Elizabethan Newsletter 2013/14 by Westminster School

WESTMINSTER SCHOOL

THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER 2013/2014

The Elizabethan Newsletter is produced annually by the Development Office of Westminster School and is available to all OWW. Letters are positively encouraged and should be sent to: The Development Office Westminster School 17a Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yard, London SW1P 3PB T: +44 (0)20 7963 1115 F: +44 (0)20 7963 1064 E: developmentoffice@westminster.org.uk

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SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2014

OW Calendar 2014/15 We are pleased to provide advance notice of some events coming up in 2014/15 so do use this list to save the dates of those events you wish to attend. All dates are correct at the time of going to press and any changes will be published on www. oldwestminster. org.uk along with full details of the events and booking information. We aim to send out postal invitations to as many events as possible but if you do not have access to email and you wish to attend one of the events listed please call 020 7963 1115 to register your interest and we will ensure you receive all of the booking information at the appropriate time. Certain events, like the Ben Jonson Drinks and Medics’ Drinks are for OWW who work in specific professional fields. To make sure that you receive an invitation to the events you wish to attend please send us your upto-date business details by updating your profile on our website or emailing alumni@westminster.org.uk.

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4th September Young Gaudy 11th September History Tour of School for A. A. Milne Society members and Reel History Archives Film Event 18th September Elizabethan Club AGM 25th September Old Grantite Club AGM 16th October Sir Adrian Boult Memorial Concert NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2014 6th November Elizabethan Club Dinner 13th November Abbey Tour 21st November Commemoration of Benefactors (Big Commem) and Commem Worldwide 2nd December Edinburgh Drinks 8th December Carol Service 2015 DATES 17th February 12th March 4th July

OW Lawyers’ Dinner 1950s Decade Gaudy Henley Drinks

Above: OWW enjoy drinks in College Garden at Old Westminsters at Home (July 2013). Above left (top): Kenneth Okumura (DD, 1993–98), Estelle Okumura (guest), Kate Wood (guest) and Adam Wood (AHH, 1993–98) at the 1990s Decade Gaudy (March 2013). Above left (bottom): David Hargreaves, Housemaster of Grant’s and Master of History, Johannes Gunnell (AHH, 1993–98) and Joel Parkes (RR, 1992–97) at the 1990s Decade Gaudy (March 2013)

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CONTENTS From the School

Head Master • The Dean • Bursar Westminster Development • Grand Opening Fund for Westminster Project Reports Legacy News • House Reports

OW Social To advertise in next year’s Elizabethan Newsletter, please contact: The Development Office, Westminster School 17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB T: +44 (0)20 7963 1115 F: +44 (0)20 7963 1064 E: developmentoffice@westminster.org.uk Head of Alumni Relations/Editor: Katharine Robinson Design: Tam Ying Wah Photographs: Andrew Dunsmore and Ian Stratton / Picture Partnership, Colin Wagg, Sandy Crole, Angie Garvich, Katharine Robinson, Tom Stevenson and the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Printed by: The Lavenham Press

The Elizabethan Club • Lawyers’ Dinner School Society • OWW at Home Decade Gaudies • Careers Events University Drinks • OW Women’s Network House Societies

International OWW

New York Reunions • Commem Worldwide

OW Sports

Athletics • Angling • Cricket • Fives • Football Golf • Tennis • Real Tennis • Table Tennis • Water

OW Articles

First published by Westminster School, 2014 © Westminster School All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any shape or form by any means electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of Westminster School. The views and opinions expressed by writers within The Elizabethan Newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of Westminster School. No responsibility is assumed by the publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein.

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Neville Walton Travel Award • Metz Award From the Archives • Endings and New Beginnings History of Fencing • History of the OW Golf Society

OW News

Head of Alumni Relations • 2013 Leavers’ Notes 2013 Young Gaudy Notes • OW Updates and Publications • Letters to the Editor Oli Bennett Charitable Trust Obituaries and Deaths

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Our Visitor, Her Majesty The Queen, has bestowed particular favour on the School in recent years. Dr Stephen Spurr, Head Master

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Read more about the Official

opening of the Sports Centre on page 7 and pages 13–17

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FROM THE SCHOOL Who to contact • Dr Stephen Spurr (Head Master) headmaster@westminster.org.uk • The Very Reverend Dr John Hall (Dean of Westminster) info@westminster-abbey.org • Chris Silcock (Bursar) chris.silcock@westminster.org.uk • Angie Garvich (Director of Development) angie.garvich@westminster.org.uk

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Head Master’s Report Above (left to right): The Head Master, the Dean of Westminster, Her Majesty The Queen and The Master of the Under School at the official opening of the Sports Centre.

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[Busby’s] effigy is gazing heavenwards, presumably looking for inspiration rather than in frustration, his reclining siesta-like pose doubtless leading all pupils to wonder just what the Head Master does all day!

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Dr Stephen Spurr Head Master The job description of the Head Master is a one-liner: ‘responsibility for overall management of the School’. Liberating and open-ended on the one hand, quite intimidating on the other. In 2005, on assuming the mantle of the 38th Head Master since the dissolution of the monasteries and planning ahead, one thought immediately came to mind – to be neither the shortest-serving Head Master nor the longest. So, after the first Play Term had passed, I could breathe a sigh of relief having surpassed the first hurdle! That had been set by John Hinchcliffe, who resigned in 1764 after only three months in post. The other I could feel relaxed about, Busby having been Head Master for some 57 years and dying in office aged 89. John Carleton, in his book on Westminster, tells how Busby had wished only for one word on his tomb: oblivio. One can understand that after 57 years! Instead his tomb in the Abbey displays a very long inscription, an epitaph that would doubtless

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have made Busby raise his eyebrows, if not his infamous cane. His effigy is gazing heavenwards, presumably looking for inspiration rather than in frustration, his reclining siesta-like pose and the blank page on his lap, where he is meant to be writing the School’s Development Plan, doubtless leading all pupils who sit in the Abbey’s South Transept to wonder just what the Head Master does all day! What has been achieved, then, over the last nine years and how well is the School positioned to face the future? The answer to the second part of that question should, I believe, be reassuring. Westminster has firmly established itself as the most academically successful school in the country; and that unrivalled reputation is recognised abroad. Pole position in the FT League Tables, which measure results at both GCSE and A-level and admission to the top universities world-wide has definitely helped to give our achievements national and international status. In a global knowledge economy, Westminster’s unchallenged supremacy – this year, by way of example, a record of 97 pupils hold offers from Oxford and Cambridge – is as notable as it is hard-won. In the context of increasingly competitive international recruitment for the most renowned universities, that remarkable achievement, replicated at Imperial, UCL, LSE and among the Ivy League in America, demonstrates that today’s Westminster pupils are as well, if not better, prepared academically as any pupils the world over.

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the productive and participatory global citizens of tomorrow, we have looked in the rear-view mirror before pulling out from the kerb. Traditional Westminster cultural pursuits since the Renaissance, namely theatre and music, have reached levels of school-wide excellence, aided by further investment and the strategy of involving as many pupils as possible. In music, for example, there are now 200 pupils in over 30 ensembles. 100 sing in at least one of the School’s choirs, six pupils play in the National Youth Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestra or London Schools’ Symphony Orchestra; and three sing in the National Youth Choir. And, while success at sport was for many years Westminster’s most closely guarded secret, we are >>

This year a record of 97 pupils hold offers from Oxford and Cambridge.

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That success is based on a deep and long-standing Westminster tradition. We have been careful not to teach to the test but to nurture the delicate plant of intellectual enquiry for its own intrinsic sake, through our teaching well beyond any examined syllabus and by means of the myriad pupilled academic and cultural societies beyond the classroom. This intellectual tradition goes back at least as far as Busby, if not before, namely that the only worthy criterion for esteem is academic endeavour: not privilege, not birth or wealth, but brains, endeavour and potential. In other key ways also, when deciding what qualities the pupils of today will require in order to be

Above: Her Majesty The Queen.

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We have reached out to many more bright and ambitious pupils from very modest backgrounds by doubling the level of financial assistance, by the establishment six years ago of the Westminster Summer School and, more recently still, by setting up a Sixth Form Academy with the Harris Federation for 500 able pupils from all over London.

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>> now competing successfully with the best, as you

will read elsewhere in these pages.

We read in the 1560 Charter of Elizabeth I that ‘the youth which is growing to manhood, as tender shoots in the wood of our state, shall be liberally instructed in good books to the greater honour of the state’. The point to emphasise here is that a Westminster education should also be seen, by all those privileged to enjoy it, as a public good. It is thus excellent to hear from the current Remove, the boys among whom joined the School in the year the programme of ‘civic engagement’ was introduced, have almost all given of their time on a regular basis to help others, whether raising standards of numeracy and literacy in local primary schools, talking with and listening to the all too often isolated elderly, helping in central London hospitals, maintaining and sustaining PHAB, now in its 37th year, and so forth. At the institutional level, the founding principle of giving poor scholars the opportunity to improve their life chances with a Westminster education, thus contributing to and renewing social, cultural and economic capital, has also been very significantly enhanced. We have reached out to many more bright and ambitious pupils from very modest backgrounds by doubling the level of financial assistance, by the establishment six years ago of the Westminster Summer School and, more recently still, by setting up a Sixth Form Academy with the Harris Federation for 500 able pupils from all over London. Then there has been the expansion of facilities, the largest in a concentrated period in the School’s history, and precisely at the time of deepest economic recession! Needless to say, therefore, we have turned to Old Westminsters to assist. You have been generous with your contributions to the Annual Fund, which is principally directed

Above (left to right): The Master of the Under School, Her Majesty The Queen, the Dean of Westminster and the Head Master at the official opening of the Sports Centre.

towards bursaries; and many have also given to the Building on Excellence Capital Appeal, to fund the ‘property spike’: the magnificent indoor Sports Centre at Vincent Square, the new Purcell’s, now a mixed House – for boarding girls and day boys –, a refectory for House lunches, a School Chapel for one Lower School year group for Latin Prayers on Wednesdays and for quiet prayers for all, new staff accommodation to create a closer-knit community and a new dining room and other facilities at the Under School. We set out to raise £25 million two years ago and have reached almost £17 million. How to help further (we are looking for 100% OW participation!), embellish Yard and inscribe yourselves literally into Westminster’s history, please read the article written by Angie Garvich, the Director of Development.

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Our Visitor, Her Majesty The Queen, has bestowed particular favour on the School in recent years. Who will forget the 450th celebrations in 2010, the great service in the Abbey and the magnificent Summer Ball which so many of you attended? Then came the sixtieth anniversary of the Coronation in June last year, when the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scholars sang the Vivat in the Parry anthem. And again this Election Term, when The Queen officially opened the Sports Centre on 12th June. On this last occasion, Her Majesty was presented with a leather-bound album, crafted by pupils adept at the ancient art of bookbinding, containing photographs of royal visits going back to the time of George V. Even the most famous and successful schools need, at key moments in their history, to take

stock and re-define their aims. The first decade or so of the 21st century has been one such time for Westminster. By taking a radical view, in the sense of going back to our roots, we have been able to identify our traditional strengths, mission and ethos and to reshape them for the new century. In striving to continue to keep our standards and facilities fit for present purpose, and well-positioned to face the challenges of the future, I have always been determined to ensure that Old Westminsters remain very proud of their School. In doing so, I could not have been more fortunate in my relations with three successive chairmen of the Elizabethan Club, its current President and the Committee. Both Susanna and I will remember both them and all the very many former pupils whom we have had the pleasure to meet over the past nine years with great fondness. THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 7

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The Dean’s Report The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Above: OW Former Monitors lead Latin Prayers with the Head Master in the Nave at OWW at Home on 11th July 2013.

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It was a pleasure for the Dean and Chapter to receive more than 500 Old Westminsters for an untrammelled roam through the Abbey and on into College Garden for drinks.

