm and cycle of a school year, as former pupils ourselves and maybe as parents or grandparents or in some other way invested in the welfare of those in our families. For those of us who are privileged to work and to serve in the the old radleian 2023

111

COLLEGE UPDATE

An outdoor performance during Musicathon, summer 2023.

all form part of the joie de vivre at Radley. To this, I must also comment on the marvellous work of Radley Video – not only is the quality of film production outstanding, and one that creates a permanent memorable record of each performance, but it is also greatly rewarding for all boys involved in all its components including preparation, anticipation, filming, and editing. It is interesting I think to ponder on what helps make a school successful and, in particular, Radley. Is it the people including the teachers and all the other staff who create the environment for boys to thrive? Is it the students themselves with their life formative experiences and performances taking place in the crucible of Radley? Maybe it is the solid financial foundations that enable us to thrive, or our outstanding buildings that provide terrific spaces in which to perform. Buildings incidentally that all creative departments rightly seek to exploit as venues for music, for art or for displaying outstanding work across all disciplines; we all love to see something we have created on display, and the College campus provides a stunning backdrop for that. The College Play held in Chapel Quad during Festival 175 provided the perfect collegiate setting for Donkeys’ Years, not that the Quad was planned as an amphitheatre when it was created! Not one of these components can easily deliver success without the other parts. It is collaboration and teamwork, and a recognition of all the parts that go into the whole that creates success. Our precentor recently briefed me on the terrific complexity of delivering the number of music lessons to the number of boys that we do, week in and week out. Across last year, we delivered up to 550 music lessons most weeks, or approximately 14,000 lessons in the year to around 350 boys, with a music department of 50 staff. Indeed, on one day alone, at the Radley College Musicathon 112

the old radleian 2023

A performance in Silk Hall as part of Musicathon, summer 2023. in June, there were 30 different performances and 150 different performers. I pointed out the number of moving parts in the process (including the financial parts such as the cost of each music lesson and the pay for the teacher, and the people parts such as recruiting the teacher and ensuring they are valued within the community), and it brought to mind the complexity of an orchestra and the importance of the conductor in making everything come together at the right time and in the right way. And so, in the widest possible sense, there are lots of moving parts at Radley, everyone playing a role in supporting and delivering the whole, and there is a need for many conductors to cover all fields of Radley life. But it’s not just conductors, it’s actors. To paraphrase Shakespeare’s words: “all of Radley’s a stage and all the students and staff are merely players”! Andrew Ashton Bursar

COLLEGE UPDATE

academic report 2022-23 It has, as ever, been an extremely productive year. In my last year as Academic Director, I continued to be deeply impressed by the level of initiative shown by boys and dons across so many fields. There is a significant group within the school which refuses to settle for merely quotidian requirements made of them – significant though these are! An academic enthusiasm is, for so many at Radley, the same thing as a hobby, having therefore a lot more meaning than the simple acquisition of certificates – important as those are too! The overall theme of this magazine for 2023 has been drama and filmmaking. The same core vein of energetic and original creativity suffuses the academic life of the school in a way which epitomises Renaissance ideals: showing interest in as much as possible; seeing links between spheres of knowledge; and appreciating this as a route towards a more fulfilled existence.

first place in their respective categories of the Oxford University Classics Faculty Reading Competition. Modern Languages took part in the UK Linguistics Olympiad, with Bernardo Mercado gaining gold. Boys also took part in the Anthea Bell translation competition (receiving a commendation for German) and Oxford University Spanish Flash Fiction Prize. In recent years, there has been much debate about the usefulness of school and university education as currently configured in the UK, in terms of preparing young people for work. Therefore, it was excellent to see a Radley team organised by SJAP win the TeenTech award in the Food and Retail category, with their entrepreneurial project entitled ‘Plastic to Palm Oil’. Likewise, Lachlann Gordon (2018, A) is the first Radleian ever to secure a coveted place at The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, a phenomenal achievement.

Results in 2023 reflected a government desire to tackle grade inflation caused by the Covid years. Although part of the press tried to depict this as harsh, it made sense in terms of trying quickly to restore value to the range of grades within qualifications. It was very helpful that universities showed sensitivity to this raising of grade boundaries by accepting those who had failed to achieve the grade tariff. A-level results were remarkably similar to those of 2019, with 26% A* grades, 62% A*/A and 88% A*- B grades. At GCSE, there was a similar clear trend back to pre-Covid attainment levels, with 31% 9, 57% 9-8, 77% 9-7 and 92% 9-6 grades. Oxbridge application outcomes for Radley, and for some other independent schools, have become more a story of success at Oxford – with a healthy 12 places offered and secured this year – and a rather arid picture at Cambridge. Far fewer boys apply for Cambridge anyway, but no one gained a place this year or last. Not surprisingly, future candidates will tend to look towards the Oxford colleges, although there are a handful at Cambridge where the profile of the average Radleian may still not be seen as a handicap! The competitive streak is very strong within a number of departments. An obvious aspect of this is participation in national competitions. To give a few examples: Radley took eight gold medals in the UK Chemistry Olympiad competition. Four boys won the Thames Valley heat of the Royal Society of Chemistry Challenge competition, getting through to the National Final at the University of Greenwich. This vibrant Department under Dr Choroba, among other things, participates closely in the local OX14 Learning Partnership, and a Radley team only narrowly lost to Abingdon School by one point! The power of a local derby to motivate is considerable … The biology department took three gold, five silver, and nine bronze awards in the Olympiads, along with a tremendous 13 gold, 16 silver, and 31 bronze in the National Biology Challenge competition. Biology is also closely engaged with the Estates Bursar and Director of the Countryside Centre in monitoring and rewilding parts of College grounds. The Maths and Physics Departments take a huge number of awards in national and international competitions and saw huge success in Olympiads and other competitions this year, as well as contributing, on a large scale, to A-level and Oxbridge success. Superlative achievement is seen in the humanities too. For example, two boys, DingDing (Vth, D Social) and Tom (6.2, G Social), won

Design & Technology at Radley. The Curriculum Extension Programme, designed to complement A-level study, continues to thrive. One key component is the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The sheer range of topics chosen testifies to the flexibility of a research-based qualification which differs hugely from traditional A-level menus. Topics included the US Civil War, the Spanish poetry of Gloria Fuentes, electric car (EV) development, and the UK prison system. It is notable that 94% of projects submitted gained A* or A. Again, this type of academic activity is arguably much more suited to the world of work than some other aspects of the contemporary examination system. That brings me neatly onto the subject of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. The arrival of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, GPT4 and successively more capable iterations, throws a spanner in the works for school methodology. Not surprisingly, given the exponential growth of AI, there are huge debates about the impact on education, not to mention the rest of society. Implications are so enormous, one can struggle to comprehend them but, at a prosaic level, hard questions have to be asked about, for example, the future of coursework components within some GCSE and A-level subjects. With AI assistance available, how can the integrity of these components be maintained? As elsewhere, the rapid development of large learning models (LLMs) such as the OpenAI GPT models, PaLM by Google, and Meta’s LLaMa revolutionises (and by definition therefore, subverts) education, as with so much else, but there is little sign that national government is able to keep up. We look forward to the emergence of a coherent national the old radleian 2023

113

COLLEGE UPDATE

A visit to parliament with Frank Luntz.

Why is Drama a critical part of the Radley education? Drama plays an essential part in a young person’s education at Radley. Both in the classroom and beyond, it provides boys with an opportunity to collaborate and create, exploring narratives from the past, as well as telling and shaping stories from the present. This not only inspires creativity and confidence, but also helps young people to explore and understand the world in which they live. Drama brings social, academic and artistic opportunities. Boys learn how to work alongside one another constructively, grapple with complex characters and themes, learn how to work under pressure, and perhaps, most importantly, find an outlet for expression and identity; a crucial aspect in developing their self-esteem and wellbeing. Drama also forms a connection between Radley and boys long after they have left. Many ORs have talked fondly of their involvement in productions, both cast and crew, as they reflect on their time at Radley.

strategy, although in fairness to politicians and public officials, the rate of change is so rapid that many of those intimately involved in the creation of AI are now calling for a pause, as they say they can’t really understand a number of things which AI is doing. Related activity at Radley shows creative engagement with robotics and coding which continues to bring impressive achievements. Led by AAV, two teams - ‘Allen’ and ‘Alpha’ - qualified for the National Robotics Championships, both thereby attending their second successive national finals. Team Allen won their divisional title, got to the grand final and won the Sportsmanship Award, all en route to qualifying for the Vex World Championships in Dallas, Texas. One can imagine the calibre of the international lineup of teams. So, for Team Allen to finish strongly mid-table, given the very short time Radley has been running robotics and coding clubs in earnest, was very heartening! I would emphasise that Radley continues to refuse to submit to the censorious and self-limiting approach to public discourse sadly found in so many other schools (and universities) today. Two trips to Washington saw boys continue to enjoy the phenomenal networking support of Dr Frank Luntz, who introduced attendees to a vast range of Congressmen, Senators and other luminaries, including Presidential candidate Chris Christie and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, while some boys took part in a late-night debate on the floor of the House of Representatives, with Speaker McCarthy in the chair! In the UK, a Radley team made it all the way to the English Speaking Union National Finals. Invitations brought researchers, journalists – and others in fields less well explored – to speak across the year. Mary Harrington, the ‘reactionary feminist’, surprised the audience with a rejection of much of ‘social progress’ since the end of WWII. Simon 114

the old radleian 2023

Vex Winners

Mann, the private military contractor, gave a spirited defence of mercenary services where failed states need order imposed but the international community will not intervene effectively. An anonymous speaker gave a superb appraisal of the situation regarding relations with China. The prognosis was not cheerful. He warned about the optimism bias which has allowed Chinese security and commercial interests (working in sync) to infiltrate so many Western institutions. This speaker also reminded the audience of the dangers posed by TikTok and other social media platforms. So, readers will notice things are not sleepy at Radley on the academic front. I know my successor, Jonny Porter, will continue to inform you about the sheer variety of Radley intellectual life, in the next edition! Stephen Rathbone Academic Director

COLLEGE UPDATE

VALES 2022-23

Stephen Rathbone

Steve Rathbone’s first incarnation at Radley was from 1990-2008. Resident Sub-Tutor in C Social under Patrick Derham, he also organised memorable Community Service trips to Romania and India. His teaching thrived, with the Nazi Special Subject and Nineteenth Century European History taught with expertise and gusto. It was no surprise when he took over the History Department in 1998. Five years of energetic leadership (and purchase of WWI and WWII militaria) followed, with the department enjoying strong results at both A level and GCSE, and its own deactivated Bren gun. Steve then took over A Social, replacing the illustrious James Wesson. Saturday Cocoas in A were legendary: Yorkshire bonhomie and humour, proper English ale (all forms of lager were banned) and curry. Old furniture, often including wardrobes, would be burnt in the garden, to the great amusement of boys. After five years in A Social, Steve became restless and left to study the Conflict and Security MA at King’s College London. Here he rubbed shoulders with diplomats, military personnel and shadowy intelligence figures. In his spare time he was a keen observer of rallies held by Marxists, anarchists and the EDL, and - given his propensity for a strict haircut - he was sometimes mistaken by demonstrators for a plainclothes policeman. Briefly contemplating a career as a Conservative MP, the seat he half-heartedly applied for was instead allocated to a certain Matt Hancock... The second Rathbone era began in 2011. Andrew Reekes’ imminent retirement opened an opportunity at Radley in the role of academic deputy from 2012. The new Academic Director presided over some of our best ever A level results, managed an ever-changing teaching body, negotiated Covid, and championed free speech with a huge range of speakers. The annual Holocaust Conference saw many Survivors bear witness: this event was cited by many Radleians as one of their most formative experiences. On SMT he was a blue-sky thinker (decisively not a man for minutiae), and was often the contrarian voice of northern grit and common sense. A hard taskmaster in the classroom, he encouraged boys to read widely, repeatedly drilling them for exam success. A brilliant Sixth Form form master, boys fondly remember beer-tastings (and more bonfires) and good humour at 9 Chestnut Avenue. Steve did much else too: he was a school governor; a keen agriculturalist with extensive vegetable beds (his classic Massey Fergusons graced Rogation Services) and woodsman - many of us benefitted from SR’s expertise with the chainsaw (Stihl crazy after all these years) to make sure our log piles were ready for apocalyptic winters. In more liberal times, he inaugurated Radley’s Vermin Control Society, superintending the seasonal culling ‘executed’ by an accomplished posse of Radleian guns. As the campus became busier, the VCS had to go into hibernation, although some boys hoped that, like King Arthur and his Round Table, it would magically reappear once the vermin menace became overwhelming. Steve was a decent lower end sports coach, his rugby league heritage and Churchillian oratory particularly complementing John Nye’s technical talent. Their Midgets rugby teams rarely lost. Steve moves now to Wensleydale where the moors and a pint of Black Sheep beckon, while he plans his next move. I suspect we have not heard the last of him yet... NM

