Sherborne Old Girls Journal 2023

Journal

Sherborne Old Girls

From THE SECRETARY

Fiona James

In the 2021 Journal, we reflected on the core values of Sherborne Girls that have remained constant over the decades and remain at the heart of our community today. With the after-effects of the pandemic still being felt in a multitude of ways, we wanted to focus on the benefits of physical activity and movement for our general enjoyment and wellbeing. With this in mind, we asked Old Girls from the 1950s to our more recent leavers to let us know what they do to stay active and their thoughts on this. We do hope you enjoy reading their articles.

As we did last year, we have sourced the paper for the Journal from a sustainable source that is 100% carbon neutral, and the cover has an environmentally friendly, recyclable coating.

This year we have run a wide range of reunions and events, though several have had to be postponed to 2023 due to the passing of our late Queen. Our Old Girls Day is being held on Saturday, 13 May, starting with a service in the Abbey before returning to School for drinks and lunch. Your invitation is included with this Journal and has been sent out via email to those who

use email. Our events are listed on our website, and we look forward to seeing as many Old Girls as possible at our reunions and events.

If you have received an award or have any news you would like to share with us, please do send it in at any time either by email or post to the Old Girls Office. We would love to celebrate your news with you. The contact details are included on the inside front cover. It is always such a pleasure to be part of an inspiring and vibrant community; thank you for your continued support and all good wishes for 2023.

From THE CHAIRMAN

Alexandra White A’95

The most significant highlight of the past year has been the chance to meet up in person once again. After the disruptions of Covid and all the restrictions on our activities, it’s been a joy to be in the company of other Old Girls. It feels as if we’ve all had an awful lot to catch up on.

I’ve been so pleased to see the alacrity with which the preCovid programme of events and reunions has been restored. It’s a privilege to attend many of these get-togethers and I hope very much that there is something for everyone, from social gatherings to careers events with inspiring and stimulating speakers from across our network.

Every time I meet with other Sherborne Old Girls, I am reminded of what a vibrant organisation we are. I believe we are relevant and valuable for every generation that has passed through the School, offering a means of keeping in touch and continuing the growth that was facilitated by our time here.

Sherborne Girls remains in very good health, which is such a pleasure to see. The pupils are given a well-rounded education that prepares them for the future, gives them confidence to be the best version of themselves,

and we can all be proud of our association with such a lively place of growth and learning.

The annual Old Girls Day will be held on Saturday, 13 May 2023. It starts with a service in the Abbey before the usual gathering at School. Please do come along and catch up with SOGs from across the ages. It will be wonderful to see as many of you as can make it.

I’d like to end by thanking the team behind this fascinating publication, especially Fiona James and Anna Anthony, who always work tirelessly to bring it about. I’ve certainly been inspired to read about the accomplishments of our fellow Old Girls. I hope you enjoy the features about physical activity and its importance to our general wellbeing.

Thank you for your ongoing engagement with our community. I look forward to seeing you at events throughout 2023.

From

SHERBORNE GIRLS HEAD AND PRESIDENT OF SHERBORNE OLD GIRLS

Ruth Sullivan AW’91

I thoroughly enjoy reading the Old Girls Journal each year, as it’s a reminder of the vibrancy of our wider community. As I explored in my 2022 Commemoration speech, which you can read an abridged version of below, Sherborne Girls is a place of inspiration and adventure, where pupils are given all they need to thrive.

The theme of this issue of the Journal is the benefits of physical and cerebral activity to our overall wellbeing, with stories from all generations of SOGs about their many accomplishments and pastimes. This is something we’re committed to at School, with a wide range of sports and other activities available to keep girls engaged and motivated.

We offer sports including hockey, cricket, football, lacrosse, tennis, sailing and badminton, as well as dancing, canoeing and outdoor adventure. As I mentioned in my speech, our girls are now involved in a joint CCF with Sherborne School, and we were especially proud when three of our Upper Sixth were chosen to be Heads of Section.

These activities all show the importance of keeping physically and mentally active to maintain a good balance in life. In this as in so many other things, I’m inspired by what our whole community gets up to, including pupils past and present.

Extracts from Dr Ruth Sullivan’s speech at the 2022 Commemoration ceremony, on the theme of ‘Inspiration’.

To inspire is “to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it”, and it is the inspirational thinking and actions of our pupils and staff which is my focus today: qualities which have enabled us to continue to fulfil our vision to be the UK’s leading full-boarding, all-girls’ school; a school known for its all-round personal development and academic fulfilment, where each pupil is part of a community of empowered learners.

The girls at our School are courageous. They are bold and adventurous. They have the resilience to overcome adversity and the inner confidence to lead others. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Girls, you embody this, especially those

who, along with their male counterparts, challenged the status quo and created a mixed team to compete in the CCF Pringle Trophy, eventually coming third in an event traditionally open to boys only.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Girls, you definitely live by Mahatma Gandhi’s words, whether you spent an exeat weekend parachuting with the CCF or canoeing along rivers, standing up for what you believe

in or persevering and remaining optimistic when times were tough. Girls, you have shown such depths and degrees of courage this year. My colleagues and your parents are in awe of you.

The girls are compassionate. They are principled, considerate, kind, and they want to make a positive contribution to the community in which they live and work. You have shown compassion by

raising awareness and funds to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine as well as issues closer to home, challenging yourself to run 5km or 10km on a Sunday morning to raise money for Breast Cancer awareness and Motor Neurone Disease. I see compassion through your everyday actions: pupils and staff holding the door open for one another, offering a listening ear, whether Supporters and Listeners, Counsellors, The Wellbeing Hub, House

and School Prefects or through simple but powerful acts of friendship. Reaching out to individuals when you know they need support, being patient with each other and appreciating that we are all different.

Our girls are spiritually aware, understanding Christian values and valuing reflection and wellbeing in themselves and others.

I have seen so many of you embracing others within our

wider community. You comfort and support and laugh with each other, you share quiet moments in Prayers or explore your spiritual journey and faith through Confirmation or Focus. You lead prayers in the Abbey or in School, you celebrate different faiths. You quietly strengthen our inclusive and creative approach to spirituality in its broadest sense.

The girls are adaptable, flexible and respect and celebrate the

differences of others. How brilliantly you in the Fourth Form and your teachers adapted overnight to manage the situation with Covid to ensure your health and learning didn’t suffer.

How maturely you reacted when the hotly anticipated Joint Schools’ Production of Grease had to be postponed, again due to Covid. When it was finally performed in February, it didn’t fail to impress, selling out each evening with audiences blown

away by the quality of acting and singing, and the effort and commitment that had gone into every actor’s performance. All of you have shown yourselves to be adaptable, being sensitive to the needs of others, adjusting your own behaviour so that your Boarding House is as happy and harmonious as possible.

The girls here are curious, intellectually enquiring and imaginative. They seek challenge and pursue excellence in what they do.

Girls, you exude curiosity: researching degree courses and apprenticeship programmes, starting a GCSE, EPQ, A Level or language programme in a subject new to you, learning new musical instruments, giving things a go, from origami and treasure hunts to cricket and lacrosse.

You have shown curiosity beyond School: not really knowing what the CCF is and not sure if you want to spend every Wednesday afternoon with Middle Fifth boys, but thinking it is worth trying, to find yourself

The girls at our School are courageous. They are bold and adventurous. They have the resilience to overcome adversity and the inner confidence to lead others.

quickly promoted and helping to instruct others. Or hearing the Abbey bells and wondering what it would be like to ring them, only to take up campanology.

You have been curious about the environment, wondering how you could make a difference, volunteering to be on the Eco-Council, taking part in beach clearing and helping to reduce food waste. You have been curious to understand how aspects of society operate, volunteering for the patient participation group at the local surgery or as a youth ambassador on the town council.

Concluding remarks:

Yes, there have been challenges [this year]. Aristotle wrote that “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” You don’t yet have the perspective of years to see how Sherborne Girls has shaped you, but I can promise you your hard work will bear fruit in so many ways and in the lives of others.

HOWZAT?

SHERBORNE GIRLS IN TOP 20 FOR CRICKET

Sherborne Girls has been included in The Cricketer’s list of the Top 20 all-girls cricket schools in the UK.

The sport was reintroduced in 2020, some 90 years after it was first played here, and it has already become a staple among the girls, with many taking responsibility for organising training sessions.

Head of Cricket James Bell said: “We have up to 30 girls regularly training for cricket now. It’s a reflection of how popular the sport has become in a short space of time. The Cricketer’s recognition is an important part of maintaining our progress.”

The Sherborne Girls Foundation is a separate charity that fosters a School-wide culture of philanthropy to support the School’s growth and development and its social responsibilities.

A key priority remains our Candlelight Bursaries programme, widening access to a Sherborne Girls education for talented and financially deserving girls. Here, three of our Candlelight recipients share their accounts of what a full, transformational bursary has meant to them, and why this is such an important initiative.

PRAISE, U4

I used to go to a primary school in Brighton from the age of three. It was a really nice school but there wasn’t much on offer, and I used to get bored. When I first arrived at Sherborne Girls, everything was new. The days in my old school were really short, but here they are so much longer, which means I can get so much more done! The teachers and girls have been so welcoming and supportive. I love being in West where everyone started new together. It is really nice meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures. Although we’re all different and unique in our own way, we have similar interests, and everyone is so positive.

I have always been interested in sport but didn’t have much opportunity before coming to SG. I am now playing county netball. The matches are a great way of developing my skills as well as meeting new people. I loved being in the West play with the whole House taking part in a big production, which was so much fun. I have even been abroad for the first time to Germany on a school trip and done caving and coasteering. There have been so many new adventures!

I would like to thank everyone who supports Candlelight Bursaries for this life-changing opportunity, which has given me a brighter future. I hope to go on to a good university and do well in my exams but also have fun and enjoy every moment here at Sherborne Girls.

VLADA, M5

Last summer, I was sitting in Ukraine, not able to study at school, do any sport or even go outside as it wasn’t safe because of the war. My father suggested I go and study in another country, but I never dreamed it would actually happen. I contacted several schools and was so surprised when Sherborne Girls responded and said it could help.

Since arriving in September, I have found everyone so friendly. In Ukraine, people are sad because of the war, but here everyone is so cheerful. I love all of my teachers; they are so kind. I can’t believe how much is on offer and how talented the girls

AMARA, AE’21

I remember the nerves and excitement I felt all of those years ago when I found out I had received a bursary – it had been my dream to go to boarding school ever since I read Malory Towers in primary school!

Throughout my seven years at Sherborne Girls, I had some incredible experiences, from going on an exchange to South Africa, to performing a slam poem at a TEDx event. But I got just as much out of the day-to-day boarding experience. I loved all the fun we had, especially at interhouse events

are in so many different areas such as music and sport. All of my teachers want to help; they have given me catch-up courses and supported me with my English. I have reflected on what would have happened if I hadn’t come to SG. For my friends who are still in Ukraine, nothing has changed. But for me, in less than a year, I have met so many people, made so many friends and connections, tried new things and become so much better at English! I especially love the House competitions. There is an amazing House spirit and sense of belonging. We take it all very seriously but also want to support our friends in other Houses.

