The 2020 Magazine
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Worth Society Events, Life & Times of Worthians, Worth News and the Worthian response to Covid-19
Education with Heart & Soul
PRIVATE VISITS AVAILABLE “This school has everything going for it” The Good Schools Guide 2017
www.worthschool.org.uk 2
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Contents Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians continued
04 Chairman’s 2020 Report Jeremy Fletcher G’72
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A Message from Mary Lou Burge Worth Society Committee
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Worth Society Events 2019 London Christmas Carol Service
60th Anniversary Hong Kong Dinner – John Bowden R’74
60th Anniversary London ’59-’99 Dinner
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Worthians Sport
Rugby – Nick Elvidge C’11
Golf - Ken Ross G’65
Squash - Matt Doggett F’07
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Global Action Awards 2020 Overview: Mary Lou Burge
Life and Times of Worthians 16 The Worthian response to Covid-19 Worthians in the fight against Covid-19 Worthian Voices 19
The Global Action Award that took an unexpected turn Will Harries R’15
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Saving lives with a smartphone Daniel Grace F’05
24 Fighting Covid with my natural skin-hygiene start-up Isabella Lee StA’17 25 Meet Hugh Manson G’72: Luthier to Rock Legends Mary Lou Burge 28
Wine to Whisky to Renegade Rum Mark Reynier C’80
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A very Special Reunion John ‘Spud’ Murphy B’78
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My work with Caritas Jersey Paddy Lynch C’92
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My Bio-tech Entrepreneurial Journey Rory Ryan C’09
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Using Nutrition to Succeed Ali MacDonald C’91
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The emperor isn’t wearing any clothes… Robin Poynder
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Praeceptorum Vincent Ellis-Brown R’63
Book Reviews Wounded Shepherd By Austen Ivereigh G’84, Reviewed by Will Desmond F’09
The Outsider: Pope Francis and his Battle to Reform the Church By Christopher Lamb R’01, Reviewed by Peter Webb C’14 Female Entrepreneurs: The Secrets of Their Success By John Smythe R’70 - Reviewed by Katharine Farmer StA’11 Black Rabbit By Angus Gaunt G’77 - Reviewed by James Drummond-Murray G’77 The Monuments Man - Essays in Honour of Jerome Bertram C’68 Edited by Christian Steer – Reviewed by Dom Stephen Ortiger Measure for Measure: Redressing The Balance: A Critical Reappraisal of Shakespeare’s Play By Paul Miller (English Teacher 1980 - 2003) – Reviewed by Andrew Bernard C’81 The State we Are In By Meg Ingles StC’20 47
Worthians Caught on Camera
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Announcements
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News in Brief
58 Obituaries Sir Peter Jonas G’64 - Extracts from The Daily Telegraph Obituaries
Jonathan Hogge StB’73 - Andrew Hogge StB’75
Adrian Aylward R’76 - Dr Giles Mercer
Jonathan Pemberton R’83 - Anna Pemberton
The Old Place 62 Rest in Peace Dom Bede Hill 64 Rest in Peace Dom Richard Wilson 65 Long-service Farewells & Retirements 66 A Message from the Head Master Stuart McPherson 68 Development Office Update Anna MacMahon 70 University Destinations 2020
Advertisers We would like to extend our grateful thanks to this year’s advertisers: Worth School Gravetye Manor The Path Global Career Accelerators Farleigh School Alexander House Hotel
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Chairman’s 2020 Report 2020 is a year many of us will wish to forget, and we are aware that is has been a very difficult year for many Worthians in many ways. November 2019 saw another fantastic dinner at the Cavalry & Guards Club for the ’59 to ’99 years, but our plans for continuing the School’s 60th anniversary celebrations came to an abrupt end in March, putting several new events, both here in the UK and across the world, including the much-anticipated Diamond Ball at Worth, on hold. But despite the loss of events, the usual lifeblood of the Society, it has adapted to the challenges it faced and continues to flourish. The Society’s office relocated to Mary Lou’s dining room in March and has focused on keeping Worthians, the School and Worth Community up-to-date with the positive news stories coming out of our network. With so much negative news in the general media, it was wonderful to hear how members of our community were adapting and contributing incredible things in the fight against the Coronavirus. There were, and continue to be, many Worthian heroes of this pandemic – too many to mention here – but we salute you all.
Jerry Fletcher and Mary Lou Burge
I think the front cover image of the Worthians from the
part by the building of the mentoring scheme on our
Class of 2000 who gathered together in London during
networking platform, www.worthconnecting.org.uk with
the summer, proudly wearing Worth face masks, sums up
hundreds of alumni and current parents now listed and
the year for the Society. Come what may, Worthians will
ready to offer advice. If you haven’t already, I encourage
continue to connect and support each other, even in a
you to register on the platform to help young Worthians
pandemic!
in what are inevitably going to be choppy waters in the
What I think this crisis also showed was just what a close-
months and years to come.
knit community Worth really is. This was clear to see with
It is exciting to see the new Sixth Form Centre starting to
the Society working with the School and chaplaincy team
take shape on campus and we very much look forward
on the ‘Worth Together’ project, ‘Worthian Voices’, a
to showing the new Baron Spencer of Alresford, Michael
series of inspiring online interviews. These were watched
Spencer B’73, the finished result of his generosity when it
by students tuning into Worth Online, the virtual school
opens in September 2021.
that was created successfully at super-fast speed at the beginning of lockdown in March. A big thank you to all
Despite having trialled a few virtual events, they can
those who took part.
never replace the real thing, and so I very much hope
With the search for careers becoming all the more
programme of reunions and gatherings that so many
challenging, the Society has focused a lot of time on
Worthians know and love. In the meantime I wish you the
helping young Worthians to remain positive about their
best of health.
futures, connecting them with people who can support them in their chosen fields. This has been helped in large
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that it won’t be too long before we can get back to our
Jeremy Fletcher G’72
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Message from Mary Lou Burge
A
year like no other, it certainly has been. Who would have thought last September as we made all our exciting plans for the School’s 60th anniversary celebrations that we would end 2020 with a ban on all social gatherings! A difficult place to be for an organisation that thrives on people contact. Well, we may have had to shelve some events, but that hasn’t stopped the Society from being busy, keeping the Worth Community informed about our network that was buzzing with news.
Join us at www.worthconnecting.org.uk
I so enjoy pulling The Blue Paper together every year, but this year in particular has been such a great issue to work on. During lockdown there were lots of stories of Worthians doing amazing work in the fight against Covid-19, and you can read about many of them here. The initiative and drive shown by some key individuals is to be applauded – and even the Queen took notice! It was also a privilege to get to know some Worthians who have made incredibly powerful brands in their fields, and to delve back into some Worthian history and how it has affected the lives of others - you can’t help but be moved by the special reunion story on page 31. It’s also great to see so many Worthian authors, with a record 7 book reviews this year. We’ve put lots of time and energy into building up our fantastic networking platform www.worthconnecting.org.uk There is now a great Careers Section with useful careers guides, a Jobs
Board, a Worthian Business Directory and a growing Careers Mentoring Programme. Please register if you haven’t already, either to offer your services as a Mentor in your field of expertise, or to access careers support. Worth Connecting has the added bonus of enabling you to update your own contact information and link up with fellow alumni… and the platform has even been mentioned in the Tatler Schools Guide 2020! I do hope that the pandemic has not affected you and your families too badly. I very much miss meeting up with you in person, but hope that by the time I write this message again next year we will have some of our popular events back in our diaries. In the meantime, enjoy the read and stay well! Mary Lou Burge, Worth Society Manager
Worth Society Committee Nick Barnett G’73 Office: 020 7404 4022 Email: nick.barnett@hotmail.co.uk Fr Mark Barrett Office: 01342 710340 Email: jmbarrett@worth.org.uk Mary Lou Burge – Worth Society Manager Office: 01342 710241 Email: worthsociety@worth.org.uk Mark Collini StB’89 Office: 020 7783 4941 Email: markcollini@yahoo.co.uk
Matthew Doggett F’07 – Squash Co-ordinator Squash Co-ordinator Email: mdoggett@worth.org.uk Jeremy Fletcher G’72 – Chairman Office: 020 7070 6611 Email: jeremy.fletcher@kewcapital.com Maddy Ilsley StM’10 Mobile: 07952 481636 Email: maddyilsley@hotmail.co.uk Anna MacMahon – Head of Development Office: 01342 711586 Email: amacmahon@worth.org.uk Stuart McPherson – Head Master Office: 01342 710222 Email: smcpherson@worth.org.uk
Ben Oakley F’08 Mobile: 07973 899330 Email: bartoakley@outlook.com Gordon Pearce – Deputy Head External Office: 01342 710258 Email: gpearce@worth.org.uk Daniel Pring R’03 Mobile: 07865 064439 Email: danielpring@ymail.com Dr Duncan Pring Email: dpring@ntlworld.com Fr Kevin Taggart Office: 01342 710338 Email: ktaggart@worth.org.uk Andrew Taylor – Football Co-ordinator Email: agtaylor44@gmail.com
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2019 London Christmas Carol Service
Events
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aving made our home at St Patrick’s Soho Square for our London Carol Service over the last few years, this year we had to decamp to St Mary Moorfields whilst St Patrick’s undergoes essential building work caused by the construction of the Crossrail project right underneath the foundations of the building. Although smaller than St Patrick’s, St Mary Moorfields is a gem of a Church tucked away in the middle of the City, and it created a warm and welcoming venue for this most popular of our annual events. Following calls for more audience participation, the congregation sang along heartily to a range of familiar traditional carols and were delighted to hear some beautiful choral pieces sung by senior representatives of the School Choir. We very much hope that these students will be future members of the congregation in the years to come, so it was lovely for them to be involved and experience what a great community spirit there is at such events. St Mary Moorfields has an attractive, large and well equipped parish hall beneath the Church, and that is where we all descended after the service for mulled wine and homemade mince pies made and served by our very own Worth Catering Team.
The Sixth Form Chamber Choir
Jerry Fletcher G’72, Mary Lou Burge, Anna MacMahon, Stuart McPherson & Mark Collini StB’89
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Katharine Farmer StA’11
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Events
Mickey Morrissey R’78 with Abbot Luke looking on
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60th Anniversary Hong Kong Dinner Events
2019 was Hong Kong’s Annus Horribilis. If Worth isn’t teaching Latin any more – shame – then you may need to look that up. Basically, it was an awful year; protests, riots, economic disaster, and then that virus. And somewhere in between some nut-job took to bombing public toilets as well. Luckily that didn’t last long. In the middle of all that, on 18th October 2019, both the Head Master Stuart McPherson, AND the Deputy Head Gordon Pearce, visited and hosted a dinner for Worthians in what has become a fairly regular event, although this was to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Senior School. I did wonder who was running the show back in England while they were both here though. For 2019 we were back at the Hong Kong Club thanks to Nick Bodnar-Horvath C’72 who must qualify as Hong Kong Worthian Leader and an influential Club Member. Personally I love the Club. I’m not really allowed in there much as I find it difficult to respect their strict dress code of jacket and tie. They do offer ‘loaners’ and the fun part is to pick the worst tie they have. And they have many. My attempts to join years ago were met with polite suggestions that I would never be approved so best not to try. Which is why I accept any opportunity to go. Their food is excellent and their white-glove service second to none. The protests were in full swing and I had planned to join one the following day so was not surprised to find the
The Head Master toasts the last 60 and future years of the School
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James Pymont, Brandon Chau, Charlie Forbes, Stuart McPherson & Jack Harrison
Clubs’ main door barricaded in black steel sheets. It sits on one of the main protest routes and they were naturally worried, though this historic establishment is so well respected I doubt anyone would have dared to brick it. On entering I was asked if I would kindly tuck my shirt in and make my way to the second floor. Being a little late I didn’t get the chance to greet many of the guests already there, though I did recognise Gordon Pearce, Nick and Helen Bodnar-Horvath, Robert Carroll R’71 and Jack Harrison G’00. I am terrible with names but luckily Mary Lou had forwarded the list which included the aforementioned in addition to Simon Wall B’82, Sean Taylor C’85, Richard Watt B’93, Rachel Yu, Stephanie Chai, James Pymont B’00, Alvin Chan R’03, Brandon Chau StB’03, Osvaldo Kwan StB’03, Emma and Charlie Forbes StB’09. It is always good to meet the range of Worth graduates, that this time spanned 38 years and a broad mix of career choices, while enjoying the Clubs’ pre-dinner drinks and food – Crab Salad, Lamb Loin en Croute, Passion Fruit and Ginger Meringue and of course Cheese and Petit Fours to wind it all up. It is the Hong Kong Club after all, and things are done properly there. John Bowden R’74
Standing: Gordon Pearce, Nick Bodnar-Horvath, Jack Harrison, Stephanie Chai, John Bowden. Seated: Helen Bodnar-Horvath, Stuart McPherson, Simon Wall & Richard Watt
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
The following Worthians and staff attended the 60th Anniversary London Dinner:
60th Anniversary London Dinner
Roderick Blyth, Fr Stephen & Gerry McHugh
Dominic Quennell, Rupert Boheimer & Mark Breen
Mark Collini & Stephen Nurse
he elegant surroundings of the Cavalry & Guards Club on Piccadilly were the venue for the '59-'99 London Dinner held on 14th November 2019 continuing the School’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Hosted by the School, over 70 Worthians and several former staff, representing each of the first four decades of the Senior School, gathered for pre-dinner drinks followed by a delicious autumnal menu of loin of venison and apple and pear crumble. Head Master, Stuart McPherson, talked about some of the challenges of being a modern-day Head as well as plans for the future of the School. The room was full of nostalgia and bonhomie and a great time was had by all. Another wonderful evening at the Cavalry and Guards Club to celebrate the 60th Anniversary. It is always great to meet up with ‘old boys’ again. Simon Slaughter R’64 Thank you for all the organisation that went into such a very enjoyable evening. I am so very glad that I was able to attend. James Forte C’72
Giles Hamilton, Matthew Brown & Anthony Lavelle
What a really great gathering. I know how much time and thought goes in to organising such an event and it was another memorable evening for a great number of Worthians. I heard so many say how special it was to meet up with contemporaries, some who had not seen each other since leaving. Nick Butterworth G’76 Thank you so much for organising such a fun evening - I had a hoot. Giles Hamilton B’82
Liam Bauress, Owen Powell & Tom Calnan
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the dinner thank you for all the hard work in making it happen. Lovely to see so many familiar faces; former pupils, monks, ex teachers etc. A great occasion. Tom Calnan R’95
Nicholas Carter & Ewan Ward-Thomas
Abbot Luke, James Forte & Fr Kevin
The 1990s table with Jeremy Dowling
Liam Bauress Mary Lou Burge George Daly Jeremy Dowling Anna MacMahon Stuart McPherson Fr Stephen Ortiger Gordon Pearce Owen Powell Fr Kevin Taggart
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Events
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PJ Bailey & Hugh Lynch
Jeremy Best C’64 Rodney Bligh C’64 Bernard Elkington R’64 Michael Scholl R’64 Simon Slaughter R’64 Michael Setter G’65 Tim Clarke G’66 Chris Dobson StB’66 Des Calnan R’69 Patrick Dodd R’69 Robin Duke-Woolley G’71 Anthony Elletson B’71 Rory Graham B’71 Abbot Luke Jolly C’71 James Forte C’72 Dominic Wakefield G’73 Simon Willson C’73 Roderick Blyth StB’74 Gerry McHugh C’74 Steve Noel-Hill StB’74 Paul O’Brien R’74 Dominic Quennell C’74 Martin Hodgson StB’75 James Keliher C’75 Richard Miles StB’75 Nick Robinson StB’75 Christopher Snelson C’75 Rupert Boheimer C’76 Nick Butterworh G’76 Mark Breen StB’77 Ewan Ward-Thomas B’77 Errol Flynn B’78 Charlie Hamshaw B’78 Bill Haydon R’78 Luke Kisielewski StB’78 Rob Lindsell C’78 John Murphy B’78 Paddy Renouf StB’78 Andrew Rome G’78 Christian Whiteside B’78 Nicholas Carter B’79 Alex Stewart-Clarke R’79 Simon Coughlin R’80 Charles Hooper C’80 Fergus O’Meara R’81 Dominic Strickland C’81 Matthew Brown C’82 John Dean G’82 Giles Hamilton B’82 Anthony Lavelle StB’82 Jamie O’Meara R’82 John Shepherd B’82 Sean Buckley G’83 Benjamin Drummond R’83 Adrian Whyatt StB’83 Angus Hamilton B’84 Ed Hooper C’84 Damian Chunilal R’86 Sean Donnellan StB’86 Johnny Jeffcock R’86 Mark Collini StB’89 Stephen Nurse R’89 Crispin Dawson StB’93 PJ Bailey R’95 Tom Calnan R’95 Hugh Lynch B’95 Corrado di Mascio R’96 Alexander Whelan C’96 Benedict Duke C’97 Richard Morgan StB’97 Nicholas Kelly R’00 Jamie Coutts StB’01 Dom Reynolds StB’01
Remember this is your Club for all Worthians, and we always need new players. Everyone is welcome – even if you can’t commit to a full season. If you’re interested in playing please contact one of the following: James Kemp (Captain): 07577 199607
Worthians Rugby 2019-2020 Season Report
Nick Elvidge (Fixtures): 07784 255775 Desmond Calnan (Chairman): 07535 939582 or 01372 386511 Christian Killoughery (Secretary): 07702 911185
Sport Concentration and commitment from the WOBS – as never before seen in the classrooms of Worth
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eviewing the season is something of a privilege this year, for the WOBS have stepped up to produce some literary masterpieces for their weekly match reports. Not only have we had the flowing prose of the Silver Fox (Desmond Calnan), but a number of players have picked up the pen to show off their lyrical prowess. Special mention here goes to new Club Captain James Kemp, Fergus Ryan, and Andrew Aitken. (I should add here that thanks to some excellent administrative work from Christian Killoughery, match reports will soon be available on the new WOBS website). Perhaps these reporters were inspired by the wonderful brand of running rugby the WOBS have been playing this year? As you may well have guessed, the season was sadly curtailed in March following the impact of Coronavirus with an RFU algorithm leaving the WOBS in 6th place in Surrey 2. Outrageous given that in their mocks (the first half of the season), the WOBS had managed six wins from nine. I have it on good authority that the Silver Fox has appealed and is hoping to receive a place at his preferred institution of Surrey 1 for the 2021-22 season. As seems often to be the case with the blue and gold army, the WOBS were a little slow to return from their summer holidays and suffered defeat in the first two matches against Cranleigh and local rivals Old Blues. This spurred the WOBS into a purple patch in the run-up to Christmas (at which point, having played every minute of the season, the author of this article sadly left the Squad with a broken hand). On 19th October, not only did England turn up to comprehensively dismantle New Zealand, but the WOBS kiwi reinforcements in the form of Andrew Aitken and Guy Schwikkard, smarting from their nation’s defeat, returned to the side to help thrash Old Wellingtonians. The early exchanges heavily favoured the WOBS with Tommy Ferguson running characteristically strongly to dot down in the corner. The WOBS ended the match having put 70 points past them, scoring tries that gave a prelude to what
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A delicate chip ahead from skipper James Kemp in full flow
could be expected for the rest of the season. By this point, the team had a strong spine of regulars who were starting to gel. Stalwarts of the pack included Angus Bonner who often cameoed as a scrum half and bamboozled many an opponent with his dancing feet, Tom Cruz (consistently the WOBS most improved player in recent years), and astounding performances from newcomer Toby Pullan whose raw pace put many opposition wingers to shame. Dom Robinson, Dom and George Suckling and Curtis Widmer were present and correct throughout the season with some very energetic performances putting in some huge hits, catching high balls they had no right to claim, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Toby Jozwiak made a long-awaited return to the front row, while Aitken added a touch of kiwi flair to proceedings. It was quite a sight to have a front row and a pack that was capable of winning scrums up and down the slope at Fortress Whiteley. As for the backs, it was an extremely productive campaign with well over 40 tries scored by the backs, thirteen of which aptly came from the man who wore shirt number 13 in all games bar one this season, our Captain, James Kemp. Fly half Schwikkard was key to our success (picking up the Man of the Match award from our opponents an embarrassing number of times). He and ball playing inside centre, Fergus Ryan unleashed wave after wave of skilful and exciting runners in the blue and gold. Andy Furness, Ed Kemp, Tommy Ferguson, Christian Killoughery, Paddy Mark and Jack Clancy all contributed well throughout the season, and provided plenty of highlights for the Silver Fox to ponder over his mid-week cornflakes before the next game came around. Three moments in particular stand out for me. The first was against Old Rutlishians on a grim November day. With the WOBS trailing late in the game, first Captain Kemp scored in the corner after beating three and flirting with the touchline, which was immediately followed by a score
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
by Guy Evans from an audacious cross-field kick to give the WOBS a slender 36-33 lead. Rutlishians spent the final five minutes working their way up the pitch towards the WOBS 5 metre line. Countless pick and drives ensued, but the blue and gold wall was not to be broken, and after some stout defence, including some monstrous tackling from Suckling, Robinson and Bonner, the WOBS were awarded a penalty, and put the ball out of play to win the game. The second moment was the game against Economicals. No fewer than six WOBS on the scoresheet with the pick of the bunch, and arguably of the season, being scored
have been fantastically well attended both by the Saturday regulars, and those visiting from university for the weekend. The highlight of which was the Christmas party in the regular haunt of the Roundhouse in Clapham. Worthians old and young came together to celebrate an excellent first half of the season and enjoy a few Christmas carols. A wonderful evening all round. There are a few special mentions to be made at this point. Firstly, to those not able to play regularly but who made great contributions on and off the field nonetheless: Andrew and Tim Riley, Barney Elwes, Ben Ritchie, Tom
Sport Jubilation as the WOBS Blue-and-Gold army celebrates a stunning victory over Economicals
Appearances
Players (36 played)
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James Kemp F’14
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Christian Killoughery R’10, Fergus Ryan B’15
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Angus Bonner R’14 Tom Cruz B’08, Toby Pullan C’15
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Jack Clancy F’11, Nick Elvidge C’11, Andrew Furness F’08, George Suckling B’15
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Ed Kemp F’10, Dom Robinson B’11
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Toby Jozwiak StB’15
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Tommy Ferguson F’08
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Matt Ball (Master), Dom Suckling B’14
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Max Bergot F’14, Ben Derbyshire B’13, Craig Monteiro StB’05, Peter Osborne R’08, Tim Riley G’18, Max Tew G’16, Connor Thornton-Clark StB’14
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Barney Elwes R’17, Ben Parry B’11, Mike Ryan F’14, Ben Ritchie F’18
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Tom Calnan R’95, Will Chadd B’15, Harry Coreth StB’14, Fred Greenslade G’18, Hugh Murphy B’14, Andrew Riley G’18, Thomas Upton, Will Upton StB’14, Alex Williams R’06
by Killoughery. He received the ball deep in his own half and in a moment that brought to mind his 2010 try in the Daily Mail cup against Sussex Downs College, looked up outside, saw nothing was on, and so decided to step half the opposition team. He left behind no footprints, only defenders grasping at air to score under the posts. The third, although off the field, was equally as important a factor in the WOBS’ success this season. Social events
