ROSE THE OTA MAGAZINE . SPRING 2016
Psychological Resilience – starting young
Dear Lumpy
– letter writing vs social media
A Song for Peace
– singing for Syrian suppers
Angel’s Gardens – heaven on earth
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ROSE THE OTA MAGAZINE . SPRING 2016
Cover image: Contrasted Face by Tara O’Kelly
CONTENTS
The front cover of our launch issue of Rose was shot by Tara O’Kelly who is in the Upper Sixth at Tudor and studying Photography at A Level.
Old Tudorians’ Association Wykham Park Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9UR Tel: 01295 756284 Email: emcgowan@tudorhallschool.com Facebook: Old Tudorians’ Association
From the Editor An introduction to the first issue of Rose plus highlights
03
Heads up with Wendy Griffiths Journalist Lisa Freedman talks Tudor over tagliatelle
08
GCSE & A Level Results There’s no substitute for extraordinary teaching and sheer hard work
11
Aim Higher Academic opportunities beyond the classroom
13
MM Browne poertry competition Tudor girls are poets and they know it
15
NG Lecture Series Role models in the flesh
16
Psychological Resilience The art of developing resilience in young women
18
Women in Leadership conference It’s cool to be ‘like a girl’
20
The magic of Carrdus Let children be children
24
Grace Belgravia Optimising health and wellbeing whilst living a busy life
28
Angel’s Gardens Angel Collins’ green fingers: Heaven on earth
34
Calling all design professionals Where to start in the world of interiors
40
OTs Today There’s no stopping you…
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Dear Lumpy Life, letter writing & being ‘Lumpy’
54
Summer of ‘76 Nikki Stobart looks back on filming 40 years on
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A song for peace A song for peace Tallulah Rendall’s song raises funds for the refugee crisis Tallulah Rendall’s song raises funds for the refugee crisis
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London to Paris Diary of Alexandra Elliot’s London to Paris bike race
60
New challenges Pushing personal boundaries
64
Archives How times have changed at Tudor…
67
Former staff Life after Tudor
68
News in brief Hot off the press, keeping up to speed with the latest news
70
Leavers 2015 Leavers 2015 The Leavers’ Ball in all its glory The Leavers’ Ball in all its glory
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72 40 years of Mrs Granville A picture paints a thousand words
74
Events From Burnt Norton to Bristol, we’ve covered the country
76
Announcements The circle of life
83
Focus on food Jane Haggarty reveals her coveted sausage roll recipe
86
Food for thought OT Foodies entice us into the industry
88
Upfront and Personal Miranda Bunting interviews Richie
90
Family Retreats We’re all going on a summer holiday
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FROM THE EDITOR WELCOME TO ROSE, the Old Tudorians’ Association new glossy, handbagsized magazine written by Tudorians for Tudorians. Packed with news and views, lifestyle features, interviews and articles, Rose will be distributed annually to all members of the Tudor community.
Polly Fullerton (2012) interviews ‘Dear Lumpy’ author Louise Mortimer (Carew, 1973). You can join Alexandra Elliot (2007) on her intrepid London to Paris bike ride on page 60 or find the answer to an interiors conundrum in Laura Houldsworth’s (2005), Retail Editor at House & Garden, design consultancy recommendations on page 40. The OTA is now alive and kicking on Facebook and Twitter and would love to hear from you!
The creation of Rose is in direct response to requests from OTs who want to know who’s doing what where. On page 34, Garden Designer Angel Collins (Owen, 1973) whets our planting appetite whilst on page 54,
So with this first publication now firmly in your hand, I hope you find a chance to put your feet up and delve into the world of Tudor. Emma McGowan
Contributors Photographic
Lizzie Snoddon Head of Photography
Editorial
Cara Chamberlain Photography Prefect
Hannah Langford Sub Editor
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EXHIBITIONS IN 2016
RHS Chelsea Flower Show London, SW1 Stand RHW/366 23-28 May 2016
Life in Bronze 2016 Triennial Solo Exhibition Mall Galleries, The Mall London SW1 10-22 October 2016
(please contact us to be added to the mailing list)
+44 (0)7971028098 Hamish@hamishmackie.com www.hamishmackie.com
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Heads up with
Wendy Griffiths Lisa Freedman
When an email went round the editors of ‘The Good Schools Guide’ recently canvassing nominations for ‘top head’, the first reply to come back was: ‘Wendy Griffiths’. Explaining this choice, the editor quoted from her own recent review: ‘Before our meeting, we’d already been entertained by the sight of Miss Griffiths dancing and lip synching to “We are Family” in a Year 7 film. There aren’t many heads who would even consider doing this, let alone pull it off with such groovy aplomb.’ Tudor Hall parents are certainly appreciative of this rare gem, describing her to The Guide as: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Astonishing’, ‘Inspiring’. But, amongst their paeans,
undoubtedly the most pertinent is: ‘She just gets it’. And ‘just getting it’ is a major achievement in a world where all-girls’ boarding schools have not always been the most fashionable option in recent years. While many have withered and died, Tudor Hall has gone from strength to strength – undoubtedly due to Wendy Griffith’s careful guidance. Miss Griffiths has now been in charge at Tudor Hall for over a decade. She came to the school after a number of years at two leading Surrey day schools, but knew at once she’d found the right fit. ‘They offered me the job at 7pm, and I accepted by three minutes past.’ From the start, she’s had a clear vision of what the school is about: ‘I particularly like the fact that it’s
She just gets it.
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‘There are so many other things than the academic. If someone’s good at ballet, for example, we shout it from the rooftops. It’s all about self-belief.’
small - just over 300 girls - which means we get to know pupils and parents very well.’ What Wendy Griffiths strives for is a bespoke education, playing to each child’s strengths. So, for example, 26 subjects are on offer at A Level, from Maths and Greek to Psychology and Business Studies. ‘We want to ensure every girl chooses what’s best for her.’ This approach means that - despite the fact that Tudor Hall is not unduly selective – results are well beyond expectations. ‘Last year, for example, 69% of our GCSEs were A*-A. In another environment, quite a number of our pupils would struggle to get 5 A*-Cs.’ Wendy Griffiths’ own schooling, as a day pupil at a girls’ grammar in Wales, confirmed her preference for single-sex education (‘Girls learn in a different way. Here, there’s never a feeling that someone shouldn’t
be doing science or shouldn’t speak up in class.’). Her appreciation of boarding, on the other hand, began when she taught in a small boarding school at the beginning of her career. Now a passionate advocate, she’s recently chaired the Boarding Schools’ Association. Boarding at Tudor Hall is particularly important because education here is certainly not confined to the classroom, and Miss Griffiths has taken the word ‘extra-curricular’ from a smattering of music, sport and drama to a vivid rainbow of activities. ‘It’s a bit like an all inclusive holiday’ she says jokingly. ‘There’s tennis and drama, the art studio is open at weekends and there are always a whole host of matches, events and competitions going on.’ ‘Trying everything’ – from canoeing and climbing to Leith’s cookery classes - forms a fundamental part
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of her primary objective: instilling self-confidence and resilience. ‘There are so many other things than the academic. If someone’s good at ballet, for example, we shout it from the rooftops. It’s all about self-belief.’ (Underlining this perspective, she’s added new scholarships for dance, art, textiles, drama and sport.) For many girls, the teenage years can be turbulent, but Miss Griffiths (who is married to a teacher and has a grown daughter of her own) has always been particularly attentive to her pupils’ emotional wellbeing, an aspect of school life that receives all-round praise. ‘Pastoral care is delivered by people who know every pupil very well, and girls have a strong support network, including a school counsellor and long-serving chaplain, who can act as a lifeline in difficult times.’ Though Miss Griffiths originally intended to study medicine and became a teacher somewhat by default, she soon realised she’d found her dream career. ‘When I first became a Head I was told by a more experienced colleague I had to give myself the occasional treat. My treat is being in the classroom. I just love it.’ Unlike most heads - far too busy for this hands-on side of the job - she still regularly fronts GCSE biology classes. The insight gained here forms a key part of guiding girls successfully onto the right university and the right career. In the distant past, Tudor Hall was seen as a school, where the only necessary leaving qualification was the ability to curtsy gracefully. Today, its pupils proceed to an impressive array of jobs and professions, from engineering to set design. ‘We want to make sure they’re aiming high, so we immerse them in endless opportunities, from careers fairs, work experience and internships, to learn about the skills that are likely to work for them.’ What has not changed is the school’s motto habeo ut dem (‘I have that I may give) - and this aspect of the DNA is taken particularly seriously, ensuring
pupils enter the world both as confident and mature young adults and thoughtful members of society. Recently, for example, Miss Griffiths accompanied a group of sixth formers for a week’s volunteering at a youth club for teenagers in Bolton, Lancashire. ‘The girls worked 12 hour shifts. They helped service meals, got really involved in the activities and honed their pool playing skills, but they also went to see the homes of the children they were working with.’ The results were all she could have hoped. ‘I accompanied ten girls who faced a real challenge but they didn’t just cope, they were outstanding and impressed everyone they came in contact with.’ Experiences like this also help consolidate rock-solids friendships, formed initially by Tudor Hall’s distinctive ‘horizontal boarding’ (in which each year group is housed in its own boarding house). ‘Girls come from all over the country and all over the world, but, by the sixth form, they’re one big family. After school, they go onto share flats and remain in close contact becoming God mothers to each other’s children.’ The education given in the green and pleasant grounds of Tudor Hall produces a distinctive Old Tudorian, one described recently by the Independent Schools Inspectorate as: ‘articulate, confident and highachieving, yet aware of the needs of others.’ In other words, girls Wendy Griffiths can be proud of. R
“I accompanied ten girls who faced a real challenge but they didn’t just cope, they were outstanding and impressed everyone they came in contact with.”
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Lisa Freedman, who runs the educational advisory service, At The School Gates, (www. attheschoolgates.co.uk), is an experienced education adviser and journalist. She writes regularly for The Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, Prospect and The Week, and is currently completing a PhD on educational attainment at UCL’s Institute of Education.
GCSE & A LEVEL RESULTS 2015 Clare Macro Deputy Head We were thrilled with the overall results at GCSE and A Level in August 2015, the result of excellent teaching and hard work from our girls. At GCSE, the results speak for themselves with 69% of all grades being A*-A, 88% A*-B and 99% A*-C. A third of all grades were A*, which is a rise of nearly 7% on the A* percentage of last year, and over a quarter of the girls achieved all A* and A grades. At A level our results were equally impressive, indeed, the best for five years. 42% of all passes were A*/A, an impressive 82.8% were A*–B, and 96% of all passes were at grades A*–C. The majority of our girls go on to study at the Russell Group of universities who make their offers based around A*–B. Currently we have 29 girls with confirmed offers from Russell Group Universities and Oxbridge. They include, Oxford, Durham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester. We delight in the achievements of all our girls and are extremely pleased that we have four girls going to Oxford Brookes, four doing an Art Foundation, and one girl going to Parsons in New York, which is our third in as many years. The subjects the girls study reflect their individuality and this year they include Biomedical Science, Marine Biology, Spanish, Business Management, Estate Management, Geography, Politics, History of Art, Drama, Maths and Psychology, History, Anthropology, Economics, Music, French and Spanish, Philosophy and Politics, and Primary teaching. As a result of our outstanding exam performance, we were ranked 106= out of the top 424 independent secondary schools in the country in the Sunday Times Schools’ League Tables. League tables are often
mystifying and we firmly believe it’s not possible to measure the value of education by a point score. That said, our ranking, up from 140 last year, is testament to the extraordinary teaching and work that goes on with every individual. R
The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2015 ranked Tudor 106= out of the top 424 independent secondary schools in the country. Whilst I firmly believe it’s not possible to measure the value of education by a point score, our ranking, up from 140 last year, is testament to the extraordinary teaching and work that goes on with every individual.
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DEGREES Edwina Cox graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Politics with First Class Honours from the University of Bristol. Charlotte Deakin, 1st class degree from Newcastle University in Marketing and Management. Polly Fullerton graduated with a BA in English Language and Literature, 2:1, from Somerville College, Oxford. She was also awarded an Alice Horsman Scholarship by the college to contribute towards the cost of studying portraiture for a month in summer 2015 at the Charles Cecil Studios in Florence and would like to point out that Mrs Craske was very helpful in the process of applying to the studios. Soryah Haggarty, 1st class degree in Politics and Eastern European Studies from University College London. She has gone on to do a master’s degree in political science at the Central European University in Budapest.
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Briliana Harley, 1st class degree in History of Art at Magdalen College, Cambridge. Rose Hockaday graduated from Rose Bruford College with a 2:1 in Technical Theatre (Lighting Design). Arabella Kay graduated with a degree from Northumbria University in Interior Design. Georgia Leach graduated with a 2:1 in her BA Drama from Exeter University. Henrietta Wilson gained a 2.1 in Geography at Edinburgh University and is now at Reading doing a Real Estate MSc with a view to becoming a commercial property surveyor . Natasha Wellesley graduated with a First Class Honours in History of Art at Oxford Brookes University and would like to thank Dr Matthew Craske, husband of Head of Art Sheila Craske, for supervising her thesis and teaching throughout her time at Oxford Brookes. R
Aim Higher Susie Jeffreys
In September 2015, Tudor introduced its newly developed AIM HIGHER programme across the school year groups. The programme affords the girls a range of academic opportunities beyond the classroom, allowing them to pursue their intellectual curiosity.
The programme is inclusive, so all girls can benefit, should they wish to be involved. Activities are varied: from entry to national competitions, independent project work, attending lectures as well as taking part in the many extra-curricular clubs on offer. This year, Todd are undertaking an independent learning project which involves reading three books, completing a piece of creative writing, undertaking community service in the school or wider community as well as writing a project on a topic they have researched. The project requires the girls to choose a topic to research from an extensive list. Examples of topics include: ‘How do nanoparticles in socks stop them smelling?’, ‘The London 2012 Olympic games: was it a positive or negative event for our country?’ and ‘Read a poem. Create a poster which includes the poem, annotations, influences etc’.
During the Spring term, regular Aim Higher sessions will take place for all academic scholars and any other girls who are interested. Sessions will involve discussion on topical issues, critical thinking, and there will be lectures from guest speakers. Girls will also have the opportunity to enrol with IGGY (International Gateway for Gifted Youth Education), the University of Warwick’s online learning platform – www.iggy.net. It encourages critical thinking and collaborative work, and involves students from across the world.
