Message from the Headmaster

A Message from the Headmaster

Karin and Richard Harman

In spite of the economically challenging times we’re living through, I’m very pleased to tell you that the School remains in excellent health.We have some 780 or so boys and girls in the School, which is almost at the record level seen last year and is about as full as we feel we can be.This is due to the hard work of everyone concerned, to the excellent all-round reputation we have maintained and of course to the OU community who spread the good name of Uppingham far and wide. It’s a good time to be welcoming our new Registrar, Charlie Bostock, to the Senior Management Team.

Our exam results this summer were again very good and there is much to celebrate. In particular, it is notable that one in three of our U6th leavers achieved straight A grades, that we have had our highest ever number of A grades overall and our second highest percentage of A grades and once again not a single fail grade. At GCSE we have had by almost all measures our best ever year. More than a third of all entries gained an A*. For A* and A grades combined the 68.65% was the best for three years and close to our best ever. At the top end, we have never had so many straight A* or near-straight A* candidates. Five pupils got straight A*s and eight more got A*s across the board apart from one result.

So we continue to do very well indeed by these academic measures and also in terms of our reputation for excellence in boarding, in pastoral care and in the all-round opportunities we offer. In fact it’s essential to remember that in turbulent times our core values are more important than ever: providing a happy, stimulating environment where teenagers can flourish and find out where their talents lie, helping them become most fully themselves.

The current projects we’re undertaking will enhance these things still further and also, in time, provide more opportunities for connections with the local community. But we know things are not going to get easier economically in the near future.This will affect all of us in one way or another. Given the uncertain world in which we’re living, is it a risk for Uppingham to be forging ahead with major new projects? The answer is that, first, we’re starting from a very good financial position, secondly the Uppingham Foundation has made a superb start to our fund-raising for these works, and thirdly borrowing rates are at historic lows. But above all, the work going on at the Western Quad is a huge signal of confidence in the long-term future of the school and it’s absolutely the right vision to enable the next generation of development to take place.

I’m delighted that progress on site over the summer has been very good.The Sports Centre project, or phase one of the overall vision, remains on time and on budget. I’m confident that this time next year the building and the playing fields will be going into use and we will witness this transforming vision unfold. There’s a lot more to do before we get there, but once this phase is completed we’ll turn our attention to thinking about phase two, centred on Science and the new Quad itself.

As I travel around the country, and indeed overseas, meeting OUs and their families, I know that there’s huge enthusiasm and support for what the School is trying to achieve and for this I am truly grateful. Every step we take enhances Uppingham’s standing and reputation and I trust that this makes the entire OU community proud of their School. I know that the pupils and staff at Uppingham are looking forward with great excitement to the opening of the new Sports Centre and they would be happy to share their passion for Uppingham with any OU who wishes to call in and see the great changes that are taking place.

There is much to celebrate and much to anticipate in the year ahead and I look forward to updating you on our progress at forthcoming OU events. Thank you for your support.

Director’s Message

It was enormously touching to see Geoffrey Fenton (WD 30) pay what was to be his final visit to the School for the West Deyne 150th anniversary celebration in June. For more than 75 years Geoffrey had followed the fortunes of the School with great interest and his affection for the place never waivered. He sadly died just three weeks later and on his desk were some notes he was writing on his Headmaster back in 1930, the Rev’d Owen. Geoffrey’s passing happened just a few weeks after that of Major John Stevens (Hf 25) who supported every local reunion and was up to date with every development at Uppingham some eight decades after leaving School. His support for the School was fantastic and those of you who have seen the OU DVD which was made in 2006 will recall his great enthusiasm for Uppingham and his vivid memories of school-life.

The life-long affinity which both Geoffrey and John had with Uppingham is typical of many OUs. As Richard Boston mentions later, we have had record numbers of OUs attending reunions in the last twelve months and this shows that the bond between OUs and their School is as strong, if not stronger than ever. The affinity could be based on many reasons, but I suspect that the most enduring memories are created by the people one meets. In conversations with OUs here and overseas, nearly all can reel off a list of housemates or Masters whose contact with them, however transitory, has inspired, improved or simply entertained them.

This brings me on to the retirements of David Gaine, Jerry Rudman and Myles Sewter. Heaven knows how many OUs were taught by this trio during their combined 110 years of teaching at the School. Each of these colleagues has devoted the majority of their working life to Uppingham and tributes are paid later in the magazine.

