The Suttonian 1980

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UfTDNIA


T H E SUTTONIAN 1980

EDITOR: PHILIP NEW

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: JULIAN BUCKERIDGE JAMES WALLER MARK PARRETT RICHARD KNOCKER JONATHAN ENRAGHT-MOONY

(The Magazine cover drawing is by Nick Storey J

Volume 33

Number 5


ill

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M.A.P. / B.J.P. W.R.A.T. / J.B.H. / M.A.G. / G.H.A. W.K.P. P.J.H. / J.McC. / M.F.B. / C.R.G.S. / A.N.G.R. / C.P.M.K./ G.G.A. / G.C.P. D.J.B. / M.E.F.P. / C.F.G.P. / RF.T.K. / B.R.D. / D.J .P. / B.J.L. / K.M.S. / D.W.T. R.F.B./ M.H.F. / R.E.H. / A.R.D. / M.RR. / A.G.F. / B.D.W. / F.R.B. / RD.C.

GOVERNORS OF SUTTON V A L E N C E SCHOOL P.W. GRAFTON Esq. C.B.E. (Chairman) ALDERMAN F L ABBOTT J.P. SIR MILES CLIFFORD K.B.E., C.M.G., E.D., Hon. F.R.C.S. Maj. Gen. J.L. MOULTON C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E. R D . WICKHAM Esq. O.B.E. T.B. BUNTING Esq. D.C.L. Mrs . E. JOHNSTON P.S. MORRISH Esq. M.A., A.R.I.C.S. E. R.P. BOORMAN Esq. M.A. J.A. LAWTON Esq. L A . LIDSTONE Esq. J.P. Maj. Gen. SIR JOHN BATES, K.B.E., C.B., M.C. Miss E.B. CLARKE C.V.O., M.A., B.Dtt,J.P. The Rt. Revd The BISHOP OF MAIDSTONE F. R. RAWES Esq. M.B.E., M.A.


ACADEMIC STAFF 1979-80 HEADMASTER M.R. RICKETTS, M.A. Trinity College, Oxford. SECOND MASTER A.R. DOUGLAS, M.A., St Edmund Hall, Oxford; (History; Careers Master) ASSISTANT MASTERS A. G. FOULKES,«M.A., Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge; (Director of Music) R.E. HORN, M.A., Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; (Modern Languages) B. D. WARBURTON, B.Sc, Bede College, Durham; (Head of Chemistry; Head of Science) M.H. FAIRBANK, M.A., Brasenose College, Oxford; (Head of History; Universities Master; Librarian) F. R. BALL, B.Sc, University of Manchester; (Head of Physics) R.F. BATES, B.Sc, University of Manchester; (Mathematics and Physics; Housemaster of CornwalHs) R.D. CHANCE, M.A., Clare College, Cambridge, (EngUsh; Housemaster of St Margaret's) M.F. BEAMAN, M.A., Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge; (Geography and History) J. McCORMlCK, B.A., University College, Durham; (Head of Classics; Housemaster of Bennett) K.M. SMITH, B.Sc, King's College, Durham, M.I.Biol.; (Head of Biology) D.W. TAYLOR, Loughborough Colleges; (Woodwork and Design) G. G. ABLE, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge; (Chemistry; Housemaster of Westminster) B. J. LITTLE, B.Sc, University of Kent, A.F.I.M.A.; (Head of Mathematics; Housemaster of Founder's; Officer Commanding the C.C.F.) C. R.G. SHAW, M.A., Clare College, Cambridge; (Head of English; Housemaster of Lambe's) B. R. DAY, B.A., University of Exeter; (Head of Modern Languages; Housemaster of Holdgate) A.N. GRIERSON RICKFORD, M.A., St Catharine's College, Cambridge; (EngUsh; Tutor of St Margaret's) W.K. PIPER, B.A., B.Ed., Monash University, AustraUa; (English; Tutor of Founder's) J.B. HUGHES, B.A., University of Manchester;. (Head of Economics; Tutor of Founder's) M.E.F. PETTMAN, M.A., University of Edinburgh; (Mathematics; Tutor of Bennett and Holdgate) The Rev. D.J. BARNES, Dipl.B. and R.S., Goldsmiths' College, London; (Chaplain) W.R.A. TAYLOR, B.Ed., University of Bristol; (Head of Art) D. PICKARD, B.Sc, Queen Mary College, London, F.R.G.S.; (Head of Geography; Tutor of Cornwallis) P.J. HARCOURT, M.A., Selwyn College, Cambridge, M.I.L.; (Modern Languages; Tutor of Lambe's) G.C. PEARSON, B.Sc, A.R.C.S., Imperial College, London, M.Inst.P.; (Physics; Tutor of Bennett and Holdgate) C. F.G. PARKINSON, B.A., St John's College, Durham; (Economics) G.H. ANDERSON, B.Sc, University of Nottingham; (Biology and Head of Physical Education; Tutor of Westminster) C. P.M. KING, B. A., Hatfield College, Durham; (Geography) M.A. GORDON, B.A., University of Leeds; (Modern Languages) D. J. PEARCE, B.Sc, University of Kent; (Mathematics) C.I.K. LALLYETT, B.Sc, D.I.C., Ph.D.,Imperial College, London; (Biology) RJ.T. KEENE, A.R.C.O., (Organist) Mrs M.A. POP AY, B.Sc., Bedford College, London; (Mathematics) Mrs B.J. PIPER, Portsmouth and Medway Colleges; (Pottery)

Bursar: Lt.-Cmdr. T.P. HALL; R.N. (retd.)


PREFECTS 1979 - 80

Comwallis J C.M. BUCKERIDGE * S.P. Licence* J.P.M. Dismorr S. Taylor CM. Cumberlege, S.R. Harris I . Mardam-Bey A.J. Butler RR. Knocker

Lambe's D.C. TISSIMAN * G.M. Lewis * T.R. Phillips K. NG P.G. Mattingly N.S. Thorpe A.J. Whitehouse J.E.R. Wheeler D.I. Richardson T.K.M. Aboul Hosn A.S.J. Needham

Founder's M.J. WEST * C.E. Stewart M.P. Davidson S.S. Dean J.D.L. Goss M.C.H: Mountjoy

St. Margaret's R J . BEDFORD * A.J. A. Waller * N.C. Storey T.K. Dodson K. Ashrafi A.M. Clifton T.J.M. Hills R.R. Oprin D.B. Dorling

Westminster P.G. NEW* J.B. Hie hens * H.S. Choy D.C.S. Novi S.M. Thomas J.T. Watson G.P. Beckett R B . Kelsey J.P. Rosenwald G.D. Moncur M.S. Parrett T.C. Risby


SUTTON VALENCE NOTEBOOK In the Summer Term the Headmaster announced to an excited assembly that the School had 'purchased' its own prep school - Underhill - and that it would become an integral part of the Foundation. The building of the Music School is progressing by 'leaps and bounds' and the School has purchased some computers for use next term - the silicon chip has Sutton Valence in its grasp at last! At Half Term in the winter, the rugger players disappeared to darkest Devon for a tour that was, by all accounts, most successful - both in the bar and on the field! In the Lent Term we hosted a hockey festival (making good use of our recently opened 'all-weather' playing surface), and even as I write this the Captain of Cricket is tearing his hair out by the handful while trying to arrange the Cricket Week, which is to take place at the end of the Summer Term. Westminster won the Rugger for the first time in more than two decades. Cornwallis won the Hockey and also ran away with the Inter-House Cricket. Relations with prep schools were improved when we hosted a surprising variety of events - not only did the Headmasters o f Kent and Sussex Prep schools meet here, but we were also entertained by the S.A.T.I.P's. Drama and Orchestral Festivals. Junior athletes also displayed their prowess on B.M. in the Prep Schools Athletics Meeting. The Kent County Organists' Association met in the Chapel on April 20th - they were much impressed with Paul Keene's playing. Among the many visiting speakers who lectured during the year were Mr. George Henderson of the T.G.W.U. and Lord Thomson of Monifeith. The Upper Fourth were introduced to the perils of life after school in their Careers Week, while on Wednesday afternoons throughout the Summer Term the Lower Sixth lectures ensured a continuing flow of external wisdom into the School. St. Margaret's in a superb effort, raised over a thousand pounds to buy a Guide Dog for the Blind, while Westminster held a charity disco, which while not so profitable was nevertheless very enjoyable! It has been a busy year for the stage as well - in the Winter Term the Inter-house Drama Festival was a great success, while in the Lent Term, memories o f "Oliver" were aroused by the splendid production of "Ruddigore". Perhaps the greatest tradegy of the year was that the lower Sixth production of "The Caretaker" was not better supported. One can but hope that the people will realise the great quality of those "fringe" productions and support them as they do the more frivolous school plays. The Advent Carol Service was as enjoyable as ever and the Lenten visitor. Brother Angelo (S.S.F), stirred up the flames of theological enquiry in the House reading rooms. We were also happy to welcome Brother Angelo back, who is rapidly developing into a "Father Confessor"!

The debating team won through to the semi-final of the Observer Mace Debating Competition for the third year in succession, while a promising general knowledge team, comprising Philip New, Andrew Copson, David Machin and Paul Windsor were presented with a rather fine piece of silverware for their fund-raising efforts in a sponsored competition. The Guest at a very emotional Speech Day was the Rt. Hon. Lord Comwallis, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., M.C., D.C. The Headmaster was given a standing ovation by a grateful audience in recognition of his twelve years at the helm. At the General Inspection the corps were paraded before Major General T. M. Foster, C.B. The major effort of the musicians was "Ruddigore" but both the Music Society and the Summer Concert were successful. The athletes won the Foundation Match for the second time in three years. Apologies for any events omitted, but in such a phenomenally busy year, it is impossible to include all that happened!


VALETE

FOUNDERS BEST, D.G. (1975). BENNETT " O " levels. Distinction prize. U16A Hockey and Cricket. Goes to Grammar School. Address- The Warren, Bredgar, Nr. Sitdngbourne, Kent. BUTTERWORTH, A.P.S. (1975). BENNETT C.C.F. L/Cpl U13 XV Rugby. Senior and Junior play. Choir. Orchestra. String group. Goes to Grammar School. Address: Andreds House, Sweetlands Corner, Staplehurst, Tonbridge, Kent. DAVIDSON, M.P. (1974). BENNETT "O" and " A " levels. "O" level prize, distinction prize. House Prefect. 3rd X I Hockey. 2nd X I Cricket. Junior play. Goes to University. Address: Ivy House Farm, Liverton Hill, Lenham, Maidstone, Kent. DEAN, S.S. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. House Prefect. 3rd X I Rugby. 2nd X I Hockey. Goes to Medical School. Address: Little Hails, Boxley, Maidstone, Kent. GOSS, J.D.L. (1974). " O " and " A " levels. House Prefect. 1st X I Cricket. 1st IV Fives. Cricket Half colours. Librarian. Goes to Polytechnic. Address: Rumwood Oast, Otham Lane, Langley, nr. Maidstone, Kent. HODGES, J.S. (1976)."0" and " A " levels. House Prefect. Captain of Tennis. 2nd X I Rugby. 3rd X I Hockey. U14A Cricket. 1st V I Tennis. Tennis full colours. Goes to University. Address: Wick Farm, Headcorn, Kent. HOPLEY, L.J.C. (1975). BENNETT " O " levels. Distinction Prize. U13 XV Rugby. 2nd Cricket Junior. Cross Country and Athletics. Squash U15. Goes to Grammar School. Address: 3, Appledore Road, Tenterden, Kent. LEGGETT, N.D. (1979). " A " levels. House Prefect. 1st V Squash. Goes to University. Address: The Dutch House, Pilgrims Way, Harrietsham, Nr. Maidstone. MOURAT, H.T. (1978). U13 XV Rugby. Goes to Ravensbourne School. Address: Bickley Manor Hotel, Bickley, Kent. TURTON, S.D. (1977). Goes to another school. Forwarding address not yet known. RICKETTS, J.R.E. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. Junior Scholarsiup. Intermediate Reading Prize. Shooting Prize. Rugby U14A. Hockey U16A, U15A, U14A. Cricket 2nd X I , U15A, U14A, U13. Squash 1st V set, U16. D.o.E. Bronze Award. Senior Play. House Play. Choir and Orchestra. Goes to Bradfield College, Berks. Address: Church Farm, Saxlingham Holt, Norfolk. MOUNTJOY, M.C.H. (1975). " 0 " and " A " levels. House Prefect. Senior, Junior and House Play. Goes to University. Address: Zavellas House, Biddenden, Kent.

McCURRACH, R.A.R. (1977). " O " levels. Goes to College. Address: 57, Meehan Road, Greatstone, New Romney, Kent. STEWART, C.E. (1972). BENNETT " 0 " and " A " levels. House Prefect. Hon. Secretary of Modelling. 3rd X V Rugby. 3rd XV Hockey. Senior Swimming. Goes to University. Westminster Hospital. Address: Bleak House, Leeds, Nr. Maidstone, Kent. TURTON, R.M. (1975). BENNETT " 0 " levels. Distinction Prize. C.C.F. L/Cpl. U13 X V Rugby. U16A Hockey. 3rd X I Cricket. Bronze award for Duke of Edinburgh award Scheme. Goes to College. Address: 7 Frinstead Walk, Allington, Maidstone, Kent. WATSON, J.R. (1975). BENNETT " O " levels. C.C.F. L/cpl. Photography. Shooting. Woodwork. Goes to College. Address: The Old Granary, Weceelers Lane, Linton, Kent. WEST, M.J. (1973). BENNETT " O " and " A " levels. Distinction prizes. " O " level scholarship. Clothworkers' prize. Industrial Scholarship. Head of House C.C.F. CSM. Hon. Secretary Edgar Mountain Society. Captain of Swimming and Cross Coimtry. 1st X V Rugby. Senior Cross Country and Swimming. Full colours for Swimming and Cross Country. Silver Duke of Edinburgh award. Goes to University. Address: Crosby House, Sandy Lane, Ryarsh, West Mailing, Kent. BENTLEY, C M . (1978). Goes to Cranbrook School. Address: The Thatched Cottage, Otham, Maidstone. DOUST, T.C. (1977). " O " level. U16 X V Rugby. U16 X I Hockey. Senior Athletics Team. Goes to Comwallis School. Address: Brook House, Loose Village, Maidstone,

Kent.

LAMBE'S ABOUL-HOSN, T.K.M. (1976). " O " and " A " levels. Distinction prize. House Prefect. 3rd X V Rugby. 3rd X I Hockey. Senior Athletics Team. Goes on to Further Education. Address: 33, Hangleton Road, Hove, East Sussex. BENTLEY, N.G. (1977). " O " levels. Distinction prize. C.C.F. Lance Corporal. U14 X V Rugby. U14 X I Hockey: Intermediate Cross-Country Team. Senior Athletics Team. Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Choir. Goes on to College. Address: East Hill, Southbank, Westerham, Kent. CHALLIS, J.R. (1978). " O " levels. Distinction prize. Senior Athletics Team. House play. Choir. Shooting. Goes on to College. Address: 46, Grosvenor Road, Petts Wood, Kent.


COLLIS, S.J. (1978). " O " levels. U16 XV Rugby. Goes on to College. Address: Orgine House, 20, Molyneux Park Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

ST. MARGARETS

JONES, S.G. (1975-8). " O " levels. Distinction prize. U14 XV Rugby. Senior Cross Country Team. Junior Athletics Team. Goes to Grammar School. Address: The Dell, High Banks, Loose, Maidstone, Kent.

ASHRAFI, G.K. (1978). " A " levels. Economics; Prize, House Prefect. Senior Basketball team. Half colours:" Basketball. Community Service. Goes to University. • , Address: 7, East Palizi Street, North Farah Street, Tehran, Iran. .>

LAM, E.P.S. (1979). " O " levels. Goes to College. Address: 30, York Road, New Southgate, Nil 2TE.

BEDFORD, R.J. (1973- ). ' 0 " , " A " and "S" levels. 2nd Form Prize. Distinction prizes. Current Affairs Prize. U4th Prize. L6th History U6th Economics Prize. " O " level Prize. Clothworkers' Prize. Head of House. 2nd XV Rugby. 1st X I Hockey. 1st X I Cricket. Intermediate Athletics Team. 1st V Squash Team. Full colours: Squash, Hockey, Cricket . Grade 3 Violin. Orchestra. Goes to University. Address: 2, The Heythrop, Chelmsford, Essex. CLIFTON, A.M. (1973- ). " A " levels. House Prefect. C.C.F. Sargeant, 2nd XV Rugby. 3rd X I Hockey. Senior Athletics Team. Choir. Goes into Farming. Address: Priory Lands, Appledore, nr. Ashford, Kent. DODSON, T.K. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. Distinction prizes. Garside History Prize. House Prefect. C.C.F. Corporal. Captain of Shooting. 3rd XV Rugby. 3rd X I Hockey. U15 X I Cricket. 1st V I Tennis. Shooting Team. Senior play. Hunting Society. Secretary of Chapel Committee. Goes to University. Address: c/o Col K. Dodson O.B.E., British High Commission, Tanglin Circus, Singapore 1024.

London

LEWIS, G.M. (1973- ). " O " and " A " levels. Distinction prize. School Prefect. Hon. Sec. of Film Society. 1st XV Rugby. 1st X I Hockey. Senior Athletics Team. Intermediate Swimming Team. 1st V I Tennis. U16 Squash. FuU colours: Rugby, Hockey. Half colours: Athletics. Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Hunting Society. Choir. Orchestra. Goes on to University. Address: Thornbury, Briars Cross, Limpsfield Chart, Nr. Oxted, Surrey. MATTINGLY, P.G, (1973-B). " 0 " and " A - ' levels. House Prefect. Junior Play. Bridge. Goes to University. Address: 6, Greenway, Wilmslow, Cheshire. NG, K. (1975). " O " and " A " levels and "S" level. Distinction prize. " O " level scholarship. House Prefect. Goes to University. Address: 29, Mana Road, Taunton, Somerset. PARSONS, J.M. (1976). " O " levels. Choir. Goes to College. Address: 40, Clavering Avenue, London SW13 9DX. PHILLIPS, T.R. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. Distinction prize. Geography Field Work prize. " O " level prize. House Prefect. 3rd X V Rugby. Intermediate Cross Country Team. Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Goes to University. Address: c/o 28 Lankton Close, Beckenham, Kent. RICHARDSON, D . I . (1975). "O" and " A " levels. House Prefect. 2nd X V Rugby. 1st X I Hockey. U14 X I Cricket. Half Colours: Hockey. Choir. Goes to University. Address: 9, Bullfinch Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent. SEN, S.L. (1977). " O " levels. 1st X V Rugby. U15 X I Cricket. Goes to College. Address: 6, Woodland Way, Pett's Wood, Kent. SHANNON, N.J. (1977). " O " levels. Senior play. Goes to Nautical College. Address: Tresillian, Oast Road, Oxted, Surrey. THORPE, N.S. (1975). " 0 " and " A " levels. House Prefect. 3rd X V Rugby. Senior Cross Country Team. Senior Athletics Team. Goes to University. Address: Ransom Lees, Badlesmere, Faversham, Kent. T I S S I M A N , D ; C . ( 1 9 7 5 ) . " 0 " and " A " levels. " O " level prize. Head of House. Captain of Athletics. 2nd XV Rugby. 1st X I Hockey. Senior Cross Country Team. Full colours: Athletics. Head of Stage Gang. Goes to University. Address: Bartropps, Blackall Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent. TRUSLER, M.J.J. (1978). " 0 " levels. Intermediate Cross Country Team. House play. Goes into Banking. Address: 17, Goldsfield Road, Tonbridge, Kent. WHEELER, J.E.R. (1975). " 0 " and " A " levels. L V I French Prize. " O " level scholarship. Wheeler French Prize. House Prefect. Senior Cross Country Team. 1st V Squash. Goes to University. Address: Little Court, Speldhurst, Kent.

APPS, P.J.A. (1979). U14 X I Hockey. U14 X I Crickei Address:'BRI-JU, WhitehillRoad, Meopham, Kent.

JONES, H.L. (1977). " 0 " levels. 2nd XV Rugby. 3rd X I Cricket. Senior Athletics Team. Goes into Business. Address: Flat 25, Ivory House, St. Katherine'sDocks, London E19AA. KWAN, A.C.S. (1976). " O " and " A " levels. Distinction prizes. " O " level Scholarship Prize. Wood Prize. Hon. Sec. of Photography Society. Goes to University. Address: Villa Monte Rosa, Flat F2, 8th Floor, 41A Stubbs Road, Hong Kong. MEHDI, W.S.A. (1977). " O " and " A " levels. " O " level prize. Goes to University. Address: 46jB South Circular Avenue, Defence Housing Society, Karachi, Pakistan. MELIKIAN, K. (1976). " O " and " A " levels. 2nd XV Rugby. 2nd V I Tennis. Goes to University. Address: Coombe Hazard, Coombe Wood Road, Kingston Hill, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey. READ, W.I.I. (1974-B). " O " and " A " levels. Junior Play. House Play. Goes to University. Address: 27, Bunny Lane, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire. STOREY, H.C. (1975). " 0 " and " A " levels. " O " level prize. House Prefect. C.C.F.C.Q.M.S. Hon. Sec. of Printing Society. Shooting Team. House Rep. on Refectory Committee. Goes into Catering Industry. Address: Cherrydene, Steam Mill Road, Bradfield, Nr. Manningtree, Essex. WALLER, A.J.A. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. L.6th Economics Prize. Distinction prize. " 0 " level prize. School Prefect. Suttonian Committee. C.C.F. Sgt. 1st XV Rugby. 2nd X I Hockey. U15 X I Cricket. 1st V I Tennis. Half colours: Rugby, Tennis. Senior Play. Hunting Society. Goes to University. Address: 4, Bretland Road, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.


WESTMINSTER CHQY, E.H.S. (1977). " 0 " and " A " levels. V t h Form Prize. ' L6th Maths Prize. Biology Prize. Distinction Prize. ..U6th Prize. Winstanley Prize. Kitchener Prize. Scholar...ship; House Prefect. 3rd X I Hockey. Goes to University. Address: 8 Yee Wo Street, 31F, Flat A, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. DAY, I . (1978). " 0 " levels. Clay Pigeon Shooting Team. House Play. Choii'. Goes into Despatch Controlling. Address: Spitzbrook Farm, Collier Street, Warden, Tonbrige,Kent. HARRIS, J.D. (1977). " 0 " levels. Distinction Prize. C.C.F. L/cpl. U16 Fives Team. Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Junior Play. House Play. Sailing. Goes into Joinery Apprenticeship. Address: Little Trehan Farm, Trehan, Saltash, Cornwall. HICHENS, J.B. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. School Prefect. Captain of Cricket. 1st XV Rugby. 1st X I Cricket. 1st IV Fives. FuU Colours: Cricket. Hunting Society. Choir. History Society. Sports Council. School General Knowledge Team. Goes to Polytechnic. Address: Mallans, Sundridge, Nr. Sevenoaks, Kent. KELSEY, R.B. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. House Prefect. Captain of Sailing Club. 3rd XV Rugby. 3rd X I Hockey. 2nd X I Cricket. Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. Goes to College. Address: Cedar House, Woollett Hall Farm, North Cray, Sidcup, Kent. NEW, P.G. (1973- ) . "O", " A " and "S" levels. Scholarship. Clothworkers Prize. James Poole Prize. Grizelle Prize. Macdonald Prize. Derrick Prize. Bossom Prize. Distinction Prize. Current Affairs. Junior and Intermediate Reading Prizes. U4th and V t h Form Prizes. Head of House. Editor of Suttonian. Chairman of Hunting Society. Hon. Sec. of History Society. Captain of 3rd XV Rugby. Producer of Senior Play, Junior Play. Head Librarian. General Knowledge Team. Goes to Oxford University. Address: Cricket Willow, Church Road, Walpole St. Peter, Nr. Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. NOVI, D.C.S. (1976). " O " and " A " levels. Geography Field Work Prize. " O " level prize. House Prefect. Senior Cross Country Team. Senior Athletics Team. Male Voice Chorus. Goes to University. Address: 39, Hazelmere Road, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent. PARRETT, G.D. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. Clothworkers Prize. Head of House. Stage Manager. 1st X V Rugby. Senior Athletics Team. Senior Swimming Team. Halfcolours: Rugby, Swimming, Athletics. Goes to Polytechnic. Address: Letts Green, Knockholt, Nr. Sevenoaks, Kent. ROSENWALD, J.P. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. 3rd X V Rugby. 2nd X I Hockey. U14 X I Cricket. 1st V I Tennis. Squash Set. Full colours: Tennis. Address: Old Basted, Borough Green, Nr. Sevenoaks, Kent. STEVENS, G.P. (1977). " O " levels. C.C.F. L/cpl. Goes to College. Address: 2, Farnaby Drive, Sevenoaks, Kent. TAKI, J. (1976). " 0 " levels. Distinction prizes. U15 Rugby Team. Intermediate Athletics Team. Lifesaving Bronze Medallion. Goes to University. Address: 2,500 Virginia Avenue, APT 6075, Zip-Code 20037, Washington D.C, U.S.A.

WATSON, J.T. (1976). " 0 " and " A " levels. Geography Field Prize. House Prefect. C.C.F. Cpl. 3rd X V Rugby. Senior Fencing Team. Half-colours: Fencing. Hunting Society. Choir. Orchestra. History Society. Sports Council. Librarian. Goes to Polytechnic. Address: The Rectory, Silverton, Nr. Exeter, Devonshire. BECKET, G.P. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. House Prefect. C.C.F. Cpl. Senior Athletics. Squash 1st V . U16, U15, Squash half-colours. Taking year o f f before trying to enter Polytechnic. Address: Berry hill. The Ridgeway, Cranleigh, Surrey.

CORNWALLIS BRAKE, P.J. (1978). " O " levels. Intermediate Cross Country Team and Intermediate Swimming Team. Goes on to College. Address: Walnut Lodge, Ball Lane, Kennington, Ashford, Kent. BRICE, P.G.G. (1978). " O " levels. 1st X I Hockey. 1st X I Cricket. Junior Cross Country Team and U14 Squash. Half-colours: Cricket. Goes on to College. Address: Three Oaks House, Three Oaks, Nr. Hastings, S u

SSGX

BUCKERIDGE, J.C.M. (1975). " 0 " and " A " levels. Headmaster's Prize. Clothworkers'Prize and " O " level prize. Head of School. Suttonian Committee. Head o f C.C.F. 1st X V Rugby. 2nd X I Hockey. Senior Swimming Team and U 16 Basketball Team. Full colours Swimming. Hunting Society and Senior Play. Goes to R.M.A. Sandhurst. Address: c/o Flat 3A, Beaconsfield House, Beacon Road, Crowborough, Sussex. BUCKERIDGE, S.F.M. (1977). " 0 " levels. U16 Rugby. U16 Hockey. Junior Athletics. Senior Swimming Team. House Play. Goes to school in Canada. Address: 9 Sir Ector Court, Markham, Ontario, Canada, L3P2W6. DISMORR, J.P.M. (1975). " 0 " and " A " levels. Upper I V form prize. L B I Chemistry and Physics prizes. Upper V I Maths and Physics prizes. Scholarship and a distinction prize. 2nd Rugby. 1st X I Hockey. 1st X I Cricket. Half-colours Cricket. Chess team. Goes to University to read Electronics. Address: Highfields, Northiam, E. Sussex. HARRIS, S.R. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. Distinction prizes. Lower V I Geography prize. Upper V I Geography prize. House Prefect. 3rd X V Rugby. 3rd X I Hockey. Bronze D. of E.. Badminton U19 team. Goes to University. Address: 122A St. Helen's Down,Hastings, East Sussex. LICENCE, S.P. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. U V I Art prize. Joyce Drayson art prize. Clothworkers' Prize. School Prefect. C.C.F. Sargeant. Hon. Sec. of Hockey. Captain of 1st X V Rugby and 1st X I Hockey. U14A Cricket. Junior Athletics. Senior Swimming. Senior Basketball. Full colours Swimming, Rugby, Hockey. Goes to College. Address: c/o Lt. Col. B. Licence, Logistics Division, H.Q. Afsouth, B.F.P.O. 8, Italy. MARSHALL, W.N. (1977). " O " levels. Distinction prize. 2nd Rugby. U16 Basketball. House play. Hunting Society. Lead singer of School group and did lettering for School. Goes to College. Address: 5 Spinney Oak, Bickley Hall, Bickley, Bromley, Kent.


MOONY, D.J. (1976). " O " and " A " levels. Distinction Prize and Lower 6th Art Prize. 3rd X V Rugby. 3rd X I Cricket. House play. School librarian. Goes to Goldsmith Art College. Address: 23 Highfield Road. Chislehurst, Kent. BR7 6QX.

WILLIAMS, T.O. (1975). " O " and " A " levels. C.C.F'. Cpl. Rugby 3rd XV. Hockey 3rd X I . Senior Athletics. D.o.E. Bronze Award. House play. Choir and Orchestra. Bridge team. Goes to University. Address: Slaney, Heverswood, Brasted, Westerh'aml Kent. •

SALVETE CHRISTMAS TERM, 1979 Comwallis Bowcock T . J . Daniel W.R.J. Geddes W.G.T. Glenister D . C Marino P.M. Mackay M.K. Nagy S.C. Norman R.P. Seifouri M. Taheri B. Wong E . S . C . Williams C.C.

Founder's Benfield J.M. Burgess S.F.S. Cathchpole E . L . Henry C.J. HoUins D.S. Jones P.M. Neeves J. A. Windsor P.D. Leggett W.

Lambe's Barrett G.J.S. Garton J. Lam E . R Muwanga M. Trotter G . B . Jamal F . K .

Westminster

Lambe's

Gray M.S. Hirst J.M. Hamayounfor B. Ray nor M.S. Scott-Brown G.J.M. Toler J.B. Zia A.

Allnatt T.R.

St. Margaret's O'Grady I. P. Pugh (mi) A . C . Ward T.M. Kwok M.P.K.

Bennett Burrett S.C. Chambers D.M. De'ath E . Groves (mi) J . Jones S.B. Kingsland S.J. Kruger K . B . Mathias K . A . Nicholass G.J. Smith G. Yau Y . L . Yorke M.S.

Westminster Sterry (mi) R.M.

Bennett Mellinger (ma) C. Mellinger (mi) P.

SUMMER 1980 Holdgate Bird A.S. McCarthy B.C. Miles P.R. Plommer D.G. Straw A.D.S. Swatland R.C.

Founder's Ashdale I . R .

St. Margarets Ribbing C.B.J.

SALVETE - JANUARY 1980 Westminster Comwallis

St. Margaret's Arnold N.J.E. Galton W.J. Graham A.D.M. HamUton P.J. Rees C. Orpin S.J. Piper J . R . Richards J . Ripper H.A. Williams S.R.D.

Alshami I. Dartnell T. Williams H.M.

Founder's Chambers (ma) A. P. Doust W. Matthews R.S. Warner M.C.

All Z. Doree A.


AVE ATQUE VALE appointment at Felsted School; Mr. Geoffrey Pearson, a more recent recruit,, had decided to train for the priesthood and so departed. A fuller appreciation of the contributions of these men appears below. Elsewhere also will be found a section devoted to a review of our most notable 'leaver': the Headmaster, Mr. Michael Rickets, who has retired after 13 years at the helm.

