Old Peterite Section

Robert Middleton was the son of a York tiler, and may have been related to St. Margaret Clitherow, another York martyr. He was the same age as Guy Fawkes, so would have attended the School in the Horsefair with him. Although at one time he was a protestant, "Conscience and reading books" brought his conversion to the Catholic faith.

After leaving School he worked for a London merchant, and may have helped to smuggle priests into England. On 14th April 1597 he entered the English College in Rome, returning to England as a disguised priest in 1598. He was quickly arrested near Ripon, but managed to escape, although he was later detained in Lancashire. Another priest, Father Thurstan Hunt made a valiant rescue attempt, but was himself arrested.

Both priests were closely examined by the Privy Council in London before being returned to Lancaster for execution. Whilst in the cells their patience, cheerfulness and holiness impressed even their jailers, and their fine example converted five of their fellow prisoners. Just before his execution Robert's sister was able to smuggle in to him the news that he had been accepted in the Jesuit Order.

In March 1601 both priests were hanged, drawn and quartered. On 22nd November 1987 with other English martyrs Robert was beatified.

LATEST NEWS OF SOME OPs

A. D. M. Barrell (Temple House 1974-79) has recently graduated from the University of St. Andrew's with a Ph.D.

His thesis was on the Papacy's relations with Scotland and Northern England in the fourteenth century. He has already been published in some journals and hopes to expand the material into a book.

We congratulate him on his academic success — and hope that he will let us have a copy of his book for the new School library! Dr. Tom Boulton (The Manor 1940-1943) was awarded the O.B.E. in the 1991 New Year Honours List.

R. D. Harding (The Rise 1960-1966) has been awarded sabbatical leave for the Easter Term 1992 by the Governors of Repton School. Based near Lake Geneva, he will be researching into glacial activity in the Swiss Alps and hopes to witness some of the Winter Olympics while visiting the French Alps.

He has also recently been elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Edward Oldcorne was the son of a prosperous York builder who had accepted the reformed faith, but his mother remained firmly Roman Catholic, was imprisoned several times for her faith, and eventually died in York Castle. Edward is described as being well educated, sturdy in faith, affectionate, self-effacing and zealous. His personal saintliness was noteworthy.

In 1582 he entered the English College in Rome and was admitted to the Jesuit Order in 1588. After his return to England his ministry was centred in Worcestershire where, despite suffering from cancer, he worked constantly to minister to the Catholics of the region. He became one of the most hunted priests in England, and had many narrow escapes from government agents. Finally, after being hidden in a priest hole for eight days, starvation drove him out and he was arrested with Father Henry Garnet.

Every effort was made to implicate the two priests in the Gunpowder Plot, but they denied all knowledge of it. Edward remained constant, despite suffering appalling tortures for five hours a day on five consecutive days. Having failed to force any confession out of him he was condemned, not as a plotter, but as "A priest and Jesuit, well known to have gained many souls to the Catholic faith". He was executed in Worcester on 7th April 1606 and declared Venerable in 1886.

M. F. H. Hjort (The Grove 1974-79) has returned to York, after spending four years with the Roux brothers. Last June, he opened a restaurant at 7 Scarcroft Road, York, which he has called Melton's. As one might expect, his food may be described as Anglo-French.

We wish him well in his new venture — will he invent a special Old Peterite menu?!

Tom Kitchingman (The Rise 1986-1991) is going to spend a year on a cattle station in Queensland, Australia. He has been trying hard to raise £2,000 to contribute towards the cost of his venture, sponsored partly by Project Trust. This is an organisation which sponsors School leavers for practical projects abroad.

Jamie Rigby (Queen's House 1986-1991) is going to Thailand, also with Project Trust. He has been trying to raise the same amount of money as Tom. He will be teaching English at Prince Royal School, Chiang Mai.