Anthony Williams

34 years ago, a fresh-faced firebrand of a concert pianist was tempted to come, just for a year or so, to Radley College. One year turned into two years, then into several, a decade, and then a lifetime career: 100 terms given to enriching life at Radley. Anthony has made an indelible mark on the place – and, more importantly, the people. I know few people with a clearer idea about what they want to achieve and determination to achieve it. The allure of the place for Anthony goes far beyond music. He became the all-round schoolmaster, in charge of gardens, model flying, fireworks, bee-keeping and so much more. A keen runner, he played a key role in athletics over many years, often arriving back bright-eyed to the music department, covered in mud with a group of enthusiastic but exhausted boys after a particularly adventurous cross-country run. It is a passion he shared with the whole school every year in the Steeplechase, brilliantly organised with one of his trademark detailed spreadsheets. It is, though, music that has defined Anthony’s time at Radley. It has been my utter privilege to spend hours with Anthony in scholarship auditions, listening to children who are considering the next stages in their musical journey. He has the most extraordinary ability to bring out the best in each and every child with wisdom, kindness, and a tenacious insistence on finding the child’s own musical voice. It is no wonder that pianists, teachers and examiners I have met in almost every setting know him by reputation or, in so many cases, personally. Anthony’s book A piano teacher’s survival guide contains an inspiring philosophy of education that he has kept at the heart of the department: ‘Whatever your thoughts: nurture the musician first, and the pianist second. The love of creativity, imagination, sound, rhythm and physical response envelops young children. We have to keep it alive and vibrant throughout their development’. He lives and breathes that total commitment to putting personal communication, imagination and creativity at the heart of every performance. We see it in his pupils at the stunning Wharton Piano Prize; in his accompaniment, which constantly feeds musical ideas to the soloists; his luminous piano concerto performance with the College Orchestra; in the inclusivity, ambition and fun of the Piano Extravaganza: 21 pianists at 7 pianos; and in the ambition of the joyous Butterworth Festival, filling the College with music and dancing. Anthony has been at the heart of the day-to-day existence of the music department: 500 instrumental lessons a week involving half the school, hundreds involved in ensembles, events almost every day. He is a passionate advocate for the Visiting Music Teachers; they feel valued and looked after, and therefore able to give all they can to Radley. We have some of the finest musicians in the country, many of whom turn down much more glamorous things to work in the music department and to work with Anthony. And so, retirement. But of course, it won’t be: Anthony is in constant demand as adjudicator, teacher, examiner, mentor - and, I suspect, will have plenty of calls asking for advice from us at Radley too. He will be hugely missed here but his influence on thousands of pupils and teachers over the last 34 years is an enduring legacy of which he should be enormously proud. SJG the old radleian 2023

115

COLLEGE UPDATE

Richard Greed

For the past 29 years, there has been a moment in every Radleian's life when they first meet Mr Greed – it is seldom a time they forget. Whether they recall the enthusiastic ‘tap’ to the shoulder, or the advice to use a mirror while fixing their tie in the morning – one thing is certain, every boy has felt valued. In Richard’s eyes, everything has been about the boys. Appointed by Richard Morgan in 1994 as Radley’s first full-time Master in Charge of Rugby, Richard brought energy and a wealth of coaching experience. A professional approach was introduced while maintaining College traditions. Training sessions had a new intensity and video analysis was delivered to players in the old History department. It worked, and in 1995 Bigside posted an unbeaten season. Richard’s support extended beyond just the top teams to include every player and coach. The whole school was made to feel a part of Bigside, something maintained throughout his 24 years at the helm. Richard’s joy in selecting his son, William, to play for Bigside, sits alongside the appointment of Nick Wood (OR), one of his former players, to take on the running of the rugby club. It is no secret that Richard’s influence extended far beyond the rugby pitch; he is an outstanding history teacher. Those lucky enough to have joined a Shell history trip to Normandy will have experienced a tour de force on Pegasus Bridge through Richard’s retelling of its capture by British forces in 1944. Likewise, countless GCSE students have benefitted from his passion for the Middle East, Russia, and American Civil Rights. Boys requiring a bit more confidence were guided to levels far beyond what they thought possible. In 2004 Richard, Julie and William moved into B Social, succeeding Robert Holroyd as Tutor. The energy observed in the classroom and on the sports pitch – Richard also coached hockey and athletics – was transferred to its corridors. Alongside Richard, Julie’s support in Social was immense and together they worked to ensure that every boy excelled; after all, B was for best! Richard knew his boys. Each term parents would receive a hand-written report, extending to several pages, recounting every event that had taken place. Richard was their champion; and true to his own mantra, they always came first. Following 12 years in B social, Richard took the new position of Under Master, carrying out his duties with his usual energy and the occasional jab to the shoulder. He ensured that he knew the name of every boy in College, no mean feat, although it was helped in the sixth form through his running of the JCR, where famous Greedisms – blowing the froth off a cold one – were never too far away. In recent years Richard worked with the Admissions team and the Radleian Society, promoting Radley’s values to prospective parents and their sons, while maintaining the connection with our alumni. As well as shaping the lives of current and former boys, Richard has had an influence on those who are yet to arrive. His contribution to Radley has been vast. He retires with Julie to the beautiful Carmarthenshire, where in time, I have no doubt, his influence will be felt in some way or another. JMS 116

the old radleian 2023

Ian Yorston

Ian Yorston arrived at Radley in 1993 fresh from his time as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force. After a year finding his feet, he became Head of Careers and 1994 was also the year in which he led Radley into the digital future when the first internet connection at the college was installed at his house in Lower Shrubbery. By 1998, when the potential of the internet had begun to reveal itself, internet connections were bookable in the computer rooms and Ian had also written the code for an electronic reporting system and database that was to revolutionise IT at Radley. This was seven years before anything that would be recognised as a commercial product was available and, having been appointed Head of Digital Strategy in 2002, Ian was in demand as a speaker nationally and internationally. Saying you taught at Radley almost always led to a “you must know Ian Yorston” comment. As a teacher, ISY was proudly idiosyncratic. Boys might be seen consulting their timetable to check that it was a Physics lesson as he talked about why Luxembourg still existed as a country, but what they always learnt was how to think for themselves. At a recent reunion organised by the Radleian Society, it was abundantly clear that his lessons had equipped boys for all kinds of careers, and that his distinctive and interesting lessons had stuck in the memory for years afterwards. This was never better illustrated than in 2021 on Twitter, when an Old Radleian reflected on his time being taught by ISY. The Physics A level syllabus in the late 90s was pretty dry. But we were blessed with an amazing teacher who would teach in tangents. His stories, insights, and anecdotes were incredibly rich in context and variety. Rather than being tuned out during our lessons, we were absolutely tuned in. Outside the Physics department, ISY coached rugby, cricket, athletics, hockey and was also a great supporter of all aspects of college life. Whatever the event, there was a good chance that he would be in the audience and, since around 2012, tweeting about it as well. Throughout his time at Radley, Ian’s wife Caroline has been an important member of the community both in an official capacity as the Rugby club doctor on match days and as a fellow attendee at many events. Both of their children also attended the college, Benedict for 5 years and Alexandra in the sixth form. For a number of years, Ian wrote a blog called “The Unreasonable Man” based on a quote by George Bernard Shaw: The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. The progress made by Radley in so many areas where Ian was involved is a direct result of his willingness to challenge, cajole, and encourage when he thought things should be improved. He could be relied on for an interesting take on most situations, and so was always stimulating company and a great friend to many. He departs to the West country with Caroline for what we all hope will be a long and happy retirement. KAM

COLLEGE UPDATE

George May

George was not necessarily thinking of becoming a Drama teacher when he first visited Radley. With a degree in History of Art from Edinburgh and a successful acting career, it would be a significant change in direction. However, a sufficient sprinkling of Radley magic administered by Warden McPhail and others caused George to reassess, and Radley has been extremely fortunate that he did. Harking from the moors of Northumberland, M’Lord joined the Drama Department in 2006, and together with Emi-Lou moved into K Social (Murphy’s) as residential sub-tutor. George used his wealth of acting experience to direct many plays including The Trial, Oliver, The Crucible, Blackwatch, and recently A Few Good Men. In every instance George brought out the best in the boys, developing a confidence which many have taken with them into their lives beyond Radley. A keen sportsman, George coached three terms of sport: Midgets rugby, Colts football, and the Outlaws, a senior 5th XI. During nets ahead of a Common Room match, George would often pad up and ask the boys to serve up a few deliveries to help get his eye in. The boys relished the opportunity; no matter the outcome George would always offer his congratulations to them on their bowling. It was no surprise that George’s teams always played with great spirit. Stepping into H Social as Tutor in 2012 was a natural progression, where George’s kindness and patience have enabled a special community to develop. May’s is a popular destination for parental visits, although it is a wonder any boy ever wanted to come to Radley as George always managed to slip into conversation that he was at Eton! Boys have been encouraged to be themselves and their successes have been celebrated in weekly Social Prayers; a time when George would often speak for longer than the invited speaker. Together, George and Emi-Lou developed a deep sense of service and love of H Social; consistently being there for every boy, always smiling, and always interested. It was fitting that in George’s final year as Tutor, H Social should once again win the Haddon Cup and Partsong, reflecting his own passions, as well as the strength of boys working together. George’s own Christian faith has been an important part of his time at Radley through his support of Chapel. The success of lunchtime food and faith – a weekly moment for reflection in the Tutor’s kitchen – has owed much to the warmth and the palpable sense of home that he has created. One of the kindest, most self-effacing, and utterly committed schoolmasters, George has brought so much to Radley over the past 17 years. George leaves Radley to take the position of Headmaster at Cothill Prep School. The Good Schools Guide describes it as plonked deep in the British private school heartland. Traditional, but never stuffy. Posh, but down to earth. Low profile locally, but well known to the cognoscenti. Could there ever be a better fit? As they might say in Tyneside; while Radley has lost a good ’un, Cothill has appointed a Bobby Dazzler. We wish George, Emi-Lou, Liela, Boaz and Raffi every success and happiness; and to remember that we are just down the road … JMS

Ben Knox

BRK arrived at Radley way back in September 2002, from an all-girls school in Scotland, to teach Design and Technology. He originally thought about doing a couple of years at Radley and ultimately travelling back to his home country of Australia, but something happened ... Radley got under his skin and the end of this year sees Ben clocking up 21 years. Ben joined E Social as a resident sub-tutor during Mike Hopkins’ final year as housemaster. Being 6’3” tall, he and I were jokingly referred to as the “E-Social bookends” since our flats were at opposite ends of the social. Teaching in the same department and working in the same boarding house, our friendship began and has endured. Ben has been an integral part of everything in the Radley Design Engineering department since he started. He is hugely adaptable and capable of switching seamlessly from teaching Shells to 6.2, and just getting it right on so many levels. The boys always warm to him quickly, and his antipodean approach is something that is greatly appreciated by all who come into contact with him. He is a hugely creative person and has easily guided hundreds of boys through GCSEs and A levels, but this creativity has always been honed by a number of personal projects he has undertaken. One of his most memorable being a cedar strip canoe. This impressive canoe remains on the workshop office roof and continues to impress newcomers to the department. It remains to be seen if it will make it into the shipping container when they return to Australia. Ben has always had time to help move the subject and the department forward as we attempt to keep pace with the technological advancements in the world of manufacturing and design. Recently he has masterminded the purchase and commissioning of a new CNC router, something that I am hugely grateful for and will serve Radleians for many years to come. Ben’s involvement with various aspects of the school is vast, including rugby, Duke of Edinburgh activities, and coordinating sixth form activities. However, his true passion lies in organising lacrosse for the 6.2 year group. Over the years, this initiative has gained popularity, with a waiting list for boys eager to join. I have been assured this has nothing to do with the fact that all the fixtures are arranged against girls’ schools, but all down to the coach! So, after 21 years it comes time to say farewell, the Knoxes are moving back to Sydney, where Ben and Kate first met a good number of decades ago. It will mean they will be much closer to their families and Ben will be able to have his much talked about early morning surf - the closest he came to achieving that in landlocked Oxfordshire was a sedate paddle board down the Thames at 6am, which is equally as stunning but perhaps not quite so invigorating. I am sad to see the Knoxes go as they have been a part of Radley for as long as I can remember, but it is the right time for them all to make a start on the next chapter down under. I wish Ben and his family happiness in their new venture and thank him for his dedication and friendship. RJ the old radleian 2023

117

COLLEGE UPDATE

Kate Knox

Kate began her teaching career at the aptly named Knox Grammar School, a boys’ boarding school in Sydney, Australia. She started at Radley in September 2004 as an Artist in Residence for two years before taking up a full-time teaching post. Kate made an immediate impression at Radley, teaching with a passion and enthusiasm for Art education coupled with a great sense of fun and humour. Indeed, one of her many lasting legacies around College will be all the wonderful pieces of art on display that have been created by the boys under her guidance. Kate is held in the highest esteem and affection by both her colleagues and boys alike. Two boys recently wrote to me on hearing about Kate’s departure: “Mrs Knox completely blew me out the park every time I doubted her ideas and techniques by having my artwork come out perfectly right, showing her vast knowledge and ability in her field,” and “Always inspiring, never stopped smiling, and just generally always kind.” The many comments I have received from boys also reflect Kate’s generosity with her time. She is often in her art studio outside lessons helping boys achieve their artistic goals and, as such, her students often achieve some of the top grades for the year. Kate is also a considerably talented artist in her own right and has exhibited her work in the Sewell Centre Gallery on a number of occasions. She is keen to continue to develop her artistic skills and embrace both new technologies and traditional techniques, materials and processes. It was a real pleasure to see her lead the Art Department with the use of Procreate and Photoshop and, during lockdown and this period of restricted learning, it was impressive how she juggled iPads, projectors, and PCs, both drawing and teaching simultaneously and maintaining the focus and interest of the students both in the classroom, at home and overseas. Outside the Art Department, Kate has been involved in many aspects of a full boarding school life. She was a Sub-Tutor in F Social for 12 years, as well as Form Master for Shells, Removes and Fifths, where her openness and sympathetic nature was hugely appreciated by the boys and their gratitude was clear to see. She has also been on many CCF walks through the Brecon Beacons and the Chilterns, participated in Dons versus boys basketball and lacrosse matches, taught at Radley Primary School as part of the Radley Partnership programme, and has been an active member of the Common Room Committee and the CRCC. Kate has also enjoyed socialising with Common Room and has made many very close friends by whom she will be sorely missed. We wish Kate, Ben, Heidi and Audrey all the very best in the next exciting new chapter of their lives returning to Australia, and we cannot thank Kate enough for being such a good friend and colleague as well as being such a valued and integral part of the Art department for the past nineteen years. RT 118

the old radleian 2023

Gabriela Dalrymple

Gaby Dalrymple started at Radley in 2007, having studied Business in Caracas, Venezuela, followed by an MSc in Latin American Studies at St Antony’s, Oxford. Bringing her own spirited South American joy for life to everything she undertook, boys and colleagues recognised her as someone who always put high standards first, knowing that insistence on these was more likely to result in a sense of fulfilment in whatever activity a boy was engaged. As an outstanding teacher of Spanish, Gaby’s rigorous style of teaching – always suffused with incredible optimism and purpose – marked her out as the obvious candidate for Head of Spanish, a role she excelled in between 2012 and 2016. Results continued to be very strong and the team benefitted from Gaby’s constant desire to improve resources and methodology. It was obvious that she should become Head of Languages in 2016, and she served in this demanding post until 2021, latterly taking the department through the ups and downs of Covid. As a highly accomplished swimmer who had represented Venezuela at a very high level, Gaby revolutionised Swimming at Radley between 2007-14, initiating a culture of excellence whereby the school was the first to participate in the Henley Swim and Water Polo really took off. Radley enjoyed very busy seasons with many fixtures against other schools. The Scheckter Cup InterSocial Water Polo Competition, instituted during Gaby’s period of leadership, was a highlight of the summer. Always one for the development of resilience, Gaby trained swimmers not only in the excellent Radley pool but also down at the river. Also in charge of Prizes from 2007 to 2012 – an apparently unglamorous but essential role which is a logistical challenge at the best of times – Gaby ran matters with her customary brio. In those days, boys still went to Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford to choose their prizes. This then involved lots of label sticking ... As a Sub-Tutor in F and E Socials, Gaby was always a relentlessly cheerful presence, upholding standards in a no-nonsense way and always prepared to get stuck in, clearly enjoying the conviviality of boarding school life. She was always deeply respected and deeply liked by boys. In my most recent role at Radley, I always found Gaby to be extraordinarily well-organised and purposeful as Head of MFL. With consummate professionalism, she navigated good and bad times with commendable calmness. Her moral compass was always at the forefront of all decision making. The changing nature of language provision at Radley was bound to cause a few controversies, but Gaby always knew that excellent teaching within all three target languages would continue to attract Radleians, even if the requirements made of boys in this area adapted over time. We were all so pleased when Simon and Gaby married. When Ágata came along, their delight was shared by the community. We wish Gaby all the very best as she sets out on the next phase, and she leaves with our profound thanks. SR

