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One of the more challenging times in the year was the visit of not one but three inspection teams. The reports are available on the School website, but one telling comment in particular came from the Chief Boarding Inspector when asked to outline areas in which the School could do better –“we couldn’t find any” he replied as he snapped his file shut. We are never complacent so we know there is always room for improvement. What did the inspectors find during their visit? They found pastoral care which is as good as it gets and they found committed teachers who really engage their pupils in learning. They were lyrical in their praise of the breadth and depth of activities on offer. They were amazed not only by the quality of our music and all the creative arts, but also the depth of participation. One senior inspector remarked to me that although every great school has a group of excellent musicians at the top, Uppingham has a depth of musical engagement which is unparalleled
A Message from the Headmaster
Richard Harman, Headmaster
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It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since I arrived at Uppingham and if I give you just a small and personal cross section of memories from my first year at Uppingham, it will give you a sense of the wonderful delights I have enjoyed. I think of the standing ovations achieved by the stunning production of Les Misérables, quite brilliantly presented by a very large and superb cast and crew; I think of this year’s Routh, and I see myself running, slowly, being overtaken by at least half the field, some in proper lycra gear, some in house colours, some dressed as chickens and characters from Middle Earth;
Headmaster with Penny Rowell (Deputy Head) having run the Routh
there’s Friday morning team sheet ritual, when I hear from captains how teams have got on and what tactics they’ll employ in their next match; I remember the House Challenge and Debating finals and appearing on stage in ‘Just a Minute’; and particularly strong are memories of individual pupils leading Chapel services, making from a personal struggle a public event that builds respect and binds us closer together, and of course that inspiring, uplifting congregational singing. One of the more challenging times in the year was the visit of not one but three inspection teams. The reports are available on the School website, but one telling comment in particular came from the Chief Boarding Inspector when asked to outline areas in which the School could do better –“we couldn’t find any” he replied as he snapped his file shut. We are never complacent so we know there is always room for improvement.
What did the inspectors find during their visit? They found pastoral care which is as good as it gets and they found committed teachers who really engage their pupils in learning. They were lyrical in their praise of the breadth and depth of activities on offer. They were amazed not only by the quality of our music and all the creative arts, but also the depth of participation. One senior inspector remarked to me that although every great school has a group of excellent musicians at the top, Uppingham has a depth of musical engagement which is unparalleled. That excellence and depth was certainly evident on the wonderful Choir Tour to Hong Kong at Easter and also at the opening of the magnificent Paul David Music School. Not only did the Choir perform brilliantly in City Hall, Hong Kong, but a lucky few of us were also treated to an impromptu performance on the spur of the moment in a hilltop church in Macau. I wish I could replicate for you the look on the face of the bored Chinese attendant at the door. As our pupils, scattered through the chapel, broke into a rendition of ‘The Silver Swan’, she lit up with wonder and awe; a truly uplifting moment, another to add to the canon of golden memories during my first year.
Following such glowing reports, OUs may well ask what it is I aim to do as guardian of their School. Well, there are plenty of challenges to meet, perhaps the most important of which is to sharpen and deepen the academic culture. I want us to focus on how pupils learn and teach them how to become independent learners and researchers, for that is what they will need most when they leave us and go on to the next stage.
But it is not just how they learn which we must focus on. We need to have a culture of continuous improvement in all we do and to keep investing in our core strengths. We continue to invest some £1m a year in refurbishing boarding houses and we are developing a master plan to create a new focus on the Western side of the school’s grounds, where currently there’s a mixed series of mostly disconnected buildings, some excellent, some less so. My vision for the first part of the 21st century is to transform this whole space into the ‘Western Quad’, a coherent and inspiring place where our commitment to the integration of the whole person – living, learning, creative, sporting – can be seen in beautiful stone, glass and green spaces, in the same way as Thring’s 19th century vision was built in the main Quad.
It is early days, but the first steps towards this unfolding vision will involve the Sports Centre and a regenerated Science faculty. As Thring famously said ‘for the young, only the best is good enough’ and I’m determined to ensure that Uppingham continues to live up to his high standards. I look forward to sharing this vision with the OU community in the coming year.
Contents
Message from the Headmaster
OU News News from the Association and Foundation
Who? What? Where? News of OUs
Photo Call 2006/07 Pictures from some of the reunions and events in 2006/07
Announcements Births, engagements, marriages, obituaries and deaths
Staff News Announcements & news about staff, past and present
Memory Corner More memories of times gone by
OU Sports Societies & Clubs 22-25 Golf, cricket, shooting, rugby, and sailing
The London OU Dinner How to get your tickets
OU is the magazine for the Old Boys & Girls of Uppingham School, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QE Tel: +44 (0)1572 820616 Email: nmt@uppingham.co.uk
OU Who? What? Where? News from the Association and Foundation OU News
Director’s Message
Sports News Sport is likely to be big news at Uppingham over the next few years. As the front cover of this magazine shows, Uppingham has produced its fair share of sporting talent over the years, not to mention being the home of the rules of association football. Thring himself was a keen cricketer (he bowled a “fast, underhand ball with spin” according to his diary) and believing that sport encouraged manliness, fairness and tolerance, he ensured that games and athletics were important factors in his scheme of education.
In modern times Sport is still a major element of an Uppingham education and it is probably true to say that many OUs are more interested in whether the 1st XV has beaten its local rivals rather than the academic league tables. However, having led the way in 1970 with the building of a sports centre far in advance of its competitors, the perception in recent years is that sport has not received the investment it deserves. This is due to change in the near future with plans soon to be revealed for a major new sports facility which the School hopes will encourage both excellence and participation in the many activities taught at Uppingham.
With Uppingham now having its first English international rugby player in more than fifty years (Dan Hipkiss Fgh 98) it is a very appropriate time to celebrate sport at Uppingham. As plans emerge, we hope that OUs will take an interest in and support this development so that Uppingham will continue to produce sporting talent of the calibre of Chapman, Boobbyer and Agnew, as well as stars of shooting, sailing and even croquet. On a sporting note, it is sad to note the passing of Michael Lunt (WB 48) who is arguably the best golfer to leave Uppingham. An obituary appears later in this magazine.
Hong Kong and Canada. We now have a Friends of Uppingham Organisation in Hong Kong and are in the process of setting up a similar body in Canada. Led admirably by Sir David KP Li (H 54), the committee in Hong Kong provided wonderful support for the Uppingham Chapel Choir Tour in March and April. Thanks to the efforts of many OUs, including Wendy Li (Fd 78), George Lee (L 65), Dickson Poon (Hf 71), Anthony Hardy (Hf 52) and Anthony Couse (SH 79), as well as Michael Leung, a longstanding supporter of the School, the tour was a great success.
The Canadian Friends of Uppingham School should be launched by the end of the year and we are grateful to Sam Blyth (L 69) and Michael Royce (SH 60) for taking on the role of trustees of this organisation.
Legacy We were delighted to receive news recently that a supporter of the School has decided to leave half of his estate to the School when he passes away. This very generous pledge is all the more remarkable because the man in question is not an OU or a parent at Uppingham, just someone who has admired and appreciated the School from afar over many years.
Legacy gifts are becoming an increasingly important income stream for the School. Gifts made in this way can be allocated to a particular building or subject, but they can also be of enormous help in providing bursaries and scholarships for talented children who would otherwise not be able to benefit from an Uppingham education. Any OU wanting to include Uppingham in their will can either get a codicil form from the OU Office or download the form from the OU website.
Finally... My thanks as ever for the tremendous support given to the Uppingham Foundation during 2007. A full summary of donations and projects will be included in the Annual Report which will be published in the New Year. In my five years at Uppingham the response of OUs to the needs of the School has always been very generous and I am continually delighted by the obvious affection which many OUs have for their School.
Secretary’s Message
The year has flown by since I put pen to paper to welcome Richard Harman to the School. I am happy to report that Uppingham flourishes under his leadership with excellent public exam results and a record number of pupils, 770, started the new school year. The School is now at it maximum planned size and shape with a 50:50 ratio of boys and girls in the Sixth Form and a 60:40 ratio of boys to girls in the Lower School.
The most significant event of the year, from the Association’s viewpoint, has been the launch of the OU website which opens up a whole new area of communication amongst OUs and the School. Not only does it offer the equivalent of ‘Friends Reunited’, but equally important it will create a large database of business / professional experience which will enable younger OUs in particular to access a wealth of careers advice from older, wiser, members – the more people that offer their services the more valuable the site will become. I very much hope that the website will act as a catalyst to encourage OUs to get together for formal and informal occasions either privately or at Association organised events. If you have not yet registered or logged in I do urge you to do so. We owe Patrick Mulvhill and Laurie Prashad an enormous debt of gratitude for the large amount of work they have both done in bringing this project to fruition. We are well ahead of similar organisations in the country who look enviously at what we have achieved to date.