The current staff and indeed pupils of Uppingham consequently have a great heritage which they must respect and live up to. Having 7000 OUs as well as a host of long-serving staff watching and caring about the major developments at the School places a huge responsibility on those tasked with moving Uppingham forward. It is in this context that the decision to move forward with the Western Quad vision should be viewed. Taking on a major capital programme during a recession is a bold decision but having considered the long-term implications of embarking on this development (and indeed of not doing so), there was only one answer which would see the School continue to flourish.

With the new Sports Centre well into its construction phase it is clear that it will offer a huge boost to the teaching and playing of sport at Uppingham, not only at an elite level but in encouraging widespread participation in games in both the School and in the wider community. As a school renowned for its all-round tradition, sport is a key part of the curriculum and the whole of Uppingham is looking forward to the opening of the Centre with great excitement and enthusiasm.

I am sure that the reason why so many OUs and parents have supported the project is because of the significance of the development to the future of the School. When Geoffrey Fenton visited the School he was delighted to hear more about the project and to ask about the impact of the Sports Centre on the current pupils. We hope and trust that by pursuing the Western Quad vision we are reflecting the wishes of all OUs, parents, staff and former staff who want Uppingham to remain at the forefront of boarding education. All support towards this aim is greatly appreciated and we send our warmest thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to the project.

Patrick Mulvihill

Secretary’s Message

Another year has passed all too quickly since I last put pen to paper and a great deal has been packed into it. This year has seen personal contact with over 900 OUs and their partners through social events both at home and overseas, something of a record I think!

The social events season started with yet another very successful Over 60s Lunch at the Cavalry & Guards Club in October. This event always produces a loyal and constant turnout.

The London Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental followed at the beginning of February. The Uppingham party, which included the Headmaster and his wife, escaped from a snowbound Uppingham in the requisitioned CCF Landrover arriving at Kettering station after an interesting cross country journey. The dinner proved once again the success of this excellent venue with every seat being filled. Due to the numbers attending and the time it takes to get the meal started it raised concerns about the length of time it takes to get through the dining part of the evening. Your Committee discussed this at length and decided that in future we would only have one speech at the dinner, the Headmasters “state of the union” address. Next year’s dinner is on 4th February 2010 and is likely to be as popular as previous years, so do apply for your tickets / tables in good time.

Mid-February saw the Association leaving the British winter for our first ever OU dinner in the Middle East which was initiated and arranged by Rick Tatham (WB 77) who is currently a Senior Captain with Emirates Airlines. The dinner was held at the Jebal Ali

Resort in the presence of Richard and Karin Harman.

At the beginning of April, we were once again heading for Rick Stein’s (WD 60) St Petroc’s Bistro in Padstow for the Cornwall dinner which attracted a small but enlightening group of OUs and parents, the meal itself was, as usual, first class and greatly added to the overall ambiance of the evening.

Australia followed closely on the heels of Padstow with the second Western Australia OU dinner being held in Fremantle at the Left Bank Restaurant thanks largely due to the enthusiastic support and organisation of John Bird (L 67). The evening was memorable, being in a fantastic setting on the banks of the Swan River. The Western Australia OUs hope that this will become a regular event and any OU visiting the Perth/Fremantle area should contact John Bird (L 67) who can put them in touch with other members.

Sydney was the setting for the first ever East Coast dinner a week latter thanks to the organisation of Ed Watson (M 88) assisted by David Von Rothenburg (B 93). The dinner was unique as we also invited the ex-Knox Grammar School GAP students who worked at Uppingham during the 1980’s to attend. This element of the occasion was coordinated by Alan Marsden who was on the staff at

Alan and Margie Marsden pictured outside their house named ‘Uppingham’

Uppingham for the academic year 1982/83 having exchanged with Peter Cannings who spent the same year at Knox. Alan recently retired from Knox as Deputy Headmaster. Four ‘Gappers’ attended; Andrew Blamey (1985),Tom Sloane (1986), David Sloane (1988) and Simon Roberts (1990) – Hugh Jackman, the actor, would have attended but for the fact that he was being interviewed by Jonathan Ross in London at the time! The dinner was held at Mrs Tops Restaurant on Military Road in Sydney. The first class French food, washed down by outstanding wine, provided at a very reduced price by Mark Ward (LH 68) from his own commercial vineyard in the Hunter Valley, contributed to an exciting, successful and enjoyable evening of ‘Entente Cordiale’ Oz style!