At the beginning of the academic year, we welcomed the following new members of the teacliing staff; Mr. M. A. Gordon, B.A., to teach Modern Languages; Mr. C. P. M. King, B.A., Geography; Dr. C. I . K. Lallyett, B.Sc, Ph.D., Biology; and Mr. D. J. Pearce, B.Sc, Mathmatics. The end of the Christmas Term saw the departure of Mr. Robin Jackson, Assistant Director of Music since 1973 to take up a post at Bath University. We were most fortunate to secure the services of Mr. P. J. T. Keene, Organ Scholar elect of Peterhouse, Cambridge, at short notice: This meant that the high standard of musicianship and virtuosity on the keyboard has continued despite Robin's migration to the West Country; those of us who love good organ music, beautifully played, are indeed indebted to Paul Keene for his expertise in that department, but Paul's contribution in other areas of school mastering lead us to conclude that he would make a fine teacher, were he to plump for a career in the profession in due course. Some tiling of an 'exodus' took place at the end of the school year, too. Mr. Bernard Warburton, Head of Science and of Chemistry for a good many years, and well-known figure in the annals o f S.V.S. retired; Mr. Alastair GreirsonRickford, a member of the English Department since 1972 and House Tutor of St. Margaret's moved to take up an

B.

Mrs. Val Gardner, Matron of Lamb's for 4 years, has also moved on to pastures new. Her ministrations to the 'halt and the lame', to the numerous denizens of the House stricken by mysterious "lurgies" on Monday mornings, or simply to the lonely, homesick and shell-shocked have always been carried out with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of compassion and understanding. Val's litfie lambs have a great deal to thank her for! We wish her every success in her new post at Eastbourne College. We bade farewell, too, to Charlie Harris. O.S. and Friends of the School, will be saddened to hear of the death of Charlie, electrician and handiman extraordinaire. The manner of his passing, screwdriver in hand and fag in mouth, may be some consolation to those who knew him, but the gap left by his death will always be difficult to fill. A fuller obituary may be read elsewhere in this magazine.

nw.

This summer Bernard Warburton retires, in whom the School loses a loyal servant and the Common Room a good friend. Bernard came to Sutton Valence in 1954 to teach Chemistry, and a year later took over the Science Department. He has therefore been responsible for the Science School since it was built, and during that time he has shown both forcefulness and tact in maintaining the status of different subjects wathin his department. Any school needs its characters, and Bernard amply justifies this description. His opinions are whole hearted and stoutly defended, whether they concern the merits of a hymn tune or a technicality of O Level entry. He isarelUgious scientist with strong leanings towards astrology - and of how many men could one say that? It came as no surprise to me to learn that he is also a vegetarian, and 1 with my fellow-carnivores have at times been the butt of his scorn. I think of him as a great mutterer, and my chief memory of him will, I think, be sitting in the Common Room, perhaps with a copy of his Church Times in his hand, bursting into hoots of indignation over some incident or remark, which would quickly turn into laughter when he found a ready listener, as he usually did.

Though not a games specialist, Bernard has done his full share of cricket umpiring over the years, and he was also closely connected with Hockey, particularly in the fifties when it was first introduced to the School. Since those days he has become more involved with indoor tasks, notably the organization of O and A Level entries and the timetabling of these exams. This has become increasingly comphcated: the School now uses four different examining boards, each with its own rules concerning such things as the use of calculators and the conduct o f multi-choice papers, and we have come to rely on Bernard to guide us through this maze of difficulty. It is unlikely that Bernard will be idle in his retirement. He will have more time to spend on his|garden, or clocks, or stamps, or perhaps he will become a churchwarden again, as he was once at Chart Sutton. Whatever he does 1 am sure the generations o f Suttonians - not only scientists will join me in wishing him and Bridget all happiness in this new stage of their life REH. 10


A.N.G.R At the end of the Summer Term we said farewell to Alistair and Moira Grierson-Rickford. Following a short spell at Uppingham, Alistair arrived in September 1972 to teach En^ish throughout the school. From the start he made it obvious that he had high standards, and throughout his teaching career here he always strove for academic excellence and was rarely satisfied with anything less than that; it would probably be true to say that 'he did not suffer fools gladly'. But Alistair was far more than just an academic: he was a real schoolmaster and there was little he did not at some time turn his hand to. After three years here he was appointed to the House Tutorship of St. Margaret's House under Keith Smith, and he and Moira, his charming wife, were the first occupants of the converted married tutor's flat on the east side of the House. He proved a more than capable deputy, coping readily with the demands made upon him, notably when K.M.S. was ill. He must have been disappointed not to have been given the House on K.M.S.' retirement but I , more than anyone, can say he harboured no grudges and gave full support to me when I took over as Housemaster two years ago. He expected high standards of conduct and selfdiscipline from the boys, and 1 much valued his opinions when there was a crisis of any sort that needed discussing or dealing with. On the games field, Alistair gave unstintingly of his time in all three terms. However, although he ran or helped to run several successful sides in rugby and hockey at Under 14 and Under 16 levels, it was in the cricket that he made his biggest impact. He began by helping Graham Able with the Ist XI but, on the latter's appointment to Westminster House, took over in 1977. Besides coaching teams that were very difficult to defeat, he was responsible for the development of the old style 'Cricket Week' into the Cricket Festival involving five schools and including St. Peter's, York. Alastair was no mean performer himself, especially with the ball, whether as fast bowler or, in even more deadly vein, as a very accurate off-spinner; he will be difficult to replace in the Common Room XI for which on two recent occasions he took nine wickets in an innings! He taught his charges to be competitive and as a player himself he was certainly this, as most of his opponents, especially boys, will remember to their cost in certain hockey and soccer matches against the staff! A certain Michael Pargatch of the Gramm's C.C. will not forget some bruises and Alastair's bowling on a lively wicket on Upper some three years ago! In his earlier days at Sutton Valence he was just the sort of person needed to help with the organisation of Sixth form Conferences, Debating Societies and Quiz Teams. When these were handed to others, it was not long before he agreed to become Roger Douglas' successor as Editor of the 'Suttonian'. For the past few years he has steadily transferred the magazine into the style he wanted - a record of school events on the one hand but also a literary and artistic publication on the other. As i f all this was not enough, Alastair made a significant contribution to the name in the school both as producer and actor. His 'Toad of Toad Hall' notable for his ingenious handling of the crowd scenes, will be remembered for many years, while a more recent Lower Sixth presentation of 'The Caretaker' was imaginatively interpreted with a cagelike setting. Others will remember him as Bill Sykes in

'Oliver' and as The Producer in Colin Shaw's production-o the 'Pageant', one of the highlights of the CJuatci • Centenary Year. Beneath what a few might have called a brusque exterior, Alastair had a more sensitive understanding of boys and people generally than he was given credit for. He gave up a considerable amount of his time to assisting boys with individual problems, while in the village he played his part in Parish Hfe, especially during the Stewardship Campaign. In addition, he gave a much needed touch of distinction to the readings in Chapel and was as quick as anyone in completing the 'Times' crossword! Moira was superbly loyal in her support of Alistair and will be much missed. Most of us will remember with great pleasure the generous, friendly hospitality she so often provided at her home. Besides teaching at various times at Southborough and Angley Schools, she stepped in on many occasions to aid the French department either in class or by offering extra tuition. We are grateful for all they have done at Sutton Valence and will miss them a great deal. We wish them both and their two sons, Nicholas and Timothy, the very best of good fortune in their new life at Felsted. R.D.C.

F.R.R. J. Robin Jackson's appointment to teach at Sutton Valence School was his first, but his impact was considerable and he will be remembered with affection by his colleagues and boys for a long time. I shall always recall how boys would stay behind after chapel and would enthusiastically applaud his organ voluntaries. His big man's infectious humour, his natural friendUness and his generous disposition made him welcome everywhere. He was educated at Oundle and the Royal College of Music. He became deputy organist of St George's Cathedral, Southwark in 1972 and continued until 1979. He was appointed Assistant Director of Music at Sutton Valence in September 1974 and was immediately made House Tutor of Cornwallis. It was while he was in residence there that he achieved the near-impossible feat of becoming engaged without anyone's fore-knovidng. Not only did he play the organ, but the harpsicord, the flute, the piano and the euphonium. He sang, notably with male voice choir and that marvellous quartet, and on one occasion was even seen dancing a sort of jig as Toad of Toad Hall. He was not noted for sporting prowess (he preferred watching professional wrestling) but could on occasion be seen on the wintry wastes of BM marking cross-country races. He gave valuable assistance to RFB in driving for and in running D of E expeditions. His marriage in August 1976 was to Maureen McAlister former Professor of Recorder at the London School of Music, who contributed to the music department by teaching a small number of GCE candidates. Together, they gave recitals far afield and locally and they produced Alexander in December 1978. He was christened in the Chapel. Robin and Maureen left us in December 1979 when Robin was appointed Director of Students' Music at the University of Bath. We were all sorry to see them go but we wish Robin, Maureen and Alexander much further success. WKP


BENNETT-HUNTING MEMORIAL AWARDS The Bennett-Hunting Memorial Awards for 1979/80 have been made to:

AWARDS AND PRIZES

GRAEME KEMSLEY (Christ Church, Oxford) STEPHEN COOKSON (Durham University)

,;rhe following awards have been made as a result of the ./PG.C.E. ' O ' level examinations:

ATCHISON BEQUESTS: The Atchison Awards for 1979/80 have been made to:

SCHOLARSHIPS R. P. Orpin A. K. Charlton T. J. M. Hills B. C. M. Cheng

GRAHAM SAGAR (Southampton University)

Already holder of a Minor Scholarship awarded a Major Scholarship.

JOHN TURNER (University of East Anglia)

EXHIBITION L-Y Lau

THANKS On behalf of the School we would like to take this opportunity to thank:

PRIZES

the Revd. Cannon P. Davison (O.S.) for the gift of books to the Library. Roy Midmer (O.S.) for the presentation of his book 'English Mediaeval Monastaries 1066-1540'.

S. W. Baker D. C. S. Clark R. P. Crundwell M. W. Hann T. C. Risby A. R. Shaw C. A. Stanford-Beale S. Twiltemsup R. A. C. Wiggins M M. Wong

Mrs. Blaxland for her gift of a bench for Upper. Dr. John Feltwell for his presentation of a cup for an Ecology Award open to boys in Junior Forms. the Drayson Family for their very generous gift of the Joyce Drayson Art Prize. the Barham family for their presentation of a Cup for the five thousand meters. Mrs. Elizabeth King for her generous gift to buy an instrument for use in the new Music School in memory of her brother John Landgate Loxley, (O.S.) 1931-1936.

SCHOLARSHIPS - SUMMER 1980 The following Awards were announced: Senior Paine D. T. Gedney F. F. (mi)

Mcintosh S. I .

Dragon School, Eylesden Court Preparatory School and Sutton Valence School. Headcorn County Primary School and Sutton Valence School

Scholarship Scholarship

King's College School, Cambridge.

Exhibition

Plaits Heath County Primary School. St. James' Junior School, Tunbridge Wells and Sutton Valence School.

Major School

Exhibition

Art Wilmot E. Junior Lumsden A. M. Miles P. R.

Scholarship

12


CHAPEL NOTES Timothy Allnatt (L) Clifford Hollett (C) Paul Anderson (F) Simon Licence (C) Peter Apps (M) Simon Orpin (M) Richard Bedford (M) Tim Phillips (L) Stephen Burrett (B) Simon Rata (C) Andrew Butler (C) Gordon Scott-Brown (W) Richard Coate (C) Sina Sotuminu (H) Charles Eckley (L) Robin Thomas (W) Michael Gray (W) David Tissiman (L) Ian Grundy (W) James Toler (W) Dominic Guy (L) Dominic zan Zwanenberg(B) Mark Hann (W) Andrew Waters (H) Finlay Hinde (L) Once again, the candidates spent a quiet day at St. Nicholas' Friary at Harbledown and we are grateful to the Society of St. Francis for making us welcome and for conducting the three days.

THE CHAPEL OF SAINT PETER At a recent meeting of School Chaplains, the Very Reverend Edward Patey, Dean of Liverpool, began an interesting talk with these words : I have sometimes gained the impression as an occasional visiting preacher that some Public Schools seem to order things in such a way as to suggest that they are training boys to take their place within a nineteenth century Established , Church. But fee paying schools like to justify their existence by claiming that they have a special mission to provide Church and State with the leaders of the future...' and he goes on to say that it is therefore a particular responsibility of such Schools to keep a close eye on all the movements for change in the life of the Church and in the presentation of the Christian faith - he instances the acceptance of theological diversity, liturgical renewal, 'politicisation' of the Gospel, the laicisation of the church, and ecumenism, as nettles which should be grasped firmly, and used and presented fairly to our pupils.

Preachers During the year, we have been glad to welcome among the preachers at our Eucharist on Sunday mornings Mr. J.S. Woodhouse, Head Master of Rugby School; the Bishop of Rochester; Mr. Ian Beer, Head Master o f Lancing College; and Brother Angelo, of the Society of St. Francis. May I again say how pleased we are to see parents, friends, and Old Boys of the School at our Sunday service, which is invariably at 10.00 a.m.

Many will shudder at such ideas - or at least some of them; we have only to think for a moment of the outraged cries which greeted the revision of the liturgy (cries which came largely from those who do not use the liturgy, but simply value its undisputed linguistic beauty); and some of the shouts of 'heresy' which can still be heard when a new attempt to present a theological dogma is made. Of course the Bible itself warns us of the dangers of following every hareVthat crosses our path - St.Paul tells Timothy that 'the time will come when they will not stand wholesome teaching but will follow their own fancy and will gather a crowd of teachers to tickle their ears'; and we have to pray that whatever new ideas come to us are truly inspired by the Holy Spirit, and are not simply some clever new gimmickry or a desire to be 'with it'. Such fears, however, must not produce the ostrich syndrome; burying heads in the sand and pretending that nothing must change will be the surest way to kill the spark of Christian faith which waits to be kindled into a blazing flame of response in each of our pupils, i f it can be given the right conditions. It is our responsibility at School to try to provide those conditions.

Gifts During the year, we have been presented with a fine silver wafer box, in memory of John Wallis ( L & F: 1950 - 57), and a splendid ciborium, presented by Mr. A.G.P. Collings. O S (W : 1920 - 26). We are most grateful for both gifts, which will be in regular use Sunday by Sunday at our Eucharists. Elsewhere in this issue is printed the tribute paid by the Chairman of the Governors to the Headmaster and Mrs. Ricketts on Speech Day, and in it he refers particularly to the interest and concern shown by the Headmaster in the Chapel and the Chaplain's work at the School. In endorsing these remarks, I would like to record my own very grateful thanks to the Headmaster for his support and encouragement; many of the changes and improvements which we have introduced have been assisted considerably by the Headmaster's constant interest and enthusiasm. Similarly, the valuable contribution made by Mrs. Ricketts must not be overlooked. For organising the flower rotas each term, for co-ordinating everything for the Harvest Festival, and above all for opening her home to all and sundry for coffee after the Service on Sunday mornings, we owe a great debt of gratitude to Judy Ricketts, for the contribution (often unseen and unsung) which she has made to our worship and our witness. In extending warm and sincere thanks for all this to them both, we send them our Blessings for every happiness in the future.

In these pages last year, I gave an account of the dedication of the Chapel in honour of St.Peter, and at the end of these notes this year will be found the text of the sermon which the Bishop of Maidstone preached on that occasion. I commend to you particularly his words on the Christian willingness to learn (like St.Peter) the way of self-distrust, of servanthood, and of trust in God; it is along the way that the real self will be found. Confirmation Service 1980 A Service of Confirmation was held in the Chapel on Sunday, May 18th, and the following boys were confirmed by the Bishop of Maidstone, who also celebrated the Eucharist:

The Revd David Barnes Chaplain 13


The Chapel of Saint Peter (The text of the Sermon preached by The Right Reverend Richard Third, Bishop of Maidstone, on 29th June 1979, at the Golden Jubilee Service). I choose as a text that verse of scripture which most nearly approximates to the School motto: from Psalm 56, ve^se 11, 'In God have I put my trust'. At a very early stage in the planning of this occasion, :"the School Chaplain was kind enough to send me a draft copy of the Service, and invited my comments upon it. After some exchanges of correspondence, we were left with a trifling disagreement about the function of a patron saint; it was a subject which was really too long for correspondence, so 1 promised to save it up for the sermon. What do we expect of Peter? There were special reasons why Peter was chosen as the saint by whose name this Chapel will now be called. Although it is fifty years next month that we celebrate the dedication of the Chapel by Archbishop Lang, it was on Saint Peter's Day in 1928 that the foundation stone was laid. There is a sort of manliness about Peter wlrich seems to fit him to be the name-saint of a Public School. The big fisherman, his muscles well-developed from his labours on the Sea of Galilee - he might, 1 think have been a useful addition to the 1st X V ! He possessed in a notable degree that quality of self-reliance which we like to encourage in our young; indeed, he was not loathe, on occasion, to set his Master right, and (although I think that the Staff would not greatly relish a pupil of that kind) what great potential for leadership there is in a person like that! And yet ... it is not in honour of Simon the fisherman that we have dedicated this Chapel - but of Peter the Saint. And the qualities of the saint are strangely different from those of the fisherman. Peter the saint is the same man; but he is Simon, who, by a painful discovery, has come to three great truths:1. He has come to acknowledge his own weakness. 2. He has come to renounce his own ambition. 3. He has been forced to put his trust in God. One text which I considered using to-day was from the tenth Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles - when Peter shouted 'No, Lord, No! to God at the vision of the unclean things. Peter knew it was not right to eat unclean food; Peter knew better than the Voice of God! And again when he came to recognize that Jesus was the Christ, he said 'No!' to God a third time, when he told he would be among those who would deny Christ. That is Simon the fisherman! But Peter the saint is Simon AFTER he has been broken and remade.

I hope that Sutton Valence School realizes what it is doing in choosing Peter to be the patron saint, for it seems that Simon the fisherman might have been much more acceptable as a pupil, and certainly as an Old Boy; for Simon has those qualities of self-reliance and ambition that get a man on! Peter knows he is weak; he has given up the dream of being God's right-hand man, and he goes forward not in self-confidence, but in faith. When your Founder, William Lambe, founded the School in 1576 he chose as his motto 'My Trust is in God Alone'. It was a pretty obvious motto in the 16th century; for in those days man, even though he was already flexing the muscles of his independence, deeply believed that he depended for everything upon the goodwill of his Creator. I think that the 20th century has much more in common with Simon than with Peter, for although we may be growing out of it, I think we still believe that man can do everytliing; that there is no problem which we shall not ultimately solve. We have our ambitions high: and no one will contradict us. But we've dedicated this Chapel in the name of the broken, re-made man; and, when we come and pray in the Chapel of Saint Peter, can we really ask God-or Peter - to help us fulfil our own ambition, get our own goal achieved? If parents in these days choose to send their son to a distinctively Christian school, I hope that they realize that the task of that school is not just to make them intellectually competent and socially acceptable according to the spirit of the age, for the spirit of the age is not a Christian spirit. And i f we come to be nurtured in the faith of Christ, it is to learn with Peter the new way of self-distrust, of servanthood, of trust in God. In the correspondence that I had with the Chaplain, it was the word 'patron' that I jibbed at - 'putting ourselves under his protection'. There was a time when it was necessary for any man who wanted to get on in the world to have a patron, and they served an important function. What should we have known of Bach i f it were not for the Margrave of Brandenburg and others like him? But 1 don't think we can rely on Peter to help us get on in the world. Rather, Peter will take us by the hand, and make us learn with him the way of obedience and commitment. It isn't an easy way - it led Peter to martyrdom, and it yields little obvious success. But it is the way of fulfilment - and it is the way alone that we can fulfil that motto that the Founder chose - 'My Trust is in God Alone'.

14


MUSIC RETROSPECT 1979-80 The highlight of the musical year at Sutton Valence was undoubtedly the production of'Ruddigore'. Sullivan's orchestration calls for a professional standard of skill and indeed many 'amateur' productions are accompanied by professional or semi-professional orchestras; but, following the usual policy o f using our own resources as far as possible, it was decided to write parts for the available instrumentalists, backed by a skilful pianist. Parts were written for woodwind and brass, our strongest sections, and rehearsals began on Act I just after half-term in the Christmas Term. The parts for Act I I were written during the Christmas holidays and our weekly rehearsals of half an hour or so started, few of them fully attended because many of the instrumentalists were also games players. Some of the players, only one of whom had passed an exam higher than Grade 4, blanched slightly at the sight of a thirty-three page flute part or twenty-three page trumpet part, and four-flat and four-sharp key-signatures caused some anxiety (not to mention an occasional six-flat passage), but in the end all but one, who dropped out of what he felt was an unequal contest, coped with the difficulties extremely well, as indeed I expected that they would. Our pianist, Paul Keene, provided a rock-steady backing for our efforts, and the musicians surprised themselves and others with a standard of playing they did not know they could achieve. The outstanding musician of the year was without question Lionel Lau, quite the best keyboard player we have had for many years, who, in addition to playing in concerts, took three Associated Board Practical Examinations: in December, Grade 6 Organ, passing with Distinction, in March, Grade 8 Piano, again with Distinction, and in July, Grade 8 Organ, the result of which is not yet known. At the end of the first week of the Summer Term we again welcomed the Kent Organists' Association, who held their AGM at the School. Paul Keene gave a recital in Chapel, tea was taken, and Lionel Lau and the Male Voice Chorus gave a short concert to a very appreciative audience, an appreciation which was doubly welcome because it came from fellow musicians. The Prep. Schools' Orchestral Festival, organised by SATIPS (The Society of Assistants Teaching in Preparatory Schools), took place as usual in May, and we were very fortunate in having a beautiful, sunny day for it. Music and swimming were both much enjoyed, and an orchestra of about 120 young musicians gave rousing performances of the Toreador's Song from Carmen and the Polka from Schwanda the Bagpiper, and a slightly less rousing performance of a suite by Rory Boyle, specially written for this year's festival, a very demanding piece with many changes of time-signature and unfamiliar sounds, challenges with which the young players, none of them over 13, coped remarkably well, though more rehearsal might well have produced a more accurate account of the work. Progress on the building of the Music School has been going on apace, and indeed is so advanced that the official handing over has been brought forward from August I4th to July 14th, and the Music Department will be busy moving in during the Summer hoUdays. After so many years of managing in the refrigerated atmosphere of Room 5A, the

Almshouses and the inadequate practice rooms, musiciansv;,!, both pupils and teachers, will find a very marked change iht;; their musical way of life, and it is hoped that more people will be encouraged to develop their musical talents. We say goodbye at the end of term to Duncan Syers, our violin teacher, who has worked with quiet enthusiasm, notably with the Beginners' Class, and often under great difficulties because of lack of rehearsal time and, it must be said, a rather unrehable motor car. He always took his work seriously and was able to establish a fruitful rapport with his pupils, all of whom benefited from his teaching. We thank him for his efforts on our behalf and wish him well in the future. Next term will see the arrival of Keith Evans, successor to Paul Keene, and his wife, Julie, successor to Duncan Syers. We hope that they will be very happy here. And to finish: our thanks to those many members of staff and their wives who have contributed their time and talents to the musical Ufe of the School, and particularly for their help in putting on 'Ruddigore'. A.G.F.

SUMMER CONCERT ORCHESTRA L a bonne aventure Le petit homme gris MALE VOICE CHORUS Trinklied Liebe Wilkommen Down by the Sally Gardens O Waly, Waly Oliver Cromwell

Inghelbrecht arr. Foulkes Schubert Schubert Schubert arr. Britten arr. Britten arr. Britten

PIANO Ballade in G minor, Op. 118 No. 3 Morning, from Peer Gynt Whistling Hikers Les Noces d'Argent

Brahms Greig Shirley Munger Chaminade

MALE VOICE QUARTET George Jones You and I and George My Blue Heaven When Pa Toot-toot-tootsie Peggy O'Neil

Yale Song Book Kenton arr. Foulkes arr. Frey Yale Song Book arr. Frey arr. Frey

WOODWIND Two Mexican Dances

Foulkes

MALE VOICE CHORUS There's a meetmg here tonight Sweetest Sound Liza Gershwin The Girl from Ipanema Moon River Papa Didn't Know

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arr. Foulkes arr. Foulkes arr. Foulkes Jobim arr. Foulkes Mancini arr. Foulkes Jamaican arr. Foulkes


RUDDIGORE' also at least half a dozen of Sullivan's best tunes. Well known to all will be Sir Roderick's atmospheric expose of ghosthood: 'When the night wind howls...' and Dick Dauntless's jaunty recounting of naval 'derring-do' in ' I shipped, d'ye see, in a Revenue sloop...' But here too are to be found the less famihar but no less praiseworthy 'The battle's roar is over...' (a melodious duet between Dick and Rose), Mad Margaret's haunting lament 'To a garden full of posies...' Dame Hannah's poignant love-song 'There grew a little flower...' and, of course, the delightful duet between Robin and Rose ' I know a youth...' in which they seek to appraise each other, by means of evasive impersonality, of their mutual love. These vocal talents were honed to concert-pitch by Graham Foulkes. His patience may have been sorely tested at times, in rehearsal, by recalcitrant members o f the chorus who couldn't remember which 'line' they were supposed to be following in the score, but his nerve held firm, and his baton wagged to good effect 'on the night'. The small, but excellent orchestra supported the vocaHsts magnificently and Paul Keene's masterful piano playing ensured that instruments and voices maintained a h i ^ degree of 'ensemble'. And what of the producer? His task is always monumental, in tying together all the threads of a show such as this: the problems are all too familiar: sets to be designed and constructed, costumes and props...no need to list them all! And so the debt of gratitude owed by one and all, audience and performers alike, to Colin Shaw must here be acknowledged. I am sure I am not alone in hoping that Colin will not wait another decade before again unlocking this particularly delightful Pandora's box! As befits a triumph of this order, let us dwell briefly upon some of its greatest moments: The dynamic duo of Ruthven and Adam contemplating their changed circumstances in ' I once was as meek as a new-born lamb...' (look out, St. Margaret's!), the ghostly ancestors materializing in a green glow, the inimitable timing of our three veterans of the 'Evers era' in 'My eyes are fully opened to my awful situation...', those bright and breezy crowd scenes and, above all, that pair again! Who can forget their showstopping duet ' I once was a very abandoned person...' in which Mad Margaret gets her despart and together they contemplate a new life in education'. 'Pontsites' of a certain vintage may have had reservations about the deftly delivered lines...'And now we rule a National School, the duties are dull, but I'm not complaining..' but for the rest of us, their obvious dehght in the response they received summed up all that is worthwhile in a school production, which is undertaken as much for the enjoyment of the participants as it is for the entertainment of the audience. I hope I may be forgiven if, in concluding these remarks, I seek elsewhere for an apt quotation with which to sum up the response of us all to this production. A previous community effort 'Oliver' supplies me with just the words I need, though a slight emendation, pace Charles Dickens, is necessary: 'Please, sir, we want some more!'

After an absence of a dozen years or so, Sutton Valence welcomed back the 'good old days' of Gilbert and Sullivan, when Colin Shaw's production of the less familiar work 'Ruddigore' took to the boards. The show played to packed audiences, and all who saw it would agree that this revival was well up to standard. Wisely, in view of the lengthy 'lay-off, Colin sought his leading players from among the ranks of the more seasoned singers: as the lovers Robin Oakapple and Rose Maybud, Robert Chance and Mary Able would certainly have been everyone's choice, so delightfully did their voices blend, and Bob's later descent, as the newly unmasked Sir Ruthven, into the lower registers of the 'basso profundo' showed off his fine range to perfection. And who can imagine 'G. and S.' at S.V. without that inimitable pair of troupers Richard and Margaret Horn? One hastens to affirm that there was not the shghtest hint of type-casting in the latter's appearance in the part of Mad Margaret, nor was Richard's true temperament at all out of place in the persona of Sir Despard, who turned out to be no more than a spurious 'bad barf, and quite a 'nice old stick' really. That Mad Margaret should turn out to be his jilted lover was no more than we had all suspected would happen from the first! Mr. Geoffrey Pearson sang Dick Dauntless with great flair, and delighted us all with his nautically flavoured athleticism. (Some of the girls in the chorus are still out of breath from having tried too hard to emulate his high-stepping hornpipe !) Mr. Christopher Parkinson proved a worthy henchman for his master, both as the faithful retainer and as the metamorphosed 'valet de chambre', aiding and abetting Sir Ruthven in his life of crime. These 'old hands' were well supported by the three youngsters who took solo parts: l l i c y Mayor and Sally Rowe showed that they had much talent for singing and acting as they led the chorus of professional bridesmaids, and Guy Moncur took on the difficult part of the ghostly Sir Roderick, and sang the testing solo with growing confidence. It is certainly to be hoped that they will be fired by their success in this production to seek further glories in the near future. Also new to our stage was Ann Hawkes, whose resonant contralto had achieved noted success in the concert hall, but had not before been heard in an operatic role. No-one who heard Ann's interpretation of Dame' Hannah's songs could possibly have doubted the quahty of her voice. Her range and power were a consummate joy to savour. Add to these a well-rehearsed and lively chorus of 'bridesmaids' and 'blades', whose colourful costumes and spirited singing proved a handsome backdrop against which were displayed the talents of the 'stars'. It is hard to think of a better evening's entertainment than that provided by a slick production of 'Ruddigore'. What with witches' curses, wicked baronets, ghostly ancestors, unexpected unmaskings, unhkely reversals of the plot, and ladies who seek the answers to each and every question by referring to books on etiquette, the show could hardly be dull! Gilbert's Hght-hearted spoof of contemporary melodrama is a theatrical delight, and, of course, there is the undoubted bonus that 'Ruddigore' contains

A.N.G.R. 16


17


V

18


CAST - (in order of appearance) Zorah Ruth Dame Hannah Rose Maybud Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd Old Adam Goodheart Richard Dauntless Mad Margaret Sir Despard Murgatroyd Sir Roderic Murgatroyd

(Professional Bridesmaids) (Rose's Aunt) (A Village Maiden) (Disguised as Robin Oakapple, a Young Farmer) (Robin's Faithful Servant) (Robin's Foster-Brother a Man - 'o - war's man) (Of Ruddigore -A Wicked Baronet) (Ghost of the Twenty-first Baronet)

Lucy Mayor Sally Rowe Ann Hawkes Mary Able

j

Robert Chance ; Christopher Parkinson' Geoffrey Pearson Margaret Horn Richard Horn Guy Moncur

"•

Chorus of professional Bridesmaids:- Susan Barham, Helene Chance, Veronique Chance, Bridget Dilnot, Philippa Evans, Daphne Harris, Debbie Hockley, Mary Parkinson, Kate Ricketts, Rosemary Ricketts, Gill Smith, Susan Smith, Cherry Walker. Chorus of Bucks and Blades, and also Chorus of Ghosts of earher Baronets: - David Barnes, Mark Derry, Finlay Hinde, Lionel Lau, Laurence Lloyd, Guy Moncur, Mary Shelly, Andrew Strange, Graham Williams.

Orchestra: Flutes Clarinet Trumpets Trombone Piano Accompanist at Rehearsal Instrumental Parts Conducted by Back Stage: Make-up Costumes Stage Manager Stage Gang

Properties Set designed and painted by

Lighting Produced by

Roy Jacobs, Andrew Whitehouse, Andrew Tyley. Simon Norris. Alf Springate, James Rickets, Martin Bennett, Dominic Guy, Nicholas Brake. Bernard Cheng. Paul Keene. Marcus Pettman. Graham Foulkes. Graham Foulkes.

