The Reigatian 2016

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

THE REIGATIAN 2016

GERSHON SCHOLARS: THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN REALISING A YOUNG PERSON’S POTENTIAL

Letting and Selling homes in Surrey and Sussex Reigate Grammar pupils Pat Bridges 1973 - 1980 Steve Muggridge 1976 - 1981 Sam Arnold 1998 - 2005 Reigate / Redhill 01737 771777 Horsham 01403 252100 www.woodlands-estates.co.uk

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

CONTENTS

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THE CHANGING LIVES CAMPAIGN PROGRESS UPDATE

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HENRY SMITH CLUB

THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO IMPART HIS SPIRIT

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SUPPORT US

LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY

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REUNION

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EVENTS DURING 2016

UNIVERSITY HONOURS 2016 DEGREE INFORMATION FROM RECENT GRADUATES

SPORT

REPORTS ON OR TEAMS

FOUNDATION NEWS UPDATES IN BRIEF

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FEATURES

WE HEAR FROM ORS ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND ADVENTURES

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SCHOOL NEWS

WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON AT RGS

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FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES 2016 WAS A VERY BUSY YEAR

THE REIGATIAN NETWORK

RGS LONDON PROFESSIONALS AND OVERSEAS FRIENDS

Designed & produced by Haime & Butler Brand Design and Communication 020 7407 2141 haime-butler.com

RECOLLECTIONS & MEMORIES REFLECTIONS ON LIFE AT SCHOOL

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DEATHS & OBITUARIES FAREWELL TO OLD FRIENDS

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PUBLICATIONS

LATEST OR RELEASES

FROM THE ARCHIVES

PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES OF THE SCHOOL

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WELCOME

FROM THE HEADMASTER I am delighted to write for the Reigatian magazine after such a busy and successful few months.

This is a chance to recognise the important Reigatian Community. I would like to say thank you to all involved, to all who support our events, our Bursary schemes, our current and former students and most importantly, thank you to all who support the schools values.

The school moves on and changes over time but, then again, so much remains constant. At the end of term assembly we celebrated the many highlights of the term to warm applause from peers and teachers alike. Then we cheered for our Rugby team who had just won a national final in the Natwest Cup competition (previously known as the Daily Mail Cup). The sense of pride was palpable, not least in this Headmaster. Finally, the school sang To be a Pilgrim, the last time of the term. It was sung with that unusual gusto and strong voice that happens not when the pupils are urged to 'sing up' but when they have that bond, that shared understanding that something great has happened. At different times, for different reasons and for different generations but this time for this generation because we had some sporting heroes in our midst. And so the term ended in full voice, loud and with a sense of shared purpose. As I say, much changes at Reigate Grammar School but for those who know the school well, clearly much remains the same.

The Reigatian magazine captures the spirit of the school just as the school song does.

Being a pilgrim means to be on a journey with a special purpose and that much is relevant to Reigatians in our community, young or old.

Thank you to all who have contributed to this edition. I hope you enjoy the glimpse that it gives you of life at and beyond Reigate Grammar School.

Shaun Fenton Headmaster

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FROM THE FOUNDATION DIRECTOR

CHANGING LIVES AND OPENING THE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY – THE GERSHON SCHOLARS! “…I’M PROUD TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SHOW A PASSION FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS AT A LEVEL AND BEYOND. A GOOD EDUCATION CAN BE LIFE CHANGING AND MY OWN EXPERIENCE IS TESTAMENT TO THIS…” Sir Peter Gershon (RGS 1958-1965) To begin, I need to say “THANK YOU” to all of our Reigatian Community for the wonderful support that you have given to RGS and the Foundation this year.

2016 has been another extremely busy and vibrant year for the RGS Foundation and for the School. Praise should go to the Headmaster, staff and pupils who gained national recognition by receiving a rating of “Exceptional” following the formal inspection a year ago. We were the first co-educational day school in the country to have received this accolade and best-ever GCSE and A-Level results have solidified the view that we are one of the top schools of our kind in the country.

Of course, we remain passionate and totally committed to our social mobility focus through the Changing Lives campaign which has now raised well over £3m and currently sponsors 28 pupils at Reigate Grammar School. Through the continued and growing support of members of our Reigatian community we are hopeful that we will be able to provide a further six places in September 2017, taking the total number supported through the scheme to 35. This is particularly pleasing when one considers that we only launched the campaign in January 2014…almost three years ago. Child poverty, disadvantage and social mobility are at the heart of the RGS Foundation’s charitable purpose as we endeavour to break the link between demography and destiny.

Distinguished former pupil Sir Peter Gershon CBE FREng (RGS 1958-1965), takes the front cover of this year’s Reigatian Magazine, standing with two of his Gershon Scholars, at the offices of National Grid PLC for whom he is Chairman.

I have nothing but admiration, praise and respect for Peter, not only in what he has achieved professionally since leaving RGS, but also for his acute sense of community, altruism and pride in his alma mater. Having established a bursary programme, I was thrilled that he agreed to become the first President of the Henry Smith Club. I know that he was proud to see two of his Scholars speak so well on national television when they were interviewed

by BBC National News at RGS recently.

It was wonderful to be able to welcome back Sir Peter Lampl RGS 1959-1964 (a classmate of Peter Gershon) to give the Henry Smith Lecture. As Chairman of The Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation, and being one of this country’s most prominent philanthropists, Peter is at the forefront of the social mobility and education debate in the UK. His inspirational lecture: “Giving yourself a Chance to Get Lucky” was very well received by an appreciative audience.

We also welcomed back Lord Cooper of Windrush (Andrew Cooper, RGS 1973-1982), who’s lecture on the political geographies of Britain today and voting behaviour was, for the 250-plus audience, a fascinating insight to the current political landscape. Andrew was Director of Strategy in 10 Downing Street between 2011 and 2013 for David Cameron.

Continuing with the political theme, RGS held an EU Referendum Debate in June, with a panel that included local MP Crispin Blunt and Trevor Kavanagh (RGS 1954-1960), former Political Editor for The Sun. As he says in this publication, “Serendipity is what makes journalism so exciting”. Of course, now that we know the result of the Referendum, it is interesting to note that Sir Keir Starmer MP (RGS 1974-1981) has risen up the Labour Party ranks to become Shadow Secretary of state for Exiting the European Union. Keir is an Ambassador for the RGS Foundation and we wish him well with his political career.

The Reigatian community is becoming increasingly more engaged and connected with a range of events and activities both in the UK and abroad. The RGS Professionals network is providing excellent engagement opportunities for Reigatians across the age range and work spectrum, whilst our overseas ambassadors are ensuring that opportunities exist for our wider community to connect. For example, this year we were able to launch the ReigAsian Fund through the support of our friends in SE Asia, led so brilliantly by Lawrence Webb (RGS 1969-1977) and Grant Kennedy (RGS 1976-1980) in Hong Kong, and Ryan Younger (RGS 1983-1991) in Singapore.

In short, our Reigatian family is in very good health. However, we are always looking to improve our service and to discover other ways to give appropriate support to our community. Therefore, we always welcome your help, ideas and support. Please contact me – I would love to hear from you. spd@reigategrammar.org Sean Davey

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THANK YOU! The initial campaign goal of raising £1 million by 2016 to allow for twenty ‘1675 Scholars’ to attend RGS was achieved one year early in 2015!

Up to the end of 2016 we already raised £3 million and there are currently twenty-eight ‘1675 Scholars’.

The focus is now firmly on the longer term aim to build this fund to £4 million and fifty ‘1675 Scholars’ by 2025 to mark the school’s 350th anniversary.

The ‘Gift of Education’, as provided by the 1675 Bursary Fund, aims to provide opportunities to transform lives and raise aspirations but our vision can only be realised through the help of our friends and supporters.

Initial campaign target achieved one year early:

£3m 28 04

raised (as at end of 2016)

‘1675 Scholars’

1675 BURSARY FUND

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SOCIAL MOBILITY FOCUS ELITIST BRITAIN, SOCIAL MOBILITY, AND REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL Theresa May, upon taking office, pledged to fight injustice and “…to make Britain a country that works for everyone”, insisting that the state has a significant role to play in alleviating the injustices faced by those around the poverty line in the UK. In what can be described as a ‘successor ideology’ her shared society is only a variation of her predecessor, David Cameron’s “big society” plan. The uneasy truth we face is that Britain is an unjust society with significant issues relating to poverty, opportunity and underachievement.

Cameron’s view on this key issue struck a chord with me and helped me to clarify why I believe so much in the collective power of ‘community’ and the need in the UK for greater citizenship and altruism.

Cameron stated in 2015 that a one nation society “Is one where opportunities are shared equally and are not dependent on the family you were born into, the place where you live or the school you attend.

It is a society where being born poor does not condemn someone to a lifetime of poverty. Instead, it is a society where your progress in life – the job you do, the income you earn, the lifestyle you enjoy – depends upon your aptitude and ability, not your background or your birth. These are the hallmarks of a truly open, fair and meritocratic society. They are a long way from the Britain in which we live.”

There is a growing unease within the UK because of an ever-widening class divide and a tension around a lack of fairness within our society. We talk about having less elitism and greater equality, less poverty and more social mobility.

However, we are a long way from a society where everyone has an equal chance.

The Child Poverty and Social Mobility Commission’s State of the Nation 2016 Report highlights that there are over

THERE ARE OVER 2.4 MILLION CHILDREN IN BRITAIN LIVING BELOW THE CHILD POVERTY LINE 2.4 million children in Britain living below the child poverty line, with one in five still living in absolute poverty. Families are characterised by ill health and low skills as well as unemployment and broken relationships. Disadvantaged young people are twice as likely to be unemployed.

Despite the many efforts to provide more opportunities to people from all backgrounds in Britain, the doors of opportunity are open far wider for the wealthy and privileged few where UK wealth distribution highlights the top 10% owns five times as much as the bottom 50%. Furthermore, the most advantaged are six times more likely to go to university.

The statistics hide the day-to-day tragedy of child poverty, from the effects of low-quality and insecure housing, through a lack of new, quality clothes that other children take for granted, to unhappy anxious early years. Child poverty imposes a lasting burden. When the doors of opportunity are closed off in early life, the chance to do well as an adult is much reduced. Former Reigate Grammar School pupil, Sir Peter Lampl (’66) hit the nail on the head regarding low social mobility when he said, “…not only is this an individual tragedy for every young person who fails to fulfil their potential, but it highlights a national waste of talent that threatens the future economic health of our country.”

Alan Milburn (Chairman, Child Poverty and Social Mobility Commission) captured my mood when he said, “The truth about our country is that over the decades Britain has become wealthier but we have struggled to become fairer.” Frankly, I wish to live in a society where worth is valued above birth. We have no control with regard to the family into which we are born, but we can influence the nature of the society into which our children and grandchildren are born. Education is the key as is access to first-class teaching. You see, great teachers make the fundamental difference for all students, but make an even greater difference for those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds because this group are the least likely in our society to succeed and fulfil its academic potential.

The ‘dice-roll’ of birth will continue to have a skewed influence on a child’s life chances.

However, the more children to whom we give equal opportunity, through an ‘Open Access’ philosophy, the greater the significance of impact schools such as Reigate Grammar will make to their local communities and to society as a whole as they are the engines to social mobility. The impact and momentum achieved by the Changing Lives campaign has been encouraging and would not exist without the moral courage and altruism of RGS and its supportive community. However, the RGS Foundation needs further support for this vital work. We are in this together… helping break the link between demography and destiny. Though it is significant to note that we have been changing lives since 1675, there is still much to be done.

SEAN DAVEY Foundation Director 05

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CHANGING LIVES

HENRY SMITH CLUB

In the spirit of our founder, in 2013 we established a philanthropic club in his name to support the 1675 Bursary Fund and the Changing Lives campaign. The School’s very own foundation was built from philanthropy for those young people with the necessary ability and dedication, but who lacked the means to benefit from such excellent educational provision. The Henry Smith Club now looks to support those children who possess talent, ability and dedication, but who lack the financial means to benefit from the exceptional educational experience RGS can offer.

Membership to the club is through annual donation of £1,675, representing our foundation date. For every eight members committed we can sponsor a disadvantaged child through RGS. By the end of 2016 the membership has grown to over 50 and it currently sponsors five children at RGS. This is amazing!

In 2015, Sir Peter Gershon in support of the RGS Foundation’s Changing Lives campaign, established a bursary scheme in his name to provide significant opportunities to 16 to 18 year-olds wishing to pursue a career in science, mathematics or engineering at university and beyond.

A board member of The Sutton Trust, Peter is passionate about social mobility and the importance of education in realising a young person’s potential.

GERSHON SCHOLARS

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A Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Sir Peter Gershon, has had a distinguished career and his dedication to science and mathematics took him from the classrooms of Reigate Grammar School, through Cambridge University and on to the highest levels of British industry.

As Chairman of both National Grid PLC and Tate & Lyle PLC, Peter has provided opportunities for his Gershon Scholars to gain valuable experience with applied science and technology in the workplace.

The Club has become an important network for like-minded people and with Sir Peter Gershon as its first President, we look forward to the first Dinner to be held at the East India Club in January. We are keen to welcome new members. If you would like to find out more, please contact the Foundation.

“I firmly believe that a good education is a powerful enabler of social mobility and am extremely proud to be the President of this important philanthropic group. I urge you to join the Henry Smith Club so that together, we can continue to change the lives of future students of RGS and help them fulfil their potential”.

Sir Peter Gershon (RGS 1958-1965) Henry Smith Club President

There are currently three Gershon Scholars attending Sixth Form at RGS. Two are in the Lower Sixth and were involved with the BBC News story that was seen live on national TV in December. Gershon Scholars: Mahin and Nicole, spoke so passionately about their opportunity to study at RGS. This was part of the case for greater collaboration between the Government and independent schools.

“A good education can be life changing and my own experience is testament to this. My rich and broad education at RGS was a firm platform for my career at University and beyond. I was the first in my family to attend university and I look back with thanks for the teachers who supported my path to Cambridge University and into my first job in computing” Sir Peter Gershon CBE FREng (RGS 1958-1965)

LEGACY GIVING LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL AND CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER Support the 1675 Bursary Fund I was very privileged to receive a wonderful education at RGS. At every turn in my life I have felt so incredibly fortunate to have had the benefit of a great education. I hope that one day, a child somewhere, perhaps from an impecunious family as I was, may as a result of my and others’ legacies be enabled to benefit from all that an RGS education has to offer.

David Tree RGS 1959-66

My support of the RGS Foundation is given with the hope of enabling promising young people with modest means to benefit in the way that I have. It is a cause very close to my heart as I was one whose life was truly changed by my time at the school and for that I have always been extremely grateful.

Peter Clarke RGS 1945-50

For more information, please contact Sean Davey: foundation@reigategrammar.org

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FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES HENRY SMITH BEARD CHALLENGE

KING OF THE BEARDS WILL BYFIELD

(CURRENT RGS STAFF)

After eight long weeks and several itchy faces the annual Henry Smith Beard Challenge in aid of the Changing Lives campaign finally came to an end on Friday 12 February 2016. Thank you to all who participated, supported and encouraged – a fantastic £1,671 was raised for this very worthy cause.

So what was the Henry Smith Beard Challenge all about?

Each year a vote is cast by all RGS staff to decide who should be crowned “King of the Beards” and in the end one emerged victorious to take the coveted title. Our very own RGS teacher of Biology, Mr Will Byfield, Head of Hodgson House, triumphantly collected more votes than any other and took home a bottle of bubbly and some L’Oreal products.

REIGATE CHARITY 7s 2016 SUNDAY 6 MARCH

Sunday 6 March saw over 40 schools descend upon RGS Hartswood for the 2016 Reigate Charity 7s, sponsored by John Laing. Now established as one of the most popular tournaments, schools from the length and breadth of the country arrived bright and early for an exciting day of rugby.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Boys Cup Winners Harrow School Plate Winners Whitgift School Shield Winners Hampton School Bowl Winners Cranbrook School Girls Cup Winners SGS Filton Plate Winners Blessed Hugh Faringdon RC Shield Winners Reigate Grammar School 08

Harrow faced Reigate Grammar School in the Boys’ Cup Final and in a powerful display it was Harrow who ran out eventual winners with a 34-14 victory against a young and talented RGS side. This was a thrilling match refereed by Wayne Barnes who took time out of his busy international and domestic schedule to officiate the proceedings.

Whitgift romped home to victory in the Boys’ Plate Final beating The Portsmouth Grammar School 40-19.

In the Girls’ Cup competition SGS Filton produced a fantastic display of attacking rugby to overcome Christ’s Hospital in a comprehensive 49-5 win. Tournament newcomers Blessed Hugh Faringdon RC School took home the Plate after beating Oundle 29-0.

The Vines of Redhill BMW Players of the Tournament were: Max Coyle (Reigate Grammar School) and Elizabeth A Owusu-Darko (Christ’s Hospital).