Back in the UK the Veterans Rifle Club celebrated their half century anniversary at the Surrey Rifle Association Clubhouse, Bisley in late April with a variety of activities for a large number of members which included clay pigeon shooting, firing black powder pistols as well as a full bore rifle Competition. An excellent dinner was arranged by James Watson (L 88) attended by over 50 Veterans as well as the current School shooting VIII.

Twenty five years ago in July saw an intrepid band of adventurers setting off on the Quatercentenary Expedition to Sabah (North Borneo). A select reunion was held at the Garden House Hotel in Uppingham to mark the occasion. It proved to be an evening ‘down memory lane’ recalling the events of this remarkable adventure in a far flung part of the world.

The modified format of Speech Day/Founders Day for OUs proved popular again this year. The previous year we trialled the idea of offering lunch to OUs in the marquee as an alternative to going to Houses which proved a welcome move for those who took up the invitation. This year lunch was provided for 70 OUs and their partners and proved a first class forum for reminiscing. Speech Day also marked the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Cadbury Travel Grant set up by the family in memory of Ian Cadbury (B 61) who was tragically killed in a motoring accident in 1968. A significant number of award winners over the years returned to meet Mrs Cadbury and have lunch with her.

The ever popular Norfolk Dinner followed Speech Day in early June at the Hoste Arms at Burnham Market kindly hosted by Paul Whittome (F 68). More than 80 OUs, their partners, and parents attended on a perfect Summer’s evening which combined with first class food and wine ensured a great ‘Uppingham’ occasion.

This year concluded with the West Deyne 150th Anniversary in late June which attracted 120 OUs and their partners for a day of celebration which started with a buffet lunch in West Deyne, followed by tours of the School, tea in the Kendal Room and concluded with a convivial dinner in the Undercroft where the current Housemaster, Tim Jefferis and Headmaster, Richard Harman addressed the company. This was a memorable occasion upon which to bring a full and busy year of social events to its conclusion.

Once again the Association owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our amazing OU-Coordinator, Nicola Tyers upon whose shoulders fall the bulk of the administration and arrangement of all these events both national and international. This is in addition to all the other duties she undertakes on our behalf including editing the OU News, fitting everything in an seemingly effortless way on a part-time basis!

Looking further ahead 2011 is a land mark year for the Association as we will be celebrating the centenary of the founding of the Association. We are hoping to celebrate the occasion with a number of special events and we have formed a sub-committee of the Association Committee to come up with ideas as to how best mark this milestone. If anyone has any ideas to feed into the sub committee please contact Nicola in the first instance. Coincidentally, it is also the year that Brooklands will be celebrating its 150th year!

As in the past your Committee is there to ensure the smooth running of the Association and to be a channel of communication should you wish to bring points of view or suggestions to the Committee via individual members.

The current Committee is constituted as follows:-

The Headmaster – Chairman Richard Boston (B 56) * – Secretary

Members Mike Higgs (Fgh 69) * Basil Towers (Hf 71) David Gavins (LH 73) Dawn Wilson (Fd 80) * Fiona Bettles (Fd 86) James Hartley (B 92) Ben Fry (F 96) * Emma Cannings (L 93) *

* = 2011 Sub-Committee

This time last year we were living in very uncertain times, hopefully this coming year will see a more stable and predictable pattern emerging, enabling everyone to enjoy the forthcoming festive season and indeed the events we have planned for the New Year.

Who? What? Where?

It is always good to hear from OUs, wherever you are! Please keep the news coming in.

John Start (L 33) is living near Perth and received a visit from Richard Boston (B 56) and John Bird (L 67) during Richard’s trip to Australia in April 2009. spying in Central Asia in the Great Game between Tsarist Russia and the British Raj in India.

Leo Rutherford (Hf 49) has recently published his 5th book ‘The View Through the Medicine Wheel’.

John Start (L 33)

Norman Harrington (B 44) has given over a hundred readings of his poetry, prose and humour to various groups at meetings, lunches and dinners. He has been engaged in drama for 44 years as an actor, director and writer and he is also the Chairman of Leicestershire Cricket Club.

