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St Lawrence College
Ramsgate, Kent
Co-educational, Day & Boarding School
Ages 3 - 18
www.slcuk.com
Children and grandchildren of Old Lawrentians
are entitled to a 10% boarding discount.
Enquire now and they could soon be using our
state-of-the-art Sports Centre.
For a chance to send your child to your old school, please call
Alison Hall for more information
on 01843 572931 or email: ah@slcuk.com
St Lawrence College exists to provide education for children. Charity No 307921
Old Lawrentian
News 2010/11
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JOIN US IN 2011
26th March OL Day and OL
AGM - 12.00pm-6pm
„ 12.00pm-12.30pm: Pre-lunch
drinks in the new Sports Centre.
„ 12.30pm-1.30pm: Lunch in the
Dining Hall.
„ 2pm:Tours of the College.
„ 2.30pm: OL Shooting; OL Boys’’
Hockey on the Astro; OL Girls’’
Netball on the Quad; OL
Badminton in the Taylor Hall.
To offer your services to the
teams please email Nick Jones:
nosj@slcuk.com.
„ 4.30pm: Post-match drinks and
sandwiches.
„ 5.15pm: OL AGM in the library,
followed by drinks.
To allow us to cater efficiently,
please let us know who you and
your guests are (before the 25th
March) by booking in with
kerry@olsociety.co.uk.
25th June - OL Day - 2.30pm6pm
„ 12pm: Drinks Reception.
„ 12.30pm-1.30pm: Lunch in the
Dining Hall.
„ 1.30pm: OL Boys’’ Cricket on
Newlands.
For more details contact Nick
Jones: nosj@slcuk.com.
„ 2.30pm: OL Boys’’ Tennis.
Contact Rodney Wilkening:
rbw@slcuk.com for more details.
„ 4.45pm: Post-match tea and
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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Pimms on the Headmaster’’s lawn.
To allow us to cater efficiently,
please let us know who you and
your guests are (before the 24th
June) by booking in with
kerry@olsociety.co.uk.
25th June - Wine Extravaganza
Evening
„ 6.30pm onwards. A light-hearted,
fun and informative evening to
include a blind taste challenge,
New World vs Old. Experts’’
opinions, buffet.
This is a ticketed event. More
details will follow by email.
17th September - OL Day 2.30pm-6.30pm
„ 12.30pm-1.30pm: Lunch in the
Dining Hall.
„ 2.30pm: OL Girls’’ Hockey on
the Astro.
For more details contact Clair
Marchant: clairemilybrown@
googlemail.com.
Saturday 29th October - OL
Dinner - 7pm
„ Champagne Reception. Dinner in
the Dining Hall.
For more details contact Kerry
Brown: kerry@olsociety.co.uk.
T
his is now my seventh
year as OL President and
I feel that now is the right
time to give notice that I will be
stepping down at the AGM in
2012.
For some time the Committee
has been aware this was my
intention but finding a suitable
figurehead has proved difficult.
For anybody taking on the role it
is a wonderful experience and it
means meeting many charming
and interesting OLs, as I did my wife!
With a very young family and
increasing work commitments
the time is right for someone
else to take over.
I will of course continue to
work hard behind the scenes on
the OL Committee and as a
Governor at the College.
The Society is on a sure
footing in that we now have a
paid OL Secretary at the
School, increased funding from
the College, vibrant dinners and
a new website.
Hopefully my successor will be
College Remembrance Service
Sunday, 13th November.
College Carol Service
To be arranged.
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found soon. Ideally we need a
person of stature who will give
‘gravitas’ to the role and elevate
the ‘status’ of the Society to a
wider audience.
The OL secretary, Kerry
Brown, is doing a splendid job
getting all the back room jobs
done and maintaining the
database, and along with
Andrew Brown (ex-staff and
archivist) she is working hard to
organise all the old photos and
archive material which has
been hidden away in the
basement of the College for
donkeys’ years.
This will be posted on the OL
website in the near future.
During 2010 the OL Golfers
and Rifle Club continued to
perform well in matches, but as
always they would welcome
new members so please do get
in touch with the respective
secretaries if you would like to
get involved.
One of the highlights of the
year for me was in March when
a group of us from Tower House
Alumni Secretary Kerry Brown’’s contact details are:
Address: St Lawrence College, Ramsgate Kent, CT11 7AE
Email: kerry@olsociety.co.uk
Mobile: 07890 220758;Telephone: 01304 221300
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3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
„ Top, we all enjoyed our Tower Reunion at
the Grand Hotel reminiscing with our former Tower housemaster
„ Right, Christopher Throndsen and Peter
Webley (Tower 1982)
got together at the Grand Hotel
in Eastbourne to honour our old
housemaster
and
friend
Christopher Throndsen.
We had a wonderful candlelit
dinner in a private dining room
and a big thank you must go to
the General Manager, Jonathan
Webley (Tower 1977), for
organising such a splendid
evening.
If there are any other year
groups who would like to
organise a special dinner, or a
reunion, then Jonathan would
be more than happy to sort this
4
out for you at The Grand.
The OL tennis and cricket
matches against the School
ended in good wins for the
College, but sadly the OL girls’
hockey and netball matches
had to be cancelled.
We really do need to get more
OL girls involved in the OL
Society and it would be
wonderful to have more
females on the Committee to
encourage their peers to come
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
back and participate. OL events
are more fun than you think!
The new Sports Centre was
opened in September by the
England rugby coach, Martin
Johnson (see Headmaster’s
Update, page 6) and along with
Kirby House there is no doubt
that the College can boast
some first-class facilities.
Please note that there is a
10% boarding fee discount
available to any OL or OL
grandparent, and with the fast
train link from London/Euston,
Ramsgate is only just over an
hour away.
We had yet another splendid
OL Dinner at the College in
November.
This year we were lucky to
secure
the
services
of
Humphrey Hawksley (Grange
1972), the BBC overseas
correspondent, who gave a
wonderfully amusing speech.
Highlights on page 12.
It was very sad that we lost
Christopher Stunt (Lodge 1958)
two years ago now, but I do not
think it should go unnoticed that
he left an incredibly generous
legacy of £100,000 to St
Lawrence College.
There were three Stunt
brothers at the College; the
others being Philip and Timothy,
and I was delighted that Philip
was able to join us as a guest at
this year’s OL dinner.
It was encouraging to see the
first OL reunion in Hong Kong
take place in December.
The database shows there are
123 OLs based in HK so
hopefully this will become an
annual event along the same
lines as the very successful
Australian reunions.
Thanks must go to Henry
Chan (Manor 1973-78) for
organising this.
If there are any other OLs who
would like to organise a
regional reunion then please
get in touch with the OL
Secretary, Kerry Brown, who
will help you.
Finally, I would draw your
attention to the fact that OLs
can now advertise their
businesses in the OL News.
This annual magazine is sent
to more than 3,000 OLs
throughout the world, so please
get in touch with Kerry Brown,
kerry@olsociety.co.uk, who will
give you more details.
Nick Marchant,
OL President
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HEADMASTER’S UPDATE
ast year I wrote saying that
the Sports Centre was taking
shape. This year I can say it
has been officially opened.
We were very lucky to secure the
services of Martin Johnson. He
was very generous with his time.
He officially opened the Centre,
then toured it and chatted to the
pupils. He was very impressed by
the facility and he has seen a
good number of such centres.
He then addressed the whole
school and spoke with passion
about the importance of sport, not
just at the elite level but as a way
of staying fit for everyone and for
the making of lasting friendships. I
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was very impressed by his ability
to talk so fluently without a script.
He then spent a long time signing
autographs and chatting to staff
and pupils.
You might be interested to know
that he made no charge for his
visit but we did make a donation to
one of his favourite charities which
is the Adam Cole Foundation.
You might like to consider
supporting it yourself when we
come to celebrate winning the
next Rugby World Cup.
The College has always had a
fine reputation for its drama and
that is certainly being maintained
at present.
Last term saw a top class
production of The Crucible. This is
not an easy play, even though it
has much to say to the modern
world, about the susceptibility of
the public for various types of
witch-hunt and the dangers
caused when a group mentality
takes
over
from
sensible
individuality of thought.
The cast coped well with having
to delay their performance for a
week as a result of thick snow!