Patrick Mulvihill Development Director
01572 820615 pdm@uppingham.co.uk
Richard Boston Association Secretary
01572 820679 rasb@uppingham.co.uk
Nicola Tyers OU Events & Membership Coordinator
01572 820616 nmt@uppingham.co.uk
Laurie Prashad Development Officer
01572 820617 ltp@uppingham.co.uk
Birmingham, which was a well received alternative to a full blown dinner. A Finance and Uppingham OU Dinner, four House reunions for specific year groups –School House, The Hall, Meadhurst and Brooklands all of which provided enjoyable and nostalgic occasions. Good support for our new venue of the London dinner, The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel, ensured an excellent, stylish and competitively priced event. Also Uppingham hosted a dinner for the Veterans Rifle Club. This proved a very special occasion which heralded a remarkable and successful year for them – I refer you to their report printed in this publication. An outstanding choir tour to Hong Kong in March provided a prestigious backdrop to a very well attended and memorable OU dinner. The OU Theatre Dinner at the Pleasance Theatre in London, founded by Christopher Richardson, reminded us of the wealth of theatrical talent that had their beginnings in Uppingham. We are also indebted to Colin Williams (L 55) and Chairman of Trustees, who opened up his beautiful home and grounds near Cambridge for a drinks reception in June. This proved to be a special occasion assisted by one of the few fine sunny evenings of the summer. As I write we are preparing for our two OU dinners in Boston and New York which are taking place over half-term.
You will note that we have planned a full year of events for 2008 – do encourage your contemporaries to come along, a nudge via the new website might be all that is necessary! I look forward to meeting you at one or several of them. The London Dinner is at the Mandarin Oriental in 2008. The actual meal last year was certainly one of the best I have enjoyed at such an event complimented by its upmarket setting. Given the quality of service and catering it must be one of the best value events in town! The dinner Chairman will be Neil Aitken (L 81) a past Director of Finance and Administration for the British Olympic Association being involved with both the Sydney and Athens Olympics and further involved in the early stages of the London Olympic bid.
At the last annual general meeting your Committee agreed that we should create a small Bursary to assist OU parents should a misfortune affect a family whilst their offspring are at Uppingham. I stress that this is a small beginning, but we hope to build on it in the years ahead. Enquiries should be directed to Jerry Rudman, the Registrar, in the first instance.
For information the current structure of the Committee is as follows:-
Chairman The Headmaster Secretary: Richard Boston (B 56) Members: Mike Higgs (Fgh 69) Basil Towers (Hf 71) David Gavins (LH 73) Dawn Wilson (Fd 80) Fiona Bettles (Fd 86) Sarah Wall (Fd 92) James Hartley (B 92) Alasdair Coutts-Wood (WD 96).
I am more than happy to channel suggestions, comments and concerns to members of the Committee for their consideration at any time.
In July Barbara Wright, your Administrator took her well earned retirement and her place has been taken by Nicola Tyers with a new title of OU Events & Membership Coordinator, which more accurately describes her role. We welcome her to this important post and we hope she will enjoy her work with us.
Patrick Mulvihill, Nicola Tyers, Richard Boston (B 56) and Laurie Prashad.
It remains for me to wish you a happy and relaxed forthcoming festive season with your families and friends and all good fortune for 2008.
A School for Life
As you will know by now, OUs have a brand new service available to help them stay in touch with each other and the School, find jobs, career advice and much more.
The launch of the Old Uppinghamian website in June was a great success with 1200 members signing up in the first three months. If you haven’t registered yet (or if you have mislaid the registration details) contact the OU office and find out how you can benefit from:
■ finding OU contacts who may be able to offer mentoring or work experience ■ searching for jobs registered by other
OUs ■ updating personal and career details ■ adopting an ‘olduppinghamian’ email address for life ■ making contact with lost OU friends and contemporaries ■ getting tickets and information for OU events and reunions ■ joining OU clubs and societies
The website, launched with the financial support of David Ross (C 78), is part of a wider strategy which aims to make Uppingham a ‘School for Life’. When parents invest in an Uppingham education for their child, we want to have the tools in place for Uppingham to help that child long after they have left School, through business and social networking opportunities. As time goes on we will be adding new areas to the website which we hope will enhance the service we offer. Whether you are looking to track down an old friend, or just want to view the photographs from a recent reunion, do visit http://www.olduppinghamian.co.uk
This initiative is still in its infancy and we would welcome feedback and advice from OUs to help us to improve the site further.
Who? What? Where?
It is always good to hear from OUs, wherever you are! Please keep the news coming in.
Squadron Leader Frank Day (SH 31) celebrated his 90th birthday in May and was treated to a Spitfire fly-past at Goodwood. Frank’s Spitfire was shot down over Crete in 1942 and he then survived three years in Stalag Luft III. In 1944 he took part in the celebrated mass break-out from the PoW camp, later immortalised in the film ‘The Great Escape’ and is now possibly the last of the ‘penguins’ who helped with the tunnel by filling their trousers with earth and releasing it as they walked around the camp. Frank is father of newspaper columnist Michael Day (L 60) who for many years was the only Master of Cheese in the UK.
Squadron Leader Frank Day (SH 31)
Terence Leigh Parry (B 33) was given the opportunity by the Poppy Appeal in 2006 to send a cross to the Field of Remembrance in London. On it he recorded the names of some of his contemporaries at Uppingham who gave their lives during WWII, namely P H Wheelock (B 30), Oliver Goodman (B 31), C A W Sandys-Clarke V.C (M 33), John P Tay (B 33), Michael Fernau (B 34) and Ross Littlejohn (LH 35).
James Hardy (F 40) worked for Hardys, the most famous fishing tackle company in the world, founded by his grandfather and great uncle, for 44 years before finally retiring in 1992. He is the author of a book which takes the reader behind the scenes of the leading light of the British tackle industry and traces the remarkable story of this family business. Entitled ‘The House the Hardy Brothers Built’, it is published by The Medlar Press.
Alan Waterworth (WD 45) retired in September 2006 after 13 distinguished years as Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside. He received a Knighthood (KCVO) in the 2007 New Year’s Honours List.
Clive Birch (Hf 46) has published his first novel at the age of 64. ‘A Decent Man’ is a tale of love, friendship and betrayal set during WWII. He said he owed his literary career to his time at Uppingham in particular to Toby Belk and Brian Matthews. Clive had a successful career as a publisher in London and published Brian’s book on Rutland. He was awarded an MBE in 2000.
Keith Taylor (F 46) resident in Cambridge, Massachusetts since June 2006 has established the British Army Benevolent Fund America office. He also is the co-author of a book entitled ‘Call to Arms’, the major part of which consists of over 100 diverse, often amusing, personal accounts and reminiscences of cadets’ experience at Eaton Hall OCS with reflections on the influence that this had on their lives. The book will fascinate and entertain any former cadet or member of staff who ever passed through the Golden Gates of Eaton Hall. Books cost £25 (inc P&P) and can be ordered from ronnie@adam.gtbroadband.co.uk Keith Taylor’s book
Anthony Thornely (C 48) is pleased to announce that the Irish stamp shown in the last OU news and featuring his father Francis Bodenham Thornely (C 10) at the Somme during WW1, has won the Irish stamp of the year award. His book – the only one he has ever written – is entitled ‘Racing in the Rain’.
Professor Anthony Edwards (WD 49) is one of Britain’s most distinguished geneticists. Having studied genetics at Cambridge, his work includes several influential papers on the reconstruction of phylogenies and a widely read recent article on ‘Lewontin’s Fallacy’. In statistics he is known especially for his development and advocacy of the concept of Likelihood as a criterion for scientific influence. He has also made a notable contribution to combinational mathematics by finding a method of constructing Venn diagrams for any number of sets. In addition to many scientific papers he has written four books.
As a hobby, Anthony has been a solo glider for more than fifty years and is pictured in his 1964 Slingsby Swallow.
Professor Anthony Edwards in flight
Jeremy Goddin (Hf 50) is practicing as an Intellectual Property Consultant. He is also researching Dark Age history with particular reference to Gododdin and spends part of each year on Ketch Elizabeth II based at Govvia Marina in Corfu.
Simon Cator (M 51) has worked in France & Belgium since 1970. He married a Belgian girl and continues to live in Belgium.