Calnan, Alex Williams, Marco Boodramsingh among many others. A number of them are recent leavers of the School and the future of the Club is in good hands. Next, to Mr Matthew Ball who used his Saturdays off duty from Worth to run out in the blue and gold. Lastly to all the players, WOBS and other honorary WOBS, (notably Oli Turner, Henry Hughes and James Alexander) who contributed to a fantastically enjoyable and successful season on and off the field. We would also like to thank a few people. Firstly, to our supporters, thank you for coming out in all kinds of weather, at Fortress Whiteley and away. Next, to the Vice Presidents, our Sponsors, and Worth Society. The club is immensely grateful for your support and we are looking forward to being able to thank you in person once restrictions allow the Vice Presidents’ Lunch to go ahead. Finally, thank you to the one and only Desmond Calnan, quite simply, the Club would not exist without you, and the Committee and players are extremely grateful for everything you do. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, matches have not yet resumed, but we are training every Wednesday (while permitted to do so by the regulations) at Battersea Park Millennium Arena, and we always welcome new members. If you are interested, please contact one of the Committee who would be more than happy to give you more information. Up the WOBS! Nick Elvidge C’11
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Worthians Golf 2019-2020 Season Sport
2019-2020 has, of course, been significantly disrupted by the turmoil created by Covid-19. Nevertheless, the Golfing Society has been able to take part in a number of events. At the time of the last report we were looking forward to the annual 2019 Autumn Weekend at Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire. The event was well supported by members of the Society with John Shepherd B’82 carrying off the Worth Salver with 39 Stableford points, pipping James Blake B’77 into second place with 38 points with myself having a similar score but worse back nine ending up third. Nearest the pin prizes were won by Peter Gottelier R’70, Rory Pickard StB’11, Simon Pickard StB’79 and John Shepherd, with Simon also hitting his way to the longest drive prize. Rumour has it that Peter Gottelier was going great guns until misfortune hit at the fifth hole. His electric trolley exhibited a mind of its own, for when Peter was putting on the green it decided to have a swim in the adjacent river. Given that his golf bag contained his wallet, car and hotel keys, not to mention the expensive clubs recently purchased, Peter stripped down to his underpants and waded bravely into the freezing waters. All was retrieved, but for the expensive battery and his 8 iron which have been consigned to the depths forever. On returning to dry land he looked like a drowned rat shivering with cold, but fortunately the marshall had been alerted and came to his rescue with towels and a rug. Such was the concern of his playing partners that none of them had the presence of mind to photograph the event for The Blue Paper nor indeed take a video for YouTube! I was however able to present him with a consolation prize of goggles and snorkel kindly donated by the recreation centre! The 2020 year normally starts with a match against The Old Gregorians at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club in April. Fortunately, we were able to rearrange for the fixture to be played in late August instead and I am pleased to report that the Worthians won by 6 points to 0. Representing the Society were Phillip Davey F’04, Dermot Flood C’77, Peter Gottelier, John Shepherd, Matthew Wood B’77 and myself. The Grafton Morrish Public Schools event at Knole Park had to be cancelled, but we were also able to defer The Russell Bowl scratch foursomes event for Catholic Public Schools (Ampleforth, Downside, St Georges and Worth) to September. Despite rigid social distancing, Woking Golf Club provided an excellent lunch and the day was, as usual, enjoyed by all the participants. The new boys on the block, St Georges, having taken Stoneyhurst’s place three
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James Blake, John Shepherd & Ken Ross
years ago, proved far too strong for the other three teams. The Worthians were represented by Phillip Davey, Will Kelly StB’10, Dominic Pasqua B’76, Joseph Rivers F’10, John Shepherd and me. Unfortunately, the annual Spring Meeting at Moor Park was cancelled and likewise the Autumn Meeting has not taken place. Our depleted year was brought to a close by a match between The Elderly Worthians against the Less Elderly at Royal Ashdown Forest, kindly arranged by Matthew Wood. On a most enjoyable day in fine weather a draw was declared. In alphabetical order the following took part: James Ambrose G’75, James Bannister C’04, James Blake, Peter Gottelier, Niall Keelaghan B’01, Matthew Wood and yours truly. I leave it to the reader to determine who played for each team! Hopefully 2021 will prove a better year in every sense. As ever, new members will be very welcome and further details can be obtained from me and the Worthians Golfing Society page on www.worthconnecting.org.uk Ken Ross G’65 Email: kandbaway@gmail.com
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Worthians Squash 2019-2020 Season We were hoping to organise a second fixture for late in March, but unfortunately events overtook us and we were forced to cancel. At the time of writing in September 2020, Squash is yet to restart at the School, given the difficulty in social distancing on the courts. However, as soon as we are able, we are looking forward to welcoming more Worthians back to Worth for further fixtures. We were also starting to look into arranging a game for Worthians at a court in London. If you would be interested in getting more involved in Worthians Squash, please contact Mary Lou Burge at worthsociety@worth.org.uk and join the Worthians Squash Club on www.worthconnecting.org.uk Matt Doggett F’07
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Sport
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n 16th November 2019 a select number of Worthian Squash Enthusiasts arrived at Worth to play the School team. Representing the Worthians were James Griffith B’72, Guy Salimbeni F’07, George Salimbeni F’11 and Jeremy Dowling, hosted by myself. Squash is flourishing at Worth, so the School was able to put out a team of 8 students, ranging from Year 10 through to Year 13, with each Worthian playing two matches. Although overall this was a comfortable victory for the Worthian team, there were some excellent matches played with some very strong performances by both teams. The morning of Squash was concluded with a buffet lunch and a chance for the students to chat with the Worthians, who in turned reminisced about their time at the School.
The Global Action Awards was asking for funding to take part in a 3 month project in Tanzania with International Citizen Service (ICS) and Raleigh International. He then planned to move on to The Bahamas to volunteer for 2 months with the charity All Hands and Hearts to help with relief from the effects of Hurricane Dorian. He was awarded £1,700.
The Global Action Awards
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ince its formation 20 years ago, the Worthians Charitable Trust Global Action Award programme has awarded a total of £30,980 to Worthians prepared to commit to a period of time volunteering with recognised charities in the UK or overseas. Sadly, the Coronavirus pandemic severely affected our Global Action Award Programme this year. We had a very solid application from Will Harries R’15 who had already impressed us with the project he helped set up whilst at Edinburgh University, printing 3d prosthetic limbs, which he had written about in last year’s issue of The Blue Paper. One of the things the Awarding Committee look for in an application are the ways in which applicants are fundraising themselves. The fact that Will was undertaking a sponsored water challenge, walking 6kms a day carrying 5 ltrs of water, and increasing the load by 5 ltrs a day, they found particularly impressive. Will was keen to do some post-uni volunteering and
As you will read in Will’s report on the following pages, his GAA came to rather an abrupt end due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, and he was forced to return to the UK from Tanzania after only 6 weeks. What happened next is a remarkable story of what sheer determination and community spirit can achieve and the Awarding Committee were very happy to agree for Will to use the remainder of his unused funding to help with the production and supply of over 100,000 facial shields to the NHS and abroad. Molly Cummins StA’17 applied for her GAA funding to spend a month volunteering with CA.UK.IN Studios in partnership with the Jazmin Fund to help design and construct a Women’s Community Hall in Fiji. This would have supported her Architecture degree at Loughborough University. Molly was awarded £500, however, as this project was also cancelled, Molly has subsequently returned the funding and hopes to reapply at a later date. We hope that as the world opens up again post-Covid, Worthians can be encouraged to apply for funding to volunteer and give something back to communities around the world. Mary Lou Burge, Worth Society Manager
GAAs Awarded since 2011 2019-20
Will Harries R’15 – volunteering with ICS in Tanzania £1,700
2018-19 Sophie Enoizi StA’18 – volunteering with Operation Raleigh in Costa Rica £1,000
Frances Oesterlin StM’15 – volunteering with The Hope Agency in Cambodia £500
2016-17 Edward Bridge (StB’11) – Medical Elective at The Western Regional Hospital, Belize and volunteering with ‘La Choza Chula’, Guatemala £1,000
Andrew Morris (R’06) – Medical Elective at Ananthapuri Hospital, Kerala, India £1,500
2015-16
Antonia Foldes (StM’11) – volunteering with TECHO in Colombia £2,100
2014-15
Peter Webb (C’14) – volunteering with the Manquehue Movement in Chile £1,000
Benjamin Booker (B’13) – volunteering with the Puericultorio JAVA Orphanage in Peru £500
Beatrice Lewers (StA’13) – volunteering with the Puericultorio JAVA Orphanage in Peru £500
Stephen Free (C’15) – working with VSO & ICS in Tanzania £500
2013-14
Merrick Winter (F’13) – teaching English with Global Vision International in India and Nepal £500
Charlie Bridge (StB’09) – teaching English with TASK Brasil in Rio de Janeiro £500
Thomas Harrison (StB’92) – founding Fusion Enterprise Music & Drama Group for adults with learning disabilities £150 2012-13
Charlotte Bonhoure (StM’13) – working with the Manquehue Movement in Chile £750
Naomi Dring (StA’13) – volunteering for Worth Abbey’s ‘Outreach Peru’ programme in Peru £1,000
James Folger (B’10) – teaching English at schools in San Jose in Costa Rica £400
Ciaran Stordy (StB’12) – working with the Manquehue Movement in Chile £500
2011-12
Niamh Fogarty (StM’11) – volunteering with Tanzanian NGO, TanzEd £500
Xavier Geissmann (B’11) – working with the Manquehue Movement in Chile £700
Francis Dring (C’12) – volunteering with The Peru Mission in the Amazon £1,000
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Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Gravetye Manor with 17 luxurious bedrooms and suites, boasts a beautiful glass fronted dining room that allows guests to connect with the hotel’s gardens, the source and inspiration for its Michelin-starred cooking. Head Chef George Blogg and Head Gardener Tom Coward work in close partnership to create the restaurant’s signature style of cooking - fresh seasonal produce, cooked to perfection.
Gravetye Manor Hotel & Restaurant, Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, Sussex, RH19 4LJ Tel: 01342 810 567 info@gravetyemanor.co.uk
www.gravetyemanor.co.uk
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The Worthian response to Covid-19
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s the world went into lockdown we were heartened by reports of Worthians doing their bit in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. Some of the stories demonstrated incredible initiative and, in some cases, highlighted the power of our community and what can be achieved when Worthians are connected and work together. We are proud of them all!
Foreign & Commonwealth Office in the repatriation of British Nationals stranded overseas). Whilst much of this work continues, the emphasis now is much more about recovery and looking ahead as we adapt to a ‘new normal’. The work has been hard, but Toby says it has probably been one of the most rewarding things he’s been involved with during his career in the Civil Service.
Stephen Bamford StB'68 is involved with a company making a hand sanitiser which effectively kills Coronavirus.
Dr Matthew Knight C'98, a Respiratory Medicine Consultant at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, conceived, designed, and delivered a ‘virtual hospital’ to look after patients infected with Covid-19. He led a team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and admin staff, some of whom were shielding, to safely prevent and reduce hospital admissions through the virtual monitoring of patients’ symptoms. Patients were given a pulse oximeter to monitor their oxygen levels and heart rate at home and were reviewed virtually or on the phone. Since March, more than 10,000 virtual consultations have taken place via the 'virtual hospital', delivering care to more than 1,250 patients, preventing several hundred admissions and ensuring patients felt safe and secure. The virtual hospital is a 'first of its kind' model which can be expanded to cover other illnesses and conditions. He has since been appointed Medical Director at Medefer and is spending 18 months in Valencia working in remote patient monitoring and virtual clinics there. We are proud to report that Matthew was awarded an MBE on The Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours for his extraordinary work during the pandemic.
Philip Barnes StB’72, then Managing Director of The Savoy, got into the empty hotel’s kitchen with the Head Chef to prepare meals for London’s homeless. Simon Gordon's StB'74 company Facewatch featured on BBC Tech as they adapted their existing facial recognition system to eye and eyebrow recognition to account for the use of masks. Dr Nick van Terheyden C'82, a US-based leader in digital healthcare, produces a regular blog on LinkedIn with helpful information about the pandemic for employees and employers. Dominic Hughes R'85 appears regularly on our screens reporting on the crisis as the BBC’s Health Correspondent. Jonny Boux B'92 is Chief Executive of Ambition, Aspire, Achieve, a charity based in East London that offers vulnerable young people opportunities they wouldn't normally have access to. During the closure of their centres they delivered weekly food and support packages to local children and families most in need. Paddy Lynch C’92 is CEO of Caritas Jersey (of which you can read more about on page 32) who were one of the 6 charities who partnered at the beginning of the lockdown to create the Jersey Foodbank, run by the Salvation Army. This replaced the existing foodbanks that had to cease their activities as many of their volunteers were shielding and isolating. At the height of the crisis they were delivering food parcels and hygiene packs to over 600 individuals and 300 families weekly. Toby Rumford R’95 jointly led the COVID Response and Recovery team at the Ministry of Defence in London, a mixed civilian and military team responsible for overseeing the department’s response to the pandemic. Initially the focus was on the crisis response: ensuring the department was able to continue to deliver essential outputs such as operations overseas; supporting other government departments in their efforts both at home (e.g. setting up Nightingale Hospitals) and overseas (e.g. assisting the
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Tom Holt StB'00 is part of a digital transformation company that has developed a way for people to shop at M&S just using their mobile phones. Toby Clyde-Smith G'03 is a Director of the Positive Group who created an online programme to help people manage stress and anxiety during the crisis, and is free to NHS workers and teachers. Desmond Choy G'05 is part of a research team at King's College London working on a vital new trial on a drug that is usually used to fight rare blood cancers but that could treat patients with severe Covid-19. Daniel Grace F'05 is a GP who not only worked with NHS 111 to support their Covid response, but is also a volunteer with Virtual Doctors who are using a smartphone app to connect isolated health centres in rural Zambia as they tackle the pandemic (see his article on page 22). Excitingly, this technology will soon be piloted by the NHS in South East England, to help GPs provide effective and efficient care for residential and nursing homes.
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James Longman B'05, foreign correspondent with ABC News, reported uplifting stories from around the world twice a week via his Twitter page during lockdown. He then headed to Brazil to report on the deepening crisis there. He is spending the autumn working on a programme for National Geographic called Virus Hunters, journeying across continents to meet the scientists studying the Covid-19 outbreak, but also identifying what could cause the next global pandemic. Andrew Pring R’10 is with The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) based in Leuchars. He spent the spring running Coronavirus mobile testing units across the central belt of Scotland. Charlotte Butter StM'12 and her partner, Jack Manley, an NHS A&E doctor, teamed up with struggling London restaurants to create a charity called Deliveraid to provide healthy meals to people working in the NHS. Katie Phillips StA'14 produced the music for the wonderful lockdown poem The Great Realisation by Tom Foolery which went viral with 30 million views on YouTube and was featured on ITV's This Morning. Will Harries R'15 was part of a team who set up 'Augment Bionics' at Edinburgh University that use 3D printers to make prosthetic arms. At the start of the pandemic they switched to printing 3D facial shields for the NHS. They were able to increase printing from 900 to 10,000 a week following a call for funding, and at last count had produced 120,000 shields for the UK and 5 other countries. Will put a call out to the Worthian network for help with production and delivery and was contacted by several Worthians, including Piers Spencer B'14 who was working for the flower delivery company, Bloom & Wild. They delivered 6,000 masks to Charing Cross Hospital on behalf of Augment Bionics. Will's team's work was featured on national news and even thanked by Her Majesty The Queen on her Twitter feed! You can read more about Will’s project on page 19. Freddy Goodall ‘16 found fame in The Sun (with its 2.6 million readers) that shared a Tik Tok video of him making a lockdown version of his much-missed McDonald's Mozzarella Sticks. Isabella Lee StA'17 is studying Business Management at university, but also launched a new skin hygiene company producing the first 100% natural hand sanitiser-moisturiser hybrid. elxr. is made in the UK from vegan and cruelty free ingredients, packaged in a fully recyclable bottle and gives 10% of profits to local tree planting initiatives through Carbon Footprint UK (see article on page 24).
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Worthian Voices
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uring lockdown the School switched to virtual learning. Worth Online, was and continues to be, a great success with a wonderful array of online material available to students. It was also supported by some great Worthian Voices. This series of interviews with some key former students focused on how they coped with the pandemic, values they learnt at Worth that have helped shape their lives, and some sound advice for current Worth pupils. Bishop John MacWilliam StB'67 talked about the challenges of running a parish in the Sahara Desert. Bishop John subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 but luckily displayed no symptoms. Robert Bathurst R'75 shared his experiences in the acting world during Drama Week. Austen Ivereigh G'84 spoke about his exclusive interview with Pope Francis about the pandemic.
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James Longman B'05, correspondent with ABC News, talked about his experience of reporting in the pandemic and how Worth helped him become the person he is today. Tom Mitchell F'07, England Rugby Sevens Captain, talked about the highs of winning an Olympic medal. Ben Wintour B'09 gave an update on Steel Warriors, the charity he set up to help combat knife crime. Isabella Rothman StM'13, founder of online art platform www.wonderingpeople.com, spoke during Art Week and talked about a postcard project they set up for the charity Refuge. Katie Phillips StA'14 spoke about the music she produced for the pandemic poem The Great Realisation that went viral. Alice Le Marchant StM'18 told us about her work with UK charity Surfers Against Sewage and the values she was taught at Worth.
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The Global Action Award that took an unexpected turn‌ and helped save lives around the world
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The Global Action Awards prosthetics. However, in March 2020, as the number of Coronavirus cases grew, we became aware of the global lack of personal protective equipment. We wanted to take action to help protect our frontline workers, so we pivoted our business to help mitigate the impact of the virus, working swiftly to repurpose our 3D printers to produce face shields to donate to the NHS and countries in need abroad. Latymer Upper School kindly offered a manufacturing space and George, our technical director, set up shop. Within one week of advertising our services, we quickly became inundated with requests and realised that 3D printing – a slow, low volume manufacturing process – was not going to be able to keep up with the growing demand. In response, we shifted to large scale manufacturing to increase production capacity from 200 to 20,000 per week. To date, we have distributed 60,000 shields to the NHS, 30,000 to the Ministry of Health Armenia and 30,000 to rural healthcare workers in Uganda, Zimbabwe, Somalia and Somaliland - so a total of 120,000 shields! Concurrently, we have also tried to limit our environmental impact. As a forward-looking company with strong views on sustainability, we are acutely aware of the plastics problem single-use shields pose, and to reduce this we have opted to make our shields out of recycled plastic bottles so that we’re maximising the social impact while minimising the environmental impact.
The Global Action Award that took an unexpected turn continued
Will in Tanzania at the start of 2020
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My personal role at Augment Bionics has involved fundraising, costing, and navigation of the fluid regulations for PPE. Running a start-up during such uncertain times has been tumultuous to say the least, but I’m proud of what the team has achieved so far and humbled by the £100,000+ generously donated. We have also had Worthians
fter graduating with a degree in Economics last year, I wanted to take a year out to do charity work. My extracurriculars had given me business experience and I sought to use these skills to make a difference. I applied for a Global Action Award and the Worthians Charitable Trust helped to make my dream a reality by awarding me £1,700 for two projects. On 11th February 2020 I set out for Tanzania with the International Citizen Service (ICS) and Raleigh International, a youth-driven sustainable development charity. My new home was called Luganga, a rural village in the Iringa District, Tanzania. I was living with a host family in basic conditions and with no means of telecommunication, so a typical day was pretty different from what I was used to back home. On 20th March, six weeks into my three-month placement, we were recalled because of the Coronavirus, a disease hardly known to us in Luganga. Within a matter of days, I found myself back in the UK and in lockdown. This was surreal as just days earlier I had been immersed in a different culture collecting water and attempting to speak Swahili. For all of us, the Coronavirus has meant adapting to a ‘new normal’. This swift change from Tanzania to being back home meant I was more appreciative than ever for the access to amenities that we have. It has made me realise that lockdown is a luxury afforded to the UK and spurred me to help countries in need at this time. In my final year at The University of Edinburgh I co-founded Augment Bionics, a medical devices start-up focused on producing functional and affordable 3D printed myoelectric
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Wearing one of Augment Bionics masks
supporting our delivery programme. It has been a team effort, and our community has made this possible. It is here that the generosity of the Worthians Charitable Trust shone once again. I had some funds left over from my inability to participate in the disaster relief program I had planned as the other part of my GAA, helping with relief from the
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One of the many messages of gratitude from NHS doctors
the most impactful messages was early on in our campaign when a Coronavirus ward doctor told us that our shields had helped to save two lives. Knowing that we have had an impact against the backdrop of something as large as a global pandemic has provided me with an overwhelming sense of fulfilment. Augment Bionics is an example of the feats young people can achieve when engaging with key issues of our times and when given the freedom to act. It’s something that I think is key for young Worthians to consider; graduating into challenging circumstances means that perseverance is more important than ever. It is how you respond to life’s challenges that will define you. For us this means we will offer face shields for as long as they are needed. So, it is here that I am pleased to announce that Augment Bionics have a new shield releasing soon, and that I have committed my future to the company, turning down a job offer in venture capital.
