RESERVE T H E V I N E S S O C I E T Y N E W S L E T T E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 17
VINES AWARD
PRO ALLIS OPTIMUM AGERE
THE VINES SOCIETY
10% REDUCTION ON FEES FOR CHILDREN​ OF VINES
DEAR VINE Introducing the new Head of Vinehall. Mr Jonathan “Jof f ” Powis was appointed Head of Vinehall School from September 2017 coming to us from the highly regarded Papplewick School in Ascot. During the interview process the Board of Governors were impressed by Joff’s clear dedication to academic rigour while realising the potential of every individual child. His calm determined and collaborative style of leadership is already being felt throughout the school. Joff brought with him his wife Liz and their four sons, Freddy (nine), Henry (eight) Charlie (six) and Arthur (two). Also joining them are their two Golden Retrievers, Copper and Barney.
Will Foster-Kemp, Chair of Governors
A new boy’s welcome to you old boys and girls to the 2017 edition of the Reserve. You will be pleased to hear that Vinehall is very much already in my blood, and that of my wife and four children, so I am more than ready to serve the past, present and future generations of Vines.
Colonel William English, who was kind enough to give a memorable address at the Remembrance Service; to Josh Powell, who gave an inspiring assembly on his latest project on biodiversity; and to Josh Roche for speaking at our Year 8 Dinner and Dance on his eventful life in theatre.
Vinehall is blossoming and I am delighted to report that our outstanding PrePrep are celebrating bumper numbers in their nursery class, with a waiting list desperately knocking on their door. Also hugely encouraging are our boarding numbers. We are at record numbers of full boarders for a Michaelmas Term in quite some time, ensuring our niche as the firstchoice full boarding school in the area. Our full boarders are joined by hordes of flexi-boarders during the week, lured in by our rich activity programme (and by the occasional tuck night!)
I was fortunate to meet many more of you at the huge Vines gathering in November. The now annual reunion saw 150 old boys and girls and staff, spanning six decades of Vinehall, enjoying favourite stories and many much treasured memories. I was left in awe of the loyalty shown by our alumni and of the love so many continue to have for their prep school. Please come down to visit us and re-live your childhood. Joff Powis
It has been wonderful to meet many Vines who have been able to visit recently. Tracking down your Leavers’ Shields continues to be a common priority and they act as incredible catalysts for tales once forgotten. Special mentions go to
GILBART TRAVEL BURSARY
K IER AN SASSONE
to Cambodia via Hong Kong in April 2017. The final part of the journey to Spong was fairly stressful as we travelled over ditches and ground that had been reduced to puddles of mud. At one point we had to saw through trees to clear the road and continue. However when we reached the village we knew that the journey had been worthwhile. The children had all come out to see us and show us around and their excitement was contagious. We saw the basic thatched huts as well as the bucket showers and hammocks that would become our base.
This year I was offered the opportunity to apply for a charitable trip with the organisation United World Schools. The purpose of the trip was to travel to a remote area of Cambodia’s extensive jungle to help the charity set up an education programme in the village of Spong. Following a series of interviews, I was accepted onto the trip and was tasked with fundraising to assist with the costs involved. This is when I decided to apply for the Gilbart Travel Bursary which I was delighted to be granted. After some further fundraising , we travelled
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We spent all day with the children, watching as they started the school day with a flagraising ceremony. This was followed by a sports coaching session where I was particulary pleased to introduce them to the virtues of the oval shaped ball. After sport we would gather them together to spend time working on group logic, music and art. After lunch we would often put on a performance to the children based upon a popular story or nursery rhyme. One favourite was Cinderella! After more lessons we would put on music and dance with the children until as late as possible. One vivid memory was of a tropical downpour. Instead of finding shelter, the
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children had the most excited and joyful reaction. We found ourselves, running around, playing football and dancing in the rain. I was hugely struck by the happiness and contentment found in this community, where physical belongings and monetary wealth are minimal. The joy that the children found in small everyday activities, such as singing or storytelling, will stay with me for the rest of my life. I would like to extend my thanks to the Vines Society and the Gilbart Travel Bursary for helping to make this trip happen.
VINES PLANNING TO TRAVEL DURING THEIR GAP YEAR ARE REMINDED THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A GILBART TRAVEL BURSARY TO HELP WITH THEIR EXPENSES.
For further details please send an email to info@vinessociety.org.uk
NEWS
LIEUTENANT COLONEL PIERS ASHFIELD Lieutenant Colonel Piers Ashfield was born in 1977 in St Albans in Hertfordshire. After Vinehall, Piers was educated at Tonbridge School in Kent and then studied Law at University College London. He commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in 2001 and served as Platoon Commander in Northern Ireland during a period of significant public disorder centred on the Holy Cross School in Northern Belfast. Following the deployment Piers returned to ceremonial duties in London with Nijmegen Company of the Grenadier Guards, participating in the State funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. He returned to the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards in The Queen’s Company where he completed Pre Parachute Selection and served in Kosovo as the Second Captain, the Company Second in Command. In 2004 Lieutenant Colonel Ashfield was selected to be the Guards Parachute Platoon Commander and served with 3 Para during the heavily contested initial tour of Helmand in 2006.
