1988 January

OPA Newsletter January 1988

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New Series No. 53

January 1988

THE OLD PHAROSIANS’

NEWS LETTER

Memory is the treasurer of the mind.

President:

Dr. George Curry,

649 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach, Florida, 33510 USA

Secretary:

Philip Harding, Esq., 6 Monins Road, Dover. CT17 9NX

Treasurer:

Ian Pascall, Esq., 45a Bewsbury Cross Lane, Whitfield CT16 3EZ

Editor:

K. H. Ruffell, Esq., 193 The Gateway, Dover CT16 1LL

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Fellow Old Pharosians,

It was an honour and pleasure to be elected your President at this year’s AGM. I shall try to do as well as my predecessor, Peter Burville, to whom our warmest thanks. The same meeting saw Alf Gunn and Terry Sutton re-elected as committee members, and we are fortunate to retain the services of secretary Philip Harding, assistant secretary Colin Henry and treasurer Ian Pascall. It was also a great satisfaction to welcome Maurice Smith as vice-president. In my absence from the UK he will be, I know, a most able deputy. Further, in this positive list of acknowledgements, let me mention the valued services of our honorary archivist, Sid Wenborn; our auditor, Bert Stone; J. B. Quinn and R. Gabriel of the school staff and Stephen Barry the head prefect; with a very special word on Ken Ruffell, our own “Great Communicator”, whose work on the Newsletter and, recently, the School History continues to be invaluable. On your behalf, let me thank all those who labour in the good cause of a strong and active OP Association.

Those who attended the annual dinner seem to have fully enjoyed the occasion. I thought the food and service quite excellent and, in the principal remarks of the evening, the Headmaster was in top form: he made us feel, as he always does, that the Old Pharosians are a welcome asset to the staff and to himself in their efforts to provide a progressive and liberal education at DGS for all who can benefit from it.

Later, in November, when my wife and I attended, on your behalf, the Guest Evening, Mr. Colman made no secret of the problems confronting educators, but his claims of the School’s progress and high morale were fully justified by the spirit and deeds of the occasion. The boys looked lively intelligent, proud to be there and, as we have grown to expect, the musical entertainments were superb.

In committee since the AGM, we have concentrated principally on ways to use the benefits of charitable status, recently obtained, and on plans for the great Whitehouse reunion to be held on Saturday, 26th March. 1988. Details of this historic (or should I say “prehistoric”?) event will be found following my letter. If it succeeds, it will not only be a memorable reunion but will also give us additional opportunity to carry on our support of the School.

In closing, let me say we always need new members and the correct addresses of the present membership. You know where to write, the addresses are at the head of this Newsletter. Your comments and enquiries will always be welcome.

Very best wishes to you all,

George Curry.

THE WHITEHOUSE REUNION. Saturday, 26th March, 1988

All Old Pharosians are welcome, i.e. all who were at any time boys or staff at the school.

Personal invitations have gone from the President to those members of the Association who were “at school under Freddie Whitehouse”: but they may also be able to extend invitations to their contemporaries and friends who would like to be present to celebrate the achievements and style of the Founding Headmaster.

Ladies are very welcome: we should be glad to have their company and believe they could find the day interesting.

11.15 a.m. Exhibition, prepared by our honorary archivist, Sidney Wenborn, in the school’s Great Hall.

12.20 p.m. The bell will sound for School Dinner (an authentic menu of the period) in the school dining room.

After lunch. Reassembly in the hall, where several speakers, including survivors of the Staff Room of the time, will give their memories and impressions, after which the floor will be open for others to contribute.

About 3.15 p.m. The present Headmaster will close the meeting and offer the traditional “tea and buns”.

Tickets are £5 each and will in part be a contribution to Association funds. If you cannot come but would consider sending a donation please do so, if you wish with a reasonably polite greeting or message which can be read to those present.

You obtain tickets by finding among the papers that accompany this Newsletter a return slip for completion and postage to the editor.

Guests of honour for the occasion will be the Rev. and Mrs. Sandiford and Messrs. Coulson, Kendall and King, surviving members of the Whitehouse staff.

CHARITABLE STATUS AND COVENANTING

Following the achievement of Charitable Status, some amendments were necessary to the Association’s Constitution. Copies of the amended Constitution could be supplied by the secretary on request from members.

Benefit from charitable status is already gained by receipt of interest without deduction of tax on our building society account.

