Issue 48 2020/2021
WELCOME TO THE 2020/2021 EDITION OF OU From the Editor No-one could have predicted at the start of this year what a rollercoaster ride it would turn out to be. People in all corners of the globe have been impacted by Covid-19 and the OU and School communities are no exception. Despite the challenges in everyone’s lives caused by the pandemic, staff and pupils embraced Virtual Uppingham quickly and imaginatively, supporting each other and local communities. You may have tuned in to some of the online broadcasts, such as the weekly Headmaster’s Address, Chapel Services and Lunchtime and Friday Night Concerts on the School’s website, perhaps sparking a few memories of your time at Uppingham and providing an insight into life as a pupil today. Many OUs have also been able to adapt and successfully steer their businesses in different directions this year, as shown in our feature on inspiring OU Entrepreneurs. It’s been fantastic to see that so many OUs have also continued to support great causes over the year, raising substantial funds through some inventive charitable endeavours. We trust this 48th edition of OU has some interesting content for everyone to enjoy. To coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day, we look at OU memories from World War II; we focus on inspirational music at Uppingham; and share your news and stories through our regular Who What Where feature.
OU is the annual magazine for former pupils of Uppingham School. We also send out an annual e-Newsletter, ‘The Colonnade’, in the Spring – please ensure your email address is up-to-date by emailing ou@uppingham.co.uk. Uppingham School, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QE Tel: +44 (0)1572 820616 Email: ou@uppingham.co.uk www.olduppinghamian.co.uk If you are receiving multiple copies of the OU Magazine to your household and would prefer only one copy, please let us know.
Front cover: A welcome home from Borth, 1877. Looking up High Street East towards the School.
Issue 48 2020/2021
Back cover: Uppingham boys in Borth, outside Mrs Aitken’s house, 2 Princes Street in 1876. See page 4
Contents
We were very fortunate that the London Dinner could go ahead in March, before the national lockdown, and you’ll find some fantastic photos from the occasion in our Events section, a reminder of what it was like to gather in large numbers for a good party. It seems strange to see everyone without masks or adhering to social distancing protocols! Although our programme of events has been put on hold for now, we will revive the calendar as soon as we are safe to organise gatherings in person again and hope to see you next year.
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As always, thanks go to all those who have contributed to this issue, we love hearing from our whole community and encourage everyone to keep in touch. Sending best wishes from all at Uppingham, Jo Franklin, on behalf of the OU team
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Welcome
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MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER
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sually, the OU Magazine’s message from the Headmaster is reassuringly predictable. A quick reminisce of the year’s OU events, a nod to the 1st XV’s performance (as it happens, we had our best season this century in 2019-20), and, perhaps, a smug mention of some exceptional exam results (now there’s a whole other story…). 2020 was the first time, since Thring took the School to Borth, that Uppingham was not in session during term-time. From March 23rd until the end of the summer term, there were no pupils in school; not a single cricket match took place on The Upper, stages stayed empty, and the Quads and 15 boarding houses were cast into an unnatural silence. Once we knew we had no choice but to close – and with extraordinary speed and ingenuity – we moved the School into cyberspace via Virtual Uppingham. Using a combination of Zoom and other software, every lesson was taught ‘live’ online. We launched a YouTube channel and broadcast films, music, Chapel – even Speech Day – to keep the community together (the films are still there if you fancy a look). Everybody showed exceptional dedication and imagination to steward the School through the summer. What a year. 2020 has been one of the oddest in our history. As you might imagine, the uncertainty in early Spring left us worried at the outset of ‘lockdown’ as to what the future might hold. As it happens, our community has stayed more than solid. When the School resumed at the start of the autumn term, we had more pupils registered than ever before in our history – 807 – and a palpable sense of solidarity could be felt throughout the whole community.
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Welcome Cover Story Who What Where Announcements Memories of World War II Decades of adventures through the Cadbury Travel Grant Award
26 34 36 41 42 48 52
Although there were ‘complexities’ (there’s a euphemism) to reopening the School, we were determined to make sure we resumed as close to ‘normal’ as possible. So, at the time of writing, the sun shines, the pupils have returned, spirits are high, and, just as the country appears to be plunging all over again, Uppingham School is in a good place. I have no doubt that the fundamental sense of community spirit has brought us through the last few months stronger than ever. I can only thank OUs for their support and goodwill during these past months. You, the parents, the teaching and support staff and the positive energy of our pupils, have – and will – sustain us. As a school, we are fortunate to have what we have. And, in these uncertain and troubled times, long may our spirit of togetherness continue. Dr Richard Maloney
In Memoriam Staff Remembered OUs Making Waves in Business School for Life Events
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A Life in Showbiz Clubs & Societies 30 Years at the BBC Staff News School News
125 Years of Meadhurst Musical Inspiration at Uppingham
Welcome
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Never before has Uppingham’s exodus to Borth been so relevant O
ur cover image from 1877 marks one of the most significant periods in Uppingham’s history and the story holds a new resonance and poignancy to the School’s experiences this year. In the 1870s, Uppingham’s streets were dirty, there was no mains water supply and the town’s sewer was defective. The air on The Middle playing fields was almost unbreathable for the stench of rot and decay. With raw sewage leaking into the soil and polluted wells, the School was fully aware of the dangers it faced from disease and illness with contamination of the water supply. Headmaster Thring’s concerns became reality when an epidemic of typhoid fever struck the town. Within a month of the first case, numbers increased to 46 and before long there were five deaths, including a pupil in the Lower School and the son of the West Deyne Housemaster. Staff and parents were incredibly anxious, the School’s entire existence hung in the balance. After much consideration,Thring’s extraordinary response was to find a safe haven and evacuate the entire population of the School to Borth, a small fishing village in Wales. On 17th March 1876, a goods train with 18 trucks left Seaton Station, laden with 300 beds, desks and all the equipment required, even the vast horse-drawn roller which kept the pitches on The Upper smooth. Parents were notified of the move and pupils summoned to follow, as they were instructed to arrive in Borth
1876: Borth boys on The Esplanade
1877 and a warm welcome home: original photo from the School archives, recolourised for our cover image
on 4th April. Masters were apprehensive, not knowing the level of support for the experiment in the School’s migration, nervously watching the incoming carriages. It soon became evident, when pupils poured out from them, that Thring’s reputation as a Headmaster and the quality of the School’s education was trusted and valued. Out of 300 pupils, only three had failed to turn up. Staff and pupils spent a whole year in Borth, the time taken for Uppingham’s Sanitary Committee to install a new water supply and improve the sewage system. The period in Borth was not without challenges, but it was considered a happy time. The residents of Borth were sorry to say goodbye, they’d provided a safe haven for Uppinghamians, and a strong connection was forged between the two towns which would be commemorated for evermore. Edward Thring in his introduction to the Borth hymn And perhaps the School at Uppingham, in years to come, may like to have some hint, however imperfect, of that medley of ruin and safety, fear and fun, which passed from risk and danger, which seemed almost impossible to be faced, to a happy ending.” The School triumphantly returned to Uppingham in April 1877, to a warm reception from members of the town who’d built arches of flowers with welcome messages all along the High Street (as depicted on our cover). This defining part of Thring’s tenure has so much relevance for us in 2020. With the country in lockdown the School closed its doors on March 23rd, not to open again for more than five months. Although the School community knew it was coming and was ready for it, nothing prepared us for the silence around the grounds, no cricket played on The Upper, no summer plays in the Theatre or musical concerts in the Memorial Hall, no OU events or Speech Day celebrations at the School; so many highlights of our year had to be cancelled. However, as in Thring’s time, through the ingenuity and passion of staff, led by an inspirational Headmaster, the education of pupils was uninterrupted, this time by way of ‘Virtual Uppingham’. In no way has the experience been as intense or demanding as for our Victorian forebears, but it has been just as defining for pupils and for the life of the School. Happily, we have emerged stronger, more resilient and more appreciative of all that Uppingham has to offer. If you’d like to watch this year’s Borth Service, broadcast from the School on 13th May, it’s available via the School’s website, simply search ‘Chapel Services’.
From The Lancet, 30th October 1875 4
Cover Story
Who What Where 1940s Wilmot Ching (LH 40), and his wife Valerie, founded a care home in Aylsham, Norfolk, in 1982 and now Wilmot is a carer for his wife who resides in the home. He would be delighted to hear from any Lorne House contemporaries who’d like to get in touch. After being featured in last year’s magazine Peter Jackson (SH 40) wrote in to ask if any OUs would like to relaunch the OU Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, originally founded after WWII by Neil Dallas (WD 39). If anyone is interested, please contact the OU team in the first instance. Peter is happy to donate his Club tie to the new Chair!
1950s Peter Johnson (Hf 50) celebrated his 84th birthday in July by doing a sky dive! He raised money for The Bob Champion Cancer Trust, funding important research into male cancers. Peter is always up for a challenge, like the time he flew a Tiger Moth from Newmarket to Cambridge with no fuel!
Charles Atherton (C 54), our OU ambassador for Greece, has published From Startup to Success sharing his experiences on starting a new business, from the initial idea to running a profitable company. Aimed at entrepreneurs, business students, aspiring executives and those who would like to gain the business skills to become a director or reach the C suite, topics cover key subjects such as business plans, finance, branding and advertising, competition, pricing, marketing, cash flow, crisis management, public relations, importance of stakeholders, the feelgood factor and corporate culture. The book is available on Amazon. Feel free to get in touch with Charles directly at charles@charlesatherton.org, he’ll be pleased to answer any questions. Stuart Usher (SH 55) has published Rape of the House of Usher based on his personal experiences of corruption in the Scottish legal system. His struggles for justice, and those of others, resulted in much media coverage, leading to a Channel 4 documentary first shown in 2002. Stuart’s book chronicles his battle through out-of-court campaigns and documents how he fought back. Anyone wishing to get in touch should contact him on usherbedrule@aol.com. Robin Wardle (SH 55) recently stepped down from a pivotal role with the Anglican Chaplaincy at St Laurence in Lanzarote, which he supported for 17 years, acting as Church Warden and worship leader.
Having been commissioned into the Parachute Regiment from Sandhurst in 1963, Charlie SheaSimonds (LH 55) enjoyed 50 years of flying aeroplanes and jumping out of them. His book, Even the Birds Stopped Singing, retells many lively stories from those years during which he was Chairman of the British Parachute Association, the Royal Aero Club and the Historic Aircraft Association as well as recipient of the 1985 Gold Parachuting medal of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). The book is available for £19.75 (inc. UK p&p) direct from Charlie by calling him on 07860 247485. Mark Handley’s (LH 56) book Poets Cornered – poets portrayed and parodied, is a witty collection inspired by the greatest poems from Chaucer to Larkin, accompanied by quirky illustrations. Gyles Brandreth commented: “This beautiful, elegant and witty book has appeared. What wonderful linocuts and what a beautiful production. Bravo artist and poet.” Appealing to anyone with an interest in fine art and design, those with even a cursory knowledge of English Literature will recognise a few favourites. The book is a limited edition, priced at £15, and is available online. John Morrell (WB 56) is Chairman of York Conservation Trust, the largest property company in the city. He’s also on the management committee of The Yorkshire Museum of Farming, a charitable trust dedicated to the preservation of the history of farming in Yorkshire and further afield, and is a vice president of the York Civic Trust.
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Who What Where
1960s
Peter Bennett, Ramsay Brierley (both WD 59), Michael Anderton and Robert Pope (both WD 60) meet up to play golf at Luffenham in July every year, with Ramsay flying in from South Africa and Michael from Australia! Before 2020 the group hadn’t missed a reunion for over 20 years, unfortunately, due to travel restrictions this year, Ramsay and Michael have been unable to make it over to the UK. Hopefully all four will be able to meet again next year for a round of golf.
L-R Peter Bennett, Ramsay Brierley, Michael Anderton and Robert Pope.
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David Kennedy (Hf 59) was awarded the prestigious WW Wood University Teaching Award for ‘Excellence in Dental Education’ earlier this year. Nominations are made by students, alumni or other faculty members and the honour is awarded nationally. Despite having to undergo treatment for pancreatic cancer over the past two years, David is still teaching at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where he has lived for 50 years.
Peter Mackenzie-Smith (LH 60) sent in this fantastic photo from 1962, around the time ‘The Bluebottles’ – Uppingham’s first rock group – rocked the audience in the School Hall to the strains of Rebel Rouser by Duane Eddy and Hello Josephine by Fats Domino. They also played in front of the School and members of the town at the cinema, where they rehearsed. Their only two gigs! Singer, keyboard player and leader of ‘The Bluebottles’ was Simon Park (SH 59) who went to Oxford on a music scholarship after Uppingham. A successful music career followed, with an early highlight being a million-selling UK No. 1 record with Eye Level, appearing on the BBC’s Top of the Pops. Simon has recently written a book about his musical heroes and his own early rock band activities, ‘The Bluebottles’ have a whole chapter dedicated to them. (He’s currently seeking a publisher and would be pleased to hear from any OUs that might be interested.) L to R: Charlie Hawkes (H 58), John Isaac (F 58), Simon Park (SH 59), Jay Beste (B 62, American Exchange Scholar), Nick Cole (M 58) and Peter Mackenzie-Smith (LH 60) at the side of Lorne House.
Anyone interested in discovering what school life was like under Edward Thring will find The Life and Times of a Victorian Country Doctor – a portrait of Reginald Grove fascinating. Written by Peter Flower (L 60) it is based on his grandfather’s diaries and letters. The biography is in three parts, with the second volume covering the Uppingham years at Redgate. Peter’s grandfather went to Cambridge in 1887 and then to Guy’s Hospital to train in medicine. Within a month of starting his first term, he returned to attend Thring’s funeral. He became a well-respected family doctor in St Ives, Huntingdonshire, its Medical Officer of Health and the President of the English Stereoscopic Society. Reginald Grove (R 1883) was taught classics by Thring, and science by George Howson, later reforming headmaster of Gresham’s School from 1900 to 1919, and Howard Hinton, a mathematician who developed the concept of the fourth dimension of space. In the arts, he was taught drawing by Charles Rossiter, Art Master, a Royal Academy exhibiter, and Paul David, Master of Music – well known to generations of Uppinghamians. Volume 1 in the series covers his life at home, Volume 2 his time at Uppingham and Volume 3 his student days and then medical practice as a GP. Peter acknowledges the debt he owes to three Uppingham historical experts whose extensive knowledge helped him in his research: Jerry Rudman, School Archivist and former Housemaster of Meadhurst; Malcolm Tozer, former Housemaster of The Lodge and author of The Ideal of Manliness and Edward Thring’s Theory, Practice and Legacy; and Nigel Richardson, former Second Master and author of Thring of Uppingham.
Rick Spurway (Fgh 62) is contracted until 2023 by the Government of Lower Austria to produce a documentary about the archaeological excavations at a recently discovered Roman gold mine in a forest 60km south of Vienna. Consequently, Rick has found a new home just over the border in Hungary for the duration, in a picturesque town called Sopron, where both Joseph Haydn and Franz Liszt lived and worked. Rick has produced an introductory video about the gold mine project, see www.karthgold.com. He would be glad to meet up with any OUs passing through Vienna, and show them the mine. In the meantime, in order to maintain contact with the UK, Rick is greatly enjoying and appreciating the video communications by the Headmaster and others, and listens to the evening concerts presented by fellow Farleighian, John Suchet (Fgh 57), on Classic FM.
We were delighted to reconnect Andrew Welch (H 62) and Blair Robinson (H 61) after Andrew got in touch with the OU team. The contemporaries had lost contact after leaving Uppingham and Andrew discovered subsequently that both of their fathers had also been in The Hall, as well as attending prep school together at Hazelwood in Surrey. The news only came to light after Andrew’s mother passed away in 2018 and he went through old family photo albums.
Volume 2 will be published in the Spring and can be reserved by contacting Peter at pjflower@btinternet.com. All proceeds from the book sales will go to charity.
Garry Prior (M 60) moved to Singapore in 1971 to open a London merchant bank, previously qualifying as a solicitor in the City. He’s worked with both international and local companies throughout Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Myanmar. In the last decade, Garry’s business interests focused on growing and refining non-palm oil renewable oils that are beneficial socially, environmentally and economically. More recently he has set up an international culinary school in Ipoh, Malaysia, where he lives with his youngest daughter.
May 1931. Grandparents of Andrew Welch (H 62), parents of his father Harold Welch (H 29) with William ‘Pemberton’ Robinson (H 29).
If you would like to contact an old friend that you’ve lost touch with over the years, please email ou@uppingham.co.uk and we’ll try to reconnect you.
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Who What Where A group of Highfield OUs met up in January for a wonderful get together at The House of Lords. Hosted by Lord Nigel Crisp (Hf 65), the group enjoyed a tour of the Parliament buildings, followed by lunch in the Peers’ Dining Room.
for The Lodge. After that, Anthony was posted as a Town Major in Germany, until his discharge from the army in 1946 with the rank of Major. He remained with 21 SAS until 1952. Although he was a small cog in the vast machine of war, he was a British officer fighting to the last to protect his country and his people. We look forward to sharing more next year when Gerald’s book is available to purchase. Right – Major Anthony Hough 1946.
L to R: Bob Tinker (Hf 65), Andrew Callender (Hf 65), Chris Granger (Hf 66), Richard Franceys (Hf 65), Hugh Inman (Hf 65) and Lord Nigel Crisp (Hf 65).
Gerald Hough (L 66) has written a book on his father’s wartime service: Desert Raids with the SAS: Memories of Action, Capture and Escape, which will be published by Pen & Sword in May 2021. His father, Anthony (L 31), was at Uppingham from 1931 to 1936, House Captain of The Lodge and Under Officer of the CCF. On leaving, he entered the family paperboard business in London and in 1938 he joined the Artist Rifles Territorial Regiment. At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. The Battalion was shipped to North Africa in 1940. Soon after arrival, it was in action against 15,000 Africa Corps troops and 500 tanks and it lost half its men and almost all its transport.
As consultant psychiatrist in the University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, where he’s worked for the past 27 years, Rodger Martin (H 67) has been busy giving talks about coping with stress and burnout to hospital staff throughout the pandemic. For any OUs working or visiting the region, Rodger would be delighted to hear from you; please get in touch via the OU Office. School friends Richard Hurwood (Hf 68) and Nick Hutchinson (L 68) embarked on a four-kilometre open water swim across Rutland Water earlier this year. Their love of swimming started at Uppingham when they were in the School swimming team. Their preferred event was the 100-metre breaststroke, and in 1972 they enjoyed a run of 15 consecutive wins in matches against other schools, coming first and second in every race during that year. The conditions at Rutland Water were very challenging, with high winds and rough water; both were relieved to complete the course given they are approaching pensionable age!
Anthony’s subsequent wartime service included joining 1 SAS; being incarcerated in a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy in late 1942; an escape in September 1943 and, following a trek across snow-clad mountains in deepest winter, finally making it to safety across Allied lines north of Casoli. He returned to England in February 1944, re-joining the Rifle Brigade in Nottinghamshire and, whilst on leave, he met his future wife, Valerie Hennessy, who worked at Bletchley Park decoding top-secret Enigma transmissions. They married in 1946. Later in 1944, Anthony was part of 21 Army Group in Germany until the war ended in 1945. To his surprise it was here he met Major Kenneth France (L 30), who had been in the year above him at Uppingham. He and Kenneth were team members whilst at school, winning the Wightman Cup and the All Ages Football (Rugby) Cup
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Who What Where
Above: Richard Hurwood and Nick Hutchinson
1970s In March 2020, Nick Freeman (L 70) embarked on a 60-mile walk to raise money for research into Parkinson’s Disease. Nick’s younger brother John (L 73) who turned 60 this year, was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 55, and inspired Nick to walk the journey from his house in Cheshire to his brother’s in Nottingham. Nick raised over £50,000 for Parkinson’s UK, which is solely reliant on donations from the public to carry out its research.
Author of A School in Arms: Uppingham and the Great War, Timothy Halstead (Fgh 72) is writing his next book More than Victims of Horace to be published Spring 2021. The role of public schoolboys in the Great War has often been seen in terms of ‘a race of innocents dedicated to romantic ideals’ but Tim’s book looks into the professionalisation of the British Army in the years leading up to 1914. The Army expanded rapidly after the outbreak of the War and he examines how public schools supported this expansion, and prepared their boys for war, as well as the common elements to the military training they provided. As part of a nation in arms, the schools also contributed to the effort on the home front. Drawing on the archives of the Headmasters’ Conference and several schools, the book provides the first scholarly analysis of public schools in the Great War.
John and Nick Freeman
Carl Islam’s (M 75) seventh book Contentious Trusts Handbook, 1st edition (2020) has been published by the Law Society. The publication reflects that the risk of trustees becoming involved in court proceedings appears to be on the increase and the handbook provides a practical overview of themes commonly encountered. It will guide practitioners through every stage of proceedings, from pre-action protocols through discovery to settlement and trial. It is accompanied by a set of useful precedents and contributions from experts on art, trust litigation and arbitration as well as a detailed discussion of mediation contributed by Anthony Trace QC (WB 72). The publication is available through the Law Society Bookshop and Wildy & Sons Ltd. For more information please visit newsite.carlislam.co.uk. Richard Mayson (F 75) published Lowry’s Lamps in July this year, a fascinating look at Lowry’s use of lamps and street furniture in his handling of composition, perspective and colour. His paintings are mostly thought about in terms of the people and their industrial setting, but there is a great deal more to be read from the detail. Richard was brought up in Lowry’s home village of Mottram-in-Longdendale and usually writes books on wine. This is the first time he’s written about art since studying his History of Art A level with Warwick Metcalfe in 1979.
Duncan Wallace (WB 75) has been working in Africa for over 25 years and, through his company InterGlobal Management Group, provides strategic support to the Mandela Legacy Foundation, led by Zondwa Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. The Foundation aims to develop solutions and partnerships that will improve the lives of Africans – in particular, those aged 18-35, where unemployment rates in excess of 50% are not uncommon. The impact of Covid-19 is only likely to make matters worse. Over the last seven years, the Foundation has been successful in placing more than 40,000 young Africans into work, through initiatives to promote South Africa as a preferred destination for outsourcing offshore customer service and sales support. So far, leading brands such as Mercedes Benz, British Gas, Marks & Spencer, O2, Microsoft, Amazon and TalkTalk have provided their support. With Covid-19 derailing economic growth throughout the world, the work of the Foundation aims to create jobs to stimulate the African economy and develop new opportunities for international trade. For further details on the Mandela Legacy Foundation, or to offer your help, please contact Duncan at duncan.wallace@ Interglobal.com.au. Below – Duncan Wallace (WB 75) and Zondwa Mandela, at South Africa House in 2019.