There were several individual
performances revealing what I
would describe as an ‘inner
power’ beyond their years.
HEADMASTER’S UPDATE
We have a crop of young actors
coming through the school who
have real talent. It is exciting.
Do not forget we are always
interested in talent and ability.
If you know of any potential
students who would enrich the life
of our community, I am always
willing to discuss bursaries and
scholarships with their parents.
Nick Marchant highlighted in his
President’s Message the 10%
boarding discount for OLs’ children
and grandchildren, so please feel
free to make a discrete enquiry to
me, via my PA, Mrs Mills on 01843
572900 or vm@slcuk.com.
Another great excitement last
term was watching our Under 15
XV win their final game of the
season against Chatham House
and so complete an unbeaten
season.
It is a long while since we have
had such a triumph and the boys
have done very well. I, as an
experienced rugby coach, was
impressed by their commitment,
their style and their willingness to
try and make things happen during
their games. There is room for
technical improvement which
coupled with good physical growth,
could make them a very good side
in two or three years’ time.
Having the Sports Centre has
made a great difference already,
especially when the weather was
unseasonably bad earlier towards
the end of last term.
I am sure the quality of many of
our teams will improve even further
as will the general levels of fitness
across the school.
I am also delighted to see the
building being used just for the
sheer pleasure of playing games,
dancing or keeping fit.
The climbing wall has also proved
to be very popular and many,
including a good number of my
staff, have tested their nerves and
courage scaling up it this term.
The annual House Singing
competition was also an occasion
for nerves of steel especially if you
were a judge.
The quality of the acts was
outstanding. It is a student-led
event which makes it all the more
impressive.
Both sections were won by
Lodge. However, the competition
was so hot that the debate over
who should have won raged on for
days. It was much more exciting
than Strictly or the X Factor.
The final highlight of last term
were two lovely Carol Services.
The Christian life of the school
7
HEADMASTER’S UPDATE
remains strong and we had a
good Confirmation in the
summer term. Making the most
of pupils’ intellectual ability is a
very important part of what we
seek to do in College but
developing the spiritual life of
the pupils still remains very high
on the agenda of us all.
When I wrote last year we
were close to finishing a
promotional DVD about the
College. It is now available to
watch on the College and OL
websites. It will give you a good
idea of the current life of the
College.
Many things may have
changed since your day but I
hope you will see that the basic
traditions and atmosphere of
the College remain the same.
Watching the DVD will give
you a good view of the College
but nowhere near as good as
coming back to visit.
We are always happy to show
you around; again the best way
to make contact is through my
PA.
These are exciting days for the
School and the OL society. I reiterate that I would be happy to
come and talk to a group of OLs
or to arrange an event for you
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here, if you have a particular
year group that would like to get
back together.
As is so often the case the
organising of a voluntary group
like the OL Society falls on a
very few, committed people.
I would like to pay tribute to
Nick Marchant for all his hard
work with OLs over the last few
years.
Others on the committee have
also given him vital support.
Can I make a plea for some
more help in running the
Society?
There are not a great number
of meetings and some of those
could take place in London, if
that helped, now that we have
the fast train.
Please contact Nick by email if
you think you could help
support the work of the OLs.
My sense is that the College is
in the best state it has been for
many years and, if you have not
been back, then please make
contact with us.
Come and visit. I think you will
be pleasantly surprised by all
that has been achieved in
recent years.
Reverend Mark Aitken,
Headmaster
OL DINNER - NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Y
et another great evening
in the school dining hall
and undoubtedly the
highlight of the year.
We were lucky to secure the
services of a superb guest
speaker in Humphrey Hawksley
(Grange 1972), the BBC’s
foreign correspondent and
commentator on world affairs.
This was his first visit back to
the College in 38 years and he
clearly thoroughly enjoyed
returning to the old school.
Attendance was excellent with
116 OLs and guests attending,
including 23 OLs from 1980
who were celebrating their 30year reunion. See page 15.
In fact, many OLs made a
huge effort to attend, travelling
in from Australia, Jordan and
Zambia. What a celebration it
turned out to be with festivities
finishing in the early hours!
The evening started with a
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nostalgic tour of the school at
6pm, taking in the impressive
new Sports Centre, followed by
a Champagne reception in the
front hall / new Costa café area.
Dinner was held in the Dining
Hall and, after grace by the
Reverend Robin Garden, we
sat down to an excellent meal,
washed down with some fine
wine and the usual barrel of
Fullers London pride!
As President, I welcomed
distinguished guests Bob Gray
(Lodge 1967), John Isaac
(Tower 1955), Chris Throndsen
(Tower 1953), John Vernon
(Lodge 1976), Ellis Gill (Grange
1971) and Philip Stunt (Lodge
1953).
I gave particular thanks to the
new OL secretary, Kerry Brown,
for her contribution to the
evening’s organisation, and to
Lawrence Page (Newlands
1955) for organising the wine.
OL DINNER - NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Marie Winter (nee Blair,
Bellerby 1980) received special
thanks for organising the 1980
year-group reunion.
It was good to see a table full
of Courtenay boys from the 50s
and 60s. In fact, the oldest ‘old
boy’ was Peter Mantle who left
an incredible 59 years ago!
It is hoped to have another
large contingency of Courtenay
boys at 2011’s OL Dinner as
Dave Masters and Tony Singer
(1961) are hoping to reunite as
many Courtenay leavers from
the first half of of the 1960s as
possible - for an ‘approximate
50-year celebration’.
The evening finished with a
rousing rendition of the school
song led by the OL resident
opera singer, Joe Cornwell.
Nick Marchant,
President
11
HUMPHREY HAWKSLEY’S MEMORIES
H
umphrey Hawksley gave
a wonderfully appropriate
and amusing speech at
November’s OL Dinner, sharing
his memories of St Lawrence.
A full version of his speech can
be found on the OL website
www.olsociety.co.uk. Here is
a taster to whet your appetite!
Talking about the senior school
houses - Courtenay, Grange,
Lodge, Manor, Tower, and for
day boys, Newlands, he said:
“Now, many of you may argue
with my take on it, and I will
brace myself. But here goes.
At the top was Tower. It was a
magnet for the rich, the
privileged, the aristocracy of St
Lawrence.
After Tower, there was Lodge.
I suppose you could say if
Tower was the aristocracy, then
Lodge was the nouveau-riche.
Next came Manor, wedged
uneasily between the more
gentile houses and those yet to
come. Manor sat up there in the
Balcony of this dining hall and it
carried with it an air of
cosmopolitan exoticism.
Newlands, the day house, was
partly a conglomeration of all of
us - but mostly not. They were
the local boys, the sons of
12
Kent’s business and commerce.
Grange - my house. Suffice to
say that Grange had the finest
and most intelligent pupils,
brilliant on both the playing
fields and in the classroom.
We were generous, caring,
adventurous. Thoroughly good
people. Our housemaster was
the incredibly tall, yet serene,
Harold Clifford, an exceptionally
wise man and even now I miss
his guiding hand.
Courtenay
was
rough.
Courtenay were the button men
of St Lawrence. With Courtenay
you kept your head down or
lived on your wits. Courtenay,
for the most part, was a no-go
area and only a fool would walk
through the corridors of
Courtenay at night and expect
to emerge unscathed.”
1980’s REUNION
HONG KONG REUNION
O
ur first reunion!
A small but very
successful ‘firstof-many reunions’ for
OLs based in and near
Hong Kong.
The
evening
on
December 17, 2010
was kindly organised
by Henry Chan (Manor
’78) and was held in
‘Jimmy’s Kitchen’.
With lots of laughter „ From left, Vinod Mahtani, Sunil Mohinani,
Tseng, Ricky Yue, Sunil Daswani and
and reminiscing, the Hemmon
Henry Chan. Jeffery Chan also attended
group shared a strong later in the evening.
common
bond
of
having attended SLC which brings good friendship, even between
those who weren’t there at the same time.
It appears that the world is very small indeed – Hemmon Tseng
was Sunil’s landlord for three years - though they had never met
earlier (Sunil was relieved to have paid his rent on time)!
Another surprise that evening was that for the past 20 years
Sunil and Vinod have been good friends - yet neither knew they
were at the College at the same time. Vinod had been in the Junior
School when Sunil was in Cameron - so their paths never crossed.