Further very considerable benefits to the Association may accrue from covenanting. There are three ways in which this may be done:

1. by new life-members who are tax-payers or school-leavers whose tax-paying fathers are willing to covenant for them, undertaking to pay the £20 life membership subscription in four annual payments each of £5;
2. by tax-paying members who pay an annual subscription of £2 agreeing to covenant to pay their subscriptions for at least four years.
3. by tax-paying life members of long-standing who are willing to “top up” their original subscription by covenanting to pay any sum annually for at least the next four years.

The mechanics for transferring from government some of the income tax you pay so as to benefit the Old Pharosians’ Association are as follows:

1. enclosed are two Deeds of Covenant, one on pink paper for new life members (£5.00 p.a.) and the other on yellow paper for annual members (£2.00 p.a.). Long-standing members prepared to “top up” may fill up either form, covenanting for £2 or £5, or they can amend the amount as they see fit;
2. please complete both the deed and banker’s order;
3. then send the paper to our secretary, Philip Harding, 6 Monins Road, Dover CT17 9NX.

In, due course he will send to you the appropriate official tax form for you to complete and return; and the banker’s order to your bank. Apart from a bit of form filling and postage there is no additional cost to you but great potential gain for the Association and the school.

Readers will surely appreciate that our Accountant/Treasurer has given us invaluable professional advice and expertise; and our Administrator/Secretary is willing to undertake a considerable workload in operating this new facility.

CORRESPONDENCE

Partly because of the “History of the School, 1905-31,” which accompanied the last Newsletter, the volume of correspondence has increased, which is always welcome. Letters have been received from: The Bishop of Dover, E. H. Baker, Harry Blackford, John Booth, Peter Burville, John Gatt, Mrs. S. Cocke, Mervyn Cooke, D. W. Cornelius, G. Curry, G. A. Evans. K. W. Forward, V. Fryer, Denis Gibb, D. Q. Harvey.

Andrew Hayden. N. J. Hayes. Rev. Dr. Michael Hinton, Sir Clifford Jarrett, Bruce Jarvie, Miss L. Kay, Rev. William Kemp. Ken Marsh, Wing-Cdr. E. H. B. Martin, R. Mercer, A. Nice, R. E. Smith, Wing-Cdr. John Thorpe, Mrs. L. Turnpenny, Bob Unstead, V. Wraight, Ivor Weeks and Frank West-Oram.

To all of these the editor expresses his grateful thanks and his hopes that all have received replies.

Perhaps some kind correspondent may be able to let the editor have the addresses of the following members with whom we now have no contact:
C. F. Askie, M. J. Kilmurray, A. J. Knott, C. Reed. L. C. Segal.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS.

With six hundred and fifty members, all now on a computer file, we are more readily able to add new members, erase where necessary and above all—keep our mailing list up-to-date when men move from one address to another. It is such a waste of time, energy and money to send Newsletters to an out-dated address.

SO PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS.

We have recently received news of the following changes of address:

J. R. Catt, 15 St. Andrew’s Close, N. Baddesley, Southampton SO5 9GJ. M.

J. Cooke. Fitzwilliam College. Cambridge CB3 ODG. Canon J. Dilnot, The Vicarage, Priory Gardens, Folkestone.

R. J. B. Hood, 17 Delfside, Sandwich CT13 9RL.

Bruce Jarvis, 7 Cobbett Place. Cavendish Street, Peterborough PE1 5EW.

G. Miles, 30 Cypress Avenue, Ashford, Kent.

J. E. Pearce. 52 Elm Park, London. SW2 2TX.

P. W. Wilberforce, Clach-a-Mhuilinn, Crannag-a-Mhinnisteir, Oban. Argyll, PA34 4LX.

R. Gretton, 7 Benesford Road. Goudhurst TN17 1DN.

H. R. W. Watkins, 5 Rosebery Avenue, New Malden KT3 4JS.

Some recent new members. other than school leavers:

G. A. Evans. 27 Hales Drive. St. Stephens. Canterbury CT2 7AB.

R. Falconer, 1 Robin Close. Lenham, near Maidstone.

V. Wraight, 2 Wings Close. Broadstairs CT10 1DT.

Wing-Cdr. E. H. B. Martin. 8 Atherton Way. Canal Hill, Tiverton EX16 4EW.

K. W. Forward, MBE, 164 Shepherd’s Lane, Dartford DA1 2PQ.

Wing-Cdr. J. Thorpe. 24 Orchard Avenue, Deal CT14 9RW.

NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION

OLD BOYS’ DAY, SATURDAY, 19th SEPTEMBER, 1987

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. Members present: President P. Burville. Vice-President G. Curry.
   T. Sutton. K. H. Ruffell. E. H. Baker, B. Harrison. D. Gibb, J. Pascall, F. Rhodes. S. Wenborn. M. H. Smith, J. B. Quinn, T. Beer, A. Stone, A. Tolputt, W. E. Collard. R. C. Colman. M. Palmer. I. D. Pascall. S. Ratcliffe. R. Stourton, J. Borret. J. D. McNeil.
   Apologies were received from: Messrs. Fenn. Fenwick, Harding, Henry, Le Provost. E. H. Martin, F. Martin, A. F. Rhodes, Skelton, Unstead, Weaver. White, Winter.
2. The minutes of the 1986 AGM were approved.
3. The treasurer’s report was presented with professional expertise and is reproduced in this Newsletter. Treasurer also showed a summary of income and expenditure accounts over the past ten years. The growth of income and expenditure is remarkable but the treasurer points out in the bottom line that if life subscriptions are regarded as capital sources of income rather than expendable income then the association is left with an “annual deficit”.
4. Philip Harding coupled his good-humoured secretary’s report with his apology for absence because, as a good schoolmaster, he was refereeing a school soccer match. He also refereed in the afternoon the annual soccer match between school and old boys, reported elsewhere in this Newsletter. His report praised the work of Peter Burville in his year as president, particularly in his guidance of committee affairs and in the successful inauguration of the Lux Line project that has placed invaluable information in the hands of the school careers master.
5. Election of officers and committee for the coming year proceeded smoothly in the general atmosphere of willingness to be of service.
   President: Dr. George Curry. Vice-President: Maurice Smith.
   Secretary: Philip Harding. Treasurer: Ian Pascall. Assistant Secretary: Colin Henry. Newsletter Editor: Ken Ruffell. Archivist: S. Wenborn. Committee Members: W. Skelton, M. Palmer (to 1988). R. Winter, W. Newman (to 1989). T. Sutton, A. Gunn (to 1990). Staff Members: M. H. Smith and R. Gabriel. Staff Representive: J. B. Quinn.
6. Treasurer spoke on the matter of Charitable Status granted to the school during the past year. The first advantage is that our interest from a building investment now comes without deduction of income tax.
   There are other procedures that can be adopted by members to the considerable advantage of the association. These will be discussed in committee and reported elsewhere in the Newsletter.
7. There was little “any other business” and George Curry brought the meeting to a conclusion at 12 noon.

The next Old Boys’ Day will be on Saturday, 17th September, 1988.

Old Pharosians’ Association Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 July 1987

Expenditure
Newsletters		538.12		Subscriptions		590.75
Expenses – Secretary	24.73			Donations		96.00
Expenses – Treasurer	1.30			Dinner – ticket sales	982.25
		26.03		Dinner costs	855.70
School Prizes		20.00				126.55
School History – net cost		163.00		War Loan Interest (see Note 1)		3.50
Notice Board lettering		25.00		Building Society Interest		173.52
				London Reunion surplus		2.04
				Bernard Denham Testimonial Fund – Donations		130.00
				Cost of Cricket Scoreboard		130.00
Surplus for the year		220.21
		£992.36				£992.36

Balance Sheet at 31 July 1987

Lloyds Bank Current Account		289.61		Creditors		328.26
Woolwich Equitable Building Society		3218.67		Revenue Reserve at 1st August 1986 (see note 2)	3069.81
1987 Dinner Expense		10.00		Surplus for year	220.21
Money receivable		100.00				3290.02
		£3618.28				£3618.28

Notes: 1. The Association holds 3.5% War Loan with a nominal value of £100.
2. The balance at 1st August, 1986, is as previously reported but amended for an organ loan adjustment and correction of an income analysis error last year.

I. D. Pascall, ACA, Hon Treasurer A. G. Stone, Hon Auditor.

OFFERS FOR SALE

Prints of the school £22.50 or £15.00 according to quality of frame.

Copies of the book “Fifty Years On, 1931-81”. £5.00.

“History of the Dover County School, 1905-31.” £1.00.

School Carol Service, a Celebration of Christmas. On cassette, £4.50.

Please write to the editor or to the school: Cheques in favour of Dover Grammar School for Boys.