COLLEGE UPDATE

Trish Reeves

For the past 13 years, Trish has been the rock upon which three Tutors and hundreds of boys and parents have been able to rely as the centre pillar of J Social. Always there to meet you with a smile, her enthusiasm and enjoyment of her job have been infectious throughout her time here. Joining Radley, fresh from the NHS and her considerable experience as a paramedic, Trish was the perfect fit and her wealth of knowledge became invaluable to colleagues and boys alike. Her calm and unflappable demeanour meant that even when faced with the most daunting of challenges, Trish was able to manage and sort the situation with little fuss or fanfare. I know that the parental body has certainly been reassured over the years. Trish’s impact within the Social has been vast. It has gone far beyond just the day-to-day care of the boys, a role that she has carried out with distinction. Beyond this, whether it be a performance at Cultural Evening, a Social Prayer or driving a

Anne Muhlberg

It can’t have been easy running a school library, or indeed any library, in recent years. We were told it was: The End of Books. One public school even boasted it had effectively abolished the library, creating a cavernous ‘creative’ space with colourful sofas, ‘work platforms’, and water cooler. But few books. However, as Librarian (like her predecessor Clare Sargent), Anne Muhlberg sensibly negotiated the digital revolution without succumbing to arid techutopian fantasy. It is certainly true, internationally, that it is hard to get adolescent boys to read. Yet with modesty and good humour, Anne and team made heroic efforts to help boys understand the lasting power of reading. So many initiatives developed: marking World Book/ Poetry Days; literary recitals; and departmental book fairs. Dons were asked what they had read when teenagers and laminated A3 sheets appeared everywhere, displaying the biographical information: ‘Look what you can turn into, if you read lots when young!’ Response: ‘Hmmm’. The annual Charity Readathon was a gruelling event. Anne attended all of them and never once fell asleep. Involved in helping with research skills, Extended Project Qualifications, the famous Shell projects and coursework preparation, Anne did a huge amount to deploy digital resources as well as books. Tuition in efficient use of reviews, database searches and accurate referencing helped countless boys. The Richard Morgan Library is a warm and hospitable sanctuary where boys receive Tea and Sympathy or more precisely, Coffee

minibus of boys to and from an activity, Trish would willingly volunteer her services for the good of the boarding house. There are some jobs that I am sure she will not miss. Such as the relentless nature of sheets every Monday evening or the flipping of hundreds of burgers on the barbecue on a Saturday night in the Summer Term. That said, she has never once failed or faltered in her duty to the boys. Her care is what the boys will remember most. This is obvious to see whenever Old Radleians from J Social return to an old boy event or to give a talk. One of the first people they ask after, and are keen to pop in and say hello to, is Trish. She has an innate ability to know whether what was needed was a gentle word of encouragement here, or an arm around the shoulder there. Indeed, sometimes a sterner word was the necessary antidote, but it always came from a position of genuinely caring for each and every individual. Her empathy with the J Social boys is what has made her such an incredible PHM in an increasingly demanding role. As she leaves Radley, in order to spend more time with her grandson Teddy, we thank Trish for all her support and love over the years and wish her all the very best for the future. KMWS

and Biscuits. This latter activity was very popular, although boys had ‘the right to complain’. The joke (Anne is German) was that completed forms were immediately shredded. Then there were the Library Animals. ‘You can’t have animals in a library!’ Well, Anne did. Her beloved (and much missed) beagle, Disco, was core to Library life. They once both featured in Country Life in an article on … beagling. There was also Cecily the Snake. Most recent Radleians – and many staff – have been cured of ophidiophobia and maybe even of herpetophobia (get a dictionary ...) by Michael Noone’s fabled tour of the Biology menagerie, so having Cecily in the library wasn’t so outlandish. Yet one day she (Cecily, not Anne) escaped the front desk where she normally welcomed visitors, somehow disappearing under the floorboards. Cue the fantastical scene of Roger Shaw and Anne using power tools (‘Shush!!’) to remove the carpet and planks. This particular cross-species-literacy initiative was shut down, and Cecily returned to Biology. However, according to a mole (as it were) in her team, Anne still had the idea of somehow deploying a beehive as a ‘library’ activity. One assumes it would have been placed outside, but I can’t be sure … Anne also displayed superb pastoral skill in F Social, under three tutors. Tom Norton writes: ‘Anne became a legendary figure over eight years. Her flat was a welcoming environment for cocoas – she hosted whilst Tristan churned out thousands of home-made waffles. As an extraordinary form master, who knew her charges so well, she lately took to running. Her courageous lead made it impossible for her form to refuse to accompany her.’ As she goes off to become Head of Library Services at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, we wish Anne and Tristan all the very best. They have been great members of our community. And the Library still has lots of books ... SR the old radleian 2023

119

COLLEGE UPDATE

James Sheldrake

’‘Tis not a year or two shows us a man.’ In the case of James Sheldrake, it took far less than that. I remember being asked to tour James around the College on his interview day. Of course, I was struck by his composure, his gravitas, by his somehow being both subversive and avuncular, but most of all I was impressed by a man who knew his mind. James joined Radley College in September 2016 from the Halliford School, Shepperton. His impact on the English Department was immediate and, as per the ‘competency trap’ (a Sheldrakism to rank alongside the richly intoned salutation, ‘Colleague’), he was promoted first to C Social Sub-Tutor and then to Director of University Admissions. The fondness with which he and Amy reminisce about their time in Social is as pure a testament to their success in that role as one could imagine. In the Universities Department, he demonstrated a clarity of thought, economy of expression, and coolness in the heat of battle which would be the envy of any of Shakespeare’s kings. The Sheldrake passion for Shakespeare is well-known. Boys will often turn to his podcast (neatly entitled ‘Sheldrake on Shakespeare’) when in need of reassurance. Indeed, his mellifluous tones have many times had the same effect in the English office. Despite being an expert of some repute in many spheres, he is generous with his time and patience in the face of boys and dons alike asking endless questions, the answers to which they really ought to know; I count myself securely in the latter number. Though James has decided that teaching is not his passion for now, that has never come across in the classroom. It is Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing who claims, ‘a man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age’. It is fair to say James has never shown even the slightest queasiness in the face of a job where perhaps his enthusiasm could not keep pace with his excellence. James is a self-effacing teacher, often quick to play down his work in E8, but speaking to those boys fortunate enough to have been taught by him, it is evident that the warmth and compassion for their experience of the subject runs through every layer of the palimpsest that is ‘the great man’. Infuriatingly, James is almost always right. I know when he sends me a one-line email, signed off with a single ‘J’, I best heed the contents. He is also the sort of person whose approval people covet, because he knows what he thinks, and knows a great deal. That is not to say that he lacks levity. There is mischief in his bones and his wit is sharp enough to make the death by a thousand cuts a strange pleasure. He is of course too kind ever to deliver a coup de gras. In fact, I think most fondly of his capacity for dignified, sincere gratitude. I am pleased to have had this chance to thank him back. As James leaves to pursue a career in journalism and performance, we wish him, Amy, Albie and Earnest every success. They could not be better equipped. AFCN 120

the old radleian 2023

Olly Wills

Radley has, over the years, been a happy hunting ground for those looking for a change of direction from other careers, and, similarly, has benefitted from the experiences of the varied backgrounds that a number of the members of Common Room have brought to the College. Olly Wills falls precisely into that paradigm. He joined the Maths department at Radley in September 2017, having successfully survived the demands of fourteen years working in several European Investment Banks. Prior to that, he studied Engineering at Cambridge, this degree choice typifying his enthusiasm for maths as a practical, applied subject; indeed, in his final Maths Society talk at Radley he made the point of going against type by giving a talk on a particularly arcane and practically inapplicable bit of maths, whilst simultaneously poking fun at the pointlessness of it all. Olly has spent his six years at Radley thoroughly committed to the school-mastering experience. He was involved with the Forces throughout his time in finance via membership of the Army Reserves, something he maintained whilst at Radley, often shooting off over the weekends to various “if I tell you where, I’d need to kill you” secret locations. He brought some of this real-world experience to Radley, running the Army section for several years (see above, photo of Olly leading a covid virtual field weekend). His enthusiasm for sport was clear to anyone who saw him out on the pitches or at the track. He’s coached rugby, athletics and Fives and, as an enthusiastic runner, Cross Country. He’s successfully managed to avoid putting on the “Radley stone” that those who join Radley from other careers often manage to add to their mass (he’d want me not to say “weight” here, being someone serious about his Mechanics), by cycling to work from Abingdon on his fold-up bike and filling spare moments running around Radley, bandana on head, at what would be a very respectable pace for someone far younger. Olly is a proper all-rounder, competent and enthusiastic at everything he turns his hand to. I had the pleasure of going on a ski trip with him, and he made my own efforts look positively slovenly, blasting around the ski area, on and off-piste, at breakneck speed, stopping for barely five minutes for a sandwich, first lift to last. He is not someone who lacks self-confidence, something that will stand him in excellent stead at Downe House, where he moves with wife Rachel and twin girls to take over as Head of Department. Anyone who has had the fun of watching him engage in “lively” debates with members of Common Room over the years can testify that he is a consummate spade-caller. His forthrightness is equally evident in the classroom, where boys clearly loved his directness (several members of my own Fifth form, in his set this year, were genuinely devastated to hear he wouldn’t be teaching them in 6.1); the same was equally true in B Social, where he has been a sub-tutor throughout his time at Radley. The true professionalism and energy he brought to every lesson he taught will be extremely hard to replace. We wish him every success in the future. PM

COLLEGE UPDATE

Cédric Ploix

Dr Cédric Ploix follows in the tradition of Victor Borge, Les Dawson and Tim Minchin, not only as an accomplished musician but also as an unpredictable showman whose ebullience and comedic talents brought a breath of fresh air to Radley in September 2019. After completing a DPhil at Oxford University and two master’s degrees (at the same time) in literature and piano performance, he embarked on the pithily named National Modern Languages School-Centred Initial Teacher Training programme in the local area. Thus began an academic journey of an entirely different nature. It was not long before Shells were exposed to Molière’s alexandrines on a Wednesday afternoon to counter the potential monotony of conjugating promouvoir in six tenses. Boys in Cédric’s lessons were treated to an energetic and interactive style with moments of mellow contemplation. The atmosphere was enriched by hand-made artwork on the walls and graceful melodies from the electric piano. Beneath the whimsical exterior, however, is a teacher with exacting standards and scathing wit. Peppered with affectionate sarcasm, his endof-term reports reflected a deep understanding of his charges. Cédric also modelled outstanding language-learning habits, dabbling in Dutch, German and Italian while taking an A level in Spanish during his thirteen terms at Radley. Furthermore, his commitment to departmental trips and events was second

to none. He volunteered a week of the 2022 Christmas break to explore Munich, helping to keep the city safe by interceding in spirited snowball fights. Just one term later, his convivial conversation, improvisational talent and spontaneous acrobatics entertained the Music tour party on his native soil. Cédric made a great impact outside of the David Rae Smith building, too, most notably as a soloist or accompanist at countless concerts. His eclectic performances occasionally raised eyebrows in conservative quarters but never failed to delight the audience. In his quest for perfection, Cédric approached Anthony Williams for private tuition in exchange for tips on how to converse with tradesmen in French. There was allegedly more talking than playing. When he paired up with Harry Crump in the second violin section of the orchestra, junior members of the ensemble were intrigued by the cacophonous sounds that emerged from their desk. However, it was to be the start of a beautiful relationship in D Social. It is Cédric’s role as resident sub-tutor that epitomises his approach to life at Radley. Thanks to his fancy dress cocoas, impromptu sketches, raps, innovative wake-up routines and roguish behaviour on patch, boys were constantly entertained and encouraged to embrace the boarding house as a home away from home. Previous form members refer to him as “simply the GOAT”. He will be sorely missed but fondly remembered – as will the many anecdotes that failed to make it onto this page. We thank Cédric for his trademark bonhomie and congratulate him on his elevation in history from enfant terrible to legendary don. As he heads off to Brussels, perhaps to mingle with the political elite, we wish him a most successful future. OJA

Charles Taylour

Charles arrived at the beginning of September to start his placement year from university. Having only left Radley himself a few years previously he was ready to get stuck into a whole range of classes across all years. He threw himself into the Shell projects and became the in-house MIG welding guru, who must have helped nearly all 150 shells complete their projects! But where he really came into his own was with the GCSE and A level candidates, by providing advice and 1-2-1 support on our CAD software, but also ensuring a steady stream of 3D printed prototypes were successfully created. Charles was not just to be found in the Design engineering department, he also contributed to Colts 3XI football and where his real passion lies, sailing with the club on Farmoor reservoir.