.

.

Rosa Martin, Emmy Kampenga, Val Gardner, Christine Pickard, Girls by Dance Rags, Maidstone. Men by Sutton Valence Theatre Shop. Graham Able. David Tissiman, Simon Courage, Mark Beckett, Roger Crundwell, Mark Dismorr, Stephen Harris, Jaber Taki, Simon Thomas, Andrew Whitehouse. Ivan Ekuza, Neils Sherry. James Marriott, Nick Marshall, Nicholas Miles Jonathan Moony, Mark Prentice, Mark Rayner, Dominic van Zwanenberg, Under the guidance of Mr. William Taylor. Gareth Lewis, Brady Rafuse, David Sterry, Richard Sterry. Mr. Colin Shaw.

19


THE INDUSTRIAL L E C T U R E S A large audience turned up in the Hall on 30th November to hear George Henderson of TGWU talk on 'Our Industrial Future from the Trade Union viewpoint'. After waiting twenty minutes for him to arrive, he still had not turned up. Fortunately ARD was able to find two worthy 'stand-ins'. Tliey were Ken Levy (a district officer of the TGWU) and Jack Button (site manager of Reed International at Aylesford). They both gave splendid 'off-the-cuff talks on 'Our Industrial Future', and for this we are very grateful to them. ARD should be congratulated on a piece of quick thinking, and the HM should be thanked for acting as chairman. Mr. Henderson did arrive in the end, however, and, after apologising, he told us that he was going to speak to us about the TGWU, governments, and then let us ask any questions. He started by telling us that TGWU is the largest trade union in the U.K., and is in fact, eleven separate trade unions in one. 'This way,' he said, 'the TGWU has a finger in every industrial pie.' Members of the TGWU attend branch meetings, and pohcy meetings are held biennially. At meetings, members can raise any problems they have and action can be taken. Mr. Henderson told us of a current problem in open cast mining. Apparently, members wanted a share of the vast profits being made; but the employers wanted to reinvest the money. The argument led to a dispute, which, apparently, trade unions did not particularly want, but disputes are necessary. Mr. Henderson then went on to speak about governments. He told us that governments come and go, but they are all the same, and always tell us that we have to tighten our belts. After having spoken of governments, he spoke of the media, crificising them for 'running down' the U.K., thus discouraging potential foreign investors. He went on to say that we can hold our head up with the rest of the world. He did not deny that we have problems, but he did point out that there are many British companies which do make profits. He concluded by saying that the U.K. is the best country in the world, but unless we Usten to other people's views we are going to fail. Questions were then asked. Afterwards, boys and parents had a chance to speak on a more informal basis with Mr. Henderson in the refectory, where coffee and biscuits were served.

A week later, on 7th December, Lord Thomson came to speak on, 'Our Industrial Future, from the Management viewpoint.' He started o f f by comparing our record with that of other countries in Europe. While others have been on the way up the economic scale, it appears that we have been on the way down. Next, he made a most curious statement: he blamed our present position on the fact that we won the last World War. Whereas Germany suffered the immense shock of defeat, we did not. Germany was able to start 'with a clean slate'. What is more, the U.K. offered to help them create a modern, democratic trade union movement, with the result that they now have the most modern union set-up in the world. Our trade union movement, on the other hand is 'an outdated horse and buggy in a modern, technological world'. He then went on to management, saying that there is a tremendous need for education in business to get the U.K. back on a competitive path, for there are far too few wealth creators coming out of the universities in this country. He added that we must banish the present 'class-system' from industry; managers must be accessible to workers, and vice versa. Lord Thomson then said that we need a radical approach and a sense of shock, i f we are to improve things in this country. He said that the Conservatives are partly fulfilHng this, but they should be aware of the fact that 'Adam Smith is dead'; likewise the Labour party should realise that 'Karl Marx is also dead'. He pointed out that advanced technology has led to increased unemployment. He could not see the point in new technology i f it meant that fewer people were going to be employed; for, as he put i t , 'there is no great virtue in long hours'. He concluded by saying that a 'mixed' industry is the best for giving prosperity and pohtical freedom', and that he hopes the U.K. will do her 'bit' in making Western economy great. Questions were then asked, and coffee was again served in the refectory. Thanks are due to A R D for arranging these valuable lectures, to the speakers themselves, and, of course, to Mrs. Mac and her staff for the coffee and biscuits Richard Orpin

20


INDUSTRY MATTERS - O.K.? A few days later we heard that we had qualified for the finals, and thence had to start rehearsing hard. This was certainly the most tedious part of the project, although it was brightened up by the superb food provided by Reed International (who could forget those prawn vol-auvents?!). At last December the 6th arrived. We entered the County Hall with our props and smart 'Industrial Society' badges, feeling more than just a httle nervous at the prospect of 'acting' before HRH the Duke of Kent. The presentations were varied, but it looked as i f we might stand a good chance as only one other group had managed to involve all its members. In the end, we narrowly won (perhaps by virtue of a pub-sign, on which was written 'The Duke's Head' below a superb caricature of the Duke of Kent: a wise choice of props!). We were photographed with the Duke and were then fortunate enough to be invited to sit at his table for lunch. After lunch there were speeches, followed by a panel session. Then there were presentations from young people involved in schools/industry links in Kent, e.g. the C.R.A.C. insight course and Young Enterprise. There then followed a group discussion on 'What further action can we take to understand better why industry matters?' Finally there was the Chairman's Summary in which we were told to keep our industrial links with our sponsors, and to tell people about the Conference and the many schools/industry link schemes which exist in Kent. With that, he bade us farewell and we departed, trying to decide how we could best use the ÂŁ50 prize money. JBH and CFGP should be thanked for transporting us wherever we needed to go, and for remembering that the project was for the students' benefit.

It was late in September when Richard Knocker, Michael Keeble and myself were asked to participate in an 'Industry Matters - O.K.?' conference which was to be held in the County Hall, Maidstone, on 6th December. The aim of the project would be to bring industrialists, trade unionists and sixth formers together in groups to increase awareness of the importance of industry and commerce in Kent. They would have to produce a presentation for a conference and to formulate practical steps which could be taken by those still at school to find out more about industry and commerce. For us, this would involve working with four pupils from Maidstone School for Girls and three pupils from Tonbridge School. The title of our presentation was to be, 'Why Industry and Commerce Matter to Kent'. We were to be sponsored by Reed International Limited, and we were to be supervised by Mr. John Leeds, Administration and Employment Manager at Reed's. We would receive additional assistance from Mr. Lloyd Jones, also employed at Reed International (the Aylesford site). We had to decide what form our presentation should take. This was easier said than done. Each school had a different idea. After much head-scratching it was decided that we should combine the three as best we could. So the final script consisted of four short interviews in a street in Dover, followed by a song and dance routine about Kent's Ro-Ro cross-Channel ferry services, during the course of which speeches would be made and fingers would be pointed at a 'viewfoil' presentation, illustrating the various industries in Kent. Having perfected the script, we had to send it o f f to be judged. This left us with some spare time; so it was agreed that it would be a good idea for us to be shown around the Reed International site at Aylesford. This gave us a better idea of the variety of jobs available in industry, and was thus very useful.

Richard Orpin 21


C. C. F. NOTES

It was our Reporting Year this year. Major General J.H. Foster, C.B., DTA&C, accepted our invitation and visited us on 19th May, which by chance was his last day in the Army. He looked at the full range of our training that day: Orienteering at Mereworth and Self Reliance Expeditions in the Weald before lunch and Signals, Command Tasks, Battlecraft and so on in the afternoon. 36 Regiment Royal Engineers provided a Quarter Guard at the end of the afternoon in farewell tribute to Maj. General Foster, who had previously been Engineer-in-Chief. We were all shattered to hear a few days later that General Foster had died suddenly at his home. We were pleased to welcome a new officer to our ranks in January, 2/Lt. Chris King. Thus with five officers and 138 cadets the Contingent was just within its Estabhshment. The House Drill Competition was held for the first time since 1970 and was won, very narrowly, by Westminster. I should like to thank CSM Julian Buckeridge and CSM Martin West for their efforts over the year. The smooth running of the Stores on training afternoons was helped by CQMS Nick Storey. Summer Camp was slightly unusual in that we were attached to 249 Signal Squadron, normally based at Salisbury, but who were on Battle Camp at Shorncliffe when we were with them. The cadets were able to join in the first day's training that 249 were doing, mainly rangework. Many of the cadets fired the SLR very creditably indeed. We ran our own Night Exercise which fortunately avoided the worst of the weather. The highlight of the week was the Signals Exercise, using Clansman radios mounted in Land Rovers, which was organised by 249. Four cadets, Cpl. Goddard, L/Cpl. Turton, Cadets Martin and MillingtonBuck, and 2/Lt. King took part in the 249 'bash' and turned in a good time. It was sad that only 29 cadets attended camp when the list stood at 45 at one point.

Every year has its ups and downs, but I think this one has been more encouraging than most. As from 1st January 1980 the status of our Signals Section was changed to that of a Royal Signals Troop. Among other things this means that the Troop is badged Royal Signals and that there is extra Regular support. We have also been issued with a C13 Ground Station which will enable us to work on the National Radio Net. A new Armoury should be built in the next few months. This will mean that we are able to hold more weapons than at present. Some minor alterations have been made to the Miniature Range. During the course of the year we have been visited by and had assistance from two serving OS, Major Colin Rayner, RSigs, currently Training Officer with 36 Regiment Royal Signals (V), and Major Leslie Smallman, RE, currently OC 61 Field Squadron which is part of 36 Regiment Royal Engineers. Their efforts on our behalf have been much appreciated. Training followed a similar pattern to last year. Over the course of the year 34 cadets completed their Army Proficiency Certificate, 13 passed the Signals Classification Test and 6 passed the Cadet Assistant Signalling Instructor Test. We also ran our own NCO Cadre through which 15 cadets passed. The presentation teams of the Royal Engineers and of the Royal Armoured Corps visited us during the year. The Royal Signals Troop were given a presentation about the Army's new radio equipment by Captain N. Fisher, RSigs. On the Field Day in October the 2nd Year Cadets went to Milton Range to fire the .303 Open Range Test while the remainder trained near Folkestone. In March the 1st Year Cadets had their first attempt at the Orienteering Test; some of the markers were moved, so the whole exercise had to be repeated. The 2nd Year Cadets took their Battlecraft Test and the Signallers were all involved in Tests. During the Easter holiday one cadet, Cpl. A.B. Strange, went to Gibraltar on the Joint Services Cadet Camp and had an enjoyable and worthwhile time. Adventurous Training this year took place in the Peak District. For once the weather was kind to us, although there was a lot of hill fog on one of the training days. The party was smaller than usual, perhaps a reflection of the tough time experienced on Exmoor the previous year. The training and expedition phases were completed successfully, although there was a slight administrative hitch when one of the hired vehicles broke down the day before we were due to leave. Having had difficulty with Drill Instruction and Tests over the last few years, I am happy to report a much improved position. Through the good offices of Lt. Col. S. Boucher, CO 5 Queens (V), it was possible to arrange for a P.S.I. Drill Instructor to come about four times each term. The arrangement started at the beginning of the Lent Term. W02 Booth made a tremendous impression, not only on the cadets training for the Drill Test but also the NCOs. As a result of his efforts, all the cadets entered for the Test passed it.

B.J.L.

22


SPEECH D A Y

1980 Speech Day this year was held on Friday, 23rd May. It was suggested that in this, the Headmaster's last year in office, the occasion should have something of a 'family atmosphere' and, therefore, the Chairman of the Governors, Mr. P.W. Grafton, C.B.E., F.R.I.C.S., F.I.Arb gave the main address and the prizes were distributed by Lord Cornwallis, a former Lord Lieutenant of Kent and a long-standing friend of the School. After welcoming his Lordship and all the other guests, the Chairman began a warm tribute to the retiring Headmaster. He enumerated his impressive achievements in his 13 years as Headmaster beginning with the considerable improvement in amenities, from the introduction of the cafeteria-style catering to the building of the new Music School; all aspects of academic hfe had enjoyed constant development; there had been conspicuous emphasis on the central importance of the Chapel and Worship. His address was concluded with a moving acknowledgement of the Headmaster's courage in the acceptance and endurance of a debihtating war-injury, the recent deterioration of which had forced him to give up the Headmastership at a time when the results of his many endeavours were becoming clear, for all to see and for him to enjoy. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts well in their retirement in Norfolk and expressed his confidence in those quahties which had made the new Headmaster, Mr. Michael Haywood, the obvious successor to the post. The remarks in the Chairman's address were resoundingly endorsed in a long and spontaneous standing ovation.

HEADMASTER'S SPEECH - SPEECH D A Y 1980 such great service of distinction to country and county. To mention only a few, he was an active member of the House of Lords; was Lord lieutenant of Kent for twenty-eight years; Pro-Chancellor of the University of Kent; Captain of the Kent County Cricket team...and so I could go on. And of course there is the family connection with Sutton Valence - Chapel and indeed Cornwallis House - to name but two. So we are delighted to have you here. Lord Cornwalhs. Thank you for coming - and I hope that you feel at home. I mentioned at the outset that there was not time this morning for a review - and as usual I would point out that you can read all about it in The Suttonian. But I do want to mention two developments over the past year. The first is the welcome initiative of boys in two of the Boarding Houses in raising money, within the House community, for charitable purposes. Westminster raised money by organising a Disco and the proceeds were given towards the education of an African boy, and St. Margaret's raised (and collected) over ÂŁ1,000 in a sponsored relay last term and this has paid for a fully trained guide dog for the blind. I thought that this was a remarkable team effort. The dog is a Labrador and has suitably been christened Maggie (that is not a political nomination). And here with us this morning we have Mr. John Hayes who is Vice-

Thank you very much for the generous remarks you have made - certainly, in my view, too generous - and I would like to stress at the beginning that anything that has been achieved during my time at Sutton Valence has been a team effort. May I say straight away how grateful I have always been for the support of the Governors/staff/parents Old Boys and boys. It has been my good fortune to have been the leader of the team running this lovely school for the past thirteen years. We all know that nostalgia isn't what it used to be and I have no intention of inflicting a nostalgic review on you - either of the years or of this year in particular. I would rather switch the spotlight from myself on to other people. But before doing that I want warmly to welcome you all - those of you who are our guests and of course all you parents and families. I hope that you enjoy yourselves here and that thereafter everyone will enjoy a pleasant half-term holiday. And a very special welcome to our Guest of Honour, Lord CornwalHs. When it was decided that this year our Prize Giving should have a family and Kentish flavour, I had no difficulty at all in deciding who should be invited. When you look up Lord Cornwallis in Who's Who, it is a real eye-opener. He has been - and indeed is still associated with such an enormous number of causes - there is no doubt that there can be few people who have given 23


Chairman of the Maidstone Guide Dogs for the Blind Association who wants now to make a presentation in gratitude to Richard Bedford, the Head of St. Margaret's House. Well that's the first time to my knowledge that we have had a dog in Prize Giving - though I have to admit that my own dogs have always had a disconcerting habit of appearing uninvited at school events. It was only last year at the Prep Schools Orchestral Festival held at Sutton Valence that Fred bit the conductor and last week, at the same Festival, Ben sat contentedly through the first item - Bizet but left immediately the second piece, composed in 1979, started up. While on matters canine, let me tell you a totally irrelevant story. A man was asked out for a day's shooting at a highly organised shoot and, having no dog, rang a local kennels and hired a trained Labrador, who rejoiced in the name of Schoolmaster, for ÂŁ20. On the day of the shoot Schoolmaster proved a tremendous success, working hard, behaving immaculately and retrieving beautifully. A fortnight later the invitation was repeated and on booking Schoolmaster at the kennels, he discovered that he had to pay ÂŁ40 as his good reputation had spread so fast. A month or so later, towards the end of the season, he was invited yet again and on telephoning the kennels was surprised to be told that he could indeed have Schoolmaster and that it would cost him a couple of quid. On enquiring why he was told, 'Some idiot took him out to a shoot last week, called him Headmaster all day long and now all he does is sit on his bottom and bark at all and sundry'. Secondly I must mention the continuation - and indeed the near-completion - of the large building programme which we have undertaken over recent years. The allweather pitch was officially opened at the start of the Lent Term and has already begun to prove its worth in terms of the improving skills of the hockey players and by enabling us to play games and matches which would have otherwise had to be postponed. The big and extensive modernisation programme of the Boarding Houses in Top School was completed at Christmas and progress is now being made with the year-by-year modernisation of Lambe's. The Music School, which I am convinced will be an outstanding addition to the amenities of Sutton Valence is, perhaps uniquely today, right up-to-date in its construction, will be completed in mid-August and in use at the start of the Christmas Term. The special Opening Concert will be given in December. I mentioned last year the generous gift of the GuUand Hall and the decision has now been taken to move the whole of the Art Department, including the Printing Society, the Photographic Society and dark room, the Pottery etc. down to the Hall, which is itself adjacent to the existing Craft Centre. My hope is that it may be possible to carry out this work during the next academic year so that it can be opened for September 1981. And we are also, of course, well aware that we have to move into the, for some of us, new and bewildering world of computers and electronics. Members of the staff are therefore being specially trained, careful research as to our needs is bemg undertaken, and it is planned to have a small computer installed in the school this September - to be followed by a bigger and better system in September 1981. More members of our community than usual are leaving at the end of this term or have already left since last Speech Day Miss Gardner, the Matron in Lambe's, who went to Eastbourne.

Charlie Harris, our electrician, who sadly died while at work in the school and Harry Saunders, the Head Gardener, who has retired to the West Country. Both these were good men who worked hard, took a pride in their job and served the school loyally. Bernard Warburton. Bernard came here in 1954 and was appointed Head o f the Science Department before I appeared on the scene and remains in that post today. It is many years since he has been seen on the games field but those who remember describe him as an original games player indeed sometimes a vicious games player. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for many things but especially for taking on, and carrying out so efficiently, the unglamorous but vital and big job of timetabling and deahng with all the GCE entries and the enfire administration of ' A ' and 'O'. Bernard is a character - we don't seem to breed them like him any more - he is much liked by us all, masters and boys, and in thanking him I must not forget Bridget who has given outstanding help over the years with her beautiful flower arrangements in Chapel, in particular. Together they are a super couple who have often been such warm hosts to us all in their home. We thank you and wish you well. Alistair Grierson Rickford, who has been here eight years. Alistair has proved himself a versatile and willing schoolmaster. An enthusiastic teacher of EngHsh, Master in Charge of Cricket, a producer of plays and an actor in them, editor of the Suttonian, a House Tutor. That is a contribution which will leave a large gap. And we thank Moira too for all she has done - in particular for the way she willingly and efficiently stepped in to help with the teaching of French on occasions. They have our gratitude and our best wishes in their new appointment at Felsted. Geoffrey Pearson. Geoffrey came to us straight from industry - I suppose you could say that his appointment had something o f the experimental about it, both from his point of view and ours - but we soon knew that we had done the right thing. Geoffrey settled not only to teaching Science, but to schoolmastering in the wider sense, very quickly. He has worked as a House Tutor and has been an outstanding Master-in-charge of Cross-Country Running. I am told that he himself considers 25 miles a mere trot. He has shown himself to be a likeable and generous man. He leaves us to train for Holy Orders and we thank him and wish him and his wife Gill all the best at Theological College. At Christmas Robin Jackson left us. He will be remembered by many of you. He and his wife Maureen were both FRCOs and singly and sometimes together they delighted us with their music. I always found Robin to be a most helpful and efficient man in all he did, and his happy and warm nature endeared him to many. It was only on Wednesday night that members of the Sutton Valence Music Society were recalling his outstanding service to that Society and of course he will long be remembered as 'Toad'. He did well, against very strong competition, to be appointed as Organiser of Student Music at the University of Bath Paul Keene has been with us for two terms, standing in between Robin Jackson's departure and the arrival of his successor in September next, but he has proved himself to be no mere stand-in. He is an organist of much abihty and great promise. I thank him too, for the part he has played here and wish him well when he takes up his position as the Organ Scholar of Peterhouse, Cambridge in October next. 24


Those are my 'goodbyes' from within our own community - but there are no other 'thank you's' I want to say. It is often not realised how many different groups of people the Headmaster of a PubHc School has to work for and with - those representing the past of the school (here over two thousand members of the OSA), the present of course (the Governing Body, the staff of all categories, the boys and of course the present parents) and the future of the school (prospective parents, Preparatory and Primary School Headmasters etc.). In my case I have, in addition, found myself serving on other representative bodies where I have tried to ensure that the name of Sutton Valence is widely knovm and that its voice has been heard in perhaps wider fields than before. So one has many people to thank for their support. May 1, however, this morning just single out a very few. Firstly, our Governors and in particular the Chairman, Peter Grafton. To be a Governor of a school is no sinecure nowadays, and some of ours serve on the Finance and Estates Committee and the Foundation Board in addition to our own Governing Body, and also represent us on other Bodies. I certainly owe them all deep gratitude for the splendid support they have always given me in my post as Headmaster. Peter Grafton's service to the school is outstanding. He was for many years a member of the OSA Committee and then the active Chairman of it. He then took over the Chairmanship of the Quatercentenary Appeal, became a member of the Governing Body and in due course the Chairman. He already has a busy and demanding Hfe, and generous and unremunerated service, such as he has given to Sutton Valence, really does deserve the gratitude of us all. Although I have thanked them elsewhere I also wish to mention the loyal service of Edward Chapman for thirteen years as a Governor and that for twenty-nine years twenty-eight of them as Vice-Chairman - of Raymond Wickham. Both of these men are OS and have served their school well. Mr. Chapman would, I know, agree with me when I stress that Raymond's record of unfailing interest in the school, his loyalty, his generosity - both in time and with gifts - and the professional help he has so often given us, has been unique. Thank you both very much. I think that thereafter it becomes invidious i f I try to single out names, for, indeed, I could select very many. But I want to thank Roger Douglas, 2nd Master and Peter Hall, Bursar. So may I give a blanket thank-you for all the support they have given me in various ways to the Academic Staff here, to all the other members of the School Staff in whatever department they may be (and in particular to my two secretaries, who have shown amazing forbearance over

the years and, quite remarkably, have never even threatened resignation, as far as I know). Last week I thanked the Old Boys and now I want to thank the present boys and all you parents for your personal support and for your support for the school. It has made a tremendous difference to be on such friendly terms with so many people, and I am grateful to you all. And may I here support what the Chairman has said and say I am sure that you will give my successor, Mr. Haywood, the same support that you have been so generous with to me. I know how hard the Governors worked in making their selection for my successor and Mr. Haywood was chosen from a large field - and a strong one. And although she will shoot me for saying this, I hope I may be allowed to express publicly my gratitude to my wife for all the work she has done for so many people in the school, and for the super support she has given me through thick and thin over the years. And so I come towards the end. I must say that my decision to retire early seemed to me to be amply confirmed as the correct one when I was batting against the 1st X I earlier this term and found myself run out by half the length of the pitch, mistaking a call of 'come one' for 'stay there'. I felt that I had perhaps reached the stage of the very keen cricketing husband who was away one Saturday morning playing at a local club when his wife wanted to have an urgent word with him. She rang the pavilion and asked i f she could speak to Mr. So-and-so - and the man answering said 'Certainly, madam, I'll Just go and find him'. After a few moments he returned to the phone and reported 'I'm so sorry but he is just at this moment walking out to bat'. 'Oh', said his wife, ' I ' l l hang on then.' As I come to the end of my schoolmastering career and to the end of thirteen years as Headmaster of Sutton Valence I repeat that I do not wish to be nostalgic. I repeat, too, that although I am naturally extremely grateful for all the kind things that you. Chairman, have said about my work - and also for all the letters which so many of you are kindly writing to me, anything we have achieved has been the result of team effort. This is a very lovely school, in a particularly lovely part of Kent - and all of us who have the opportunity of living and working here, whether as boys or staff, are fortunate. May I just tell you how happy Judy and I have been, together with Rosemary, Charles, Kate and James. We shall never forget this phase in our lives and our interest in and fondness for the school will never abate. May I end, as I did at the Qatercentenary, by restating my confidence that Sutton Valence will continue to flourish in the future.


FORM V

PRI2EWINNERS FORM II

E.De'Ath G.M.Smith (and Distinction Prize) Distinction Prize: J.Groves G.J.Nicholass

FORM III

T.J.Gledhill (and 2 Distinction Prizes) Distinction Prize: M.Aboul-Hosn D.Busolin (2) F.G.Gedney A.C.Waters

FORM LOWER IV

A.Bovington (and 3 Distinction Prizes) P.D. Windsor (and Distinction Prize) Distinction Prize: T.J.Craddock (2) G.Galstaun (2) J.H.L.Garton M.K.Mackay P.M.Marino S.Orpin S.D.Turton

FORM UPPER IV

P.R.Anderson (and 5 Distinction Prizes) B.H.Saint (and 4 Distinction Prizes) J.P.Thorne (and 2 Distinction Prizes) S.E.Townshend (and 2 Distinction Prizes) Distinction Prize: A.Abudu LV.T.Dodson B.W.Gedney R.T.W.Green D. Groves I.H.Grundy M.Hagan P.J.Hamilton LS.Henderson S.R.Hills (2) N.A.Jackson M.N.Janani D. O.Machin (2) J.H.Marriott(3) N.Miles A.N.Millar M.E.Millington Buck P.Morris R.M.W.Prentice R. J.H.Thomas A.E.Tong S.P.VanZwanenberg (2) E. P.Willett

26

A.L.S.Choy (and 2 Distinction Prizes) A.M.Copson (and 2 Distinction Prizes) P.C.Hitchman (and 3 Distinction Prizes) W.F. Paine (and 2 Distinction Prizes) Distinction Prize: R.M.Allen J. Battle M.R.Bennett (2) N.G.Bentley J.R.Challis A.M.J.Davies (2) R.Dean J.N. Dumas D.J.Fowle R.E.Galloway (2) J.D.Harris L.J.C.Hopley S.Kirkaldie S.J.Norris M.J.Plommer (2) A.M.T.Pollock (2) J.R.E.Ricketts J.A.Ruxton R.Siewert M.Springett J.Taki (2) R.M.Turton S.T.Wait K.Wong


27


ADING PRIZE

Junior Intermediate:

E.G. Gedney D.O.Machin

•CURRENT AFFAIRS

T.J.Craddock C. W.Hunt D. O.Machin B.C.M. Plummer G.M.Smith A. B. Strange

/

LOWER SIXTH PRIZES English History Biology Art Geography (and 2 Distinction Prizes) Mathematics (and 2 Distincfion Prizes) Physics Chemistry (and 2 Distinction Prizes) French (and Distinction Prize) Economics Distinction Prize:

M.S.Parrett D.C.S.Clark H.H.Wong D.J.E.Moony T.J.M.Hills B. C.Cheng L. L-Y. Lau A.K.Charlton A.K.Charhon R.R. Orpin R.R.Orpin S.D.Courage (2) P.J.A.Lyle (2) C. A.Stanford-Beale R.P.Crundwell

SIXTH FORM PRIZES EWstinction Prize: Grizelle Prize: Geography Field Work Prize: James Poole Prize (English): Art Prize: Music Prize (and 2 Distinction Prizes): Economics Prize:

T.Aboul-Hosn K.Ng(2) R.E.Galloway S.Evenden I.Mardam-Bey J.Phillips A.M.Copson S.P.Licence L.L-Y.Lau K.Ashrafi RJ.Bedford

Wheeler Prize (French) (and Distinction Prize): J.E.R.Wheeler Georgraphy Prize (and Distinction Prize): S.R.Harris Garside Prize (History): T.K.Dodson A.C.S.Kwan Wood Prize (Physics) J.P.M.Dismorr Angell Prize (Mathematics) J.P.M.Dismorr Winstanley Prize (Chemistry): H.S.Choy Biology Prize: H.S.Choy Kitchener Prize (Mathematics): H.S.Choy Bloxham Prize (English): P.G.New Bossom Prize (Spoken English): P.G.New Derrick Prize (English Verse Speaking): P.G.New MacDonald Prize (Current Affairs): P.G.New R.J.Bedford J.C.M.Buckeridge Qothworkers' Prize: S.P.Licence P.G.New M.J.West Headmaster's Prize: J.C.M.Buckeridge 28


MICHAEL R I C K E T T S been his liaison with the preparatory schools of South Ma England - he is a governor of three - which has meanf'thii' Sutton Valence has never been fuller. Some of us have occasionally regretted that these,activities have had to occupy so much of his time. He h'ak;excelled in pubUc relations. Speech making has come easilyto him - or he has had the ability to make it seem so; he hasi, all the attributes of a schoolmaster, especially understand-: ing and compassion. Before he arrived at Sutton Valence I received a comment from a colleague at Bradfield. 'He really cares.' What he meant soon became clear. He cared about everything, about a team's success and about an individual's unhappiness. There must have been times when he begrudged the demands of being a public figure. Finally, a sense of duty may nowadays sometimes seem rather an old-fashioned quality. It is one which both Michael and Judy Ricketts possess in abundance and it is this which has led the Headmaster to offer his resignation which the Governors were most reluctant to accept. When he felt that deafness no longer made it possible for him to do his work as it should be done, he believed he had no alternative. Many of us would regard this as a mistaken decision. A.R.D.