Richard Proctor (WD 52) is the author of ‘There is No Substitute for…’ a book of
John Horsman (WB 48) was awarded a ‘Gold’ for best autobiography of 2006 at the recent International Automotive Media Competition, held annually in the USA.
humorous rhymes with a foreword by HRH The Princess Royal. Copies of this book can be obtained C/O Richard at Gibsons International Ltd, 55 Hallam Court, 77 Hallam Street, London W1 5HB. He is offering OUs this book for £10 (half the usual price) with all profits going to wool charities.
Andrew Phillips (WD 52) stood down from the House of Lords in July 2006.
Martin Lindrea (F 54) is a glutton for punishment. He and his wife have cycled in the London to Brighton race in June – again in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
Willie Fulton (C 58), his wife Gail, Bob Dowson (LH 87) and Andilile Ibrahim founded The Mango Tree Orphan Support Programme in 2003. The strong Uppingham connections are enhanced by Paddy Moser (WD 91) and Constables’ Housemaster Nic Merrett who are currently trustees. The Mango Tree supports orphans and vulnerable children at two sites – 8,759 orphans at Kyela in southern Tanzania and 2,351 at Kosele in western Kenya. Two parties of Uppingham pupils have visited Mango Tree projects in recent years as well as several OUs, including David Samworth (F 49), who is seen here during a trip this Summer. Anyone interested in supporting the healthcare, welfare and education of these orphans, should visit www.themangotree.org for more details. consultancy to help small and medium size companies with their exporting. Any OU who wants to broaden their horizons should contact info@jonathanmarsh.co.uk
Ivor Morton (L 60) has started a new job as Vice President of the largest jewellery retailer in Thailand. Any OUs visiting Bangkok would be more than welcome to stay with Ivor and Margot or they can contact them for information/contacts to get around Thailand on I_mmorton@hotmail.com
Robert Leader (L 61) was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in October 2006 and as from 1st January 2007 was asked by the Lord Lieutenant to become the Representative DL for the Borough of Ealing (his first uniform since the School CCF!). That apart, he continues with his ‘day job’ as CEO of St. Dunstan’s, the charity that provides an independent future for blind ex-Service men and women, where he is also Vice Chairman for the Confederation of British Service for ex-service Organisations.
David Samworth (F 49) planting a tree
Sam Wilson (LH 55) has retired from practice as a Solicitor but he is continuing as Deputy District Chairman of the Tribunals Service. He has been appointed as Deputy Lieutenant for Suffolk. Gavin Alderson-Smith (M 56) will retire in 2008 from the University of Toronto as a Professor of Anthropology. He was also an Associate Dean of Arts and Science and President of a Canadian Anthropological Society. He plans to divide his time between Canada and France. Chris Alderson-Smith (M 57) retired in 2001 from Unilever and ICI having spent the last four years of his career as Managing Director of Australian operations in Sydney. Giles Chapman (LH 57) retired over two years ago. His main interest now is as Chairman of his local link of Chernobyl Children Life Line, which brings groups of children aged between 9 and 12, over for four weeks respite and holiday in and around Congleton. Around 18 months ago Nick Gomersall (SH 59) started work on a collection of memoirs to mark Gordon Braddy’s fifty years since Gordon joined Uppingham. The focus was on Gordon’s work as a producer of school plays and, in the end, about 30 OUs contributed pieces to a ‘slim volume’. Without the help of Brian Stokes getting together partial cast lists the whole process would have taken much longer. Further information on these memoirs can be obtained from gomersnii@yahoo.co.uk Frances Greaves (M 60) has moved to West Cork from Southampton having retired after 33 years as a GP on the edge of the New Forest. No cars, no aeroplanes to disturb him – just a pleasant and peaceful retirement! Jonathan Marsh (M 60) has recently set up a David Sneath (Fgh 61) took 6 months off from his job as the Leeds Regional Chairman of Employment Tribunals and volunteered for service as an Army Legal Service Lawyer between April and September 2006. He had served for 30 years as an Infantry Officer and came off the inactive Reserve to work as the only British ‘embed’ within the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, which is a special staff section of the Multinational Corps-Iraq. He was based at Camp Victory outside Baghdad but travelled regularly to the US Embassy in the International Zone. His main two functions were to assist the civilian effort in the Rule of Law field and to partner the Chief Legal Advisor to the Commanding General of the Iraqi Army Ground Force Command. David Sneath (Fgh 61) Martin Lindrea (F 54) Giles Chapman (LH 57) fourth from right at back, with a party of children from Chernobyl
Patrick Hannay (H 62) is the Editor of ‘Touchstone’ the magazine for architecture in Wales as well as being Course Director of BA (Hons) Interior Architecture at UWIC Cardiff School of Art and Design.
Jeremy Hill (C 62) is now retired and living in the Philippines.
Sir John Saunders (M 62) received a Knighthood in May 2007 on his appointment as a Justice of the High Court.
Rick Spurway (Fgh 62) has arranged a variety of luxury train tours in Transylvania. He is using the historic Romanian Royal Train, which was built in Italy in 1926 for King Ferdinand and Queen Marie of Romania, and is now fully restored. Rick has been regularly visiting Romania for nine years, during which time he has produced two documentaries for Channel 4 about everyday life in the Romanian countryside. Rick has created a variety of special interest train tours for 2008, many of which are steam-hauled, ranging from Royal Tours to Dracula Specials. Rick has spent two years developing this project For further details visit www.transylvania-express.com or email Rick at rick@spurway.com.
Romanian Royal Train
David Stevens (M 62) founded a new boutique executive search and consulting firm in New York, focusing particularly on helping foreign banks in New York to find American Executives.
Andrew Welch (H 62) has finished his book on The Anglo-Icelandic Cod Wars is now complete and can be ordered online from www.navybooks.com or by post from Maritime Books, Lodge Hill, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 4EL.
David Buswell (C 63) works with performers (mainly, but not exclusively, classical, pop and rock musicians) to help them overcome anxiety and to perform better. He has distilled the essence of his approach into a book which was published in December. It is relevant to anyone who is a performer – musician, actor, dancer, singer, teacher, sports people, athletes, equestrians, business executives and managers. For more information visit www.virtuosocoaching.co.uk/coachingbook David Buswell’s Book
Tim Harris (WB 63) is currently Director of Advanced Technology Programmes at SAIC in Frederick, Maryland, USA.
William Warrack (Fgh 63) has retired after 11 years as a Governor of Westbourne School in Sheffield, the last 7 years as Chairman.
John Holmwood (C 65) exports wines and timber products worldwide from Spain, where he now lives. He has an organic farm in the Alicante mountains in the Guadalest valley, overlooked by Sierra Aitana.
Tim Frost (WD 67) has been appointed Director of The Ely Healing Rooms (www.ElyHealingRooms.com)
John Lockwood (M 67) is the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Together with his sons George (C 98) and James (a current pupil in West Bank) John undertook a bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in July 2007 The ride lasted 13 days in which they travelled more than 1000 miles. Between them they raised £10,000 to be shared between the Mango Tree Trust and the British Heart Foundation (see Willie Fulton on page 5).
George (C 98), John (M 67) & James Lockwood
John Sturdy (Hf 67) retired from NHS psychiatry in 1999 following complications of neurosurgery. He has been recovering well and was awarded a BA in French with distinction by Leeds Metropolitan University this summer.
Michael Birley (B 68) has moved back to Hong Kong – he would be delighted to see any OUs passing through and can be contacted on mb@wallem.com
Charles Measures (LH 68) has had an eclectic collection of poems published. They are based on the seemingly contradictory lifestyles of rural tradition and rock and roll culture, entitled ‘Rural, Rock’n the Ridiculous’. This is available through any major bookshop as well as Amazon.co.uk.
David Payne (M 68) continues to play croquet for Switzerland on the international circuit.
James Parton (LH 69) is a lawyer based in San Francisco. He would love to hear from his contemporaries on jparton@lgglaw.com (or a visit if they find themselves in the San Francisco Bay area).
Simon Smith (LH 69) has co-authored a new book with Jane Morrell entitled ‘We need to talk about the funeral, 101 practical ways to commemorate and celebrate a life’. The foreward is by Claire Rayner OBE.
Nick Freeman (L 70) nicknamed “Mr Loophole” by the British press for his vast knowledge of motoring law has added Jeremy Clarkson to his celebrity client list which already includes David Beckham, Caprice & Sir Alex Ferguson.
Simon Noble (L 73) trekked to Everest base camp to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. He started in Nepal, crossed the ‘friendship bridge’ to Tibet, then headed for the base camp, having
been stopped 3 times by the rebels in Nepal! His group, numbering 4 people, raised £280,000.
Andrew Gittins (Fgh 75) relocated in 2005 to the Lake District after many years in London. He works as an Accountant at BAE Systems plc, Submarine Division.