Michael James (WB 44) left Uppingham and had a variety of jobs until he bought the family’s Neon Sign factory which he ran for 17 years and which he sold some 45 years ago. He then happily drifted for many years inventing all sorts of items including a freestanding, self-contained lobster rearing unit. He also became a silversmith with his own silver mark and researched a fuel additive which was very effective even in old engines. He eventually invented an entirely new way of stopping people suffering from Asthma, Hay Fever, and a host of respiratory tract problems. As far as he knows no one has ever thoroughly researched the nasal tract as a most efficient air filter. He now knows how it works, why it goes wrong and how to restore it to its full working capacity with no medication involved. For more details visit www.nasaleze.com.

Sir John Ure’s (Hf 45) latest book is called ‘Shooting Leave’ and was published by Constable in November 2009. It is an account of the adventures of young officers

Keith Taylor’s (F 46) launched his second book,‘Whither The Fates Call’ - A Personal Account of National Service in the British Army 1950-1952, at the National Army Museum, Chelsea on 23 September. It is based on over 200 letters which he wrote home with numerous photographs including his time in Korea in 1951 during the war.The book will be of particular interest to OUs of that period and can be ordered via his website www.garnerbooks.com

Sir David Samworth (F 49), President of Samworth Brothers and a former Trustee (1976-99) of Uppingham, received a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, which were published in June.

David has been awarded the title for his services to charity locally, nationally and internationally. This includes working with AIDS orphans in Kenya and Tanzania as well as co-sponsoring City Academies in Leicester, Nottingham and Mansfield.

Keith Taylor (F 46)

John Griffiths’ (LH 47) 15th book ‘Afghanistan: Land of Conflict and Beauty’ (and fifth on Afghanistan) was published in April 2009.

John Horsman’s (WB 48) autobiography of his life in motor racing,‘Racing in the Rain’, was published in August 2006 with the second edition published in 2008. He was awarded a gold medal by ‘International Automotive Media Awards’ for best biography of 2006. In recognition of winning the Le Mans 24-hour race three times with British built cards (Ford 1968, Ford 1969, Gulf Mirage 1975) he was elected to the British Racing Drivers Club.

David Samworth (F 49)

Alexander Knight (WB 50) has retired to St Peterburg in Florida where he and his wife have a busy social life mixed with travel around the world to keep in touch with his children in Australia, the USA and England. Golf and vintage cars fill the spaces in between.

Robert Johnson (LH 51) was a Governor at both the St John and St Anne Almshouse charity and the Archdeacon Johnson Almshouse charity in Rutland. Both charities provide housing for elderly people.The Archdeacon Johnson Almshouse charity was founded by Robert Johnson, the founder of Uppingham and Oakham School.

Air Marshall Sir John Kemball (F 52) was High Sheriff of Suffolk from 2007-2008. Historic Churches Trust, and a member of the Stratford Society. His significant local projects have included the restoration of Stoneleigh Abbey and conservation work on the Walton Estate. He also worked on the Lansdown Tower, near Bath.

John Greaves (H 53) has been elected Chairman of Lattitude Global Volunteering (Formerly Gap Activity Projects). Lattitude is a charity and the leading global year out group. John is happy to help advise anyone considering a year out, a career break or a retirement project. His email address is johnwgreaves@tiscali.co.uk.

Robbie Hay (LH 54) and his wife Sarah are living at Bickleigh Castle,Tiverton, Devon where they run a successful luxury wedding business. For more information visit www.bickleighcastle.com.

Mike Tomkinson (F 55) and his wife have commenced a cruising retirement in a 1974, Storebro motor yacht called ‘Eos of Mersey’. The photo below is of their boat lying in Varna.

John Kemball (F 52)

Robin Oldroyd (B 52) is one of the UK’s most produced playwrights around the world (using his stage name Hawdon). For information on plays and film scripts please visit www.robinhawdon.com.

Harold Browne (WB 53) was a Barrister from 1972 to 2001, but is now teaching RYA shore-based courses on navigation, seamanship and radio. He has recently upgraded to A.F.R.I.N (Associate Fellow Royal Institute of Navigation) and qualified as a Yachtmaster Ocean Sail and Power for RYA. He also spends long periods in Koroni in Messenia, Greece.