A special plaque produced for Worth as a thank you for our support
effects of Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas. I asked if I was able to draw the remainder of my funds to send shields to countries in need abroad and the Awarding Committee agreed to my request for which I am so grateful. Throughout this initiative, we have received heart-warming messages from doctors thanking us for our shields. One of
Aside from working with Augment Bionics, I’m being whipped into shape by my younger brother; three times a week I find myself severely out of breath while I look up to see his figure ease away from me on the running track. Lockdown was a great time for our family to reconnect and I know after living apart for 10 years I have relished the chance to be able to spend more time with them. All in all, the last few months have fostered a greater appreciation in me for the things that we do have, and the things it is possible to do in the face of adversity. Will Harries R’15
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Saving lives with a smartphone Telemedicine in a time of Covid
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ome of you may have read about the Virtual Doctors on Worth Connecting earlier this year. Daniel Grace F’05, the medical director of the charity, now gives us an update on how the charity has adapted to reduce the risk of Covid-19 at the clinics they support. The Virtual Doctors is a UK-based NGO, that uses a bespoke telemedicine app, to connect isolated rural health centres (RHCs) in Zambia, with volunteer doctors, based in the UK and Zambia. The importance of telemedicine has increased dramatically over the past 6 months. Technology that was previously predominantly used by the military, in remote and offshore locations, or by private GP services, has now become ubiquitous as a result of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. Telemedicine is particularly relevant in low and middle-income countries, especially in rural areas which often have a low density of health centres, and fewer doctors per capita, which can result in significant health inequity. To put this into context, the UK has one doctor for every 360 people whereas Zambia has one doctor per 12,000 people. Clinical officers (COs) working at RHCs provide the first port of call for the majority of the population, and may see 60-100 patients a day, treating both adults and children, as well as managing dental problems, obstetrics and trauma! I have been volunteering with the charity for around 2 years and have been the medical director since the start of 2020. We have been partnered with the Zambian Ministry of Health for over 10 years, and now have over 160 volunteer doctors, offering diagnostic and treatment advice across a range of specialities. Our service is textbased, with the option to send images, rather than using real-time video-calls to give advice. We are often asked why this is the case. The answer lies within the context of how our service was developed. Intermittent data bandwidth makes video calls impractical in much of rural Zambia. It also means that UK volunteers can answer queries at a time that suits them, and work around their NHS commitments. Excitingly, this technology, developed for rural Zambia, will soon be piloted with the NHS, in the south-east of England, to help GPs provide effective and efficient care for residential and nursing homes. Since 2016 the number of RHCs we have supported has increased from 6 to 215, and the corresponding number of COs we advise has increased by 2,233%! We now answer an average of 220 monthly cases, a total of 5,512 since
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“The idea that a team of volunteers in the UK can just give some advice to clinics across Zambia and Malawi through this app seems inspired.” Simon Mayo Ministry of Health in preventing the spread of the virus, whilst continuing to provide telemedical support to 140 remote health centres across Zambia. As part of this, we have provided all the health centres that we support with foot-operated hand washing basins, soaps, sanitisers, cleaning and disinfecting products. Moving forward we shall be providing this to any new clinics that we set up along with the usual device, app and support from our in-country team. We rely 100% on charitable donations to fund our work and receive no government grants or funding. We are grateful for any donations or fundraising efforts that can help us continue to support rural communities throughout Zambia. We are also keen to hear from any Worthian doctors that may want to volunteer with us! To get involved, you only need three things: an active GMC registration, CCT and an internet connection. If you do not yet have your CCT, we may be able to accept you on a case by case basis: for example, if you have DTM&H or are a senior registrar, approaching CCT. For more information or to get involved please contact me at daniel.grace@virtualdoctors.org Daniel Grace F’05
our new IT system was introduced in late 2016. 90% of the time the advice given has improved patients’ symptoms. It has prevented referral to hospital in 76% of cases and 94% of the time the advice given was judged educationally beneficial by the COs. The service is also helping to reduce professional isolation and to improve the resilience of healthcare workers who are often posted to isolated rural clinics away from friends and family. The eventual aim is that our service will be country-wide, and fully integrated into the Zambian healthcare system. This will allow us to hand it over to the Zambian Ministry of Health, who can continue the service independently, whilst allowing us to focus on improving access to healthcare in other countries that face similar challenges. With the global spread of Covid-19 our work is now more relevant than ever before. Reducing unnecessary hospital referrals and movement within Zambia, is key to reducing the spread of the disease. We have therefore launched the Virtual Doctors’ COVID-19 Response Fund, to support the
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Fighting Covid with my natural skin-hygiene start-up
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his past year was a whirlwind of innovation, startups and technology for me whilst on placement at British Airways, as part of my degree at the University of York. Then COVID-19 hit. The concept of furlough started floating around our London office and Amelia (my Co-Founder) and I started talking about hand sanitiser. After spending January flying between New York and London together for work (where I’m convinced I caught Covid), we were using hand sanitiser more, which had a detrimental effect on our hands leaving them dry, sticky or smelling like alcohol. If only I had used an adequate hand sanitiser before catching the virus! As two skincare addicts & entrepreneurs, we were surprised that our ‘go to’ brands hadn't come up with a solution that was natural, moisturising and smelt great. So, we created one. A few weeks into lockdown, along with much of the rest of the nation, we were furloughed which gave us the time to pursue a serious solution (and watch too many episodes of Tiger King). With the help of an expert team based in Yorkshire and hundreds of Zoom meetings, we formulated the first ever 100% natural ‘Hand Sanitiser Moisturiser’ hybrid. What makes our product different are the high performance ingredients. It’s made in the UK from vegan and cruelty free ingredients and contains 70% naturally derived grain alcohol as recommended by the WHO for maximum, antibacterial protection. We added moisture boosting Borage oil, soothing Aloe Vera, hydrating Glycerine and Cellulose for long lasting protection. We also included Organic Bergamot and Neroli essential oils for a fresh & uplifting scent, something that is hard to find in hand sanitisers! Much to our excitement, it’s been hailed "The best hand sanitiser we've found" by Francesca White, Beauty Editor at TATLER Magazine. It was about more than just hand sanitiser. We noticed that on the go personal hygiene was unsustainable and we became determined to change it. Covid-19 has brought the global economy and healthcare system to its knees as well as exacerbated our waste problem. With the mass production of chemical sanitisers, face masks and wipes on the rise, Amelia and I felt that this was the time to really make an impact for the better. In the midst of a global health crisis we wanted to innovate and create a solution that would help people without contributing to the growing waste issue.
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Our bottles are made from partly pre-recycled plastic and are intended for reuse. Our product box is biodegradable and made from paper pulp that’s sourced from responsibly managed forests and mills. We are also giving 10% of all profits to local tree planting initiatives by Carbon Footprint UK. For the meantime I am busy working on my Business Management degree in my last year at university, promoting elxr. in all avenues. I would love to hear from any Worthians with experience in this sector as we are looking to scale BIG time and would really appreciate any advice. elxr. is available in a 50ml, pre-recycled bottle, costs £16 and is available exclusively from www.elxrskin.com with free shipping available in the UK. Isabella Lee StA’17
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Meet Hugh Manson G’72 Luthier to Rock Legends
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Meet Hugh Manson G’72 - Luthier to Rock Legends Those of you who play guitar will probably be familiar with the name ‘Manson’ which adorns many of the world’s most unique electric guitars. So we were delighted to discover that the man behind the brand is in fact Worthian, Hugh Manson. I caught up with Hugh to chat about his amazing life at the centre of the music industry.
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ugh remembers his arrival at Worth as “refreshing, but daunting with a lot of bigger boys around”. When asked about his memories of that time, as is often the way, he talks first about the punishments; long ‘parades’ in welly boots and being told to write a Blue Paper about the inside of a ping-pong ball. Whilst he felt that most of the boys were being prepared for careers as bankers and barristers, he was much more creative, in his own words “a bit of a hippie”, and the only A level Art student in his year, taught by the formidable Mr Renouf. On leaving Worth Hugh studied Design & Technology, but his mother suggested he should get a profession under his belt and so he went on to get a teaching qualification and taught at schools in Beckenham and then Devon. He’d filled his holidays doing such varied jobs as driving for a donkey sanctuary, sailing yachts from Amsterdam to the South of France, and handling a horse and cart on the island of Sark. But this remarkable rock and roll journey begins in Crowborough in the late 1960s. Hugh was at his Prep School, St Hugh’s in Hertfordshire, when his older brother, Andy, made his first acoustic guitar aged 17. Andy went on to the London College of Furniture where he created his own course - the first in the country - to train as a luthier. Both brothers had always spent hours in their father’s workshop and Andy subsequently set up a guitar repair/ building business specialising in acoustic instruments such as mandolas, bouzoukis and other folk instruments. One day their mother happened to mention that she’d heard that a ‘pop star’ was living down the road and that Andy should knock on the door and ask if he had any work for him. It turned out to be John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin who gave Andy some repairs. That was the start of a decades long relationship with the band.
Dave Grohl of the Foofighters
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With the demand for electric guitars growing, Andy asked Hugh to come back to Sussex to help out - and he hasn’t looked back. In the mid-80s the brothers relocated to Devon and set up separate workshop spaces with Hugh specialising solely in electric and bass. Not long after that Hugh was approached by a client who suggested they open a shop. The last 27 years have seen many legendary guitar players turning up to visit Manson Guitars in the cobbled centre of Exeter. Noel Gallagher (Oasis), Hank Marvin, Tim Wheeler (Ash), Steve Howe (Yes/Asia), Dave Grohl (Foofighters), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Baz Warne (The Stranglers), Noel Hogan (The Cranberries), and Billy Bragg to name just a few, have all popped in for repairs or to brief Hugh on a project, and Hugh has toured the world with several of them as their personal technician. About 10 years ago, to remove any confusion between the retail store and the vastly expanding guitar manufacturing operation, Manson Guitar Works was created, which today produces a range of instruments from their current ‘production custom’ which cost in the region of £2,000, although a full custom bespoke guitar will set you back £5,000+. So, what sets a Manson guitar out from the rest? Hugh says, “We don’t copy the likes of Gibson or Fender, who make perfectly good guitars, we are known for things that are that bit more unique.”
A familiar face in the shop over the years has been Muse frontman, Matt Bellamy, who was a regular long before the band hit the big time. Bellamy loves the Manson brand so much that last year he became a majority shareholder in the Manson Guitar Works which has enabled Hugh to semiretire. Having chatted to Hugh and picked up the infectious spirit he has for the business I can’t see him retiring completely any time soon as he continues to spend time in the shop and making his own bespoke guitars under the separate label ’Hugh Manson’. His brother Andy now lives and works in Portugal and is one of the most renowned acoustic guitar makers in the world today. Having spent all those happy and successful years in Exeter, it is ironic that Hugh remembers writing an essay whilst at Worth about why you shouldn’t open a shop on the coast because 50% of your catchment area would be fish. “Little did I realise when I opened the shop that people would come from all over the world and make it a destination on their holiday if any family member plays guitar”. Perhaps I’ll set Hugh a Blue Paper to rewrite that essay! Mary Lou Burge, Worth Society Manager
But it is Hugh himself that makes the one-off dream guitars you might find on stage at Wembley Arena. These are bolder, higher-tech, often intricately cut with lights or lasers, some have multi necks, and one of Hugh’s trademarks is a lot of glitter , “I’ve even made guitars in the shape of toilet seats and shovels”. Although Hugh does “play a bit”, his biggest buzz comes from seeing the guitars he has made being used, and the Manson name appearing at significant music events. What he finds so amazing is that the music scene hasn’t really changed over the years as much as people think. He says it is wonderful to see young people coming into the shop and playing music from 50 years ago on his guitars. He is desperately sad to see what Covid-19 has done to the industry, which he says has been “massacred”.
Matt Bellamy of Muse sharing an award with Hugh
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From Wine to Whisky to Renegade Rum
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he story begins in 2000, when Mark Reynier C’80, fellow Worthian Simon Coughlin R’80 and a team of investors purchased the mothballed Bruichladdich scotch whisky distillery on the island of Islay. Having had a long career in the wine industry and being an enthusiast of terroir, Mark was eager to apply the same principles he had learnt about wine production to spirits. Bruichladdich purchased Islay-grown barley to make Islay-specific releases and, using much of the original century-old equipment, became a huge success with enthusiasts. In 2012 Bruichladdich was sold to Remy Cointreau and Mark left the company and purchased an unused brewery in beautiful Waterford in Ireland to create a distillery for his Waterford Whisky. Here again Mark showed that it is “all about the barley”. Waterford purchases barley from local farmers and makes a single batch of whisky from each farm’s harvest. Each bottle of Waterford is made entirely from one farm’s harvest and the bottle even bears the name of the farm. Initial releases have caused quite a stir in the industry. So how does rum tie into all of this? Well Mark still had his eye on the rum world. Dissatisfied with the rums available to independent bottlers, he decided to make his own. Here enters Renegade Rum on the tiny Caribbean island of
Grenada which Mark is due to reopen this year with what is possibly the most modern, forward-thinking rum distillery on the planet. And using Mark’s invaluable experience and knowledge, this distillery will also focus on ‘terroir’, the characteristic flavour imparted by the environment where it is made. The company controls every aspect of production, starting with planting sugar cane. When it comes to maximising rum terroir, freshly milled cane juice is the key. Since cane juice spoils within hours, the cane fields need to be close to the distillery. Renegade’s team selected the north eastern coast of Grenada for the distillery, in part because the island’s highly varied topography and soils create many different cane-growing conditions. Renegade’s original plan was to work with local cane farmers but that plan hit an early snag when they realised that local farmers didn’t have the ability to supply all the cane required. So Renegade set to work growing cane themselves and now account for approx. 200 acres of green cane stalks pointing up to the beautiful blue Caribbean sky. As at Waterford, each cane harvest will be distilled and bottled separately. Renegade also has an all-female distilling team! Now let’s hear from the man himself… Mary Lou Burge, Worth Society Manager
Cane growing for Renegade Rum on a volcanic crater in Grenada
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Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Mark at the distillery in Waterford
Much to the distress of my father and no little amusement to myself, after a decade of private education, my UCCA results computed that my future lay as a forester or marine biologist. I joined the wine trade immediately. Those long gone Geography lessons in frail portacabins with Beef and Glen still haunt me on a daily basis, but something stuck. Whether it's the soils, erosion and weathering of Ireland or the pyroclastics, lahars and calderas of the volcanic soils of Grenada, the terroirs of these islands influence the flavours derived from the barley or the cane, discernible in the very whisky and rum distilled from them. Terroir - that fantastic 3 dimensional interaction of soil, microclimate and topography on a crop - is the combination of biological, geographical and chemical processes that have influenced my business from wine to whisky to rum. My school Biology lessons seemed to be aimed primarily at the time at all those doctors in waiting. But not a day goes by without the principles of photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, phytoremediation, to the farming techniques such as the control of predators and diseases, and the metamorphosis of moths, mildew and mould cropping up. I was hopeless at Physics with Fagan (we designed a spiral staircase thats spiral was so tight it was only suitable for dwarves), but when designing a distillery to withstand hurricane strength winds and earthquake forces, one finds oneself reaching the dark recesses of one's brain searching for those wretched laws - and then hiring a top class structural engineer. Chemistry was even worse, to the extent I asked to be put
out of my misery and withdrawn from the exam. Little did I suspect, bored to tears by formulae and metronomic mantras, how much of distillation relies on that science that I would invoke on a daily basis - fermentation, chemical compounds, flavour elements, amino acids, esters and aldehydes. Then there’s the Social Geography and History side too. The three Atlantic islands on which I have chosen to live and work each have complicated social back stories of colonialism and clearances, religion and revolutions between the indigenous, the French, the English even the Americans. The relics of Marxist revolution, superpower intervention and economic collapse are suppurating wounds never far from the surface. The oak forests planted by Napoleon and Colbert were to create sustainable sources of ship timber to fight the Royal Navy. It was all too late and oak gave way to iron and steel. Those forests spawned a barrel-making legacy for the world’s greatest wines - the French wine industry has Admiral Lord Nelson to thank. Each of the 11 French forests, depending on altitude, climate, soil and geology, produce their own flavour hallmark oak. Used strategically, the great winemakers optimise the élevage of their wines, a skill I observed in the ‘80s and ‘90s, which I have since introduced to the maturation of spirits with dramatic effect. Back on Islay, after the sale of Bruichladdich to Remy Cointreau I acquired a 60 hectare forest. UCCA was almost right. Mark Reynier C’80 Waterford Whisky can be found at Berry Brothers, The Whisky Exchange, Royal Mile Whiskies, Jeroboams & Other Whisky Specialists.
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A very Special Reunion
I
left Worth in 1977 and went to Cambridge, then on to the Middlesex Hospital London to study Medicine. On 9th December 1984 I set off from Horsham (in my mother’s Austin Metro) to Worth to play rugby for Worth Old Boys. I had played a lot at university, was a first team regular at the Middlesex, just got soft contact lenses and as a winger was as quick as ever.
some four weeks after the accident. I have no recollection of the 24 hours pre-accident or 6 weeks after. My jaw was wired shut, I had double vision and my left arm and leg would not move properly – left hemiplegia as a result of a diffuse head injury. My jaw had apparently hit the steering column and that force had caused the head injury (but for an airbag I may have walked away unscathed!).
I never got to Worth that day and was never to play rugby again. Somewhere along the B2110 beyond Handcross the car left the road and hit a tree. I was taken to Cuckfield Hospital who dispatched me straight to Hurstwood Park neurological centre due to the severity of my injury. My family were told I was unlikely to survive and if I did, significant neurological impairment was probable. Fr Kevin kindly came to give me the ‘last rites’. I was taken off the ventilator on Christmas Eve and regained consciousness
I was visited by many over the weeks including Keith Owers who had been my Housemaster and Glenn Robertson’s daughter - I thought she had nursed me but some years later Glenn corrected me saying I had been her voluntary services project! One of the ambulance men who attended the scene also visited and told me he had cleared ‘raw liver’ (clotted blood) that was obstructing my breathing - this was the pivotal life-saving moment (more later).
John & Jamie reunited at Worth in February 2020
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Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
I was at Hurstwood Park for three months - physically unable to stand or walk. These skills had to be relearned which was compromised by my tendency to fatigue. At this stage I had little insight into any cognitive impairment - I could still remember and recite Pi to 50 decimal places (memorised at Worth aged 13 in competition with Mark Mallett). Not a particularly useful exercise but it led me to believe my executive brain function was unaffected… or so I thought! After three months I went to live with my mother but couldn’t manage so was referred to the Atkinson Morley unit at St George’s Hospital for a further four months. Improvement continued with the help of psychologists and physiotherapists and I began to appreciate the cognitive aspects to the injury. I was eager to re-join all my peers who were busily moving up the medical career ladder but was advised to wait a further two years before making any attempt to re-start work as a doctor. A carefully monitored gradual re-entry to medicine was put in place, but I was fairly promptly dispatched to Camden for a further seven months of day patient rehab. Fast forward some 36 years and I have just retired after 33 years as a doctor, 22 of which have been as a Psychiatrist in Kingston with the same team. I married a Middlesex nurse in 1992 and we have two sons (Hugh B’14 still plays rugby for WOBS). I have much to be grateful for, not least the support of my family who tolerate my idiosyncrasies and warped humour, my medical colleagues’ help in rebuilding my career and the Worth community who I think of as my second family. I have kept in touch with many Worthians and regularly attend the great reunions. It was at a recent one that I spoke to Fr Stephen. He said my accident had been witnessed by Paddy Jago’s StB’75 sister, Jamie, and so I asked if he could put us in touch… This is Jamie’s email reply: Dear John, I'm still dizzy with the surprise of reconnecting with that young man from decades ago. I cannot remember what year it was. I know it was late ‘70s early ‘80s but cannot recall the exact year. That day, I'd been to an event at Worth and I gather you were on your way there for an OB's match. The exact location is seared in my mind and I could even point out the tree you hit. I arrived seconds after the accident and the people in front had seen it (I believe you'd overtaken someone and then lost control). They had unfortunately opened the car door as I got there and you had fallen out but were trapped slightly by your legs so were lying upside down with your head on the ground with your legs still in the car and clearly not in a good way. I put you in the recovery position and had a blanket in my car which I covered you
with. I tried to talk to you and reassure you and I almost wanted to be cross with you for having had the accident and the effect it would have on your family. I wanted to be there in case you died because your family would know you hadn't been alone. You were groaning slightly and making very worrying noises with your breathing and gurgling which was so awful to hear. I can remember what you were wearing even. The passenger seat was about 10'' wide after the impact and there's no doubt a passenger would have been killed instantly. A car pulled up with a doctor in it but as she walked across the verge she kept saying “I haven't got anything with me so I won't be able to do anything” and I remember being baffled and angry in equal measures because my feeling was one of utter helplessness and surely she, who was medically trained, could help? Something also tells me she was very concerned at your pupils so expected the worst.