I am so grateful for this experience. I know that I will look back in 10 or 20 years with so much warmth. It will change the outcome of my life in so many ways. I am not sure what the future holds, but I do know that I want to aim as high as I can.

(Go East!). The support from my tutors, House staff and teachers was amazing – they helped me secure my current place at UCL, studying European Social and Political Studies. Living with students from all around the world broadened my horizons, and two years after leaving, I still have strong friendships with the girls I met (in fact, one of them is my flatmate!).

My Year 7 (L4) self couldn’t play sports or string a sentence together in French so I think she’d be pleased to see me playing football for my uni team and preparing for a year abroad

in France! And those are just some of the more tangible things I learnt at Sherborne Girls. I’m very grateful for all the people I encountered at SG, and for the Candlelight Bursary which made it all possible.

As we approach our 125th anniversary in 2024, we have ambitious plans to widen access to the School and increase the number of girls we can support through our life-changing Candlelight Bursaries. These are financed by The Sherborne Girls Foundation through fundraising and so support from donations and legacies is critically important to achieving this.

If you would like to discuss ways in which you might be able to support us, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Katherine Massey, Director of Development, on k.massey@sherborne.com or call +44 (0)1935 818215.

Together we can make a difference.

Welcome to the following ‘new’ Old Girls who left School in summer 2022

Chloe Allday

Georgina Andrews

Nell Asquith

Beatrice Baker

Daisy Baker

Anna Barnett

Annabel Biggart

Amelia Bond

Hannah Boswall

Stella Boulton

Isabella Boylan

Katie Browning

Dominique Brunwin

Isabel Burnett

Minda Buxton

Helena Campbell

Lauren Carty

Erin Cassingham

Katherine Catmur

Ella Clancy

Sophie Cook

Evie Coulton

Florence Crabtree

Bella Cripwell

Poppy d’Abo

Lola Dare

Hettie Dart

Honor Davis

Louise de Chimay

Amelia Denness

Issy Diment

Cayla Downer

Anna Flatt

Clemmie German

Rosie Gibbs

Holly Gilbert

Cerys Groves

Sophia Haithwaite

Zara Harris

Alicia Holland

Sophia Hollingworth

Isabella Hustler Parker

Cornelia Jackson-Holst

Flora Jenkins

Natnapha Jiamwijitkul

Tilly Johnson

Bella Jones

Imogen Knight

Brenda Lam

Arabella Lambeth

Jasmine Lampert

Amelia Larkins

Izzy Le Cornu

Lily Leaf

Finty Little

Melie Longpre

Lola Macdonald

Flora MacEwan

Tills Massey

Lucy Maynard

Molly McCue

Annabelle McGivern

Tara McLaughlin

Artemis McMaster-Christie

Tamsin Morgan

Kiki Moseley

Eliza Murray

Phoebe Nettleton

Amber Nielsen

Claudia Norton

Dolly Payne

Daisy Pentreath

Amelia Pickance

Lailie Platt-Ransom

Willow Pope

Saskia Preston

Rosanna Read

Nya Rendell-Young

Marianna Sawyer

Matilda Scott

Katie Soobiah

Fenella Stanford

Lila Stoddart

Immy Sykes

Poppy Thomson

Lily Thornham

Lara Tomlin

Millie van Moppes

Flo Watt

Hailey Wilson

Emily Wood

Alice Wooddisse

Islay Woolgar

Amy Ye

Mathilda Yorke

Verity Zisser

DAUGHTERS AND GRANDDAUGHTERS OF OLD GIRLS IN THE SCHOOL

DUN HOLME

Taci Dare Bryan

Theya Dare Bryan

Jemima Drummond

Veronica Goldsworthy, Grandmother

Veronica Goldsworthy, Grandmother

Louise Taylor, Mother

Arabella Guy Diana Muriel, Mother

KENELM

Freya Beeny Angela Gossow, Grandmother

Caroline Swift, Mother

Eli Benbow

Amanda Claydon, Mother

Tilly Garton Mary Monro, Grandmother

Emilia Robinson Kate Holme, Mother

Sophie Welch Jane Wilkinson, Mother

Hannah Wood Fiona Stern, Grandmother

MULLINER

Anna Cleveland Louise Noel, Mother

Jemma Craig-Cooper Catharine Simpson, Mother

Honey Henderson Kate Gutteridge, Mother

Electra Marshall Kate Gregor, Mother

Isabella Schwinge Clare Matthews, Mother

Lottie Welch Jane Wilkinson, Mother

READER HARRIS

Jemima Hodgkinson Jessica Smith, Mother

Lucy Le Maistre Emma Campbell, Mother

Eve Oliver Kim Oliver, Mother

Philadelphia Medlycott, Grandmother

WINGFIELD DIGBY

Cici Ashworth Pix Bennett, Mother

Tamara Ashworth Pix Bennett, Mother

Bobby Henderson Kate Gutteridge, Mother

Milly Wills Katy Gascoigne-Pees, Mother

If you know of other mothers and grandmothers with daughters currently at SG, please let us know by sending an email to: oldgirls@sherborne.com

Elisabeth Stephens (Burca)

W’37

Elisabeth’s son Marc writes:

Carol Elizabeth Batkin (Head)

Carol’s daughters Victoria Head (Pett) K’68, Erica Head K’69 and Joanna Head (Mills) K’77 write:

Elisabeth died in hospital in Madeira on Thursday, 3 November 2022. She was 102 years of age.

During her long life, Elisabeth was an enthusiastic supporter of the Royal British Legion and a committed member of the congregation at Holy Trinity Church, Funchal.

During the Second World War, Elisabeth joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY). She was posted to Camberley and taught first aid, map reading and mechanics, as well as driving ambulances and staff cars.

She met her French husband, Captain Jean Burca, during this time. Their first son was born in 1945 but died from a hole in the heart. They went on to have two more children and a very happy family life, with Jean working as General Manager of Reid’s Hotel and Elisabeth supporting as a cordon bleu chef and flower arranger. Jean’s career involved senior appointments at several five-star hotels, including in Paris and Biarritz.

Elisabeth and her two sisters attended Sherborne Girls at the same time as Alan Turing was at the boys’ school. She would often reminisce about her time there, including during her retirement in Madeira.

Carol was born in 1921 in Watford, the only child of Maud and Walter Batkin. After leaving School, she studied English Literature at Oxford, before leaving and joining the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, where she serviced radios in Spitfires during the Second World War.

After the war, Carol trained and worked as an almoner (hospital social worker) in London and Scotland, before meeting and marrying Eric Head, who had spent most of the war in India. They spent their married life in Sussex (Hove, Haywards Heath, Hurstpierpoint).

Carol gave up work to raise three daughters who were all educated at Sherborne. Gardening was one of Carol’s great loves and she created gardens wherever she lived. The household was always lively and noisy, and well supplied with garden-fresh fruit and vegetables. Married to Eric for over 50 years, she lived to the ripe old age of 100 and at the end of her life she had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Eve Pollok (Pooley)

K’45

Eve’s daughter Ailsa Phillips writes:

Ann Hopkins (HopkinsClarke, previously Udal) K’39

Ann’s daughter Joanna Udal K’82 writes:

My mother Eve Pooley was born in Cornwall in 1926 into a medical family: her father was a doctor and her mother a nurse.

She attended Sherborne for five years from 1939 and was a member of Kenelm House.

After leaving Sherborne, Eve went to the London School of Medicine to start training as a doctor but later transferred to Glasgow to train as a physiotherapist.

After spending some time working in Canada, she returned to Britain and married Roy, whom she had known since childhood.

She had two daughters, Ailsa and Edwina, and lived in Sussex then later in Shropshire.

Eve loved to travel and was an active member of Inner Wheel and U3A, where she learnt to draw and paint when well into her 80s.

She had two grandsons, Christopher and Andrew, and had recently become a great grandmother to Toby. She sadly passed away at home on Christmas Day 2020. She was much loved and is greatly missed.

Photo taken in January 2020 with Eve holding her great-grandson, Toby

Ann was born in Bath in 1931 and maintained a lifelong fascination with the city. Her father was Mayor of Bath three times. As a child, Ann and her mother took an active part in his official duties, including, memorably, entertaining Yehudi Menuhin. She also became the youngest person to qualify as an Honorary Guide of Bath.

She loved her time at Sherborne, making the swimming and tennis teams and singing in the choir. She studied at Lausanne University in Switzerland – drawn by her love of both modern languages and skiing!

Her first job in London was for the British Showjumping Association, having been a keen horsewoman herself. When she married her first husband, John Udal, in Bath Abbey in 1959, the wedding cake was decorated with fine white horses.

In 1960, Ann gave birth to twin sons, Nicholas and Adrian, and then in 1964 to a daughter Joanna. She became active in the Conservative Women’s Association and was a trustee of the London Centre, set up to support young homeless women. She attained a BA and an MA in History of Art from Reading and married her second husband, Mac Clarke, in 1983. Together they ran the Friends of the Holburne Museum in Bath, leading art study tours at home and abroad, and Ann became Chair of the Trustees of the museum.

Ann died peacefully at home on 14 May 2020 with Joanna beside her. Her funeral was held outside in glorious sunshine due to pandemic restrictions.

Valerie Cooper (Perez)

DH’51

Valerie’s daughters Sharon Perez DH’79 and Ann Perez (Hall) DH’75 write:

Valerie was the daughter of Edward Tyndale Cooper, Royal Navy, and Dr Mary LangdonDown. She was born in Wimbledon in 1933 and lived in every county along the south coast from Cornwall to Suffolk because of her father’s job.

Valerie went to St Swithun’s School in Winchester and was the youngest member of the 1st XI Lacrosse team. She then followed her sister, Daphne Cooper DH’48, to Sherborne Girls and excelled in Sciences and Lacrosse, Squash, Cricket and Tennis. Her Sherborne friendships lasted a lifetime: the eight girls in her year from Dun Holme were in touch throughout their lives.

After School, Valerie joined Blake Lapthorne in Portsmouth as a Trainee Solicitor (an ‘Articled Clerk’ in those days) and qualified in 1956.

She married Jimmy Perez in 1956, living firstly in Great Swifts, Cranbrook, where Jimmy was a Farm Manager, before buying their own farm in East Kent in January 1959. Ann was born in 1957 and Sharon in 1961.

Valerie ran the business side of the farm and managed rearing calves and chickens, as well as being Secretary to the Red and White Friesian Cattle Society and actively involved in the Women’s Farming Union in Kent. When Jimmy died in 2007, she carried on running the farm with Ann and stayed busy with her garden. She became a great-grandmother when Corinne was born last August.

Eleanor Phillips AE’55

Jane Zeal (Pegram) AE’54 writes:

Eleanor joined our year in the Middle Fifth, in the footsteps of her aunt, Mary Vile AE’38, a pre-Second World War pupil. She inherited some of her aunt’s carefully stored uniform!