'It's a pity he's going; he put Sutton Valence on the map.' The Headmaster had made the announcement of his retirement that morning to the School and this was the comment of the Captain of Tennis on the journey to an away match. Few people would accept that Sutton Valence was not on the map before 1967 but most of us would agree with what Andrew Coningsby was trying to say. 1967 to 1980 covered the School's qua tercentenary. Of those four hundred years there can have been few periods of more dramatic development than the last thirteen. This has not been peculiar to Sutton Valence, independent schools have had to move with the times, but credit must go to Michael Ricketts for guiding the School into the 1980's. The problems which he faced in his first term could hardly have been more difficult. Probably the two people on whom a new headmaster has to rely most are his secretary and the bursar. Mrs. Duncan had recently died and Commander Sweeney was about to become seriously ill. These setbacks led to a considerable amount of extra work but they did not prevent the Headmaster from going ahead with his ideas for what he believed Sutton Valence should become - not in any wild, doctrinaire hurry but always after wide consultation and responsible deliberation. This was a special feature of Michael Rickett's headmastership: he would not be rushed; at times he moved too slowly for some of us, but a decision once reached would be a wise one and it would be implemented with every degree of thoroughness. I will not attempt to hst all the developments of the last thirteen years. Among the 'bricks and mortar' ones possibly the most significant has been the study bedrooms; about half the boarders now have a room they can call their own. There were no squash courts in 1967; now squash is one of the most popular as well as one of the most successful games. Even before he arrived Michael Ricketts was planning the language laboratory and the Music School will be completed after his departure. The modernization of House changing rooms and bathrooms and the hard playing area should also be included on the Hst. Twenty years ago boarding schools tended to regard parents as necessary nuisances; they paid the bills, but their usefulness ceased there. All schools now appreciate that the success of a child's education must depend upon cooperation between school and home and a much closer measure of liaison than in the past. The Headmaster's first step in this direction was the innovation of fuller reports. Faced with thirty-two square inches of paper, most of us were shamed into writing more than the traditional 'satisfactory'. More important has been the introduction of regular meetings with parents especially when important decisions have to be taken for 'O' and ' A ' Level. What else demands inclusion? The present exeat system. Sixth Form tutors, voluntary C.C.F. with its hohday adventure training, cafeteria-style feeding; all these have meant that button Valence has moved with the times. But Michael Ricketts has not only had an eye to the future. A change which has provided him with probably more satisfaction than any other is that under the present system of Chapel services more boys are attending communion than at any time in the past. The Chapel is very much a centre of School life. A headmaster cannot afford to shut himself away in his school; he needs to be known outside i f the school is to prosper. Michael Ricketts has served on the committees of H.M.C. and of I.S.C.O. but probably more important has

MICHAEL RICKETTS One hot afternoon in 1973, the Headmaster asked me to accompany him in his car. It was necessary, he explained, to inspect certain sections of the route of the sponsored walk, an event organised by the school that was due to be held shortly. The idea of the walk had been conceived many months before. Since then it had been the subject of innumerable committee meetings, at which every conceivable type of contingency appeared to have been catered for, and responsibility for an imaginative array of disasters had been delegated to matrons and housemasters' wives. I anticipated that the afternoon's drive would make less demands on my understanding of the logistical problems than on an appreciation of the scenic splendours of the route. I should have known better. The Headmaster's car, and it was a large one I remember, was full of Ordnance maps, buff-coloured files bulging with papers, some of them coloured a pale blue and headed 'From the Headmaster' containing lengthy and detailed manuscripts or typed instructions, and there were several rulers and a compass and an assortment of other navigafional aids suitable for any reasonably wellequipped long-distance route march. It seemed an unpropitious start, but 1 could see that as we moved slowly down the school drive, the Headmaster was in his element. The apprehension caused to me by the sight of all this impedimenta, and the fear that another committee meeting may have been about to take place, was barely dispelled by the way in which our progress was conducted through the pollen drenched lanes of the Weald. Michael Ricketts was beginning to go deaf in one ear, and, in order to take in all that was being said, he rotated himself in the • driving seat through an arc of approximately ninety degrees. The chances of an uninterrupted drive were being needlessly squandered, I thought, for the more dubious

29


purpose of my audibility. This was all rather disconcerting at the time, although the Headmaster displayed the sort of complete unconcern that comes, I suppose, to those who hold on to the reins of power for any length of time. The recollection of what else happened that afternoon has now been lost. The sponsored walk itself was I remember an unqualified success. The full record of Michael Ricketts's achievement as Headmaster of Sutton Valence over the past thirteen years will be found elsewhere. Anyone who has the welfare of the school at heart cannot but fail to be impressed by the enormous contribution he has made to the life of Sutton Valence as well as to those who have passed through it during his period as Headmaster. I had, somewhat miraculously, obtained a place at Sutton Valence during the last year of his predecessor, C.R. Evers, who, to a small boy in Form I I , appeared a veritable homo universale and especially so after his memorable performance in Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Pinafore'. Such a larger than life figure would be difficult to succeed, and in my own personal recollection of Michael Ricketts's early years is rather dim. Yet when I became Head of School, I came to know the Headmaster very much better, and I count myself extremely fortunate to have learnt from him much that has remained with me since leaving Sutton Valence. We used to spend some time together each morning walking up and down the quad before chapel, apparently in solemn conclave. I was often asked what it was that required discussion in this peripatetic fashion. Akhough much of the time it was about school matters of no lasting significance, not infrequently it was about the books we were reading, an item in the news, or even the smell of some flowers, the look of a menacing sky, or the magnificent view of the Weald from his garden. The period of headmasterdom, like a decade or an era, provides a natural opportunity for assessments. A headmaster stands at the apex of a complex, enclosed society that exists in a pubUc school, and he more than any other member or group from within the community can determine the aims and objectives of the school, continue its traditions or make important innovations. His authority, almost autocratic, was acknowledged by Winston Churchill, who wrote that, 'headmasters have powers at their disposal with which Prime Ministers have never yet been invested'. It follows that the success of the school, judged not only on its own necessarily limited terms, but also on those from beyond, depends as much upon the strength and firmness of the headmaster's purpose, as on the abihty and imagination of those who work under him. Disregarding the degree of introspection that any total community like Sutton Valence experiences, the success with which the school has adapted itself and responded to the times over the past decade or more so as to meet the future much more confidently than I suspect it may have been able to in the past, is to a large extent the result of the initiative and drive of Michael Ricketts. The results are only too plain for all to see and the Headmaster leaves behind him more than an oil painting and the conventional remarks made at this sort of departure. For my own part, he leaves the remembrance of great kindness and generosity, and this extends to Mrs. Ricketts and their charming family. A few years after I had left the school, Michael Ricketts came to visit me in my rooms at Oxford early one morning. We sat drinking cups of strong black coffee. I think that he had arrived by train, and there were no visible signs of a meeting about to take place. But he was still the Headmaster. Mark Hatcher

ENDE OV AN INNINGZ Discrete applauz y-rippld round ye crowd. Anuwersix! Ye clappng now grew lowd So easie oer midoff it seemd to soare. Ye next bal bowld woz put away for foure. And who iz this whop scamperz tween ye wikketz? It is EssVeez Hedmaster Michael Rickettz. Som thirteen yearz hav seen gret del ov chaunge: Two Squach courtz and a fencd in Rifle Raunge And now new Musick Skulz, ne cauz to falter: Weve paynted Chapel Ruf, erected Altar. And who mor fittyng to command theez done Than Sherborne, Oxon Blew and Bishopz sone And carried on our William Lambz endeavour? And in our Michaelz hat behold a fewer For al ye bildyng don, whyl he did reyne, In brikz and mortar. And wive mite and mayne Hard he y-strove our standardz for to l i f t . Thru massiv pylz ov entree formz did sift And, wiv hiz sekkertaries by hiz syde. Each year - a bakerz dozen - has he tryde To rayz ye cultral level ov our Skul. In pubberlick relayshunz woz ne fool But spak he forth in no uncertain termze To parentz, governorz, guestz, employerz, firmze. From Bradfield az Hausmaster did he com To beat ye Sutton Velens (Tunnelz?) drum. The Skul he had at heart in al he didde. His tendron problemz in hiz fingerz hidde And eek hid he hiz war wound az he might; Agaynst yon handicap mad he gret fight; ) Surenderd on lee whan twaz all too clere That much woz sayd to hym he did nat here. Hiz intrest in hiz harden woz for real. One ov hiz greatest laborz : ye Appeal To mark four hundred yearz ov this gret Skule And see the heatyng bilt in Swimmyng Pule, Loudspeakerz purchasd for the use ov al Athleticks matches. Oft wold in Main Hall Remind us ov the Musick Clubz next showe. How mennee hundred boyz namz did he knowe? For Skul rulz j ust a minimum y-mayd; A Christian and a linguist woz by trayd. In moral issuz woz he definite, For honestee and truth wold he y-fighte, And tho ye Old Man packd a moral Punch, A Judy had who, w^han that your at lunch Woz gentil, swete and pleasaunt, ful ov charme, Who kept al guestz at eaz, and verree calme. Unluckee iz ye numbrov yearz thirteen; Unluckee wol our luvlee Skul hav been Whan Emmarrarr haz shuffled o f f this scene And riden out to Norfolkz fieldz so grene. He takketh wiv hym al our thankz, gud wishes, Az lyf becomz unendyng roundz ov dishes! We hop retirement wol ve ful ov funne Heel nat regret wat for us he hath donne. We say, from Staff and pupilz near and far. Farewell and thank you, gud luck M.R.R.

DIKKI 30


ARTICLES

AND VERSE

31


JAMES POOLE PRIZE WINNING ENTRY PILGRIMAGE by Andrew Copson He made one final adjustment to his respirator and hit the 'exit' button. There was a soft hiss and the door opened to reveal the surface of the planet - it was dull tan colour and unyielding to his feet. He couldn't see further than about 50 metres because of the mysterious yellow vapours which crawled and searched along the surface filhng in the hole and dips, giving everything a dull uniformity, broken only by the city. He looked back at the colossal white structure that stood out defiantly from the mist. His instruments showed average sulphur-dioxide and carbon monoxide levels and registered a surface temperature of 910C. He strode out into the noiseless world and soon the fog obscured the city and trapped him in his own strange yellow world. He had been walking now for several minutes, but his destination was several more minutes distant. Now the mists seemed to be closing in on him, tliin jaundiced fingers reached out to ensnare and then disappeared. He was disorientated and found he had no perception of distance. He concentrated on his compass .whichpointeda way through his bUndness. It was stifling inside the respirator and his breathing sounded loud and threatening. He remembered the tales he had heard as a boy of the half-men in the mists that had scared him then. He remembered the story of the man who came back from a trip outside as a nervous wreck mumbling about monsters in the mists. He shrugged the thoughts o f f - the scientists said a mutation that could survive in the toxic, acidic vapours was impossible. Suddenly he froze; part of him said that the noise had been him scraping his boot on a stone - but a httle whisper of doubt crept out of his childish, primitive fears and grew until his brain was filled with nervous horror, then it was gone. He closed his eyes and held his breath until all that was left of the fears, was a cold clammy film of sweat. He knew it had been a stone - he wouldn't even bother to look for i t . A glance at his compass told him that he had strayed from his path. He began to hum a rhyme to himself. 'Some people make their money by putting gases in the air'. It had been chanted by students before the big change had come. He had read i t in one of his many books some years earlier. He read a lot; after all who would talk to him? Nobody talked to a misfit who was mad enough to go outside. He remembered the remarks when he left that day: 'What's the outside got that the inside ain't - beside the odd acid storm!' 'Yeah, and bug-eyed monsters!' that had raised a viscous laugh. 'Go, join the monsters George, they're misfits too!' A frown crossed his face - they are the misfits. It was only natural that man should want to walk on his own planet, no matter how ugly or polluted it was. He reached a hill and knew he had reached the spot. He cUmbed the hill up to the foot of an old electricity pylon. There was a makeshift ladder to the top of the acid-corroded structure that George had himself built. He nearly chmbed up through the clouds. The vapour was much thinner up there - he could see for miles in any distance. He stayed there for a long time, enjoying the spaciousness and looking at the top of a large building in the distance - He had found its name in one of his books it was called Canterbury Cathedral, a set of graceful spires and towers that jutted out in complete defiance of the ugly yellow. He knew its name - it was called Canterbury Cathedral. 32


33


CALCUTTA'

GOG AND MAGOG 19th December 1992

He made his way slowly along the dark, damp pipe, making little progress owing to his lack of vision and the steep angle at which the pipe was fixed. The walls were wet and slimey, and were covered with a thin layer of rust. Ahead of him lay an almost impossible task, for he didn't know what dangers could be lurking in the darkness ahead, or how much further the pipe stretched. He pushed on, crawling helplessly along the sloping base of the pipe, his eyes straining to see ahead of him. He knew it was raining now, for the pattering of the rain against the metal surface echoed noisily around him. He dearly wished that he could be outside, safe in the light and air. Some way above him he thought he could hear another noise, a man perhaps, or was it the end of this dark, horrible domain? He was crawling faster now, for he was terrified, and the air was unbearably humid. Quite unexpectedly, the pipe straightened out for a small stretch, so that he could rest momentarily on the horizontal section. When he had gathered his breath he turned round again, suddenly seeing what he had been hoping so much for - light. He crawled on and up again into the last vertical secfion o f the pipe. Above him he could see clearly the bright lights, a place, perhaps, where he could rest safely, undisturbed. It was no more than about three or four yards, now, but to him it seemed much, much further. As he neared the opening he could see the place which he had almost reached. It was huge, surrounded on all sides by immense, gleaming white walls, and on one wall a chain was suspended, a large black, circular object on its end. He was nearly there now; just one more yard, just one more burst of his diminishing energy, and he would be there, to safety. The opening came nearer and nearer, so close in fact that he could see all of the large rectangular 'room' that he was straining for. And then it happened. The chain dropped, the black object falling fast towards him. It smashed against the ground and then something moved it over the opening. All was once more dark and he lay face upwards on the ledge, five yards from where he had fallen, so near to his target, so close to safety. He dared not move, lest he should fall, or be harmed, for he no longer knew in which direction he was facing. It seemed considerably more than an hour that he lay there, his little heart thumping furiously away. He had not moved apart from shifting over on to his stomach, and reaching out to gasp any remaining fresh air. He thought it was the end for him, and he slumped helplessly to the floor, his ears ringing. He tried desperately to hear anything that might happen. Then suddenly it did happen, and all at once he sprang: to his feet in a hopeless panic. The opening was free once again for a fraction of a second and then the noise he so easily recognised came nearer and nearer. It was water, ... lots of it. He leapt to one side trying to avoid the huge wave which was pouring in torrents down the pitch black pipe, but it was too late it hit him hard, plunging him back along the way he has so tediously climbed. The walls seemed to attack him now as he was thrown from side to side by the mass of steaming water. Then at last he was in the light and air once again as he was plunged out of the end of the pipe. A minute later he lay there in the drain, his legs limp with exhaustion, still gasping for breath It's a hard life for a spider.

Still camping in London. We are the last. We sent two scouts out to contact possible survivors. Only Blackiston came back with bad news. Esher took a chance and went into a junk yard, hoping to find a few salvageable machines. A Hoover vacuum cleaner got him. 20th December 1992 A golf cart reconnoitred the park. We scattered and took cover. It tore down our tents. We are a Httle worried. We had a camp fire burning, obvious evidence o f hfe. Will it report the news to 455. 21st December 1992 Evidently it did. A messenger came today in broad dayUght:- a combine harvester carrying one o f 455's aides (an IBM typewriter). The IBM told us that we were the last and President 455 was prepared to be generous. He would like to preserve us for posterity in London Zoo. Otherwise extinction. We have twenty four hours to reply. It all started on 12th December 1982, when the Times reported that an orange and black diesel locomotive, No. 455, took o f f at 5.42 am. from Cordery yard and travelled five miles down the line unmanned before it crashed into five box cars. They did not destroy 455. I t returned to its work as a switch engine. 455 had started an industrial revolution. In 1983 there were fifteen deaths by electric toasters, thirty seven by food mixers and fifty by hand drills. All of them were assassinations, but no one realised this until a farmer was disemboweled by a milking machine, even then the people thought that it was a spoof. But news of this was heard by computors who spread the news then on, no man, woman or child was safe from any machine. Man revived the use of pencils and egg-beaters to try to combat the machines. The end came when the machine world accepted 455's leadership but the foreign cars still remain faithful to us. My own Alfa Romeo gave up it's life to bring us supplies. 25th December 1992 The park is surrounded. Our spirits have been broken by the death o f little David Hale. He found (God knows where) a Christmas tree and a set o f fairy lights. The lights got him. 1st January 1993 We are in London Zoo and are well-fed, but everything tastes of oil. A rat ran across our cage, stopped, nodded and winked at us. I believe there is hope.

James Ricketts

J.Benfield ( L I V ) 34


THE ISLAND

THE MICROCOSM

The Island, at first a perfect haven, A muhi-coloured paradise Free from the restrictions of the aduh world. A sunht playground A jewel in an ocean. The diamond encrusted sand Sparkles in the golden sunlight That bleaches and dries the fragile sticks Scattered along the beach, and Bakes the fierce rocky outlines to a Red-brown tint.

The island peacefully lay isolated Surrounded by solitude Like the beginning of dme; But then an eruption, The land was inhabited by man. IdyUic settings for harmony and joy. For a time an attempt was made; Soon a leader and laws, Rules follow mles follow rules; The land was inhabited by man.

The cool, fresh, sparkling stream, winds down the Mountain, giving life to the parched dark green Foliage. The fruit trees now bountiful with Plump juicy hmes But suddenly, invaded. Robbed of all possessions, Vandalised, the perfect picture now Gone. A charred ember remaining

Power in numbers working as one; But man can not live that way. The lust for power and more Greed that can not be controlled; The land was inhabited by man. Peace and joy there for the taking; All want to pick that glorious fruit; Chaos, argument, fighting, disagreement. Wars follow wars follow wars; The land was inhabited by man.

P.R. Anderson (Upper I V )

The surroundings, the settings The power, the opportunity But all that can be done is to fight. C.F. Beech

Out of the smoking thicket he sprang, Launched like a snarling cat, Off through the tangled branches he ran, Chased by the murderers. The cry of pursuers. The crackling of angry flames. Hell itself was closing On this frightened boar. On and on through the dying forest. No Piggy to dwell on a plan. To escape the terror and evil. Of the death-carrying hunters. Amongst a tangle of creepers he hid. The spear ready at hand. His heart beat pounding like a savage drum. His body reached and shaking. Off again he ran to the finish, Where the fiery kingdom had ended. Where hell's painted warriors. Could live like British Boys. C.Swatland (Upper I V )

35


THE GUN

THE SUN The sun rose out of the black darkness, Shining its joy and splendour over the lands. The people rejoiced as i f it were the first Time that this happened. It became midday,strong, powerful and Brilliant the sun shone down onto the Rich rivers, fields and lush meadows. Afternoon, the sun grew into its prime. Older and older, the minutes flew by. Hours fell away like the leaves on an Autumn Tree. The strength, splendour and joy of the Short while before slowly dwindled Away. The sun became feeble, hke an old Man. Its red, yellow and orange disc Glowed gently in the clouds. Darkness fell. All was dead. All was silent. Stillness.

Rumbhng, roaring killing its' prey Mighty iron cannonballs land in the fray. A great brass tube and round wooden wheels Horrible deaths is all it deals. The fuse is Ut the gun does roar And out shoots one of the big round balls. Countless numbers of good men die But the leader doesn't care, they stay where they lie. The soldiers are pawns in one big game And death is the trademark and also the name. W. Galton ( L I V )

H.A. Ripper (LIV)

JACK The bat-like creature was approaching. Across the sun-drenched sands, Or was it part of the Devil Its merciless bloody hand. The creature wore a silver badge, And a peak black cap, It had its own body-guard, And it called itself Jack. Jack made his tribe. Hell's own angels. The Devil took in his pride. Jacks' devious death bells. With painted hair and faces. The savages begin to stab. To kill Simon, the quiet one, And to hurl Piggy onto a slab. Although the black demon. Remembered things to sing. He just failed kilhng Ralph, So finally, the Devil released him; From under his wing J.Thome (UIV)

36


THE CHIEF The Chief, Dark, forboding, A savage warrier stalking his prey The big cat on the prowl. His painted mask hides a freckled face Once a boy, now turned savage. His demonaic followers Shy from this Prince of Darkness, He inflicts death at a glance, A rustling; something moves, A pig, rolls of fat, ripe for kiUing It lurches towards the hidden hunter. His evil countenance watches intently Its gaudy colours silent. Waiting, Waiting, And then he pounces, a hungry cat His feline claw o f death scythes the heavy air The pig heaves, its hps part in death. The game is over. B. Saint (UrV)

WINTER

The tense moment of waiting. The time to go, He hauls himself forward. As his skis slide over the snow. He gathers more speed. The crowd looks tense on. He approaches the end of the slope. And seems to head for the sun. His whole body leans forward. In mid- air he flies, l i k e a bird at full speed, l i k e lightning in the skies. He judges the angle of the snowy ground. He comes into rest, He stops himself on the opposite bank. His time Hghts up. The best. S.Turton (L4A)

37


THE SKI JUIVIPER

The trees are stripped Of their fresh green covering And left standing Standing Naked in the cold Cold winter, Swaying gently in the icy breeze The snowfalls. Biting into the uncovered parts Of the children as they play. Their hands glowing red with Cold, Their breath freezes as it flows From the inside of their warm Mouths, and out into the air Then - in a puff It is gone. M.Wamer (L4A)

38


G.C.P.

PAUL K E E N E

When Geoff Pearson joined us from Industry, it was always understood that his career as a schoolmaster would be a short one en route to entering the Church. During his short stay, however, Geoff has shown great enthusiasm for schoolmastering, and his achievements have been many. The Physics Department has gained greatly from his knowledge of modern technology, and he has proved to be as successful with the less academic ' 0 ' level general scientists as he has with the high flyers in the V l t h Form. On the games front, too, Geoff has made his mark, running the cross-country team well and helping to train our successful athletes. Perhaps his best preparation for the priesthood, however, has been Geoff^s pastoral work: when marriage deprived Westminster of his Tutorship at the end of his first year he had already shown himself to be a wise and fair counsellor, and he has recently carried on this good work in Holdgate. His muscial talents, too, have been put to good use during his time at Sutton Valence, and his performance in Ruddigore - hornpipe and all - will linger long in our memories. We wish Geoff and Gillian every success and happiness, ^ and we are sure that the Church has chosen wisely. W.K.P.

It wasn't easy to fill the gap left by Robin Jackson : it was the 'wrong' time of the academic year to find a suitable replacement, and the Times, together with its Educational Supplement, was on strike. But we were lucky. The Organ Scholar Elect of Peterhouse, Paul Keene, had just left school and was free to take over the duties of organist and Assistant Director of Music before going up to Cambridge. This remarkable young man, hardly older than some of our senior boys, did everything that was asked of him, playing beautifully in the Chapel (including in his repertoire of voluntaries a wide range of works, from Bach to a precongregational practice rendering of 'The Pink Panther'), accompanying 'Ruddigore' at the piano with great humour and style, training the trebles of the Chapel Choir and helping out on the games field. Perhaps the highest compliment one can pay him is to say that Robin Jackson was hardly missed. Something of a contrast to Robin, Paul is a diffident, rather self-effacing young man, but his looks belie his considerable talents. He quickly won the respect and affection of boys and staff alike, and we wish him every success in his career both at Cambridge and afterwards. AGE.

39


HE GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY new venture can be expected to experience a number of niccups following its inauguration and the Geographical Society could not claim to have escaped its share of problems. Bad weather and broken films seemed to regularly affect the smooth running of the meetings. The Society has, however, begun to take shape, and already a series of very successful events has occurred. The format that has evolved during the first year is of holding three meetings during each term, one as a film night, one as a talk and a third in the form of a visit. The prime objective of the Society is to produce events of wideranging interest to geographers allied to, but not as an integral part of, the examination curriculum. The first three meetings took place in the Easter Term beginning with two very well received films. The 'Chmate for Profit'illustrated the many sides of the 'factory' farming system of egg and veal production. The second film 'A Shadow of Progress' charted the growth of the use of the automobile throughout the world and how as a result the environment has been polluted. Both films prompted a pleasing number of comments from all age-groups. The second meeting took the form of a talk by Mr. Thatcher from the Mid-Kent Water Company. He gave us a long and informative talk, well illustrated with shdes and posters, on the development of Water Resource schemes. The final event of the term and by far the most popular was the visit to the Shepherd Neame Brewery at Faversham. Beer there is brewed in a very traditional manner, and we were given an informative tour followed by a short period oLsampling of the product! This last visit was of course confined to 6th Form only. In the summer term the Society held its main event of the year. This involved a field-trip to London, for- 6th Formers, to see at first hand the progress being made on the Thames Barrier and to investigate at the same time the potential for the development of London's Docklands. This took the form of a journey down the River Thames from Tower Bridge to the Royal Docks by motor vessel. In doing so we passed through the Barrier itself, still at a stage of development that is some two years behind schedule. We are grateful to Mr. Deane from the Docklands' Development Corporation, who gave us much information, both verbally over the vessel's public address system and in written form through the many reports that have been pubUshed. The overwhelming impression of the Docklands that one gained from the visit was that of a derelict area, suffering badly from neglect against a background of political bickering. We concluded the day wdth a coach tour of areas to the north and south of the river looking at the few areas of improvement to be found. Our thanks must go to Mr. Grafton for his Uaison work in estabUshing a contact with the Development Corporation. Later in the term we showed a film entitled 'The Rhine' which charted its history and growth from a picturesque mountain stream to the polluted, but vastly important, navigable waterway to be found at Rotterdam. The Geographical Society's year was concluded by a visit to the Geological Museum designed to attract those boys hoping to start ' A ' level next September. We hope the Society will go on to flourish in the future, and any ideas for future visits or films are always well received. C.P.M.K. 40


RUGBY RETROSPECT Captain: S.P. Licence Hon. Secretary: M.S. Parrett

1st X V (Won 3; Drew 2; Lost 10)

It was unfortunate that we had to embark on the West Country tour without the services of stand-off Lewis, but young Mark Davis had been introduced to the side earlier with this situation in mind and had performed with promise. However, his general inexperience probably cost us the game at Exeter School after the forwards and scrum-half Risby had seemingly won the match for us in helping to establish a 10-9 lead with just two minutes left! In the second match, a strong Kelly College outfit quickly gained a 13-point lead and looked well in control at half-time; however, more determined tackling and powerful mauling by the forwards saw the deficit reduced to 13-7 by the final whistle. Though both games were lost, they were both good spectacles and very competitive, the tour thus was a success and moulded the team together even further. After half term, James Waller, having missed the tour matches through injury returned at full-back. Lewis took over from Davies at stand-off and Shogbola, from the Under 16's, was introduced on the wing. The Rochester match was a hard, exciting encounter in which our vastly improved opponents ultimately proved too strong for us all-round; to be fair we were slightly flattered by the closeness of the scores (17-15). However, the game that most, stood out in this period-was the 0-0 draw at St. Lawrence, Ramsgate, a veritable graveyard of Sutton Valence hopes since 1957. A superb defensive play, full of guts,-prevented a far superior side from gaining what they presumably imagined was going to be a safe victory. Fortunately, the front row of Evenden, Sen and Roscoe, gained the edge in the tight, just enough to prevent the opposition from having complete control of the game; but all were heroes on this occasion, with last-ditch tackles saving the situation time and time again. The supposed 100th contest between Cranbrook and Sutton Valence produced another tight game, though the home side looked comfortable winners until Sutton conjured up their first push-over try of the season inside the last 5 minutes and almost repeated the move just prior to the final whistle. A surprisingly lethargic Caterham XV, who had previously gained victories over Reigate and Worth, were beaten by 6 pts. to 3, thanks to the last minute penalty goal by Lewis, and the season reached its conclusion with the much-awaited and, to be honest, much feared encounter against Emanuel who arrived having won 12 out of 13 matches and having scored 350 points! With the aid of yet another resolute defensive performance from a side minus Licence, also of an authoritative display of-no-nonsense refereeing from senior Kent Society referee, Robert Horner, Esq., the score some ten minutes into the second half was a remarkable 3-0 to Sutton Valence! Emanuel ultimately won the day (10-3) but not without experiencing several uncomfortable moments including a push-over attempt that went wrong - as so many had during the season - and a missed penahy in front of the posts.

When GHA and I sat down at the end of the summer term to discuss the likely squad for the 1979 rugby season, it was with a considerable amount of apprehension that we viewed the hst of names. Apart from four or five obvious candidates, where was the X V going to come from? In the event, though a side of limited skill did struggle throughout the season, avoiding defeat on only five occasions, somehow there was a feeling that it had all been very worthwhile, if not completely successful in terms of bare figures. When we looked back in December, it was amazing to reahse that in but two of the games were we easily defeated, those at Eltham and Kent College, and also that we should probably have won three others! At the root of this lay a determination amongst most of the boys to stay in every game for as long as possible, a resolution to compete until superior abihty could not be thwarted any longer. A great deal of the credit for this spirited attitude must go to the three officials, Simon Licence, Mark Parrett and Gareth Lewis, who organised frequent team meetings in the evenings before matches, and to Licence especially for his non-stop defence and constructive leadership that gradually left their mark on his players. The regular circuit training, efficiently organised by GHA, was received in the right spirit by the players, though, in the routine training sessions, basic weaknesses in team play - poor passing and an inability to keep possession, and certain movements - did not really improve from the previous year. Thus 'possession' games were often disappointingly contested and in our school matches we were forced to rely on fitness and the use of a very limited tactical formula, based on kicking for position and putting as much pressure as possible on our opponents when they won the ball. The Old Suttonians game that was scheduled to set the season alight was not played this year owing to a stronglyworded recommendation from the Medical Schools Council that boys should not play against adults (effectively players over 19). We felt we had no alternative but to cancel the fixture, but it is hoped that it will be resumed in some form in the future. This meant that we had to play our first match against Kent College who we later thought were probably the best of our opponents. In fact it was not until the middle of the second half, with Lewis virtually a passenger, that they took control to defeat us by 32-6. Tonbridge Club Colts were only narrowly beaten in the next game, but it was against the Duke of York's R.M.S. that the sort of tenacious, resolute play that kept us in contention in so many of the later games was first in evidence. Against a formidable-looking pack, Sutton were defeated by only 3 points (7-10) despite losing both flankers, Licence and Darling, for long periods in the second half. A fast athletic-looking Dover College side won by 24-12 a week later, and a half-term arrived following the match against Sir Roger Manwood's that was literally thrown away in the closing stages, and a poor quality affair that resulted in our first victory over Hurstpierpoint since 1961!

