1973 February

OPA Newsletter February 1973

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New Series No. 23

February 1973

THE OLD PHAROSIANS’

NEWS LETTER

President: B. HARRlSON, Esq.

Secretary:
H. R. Slater, Esq., Meadow Cottage, Beauxfield, Wbitfield, Dover

Treasurer:
Rev. W. F. Kemp, The Rectory, Denton, Canterbury Editor:
E. H. Baker, Esq., 24 Downs Road, Maidstone ME14 2IN

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER

I am particularly anxious that Old Boys should support the May Ball which this year promises to be better than ever. Tickets are limited to 200, so early application is advisable.

The year made a promising start with the Annual General Meeting and Dinner. But when you take into account the number of Committee members, guests, Old Boys’ wives and Staff present, it left only about 30 Old Boys, which considering the total numbers was disappointing.

At my election I pledged there would be no gimmicks during my year of office, my main concern being to see that members enjoyed themselves at any social function that was arranged.

So make a note of the date now, get together with your friends and make up a party. I am sure you will have a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Whilst your Committee exists to serve you, it can only do so if you let it know what you want arranged. An suggestions are acceptable and I guarantee every one will be sympathetically considered.

If you want bigger and better May Balls, New Year’s Eve Dances, American Suppers or what have you, contact either me, the Headmaster or any of the Association’s Officers and let 1973 be the year that saw the revival of a really live Old Pharosians’ Association.

B. Harrison.

The May Ball will be held at the School on Friday, 18th May, 1973 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., dancing to the Martin Brown 5-piece band. Dress optional. Tickets £1 each inclusive of buffet supper. Drinks are on American Supper lines, i.e. provide you own. An Old Boys and their wives are welcomed and reservations should be made to Ken Ruffell at the School. There is always a good attendance of Staff (past and present).

GLEANINGS BY THE MAN IN BLACK

(with apologies and acknowledgements)

When moving house it is usual to advise the tradesmen and the Post Office. The latter will only redirect mail for a limited period. Did YOU remember to advise the Secretary of the O.P.s? Failure to do so is a major reason why the Association loses contact with many Old Boys. If you change your address, please let us know.

The Staff are to be congratulated on holding the School Prefects’ Soccer XI to a 4-4 result on the last day of term. The game was watched by the entire School and a collection for the Swimming Pool-Music Room raised £10.

The School Soccer XI has competed in the East Kent Wednesday League with considerable success. They are held in the same respect as pre-war O.P. XI’s for the spirit in which they play their matches.

The School Carol Service at Charlton Church on the 18th December saw the Church filled almost to capacity. The President read one of the lessons.

‘Tis fifty years my old friend John since you and I were young

Birds nesting through each wooded glen what merry lays were sung

Me thinks it seems but yesterday since we were boys together.

There’s gladness in remembrance John, our friendship has been true

In all the weal and woe of life no change that friendship knew

Through many sunny years friend John may we yet live together.

Peter Piddock (1953-60) has resigned from the School Staff (1965-72) on his appointment to a Port Talbot school as Head of the Computer Terminal. A member of the O.P’s Committee for many years he takes with him our very best wishes for his future.

We congratulate Francis Arthur Cockfield (1924-33) on the receipt of Knight Bachelor in the New Year’s Honours List. He is Adviser on Fiscal Policy, H.M. Treasury.

We are grateful to the School Computer Unit and Mr. M. Smith for the assistance so willingly given in the despatch of the News Letter.

We sympathise with G. A Grainger that his efforts to raise an Old Boys Rugger XV did not meet with a better response.

We offer our congratulations to the Rev. V. A J. Ravensdale on the award of the O.B.E. for services to education and the community in Uganda.

Vandal damage to the Sports Pavilion is causing concern and the matter is receiving earnest consideration by the Authorities, the School and your Committee.

An average of 15% of the membership attend the A.G.M. or send their apologies. 85% are silent.