[Aim Higher] sessions will involve discussion on topical issues, critical thinking, and there will be lectures from guest speakers.
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JONATHAN GALLOWAY, Head of Philosophy of Religion at Tudor Hall School, comments: Too much of what happens in education is obsessed with content (‘giving fish’) rather than critical-thinking skills (‘teaching how to fish’). Much Religious Education in particular has been guilty of working at a level of a dull, descriptive listing of the phenomenon of religious culture – the so-called ‘Cook’s tour of World Religions’ approach. At Tudor Hall, our Philosophy of Religion approach puts ultimate questions at the heart of the subject and engages students in critical debates about the conflicting answers given to these questions from religious and non-religious viewpoints. From the beginning of Key Stage 3, students are introduced to philosophical,
Jonathan Galloway with his 2015 RS A Level students post exams!
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theological and ethical puzzles and they examine in particular, Christian, Islamic and Humanist responses to these. Students are encouraged to carry out independent research on the different worldviews so that they can make informed and intelligent judgements about their own responses to controversial questions. In this way, students learn how to respect the worldviews of others as well as developing the ability to think for themselves. These critical-thinking skills are at least as important as numeracy, literacy and IT skills, if not more so. It is fascinating to see how the student’s perception of the subject can be transformed from one which they often did not take seriously at primary school, to regarding religious education as one of the most interesting and important subjects in the school curriculum. R
THE MM BROWNE
Poetry Prize and Junior Poetry Prize Tudor was delighted to introduce a brand new poetry competition, named after and judged by published poet and OT Maureen Browne (1959). The MM Browne Poetry Prize and Junior Poetry Prize enticed over 50 entries with girls being awarded first, second or highly commended in both the senior and junior sections. Sophie Walker’s poem, which won the Senior Prize, is published below.
The Chase We wait in silence, Our eyes wide and ears awake watching them work the cover. The rustling of the forest fodder, Echoed by the hum of panting hounds, Spreads around us like morning mist. Its in there. Somewhere. We feel it. And they feel it. Not long now. Her body fills with adrenaline, I can feel it bubbling within her I can sense her laser-like glare Looking on to something I cannot see. Ears pricked forward A signal to me. I stare ahead It’s close, very close. A flash of red I erupt in call Breaking the silence of the field All eyes are on us. A loose hound emerges from the brush, Nose deep in earth He looks at us and knows.
A loud yawning cry rings through the valley Followed by the chorus of the eager pack. Yet we stay still. Gazing after the glimpsing red Followed by a wave of dogs chasing it up the hill. She impatiently stamps her foot she yearns to join the chase! But I hold her back allowing her excitement to boil to the brim. My hands soften and I let her go. We soar after them All we hear now is the snorting, the pounding hooves together in time with the racing hearts. I feel her elation rise up through me For we’re both grinning, Because we saw it first. Sophie Walker (LVI)
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THE
Nanette Godfrey MEMORIAL LECTURES
Young women require role models. They need to be able to see women walking the walk in key roles.
tuberculosis and, more recently, Listening to programmes like Ebola, was able to show even the ‘The Life Scientific’ on the journey youngest students how science home from work, guest after guest makes the difference between life says something along the lines of ‘I’d and death. Parent Dana Thomas, never really thought of getting into author of ‘Gods & Kings: The Rise x until y came to my school to talk and Fall of Alexander McQueen and about it. At that point, the course of John Galliano’ gave a fascinating my whole life changed’. insight into the world of fashion and So, when designing the Liz Berry (Winner of the Forward First programme for the NG lectures, John Field, Director of Collection Prize 2014) joined fellow finding inoffensive speakers to entertain the greatest number of Teaching and Learning at poets Hannah Silva and Gillian Clarke (National Poet of Wales) at a students was not the purpose. Tudor Hall evening of poetry reading. A visiting speaker is a spark, an We see lectures as opportunities to challenge opportunity to transform a life and, who knows, perhaps students’ ideas about the world. Lindsay Mackie, who a seemingly small event will fan the flames of a world sits on the board of English PEN, a pressure group changing endeavour. working to defend and promote freedom of expression, NG lecturers are, therefore, drawn from a wide and to remove barriers to literature, spoke about the range of professions and backgrounds. Sometimes they individual’s freedom to give offence and the democratic support and extend the subjects we offer at school. Professor Helen McShane, who has worked on HIV / AIDS, tradition which supports this. Edward Snowdon, and
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Left: Dana Thomes, author of Gods and Kings Below: Liz Berry with members of the LVI
Lectures are an opportunity for girls to step up, be brave and to engage with often formidable, forthright figures. the debacle surrounding the destruction of the laptops he supplied to the Guardian newspaper, illustrated her point. Mackie’s views were not uncritically accepted. One student pushed Mackie on the opinions she expressed about the feminist punk rock protest group, Pussy Riot, pointing out that their punishment was widely endorsed by the Russian public. Mackie riposted. Lectures are an opportunity for girls to step up, be brave and to engage with often formidable, forthright figures. And Tudor Hall has hosted Germaine Greer‌ Young women require role models. They need to be able to see women walking the walk in key roles. These role models will inspire the current generation to work for the betterment of society and the planet and so, as far as we can, we seek to invite women at the top of their game to visit and inspire the next generation with their leadership and vision. If you know someone that the girls should hear, do contact John Field: jfield@tudorhallschool.com R
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Resilience comes in many forms and here Rani Tandon, Deputy Head Pastoral, talks about developing psychological resilience in women from a young age.
Psychological RESILIENCE
“If education is always to be conceived along the same antiquated lines of a mere transmission of knowledge, there is little to be hoped from it in the bettering of a man’s future. For what is the use of transmitting knowledge if the individuals total development lags behind ” Montessori’s words in 1949 still ring true today and Tudor Hall remains dedicated to the development of character as well as transmitting academic knowledge. One of the key traits we aim to develop is resilience. Everyone of us will face challenges in our lives but by developing psychological resilience we will have the cognitive skill to allow us to climb over obstacles rather than being blocked by them. It is a belief that the world is a changeable place which we can influence. Martin Seligman has written convincingly on the subject of ‘learned helplessness’, where we can simply give up and accept our fate. Seligman has showed that if we in fact change to a situation of ‘learned optimism’ or ‘resilience’, this will be invaluable in keeping us mentally healthy and allowing us to be successful. In fact, studies suggest that optimism or resilience can even lengthen your life. Developing resilience in young people is not easy and has many facets.
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“Success doesn’t come from what you can do but from overcoming the things you thought you couldn’t do” Rikki Rodgers This philosophy is vital in any educational establishment. A culture must be created that encourages failure and rewards a willingness to accept a challenge as particularly in women, a fear of failure is one of the most common factors that holds them back. Girls need to face their fears, whether that is jumping out of a plane in the Warriors programme, travelling to the other side of the world as part of Tudor in Four Continents, or simply answering a question in class when they don’t know if they are right. However, to do this, you must provide an environment that gives enough support so the girls feel safe enough to take risks. If young people learn to do this whilst at school, research suggests they will be more successful in later life.
Tudor’s ‘Warriors’ and ‘Tudor in Four Continents’ programmes offer the girls the chance to make a difference and demonstrate their resilience within communities, countries and continents far from their trodden path. The chance to engage in such amazing opportunities is much sought after.
SPARROW SCHOOL, JOHANESBURG The Sparrow Foundation School in Johannesburg, South Africa, provides both a remedial and specialized education to children with learning difficulties between the ages of 7 and 13. The children have a diverse range of abilities and, besides literacy and numeracy, the pupils learn life skills. Every autumn, a group of our Lower Sixth girls visits Sparrow to assist in their class rooms and lend a hand wherever help is needed. In November 2015, we welcomed the Sparrow Choir to Tudor holding a mass choir concert as a fundraising event.
CHENNAI Teams from Tudor Hall assist the work of the Ebenezer Living Word Matriculation School. The school provides boarding accommodation for orphans, and Tudor staff teach lessons such as science and history, whilst the girls undertake creative projects with the pupils. They also run a party for the boarders which is always much appreciated.
BOLTON, LANCASHIRE This was the first trip to visit the Bolton Lad’s and Girls Club which provides a safe haven for the young people of Bolton and a place for them to spend their free time. They provide a wide range of services including mentoring. The girls undertook a leadership training programme and were widely involved in all aspects of the club’s work. R
GUATEMALA Our girls work at El Porvenir, a primary school located in the disadvantaged, rural community of San Lorenzo el Cubo in Guatemala. They act as classroom assistants, as well as providing a variety of after-school activities, which includes a textiles workshop. El Porvenir is one of two schools built by Niños De Guatemala, a Dutch-Guatemalan non-profit organisation which is ‘working to break the cycle of poverty in Guatemala by providing quality education to those who need it most.’
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WOMEN IN
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The media loves nothing better than the latest ‘list’ of who is deemed to the most powerful, influential or richest. The BBC’s Women’s Hour questioned which 10 women in the UK have done the most to game-change the way power operates within the country, and ‘GQ’ magazine and ‘Editorial Intelligence’ reviewed the 100 Most Connected Women based on their ability to ‘connect’, ‘influence’, ‘change’, ‘campaign’ and ‘lead’. Whilst these lists are a fabulous way to while away a Sunday morning over a cappuccino, what human characteristics actually make women like Angela Merkel, The Rt Rev Libby Lane, Amal Alamuddin and Nicola Sturgeon such prominent leaders in their fields? Tudor Hall’s inaugural ‘Women in Leadership’ conference in June 2015, with delegates including 150 girls from the 4s, 5s and LVI, addressed what core skills, personality traits and attributes are required for a woman to forge ahead along her chosen path in life. The conference asked: Who do you think you are? Do women subconsciously hold themselves back? What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Do you follow your dreams? What can we do, to help other women? These questions were addressed by the panel of inspiring and influential speakers including Liz Dixon Smith, Director of Data Projects at the Bank of England, Old Tudorian Sez Maxted (1984), Former Director of DRAFT SCB and founder of ‘Treetwist.co.uk’, Deirdre Walker, Head of Dispute Resolution and Litigation for Europe, Middle East and Asia at Norton Rose Fulbright, Anne-Marie Imafidon, Founder of STEMettes, Aileen Kane, Head of Communications at the Boarding Schools
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Association, and Mairi Eastwood, first female partner of PWC and international leadership coach. The subliminal messages were reinforced by a series of workshops focusing on the art of presenting yourself, setting yourself apart in the job market and getting potential employees to recognise your strengths, and via a STEMettes hackathon to design a relevant app. Aileen Kane at the speaker podium
The STEMettes workshop
LARA YORKE, UVI and former Head girl Summer 2015 wrote: “Our inaugural ‘Women in Leadership’ conference made a huge impression on all delegates and will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on our confidence and approach to life as we move closer to our chosen career paths. The guest speakers gave us an invaluable insight into what they believe it takes to be an authentic female leader. Aileen Kane gave a powerful talk on female equality and that ‘female rights are the same as human rights’. She focused on the powerful gender-equality campaign for Proctor & Gamble entitled ‘Touch the pickle’ and key message ‘when you don’t let anything else stop you, why let taboos hold you back?’ Her main lesson was that girls should not allow themselves to be labelled as ‘bossy’ but instead ‘be the boss’.
STEMettes T-shirt, Anne Marie Imafidon
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Liz Dixon Smith encouraged us to choose a career that is consistent with our values as well as making us learn that failure is not the end of the world, but it is how we respond to this failure that matters. Sez Maxted reiterated that your chosen career is a lifestyle choice, encouraged us to believe in ourselves, to seize every opportunity that comes our way, that there’s no substitute for hard work and that you don’t have to be the best at everything. Her final wise words were “your career is precious, nurture and treasure it”. Deirdre Walker (left) stated that women need to realise their potential, and make their own luck in order to be successful. She told us that enjoyment of a chosen career leads to success and told us to never give up, be resilient and to be a contributor as you get out of life what you put in. Deirdre’s main lesson was that women should not ‘go before we leave’, and have the confidence to pursue opportunities. Anne-Marie Imafidon illustrated the fun jobs that can come from qualifications in science, technology, engineering and maths. After all, who wouldn’t like to spend their working day designing robots to oversee medical operations, developing 3D printers to ‘print’ your latest design or testing the next game console? Mairi Eastwood, told us to be true to ourselves and never, as a woman, to sell ourselves short. She encouraged us to be prepared to develop our own authentic style of leadership and never be shy to ask for help. She encouraged us to seek out a mentor in our chosen career as there’s no substitute for experience. With this extraordinary day of inspiration and advice under my belt, I look forward to embarking on my Medical Degree with even greater relish. R
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Sez Maxted
(1984), OT and Governor “I often look back over my career and think how ridiculously fortunate I have been to be where I am now. I say this not because of the lucky breaks I have had at critical moments in my career, but more because I had no idea how lucky I was to be given such a great start. My career began on the graduate trainee programme at Ogilvy & Mather. I had the doubly good fortune to be hired by Cilla Snowball, now chair of Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO. This actually set a pattern, as I have since worked closely with many remarkable and inspiring people. I still believe O&M is pretty much the university of advertising, and in my four years there I worked with the likes of Lever Brothers, Nestle Rowntree and the COI. For me, a lot of experience came after I left O&M and joined Delaney Fletcher Bozell. I was to spend seven happy years there, and witnessed the transformation of a small agency into the major force that DLKW has become today. I had joined as an account director, and ended up running the Chrysler Jeep and global Hilton Hotel business. To a fairly young account director, this was a glamorous period, involving a lot of Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) moments and transatlantic travel alongside the likes of creative partner Barry Delaney. I loved it. I became a board director and saw the company grow significantly during my time there. It was compelling stuff I soon began to realise, though, that my life and career needed a change. I became interested
in the broader discipline of communication, and felt ready to branch out. The opportunity to do exactly that came knocking in 1999, when I met Draft CEO Howard Draft. Howard’s fame in the USA is built on a hugely impressive grasp of integrated communication, and what it takes to build a successful global business. I was offered the chance to take over Draft’s Oxford office, and helped steer it to profitability, before its merger with Draft London saw the creation of an entirely new agency. I then became CEO, followed by Chairman of Draft FCB. The past five years has been another chapter of working alongside inspiring people. From Howard to hugely experienced people on both sides of the Atlantic. Partnerships with individuals such as executive creative director Arthur Parshotam have been particularly rewarding. Now I have been given the chance to learn from some of the best in the business, such as Marc Leurs, regional strategic planning and research director at Draft Amsterdam, and Bengt Fjellstedt, regional retail director at Draft Sweden. There are one or two important things I have learned in my working life in this industry. Firstly, pomposity is to be avoided at all costs – it drains
energy and detracts from the fact that we work in an industry that is, essentially, an incredibly fun place to be. Never forget that we are privileged to work in this creative environment, or that our industry is small and what goes around, comes around. As an advertising person, I have also been forced to break away from the mentality that exists above the line – away from the TV ad mindset and into the wider world. The future is about total communication and we can no longer afford to wear blinkers. To compete successfully we will need to speak all communication languages – analogue and digital, mass and segmented media, broadcast and in-store. The silos of the past are over and we need to be brave enough to embrace a new paradigm. Which leads me neatly on to the most important secret of all. The need to be brave. Brave enough to step into the unknown and to be passionate about an idea. Indeed, brave enough to walk away from what we know is wrong and towards what is instinctively right. R
How & why... CV FIRST BIG BREAK:
Graduate trainee, Ogilvy & Mather
FIRST BIG SUCCESS: Board director, DLKW
CLIMBING THE LADDER: Ogilvy & Delaney Fletcher Mather, Bozell, 1988–1992 1992–1999
Draft, 1999 onwards.