Presentations were made by Wayne Barnes on the pavilion balcony to all the competition winners. Now an established charity event, significant sums have been raised for Breast Cancer Now and the RGS Foundation’s Changing Lives Campaign. We would like to thank John Laing, our principal sponsor, for their support and all of our corporate partners who make this such an impressive event.

An established event, funds were raised for Breast Cancer Now and the RGS Foundation's Changing Lives campaign.

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6TH ANNUAL RGS FOUNDATION GOLF DAY FRIDAY 27 MAY

For the sixth year running, we welcomed returning and new players to this popular annual Golf Day. Once again we were lucky with the weather, enjoying warmth and sun, whilst the players enjoyed 18 holes around the beautiful Reigate Heath Golf Club.

Winners and RGS Parents Ken & Sabine Benoit

Each year, there is a race for the title and this year it was current RGS parents and husband and wife duo, Ken and Sabine Benoit who took first place with a very impressive 50 point score!

The day concluded with a raffle and auction and delicious gourmet BBQ while the sun set over the Surrey Hills. Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed, helping to raise almost £3,000 for the Changing Lives campaign.

The 7th Annual RGS Foundation Golf Day will take place on Thursday 29 June 2017.

For more information email: foundation@reigategrammar.org

Special thanks to our principal sponsor Cluttons and our hole sponsors Woodlands Lettings, Haime & Butler, Castlewood Hotels, Oranka Juice Solutions, Cliff Gough – RHGC Professional and Reigate Heath Golf Club.

ANNUAL TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN JULY / AUGUST

Throughout the end of July and beginning of August, the Foundation held the 4th Annual Telephone Campaign in aid of the Changing Lives bursary campaign. This year we had eight students and recent leavers reconnecting with members of the Reigation community.

During the two-week calling period, the team completed over 400 calls with conversations ranging from shared memories, past experiences, school development and of course the progress of the Changing Lives campaign.

The support shown by our Reigatians was tremendous and we are delighted to report that over a third of people who spoke to us decided to make a donation.

At the end of the two-week campaign we received just over £75,000 in donations and pledges, another amazing declaration of support from the Reigatian community.

students who need financial help in order to experience all that an RGS education has to offer.

Thank you to all who took the time to speak to one of our callers and gave consideration to this important campaign.

Once again this year’s campaign has surpassed our expectations and continues to show deep-rooted commitment to supporting the aspirations of talented

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FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES

LORD COOPER RETURNS TO RGS THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

On Thursday 15 December, Reigate Grammar School welcomed back Andrew Cooper (RGS 1974-1981), to give the Henry Smith Lecture to current RGS Sixth Form students. Lord Cooper of Windrush gave a fascinating talk about the political geographies of Britain today and the dynamics of voting behaviour. In front of an audience of 260 students and staff, he provided many insights into the world of Westminster, the key characters in British politics today and the science behind voting patterns.

Returning to RGS for the first time since he left, Lord Cooper enjoyed a tour of the school, attending lessons and meeting members of staff. He took the opportunity to join in with a Sixth Form Politics lesson on the theme of What will be Obama’s Legacy?

Following his RGS education, Andrew Cooper went on to study Economics at the

London School of Economics. His career has taken many paths but politics, strategy and research have remained at the centre of his interests and passion. In 2003, he created the research and strategy consultancy Populus and was also Director of Strategy to David Cameron at 10 Downing Street from 2011-13.

The late New Labour strategist Philip Gould (Lord Gould of Brookwood) wrote of Cooper (The Times, 2 March 2011) that, “he is without doubt the best political pollster of his generation, and one of the few who knows how to fuse polling and strategy”.

Current Sixth Form student George Colvin gave the vote of thanks and said, “…we are all extremely grateful to you for taking time out of your busy schedule to return to RGS today and give us such an interesting insight into the world of political strategy. We are all inspired by what you have achieved since leaving the Grammar. Thank you!”

RUN REIGATE SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

L to R: S. Davey, S. Fenton, J. Hylton, A. Boothroyd and H. Jones

On a beautiful dry autumnal Sunday morning, Reigate Priory Park was bustling with energy and excitement as runners prepared themselves for the third annual award-winning Run Reigate 10k and Half Marathon event.

The combination of live music and a large supportive crowd created a wonderful atmosphere. Olympic Gold Medallist and iconic legend, Dame Kelly Holmes, was on the start line to give everyone encouragement.

An enormous “thank you” goes to all those individuals who ran for the RGS Foundation in their matching crisp white running vests in both the 10km or Half Marathon events. All money raised went to the Changing Lives campaign.

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Special mention goes to RGS parent David Wigfield who raised a phenomenal £1200 – thank you David! Also Andrew Diggles (’02) who flew round the Half Marathon course in just 1:38:36, an impressive time from the former RGS 1st XI cricket captain and RGS parent Lindsay Middleton-Scarr who was not far behind with an equally superb time of 2:09:54.

Thank you again Team RGS!

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CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP A HUGE SUCCESS! SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER

On Saturday 8 October ten families came to the RGS Food and Nutrition Room with Mrs Bader, Head of Food and Nutrition, for a Chocolate masterclass. Hanna Wicks from Cocoa Bombón, an award winning chocolatier, carefully explained and demonstrated how to temper chocolate and form luxury chocolates. Everyone left with a bag of divine handmade chocolate treats. The event raised over £500 for the Changing Lives bursary campaign.

SIR PETER LAMPL RETURNS TO RGS MONDAY 10 OCTOBER

Distinguished Reigatian, Sir Peter Lampl (RGS 1959-1964), returned to Reigate Grammar School to deliver a Henry Smith Lecture to the current Sixth Form as part of our enrichment programme.

Sir Peter’s theme was “Giving Yourself a Chance to Get Lucky!” Whilst acknowledging the value of a good degree, he stressed the importance to the workplace for broader skills provided in great schools such as RGS where value-added experience developed character and confidence.

You need to be confident and have self-belief but also the drive and commitment to work hard and achieve your goals; “Funny, the harder I worked the luckier I became”.

To a captivated audience he impressed students with his ability to recite the full list of classmates from his first form! This included Sir Peter Gershon, who is President of the Henry Smith Club. It is impressive to think that two members of the same form went on to achieve so much and receive knighthoods.

Sir Peter Lampl is acknowledged to be the UK’s leading educational philanthropist.

In 1997 he founded the Sutton Trust which is dedicated to improving social mobility

through education. Sir Peter has given over £50 million to the Trust to achieve this aim.

The Trust is a ‘do tank’ supporting 4,000 students per year on programmes, producing 15 research studies per year and influencing government policy.

to become fairer. Reigate Grammar School, through its commitment to wider access is driving forward with its Changing Lives campaign and looking to offer more places to children from disadvantaged backgrounds based on ability and potential.

A key theme was the issue of social mobility and education policy in the UK. This brought great debate during ‘Question Time’ particularly on the theme of grammar schools. Sir Peter said, “The evidence is clear that establishing grammar schools now would have limited effect on social mobility in this country. The key is to make top performing schools ‘open access’ and acknowledge the important impact independent schools such as RGS can play in tackling this issue.” He stressed that a key issue for state schools was that they are ultimately judged on results which means very little emphasis is given to those wider skills mentioned above that develop the individual.

Sir Peter summed up the mood brilliantly when he quoted Winston Churchill: “What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?”

As part of his introduction, Sean Davey (RGS Foundation Director) repeated the fact from the recent ‘State of the Nation 2015’ report by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, that although as a country we have become wealthier, we have struggled

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FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES

RGS PROFESSIONALS CHARITY GOLF DAY 2016 THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER

#GIVINGTUESDAY TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER

For the second year the Foundation office supported #GivingTuesday. Falling after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a day of global giving and provides an opportunity to come together to show the world why it’s good to give.

One in three of us admitted to wasting money on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a call to action for everyone who wants to give something back.

We want to thank everyone who donated during this time and helped to support the Changing Lives campaign.

1675 SOCIETY LUNCH MONDAY 5 DECEMBER

Thank you to all who attended the highly successful RGS Professionals Charity Golf Day at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club in aid of the Changing Lives campaign on Thursday 13 October.

On a beautiful day, congratulations go to Barry Devine (’90) and his Gracilis team (L-R: Richard Eve, Chris Richards, Barry Devine and Charlie Hallett) for winning this year’s tournament. The longest drive was won by international rugby referee JP Doyle and nearest the pin went to Alan Bennett.

The RGS Foundation is very grateful to the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club and everyone who supported this superb day.

An amazing £10,000 was raised as a result of the generosity from the group, with all funds going direct to the Changing Lives campaign.

The next RGS Professionals Golf Day will be held on Thursday 12 October, If you are interested in entering a team, please contact foundation@reigategrammar.org.

The annual 1675 Society Lunch took place on Monday 5 December at the Headmaster’s House, 1 Chart Lane. Guests were welcomed by the Headmaster to a festive inspired luncheon preceded by a wonderful musical accompaniment performed by a student string quartet and solo violinist.

The 1675 Society was inaugurated in 2010 and its members have all made a provision in their Wills to remember the School. Legacy giving is another way in which you can support the Changing Lives campaign and is very easy to organise. Should you be interested in including RGS in your own Will, please contact the Foundation office to discuss your wishes.

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135TH VARSITY MATCH

EU REFERENDUM DEBATE

We were delighted to welcome drivers from the recent Dash to the Med event (see page 32-33 for more information) to the 135th Varsity Match at Twickenham as our small way of saying ‘thank you’ for all their fantastic work in raising over £75,000 for local charities including our Changing Lives campaign.

On Thursday 16 June, the school welcomed members of the Reigatian community, including pupils, parents, staff and alumni to the Peter Masefield Hall at Reigate Grammar School, where we held a thought-provoking and challenging EU Referendum Debate. The RGS Foundation supported the RGS Politics Society with this topical event and secured some star attractions, including Trevor Kavanagh (‘61) former Deputy Editor of The Sun, Sam Gyimah MP, Minister for Education, Crispin Blunt MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, John Vincent MEP and Richard Ashworth MEP.

THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER

For December, the weather was particularly mild and attendees enjoyed pre and post match drinks and refreshments. The game itself saw Cambridge take the spoils with an injury time try sealing a 23-18 victory, their first win since 2009.

THURSDAY 16 JUNE

The event took the form of a ‘QuestionTime’ style event, which was hosted by our very own George Elliston, Head Boy and chaired by Mr Shaun Fenton, Headmaster of RGS. The evening was a huge success not least because of the imminent referendum but with an excellent turnout and some real and honest questions asked by real people with real concerns and answered by a varied panel of experts.

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THE REIGATIAN NETWORK RGS PROFESSIONALS The Reigate Grammar School Professionals Group was formed in 2012. It encourages professional networking, connectivity and support and provides a platform to develop and nurture relationships within the Reigatian Community in a professional environment.

To date, we have had over twenty RGS Professional Events ranging from our popular regular networking receptions, featuring industry-specific guest speakers (examples include Commerzbank, Royal

Academy of Engineering and The Reading Room) to social and fundraising events (RGS Professionals Charity Golf Day and Summer Social Drinks) - there is a healthy variety of events throughout the year.

With over 1200 members, we invite you to join our RGS Professionals Group on LinkedIn. Simply search:

Alternatively, if you are not on LinkedIn and would like to find out more and join the group then please email us and we will ensure that you receive all future invites for these regular RGS Professionals events: foundation@reigategrammar.org

 Reigate Grammar School Professionals

THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA @VCCP

RGS PROFESSIONALS SUMMER DRINKS

DO YOU TRUST BIG DATA? @ THE READING ROOM

Further to the demand from the RGS Professionals Group, we were delighted to announce the first Advertising & Marketing themed RGS London Professionals event on Thursday 11 February at VCCP, which was voted one of the top four Advertising Agencies in the UK.

To celebrate the end of the UK summer we held a special RGS Professionals summer drinks reception at the CNTNR Bar at Canary Wharf on Friday 2 September.

‘Do you trust Big Data?’ This was the message from Adam Sefton, The Reading Room’s Head of Strategy, at the RGS London Professionals event at their London Headquarters on Thursday 22 September.

THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY

The evening was a great success and we were grateful to Adrian Coleman, Founding Partner of VCCP, Group CEO and RGS parent for hosting the evening. And we were lucky to have Adrian as one of our guest speakers, along with VCCP’s Strategy & Innovation Director, Adrian Gans, who talked about the importance of The Power of Social Media at VCCP including their popular ‘Compare the Market’ campaign featuring Aleksandr and Sergei.

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FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER

THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

Adam spoke of the dangers associated with accepting big data by its face value, the process of collection, interpretation and how data can be misused and misunderstood.

Using examples from recent political campaign polls, the book Spurious Correlations and even Star Wars.

Adam highlighted how we should perhaps be wary of the growing reliance on what is often fiction masquerading as fact.

A truly fascinating topic and one that affects us all, it was great to see so many current RGS Sixth Form students connecting with members of the RGS Professionals group.

Our enormous thanks go to James Elliot (’97) for hosting us and his kind hospitality.

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

OVERSEAS FRIENDS OF RGS

REIGASIANS LAUNCHED IN HONG KONG FRIDAY 8 APRIL

The Hong Kong Football Club was the splendid venue for the RGS Hong Kong Friends Luncheon on Friday 8 April. With stunning views overlooking the Happy Valley Racecourse over 20 Reigatians attended our very first long lunch.

Many had travelled long distances to join us, including Matt Falkner (’82) our Canadian Ambassador from Vancouver; Ryan Younger (’91) our Singapore Ambassador; Chris Thorpe (’85) from Sydney, and David Allard (’78) from London. Our sincere thanks go to James Daniels (’92) for his help with organising this important lunch.

In addition to the social camaraderie of such an event, the lunch provided an ideal opportunity to launch the RGS Foundation’s ReigAsian Shareholder Scheme, which follows a similar model already established in America. Linked to the Changing Lives campaign, Reigatians in this region are now

able to join together and through ‘collective philanthropy’ provide a life-changing RGS bursary for a disadvantaged child. The lunch was an enormous success and we are thrilled by the response of our friends to this important social mobility issue.

If you are based in Asia and would like to become more involved with the ReigAsians and the Shareholder Scheme, as well as learn more about how Reigate Grammar School is addressing social mobility, then please contact Foundation Director, Sean Davey: spd@reigategrammar.org

Reigatians in the HK region that we are aware of. Under the expert guidance of our RGS Ambassador for Hong Kong, Lawrence Webb (’77), this network is growing fast.

Meanwhile, the well-established RGS Hong Kong Friends community enjoyed two other social occasions during the week. Firstly, huge thanks go to Grant Kennedy (’80) who hosted an informal gathering for ReigAsians at JB’s in Wan Chai. We were particularly pleased to welcome Charles Lankester (’82) to the group, who had only recently connected. Indeed, we have now over 30

Finally, ReigAsians had a presence at the HK10s rugby tournament held just before the world famous HK7s, where our very own Jonny Hylton (’99) coached the Overseas Old Boys team (sponsored by A-Trade Finance, Lawrence Webb’s company) to victory by winning the Plate Competition. The ReigAsian crest was positioned proud upon the representative shirts!

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THE REIGATIAN NETWORK

NYC AND DUBAI RGS GATHERINGS

THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER On Thursday 1 December, in different time zones, two cities - 6,386 miles apart - hosted gatherings for Reigatians based in New York City and Dubai. Sheltering from the chilly temperatures outside, Papillon Bistro & Bar in Midtown Manhattan was the venue for the NYC crowd, whilst the Breeze Beach Bar Grill, overlooking The Palm, was the picturesque setting for those in Dubai.

Our thanks go to our Ambassador Michael Lloyd (’86) for hosting the NYC drinks and to Lee Mancini (’95) who was integral to the organising of the evening in UAE.

AMERICA: New York City Michael Lloyd Left RGS: 1986 Interests: Golf, fishing and field sports Family: Married to Jill with one daughter, Julia Career: Head of Trading

It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces (and some new) at both events, which included Reigatians based in the region and travelling through.

AUSTRALIA: Sydney Neil Brett Left RGS: 1980 Interests: Music, speedway and rugby Family: Married to Simone with 4 daughters Career: Mortgage and Independent Financial Advisor

HONG KONG WINTER DRINKS FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER

Drinks and conversations were free-flowing at the King Ludwig Beerhall on Friday 16 December to celebrate the festive season with this well-established Hong Kong Friends group.

Our thanks go to Grant Kennedy (’80) and Lawrence Webb (’77) who helped make this event happen.

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T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

OVERSEAS AMBASSADORS The Reigatian Community continues to spread further and wider around the globe. From New York to New Zealand, there are members of the community in most continents either working, with their families or enjoying a well-earned retirement.

We are delighted to have appointed RGS Overseas Ambassadors who are the points of contact for anyone wanting to join up with the existing established Reigatians in these far reaches. If you are living, travelling through or visiting any of these territories please email: foundation@reigategrammar.org so that we can put you in touch with your local ambassador.