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On 11th July 2013, it was a pleasure for the Dean and Chapter to receive more than 500 Old Westminsters, their families and friends for an untrammelled roam through the Abbey and on into College Garden for drinks. Happily it was a balmy evening and the time seemed to be well appreciated. The model for the evening was one that the Abbey has arranged for many years every July for members of the Order of the Bath, of which the Dean of Westminster is the Dean (principal officer) and which is based in the Lady Chapel, also known as the Henry VII. The motive for the 2013 evening was the very successful Ball, held in the Summer of 2010, marking the 450th anniversary of St Peter’s College (the Abbey as a Collegiate Church and the School together under the charter of Queen Elizabeth I), an evening that began with a free wander through the Abbey Church and culminated in a rather crowded Compline in the Lady Chapel. Many OWW had expressed their appreciation of the evening and asked that it be repeated. The invitation last year was a first attempt at a comparable though smaller exercise. The evening on this occasion finished with a rather more ordered Latin Prayers in the Nave. As Dean I chair the governing body, which continues to play a quiet role behind the scenes, actively engaged in support of the School and seeking to extend both the attractiveness of the School and the circumstances that will allow it to flourish – as it does. For governors it will be, as I write, a

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particular pleasure to see the new Sports Centre in the Royal Horticultural Society’s splendid second building near Vincent Square, after almost a year of successful operation, officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen. The need for such provision has been long felt and it is wonderful to see it so effectively in use. Two other important developments planned for well over a year await fulfilment. In September 2014 Harris Westminster Sixth Form, a Government-funded Free School will open in Westminster, the result of collaboration between Westminster School and the Harris Federation, one of the largest and most experienced providers of Academies in London. The plan is to grow within a very few years to a school of 500 pupils, admitted on the basis of academic selection, with a preference for the least advantaged in life. The broad curriculum will match that of Westminster, and, although the two establishments will have their own distinct life and character, there will be a degree of collaboration. Dr Stephen Spurr has played a major role in enabling these developments but will in the end not be involved in their implementation. I write below about Stephen Spurr’s outstanding nine years as Head Master of Westminster. So in this report I limit myself to welcoming his successor as Head Master, Patrick Derham, who has led Rugby School with great distinction and will bring substantial experience and flair to Westminster. Dr Stephen Spurr, Head Master 2005–2014 My predecessor as Dean, Dr Wesley Carr, was chairing the governing body when Tristram JonesParry announced his retirement as Head Master, so in December 2006, when I became Dean, Stephen Spurr was already in his second of nine years at Westminster. I quickly discovered what an excellent appointment Dr Carr and his fellow governors had made. Stephen brought with him to Westminster his own personal commitment to providing an education of a quality that would challenge and enable young people to achieve at the highest level of which they were capable and also to become in the broadest sense useful citizens. His wide experience, as a classicist teaching at university level in Australia, teaching and leading his department at Eton and as Head Master of Clifton, was excellent practical preparation for enabling him to put his commitment into effect. He has been outstandingly successful. Various objective criteria could establish the quality of Stephen Spurr’s achievement as Head Master. The first is undoubtedly continuing to offer

Westminsters a broad and challenging academic experience coupled with enabling their growing achievement in examination success and in entrance to the best universities. For year after year, Westminster has been listed by the Financial Times as the pre-eminent School in their league tables. This is a remarkable achievement. Not every newspaper’s league table has matched the commitment to Westminster of the FT, but that is explained by the way in which the FT has taken into account the most significant academic courses and not been troubled as to whether these were leading to GCSEs and A Levels, or IGCSEs and Pre-Us. The successful introduction into the curriculum of these latter more testing examination courses – and not being diverted into backwaters such as the IB – has been part of Stephen Spurr’s achievement. This year, the number of offers to Westminster Leavers by Oxford and Cambridge has increased yet again, in addition to offers from the best universities overseas and the Russell Group universities at home. All this success has led, despite the recession, to ever increasing numbers of candidates applying to join Westminster and to ever larger accommodation for those sitting the entrance exams. The second objective criterion would be Dr Spurr’s achievement in developing his senior staff. After his first year, he was joined by Under Master Dr Gary Savage, formerly Eton’s Master in College. After a very successful few years, with the active encouragement of his Head Master, Dr Savage sought and achieved appointment as Head Master of Alleyn’s in Dulwich. Dr Spurr appointed Dr Martin Boulton, an experienced member of the Common Room, as Under Master. After equally few years, again with the active encouragement of his Head Master, Dr Boulton was appointed High Master of his alma mater Manchester Grammar School. They are not the only recent members of the Westminster Common Room to have become Heads. In 2009, the Master of the Queen’s Scholars, Dr Frances Ramsey, was appointed Principal of Queen’s College in Harley Street. It is a sign of successful leadership to develop staff and enable them to move on to higher things. The introduction of a professional development review has been part of that process. Other members of the Common Room have been brought into leadership. Charles Low as Director of Studies was succeeded by Rodney Harris, who has now been joined, such are the important demands of the role as now conceived, by two assistants. More recently Kate Clanchy has replaced Rod Beavon after his very successful final few years as Senior Master after many years as Head of Science. Jeremy Kemball was brought into the senior management committee as Senior Tutor. With the excellent Chris Silcock as Bursar, >> THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 9

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Below: Bear Grylls’ visit: just one of the high-profile visitors during Dr Spurr’s time as Head Master.

>> this senior team has collaboratively and effectively

supported Stephen Spurr’s leadership.

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Stephen Spurr has been a determined champion of sport, Station, as a vital part of the broader curriculum.

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Jeremy Kemball’s membership of the senior team has related in particular to another marked achievement of Dr Spurr’s headship: the introduction of civic engagement as an experience for every Westminster pupil in their school career. They have responded brilliantly to the opportunity of helping primary school children to read, working with other young people out of school, supporting the elderly in communal homes and a seemingly infinite number of other activities besides. This has all contributed to a growing sense within Westminster of the value of reaching out to those less advantaged. Great sums of money have been raised to increase bursary support for able pupils to have their education at Westminster subsidised. PHAB has continued to flourish, courses of science lectures have involved pupils from local maintained schools, the Summer School has enabled potential high achievers to reach their goals at university entrance and members of the Common Room have supported curriculum and staff development in a number of less advantaged schools. Stephen Spurr has given active and invaluable support to the development of plans to open Harris Westminster Sixth Form, which fits well into this established pattern. All this activity has been undertaken with the full support of the Common Room and evidently without putting at risk the core academic achievement of Westminster’s pupils, indeed much to their advantage. It should be clear that concern for the spiritual and moral development of pupils

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Bursar’s Report Chris Silcock My annual report generally focuses on buildings and bursaries and this year will be little different.

Above: Susanna Spurr with David Brigstocke (AHH, 1966–70) and Lavinia Spurr at the 2013 New York Reunion.

and of society helps create a context in which learning and achievement will flourish. The last objective criterion I have space to mention is the development of the School’s premises, in which the Head Master has inevitably been heavily involved. The Manoukian Music Centre had been opened in 2005, the culmination of much significant development in the years before Stephen Spurr joined the School. But the acquisition of St Edward’s House in Tufton Street for the School, to house Purcell’s, has been a major development under his headship, and the crowning glory of recent years’ extension of facilities has been the Sports Centre. Stephen Spurr has been a determined champion of sport, Station, as a vital part of the broader curriculum. All this has been achieved with effective consultation, with considerable grace and humour, and most of the time with a gentle touch. But no one has been in doubt that under a very smooth and charming exterior lie real strength and quiet passion. It seems far too soon for him to be heading off into retirement. But we wish him and Susanna every joy and peace in their home in Tuscany and feel sure that in various ways Stephen will continue to be a force for good here in support of the highest standards in education.

Occasionally there is an article in the press which questions spending by independent schools on their estate, suggesting that we are simply gold-plating what we offer and that we are in an educational “arms race” with each other to attract parents. We are also lectured on our charitable duties and what we should do to widen access instead of enlarging our facilities. The premise of the question is fair. When Governors consider how the School’s resources should be allocated they are mindful of our charitable foundation and what we have done throughout our long history. The recent Governing Body’s biennial strategic review of bursaries reaffirmed its policy of ‘needsblind admission’. This means that any pupil who is able to win a place on academic merit against the competition will be enabled to take up that place with a bursary if the parents are unable to afford some or all of the fees. Of course, assessing need is a key part of the process. This year the School received almost 200 bursary applications from candidates seeking 2014 entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Whilst assessment showed that over 160 would, if they won a place, merit some fee remission, the number who did eventually win a place was considerably lower. Nevertheless the School currently has well over 60 pupils on a bursary of some level, 42 of whom receive a 100% fee remission. I am often asked what the criteria for a bursary are. The Governors’ direction is that parents >> THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 11

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>> should not have to face hardship to send their

children to Westminster. If a parent is wealthy or of very modest means, the calculation is simple, but parents in the mid-range do occasionally have to examine their priorities and lifestyle. I have generally found that the School’s assessment is considered fair and reasonable. The School is a business and the business must be sound with the books balancing if we are to continue offering the exceptional education that we do. We aim to keep the fees as low as possible so that they remain within reach of our parents. We aim to fund bursaries out of our endowments, which you will know were considerably enhanced by the Milne legacy. In addition, the generosity of donors through our Annual Fund and other fundraising has enabled the Development Office to keep the endowment pot topped up. However, as I explained last year, buildings occasionally come up for sale which requires us to dip into our funds if we are not to lose out. Unlike many schools, we don’t always have the

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he School’s Building on T Excellence Campaign is important to get us back to where we were financially before the purchase of the Sports Centre, the new Purcell’s and the Under School’s new Douglas Street building.

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luxury of being able to raise funds in advance of a major project which is why the School’s Building on Excellence Campaign led by the Development Office is so important to get us back to where we were financially before the purchase of the Sports Centre, the new Purcell’s and the Under School’s new Douglas Street building. Our Director of Development would shoot me if I did not mention the Yard repaving project. We have achieved consent to repave Yard, which is in a bit of a state to get it in good order for the next two to three hundred years. In advance of

that we have already completed work on repaving Ashburnham Garden funded with the help of a generous Westminster family and also through the purchase by some of our OWW of engraved stones. We have a complete engraved stone which may be viewed should you wish to see what is being offered. Two engraved stones have been laid in the Garden and may be viewed and there was a small ribbon cutting ceremony in the Election Term to officially re-open the space, and we hope too that you will be enthused to buy a stone of your own, marking your time at Westminster or even that of several members of your family. It really is more economical to share the cost with your OW parent, sibling and, dare one say, child! So what else is happening? I have been reporting for a number of years that the old Adrian Boult Music Centre will be redeveloped and that Ashburnham House will be refurbished. I regret that no progress has been made, although not for want of trying. The Head Master and his Senior Management Committee are trying to decide what use can best be made of the Boult site and the fact that we have yet to nail it would suggest that we have yet to find the best answer. As to Ashburnham House, some early work is being done on options but it will be some time before we do anything major. In the next year or so the Great School should have a new surgery in the basement of the Master of Queen’s Scholar’s House which was once occupied by the Chaplain before his move to St Edward’s Chapel. The Robert Hooke Science Centre needs a major overhaul of its services and roof and that will start this Summer. And work to redevelop the Under School’s main hall and former kitchen/dining room as a better space for assemblies, concerts and drama began this past Easter. This work will conclude the major redevelopment which began with the new building across the road. I end as usual by saying that finances are sound and that applications to the Great School and the Under School increase year on year – once again, Dat Deus Incrementum. We are very fortunate indeed and grateful for it. Floreat!

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Westminster Development Angie Garvich Director of Development

Above: The Head Master, Her Majesty The Queen and the Master of the Under School at the official opening of the Sports Centre.

There are any number of firsts that I have had in my almost five years at Westminster – my first experience of a physical competition focused around the flinging of a breakfast food, the first time I heard Westminster Abbey referred to as a “School chapel” and I’ll never forget the day I realised that a House singing competition can be more viciously competitive than any school sport. But still, I have to admit that having your new school sports centre opened by a reigning monarch probably tops them all (I still say “new”, but pupils and OWW have in the almost 2 years since it opened its doors worked their special magic to give it that very “worn in” Westminster feeling!). It was a great day and as Her Majesty commented that the last time she opened a sports centre was just before Charles left Gordonstoun, we think it made for a pleasant change of pace for her as well.

the initial mortification of imaging their names inscribed for eternity in masonry wears off a bit, the idea of being immortalised in Portland Stone becomes very appealing! Sales are going very well and many more engraved stones will soon be following these initial two. In fact, my new favourite thing is working with OWW to help them to decide on their location. From the Old Wrenite who specifically requested that his be beneath the cricket noticeboard to another former pupil who was keen to be “in goal” for Yard football, each choice is personal and these unique touches are going to add some real Westminster character to our beautifully repaved Little Dean’s Yard. >>

This year has also seen one other important first – that of the very first names to be “legally” carved into the fabric of the School! Our first two OW Yard stones were laid in Ashburnham Garden this April and I can honestly say that they look as if they have always been there. It turns out that once pupils leave the School, and

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his year has also seen T an important first- that of the very first names to be “legally” carved into the fabric of the School!

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Today, parents and OWW make up around 1/3 each of the total number of donors to Building on Excellence.

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Excellence. One very important group, our former parents, was entirely absent from the past campaign, and we are delighted that today they play such a prominent role in all areas of School life. As to our overall progress, I am delighted to report that with your assistance our Building on Excellence total has now reached £16.8m of its £25m target. Still, the real key to success today, just as it was in 1961, is participation. The important gifts aren’t just the ones given by those with millions of pounds to contribute, but by everyone who participates in whatever way that they can. Any gift, no matter the size, is vitally important to our success.

Above: The Dean of Westminster, Her Majesty The Queen and The Master of the Under School at the official opening of the Sports Centre.