Eleanor, known as ‘LE’, chose to follow School with secretarial training in London. She did not take kindly to the daily compulsory games but nevertheless became an ardent ‘armchair’ supporter of cricket, tennis and rugby. Her first job was with Dent, the publisher, which stimulated her love of reading. After a period in Gibraltar with Shell International, she took up a post at St Alfred’s College, now Winchester University, assisting the Principal and as a House Warden. The climax of her career came as Secretary/PA to the Archbishop of Canterbury, a residential post at Lambeth Palace.

This was also a time of happy reunion between Eleanor and my family, as we lived nearby. We enjoyed many holidays in Greece – an annual tradition we maintained until very recently.

Sadly, ill health caught up with Eleanor, which she stoically endured, never doubting her great faith, until her death in August 2022.

Elizabeth Norman (Byrd) E’59

Liz’s daughter Sarah Byrd writes:

Diana Hamblin (Tory) AW’60

Her family and daughters Anna Tory (Hobbs) E’90 and Sarah Tory W’84 write:

Liz lived life with passion, energy and warmth. She was born in Wells, Somerset, and while England remained important to her, she fell in love with Vancouver and its mountains in her early 20s.

Liz and her husband Ed emigrated to Vancouver in 1966 and were contributing citizens and leaders within the community for more than 50 years. Liz had many accomplishments, including: being a founder of both Collingwood School and the Kay Meek Arts Centre; serving on the West Van Council and Western Residents Association; being awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Canadian Confederation Medal and West Van Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year (Lifetime Achievement); and being a Dame of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.

Liz served on the Eagleridge Bluffs Protection Committee, leading a nationally publicised protest where committee members risked arrest to protect a fragile mountainside environment from development.

Liz is remembered as a visionary and risk taker who asked, “Why not?” instead of “Why?”

Diana was the first of three generations to attend Sherborne Girls. Her connection to the School was active, right until Motor Neurone Disease brought it to an untimely end.

She was involved with the School as a parent to three daughters who attended through the 1970s and 1980s. She named one of her cats after a headmistress, set up a trust fund to support music at the School in memory of Harriet Tory A’86, and attended many of the School concerts. Diana was so proud when her granddaughter Artemis McMaster-Christie K’22, started at Sherborne Girls.

As well as raising her family, Diana qualified as a solicitor, was elected an Independent District Councillor for North Dorset and worked with Ofwat. Upon retiring, she was able to indulge her time in gardening, music, friends and family.

Margaret Buchanan (Clarke)

Margaret’s husband Chris writes:

Frances Mary Fanning (Hain)

Frances’s sister Helen Stengel K’75 writes:

Margaret (‘Tiggy’) was the third of four generations to be at Sherborne Girls. Her mother, Frances Marion Rawlence (Buchanan) AJ’30, was there, and, I believe, a great aunt in the late 1800s. Our daughter, Hannah Frances Clarke AE’94, was also at the School.

After SG, Margaret went on an exchange to Branksome Hall, Toronto. She then travelled by Greyhound bus through North America before going to Durham University to read Geography.

From the end of full-time education in 1970, her life was one of constant change. Although there were two periods when she was a planning officer, these were only two episodes among many other activities (paid and voluntary) that filled her life: a life characterised by constant inquiry and interest, and love of people.

This culminated in her part-time study for a degree in the History of Art and Design at Southampton University. She graduated in 2005, 35 years after her Durham degree. This may well have been the most fulfilling activity she ever did, witness to her constantly curious and rigorous mind. Who knows where that mind would have taken her next.

At Sherborne, Frances excelled in the 100-yard sprint, reaching the finals of the All-England trials in 1967. An accomplished flautist, she also sang in the choir and Madrigal Society and was made head of Kenelm in 1969.

Upon leaving Sherborne, Frances spent a year working on a farm in South Africa, before studying Agriculture at Reading University. There she met Barry, her future husband.

The couple moved first to Zimbabwe, then to South Africa, where they spent the next 15 years working for a genetics breeding company and raising four children.

Frances meanwhile expanded her expertise with a master’s degree from the University of Witwatersrand in Human Genetics.

In 1991, the family moved to the US, eventually settling in Kentucky, where they were to spend the next 29 years.

Before her retirement in 2016, Frances sadly developed breast cancer which later metastasised first as liver cancer and then as brain tumours. Despite her illness, she stayed living at home and managed four trips abroad: twice to the UK, once to Qatar to visit her son, and once to Machu Picchu.

Frances is remembered fondly for her kindness, energy, sense of fun and seeming talent for doing several things at once.

Kate Melvin (Avery) DH’75

Kate’s daughters Sarah and Julia Avery and friends write:

After leaving Sherborne, Kate spent many years living between Devon and London and eventually set up home in East London where she raised her two children, Sarah and Julia. The world was for exploring and she never sat for long: at home enjoying art, auctions and social engagements, and abroad, with much time living and working in South Africa.

Kate worked as a social researcher, focusing mainly on various aspects of health policy and practice. During her career she contributed to many journals, worked for the National Centre for Social Research and had commissions from the World Health Organisation and the National Health Service.

She was a trustee for the Oral History Society (2006 – 2016) and latterly an editor of its journal, Oral History. She sat on a Health and Research Ethics committee, helping to assess research bids requiring ethical approval, and set up, and advised, various charities in London.

In everything she did, Kate was determined to always give everyone a voice and worked tirelessly to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Sheila Powell, School Secretary 1965 – 1989, Old Girls Records Secretary 1990 – 2002

Yvonne Libbey, School Secretary 1989 – 2010, and her friends write:

Sheila was born and grew up in Putney and had three jobs in her working life. She first worked as a medical secretary, then applied for the position of School Secretary at SG. She spoke to Dame Diana on the telephone, who suggested they meet at Waterloo Station where she had her interview!

Sheila became School Secretary in 1965, serving under four headteachers. She loved the job and her surroundings, taking many photographs of the Backs throughout the seasons when she arrived at 7.30am. She was dedicated to her work and was regarded as a rock by staff and pupils alike.

After retiring, Sheila continued her happy ties with School by becoming Old Girls Records Secretary. She also helped in the Abbey Parish Office.

Her mother moved to Sherborne and they spent many happy years together. Her sister Janet also lived in the town and her brother, John, in Bristol, so she relished time with the family. Sheila had a long and happy retirement and spent her last peaceful days doing crossword clues, reciting poetry and reminiscing.

Hassan Qasrawi

Head of Science and Biology Teacher 1974 – 1999

Diana, Hassan’s widow, writes:

For Hassan, teaching was more than a job – it was his way of life and his vocation.

His close family remember well his enormous dedication. He was at his desk before anyone else woke up, and often still at it late into the evening when they had gone to bed. He was a perfectionist, passionate about Biology, and he wanted to pass that passion on to those he taught. And he was a caring teacher, who wanted all his pupils to achieve the best of their ability.

His early experiences in Palestine gave birth to his love for education, not only as a means to academic success, but as a pathway to knowledge, worth and identity. Outside of Sherborne, he taught Arabic for the University of the Third Age for many years. More informally, he passed on to family and friends the pleasures and techniques of Palestinian cuisine. His stuffed vine leaves and maklouba were legendary!

Over the years, several Old Girls sent messages expressing their gratitude for Hassan’s dedication. How many times I heard girls saying to him: “Dr Q, you got me through!” I think the successes of the girls who had struggled through their studies pleased him even more than the stellar grades so many of his other pupils achieved.

Since he died, Hassan’s family have received many messages of condolences from his students and from staff, for which I would like to express my deep gratitude.

Anna Tory (Hobbs) E’90

“I fondly remember Hassan and how influential he has been on my life both with the curriculum he taught me of Social Biology and maybe more importantly the lessons beyond the curriculum; hearing the smallest information about Palestine has enabled me to always question what is perceived as right and made me recognise the need to dig deeper than the accepted right/wrong.

“I’m confident he had an enormous impact on so many.”

Nicki Whiteman (Lewis) E’94

SOG Chairman 2016 – 2019

“I’m an arts, creative type so Science wasn’t my favourite subject... until Dr Q came along! He turned Biology from a must do GCSE into a world of fascination and fun. I always looked forward to being greeted by his warm smile and his kindness has remained with me in the decades since he taught me. I am so glad I got to see him again as an adult at an Old Girls event and be able to tell him that myself.”

Charles Simpson Classics teacher 1972 – 2003

“He was a good man, a good colleague and a good friend to have. I never heard him say an unkind word but he was someone who knew his own mind and stuck to his principles. That he was a vicepresident of Sherborne Old Girls shows the affection and respect felt for him. The School community has lost a good and loyal friend.”

BIRTHS

Jan Fong W’01 and Jonathan O’Shea had a daughter, Isabella, on 23 August 2021

Charlotte Wellband (Chappell) T’01 and Paul had a son, Atticus (Atti), on 5 November 2022, a brother for Allegra

Claudia James (Wright) T’02 and Tom had a daughter, Henrietta Grace, a sister for Matilda and Arthur

Sophie Barford DH’03 and Rob Mullen had a son, David, on 29 September 2020

MARRIAGES

Rosanna Butler (Jenkins) AW’04 and Jedd had a son, Nevada Knight, on 2 February 2022

Olivia James (Coughtrie) AE’05 and Richard had a daughter, Beatrice, on 1 April 2022, a sister for Camilla

Maggie Muthama (Odera) E/AE’05 had a daughter, Etta Nzisa, on 4 March 2022, a sister for Ella

Charlotte Ayles (Nunn) DH’06 and Jack had a daughter, Josephine Daphne Rose, on 18 January 2022, a sister for Hugo

Vicky Simon A/RH‘07 and Joe Nicholson had a daughter, Willow Arwen Rose, on 22 October 2022

Jessica Entwisle (Habershon) K’08 and William had a daughter, Georgiana Arabella Rose, on 25 August 2022, a sister for Henrietta and Charles

Tamara Warren (Van Baar) WD’08 and Marijn had a daughter, Lola, on 20 October 2021