SECRETS:
1. Work with the very best you can 2. Embrace change 3. Be brave 4. Enjoy and celebrate the business we work in
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THE MAGIC OF
CARRDUS It’s the warm, happy and relaxed atmosphere at Carrdus, and the genuine sense of fun, freedom and creativity, that makes us so distinct from any other school.
When recently asked what it was they loved most bout Carrdus, the children enthused: playing in the woods, wearing our own clothes, reading by the fire, swimming (in the outdoor pool), bringing sledges to school when it snows, growing veggies to sell at our weekly market, singing in the inter-house music competition, doing experiments in the new science lab, making frogs in origami club, playing hockey on the Tudor astro (and the list went on…). The foundation of Carrdus School by Kathleen Carrdus in 1952 marked a step change in the pastoral and academic offering for children of primary age in the Banbury area. In the
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homely environment of Overthorpe Hall, children were encouraged to be themselves, to be inquisitive, to respect and help one another, to have a voice, and to explore and develop their own academic interests and life passions. This child-centric, highly differentiated, non-pressurised approach to education and individual development, was carried through by Kathleen’s daughter Susie (former Tudor English teacher and Governor), from 1985 to 2012. Prior to Susie’s retirement in July 2012, and thanks to Susie’s close ties with Tudor, the Carrdus became wholly owned by Tudor Hall in April 2011, enabling
this amazing school to continue its educational path under the expert guidance of Head Ed Way. Whilst Carrdus now benefits from the resources that Tudor can offer, the ethos remains the same – the provision of a bespoke education where children have the opportunity to express themselves and their own individuality in a myriad of different ways. As Ed Way recently told parents, “It’s the warm, happy and relaxed atmosphere at Carrdus, and the genuine sense of fun, freedom and creativity, that makes us so distinct from any other school. We are passionate about providing an informal environment in which children can grow at their own pace, can work without becoming worried, can be proud of what they have achieved and not dwell on what they cannot. It’s critical at this stage of their education that we give all our children opportunities to experience and cope with failure; they need be prepared for later life. With these values firmly embedded in them, we know our children can go forth in life with energy and passion.”
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OLD CARDUSSIANS Rose Lord My favourite memories: The 50m sprint and the 400m distance races on Sports Day; you would receive a little red, blue or yellow badges for coming 1st, 2nd or 3rd. English lessons with Miss Carrdus which were always eccentric and great fun; we would learn about poems and books and write essays on bizarre yet fascinating topics. At break time, we’d collect our snack – cheese, carrots and crackers – and then run off into the woods to our home made dens perfect for our make believe games. What I learnt from my time at Carrdus: Carrdus had a few rules – don’t cross the blue rope, only climb trees as high as your best friends head, it’s only fun if everyone’s enjoying it and treat others as you’d like to be treated. These rules taught me many important things as well as it’s so important to be yourself, look after you friends, be kind to everyone and take every opportunity that is given to you. What I want to achieve in life: My main passion in life is sport, it always has been and I know it always will be. Running a race or playing in a match with my teammates is the best feeling and is what I love doing most. Whatever I do later in life will be sports related, whether it is sports management or being a sports presenter.
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My love of sport, which has always been a huge part of who I am, started at Carrdus. We had swimming lessons every day of the summer term and were encouraged to always try our best at every sport we tried – gymnastics, hockey, netball, tennis, swimming and cross country.
Iona Cleave My favourite memories: Playing ‘Happy’ the dwarf in the French play, Miss McVey making swimming in the pool on a cold day fun, early morning cross country training, music lessons in the tipi and Miss Carrdus dressing us as a cow at the summer party. A Levels: English, Biology, Geography (which I’m hoping to study at Edinburgh) What I want to during my gap year: travelling & volunteering in South America & South-East Asia. From left (photographed in Guatemala on Tudor in Three Continents) Ella Ziegler, Iona Cleave, Kitty Kimber
I loved art and there was so much opportunity for me to create to my heart’s content.
Lucinda Mills My favourite memories: I remember the free and open atmosphere of Carrdus and the grounds which were perfect for any child who wanted to run around and play all day! I loved art and there was so much opportunity for me to create to my heart’s content. Life after Tudor: During my time at Tudor, I have discovered a passion for history through my realisation of the significance of the past and how it shapes the present and future. I hope to study history at Bristol in September 2016 and I am planning to go to Berlin next to learn more about Germany’s history, from its unification to the fall of the Berlin Wall. R
Above: My Carrdus school photo in year 1. Right: Lucinda in South Africa in February 2015 when she volunteered at Sparrow School.
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GRACE BELGRAVIA Grace Belgravia is London’s only health, wellbeing and lifestyle Club for women situated in the heart of Belgravia with Grace Medical and Wellbeing Clinic, open to both male and female non-members and fully integrated with the club alongside. 28 . ROSE . SPRING 2016
We take a holistic approach intended to empower time constrained women with high pressure lives to optimise their health, fitness, and natural beauty.
Kate Percival Founder of Grace Belgravia
Women spend their lives multi-tasking, always putting family and work before their own health. They are notoriously bad at actually making time to take stock, usually feeling guilty about taking “me” time and allowing themselves breathing space. I wanted to create a place where women could come and feel nurtured, cared for, empowered and intellectually stimulated. I wanted all the tools they need to go out and be the best under one roof. In 2008, I studied for a Master’s Degree in Luxury Brands and Services, and my thesis was on The Convergence of Medicine and the Global Spa Industry, for which I won the University Thesis Prize. This provided the basis of the business plan of Grace and we opened the Club in 2012. We take a holistic approach intended to empower time constrained women with high pressure lives to optimise their health, fitness, and natural beauty. The Club is built on a philosophy that to thrive in today’s society we need to invest in our greatest asset – our health. Preventative medicine and ageing well informs every element of the Club, from the integrated wellbeing and medical clinic and spa retreat, to the results-driven gym, healthy food restaurant and eclectic events. Our vision is led by a team of internationally recognised experts and therapists who can advise for every stage of adult life. Grace works with members from their first day to help them create the blue print for a healthy lifestyle and ensure it is simple to maintain. We achieve this not only through medical consultations and appropriate health tests with our medical practitioners, but also through a range of traditional medicine and complementary therapies.
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Preventative medicine and ageing well informs every element of the Club, from the integrated wellbeing and medical clinic and spa retreat, to the results-driven gym, healthy food restaurant and eclectic events.
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Grace Belgravia’s manicure and pedicure room
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In the gym, members have access to some of London’s top personal trainers; from our inhouse PT team (all trained in injury and pregnancy rehabilitation) to the much sought-after Paola’s Body Barre. After the gym, members use our luxurious spa – the ultimate way to unwind and soothe your aching muscles. Grace’s herbal sauna and eucalyptus steam room can be enjoyed all year round and treatments are always available from our excellent therapists. We have 4 handed body massages, results-driven facials from Natura Bisse and QMS and ‘master’ treatments such as the anti-cellulite treatment, Remodelage. Our Grace Restaurant offers locally sourced and seasonal, nutritious food, with options to suit all diets – gluten, dairy and refined sugar free. You can even embark on a healthy food delivery programme which
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The Club is built on a philosophy that to thrive in today’s society we need to invest in our greatest asset – our health. is a superb way to detox and optimise your weight. We are also delighted to welcome male guests in The Grace Restaurant before 9.30am for breakfast and after 6.30pm on weekdays for drinks and supper, as well as weekend brunch from 11.00am to 3.30pm. Please note that all guests must be over 21 years. R
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Left: Angel Collins at home Right and bottom right: The gardens at Bruern Abbey
Angel’s Gardens Angel Collins
It was lovely to see so many of you at my talk on the great OT Gardening day. I love coming back to Tudor and seeing so many old and young friends. When I return, I always notice how beautiful the gardens and surrounding views are; unsurprisingly, these of course went totally over my head when I was at Tudor, when we had far more important things to concentrate on, such as needlework and Bloxham. It was quite a long time ago, times have changed I know. I started my career in garden design nearly 25 years ago and to be honest I never thought I would still be designing gardens now. But I am so glad I am. I came to do a careers talk at Tudor about six years ago
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and it was my first ever talk. My knees were knocking. I remember saying to these young Tudorians, always believe that you can do what you want to do in life. The day I left Tudor, if I thought then that I would be returning to do a careers talk to a hundred girls, I would never have believed it. If you are lucky enough to have a daughter, and even luckier to have a daughter at Tudor, then tell her to go forth and realise her dreams, however ambitious they are. If I can, anyone can. My work has taken me to some beautiful houses in England, Scotland and Wales. I have got three sons, so I do like to work close to home. It wasn’t until I was lucky enough to be commissioned to restore the entire
gardens of Bruern Abbey that I realised what a fabulous job I have. Every time I drive through the gates of Bruern, I am uplifted by the beauty and the incredible aura that surrounds this C18 house. All I had to do, was not take this aura away and indeed to try and enhance it. Quite a responsibility and a lot of trust from the new owners. The house itself is slightly elevated above the huge lawn which then narrows into a long 40 metre stretch of water known as the canal and out into the countryside beyond. When I first arrived there, there were some large Irish yews which went straight down the middle of the lawn making the garden seem even narrower. These came out and 16 beautiful and mature
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Right: OT Clare Daresbury’s herb garden Below: Tulip Apricot Beauty
hornbeams, clipped into beehive shapes were planted in two avenues each side of the central part of the lawn, making the garden instantly seem wider. Bruern was originally a Cistercian Abbey. There is a wonderful courtyard surrounded on all four sides by the house and it has a monastic feel with cloistered arches. Here I was allowed to realise my dream of building a mini Al-Hambra-esque garden. Down
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the centre of this long courtyard, 16 water spouts, 8 each side, rise up and spill in to a narrow rill of water echoing the canal in the main garden. The planting could have been box hedging and topiary but instead it is made up of hydrangeas, perovskias and that wonderful arching plant called Dierama Merlin with dark nearly black flowers. There are several scented shrubs such as Calycanthus and philadelphus along with Lobelia tupa, one of the most aristocratic plants in my view. Grey leaves, tall red stately flowers, you cannot beat it. A lot of the planting is black and white, mimicking the Cistercian monk’s habits. It is always interesting arriving at a potential gardening job for the first time, with neither side knowing quite what to expect. It can be a 360 degree interview. My priority is actually not to win over the client, but to win over the gardener. It is important to observe every little detail on that first visit and to get as much information out of the client as possible. It is quite often the case that the house has gone over budget and therefore the garden is on a tighter financial rein. But gardens are so important to the inside of the house as well as the outside. We don’t look at walls unless beautiful paintings hang on them, we look out of windows. So my persuasion comes with ‘as soon as the last lick of paint has dried, your house begins to deteriorate, but as soon as the last plant has been planted your garden begins to blossom and bloom’. And so the process begins. First of all, the outline plan is drawn up within budgets and realistic maintenance schedules, along
Garden tips
Try and get your hands on WHITE HONESTY (Hesperus alba) and plant it straight away. Your garden will come alive in May, just before it really gets going.
with practicalities such as the families’ needs and enjoyment, e.g. pool or football pitch. This all gets logically plotted. Then my absolute priority is to marry the house to the landscape in the most natural and beautiful way possible, within the correct scale of the space. Inspiration comes from looking at architectural features on the house as well as from the planting. There are so many different layers to a garden. Topiary, colour, texture, smells, simplicity, wow factor and what I love most, beautiful and seasonal planting. We are so lucky to have such an incredible use of plants in this country. People ask me what my style is. It has always been the same which is classic bones with contemporary planting. I love architectural shapes with soft, billowing planting. I always try and go to specialist nurseries and seek out the latest amazing Salvia or Astrantia, shrub or rose. The tent at Chelsea Flower Show is to me, the dream. To do a garden at Chelsea is also a dream, and time I realised it! That is why we love gardening, there is always more to do. My work continues at Bruern as I oversee the garden, but the design work after two and a half years, is finished. However, I have just been commissioned to restore a wonderful garden in Hampshire. The garden at Bruern, was featured in the Winter Gardens issue of Country Life magazine on January 13th, and is going to be open by invitation in aid of the National Gardens Scheme, as well as Dementia UK on two separate days, so do email me if you would be interested in an invitation. Very Happy Gardening to you all. R
If you are thinking of energising your borders, think about ordering DAHLIAS. There are so many fabulous ones: DAHLIA KARMA CHOC, DAHLIA RIP CITY and MEL’S MARMALADE are good together. Or try a combination of DAHLIA CHANDELIER, WALTZING MATILDA and the BISHOP OF LLANDAFF. THOMAS EDISON and BAYOU BLEU were both winners in my garden in 2015.