Denis Pannett (F 53) has been elected President of The Wapping Group of Artists of which he has been a member for the last 23 years. He also exhibited in the Guild of Aviation Artists exhibition at the Mall Galleries in July 2009 and taught two art courses on the Thames Barge Wyvenhoe this summer (www.wyvenhoe.co.uk).

Henry (Will) Hawkes (Fgh 53) has been awarded an MBE for services to conservation in Warwickshire.Will has been involved in many conservation projects across Warwickshire and the UK. He is ViceChairman of the Fabrics Advisory Committee of St George’s Chapel,Windsor, a Trustee of Warwickshire and Coventry

Mike Tomkinson (F 55) and his wife Gillian

Robin Pizer (L 55) was elected Chairman of the National Rifle Association in the UK in February 2009. He was also chosen to Captain the Great Britain Team in the Kolapore match at Bisley in July 2009.

Robin Ellis (LH 56), along with members of his family, are planning an expedition to climb Batu Lawi in Borneo in February 2010 to visit a memorial plaque in a cave near the summit in memory of his Uncle, Everard (Ben) Ellis (M 32) who was killed in action when his plane was shot down over Central Borneo in 1945. 2002. He is still working part-time as a Tribunal Judge for the Tribunals service.

Paul Vickery (Fgh 56) is now retired and spends his time playing golf. A double hip replacement in 1992 extinguished any hope of a return to the hockey pitch although he is still President of the Bacchanalians Hockey Club, who play annually against Uppingham. In 2007 he was Captain of Bowood Park Golf Club and in 2006 he was Captain of the Cornish Seniors Golfing Association, becoming President during 2008.

John Suchet (Fgh 57) was awarded The Royal Television Society’s highest honour - a Lifetime Achievement Award. At the Society’s 2008 annual awards, the judges praised John's 35 years as a television journalist, as both a reporter and a newscaster. They particularly commended him for his willingness to pass on his knowledge and experience to a new generation of television journalists.

Roger Neill (B 57) has been appointed Director of the newly-established Centre for Creativity in Professional Practice at City University of London. For more information visit www.creative.city.ac.uk.

In February, John Bennett (WD 58) had a reunion dinner with Stephen Maitland-Lewis (WD 58). It was their first in close to 30 years and overcome with emotion, a totally sober John fell off a tall bar stool at Stephen's Beverly Hills home and hit his head on the stone floor. Within minutes, nine Los Angeles paramedics, Stephen, his wife and his dog, were all crouched over him. Miraculously, John was not concussed and immediately after the paramedics’ departure he was back to his old self.

Simon Park (SH 59) along with a distinguished career composing music for film and TV has been a regular contributor to Auto Italia magazine, for whom he has tested and written about everything from Ferraris to Fiat 500s. He finally got round to writing a book about the experience of driving a Mini from London to Sydney on the 1977 rally. The book is called ‘A Little Goes a Long Way’ and is available from Trafford Publishing.

Neil Kennedy (Hf 59) has co-authored a biography on the Victorian/Edwardian equestrian artist Lynwood Palmer. The book is being published by another OU John Mitchell (B 86) in Autumn 2009. For further information on how to purchase this book please email Neil at Kennedyconsult@aol.com.

Charlie Simpson (M 99), the Headmaster and Phil McCaughan (Hf 96)

Nick Gray (F 60) with the Dalai Lama

Nick has recently been appointed Visiting Professor in Documentary Production at the University of Lincoln.

Greg Hutchings (M 60) played in the Hockey World Cup Veterans Tournament in Hong Kong in September 2008 at which England swept to a 4-1 victory over Australia in the final.

Greg Hutchings (M 60)

Andrew Welch (H 62) is featuring as an extra in the new Disney film of Alice in Wonderland (to be released in Spring 2010) also featuring Stephen Fry (F 70) who is providing the voice of the Cheshire Cat. Andrew is now a part-time lecturer in Marine Studies at the University of Plymouth.

Simon Wall (Fgh 62) has been a regular traveller on the QE2 for 35 years. Since suffering a stroke in 2001 it became his other home (or Day Centre as his friends refer to it!) until it was decommissioned in November 2008. In June 2008 he was invited to a drinks reception with Baroness Thatcher

Simon Wall (Fgh 62) with Baroness Thatcher

on board The QE2 followed by a lunch in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.

Timothy Hare (WB 62) recently spent a year as High Sheriff of West Yorkshire and has just been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the county.

