Old Suttonian Newsletter 2015 July 2015 | Issue No. 61
Contents
Old Suttonian Newsletter | July 2015 Issue No. 61
Interviews ..............................................
2
Robert Fisk Interview ..........................
6
Reunions and Gatherings .................
9
16
CCF 100th Anniversary ..................... 13
13 Ben Brown Interview .......................... 16 History Notes ...................................... 17
9
Nigel Nelson Interview ....................... 22 Old Suttonians’ News .......................... 23 Births ..................................................... 31 Deaths .................................................. 31 Marriages ............................................
33
OS Sport .............................................
34
Development News .........................
40
News from the School .....................
40
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14 Old Suttonians’ Association Sutton Valence School North Street Sutton Valence Maidstone Kent ME17 3HL
Telephone:
01622 845294 OSA 01622 845258 Development Office
Email:
pickardd@svs.org.uk development@svs.org.uk
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Introduction A lot has happened this last year, both in the world of Old Suttonians and at School. The OSA has moved forward on several fronts, increasing the number of opportunities for OS to get together and joining social media platforms through LinkedIn, Facebook and now Twitter. School has weathered the storm of the recession years with numbers increasing and its reputation flourishing. We hope you enjoy reading your Newsletter and that you keep the letters, emails and phone calls coming. David Pickard, OSA Honorary Secretary and School Archivist Helen Knott, School Development Manager
OSInterviews In this, the third in the series, we focus on three Old Suttonians who have distinguished careers within journalism. They are international award winner Robert Fisk of The Independent, BBC news anchor and reporter Ben Brown and Nigel Nelson of The Sunday People, Britain's longest-serving political editor of a national newspaper. We are also aware of the following authors. If there are any other Old Suttonians who have published and are not included, please let us know: development@svs.org.uk.
John Melvin The Barnsbury Walk John Melvin: Selected Buildings and Projects Eton Observed Whichford and Ascott Observed
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F Richard (Dick) Williamson (1950 M) History of Ramsden
Nigel Nelson (1972 F) Political Editor The Sunday People
Richard Woolveridge (1970 L) Freelance. Previously Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald weekday edition.
Neville Sarony QC (1958 M) The Dharma Expedient and Counsel in the Clouds.
Ghillie James (1993 V) The Foolproof Freezer Cookbook; Jam, Jelly and Relish and Amazing Grains.
Ben Brown (1978 F)
David Grieve (1968 W)
Dr Edmund Capon OBE
At the Water's Edge The Bush is Still Burning
Art and Archaeology in China.
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Ian Macfarlane (1962 M) The Kelly Gang
Rupert Bristow (1964 F) Rupert is the author of six books of prayers for Kevin Mayhew.
Prof Allan Hobson (1952 M) The Dreaming Brain and Dream Life.
Prof Christopher Holloway (1950 M) Overpaid, Over-sexed and Over There and The Business of Tourism
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Peter Hull (1952 M) Glucose Syrups Technology and Applications
Dr John Feltwell (1966 W)
Roger Kojecky (1961 L)
John has written over 100 peer-reviewed papers, chapters in books and 40 books.
A Gospel Reading and T S Eliot’s Social Criticism.
Christopher Doveton-Gerty (1955 L) The Spanish Dream
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OSInterviews At the height of the Vietnam conflict, the American soul singer Edwin Starr had a worldwide hit with a song which asked – and answered the question: “War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing”. That belief has been expounded, illuminated and passionately advocated for almost half a century by the school’s most distinguished journalist alumnus, Robert Fisk (W 1964). And he should know. During that time, he has reported from war zones ranging from Syria, Iraq and Lebanon to Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland. Today, he continues to file his reports for The Independent, often questioning the motives of governments and the military, and never accepting the official version of events without forensically examining the evidence. His reputation as a fearless commentator has earned him some 20 international prizes for journalism, and 17 honorary degrees from different universities around the world. He says that “journalism must challenge authority, all authority, especially so when governments and politicians take us to war.” Perhaps his time at Sutton Valence showed the first signs of that nascent unwillingness to placidly accept the status quo. SVS was a very different place in the late 1950s and early 60s – public school practises such as corporal punishment and compulsory membership of the army cadet force met with the teenage Fisk’s vocal disapproval. As a result, he has sometimes reflected in newspaper articles about the shortcomings of the public school system at that time, although his disapproval of the harsher tenets of life at Sutton Valence are tempered with the freedom it gave him to enjoy his two great passions, English Literature and Latin. He told OS News: “I vividly remember one hot summer’s day, sitting on the steps outside Westminster, breathing in the dawn from the Weald of Kent, and then reading all day, right through to sunset. I couldn’t get enough of Milton, Shakespeare or Latin.” He recognises that he partly learned his love of literature from the school’s English department, while Norman ‘Pub-
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lius’ Bentley – Sutton Valence’s own version of ‘Mr Chips’ – took the young Fisk for additional Latin lessons, teaching him the intricacies of the language which he still enjoys reading to this day. Robert began his journalistic career while still a student at Lancaster University, filing copy for the Newcastle Chronicle, followed by a spell on the Sunday Express. But he began to establish his reputation after he joined The Times in 1972. During his 17 years on the paper, he reported initially from Northern Ireland, where he honed his investigative talents, often writing reports that contradicted official UK policy and the Army’s version of events. In this, he was helped in his pursuit of the truth by the new, younger, breed of Army officers, including one Old Suttonian, who would often brief him privately. In 1976, he moved to Beirut, where he learned to speak Arabic and has lived ever since. He has seen, at first hand, the results of battlefields and bloodshed in a series of Middle Eastern conflicts. He has a disdain for ‘hotel reporting’ – despatches by journalists not allowed by their offices to venture alone into the street – and he has experienced war at its most visceral. He has been forced to clamber over the bodies of murdered civilians. He has run across open ground, avoiding sniper’s bullets – he quotes Winston Churchill that nothing is as satisfying as being “shot at without effect”. He has been beaten up in Pakistan by Afghan refugees, fleeing American bombers. He admits that he has learned to use fear to his advan-
tage – “hesitate or panic, and you’ll die”, he says. Among Robert’s most notable exclusives was interviewing Osama Bin Laden three times during the ‘90s. It gave him, and the outside world, an Islamist perspective on Western intervention in the Middle East – and the Al Qaeda leader even suggested that he should convert to Islam. Robert accepts that his record of writing stories which convey conflicts from all sides, and not just the perceived ‘right’ perspective of the authorities, has led him, at various times, to being branded pro- or anti- one side or the other, whether that is the IRA, the Israelis or the Iraqis. The flame of non-conformity continues to burn brightly. “I’ve never voted and never supported any war”, he says. “If that makes me a pacifist, so be it”. He accepts that his long career in journalism means he
has had to repeat to succeeding generations why he has taken a particular stance, at a particular time. As a result, he believes he can never ‘win’ the argument. “But you never stop fighting”, he says. “Fight, fight and fight again. You’ve got to keep going.” He acknowledges his luck. He recalls: “Recently, my wife said to me that I had lived a life that very few other people could imagine. She reminded me that many of my journalist contemporaries had died, or been killed. ‘You’re lucky’, she said. ‘Never forget that’.” At the age of 69, Robert has no intention of giving up his career, or treading where other journalists and authors fear to go. In that vein, when asked what advice he might offer to today’s Sutton Valence pupils, he said: “Do what you want to do. Do it well. And never give in.”
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Request for Emails More and more OS prefer to receive letters, newsletters etc. by email; not only is this more convenient for them, but also enables the Development Office and the OSA to contain their costs. If you have received this newsletter by post
Careers Are you able to help by providing work-shadowing placements to current pupils? Please contact Christine Carter carterc@svs.org.uk.
and would prefer to receive it online, please send in your email address to the Development Office: development@svs.org.uk.
Old Suttonians Webpages More information on events and communications may also be found through the School’s website: www.svs.org.uk. You will find the link to the Old Suttonian pages at the bottom of the Senior School Community menu.
Almost 840 Old Suttonians network and keep in touch through the website www.linkedIn.com. To become part of the group you need to register on the site, then ‘request’ to join the group Old Suttonians. You will also see that we have seven subgroups for OS in the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, USA and Germany.
Facebook Old Suttonians are also on Facebook. Here we post news and information about events for everyone, as well as specific information within groups for Shooting, Hockey, Cricket and Rugby. Please ‘like’ the pages relevant to you, so that we may keep you informed of current news and events.
Awards 2014/15 Bennet Hunting Daisy Andrews Anthony Bromley Sebastian Newman Edward Turpin
Atcheson Bequest
Twitter Old Suttonians news may also be found on Twitter.
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Jack Wales Zoe Deighton Smythe
Reunions and Gatherings Oldest and Boldest Reunion Old Suttonians who left before 1960 were invited back to the School in September. The weather was kind to those who came in the afternoon to watch the 1st XV rugby match and revisit their old
haunts around the School in the company of School Prefects. Later, they attended a Chapel service, followed by drinks and dinner. The speaker for the evening was Douglas Horner (1962 M)
and Bruce Grindlay, Headmaster brought Old Suttonians up to date with news from the School.
1960s Reunion A group of Old Suttonians have been meeting regularly since they were brought together in 2000, after many years in the wilderness. Clive Cawthorne (1962 M) was the instigator, when he visited the UK from Australia, where he now lives. The OS in this group all left SVS between 1960 and 1963 and were all in St Margaret’s, apart from two outsiders who are allowed in!
Many in the group meet in twos and threes throughout the year, often at OS functions. The whole group gets together, with wives and partners, about twice a year. For example in the summer for a garden lunch or at Christmas in the pub. November last year, the group met at the Old Bell, Old Oxted, Surrey for a pub lunch. On this occasion, the following came to the Old Bell:
Douglas Horner (1962 M), Peter Hunt (1962 C) and his wife Gerry, James Grafton (1961 M) and his wife Margaret, Richard Memmott (1963 L), David Manook (1961 M) David Morris (1961 M) and his wife Christine, Richard Mant (1961 M) and his wife Jane. Much reminiscing went on, but not all the time!
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OSA Dinner The RAF Club, London, was this year’s venue for the OSA Dinner, which was attended by over forty Old Suttonians and their guests, along with School Prefects and ex-Masters. After dinner, Commander Charles Evans (1991 L) gave an entertaining talk about the effect of World and UK politics on naval deployment and his own experiences in the Senior Service, interspersed with reminiscences about his time at School.
1940s and 1950s Reunion The regular, annual gathering of the oldest of the OS took place this year in London on 17th March. They have been going strong, as the leavers of pre-WWII, the war years and those immediately after, for about 20 years, with usually more than ten attending. Unfortunately, this year, one or two were unable to attend because of illness. It was fascinating to hear them re-live those times: diving under desks when the sound of the doodlebugs was heard and how clever strategies mitigated somewhat the harshness of the wartime regime of rationing and lack of coal. One of this gang remembers Lord Haw Haw (William Joyce) letting the boys of the School know that it would never be a target of the Luftwaffe, so good was it as a beacon to help that air force on its way to complete the destruction of London. The over-riding theme, however, was the recognition that nothing was going to be allowed to disrupt the normal day-to-day life of the School. These fellows all played competitive sport, 10 - 11
John Waters, Norman Snazelle, Jack Walter, Ian Kay and Michael Beaman. contributed to the JTC (CCF) and the Scouts, and in debates, school plays and musical productions whilst maintaining a strong academic performance. Accurate records are often difficult to come by, which prompts a question
from me. Has anyone else, on School Athletics Sports Day, won four events? In 1946, Jack Walter (Westminster ’46) won 100 yards, 440 yards, 880 yards and the mile. If so, please do let me know: David Pickard, School Archivist, pickardd@svs.org.uk.
Reunion A little OS reunion took place last August when Henry Macdonald (1958 W), Bruce Macdonald (1961 W) and Richard Mant (1961 M) met for lunch at the Castle Inn, Chiddingstone. Henry and Richard had met on two or three occasions since leaving Sutton Valence, but Bruce and Richard had not seen each other since the 1960s. Bruce and Richard were good friends at School, despite being in different houses, which in the 1950s and 1960s
was tantamount to being in different schools! They generally sat together in class; they played together in the School seven-a-side teams of 1960 and 1961, and they were both members of the 1960 1st XV. After leaving School, they both played for the OS 7s team that entered the Esher RFC Seven-a-Side competition, along with Henry, and they both played for the OS against the School’s 1st XV.
meant off to South Africa. Having got back together again, they hope to meet up whenever possible each summer when Bruce returns to the UK to visit family and friends.
Then their career paths took them off in different directions and for Bruce that
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1970s Reunion Old friends from the 1970s got together at Langhams for Christmas lunch last year. In attendance were Graham Chilton (1977 L), Chris Wait (1976 L), Michael Darling (1979 L), Neville Miles (1979 C), Paul Burton (1977 C), David Rothman (1977 C), Guy Hart (1975 C) and Richard Featherston (1978 W).
Perth, Western Australia Reunion In March, six Old Suttonians met up in Perth, Australia. All live in the area, apart from Richard West, who broke his
travels to be at the dinner. They hope to meet up again in 2-3 years’ time.
1980s Reunion Organised by Bahman Taheri (1982 C), a group of Old Suttonians met up for dinner in London. Pietro Marino (1984 M), Ibrahim Alshami (1984 C), Simon Nagy (1984 C) and Colin Williams (1982 C) all attended. Bahman said, “It was fantastic to reunite and we plan to do that more often. It’s amazing how you can meet 32 years later and continue where you left off. In my opinion, it is because you know the inner kid in you and all walls are gone”.