Jane Bowles A’84 married Douglas Henderson on 9 July 2022

Katie Folkes DH’10 married Jack Lyons on 21 May 2022

DEATHS

Pamela Congdon (Jaquet) AW’37 died in November 2022

Elisabeth Stephens (Burca) W’37 died on 3 November 2022

Carol Batkin (Head) K’39 died on 22 November 2021

Ann Hopkins (Hopkins-Clarke, previously Udal) K’39 died on 14 May 2020

Jean Seppelt (Kirby) DH’44 died on 15 February 2022

Anne Hillyer (Scott) E’45 died on 28 October 2022

Eve Pollok (Pooley) K’45 died on 25 December 2020

Jean Straw (Devey) AE’45 died on 6 May 2022

Patricia Bowker (Whedbee) AW’46 died on 1 December 2022

Jennifer (Jebber) Howson (Whitaker) A’46 died on 19 October 2022

Margaret Russell-Johnson (Mundie) AE’46 died on 19 September 2022

Sabrina Stanley K’10 married James Christie on 13 August 2022

Rachael Ellis DH’10 married Alexander Wallace on 8 October 2022

Patricia Cox (Wylson) DH’48 died on 28 February 2022

Rosemary Hobson (Hollick) A’48 died on 2 May 2022

Shirley Denehy (Mollan) K’50 died on 5 April 2022

Valerie Cooper (Perez) DH’51 died on 25 September 2021

Pamela Jarvis (Hinks) DH’51 died on 30 May 2022

Hilary Williams (Walter) E’53 died on 16 July 2022

Eleanor Phillips AE’55 died on 12 August 2022

Catherine Butler-Smith (Smith) W’56 died on 14 September 2022

Mary Propert (Lees) E’56 died on 31 December 2022

Sue Childs (Davis) T’57 died on 27 September 2022

Rosemary David (Buffle) DH’59 died on 16 September 2022

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Norman (Byrd) E’59 died on 23 November 2022

Diana Hamblin (Tory) AW’60 died on 5 May 2022

Sheila Macdonald (Mitchell) K’60 died on 17 February 2022

Margaret (Tiggy) Buchanan (Clarke) AW’66 died on 1 June 2022

Susan Lewis (Dearden) K’66 died on 31 October 2021

Frances Fanning (Hain) K’70 died on 19 March 2022

Lavinia (Polly) Harris A’73 died on 16 September 2022

Kate Melvin (Avery) DH’75 died on 19 September 2022

Sarah Lavers (Langan) AE’82 died on 2 March 2021

Michael Hayton Project Manager The Merritt Centre 2016 – 2019 died on 16 September 2022

Sheila Powell School Secretary 1965 – 1989 and Old Girls Records Secretary 1990 – 2002 died on 8 October 2022

Hassan Qasrawi Head of Science and Biology teacher 1974 – 1999 died on 28 September 2022

Further News

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP –INSPIRING GENERATIONS

Global Entrepreneurship Week took place again this year in November and we were delighted to welcome back to School two Old Girls. Each spoke about their personal journey, what inspired them, and the hard work and qualities needed to succeed in setting up their own businesses. A huge thank you to Tattie Graham (Isles) M’04, founder and owner of Tattie Rose Studio and Thea Wellband (Carroll) DH’08 who established Thea Carroll Property Consultancy for support of this initiative.

SHERBORNE OLD GIRLS BURSARY FUND

Helen McLuskie (Garton) A’82

Can you help us spend our funds?

We live in gloomy times and as I write, the media is full of stories of cold homes, hardship and sacrifice. Well, this is a positive piece. The Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund is a registered charity managed by a trustee board of Old Girls and exists to give grants to daughters and granddaughters of Old Girls attending School. While we can’t pay a whole term’s fees, we can be part of a Bursary package and in this case the total is definitely worth more than the sum of its parts. If you know of any girl who could do with financial support, please make an application.

Applicants need to approach the Bursar for assistance and be sure to mention the Old Girls. They will then be assessed for financial eligibility.

An application can be made before a girl joins the School, or during her time here if circumstances change.

If you would like to make a difference yourself, you can donate to the Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund by contacting the Honorary Treasurer Ghislaine Fluck via ghislaine.fluck@btinternet.com or 07970 692841.

Tattie Isles

Thea Carroll

5-YEAR REUNION

10-YEAR REUNION

15-YEAR REUNION

20-YEAR REUNION

30-YEAR REUNION

40-YEAR REUNION

60-YEAR REUNION

2020 LEAVERS RECEPTION YOUNG

MEDIA CAREERS NETWORKING EVENT

NEWCASTLE & DURHAM

“IF YOU DON’T MOVE IT, YOU LOSE IT!”

Jane Pople (Adley) A’55

Jane Adley has a simple philosophy: keep as active as you can and spend as much time outdoors as possible. She certainly follows her own advice.

When Jane isn’t off bagging Munros, she’s trekking through Europe or the Himalayas. When she’s not doing that, she can be found on the riverbank, perfecting her flyfishing cast. And when she’s not involved in either of those pursuits, she indulges her other great hobby: tending the 80 or more rare rose species planted in her garden.

It is fair to say that Jane’s is an active life. When her husband – Conservative MP Robert Adley – died unexpectedly in 1993, she realised she needed a change in focus. She moved first to Cornwall and then Northumberland, where she happens to be neighbour to another SOG, Mary Latter (Gray) K’53. The draw of each place was the beautiful beaches and proximity to wild countryside.

“I’ve always been a nature lover,” says Jane. “It’s in my blood and I love spending

time outside. But you need real wilderness to get the best experience. That’s why I’m grateful to be close to Scotland. The scenery there is some of the best in the world.”

Jane is certainly well-placed to make such an assessment. Her adventures have included a trek through the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park that took her to an altitude of 17,000ft, fishing trips to Russia, Iceland and Canada, and a walk to the rim of Piton de la Fournaise, the volcano on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, where the hot rock melted the soles of her new four-season boots.

It all started when Jane’s dogs died and she resolved to keep walking to maintain her fitness. “I did a weekend on Mam Tor in the Peak District and realised I was perfectly capable of walking by

As with my other hobbies, it’s a great excuse to be out in the fresh air

myself,” she explains. “It helps that I’d been taught how to use a map and I’ve always had an interest in Geography that was instilled by my Housemistress, Miss Kershaw, during my time at School. I’m privileged to be a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), the cradle of exploration and geographers.”

Jane enjoys walking both solo and in company. “I go with a long-suffering younger chum with written instructions as our guide,” she says. “It means we get lost, but that’s half of the fun!” Her next big trip is planned for later this year: “A walking tour of the Italian Lakes where the organisers plan the route and even carry our baggage. It feels very much like cheating!”

At the age of 86, Jane could be forgiven for taking the easier option, but that’s never really been her style. After she completed a fly-fishing course at the Marlborough Summer School in 1996, for example, she realised she needed to work on her casting. So she contacted

three-times World Spey Casting Champion Scott MacKenzie and asked him for tuition. They’ve remained friends, and Jane swears by his own-brand lightweight six-piece graphite fishing rods.

Only in the context of her spirit of derring-do could Jane’s third great passion be regarded as sedentary. As an enthusiastic member of the Historic Rose Group, she regularly visits gardens to see rare varieties and share cuttings. “As with my other hobbies, it’s a great excuse to be out in the fresh air,” she says. “That’s so important to keeping healthy and positive, especially as you get older.”

With that in mind, Jane plans to attend the three-day eventing at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and will continue with her hiking and fishing, both locally and further afield. “I find it so energising to be in beautiful surroundings, both alone and with friends,” she concludes. “I will continue these pastimes for as long as I’m able. They really are life-giving.”

Helen Kalis E’63 and Jane, pictured on the right, on the Isle of Lewis in May

KEEPING BODY AND MIND ALIVE

Barbara Savill (Dalrymple) W’70

Barbara shares her love of Scottish country dancing.

Scottish dancing provides fitness, fun and friendship. Research shows that dancing, particularly Scottish country dancing, is one of the best forms of activity for keeping the body and mind alert.

All ages can take part together in this wonderful activity. There are 159 branches of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) and over 300 affiliated groups of dancers in more than 50 countries. They organise classes for all levels, social groups, dances, balls and holidays to keep Scottish dancers entertained throughout most of the world.

Before I came to Sherborne in 1964, I had been to a few Scottish dancing classes in the Christmas holidays and the occasional gathering in a village hall where Scottish dancing was included. I loved dancing and listening to the wonderful music while trying to learn the correct steps.

At Sherborne Girls, there was the annual interhouse dancing which included the

Senior Reel competition. I was inspired and encouraged to continue with my dancing and found myself organising and teaching the Wingfield team. In 1987, when my family were young, I met a Scottish dance teacher who encouraged me to join a local class in Bath. I haven’t looked back. Dancing has given me immeasurable pleasure. I have danced in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Canada, France, Hungary,

and throughout Great Britain. All dancing communities are welcoming and you don’t need a partner or special clothes. My husband and I dance regularly in Exeter, and I am a qualified Scottish dance teacher. I was proud to have a dance published by the Society.

The RSCDS is entering its centenary year, having been founded in Glasgow in 1923. To find out more, visit: www.rscds.org

PITCH PERFECT

Sophie recounts her love of hockey, which was fostered at School.

Hockey got me hooked aged eight at prep school. I found that I was good at it so was determined to see how far I could go. At the beginning of my playing days, we ‘bullied off’ to start the game and ‘rolled the ball into play from the sidelines’ and games got cancelled because it was too wet to play on the grass. How different it is today.

At School, I captained the West of England U18s. I had responsibility for people from very varied backgrounds; the squad was picked on ability. Talent and hard work could take us far. This squad was coached by the person who would go on to coach England and GB. I would continue to be coached by her in the West of England elite system well into my 30s.

I was playing for the senior West of England as the game moved from grass onto artificial turf, which revolutionised hockey. I was motivated by pushing the game’s boundaries, helping to develop skills that could be used on the new surface, abandoning ‘sticks’ and allowing ‘turning on the ball’ and ‘a backhand shot’ like back of stick! The challenge of trying new skills in matches sometimes tested the opposition and umpire’s tolerance, but when the match was over, we would all shake hands and discuss what had gone well so that new developments could be fed back into the next training session.

At these training sessions, we would practise the new skills together knowing that only

the best would progress to the next level. We had respect for each other, whether we were on the same team or opposing sides. I gradually realised that the modern game required a higher level of fitness than I was prepared to acquire, so I turned my focus onto my working career.

I returned to sport five years ago when I was diagnosed with arthritis of the hip. Not hockey but swimming has played a key role in pre- and post-surgery. I am fitter now than when I played top-level hockey and I know that, to maintain my high levels of mobility, swimming will be part of my life until the end. Today I really do like being as fit as I can be.

Sophie Stratton E’82

SOG Chairman 2012 – 2016

THREE TIMES THE FUN

Lucinda Harding (Brown) A’94

What does it take to compete in the Triathlon World Championships? Lucinda shares her experience of representing Age-Group Team GB.

When I crossed the finish line of the Triathlon World Championships, it was a very special moment. On entering the competition to represent Age-Group Team GB, I had hoped to finish somewhere inside the top 30, out of a field of 60 entrants. I ended up finishing in eighth place – far exceeding my expectations and bringing enormous surprise and satisfaction.

I first got into triathlons when we moved to Singapore after a period living in Australia. I’d always loved running, and living in Sydney it seemed natural to start ocean swimming. After our move, I got a job with a triathlon company, which gave me the extra inspiration needed to start training for competitions myself.

To begin with, I kept things simple. I’d run, swim and cycle when I could, around our busy lives with work and kids. But then we returned to the UK and one of the Team GB athletes I worked with – double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jodie Stimpson –offered to help me with my training. This proved a huge

help and made me stronger, both physically and mentally. From doing my first UK triathlon at Blenheim in 2019, I managed to knock 11 minutes off my time in 2020, just because of my more focused training regime.