All Old Boys who were at the School during the period 1925-43 will regret to learn of the death of Mr. Charles W. Drew on 21st September, 1972 at the age of 81. From 1925-36 he was assistant groundsman at Longhill and Astor Avenue, and on the departure of Mr. Bill Chadwick to Chislehurst he was head groundsman from 1937-43. He then served with Grammar schools at Ashford and Folkestone until his retirement. A quiet and unobtrusive servant of the School, he prepared a first-class cricket square and his football pitches were immaculate. He lived in an era when groundsmen were craftsmen, and gang-mowers and peripatetic staff were unknown. He was as genuine as nature itself.

As the School will be required to make financial assistance towards the provision of the new music room and the equipment, your Committee have decided to make a contribution of £25 which will probably assist in the purchase of a harpsichord. The Headmaster will be glad to receive donations from any Old Boy who wishes to make tangible acknowledgement of his love of music and the School.

Dr. Michael Hinton now possesses a dinghy at Weston-super-Mare, and naturally he has named it Pharos.

The voluntary effort of dedicated people is essential to no association more than ours, but as the world grows ever busier these become no easier to find.

We share the disappointment of our immediate Past President that Mrs. Russell was in hospital during his year of office. We hope that she has now made a complete recovery. We appreciate the diligent and conscientious manner in which he attended to Presidential duties during his year of office.

We must be ever vigilant that the ground retrieved, as outlined by the Headmaster. is not lost in any subsequent manoeuvre by those who are not the friends of the School.

We are grateful to Messrs. Ruffell, Wenborn and Winter for their assistance in the cleaning operation on the morning after the Dinner.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Terry Sutton on the birth of a daughter on 30th June, 1972. For the news you provide—we thank you.

Ken Ruffell visited “The Rook”, as have Maurice and Denis Gibb. Keith Bennett and Noel Plews. Her mind is still as lively and her conversation as forthright and interesting as ever although her legs will not permit her to travel as fast as in days of yore.

It was pleasing to see our President and his daughter on a recent TV show.

Tom Archer is home. Mrs. Archer has also been in hospital. Our best wishes to them both for a speedy and permanent recovery.

Has anyone any information about “Dutchy” E. Holland 1922-25? Was he the recent landlord of the Gate Inn. Buckland, who has now emigrated to New Zealand?

The new tie has been approved by the Committee and is available from G. Lock, Biggin Street, Dover, price £1.05. It is a blue tie with a single coloured motif of the Pharos with the words Fiat Lux.

The attention of ordinary members is drawn to the decision to raise the Life Subscription from £5 to £7.50 from 1st August, 1973. Why not take advantage of the bargain offer during the remainder of this subscription year?

The Rev. and Mrs. Sandiford now reside at 13 River Street, Dover, on the retirement of the Rev. Sandiford after 40 years as priest and for many years Rector at Temple Ewell. Mrs. Sandiford will be remembered as the daughter of our first Headmaster.

THE HEADMASTER-23.9.72

Replying to the Toast “The School” the Headmaster noted the encouraging policy of the K.E.C. to develop and expand the present buildings. The School is likely to continue as a Grammar School for some years yet and must have a constant supply of new facilities to maintain the high standards already achieved. In particular a new Advanced Biology laboratory is to be built this year and a Music Room will follow. Plans have also been approved for a new Library. Staff Room, Medical Room. Careers Room and an Economics Centre. We hope that all this will be in use by 1974. He added that the inspiration for this must have come from the hard work and loyalty of the Old Boys, the Governors, the Parents, the Staff and the boys who have already provided a Swimming Pool and Middle School Clubhouse. The Head thanked all those concerned and looked forward with optimism to the future.

MR. WILLIAM WILTON BAXTER, MA.

His death on the 1st September, 1972 sees the departure of that notable band of men who laid the sound foundations of our School. He obtained his BA. after studies at Borough Road College, London 1909-11. and exhibition for one year 1911-12 at the Sorbonne. Paris. and his London M.A. in 1920. After service at Gosport and Ashford he joined D.C.S. in 1915. and then joined the Royal Naval Air Service. For over forty years he taught French at Ladywell. Frith Road and Astor Avenue. For many years he was responsible for the school time-table. which with the help of Charles Rowlands he made a work of art. Only in physique was he the smallest member of the Staff. for he was a volatile man full of energy and enthusiasm and born in the County of the broad acres. I am certain (as a Red) that the superiority of the Green in the House Championships during the 1920s was due in no small degree to the grit and drive of “Billy” and not entirely the prowess of its members.