Mark Haddon (LH 75), the award-winning novelist, had a drama called ‘Coming Down the Mountain’ shown on BBC One in September. Co-incidentally, on ITV at the same time the film ‘The Queen’ was showing in which two OUs John Suchet (F 57) and Tim McMullan (SH 76) could be seen.
Richard Mayson (F 75) owns a vineyard called Quinta do Centro in the Alto Alentejo, Portugal from where he launched his first wine Pedra Basta 2005. His vineyard diaries are being published by Decanter magazine.
Richard Mayson (F 75)
Simon Rogers (B 76) has moved to Derbyshire where he works for JCB.
Bill Simcox (WB 76) the Marketing Director of Carling Lager was interviewed on BBC’s Breakfast Time in December 2006, discussing the impact of low-alcohol lager.
Phil Baker (Fgh 77) is the manager of Moto GP world champion, Nicky Hayen. He also manages 4 other US former world champions.
Jonathan Marchbank (WD 78) is currently Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Mobile USA – based in New York.
Simon Pimblott (B 78) returned to the UK in 2006 from USA to take the positions of Professor of Radiation Chemistry at the University of Manchester and the Radiation Science Lead at the Dalton Cumbria Facility in Westlakes, Cumbria. The latter institute is being established through a £20 million joint initiative of the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency and the University of Manchester. Had he not become a leading radiation chemist, recognised by the Radiation Research Society as the top radiation research scientist under 40 in the world, he might well have been happily running a B & B in Bowness-in-Windemere!
Julian (B 79) and Philippa Hibbert (nee Lamb) (Fd 86) have holiday accommodation for rent in the Peak District, further details of which can be seen on www.hallfarmmews.co.uk.
Charlie Oscroft (F 79) and his family have moved to Perth and he has re-joined CB Richard Ellis following a stint with them in Hong Kong in 1994/5. Hockey continues to be a big part of his life and he has represented Queensland 40’s in the National Championships, beating WA in the final.
Jonathan Reynolds (F 79) is a Screenwriter and TV Producer. His book, ‘The Players’, a true story about his adventures with an infamous Hollywood con man, was published in 2006 by Mainstream, part of the Random House Group. The film rights have been bought by an Oscar nominated film producer.
Andrew Bruce (M 81) has been appointed as Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
Patrick Forinton (WB 82) is living in Kingston upon Thames with his family and works in a Bank specialising in Transport Finance (shipping, aviation etc) in the City.
Justin Greer (L 82) is a very successful garden designer
Rory Menzies (M 82) and his wife run a Guest House in Alfriston, East Sussex. Any OU walkers, weekenders, holiday makers, with children or without, are very welcome (www.Riverdalehouse.co.uk)
Emma Selwyn’s (Fd 82) elder son Toby has now started at Uppingham School. Toby represents the 5th generation of Emma’s family to attend the school; the first being Dr E C Selwyn who was Headmaster from 1888-1907. Toby, Emma Selwyn (Fd 82), Richard & Ben
Henry Pau (Hf 84) was awarded the degree of Doctorate of Medicine by the University of Liverpool in Molecular Otology (genetic deafness) and has been appointed as a Consultant ENT Surgeon practicing at BUPA and Nuffield Private Hospitals in Leicester. Further details can be obtained from Henry’s webpage - www.entsurgeon-henrypau.zoomshare.com
Henry Pau (Hf 84), Joshua & Olivia
Anthony Robinson (WD 84) is the Managing Director of an International Relocation Company.
Matthew Fletcher (WD 86) has been in Kazakhstan since 2001 having worked for Deloitte, the IFC Hambledon Mining Plc (an AIM listed gold mining company) and is now director of an industrial minerals company.
Tristan Malhi (Hf 86) has established a private dental practice in Derby.
Will Powell (F 86) is running his own business training dogs in Arusha, Northern Tanzania. He primarily trains them to find landmines for international humanitarian organisations, but also trains bomb dogs (currently some are protecting the US Embassy in Baghdad) and slightly less conventionally, he is training dogs for wildlife researchers to find wild dog and cheetah scat in southern Tanzania.
Jeremy Rothery (WD 86) has recently started his own business specialising in the construction of equestrian facilities and equipment, such as indoor and outdoor school stables etc. Further details can be found on www.stiller.uk.com.
Ben Brown (LH 87) became UK 750cc Endurance Motorcycle Champion in 2001. He competed in 2002 World Endurance Championship. (We’ve only just found out!)
Ben Brown (LH 87)
Anna Murby (J 87) is a Reporter with BBC Radio Northampton
Matthew (Reg) Walker (SH 87) is still working as a Lawyer in London, specialising in Construction and Engineeering Disputes. He also sings with a choir called Canticum based in London, follows Southend United, co-owns one of the fans’ websites and writes a regular article in the Southend United Official Matchday Programme. Last year he was invited by the MCC to become one of their matchday commentators for blind visitors to Lords on non-major matchdays so that blind visitors can also appreciate the action in such games as the Varsity Match, the Minor Counties final etc. He believes that from 2008 he will be broadcasting live on the Internet – details will hopefully be posted somewhere on the Lords’ website. Jonathan Agnew (L 73) isn’t the only OU who has commentated on cricket from the Nat West Media Centre!
Barney Tilsley (C 88) is currently a GP in Bradford, enjoying the challenge of crosscultural medicine. He has become a regular contributor to GP Magazine and is heavily involved in training medical students and junior doctors.
Andrea Cockerton (J 89) is a Company Principle with the Welsh National Opera and has released her first recital CD ‘Childhood Songs’ on the Just Accord label. She sang with fellow OU Andrew Kennedy (F 90) for the Leeds Lieder and Festival. prep school in Ealing. She is also a regular soloist for the Addison Group of Singers, a choir in West London.
Benjamin Elson (WB 89) has named a mountain after Adam Cole (F 89) who died in a car accident. Ben was the first person to reach the summit of the un-climbed mountain in Kyrgyzstan and therefore has the right to name it after Adam. The expedition raised money for the Adam Cole Foundation which is backing an Action Aid project in Cambodia.
Toby Heasman (F 89) is living in Dorset and working as the Brewery Manager for Hall & Woodhouse.
Tim Rushworth (C 89) flies Tristar aircraft at RAF Brize Norton transporting troops and cargo in and out of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Rupert Banham (B 90) is taking a year’s sabbatical and travelling around the world with his wife.
Nat Bacon (F 91) has set up a company called Energy Innovations with his wife, supplying and installing renewable heating systems.
Richard Hodson (F 91) has moved to Sydney where he works as an Insurance Broker for Jardine Lloyd Thompson.
Caroline Page (Fd 91) is a television AP specialising in Arts & Current Affairs – she (with the rest of the team) recently won a Royal Television Society award for their Dispatches programme on Iraqi Death Squads for Channel 4. She also worked on the latest Howard Goodall series, How Music Works, which is under jury consideration for a BAFTA. Caroline is working in Canada producing two programmes for Discovery US followed by a documentary on Vaughan Williams for Channel 5.
Jessica Thomas (Fd 91) swam the English Channel in September 2006 despite suffering from Lupus, an incurable and chronic autoimmune disorder. Jessica was in constant pain throughout her amazing feat, which took over 16 hours and raised more than £16,000 for Lupus UK and Shelter. The Thomas family have strong Uppingham connections through her father Michael (H 49) and brothers Matthew (WD 82) and Thomas (WD 88). Any OU wishing to support Jessica can send donations to Jess Thomas, Skopelos, 24 Sandringham Road, Hunstanton, PE 36 5DW. Cheques should be made payable to the Jess Thomas Channel Swim. Jessica Thomas (Fd 91) during her Channel swim
Carl Banham (B 92) is a school master at Norwich School teaching geography and economics.
Charlotte Lawrence (J 92) is living in Tuchman, Argentina where she plans to teach English in a private School from March 2007.
Kate Newland (nee Burton) (J 92) is an Examinations Manager for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.
Rio Puertollano (WD 92) received his BFA in Acting at SMU in Dallas and his MFA in Acting from the Yale School of Drama. He also studied Classics at Oxford under the guidance of Professor Pelling. Rio wrote and directed his first short film with Rosanne Ma called ‘The Bakery’ featuring Will Hawkes (WD 88) and the music of Red Snappere. He has also worked as a Producer on Superman Returns, Batman Begins and Pirates of the Caribbean 2, and is one of the co-creators of Lara Croft Tomb Raider. Rio sees many OUs in New York and Los Angeles and bumped into Elliot Cowan (M 90) in Hollywood. Any OU wishing to contact Rio can do so on rpuertollano@gmail.com.