Richard is Pro-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, where he read Geography after leaving Uppingham, and where he currently chairs the Alumni Board.
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1980s In early March, Tom Golding (WD 84), Richard Billington (B 83) and Phil Spencer (L 83), completed the gruelling Everest in the Alps Challenge. The team’s mission was to climb the 8,848 vertical metres that Mount Everest sits above sea level by ‘skinning’ uphill on skis over four days around Verbier in the Swiss Alps. That’s close to 5.5 miles straight up – the cruising height of a jumbo jet. Two years ago, Adrian Lewthwaite (M 76) launched the ‘OU City & Finance Networking Group’ with drinks in the city pub, The Barrowboy and Banker. The group aims to meet twice a year for informal drinks, with an annual dinner, Covid-19-permitting. The group provides an opportunity to meet fellow OUs, share advice and, for those building a career in finance, access support from experienced contacts working in the industry. The events are open to all OUs working in London who wish to increase their networks. Event details will be shared via the OU Group on LinkedIn; please also feel free to contact Adrian directly for further information at adrian.lewthwaite@btinternet.com. Congratulations to two OUs who became Yeomanry Honorary Colonels this year. Peter Cooper (C 76), for the Cheshire Yeomanry, and Matthew Shires (LH 77) for the Yorkshire Yeomanry, pictured together attending a service at York Minster. Both will hold the role for at least five years, supporting the efforts of the Reserve Forces. Above:Yeomanry Honorary Colonels Matthew Shires and Peter Cooper.
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They climbed for 10-12 hours each day, aiming for a vertical daily gain of 2,000m to 2,500m, and reached altitudes of 3,500m, slept in mountain huts, setting out again before dawn in temperatures that dropped as low as -20C. The weight of their boots, skis, bindings, crampons and skins amounted to around 6kg and carrying backpacks too, at times above 3,000m altitude, the challenge was no walk in the park! Everest in the Alps removes the death risk of actually climbing Everest, but it’s described as the ultimate winter sport endurance challenge and the hardest possible four days on skis. The team raised over £40,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity which carries out vital research into treatments for the 26,000 children across the world currently affected by this incurable disease. Everest in the Alps specifically funds a European research centre called The Everest Centre, set up three years ago to find treatments and cures for paediatric brain tumours.Their objective is simple – to double the survival rates and halve the harm.The Everest in the Alps challenge teams have raised an amazing £4.5m over the last four years.
Congratulations to Jeremy Banks (LH 86) at Caldicott School in Buckinghamshire, who was awarded ‘Best Head of a Prep School’ in the prestigious Schools Tatler Awards 2020. Richard Groome (Hf 86) took on a full Ironman triathlon in his garden during lockdown in April and raised over £3,000 for his local food bank. He swam (tethered) in a paddling pool for 1.5 hours, cycled 112 miles on a static Wattbike and ran 26.2 miles – around 420 laps of his garden. This amazing feat of endurance took him around 12 hours to complete and he’s incredibly grateful for all the support and encouragement provided by friends and family.
We are delighted to support OUs raising money for charitable causes through the OU Charity Fund; email the OU team at ou@uppingham.co.uk for details.
Graeme Biggar (WD 87) was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for ‘Services to National Security’ after fulfilling posts as Chief of Staff to the Defence Secretary and Director National Security in the Home Office, where he worked on counter-terrorism and hostile state activity. Lt Col Ashley ‘Ash’ Amos (B 89), Intelligence Corps, was awarded an OBE in the delayed Queen’s Birthday Honours List published in October 2020.
James Wilks (Fgh 91) was listed as one of the ‘26 Most Influential Men in Health & Fitness’ in the October issue of Men’s Health magazine. With his documentary, The Game Changers, James ripped up common preconceived ideas on veganism, arguing that a plant-based diet is superior to meat-based alternatives for athletes of all disciplines. The film generated a huge response after being aired on Netflix and, according to Google trends metrics, interest in plant-based eating more than tripled worldwide. As a former mixed martial artist, with black belts in Tae Kwon Do (which he received while at Uppingham), kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, there was a time when James believed that eating animal protein at every meal was integral to his health and performance but he has since proved otherwise.
1990s Caroline Gasper (Fd 91) joined 45,000 virtual runners participating in the ‘virtual’ London Marathon on 4th October, to raise funds for Dogs Trust. She picked a very hilly route, starting in Ufford and finishing in Uppingham, which she completed in just over four hours. Victoria ‘Tiggy’ Trounce (née Quinlan, F 91) and her husband Michael (M 91) are both in the process of building new businesses. Tiggy makes multilayered collage portraits, commissioned for clients, which commemorate the sitter, either human or animal. By using collage, Tiggy includes text, quotes and photographs within the larger image as triggers of memories and shared times with loved ones. www.collagetig.com Michael has been in the bond markets all his working life and knows first-hand the value of understanding investor behaviour. As a result, he has founded Trounceflow, a company offering services for investment professionals. www.trounceflow.com
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Who What Where When Dominic Wertheimer (LH 92) was looking to name his property company he launched in 2010, he found inspiration from his schooldays. ‘Lornham’ was chosen as it combined the start of Lorne House and end of Uppingham. Based in Marylebone, Central London, Lornham offers acquisition and property management services in London’s residential property market. Dominic is always delighted to hear from fellow OUs, either when in London or on his regular trips to Dubai and Asia. John Mulholland’s (WB 94) company, Fiesta Sports Coaching, provides a range of multisport, after-school clubs and holiday camps for primary and secondary schools throughout the East Midlands as well as sports themed birthday parties. During lockdown, John produced a series of free tutorial sports videos for youngsters from 4 to 18 to enjoy in their home or garden. Though Uppingham is now perhaps most widely known as a rugby-playing school, it used to be famous for its football and was even responsible for laying down the rules of the game back in 1857. John was captain of football at Uppingham in 1997 and 1998 and is a qualified UEFA B coach. fiestasportscoaching.co.uk James Mantle (WB 96) is Head of Commercial Finance at the Battersea Power Station redevelopment in London. It’s an exciting urban regeneration project which, once complete, will comprise over 4,500 new homes, shops, restaurants, cinemas, a Willy Wonka-style chimney lift experience, and also Apple’s new European headquarters. James was delighted to bump into fellow OU, Jonathan Agnew (L 73), at a farewell lunch at Lord’s, prior to the England cricket team’s departure for their South Africa tour last December.
James (Fgh 94) and Pippa Storey (née Drake, J 97), who run Glynn Barton Cottages with their two boys, Freddie and Max, were awarded GOLDS in the 2019/2020 Cornwall Tourism Awards and South West Tourism Awards for the Best Self Catering Accommodation in the region. They provide lovingly converted and restored 18th century cottages, set in 13 acres of beautiful woodland in the heart of Cornwall – perfect for families seeking fun-filled holidays, with breathtaking views and excellent facilities, in a central location for exploring the spectacular Cornish coastline and the many attractions the region has to offer. See glynnbarton.co.uk for more information.
Congratulations to Tom Dobney (LH 95) who was a finalist in the Radio 3 Carol Competition 2019 which challenged composers to create new music for Go to the Child, a poem by Imtiaz Dharker. The team of judges whittled hundreds of entries down to a shortlist of just six. Well done, Tom! Christopher Gabbitas (Hf 95) left The King’s Singers in December 2018 after a 15-year career that included 2,000 concerts worldwide, 45 albums recorded, three Grammy nominations (two wins), and a place in the Gramophone Hall of Fame. During this time he also fulfilled a consultancy position with West End media law firm, Clintons. He took up the position of Artistic Director with professional Arizona-based ensemble, the Phoenix Chorale, in July 2019; began teaching as an Artist Professor at the University of Redlands, Los Angeles, in September 2019; and has built up a media law practice with Keystone Law in London. Home is currently in East Sussex with his wife Stephanie and their three daughters. Chris would welcome contact from any OUs who may need legal advice in the music, television, photography or film industries. Above: Chris with his wife Stephanie at the 2019 Grammy Awards in LA.
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Amongst the many casualties of the pandemic have been the nation’s cathedral choirs. Since public worship in church was suspended in mid-March, choirs and organists have largely been out of action. Although cathedral worship resumed in July, singing was not allowed due to fears it presents a danger in the aerosol spread of the virus. With cathedrals facing unprecedented losses in income, in support of an Emergency Fund, through the Cathedral Music Trust, Ashley Grote (Hf 95), Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral, brought together choristers from across the country for a virtual recording project, ‘Sing Forever’.The project involved some 269 choristers from 41 cathedrals and choral foundations, who recorded their parts in their own homes.They were joined by soloists Anna Haestrup and William Miles-Kingston, BBC Young Choristers of the Year, and by celebrities Aled Jones and Elizabeth Watts.The organ accompaniment was recorded by David Dunnett (former Organist at Uppingham, now Organist of Norwich Cathedral) and raised valuable funds.
Louise Hames (née Hitchen, J 95) and her husband Edd, launched ‘Tinker and Fix’ last year, selling tools and kit for makers, menders and growers – all selected and tested to stand the test of time – to make tinkering, fixing or gardening more enjoyable. This year was going to be a big year for them; after a successful launch, they were set to attend events such as Goodwood Revival and The Good Life Festival. Despite the lockdown scuppering their plans, it’s been an incredibly busy and exciting period of growth for them, sourcing new products from around the world and developing their range. They stock a fantastic array of high-quality tools and kit, perfect as gifts or to treat yourself, see tinkerandfix.co.uk or Instagram @tinker_and_fix.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary since meeting up at Uppingham, a group of seven OUs spent a wonderful weekend away in Bath together in September 2019. In the photo from left to right, Francisca Wiggins, Helen Huxtable (née Roberts), Louise Hood (née Whitlock), Fiona Colville (née Slominska), Charlotte Fitzgerald, Kitty Corbet Milward and Harriet Molyneux (all Fd 99).
Who What Where 13
Who What Where
2000s Brothers Jack (Fgh 02) and Harry Mayhew (Hf 04), founders of Ember, the British-sourced biltong brand, were delighted that their Original Biltong and Garlic & Rosemary Biltong were shortlisted as finalists for the Nourish Awards 2020. Kate Pulford (L 03) was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in June 2018 but, throughout her treatment, she was determined to run a London Marathon to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Due to the nationwide lockdown, the April 2020 event had to be postponed but, on the 4th October, a fortnight after discovering that her cancer had returned, Kate took part in the ‘virtual’ London Marathon. Alongside 45,000 other people across the country running their own marathon routes, Kate ran 26.2 miles through the rainy and hilly Cotswolds. Kate has kept a fundraising blog and photo page going since she started training and treatment, which can be viewed at fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org (Kate’s London Marathon 2020). She has raised over £9,000 for this incredibly worthy cause. Lucy Burton (Fd 04) is a London-based baker specialising in bespoke, seasonal wedding cakes. With so many weddings sadly postponed this year, Lucy adapted her business and brought joy to many households during lockdown through a postal brownie and blondie service. Lucy is taking orders for 2021 wedding cakes, so if you are planning your special day and would like a bespoke celebration cake, please do get in touch at lucyburtoncakes.com.
Megan Davies (NH 04), cookbook author, food stylist, recipe developer and food illustrator, published her first book, Home Bird, in June 2020. She has been featured in The Times magazine, The Telegraph magazine, Stylist, Country Living, Waitrose Weekend, Olive and Homes & Gardens, to name a few. Influenced by nostalgic meals and cooking for loved ones, Megan wrote ‘Home Bird’ for the eco-minded home cook. She includes invaluable tips on how to make ingredients stretch, features exciting ways to turn leftovers into a new meal, and there are lots of ideas on suppers that can be scaled up to feed a crowd or down for a more intimate occasion. Her ingenious recipes will have all the inspiration you need to run a more sustainable home kitchen, reduce your carbon footprint and make the small changes at home that can make a big difference to our world. Published by Ryland Peters & Small and available online at megandaviesfood.com. Kevin Lee (Hf 04) completed his PhD in Developmental Biology and Genetics from UCL in December 2018, a research fellowship co-funded by UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity; and has also authored two internationally peer-reviewed articles on craniofacial birth defects. He subsequently joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), completing tours in a Minister’s private office and geographical policy desk. In December 2019, Kevin was appointed Chief of Staff to a Deputy Director within the FCO. During the pandemic, he was mobilised to the cross-Government Coronavirus International Taskforce due to his scientific background, holding both policy and operational roles. Kevin was appointed Policy Adviser in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, within the remit of International Energy, in September 2020. While working on the Isle of Sheppey, Patrick ‘Patch’ Fordham (WB 06) decided to take a light-hearted approach to teaching his sixth form students. They were thoroughly confused about Brexit so he devised ‘The BREXIT Card Game’. It pokes fun at the divisive and complicated world of Brexit but is ultimately designed to educate. Following its success, he also released two further editions – the ‘International Meddlers’ and the ‘Are you Kiddin’ decks.
14 Who What Where
Before becoming a teacher, Patch worked at a refugee camp and a school for autistic children, and proceeds from the game will help him create an educational website designed to make teachers’ lives easier. www.thebrexitgame.co.uk Alex Peter (SH 06) graduated from Cambridge University in 2015, where he read Arabic and Spanish, and spent his year abroad in Jordan working for the United Nations. After graduating, he worked in anti-bullying for two years and spent a year doing the social innovation fellowship ‘Year Here’. This led to him co-founding the social enterprise ‘Routes’, supporting female refugees and vulnerable migrants. Alex studied for a Master’s degree in foreign policy at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he worked as a Teaching Assistant for former US Secretary of State, Madeleine K. Albright. Currently, he is on the Civil Service’s Generalist Fast Stream, working as a Project Lead for HMRC. He has continued to sing, most recently for the choir of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Oli Crump (WD 07) is an award-winning freelance audio system engineer and photographer based in Southampton. In November 2019 he was awarded ‘Young Freelancer of the Year’ at the TPi Breakthrough Talent awards for his work as audio project manager at Boomtown Fair’s Lion’s Den stage.
James Brading (WB 11) was selected to represent the England Universities Rugby 7’s team after being put forward for trials while at the University of East Anglia. James has played against teams such as the Royal Marines, Royal Navy and university alumni teams as well as semi-professional Fijian teams.
Oliver Garton (M 11) was inspired by the incredible sculptures created by David Harber, who designed the beautiful sundial installed in the School’s Western Quad, and who gave a talk to pupils at Uppingham whilst Oliver was in the Upper Fifth. Now studying Industrial Design at Loughborough University, Oliver is creating and selling his own sculptures, using laser-cut designs made from polished aluminium and developed from natural geometric/Islamic screen-like patterns. For more information contact ojlgarton@gmail.com.
2010s After graduating from Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Freddie Tucker (B 10) took a road trip around Kenya and Uganda and recently worked as a Tesco delivery driver during the lockdown. He’s now taken up a fantastic opportunity at Argentex Foreign Exchange, signing corporate clients who have exposure to foreign currencies, working to mitigate their risks, as well as providing commercial benefits. Freddie is keen to hear from any OUs whose businesses are being impacted by the highly volatile foreign exchange market; email Freddie.tucker@argentex.com.
William Russell (LH 11) was accepted into Lillehammer Institute of Music Production and Industries following completion of his degree in music technology from De Montfort University. He was one of just 24 international students offered a place to study, out of more than 1,500 applicants, and is the first UK student to attend the Institute. William hopes the course will provide a springboard into the music industry as a producer. We are grateful to a group of OUs who volunteered to take part in virtual seminars organised by the School’s careers department during lockdown. The OU Forum gave pupils a real insight into university life and provided an opportunity to raise any questions they might have. Huge thanks to James Brown (SH 12), Eloise Wordie (C 12), Phoebe Aldrich (Fd 13), Benjamin Lee (Hf 13), Chet Hindocha (WD 13), Mili Kenworthy (L 15), Charlie Pepper (L 15) and Eloise Burchell (C 16) for contributing to these valuable sessions.
Who What Where 15
Who What Where Traveller, adventurer and photographer, Sam Abbott (SH 14), was all set for a three-month trip to South America, passing through seven countries and journeying down the Amazon, but then Covid-19 happened.
Freddie Comber (Hf 13), James Bradley (Hf 13), Harry Brierley (LH 13) and Archie Jamieson (F 13), put their creativity into action during lockdown by producing a weekly football podcast called ‘Football Fourcast’. Their focus is to provide listeners with in-depth statistics, opinions and interviews and they currently have over 3,000 followers and listeners. With very little podcasting or editing experience previously, it has been a steep learning curve, but they’ve recieved great reviews. Have a listen on Apple or Spotify. If you would like to get in touch with any of the OUs included in our Who What Where feature, please contact the OU team on ou@uppingham.co.uk. We don’t disclose contact details but are always pleased to help to connect people when we can.
Out of a job as a barista at Costa Coffee and with flights cancelled, he channelled his creative energy and passion for travel into a new initiative, ‘The Shameless Planet’. His website features blogs, articles and travel guides; he’s designed his own brand of products and clothing and has a rapidly growing following across social media platforms. theshamelessplanet.com In July, Rebecca Lin (L 16) was recruited as Business Development Intern with the consultancy and collective Tula, who offer proactive and preventative tools and strategies to support employee wellbeing in the workplace. Alongside their tailored consultancy support to businesses including Nike, Herbert Smith and WeWork, they have co-designed a suite of off-the-shelf virtual workshops with their team of experts: psychiatrists, nutritional therapists, athletes, coaches, artists and more. This offers curious businesses an opportunity to dip their toes in before committing to longer term programmes. Should your company be interested in finding out more about Tula’s services, please visit www.tulawellbeing.co.uk.
OU COMMITTEE 2020/21
OU TRUSTEES 2020-21
OU AMBASSADORS
Chairman The Headmaster
Chair of Trustees Barbara Matthews (SH 73)
Secretary Richard Boston (B 56)
Vice Chair of Trustees Richard Tice (H 78)
Members Nicholas Burgess (B 68), Mike Higgs (Fgh 69), Andrew Bowles (M 73), David Gavins (LH 73), Richard Levell (H 74), Peter Doleman (C 76), Jim Reddy (Hf 89), Claire Neaves (J 91), Emma Way (J 91), Emma Cannings (L 93), Tom Higgs (C 00) and Becky Wilson (Fd 05).
Donald Fothergill (B 74), Alasdair Locke (LH 66), Russell Price (WB 79), Edward Timpson (LH 87), Dominic Wallis (F 82), Lucy Womack (née Hilton, Fd 82).
We are hugely grateful to all of the overseas ambassadors for their assistance as points of contact for OUs visiting a country or requiring advice. A full list is available on the OU website.
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A full list of Uppingham’s Trustees is available on the School’s website. Should you wish to contact any of the above, please email ou@uppingham.co.uk.
Announcements Ed Stafford (WB 89) and his wife Laura Bingham welcomed twins, Molly and Milly, into the world on 26th August, sisters to Ranulph. Robert and Elizabeth Beales (née Menday, L98) are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter, Catherine Waveney Alice, born on 9th August. Artem Kosenko (Hf 98) and his wife Lucy were delighted to welcome the arrival of George Alexander Patrick on 10th May.
Having met at Uppingham, Matthew Chalk (Hf 05) and Esther Ryan (L 08) were married on 8th August at All Saints’ Church, Kilnwick in East Yorkshire. OUs in attendance included Matthew’s four siblings Rebecca Henry (née Chalk, L 03), Eleanor Guest (née Chalk, NH 04), Sarah Chalk (Fd 10) and Jonny Chalk (F 14).
Henry Gurney (B 99) married Lucy Saunders in Church Brampton, Northamptonshire, on 26th July 2019. The reception was held at the family home of Toby Saunders (B 73) with many OUs present. L to R: Oliver Nias (F 99), Zack Wilkinson (SH 99), Sarah Wilkinson (née Hazleman J 99), Hugo Peers (Hf 99), Henry Gurney (B 99), Josh Wilkinson (SH 99), Tom Peck (Hf 99), Nicholas Thorley (F 99), Robert Bennett-Baggs (WB 99) and Toby Saunders (B 73)
Congratulations to Simon Adcock (Hf 07) who married Martha Crossley on 3rd August 2019 in Ilkley, Yorkshire.
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It was about three in the morning and we were thinking that the raid was just about over when we heard the distant sound of an aircraft which, as the noise became progressively louder, was obviously either circling or descending slowly from the sky.�
MEMORIES OF
WORLD WAR II 18 Feature
From Surrey to Cornwall: September 1940 By Julian Wiltshire (H 48) I was not amongst the first groups of children who were evacuated from London to safer parts of the country. Many evacuees found themselves sent away from home as early as the late summer of 1939, before the war started in September, and the numbers increased greatly in the last months of that year, the government being under the impression that London was under immediate threat. But London was not bombed in the first 10 months of the conflict – a period now described as the ‘phoney war’ – and a great many evacuees returned to their homes, their parents hoping that the threat had passed. However, by June 1940 the Germans had defeated the British Expeditionary Force and had established airfields along the coast of France from where they could launch their bombers and fighters in large numbers for raids on London, less than 100 miles away. These terrible raids started in the early summer and the resulting ‘Battle of Britain’ lasted until September. Despite the fact there were no lights to guide the German aircraft, since the windows of all houses and offices had been blacked out for more than a year – everyone on the bombers’ flightpath became aware within days that there was no hiding place, with bombs falling indiscriminately throughout the city and the suburbs.
This year marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day, 8th May 1945, the long-awaited day when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end in Europe. Millions of people had been hoping and praying for the day to come, huge crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace and celebrations took place all over the country. But VE Day was also a moment of great sadness and reflection, millions of people had lost their lives or loved ones in the conflict. Many were still fighting in battles continuing around the world and more were being held as prisoners of war abroad. Two hundred and fifty OUs gave their lives during the War and it had a far-reaching impact on millions of others. Earlier this year, we documented an array of stories in the OU e-newsletter, ‘The Colonnade’, which was published in June. It featured OU heroes who represented their country, and indeed their School, with pride and honour during World War II (available to read on the OU website). We are grateful to those of you who wrote to us with your memories and families’ experiences of the War, all of which provide a valuable record for the School archives and can be read on the OU website. Julian Wiltshire (H 48) shared his story of being evacuated in 1940, and his account really does transport you back in time...