If you would like to know of (or help Henry organise) future Hong
Kong reunions, in the first instance, please contact Kerry Brown, OL
Secretary, at kerry@olsociety.co.uk to ensure she has your current
contact details (especially email).
Currently our database shows we have 123 OLs in Hong Kong - but we
only have 23 email addresses. In the South East Asia region, we have
more than 300 OLs listed –– but again, hardly any current email
addresses. If we don’’t have your email, please get in touch as many of
our communications now go out as emails rather than via post.
Thank you.
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14
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W
e left in the summer of
1980 in our Minis, Alfa
Suds, parents’ cars
and British Rail amidst the
soundtracks of Madonna,
Genesis and Michael Jackson.
Adorned in our preppy fashion
and flowing Laura Ashley
dresses, (and that was the
boys!) we ventured forward into
university and employment, to
begin the next phase of our
lives.
We returned, in the wet and
windy autumn of 2010 - 30
years had passed in the blink of
an eye.
The reason for the true making
of our 1980’s reunion was twofold. The first, was Marie Winter
(nee Blair), and the second
technology. Marie set about
tracing people on Facebook,
emails flew back and forth,
people were tempted by the
promise of a reunion.
My wife Heather and I met up
for pre-dinner drinks with other
1980’s OLs in the Pegwell Bay
Hotel, where we were staying.
Paul Price (Head Boy 1980),
David Ryan, John Rayner and
my dear friend Basim Said, who
had flown in from Jordan, were
the first to toast the ‘80s.
After an hour of reminiscing in
strolled Johnny Marchant. More
warm hugs, smiles, laughter
and ale aloft.
Paul Price, organised as ever,
15
THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES
1980’S REUNION
arranged taxis to ferry us to a
pre OL Dinner drinking venue,
the one and only Honeysuckle
Inn. On entering we were
reunited with Marie and Andy
Winter, Alison Pailing (nee
Hope), Stuart Jepps, Sarah
George (nee Thomas), Amanda
Hills, Bridget Greenhalgh and
John Egan-Wyer.
And so to Saint Lawrence, the
taxi dropped us at the Green
Door. Where else?
Inside the reunions continued
with Stephen Billings, Tim
Dodd, Nick Marchant, Pro
Jones, Paul Bailey, Claire Hills,
Pete Gayne, Nick Kenton
Jeremy Blackhurst and Ian
Wagland joining and adding to
the laughter and smiles.
Cameras flashed as we rolled
back the years, spoke of what
had come to pass, our partners,
many present, families, careers
and cares.
We had a wonderful meal in
the school dining hall. All the old
boards had been relocated and
replaced by portraits of those
that had gone before us.
All too soon we were saying
good night, and what a good
night it had been, the rest of the
evening blurred as fatigue set
in, some retiring as late as 0530
the next morning.
As we said goodbye with
promises of a reunion in Jordan
in 2012 (Basim what have you
let yourself in for?), the year
London hosts the Olympics and
we all turn 50, the last line of the
school song rang in my ears
from the thundering rendition
the previous night - ‘Gratias
Agamus’, let us give thanks.
Chris Taylor, Manor
Reunion
The College looks the same
now
As I climb down from the car,
And follow all the others
To an obviously makeshift bar.
So here I am all tarted up
In posh frock and high heels,
And I’’m just beginning to
remember
How being sixteen feels.
I scan across the crowded room,
A nervous smile in place,
Searching, hoping, praying
To see a familiar face.
The captain of the rugby team
Now he would be a sight.
Or the cute one from English
Would really make my night.
That tall dark good-looking one,
Who played for the first eleven,
The way he kissed as I recall
Was something close to heaven.
But what I see before me
In their bow ties and DJs
Is just a bunch of middle-aged
men
To show me how much I’’ve
aged.
Chris Taylor’’s full round-up is on the OL website - www.olsociety.co.uk
16
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Alison (Hope) Pailing,
Bellerby 1978-80
“That was one of the most
memorable nights of my life.”
Johnny Marchant
“What an evening, we rolled
back the years, the careers,
the commitments and the
crumbling health to enjoy
love and laughter with friends
of old.”
Chris Taylor
“Not a bad looking bunch after
30 years.”
Paul Price
“It was just great to see
everyone on such sparkling
form and looking well ... just
as gorgeous as ever.”
Amanda Hills
“Special thanks go to Marie, but
a heartfelt thanks to everyone
for making it such a wonderful
event. I really loved seeing my
old (but young at heart) friends.”
Basim Said
“There was much fun,
laughter and - after a few too
many ... hugs and promises
not to leave it another 30
years.”
Marie (Blair) Winter
“The weekend was all I hoped
it would be and then some!!”
Stuart Jepps
17
NEW SOUTH WALES OL REUNION
W
e gathered at Finola’s
restaurant at Balmain
Bowling Club (grass
not ten pin). Finola is a
delightful Irish chef who has
built a deserved reputation for
the quality of her table.
The house specialty is the
beef and Guinness pie which,
judging by the orders, was the
day’s favourite selection! Drinks
were ordered from the bar in the
adjoining gaming room that
caters for poker, horses and
one armed bandits. The venue
proved a great success as we
had the place to ourselves.
We had a great turnout of OLs
and welcomed Iain Mars who
travelled down from Brisbane
for the day - a gesture much
appreciated by everyone. Iain
continues to play an important
role in the Australian meat
industry.
John and Valerie Barrow jetted
in from a sojourn in France to
join us and had much to recount
about their Gallic adventures.
Noel and Elizabeth Symonds,
who travelled from the Southern
Highlands, were in good form.
Ann Brockbank had recently
returned from a trip to Africa.
She stayed with OL Pro Jones
18
at the River Club - a fabulous
lodge he owns and runs on the
banks of the Zambeezi.
She also reported on her visit
to St Lawrence College that
included experiencing the
caffeine extravagances on
offer; a far cry from the tuck
shop we all remember!
Geoffrey Sexton provided us
with his annual summary of our
past reunions and reports that
he is again challenging the
fairways. Unfortunately, Margot
Sexton was unable to attend
this year but we look forward to
seeing her in 2011.
Belinda Piper was a popular
return having spent time in San
Diego over the past two years.
Belinda told us that she will
soon be married and the group
was pleased to wish her well.
John Denton travelled from the
mid-coast and we welcomed his
companion Cynthia Burgess.
Frank and Sherrie Armstrong
provided their usual enthusiasm
and good cheer and following
an absence, it was good to see
Tony Gilbert with us again.
Paul and Margot Priday keep
on keeping on but the stars of
the show were undoubtedly the
Dixon family. It was great to
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6
„ From left to right, standing: Lesley Reynolds, Noel and Elizabeth Symonds,
John Denton, Anthony Bowesman, Geoff Sexton, Simon Dixon, Ann Brockbank,
Paul and Margot Priday, Tony Gilbert, Sherrie Armstrong, John Barrow, Gail
Dixon, Iain Mars. Sitting:Val Barrow, Frank Armstrong, Connie Dixon, Belinda
Piper, Paul Dixon, Cynthia Burgess.
have Paul and Connie with us.
They were joined by Paul’s son
Simon, his companion Gail and
Connie’s daughter, Lesley
Burgess.
We introduced an aboriginal
custom to proceedings in 2010.
If a person seeks to address
the throng, they need to wear a
particular symbol of authority to
be recognised. In our case it
was a Junior School cricket
colours cap that can be seen
being worn by Paul Dixon in the
group photograph.
Perched ridiculously on the
head of the authorised speaker
it seemed to work. All those
years of school authority and
discipline appear to have had a
lasting effect.
When matters got a bit ragged,
Paul Dixon, donned the cap and
brought us back into line.
In conclusion, our reunion was
a success. Friendships and
acquaintances were renewed
and a good time was had by all.
„ Anybody and everybody is
welcome at our 2011 reunion,
which will be held in October or
November. Information can be
obtained from Ann Brockbank
at annbrockbank@gmail.com
closer to the event.
Ann Brockbank
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PRAYER FELLOWSHIP
T
he OL Prayer Fellowship
has
been
led
and
supported by Anthony
Desch for many years and it is
with some trepidation that I take
over the role. Our thanks must
go to Anthony for his hard work
and we wish him well.
