Alumni making music

In memoriam

Sadly, we lost some dear friends from our Trinity community over the past year. They have been very much in our thoughts and we remember some of them here.

Jay Benedict, parent 2007-2015

Those who knew actor Jay will know how much he contributed to the school, along with his wife Phoebe, when their boys Freddie and Leo were students at the school.

Derek Cooper, left 1954

Derek was a great Old Mid-Whitgiftian with connections to the Hockey, Cricket and Rugby Clubs as well as The Mitre Players.

Vic Devereax, left 1952

Vic used to play rugby and cricket for the ‘Mids’, and more recently joined the golf society. He was at the cutting edge of digitalisation at the BBC during the 70s and 80s.

Lionel Fry, left 1951

Lionel was considered one of the most notable dermatologists of his generation. As well as running a busy department, Lionel pioneered and led a research unit at St Mary’s Hospital in London.

Tom Grundy, staff 1973 – 1994

Tom was an extremely popular teacher at the school and remained firm friends with colleague Alan Youngs, who also passed away recently. Tributes poured in when his passing was announced.

John Haybittle, left 1940

John’s eulogy described him as “a joyful, ebullient, noisy, clever, quick-witted and funny man."

Brian Hollands, left 1947

Awarded an MBE in 2000 for the New Year’s Honours List for services to St Christophers and schools, Brian continued his charitable works for many years and was also presented with the Mayor of Croydon’s Life-time Contribution award in 2017. Frank Knowles, left 1981

Friend and Trinity alumnus Geoff Woodhouse said: “I will always remember Frank’s extraordinary talent, his sense of fun and his humility."

Mike Macey, left 1963

Mike was a rugby player and became a keen member of the squash and badminton club. An accountant, Mike was TMWA Treasurer for six years and held the post of Vice-President.

Tony Mundy, left 1947

Tony will be remembered as a man who loved life. Before he died, Tony contributed a great deal to our ongoing project about the school during the time he was a student.

Emmett McGowan, staff

Emmett was a much-valued member of our IT department and is sorely missed by everyone in our school community.

Don Pettit, left 1944

Don loved his rugby – he was an excellent hooker and one of the youngest at school to be awarded colours for two years in a row. He went on to play for the ‘Old Mids’, where he became captain in 1955.

Stewart Philp, staff 1961 – 1973

Stewart was Head of Spanish at Trinity and also taught French and Portuguese as well as some Russian to Sixth Form pupils. He also played a significant role in rugby and cricket coaching at the school. “A true gentleman with a great sense of humour”.

Obituaries on My Trinity

Full obituaries and tributes can be found on our alumni engagement platform, My Trinity at www.mytrinity.org.uk Please go to the Resources area via the left hand menu. Chris Piper, left 1976

Alumnus Richard Woodman, a close friend of Chris for 50 years described him as “Kind, compassionate, thoughtful and reliable, Chris made a huge contribution to everything he was involved with and had a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.”

Malcolm Scoular, left 1969

Malcolm’s passions were the railways and music. He had encyclopaedic knowledge of all things musical and could listen to any piece of music on the radio and immediately identify the composer and name of the piece.

John Starling, left 1953

John was a popular and engaged alumnus whose love of art, music, sport and the school regularly drew him to many of our events here. His goddaughter Nicky Chambers described him as “a very handsome, generous and charming man with a sharp wit.”

John Waller, staff

John taught Mathematics at Trinity for twenty years before retiring in 2010. Described as incredibly patient, calm and generous, John also coached weightlifting, which he spent many a year developing at the school.

Alan Youngs, staff 1967 – 1994

Alan was Head of English at Trinity and ran the library for many years. An inspirational teacher, he spent hours producing schemes of work, reading packs and notes for the benefit of his students and colleagues.