John qualified as a doctor in August 1984
The ambulance arrived (and I think the doctor left) and I seem to recall it was just us. They asked if I could hold the box which held the pump with which they tried to clear (presumably your lungs?) of blood. I said of course, but as this box was clear and you could see the blood and detritus pumping through and I was standing at a funny angle, I began to feel a bit faint. I thought I couldn't collapse at this point so I tried to hold the box up and keep my head as close to the floor as I could; the paramedics must have thought I was very odd. They managed to stabilise you enough to take you away and that was that. I drove at about 20 miles an hour on the way home and didn't overtake for about 10 years, seriously and even now, I always feel a slight tremble as I do. I don't remember how I found out you had a Worth connection (perhaps I asked Fr Stephen to pray for you). I also don't know how I knew you'd survived, but I did. I did say the novena for the first time and I did get an acknowledgement published in The Daily Telegraph which I came across only recently. I would love to know what date it was, and what happened in the following weeks - it was enough for me to know that you'd lived. Hearing about 15 years ago that you were well enough to attend another OBs event (without crashing) was a massive bonus. With my very best wishes, Jamie Jamie and I were reunited at Worth in February 2020 with Fr Kevin and Mary Lou. I am still physically limited by an awkward gait but in my dreams I still play rugby - but with a limp! John (Spud) Murphy B’77
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My work with Caritas Jersey
P
addy Lynch C’92 was born in Ireland but spent the majority of his childhood in Jersey. He moved away as an adult to take up a role with IBM for whom he worked for nearly 19 years in both the UK and Ireland, specialising in project management. Paddy moved back to the Island with his family two years ago and was appointed CEO of Caritas in late 2019. Caritas has been in existence for over 120 years, initially in Germany but now in over 200 countries worldwide. It is the hub for Catholic Social Action and work with and for the poor. Caritas was always very big in parts of Europe, as well as Africa and Latin America but didn’t have a significant presence in the UK prior to 2011 when Pope Benedict called for a Caritas to be set up in every diocese and even parish. Jersey was one of the trailblazers in the UK when Monsignor Nicholas France, then Catholic Dean of Jersey, decided to set Caritas up here - before many of the dioceses in England and Wales, including Portsmouth which is the diocese the Channel Islands form part of. Monsignor France saw Caritas as a way of addressing the inequalities on the island, particularly for the many minority communities and especially the large Portuguese/Madeiran population. Initially, the Caritas ‘Think Tank’ was set up. This involved many of the prominent Catholics in different walks of Jersey life providing guidance and information on the prevailing issues of the day to Monsignor France. This allowed him to speak with knowledge and authority on behalf of those who needed support. Caritas then commenced various projects and initiatives including a Prisoners’ Families Support Scheme, our Social Inclusion Project and being licenced to run the island’s Living Wage Campaign. The Prisoners’ Families Support Scheme helps those left behind when a family member goes to prison. Prisoners’ families are often forgotten, family links are weakened and this can lead to further problems on release. By being supportive to families and arranging monthly visits where the families can interact, has shown to strengthen bonds and reduce re-offending, a main aim of the new prison governor who is a big supporter of our work. Additionally, we have recently been given the licence to deliver a Family Literacy In Prison programme which seeks to include the prisoners in their children’s education and has also been shown to reduce instances of re-offending. The second of our projects is the Living Wage Campaign. Despite there being a minimum wage of just over £8 per hour, this has been shown to be less than is required to live within one’s means here in Jersey. We
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therefore work to get companies and organisations to sign up to the Living Wage which at present is £10.55 per hour. To put that in context, this happens to be the same rate as London and more than anywhere else in the UK. Companies have to agree to pay all their staff, including contractors, this rate, before they can become accredited. This work is gathering a lot of support and the Government of Jersey became accredited a year ago. One of our busiest areas is our Social Inclusion Project. We are aware how difficult it is for many people to integrate into society here, especially those from minority communities. We endeavour to provide support and assistance to those in trouble and to make life easier for those coming to the island, especially seasonal workers, whether they be on the farms, in the hospitality industry or other areas. Jersey’s tax laws, social security, health and other rules and regulations are difficult to navigate at the best of times and we seek to help those who have little or no knowledge of how things work, and often don’t even speak the language. At present we are also doing a piece of research with Professor Francis Davis of Oxford University (a former advisor to both the Blair and Cameron governments) to establish a benchmark for inclusion, or indeed the lack of it, on the island. We also contribute to many island-wide groups and initiatives, such as the island’s Homelessness Strategy Board which I sit on. We are currently producing a document that will hopefully encourage government here to properly address this longstanding and ever-increasing problem. In conjunction with the parish, we started a Lenten Project this year focusing on homelessness with a view to creating a fund to help those who are homeless or at the risk of becoming so. Due to lockdown this project was curtailed somewhat but we have been able to start a decent-sized fund which will help those in need as we approach winter. We were also one of the 6 charities who partnered at the beginning of the lockdown to create the Jersey Foodbank, run by the Salvation Army. This replaced the existing foodbanks who had to cease their activities as many of their volunteers had to shield and isolate. At the height of the crisis we were delivering food parcels and hygiene packs to over 600 individuals and 300 families weekly. Having spent nearly 20 years in the corporate world, It is a complete change in terms of work but a fascinating new role. Caritas Jersey has achieved much in the few years it has been in existence, but we have a lot more to do. Paddy Lynch C’92
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
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My Bio-Tech Entrepreneurial Journey Worth also gave me the opportunity to explore more abstract ideas in the Art Department. I achieved full marks at A Level for my kinetic sculptures and mechanical hand sculptures, which later fuelled my interest in robotic prosthetics and the opportunities for interfacing technology with human bodies. For my Mechanical Engineering degree thesis, I experimented with muscle sensors on behalf of a Leeds-based robotics prosthetics manufacturer. While doing this research at Leeds University, I took on the role of President of the Engineering Society and thoroughly enjoyed growing a decrepit society of under 20 active members to a vibrant one of a few hundred members, with robotics, netball and football teams, and organising a variety of events throughout the year. It was more fuel on the ‘entrepreneurial fire’ as I realised my passion for bringing people together around a good cause and pushing people towards a vision for something innovative and exciting. I set out inspired to find a great business idea as a sidehustle while taking a full-time job at an international engineering corporation with my role based between Leeds, Germany and the US. After a period of some failed (and in some cases terrible) business ventures including a barber appointment mobile app, a website development company, a body tracking wearable, and an e-book publisher, I decided that to build a successful company I’d need to find people with complementary skills to partner with.
5
years ago, I founded a biotechnology company in London. My incredible entrepreneurial journey has taken me on a 3 year trip to the ‘hardware capital of the world’, Shenzhen in China, and given me the opportunity to meet pioneering entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers. We raised multiple rounds of financing from Silicon Valley investors, have built partnerships and gained support from leading health innovators such as Johnson & Johnson Innovation. One of my first tastes of entrepreneurship was joining the Young Enterprise programme at Worth. We sold pet food and candles at the Worth Christmas Fair and glowsticks at Battle of the Bands; and had a great time doing it! We also filmed and presented a commercial during the interval of Battle of the Bands, showing a gorilla playing the drums to the music of In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins.
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To grow my network, I moved to London with the goal of starting a high-tech company in the health sector. I joined the Imperial College Business School for a degree specialising in Business Management of SMEs and Entrepreneurship, which I used to get my foot in the door to Imperial’s world leading science community. I spent most of my time outside lectures turning up at PhD poster shows, taking scientists, MBAs and doctors out for coffee to discuss business collaborations. The plan worked and I partnered with a medical doctor from Oxford University and, after deciding to investigate portable blood diagnostics, I found a talented biosensor scientist at Imperial College who happened to be working on a promising new area of biosensors not yet commercialised. Together we founded ZiO Health. After a year prototyping the biochemistry, electronics and software in our London flats, we pitched to a variety of start-up accelerators and eventually secured funding from HAX accelerator based in China, backed by the Silicon Valley venture capital firm SOSV. The reason we
Worth Society Life
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moved to Shenzhen (and why I stayed there for 3 years) was because this city is home to a huge infrastructure of electronics and plastics factories and a wide variety of components. There is a saying that ‘Shenzhen Speed’ reduces product development timelines from years to months. We still have an office and staff there, right above Shenzhen’s electronics market - the largest in the world. 5 years later we’ve developed patents around a new DNA biosensor that can accurately measure molecules in blood, saliva, urine and other fluids in under 2 minutes. With this platform technology we are developing products for healthcare and non-healthcare applications. We have a laboratory in London, offices in China and San Francisco and we have global partnerships with organisations in the US, New Zealand, Spain, Poland and UK. A leading university hospital in Baltimore, USA, is now using our devices to measure therapeutic drugs in patient blood samples as part of a pre-clinical trial. Soon we are launching our first consumer product called ‘Elosia’. It’s a home urine test and nutrition advice app that creates a personalised nutrition plan specific to each user. For under £10 per month you are able to test your urine at home with our disposable test strip and via our mobile app, and receive continuous support to achieve your health goals. All our health products are designed to follow our company vision of empowering people to take control of their own health. My journey has been tough but I am thrilled that ZiO Health is making some fantastic progress and has a bright future ahead.
If you’re interested in starting a business or finding a business idea, whether you’re an alumni or a student, the following three things may be helpful to get started. 1. Proactively grow your network and get more exposure to people starting businesses. 2. Follow industry and societal trends by reading industry specific and mainstream news and follow industry influencers/thought leaders. 3. Connect with me and other entrepreneurial Worthians for advice via www.worthconnecting.org.uk or the Worth Society office. Rory Ryan C’09
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With Resilient Nutrition’s help, Pip Hare will be taking part in the 2020 Vendée Globe race
Using Nutrition to Succeed
H
aving left Worth in 1991 with A Levels in Maths, Physics and History of Art, the path through Naval Architecture, Agriculture and then finally Economics & Management at university was an uncanny reflection of how my subsequent career was going to turn out. I sort of became someone David Epstein might suggest had ‘range’, or in other words, I put my hand to many, apparently unrelated challenges from two start-ups before and during the first dot com bubble, 15 years as a management consultant at Accenture, to 13 years in the Army Reserves. But the golden threads through all of that were data and human performance. So back in 2013 I set up Optimal Human Performance that set out to explore and understand, and ultimately help clients improve the performance of their people by looking beyond the technical and functional skills, and pulling the lifestyle levers of sleep, nutrition and exercise. Fast forward to 2019, and I found myself leading a team of scientists, coaches and athletes with a penchant for
taking part in competitions, races, and programmes designed to break people, in order to understand why and how we could help them go that little bit further. We completed extensive research and product development with athletes, explorers, and adventurers to develop a nutrition system that would help sustain optimal physical and mental performance over extended periods, and we landed the opportunity to test it all out with Dave Spelman and Max Thorpe, as they prepared to row the Atlantic in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. They would be rowing for up to 70 days at sea, alternating between each other on a continuous cycle of two-hour shifts through the day and night. They needed a calorie-dense, nutritionally complete, easyto-digest, performance-enhancing nutrition solution that would survive in the worst conditions the North Atlantic could throw at them. Using our solution, the team went on to break the world record for the 3,000 mile crossing in a time of 37 Days, 7 hours and 54 minutes.
Dave Spelman & Max Thorpe breaking the world record rowing across the Atlantic
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Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
At the heart of our solution is the emerging science of Chrononutrition, which is essentially based on the idea that your body is primed to consume certain foods and nutrients at different times of the day, and that by optimising what you eat, what exercise you do and when and how you recover, you can significantly improve cognitive as well as physical performance. Our Chief Science Officer, Greg, has a PhD in nutrition, circadian rhythms, sleep, and metabolism, and an MSc and a BSc in sports science (so really knows his essential amino acids from his non-essentials). He had previously worked with the US Naval Special Warfare Centre on the subject and we had the opportunity to work on programmes with the Ministry of Defence on optimizing soldier performance, as well as with companies looking at how to improve employee wellness and performance. This allowed us to collect a lot of data and insights and help us work out ways to apply the science in an easy to understand format for consumers. So earlier this year we spun up Resilient Nutrition, a company dedicated to bringing science backed, sustainable, performance nutrition solutions to the market. We pretty quickly got a call from a friend introducing us to Pip Hare who, as a professional sailor, had set her eye on the Vendée Globe race. This is the only solo, non-stop, unassisted, round the world sailing race, considered one of the most gruelling challenges on the planet, taking nearly 100 days to complete and combining extreme physical and mental exertion. Since its inception in 1989,
less than 100 people have completed the race, including less than ten British skippers, and seven women. So for much of this year we have been developing methods and technologies to assess diet and sleep, and to maximise her performance in preparation for and during the event. Resilient Nutrition will supply Pip with a tailored nutrition package including meal replacements, snacks, ergogenic and nootropic aids to support both her cognitive and physical performance during the race. She expects to sleep a maximum of two hours at any time and we will use performance monitoring, guidance and optimisation technology to assist in activity and sleep maximisation. At the core of Pip’s diet will be Resilient Nutrition’s Long Range Fuel products which provide ultra-endurance athletes with the optimum diet to ensure maximum performance during sustained cognitive and physical exertion. On 8th November 2020, Pip Hare will set off from Les Sables-d'Olonne, France, to sail down the Atlantic, across the Indian and Pacific oceans, then back up the Atlantic. With our help, Pip is aiming to break the current female record of 94 days, 4 hours and 25 minutes set by Ellen MacArthur in 2001. If you want to find out more about the work we do and see how we can help your teams, get in touch through the website at www.resilientnutrition.com or on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook at @resilientnuts Ali Macdonald C’91
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The emperor isn’t wearing any clothes…
E
very year large numbers of young people face two incredibly important decisions that will affect their future, both financially and in terms of career path – how do I make an informed university choice? and once graduated, how do I find the job that I want? The relationship between academic life and moving into a professional career has always been one of tension. For many years industry has maintained that graduates arrive for interview almost completely unprepared for professional life, whether it be lack of technical skills or the wider soft skills that one builds in everyday business life. Those who have made that start will recall the Catch-22 situation where the employer was looking for someone with experience, but you couldn’t get the experience without having had a job in the first place! There are many universities that continue to provide a topnotch education and a degree that means something when moving into the next stage of life. However, grade inflation has meant that every year there are thousands of graduates proudly holding their ‘first’ and expecting a job, with many thousands of others in exactly the same situation. The young lad who first shouts that the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes in Hans Christian Andersen’s story is finally being heard. The wider population is waking up to the fact that simply having been to university and gaining a ‘first’ guarantees nothing except a good time and a lump of debt. The choice of education route is now more important than ever and Covid-19 has only exacerbated the situation. Whilst many of us will have lived through national or even global crises before, the impact of Covid-19 has been profound and will be felt for many years to come. The changes in how society now interacts, whether because of imposed restrictions or fear, continue to develop. This year there were record numbers of domestic students applying for university, however there were also record numbers deferring their entry. The traditional gap year spent travelling around the world does not look as practical or safe as it may have done two years ago. How can they use their time usefully? How can they start to set themselves up for the next step in their life? Recent graduates find themselves in a similar predicament. There is immense competition for the jobs that exist in the current post-furlough environment and industry has been evolving. The jobs that people aspired to twenty years ago hardly exist and the new industries are the ones crying out for relevant talent. The UK education secretary, Gavin Williamson, set out the importance of more industry-focused education in a speech in September saying, “what I also want to see is for universities to end their preoccupation with three-year
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bachelors’ degrees and offer far more higher technical qualifications and apprenticeships. These would be more occupation focused and provide a better targeted route for some students, and benefit employers and the economy”. This is what employers were already saying prior to the pandemic and which now take on even more importance: • A national survey conducted on behalf of CareerBuilder (2018) found that although 95% of UK firms will hire a graduate this year, only 23% believe that this graduate will arrive, to coin a phrase of one employer - ‘oven ready’ • Over 80% of UK companies told the CBI (Oct 2019) that the UK skills gap was holding the country back • Ernst and Young report they are less interested in candidates’ education or place of study but look at ‘what skills can you bring to the job that we need’ • Pearson Global Learner Survey 2019 reported that ‘68% of people globally agree that a degree or certificate from a vocational college or trade school is more likely to result in a good job with career prospects than a university degree.’ None of the above means that university education is a dead rubber – quite the contrary. A solid degree and the experience of moving out of home and gaining independence can still be immensely powerful. However, at some point young people will be looking to bridge the gap between academia and the workplace, to be better prepared, to be the one who is ready to go and who stands out from the crowd. Global Career Accelerators has been established specifically to help young people prepare themselves for professional life, whether recent graduates or A level students. During their time with us participants move from a student mindset to a professional mind-set, gaining both hard and soft skills through real-world business experience. Our Accelerators are equivalent to a 6-month full time Masters course with a focus on financial services, delivered 100% online with daily contact with GCA and industry partners. There is a continuous assessment programme running throughout the engagement that allows certification on successful completion - badged by our industry partners and leading to job interviews. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this article or the details of how an Accelerator works and the benefits the engagement delivers: robin.poynder@gca-now.com Robin Poynder, COO Global Career Accelerators (Former Parent)
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Vincent and his family on arrival day
Praeceptorum
I
t is 64 years since I have attempted to write anything about my first days at Worth Prep School. Memories are vague but some events remain. I was 10. It was September 1956. I was with an intake of 23 new boys. We arrived three days before the start of the Michaelmas term. First awareness of my impending departure from home came when I saw my mother packing a trunk with my new uniform, courtesy at cost of D H Evans Department Store. Grey corduroy shorts; blue knee length woollen socks; grey shirts and two grey woollen sweaters; a black hooded sleeveless cape buttoned down the front, etc. Not to forget the sky blue blazer; the golden cross woven in brass into the breast pocket. (Prefects had a golden Crown stitched above the Shield.) I sat in the back of the car as ‘Mummy and Daddy’ drove me from Richmond, a journey of 50 miles. Dom Maurice Bell (HM, alias ‘FJ’) and Dom Dennis (Chapman Housemaster) came out to greet us in the Quad. Later that day I recall saying goodbye near the front door. “Please don’t go just yet”, and then watching the car drive away,
my eyes fixed on it as it swept along the drive and round the bend, through the gates and out of sight. I walked up the granite stairs. At the very top was a dormitory with ‘Gervase’ impressed in white plastic on the door. I recognised my bed. It was the one covered with my own tartan rug. The September sun glowed warm through the windows overlooking the drive. I gazed out, thinking of home. The Kitchen. The Cat. My bedroom. Alone, I sat on my bed looking through the windows at the red sunset. I remember all this. Then there was Mann. That was his name. Just Mann. We only used surnames. He had lost his way, and could I help him find Chapman House? Pleased to help we left the dormitory, across the grey granite floor, with the granite stairs on our left, right at the corner and down the corridor, up the three steps, with the black & white harlequin linoleum and polished brass, then a right turn and down the final corridor, passing the wooden stairs that led to the Chapel, and into Chapman House. In the first three days we became familiar with the Old House. There were no modern buildings then. Dom Maurice showed us around the grounds. Down by the tennis courts there is a tall Redwood tree; one of many. Buried somewhere in the earth round its bole is a medal. A holy medal! Placed there by one of the monks, so he told us, and so I remember. By the third day I was beginning to enjoy my surroundings. The panelling - the large rooms, the chanting in the Chapel. But then, I had a rude awakening. Whilst walking peacefully from the library towards the two billiard tables, a heavy rumbling noise shook the air, shattering the silence. Like a storm penetrating the building. It was a noise I would soon become familiar with. Two coaches had arrived in the Quad and 30 or so boys were running into the House dragging their trunks through the front hall and talking excitedly to one another. Indignant at the intrusion, I realised things would not be the same again. Next morning when the ‘pips’ went and two hundred boys leaped out of their beds placing their feet on the floor the House rumbled. So ended my first three days. Vincent Ellis-Brown R’63 & Worth Prep School ’56-59
Vincent in the Front Quad in 1962
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Wounded Shepherd: Pope Francis and his Struggle to Convert the Catholic Church by Austen Ivereigh G’84 Henry Holt & Co 2019
Book Review
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ast Christmas, I gave a copy of Wounded Shepherd to my father-in-law. Having finished it, he sent me a simple message that it had “restored his hope in the Church”. I think this captures the impact of this remarkable book. Ivereigh sets out to take us on a journey of Francis’ reforms in his “struggle to convert the Catholic Church” - a somewhat provocative title, yet one that goes right to the heart of the issue. In this day and age, the Church has been found wanting in a number of areas which in turn has led to trust in the institution being at an all-time low. In the course of the book, Ivereigh shows how Pope Francis has set about resolving some of these deep-rooted issues. While he admits that the book is not exhaustive in its exploration of these matters, it is wide ranging in its detail of some very complex issues within the Church. It is worth starting with the title of the book. Combatting the scourge of abuse within the Church has been one of Francis' greatest challenges and as the book points out “only as the wounded shepherd could [Francis] guide his wounded Church to where Christ was calling it”. While Francis has very much continued the reform started by the previous two popes, what is made evident is his pastoral ability as a shepherd to help resolve some of the underlying issues at their core. It would seem that he is intent on enabling the Church to carry out Christ’s mission to save and heal rather than simply save herself, which has been the sad reality of recent decades in various parts of the institution. And yet as the title suggests, Francis himself has not been exempt from criticism in this process, but it is his ever-present humility which has enabled the process to go further than ever before. I think this is best captured in the section on the handling of the abuse scandal in Chile, where the book unpacks how Francis misread a situation regarding one of the bishops which led to him doing the very thing which he was trying to root out: putting the institution at the centre rather than the victims of abuse. But having discovered his mistake, rather than justify himself or shift the blame, he acknowledged his own failure, and sought to demonstrate the humility that was needed to bring Christ’s redemption to the situation. By doing this Francis “sought to break the mimetic cycle of recrimination and self-justification that was holding everyone back.” The book goes on to show that Francis believes that it is a pastoral conversion which will ultimately bring about the change so needed in the institution. This conversion, which reconnects one's heart with God’s loving mercy, can only “be received in humility, by those who acknowledge their wretchedness, before their Creator, and their dependence on Him. Thus whatever humbled the Church, like the humiliation of the sex abuse failures, would make it more merciful, liberating it from the iron cage of self-reliance and casting it on the true power, the mercy of God”. This vision of a more merciful Church, evidently drives Pope Francis on all fronts. The book paints a picture of his conviction to “put Christ evermore at the centre of the Church”. He is confident that in doing this, Christ “will do the necessary reforms.” But it is also
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clear that Francis realises the need for “travelling in patience” in this regard, and that “he has baked graduality into the very process of institutional change”. On this point, I found the book’s exploration of servant-leadership in the Church particularly interesting. It shows that while Francis has been careful not to simply oust those from the Curia who might otherwise act as an obstacle to reform, he has patiently given leadership to those whom he deems as ministers on the margins and those who carry Christ’s mercy. I was particularly struck by this when I had the chance to interview Worthian Bishop John McWilliam during lockdown - I was definitely talking to one of Francis’ appointed bishops. Bishop John was evidently someone who has spent time on the peripheries and practised proximity with his people, which Francis describes as “the hallmark of the Church” because a “Church that is not close to people is not a Church”. I think the book sums up this approach succinctly in the final chapter where it points out that “the Jubilee of Mercy wasn’t about teaching an idea so much as a way to act. It was about emulating the way God interacts with and saves humanity.” What makes this “way to act” so impactful, is that it is based on a lived experience and legacy which Pope Francis left behind him in Argentina. When I spoke to Ivereigh, he remarked that it was chapter 6: Close and Concrete, which seemed to have helped people understand Francis most deeply. This chapter explores the pastoral work which he established when he was college rector at the Colegio Maximo in San Miguel. An interview with Father Rafael Velasco, SJ, examines Francis’ vision to announce “Jesus and His kingdom”. The book goes on to explain that “when people experience God as close and concrete - that faith isn’t an idea, but an event - they come to see that they belong. Their behaviour toward themselves, and toward each other, changes”. Ivereigh summarises this approach by stating that the “purpose of the mission is not to fill the pews but to make possible an encounter with the God of mercy”. I think what has captured not only the average church goer, but the world at large, is Pope Francis’ ability to not only announce the Gospel but so profoundly live it in front of people's eyes. This is what I think the book most clearly communicates. Pope Francis is clearly a leader for such a time as this. Yet Ivereigh himself is well aware of the danger of contributing to the “great man” myth which could be easily associated with Francis. Rather, he now reflects that Pope Francis is “no longer the great reformer of myth, he is the wounded shepherd.” Will Desmond F’09
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The Outsider: Pope Francis and his Battle to Reform the Church by Christopher Lamb R’01 Orbis Books 2020
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Within the book, there is an interesting theme of the limits of legitimate dissent in the Catholic Church. The opposition to Pope Francis is of a level unprecedented against another pope, and, as Lamb writes, “Much of this is caused by today’s digital media, with news feeds designed to ensure people only see stories that reinforce their natural prejudices.” This constant drip-feed of information destroys the disposition toward charity, and never allows these hyper-critics the moment to stop and reflect. Francis, however, has made his mistakes, and grave ones at that, which Lamb acknowledges. The case of Bishop Barros stands out, when Francis described credible accusations against the bishop as ‘all slander’, and then proceeded to describe a local community, who did not want Barros as their bishop because of the accusations, as ‘dumb’. This, and other mistakes made by Francis, continues a trend of popes never hitting quite the right notes on dealing with abuse. Benedict, despite his profound intellect, had made similar mistakes. Francis, Lamb assures us, is working behind the scenes to ensure that vulnerable children and adults are protected in the Church, and the kind of errors committed by seemingly the entire episcopacy and hierarchy of many Western countries can never happen again. Nevertheless, this leads to an interesting question. Faced with a Church that is so radically imperfect, how does one stay both faithful and realistic about the challenges facing Christ’s Church? This, one feels, is a question that Lamb has grappled with, though this book does not attempt to provide the answer. However, it does go some way in restoring one’s trust in the papacy, and the profound message of hope that Francis can offer.