It is a pity that Tom's and Jamie's request for help came too late for the wheels of Old Peterite generosity to be put in motion. Future such adventurous spirits would do well to understand that we only communicate twice a year — the President's letter in May and the Newsletter in August. By August Tom and Jamie will be on their way abroad. It would be good to see what we can do to back up such adventures in future years. Anyone care to organise some event?

Marc Mitchell (School House 1986-1991) and Mathew Sumpton (School House 1986-1991)

It is not too late to help two OPs who are planning to cross Africa, starting at the end of this year. They are crossing the Sahara, going to the valley of the Niger and across to the valley of the Congo, finishing up in Kenya. This looks pretty tough and they will be very grateful for any finance, help or expert advice which any OP can give them. What about it?

John Raylor (The Manor 1947-1952) has been appointed Provincial Grand Master of Freemasonry in the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings. It is a high honour and we congratulate him on his appointment.

In this connection, the Old Peterite Lodge holds Open Days at regular intervals for members of the Sixth Form and others interested. To see what it involves you can contact the Secretary of the Old Peterite Lodge, Brian Watson, at 1 Scawton Avenue, Huntington, York Y03 9JA.

Jonathan Robinson (The Grove 1980-1985) has just received his M.B., Ch.B. from Dundee University and is to take up his first hospital post in September.

His sister, Emma (The Grove 1986-1988) married Mr. Luc Vanhal, The Walt Disney Corporation's Middle East and European Director of Finance, in the School Chapel in October 1990 and now resides in Paris.

Younger brother, Simon (The Grove 1985-1989) works for Croft Hotels and is working at the Elm Bank Hotel in York.

FOR SALE

The following are available from the Secretary: E. G. Thompson, "West Winds", 4 Moor Lane, Haxby, York Y03 3PH.

Please send your cheque made out to 'The Old Peterite Club'. Please include a normal postage stamp for all items except books, for which two stamps should be included.

O.P. Shields £25.00 O.P. Club Ties £ 5.00 O.P. Club Brooches/Tie pins £ 4.00 O.P. Centenary Spoons £ 2.00 O.P. Centenary Brochures £ 0.50 Chronology by R. Harding £ 3.00 C. T. Brockbank, Esq., 10 Stanhope Road, Darlington,

Co. Durham DC3 7AR. P. A. Critchley, Esq., 18 Park Avenue, Sherburn-in-

Elmet, Nr. Leeds LS25 6EF. D. W. Fulbrook, Esq., The Coach House, Oakwood

Hill House, Oakwood Hill, Dorking, Surrey

RH5 5PY. M. Hepworth, Esq., The Lawns, 23 Shipton Road,

York. C. E. S. Monro, Esq., 41 Lebanon Park, Twickenham,

Middlesex TW1 3DH. R. W. Peel, Esq., 24 Colwood Gardens, Collier's

Wood, London SW19 2DT. W. N. Richards, Esq., The Rectory, Martley,

Worcestershire WR6 6QA. S. Ryder, Esq., Trent College, Long Eaton,

Nottinghamshire WR6 6QA. R. P. Shouksmith, Esq., Red Roof, Lords Moor Lane,

Strensall, York Y03 5XF. T. Stead, Esq., 6 Park Square, Leeds 1, Strensall,

York. D. A. J; Thomas, Esq., Greencrest, Sellick's Green,

Taunton, Somerset TA3 7SD. C. W. Thompson, Esq., Croft House, Main Street,

Milton, Nr. Tuxford, Nottinghamshire NG22 0PP. N. G. Townsend, Esq., 11 Easby Close, Whitebridge

Park, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE3 5LW.

OLD PETERITE LODGE No. 6412

Installation

The annual Installation Festival of the Old Peterite Lodge No. 6412 was held at the Freemasons Hall, Duncombe Place, York on Wednesday 19th June 1991 when W.Bro. Charles William Knowlson (School House 1970-75) was Installed as Master for the ensuing year.

Further information regarding the Lodge can be obtained from the Secretary, B. J. Watson, 1 Scawton Avenue, Huntington, York Y03 9JA.