Christmas Drinks, London December 2014
Left to right: Claire McDonnell (née Hubbard) (1987 V), John Smith (1965 W), Richard West (1964 L), Geoff Edwards (1964 L), Martin Bennett (1982 W) and Mike Rayner (1955 W).
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Fortified by a stupendous buffet, over 50 Old Suttonians met for Christmas Drinks at Balls Bros, Carey Lane in December last year.
CCF 100th Anniversary Celebrations for the centenary of the founding of CCF at Sutton Valence coincided with the Biennial Inspection to create a day of tradition and spectacle. Cadets were on parade early in the morning, before moving off to stands to display a variety of skills. Commander Graham Turnbull RN, Inspecting Officer, accompanied by the Headmaster, Bruce Grindlay, Contingent Commander Lt Colonel Anne Wilkinson and Richard Dixon TD (St Margaret’s ’60), amongst others, toured the stands assessing the cadets’ competence. Later in the morning, all cadets (over 200 from Navy, Army and RAF sections), officers and guests attended a service in the School Chapel to give thanks for the blessings given to the School community during 100 years of cadet activity, originally through the Officer Cadet Corps and now through the Combined Cadet Force. In the afternoon, staff, parents, visiting officers and the massed ranks of the CCF were treated to the spectacle of the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers in full dress uniform marching and playing in the School Quad, followed by a display from the CCF’s drill squad. During the parade, Melissa Saggers, Old Suttonian, flew over the School in her Percival Prentice. It is one of only two flying in the world and was originally an RAF plane, built in 1946.
Brigade and Deputy Constable of Dover Castle and other guests enjoyed a performance of the Ceremony of Sounding Retreat, played by the Band of the Corps the Royal Engineers on the School’s lawn. At sunset the flags were lowered by members of CCF to mark the end of the formal proceedings. In a fitting end to the day’s celebrations, the guests were joined by parents, Senior NCOs of the CCF and many Old Suttonians in a black tie dinner. Said Headmaster, Bruce Grindlay, “When Headmaster Holdgate succeeded in establishing CCF at the
School in 1914, he said it would bring the pupils ‘smartness – a sense of discipline and duty, and that training that every good citizen ought to have’. In that respect things have not changed much in 100 years. The CCF still complements the academic, leadership and co-curricular aims of the School in preparing our pupils for adult life. Today has been a fantastic celebration of an enduring voluntary cohort within the School community that offers our pupils a challenging, safe and enjoyable experience within an active and disciplined environment. I’m enormously proud of all they have achieved.”
Despite overcast skies, the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Richard Thick, the High Sheriff of Kent, Mr Hugo Fenwick, Sir Hugh Roberston MP, Brigadier Chris Claydon, Commander of 2 (South East)
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Haynes International Motor Museum Visit 2015 ‘Please can we arrange another trip?’ was the cry after out last visit to the Haynes International Motor Museum back in 2012. John Haynes (1985 StM) kindly agreed that we could, so 49 Old Suttonians and their wives, partners and friends and families made their way down to Sparkford on 13th June. As before, we were met by John, who gave us a little of the history of the museum and its recent major redevelopment. Then, we were off on our tour with John and several of his guides. On our return, we were greeted with a superb buffet lunch when OS had a chance to chat to friends and discuss their favourite parts of the museum. Several elected to return to the exhibits after lunch before departing.
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OSInterviews One of the most readily recognisable faces in BBC Television news broadcasting is Ben Brown, whose journalistic career - which began by editing 'The Suttonian' during his time at Sutton Valence School - has taken him to wherever a major international crisis is unfolding. ever work for them!” he recalls. He was in Russia when President Gorbachev fell and tanks stormed the parliament building. He was in Chechnya, reporting one of the most bloody conflicts of all. And he was in Rwanda, when thousands were dying of cholera and starvation.
Instead, he went to Cardiff School of Journalism, and from there into local radio, first in Glasgow with Radio Clyde - at a salary of £6,000 pa - and then to Liverpool with Radio City, where he began his lifelong love affair with Liverpool Football Club.
It was no surprise that Ben became a journalist. His father, Antony Brown, was a presenter for ITN, and his passions during his time at Sutton Valence in the 1970s were English and history, under the tutelage of Bob Chance and A R Douglas.
But it was third time lucky in 1988, when his acceptance by the BBC launched him on more than 20 years of the most challenging, difficult and, at times, downright dangerous reporting assignments.
He was also no mean athlete, representing the school at cross country, athletics and rugby. But, by his own admission, he was "a bit of a workaholic", which earned him a shoal of school prizes - and a scholarship to Keble College, Oxford. "I was pretty left wing", he admits "and my teachers would often ask for my Marxist perspective on things! But I very much enjoyed my time at Sutton Valence. I had some excellent teachers and made some good friends." After leaving Oxford, where he studied politics, philosophy and economics, Ben applied to the BBC for a graduate trainee position - and was twice turned down. "At the time, I swore I'd never,
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the story was, and the first on the 'plane’. His bravery – ‘although I admit I was absolutely terrified’ - earned him a Royal Television Society award for his report from inside a farm in Zimbabwe, surrounded by Mugabe's so-called 'war veterans' high on drugs and armed with machetes. Only the intervention from local police saved Ben's life. But there is a price to be paid for an ostensibly glamorous life as a television reporter, covering conflicts and crises around the world.
Covering the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Ben was recording his report in the streets of Basra, when an Iraqi fighter took aim at him with a rocket propelled grenade from just a few feet away. A split second before he fired, he was shot dead by a British soldier.
In 2009, Ben wrote a national newspaper article in which he described the moral torment and guilt suffered by war reporters who encounter situations in which they can either help the injured, sick and dying - or carry on filming and reporting.
"The relief was enormous", Ben recalls. "And whenever I have found myself in real danger, I've always asked myself 'how have I got myself into this position, have I pushed my luck too far?’ On more than one occasion I have vowed to God that if He let me live, I would never get myself into this kind of situation again.”
He had been in Rwanda, reporting on the plight of refugees, many of them suffering from starvation and cholera. One of them was a little boy, lying on the side of the road by his dead mother.
But, like any ambitious young journalist, he did. ‘I always wanted to be where
Ben and his colleagues drove past the boy in their air-conditioned vehicle three times, before the cameraman jumped out, scooped up the boy and took him to a local hospital, where he recovered.
Ben wrote: ‘I sighed to myself. That's all I need, I thought. We had to get more footage and interviews. Every minute was precious. We just couldn't afford the luxury of salving our consciences’. That incident brought home to Ben the dilemma suffered by so many war correspondents: the instinct to help save a life, instead of filing a news despatch, which can bring home the suffering to millions of viewers, maybe resulting in practical help from politicians and the public. "How do you choose who to help, without playing God?" he asked. It was occasions such as this that finally persuaded Ben that his first responsibility was to his wife and three children back home in London. "I'd had 20 years of jumping on and off 'planes", he says. "I'd seen enough, and done enough reporting, and so I was more than happy to accept a job presenting the news, rather than covering it". Today, Ben would almost certainly demur if Sutton Valence School alumni described his journalistic career as distinguished - but it is. Not only has he filed some of the most compelling news reports seen on TV, he has also helped BBC win a BAFTA for their coverage of the Balkans conflict, and won personal awards for his despatches from Chechnya. He is currently presenting bulletins Monday to Friday on the BBC's News channel and on BBC 1 at weekends. He is still assigned roving reporter duties, including covering the recent General Election. OS Newsletter Ben Brown.....3 He is also writing a third book - he has previously authored a novel, 'Sandstealers', and the factual 'All Necessary Means: The Gulf War and its Aftermath'. So while writing a book from his home in Fulham might be less dangerous than reporting from Basra or Chechnya, he is grateful that more than 25 years as a BBC correspondent has given him some vital and vivid source material.
HistoryNotes The Clothworkers’ term of care These first years of the third millennia AD are generally considered to be a good time for the School; its reputation is strong and growing, its numbers are at an all-time high and its inter-action with the community that surrounds it harmonious. The history, however, has been a chequered one. These notes are aimed at describing and explaining the School’s undulating fortunes and identifying the roles of the more important players in the evolving drama during the time (1576-1910) that the Clothworkers oversaw our governance. According to the reports of the visitations by the Clothworkers’ Company, with the exception of one golden period between 1691 and 1698, the best the School could be said to be achieving between its foundation in 1576 and its ‘re-birth’ in 1840 was that it bumped along in the bottom half of the then hierarchy of schools. Their reports are biased, however, because they are only interested in the progress of the Foundation Scholars, village children obtaining free places at the School, paid for out of the legacy of William Lambe (and the kindness of the Clothworkers). Our founder, whom no-one can say was not a wellmeaning and charitable man, died almost as soon as he had arranged that the newly-opened School be cared for on his death by the Clothworkers’ Company. No-one pursues a good idea more thoroughly than the originator of the idea, and William Lambe’s death took away all the impetus that he may have generated had he remained in place to oversee the development of his dream. Not only that, he had not thought through his request of the Clothworkers’ care. He provided them only with sufficient funds to cover the costs of an annual inspection of the School to determine that work was carried out properly. The 17th century was a turbulent time, both in matters of religion and politics and collecting the rents of property and lands bequeathed to them by Lambe proved almost impossible for the Clothworkers. Out of their own funds did they have to make this man’s dreams come true. Theirs was the not inconsiderable cost of upkeep, the cost of educating the ‘scholars’ and, in the first instance, the cost of providing a house for the Headmaster, since Lambe’s benevolence had not included one.
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The School in 1710 with the present alms-houses that can be seen on the left. The school house occupies what is now the fives court and part of Lambe’s quadrangle. The headmaster’s house, on the right, occupies the other half.
Inflation made certain that very quickly even the money provided for the annual inspection could not be met from Lambe’s fund. If being saddled with the financial burden of caring for a school that was several hours travelling distance by the very-fastest form of transport from their offices in Mincing Lane was not enough, the Clothworkers soon faced parental rebellion. The yeoman farmers and the local tradespeople were much more concerned that their children learned the basics of commerce than the rudiments of Latin and Greek. Indeed, they took the Governors to court to try to force the headmaster to teach subjects other than the classics. They may have been receiving free or heavily subsidised education, but it was the wrong education for their offspring. Village children 18 - 19
were educated free according to Lambe’s legacy. Each headmaster had the right to add to the numbers pupils of his own, who were fee paying and seeking admission to Oxbridge. It was when the headmaster failed to achieve a balance between these two different needs that problems arose. The Clothworkers were not interested in reporting his success with the academic pupils, but could be scathing in their criticism of the treatment to those needy village children awarded scholarships to the School. The crucial role determining the success of the School was that of the Master. Some ran a parish, or more than one, as well as a School. Some were indolent, some were rumoured to be distracted by riotous living and some died at a young age after beginning well.
One, Richard Forster (1691 – 1698), was exceptionally good and inspirational, even to those of lowly ambition; it was in his time that we were endowed with two scholarships to Oxford University. Alternatively, Joseph Hardy reigned from 1746 to 1786, yet so complacent did he become that the inspectors at the end of his tenure declared that the School was nowhere near to achieving the aims of its founder. He had bowed to parental pressure and he taught no more than the basic requirements of reading, writing and arithmetic. He did not even bother obtaining his own private pupils. The annual inspections had become rarer and rarer as funds dried up, so neglect was not spotted as it ought to have been. Headmaster John Ismay (1790 - 1816) was one, of several headmasters, who
found it difficult to run two schools in one. He began well. The report of 1795 heaps praise on his efforts, but by 1801 they report ‘…the School was conducted in a very different manner than they were led to expect from the 1795 report. The village boys (Foundationers) had been examined in the required subjects and the results reflected no credit on the Master. At the same time, boys were leaving the School having received a classical education. Ismay had been neglecting the Foundationers in favour of his own pupils, nearly fifty strong, thirty of whom were boarders in his house or elsewhere in the village. These pupils, of course, provided him with his bread and butter. His income for teaching the village boys was negligible by comparison. To his credit, he responded well to the report of 1801 and when he died in 1816 his valediction informed us that ‘for over 26 years presided over the Clothworkers’ School in this place with great credit to himself and much benefit to the neighbourhood’. The Clothworkers’ Company persevered with their task. Indeed, they determined to right the wrongs of preceding centuries, when in 1840 they tightened the rules of inspection, and redefined the demands of the curriculum. They re-established the School, after having closed it for a couple of years to give it a thorough rebuilding and refurbishment, and further develop-
ments were made in the 1860s. Ever since that time, although the gradient has never been smooth, the School has climbed up through the ranks to its present elevated position. When the Clothworkers transferred the governance of the School to the United Westminster Foundation its reputation, under the leadership of George Bennett, was strong, both academically and in sporting prowess The picture below shows the School after a major refurbishment in 1840. The main school building was demolished and a new one, further back from the road replaced it. In about 1860 further additions were made to the School buildings as these drawings illustrate. ‘The intermediate buildings’ is a representation of the 1840 situation and the other shows that the School building was enlarged and the Headmaster’s house next door re-configured and added into the school building. Later on in the 19th century a wing was added to the west of the School building and contains what is now the library. Thus, in the declining years of their governance of the School, the Clothworkers’ Company made sure that their inheritance from William Lambe was in good heart. The annual visit of the Clothworkers on speech day was a major event and
successive Masters of the company donated prizes to encourage academic excellence. The work of building the School’s reputation was begun in 1840 by Cecil Goodchild, whose charisma and energy re-invigorated confidence in the School and increased recruitment. Henry Milligan carried on the good work with strict Victorian values and he was followed by the aloof, but caring and compassionate James Kingdon. The School was too small in numbers, and organised differently, so could never call itself a public school as could Uppingham for example, but the values were the same and the academic performance was strong. George Bennett took over a going concern and applied his considerable skill to make things even better. Indeed, the period from 1883 to the early 1900s are seen as a golden age in the history of the School. Boys that were taught here during that time achieved later fame in politics, the forces, on the sporting fields, in academia, as clergymen and pioneering educationalists. However, the time of the Clothworkers was coming to a close. The last half of the 19th Century was a time of agricultural recession. Sutton Valence had missed the opportunity to be joined to the railway network. The location of its buildings on the crest of a ridge meant an unceasing need for costly repair and maintenance. The advancing technology in the Industrial Revolution was tempting the Clothworkers to invest their finances in universities and industry rather than basic education. These factors might have led to the rapid decline of the School and this was only averted by the constant goodwill of the Clothworkers who, in 1910, arranged the transfer of governance to the United Westminster Foundation, sweetening the deal with financial assistance and the co-operation of Sir Edmund Filmer, who signed the land on which the top part of the present School is built.