And this is where the story of my evacuation begins, as my parents, like so many others, were forced to consider some means of escape for their children. In our case, we had the additional misfortune of living at Caterham, high up in the Surrey Hills, about 15 miles from central London, and very close to two of the most important fighter airfields, Kenley and Biggin Hill, which the German bombers were keen to put out of action from the start. As a result, the days and nights were full of the horrific noise of battle – droning bombers, screaming fighter planes, heavy anti-aircraft guns, explosions and machine-gun fire – whilst at night there was the additional frightening glare of flares, searchlights and flaming houses. An approaching raid would be heralded by the dreadful wail of a warning siren, a sound which swooped up and down, and sent everyone running to the nearest shelter. This might be followed sometime later by the same siren sounding the ‘all clear’ on a single penetrating note, but in August and early September the intervals between the raids were scarcely noticeable. Many evacuations, as in my case, were organised by schools; but it was August, the schools were on holiday, and nothing could be finalised before the start of term. It could be said, without exaggeration, that the delay for me, and my mum and dad, was almost fatal. We had no shelter either in the house or the garden and had to run to our neighbour’s garden when the siren went. Overhead there were desperate dogfights in the sky as the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots climbed at full throttle in an attempt to get above the Messerschmitts so that they had a better chance of shooting them down. Meanwhile Dorniers and Heinkels piled through the clouds with the peculiar and unforgettable throbbing drone of their engines, and you could see the sticks of bombs falling as they released their loads.
Feature 19
Almost at ground level, other German fighters roared in with cannons blazing to strafe the streets. The noise and danger and the myriad of flashes and garish lights were indescribably frightening, and especially so, perhaps, to a small child. (I have never since wished to watch a war film – in some sense they come nowhere near the reality, and in another sense too close for comfort.) The culminating experience, before I was sent away, came in mid-August, at about the time of my mother’s 39th birthday – and it was hardly a celebration. A heavy raid was in progress and 12 of us were packed into a concrete shelter at the end of the garden of a friend’s house, just round the corner from our home. It was about three in the morning and we were thinking that the raid was just about over when we heard the distant sound of an aircraft which, as the noise became progressively louder, was obviously either circling or descending slowly from the sky. Soon it became clear that it was falling towards us, my mother wrapped a blanket round my head in an attempt to muffle the inevitable explosion, but when it came, the sound was immense. The bomber – a Heinkel – had fallen on the house in whose garden we were sheltering, just 30 yards away. The building was completely destroyed, flames shot into the air, the heat of the blaze
Julian Wiltshire in Tintagel, Cornwall, 1940
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A newspaper cutting from the night of the bombing
driving us from the shelter. Somehow we got away, but I still remember parting the blanket, seeing the huge fire and feeling the searing heat – and I still have a picture of the destroyed house which appeared in the press the following day.
Meanwhile, Surrey County Council had made arrangements for the evacuation of children from Caterham, and, as a result, I found myself at Paddington Station in mid-September with five other small boys. I was not quite six, and obviously had very little idea of what was happening. But there I was on the platform, in blazer, cap and tie, carrying a small suitcase – including a teddy bear which I still have – and round my neck the compulsory gas mask, in its square box with a green canvas cover. My mother held my hand, saw me into the carriage and waved goodbye – a wartime image captured in a thousand photographs. Our destination was Tintagel, a village perched on the precipitous cliffs of the north Cornish coast, and famous for its ruined castle mythically associated with King Arthur. Of the journey I remember nothing, and recollections of a puffing steam train with its trail of billowing smoke probably come from a later time when I travelled to my next school in north Worcestershire. In fact memories of the whole 20 months of my evacuation experience would be negligible at this distance in time, were it not for the fact that my mother kept all the letters – 52 of them – which I wrote home during my
time in Cornwall. I could, therefore, tell a more complete story, and have done just that for my family. Suffice it to say that – in common with the other evacuees who came here in the War and attended Kingston Deverill School – I was incredibly fortunate in being looked after by a loving and caring family (not always the case for evacuees who were often, at best, merely tolerated and who couldn’t wait to return home). I will always remember that couple with affection, and indeed Tintagel itself where the cliffs encapsulate a particularly distinctive memory. Incredibly high and falling sheer to the sea, they are a formidable sight in the summer, let alone the winter – and in that winter of 1940, to stand on the top as a small boy in the howling wind, with the breakers pounding on the rocks below and the spray flying high into the air, was an unforgettable experience. Here was the power of nature in all her raw and frightening fury. At home there was a different kind of man-made terror.
Our destination was Tintagel, a village perched on the precipitous cliffs of the north Cornish coast, and famous for its ruined castle mythically associated with King Arthur.”
It’s thought that more than 2,000 OUs saw service during World War II and there were rare instances when they crossed paths. One such occasion was the OU dinner held in Thailand’s Chungkai P.O.W. camp on 18th April 1944. The original hand-drawn menu card below is deposited in the School Archives, courtesy of William Christopher (M 60) whose father, Maj. Thomas Christopher (M 1926), was in attendance with fellow OUs: Lt. Col. John Stitt (LH 1912), Maj. John McLaren (F 1918), Lt. James Twitchin (F 1926), Lt. John Leckie (L 1926) and Lt. Ernest Charles (SH 1933). The menu card was clearly lovingly prepared, with remarkable skill and attention to detail, particularly considering the lack of available materials at that stage of their imprisonment, some two and half years after their capture. It is doubtful the meal lived up to its description or to the spirit of fellowship in which it was eaten. What an incredible and moving record of OU solidarity in extremely difficult times.
Uppingham 1952, John Robinson (H 47), Julian Wiltshire (H 48) and Richard Fordham (H 47), winners of the Henry Ley Cup
Julian & Anne Wiltshire on a visit to the School in October
Julian arrived at Uppingham in 1948, a move encouraged by his parents based on the School’s reputation for musical excellence, and he was fortunate to coincide with Douglas Guest as a teacher. Whilst in The Hall, Julian joined forces with John Robinson and Richard Fordham (both H 47) highly talented musicians, to form ‘The Hall Trio’; with Julian on the piano, the group performed many concerts in the four years they were together. After Uppingham, rather than taking up a musical career, Julian studied English Literature (including Anglo-Saxon) at Queen’s College, Oxford. After two years of National Service in the Royal Signals, he went on to operate a successful tour company from London, organising tours for young travellers to ski resorts in Austria, Switzerland and Italy, and summer destinations in the Mediterranean. Seventeen years later, he took up a post as travel manager for students and staff at Edinburgh University, where he married Anne, had two children, and finally moved to Wiltshire where they’ve lived for the past 35 years. Julian has had a love of music all his life and is still singing and playing. After retirement in 2006 at the age of 72, he embarked on tours of all 47 of the London city churches; enjoyed walks round the entire county boundary of Wiltshire; along the Kennet and Avon canal; and another along the Thames, starting at Avonmouth and finishing at the Thames Barrier. He has also written a book entitled ‘Kingston Deverill, a south-west Wiltshire Village’ published in 2016 by the Hobnob Press, directly inspired by his involvement in Anglo-Saxon language and history while at Oxford, and available on Amazon.
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Decades of adventures through the Cadbury Travel Grant Award For almost 50 years, OUs have undertaken cultural travel experiences as recipients of Cadbury Travel Grants. These financial awards are given out on Speech Day every year to pupils, with the aim of helping them to develop their independence and confidence. The scheme was initiated in 1968 by the Cadbury family, and administered by Anne, in memory of her eldest son Ian (B 61) who was killed in a motor accident. The first grant was made in 1969 and the scheme has supported over 140 Uppinghamians since. Anne Cadbury sadly passed away on New Year’s Day and, in tribute to her and the incredible support offered to OUs, we are pleased to share some stories from those who travelled the world through the award. A plaque will also be installed in Brooklands in Ian’s memory and to mark the significant impact the scheme has had through the decades.
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William Daniel (C 67) As far as I know, Jonathon Unna (C 68) and I were among the first recipients of the Cadbury Travel Award. We enjoyed an eventful trip cycling up the Rhine, looking at Romanesque churches.
Saska Macnab (J 10) The Cadbury Travel Grant allowed me to travel to Swaziland, where I sponsored a child named Phindile – a very beautiful and brave young girl. Whilst there, I witnessed work taking place in her town to support children suffering from the consequences of HIV, including the loss of parents. I also Saska Macnab and Phindile spent a number of days working in the World Vision charity office assisting with correspondence between sponsors and children. It was an incredible experience and truly enlightening.
The Cadbury family, c1967. Bruce (B 63), Bryony, Anne, Jane and Ian (B 61)
David Bond (LH 67)
Giles Harrison (WD 87)
The Award funded a groundbreaking trip to study panMediterranean bird migration in Malta as part of a wider BTO study. I think we were the first to raise the alarm about the slaughter of birds of prey in Malta as well as turtle doves and songbirds.
The Cadbury Travel Grant was instrumental in enabling a charity fundraising trip I organised with two friends, Graeme Biggar and James French (both also WD 87) in 1990. We cycled from the tip of Denmark to the toe of Italy – a distance of 2,038 miles. The grant gave us the confidence and impetus to keep fundraising for the trip and make sure it happened. We raised nearly £25,000 for Multiple Sclerosis and Children in Need. Aged only 16 at the time, it was a massive undertaking and unique travel experience that gave us three young boys valuable confidence, lifelong friendships and cherished memories.
Jim Crookes (LH 75) In 1979 I went on an Austrian canoe expedition with staff and fellow pupils, supported by the Cadbury Award. We had a fantastic trip, including some spectacular paddling in Augsburg’s Olympic whitewater course and the impressive Austrian alpine rivers. The experience, together with the enthusiasm and support of Jerry Rudman, inspired me to keep on paddling and, as I approach retirement, I still venture out on solo sea adventures to this day.
L-R: James French, Graeme Biggar and Giles Harrison
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Richard Haigh (SH 66) In 1969 I travelled to Greece by train with three friends, and we spent a fabulous month travelling around the country. We visited all the usual places, Parthenon, Delphi, Epidavros Marathon and even Hydra to try (unsuccessfully) to meet Leonard Cohen. Most nights we slept under the stars, which, growing up in Huddersfield, I don’t remember ever seeing, and enjoyed many generous meals from Greek hosts. The trip had a profound influence on my life; two years later I took a gap year and travelled to Libya, when Gaddafi had taken over. I’d learnt in Greece to travel without fear and trust in the innate goodness of strangers.
Ed Starkie (C 88) In 1992, myself, Anthony Gent (C 88), Chris Nicholson (H 88) and Will Payne (C 88) completed the Tour du Mont Blanc in aid of Stoke Mandeville Hospital and raised over £3,000. Our trip, kindly funded through the grant, gave me the confidence to plan and undertake many subsequent trips to the Alps with family and friends where previously I would have considered such trips a very daunting prospect!
Peter Horsfall (Hf 66) During Easter 1970, Nicholas Lumley (Hf 68) and I visited East and West Berlin, Warsaw, Moscow and Leningrad behind the Iron Curtain. Sailing from Wallsend to Bergen on the 1st August 1970 and returning on the 25th August, we had a return ticket, a youth hostel pass and about £30. After hitchhiking to a campsite near Kristiansand, we befriended some Norwegian students who invited us to stay with them in Oslo, where I had my first experience of water-skiing. After that, we hitchhiked back to Bergen via Geilo and spent a few days in a youth hostel at the top of a funicular railway. Having very little money left, we bought a small cooked chicken and trekked up the mountain to the hostel! Fortunately, we had a meal prepaid on the boat home, but I still remember being fed a feast by Mrs Lumley on our return! It was my first unaccompanied holiday and an amazing experience that I still treasure and will never forget. It would not have happened without the generosity of Mrs Cadbury and the travel grant and I will always be grateful.
L-R: Chris, Will, Anthony and Ed before they set off
Sam Abbott (SH 14)
L-R: Chris, Will and Anthony above Les Contamines
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The Cadbury Travel Grant helped to fund my first solo travel experience which ultimately fuelled my current passion for travel. I’ll always be grateful to Anne and for being a recipient of the grant.
Sam Brearley (M 99) In 2003 my housemate Harry Lund (M 99) and I went on a memorable round trip from London to Crete via Italy. It was our first taste of independent travel, and one which we still talk of when our families meet. At the time of applying for the Cadbury Travel Grant I was hoping to study Art History at university, so our visits to the many museums of Paris, Rome, Sam Brearley by The Seine and Athens, and the ruins of Knossos in Crete, stood me in good stead for my interview at UCL the following year. I am pleased to say that it did the trick, and I happily went on to complete a BA and MA there. On a personal level, my older brother Joshua (LH 95) sadly died in December 2002, aged just 20. Receiving the Cadbury Travel Grant in the following year felt highly poignant; as a memorial to the Cadbury family’s lost son, as well as helping me mark the loss of my brother, while encouraging me to continue exploring the world and growing as a person. Harry Lund at The Louvre
Jack Jackson (B 03) The Cadbury Travel Grant enabled me and a friend, Max Tilley (WD 03), to visit Eastern Europe, one of the most memorable and educational experiences of my school life. I am forever grateful for the opportunity. Basil Vincent, Will O’Connell and Sam Martin in Geneva
Duncan Wallace (WB 75) My close friend Phil Dixon (WB 73) and I were the recipients of the 1978 award, which enabled us to attend a number of European Festivals including Salzberg, Edinburgh, the Proms and Bayreuth, while also visiting museums and places of musical interest including Beethoven’s home in Bonn. The highlight of our tour was undoubtedly Bayreuth. Wagner’s spirit literally drips off the walls – whether the Festpielhaus itself or local bars such as ‘The Owl’, where patrons and performers alike congregate after each performance which, in my case, was a truly titanic production of Der Fliegende Holländer or The Flying Dutchman. The hairs on my neck still stand up recalling the rush of sound in that unique, customised opera house. Another memorable moment in Bayreuth was meeting our host, Frau Oetter, who had a photo album showing the time Adolf Hitler came to stay with her and her husband – they had been close friends given Herr Oetter’s high ranking position in the German Army!
Basil Vincent (WB 05) In 2009 Will O’Connell (B 05), Sam Martin (WD 05) and I traced part of Lord Byron’s route through Europe, travelling to Geneva, Florence and Venice. As my first independent trip on the continent, it sparked an appreciation of travel that has developed well beyond Uppingham. I will always remember the thrill of boarding the overnight train from Geneva to Florence, and the welcome morning call from an Italian train guard bearing mini panettone. Swimming the beautiful waters of Lake Geneva and getting temporarily lost on a mountain overlooking the city are other happy highlights.
Guy Rowlands (L 82) In 1986 Adrian Johnston (L 82) and I received a Cadbury Travel Award to undertake a two-week interrailing trip to Northern Italy. It was a mind-opening adventure, not only giving us experience in navigating foreign travel in an age before the internet and mobile phones, but bringing us into close contact with the rich architectural and artistic culture of Northern Italy from the 15th and 18th centuries. We spent a number of days in Verona, Venice and Milan, and had further day-trips to Bologna and Vicenza.
Duncan Wallace outside Beethoven’s home in Bonn
Though I didn’t realise it at the time, it was a life-changing trip; in 1988 I went to Oxford, and I am now a Professor of Early Modern History at St Andrews, specialising in the history of France and Northern Italy in the 17th to 18th centuries.
Feature 25
In Memoriam We are sorry to announce news of OUs who have passed away. Our condolences to their families and friends. John MacLellan
(H 33)
Mar 2019
John ‘Michael’ Mitton
(B 49)
Feb 2019
James Tennent
(H 38)
Oct 2019
Anthony ‘Tony’ Pull*
(M 49)
Dec 2019
Roland Parker
(B 39)
Oct 2020
Anthony ‘Tony’ Smith
(SH 49)
Nov 2019
George ‘Brian’ Vaughton
(F 41)
Sep 2020
Graham Peters
(C 50)
Dec 2019
John Watson*
(F 42)
Apr 2020
Nick Ridley
(F 51)
Apr 2020
Martin ‘Ron’ Grayston
(WB 43)
Jan 2020
Neville Bark-Jones
(LH 52)
Aug 2020
Edward ‘Michael’ Shepherdson
(L 43)
Mar 2020
Graham Hill*
(M 52)
Feb 2020
Jeremy May
(SH 44)
Oct 2020
John Mansfield
(B 52)
Dec 2019
John Mitchell*
(B 44)
Oct 2019
Peter Whitaker
(L 52)
Jun 2019
Charles ‘Michael’ O'Hagan
(Fgh 44)
Aug 2020
Evan Issard-Davies
(M 53)
Feb 2020
John Place
(F 44)
Mar 2020
James Owen*
(C 53)
Jul 2020
Bryan Taylor
(H 44)
Mar 2020
Nigel Wilson*
(L 53)
Oct 2019
Iain Robertson
(Fgh 45)
Mar 2020
David Brooke
(Fgh 54)
Jun 2019
Michael Segerdal
(F 45)
Nov 2019
Peter Cumming*
(WD 55)
Apr 2020
Lyonel Tollemache
(SH 45)
Oct 2020
Fergus Falk
(WB 55)
Oct 2020
Michael Williamson
(M 45)
Nov 2020
Robert Greenly*
(F 55)
Feb 2019
Tony Abrahams
(L 46)
Oct 2020
John Edward
(WD 57)
Aug 2020
Joseph ‘Bill’ Dickinson
(LH 46)
Aug 2020
Richard Fletcher
(LH 57)
May 2019
John Garner
(M 47)
Jul 2020
John Knox
(LH 57)
Mar 2020
David Lloyd Evans*
(M 47)
Dec 2019
Roger Hopkins
(Hf 60)
Aug 2020
Donald McLeod
(C 47)
Sep 2020
Charles Waterhouse
(LH 63)
Jan 2020
William Ross
(C 47)
Dec 2018
Anthony ‘Chris’ Flather*
(M 67)
Apr 2020
John Horsman*
(WB 48)
Apr 2020
Anthony Kenward*
(WD 67)
Jun 2019
John ‘Peter’ Lethbridge*
(C 48)
Jun 2019
Mark Allen
(M 69)
Nov 2019
Ian Oliver*
(WB 48)
Jan 2020
David Bunney
(LH 69)
Oct 2019
Hugh Proctor*
(LH 48)
Feb 2020
Robin d’Arcy Pollitt
(Fgh 70)
Mar 2020
Henry ‘Nich’ Sladden*
(B 48)
Sep 2019
Graeme Murray
(L 72)
Sep 2019
Edward Bunting
(B 49)
Nov 2020
Nikki Mallett (née Hargreaves)* (Fd 75)
May 2020
Richard Emms
(C 49)
Jun 2020
Douglas ‘Mark’ Sansom
Sep 2020
* We are pleased to include obituaries supplied by family members or friends of the deceased.
26 In Memoriam
(C 83)
Obituaries John Watson (F 42) By his daughter Julia Downer (née Watson, Fd 76) John was born in 1928 and spent practically his entire life in Leicestershire and Rutland. His father studied the sporting achievements of OUs in the field of rugby in the prewar years and decreed that Uppingham School was the right place for his youngest son. John spoke warmly of his time at the School, leading teams in cricket, hockey and golf, and retained close links with Uppingham for the rest of his life. Looking at the School Roll to check the dates of my father’s attendance, what is most notable is the number of OUs with whom John was lifelong friends. The same names cropped up time and time again in his sporting and social life and latterly, when he grew more infirm, in his reminiscences. After serving with the Royal Artillery, John joined the family textile business in Leicester, the Willow Dye Works, taking over as Chairman following the death of his father; he proved himself to be an astute businessman. John’s marriage to Pam lasted over 60 years, and their three children all followed him to Uppingham, Julia (Fd 76); Simon (F 76) and Andrew (F 79). At the weekends, John escaped to Rutland to play golf at Luffenham Heath, where in due course he was Captain and later President; he was an active member for many years of the OU Golfing Society. He took enormous pleasure in meeting up with OUs old and new and hearing about their own experiences – he had an insatiable curiosity about the lives of others. In retirement John and Pam moved to Uppingham, and became enthusiastic members of the School community, through attending concerts, watching cricket on The Upper or simply enjoying being surrounded by energetic young people. John was delighted when one of his five granddaughters, Rosie Downer (L 12) went to Uppingham in the Sixth Form, he liked the idea of a family tradition continued. John was the life and soul of any party – sportsman, raconteur and good host – and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
John Mitchell (B 44) By his son Simon John Stuart Mitchell was born in March 1930. His father was a Lieutenant Commander on HMS Warspite, seeing action in the Battle of Jutland in June 1916 during which he was injured by shrapnel from an incoming shell to the bridge, resulting in his leg being removed below the knee. He died prematurely aged 46 in 1943 and, as a result, John was sent to Uppingham. His grandfather knew that, being located in Rutland, the School was far removed from the Blitz bombing targets and considered safe for John. John recalled the war/post-war years at Uppingham with its spartan regime of cold showers, bland food, rules, strict discipline and austere, elderly schoolmasters, noting all men of age were enrolled in the armed forces. At that time, John was sick with worry about his mum working in London during the Blitz and successfully ran away on two occasions; once hitching a lift partway on a milk float to the train station and eventually arriving in London – to be promptly sent back by his mother. Uppingham sparked John’s great love of aviation and mechanical engineering; stemmed from being a keen member of the ‘Air Training Corps’ that was brought into the School by the then Headmaster John Wolfenden. One of John’s close friends during his time at the School was Sir Peter Cazalet (M 42) and they remained close friends thereafter. Peter was a leading light at the Uppingham School Freemasons Lodge and sponsored John into joining in 1963. After Uppingham, John enrolled into a fouryear mechanical engineering apprenticeship at The de Havilland Aircraft Company Limited based in Hatfield, and was awarded his prized indentures: HNC in Mechanical Engineering and became a graduate of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. It was during this time of John’s studies at Willesden Technical College that he met Sheelah O’Callaghan studying Dress Design. John and Sheelah, both aged 21, were
married in August 1951 and later had two children, Simon and Amanda. John was called up for his National Service in the same year and enrolled into the RAF where he was awarded his prized RAF wings and concluded his service as Flight-Lieutenant. After National Service, John was engaged by the Handley Page Aircraft Company Limited in 1958 as a technical sales and demonstration pilot for the ‘Herald Airliner’ turboprop passenger aircraft being newly launched into service. John’s love of flying and prized ownership of a Tiger Moth brought him into contact with fellow pilot and aviation enthusiast Ken Thorogood (Chairman of Tozer Kemsley Millbourn Limited (TKM) – an international investment bank based in London with interests in vehicle rent, leasehire and franchising). Ken persuaded John to join TKM in the capacity of International Marketing Director to pioneer business interests in emerging vehicle technologies across Europe, the Middle East and Australia, which he did over the next 20 years. In 1981 DAF Trucks approached John to work as their International Marketing Director covering their Middle East interests prior to early retirement at the age of 55. At this time, John moved from London to Southport during which his great love of aviation was indulged through flying microlight aircraft with friends from the local aircrew association. John passed away peacefully in October 2019. David Lloyd Evans (M 47) By his granddaughter Sophie Burkitt (J 11) David joined Uppingham in 1947 where he loved playing rugby. After school, he went on to do his National Service in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry where he served in the Canal Zone and Cyprus. He then joined Albert E. Reed, the paper company, and in 1977 he joined a paper merchants in Hampshire, where he was the sales director for fine papers, remaining with them until he
Obituaries 27
Obituaries
retired. In 1961 he married Sue Hampton and had three children (two daughters and a son) and six grandchildren – three of whom also attended Uppingham, Sophie (J 11), Tom (M 13) and Edward Burkitt (F U6th). David was delighted that he could return to Uppingham to attend all three of their Confirmation Services in the School Chapel. He died on 5th December 2019 after suffering from dementia for six years. John Horsman (WB 48) Adapted from an obituary published by the dailysportscar.com Sadly, we announce the passing of John Horsman, in April 2020, he was 85. After attending Uppingham, and completing military service as an officer in the Royal Air Force in radar fighter control, he gained a place at Christ’s College, Cambridge, to read Mechanical Sciences, from where he graduated with honours in 1958. During this period, his interest in motor sport blossomed – often as a photographer – and in 1958 he was offered a graduate apprenticeship with Aston Martin Lagonda by managing director, John Wyer – starting a relationship of several decades with the legendary sportscar team owner that was to shape much of his working life. And so began a long career in motor sport; initially, John worked at David Brown Industries, which made tractors and gearboxes for Aston Martin, before proceeding to Aston Martin’s Design and Experimental Department, as a project engineer. In 1961 he became assistant to John Wyer. From 1963-1964, he expanded his skill set, studying Business Administration at the London School of Economics. Then in 1964 he followed John Wyer to Ford Advanced Vehicles Ltd where he was responsible for the construction and preparation of the programme that produced Ford’s legendary GT40. After two Le Mans wins in 1966 and 1967, the Ford factory GT40 race programme
28 Obituaries
ended. However, it spawned J. W. Automotive Engineering and John became executive director and chief engineer of the company, which then went on to win Le Mans in 1968 and 1969 with their Ford GT40s in the blue and orange colours of the Gulf Oil Company. At that time, John was responsible for the development, construction and race preparation of all of JWAE’s products: the Mirage M1, M2, M3, M6, the Ford GT40s and the Porsche 917s. In addition to its back to back Le Mans 24 Hours victories, the team also won the coveted World Sports Car Championships in 1968, 1970 and 1971. For 1970, JWAE was tasked with development works on Porsche’s 917, reknowned for being incredibly fast but spectacularly ill-handling. John’s proudest accomplishment was his solution to the Porsche 917’s handling issues, changing its bodywork and, most notably, shortening its tail. As a result of the 917’s transformation, Porsche won the World Championship of Makes in both 1970 and 1971, and the 917 became one of the greatest sports racing cars of all time. In 1972 John became managing director of the Gulf Research Racing Company, resulting in the emergence of the GR7 in 1974, followed by the GR8, which took 1st and 3rd place at Le Mans in 1975. In 1976, after Gulf Research Racing closed its doors, John moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, to join the GTC company and its GR8 – now renamed Mirage – finished 2nd at Le Mans in 1976 and again in 1977. The GTC Mirage programme continued for two more years before John was reunited with his friend, Vern Schuppan, running the Australian racer’s McLaren IndyCar team, who picked up a highly creditworthy third place at the 1981 Indianapolis 500. John also returned to Le Mans four more times as part of Vern Schuppan’s team. During his career and retirement, John would write copious notes of his engineering and development accomplishments, which were the basis of his book, Racing in the Rain, My Years with Brilliant Drivers, Legendary Sports Cars, and a Dedicated Team. He was justifiably proud to have been a pivotal part of one of the most successful motorsport outfits of all time.