Common Room gathered to celebrate departing dons in June 2023.

Charles departs back to Loughborough University with all our good wishes to complete the final year of his degree course. RJ the old radleian 2023

121

COLLEGE UPDATE

Departures from Music

We say goodbye this year to several members of the music department who have contributed hugely to the boys’ experiences. Debbie Clay retires this year after over 12 years at Radley College. As an experienced ABRSM examiner, she has supported countless boys through their exam preparations, but it is as a piano teacher that she has had the most impact. Her care for every boy has been inspiring; she has an extraordinary talent for finding just the right way to motivate and inspire each pupil, and has been a relentlessly positive, cheerful presence. One of her pupils summed up best the amazing, hidden impact that Debbie has had: ‘Thank you for brightening up my week for the past 5 years… I will miss your patience, kindness and our conversations every week. To be honest, I didn’t think that I would play for 5 years here, let alone turn up to (nearly) every single lesson. Now, piano is my weekly 40 minutes of turning off from school, sports and all there is with life. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.’. Also retiring this year is Steve Duffy who has taught the bagpipes to generations of Radleians. The pipers are a key, visible part of College life, most prominent at key moments in the College calendar such as the Remembrance procession from Chapel through Covered Passage to Memorial Arch, and Steve has prepared them brilliantly, with gruff insistence on high standards but an ever-present twinkle in the eye. We also say farewell to Tom Allery, who has taught the organ for the last three years and goes on to be Director of Music at the Temple Church in London. He arrived at the perfect moment, during the building of the new organ in Chapel, and has been instrumental in raising the aspirations of the pupils and the profile of the instrument. He has brought great experience and wisdom to our most able organists, particularly in their preparations for organ scholarship auditions, as well as in Chamber music, continuo playing and as workshop leader for organists from across the local area. In this, he has been supported brilliantly by Rory Moules. It is hard to overstate the impact that Rory has had in his tenure as Assistant Organist. He played a vital part in the choristership programme, particularly in the tricky first few months of rebuilding confidence after the pandemic lockdowns; indeed, he memorably took charge of the Carol Services in his first year, when both Precentor and Succentor found themselves in isolation with Covid. In this, as with so many things, he stepped in with cheerful good humour and clearly relished the experience. Since then, he has continued to direct the choir and, especially, the Chamber Choir regularly, championing his loves of plainsong and polyphony. Rory has been a vital thread running through the fabric of the department: piano teacher, organ teacher, theory teacher, conductor and accompanist, as well as supporting the day to day running of large ensembles. For the last 10 years, the choristership scheme has been blessed with Alison Cooke as choristership assistant. She has transformed the role: she has built the probationer training into a model programme of sight-singing, vocal technique and musicianship that has given the boys a lifelong musical foundation. Many have gone onto musical success beyond school; all have taken with them a love of music. Hugely experienced, her care for the choristers has been second to none: whether wiping up tears, dealing with travel sickness, refitting chorister uniforms, or conducting the probationers at the chorister BBQ, her kindness and cheerful approach are infectious. It is no wonder they adore her. It has been, Alison says, the best job she has ever had. SJG 122

the old radleian 2023

Departures from Modern Foreign Languages The Modern Languages department bids farewell to a talented team of language assistants. We also say goodbye to Timothy Xu after decades of service to boys learning Mandarin and to Alejandro Cetrulo, who ventured down from Preston to provide maternity cover in Spanish from November. Alejandro was never fazed by the challenge of adapting to a new school. Boys enjoyed his energy and appreciated the flexibility he showed to those who sought help outside of lessons. Originally from Uruguay, he is a talented musician who recently turned his hand to teaching. At Radley, he was also an enthusiastic football coach who enjoyed discussing tactics and refereeing fixtures. In French, the department says a heartfelt bon voyage to Chloé Soubiran and Clémentine Ceuppens after two years. Chloé and Clémentine quickly became a true dynamic duo, helping to create resources while meeting the specific needs of each student with endless dedication and kindness. Chloé, who joined us after completing a master’s degree at Oxford, added an undeniable meridional twist to the department, even introducing a slight Toulousain twang to the accent of some Sixth Formers! They will remember her enthusiasm and infectious smile as well as her expertise on questions of postcolonial literature and politics. Clémentine, who will now resume her university studies, was equally appreciated by the students. She effortlessly created a warm and inclusive environment in which learners felt comfortable taking risks and making mistakes. Both Chloé and Clémentine accompanied the 6.1 trip to Paris with teaching staff. Their contribution to organising the programme was precious. Their pastoral work, too, was excellent – especially in K Social, where they brought great humour and conversation to Cocoa and duties. Furthermore, they planned several cultural evening events, demonstrating their desire to create the most amicable atmosphere possible for the students. Both will be remembered fondly by students and staff alike as some of the finest assistants the department has been lucky to have. Our Spanish assistant, María Medel, has been a constant source of support, encouragement and positivity. She joined us seeking a change in career and demonstrated a real passion for teaching when working with Sixth Formers and anyone else who asked for support. Moreover, she delivered academic extension sessions in which she shared firsthand knowledge of Hispanic culture and literature. Outside of term, she volunteered to join OJP in Barcelona with the Removes and helped to organise the return visit. María generously gave up her time and was a most caring colleague in the department. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the boys were palpable; we were extremely lucky to work with her. Finally, we thank Alexander Kasberger for supporting learners of German in every year group. He started at Radley a day before his contract began, sporting lederhosen to host quiz rounds at our annual Oktoberfest celebration. Boys admired his friendly, patient manner and quirky humour, to say nothing of the occasional Bavarian classroom breakfast consisting of pungent cheese and sausages. Alex also became involved in Drama, Chemistry and football, even though his Colts team was a big change from 1860 Munich. He returns to Regensburg to complete a teaching degree in English and Chemistry. Viel Glück!

OBITUARIES

DOWDING, AL (hon member) It is a great honour for me to have been asked to write this obituary for Alan Dowding (ALD), my tutor in B Social for five years, and a friend for life thereafter. A friend in the true, timeless sense that when one picked up the phone, having been provoked by some disparaging comment about the state of English cricket in a Christmas card, the conversation would flow seamlessly from the last time we had spoken or met. The passing years never mattered, it was always a bright teasing chat of lightening memory, often beginning with “Now then Sport, where were we?’ Winning a Rhodes Scholarship for brains and cricket brought ALD to Oxford from Adelaide. He was immediately put into the Blues side (dashing the hopes of one indigenous English student, topping the authentic averages at the time, a certain John Fawcett, my Father). Captaining the opposing Blues side, and losing the Varsity match to a certain Dennis Silk, was the fateful connection that, many years post Oxford, led ALD to Radley. I was originally destined for Winchester or Charterhouse, but my parents were advised to look into the excellent Tutor of B Social at a place called Radley College. Dear Dad had not read the small print about who we were going to meet and when Alan opened the door to greet us there was a sharp intake of breath from the Fawcett Senior camp – “Not that wretched Australian!” But Alan couldn’t have been more charming, and so the new era of entente cordiale began. Walking into B Social in April 1978, I was greeted by Head of Social, James McNicol who, on seeing my cricket bag, said “You will get on famously with Mr Dowding.” Much has been written and said about ALD during his life and, recently, since his death. I would like to comment on his role as a Tutor, cricket coach and teacher, to give some small praise to the man who had such a positive influence on so many young men in his charge over the years. Whether you were lucky enough to have been in B Social, or you were a prep school boy being put through the rigours of an ALD cricket coaching session at Cothill (a job he did until the age of 84), you will have been the recipient of his defining traits: kindness, modesty, patience, humour,

energy, intelligence, enthusiasm and generosity, all delivered with a calmness that commanded respect. His own high standards were such that we knew, just by observing him and without being told, exactly what was required; a withering or pained look occasionally helped. I found parenting three teenagers for four months of the year a tough enough challenge. ALD was responsible for 80 odd teenagers for eight months of the year, an incredible feat only made possible by the afore mentioned gifts. For nearly 69 years of his life, ALD had the wonderful support of Jen (née Hughes), ‘Mrs D’ or Sheila as she was affectionately known in Social. The loyalty and commitment they have shown to each other remains an example to us all. Our abiding memory must be of his kindness and modesty. Never once did he brag about his former glories. Only in recent weeks have I learned about his 105 against Nottinghamshire, 69 against India, 99 against Yorkshire (to my distress!) and his lasting friendships with cricket greats such as the former England Captain Colin Cowdrey. Only once, when I was moaning about the stress of A-levels and cricket, did he say, “When you are in the Blues side and aiming at a First, you’ll discover real stress.” Sadly, this advice was of little use, as I ended up at the University of North Carolina for four years, without cricket! In the end, it was all about the cricket. He adored the game’s subtlety, the competition, fair play and the season in which it took place. Never did he seem more alive and twinkly than on a sunny day with a game in the offing. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from on a cricket pitch; it was how you played the game that mattered. How wonderful it was to read, in Fi’s eulogy to her beloved father, the story of the ‘Uppity Englishman’ who, having met and played against a ‘young, white-haired Australian’ in Oxford University Parks, walked away with the previously unfathomable thought that ‘you didn’t have to be English to be a gentleman’. And the tenets of the cricket field were just as applicable to Wet Bobs, artists, musicians and scholars. It was a code that worked for all. In his later years, he was mortified by Australian ball tampering in South Africa – now that did lead to a fun conversation

Alan Dowding. between Yorkshire and Hailey Witney! He was very cross about that and it was about the only time I sensed him being truly cross. There were many occasions when he could have been very cross, managing a house full of trying teenagers, his temperament was so even that all you ever got was “Oh, you are a pain.” On one occasion, when a large consignment of wine had arrived at the Porters’ Lodge addressed to me, I was called to his study, but even then, he only commented that it was rather embarrassing, given my position as Head of Social. The situation was quickly smoothed over when I clarified that the delivery was for the Gourmet Society Dinner, to which he and Jen had been invited. ALD had spent many years in industry before changing tack to join Dennis Silk’s winning team at Radley. His experience of the real world gave him a sense of proportion and an appreciation of what really mattered. In essence, being in B Social under Dowding was like living in a large family, one where nobody felt left out. Facing a world without ALD is tough; we have lost something very special. He was a maker of men, and we have all lost a dear friend. Not a 100 this time but an elegant 94 – a wonderful knock and, as he bashfully raises his bat en route to the divine pavilion, the angels are applauding a man who lived an exemplary and wonderful life. Thank you, ALD, for all that you gave us. Like so many, I remain forever grateful for being under your wing. Farewell ‘Sport’ – I pray we will meet again and relive those salad days. This appreciation was written by James Fawcett (1978, B). the old radleian 2023

123

OBITUARIES

HOLDER, JCC (hon member) John Holder, who died in April 2023 at the age of 92, was a don at Radley from 1974 to 1983. He taught me A level Politics, making a huge impact on my final 18 months at school, as well as influencing the future direction of my life. A delightful person and somewhat eccentric teacher, he completely held one’s interest in class. He created a sympathetic environment where everyone felt comfortable to be themselves, and fostered a spirit in which those to whom one had never considered talking, or dismissed as 'not my sort', were now comrades in arms in learning about political thought and economic theory. All long limbs, he sat at the front of the U-shaped class in the old Singleton Library, sprawled across his chair; his blackboard writing had a unique staccato style to match. Outside the classroom, there was a visit to the Stock Exchange and the Bank of England on the new Intercity 125 (about which John was very excited). Thriving on a diet of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Mill, I was taken by John up to London, first to his Club in St James’s Square and then on to an address by Margaret Thatcher, celebrating her first year in office, at The Friends Meeting House on the Euston Road. He fired up my interest in politics, both in the classroom and through his presidency of the Politics Society, where he introduced us to a range of speakers including the ambassador of East Germany – the DDR, as it was at the time. In the summer of 1957, he had set out from Hamburg with two university friends in his Morris Minor to drive to Moscow. Theirs was one of the first civilian cars from the West to do so after the end of the war. He described the journey as a ‘peace mission’, an attempt to thaw relations between East and West. Perhaps it was also in that spirit that he had invited the ambassador, who as a boy had survived the Dresden bombings, to Radley. John was such a modest man that as a school boy I knew nothing of this: of his life outside teaching, all I had gathered was that he had been in the Royal Marines. Finding himself unsuited to its commando role, he changed direction and spent three years at Trinity College, Cambridge, followed by a stint in the City of London, and then on to teaching at Lancing and Sherborne before arriving at Radley. As well as politics, John 124

the old radleian 2023

also taught history and business studies, oversaw the fencing team and helped boys prepare for a career in the Services. He was to finish his teaching days at Ellesmere College in Shropshire, the county where he then settled in retirement. It was not only to the world of politics and economics that John opened my eyes but also to Western Art on a school trip to Florence - I was overwhelmed by its Renaissance glories. It was a visit enhanced by John’s intellectual curiosity, easy company and interesting conversation. OR Andrew Motion has written of John’s great colleague, neighbour and friend at Radley, Peter Way: ‘My teacher who reached down inside my head and turned the first lights on… who gave my life to me, by which I mean the things I chose and not inheritance’. So, John did for me, and I only now realise it is no coincidence that after a few years as a lawyer I, too, became a teacher of politics and history, and finally of history of art. What a debt I owe to John Holder. John is survived by his wife Joanna, his three children and five grandchildren. This appreciation was written by Roger Thomson (1975, A). TIM MULLINS (Senior Chaplain, 2005 – 2012) Tim was born in Oxford and enjoyed his education at the Dragon School and Sherborne, both of which endowed him with many interests and, in particular, a love of sport. This continued when he read Theology at Durham University, where he captained the university tennis team and played for the county. Following Durham, Tim worked with young offenders before deciding to train at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford to become a Vicar. He married Lucy that same year, and subsequently undertook a curacy in Reading, which was followed by church planting on a housing estate in Darlington, County Durham, for several years. Tim joined Eton College as a Chaplain in 1995. By then, the family consisted of Kate, Simon and Nick; black Labradors would soon follow. School chaplaincy combined Tim’s love of teaching, his enjoyment of working with teenagers and his passion for coaching sport. Tim and Lucy discovered