AMERICA: Seattle David Mycroft

AUSTRALIA: Brisbane Chris Smedley

AUSTRALIA: Melbourne Raymond Buckett

Left RGS: 1976 Interests: Sailing, U19 County Rugby Coach Family: Married with two children aged 14 and 9 Career: Now retired

Left RGS: 1985 Interests: Real English Public Houses Family: Married to Sarah with 3 children Career: General Manager

Left RGS: 1966 Interests: Travelling, AFL and cricket Family: Partner Lorraine, 3 sons and 4 grandchildren Career: Pharmaceutical Industry

CANADA: Vancouver Matt Falkner

HONG KONG Lawrie Webb

NEW ZEALAND Howard Wilson

Left RGS: Interests: Family:

Career:

Left RGS: 1977 Interests: Open water swimming, rugby and running Family: Married to Vivien and three (mostly) grown up sons Career: Finance

Left RGS: 1974 Interests: Yacht racing, golf, travel, wine

and real ale, music Family: Married to Sue with one son, Alasdair Career: Rural General Practitioner (semi-retired)

SINGAPORE Ryan Younger

THAILAND

UAE: Dubai Campbell Steedman

Left RGS: 1991 Interests: Cold beverages Family: Married to Aileen and daughter Charlotte Career: Oil industry

Left RGS: 1991 Interests: Kayaking, surfing, sailing and most types of motorsport Family: Married with 2 sons Career: Investment Management

& Trading

1980 Rugby, airlines Married to Michelle, 2 children Aviation Security

Mark Blashfield

Relationship: Parent of Alumni Interests: Golf, dining and fine wines Family: Married to Sally, 2 children Career: Partner at White & Case

with vast Middle Eastern experience 17

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REUNION AUBS' DAY

SATURDAY 5 MARCH On Saturday 5 March, over 200 former pupils, staff and friends of RGS gathered in the Peter Masefield Hall to celebrate the life of legendary schoolmaster, Aubrey Scrase, who passed away shortly after his 90th birthday in November 2015.

It was a great testament to Aubs that so many Reigatians attended the event from near and far, to pay their respects to a wonderful man who had dedicated over 40 years of his life to Reigate Grammar School and had such a significant impact upon the lives of so many individuals and families.

The morning began with RGS pupils singing a medley of Mozart and Gilbert and Sullivan, Aubrey’s favourite music. RGS Headmaster, Mr Shaun Fenton, then welcomed the guests and led everyone in a heartfelt rendition of the school song – To be A Pilgrim.

What followed was an hour of story-telling, passionate sentiment and generous humour, as Reigatians and guests took to the stage to share their thoughts, memories and obvious affection for the man they admired so much.

Sir Keir Starmer (‘81), gave the final toast and asked everyone to raise their glass in honour of this truly great Reigatian with a fitting toast of “Silly Sod”!

Sean Davey, Foundation Director, reflected upon how we should remember Aubs and maintain his legacy. Following discussions with the Scrase family and many Reigatians, we have agreed that the creation of the ‘Aubrey Scrase Scholarship Fund’ to support disadvantaged children from the local area would be most appropriate. Aubrey Scrase believed that any child should have the opportunity to broaden their educational experience through extra-curricular activities therefore the fund will also support and enable those students from modest backgrounds to participate in the enrichment activities that RGS has to offer.

...ANY CHILD SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

To find out more or if you would like to discuss the Fund further please contact the Foundation office.

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WEST COUNTRY GATHERING WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE

On Wednesday 15 June, Bicton Park Botanical Gardens in Devon once again kindly hosted our annual West Country Gathering. Although the June weather gave us a dry morning it wasn’t long before the heavens opened and the rain pelted down over the beautiful gardens. Although the rain continued into the afternoon it failed to dampen the RGS spirit and a great time was had by all.

Champagne was served on the terrace which looked down over the gardens and fountain and a buffet lunch was served in the Orangery. Following lunch, guests enjoyed a leisurely trip on the Bicton Park Railway.

The train is an 18-inch gauge railway which wound its way through the Pinetum, home to many of Bicton’s champion trees. It then returned back along the banks of the Great Lake to complete its journey.

Special thanks must go to Fred Lister (‘46) and his daughter-in-law Valerie (owner of Bicton Park) for their hospitality and making the 2016 West Country Gathering a wonderful day.

CLASS OF 2012 – GRADUATION BRUNCH SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

The class of 2012 returned to RGS on Saturday 17 September for their Graduation Brunch. There was a fantastic atmosphere with over 80 in attendance and it was clear that this is still a particularly close year group, the connections and friendships formed at RGS had obviously stood the test of time (and distance) over the past four years.

With an embarrassing slideshow of photos selected for their amusement that tracked their journey through RGS playing in the background, RGS Headmaster, Shaun Fenton, spoke to the ‘class’ about the current state of the school: excelling on the stage, sports field, music department, CCF and DofE whilst at the same time reaching new academic highs in the classroom.

Many stayed on to watch the RGS 1st XV beat Wallington County Grammar School (eventually) and later in the afternoon made the short trip to Old Reigatian RFC to continue their socialising into the evening.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON – CLASS OF 1966 TUESDAY 21 JUNE

On Tuesday 21 June, RGS welcomed back 15 Old Reigatians from the class of 1966 and their partners for their Golden Anniversary.

Some had made return visits since leaving but for many this was their first trip back to RGS in fifty years.

The morning began with refreshments in the Library followed by tours of the school with current Lower Sixth Form students. Guests reminisced on their time at RGS, recalling classes and teachers as well as seeing how the campus and facilities have expanded and changed over the years. The tours ended in the garden of the Headmaster’s House,

1 Chart Lane, where lunch was enjoyed outside in the sunshine. Photographs from the archives were displayed along with some newspaper cuttings, courtesy of Chris Smith, reporting on the RGS rugby team from 1964 making history in their defeat against the RGS Old Boys. Much time was spent looking through all the photographs and trying to recall names and anecdotes from years gone by.

The afternoon was rounded off with a Living History session which involved Third Form history students talking with guests about life at RGS now and then. The students helped to serve afternoon tea in the garden and thoroughly enjoyed hearing stories about life at RGS fifty years ago.

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UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES 2016 HONOURS Congratulations to all those that graduated in 2016.

We wish you all the very best of luck with your future chosen career paths. Don’t forget to join the RGS Professionals group for networking, connectivity and support in a professional environment.

 Reigate Grammar School Professionals

Imogen Adshead Southampton University Geology Type of degree: MSc Class of degree: 2:1

Lottie Colquhoun Loughborough University Marketing and Management Type of degree: MSc Class of degree: Merit

Jamie Alderson University of Durham Geoscience Type of degree: MSc Class of degree: 2:1

Sophie Crump York University History Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 1st

Doug Andrew Sheffield University Medicine

Doug Dew University of Northumbria Applied Project Management Type of degree: MA Class of degree: Commendation

Dave Assender Bath University Modern Languages and European Studies Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 1st Toby Barnard Oxford University Chemistry Type of degree: MChem Class of degree: 1st Elanor Bond Cambridge University Philosophy Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1 Emily Bowden Sheffield University Geography Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1 Philip Carter Bath University Mathematics Type of degree: MMath Class of degree: 1st Struan Clark Kings College London International Politics Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1

We endeavour to obtain as many University Honours as possible, but occasionally this is not possible, if you did not appear in this year’s University Honours List and would like to, please let us know and we will add you to next year’s list.

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Alex Cloake Oxford University - Brasenose Biochemistry Type of degree: Class of degree: 2:1 Sam Cloake Oxford University - St John's College Chemistry Type of degree: MChem Class of degree: 1st

Catherine Fell Leeds University Medical Biochemistry Type of degree: Bsc Class of degree: 1st Shani Freeke Cardiff Physiotherapy Degree: BSc Class: 2:1 Adi Gandhi University College London Computer Science Type of degree: MEng Class: 1st Gemma Grabham UWE Bristol Bioveterinary Science Type of degree: BSc Hons Class: 1st Camilla Hanson Arts University Bournemouth Illustration Type of degree: BA Class: 2:1 Matt Hill Essex University Politics Type of degree: BA Class: 2:1 Guy Holden York University History Type of degree: BA Class: 1st Lucas Holmes Southampton University Geography Type of degree: BA Class: 2:1

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

UNIVERSITY HONOURS SUPPLEMENTARY YEARS

Cameron Hunter York University History Type of degree: BA Hons Class: 2:1

Raiyaan Shahzad Warwick University Accounting & Finance Type of degree: BSci Class: of degree 1st

Aman Jain Imperial College London Medicine

Elliott Shiel Birmingham University Medicine Type of degree: MB ChB

Hamza Khan Manchester University Economics and Politics Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1 Louisa Mamalis Leeds University Environmental Science Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 1st Alicia Newman Durham University Modern Languages Type of degree: BA Hons Class of degree: 2:1 Peter O'Brien Warwick University English and Theatre Studies Type of degree: BA Hons Class of degree: 1st Fraser Picken Aberystwyth University Genetics Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 2:2

Matt Smith Portsmouth University Accounting and Business Type of degree: BA Hons Class of degree: 1st Ben Stevens Bristol University Cellular & Molecular Medicine Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 2:1 Kate Strudwick – Email to ok Kingston University Graphic Design Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 1st Juliet Temko Bristol University Politics and Sociology Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 2:1 Arani Vivekanantham Keele University Primary Care Sciences Type of degree: MB ChB, MPhil

Will Preston Bath University Accountancy and Finance Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 1st

Ted Winder Sheffield University Politics Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1

Abigail Prior The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance Songwriting Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1

Georgie Wood Royal Holloway Geography Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 2:1

Esme Proffitt Southampton University Psychology Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 1st

Stephanie Wright Kingston University Graphic Design Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 1st

Emma Bates King's College London War Studies Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1 Graduation year: 2015 Max Callaghan University College London Psychology Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 2:1 Graduation year: 2015 Lottie Colquhoun Loughborough University Politics with a minor in Criminology Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:2 Graduation year: 2015 Rachel Hank (nee Clarke) Durham University Biological Sciences Type of degree: BSc Class of degree: 1st Graduation year: 2015 Dan Hanson University of Manchester Mechanical Engineering Type of degree: MEng Class of degree: 2:1 Robin Hardman Durham University Politics Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1 Graduation year: 2015 Luke Prior Academy of Contemporary Music Music Production Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 1st Graduation year: 2015 Ryan Smith Durham University Politics Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1 Graduation year: 2015

Harriet Riches Newcastle University History Type of degree: BA Class of degree: 2:1 21

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HONOURS OBE AWARDED TO OR, DAVID HOPE-JONES (RGS 1993-1996)

Former Reigate Grammar School student, David Hope-Jones, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours for services to international development.

“I spent some of my earliest years in Africa, with my family based in Malawi and Botswana, so it’s wonderful to be helping support the continuing friendship with Malawi.”

At 33 years old, David Hope-Jones was amongst the youngest recipients of an OBE, historically, less than 4% of all Honours go to those under the age of 40.

Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon David Mundell, said: “I am very pleased that David has been awarded an OBE and it is testament to many years of dedicated service.”

Now based in Edinburgh, David served as Principal Officer of the Scotland Malawi Partnership since 2008, during which time the organisation grew significantly in scale, reach and impact. The Scotland Malawi Partnership is the national network coordinating, representing and supporting the long-standing civic links between the two nations.

David also served as Secretary of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Malawi since 2008, through which time there had been sustained all-party support for Scotland’s civic links with Malawi in Holyrood.

David said: “It is a fantastic surprise and a great honour to be named in the Queen’s 90th birthday honours list. Not something I would have ever dreamt of!

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Former First Minister of Scotland, Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell said: “This is so well deserved. David Hope-Jones is a leader, builder, humanitarian and terrific adviser. Congratulations.”

Before leading the Scotland Malawi Partnership, David worked as Services Manager the Youth and Schools Manager for the British Red Cross in Edinburgh.

David lives with his wife Amelia in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, and they welcomed their first child in 2016.

NOT SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE EVER DREAMT OF!

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

FEATURES TREVOR KAVANAGH RGS 1954-1960

“SERENDIPITY IS WHAT MAKES JOURNALISM SO EXCITING” TREVOR KAVANAGH

I returned to Reigate Grammar School (RGS) this summer to take part in a Sixth Form debate on whether we should vote to Stay or Leave the European Union. I argued for Brexit and, a week or two later, so did the majority of the British people. I hope and trust it will soon become clear we made the right decision.

Walking back through the doors of this great school for only the second time since I left in 1960 was a salutary experience. A lot has happened in the 56 years since I ceased full-time education, both for me personally and for RGS and the educational environment in which it thrives.

I was given a guided tour by the Head Boy and Head Girl, George Elliston and Megan Woods. What I remembered as a small campus has mushroomed into an impressive seat of learning with wonderful facilities.

When I arrived as an 11-plus survivor, RGS was a state school, but with all the manifestations of the independent status it had enjoyed until a few years previously. Our schoolmasters, many of them not long out of military service, wore gowns and cheerfully imposed appropriate discipline, with the cane

where necessary. I regret it did me little good and I left with a handful of O Levels in mathematics and English Language and Literature.

Headmaster TWW ("Cloggs") Holland summed up my prospects as he bade me farewell: "You'll never amount to anything, Kavanagh," he said, with awesome prescience.

But while I left no impression, the school had an enduring impact on me. Thanks to its excellent teachers, I developed my love of the English language and the meaning of words and a lively curiosity. Journalism beckoned.

The late Nicholas Tomalin, a fine practitioner of the craft, famously summed up what was required. "The only qualities essential for real success in journalism are rat-like cunning, a plausible manner and a little literary ability," he said. I matched the specifications perfectly and spent the next three years on The Surrey Mirror covering council meetings, magistrates’ courts, weddings and funerals.

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FEATURES

IT HOLDS TO ACCOUNT THOSE IN POWER OVER US AND SEEKS TO UNCOVER AND EXPOSE THE CORRUPTION THAT INEVITABLY FLOURISHES IN DARK CORNERS.

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My first taste of real journalism came in 1963 when police named Ronnie Biggs as one of the Great Train Robbers. I was the first reporter on the family doorstep in Alpine Road, Redhill, shouting through the letter box for his wife Charmian to open the door and talk to me. She refused. But at least she also refused to talk to any of the Fleet Street hacks who swarmed on to the scene.

My next stop was far from Fleet Street. By some bizarre misunderstanding and with zero knowledge of farming I was hired as agricultural correspondent by the Hereford Evening News. It was a steep but wonderful learning curve. Serendipity is what makes journalism so exciting.

Two years later, I was off to Australia as a "Ten Pound Pom", one of many subsidised migrants heading Down Under and a world of new opportunities. I discovered the joys of political journalism, working as Canberra correspondent for a Sydney evening newspaper. The crisis-beset labour government was heading for the rocks, with Prime Minister Gough Whitlam trying to keep the government afloat by tossing cabinet ministers overboard at the rate of almost one a week. In 1975 his government was finally put out of its misery, sacked by

the Queen's representative, GovernorGeneral, John Kerr. It was a historic moment.

And I was hooked on the adrenalin of politics.

I returned to England in 1978 just in time for the Winter of Discontent and industrial mayhem, joined The Sun - then as now the UK's biggest-selling daily newspaper - and covered the trade union movement's last desperate attempt to answer to Ted Heath's question: "Who runs the country". It turned out to be Maggie Thatcher, not miners' leader Arthur Scargill.

In 1983 I was appointed Political Editor and stayed for a record 23 years, four prime ministers, six elections, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transformation of Britain from "Sick Man of Europe" into the world's fifth-largest economy.

Covering politics, they say, is to write the first draft of history. It is a very rich seam.

A political journalist in the crow's nest of Westminster's lobby system has a privileged vantage point as major stories and events unfold. Secretaries of State frequently know less about fast-moving events than the hacks who cover them.

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

Stories come in torrents from official and unofficial sources. They range from major policy announcements to sudden economic crises to a military invasion of foreign lands.

Great exclusives once arrived in plain brown envelopes. Today, confidential information is conveyed by text or leaked over lunch, tipping us off about Westminster ambushes, sackings or calculated acts of sabotage. There is rarely a dull moment in the labyrinthine Westminster Press Gallery, known in its sweaty, smoke-filled heyday as The Burma Road.

Each of Britain's newspapers, broadcasters, wire services and electronic media are represented there. Hundreds of accredited journalists prowl the corridors of power - Members' Lobby, Portcullis House and Whitehall. They meet the Prime Minister's spokesman twice a day for briefings where the day's news agenda is set - not always in the way Downing Street planned. Here is where ministers' careers are made and destroyed, sometimes at the hands of those hacks immortalised by Denis Thatcher as "The Reptiles", the doyens of what is known as the Fourth Estate after the House of Lords, the Bishops' bench and the House of Commons.

A free press is imperfect, often outrageous and sometimes irresponsible - but it is indispensable as a watchdog in our democratic system. It holds to account those in power over us and seeks to uncover and expose the corruption that inevitably flourishes in dark corners. But newspapers are under serious threat - from heavyhanded police, thin-skinned politicians and from those with lots of money and something to hide.

TODAY, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IS CONVEYED BY TEXT OR LEAKED OVER LUNCH...