Few can claim that their racing careers spanned the greatest decades in sports car competition, the 1960s and 1970s, and extended into the 1980s. Fewer still were consistently successful. John Horsman was one of those fortunate few. The blue and orange Gulf-sponsored Ford GT40s, Porsche 917s and Mirages prepared by “The Horse” as he was known around the workshop, and his team, are among the most famous race cars ever produced. The all-star driver line-up that competed in his cars includes Jacky Ickx, Brian Redman, Pedro Rodriguez, Jo Siffert, Derek Bell, Jackie Oliver, Mike Hailwood, David Hobbs, Vern Schuppan, John Watson, James Hunt, and Richard Attwood. The team excelled everywhere, winning both Le Mans and the World Championship three times, and was particularly adept in wet-weather conditions, where competitors struggled to match their pace. Some records achieved by Horsman’s team still stand, more than 40 years later. John was also immensely proud of the fact that, in a period when sportscar racing was notoriously dangerous, no driver was ever lost in one of his cars. John was very specific about his role in motorsport. He didn’t design, he developed: “Designers designed the cars, I made them better,” he said. He remained modest about his role and his achievements, even though to many in motorsport he himself had acquired nearlegendary status. John ‘Peter’ Lethbridge (C 48) By his wife Mary Peter was born in 1934 and died in hospital at Barnstaple, North Devon, in June 2019. We had been married for 59 years. Following in the footsteps of his father John (C 1911) and uncle Robert (LH 1918), Peter had nothing but praise for his years at Uppingham. After National Service, he served in the Royal Engineers in Egypt and went on to Harper Adams Agricultural College. After two managerial jobs, he and Mary bought the historic farm Damage Barton in North Devon. He farmed beef and sheep
and one of the earliest alternative ‘crops’, a touring caravan site. In 1971 Peter was elected Branch Chairman of his local NFU and later Devon County Chairman leading to eight years on the London Council. This was followed by appointments from the Ministry of Agriculture – first one of the ‘Twelve Wise Men’ on the Milk Quota Panel, followed by Food from Britain and Chair of the Beef Promotion. His most rewarding appointment was as Chair of the Minister’s Regional Panel representing all facets of farming and rural land issues with direct access to the Minister. There followed nine years on the National Trust Advisory Panel alongside chairing ‘Cartwheel’, a tourism promotion company funded by European money. With our son and his wife in partnership, there was more time for travel and to enjoy our four children and seven grandchildren. Peter has left a wonderful legacy for us all here at Damage Barton and in the local community. Ian Oliver (WB 48) By his son Louis (WB 75) A lovely man and caring person, to whom nothing was too much trouble. Ian was born in 1934 in Leicester, where he was to spend a large part of his life, before finally settling in Cheltenham. He was first educated at Miss Pipers School, Leicester, he then joined Belmont Preparatory School near Brighton. During the war, it was decided to send half the school to Lichfield and the other half to the Bahamas, Ian was most upset that he was selected for Lichfield. He then went to Uppingham, where many of the Oliver family were educated. He became a senior member of the CCF, which gave him a good start to his National Service, after which he joined the family business, Oliver’s Shoes, founded by his great grandfather George Oliver. He also qualified as a Chartered Company Secretary. Ian worked for the company for over 40 years and saw numerous changes in the retail sector. He spent many years as Sales
Director spending most of his time travelling round to the company’s 120 stores, most of which were in the Midlands, Wales and the West Country. There being few motorways then, Ian took up flying and piloted his own plane G-ATTD to get around them all. He introduced many new technologies and ideas into the business, from the first punch card stock control system to the introduction of the first mainframe computer. Ian eventually took over as Chairman and Managing Director from his father and was responsible for the acquisition of Hilton Shoes and then Timpson Shoes, increasing the portfolio of shops to 440 and annual sales to over £100 million. A proud family man, he was well known for his love of good food and fine wine, and particularly enjoyed getting together with his children, Louis (WB 75), Katie and Edward (Hf 94) and his four grandchildren. Outside of his family, Ian’s greatest love was for the business and its people. He was respected and proudly knew the name and history of every employee within the original 120-shop business. ‘Mr Ian’ as he was known, would always talk to any member of the company, being interested in the person and their ideas. Ian died on 7th January after being ill for some years. His bravery and sheer determination throughout are a lesson to us all and he will be sorely missed by his many friends and relations. Hugh Proctor (LH 48) By his son Mark Born in Repton, Hugh attended Repton Prep and Arden House before following his father Cyril (H 1916) to Uppingham. He was in Lorne House where his accomplished violin and piano playing, singing and general love of music blossomed; he introduced and directed a Light String Orchestra combining his passions of classical music with Gilbert and Sullivan and Rodgers and Hammerstein amongst others. During National Service from 1953 to 1955 he was commissioned in the Royal Signals Corp initially at Catterick and then Egypt.
He joined the family firm, S Figgis and Company Limited, where he spent 37 years; was appointed a Director in 1968; was instrumental in setting up and serving as Chairman of the London Rubber Terminal Market and also chaired the London Rubber Trade Association. An enthusiast of bass fishing, especially during family holidays in North Wales, bridge, gardening and golf and a member of the MCC, he also served as President of his local Probus association and much enjoyed attending OU Over 60s Lunches in London. Hugh passed away in February and is survived by Pam, his wife of 60 years, three sons and seven grandchildren. Henry ‘Nich’ Sladden (B 48) By his wife Anna My husband, always known as ‘Nich’, was the youngest of three brothers, with John (B 42) and Humphrey (B 45). At the beginning of the war, the family were evacuated to Leicester to live with grandparents. Their father remained working in London and they hardly ever saw him. John and Humphrey preceded Nich to Uppingham in Brooklands. After leaving school, Nich did his National Service as a 2nd Lieutenant in Singapore. On his return to the UK, he developed a strong interest in Acoustics and went to work in the Ceilings Division of Armstrong World Industries. He eventually became European Manager and retired in 1993. We married in 1963, moved to Berkhamsted and raised our family of five children. Nich instilled in them a love of the outdoors, climbing, walking, camping, swimming and bodysurfing. Music and singing were encouraged too. Nich passed away on 15th September 2019 and, at a wonderful ‘Celebration of Life’ service, tributes were paid to his integrity, honesty, trust and respect interwoven with kindness, friendliness, gentleness, loyalty and love. His children and many of his 18 grandchildren were there, who sang, played music, recited and remembered a truly exceptional man.
Obituaries 29
Obituaries
Uppingham Nightclimbers During his final year at Uppingham, Nich Sladden (B 48), along with his friend Michael Leather (B 48) decided to take the opportunity to see the School from a different viewpoint. Leaving Brooklands in the middle of the night, they used the cover of darkness to make their way, undetected, to the main school buildings. Once there, they would make use of the School House studies to change into their gym shoes, before heading out to scale the drainpipes and chimneys of school buildings to reach the rooftops. Nich kept a diary of their climbing adventures, which his wife Anna kindly shared with us. At the end of his first entry on 21st March 1953, Nich wrote a list of 20 top tips for successful nightclimbing, the last of which was: “Don’t tell a soul about your exploits for at least 24 hours. You never know that you have not been heard and the Headman might stand up after prayers and say ‘Would the boys who...’ ” Their final climb took place on their last weekend at Uppingham on 25th July 1953. By this time, they had climbed onto the rooftops of many school buildings, even fulfilling Nich’s ambition of reaching the West Cross on top of the Chapel, rewarded with views of The Middle, The Hall, the Tercentenary Clock Tower and across to the Victoria Tower. An eventful and interesting extra-curricular experience undertaken without the knowledge of any of the staff. Nich continued to enjoy climbing throughout his life, pictured here climbing in Wales in 1963.
Tony Pull (M 49) By his son-in-law Adam Wood (Hf 80) Tony died on the 7th December 2019, aged 83. I’m married to one of his three daughters, Josie. When I first met my future father-in-law, it was not entirely unhelpful to discover that, by total coincidence, we were both Uppinghamians! Tony was a North Norfolk boy, the youngest of three Pull brothers who all went to Uppingham; the eldest Pat (M 42), then David (M 43). His childhood seemed straight out of an Arthur Ransome novel. As a young boy he would spend much of his time roaming the hedgerows around Hunstanton with his shotgun, selling whatever he could to the local butcher; he remained an excellent shot for the rest of his life. Instead of pocket money, his father Reginald gifted him a few turkeys, which Tony soon nurtured into a sizeable flock and made a healthy profit every Christmas. So Tony probably arrived at Uppingham with plenty of spare cash for tuck. He spoke affectionately about his time at the School, and kept in touch with many of his contemporaries for the rest of his life, not least playing golf for the OU Golf Society. After National Service with the Royal Norfolk Regiment, Tony read Modern Languages (French and German) at Trinity, Oxford. His greatest university achievement, and stroke of fortune, was undoubtedly meeting Antoinette Besley. Known as “Tony he” and “Toni she”, they married, and provided a fantastic example of a loving relationship for their three daughters, Lizzie, Josie and Vicky, as well as their eight grandchildren. Tony’s first job was as a teacher at the prep school St Edmunds in Hindhead, on the Surrey/Hampshire border. After he started working there, he discovered to his amazement that, before moving to its current location in 1900, the school had been founded in 1874 in Hunstanton, Norfolk, his hometown. Whether fated, or just an extraordinary coincidence, Tony ended up staying at St Edmunds for the rest of his working life, as headmaster from 1978 to 1991.
30 Obituaries
Tony was the headmaster every child would wish for: strict when needed, but overwhelmingly kind, caring and fair. He and Toni ran a thriving school with a warm, tolerant atmosphere that encouraged boys to perform at their best across a wide range of activities; an ethos he perhaps learnt at Uppingham. After retiring as headmaster, Tony remained involved with St Edmunds by running the Old Boys’ network. He also became an active member of his local community in Headley, Hampshire, collecting for the British Legion or organizing volunteer transport to local hospitals. Less than a month before he died, battling terminal cancer, he still insisted on reading out the list of the parish fallen on Remembrance Sunday. That was typical of Tony. He was probably the kindest man I’ve ever met, always helping others before he thought of himself. He embodied a concept of “service” that perhaps feels less prevalent today. Tony had a great impact on many lives, not just his family, friends and local community, but also the generations of boys who passed under his stewardship at St Edmunds. He is survived by his wife Toni, his three daughters and his eight grandchildren. His ashes have been placed in the cemetery of St Mary’s Church, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk. Graham Hill (M 52) By his wife Jane Graham sadly passed away on 16th February 2020 at home in Hillington, Norfolk, with his wife and daughter, Susan, at his side. Graham was born in Kensington in 1938 and came to Uppingham in September 1952. He and his brother, Harry (M 63) were third generation Uppinghamians. After completing his National Service, Graham worked for BOAC and then moved from Surrey to join Campbells Soups, based in King’s Lynn, travelling extensively for them to Europe, America and Africa. He then ran his own business until his retirement.
He always spoke fondly of his time in Meadhurst and the positive impact it had on his life. He was still in touch with the friends he made there until his death. His Housemaster was Denis Oswald who, with his wife Dorothy, always made OUs welcome when they visited. I remember how they invited Graham and I to tea when he showed me around Meadhurst for the first time. He continued the passion he developed at school for rugby and cricket throughout his life and was a member of the MCC until he moved to Norfolk. He also loved being an OU and keeping up with his Meadhurst friends. He enjoyed attending events organised both by the School and by his great friend Peter Owthwaite (M 52), notably the Ides and the Golden, Diamond and Sapphire Jubilee celebrations of their arrival at the School. He was always amazed at the incredible changes since his time there. Graham was a much-loved husband, father and brother and will be remembered by his family and friends for his kindness, love of life and cheerful and happy disposition as well as for his achievements.
James Owen (C 53) By his brother Christopher (C 57) James died peacefully at his home in Spain on 13th July, aged 81. After National Service and training at Joseph Lucas, he joined the family business Henry Owen & Sons Limited (founded in 1865) in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. The company were manufacturers of jewellery and aerospace components and James was chairman until 1990, before retiring to Salcombe and subsequently Spain. His father, Arthur Owen (C 1917), was at Uppingham in the Great War. James is sadly missed by his brothers, Robin who lives in Melbourne, Australia, and Christopher residing in South Warwickshire (both C 57).
Nigel Wilson (L 53) By his brother Sam (LH 55) Nigel was born on 6th February 1940 in Felsted, Essex to his parents, Dr Peter Remington and Kathleen Rosemary Wilson. Following their divorce, his mother remarried an OU, Robert Valentine Hough (L 30) whose three brothers were also OUs. Following a brief attendance at a local kindergarten, Nigel was sent to Felsted Junior School in 1948 which he enjoyed, establishing a reputation as a good hurdler and athlete. After five years, he gained entry to Uppingham and was sent to The Lodge, the same house as his stepfather. His first housemaster was A.J.F. Doulton who was succeeded in 1955 by Bryan Matthews (SH 30) with whom he always got on well. Nigel continued to take part in athletics but his real strength was in shooting (a sport which then earned its participants a bicycle in order to get to the range). In 1955, he became the ninth man in the shooting team who’d won the Ashburton Shield. Nigel was also a keen musician and not only played percussion for the School orchestra but also played the big bass drum in the Military Band. He joined the Royal Engineers section of the CCF under the command of Stuart Taylor. Leaving Uppingham in 1957, Nigel spent some time in Germany learning the paper trade; in consequence he became a good German speaker. Armed with that experience, he joined his stepfather’s family business, Limehouse Paperboard Mills in the east end of London. After a few years, he left to set up his own business, Fairhill Enterprises, a wastepaper and pulp merchanting business. In due course, in 2003, he was appointed the Secretary of the Heathfield Show, a one-day agricultural show in East Sussex. He was very successful in this role which lasted from 2003 to 2011. He also took on the voluntary role of Secretary of the Southdown and Eridge Hunt point-topoint, playing an instrumental part when the course was moved from Heathfield to Godstone. He continued in this role until 2011 and as Treasurer until 2019. He was
a steward at The South of England Show for some 30 years and helped run the Rye Show for some 10 years. He also fence judged at horse trials for many years. In 1964, he married Joanna Phillips with whom he had two daughters, Annabel and Belinda. Sadly the marriage did not last but in 1993 he met and found much happiness with his partner, Sue Baker, who survives him and was a great help in his many administrative roles. Nigel’s hobbies ranged from riding, hunting, sailing, skiing, game shooting and watching all sports on television – particularly rugby. Whilst in a nursing home, he learned about England’s celebrated victory against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final but sadly was too unwell to watch (perhaps just as well). He died on 30th October 2019 and the church was packed for his funeral in Waldron, which bore witness to his popularity, constancy as a friend and his general bonhomie – he would never fail to pass the time of day with anyone willing to talk. Nigel, like his brother, Sam (LH 55) and his half-brother, Timothy Hough (L 61) always remained fond of Uppingham, attending many OU dinners and the Over 60s lunches. He will be much missed. Peter Cumming (WD 55) By his twin brother Anthony (WD 55) Although Peter and I were not the only set of twins in the School, we were unique in that we were the only twins who were not born on the same day. Peter was the elder of us, being born on 26th March 1942 and I followed 49 hours later on 28th March. The general explanation for the time gap was “Well, it was wartime”. After spending our early years in Market Drayton, we moved to Leeds in 1946 and Peter lived in Yorkshire for most of his life thereafter. Early education for both of us was at Malsis Hall near Keighley and we joined Uppingham in September 1955 in West
Obituaries 31
Deyne, under the guidance of the greatly loved Jock Lumsden. Peter enjoyed his time at Uppingham and was a house polly in 1959. Together with Mike Pershke (WD 56) and Bill Carnaby (WD 56), we presented the School with the Sprint Relay Cup, which we promptly won. After leaving Uppingham, Peter went to Cranbrook School, Michigan, on an ESU scholarship for a year, an experience he greatly enjoyed and which broadened his education. On his return to the UK, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and began to work in the finance sector, including a time with Old Broad Street Securities.Thereafter, he spent a short period with an executive recruitment company in Leeds. Whilst there he was asked to recruit a Financial Manager for a Travel and Insurance Company in the Bahamas. He reported to his boss that none of the applicants were satisfactory whereupon his boss suggested that Peter apply for the job himself. He did and then went to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island and worked there for four and a half years enjoying the Bahamian way of life, only returning to the UK when his work permit expired. He then had a spell working for the Yorkshire Enterprise Board before he and two of his fellow employees bought a wood-working machinery company in Hipperholme near Halifax. He continued there for some years until the company was sold. After that, he practised as an accountant acting for individuals and small firms, dealing with tax returns, VAT returns and the like, until illness forced him to retire. Throughout his life, Peter was full of fun and had many friends. He was a founder member and, later, Chairman of Wetherby Wharfedale Round Table. He made friendships there which lasted for the rest of his life. He was also heavily involved with Wetherby Rugby Club and was Chairman of both the Senior and Junior sections. After a brief first marriage, he married Christine Thompson in 1975, a happy marriage which lasted until his death. Peter and Chris had two sons, James and Nicholas, and now have two grandchildren.
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Sadly, Peter developed Alzheimer’s disease in 2010 and gradually declined, looked after admirably by Chris. He bore the illness with fortitude until he went into care for the last few months. He will be sadly missed by us all. Robert Greenly (F 55) By Adrian Lewthwaite (M 76) Robert Greenly passed away in February 2019. He was in Fircroft from 1955 to 1960 and was initiated into the OU Masonic Lodge in 1984, Master in 1992, Treasurer from 1995 to 2011, Secretary from 2007 to 2011 and Honorary Member from 2018. Robert studied Economics at Imperial College, leading to an adventurous and risk-taking career, as well as acting as Commissioner of Taxes, a Member of Fulham Council and as a school governor. He took an interest in the Lodge and its members right to the end of his life. Anthony ‘Chris’ Flather (M 67) By his brother Anthony (M 70)
Born in Ilkley, Chris attended Cressbrook School before following in his father’s footsteps and heading to Uppingham. Chris excelled at sport at school and played fly half for the 1st XV. Golf has been a defining feature of Chris’s life; as a young man he played for Yorkshire Colts. He was the Harrogate Match Play Champion on a number of occasions, as well as winning two Yorkshire Mid-Amateur championships amid many other events at Ilkley Golf Club. He represented the School as a member of the OU Golf Society (OUGS) for many years in the Halford Hewitt and Grafton Morrish and organized the team for the Queen Elizabeth. He led us to three finals, and a win against Watson’s in 1997 was the first OU major championship win ever. In later years he played in the Bernard Darwin. He was an avid and talented player and his handicap never rose above three.