Over the next six years Lieutenant Colonel Ashfield served four tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, which culminated in 2012 when he was the Captain of The Queen’s Company (the de-facto Major in charge of the Company that is formally commanded by Her Majesty the Queen). The Company’s efforts were recognised for the intense fighting it experienced during the tour when Piers was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Following promotion to Lieutenant Colonel he attended the Army Command and Staff Course at the Defence Academy and is currently working within the
Operations Directorate of the Ministry of Defence until he takes command of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in February 2018. On current assumptions Piers is due to take his Battalion to Iraq in July next year before returning to ceremonial duties in 2019. In his spare time Lieutenant Colonel Ashfield enjoys both team and field sports and is particularly enjoying Tottenham Hotspur’s current revival. He is married to Morag and they live with their two year old son Xavier in an Army quarter in Uxbridge.
SAM HUMPHRY-BAKER After getting married in August, Katy and I decided to honeymoon with Rwanda Aid for nine weeks. Our goal was to do something that challenged us, in a place that was “disconnected” from our frantic London life. We knew we couldn’t get all this back-packing! David and Sally briefed us on a cool Sunday afternoon in March. They had carefully selected projects for us, which complemented our career expertise in the UK – Katy as a civil servant and me as a research scientist. Katy’s role was to help manage the 24 enterprises that RA runs. When we arrived, Katy soon learned of some of the challenges Rwandan businesses face. One of these is the absence of a savings culture, which poses challenges to their cash-flow. Together with Jonas, the in-country enterprise manager, Katy aimed to instil some rigour in how the enterprises were monitored. This included how they reported their monthly accounts and how they were given feedback by Rwanda Aid. She and Jonas also worked
hard to organise two “Enterprise of the Year” Awards Ceremonies.
set about designing and building his own, which he could make at half the price.
My project was to tackle the issue of increasing charcoal consumption, which is leading to deforestation and loss in soil fertility. This problem was evident when we arrived, as almost every square inch of land is cultivated to feed its dense population – the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
Our favourite project to visit was the street children village at Baho Neza Mwana. The boys there made us feel so welcome, and we were struck by just how engaged they were. All the more surprising given how tough their childhoods had been up to that point (and knowing what rascals boys of that age can be!) We thought that the staff there had achieved something very special and felt lucky to be a part of it.
My approach was to develop a method for making alternative cooking fuels made from local organic waste. I designed and built a machine that could compress waste into briquettes and, with the help of our colleagues, trained some local people to take the project on themselves. We were often amazed at how much the Rwandan people could achieve, armed with few resources but a lot of creativity. For example, we met a welder in Nyamasheke who had developed his own tile-cutting machine. He had recognised that locals could not afford foreign-imported products, so he
Outside our work we also had many opportunities to visit Rwanda. A highlight was trekking the Congo-Nile trail, along which we enjoyed endless stunning views of Lake Kivu and smoking Congolese volcanoes (especially when we had a peanut butter sandwich in hand!). But the most special trip came when we tracked the mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park. What will we take back from Rwanda? Besides many fond memories, new friends and what we call our “ten Rwandan resolutions” – one of which is to volunteer again – we will try to keep in mind how content people can be when they are “stuff-poor” but rich in time, supported by friends and family and part of a strong community. We cannot wait to get back to Rwanda!
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NEWS CONT.
RWANDA AID 10TH ANNIVERSARY
GLEN SWIRE 1942-2017 Given that Glen spent many of his early years in Shropshire, Vinehall was a surprising choice of prep school. From the school’s point of view, however, it was certainly a happy choice as Glen did Vinehall great credit and great service. I know he was also very happy at the school. He excelled both on the sports field and in the classroom and he appreciated the small, family atmosphere.