John Bower (B 93) has finished writing up his PhD thesis so should, hopefully, become Dr Bower in the near future. He worked for AstraZeneca for a few months prior to starting a postdoctoral position in Austin, Texas.
Sam Riley (M 93) was one of the stars of Anton Corbijn’s film ‘Control’ shown at the Cannes Film Festival. He had previously played Ray Winstone’s son in the 2000 drama ‘Tough Love’.
Nick Watson (WD 93) is a Chartered Surveyor working for DTZ Debenham Tie Leung in London.
David Brain (LH 94) captained the UEA team against Warwick in the second round of the 2007 series of University Challenge. They lost on the very last question, after leading all the way in an exciting match.
Alex Eggleton (B 94) moved to Hong Kong in December 2006 and is working for an Executive Search Firm.
Gareth Holwill (B 94) recently presented a recital of music ranging from Bach to Cuban composer Leo Brouwer. He has taken part in master classes with some of the world’s leading guitarists and divides his time between performing, composing and teaching.
Ben Westbeech (Fgh 94) is another musical scholar heading for the big time! He was a popular DJ at the Big Chill festival in 2006, and released a single earlier this year.
Ben Westbeech (Fgh 94)
Keith Lam (LH 95) is living in Japan and working for AEON Corporation.
Christopher Gabbitas (Hf 95) graduated from Cambridge in 2000, completed the LPC in Oxford and qualified as a solicitor in London in September 2003. In February 2004 he left law to join the King’s Singers. Since then he has spent 8 months of every year touring the world, performing over 100 concerts annually as well as recordings and broadcasts. Recently he recorded a CD to accompany a book entitled ‘Horace’s Odes and the Mystery of Do-Re-Mi’ which has received wide publicity. Further details of this can be found on www.horace-odes.com
Theo Stocker (C 95) flew home in April from the Gulf, where he was serving aboard HMS Sutherland to receive the Queen’s Sword. This was awarded to him for being the most outstanding cadet at BRNC Dartmouth of 2006. He has now joined the minehunter HMS Quorn as Second Officer of the Watch.
Andrew (Hf 97) and James Russell (Hf 98) started a business in 1999 called ‘Russells’ Promotions Event Management’ which organises and runs popular, vibrant and safe parties for teenagers in the country. A recent addition to the company is Ben Fry (F 96) who runs the Private Events side of the business. For more information please see www.russellspromotions.co.uk for more details.
Theo Stocker (C 95)
Lotte Stenderup (L 96) works on the picture desk at The Daily Mail.
Charlie Thompson (C 96)Charlie Thompson (C 96)
On Monday 8th September Flt. Lt.Charlie Thompson (C 96) returned to address over 200 cadets in the CCF about his experiences in the RAF since leaving Uppingham. Having gained a RAF Sixth Form Scholarship at Uppingham, Charlie then joined the University Air Squadron whilst at Newcastle University. Having completed his degree in Geography he then did his officer training at RAF Cranwell before learning to fly the Tucano.
Since then he has been based at RAF Valley, Anglesey (where the RAF Section had their summer camp this year) and has been flying the Hawk aircraft. He has just graduated from 208 squadron and will shortly be joining 19 Squadron after which his ambition is to fly the Tornado GR4. His talk was hugely informative and gave the pupils a real insight into life in the military. Andrew (Hf 97), James Russell (Hf 98) & Ben Fry (F 96)
Tom Kerfoot (C 98) was one of the participants in the BBC3 reality show ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’.
Annabell Fallon (Fd 98) is the Press Officer for The Saatchi Gallery in London.
Dan Hipkiss (Fgh 98) finally picked up his first trophy in a Tiger’s shirt after Leicester defeated the Ospreys in April’s EDF Energy Cup final. He was also named Guinness player of the month for April. Dan has been a mainstay of the Tigers team this year recently winning Players’ Player of the season.
Dan Hipkiss (Fgh 98)
It has been a long journey since joining the Leicester Academy as a teenager. Fearing his fledgling career was over in 1999, when he tore a crucial ligament in his knee, he battled back to score on his Leicester debut against Biarritz in 2002 and since then has become a regular in the Tiger’s squad. He was named in the England World Cup Rugby squad and appeared several times during the tournament including the World Cup Final.
Alexandra Fairley (Fd 99) graduated from Sussex University in the Summer of 2005.
Alexandra Fairley (Fd 99)
Robert Gullan (Fgh 99) was a ‘Bowman’ on the yacht that won the Fastnet 2007 race. He has completed his Yachtmaster qualifications, sailed in the Commodores Cup (2006), won Cork Week (2006) competed in Cowes Week, Scottish Series and Swan 45. He is shortly leaving for Sardinia to compete in the Mumm 30 World Championships. Robert will also be helming for Southampton University team-racing during the coming year, hoping to take the BUSA championships in the Spring.
Harry Judd (F 99) the drummer from the pop group McFly faced some of Sussex’s top bowlers, including Mushtaq Ahmed, at The County Ground, Hove in June.
Fiona Slominska (Fd 99) has been accepted onto the Tillett Trust’s Young Artist Platform Scheme and is also a visiting flute teacher at the Junior Department of the Birmingham Conservatoire.
Alex Davies (SH 00) & Ed Minton (SH 00) are part of Elliot Minor, a five piece Band. The OUs started as an acoustic duo in 2004 under the name ‘The Academy’. In their last year at School they became serious about the Band and built a simple recording studio in their attic flat – every minute being spent writing songs, recording demos and performing. At the end of their time at Uppingham they both decided to take a gap year to develop the Band and Alex built a more sophisticated home studio in his garage. Elliot Minor got their first break when they were invited to open for Harry Judd (F 99) and McFly in September 2006.
Tom Lindsay (LH 00) received his gold DOE award in March 2007. The residential section was spent in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in the New Brighton area to coach football and netball and teach maths at various schools in the townships. Tom was presented with the gold medal by Chris Holland of BBC Breakfast News at a ceremony at St James’s Palace, attended by his proud father and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Becka Moakes (J 00) is the Assistant Director of Music and Resident Tutor at St Felix School in Southwold.
Alistair Humberston (Hf 01)
Alistair Humberston (Hf 01) was one of the stars of the BBC reality TV series Castaway. Set in a bay on the Great Barrier Island, in a remote part of New Zealand, he was one of the final three Castaways on the island before being evicted.
Adam Hamblin (LH 01), Christopher Palfreyman (LH 01) and Jonty Pibworth (LH 02) entered the CzechWrecks Challenge in September 2006, which was a challenge to drive a car from Calais to Prague on a 1500 mile journey in a car worth less than £100!! They set off in a 23 year old Peugeot called Chug raising money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust. However news of the escapade had filtered to the Czech Republic and the press were waiting at the border. They seemed to think all cars were going to be dumped in Prague so quite a number were not let in, including Chug. Not to be defeated they managed to get a lift in one of the other cars and made it to Prague leaving Chug in no-mans’ land for the night. Next morning they were given a lift back to their car and drove 750 miles, non-stop, back to Calais.
Tom Warren (HF 01) has discovered modelling is for him! He was signed to Models 1 Agency after being spotted in Covent Garden. Tom Warren (HF 01)
Emma Mufraggi (nee Perks) (F 03) lives in Miami, Florida with her husband where she is Marketing Manager for L’Oreal. She is responsible for the entire fragrance portfolio within the Luxury Division.
Jenny Rolison (NH 04) spent a gap year working with the Karen Hilltribes Trust in North West Thailand close to the Burma border teaching English at the local village school. Over recent years, Uppingham has provided volunteers to support this worthwhile charity set up by Mrs Penelope Worsley in memory of her son Richard (F 86) who was tragically killed in a car accident in 1996 aged 24 whilst serving in the army.
Jenny Rolison (NH 04) right centre wearing white hat
Who? What? Where? OU Photographs and news from some of the reunions and events in 2006
OUt & About... Photo Call
The London OU Dinner, held at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel on 1st February 2007 under the chairmanship of the Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell MP (M 65), attracted a ‘full house’ and welcomed Richard Harman, the new Headmaster, to his first major public appearance to the OU community.
Robert Bourne (LH 59) & David Scott (WD 58)
Emily Whitlock (F 99), Charlotte Morton-Haworth (L 99), Peter Mayne (B 96), Ben Bullard (WB 96) & Alice Venning (L 99)
Nicky Carter (J/Fd 89) David Craven (Fgh 55) & Ginny Valentine (J/Fd 85)
Rupert Bruce (WD 62) & John Webster (C 70)
Murray Judd (LH 43) & Peter Gwynn (SH 44) James Hutton (WD 96), Charlie Bryant (M 84) & Gurdev Mattu (WD 84)
The OU Uppingham Dinner on 18th November 2006
A happy gathering of OUs from Rutland and surrounding counties enjoyed an excellent evening of dining at the School last November.