Hilary Griffiths (SH 62) was recently appointed Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Opera of Wuppertal. In February 2009, he conducted his tenth new production at the State Opera, Prague – the first Czech performance of ‘Death in Venice’ by Britten. In October 2009 he went to Bogota, for the third successive year, to conduct ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ for the Colombian State Opera. He currently lives in Cologne, where he has conducted over 300 opera performances.

John Lawrence (C 63) has retired as a Partner of PriceWaterhouseCooper and is now growing grapes for the South Okanagan Wineries in British Columbia.

Charles Howeson (Fgh 63) was recently appointed Chairmanship of the United Kingdom Sea Fish Industry Authority. He also accepted an invitation from the board of FirstGroup plc to chair First Great Western trains, the largest and most complex of the UK railway franchises. Charles Howeson (Fgh 63)

Peter Powell (B 64) was joined by ex-Busted and now Fightstar lead guitarist Charlie Simpson (M 99) as two of the judges of The Battle of the Bands contest.The third judge was Phil McCaughan (Hf 96) now a

Patrick Mulvihill and Peter Powell (B 64)

producer and manager for Sony Records. Phil is responsible for Go:Audio, an up and coming band which contains Josh Wilkinson (SH 99).

Peter Kelsey (L 64) was installed as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers (a City of London Livery Company) in May 2009. The installation service was in St Mark le Bow followed by

Peter Kelsey (L 64)

dinner in the Manson House with the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs in attendance. He is the second OU to be Master of the Furniture Makers, after Robin Waring (WD 43).

Robert Moyle (C 65) was made a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers in 2008. Robert’s daughter Lizzie Moyle (C 04) has just become the first daughter of a Constables OU to also complete her studies in the House.

John Webster (C 70) Captained the England Rifle Team in the USA in September 2008. He in turn chose another OU James Watson (L 88) as his Vice-Captain and they were able to include a further two OUs, Nick Hinchliffe (Fgh 71) and Alex Williams (Fgh 92) as members of the team. collaborative research into stem cell therapy in deafness. He provides private and NHS heath care in ear, nose and throat surgery in Rutland and Leicestershire.

Henry Pau (Hf 84)

Rupert Egerton-Smith (M 86) competed in the 20th International Competition for Outstanding Piano Amateurs in Paris in March 2009, and won the 1st prize and the vote of the audience.The competition featured 100 pianists from over 30 countries, and the finals were held in front of 1000 people in the Salle Gaveau. Rupert was also invited to play a piano concerto with a leading orchestra in Paris during 2009. More details can be found on Rupert’s website www.rupertegertonsmith.co.uk.

John Webster (C 70) on the right

Jonathan Agnew (L 73) has been awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Arts from the Faculty of Humanities. He was awarded the honour at a ceremony at De Montfort University in November 2008.

Rev’d Dr Giles Fraser (Fgh 78), currently Vicar of Putney in the Diocese of Southwark, is to be the next Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral. As Canon Chancellor, Dr Fraser will fulfil the role of Residentiary Canon overseeing the work of the St Paul’s Institute for ethics, and its ambitious, outward facing programme. He will play a full part in the cathedral and will contribute to its overall mission as a place of prayer, pilgrimage and debate.

Douglas Young (F 79) has been named ‘Man of the Year’ for 2009 by Hong Kong Business Magazine for his vision, achievements and contribution to the growth of Hong Kong’s economy.

Henry Pau (Hf 84) is a Consultant Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon working at Spire Leicester Hospital, Nuffield Hospital and the University Hospitals of Leicester. He was awarded a Honorary Professorship from Loughborough University for his

Marcus Campbell-Reynolds (F 85) and his two children

Marcus Campbell-Reynolds (F 85) left Shoosmiths Solicitors in Northampton in 2000 and emigrated to his wife’s home country of Zimbabwe. He has since worked in the financial services industry. (including a challenging eight years dealing with hyper inflation).

Jonathan Goodman (M 85) spent 11 years working in Cambridge for surveyors Jeffersons and Lambert Smith Hampton. He has recently set up his own business, Goodman Property Limited, dealing with commercial property acquisitions, sales and lettings in Cambridge and East Anglia. He can be contacted on email jg@goodmanproperty.co.uk.