I now train six days a week. That may seem a lot, but I view it as one or two hours of the day that I have as my time. It was not easy at the start, but with a bit of hard work and dedication, I’ve discovered that I’m capable of so much more than I realised. That includes representing Team GB in the European and World Triathlon Championships. It was just the best experience to race for Team GB, with supporters waving flags and shouting my name throughout the course. I loved every minute of it and feel so proud to be a mum of two girls and have done this.

I hope my experience inspires others. You’re never too old to try something new. Just say “Yes” to whatever comes your way and you may surprise yourself. Life is about grabbing opportunities, meeting new people and enjoying the journey.

Photo credit: World Triathlon

ADVENTURES ON THE HIGH SEAS

Susie Young RH’15

Susie reflects on her experience as a stewardess on some of the world’s most beautiful superyachts.

When I decided not to go to university, I really wasn’t sure what my options were. After leaving Sherborne, I took a few years out, travelling and working in different countries, to gain a different perspective. This eventually led me to superyachts. I entered the industry in 2018 as a stewardess on a 45m sailing charter yacht and it was the first time I realised what ‘hard work’ really means. Throughout my career so far, I have worked as a stewardess and a deckhand on motor and sailing yachts ranging from 40m to 80m in size.

Yachting has taught me extreme discipline and attention to the smallest detail. My job generally entails all things from scrubbing toilets, cleaning the entire boat with a cotton bud and toothpick, creating table displays and theme nights, and serving guests food, wine and cocktails to a seven-star service while catering to their every request.

I also get to work in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Over the last five

years, I have sailed on six different yachts around the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Ireland, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Seychelle Islands – all while getting paid a decent salary plus tips, with no outgoings, and sharing the sea with amazing wildlife. When guests are off, we are usually given the time to explore our surroundings and enjoy some well-deserved downtime.

Alongside the perks, yachting does have its difficulties. As I am away for long periods of time, I often miss family events or spending time with loved ones, which can be mentally challenging. Living and working with your colleagues in such close quarters 24/7 does literally give you ‘cabin fever’, and with guests on-board I generally work between 16 and 18 hours a day, so it can be very gruelling. Luckily, seven years living in a Boarding House at Sherborne definitely taught me patience and consideration when sharing small spaces! While living so close together, you naturally form close bonds and friendships. Having crew to

laugh with when difficult guests have requested something particularly absurd is a must.

At the start of 2022, I decided to become a freelance stewardess. After working hard to gain my experience, I now have a good rapport with a large network of contacts in the industry that allows me to hop on and off boats as I please. It gives me the freedom to work as much or as little as I want, making time for the things that are important to me. It makes me extremely grateful that I realised university was not for me, and that there is a plethora of other opportunities out there for people set on a different path.

Through yachting I have been able to save and invest more money than I ever would have expected, and I feel extremely proud that I have been able to earn it myself while building the lifestyle I want. One day I will write a book about all the crazy and incredible experiences I have had, such as the fire in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean! Watch this space.

...I now have a good rapport with a large network of contacts in the industry that allows me to hop on and off boats as I please.

THE COMEBACK

Alexa Palmer WD’16

In 2018, Alexa had a life-threatening fall while competing in an equestrian event. Five years later, she’s stronger than ever – and at the reins of her own growing business.

“Dream big. Work hard. Never stop believing that anything is possible.”

Visit the website of Palmer Equestrian and you’ll see this maxim beneath the bio of Alexa Palmer. Alexa’s resolve has certainly been tested: in 2018, she fell off her horse while eventing in Cambridgeshire and was rushed to hospital with a life-threatening brain injury.

While some riders would have called time on their career after such an experience, she returned to the saddle seven months later with a new sense of purpose. Now, she’s building her profile as a trainer and rider. Despite Alexa’s medics suggesting she may need to take a break after her first year of studying at the University of Exeter, she instead added Proficiency in Entrepreneurship to an already impressive Business Economics degree.

Alexa says her greatest achievement to date has been competing a home-produced horse in the Advanced Class of British Eventing. She finished third at the highest national level of eventing and was selected for the GB Student Rider Team, showing that her skill as a rider has only sharpened since her return from injury.

“At the same time as developing my riding, I’ve been increasing the number of clients I coach and ride horses for,” she says. “I’ve taken part

in two Sport England-funded programmes for equestrian athletes: British Equestrian Young Professionals and the Haddon Training Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence. They’ve developed my skills in business and management, complementing my knowledge of horses and the understanding I gained through my degree.”

Alexa’s interest in training young horses was nurtured in the months after her accident, when she couldn’t ride but still relished time in the yard of her family’s small stud farm. She says this is her passion now, alongside competing: “I love training young horses and have been lucky to achieve success across all disciplines of equestrian sport.”

She is a member of the British Dressage Youth A Squad and has won podium finishes at Home International competitions. “My ambition is to expand our team of competition horses at Palmer Equestrian and help other people with their horses,” says Alexa. “The last few years have brought challenges, but it’s also been a period in which the pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place. I’m excited by the progress I’ve already made and can’t wait to see what comes next.”

Alexa is certainly an inspiring tale. It just goes to show: if you dream big and work hard, anything is possible.

“THE BEST DAY OF MY WHOLE LIFE”

Kay Watson (Hay) AE’56

We all know that 2022 was a momentous year for our monarchy, marking as it did HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and, later in the year, her passing. This prompted Kay to get in touch with a letter she wrote home after attending the 1953 coronation in London. As this abridged version shows, it certainly was a day to remember.

“The coronation was the best day of my whole life, it really was too wonderful to be true. The whole procession was just like a fairy dream.

On Tuesday morning [the day of the coronation: 2 June 1953], we were all up by 3am and had a good breakfast consisting of two boiled eggs each and toast and honey. We got to London about 4.45am and found it jolly hard to find a place to park the car because all we saw [were] Abbey guest car parks everywhere. However, we did squeeze the car into a tiny little street near Westminster Bridge and were very fortunate in getting a taxi practically to our very stand, so we didn’t have far to walk.

About 6.30am, all the troops came to take up their positions along the route. We had the Royal Marines in front of us and a great many policewomen who were dealing with all the schoolchildren. About 7.30am, a few peers and other important people came through on their way to the Abbey with their lovely robes and coronets.

Then about 9.15am, the Mayor of London came by with

more royalty and also dear old Winston who gave us a lovely V sign. Next, we saw all the different Sultans in their lovely dresses and the Queen of Tonga whom we also saw on television the night before. They all had open coaches with their different kinds of police behind them.

Then about 10.45am, the Queen’s procession began with all the guards and yeomen of the guard who looked awfully nice, and then came the Queen’s Band of the Royal Marines, followed by a great many men on horseback.

Then in carriages we saw the Dukes and Duchesses of Kent and Gloucester, in all their splendour. Then came the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. The Queen Mother was on our side of the coach and she really did look charming, absolutely sweet. We also saw Princess Alexandra in one of the coaches and lots of other people who looked very nice.

Then came the most exciting moment of all: the Queen in her golden coach. It really was a sight seen only once in a whole lifetime. She was all in white with a lovely

bunch of white orchids and she had a silver (small) crown on her head. She had a lovely smile and looked right up at us so we couldn’t have had a better view. The Duke of Edinburgh was hardly visible but I could see he was holding the Queen’s hand and he looked up our way once with a broad grin and a wave of the hand.

The day apart from this moment had been pretty miserable but just as she came past us the sun really did come out and shine for a few minutes and then the coach shone beautifully. Following the coach were many police and more people on foot such as the Army and the Royal Navy.

In the evening we saw the whole procedure through again [on the television], including the crowning which we missed before. We also saw the flypast which wasn’t very good because the clouds were very low. And we saw the Queen on the balcony switching on the lights along the Mall etc. and gosh! it did look lovely all lit up. Prince Charles and Princess Anne looked very sweet when they came out and when they looked out of the window.”

SCOTTISH CIRCLE

Secretary: Louise Bishop AE’83

Together with the Old Shirburnian Society, we met at Cafe St Honoré in Edinburgh in early February for a delicious lunch. There was much laughter, and everyone enjoyed the event.

Old Girls met up again in December. Circle Secretary Louise writes: We had a lovely festive gathering at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

From left to right in the large photo: Louise Bishop, Caroline Soutar (Blades) AE’82, Kay Watson (Hay) AE’56, Jennie Campbell (Chalmers) W’74, Rose Ellison K’58, Anna Hell (McCosh) A’54 and Jill Mimpriss (Gregory) K’60

LEICESTERSHIRE, RUTLAND, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND LINCOLNSHIRE

Secretary: Josephine Hepburn (Blake) A’69

Pictured from left to right: Judith Hoare (Sweny) A’61, Liz Cruickshank (Thorold)

K’71, Sally Mackie AE’75, Elizabeth Blandy (Francis) E’62, Jenny Josselyn A’63, Jo Blake, Gillian Alcock (Ford) AE’67 and Pru Nahum (Tatham) A’63

Jo writes: At rather short notice we had a winter Circle lunch at the Caunton Beck in Nottinghamshire. This was an excellent central place to meet in our very large area, and more Old Girls were able to come to it. There was much chatter and laughter which was good fun. We hope to meet up again for lunch in the Autumn.

MATCH V CLC

We started off our golfing year on 31 March with our annual match against Cheltenham Ladies College at South Winchester Golf Club. We had a good team of eight and we set off with a few clouds about which then developed into glorious sunshine, but three quarters of the way through

the sun disappeared to be replaced by snow blizzards! At the time of abandonment of the course, one match was down by one and three matches were all square. Hopefully next year we will get to complete the match!

Hilary Younger

From left to right: Valerie Worth (Thomas) E’73, Hilary Peterkin (Younger) W’64, Lizzy Hext (Pudner) T’83, Anne Whately-Smith (Agnew) K’70, Jane Close (Hon OG), Susie Pym (King) DH’68, Katharine Stringer and Helen Bayley (Daltry) AE’73

Report from Katharine Martin (Stringer) DH’78

THE SILVER TASSIE (National competition for alumnae of independent schools)

This was held at The Berkshire on 23 May. The team that I selected just happened to be on top form and won the competition! There were 24 independent Old Girls teams and our team of Anne Agnew, Ali Preston (Aldred) A’81 and Susie Pendered (Dawes) W’76, and Liz Pendered

AUTUMN MEETING

The annual Autumn Meeting was held at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club on Monday, 26 September with 14 players from all parts of the country. This is a charming shorter course nestled alongside the renowned Sunningdale Golf Course. We played a three ball bowmaker. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day with reasonable weather and a fabulous tea afterwards. This year’s winning team were: Anne Agnew, Buzz Blandy (Francis) E’62, and Jane Close. Second place went to Sarah Kinnersley (Stonehouse) K’65, Mary Monro (O’Dwyer) A’59 and Shonagh MacGregor (Brunnen) AE’68. Nearest the pin was won by Lucille Childs (Richards) DH’77 and the longest drive by Susie King

Once again, a plea to all those golfers out there. I know there are more of you of all ages! It would be so lovely if you could come and join us. We are a very friendly bunch. Do get in touch with me directly if interested and we don’t already have your contact details at strings1948@icloud.com or via the SOG office.