I’m sure many of you will remember doing a sponsored walk or two for Rwanda during your time at Vinehall. I have ‘fond’ memories of them myself, especially of one that took us most of the way round Bewl Water - I don’t think I complained that much! Since retiring, Dad decided to do more for Rwanda and subsequently set up his charity, Rwanda Aid. The charity has made significant progress in bringing about real, sustainable changes to the lives of the people in South West Rwanda and I am enormously proud of the wonderful projects he has set up. 2018 will see the 10th bir thday of Rwanda Aid and we would love to mark this occasion with a big fundraising effort. It would be wonderful if the Vines were included in this so please let me know if you would like to join the party! As a starting point I would like to gather together a team of 10 willing runners to take part in The Vitality London 10K for Rwanda Aid (1K for each year of RA) on 28th May 2018. Enjoy running 10K past all the London landmarks and raise some money at the same time! RA will supply a fetching running t-shirt for the occasion! If you’d like to be part of the Vines team for this event or would like to do something else to raise money for RA in 2018, please drop me an email at rozoutram@gmail.com Roz Chaplin (now Outram)
Glen qualified for Eton at a remarkably young age, and from there went to Oxford to read law. His career was varied and included management spells at BP and Court Line Aviation. It was while he was with BP in Paris that by chance he answered the phone in his flat. Glen couldn’t resist asking the caller for a drink, which led to a trip to the races the next day, follwed by dinner. The caller was Caroline Burges. Engaged in January and married in April, this was the start of a happy and wonderful marriage. He also gained a mentor, friend and future racing partner in the form of Caroline’s father, Rodney. In 1979 Glen joined the main board of John Swire & sons. He had many roles within the group, but his major role was as the graduate recruitment Director, a role he filled with distinction. Throughout his life Glen continued his quest for winners of the Grand National and Derby with his now racing partner, Caroline. He also became a non-stipendiary steward at Brighton and Plumpton which gave him much pleasure. In 1992 Glen became a Governor at Vinehall. I was in my early years as headmaster at the school and I benefited enormously from Glen’s kind and wise guidance. With his sharp sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye, Glen also had the happy knack of making everything fun, even Governors’ meetings! The most important thing in Glen’s life was undoubtedly his family, expanding over the years from the two girls, Joanna and Claire, to embrace two sons-in-law, Max and Adrian and then their children Kit, Lara, Caspar, Harry and Ben. His love, support and wit over the years was an essential ingredient in all their lives. And of course, it is Caroline who has been his rock for over 47 years especially during the last couple of years when he became less mobile. She helped him maintain a complete engagement in life until the end. In his later years Glen suffered from a long and debilitating illness throughout which he showed amazing courage and cheerfulness. It was typical of Glen that he wanted to turn this misfortune to advantage, and he worked tirelessly to set up a charity to help research and combat the terrible illness from which he suffered. There will be many who will benefit from Glen’s courage and selflessness. David Chaplin
TOM CHAPLIN VINEHALL IS 80 Our 80th celebrations will start in September 2018. More information will be sent soon, however ahead of these we would welcome copies of any photos you have of your time at Vinehall.
Following the release of his first solo album, “The Wave” Tom has spent a year touring the United States, Europe, UK and South America. Tom has just released a Christmas Album, “Twelve Tales of Christmas”and this includes eight originals and four classic covers. Tom Chaplin Music
Please send them with descriptions to hannah@vinehallschool.com
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MICHAEL BELL 1941 -2017
Michael’s father was the Rector at Hurst Green. Michael’s son, Ashley, tells us that his father’s early years at home were not particularly happy ones. In these circumstances Michael might well have been miserable being packed off to boarding school at the age of seven, but he was not. Indeed, in Vinehall he found one of the great foundation stones of his life. The following is Michael’s own assessment of his school days at Vinehall. To a large extent the success of the school was due to the exceptional talent of the Headmaster, Tom Stuart-Menteath, who was truly a surrogate father to every one of the children at the school, known to them as Bysshe because of his enthusiasm for Percy Bysshe Shelley. It takes a great man to create a culture so imbued with humanity as that at Vinehall; but once it exists, it is proof to almost any kind of outside influence, and to this day Tom’s influence lives on in the values that make Vinehall an exceptional place in which children can grow. It is not incorrect to describe Vinehall in 1948 as being more like a very large family than a school. Anyway, that is how it seemed to MGB. Only gradually, and many years later, did it become an educational establishment with a rigid set of rules and some sort of wall around it that marked it off from the surrounding countryside. Boarding schools can seem rather like monasteries, but in the case of Vinehall some of the age-old links between the estate and nearby villages still survived, at least for a while. On 5th November the Battle bonfire procession still marched the five miles to Mountfield and paraded past the bewitched children, lining the drive outside the house. Groups of children would visit local sights and the beach, as if with their families. Inside the house itself you were free to go where you wanted, as if you lived there. Well, you did live there. You couldn’t run and slide on the acres of polished wooden floors, but otherwise there were few rules and in those simpler days there seemed to be ample time to make your own amusements.