Book Review
he Outsider is an engaging and illuminating account of the programme of the Francis pontificate, and the opposition that the Holy Father has faced. Much of the book is taken up with exploring the nature of the forces ranged against Francis, but beneath this there lies a beautiful commitment to the raw power of the Francis papacy in communicating the gospel in a new way; a way that has found new audiences and new ears. The Outsider demonstrates the raw vitality of Francis’ faith, and the pharisaic opposition such commitment to the message of Christ will always engender. I have sought, in this review, to draw out some of the themes of both Christopher Lamb’s book and the Francis pontificate. Lamb also accurately diagnoses the pull of traditionalism amongst the young, writing that in modern societies, “where young people feel a rootlessness, religious groups that reflect a strong certainty and identity are attractive.” (p.110) This rootlessness finds an answer in traditionalist liturgy which responds “to a longing for the transcendent, the unknowable ‘other’, in a world where everything is immediate or fleeting.” There are problems with traditionalist movements since, as Lamb argues, “traditionalism cannot be a one-size-fits-all answer for a Church in the twenty-first century”, and too often many of these groups consider themselves to be exactly that. However, the question raised by the popularity of these groups among the young, along with those from the more charismatic yet also orthodox wing of the Church, is one of profound importance. How is the Church to convince anew that humanity is more than matter? Lamb’s book shows that, where Benedict was able to do this with his writing, Francis can do this with his actions. There is much to be achieved in the remainder of the Francis pontificate. Yet perhaps this is not a task that we should place entirely on the shoulders of the current pope. What Lamb demonstrates in The Outsider, is that Francis is paving the way for, and enacting, a renewal of the Church and the papacy. We can hope that the great strides made so far under this pontificate, and those yet to be fulfilled, are brought to fruition in the next. Peter Webb C’14
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Female Entrepreneurs: The Secrets of Their Success
by John Smythe R’70 and Ruth Saunders Routledge 2020
Book Review
F
emale Entrepreneurs: The Secrets of Their Success is a book, written by Worthian John Smythe R’70 and long-time friend Ruth Saunders, that analyses female corporate leadership. Together they have created a patchwork of interesting case studies that challenge how underrepresented women are at the C-Level of corporations. The book goes on to encourage investors to look beyond all-male boards and highlights the vast potential of backing femaleled businesses. They tackle gender discrimination with refreshing clarity and do not shy away from sharing some startling statistics: only 1% of venture capital goes to female founded businesses. John, author of The Velvet Revolution at Work, The CEO: The Chief Engagement Officer and Corporate Reputation: Managing the New Strategic Asset, explains that the idea for the book came out of an agenda-free curiosity-fuelled lunch he hosted for twenty-six female business owners. It was one of his guests, he claims, that suggested a book should be written about the tenacity needed for women to disrupt the corporate world. Therefore, John enlisted the help of marketing consultant and author Ruth Saunders, and together they embarked on a mission to collect personal accounts of women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey with the intention of empowering and encouraging women to set up their own business. Ruth and John interviewed fifty-two women from a variety of social backgrounds including first generation refugees, and from different sectors such as consultancy, tech, beauty and hospitality. The last pages of the book helpfully contain an appendix of interviewee biographies that boasts the wide range of businesses referenced in the book. It’s an impressive collection of women from all stages of their career, from those running established multi-million businesses to those just starting out. I was also delighted to see fellow alumni Naomi Sautter StA’11 and her wedding planning business included. Throughout the book, Ruth and John effectively weave together stories taken verbatim from the interviewees. These reflections cover all stages of developing a business: from discovering and honing an idea, hiring the right team, scaling up a business and finding a work-life balance. By splicing together CEO experiences at each stage of their entrepreneurial journey, the book has a familial tone that humanises the experience of running a business.
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I appreciated the candour of so many CEO’s who admit to struggling with streamlining costs, taking time out for reflection and staying true to their roots. Honesty from entrepreneurs such as Martha Lane Fox (co-founder of lastminute.com who now runs think tank Dot Everyone), Sian Sutherland (co-founder of Mama Mio) and Tamara Gillian (founder of Cherry London) is both insightful and encouraging to anyone in the process of setting up a business. Their shared experiences help you realise that encountering issues with leadership, confidence and failure is part of the territory and that you’re not alone. Female Entrepreneurs champion women’s innate ability to multitask, manage people, tap into intuition and use lateral thinking – offering a competitive advantage in the workplace. Many of the women interviewed talk about balancing work with raising a family, such as Gemma Geaves who is CEO of The Marketing Society, founder of her own private members’ club Cabal, and mother to a three-yearold son. It’s clear that using time efficiently and planning thoroughly is essential to many females’ entrepreneurial experience. Gemma acknowledges, “if you can combine what you love with what you do day-to-day, it’s easier and more rewarding”. As expected, Female Entrepreneurs also tackles the challenges many women face within the patriarchal system. The blindness towards gender inequality is omnipresent. In 2018 I directed the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School entry into the Sam Wanamaker Festival at the Globe. I was the only female director out of 20 entries: the theme of that year’s event was ‘Voices for Women’. Most industries display signs of systemic gender prejudice – and with a lack of funding available, it’s no surprise that there are fewer women entrepreneurs. But this can change. Martha Lane Fox comments that as most investors are male it’s a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy, as it’s easier for them to invest in ideas and products that they see themselves engaging with. Ruth and John make it clear that the growth of female VC investors will help to bridge this gap. Female business owners are forging a new path to the C-Suite and are smashing through the glass ceiling. The stories that Ruth and John reference are both grounded and inspiring; and truly reflect the grit, determination and Teflon-coating required to be a female entrepreneur. Together the authors have created a vivid portrayal of what it means to be a leader and how women can learn and grow from one another’s experiences. I recommend this book to anyone in the fledgling stages of running a business or in a position to affect change within their own industry. Katharine Farmer StA’11
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Black Rabbit
by Angus Gaunt G’77 Ginninderra Press 2020
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Book Review
t was with some trepidation that I accepted the request by the author, an old friend, to review his latest novel. Black Rabbit follows on from Prime Cuts, a fine collection of short stories from 2007 and Bad Cargo, a 1994 nominee for the Vogel Literary award. Troubling questions swirled round my head. What if I hated it? How do you spell execrable? I need not have worried. Black Rabbit is a triumph. It is, in its own words, ‘a nasty little novel’. Maurice’s well-ordered life is turned upside down by a chance meeting with a stranger, Sandford, at the funeral of his Aunt Patricia. Apparently, Sandford knew his aunt better than he and the rest of his family, who regarded her as a duty to be endured. Sandford slowly works his way into Maurice’s life, eventually taking it over with devastating consequences (trying hard not to give too much away about the denouement!). Maurice discovers Sandford keeps a rabbit on his first visit to Sandford’s flat and looks after the rabbit when Sandford temporarily disappears. Gaunt keeps the significance of rabbits in Sandford’s life to near the end and it is nearly as shocking as Clarice Starling’s lambs. The story alternates effectively between third person and first-person narrative as the story flits back and forth along Maurice’s transformational journey with the first person sections representing the ‘new’ Maurice. Description of character is excellent. Sandford is a chain smoker of home rolled cigarettes – “With the paper adhering to his thumb like a piece of shredded skin, he flips open the top of the bag and starts the process of kneading the tobacco, using just the fingers of a single hand… Having measured out the correct amount, he now brings the paper into play with deftness of a conjuror. He spreads out the flakes across the paper’s crease, scissors it together with two fingers, then lifts it to his mouth to be kissed into life.”
But back to Black Rabbit. Maurice’s life slowly changes as he loses his job, his wife and his lover. He ends up sharing Aunt Patricia’s house with Sandford. He gains more self-awareness and also becomes more aware of others. However, when Sandford involves Maurice in his plan of revenge for his childhood trauma things take an unexpected turn… PS: Mention must also be made of the intriguing cover, part of an artwork by Australian artist Emily Hunt. James Drummond-Murray G’78
For those of us of a certain generation this brings up images of Jimmy Law, a fine but eccentric English teacher in the ‘70s and ‘80s whose dexterity in rolling cigarettes was legendary as was his cry of “In English boy!” if a pupil displayed any terminological inexactitude.
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The Monuments Man Essays in Honour of Jerome Bertram Edited by Christian Steer Publ. Shaun Tyas, Donington, 2020
Book Review
“Jerome Bertram’s learning is unrivalled. He is, without doubt, our foremost authority on monumental brasses, indents and incised slabs. For over fifty years he has studied, lectured and published on them – not only those in the British Isles but also the many brasses and slabs which have survived in mainland Europe. The foundation of his scholarship is his remarkable eye for detail. Anyone who has had the pleasure of church crawling with him will have witnessed at first hand his gift of observation. How many incised slabs would have gone unnoticed without his watchful eye?” Whether or not monumental brasses are one’s thing, the raising of a very admiring hat to Jerome is most certainly in order; he published his first article on brass rubbing when he was eleven, two years before he came to Worth, and from then the flow was unabated; the Bibliography of his Published Works in the present volume runs to nine pages. Wow! The Festschrift is a weighty tome - 539 pages – that honours a mighty scholar. Jerome was an inspirational priest, particularly inspirational in his approach to death from cancer – but this publication is a lovely tribute to his inspirational gifts in another field. We rejoice that he has received such a warm accolade from his fellow enthusiasts. Bravo, Jerome; bravissimo!
J
erome Bertram C’68, who died in 2019 aged 69, was at Worth from 1964 to 1968 and subsequently became a diocesan priest in the diocese of Arundel and Brighton before joining the Oratorians in Oxford in 1991. I remember him from the 1960s and our paths crossed from time to time over the years but, like the Queen of Sheba, ’the half was not told unto me’ or, more accurately, I was wholly unaware of a side of his life which has now been splendidly celebrated in this Festschrift to which twenty six of his fellow scholars have contributed with awe in their voices; for example, the editor, Christian Steer, writes:
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Dom Stephen Ortiger The retail price of The Monuments Man is £49.50 plus p&p but a special offer of £40 with free postage is available to Worthians. To order, send a cheque made payable to ‘Shaun Tyas’ with your name, address and email to Shaun Tyas Publishing, 1 High Street, Donington, Lincolnshire PE11 4TA. In addition, the Monumental Brass Society have made their annual journal, the Transactions of the Monumental Brass Society, a memorial issue to Fr Jerome and available to non-members at a special price of £15.00 including p&p. If you wish to order a copy please contact Dr Christian Steer: christianosteer@yahoo.co.uk
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Measure for Measure: Redressing The Balance A critical reappraisal of Shakespeare’s play by P S Miller (English Teacher 1980-2003) Self Published 2020
Many of the Bard’s comedies are simply not funny, and this is one. Measure for Measure is populated with morally difficult characters, ethically dubious choices, and behavioural traits that are deeply unappealing. This, of course, has made it a magnet for critics with an especial world view to reinforce, since all this equivocality allows for judgement and interpretation to make hay. Dr Miller has come to the interpretive bun fight with a view that the text itself, examined thoroughly, and without favour, is the best place to start any search for a way through the maze of often-contradictory critical opinion. The truth is in there, argues Paul, and will allow the reader to accept that there is a breadth of possible dramatic and scholarly interpretation, and equip that reader to strike out on their own path of understanding. Do not mistake the consciously impartial for the bland. Dr Miller has structured a book that is deliberately accessible, and wishes to promote no specific interpretation, yet that deals with the characters, interpretations, and issues of the play with an intellectual steel that questions each distempered part. It would be possible, even valuable, to read this book as a collection of independent essays, but there is a keen thread of original and investigative intelligence that weaves these sections into a comprehensive whole, greater than the sum of its parts. Having studied (admittedly inattentively, and with the arrogance of youth) at the feet of Dr Miller, it may be that his approach simply appeals to my critical view, but it’s hard to disagree with the validity of a close textual analysis of character and theme. More modern students may reject this approach, but without ‘the psychological verisimilitude of [Shakespeare’s] dramaturgy’ (this is not one of mine, honestly, it’s from a critic called Watson, but it’s really good to bring it out when you want to sound like you know what you’re talking about) it is hard to see how the Bard would still be performed, let alone speak to us some four hundred years later. I would be doing Paul a disservice if I were to give you the impression that this book is merely a considered analysis of character and plot, but this is Dr Miller’s starting point for meaningful discussion. The nature of characters in
a play - and perhaps especially so in those who are inherently ambiguous - is that emotions, behaviours and motives that are not explicitly dealt with in the text may be superimposed by an audience, and by society in a wider sense. Measure for Measure is unusually filled with silence, so that the problem of unspecified action and reaction is significant. Spoiler alerts - if you don’t want to know how the play ends, look away now: Claudio is reunited with his sister, Isabella, in the last scene - but there is no textual clue to how happy or awkward this might be, as neither character speaks after the reconciliation. While we’re at it, Claudio and Julietta (his true love) don’t speak, Angelo is effectively mute while his fate is decided, nor does Isabella respond to the Duke’s proposal of marriage. Is Isabella happy? Is anyone happy? Where are the jokes in this ‘comedy’? There is huge scope for ending the play with any of a range of emotions. Paul sets out his stall clearly, and with a view to bringing his readership with him across a series of different disciplines. He has always had the great skill of explaining the complex, avoiding exclusionary jargon, and he writes as he teaches, taking you on a journey of discovery that is not only an original examination of Measure for Measure, but also a template for how to think about each of Shakespeare’s plays. Theme, structure, plot-sources, use of language, and imagery are all examined, before ‘deepdives’ into the main characters, and then into the more important of the minor characters and spear-carriers who serve to illustrate themes and drive forward the plot. In all this Paul demonstrates a depth of scholarship, allied to an open-mindedness, that encourages readers to develop their own views on a subtle, irritating, and provocative play. I only wish I had listened more to Paul in class. Andy Bernard C’81
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Book Review
G
hostbusters. That’s who ya gonna call, if you need to bust a ghost. Where do you turn when you want a better understanding of one of Shakespeare’s most infuriatingly ambiguous plays? I suggest that you reach at once for Paul Miller’s new book.
The State We Are In by Meg Ingles StC’20 LuLu 2020
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Book Review
he State We Are In is a collection of poetry which contains two sub-collections, 'The State We Are In' and 'Inside My Mind'. The first sub-collection, 'The State We Are In', is a series of poems inspired by the current state of our environmental crisis. There is a mixture of metaphorical, literal, negative and positive poems surrounding this topic, some of which were based on current events, e.g. the fires in the Amazon Rainforest. 'Inside My Mind' takes a very different route, and is meant to act as an insight into the mind of a teenager. These poems are more sporadic and there is less of a natural order (reflecting the teenage thought-process). The message of each poem in this sub-collection also varies, dealing with ideas of mental health, heartbreak, healing and contentment. A lot of this section was based on my own personal experiences, as well as those of my close friends. The idea behind The State We Are In as a whole is to inspire readers and to discover how each individual interprets my poetry - something which I am very curious about! Meg Ingles StC’20
A history of
If you would like to purchase a copy for £12 plus p&p
PADDOCKHURST and my life on the
ESTATE
by Albert Constable
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please email worthsociety@worth.org.uk Worth Society Life
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Caught on Camera
Angus, Julia, Myla & Jago Gairdner at the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town, January 2020
The annual UK Benedictine Schools Dinner was held at the British Club in Bangkok in November 2019 and included Rob Tyler G’02 and Prep School Worthians Hugh Walford and Gus Mackay
There was a great turn-out of Worthians who came back to Worth in December 2019 to say farewell to Damian Cummins before he left Worth for pastures new
Jim Piddock B’74 has been preparing his whole life for this role playing the part of a Catholic priest in the Netflix series The Haunting of Bly Manor
Andy & Ben Taylor managed a sneaky trip to Tokyo for the Rugby World Cup in November 2019 and met up with Rocky Kume StB’03…
…and Andy persuaded Rocky Kume StB’03 to make his first visit back to Worth in 16 years from Japan in December 2019
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Caught on Camera continued
Al Ferraro G’91 found the simple pleasures of wild swimming in the Norfolk Broads the perfect antidote to the stressful months leading Nottingham University Hospital’s Renal Unit through the COVID pandemic
Ed Keelaghan R’98 (with lockdown beard) spending precious time at home with new baby Logan
Mathew Gilliat-Smith C’77, Dermot Flood C‘77, Andrew Agnew G‘77, Michael Berkeley G’77 & Mark Bishop R’77 – all in good spirits in the Guinness Tent – during their annual expedition to the Cheltenham Festival in March 2020
Stefan Reynolds G’89 and his wife Tamara had a tough time during lockdown in Croatia!