GROWING ANNUALS: AGROSTEMMA PEARL is a beautiful white annual. For more low maintenance, GERANIUM ORION is a long flowering billowing blue one or G.ROXANNE a much tidier one. I shall be planting lots of WHITE ROSES in my garden this year, in particular ROSA DESDEMONA, one I saw at Chelsea 2015. It looked incredible in pots. And my PLANT OF THE YEAR FOR 2015 was
BUPLEURUM FALCATUM, a lime green airy plant which looked amazing with everything and flowers from July, just when the garden needs a zing up. ac.gardendesign@talk21.com www.angelacollins.co.uk
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HOLLYHOCK HOME
Beautiful vintage-inspired bedlinen for children, designed and made here in the UK www.hollyhockhome.com
INTERIOR DESIGN
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Laura Houldsworth Retail Editor, House & Garden
Calling all design professionals Would you like your business to be featured on the House & Garden website? Join The List. Finding the right design professional to help with your home, whether you are looking to make a single pair of curtains or develop a whole home project, can be difficult, which is why House & Garden has launched The List, an indispensable guide for anyone wanting work done to their home. Created after the success of the ‘UK’s Leading 100 interior Designers’ List’, which features in the June and July issues of the magazine every three years, this new initiative is a way for House & Garden to discover new talent, support local businesses and answer that all-important question: ‘Can you recommend someone...?’. The List will form an indispensable online guide of 1,000 design professionals, searchable by area, name and specialism.
Drawing room by Flora Soames
Old Tudorian Flora Soames set up her design consultancy business in 2009, having worked as the Creative Director of Talisman for seven years, a role she still holds today. With a background in both the furniture and art worlds (she studied history of art at the University of Edinburgh), Flora’s design philosophy is based on retaining the essence of a building whilst adapting the interiors in a way that is comfortable, stylish and practical. While the majority of her work is modern and eclectic, Flora also places great importance on quality, craftsmanship and longevity.
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Above: Cushions by Bridget Reading.
Right: Flora Soames sitting room with table Below: Flora Soames
Q&A WITH FLORA Which three words sum up your style? Diverse, bold, comfortable. What shaped your aesthetic? Working at Talisman has taught me to make strong, theatrical statements using exquisite pieces and given me the confidence to mix up periods. What is your perfect brief? It is an organic process that develops alongside my relationship with the client. I particularly love working with people who are open to making confident, eclectic choices.
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Do you prefer texture or colour? I’m keen on jewel colours, but I’m conscious of the balance between matt and shiny surfaces. In general, I like textures to be pareddown and understated. 07711-157570, www.florasoames.com We are calling upon individuals like Flora who are connected with the design industry to register their interest and sign up. Are you a UK-based interior designer, architect or garden designer? Do you provide a brilliant design service? Membership starts at £120 per year, including a subscription to House & Garden. R
To register interest, call Charlotte Richmond on 020-7152 3639, email charlotte.richmond@condenast.co.uk or visit www.houseandgarden.co.uk
Above: Flora Soames reception room Right: Garden by Marian Boswall
EXCLUSIVE OFFER Subscribe to House & Garden for just ÂŁ19 and receive 12 issues in print plus FREE ACCESS to digital editions on iPad and iPhone. To take advantage of this offer, simply call 0844 848 5202 and quote ref. xHGyuzyz
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OTs today Alexandra Verney (Munro Ferguson, 2002)
Henrietta Wilson (2012) – Bumbo Bags
Claydon Gardens are a classic example of an English country house garden comprising formal gardens, a productive kitchen garden and wooded areas. Open from March to October, they are run by Nicholas and Alexandra Verney, the latest Verney generation who, after almost 400 years of occupancy, are introducing exciting new re-design and development plans.
BumBo Bags sells unique, handcrafted kilim and leather bags which are designed in the UK and assembled in India. Our current range focuses around four designs; small and large totes, yoga mat bags and weekend bags.
www.bumbobags.com Email: henrietta@bumbobags.co.uk
Rosamond Woodrow (Bright, 1967)
For further information, contact: Claydon Estate The Estate Office Middle Claydon Buckingham MK18 2EX 01296 730252 www.claydonestate.co.uk Twitter: @claydongardens Facebook: /claydongardens Instagram: @claydongardens Photograph: Edwardian glass house
Rosamond is offering a 5* cottage near to Ashbourne in the Peak District, that sleeps 6-7 people. She is very happy to have dogs for those who enjoy walking. There is also a tennis court, and lovely gardens and grounds. She is also offering a stunning house on the sea near to Kilifi in Kenya. This house sleeps up to 14 people and has staff, including a good cook. There is also a 30m pool and the sea is just at the end of the 6 acre plot. 01335 342670 and 07790 166330. www.ladyholehouseholidays.co.uk www.kenyabeachparadise.com. Email: rosamond@woodrowr.entadsl.com,
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Caroline Anson (2008) and Elizabeth Curtis Anson and Curtis is an innovative catering company that produces high quality, delicious food with local, seasonal ingredients. Our regular services include drop off canapés, freezer filling, catering to corporate lunches, intimate dinner parties and large weddings and events. Our menus are constantly changing with new inspirations and are tailored to meet your specific requirements. Caroline: 07775 925245 www.ansonandcurtis.com Email: info@ansonandcurtis.com Instagram: ansonandcurtis Twitter: Anson and Curtis Facebook: Anson and Curtis
Charlotte Ledger (2005) – Forever Living
Annie Field (Charlton, 1963) – Sculptor Annie Field was an interior designer for thirty years. She devised & co-presented the first TV interior design series. She studied at the Sculpture Academy for four years and produces a wide range of figurative and abstract sculptures, paintings and drawings. Her work is in the National Maritime Museum, Lloyds Register and many private collections. She is a member of the Chelsea Arts Society, the South West Sculptors Association and the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts. She is represented by the Cricket Gallery in Park Walk and the Moncrieff-Bray Gallery in Sussex. Recent exhibitions include: A two man show in Glebe Place London, Cricket Gallery, Park Walk, London, Chelsea Art Society in Chelsea Town Hall and the Affordable Art Fair Battersea. www.anniefield.co.uk, 07850 002654, Email: anniefield@me.com
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I’m a Forever Living business owner, working in the health and nutrition industry. I work from home, parttime, around other commitments and my daughter. The products are all Aloe Vera and Bee Pollen based, from the world’s number 1 grower and producers. Our huge range of products are suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive and problematic. 07530 102708 www.ledgeraloehealth.myforver.biz/store Email: charlotteledger@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/LedgendGroup/
Izzy Bowie (2012) – Fashion designer From painting my parent’s walls to interning for a luxury handbag company my fascination and flare for design has never faded. Having grown up in the UK, I moved to New York in 2012 to study at Parsons the New School for Design. After focusing on women’s ready to wear for a year, I chose to specialize in accessory design due to my love of three-dimensional construction. Since starting at Parsons, my primary focus has been on traditional craftsmanship and the beauty of process. After internships in two bespoke menswear-tailoring houses, I currently work two days a week in a couture handbag design company. It is my aim to utilize traditional techniques and fuse them with modern materials. www.isabellabowie.com
Emma Monteith (Seyfried, 1983) Emma is a Nutritional Therapist, BSc (Hons) in mBANT mCNHC, practicing both in London and Warwickshire. She helps people return to optimal health and peak performance through nutritional science. Great advances in nutritional/functional medicine have helped to prevent and reverse diseases ranging from arthritis, diabetes and PMS to allergies, skin conditions, fatigue and many more. 07799 035765 www.nutritionaltherapy.org Email: emonteith@nutritionaltherapy.org, Twitter: Emma J Monteith @Emjmont
Davina Mulford (2000) Davina Mulford Millinery was set up in March 2015, selling handmade hats and headpieces, and affordable accessories. Prior to training as a milliner, Davina cofounded a hat rental company, where she gained an invaluable insight into the world of millinery. In 2014 she decided to branch out on her own, training at The London College of Fashion and Kensington and Chelsea College, as well as working for renowned milliners Gina Foster, and Noel Stewart. Hats and headpieces are made to order from Davina’s studio in West London, and can be made in almost any colour, to match your outfit. 07979 692253 www.davinamulford.com Twitter: davinamulford Instagram: davinamulford Facebook: davinamulfordmillinery The coat in Davina’s ‘red fascinator shot’ is by OT Katherine Hooker.
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Felicity Rudge, Artist (2013)
Gillian Weare (Whalley, 1947)
I am an artist producing detailed and lifelike animal portraits. I prefer to work with oils, but am open to using watercolour and pencil also. Sizes range from A4 – A3 – A2. Prices circa £250 – £500 – £850 respectively dependent on the subject and commission.
I moved from Camis Eskan House in August 2014 where I had lived for over 34 years. My husband died in 2005 and my family felt that I needed a smaller flat with use of a lift and nearer the town. I am enjoying the change, have a lovely flat with views of the River Clyde and also to the hills behind where I used to live. I am still active, drive a car, play bridge and go to Curves gym a couple of times a week. I still enjoy holidays abroad, my last was a trip down the Danube which was lovely. At nearly 85 I’m enjoying myself and making the most of it! Last year my daughter introduced me to the wonders of the internet and have never looked back. It entertains me for hours and enables me to keep in contact with my friends and also some family members living abroad. Much to her surprise I have mastered Facebook!
www.fmrportraits.tumblr.com Email: felicity.rudge@gmail.com
Harriet Lewis (2007) – Basil Infusion Basil Infusion offers a diverse range of culinary delights. From Cakes to Canapés, no job is too big or small! We aim to create something ‘a little bit different’ by blending quality seasonal ingredients, passion for food and an attention to detail. 07732657296 www.basilinfusion.com Email: basilinfusion@hotmail.co.uk
Email: fgillianweare@yahoo.co.uk
Hermione Crisp (Shirley, 2001) Passepartout Travel Hermione works as an Executive Assistant at Passepartout Travel, a specialist tour operator creating luxury holidays across Africa and the Indian Ocean. To plan your next holiday, contact georgina@passepartout.co.uk, tel: +44 (0)20 7183 1384, www.passepartoutafrica.co.uk
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Jo Rimell (Sinclair, 1979) – Medical Detection Dogs Jane Luard (1968) – Lion House School It’s been my good fortune to open my own school, Lion House School which has been educating Nursery and Pre-Prep boys and girls in Putney for 30 years. So long in fact that several children have returned for work experience! It has been hugely rewarding and great fun. LION HOUSE SCHOOL The Old Methodist Hall Gwendolen Avenue London SW15 6EH 020 8780 9446 www.lionhouseschool.co.uk
Sara Fakhro (1991) – The Research Base The Research Base is an international research consultancy specialising in education and skills, third sector/international development and business research. We offer research, evaluations, market intelligence and consultancy services using desk research, surveys, interviews, focus groups and economic analysis. Our clients include education providers, charities, government and socially driven businesses.
Medical Detection Dogs is a UK charity that trains dogs to detect the odour of human disease. The charity focuses on two areas: Medical Alert Assistance dogs are trained to assist individuals who manage complex, life threatening health conditions. These dogs save lives daily, give greater independence and save money with reduced paramedic call outs or the need for hospital stay. Our Cancer Detection dogs are significantly advancing the research into the early diagnosis of cancers through cheap non-invasive tests. Speeding up screening processes, particularly of cancers that are difficult to diagnose, will improve the prognosis for thousands of patients. Please visit www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk to learn more about their amazing work. Biodog Jack on carousel. Steven with alert dog Molly.
07821 347963 www.theresearchbase.com Email: sara@theresearchbase.com Twitter: twitter.com/theresearchbase
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Jocelyn Tress (Curtis, 1953)
Kate White (Williams, 1992) – Artist
TUSCANY/UMBRIA BORDER Exceptional spacious farmhouse villa in the heart of Renaissance Italy – our home for part of the year. Sleeps 10. Swimming pool. Utterly private. Uninterrupted views. Therapeutic atmosphere. Perfect for family holidays and celebrations.
Kate is a portrait artist and painter specializing in charcoal and oil portrait commissions, landscape commissions and animal portraits. 07768 670186 www.kate-white.com Email: katewhiteart@gmail.com
www.ladogana.co.uk Email: jocelyntress@gmail.com
Louise Newton (Darby, 1976) Amanda Lowther (Mother of OT Lucinda Lowther) British Art Portfolio
Kate Chenery (Brooks, 1996) – Artist Kate is an animal portrait painter and wildlife artist based in Leicestershire. She works mostly in pastels and oils, and undertakes commissions throughout the UK. www.katebrooks.co.uk Email: art@katebrooks.co.uk Facebook: Kate Brooks Artist.
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Louise and Amanda, friends since 1978, attended Leicester University in 2008 as ‘very mature undergraduates’. They read History of Art and both achieved a first class honours degree. British Art Portfolio is the result of a great friendship, a love of art and a desire to keep busy with children leaving home. British Art Portfolio hold approximately five pop-up art exhibitions all over the UK per year – specialising in British 20th and 21st Century art. 10% of profits is donated to charity and so far in 2015 we have been able to donate in excess of £6,000 to five different charities.
Lucinda Mackay (Bryant, 1991) – Slipper Slapper Slipper Slapper was started by Lucinda Mackay four years ago, selling sheepskin slippers, boots, gloves, hats and rugs from the UK, Portugal and the rest of the world. Slipper Slapper is based just north of Daventry in Northamptonshire. 07780 670 639 www.slipperslapper.co.uk Email: slipperslapper@live.co.uk Facebook: Slipper Slapper
Troy Ohlson (1980) – Artist
Sue Browne (Neill, 1965) – Horse Breeder
My landscapes and skies capture the enchanting beauty of the South Downs and the Sussex Coast – layers of collage and splashes of paint capture the timeless essence of each place. My wildlife paintings and etchings are rich in character and expression, touching your heart as they make you smile.
Sue Browne has been running a stud breeding event horses for many years and is currently bringing on Dougal ‘Glencarrig Dolphin’, a 14.2 Connemara stallion. Dougal has an outstanding jump, amazing temperament and, together with his excellent breeding, should produce top class event and show jumping offspring. He was 10th in the BE 4 year old championships and has won at BE100. OT Rachel Wilson (Barker, 1967) rode him in 2015.
07885 911049 www.troyohlson.com Email: troyohlsonart@gmail.com Facebook: Troy Ohlson Artist Twitter: @TroyOhlson
Visit him on Facebook or call Sue on 01777 249552 for further information.