Oliver Dorner (H 86) married Diana in 2006 and now has two children. He is working in the family business, Tonnenstrumpf, in Hamburg (www.tonnenstrumpf.de) producing wheelie bin covers.

Chris Mountain (Fgh 86) is married to Claire and has a four year old son, Roddy and a three year old daughter, Natasha. He runs a waste management, transport and recycling business specialising in renewable electricity from waste, plasterboard recycling and municipal waste. To contact Chris visit www.midukrecycling.co.uk.

Rupert Egerton-Smith (M 86)

Gail Warrander (Fd 87) worked as a lawyer in London and then for Reuters before leaving to help with the EU-funded economic reconstruction effort in Kosovo. She has now, along with Verena Knaus produced a Bradt guide for visitors to Kosovo.

James French (WD 87) is a Consultant Anaesthetist in Nottingham. He is married to Jenny with two children Isobel and Ben.

Alexander Haslam (F 89) has spent the last six years training and working as a corporate lawyer. He recently moved to Hong Kong with his wife to take up a role as an M&A Lawyer with the US law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. He previously spent three years working in Skadden’s London office. He married Emily Marshall in May 2007 and a number of close OU friends attended the wedding. His email is Alexander.haslam@quail.com and he would like to hear from other OUs in Hong Kong.

Gareth Morris (LH 89) received a Director’s Scholarship to study at The Judge Business School, Cambridge University in 2007 and graduated with an MBA in September 2008. As a member of Robinson College he shot for the University in the Heslop (smallbore), Chancellor’s (target rifle) and Humphry (match rifle) varsity matches, in which he

achieved a clean sweep over Oxford. Having left Accenture to return to full-time education for a year, he joined A T Kearney, a small strategy and operations consultancy based in Mayfair as a Senior Consultant. Gareth and his wife Katrina are proud parents to Samuel who was born in October 2008.

Ed Stafford (WB 89) left the British army in 2002 and started leading tourist expeditions into the jungle in Belize and Guatamala. After yearning to undertake a big project he discovered the fact that nobody had ever walked the length of the Amazon River. Anticpating ut would take a year to complete, Ed is now entering his sixteenth month. For more information on Ed’s journey, vist www.walkingtheamazon.co.uk.

Ed Stafford (WB 89)

James Cannings (M 90) and Ben Rudman (WD 90) have spent the past nine years building up their company MMT Digital (www.mmtdigital.co.uk), an agency providing online and offline digital solutions to marketing agencies, companies, design agencies and the public sector. James is the Production Director, Ben is the Sales and Marketing Director and Peter Cannings, former member of staff at Uppingham is the Managing and Finance Director.The company recently moved to offices in Uppingham. In 2006 they adopted The Mango Tree as the company charity and last year donated a new website to it, which they maintain free of charge (www.themangotree.org).

Christian Jessen (F 90) is featuring on the small screen on popular prime-time series such as ‘Embarrassing Illnesses’ and ‘Supersize vs Superskinny’. In addition to his television work he works on Harley Street looking after general medicine and is also a columnist for various magazines.

James Wilks (Fgh 91) has won a lucrative contract after being crowned The Ultimate Fighter in Las Vegas where he defeated DaMarques Johnson in front of a TV audience of millions to win the welterweight division of the hit US series ‘The Ultimate Fighter:Team US vs UK’. The title has earned James a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a huge boost to his profile in his adopted homeland.

Caroline Pyper nee Muirhead (J/L 93) married George in 2004 whom she met when they were studying at Cambridge University. They have two children,William and Jack and live in London. Caroline is still in contact with many of her contemporaries from Uppingham.

Caroline Muirhead (J/L 93) and her family

Anna Parish (nee Lewis) (Fd 93) was appointed Housemistress of The Mitre at Repton School in September 2008. She took the post alongside her husband, Nick who looks after their son, Joshua. She has much to thank Stewart & Tessa Drummond for because they inspired her to become a Housemistress.

Lucy Reeves (L 95) has been awarded Businesswoman of The Year at the East of England Businesswoman of The Year Awards 2008. Lucy is founder of ‘Muddy Matches’, an online community, connecting countryminded, or ‘muddy’ people for shared interests, friendship and dating. For more information visit www.muddymatches.com.