Damian Chunilal R’86 on a solo hiking trip to Death Valley, CA this summer, on the day it hit 53c
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Sean Dwyer’s StB’07 wedding in March 2020 was the last marriage ceremony before lockdown in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. It was well attended by plenty of Worthians, including best man, Harry Clancy F’07, who made the transatlantic trip to join the celebrations
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Alexander Armstrong & Isata and Sheku Kanneh-Mason join Nick Robinson StB’75 at a concert for charity Future Talent
Messrs Fisher B’81, Bennett R ‘81, Nunn B ‘81 and Atkinson B’81 enjoying a meal in town between lockdowns
As featured on the front cover, some of the Class of 2000 did manage to get together during the summer for a 20 year reunion; l-r, Jack Harrison, Hugo Sanders, Tom Holt, Tom Styles, Andrew Pollen, Rob Campbell, Lorenzo Curci & James Pymont
Chris Mathews B’80 walked 310 miles of the El Camino from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago – and so enjoyed it he walked all the way back! He apologises for the footwear!
Taking off! Despite lockdown, Charlotte Cotterell StA’12 and Connor ThorntonClark StB’14 have spent the year training to be commercial pilots
Bea Lewers StA'13, Fly Smith StM'13 and Kate Hamilton StM'13 joined radiant bride Charlotte Bonhoure StM’13 at her wedding in Sainte Foy La Grande, France in September 2020
Alice Robinsons StA’15 has completed a staggering 41 marathons this year and she’s still running!
Je Ahn’s R’02 latest architectural project in Stratford, East London – a Hothouse growing an array of tropical productive plants that scientists believe will be grown outside in the UK by 2025, highlighting the rapidly changing climate
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Announcements Births
Engagements
Barney de Burca R’96 and Jules, a son, Wilf, on 18th October 2019, a brother for Otto and Maeve
Daniel Pring R’03 to Marieke Haneuse on 5th September 2020 in Seillans, France
Ed Keelaghan R’98 and Sophie-Jane, a son, Logan Benedict, on 31st December 2019
Florian Heiss StB’08 to Bettina Muckenthaler on 19th December 2019 in Regensburg, Germany
Simon Albert G’98 and Clare, a son, Gabriel, on 9th March 2020, a brother for Leo
Lizzie Narbeth StM’13 to Eddie Pease on 1st November 2019
Hugo Boys StB’03 and Clarissa, a son, Rafe Oscar Harvey, on 24th April 2020 Fred Bradley R’04 and Louise a son, Joseph, on 2nd September 2020, a brother for Olivia Javier Triay B’06 and Harriet, a son, Alfred Sebastian, on 20th May 2020, a brother for Tabitha Will Desmond C’09 and Rebecca, a daughter, Fiamma Therese Amira, on 12th June 2020, a sister for Lucy Jane and Lili-Grace Charlie Forbes StB’09 and Emma, a son, Bertie, on 27th March 2020 Florian Heiss & Bettina Muckenthaler
Bertie Forbes
Marina & Max Sohler
The Keelaghan Family
Fiamma Desmond
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Tabitha & Alfie Triay
Guy & Katie Marie Bartleet
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Silvia Maria & Sean Dwyer
Rupert & Emily Robinson (with Giles Robinson StB'08 & Patric Ward R'06)
Marriages Guy Bartleet F’04 to Katie Marie Longstaff on 5th September 2020 at St Anselm’s, Tooting Rupert Robinson StB’06 to Emily Roden on 5th October 2019 at St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Boxley, Kent Sean Dwyer StB’07 to Silvia Maria Puyana on 7th March 2020 in the Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría, Cartagena, Colombia
David Young becoming Deputy LordLieutenant for Leicestershire
Max Sohler StB’08 to Marina Sunara on 15th May 2020 in Zagreb, Croatia Matt Jeffery C’10 to Kate Gardiner on 24th July 2020 at St Mary’s Church, Merton Park Charlotte Bonhoure StM’13 to Oscar Janssens de Bithoven on 12th September 2020 in Sainte Foy La Grande, Girond, France
Lord Spencer Matt & Kate Gardiner
Distinctions Dr Anthony White StB’68, a consultant at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, received the British Empire Medal for services to Medicine in Wales in The Queen’s New Year Honours List David Young StB’68 has been appointed Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Leicestershire
Dr Anthony White
Michael Spencer B’73 was nominated for a life peerage in the 2020 Political Honours List and created Baron Spencer of Alresford on 17th September 2020 Dr Matthew Knight C’98 was awarded an MBE in The Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours List for his extraordinary efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic
Deaths
Dr Matthew Knight
Sir Peter Jonas G’65 on 22nd April 2020, aged 73 Jonathan Hogge StB’73 on 2nd May 2020, aged 65 Philip ‘Pip’ Tudgay G’74 on 3rd October 2019, aged 63 Adrian Aylward R’76 on 9th April 2020, aged 62 Gregory Renouf StB’81 on 5th October 2020, aged 57 Jonathan Pemberton R’83 on 8th January 2020, aged 54 David Rodwell G’84 on 5th September, aged 53 Gordon Perera (Former Head of Maths) on 13th September 2020, aged 42 Charlotte (Bonhoure) & Oscar Janssens de Bithoven
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News in Brief News in Brief
Former Staff Dr Paul Miller (English Teacher 1980-2003) has published a new book on Shakespeare's Measure for Measure – see page 45 for review. It is available in paperback via Amazon, on Kindle, or as an ebook. Liam Bauress 1977-1993 & George Daly For those of you who remember Drama at Worth in the ‘70s and ‘80s you may be interested to know that we are still making music. During lockdown we wrote 26 songs for our 9th musical - an Oratorio on the Life of Siddhartha called Zen and Now. The songs are being professionally recorded now in a London studio. Until live performances are possible again, we will put this on to YouTube and a website as soon as it is finished. It is a completely new piece of work, but we have included a few of the old tunes from our days at Worth. If you are interested, do email georgedaly49@gmail.com Anne Lynch (Deputy Head Academic 2007-2015) I retired this year as Principal of the Royal School, Haslemere, after five years in post. During that time, The Royal School transitioned from being an all girls’ school to being a Diamond School and then a co-educational school. Having been at Worth during the period when girls joined the School, it was fascinating to be at The Royal School when boys joined. Two very different experiences! I have now moved to South Wales with my husband, Ian, and am enjoying learning Welsh and continuing my association with Europe Langues Organisation (ELO), which for many years brought groups of French pupils to Worth in the summer and facilitated many exchanges and work experience placements for Worth pupils in Aurillac in France.
Worth Prep School Hugh Anthony Caillard (First Cohort 1933) Celebrated 63rd wedding anniversary in August 2020 at our house on the Northern Beaches, Sydney.
Worth School 1960s Alex Nauta G’64 I am presently living in the USA (Florida) and still working in the same career environment, namely Aviation. I am currently a check airman/simulator instruction with a local airline. The family all doing very well - Elena and I get to see some of the grandchildren on a regular basis. Getting on in life but always remembering Worth with fondness. Fr Kevin will always be an important figure in my life experience.
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Ranald Barnicot StB’66 I retired from EFL/ESOL teaching a few years ago. Michele and I have two daughters, Kirsten and Clarissa, the former of whom is married and has one son, Samuel (almost 2). I've used my retirement to publish 3 books of poetry and poetic translation: A Greek Verse for Ophelia (Out-spoken Press, 2018), a selection of 100 poems by the distinguished Colombian poet Giovanni Quessep, co-translated with Felipe Botero Quintana; By Me, Through Me (Alba Publishing, 2019), original poems and translations - some of these were written while I was at Worth in the mid-sixties, so the School deserves some credit for encouraging such talent as I had!; finally, Friendship, Love, Abuse etc, the Shorter Poems of Catullus (Dempsey & Windle, 2020). I do not recommend this as a crib for A-Level as it's fairly free, but students might find it a stimulating companion to their studies. My very best wishes to all who remember me and all who don't. Crispin Etherington R’67 Living outside Washington D.C. and still working hard. Great fun to catch up with Bob Webber R’66 and swap stories. Proud grandfather to four, who all live nearby. Great shame that the pandemic put paid to the Worth reunion in NYC last April, but hopefully we will meet up in 2021. One of these days I will manage to attend an event at Worth. Really miss the Worth family. Bishop John MacWilliam StB’67 Greetings to all who read The Blue Paper from one who spent a good part of his time at Worth filling in sheets of blue foolscap (before A4 days!) as a punishment. I am still here in my diocese of the Algerian Sahara where this year has been seriously affected by the Coronavirus, as it has been everywhere. A recent blood test indicates that I had Covid-19 some time ago (July?), but since I had no symptoms I seem to be quite well off. We all try to obey the rules of distancing and masks, not to mention hand-washing, but with most of the population ignoring them, it’s not surprising that Algeria is in the ‘top three’ in Africa, officially, sadly. Our big problem for the Church is that all the borders are closed (closed, not just 14 days quarantine) which prevents the arrival of replacements for those who have already left. At present I am without a diocesan secretary, a diocesan treasurer or a director of Caritas. At least my new vicar general arrived in time, but it’s a bit like sailing a ship with no crew save the skipper and first mate. Fortunately, we do have Jesus ‘sleeping in the stern’ (see Mk 4:35-41), so we know it’ll all work out OK. God bless you all. Sinclair Webster R’67 I am proud to have been asked by the Secretary of the Society of Catholic Artists to act as a judge selecting works to represent the talents of the members. I am sure that I owe this opportunity to the late Anthony Renouf, sometime Art Master at
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Martin Milmo G’68 Employment has declared me redundant (fantastic) and increasing numbers of grey hairs have declared me unfit to be a part of the workforce (fantastic). The latter dovetailed with the former (fantastic) and that coincided with lockdown so all planned activities involving those reborn have had to be on hold (not so fantastic) but none of this is worthy of note except the wonderful release from the unavoidable grindstone that is the lot of all! Anthony White StB’68 I am now about to retire as a Consultant in Care of the Elderly in Wrexham in North Wales and a Visiting Professor in Geriatric Medicine at the local Glyndwr University. This has been a very satisfying and fulfilling time and somewhat to my surprise culminated in the award of a BEM for services to Medicine in Wales in the 2020 New Year’s Honours. I look forward to a more relaxing time at home with my wife Yvonne. David Young StB’68 has been appointed Deputy LordLieutenant for the County of Leicestershire. The LordLieutenant is HM The Queen’s representative in each county. His Deputy is appointed to provide cover duties including Royal visits, etc. in his absence. Claude Keith G’69 I have completed my third book during lockdown which should be available from October 2020. The book is called A life above the line - just and is written under the name of C.P. (Charles Pierre) Altmann. It is a work of fiction about a man called Christoph Aitkin and his career in advertising from 1973 – 2001. I am now working on a fourth book, which is going to be a series of short stories, though am currently resting and losing money betting on the horses!
1970s Richard Caillard C’73 Eldest daughter Marissa gave birth in September 2020 to my first grandson, Xavier Hugh in Cairns, Queensland. Simon Gordon StB’74 Gordon’s wine bar is open again all welcome!
Jim Piddock B’74 We’re fine here in the Hollywood hills, but feeling a bit of wanderlust because, after 6 months of COVID lockdown, we’re now confined to the house because the air quality is so bad from all the fires in California! Am playing a priest in the Netflix series The Haunting of Bly Manor – see Caught on Camera. Charles Miller R'75 writes about Bitcoin as a journalist in London, having left the BBC where he was a documentary producer. His weekly interview series CoinGeek Conversations is available as a podcast and on YouTube. This year he is completing a Masters in History at Roehampton University, where he has been studying the dot com revolution. Nick Robinson StB’75 & St Bede’s Housemaster 19861998 Since stepping down after 19 years as Headmaster of King’s College Choir School, Cambridge, have been enjoying a busy life in London. Still Chairman of the music charity ‘Future Talent’ (futuretalent.org) – cofounded with The Duchess of Kent in 2004 - the charity goes from strength to strength with the support of great Ambassadors such as Alexander Armstrong (‘Pointless’) and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Exciting plans to triple the size of the charity in next 3 years. Also Chairman of an excellent new charity ‘Sibling Support’ to help children who are grieving from the loss of a brother or sister. Founded this year by an inspirational chap, Callum Fairhurst, who lost his older brother Liam to cancer when Liam was 14. Involved with another great charity in London, The Listening Place, for adults who want to end their lives, and now in second year as a Governor of Westminster Cathedral Choir School. Ian Horsfall B’77 Diane and I have returned from a 5-year adventure in the Middle East, dodging interesting driving and experiencing a very different culture. The last two years back in the UK have also been eventful. Two eldest sons have married, Robin to Emma and Matthew to Hannah. Also, have become proud grandparents as Robin and Emma had a daughter, Izabella, plus another grandchild due imminently. Youngest son Gregory is just starting his final year studying Medicine at La Sapienza University in Rome, which has provided a great excuse for multiple trips to the eternal city. After 39 years with BAE Systems have taken a new exciting role as Head of Quality, Land UK. Would be happy to provide current students or Worthians with advice concerning a career in Aeronautical Engineering and/or Quality Assurance and can be contacted via message on LinkedIn. Angus Gaunt G'77 More than 30 years in Sydney, has survived 3 children, divorce and heart surgery. His novel Black Rabbit was published in May 2020 by Ginninderra Press – see page 43 for review.
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Worth. He once wrote of me, “he has an unusual grasp of composition and colour and a talent worth developing. There is a danger however of him being led astray by the apparently simple achievements of the moderns. He must beware of being satisfied with the easy pastiche. The dull discipline must be mastered.” Ouch! So I went off to read Modern Languages and then became an Architect. See the show for yourself here and see if I managed to follow Mr Renouf’s advice: www.catholicartists.co.uk/90years
News in Brief continued
News in Brief
Mathew Gilliat-Smith C’77, Dermot Flood C‘77, Andrew Agnew G‘77, Michael Berkeley G’77 & Mark Bishop R’77 linked up for their annual expedition to the Cheltenham Festival in March this year, which they have continued to do for very many years – see photo in Caught on Camera. Lawrence Spiller B’77 is now a qualified gyrocopter pilot and is enjoying buzzing around the South of England making YouTube videos. Andrew Caillard C’78 Released a new wine book, Imagining Coonawarra: The Story of John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon. James Drummond Murray G’78 Retired at end of last year after 38 years as an Archaeologist with the Museum of London, Cambridge CC and Oxford Archaeology. Edward Mannix StB’79 We have now moved a short bike ride down the valley from Zermatt to the neighbouring village of Täsch. It’s funny to see cars again. After a surprisingly busy summer, we look forward to the coming winter's ski season with some trepidation but who knows..? We lost Poppy to liver disease late last year and still miss her terribly but hope that we’ll find a suitable spaniel puppy before the winter.
1980s Philip Lundberg C’80 Lucy is recovering from cancer well. We moved further out into Hampshire on the 1st July and are loving the peace and quiet. All five children are at various stages of going back to university, looking for jobs, working and running their own businesses. Chris Matthews B’80 September 2020 am currently walking the El Camino from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago. It’s 500 miles but with the support of my wife in our camper van I only walked 310 miles of it to Santiago, but so enjoying the walk I am now walking all the way back while my wife enjoys the sun on the Mediterranean coast. Interesting learning about the religious nature of the sites and in particular how they dressed events up as religious when in reality they were economic. Simon Warner-Bore R’80 Have secured funding for the first phase of a project to support people living with dementia in long term care through giving them regular access to the music they love. Care homes, their residents and residents' families have suffered greatly from many deaths due to Covid. The Music & Memory programme reconnects people with themselves through the memories associated with their favourite music and helps them build relationships with their carers and families. The target is to reach 1,850 care homes by the end of
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2021 (approximately 27,750 people) and 12,000 UK care homes by the end of 2022 (approximately 180,000 people). With the reuse of equipment we estimate approximately 1 million people will be reached by the initial project by 2025. The implementation in the UK will be captured and adapted for use in the US and then rolled out to 100 countries worldwide. www.musicandmemory.org Jonathan Stordy StB’81 Highlight has been Sarah’s full recovery after critical peritonitis 18 months ago. She set us all a massive example in bravery. Ciaran StB’12 is working on a TV drama series set in Ancient Rome for Sky. Anna StM’16 back from a year of digital internships in Paris including Google’s Waze. On my side we have so far steered our Spanish brewery through a Russian cyberattack last November and now Covid. Never a dull moment. Giles Hamilton B’82 After 38 years working in the City for a legion of investment banks and brokers with varying degrees of failure, I’ve retired and have moved back to the old country, ten minutes from Worth (where incidentally I was born). I’m still happily married to Mini! All time, energy and money is exhausted doing up an old crumbling house in Nuthurst. My son Hugo left Eton for Exeter this year. No A level exams! Lucky blighter - how my life could’ve been different if I hadn’t failed mine. I could’ve been a contender! My daughter Lexi is at St Mary’s Ascot in Year 10. Mr brother Angus B’84 is a bookie in Costa Rica, and married with a 2 year-old, Jemima. Ben B’91 is editor and owner of The Copenhagen Post. I still regularly see all my Worth mates especially Dom Strickland, Martin Hunt, Greg Pickard, Chris Bloy, Matt Brown, John Ford, John Shepherd, Ed Hooper, Joe Hurley you sure can’t make old friends!! John Shepherd B’82 I remain living in Buckinghamshire with Rowena (married Oct ’94), with our two girls enriching our lives. In 2017 Sarah, now 21, set aside top university offers for work and now three years on is loving working life in London – even through COVID-19. Sophie, now 20, is just starting her final year at the amazing National Star College - www.nationalstar.org. I continue to have contact with a small number of Worthians from my year, and am also a fairly regular attendee at Old Worthian golf events. Since Sep 2016 I have been CEO of Trailblazers Mentoring www.trailblazersmentoring.org. uk who support 18-25 year olds in their last six months of custody, and ‘through the gate’ continue that support for up to twelve months post release. Working in the Criminal Justice sector is fascinating and intensely rewarding and has given me a deep insight into this broken part of our society which so many of us are in fact deeply ignorant about. I am very interested to link with those who see
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Adrian Whyatt StB’83 My main news is that I am currently in Brexile, as we say here, studying Portuguese as a foreign language at the Universidade de Coimbra (University of Coimbra), Portugal’s oldest university (founded 1290), in the Beiras region, central Portugal. I’m high on the hill, behind a museum, with truly spectacular views just one minute’s walk from the Faculdade (Faculty) where I study, in an area full of many (anarchistic) student societies which own their own houses, known as ‘Las Republicas’. As a veteran of many direct actions, this makes me feel right at home. Being forced to fight the flab by the half hour walk down to the shops and back up the very steep hill. Just recently registered as a local taxpayer, and hope to be here long enough (6 or 7 years, reduced to 3 should one snare a Portuguese national into marriage) to get my European Union (EU) citizenship back. Até logo! See you soon, or maybe not! David Robinson B’84 Having successfully been running the busy Launceston office of a large West Country firm for the last 23 years I have decided at the ripe young age of 54 to set up my own practice of Estate Agents and Auctioneers in the beautiful North Cornwall and West Devon area which launches in New Year (Covid notwithstanding). I have been happily married to Maretta (Stover) for the last 26 years and raised two wonderful daughters who currently live in Reading and Sydney respectively. I am still passionate about all things rugby and despite having hung my boots up at 40, still regularly watch the Cornish All Blacks, the last of many teams I have played for. I am always pleased to hear, generally with a pint in hand, from contemporaries and former teammates if you are ever in the area. Damian Chunilal R’86 We took a different view from most and moved around during the pandemic living life as normally as we could. We were in Asia during the early months and then spent the summer in the US visiting several states, seeing family and travelling. Kids had online schooling throughout and went to Florida to see their grandmother during the height of the pandemic at her insistence without any incident. It was great to be living life and we did our best to live normally, supporting the businesses that have suffered so badly in recent months. Very few people were travelling; on one transatlantic flight I was the only one in the cabin. It was all very safe, we were careful and none of us got sick. We will never forget this year. Hoping all have been safe and well during these very difficult times.
Stefan Reynolds G’89 My wife and I were in Lockdown in Croatia. No longer being able to go out to work I took up housework. We flew back to Ireland when flights resumed on 8th July. I painted an Icon of St Michael the Archangel during lockdown, to protect the world.
1990s Alistair Ferraro G’91 Enjoyed the simple pleasures of wild swimming in the Norfolk Broads - the perfect antidote to several stressful months leading Nottingham University Hospital’s Renal Unit through the COVID pandemic. Ali MacDonald C’91 In January 2019, the team at Resilient Nutrition helped Max Thorpe and Dave Spelman break the world record for rowing the Atlantic in a time of 37 days, 7 hours and 54 minutes. Resilient Nutrition and sister Company Optimal X had spent the previous 3 years working on research and experimentation on physical, cognitive and nutritional means to maximise human performance, working with the likes of the Defence Science & Technology Labs and the Defence & Security Accelerator. This work culminated in the formulation of an innovative nutrition system designed to support mental as well as physical performance, particularly during extended and arduous operations and activities. The team have now launched a civilian version of their first product, Long Range Fuel, that anyone can use to give themselves an edge, whether in the office or the field. We are currently working with Pip Hare Ocean Racing in support of her challenge for the Vendée Globe race in November and are actively seeking investors and growth partners and would love to hear from Worthians who need a performance boost. See article on page 36. Tom Calnan R’95 I’m still living in East Sheen, London with the family - my wife Bonnie plus our 2 boys Archie (5) and Milo (2) - and working as a commercial real estate lawyer in the City. Occasionally turn out for WOBS RFC (when they’re desperate) although at 43 the boots are now almost permanently hung up! I still see a fair few of the Class of 1995 quite regularly also for drinks etc, which is great albeit occasionally dangerous! Angus Gairdner StB’96 We managed to get to South Africa for a university friend’s wedding in Franschhoek over New Year, followed by a week in Cape Town, including a day at Newlands watching the first day of South Africa v England and a family trip to the top of Table Mountain – definitely a couple of things ticked off the bucket list! I am still working at Sky, where Covid has certainly been a technical challenge, but ultimately has accelerated changes to the way we work by several years.