I came across a letter in the
Prayer Fellowship archives
written by Dick Page in 1958 in
which he talks about the
struggle of making worship
relevant to the modern pupil.
He said then that “it is a
problem that needs prayer” and
“that it is important that a boy
should learn that worship is
“giving of oneself to God”.
The language might have
changed a little, the pupils a lot
and the style of worship even
more but the need for prayer
remains, I suspect, unchanged.
We plan in the OL News to
give a snapshot of Christian life
at the School for all readers and
to have a longer version of the
newsletter on the website for
download for interested parties.
As well as giving news from
the school that may help
members pray for the current
O
„ Nick Lyons was at St Lawrence from
1975 to 1982 in Cameron and Lodge
pupils, we hope to include news
of what OLs are getting up to
(and I have discovered what a
rich variety of Christian work is
taking place across the world!)
We plan also to have a brief
emailed newsletter, sent to
those who would like to receive
particular prayer requests from
the school and from members.
If you have some news, or a
request for prayer, please email
me at ntlyons@btinternet.com.
Nick Lyons, Lodge 1982,
Editor of the Prayer
Fellowship Newsletter
To read more about Nick, go to the OL website - www.olsociety.co.uk
20
CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE
ver the past 12 months
we have had a lot to give
thanks to God for. The
three Christian Unions continue
to flourish in our College and
your continued prayers for them
are greatly appreciated.
In the Junior School, the
Lighthouse group have a keen
following, particularly from the
new intake in Year 3. The Trinity
Team in the Middle School have
a good number of boys among
their number and the CU in the
Senior School is now under the
leadership of Mervyn Watling.
Last year 11 students from the
middle and senior schools were
confirmed by the Bishops of
Dover and Canterbury.
These young people have
formed a loyal group and meet
„ Reverend Peter Russell and the Junior
School’’s Lighthouse group put on a
‘‘change’’ assembly
in term time to celebrate Holy
Communion. I have received
eight more applications for
confirmation later in the year.
Again, your prayers for the
spiritual growth of these pupils
would be greatly appreciated.
This academic year has seen
the reintroduction of community
service. A group of students
from the Senior School visit two
residential homes in the area
and, on occasion, we give the
residents short acts of worship.
This venture gives first-hand
experience at true Christian
ministry and I pray that this
activity develops further.
The overall pastoral care of the
College is always a concern of
mine. Teaching staff maintain a
high standard of professional
and pastoral commitment in an
age that demands rigorous
administrative standards.
Fatigue is a natural human
response to work pressures.
Please support them in your
prayers. The overall spiritual
health of SLC is very good and
I am indebted to the students
for their support in Chapel and
support for each other.
Yours in Christ,
Reverend Peter Russell
21
FROM RAMSGATE TO COURTEENHALL
T
he 60th anniversary of the
evacuation of our troops from
Dunkirk in June 1940 has
brought
back
memories
of
Ramsgate during that time.
During the early days of the war I
can remember the Junior School
assembling in the tunnel, linking up
with the other side of the school,
and during an air raid warning one
of the masters read us Winnie the
Pooh to keep us quiet and in order.
As the College was evacuated to
Seaford for the summer term of
1940, I was anxious to visit my
parents in Ramsgate for the halfterm break.
As the train was several hours late
in arriving at Ramsgate, due to the
need for transporting the troops
away from the coastal towns, my
parents had given up waiting for me
and had returned home. I had very
little money (pocket money was
about six pence a week) and so had
to walk about two miles with my
small suitcase.
It was quite shattering seeing all
those troops in various conditions
filling the station and being fed with
sandwiches and tea by the WVS.
I went down to the front in the
evening to see the armada of small
boats being towed by larger ones
into Ramsgate harbour from
22
Dunkirk. There was a constant
stream of buses, lorries leading up
to the station loaded with soldiers in
different conditions.
The wounded were laid out on
stretchers on the ground around
where
Merry
England,
the
amusement arcade is located,
waiting for transport to hospital.
It was not all doom and gloom as
there was a certain amount of
banter going on.
I can remember one of the soldiers
leaning out of a carriage carrying a
white goose under his arm. They
were not allowed to bring back their
equipment but he was not coming
back empty-handed!
I said goodbye to my parents who
were returning to West Africa, my
brother went to America to train as
a pilot and I returned to Seaford.
I was surprised to see my father
rather moved when saying goodbye
but I am sure this was due to his
experience of fighting in France
during the Great War.
At the end of the 1940 summer
term we went to the station to take
the train to London. I was going to
stay with an Aunt in Bromley, Kent.
As we were getting into the
carriage Mr. Waymouth the
Headmaster of the Junior School,
said: “Collins you had better get into
DURING THE WAR YEARS
my carriage.” As we were
approaching Victoria Station he
said that the school had collapsed
and he would be in touch.
During the holidays in Bromley, I
saw the Battle of Britain being
fought in the skies above us.
Throughout the bombing of London
eight of us slept in an Anderson
shelter, measuring 6’6”x4’6”.
We were very fortunate that a few
school governors met in London at
that time and decided St Lawrence
College should continue. They sent
Mr Waymouth scouring the country
for suitable accommodation for
what was left of the school.
It is amazing how fortunate it was
that he found Courteenhall, when
he had the opportunity of meeting
Major General Sir Hereward Wake.
The Major General told Mr
Waymouth the Army was due to
commandeer his home in two
weeks’ time but because he
thought that schoolboys would do
less damage to his home he offered
it to St Lawrence College. It is
fortunate that he had influence
regarding this arrangement.
The College is most grateful to the
then Headmaster, Canon Perfect,
for his wisdom and determination to
restart SLC, and because of this
decision the school is flourishing
today, helping to produce students
who make a good contribution to
society worldwide.
During the war, some of the senior
boys studying for their A-Levels
also helped to teach the younger
ones until suitable staff could be
recruited at Courteenhall.
It is for this reason we are
indebted to the Wake family for
being so supportive of the school
during those difficult days.
Courteenhall, in my view, was in a
wonderful location in beautiful
countryside and with my parents
being abroad it felt like my home
during that time.
It was a great shock to the School
to hear that G.T. Coffin, the Head
Boy, had been killed in action in
North Africa soon after he had left
the School; also one of the masters
who had left to join Bomber
Command was shot down.
A number of boys stayed at the
school over Christmas in 1940
because they had no home to go
back to.
That was life in those days.
Some of the senior boys were
boarded out to the local farms
leaving the School captain behind
to look after the younger boys.
In those days we all had bicycles
on which we used to cycle into
23
MEMORIES OF COURTEENHALL
Northampton six miles away.
On reflection we had the
opportunity of experiencing
country life when the School
was asked to help with the
harvest of potatoes and also to
help load the bales of straw on
to the wagons, which was very
strenuous. I am sure many of us
have a greater appreciation of
the countryside because of our
experience of living in the
country.
I did not achieve high academic
standards at the College but
learned a lot of good Christian
values, which have stood me in
good stead all my life.
Careerwise, for a short time I
was Chief Technical Cost
Negotiator for Rolls Royce
Bristol; Deputy Price Controller
for Concorde and for 20 years
member of the Business School
at the University of the West of
England.
When OLs visit the school,
which is flourishing under a
good headmaster, Reverend
Mark Aitken, can they imagine
that if it were not for those
governors, for Canon Perfect,
Mr Waymouth and the Wake
family, there may not be a St
Lawrence College today?
John Collins (1936-44)
„ Right, Sir
Hereward
sent this
letter to John
Collins after
reading John’’s
wartime
memories of
Courteehall.
„ Far Right,
Sir Hereward
Wake and
John Collins
Read John Collins’’ full report on the OL website - www.olsociety.co.uk
24
ORDER OF ST FRIDESWIDE
R
etirement for Grange’s
(1951-55) Chris Burley
has been anything but
restful.
It was whilst a partner at
accountants Price Waterhouse
that Chris started helping out
the Church of England’s Oxford
Diocese.
His role, before and after
retirement, involved helping the
Church to chart its way through
a wide range of complex
financial issues.