Tim Mullins, Senior Chaplain. the joy of school community, where the whole family could be involved in its daily life. They also enjoyed offering hospitality to colleagues and to many generations of teenage boys. Mrs Mullins’ banoffee pie and brownies became legendary! The family moved to Radley in 2005 so Tim could become Senior Chaplain there and, again, hospitality and community was an important part of the role for both him and Lucy, who worked in the Medical Centre. Alongside running chapel and teaching, Tim coached rugby, tennis and hockey. Hosting 6th form Bible Study on a Saturday morning with a fry-up breakfast was a great start to the weekend for those pupils. Christian Forum was held for a while in the sitting room at the Cottage where Hunter and Rafa, the Mullins’ two black Labradors, enjoyed being part of the activities; they only stole left-over brownies once from the coffee table. Tim took funerals, weddings and baptisms for colleagues and loved getting to be part of their lives. In 2012, Tim left Radley to work at St Michael’s Church, Chester Square in London, where he relished pastoral church life. However, the call back to school and teenagers was too hard to resist and Tim returned to school life in 2017. He had the pleasure and enjoyment of spending the last five years of his life as the Chaplain at Stowe School, where, at the end of his first year, he received the school Stoic award, a fitting recognition for the way he gave himself (and indeed always had done wherever he was) to the school community he was serving. Tim’s Christian faith and belief in Jesus as Lord and Saviour was at the centre of his whole life and he worked hard to ensure that he made Jesus relevant and real to his pupils and congregations. The certainty of heaven for those who trust in Jesus sustained Tim during his life and, when he was diagnosed in September 2021 with a terminal brain

OBITUARIES

tumour, this truth became even more of a joy to him. He endured his slow physical decline with uncomplaining good humour and a deep resolve that the steadfast love of Jesus, his Lord, never ceases. More than 700 people attended Tim’s Thanksgiving service in August last year. Many were former pupils – from all three schools at which he worked – who remain grateful for his example of integrity, faith and kindness to all. Revd Timothy Dougal Mullins died on 16th July 2022. CAMPBELL, JMRG (1938, B) It is with heavy hearts and immense gratitude for God’s gift of our extraordinary father — J. Melfort Campbell — that we respectfully share news of his peaceful passing. Throughout his life, Melfort exemplified his personal commitment to faith, family, kindness, humility, selflessness, loyalty, stoicism, character, and integrity. Our adored father was born on 18th April 1925 in Stirling, Scotland. The only son of Captain James Haldane Adair Campbell of Scotland and Princess Catherine Galitzine of Russia. Throughout his formative years, starting at the age of 8 years old, he attended boarding school, and joined Radley College in 1938. Following this, he attended Trinity College, University of Oxford, where he received a Masters-equivalent degree in PPE. His love of language, history, and geography led

him to a thirty-five-year career at Allstate Insurance Company of Northbrook, Illinois. As President of Allstate International, he travelled the world, opening several global offices including in Mexico, Switzerland, and Japan. After an early retirement, Melfort worked for the Commercial Club of Chicago. Before leaving the country he loved for the United States, he served in the British Royal Navy during WWII, entering at the tender age of 17. As a young and brave naval officer, his boat was torpedoed and partially sunk off the coast of Wales. He landed back in England on survivor’s leave, and attended a ‘Survivors’ Ball’ where he met King George VI and danced with his daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II. Upon arrival in the US, he worked for a year at the famed Scribner’s Bookstore on 5th Avenue in New York City. As fate would have it, Melfort would visit his aunt, Aleka Romanoff Armour, and his uncle, Nicholas Galitzine, in a small midwestern suburb of Chicago – Lake Forest, Illinois. While visiting, he met his beloved wife of 56 years, Barbara Hubbard Campbell, who lived next door to his Uncle Nick Galitzine. He would marry, raise three children, and live the rest of his life there. To honour and share his love for both of his countries, he wrote his life story Red, White & Blue: The Colors of My Countries. Melfort’s civic mindedness led to a life of giving back to organisations he loved most, including serving on the Boards of: Chicago Botanic Garden, First National Bank of Lake Forest (Northern Trust); and Lake Forest Hospital. His passion was golf and the clubs that he loved, including: Onwentsia Club of Lake Forest, where he was the longest serving member in club history, over 70 years; Old Elm Club of Lake Forest; Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (Scotland); and Riomar Country Club of Vero Beach. At the age of 90, he was still shooting his age. His love of playing golf, especially with family, will be forever etched in our hearts and memories.

MCQUADE, BN (1940, B) Born 19th November 1925 in Chertsey, Surrey, Brian grew up with his Irish parents. Their house had previously been that of a doctor, and Brian’s father Cecil took over as the local GP, which role (in Shepperton and Chertsey) Brian was to fulfil for many years, still working as a locum at age 92. After his schooling at Wallop and Radley, he went up to Trinity College, Oxford, and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, for his medical training. This was interrupted by his wartime service in the RAF where, despite being a trained pilot, he never flew in combat (medical personnel being considered too valuable). Married in 1951 to Joy (née Manning) he settled back in Shepperton in practice, close to his father who was still practising in Chertsey. After his parents’ deaths, the family moved back into the doctor’s house in Chertsey, where he had been born and where he would die. While Joy McQuade was well known in the area as a teacher and in the local amateur dramatics world, Brian achieved an enviable reputation as a fine family doctor (including trips to Shepperton Studios to minister to a variety of celebrities) as well as stalwart of the local music society, finalist in the Times Crossword Competition over many years, and active member for over 60 years (and twice president) of the local Rotary Club. His wife died earlier this year, leaving behind their three children, Mark, Guy, and Kerry, and three grandchildren, May, Johnny, and Milli. Brian Nicholl McQuade died on 10th October 2022, a month short of his 97th birthday, having just seen out his near contemporary Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Melfort is survived by his three children, nine grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren — his pride and joy. J. Melfort Campbell.

James Melfort Paul Gordon Campbell died on 22nd May 2023.

Brian McQuade. the old radleian 2023

125

OBITUARIES

KAYE, CW (1942, C) Christopher Kaye was born on 9th January 1929, in Southwest London. He attended Eaton House prep school. In late August 1939, Chris’s mother took him and his sister on a summer holiday to a resort on Stockholm’s archipelago. As WW2 started, they were trapped there which gave Chris the opportunity to become a Swedish boy scout and to learn Swedish. They managed to return from Stockholm in June 1942 on a secret flight to Aberdeen, and he was accepted by Radley College part-way through the summer term, joining C Social. He played in the 1st XV in 1946 and rowed in the 3rd VIII, as well as being Head of Social and a School Prefect during Radley’s centenary, the highlight being a visit from the then Princess Elizabeth who was entertained for tea in the Prefect’s Study. Rumours were rife at the time of an impending engagement and every other prefect was introduced as ‘Philip’ to which a slightly embarrassed Princess responded, “you do have a lot of boys called Philip here.” Upon leaving Radley, Chris joined the Public Schools Exploring Society for their first post-war visit, to Newfoundland, which led to him becoming a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. In January 1948 he was conscripted into the Army where he became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served in Eritrea. He was demobilised on his return to the UK in 1950. He joined Foy Morgan, timber agents and brokers, in the City in January 1951 as a trainee in the Finnish department where Swedish, as one of Finland’s two official languages, was useful. In 1952 he was despatched to Finland to live and to learn Finnish. He became fluent after 5 months, understanding the Finnish

Christopher Kaye. 126

the old radleian 2023

culture, and got on well with the sawmill owners, a group of whom gave him two tickets for every day of the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Later in life he joined a line of correspondence in The Times about the Northern Lights and remarked about how the combination of vodka, saunas and cold dips intensified the brilliance of the lights. In 1956 Chris married Jennifer Tatchell, daughter of Major Gerald Tatchell of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment who had been fatally wounded in the retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940. They had two sons, Gerald and Nicholas. In 1970, after his first marriage was dissolved, Chris married Gillian Parry Crooke, née Tuker. In the 1970s, Chris led the merger of Foy Morgan with Price and Pierce, a trading conglomerate, where he became MD of the timber division. He travelled widely, sourcing timber and developing the firm’s trading opportunities, both in Scandinavia and the USA, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. After he died one of Chris’s few remaining contemporaries in the timber trade wrote describing him as “far and away the most able broker in the northern European trade and such was his drive and energy that he had an excellent knowledge of eastern Canada as well.” He went on to say that Chris did not suffer fools gladly because he set very high standards of performance all round. Having lived in West Kington, Wiltshire, for 20 years Chris and Gill moved to Wargrave in 1995 where they had a very happy retirement. Gill passed away in 2018. Upon retiring in the 1990s Chris became a consultant to British Executive Services Overseas, a government initiative to give commercial help to emerging economies, and he assisted timber trade projects in Russia, Estonia and Latvia spending about a month in each country training the businesses on commercial awareness and marketing. Chris was a Freeman of the City of London and a liveryman of the Grocers Company for nearly 60 years. He much enjoyed his visits to Grocers Hall and, as a leading light in the Anglo Finnish Society, he was delighted and honoured to organise their Centenary Dinner at the Grocers

Hall in May 2012 with Prince Philip and the President of Finland as the guests of honour. In 2013, in recognition of Chris’s long relationship with Finland and his hard work on behalf of the Anglo Finnish Society, he was appointed a Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland. In the following February he was invested with the honour by the Finnish Ambassador at the Embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens. This was followed by a splendid lunch for his family and Anglo Finnish colleagues hosted by the Ambassador and his wife. Chris was involved in fundraising for the RNLI, having owned sailing boats which he kept on the east coast at Walton-on-theNaze. His nautical interest continued with the purchase of Chug, a motor tender which he restored. He loved motoring up and down the Thames and was a regular attendee at the annual historic boats procession at Henley. He was also a member of the Royal British Legion being on the local council, and he enjoyed attending the Royal Berkshire Regiment reunions. He was a keen trout fisherman with regular visits to the Loddon at Stratfield Saye. I asked him salmon fishing, which he had never done before, on the Tweed in 2007 and he hit the river on one of those occasions when the salmon will go mad for the fly. He landed 7 fish in 2.5 days which was unrepeatable. Chris was a kind man and a lovely father who always gave my brother and myself much support and encouragement in what we did. He took a real interest in his grandchildren and step grandchildren; one of the highlights of his last two years was attending the wedding of his grandson Harry to Alice, and he was delighted to meet his great granddaughter Clemmie in June. He had a great sense of humour and many interests so was always busy until his considerable age caused him to slow down. He became ill in May and suffered a few stays in hospital, but it was much comfort to him to remain in his own home where he died peacefully. A few days before he died, sitting in his chair, he asked his wonderful carer Annah to come in and sit by him. He said he was worried about what she would do when he went home. She replied, “Chris you are in

OBITUARIES

your home,” to which he said “No, this is Christopher Kaye’s house, my home is with God.” Christopher Kaye died on 2nd October 2022. His sons Gerald and Nicholas and his grandsons Harry and William are all Old Radleians. The above is the eulogy given by his son Gerald. THOMAS, DMD (1943, E) Sir Derek Thomas was born on 31st October 1929 and died on 25th October 2022: a long, happy, and remarkable life, much of it devoted to service of his country as a diplomat, and all of it devoted to family, friendship, and support for those who needed it most. His diplomatic postings include a roll call of the hot spots of the cold war: Moscow, Sofia, Manila, Ottawa, Paris, Washington, Rome. He was in each place at, as the saying goes, ‘interesting times’: for Derek, a pleasure and a privilege, never a curse. His language skills, his financial acumen, and most of all his immense and extraordinary charm, gave him a stellar career in the Foreign Office and subsequently as an advisor to Rothschilds on Central and Eastern European affairs. His Who’s Who entry lists his hobbies as being in, on, or around water, and grandfathering, which he excelled at as grandfather to ten grandchildren, two step grandchildren and 4 great granddaughters. He will be sorely missed by them all, and by his children Lady Caroline Gladstone and Matthew Thomas. There is a wonderful interview with Sir Derek at https://bit.ly/3oKMLIS which is well worth reading for a fascinating account of a life well-lived. There are reminiscences

Derek Thomas.

of KGB bugs in his flat in Moscow (“absolutely bristling with microphones of every kind”), Henry Kissinger (“very artful”), Margaret Thatcher (“hated consensus … no compromises, no conciliation”), and many other extraordinary stories from a lifetime amidst some of the key events of the twentieth century. Sir Derek Morison David Thomas, KCMG, died on 25th October 2022. ELY, RLO (1944, F) Bob, as he was universally known, was a modern Elizabethan. Truly a man of his era, whose lifetime almost exactly matched that of our late Queen and who lived through the momentous, defining episodes of the 20th century. He actually met the then Princess Elizabeth once, as Cadet Colour Sergeant at Radley, for the 100th anniversary celebrations of the school in 1947. And, unbeknownst to him, was in the same crowd of mass celebration as her in London, when peace was announced in 1945. Bob was multi-national from birth; his father was a Bavarian and his mother was English/Irish. He was raised bi-lingual, which gave him a lifelong gift for languages. Born in England, at the insistence of his foresightful father, he spent the first 9 years of his life in Bavaria, in what seemed to be an idyllic childhood. However, the rise of the Nazis and impending war meant relocation back to England. In fact, he was still in Germany in late August 1939, when the British Consul insisted he and his mother return to England immediately. He had an hour to pack one small suitcase and say goodbye to his father, a separation

Bob and the Second Prefect at Old Radleian Day, September 2022. that was to last from 1939 to 1949, until he was 19. His was the last train to cross the Belgian border before it was closed for war, but not before he had witnessed Nazi soldiers removing Jewish passengers from the train in Cologne. Back in England, he was sent to boarding school, where it must have been desperately hard to be the son of a German father. For someone so open, Bob’s only comment on this was, “Being half-German, I got teased and bullied a bit at first, but that quickly faded.” A masterful understatement from a man famous for his story telling. Bob treasured the kindness he received from the institutions that helped him whilst growing up. He received financial support throughout his education at St Neots, Radley, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. This gave him a lifelong regard for these most British of institutions. He was an active contributor to their alumni activities, and attended Radley events whenever he was able. He was also a proud member of the MCC, the Travellers Club, the Victory Services Club, the Thunderers Dining Society and many more. Bob was a citizen of the World: he lived in six different countries, travelled to over 100 others, and had a legion of friends from every continent. His career at British American Tobacco was defined by his overseas service in Kenya, Trinidad, Nigeria and Chile. Glamourous as it sounds, this wasn’t all beer and skittles, as he navigated the end of Empire, civil war, socialism and military coups. In fact, this happened with such regularity that Bob’s friends became increasingly convinced the old radleian 2023