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themselves and their organisations as part of future solutions for those coming out of prison. “To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men” – Abraham Lincoln.
News in Brief continued
News in Brief
We remain living in Putney, with Myla at the end of her first year of school and Jago joining her in the nursery this September. Alex Kenney B’97 I continue to live down the road from Worth in Haywards Heath. Have been spending a lot of time cycling near and around Worth during the lockdown and since. A small silver lining of lockdown was some fun zoom calls with old school friends. Simon Albert G’98 Still living in north Hampshire, joyfully joined by Gabriel in early March - a little brother to Leo. Ed Keelaghan R’98 I am pleased to announce the birth of my son, a new addition to our family, Logan Benedict Keelaghan, who arrived on 31st December 2019.
2000s Lorenzo Curci B’00 At Almond, the business I helped launch, we are helping individuals and businesses to understand, reduce and naturally improve their carbon footprint. Our mission is to empower 100 million people and businesses globally to reach carbon ‘Net-Zero’ in the next decade. Our first large project has gone live with the commitment of global beauty giant Garnier to plant some 400,000 trees in Madagascar. If we could help any others to tread more lightly on the planet then please do get in touch: Lorenzo@almond.org Jack Harrison G'00 Apart from a brief visit back to the UK where I was privileged to join an annual gathering of some school friends over a very long lunch (see Caught on Camera), I have been in Hong Kong the rest of the year which seems to fortunately have Covid-19 relatively under control. Work wise, we have just become management partner for a British luxury watch brand called Bremont in Asia and recently launched the Queen’s favourite chocolatier Charbonnel et Walker in the region. Look forward to seeing some more Worth boys from the region at the annual dinner if we manage to go ahead in 2021. Andrew Pollen StB’00 Managed a socially distanced lunch with some of the Class of 2000; Hugo Sanders, Tom Styles, Lorenzo Curci, Tom Holt, Andrew Pollen, Jack Harrison, Rob Campbell & James Pymont. See front cover. Je Ahn R’02 My London-based architecture practice, Studio Weave, has created The Hothouse, a large-scale installation located at International Quarter in Stratford, London. We collaborated with Garden Designer, Tom Massey, to develop a concept for a planting scheme of an edible jungle of exotic and unusual species from around the world that includes guava, orange, gourd,
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chia seed, avocado, pomegranate, quinoa, mango, sweet potato, lemon, sugarcane, chickpea, loquat and pineapple. Scientists predict that if the current rate of climate change continues to accelerate, all of these crops could potentially be grown outside in the UK by 2050 – highlighting the reality of a rapidly changing climate. The Hothouse will be in situ for a year, so do go and take a look. Studioweave.com Hugo Boys StB’03 My wife and I recently had our first son, Rafe Oscar Harvey Boys, during lockdown, both doing really well. When not at home with my family I run my manufacturing business BOSCO London, which has been going for 4 years now, having left the insurance industry 6 or 7 years ago. We make all sorts of pieces but predominately lighting, ironmongery and bespoke furniture. Our workshop is based down in Wiltshire which allows me plenty of time to play in our local village cricket club and to have some time on the river fishing! Andy Keelaghan B’03 I’m a singer/songwriter releasing my first single in October 2020. The song is called Dead to Me, and my artist name is Andy Keels. Available on all major streaming platforms (Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, Pandora, etc) and I will have a video on YouTube as well. Follow my Instagram for updates @AndyKeels Guy Bartleet F’04 Married Katie Marie Longstaff on 5th September 2020. Morning service at St Anselm’s Tooting followed by a lunch reception at The Goring Hotel, London. Other WOBS in attendance; my father, Timothy Bartleet C’76, Master of Ceremonies Charles Bellm R’04 and usher Alexander Pollen StB’04. Fred Bradley R’04 This year has seen my wife and I welcome our second child, Joseph, into the fold. Bit of an odd lockdown, as friends and colleagues didn’t really see us pregnant at all! I’ve also slightly changed my job, as well as being a web developer at Cranleigh School, I’m also now in my third year as a boarding house tutor, which is fantastic, drawing on experience and memories from my tutors and housemasters at Worth! Rupert Robinson StB’06 Married Emily Roden on 5th October 2019 at St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Boxley, Kent with Giles Robinson StB’08, and Patric Ward R’06 in attendance. Javier Triay B’06 My wife and I had our second child on 20th May 2020, Alfred Sebastian Triay. Sean Dwyer StB’07 I have the pleasure of announcing my marriage to Silvia Maria Puyana in the Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría, Cartagena, Colombia on the 7th March 2020. The wedding was well attended by plenty of Worthians - we are ever so grateful to all those
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Florian Heiss StB’08 I would like to take this opportunity to announce my engagement to Bettina Muckenthaler on the 19th December 2019 in Regensburg, Germany. Max Sohler StB’08 I moved back from Croatia to Germany in May 2020 in order to be an international board member at the Schwarz Group. More importantly I got married on 15th May in Croatia to my beautiful wife Marina. We are waiting for the birth of our first child in early 2021. Charlie Forbes StB’09 I am delighted to share with you that Emma and I welcomed a baby boy, Bertie, into the world on 27th March 2020. Bertie was born at Gleneagles Hospital, Hong Kong and weighed in at 8lbs.
2010s Andrew Pring R’10 Back from adventuring in Poland, I returned to work in Leuchars (near St Andrews and Dundee) where I’ll be for the next couple of years with The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys). The first half of this year has been dominated by ‘youknow-what’ and instead of the best made plans for spring, I found myself running Coronavirus Mobile Testing Units across the central belt of Scotland. New opportunities await as I move into a communications and technical networking role in the ‘new-normal’. Would be delighted to hear from Worthians in Edinburgh or passing through to the Highlands! Will Watkins R’10 After leaving QVC in April last year to join Cath Kidston as an allocator, looking after London and airport stores, I found myself in the unfortunate position of sudden redundancy when the company closed all their stores early this year due to Covid. With many retail businesses going the same way, the competition to find similar jobs within retail during a hiring freeze, brought on an extra layer of uncertainty on how the rest of this year was to go. Very fortunately however, I joined Sweaty Betty three months ago, and have been very busy working from home, helping with the re-opening of stores, and the opening of brand new stores both in the UK and in Hong Kong. It is very rare to find a retail company doing so well this year, so I'm counting my blessings! Hope everyone is keeping safe and well.
Marco Boodramsingh C’11 I graduated from Warwick earlier this year and since June have been working as an FY1 junior doctor on the Isle of Wight - of course if anyone pops over the water feel free to get in touch. Joshi Eichner Herrmann F’11 I just founded a new quality journalism site called The Mill, covering Manchester and the surrounding area. It's at manchestermill.co.uk Would love Worthians in the area to join the email list. Charlotte Cotterell StA’12 I’m coming to the end of my Commercial Pilot Training, due to finish in October 2020. I’m training with Connor Thornton-Clark StB’14 who has recently started his training with Leading Edge Aviation Academy, based at London Oxford Airport. He’s got a further 2 months of intensive ground-school training before beginning his training in the aircraft. I’m really happy to speak to anyone interested in embarking on a career in Aviation as I found it really hard to find information when I was researching the career and especially hard for women as there aren’t many of us in the industry! Charlotte Bonhoure StM’13 I got engaged to Oscar last November and we got married in France (Sainte Foy La Grande, Gironde - near where I was born and where my father comes from) on the 12th September 2020 before living in Belgium, where Oscar is from. Worth friends Bea Lewers StA'13, Fly Smith StM'13 and Kate Hamilton StM'13 were able to join us. I will be doing a Master of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies in Leuven and Oscar will continue his work as an officer in the Belgian army. Alice Robinson StA’15 I did 10 marathons in 10 days back in March to take my total from 8 to 18 and, after two back-to-back ultra-marathons in July, I thought I'd take the chance to double my marathon count again! So, in August and September I completed 20 ultramarathons in 20 days (official events), followed by a marathon, then two half marathons over the following three days. I won the first two races and, by the end of it, had gone from 20 lifetime marathons/ultras to 41, therefore doubling my marathon count (see Caught on Camera). A difficult, yet thoroughly enjoyable three weeks and really proved to me how much I enjoy running. I have plenty more challenges in the pipeline and am looking forward to completing these too!
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who made the transatlantic adventure to join us in our celebrations: Peter Armstrong, Alexander Parry, Philip Knebworth, Alexander Youngall StB’07, Sebastien LeCocq R’07, Harry Clancy F’07 who was Best man, and Aisling Dwyer StM’12. We were frightfully lucky to be the last wedding in Cartagena this year, surrounded by friends and family who braved the trip. Lockdown restrictions fast ensued, leading to world’s longest at home honeymoon.
Sir Peter Jonas G’65
14th October 1946 – 22nd April 2020 Obituary
approach made headlines around the world, raising the profile of the ENO. One critic wrote,”If Tarantino had ever run an opera house, it would have resembled the ENO in Jonas’s powerhouse years”. Peter seemed impervious to criticism, a quality honed, he claimed, during “10 years’ training” with the monks at Worth.
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eter was born in London, the son of Hilda (Ziadie), a Jamaican-born fashion model of Scottish-Lebanese descent, and Walter Jonas, a German Jewish emigrant from Hamburg, who was an industrial chemist. As Hilda was a Catholic, Peter and his older sister Kathryn, who was tragically killed in a car crash when Peter was 20, were brought up in the faith. Peter was sent to board at Worth Prep School and stayed on into the newly formed Senior School in 1960. He was apparently infected with the opera bug during this time when a friend dragged him ‘kicking and screaming’ to Covent Garden to see a production of The Flying Dutchman. Whilst studying for an English Literature degree at the University of Sussex, he worked as a stagehand at Glyndebourne in his spare time. He then went on to History of Music at Royal Northern College of Music Manchester, the Royal College of Music London, with a final semester at Eastman School of Music in New York. In 1974, he became Assistant to Sir Georg Solti, music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, promoted 2 years later to Artistic Administrator of the CSO (he later became a patron of The Solti Foundation). In 1985 he returned to England where he took over the management of the English National Opera. Here his ideas attracted new, younger audiences to the Coliseum, often controversially, by updating classics into modern settings. For instance, under his leadership, Verdi’s Rigoletto turned into a story about the New York Mafia and Die Fledermaus featured an Adele baring her bottom at the audience. His
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In 1993, Munich's Bavarian State Opera invited Peter to become its Staatsintendant (General and Artistic Director), raising eyebrows due to its reputation for staid and stolid staging. Munich audiences did not know what had hit them with Peter’s first season in charge featuring an enormous dinosaur slowly collapsing during Handel’s Giulio Cesare. Despite opening night boos, the production went on to become incredibly popular thanks to the timely release of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, the day after the premier. In 1998, on the opening night of a radical new Elektra, when Richard Strauss, the composer’s grandson, stood up and walked out, Peter was overheard whispering “We must be doing something right!”. As well as extending the company's repertoire within baroque opera, Peter also supported contemporary composers by introducing fourteen new-work premieres. Particularly after he was knighted by the Queen in 2000, he became a much loved figure in Munich and would often turn up in his box, in full formal regalia - kilt, plaid, sporran, and high laced brogues - of the Campbells, his grandmother’s clan. Peter also became a faculty member and lecturer at the University of St. Gallen, a lecturer at the University of Zürich, and a visiting lecturer for the Bavarian Theatre Academy Munich. He was the first chairman of the German Speaking Opera Intendants (Directors) Conference, and a judging panel member for the 2006 International Wagner Competition, Seattle. Peter had his first bout of cancer at 25 being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and given less than a year to live, but he struggled with it for nearly another 50 years. He often flew to Berlin for treatment in the afternoon to be back at his desk the next morning. His illness gave him a sense of proportion and gratitude that endeared him to everyone. He passed away in Munich with his wife, the German violinist, Barbara Burgdorf, by his side. Extracts taken from The Daily Telegraph Obituaries, 6th May 2020
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Jonathan Michael Hogge StB’73 8th August 1954 – 2nd May 2020
O
ur father was in the army which led to a transient life - we had lived in 7 homes and had attended 6 different schools before arriving at Worth Prep School aged 10 and 8 respectively. Worth provided us with the continuity and high standard of education that we both needed. It also enabled us to establish friendships that would endure throughout our school life at Worth and beyond. Jonathan was very competitive and whilst he much enjoyed team sports he excelled at athletics. In one county athletics meeting he came second to Steve Ovett, who went on to win an Olympic Gold medal in 1980. Thoughts then turned to his career. We had thought he would be the next Brunel or Stephenson as he displayed impressive engineering skills. Nevertheless, he focused on Business and went to what is now the University of Portsmouth to read Business Studies. He then worked for some major companies including EMI, Hawker Sidley and, the job I feel he enjoyed the most, at BAA where he was responsible for tendering and purchasing much of the non flight essential equipment used at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
Moving back to sport, his next passion was sailing. We had many family holidays in Cornwall where Dad passed on his sailing skills to Jonathan with daily trips in the estuary at Rock. Jonathan then focused his sailing at St Marys Reservoir and also started playing Hockey at Windsor Hockey club. Both became a large part of his social life. In 1997 he met the lovely Kathryn whom he went on to marry in 1999. Their son Robert was born the following year. They had many happy years together in Windsor. Jonathan was diagnosed with MS in his 30s. As we all know MS is a debilitating disease and Kathryn was amazing with him, especially as his condition became more chronic. However, in turn Jonathan was one of the bravest people I have ever had the privilege to know and both Kathryn and I can honestly say we never knew him to ever complain about his MS. One sport that his MS could not stop was his love of triking. Come rain, hail, snow or shine he would trike up through Windsor Great Park and, with his mate Chris, took on some truly challenging rides in the Peak and Lake Districts. On one of these trips they met up with a fellow rider who later wrote, “So we have determination, grit, kindness and empathy and most abundant, humour… all wrapped up in these two“. In turn his son Robert said of his father, “Dad will be remembered for his attitude to never give up, he has been an inspiration to many. He showed me how to be a person of full integrity and strong values“. Having dealt with his MS so bravely it was truly cruel for Jonathan to catch Covid. He very bravely fought the virus for many weeks, but this hideous disease then took him from us all so relatively early in his life. He is hugely missed by so many. Andrew Hogge StB’75
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Obituary
Much loved son of Michael and Nilla Hogge and older brother of Andrew Hogge.
Adrian Aylward R’76
12th November 1957 – 9th April 2020 Obituary
T
he death of Adrian Aylward on Maundy Thursday from cancer saw the passing of a titan of Catholic education and a wonderful family man, loved and mourned by very many friends. His wife, Caroline, gave him enormous love and support and their three children, Molly, Joseph, and Freya, were the joy of his life. From Worth and Oxford, Adrian worked successfully in the City, while discovering his vocation as a teacher. He taught Religious Education at Downside, where he was appointed to the senior leadership team with responsibility for marketing and admissions; a shrewd appointment during a challenging time for boarding education caused largely by the recession of the early 1990s. It was inevitable that he would gain a headship, which he duly did at Stonyhurst, from 1996 to 2006. There, he unflinchingly steered the College through the immense difficulties arising from challenging and complicated abuse scandals, handling outside agencies with consummate skill. He subsequently led the school to full co-education, a complex achievement in itself. Throughout, he cared for the whole community, boys and girls and their families, teaching and support staff, the Jesuit community, and wider, local communities. Countless individuals, especially the young, received his kindness. Despite all challenges, Adrian enabled Stonyhurst to blossom under his leadership, and stand proud. Having served most effectively on the CISC committee, Adrian was elected Chair of CISC from 2005 to 2010. From Stonyhurst he moved to Leweston, where he led the school with clarity of vision and his trademark energy, motivating and inspiring all, not least recruiting pupils with his inimitable mixture of realism and charisma.
More recently, he served as a governor at Downside from March 2012, being elected the first lay Chair of Governors in January 2018. Combining determination and sensitivity, team-work and leadership, Adrian guided the drive to separate the school and monastery and establish a new trust, to the benefit of all at Downside, while ensuring the Benedictine character of the school remained its well-spring. He worked prodigiously hard and with that exceptional ability, seen throughout his career, of identifying clear priorities and bringing others with him towards agreed goals. Adrian gave a lifetime to Catholic education and did so with dynamism, flowing from a deep interior spirit, and often with a carefree obliviousness of his attire or the state of his spectacles. Adrian loved being among people and his generous sociability into the late hours at CISC conferences entered legend, without this ever preventing an inspirational address to the troops with authority and professionalism the following morning. His resonant, rather emphatic voice, together with a delicious sense of humour, added to his influence – and a massive influence for the good at that – which was combined with a certain steel when needed and a readiness never to duck the hard decisions wherever the Lord called him to make them. Adrian was devoted to Lourdes. He loved family and friends. He enjoyed tennis and golf, but above all loved fishing, having spent most of his childhood on the rivers in Ireland. As his wife Caroline said, “it was his time for thinking and not thinking, being immersed in nature”. He believed passionately that lay Catholics must use as fully as possible the responsibilities entrusted to them at Baptism. This was a remarkable man, a good and faithful servant of the Lord. May he rest in peace Dr Giles Mercer, Chair of Governors, Downside School
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Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Jonathan Pemberton R’83 23rd March 1965 – 8th January 2020 onathan joined Worth from Moreton Hall in Suffolk. He suffered his time there in what he considered an uncaring environment where he was barely fed. A Sunday roast was always a pleasure in adulthood - a firm rejection of those Sunday lunches of corned beef! Perhaps the greatest gift of his prep school came out of an encounter with some bullies. Asked by these boys which football team he supported, he answered that he didn’t. After being pinned to the floor and told that he supported Chelsea he did ardently for the rest of his life. Watching Middlesex and England play cricket was his other sporting passion begun in childhood. Jonathan’s home life was very unhappy and his years at Worth were negatively affected by events surrounding his parents’ divorce. Fr Bernard in a testimonial said that Jonathan had done ‘remarkably well to come through’ it all calling him ‘a person of spirit and courage’ and that resilience remained true of him throughout his life. As a friend remarked, they envied Jonathan. Things had often been hard but ‘he knew how to make something out of life’ and there could be no truer description of him or example that he leaves for us as we attempt to live without him. He would find ways of making the most ordinary of days special. Somehow things always became fun if he was around. He made a point of looking for beauty and finding things to be grateful for. There were always laughter, generous gestures and crazy stories. Only Jonathan could have been sacked from a volunteer position for coming to work wearing a sarong. Only he could have had a deaf singing teacher!
His business gave him freedom, enabling him to organise his life in the way he wanted. He made sure he never had to get out of bed too early and would walk to meetings from his home in Kensington across the park. He was able to devote time to a homeless charity where he was held in high esteem. He never wanted to label anyone and saw the people he supported there as equals and friends. It was on the Alpha course at Holy Trinity Brompton that Jonathan experienced what he described as the love of Jesus - a love and acceptance unlike anything else he ever experienced - and in a side step from his Catholic upbringing, he gave his heart to a faith that sustained him for the rest of his life. He was a natural leader and led groups at church with a remarkable gift for putting people at ease. In the last decade of his life, many of Jonathan’s greatest dreams were realised. After getting married to Anna, they bought a house in Gloucestershire half a mile from the nearest neighbour. He was truly happy contributing to village life, adding another couple of acres to the garden, planting trees, making plans for their home and looking for ways to share all he had been blessed with. Although the political aspirations of his younger years had never quite left him and he hoped to write and paint, Jonathan was content. He was thrilled to become a father and to his sons, William (4) and Archie (1) was the most patient, wise and loving of parents. Anna Pemberton
A gap year in South Africa was followed by Law at Exeter and then on to the Inner Temple. He went from criminal barrister to recruiter with a period running a gardening business with a friend in between. Jonathan was a creative thinker who loved to find ways of sharing his ideas be that at Speakers’ Corner or in letters to the newspaper. Jonathan ran a very successful business as a recruiter for hedge funds. He was always touched when colleagues in the industry commented on his unusual integrity and generosity. He would regularly meet a candidate to advise them even if he knew it wouldn’t result in a placement for him. Jonathan was a Londoner. Born at Hyde Park Corner, he lived in London for much of his life. However, it was the countryside that he loved. Walking in the Chilterns at the weekends and enjoying the beauty of the hills brought him great happiness. He grew to love trees, painting them often and learning a lot about them.
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Obituary
J
Rest in Peace Dom Bede Hill
13th April 1931 – 10th May 2020 Despite living only fifteen miles from the Benedictines at Downside, Bede, from the age of nine, was educated by the Jesuits in Lancashire. By his own account he did not take easily to classroom education at Hodder and Stonyhurst, but he did thrive in the countryside and on their farm. The large Jesuit community impressed him, and the seed of a priestly vocation was sown there. But first he was drawn to farming. He loved and marvelled at the natural world. He was practical by temperament. He was down-to-earth and mixed easily with men of the soil. Bede came to Worth in 1955 to become the farm manager, working under the monastic bursar, Dom Victor Farwell. The welcome and encouragement he received from the community helped to germinate the seed of his vocation. He remained profoundly grateful for the gift of this vocation. After Worth became an independent monastery in 1957, Bede was our first novice, being clothed in February 1958. He was drawn to the life of prayer. In a recent interview in the school magazine he spoke of the place of prayer in his life, “I couldn’t live without it. I don’t know how I would handle life’s challenges without the knowledge that God has a purpose for me. I pray whenever I can. As monks we all do at least thirty minutes of private prayer every day as well as reading the scriptures, attending the monastic offices and so on. It is a kind of basic food for life. Without it life wouldn’t have much meaning”.