Vanessa Whiteley (2012) – Private Tutor I am currently studying Psychology with Spanish at the University of Buckingham and, when not studying, act as a private tutor for Spanish, English as a foreign language and French. Please visit my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/vw.private. tutor/ . For references see www.firsttutors.com/uk/tutor/vanessa.spanish. french.english-foreign-language/
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Tess Meredith Hardy (2006) – Artist Tess is a well established artist specialising in animal and child portraiture. She has two studios in the Cotswolds and in London. When not drawing, Tess works in a Design Agency in Central London. 07816 868 408 www.tessmhportraits.co.uk Email: tessmh@hotmail.com Facebook: tessmhportraits
Laline Hay (2006) – Bolter Design Bolter Design is a creative agency set up by Laline Hay and Alice Taylor. With graphics and architectural training respectively they focus on venue branding and design – restaurants, schools, pop-ups, shops and corporate venues as well digital and print design. They help both established and start-up businesses grow. www.bolterdesign.com Email: studio@bolterdesign.com Instagram: @bolter_design
Virginia (Ginny) Wells (2011) – Eventer
Victoria Gamberoni (Curtis, 1957) – Artist
I have a career in Eventing. I trained and worked for top event riders, including 6 months with Harry Meade, and 9 months with my friend Ben Hobday. I have now set up my business / yard at home with my eventers / hunters. I run a small livery yard as well as training / riding my eventers and other peoples horses. I finished a good season with my two horses double clear in CCI* and CCI**. I hope to move up to three star next year as well as expanding my business at home with the liveries and to gain some sponsors and owners. To help me reach my goal of riding at Badminton/Burghley.
I am an artist living in Bath. I teach drawing and watercolour. I am an elected member of the Bath Society of Artists and The Armed Forces Art Society. I have recently won the Thales prize at the AFAS exhibition in the Mall Galleries and had one woman exhibitions at The Victoria Art Gallery and Bath Contemporary Gallery.
Facebook: Ginny Wells Eventing Twitter: @ginny0104
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Email: torgamberoni@gmail.com
Maudie Johnson (2004) – Loveyogabum Loveyogabum, set up in 2012 by Old Tudorian Maudie Johnson, specialises in Yoga Retreats in the UK and abroad. As part of Maudie’s personal mission to bring healthy living to a younger audience, they are now running ‘Health Days for Schools’. Maudie is passionate about educating teenager girls on the importance of healthy living. ‘Our goal is to empower young woman to love and accept themselves just as they are by using yoga, mediation, massage and healthy eating. With anorexia, bulimia, obesity, low self esteem and other ‘dis’-eases as prevalent as ever with additional pressures from the internet and social media, we need to end the taboo, talk openly and offer sustainable ways to help teenage girls navigate what can often be the most challenging years of their life.’ R www.loveyogabum.com
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Dear Lumpy In 1969, Roger Mortimer imparted some useful social advice to his twelve-year-old daughter in his first letter to her at boarding school: ‘Your attitude sometimes borders on the oafish and if visitors make the effort to be agreeable to you, you must reciprocate’. Standing in Louise Mortimer’s homely kitchen, I find myself struggling to equate the eloquent woman offering me peppermint tea with the errant child of Dear Lumpy fame. When questioned about the unprecedented success of the first published collection of her father’s writing, Dear Lupin: Letters to a Wayward Son (2012), followed in 2014 by her own volume, Dear Lumpy: Letters to a Disobedient Daughter, Louise’s reaction is one of similar astonishment. “We were all blown away by it,” she recalls, adding, “I think that letterwriting has completely gone out of the window, so to find someone who wrote letters which weren’t ‘waffle’, but funny, attracted attention.” Indeed, it is hard not to be entertained by Roger Mortimer’s playful correspondence, which incorporates nicknames like Nidnod and Saucy Piers, a lot of dog mess and its equivalent in gin and claret. However, it is with good reason that both Dear Lupin and Dear Lumpy elicited the compliment of ‘poignant’ from Guardian reviewer Sam Leith. Whilst Louise describes each letter as ‘a little bit of joy’, rediscovering
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Polly Fullerton (2012)
her father’s writing was not without tribulation. “At times I felt I’d let him down: being thrown out of school, getting married early to someone he hated – it stirred up a lot of emotions,” she tells me, no doubt referencing the excruciating letter she received after telling her parents that she had secretly married her boyfriend, who was not-so-affectionately dubbed ‘Hot Hand Henry’. In true Mortimer style, Louise delivers the story of her year-long deception with incongruous humour: “my ex-husband would go around waving the marriage certificate at people when he was drunk – thank God people didn’t really believe it.” Tudor Hall does not feature significantly in Dear Lumpy, ostensibly because Louise admits to being far more interested in what lay beyond the school gates.
I think that letter-writing has completely gone out of the window, so to find someone who wrote letters which weren’t ‘waffle’, but funny, attracted attention.
Top left: Louise Mortimer with Father in Spain
Above: Sister Jane, brother Charlie, Roger and Louise at Barclay House
Below: Tudor Hall year group photo, Louise is second from the left in the third row
“I don’t think I appreciated how amazing it was,” she says, continuing, “generally, my life revolved around ways to get out into the fields and see the Bloxham boys.” We bonded over a mutual love for Mrs Granville and achieving E grades in manners marks (“it shows that you can stand up for yourself”), but it’s clear that Louise’s high jinks were far superior to my own. Despite Roger’s warning that the Tudor Hall Head Mistress had ‘the reputation of being the most relentless flogger in the business’, her love of practical jokes, including ‘hiding revolting creatures in horrible places’ resulted in frequent visits to Mrs Blythe’s office. Louise is, after all, her father’s daughter. The endless comedy of Roger’s exasperation might raise a smile, but it’s the undertones of delight and abetment in his reprimands that give Dear Lumpy its laugh-outloud quality. With an offhand remark towards the end of our conversation, I think Louise hits the nail on the head: “they were special to me because they were something which I don’t think a lot of people had.” Today, funny media is endemic to social networking; distributed by share buttons, consumed in seconds and forgotten with a thumb flick. Roger’s writing employs the same wit and sarcasm found in video clips and memes, but in a distinctive personal format that can only be enjoyed ruminatively, and preferably with a generous gin and tonic. R
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Tudor star of ‘Summer of ‘76’, Nikki Stobart (Scott, 1979), looks back at the filming 40 years on…
‘76
Summer of The summer of ’76 seems a very long time ago now but one that will always be etched in my memory and not only because it was one of the hottest summers on record. A brave decision was taken by Mrs Blythe, our Headmistress and the Governors to allow the BBC to make a documentary about the last 2 weeks of our summer term. Whilst many similar programs have followed, this was the first of its kind and ground breaking television. The producers had visited many schools and of all they saw choose to approach Tudor Hall. It was decided that the year group to represent the school should not be involved in any important external exams, so the 4’s (all of us aged about 15) and a few girls (including me) that were keen on drama, were introduced to
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A brave decision was taken by Mrs Blythe, our Headmistress and the Governors to allow the BBC to make a documentary about the last 2 weeks of our summer term.
the production team and asked to show them round the school. After a further few meetings with Ivor Dunkerton, the director, the film crew descended on us for the last 2 weeks of the summer term. The disruption was not insignificant with lights and cameras following us around, scenes being set, repeating various activities time and again to get the right shot and every aspect of our lives being ‘watched’. Filming a ‘getting up scene’ in our dorm on a hot Sunday afternoon was particularly surreal. I think my classmates and indeed the rest of the school were very tolerant and mostly enjoyed the experience. I loved it and it fuelled my desire to follow my dream to go to Drama School. Later on that summer I went to the BBC studios in Shepherds Bush to record the voiceover for the program, answering questions that were put to me by the broadcaster Desmond Wilcox… some of my answers that make up the commentary were not always edited in the way I had intended them and I remember thinking they sounded most odd. Initially the Director was sceptical about the girls boarding school way of life and was not a fan. He was however, as he later told my Parents, totally won over by Tudor Hall and the program was extremely well received when it aired in October, sandwiched between a documentary on a mens prison and one on the the Notting Hill riots! The whole experience was extraordinary and I think we all enjoyed huddling round the television in the common room watching the finished product… I must say seeing it in later life causes much hilarity for my family and embarrassment for me, viewing my 15 year old self 40 years on! R
Filming a ‘getting up scene’ in our dorm on a hot Sunday afternoon was particularly surreal.
Centre and above: Nikki Stobart then and now
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A song FOR PEACE Tallulah Rendall (1998) is raising funds and awareness for the refugee crisis.
Europe is facing its worst refugee crisis since the Second World War. Since the start of the year more than half a million desperate people have made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. 1 in 5 of those arriving by sea are children. For those who survive the treacherous journey, the terrifying ordeal is not over. Children often arrive in Europe scared and exhausted. Many have seen and experienced untold horrors during their journey. The physical impact of travelling is also clear. Fundraising campaigns like Tallulah Rendall’s ‘We Don’t Want War’ single, raise the vital funds that are teams working across Europe need to support child refugees. Without supporters generously giving their time and talent in this way, we simply couldn’t reach as many children. As well as vital funds, campaigns such as this help to spread awareness of the issues facing children arriving in Europe. ‘I read the news one morning and immediately wrote this song. I was unsure if I would share it with anyone, until I read the news the next day and
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suddenly felt, I had to. I wanted to do something to help those children in desperate need and hoped that on hearing the song listeners would be inspired to join me in raising money for them. In the past I have be involved in many amazing charity events and crowd funding campaigns but this fundraising has completely changed my relationship with music and for the first time I am experiencing first hand its power to unite, inspire and ultimately make a real difference.
I read the news one morning and immediately wrote this song.
I dreamt that maybe the song would inspire other creatives to become involved and so I am so happy to share with you Ithaca student Emily Natal’s video, (www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCl-uYhfqzI) created in response to the song. So far in three days this song has raised over £1700 and is continuing to grow, unite, inspire and raise money. Thank you so much to everyone who has joined this campaign for sharing and donating and for supporting this story. R
If you haven’t donated yet and want to please visit: www.justgiving.com/Tallulah-Rendall If you are unable to donate, if possible please take a moment to share Emily’s video and help spread the word, thank you. x
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LONDON to PARIS Alexandra Elliot (2007) embarks on a bike ride in aid of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance in September 2015
DAY ONE – Croydon to Calais
Tessa Meredith Hardy (2006) and I arrived in Croydon for 6am and were starting to get terribly nervous with the realisation of what colossal adventure was in front of us. There were a lot of professional looking cyclists so we started to panic even more. We set off at 7am, after fixing a puncture (not a great omen) and it soon became clear the challenge was going to be both physically and mentally exhausting. We were not scheduled to arrive at our hotel in Calais until 9pm - it was going to be a long, wet and painful day. Our first foray into the North and South Downs came as a shock to the system. The rolling hills seemed like mini Everests on a bike. We passed some
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of the orchards and vineyards, but sadly the weather made visibility poor. After being drenched within the first hour, I was uncontrollably shaking unable to warm up despite the effort I was putting into the cycling. We arrived in Dover 30 minutes ahead of schedule, enabling us to warm up a bit with a hot chocolate - and then cycled to the port in a convoy of 130 riders. After a speedy crossing, and quick meal, we put our squelching shoes back on and cycled 5 miles to our hotel and a hot shower. Day 1 – 89 miles.
DAY 2 - Calais to Arras
I was sore but surprisingly mobile on the morning of day 2 all thanks to the muscle cream I had applied the night before. With my head phones on and music blaring, no hill was going to defy me today, no matter how long or gradual the incline. Thankfully the sun came out, and we were able to take in the scenery (and odd play park) on our ride to Arras.
On arrival, we came across a beautiful war cemetery, the Faubourg–d’Amiens Cemetery. The cemetery contains over 2,650 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 10 of which are unidentified. The building commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died between the Spring of 1916 and August 1918 (the eve of the Advance to Victory). After much reflection in the cemetery, we showered at our hotel and headed out for some delicious French food. Day 2 – 87 miles. Top: Waiting to board ferry to France Right: Downtime in a French children’s playground Below: Faubourgd’Amiens Cemetery
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As soon as we left the shelter of Arras, we were hit with head winds which continued throughout the day [...]. Our top speed [...] was 8 m/h which was soul destroying. DAY 3 - Arras to Compiegne
Words do not even begin to describe just how physically and emotionally testing our ride through the Somme was to be. As soon as we left the shelter of Arras, we were hit with head winds which continued throughout the day until our arrival in Compiegne. Our top speed (until the second water stop) was 8 m/h which was soul destroying. However, witnessing the ploughed fields, flat exposed land and freezing wind of the Somme it really gave us a tiny idea of exactly what those incredibly brave men and animals had gone through to fight for our freedom. We stopped at many Allied and German graveyards, the lines of gravestones highlighting the sheer loss of life during the war. We had never seen rain like it and we were literally cycling through rivers on the road with cars spraying us as they passed. On the verge of having an emotional breakdown, the registration V10 JAE flashed past – my parents had come to support! It was a massive boost and, after a quick stop to say hello, we put our heads down and managed to make it to our hotel after 11 hours cycling. This was one of the hardest, most brutal days of my life. Day 3 – 92 miles.
DAY 4 - Compiegne to Paris If it hadn’t been the final day, I would have really struggled to get out of bed after yesterday’s hellish ride. We set off from the hotel and immediately plunged deep into the beautiful Compiegne forest. The excitement of finally having Paris within reach urged us to pedal faster. I was now on painkillers and by the time I reached Paris, I was rattling with 8 strong Ibuprofen and 4 paracetamol.
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The final push to Paris felt long especially when we got into the suburbs and the never ending traffic lights. Cycling towards the Louvre was terrifying – you really had to take your life into your hands - and needed eyes in the back of your head. Now for the most terrifying part of the whole experience – the Arc de Triomphe roundabout! How we all made it around in convoy – with seven lanes of French traffic - I will never know. On arriving at the Eiffel Tower, we were met by Mum and Dad who sprayed us with a bottle of champagne. We felt like champions! R
So far, I have raised £1,805 for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance which I am so proud of. Should you like to donate to this wonderful cause, please see www.justgiving.com/Alexandra-Elliot/
Below: Navigating the French roads! Right: With my parents at the end
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New challenges The 8 Peaks Challenge Louise Bevin (Cavenagh, 1982)
In a moment of madness, I volunteered to scale 8 peaks in 8 hours in the English Lake District in mid May 2015 which involved climbing to the top of Scafell Pike, Great End, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell amongst others. I had never attempted anything so arduous, having always preferred my trusted four- legged friends as a means of crossing the countryside, so it was going to be an enormous physical challenge for me. A 40 minute session in the gym twice a week and a 13 mile walk home from the local point to point course in April was the only preparation I managed to fit in. The allotted weekend came, and went, in the blink of an eye, although it took a little longer than that in practice! The weather was kind – it didn’t rain – but it was bitterly cold and very windy so we were wrapped up throughout. Sadly we had little time to hang around and admire the views – but the visibility was reasonably good because of the wind.