David Pickard, Honorary Secretary and Archivist
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How we dressed for World War I The many pictures and film footage we are at present seeing of soldiers of the First World War have reminded me that, during a period of my youth, I dressed and went on parade, twice a week, in the uniform which they wore. When I tell this to people, they look quizzically at me, wondering at my age. Yet it is true. In 1949, after my move from Lambe’s House to St Margaret’s in the Upper School, I joined the Combined Cadet Force – compulsory, in those days when it was expected that we would all be called up for National Service. During our first term in ‘the Corps’ (or was it the first year, I cannot remember?) we were classed as Recruits. In
order to distinguish us from everyone else, we were kitted out in the highmaintenance Service Dress which had been adopted by the British Army as long ago as 1908. It was only replaced by the Battle Dress of World War II in the late 1930s.
nate habit of coming unwound and trailing behind us while we marched. On the head was worn a large peaked cap. It was often a size or two too large, so an over-vigorous salute sent it spinning and leaving the peak somewhere over the left ear.
Our Service Dress comprised a long serge tunic, buttoned to the neck and sporting, I think, eleven large brass buttons to be kept highly polished. Around one’s waist was a wide, webbing belt. Below the tunic was worn a pair of breeches to below the knees. Connecting these to our heavy boots we wound long khaki, woollen bandages, called puttees, round and round our legs, secured by tapes. These had an unfortu-
At the time, we felt pretty self-conscious in this outfit and could not wait for Passing Out and shifting into Battledress, like everybody else. In retrospect however, I am now grateful for having had the experience of wearing the same uniform as that worn by the heroes of World War One.
Peter Warland (1953 F)
The School Chapel On his appointment in 1910, Headmaster, the Reverend WW Holdgate, advocated the need for a School Chapel, but his idea only came to fruition in 1929. The authorities took a lot more persuading than our local community. The foundation stone was laid down on 29th June 1928 by Baron Cornwallis of Linton, and then dedicated by Archbishop Lang on 19th July 1929. Holdgate, himself had overseen the construction, acting as clerk of works. It is said that his language was totally unchristian when he discovered that the centre line was one brick out and the symmetry of the building thus ruined. He remained proud of the innovative design of the Chapel. The ferrous concrete ribs were built first and later brickwork filled the spaces between; the roof is supported by these framing pillars and not by the walls. He also ensured that the Chapel would be lit by electricity. Early in 1929 a gas engine was used to generate electrical power to light up main block (before that time the School was gas-lit) and an extension was laid to connect the Chapel to the system. Un-
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fortunately, the output of power was not sufficient to light up both the School and the Chapel. There was usually a mad scramble to switch off all the lights in main block when a Chapel service was about to begin.
The Chapel in 1929 shortly after its dedication.
For the first fifty years of its life the building changed very little. The cross that adorned the roof was removed in the 1930s and about the same time an organ was purchased and installed. A growth in pupil numbers led to the building of side aisles in 1967 and in 1971 the vestibule was enlarged and the entrance porch altered. Tradition and continuity were the themes. The important furniture, the altar, altar rails, font and lectern, provided by the hands of the woodwork master, Jack Richards, remained. The interior decoration, with the east wall dominated by a long drape, was plain and simple, except that each wall had a war memorial fixed and, with the passage of time, plaques began to appear, dedicated to ex-masters and others who had served the community well. The fiftieth anniversary of the Chapel’s dedication in 1979 provided the opportunity for significant change. It was now that the Chapel was re-dedicated to St Peter, which was not without controversy, and the east wall covered with a mural and etched glass, depicting incidents in the life of the rock of the Church. The choice of St Peter seems irrefutable, since the dedication day in 1929 was in June on his saint’s day. However, it seems that the original date on which the ceremony was to have taken place, postponed because of the Archbishop attending the opening of a new term at Parliament, coincided with the anniversary of the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For some, the postponement was fortuitous in a boys’ school. Others claimed that William Lambe was closely associated with St James (he had bought St James’ Chapel in the time of the reformation and had priests say mass there for the rest of his life). One legend about the life of St James is that he was being martyred, stoned to death, when a fuller (clothworker), taking pity on his suffering, took a club and killed him outright to save further agony. This legend being difficult to substantiate and the co-incidence of the 29th June and the end of the summer term swung the argument in favour of St Peter.
The interior of the Chapel as it originally was For 85 years the Chapel has been at the centre of life in this School. With a relaxation of the rules towards the end of the last century it has also been the place for christenings, weddings and funerals of old pupils and other friends of the School. It has been used as a community place of worship and a place where institutions linked with the School can come to worship. During the summer break this year, the interior will be refurbished and the east wall will be returned to its original simple form. The Chapel is an enduring haven of peace and a strong symbol of the values we all strive for. Long may that continue. David Pickard, Honorary Secretary and Archivist
The East Wall of the Chapel shortly after its re-design, in 1983.
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OSInterviews Many journalists would envy Nigel Nelson's long list of career accolades, which at various times have included being the youngest reporter in Fleet Street, the longestserving national newspaper political editor, and one of the few reporters to have interviewed every Prime Minister from Margaret Thatcher to David Cameron. His nascent writing talents were first recognised during his years at Sutton Valence, from 1966-72, and he retains fond memories of his English teacher Chris Oliver ("inspirational and unconventional") and his Founders housemaster Bob Chance. The era was one of international upheaval - student riots, the Vietnam War, trade union militancy - and in common with many of his contemporaries, the young Nelson held strongly Left-wing beliefs. While they might have got him into trouble from time-to-time (for instance, when he was caught in possession of 'Oz', the inflammatory satirical magazine), he was impressed by the way his views were respected and tolerated by headmaster Michael Ricketts, who explained why he really didn't think a school council was strictly necessary! Unsurprisingly, Nigel was chairman of the Hunting Society, which was runnerup in the national schools debating competition, and editor of The Suttonian. He was also a talented athlete, and captain of the school athletics team, as well as being a house prefect and gain-
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ing a Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme bronze. On leaving SVS, Nigel joined the local Kent Messenger and Kent Evening Post, and at the latter his role as crime reporter won him recognition in the national Young Journalist of the Year awards and a job as a reporter on the Daily Mail - aged just 21, he was the youngest journalist in Fleet Street. Three years later, he was sent to cover affairs on the other side of the Atlantic, and while at the Mail's New York Bureau, he reported on events including the military coup in Grenada - where he found himself on the wrong end of a pistol - and the civil war in El Salvador. By the early '80s, Nigel was back in the UK, first as a feature writer on the Sunday Mirror and then, in 1986, he was appointed political editor on the Mirror's sister title, the Sunday People, a role he has held ever since. It's a job he adores, working from an office in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. "It's right alongside Big Ben", he says "and I reckon it has the most photographed office window in the world!" As a political editor with a mass circu-
lation Sunday paper, Nigel has been a regular visitor to Number 10, where he has interviewed Margaret Thatcher ("absolutely frightening"), John Major ("under-rated"), Tony Blair ("far and away the best politician of my lifetime"), Gordon Brown ("temperamentally unsuited to be PM") and David Cameron ("accomplished"). He appears on TV regularly, commenting on political affairs or reviewing the day's papers, on programmes including 'Sky News Sunrise' and ITV's 'This Morning'. Despite his status as Britain's longestserving political editor - he celebrates his 30th year in that role next year Nigel shows no sign of slowing down, or retiring. "I wouldn't do the job if I didn't get a frisson of excitement every time I walked into the House of Commons", he says "and I would rather like to echo Margaret Thatcher's ambition to 'go on and on'!" He recalls his days at Sutton Valence with great affection - "you felt you could achieve anything", he recalls - and he remains close to half-a-dozen of his old school friends, and in touch with about 20 others. Interview by Richard Harvey
The Old Suttonians’ Association Annual General Meeting 3rd October 2015 President D Horner DL
Vice Presidents The Master of the Clothworkers' Company B C W Grindlay MA (Headmaster) E D G Bunker (M 1954) M F Beaman MA (W 1952) I F Kay FCII (M 1941) R G Stubblefield (M 1955)
B F W Baughan (Chairman of Governors) D C F High BA FCA (F 1973) G J H Croysdill (F 1965) M A Maberly (F 1955)
Hon. Auditor
S D Hasson (F 1974)
Committee officers Hon. Secretary and Hon. Keeper of the Records Hon. Treasurer Hon. Dinner Sec
D Pickard (2000 Staff) T I Weedon (L 1976) R E R Humphrey (L 1978)
members Mrs C Bills (Basham, S 1992) Chairman Miss A Shaw (V 1995) Mrs C S Mills (Day, V 1995) P J Higgins (F 1970) D C F High (F 1973) N G Swaffer (F 1973) R J Young (M 1990)
retires 2015 2015 2015 2016 2018 2018 2019
Sports Organisations The following organisers of various activities were appointed: Cricket: Hockey:
Golf:
D C F High (01622 747379 h) see Fixture Card for Match Managers Men, P J Higgins (07860 682451 m), T E Morgan (07831 252168 m), Ladies, Mrs Elizabeth Craig (nĂŠe Parrett) (07747 844008 m), Mr Richard Young (richardyoung@ypsa.co.uk) B Bardsley (01622 842527, ben@bardsleyfarms.co.uk)
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Agenda 1.
Apologies for absence
2.
Presentation of the minutes for the 2014 meeting
3.
Matters arising from those minutes
4.
Reports of the Committee Hon. Sec report published in the Newsletter Financial Report Events Report Sports Report
5.
The election of the Association’s Officers Nominated are: Hon. Secretary & Hon. Keeper of the Records Hon. Treasurer Hon. Dinner Sec
D Pickard (2000 Staff) T I Weedon (1976 L) R E R Humphrey (1978 L)
Committee Members Nominated are: Charlotte Bills (1992 S) Catherine Mills (1995 V) (There is a vacancy on the committee for an additional member) 6.
Any other business
The minutes of the AGM of 2014 26th September 2014, held on the afternoon of that day Those present: Richard West, Ian Kay, John F Smith, Richard Mant, Richard Memmott, Peter Hunt, Roger Bettle, Anthony Lefort, Guy Thorogood, Brian Pennington, John Goodsell, Michael Beaman, Douglas Horner, Charlotte Bills, Catherine Day, Jonathan Winter, James Grafton and David Pickard. Before the meeting began, the members held silence to remember those ‘absent friends’ who had died since the last meeting. 1.
The minutes of the 2013 meeting were read and signed as an accurate record.
2.
There were no matters arising from those minute
3.
The Honorary Secretary outlined the present financial position. As well as over £60,000 in the fund supervised by the Charities Aid Foundation that is to be used (with OS approval) by the School for special projects, there is over £30,000 and £8,000 in other accounts, where the money is available to fund the aims and aspirations of the Association. A series of unforeseen events had conspired to prevent any detailed statement of accounts for some years. This was very regrettable. He apologised for such a situation and promised to use his every effort to make sure that the situation would be remedied as soon as possible.
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Reports from the various sections of the committee were made available to members and there was a brief discussion concerning each one. Sufficeth to say that the committee was encouraged to be innovative in its aims – such as having a ‘ladies tea-party event’ and a music festival next summer. The co-operation between the Association and the School Development Office was seen as a very good thing. Helen Knott and Rebecca Riggs were praised for their efforts and our thanks go to them and the School for greatly expanding the opportunities for OS to get together. The most recent Newsletter was acclaimed as a super publication and a vote of thanks was given to Rebecca Riggs for all the hard work she does in order to ensure its production. 4.
Mr Douglas Horner was elected as our new President, unanimously. He pledged his strong and active support for all that the OS would wish to do.
5.
Mr Ian Kay, vice-president, took the chair to oversee the appointment of the officers of the committee and additions to the committee. Mr D Pickard was re-appointed as Honorary Secretary, Mr T I Weedon was re-appointed as Honorary Treasurer and Mr Rupert Humphrey was re-appointed as Honorary Dinner Secretary. There were no resignations of the committee, indeed there is a vacancy for anyone interested in joining. The committee was congratulated on its good work and encouraged to continue with same.
6.
There were no proposals of any other business to discuss, and the meeting ended at 6.30 pm.