Sponsoring Yard stones is just one way that our donors are choosing to lend their support, and there’s no denying that Westminster’s Building on Excellence Campaign is the largest and most comprehensive philanthropic appeal in the School’s long history. The differences between this appeal and the School’s very first capital campaign seem vast. For starters, today we’re seeking to secure £25m and have made some of the largest property acquisitions in the School’s history, while in the first appeal, launched in 1961, we were seeking a more modest £250,000 with the simple goal of setting our finances on a more stable footing. In fundraising terms, change can often be a very good thing. In the 1961 appeal, parents contributed just 6% of the funds raised. Today, parents and OWW make up around 1/3 each of the total number of donors to Building on

Over the past two years we have called upon our friends to come together as a new generation of Westminster visionaries, and by investing in our future to reaffirm their belief in the principles that form the foundation of this great school – that knowledge is something to be aspired to, that through learning we can affect change and, most importantly, that a superior education should be available to all with the intelligence, drive and courage to benefit from it. We have worked hard to demonstrate that our focus will always be on initiatives that will have a truly transformational impact on life at your School, and it is our hope that every member of this extended Westminster Community will support us in our mission to create the global citizens of tomorrow. Any gift, no matter the size, can make a genuine difference – whether by providing immediate financial assistance or in helping us to leverage future support from others. We encourage you to take part, in support of whichever area and at whatever level is appropriate for you, and together I know we will accomplish great things.

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Westminster School Sports Centre

Grand Opening

Thursday, 12th June 2014 Westminster School Sports Centre

Above (top): The Dean of Westminster and the Head Master watch Her Majesty The Queen unveil the plaque marking the official opening of the Sports Centre. Above (bottom): A Westminster pupil, overseen by the Dean of Westminster, presents Her Majesty the Queen with a bouquet of flowers.

On Thursday, 12th June Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opened the Westminster School Sports Centre, marking the culmination of many years’ ambition and achievement. As the Head Master has noted, the search for sporting facilities to house the major stations has arguably been ongoing since the School’s foundation 450 years ago and it was, therefore, wonderful to witness its conclusion. The Sports Centre offers 6,000m² of cuttingedge facilities for climbing, fencing, Judo, dance, cricket, football and many other stations. Pupils no longer have to travel across London to participate in their chosen sport and boarders now have access to leisure facilities in the evening. For the whole School community the buzz created by hundreds of pupils improving their skills and physical fitness in one place on Tuesdays and Thursdays has been a real benefit. >> THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 15

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The end of a 450-year search required the swift purchase of the 1930s Royal Horticultural Society Lawrence Hall when it became available which was subsequently converted into our Sports Centre. Westminster’s location means that the purchase of existing buildings (rather than building on available land) is often the only way to secure new facilities for pupils. The School’s most recent acquisitions, including the Sports Centre, have required a capital investment of roughly £36m, currently funded from a combination of endowments and a bank loan of £12m, which remains outstanding. To ensure that we continue on the strongest possible financial footing and to avoid compromising the growth of our Bursary Programme, the £25m Building on Excellence appeal was launched. Recouping this amount will allow the School to repay all outstanding loans and will help us to maintain a responsible level of reserves.

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For the whole School community the buzz created by hundreds of pupils improving their skills and physical fitness in one place on Tuesdays and Thursdays has been a real benefit.

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Many OWW have already chosen to support the Building on Excellence appeal and it would be wonderful to see every member of the Westminster Community play a part in this huge undertaking. To make a gift please visit www. oldwestminster.org.uk/donate or donate by post by sending a cheque payable to ‘Westminster School’ to The Development Office, Westminster School, 17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB.

Above: Westminster pupils put on a fencing display for Her Majesty The Queen.

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The end of a 450year search required the swift purchase of the 1930s Royal Horticultural Society Lawrence Hall when it became available

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Left: Westminster cricketers meet Her Majesty The Queen. Below: Her Majesty The Queen meets some Westminster badminton players.

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Fund for Westminster Thank You Event

Project Reports 18th March 2014 School Above: An Under School pupil performs on the new Cor Anglais.

Showing donors the projects made possible by their donations to the Fund for Westminster is always one of the highlights of the year. This year OWW, Friends (former parents and staff) and Parents enjoyed drinks and canapés up School while viewing the various Fund for Westminster 2013 purchases which are detailed in the report that follows. Pupils were on hand to explain the impact of the projects on School life and hearing first-hand what a difference the Campaign made was extremely inspiring for all present. Our sincere thanks to everyone who supported the Campaign in 2013.

Opposite page (top): Guests at the event enjoy a demonstration of the Magic Planet Digital Globe in action. Opposite page (below): The Archivist, Elizabeth Wells, shows off some of the School trophies.

Magic Planet Digital Globe

One of the most popular projects in the room was the Magic Planet Digital Globe. Pupils were able to show donors incredible images like the surface of Mars or the movement of the Earth’s weather systems during major events such as the 2005 Tsunami. This teaching tool will allow pupils of all ages to view and interactively explore subjects as varied as physics, earth science and world history. The globe will be used by pupils at both Schools as well as in Westminster’s outreach work with our partner state schools. Trophy Cabinet

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Pupils were able to show donors incredible images like the surface of Mars or the movement of the Earth’s weather systems during major events such as the 2005 Tsunami

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The Archivist, Elizabeth Wells, dusted off some of the School’s most prized silverware for the event, some of which will eventually be displayed in the new Trophy Cabinet for the Sports Centre. It was a real treat for pupils and donors to see items which are usually kept under-wraps and we look forward to some stunning displays when the cabinet arrives.

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Wet Day Games Boxes

Having Hungry Hungry Hippos and Kerplunk out at the event provided a nostalgic treat for the adults in the room! The games boxes will provide a selection of board games for Under School boys to play at break whenever inclement weather prevents them from going outside. Cor Anglais and Soprano Saxophone

Two of our Under School boys gave some wonderful performances throughout the evening on the new Cor Anglais and Soprano Saxophone. It was great to hear these wonderful and slightly unusual instruments played with such skill and enthusiasm. Portable PA System

It wasn’t the prettiest item in the room (!) but the new PA system will transform the way we are able to manage special events on Vincent Square and has already proved an extremely useful addition to School life. Steinway for School

Our newly purchased Steinway Model D concert grand piano was the star of the show and the performances by two of our Great School pupils were truly incredible. Having heard so

much about the instrument’s illustrious past (it has been the piano of choice for the world’s greatest pianists such as Garrick Ohlsson, Malcolm Martineau, Howard Shelley, James Rhodes, Martin Roscoe, Sunwook Kim, Lisa de la Salle, Roger Vignoles, Marc-André Hamlin and Valentina Lisitsa) it was amazing to listen to it being played in its new home. We look forward to many more performances over the years to come. THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 19

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Legacy News

Above (top): Pupils walking to lessons. Opposite page (top): Bikes outside Busbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House. Opposite page (bottom): The Head Master presents a member of the A.A. Milne Society with her commemorative badge.

A.A. Milne Society

Making a commitment to Westminster in your will is a truly inspiring act and the School is extremely grateful to all OWW who have chosen to do so. All legacy donors who notify Westminster of their gift are recognised as members of the A.A. Milne Society (of which further details follow) and we are pleased to include news for Society members along with a general update for all OWW here:

New brochure

Our new legacy brochure features a codicil document to enable prospective donors to amend their existing will as well as clearer information on the process of leaving this type of gift to the School. To request a copy please email alumni@westminster.org.uk Next A.A. Milne Society event

We are looking to organise a small event for A.A. Milne Society members on the same night as the next Reel History Archives Film showing so members can attend both events if they wish. The date will be Thursday, 11th September and invitations will be sent to members of the Society in the Autumn so if you have not notified us of your gift please ensure you do so we can send you an invitation!

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Our new legacy brochure features a codicil document to enable prospective donors to amend their existing will.

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US taxpayers

The Westminster School Foundation US is incorporated in the state of Delaware and carries 501c3 status from the US Internal Revenue Services, which means that all qualifying donations made by US taxpayers will be treated as tax-deductible. For US taxpayers, a bequest made to “The Westminster School Foundation US, registered charity number 99-0369928” is deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and there is no limit on the amount of the estate tax charitable deduction. In addition, bequests are not generally subject to state inheritance or estate taxes. Please do not hesitate to contact alumni@westminster.org.uk if you have any further questions about how to make this type of gift.

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We are looking to organise a small party for A.A. Milne Society members on the same night as the next Reel History Archives Film event.

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About the A.A. Milne Society The A.A. Milne Society, named for one of the School’s most generous benefactors, has been created to recognise those who have generously chosen to support Westminster through a legacy gift. Members of the Society receive specific recognition for their commitment to the School, including invitations to special events and updates on matters of particular interest to Society members. eneral notes on leaving a legacy G to the School For the purpose of a legacy, the School’s full legal name for inclusion in your will or codicil is “St Peter’s College (otherwise known as Westminster School), registered charity number 312728”. Legacy gifts for unrestricted purposes are always particularly helpful. If you are happy for your bequest to be used in this way, please note “general purposes”. Otherwise, please specify a fund or programme. Westminster School is recognised as a charity by HM Revenue & Customs and therefore pays no tax on gifts of money or property made either during your lifetime or upon your death. Bequests made to such tax-exempt beneficiaries are entirely free of Inheritance Tax, meaning Westminster will receive 100% of the value of your gift.

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Extracts from House Reports produced for The Elizabethan (June 2014)

House Reports Ashburnham

Above: Images of life at Westminster over the 2013/14 academic year.

Ashburnham has risen like a comet from the depths of mid-table obscurity, and this year’s results show that it is a sporting force to be reckoned with in the future. 1st in Girls’ Tennis, a close 2nd in both House Climbing and Shooting, 4th in Netball, a 2nd place Towpath finish from Atalanta Arden-Miller (Remove) and victory in the 100m front crawl from Jed Thompson (Remove) represent a remarkable last hurrah from the departing Remove, providing a strong example for the future ’burnham legends. While these sporting events have brought glory upon Sharon Ragaz’s Blue Army, it was the unity within the House that was most touching. At Pizza Express over a shared

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portion of garlic bread the peer supporters and I bonded with the Fifth Form, and a House Secret Santa saw festive cheer shared by Lower and Upper School. Whether singing (mostly in tune) Rick Astley’s timeless hit – Never Gonna Give You Up, applying blue Smurf body paint for our House photo, or organising the ever-successful bouncy castle for September Saturday, under Dr Ragaz’s guidance, Ashburnham has indeed shown flashes of the elusive ‘House spirit’. Busby’s

Led by our fabulous Housemaster Mr Botton we have claimed the House Shooting cup, the junior House Football trophy, and only a technicality (and Mr Wurr’s questionable score allocation) prevented victory in the senior and junior boys’ Bringsty race allowing us to seize overall triumph. Despite narrow losses in the senior boys’ and girls’ House football it is fair to say we remain a dominant force in House sport. Off the pitch, you will find Busbites excelling in everything they put their minds to. Our House concert, led by our music gurus, was critically acclaimed as “the best House concert of the year”. The Arctic Monkeys, Frank Sinatra and Chopin, to name but a few, provided an eclectic mix of classical, comic and popular music which was brought to an end by Ziding Zhang’s (Remove) emotional farewell to a House that many have called home. This House is special for its tight-knit familial atmosphere, as demonstrated by the pizza evening currently going on around me as I write, and I know that during my two years as a Busbite I have been lucky enough to know some of the most amazing, kind and generous individuals I ever will. College

College is not usually a House renowned for owning hoards of sport trophies, but this year has proved to be an exception! We have managed to retain the Chess Cup, the largest and, of course, the most important of all the sports trophies, for the 4th year running. Moreover, we have added the House Netball Cup to our collection, winning every game in the competition thanks to some fantastic leadership from the captain, Elizabeth

Dunne (Remove), and clinical finishes from our best shooter, Jessie Shea (Sixth Form). With many of the younger years also showing great talent and determination, the future for College looks bright on the sporting front. Musical achievements have been phenomenal this year: two of our gifted musicians, Matthew Bannatyne (Sixth Form) and Yuma Kitahara (Lower Shell), fought off some tough competition to reach the Westminster Musician of the Year (WMOTY) Finals. Congratulations to Yuma, who won second place. No College year is complete without a Commemoration, Big or Little. It reminds us how fortunate we are to be in such a great academic atmosphere which promotes learning and achievement, and remember those benefactors of the School who have made all this posible. Dryden’s

The Day Room has remained the focal point for group crosswords and Sudoku puzzles and of late the hub for Irish songs. “I cannot think of anything better than singing Irish songs at 8.30 in the morning” said at least one pupil and a certain old Drydenite tutor. Elsewhere, Drydenites have continued to excel in School competitions with awards won for debating and Model United Nations, Drydenites appearing in Fiddler on the Roof and performing in WMOTY. We were even treated to a Drydenite carol in Abbey followed by the School Carol Service procession which was oddly dominated by Drydenites. House Scarletts remains the most exclusive tie in the School, Mr Hemsley-Brown’s trophy cabinet has been given a well-deserved year to breathe and it is clear that Dryden’s has continued in its upward trajectory and remains Westminster’s premium corridor property. Grant’s

This has been a triumphant year. We performed five short House plays (four more than any other House, I am told) from the collection Lovers and Other Strangers, with Messrs Hanway (Sixth Form) and Mann (Lower Shell) dazzling in drag. The House concert was a roaring success, culminating >> THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 23