OU Who? What? Where? Pictures from some of the reunions & events during 2006/07 Photo Call 12
Andrew Grounds (WB 89), Barbara Wright (OU Administrator) & Freddie Grounds (WB 55) Isobel Stevenson (L 05) & Simon Wall (F 62). Simon Wall was a generous benefactor to the UVRC earlier this year and the club is grateful for his support.
Simon Belither (L 71) & Aniela Scattergood (J 98)
The Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club Dinner on 10th March 2007
OU Theatre Dinner on 13th May 2007
OUs enjoyed a relaxed evening with partners and friends at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington which was set up by Christopher Richardson (ex theatre manager) following his departure from the School and where Anthony Alderson (F 89) is currently the MD. After a wine reception and a buffet supper there was an amusing presentation where many OUs saw pictures of themselves from archived images of their acting debuts, cameos and lead roles from
Uppingham productions.
OU Summer Party, Cambridge on 8th June 2007
Colin Williams (L 55) Chairman of Trustees kindly invited OUs to spend a summer’s evening in the grounds of his home, near Cambridge.
Colin Williams (L 55)
John Green (ex-staff), Christopher Richardson (ex-staff) & Richard Harman (Headmaster) James Mantle (WB 98), Jeremy Martin (LH 96) & Edward Reynolds (WB 96) Johanne Howell & Harry Nichols (H 66)
The OU Over 60s London Lunch on 4th October 2007
A lunch was held at The Cavalry & Guards Club, London where 44 OUs gathered for a successful Over 60s reunion.
Photo Call OU Events from Around the World
USA OU Dinners in October 2007
David Li (H 54) & Percy Kennedy (H 28)
Hong Kong Reunion Dinner on 27th March 2007
Union Club, Boston 22nd October 2007 (l to r): Keith Taylor (F46), Francis Boston (B 46), David Tompson (Fgh 49), Ben Zander (WD 52), Anthony Leggett (C 72), Richard Harman (Headmaster) John Martindale (C 51), Richard Boston (B 56), Rick Olney (M 85) Matthew Austin (C 81)
Mark Glatman (L 69) & Johnny Hon (H 85)
Ritz Carlton, New York 24th October 2007 (l to r): Richard Boston (B 56), Kenna Bourke (Fd 81), David Veit (Fgh 52) Thomas Galbraith (M 94), Laura Galbraith (J 95), Richard Harman (Headmaster) Justin Woddis (C 78), Sasha Wilkins (F 89), Simon Prosser (F 72), Greg Sohns (LH 67), Stephen Shaw (C 83), Toby Butterfield (F 79) Art Trotman (H 57) The Sharrock family at the Hong Kong Sevens 2007: Chris (L 70), wife Sue, Emma (Fd 03), Jamie (M 99) & Sam (M 04)
Western Australia OU Reunion on 30th January 2007
You can’t get much further away from Uppingham than Fremantle, Western Australia. Nevertheless, with encouragement from Barbara Wright, on 30th January 2007 ten OU’s gathered on the balcony of the picturesque Sail and Anchor Hotel/Brewery in Fremantle for a ground-breaking first Western Australian OU dinner.
Rupert Bruce (WD 62) and John Webster (C 70) l-r: Catherine Coulson (nee Bean) (Fd 82), Roger Lewis (H 59), David Baird (LH 66), Bob Stead (WB 47), Rodney Pepper (WD 49), Peter Wilshaw (C 53), Roger Wilshaw (B 55), John Bird (L 67), Laurence Smitheringale (Fgh 39) & Lockie Baird (LH 40)
Photo Call House Reunions
The Hall Reunion on 23rd June 2007
Three successful House Reunions were held at the School this year, involving more than 100 OUs. We would be pleased to hear from other OUs who would like to hold similar events in the future.
Ex Hall Housemasters:- Paul Ledger, Alan Hancock & John Green
Douglas Farmiloe (H 28) & Jimmy Sambridge (H 43) Richard Redmile (H 66) & Michael Latham (H 66)
Meadhurst Pre-1955 Reunion on 13th October 2007
Meadhurst OUs with partners in the Paul David Music School
Meadhurst lunch gathering in the White Hart Pub
1960’s School House Reunion on 26th May 2007
List of attendees, some of whom are pictured: Simon Bainbridge (SH 63) Richard Boston (B 56) Peter Colville (Ex staff) Christopher Clarke (SH 66) Tony Clarke (SH 60) Chris Dickson (SH 67) Tim Dickson (SH 67) Martin Elworthy (SH 63) David Gaine (Ex Resident Tutor) Phil Gomm (SH Housemaster) Philip Gooderson (SH 60) Simon Harcourt (SH 60) Christopher Jeans (SH 60) John Nettleton (SH 61) Christopher Noon (SH 65) Richard Morgan (SH 58) Dr Richard Morgan (SH 65) Bill Morris (SH 60) Robert Sugden (SH 60) Gordon Wood (SH 66)
Announcements
Engagements
Alistair Crawford (C 91) and Jo Milroy have become engaged
John Waters (WB 91) is engaged to Lucia Cooper. It has come to our attention that Lucia is a particular fan of the OU News. There was a moment when she realised that John had not advised us of the engagement – Andrew Jenkins (B 91) was to blame…it would appear the Times and the Telegraph were not enough!
Marriages
Uppingham from 1987 and the girls from 1990. The Best Man was Tim Worden (H 87), the Ushers were Iain Ambler (H 87), Tom Grieve (SH 87), Edward Timpson (LH 87) & Tom Weston (WD 87) and guests included Tim Bark-Jones (WB 87), Graeme Biggar (WD 87), Rebecca Oldfield (nee Castle) (Fd 91), Bob Dowson (LH 87), Giles Harrison (WD 87), Nick Mayes (Fgh 87), Sophie Brigstocke (nee Prideau) (J 90), Jenny Willott (Fd 90).
Imogen Dawes (Fd 89) married Greg McCormick in July 2007.
Toby Heasman (F 89) married Claire in June.
Charles Fish (Fgh 77), Nick Richardson (Fgh 77), Paul Gallagher (Fgh 78) & Tim Gittins (Fgh 77)
Charles Fish (Fgh 77) married Sophie on 9th June 2007 with Tim Gittins (Fgh 77) as his Best Man.
Charlie Bennett (LH 87) married Natalie Randle in July 2007.
Matthew Walker (SH 87) married Lesley on 22nd April 2006 in Cranstoun Parish Church followed by a reception at Oxenfoord Castle in Scotland. Fourteen OUs attended the wedding, all the boys having been at Toby Heasman (F 89) & wife Claire
Jonathan Lawson-Brown (WD 89) is marrying Rebecca in December 2007.
Andrew Burner (SH 90) married Jennifer on 30th July at Allerton Castle in Harrogate. The Best Man was Jody Grimmer (Fgh 90) with Tom Watson (M 90), Dan Wade (Fgh 90) and David Joseph (H/Hf 90) as Ushers.
Charles Hare (WD 91) married on 9th December 2006. Matthew Standeven (SH 91) was his Best Man
Andrew Burner (SH 90), his wife Jennifer & guests
Edward Jeans (SH 91) married Melissa Phillips on 9th December 2006 at The Parish Church of Waltham St Lawrence, Berkshire. Edward’s sister Anna (L 97) was a Bridesmaid and the Best Men were David Billington (SH 94) and William Frank (WB 91). Ushers included David Jones (SH 91), Oliver Knight (SH 91), Alistair Crawford (C 91) and Christian Bell (F 94). Many other OUs (both recent and not so recent) were part of the very happy celebrations.
Tom Bullard (WB 92) married Katie on 8th April 2006 at St Mary’s, Street, Petersfield with his brother Ben (WB 96) as Best Man.
Matt Johnston (B 92) married Jo McDonald in Noosa, Australia on 8th September 2007.
Charlotte Lawrence (J 92) was married in Argentina in October 2006.
Katie Newland (nee Burton) (J 92) married Adam on 9th September 2006 in Salcombe. Other OUs who attended were Justin Yates (WB 89), Nick Jones (LH 89) and Johanna Wilson (nee Halford) (J 94). Katie’s sister Anna Burton (J 94) was one of the bridesmaids.
Katie Newland (J 92) & husband Adam
Hattie Egerton-Smith (J/L 93) married Jonny Hammond-Chambers in April 2005.