Amongst the forwards, Simon Licence was a lion in defence, a captain who refused to stop tackhng and concede defeat. The outer flanker, Dorling, had his moments, especially earlier in the season when he scored two excellent 41


tries through being up in support of Risby's breaks. Mark Parrett tried desperately hard at No. 8 but lacked pace at crucial moments, while Corballis, at back, often competed weir in the lineout and maul but lacked know-how in other phases of play. In the front row, Sen improved his hooking but not his throwing-in, while Buckeridge (who latterly lost his place to Evenden), Roscoe and Evenden all worked hard in training and contributed whole-heartedly to the forward effort. The most improved forward, however, was Andrew Whitehouse, whose enthusiasm for the game knew no limits and who eventually ended up at No. 8 for the last two matches. I f he keeps his rugby up he might well reach a useful standard at this level. Elsewhere, Risby's hardness and determination were nearly always a feature, but at present he tends to play by mstinct and does not yet have the vision to choose the right option at scrum-half. His Kent trial will have helped him. Stand-off Lewis kicked well from time to time but he performed consistently, and it was Waller, who worked hard to learn the full-back game, and Thomas, by no means enthusiastic in training, who did as much as anyone among the backs to stem the tide of many flowing attacks. On the wings, Needham, steadily improved his defence though still gave the ball away in attack, while Shogbola, lacking a little in confidence, showed much promise for next year. Others who made valuable contributions to the side, without always looking 1st XV players, were Werner, whose tackling filled a gap in the centre and who also had to deputise for Licence at flanker on two or three occasions; Hichens, whose game certainly improved, but whose tackling often let him down; Townsend, who played gallantly without much pace, but with a very safe pair of hands at full-back, and Hills, who never let us down in defence, whether in the centre or on the wing. The XV are to be congratulated, therefore, on making most of the games competitive; thanks are also due to George Anderson who remained optimistic (?) until the bitter end and to M.F.B. for his extremely efficient work with much of the organisation of rugby in the school. Team from: J.C.M. Buckeridge, A.J. Bufler, +P.C. Corballis, M.K. Davies, +D.B. Dorling, S.J. Evenden, J.B. Hichens, T.J.M. Hills, R.R. Knocker, *G.M. Lewis, *S.P. Licence, +A.S.J. Needham, +M.S. Parrett, B.R. Rafuse,+T.C. Risby, I.G. Roscoe, S.L. Sen, H.A. Shogbola, *S.M. Thomas, D.J. Townsend, +A.J.A. Waller, C.E. Werner, *A.J. Whitehouse. (•Colours +Half-colours). For the first time for several years, Westminster won a major House trophy when they convincingly defeated Cornwallis 21-0 in the House Match Final. Comwallis, however, retained both the Junior Trophy and the Junior 7-a-side Cup.

not approach the game in quite the professional attitude expected of those sweating it out in the 'I've got a beer glass sticking out of my head' and other rugby songs area of the game! The memorable moments? Pez breaking through the 'abominable snowmen' in the Cranbrook Centre, (Ibri?) scoring for the P.L.O. Pete scoring twice against Caterham, Bod falling over, getting up, falling over, getting up, falling over etc. etc., in every match, the Captain's fateful words about the ref at Cranbrook - ' I know the refs a... but!' Those best forgotten? Everything we lost - but especially M.F.B.'s tirade against the team wliile Cranbrook were waiting to drop us off: 'Never in my entire career as a school master...!' All in all, a better season than usual for the 3rds, the last outpost of rugby in the school where the whole lark is still treated as a game! Our thanks to M.F.B. for putting up with us, and instilling some fire which refreshed the parts other rugger boots hadn't touched! Philip New (Captain) Under 16 X V (Won 5; Lost 5) This was a fairly successful season, despite the usual crop of injuries and 'removals to the 1st XV' which the Colts' flesh is heir to! The pack proved a workmanlike outfit, but the serious injury to Collis, the first choice hooker, threw us into disarray. The muscle was provided by Fowle, Buckeridge, Derry and Goddard, while pace and tenacity in loose play was provided by Pollock and the versatile Kirkaldie, who was equally at home at flank or in the centre, where his ferocious tackling considerably enhanced the teams defensive play. Bennett towered above all-comers in the line-out, but tended to be a trifle docile, except at Eltham, where, in the face of blatant provocation, the worm weh and truly turned! Among the backs were to be found the 'stars', several of whom had games for the 1st X V . Shogbola, Davies, and Butler, all drew appreciative comment for their direct running, but each was guilty of indecisive distribution, and they must all strive to improve this crucial aspect of their play i f they are to serve the School well at senior level. We managed to defeat Purley (9-7), Kent College (24-0), Hurstpierpoint (by 10-9 again this year!), St. Lawrence (19-3) and Eltham (6-4). The narrowness of these results bears witness to the problems of the season: we struggled to beat moderate opposition and went down by small margins to sides we ought to have beaten: particularly bitter was the flnal score-line at the Duke of York's R.M.S., a loss by a try to two penalty goals, after a dominating performance by the forwards. Let us, as is our wont, dwell upon the highlights: who can forget Mark Davies' dazzling breaks from fly-half 'Dingle' in full flow .. Buckeridge's bandages ... J i f f s sizzhng counter-attacks, J.P.R. - style .... Fowle's eloquent refusals to take over the hooking duties D.P.'s dramatic 'walk-about', and most of all, the Nigerian Nemesis' sinking Hurst, with two blistering bouts of speed Team: M. Bennett, *S.E.M. Buckeridge, *A.J. Butler, S.J. CoUis, *M.K. Pavies, A.M. Derry, I . Ekuza. *D.J. Fowle, Goddard, Hickman, M.P. Keeble, P. Khodabandelou, *S. Kirkaldie, P. Mattinson, S.J. Norris, W.F. Paine, *A. Pollock, S.J. Rata, *MAS. Seifoori, *H. Shogbola, S. Springett, A.O.M. Wadsworth.

M.K. Davies won the Wickham Trophy for kicking. S.P. Licence and T.C. Risby played in the Kent Schoolboy Trials while these two and several others played hoHday rugby for Blackheath and Tonbridge Schools sides. R.D.C. 3rd XV (Won 3; Lost 3) A few memorable moments, more best forgotten, the whole taken in the spirit o f the moderately-keen, almost totally unskilled, happy-go-lucky type of bloke that filled the gentlemen's X V is as much as can be said for this season. Although our heroic win over Caterham, and our many victories and near-misses in practice games against the seconds, may have gone some way to dispel the myths that the thirds only played rugby when their ballet classes got too much for them, it must be admitted that we did

A.N.G.R. 42


Under 15 XV (Won 8; Drew 1; Lost 1)

Team:

This was a very talented year group. Many boys who would have made the team in a normal year must have counted themselves unfortunate in that they could not get a place in this team. There was great strength m the scrum, at half back and in the threequarters. The backs were spearheaded by Russell-Vick, the Captain of the side, and the forwards by Grundy. Russell-Vick continued to develop as a very accomphshed player with all the art and craft of a good centre. He kicks and handles the ball well, has good acceleration and variation in pace, and sidesteps and dummies very effectively. Although not a big player his defence is sound and above all he has a 'football brain'. He is instinctively aware of what the situation requires, tactically. Grundy proved a very good No. 8 and a most effective pack leader welding the pack into a force greater than the sum of its parts. His own individual play particularly in the lineout and with thrusting runs from loose situations was an excellent example. There were so many good players in the side that this report could easily turn into a portrait gallery. Rata in his first full season as scrum half did remarkably well. In attack he was a handful for the opposition and his defence was well up to flank forward standard. At times, however, he showed his inexperience in the position by holding on too long and thus reducing the opportunities for the threes. Thomas mi. proved a most rehable -link-man at fly half and he could have done more individually had he been required to do so. Jones at open side flank forward was a fast moving one-man demoUtion squad putting in some fine cover-tackling. Heron was a fine forward in all aspects of the game. Many others may be disappointed at not getting a mention; they deserve a mention but space will not permit. Early in the season a fine victory 0-4 against Kent College away reversed a heavy defeat from the previous season. It was the first defeat suffered by Kent College for two complete seasons. It was a 'ding-dong struggle' from first whistle to last. Commitment and effort were total. The game against D.Y.R.M.S. away was perhaps the highlight - 26 points were scored in a dazzling display of attacking rugby. Of equal significance was the 0 scored by the opposition, testimony to the possession domination and tiglit defence. The one game which was lost, that against Sir Roger Manwood'f away, was a hard fouglit struggle against a physically big side. We were somewhat unlucky to come out losers 6-3. Apart from the one try scored by Man wood's they never again came near to scoring, whereas we besieged their line and came close to scoring on several occasions. The pack went over four times but the referee was riglitly unable to give a score. Wingers were tackled into touch at the corner on at least three occasions. However we have no real complaints as this was one of the rare occasions when we failed to make best use of our possession. Following good wins against Eltham, Rochester and Cranbrook we shpped up rather against Caterham getting a scrappy 8-8 draw in a lack-lustre performance when we failed to make use of possession. All in all this was an excellent season as the match statistics show, despite the first eight games all being away from home. In the whole of the season we conceded only six tries. Of these one was an interception and two were to say the least, attributable to referees' benevolence to our opponents.

*R.W. Anderson, J.A.K. Clarke, R.D. Coate, *I.H. Grundy. *P.J. Hamilton, B.C. Hart, *P.D. Heron, *S.W. Hobbs, M.N. Janani, *G.P Jones. D.O. Machm, *S.J.A. Rata, *M.T. Russell-Vick, G.M.B. Smith, J. Taki, *R.J.H. Thomas, S.ETownshend. J.B.H./G.G.A.

Under 14 (Won 1; Lost 9) It is always sad when a team does not do well. Often, at tliis level, it is due to the lack of physical stature, which was the case this year. And to that the fact that there were several injuries and it can be seen that the resources of the Game were very stretched. Consequently more boys than usual had their opportunity to play, but the problem of strengthening the back division was never solved. With the exception of the games against Brighton College, St. Lawrence and Caterham, in each case the team being comprehensively thumped, the matches were reasonably close. In the one success, the team played very strongly against Cranbrook and deserved their victory: Williams at full back, caught and kicked well; Rayner had a good game m the pack and Anderson kept up his usually high standard of play at flank. It was a difficult term m which to be captain, and Beech did his best. The pack ultimately showed some promise, but the tackling and flair that a team needs were missing this year. Team flom. * P.R. Anderson, *C.F. Beech, J.N. Benfield, A. Bovington, T.J. Bowcock, T. Burton, E.L. Catpole, T.A. Chantler, W.R.J. Daniel, G. Ga staun, W.G.T. Geedes, D.C. Glenister, M.S. Gray, C.J. Henry, J.N. Hirst, F.K. Jamal, PM. Jones, J.A. Neeves, R.P. Norman, J.R. Piper, *M.S. Rayner, M. Rice, H.A. Ripper, G.J.M. Scott-Brown, T.R. Sunnucks, A.J. Tyley, *C.C. Williams. C.P.M.K. UNDER 13 XV (Won 4; Lost 2) Although the team started off the season poorly by losing their first match to Kent College (3 - 26), they soon rallied round and reahsed their full potential. The second match against Roger Manwood's was a closely fought contest with attack and counter-attack constantly waged. Unfortunately, due to a silly error late in the second half, the match was lost by a single point (8 - 9). However, the last four matches were won with determination and flair. A particularly satisfying win (6 - 4) came against Eltham, who are always a very strong side. The final tribute to the team came when we reversed the result of our initial match against Kent College (9 - 8) thus wiping out a thirty point differential. The outstanding players of the season were: Tim Gledhill for determined running; Paul Sunnucks for his captaincy and goal kicking; the second row forwards Daniel Busolin and Mahnoud Aboul-Hosn for their work in the set scrums and loose rucks. A great many of the team came close to being awarded their colours and the final decision was an agonising one. Team:

A.P Rowley, G.A.M. Sturdy, R.M. Evans, *T.J. Gledhill, *J.P. Sunnucks, A C . Waters, J.M. Stone, A. Bird, F. Gedney, D. Van Zwanenburge, *M. Aboul-Hosn, *D. Busolin, D.M. Chambers, S. Motiwaila. S.J. Kingsland. C.I.K.L.

43


RUGBY R E S U L T S

Purley High School Kent CoUege Tonbridge Qub Colts Brighton CoUege Duke of York's RMS Dover College Sir Roger Manwood's School Hurstpierpoint College Exeter School KeUy CoUege King's School Rochester Brighton CoUege St. Lawrence CoUege Eltham CoUege Cranbrook School King's Canterbury Kent CoUege Caterham School

1st XV

2nd XV

6-32 10- 4

4-16

7-10 12-24 10-10 14- 3 10-15 7-13 15- 17 6-19 0- 0 6-26 7-10

4-22 3-26 6- 18 12-13

6-

4

3rd XV

22- 6 0- 15

U16 XI 9- 7 24- 0 6-14 4- 6 3-18 10- 9

13- 4 0-22 0- 14 0- 0 0- 22

0-16 12- 6 4-27

19- 3 6- 4 3-26

0-30

12- 10

0-12

r5

44

U14 XI

U13 XI

4-22

3 - 28

4 0 3 6

0-82 0-25 0- 16 0-16

9- 12

41 - 0

4 - 16

24-18

17 - 10 24- 0 12- 12

0-44 4-22 14- 0 4- 4

14- 6 6- 4

U15 XI 40- 0 4- 0 132621 3-

8-

8

0-70

9-

8


HOCKEY RETROSPECT Captain: S.P. Licence Vice Captain: R.J. Bedford Hon. Secretary: T.C. Risby

1st X I (Won 5; Drew 3; Lost 13)

2nd XI (Won 3; Drew 3; Lost 6) The performances of the 2nd X I this season were, on the whole, disappointing. We considered ourselves to be a skilful team, but rarely had the pitch conditions to show this. We began the season against a very strong Trinity team and were lucky to be defeated by a single goal. However, we overcame this setback with good draws against Kings, Rochester and Sevenoaks. In our next match, we were completely out-played by a fast running St. Lawrence team and were deservedly well-beaten. Our first victory of the season came from a poor match against St. Edmunds and two defeats (by Kent College and Cranbrook) followed. We therefore looked forward to our match against Tonbridge with some trepidation. In the event, we gave our best performance of the season and, thanks to some inspired goal keeping by Taylor, managed to achieve a surprising victory. As a result of this, we approached our next game in good spirit but were beaten by Kings, Canterbury. After a draw with Eastbourne, in the pouring rain, and a thrashing by Dulwich, our morale was at rock bottom as we approached our final game against Skinners. The match proved to be the worst of the season o f which the only redeeming feature was the fact that we scored the winning goal with the very last hit, injury-time. During the season Buckeridge proved to be an enthusiastic captain, and his vitahty spread to other members of tlie team, notably Waller, Rosenwald and Dismoor. Our main weakness was an inability to score goals, but our leading marksmen were Girolami and Twiltermsup who seemed to put away the difficult chances while missing the easy ones. Team: J.C.M. Buckeridge, J.W. Davis, S.S. Dean, J.P.M. Dismorr, D.B. Dorling, S.J. Evenden, S.P. Gilder, S.P. Girolami, T.J.M. Hills, G.D. Moncur, J.P. Rosenwald, S. Taylor, S. Twihermsup, A.J.A. Waller, A.J. Whitehouse. D.J.P. 3rd XI (Won 2; Drawn 1; Lost 4) This year's Third XI played with great gusto and spirit and several victories were recorded, much against expectations. Enthusiasm was the key-word in all our fixtures, and we were unlucky not to win more matches. The team was lucky in retaining most of its stalwarts, without their being 'elevated' to the 2nd X I , but was unfortunate m losing the Captain, Stewart, early in the season through an appendix operation. I hope that next season there will be the same positive approach and desire to win games.

Tlie X I lacked mature Hockey players of real skill, and several matches were lost before it was decided to denude the U 16 X I in order to pursue a youth policy. From this moment the team began to play increasingly good hockey, but our results were still marred by the lack of a consistent goal scorer. Thus whilst we had earlier lost deservedly to Chatham House, a very useful Sir Roger Manwood's XI and St. Lawrence - where only Simon Licence's goal-keeping kept the score down, our remainmg School defeats were all matches that should at least have been drawn, and would mostly have been won for but poor finishing. Against Skinners, however, where Mark Russell-Vick was outstanding, and during the Festival, the goals suddenly started to flow, and the X I showed that they were certainly no disgrace to the Suttonian colours. Festival The first home festival was a great success, some good Hockey was played and the X I emerged with great credit. Our three wins were all well-deserved, and only the excellent Framlingham team managed to lower our colours. Simon Licence at his best was superb; L's nagging appendix took its toll,, however, and he missed his team's best hockey. Richard Bedford was a rock at centre-half and he captained the side well during our successful festival when • Tim Risby and Gareth Lewis showed what a good rightwing partnership they have become. Of the younger players, Mark Russell-Vick is an outstanding prospect, and all the Under 16 brigade added to their reputations considerably at the festival where Steven Taylor distinguished himself in goal. Team from: *R.J. Bedford, P.J. Brice, A.J. Butler, M.K. Davies, J.P.M. Dismorr, S.J. Evenden, S.P. Girolami, *G.M. Lewis, *S.P. Licence, S.J. Norris, R.R. Orpin, W.F. Paine, +D.A. Richardson, *T.C. Risby, J.P. Rosenwald, M.T. Russell-Vick, S. Taylor, D.J. Townsend, S. Twiltermsup. Cornwallis repeated the House match double. Founders took the league title, and in a season of many matches and some rain, Ron Ledger and his ground staff once again showed how fortunate we are to have their services. Those gaining representative honours are congratulated elsewhere, but one Hockey leaver is not: A.N.G.R. has always been prepared to help with Hockey since his arrival at Sutton Valence, and he has run the Colts with considerable success in recent seasons: he even managed the occasional victory after I had poached' four of his players this year! His performances for the Common Room XI against the 3rd X I will linger long in my memories of 'armed rugby', and I doubt if I shall ever again be undefeated at doubles in darts: 1 thank him warmly for his great help.

W.T. Under 16 XI (Won 4; Drew 1; Lost 6) This year's Colts deserve more credit than their modest record might suggest. Potentially, this was a talented group, so much so that the upper echelons of the game could not do without the services of three key players. Butler was 'translated to glory' without passing through our clutches, and Norris and Brice followed him after no

G.G.A. 45


moie than a brief sojourn. The devastating effect can be gauged by the fact that in an early season practice match th^^'Colts thrashed the 2nd X I 5-0, the return, played after various Olympian reshuffling procedures, had taken their course, went against us. Despite the difficulties occasioned by these calls from above, we were able to defeat King's, Rochester (2-0), St. Edmund's (3-2), Cranbrook (3-1) and Skinners (3-1). Other 'matches might also have been won, had the defence held "firm in the last quarter of an hour. Lapses at the back certainly cost us the game at Kent College and Eastbourne. Mark Davies and Alastair Shawled the attack: the former so fast and elusive on the ball, and so deadly in the circle; the latter so thoughtful and incisive in distribution. William Paine, the Captain, directed operations from centre-half, turning in many a workmanlike performance. The rest of the team all had their moments, but inexperience often led to disastrous errors in defence: ruthless policing and crunching tackles all too frequenfly gave way to 'flyswatting' and 'camel turns' as the final whistle drew nigh. The principal value of a season such as this must certainly lie in the fact that several new players were blooded who will be needed at senior levels, but who had not seen 'active service' lower down the school. Team from: R M . Allen, D.G. Best, *P.G. Brice, S.F.M. Buckeridge, H. Court, *M.K. Davies, A.M. Derry, R F . Fermor, D.J. Fowle, M.P. Keeble, M.C. King, *S.J. Norris, *W.F. Paine, J.R.E. Ricketts, M.A.S. Seifoori, *A.R. Shaw, R. Siewert, A.J. Swarbrick, R.M. Turton, R.A. C. Wiggins. A.N.G.R.

Our best result of the season was our win over Eastbourne 6-1 on their hard pitch. For once everything went well. We used a few square passes, we found our men, and they slotted in goals. The season finished with a very enjoyable game on our own hard pitch against the County Under 14 X I , which ended in a 1-1 draw. It was an up and down season. We have still not managed to use the square pass anywhere near often enough, we do not use the Wingers enough to make the incisions, the Wing Halves have not been marking the opposing Wingers tightly enough. The full backs have been caught square too often, and have been hitting the ball hard, but to the opposition instead of to our own men. The Inside trio have not been scoring enough goals. Yet, with all this, the team has played with plenty of spirit, and has a considerable amount of talent and has raised its game commendably on occasions. Next year, i f the team is not depleted and the members can refrain from becoming frustrated with themselves and each other, then they could have a very good season indeed. ^ ^ B.R.D. Under 14 X I (Won 8; Drew 2; Lost I ) For the second successive season the Under 14's went through with only a single defeat; indeed, the overall record was remarkably similar to that of the previous year, the main difference being that, because of the mild winter, more hockey was played and all the schedule fixtures, barring one, were fulfilled. The main joy of the season was, then, the fact that we were able to practise and play a great deal of hockey. The new porous pitch was an asset of course, (we had 4 practice sessions and 3 matches on i t ) though I would hope that the younger players would be able to use it more in the future; playing on the 'doubtful' surfaces of B.M. is not the best way of inculcating basic skills in those new to the game. In addition, the boys themselves wanted to play and there was an encouraging attitude to training and practice among the group. After two fairly uneventful drawn games, the first indication that this side might be above average, came in the 1-0 victory over a more skilful Kent College X I that had played together for the previous two seasons and had hitherto remained unbeaten. By rarely allowing their opponents to play, Sutton Valence, especially full-backs E^niel and Sunnucks, dominated the game, apart from the final five minutes, with hard, first-fime tackling, and with Bowcock, converted from the left-wing to centre-forward where he remained for the remainder of the season, scoring an opportunist goal, the side were worthy winners of a game that ended with Kent College swarming around our goal-mouth. The West Kent Tournament held at Cranbrook School followed soon after and, with the aid of probably the best hockey they played during the season, they defeated a very useful Borden G.S. by 2-1 in the final, despite having to substitute Beech and Anderson at half-time through exam commitments, and thus retained the 'winners title' won so narrowly for the first time in 1979. Although Bowcock scored all 4 of our goals in the Tournament, two of them were beauties that came on each occasion fiom defencesplitting passes by Beech and Burton on the right-wing, it was the defence that was catching the eye most, so much so that first-choice goalkeeper Hollins, apart from one dramatic save with his head (!) in the opening match of the term versus Rochester, and second choice Marino, were rarely troubled, so tight was the marking in front of them. Indeed a mere 3 goals had been conceded by the time we

Under 15 X I (Won 5; Drew I ; Lost 6) We started our season just before term started, and, although still having Russell-Vick in the team at this juncture, we rather disappointingly did not get through to the quarter-finals in the Duke of York's 6-a-side Tournament. Russell-Vick's transfer to the 1st X I seemed to cause a high grade loss of morale at the beginning of the season, and we started by losing 0-4 to Trinity, despite some good goalkeeping by Hills, and 0-1 to King's Rochester. We rallied against St. Lawrence and St Edmund's and realised that one man did not completely make a team. Kent College proved too strong for us, but we beat Cranbrook convincingly 4-0. By now, Tong had moved from Centre Half to Centre Forward and Thomas was captaining from Centre Half, while Rata was begirming to recover from his illness. One of the high spots of the season was a very determined game against a good Tonbridge side. Hart, now the regular goalkeeper, even saved a goal with his cheek! The full backs, Hagan and Heron looked very tired indeed by the end of the game. We ran out winners at 2-1. Our 'B' team did not fare so well at Tonbridge, where they enjoyed their game, but lost 0-10! We followed this by a disastrous game against King's Canterbury where we had nearly all the pressure. Wingers Town and Millar centred well and gave the inside trio plenty of chances, which unfortunately failed to convert into goals. We were not helped by one particularly diabolical decision from our umpire! King's managed to score the one winning goal in the closing minutes. A somewhat similar pattern seemed to emerge at the end of the season on the mud against Skinner's. Again we had the chances, but only scored one goal. The fates we felt, had cheated us cruelly when Skinner's managed to scramble in two goals to win the match in the dying minutes. 46


reached the Dulwich game, the 10th of the Season! Before this, however, Tonbridge, who had no forwards, had been defeated 2-0 on the hard surface, and Eastbourne by 1-0 in a game that had looked all over a draw, until an exciting goal by Rice gave us the spoils inside the final minute of play! Just as we were wondering whether we would remain unbeaten, we, half-expectedly, met our Waterloo at Dulwich College; 0-3 was a Httle harsh considering the period of unrelenting pressure exerted by the Sutton forwards early in the second half, but, having said that, Dulwich were stronger in midfield and were deserving victors. The Season ended on a pleasant note with a good, determined fight against Skinners School (3-1) who led by a single goal some fifteen minutes from the end. Beech played several dominating games at centre-half and improved a great deal as Captain by the end of term; however, there are points about both his manner on the field and his stick technique that can be improved on next year. As already indicated, the two full-backs Sunnucks and Daniel had outstanding seasons: the former generally seemed to have more time than the others and distributed the ball intelligently, as well as using a reverse stick tackle to great effect; the latter hit firmly, fimed his challenges to a nicety and, i f beaten, used his speed to cover back. Elsewhere in defence, Orpin and Anderson were tireless winghalves, who kept many dangerous wingers at bay. In attack, Glenister looked as good a player as any on his day at inside-left, but must listen to advice and instructions rather more; Galstaun began to play extremely well on the leftwing, Burton, when the ball was hit in his direction, used his speed and tenacity to advantage on the right, while Bowcock and Rice, showed much promise in the centre of the attack. They did not, perhaps, work together as menacingly as I would have liked, though Bowcock did score 12 goals, several by dint of sensible following-up on the goalkeeper.

This was a most enjoyable and successful season, made more so by the unstinting help given by G H A and C ' L K L who so willingly gave of their time to assist with the'.less expert players. The reserves certainly made noticeable improvements and surely another victorious hockey term" ".' lies ahead! ' Team from: P.R. Anderson, P.J. Apps, *C.F. Beech;-T.J. '-'"i Bowcock, T. Burton, P.A. Carter, *W.RJ,., .V Daniel, G. Galstaun, D.C. Glenister, R.F.;.',."!, Head, D.S. Hollins, P.M. Marino, S.G. Orpin, • ' M.D. Rice, T.R. Sunnucks, A.J. Tyley. R.D.C. Under 13 XI (Won 3; Drew 1; Lost 1) All the Under 13 boys enjoyed much more hockey this term than in previous Lent terms. The weather was kind for most of the term, and everybody had the opportunity to have a game on the nearly all-weather pitch. Several members of the team were outstanding in their hitting ability, but the danger was that they tended to muddle and mark each other rather than their opponents. In the matches, the opposition were all too often allowed to score in the closing minutes of the game, with our defence caught square or out-numbered, and the goalkeeper left with an impossible task. The only match on a nearly all-weather pitch was played against Holmewood House on the Tunbridge Wells ground at Hawkenbury. This game produced some good hockey - but our weakness was in the lack of finishing power in the forward line. Overall, the strength of the team was in mid-field. Team from: Aboul-Hosn, trts, M., Busolin, Evans, Gedney mi, Gledhill, Rowley, Sorrell, Stone, Sturdy, Sunnucks mi, IP., Waters, Plommer M.E.F.P.

HOCKEY RESULTS HOCKEY RESULTS Trinity K.R.S. S.R.M. Chatham House St. Lawrence St. Edmiinds Kent College Hockey Assn. Cranbrook S.V.H.C. Artists Tonbridge Kings Cant. Winchester Hse. Eastbourne O.S. Homewood H. Dulwich Skinners Stan well Reeds Clifton College Franingham

1st XI 1- 1 0-3 2-3 1- 3 0-3 0- 1 1- 3

2nd XI 0-1 1 -1

3rd XI 0-4 1-0

U16XI 1- 7 2-0 C

U15 XI 0-4 0-1 C

U14 XI

U13

1 -1 C

2-2

0-5

2-2 3-2 1-2

2-0 2-1 1-2

0-0 1-0

0-2

C

3-1

4-0

1-0

2-1 1-2

1- 3 4- 1

0-2 1- 3

2-1 0-1

1-2 0-1

2-2 1- 4

1- 1

2-4

6-1

2-0 3-0 5- 1 1-0

0- 1 4-2

0-6 2- 1

1- 3

0-4 3-1

0-3 1- 2

3-0 0-3 3-1

0- 1 0- 4 1- 3 1- 1

4-2 1-5

47

0-1 6-1

C 4-2 3-0


C R I C K E T RETROSPECT Captain: J .B. Hichens Vice-Captain: R.J. Bedford Hon. Secretary: A.K. Charlton XI (Won 3: Drawn 12: Lost 3). ^As had been anticipated, this year's X I found the going rather hard. After more than a dozen years of strength and maturity in S.V. sides, our opponents proved less than generous when we found ourselves with a young and inexperienced team. Nevertheless, though we struggled to hold our own with the stronger sides on the circuit, there were few disasters, and one can look back on a season from which several players emerged with great credit. John Hichens assumed the mantle of the captaincy with dignity, and led the side competently, despite having had Uttle previous experience of 'command'. His batting was always soUd, though at times, one felt that like Botham of England, the burden of responsibihty had laid a veil of caution over the hard-hitting, back-foot player he might have been. It should be added that John took over the wicket-keeping, too, despite the fact that he last wore the gloves in earnest while still in prep school. He 'kept' tidily, and claimed 20 victims. Not bad for a beginner! Richard Bedford spearheaded the bowling and batted well on occasions, though he did not quite fulfil the promise of last year. Mark Russell-Vick was the 'player of the season'. Although still officially Under 15, he was the 'man they all feared'. He is a 'class' batsman, with an array of strokes rarely seen in one so young. It was a great pity that he had to do so much himself. The X I came to rely on him for wickets, as well as runs, and the pressure inevitably took its toll. His season ended in disappointment with the' bat, though his bowUng went from strength to strength. He fully deserved his selection for the Public Schools Under 15 (South) X I and he was desperately unlucky not to be selected for the full H.M.C. X I . I wonder how many of the successful young stars in that side had contributed as much to their School First Xl's as Mark had to ours: 448 runs and 26 wickets. The season began with a series of drawn games. The weaknesses of our young side were exposed in several matches but we managed to stave o f f defeat, and indeed came close to winning on occasions. The King's Rochester match was played in continuous drizzle. King's made 209 for 8 dec. (Bedford 4-56) and our reply was curtailed at 36 for one when the heavens finally opened in earnest. Emboldened by what he had seen when 'guesting' for the M.C.R. versus the Grannies, Skipper Hichens 'inserted' the Headmaster's XI; it almost came o f f too. The 'Opps' were put out for 127 (Bedford 4 for 40, Shaw 3 for 22) when Russell-Vick was f i f t h out, the School score stood at 95, but the last over saw us hanging on grimly at 105 for 9. Chief destroyer was our very own John Goss (erstwhile Second X I stalwart!) whose figures 6 for 25 earned him instant elevation to the X I where he remained for the rest of the season. We held out for a draw against St. Lawrence: their 206 for 6 proved to be rather ungenerous. 112 for 6 was all we could manage by way of reply. Inserted on a desperately slow pitch at Sevenoaks, we declined the challenge to throw the match away. Memories of some dour defence by our opponents in the past made us determined not to succumb to 'mental pressure'. 129 for 8 was our score when we declared, and Sevenoaks might have been in dire straits, had a vital catch been taken in the early stages. At the close, their reply stood at 54 for 3.

Neither side managed to score above 2 runs an over, despite what the Daily Telegraph report may have insinuated to the contrary! The Old Suttonians match was a gem. Thin on paper, the Old Boys batting belied its form, and set us a daunting target. Steven Cramner's delightful f i f t y and Robert King's unlikely, but nonetheless superb, 86 from the lowly position of No. 8, put the School on its mettle. Pat Brice made a good 80 to see us safe at 213 for 5. Kent College came close to winning and to losing this year. A t stumps, their score stood at 114 for 8 i n reply to 5. V's total of 134 for 5 (Hitchens, 53 not out). After an improbable debacle against Dover, we put up a creditable performance against Cranbrook, Russell-Vick made 86 and shared in a partnership of 145 for the 3rd wicket with Brady Rafuse, who made a watchful 68. At 37 for 6, Cranbrook were 'dead and buried' but their skipper, determined as ever in this 'local derby' kept their hopes afloat, and they reached 120 for 8, well short of our target of 200 for 6. Once again the Forty Club match proved the Chaucerian saw that 'JMen may the olde at-renne, and noght at-rede". They made 171 (Rafuse 3 for 18, Orpin 3 for 30) and reduced us to 121 for 9; only Shaw (51) and Hichens (30) resisted the guile of the 'greybeards'. Thinly disguised in the sheep's clothing of Band of Brothers colours, our very own R.D.C. savaged the school attack to the tune of 116 out of 222 for 8. Bedford made a useful ' f i f t y ' to help us to an adequate reply of 201 for 6. The M.C.C. defeated at 218 for 7, leaving us plenty of time. Stan Topliss was 'seen o f f (overs 8, maidens 5, runs 6, wickets 0!) and Hichens (32) Russell-Vick (60) and Co., set out the spinners. Only the 'donkey-drops' of Homsby denied us a second, consecutive victory over the "big men" — 210 for 9 was our final score. St. Edmunds treated us with great respect, they batted far too long for 153, and set us 5 an over; an unreasonable request in view of their useful seam attack. Had they 'taken a chance' they might have prospered, since our fortunes foundered on the rocks of 82 for 5 at the close. After the long 'exam break' we entertained a touring side from Scarborough Sixth Form College, Russell-Vick took 7 for 22 and shot them out for' 8 1 , then be batted confidently for 36 not out, to steer us home for our first victory of the season, 84 for 4. Maidstone Grammar School felt our teeth again this year: we declared at 137 for 7 (Hichens 52 not out) held our catches, and dismissed them for 87. With these two goods wins under our belt, we looked forward to a successful Festival. For the record: Team: Full colours: J.B. Hitchens, R.J. Bedford, M.T. RussellVick. Half colours: P.G.G. Brice, A.K. Charlton, J.P.M. Dismorr, J.D.L. Goss, B.R. Rafuse, A.F. Shaw. Also Played I . Ekuza, D.J. Fowle, S. Norris, R.R. Orpin, S.J. Rata.