We send our condolences to the family and friends of the following alumni who we also said goodbye to over the last year:

• Kevin Carleton-Reeves, left 1960 • Geoffrey Dellar, left 1942 • Samuel Howes, left 2016 • David Marshall, left 1953 • John Parker, left 1947 • Brian Price, left 1957 • Malcolm Simmonds, left 1948 • Mike Street, left 1953

The Trinity Club

Our former students’ social and sports club is delighted to have opened its doors again to its members. We asked alumni and friends of the various activities on offer what belonging to the club means to them.

CRICKET

Richard Piggin, TMWCC

Richard, who left Trinity in 2001, has been playing for the club since he was 11 years old.

“Belonging to the club means sharing a lot of amazing times with a group of people who love playing, watching and talking about cricket. I have played against a lot of other clubs, and none comes close to being as friendly and fun as those at the Cricket club.

We have one of the nicest cricket grounds in Surrey and it is a perfect place to spend a Saturday, watching cricket on a hot summer’s day, with families playing outside the clubhouse.

There have been so many highlights - the two years I played in promotion-winning teams - the tours and the “insomniacs” match that started at first light and went on until the evening. I’ve played in games with hat tricks, a game when someone took nine wickets and many where a player has scored 100, all of which have been retold and retold over a drink in the evening.”

A match that really stood out for Richard was a few years ago when former England cricketer, Mark Butcher, who left Trinity in 1988, turned out for a match against the Old Whitgiftians. “Batting with him, with Ex-Pakistan cricketer Saqlain Mustaq bowling for the opposition was a surreal experience. Needless to say, Mark scored a hundred.”

Come and play! email: enquiry@tmwcc.co.uk www.tmwcc.co.uk

HOCKEY

Nick Cook, TMWHC

“I was already well ensconced at the Cricket Club by the time a well-rehearsed drill was practised at my first Cricket Club dinner as a 14-year-old. "We're short tomorrow in the 6th team, it's just on the grass outside, doesn't matter if you're any good or not." Despite protesting that I had only just taken up Hockey at Trinity and I could barely hold a stick – given I'm as lefthanded as you can be and, inconveniently, the sport is played the other way around – my words fell on deaf ears.

I slowly progressed through the teams, starting out as a forward with limited ability on the ball but with an eye for goal and helped by the fact that, at the lower levels, I was significantly quicker than most of the opponents who were at least treble my age.

After university, I returned to play in the 1s under the leadership of Jack Hannon, who quickly saw an opportunity to hand over the captaincy. It’s been an enjoyable three seasons leading the side. Jack, and former captain Chris Clark, had done an excellent job rebuilding the club after a few seasons of hard graft.

Highlights along the way have been winning the Surrey Cup a couple of years back against all the odds, farcical umpiring decisions (don’t get me started), superb goals and having to try to persuade our forward line to track back. With a nationwide league restructure by England Hockey next season, we find ourselves only three leagues off National League and looking to progress even further.

For those of you who find yourselves innocently hanging around the bar at Lime Meadow Avenue, expect a call up anytime.”

Interested in playing hockey? email Chairman Sanjay Bowry: sanjay.bowry@btinternet.com www.tsssc.co.uk/hockey

RUGBY

Krishna Lall, Trinity RFC

2019 leaver, and former Head Boy, Krishna Lall, first started going to training at Trinity RFC on Thursday evenings after the lockdown began to ease this year, at the end of March.

He said: “The atmosphere at the club is fantastic, there’s a real sense of community and everyone has been very welcoming. The social side has been something I’ve enjoyed – it’s been great to meet some new people, both fellow alumni of the school and also other players at the club.

I am very much looking to continue playing at the club next season. I’m going into my final year at University in September, but I do hope to make it down to play regularly for weekend matches and the occasional training session.

Despite university and exams, I’ve managed to go to training sessions almost every week since I started. I’m looking forward to playing some more over the next couple of months, both training and hopefully a couple of matches too. Usually, I play as a flanker or No.8 but I’ve found myself on the wing a couple of times at the club!