After prep, at six, there was an hour or two of free time and MGB somehow automatically gravitated to a large room called the library, which had been a billiard room but now accommodated a concert grand piano and some shelves of books. He had been drawn there one evening by magical sounds stealing quietly and with infinite nostalgia through the closed door. The pianist was a Polish waiter who served the children their meals and the music was Chopin. MGB asked if he could listen and the waiter just smiled acceptance. Evening after evening he sat there entranced by what seemed in retrospect must have been Chopin’s entire oeuvre. He needed no music, this man. They almost never talked; there was no need. But it became a tradition, a ritual, and perhaps the pianist was as happy to have an adoring audience as MGB was to sit there, feeling special and privileged. Later he couldn’t remember when they started, these private concerts, or when they finished. Probably it was only for one term, probably in 1948. The room was turned into a flat for one of Tom’s relatives who worked at the school; the library, with its piano, was moved into another room, where it stayed until forty years later, when MGB, by then a Governor and general benefactor, orchestrated its replacement. It was a splendid Bosendorfer. MGB flourished at Vinehall in every respect, managing to combine his individual separateness with happy group membership. He achieved distinction academically, of course, almost always top of the class or very near it. Sports was not his bag but he had not yet developed the hatred of team sports which vitiated his athletic development at public school. In activities of all kinds he shone and especially music. Here was laid down the basis for a lifetime’s love of musical performance, both vocal and instrumental. He made such rapid progress on the piano that his adored - and adoring - music teacher Margaret Channell, gave him a bust of Beethoven as a leaving present and told his parents that he had perhaps a touch of genius. They worked together in the tiny music room - probably it had been a cloakroom - next to the front door, on an upright. Margaret showed off her party pieces to her talented pupil, but always went wrong in the passage of descending chords near the beginning of Brahms’ G minor Rhapsody. “I never could get it right,” she said. It was a beautiful place, as well. other Sussex villages have no shortage of woodland, hedgerowed lanes, views to the Downs and the rolling Weald. But Vinehall was special. The towering chestnut and lime trees, the sculpted
park with its stands of elm and copper beech, the pine forest and Hunts Land with its swooping hills where you could toboggan on the snow. The children were largely free to roam throughout the estate; only the lake and the kitchen garden were ‘out of bounds’. In 1948, milk still came from the estate’s cows, and the school was self-sufficient in most respects. In the extended Vinehall family, Tom was everywhere. He taught English, ran sports and swimming, took assemblies, produced plays; but most of all he was the spiritual and moral guide of his flock. MGB felt guilty for the rest of his life that he had nicked Du Maurier cigarettes from the silver box on the table in Tom’s sitting room. The door was always open. Of course there were other important teachers at Vinehall. Every child at the school at that time remembers Buzz, a bachelor who taught Latin and Greek, stern in his classroom but kind, avuncular and witty in his bedsit. ‘Tea with Buzz’ was a precious occasion. But the best of them was Tom Gilbart, who taught mathematics. And he taught life, you might say. Tom had been an artillery captain, and for him happiness was to solve a seemingly impossible existential problem. His eyes would glitter, he would suck deeply on his pipe and off he, and you, would go, contriving unimaginably complicated but effective contraptions out of reeds and sticks to bridge a stream. Clever as his solutions invariably were, it was Tom Gilbart’s energy and enthusiasm which did the job. Carol, Tom’s wife looked demure, but no word could be less appropriate for this feisty, energetic American lady, in every way a match for Tom. The son of her first husband, a Spitfire pilot killed in the Battle of Britain, was called Paul and he was one of MGB’s particular mates. The Gilbarts and the Bells were very friendly during holidays, and stayed so for long after MGB had left the school. Surveying in later life some complicated situation which required directed, intelligent action, MGB would always look at it through Tom’s quizzical, determined, analytical eyes. Michael went on to continue all sorts of ties with Vinehall. He sent his son, Ashley, there, and his grandchildren are current pupils. Michael was a generous benefactor of the school, and he became a Governor in 1991. In this role he was utterly dedicated and extremely astute. During the twelve years he served he helped the school to develop successfully as it moved into the twenty first century.
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NEWS CONT.
ANGUS WINGFIELD Angus is the Founder and Director of a UK and South African based tour operation called Africa Wild Trails, a conservationist, an Africa expedition leader specialist and expedition logistics expert. Angus was at Vinehall between 1978 and 1983 and says that his interests in the outdoors was sparked as a young boy at Vinehall. As a dyslexic person he was drawn to the outdoors and has always been grateful for the opportunities in the grounds, fields and woodland at the school. Angus was very lucky to have travelled extensively as a young person and understood from an early age the value of
Angus formed Africa Wild Trails and the company now has eight partners in Southern Africa as well as three expedition leaders in the UK. As well as youth expeditions for schools, cadets and youth groups, Africa Wild Trails provides safaris for adults and families, survival and anti-poaching courses. combining adventure, experimental learning and peaceful reflection. These three things are always a major part of all of the youth programmes that Angus and his team include in their expeditions in Africa.
We have recently been advised of the sad passing of former Vine, Rex Shore.