48


their loss. He finished with 184 being ably supported by Cattell (14-3). Orpin then proceeded to carry his bat as we •' scored the necessary 62 runs, the game finishing at half' past five. ^ The most pleasing victory was agamst St Edmund's w h i ^ j , Taylor demonstrated what a good captain he had becomii/ After we had scored 106 runs a hostile spell of bowling by Ricketts, who finished with 4-6, ably supported by King.. (16-2) ripped the heart out of the St. Edmund's battingrit--;, was left however to Copson and Davidson (11-3) to rush ' through the overs at such a rate that the game was eventually won with eight minutes to spare, in the twenty-third over of the last hour. Taylor captained the side well on match days and his batting contribution proved vital on a number of occasions. In particular his 21 not out against King's, Canterbury and 30 not out against Kent College are worthy of note. Norris showed much promise but only translated this into runs on one occasion when he scored 32. Haig played with composure when defending and had a top score of 45. He has yet to add the attacking stokes to his repertoire that would make him a very good player indeed. Of the bowlers Ricketts deserves the highest praise as he ended the season as the top wicket taker. He took five wickets in a match on two occasions, his best performance being 23-5 against Dover. Davidson added a touch of experience to the side and his thirteen wickets were taken at an average cost of five runs each! Cattell bowled consistently well and King performed admirably not always getting the reward his bowling deserved. Ekuza kept wicket with increasing confidence and deserved his eventual promotion to the 1st XL' Hopley and Copson made valuable contributions for the team when called upon. The side was young in age and lacking in experience and" therefore their success was all the more pleasing because of this. 11 hope that they continue to play their cricket with the enthusiasm they have shown this season. S.J. Cattell, A.M. Copson, *M.P. Davidson, I . Ekuza, J.R. Haig, L.J.C. Hopley, R.B. Kelsey, M.C. King, S.J. Norris, R.R. Orpin, *J.R.E. Ricketts, T.C. Risby, *S. Taylor. (* colours)

FINAL AVERAGES Batting: RusseO-Vick Hichens Shaw Brice Bedford Rafuse Charlton

5 3 4

H.S. 86 53* 51 80 54 68 23

Runs 448 331 292 298 180 180 136

Ave 28.00 23.63 22.46 17.52 16.36 12.85 11.33

M 36 9 42 20 41 25

R 315 232 516 294 396 412

W 26 14 27 15 18 15

Ave 12.11 16.57 19.11 19.60 22.00 27.46

I 17 17 17 17 16 16 16

No.O 1 3 4

0 152 67 173 83 150 128

—

Bowling: RusseU-Vick Rafuse Bedford Dismorr Goss Shaw

CUPS AND PRIZES Senior House Match: House Leagues: Junior House Match: R.L.Kaye Prize: Fielding Cup: Individual Cup: Master I/C Prize:

Comwallis St. Margaret's Bennett , M.T. RusseU-Vick J.B. Hichens M.T. RusseU-Vick J.B. Hichens

2nd X I Cricket P.7 W.3 D 3 L I This proved to be a successful season for what was a young and inexperienced team. The strength of the side clearly lay in its bowling which continued to improve throughout the term. The batting lacked depth and certainly appeared frail under a prolonged attack of pace bowling. It is very much to their credit that in every game they played they found themselves in a potential winning position at some stage. That not more games were won was due to the fact that too many catches were dropped at important moments. The first match against King's Rochester ended as a closely contested draw, with both sides appearing well placed at some time, but neither side having the necessary spark to actually win. Later in the season we drew against St. Lawrence, Kent College and Cranbrook. Against Kent College we tried hard to score the runs needed to win in what short time we had been left by the visiting side, but the clock defeated us in the end. At Cranbrook we were outplayed for the only time on a rain affected wicket. We held out for a draw in the end thanks to some sound defensive play by Hopley. In the game against St Lawrence Ekuza scored 52 out of a total of 103-9, but for once we failed to bowl a side out and the result was a draw. The first of our victories came against Dover College. We batted first on a dry, hard wicket and scored 130 of which Haig's contribution was 45. Dover College then lost their first four wickets for 21 runs and never really recovered. Ricketts took 5 wickets for 23 runs in a hostile spell of quick bowling and we won by 52 runs. On a dry and hot day we defeated King's, Canterbury seven wickets. Orpin bowled well, making the ball appear to hang in the air causing batsmen to dither to our gain and

cpjyi.K. 3rd X I (Won 3: Lost 1) A very enjoyable and most successful season, robbed of a certain fourth victory when Bethany cried o f f - had they heard of our captain's bowling successes? Several members from last seasons' team set the tone, again under the enthusiastic captaincy of Mark Cumberlege, while three newcomers, Kelsey, Brooks, and Turton made particularly useful contributions. Against King's Rochester, in particularly bleak conditions, we amassed 121-6, with a well grafted 49 by Girolami, the highest individual score of the season. With some good tight bowling. Turton claiming 4-15, and some fine fielding, we dismissed the opposition for 61. On a small pitch against Sevenoaks, and without our captain to bowl, they scored freely, declaring at 175-5. We again batted quite well, reaching another 121, with a splendid knock of 31 from Strange. In a low scoring game against Cranbrook we could only score 48, thanks largely to a good opening innings of 21 by Brooks. However, a fine opening spell of just six overs by Cumberlege, with 8-13, ably supported by Turton with 2-2, thoroughly demoralised the opposition who could only score 23. The closest match of the season was played against King's Canterbury, who scored 57, with Cumberlege again producing excellent figures of 9-18 in fourteen overs. Against some equally tight bowling we 49


too found runs difficult to score, but managed to reach 587. with valuable innings' from Moncur, Strange, Moony, ani. Goddard One of the team's strongest assets, apart from the enthusiasm, was the high standard of fielding. Not many runs Were .given away and some fine catches were held. Kelsey's contribution in the shps was quite outstanding. TeEiiTi: R.C.W.Brooks, *C.M.Cumberlege, S.P.Girolami, P.S.Goddard, R.B.Kelsey, K.F.Lynch, G.D.Mon' • cur, D.J.E. Moony, C.A. Stanford-Beale, A.B. Strange, A.J.Swarbrick, R.M.Turton. D.W.T. Under 15 (Won 5: Drew 1: Lost 3) It is my firm belief that success in matches at this level depends on three things; the ability to punish leg-side bowling; the ability to bowl well up to the bat; keenness in the field. This year we were fortunate to have several batsmen who, on their day, could deal effectively with loose leg-side bowling, and one such, Mark Hagan, a batsman with few pretensions to classical style, finished top of the averages. We were also fortunate to have plenty of bowlers willing and able to keep batsmen forward on or about the line of off stump, and four of them finished with very good averages. Simon Rata was the leading wicket taker with his o f f breaks, but Richard Mee and Richard Coate, the regular openers, both took 17 wickets for less than 9 runs apiece, and David Curtis, thanks largely to a splendid 5 for 12 against King's Canterbury, finished top of the averages. The team's fielding was its weak point, and had they been sharper in this respect they may well have finished wdth an ever better record. (They lost by only 5 runs to Sevenoaks, and by just 2 runs to Dover College). The third defeat was at the hands of Cranbrook, who on the day thoroughly outplayed us. We might well have lost the drawn match against Kent College, too suicidally chasing a target which clearly wasn't on once we had got off to a poor start. Our victories were against King's,Rochester, (6 wickets); St. Lawrence(23 runs); King's Canterbury, (88 runs); Maidstone Grammar Shcool (11 runs); and St. Edmund's (1 wicket). Paul Hitchman a batsman, bowler and fielder of no great distinction, but an intelligent and perceptive cricketer, did a good job as captain, and gained in confidence and authority as the season progressed. The player for whom I felt most sorry was Jonathan Thome, a bowler who was hardly ever needed and a tail-end batsman. He must have had some very dull matches but I hope he has not been put off the game completely for the rest of his life, his day will come,1 am sure. Team: A.M. Clinton, *R.D. Coate, *D.G. Curtis, B.W. Gedney, *M. Hagan, *B.C. Hart .*P.C. Hitchman, R.S. Jackson, D.O. Machin, R.S. Mee, *S.J.A. Rata, *R.J.H. Thomas, J.P. Thorne, E.P. Willet. M.F.B. Under 14 (Played 10; Won 4; Drawn 2; Lost 3)

the normally fascinating fixtures against Holmwood House. After having narrowly avoided defeat on a west day at Rochester with our score at 68-9, we shared in a fine game of cricket with St.Lawrence. For the only time in the season, runs seemed easy to come by and after 2 hours we declared at 170-3, Tony Sunnucks (66) and Richard Morton (42*), being the main contributors. We didn't believe the opposition would approach our total - how wrong we might have been! Within an hour their score stood at 97-2 with an Indian lad having hit the bowling all round the ground to the tune of 74! A superb catch by Beech brought his downfall, and with Simon Orpin achieving an impressive figure of 7 - 5 - 7 - 3 , St.Lawrence were finally dismissed for 132. Following a dulhsh draw against Kent College, we gained 2 remarkable victories in the space of 4 days. We were dismissed for 92 against Dover College, and with the opposition 88-5, faced certain defeat. Not a bit of it! In a highly dramatic finish, Morton and Sunnucks bowled the opposition out for 89; Three days later, against Cranbrook, again defending only 91 runs on our small ground, there was more drama. With a wet ball Sunnucks (4-22) and Morton (5-55) bowled quite superbly, unchanged, to reduce their opponents to 58-8. A l l seemed over. However, we had reckoned without the resistance of the Cranbrook tail. Slowly, but surely the score crept up; the ninth wicket fell at 77, but numbers 10 and 11 batted like openers. At,87,the batsman attempted what appeared to be a comfortable single, but Hirst, in his first match for the side, sprang from nowhere and, with a deadly left arm throw, hurled the wicket down from 15 yards to earn a run-out decision - a second pulsating game had ended in a memorable win for Sutton Valence. After half-term, the batting disintegrated against King's, Canterbury; we suffered a crushing defeat at StJEdmunds, and were well beaten by a strong Maidstone G.S. side in a game in which only Glenister (36) and Orpin (4-33) distinguished themselves. Amid these disasters, Sunnucks again showed his promise and much resolution when scoring an unbeaten 62 for a combined U15/U14 X I against a Kent Schools' Trials XI. As one looks back, there is little doubt that it was the batting that let the side down, Sunnucks with 229 runs in all, being a notable exception; however, it should be added in fairness that the bowUng, fielding and the outcricket generally were all distinctly promising. Morton (25 wickets) and Sunnucks (15) bowled very accurately for much of the time while Orpin and Hollins also had their moments. Williams C.C. always looked a capable wicket keeper but missed several chances that he will probably snap up next year. Sunnucks was an excellent Captain, marshalling his men quickly and knowledgeably in the field, and he often showed an instinctive feel for the game that belied his years. Team From:

P.J. Apps, C.F. Beech, T.J. Bowcock, W.R.J. Daniel,G. Galstuan.D.C. Glenister, J.N. Hirst, F.K. Jamal, P.M. Marino, R.S.Matthews, R. Morton*, S.G. Orpin, M.D. Rice, T.R. Sunnucks*, T.M. Ward, C.C. Williams. R.D.C. Under 13 X I (Played 9, Won 1; Drew 4; Lost 4) This season proved a disappointment where we should have had more victories depsite a weak squad. We started well by almost beating King's, Rochester in the pouring rain. Their final pair held out against good bowUng by Sunnucks mi and Rowley. D.CP.S. hit the first of several big totals against us but did not leave themselves enough time to bow us out and we were fortunate, with some sensible batting from Simnudcs

Until half-term, the cricket at this level went surprisingly well, considering the lack of depth in the group. Of 5 matches played, 2 were drawn and 3 turned out to be exciting victories. The second part of the season, however, proved quite different; a change in the weather coincided with a decline in form, when inherent weaknesses (in batting particularly),previously suspected but just about overcome, brought about a dramatical reversal in our fortunes. It all ended rather gloomily with the abandonment of the Bethany game and the complete washout of 50


to hold out for a draw. Our batting finally was exposed at Kent College where we struggled to 99-7. However, tight bowUng and fielding forced K.C. to struggle for runs and at stumps they had managed to tie the score at 99-7 when we looked like losing. Eylesden Court hammered 140-7 of our weakened bowlin side and this proved too much for our battery. Starting gamely, without our 'opening bat' Waters, (he had been hit on the head as wicket keeper, from a rising ball from Sunnucks!) we went for the runs with Stone hitting and mis-hitting to good effect. Wickets fell steadily though, and we were finally out for 75. Friar's also knocked a large total against us although Suimucks bowled well (644). Our battery again collapsed and we lost by 114 runs! In a new fixture against a Kent Schools' U I 2 X I , we batted well and reached our first total of over 100; thanks mainly to Marten, drafted in for the occasion. Their enthusiasm and keenness in the field was a lesson to us and when we fielded we looked noticeably sharper, to the extent that they struggled to a draw at 68-9. Our worst performance of the season came at Bethany. Having skittled them out for 35 runs (Sunnucks 5-11) our 'battery' proved even more fragile. We threw away wicket after wicket and at one stage were 6-7! At 12-9 we faced a humiliating defeat but thanks to our last pair, who resisted stubbornly and were prepared to put bat to ball, the total moved to 32-9 and a victory was at

hand. Their catching had been poor but one 'skyed' hit too^ many was held and we lost by 3 runs. The following we k t we visited Grenham house and in a supreme batting performance raced to 152-3 at tea, Sunnudcs striking a hand-i; some 100 n.o. G.H. started confidently and were alwaysi looking for the runs, but good bowling and sharp fielding (Rowley 5-13, Barrett 3-22 and Wates taking 3 catches, behind the stumps) brought a collapse and we won by 73 runs. This was a remarkable victory against one of our strongest opposing teams and offered an odd contrast to the previous week's lack of effort. Our final fixture against King's, Rochester, saw the famiUar pattern with King's, Rochester, beating us by 58 runs. Several fixtures were cancelled through bad weather. A disappointing season then, but one that showed us at our best and worst. Sunnucks captained reasonably efficiently and will be remembered for a marvellous 100 n.o. Waters kept wicket well and is developing as a batsman. Rowley turned in some good bowling performances. The fielding generally was sound especially when we were in winning situations, but our batting let us down and this is the area to concentrate on next season. Team from: A.S. Birch, D.M. Chambers, R.M. Evans, F.G. Gedney mi, T.H. Gledhill, M . Gould, B.C. McCarthy, P. Mellinger mi, G.J. Nicholass, D.G. Plummer mi, A.P.C. Rowley, S. Sorrell, J.M. Stone, G.A.N. Sturdy, J.P. Sunnucks*, A.C. Waters*, M.S. Yorke,P.J.A. Apps, G.J.S. Barrett, G. Galstaun, P.M. Marino. R. Marten, S.J. Orpin. W.R.A.T.

!i3

51


SUTTON VALENCE CRICKET FESTIVAL (do I hear Sinunons yelUng for a quick single?) and so many impromptu moments of agony and ectasy. At least the Grannies will be pleased about my departure! But I'm only just across the water, if you're ever s h o r t . . . To close, I should Uke to make pubUc my gratitude to all Sutton Valence cricketers, past and present, who have made my sojourn such a pleasurable one. My special thanks go to Edward Craven, M J I J I . , G.G.A., R.D.C., and all the staff who helped to coach cricket at all levels, also to Ron Ledger, to his ground staff, to Jim Shewbridge and the caterers to making the 'Upper' quite the finest ground in Kent. Finally, I follow the estabUshed tradition in nominating my Best X I .

Jupiter Pluvius treated us fairly kindly this year, though he frowned down upon us quite a bit, and gave us a bucketful of his 'best', at least twice during the week. The usual quorum converged on the 'Garden of England' to renew old rivalries and to iforge new friendships. Sunday: Sutton Valence could only manage 121 all out against a steady Mancunian attack. William Huhne's captain, Dickinson, steered his side home with a solid 77. At Rochester, King's could muster only 58 in reply to Trinity's total of 167 for 9 declared. Monday: No play - rain! Tuesday: King's on their own ground, accounted in fine style for a lack-lustre Sutton Valence X I . They totalled 135 for 9 (Bedford 4-39) but our batting was abysmally bad: 67 all out was a sorry total. Disaster for the second year running! The 'Roses' match on "Upper" went the way of the white roses once again. Precious of St. Peter's collected 6 Lancastrian scalps to reduce William Hulme's to 81 all out, and Yorkshire won by 8 wickets. Wednesday: Sutton Valence bowled tightly to restrict Trinity to 143 all out, but we could not quite average last year's defeat, ending the day comfortably but fruitlessly placed at 104 for 6. Brice's 40 was the major contribution. St. Peter's dismissed King's for 129 and won by 4 wickets. Thursday: In A.N.G.R.'s 'testimonial match' - Sutton Valence elected to bat first. St. Peter's opening bowler (both buoyant in the knowledge of their recent selection for the Yorkshire Senior Schools' XI) proved too good for our early batsmen, and we struggled to reach 117 for 9 in 60 overs. St. Peter's coasted to 75 for 3 but collapsed thereafter; Rata (3 for 11) and RusseU-Vick (4 for 24) made short work of the middle order. Incredibly, the St. Peter's Captain chopped a Russell-Vidc long hop onto his off-bail when their score stood at 116 for 9 and Sutton Valence had won. At least one African mammal of large girth and considerable nasal armament will never forget the spontaneous joy which the XI showed after this memorable victory. The other match was also a 'nail-biter': William Hulme made 191 for 9, and Trinity, thanks to Vigar's century, got home with a '6' off the last ball of all!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

M J l . Benson* (1977) CJVl.T.Ricketts(1979) D.C.G. Foster (1977) J j ; . Skinner (1979) G J . Sagar (1979) SP.Cranmert (1979) M.T. RusseU-Vick (1980) A J . Foster (1979) R J . Fetherstone (1979) R J . Bedford (1980) I.H. Sutherland (1977)

2810 runs 937 runs 1515 runs 1063 runs 981 runs 765 runs 453 runs 490 runs 814 runs 218 runs

15 wickets 91 wickets 110 wickets 58 27 42 97 43 89

victims wickets wickets wickets wickets wickets

(Dates refer to a players final season, figures indicate career totals). AJ4.G.R.

Postscript How does one 'sign off after eight years in the thick of Sutton Valence cricket? Not an easy thing to do. I am conscious of the rhythms of the game, which were there before and will long outlast the transient passage of the individual. Of course, ofie recalls the great moments, none greater than that last memorable match; the great players, and one has seen them grow in stature: two recent products, Mark Benson and David Foster made their first class debut in the same week this summer. Above all, it is the "Upper", a truly a great cricket ground, which lingers in the memory: The School X I always plays best there! The O.S. weeks bringing together as they do, the 'old soldiers' and the 'young guard' in a marvellous 'Ministry of all the Talents': And of course, who can forget tire Common Room matches? Ramsbotham's 'six and out' innings, Abie's bowling (and his batting!), Chance's cuts to square leg — 52


CROSS-COUNTRY

School, Rochester when the Intermediates again won easily. Unfortunately, the season ended with a further disappointment for the Seniors in the cancellation of the match for all age groups at Dover College. The assistance of CFGP (and Lucy) and MAG was essential to accompany a squad with a very wide range oft: speeds on long training runs and to help with either transport or training on away matches, and I am very gratefulto them.

Captain: M.J. West Secretary: D.C.S. Novi

G.C.P.

With the departure of many good seniors last year, and the lack of U.16's who would become seniors this year, it was known before the start of the season that the senior team . would be weak this year. What was not expected was that injuries and ailments suffered by five team members would also contribute to this being one of the worst seasons for some years. Fortunately the situation was improved by the strongest Intermediate team for some time, with the best half dozen able to justify their selection for Senior races. Our hopes of a really successful year in this age group were sadly not fulfilled, as this turned out to be a year when several other schools in Kent also had stronger Intermediate teams than usual The Knole Run at the beginning of the term was an indicator of the course of events for the season as a whole. Maidstone Grammar School won the race convincingly, with four of their six scoring runners being Intermediates. Our team came a lowly 32nd out of 37 teams, with Intermediates filling four of the eight team places. The following week at the Five Schools Match the situation was repeated, with the Seniors coming last, the Intermediates running very well but being swamped by an excellent Skinners team, and the Juniors performing unexpectedly well to pick up second place as well. In the Maidstone Championships, our Junior team ran keenly but were outclassed, while the Intermediates ran very well to achieve second place behind the Grammar School. C. C. Williams was 5th in the Junior race and N. Janani was eighth in the Intermediate race, both excellent performances, which won them selection for the Kent Schools' race. The following day was regrettably a sad one for the school, as poor marking of the course led to all three races being declared void. By arrangement, Needham, West and Whitehouse were selected for the Senior Team. In the Kent Schools, Williams was 40th in the Juniors, and Janani was 32nd in the Intermediates, which assisted Maidstone Area team to gain 2nd place, and, in the seniors. Need-ham,was 34th, West was 58th, while Whitehouse was injured. Easy wins for the intermediates against Bethany, Judd, St. Edmund's, Duke of York's and Kent College, made up for the Seniors' disappointment at losing at Bethany and Kent College, and for having the Senior races with St, Edmund's and Duke of York's cancelled., A very enjoyable match against Cranbrook, St. Dunstan's and Sevenoaks provided some very impressive running, especially in the Intermediate race. In this, the team came third behind Sevenoaks and Cranbrook, while the Juniors achieved another good second place, with C. C. Williams running brilUantly to win the race in what is probably a course record. The Dunorlan Trophy result was a great improvement on last year's disaster, the team coming 6th out of 11 different schools, and gaining revenge for their previous week's defeats by finishing ahead of Cranbrook and Sevenoaks. At last the Seniors tasted success by winning at St. Lawrence's College admittedly with the help of three Intermediates, and by only losing two points against King's

West, Needham Novi Janani, Pollock, Willett, Anderson Williams C, Williamson

Full Colours: Half Colours: U.16 Colours: U.14 Colours:

Individual Steeplechase Winners Senior - Needham. Intermediate - Janani. Junior - Williams C. House Cross Country:- Division Winners. A Division: Needham B Division: Orpin C Division: Janani D Division: Sturdy

Team:

Senior - Nation's Cup - Lambe's Junior Bennett's

Results: 0.16 Knole Run

32/37

5-Schools

5/5

Maidstone Schools

U.15

2/5

2/8

8/11 1/2

Judd

1/2

St. Edmund's

1/2

DYRMS

1/2

Cranbrook, Sevenoaks, St. Dunstans

3/3

3/4

Kent College

2/2

1/2

Dunorlan Trophy

A team B team

2/4

6/16 14/16

St. Lawrence

1/2

King's School, Rochester

2/2

U.14

2/5

2/2

Bethany

53

U.16

1/2


manners were a fine example to the younger players in the side, and his game improved all season in every respect, particularly overhead, where he became most aggressive and, at times, devastating. He 'peaked' well for the Kent Junior Championships in December, where he reached the semifinals by defeating the No. 2 seed and Kent Junior Captain, Nick Long the Dulwich No. 2, and was rewarded for this success by being twice chosen to represent Kent at U.19 level, the first time we have had County honours at this level. In Kent League matches he was undefeated in 14 matches and so won the 'Kent Life' Trophy for our division. Richard is unquestionably the best player yet to have learned all his squash from scratch at Sutton Valence, and by the end of the season he had played 104 matches for the 1st V and 125 at all age levels for the school. This season he lost only 5 times in 35 school matches (excluding the tour), most of these losses being to County players, and in the season played below his best on really only two occasions: it was a particular disappointment for him that one of these was in the School Championship Final, l i k e Nick Shaw before him, he has made an outstanding contribution to S.V. squash. Alistair Shaw.at No. 2 also had a good season; his class is demonstrated by the fact that he was again runner-up in the Kent U.16 Championship and played No. 1 for the Kent team in the Inter-County Area matches, being awarded County U.16 colours. At his best he can be dominating, as he showed in fine victories against the Sussex U.16 runner-up in a match against Brighton College, in the return match against Hurtspierpoint and on the Tour when he defeated the last season's Devon U.16 champion with a display o f cool, controlled squash. But, still, he can let a match which he should win slip from him, by yielding to psychological pressures, which he often conjures up for himself, and lose to players worse than himself. Undoubtedly he played his best match of the season in the School Open Final, which he won with very intelligently-thought-out tactics and sound shots.

SQUASH Captain: R.J. Bedford This'was not as good a season as the last two have been, ;arfy certain aspects of it give cause for genuine anxiety. ^'AlTiese concern the Junior sides; the 1st V's achievements • were, in the end, satisfactory, as their record shows. But a summing-up of their season is remarkably like that of 12 months ago - a lack of quality strength in depth caused too many matches wliich could have been won, especially before Xmas, to be lost 2-3, particularly in the Kent League. This was an added disappointment, as, on paper, there had been every reason to hope for a strong side, with only last season's Nos. 1 and 5 gone from the top 6 players in the School. But one of the others did not come back to school and another left unexpectedly after only the first match of the season. Consequently we were forced to play young and inexperienced players in important matches; they could not be blamed for losing in these, and one hopes that the experience will be valuable for the future. The 1st V's disappointments first: we lost 2-3 to Eastbourne College, the first loss to them since 1976,1-4 to the Old Suttonians, in a most enjoyable 're-union' match,which I hope will now become a regular fixture, then, in a black week, 1-4 to St. Lawrence (the first time ever we have lost to them), 0-5 to Hurstpierpoint College and 0-5 to King's, Canterbury, results which meant that we had lost interest in the Premiere National Tournament and the Kent Schools' Cup for the season. After this nadir, however, we improved and gained some pleasing victories over Trinity School (twice). Hove G.S., Cranbrook, Maidstone S.C. Juniors and, especially sweet, a 4-1 revenge over Hurstpierpoint, on our courts, a first-ever success against them, although they were without their usual No. 3. In the Kent League, now regionaUsedin the lower divisions, we finished 5th in our Division, 4 West, a single point behind the 4th side, thanks to our second half-of-season improvement, after, at one stage, looking certain to be relegated. The Xmas Half-Term Tour to the Taunton area, which accompanied the 1st XV Rugby Tour, proved a great success, on and o f f court. As only 3 Sutton Valence, players could tour, we took 3 guest players, the Cranbrook Nos. 1 and 2, Steve Rubin and Charlie Pugh, and this season's Kent U.14 winner from Skinner's School, Alan Goodrich. This combination produced a side of about the same strength as the hoped-for Sutton Valence team would have been, had not the two players left unexpectedly. After warming up 5-0 against a weak 'Select' team from King's, Taunton, about 2!4 hours after arriving at our base at Wiveliscombe, the Nichols' hotel, we lost an exciting match againsi 'A' Blundell's School V 2-3 next day (the Cranbrook players were our I losers, to their extreme chagrin!), with Richard Bedford defeating a Devon U.19 player and Alistair Shaw convincingly beating last season's Devon U.16 champion. The other two matches, against Queen's Taunton and Tiverton S.C. were 5-0 wins, but there were some testing ties for certain players in both matches. Apart from the interest m visiting new schools and seeing their facilities, other things to remember were the King's Taunton master i/c's underpants (though not his speed around the court!), Richard Bedford's skill on the dartboard and Guy Beckett's amazing capacity for beer, which pushed mine quite into the shade!

The other 1st V players were not of the standard of the first two. In the Xmas term Nick Leggett, who was spending one term at Sutton Valence, played at 3. I'm sure he'll agree that he was playing two places higher than he would have liked, but those below him were marginally weaker, so all too often he was the 'fall guy' who enabled the lower players to win. He always tried as hard as he knew, but was often found wanfing technically, and in the enfire term he won only once, despite several times coming very close. But his help and contribution were invaluable, as I've said already, and I hope he enjoyed his squash with us as much as we enjoyed having him play. In the Lent Term, Guy Beckett, who had played at No. 4 before Xmas, moved up to fill the No. 3 spot. AH season Guy played his own inimitable, idiosyncratic brand of squash, and gained some useful victories, for he is capable of hitting the ball with ferocious power. Too often, however, too little thought has gone into the shot. But through playing very frequently he improved a lot during the season and was certainly reading the game better at the end. He, too, was a 100% trier. The remaining 1st V players of the season were both only 14: Asad Zia and Dirk Siewert. Dirk, though still small and slight, has excellent timing and is very fast around the court, with some very effective shots, especially the forehand cross-court kill. But he has the common lefthander's weakness deep on the backhand and is still a poor server much of the time. However, he made some progress in improving these weaknesses over the season, and his speed and deterpiination, once he had ceased to be overawed by playing men, gave him some useful wins. Asad Zia,

Richard Bedford, the captain, at No. 1 had an excellent season; his committed attitude, determination and court 54


Pakistan's latest contribution to S.V.S. squash, did not play regularly until well into the Xmas term, but soon made it clear that he deserved a place. Despite an unathletic appearance and build, he has a truly remarkable eye and can produce shots reminiscent of the Abou Taleb's best tricks. He surprised a considerable number of opponents, both schoolboys and men, with these 'magic' shots and consequently gained several of the victories which turned our 2-3 losses of the first half of the season into wins in the second half. I f he can achieve his full potential, he could become a very high-class player indeed. First he must lose weight (quite a lot!), gain more mobihty and speed, and discipline himself into not trying to hit a winner o f f every second shot. As I mentioned earlier, I feel concern about our younger players: of course we were able to produce quite reasonable Colts and Junior Colts sides (though they achieved no outstanding results), since 1st V players were available for these. However it is a disappointment that one Colt - James Rickets , who is developing into a useful player, with plenty of promise - will not be with us next season. But at the important U.14 age level we were very short of talent and had to revert to playing a mixture of U.15 and U.14 boys against the good prep, school sides, Wellesley House and Holmewood House, while the only really promising U.14, Tim Gledhill (who would have had another year at U.14) has gone the way of other promising U.14s in the past, to Maidstone G.S., where there is no squash. Consequently, the future seems a little worrying, although I must not fail to menfion the improvement and continued enthusiasm of Robin Thomas and Alistair Court at the Junior Colts level, where Richard Mee was also an encouraging 'find'. Let us hope that distant prospects are not as bad as I fear. The internal scene was much as usual: an enthusiastic Set played in the Xmas term, and a Set V played 2 matches. In the Inter-House Tournament, Westminster, with 3 1st V players and 2 Junior Colts, won the Senior Cup for the loss of only one tie in the 2 rounds they played, beafing St. Margaret's 4-1 in the final. The Junior Cup was won by Cornwallis who defeated Bennett 2-1 in the final.