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in a feisty rendition of karaoke classic The Final Countdown. We won (!) House Swimming and House Rock Climbing, reached the semi-finals in Girls’ Football, ran with valour in the Towpath, and played tiki-taka the 2 Little Dean’s Yard way in reaching the final of Junior House Football. This has also been a year of high emotion. In September, the boarders were presented with FIFA 14 Ultimate Edition in a moving ceremony up TV Room. David Hargreaves’s departure casts in sharper relief just how sensationally lucky we’ve been to have him as our Housemaster, leader, surrogate parent and friend for the past few years. PDH has anchored the adolescent fluctuations of countless Grantites with an unwavering commitment to their wellbeing. Those of us leaving know we’ve been fortunate to grow up here – and that next year’s intake will be saying exactly the same in five years’ time. Hakluyt’s

In addition to the sterling extra-curricular commitment of our Lower School members, we have a WMOTY winner in Tommy Leo (Fifth Form), whose piano-playing skills have made ripples around the School in recent months. Eliza Millett (who was Tommy’s predecessor as WMOTY), has, in addition to her choral commitments, played the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto to a full house at St John’s Smith Square. Sport has found something approaching a home in Hakluyt’s, as evidenced by some remarkable achievements this year. The Sixth Form and Remove girls, who came an historic second in the Girls’ House football competition, put their male counterparts to shame – only debris was salvaged from the group stages, despite some valiant route-one football and a glorious goal from the halfway line by Sam ‘Wilshere’ Winters (Remove). As the Election Term draws to an end, it is with great pride that we can look back on a fantastic year in the House of Hopkins, and, apart from those of us parting ways with the blue and yellow, look forward to yet another. Liddell’s

Oft-better known for its indoor exploits, the sporting tides are certainly changing for Liddell’s: on the back of last year’s Junior House Football victory we managed to place 3rd overall in this year’s Sports

Day. Kept only from 2nd place by a bout of truancy amongst the girls’ team, the Yellow Army managed to come closely behind the sporting-mad Wren’s and Busby’s. This year’s House concert was another aural extravaganza with impressive performances throughout, and a particularly innovative rendition of the Beatles’ classic Let it Be by Azmain Chowdury’s (Remove) ‘Faceless Bureaucrats’. Milne’s

We need not embellish our triumphs. Truth is axiomatic. It would be almost truculent to dwell on our manifold achievements in the running arena; one comes to accept the unrelenting string of victories as an inexorable part of Milne’s life. However, victory in the Senior Towpath with the glorious taking of first and second place by Andreas Ioannou (Remove) and Nicholas Clanchy (Sixth Form), who went on to bring home the fastest time in the School at the Bringsty relays, must be stated. We had to settle for second place, an outré feeling, in House chess after conceding defeat against the English national team disguised as College. Despite being led by School’s sharpest shooter, Pip Frizzelle (Remove), the netball team was valiantly defeated in the final of the House competition leaving us runners-up for the second year in a row. Perhaps it is the fact that our chimney is taller than Ashburnham’s proving, once again, we are the greatest House in Dean’s Yard, for as you know, size matters. And though our wall paint and denizens may be protean our coruscating spirit remains

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score of performances ranging from poetry recitals to DJ-ing. Rigaud’s

J. Paul Getty had a formula for success: “rise early, work hard, strike oil.” To say that biodiesel was harvested in Rigaud’s this year would be an understatement. We won more House trophies (Football, Senior Sixes, Girls’ Football, Tennis and Cricket) than any other House.

Above: Images of life at Westminster over the 2013/14 academic year.

endemic. And it is with such assiduous and modest spirit that we follow our glorious Scottish leader William Wallace Dr Hartley assisting our striving towards quintessence. Yes Wren’s, you may take our lives, you may temporarily take our Towpath trophy, but you’ll never take...our freedom! Purcell’s

Purcellites have better life skills than denizens from all the other (clearly inferior) Houses, being the only House in which the girls all do their own laundry. It continues to be a rampant breeding ground for feminists, contributing more speakers to Feminist Society than any other House. But we don’t hate men – the Upper School gave up half of their common room for the Lower Shell boys, and the whole House came together in St Edward’s Refectory for a lively trivia quiz. At the same time the House retains its unique atmosphere as a girls’ boarding house in the evenings, hosting a number of movie and pizza nights in the Lady Chapel. Purcell’s is also a very musical house: the Purcell’s House concert was bursting with variety, boasting a

It was a year marked by an unusual willingness to take off various articles of clothing for fun, charity and posterity (in that order). Firstly we had the House concert in January 2014 – a dramatic event that saw some beautiful individual playing/ singing, a wonky but good-natured rendition of Ben E. King’s Stand By Me by two ninths of the Remove, and a quite literally tear-jerking interpretation of Debussy’s La fille aux cheveux de lin by Alex Pulsford (Remove). The camp plastic cherry on the top of this quadruple-chocolate-Matron’s-cake of an evening was, however, the Remove song. We had chosen It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls weeks in advance, printed off enough lyrics to cover the House Poetry Board three times over, and organised enough rehearsals to get bored with the whole damn thing. But it all paid off: it was a complete and utter triumph, full of lusty singing and disco moves. Wren’s

What a superb year to be a Wrenite! Our performance on the track was dominant, both at Wimbledon Common and along the Towpath, with our supremely athletic girls team deservedly taking most of the credit – the records truly tumbled with a new girls’ record for the Bringsty and our September 2012 super-signing, Mary-Alice (Remove), setting a new personal record along the Towpath. The sporting and intellectual talent within the House was also displayed in fine style on the prestigious platforms of the Dolphin Square swimming pool and the Maths Department Chess Arena, as well as on the debating front with Eleanor Shearer (Remove) and Alex Mafi (Remove) performing superbly. The annual induction to the House, through Christopher Wren’s Birthday Party, was spectacular, with our new Fifth and Sixth Formers showing off their musical and artistic class, instilling great hope for the future of Wren’s. THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 25

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The OW Women’s Network 2013 Private Shopping Evening – Charlotte Davis (LL, 2009–11), Louise Yang (AHH, 2009–11) and Becca Shaw (WW, 2009–11).

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What a wonderful evening last night. A great opportunity to catch up with old friends in a beautiful setting. Alexandra Jackson (PP, 2001–03)

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Read more about the

2013 Leavers’ Memories on page 90

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2013 Young Gaudy: Chris Norris (QS, 2007–12), Sacha Mehta (QS, 2007–12) and Daniel Marx (GG, 2007–12).

OW NEWS Get in touch If you have any news you would like to share with your contemporaries, please send details to the Editor: The Elizabethan Newsletter The Development Office 17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB E: alumni@westminster.org.uk T: 020 7963 1115

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Report from the Head of Alumni Relations Report by Katharine Robinson Head of Alumni Relations

As many OW names and faces as possible have been squeezed into this issue of the Elizabethan Newsletter so hopefully most OWW will see someone they recognise from their time at the School. If your decade isn’t well represented please send something in yourself and encourage your friends to do so as well. Career news, sporting achievements, engagements, weddings and other family news is exactly the kind of thing we’re after so please do send this to alumni@westminster.org.uk. It was brilliant to get so many updates through the 2013 Young Gaudy (see page 91) and the 2013 Leavers also came up with some evocative School memories when prompted (see page 90)! OWW at Home in July 2013 was a rare opportunity to invite a large number of OWW to one event and seeing the crowds in College Garden and in the Abbey was a highlight of the year (see pages 32 and 33 for photos). We are grateful to the Dean and Chapter for being so welcoming and it would be wonderful if they were kind enough to give us the opportunity to do something similar again.

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OWW at Home was a rare opportunity to invite a large number of OWW to one event and seeing the crowds in College Garden and in the Abbey was a highlight of the year.

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2014 has seen the revival of our ‘Lectures’ and ‘Plays and Concerts’ email lists. We knew that a lot of OWW had opted-in to hear about these School events and so our aim was to make sure we got the news out in a timely manner and made it easy to book. We’ve also been aiming to secure OW tickets to particularly popular School events wherever possible. As with Commem and the Carol Service pupils and parents 88 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014

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Above and right: OWW enjoying the sunshine at OWW at Home in July 2013. Opposite page (below): OWW in the garden of the Master’s Lodge, Trinity College at the 2014 Cambridge Drinks.

must take priority (as they would have done when you were at the School) but where we can get tickets for events like the John House Simon Schama Lecture in February or the Adrian Boult Nicola Benedetti concert in March we will. We have been allocating these tickets by ‘lottery’ which seems the fairest way but if you have any feedback on this system please do contact us. We hope those of you who have been lucky enough to attend these events enjoyed them and that anyone who has missed out will have better luck in the future. It was such a pleasure to see developments in our international OW activities last year. The second set of ‘Commem Worldwide’ gatherings in 2013 saw new groups hold events in Tokyo, Paris, Amsterdam, Washington DC and Athens and involved lots of OWW who hadn’t at-

tended in 2012 (see our new International OW section starting on page 47). We look forward to seeing celebrations expand again on Friday, 21st November 2014. Our Careers and Mentoring scheme also continues to attract new OWW with 142 mentors matched with mentees at time of going to press. If you are a recent Leaver or if you would like to volunteer to mentor others please do get in touch as we’d love to hear from you. The scheme is also open to any OWW embarking on a career change. With a packed calendar of events to look forward to over the forthcoming year I much look forward to seeing many of you back at the School and celebrating in various international locations over 2014/15! THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 89

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2013 Leavers’ Best School Memories We would like to welcome our newest group of OWW, the 2013 Leavers, who said their goodbyes in the marquee on Green amongst their friends, family and teachers in what has become a wonderful tradition. A few of them wrote down their best School memories which we’re pleased to share here: Constance Reid (LL, 2011–13)

Best memory? “Having to explain to my class why I was half an hour late, having been locked in a loo [with a faulty lock]. Either that or spending a “private study period” in the Abbey with the Dalai Lama at five minutes’ notice.” Best teacher? “Honestly there are just too many outstanding teachers to choose from.” James Sherwood (DD, 2008–13)

Best memory? “Roof tour of the Abbey with the College Remove and the Dean, as well as being part of the Big Commem Service.” Best teacher? “Dr Beavon for the life lessons that he taught us through chemistry!!” Dabin Kwon (PP, 2011–13)

Best memory? “Once in Royal David city treble (?) solo in Westminster Abbey at the 2012 Carol Service.” Best teacher? “Dr Kalivas: Too smart and too nice – absolutely inspiring.” Mark Jerjian (HH, 2008–13)

at Westminster.” Best teacher? “Mr Simpson. Nothing beats a mid-lesson CBQ.” Isa Ouwehand (LL, 2011–13)

Best memory? “PHAB” Best teacher? “Mr Mann because of his never ending knowledge concerning everything from Justinian to medieval tree gods. Mr Coward because of his ability to encourage enthusiasm in his students.” Vikram Jayaswal (QS, 2008–13)

Best memory? “Midnight Raids in College...” Best teacher? “Chris K for those evening ping pong games.” Robert Oldham (BB, 2008–13)

Best memory? “Long lunch breaks in College Garden during election term.” Best teacher? “Ulf Henning – the kindest and most brilliant teacher I have ever had.”

Best memory? “The Remove Ball without a doubt. It was such a fantastic evening and a great way to bring an end to our time as pupils 90 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014

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Alice Pullen (MM, 2010–12)

Future Bio-Natsci Student Do not, under any circumstances, upset the Classics Department. (Destroying the Biology Department is permissible.) Ben Ireland (RR, 2007–12)

Student, UCL The value of thinking.

Demetris Ioannides (AHH, 2006–11)

Student, Oxford University The Krebs cycle.

Notes from the 2013 Young Gaudy The 2002–12 Leavers were out in force for the 2013 Young Gaudy and some were happy to share their answer to the question: “What was the most important thing you learnt at School?” A selection of the responses is included below: Anousha Nightingale (AHH, 2010–12)

Student, Oxford University Essay writing

Kit Clifford-Page (BB, 2007–12)

History Undergraduate, University of Bristol How to question and think... Daniel Marx (GG, 2007–12)

Understanding is just round the corner. Su-Min Lee (MM, 2007–12)

Student, Cambridge University Five years isn’t a long time!

Rigo Young (BB, 2006–11)

Student, Oxford University To think for myself and take nothing for granted. Livia Wang (PP, 2009–11)

Student, Queens’, Cambridge To be open minded! Bill Gewanter (WW, 2006–11)

Student, Worcester College, Oxford There are known knowns; there are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns; that is to say, there are things that we now know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don’t know. Thomas Sutton (MM, 2005–10)

Student, Cambridge University There is always room for a second breakfast. Emma-Victoria Farr (AHH, 2007–09)

Student, Oxford University Independence. Tom Surr (DD, 2004–09)

Junior Analyst, Accenture The value of knowledge and of having a critical mind. THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 91

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Above: Felix Turner (WW, 2004–09), John Owen (RR, 2004–09), David Hargreaves Grant’s Housemaster and Master of History, Joe Lines (RR, 2004–09), Arjun Jayaswal (QS, 2005–10) and Marco Spiro (RR, 2005–10).