Those national newspapers who expose great scandals to the benefit of their readers are in decline. Local papers, the lifeblood of a society which needs to keep an eye on local authorities, local police and the criminal fraternity are a threatened species. Few today report council meetings, inquests and court proceedings as I once did. As for the police, they now tell us almost nothing.

Ordinary members of the public, you and I, are the losers.

Much has changed since I left RGS 56 years ago. For RGS it has been for the better. For the newspaper industry I chose as a career, sadly it has been for the worst.

Trevor Kavanagh (RGS 1954-1960)

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FEATURES

JEREMY THOMPSON RGS 1972-1975 RGS TO ESPIRITU SANTO, VANUATU JEREMY THOMPSON’S JOURNEY In 1972 I transferred from a Secondary School where the aspirational horizons were “fog and low grey cloud”.

Three years of savouring A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics at RGS immersed me in an entirely different school ethos where spirits sparked and the horizons were blue sky.

From Reigate to Aberdeen University, whose leaving present was a BSc (Agr) with which I entered the financial services industry – naturally. Six years of working in London, commuting on British Rail with long, sunless days were ample; I emigrated to New Zealand’s magnificent South Island in 1986 and thrived.

The financial planning industry was being born following the Labour Government’s deregulation of the woeful economy it inherited in 1984. Building Financial Strategies (NZ) Ltd. was inventive, pioneering work. It was one of the first firms to introduce a fee-based, fully transparent remuneration system. Clients gathered and stayed. Their wealth and multi-generational financial security grew, and with it the firm’s revenue.

An innovative succession plan was woven into the company’s re-engineered constitution in 2004, facilitating expansion and the staged purchase of my shares by senior colleagues. I retired fully in 2008 at the tender age of 52, free to enjoy family time and work on our rural property.

In 2015, with two kids having graduated and working and the third nearly so, we sold our property, sold or gave away lots of accumulated ‘stuff’, then packed the rest into a shipping container parked on a friend’s land. My wife and I then moved to the Vanuatu island of Espiritu Santo where I had a two-year job with NZ’s Volunteer Service Abroad (www.vsa.org.nz). Just as a BSc (Agr) did not lead me into the financial services industry, a successful career in personal financial planning and investment management didn’t exactly gift wrap me as Market Adviser (Coconut Research & Development) – but what a rewarding experience it was.

For many Old Reigatians reading this, Vanuatu could be on another planet.

Having lived and worked in the developed world until aged 59, life on the island of Espiritu Santo, just a four hour flight from NZ, felt like spinning in another orbit.

South Island

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North Island

NEW ZEALAND

FOR MANY OR'S READING THIS, VANUATU COULD BE ON ANOTHER PLANET.

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What are the differences?

The climate is tropical with 25°c to 32°c and high humidity; the national language is Bislama, a pijin English (eg. Bra = Basket blong titty); the ethnicity is Melanesian; the inhabitants are dark skinned. In addition to these physical differences are the culture and human tempo. Ni-Vanuatan priorities are: Family first, Church second, work a distant third.

Now back in Nelson, New Zealand preparing for the next adventure. In April 2017 we float our motorbikes across the Tasman Sea to Sydney, then fly over in early May to head up the eastern seaboard and circumnavigate that great big island counter-clockwise. Apart from the anaemic frozen beer and the multitude of bity creatures great and small, it should be a lot of fun.

Day to day we revelled in the openness of expression, the whoops and screams of laughter, the smiling eyes, the contentment without ‘stuff’. Work is a procession of bizarre frustrations, a process of slowing down, of weaving together tangential wavelengths. Patience, humility – keys to coping.

To conclude, this old Reigatian is having a great life. I’m in touch with two school friends. Howard Wilson (’74) (RGS name “Wilf”) who moved to New Zealand in 1992, and in early 2015, thanks to RGS Foundation & Alumni, I met up with Nimalandrin (“Nimal”) Muttucumaru (’74) when he was holidaying in Sydney.

L to R: J. Thompson and N. Muttucumaru

Thank you Reigate Grammar – you were a great launching pad.

Me, middle of screen after presentation to Port Olry coconut growers

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FEATURES

ZAMBIA PROJECT 2016 CLAIRE FORSTER (RGS 2007-2014)

The phrase ‘once in a lifetime’ gets thrown around a lot these days, but when you embark on a project such as this, it’s almost impossible to call it anything else. This summer, five Durham students and I travelled to Zambia as part of the Durham Drama Outreach programme.

It’s a charity project with aims of helping educate and build confidence through drama and the arts in the form of a cultural exchange.

The 6-week placement was divided between Livingstone, home of the beautiful Victoria Falls, and Lusaka, the buzzy capital.

After 24 hours of travelling we arrived in Livingstone, sweaty, tired and full of excitement. It was the last day of elections and the small town was silent: the streets empty. Our first few days were taken up with meeting and greeting, “hello’s” and “nice-to-meet-you’s” and enthusing promises of working together soon. Our time in Livingstone was split between Palm Grove School, Maramba Old Age Home, Lubasi Orphanage, the Reform Church and the Divine Fire Cathedral Church. Palm Grove School was by far our biggest placement and we decided to take on the monumental task of teaching Shakespeare (without the Shakespearean language of course!). Ruby and I ran workshops throughout the two weeks, with the aim of producing a 28

Shakespearean tale for the final showcase.

Each morning was rounded off with the children teaching us a bit of Zambian culture: we learnt songs, dances and drumming rhythms.

The singing in the churches was amazing and getting the opportunity to join the choirs during their services was very special.

The journey to Lusaka was long, but what shocked us most was the massive difference.

Livingstone was quite sleepy and we had to stop the car to let elephants past on the way to the school each morning! Lusaka had people everywhere, men hanging out of tiny buses that squeezed over 20 people in, chickens and stalls and herds of people at the sides of every major road and the electoral campaign everywhere. It was chaos, yet thrilling.

After getting used to haggling my way onto the bus every morning, and almost sitting on the lap of the lady next to me, I arrived at Fountain of Hope. Fountain of Hope is an orphanage for boys, but with its amazing circular library, children from all around would come to be read to, for PSHE and just to play. We had the task of getting ready for yet another showcase, but this one was to be even bigger. After picking a storybook from the shelves of the library, we told the tale of the Old Wise Women, with the message to

treat your elders with respect. One difficult thing in Lusaka was definitely having to deal with five-hour power cuts directly over dinner time!

The highlight of my trip, however, had to be the three days we spent in the rural village.

I’ve never been so immersed in a culture so distinctly different from my own. To be able to chat to the women, play with the children and help cook, pick vegetables and fetch water was truly amazing. The view of the stars at night, whilst sat around the fire, was magical.

IT WAS CHAOS, YET THRILLING.

STUDENT WEEK @ INVESTEC Though only a week long, my experience on the Student Week at Investec was truly invaluable and I would like to thank Sam Wright (’98) for providing me with this fantastic opportunity. The week offered an overview into various aspects of the financial service that Investec offers to its clients, as well as an opportunity to undertake some research of our own. Particularly enjoyable was a visit to the trading floor where the dealers execute the trades which comprise their clients’ portfolios.

Undertaking our own research into a FTSE 100 company for a presentation at the end of the week was challenging, having never even seen a company’s annual report before.

However the experience was incredibly rewarding in terms of having to produce team work with people I had never met, and presenting in front of a group of analysts whose experience spanned decades.

L to R: J. Hylton, J. Du Buisson, J. Taylor, S. Wright

Like most university students who have just completed their first year, I found I still had very little idea as to what I wanted to do after graduation. This was where the experience was most interesting and worthwhile for me as somewhat unexpectedly, I found that Sam’s own role as a portfolio manager appealed to me as a career choice I might potentially be interested in.

Since completing the week, I have applied for internships at a number of companies for a similar role and have found that the knowledge and experience gained from the week at Investec has been highly regarded by all to which I have applied. I am very grateful to Sam for offering me the chance to take part in the student week and for the insights I was able to gain throughout it.

JAMES TAYLOR (RGS 2008-2015) 29

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LIFE IN THE FAR EAST LANE

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FEATURES

...WHO CAN SIT WITH YOU IN A LAND ROVER FOR SIX MONTHS IS MARRIAGE MATERIAL! DANIEL MOYLAN (RGS 1992-1996)

I left Reigate Grammar School a little directionless. I had won an acting prize for playing Mark Anthony, but anyone who remembers me will know that I had never been top of the class. When it came to exams, I always did just enough, and managed passable grades. After leaving however, it soon became apparent that I had actually received a first class education.

Something I had taken for granted at the time, but have benefited from ever since.

I caught the travel bug, and began my adventures in South East Asia. Spending my early twenties working for half the year, and travelling for the rest. I trained and supplemented my income with work as a Divemaster in Thailand. Eventually though, I decided to set down some roots, saved some money, and bought a house in Beckenham.

By the time I was 24 I was working as a Sales Manager in the family business, a leasing company. It was then that my life was turned upside down. When out one night on a date in my new town, we had a run in with a group of young thugs, who attacked both the girl and me. The scuffle was brief, but we got away, only to be cornered by the same gang in a dark alley a short while later. I woke up

in hospital, needing major facial surgery and was lucky to be alive. The next year was hard for me, after the surgery and some counselling, I began the arduous process of police statements. Eventually four arrests were made, and then after nine months a brief but successful court case. The gruelling four-hour stint in the witness box proved to give me the closure I needed. I walked out of the court feeling lighter, but I needed an outlet for the negativity, to reclaim a lost year of my life and to restore my faith in human nature.

My idea began to take shape. To combine my love of cars and travel in a round-the-world overland trip. I created a website, and bought a very special Land Rover Wolf made for Sir Ranulph Fiennes. The project began to take on a life of its own, with press coverage, corporate sponsors and even the filming of a pilot for a TV series. On the 1st January 2007, after two years of careful planning, The Lone Wolf TransGlobal Expedition began.

We headed Eastwards through Europe and into Turkey via Bulgaria; then through Iran, my favourite country, and Pakistan where I often wore a bullet proof vest and had some interesting run-ins with the ISI. In Pakistan my two crew members left me as planned, and I continued alone into South East Asia.

There I met the girl who I would later marry, having realised that anyone who can sit with you in a Land Rover for six months is marriage material! From Asia, I shipped the vehicle to America, driving south through Mexico as far as Costa Rica, before finally shipping across to Spain and finishing the journey on the 21st December. I had crossed 32 countries in 12 months, and learned many life lessons.

The journey did not end there though.

My new experience led me to write for a Land Rover magazine, which sent me to cover races and expeditions, from the UK to Morocco. At the same time I worked for an events company, and my wife Nee and I had our first child. In 2012 we followed a work opportunity to Thailand, and sold the Land Rover to build a traditional house on our 50 acre farm, a wedding gift from the family, where we had our second child.

The work opportunity was for SpiceRoads, a Cycle Touring company that operates in 31 countries, with our latest being Iran, my favourite destination that I passed through.

Last year I took over the management of the company, and now spend my days between my family, the office and our latest adventure destinations.

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FEATURES

THE DASH TO THE MED 2016 (D2TM) When the idea of the trip of a lifetime came up, tropical sunshine, clear blue seas, white sandy beaches and long hot days were the first things that sprung to mind…

The 32 drivers who took part in ‘The Dash to The Med 2016’ certainly ticked one of those boxes but probably not in the fashion that they would have liked. The long days were made even hotter as the tired engines on several of our £500 bangers, worked overtime during our fairly gruelling, 1250km trip from RH2 to 06400 – Cannes on the stunning Cote D’Azur.

31 mad locals and one rock star (Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden) set off on the 21st September in teams of two, in a car that couldn’t cost more than £500 – receipts required. There was to be no satnav and no autoroutes – just to add to the fun and mayhem. Sponsorship was required to the tune of a minimum of £1000 per car which would help raise funds for our four charities, one of which was the RGS Changing Lives campaign.

At exactly 7pm, the cars were fired into life, or something that resembled a bag of rusty nuts and bolts being shaken.

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Throttles were squeezed and the car park of The Black Horse, Reigate became a pea souper, rather spoiling the wonderful moules/frites that were being served and choking the excellent jazz band who had been playing so beautifully. Our local constabulary (thank you Surrey Police) kindly held the traffic up on the A25 as the 16 cars attempted to find some of their former glory. It was an AMAZING sight as the cars, including a hearse, a funeral cortege car, a car with a fully erected sail and a convertible Saab, hand painted chocolate brown, with a rather regal looking bust glued to the bonnet left for the 10pm overnight crossing from Portsmouth to Caen, in Northern France.

But, was three-hours enough time for the 60 mile trip?

What could possibly go wrong?

By Dorking, the 16 car crocodile was already in smaller splinters, by Guildford it was in shreds and by the time we hit the ferry terminal, it was officially in tatters.

One possible head gasket blown, one drinking water like a thirsty desert athlete and one car stuck in second gear. But these were minor issues compared to the one individual who had left his passport in RH2!

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

“ AUBREY HAD THAT SPECIAL GIFT OF BEING A TEACHER WHO COULD COMMAND RESPECT WITH AN EASY MANNER THAT ACHIEVED GREAT RESULTS. I WILL ALWAYS BE IN HIS DEBT.”

What could possibly go wrong?

The rear of the hearse had been turned into something rather less sombre than that for its intended customers - a vodka bar, complete with an interesting array of flavoured varieties, neon lights and complimentary bar stools, which were set up every time we stopped – the first official sampling taking place at the ferry terminal – lane 2.

The arrival into Cannes on 24th September was incredible. Horns blaring, lights flashing, loudhailer shouting, a real spectacle. Partners were already in situ, dressed in pink polo shirts, as were the boys – the town will still be recovering!

Chris Driscoll (Parent of Alumni)

An enormous thank you to all of our wonderfully enthusiastic drivers, our wonderful supporters and most of all, our wonderful sponsors.

Every morning, we all left on the stroke of 8.30am but only when instructed to by one of the drivers through his loudhailer system, temporarily fitted to the roof. The day could begin…

Staying in some idyllic villages, travelling through the most beautiful scenery and eating in some fabulous hostelries made the next 60 hours with 31 other likeminded individuals a truly unforgettable experience – something that will stay with us for a long time. The break downs and misery forgotten. The fun, camaraderie, dogged commitment and sheer tenacity became apparent from the moment we left and only grew throughout the trip.

So, what was the result? £79,000 shared equally between our four charities. Every part of the trip was self-funded, ensuring that every penny raised went to the good causes.

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FEATURES

MENTAL ARITHMETIC: HOW TO MAKE A POSITIVE OUT OF A NEGATIVE JAMES RUDOLPH (RGS 1984-1992)

In April 2015 I ran seven marathons in six days starting with the London Marathon and ending in Cardiff to raise funds for LATCH. LATCH is a children’s cancer charity that helped my family in many ways as my son Oscar was being treated for cancer. I was joined by friends and family, including school friend Gareth Morgan (‘92) every step of the way. Guest appearances by Alex Cooke (’92), Simon Hygate (’92) and Ollie Hayler (’92) also raised spirits. We managed to raise over £90,000 that week.

My youngest son, Oscar, was diagnosed with cancer the day after my 40th birthday. He was admitted to hospital where doctors discovered a tumour in his pelvis which was later diagnosed as a soft tissue Ewing's sarcoma. At diagnosis it measured 11cm by 9cm by 7cm. That's huge in an adult but an unimaginable size in a 4-year-old.

Oscar underwent continuous cycles of chemotherapy every three weeks for ten months; had numerous CT scans and MRIs, had a permanent Hickman line inserted permanently in his chest, had a catheter for two months, countless blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, eight weeks of proton radiotherapy in the US, many re-hospitalisations with infections when his blood counts were low, a bone scan, regular heart and kidney tests, a bone marrow harvest and more.

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HE IS AN INSPIRATION. HE IS MY HERO. HE IS MY SON.

Staying on a paediatric oncology ward is always a sobering experience. It is always almost unbearably painful to see families with recently-diagnosed children whose parents are literally physically reeling from shock; to spend all day and all night on a ward where, most of the time, you can hear a child crying or moaning in pain or vomiting. If LATCH can make their lives even the tiniest bit easier, even if it’s just by buying them some tea bags, then all the wonderful people who have run and supported and donated or even just ‘liked’ a Facebook post and so spurred everyone on, have done a very good thing.

Oscar continues to do well, he still has regular MRIs and X-rays, and his cancer remains in remission. He has had to go through so much that a bit of running to raise some vital funds was the least I could do.

I ran 186 miles in six days, and I’d do it again tomorrow.