A pioneer, some say he was the first dirt track ace, a keen golfer, when at Ebbw Vale he was at home with the Welsh and soon spoke the language fluently. He was always interested in the Old Boys and during the years 1940-5 he maintained production of the Pharos to record for posterity news of Old Boys.

During the last decade he experienced several bouts of illness, but although his movements were restricted his memory was very clear. When I visited him at his Gateway flat shortly before his passing, time was forgotten as we discussed so many things-his year in Paris on £65, how he joined the Staff, his daughter, the prints of his ancestors named Wilton, but mainly Old Boys and particularly recent visits by Bill Lovely, Nick Nowers and Bill Kemp which had given him great pleasure. Then we turned from nostalgia to the present for he knew his days were limited and he had requested Bill Kemp to conduct the final service. This wish was granted on a windy rain-swept day at Barham.

Memories are always with us. This autumn the parting is the sweeter sorrow since the memories that will lighten the coming days are such pleasant ones.

“Old Pharosian.”

RAYMOND A. COOK (1908-14)

His death on the 8th October, 1972 at the age of 74 means that the Association has lost one of those stalwarts who assisted in laying the foundations of the O.P.A. He was Secretary or Treasurer from 1923-37. In the first world war he was a lieutenant in the Artists Rifles. After working in garden design and construction, he began organising conducted holiday tours and in 1931 he charged 17 guineas for a 17 day Mediterranean tour. He raised funds for radio equipment in Dover Hospitals and thousands of pounds for the National Children’s Home of which he was a Governor, and also of Kent College, Canterbury. He was President of Dover Y.M.C.A. and of Dover Free Church Council.

A studious man, a religious man, a generous man, a man of character, he gave much to his fellow men and will be remembered with affection by all who knew him.

E.H.B.

ADDRESS BY THE REV. W. KEMP

(at Barham on the 9th September, 1972)

“Every funeral is a celebration.” So commended someone at a Conference I have been attending this week. I believe that is certainly true of this occasion-it is a day of thanksgiving. To remember him as “Billy” Baxter is to give him his rightful place in our affections.

His interests and abilities led him to spread his influence in many directions, and many of you will know more of that than I do. We shall all have our memories of him which we shall enjoy sharing because in everything he did Billy gave himself away—in every sense.

Let me share one or two.

Many of us recall his devotion to the old Country House of former days. I was talking to him quite recently about Sam Horrex whose athletic prowess was still a legend in my day. “Oh” said Billy, “Horrex was a Green, you know”.

His life, like his book shelves and his pocket book, was full of treasures which he was always ready to bring out and share. He possessed these treasures because he was an enthusiast for living, especially every new person was an experience worth having. This for him was what life was all about.

He once used a phrase like that to me. He was talking about the strokes which incapacitated him a few years ago. He said that he came to and found himself paralysed on the floor. It seemed that his life was ebbing away. “Soon” he thought” I shall know what it is all about”.

Now he knows, and that treasure for the time being he cannot share with us. But for all that he did share with us, his wife and family and all his friends, this is a day of celebration.

HAROLD ARNOLD STANWAY (1921-29)

The large and varied congregation which filled Buckland Church on the 24th January to pay tribute to Arnold Stanway, who died on the 18th January, 1973 in the Masonic Hospital, was sure evidence of the esteem and affection in which he was held. We gave thanks for one who had led a very full life, and even the following must be an incomplete list of his activities.

At School and Selwyn College, Cambridge, a leading cricketer and footballer. B.A. Degree, Cambridge. Football—Old Pharosians and Folkestone. Cricket—Dover C.C. (latterly Chairman) and K.C.C.C. Committee. Sub-Lieutenant RN.V.R during the War, serving in Australia and the Pacific. Former President Chamber of Commerce. Dover Rotary Club. Freemason—Founder member of Pharos and Bredenstone Lodges. Chairman of Buckland Press Ltd. until he retired in October 1972. Past President East Kent Association of Master Printers. President Old Pharosians 1965/6. Sponsor and Trustee of O.P. Jubilee Trust Fund.