Joseph Lines (RR, 2004–09)

Byron Orme (RR, 2002–07)

Sophie O’Mahony (BB, 2006–08)

William Porter (WW, 2002–07)

Student, LSE Ad te leviti.

Law Student, BPP My skirt should never be above my knees. Maisie Lawrence (CC, 2006–08)

Assistant Director, Forward Arts Foundation There’s always toast in College. Dushyant Gupta (DD, 2006–08)

Consultant, Ernst & Young The importance of a Saturday morning lie in. George Johnston (RR, 2003–08)

Student, Drama Centre To have fun.

Thomas Brutton (AHH, 2002–07)

Trainee Auditor, Deloitte Ability to self-learn.

Researcher, House of Lords Simultaneous equations. How to be a good person.

Sam Young (AHH, 2001–06)

Portfolio Manager, BlackRock Time management. Angela Rogan (CC, 2004–06)

Consultant, Deloitte MCS Thinking on the spot.

Oliver Stevenson (DD, 2001–06)

Citizenship Manager, Barclays Caecilius est in horto. David Alty (GG, 2001–06)

Investment Analyst, Pramerica Don’t follow the curriculum. Nikolai Cedraeus (GG, 2001–06)

Victoria Homsy (AHH, 2005–07)

Student, Oxford University Not to be late!

Trainee Solicitor, Harbottle & Lewis LLP The art of (almost) balancing extra-curricular interests with academic requirements.

Harry Tayler (HH, 2002–07)

Tom Hoare (RR, 2001–06)

‘Up’ is not just a northern thing. Alessia de Quincey (MM, 2005–07)

Trainee Solicitor, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP Challenge everything. Eleanor Turner-Moss (PP, 2005–07)

Final Year Medical Student, Barts and The London SMD Confidence!

Digital Channel Manager, [PIAS] Recordings Big Ben is really loud and chimes like all the time. Leyla Osman (RR, 2004–06)

Final Year Medical Student, University of Exeter Medical School, King’s College London, UCL To challenge and to pursue my ambitions, and to have terrific fun in Latin Prayers.

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Ally Rowell (RR, 2004–06)

Laurence Tickell (MM, 1997–2002)

Edward Eccles (QS, 2000–05)

Rosamund Urwin (WW, 2000–02)

Assistant Bookseller, Maggs Bros Libraries are awesome places. Associate, SJ Berwin LLP That I cannot beatbox. At all.

Events Administrator, MS Society Pool.

Columnist, Evening Standard Pancakes are not worth fighting over.

Frederick Krespi (DD, 2000–05)

Associate, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Fives. Rob Runge (DD, 2000–05)

Digital Marketing Manager, Covetique (part of ASOS group) Tucking in a shirt. Harriet Mason (2003–05)

Strategy Consultant, Javelin Group How to learn. Kristina Clark (MM, 2002–04)

Latin Prayers

Alexandra Jenkins (WW, 2002–04)

Policy Adviser, Department for Transport Curiosity is as important as intelligence. David Brescia (HH, 1998–2003)

CoS – Chairman’s Office, Hartley Investment Trust Latin. No, wait...

David Taylor (WW, 1998–2003)

Perseverance.

James Furlong (AHH, 1997–2003)

Actor Don’t tell anybody anything unless you want everybody else to find out. Jamie Pantling (BB, 1997–2002)

Private Secretary, Ministry of Justice To be yourself. Anthony Meyer (DD, 1997–2002)

Student, Manchester University Education counts. James Sakal (GG, 1997–2002)

Musician, SakalPiano The Lord’s Prayer in Latin has got me through some pretty tough times.

OW Updates and Publications January 2014 Philip Crandall (DD, 2002–07)

Philip has been living and working in Perth, Australia, for the last year, having relocated there after finishing his BA at Columbia University in New York. He and Miss Paige Lampkin of New York are happy to announce their engagement. A May wedding is planned. Zara Carey (HH, 2005–07)

“Enjoying a new job at Attack Magazine which I started towards the end of last year.” Will Leavitt (MM, 2000–01)

“After three years working as a corporate lawyer in New York, now pursing an MBA at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Enjoying the campus environment and looking ahead to travelling this year!” Vanessa Able (BB, 1993–95)

Vanessa has just published Never Mind the Bullocks: One girl’s 10,000km adventure around India in the world’s cheapest car Already a bestseller in India, Never Mind the Bullocks is a madcap adventure unlike any other. Vanessa aspired to a truly independent Indian holiday: which meant doing it her own way. But nothing could prepare her for

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the noise, chaos and sheer terror of driving 10,000km around India. Arjun Chatterji (RR, 1990–95)

“I’m just working on a new online educational, training and project development venture across the global creative industries – any OWW who are interested in receiving further details feel free to get in touch!” Richard Hall (WW, 1958–63)

“I have recently published my first novel, entitled Theatres of War, which has been shortlisted for The People’s Book Prize. Set in southern Italy in 1943/44 this is a love story about sacrifice and duty and a war story about self-discovery and love. Frank and Edmund are two British officers from very different backgrounds but when Frank discovers an abandoned theatre and stages a review Edmund’s girlfriend, Vermillion, can’t stay away and her life becomes enmeshed with both men. Frank is ordered to stay in Naples. So while Edmund fights in the bitter winter battles near Monte Cassino, Frank dreams of staging an opera. Seen through the eyes of combatants and civilians, Theatres of War evokes the convulsions of the ‘forgotten’ Italian campaign.” http://www.rjjhall.com ISBN 9781783060849 (Matador – Paperback £9.99) eISBN 9781783068623 (Matador – Ebook £4.99) November 2013 Daniel Topolski (WW, 1959–63)

“Elected Honorary Fellow of New College, Oxford. Opened a new café/bar ‘Bar Topolski’ on London’s South Bank with father Feliks’s iconic paintings.” September 2013 Alexander Darby (LL, 2005–10)

Alexander Darby is an aspiring writer and director, currently on his year abroad whilst reading Philosophy and Russian at Oxford. He is about to embark on studying theatre directing in St Petersburg for 6 months, and is terrified at the prospect of this involving treading the boards.

While at Westminster he founded a film society with the generous help of the School Art Department. He then wrote and directed his first short film, The Garden, which was runner up in a competition for a BAFTA/Skillset Young People’s Award. Off the back of this experience he took part in the Royal Court Young Writers Course in 2011, and has written the plays The Blind Spot, Vagrant, and an adaptation of Arabian Nights, all of which have been performed in Oxford, and the play Fourth Movement which received a reading at RADA before being performed at the York Drama Barn. He has directed the short film Round and Round the Garden with ABG Productions, which is currently submitting to film festivals world wide, and is currently finishing postproduction on The Wishing Horse at Molinare, the post-house where OW Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech was completed. He strongly believes that his time spent playing poker at Westminster, which earned him a number of SAPs and a gating, has helped him enormously to sharpen his observational and people management skills when directing, as well as providing life material for the writing of his first play The Blind Spot. Polly Arnold (BB, 1988–90)

“I have just completed a book and film that I think might interest fellow alumni, especially scientists. Commissioned by the Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award, A Chemical Imbalance is a short film and book with a strong and thoughtful message highlighting some of the obstacles still faced by women in STEM and academia. It is a film, a book, and ultimately a call for action. With enough exposure we hope A Chemical Imbalance can make a positive contribution to the way people consider gender, feminism and the challenges we all share in achieving equality. To watch and share the trailer, or for more info, please go to www.chemicalimbalance.co.uk.” Paul Hollingworth (WW, 1980–84)

“I have just published an anthology of my own Poetry. In my days at Westminster, among many great memories, I used to run a Poetry Society

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where we would invite poets to the School to read their verse and answer questions. All in the old dungeon! Anyway, Herbert’s Pebble can be found at https://paulhollingworth.selz.com” John Fenton (RR, 1970–75)

“Negotiations are in hand with the Guinness Book of Records to arrange a world record attempt in aid of the National Autistic Society. Some have the perfect face for radio; I have the perfect running build for tiddlywinks. I therefore decided to do something different, the 5000m shot put (throw it, run to it, pick it up and throw it again. Mo Farah would not enjoy it.). I have a son with Autism and as government funding is struggling at the moment I would like to raise some money. What makes the difference is the quality of support families are given, not just financially, but with opportunities to share experiences, obtain advice, and be given access to respite care. To get in contact or for more information please drop me an email on jfenton@clarityuk.co.” Maqbool H.H. Rahimtoola (BB, 1958–63)

“I was the Federal Minister for both Commerce and Textiles in the recent Pakistan Caretaker Cabinet. I will greatly miss Ron French, who not only taught me and was head of CCF, but also visited me in Pakistan, and stayed with me in Karachi along with a group of Westminister boys for a couple of nights!” Jonathan Magonet (WW, 1955–60)

“Since retiring as Principal of Leo Baeck College in 2005, where I am currently Emeritus Professor of Bible, I have spent four semesters (2010–2013) as a visiting Research Professor at Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka, Japan. This has led to my first Japanese publication Rabbino Seishokaishak: Yudaiyakuo to Kiristokuo no Taiwa (Japanese, Shinkhyo Shupansha, Fukuoka 2012). I have also branched into fiction with my new book Netsuke Nation: Tales from Another Japan (Troubador Publishing Ltd, Leicester 2013). This year has also seen the third in a series of popular Bible studies published by SCM Press, A Rabbi Reads the Torah. It joins A Rabbi Reads the Bible and A Rabbi Reads the Psalms, both published in a second edition in 2004. I can claim some credit for the above, but not, apart from longevity, for the publication of a festschrift to honour my 70th birthday. Called Welcome to the Cavalcade (a reference to one of my songs) it is edited by Howard Cooper, Colin Eimer and Elli Tikvah Sarah and will be officially launched in October this year (there

are details on my website). I hope some of this is of interest to other alumni.” Edmund Gray (WW, 1952–56)

Fencing at Westminster School, 1766–2013 has recently been issued, in a limited edition. It charts the development of fencing from an attainment of gentlemen to a modern sport and is profuse with details of fencers and their achievements. (A5; colour-illustrated card cover; vi+74pp; 38 ills.) Available from Edmund Gray, 118 Church Way, Iffley, Oxford, OX4 4EG or edmund.gray@btinternet.com for £11 (incl. p+p). Gordon Sharrard (KS, 1941–46)

“My wife and I celebrated our diamond wedding anniversary this year.” Michael Jones (BB, 1949–53)

My latest publication – The Battle for Troy: A Guide to the lliad is available now for £8.50 (which includes postage). Please send payments by cheque to Michael Jones, Bat. A Residences Du Port, 1 Rue Du Puits De Charonto, Bandol, 83150 France. April 2013 Alasdair Donaldson (MM, 1994–99)

Recently published a new novel Prospero’s Mirror. It has been described as “two stories separated by 300 years but connected by John Dee’s mirror (see British Museum)”. If you are interested in historical fiction, M R James, 17th century Oxford or just very stylish and polished writing it may be of interest! See www.andonaldson.co.uk for further details. Simon Martin (BB, 1985–90)

“I completed the Marathon des Sables (“MdS”) which is billed as “the toughest footrace on THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 95

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earth”. Physically it is an exceptionally tough challenge; mentally it is even harder. You can follow my training, see photos of my heat chamber acclimatisation and much more besides on his blog at http://2013mds.blogspot.com” Neil Cumming (GG, 1976–80)

“I am working as a UK equity fund manager. In my spare time I follow Arsenal, which is always interesting!” Nicholas Vazsonyi (AHH, 1976–78)

Editor, The Cambridge Wagner Encyclopedia (Cambridge University Press, 2013) David Walker (AHH, 1966–71)

lands of International Importance. Numerous articles on various aspects of viral hepatitis have been published in different journals. Otherwise I’m trying to balance life between Geneva (actually just across the border in France) and London.” Peter Brown (QS, 1958–62)

“Retired October 2011 after 43 years as Fellow and Tutor in Classics at Trinity College, Oxford.” David Berkoff (WW, 1956–60)

I recently donated to the library copies of two books I have helped write and edit:

“I just wanted to tell the story of our recent success as two OWW in launching the national HeadSmart Be Brain Tumour Aware campaign seeking to raise awareness of the symptoms of brain tumours in children and young people in order to speed up diagnosis and reduce the risk of irreversible brain injury. I worked with Sophie Wilne (BB, 1987–89) to launch this national campaign which was recently given an NHS Innovation Award. We work together at the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University of Nottingham.”

