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.

Who What Where

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. 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.

1960s

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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. 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.

Richard is Pro-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, where he read Geography after leaving Uppingham, and where he currently chairs the Alumni Board.

John and Nick Freeman

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 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.

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

Freddie Comber (Hf 13), James Bradley (Hf 13), Harry Brierley (LH 13) and Archie Jamieson (F 13), 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. 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

put their creativity into action during lockdown by Herbert Smith and WeWork, they have co-designed a suite of off-the-shelf

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 to connect people when we can.

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, contact details but are always pleased to help

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

Chairman The Headmaster

Secretary Richard Boston (B 56)

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). OU TRUSTEES 2020-21

Chair of Trustees Barbara Matthews (SH 73)

Vice Chair of Trustees Richard Tice (H 78)

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).

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. OU AMBASSADORS

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.