Benny Stenderup (J/L 93) married Charlie Browne in May 2006.
Nick Watson (WD 93) married Anna Gorringe in July 2007.
Sarah Galgey (nee Glasgow) (L 94) married William on 10th September 2005. Venetia Heesom (L 94) was a Bridesmaid and guests included Victoria Siddall (L 94) , Lucy Sandys-Clarke (L 94), Helen Kirkpatrick (L 94), Melissa Ham (nee King) (L 94), Julia Baumhoff (L 94), Alice Hardy (L 94), Charlie Fleet (Fgh 91), Dave Vernon (Fgh 91), Dave Heron (C 91), Ali Tyrrell (WD 91), Andrew Cameron (Fgh 91), Simon Judson (WD/L 89), James Tinney (WD 90), Rupert Stevenson ( WB 91) and Edward Montague (B 91).
Christopher Gabbitas (Hf 95) met his wife Stephanie at one of his concerts in USA. They married in August 2006 in a vineyard in Kentucky and then again at St. John’s College, Cambridge. Joe Harrison (LH 92) was an Usher and Roseanna Eisdell (Fd 95), Kate Franks (L 95), Anthony Bradley (Hf 92) and Richard Hooper (LH 90) were all guests.
Susannah Bedale (Fd 98) was married on 3rd March 2007.
Sophie Capper (Fd 98) married Dr Jonathan King in May 2007.
Rachel Palmer (L 98) married Michael Prest in November 2006.
Births
Richard Mayson (F 75) and his wife have a second son, James Francis, born on 11th May 2006.
Christopher Chow (Hf 78) and his wife Shirine had their first child, Scarlett, on 13th July 2006.
Scarlett Chow
Neale Bussey (WB 78) and his partner Ruth are the proud parents of a baby girl, Kameron, born in December 2006.
Charlie Oscroft (F 79) and his wife are the proud parents of Alexia who brings fun and laughter to their lives everyday.
Richard Billington (B 83) and his wife Lisa are the proud parents of Claudia born in April 2006, a sister for Bella and Hugo.
Christopher Boyes (B 83) advised the OU Office that his daughter Daisy arrived on 20th January weighing 6lbs 11ozs.
Edward James was born to Sarah Perceval (nee Pattinson)(Fd 96) and her husband David on 23rd September 2006, a brother for Daniel and a cousin for Luke Thomas born, the month before on 7th August 2006 to Sarah’s sister Katie Bryers (Fd 98) and her husband Jonathan.
Anthony Robinson (WD 84) has a son, Maxim, born in February 2005.
Johnny Hon (H 85) and his wife Selina are the proud parents of a baby girl, Cecilia born September 2007.
James Wade (B 86) and his wife Alex now have 2 daughters, Olivia (aged 3) and Charlotte (aged 1).
Annabel Bartlett (nee Frearson)(J 87) and her husband have two children.
Roger Fairs (F 87) and his wife have a son, Samuel Henry, born on 2nd May 2006.
James Beaumont (WD 88) has a daughter, Emily, born in November 2006.
Tom Cooke (B 88) and wife Jodette are proud parents of a daughter Daisy, born on 2nd October 2007.
Ed Watson (M 88), now living in Australia, and his wife Lucy had their first baby on 15th October 2006 – called Anna Sally.
Jo Gray (nee Moore)(J 90) and her husband Keith are the proud parents of Anna, born in October 2006.
Alistair Tyrrell (WD 91) has a son, Charlie, born on 23rd September 2006.
Emma Cullen (nee Way)(J 91) were thrilled to celebrate the arrival of Isla in June 2006, a sister for Rebecca.
Patrick Smith (Fgh 89) and Lucy Smith (nee Queenborough)(Fd 94) have a daughter, Agatha, born on 28th November 2006.
Christian Gassner (LH 95) and his partner Verene Gehrig are the proud parents of Lea, born in October 2003.
Lea Gassner
Thank you to all OUs for sending in photographs –please keep them coming!
Obituaries
Herbert Alfred Whittall (F 27) died after a short illness in Eastbourne Hospital on 22nd December 2006.
He leaves a wife, Joan to whom he was married for 63 years, son Christopher (F 65), daughter Lynell and many grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Born in Smyrna (Izmir) Turkey in 1913, Herbert came to Uppingham in September 1927 already speaking French, Greek and Turkish fluently. He excelled at languages (Headmaster's prize for French in 1928) but unfortunately his education was cut short at Uppingham in 1929 when he returned to Turkey to join the family ‘Dried Fruit Trade’ business in Smyrna.
In 1934 he followed his favourite uncle to Ceylon to learn the art of tea planting and soon learnt another language, Tamil. He settled into the business very quickly and played a lot of sport, mainly rugby, tennis, hockey and golf. He played rugby for Ceylon from 1936 to 1939 as a prop ending up as captain.
He met his future wife Joan in 1937 and an idyllic life was interrupted by the war years which saw Herbert on active service in the Middle East, mainly Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Greece and Turkey. He married Joan during the war in 1943 in Smyrna,Turkey with 126 guests attending, 122 of them being relatives!
They returned to Ceylon in 1946 to Kotiyagalla Estate where they remained until 1956. Herbert then moved the family to Colombo as he was appointed a director of George Stuarts involved with managing tea/rubber estates on behalf of English Companies and shipping agents for numerous shipping lines. He became Chairman in 1965 before retiring to the UK in 1968.
Too young to fully retire, he worked for The Charities Aid Foundation in London for ten years before finally hanging up his boots and settling in Blackboys, East Sussex in 1978.
28 years of happy retirement followed with travel, caravanning, bridge, DIY and catching up with his family being his favourite pastimes.
Robert Allen (L 33) was born in Bellingham, Northumbria, and spent his childhood in Haydon Bridge before attending Uppingham School. He went on to read Classics at Christ’s College Cambridge and joined the army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant with the Reconnaissance Regiment in Burma & India. After the war he took up farming in Northumberland and was an active member of the community in the parish council, the local cricket team and in the amateur dramatic society. As Robbie Allen, he was a wellknown personality on the North Tyne owing to the many poems he wrote in his rich and rolling Northumbrian dialect, earning him the soubriquet ‘The Bard of Bellingham’. Married to Angela for almost 60 years, Robbie will be fondly remembered through the many books and cassettes which feature his poems and verses. Robert Allen (L 33)
Paul Canter (L 57) joined the Royal Navy as a career officer and enjoyed a most successful rise to early prominence, culminating as Captain F4 and Commanding Officer of HMS Active. Paul was a natural sailor with a keen interest in sailing though the ages, which on his service retirement took him into running IFOS (International Festival of the Sea) and being a senior member of ASTO (Association of Sea Training Organisations).
Additionally Paul served on the committee of the Square Rigger Club (a charity which supports TS Royalist, the sail training ship of the Sea Cadets) where his quiet and knowledgeable guidance was most helpful in
Paul Canter (L 57)
supporting the charity's place amongst other supporting sail training associations. the First Sea Lord. A sad loss to all in sailing throughout the world, in which Paul worked so hard to bring many Tall Ships and their different nationalities together.
Michael Bletsoe (Hf 78) of Thrapston died suddenly on Monday 23 April 2007 aged 42. Michael was a Partner in the family firm of Henry H Bletsoe & Son, Chartered Surveyors, and was in charge of Thrapston Livestock Market. He was an auctioneer and valuer of experience, a fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The fourth generation of the family to sell in Thrapston Livestock Market, Michael had been born and bred for the job. He loved the market and was well liked and respected by local farmers and by his many clients.
Born in 1964, Michael was educated at Witham Hall and Uppingham. He attended Newcastle University where he gained a BSc Honours degree in Agriculture. On leaving University, he joined Strutt & Parker at Chelmsford where he worked in the Farm Management Department for 5 years. Whilst at Strutt & Parker, Michael studied for the professional examinations of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, qualifying in 1992. Michael qualified as a fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers in 1993 and won the gavel for best practical paper in Midland Counties Agricultural Valuers Association. He joined his father Christopher (Hf 49) and Alistair Brodie in the family firm at Thrapston in 1993 where he built up a very large following of clients. He was joined by his brother David in the partnership in 1998. Alongside working in the firm and Livestock Market, he also personally farmed 1,500 acres south east of Thrapston at Denford Ash, a mixed livestock and arable farm, where he lived with his wife and four children.
Known as a good judge of a bullock and committed to the farming industry, Michael will be much missed by everyone he came into contact with through the Livestock Market, farming clients and particularly his colleagues within the firm.
Michael was a keen family man and leaves a wife Emma, and four children, Henry, Alice, Mary and George.