THE ANNUAL DINNER

Before going into the Great Hall many Old Pharosians and their ladies visited an Art Exhibition, very kindly mounted by Kelvin Carter, of some work in various art forms done by ‘A’ level students in previous years.

In the hall there was the usual scrummage to talk to as many friends as possible before being called to table. There were present about 180 people, several contemporaries of the new president coming from distant parts of Britain, a short haul by comparison to the president’s travel from Florida. Perhaps we need a Presidential Jet.

The caterers presented the tables extremely attractively and the menu was excellent. The head prefect proposed the loyal toast and George Curry proposed the toast to the school. He had a light touch as he outlined his hopes and plans for his year in office. Headmaster replied with his familiar post-prandial eloquent pride in his school and care for the young. Forty Years On, with organ accompaniment was sung with vigour by some who were forty, fifty, sixty or more years on.

It is well to record that the staff work for the evening was done by Maurice Smith, president designate to follow George Curry next September; and to end with a slight adaptation of lines by Hilaire Belloc:

I will hold my house on a high hill

Within a walk of the sea

And the men that were boys when I was a boy

Shall eat and drink with me.

SCHOOL v. OLD BOYS MATCH. 19th September, 1987

The 1987 School v. Old Boys match proved to be the closest fought for several years with the School coming from behind twice to win 2-3. An early goal for the Old Boys was met with an equaliser before half-time, but when, following a period of sustained pressure, they went ahead again midway through the second half, it appeared that their run of victories in recent years would be extended. However, the School team showed admirable composure and character to hit back with two quick goals to snatch victory and regain the Andrew Kremer Memorial Trophy.

The Old Boys were represented by Pete Norris, Steve Gabriel, Chris King, Simon Jones, Dave Little, Neil Castle, Mark Castle, Steve Blake, Alan Freeman, Ramon San Emeterio and John Allingham (snr).

The editor is grateful to Mike Palmer for the above account.

FORMATION OF A GOLFING SOCIETY

Steve Bailey, a master in the school, is starting a golfing society because there are boys who are enthusiastic to develop their game. Steve would welcome any Old Pharosians who would like to know more about the idea. Until he hears from any who are interested he is unable to make progress so you are invited to write to Steve or the editor.

ART STUDENTS

Mr. Kelvin Carter mounted an exhibition on Old Boys’ Day of work done in recent years by ‘A’ level art students. He would like to arrange another exhibition of work by old boys who have gone to Art College and would be willing to loan some of their work done at college or later. If you are able to help, please write to Mr. Carter at the school.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ROOM, Tuesday, 17th November, 1987

The President, Dr. George Curry, was in the chair. Treasurer reported that the Association’s financial assets stood at £480 in the bank and £3,300 building society capital account where interest was now being received gross of tax since we received charitable status. The annual dinner in September made a profit of £100. Repairs to the school organ, costing £3,000 over the past five years, have now been financed by equal shares between the Old Pharosians and the Parents. Profits from the May Ball in recent years would be shared, according to traditional practice, between Parents, Old Pharosians and the School.

There was much discussion of two important matters that are treated elsewhere:

1. the Whitehouse celebration on Saturday, 26th March, 1988.

2. the Association’s Charitable Status and Covenanting.

Members may like to note that the date of Old Boys’ Day 1988 with its AGM, soccer match and dinner is Saturday, 17th September.

CRICKET – Old Pharosians v. Dover Grammar School, 11 July 1987

Old Pharosians
T. Padfield b. Baggs	7		J. Corless c. Adams, b. Bagley	22
D. Hudson b. Baggs	6		C. Thomson c. Beer, b. Coleman	3
P. Castle c. Gibbons, b. Swinerd	35		S. Cullen c. Adams, b. Beer	9
A. Beer b. Castle	7		C. Swinerd b. Bagley	9
K. Tolputt lbw Cullen	15		S. Gibbons b. Beer	5
P. Coleman lbw Castle	1		N. Castle lbw Beer	5
J. Sheather not out	30		R. Farr c. Padfield, b. Booth	3
P. Gretton c. Castle, b. Cullen	0		J. Spain b. Beer	0
C. Adams not out	15		I. Hill c. Adams, b. Booth	3
J. Booth did not bat			D. Sabin c. Adams, b. Beer	2
N. Bagley did not bat
Extras	16		Extras	8
Total for 7 wickets declared	132

69 A. Beer – 5 wickets for 12

The afternoon began with a brief observation by the teams and others present that this was the first use of the score-board made by Mr. Fieldwick in the school workshops and paid for by subscribing Old Pharosians as a memorial to the late Mr. Bernard Denham.