Provincial Grand Lodge

On the promotion of the present Provincial Grand Master to Deputy Grand Master, the new Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings, will be V.W.Bro. John Malcolm Raylor (The Manor 1947-52). He will be Installed at a Ceremony at Scarborough Spa on Wednesday 2nd October 1991.

WANTED

Old Peterite Blazer, approx. size 38". Contact: Peter Oglesby, Old Thatch, Winchfield, Hampshire. Telephone: (0252) 616760.

We have had several interesting letters this year from ex-pupils or the family of ex-pupils.

E. O. Hillyard is to celebrate his 101st birthday this August. When we spoke to his family at Northallerton in February he was hale and hearty, and we sent him the best wishes of the OP Club. He recalls that he came to St. Olave's at the age of nine, which was below the usual age of acceptance. He arrived at School in a pony and trap, driven by a groom, who returned to collect him after School.

Mornings were taken up with formal education and afternoons with sports.

Early morning service left a strong impression on him. The service was always conducted by the Headmaster.

A popular and very athletic member of staff took them in the gym and having given an excellent demonstration of vaulting over the horse (older OPs will remember the horse!), the teacher repeated it with great gusto and fell flat on his face, raising a lot of dust from the matting and some sympathy from the pupils.

After cricket, junior pupils were recruited to find lost cricket balls from the long grass surrounding the playing area. Games were either rugby or cricket — he has no memory of any soccer.

(Editor's note — It is interesting how the odd behaviour of members of staff remains outstanding for the rest of our life. How many will remember Wentworth Ping swinging fire-buckets of water over his head to demonstrate centrifugal force?!)

Pietro Limpivas came from Hawaii and arrived in York as it was celebrating its 1,500th anniversary in 1924 (sic). He died at the age of eighty in 1986, but his son has a record from copious notes which Pietro kept.

He remembers the daily routine: wake and wash — breakfast — chapel — class — lunch — class — sports — clean up — tea — prep. — supper — bed.

Toilets and bathrooms were on the ground floor, away from the House.

There were bath tubs, half filled with water, for the cold bath in winter. Sometimes there was a thin sheet of ice on the surface, when the students would lower themselves backwards for a few seconds to comply with the requirement to take a bath.

Food was less than plentiful. He was not sure whether this was to toughen the pupils or to save on cost! Fresh bread was not given because the School claimed that it contained harmful chemicals, it had to be at least a day old. Many of the vegetables were grown in the School garden. Dessert was mainly rice pudding. The Housemaster and his wife always joined the students for lunch.

Pocket money was two shillings and five pence (12p) for younger, and five shillings (25p) for the older students.

Once a week there was a hot bath and a clean towel. Pyjamas were changed once a fortnight.

Sport was — in winter — rugger and cross-country obstacle races. In spring rowing and hockey. In summer cricket and swimming.

Students were allowed to keep bicycles to ride into York.

John McCowen came to the School in September 1921. He recollects how his brother, Angus, and he came to the School as despised 'Day Bugs'. They lived at 4 St. James Terrace, Clifton. They both went on to Cambridge. John was at Caius and Angus was at Christ's.

John's twin grandchildren have just had two years in the Sixth Form (1987-1990).

Back in 1922, there were two charming Siamese Princelings at the Grove, answering to the name of Chimbo, who got to know them well and they came regularly to tea with the McCowens on Sunday.

Their particular friends at School were two Parkinsons, three Storrs-Fox and Peter Young, all of whom went on to Oxbridge.

John got a First at Cambridge and went on to work for ICI.

St. Peter's O.T.C. led him to obtain a T.A. Commission at Cambridge and he later served as a halfColonel in the war in Military Intelligence.

He has a print of the School as it was in those days with the Headmaster's house on the left and the form-room which he remembers best ('Remove'), where P. S. Sykes was the form-master. He used to be called 'Pissy Sykes' of course.