He took great pride in being the Captain of the OUGS in 2019 and held the meeting at his beloved Ilkley where he was Captain in 2000; he was also a member of The Alwoodley Golf Club. Chris’s work life began at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. From here, Chris later moved into the fund management industry and spent the lion’s share of his career at Singer and Friedlander, where he rose to become head of the Leeds office. He had a mischievous sense of humour and a love of fine food and good wine. Chris was a great family man and is survived by Carole and his two children, Henry and Emma. Chris died very suddenly; after being admitted to hospital, he was able to return home and was with his family when he passed away less than a week later. Due to the current situation dictated by Covid-19 we were unable to hold a Memorial Service, but are hoping to hold one next year when circumstances permit. Anthony Kenward (WD 67) By his brother Robert (WD 62) Anthony was at Uppingham with his identical twin brother William ‘Bill’ (WD 67) from 1967 to 1972. After childhood on a farm in Hampshire, both thrived in West Deyne under Bill Pickering, and Anthony then secured a job with British Petroleum. With teenage years spent at home in Eastbourne, both enjoyed boats and lived together on one for a while in London, before Anthony sailed off to Torquay in 1987. He lived there for the rest of his life, latterly in Babbacombe at the Oddicombe Hall Hotel. Anthony passed away on 30th June 2019, predeceased by his twin, Bill, who died in 1989.
Nikki Mallett (née Hargreaves, Fd 75) By Landa Zajicek (née Massey, Fd 75) Nikki, dear Nikki, adored mother, sister, daughter and friend, sadly died in May 2020 of lymphoma. She was only 61. Nikki arrived at Uppingham in the autumn of 1975, along with 24 other ‘new girls’, to board in the old sanatorium on the edge of town, renamed Fairfield. She was a woman of many parts, some of which played out publicly in the goldfish bowl that was Uppingham at that time. Her first role was that of Cordelia in King Lear, which she acted well and firmly established herself as a strong, independent, erudite, modest, clever, beautiful and down-to-earth human being within the ‘Ping’ community. She was a true scientist, examining the tiniest detail whilst grasping the bigger picture; curious, interested and respectful of opinions and values. She relished a good mathematical problem, in fact any challenge really, meeting her own and others’ frailties with warmth and humour. And in those dark days of sexual inequality, she managed to break a few hearts despite her extremely fine intellect, which some may have found threatening. Nikki was the archetypal great all-rounder excelling in all fields, although her tuneless singing was
a source of great hilarity to all in Fairfield including herself. Although Nikki acquitted herself admirably as a school prefect, shouldering her fair share of responsibilities, she had a littleknown mischievous side and irreverent sense of humour, which provided a wonderful balance to her upright character. One particular punishment, designed by the housemaster for the crime of ‘insolence’, was shifting several tons of gravel on the Fairfield drive, which backfired when Nikki and I derived huge fun from this activity. Nikki won a scholarship to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, to read Natural Sciences, and switched to Law at the end of her first year. She became an accomplished rower in the Cambridge reserve crew, ‘Blondie’. After Cambridge, she embarked on an illustrious career in company and commercial law in London, steering her way around and through male-dominated inns and firms, achieving considerable loyalty and respect. She lived in London with her two sons; Tom, 24 and Ed, 22; most recently working as the Corporate Managing Practice Development Lawyer with Lewis Silken LLP. She also ran a sailing charity and managed to squeeze in running marathons and sailing too, latterly with the OU team. A clever person, a loving parent, a steadfast friend, a rare human being, one that enriched our world.
We are immensely grateful to all those OUs who have remembered the School in their wills. Their support will provide opportunities for financially disadvantaged children to attend Uppingham and further improve our facilities. If you are considering leaving a legacy to Uppingham and would like to talk to a member of the team, please contact Amy Hayward-Paine on 01572 820617 or email ahp@uppingham.co.uk and she will be pleased to help you.
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Staff Remembered Peter Attenborough Member of staff from 1960-1975, Housemaster of The Lodge 1970-1975
Peter arrived at Uppingham in 1960 and soon became a very young and highly regarded Head of the Classics Department, throwing himself into School activities with characteristic zeal and coaching the rugby and cricket teams with infectious enthusiasm. The boys were lucky to experience trips to Greece and Italy under his care and it was occasions such as these that cemented friendships with pupils and staff alike that lasted a lifetime. Peter’s first departure from Uppingham came in 1966 when he took a sabbatical year, entering into voluntary service at a school for orphans, Starehe Boys’ Centre, in Nairobi. His presence there had an enormous impact on the school. Peter in the White Hart, 1969
On his return, Peter was fortunate to meet Sandy at a Guy Fawkes Night party and by the time the year was over they were engaged and soon married. They were blessed with two children, James and Charlotte. In September 1970, they moved from a tiny cottage situated along School Lane into the gothic splendour of The Lodge, where Peter became Housemaster. The amount of care and attention he lavished upon individual members of his House earned him respect and affection from all the boys. He had the innate ability to empathise and show compassion to everyone. He could also read a situation sensitively and use his wise sense of judgement to offer the guidance needed. In the House, in School, and with their many friends around the town, Peter and Sandy always worked hard for other people. Peter’s tact, diplomacy and humanity were second to none and he was always able to find practical solutions for any challenges that were thrown in his path. After 15 successful years at Uppingham, Peter was persuaded to move north to Sedburgh as Headmaster, where he spent six years, before moving again to another headship at Charterhouse. Keen to experience every play, concert, lecture or match, regardless of the volume of work on his plate, Peter was respected for his quiet wisdom and common sense.
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Peter spent 12 years at Charterhouse; he’d made his mark but felt that every so often a school benefits from being looked at with a fresh pair of eyes. So, at the age of 55, he surprised everyone by announcing his retirement. He then took up a position with the charity, The Rank Foundation, which couldn’t have been more suitable, supporting children whose school funding was jeopardised and also working with other charities who needed his valuable help and advice. Then, with a move to Linton, Peter became a willing volunteer to whoever needed his support, be it the local church, the History Society and individual residents of the village. Peter passed away in February 2020 and it is impossible, within the confines of the magazine, to do full justice to his life, although in a quote by John Webster (C 70) you get a sense of the dedication he had: Peter had a profound effect on my life. In my Lower Sixth year, as a bolshy sixteen-year-old, I was in danger of crashing academically. As Head of Classics, he simply refused to let my teenage self get the better of my prospects. This meant extra tuition, delivered one-on-one with great patience, often on Sunday evenings and no doubt in the face of monosyllabic unpleasantries from me. He helped me turn a corner, and I went on to Oxford to read Greats, and the rest – as they say – is history. I am forever grateful and happy that I got the chance to tell him personally when I last saw him.” A plaque in Peter’s memory will be placed in The Lodge in tribute to his dedicated service to both the School and pupils and to the lifelong impact he had on so many lives.
Robin Schlich Member of staff from 1979 to 1991 By his daughter Gill Williams (née Schlich, Fd 82)
It’s quite strange being taught by your father. You hover in a middle ground between your classmates and your teacher, a little unsure whose side to take. It was probably strange for Dad too, but he dealt with it by employing two of his strongest assets – his sense of fair play and his dry humour, often coming out with “You are so badly brought up, Schlich”. So we witnessed first-hand his meticulous teaching, passion for languages, and his coaxing encouragement; and endured, whilst secretly enjoying, his ridiculous
German songs. What our classmates did not see was the extraordinary hard work and commitment that Dad put into teaching and running his department. When a new parent said he wanted his son to learn Italian, Dad taught himself Italian so it could be added to the General Studies curriculum. After 10 years as a housemaster and department head at Trent College, we might have expected Dad to take things slightly easier at Uppingham; but boarding school life was a complete package for him. He was a house tutor, coached hockey and tennis, drove pupils to community service at Rushton Hall, acted in staff plays, sang in the Concert Choir and everything else besides. He was lucky that our mum, Heather, embraced school life so well too, working as House Matron at The Lodge, and putting up and feeding an endless stream of foreign visitors to the School.
as a school inspector, town and county councillor, and above all, establishing a scholarship scheme for East European pupils to spend a year in English boarding schools. Thirty years after the end of the Cold War, it is hard to recall the vast economic and cultural gap that existed. Dad was determined that British private schools not only had a duty to contribute to bridging that gap, but that they would benefit too from a broadening of their perspective. 2000 students later and HMC Projects continues to provide scholarships; a small European collaboration running counter to Brexit.
Dad didn’t stop after his retirement from teaching – working in the registrar’s office,
Charles ‘Michael’ O’Hagan (Fgh 44) Member of staff from 1954 to 1957 By Peter Lloyd, Member of staff from 1953 to 1988 and former Housemaster of Highfield from 1962 to 1977
Geoff Frowde and I had joined the staff in 1953, and Mike came a year later, straight from Oxford, a hockey Blue of distinction, and an all-round sportsman, with no mean intellect. His arrival at Uppingham was quite a tonic. He had a zest for life, and his enthusiasms were infectious. He skied in a school party in the Christmas holidays, and involved himself with Uppingham’s Summer School in Uppsala, Sweden. A very full involvement. He had a good brain, and must have been an effective teacher, he was certainly a popular one. With long, seemingly endless terms, plus no exeats, there was a bit of time available for enjoyment, and the three of us had great fun. I can’t say that we were hugely responsible always, but the headmaster of the time, Martin Lloyd, was fortunately, tolerant! Mike had obviously been glad to be back at Uppingham. His stay was all too short, but marriage and a life with Shell beckoned. Michael went on to have a successful career with Shell and the Wellcome Foundation, working in Nigeria, Borneo and Indonesia. Married to Jo, they had five children, Della, Caroline, Sarah, Lizzie and Kevin (Hf 70). A familiar face at many an OU event for many years, he will be greatly missed by his Uppingham friends. Michael passed away in hospital on 24th August 2020, aged 90.
In our last issue, we published a tribute to Geoff Frowde, who passed away in April 2019. Geoff was a long-serving member of Uppingham staff from 1953 to 1988 and a much respected and admired Housemaster of Fircroft from 1962 to 1977. Geoff, known to pupils as ‘GCF’, taught Robbie Robotham (WD 63) history who shared the account below. His recollections may bring back some memories of your own. We had an Upper Buttery in School Lane, just a sweet shop really, the Lower Buttery was more for what we called ‘Slap Ups’ after Games. During break Mr or Mrs Launchbury would sell us some super sweets and then these would be sneaked into lessons and sucked on quietly hoping no-one would notice. If anyone was caught eating them, they’d be confiscated by the teacher immediately, but in Geoffrey’s lessons they were shared out to everybody in the class! The trouble with GCF’s lessons was that his Labrador Retriever, Jester, used to accompany him. The dog would instantly smell out any sweets, leave his position under Geoffrey’s desk and look longingly at the boy with a pocketful, giving them that rather soulful, Labrador look. Immediately Geoffrey would cry out “Ha Ha, Robotham – give out your sweets to everybody”! Just goes to prove that a dog is very useful in a lesson! Geoffrey was a wonderful teacher, had a great sense of humour and was one of the factors that made my time at Uppingham thoroughly enjoyable.”
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OUs MAKING WAVES IN BUSINESS My Entrepreneurial Journey By James Averdieck (F 79) I started my first business Gü Puds when I was 37 – a lot later in my career than most entrepreneurs but I’m actually quite risk-averse! Before I took the plunge, I knew that to make it work I needed a “Pot Noodle” of an idea and a good business plan. It had to work – I had no plan B so I was completely committed and obsessed by it – I would bore my friends and family ad nauseam. It was this obsession which ultimately paid off and Gü grew to become a well-known brand. There was no single thing that made it work. Success is a very high bar in the food industry because it’s so competitive… but we had a great product, a brand that people loved and talked about… and finally a great team, which included another OU who moved to Paris to run our business in Europe – Kate Lucas (J 92). Kate has also since become a successful entrepreneur in her own right. After selling the business in 2010, I tried a few new things, including TV presenting for SKY – unfortunately the series called Cooks to Market lacked the X factor, so I returned to the world of brands and supermarkets which I know and love. I started my next business The Coconut Collaborative, a range of plant-based yogurts, in 2014. Second time round I wanted to do something a bit different – a healthier business that was also more sensitive to the environment. The inspiration came to me when I was on holiday in the Far East and a coconut fell from a tree, just at the moment I was trying to work out what to do next with my life. So, I developed a range of plant-based yogurts, made just with the milk of a coconut, and after a lot of work getting the product right, the business has also been a great success. The product is now in all UK supermarkets as well as across Europe. My brother, Edward (F 79) took the business to America and we opened an office in Los Angeles, which has also gone very well. Californians are health-obsessed and the fact that the yogurts taste great has meant that sales took off quickly. My daughter, Phoebe (L 16) is now a brand ambassador working in LA, London and Bristol, and her highlight so far was sampling David Beckham on our rather delicious chocolate pots in Santa Monica last summer! Again, our focus on a high-quality product, nice brand and a fantastic team has paid off. I always think that you have to be just a little bit better than your competition... and ultimately having the best product on the market, competitively priced, is the way to win. Uppingham was a very different school when I was there in the early 80s – it was quite a tough, competitive environment – pastoral care was still a long way off! I don’t think we ever talked about entrepreneurship – we were far more interested in Pink Floyd, David Bowie and Carlos Santana’s guitar skills! But I learnt to become independent and to survive and adapt quickly when situations change – vital skills for the entrepreneurial life. I have grown to appreciate the benefits of an Uppingham education more since I left. The optimistic and unpretentious manner of OUs coupled with a can-do attitude is a winning combination and makes us good people to do business with!
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Gretel www.gretel.co.uk There is an astonishing £50bn sitting in lost or forgotten accounts, savings and investments in the UK. Following 2.5 years working with the Government to put in place measures to address the issue, Duncan Stevens (WB 92) recently launched Gretel – a free to use, revolutionary online financial hub, built to help an estimated 20 million people reconnect with their lost or forgotten money. Gretel works by taking small amounts of basic information provided by its members – name, address, date of birth – and using artificial intelligence and machine learning, matches this to data held right across the financial services industry. All of this happens in under three minutes, saving consumers and companies months of time and effort. Asked what success looks like for Gretel, Duncan is very clear, “There are nearly 20 million people who we’d
love to reconnect with their money. If we could, it would be a massive win for us, and for society. It would also be genuinely transformational for the financial services industry, solving many decades of problems, and bringing organisations closer to their customers than ever before.” It is very clear to Duncan that his time at Uppingham shaped not only the person he became but also the career choices he made. “It equipped me with social skills, determination and resilience that any entrepreneur needs. However, it was the support given to me by one trustee, when my father’s business collapsed, that has influenced me the most. It was the first time I experienced such selfless generosity from a stranger, and it ignited a desire in me to help others. I am profoundly grateful for that.” Duncan would be delighted to partner with OUs and firms who share his ethos on helping society. More than anything though, Duncan would love you to sign up with Gretel so you can see if there is anything out there for you!
Fix8 fix8.com Fix8 is a kombucha brand, created by Freya Twigden (J 10) after she discovered the drink whilst living in Shanghai and became infatuated with making and sharing it herself. She then travelled all over to meet other kombucha obsessives in Hawaii, San Francisco, Portland and LA, before launching her own product, Fix8, into Selfridges in September 2018. Freya’s idea was to propel fermented soft drinks beyond the realm of health and into the mainstream market as an everyday lifestyle product. In a world of one dimensional, and often unhealthy soft drinks reliant on sugar and caffeine, Fix8 offers natural probiotics, B Vitamins and amino acids to make you feel good from the inside out and quench a thirst. Fix8 is available in three flavours; triple ginger, strawberry tulsi and citrus saffron, best consumed for a morning tonic, afternoon lift or as an evening mixer to replace sugary soda. With unique botanical flavour combinations, refreshing acidity and award-winning branding, Fix8 has quickly established itself as the kombucha of choice in high-end bars such as The Connaught Bar, retail outlets, casual dining establishments and health clubs. Fix8 is available at Ocado, Whole Foods Market, and over 300 independent bars, cafes and restaurants.
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The Country House Department www.thecountryhousedepartment.com In June 2020, Andrew Russell (Hf 97), launched a new estate agency business, designed to disrupt the top end of the country house market. Both Andrew and his business partner had previously worked for Strutt & Parker, where Andrew ran a regional office.Together they launched The Country House Department, a modern medium for the finest country homes. Based in Oxford, they operate across Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and Berkshire. They created the business because they felt that this sector of the market had been dominated by a handful of established national agents for decades and complacency had set in.The Country House Department does not have a high street presence and, as such, lower costs allow them to operate in a more flexible and bespoke way for their clients.The ethos is very much low volume, high quality with an emphasis on the best client care. There are a number of ways in which Andrew’s new model differs from that of traditional estate agents, however, a major difference is the way in which they present their clients’ properties to the market. They created their own style of photography, borrowing from the world of luxury travel and lifestyle magazines. The rich and immersive photography, coupled with film footage and virtual tours, really provides a sense of lifestyle that a property has to offer, not just the bricks and mortar. The Country House Department also charges fees in a different way, using a set rate fee structure, that is transparent and fair. The Country House Department operates from a selling price of £1m upwards and, in the few months they have been trading, they have already sold some beautiful houses and have a strong register of stunning homes for sale. If you have a property that you are considering selling, or you can introduce anyone to Andrew, The Country House Department are offering a 10% discount off their set rate fee structure for anyone quoting ‘Uppingham2020’.
Lifesaver www.lifesaverpower.com Archie Wilkinson (Hf 03) co-founded Lifesaver two years ago – producing power banks that charge your phone across live events and venues. Lifesaver stands out from competitors as a certified B Corp (the 199th in the UK), meeting the highest standards of social and environmental impact. Since it started, Lifesaver has reached 40,000 customers, across 11 countries, from events like the Ryder Cup in Paris, to Formula 1 in nine countries, the Grand National and European festivals. They have also worked with big brands like Nissan, Google and Three mobile.
Lifesaver was on track to grow 400% again this year but then the pandemic hit, smashing their revenues to zero. A couple of weeks into lockdown, and after watching the daily briefing with nurse, Ruth Kelly, they launched a new campaign Lifeline to the Frontline (lifelinetothefrontline.com). With an endorsement from former US Astronaut Scott Kelly, and founding donations from Nissan, Octopus Energy, Landbot and Boodles, they have donated over 1,200 Lifesaver power banks to nurses and patients in 16 hospitals across the UK, keeping them powered and connected.
The company is now seeking £180k via EIS to develop their product, making it more sustainable, and to help shake up the $27bn power bank market. For more information contact archie@lifesaverpower.com
Bluetree Group www.bluetreegroup.co.uk In 2009, when Uppingham friends James Kinsella and Adam Carnell (both Fgh 00) launched instantprint, from a small and ‘freezing’ office in Newcastle, the pair aimed to make the world of print as easy as possible for small companies. After making a name for itself, with initiatives such as advice for start-ups, artwork checks and free design templates, instantprint joined forces with Bluetree Design and Print, a traditional screen printer focused on selling large format print to major corporate clients, and they formed the Bluetree Group.
necessary for mask production, which, understandably, have been some of the planet’s hottest commodities. As a solution, the firm devised its own material, a vital and highly sought-after meltblown fabric, used as a filter layer in all grades of surgical mask. It is the latest noteworthy event in what has proved to be a transformative year for Bluetree Group. At a time when unemployment levels throughout the country are increasing, the expansion of their operations has created over 400 new jobs for the local workforce.
Bluetree Group has established itself as the largest online print company in the UK and, as well as winning Company of the Year at the Sheffield Business Awards, the firm has twice been named in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100. The company’s success has been built on its ability to deliver a comprehensive range of marketing materials and offering its customers a wide variety of production options.
James concludes “We are incredibly fortunate to have an amazing team who have embraced all of the challenges that have come our way. We think the future is bright for Bluetree Group, on both the print and surgical mask sides of the business. Throughout the pandemic we’ve demonstrated how well we can adapt, and I believe we’re well positioned to continue growing in both segments.”
Bluetree Group was expecting the firm’s growth trajectory to continue in 2020, but, like the majority of businesses around the globe, the company was halted in its tracks by the widespread impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As the virus took hold in March, print sales plummeted dramatically. With revenues hovering at around 20 per cent of the company’s regular takings, James and Adam took decisive action. Adam comments: “The first move we made was to adapt our print ranges in order to serve companies operating within the pandemic.” James adds, “We introduced new products to do with social distancing, like floor stickers and signage. We then turned our hand to visors and it was at that point we began to consider manufacturing facemasks. Despite initial uncertainty, we soon discovered we were well positioned in that area. We’d recently purchased a new 45,000 square foot unit adjacent to our 100,000 square foot main site and converted this space for the mass production of Type IIR surgical masks; becoming the first company in the country to make them. We built clean room environments, retrained team members, and moved people across from the print side of the business to this new venture.” Perhaps the biggest challenge Bluetree Group has encountered throughout this period is a difficulty in acquiring the raw materials
James Kinsella and Adam Carnell – labelled ‘the heroes who rose to the PPE challenge’ by the Daily Mail in August when their achievements to help make Britain more self-sufficient in PPE were covered in the press.
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HASTE www.haste.cc Founded in 2018 by Andy Hastings (SH 93), Haste is a sports coaching business specialising in cycling performance and nutrition.
Simple Cyber Life Simplecyberlife.com In February 2020, Jonny Pelter (SH 01), a cyber security expert from London, launched SimpleCyberLife.com – a revolutionary new solution that helps families protect themselves online. Following the launch, Jonny was interviewed live on a BBC News Business Briefing and, within a few months, the company was selected for the O2 / Telefonica NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) Cyber Accelerator programme. They have been working with O2 and the British intelligence agencies ever since to refine their proposition. Jonny explains: “With the arrival of Covid-19, online safety for families is more important than ever. Cyber-crime has sky-rocketed as a result of the pandemic and the sector is begging for an innovative solution. The consumer online safety market is focused on producing ‘point solutions’, e.g. a more intelligent parental control app. These, by their very nature, provide an incomplete solution to the variety of attacks being subjected to families online. Instead of creating yet another point solution, we’ve prototyped a disruptive web platform that acts as an aggregator, designed to make the implementation of existing protective technology much easier.
After a successful career racing on the road and track, Andy now coaches others to reach their full potential by sharing his extensive knowledge and experiences. The regime he followed to win national and international titles involved learning about the biomechanics of the human body, training techniques and nutrition for performance and recovery. His 1:1 coaching, for racers and club cyclists, offers practical steps tailored to individual goals and lifestyles. Haste also organises bespoke cycle trips catering for all styles of riding, abilities and budgets throughout Europe. From two-week fully immersive pro-team cycling experiences in Majorca, to more leisurely tours to Lake Como to watch and ride the prestigious Il Lombardia race, as well as trips to the famous mountains of the French Alps. Andy devises pre-trip training programmes to help riders reach peak performance – as well as ongoing advice whilst away. He can even organise a support car and bike mechanic to accompany riders, for those wanting the full concierge experience. Look out for the Haste YouTube channel, launching soon, with tutorial videos to help those who prefer training with visual aids. If you are looking for a coach, nutritional advice, are taking on a sporting challenge or would like to plan a cycling trip abroad, Andy would love to hear from you on andy@haste.cc
So, what does Simple Cyber Life actually do? When you join the website, it helps you understand what protection your family specifically needs, helps get that protection set up on your devices and online accounts and then provides ongoing support for any questions or issues you have going forward. Our goal is to provide technological peace of mind for families the world over. Not sure whether you need anti-virus software or not? Is your son being cyber bullied on Facebook or is your daughter receiving illicit messages on Instagram? We can help. At present, we’re currently fundraising from angel investors so if any OUs are interested in investing, please do get in touch on jonny@simplecyberlife.com.”