E. Molle and J Berkoff (Eds): Irrigation Water Pricing: The Gap Between Theory and Practice (CABI International, 2007)

Nigel Planer (WW, 1966–70)

Adam Roberts (WW, 1953–58)

Charles Kemp (GG, 1966–69)

Andrew Cairncross (AHH, 1951–52)

“Currently playing Grandpa Joe in the original cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Drury Lane.” “I have set up a funeral business working with families to create funerals which reflect their values and aspirations whether conventional or not.” Christopher Floyd (BB, 1964–69)

Christopher was elevated to the Court of Appeal over the 2013 Easter break. Martin Josten (WW, 1962–67)

“I cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats last July to fundraise for Family Life UK.” David FitzSimons (LL, 1960–65)

“Retirement is strangely busy. Officially retired from WHO four years ago, I still enjoy working there again under contract for preparing documentation for the office of governing bodies but also freelance as a rapporteur for the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board, most recently for meetings in Milan, Barcelona and Israel, and also for the Ramsar Convention on Wet-

Alan Robertson (edited and completed by Jeremy Berkoff): Epic Engineering: Great Canals and Barrages of Victorian India (Beechwood Melrose Publishing, 2013) Stephen Baxter (WW, 1956–58)

“On 8th January I married Miss Carol Jean Fisher.” “I am stepping down on 18th July 2013 after completing a 4 year term as President of the British Academy. I hope to do more cycling.” “Researching Euclidean papyri at Biblioteca Nazionale di Napoli pro term in the carbonised scrolls of Herculaneum.” Bob Charles (QS, 1950–55)

“I have written an historical novel, The Skeleton in the Sope House, much of which is set in Westminster School in the early 16th Century.” David Miller (KS, 1949–54)

“Collaborator/translator for edition of Commentary on Ecclesiastes (Jerome) and Gospel Problems and Solutions (Eusebius) published in 2011 (never before translated into English).”

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Stephen Craske (RR, 1947–52)

“Governor, Royal Surrey Hospital 2009–.” Michael Baron (GG, 1942–46)

An anthology, The Cockermouth Poets 1700– 2012, has just been published. I’m the only OW in it! I would have included Robert Southey (OW) but though I could guess that whilst he was living at Greta Hall, Keswick, he might have taken the post-coach for Cockermouth for a bit of shopping, I could not find any evidence that he did. So Southey is only in the book by way of a critical poem on him as Laureate from a Cockermouth poet (who, incidentally, was at the grammar school with the Bounty mutineer Fletcher Christian).

James MacManus (RR, 1956–61)

If any OWW have any Rigaud’s House photos of the 1956–61 era please email alumni@westminster.org.uk. James is keen to obtain copies and they are also missing from the School Archives. Andrew Fusek Peters (BB, 1979–84)

My new book Dip, Wild Swims from the Borderlands, came out with Rider Books, Random House on the 27th April, launched at the Wenlock Poetry Festival. It is a lyrical exploration of water and landscape told through a year of wild swimming, that also meanders into areas of memoir, including recovery from depression, wildlife, photography (my wildlife and landscape photos feature heavily in the book). It is a beautiful hardback production (also Kindle) that is already garnering publicity. “Dip tells of a total immersion in Nature, a courageous trust in its restorative powers and an authentic experience of the wild”. Paul Evans, Guardian Countryside Diarist “Beautiful, lyrical, beguiling and enchanting – a powerful testament to the healing powers of Nature” Daniel Start, author of Wild Swimming.

John Bradley (GG, 1942–45)

“Spend my time with my wife, a busy retired Professor of Vascular Surgery, living between London, in an old mews house and an old farmhouse in the north Lake District. I have three children and six grandchildren.” Will Harris (DD, 2002–07)

“In 2011, I published a poetry journal called 13 Pages. Now, after numerous delays, I’m preparing to launch a new project, an anthology of imitations called The Mimic Octopus. The idea behind it was to commission some of the most exciting established and emerging poets in the world to ‘imitate’ the writers that influenced them the most, hopefully shedding a new light on their creative process. We’ve received an amazing array of contributions by as yet unpublished writers and Pulitzer prize-winners alike, which draw on influences as diverse as Restoration drama and made-up Portuguese shippers. More information can be found on www.13pp.co.uk”

The writing is inspired by my heroes of old: Edward Thomas, Richard Jefferies, Gerard Manley Hopkins and newer voices such as Alice Oswald and the late (and great) Roger Deakin. For my book, I swum in Welsh waterfalls in January, deep in a semi-submerged mine shaft underneath Shropshire and high in a WW2 filled in bomb crater above Kerry Ridgeway as the dusk turned this little lake into the last blink of day. My current other work included a Radio 4 play about a family surviving depression called The Man Who Turned Into A Sofa, written with my wife Polly and daughter Rosalind, which airs on Radio 4 on 22nd July in the ‘Afternoon Play’ slot. My picture book The Colour Thief, is published by Hodder this Autumn. My first wildlife photography book Wild will be published in hardback by Fairacre Art Press next year.

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Letters to the Editor 2014 update from the

Oli Bennett Charitable Trust By Kieron Connolly (GG, 1985–90)

It’s not that the Oli Bennett (RR, 1985–90) Charitable Trust set out to be the Yellow Pages of charities, but 12 years on we can boast – not that we’re boasters – that we’ve helped bakers and beauticians, yoga and sports instructors, pet groomers and hairdressers, fashion designers and shoe-makers. If that’s not diverse enough for you, we’ve also set ceramicists up with kilns and provided tools for plumbers, carpenters and wood recyclers, not to mention the award-winning chair you can both sit on and sleep in. In all, since the charity was established after Oli’s death in the September 11th attacks, it has awarded more than £100,000 in equipment and funding to help launch more than 77 new businesses from people aged between 18 and 30. A couple of other things you might not know about the charity. Hollywood may have the Oscars, but Westminster has the Oli. You probably didn’t see Oli in a play at Westminster, but then you weren’t supposed to – he was backstage, managing the show. Established by the charity, the Oli is a marvellous bronze sculpture based on one of Oli’s paintings of a pale blue denim shirt – if you knew Oli you’d remember his look – and is awarded to the School’s best stage manager. There’s also the Oli Bennett Charitable Trust Art Award, which is given to the School’s outstanding, aspiring artist. But what’s in it for you, you wonder. Well, our annual fundraisers have included musical evenings and art fairs, as well as tickets to the Royal Opera, English National Ballet and West End shows. Where else can you meet a wood recycler and a community radio producer, win tickets to see Mamma Mia! and go home owning art by Peter Blake? But then that’s the Oli Bennett Charitable Trust. It’s a bit like the Yellow Pages of charities. For more information on the charity’s work and future events, see www.olibennett.org.uk

Please send letters to: The Development Office, Westminster School, 17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB or email alumni@westminster.org.uk “Just a quick word to say how much I liked the 2012/2013 Elizabethan Newsletter. I’ve gotten to the age where I read the obits with more than passing interest (Messrs Byrt and French among the deceased teachers). I see that Eddie Smith may be the last surviving teacher of the 1975–79 cohort – imagine that! I was delighted to hear that dining options at the Under School have improved since our day: stirfried noodles and moussaka, that gave me a huge laugh! I am still living in Washington DC; I haven’t been to London for four years but try to keep up with events as best I can. My best regards to any people from WUS 70–75 (I would love to hear from Timothy Odgers, whose dad was my mum’s GP for many years).” Neil Inglis (WW, 1975–79) “I have now nearly finished reading the magazine. It is first rate, and the photographs this time are of the highest quality. I feel quite frustrated that we live in Australia – there is so much going on!” John Williamson (RR, 1964–69) “I enjoyed the recent newsletter – it gave a rather more human face to the School than some publications! I’ve also noticed how few of my vintage (late 60s) seem to be active in Elizabethan Club events. With that in mind, I would like to contact an old friend who featured in one photo – David Drew (BB, 1965–70).” George Niven (GG, 1965–70)

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Obituaries Russell Milligan (GG, 1946–49) Died 6th October 2012 Obituary by Mary Milligan After Westminster Russell attended Magdalen College, Oxford where he read Latin and Greek (Greats?) and obtained a double first. He qualified as a solicitor and joined the firm of KnappFishers in Westminster in the early 1960s. He became a partner in that firm which underwent various amalgamations over the years and is now known as Winckworth Sherwood. When Russell retired in 1992 he was the Managing Partner. Rev. Canon Philip Ernest Duval MBE (HB, 1932–37) Died 1st January 2013 Obituary submitted by David Clements Born on 12th December 1918 into a clerical family in London where his father was Vicar of Kentish Town, after Westminster he went to Merton College, Oxford from where he graduated with a wartime MA in Theology in 1939. He immediately entered the Lincolns in the ranks, was commissioned in 1941 and spent the whole of the war in India and Burma. After leaving the army in August 1945, he studied for the ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge, where he met his future bride, Joan Swales, whom he married in January 1949. He was ordained on St Thomas’ Day, 21st December 1947, completing 65 years as an ordained Minister on 21st December 2012. It is a source of some wry amusement to me that St Thomas’ Day is traditionally described as the “night of unbelief and doubt”; there was certainly no doubt or unbelief in Philip’s mind – his faith was his rock. The full eulogy is available by request from the Editor.

Marius Gray (always known by his second name) was, aptly, very much an eminence grise – potent far beyond his outward mien as an accountant. Nobody knew more than a fraction of what he was involved in at any time; such was his reticence and clamlike discretion. Only rarely was the veil lifted, as when, at the end of his career, in 2011, he received the CVO for his financial advice to the Queen, or much earlier, when he was co-author with the future Lord Bingham of the 1978 report on Rhodesian sanctions-busting. He was born in 1934, the oldest of the five children of Basil Gray, Keeper of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum (BM), and Nicolete, a pioneer authority on the history and art of lettering (and daughter of the poet Laurence Binyon, another BM curator). After the Under School he was a day-boy up Busby’s. With his fellow Busbite, Charles Smith, he was a keen cyclist, culminating in tours of French and English cathedrals, while the Scouts, with their annual camp, gave scope for the long walks that were a lifelong pleasure. As an historian of promise, he chose the Classics side, though a poor linguist. There he benefitted from the stimulating teaching of Theodore Zinn. However, already an assiduous reader of The Economist, he gained entry to New College, Oxford, unusually, on an exam in Economics and Political Theory. In his National Service he was commissioned in the Signals and served in Kenya at the time of the Mau Mau. At New College he read Greats after an abbreviated Mods (and under his aegis the JCR made a number of discriminating art purchases). But for his linguistic shortcomings his prowess in Philosophy and Ancient History would have earned him a First.

Stephen Marius Gray CVO (BB, 1947–52)

He was the first graduate to become articled at the City accountants that are now Dixon Wilson, in 1958. He became a partner in 1967 and senior partner from 1981 to 1998.

Died 29th January 2013 Obituary by Edmund Gray (WW, 1952–56) (Collated from The Times and other obituaries)

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twenty years. Other companies of which he was a director included Davies Turner, British Biotech, Sablenight and Abingworth. He was also involved with business start-ups. He acted as Receiver for The Beatles, unlocked Prokofiev’s royalties and worked masterfully alongside lawyers. As one eminent lawyer put it, ‘Marius was a legendary figure in the accountancy world.’ His marriage of 1961 to Clare, daughter of Sir Anthony Milward, Chairman of BEA, proved long and happy. Their religious allegiances – Catholic on his side, Anglican on hers – were important to them both. Their Georgian house in Greenwich was full of works of art, inherited and purchased, and replete with art books. Latterly their shared love of birdwatching took them all over the world. They were generous hosts to their many friends, both at their second home in Herefordshire and in Greenwich, where Marius, typically in a handsome velvet jacket, and serving a rather good wine, would be in his most relaxed and genial mood. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, a son and eight grandchildren. Richard Lambert Lowcock Master of Modern Languages and Master i/c Football and Cricket (1947–61) Died 6th February 2013 Obituary by David Lowcock (AHH, 1962–63) Richard Lambert Lowcock taught at Westminster from 1947 to 1961. He taught modern languages and was in charge of Football and Cricket for much of this period. Initially we lived in a flat above the archway leading into Little Dean’s Yard, where I was born and then we moved in around 1955 to Old Lodge in Vincent Square where he was able to supervise and run the football and cricket until he retired.

dangerous trouble spots in a career spanning nearly 30 years. After Westminster he toyed with a career in the Army but took a journalism course instead completing his training on The Leicester Mercury. His first posting as a freelance foreign correspondent was to Beirut, where he reported on the Lebanese civil war of the 1980s, and he returned to the Middle East nearly a decade later to become the correspondent in Jerusalem for The Times. More recently, he was in the region again, reporting on the uprising in Syria against the Assad regime. Beeston was one of the first to volunteer to go to Baghdad to cover the first Gulf War, and had hoped to stay on but was pulled out by The Times for his own safety just before the American bombing began. He was denounced by Saddam for “negative information and falsehoods” and later found the secret files on himself in the burnt-out ruins of the Iraqi Ministry of Information. Although blacklisted by Saddam, whose officials called him a “two-faced deceiver”, Beeston returned to Baghdad after the second Gulf War and continued to file vivid eyewitness reports as the situation deteriorated. Suicide bombings and random acts of terror often exposed him to considerable risk, but he was at pains to shield his staff from unnecessary danger. Beeston relished the life of the foreign correspondent, and although as Foreign Editor he recognised the constraints of modern risk management, he insisted on his reporters filing eyewitness accounts rather than relying on agency copy or, more recently, social networking.