The Old Boys batted capably and at tea had about 130 for 7 wickets. They declared and after a lengthy and sociable tea interval the school was dismissed for about 70 runs.

The game was played in a good spirit in very good weather on a wicket about which the less said the better.

NEWS OF THE SCHOOL

Guest Evening – 20th November 1987

The head prefect began proceedings with a speech of welcome and ended with a vote of thanks, in both cases showing a mature confidence.

The headmaster spoke mainly in disparagement of the proposed Education Bill now before the Commons. He disliked the attempt to define the hours to be worked by teachers and the amount of curricular time to be devoted to the core subjects. He felt that artistic and other valued activities would suffer. On the other hand he welcomed the greater freedom enjoyed by schools to use finance in ways that seemed most valuable; at least education was now in the middle of political thinking.

Adrian Boynton’s music at intervals throughout the evening showed the precision and variety we have come to expect. A large choir, an orchestra and able instrumentalists gave real pleasure to the audience.

Dr. Ruth Curry handed out certificates and prizes with the utmost charm and lively interest to a seemingly endless stream of recipients.

The boys still in school and most of those who had left showed by their dress and bearing that they appreciated the care that had gone into the preparation of the evening. There were others, alas, who one presumes were dressed for some subsequent disco that would apparently be the main objective of their evening.

Dr. George Curry, formerly a Professor of English Literature and still recognised as an authority on Dickens, had the wisdom to tell a couple of stories that had a purpose and were told with such aplomb and dramatic skill as to command complete attention. He wisely limited advice to just one emphasis on the value of good human relationships in the efficient conduct of educational processes.

The following members of the Sixth Form gained places at University:

Bainbridge, N. Durham University, Chemistry.

Barter, M. A.. Swansea University, Economic and Social History.

Beard, D. Oxford University, Engineering, Economics and Management.

Cooke, S. G. Sheffield University, Electronic Engineering.

Cullen, S. Nottingham University, English Studies and Latin.

Dryden, R. D. London Imperial University, Aeronautical Engineering.

Ficken, R. H. UWIST, Maritime Geography.

Harris, I. A. C. Leicester University, French and German.

Jowett, G. C. Leeds University, Management Studies and Mathematics.

Kent, I. J. Sheffield University, Geography.

Lawrence, M. J. Essex University, Modern Languages and Linguistics.

Needham, D. W. Bath University, Mechanical Engineering.

Neil, R. J. East Anglia University, Computer Science.

Newall, C. W. Aston University, Ophthalmic Optics.

Pain. J. A. Nottingham University, Physics.

Palmer, M. T. Warwick University, Mathematics.

Pennington, M. S. Bristol University, Ancient Mediterranean Studies.

Rowing, A. R. Exeter University, Ancient History and Archaeology.

Scullion, S. F. Nottingham University, Spanish Studies.

Smithen, M. Warwick University, Mathematics.

Villatoro, F. London Westfield, French and Spanish.

Willoughby, M. C. Hull University, Spanish and French.

The following gained places on degree level courses at Polytechnics

Aram R. N. Plymouth, Fishery Science.

Corrigan, A. J. Portsmouth, Geography.

Eades, M. B. Portsmouth, Civil Engineering.

Godden, M. J. Middlesex, Geography.

Hall, D. C. Brighton, Architecture.

Holmes, C. J. Birmingham. Industrial Information Technology.

Howitt, C. Portsmouth, Civil Engineering.

Simmonds, M. A. Hatfield, Mathematics.

Solanki, A. North London, Geology and Geography.

Soppitt, J. M. Oxford, Law and Psychology.

Theobald, K. A. Middlesex, Geography and Philosophy.

Turner, B. M. North Staffordshire, Modern Studies.

Villatoro, F. Central London, French and Spanish.

Zimdahl, S. H. Oxford, Catering.

Thursday, 23rd July – Final Assembly at the end of the Summer Term.

There were the usual awards of trophies and colours for athletics, cricket and swimming. Some boys had distinguished themselves as chess players and one boy had been second on one occasion and third on another in Kent trampoline championships.

The house championship for all sports during the year had been won by Priory House.

Farewells were said to departing teachers. Three assistants in the modern language department were going home to France, Germany and Spain.