This was a huge success and so began annual expeditions to the area. By the end of 2009
Our condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time.
Since its release it has had reached more than a quarter of a milllion streams on Spotify. It has also been added to the US top 20 playlist alongside Clean Bandit, Rita Ora and Selena Gomez. Further praise has come from Country Rebel, the world’s largest country music network, which praised one of Erin’s covers saying that the “15 year old singer with surreal talent delivered a jaw dropping rendition of Hallellujah” Now studying for her GCSEs Erin continues to perform live shows and will be releasing more tracks in the coming months.
In 2015 Erin moved on to Cranbrook School where she continued her musical career, achieving over 100,000 followers of her Instagram singing account. In the Summer of 2017 Erin opened the show at the Woodlands Festival UK and played a full set at Milk Fest 2017.
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Following his retirement Rex was living in Queensland, Australia. He recently developed heart and breathing problems and with complications after surgery he died before Christmas.
EMILY BIDWELL Her first single, Right Love, Wrong Time, was released in July 2017 and was played as Track of the Day by BBC Radio.
During this time she played many high-profile roles in Vinehall productions, singing, acting and playing piano and guitar. In her final year Erin took part in the Jungle Book and played the Sorceress of the North in the leavers’ production of The Wizard of Oz.
REX SHORE 1942-2017
In 2001 Angus travelled to Southern Africa as a scuba instructor interested in marine conservation and fell in love with the country, the wilderness, the ocean and the people. Already working in youth development for a local charity in Sussex, he put together his youth work and travel experience and ran his first expedition to Africa in 2002.
ERIN BLOOMER
Erin began school at Vinehall in Pre-Prep Reception and left at the end of Year 8 in 2015.
Africa Wild Trails Website
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When I returned to Vinehall after 20 years I am tempted to say that nothing had changed. There were Mr Whitehead and Mr Butcher propping up the staff room, Lorna was still in the office holding things together, Mrs Everist was down in the De Beer with the Year 3s singing mad Maths songs and dancing around the classroom…and yet everything had changed! I was no longer 13 but was now somehow in charge of a class of sixteen eager 6 and 7 year olds. I must admit it took me a while to feel comfortable here as a teacher, and I still have moments when I feel 13 again (the dungeon and the theatre still smell the same!), but Vinehall feels like home now. It is a joy to be able to take my class out into the grounds to roll down the big hill or explore the gully. I love helping the children to get the most out of their education here and working hard with them to discover their passions. Vinehall is still such a special place and I feel very privileged to have experienced it from both sides of the staff room door!
ED WILLIAMS I would be lying if I said this was something I wanted to do from an early age. When I was in my last year at University I wanted to do a number of different things, of which being a barrister was one. Some doors open in life and some close, the barrister door was the one that opened up for me and I have made the most of it, particularly being self-employed.
Ed Williams is an employment and discrimination barrister at Cloisters Chambers in Temple in London and is rated as a top barrister by the legal directories. Ed says “I have been a barrister for 17 years and regularly argue cases in the Court of Appeal, High Court, Employment Appeal Tribunal and Employment Tribunal. It involves lots of questioning of people in court and arguing about what the law means for protecting employees at work, including UK European law.
This allowed me to set up in 2005 a Cricket and Social Development Charity in Africa, called Cricket Without Boundaries which has coached hundreds of thousands of children across the continent. I also stood to be a Member of Parliament in 2010. To be successful as a barrister, you need to enjoy speaking in public and be able to absorb a lot of facts.
I was given the confidence to speak in front of others, through readings in chapel, assembly and in plays (including being one of the narrators in Joseph in 1987/8). Geoffrey Whitehead was a key teacher for me as he gave me the confidence in History, a key subject that has helped me understand the interplay between facts and ideas. I remember fondly his weekly tests on historical facts!” ********Late News******** We are delighted to hear that Ed has just been appointed a Queen’s Counsel (QC) and offer him our congratulations on this achievement
Vinehall gave me both of those things. My public speaking through plays and readings. My all-time favourite moment was when I was doing an English Speaking Board exam in front of the school and was reciting a poem, called “My Sister Jane”. I completely forgot the name of the poem, let alone the words.