Michael Lunt (WB 48), was born in 1935 into a prosperous family of Birmingham textile merchants. Michael’s education began at West House in Edgbaston, followed by Uppingham School which he joined in 1948. After leaving Uppingham School he was commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire
Michael Lunt (WB 48)
Regiment and served in Egypt during his National Service. He then joined the family wholesale textile firm of Richard Lunt and Co in Birmingham City Centre as a Buyer, later becoming a Director. Michael, followed his father, Stanley, the English Amateur Champion of 1934, into a great career in amateur golf. He won the Amateur Championship at St Andrews in 1963 and the English Amateur at England between 1956 and 1966 and was their non-playing captain for four years between 1972 and 1975. In 1964 in Rome he was in the GB&I team that won the Eisenhower Trophy. He played for Uppingham in the Halford Hewitt team for many years. After the family firm was taken over, Michael moved first to work as European Golf Sales Manager for Slazenger and then to the Royal Club as Secretary and Manager. He earned the great honour of becoming the Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club for 2006/7 and he represented the club at golfing events around the world during year of office. He died on May 22nd 2007 and is survived by his wife, Vicki and their son and daughter.
Ian Dallas (WD 34), born in Bradford in 1920, he was the elder son of Lt Col TL Dallas OBE, the founder of the well-known firm of Bradford insurance brokers, TL Dallas & Co Ltd. He was educated at Clevedon House, Ilkley and Uppingham School, leaving school soon before the outbreak of the Second World War. He then followed his father into the insurance profession, initially at Lloyds of London. However, as war approached, he joined the Territorial Army and trained with a West Yorkshire Royal Artillery Regiment in Nidderdale. When war broke out, he was mobilised and, with the 49th division, spent over two years as part of the occupying force in Iceland, helping to safeguard the North Atlantic routes. On his return, he volunteered for flying duties, training to fly Auster light aircraft in the AOP supporting Royal Artillery ground forces. On completion of his training, he was posted to North Africa where his squadron was attached to the Eighth Army. He fought with the Eighth Army through Sicily and up Italy until the end of the European war. In 1945, Capt Dallas was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In 1945, he returned home to the Bradford area, marrying his wife Barbara, an officer in the WAAF, and started work in the family firm. Later, a merger with C T Bowring led to him becoming their regional chairman for a time. As circumstances changed in the Insurance world he, his son Colin and fellow directors made the decision that the climate was right for the firm to re-gain its independence. He led a management buyout from which the strong and independent TL Dallas Group of Companies has evolved – one of the largest in the region. He was Chairman of the Group until the age of 83 when he handed over to his son Colin, however he continued to take an active interest in the business until the week before he died.
Away from work, his interest was in the Arts. He had a great interest in the cultural life of the City – for many years he was a member of the Civic Society and was a familiar figure in the Bradford Club, which he helped to restore to its 19th Century glory. For many years, he was a theatre and art critic for Yorkshire Arts, the funding organisation. Later, he ‘retired’ to York, where he became an active member of the Georgian Society. Time spent in Italy in the war helped to develop and refine his deep interest in architecture and he designed his own house near Harrogate, which reflected this.
John Michael Beharrell (LH 38) passed away on July 27th 2007. Father of Jonathan (LH 63), he entered Uppingham as a top entrance scholar in Latin and Greek Classics in 1938. On leaving in 1942, he served as a teenage seaman aboard H.M.S Campanula followed by subsequent service and commissioning to H.M. Submarine Trusty. In an incident of mistaken sonar identity, whilst in home waters, a depth charge dropped by one of His Majesty’s frigates very nearly terminated his naval career and most probably his life, a sober reminder to him that ‘friendly fire’ is not confined to modern computerised warfare.
Following his departure from the Royal Navy in 1946 he started a life-time career at Clifford Turner (now Clifford Chance), which he joined as an articled clerk and was then appointed their youngest partner at 28 years. Assigned to the Companies Division, he specialised in Corporate Tax, his acumen in this field sharpened by a secondment to the city accountants, Price Waterhouse. Mr Beharrell’s legal counsel was to prove invaluable to corporations and charities alike, from the John Lewis Partnership to both Help the Aged and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Incisive in mind and with an ability to get to the point, the Latin motto ‘rem tene; verbo sequentur’ seems fitting in his remembrance of this classicist – ‘grasp the subject and the words will follow’.
James (Jim) Grant Carpenter (L 47) died peacefully on February 22 aged 73. A member of the Lodge between 1947 and 1952, Jim recalled his days at Uppingham fondly, particularly on the rugby field & enjoyed the renewed contact with the School provided by his daughters’ consecutive attendance between 1982-1986 (Ailsa (Fd 82) and Eve (Fd 84)).
The following is an excerpt from the eulogy given at Mr Carpenter’s funeral by Ailsa:
“Dad’s keen competitive spirit found an outlet in sport; he was a proud member of the 1st XV at Uppingham School & a regular on the squash & ‘5’s courts for much of his life. Undoubtedly though, it was behind the wheel, that Dad’s skill & competitive nature combined in an apex. His intolerance of those less able, also meant that he was a pioneer of road rage…In 1973, his driving virtuosity won him a Scimitar in the then annual Daily Telegraph competition. After much pleading, his family persuaded him to keep this achingly glamorous vehicle (also driven at the time by Princess Anne) for the period of one year, after which his practical nature kicked in & he sold it, reiterating solemnly that its fibre glass body was a major fire hazard in the event of an accident which in my father’s case was NOT an academic concern, as we had opportunities to witness. One of these incidents necessitated Eve & I climbing into the front seat to exit our Morris as a skid during one of Dad’s shortcuts through a snow-logged mountain range in Cumbria left our rear doors opening into the sky. On another occasion, Dad took the roof off his MG midget ducking down to drive under a trailer that he was overtaking that had subsequently decided on a right turn!
Our husbands & numerous contenders have enjoyed his wit and banter during their pub outings and for Eve and I it became easy to understand why all canines large and small have always flocked to him as if he were some sort of dog whisperer. I would have to say that dogs are pretty good judges of character and so I ask you to join with us in celebrating Dad’s memory who was, is and always will be, our hero.”
Deaths
Notification has been received of the following deaths since the last issue of the OU Magazine was published. An asterisk indicates than an obituary has been printed.
Name House Date Died Benjamin H Dowson Hf 17 13/11/06 Canon William Powell M 24 23/4/06 H A Whittall* Fgh 27 22/12/06 R Hoyle B 27 Sep-07 Peter D MacLellan Hf 28 29/11/06 Ian Haigh L 29 9/4/07 John Marriott R 30 21/1/07 J F M Singleton Fgh 31 1/7/07 Lt Col Roger Green M 32 James Stevenson R 33 25/5/07 Robert Allen* L 33 Apr-07 Colin Drew B 34 24/12/06 Ian Dallas* WD 34 5/9/06 George D Jones Fgh 36 12/5/06 Peter Rolt SH 37 23/2/07 Norman L Gough WB 37 2007 David Killwick Hf 37 30/6/07 Peter Brocklehurst WD 37 11/3/07 John Gleave C 38 6/8/06 John Michael Beharrell* LH 38 27/7/07 James Raine SH 40 7/3/07 Geoffrey Dixon-Nuttall L 41 Jun-07 John Clark WD 41 /2006 John Hickman M 42 9/7/07 Michael Russell L 44 12/4/07 Brian Gillespie H 44 23/8/07 Ian Brackenbury B 44 Nov-06 Richard Rouse WB 44 Dec-06 W M G Williams C 45 13/5/07 David W Mellard L 45 20/5/06 Christopher Needham Fgh 44 25/7/07 C I A Slocock WB 45 15/1/07 James Carpenter* L 47 22/2/07 Prof Lee Rouner C 48 11/2/06 Michael Lunt* WB 48 21/5/07 William Allen H 49 Aug 2007 Stephen Richardson WB 49 25/7/07 Fergus Hanham C 52 21/8/07 Paul Benton Tadman WB 55 Jun-07 David Rhodes SH 55 20/12/06 Charles Pick M 55 11/2/07 David Craven Fgh 55 7/9/07 John Rose WB 55 11/11/06 Timothy Waller B 57 30/7/07 Paul Canter* L 57 4/9/06 Peter J Easton Hf 59 18/6/06 David Hill B 68 Jun-06 Peter Dixon WB 68 20/7/07 Alistair Atkinson LH 74 22/12/06 Michael Bletsoe Hf 78 22/4/07 Chris Ratcliffe LH 84 May-07
Old Uppinghamian Clothing and Gifts
Whatever the occasion, whether it’s for you, your family or a friend, Uppingham School Shop stocks a range of OU products.
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