Only those who knew him can realise the loss suffered by town and county. A kindly person, the full extent of his generosity is known only to the many recipients. He was a great player of fast bowling, but he was too upright to deal with the cunning spinner. The world is a poorer place for his passing, but the world will be a better place if we endeavour to maintain the high ideals he set himself. To his widow we express our heartfelt sympathy. We will remember him. A man’s man.

“Pharosian.”

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 1971-72

Current Account

	£			£
Balance b/f Bank & Cash	73.25		News Letters	22.40
Subscriptions	27.70		Loss on Lunch	1.20
May Ball—part share	12.09		Secretary’s Expenses	15.61
Dividend—3½% Stock	3.50		Wreath	2.27
			Stationery, etc.	2.15½
			Balance c/f Bank & Cash	72.90½
	£116.54			£116.54
Deposit Account
	£			£
Balance b/f	158.05		Balance c/f	162.73
Interest	4.68
	£162.73			£162.73
Register Account
	£			£
Balance b/f	69.60		Balance c/f	71.66
Interest	2.06
	£71.66			£71.66
W. F. Kemp, Hon. Treasurer.

Audited and found correct. 18.9.72. G. R. Plater, Hon. Auditor.

DATES FOR YOUR 1973 DIARY

6th April—C.C.F. Inspection.

18th May—May Ball at 8 p.m.
14th July—Old Boys’ Cricket Match at 2.30 p.m.
22nd September—OLD BOYS’ DAY. Football Match at 2.30 p.m. Annual General Meeting at 6.30 p.m. Dinner at 8 p.m. (Ladies are invited).

NEW MEMBERS

G. S. Partridge, 62 Minnis Lane, River.
S. R. Fagg, 33 Glenfield Road, Dover.
G. R. G. Nye, 122 Elms Vale Road, Dover.
R. Stafford, 26 Lower Road, River.
D. J. Towe, 34 Davis Avenue, Mill Hill, Deal.
W. R. Fittall, 52 Monins Road, Dover (Life).
K. Burton, 15 Sydney Road, Walmer (Life).
R. L. Hawkes, 181 London Road, Temple Ewell.
R. S. Terry, 35 Cowper Road, Dover.
J. D. Baile, 156 Markland Road, Dover.
R. C. Hastie, 45 Farthingloe Road, Dover.
F. P. Catt, 10 Cowper Road, Deal.
J. R. Catt, 10 Cowper Road, Deal.
D. Donnelly, 137 Elms Vale Road, Dover.
N. Smith, 5 New Cottages, Guston.
P. Cowper, 14 Bewsbury Cross Lane, Whitfield.
D. J. Gooding, 1 Longfield Road, Dover.
C. H. Pilcher, Flat 4, 79 Bouverie Road West, Folkestone.
R. V. Boyd, 6 Harold Street, Dover.
B. Burr, East Studdal Nurseries, East Studdal, Dover.
P. Knott, 2 Lyndhurst Road, River.
D. Fenner, Chapel Cottage, Ripple, Deal.
B. A. Howard, 5 River Drive, River (Life).

NEWS OF OLD BOYS

Ashley Brown (1962-69) has gained his degree in History at Caius, Cambridge. He is now at King’s College, London doing research work.

J. M. Aylen (1962-69) obtained a first class honours degree in Economics at Sussex University and is now doing research work at Worcester College, Oxford.

Gordon Paton (1931-38) has worked on British Rail boats since 1947. He is now purser on the Hengist and lives at Acrise.

Roger Dunt (195 – ) is a Leading Radio Operator on H.M.S.
Devonshire in the Far East. He is married with a four year old daughter.

Elgar T. Blaxland (1917-24) has retired after nearly fifty years at sea. He was Master of the “Golden Arrow” Invicta and lives at Temple Ewell.

Bemard V. Gutsell (1923-33) recently called at the School. He is in the Department of Geography, York University, Toronto, and edits a magazine on Cartography.