127

OBITUARIES

that it was far from a coincidence, this constant arrival into places which rapidly deteriorated into socialist uprisings. Bob had an inexhaustible interest in people and an ability to bring them together, to connect. His ability to engage was legendary; no one could work a room of strangers like Bob, making people feel at ease and welcome. Bob was actively engaged in a wide variety of charitable work and took great joy from helping others, not for his benefit but for theirs. After 40 years with BAT, he formally retired but only to develop a wide range of other roles. He variously worked for the Centre for World Development Education, the Industry Council for Development, the British Executive Service Overseas in Lesotho, the Be Free Young Carers, and a range of alumni networks, as well as the Parish Council in East Hagbourne. Bob was introduced to his wife through a mutual friend, who clearly saw the obvious match. They were married for nearly 60 years and formed a fantastic partnership through life with a reputation for great fun, great company, great adventure and great stories. I love reading the military obituaries in the newspapers; heroic stories of adventurous sorts that are, for obvious reasons, becoming fewer and further between. And, in the same way it feels like my father’s life represents the end of an era, the modern Elizabethan one. Without him, life will feel a great deal less interesting. What a life, well lived. Robert Lister Otto Ely died on 6th January 2023.

travelled widely including a final posting to Gibraltar, before retiring to Gloucestershire. They had 3 children: Edward, Louisa and Matthew. After retiring from the Navy, his final employment was as Secretary to the Bishop of Lichfield. He was a member of the Radley War Memorial Committee and was very proud of the work that it was able to do, to support the families of Servicemen. Captain Harry Garth de Courcy-Ireland died peacefully at Fairford on 12th November 2022. GREEN, JD (1946, D) David was born on 17th February 1933 in Hamble, near Southampton, and was the son of Major William John Green. He started his education at Radley in 1946, joining Gardiner’s Social, and seemed to enjoy the rural location of the College. After leaving Radley, David wrote that his intention was to gain some practical experience of farm work, before studying at agricultural college. David had a career in property management and tourism. In 1979, David was the Mayor of Winchester during the 900th anniversary year of Winchester Cathedral. He had a lifelong passion for the natural world, and was deeply involved in his local community, serving on a number of boards and councils in South England. The range of his appointments is testament to his varied interests and commitment to serving his community. They included being a Member of the English Advisory Committee on Telecommunications, a Council Member of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE),

a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, Chairman for Hampshire, IOW & West Sussex Postwatch Committee, a Trustee of Marwell Zoological Society, and an Executive of the Southern Tourist Board. In 2001 he was the sole English speaking representative at the European Rural University TIM SOARA in Romania. On 19th June 1998, David married Patricia Kennedy. He was a passionate and lifelong gardener, and enjoyed growing exotic fruit and vegetables in the garden of his family home overlooking, on a clear day, the Isle of Wight. David enjoyed sharing his love of plants and flowers with others, and regularly opened his stunning private garden to visitors, raising money for charity as part of the National Garden Scheme. In 2014 he said “Sharing your garden with visitors is thoroughly enjoyable; it’s great to share a passion with fellow travellers and others. I hope to give pleasure and to always learn – gardens are so wonderfully various, we don’t all have the same tastes.” David, a proud Radleian, remained in touch with Radley College throughout his life, regularly attending Radleian Society events, such as OR Dinners, into his 80s. John David Green died on 8th April 2022. CLAISSE, JN (1948, D) Born on Christmas Day 1934, John was the son of Arnold and Simone Claisse. John attended Eastbourne College prep school, before coming to Radley in 1948 and joining Gardiner’s (D Social). He was the cox of the 1st VIII in 1950-51, and a prefect in his final year at Radley. Continuing his passion for rowing and sailing in school, John joined the Royal

DE COURCY-IRELAND, HG (1946, H) Garth de Courcy-Ireland was at Radley in the years just after the Second World War, and went on to Dartmouth Naval College and a 38-year career in the Royal Navy. Initially, he commanded minesweepers – often said to have been his most rewarding time – and his career culminated in command of the relief flotilla to the Falkland Islands in 1982. He married Margaret de Courcy-Ireland (née Luckock) in 1967. She was the love of his life. They started married life in Chatham, then 128

the old radleian 2023

Garth de Courcy-Ireland.

John Claisse (front) with the 1951 1st VIII.

OBITUARIES

Navy, and served for 23 years in the field of digital technology, gaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander before retiring in 1979. He remained a keen yachtsman, and was a supporter of many charities. John married Janet Morcombe in 1958, and they had three children: Annabelle, Simon, and Sophie. He was a loving grandfather to Tom, Will, Livi, Emma, and Sam, and a great grandfather to James and Benjamin. John Norman Claisse died on 12th October 2022. SHELFORD, BGO (1948, A) Garry’s early years prepared him well for being self-reliant (he was an only child, his father was Superintendent of Naval Diving and they moved between naval quarters frequently, his mother had chronic poor health, and he was evacuated). He settled easily into boarding school life. He enjoyed his time at Radley and made truly lifelong friends. He was a combative scrum half, and a committed oarsman, rowing in the 2nd VIII. It was also possibly the only time in his life when he was a cricket supporter - he remembered well all the rowers rushing back to college from the river to watch Ted Dexter bat. Like his father, Garry was happiest surrounded by water – rowing, sailing, or as a submariner during national service. It was during the latter that he met Ann, a wren, while they were both in Malta. They subsequently married, and she was his lodestone for the rest of his life. Unlike many Radleians, Garry will not be remembered for his business acumen, or his writing, or major public office, for in those things he did not find great success,

Garry Shelford.

though in his later working life he found his metier in charitable work. Instead, we remember him for his humility, his compassion, his unswerving support for his children and his grandchildren, his wide circle of friends, his amazing resilience and, of course, his irrepressible sense of humour. He had a quiet, deep faith which most surely had its roots in Radley’s chapel. When news of his death spread, after a long period of deteriorating health, one friend wrote: “To the end Garry was at heart a very kind man, and in these times that is a difficult thing to achieve”. His was a life well lived, and he is greatly missed. Brian Gawain Ommanney Shelford died on 23rd September 2022, aged 88. BLEST, GA (1949, E) Guy Blest was born in 1935, son of Brigadier Alexander and Joan Blest. Guy came to Radley in 1949, joining Llewellyn Jones’s Social (E Social). He had an older cousin at Radley, JFM Blest. Guy stayed for four years, leaving in 1953 to study the Overseas Service Course with Magdalene College, Cambridge. He was soon based in Kenya with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry for his National Service. Guy continued to live in Africa throughout his working life. He was employed as a District Officer by the Kenya Administration, by Longman Group, publishers, in Nigeria and West Africa, as a Fund Field Director for Save the Children in Morocco, Lesotho, Uganda and, for a brief interlude, in Lebanon, and finally, as a Freight Forwarder & Combined Transport Operator in Central Africa and Tanzania. Guy retired to France in 1988, and met Maria Rebecca Villabona in 1989. They were married in 1990. Guy spent his retirement between Suffolk and Ariege, and later, Normandy. In France, he had a small holding and grew many vegetables, and kept sheep. Guy was a keen reader, and particularly enjoyed non-fiction. His love of Africa stayed with him throughout his retirement, and he maintained his extensive knowledge about the continent by reading volumes on the modern history and geopolitics of African counties.

John Goodale. GOODALE, JA (1949, G) John Goodale, who studied at Radley from 1949-1953, has died peacefully at the age of 84. At Radley, John was in G Social, known at the time as ‘Morgan’s Social’. After leaving Radley, John initially worked at Lloyds of London before undertaking national service, where he enlisted in Winston Churchill’s old regiment, the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars, and served in Germany where he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. At that time, John mixed horseriding in his spare time with tank commanding around post-war Berlin. After national service, John pursued a career in media and publishing, becoming a national sales manager for publishers IPC and particularly for Home & Living magazine, before his love of hill walking and the open air led him to move to Scotland in the mid-1970s to begin a second career as a hotelier. Over the next 30 or so years, John mixed his passion for hill walking in Scotland and North Wales with operating successively three popular country hotels, the Seaforth Hotel in Plockton, Cobdens Hotel in Capel Curig, and his last and longest, The Benmore Lodge in Crianlarich, Perthshire, before selling and retiring there in 2004. Cobdens in particular was a real climbers’ hotel in Snowdonia, which John promoted by launching the Snowdonia Mountaineers Club. While John was not one to ‘bag Monroes’, he walked extensively across Scotland and North Wales and loved to visit remote mountain bothies. John married Sylvia Gamble in 1967 and is survived by Sylvia and their two sons, Ben and Tom, and grandchildren Camden and Chelsea. John Alan Goodale died on 7th October 2022. the old radleian 2023

129

OBITUARIES

RATHBONE, W (1949, F) Bill was born to William (Nono) and Peggie Rathbone on the 5th June 1936, in Chelsea. Bill’s father was called up early in the war, resulting in a nomadic family life occupying various RAF quarters. After the war, and the arrival of his sister Penelope, Bill’s parents purchased a farm in Hampshire. Bill started his education at Eagle House Prep School and then to Radley, and enjoyed both academic and sporting success as well as making several lifelong friends including Jeremy Merrick and John Cleve. He passed the entrance exam to Oxford, winning a place at Christ Church. On leaving school Bill was required to undertake national service. He undertook his officer training at Mons, at the end of which he was posted to 25th Field Regiment Royal Artillery on active service in Malaya fighting the communist Chinese. He developed a love of rowing whilst at Radley. The highlight of his rowing career was going Head of the River with Christ Church, a feat last achieved by the College in 1927 in a boat crewed by his father. Rowing gave him two lifelong friendships: with Martin Bartlett at Radley and David Lloyd-Jacob at Oxford. Bill met Sarah in Liverpool. Following marriage and their posting to Nigeria, they settled in Liverpool where Lucy arrived, and then William four years later, after a move to London. Lucy and William recall an incredibly happy childhood. Bill’s career in shipping encompassed a five-year posting to Ghana and Nigeria, an MBA in Switzerland, coming top of his class, and over a million miles travelled whilst leading one of the businesses within Ocean. The second half of his career was spent as Chief Executive of RUKBA, where

William Rathbone. 130

the old radleian 2023

he won praise for commercialising its operation and expanding its core purpose. Latterly, he was asked to join the Board of Rathbones, retiring after nine years as the Chair of the Audit and Remuneration committees, and as their Senior NonExecutive Director. Sarah contracted cancer in 2003, resulting in her untimely death in August 2006. Throughout her illness, Bill devoted his time to caring for her. In April 2010, Bill and Caro Lloyd-Jacob (David’s widow) announced their engagement. They loved the arts; opera, theatre, art galleries, churches and museums were all enjoyed. Family history was a powerful motivating factor for Bill. The Rathbones had been a prominent family in Liverpool for 150 years and their Quaker roots drove them to philanthropy and public service. Over the years he served as a trustee of the Victoria settlement, the Friends and Builders of Liverpool Cathedral, the Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust, the National Elfrida Rathbone Society, the Queens Nursing Institute, the Community and District Nursing Association, the New England Company, Oval House, Saint Peter’s Convent, the Skinner’s Alms Houses, the Southwalk Cathedral Millennium Trust, Friends of the British Museum, and the Development Board of Christ Church College. Each of the charities he served had a common purpose: serving those less fortunate and with a foundation in either his faith or family.

Derek Ryder Maltwood was born on 2nd May 1938, the younger child of Ryder and Nancy Kathleen Maltwood. He worked as a stockbroker for most of his life, being senior partner of Trevor Matthews and Carey from 1950 to 1972 and a director of several investment trusts. Mr Maltwood attended Mostyn House preparatory school in Parkgate, Cheshire, before moving in 1951 to Radley College, where he became a corporal in the Combined Cadet Force. At the end of his last year at the school he took part in a Radleian sailing trip from Portugal to Falmouth on Theodora, a gaff-rigged Bristol Channel pilot cutter built in 1911. Having completed his National Service, Mr Maltwood went to Cambridge University in November 1958, having been admitted to Pembroke College to study for a degree in Economics. By his own admission he perhaps enjoyed the rowing too much and he failed his Part 1 examinations, leaving the university after only three terms. He decided to train as an accountant and spent five years as an articled clerk in Bristol before going to London to work as a stockbroker. Mr Maltwood was an active member of the Jersey Branch of the Institute of Directors, which had first been established by his father. He was appointed as chairman in 1984, a position he held for three years, and it was during his tenure that the IoD work shadow scheme was first introduced.

MALTWOOD, DR (1951, F)

In 1988 Mr Maltwood was appointed by the States as a director of the Jersey Electricity Company and later went on to become chairman of the company, a position he held for ten years before finally retiring from the board in March 2008 after 20 years’ service.

Extracts from the Jersey Evening Post Derek Maltwood, who died on 6th April at the age of 84, was Deputy of St Mary from 1987 to 2002 and, despite his busy professional life, he gave freely of his time to serve the parish and Jersey over many years. Those who worked with him in government always found him to be well prepared and meticulous and he brought a no-nonsense approach to politics. ‘I say what I feel, I am nobody’s puppet and when I speak in the States I make it short and to the point,’ he said in 1990.

As well as his work in the States, Mr Maltwood was always extremely active in parish life in St Mary. For many years he helped to audit the parish accounts and was Procureur du Bien Public for St Mary and he held this position for some 13 years from 2007. He took part in many community activities, occasionally acting as compère for events such as the Liberation celebrations. He supported the Constable in getting the parish’s millennium project off the ground, and was keen to ensure the community centre

William Rathbone, OBE, died on 31st December, 2022.