Secretary’s Report 2014 - 2015 The committee is keen to sponsor, where appropriate, all activity where OS can come together and we welcome all applications to us seeking our ability to facilitate such gatherings. The committee continues to be ambitious concerning the social programme we offer to members. The ‘London Group’ has met regularly, and successfully at a variety of venues. The OS Dinner this year was held out of School at the Royal Air Force Club and was a very successful ‘black-tie’ event. Rebecca Riggs has left the employ of the School, and has reluctantly given up her job as alumni relations officer. At the time of going to press a replacement is being sought whose work for the OS will be the same as that performed by Rebecca. We wish her all the best in her new work supporting Demelza House. Her work for our Association has been of the highest order. We continue to expand the ‘Newsletter’ to be the major method of communication. I commend it to you as an interesting read. The input of individual members is very much encouraged either in the construction of original articles or to respond to, or clarify, previously written articles. Whilst it is true that there is more initiative taken by your committee it needs to be said that this organisation exists so that its members may be able to keep in touch, re-establish old acquaintance, enjoy activities in good company and, in an old fashioned way, benefit from a ‘network’ of generations of school-leavers. If these ambitions are to be realised as fully as they could be then your committee
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needs (and will respond to) a steady input of ideas and suggestions from members. Please do not be shy. Let us know what you want. D Pickard (Honorary Secretary)
Sports Report 2014-2015 The Golf group continue to enjoy success in the Grafton-Morrish competition; they have won their preliminary round and will go to the finals in Hunstanton in September, and have also been asked to take part again in a second competition – The Bunney Miller Public Schools’ Putting Competition. The OS enjoyed a golf day at Dale Hill Golf Club in April 2015, which will now become an annual event. The individual trophy was won by R Raye, and the pairs champions were R Raye and Jordan Miles Jordan. We hope to have a bigger field that the 28 who competed this year when we hold the competion in 2016. Cricket week was as good as ever. The annual Alex Hatch hockey match provided another win for the OS and on that day several other matches took place. Shooting has been placed more firmly into the OS calendar. It is intended to gather a formal group to organise a range of events for 2015 and the future.
Events Report 2013-14 Over the last year the events team have organised London networking drinks. The provision of food at the Christmas drinks was a great success and is something that will be repeated. The Old Suttonians dinner took place in February at The Royal Air Force Club. Our speaker this year was Commander Charles Evans (1991 L). A social event restricted to ladies was organised, but cancelled because of a lack of interest and a musical extravaganza was organised to coincide with the annual cricket match against the School.
Planned events: School Golf Day OS Reunion (Middle Age Spread) OS AGM London Drinks Christmas Bash OSA Annual Dinner OSA Annual Golf Tournament
Friday 2nd October Saturday 3rd October Saturday 3rd October Early December tbc 5th March 2016 (venue to be confirmed) April 21st 2016
Events organised after publication of this magazine can be found on the OS section of the School website
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News of Old Suttonians ANDREWS, Daisy (2014 H) Daisy is still thoroughly enjoying her first year at Edinburgh University studying Spanish, French and Linguistics. With end of year exams approaching she is focusing on the long-term goal of her year studying abroad in 2016. Daisy is also an eager member of the University Symphony Orchestra, which provides her with the opportunity to further the musical education which she enjoyed so much at Sutton Valence. BAYAT, Mostafa (1957 L)
who has his own trading company in Istanbul and Kerim who is a lawyer, now studying for his Masters in International Arbitration at Geneva University. The third photograph is Mostafa and his wife in 2014.
several Gilbert and Sullivan Operas in which Richard and his wife, Margaret (nee Scott-Wilson) memorably played leading parts. Their many collaborations included songs entitled Pools' Paradise Lost,
BENNETT, Nell (2008 S) Nell and her company, Team Turquoise, were the winners at the People’s Choice Awards at Pitch@Palace for their product ‘doppel’. In June they embarked on a tour of Eastern Europe with UKTI as part of their Innovation Showcase initiative. On the 18 June they presented at the Innovator of the Year award in London. (At the time of going to press, there was no news of the outcome).
Mis-Spent Youth, The Dustman's Song and Gloomy Old Man's Song.
BROMLEY, Anthony (2014 H) In university life as a whole, Anthony is involved in the Durham Shooting Club, for which he hopes to shoot at Bisley in July. He is also just beginning to write for the university magazine - The Bubble – and he hopes to apply for an editorial role there in the summer. If you happen to be interested, an article he has written for The Bubble may be found here: http://www.thebubble.org.uk/literature/a-brief-appreciation-of-the-bible-sinfluence-in-western-literature.
Mostafa is fourth generation in charge of a school in Arak, about 260 kilometres south of Tehran, where 365 students study. He has two sons: Bahman
CHANCE, Robert (Ex staff 1993) For the second year running, Robert will be taking part in a musical evening due to take place in Headcorn Parish Church in March. They will be singing an amusing song, one of a group composed by the late Richard Horn and the late Graham Foulkes, former members of staff at the School between the 1950s and 1980s. They were close friends and very able musicians who added greatly to the music of that time: Graham was Director of Music between 1964 and 1989, and he and Richard were leading members of the School Choir, The Madrigal Group, The Male Voice group, The Wind Ensemble, The Orchestra and The Sutton Valence Singers. In addition, Graham acted in and then conducted
In addition, Robert has met up with Alex Bateman (1990 C) and his wife who have moved house almost next to his. CHAU, Simon (1985 C)
Simon left British Telecom as Head of Marketing for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa's in 2007, having worked in the Internet and Telecommunications industry for over 14 years. He moved to Australia for better "work-life balance", as, weekly, he had been working over 100 hours and always in a different country. In Australia, he applied to Google. They said he was one of the remaining two, short-listed out of 2000 applications. He wasn't keen on going back to the corporate rat race, so he set up a sports management business with a local Australian and they successfully signed two world surfing champions, who had a surfboard business on the side. He got divorced in 2009 and has spent the last few years backpacking around Indonesia and remote places, learning the culture, languages and surfing big waves. Also with a very late diagnosis, Simon discovered that he had
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cystic fibrosis in 2008. In his spare time, Simon qualified and was duly appointed a Justice of Peace (Queensland) in Australia in 2009. CLEAVE, David (1974 F) After nearly five and a half years in Moscow, David has moved to Astana, Kazakhstan. At the same time he moved his head offices from Moscow to Astana, due to the fact that the Russian Federation has formally given notice of their withdrawal from the International Treaty Agreement. DARLING, Michael (1979 L)
Christopher Wait (1976 L), Neville Miles (1979 C), Michael Darling (1979 L) and Richard Nichols (1978 L) at the wedding of Richard’s son Max, in Philadelphia. Studying at Morgan Park Academy, Max was an exchange student, boarding in St Margaret’s, for one term in 2005. 1st XI Cricket 1978, with Michael Darling (1979 L), Richard Featherston (1978 W), Graham Sagar and Steve Cranmer
DODSON, Mark (1978 M) Mark is just about to retire from the Army as a Brigadier, after a 36 year career. His final posting was as the Defence Attaché in the Sultanate of Oman for four years. He had lived in Oman from 1976-1978 whilst he did his O Levels and A Levels at Sutton Valence, so Mark says, “it was nice to be able to return there at the end of my career”. His next job will be Chief Executive of the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association based in Dundee, so he is currently house hunting in Perthshire. Sadly, he thinks this means his days playing OS Cricket are probably over, but he still plans to play in Scotland for the XL Club, until his back finally gives out. DUFFELL, Andrew (1995 M) Andrew was selected as a winner in the economic development profession’s 40 Under 40 Awards, the only award of its kind recognising young talent in the economic development profession.
Samer Taki (1978 W) and Michael Darling (1979 L) Samer Taki has joined Michael Darling at Morgan Stanley in New York and works in Michael’s office on Park Avenue.
A five-member selection committee chose the winners from a pool of more than 157 candidates, based on their exceptional contributions to the economic development industry. The award’s program was managed by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based firm that specializes in economic development marketing. EVANS, James (1995 L) After university, James joined the Army. At Sandhurst an incredible SVS coincidence occurred as James found that two other Officer Cadets in his platoon for the year were also OS; Ed Copland (1995 L) and Warwick Strong (1992 W)! He then spent almost 10 years as an officer firstly with a Royal Artillery Commando unit and then with the Army Air Corps flying Lynx helicopters. Army exploits took him to various parts of the world including operational tours in Bosnia and Iraq and training deployments to Oman, East Africa and Norway. James “had a great time, met some amazing people and it has set me up for future success”. EVENDEN, Simon (1981 F) Simon (1981F) and Emma Evenden and their son Jolyon (Year 1, SVPS) have moved. The house has been converted
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by a great local building company (Mr Barry Chamberlain, Wealden Homes, Teston) to help with Simon’s mobility needs as he is fighting multiple sclerosis with all his energy. Simon still sees is best friend David Clark (1981 F) monthly, with his family. Simon is currently working as a part-time marketing consultant. GILLE-NOCARD, Frederic (2003 M)
Frederic is now working as an art dealer for an exciting London-based contemporary art platform called Artuner. Artuner is an innovative online platform that provides unprecedented access to expertly-curated exhibitions of both established and emerging artists. With an intimate visual experience that offers an environment traditionally reserved only for established collectors, Artuner assures art enthusiasts a new way to access museum-quality works. An unparalleled level of support and expert insight set Artuner apart from their online competitors. This is a link to the current curation: http://www.artuner.com/insight/tak e-care-ettore-sottsass-jesse-wine-2/ GODDEN, Mitchel (1992 F)
After leaving Sutton Valence, Mitchel went onto study a HND in Business and Finance at West Kent College in Tonbridge. In 1994, with help from his father, they purchased a small metal stockholding company, which he runs with his wife. Married in 2004, Sherrie and Mitchel have three children, Cameron 17, Myles 14 and Maisie Godden 6. They still live and work in Kent and their business has developed into a specialised supply company servicing high-end manufacturing companies with ferrous and non-ferrous products.
Mitchel has also had the honour of competing for and representing Team GB in the FIM World team championships and although they didn't win this competition, they have a brace of silver and bronze medals. Although he does not ride for the team now, he is an FIM clerk of the course and Team GB manager. Last year they contested this event in Finland and this year his team will again be going for gold in Bavaria.
In 1992, Mitchel started a career in motorcycle track racing and, some 23 years later, he is still racing. He’s had many successes, domestic and European, over the years and represented Great Britain in World and European individual championship events. His love and desire for his sport hasn't wavered and has been selected by the ACU to represent Great Britain in the 2015 European championships. His qualifying round being in Bielefeld Germany on June 7th.
GOTKE, Christopher (1984 C) Christopher was awarded with the Air Force Cross for his bravery after he crash landed a WWII fighter plane. In a split second he chose to save the historic plane and brought it safely down in front of thousands of spectators. GRIFFIN, Gordon (1999 L) Since leaving school, Gordon has held numerous managerial restaurant positions. Most notably working for Gordon Ramsay in one of his London restaurants. Gordon is currently the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager for Heritage Pointe Golf Club in Calgary, Canada. His fiancée, Kimberley Rourke, and Gordon have a son, William Griffin who is 3 years old. They are expecting to get married in 2015, hopefully abroad. He still keeps in contact with a lot of OS and hopes to make it back to England one day to see them again.