So there we have a few memories for some other 'Oldies', as John calls himself. He is still proud of the great history and traditions of the School and we thank him for the remarks and wish him many more years of happiness in Devon.

The above reminiscences are somewhat abridged, but they do give a flavour of what life was like at St. Peter's at the start of this century.

There are some old ways which should never be changed — discipline (both academic and personal), Christianity and morality are a few of them. But one imagines that many of the present-day boys and girls at the School are heartily glad that some of the old ways (e.g. the cold bath?) are no longer with us!

We thank those who sent us the articles and hope that, now that we have a resident archivist, John Mitchell, contributions of memories and memorabilia will continue to arrive in ever greater numbers.

Patrick F. Bach (1917-1919)

Died, aged eighty-seven, in November last year. He was a life member of the OP Club.

Chris Bodington (Temple 1941-1943 : The Rise 1943-1945)

I see from a copy of Steel News that Chris Bodington has died at the age of sixty-three.

He was a former British Steel Senior Legal Adviser. He retired in 1987 but still continued to advise British Steel on special legal matters. His main expertise was in European Community law.

At School, Chris was a House Monitor and was in the 2nd XI Hockey team in 1942.

David N. Brocklebank (Manor 1952-57) David died on 13th November 1990.

Harold Burton (1919-1921)

It was announced in the Yorkshire Evening Press last October that Harold Burton had died on 2nd October, 1990.

Harold came from a farming community and lived at Tollerton.

Dr. A. M. Michael Can (Manor 1949-1954)

Michael emigrated to Newfoundland, Canada in 1961 where he practised as a medical doctor. In 1967 he was voted Mayor of his local town, with the biggest majority in the town's history. He somehow got caught up in the misuse of drugs and suffered a prison sentence on June 1976. After his release, he made a successful*return to medical practice and social respectability. Unfortunately, he still suffered nervous stress, and finally, aged fiftyfour, took his own life in October last year. He left a wife and four children.

A letter in the local paper describes him as being:— "a dedicated, caring and competent physician who brought ease, comfort and relief to many who sought his service. He was a good man: he tried very hard to be good...."

Those of us who knew him as a boy were sad to hear of his misfortunes but pay tribute to his finer qualities.

George W. Harding (1932-1939)

George was killed in a recent plane crash whilst returning from Blackpool.

He was associated with the well-known linen retailers in Ousegate.

He was a Day Boy at School and played for the 1st and 2nd XV, and was awarded his colours in both. He was in the Shooting VIII and was a corporal in the O.T.C.

Eric Kaiser (Temple 1941-1946)

Eric was in the jewellery business in York and died in January of this year. His death was reported in the Evening Press of January 11th 1991. T. J. Lewis (The Rise 1923-1926)

Tom Lewis who died on 21st November aged eighty years at his home in Sway, Hampshire was undoubtedly the most loyal Peterite of his generation. He came to St. Peter's from Stratheden Preparatory School in Blackheath, where the Headmaster was an Old Peterite and the father of Kenneth (Rhoddy) Rhodes. Tom was placed in The Rise, the House where 'Rhoddy' had been first monitor. His stay at the School (1923-26) was short, leaving at only sixteen years of age, he had at that early age found a place in the 1st XI cricket team under A. B. Sellers. Leaving School he studied law, whilst his cricket abilities were recognised by an offer of professional terms from Essex County. As an R. A.F. Volunteer Reservist he was called up in the early days of the Second World War 'demobbed' with the rank of Squadron Leader, 'Mentioned in Despatches' and later awarded the R. A.F. Long Service Decoration. Continuing in the legal profession after the war he became Chief Executive to Runcorn U.D.C. He became President of the Society of U.D.C. Clerks and awarded an O.B.E.

His services to the School and OP Club were legion: OP Hon. Secretary 1955-64; OP President 1964-65; School Governor; Assistant Secretary Old Peterite Lodge of Freemasons. An indefatigable worker on many appeal committees, he was the driving force in the financing of the Memorial Hall by the OPs. His affection for the School was shown when he sent his son Clive to St. Peter's — the son did not let the father down, becoming Head of School in 1955. Lewis represented the School in negotiations with the Charity Commissioners when a new scheme was established (in 1981).