(Edwards) W’75, did us proud. We haven’t won since 2011, but SG has now won it six times since the beginning (1961, inaugurated by SOG Gertie Hubbard); that’s the most times that any school has won it so far.

Back row from left to right: Jane Kinnersley (Ellen) K’69, Shonagh Brunnen, Buzz Francis, Jane Close, Josie Kemp (Mather) DH’62, Anne Agnew, Anne Kinnersley (Boyle) K’67, Susie King and Sarah Stonehouse

Front row: Katharine Stringer, Fiona Stern (Corben) E’62, (delivery of The Tassie Board!)

Lucille Richards, Mary O’Dwyer and Hilary Younger

Left to right: Anne Agnew, Ali Aldred and Susie Dawes (Unfortunately Liz had to leave early.)

Ali and Anne out on the course

PEER GROUP NEWS

1930 – 1965

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Daphne MaGuire (Thomson) T’59

a solo exhibition at the Museum of Oxfordshire in Woodstock, focusing on the impact of the virus on people everywhere, and the imperative for us to find a new future. I attach an image of one of the paintings shown.

I have moved, plus Rooste, my cockerpoo, to York. But seem to be taking an age to settle. Workmen can be elusive.

Judith Atkinson (Towill) T’59 came to stay at the beginning of December, although I am far from straight. In fact, hardly settled in at all. There is so much to be done before I can start to get sorted.

If any of you would like to visit York, please remember me. And if you are brave, I would love it if were you able to come and stay.

My address is: Aldersyde Cottage, Old Moor Lane, York, YO24 1QE. Email address is the same (daphnesigwells@gmail.com). And, finally, I am now connected to broadband. Phone: 01904 864 770. Mobile: 07957 860 185

Jenifer Weston (Wates) K’50

My main news (apart from the fact that I celebrated my 90th birthday in December) is that the various lockdowns and restrictions made me an involuntary hermit, but gave me a lot more solitude to get on with painting. In July 2021, I had

Here is a photo of me with a tiny little cup proudly won all those years ago! I was so thrilled to win it at the time, as I was the youngest in the School and very shy. I am amazed that I was still able to retrieve it from the back of a display cabinet after all these years and 14 moves!

Fiona Munro (Harman) W’53

I am also sending you a group photo of Wingfield girls taken that summer, 1948. I was the ‘baby’ of the House and I am in the front row fifth from the left, sitting in front of Matron who is next to Miss Taylor (Tags), our Housemistress.

Susan Russell (Johnson) AW’54

After a very dry summer we have rain again which is wonderful for the garden. I am still using a walker after breaking my hip. But with family and friends I am able to keep the allotment going.

Penny Stern (Greenslade) E’55

I continue to live in Ballarat and am an associate of Federation University and publish on the taxonomy and ecology of Collembola (springtails). Most of my seven grandchildren have left school and are studying various subjects at university.

Chris Bennett (Bladon) A’55

I have very little news as at 84 one slows up. Am still doing my garden, admittedly with help from a very good gardener. I still do some charity work: mostly for the local food bank and the RBL and am still driving and visiting friends.

Olivia Birt (Pittet) W’57

I am a trustee of the American Friends of Sherborne Girls and the author of The Camino Made Easy: Reflections of a Parador Pilgrim. I would love to hear from OGs who still remember me (before it’s too late!) and also from anyone interested in pilgrimage. You can contact me at: olivia.pittet@gmail.com

Alison Barlow (Mudford) AW’58

Time has gone so quickly and growing up in post-war Britain is an unknown to most people now. The grounds at Sherborne Girls, though, are almost unchanged, except for an impressive collection of new Houses, sports facilities and arts centres! Keep up the good work!

Jacqui Rose DH’64

This has been a busy year for me. I had my house in Suffolk rewired and am now in the process of getting it redecorated. In March, my mother’s cousin died in Somerset and left me as executor so I have been making monthly visits to her cottage to deal with the contents and arrange its sale. I went on my first holiday abroad in 10 years to Lisbon in October with the Arts Society. Fascinating, but with all the steps in castles, churches, etc., hard on the knees!

Dione Wright (Johnson) A’65

I moved to Hartley Wintney five years ago, abandoning work and Marlborough after 35 years. But I am now 15 minutes from my elder daughter Octavia and her family, and seven minutes from Claudia, my younger daughter and hers. So, it has been very fruitful and I can be useful to Hattie (six) and Charlotte (three). I belong to the local Voluntary Care Group, offering lifts to people to medical appointments and befriending those who are lonely. For my own pleasure and fitness and mental stimulation, I go to Scottish Dancing once a week, and art class also once a week, and belong to a very vigorous U3A in Odiham.

PEER GROUP NEWS

1966 – 1970

Peer Group Co-ordinator: Anne Whately-Smith (Agnew) K’70

I can’t believe it but we have been living in the South West for almost 30 years. I do see a lot of SOGs through golf and also through living close to Sherborne, and this year a group of us from Kenelm got together mainly to celebrate the life of Frances Fanning, but also because we have, or are about to, hit 70! It was the first time this group had met up since leaving school! Although, some of us keep up regularly.

Ginny Stephen (Doran) K’70

Happily settled in Dorset, four daughters: one in Sydney and three in the UK. Our milestone year and good fun to see old friends again.

Margaret MacMillan A’62

I was proud to be appointed to the Order of Merit in November 2022. This is a great honour and I am delighted to find myself in such distinguished company. I think stunned and delighted is about the best description for me at the moment. I thought the message to call the King’s private secretary was a joke at first. I am rather glad it wasn’t.

Pictured from front left going clockwise: Ginny Doran, Gay Passey (Cheyne) K’70, Anne Agnew, Lucy Spurgin (Richardson) K’70, Libby (Elizabeth) Drew (Tidswell) K’70 and Vicky Vaughan-Lee (Scarborough) K’68

Caroline Teesdale (Carne) K’68

I have now lived in Gloucestershire for more than 30 years. My younger sister Julia Teesdale (Cooper) K’73 lives close by and middle sister Marnie Teesdale (Cripps) K’69 lives in Wimbledon. My daughter Jenna lives in Sydney with her husband and three children, and earlier this year we were finally able to meet our new grandson, born during lockdown! Luckily our two sons live in England and we see them frequently.

Photo credit: Ander McIntyre

Over the past year or so I have managed to see Anthea Sammons (Foster) K’69, Jane Kinnersley (Ellen) K’69, Kate Kinnersley (McKenzie Johnston) K’72, Charlotte Harrocks (Johnston) K’68 and Christine Cree (Gabarelli) K’68

Caroline Brett Young (Palmer) AW’67

I am still living in Cornwall and am finishing a historical novel about the Saxons invading the Romano British in the Devon of AD367. With others, I am trying to start a theatre company. Two of us have plays about the NHS which we wish to showcase. My son, Alex, and daughter-in-law, Catherine (pictured with me, on the right), live in London. He recently worked on an episode of Countryfile, featuring the four highest peaks in the UK, while Catherine is an actress, currently appearing in a play at the Soho Theatre.

I see my sisters, Liz Whitley (Pybus) AW’58 and Clare Whitley (Rendle) AW’60 about twice a year.

My favourite day of the week is Tuesday when I go to volunteer at the CPR Food Bank in Camborne. This highly successful and very busy Food Bank featured in a TV programme covering Cornwall recently. Simon perceptively avoided making Rick Stein and champagne on the

beach look like normal life and instead showed the underbelly of our area. I don’t get involved with the food distribution at all, but instead spend my afternoon making people welcome, especially the first timers who are often cringing with embarrassment at needing the Food Bank. I listen to life stories, commiserate with those having a hard time and celebrate with a client who’s found a job or a home. There is often some laughter! We are noticing more and more that there are large numbers of people coming in with mental and physical health problems. I think it helps that I have a long background of working in mental health. There are also increasing numbers of people, often families, facing Eviction 21 type (no fault) notice. There are also far too many who are working but cannot make ends meet because of low pay and part-time hours. It is very cheering when I can signpost someone to a suitable organisation and help them access something special from the Food Bank’s reserves.

Julia Derrick (Hunter) DH’69

I have never sent any news before although I avidly read everyone else’s so thought this year I might make the effort myself!

I live in Somerset only 10 miles from Sherborne. I regularly see Susie Ingram (Penrose) DH’70 and my sister Liz Derrick (Whitehead)

DH’72. I saw Miranda McKenzie Johnston (Kitchen) DH’70 in January and we keep in regular phone contact.

Pictured left to right: Marnie Cripps, Caroline Carne and Julia Cooper

PEER GROUP NEWS

Di Lewis (Verdon-Smith) K’69

Another great reunion at Caraffini but alas without Joan Drew (Bond) K’69. Thanks to the team leader Chris for booking the excellent table that we all managed to talk across! It’s lovely we can sit there for over two hours and not be booted out!

Libby (Elizabeth) Drew (Tidswell) K’70

to

Di Verdon-Smith, Elisabeth Bowyer (James) T’69, Jane Kinnersley (Ellen) K’69, Christine Bailey (Josephs) K’69, Sarah Sladen (Hobhouse) DH’68, Anthea Sammons (Foster) K’69 and Rachel Prior (Dykes)

T’68

Lucy Spurgin (Richardson) K’70

I am living happily in Edinburgh. Of my three daughters, one is living in Delhi, another in London and the third in Sydney. My husband Dave is a retired musician. It was a pleasure to catch up with my Kenelm year group recently.

Rachel Long (Trotman) W’69

I was meant to be meeting Sherborne pals at the Christmas Fair at Olympia, but the train strike put paid to that! Annual event is a meet-up of me, Alexandra Symington (Tregear) W’69, Jo Hepburn (Blake) A’69 and Sally Fisher (Weatherill) W’69. We met for lunch on Friday, 25 November in the Sloane Square area - all four of us for once!

I live with my husband, Simon, near Burnhamon-Sea. I retired from teaching nine years ago and Simon retired from surveying this year. We have a daughter and twin sons all living in the South West. We have done a lot of long-distance walking and I am involved with a local sports group.

Ursula Housman (Simpson) AE’69

When Covid hit, the church in Chipping Norton, where I was one of the clergy, coordinated huge weekly food distributions, weekly children’s activity packs, mental health packs and more. So many of us were hastily developing skills. For me, this was managing meetings on Zoom, learning to record talks and services for YouTube etc!