Following his retirement in
1992, he threw himself into his
voluntary work helping the
Oxford Diocese to plot a new
financial course following the
chaos created by the Church
Commissioners’ reported mismanagement of funds.
For his 17 years’ distinguished
service to the Oxford Diocese,
Chris was rewarded for his
efforts by being admitted to the
Order of St Frideswide.
Only 10 people have received
the honour, since its inception
in 2004. The award recognises
outstanding contributions from
lay people in the Diocese of
Oxford.
Chris said: “I was absolutely
bowled over when I got the
„ The Bishop of Oxford, Reverend John
Pritchard, with Chris Burley
letter from the Bishop of
Oxford. It was only when I
attended the annual dinner for
the Order of St Frideswide that
I realised what a select group I
was in. This award to the laity is
similar to clergy being made
honorary canons of the
cathedral. I was delighted to be
awarded this honour and was
‘installed’ at a service in Christ
Church Cathedral, Oxford in
January 2009.”
Chris’ numerical skills and
judgement also come in handy
in Bridge. His results there are
also first class. He has been
invited for trials for the English
Seniors team and became a
Grand Master in 2008.
25
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
GOLDEN
WEDDING
P
eter and Wendy Jordan
celebrated their Golden
Wedding anniversary with
family and friends on July 28th,
2010.
Married in 1960, they have
lived in the same house in
Crick, Northants for the past 50
years.
Gordon Peter Jordan was in
Courtenay and left SLC in 1952.
WEDDINGS
C
ongratulations to Kathryn
Cotton (Laing 1998) who
married Alan Martin at
Holy Trinity Church, Cliftonville,
Kent, on November 13, 2010.
26
„ From left, Deborah Rooms (Bellerby
1998), Kate McKerrell, Joanna McKerrell
and Erin Coberth (Laing 1996)
J
oanna Lucy Coberth (Laing
1998) married Thomas
David Hardman McKerrell
on June 12th, 2010 at St Mary’s
Church, Bishopsbourne, near
Canterbury, Kent.
The couple, who both grew up
in Kent, met down under.
Joanna said: “We met in 2005
in Perth, Western Australia,
although Tom also grew up in
Kent. He went to Cranbrook
School and also graduated in
1998 so our year would have
played each other at rugby/
hockey/netball/cricket, but we
had to go to the other side of
the world to meet each other!”
27
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
S
ay hello to Sophie
Francesca Guignabaudet
who was born on October
4th, 2010 at University College
Hospital, London, to proud
parents Matt Rawbone (ManorGrange 1993 -1998) and Kim
Guignabaudet.
Weighing in at 8lb 6oz, Matt
says Sophie is the spitting
image of her mum and that’s
why she’s named after her
Kim and Matt met at Durham
University via the overseas
French island of Guadeloupe in
2002 and married in 2008.
BIRTHS
L
A
nna Shearer (Laing
1998) married Richard
da Costa on July 17th,
2010 in her Dad’s stunning
Cliftonville garden.
They first met in 2002 via
mutual friends and became a
couple a year later on New
28
Year’s Eve.
Together they run a film
production
company
in
Bristol: Anna is a producer
and Richard a director.
Anna and Richard are
expecting their first child in
April.
isa Lowe (nee DownesPowell) and her husband,
Duncan, are pleased to
announce the birth of their son
Connor James Lowe.
He was born on July 27th,
2010 weighing 7lb 2oz.
29
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hannah Blatchford (nee
Leadbeater) 1975-2010
(Laing 1986-1991).
C
lementine Mary
Marchant
was
born on April 4th,
2010 at the QEQM,
Margate, weighing 7lb
1oz.
Clementine is seven
months in this photo.
She is pictured with her
proud parents Nick and
Clair Marchant.
Clair and Nick are
expecting their second
child in April.
Hannah leaves behind a
husband, Matthew, and
three-year-old son, Samuel
Richard Hands, 1943-2010
(Courtenay 1954-1961)
M
If you would like to feature in the Family Announcement section please
email your obituary, wedding details or birth announcements,
plus any photographs, to kerry@olsociety.co.uk.
Alternatively you can write to Kerry Brown, Alumni Secretary,
St Lawrence College, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 7AE.
We will do our best to use as much of the material as possible.
30
(Tower 1930-1937).
Stuart Smith (former teacher
English and Drama 20012007) passed away on June
13th, 2010
Peter Spicer passed away on
Anthony Housden, 1935-2010 July 30th, 2010
(Lodge 1948-1952)
(Manor 1945-1947)
A J Langston, 1950-2005
Dr J.L.G. Thomson died in
(Grange 1964-1968)
2010
eet
Reuben
George Mellor,
pictured at 20
weeks old.
He is the firstborn of
Joanna Mellor, nee
Baker, (Laing 1998)
and Dale Mellor.
Reuben was born on
September 9th, 2010
weighing 7lb 2oz.
L
DEATH NOTICES
L
Albert Moth died on October
30th, 2009.
(Grange 1952-1957).
John Scrutton, 1919-2009
(Grange 1935-1940)
Laurence White, passed away
on April 3rd, 2010
(Tower1996-2000)
OBITUARIES
Richard James Hands,
04.01.1943 - 24.12.2010
(Courtenay: 1954-1961)
R
ichard James Hands was
born
in
South-East
London in January 1943
and it was a remarkable stroke
of good fortune that brought him
to St Lawrence College at the
age of 12, to enrol in the since
disbanded Courtenay house,
31
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
under the watchful eye of
Samuel ‘Sozzle’ Speakman.
Over the next six years
Richard had little difficulty in
making friends, with many
enduring throughout his life,
with all of us remembering his
wonderful sense of humour and
above all else, his infectious
laughter.
In his time in Courtenay, he
was a member of the junior and
senior house teams in Rugby,
Hockey and Cricket, whilst
enjoying equal success in the
CCF, eventually becoming a
Sergeant, which came as no
surprise to his fellow Corps
members.
His escapades in the field of
dormitory poker where a sight
to behold especially the art of
fooling Sozzle!
On leaving SLC, he won a
place to Kings College, Durham
to read Economics.
Having successfully gained his
degree, he joined Arthur Young
and duly qualified as a
Chartered Accountant.
In 1970, Richard married his
university sweetheart.
With his feet firmly on the
commercial ladder, he joined
32
Price
Waterhouse
in
Dusseldorf, where helped by
his wife’s fluency in German, he
was able to become no mean
linguist himself.
In 1972, he moved to Vienna
where they lived for the next
seven years joining Associated
Engineering, working eventually
in Stuttgart, as well as England
for a brief spell.
With the arrival of daughter
Catherine, he joined ZF a large
German multinational industrial
company in Stuttgart, with the
family eventually moving to
England where he become
Managing Director of ZF (GB),
in Nottingham, transforming a
loss making concern into a
highly profitable organisation.
The advent of Multiple
Sclerosis shortened his highly
successful business career and
in 1993, he retired prematurely
due to ill health.
His indomitable courage and
fortitude over the next 17 years,
as he become increasingly
disabled, earned him enormous
respect and admiration.
He was able to enjoy his 40th
wedding anniversary in July
2010, in the company of his
family and close friends.
He died on Christmas Eve
2010 surrounded by wife Usha,
daughter Catherine, son- in-law
Matthew and his two young
grandchildren, Tristan and
Emma.
David Masters,
Courtenay 1961
Anthony Ross Housden
1935 - 2010
(Lodge 1948-1952)
nthony Ross Housden
died
peacefully
on
January 6th, 2010 in a
nursing home, having suffered
from Parkinson’s Disease for
some time.
After leaving SLC he did his
National Service in the Royal
Signals and after basic and
A
trade training was posted to
Cyprus where he was an
‘Operator
Special’
which
involved interrupting morse
code messages.
On retiring to ‘civi’ street, for
some years he shot with the OL
small bore team at Bisley.
His working life started with a
job as a salesman in the hat
manufacturing industry, which
in those days was big business
for both ladies and men.
He later moved to selling
surgical
instruments
to
hospitals and continued to do
so until his retirement.
Living with his mother until she
died, he later met a widow who
had the same passion for
walking holidays and it was not
long before they were married.
Many wonderful holidays were
taken together all over the world
for 20 years.
Ruth pre-deceased him on
October 1st, 2009 having lost a
fight with cancer.