Died 19th May 2013 Obituary extracted from The Telegraph

“People say: ‘No story’s worth a life’,” he observed, “and you think, well, if I would have been a reporter, say, in the Second World War and somebody said: ‘Here’s a pool ticket for D-Day’, it would be extremely dangerous, but you’d take it. It’s a moment of history and I think any journalist worth his salt would say: ‘Yeah, I’d love to be on that first wave into Utah Beach where I know it’s going to be bloody dangerous, but it’s going to be one of the great stories of the 20th century’.”

Richard Beeston, who has died aged 50, was a highly-acclaimed foreign correspondent for The Times, reporting from many of the world’s most

Richard Beeston married, in 1989, Natasha Fairweather, a literary agent, who survives him with their son and daughter.

Richard Beeston (RR, 1976–80)

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Oliver Bernard (HB, 1939–40) Died 1st June 2013 Obituary extracted from The Guardian Oliver Bernard led a life of dazzling variety. While he is best known as a poet and translator of Rimbaud and Apollinaire, he earned his living in jobs unfamiliar to most writers. At the Number 4 Retort House of the South-Eastern Gas Board in Greenwich “a proper Satanic mill”, he was a fireman: this was his favourite manual job, if dangerous, although he took great pleasure in a job repairing tramlines too. He also worked as a swineherd in Suffolk. To these occupations and a host of others he brought the same meticulous attention and confidence that he applied to his writing. “It is intensity and not duration that I know about,” he said. Oliver’s memoir Getting Over It (1962) is an unmatched evocation of what is now known as the ‘old Soho’. In 1959 he married Jackie Guise, an actor and model. “This was the person,” he said. Oliver’s first book of poems, Country Matters, was published in 1961. He went on to publish several more books of poetry and translations of Rimbaud, Apollinaire and other French writers. His edition of Rimbaud’s Collected Poems, published in 1962, became a classic. His children by Jackie; Joe, Emma and Katie, survive him, as does George, his son by Joyce Westwood. Major John Craig Barrington-Ward (GG, 1942–46)

The qualification in 1948 was for strong distance runners of which John was undoubtedly one. He wore simple running kit when carrying the flame and, after his leg was finished, extinguished the torch in a bucket of water. He then caught public transport back to Sandhurst. In 1952, John sailed in the Helsinki Olympics. He was part of the three-man crew of one of the British Dragon Class boats and had particular responsibility for the spinnaker. John had never sailed before, but the skipper of the boat was looking for someone who was fit and nimble on his feet. After four months’ training, the crew came 13th out of 60 competitors. At the age of 24, John was thought to be the youngest competitor in the Dragon Class. He was also the senior sailing Olympian living on the Isle of Wight. I first knew John in the early 1970s when we were both serving as staff officers at Headquarters 1st British Corps in Bielefeld, Germany. He was a specialist in artillery intelligence; indeed, he was one of the small cadre of officers who were instructors in gunnery, specialising in artillery intelligence. Over a military career of 34 years or so John served in many places abroad and in the United Kingdom, attaining the rank of Major. John’s father, John Grosvenor Barrington-Ward was a Governor at Westminster during the time that he was a pupil. As a Home Boarder, John only spent a year in London with the rest of his time spent in Hereford. John Morton (HB, 1936–40)

Died 4th July 2013 Obituary by Anna Barrington-Ward

Died 7th July 2013 Obituary by Alan Morton (HB, 1943–47)

John carried the Olympic torch in 1948 in what was then known as the austerity Olympics. At the time he was an officer cadet at Sandhurst and had already won many crosscountry running trophies. The Royal Military Academy was given two places to carry the Olympic Flame for two miles towards Torquay, where the sailing was to take place. Compare the two miles that the 1948 torchbearer had to run with the 100 metres or so that those in 2012 were required to do.

John Morton was a decorated bomber pilot and insurance broker, and one-time farmer. He left Westminster, as Head of Home Boarders, in 1940 following the School’s evacuation to Lancing. After Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve flight training, he was commissioned and posted to Nigel, near Johannesburg, as an instructor from 1942 to 1944, training South African bomber crew members. Returning to England, he flew 55 bombing missions over Germany in World War II – many >> THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 101

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of them over Berlin – with the 608 Mosquito Bomber Squadron based at Downham Market in Norfolk, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The missions included follow-up to Pathfinder operations, which were also carried out using de Havilland Mosquitos. (Shortly before John died, he received the new Bomber Command clasp to the DFC). Near the end of the War, as a Flight Lieutenant, he commanded the University of Aberystwyth Air Squadron, with its one Tiger Moth. Postwar, after briefly working with Hambros Bank, he operated a dairy farm near Bodmin in Cornwall until 1955, when he joined the insurance brokerage of Chandler Hargreaves Whittall and Co., serving there and with its successor companies until his retirement as Director in 1984. He received the Order of the British Empire for services to agricultural insurance, including creation of a pioneering insurance policy against brucellosis in cattle. Among his memberships was that in Old Westminsters’ Lodge No. 2233, which he joined in 1945, becoming Master 1960–61. For most of his retirement he lived at a number of locations in Cornwall and finally at Stow on the Wold in Gloucestershire, where he died of cancer at home. His wife, Jane, and brother, Alan (HB, 1943–47), survive him as do Anthony and Jane, children by his first wife, Lorna, who predeceased him, as well as four grandchildren. Dominick Harrod (BB, 1953–58) Died 4th August 2013 Obituary extracted from The Telegraph After Westminster, Dominick won a scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford, where he read PPE. He is probably best known as the BBC Television’s Economics Correspondent in the 1970s and Economics Editor on BBC Radio in the 1980s, when he became a key figure on the Today programme. A highly professional broadcaster, able to discuss any economic topic at the drop of a hat, Harrod had a natural aptitude for fitting economic theory within the framework of politics and personalities, spicing up his reports with political gossip.

He wrote two books on economics for the general reader, The Politics of Economics (1978) and Making Sense of the Economy (1983), and was said to have invented a “Harrod’s Law of Economics: The more you see of me, the more trouble we’re in.” In fact, though, his most notable characteristic – in a profession dominated by Cassandras predicting doom – was his sunny optimism. A pillar of the Garrick Club and a keen sailor, Harrod served at various times on the council of the Save the Children Fund and on the Church of England Board for Social Responsibility. As well as being a founder member of the Norfolk Churches Trust (the organisation set up by his mother), he was Chairman of the Friends of Morston Church in Norfolk from 2003. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1992. Dominick Harrod married, in 1974, Christina Hobhouse. She died in 1996, and he is survived by their son. Charles Lamb (Westminster School Rifle Coach 1960s–70s) Died 20th August 2013 Obituary by Charles Pascall (BB, 1968–73) I first met Charles in my second term at Westminster when I went for a trial for the shooting team. This was historically not much of a challenge as Westminster shooting had been at a very basic level but Charles Lamb had been brought in to change this. Charles had a relaxed and friendly attitude to coaxing the best from his candidates, which encouraged all of us to perform. Charles’ ways of encouragement and support were extremely successful. Westminster would challenge other schools to matches and be turned down because it was “too good!”. Thankfully, Charles had a lot of contacts thanks to his position as Secretary of London County and, feeling that the team needed a challenge, arranged matches against senior clubs. Charles also arranged for us to shoot at Bisley at weekends and in open competitions. The senior clubs started to see what Charles’ team of lads could do and soon learnt to put up their top shooters against us. As time moved on we beat a number of the top clubs in London and from the first 8, all of us shot for our respective

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counties being awarded full Pinks. His coaching resulted in a number of Westminster boys achieving national honours including John Lander (BB, 1970–75), British Junior Champion and myself, senior Great Britain Rifle Team. Charles was a Senior Range Officer at National and International Championships. He was the Chief Range Officer at Bisley on a number of occasions and in 1975 was Chief Range Officer at the European Air Weapons Championships in London. Later on, Charles looked to the next generation of shooters, advising and supporting their efforts and success as he had with us. I am sure he was the one who put the words: “It’s not the taking part – it’s the winning that counts!” in my daughter’s young mouth when she won her first international medal! Charles taught at the Central School of Art and Design and was a great charity fundraiser as well as a senior Mason. He was an advocate of the “big society” before the politicians who now use the term were born. Charles was a man who was always there in the background organising everything with great skill and diplomacy. Darrell Marsh Evans (AHH, 1932–35) Died on 28th September 2013 Obituary by Rosie Carne Darrell Evans was a Specialist in Occupational Medicine working at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston for nearly 29 years. Following Westminster he completed his medical training at Trinity College, Cambridge and clinical studies at Westminster Hospital where he qualified in 1943. He became House Surgeon at Westminster Hospital before joining the RAMC. After work in several field units he joined the Army Blood Transfusion Service in the Far East. After demobilisation he held several hospital posts at Southend General, Westminster, West Middlesex and Queen Mary’s Carshalton. He then transferred to Occupational Medicine and worked for London Transport from 1950–55 when he went to Aldermaston. He wrote several papers, most notably on industrial poisoning by mercury and cadmium. He also worked at the Meteorological Office and for many years took part in

first aid training for both St John’s Ambulance and the British Red Cross. He met his wife Betty at Westminster Hospital where she was a nurse. He retired from work on their 39th wedding anniversary. In retirement Darrell worked for the League of Friends of Reading Hospitals, Reading Family Aid, a safety project educating children about potential dangers in the home and outdoors, and as a volunteer street collector for Poppy Day and the Reading Mayor’s Market. He leaves his wife, two daughters, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Professor Michael Neuberger (WW, 1967–70) Died 26th October 2013 Obituary extracted from The Telegraph Professor Michael Neuberger, who has died aged 59, was a brilliant biochemist and immunologist whose work helped to launch a revolution in biomedical research. Neuberger was a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was a Director of Studies in Natural Sciences, and Deputy Director of Cambridge’s Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB). His main scientific contributions lay in the field of antibodies – chemicals produced by blood cells called lymphocytes – which act as a natural defence against invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Lymphocytes turn out antibodies on demand that are tailor-made to attach themselves to, and destroy, particular invaders. Michael was born in London on 2nd November 1953. After Westminster he won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, to read Natural Sciences where he graduated with a First and subsequently began a PhD in Biochemistry with Brian Hartley at Imperial College in 1974. Michael loved art, travel, skiing and good food and wine and was astonishingly well informed, not just about science, but also about culture, politics, international affairs, literature and business. He had a wide circle of friends and, while his gently ironic quick-fire conversation >> THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2013/2014 | 103

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indicated a powerful and subtle intellect, his understated personality and natural empathy meant that others always felt intelligent and at ease in his company. He cared deeply about individuals, agonising over difficult decisions concerning the future of young scientists in his charge. A devoted family man who observed a progressive, tolerant Judaism, he was sustained by a strikingly happy marriage to Gill, an Australian-born doctor whom he married in 1991, and who survives him with their two sons and two daughters. Alexander Hunter Jones-Dellaportas (RR, 1982–86) Died 13th November 2013 Obituary by Catherine Gardner After many years of practical mechanical engineering, Alexander attended Kingston University as a mature student from 2006 until 2009: he was awarded a First Class undergraduate Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and also a prestigious academic award for his outstanding contribution to engineering design. By the time of his death, he was a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at a pioneering London company and had been at the forefront of designing, building and riding electric motorcycles for a number of years. He always remembered his time at Westminster School with a great deal of love and affection. In particular, he enjoyed his sporting activities, where he excelled at rowing, obtaining full Pinks for his endeavours. He also received a commendation from the police in 1985 for bravery after he saved a woman from drowning whilst out practising on the River Thames with others from the Westminster School Rowing Club. He occasionally visited the School with his children, when time permitted and always enjoyed showing them around the buildings. Julian John Potter (AHH, 1944–49) Died 22nd December 2013 Obituary by Chris Potter (QS, 1978–83) My father much enjoyed his time at Westminster and often attended reunions. Probably the

highlight of his Westminster career was when he won the Greaze on 10th February 1948 (pictured right). He was buried on Tuesday, 7th January 2014 at St Bartholomew’s Church in Orford, Suffolk where he had lived for the last 27 years. John Goldman (AHH, 1951–56) Died 24th December 2013 Obituary extracted from The Guardian When John Goldman began his career in the 1960s, the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) carried a grim prognosis and a life expectancy of only three to five years. Today, thousands of patients have been cured or enjoy relatively normal lives because of his seminal contributions. John, who has died aged 75, pioneered bone-marrow transplantation for CML and later championed the drug imatinib that transformed the treatment of the disease. For 23 years from 1988 he was Medical Director of the Anthony Nolan Trust, responsible for identifying volunteer donors for bone-marrow transplantation. As editor of the journal Bone Marrow Transplantation since its inception in 1985, Founding President of the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and past President of the International Society for Experimental Hematology, the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the European Hematology Association, John was instrumental in shaping the intellectual foundations of curative transplantation therapy for many otherwise fatal cancers and genetic disorders of the blood. John was born in London and, after Westminster, read psychology and physiology at Magdalen College, Oxford. He later completed his medical studies at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. After extensive clinical training in haematology and oncology, which included stints in the US at the University of Miami and the Massachusetts General Hospital, he returned to Hammersmith Hospital, London, and served continuously for four decades as