I retired just before hitting 70 in August 2021. Since then, my husband and I have been having what we’ve called a “Gap Year”! I’m afraid we’ve clocked up rather a lot of car and air miles as we’ve visited friends and family both in the UK and abroad. Perhaps the most fascinating and exciting opportunity was serving in the Anglican Cathedral in Cairo for nearly three months. It is on the island of Zamalek in the middle of the Nile and right next to the Marriott Hotel (which became a bit of a watering-hole!). Its large compound buzzes with life and activity from numerous ministries, including refugees, medical

Pictured from left

right:

Pictured from left to right: Alexandra Tregear, Jo Blake, Sally Weatherill and Rachel

clinics, interfaith relations, theological training, Alpha, small business enterprises, a library, hotel, friendly guest house (we recommended it!), a great cafe and even a gym. There are several congregations in different languages – Arabic, various Sudanese ones, a Burmese one (all women who are domestic workers) and two Englishspeaking, which we served. What a privilege (and so life-giving) to work there under the godly bishop whose Christian communities face so many challenges in their cultural context.

Our 18th grandchild was born in September, so I answered an SOS from our daughter to go to Cape Town to help with her brood of five.

Candida Harris (Woolley) E’70

I am a practising artist, retired from my profession as architect. I have shows of my work in Surrey and Suffolk. I play golf and enjoy the company of my grandson, Leo, aged two.

1971 – 1975

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey) K’73

Celia Macpherson (Hill) W’72

My husband and I are thrilled with the arrival of our first grandchild, Jory Winfield Chadwick: a son born on 20 August 2022 to our daughter Kristen

and her American husband Jonathan in Langley, British Columbia. The photo shows me with Kristen and three-month-old Jory, taken while we visited to celebrate American Thanksgiving with them.

1976 – 1980

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Jane Digby (Auer) AW’80

Melanie Wray (Blake) AW’78

My husband and I retired from Peponi House Preparatory School in Nairobi in July 2020 and moved to Gilgil in the Rift Valley. In January 2022, we were called back to Peponi for another two terms. It was a pleasure to be back with the children, staff and families and help with the school’s way out of Covid and back to tournaments, trips and everything that goes with a busy prep school in Kenya. We are now happily retired again but spend any time we have visiting the nurses all over Kenya who have been trained by Kamili Organisation, the NGO with which we are involved.

The picture attached is of all our nurses graduating in 2022 with visitors from Johnson and Johnson who have supported their training for the past two years.

PEER GROUP NEWS

We are glad to report that we have sponsored the training of 119 nurses in the last 10 years, in 39 of the 47 counties of Kenya. Our vision is to reach all 47 counties by 2023.

In 2016, I was honoured to receive an MBE on behalf of Kamili from HM Queen Elizabeth II for services to mental health in Kenya.

Sherborne girls are very welcome to come to volunteer and experience Kamili’s model of community mental health care. For more information, go to https://www. kamilimentalhealth.org/home or email kenyakamili@gmail.com.

Kathy Bracken (Gibson) T’79

This photo was taken at a get-together of Thurstan girls (class of 1979) we had in Cerne Abbas on Sunday, 20 November. This was the second reunion we have had as a group since we all left School. The first reunion was held in November 2021 to celebrate the fact we had all turned 60! It was such fun last year we thought we would do it again this year. It is likely to become an annual event.

Those present were: Anna Crawford (Seton Coad) T’79, Kathy Gibson, Judy House (Barnes) T’79, Fizzy (Felicity) Hillman T’79, Caroline Bellman (Rutter) T’79, Pippa Hollington (Duncan) T’79, Rose Hyam (Wintle) T’79, Cara Matheson (Horwich) T’79 and Elizabeth Spencer

T’79

Absent on this occasion was Pip Read (Cowles) T’79 who was greatly missed but hopefully will join us again next year.

1981 – 1985

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Emma Burrows AE’83

Antonia Tozer (Tucker) K’82

After 20 years of having a gallery in St James’s, we decided to close it but continue to deal in Chinese and South East Asian art from home. Our son Jack is 21 and reading Economics at Exeter. He is in touch with many Shirburnians. Our daughter Grace Tucker K’22 is enjoying working and travelling before going to Reading to read Psychology in September 2023.

Besides work, I have enjoyed organising a small fundraising project. In 2006, we took our children travelling for a year when they were 3 and 4 years old. We travelled to Pagan in Myanmar and met a man called Tun Tun who was our horse-cart driver for over 10 days. Over the years we have remained in contact with Tun Tun. Now he has his own family but things in Myanmar are very tough with the military junta.

Last year Tun Tun sent me an email telling me how he had had to walk his horse for ten miles to find enough grass for it to eat. I decided to help him and held a dozen supper evenings at my house inviting friends to come and handle my modest Asian textile collection and hear about the history of each piece. I have textiles dating as early as the 11th century to the mid-20th century. Reconnecting with friends was lovely but best of all I raised £1,500 for a needy family.

I moved to Oslo in late 2020 to take up a new appointment as Senior Chaplain for the Anglican Chaplaincy in Norway. This is part of the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe, which covers many Anglican congregations outside the British Isles. In central Oslo we have a beautiful small church called St Edmund’s with services in English at 11am every Sunday. We also hold regular services in Norwegian churches in Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger, and in a gem of a stave church at Balestrand in the summer. It would be lovely to catch up with other OGs who may be local or visiting.

Having lived a very quiet ordinary life while the children grew up, my husband Simon and I are now off on an adventure. We will be working with the Church Mission Society (CMS) in Gulu, North Uganda for perhaps six years from early in 2023. Sarah will be Principal of the Archbishop Janani Luwum Theological College in the Diocese of Northern Uganda, and Simon will be

working within the Diocese of North Uganda in Discipleship and Development. We have loved being parish priests in Shropshire for the last 25 years, and hope that we can take some of the invaluable lessons we have learnt to equip us to share the life of the church in Gulu. This area of Uganda is recovering from a long period of unrest and trauma through which the church has faithfully ministered in the parishes and displaced people camps. We have a lot to learn, and hopefully some wisdom to share in this new adventure. You can follow our progress through the CMS website at https://churchmissionsociety.org/people-inmission/sarah-and-simon-cawdell-uganda/

Charlotte

Barraclough (Parry) AW’83

After nine years in California, we have returned to the UK. Living in the US was a wonderful adventure. I was Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund, the non-profit supporting our local national park, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. We worked to raise money for wildlife, opportunities for young people, the native plant nursery, education and rebuilding after a devastating wildfire in 2018.

We are now loving our new life on a houseboat in Limehouse Basin, London.

Joanna Udal K’82

Sarah Bates (Cawdell) E’83

Tun Tun with his family

Sarah and Simon

PEER GROUP NEWS

Jane Bowles A’84

9 July 2022, I got married for the first time at the tender age of 56. Never say never!

1986 – 1990

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Antonia Foster (Plant) AE’91

Claire Wingfield Digby (O’Donoghue) AE’89

Pictured, from left to right: Emma-Jane Stokely (Wyatt) DH’84, Anna Gordon (Hutt) DH’84, Camille Green (Greacen) T’84, Jane Royston (Knott) DH’84 and the bride! Mates from my year trying to lift me … as you might imagine it ended up in a fit of girly giggles! Other Old Girls who joined us on the ‘big day’ included friends Christina Hippisley E’81 and Fiona Tanner (Tanner Baldwin) E’81 who sang beautifully for us (Oyster Opera).

I have recently been in contact with Bernard Barker who was Assistant Music Master and Organist at Sherborne Girls from 1977 to 1981, having joined him on the Committee of The Arts Society Victoria.

I am married to Brian and living in East London. I work at St Helen’s Church Bishopsgate in London, helping city workers explore the Christian faith and encouraging them as they follow Jesus. We have a weekly lunchtime service on Tuesdays at 1.10pm and it would be lovely to see anyone who is in the city (visit https://www.sthelens.org.uk/midweek/city-lunchtime-meetings/ for details).

Our four children are growing up fast and are currently in Exeter, Sydney, Bath and London at university, on a gap year and at schools. Having trained as a teacher after university, I am getting back involved with schools as a governor at our youngest’s secondary school in Fulham.

Kate Bartlett (Roberts) W’90

We are hoping to restore a bit of native woodland in Pembrokeshire. We have also dug several ponds and converted grass into wildflower meadows. Both my husband and I directed and produced Science documentaries at the BBC and are now both Biology secondary school teachers so we feel a responsibility to increase biodiversity where we can. In particular, we are hoping to encourage more plants, insects, bacteria and fungi at the bottom of the food chain to support more wildlife for future generations. We have already seen a big increase in dragonflies, damsel flies, butterflies and bumblebees.

The picture shows me in Pembrokeshire next to the pond we put in and the 1,600 native trees

On the bus with my husband Doug Henderson in Poole on our sunny wedding day!

we planted to try to add a bit of biodiversity. NB: it’s the tiny trees with rabbit guards in the foreground, but hoping it’ll look like the other side of the valley in the next 30 years!

1991 – 1995

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Alexandra White A’95

Alexandra Barrow W’94

I went back to university in 2019, 23 years since my last stab at higher education. In July this year, I qualified as a social worker.

2001 – 2005

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Tess Cavendish A’02

Sophie Barford DH’03

I’ve attached a pic of the family: I live with my husband Rob, my two step kids and little David in Wiltshire and am currently in training to become a

music therapist, specialising in children and young people with PMLD and autism. I’m also working as a music examiner for ABRSM, teach piano and cello privately and work part-time for a renewable energy company (time is limited!).

Christabel Blackburn (Grant Peterkin) AW’04

It has been a busy year for me. Earlier this year, I had a sell-out exhibition of recent paintings at Alex Eagle in central London. My paintings were exhibited in a large retrospective for Portrait Artist of the Year and I continue to receive several portrait commissions. The photo below shows one of my paintings: ‘An Age of Curiosity’.

Stephanie Vicic AW’05

In 2020, not long before the full effects of the pandemic hit, I handed in my notice to the law firm where I was working as a solicitor. I had been accepted on a course as an easyJet-sponsored

PEER GROUP NEWS

cadet to begin training for an Air Transport Pilot Licence (‘ATPL’) which would enable me to become a commercial airline pilot. Following some lockdown-related delays and the pandemicrelated decision by easyJet to withdraw my sponsorship, I began training as a self-sponsored student in August 2020.

In November 2022, after more than a year of flight training in Phoenix, Arizona, I successfully passed my Commercial Pilot Licence exam on the first attempt. There are still a few more elements of my ATPL that I need to complete before I can start applying for airline jobs, hopefully this summer, but even with all my hard work and determination I never imagined I would get this far. Some of my former Maths and Science teachers at Sherborne may well be picking themselves up off the floor right now as they read this!

I am enormously proud of what I’ve achieved to date and I can’t wait to get paid to do what I love. If you ever hear my name being announced on a plane in the future, please do come to the flight deck to say hello!

2006 – 2010

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Alex Pentolfe DH’06

Thea Wellband (Carroll) DH’08

I was delighted to be announced as the winner of the Spear’s Awards 2022: ‘Future Leader in Private Client Services’.