TechNiche techniche-europe.com After leaving the major events industry, James Russell (Hf 98) set up a clothing technology company called TechNiche in 2014 which sells across 50 countries worldwide. James recently developed a unique cooling suit for migrant workers in Qatar, building the stadiums for the FIFA 2022 Qatar World Cup. Currently 80,000 suits have been deployed in the region, reducing heat stress. James is also launching a new luxury activewear brand called Phantom Apparel London which will be available across Europe by 2022. He lives in London with his wife Ellie and two boys, Humphrey and Bertie. Left: James Russell (right) and Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Secretary for Health.
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SCHOOL FOR LIFE Can you help the next generation of OUs succeed? School for Life is an exciting and evolving aspect of the Association that supports OUs to develop their careers and advance within their chosen specialisms. The Association is made up of members across the employment spectrum, from senior managers and stellar entrepreneurs, to those just starting out. School for Life actively seeks to unite fledgling professionals with senior counterparts who act as mentors and offer invaluable guidance about how to succeed. Being a mentor is an incredibly rewarding experience, and we have had nothing but positive feedback from those that have chosen to offer their support in this way. Mentorship can involve intensive periods of guidance, introductions to influential people within your network, or simply the provision of opportunities, such as work experience or invitations to events. We have made great headway over the past few years through the existing School for Life scheme. Many of you have already signed up as willing advisors and offered valuable assistance to OUs. The OU LinkedIn network has also grown considerably, with over 1,600 members now signed up. But, we need your help to do even more. Under the guidance of David Gavins (LH 73), who has volunteered his wealth of expertise and contacts, we are working to develop the School for Life scheme further. In David’s words: These are tragic, strange and tough times for us all, especially those more recent OUs self-isolating at university and those looking to start their careers. The employment market is in huge flux, and competition for jobs is fierce. The School for Life initiative looks to create access to a network of OUs who can offer advice, work experience or even employment opportunities to those deciding how to make their way in this new world. To that end, we are looking to strengthen our OU network and ask OUs who are willing to help to contact us.� Our aim is to provide mentoring opportunities throughout our professional support network and equip our youngest generation of OUs with the skills needed to confidently grasp opportunities. By passing on your expertise, you will benefit our whole community, as the young OUs of today become the mentors of tomorrow. It has never been more important for our 8,000-strong network to support each other. If you can offer your time as an OU mentor, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Jo Franklin, on 01572 820616 or jsf@uppingham.co.uk, and she will guide you through the process.
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EVENTS As our events calendar this year has been greatly reduced, we thought we’d roll back the clock and share some of our favourite photos from past London Dinners. Where have the last 10 years gone?
2010 John Webster (C 70), Stephen Merton-Jones (LH 67) and James Watson (L 88)
Charlotte Fitzgerald (Fd 99), Helen Huxtable (née Roberts, Fd 99), Harriet Molyneux (Fd 99), Richard Boston (B 56), Fiona Colville (née Slominska, Fd 99), Louise Hood (née Whitlock, Fd 99) and Francesca Wiggins (Fd 99)
Martin Cardoe (Hf 74), David Barrow (Hf 74) and John Muncey (C 75)
2012 2011 Chris Philpot (B 82), Vicki Murray (née Cumming, J & Fd 85) and Charles Bond (C 82)
John Suchet (Fgh 57) at the OU Association’s Centenary Dinner
Jules Aschan (née Butler, Fd 75), Tim Vaughan (WB 77), Fionah Matthew (née Butler, Fd 78) and Chris Pearson (WB 74)
2013
Nicholas Potter (B 79), Sarah Woodberry (Fd 82) and Chris Robinson (H 79)
Philip Hunter (Fgh 93), Graham Livesey (Fgh 93) and Piers Mudd (B 94)
2014
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Jenna Blencowe (Sa 02), Sarah Crabtree (Sa 02), Kate Greenhalgh (Sa 02) and Marie-Claire Reffell (J 02)
Clare Warman (LH 75), Robert Bulpitt (Fgh 72) and Dave Turnbull (Fgh 72)
2015 David Ashworth (L 58), Neil Kennedy (Hf 59) and David Scott (WD 58) Ted De Haan (B 04), Laura Highton (Sa 04), Georgie Barr (J 07), Verity Hunter (J 07), Kathryn Leonard (J 07), Laura Seward-Smith (J 07), Chloe Mallo (J 07) and Georgie Field (J 07)
2016 Olga Sergeeva, Tilly Whitwell, Georgina Clifford, Jankee Patel and Fenella Bell (née Cuthbert) (all L 09).
Mimi Morley, Millie Talbot and Emily Assheton (all Fd 05)
2017 Lucy Womack (née Hilton, Fd 82), Julian Edmunds (H 79), Sophie Pringle (née Wade, Fd 83) and Stephanie Heath (née Johnson, Fd 82)
Tom Stuart (Fgh 92), Sophie Mason (née Pellew, J 95), Jo Inder (née Firth, L 95), Robert Moore (Fgh 92), Jenny Rogers (née Owen, L 95), Vicky Kilpatrick (née Muirhead, L 95), Nick Wall (Fgh 92) and Nick Dearman (Fgh 92).
2018
Back row: Sophie Freeman (L 04), Rachael Zapolski (L 07), Phoebe Davies (L 04). Front row: Gemma Sutton (L 04), Lucy Arden (L 04) and Laura Christopherson (Sa 04)
Tom Scowsill, Will Flinn, Robert Archer-Smith and Tom Core (all SH 06)
2019 Christopher Bond (C 95), Benn Kay (WB 95), James Rogers (WD 98), Nick Southern (SH 98) and Daniel Wright (SH 98). Front: Rupert Rickard (C 95), Amy Burton (L 98) and George Ross (Fgh 95)
Julia Noble (NH 03), Nicky Bushnell (NH 05), Robert Eustace (WB 05), Izzy Curtis (NH 06) and Megan Davies (NH 04)
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Daisy Johnson (L 08), Becky Wilson (Fd 05) and Emma Murphy (J 08)
Neil Kennedy (Hf 59) and Rebecca Lin (L 16)
Dr Richard Maloney and Fiona Watts (J 96)
London Dinner 2020 And finally, to our wonderful 2020 London Dinner, held in February at the Mandarin Oriental, the last London event to take place before the national lockdown. It was a fabulous evening, our thanks to everyone who attended and to Philip Berryman for so many lovely photos. As soon as we’re able to announce our events programme for 2021, we will share details via social media and the OU website.
Rowan (B 05) and Edmund Northcott (B 03) Tim Gittins (Fgh 77), Hermione Christodoulou (nĂŠe Puckridge, Fd 82) and Charles Fish (Fgh 77)
Gemma Sutton (L 07), Jess Rickards (J 10) and Rachel Sutton (J 07)
Emily Myrtle, Rose Murfitt and Francesca Esses (all L 11)
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Digby Littleboy (LH 05), Will Menage (C/B 05), Ben Southall (LH 05), Richard Boston (B 56), Will Southall (LH 06) and Rowan Northcott (B 05)
Toby Makhzangi (Housemaster of West Deyne) and Jim Reddy (Hf 89, former Housemaster of Fircroft)
Jim Thompson (LH 04)
Hattie Maud (Sa 07) and Benjamin Landman (Fgh 07)
Robin Johnson (H 67), Richard Redmile (H 66) and Richard Levell (H 74)
Patrick Mulvihill presenting Richard Boston (B 56) with his ‘This is Your Uppingham Life’ book of memories, to celebrate his 50 years at the School.
Rebecca Lin (L 16), Richard Boston (B 56), Kamil Bujel (Hf 16), Edna Au (L 16), Wen Yeh Lee (L 16) and Annie Mao (L 15)
Megan Blade (J 10), David Kirk (former Housemaster of Fircroft), Charlotte Mantle (J 10) and Caroline Bertrand (J 10)
David Goodale (B 54) and Derek Bunting (B 45)
Chloe Mallo (J 07) and Laura Seward-Smith (J 07)
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Sydney Dinner February 2020 On the very same day as the London Dinner, our OU friends in Sydney got together at the Harbour View Hotel. Thanks to Tom Ray (Hf 00) for organising a fantastic evening.
From the left, front to back, then back up the right side of the table: Simon Walker (WB 84), Ted de Haan (B 04), Alasdair Humberston (Hf 01), Robin Schall (C 45), Emma West (F 77), Rob Harrington (B 73), Charlie Peach (B 96), Tom Marlay (SH 97), Belinda Noel (L 02), Alison Barrow (F 80), Oliver Freer (C 78), Nick Crowder (Hf 03), Rachel (Robin’s granddaughter and driver), Nick Fewkes (WD 00), Tom Ray (Hf 00).
Derek Bunting (B 45), Martin Gossage (Hf 57) and David Leather (B 45)
Fives Reunion Dinner
Jo Taylor (Fd 90) and Edward Timpson (LH 87)
September 2019
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Basil Frost (M 45), Susan Lewthwaite and Julian Lewthwaite (M 46)
James Holroyd (Master in Charge of Fives), Russell Smith (M 73) and Chris Dossett (Director of Sport)
Helen Johnstone (Housemistress of Samworths’) and Lucy Womack (Fd 82)
Leicestershire Drinks October 2019 Our enormous thanks to Mike (Fgh 69) and Bertie Higgs for an amazing party held at their home. Their generous hospitality ensured everyone had a fantastic time.
James Fish (Fgh 72) and Philip Pruden (F 75)
Steve Kemp (LH 65) and Jonathan Palfreyman (LH 65) Kim Renwick and Tony Waite (WD 62)
Becky (Fd 05), Dawn (Fd 80) and Fred (SH 77) Wilson
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A postcard of Meadhurst from 1900
125 Years of Meadhurst T
his year should have seen a celebration for Meadhurst OUs at an event marking the long history of the House, which was planned to take place in June – another casualty of 2020. Instead we celebrate the 125th anniversary by sharing some stories through the decades, which we hope will bring back memories from your time at the School.
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MEADHURST IN THE 1940s By Basil Frost (M 45) I arrived by train into Uppingham Station as a new boy in September 1945 feeling very apprehensive. My Housemaster was Tony Gilkes, an artistic classicist, and very good fives player. He left after my first year, going on to be High Master at St Paul’s and was followed by Denis Oswald, a gentle, kindly man, England hockey trialist and very good cricketer. He was in the Intelligence Corps during the War which disappointed boys in the House. We wanted someone a bit more ‘sharp end’ like Michael Pitt, a House Tutor
who had been in the Parachute Regiment. Only in 2017 was Denis’s wartime secret revealed that he had been at Bletchley Park as one of Alan Turing’s top codebreakers! Mrs Oswald, Dorothy, was an important person in our lives. In those days, the Housemaster’s wife was responsible entirely for the domestic running of the house, including feeding us – not easy as wartime rationing was still functioning. She was a cheerful soul and fed us all extremely well. We slept in dormitories divided into ‘tishes’ (partitions). 1947 had one of the severest winters ever recorded, snow was on the ground for about 12 weeks and so deep in places that even telephone wires in a dip on the Oakham Road were completely
Uppingham Station, 1947
Meadhurst, winter 1947
Breathers
The choir and orchestra in the School Hall, 1945
buried, in fact boys from the School were sent to dig them out. The temperature barely rose above freezing and post-war conditions still existed. The country was financially broke, labour relations were in turmoil, strikes were commonplace and there was a desperate shortage of fuel. We had to choose whether we wanted heating on in the studies downstairs or in our dormitories. We chose the former and went to bed in rugby stockings, woolly sweaters and even balaclavas, as the rules dictated ‘windows in dormitories should be open at all times’. Mugs with bedside water would often shatter overnight, frozen with ice. No games were played during this cold spell. We used to play ice hockey on the town swimming pool (now the Willow Close housing development). Boys had great fun sledging down the long hill on Braunston Road, beyond Ayston. If the council spread salt and sand on the road to clear it, we piled snow over it again so we could carry on sledging – we weren’t popular. At times we were called to go ‘tattyscratting’ or potato picking. The local farmers
were desperately short of labour and it was vital that the potato harvest was brought in. In my time at Uppingham, every boy ‘fagged’ for his first year in the School. The system varied from House to House and in Meadhurst there was no personal fagging. Fags were used for incidental jobs, such as rolling the House field and running messages for the Pollies to other Houses. If a fag or fags were needed, a Polly standing by ‘The Slab’ (still in use today) would shout loudly “Fag!”. The last to arrive was usually given the job. Discipline was much stricter than nowadays and carried out by the Pollies rather than Masters. Offences considered to be serious included poor punctuality; bad manners; being ‘sassy’ or rude and eating in the street was considered to be vulgar. There was a strict dress code too; trouser pockets were sewn up; jackets buttoned up and belts were not allowed, only braces. Senior boys were allowed a white handkerchief in their breast pocket and School Pollies wore tailcoats on Sundays; they were always required to wear their School Polly boaters.
When playing sports, stockings were worn pulled up to the knee with garters. Any deviation from the rule book was punished. There was also an accepted etiquette when walking around School grounds; Masters were always saluted if met in the street, merely by touching one’s forehead briefly. Pollies doffed their boaters. Music played a prominent part in School life, just as it does now. The wonderful Douglas Guest was Director of Music, who later went on to Westminster Abbey. He brought in the redoubtable John Allen, a cavalry band master, to broaden the teaching staff and start a military band. It was said he could play every instrument in the orchestra, except the piano. The Special Choir, of about 20 boys, was of a very high standard, with Brian Kemp (M 45) one of the leading lights. The Concert Choir, with around 100 boys, and the School Orchestra, with boys and staff, used to give enjoyable concerts two or three times every year. The staff always gave Gilbert and Sullivan shows at the end of the Winter Term, which were tremendous fun.
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THE 1960s By Julian Tubbs (M 64) Games was also a really important part of school life. Everyone played rugby in the Winter Term and it was compulsory for the whole School to watch inter-school rugby matches. Boys could choose between hockey, fives or cross country running in the Easter Term and every boy played cricket in the summer – The Middle was a spectacular sight on games days. Tennis and golf were not allowed. No ball games of any sort were permitted on Sundays, when we went to Chapel twice, or three times if attending Communion.
I came to Meadhurst in the summer of 1964, when Brian Ware was Housemaster. I was a fairly prolific photographer at Uppingham and found a few pictures which date from around 1966, including one of the lawn treated to a selective attack of weed killer and resulting in the slogan ‘UDI for Rutland’!
Exercises in the form of ‘Breathers’ were carried out by the whole School every morning in the Quads at break time. These were gentle exercises designed so everyone had some fresh air mid-morning. They were taken by the School Pollies, and supervised by the School PT instructor, the infamous Sergeant-Major Backovitch (known as Backo). Boxing, which we all had to do as well, was closely supervised by Backo in the gym, which has since become the theatre.
I also owned a typewriter and was recruited to type the stories for the ‘U newsletter’ onto duplicator stencils. I was later involved on the editorial team too. Brian Stokes disapproved of the amount of time I spent at the Uppingham School Press; at one point I was even socially distanced to the San in the hope that I might study hard enough to gain entrance to Cambridge, but it was not to be.
Of course, there weren’t any girls at Uppingham in my time. It was thought that, in the whole of the town, only one girl wore lipstick – a very pretty salesgirl who worked in Boots. We would visit on a mission to buy razor blades, one at a time, and as often as we could get away with!
It is probably safe to say that we were not all ideal students, we had a pretty good idea of the pubs to frequent without being discovered! The licensees at The Wheatsheaf were very accommodating, allowing us to use their private parlour. I met Brian Stokes in more recent years, and he recounted a story of going to the pub in Lyddington with his wife Pam. They noticed
Andrew Chklar (M 64) with a poster for the U newsletter
two boys making a hasty retreat behind the furniture. He said nothing and kept them sweating until he left. I think he was reminding me that he had a fairly good idea what we had all been up to, despite never being caught red-handed. We had to roll the lawn a few times for being out of bounds. The 60s was an era of very rapid change in the outside world and there is no doubt that the atmosphere in Meadhurst changed quite dramatically when Brian Stokes arrived. I am astonished to think that almost half of the life of the House has happened since I first went there!
We only saw our parents once or twice a year when they came for a weekend. Pocket money was around £3 to £4 per term but due to rationing, which went on for years after the War, sweets hardly existed and there wasn’t a great deal to spend money on. We went to the cinema a couple of times a year – although I remember one film was nearly banned as Rita Hayworth was wearing a bikini! I left Uppingham in July 1950 and by September I was in the army starting my two years’ National Service, which everyone had to do in those days. Most people knew what they intended to do as a career on leaving, not so common these days. I will always remember my time at Uppingham fondly and had five enjoyable years at the School. I left with only one regret, I should have worked harder!
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The Chapel lawn displaying the slogan ‘Unilateral declaration of independence for Rutland’, 1966
THE 1980s By Simon Smith (M 87) My mother told me on numerous occasions that one of Uppingham’s key selling points was its homely environment and during the 80s and 90s Meadhurst certainly embodied that. For me, the House had five appealing characteristics; its location, sports facilities, the Housemaster, the Matron and the people, which all made for a prosperous House to grow up in. Ideally located away from the hubbub of the main school, Meadhurst was only a five-minute brisk walk away to arrive on time to Chapel or Assembly, although our tardiness was still reprimanded by the then Housemaster, Mr Rudman. We were kept entertained with a state-ofthe-art games room comprising a full-size snooker table, table football, table tennis table, TV room full of bean bags, plus an outdoor football pitch, croquet lawn and two grass tennis courts in the summer. All that was needed was a swimming pool to make for the ideal holiday camp! Jerry Rudman was keen for the House and individuals to excel wherever possible and the ‘Unders and Overs House Sports’ were taken very seriously, possibly even more than School matches! With commitment and determination, many competitions were won during this period. We had some seriously talented individual musicians in the House too, but sadly the House Shout competition was not our forte and rarely featured.
Sam Dewhurst, current Housemaster of Meadhurst from 2006
A HOUSEMASTER’S PERSPECTIVE By Sam Dewhurst It has been a pleasure to serve as Meadhurst’s 10th Housemaster and I look forward, with a degree of trepidation, to life outside the House when I reach the end of my tenure in the summer of 2021; I’ve seen many changes over the years, and yet the essence of the House remains fundamentally ‘Meadhurst’; a welcoming, happy place and, most certainly, homely. It is the small things that seem to have the greatest impact on the boys; one can reconfigure and update studies and dorms, create a games room out of under-used fives courts, put in new boilers to ensure proper, regular hot water, and extend the dining room in response to the thrice daily re-enactment of the Black Hole of Calcutta and nothing is said – but if one dares to change the colour of the cushions on ‘The Slab’ the repercussions are enormous!
Jerry and his wife,Vannessa, ran a tight ship, but, behind the scenes, there was one unsung hero who was instrumental in the day-today running of the House.The magnificent matron, Muriel Horspool, affectionately known as ‘Matey’. A strong northern lady, but with a soft nature, she was constantly looking out for ‘her boys’ – a modern-day Mary Poppins-type character in disguise.
Meadhurst, of course, is not just the building – well, it is, but somehow it is not; when OUs return they may fleetingly glance around and comment on some structural change, but what really brings them alive is the people they were here with. It is those greenpanelled noticeboards with names from their own time here, it is the photographs up on the wall, and in many cases, it is the old friends whose children are now at the School alongside their own. We are still a House with a strong Northern contingent – the current roll of 50 boys includes 14 from Yorkshire and beyond – though that is increasingly leavened by boys from all over the UK, as well as a strong international cohort from Europe and further afield, reflecting Uppingham’s global reach.
There were endless times of laughter, fun, mischief and a bit of work thrown in for good measure, to make for a happy place. But it was and is the people that really makes Uppingham, Uppingham.
House spirit remains very much a ‘thing’, and the boys of recent years have made me especially proud with their efforts in this field; we have won two of the three most recent Celebration of Sport events (and came second in the other), and have put on two excellent House plays – Habeas Corpus in 2017 and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 2019 – with The Comedy of Errors scheduled for February 2021. We have also acquitted ourselves well in inter-House sport and the House Unison Singing Competition (better known of course as ‘House Shout’). With the Captains of Rugby and Cricket and some highly competitive cross-country runners currently in the House, I have every hope that we’ll be bringing home more trophies this year!
Since leaving the School I have played regularly for the old boys’ cricket team – The Uppingham Rovers, and, based on the intake of new Rovers each year, the School continually produces respectful, unassuming, fun, full of life, well rounded characters; identical to the numerous friends I have made from my era. I am eternally grateful for those long-lasting relationships the School has given me.
And what does the future hold? Well, of course, nobody can say, but I am confident that with the boys we have in the House and a new Housemaster at the helm, the coming years look very promising, whatever the world may throw at them. You have as much reason to be proud of your old House now as you ever did, and when the present pandemic has died down and we are able to welcome you back to Uppingham, I do hope you will take the time to come and have a look round.
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Musical Inspiration at Uppingham From pupil to Director of Music By Andrew Kennedy (F 90)
M
usic is quite simply a way of life at Uppingham. For any pupil with a passion for music, the School offers boundless inspiration, opportunity and encouragement. With an ethos that celebrates both individual excellence and mass participation – the School caters to the musical ambitions and abilities of all of its pupils. Throughout its long history, Uppingham has been associated with many music-making pioneers including Paul David and Robert Sterndale Bennett, who between them covered 80 years of Uppingham’s history, Douglas Guest and more recently Jim Peschek – a legend amongst the School’s musical fraternity. Their spirt of adventure and vitality is sustained today by our internationally renowned singer and Director of Music, Andrew Kennedy (F 90). We are delighted that Andrew has shared his story – from discovering a love of music at prep school, being inspired to follow a professional musical career whilst at Uppingham and now nurturing and developing talented pupils on their journeys as musicians.