David Parkin (1962-70) has been commissioned at Sandhurst as a second lieutenant. He is entering the Royal Corps of Transport and hopes eventually to join the Army Air Corps.

Wilfred T. Sergeant (1919-27) died on the 4th August, 1972 at Sully. He was assistant general manager of David Morgan Ltd., Cardiff, until he retired three years ago owing to ill health.

B. Jarvist (1952-59) is a police sergeant at Whitby, Toronto, and met the Mayor of Dover on her recent visit to Canada.

Alan Smith (1962-69) has completed a three year course at Madeley College of Education and is joining the staff of a Slough junior school.

Roger C. Evans (1961-65) has obtained an Honours degree in Science at Queen Mary’s College, London.

Peter Jarvis (1957-60) has gained his Ph.D. at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, and has joined the staff there in the department of Metallurgy.

David Munn (1956-62) was presented with his pilots wings at R.A.F. Leeming.

Lawrence Briggs (1961-68) gained his B.A degree with Honours in French and German at Merton College, Oxford. He is now at Reading hoping to obtain his teaching certificate.

Leslie Whelton (1941-46) trained as a teacher after service in the Royal Navy. Although his main subjects are geography and statistics, he now takes remedial work in Maths at a Leeds school.

Paul Drayson (1960-68) gained an Honours degree at Coventry College of Education. He is teaching Maths and English at Romford.

Kevin Griffin (1962-69) obtained a B.Sc. Honours degree in Chemistry and Maths at Leeds University and is now at Carnegie Teachers’ Training College, Leeds.

F. C. Masters (1923-29), 43 Yew Tree Drive, Blackburn BB2 7DW (a Life Member) has written enclosing a donation to the Association funds. A contemporary of Bullen and Voizey (ii) on the train from Deal, he served in the Merchant Navy 1935-46. He has taken an early retirement from a Group of Engineering Companies with whom he was Sales Manager, and is now Regional Director for the North West for the Missions to Seamen.

Louis C. Sparham (1923-31). A memorial in the form of an oak plaque upon which are engraved the names of all incumbents of the parish was dedicated by the Rev. Trevor Huddleston, Bishop of Stepney, at St. Andrew’s Church, Buckland on 17th September, 1972. O.Ps will recall the tragic death of Louis in Tanzania on the 13th September, 1971.

L. G. Willcox (1946-52), 47 Sheld Drive, Lyneham, Wilts., has written to Ken Ruffell. .. The person you met at Bourton on the Water I can say with absolute certainty is Ted Girdler (1948-53) who comes from Deal. He joined the Red Arrows after I left. I did manage to be the Captain of one of the two support Hercules on their recent five week U.S.A and Canadian Tour. I owe much to “Teddy” Archer who was a bit of an ace at sending morse and better than any CCF member. I now have a Staff appointment at High Wycombe after a tour as Flight Commander on a Hercules Squadron including a year in Singapore.”

J. W. Dilnot (1948-56). Now Vicar of All Saints, Leeks, Staffs., with a wife and one child, visited the School in October.

Michael Davis (1947-49) works for Plessey Radar Ltd. and lives at 6 Little Buck Close, New Haw, Weybridge.

James Miller (1923-27) died suddenly on 30th November, 1972. For many years he farmed at Capel and Farthingloe and recently resided at The Gateway Flats.

Emest (Ruins) W. Hampshire (1925-32), B.Sc.(Eng.)London, M.I.C.E., F.I.W.E., lives at 112 Okus Road, Swindon, Wilts., and is Water Engineer and Manager, Swindon Borough Council whom he joined in 1956. After a brief spell on civil engineering with the G.W. Railway, he was with the Metropolitan Water Board 1937-52, and then spent four years with Howard Humphrey & Sons as Senior Water Engineer. He was a member of Rosslyn Park A Rugby side, and ran for Kent in the Inter Counties Athletics before the war. When visiting Kent he stays at Shepherdswell and has applied for country membership of the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Deal. If he could arrange a game with any O.P. he would be delighted. He sends a donation for the W. E. Pearce Memorial Fund.

G. Curry (1926-36), 1505 Mallard Lane, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A 33579. It was a pleasure to meet him at the Dinner.