VINES VISITS We really do love to welcome our Vines back to Vinehall. The children love to hear stories of childhoods past. If you would like to arrange a visit and perhaps a brief talk to the children please do contact Mary on headspa@vinehallschool.com
Josh Powell
Josh Powell
William English MBE
Josh Roche
Sacha Delmotte T H E V I N E S S O C I E T Y N E W S L E T T E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 17
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CATCHING UP
Henrietta Ashburnham Announced her engagement in January 2017 to Mr James Dewdney-Herbert. Erin Bloomer Released her first single “Right Love, Wrong Time” in the Summer of 2017. This track has had over 250,000 streams on Spotify and Erin has been featured on BBC Introducing and the US Top 20 playlist. Aged just 15 Erin is studying for her GCSEs at Cranbrook. Sebastian Boyd Living with his wife and two daughters in Santiago, Chile. Writes about economics and the markets as a blogger for Bloomberg News. Has a novel stashed under the bed. Mark Bradley Currently working as a First Officer for British Airways flying worldwide on their long-haul fleet. Andrew Bramwell Working for the National Trust at Killerton House, in Devon as the Outdoors Visitor Experience Officer. It is a lovely coincidence that Vinehall was evacuated to Killerton House during the war along with some Battle Abbey girls. Hayley Bushell Working as the Events Manager at the Manchester United Foundation. Lynsey Bushell now Cahalan Welcomed a daughter in April 2017. A sister for her two sons. Roz Chaplin now Outram Living in Tunbridge Wells with her husband and three children. Hoping to run the Vitality 10K and the Hastings Half Marathon to support Rwanda Aid in 2018. Guy Davenport Runs a tech start-up company, solving delivery problems. He is getting married in April 2018. Ashley Deeks Lives in Madrid with his two girls, aged 8 and 6, and two dogs. Having taught in person for years, Ashley has recently moved onto online courses,such as Helping Parents of Children with Dyslexia, ADD and ADHD as well as Yoga; Meditation and Mindfulness. Sacha Delmotte Obtained a physics degree from Balliol College, Oxford University. Upon graduating, he turned down MI6 and then eloped whilst on a gap-year to avoid the French military. He has worked in investment banking, corporate finance, management consulting and insurance brokering. His most recent professional foray is into numerous buy to let property investing.
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William English CBE Recently retired as a Colonel in the army. We were delighted that William was able to return to Vinehall to lead our Remembrance Day Service. Fiona Fielding Living in Hastings with her two sons aged 14 and 9. Fiona works with addicts, alcoholics and people with mental health problems. Ben Ford Works for the British Horseracing Authority at the Centre for Racehorse Studies in Newmarket. He is married to Carol, a gundog trainer, and has a son, Thomas. He enjoys shooting and working his dogs. James Foster Married to Nish and living in Boston, USA with their two boys aged 10 and 7. James is the Vice President of a boutique hotel group and has just bought his first super yacht! Melanie Foster now Mackenzie Married to Charlie and living in France with their two boys aged 9 and 6. Melanie has a US tax accountancy practice based in London. Tim Fryer Finally retired after 40 years in schools. He is looking forward to spending time with wife Val, children and grandchildren. He hopes to return to Vinehall soon where he was a boy and also taught science and was housemaster. Andrew George MBE Studied natural sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge. He has worked in the USA and the UK specialising in developing a vaccine for lymphoma. He was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Years Honours list. Malcolm Gordon Retired from being a Governor at Vinehall af ter 31 years. Secretary of the Vines Society. Married to Alison (an Honorary Vine) with two children and three grandsons. Long retired from business but thoroughly involved in the volunteering sector. Jack Huntington-Rainey Lives in St Johns, Antigua and has been working as a roadie for a band while still playing live music himself. Alnoor Janmohamed Lives in Dubai with his wife and 10-year-old child. Caroline Jones Engaged to Richard Turk. Harriet Jones Engaged to Anton Setterholm. Has played Christine Daae in the Phantom of the Opera at Her
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Majesty’s Theatre for the last three years. Georgina Kaye now White.. married to Sean, we have a little Boy - Rudy aged 2. They live in the Cotswolds and she has just started a new business this year as a Social Media Consultant @ pineapplewhitemedia Charles Killick Working at an “Ed-Tech” start up called “Museum in a Box”. Working with museums to create modern handling collections that can interact with the user. These are then sent into schools and the community. We hope to see some at Vinehall soon! Maisie Lee Married to Enda O’Flaherty and working as a Theatre Director in Dublin. Pierrot Lee Working for Health Poverty Action and is based in London. Luke Mellor 14 years living in Stockholm with his wife and four children. He reports that his forecast pension pay out probably means that he’ll die at his desk. Polly Mills Lives in Beckley, East Sussex. Georgina Munro now Brown Married Matthew Brown in June 2017. She is working at a start up communications