Anthony’s father Clive Wilfred
Housden was also educated at
St Lawrence (Dark Blue House)
and left in 1919.
Peter Jordan,
Courtenay 1952
33
JOHNSON BEHARRY VISIT
O
n 24th February 1957,
Cecil William Buckley
became
the
first
recipient of the Victoria Cross,
which was awarded for his
gallantry in the Crimean War in
1855.
He retired to Madeira and died
there in December 1872 and
was buried at the English
Church.
Johnson
Beharry
was
awarded the Victoria Cross for
his astonishing bravery whilst
serving in Iraq.
In February 2007 he was
invited to Madeira to unveil a
plaque at the English Church on
the Island to commemorate the
150th anniversary of the
Victoria Cross and to honour
Cecil William Buckley.
Whilst on the island he spent
an hour with David Vallat at his
home and gave him a signed
copy of his autobiography.
Since leaving the College in
1968, David has been an active
Old Lawrentian and sent his
children
Alexander
and
Georgina to the College.
Sadly,
David
developed
cancer in 2005 and in 2007 it
left him in a wheelchair, so the
34
JACK DIXON’S DOWDING & CHURCHILL
L
„ Johnson Beharry and David Vallat
visit from the Victoria Cross
holder was a delightful moraleboosting experience.
Fortunately, the cancer has
since stopped attacking him.
Although he still needs to use a
wheelchair, he is now in much
better health than he was in
2007.
Bob Gray
ast year was the 40th
anniversary of the death of
Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh
Dowding (later Lord Dowding)
who master-minded the RAF’s
victory in the battle of Britain.
Jack Dixon’s (Newlands 1939)
fascinating book assesses the
achievements and treatment of
one of the greatest Britons of
the 20th century, revealing a
conspiracy by fellow officers,
clashes of personalities and
Dowding’s fight to develop
Fighter Command in the way
that he wanted. Even Churchill
comes in for criticism as he
appears to have been taken in
by Dowding’s detractors.
Born in Broadstairs, Jack
Dixon was sent to St Edward’s,
prep school. It closed in 1935
and he transferred to Newlands
House, St Lawrence College.
Jack describes the College as
“a staunchly Low Church C of E
school whose headmasters
were ordained ministers”.
He said: “In 1935 the head
was one Brackenbury, whose
nickname was Creeping Jesus.
At the time it was the school’s
„ Author Jack Dixon
Christian duty to indulge in the
caning of boys (by both masters
and prefects) for trivial offences
such as shooting at another
boy’s pigeon or exploring the
foundations of a new building.
It is a better school today,
although perhaps getting too
democratic.”
Jack remained at the College
until 1939, leaving just before
his 16th birthday.
Dowding and Churchill, The
Dark Side of the Battle of Britain
is available to buy on Amazon.
Tom Moulton
You can find Tom Moulton’’s full review at www.olsociety.co.uk
35
OL UPDATES
BARON RICHARD
DANNATT
R
ichard Dannatt (Tower
1969) is no longer a ‘Sir’.
In January 2011, he
received a new title following
his appointment to the House
of Lords as a cross-bench peer.
He will now be known as
Baron Dannatt of Keswick, in
the county of Norfolk. This is
Baron Dannatt’s second highprofile appointment since
leaving his job as the Army’s
Chief of General Staff in 2009.
That year he was appointed
the Constable of the Tower of
London, a ceremonial position.
H
aving attended SLC from
1985 – 1990 (Lodge), I
decided on a career with
Kent Police Force.
I left my last posting, as a
sergeant, in Dover in 2001.
I loved my time in the police
and learnt many skills such as
pursuit driving, interrogation,
firearms handling and explosive
recognition.
These skills were, perhaps not
the most transferable into the
36
CHRISTIAN
LEADBEATER
private sector, so I ended up
working for Wilkinson stores as
a regional loss prevention
manager responsible for the
stores in southern England.
In 2000, I met my Canadian
wife, Taryn. When we decided
to marry and start a family, we
opted to move to Vancouver.
OL UPDATES
We moved here in 2004 and I
became a Canadian citizen last
year. We are having the best
time imaginable and now have
two beautiful daughters (Maya,
four and Claudia, two).
My first job in Canada was as
a Director of loss prevention
position with a ski and golf
resort firm. I had to travel to a
dozen ski and golf resorts from
British Columbia to Quebec and
from Florida to Vermont via
Colorado. What a job! My boss
worked from home in Ontario. I
was expected to travel every
other week and entertain the
teams in the resorts. I had to
leave after two years as my liver
couldn’t take any more!
So, in 2006 I joined Best Buy
and have had a blast. I have an
excellent team reporting to me
in five business areas and
although sometimes stressful, it
is a rewarding job.
My role, at last, is away from
security and loss prevention
and is a business position with
much fiscal responsibility.
In my down time, I manage to
get a few runs in and work on
our house.
„ Taryn and Christopher Leadbeater
and their daughters Maya, four, and
Claudia, two
By the way, don’t mention that
you coach or play field hockey
in Canada as everyone will ask
if you wear a skirt as only girls
play it here. I found out the hard
way when I played street
hockey and mentioned that I
loved to play field hockey
growing up. After a few minutes
the laughing players got up
from rolling around on the
ground and play resumed!
„ Anyone wishing to contact
Chris can do so by email at:
Christian.leadbeater@yahoo.ca
There are further contact details
on his OL Website profile.
For Christian’’s full update go to the website - www.olsociety.co.uk
37
OL UPDATES
P
eter ‘PRO’ Jones (Grange
1974-1979) left St Lawrence
College to join the Army and
was commissioned into the Royal
Engineers in April 1981. He saw
active service in the Falklands
Campaign landing at San Carlos.
He then did two tours in Cyprus
working firstly with the United
Nations north of Nicosia and then
the RAF at Akrotiri. Following two
years as a training Instructor, he
volunteered to train troops for the
new Ugandan Army, being formed
following the end of the civil war.
After a jungle warfare course in
Brunei, and then two years in Berlin
as second-in-command of the
Independent Engineer Squadron,
he left the Army for a short time to
take a trip through Africa before
rejoining the Army with the Black
Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
for a tour in Northern Ireland.
„ Pro on a rafting expedition
38
PETER ‘PRO’ JONES
In 1990 he left the Army and
returned to the Victoria Falls area
of Africa where he set up three
rafting companies (one in Zambia
and two in Zimbabwe and over a
five-year period saw the tourism
industry grow exponentially.
In 1997 he built a lodge, The River
Club (www.theriverclubafrica.com),
on the Zambian side of the
Zambezi River above the Victoria
Falls. It is now part of the highly
successful
Wilderness-Safaris
collection of camps, although it
retains its independent ownership.
The lodge has won many awards
over the years, more notably its
Top 10 in the world ratings from
Fodors in 2004.
Peter has also put a huge amount
of effort into assisting the local
village, alongside his running of
The River Club.
The lodge has built a police
station, community hall, clinic,
school library and kindergarten
classroom; put 50 children through
high schools in nearby Livingstone
and three teachers through
university-level courses.
It now raises funds to ensure that
50,000 litres of clean drinking
OL UPDATES
Passionate about the local history
of the area, Peter is researching
the incredible Jewish history in the
early years of Northern Rhodesia,
and the campaigns of the First
World War in Africa.
In his spare time he still finds time
to raft in the gorges, host members
of the Royal family, chase
elephants out of island camps, help
deliver babies in the middle of the
„ The Lodge supports local villagers
bush, catch crocodiles in people’s
water are pumped to the swimming pools, raise money for
the Victoria Cross and George
community on a daily basis.
Peter has also invested in reviving Cross Association and act as MC at
the 100-year-old Livingstone golf Andy Mama’s (also Grange 1974course returning it to an 18-hole 1979) 50th birthday in Harare.
international
course,
and By coincidence
renovating the 80-year-old Capitol Andy and Peter
Theatre in the town, a wonderful Art set up two firms
Deco building which once hosted with the same
visits from Alfred Hitchcock and name, Amanzi,
but in different
Danny Kaye!