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

If you would like to visit the school, we would be delighted to welcome you back for a tour, please email foundation@reigategrammar.org

SCHOOL VISITS

Simon Aplin (RGS 1990) with family from France - RGS visit Feb 2016

Andy Malcolm (RGS 1984) RGS visit June 2016

Iain McLean (RGS 1974) RGS visit June 2016

Trevor Kavanagh (RGS 1961) RGS visit June 2016

Mark Blashfeld (RGS 1991) with sons RGS visit July 2016

Dick Chapman (RGS 1964) with wife Anne RGS visit July 2016

Andrew Cooper (RGS 1982) with Family RGS visit Aug 2016

L to R: Graham Wadey (RGS 1973), Andrew Gordon (RGS 1973), Paul Fletcher (RGS 1973), Andrew Woolley (RGS 1973) and Nicolas Kinloch (RGS 1973) RGS visit Sept 2016

Howard Wilson (RGS 1974) with wife Sue RGS visit Oct 2016 from New Zealand

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RECOLLECTIONS & MEMORIES REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1945-50 There is, at the moment much debate about social mobility, some of it centred on a proposal to re-introduce grammar schools, most of which were abolished in the 80s.

Well my “social mobility” started here and went on through my life. Thanks to the 1944 Education Act, my time at Reigate Grammar School (RGS) was the first of two important, truly life-changing experiences. The other was the Army.

I never realised at the time the sacrifices my mother and father made so that I could take up my place at RGS. It was free, I thought, and that was that. What a credit to them that they never let me feel guilty, for the extra expense of school uniform, cricket and rugby kit and so many other extras that must have put a substantial additional burden on their already overstretched household budget.

I loved being at Reigate Grammar School.

I started to learn about music and soon realised that whatever I did, music would always be a very important part of my life and, academically, the education I received laid a firm foundation for my life. Not being able (financially) to consider university, this became clearer to me the older I became.

For not only was the teaching in all subjects thorough and objective, probably the most important aspect was the development of an inquiring mind. Today, I look back on a successful business career as well as a successful musical one, and yet my full time education ended when I was 16.

I joined the CCF Army section and got my Cert A parts I and II. This, I later discovered, automatically entitled me, when I did my National Service, to attend a WOSB (War Office Selection Board) where I was selected for officer training at Eaton Hall Officer Cadet School and commissioned.

In the CCF I played the bugle and the simple system flute in the band. I was given (on loan) a brand new trumpet. Unfortunately there was no money for lessons, but with the aid of a “tutor” and some advice from the music teacher, I was able to play in the school orchestra. For a school orchestra it wasn’t too bad, but I must admit that it wasn’t going to give the LPO any problems!

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Here, I must say a special thank you to my music teacher, the late George Thompson.

I had a naturally good treble voice and sang in my local church choir. At RGS my voice developed. I just loved singing and remember well being able to sing the “Alleluja” from Mozart’s “Exultate Jubilate” – yes with all the runs! I thought nothing of it really – I just did it! I learned so much from George Thompson, I was a sponge. He would sit at the piano and introduce us to composer after composer, playing examples of their works and we would sing songs by Mozart, Schumann, Schubert and Brahms from the Boosey and Hawkes English Editions for schools. He also conducted the school choirs in which I sang first as a soprano, and later as a baritone. My voice developed so that later in life I was able to attend Trinity College of Music as a part-time student and sang professionally although, as my business career developed, not exclusively. Most musicians have to have an alternative source of income, and eventually mine overtook music, at which time I turned to conducting.

George Thompson also taught woodwork and had a North Country accent and dry sense of humour that (when out of earshot) we would mimic. I remember a boy who had a remarkable brain but could do little with his hands. We were given a piece of wood and were told to make a face side and edge which we did, but no matter how much he tried, he could never get it flat. George came up behind him one day and cried, “Ah boy!

I give you a piece of wood two inches thick and you plane it down to the thickness of a fag paper! Do ten pages of writing

by Monday!”

 I joined the Literary and Dramatic Society and performed in two plays. From top to bottom I played; Countess of Derby in Richard of Bordeaux and So & So in Lady Precious Stream.

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

The 1948 Olympic Games 1948 saw the Olympic Games come to London. Excitement all round of course, it was just three years after the end of the war and the country needed something to raise its spirits. I went up to Reigate early in the morning, walking through Reigate Park with hundreds of others to see the Olympic torch come through on its way to Wembley. In the town the High Street was lined both sides, two or three rows deep, as we all waited with excitement. Suddenly we heard a distant roar of applause from the Redhill direction. It was coming! We couldn’t see anything yet of course. Then the roar became louder and louder accompanied by, did I hear it correctly, laughter. Then came into view a lone athlete – well he was dressed like an athlete. It was Frank Ling who had a sweet shop in South Park and was a bit of an entrepreneur. Dressed in shorts and singlet and running shoes he carried a poster advertising a Dance at the Market Hall Redhill! He certainly had a large and well prepared audience. Then, at last, came the Olympic Torch. I can see it now. With no television it was the only opportunity, until the newsreels came to the cinemas.

Sports Day Junior Mile Winner, 1949

U15 Race Winner, 1949

At school I enjoyed Rugby, was never really much good at cricket but, above all, I loved running. Finding that I had a natural talent I trained and trained. Through rain or shine, I would run from Alexander Road, up to Reigate Park where I would run the whole of the perimeter, sometimes twice, and back home - a distance well in excess of the school Cross Country. It paid off, for in 1949 I won the U15 race, setting a new record.

Then, in the summer, the annual school sports day, still just U15, I won the Junior Mile, convincingly.

I have never forgotten my time at the school and in recent years I have found, through the 1675 Society, a way of giving something back in the hope of helping young promising children whose circumstances would not otherwise enable them to enjoy the experience that has meant so much to me.

Thank you RGS!

Lady Precious Stream, 1949

Peter Clarke (RGS 1945-1950)

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RECOLLECTIONS & MEMORIES

FROM RGS TO ENTREPRENEUR TO VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDER IN 50 YEARS! DUNCAN PLAYFORD (RGS 1966-1974)

 L to R back row: R. Hoolahan, N. Mantell, P. Shrimpton & M. Perryman L to R front row: Sh. Jones, T. Burt and D. Playford

I loved my time at Reigate Grammar School. Not necessarily academically, although it's "sums", Spanish and French would hold me in good stead for my professional career.

Sport however, was a different story.

Cricket (which I captained from the second year onwards), basketball and even football (plus the fitness and practice) took up all my time and kept me out of trouble. But the main one was rugby. The 1st XV of 1971-72, 1972-73 and 1973-74 (which I captained) and in the infamous 56 games over three years unbeaten. You don't go that long beating Millfield, Cowley, De La Salle and Campion etc, without being seriously good. Not only that, but the 7s team of 1972-73 and 1973-74 which I also captained was almost unbeatable. I am still very good friends with the likes of Paul Shrimpton (’73), John Rowlands (‘73), Graham Read (‘73), Dave Lamb (‘74), Martyn Bates (’75), Ian Kirk (’74) and Dave Cooper (’74) 50 years on without a break.

Rugby and RGS taught us the meaning and strength of friendship. Never to be underestimated.

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I decided not to go to university, instead I worked in Spain twice, the second for a reinsurance broker which, became my profession. From the mid-seventies to eighties I progressed up the ladder eventually running divisions that specialised in the Caribbean and Latin-America. I was fortunate to travel extensively throughout these regions.

In 1989 I was asked by the chairman of the insurance subsidiary of HSBC to form a new company, specialising in a relatively unusual but highly paid form of insurance covering damage to commercial, industrial and sometimes residential properties caused by natural catastrophes and terrorism (pre 11/09/2001). He flatteringly called me an entrepreneur capable of making this a success.

For the next ten years the company grew into a market force also expanding to the Far East where I likewise travelled extensively. My three favourite cities at that time were Kingston (Jamaica), Manila (Philippines) and Bogota (Colombia). The latter is still one of my favourite places anywhere in the world! Travelling these regions six to ten times a year was not a hardship. Best golf course played?

Caymanas (Kingston, Jamaica). I also had the privilege of being selected to represent the Lloyds Insurance Market on rugby tours to Hong Kong and Japan and then Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco. Not bad places to tour! The reception at the British Embassy in Tokyo will forever stay in my memory.

Having retired from HSBC in 2001 I found I had a lot of time on my hands. There's only a certain amount of golf, walking and socialising you can do! I decided to get involved in charity work, starting with a children's charity who give five day breaks to young carers at two retreats in Devon and Cornwall. Looking after 7-11 or 12-15 year-old boys and girls from 7am to 10pm followed by a debrief is exhausting.

Enormously rewarding but still mentally, physically and emotionally draining, especially when you’re over 50 years old.

Having done this periodically for ten years and after two full hip replacements (due to rugby injuries) I decided I could no longer compete with these children, especially at 3-4 hours a day of sport!

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

In 2014 I approached the Tandridge Volunteer Centre and was asked to "befriend" an 85-year-old Ex-Pilot whose main love was speaking Spanish. Without going into details, he has led the most amazing life of anyone I know. I am totally in awe of him and I can assure you, that in my 40 years of travelling the world I have met some pretty amazing characters, but nobody else gets even close to him.

Surrey County Council found out about this and asked me to front their advertising campaign to encourage more volunteers.

I appeared on the front of the winter 2015-

ď„ş L to R back row: Sh. Jones, I. Kirk, C. Gillett, J. Charman, M. Bates, D. Lamb, S. Mullins, "T.J." McLean, R. Harden L to R front row: N. Brown, M. Naylor, C. Wise, D. Playford, D. Cooper, S. Hamilton, R. Hoolahan

16 Surrey Matters magazine distributed to half a million homes in the county. My picture also appeared on the back of buses and inside trains. And yes, all the jokes have already been made!

Amazingly, all of this latter fame is not down to me but to my magnificent "friend" Gerald who is the superstar, not me. And RGS played a massive part in getting me to where I am today. Thank you.

 Surrey Matters Magazine, winter 2015/16 edition

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RECOLLECTIONS & MEMORIES

EXIT STAGE RIGHT A TRIBUTE TO KEITH LOUIS RGS STAFF 1959-1997

1962 RGS production of Romanoff and Juliet. J. Cox (’63) second from left; Hare third from left; A. Friswell (’63) fourth from left and Jopling minor far right.

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NONE OF ALL THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HAPPY CONJUNCTION OF RAIN AND KEITH LOUIS.

It all started with the drizzle.

Myself, Jeremy Cox (’63), Richard Hooker (’63) and Angus Dickie (’63) were mooching round outside in the playground in the UVI in maybe October 1962, getting damper and colder. One of us suddenly said “They’re doing auditions for the school play. Let’s go, just to get out of this rain.” So in we went.

Keith Louis (whom I knew not at all) was directing Romanoff and Juliet, and Richard landed Freddie Vandestuyt; Jeremy got Vadim Romanoff; and I was the Russian Spy. Jopling minor played Juliet; Hare, Marfa Zlotochienko. None of us had acted before.

During the many rehearsals after school I learnt something of production techniques, especially work with scenery, and of the sheer tonnage of work a director has to cope with. Keith was a supreme, patient director with this band of novices, a scenario he’d be faced with in most school productions. I loved every minute of my acting debut – the work involved in learning seemingly masses of lines; remembering where to move to next and when; reacting to others’ lines; getting into character.

Thanks to Keith I was suddenly allowed to show off in school without risking detention or the opprobrium of the staff.

The show went on, I in a suit Keith lent me, and it was a huge success. I remember well adlibbing the (linguistically wrong) line “Gerschmittenhemensvitz!” one night to Keith’s fury, but to the never ending delight of “Charlie” Hart who shared my love of the Goons (as, it seems, did most of the audience at that moment – it brought the house down!). Despite the laughter, Keith quite rightly chastised me afterwards, but he’d sown the boards-treading seed in me.

I went to Southampton University where the Nuffield Theatre was literally opening as I arrived on campus. In my first term I played the Dauphin in King John, the first Shakespeare to be performed in the new theatre. During the rest of my time there I acted in the Nuffield (in French) in plays

by Anouilh and Camus; with John (Midsomer Murders) Nettles in Little Malcolm and his Struggle Against the Eunuchs which we took to the Edinburgh Fringe; and finally my apotheosis arrived in the spring of my finals year when I played again in Romanoff but this time taking the lead role of the General.

I do recall (and get quite emotional now, even at 71), how on the last night, when I came on stage last of all at the curtain call, the whole damned audience, about 450 people, stood to applaud me as I took my bow. Me!! I’d not had this sort of reception ever, and at 21 that was something big to enjoy. (It’s never happened since, I hasten to say – never mind 15 minutes of fame, I barely got 1).

Before his passing in 2015, I expressed my thanks in a letter to him back in 2012 when Keith turned 80. Bless him, he sent me back four sides of chat and reminiscence.

Hand-written. Anyone who puts pen rather than printer to paper has to be a bit special.

He was certainly a special influence on me.

I’m sure I’m not the only Reigatian to say this. Keith Louis, I salute you, sir.

ALLAN FRISWELL RGS 1956-1963

During my career as a teacher I acted in many school productions, with students and other staff. That urge to show off has never left me! And of course being on the stage impelled me to start to visit the theatre (and opera) as a spectator, an activity which has given me enormous pleasure during over 50 years in scores of theatres.

None of all this would have been possible without the happy conjunction of rain and Keith Louis. Thanks entirely to him kickstarting me, I have taken to the stage, produced for the stage, been to countless stage productions both dramatic and operatic. I owe him a huge, an immeasurable debt of gratitude for opening my eyes to a whole new world both active and passive, worlds that have given me so much fun, excitement and emotion.

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RECOLLECTIONS & MEMORIES

CCF BAND 1966 The invitation from the Alumni office to attend the “Class of 1966” Reunion in 2016 encouraged those who could attend to bring any old photographs of our time at RGS. I was reminded that I have retained some very large official photographs of a 'first' for the RGS CCF Band – our appearance at the Royal Tournament in 1966 at Earls Court, London.

I have subsequently been asked to recall the experience for this magazine but considered that two memories would be better than one in this regard, so have asked Mick Jordan (‘66), who was our Drum Major for this momentous event, to add his recollections to mine.

It is a story I often tell that truly exemplifies what one will achieve if the desire is there. I had joined the CCF Army section, along with everyone else in the Fourth Form, although quite why I had not chosen the RAF I shall never know since I already had a passion for aviation (born under the flight path of Gatwick), a passion which has never left me, and I subsequently spent all my working life in and around airports.

I soon realised, however, that I wanted to join the band, specifically to play the side-drum. There were no spaces available that year, unfortunately: there were only six side-drums and with such skilful drummers as Mick Patten (’65), Roger Pattenden (’64) and the inimitable Bari Sparshott (’65), the only way I could join would be to play the fife which, since I could not read music or had even handled a fife before, was going to be a tall order. Nevertheless, that is what I did for a year. While others read the music written on blackboards at practices, I learnt the tunes by heart all the while listening to, and learning the side-drum parts in readiness for a slot to become vacant, which it duly did.

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Aside from weekly practices our main function in those days was to accompany the annual Field Day which involved two days practising, leading the whole CCF from the school down to Park Lane where we would all go through our marching and displays ready for the actual Inspection on the third day. For the Inspection itself we wore our blue dress uniform which, of course, had to be immaculately clean and smart as did our equipment, drums etc. It was our habit to spend the night leading up to Inspection day in the Band Room (at the very top of Broadfield), sleeping on the floor.

The Royal Tournament was an annual display by all the British military forces and comprised massed bands, various marching routines, gymnastic displays, and the showing off of military equipment and skills.

It included the famous Field Gun Competition between four commands of the Royal Navy, a fiercely competitive and dangerous process of dismantling, carrying over obstacles and then re-assembling and eventually firing the field guns. There were usually one or two features from forces and/or bands from overseas countries, all of which combined to make a memorable event which was hugely popular. Sadly discontinued, the nearest similar event nowadays is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

It was the practice at the Royal Tournament for reserve or cadet bands to display from 7.00pm – 7.30pm, just before the main show commenced, and it was thus that the RGS CCF band was invited to play.

Naturally, this required us to work out a complete display specifically for the event, to include tunes, a marching routine and a separate solo drum feature, all of which would take up our 30-minute slot. I recall that one innovation (since we were only a small band and Earls Court is a massive

arena) was to replace some voice commands at the beginning and end of routines with drum taps, which fell to me as Leading Side-Drummer. Of course, the main orders were given by the Drum Major with his mace!

An abiding memory was that the vast doors which swing open to allow the massed troops and bands to access the arena seemed to miniaturise our small band and it was a daunting few steps for us as we marched in playing “The Minstrel Boy”. The photographs show that the public, including of course a coachload of families and friends from RGS, were gathering as we displayed; sparse at the outset, filling by the end.

When I proudly showed the pictures to my children in later years they suggested that I had them in the wrong order and that our playing was clearly driving the audience away!

I must mention Colin Copestake (’60), who accompanied us to Earls Court and who conducted our party-piece finale - the theme from the TV police series “No Hiding Place”. Colin, a former RGS CCF Band member, was serving as a bandsman with The Royal Engineers in Aldershot and came over on CCF days to help with our training. He brought some professionalism to our efforts and it was largely down to him that we got to the Royal Tournament.

Such was the success of our appearance that we were asked to repeat the display at Box Hill School, Mickelham and Charlwood Village Fête, and also asked to lead the street processions of the Oxted and Horley carnivals.