OBITUARIES

times to visit. Richard loved the wonderful things that have been done at Radley and was very interested in the rebuilding of the organ in Chapel. Although not a religious man, Chapel was a favourite part of the College. He was a very modest man, a gentleman, a credit to Radley, and to family and friends. Richard Thurston Venables Kyrke died on 23rd July 2023. WARRINGTON, A (1955, H)

Derek Maltwood with Queen Elizabeth II during the 2005 Liberation Day Royal visit. that was built would be more than just a sports centre. In addition to his work in the States and the parish, Mr Maltwood gave freely of his time to many local organisations. After the States bought the Opera House in 1995 he chaired the board set up to manage the theatre under the oversight of the Jersey Arts Trust. Following a public fundraising campaign the theatre was reopened in July 2000 and Mr Maltwood was proud that the restoration work had been completed ‘on time and on budget’. He was president of the Jersey Symphony Orchestra from 1992 to 1997 even though, he commented, the only instrument he could play was a gramophone. In 1988 he became one of the first Gardiens of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and he served as a trustee between 1998 and 2009. From 1999 to 2002 Mr Maltwood was a trustee of the Jersey Heritage Trust and a member of the Records Advisory Panel from 2003 until 2015. In 2010 he chaired an advisory panel established by the Minister for Treasury and Resources to consider the design of the new Jersey banknotes. Outside of his work Mr Maltwood was a keen golfer and he also enjoyed playing snooker. He and his wife were great supporters of the arts and in 1994 commissioned the sculpture Le Traveilleux d’Cauchie (the Docker), which stands on the pavement outside the Jersey Museum. They were avid ballet and opera fans

and stalwarts of the annual Domaine des Vaux opera festival, attending every performance and accommodating some of the company at their home. The love of opera they discovered at the festival set them on a path to travel widely to attend productions. Mr Maltwood’s wife Maggie died in February 2020 and he is survived by his sons Bruce and Damien (OR), his stepchildren Adriana and Caspar, and his sister Shirley. KYRKE, RTV (1952, B) Richard left Radley and went on to Glasgow University, where he studied Veterinary Medicine, to begin with. That did not float his boat, so he won a scholarship and joined the RAF. He had his flying licence before he had his driving licence. After his career in the RAF, he joined British European Airways and British Airways, and then Maersk Air before he retired. He loved his flying and ‘Captain Kyrke’ used to say that he loved every day so much that it was not work at all. Richard was married and had two daughters: Jo & Caroline. He was divorced and then married Sue, and had a son, James. He lived in Wellesbourne, very happily, for over 40 years. Richard and Sue came to Radley a few

Alastair was born in Norfolk on 11th January 1942 but, after being orphaned at the age of two, he was lucky enough to be adopted by the Holcroft family in Shropshire. He came to Radley in 1955 following in the footsteps of his adoptive older brother, Michael Holcroft (1948, H), his adoptive father, Sir Reginald Holcroft (1913, H), and his adoptive grandfather, Sir George Holcroft (1873), as well as other members of the Holcroft family. He participated enthusiastically in the many activities on offer at Radley. He was actively involved in the sailing team, and he was particularly proud of the home victory over Eton where local knowledge was put to good use in a resounding victory. He also greatly enjoyed his time in the CCF, and developed a keen interest in rowing at the school. His extra-curricular activities also expanded beyond the school’s formal menu of pastimes: he kept a motorbike in the local woods for additional field trips. After Radley, he studied at Harper Adams agricultural college. After a stint on a pig farm in Denmark during the Cuban missile crisis, he then went to Australia for two years to work as a jackeroo on an outback sheep station near Quilpie in Queensland, work on fruit farms and visit relatives. One of the highlights of his time in Australia was a trip across the Nullarbor Plain from Adelaide to Perth and back to Melbourne in a Mini Cooper, together with another OR, John Warren-Swettenham (1954, B), and two others. This involved around 1,500 miles each way mostly on unsurfaced roads through the desert, to be greeted by a military parade of honour in Perth. After his travels, he bought a combined pig and arable farm in Worcestershire, which he successfully farmed for over 40 the old radleian 2023

131

OBITUARIES

years, along with his wife Sarah, who ran a livery stable. He became involved in a number of innovative farming techniques, including growing high health pigs on the farm. He acted as a director on the boards of a number of local businesses linked to farming, and was an active member of the local Worcestershire community. The farm became a temporary and happy home for a large number of people from the UK and overseas, as well as their children, Giles and Kate. On retirement, he returned to his love of sailing with the acquisition of a 36-foot Hallberg-Rassy yacht. He sailed her extensively around the South Coast, Northern France, the Channel Islands and Ireland, mostly without any calamities (although he came close on occasions). Sailing was also a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends, old and new. Alastair lived a very full and interesting life which he made the most of. He touched the lives of many people and will be sorely missed. He enjoyed his time at Radley, and was very proud of his connection to the school. Indeed, the OR tie was regularly to be seen at social events and became welltravelled over his lifetime, travelling to places as far away as the Australian Outback, the Canadian Yukon and a small island off the Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Alastair Warrington died on 17th January 2023. SELLAR, PGE (1956, D) Patrick excelled at short-distance running. His personal best for 100 yards was 10 seconds. He represented the College on several occasions at White City. One of the dons who provided transport for the senior athletics team included extra chicken and smoked salmon sandwiches. This was greatly appreciated, and clearly enhanced the athletes’ performances. Patrick was very interested in cars and motoring. He passed his Advanced Motorist exam in his early 20s. Patrick was the best driver I knew, even when travelling at supersonic speed in his Austen Healey: you always sat safe. His first job was at Rootes Group in Coventry. He decided to move to London where he joined several insurance firms, 132

the old radleian 2023

including Sedgwick Group. At the time of his marriage to Sarah Secker in 1973, they moved out of London. Patrick pursued a career in estate agency, first in Salisbury alongside Tim Woolley (1949, A), at Woolley & Wallis. As his interest and high reputation in country houses increased, he moved to senior positions; opening first the John D Wood Taunton office, then for Strutt & Parker, also in the town. In 1990, Patrick opened his own property advisory service, Charterhouse, with Philip Selway, formerly of Cluttons. In late 1991, Patrick suffered a severe disabling stroke and life changed completely. Shortly after, the family moved back to southwest Surrey, where the whole family had lived in the early 1960s. The initial health prognosis was poor. However, through sheer determination and the great love and encouragement of family, he was able to regain some mobility and quality of life. Throughout, he maintained a great sense of humour and deep interest in others’ lives. The arrival of his two grandsons gave him enormous joy and pride. He lived to see his eldest grandson pass his driving test and drive his first car onto the dry lawn so that Patrick could be fully involved in their lives. Patrick’s father came to Radley in 1925, and both of his brothers, Ian and David, in the 1960s. Patrick Gordon Edward Sellar died on 9th July 2023. SCOTT PLUMMER, PJ (1957, B) Obituary from The Daily Telegraph, 26th December 2022 Joe Scott Plummer, who has died aged 79, was a popular master of foxhounds in the Scottish Borders and chairman of the Edinburgh-based investment firm Martin Currie. Scott Plummer joined Martin Currie – where he was managing director from 1996 and chairman from 2001 to 2005 – after a first career with the stockbrokers Cazenove & Co in London. It was a move which enabled him to return to the Borders, where he had been brought up, and to indulge his passion for the chase as a joint master of the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt from 1981 to 2007.

A superb horseman, he brought natural authority as well as infectious enthusiasm to the hunting field. The sport, he told an interviewer, was “a very important glue”, bringing together “everyone from dukes… to retired shepherds”. Scott Plummer himself was regarded both in his professional life and his country pursuits as a true gentleman – wise, kind, goodhumoured and gregarious. Patrick Joseph Scott Plummer was born at Kelso on 24th August 1943, to Humphrey Scott Plummer – a farmer and factor to the Duke of Sutherland – and his wife Pamela, née Balfour, daughter of the 2nd Lord Kinross. Joe was educated at Belhaven prep school and Radley before studying History at Magdalene College, Cambridge. A talented all-round sportsman, he captained the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt team that won the Pony Club national eventing championships in 1962 and was master and huntsman of the Cambridge University Drag Hounds in 1964-5. After graduating he trained as an accountant with the firm of McClelland Moores in London before joining the research department of Cazenove in 1968 – and becoming the youngest partner in May 1974, at a time of dire market conditions. Business revived in the second half of the decade and contemporaries were surprised when Scott Plummer – described by the firm’s historian as by then “operating very effectively… on the institutional sales desk” – resigned in 1980. He returned to the family home near Kelso (later buying back the adjacent farm which his parents had sold in the 1960s) and looked for a job in Edinburgh to suit his skills. The following year he joined Martin Currie, then principally a privateclient portfolio manager. Its assets under management rose from £300 million when he joined to £10 billion when he retired

Joe Scott Plummer.

OBITUARIES

in 2005. He pioneered new investment ventures in China, India and other emerging markets, led the firm into the field of private equity – and as chairman oversaw a strategic shift towards specialist equity investment for institutional clients. A generous mentor of younger executives, he encouraged the whole company of some 200 staff to think of itself as one team. He was a director of a number of other investment businesses and in later years the first non-family director of Buccleuch Estates. He was also a trustee of Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott for which he helped raise £11 million for renovation, and a deputy lieutenant of Roxburghshire. A keen amateur actor and choral singer since his youth, he was also a stalwart of the Kelso Amateur Operatic Society, appearing in productions of Oklahoma! and South Pacific. Meanwhile, in 1970 he had inherited from a cousin the Netherhall estate at Maryport, Cumbria, with the remains of a Roman fort and an abandoned mansion which had been the seat of the Senhouse family – one of whom, in 1570, had founded an important collection of Roman military altar stones and inscriptions. Some 125 of these items had been rescued from the derelict house and Scott Plummer worked determinedly with the curator, Brian Ashmore, to rehouse them in a former naval artillery drill hall overlooking the Solway Firth – now, as Senhouse Roman Museum, welcoming 50,000 visitors per year. His busy equestrian life encompassed chairing the Friarshaugh point-to-point, helping to draft the fox control protocol under which mounted hunts continued to operate in Scotland – and running Pony Club camps, in which one of his early charges was the future rugby star Doddie Weir. Scott Plummer hunted three days a week last season but in April this year he was stricken (as Doddie Weir had been) with motor neurone disease.

SELLERS, JEL (1957, D)

STANGER, CR (1960, H)

John Sellers was known as ‘Johnny’, ‘JJ’ and ‘The Bear’. He was born in Nottingham in 1943 and came to Radley in 1957, joining D Social under Mr Gardiner, and later Mr Stuart. He enjoyed his time at Radley, rowing and making friends. Like his father before him, and two of his daughters who followed him, he became a lawyer. He was adored by his clients for his attention to detail and his kindness.

A personal appreciation by Mike Stanger (1956, H) his older brother. No sooner had the latest annual edition of the Old Radleian been published, Christopher (Chris) passed away, on 6th December 2022, 14 weeks after being diagnosed and hospitalised suffering from an aggressive and untreatable bowel cancer.

In 1976, John moved to New Zealand. He loved the warm, gentle life of the South Pacific. He was an accomplished marathon runner, cyclist and croquet player, although occasionally, on the croquet lawn in front of his house, his gentlemanly manners would desert him, and the true sportsman’s ambition would shine through. On his retirement in 2016, he left Auckland and moved to his beach house in Orere Point. There he was an active member of the community, knowing everyone and enjoying village life from his home on the cliff top, with a 180-degree view of the sea and islands surrounding Orere. John kept in touch with other Old Radleians in New Zealand, attending regular lunches and enjoying their news. John’s great pleasure in his life was his family. His parents, Alex and Betty, joined him in New Zealand, as did his eldest daughter. John died on 24th November 2022, in his beautiful home in Orere, surrounded by his family. John is survived by his beloved wife Susan, his children Rebecca, Luke, Guy, Nick and Emma and his grandchildren Rosie, Ella, Hope, Hadden, Hector, Layla and James.

Joe Scott Plummer married, first, ElizabethAnne “Lulla” Way, with whom he had a son and a daughter. The marriage was dissolved and he married secondly, in 1977, Christine Roberts, née Bampfylde, with whom he had another son; she and his children survive him. Joe Scott Plummer died on 6th December 2022.

John Sellers.

The irony was that the Old Radleian had carried a feature in the Letters section, under the heading of Study Mates, in which Chris and three exact Radley contemporaries (David Hallmark, John Theophilus and Frances Wilkinson) exchanged brief summaries of their lifetime experiences in a limited 150 of their own words. It was a fascinating article format, but inevitably Chris’s innate modesty didn’t do justice to his 75 years on this planet. As his older brother, I am stirred to write this personal appreciation as a way of filling in some gaps of his autobiographical narrative, while also slipping in a few experiences from my own unfinished 80-year existence and that of my younger brother Peter (a mere 73-year-old boy) also an OR (1963, H). All three of us ‘Three Musketeers’ had been born abroad, since our OR father Geoffrey (1926, H) worked for the Shell Oil Company all his working life. I was born in East London, South Africa, in October 1942. Chris was born in Cairo in April 1947. Peter was born in Sarawak, Borneo, in March 1950.