More recently, on four occasions, countries!
he has set up and run the Zambezi Peter still likes
International Regatta where alumni to keep fit and
from Oxford and Cambridge has plans to
Universities compete against top raise money for
teams from South Africa. The event Help for Heroes
is a revival of the rowing events on soon with a
this river which, in 1910, saw the mammoth walk
World
Professional
Sculling around the UK
„ Peter with his
partner Jacki
in 2012.
Championships held there.
To read Pro’’s full update go to the website - www.olsociety.co.uk
39
OL ARCHIVIST ANDREW BROWN
M
y roots lie deep in the
beautiful countryside of
Somerset
(born
in
Taunton, educated in Bath),
hence the (rather passive)
ardent support for Somerset
cricket (not an attachment to
being second best)!
Having completed my formal
education at Oxford (Oriel
College), where I worked hard
and played plenty of sport, I
secured a post at Cranbrook.
While there I first encountered
St Lawrence: a long trek by
coach culminated in crossing
the cabbage-filled wastelands
of Thanet and a severe
crushing for my previously
undefeated U16 hockey team at
the hands of Messrs Coleman
and Haigh. They appeared to
know something about hockey!
Having
been
virtually
ambushed with the post of
Head of History at SLC I
acquainted myself with my new
empire of C14: rummaging
through the resources made me
realise I could not hope to
emulate the achievements and
ambition of my predecessor,
Patrick MacFarlan, with the
amazing breadth of his
activities and especially his
40
„ Andrew Brown
“son et lumiere” presentations.
This sense of inadequacy in
taking responsibility for a
formidable
tradition
was
intensified when I took charge
of the hockey from 1978.
I had the honour of knowing
the retired Martin Martin-Harvey
as a part-time member of staff;
to have had a living legend
observing the efforts of my
team and exhorting them to
play “like billyho!” was sobering.
He was of course full of
encouragement.
Schools’
hockey is fiercely competitive,
and I have some wonderful
memories - winning the Kent
Cup in 1986 and the Frank
Mason Tournament in 2001
were the obvious highlights.
SHARES HIS COLLEGE MEMORIES
Running the Tennis from 1977
to 2005 involved less pressure,
produced a higher overall
success rate but was very timeconsuming.
On my arrival in 1976 I took up
residence as House Tutor in
John Bush’s Manor and
remained associated with
Manor through various guises
and five other Housemasters
until I was eventually subsumed
with it into Newlands.
My endeavours to broaden
their educational experience
subjected those wanting their
pocket money to a blast of
classical music.
I moved out, in favour of
married bliss, when, in 1983, I
succumbed to the charms of a
German teacher, Reini.
The numbers of pupils opting
for History over the years have
fluctuated, yet results continue
to improve. I have encountered
some considerable intellects
and remarkable young people
in the process. They have
largely striven to meet the
heavy demands placed upon
them, waded through lengthy
written comments on their
endeavours and tolerated my
habitual failure to encourage
enough: outrageously some
subscribed to the view that I
was a miserly marker!
Now retired, I fill my time with
many activities - including the
occasional foray into the school
archives. So far this has
consisted largely of looking at
photographs from the last 40
years and trying to place them
correctly and to identify
individuals.
It has helped stimulate some
wonderful memories and also
forced me to admit I have
forgotten far too much. Looking
at older material makes me
realise I know far too little about
SLC’s early years, which, in
due course, I intend to remedy.
With Kerry Brown’s invaluable
help, I hope to help realise Nick
Marchant’s aim of making much
more of the material accessible
to Lawrentians old and new.
If any OL has any enquiries I
shall do what I can to help and,
of course, I would welcome any
materials with any significant
bearing upon the College’s
past.
Share more of Andrew Brown’’s memories at www.olsociety.co.uk
41
SUMMER’S OL DAY
T
he Summer OL Day, on
June 25th 2010, was
blessed with wonderful
weather and good turn outs for
both Tennis and Cricket.
Commencing with a drinks
reception in the ‘Peel Room’,
there was a chance to catch up
and to browse through some
old sporting photographs taken
many moons ago.
After lunch in the Dining Hall, it
was off to the courts for the OL
tennis players and a stroll up to
Newlands for the cricketers to
‘conquer’ the school teams!
As you’ll see from both
reports, this was not to be the
case. However, good fun was
had by all and a well-deserved
match tea followed by Pimms
on the Headmaster’s lawn was
the perfect end to a fun-filled
day.
OL TENNIS
O
n a blisteringly hot afternoon Old boys Adrian Gates,
Jonathan Cannan, Harry Dickens, Rodney Wilkening,
James Elliott, Mark Single and Cem Baltacioglu (pictured
from left) gathered on the all weather astro in front of the Chapel
to take on the College 1st and 2nd teams.
After a fine first two rounds of sets the scores stood at 3 - 3 with
all to play for in the final round.
The youth and energy of the boys, however, meant that L
they won
the final three sets to take the match 6 - 3.
Rod Wilkening (Newlands Deacon, 1984)
42
OL CRICKET
Toss: OLs - Result: College 1st XI won by 8 wickets
T
he OL cricketers spent a very
pleasant afternoon playing
against SLC’s 1st XI. The
weather was most favourable and a
good crowd enjoyed entertaining
cricket.
The OLs won the toss and elected
to bat. The loss of KB Asiedu in the
first over was a severe blow, but
following the loss of Gareth Birchley
for 1, Charlie Collins and Nick
Muncey steadied the ship in a
partnership of 58 for the third
wicket.
Unfortunately, once Collins had
gone for 24, the remaining OL
batsmen subsided, thanks to some
tight bowling and two run outs.
95 was not a huge target but the
College batsmen were made to
work for their runs as KB Asiedu
and Aaron Conn hit a good line and
length.
The early wicket of Jones
encouraged the OL bowlers but
Robbie Newbery and Alex Underhill
dug in for the College to put on 47
for the second wicket.
Nick Muncey bowled well to
dismiss Underhill for 23, but the
calm and assured batting of Tim
Collins helped Newbery deal with a
tricky spell from Geoff Philpott to
see the College home by 8 wickets
with 3 overs to spare.
The OL team were: Charlie
Collins, KB Asiedu, Gareth Birchley,
Nick Muncey, Nick Marchant, Jonty
Wakefield, Geoff Philpott, John
Young, Kit Bowra, Ricky FrameSmith and Aaron Conn.
Tom Moulton
43
OL RIFLE CLUB
W
e were pleased to
welcome Richard Bird
as a new member this
year. Having not shot for many
years he immediately managed
to score 47 (out of 50) at 300
yards! We hope to see more of
him next year.
We also introduced a system
of Social Membership and were
glad to welcome Tony Harris,
Vernon Moffet, Aidan Stowe,
Mike Wisdom and David
Dagley. Their contributions to
our coffers were gratefully
received!
„ OL Rifle Club President Robert
Fromow (in his school blazer!) receives
the CS Gale Cup following the OLs’’
victory over the College
44
The first match of the season
was the .22 shoot against the
College, held in the range at the
back of the laboratories - yes,
the range is still there!
It was good to be able to hold
the match again, after the
previous year's last minute
cancellation.
We are pleased to report that
we decisively beat the College
by 448 to their 408, and so
retained the CS Gale Cup.
Among those taking part were
Peter Thompson, who had been
part of the victorious 1959
Ashburton team, and Vernon
Moffet who had made a special
journey from Dorset.
At Bisley, in April, we beat the
Old Albanians and, in a
concurrent competition, Andi
Parker-Smith
won
the
President’s Shield.
The next fixture was the Q
Match - this is shot at 500 and
600 yards. There were 10
teams including the veritable
marksmen
of
the
Old
Bedfordians club who had
managed to get themselves
invited for the first and last time!
Against this stiff competition
we nevertheless managed to
come 3rd.
OL RIFLE CLUB
„ Above, from left Peter Thompson,
Robert Fromow, Richard Bird,
Christopher Laing & Chris Weeden at
Bisley. Right Mike Davidson at the
Bisley range
Congratulations go to Chris
Weeden in our team who
scored a ‘possible’ (highest
possible score) at both ranges,
i.e. scoring 100 out of 100.
Then in early May at the Long
Range match, on a rather wet
and cold day, all 12 members of
the OLRC turned up - 100%
attendance - this has got to be
a record!