G. L. Watt (1928-39). Deputy Head of Tollington Park School, Islington, was interviewed in the T.V. programme” Tonight” concerning the non-attendance of children at the comprehensive school.

A. Bottle (1919-24) served in the RAS.C. during the war. He has recently retired after 35 years as a newsagent in Folkestone Road and Elms Vale Road. He has three children and five grandchildren.

Miss Rookwood writes that she has had recent visits from Fred Greenstreet (1915-22) and Lindsay Phillips (1915-23). Lindsay taught at the Forest School, Epping Forest and later at Watford Grammar School. He and his wife now live at Bognor Regis, and he writes articles for the Genealogists’ Magazine.

P. Clare (1962-66) has gained his Ph.D. in Science at Liverpool. J. Clare (1962-64) is now working in Zurich after spending some time with a precious metal worker in Hatton Gardens. R. Clare (1964-71) is at Surrey University. Peter and John are both married.

S. Pinnock (1963-65) has been appointed assistant to the Director of Music, Whitgift School, Croydon. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

R. Mitchell (1960-67) c/o of 67 St. James Street, Rugby, writes ” I have gained F.T.C. (C & G) with credit and have gone on to do B.Sc.(Mech.Eng.) at North Staffordshire Polytechnic. I am a qualified football referee and have reached green belt standard at karate”.

R. A. Spicer (1961-69) has gained a first class honours B.Sc. A.R.C.S. at Imperial College, London in Botany. He has begun his Ph.D. in the Geology Department of I.C.S. He regretted his absence from the Dinner but was on a seven weeks Biological Expedition to Addu Atoll in the Southern Maldive Islands carrying out a vegetation survey and study of land crabs.

J. C. Binfie1d (1951-58) was a guest speaker at the speech day of our sister Grammar School on 3rd November, 1972. He is a nephew of the Mayor of Dover and is lecturer in modern history at Sheffield University. His wife Dr. Noreen Binfield presented the prizes.

E. Morecroft (1918-21) and M. Morecroft have retired on disposal of their family ironmongery business in the High Street.

It is with regret that we record the death on 12th September, 1972 of Capt. Hubert Frank Chase (1908-16) O.B.E., B.Sc., Warden of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, and formerly Principal of King Edward VII Nautical College. Contemporaries will remember that the present Priory (Town) House was originally named Chase House.

A JUBILEE REUNION

September 1973 will mark the golden jubilee of the entry into the School of our Hon. Treasurer, W. F. Kemp. He wishes to gather together for the next annual dinner on 22nd September, 1973 as many as possible of those who joined the School in 1923. H such a reunion appeals to any of those named below (extracted from the school records) they may care to drop him a line as soon as possible. It should be worthwhile even though only some old friends come. Of course, not only those mentioned but anyone interested in the possibility of meeting some of these Old Boys should contact the Rev. William Kemp, the Rectory, Denton, Canterbury. The list is printed in full because the present whereabouts of many of these Old Boys are unknown. Bill will be grateful for any information you can give him. George Hunt, Ronald and Athol Voizey, Ronald Stonehouse, Edward Binfield, John Davis, Arthur Youden, Robert Simmons, Ivon Austin, Ronald Fea, Francis Goodridge, Hubert Hopkins, Albert Kennett, Ernest Legg, Leslie Peters, Sidney Schroeder, Cyril Harley, Lionel Bach, Frank Masters, Harold Baker, Victor Deverson, Wallace Goldfinch, Ernest Martin, Sydney Teasdale, Oaude Matthews, Gordon Allen, Frank Constable, Albert Dewar, Frank Godfrey and Bernard Gutsell.

CRICKET

The assembly of the Old Boys’ team for the match on the 15th July, 1972 was an interesting business. Some replied to the invitation in the News Letter, the remainder were invited by Ken Ruffell after he had studied recent photos of cricket XI’s in the diningroom. The team was: W. Nadin, D. Hudson, P. Jewkes, B. Crush, J. Morgan, W. Ratcliffe, R. Crisp, A. Goodwin, W. Fittall, R. Winter, W. Kemp (Capt.), with umpires R. Russell and K. Ruffell.