Chris Stanger receiving a Good Conduct medal from Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens for 21 years of service. the old radleian 2023

133

OBITUARIES

In 1951, our family travelled by sea to Southampton. Apart from Geoffrey, it was the first time the rest of us had set foot in Britain. The purpose was to enrol me at Brambletye, a progressive boarding prep school in East Sussex which Geoffrey had attended. Chris followed me to Brambletye in 1955 and, like me, enjoyed being introduced to a variety of sports for the first time, including our favourite, cricket… Peter’s singular skills were musical. All three of us brothers in our turn progressed to Radley, and pursued our burgeoning interests. Fascinated by the historical battles of soldiers (and sailors) Chris rose to a senior role in Radley’s Combined Cadet Force. I had already progressed to study engineering at Cambridge (Corpus Christi College) and Peter’s musical talents took him with a scholarship to Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. Chris had only one ambition – a military career. He gained a place at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, from which he emerged with distinction, and immediately joined the Royal Green Jackets in 1967. Soon he was experiencing his first liveammunition duties with the United Nations peacekeeping force sent to keep the peace between Greece and Turkey in Cyprus. His main achievement, he boasted, was singlehanded repatriation of a Greek cow, which had strayed into forbidden Turkish territory! On return to Britain in 1967, the Green Jackets were repeatedly despatched for more peace-keeping challenges, in Northern Ireland at the start of ‘The Troubles’. Then, in 1975, Chris was sent to join the UK’s force in occupied Berlin where, he insisted, his peacekeeping experiences were more successful - as nuclear warfare was avoided! He also undertook jungle warfare training in Malaysia and somehow found himself representing his country in a cricket match in Denmark! After completing 12 years’ service in the British Army, he resigned - but, unsurprisingly, six months later he joined the Metropolitan Police, spending time at Shepherd’s Bush, Chelsea and Staines police stations. 134

the old radleian 2023

In 1980 he met and married Alina Hutchinson in Naples, Italy, and two years later their beautiful twin daughters, Arabella and Camilla, were born. On 17th December 1983 Chris, now a police sergeant, came as close to personal tragedy as could be imagined. He was on street patrol in the vicinity of Harrods in Knightsbridge when the Provisional IRA let it be known that they’d planted a car bomb outside the famous store. Chris insisted that Harrods kept their customers safely inside. But, sadly, he himself was badly injured after the force of the explosion blew him across the road into a parked car… three senior police colleagues lost their lives. Tellingly, ever since, Chris paid a personal annual visit to the scene of the tragedy. The scars, both physical and mental, were with him for the rest of his life, but inspired his devotion to his twin daughters to the end. His greatest pleasure was attending the girls’ ballet performances/prize-giving/ award ceremonies/hockey matches and the like. He would clap the loudest and the fastest - much to the alarm of Arabella and Camilla. In 1990 Chris was posted to Staines Police Station with promotion to Inspector, and then to Wandsworth. There he became interested in Springfield Mental Hospital, Tolworth, and was subsequently offered a job as Police Liaison Officer. He left the Met in 2002 and stayed on working for the NHS for a further 10 years, learning a lot about mental health. He finally retired in 2022 to pursue his lifelong hobby of reading anything about military history - any year, any genre, as long as it mentioned the Battle of Waterloo! Among the many friends in his military and police professions, so profusely remembered at his funeral, there was almost universal admiration for Chris’s gentlemanly courage and determination, not to mention his terrible jokes… As well as eulogies to his life, the funeral programme at Kingston Crematorium included the poem All is Well, by Henry Scott Holland, read with professional poise by his niece Isla, daughter to my wife Hilary and me. And he was summed up by our Scottish international cricketer son Ian, his nephew:

“He was a true gent, who has served his country and represented his family with honour.” The surviving two ‘Musketeers’ are proud to have been present. Christopher Reginald Stanger died on 6th December 2022. A recording of his cremation service can be viewed at https:// youtu.be/eWVn18jeDgg. TROLLOPE-BELLEW, AH (1966, A) Anthony T-B died in a tragic accident on his estate in Somerset on Friday 28th October 2022. A larger-than-life character, he died far too young and leaves his wife, Annabel, and two daughters, Harriet and Emma. West Somerset, the Quantocks and Crowcombe, a lovely part of England, was in his blood. He was born in Bristol, grew up at Crowcombe Court, and lived in Crowcombe all his life, with the exception of five years in the Army, one year in Argentina, and one year at Cirencester. He went to prep school at Lambrook, a small boy with a name that none of his friends could pronounce, and won several cups for boxing. From the moment that both he and his brother Martin could ride, they were out with the Quantock Stag Hounds two days a week, and a further two days a week with his father’s own pack of beagles, the Crowcombe Beagles. What a wonderful life for small boys. Anthony went on to Radley in 1966, his father’s old school (Major Thomas Fleming Trollope-Bellew (1934, F)), where he became Master and Huntsman of the Beagles, having whipped in for two seasons prior to that. At Sandhurst, Anthony whipped in to Duff Burrell for one season and when he was not asked to hunt hounds the following season decided to whip in to the Drag Hounds, with his friend from Radley, Ollie Larminie (1967, H). Euan Morrison was the Master. After Sandhurst, T-B joined the Royal Hussars in 1973, as a tall, slim young officer. He spent five years with the regiment as a troop leader. He was, to quote

OBITUARIES

played for fun. He had a good eye for a horse, and he bought most of his ponies from Ascot sales and made them himself. Two went on to play high goal, and one was bought by Kerry Packer. He gave a lot to polo, and to the Taunton Vale Polo Club.

Anthony Trollope-Bellew. his Squadron Leader, “a competent and charismatic troop leader, cheerful, positive, and great to be with.” He served two tours of Northern Ireland, and on one of them his squadron was part of the force guarding HM Prison Maze at Long Kesh. During the summer of 1974 there had been increasing agitation within the prison, which exploded into violence and the arson of the prison on the night of 15th October. The regiment, heavily reinforced, took part in the largest operation yet seen in the prison to restore order. During this operation T-B earned a commendation from the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland for his quick thinking, and action, to prevent the escape of a large number of prisoners. T-B’s love of polo really started while he was in the regiment, and he was a member of the famous Cherrypickers team that won the Hamburg Tournament in 1976, defeating Hamburg in the final. After leaving the Army, T-B continued as a joint Master of the Crowcombe Beagles with his father and brother, subsequently becoming Chairman of the Quantock Stag Hounds from 1985 until 1991, and then President from 2015 until his untimely death. In addition, he carried the gun for Walter Perry during the mid 80s. He was also a trustee of the West Somerset Foxhounds for 20 years. He was a member of Taunton Vale Polo Club, and was polo manager for about 10 years. He really encouraged the beginners, and it was largely through him that the seeds were sown which enabled a small club to produce two 8 goal teams for some years. He played all over the country, and he

Anthony ran the two family estates, at Crowcombe, and Carew in Pembrokeshire: a big responsibility. He was much admired, not just for his business decisions, and acumen, in the way that he ran both estates, but for the kind and caring way in which he approached this task. He always had the best intentions at heart when dealing with his tenants and employees. Anthony was a past Chairman of the Crowcombe Parish Council, a Governor of the village school, Chairman of the Quantock Commoners Association, and had been Chairman of the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Joint Advisory Committee since 2001. He was Vice Chairman of the Somerset Committee of the CLA. If this was not enough, he immersed himself in local government. He worked tirelessly to help and support the people of Somerset, and in particular, West Somerset. He was a County Councillor for 10 years, standing down in 2013. He was probably more interested in West Somerset District affairs, and in 2011 was elected to West Somerset District Council, and elected as leader four years later. An office he held until the council was disbanded. He then served on the new Somerset West and Taunton Council until his death. He was immensely liked and respected by colleagues. His knowledge of, and love for, the area, made him a true champion of the Quantocks. He boldly spoke up for the interests of local families on countless occasions.

20 years, including running his own travel agency. He married Patricia Humbert in 1980. His three sons Timothy, James and Freddie, all predeceased him from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He is survived by his wife and daughter Tamsin, an architect/graphic designer, and granddaughter Clara. Richard Charles Alan Bright died on 16th July 2023. STEPHENSON, NH (1973, G) Nick was born in London in 1960, but soon moved to rural Kent. He became a chorister at King’s College, Cambridge, where he took part in many recordings and the “Carols from King’s” services. Music was a major part of his school life at Radley, where he gained a music scholarship and became a proficient oboist and pianist. By the time he got to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, as a Chemical Engineering undergraduate, he was an obvious fit for the Chapel Choir. He also developed the rowing he learnt at Radley, joining Goldie for two of his undergraduate years. Here was a fantastic demonstration of his timing, power, extreme tenacity and, in contradiction to the shyness he showed in his private life, one of the best representations of teamwork. Those who know and understand the Oxbridge timetable, however, may also see this as an impossible schedule. Sadly for his choral and rowing friends, it didn’t last, perhaps partly because of the impossibility of this array of interests. Mental illness attacked with intense force

Anthony Henry Trollope-Bellew died on 28th October 2022. BRIGHT, RCA (1967, B) After Radley, Richard worked for Johnson Matthey and had a career in precious metal trading in London. Whilst there, as a keen rugby player, he joined KCS Wimbledon Old Boys Rugby Club as a fairly useful prop. He moved to Dorset in 1986 where he worked in the travel industry for over

Nick Stephenson. the old radleian 2023

135

OBITUARIES

and as part of an attempt to rebalance he changed his degree subject from Chemical Engineering to English. He never entered full-time employment, but this allowed him to give his time to many valued community and other activities. In his home on the Isle of Man he turned his hand to painting and decorating, to DIY and gardening, both for himself, his family home, and for others. He was at various times a marshal on the Isle of Man TT course, a wildlife warden, tree-planter, and a decent bridge-player. He was a prodigious donor to charity. In the absence on the island of a river suitable for an eight, he turned instead to the Parish Walk – an annual event involving walking to all 17 parish churches on the Isle of Man, a total of 85 miles within 24 hours. He finally completed this challenge in 2001, in 22 hours and 56 minutes. Nick suffered a disabling stroke during the pandemic. As a strong and relatively young man, he made a moderate recovery, but he eventually succumbed to heart failure. He was buried with his parents in Maughold Cemetery in the north of the Island. Nicholas Henry Stephenson died on 11th January 2023. BALLANTYNE, JRL (1978, B) James was born in September 1964 to Robert Ballantyne and Jill (née Lynam). James grew up in Betchworth in Surrey, attending Cottesmore prep school before arriving at Radley in 1978 and joining B Social. James was an excellent athlete, playing

for the cricket 1st XI and rugby 1st XV, although he was not renowned for his patience, and the gentler sports of golf and tennis didn’t really suit his temperament! After leaving Radley, James went to Swansea University before heading into the world of advertising. James gained experience working at major agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, gaining a reputation as a fine account executive, as well as top player in the Advertising Softball League. Setting up his own agency in 2003, James built an excellent boutique agency that thrived throughout the rest of his career. With the diagnosis of a rare blood cancer, James battled hard but very sadly passed away on 27th March 2023. James is survived by his wife Maddy and two daughters, Ruby & Edie. COLES, NJT (2000, G) Nick arrived at Radley in 2000 and spent five very happy years in G Social, under Harry Hammond. Nick was one of the smallest boys in the year but with a colossal amount of warmth, humour and energy. Nick was a passionate sportsman and in his 3rd year represented the 1st XI cricket on Bigside with his crafty leg-spin and would later set up a touring team known as the Chancellor’s Court Corridor Cricket Club (the “CCCCC”) with his Edinburgh University friends (17 years and counting). Nick’s other great passion was to be found treading the boards. Nick was a fine actor having first discovered it at Woodcote House, his prep school.

During his time at Radley, Nick shone in performances of Equus and, at the Edinburgh Fringe, in Oh What a Lovely War. His skill was recognised when he was asked to become a member of the National Youth Theatre. Nick further contributed to the school through his time in the CCF where he served as pupil RSM, receiving the Sword of Honour. On leaving Radley, Nick was awarded the Simon Molyneux Cup for the boy who contributed the most over their time at school. Nick obtained a clean sweep of As in Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Drama at A-Level before heading to Edinburgh University to study Engineering where he obtained a 2:1. Prior to Edinburgh, Nick taught in Kenya on Africa & Asia Venture during his Gap Year (with James Liddell (2000, G)) and was affectionately known as “Dad” by the young girls due to his caring and trustworthy manner. After Edinburgh, following a brief spell working in London, Nick enrolled at Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, following in the footsteps of his father, Lt Col Tim Coles MBE. He enjoyed a successful time at Fort George, Inverness. Amongst other tours, he served in Iraq, Morocco, Cyprus and Kenya. He won the Maitland Trophy for the officer who contributed most to battalion life, earned the Commander’s Commendation, presented to him by the then Prince Charles for his work training the Libyans at Bassingbourne, and went on to serve as Assistant Military Attaché to the Deputy Chief of the General Staff during the Covid period, before being promoted to the rank of Major in 2022. Of note, Nick was the first soldier to receive the King’s Coronation medal. Nick undertook many adventures after leaving Radley, often with a tent in hand. Amongst his adventures were a couple of attempts at the Cresta Run and a cycle from London to Rome (with James Francis (2000,H), George Coles (2003, G) and Daniel Lumby (2003, G).

James Ballantyne. 136

the old radleian 2023

Nick Coles.

Nick was a much-loved son of Tim and Rosie, admired brother of George, husband of Tabitha (Tabs) and devoted father to Flora. He was an adventurous, caring, engaging, enthusiastic and funloving man who will be missed by all those who knew him.

2024 EVENTS CALENDAR • HEADS OF SPORTS CLUBS DINNER – 24th January, London • RADLEY THEN & NOW:

THE MARIONETTES SOCIETY – 6th February 2024, Online

• UNIVERSITY SUPPER: BRISTOL & BATH – February 2024, Bristol • RUGBY TOUR GALA DINNER – 8th March, Radley College • RADLEY NORTH AMERICA TOUR – 18th - 28th March • BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT – 21st March, London

OLD RADLEIAN DAY

14TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Join Radley friends and dons back at the College.

• RADLEIAN SOCIETY AGM – 20th April, Radley College • OLD RADLEIAN DAY – 14th September, Radley College • MARINERS’ DINNER – 28th September, Radley College • BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT – 8th October, London • YOUNG OR CHRISTMAS DRINKS – Early December 2024, London

FOR THE LATEST EVENTS AND NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY, HEAD TO THE RADSOC HUB:

www.radley.org.uk/radsoc

COMING SOON

OR Sportsmen’s Social A gathering in London for Sporting ORs! Details to follow ... JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON OUR BUSINESS NETWORKING PLATFORM, RADLEY CONNECT: radleyconnect.org.uk FIND US ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: @radleiansociety

RADLEIAN SOCIETY Radley College, Abingdon, OX14 2HR

The Old Radleian 2023

Articles inside

Obituaries 2023

College Update 2023

OR Clubs & Societies 2023

Letters, Poetry & New Releases 2023

News & Notes 2023

The Ice Ultra

The RadSoc Charity Alliance

Old Radleian Charities

Radley Video: A History

The Marionette Society

Life Through The Lens

Radley Film Society in the 1950s & 60s

Spotlight on the Industry

Stars of the Stage & Screen

Making A Blockbuster

From Am Dram To Ambitious Drama

The Radley Business Network

Gazette - 2023 Events

Introduction from the Development Director, Chairman, & Editor

Letter from John Moule, The Warden