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A 50+ strong Boots team plus guides, split into 4 groups for those wanting a fast, medium or more leisurely challenge, set out from The Old Dungeon Ghyll at Langdale at 8am and it took the first group about 3 hours to reach the first summit. I was definitely “steady” uphill but quite nimble downhill, taking time out to share warm liquorice tea and a swig of sloe gin with fellow competitors. Remarkably, I was the second participant to complete the whole challenge in 9 hours 20 minutes. I loved every minute – my old body held up well – and the exercise somehow seemed to sort out the dodgy knee too, or was that just too much Ibuprofen? Throughout the challenge I kept reminding myself that I had set out to climb the 8 Peak, to raise funds for Macmillan – and, thanks to everyone’s generosity raised the unbelievable sum of £7,028 before gift aid and a small contribution from Boots, amounting to £8,666 in total. Huge thanks to everyone for their most generous support.
Bath half marathon Emily Lees-Millais (2015)
In March 2015, along with a vast team organised and orchestrated by the Cator family, I ran the Bath Half Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK and Stem Cell research in order to raise money for a cause that had become very close to all of our hearts. In August 2014 Charles Cator, a very close friend of my father’s , was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a particularly aggressive cancer. In January 2015 having endured a course of chemotherapy he underwent a stem cell transplant, which, it was hoped would aid him on the road to recovery. Ellie Cator (2013), Charles’s third daughter, who was in her first year at Bristol and also an Old Tudorian, wanted to raise funds for Stem cell research and encouraged a group of friends to sign up for the Bath Half marathon. Word soon spread, the idea spiralled and along with her elder sisters, old Tudorians Rosanna (2006) and Jessica (2008), their brother Sam and their mother Janey, and a huge number of friends and family, the group grew to well over 100. On 1st March 2015 as hoards of us descended upon Bath, ‘The Cator Troops’ went global and we ran an international relay of half marathons over 48 miles in Bath, Hong Kong, Vancouver Island and Sydney. The Bath Troop met up on a cold but sunny Sunday morning, kitted out in our personalised t-shirts
(designed by another old Tudorian Cornelia Temple-Richards, 2008) and ready to take on the next 13.1 miles, at whatever pace that might be. The atmosphere was simply incredible and our enthusiasm only slightly dampened by a hail storm before the start. Though it was tough, it was definitely worth the blisters and the sore knees – and I have to say that the residents who lined the streets of Bath to give out jelly babies to the runners as we passed really were life savers! We all finished the race, the sun shone from the start and as a total, the Cator Troops raised a truly phenomenal £120,503.86 – far exceeding the original target of £59,100.00. Sadly Charles Cator lost his battle with cancer in September 2015, but I hope that the considerable sums raised will go some way to finding a cure for this awful disease.
BHWC members race
Livvy Barlow (2014) and Phoebe Taylor (2011) Livvy Barlow (right) and Phoebe Taylor (left) entered the Bicester hunt members race together in March 2015 and came second. A great effort, particularly as it was Pheobe’s first ever point to point!
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throughout the year, it gives a valuable insight for current girls as to what life after Tudor is like. For the older girls there is always an opportunity to gain much appreciated work experience and mentoring with OTs. We really enjoy meeting up with OTs at the many OTA events that happen throughout the school year, from industry dinners in London and to trips to university cities where former girls are currently studying.
A day in Parliament
Olivia Wypior (2014), Girl Guide Representative at British Youth Council As part of my role as a Girl Guide Representative at the British Youth Council, I was invited to the House of Lords in October 2015 to take part in their annual event whereby they invite specific groups to debate a relevant topic. We debated ‘How to increase diversity within Parliament’ alongside The Humanist Association, a further humanist group from Scotland and some Sixth Form groups. Despite taking part in Model United Nations at Tudor, I am an extremely nervous public speaker particularly when I know an event is being televised. Nonetheless, I considered it foolish not to take this extremely exciting opportunity to state my case as I may not get the chance to speak in Parliament again!
Our OT Prefect Hannah Mills explains why OTs are such an important part of Tudor life
I’m Hannah Mills, I’m in Inglis (Lower VI) and I’m the school’s Old Tudorian (OT) Prefect for the academic year. I come from a line of OTs – my mother Victoria Shelton attended Tudor from 1980-87 – and think it’s so important for Tudor, as a school, to remain in contact and create links with the Old Tudorians. With many OTs returning to talk at gap and career fairs
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Sydney fun run Georgie Bowie (2010)
In 2014, I moved to Sydney for an Australian adventure and a year later I am still here. I have been working as an Account Executive for a CX agency called Lavender on the account of Australia’s largest telecommunications company. The lifestyle here is incredible, with wonderful weather, fantastic food and an unbelievable array of outdoor activities. After leaving Tudor six years ago, I am thrilled to once again be reunited with Laura Bray who began at Tudor as a gap year student and went on to become a sports teacher. Her kindness in welcoming every Old Tudorian to Sydney with open arms is proof that the Tudor network and core values live on globally. On the 8th August 2015, we both ran a 15km charity run called ‘City to Surf’ which follows a beautiful coastal from the CBD all the way to the iconic Bondi beach, where we both live. R
Archives Marching Display 1946
Dione Stanger (Phillips, 1948) kindly emailed the images of the girls’ Marching Display held at half term in June 1946. The photograph was taken by one of Dione’s parents. In 1945, the display was held in the main square of Chipping Campden near Burnt Norton where Tudor Hall was evacuated to during the war. The girls in the Marching Display were: Sally Hardman, Lucinda Pennington, Fiona Simpson, Tish Crick, Elisabeth Mole, Pam Mather, Teresa Strasberger, Sarah Lutyens-Humphries, Pippa Wilson, Caroline Clay, Dinah Nauman, Gillian Hewitt, Caroline Cross, Gillian Whaley, Rebecca Holdsworth, Jill Inglis, Nancy Forman, Rosemary Lucas, Suzanna Birch and Nemone Lethbridge. Their teacher was Mrs Goest.
Ashton’s Class of 1984 Back Row: Suzannah Starkey, Sarah Preston, Lucy Elliott, Joanna Black, Annabel Moeller, Mrs Grosvenor. 3rd Row: Lucinda Furber, Hiromi Mitzuguchi, Sandra Jones, Marcella Perfect, Sophie Edwards, Chin g Yin Watt, Sara Harborow. 2nd Row: Amanda Cable, Emma Wright, Anne Gurney Lydia Craig, Louise Westropp, Harriet Gosling, Sarah Maxted. Front Row: Henrietta Jewson, Edwina Chance, Pollyanna Clarke, Sarah Needle, Sara-Jane Rutherford, Lucinda Murray, Justine Hardy, Louisa Stanley. R
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Former staff Peter Mayne, Head of English from 1991– 2007 and ‘Housemistress’ of Lancaster from 1999–2005 (and still wearing his hoodie) Despite rumours to the contrary emanating from OT’s, a couple of years ago, I am, at time of writing, still above ground. I enjoyed doing nothing for 3 months after ‘retiring’, then after being thoroughly bored was asked to help out for half a term at Rugby High School, a state grammar school for girls and eight years later I am still here having also put in shifts at Northampton High. Seriously ladies, you spoiled me for wanting to do anything else but be paid for the privilege of spending my time with charming young women. Rugby is different from Tudor of course but wonderful nevertheless and not having to be responsible for running a department and having kind colleagues who treat me in incredibly kindly fashion adds to the joy I still get from teaching. Those of you in my public speaking teams might be interested to know that at both the above schools we reached national finals and came third in one. Holidays are spent with my daughter who is a professor of Planetary Geology in Texas and an advisor for NASA funding panels. She is also curator of one of the two largest academic meteorite collections in the world. I still play cricket and have just returned from a tour of France, yes they do play and some are very good too.
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And as you may know, Mrs Mayne is a governor of Tudor and has been teaching Sixth Form Mathematics until recently. I enjoy meeting some of you at OT events and hearing of your successes. Please come and say hello, I will be pleased and flattered if you remember me.
Peter Mayne
Sarah Bourne Swinton Hunter
Sra. Mari Lane
Sarah Bourne Swinton Hunter, Classics teacher from 1989–2015 After 26 years at Tudor Hall, Sarah Bourne was ordained in Coventry cathedral on Sunday 28th June 2015 by the Bishop of Coventry and she is now serving her title curacy at Shipston-on-Stour, along with three other villages in the area of South Warwickshire. A number of staff & former pupils attended the service in the cathedral, which was a magnificent occasion attended by more than a thousand people. Sarah is still maintaining her long association with Tudor in her occasional role as Assistant Chaplain. Sra. Mari Lane, 1987–2009 I retired from Tudor Hall in the summer of 2009, but still return to the school every year to invigilate public examinations. This gives me a wonderful opportunity to keep in touch with the school. I would say that I lead a fairly sedate life, although now with more free time, love to travel, visiting several countries in different continents. The most recent being Bhutan to see Tiger’s Nest. I naturally continue to go back to Spain, spending an average of three months a year there.
Now that I am retired, it gives me more time to pursue my love for theatre and often find myself enjoying plays in Oxford or musicals in London. I have also become a member of the University of the 3rd Age (U3A) where I have the opportunity of joining several groups to further my knowledge of different subjects such as photography to ensure I capture all the memories of my retirement. Which brings me nicely onto the thing that most fulfils my life these days; being a grandmother! I am lucky enough to have two grandchildren – Frankie, a dear little boy who is 3 and bilingual in Spanish and English and Eva, who just recently joined us but is the most gorgeous baby girl and changing every day. It is important to me to I try to pursue happiness and tranquillity in my senior years and so far am definitely achieving this! Sandra Blakey, 1964–2006 Wide skies, acres of sand, abundant wild life, superb sea food and exceptional eating establishments. You could be forgiven for thinking that I am working for the Norfolk tourist board but it is Bliss Living in Norfolk. Life since retirement has been very relaxed. My enthusiasm for golf waned after a couple of years, call it conceit if you like but I expected to find it easier and to play brilliantly! With little practice (that essential factor) and dodgy knees (the result of years pounding tennis courts) I decided to hang up the clubs. Many of my Tudor friends and their dogs visit regularly, we walk and enjoy the beaches and it would be rare not to meet other OTs doing exactly the same. I continue to work with the OTA although considerably less than I did. A lifetime of Tudor is hard to shake off, great times, great memories.
Diana Muirhead
Sandra Blakey
Diana Muirhead, Head of Games from 1969–2000 I retired in 2000 and live in Barford St John, four miles from school. The red lights on the masts seen from the IIs bedrooms are the airfield above my village. I feel I should have done more in retirement but having three collies is a ‘tie’. My all-consuming hobby of dog agility keeps me busy; exercising, training several times a week and competing all over the country at the weekends. Since retirement, I have had Saturdays (and no matches) and so have been able to travel further afield. I have had two cracking dogs – Bliss and Chas – and one who did it to please me. I was not so cracking at agility so our success varied. Agility is a boom sport so one competes in classes of up to 300 and Chas is still competing run by a friend now. I take art classes locally with Bridget Read and play village carpet bowls which requires a surprising amount of skill. I volunteer at Upton House, the local National Trust property, and have learnt much about its amazing art collection. We have been on some amazing annual holidays with the Upton volunteers. I keep up with ex colleagues at monthly pub lunches, visit Norfolk to see Sandra Blakey and helped Moira Lamont put her French property to bed for several years. I have painted in Morocco with Moira and this year we are off to Southern Spain. My sister lives in Malta, so I go there regularly to visit. All change this year as I need to move to a bus route and be able to walk to a shop. Down to one dog, Chas, at the moment, who will be appalled at the thought of moving home. Tempus fugit. R
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News in brief Alisa Atkinson (1998) and her husband Richard and children Alex (13), Maya (11) and Tati (9)were featured in Kevin McCloud’s Channel 4 programme ‘Escape to the Wild’ featuring their move from England to build a two storey house and run an organic farm in the middle of Belize’s dense rainforest.
Sane New World - Miranda Bunting (2009) has successfully nominated Ruby Wax for an OBE for her services to mental health. Ruby is currently touring the UK with her Sane New World show based on Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy whereby, in a nut shell, Ruby gives a tour of the brain and how to tame it. A signed copy of Ruby’s new book “A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled” is available in the school library.
Charlotte Martin (1999), who works for the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, planned the Chinese State Visit to London in October 2015. Reaching Out – Patricia Peters’ bronze statue of a ballet dancer – donated to Tudor by the 2015 Leavers’ – now takes pride of place outside the Music School. Sophie Sabbage (Edwards, 1984) has written a book about living with late stage cancer: THE CANCER WHISPERER, How To Let Cancer Heal Your Life. Published by Hodder and Stoughton, it can be purchased from most leading book stores or from Amazon (hardback, audio and e-book).
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The Tudor Charity Calendar 2016 featuring staff dogs Dogs continue to play an enormous role pastorally within the Tudor community, with over 20 dogs either living or ‘working’ daily on the campus. With this in mind, and Sheila Craske’s discovery of Tudor’s Millennium Dog Calendar, it was decided that the time had come for another. After a two-day photo shot with Lizzie Snoddon, Head of Photography, the finished product hit the print press at Banbury Litho and has been a huge hit. All proceeds went to Dogs for Good, www.dogsforgood. org (formerly Dogs for the Disabled), an innovative charity exploring ways dogs can help people overcome specific challenges and enrich and improve lives and communities.
RIP: Edith Granville (Harriet Granville’s dachshund, on the right) featured in both calendars but sadly passed away in December 2015 after 18 years of loyal service to Tudor.
Julia Huddart’s leaving present In July 2015, Julia Huddart hung up her high heels after 7 years as Secretary to OTA to pursue a second ‘gap year’. Donations from OTs for Julia’s leaving present, enabled the OTA to buy her a feather picture by OT Chloe Forbes Cable (Gardner, 1991), www.chloegardner.com and a still life by Tudor Parent Annabel Playfair, www.annabelplayfair. co.uk – both highly appropriate gifts and ones we hope will remind Julia of her days at Tudor.