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GULLAND, Blair (1969 F) Blair is now Chairman of the National Association of Almshouses. The Patron is Prince Charles with whom Blair has some dealings. Blair recently attended a private function at an Almshouse Charity in Norfolk where the Queen and Prince Philip were present and with whom he had some conversations. He will shortly be hosting an event at the House of Lords where he will be receiving another member of the Royal Family. Protocol obliges him to keep the name secret for the moment. Blair also recently went on a business trip to India. He was presented to the former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh and to the President of India’s daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee. HOLLOWAY, Christopher (1950 M) Chris left the School at 16 and went to work for his father in the automatic machine business. This included a memorable spell employed at the Festival of Britain in 1951, when his father held the concession for the amusement arcade in the Festival Pleasure Gardens. Thereafter, he had a chequered career, first in interior design, then, on emigrating to the USA in 1956, in the travel industry. Working in the New York offices of the Cunard Line, he spent ten years in America, broken by a spell in the US Army, where he was drafted and stationed for two years in the area of US Army HQ Europe, Heidelberg. There he met and married a student at Heidelberg University, who returned with him to New York in 1959. They recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Transferred to Cunard’s head office in Southampton in 1966, he later worked in tour operating and retail travel, before moving into higher education to develop tourism management degrees. He retired as Professor of Tourism Management at the University of the West of England in Bristol, in 1997. He now enjoys travelling extensively as a leisure pursuit, but continues writing, including a standard text for students entering university, The Business of Tourism, which has been translated into seven languages. He recently authored some reminiscences of life as a foreigner in the US Army, entitled “Overpaid, Over-
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sexed and Over There”. He has two daughters and three grandchildren, and lives in Bristol. JACKSON, Ashley (2005 M) Not content with representing England and GB in field hockey, and winning medals galore, Ashley Jackson signed up for and played with Invicta Dynamos Ice Hockey club just before the New Year, scoring on his debut. In January 2015 he signed on as captain for Ranchi Rays a team in the Indian League, season 3. Reflecting on his appointment Ashley said “It’s a great feeling to be named captain of Ranchi Rays, the Ranchi fans are the best in the league and it will be a real honour to lead our talented team out in front of our home fans. I will be trying my best to lead from the front and alongside some of the best talents in the world this promises to be another exciting HIL in Ranchi. The entire team is very excited and we are ready to give some wonderful performances in the tournament.” At the end of the season, Ranchi Rays were top of the league and Ashley top goal scorer. In a recent announcement, Ashley has left East Grinstead Hockey Club, where he has been for over a decade, to join Holcombe. KOJECKY, Roger (1961 L) In the last year Roger lectured on literary aspects of pilgrimage at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, and gave a paper at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, on First World War rhetoric. He published a couple of books in Amazon Kindle format, which he discovered doesn’t require a dedicated device but can be read using a free downloaded reader. One of the books is a new edition of T. S. Eliot’s Social Criticism, which describes Eliot’s attempts to engage as a Christian man of letters with social issues. It was while working for a D Phil at Oxford that he interviewed Alec Vidler (OS) who put him on the trail of a cache of papers which, when he examined them, he found included an unpublished paper by Eliot. He contributed it during World War II to an elite discussion group, the Moot, and in it discussed the role in national life of the intelligentsia, for which he adopted a term
from S. T. Coleridge, the clerisy. The Kindle edition includes this paper (first published in his book), and an essay he published in the USA in 1998 on his involvement with the Lady Chatterley obscenity trial in 1960. MENDEL, John (1950 M) Christopher Holloway (1950 StM) and John got together before Christmas. They had been good friends at School, but lost contact after leaving. They plan to meet again soon. MILLAR, Andrew (1983 W)
After 28 years in the mining industry of South Africa and Australia, Andrew took a nine months sabbatical to return to Kenya to catch up with friends and to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, from Tanzania side, prior to his 50th birthday in 2014. He also used the time to reflect and catch a breath. Andrew still resides in Western Australia and now commutes to Central Queensland for work, an 8300km round trip every 14 days. Andrew celebrated his birthday and caught up with Martin Bennet (1982 W) who is working and residing in Perth as well. They shared some great memories of Sutton Valence, Westminster house and the swimming team. MILLARD, Tony (1953 M) Tony was given early retirement from the National Westminster Bank at 57 and has spent a considerable amount of the ensuing 22 years pursuing his railway hobby around the world. He spends much of the summer months watching county cricket, mainly Kent. However, remembering A C Wright (1951 M), who sat next to him in Edward Craven’s Chemistry lessons, telling him that as he was born in Surrey – even though he only lived in the county for two and a half years, he ought to support them and so Tony has ever since. He also visits the Oval as well as attending England test matches each year.
Birdwatching is another of his hobbies and has become a bit of a thespian in past years. Tony had a mini stroke in October 2013, but is looking forward to his 80th birthday in October. MOULTON, Robert (Bob) (1960 W) Bob attended Queen Mary College, and left with a BSc (Eng) in Mechanical Engineering. He then did a postgraduate apprenticeship at Bristol Siddley Engines for two years, after which he took a job as Plant Layout Engineer and left to go on an extended climbing holiday. He then worked for various companies, such as Standard Telephones and Cables, firstly as an Organisation and Methods (O & M) Officer and then as a Methods Analyst. From 1970 to 1972 he worked at Overseas Containers Ltd as an O & M Officer. In 1973, Bob moved to Haringey Council as an O & M Project Leader, ending up as Director of Personnel Services, until he took early retirement at the end of 1992. After this he worked as a self-employed management consultant until 2002. Outside work, Bob’s main interest has been rock climbing and mountaineering, which he started at university and this has led on to firstly writing and then editing rock climbing guidebooks to various areas in England and Wales; mostly as a member of the Climbers' Club. He has also been active in access and conservation projects for the heavily-used sandstone outcrops in the Kent and Sussex Weald, under the auspices of the British Mountaineering Council.
MURRAY, David (1960 L) In 2013, David reached 70 and stepped down from the Bench and relinquished his judicial appointment in Canada. He and his wife, Elizabeth, continue to live in the charming gentle little village of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where the Niagara river enters Lake Ontario. They travel extensively (having visited 52 countries in six continents) and are active in the community (historical society, charitable fund raising, etc). David’s village is only 25 kilometres from one of the world's busiest tourist attractions - the thunderous spray of Niagara Falls. He would welcome hearing from other OS from his era (1950s & 1960s) who may be visiting the area. NEPP (née Pokrantz), Sygun (1989 V) Sygun (Siggi) has recently completed the interiors for two buildings on the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus site, in Cambridge, consulting to Abell Nepp Architects (her husband is a founding partner). She has also been presenting her ideas for a new kino-style cinema in Tenterden Town Hall. Siggi has been an architect for 18 years. Website www.studio9010.co.uk.
PAGE, Neil (1963 W) Neil has been Director of Music at Hurstpierpoint (five years), Malvern College (ten years), Uppingham (16 years) and in 2002 became Director of Music at St Barnabas RC Cathedral in Nottingham. Following his retirement at the end of May, the Pope awarded Neil the Papal Medal of Merit Benemerenti for "outstanding contribution to the music of the Church". PAINE, David (1985 F) Having got engaged to Lynn in November 2013, David Paine (1985 F) immediately proceeded to abandon his tolerant fiancée for eight weeks to go and watch an entire Ashes series in Australia. While there he spent a couple of enjoyable weeks in Perth with Gavin Sturdy (1985 F). On 12th April 2014, David and Lynn were married at East Sutton church. His two daughters (Millie b. 1998 and Jessica b. 1999) both read at the service. Gavin visited from Australia in December 2014 and the group photo shows David, Lynn, Gavin, and Gavin's two daughters (Hazel b. 2006 and Miranda b.2008).
NEW, Philip (1980 W)
He is married to Diane and has two daughters and three grandchildren. Bob’s father was also an OS and School Governor. James (Jim) Louis Moulton (1924 W), as a Major General, he took the annual inspection of the CCF in 1956 - somewhat to Bob’s embarrassment. He died in 1993, and Bob sprinkled his ashes on the beach where his commando, 48 Royal Marine Commando landed on D-Day with the loss of some 50 men. There was a small ceremony attended by the then mayors of St Aubin-sur-Mer and Langrune-Sur-Mer and in subsequent years he and his family have attended the 60th, 65th and 70th anniversary commemorations.
David is still playing for East Sutton CC and would like local OS to know that, whatever ability, they may be at cricket, they're always welcome to play for East Sutton. They only play friendlies, they drink in the Queen's Head, and all details can be found online.
At the request of Vladimir Kardapoltsev (2012 W), Philip kindly travelled to London to talk to students at University College, London.
PARKER, Jamie (2010 M) Jamie is currently embarking on his third and final year at Royal Holloway University of London. He enrolled at Hurtwood House for two years, studying English, Music Technology and
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Netherlands for services to the Netherlands.
Drama, before moving on to university, where he has performed in ten plays to date, including one production that went to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013. In his first year he broadcasted his own metal radio show, and since then he’s acted in a safety video for Surrey Police, performed in a radio play, written two stage plays and last December he took part in a public 1-1 theological debate. Even with his course he manages to keep himself terribly busy!
PIPER, James (1984 M) James wrote in to say “I spent a very happy five years at Sutton Valence, and was incredibly privileged to be head of house and head of school”. He was in St Margaret's house and one of his more prominent memories was that to achieve any success as a house, whether it be at sports or activities, everyone had to work together; team work was the way to win and only people who worked together and supported everyone else won. Everyone can only do their best and if their best isn't good enough they can still hold their head high for doing their best. James has taken so many memories away from the School and still looks back to his time at there. One of his best memories of being at Sutton Valence, “is not necessarily anything fantastic like winning all the house competitions at sports or any flashy moments, it's just the way routine was installed in me, something that has stood me in good stead for my future career”. “I always thought I was working toward being a chartered surveyor, or a land agent. I always I imagined I would work with the land, just not on the land and was lucky enough to have a childhood growing up on a farm, and even though I loved the farm life I knew that the life of a farmer was not for me”. Horses were always in the background of James’s life from an early age, “they were always around and always fascinated me”.
PARKINSON, Ian (1958 L) Ian has been awarded a knighthood (Ridder) by HM Queen Beatrix of the
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From school, he never achieved the necessary grades to go to university or polytechnic of his choice and fell in to a job with horses; from then there was no turning back. He carved a career for himself working with foxhunters, racehorses, and show horses. He didn’t move around from job to job much, and was able to hone his skills in each sphere of his chosen career, so he could become an all-round horseman and find his present job in USA. James states, “One highlight that still brings a smile to my face and what I consider a major achievement was getting a horse to the start of the world’s greatest steeple-
chase, the Grand National in 2001. The downside was that the horse Struggles Glory, never got further than the first fence; well he got over it but he and the jockey parted company on landing, the horse carried along without his jockey for the rest of the course!” In October 2002, James moved to USA to the job he is in now. They are purely a steeplechase barn housing around 20 horses. As the assistant trainer his job involves liaising with vets, farriers and all feed merchants, organising the work force, working away and dealing with any problems or little hiccups that happen. James also has to step in for the boss when he is away and be his representative at the races. He is responsible for the general welfare of the horses and sees that they arrive at the races in a fit, safe state to produce their very best on the racetrack and to talk and entertain the owners of the horses and keep them all up to date on their horses. James says that the challenges he faces are “keeping all the horses sound and healthy, keeping up to date on everything and everyone and all that is going on!” He has also been lucky enough to own some horses, some have been a total disaster, but others have been successful and what he considers a highlight, was purchasing a young raw, untried, unknown horse, Call You in Ten, and bringing him on and watching him progress to be a leading young horse and a leading horse of his era. He is still and always will be the apple of James’s eye!! Asked how he would like to be remembered, “I have always been taught and told from an early age that you should treat people the way you would expect to be treated. I hope that I will be remembered as someone who did their best, tried their best, was always there for my friends and I always treated people the way I would like to be treated”. PRICE, Richard (1962 L) Richard has retired from the law in July last year, aged 69, after having been a solicitor, then a barrister and then a judge. He was appointed to the Bench nearly 19 years ago, and became the judge in charge of South East Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and the Honorary
Recorder of the City of Portsmouth. The photograph shows him in procession at a legal service with Mr Alan Titchmarsh, then High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight. Richard is greatly enjoying his new-found freedom to spend more time with his wife, his three sons, and his three very active grandchildren.
business, as to which builder he should use, offered the person he recommended the job – best thing he did as he was a pleasure to work with and was constantly “on the job”. House not quite finished when lease ran out so they had to move into a B&B for three weeks. Retrieved furniture from store and on 12th March 2014 moved in.
SAREMI, Kaveh (Kevin)
Kaveh’s son Tyler has recently married and he is hoping to have them both him and his wife move to Springfield, Massachusetts, in mid-summer. SHEPHERD, Miles (1962 C)
POWELL, Christopher (Sam) (1954 M)
Christopher has had a very exciting year. He has sold a house, leased a house which was sold over their heads and threatened with eviction from leased house, which turned out to be unlawful. In the meantime, not finding a suitable house in the area, bought a plot in the middle of Montagu, Western Cape, South Africa (where they have been living for the last 10 years). Told he would be mad to build a house “at his age”! (Do you mind?) Designed the house. Had plans passed - no problem! Took advice from his son-in-law Gareth, who has a “design and build” kitchen
Then the fun began, unpacking, storing everything away and trying to remember where they had stored it! One weekend being devoted to nothing else but hanging pictures and designing the garden – mercifully small so every ornament and plant had to count. Took day trips to wholesale nurseries (no garden centres round here) and returned - the car groaning under the weight and supervised the planting. Looking good until they had the coldest winter for 39 years, six nights on the trot with subzero temperatures. Lot of little brown sticks! Spring and everything came alive again, including some three metre high hollyhocks – talk of the town! Opened the folding doors on to the stoep (covered terrace) creating one big space opening on to the garden enabling them to seat 30 people for lunch. Sam says, “Yes, I was mad to design and build a house, but it is nearly 12 months since we moved in and it has fulfilled our dreams. It is amazing what you can achieve even “at my age!”
Miles was awarded the President’s Medal by the Association for Project Management (www.ipma.ch) last November. This is only the third time it has been awarded (previous recipients were the current President and Howard Shipley who played a major role in the delivery of the London Olympics). SPEAR, Kelvin (1965 C) After attending an OS Dinner, Kelvin went on to find his old friend, John Krivine (1966 C) with whom he shared a show with and found him running a B and B in Israel.
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TAYLOR, Ross (1968 W) and Samantha Wild (1967 W
incredibly talented and extremely friendly students, who he would have never met had he not taken part in this fantastic production. WARLAND, Peter (1953 F)
In February, Ross Taylor (1968 W) and Samantha Wild (formerly Crispin Naismith, 1967 W) visited the School together for a most interesting tour and especially to see the changes that had taken place during the last 47 years since both were last at Ponts.