TENNIS Captain: J.S. Hodges

After the first ten days of term when the three courts on the hard playing area were marked out with tape lines — nails every four inches made this a forbidding task - some of the booking problems of previous seasons were considerably eased: in particular, the grass courts received far less of a pounding. Leagues were easier to organise, and we even played some inter-school junior matches on the new surface. TKose used to the slow, high bounce of the main courts complained bitterly when the occasional ball shot off in an odd direction but the overall performance of the courts was by no means unacceptable. As far as the first V I was concerned, we began the season with many problems. Only Hodges, the captain, remained of the regular members of the 1979 team and, sadly, he failed to find his best form. There were a number of contenders for the remaining places: of these Rosenwald emerged as vastly improved on his form of the previous year, A.R. Court looked promising and Waller's persistence was effective against lesser opposition. It was not easy to choose between the remaining members of the team squad and the one thing which was clear was that this would not be a strong team. The forecast was confirmed after we lost four of the first five matches. We played negative tennis, not so much surrendering the mitiative as never attempting to seize it. In view of these gloomy prospects, it was decided that the emphasis should be on building for the future by giving match experience to a large number of players who would be here in 1981. At this stage, Hodge's decided on a reshuffle of partnerships and we won four of the next five matches, the final record being far more respectable than seemed likely at the start. For this latter half of the season the team was Rosenwald and Court, first pair; Waller and Lewis, second pair; Hodges and Fermor, third pair. On their best form Rosenwald and Court, could play effective, attacking tennis and they deserve most credit for our victories. Rosenwald acted as a Svengali on his younger partner, forcing him to play above himself on occasions. He deserved the award of full colours. Half colours were awarded to Court and Waller. Others who played in the first V I included T.K. Dodson, Kelly, R.M. Smith and D.J. Townsend. The number of under-16 matches continues to grow. We again entered for the county team tournament and scraped through the first round against Rochester Mathematical School in .a tense struggle. Rain reduced the match to one round and everything depended on our second pair who were 5-1 down with match points against them in the final set before emerging winners at 9-7. We then had a good win against Brockhill before being defeated by a strong King' Canterbury team in the semi-final. The team for the competition was Court and King, Fermor and Hitchman, Wiggins and Thome. Others to play in the under 16 matches included G.B.M. Smith, August, Hollett and D.J. Parsons. Coaching by Mr. and Mrs. Fermor has continued on Wednesday afternoons. As usual, we have much to thank them for. Coaching for an eUte squad has gone on through-

J. McC. COLOURS F u U C o l o u r s to s A . R . S H A W - Half Colours to G . P . B E C K E T T . I N D I V I D U A L CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS: A . R . S H A W bt. R . J B E D F O R D 3-1 OPEN 3rd place. A Zia bt G Beckett 3-0 A R S H A W bt D. S I E W E R T : 3-0 U.16 3rd place D Siewert bt A . Zia 3-1 D G L E N I S T E R bt T G L E D H I L L 3-0 U.I4 1st V R E S U L T S (excluding K e n t League). O V E R A L L : P.36:W.19 vs M O T E S . C . 3-2 vs J . M c C O R M I C K ' S V 3-2 vs E A S T B O U R N E C O L L E G E 2-3 vs O L D S U T T O N I A N S 1-4 vs S E V E N O A K S S C H O O L 4-1 vs S T . L A W R E N C E C O L L E G E 1-4* vs H U R S T P I E R P O I N T C O L L E G E 0-5 ( K . O . 1st R D ) . vs K I N G ' S S C H O O L 0-5' vs S T . E D M U N D ' S S C H O O L 5-0* vs T R I N I T Y S C H O O L 4-1 vs H U R S T P I E R P O I N T C O L L E G E 4-1 vs H O V E G . S . 4-1 vs J . M c C O R M I C K ' S V 4-1 vs D U L W I C H C O L L E G E 2-3 vs ' A - T O N B R I D G E S C H O O L V 1-4 vs C R A N B R O O K S C H O O L 4-1 vs M A I D S T O N E S . C J N R S . 5-0 vs T R I N I T Y S C H O O L 5-0 ••KENT SCHOOLS CUP DIVISIONAL MATCHES K E N T L E A G U E : D I V . 4 W E S T (8 teams) 70pts W13 1. M A I D S T O N E S . C . 4 P14 WU 58pts 2. H A W K H U R S T S . C . 2 P14 44pts W9 3. Y . S P O R T S S.C. 2 P14 W6 38pts 4. G O R E C O U R T S . C . 2 P14 37pts W5 5. S U T T O N V A L E N C E S C H O O L P14 TOUR vs ' A ' K I N G ' S , T A U N T O N ' S E L E C T ' V vs ' A ' B L U N D E L L ' S S C H O O L V vs Q U E E N S , T A U N T O N 1st V vs T I V E R T O N S . C .

W5-0 L2-3 W5-0 W5-0

55


ut the winter when weather permitted; a number of Uches, arranged by Mr. Fermor, have been played and I derstand that the team was bribed with the promise of a ish and chip supper i f fhey defeated King's Canterbiiry. tidly, Mr. Fermor did not have to pay up. The results of their efforts are beginning to be seen; 1 think we may be on the threshold of fielding teams of the calibre of those of the-1960s. ' Westminster won the inter-House competition, defeating St. Margaret's in the final. St. Margaret's I won the League Competition. Both singles competitions were won by cricketers, though the result might have been different had Rosenwald been able to play during the last week. Bedford won the Open Singles and Shaw the Junior Singles. A.R.D.

ache, dominating Walter and winning in straight games; Dean, just a little cooler than his opponent, beating the elder Dodson in 4 close games. The next contest, a fascinating contrast in styles between Simon Norris and Hugh Shogbola, fluctuated dramatically before Norris, showing admirable steadiness under pressure, won in the f i f t h by 25-23. To round o f f the formalities, Goss comfortably defeated Dorling and Richard Bedford, the St. Margarets' N o . l , brought little respectabihty to the score sheet by overwhelming Stephen Dean in 3 straight games. There was an Individual Tournament this year comprising the two finalists from each of the separate House Knockout Tournaments organised in the 5 Senior Houses. The last two in this, Janani and Goss, fought out the final on the Sunday also, with Janani triumphing fairly comfortably by 3-1, amid some protests about the legality of a bat and the fairness of a service - both of which were, needless to say, quite beyond the knowledge of the umpire!

RESULTS Ist V. V. V. V. V. V. V. V. V. V.

VI King's School Rochester Bethany Sevenoaks School 2nd V I Old Suttonians Kent College Dover College Cranbrook School Maidstone Grammar School King's School Canterbury St. Edmund's School Eastbourne College 'A' V I

lost won lost lost lost won won won lost won lost

Under 16 V. Rochester Mathematical School V. Kent College V. Cranbrook School V. Brockhill School V. King's School Canterbury V. Eastbourne College

won lost lost won lost lost

V.

1- 8 6-3 3-6 2-4

5-4 2-7 5^

FIVES

2-1 5%-3!^ 4-2 1-4 For some reason or other Sutton Valence fives players in recent years seem to have found i t far more difficult to play doubles than singles, and so, once again, several matches that were quite nicely poised at the end o f the singles finished with us being well beaten. In fact, i t was not until late in the term that the 1st I V recorded their first win. Having lost to Tonbridge (100-147), Rutlish (124154), the R.F.A. Club (134-154), and the O.S. (133-171), they managed to beat a rather weak team from Eastbourne (150-90) before losing to Whitgift (116-159) in the last match of tl;ie season. Simon Thomas., the captain, looked at one stage to be maturmg into a thoughtful player, but like the others in the team he tended to lack the stamina (mental as much as physical) to win by attrition. I keep hoping that things will look up - fives has been in the doldrums here for far too long — and I was much encouraged by the enthusiasm and skill of a larger than usual U15 group. Furthermore, with Mr King to help me in the courts this season it was possible to devote more time to the coaching o f younger players. On the home front Westminster once again cleaned up the trophies. With a House team all o f whom had played in the 1st I V they easUy won the inter-House competition. Simon Thomas (W) beat Guy Beckett (W) in the fmal o f the Open Singles, and together they won the Open Doubles. The U16 Singles final was played between two U15s from Westminster and resulted in a win for Ian Grundy over A Court. M.F.B.

TABLE TENNIS Owing to the success of the Inter House Tournament in 1979, it was decided through the Sports Council that further competitions should be organised in 1980, though, in fact, because of the milder winter, it was perhaps not so essential to arrange them as in the previous year; also, with boys able to play their hockey throughout the term, they were quite pushed to f i t in their table-tennis matches, and some league games were left unfinished. This year both a Senior and a Junior Tournament were organised, each on a league basis, the Junior Tournament comprising boys under 14!^ and including teams from Bennet and Holdgate in order to stimulate as far-reaching an interest as possible throughout the school. From an early point. Founders seemed likely winners of each league and in the event this proved to be the case, with St. Margaret's finishing a clear second and joining Founders in the Grand Finals, played again in the Hall on the final Sunday of term. In the morning, Foimders' Juniors, captained by Jonathan Thorne defeated St. Margaret's by 3-2, rather more easily than the base scene suggests, the only game of some tension being the one in which Luke Dodson defeated Rubin by 3-2. The Senior match took place in the afternoon, when Founders, never really looking in danger of defeat, quickly gained a 2-0 lead, Ricketts, with great pan56


drastically the next term and remained low for the lesUs^' the year. I hope that therefore, as fencing is now. a reqcig,, nised'sport wdthin-the.school that more people will joim'.-fi Congratulations to Julian Watson on the award of his: half colours and also to Marcus Emery for his selection inV the Kent team. Also we thank Mr. Anderson for being "such an understanding chauffeur. i-H^ M. Emery-):

BASKETBALL Captain: P. Corballis

Results

The Senior squad were virtually an U17 team this season, with no players from the previous year. They only played five matches, losing to Cranbrook away, but convincingly beating the Masters' Common Room. In the North and Mid Kent Cup they reached the final by beating Westlands 15510 and our arch rivals Maidstone School for Boys 61-41, but were completely outclassed by an excellent Gravesend School side, losing by 35-124. Half colours were awarded to Ashrafi, CorbalHs and Twiltermsup. The Juniors captained by Mark Davies, had a most successful season winning the Maidstone Schools' U16 League for the first time, winning all their matches. The experience of Davies, Seifoori and Shogbola, playing their second season in this competition provided the essential strength and skill, but they were most ably supported, notably in the first half of the season by Carapeti, and throughout by RussellVick and Ekuza whose skills improved noticeably during the season. In the North and Mid Kent U16 Cup they were, however, convincingly beaten by Howard School. Junior colours were reawarded to Davies and Seifoori and also awarded to Shogbola and Ekuza. In the Senior Inter-House competition Lambe's narrowly beat Cornwallis in the semi-final, but lost in a very close-fought fmal to St. Margaret's by 26-29. Lambe's also reached the fmal in the Junior competition, but were thoroughly outplayed by Cornwallis, who won by 53-16. Team Records: Seniors: Played 5, Won 3, Lost 2. Points for 385, points against 296. Leading scorers: Corballis 125, Ashrafi 81, Seifoori 50, Davies 48, Shogbola 35, Twiltermsup 30. Juniors: Played 10, Won 9, Lost 1. Points for 440, points against 338. Leading scorers: Shogbola 125, Davies 107, Seifoori 92, Russell-Vick 46, Carapeti 27, Ekuza. 21. D.W.T.

vs Tenterden Sword Club vs Benenden Girls' School vs Maidstone ' Y ' Centre Ken Russell Trophy vs Sevenoaks School vs Springbok Club vs Maidstone Kent County Amateur Fencing Junior Foil.

Seniors Juniors Seniors Juniors Seniors Juniors

Lost Won Won Lost Lost Lost

4-5 6- 3 7- 2 2- 7 3- 6 3-6

Seniors Seniors Juniors Seniors

Lost Lost Lost Won

11 -17 0-9 3-6 7-2

Two fencers to the semifinals. One fencer to the finals, final position 4th.

SHOOTING This has been another rather disappointing year for Shooting at Sutton Valence. I had hoped that we would be able to build up some useful scores, but there is a lack of determination by some individuals so that any group'of eight scores will consist of two or three high scores with the remainder too low to be of any consequence. We did fire in the first round of the Staniforth, but came very low in the order and did not quaUfy for the second stage. We hoped to fire in the Country Life but lack of practice on the Landscape plus the inability of key members of the V I I I to get half-inch groups made it a pointless exercise. On the credit side Toby Dodson who was Captain this year shot very consistently in all his practices and showed what was possible with concentration and determination. He was well supported by Andrew Kelly. Two younger shots held out promise for the future: James Ricketts. who won the Individual Competition shot concurrently with the House Match, and Lee Henderson, whose high score enabled Lambe's to win the House Match by one point in an exciting i f not high-scoring competition. We were unable to take part in any Open Range shootmg this year, except for a Field Day with the CCF. Two of our booked ranges were cancelled by the Range authorities and on the tliird occasion too many of the shots were required for matches in other sports. The problem we have at the moment with .303 shooting is that the rifles are 'shot out' to a large extent and it is not worth our spending a large amount of money to have them rebeddedetc.,as it is likely that .303 will be phased out in the next tew years as the ammunition runs out. I hope that next year we can see some improvement on the Miniature Range, but it does depend on those who are shooting showing some determination to improve their ' scores week by week. C.R.G.S.

FENCING Captain: J.S. Watson

Due to a large advertising campaign by Julian Watson in the Christmas Term we managed to put together a reasonable size club. As a result we found we were lacking in equipment but this is slowly being rectified. Although the results of our matches don't look very good, infact, we have, improved considerably over the year thanks to the helpful coaching of John MCMahon. This was evident in the Ken Russell Trophy meeting at Sevenoaks where, although there were only two schools present, we managed to do a lot better than last year. Despite Julian Watson's campaign in the Christmas term, numbers fell 57


p

HOUSE G O L F COMPETITION

The weather for this year's Competition was fine but v(indy. Tliis with the hard ground conditions, made scoreing difficult. Play, as last year, was three rounds of the BM course for each team of three boys. Westminster were unfortunately unable to field a side, but it was hard to forecast a winner from the other four. In the event it was Founders who by greater steadiness just beat St. Margaret's, with Cornwallis another short head behind. The best individual score was by Colin Williams, who included a par round (13) and his 43, an excellent performance under the circumstances. Total scores: Founder's St. Margaret's Cornwallis Lambe's

161 163 166 179

R.E.H.

THE OPEN G O L F CHAMPIONSHIP The weather on the morning of the 18th March looked so unpleasant that the prospect of two rounds of golf over the BM course was most uninviting. However, in the event the rain held o f f and the wind, though it got colder as the day wore on, was never strong enough to make play impossibly difficult. The Championship was won again by Tim Padley, now an OS, with a fine score of 29, with John Goss and Mark Russell-Vic occupying the next two places with 30 and 32, respectively. It was pleasing once again to see some older competitors taking part, including the Headmaster and our Chairman Mr. Peter Grafton, ARD is to be congratulated on managing to get the greens cut in time; even the least effective of us had to admit that a truly struck putt found its way into the hole - well usually.

SUPERSTARS TOURNAMENT 1980 Despite the depressing weather, the 3rd 'running' of the Superstars Tournament took place in the final week of the Summer Term. The programme had to be adjusted slightly with the Cricket Single Wicket Section being completely washed out. However, although the standard of performance was lower than in the previous two years, the competition was closer and more exciting than ever before. After the first day's programme, consisting of the indoor events and the swimming, one point only separated the leaders, Buckeridge (55) Licence (54^/4) and RIsby (54). It became ever tenser on the second day when no fewer than 8 boys - half the competitors - emerged vnth a chance of victory just prior to the final event, the dribbling of a hockey ball between posts in the quickest time possible. It was Bedford who had made the most notable single, winning the tennis, finishing 2nd in the Football and 3rd in the 800 metres, while other notable performances came from Lewis, Needham and Goss. It all hinged on the Hockey! Bedford put up an excellent dme to win his second event of the afternoon, but his late rally was foiled by Lewis who finished 2nd in the fimed dribble and thus collected the Trophy by '/d point only (105 - 104^/^). Needham finished third with 1021/2 and Goss with lO^A S.Thomas organised a sweepstake on the Tournament and a small sum was sent off to the Paraplegic Games Fund.

R.E.H.

R.D.C. 58


ATHLETICS Captain: D. Tissman Secretary: A. Needham

country to compete for the County in the National Championships late in the season. Needham was 3rd in the 400 meter Hurdles, Court 4th in the 110 meter Hurdles, HobbsSth in the 200 meters and Tissiman 7th in the 800 meters. Two great disappointments were to follow. After the cancellation of the Old Suttonian match owing to the Old Boys being unable to raise a team the Duke of Yorks match was cancelled. Understandably everyone was disappointed since it was felt we had a good chance of doing well. It was worth pointing out that fewer and fewer schools are willing to put on these matches and consequently we have had more than our own share of venues where we have been hosts. The Prep School Championship was played with bad weather once again, but after several hail showers the meeting was completed. 16 Schools competed this year. The House Finals were run strictly on a House basis in one competition per House in each event. It appeared to be a successful venture, and the competition was good throughout. Westminster beat Lambe's by only one point in the overall competition. Margaret's surprised everyone by comfortably winning in the relay competition. The Barham family kindly donated a cup for the 5000 meters. Richard is the present holder of the School record for this distance. It was certainly a successful season on the track and a good team spirit was evident, but I was disappointed on occasions with the help of boys off the track. It must be remembered that this, too, is a team effort and this will need to improve next season. Once again the Masters put in tremendous effort in helping boys in training and officiating at matches. It is with great regret that we say goodbye to GCP who has been a great help. GHA.

The opening match of the season provided wins in both age groups against Maidstone GS. The U.16 proved to be a close match, but the seniors had a comprehensive victory. Probably the toughest match of the season then followed against Judd and Cranbrook Both age groups were keenly contested and the Seniors nearly pulled off a sensational victory. However, the second which Judd obtained in the final relay was good enough to hold off the School's challenge. Although the U.16 finished 3rd in their contest there were some good individual performances. The most disappointing results of the season came in the Sevenoaks Relays. The match was closely contested, but overall performance was disappointing. The U.17 had another undefeated season and new supremacy was most marked on the track in the Duke of Yorks and Tonbridge encounter. All but the 1500 meter race were won by Sutton Valence and even Kirkaldie managed a second to go with his 800 meter win. Tonbridge were able to field an U.15 team so the match at this age level was against Duke of York's Although we lack depth in this age group we managed to win several events; Janani should be delighted as he had three victories. In the A A A meeting at Crystal Palace, Shogbola produced the jump of a hfetime. In the Triple Jump he made 13 meters 85cm, breaking the School and the Crystal Palace record for that age group. He followed up with a creditable 3rd position in the 100 meters. His performances were in addition to some other encouraging performances by athletes from the School. In the Maidstone District Championships the School had victories in all the events they entered except for one. Consequently we provided a good squad of athletes for the Kent Championships late in the season. Fortunately the Foundation Match appeared later in the season than it did last year. The supporters were not disappointed as the School crushed the opposition with surprising ease. Good performances by Needham and Shogbola may be highlighted, and it was the latter who was awarded the cup for the best performance of the afternoon, (11.2 seconds in the 100 meters). The Saturday after half term we had a match with St. Edmund's and King's Rochester. A good team effort produced convincing wins in both age groups. The team effort was understandably high for the next match against Dover and Kent College. Dover snatched a narrow victory in the U.16 although good wins were obtained by Anderson, Janani and Grundy in particular. Our U.19 age group proved to be too strong for the opposition, and Tissiman, Shogbola and Needham all obtained two victories. However, Springetts winning time of 52. 8 was probably the outstanding performance of the meeting. In the Kent Championships that followed, Shogbola won the U.17 100 meters. Unfortunately he was not in the

House Finals Senior House Trials; Westminster Senior House Relays: St. Margarets Junior House Trials: Bennett ' A ' Star Awards Competition: Cornwallis Colours Awarded Senior: H. Shogbola. Senior Half: M. Springett, S. Kirkaldie, M. Parrett, M. Beckett. Junior: S. Hobbs, N. Janani. R. Anderson. 59


Results:

Under 19 Under 19

1st 2nd

1st 2nd 3rd Under 16 1st 2nd Under 16 1st 2nd 3rd Relays 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Sutton Valence Maidstone GS

91 pts. 63 pts.

Judd Sutton Valence Cranbrook Sutton Valence Maidstone GS Cranbrook Judd Sutton Valence

113.5 pts. 112 pts. 87 pts 81 pts. 74 pts. 110 pts. 104 pts. 92 pts.

Sevenoaks Skinners Judd Cranbrook Sutton Valence Maidstone

<

50 47 46 36 35 27

pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts.

vs Duke of Yorks (a)

New Records: 100 yd Breaststroke 50 yd Butterfly 4 X 25 Medley Relay 4 x 2 5 Medley Relay

130 pts. 102 pts. 75 pts.

Under 15

1st 2nd

Duke of Yorks Sutton Valence

86 pts. 68 pts.

vs Tonbridge Kings Canterbury (a) Eastbourne & St. Lawrence Kings Rochester (a) Bethany (a) Senior Swimming Cup Interhouse Relays Penguin Race Water Polo Cup Junior Swimming Cup Junior Relays Full Senior Colours were Awarded to

Results:

vs Westminster

Sutton Valence Duke of Yorks Tonbridge

Sutton Valence Emmanuel Westminster City Sutton Valence King's Rochester St. Edmunds Sutton Valence Dover College Kent College Sutton Valence King's Rochester St. Edmunds Dover College Sutton Valence Kent College

147 102 75 133 87 63 155 80 77 132 76 74 127 121 58

SWIMMING

S.J.Evenden

Seniors U.16 Seniors U.16 Seniors Juniors

1st 2nd 3rd

Foundation Match 1st 2nd 3rd Under 19 1st 2nd 3rd Under 19 1st 2nd 3rd Under 17 1st 2nd 3rd Under 16 1st 2nd 3rd

Although the weather was against the sport nearly the whole term - Mr .Piper often having to start races in mac and Wellingtons - the outcome of the season was very encouraging. Indeed, the team gained some very convincing victories overall, with particular help from the strongest division, the Intermediates. The 'backbone' of this division comprised S.Buckeridge, M.Bennett, K.Wong, A.Miller and A.Butler, who all swam well. The Seniors'seemed to be struggling in their old age at first, but went on to show their true status. Aided by the Captain Martin West, J.Buckeridge, S.Licence, S.Evenden as well as R. Knocker all kept the Seniors' points clocking up. The Juniors this season were rather weak, unfortunately, but effort and determination were never lacking. I.Grundy, J.Bradley and J.August all had good wins for the Juniors. It is unfortunate that the team will lose the Buckeridge brothers at the close of this season. Both have made outstanding contributions to swimming with several record times, especially Simon with his powerful butterfly stroke.

vs Eltham (a)

Under 17

Under-sixteen Colours were Awarded to

Drew Won Won Won Won Lost

(B Div) (A Div) (Senior) (U. 16)

77.1 28.2 54.0 54.7

Seniors Lost U.16 Won (No U.15) Seniors Lost U.16 Won Juniors Lost Seniors Second U.16 Second Juniors Lost Seniors Won U.16 Won Match abandoned in rain Cornwallis Cornwalhs Westminster Cornwallis Bennett A Bennett A Martin West Juhan Buckeridge Simon Licence Simon Evenden Simon Buckeridge Kevin Wong Andrew Miller Martin Bennett Andrew Butler

A. Millar (77.4 A. Millar 1979) J. Buckeridge (28.6 S. Powell 1974) Sutton Valence vs Eastbourne & St. Lawrence. Sutton Valence vs Eastbourne & St. Lawrence' 60

pts. pts pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts.


OLD SUTTONIAN SECTION The 91st Annual General Meeting of the Association followed by Dinner took place at Sutton Valence on Saturday, 10th May 1980. 70 were present at Dinner. At the A.G.M. the accounts were explained by the Hon. Treasurer, I.A.D. Lyle (1953-M) and passed by the members present. Officers were re-elected or elected as necessary and Mark Hatcher (9074-L) was confirmed in his office, replacing D.N. Qeave (1974-F) who has gone abroad for two or three years. I.N. WUcockson reported that the fund to obtain a portrait of the retiring Headmaster, Mr. M.R. Ricketts, had reached the satisfactory total of almost £1300 and that instructions had been given for work to be started. The artist will be Dr. Wm. Rushton. Several members raised the question of the venue of the A.G.M. and Dinner and suggested a return to London, either annually or biennially as desirable. Enquiry into this was left to the Committee. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, E.D.G. Bunker (1954-M). After the excellent Dinner which followed Peter Grafton (1933-M), who presided, conducted the whole affair in a new format most skilfully and proposed the toast to the healths of the two Guests of Honour, Mr. M.R. Ricketts, Headmaster since 1967, and Raymond D. Wickham (1918M), a Governor of the School since 1952. He extolled their virtues and all that they had done for the school, both separately and in harness in the past. In the repUes the Headmaster gave thanks to all who had helped him during the last thirteen years arid regretted that his health had prevented him from completing the many tasks he had set himself. One felt, listening to him, that he really had done a Herculean work and could easily remember at least "twelve labours" that he had completed during his time as Headmaster. Mr. Wickham was in a more reminiscent mood and told us about some of the pranks he got up to in the past and also of the works he had seen completed during his 28 years as a Governor. The proceedings concluded with a rendering of the "School Song" in a wide variety of keys and an even greater variety of versions. A "course" of training under Sir Charles Groves (1932-W) and the other two St. Paul's Choristers (R.S.H. Hope, 1932-W, and C.S. Bunyard, 1927-M) who were present would not have come amiss — or would it?

meet there the Rt. Rev. Douglas Milmine (1939-W), now Bishop of Paraguay, who was present representing the AngUcan Church in South America and who was one of those who greeted the Archbishop in the Service after his enthronement. These two Old Suttonians had not met since they played together in the second row of the scrum in the 1st XV of 1938. The Headmaster and Mrs Ricketts together with the Chaplain, the Rev. David Barnes, were also present at the Enthronement. The two former had also attended the enthronement of the previous Archbishop, Dr. Donald Coggan. Professor Michael Howard, former Chairman of the Governors of Sutton Valence School and Chichele Professor of Military History at Oxford University has been made Regius Professor of History at that University. Congratulations. Col. C M . Jeffries, MBE., RAOC, (1950-F) has been promoted and is now on the Directorate of Land Service Ammunition at Didcot, Oxon. ( O X l l 7ES). He was relieved at his previous job at Tidworth by Lt. Col. M.P. Groves, RAOC, (19 -F) who had been the RAOC's representative at Royal Mihtary College, Sandhurst. Col. Jeffries was able to make one of his rare visits to the School on the occasion of the O.S. Dinner. Rev. P.L. Taylor (1928-M) retired f r o m the Wardenship of the College of St. Barnabas, Lingfield, in 1977 and moved to North Oxfordshire, Chipping Norton 0X7 5NT. He takes the Services at Great and Little Tew as well as doing the secretarial work for the Deanery Synod. P.J.T. Herbert (1956-L & M) has Uved in Johannesburg for several years where his Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the Executive of the Abercorm Group, one of the larger Engineering Groups in the R.S.A. (Box 6147, Marshallstown, 2017). Thomas Voelcker (1970-F) is now in Gbttingen, West Germany (Burgstrasse 11) playing as a flautist in that city's Symphony Orchestra. His job involves a considerable amount of travelling, and this summer he has been studying at Nice. Thomas tells us that his great great grandfather came to Britain after taking his Ph.D. at G'6ttingen University and his great great uncle was professor of Chemistry there.

The chief officers of the Association elected were: — President. E.A. Craven, c/o Sutton Valence School, M E l 7 3HN. Chairman of Committee and i/c O.S. Cricket. E.D.G. Bunker, Tattlebury, Headcorn. (Headcorn 890497). Hon. Secretary. Mark Hatcher, 26 Thurlow Square, SW7. Hon. Treasurer. I.A.D. Lyle, Rose Cottage, Windmill Rd., Weald, Sevenoaks. (Weald 240). Hon. Keeper of Records. P.O. Barnett, 22 Garden Lane, Royston, Herts. SG8 9EH. (Royston 43839). Hon. Dinner Secretary. I.F. Kay, 73 Bush HiU Rd., N21 2DP. (01 360 3005).

Three former members of the School have been playing cricket at higher levels this summer. D.C.G. Foster (1978C), has, at the time of writing played several games for Oxford University where he is an undergraduate at Christ Church. M.R. Benson (1977-L), recovered from his broken leg, has been playing regularly for Kent 2nd X I , and made his first runs for the County X I against Sussex. Also on the Kent staff is James Skinner (1979-C), last year's School captain. Many others have been playing regularly for the 1st teams of their clubs in League games. Unfortunately many of these were unable to play for O.S. against ChigweU in the first round of the Brewers' Company Cup in which, despite some fme bowhng by Tim Addison (1970-C), we were well beaten.

The Very Rev. J.H. Churchill (1939-M) now Dean of CarUsle was among the EngUsh Deans at Canterbury for the enthronement of the new Archbishop. He was dehghted to 61


Extract from "The Way" (Canterbury Diocese News — June 1980). "Day of Reckoning for the Old Boys" "How to pay for the restoration of the organ is a problem that faces many a parish church. At St. Mary's, Sutton Valence more than 200 names and initials have been found carved or written on the back of the organ, some dating back more than a hundred years. Almost all these are the names of boys who were at Sutton Valence School, caved by boys who were pumping the organ in the days when the school used the ViUage Church in the days before electrificafion or the buUding of the School Chapel m 1928. "Two of the present generation of boys have copied aU these names and Mr. Edward Craven (who was a boy and master there from 1928 to 1969 and is now in charge of the Muniments Room) has suppUed many of the addresses. "Having had a free memorial for all these years the Vicar, Rev. David Steven, is now suggesting that they ensure that their names remain by sending a gift towards the cleaning and repair of the organ."

D.E. Gates (1928-W) has retired from tobacco growing in Zimbabwe and his farm at Skelton, Trelawny, is now being managed by his son. "Titus" has moved to Capetown where he occasionally meets Prof. G.Q. Lay (1926-W) 'vho lives nearby. C.C. Wicks (1951-M) of Sittingbourne tells us that he has~ taken his B.A. at Open University. His subjects were •'Pontics and Government. He thinks he may be the first O.S. graduate at the O.U. — certainly he is the first we have heard of and who told us of his success. We would very much like to hear of any similar results at ANY university. M.G.L. Burge (1963-F) is now working as a Supervisor Computer Programmer in the Health Department of the Austrahan Commonwealth Pubhc Service in Canberra. Previously he had hved in Sydney. This news came from Michael's parents. Why is it that Mums and Dads are better at sending information than their sons? Maybe the O.S. themselves are too busy with stheir computers and other toys! Kenneth Stevens (1943-F) retired fiom the R.A.F. in 1979 with the rank of Air Commodore. He is now Bursar of Westminster School and very much likes the new job. His son, J.C.C. Stevens (1971-W), emigrated to AustraUa a few years ago and is working in Local Government in Sydney, New South Wales.

After two or three years silence news has come from M.I. Westwood (Master 1969 to 1972) who went from Sutton Valence to Peterhouse, Rhodesia. He left schoolmastering in 1974 and after workmg at several jobs in South Africa and doing a lot of travelUng returned to U.K. in 1978 and took a Management Course at Leeds, Yorks. He is now working for a Business and Computer ControUing Company in Oxfordshire. (Address:- Sibford Gower, 0X15 5RP.)

Alan Chainey (Master 1955-63) has been at the University of Edinburgh Physical Education Department since 1972 and is heavily involved with Football at University Representative levels. He hopes to take the Scottish Squad — British University Champions — to a World Students' Tournament at St. Louis, U.S.A. in August this year. He and his wife Anne (Roscoe), formerly Sister in the sanatorium have a daughter (7) and a son (4) to keep them busy in extra curricular hours. (EH9 2NQ).