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

WHILE OTHERS READ THE MUSIC WRITTEN ON BLACKBOARDS AT PRACTICES, I LEARNT THE TUNES

BY HEART...

LYNN WILSON RGS 1959-1966 & MICK JORDAN RGS 1959-1967 43

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RECOLLECTIONS & MEMORIES

THE FLYERS AND ALL THAT FIFTY YEARS ON

 Flyers and friends celebrate the half centenary at The Old Reigatians Rugby Club

On Wednesday 5 October the Nag’s Head Flyers held their 50th annual dinner in Restaurant Paul in Paris. In reflecting on this simple statement I find myself grasping with the concept of the passage of time. When we sat down at that first dinner in July 1967 then a fifty year rewind would take us back to 1917 and the dark days of The Great War. The Flyers in 1967 were looking forward to another rugby season and the delights of being Upper Sixth Formers whereas the lads of 1917 would have been anticipating Passchendaele.

Do the students at Reigate Grammar now view our era with equal wonder? Certainly it was a very different time. With the notable exception of Mrs Knight, who was Head of Chemistry, our teachers were ‘masters’.

They didn’t emulate exactly the master in the Beano, who wore cap and gown and carried his cane in readiness to flog, but many of them wore gowns into the classroom and certainly once they closed the door they regarded themselves as monarchs of all they surveyed. To give credit where it was due, most masters involved themselves in some extracurricular activity and I have nothing but gratitude and admiration for those people who regularly gave up their Saturdays to take teams, from the U12s onwards, to outer London venues. Masters also gave up their own time to run a wide range of activities that included drama, debating, the Corps, music etc. Particularly impressive were the three scout leaders gave up whole chunks of their holidays to take boys camping.

Sport was incredibly important and there was a reasonable choice of sporting activity but rugby somehow held dominance. Unlike in 2017 there were no tours whatsoever and the one match of the year that was played against a grammar school in the Rhondda Valley, and had been a regular alternating fixture for many years, was ended because it required the two teams of Sixth Formers to leave school early on the preceding Friday.

But even our rugby was markedly different from 2017. We played rugby clubs as well as independent schools and other grammar schools. The annual match against the old boys’ rugby club was against their first three sides at full strength and was played with ferocious competitiveness. In one match, in the early 1970s, the incredibly successful 44

school team of that time played an invitation fifteen that included two full England caps, several Harlequins and three Flyers. The amateur rugby of that era meant that we felt much closer to top action and school matches were regularly reported by the national press and whole teams of boys were taken up to Twickenham to watch internationals.

Perhaps strangest of all to explain to a current RGS student would be the concept of the Seventh Form. A few boys stayed on to prepare for Oxbridge examinations which were held in the November after A Levels.

However, as the principal prefect duties, and privileges, were allocated to particular Seventh Formers there was an additional inducement to stay on which was taken up by a fair few. Alan Bennett’s play ‘The History Boys’ concerns just such a group of Sixth Formers even though he chose to set it in the 1980s despite the fact that the practice ended in the 1960s. The Remove system also encouraged more 18 year olds to stay on and to extend their school careers for one more pleasurable year. The consequence of all this was that boys experienced much more authority in running matters outside of the classroom.

Was 1967 a better time to be at Reigate Grammar School? The answer has to be no. The modern RGS student enjoys much better teaching and has an exotic choice

of travel options. Even more importantly, the school is now mixed which in terms of developing a better learning environment and social awareness has to be right. And yet, for all its disadvantages the rough edged system we Flyers endured gave us something that is difficult to set down in words. It can be summarised in our extraordinary friendship, which has endured for half a century and shows every sign of going on beyond that. This just leaves two questions: In 2067 what will Reigate Grammar School students make of their predecessors and where will the Nag’s Head Flyers hold their centenary dinner?

RICHARD JOPLING RGS 1961-1969

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

It’s a strange thing, but there I was one day just thinking out of the blue about a man I hadn’t really thought much about for the past forty years, Arthur Westall (RGS Staff 1962-1983) my English teacher at Reigate Grammar School.

Only a few days later I received an email from the school that he had passed away.

MEMORIES JEREMY VERNON RGS 1965-1972

To be honest there were a few isolated times when I thought, or rather thoughts crossed my mind, about the various teachers who had educated me both in my primary and secondary schools. There were quite a few who made a strong impression upon me.

Since I am now talking to the Reigatian community let me explain a few things: I was a very naughty child. I was expelled from junior school when I was eight (later reinstated). I ‘passed’ those awful 11+ exams and went to RGS. Even here I cannot say my behaviour improved. I was often in detention to the detriment of my muscles the next day, and also planned a (somewhat meant-to-be light hearted) attack on dear Mr Noble who was our French and Latin and tennis teacher also. Balancing that metal bucket full of water on the door as he was about to enter was a bad idea, no doubt about it! Somebody put me up to it, honest, sir!

My sin was quickly discovered. All this to say that it is a wonder RGS didn’t drop me out themselves. Yet through these seven to eight years of that crucial second decade of my life, I came to realise that structure, repetition and the professionalism among the teachers was a solid rock for me, even though I didn’t realise it at the time. So big congrats to RGS. It will always be a part of me and live inside me.

BE IMPORTANT TO SOMEBODY AND INFLUENCE THE NEXT GENERATIONS.

Arthur Westall, a genial elderly man even then in my young mind was one of those teachers who I just used to look at and think, this is all very boring, all this English you are teaching us, all these prepositions and adverbs and vocabulary, not to mention conjunctions and punctuation. All this subjunctive stuff and passive and so on.

What a total bore, especially in sunny weather! How do you know when to start a new paragraph in 70 degree heat in Reigate?

It seemed to me Arthur Westall was brilliant at being boring, or so it seemed. Little did I know he was a contemporary of the great C.S.Lewis.

Fast forward 30 years, there I was teaching advanced English to University students in China, teaching Business English to management of Chinese companies, making friends with top local government officials in China who visited our home frequently.

Life had changed. All that boring stuff I had picked up from dear old Westall and his ilk was finally coming in to use. My fame spread!

I was allowed by their government to be the only foreign teacher to visit China’s offshore oil facilities and teach their management in the language of international business and oil technology vocabulary.

I was thankful then friends, for dear Mr Westall’s glimmering smile; looking back he was like a glowing jewel, (if jewels can be glowing), he just had ‘Presence’ and that wonderful and very rare thing called ‘Gravitas’. Somehow despite the boredom or seeming boredom, he was actually imparting to us something very special which we didn’t ‘get’ until later in life - professionalism, wisdom, rules, authority, buckling down to learn boring stuff, this was education at its peak. He did his job.

Like most teachers everywhere, he never saw much results of his efforts. He taught by faith, believing in what he was doing. He is a tribute and a representative of all sincere and true teachers, male and female. This is not a bunch of waffle, such teachers were common when my brother and I were at RGS and I hope and pray they still are.

The lesson is, if you don’t need it today, you probably will tomorrow and it may be in a tomorrow you cannot imagine or see or think of, when one day, you too will have a family, be important to somebody and influence the next generations.

Don’t despise the seeming boredom of some things and people today; they may save your life tomorrow. God bless you, sir.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES GEORGE EDWARD SMITH RGS 1929-1935 (1918 – 1944) t George Smith 1935

1st XV Rugby Photo back row 4th from left

As Archivist, I receive requests from time to time, to find information for descendants of Reigatians. Too often, I have little more than an admission record, or a very brief mention in a Pilgrim magazine. Sometimes, there is no record whatsoever, and I sometimes conclude that the enquirer knows that the person they are interested in went to school in Reigate, but not necessarily at the Grammar School.

But there are times when it is very satisfying to be able to help, and to provide information of great value. In November 2016 I was asked to look for information on George Edward Smith, specifically, anything about how he was killed during the Second World War. We have, in the collection, a box file full of correspondence to the headmaster Alfred Clarke (HM 1940-47) relating to Old Reigatians.

Mr Clarke was very active in keeping ORs in touch with each other, and through the Pilgrim magazine, he published news of where they were posted, and what they were doing.

There is one letter from George’s father in the file, and this was sent to Mr Clarke to let him know the circumstances of his death. A copy of a letter from his colonel was enclosed, and one imagines that this same scenario was enacted countless times during the war.

George and his family lived in Victoria Road, Horley, in the late 1920s, and his father was employed by Southern Railway as a goods clerk. In September 1929, George obtained a Surrey CC Scholarship to attend Reigate Grammar School. He proved himself a capable sportsman, and was in the 1st XV rugby team in 1935. George left school in November 1935 and took up a job as a bank clerk.

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In July 1943 there was a brief mention of George in the Pilgrim as follows: George Smith, Captain in the Queen's, went through the campaign in North Africa and for a time was at Tobruk. We regret to hear that one of his ear drums has been pierced by gun blast.

George was killed in Italy on the 9th September, 1944.

George’s remains were moved to the Coriano Ridge War Graves Cemetery in 1945, and on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, there is some background information about the cemetery and the military actions that took place in the region: “Coriano Ridge was the last important ridge in the way of the Allied advance in the Adriatic sector in the autumn of 1944. Its capture was the key to Rimini and eventually to the River Po. German parachute and panzer troops, aided by bad weather, resisted all attacks on their positions between 4 and 12 September 1944. On the night of 12 September the Eighth Army reopened its attack on the Ridge, with the 1st British and 5th Canadian Armoured Divisions. This attack was successful in taking the Ridge, but marked the beginning of a week of the heaviest fighting experienced since Cassino in May, with daily losses for the Eighth Army of some 150 killed.”

Peter Burgess RGS 1967-1974

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

t Letter from Father to Mr Clark

The letter we have is a reply to a letter from Mr Clarke to George’s father expressing sympathy for the loss of his son. By 1935, the family had moved to Coulsdon. It reads: 1st November 1944 Thank you for your kind letter of sympathy in our sad loss of our son George, who was killed in action in Italy 9th September 1944. My wife and I are very grateful for your letter – indeed, everyone has been most kind.

I enclose a copy of a letter to his wife, from his colonel. I am sure you and all who knew George at Reigate, will like to read it.

Yours sincerely, H.G. Smith

Letter to Mrs Smith u

“The site for the cemetery was selected in April 1945 and was created from graves brought in from the surrounding battlefields.”

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

THE TEN TON CLUB While looking for information in response to enquiries I receive, I sometimes become distracted by some fascinating accounts written in The Pilgrim, as original contributions from the students of the time.

The following account really stood out.

THE PILGRIM SUMMER TERM 1968 1,000 M.P.H. I travelled to R.A.F. Wattisham, Suffolk, and on arrival I and two other cadets were introduced to the leading officers on the station. On the Monday we received the usual rundown on the station that all new officers normally have. Wattisham is one of the only three Lightning bases in the country and at the moment it is the home of 111 Squadron and 29 Squadron. One cadet was placed with an officer on ground duties the other with 29 Squadron, whilst I was placed with 111 Squadron.

On the Tuesday I had a medical examination to establish my fitness for flying, and the use of the ejector seat was explained. After being fitted out with an immersion suit and helmet I was ready for flying. The aircraft in which I was to fly was a Lightning T5 two-seat advanced trainer of Fighter Command (since merged into Strike Command). The pilot and myself were strapped in and after a pre-flight check on the instruments we were ready for taxi-ing clearance.

We were given our flight call sign and were soon taxi-ing to the end of the runway. We hurtled down the runway and at 130 knots the nose wheel lifted and a few seconds later we were airborne. After banking on to our course we had doubled our take-off speed and were flying at 350 knots in a climb of 22 degrees. The gravitational force acting on one’s body in such a situation is tremendous. The altimeter was steadily on the move: 18,000, 19,000 and, after seventy seconds from take-off we were cruising at 36,000 feet at mach 0.9. The pilot was in constant touch with the ground, and after receiving clearance for our first high-speed run the throttle was brought right back to slow the speed of the aircraft 48

a little and then pushed right forward into the reheat region. We were thrust forward with a tremendous jerk and the machmeter increased from 0.9 to 1.53 – which at 36,000ft. is 1,015 miles per hour. The view when travelling at such a speed does not change. In fact, it appeared that we were not moving at all, but in a matter of minutes we could have been flying over Holland.

The throttle was brought back slightly and the speed decreased so rapidly that we appeared to be stationary. However, the speed was about 700 miles per hour, which is not exactly static! After banking, we prepared for the second high speed run when I was to be allowed to handle the controls, thus enabling me to become a member of the “Ten Ton” (1,000 m.p.h.)

Club. Being able to control an aircraft which is still one of the fastest aircraft in the world was a truly memorable experience. After putting the throttle into reheat we were again flying at just over 1,000 m.p.h. The pilot then took over the controls, pushed the control column forward and we nosed down slightly. It was then pulled right back and after fifteen seconds we were flying at 52,000 feet.

The Lightning’s fuel supply was beginning to run low and we had to re-fuel in flight from a Victor tanker from R.A.F. Marham – another fascinating experience. After taking on fuel we dived beneath the tanker, climbed away, and all that could be seen from the canopy was the deep azure of the sky. After a few aerobatic movements (which are completely different from those of a Chipmunk aircraft in which a cadet first experiences aerobatics), we descended 1,000ft. in a matter of seconds. The pressure on the ears is tremendous and

p For those readers who are unfamiliar with the English Electric Lightning, here is a photograph of a CCF RAF Section camp at RAF Binbrook in 1981. The group is standing in front of a Lightning jet, in this case a static display.

Peter Burgess (RGS 1967-1974)

my ear drums seemed just about to burst.

Apparently many pilots experience this and it is just a question of getting used to it.

Finally we were able to see the Suffolk coast and lined up behind another Lightning for a ground-controlled approach which is carried out by an elaborate radar system. On the touch-down the runway rushed to meet us, the parachute jettisoned and soon we were taxi-ing back to our parking bay. In eightyfive minutes we had flown about 900 miles and I had become the youngest of about twelve hundred pilots to have flown at such a speed. Such a “trip” is usually one of two or three flights a Lightning pilot makes in a day and on each flight there is always something new to be learned.

R. Siudak (RGS 1963-1969)

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

PHOTOS FROM THE ARCHIVES

t 1949-1950_prefects

2001_Inspection Day q

p 1985-86_Senior Basketball

p 1980-81_ Junior Cross Country Team

p 1949_Lady Precious Stream

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

t 1946_Plane on Roof

q 1962_Spain Easter Trip p 1986_ Dartmoor DofE.

1949_ORA Dinner u t 1954_Hamlet Cast

q 1984_ Girls 1st XI Hockey Team

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q 1989_Prefects

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REIGATIAN SPORT OR NETBALL 2015-16 Each week we train on a Tuesday and attendance has been great. Jane Campbell has taken a step down from coaching this year, so we would like to say a big thank you to Jane who has been coaching since the club started in 2009 and her support and time has been invaluable. Sarah Lea is now heading up the coaching side of the club and continues to develop the teams.

Old Reigatians Netball Club continues to build year upon year, growing the membership base and playing competitively in the Surrey leagues.

The club has welcomed lots of new members and maintained the social aspect of the netball club.

The 2015-2016 season was challenging in terms of matches in the Surrey League. The A team finished mid-table after some very close games, noticeably the win over Oxshott 48-46 and the win over a recently formed club Cobham blues 24-19.

As for the B team at Old Reigatians Netball Club, last season was a challenge due to a few key players relocating out of Surrey and therefore leaving the club. With the introduction of new players, the squad started to rebuild their B team.

OR HOCKEY 2015-16 The 1st X1 in Surrey Division 2 finished seventh out of eleven in 2015-2016, the same position as in the previous year.

In a national pyramid of 15 levels of hockey, the 1sts are halfway. The 2nds in Surrey Open league Division 2 finished ninth out of eleven, also the same position as previously.

The 3rds finished fourth out of ten, their best position in ten years.

Training is free and all are welcome (see orhc.info for latest dates and times). If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact Rob Evans on 01737 823114.

The Club again had a practice goal at the Borough Sports Festival in May. The annual dinner was again held very successfully at Outwood Cricket Club.

We regret to report the death of Trevor Keepen, an early and long-serving member of the Club (an obituary appears later in this publication).

Ian Whiteman (RGS 1953–1961)

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Unfortunately, after some losses including the narrow defeat of 39-31 to Hampton C, at the end of the season they were placed into Division 9. So far this season, the team has developed well and is looking to move up the league table.

The club trains every Tuesday evening from 7.30pm-8.30pm at RGS. We have a range of members, including the competitive teams who compete in the matches for Surrey Netball League and others who come along to the training sessions for fitness and for the social side of the club. If you or any of your friends from the Reigatian Community would like to join a welcoming netball club then please get in touch with us by visiting our website www.oldreigatiansnetball.co.uk.

Charlotte Frith Club Chair (RGS 1999-2006)

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

OR CRICKET CLUB

The Old Reigatian Cricket Club enjoyed a successful first season, giving good accounts of themselves on every occasion they took the field. Three games, two wins, one loss, made good reading in our first outings as a competitive Cricket Club.