TOWNSEND Susannah (2007 G) At the Hockey Writers’ Club, Susannah Townsend won the Senior Ladies award for her excellent performances for England, which showed her speed, strength and eye for goal. She played a key role in England’s Commonwealth Games silver medal win. More recently, Susannah was voted Investec Sport Player of the Year and has just been awarded her 50th cap. TURPIN, Edward (2014 F) Edward is currently studying at the University of Reading, where he originally applied to do Film and Theatre, however after a few weeks of trialling this course and not enjoying it as much as he had hoped, he decided to change. He is now studying Business and Management at the Henley Business School affiliated with, and still part of, Reading University and absolutely loves it. Edward tells us it is a brilliant course and he is really enjoying his time there. In addition to his studies, during the second term he took part in the Drama Society's annual musical, which this year was Little Shop of Horrors. To his great surprise he was cast as the lead, Seymour, and had an absolute blast performing this show and meeting some
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Peter learned the rudiments of gunnery in the Artillery Section of the School’s CCF under its Commanding Officer and History Master, F T W Blatchley-Hennah, so he was not surprised to be called up into the Royal artillery, after leaving; he did however find it a source of pride to spend most of his National Service in one of its elite regiments: 3rd Royal Horse Artillery on active service in Egypt. He then studied theology at King’s College, London and was ordained a priest in the Church of England in 1961. He ministered happily in three parishes in Lancashire, during which time he met and married Margaret. In due course a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Judith, were born. In 1971, Peter was commissioned as a Chaplain in the Royal Navy in which he served for 21 years. His shore appointments included the Clyde Submarine Base, Naval bases at Gibraltar and Plymouth, the Ministry of Defence, The Royal Naval College Greenwich and The Royal Marines School of Music at Deal – where alongside other students, he studied the oboe. During this time, he was able to visit the School and to preach at a Leavers’ Service in the chapel. In his sea-going ministry, he voyaged in submarines, frigates, destroyers and the aircraft Carrier HMS Illustrious; nineteens ships in all, to distant places at all points of the compass. In 1986, Peter was appointed an Honorary Chaplain to HM the Queen. On
his retirement from the Navy in 1992, he became Chaplain to St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth for ten years; entirely different, yet equally demanding work.
teacher. Rachel is currently on a break from LS teaching whilst Chris continues as Head of English and Media Studies at Aldenham School.
Peter, in his 80th year, and Margaret now reside in the pleasant surroundings of the former Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth. He is glad that he is able to continue an active ministry in local parishes and also with a number of Ex-Service Associations, both Army and Navy.
Ben and Sophie (nee Moore) Sleeman (2001 V), a boy, Harry born on 8th January 2014.
WILLIAMSON, Richard (Dick) (1950 M) Dick has had some success with the horses, which he has owned since retiring as an Oxford solicitor twenty years ago. The latest, Un Bleu A L’Aam, won a modest race at Taunton in December – but he may be better than that. Dick still considers that his greatest sporting achievement was when playing for the Under –14 Cricket XI against Tonbridge. The scorebook read: M. C. Cowdrey c. Knight b. Williamson 2 Dick is still in close touch with his agile slip-fielder Alex Knight (1950 W). WROCLAWSKI, Samuel (2003 Cl) Samuel has turned professional at golf and will be playing on three development tours in the UK: The Players Tour, TP Tour and EuroPro Tour. He plans to move back to England permanently.
Births Ben (2003 G) and Georgia Bardsley, a girl, Matilda born on 1st November 2014.
Deaths Christopher Archbold (1959 W), died 30th November 2014, suddenly but peacefully after a short struggle with MND. Christopher spent his working life as an optometrist, following in his father’s footsteps. He spent most of his working life running two opticians practices in the Bedford area, with an expansion for a brief time in the 1990s into Somerset – that was a long commute! After 2004 he sold one of the Bedford practices and in 2007 retired altogether, except, ever the glutton for work, he continued as a part-time locum in his old practice.
Michael Brill (1945 W), died on 13th April 2011 Michael was a well-known actor. Appearing throughout the country on stage and in several notable films in the 1950s and 60s, including ‘The Abominable Snowman’ with Peter Cushing and ‘The Yangtse Incident’ as well as ‘Silent Enemy’ with Lawrence Harvey. His father was a journalist, but English was never Michael’s strongest subject at School. Indeed he had a rather undistinguished career at Sutton Valence. However, it did serve him well in later life, however, as he confirmed to Edward Craven in a letter some time after he had left. Stephen J Cox (1950 W), died on 10th August 2014 Michael E Henderson (1937 W), died on 16th August 2014 After beginning a career in Lloyds, Michael was called to fight in WW2 and rapidly rose through the ranks to become a Major in the RA. After the war he resumed his career as a Broker in Lloyds.
Edward V Atienza (1942 W), died on 16th September 2014
Donald P Jeffrey (1949 W), died on 3rd October 2014
After University and a spell in the army as a lieutenant in the Queen’s Regiment, Edward embarked on a distinguished career as an actor. He began his career in Stratford upon Avon and ended in Stratford Ontario. In between he appeared on Broadway, in London’s theatreland, the Chichester Festival and in several films of the 1950s and 60s., including ‘Battle of the River Plate’.
Donald qualified as a Mechanical Engineer and worked at Vickers for most of his life, as an Engineer and then in sales management. He combined this job with being a Captain in the Territorials (from 1956-66) having done his National Service as a 2 Lt. in the RAOC.
Edward V Beaton (1941 M), died on 26th November 2014
Darren and Janine (nee Taylor) Hinchey (1991 V), a girl, Holly Antonia on 1st August 2014. A sister for Lara.
Denys C E R Belham (1940 W), died on 18th February 2014
Christopher and Rachel Jenkins a girl, Evie Enfys Jenkins in January 2014, a sister to Imogen Rhianwen (born September 2008). Chris and Rachel are both ex-staff, Chris as teacher of Media and English, both were houseparents of Beresford and Rachel was ex-assistant housemistress of Sutton and a LS
Denys went into the Fleet Air Arm where he became a pilot and Lt Commander and onto London University where he gained a BA in Economics. He worked with Marley Tiles (alongside OA Aisher) and Marks and Spencer. Then served some time in management consultancy before finally retiring.
John M I Lewis (1952 M), died in August 2014 John spent the first half of his working life in the army, as a Captain in the RASC, serving in Germany, Singapore, Kenya and Aden. He transferred to the Civil Service, working in the Department of the Environment until 1995 when he retired. Peter A Long (1951 M), died on 15th September 2014 Peter Long always has style and panache which sometimes grated against the system, not least at SVS. A
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member of the very successful 1951 XV he was shortly afterwards commissioned in the Royal Artillery, but saw better social opportunities in the RHA and became a horse gunner... He turned down a place at Jesus College Cambridge and instead joined Shell. A spell in Nigeria saw him take up polo with enthusiasm, but 10 years of corporate life, and life cannot be more corporate than in Shell, he took to the less constraining style of running his own company. Setting up a Marketing consultancy, sited in Piccadilly (where else for Peter) he and his partners enjoyed a highly profitable time advising a wide range of clients, including Frank Muir and Denis Norden. Why these two needed advice on marketing is not clear, but Peter persuaded them that they did. The 1970’s saw the start of the great incursion by the oil rich Arabs into the better parts of London. and as a man about town with a whole range of contacts, few were better placed than Peter to seize such a business opportunity He and his partners offered a wide range of services that enabled the integration of their Arab clients into London. Finally he went into property, sticking to the area he knew best, Kensington and Chelsea, he became very successful. He married in 1987, his bride raised her eyebrows at the number of wedding guests who seemed to be ex-girlfriends, although for some reason Joanna Lumley did not make an appearance.
to Captain Cooper with Fred Sweeney as Assistant Bursar. She occupied the left of the 2 Offices that were situated in the centre of the Main Block opposite the Hall - now the Theatre. She was very friendly, helpful and very efficient. She left the School around 1964. My next meeting with her came sometime later when as Mrs Bridget Miles she visited the School with her husband, John; I showed them round. They had been living abroad but had moved back to UK and to Headcorn.
Bridget Miles (ex staff) When I arrived at the School in September 1961, Bridget Simmons (as she was at the time) was Bursar's Secretary
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Peter S Morrish (1943 W), died on 29th December 2014
Written by Robert Chance John B Miles (1951 M), died in October 2014 John Miles T. Eng. CEI, MIMI, father of Nick (1983 C) and James (1979 C) was, until retirement, managing Director of Sheppey Autos, having first been apprenticed at Vauxhall Motors Luton. He went from there into the REME for two years before returning to Kent where he enjoyed Chairman of Kent Group Training Association and working with his Motor Agent’s Association. He was also a JP sitting on the Sittingbourne Bench. Ewen M Moir (1954 W), died on 25th July 2014
Peter went to Emmanuel College Cambridge, and afterwards into estate management and farming. Peter’s selfless contribution to the community in and around Horsemonden and Brenchley was but one of his legacies. He served as a Governor of Sutton Valence for some years and co-founded ‘The Grafton Morrish’ Golf Championship, alongside his great friend and OS Peter Grafton. They had been dismayed at the exclusivity of the alumni of some public schools that played for the Halford-Hewitt Golf trophy each year and in 1962 they invited old boys from other schools to join in a trophy for ‘The Public Schools Old Boys Golf Association’. This has expanded to 159 member associations, including those that play for the Halford Hewitt. Gary Munday (1961 W), died in 2015 RIPPER, Michael (1945 M), died in March 2015
Peter enjoyed life to the full, he did a lot of travelling, a lot of shooting until a hip replacement precluded that, becoming an art connoisseur, putting together an eclectic and valuable collection and horse racing. Indeed he published a book on horse racing 5 or 6 years ago. Unhappily Parkinson’s increasingly took hold and he died aged 80 on 15 September. He was sent off in style at an unforgettable Memorial Service at Chelsea Old Church. Written by David Dodd (1951 M)
private practice, the sugar, shipping and oil industries, and after many distinguished years, weary with the strain of that, set up a small practice in Wadhurst. This was his base for his major hobby, that of mountain climbing. He visited Nepal five times and climbed in the Alps and closer to home in Scotland and Wales. Throughout his long life he remained a firm friend of the School and is remembered by all as a gentlemen
A short ceremony was held at the School in the Spring term to scatter Michael’s ashes around the tree which had been planted in memory of his son Hamish (St Margaret’s ’82), after his untimely death in a car accident in 1992.
Ewen did National Service in Malaya, a commissioned officer with the Royal Lincolnshire regiment. After this he went up to Lincoln College, Oxford where he read history, followed by becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant. He worked all over the world in
Mike was here during the war, from 1942-1945 and on leaving School did not, initially, keep in contact. He went to New Zealand where he farmed and ran a car company manufacturing and racing sports cars. Towards the end of his life he returned to the UK and lived on the Isle of Wight. After Hamish’s death, he organised the planting of the tree above Cornwal-
lis steps in memory of his son. Once he returned to the UK, he visited the School from time to time, taking the opportunity to call in on Bob Chance, Hamish’s housemaster in St Margarets, who attended the recent ceremony. Richard (Vic) Sones (1963 W), died on 18th June 2014
when he received his first ‘pay day’, for singing at a wedding! Vic also enjoyed ballroom dancing, which he shared with his long term partner, Tricia. Vic was always the life and soul of the party, and, for the last ten years, or more, a group of us from Ponts, namely Richard Macklin (1963 W), Frank Hung
Tony Stimpson (1955 L), died on 21st September 2014, having lost his long battle against leukaemia. He was Keyworth RFC Club President, where he was known as a stalwart of the club and a good friend, always willing to talk about the game. He was a referee and a touch judge at national level and supported the ‘Tigers’. Most of his working life he was in banking and financial services, mainly in sales and marketing, but latterly in general management. He was born in Kent but moved round the country before settling in Nottingham, where he was for 27 years. Seventeen years ago Tony’s life was saved by the prompt action of the paramedics from the Kent Air Ambulance after a lorry drove into his car on the A2 close to London. Tony subsequently gave talks on behalf of the two Air Ambulance services that cover Keyworth and Ruddington. He was also a member of Keyworth and Ruddington Rotary Club for many years. Tony leaves his wife, Jill, his five children and ten grandchildren.
From left: Richard Macklin, Richard Sones, Peter Hodges, Frank Hung To his school pals at Sutton Valence he was ‘Vic’, although his family called him Richard, which is the name he used in his professional life. Vic entered Sutton Valence as a music scholar. The instruments he played included the ‘cello and French horn, as well as saxophone in the School jazz band. In addition to being a musician, Vic was a very good diver and water polo player and became Captain of Swimming. After leaving SV he briefly continued playing saxophone professionally in an R and B band, touring the country at various dance venues. Vic went on to study law, and practised as a barrister specialising in criminal matters, with chambers in the Middle Temple. He lived most of his life in Cobham, Surrey, sharing the family residence with one of his sisters. Recently, Vic became affiliated to his local church in Ockham, singing in the choir. He was excited
(1963 W), John Francies (1962 W) and Peter Hodges (1963 W), have met regularly with Vic for a meal and a chat, including visits to OS dinners at the School. Interestingly, he would always bring his copy of the Blue Book to our gatherings so that references to old school pals etc. could be made. We call ourselves ‘Ponts Dining Club’.
Marriages Dominic Cresswell (1999 F) to Hayley Anderson on 12th October 2014
Vic died after a prolonged illness. Even when he was ill, he continued to be cheerful and as amusing as ever. He is survived by two older sisters, and a brother, who lives abroad. The Ponts Dining Club members were all at the Service of Thanksgiving, held at All Saints Church, Ockham on 10th July 2014, to see Vic off. The church was packed with his family and legal colleagues. Among the tributes, it was said “Richard was one of the kindest and most considerate of human beings - and also one of the most humorous and literate”. Nobody could argue with that. Written by Richard Macklin.
Dominic Cresswell (1999 F), Hayley Anderson, Adam Cresswell (1991 F) and Gideon Cresswell (1993 F). Other Old Suttonian guests were Alexandra Theobald (née Pugh) (2001 V), Spencer Theobald (1999 M), Umang Patel (1999 F), David Baillie (1999 L) and Paul Everett (1999 F).