Harriet Granville’s trip to India A very big thank you to you and Red Savannah. Antony and I had the most wonderful holiday in India as a result of your generous and thoughtful leaving present. Edward arranged a splendid surprise for Antony’s big birthday by arriving with his family at the Fisherman’s Cove Hotel near Chennai at 10am on our first morning. Antony’s face when I opened the door to Bea, Daisy and Theo was one of the most memorable of our married lives! We visited the school Tudor helps in Athipet and gave a children’s party with masses of Easter eggs, chocolate and prizes. We went on to the temples and fort and then drove on via the crocodile farm and Mahabalipuram to stay at the Dune Hotel outside Pondicherry. An eco-establishment where we ate the most wonderful prawns, swam in the pool, milked the cows and goats and bicycled from beach to bar rather dangerously. We had a cookery lesson and spent the morning at an ashram before Edward and his gang moved on to Delhi and Antony and I took a dawn flight back to London. Red Savannah did a fantastic job but it would not have happened without your generosity. I feel somewhat fraudulent as I am still teaching at Tudor so I send you all much love and many thanks for a wonderful expedition to a very special country. R
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Leavers 2015 These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and along with other photographs are available to purchase at www.gsimagebank.co.uk/tudorhall
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You tube it – see the fabulous DVD of the 2015 Leavers’ Ball at : www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaD4eHUHdj4 73
40 years of
Mrs Granville It is with tremendous sadness that we finally say farewell to Harriet Granville. As Sandra Blakey said in her speech at Harriet’s retirement party in November 2011, ‘I often wonder if Tudorians realise what a privilege it has been to be taught by someone who has such knowledge and passion for their subject.’ After 40 years at Tudor, it’s impossible to sum up in words what Harriet has given to Tudor in her roles as Head of History, Acting Head, Battlefields Tour Leader, President of the OTA, Fencing Coach, Dog Lover and friend and true inspiration to so many. As they say, a picture paints a thousand words…
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Events
Our visit to Burnt Norton Jane Goddard (1946)
On a sunny spring day in late April 2015, twelve Old Tudorians met on the front drive of Burnt Norton. ‘Old’ was an understatement – our combined ages would have added up to about 995 – but we were all there because we had spent part of our school life at Burnt Norton, and had a great affection for the house and gardens and had longed to revisit it and remember again the happy times we had spent there. Nesta Inglis had evacuated the school there from Chislehurst at the out-break of the Second World War, and it remained there and grew and prospered until she moved it to its new premises, Wykham Park, in 1945. We were greeted warmly by Lady Harrowby, the wife of the Earl of Harrowby, whose family have owned the house for many generations, and who rented it to
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Nesta Inglis for the duration of the war. Two of their daughters are Old Tudorians. Lady Harrowby took us at once into the house through the side door, and up into what is now their kitchen, but which used to be our dining room. We walked up new stone steps, because they had raised its floor by several feet, to see out of the high windows; but the fireplace, where we used to store our rations of jams and butters, was still there. After Lady Harrowby had signed our copies of her novel, Burnt Norton, she generously allowed us to go wherever we liked in the house, and poke our noses into all the bedrooms upstairs. We were delighted to discover that she and her husband had restored and decorated all the rooms in impeccable taste with lovely carpets and curtains – the bedrooms where we had had six beds in rows were now luxurious spaces with gentle colouring and only one comfortable bed, and the names we remembered for the rooms – Petersham, Blue, Cotswold, Dingle – were still there over the doors. I, poking into what used to be Miss Oakley’s nursing room, found a surprised Lord Harrowby sitting working at his desk in what is now his study. Lady Harrowby took us out into the garden and as we went there was much talk of ghosts (and some of us thought we had seen them too) and of T.S.Eliot’s poem ‘Burnt Norton’ with the lines:
OTA Tour – Bristol Flora Kinnaird (2013)
The old swimming pool
For the leaves were full of children Hidden excitedly, containing laughter.
On March 18th 2015, OTs studying in Bristol were visited by familiar faces from Tudor for drinks at The Botanist. It was as though we had never left and great to catch up with everyone and hear all the new and more importantly the gossip (although nothing had really changed apart from Mr Galloway’s hair)! As broke students, the champagne and nibbles were a huge treat and we had to stop ourselves from finishing them off once everyone had left. As much as we all love Bristol, it is fair to say it was sad watching our beloved Richie drive off back to Banbury; we are still all Tudor girls! Thank you for organising such a spoiling night and making the effort to come and see us all.
Was he foretelling our presence in the garden? We went up to the lawn at the back of the house, where we were shown where the new mansion that burned down had been built, which we knew nothing about until we read her book. Then we walked down to the empty concrete pools, and wherever we walked we saw borders full of wonderful tulips and other planting. The rose garden was especially spectacular, planted with double tulips, foreshadowing the roses that would come later. The whole day was an inspiring experience: a delight to see the house being so well loved and cared for, and we are immeasurably grateful to Wendy Griffiths and Julia Huddart for arranging the visit, and for our splendid lunch afterwards in Chipping Campden at the Cotswold House Hotel.
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OTA Day – 16 May 2016 Sophie Dutton (1995)
Twenty Years on... Having not seen quite a few of our year since leaving Tudor Hall in 1995, it was a real treat to catch up with lots of people at the OTA reunion. It was a gorgeous spring day and my feelings were a mixture of nervousness and excitement as we drove down the familiar drive for the first time in twenty years. I had forgotten how beautiful the setting of Tudor Hall is and as soon as we stepped into the front hall it felt as if nothing had changed – the familiar faces of Mrs Granville and Mrs Blakey were there
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to meet us, along with the same smell, and, of course, all the faces from our year. There is no denying that spending six years growing up with the same thirtyeight people forms bonds that no amount of time apart can break; conversation flowed. After drinks in the hall we were ushered up to the very impressive, light and airy dining hall that didn’t exist when we were there. A delicious lunch was laid on before a performance in the music hall by some of the girls. Standards have definitely improved since our day, we all came away dumbstruck by the quality of the acts! It was a perfect day and lovely to see such a large gathering of our year. Looking forward to the next one already!
Manchester road trip Imo Bovill (2012)
On 18th November, Wendy Griffiths accompanied by Clare Macro, Rani Tandon, Sheila Craske and Emma McGowan came to the “grim north� to visit Old Tudorians studying at the University of Manchester. The Manchester road trip started in true Tudor fashion, with a couple of delayed trains arriving a little later than expected into a rainy Manchester. However, we had a lovely evening filled with wine and antipasti at a local wine bar in Didsbury. We discussed what we had missed most about Tudor, caught up on how the rest of the teaching staff was and, of course, wondered if anything had changed. The night was extremely fun and entertaining.
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OTA-on-Tour – London Tilly Seccombe (2008)
Wednesday 3rd June saw the London edition of ‘OTA-on-Tour’ return for the second time to the Archer Street Bar in the heart of Soho. After the success of last year, the annual drinks party was eagerly anticipated and there was a large turnout of 60 or so girls predominantly made up of Leavers 2012–2014. We were joined by Miss Griffiths, Mrs Tandon, Mrs Granville, Madame Kyte, Mr Galloway, Mrs Hadfield, our outgoing OTA Secretary, Julia Huddart, and Julia’s successor, Emma McGowan. The warm evening enabled us to spill out onto the street where the usual cacophony that comes with a bevy of Tudorians began, as we all caught up with each other and with the teachers, reminisced and heard the current news from Tudor. The rosé flowed and we were treated to such a generous supply of canapés that we couldn’t even finish them – quite a feat! The evening came to a perfect conclusion with a drive by
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from the one and only Richie in his minibus, as he arrived to return the teachers to Banbury. These OT events are always such fun and, as she leaves us this year, we are so grateful for all Julia has done putting new and diverse events into the calendar. We look forward to many more in the future!
OTA launches Networking Events The OTA launched its programme of Networking Events on Thursday 15th October, with OTs gathering at The Bluebird in Chelsea for the inaugural property dinner. Guest speaker, Louise Brooke-Smith, who held the position of the first female president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors from June 2014–June 2015, addressed guests at a champagne reception. OTs then networked, and caught up on news, over dinner. Chartered Surveyor, Claire Gamble (2005), enthused: “Louise Brooke-Smith told fascinating stories of her time in office, including meetings with Boris Johnson, travels across the world from Africa to China and her goals for the profession. These included increasing diversity across the industry and satisfying the demand for new infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa, an area she is hugely passionate about. We discussed the importance of women supporting each other in what is still deemed by many to be a male dominated industry as well as offering current Tudorians mentoring, careers advice and work experience where possible.” R
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY...
Saturday 11th June 2016 Opera Anywhere will be performing The Mikado, accompanied by members of the school in the chorus, in the Japanese Garden.
Gates open at 6pm, picnics in school grounds, opera starting at 7.30pm. Tickets: £30 per adult, children aged 16 and under £10 and current Tudor students free. Ticketline to be launched soon.
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OTA Carol Service The OTA Carol Service was once again held at The Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, on 14th December. OTs, parents, staff and friends filed into the magnificent chapel for the service of nine lessons and carols, led by Dr John Jackson and the Household Division’s Senior Chaplain Dowell Conning. Carols by the Tudor, Guards and intrepid OTA Scratch Choirs
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filled the rafters with Jasmine Faulkner’s (2013) rendition of ‘The First Mercy’ silencing even a church mouse. The drinks reception in the Officer’s Mess – less of a bun fight than 2014 – was a great start to the festive season. Thanks to the generosity of the congregation, £575 was raised for Battle Back and £320 for Unicef’s Syrian Refugee campaign. R
ANNOUNCEMENTS BIRTHS 2014
1 JULY Laura (Scott) and James Amos, a daughter Annabelle Florence Nancy, a sister for Harry and Johnny.
12 FEBRUARY Emma (Healy) and Rob Rowe, Frederick Alexander Rowe, weighing 7lb 9oz.
9 JULY Emma (Healy) and Rob Rowe, a daughter Hannah Evangeline, a sister for Frederick.
11 DECEMBER Rachel (Carson) and Georg Reutter, a daughter, Clara Anne Franziska.
17 AUGUST Kitty (Llewellyn) and Malte Griess-Nega, a daughter Cara Clementine, a sister for Greta.
24 DECEMBER May (Lyttelton) and George McFerran, a daughter Anna May Janet, a sister for Rose and Sam.
19 AUGUST Alexandra (Munro-Ferguson) and Nicholas Verney, a son Arthur Ralph.
2015 27 FEBRUARY Laura (Longsdon) and James Sealey, a son, Thomas Arthur.
27 AUGUST Flora (Blackett) and Tom De Winton, a son, Wilfred George Pepys (Wilf), a brother for Albie.
27 FEBRUARY Zara (Brassey) and Ben Shacklock a son, Alfred David.
8 SEPTEMBER Annabel (Ballin) and Sam Waley-Cohen, a daughter, Scarlett Ophelia Grace, a sister for Maximillian Samuel.
11 MARCH Louise (Boyns) and James Silk, a daughter Zoe.
Annabelle (Salt) and Ian Forster, a son Henry Philip Alexander.
7 APRIL Annabelle (Cazenove) and James Shortridge a son, Thomas Jack Deacon, a brother for Sam, Benjamin and Freddie.
14 SEPTEMBER Susannah (Glynn) and Guy Halsey, a daughter Rose Juliet Isabella.
23 APRIL Wink (Orr Ewing) and Ned Colville, a daughter, Lara Primrose, a sister for Lily and Arthur. 29 APRIL Charlotte (Wainright-Lee) and James Pickering, a son, Charles Jack Arthur, a brother for Isobel and Olivia. 27 MAY Louise (Nicolson) and Charles Morshead, a son, Rory.
2 OCTOBER Melanie (Coad) and Jake Phipps, a son Edward Jeremy Richard, a brother for Walter. 28 OCTOBER Laura (Goymer) and James, a daughter Clemency Florence, a sister for Joseph. (Right)
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11 NOVEMBER Hermione (Mcleod-Hatch) and Patrick Kennedy, a son John Patrick Henry. 19 NOVEMBER Camilla Braithwaite (Hodges) and Andrew, a daughter Eve Ada Braithwaite, a sister for Molly. 30 DECEMBER Chloe Stellini (Hill) and Luke, a son Otis Damian.
ENGAGEMENTS 2015 1 JANUARY Lana Thompson to Joshua Hunter 21 APRIL Laetitia Thompson to William Jerabek 6 JUNE Annabel Hunt to James Eynon 7 JUNE Antonia Twiston-Davies to Johnathan Trower
12 OCTOBER Henrietta Gregg to Oliver Cochrane 13 NOVEMBER Olivia McAlpine to Stuart Springham 19 NOVEMBER Jessica Cator to Thomas Campbell 24 DECEMBER Clemmie Wigley to Jack Ronan 2016 7 JANUARY Camilla Evetts to Edward Walker 9 JANUARY Connie Arkell to Nathaniel Bacon
MARRIAGES 30 MAY 2015 Teresa Fitzherbert married Andrew Byrne.
10 JUNE Hermione Shirley to Edward Crisp
(Tudor girls pictured below. Front row l to r: India Sturgis, Laura Houldsworth, Cordelia Nichols, Eleanor Buckmaster, Rosie Martin Smith, Emily Falkner, Etta MacLennan (nee Martin Smith) Chloe Hellyer (non Tudorian) and Clover Wootton.
6 JUNE Emily Falkner to Oliver Campbell
Back row l to r: Alice Connors, Laura Richmond Watson (nee Innes), Davina Flaux (nee Combe), Rosannagh Hilleary (non Tudorian) and Frances Lindsay Bethune.)
9 JULY Francesca Ringrose to Thomas Snowball 11 JULY Vanessa Lambert to William Chanter AUGUST Clementine Brun to Michael Burbridge 19 SEPTEMBER Rosanna Cator to Fergus Herries 1 OCTOBER Poppy Law to Adam Shadbolt 3 OCTOBER Sophie Goddard to Dominic Buch
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28 JUNE 2014 Katharine Scott married Gavin Costelloe 25 JULY 2015 Rosanagh Innes-Ker married James Grimston.