consultancy with clients including Elizabeth Murdoch, Prince George and Getty Images. Douglas Munro M ar r i e d L aur a Lumby in December 2015 and they are expecting their first child in May 2018. He works at LGT Vestra and is enjoying life in Wandsworth. Romy Northover Now living in New York where she runs her own ceramics business and shop. Mark Parkinson Married with one son Maxwell with a wife that would like another. Lives in Watford and works as Head of Intelligence Analysis and Research for the Metropolitan Police. Josh Powell Working as a Conservation Biologist, he recently returned to Vinehall to present an assembly on bio security and Island Conservation. The children were delighted to listen to him speak. George Pool Still running, George competed at the British Athletics Cross Country and came third in the Under 17s race. Peter Pragnell Re-elected with 62% of the vote for a third term onto the East Sussex County Council. Vice
Chairman of ESCC and Chairman of the The Vines Society. Nicola Redstone Welcomed a daughter, Freya Elizabeth, in August 2017. Taking maternity leave from teaching (former Vines) at Sevenoaks School. Emma Rix now Cork Lives in Ashford, Kent with her husband and two very spoilt cats. James Rix Married with a two-year-old daughter Heidi. Kieran Sassone Part of the Harlequins Academy side that won the England Rugby U18 League. He is taking his IB at Sevenoaks School and hopes to be accepted to study Medicine in 2018. Dominic Sparke Practically married, living with their two daughters, aged 4 and 8 months, in Umbria, Italy. Charlie Thoms Living in Singapore. He has been there for eight years with his wife and 2 children, Charlotte (5) and Oscar (18 months). Charlotte Tyler Living near Stratford-uponAvon. She is married with three children aged 14, 11 and 7. Just started her own business “Neon Beach Club” selling “all things neon and sparkly” . Ken Webster Studied biochemistry at the Universtity of Bristol. He then obtained a PHD in biochemistry and studied the virus that causes cervical cancer. After discovering a love of speaking to the public he started to volunteer in schools to inspire children to be more curious. He became the Learning and Operations manager at Thinktank, Birmingham’s science museum, before becoming Head of Learning Operations at the Science Museum in London. 2017 has seen him take a career break to volunteer in Ghana before returning to employment in the UK. Toby Weeden Married to Courtney with twin boys about to turn 4. Owner of 321Ski tour operator and living in darkest Gloucestershire. Ed Williams Recently appointed Queen’s Counsel, Ed is an employment and discrimination barrister at Cloisters Chambers in Temple in London.
Please keep us up to date with your news. Email hannah@vinehallschool.com
SCHOOL UPDATE
With the arrival of a new headmaster it is a time for change at Vinehall. Throughout the school there is a real “can-do” attitude with initiatives and projects being suggested on an hourly basis. The newly renamed Drawing Room (formerly Rec Room) was opened after considerable time was spent restoring it to its former glory. It now houses many photographs from years past.
Since last Christmas a lot has happened at Vinehall. In April over 20 parents and staff members left the school to embark on the epic 24 hour Ride for Ryan cycle ride to Paris. Organised brilliantly by Mr Ellis this was a monumental event raising £20,000 for the pavilion fund. Not to be outdone by the cyclists, the mums of Vinehall decided to take on the slightly less epic Race for Life in Alexandra Park, Hastings. A fantastic morning was had by all and over £2000 was donated to Cancer Research. Our Leavers ceremony saw us say goodbye to some long time members of staff. Georgina Osborne, Steve Pomery, Lorraine Ford, Gail Moffat, Jenny De Meza (now Newman), Lynn Edwards and Peter Paige Mitchell were all thanked for their continued dedication and support. This was also our opportunity to say goodbye and thank you to Jo and Richard Follett for all of their hard work over their time at Vinehall.
SUCCESS BOARDS At V inehall we are always keen to celebrate our former Vines and the successes they are experiencing. This year we have introduced our success boards that are placed in relevant areas around the school. These boards tell the story of the Vine, including memories of Vinehall and the life paths they have chosen. We are delighted to have received information from all walks of life and currently have 15 boards celebrating areas such as Drama, Music, Sport, Engineering, Science and Geography.
Soon after this, the swimming pool benefited from a complete refurbishment and the school were rewarded with a triple haul of competition wins, including the Tonbridge Cup for the first time in 30 years. With further developments such as the entrance to the De Beer block and the San area we are working hard to maintain and improve our environment.
One resonating theme that has continued throughout the stories is that of Charity. Many of the Vines state that the School’s charitable ethos has stuck with them and is something that they bring to their everyday life. Should you wish to have your own success board, don’t be shy, email hannah@ vinehallschool.com for more information. We would love to hear from you.
A new, much more interactive website is on the cards and we have been increasing our social media presence. Vines are asked to follow us on facebook and twitter. Feel free to like and share as much as possible!