It was my piano teacher who planted the idea. “Have you thought of Uppingham?” he had suggested to my rather bewildered parents at a Prep School parents’ evening. In truth, we’d never even heard of the place. I had only become a chorister at the suggestion of a supportive primary school teacher who had overheard me singing a hymn rather tunefully in assembly. Following this, and a timely advert for Durham Chorister School in the Yorkshire Post that same week, my fate was sealed. It wasn’t all plain sailing though, homesickness and a rather strict regime were a tough ask for a seven-year-old boy. Finances were also a permanent worry. The house was re-
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mortgaged, cars were sold and family luxuries pared back to the bare minimum. And yet it was clear that I adored my music-making, and daily evensong in that beautiful cathedral became the highlight of my day. “The music at Uppingham is really something and I believe Andrew would thrive there,” was the final persuader. So, keen to do the best for their musical boy and bravely putting aside the thought of another five years of fees (in the end my education was funded entirely through bursaries, a situation that remains possible to this day), a meeting was hastily arranged with the Director of Music, Neil Page, and a hearty recommendation for a scholarship ensued.
As a direct result of my own musical journey, I am passionate about finding and nurturing inquisitive young musicians, from all walks of life, and giving them the opportunity of studying at Uppingham.�
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My first visit to Uppingham was on the evening before my audition and I immediately fell in love with the place. Neil in particular had an energy, warmth and effervescence that was hugely inspiring. The department was vibrant and the sheer volume and diversity of musical experiences on offer was staggering. During my time I conducted orchestras, played a piano concerto, sang and directed a variety of choirs, led the cello section in the Symphony Orchestra, accompanied Chapel Services on the organ, musically directed Grease in the theatre and performed in numerous venues – including a memorable set on tour playing the piano with the Jazz Band in Raffles Hotel! It was these musical experiences that ultimately spurred me on to a career as a professional musician. A choral scholarship to King’s College, Cambridge, a post-graduate course at the Royal College of Music, and a scholarship to the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, led to a rich and varied career as an opera singer and a plethora of tremendously exciting, challenging and treasured experiences. And yet Uppingham gently called me back – a concert and a masterclass initially and then, some years later, the offer of a teaching post. Being a Director of Music was always the plan after university, but this had been shelved in preference for the singing. When the opportunity arose most recently, it simply made sense to apply. Here was an opportunity to put something back into the school that had nurtured me. Here was the opportunity to mould and encourage a new generation of Uppingham musicians, enthusiastic amateur or future opera singer alike. As a direct result of my own musical journey, I am passionate about finding and nurturing inquisitive young musicians, from all walks of life, and giving them the opportunity of studying at Uppingham. Alongside this, and aware of cuts in musical state school education, I am also keen to support our local young musicians by getting out into primary schools, when restrictions ease, and attempting to find those versions of my younger self. I know first-hand what opportunities a quality musical education can give to a talented child and there has never been a greater need for discovering and nurturing the young musicians of the future. As the first school in the country to have a music department and with an inspiring roster of Directors of Music including Paul David, Robert Sterndale Bennett and Douglas Guest, and their connections to some of the finest musicians in the world, Uppingham has a prestigious and important musical past. Music is still the golden thread that runs through the School. It is imperative that we remain a powerful and relevant musical force and I am proud to be the one chosen to sail this fantastic ship into the future. Needless to say, if you know of a musical talent that might benefit from the fabulous opportunities we have at Uppingham, or indeed if you’d like to support a talented young musician, then I’d be delighted to hear from you. Email ajk@uppingham.co.uk
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So many talented OUs, just like Andrew, started off with music scholarships at Uppingham. There are far too many to name here, but the likes of Robin Blaze (Fgh 85), Toby Spence (Hf 82), Adam Green (L 87), Andrea Cockerton (J 89), Elizabeth Atherton (J 90), John Bungard (SH 91), Tom Williams (B 91) and Ashley Grote (Hf 95) were all at Uppingham through the 1980s and 1990s, and have gone on to successful professional careers in music. However, news reports confirm vast numbers of musicians have been out of work since March, and with theatres and concert venues remaining closed, the pandemic is having a huge impact on the sector and all those employed in the industry. During lockdown, Andrea Cockerton (J 89) devised the incredible initiative #LOCKJAM, creating an online space where musicians could bring gigs to people in their homes, whilst at the same time supporting freelance musicians and sound crews that were out of work and in need. We held our very own Uppingham #LOCKJAM on 18th June when Andrea and her band performed for us live. More than 80 OUs logged on to the gig, with vintages spanning from the 1950s to recent leavers and from as far afield as the Czech Republic, France, USA, UAE and Canada! It was fantastic fun and a great way to bring everyone together. Our enormous thanks to Andrea; we look forward to our next #LOCKJAM in December. And to all of our OU musicians, we hope the music industry will recover swiftly and allow you to perform once again. The world needs live music more than ever.
A LIFE IN SHOWBIZ By Robin Hawdon (B 52)
R
obin Hawdon, perhaps known as Robin Oldroyd (B 52) to his school contemporaries, is world-renowned as an actor on screen and stage and as a playwright, director and author. Becoming well-known to British TV viewers over two decades, Robin’s acting career began in the 1960s with appearances in a number of British television series, such as the ITV sitcom Chalk and Cheese where he costarred with Michael Crawford, as well as roles in feature films. In 1969, he starred in Zeta One as a spoof James Bond and played the male lead in When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth in 1970. Robin’s career has also taken him to the London stage and provincial theatre companies, playing everything from Hamlet to Henry V and Henry Higgins. In the 1980s he founded the Bath Fringe Festival and became director of the Theatre Royal Bath. Initially, writing supplemented his acting, but in time it has dominated his career, turning out a number of plays including The Mating Game, Don’t Dress for Dinner and God and Stephen Hawking. In 1980, Robin stopped acting in order to focus on his writing and directing career and his plays have been seen in over 40 countries, in 30 different languages. He has also written a number of highly acclaimed novels including Number Ten (Downing Street), A Rustle In The Grass and Survival Of The Fittest. So, you can imagine how delighted we were when Robin got in touch to share his experiences of life in showbiz, especially for those budding actors out there perhaps considering a similar path... It was taking part in an Uppingham production of Shakespeare’s Richard II that prompted me to decide I wanted a career in the theatre. That naïve teenage decision led me to 60 years of work as an actor, director, playwright, producer, theatre manager, and most other things you can think of, in the most precarious of professions. After school, I turned down a place at Cambridge in favour of going to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). In retrospect, considering the dominant strand of my career has been as writer, this was probably a mistake.You can learn just as much about stage craft at university as at drama school and gain a far wider experience in other fields at the same time. Many illustrious showbiz names graduated from university.
travel, romance and occasional glamour. However, it is an interpretive art, not a creative art. And, once I had a family, it became extremely disruptive at times. Always waiting for the phone to ring, never knowing when the next job would come, and when it did, it meant I was often away from home for long periods, leaving my other half to handle all the domestic chores! Fortunately, I had always combined my acting work with playwriting, and whenever the performing work dried up (along with
the income), I was usually saved by having a play production on somewhere. Many actors do not have a second string like that, and the strain on finances, marriage partnerships, and mental wellbeing can be heavy, which is perhaps why so many show business marriages break up. I learned, gradually through my career, that the creative work of playwriting (and eventually novel writing also) is considerably more fulfilling and rewarding, if equally perilous. Provided you are reasonably successful at it, you can live and work wherever you wish, you can stay occupied even when unemployed (a writer can always write, an actor needs a job!), and a successful play, TV script, or book can bring in income for years to come. Some of my very early comedies still earn me money decades later! The work of a writer can also lead on more easily to other fields such as directing, producing, agenting, and even theatre managing, all of which I have dabbled with. So, if contemplating a career in showbiz, think carefully on these things before taking the leap. The great art of performing will always draw the more extrovert personalities, but one needs to examine the pros and cons coolly and objectively before embarking on it.
Robin has produced a series of ‘How to’ guides with invaluable tips and advice for new and aspiring writers – available to read via his blog at robinhawdon.com.
Robin with Victoria Vetri in When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth, 1970
I was quite successful as an actor over 20 years, working in rep, in the West End, on television, and even having a brief spell as a minor film star. Acting, whilst you are in work, and especially whilst a freelance bachelor, is great fun. A life of camaraderie,
Feature 55
CLUBS & SOCIETIES Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club By Jonathan Hull (F 74) and James Watson (L 88) This year’s activities have been rather more subdued than normal with restrictions curtailing participation in sports.
entertainment of Six Nations matches due to their postponement, before gathering again in the Kendall Room for a meal with members of the School team.
With only days before an imminent national lockdown, members of UVRC ventured into the Rutland countryside to return to Uppingham and shoot in the annual .22 match against the School. Social distancing (although not the 2m rule at that point) was already a term we were becoming familiar with and usual handshakes were replaced with elbow bumps. Several senior members of the club had decided to stay away as a precaution.
As we then moved into lockdown, three of the club members had their trip to shoot in the South African Championships cancelled and the sport then shut down in this country for what would normally be the ramp up to the main season.
In the range, the School again showed us how important practice is, particularly with the smallbore discipline (some UVRC members claimed it was 20 years since they had picked up any rifle, others only a year since shooting smallbore and there were further excuses about forgetting glasses, etc.). Once the scores were in, the School team had amassed a total that equated to a lead of almost three points per person, beating the Veterans soundly. Top scores on the day came from Abi Howe (Fd U6th) and Hugo Turnbull-Hall (WD L6th) with an impressive 97 out of 100. The School team of 12 beat the UVRC team of 12 by 29 points. The OUs then retired to commiserate over afternoon tea in The Falcon and a beer in The Vaults, missing our usual side
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As August arrived, we were able to venture back out onto the ranges, with suitable restrictions, as it is an outdoor sport. The annual (151st) NRA Imperial meeting matches were conducted in mid-September (normally July) and we enjoyed an Indian summer with no rain and mild, if not warm temperatures, accompanied by fickle winds. Once again lack of practice in the main showed and of those who were able to turn out, Reg Curtis (F 76) was our top performer, ahead of John Webster (C 70) and Antony Ringer (B 79), winning the Club Championship for his first time – no mean feat as in 44 years of competition only 10 people have won it. Chris (M 92) and James Watson (L 88) won the Families pair competition, unusually the only silverware to be collected by club members. As we venture into the winter quiet period, we can only hope that things will have reached a stable point with the pandemic allowing for a return to the sport in 2021 and continued success for the club.
OU Fives By Nick Preston (C 74)
The Mason’s Gates, donated by the Old Uppinghamian Lodge
OU Masonic Lodge By Adrian Lewthwaite (M 76) It has been a busy year for the OU Masonic Lodge with the launch of our website at oulodge4227.org.The site contains useful information on our activities, news for members and details on how to join us. Despite being unable to hold any meetings after January, we have been in regular contact via Zoom. Plans are underway for our Centenary Celebrations in September 2021 to which an open invitation will be shared with the OU community at a later date. One of our members, Simon Mercer (SH 79), has very kindly donated a large quantity of single cask 13-year-old whisky which will be available to purchase. All profits will go to the School’s bursary fund which the OU Lodge contributes to annually. As part of our 100th year celebrations, we also plan to hold a dinner at the Cavalry and Guards Club in April, Covid-19 permitting.
Every year, the OU Lodge Prize for Community Service Initiatives is awarded on Speech Day. This year’s winner, Niamh Timpson (C U6th), chose for the donation to be made to Emmaus, a charity which supports people who are homeless. I am sorry to report the deaths of three of our members, John Mitchell (B 44), Ian Oliver (WB 48) and Robert Greenly (F 55). Their obituaries can be found in the In Memoriam section of the magazine; our condolences go to their families and friends. We have been delighted to welcome many newcomers to the OU Lodge over this past year. If you would like any information on joining or on the work of the OU Masonic Lodge, please contact me on adrian.lewthwaite@btinternet.com.
OU Shoot
OUs had great fun at the annual shoot, held at Gilman’s Farm, Glaston, Rutland, in December 2019, with all staying at the King’s Arms Inn the night before. Any OUs interested in hearing about future occasions should contact Shoot Captain, Julian Tolhurst (C 86) on julian.tolhurst@apatchy.co.uk. L to R: Mark Wheeler (B 85), Myles Bray (C 86), Dave Tinney (WB 84), Julian Tolhurst (C 86), Will Streeter (Hf 86), Simon Bray (Fgh 86), Andrew Philpot (M 84) and Nick Burgess (B 68).
The Annual OU versus the School match took place on Saturday 7th March. Nick Preston (C 74), Adrian Lewthwaite (M 76), Clive Smith (M 68), Ashley Friedlein (C 85) and Edward Timpson (LH 87) featured for the OUs and all of the games were more closely fought than ever as the School Fives players continue to get stronger. The day before, the School had arranged a top-class exhibition match with four of the leading players of today, including the World Champion and three Kinnaird Finalists, to demonstrate the game at its highest level to the School’s Sports Scholars. It was a great way to enthuse more players to take up the game. The Annual Jesters versus the School match was held in February and included a very strong turn out from Uppingham including Nick Preston, Adrian Lewthwaite, Clive Smith; Uppingham parent John Lloyd-Jones (Eton) and members of staff, James Holroyd and James Birch. Several visitors were also hosted including Nic Walker (Charterhouse), Stephen Kelly (City of London) and Richard Dennis (Berkhamsted, who is also Clive Smith’s Fives partner from Cambridge). It was another successful event with plenty of laughter on the courts between points, which enabled the Jesters to regain their breath. The Annual Fives Dinner had to be cancelled this September, but plans will get underway again as soon as circumstances allow. Further information on OU Fives and where to play Fives in London can be found on the OU Fives Network hosted on Guild (https://guild.co/app/ guild/411/feed); Guild was set up by OU Fives player Ashley Friedlein. If you’d like further information on how to get involved, please contact the OU Team. Finally, my huge thanks go to James Holroyd (Master in Charge of Fives) for his invaluable assistance in arranging matches and making the OUs and our guests feel most welcome.
Clubs & Societies 57
OU Golfing Society
Chris Flather presents Acorn Trophy to Tom Hayes
By Alan Thomas (H 62) Golf was in the first wave of sports allowed to re-start after the lockdown and OU golfers have enjoyed being able to play again, although clubs are not yet back to normal and the social activities that accompany OUGS golfing fixtures are restricted. Most OUGS events scheduled for 2020 had to be cancelled or deferred but the following report covers those able to take place late in 2019 and early 2020, and after our restart meeting in mid-September with full Covid-19 precautions in place. Captain’s Meeting and AGM 2019 Chris Flather (M 67), OUGS Captain for 2019, held his Captain’s Meeting in October 2019 at Ilkley Golf Club. Thirty-four OU golfers attended the weekend, accompanied by 18 spouses/ partners. On the Saturday, the Acorn Trophy (best net score) was won by Tom Hayes (SH 74) and the Lee Tankard (best gross score) was won by Ewen Wilson (M 85). Other prize-winners were Eric Auckland (C 53), Jeremy Cooke (WB 67), Richard Bernhard (B 64), Roderick Rhodes (Hf 68) and David Downes (L 59). On Sunday, the Christopherson Rosebowls were won by Simon Moffatt (H 74) and Roderick Rhodes (Hf 68). All OUGS members were shocked and saddened by news of Chris Flather’s death in April 2020, after a short illness, just six months after his successful Captain’s Meeting, described above. Please see Chris’s obituary in the In Memoriam section of the magazine. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family. At the AGM, Simon Moffatt (H 74) was confirmed as Captain for 2020. David Downes (L 59) continues as President. Simon’s captaincy has been extended to 2021, since activities this year have been so restricted, and his Captain’s Meeting at Royal Cromer Golf Club has been deferred to the weekend of 18th and 19th September 2021.
OUGS officers at the AGM, wearing their newly commissioned OUGS blazers
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Ewen Wilson receiving the Lee Tankard
OUGS Eagles Scratch Team News The Halford Hewitt, Grafton Morrish and Queen Elizabeth Coronation 2020 competitions were unable to take place. The Bernard Darwin was postponed to late October. In the Grafton Morrish 2019 Finals, the OU team, comprising Damian Pitts (Hf 91), Ewen Wilson (M 85), Eddie Allingham (H 81), Henry Short (Hf 07), Andy Hancock (WD 08) and Patrick Charlton (WD 82), beat Woodbridge in the first round but lost to Malvern in the second. Malvern subsequently advanced all the way to the Final, but then lost to Birkenhead. Queen Elizabeth Coronation At Royal Burgess Golfing Society in Edinburgh, the 2019 OU team of Sam Debenham (C 90), Edward Allingham (H 81), Duncan Wood (LH 98), Archie Warman (M 06), Henry Short (Hf 07) and Peter Crocombe (B 03) lost to Glenalmond in the first round. The eventual winners were Merchiston. Area Meetings and Matches The Society usually has an enviable fixture list of 36 inter-school matches and area meetings at wonderful courses around the UK, open to OU golfers of all abilities. Regrettably, almost all 2020 events were cancelled, with the exception of the below: Northern Public Schools: The Birkdale Bucket this year was won by Giggleswick. Uppingham’s team of six eased their disappointment at their below-par 4th place with a supply of bespoke beer, generously provided by the Leatherbritches Brewery, owned by Eddie Allingham (H 81). OUGS Restart Meeting: 19 OU golfers attended a weekend at Royal Cromer Golf Club, accompanied by eight spouses/partners. Bubbles for golf and dining ensured social distancing rules were maintained. Saturday’s individual stableford competition was won by Damien Pitts (Hf 91) in the single figure handicap group and David Downes (L 59) in the 10+ handicap category. Sunday’s four ball competition, played in high-low handicap pairs, was won by Damien Pitts and Richard Murmann (H 55). The Captain decided that John Hudson (WB 65) had earned the putting prize by holing an extremely difficult 10-foot downhill putt for a gross birdie. The weather was kind and the event was enjoyed by all. The general consensus was that Royal Cromer GC and the Seamarge Hotel will make an excellent venue for Simon’s Captain’s Meeting in 2021.
Back Row – Sam Charlton (M 12) and Chris Leonard (LH 07). Second Row – Stuart Lloyd WD 74), James Lloyd (OP), Simon Moffatt (H 74), Henry Short (Hf 07), Edmund Northcott (B 03), Duncan Wood (LH 98), Rowan Northcott (B 05). Front row – James Over (WB 07), Peter Crocombe (B 03), Archie Warman (M 06), Danny Mills (B 06), Justin Colver (Fgh 06), James Ridgeon (Hf 07), Tom Lloyd (OP). Absent from the picture was Thomas Stevens (C 00).
The OUGS is keen to bring younger players into the society, an initiative supported by the OU Association. The group was formed in 2019 with an inaugural meeting at Royal Wimbledon GC and named the OUGS Eagles. A significant number of younger OU golfers have been welcomed into the society, including recent school leavers. A new weekend golf tour in East Kent was added to the calendar this year, playing at Prince’s GC and Royal Cinque Ports GC, home of the Halford Hewitt tournament. The format was similar to that used in the Ryder Cup, with two teams selected from the pool of players by team Captains, Simon Moffatt (H 74, 2020 OUGS Captain) and Peter Crocombe (B 03). Two Old Peterites, Tom and James Lloyd, joined the OUs as local members. The format was 18 holes four ball at Prince’s on Day 1, followed by 9 holes singles at Prince’s and 18 holes foursomes at Royal Cinque Ports on Day 2. The final result was a draw and the introduction of the live scoreboard on players’ phones kept everyone on tenterhooks until the last putt was sunk. Both Prince’s and Royal Cinque Ports are wonderful examples of true links courses, while The Lodge at Prince’s was an excellent venue for accommodation and a dinner held on the first night. The Eagles plan to repeat the event next year and invite new OUGS members under 40 years of age to join them. Another OUGS Eagles fixture included Royal Wimbledon GC on 18th October 2020, where 15 Eagles played with five local OU members. Future OUGS Eagles meetings will be graced by a splendid bronze eagle trophy, presented by David Hopkins (WD 60), with an oak plinth and trophy box specially crafted by Andrew Morgan (Fgh 74).
OUGS membership Since the end of lockdown, there has been a surge of interest in golf across the UK. Applications for golf club and golf society memberships have soared. If you are an OU golfer, whatever your handicap, OUGS Hon Sec, Martin Walker (L 67), would love to hear from you either by telephone on 01143 487005 or 07765 441375 or by email to martin.walker53@sky.com. Membership is only £10pa (free for under 25s) and we hope that our excellent fixture list will resume in 2021. For further information about joining the OUGS Eagles please contact Stuart Lloyd on 07841 506683 or stuartnlloyd@mac.com.
Clubs & Societies 59
OU Cross Country By Iain Wakefield (WB 82) This year’s OU cross country event was one of the best we’ve had in recent years. Most of the OU team arrived ‘old style’ in a minibus, well rested and thoroughly prepared for what has become a permanent fixture in the OU sporting calendar. The OUs competed very well against the School team and a wide variety of other school teams also taking part. The course remains one of the most challenging on the circuit, featuring a fast ‘top’ section around The Middle, complemented by the tough technical section into The Dell and down the Cinder Track. The race was followed by the most outstanding dinner, held in the Kendall Room. The OUs, as per tradition, awarded a prize to the first Uppingham girl home in the women’s race. The prize is in memory of Georgie Bealby (Fd 85) and was awarded to Amelie Goetz (J U6th), who went on to be placed in the top 80 at the English Schools National Cross Country Championship. Our thanks to the School for inviting us and for hosting such a wonderful evening. We very much hope we can race again in 2021. If you’re interested in taking part in the next OU cross country event, please email ou@uppingham.co.uk for more details – all runners welcome.
OU Sailing By Emily ‘Lara’ Johnston (J 03) After the OU Sailing team’s success in the 2018 Arrow Trophy Competition, with Uppingham taking the Charterhouse Bowl, there was much to live up to for the crew entering the October 2019 race. Twentytwo schools assembled at the start of what was forecast to be one of the bleakest October weekends on record. Despite the ominous weather, as OUs assembled in Port Solent, spirits and anticipation were high. This was going to be a great weekend. Chief organiser, David Gavins (LH 73) had pulled together an excellent mix of Old Uppinghamians, each bringing a whole range of skills and experience to the F40 yacht. On Friday night, the team all enjoyed a curry and a beer at Spice Central on Cowes, reminiscing about Uppingham myths and legends and swapping stories from the differing years spanning from 1970 to 2009. Nat Woodcock (WB 83), Andrew Reeves (L 86), Andrew Lockhart (guest), Tim Betts (guest), Nick Paget (guest), Iain Wakefield (WB 82), and behind, John Clargo (guest), Chris Philpot (B 82), Charles Bond (C 82), Alex Macfadyen (M 13), Noah Short (WB 13), Christian Bostock (Hf 13), Freddie Comber (Hf 13), Nazar Efendiev (Hf 14), Ben Lee (Hf 13) and Tom Holmes (M 14).