We were therefore able to field
two teams; our ‘A’ team came
3rd and the ‘B’ team 7th (out of
10).
In June the All-Day match took
place, with firing at 300, 600,
45
OL RIFLE CLUB
900 and 1000 yards. Again we
came 3rd (this seems to be a
popular placing) out of nine
teams. The morning shoot was
somewhat chaotic as the NRA
had failed to provide target
markers for us, so we had to do
it ourselves.
The OLs’ highest scorer was
Peter Thompson with 189 (out
of 200), and Mike Davison got a
‘possible’ at 300 yards (the first
for 40 years, he reckons!)
Then in July at the Imperial
Meeting, in blustery conditions
on the packed Century Range,
we shot in the Public Schools
Veterans competition and came
37th.
A special mention should be
made of Chris Weeden and
Peter Thompson who shot as
the ‘Old Lawrentian pair’ in the
Fulton Pairs and came 13th.
And suddenly it was the end of
September and time for the
Championship and dinner.
Once again this proved a very
pleasant way to finish the
season. The trophies were
kindly presented by Frances
Gale. We heard that Peter
Thompson
hired
a
pantechnicon to carry away the
cups he’d won (not really!), and
46
Keith Alltoft, having presented
the accounts, made a swift exit
when he heard that curry might
be on the dinner menu!
We are always on the lookout
for new members, so if you’re
interested please do not
hesitate to contact either Robert
Fromow or Mike Davison (see
below).
Other members are Keith
Alltoft (Treasurer), Richard Bird,
Ian Collins, Brian Gale, Noah
Gamp, Richard Horwood,
Christopher Laing, Andi ParkerSmith (the Member for Wales!),
Jeremy Robinson, Peter R
Thompson and Chris Weeden.
Next year we shall be
changing our base at Bisley,
leaving the North London in
favour of the London and
Middlesex Rifle Association to
which we shall return after a
gap of some 15 years.
The two buildings are almost
next door so you’ll still be able
to find us!
Robert Fromow (President)
020 7233 2213
rwfromow@talktalk.net
Mike Davison (Hon Sec)
01483 772411
mikej.davison@btinternet.
com
OL GOLF
„ From left: Andy Franklin, Patrick Robinson, Stephen Molloy, Robin Daniels, Nick
Andy Franklin, wrapped up for their round of golf on Captain’’s Day
I
t was another significant year
for the OL Golf society in
2010
with
the
50th
anniversary of the triangular
match held between SLC,
Kings, and Dover.
We had a competitive match
with Dover emerging as the
victors.
The high point of the day was
the anniversary lunch attended
by 35 members of the the
school societies, of whom
seven played in the first fixture
50 years ago.
In
recognition
of
their
contribution over the years to
the ongoing success of our
golfing societies they were
presented with engraved crystal
tankards.
A new fixture was added in
2010 to fill the gap between the
Autumn Meeting and Captain’s
Day in March; it was decided to
hold an informal member and
guest day at Royal St Georges
in January.
Sixteen brave souls turned
out, including former European
Tour player Fredrik Lindgren,
who showed us how to master
Royal St Georges with a
fantastic display of putting.
Playing with Stephen Billings
we heard that by the 13th hole
Fredrik had only had 11 putts, in
his glory days as a tournament
47
OL GOLF
professional this would have
earned him much gold,
however his winnings from the
swindle only partially subsidised
his round of drinks in the bar
afterwards!
Captain’s Day at Princes Golf
Club - we had 15 players
turning out on a chilly and wet
March afternoon which is a
great turn out for the time of
year, many of our members
prefer to wait until our Spring
Meeting in May to come out of
golfing hibernation!
The winners by a single point
with a score of 44 points were
Ian Steed and Nick Marchant,
runners up were Neil Cossey
our Captain and again Nick
Marchant.
The longest drive was won by
Beau Hart and nearest the pin
was Timothy Dodd.
Princes Golf Club looked after
us very well and the food was
excellent,
our
President
Stephen Samuels and John
Dixon joined us for lunch and
the prize giving.
The Spring Meeting was held
this year at Walton Heath due to
a fixture clash at our usual
venue of Littlestone (we return
to Littlestone in 2011).
I would like to take the
opportunity to thank Bob Gray
for arranging at such short
notice Walton Heath as a
venue.
David Bailey won the singles
in the morning with Andy
Franklin and Bob Couldrey
coming second and third
respectively. In the afternoon
foursomes Andy Franklin and
Pat Robinson were victorious
with the two Bobs - Gray and
„ The Golfers enjoy the hospitality of Princes Golf Club on Captain’’s Day
48
OL GOLF
Couldrey - runners-up.
The member and guest day at
North Foreland in June was
once again very well attended
and enjoyed by all 32
participants.
The guest singles was won by
Nick Swain and the OLGS
singles by Stephen Billings, with
Andy Cossey as runner up and
Bob Gray third.
Following another fantastic
carvery put on by the club we all
staggered out to the most
enjoyable par three course to
walk off the effects. While not
always taken as seriously as
the morning round with plenty of
‘unnecessary’ advice from
fellow competitors the team of
Bob Gray, Paul Bailey and Mark
Pierce won by a point from
several other teams.
The summer highlight for me is
always the match against the
Old Paulines at Walton Heath
and so long as I am happy to
cook on the barbecue I get
selected regardless of ability!
It once again was a great day
with Bob and Harriet wonderful
hosts as ever.
The playing year ended with
the Autumn Meeting at Knole
Park and blessed with fine
„ The Golfers at Old Paulines
weather we beat the sunset and
got all 36 holes in this year. In
the morning singles Charles
Crawford won and the winner of
the George Randall Salver for
the best Spring and Autumn
scores was David Bailey. The
afternoon foursomes was won
by Tim Dodd and Bob Gray.
Grafton Morrish qualification
did not go as well as 2009 and
we narrowly missed out on the
finals.
The Founders’ Trophies were
then awarded for the best
performance in qualifying and
were presented to Tim Dodd
and Paul Bailey.
„ If anybody would like to join
the Golf Society, please do not
hesitate to contact me on 07775
0761424 or email tmhdodd
@me.com for details.
Tim Dodd, OLGS Secretary
49
OL HOCKEY
James Barden’s XI vs the
College 1st XI. Score 11-0
O
n a cold January afternoon
James Barden’s XI played
extremely well.
The score line slightly flatters
Barden’s team who made the
most of every opportunity
James
Barden
(GrangeCourtenay) opened the score with
a brace and Jim Laslett (Grange)
finished the scoring with a hattrick in the dying seconds.
The movement and one twos
around the pitch helped the less
fit Barden team carve the St
Lawrence team to shreds.
Their experience, and the fact
there were two ex-internationals,
and one current (Jim Laslett over
50s) playing, did tell.
SLC did not give up. Ryan Jones
ran all day D to D without the
support his work deserved.
Overall, Barden’s team were too
canny for the SLC team – in all
areas of the pitch; they actually
scored six out six short corners.
OLs Pete Laslett (GrangeCourtenay) and Harry Jeffery
(Newlands) played with aplomb
and the latter kept a clean sheet!
James Barden
50
INTRODUCING YOUR OLD LAWRENTIAN SOCIETY COMMITTEE
Nick Marchant
President
70 Winsham Grove,
London, SW11 6NE.
ngmarchant@aol.
com
07803 610075
Jude Single
Chris Throndsen
Vice-President
singlej@dover
college.org.uk
James Barden
james@rextrek
group.co.uk
Joff Manning Jonathan Webley
joffmanning
@hotmail.com
jwebley@
btinternet.com
Nick Jones
nosj@slcuk.com
74 Park Avenue,
Broadstairs,
Kent,
CT10 2EZ.
John Isaac
Treasurer
Mark Single
Dr Ellis Gill
Tom Moulton
mts@slcuk.com
ebg@slcuk.com
tm@slcuk.com
bjwisaac@
btinernet.com
Kerry Brown
Membership and
Alumni Secretary
kerry@olsociety.
co.uk
01304 221300
07890 220758
Clair Marchant
Honorary
Secretary
clairemilybrown@
googlemail.com
Andrew Brown
Archivist
aandr@another.
com
Andrew Winter
1976, 1977, 1978
coordinator
andrew.winter@
tropus-spicer.co.uk
51