I would encourage everyone who enjoys rugby to come down and get involved. It’s a great way to stay connected with other alumni and meet some new faces and most importantly play a high level of rugby.”

Would you like to join us? email: info@trinityrfc.com www.TrinityRFC.com

GOLF

Jez Glynne Jones, Trinity Golf Society

Jez, who left the school in 1980, founded the Trinity Golf Society with 1979 leaver Bob Steadman in 1990.

The society fosters friendships, fun and some competitive golf among alumni and friends. Jez said: “The society is a great opportunity for meeting up with former students of the school and good friends of theirs.”

We asked whether he has a favourite golf course and why. “Yes, Purley Downs, where my parents were members and I have been a member (on and off) since I was seven years old. Away from the UK, I would say Seignosse on the French Atlantic coast, a few miles north of Biarritz. A stunning golf course in a beautiful part of the world with many happy memories.”

When asked about the highlights during the 30 years Jez has been playing society matches, he cited the Luke Foster Trophy, which he won with alumnus Paul Varcoe who left in 1981. “Partly as a result of winning it, but mainly because of the fond memories it brings back of our late society member, Grant Adley. Oh, and the time my dear friend Peter Lloyd loaded my golf bag with stones …”

The social aspect of belonging to the society involves “A significant amount of mickey-taking with a sprinkling of fine ales and red wine.” Sounds like fun? “If you are thinking of joining, please stop thinking and take action. It’s great fun and no-one, as far as I know, bites!”

Find out more about the Golf Society Email: Laurie King at lck@trinity.croydon.sch.uk

AMATEUR DRAMATICS

Ziggi Szafranski, The Mitre Players

“Whatever I do and wherever I go, I know that I’ll always have a home with the Mitre Players. I can be a part of the community without needing to do shows all the time and I’ve found friendships that I truly cherish, with people I probably wouldn’t have met without being a member. The Mitres has a huge history and a dynasty of its own, but whether you’re new or have been involved from the beginning, you feel a part of it all. There’s a real sense of family.”

We asked Ziggi what the highlights have been over the years:

“Whilst I have fond memories of every production I’ve been in, managing to learn to get around on stilts for an entire rehearsal period and show week for Big Fish without falling flat on my ... well that was a definite highlight!

Also, Dick Barton, Special Agent was utterly hilarious on so many levels. There was a scene at the start of the second act which took place in a cabaret bar. There were supposed to be four women scantily clad in underwear singing and seducing the audience, but we only had two women in the cast. Not for the first (or the last!) time, I was drafted in to appear onstage in slinky negligee with bright red lips and a full beard!

The shows are great, the people are great, there’s drinking and laughing and lots to do both onstage and backstage. Come along and see a show, drop into the Club on a rehearsal night and get involved - I promise you won’t regret it!”

Fancy getting involved? email: Diane Jones: secretary@mitreplayers.org.uk www.mitreplayers.org.uk

MUSIC

David Barry, Acoustic Folk and Blues Club

David lives around the corner from the clubhouse and first visited the Folk and Blues club in 2014. Members started meeting in the snug at the clubhouse, but now fill the main hall.

“The club is extremely welcoming and friendly and anyone who turns up can perform. Neil and Chris arrange the performers and number of songs and with the help of Sandy, they do a fantastic job, seamlessly organising the PA system and overseeing the changeover of acts.

I can’t say I’ve ever had a bad evening at the club. There is a wide range of genres and expertise from enthusiastic amateurs to professional entertainers. We have even had clog dancers, Irish dancing and monologues!

During the pandemic, I have been running the club on Zoom. We regularly have around 17 performers and hosting these meetings online means players can join in from further afield including Yorkshire to the South Coast and the West of Ireland. The demand was such that a second Zoom session was introduced and we now operate every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon.”

Want to make music? www.limemeadowacousticfolkandbluesclub.co.uk

The Trinity Club, Lime Meadow Avenue, Sanderstead CR2 9AS