Christopher Gabbitas (Hf 95) who studied law and practiced as a solicitor for three years joined The King's Singers in 2004. In February 2009,The King's Singers won their

James Wilks (Fgh 91)

David von Rothenburg (B 93) moved from Berlin to Sydney in June 2006 and is working for Wolters Kluwer Health, a global publisher of medical information.

first Grammy Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles for their recent album ‘Simple Gifts’. On a personal level, Christopher married Stephanie in August 2006.

Claire-Elaine Arthurs (J 97)

Claire-Elaine Arthurs (J 97) completed a degree in Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham. She then went on to study Law at The College of Law's Birmingham branch and was awarded her Legal Practice Certificate with commendation in 2005. She completed her training with HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP in Birmingham and is now a solicitor in their specialist Property Litigation team. She recently won the legal category of Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2009. She has carried on with her commitment to community service since her time at Uppingham and is involved with a large number of charities and voluntary organisations including The Princes Trust and the Birmingham Foundation. She also runs a successful mentoring scheme within Birmingham Future which matches young professionals in the city with local undergraduates to assist them in moving forward from academia into the professional sectors.

David Aspinall (WD 97) is part of a two man team ‘Chocks Away’. Throughout the dark winter months the pair will join the Adventurist Africa Rally leaving Wiltshire’s rolling hills to travel through Western Africa to Cameroon. The expedition is all being done in a Royal Blue 1934 Austin Seven Special. For more information or to sponsor Chocks Away, visit www.chocksawayrally.co.uk.

Charles Duance (SH 97) started Quadratix, an IT company providing remote and on site IT Support for Servers and Desktops,Web Hosting and VoIP installations to businesses in the South West. His email is charles@quadratix-it.co.uk.

James Vestbirk (C 98) found that finding love in the countryside was a hard task so took it upon himself to change the trend. He has recently set up www.kissinggates.com which is a dating website for rural singletons.

Rebecca Plumbly (J 99) completed a degree at Leeds University in East Asian Studies (Mandarin), she then spent one year working in Marketing in Hong Kong followed by a year in Argentina learning Spanish, teaching English and Chinese and translating for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. She is now working in Shanghai for Proctor and Gamble.

Ollie Nias (F 99) is running a company called Intrinsic Pictures directing and producing music videos, commercials and films. For more information visit www.intrinsicpictures.co.uk.

Tom (Fgh 97) and James (Fgh 00) Harries are part of a new British pop rock band, ‘Cavalier’ managed by their brother, Ed Harries (Fgh 99). They were recently put through to the finals of the Jar Music Breakout festival and are preparing a university tour this Autumn to promote their upcoming single ‘No Looking Back’ which was written by Tom and James.

Harry Edmeades (Hf 00) has set up London’s first totally environmentally friendly removals company,‘Eco Van and Man’. He hopes to expand it into a global brand, with the introduction of ECO taxis and ECO couriers. ‘Eco Van and Man’ provides a short notice 24/7 environmentally friendly moving and delivery service for homes and businesses using brand new fully electric and LPG vans. For more information on ‘Eco Van and Man’ contact Harry on h.edmeades@EcoVanAndMan.com or visit the website www.EcoVanAndMan.com.

Lucy Wigglesworth (Sa 02) joined The Year Out Drama Company in Stratford-uponAvon for an action-packed year of drama which ended with a week of performances at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Lucy Wigglesworth (S 02)

Benjamin Cator (Hf 02) has just started reading engineering at Cambridge. During his gap year he completed Initial Officer training with the Royal Navy which is sponsoring him through University. He is a Midshipman and gained his commission in September 2008. His training took him to the North Arabian Gulf and the Far East.

Ed Fletcher (F 03), Rory Haywood (Hf 03), Joe Barnett (B 03) and Sam Salloway (Fgh 03) visited Caroline Coggins (ex-staff) in Melbourne, during their gap year travelling in Australia.

Ed Fletcher (F 03), Sam Salloway (Fgh 03), Joe Barnett (B 03), Caroline Coggins (ex-staff) and Rory Haywood (Hf 03)

Gaby Cooke (Sa 05) represented the Under 18 year British Team in the eventing world in 2008 and finished in the top 15 at the Aldon International Horse Trials in Somerset.

Thank you to all OUs that have sent in news. As we receive news during the year updates will appear on the OU website, www.olduppinghamian.co.uk so please keep visiting the site to stay up-to-date with your fellow OUs