19 SEPTEMBER 2015 Elizabeth Davidson married Mark Humphrey Krempley. (Pictured below (from left): Amy Hopwood, Elizabeth the bride, Hermione Crisp (Shirley) and Katie Liddell)
9 NOVEMBER 2015 Geoff Langer was an outstanding physics and judo teacher at Tudor Hall from 1996 to 2010. 5 DECEMBER 2015 Carolyn Peck (Burrowes) attended Tudor from 1967–1970 along with her sister Nikki. 9 JUNE 2014 Sara Johnson (1958) Mo Browne (1959 leaver) saw the announcement of Sara Johnson’s death in the last OT Times and asked us to print this in memory of a great Tudor character …
DEATHS 6 DECEMBER 2014 Patricia Woods (nee Horton), of Sherborne, Dorset, attended Tudor from 1940–44 19 FEBRUARY 2015 Peggy Carter (nee Davies), attended Tudor from 1935–36. 26 MARCH 2015 Sara Lean (nee William-Powlett) of Blairhill, Rumbling Bridge. 18 MAY 2015 Kate Godwin-Austin (nee Power) aged 76, attended Tudor from 1948–54. 4 NOVEMBER 2015 Prudence Bowles (nee Forman) of Sandbach, Cheshire. Attended Tudor from 1938–45 and was the first Tudorian to go to university. Prue often talked of her time at Tudor Hall, located at Burnt Norton then, with great affection and gratitude, and the caring formative influence of particular teachers, including Nesta Inglis. She had hanging on her wall a painting given as a wedding present by her art teacher.
“Sara arrived at Tudor at about the same time as I did, possibly a term or two after, in 1955. She was somewhat rebellious and unwilling to follow the herd, very much following her own interests, which included art, swimming and an interest in boys. There was an aura of danger around her which attracted a coterie of friends who she entertained with stories of times spent in exotic places like Jamaica and Greece and her plans for various mildly irregular activities at school. After what may have been only a couple of terms, Sara disappeared to America for a year. When she returned she brought Elvis Presley with her, transforming our lives, at least our musical tastes, with rock ‘n roll, Blue Suede Shoes and Heartbreak Hotel. Some of us even formed a singing group, of which she was an enthusiastic audience of one. Sara was a noticeably talented artist, spending much of her free time in the art room. We all knew she would she would use this talent in later life, which of course she did, carrying on her family’s ceramic design and production business in Tingewick. She was also sporty, a very good swimmer and an unconventional but effective lacrosse player. It was this unconventionality, coupled with strong individuality, which characterised her time at school and, I believe, later in life. Although our paths diverged and I only saw her once or twice again, I count myself the richer for having been one of her friends at Tudor. Things altered when Sara came on the scene, and for that I celebrate her and regret her going.” R
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FOCUS ON
Jane Haggarty, Head of Home Economics & The Leith School Cookery Course, talks about her passion for cooking. Plus three OT’s share their industry advice. John Major at Chequers along the way. On having my daughter, I left the forces and returned to Banbury College as a lecturer before joining Tudor as Head of Home Economics. Ten years on, I’ve never looked back. I teach girls throughout the school basic cookery skills and run The Leith’s School of Food & Wine course to Sixth Form girls interested in developing their interest in food alongside their A Level studies. This wonderful course teaches the girls to become competent family cooks allowing them to work as chalet girls, girl Friday’s, mother’s helps and in cafes and restaurants during their gap and university years and beyond. Most importantly, they learn a really important life skill. This sausage roll recipe is one of the girls’ favourites, it’s simple to make and really delicious. I’ve been doing it within lessons, for taster days for prospective pupils, charity events and staff’ parties, since I started at Tudor. The chopped thyme and sage, not forgetting the Dijon mustard and cooked onions, give the sausage meat a really deep flavour and leave everyone wanting more!
...I then had to negotiate with my mother, that if I cooked the weekend meals, I could stay at home.
I became interested in cookery at an early age, and for good reason. My parents were antique dealers and every weekend I was trailed around fairs, auctions and markets which I found mind numbingly boring at the best of times. To this day, I can remember having the brilliant idea, which I then had to negotiate with my mother, that if I cooked the weekend meals, I could stay at home. I came from a family of good, hearty cooks – my Grandmother was a cook in the navy – and we loved our food but certainly weren’t foodies. My Mother worked full time so I was used to watching her prepare Monday night’s supper on the Sunday evening, so most dishes were slow cooked, Aga favourites. I started my weekend extravaganzas with the recipes I knew – roast dinners and casseroles – but, unassisted and desperate to have a go, I was soon searing and stir frying. On leaving school, I did a two year catering course at Banbury College (Gordon Ramsay was the year above me) before joining the Royal Air Force as a chef where I remained for 7 years cooking for Margaret Thatcher and
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Sausage Rolls INGREDIENTS 200g puff pastry 300g sausage meat 1 small onion ½ tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp chopped thyme 1 tsp chopped sage 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 egg
METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 200⁰C/gas 6. 2. Line the baking tray with greaseproof paper. 3. Finely dice the onion, remove the thyme leaves and chop, chop the sage leaves. 4. Heat the oil in the small saucepan and gently fry the onion until soft and translucent. 5. Remove from the heat, add the chopped thyme, sage and Dijon mustard and leave to cool. 6. Add the sausage meat to the cooled onion and herb mixture and combine together. This is best done with your hands. 7. Roll out the ready-made puff pastry and cut rectangles of 30x15cm. 8. Place the sausage meat and onion mixture into a piping bag and pipe a thin tube of meat down the centre of the pastry. 9. Beat the egg in the small bowl with a fork and brush the pastry edge. 10. Fold over the pastry enclosing the sausage meat, a fork can be used to seal the two pieces of pastry together. 11. Brush the top of the pastry with the beaten egg and cut into 12 equal pieces. Smaller sausage rolls can be cut for canapés. 12. Place on the baking tray and bake in the oven for 15–20 minutes until golden brown.
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Food for thought... FROM OTS IN THE INDUSTRY
Caroline Anson (2008)
Years at Tudor: 2003 – 2008 Current job: Co-founder and chef at Anson and Curtis Best and worst food memory from school Best and worst: Making the leavers photo after our home economics exam – everyone looking very glamourous while posing topless behind their work files, and me in my chefs whites, floppy hat and steel cap trainers!! Hugely embarrassing. Standby supper dish: Thai broth – I take home a pot of homemade stock from work and throw in whatever crunchy vegetables I have in the fridge with a squeeze of lime, chilli and coriander. Something simple but delicious after a long day of cooking. Best advice: Get started early and get as much experience as possible within catering companies, restaurants and pop ups. We are always looking for extra help during busy times in our kitchen! www.ansonandcurtis.com caroline@ansonandcurtis.com 07775925245
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Stroma Alexander-Sinclair (2008)
Years at Tudor: I went to Tudor for the Sixth Form. Occupation: full time baker. Best & worst food memory from school Best: the food we made in home economics. Worst: thankfully I can’t remember! Top tip: always have an avocado handy, and try to have a cake about! Best advice: take every opportunity to work in different places to gain experience and meet people. Word of mouth is the best way to find new work and build up your profile.
Worst: The very pale beige/grey, huge, tough and dry pork chops with a white rind of glistening, slimy fat. I remember, before “Grace” was said and sitting down, we would all “bags” a chop with our fork in the tin bowl, preferably the smallest as you had to eat everything off your plate. Standby supper dish: Tortilla (below) Advice: Work at as many different catering companies in the holidays. Be a chalet girl cook. Read cook books and, of course, come to “Cookery Club” run by me (OTs would need to book in…). www.minehillhouse.co.uk
Hester Sale (Irvine, 1982)
Years at Tudor: 1978 – 1982 Current job: Run my own catering business. Run Mine Hill House B&B. Teach “Cookery Club” at Tudor Hall. Best & worst food memory from school Best: chocolate crispies, one was never enough. I do remember one unfortunate tea time in the II’s, running from the Dining Room with my pockets, hands and probably mouth, full of choc crispies and being stopped by some V’s, who were SO scary & grown up! They told me food was absolutely not allowed out of the Dining Room ever! I had to empty my pockets with a huge swish of embarrassment and return to the Dining Room. I never did that again!
Tortilla
INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ red pepper, chopped 4–6 cooked new potatoes chopped parsley 25g butter 6 (100g) button 15–20 cherry tomatoes mushrooms 1 red onion 4 (50g) rashers bacon a few sprigs of thyme 4 eggs METHOD 1. Fry the red onion in the oil & butter in a non-stick frying pan, add the red pepper, mushrooms & bacon. 2. Beat the eggs together ina bowl & season 3. Add sliced potatoes & halved tomatoes & chopped herbs to frying pan. 4. Turn up the heat & pour on the egg mixture. Lower heat & cook for about 15 mins until the bottom is set. Shake pan gently & usea palette knife to loosen the sides & help prevent it sticking. 5. You can cover the pan with a lid or tin foil to help cook the tortilla or place in a moderate heat oven for 10 mins to finish setting. When firm to touch, lie a large plate over the top of the frying pan. Hold pan & plate tightly together & carefully somersault it over so the tortilla is sitting on the plate. 6. Serve with green salad & dollops of herb mayonnaise. R
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& personal UPFRONT
with RICHIE WYPIOR, Chief Driver and Tudor Legend
Richie Wypior has worked at Tudor Hall in his capacity as chief driver for more than 20 years. In that time, he has been both a parent and a member of staff at the school and met thousands of Tudorians, who he has ferried all over the country. He is on call 24 hours a day and most girls will call upon him at some point during their time at school. Miranda Bunting (2009), his *ahem* favourite passenger (see below), was tasked with firing him some questions for Rose. How did your job at Tudor come about? My father-in-law had been driving for Tudor Hall since the early 1980s. I first went to Tudor around 1993. I then took the business over when he started a new business. How long have you driven Tudorians? 22 years (that’s double the age of most of the current Todds). What did Tudor do before you came along?! Struggled! *Smiley face*
WG is like M from MI6... I could say but she would have to kill me.
Favourite food on the road? Greggs. Favourite radio station? Radio X (now). Favourite place to drive (UK / abroad)? Wales. Favourite car you’ve ever driven? Range Rover. Favourite passenger? (be very careful how you answer this one.... **Stares at you and will only accept one answer** She’s called Miranda (**PHEW**).
Car you’d most like to drive? Aston Martin. Did you consider applying for Jeremy Clarkson’s job on Top Gear!? No – far too busy with Tudor Hall!
Most memorable conversation you’ve ever had to overhear? Unfortunately, WG is like M from MI6... I could say but she would have to kill me.
Celebrity driver you’d most like to be like e.g. 007, Lewis Hamilton etc. James Bond.
Well we wouldn’t want that so moving swiftly on....
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Most awkward conversation you’ve ever had with parents / staff / pupils? Too many to mention. Question you are most often asked? Can you pick me up NOW! Most memorable incident? Driving the school bus into Buckingham Palace.
Have you ever been in the BOSS’s OFFICE? And was it for a telling off? Yes, no, not yet.
(Famous) passenger you would most like to drive (can be living or dead but presumably you’d want to drive them while they were still alive)? Ayrton Senna.
Tell us something about you that we might not already know.... Many years ago, I had to get Made in Chelsea star Ollie Locke back to school – he went to Sibford. He wrote about me in his 2013 bestselling book Laid in Chelsea and described me as an “incredible guy who looked like Chris Moyles”.
What would you do if you hadn’t become a driver? Coach driver probably. Typically – how many miles do you do per year? 60,000 + a year. What is the longest distance you have travelled for a job? I took a flight to Rio de Janeiro for one customer and also took a flight with a Tudorian to Rotterdam. Do you think driverless cars will become a thing? Hope not! What do you enjoy doing in your free time? (Do you even have any free time?) Karate, (if and when I ever get time) which is rare. Presumably you spend a lot of time in the Cotswolds and Heathrow – are there other parts of the UK / world you would love to drive to / around? Scotland and Wales. In the time that you have been at Tudor, in what way has it most significantly changed? In the old days the girls used to cycle to town and all park up at the Harriers School and the end of the pink slips.
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Do you think you look like Chris Moyles?! Not now, no... maybe when he was slightly larger! Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Where I am now, with my youngest starting secondary school. On a final note, I think you are worthy of a knighthood for services to Tudor, Sir Richie sounds right... Of course I think I deserve one. R
Miranda is a relatively young Old Tudorian (2004–2005 & 2007–2009) based in Notting Hill. She is a blogger and PA. Although she studied nutrition at University, she still counts carrot cake as one of her five a day. When she’s not trying to convince everyone that some cakes count as a vegetable or phoning Richie for iPhone related help, she can also be found writing about and raising awareness on mental health issues – she recently successfully nominated her friend Ruby Wax for an OBE. Blog link – www.mirandabunting.com, Twitter: @mirandasmurmurs
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Bremont Watch Company (international watch brand)
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Family retreats We’re all going on a summer holiday… It’s hard enough getting the family together in one room to decide where you’re going on your summer holidays, never mind sitting down with the computer and trawling through numerous websites which, on finding something you vaguely like, scream out ‘no availability for those dates’. Nick Westwood, father of three and villa specialist at Red Savannah, is a tough critic when it comes to family hospitality. He knows what components are required to make a family villa holiday ‘work’, and lists his top five recommendations for those seeking a family retreat in 2016.
BEST FOR THE BEACH
BEST FOR WINTER SUN
Cabasson – Cote d’Azur A secret path leads directly from this coastal villa directly to a beautiful, though peaceful, beach on France’s celebrated Côte d’Azur. Views from the villa are of the Poquerolles Islands. From £5,972 per week for up to eight
Villa Kathleen With sea views to St Kitts and Montserrat, Villa Kathleen is within walking distance to a sandy beach. There’s a magnificent pool, gym, tennis court and Jacuzzi as well as a full team of staff.
guests
From £13,528 per week for up to 14 guests
Villa Giuliana – Tuscany A beautiful Tuscan farmhouse, Giuliana is within easy reach of the medieval villages and vineyards of Chianti Classico as well as the galleries, museums and restaurants of iconic Florence.
BEST FOR VILLAGE LIFE
BEST FOR FOODIES
Bastide de la Paix – Provence Strolling into Bonnieux for baguettes each morning, before breakfast with views across the Luberon quickly becomes a daily pastime at this pretty Provençal villa.
El Cortijo – Andalucia The owners of this beautifully restored farmhouse are serious foodies. They have a terrific chef and will help to arrange tapas tours or market visits to nearby villages.
From £6,132 per week for up to ten guests
From £7,131 per week for up to 12 guests
From £4,098 per week for up to eight guests
BEST FOR CULTURE & SIGHTSEEING
Nick Westwood can be contacted for advice on family villa holidays at Red Savannah. 01242 787800 / www.redsavannah.com
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94 . ROSE . SPRING 2016