Wins against Brighton College Staff and Reigate Priory cricket clubs were the stand out performances of the year.

Our first venture into the Cricketer Trophy started with a heart breaking loss to Old Westminster CC in a game that could have quite easily gone our way. With a strong ORs side taking the field (including four Reigate Priory First XI players) Richard Stevens (‘08) and Toby Briggs (‘99) did the bulk of the damage to bowl out Old Westminster CC for 103. ORs looked comfortable in their chase but collapsed rather dramatically to be all out for 94, ten runs short of victory and progressing through to the next round.

We shall again be entering into the Cricketer Trophy this year, so please keep your eye out for the fixtures.

One of the more memorable days was the Chipstead CC six-a-side tournament where OR’s entered into the spirit of the day and progressed through to the semi-finals of the competition before losing to the eventual winners.

So the first season has been and gone and encouragingly every Old Reigatian who donned their whites made comment about how much they enjoyed the opportunity to roll back the years and play under the Reigatian banner once more.

We are always looking for any Old Reigatians to play, score, umpire and any standard and any era are welcomed.

If you are interested in playing or keeping up with the Old Reigatians Cricket Club then please search for our Facebook page, Old Reigations Cricket Club or email Phil Davies to register your interest pjbd@hotmail.co.uk.

Phil Davies (RGS 2001-2008)

OR RUGBY 2015-16

Old Reigatian RFC Last season, our seniors had an up and down year, the 1st XV eventually ending up 7th in the league with some excellent wins balanced by a couple of disappointing losses. However, this is a higher league position than last year with more points scored so we are moving in the right direction.

The season started and finished in emphatic and dramatic style with fixtures against newly promoted London Exiles. The opening league fixture at Park Lane began inauspiciously with the home team 21 points down after the first quarter but responding impressively to run out 32–21 victors. The return game at Barnes epitomised the best of Reigatian running rugby, Exiles who had beaten every team in the league with the exception of Cobham and for whom victory would have secured them third place in the league were beaten handsomely 27-7 in our best performance of the season. Captain Mark Chesterton (’05) is standing down and we must thank him for his leadership and hard work in bringing our young side together.

Also Head Coach Jonny Hylton (’99), Doug Cooper (RGS Staff) and Senior Chairman and player Ed Bartlett must be thanked for their contributions. Also thanks to Paul Godwin for his excellent and amusing reports The A XV are looking to re-group in the Surrey League and again benefit from the number of Colts gaining senior experience.

The Extra A XV, with a pleasing mix of young and veteran players also had an enjoyable year and look forward with confidence to the coming season. Despite this large pool, the number and availability of senior playing members remains a cause of concern which hopefully can be remedied in the coming months. The Extra A XV fielded 73 different players during the season so they are around and it continues to be our objective to field four senior sides regularly next season.

The U21 XV, under Kevin Sheldrick and Ed Forsyth (’08), played some great rugby and the highlights of the Club season would include the School versus Old Boys match and the Colts match versus Dorking. Looking forward to the new season we welcome with great anticipation the appointment of Richie Andrews as our Director of Rugby.

David Forsyth Chairman of ORRFC

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FOUNDATION NEWS BOB KNOX (RGS 1958-1964)

STEPHANIE & THOMAS WALLACE (ORs 2005) Stephanie and Thomas were lucky enough to meet in the Sixth Form at RGS (circa 2004) and have been together ever since.

Having lived in London since graduation, they recently moved back to Reigate and were married in December. We wish Stephanie and Thomas a long and happy future together.

RIDING TO SUCCESS 2016 has been a busy year for Bob Knox.

We start by congratulating Bob who completed his 25th London to Brighton Bike Ride in his 70th year in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Having also run three London Marathons over the years he has raised over £50,000 for charity.

KEEPING VERY BUSY For the third time and for this last year, Bob has been Chairman of the Borough of Reigate 41 Club, previously back in the 1980s he had been chairman of Reigate and Redhill Round Table. Bob’s wife Christine is also no stranger to this type of thing and has also been Chairman of the sister organisation, the Reigate Tangent Club for 2016, also for the third time.

PATRICK HURWORTH (RGS STAFF 1992-1996)

SIR KEIR STARMER KCB QC (RGS 1974-1981) Congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer who in early in October 2016, was appointed by Jeremy Corbyn to the shadow cabinet, as Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.

NZ SABBATICAL Peter Chesterton (RGS Staff 1973-present) met up with Rob Anderson, a teacher from NZ that he did an exchange with in 1990-91.

Rob returned to Reigate in 2016 as part of a sabbatical looking into student leadership and is now Deputy Principal at Wellington College, New Zealand.

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Congratulations to Patrick Hurworth, a former RGS staff member who has accepted a new role at the International School of Beijing as Head of School. Patrick worked at RGS between 1992 and 1996 teaching Geography. Patrick was selected by a unanimous Board vote after very careful consideration of his experience, philosophy on education and innovation and leadership skills.

“Since leaving RGS in 1996, I have taught and taken leadership roles in Switzerland, the US, Hong Kong and now China. I loved my RGS days. Not only was it an excellent grounding in learning the art and craft of teaching, but it helped me to recognise the importance that schools should be communities rather than just academic 'factories'. I look back fondly on the characters with whom I worked and remain deeply grateful for the support and influence of former Headmaster John Hamlin and Malcolm Cline, now RGS Head of Geography to name just two such mentors.

I wish RGS every success and have kept a close eye on its innovations over the years”.

We wish Patrick all the very best of luck with his new role.

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

Supporting the next generation

We are proud supporters of Reigate Grammar School’s Changing Lives Campaign.

We passionately believe that a young person’s success in life should be determined by how hard they work and the skills and talents they have, not by their background or family income.

At Ashurst we are committed to being a sustainable global law firm which delivers positive impacts for our employees, clients, profession, environment and the communities in which we are based.

Through our Corporate Responsibility programme, we aim to support those who are marginalised and disadvantaged.

www.ashurst.com

55 © Ashurst LLP 2016 Ref D/6090

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SCHOOL NEWS OR HARRIET MITCHELL PLAYS FOR ENGLAND IN THE JUNIOR HOCKEY WORLD CUP RGS were honoured to welcome Olympic Gold Medallist Susannah Townsend MBE alongside Harriet Mitchell (‘15) to Hartswood on a chilly December afternoon for a threeday professional coaching camp. The camp is organised by EVO, who put on World-class standard hockey camps, connecting young players with top internationals and coaches from around the globe.

It was great to have Harriet and Susannah talking to the children and sharing their experience of playing in world class tournaments. Susannah brought along her gold medal and talked to the pupils about what it was like to stand on that podium in Rio 2016.

 Olympic Gold Medallist Susannah Townsend Mbe Coaches At RGS alongside Harriet Former Reigate Grammar School student Harriet Mitchell (OR 2015) represented England U21s in the Junior Women’s World Cup in Chile in November.

Harriet is the highest ever performing hockey player for RGS. During the tournament they beat Chile and USA, drew against RSA and Australia and finally lost to Spain and Germany finishing with a final world ranking of seventh place, which is an amazing achievement.

To get to where she has for England Hockey, Harriet first started out being selected for County then her Region, then on to trial for England. She says; “Reigate Grammar gave me the unique opportunity to excel in sport and other extracurricular activities. It helped me to develop a great level of determination and crucial skills, like the ability to organise my hockey around my academic studies, especially during my A Levels when I had the U18 Europeans and then again at university when I played in the World Cup.”

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ASPIRING STUDENTS HOPING TO FOLLOW IN HARRIET’S FOOTSTEPS During 2016, three RGS students were selected to play for the highest level they can for their age on their player pathway.

RGS student Amy Wickham was selected to play for her region “Saxon Tigers” and attend the U15 High Performance Assessment Camp (HiPAC), where the top 72 girls play in tournaments against each region and are watched by England assessors.

Stephanie Weber and Taylor Weber were also selected to play for the “Saxon Tigers” at the Futures Cup. Once again the England assessors were there and from this Steph was selected for the National Age Group Assessments (NAGs).

Stephanie went on to attend further assessments with the ultimate aim of being selected for the England U16 squad. This is how Harriet started and it seems she has inspired the next generation of Reigate Grammar School hockey girls.

 Aspiring Students Hoping To Follow In Harriet’s Footsteps, L to R: A. Wickham, S. Weber and T. Weber

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

RGS RATED AS ‘EXCEPTIONAL’ UNIQUE ACCOLADE In January 2016, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) published its report judging RGS to be ‘Exceptional’, at which time no other co-educational day school in the country had been awarded such an accolade.

This judgement is a testament to the talent, hard work and dedication of RGS teachers, staff and students as well as to the support we receive from parents, governors, alumni and friends for Reigate Grammar School.

MUSIC AWARD FOR RGS STUDENT Sixth Form student, Charles Lee has been awarded a violin scholarship with the Redhill Sinfonia Orchestra. It is a new scholarship programme for suitably qualified school-age string players. This achievement is wonderful, and he is thrilled to have been chosen for one of these awards.

FOUNDATION LAYING On the Thursday 24 March Sir Peter Harrison KGCN CBE, his son Nick Harrison (’94) and Andrew Ross OBE from the Peter Harrison Foundation joined us as Sir Peter placed a section of concrete into the foundations of the new building, putting a formal stamp on the start of the state-ofthe-art RGS Learning Centre construction.

We are honoured that Sir Peter Harrison and the Peter Harrison Foundation are supporting this project with their generous donation of £4 million.

RECORD BREAKING COUNTY AND NATIONAL SELECTION The school has broken its record of county calls ups with over 50 boys and girls selected to represent Surrey and three country representatives. The selections cover many sports including hockey, rugby, golf, swimming, squash, badminton, cross country running and athletics, with less well known sports such as ultimate Frisbee and Climbing.

ENGLAND & WASPS RUGBY STAR, ELLIOT DALY, COACHES AT RGS The RGS 1st XV was joined by England and Wasps rugby star, Elliot Daly, who came into school to guest coach a team training session.

Elliot immediately got to work testing out the boys’ handling and decision making skills before putting them into various match play scenarios. The session clearly inspired Elliot because he then put in a man of the match performance for Wasps against Leinster that weekend!

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SCHOOL NEWS

OUTSTANDING A LEVEL RESULTS Repeating the school’s record breaking successes of last year, A Level results at Reigate Grammar School are once again outstanding.

BRIEF ENCOUNTER Standing ovations and rapturous applause reverberated from the Concert Hall during another breath-taking RGS Drama performance.

The students were outstanding in the production, which was adapted from the original film and directed by Miss Hare. Set in 1938, Brief Encounter tells the tale of an

ordinary married woman who finds herself in a dilemma when she meets a dashing Doctor Alec Harvey.

RGS students showed how extraordinary they are when it came to teamwork, with students on costume, make-up, stage crew, front of house and of course on stage.

Reigatians were consistently successful this year with 94% of grades A* to B and nearly half of the grades gained being A*- A grades. Students at RGS have gained more than 93% A* to B grades on average over the last three years.

The average Reigatian secured AAB grades with many students securing three or more A* grades.

Shaun Fenton, Headmaster, said: “These results are a great tribute to the talented students, dedicated teachers and supportive parents at Reigate Grammar School but league tables and exam certificates only measure half of what makes a good education and give no credit for leadership qualities, teamwork skills, quality of friendships or preparedness for adult life.

So whilst we will be celebrating these outstanding results we are also looking ahead to a new year of opportunities for students to continue growing into the best version of themselves, happy and successful young adults.”

Students L to R: M. Uddin and N. James RGS ON THE BBC Friday 9 December was an exciting day at RGS with the BBC coming into school to speak to the Headmaster, Mr Shaun Fenton and students regarding the ISC’s proposed new system of joint funding by independent schools and the government. This proposal could see 10,000 free new school places created every year.

Gershon Scholars, Mahin Uddin and Nicole James first appeared on the morning’s Radio Four Today Programme and were subsequently interviewed in the

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Mr Fenton being interviewed for BBC News Headmaster’s Study for the BBC National News. Mahin and Nicole are compelling advocates for the opportunities and culture of excellence that they are able to enjoy here at RGS. Mr Fenton is helping to lead the national campaign, which is asking for government support to help fund bursary places at top independent schools such as Reigate Grammar School which, through the RGS Changing Lives campaign, is taking the lead in bursary provision.

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

LEAVING STAFF We want to wish staff that left in 2016, success and happiness in their future career, retirement or time off to spend with loved ones.

Alan Reid Teacher of Games (RGS Staff 1971-2016)

Peter Stephens Teacher of Biology (RGS Staff 1984-2016)

Andrew Powell Teacher of Religion (RGS Staff 1989-2016)

Neil Stokes Head of ICT (RGS Staff 2001-2016)

Peter Rollitt Teacher of Maths (RGS Staff 2002-2016)

Helen Roberts Librarian (RGS Staff 2004-2016)

Julie Cook Purchase Ledger Clerk (RGS Staff 2007-2016)

Anne Sharp Teacher of Maths (RGS Staff 2007-2016)

Sam Rusbridge School Staff Instructor (RGS Staff 2012-2016)

Caroline Turk Teacher of Maths (RGS Staff 2013-2016)

Alan Johnston Teacher of Chemistry (RGS Staff 2014-2016)

James Tate Teacher of Physics (RGS Staff 2014-2016) 59

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MERCHANDISE RGS MERCHANDISE We have a small but excellent selection of merchandise that would make the perfect gift for a loved one or could be a well-deserved treat for yourself.

All orders receive free UK P&P via Royal Mail. For more information or to place an order, simply email the item, size and quantity to foundation@reigategrammar.org.

RGS ‘Old School’ Rugby Shirts Authentic thick cotton ‘old school’ rugby shirts, in traditional RGS colours, featuring the old embroidered school crest emblazoned on the chest with the Roman Numerals ‘XV’ featured on the back with ‘1675’ (the year RGS was founded) emblem detail on the collar. Available in sizes (chest size): XS (36”), S (38”), M (40”), L (42”) & XL (44”) Suggested Min. Donation £50.00

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RGS Foundation Baseball Cap In a navy and royal blue colourway, this unisex RGS ‘one size fits all’ baseball cap, features the embroidered RGS Castle logo on the front, along with ‘1675’ emblem on the back. Suggested Min. Donation £10.00

RGS Foundation Cufflinks & Ties Suggested minimum donation of £20 each, or £30 for both.

Brooks Macdonald is proud to sponsor Reigate Grammar School Foundation We are an award-winning provider of comprehensive investment solutions.

To discover how we can help you achieve your financial goals contact our team or visit our website.

T: 020 7499 6424 www.brooksmacdonald.com

The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

T H E R E I G AT I A N 2 016

DEATHS & OBITUARIES TREVOR'S THANKSGIVING SERVICE A dedicated OR himself, very fond of any opportunity to catch up with his friends, Trevor had asked for it not to be a sad occasion. The smiles in this photo of Old Reigatians say it all at Trevor's Thanksgiving Service on 6 January 2017.

L to R: P. Walker, A. Smith, M. Freeston, G. Hudson, A. Wilson, L. Wilson, I. Whiteman, M. Jordan, J. Chisholm, J. Nicholson, I. Flack, A. Taylor and R. Doyle

TREVOR KEEPEN (RGS 1957-1964) Trevor Keepen passed away on 8 December 2016. Born in Redhill, the only child of Cecil and Evie Keepen, Trevor lived at Shipley Bridge, Burstow and went to primary school in Lumley Road, Horley, duly progressing on to RGS. He married Jayne in 1971 and they have three sons, Nicholas, Jonathan and Benjamin.

He joined Barclays Bank immediately after leaving RGS and worked all his banking life in the Surrey district, based at various branches – Dorking, Head Office, Leatherhead, Horley, Reigate, Redhill and lastly, as Manager at Hampton. He left the bank in 1993 and within a year or so had a temporary position with Dean & Wood (the largest wholesalers in the country for refrigeration and airconditioning components which are bought by contractors fitting out supermarkets, etc.).

The position quickly became permanent and he was soon made Sales and Administration Manager. The role and company was, he claimed, more enjoyable than his original banking career. The company thought very highly of him – the Managing Director and two other Directors travelled down from Leeds especially to attend the Service of Thanksgiving for Trevor on 6 January 2017.

When the boys were at school, Trevor was Treasurer of Eastwick Junior School PTA and again at The Howard of Effingham Secondary School where he also served as a Parent Governor. A member himself of the

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Burstow Scout group as a boy, Trevor helped out at Scouts when the boys were in their teens, driving a minibus to take them on Easter Camps to the Peak District, Wales and Dartmoor.

Trevor joined the Old Reigatian Hockey Club as soon as he left School in 1964 and played regularly until 1982. He made 271 appearances mainly as a defender, although he did score 20 goals. He captained the 1st XI for two years, 1967-68 and 1969-70, and was the Treasurer for five years, beginning in 1966-67. He was an active member of the Old Reigatian Association. The School now manages links with former pupils and runs events for them, but all this used to be done by the ORA. Trevor came on to the Committee and was vice-chairman in 1970-71 and in 1971-72 became chairman, a post that changed each year. In 1979 he became one of two joint secretaries and in 2001 the sole secretary, a position he held up to his death.