Committee meetings, on the few occasions when Tom Lewis was missing were worthwhile yet possibly dull and prosaic. To be present when the young (comparatively) innovators led by Bill Thompson were battling against the implacable defence of the Establishment by Tom Lewis was sheer delight.

Steve Pettinger

Steve suffered a heart attack and died earlier this year, at the age of thirty-six. He was a cameraman with YTV and worked on prestigious YTV productions around the world. He came to the School in 1963.

Dr. A. G. Wilson (Day Boy 1909-1911)

A much-respected medical practitioner, Dr. "Peter" Wilson served in the forces throughout both World Wars, first in the army, then the R.F.C. and finally in the R.A.F. He was awarded one of the last Military Crosses given for air service before the R.A.F. and the D.F.C. came into being.

Brought up in Haxby, he spent most of his life in the south of England, but never lost his love of the School and of the county of Yorkshire.

The Head Master T. Bletcher R. Brammall D. L. Brown Dr. H. G. Brown J. F. Brown N. Chippendale J. L. Clarke J. T. Harding R. D. Harding W. G. Huntley G. M. Jobling R. L. Jobling J. Laverack J. Pearson R. Pickersgill E. Potts S. Proudley M. E. Robson D. T. Rumfitt N. G. Townsend D. G. M. Young

THE OLD PETERITE LONDON DINNER

The Great Western Royal Hotel, Padding ton, London Friday, 2nd November 1990

David ADAMSON John ADDEY William ADLER Darley ANDERSON Chris BEAUMONT Tim BEAUMONT Nigel BRINDLEY Anthony BRINDLEY David Leslie BROWN (President O.P. Club) Hugh BROWN David BURTON Richard CAWOOD Robert N. COLLIER John COSSINS Keith COULTHARD Patrick CRAVEN George CROWTHER Nigel DAWKINS Allan DODDS T. Philip N. FAWCETT Simon FENWICK Robin A. FIELD Michael FIRBY Doug FLEMING Peter FLETCHER Archie GARBUTT Paul GITTENS Alan GOMERSALL Richard HARDING (Hon. Sec. O.P. Club) Robert F. HARDJNG (Past President) John Trevor HARDING (Past President) Graham HART John HAYES J. M. HOLT Peter HYETT David JAMES Peter JOWSEY Christopher KING Ian KIRKUS Tim LAYFIELD Stephen LISTER Fiona McCRIMMON Peter MIDGELEY Tony MILLER Richard MOSS Frank NEWDICK P. A. NEWDICK Neil PARKIN Graham PATTIE Carl PATTISON Robin N. PITTMAN Andrew POWELL Colin J. QUICKFALL (London Dinner Sec.) Michael RANSON John RAYSON Tony ROBSON David RUMFITT Edward C. SEDMAN Peter SPEIGHT David STABLER Jonathan STONE David TATE D e r ek TAYLOR-THOMPSON Eric G. THOMPSON Mike WILLETTS N. WILSON J. Abbey B. Allen C M . Atkinson D. P. Atkinson J. S. Atkinson P. S. Atkinson J. P. Banks D. L. Brown N. Brown F. D. Browne C. M. C. Burdass James Burdass J. U. Burdass R. Burdass D. E. By ass D. P. Coles C. Cromack J. Dawson C. C. Dee M. Dee J. Dent R. D. Ellis J. Farnsworth A. Fenton C. Frank J. Frank F. Gooder P. Gooder D. H. Hamilton R. F. Harding R. Hopkinson N. Hopton F. Howie D. P. Johnston S. Jordan I. Leedham J. S. Megginson P. R. B. Megginson S. Megginson T. Mulryne J. Newdick J. Newitt T. Nichols R. W. Peacock A. Ray lor S. Ryder G. M. Shuttleworth N. Squire T. H. Stead P. Stephen C. W. Thompson E. G. Thompson A. Thornton J. S. R. Tindall N. E. Tomlinson D. Ward T. Ward P. H. Whitaker R. D. Wood

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Old Peterite Club Officers and District Hon. Secretaries 1991/1992

President: D. L. Brown, "Ashcroft", Ashcroft Road, Darlington, Co. Durham DL3 8PD.