Our fearless captain John Tildesley (WB 72) had navigated us through gale winds and crashing waves on the crossing over to the Isle of Wight the afternoon prior, but in contrast we awoke early on Saturday morning to be greeted by mirror-still waters and barely a breath of wind. Nevertheless, the breeze eventually grew and the first race got underway. The newbies learned quickly from the old hands. Alexander Fahie (F 02) and
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Charlotte Morton-Haworth (L 99), Emily ‘Lara’ Johnston (J 03), John Tildesley (WB 72), Mimi Poskitt (L 97) and Alex Fahie (F 02)
George Gavins (LH 04) became masters of the main, with the always calm, Nikki Mallett (Fd 75), perfectly coordinating and trimming the jib. Having flown all the way from Edinburgh, David Wells (H 80), proved to be invaluable with installing and raising the spinnaker; alongside Mimi Poskitt (L 97) who was a retrieval queen and meticulous at re-packing the spinnaker ready for the next race. Preparations for the second race got underway with Simon Ward (F 75), Nick Walker (WB 70) and Charlotte MortonHaworth (L 99) running the cockpit and Lara Johnston (J 03) craning over the front of the bow shouting distances to the start line back to the helm and crew. We crept perilously close to the line and when the horn blew and we crossed, the radio sounded that there had been a false start. We looked around at each other, wondering if we had chanced our luck a fraction too much... as it happens it was Radley that had crossed early, so we all sighed with relief and continued racing towards the first mark. We were getting the hang of this now.
The fleet’s confidence and competitive spirit built as the races continued. By the third race, there was an atmosphere of no-guts-no-glory on the water that hadn’t showed itself before. This was it; the teams meant business. We came up on the start line with boats flying across port and starboard like never before. The inevitable panicked shouting that comes before a yacht pile up could be heard up and down the start line from all the schools. Despite calling “starboard” and forcing St Swithun’s and Stowe to tack off their preferred course, we ultimately found ourselves on the receiving end and had to do the same. Our wise skipper, John, decided to go south and bring us back up through the line instead. As fate would have it, it set us up for a cracking start, albeit slightly inadvertently, and we made excellent progress round the course. It had poured with rain the entire day but this didn’t dampen spirits. On Saturday night, all the schools came together for a wonderful evening of celebration. The Uppingham team stood proud on the stage to receive the Charterhouse Bowl. The next morning we set off to go again but as fate would have it, it was deemed too windy to
race after a couple of hours sailing. Credit to the superb organisation of the Arrow Trophy. Instead we sailed back across the Solent with the fleet and moored up in the same marina we had left just a couple of days earlier. As we all stripped off our wet kit, and unloaded the boat, we said our goodbyes. What a fantastic weekend it had been despite the weather and up and down racing – I haven’t laughed that hard in ages – what a great bunch of OUs.
With much regret, given government regulations which would impact significantly on the sailing and social programme associated with the event, the Arrow Trophy’s Management Committee decided to cancel the 2020 competition. We look forward to hearing from our OU sailors in the future when plans can resume. If you’d like to get involved, please contact David Gavins (LH 73) on david.gavins@btinternet.com, he’d love to hear from you.
A message from David Gavins (LH 73), in tribute to Nikki Mallett (née Hargreaves, Fd 75), who passed away in May from lymphoma. A full obituary is provided in the In Memoriam section of the magazine. “I knew Nikki at Uppingham, where we coincided for four terms, and have got to know her even better over the last three years, as a key member of the OU Sailing Association crew. She was a wonderfully calming influence in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Arrow Trophy competitions. Nikki was game and brave; thinking things through; acting quickly when needed and great fun off the water and at OU Dinners. She will be greatly missed.”
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30 Years at the BBC I set my sights on a career in international journalism as a teenager and finally found my way into the BBC in 1990 as a radio reporter. It was an historic time for international news following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the revolutions of former communist Eastern Europe. The first Gulf War saw the innovation of a new concept of rolling news and I moved to television as one of the founding producers on BBC World News. 1997 was a turning point as I was involved in global coverage of the Labour victory in the UK and then the death of Princess Diana. By some strange coincidence, Mother Teresa died at around the same time and one of the most ambitious projects I found myself producing was an 8-hour TV special covering her funeral in Calcutta. We filmed from a hotel room and had to knock out walls to create a window wide enough to see the action on the street below. Shortly after that, I landed my first foreign posting as the BBC’s Europe producer Jonathan Chapman (F 75) reporting on Nelson Mandela’s death
based in Brussels. In political terms, it was the calm before the storm of the UK’s relationship with the EU under the Blair governments and there was huge optimism among Europeans with the launch of the Euro. We travelled to every corner of the continent for our coverage of major events such as the Kosovo War, elections, freak weather and social unrest. The Danes paved the way for EU referenda to decide whether to join the Euro: first time round they voted no; so they held another election; and this time they voted yes! One of the toughest stories covered was the Concorde crash, soon after take-off from Charles de Gaulle airport, killing everyone on board. The tragedy presaged the final demise of the aircraft’s commercial use. My first day back in the UK was in September 2001 and then I spent most of the next four years in the US, firstly covering the aftermath of 9/11 from New York and then helping our Washington bureau steer the coverage of the 2004 Bush re-election. I
Democrat convention in 2004 where unknown Senator Obama was the star of the show
Jonathan (right) with BBC Africa reporters in Dakar
Jonathan Chapman (F 75) finished a 30-year career with BBC News earlier this year, to join the world of international development. We are delighted to share some of his broadcasting experiences… returned regularly to the US after that, most dramatically for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 which decimated New Orleans. Taking over the BBC’s plans for the coverage of the funeral of Nelson Mandela led me to my final assignment as the Africa bureau editor based in Nairobi for five years. I was in charge of news in English for TV, radio and online from the continent for UK and global audiences. The African audiences make up around half of the corporation’s international audiences and new UK government investment allowed us to significantly expand our operations. Nairobi became the largest BBC bureau in the world with 10 language services operating out of Lagos, Abuja and Dakar. It was this final posting that had the deepest impact on me personally and I decided, when it ended, to continue my relationship with the continent but through the prism of an international development organisation, hence my current position with the communication team of WaterAid. But, I am forever grateful for my years with the finest international broadcaster in the world.
Jonathan would be happy to talk to any OUs who might be looking towards a career in the media; please contact the OU team and we will put you in touch.
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Feature
STAFF NEWS
STAFF LEAVING UPPINGHAM
NEW APPOINTMENTS TO HOUSES
Julia Broughton Teacher of English and Housemistress of Johnson’s from 1994 to 2003, which she ran with her husband, Mark. Julia always balanced empathy and authority expertly and, above all, was incredibly kind, not only to the girls, but the House staff and tutor team she counted as her friends. She was loved by all her pupils, who never failed to wonder at her enthusiasm for her subject. We wish her well in her retirement.
Louise Escott is the new Housemistress of The Lodge. Louise joins the School after a position as Deputy Head at the British International School in Moscow.
Anna Merrett The Merrett team, Anna and Nic, arrived in Uppingham in 1990 and, from 1993, Constables became their home for the next 19 years, during which time Anna was instrumental in the changeover from the House taking boys to girls. After that, Anna took up a resident tutor role in New House and also played a passionate part in the School’s Charity Committee, working with all of the Houses to raise funds for The Mango Tree and other worthy causes. Her commitment to Uppingham has spanned 30 years and we wish her a very happy retirement. Chris Howe Chris arrived in the Physics Department in 2004; his contribution to Science in general has been immense and, as an all-round sportsman, countless boys and girls have benefited from his wealth of experience. He was a valued tutor in School House for his entire time at Uppingham. He also joined the CCF when he was appointed to the staff, and his previous military experience greatly enhanced the training programme. He assumed command of the CCF in 2013 and continued in the post until his departure. We wish Chris the best of luck in his new role at Eastbourne College. Kate and Alex Boyd-Williams Joined Uppingham six years ago as joint Houseparents of The Lodge. They built a community in the House based on three principles: love, laughter and respect and offered calm and considered wisdom to the girls. We wish them well in their new roles at Framlingham College.
Tom Hollyer takes over from Jim Reddy (Hf 89) as the Housemaster of Fircroft, teaching Geography and Wellbeing. Tom’s previous role was the Head of Boarding at Caldecott School in Hertfordshire. Jo Welch succeeds Katharine Gaine as the Housemistress of Fairfield. She joins us from Witham Hall School where she was Head of Boarding.
IN BRIEF… Uppingham’s Design and Technology department was pleased to support the NHS in its fight against Covid-19 by making much needed face shields for front line staff. Clive Simmons, Head of DT, used the laser cutter in the Leonardo Art Centre to produce many hundreds of visors. The OU Charity Fund was pleased to contribute towards the cost of materials and the purchase of an additional machine to increase production.
After a sabbatical year fulfilling his recording and performance commitments with Sony, Alexis Ffrench returned this September to the Music Faculty. His album Dreamland reached No. 1 in the UK Official Classical Album Chart. Following on from the worldwide success of Evolution, Alexis told us that he was honoured and grateful to have achieved a second UK No.1 and wanted to thank everyone at Uppingham for their support. Malcolm Tozer’s latest book Puddings, Bullies & Squashes tells the story of 20 early public schools’ football codes, drawn from nineteenth century versions of the game. Many of the games were fashioned by the space available to them, whether grass or stone, large or small, kicking or handling. All were robust, vigorous and hazardous. Malcolm’s wide-ranging book gives a true flavour of the variety of those early codes before the nationalisation of the game by the FA from 1863 and the RFU from 1871, which ended the arguments about whose rules should take primacy. Thring introduced football to Uppingham – before that hockey was the winter game – and the School played its own code until 1888, the year after his death. Published by Sunnyrest Books, it’s available to purchase on Amazon. Dr Tozer was on the staff from 1966-1989 teaching Physical Education and Physics and Housemaster of The Lodge 19751989. In 1989 he left to be Headmaster at Northampton Grammar School. He has written a series of scholarly books on Uppingham and Thring as well as many articles.
Dr Neil Gavins (LH 80)
Staff News 63
STAFF NEWS
LIFE AS HOUSEMASTER OF FIRCROFT
Jim Reddy, 1994 as a boy in Highfield
By Jim Reddy (Hf 89)
“There is a History job advertised at Uppingham”, I said to my wife Emma, “Shall I go for it?” It was 2009 and I had been working at Whitgift School in South London for five years, teaching History and latterly as Head of Academic Admissions and Head of Years 8 and 9. I had loved every minute of working at this busy and vibrant 10-18 all boys London day school, however, not only did we need to get out of living in SW11 because we needed more space for our toddler, Annabel (our garden was no bigger than a fourth form study), but also, when I had quit my job as a corporate solicitor at Linklaters five years previously (“why would you do that, sir, it is much better paid than teaching!”), I had an inkling that one day I would want to try my hand at being a boarding Housemaster.
Why? I think I knew, even while at university, that being a Housemaster would be hugely rewarding. I had been metaphorically grabbed by the scruff of the neck by my Housemaster, Robert Lankester, when he took over as Housemaster of Highfield in January 1991. At that point during my Lower Fifth, I was hideously underachieving and what I did finally achieve in my last three and a half years was down to him encouraging (and often forcing) me to take advantage of all the opportunities available, whether they were sporting, dramatic or academic. So, many years later, I found myself searching the Times Educational Supplement for History jobs at boarding schools. When Uppingham appeared, I ummed and aahed, should I apply for a job at my old school? Would it be strange being on the teaching staff with Casey (O’Hanrahan), Bods (Peter Bodily) and Wilko (Richard Wilkinson) who had all taught me? Of course it would but nine boys’ boarding houses meant that I thought my chances of being appointed into a house were perhaps higher than at many other schools. So I went for it. I got the job and, after a year of teaching at Uppingham and just after the birth of our second daughter, Lottie, I sat in Richard Harman’s office the day after the Leavers’ Ball while he kindly appointed me to start as Housemaster of Fircroft in September 2011. Things are very different now: rightly, schools advertise externally for houseparent positions
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and there is a rigorous and meritocratic selection process involving both internal and external candidates. I took over Fircroft from the wonderful David Kirk, inheriting a tolerant and fun place, where boys were encouraged to be themselves. I also inherited Richard Hegarty (now doing a brilliant job as Housemaster of Highfield): steeped in boarding experience and institutional living (has he ever paid a utility bill?), Richard had already been living and working in Fircroft for five years as Resident Tutor in the old Fives court condominium, remembered by Old Fircroftians from the glory days as a ‘subtle’ place to smoke. Richard was extraordinarily supportive to me, and more importantly the boys, in every respect, critically challenging my decisions and giving me time to spend with my growing family. Matron, Angela Park, has been at Fircroft since 2000 and it is no exaggeration to say that the House would not run without her; to say I relied on her is an understatement. Like that great Leicester Tigers open side flanker, Neil Back, she’s simply everywhere and her tough love ensures that Fircroft boys feel at home and also that they reach their potential by adhering to her high standards. It is not possible to name here all the other House staff I had the immense privilege to work with: tutors, cleaners, chefs and so on, but I am indebted to them all for all their support and dedication through the years.
have its challenges, but ultimately it is hugely rewarding and it keeps you feeling young. Boys of this age group can be unhygienic, lazy, unintentionally rude, difficult to wake up in the morning, uncommunicative and more. However, they are also hilarious (sometimes intentionally), proud of their House, loyal, caring and full of immense potential.
Jim and Emma Reddy
My memories of living and working in Fircroft are simply wonderful. Looking after boys and young men aged 13-18 never brings a dull moment.” Old Fircroftians of 2011-2020 will be pleased to know that it would be unfair to mention any particular names here as, unsurprisingly perhaps, my salary does not stretch to me retaining a Chambers and Partners-rated defamation silk. Instead, I will focus on the memories that are forever seared on my mind: simply sitting around and shooting the breeze with the boys; sharing in the myriad successes in House competitions and witnessing the sheer joy boys took from playing with their closest friends and with other year groups. The brilliant and moving House concerts on Remembrance Sunday, with both stellar and dreadful performances, but also superb ensembles of boys playing together. The fantastic House Christmas suppers; finding my two-year-old son Joe wrestling with the House Captain; risk assessing and thereafter watching House bulldog, and visibly witnessing new pupils grow when they tackle a sixth former who has sensitively, yet subtly, allowed them to do so, knowing that this will help them to settle in; and ultimate tennis. Times spent sitting with boys in Mr Wilding’s office as their advocate but also as disappointed quasi-parent; House plays including Call Over (twice!), One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest, Journey’s End and taking Fresher to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2016; bread and cheese evenings on Saturdays; Selfless Sundays; the highs and lows of August GCSE and A Level results days; terrible haircuts; breakfast for tea… The list is endless. Of course, it was not all plain sailing, by any means. Human beings are unpredictable and, particularly in times of transition, they are prone to doing things that surprise and disappoint their Housemaster. Put simply, the items that end up on the Housemaster’s desk (both literally and metaphorically) are remarkably diverse and of paramount significance. Often your heart sinks and you wish that those items had not been brought to you: at times the job is tricky, as one navigates the conflicts which emerge through serving parents, the School, the staff, but most importantly the boys. However, the role of the Housemaster, ably supported by his team, is to pick the boys up when they get things wrong, shake them off and get them back on the horse, ready to clear the next hedge. And while it is perhaps thought unhealthy to be emotionally involved, it is impossible not to care deeply as a Housemaster. It is a job one has to take personally as it is about people. To do it impersonally would not only lead to doing it badly, but also to miss out on what it is about. As OUs will no doubt appreciate, it is a job which you have to live, eat and breathe in order to do it properly; living cheek by jowl with teenage boys can
What was I trying to achieve in the role? It quickly became apparent to me that my job was to ensure that the boys understood and demonstrated the values necessary to successfully and happily contribute to a community. This involves them respecting others and treating them kindly. I wanted to encourage them to express themselves, in whatever form that took. The Housemaster is there to push them beyond what they think they can achieve; from this comes inner self-confidence. They need to leave as eighteen-year-olds who can look after themselves and also others. And, of course, manners maketh the man! Whether I achieved any of that is, I suspect, unclear and time will tell as the vintage of 20112020 mature into their twenties, thirties and beyond as partners, fathers, friends, professionals, community leaders, and so on. Fircroft is, and will remain, a special place and I am forever indebted to the School, Fircroftians and their parents for affording me the privilege of looking after the boys. I honestly can’t think of a better job in education.” My wife Emma and I, Annabel, Lottie and Joe (and Alfie the dog) all loved being part of Fircroft. We formed long-lasting and rewarding relationships with boys and parents. We want to see you again and cannot deny that we are waiting for the wedding invitations for the 2011 cohort to come through the post! I admire those who do the job for 15 years, but after nine years I knew it was time to hang up my boots, spend more time with my family and explore other opportunities. I am currently loving teaching more History, managing Uppingham’s global universities’ applications, tutoring in The Lodge and studying for a Master’s degree at King’s College London. Fircroft is in great hands with Mr Hollyer and it will no doubt flourish under his care. Floreat Semper Fircroftia!
Staff News 65
Can you ever really lockdown an Uppinghamian? P
erhaps the only thing that unites the entire Uppingham community is the lived experience of being a pupil here. Different generations will, of course, have had different versions of school life, under a range of headmasters and teachers, and through more or less challenging socio-economic times. But still, you were all schoolboys and girls once. When the editorial team came together to discuss content for this issue, a feature was conceived to tell the story of what life is like for current Uppinghamians and, to try and articulate this, we reached out directly to them. We were pleased to receive responses about how important Uppingham is, and how their time here has shaped them as young adults. Responses such as those from our current Captains of School: The continuous bustle of Uppingham life is what has shaped me over my years here. The extracurricular activities on offer, whether it is the MAD (Making A Difference) programme or taking part in a play, from beekeeping to bridge club, there’s something for everyone to help you to meet people that you may otherwise have never have talked to and make long-lasting friendships.” Zuha Animashaun (J U6th), Captain of School
I was a quiet boy when I first arrived and felt incredibly overwhelmed at what the School had to offer. But as time passed, I found my feet and got involved with the many activities on offer, such as helping on the School radio station UppAir, and a variety of sports. I joined the cast in some of the amazing productions in the theatre and even took part in some of the house competitions, like the House Shout, House Challenge, and debating competitions, which really boosted my confidence. My boarding house has been key to my time at Uppingham and I have many great memories of evenings spent playing whole house football on the Farleigh pitch and tense games of ping pong in the games room! Throughout my time at Uppingham, I feel I have gained so much, it has made me who I am today, and I’m sure many others will feel the same.” Hugo Bray (Fgh U6th) Captain of School Heartening to say the least, but then, at the end of March, as with everything else, the School year changed dramatically. The essence of our boarding school – our sense of united endeavour – was thrown into disarray as pupils were sent home to cities, counties and countries around the globe. Naturally, we assumed this would mean the tone of this article would shift from a celebration of the fulfilment of formative years to bemoaning the state of the world. We were wrong. Rather than dwell on their physical education being taken away from them, our pupils approached it as a rewarding challenge. Pupils like Marcus van Rest (SH U6th), who writes: Lockdown provided me an opportunity to help with delivering food and toy parcels to underprivileged families, as well as helping out neighbours with odd jobs, such as mending shed roofs and fixing lawn mowers. The time also allowed me to spend time supporting my local church by adapting their services to be broadcast live. I could even compete with other members of the School swim squad via the online Strava leaderboard.”
66 School News
UPPINGHAM FORWARD If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is to be taken for granted. The disruption that Covid-19 has caused is unprecedented and led to us closing our doors for the first time in over 140 years.
And Joseph Hall (SH U5th), who sent in his experience of being a music scholar during lockdown: Virtual Uppingham was a great insight into the power of technology in education. At first, leaving Uppingham was worrying. As a music scholar, I had been preparing for a music exam that was supposed to be taken the day we left! During our time away it was clear, more than ever, that music is so valued at Uppingham. After just a few weeks into our virtual term it was ‘almost’ like normal. I received online music lessons and recorded myself playing different pieces for various ensembles and choirs which were carefully pieced together and broadcast to the community as fantastic online concerts.” Finally, Chloe Munro (J L6th) was pleased to share what it means to her to be back at School this term: “At the start of lockdown, when we thought it would only last a month or two, I was quite excited for Zoom lessons. Not having to worry about uniform or misdemeanours for being late sounded pretty good to me! But I really missed the atmosphere around the School. Being back has meant so much, playing team sports again, seeing my friends, learning in classrooms, coming together in Chapel, and even the smaller things like ordering Domino’s in the House. Being able to live the full Uppingham experience once again.” What lockdown has reaffirmed is that what is offered at Uppingham isn’t just an academic education. It is a lived experience that instils a set of values and virtues that help Uppinghamians rise to challenges and confront adversity. 2020 may not have been a perfect year but it is reassuring to be reminded that, as an institution, we are contributing to our global resurgence by helping to mould bright, resilient, compassionate leaders who want to make things better for others, and make an impact. Leaders like Marcus, who finished his description by saying: It is great to be back at school, catching up and seeing my friends – I would never come across so many different characters if it wasn’t for the way we all live together at Uppingham.”
Our response to lockdown was typically Uppinghamian, and can be read about throughout this edition. Thankfully, we were able to reconvene the School in full at the beginning of September, and it has been a pleasure to see corridors and classrooms teeming with life once again. While we have managed to weather the initial storm, we must now turn our attention to the future, and we anticipate challenging times ahead; from the pandemic, and other unpredictable, potentially existential crises that are yet to reveal themselves. To ready the School for challenges that lie ahead, the Foundation team have launched the Uppingham Forward Fund – a philanthropyled initiative designed to allow us to support our communities now while preparing, as an institution, for what is to come. The Forward Fund will: • Enable investment in technology and resources that futureproof us against issues we might face. These could include acts of terrorism and more localised security threats, further health crises, and significant changes in political policy governing independent schools. • Expand our Bursaries Programme to make Uppingham even more accessible and help reduce the growing affordability gap in the Independent School sector. An issue that will be exacerbated by the Covid-19 outbreak. • Add to our inspiring and innovative campus to create a secure environment that further facilitates exceptional learning and pastoral care services. This September, a segment of the OU community were invited to receive a telephone call from a recent leaver. During the calls, our young OUs were able to share details on the Forward Fund which was very well received. The campaign raised over £90,000 and we are enormously grateful to all those who contributed. More information about the Forward Fund will be made widely available soon but, in the meantime, if you would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact Vincent Gaten, Deputy Foundation Director, at vg2@uppingham.co.uk.
School News 67