Bryan Boese (1977-C) wrote from the CoUege of Ripon and York St. John where he has been helping in the York Festival. His part was CaUban in "The Tempest" which was done in the Japanese Theatre form of Kabuki. John E. Burnett (1977-F) is also in York at the University and is also becoming an actor. He has been directing '"Who's Afraid of Virginia W o l f whilst taking the part of George which is also going on to the Edinburgh Festival in the autumn.

Alfred Neate (1926-W) is Master of the Worshipful Company of Playing Card Makers for 1980 to 1981. N.L. Sarony (1958-M) has been working in Nepal for the past year. He tells us that he plans to move further eastwards to Hong Kong later in the year or early 1981.

Peter Fairley (1949-M) tells us that after about quarter of a century in Journahsm, Broadcasting and Television he has given them up and has founded and manages a company to help "British Management to communicate more effectively with the workforce, shareholders and the public". He started this project in 1978 and soon found that he couldn't do both jobs efficiently so we shall no longer be instructed by him on "science through the 24" screen. He has already met several O.S. in his work — we hope to their mutual advantage - and his address is 47 Mortimer St., London W l . (01-637 1947).

M.P. Dodson (1978-M), now in the Gordon Highlanders, will be one of the two subalterns on the Royal Guard at Balmoral from August to October this year. Rev. Ian H. Watts (1932-M) wrote from Cannes where he is Resident Chaplain to the AngUcan Church to teU us that his move to the Intercontinental Church Society's Mission to Dohar has been, at least, postponed owing to the unrest in the ArabianGulf. He hopes that he will be able to take up his appointment before long and tells us that his Arabic, learned in the Sudan some years ago, is still quite fluent. He also told us that his brother David (1931M) retired from his post as Headmaster of Kingsmead School, Hoylake, a year or so ago and now Uves at A l t Alyn, Uanferes, Mold, CwUd, North Wales.

Rear Admiral A.P. Comrie (1942-W) becomes Director General Aircraft (Navy) from January 1981. (Daily Telegraph 1.7.80). He teUs us that in his previous appointment he was responsible for procuring helicopters and "Harriers" for aU three services. His new one wiU be nearly all Naval and covers the maintenance poUcy for aircraft on ships and naval air stations and aU types of support for naval aircraft including equipment, engines, avionics, weapons, etc.

J.C.J. Horner (1973-F) was ordained as a Buddhist Monk in the forest tradition in Thailand and has returned to Britain after two years abroad. He is now living in the first monastry in England at Rogate, Hants., GU31 5EU. His ordination name is Venerable Amaro Bhikku.

O.S. Golfers quaUfied at Knole Park for the fmal stages of the Grafton Morrish (1933-M and 1944-W - both governors of the School) Old Boys Competifion at Hunstanton and Brancaster, Octoer 3 to 5, 1980. Incidentally the Hon. Secretary O.S.G.A., Peter de Pinna (1956-W) is also Hon. Secretary of the G.M. Competifion. He would very much Uke to know of other O.S. who would be interested in O.S.G.A. (01-623-4333, Uoyds).

H.W. Saunders (1956-L) has moved back to Melbourne from Fremantle, Western AustraUa, where he is Victoria Assistant Manager of Terminal Properties of AustraUa (Pty.) Ltd, which is a large.^^transport organisation in Australasia. His address is giveri^elsewhere in this magazine. 62


Mrs. Marjorie Blaxland and her family have presented a teak seat to the School m Memory of Walter Hubert Blaxland, O.S., 1926 - former Vice President of O.S.A. The seat will be used on the 'Upper' where her husband spent so many happy days as player and scorer at O.S. Cricket Weeks.

with which he has been since 1978. Address Volkerstrausse 10, D-6940, Weinheim, West Germany. J.D. Hackett (1960-L) works with the firm of Ci\dl Engineers Baker, Wilkins and Smith and he now pays regular visits to Saudi Arabia in connection with his work. ' W.J. Westacott (1974-L) has completed his course a t ' Seale Hayne College and gained his diplomas in Agriculture.j_ and Farm Management. His work at the latter gained h i m i the College Medal which is given to the student with the soundest knowledge of agriculture.

H.N. Macdonald (I959-W) has left Europe and is now working for Messrs. Dunlop in South America. His address is Box 4401, Lima, Peru but he says that he travels widely. This is borne out by his claim to have played Rugby Football in 19 different countries so far and hopes to make it a round 20 before he retires from the game at age 40.

Elsewhere in the "Suttonian" is the news o f the retirement of the Headmaster, Mr. M.R. Ricketts. His new address will be Church Farm, Saxlingham, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7JY (Binham 307). The score or so of Norfolk O.S. may like to have the address of their new neighbour.

Norbert Dahlstrom (1953-W) is now Managing Director (from 1.7.80) of his present firm of Carl Freudenberg

Changes of Address of O.S. Overseas

Old Suttonlans In Troubled Areas We would very much like to have news of former members of the School who live or work in disturbed areas of the world, either by letters from themselves or from friends who have news of them. A glance at the lists of 'missing' O.S. will show some of their names, but there must also be many whose magazines have been destroyed or not returned by the various postal services of those countries. So, any news of these O.S. will be welcomed, whether they are on the missing list or not.

N.H. Dahlstrom, Volkerstrasse 10, D-6940, Weinheim, West Germany. H.N. Macdonald, Ap. Post 4401, Lima, Peru and Reserva 275, Miraflores, Lima, Peru. D.N. Cleave, National Bank of Sharjah, Box 7650, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E, (move from Box 4, Sharjah in previous typescript). M.J.R. Sealey, 34 Dandy Drive, Cas Cob, Conn. 06807, U.S.A.

Changes of Address of O.S. Suttonians Overseas F. C. Carter, Blooming Barn, R.R.2., Dove Creek Rd., Courtenay, Brifish Columbia, Canada V9N 5M8. R.J.G. Archer, 10 Tanglewild Place, Chappaqua, N.Y. 10574, U.S.A. S.E. Kay, died in Nice, France. D.N. Cleave, National Bank of Sharjah, Box 4, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. N.L. Sarony, c/o Tiger Tops, Durban Marg, Kathmadhu, Nepal. J. Bateman, Greenmead Farm, Bethells Beach Rd., R.D.L Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand. H.W. Saunders, 11 Garden Ave., East Brighton, Victoria, Austraha, 3187. P.T.J. Herbert, c/p Abercorm Group, 20 Anderson St., Johannesburg, 2100, R.S.A. (1962) J. Francies, Box 44286, Nairobi, Kenya. G. and R. Hakimnejad, Universal S.S., Box 64-668, Tehran, Iran. (1928) D.E. Oates, 1205 Cinnabar Flats, Main Rd., Muizenberg, 7945, Capetown, R. of S.A. S. Taki, 2500 Virginia Ave., Apt. 607, Washington, D.C., 20037, U.S.A. B.H. Lewis, 15 Eblana Avenue, Mentone, Victoria, 3194, AustraUa. D.W.A. Peach, c/o Pim and Co., Box 5236, Auckland, New Zealand.

1

News Letter, etc., retumed from Overseas. H. Colville-Stewart (Western AustraUa). H.R. Tidby (Winnipeg). A-V Mozfari (Iran). D.W. Martin (1967), (Indonesia). J.D. Webster (Iran). P.L.S. Marshall (Zambia). D.J.S. Frederick (Canada). R.A. Hayden (Bermuda). B. Sharabayani (Iran). B.W. Dalla-Murra (U.S.A.), J.A. Johs (U.S.A.). 63


BIRTHS - MARRIAGES - D E A T H S

f

HOSMER-HILLARY. On 10th March 1979 at The Church of St. John, Itchen Abbas, Colin Geoffrey Hosmer (1965C) to Janet Lillian Hillary.

BIRTHS

BUNZL. On 19th March 1977 in Geneva to Chouhrette (nee Cherif) wife of Alfred M . T J . Bunzl (1960-M) a son. - Alain.

BUNYARD-BROWN. On December 29th 1977 at Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., Claud Stewert Bunyan (1927-W) to Maretta Brown o f MediapoUs, Iowa, U.S.A.

HUDSON. On 27th October 1979 at the Clinique des Lilas, Paris to Maryvonne (nee OUivier) wife of Peter R.F. Hudson (1968-C) a daughter - Perrine Bey Marie.

MORRIS-DRAKE. On 5th May 1978 at Burnt Oak Registry Office David Hyam Morris (1961-M) to Christine Mary Drake of Watford.

GRIEVE. On 27th December 1979 to Jane, wife of Rev. David C. Grieve (1969-W) a daughter — Katherine Anne (Katie).

DEATHS

SHAW. On 28th February 1980 at Pembury Hospital to Pauline (nee Wormald) and Colin Shaw (1955-W, Master since 1971) a daughter - Clare Dorothy - a sister for Adrian and Amelia.

We greatly regret to publish reports of the deaths of former members or friends of the School. DANCEY. On 2nd October 1979 in Doha, Qatar, Arabian Gulf, Malcolm Spencer Lloyd Dancey (1972-M) brother of R.S.L. Dancey (1973-M). Lloyd Dancey was returning to his lodgings at Grindlay's Bank House in Qatar after a party at which he announced his engagement, when he was attacked and shot by an Arab, just outside the Bank buildings. The funeral took place at St. Thomas a' Becket Church, Pagham, Nr Chichester on Monday, 15th October 1979. The School was represented by two of his former housemasters in St. Margaret's, Messrs. P.S.W. Macllwaine and K.M. Smith.

DIXON. On April 22nd 1980 at Kings' College Hospital to Sara (nee Weekes) and Andrew Dixon (1966-M) a daughter, Laura Jane, a sister for Mark. CHOWN. On 23rd August 1976 to Thomas and Stevie Chown (nee Anson) (1967-F) a son, Joseph Thomas and on 28th April, a daughter, Sarah Grace. SEALEY. On May 29th 1980 at Greenwich Hospital, Conn., U.S.A. to Elizabeth (nee Prentice) and Martin J.R. Sealey (1965-C) a son, Mark Thomas Sussell - a brother for Ben and Joanna.

PICKERING. On 25th September 1979, whilst on hoUday in Devon, Jack Swaffer Pickering, M.C. (1923-L and M). A Thanksgiving Service in his memory took place at Icklesham Church, Sussex, on Saturday, 27th October 1979.

WHEELER. On 28th June 1980 to Christine and Christopher Wheeler (1964-C), a daughter — Zoe — a sister for Luke.

WILSON-JONES. On 4th December 1979 at his home in Attleborough, Norfolk, Hubert Wilson-Jones (1924-W) father of Anthony Wilson-Jones (1951-M) M.A., Vet.B., etc.

MARRIAGES

HATTON. On 25th January after a long illness Mrs. Joanna Hatton, wife of Mr. T.C. Hatton, Clerk to the Governors of The School.

RICHARDS-QUILTER. On 29th July 1978 at St. Mary's Church, Townhope, Hereford, Neil Thomas Richards (1967-F) to Annabel, younger daughter of the late Maj. F. Quilter, M.C., D. de G., and Mrs. G. Quilter of Hereford.

KENT. On 18th January at his home, Barford House, Medstead, Ahon, Hants., Robert Andrew Kent (1925-M), brother of A.J. Kent (1924-M).

KELLEHER-EADIE. On 16th February 1974 at Brighton Registry Office, Dermot Ian Kelleher (1965-F) M.B., B.S., to Jane Eadie of Brighton.

HARRIS. On Monday, 3rd March 1980 whilst working at the School, C.W.H. Harris (I930-F). After leaving the school Charles Harris trained as an engineer and worked for firms in Maidstone. After the last of these closed down he joined the School Maintenance Staff and had worked at Sutton Valence for the last fifteen to twenty years. He died as he would have wished, whilst working in the School. We shall miss him and his quiet ways and, occasionally, sardonic humour.

BUNZL-CHERIF. On 19th March 1975 in Cairo, Alfred Marti Theodore Peter Bunzl (1960-M) to Chourette Cherif of Cairo. KIRRAGE-CHURCH. On 15th September 1979 at St. Peter's Church Ealing, Paul L. Kirrage (1973-L) to Christine Avis Church, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Church of EaUng. N.A. Smith (1976-L) and A.F. Elliott (1975-L) were in the congregation.

GALE. On 10th September 1979 at Hitchin, Herts., Robert Swinfer Gale (1942-L & M) at the age of 54 following a long illness. 'Geber', as he was nicknamed from his scientific interests after the early alchemist Galen, worked during the War in the Rubber Research Industry in the U.S. and later in Malaysia. When that country was partitioned he returned to Britain as a consultant. He had been gravely ill for a long time with multiple sclerosis.

DANDRIDGE-HALLIDAY. On 21st April 1979 at East Blatchington Parish Church, Andrew S. Dandridge (1972C) to Valerie Halliday. CHOWN-ANSON. On 6th October 1972 at St. Bartholomew's Church, Bristol, Thomas Reed Chown, (1967-F) to Stevie Anson of Bristol. 64


ARMSTRONG. On 21st January 1980, after a long illness, Alan Robinson Armstrong (1934-M) died at his home at Walton on the HiU, Surrey. He was the younger brother of R.W. Armstrong (1928-M), killed in the War and of G.R. Armstrong, DSO., M C , T.D., (1930-M) and father o f A.P. Armstrong (1964-M) and P.W. Armstrong (1967-M).

KAY. 1978 in Nice, A-M., France,aged 88 Sydney Entwistle Kay (1906-F) brother of the late J.C. Kay (1902-F) and R.L.Kay (1913-F,Master 1921-1955). Sydney Kay was the second of three brothers whq 'were"-' at the School during the first decade of the 20th century. ' His older brother was killed in the 1914-18 War and:the younger, Robert, came back to Sutton Valence as a masterj. and was guide, philosopher and friend to many generations^.; of Suttonians. Owing to his Consular work not so much was ', seen of Sydney. He went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge and gained First Class Honours iri the Mediaeval and Modern Languages Tripos in 1911. After a year as a schoolmaster at Glenalmond he passed second in the list for the Consular Services in 1911 and retired in 1948 as C.B.E. He served in many parts of the World - Zanzibar 1911, Harrar 1913, Stockholm 1914, and in a number of states in U.S.A. until 1925. We have a photograph of him taking deUvery of a new Buick official automobile in Georgia at that time. He next went to Lorenco Marques, Milan and the British Embassy in Lisbon. He was then Consul General in Marseilles until he retired to Uve in Nice in 1948. He married Mrs. R.F. Gardiner, who predeceased him.

THOMAS. On 18th October, 1979 at his home in Tonbridge, Alfred Llewellyn Thomas, Master from 1923 to 1928 and later Head of the Biology Dept. at Tonbridge School, aged 84. , " L i n " Thomas was born in Northamptonshire and educated at Wellinborough School. After serving in the first War in Salonika and (Thomas) France, where he was wounded and Mentioned in Despatches, he went to' St. John's College Cambridge, where he played Tennis for the University and also several times for the "Soccer" team. He was a member of the Hawks' Club. After 5 years at Sutton Valence he went to Tonbridge until his retirement. Apart from his termis, he was a keen member of the J.T.C. and was awarded the Territorial Decoration and the Police Medal. He often attended O.S. Dinners and always accompanied Tonbridge Tennis teams when they played at Sutton Valence. He was, for many years, Hon. Secretary of the Public Schools Tennis Association and organised the running o f the YouU Cup at Wimbledon. In 1927 he married Miss Brenda Champion, a member of a large family of Suttonians. They had one son, David. After her death in 1947 he married Mary Latham, who survives him. At Sutton he was nicknamed "Kruschen". Whether this was due to his looks or the abiUty to jump tennis nets is not certain. Both could be possible. Maybe some O.S. will know.

GANNON. On 25th April 1980 peacefully at King Edward V I I Hospital, Midhurst, where he had his own rooms for some years. Brigadier Jack Rose Compton Gannon, CBE., MVO., at the age of 97.He was the brother ofC.B.Gannon and was at Sutton Valence from 1896 to 1900. "Jack" Ganrion was born iri 'Luckno'w, India, on 1st November 1882 and was at Sutton Valence from 1896 to 1901. He gained his colours at Rugby Football and Cricket and was a prefect. He went to R.M.C., Sandhurst and was commissioned into the South Staffordshire Regiment in October 1902, transferring to the Indian Army in 1906, eventually retiring as C O . of Sam Browne's Cavalry in 1932, when he became Manager and Secretary o f the Hurlingham Club until he was recalled to the Army in September 1939 when he became Military Secretary, Home Forces. He was Mil. Sec. 21st Army Group for Operation "Overlord" in June 1944 and then in the Rhine Army, with the rank of Brigadier, under F.-M. Lord Montgomery until 1946. He claimed to have served directly under the command of 5 Field-Marshals as Military Secretary. His Military decorations included the Indian Frontier Medal with 5 clasps for operatioris against frontier tribesmen. The MVO for services in connection with the Prince of Wales tour of India in 1921. The OBE (1942) and CBE after the Normandy Landings in 1944, Through his Uaison work under "Monty" he was also awarded the Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre avec Palmes (France), made a Commander of the Legion of Merit with a Letter from the President (U.S.A.) and a Knight Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Holland). He, himself, was a good Polo player and reported regularly for the "Times" and the "Field" and was a recognised expert on the laws of that game. After World War I I he was associated with Lord Cowdray in the revival of that game. He had been President of the National Pony Society and of the Arab Horse Society and was manager of the British Olympic teams (Polo and Equestrian) at "Jesse Owens' " Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936. Late in his life he was made a Life Member of M.C.C. having been originally a playing member of that club. In September 1910 Garmon married Dorothy Mary Robertson of Melbourne and they had one daughter, several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Despite his frequent absences from England Jack Gannon was a keen member of O.S.A. and often visited

BEBBINGTON. On 1st April 1980 in France, Bernard Nicholas Bebbingtoh (1929-W), CBE, QPM., O.StJ., Hon. MA (Cantab). "Nick" Bebbington was one of those legendary characters who rose from the very bottom to the very top of their profession — in his case that o f a policeman. His father was rector of Slinfold and his brother (H.J.3. 1913 to 1915) preceded him to Sutton Valence. At Sutton "Nick" was Captain of Athletics, gained his Football "Cap" and was a member of the Swimming V I I I . He worked for a couple o f years in a preparatory school and then joined the Police in 1932. He went from the "beat" at Padington Green Station to Peel College and then was a member o f the very first Course at the Police College at Hendon. He was the only member o f that course who had actually been a "copper". After several promotions in the "Met" he became Chief Constable at Cambridge (1944 to 1963) and was at the same time an undergraduate at Jesus College reading Law. His relationship with the University authorities was such that, on his retirement, he was made an Honorary Master of Arts. In 1963 he became Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary (till 1970) and was also Director of the Home Office Police Research Branch (1965-69). On retirement he lived part time at Seaford and part in the Dordogne. In 1936 he married Miss Daphne Drury, great, great granddaughter o f the former Headmaster of Harrow School, and after whom Drury House was named. His sister married F.W. Holdgate (1911 to 1918) son of the former Headmaster of Sutton Valence (1910 to 1932). During his time as Chief Constable, Cambridge, he was the Visitor at Sutton Valence on Speech Day 19 . 65


the School during the First War and later. Some of his anecdotes about ferrying aircraft to France during War I make interesting reading and were actually used during the last year or two when the suitability of Headcorn Airstrip . was under discussion at a public enquiry in Maidstone, •i To the end of his Ufe he kept in touch with us and ".there are many pages of his "Reminiscences of S.V. in the •Muniments Room. A few years ago some of his friends headed by Col. Humphrey Guinness published a collection of his articles in the "Field" and other stories under the title of "Before the Colours Fade". There were 500 copies of this book and one, presented by "Jack" himself, in the "M.R."

account of the Chapter House and Pyx Chamber at Westmmster. A pioneer student of timber framing and a stalwart of the Vernacular Architecture Group, he produced a seminal article on crucks in 1958 and proposed a classification of aisled barns based on Kentish examples in 1966. Opportunities grasped when travelling led to the collation of important distribution maps, for example of Romanesque column bases, of which he published the definitive study in 1978. Coinage and its historical implications was a central enthusiasm. He was the expert on jetons, and his appraisal of the sub-Roman coinage known as 'sceattas' will be of enduring significance. His contributions to numismatics was recognized by the award of the Gold Medal British Numismatic Society, of which he was a past President. His love of Kent (he was proud to share his initials with the South Eastern Railway) was reflected in a host of papers, many appearing in Archaeologia Cantiam over the past 20 years. Unhappily we shall not see the promised fruits of his retirement a catalogue raisonne of jetons, a book of charity school figures, and a history of monasticism in England. His discourses following lectures in the rooms of the Society of Antiquaries (of which he was elected a Fellow in 1963) were legendary, and could on occasion prove better value than the lecture itself. His shambling figure, weighed down by a heavy briefcase, the pipe dangerously relit by bunches of matches, will be greatly missed. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Eleanor.

ASTILL. On 11th September 1979 in Epsom Walter Randolph Astill (1925-M). RIGOLD. On July 5th 1980, suddenly, Stuart Eborall Rigold (1935-W), aged 6 1 . Stuirt Rigold went from Sutton Valence School to St. Andrew's University to read Archaeology on which he became one of the leading experts in the country. At the time of his death he was one of the senior authorities on Ancient Monuments at the Ministry of Environment, with special responsibihty for the South East of Britain. TAYLOR. On 22nd September 1979 at Preston HaU Hospital, Jack Taylor (1936-F). Jack Taylor was one of three brothers at the School and they originally lived at Sutton Place, (Bell Farm). For many years he had played cricket for East Sutton and for Old Suttonians in their week. MR. S.E. RIGOLD Friends write: Stuart Eborall Rigold, FSA, FRHistS, FRNS, FRSA, eminent antiquarian and kindly colleague died suddenly on July 5. Born in 1919, the son of an engineer, he grew up near Rolvenden to love Kent and all things Kentish. His early ability to illuminate any problem at school in Sutton Valence earned him the nickname 'Dayhght'. At St. Andrews he read geology, followed b y war service in the Ultra Team at BletchJey where the code-breaker pursued North Buckinghamshire antiquities breathlessly by bicycle, surprising farmers with requests to examine their timberframed buildings. After taking 'shorts and greats' at St. Peters Hall, Oxford, he was recruited in 1948 by Bryan O'Neil, Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments, to the Ancient Monuments Inspectorate. That autumn he began a career of enthusiastically studying, elucidating and zealously defending ancient monuments. He was Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments for England from 1976 to 1979. 'Riggy', as he was affectionately known, was a polymath gifted with exceptional powers of observation, memory and analysis. Conversation was his great delight and the range of his inter'- ts was astounding, knowing few bounds. Full of insight, he was generous with Iris ideas and assiduous in publication. He was a past President of the Society for Medieval Archaeology and there will be few medieval archaeologists, especially young scholars, who are not indebted to him. He relished the challenge of decoding languages, sometimes, for example, entertaining companions by readmg a discarded Arab newspaper on the tube or the glyph in a Chinese restaurant menu.

IN MEMORIAM WILLIAM LAMBE. Born in Chart Sutton 495. Died in London 21st April, 1580. Master of the Clothworker^ Company Founder of Sutton Valence School

1569 1576

On 21st May Services to Commemorate our Founder took place at the Clothworkers' Chapel at A l l Hallows, Staining, in the City of London, and at the Lambe Chapel in Islington where his bust, dated 1612, may be seen. The former service was attended by members o f the Clothworkers'Company. At the latter, attended by the Lord Mayor of London the address was given by the Archdeacon of London. Representatives of The School, The Governing Body and The Old Suttonians Association were present.

As mspector he wrote tneSotucial guidebooks to over

a dozen monuments, the most recent being a masterly 66


the pessimistic prophecies that some first-rate experts have indulged in. Fame has come to Mr. Carr rather late, buf'remembering what was done in middle age by such slow'^-' bowlers of the past as David Buchanan, James Southertofi''* and Alfred Shaw, he may look forward to a good deal of first-class cricket.

MR. D.W. CARR By the courtesy of the Editor of Wisden's Almanac, we are permitted to reproduce the following appreciation of Mr. D.W. Carr:'Douglas Ward Carr, the now famous slow bowler, was born at Cranbrook, in Kent, on March 17th, 1872. Whatever he may do in the future, Mr. Carr can already boast of a record which is absolutely unique in the history of cricket. There is no other instance of a man playing for England in a Test Match in his first year in good class cricket. During the season of 1908 one heard rumours that Kent possessed an excellent bowler of the South African 'googly' type. I was told this myself, and said to my informant, 'Why don't they let him loose without warning on Surrey or Yorkshire?' However, to the general cricket public Mr. Carr was quite unknown when, last May, he played at Oxford for Kent against the University. He met with so much success in that match, and made such an impression, that the Test Match Selection Committee, to whom the task of picking the Gentleman and Players' teams had been entrusted, offered him a place in the Gentlemen's eleven, both at the Oval and Lord's. He did not have the good fortune to be on the winning side in either match, but that was no fault of his. At the Oval he bowled especially well, even the batsmen who made runs against him being sadly puzzled by his deceptive break. At Lord's he did very well on the first day, but in the. Players' innings he was much handicapped by having to bowl between the showers with a wet ball. So much was thought of his form against the Players, that experts and the general public alike came to the conclusion that he ought to be picked for England in the last two Test matches. England's position was then very critical, the victory at Birmingham having been wiped out by defeats at Lord's and Leeds. Retained at Manchester, he was left out on the morning of the match, the wicket being considered too soft to suit him, but he duly appeared for England at the Oval in August. As everyone will remember, he started off in great form in that memorable game, getting rid of Gregory, Armstrong and Noble very cheaply. He might have followed up these early successes more effectively, but MacLaren, with a sad lack of judgment, tired him out, letting him bowl for fully an hour and a half without a rest. After the Test match, Mr. Carr did some capital work for Kent, especially on the last morning of the Canterbury Week; and at Scarborough he had a big share in the victory of Lord Londesborough's eleven over the Australians.

D.W. CARR & 'GOOGLIES' Many Old Suttonians will have followed with interest the recent doings in the cricket field of D.W. Carr. He was at Sutton Valence from 1885-1890, and played in the X I . during the last four years of his school career. He won his place in the team chiefly by his batting, though he did some service with the ball. In those days 'googhes' were unknown, and he used to bowl a ball slightly above medium pace but having no special characteristic. He has kept the game all this time, and has been well known in good club cricket, having for several years played regularly for Free Foresters and Band of Brothers, but it is only quite recently that he has become prominent as the chief exponent of 'googley' blowing, the name given to a style of delivery first introduced into this country by the South African Team. One might fairly say that last June Carr's name was unknown to the large majority of English Cricketers, and yet by the middle of August he had appeared twice in the Gentlemen v Players Matches, and once in the Test Match with the Australians. Surely a phenomenal rise. He bowls with rather a low trajectory, medium pace rather than slow, and even on hard wickets gets an extraordinary amount of work on the ball without the batsman being able to detect whether the break is coming from the o f f or the leg. He cannot always find a length, and so occasionally comes in for severe punishment, but when he can, it is not too much to say that there is no one whom he does not get into difficulties, and the efforts to meet him even of some first-class batsmen appear almost ludicrous. No doubt some way to defeat the new style will soon be invented, but to Carr will certainly belong the credit of having made English cricketers familar with the peculiarities of 'googley' bowling.

'Mr. Carr went to School at Sutton Valence, in Kent, and thence proceeded to Brasenose College, Oxford. He took part in the Freshmen's Match in 1891, but owing to knee trouble - the result of a football accident - he played very little cricket at Oxford. Since those days he has taken part in a lot of Club cricket in Kent, playing for Mote Park, the Band of Brothers, etc. Mr. Carr writes me - ' I was always a leg-break bowler of sorts, but often used to bowl medium fast stuff. I started trying to acquire the 'googly' about four years ago, and practised hard all that winter and the following spring, only to find that directly I had got the off-spin I lost the old leg break entirely - in fact for that season I hardly made the ball turn at all either way. In the following year I got a bit better, and In August, 1908, I really got the thing going and met wdth some success in club cricket.' Mr. Carr is not one of those who think that 'googly' bowling is going to rob the batsmen of all their grace and freedom of style. On the contrary, he says: ' I am quite certain of one thing, and that is, that in a very short time everybody will be quite able, to distinguish between the two breaks.' These remarks are in strong contrast to

THE SCHOOL REGISTER There has been a good response to the requests in the last few 'News Letters' and 'Suttonians' for information about the careers of former members of the School and there is an encouraging rash of 'red ticks' on the current O.S. address list. A recent survey shows that about 50% of former members of the School who left 10 or more years ago have sent details of their 'C.Vs'. These were ones to whom proformas had been sent. This does not mean that we do not need details of more recent leavers but their records in the School office are more up to date than those of their elders. Information regarding 'School Careers' is available locally, but it is more important to know what has happened later on. Rease help. 67


AWARDS The following awards for the Academic Year 19791980 have been made. Bennett-Hunting Memorial Award Graeme Kemsley (1978-M), Christ Church, Oxford, reading Agriculture. Stephen Cookson (1977-F), Durham University, reading Natural Sciences. Atchison Bequest Graham Sagar (1978-C) Southampton University, reading Mihtary Subjects and Economics. John C. Turner (1978-W) University of East Anglia, reading Law. OLD SUTTONIANS ATTENDING UNIVERSITIES Names S. Schofield, B.Sc (1975-W) A. de C. Grant-Morris, B.Sc (1976-C) J.M. Wheeler (1978-M) P.G. New (1980-W) C.M.T. Ricketts (1979-F) M. Robertson (1979-L) R.C. Barham (1979-F)

University or College Bristol University, 1979 Imperial College, London Queen Mary College, London Exeter CoUege, Oxford (Oct. 1980) Nottingham University R.M. Academy, Sandhurst Hatfield Coll., Durham Univ. (Oct. 1980)

To Study Physical Education and Biology Neuro-Chemistry for Ph.D. Geography For the Army Philosophy and Psychology

ENTRIES TO UNIVERSITIES / POLYTECHNICS: a Universities i f r o m 1979 Barham Rochanapruk

Durham Q Eliz., London

Coates Newport Miles J Leggatt Swarbrick

Loughborough Brunei Loughborough UMIST Aberystwyth

ii from 1980 New Read Bedford Novi Richardson Ng Mattmgley Phillips Ashrafi Wheeler Harris SR Choy Stewart

Psychology Chem. Engin. & Business Studies BA (Fine Arts) FR/Bus. Studies Chem. Engin. Building English

iii from 1981 Dodson West Mountjoy Dismorr

Aston Loughborough Univ. London Southampton

French/Bus. Stud. Engineering Chemistry Elec. Engin.

iv overseas Aboul-Hosn T Mehdi

International U American U

Civil Engin. Economics (?)

Wales South Bank Central London Central London Thames Thames Thames

Humanities Business Studies Business Studies Geog/Transport Landscape Arch. Pol. Economy Business Finance

b Polytechnics Exeter, Oxford Leicester Leicester Leeds Leicester Surrey Lancaster Loughborough Sussex Warwick Univ., London Wales Kings, London

PPE Economics Law Geography Comb Science Chem. Engin. Accountancy Transport Mech. Engin. French Geography Medicine Bio/Maths

i fiom 1980 Thome Waller Foster A Hichens Licence Stanford-Beale Lewis c Others Buckeridge

RMA Sandhurst

Congratulations (Addenda) To

Richard Bedford on playing for Kent U19 team at Squash - our first representative at this level. Alistair Shaw on again reaching the Final of Kent U16 Championship and representing Kent at No I at U16 level. 68


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