B
ede would have wanted us to give thanks to God for all the blessings he received in the course of his life; for our Heavenly Father is the giver of all good gifts. On our part we would want also to give thanks to God for all the blessings He brought to us through Bede. The tributes and appreciations that we have received bear eloquent testimony to these many blessings. Bede’s family meant a huge amount to him throughout his life and to the very end. His mother was an O’Hea. He was the fifth of seven children, born in 1931 just after the family had settled in his beloved Somerset. He was ever grateful for the gift of faith that came through his parents’ teaching and example. The loving security of family life was a great blessing, and the annual gatherings of the wider family always brought him real joy and gratitude. I know that his priestly and avuncular presence was greatly valued by the family.
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The years of the Vatican Council deepened his love of the Church and of God’s word in the Bible. He was ordained priest in 1963, but was already nurturing and developing the faith of others in the School and through the innovative Worth Conferences. Bede brought to pastoral work a hands-on attitude, boundless enthusiasm, a pioneering spirit and an impatience for action. He was not always a team player, but he was always animated by the teaching of the Gospel. “For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me”. And Jesus said: “In so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me”. Perhaps this passage helped Bede see that meals and refreshments were a key part of his pastoral work. Some even said that he was not so much ‘a desert father’ but ‘a dessert father’.
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Over the years his pastoral ministry took place in the School, the Abbey parish, the Deanery, the Diocese, and even nationally through CAFOD and the 1980 National Pastoral Congress. The great number of tributes bear testimony to the lives God has touched through Bede’s warmth, humanity, sense of fun, compassion and wisdom.
faith in God’s will helped him through. He was my novice Master from 1981 and this monastic example was a powerful one for me. The novitiate is meant to be a time of testing for the new entrant, but it can also be a testing time for a Novice Master: and this proved to be the case for Bede over subsequent years..
For Bede his eleven years in Peru were a wonderful blessing. The iconic picture of Bede with a tractor on a raft in the River Apurimac captures so much about him. 1967 to 1978 were heady days in Latin America, and Bede was strongly drawn to Liberation Theology and knew some of its earliest proponents such as Gustavo Gutierrez. It was personal contact that truly motivated him. He spoke recently of his time in Peru.
Active into his 80s, Bede brought his enthusiasm to such roles as Monastery Archivist. He remained curious to read about new subjects. But inevitably Bede’s health and vigour declined. It was the same Bede and yet he mellowed, he accepted personal care more readily, and was patient with his diminishment. In this he greatly valued the loving support of his family. The gentle yet firm care he received from Brother Anthony and the care staff could reduce him to tears of gratitude. It was indeed a gift to the community to care for him until his death on Sunday 10th May, when he died peacefully in his monastery cell.
“It was life changing. I had a number of experiences where people displayed enormous wisdom and courage in the face of terrible difficulties and family suffering, and I think I returned a changed person. When I came back to Worth I missed being with them terribly. You know they say that you should see Christ in other people. Well, I think I discovered Him in them”.
Taken from Abbot Luke Jolly’s Homily at Fr Bede’s Funeral Mass at Worth Abbey on 27th May 2020
Accepting Abbot Victor’s decision that he should return to Worth in 1978 was the most challenging time in Bede’s monastic life. The vow of obedience and a prayerful
63
Rest in Peace Dom Richard Wilson
19th July 1930 – 30th December 2019
L
et me touch on some of what stands out in Richard’s long life. He was born into a naval family; the naval tradition marked his life. He always spoke warmly of his family; both their upbringing and the later generations as they have appeared. He was at boarding school from the age of eight, spending much of this time at Downside. Whilst there, in May 1943, a wartime aircraft crashed onto the main cricket pitch, killing the pilot and 9 pupils and injuring a further 19. This whole traumatic incident was understandably etched in his mind. Characteristically he was still doing fresh research into it even 75 years later. After his National Service in the Navy, Richard returned to Downside, joining the Monastery in 1950. Naval life and monastic life both draw on some of the virtues Richard displayed - loyalty, dependability, trustworthiness, perseverance, patience and consistency. In fact, he chose not to make his Solemn Profession at Downside. There followed 5 years of training and working in civil engineering. He had a natural aptitude, and this field gave him a skill and interest for the rest of his life. This is evidenced in buildings in Peru and in his lively interest in structures here at Worth. In 1960 Richard joined the Worth community, then under the leadership of Prior Victor Farwell who was a major influence on Richard from school days onwards. Here his monastic roots were re-established and he was ordained a priest in October 1964. His pastoral work was in the School, teaching Mathematics. In the community Richard was a reserved and private person; he could appear gruff and forbidding. Certainly he could be brusque, awkward, obstinate, and even explosive; but these moments tended to pass quickly. Life took a very different turn in August 1968, when he was selected by Abbot Victor for Worth’s new mission to Peru. He acquired some fluency in Spanish and was part of the pioneering monastic community in the Apurimac Valley. When the community moved to Lima in 1975, he was at various times Parish Priest and Novice Master. He also oversaw the construction of the Monastery and the Church in Las Flores. After his return to England in 1990, his interest and affection for Peru was unabated till the end. He created the archive of Worth’s involvement, wrote up various histories, and kept contact with friends and contacts. He is remembered in Peru with great affection.
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Richard lived the remainder of his life at Worth, where his roles included Clerk to the School Governors, Assistant Bursar, Subprior, Domestic Bursar and Refectorian. Beyond Worth he was part of the Chaplaincy Team at Gatwick Airport for 15 years: a ministry he enjoyed and where he was loved and respected. People who have known Richard during his 60 years as a monk of Worth have remarked on his gentleness, his thoughtfulness, his dependability, the kind words he offered, and the trouble he took for others. In his declining years Richard was restricted by loss of hearing, of eyesight and of balance. He could be both aggressively independent and calmly accepting of care. He was wonderful witness to monastic perseverance in his attendance at liturgical prayer and his faithfulness to community duties. The diminishment of old age brought spiritual wisdom and peace. Talking to Richard a year ago he said that the Monastery was the best place to be: it provided great care, with space and time for prayer, study, spiritual reading, and scripture; and he still had enough energy to keep busy. After 60 years of faithfully seeking God in the monastic life, the day before he died his message to us was, “I am asking God to take me.” On Monday 30th December he died very peacefully. Taken from Abbot Luke Jolly’s Homily at Fr Richard’s Funeral Mass at Worth Abbey on 17th January 2020
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Duncan Pring
Long-service Farewells and Retirements
Economics and Business Studies, Head of Careers After many years of selfless service at Worth, Duncan has taken the decision to retire from teaching. Duncan arrived at Worth School in September 1999, joining the expanding Economics and Business Studies Department. He has worked tirelessly during these decades, inspiring and motivating his students both inside and outside the classroom. Duncan made significant contributions to the teaching of GCSE and A Level courses for both Business Studies and Economics. So many students have benefited from
Alan Mitchell
Teacher of Games and Physical Education
Damian Cummins Rutherford Housemaster, Physical Education
Damian arrived at Worth in 2009 to take up the position in Rutherford. He was Housemaster there until his departure in December 2019 and as a parent of one of his charges I can personally vouch for the care and attention that he gave to every single boy in the House. He was much loved and respected by those boys, and his wife Sue added enormous extra value to the special family feel that he developed there. He was (and still is!) a very talented sportsman, having played both cricket and rugby professionally in his younger years. He had a huge influence on rugby at the School where, as Director of Rugby, he coached the top teams to some of their most successful years both for the 15-a-side game and also Sevens. Perhaps his most striking success was taking the School to the very last stages of the Marches Sevens, before narrowly losing to Millfield in the finals. Above all, Damian was a true gentleman — a delightful and engaging member of the staff who was gentle, fair and a pleasure to be around. His five children have all been part of the School and have contributed substantially to Worth’s sporting success — not surprisingly given their parentage. He was a breath of fresh air at Worth and he and his family will be much missed, although he is to be congratulated on his new position as Head of Boarding at New Hall School. Dr Duncan Pring
Duncan’s clarity and excellent teaching, not to mention his wonderful examples and anecdotes about the business world. Duncan is undoubtedly very skilled in so many different areas. In addition to his many academic successes, Duncan has also been fully involved with the School’s Day Houses. From 2001 to 2017, Duncan held the position of Housemaster of Farwell House. Throughout this time, Duncan’s support and encouragement for the young men in Farwell can never be under-estimated. Duncan has certainly made a huge contribution to life at Worth. In his role as Head of Careers, he has guided and advised so many students on potential career paths, also supporting them through their university application process. Duncan has also played a significant part in the wider curriculum, notably leading the Young Enterprise Scheme and supporting the School’s fencing activities. Additionally, Worth has also benefited from Duncan’s four wonderful children attending the School. I feel that it is also necessary to acknowledge the fantastic contributions that Adrian R’01, Daniel R’03, Andrew R’10, and Cameron R’16 made throughout their time at Worth. It has been a real honour to work with Duncan and a rare privilege to work with a colleague who is so patient and committed to all of his students. All of us at Worth will miss him.
2019 marked the end of an era for Worth sport – after 29 years of service to the School, Alan Mitchell retired. It is no secret that his most notable and famous achievement in that time has been being Tom’s dad. However, we know that Alan has contributed far more to Worth than that, having held pretty much every position in the School apart from being the Head Master (and possibly the Abbot). Alan has driven the athletics and basketball programmes with typical passion and verve and has overseen the growth and notable success of Worth pupils in these sports. His contributions to rugby and football have been outstanding and, in more recent years, the grounding he has given our youngest pupils in these sports has been the foundation of their future successes and — most importantly — their enjoyment of sport. Alan has been a constant source of support and guidance to all of us in the Sports Department and I am constantly amazed by his energy, enthusiasm, dedication and incredible knowledge and expertise across a range of sports. We all learn from him on a daily basis; he is a genuine inspiration. It is impossible to quantify the incredible positive effect Alan has had on countless pupils and families over 30 years but I am certain, given the opportunity, they would all want to thank him personally and wish him the best for his retirement. Alan’s parting shot was the rugby tour to Canada and the USA in the summer of 2019 which made a fitting end to an illustrious career at Worth School. David Burton, Director of Sport
Mr Richard Phillips, Head of Economics & Business Sudies
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A Message from the Head Master
I When lockdown was introduced in March, teaching was moved online with all academic lessons delivered remotely via video. The School had tested online learning systems in advance of the Government announcement, ensuring the move was as seamless as possible.
doubt whether there will be many Worthians who will be able to claim they had a time at Worth that was more unusual than the time current pupils have had over the last year. What began so promisingly in September 2019 soon ran into territory no-one had been in before – from a management point of view it was like a never-ending critical-incident training exercise. Much to the credit, however, of the Worth pupils (resilient and tolerant as ever they were!), teachers and support staff, the various significant changes that had to be implemented quickly, such as online lessons, came about without too much fuss, and we were able to carry on effectively through the lockdown period. Throughout this period, it was interesting to notice how well the sense of Worth – our ethos and values – could be retained for those months when there was no-one here; like everyone else, we found ways to bring the School together and numerous ways of doing things that we will keep even when the pandemic has gone.
Through careful and rigorous planning, the School was able to welcome certain year groups back on campus in June. Here, the new Head Girl stands with the Head Master on the first day students were welcomed back.
With many new measures in place to protect the health and safety of everyone on campus amid the pandemic, the School was fully reopened in September. Classrooms were set up to comply with social distancing and year groups worked in bubbles.
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The ability of social media to bring people together was a key factor in keeping the School together over lockdown. And it was also a great vehicle for inviting old boys and girls to speak to the School about their life since leaving, their interests and passions. The School Facebook page celebrated the work that Worthians were doing to serve the community during the pandemic – to name just a few of the many, Will Harries’ R’15 company turning their attention to making 3D printed face shields for the NHS; Matthew Knight C’98 setting up a virtual hospital
The values taught at Worth shone through brightly during lockdown with a number of students jumping into action with acts of volunteering. One Year 10 student travelled to London to serve food to homeless people, working with a charity called the Dusty Yak Foundation.
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
Students enjoyed a fabulous community event just before Christmas when they put their skates on for an ice-skating social evening in the Front Quad, arranged by the Friends of Worth.
Girls’ rugby was introduced for the first time at Worth in January. 17 girls trained hard for the first three months of the year but were denied taking part in their first sevens tournament due to lockdown.
Sport continued where possible, with a limited number of representative games in the autumn – but team pictures were different than before! Here, the U16A hockey girls form a socially distanced Worth W.
for Covid patients to be treated at home, and Charlotte Butter StM’12 creating a charity delivering food from struggling restaurants to NHS workers. These and all the other accounts of alumni working in the community during the crisis have inspired current pupils to think about what their own contribution to society could be. One important area of school life that has been hard to do without has been our interaction with the monastic community and the Abbey Church. But even here we have found novel ways of doing things, such as the Feast of Our Lady at Worth when the Abbot addressed the whole School via YouTube and reflected on the Abbey’s foundation and the example Our Lady offers us in our desire to lead a good, Christian life. Those who might in ordinary time have been sitting in a back pew in the Abbey Church had a much clearer view of the Abbot than they would have had! But for all that, we are looking forward very much to the time when we can once again come together as a community in that prayerful and inspiring space where so much of who we are as a school can have its full expression. 2019/20 didn’t turn out to be quite the 60th anniversary of the School’s founding we were hoping for, but we will look forward to the time when we are able to reschedule cancelled events, remember the School’s past and toast its future. Stuart McPherson, Head Master, Worth School
In January, the Drama and Music departments put on a fabulous Cabaret show raising more than £10,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association through ticket sales and a silent auction.
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Development News
T
he School is excited to report that work began in earnest in September on the new state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre. Opening at the start of the autumn 2021 term, this new building will offer a number of exciting new opportunities for pupils at Worth. It will incorporate a new school library and a small auditorium for all pupils, as well as providing seminar rooms, study and social spaces for Sixth Form pupils to come together socially and intellectually in a stimulating, pre-university experience. It will also have offices in which key staff such as the heads of Sixth Form, IB, Careers, and Higher Education - will be readily available to offer support and advice to pupils in their vitally-important final two years. We have been keen to manage the environmental impact of the project. To this end we have worked with the design team to minimise the requirement for concrete, to use locally-sourced bricks and to use a timber frame.
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The building itself has been designed in such a way as to significantly reduce the environmental impact over its life. Overall we see the building as being a very good example of how to adopt green principles in a modern design. As reported last year, this development project was thanks to the incredible generosity of former pupil, Michael Spencer B’73, who was nominated in the 2020 Political Honours List and is now to be known as Baron Spencer of Alresford. A huge thank you again to him and many congratulations on his peerage. If you would like to learn more about Development at Worth, please contact Anna MacMahon at amacmahon@worth.org.uk or visit www.worthconnecting.org.uk/supportus Anna MacMahon, Head of Development
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
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University Destinations 2020 Pupil
University
Course
Pupil
University
Course
Daniella Abbott
Nottingham Trent
Fashion Marketing & Branding
Anthony Jones
Imperial College London
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Oluwatomi Akinrinmade
Bristol
Mechanical Engineering
Bruno Joyston-Bechal
Exeter
Law with Business
Giles Killoughery
Loughborough
Politics & International Relations
Nathanael Alford
Exeter
Philosophy & Theology
Breanna Alleyne *
Kingston
Architecture
Alessandra Arcaini
Syracuse University, New York
Forensic Science
Philippa Landon*
Exeter
Liberal Arts
George Law
Lancaster
Philosophy & Politics Medical Sciences
Fergus Atkinson*
Trinity College Dublin
Classics
Guen Hee Lee
Exeter
Riccardo Bagaini
York
Economics
Zara Lewis
Cambridge, Downing College Land Economy
Daniel Boluwatito Bajomo
Queen Mary London
Computer Systems Engineering
Donna Dzidzor Logan
Reading
Philosophy & International Relations
Ronna Dzifa Logan
Exeter
International Relations & Human Geography
Eleanor Barber
King's College London
English
Freya Barker
Durham
English Literature
Zac Bartlett
East Anglia
Geography & International Development
Maximilian BeckerHussong
UCL
Law
Martha Blowey
Roehampton
Education Studies
Isabel Bohles
Southampton
Medicine
Joseph Broughton
Exeter
Biological Sciences
Ben Bulley
Nottingham
Finance, Accounting & Management
Matthew Brown*
Cardiff
English Literature & Creative Writing
Alexandra Chadd*
St George's, London
Paramedic Science
Claudie Cooper
Surrey
Criminology
Alys Cummins
Exeter
Criminology
Oliver Davies
East Anglia
Accounting & Finance
Henri-Alexandre de CroySolre
Glasgow
Aerospace Systems Flexible Combined Honours
Oliver Longley
Exeter
Business & Management
Margherita Macaluso
Westminster
Politics & International Relations
Niamh McNiell
York
Economics
Sidney Metcalf
Concordia College, Minnesota, USA
Chinese & English Literature
Guy Minch
St Andrews
Chemistry
Mathew Morriss
Southampton
Mathematics with Statistics
Krishan Nayee*
Newcastle
Accounting & Finance
Camille Olcott*
Bristol
Geography
Violet O'Brien*
Exeter
Biochemistry
Oliver Paisley*
Loughborough
Sports Management
Liliana Pasquini
Durham
History
Edward Philpots*
Bristol
Geography
Tatym Potgieter
Nottingham
Philosophy
Harriet Pratt
Liverpool
Medicine
Christian de Nicolay
Exeter
Helen Ritchie
Exeter
History
Pauline de Liedekerke*
University of the Arts London Photography
Sophie Ritchie
UCL
Medicine
Santiago De Vito
York
Law
Riya Roberts
Exeter
David Ram Desaur*
East Anglia
Environmental Sciences & International Development
Politics & International Relations
Benedict Robinson*
Lancaster
History
James Donnelly
East Anglia
Computing Science
Niccolo Rodino
East Anglia
Modern Language
Anselm Dyer-Grimes
Oxford
Fine Art
Monte Rousell
Lancaster
Geography & Economics
Ioana Efimov
AECC University College
Radiography (Diagnostic Imaging)
Jasmin Ruprai
Bournemouth
Law
Angelo Sabaratnam
Kent
Business & Management
Joshua Shaghaghi*
Exeter
Theology & Religion
Madison Flooks
Hartpury University
Equine Business Management
Joan Font-Quer
Manchester
Mathematics & Physics
Pei Yang Shao*
UCA Canterbury
Fine Art
UCL
History of Art
Loughborough
Sports Psychology
Geography with Economics
Kazuki Shiina
Oliver Goodridge-McHugh Royal Agricultural
Real Estate
Benedict Smith
Lily Gregory
Neuroscience
Angus Stainton
Edinburgh
Mechanical Engineering
Ramin Torkizadeh*
Liverpool
Dental Surgery
Edward Fuller
Loughborough
Nottingham
Christobel Halffter
Wake Forest University, North Carolina, USA
Liberal Arts with a Major in Engineering
Valentina Venelli*
UCL
Anthropology
Frederick Hardwick
Bangor
Marine Biology
Emem Udofia
Royal Holloway
Business & Management
Isabell Veith
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg
Law
Sophie Harrison Binns
Exeter
Geography
Claudia Hough
Kent
Business & Management
Georgina Hough
Kent
Criminal Justice & Criminology
Benita Weil
Oxford Brookes
Media, Journalism & Publishing
Anna Huntley*
Nottingham
English
Ruth Wild*
Leeds
Languages, Cultures & International Relations
Jennifer Ikhide
York
English
Meg Ingles
Lancaster
Psychology & Creative Writing
Roman Rafael Xavier Irven* Warwick
Politics, Philosophy & Law
Zoey Yang
Cognitive Science
*2019 Leaver
70
McGill University, Montreal
Based on information available at time of going to press.
Worth Society Life
Life and Times of Worthians
The Old Place
FARLEIGH
“It’s the sheer, raw pleasure of a child finding that they could do something that was completely unknown to them before.” Fr Simon Everson, Headmaster
A leading Catholic co-educational Prep School of boarders and day children aged 3 to 13
Come & find out what we do
farleighschool.com Farleigh School, Red Rice, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 7PW 71
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ 3 AA ROSETTE DINING AT AG’S | 2 AA ROSETTE DINING AT REFLECTIONS AFTERNOON TEA IN THE SOUTH DRAWING ROOM
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A D e l i c i o u s D es ti n a ti o n AT ALEX A ND E R H OUSE
This edifice may look every bit the Jacobethan manor, but rather than cling to the past it has positively hurtled into the modern era with a cunning formulation of zany interiors, and cutting-edge cuisine. - The TELEGRAPH
Join us in AG’s to experience our new Head Chef, Johnny Stanford’s 3-AA rosette cuisine, or perhaps tuck into a grill by the fire in Reflections. ~ For the sweet-teeth in the crowd look no further than afternoon tea in the South Drawing Room. ~ Discover our delicious destination in Turners Hill - book in below now. ALEXANDER HOUSE, TURNERS HILL, EAST GRINSTEAD RH10 4QD ahsales@alexanderhotels.com | +44 (0) 1342 714 914
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