Contrary to the drawn games of recent years there was a slight miscalculation and the Old Boys won by 22 runs. P. Jewkes retired after scoring 55 and he was ably assisted by D. Hudson 26. Seven Old Boys bowled and Goodwin, Crush and Winter took three wickets each.

It was a pleasant and enjoyable afternoon. Next game 14th July, 1973. Drop a line to Ken Ruffell if you would like to play, if not call in for a chat.

OLD BOYS’ DAY 23rd SEPTEMBER, 1972

The proceedings commenced on a very pleasant afternoon with the football match on the lower field. The first half saw the teams evenly matched but the Old Boys failed to stay the pace and were overcome 5-1. Referee Elleray again maintained admirable control. Team: M. Warden, J. Dean, R. Hall, M. Durrant, G. Carroll, D. Towe, A. Angus, W. Ratcliffe, J. Baile, C. Flood, M. Palmer.

The bar opened in the Hall at 6 p.m. and members adjourned to the Library for the A.G.M. where the President (Ray Russell) took the chair. Apologies were received from Messrs. J. C. Booth, A. C. Bradbeer, D. Grinsted, A. H. Gunn, M. Pascall, G. R. Plater, D. K. Slater, P. A. Slater, H. A. Stanway, N. V. Sutton and D. G. Weaver. Undoubtedly some senior members find it difficult to attend an evening function at the School. The Balance Sheet presented by the Hon. Treasurer and audited by George Plater is reprinted in this News Letter. The amendment to the Constitution regarding the subscription was approved w.e.f. 1st August, 1973. It was reported that three life members had generously forwarded donations to the funds. Bernard Harrison was elected President and Denis Gibb, Vice-President. All other officers (except the Asst. Hon. Sec.) were re-elected. M. Palmer was elected to the Committee vice D. Weaver who resigned, and R. Winter and J. Henry were re-elected. The meeting closed at 7.25 p.m. when we returned to the Hall to join our ladies. Nearly 100 Old Boys, ladies and guests enjoyed a first class dinner and the caterers are to be congratulated. The President proposed the Loyal Toast and then “The School” to which the Head replied. The Vice-President proposed “The Guests” and Dr. Hinton replied in nostalgic vein. The President must have been gratified by the success of the evening and the presence of Dr. Hinton and of Dr. G. Curry from U.S.A. gave added pleasure to the day’s events. The tables were moved and the floor cleared for dancing to the Key Notes, although many seemed to linger to recall former days.

The following were present at the dinner, the majority accompanied by a lady guest: Messrs. Blackman, Bird, Bish, Bailey, Baker, Beer. Burr. Burton. Castle, Coulson, Coveney, Crouch, Colman, Curry, Denham, Fittall, Gretton, Gunn, Gladish, D. Gibb, M. Gibb, Harrison, Hinton, Howard, Hall, Henry, Kemp, King, Maynard, Mummery, May, Pain, Prescott, Parrott, Payne, Ratcliffe, Reeve, F. Rhodes, Rhodes, Russell, Ruffell, Sayers, Slater, N. Smith, M. Smith, Salter, Stourton, Standen, Tuthill, Tolputt, Talbot, Wenborn, Winter, Welburn, Wilson, Walker, Weaver, Woolhouse.

E.H.B.

GUEST EVENING 1972

Every School day is important but on one day of the year the School is entitled to display itself and indulge in self-appraisal whether it is called Guest Evening, Open Day or Prize Giving. Today it has achieved a watershed between the empirical occasions of the twenties and the ultra modern events of the sixties. Tradition is maintained but the function has been streamlined to cope with the speed of the seventies. It is still a privilege to attend. Impressions which will live for many a day are of an enthusiastic orchestra without staff support in the background, a forceful speech by the Headmaster with not a written note, the improved appearance of the pupils, an unusually short and witty speech by Mr. A. R. Tammadge (Headmaster of Sevenoaks School), an eloquent reader of a literary work, a first-class performance by the Choir, the warm reception for last year’s Head Boy when he received the Mayor of Dover’s Prize, and the confident and faultless part played by this year’s Head Prefect.

E.H.B.