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a member of the Medical Research Council Leukaemia Unit, Chair of the Department of Haematology (1994–2004), and thereafter as Emeritus Professor of Leukaemia Biology. John is survived by his daughter, Lucy, from his marriage to Jeannine Fuller; and by his daughter, Cassie, and son, Jasper, with his former partner, Constance Byam Shaw. Nick Bevan (Former Master i/c Water) Died 12th January 2014 Obituary by John Wiggins After retirement as Head Master at Shiplake College in 2004, Nick lent his huge experience to coaching at St Edward’s School and his former Oxford College, Balliol, producing winning crews at both by employing good, old-fashioned boat-moving skills. He also played a significant part in British school rowing through the National Schools Regatta (NSR) committee and as Chairman of the Kitchin Society. In his younger days after teaching and coaching at Westminster School, he was a Housemaster and ran the rowing at Shrewsbury School with crews winning at Henley and NSR. Peter Morley-Jacob (BB, 1948–52)

After his law degree he became articled to Slaughter and May, where he spent the rest of his career. He qualified as a solicitor in 1960 and became a partner in 1969. He was closely involved in negotiations surrounding the development of North Sea Oil and Gas. He eventually became their first ever Executive Partner, moving from law at the front line to managing the entirety of the administration. He was very much a people-person and was in the ideal position both for him and the firm. The Senior Partner wrote of him “... an essential part of the glue of the firm …thoughtful, wise and approachable. He had an effortless charm which put everyone around him at immediate ease.” The partnership increased from 23 in 1970 to 89 by the time he retired in 1989. By then the total headcount was over 1000. Peter was a tremendous supporter of the School and particularly of OWW Football where he excelled himself as non-playing captain of the Arthur Dunn team in the early 1960s and of OWW Golf, where he was so delighted to have been voted President Elect. He was a great supporter of the Arthur Dunn and Halford Hewitt teams in recent years.

Peter died unexpectedly but very peacefully in March 2014, just before his 80th birthday.

He was Life President of the London Solicitors Golfing Society. As past Secretary and Captain of the Society he had been very much involved in the prestigious matches against the Writers to the Signet, played alternatively at Muirfield and Royal St George’s.

He was among the initial intake to the Under School when it was opened in 1943. In 2008 he visited the School to tell the boys what it was like 65 years before.

Among his many other activities he was a Governor of the College of Law and a Governor of St Felix School. He had also been a Councillor of the Bassishaw Ward in the City of London.

From the Under School he joined Busby’s in 1948 and played football for the School 1st VI in 1951 and 1952.

He had an ideal marriage with Jo for nearly 52 years, two children (one of whom is now on the administrative side of Slaughter and May) and five grandchildren.

Died 13th March 2014 Obituary by Clem Danin (AHH, 1950–55)

After National Service with the Royal West Kent Regiment in Malaya during the troubles, he went to Magdelene College, Cambridge where he proudly claimed that he was the last undergraduate to be admitted to the University with no A’ Level or its equivalent.

He was a gentleman of great humour, compassion, generosity and loyalty. >>

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Tony Benn (circled) – 1942 Busby’s House.

Tony Benn (BB, 1938–42) 3rd April 1925 – 14th March 2014 Obituary taken from BBC News with a forward by the School’s Archivist, Elizabeth Wells. Anthony Neil Wedgewood Benn, as he was known at school, attended Westminster between 1938 and 1942. They were difficult days in the School’s history as Westminster left London upon the outbreak of the Second World War, first settling at Lancing College, then Exeter and finally resting in Herefordshire for the remainder of the war. Benn was in Busby’s and took an active part in House and School activities. He was a keen debater and quickly became a leading light in the School’s Junior Debating Society. He even returned to the School to oppose the motion ‘that loyalty to truth must conflict with the modern State’ in 1948. Benn was popular with his contemporaries, who respected his already pronounced left wing views and personal integrity. Obituary from BBC News, 14th March 2014 Tony Benn was one of the few British politicians who became more left-wing after having actually served in government. He became the authentic voice of the radical left with the press coining the term Bennite to describe the policies espoused by those resisting attempts to move the Labour Party to the middle ground. As such, he became a bogeyman for the right

in British politics, with delegates to Conservative conferences displaying Ban the Benn badges in the style of CND’s Ban the Bomb logo. Later in life, the former firebrand politician became something of a folk hero as well as a campaigner for a number of causes, particularly opposition to UK military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn was born in London on 3rd April 1925 into a family steeped in radical politics. Both his grandfather and father had served as Liberal MPs, although his father crossed the floor of the House to join the Labour Party in 1927. He was created Viscount Stansgate in 1942 and sat in the Lords as a hereditary peer. Benn attended Westminster School, something he tried to hide in future biographies, and then had a spell as a fighter pilot in the RAF. He went on to read PPE at Oxford where he became president of the Oxford Union. Benn entered Parliament on 4th December 1950 as the youngest MP in the chamber. But his future in politics was in doubt. The death of his elder brother Michael during the war meant he would eventually succeed to his father’s title. Hereditary peers were barred from sitting as members of the House of Commons. The death of his father in

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1960 precipitated a crisis. Still insisting on his right to abandon his unwelcome peerage, Tony Benn fought to retain his seat in the by-election caused by his succession. Although disqualified from taking his seat, the people of Bristol South East still re-elected him as their MP. But a subsequent election court gave the seat to the Conservative runner-up, Malcolm St Clair. Outside Parliament, Benn continued his campaign, and eventually the Conservative government accepted the need for a change in the law. The Peerage Act 1963, allowing renunciation of peerages, became law on 31st July 1963 and just 22 minutes later he became the first peer to renounce his title. His Conservative opponent in Bristol immediately resigned the seat and Benn swept back into the Commons following a by-election in 1963. He stood for leadership of the Labour Party when Wilson resigned in 1976 but lost on the first ballot. In 1983, boundary changes saw his Bristol South East seat disappear and, in what was seen as a shock result, he lost the new seat of Bristol East to the Conservatives. However, he was not out of Parliament for long and won

Chesterfield in a by-election in 1984. After Labour’s third successive election defeat in 1987, he stood for the leadership against Neil Kinnock but was heavily defeated. His party was now moving away from his views in an attempt to reclaim the middle ground of British politics. He finally stood down from Parliament before the 2001 election in order, as he put it, “to spend more time on politics”, and threw himself into campaigning against the Iraq war, becoming president of the Stop the War Coalition. He was also a compulsive keeper of diaries, both in written form and on audiotape. In 2006, he topped a poll commissioned by the BBC’s Daily Politics programme to find who people considered to be their political hero, beating Margaret Thatcher into second place. Subject as he often was to personal attacks from his opponents, Tony Benn held to his view that politics should be about policies and not personalities. “This idea that politics is all about charisma and spin is rubbish,” he said. “It is trust that matters.”

Deaths Kenneth Andrews Busby’s, 1933–1937

Colin Borg Queen’s Scholar, 1949–1954

8th Apr 1920 – 15th Jul 2013

11th Mar 1936 – 19th Mar 2014 14th Oct 1918 – 29th Sep 2013

John Armstrong Wren’s, 1949–1954

Jack Bradley Grant’s, 1942–1945

Hugh Excell Rigaud’s, 1957–1962

8th Jun 1936 – 10th Feb 2013

20th Oct 1927 – 30th Sep 2013

12th Jan 1944 – 10th Oct 2013

John Barrington-Ward Grant’s, 1942–1946

Rodney Brooke Wren’s, 1951–1956

Regent Exeter Wren’s, 1973–1975

28th Aug 1928 – 14th Jul 2013

3rd Jun 1938 – 29th Nov 2012

9th Oct 1959 – May 2014

Peter Barr-Taylor Grant’s, 1936–1941

Roger Cantrell Rigaud’s, 1946–1949

John Goldman Ashburnham, 1951–1956

14th Jan 1923 – 11th Nov 2013

25th May 1932 – 21st Jan 2013

30th Nov 1938 – 24th Dec 2013

Richard Beeston Rigaud’s, 1976–1980

David Dickson Queen’s Scholar, 1960–1965

Peter Goodwyn Busby’s, 1943–1946

Darrell Evans Ashburnham, 1932–1935

18th Feb 1963 – 19th May 2013 30th Aug 1947 – 31st Jul 2013

4th Sep 1929 – 11th May 2013

Oliver Bernard Home Boarders, 1939–1940

Philip Duval Home Boarders, 1932–1937

Michael Gray Rigaud’s, 1945–1950

6th Dec 1925 – 1st Jun 2013

12th Dec 1918 – 1st Jan 2013

20th Dec 1931 – 2013

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Deaths Marius Gray Busby’s, 1947–1952

John Neville Ashburnham, 1933–1936

Theodore Tasker Rigaud’s, 1933–1938

3rd Aug 1934 – 29th Jan 2013

2nd Jan 1921 – 26th Nov 2013

27th Apr 1920 – 10th May 2013

Anthony Hall-Patch Rigaud’s, 1939–1943

Richard Partridge Ashburnham, 1932–1935

Nicholas Turquet Ashburnham, 1957–1962

21st Nov 1925 – 2013

8th Jun 1919 – 10th Oct 2013

1st Aug 1944 – 25th Nov 2012

Douglas Harley Busby’s, 1937–1940

Michael Patterson Grant’s, 1933–1938

Eric Witherby Busby’s, 1936–1936

4th Jan 1947 – 2013

21st Nov 1919 – 6th Dec 2013

17th Dec 1917 – 12th Mar 2013

Dominick Harrod Busby’s, 1953–1958

Norman John Peppin Brown King’s Scholar, 1935–1941

John Woolich Busby’s, 1947–1952

21st Aug 1940 – 4th Aug 2013

26th Aug 1922 – 19th Apr 2014

19th Jan 1934 – 2nd Feb 2013

Jonathan Hewitt Grant’s, 1953–1958

Charles Phelps-Penry Liddell’s, 1973–1977

2nd Apr 1940 – 12th May 2014

11th Jan 1960 – 17th May 2013

George Hurd Busby’s, 1937–1937

Julian Potter Ashburnham, 1944–1949

11th Nov 1919 – 2nd Sep 2013

17th Mar 1931 – 22nd Dec 2013

Bryan Jackson Liddell’s, 1956–1961

Robert Proctor Busby’s, 1954–1958

29th Oct 1943 – 1st Mar 2013

1st Aug 1940 – 2nd Feb 2014

Michael Jacobs Wren’s, 1966–1970

Alan Punchard Busby’s, 1938–1941

15th Oct 1952 – 11th Jan 2014

2nd Apr 1924 – 5th Mar 2013

Peter Jeeves Busbys, 1948–1953

Aubrey Ridley-Thompson Home Boarders, 1935–1939

25th Oct 1934 – 8th Nov 2013

18th Oct 1921 – 9th Oct 2013

Alexander Jones-Dellaportas Rigaud’s, 1982–1986

John Rivaz Grant’s, 1932–1936

Richard Lowcock Master of Modern Languages and Master i/c Football and Cricket 1947–1961

14th Nov 1968 – 13th Nov 2013

30th Apr 1919 – 2nd Jan 2013

d. 6th Feb 2013

Jeffrey Lever Ashburnham, 1936–1941

George Schneiders Busby’s, 1940–1944

29th Mar 1923 – 22nd Nov 2013

6th Dec 1926 – 20th Nov 2012

Howard Marks Ashburnham, 1947–1952

David Secker Walker King’s Scholar, 1945–1950

Anthony Ryder Chief Accountant & Secretary, Westminster School Society 1977–2000

28th April 1934 – 6th July 2013

10th Jun 1932 – 24th Mar 2014

John Morton Home Boarders, 1935–1940

Patrick Semple Grant’s, 1958–1963

7th Apr 1922 – 7th Jul 2013

8th Feb 1945 – 4th May 2013

Andrew Murray Rigaud’s, 1939–1944

Anthony Sheldon Grant’s, 1933–1936

7th Jan 1926 – 8th Nov 2012

15th Aug 1919 – 20th Dec 2012

Michael Neuberger Wren’s, 1967–1970

Peter Sleightholm King’s Scholar, 1936–1941

2nd Nov 1953 – 26th Oct 2013

23rd Mar 1923 – 10 Mar 2014

Former members of staff Nick Bevan Former Master i/c Water

d. 12th Jan 2014 Harry Ferrar Head of Modern Languages 1969–1980

d. 19th Feb 2013 Michael Hughill Master of Mathematics 1972–1986

d. 6th Sep 2013

d. 14th Sep 2013 Mike Thorne Westminster School Boat Club Boatman 1959–1993

d. 29th Mar 2013

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SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2014

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OW Lawyers’ Dinner 1950s Decade Gaudy Henley Drinks

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WESTMINSTER SCHOOL

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