In 1987 Trevor joined Rotary in Leatherhead (it was then a lunchtime club and joining Rotary was part of being a Banking employee), monitoring business activity in the town. In his time with Rotary he chaired the Community, Vocational and Youth Committee and from 2002 to date, served as its Treasurer.

It was when I first started at RGS in 1959 that I came into contact with him. My mother, a member of Burstow WI with Mrs Keepen, asked if Trevor could accompany me on my first day and keep an eye on me.

From that first day until my family moved from Burstow in 1961, I cycled to Trevor's house as did Mike Palmer and John Dalton and we four cycled on to Keeper's Corner to catch the 424 bus. A lifelong friendship ensued and we have never lost touch.

Trevor was a great friend - dedicated and dependable - and he expected the same commitment and dedication from others.

He will be sorely missed.

Lynn Wilson (RGS 1959-1966)

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

ALAN FRANCIS BACON 1922-2016 (RGS 1932-1939)

EDGAR (EDDIE) WALLER 1914-2016 (RGS 1926-1932) Former OR and Mayor Eddie Waller died on 27 August 2016 just two days before his 102nd birthday. His family were at his side when he passed away, the day after they gathered to celebrate his birthday at his home in Brighton Road, Redhill.

were one of the best known couples who passionately served the Borough of Reigate, then Reigate and Banstead, for more than 50 years between them. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

His great-grandchildren blew out candles on a special cake at the party held on 26 August.

During the previous fortnight, widower Mr Waller had been suffering from poor health and had briefly been in East Surrey Hospital with pneumonia.

Both Mr Waller, and his wife, who died in 2009 aged 88, served the borough of Reigate, and later, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, for a total of more than 50 years as Labour councillors. They both had terms as mayor in the 1990s and are the best known civic pair in the history of the council.

Mr Waller served as a Labour councillor from 1970 until 1998 during which he was mayor from 1992-1993 and Deputy Mayor in 1984-1985. As councillor, Mr Waller served on several committees and was Chairman of the Reigate Constituency Labour Party and the Secretary of the Labour Group of councillors.

Paying tribute to Alderman Eddie Waller, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council Leader Victor Broad said: “Eddie was highly respected and will be remembered for his many achievements and years of devoted service to the council, the borough and its residents, particularly those in the Redhill area that he served during his time on the council. Eddie and his late wife Mary

After his 100th birthday, Mr Waller was presented with a National Merit Award by the Labour Party for his support over so many years.

Alan was a lifelong supporter of Reigate Grammar School. He attended the School, during the nineteen thirties, living in Coulsdon and left at the outbreak of the Second World War. He was dutiful to his country, being a Captain in the British Army, serving in North Africa and Italy. He never dwelled on this outwardly, though there can be no doubt that, like all of his comrades of that generation, it would have shaped the entirety of their subsequent lives.

After the war, he pursued a career in the insurance industry and worked in the City, all his working life, commuting from Purley. Alan was a strong, powerful man who never looked backwards and was always pushing forward and so it seems strange to look back on Alan’s life, as sentimentality was something he would never indulge in.

His strength also came from rugby, where he played first at RGS and then at Old Reigatians Rugby Club, well into his thirties and later became Chairman of the Club.

He was also an active member of the Old Reigatian Association. He then took a keen interest in his grandsons’ RGS academic and rugby achievements. At Hartswood, he often watched from the touchline, with other parents and grandparents.

He was always proud his son and grandsons, who attended RGS.

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DEATHS & OBITUARIES

ARTHUR WESTALL 1923-2016 (RGS STAFF 1962-1983) Born in Southsea in 1923, Arthur G H Westall was one of fourteen cousins, who stayed in touch throughout their lives. (The “H”, it can now be revealed, was from his mother’s maiden name, Huxford; not, as our second-form English class decided during our studies of Beowulf, Hroðgar). Mr Westall was a well-loved English teacher at RGS, probably because he loved his subject (as well as his pupils). His love of literature may be traced back to his Aunt Gwen who encouraged him and his friends in their early poetic compositions, such as “Greedy boy, lots of jelly / Eat too much, pain in belly.”

Arthur was nine when this gem appeared, and at ten times that age he was writing equally amusing, and rather more sophisticated, poetry and prose.

He became a teacher in 1944 and worked in various schools, finally spending 21 years at RGS until his retirement in 1983. Arthur’s pupils, and indeed some colleagues, could find him slightly intimidating, a “stickler”. But behind his professional persona, he was warm, generous, witty, and open-minded.

As well as a natural teacher he was a lifelong learner, about literature, technology, music, faith, travel and, above all, people.

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In his late seventies he moved to Rugby in Warwickshire, where he knew almost nobody but quickly made lots of new friends through St Andrew’s Church and in his neighbourhood. The large attendance at his funeral demonstrated the popularity and renown he had built up from nothing in the Midlands town.

In the 1980s Arthur had a regular “thought for the day” slot on Radio Mercury, always producing something uplifting, challenging and faith-building for his listeners. Arthur could be described as a “deeply religious” man, with the emphasis on “deeply”. He was a regular churchgoer, which he took very seriously, sometimes critiquing the sermon afterwards for the vicar’s edification.

He certainly identified himself as a Christian, but he was never one to accept doctrine unquestioningly. Occasionally he wrote theological treatises about the true nature of faith and church. He was an avid and questioning reader of the Scriptures, and not exclusively the Christian ones; in his eighties he read the Qur’an in a quest to deepen his understanding of the truths behind others’ holy texts.

Arthur’s sunny, uncomplaining attitude to life made him a role model to many, and was surely a part of the secret of his long life.

In his later years he had several spells in hospital, which he disliked intensely, but he always seemed to relish the logistical challenge of planning his “escape”, co-ordinating decorators, social workers, friends, his favourite physiotherapist, and online shopping orders, to allow him to live at home right up until the end. He had a lovely final Christmas at home in Rugby with his niece from Canada, who came over especially to spend several weeks with him, perhaps sensing that this might be her last opportunity.

Into his nineties Arthur had a prodigious memory for names and other details. If he taught you, he probably remembered you: and you will certainly remember him.

Martin Tiller (RGS 1979-1986)

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

TIMOTHY CARTER (RGS 1955-1963) Timothy Carter passed away on 11 August 2016. Tim was a strong and active member of the Scout Group at school as well as the CCF, especially in the RAF section.

After RGS he then joined the Police Force, and rose to Inspector in the Lancashire Traffic Police.

His family was very important to him, Pat his wife, children Nicola and Phil (who works for Imperial College) and his grandchildren.

Timothy was at the ORA Reunion in 2003 as well as an informal gathering organised by a few of us a few years later.

SIR ANTHONY HIDDEN 1936-2016 (RGS 1945-1954)

NORMAN BURGESS 1927-2016 (RGS 1937-1944)

Sir Anthony Hidden passed away on 19 February 2016, aged 79. A former RGS Head Boy in 1954, he was a prominent QC whose report into the Clapham train crash of 1988 in which 35 people were killed and 132 injured forced British Rail to overhaul its safety culture.

Norman Burgess aged 88, passed away on 12 January 2016.

Before this and after his education at RGS, he went onto National Service with the Royal Tank Regiment in Hong Kong, he was then later called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1961; where he was appointed a Bencher in 1985.

Sir Anthony took silk in 1976, sat as a recorder from 1977 and in 1986 was appointed leader on the South Eastern Circuit. In the summer of 1989, while preparing his report on the Clapham train crash, he was appointed a High Court judge in the Queen’s Bench Division, receiving a knighthood.

JOHN MURRELL 1932-2016 (RGS 1943-1950) John Murrell passed away on 25 January 2016 aged 83. John attended Reigate Grammar School between 1943-1950 and was Head Boy before going on to become a world renowned theoretical chemist whose research led to greater understanding of the properties of molecules.

Sir Anthony’s full obituary is currently featured in The Daily Telegraph dated 8 March 2016, to read the full obituary enter ‘Sir Anthony Hidden The Daily Telegraph’ into a search engine.

Norman grew up in Merstham during the war years and attended Reigate Grammar from 1937 to 1944 where he sat his Schools Certificate exams in the air raid shelters beneath the playground. He went on to join the Royal Marines although didn't see active service. His first job was as a laboratory assistant where he gained an interest in metallurgy, which then led him to acquire a degree in that subject from Battersea Polytechnic. At the age of 84 he was awarded an honorary degree by Surrey University.

His career quickly accelerated as he joined Central Electricity Generating Board and ultimately became Manager of the Quality Control team. A move up to British Steel ensued which led to his being Chairman of the National Council for Quality Assurance and then President of the Institute of Quality Assurance.

In 1987 he and three colleagues broke away to form Quality Management International which successfully operated worldwide.

On retirement he joined the local branch of Probus eventually to become President. In his youth, Norman co-founded two dance bands, one in Merstham and one in Buckinghamshire both of which proved very popular.

He leaves behind his wife, Moira, one daughter and five grandchildren.

John’s obituary was featured in The Guardian on Friday 18 March 2016, to read the full obituary enter ‘John Murrell The Guardian’ into a search engine.

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DEATHS & OBITUARIES

LYNLEY GLOYNE (RGS STAFF 1986-1997) Mrs Lynley Gloyne, secretary to two headmasters, John Hamlin and Paul Dixon died on 29 September 2016. This was a pivotal role at a time when the headmaster’s secretary was also responsible for all matters relating to the admission of new pupils, as well as the arrangements for major school events such as the annual Speech Day and Prize Giving.

We shall never know how Lynley Gloyne coped so calmly and efficiently with such a daunting workload. Perhaps it was because she herself was totally unselfish, she wanted nothing but the best for others, whoever they were and whatever their position might be.

Over the years, it became increasingly clear that her life and work were inspired by a genuine affection for those around her.

Amidst all the relentless activity and inevitable stresses of school life, Lynley’s office was always a quiet haven where a friendly smile was the invariable greeting, where the nervous new pupil, or probably even more nervous new member of staff, would at once be put at ease; where Old Reigatians or the parents of prospective new pupils were equally welcome.

Lynley Gloyne retired in December 1997 and her retirement years were filled with travels of all kinds, particularly hill and mountain walking.

Above all, she enjoyed the time spent with her family and especially her grandchildren.

Our condolences go out to her husband, Christopher (whose mother, Mrs Thelma Gloyne, was a long serving member of the staff at Reigate Grammar School, and who sadly died in January last year); also to their two daughters, Philippa (’92) and Claire (’94) both Old Reigatians and their families.

At a memorial gathering at the Burford Bridge Hotel in November, John Hamlin used these words written by John Wesley in his tribute to the life and work of Lynley Gloyne: “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”

John Hamlin (RGS Headmaster 1982-1996) 66

NOTICE OF DEATHS 2016 Rex Pearson (RGS 1954-1961) died in January 2016

Tim Carter (RGS 1955-1962) died on 11 August 2016

Norman Burgess (RGS 1937-1944) died on 12 January 2016

Edgar (Eddie) Waller (RGS 1926-1932) died on 28 August 2016

Geoffrey Kenney (RGS 1956-1959) died on 24 January 2016

Christopher Roberts (RGS 1947-1955) died Summer 2016

Arthur Westall (RGS Staff 1962-1983) died on 24 January 2016

Lynley Gloyne (RGS Staff 1986-1998) died in September 2016

Professor John Murrell (RGS 1943-1950) died on 25 January 2016

John Bashford (RGS 1940-1945) died on 6 September 2016

Stuart Eccles (RGS 1967-1972) died on 10 February 2016

Harold Azavedo (RGS 1938-1945) died on 6 September 2016

Sir Anthony Hidden (RGS 1945-1954) died on 19 February 2016

Alan Robert Ellis (RGS 1960-1967) died on 12 October 2016

John Hunt (RGS 1943-1950) died on 15 March 2016

Christopher Dugdale (RGS 1955-1962) died on 26 October 2016

David Painting (RGS 1952-1955) died in April 2016

Alan Bacon (RGS 1932-1939) died on 10 November 2016

Bob Unwin (RGS 1957-1965) died on 8 April 2016

Trevor Keepen (RGS 1957-1964) died on 8 December 2016

Sid Shilling (RGS 1946-1952) died on 7 May 2016

Simon Olorenshaw (RGS 1978-1985) died on 26 December 2016

John Horne (RGS 1971-1975) died on 8 May 2016 Roland Ford (RGS 1954-1962) died on 14 June 2016 Peter Valenti (RGS 1944-1950) died on 16 June 2016 A D Martin (RGS 1935-1943) died on 8 July 2016

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E R E I G AT I A N C O M M U N I T Y

PUBLICATIONS

FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES

JOE CHEAL (RGS 1980–1986)

JAMES MELLOR (RGS 1994–2001)

Joe holds an MSc in Organisational Development and Neuro Linguistic Technologies, a degree in Philosophy and Psychology, a diploma in Performance Coaching, a certificate in HNLP Coaching and a diploma in Hypnotherapy, Psychotherapy and NLP. He is author of Who Stole My Pie? and co-author of The Model Presenter.

DRAWN FROM HISTORY: A CARTOON JOURNEY THROUGH BRITAIN’S PAST It there’s one thing we Brits are good at, it’s laughing at ourselves, which is just as well because former RGS pupil James Mellor’s new book is a hysterical history of a nation’s finest, and not so finest hours.

WHO STOLE MY PIE? Who Stole My Pie? is packed with powerfully simple models, tools, tips and techniques, if you want to gain greater control over your time.

From Ancient Brits to the Facebook generation, his sideways look at 1,000 years of memorable moments, Drawn from History: A Cartoon Journey Through Britain’s Past, is both sublime and ridiculous.

NICOLAS KINLOCH (RGS 1966-1973) NATIONAL SOCIALIST RACIAL POLICY Nicolas taught History until his retirement, and continues to teach the subject in places as diverse as Japan and Kazakhstan. He has written several textbooks. This book examines, amongst other things, the origins of National Socialist views on race, and how those views were subsequently implemented, both within Germany and its wider empire.

THE MODEL PRESENTER The Model Presenter shows you how to create a memorable and logical structure, deliver presentations and training with confidence whilst engaging an audience easily and effortlessly

DAVID WALLIAMS (RGS 1981–1989)

THE MIDNIGHT GANG (for aged 9-12 years old)

THE WORLD’S WORST CHILDREN (for aged 7-12 years old)

Welcome to the Midnight Gang! Midnight is the time when all children are fast asleep, except of course for… the Midnight Gang.

That is when their adventures are just beginning…

The World’s Worst Children is a collection of TEN stories, each one written about a delightfully dreadful child. From Dribbling Drew, the boy whose drool gets him into trouble on a school trip, to Sofia Sofa, a TV super fan and every parent’s worst nightmare.

When Tom gets hit on the head by a cricket ball, he finds himself at Lord Funt Hospital, and is greeted by a terrifying-looking porter.

Things go from bad to worse when he meets the wicked matron in charge of the children’s ward… But Tom is about to embark on the most thrilling journey of a lifetime!

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FOUNDATION OFFICE

SEAN DAVEY Development Director spd@reigategrammar.org

JONNY HYLTON Development Executive jdh@reigategrammar.org

Foundation Office Reigate Grammar School Reigate Road Reigate RH2 0QS 01737 222231 rgs.foundation rgschanginglives.org

 @foundationRGS

& Alumni at Reigate  Foundation Grammar School  Reigate Grammar School Professionals 68

HAZEL CORNICK Development Office Manager & Reigatian Magazine Editor hkc@reigategrammar.org

01737 245947 www.briangalesurveyors.com

25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Brian Gale Surveyors are a long, well established firm of Chartered Surveyors who will provide a comprehensive Survey and Valuation service on all types of property.

With our base in Reigate from which we have operated for 25 years, we cover London, Surrey and Sussex predominantly, but will be happy to assist Private and Corporate Clients further afield.

SERVICES OFFERED Full Building Surveys RICS HomeBuyers / ISVA HomeSurveys RICS Redbook Valuations (for all purposes) Party Wall Awards Historic Buildings / Expert Witness Reports

For a more comprehensive list of the services we offer please visit our website.

Marcus House, 8 West Street, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 9BS | sue@briangalesurveyors.com As parents and members of the Reigatian Community, we are pleased to support the Reigate Grammar School Foundation.

The Foundation Office exists to support the development of Reigate Grammar School and to foster the friendship and support of all Reigatians. The Reigatian community includes current and former pupils, parents, staff, governors and friends of the school – all, in fact, for whom the school is, or has been, an important part of their lives. Our future success depends upon the benevolence of the whole Reigatian community and we invite you to contribute with them and help to shape the future of our great School and its pupils.

Foundation Office Reigate Grammar School Reigate Road Reigate RH2 0QS 01737 222231 rgs.foundation rgschanginglives.org

 @foundationRGS

& Alumni at Reigate  Foundation Grammar School  Reigate Grammar School Professionals Registered Charity number 1081898.