VINES DAY 2017 Sunday 1st July
Vines Day 2017 was packed with all of the sights and sounds that you would expect to be at a Vinehall extravaganza. The children were filled with delight at the games, treats and rides available, from the inflatable assault course to the more traditional carousel. David and Sally Chaplin brought with them an array of Rwanda Aid items and were on hand to greet Hugo E, a Year 3 pupil aged 7 who had undertaken a mammoth 12 mile walk from his home in Fairlight to the School. Following his walk Hugo was delighted to raise over £1,200 for Rwanda Aid. As well as the fête, the Vines Day also includes a Vines’ lunch and Head’s XI cricket match where next year Mr Powis will take on the former Vines. We would love to see many more of you at this fantastic day and would like to extend the invitation to all Vines, young and old, to return and pay us a visit. We look forward to meeting you and your families on the 1st July 2018. Do please contact office@vinehallschool.com to ensure we have enough cake available. T H E V I N E S S O C I E T Y N E W S L E T T E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 17
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THE VINES SOCIETY This has been another year of change for The Vines Society, as reported by Chairman Peter Pragnell to the Annual General Meeting on Vines Day 2017. We said farewell to Headmaster Richard Follett, who supported the Society so well in his six years’ tenure, and we wish Richard and Jo all the best for their new life at Pangbourne. We now welcome Jonathan ‘Joff’ Powis, who will be guiding the school into the future, with his wife Liz and 4 four sons, Freddy, Henry, Charlie and Arthur. Last year it was decided that all Vinehall leavers would automatically become members of the Society, instead of having to apply for membership at the end of their last term, with the subscription being waived. This has proved successful and has greatly eased administration, ensuring that we can keep in touch with as many former Vinehall pupils as possible. We also reviewed the arrangements for electing Honorary Vines. For twenty years the Society has acknowledged the contribution made to the school community by long-serving members of staff by
electing them to honorary membership of the Society at the AGM each year in July. Although part-timers previously had to serve longer, the qualifying term of service is now ten years for all staff. We checked recent records for former staff who left with at least ten years’ service but without qualifying, so that we could offer them honorary membership, and believe that we identified them all. They were duly elected at the AGM. Staff in a similar position who left in earlier years are also welcome to apply. Please contact me on info@vinessociety.org.uk .
us in 2018 on Sunday 1st July. From time to time we arrange reunions of Vines, most recently in London this November, when 150 Vines and their guests came together with staff to share reminiscences, renew old friendships and forge new ones. By keeping in touch you can make sure that you will receive news of such events. We are also looking ahead to 2018, which will be a significant anniversary year for the school (80 years) and the Society (60 years), and are beginning to make plans in conjunction with the Friends of Vinehall to mark it suitably.
Following a run of successes in the annual cricket match between the Vines and the Headmaster’s XI, which was reversed in 2016, we were again successful at the end of an exciting match on Vines Day 2017, winning The President’s Cup. We hope to repeat that next year! Joff Powis thinks otherwise!
Online the Society has a webpage at www.vinessociety.org.uk with links to the Vines’ pages on the school’s website. These will be kept updated with the latest news for Vines. There is also the new Facebook page, Vinehall Vines.
Unchanged are the Society’s aims to promote good fellowship among Vines and to maintain links with old friends, teachers and past pupils of the School. We do this by getting together each year on Vines Day and we hope you will be able to join
Best wishes from The Vines Society Committee. Malcolm Gordon Hon. Secretary info@vinessociety.org.uk
MORE EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS NEEDED! 2018 is also a special year for the School (80th anniversary) and for the Society (60th anniversary).
T h e S o c i e t y h a s m o r e t h a n 15 0 0 members, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to cover the expenses for mailings to Vines (not to mention the timeconsuming task of filling 1500 envelopes).
• full name whilst at Vinehall (and now, if different); • year of leaving; • postal address; and • email address.
We would like to encourage Vines to receive all their Vines information by email. Using email will ensure that those moving from school to university or travelling or working abroad can remain in touch. More than 900 Vines have already provided their email addresses, but we need more please!
If you have supplied your email address in the past by a different method, please do so again, as this will ensure that it reaches the same database as the rest. Please advise any change in your email address or mailings will go astray.
‘LOST’ VINES There are a substantial number of Vines with whom we are no longer in touch, because they haven’t advised a change of address or email. If you have friends who haven’t heard from us recently, please encourage them to update their records by emailing us as above, or writing to the Society, care of the School.
I am very grateful to Mrs Lorna Lambourne who assembles all your news and keeps the database up to date.
I very much look forward to catching up with your news.
Because of rising costs the Committee decided last year that the Christmas card would be replaced by a Christmas message sent by email. To ensure you keep up to date with Vines information, please send an email to info@ vinessociety.org.uk with the subject “Mailing” confirming your:
VINES DAY 2018 We are hoping that Vines Day 2018 will be another good opportunity for Vines of all ages to get together. So if you haven’t been back for a while, 2018 would be a good time to catch up with your old friends from school.
Vinehall ROBERTSBRIDGE, EAST SUSSEX
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The Vines Society Vinehall School Robertsbridge East Sussex TN32 5JL Telephone: 01580 880413 www.vinehallschool.com
Malcolm Gordon Hon. Secretary info@vinessociety.org.uk