The awards acknowledge and honour entrepreneurs, philanthropists and others for their innovation, success and outstanding contribution to the wealth management world and beyond.

I was so pleased to be asked to come back to School in November 2022 to talk during Global Entrepreneurship Week about running your own business.

Rachael Ellis DH’10

I married Alexander Wallace on 8 October 2022 in Hampshire. We are pictured below.

Photo credit: Harry Wilson

Photo credit: Bizzy (Isabella) Arnott WD’14

Rachael and Alexander on their wedding day

Davina Glaister (McGrath) AE’10

My business partner, Alina, and I were inspired to start The Wonki Collective after spending eight years working in the FMCG industry and experiencing all the waste. There’s a horrible statistic that 40% of food that’s produced never even makes it to a supermarket shelf. We are using tech to create a more circular and transparent food system, rescuing deliciously wonki groceries and ingredients that would otherwise be at risk of going to waste and sending them to members. Our mission is to eliminate food waste in the supply chain.

Faye White DH’10

I received three journalism awards last year for my work as a presenter and producer for Channel 4 News. During the pandemic, I pitched and launched Channel 4 News’s TikTok account, presenting global news in a digestible way aimed towards 13 to 25-year-olds. I scripted, presented and edited the videos from my bedroom in East London and was named Content Creator of the Year by The Drum Awards in April. I also won two Lovie Awards for my TikTok explainers alongside my team earlier this month. I am now a freelance presenter and producer and am currently working with The Associated Press in New York building its TikTok and YouTube Shorts accounts, to help its journalism reach younger audiences.

Davina, pictured left, with Alina

PEER GROUP NEWS

Cathy Tong DH’10

My husband, Kang Chen, and I were married in a ceremony on 6 October 2022 in my hometown, Ningbo City, in Zhejiang Province, China.

2011 – 2015

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Louise Moseley K’11

Jemima Taylor AE’11

I recently became the Market Editor for Harvey Nichols. Working across all the families of business from fashion to food and wine, my job is to connect the commercial business strategy with the creative content and marketing teams by driving key investments, newness and exciting products through all customer touchpoints both online and instore. I influence and deliver key storytelling moments through our weekly home page and

CRM channel by providing commercial concepts as well as brand and product direction.

The experience I gained working at Matchesfashion for six years helped me move into this highly competitive yet rewarding side of the luxury retail industry.

Pip Williams AW’13

Since leaving School, I’ve qualified as a vet from the Royal Veterinary College (University of London). I am now Dr Pip Williams MRCVS and have been working in a small animal practice in Manchester.

In February of this year, I volunteered with the Greek Cat Welfare Society in Athens, Greece. In four days, a team comprising myself, one other vet, and a vet nurse spayed and castrated more than 100 stray cats. We are hoping to return for another Trap Neuter Release scheme early in 2023. Photo above (I’m the one in blue).

Photo credit: Charlie Grainger

Tilly Taylor AE’15

I work on complex criminal litigation and advocate in Magistrates’ Courts. I qualified as a solicitor of the Supreme Court and my next challenge is to become a solicitor advocate so I can advocate in Crown Courts.

2016 – 2020

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Imogen Andrews WD’16

Jessica Soanes WD’17

I have started my first year of training at Ridley Hall and Selwyn College, Cambridge, for ordination as a Priest in the Church of England. I’m here for the next three years as a postgraduate having just finished two years on the Church of England Ministerial Experience Scheme and my first degree at Leeds. Thought this would be exciting news to share because it’s what I have been working towards since I was 17 at school!

Lulu de Montfort WD’19

I am very pleased to have achieved First Class Honours in BSc Business and Management with Proficiency in Leadership from the University of Exeter. I was also delighted to receive a School Commendation, given to students whose grade is in the top 90th percentile of their peer group, and who have demonstrated sustained commitment through their time at university.

Alice Richardson DH’20

I am in my third year at Durham University, studying Management and Marketing. I was proud to be named a Hatfield College Scholar for 2021 – 2022.

Tilda Jenkins AE’20

Here I am at Buckingham Palace receiving my Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with some fellow SOGs. Pictured from left to right: Annabel AlersHankey AE’20, Tilda Jenkins, Hannah Barber AE’20 and Lily Ridout AE’20

Pandora Covell WD’18

I was accepted to study a Master’s in Painting at the Royal College of Art, starting in September 2022, after graduating from Chelsea College of Arts UAL with a First Class Honours.

PEER GROUP NEWS

After a rainy start to the morning, the sun came out at Buckingham Palace for our Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Ceremony. It was a lovely day to celebrate everyone’s achievements and catch up with each other.

I started a degree apprenticeship with Unilever which has been an amazing opportunity. Being able to gain technical industry experience whilst also attending university and studying for my degree is a fantastic balance. It was wonderful to come back to SG to talk to the girls about my adventures making ice cream for brands like Ben & Jerry‘s and Magnum, and what I have learnt from my experiences so far, in order to raise awareness of degree apprenticeship opportunities.

2021 – 2025

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Alice McCormick K’21

After leaving Sherborne, I took a gap year which was such a great experience. I went out to Switzerland where I au paired for a French family, who were so friendly and it massively improved my French! I then went to work at my old prep school for a term as a gap matron which was so much fun. I also got to go on an amazing road trip around California with my sister, where we saw some sensational views!

I have now just finished my first term at Cambridge, where I am studying History. It has been an amazing, crazy, busy term. I have loved being able to continue with music and lacrosse alongside my studies, and meeting so many wonderful people.

Tilly

The photograph to the right shows me having completed the night half marathon 2022. I raised £750 for MIND.

Rosie Barnes DH’20

Johnson RH’22

NEWSFROM HONORARYMEMBERS

Peter Cantrell, Head of English 2002 – 2017, sent us this poem.

Our Royal Loss

(Elizabeth the Great, 1926 – 2022)

This solemn day the flags fly low, From leaden skies rain falls: On all of us who walk below An aching sadness calls.

At noon today the church bells toll, And heads are duly bowed; For she we mourn fulfilled her role, To serve as she had vowed.

Our strength and stay through all these years, The queen we loved has passed; And though our eyes now brim with tears, What she bequeathed will last.

King George’s death began her reign, That year of smog and dearth; It ends in days of strife and rain, As she departs this earth.

Leavers

Such sombre bookends frame a view, But can’t convey the whole: How she was steadfast, wise and true, Gave us her heart and soul.

The last she did was play her part To greet the next PM; And now a new king’s reign will start: All power is held pro tem. The crown will duly find its place Upon another’s head; King Charles the Third must fill that space Wherein our late queen led.

A Carolean Age ensues

As Queen to King now cedes; While we to her say proud adieus, Our new king, Charles, accedes.

Samantha Ashman

Alan Bareham

Sara Barns-Graham

Andrew Blocke

Philippa Bussell

John Chester

Simon Clarkson

Florence Corran

Thelma Dyer

Patricia Golovchenko

Sophie Harris

Annalisa James

John Jenkins

Philip Martin

Katie McManus

Stephen Payne

Emily Spivey

Mark Spivey

Erica Sutherland

Patricia Wareham

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, JOHN JENKINS, RETIRES

In June, members of our community both past and present joined together to mark the retirement of John Jenkins, Director of Music (1996 – 2022, and previously Organist 1992 – 1996), and to celebrate his incredible contribution to Sherborne Girls over the past 30 years. Those attending were treated to an inspiring and uplifting concert, performed by Old Girls, staff, former staff and pupils. A wonderful evening which will be well remembered.

Charlotte Ewins DH’16

Lucy Cox K’07

Pictured left to right: Isabella Elwes DH’15, John and Arabella Jennings WD’15

CONGRATULATIONS

Margaret MacMillan A’62 was awarded the Order of Merit, an honour accorded by the monarch to leaders in the Arts, Science, Culture and Military.

Thea Wellband (Carroll) DH’08 was the winner of the Spear’s Awards 2022, ‘Future Leader in Private Client Services’.

Faye White DH’10 was awarded The Drum’s Content Creator of the Year Award and two Lovie Awards (the European sister awards to The Webby Awards, which are dubbed the Oscars of the Internet).

Pandora Covell WD’18 has secured a place to study for a Master’s in Painting at the Royal College of Art.

Aisling Taylor AE’18 graduated from the University of Bath with a First Class Honours in Business.

Lulu de Montfort WD’19 graduated from the University of Exeter with a First Class Honours in BSc Business and Management with Proficiency in Leadership.

Annabel Alers-Hankey AE’20 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Hannah Barber AE’20 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Rosie Barns DH’20 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Matilda Jenkins AE’20 received a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Annabelle Martin K’20 has secured the post of Journalist Co-ordinator for BBC Radio Bristol.

Alice Richardson DH’20 has been awarded the title of a Hatfield College Scholar for 2021 – 2022 at Durham University. She is studying for a BA in Management and Marketing, with a placement year.

Lily Ridout AE’20 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

President

Ruth Sullivan

Presidents Emeritae

Mrs Geraldine Kerton-Johnson

Mrs Jenny Dwyer

Vice-Presidents

Mrs Patricia Barker

Miss Augusta Miller

Executive Committee

Chairman Alexandra White

Treasurer

Lindsay Taylor

Secretary

Fiona James oldgirls@sherborne.com

Peer Group Ambassador

Danielle Grant Braham

oldgirls@sherborne.com

Circle Secretaries’ Co-ordinator

Jane Nicholson

oldgirls@sherborne.com

Old Girl Ambassador

Alice Richardson

Co-opted Member

Anna Lort-Phillips

oldgirls@sherborne.com

Under 30 Representative

Zainab Kyari

Sherborne Girls Head

Ruth Sullivan head@sherborne.com

Senior Management Team Representative

Katherine Massey

k.massey@sherborne.com

Sherborne Girls Alumnae

Sherborne Girls

Peer Group Co-ordinators

1925 – 1965 Daphne MaGuire (Thomson)

1966 – 1970 Anne Whatley-Smith (Agnew)

1971 – 1975 Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey)

1976 – 1980 Jane Digby (Auer)

1981 – 1985 Emma Burrows

1986 – 1990 Antonia Foster (Plant)

1991 – 1995 Alexandra White

1996 – 2000 Alexa Ramsay (Laryea)

2001 – 2005 Tess Cavendish

2006 – 2010 Alex Pentolfe

2011 – 2015 Louise Moseley

2016 – 2020 Imogen Andrews

2021 – 2025 Alice McCormick

Trustees of Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund

Joanna Gornall (Mrs Wright), Helen McLuskie (Mrs Garton)

All correspondence should be addressed to:

Miss Ghislaine Fluck, 16 Conifer Drive Meopham, Gravesend, Kent DA13 0TL ghislaine.fluck@btinternet.com

Development Officer

Laura Windsor development@sherborne.com

Sherborne Old Girls Office, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3QN Tel: 01935 818329

Email: oldgirls@sherborne.com www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls

Main school tel: 01935 812245

Email: office@sherborne.com

SherborneOldGirls

sherbornegirlsconnect.com