Past Presidents: J. A. Hanson, C. W. Thompson, P. S. Atkinson, F. N. Newdick, R. F. Harding, D. T. Rumfitt, J. T. Harding, J. A. Denison, E. M. H. Ranson

Vice-Presidents: The Head Master, K. G. Chilman, Brig. C. C. Fairweather, Sir John Rodgers, Bt.

Hon. Secretary: E. G. Thompson, "West Winds', 4 Moor Lane, Haxby, York Y03 3PH.

Hon. Treasurer: S. M. Burn, 11 Lendal, York YOl 2AQ.

General Committee 1990/1991 Ex-officio: — The President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Head Master. Past FIVE Presidents, all Vice-Presidents.

Elected 1988-1991: D. P. Atkinson, C. Frank, C. E. Gilman, D. W. Grice, J. C. M. Rayson. Elected 1989-1992: V. M. Black, G. E. L. Graham, G. Grant, G. M. Jobling, G. M. Shuttleworth. Elected 1990-1993: J. E. Burdass, P. M. Darley, V. L. J. Inness, I. P. J. Leedham, R. W. Oliver, S. Ryder, D. Tunstall.

Note: The A.G.M. of the Old Peterite Club is now to be held at the Old Peterite Weekend, this year on the 14th September. At the meeting the Committee will elect three new members to replace those whose three-year term of office has elapsed. Younger O.P.'s are particularly welcome to come to the A.G.M., to take an active part in the running of the Club and to be elected to the Committee.

Finance and General Purposes:

Ex-officio:— The President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Immediate Past President.

Elected 1990-1992: R. W. Oliver, G. D. Smith.

The following dinners have been announced:— Friday, 31st May: The East Riding Dinner — 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 p.m. at The Bell Hotel, Driffield. Tel: 0377-46661. Organiser: Peter Atkinson. Tel: (Home) 0377-42212. (Office) 0377-43151. Friday, 4th October: The Tyneside Dinner — at County Hotel, Newcastle (opposite the Central Station). Organisers: Richard Pickersgill. Tel: (Home) 091-2843770. (Office) 091-2611481 and Michael Jobling. Tel: (Home) 0661-24924. (Office) 091-2615298. Friday, 9th November: The London Dinner — 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. at The Savile Club, 69 Brook Street, London Wl Y 2ER. Organisers: Richard Harding. Tel: 0283-702694 and David Raymond. Tel: 071-262-7059. Friday, 22nd November: The West Riding Dinner — at The Bradford Club. Organisers: Chris Gilman. Tel: 0904-646313 and Bill Hudson. Tel: 0943-874504. 1992 Friday, 29th May: The East Riding Dinner — 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 p.m. at The Bell Hotel, Driffield. Tel: 0377-46661. Organiser: Peter Atkinson. Tel: (Home) 0377-42212. (Office) 0377-43151. Other dates to note 1991 Weekend 13-15th September: Old Peterite Sports and Commemoration Weekend. Friday 13th: Sporting Programme. Saturday 14th: 12.00 noon Service in Chapel, followed by Buffet Lunch (Tickets needed). All afternoon. Sporting and other events. 4.00 p.m. Tea in the Memorial Hall (No Tickets needed). 6.30 p.m. A.G.M. of Old Peterite Club. 7.30 p.m. Bar in Memorial Hall for:— 8.00 p.m. Annual Old Peterite Dinner (Tickets Needed). Sunday 15th: Sporting Events. Tea (No Tickets needed).