Benjamin Richards (2007 M) to Amy Barnsdale in October 2014
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OSSport Cricket A rather truncated OS Cricketing year, with a grand total of four matches played, and lucky to get that many. Hugely frustrating for match managers who had spent ages getting sides together only to have to call everyone off the day of the game. The School match in June was played against the backdrop of a car rally on outfield of the Warmlake pitch which now adjoins Upper. So when they weren’t inspecting the vehicles it allowed OS car enthusiasts to purr with enthusiasm over Hayden Walsh’s innings of 80 for the OS. As he has also turned out for the Leeward Islands he is, not surprisingly, a class act. The OS were too strong for the School, which held out for a draw. Although they nearly lost courtesy of a brief guest appearance for the OS of long time School scorer Dan Hammond, who took a wicket in his “honorary” two overs. The heavens opened in mid-August with a vengeance. The first scheduled match, on the Sunday against the Dragons, was called off first thing, followed by the Linton Park match the following day and the Mote match on the Thursday. By Friday it was drier although still it wasn’t possible to play before lunch. The low scores that day reflected the damp overcast conditions but at least there was some cricket. The Saturday match against Peter
Davies XI was its usual sociable affair. Richard Bradstock always enjoys it and helped himself to a ton well before lunch. After that the game returned to a more normal tempo. OS had struggled to get a side of bona fide former pupils and were supplemented with guests recruited on the morning of the match, including Kevin Stickles from the School ground staff, who grafted for an unbeaten 44 to ensure Bradders’ earlier efforts weren’t wasted. Up till the tea interval Davies XI were galloping and our 248 looked easily gettable. Unfortunately for Davies XI there must have been something in Pat Stileman’s tea because he then proceeds to take 7-33 in a mere 12 overs to win the day for the OS. And his first bowl of the season too. On that note, the Saturdays have always been difficult because regular players turn out for their clubs in league matches, but we haven’t managed to persuade OS who do not have the time for regular club cricket, but are still young and fit enough to play, to make themselves available. There must be a large number of OS now aged say 35-50 who would enjoy this sort of occasional run out. On the Sunday we entertained our local rivals the Roffensians (the former pupils of King’s School, Rochester). Cricketing relations, at least at old boy level. with our long time traditional foes, Cranbrook, have largely ceased, not
helped by Cranbrook Lynxes having moved their cricket week to July, so the Roffensian match has become the needle one. Having been comfortably beaten last year we were out for revenge and very nearly got it. Ben Price had got the OS innings off to a flier with 61 off 54 balls, but as it happened no one else (on either side) was able to bat with similar freedom, so 186 was probably a decent score. And so it proved with Hayden Walsh producing an outstanding spell of spin bowling (5-21 in 20 overs tells its own tale), but Roffensians held on for an honourable draw. Thanks as ever to Philip Higgins who did most of the umpiring and organised the side against the School. Ian Avery and his squad despaired over the foul weather, but did their best for us in difficult circumstances Thanks also to John Devine and the School catering team who also had to content with short notice cancellation but, as ever, provided high quality fare for players and supporters alike. We remain grateful to the Headmaster for allowing us the use of Upper. He has kindly agreed to do so for 2015, so let’s hope for glorious weather and that OS cricketers will turn out in their droves. Desmond High November 2014
2014 results in summary. Won 2 Drawn 2, Matches Abandoned 3 (Dragons, Linton Park, The Mote) 22 June
OS 262-8 dec (H Walsh 80, H Wells 54 retired)
SVS 168-8
Match drawn
15 August
OS 143
Mathew Wooderson’s XI 96
Won by 47 runs
17 August
OS 248-6 dec (R Bradstock 108)
P Davies XI 190 (P Stileman 7-33)
Won by 58 runs
18 August
OS 201 (B Price 61)
Roffensians 129-9 (Walsh 5-21)
Match drawn
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140 years of Rugby at Sutton Valence The game against Colfe’s on Saturday 6th December 2014 marked the end of the 140th Rugby XV season. Over 100 parents, Old Suttonians and staff gathered to support the 1st XV play on a beautiful, clear, crisp afternoon. The match was well fought, with the home team making several attacking surges into Colfe’s half. Both teams scored, finishing the first half 5 – 5. In the second half, Sutton Valence attacked with determination and vigour creating several try scoring opportunities. Unfortunately it was not meant to be and the match ended 5-5.
has allowed our players to develop leadership and communication skills that will assist them both on and off the rugby pitch.” Richard Mant (1957 St M) and Andrew Scott (1971 F)) awarded Man of the Match trophies to Sutton Valence flanker Tom Mitchell and Colfe’s hooker. Sutton Valence’s first recorded match was in 1880, but there are references
to matches played before this date. If Sutton Valence played an inter-school match in 1874, then the School was certainly in the forefront of schools playing rugby football in the early days. Even if only playing internal matches in 1874, that still puts Sutton Valence in the first cohort of schools to turn to rugby football. So 140 years of rugby football at Sutton Valence School is certainly something to celebrate!
After the match, supporters and players gathered in the Refectory for an informal meal. Mark Howell, Head of Rugby offered the School’s thanks to Colfe’s for supporting the game and said, “I’m very pleased with and proud of the squad this year. They have brought commitment, discipline, team spirit and camaraderie into everything they do.” Several have gained RFU coaching qualifications, which they have put to good use in training our younger teams and our Prep School rugby teams. This
Richard Mant (1957 St M) and Andrew Scott (1971 F) with Mark Howell, Head of Rugby and the two ‘Man of The Match’ recipients
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Hockey
Hockey 1st Team
Hockey 2nd Team
Scores: 1st Men 2nd Mens
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4-1 to the School 5-3 to OS
Shooting
The Sergison Trophy This year the shooting team were determined to regain the Sergison trophy from the Old Suttonians, after coming second last year. The annual competition is shot on the first Saturday of May every year with the School’s shooting team, Staff, parents and OS contending for the cup. Despite the cloudy skies, a record number of shooters turned up and it was good to see many parents having a go and firing for the first time. The School team hit their target and
won with an average of 80 compared to the OS’s 78.6. The staff achieved their goal of not coming last and managed a respectable third place, leaving the parents to bring up the rear. During the shooting everyone enjoyed the barbecue cooked by Major Prem ably assisted by Mr Millbery. Special thanks to Mrs Kitchen for being the RCO.
the word go, I was impressed. Was it the sight of a cracking barbecue (and Bordeaux) after a comparatively long journey to the School? Was it the melée of happy parents, Staff, pupils, OS? Whichever, it was for my wife and me, a memorable day.” Keith was the best shot of the day.
OS Mr Keith Clements (Westminster ‘61) sent his thanks to the School recalling the success of the day, “Right from
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Golf Sutton Valence School and the Old Suttonians have a long tradition of playing golf. Many OS will remember with affection ‘The “Royal” Douglas’ course that graced BM for many years and the
competitions that were held there. Currently the School uses Chart Hills GC whilst the OS are gypsies, playing a vast number of courses in informal groups.
The Championship The Dale Hill Club was the venue for the first Old Suttonians’ Golf Championship. Twenty four OS gathered on a warm April morning and had a great day’s golf. Richard Raye (2002 F) won the Championship and was joined by
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Jordan Miles (2014 F) to win the Pairs. Such was the enthusiasm for the day, that this will now become an annual event.
We would like to resurrect the Golf Society; interested golfers should contact David Pickard, Honorary Secretary: pickardd@svs.org.uk, 01622 845294.
Golf and Alumni of Public Schools The Grafton-Morrish Trophy is the award for competing in the annual match of the Public School Old Boys Golf Assocation (founded 1962 first competition held in 1963). In the early years of the 1960s, Peter Grafton (1933 M) and Peter Morrish (1943 W) had become interested in widening the opportunity for the exploding numbers of the Public School Old Boys Golfing Societies to play golf with each other. They formed the PSOBGA in 1962 after a failed attempt to interest the Halford-Hewitt Golf organisers to increase the scope of their competition beyond the same 64 schools customarily competing. A letter was sent to 133 HMC headmasters not competing in the Halford-Hewitt, looking for interest and this was sufficient for a preliminary meeting to be held towards the end of 1962. Sutton Valence School were represented by J Gulland and P Grafton. 16 schools were in at the foundation, but the numbers have very quickly risen to over 150 today, including schools who play in the Halford-Hewitt – that club might be exclusive, but the spirit of the Grafton-Morrish is more open. Despite an offer from Slazenger’s to present a trophy it was decided to accept an offer of a trophy from Peter Grafton and Peter Morrish. PSOBGA had a principle to avoid any form of
commercial sponsorship of any kind and since Grafton and Morrish had taken the initiative in forming the association, their trophy should be accepted. The trophy represents a map of the British Isles, the comprehensiveness of the association, on which winning societies could each be inscribed in the geographical location of the school concerned. The spirit of the association is represented by two golfers, in bas-relief shaking hands at the end of a match. A photo was taken of Peter Morrish and Peter Grafton, in Peter Morrish’s garden, each dressed in the appropriate gear, holding a club whilst grasping each other’s hand and they are recognisable as such on the trophy. A Latin inscription is found under the golfers. This was created by “eminent scholars who inhabited the Common Room of Sutton Valence School” and the Latin phrase Ex Aemulis amici – Friendship among rivals was created.
Grafton Morrish for the winners, The Solihull Salver for winners of the ‘plate’ competition and the Committee Bowl a trophy played for by the best four teams in the Salver. The competition is in two parts; a regional qualifying event held in early May and the finals proper, held at Hunstanton Golf Club in the autumn. Information for this article is gleaned from ‘Public Schools Old Boys Golf Association, the first fifty years’ written by Stuart Watson, 2014. No OS team has yet won the competition founded by its own distinguished pair of ‘old boys’, but we do get close from time to time; we are again through to the finals this year. There are a good number of OS out there with low handicaps and who would be able to put up a good show at competing. Please let us know if you would like to play: pickardd@svs.org.uk
I suppose only Peter Morrish could have got away with this – on awarding the trophy he mentioned in a delightful way that could not cause any offence that it would be entirely appropriate for the winners to buy dinner for him and Peter Grafton! The PSOBGA and the Grafton Morrish are now just over 50 years old. The competition has expanded and there are three trophies altogether. The
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DevelopmentNews Our first event of the year was a reunion of 20 Prefects from 2010 – 2014, in London. Joined by the Headmaster, Bruce Grindlay, Dr Lilla Grindlay and the Deputy Head, Jeremy Farrell, we enjoyed drinks and dinner whilst catching up on all their news. Over the course of the year, we have seen nearly 240 Old Suttonians gathering either at School, in the regions or at overseas get-togethers. Many of these events have been organised by Old Suttonians themselves and, as in the case of the 40s and 50s group and that of the 60s, have been happening for many years. Throughout the year, we have welcomed OS from the USA, Australia, Hong Kong and Germany, all just dropping in to say ‘hello’ and to reacquaint themselves with the School. I would, at this stage, like to extend my thanks to Rebecca Riggs. Known
and well-loved by many of you, she was my assistant for nearly 10 years. Without her, we would not have been able to achieve half of what we have over the years. Having left to join Demelza House, a hospice for terminally ill children, she has recently moved on to Orbit Housing, in Maidstone, as a data and compliance analyst. In recognition of all that she has done for the Old Suttonian Association, the committee has made Rebecca an Honorary Old Suttonian. However, despite being sorry to see Rebecca go, all is not lost! I am delighted that Will Radford, an old boy of King’s Rochester (but we won’t hold that against him!) joined the department at the end of June. Will has five years’ experience of working in student support, marketing and events whilst at the University of Kent and is eager to get to know as many of you as he can over the coming months. Please do send him your news, he will soon be
compiling the next Bulletin, due out in October (radfordw@svs.org.uk). With all that has gone on this year, it has been an exciting and productive time in the Development Office.
Newsfrom the School "To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay right or justice." Mr Chairman, Dr Mountford, honoured guests, Governors, ladies and gentlemen and pupils, these magisterial words and sentiments come from the Magna Carta, produced 800 years ago. This Great Charter of Freedoms, signed reluctantly by King John in 1215, is seen as the foundation of constitutional law across the globe; the genesis of an independent council that became a prototype parliament. In some ways, it was the first-ever political manifesto. 2015 has been a year where the position of parliament has been deliberated and debated upon to within an inch of its
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life. Eight hundred years after Magna Carta, the art of writing a political manifesto has seen centuries of development, refinement and evolution. So, in the spirit of this election year, in my speech today I will I give you my own “Bruce’s Boulder” – not, you may be relieved to hear, set out in stone and immortalised on Prefects’ lawn, but delivered to you in my speech today. And, in-line with many modern manifestos, it will focus on the Environment; Education; Transport and Health Care; Foreign Policy; Housing and Welfare; Local Government; Employment and Pensions;
and our Key Priorities. I will take each of these vital issues in turn. Firstly, the Environment. Our environment is our community and it is a community in great spirits and achieving more than ever before. The emphasis we place on the individual within our warm and welcoming community and our shared goal to create decent, confident, down to earth, and highly employable young adults prepared to lead in the future are the vital ingredients that create the hugely impressive young men and women sitting amongst us today.
2015 marks an important anniversary for our community as it was exactly 35 years ago that a business plan was presented to the Foundation and, as a result, the Underhill Preparatory School Trust deed was signed on 8th October 1980. 15 years later in 1995, the Foundation trustees took over responsibility for the Underhill Preparatory School Trust. Therefore, we are celebrating 20 and 35 year anniversaries of our extended community, the nearly 850 pupils that make up Sutton Valence Senior and Preparatory Schools. To mark this important double anniversary we will hold a whole school photograph in September with over 900 smiling faces and a couple of exhausted deputy heads!
at A level – beating Cranbrook, MGS and matching Invicta’s results. But seriously, what was, I felt, so necessary six years ago now is less so: without altering our community or our intake in any way, we have managed to improve the percentage of top grades achieved by 75% and improve the overall results of all our pupils. This hasn’t been achieved by being more selective or excluding people from our inclusive community, but by improving our teaching and learning and setting the highest of expectations of all. There is still more that we can do and we will continue to focus on this. Now to Transport and Health Care: The journeys our pupils travel are diverse and challenging and all combine
The Prep School
The second point on my manifesto is probably the most obvious: Education. The education agenda for us is so much more than examination results, but our academic focus has again paid dividends and allowed many pupils to surpass their expectations. In the recent parent survey some of you commented that our achievement should not just focus on the success of our “Grammar Stream” and I feel need to explain this term. I have used this phrase and associated statistics in order to try and get the wider community in Kent to understand that one must compare like with like – don’t compare us to the highly academically-selective Grammars – no, sorry, I take that back, do compare us to the Grammars. This year we achieved 70% A*-B grades for the whole cohort
to form our Total Curriculum that adds so much to the character and health, both physical and spiritual, of our pupils. We have made these journeys the cornerstones of our educational philosophy and, as I’m sure you have seen, we have built our new website around them. Our academic, co-curricular, community and leadership journeys bring value, self-esteem and enjoyment to the life of the community. It comes as no surprise, then, that the Transport and Health Care forms the longest section of my manifesto. The Michaelmas term saw the Girls Hockey achieve an overall 64% win rate, averaging 2.6 goals per game. Emma Baxter ably steered our 1st XI to the finals of the Weybridge Regional Tourna-
ment and they were semi-finalists in the Regional Plumtre, County Cup and John Taylor tournaments. U14A squad were county finalists and second in the regional qualifying, finally coming 5th in the regional finals and the U12A showed what potential they have, finishing the season with an 88% win rate. Rugby enjoyed a really exciting and aspirational season with a new sense of purpose injected by the talent and enthusiasm of Mr Mark Howell our new Head of Rugby. Under the expert captaincy of Toby Wilkinson, the 1st XV chalked up impressive and convincing wins against Eastbourne (an away fixture ending 29-0, where the boys witnessed the fastest ever switching off of an electronic scoreboard!) and also Sevenoaks, as did the 2nd XV in many of their matches. However, the stars of the season were our U15s winning 79% of their games, closely followed the U14s and their 63% win rate. The Lent term saw the boys pick up the stick and, as a whole, achieved a 65% win rate, averaging 3.25 goals per game. Captained by Ollie Ridge, the 1st XI were semi-finalists in the U18 Frank Mason Cup and quarter finalists in the Kent Cup. The most successful squad, however, was the U13As who not only racked up an 88% win rate, but were the County Champions for the second year in a row and finished fifth in the regional finals going out to Whitgift, who subsequently went on to win the National Championships. In Netball this year the 1st VII team continued to dominate tough opposition such as King’s Canterbury, Cranbrook, Kent College Pembury and St John’s Leatherhead. A new fixture was introduced against Emanuel, which proved to be a superb season finale with a huge win of 52-30. Captain Lydia Davies has helped the team to score a record 318 goals this season and deserves the name she has made for herself on the netball circuit both in and out of School. At the junior end, the U13As won 8 out of their 11 matches and also set a
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new record of scoring 219 goals in a U13 season. Our Cricket winter programme was well supported, with all the age groups working extremely hard in preparation for this term which, unfortunately, again has been restricted by the weather. A young 1st XI, captained by Abdullah Adil, has performed well with wins against Colfes, Sevenoaks, The Judd and Worth. The U15A team has been very impressive having won eight out of eight and are currently in the quarter finals of the County Cup. As well as our normal U13A/B fixtures, we have had more games for the U13 C/D teams as well as our first ever fixture for the U13E team against Saint Ronan’s. Our Leadership Journey is most obviously enhanced by the CCF, which this year celebrated its centenary in style with a fabulous biennial inspection that included a moving drum-head service in the Chapel, followed by a celebratory dinner a wonderful Beating Retreat performed by the Royal Engineers band on Prefects’ Lawn and a celebratory dinner. Leadership has also been demonstrated through our Duke of Edinburgh scheme which continues to thrive. This year we have awarded 41 Bronze, 18 Silver and 11 Gold awards. Across the three award levels we have over 50% of the School participating and in order to cater for these numbers, we completed 54 expeditions around Kent and the Lake District. Our Music ensembles have been as busy as ever with the Chapel Choir singing Evensong at Southwark Cathedral; the Chamber Choir leading our commemorations to mark the death of the first Old Suttonian in the First World War when 300 of us visited the Menin Gate; and the Senior Strings performing brilliantly in the Foundation concert in Christchurch, Spitalfields. Ioana Pupaza and Jess Grindlay made it through to the final of Maidstone and Mid-Kent’s Young Musician of the Year competition and several pupils are now members of the Kent County Youth Orchestra and Jazz Orchestra. For the first time in memory, we mounted a joint concert with the Prep
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School which ended with over 100 pupils performing Handel’s Coronation Anthem: Zadok the Priest and during the course of the year more than 40 pupils have been entered for Associated Board and Trinity Music Examinations gaining 14 distinctions overall, including a staggering 143 out of 150 for Anya Livtchak’s Violin grade 8. In the theatre, our Michaelmas Term senior production was a wonderfully original interpretation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Set in the 1990s, our production focused on a group of teenagers that were caught up in a longstanding family feud staged as two opposing basketball teams. The cast
tackled the complex language with skill and enthusiasm and the end result was truly moving with stand-out performances from our leavers: Bethany Webb, Francesca Tidd, Luca Chiappini, Georgia Poplett, Mia van Diepen, William Moore and Emma Baxter. The Junior Production of Grease provided quite a contrast to this tragedy with audiences desperately refraining from joining in during all those the well-known songs – it was a real treat. Alongside the practical performances we have also had LAMDA examinations throughout the year, with over 20 students being awarded a distinction.
flew to New York instead. Over this Summer, members of the RAF are attending cadet camps in Virginia and Washington DC; the CCF have their summer camp in Penhally and our much-acclaimed Shooting Team heads back to Bisley for the Imperial Meeting next week. After this some of the Fifth Form are off to the United Nations in Geneva and many intrepid seniors are travelling to the Lake District to undertake their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. I won’t even mention the Upper Sixth leavers’ philanthropic trip to Zante to single-handedly resuscitate the Greek economy! Junior production of Grease And, of course, in August our A-level drama students were given a 4* review when they took their devised performance to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Every manifesto needs to set out its foreign policy – and Sutton Valence’s is a particularly enriching one. Trips and overseas ventures bring so much to education and provide a global dimension to our pupils’ outlook. In October of this year our A Level Geographers visited Iceland and after the end of the Michaelmas Term we undertook an intrepid CCF expedition to Nepal.
We have participated in many exchanges, including our new partnership with the Grange School in Chile, French Exchanges to Senlis and trips for the juniors to Paris, along with the Fourth Form visiting Seville and Cadiz. Our bi-annual trip to Neeja Modi School in Jaipur took place in the Easter holiday, where we helped in the school and then took the pupils on a cultural trip to Jaipur and Delhi. Also during the Easter break, our Drama and LAMDA scholars, needing to do some important research for next term’s production, decided that they couldn’t possibly watch Les Misérables in London’s West End, so
Our Housing and Welfare policy revolves around the boarding and day Houses and their tutor groups. This summer, to improve this provision we are moving all of the day houses into Cornwallis to place them in the heart of the School, where they belong. Our Houses and the associated pride they instil are represented by the Baughan Trophy and this year the House which has won this coveted piece of silverware is Clothworkers'. Of course, there has to be a winner, but I am delighted that all contribute and compete so ferociously for this magnificent trophy and I congratulate all the Houses whether first or last. On to Local Government, which in Sutton Valence terms means our Governors. This year we lost a much-loved member of the board to his battle with cancer. Chris Tongue was the former Headmaster of St John’s Leatherhead and vice-chairman of our Governing Body. He was full of sage-like advice and experience and his professionalism, expertise and friendship will be missed by many. Dawn Perry steps down this year as she relocates to London to be close to her family. Dawn’s expertise in primary education, having been Head of Roseacre Primary School, has helped us so much, especially at our prep school. To replace them I am delighted to welcome Jane Davies, the former Headmistress of St Dunstan’s College and Alison Westbrook a Kent-based former police officer and lawyer. I look forward to working with these new governors and take this opportunity to thank all of
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the governing body for the care and generous support they offer me and our School. The penultimate topic of my manifesto, Employment and Pensions, focuses on members of our staff who are leaving us this year, though certainly not all are ready to start drawing down their pensions. Two young and talented Old Suttonians have been teaching for us this year – Mr Alistair Carter has completed his Sports Studies PGCE through us and, now qualified, he has secured a position at Roedean to learn the joy of single sex education; Miss Phoebe Cunningham is an erstwhile Head of School and having been awarded a First in Natural Sciences from Nottingham University applied for a science technician role to tide her over and ended up teaching Biology for a year. Next year, in a desperate bid for some good weather, she will be working her way through Colombia down to Argentina in South America, via the Galapagos Islands. Mr Adrian Wyles – Leaves us to become Headmaster of the Oratory School in Reading. He joined us in 2008 as Head of Sixth Form and in 2010 became a member of the Senior Management Team. In 2013 he became the School’s first Academic Deputy Head– resulting in our best ever A level and GCSE grades. As well as his academic and managerial commitments, Mr Wyles organised a running club, directed the Barbershop group, expertly coached our senior debators in the Hunting Society and took a significant involvement in the spiritual and cultural life of the School. His calm and generous approach in all he does and his talent as an educator will be the Oratory’s gain and we wish him well. The Oratory needs to gain something from us as we do not intend to relinquish their shooting trophy any time soon! This year sees Mr Roy Webster complete his 14th year with us as a Mathematics and Games teacher, stalwart of the Chapel Choir and, from 2007-2014 House Master of St Margaret’s. I have no doubt that he is planning an exciting and energetic retirement and we will miss his gentlemanly manner and generosity of spirit.
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Finally I come to Mrs Mary Hall. Dare I say, nearly part of the furniture? Mrs Hall has decided to put down the chalk, hang up her gown and retire. She has been associated with our schools at Sutton Valence for 21 years having begun in 1993 teaching at Underhill. She joined the senior school as a part-time teacher in 1995 and transferred to full time in 2001. Since then she has gone on to teach Geography, RS and French for us as well as being a Head of Department, a Head of Year and latterly, of course, our Director of Co-curricular Activities, Child Protection Officer, educational visits co-ordinator and an Assistant Head. I owe, as we all do actually, an enormous amount to Mary Hall and the School would not be what it is today without her unstinting contribution over the last 20 years. My Manifesto ends with our Key Priorities going forward – Our aim in the medium term is to enhance the Heart of the School, which itself is the heart of Kent education, through a focus on the communal buildings on site. As well as the relocation of the day Houses, this will result in an improved provision in the Refectory, a complete refurbishment of the Chapel and a new Sixth Form study centre below the library. It will I hope culminate in a new reception building in the near future. Charity is terribly important to us, but our latest venture, to single-handedly rebuild a school in Nepal destroyed by the recent earthquakes, moves this to a whole new level of giving. We have already raised over £10k, but we need £58,000 and I thank you all for your generosity thus far but please do continue to give and support in any way you can. I thank all of you who contributed to the glowing endorsement we received in this year’s Parents’ Survey. Your feedback was humbling, heartening and informative and we will do as you ask and continue to focus on the standards and expectations of the School, to strive for ever greater consistency, to work to involve the parents more and to shout louder than ever before about all we are achieving. And finally we continue our journey to be in the top 10% of schools for im-
proving the academic outcomes of our pupils – not just the top end of the academic spectrum, but of all our community. This year’s election has witnessed the reinvention of the comedian Russell Brand as a self-styled political revolutionary. I was delighted to see that he has finally been granted the recognition he deserves by being honoured with an award – an award for speaking gobbledygook. Brand has won the annual Foot in Mouth Prize from the Plain English Campaign, joining the likes of John Prescott and George W Bush. The judges singled out the following from an interview Brand gave to The Guardian: ‘I felt very connected to activism – particularly activism that feels loaded with potential. Not the oppositional activism that seems like there’s a stasis around it – earnestly sincere, but a monolith.’ – Ah, we have come full circle, a monolith - like Bruce’s Boulder – well maybe not so much a boulder as a significant rock that when dropped into our lake of learning creates significant and longreaching ripples that will affect and change. I began my speech with words from Magna Carta. Unlike Magna Carta, which was actually penned by a hoard of angry barons forcing King John to sign and agree to their demands – my manifesto is written by me for our community, not under duress nor in a fit of pique. I am delighted to put my name to it and I will continue to work tirelessly to realise all of our aspirations.
Old Suttonians’ Association Sutton Valence School North Street, Sutton Valence Maidstone, Kent ME17 3HL Telephone: 01622 845294 OSA - 01622 845258 Development Office Email: osa@svs.org.uk • development@svs.org.uk