Mr. Miller, PE teacher, was leaving the teaching profession. Mr. Owen, Old Pharosian with experience of life in Papua New Guinea, had done much in the school for the teaching of English and Drama. He had written and produced plays and passed boys on to the National Youth Theatre. In recent years Mr. Owen had taken parties of boys to West Africa and to Samarkand. He had found time to study to enter the ministry of the Church of England and he is now in Holy Orders and will work in a parish.

John Ellls, life member of the Old Pharosians, is also retiring.

Mr. Ian Bird has been in the school for 30 years and Headmaster described Ian as a tower of strength and a trusted personal friend.

In reply Mr. Bird claimed that he had received a personal honour that was without precedent in this or any school. He unwrapped and put on a school cap of the Dover Grammar School, no longer worn by the boys.

Forty Years On was sung, followed by the school hymn, “Let there be Light”.

As on a previous occasion, a chorister approached your editor and gave him a hymn book, a courtesy touching the heart closely.

The RAF section of the School’s Combined Cadet Force has reached the last three in the United Kingdom’s Cadets Strike Command competition.

The School CCF had an open day in July to demonstrate their training to parents and friends.

A special issue of prints showing a picture of the present school buildings is on sale. A hundred signed copies in wood frames cost £22.50 each and 200 unsigned copies in black plastic frames cost £14.50 each. Write to the School secretary for copies.

The School swimmers were winners in a Sports Centre gala in October.

Autumn Weather

October was the second wettest month since World War Two: 8.25 inches of rain fell in the month.

Friday, 16th October had winds of hurricane force with gusts exceeding 100 m.p.h. Over a million trees were uprooted in southern England The School lost several trees and many tiles from the roof. Rain then penetrated classrooms and gave rise to electrical problems with the result that boys were sent home on Friday afternoon. 13th November. It’s an ill wind. . . .!

Awards

Nigel Bainbridge and John Pain were each given £500 to help them in their further education. The awards were made from a fund established by James A. Johnson, a former Town Clerk. A major award was also made to a girl leaving our sister School to go to Cambridge to read law.

Athletic Sports

The school still has a Sports Day for seniors at the end of May before public exams begin, and another Sports Day for juniors and middle school boys near the end of the summer term.

SCHOOL MUSIC

12th and 15th July

The choir and instrumentalists, including some Old Pharosians, with well-known “friends of the school” as soloists gave performances of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas followed by Bach’s Magnificat. The standards of performance were, as ever, astonishingly high and must have been a memorable experience for all who took part and for those who listened.

On Television

BBC Songs of Praise, recorded on 26th July on the beach near the clock tower with the school choir and Adrian Boynton prominent in the operation, was broadcast on 23rd August. Scott Farrell. aged 16, was at the organ, the youngest in the programme since it started in 1961. He recently achieved a pass at Grade 8, with honours.

Saturday, 24th October – An Austrian Evening

This evening with a difference proved popular and profitable. By the kindness of the Rev. Patrick Jones. the school was allowed to use Charlton Church with its excellent acoustics. Flowers and flags in the red and white colours of Austria were displayed; a girl in Austrian national costume sold programmes. The Austrian national anthem was sung by the choir in the native tongue after only one week of study. In an interval there was appelstrudel; and cream with the coffee, but in the fifteen minutes available with a queue stretching into the street it proved impossible to serve everyone.

Good publicity and the school’s musical reputation had sold two hundred tickets but a fine evening brought a further hundred and fifty people through the door. The central nave was filled and extra seating was added. The music of Viennese composer ranging from the masters of past centuries to Hammerstein’s Sound of Music gave scope for choirs, orchestra and vocal and instrumental soloists to offer a concert of wide-ranging appeal.

The school’s musical resources were enhanced by two well-known singers, Jean Lewis and Peter Booth, who clearly enjoyed singing in such a place to so responsive an audience. These soloists of high quality are indeed good friends of music and of the school.

Ray Warner presented with professional skill two films, one of Austria in summer with tremendous mountain scenery, and the other of Christmas in Austria.

The takings were £600 giving a profit of £400 for the funds of the school’s Friends of Music. Without financial resources the present range of achievement and experience for so many boys would not be possible.

4th November

An evening of chamber music played by Gillian Kenchington (flute), John Harper (oboe), William Kenchington (clarinet) and Adrian Boynton (piano) – nice music by experts enjoying playing their music to an appreciative audience.

9th November – Iolanthe

A concert version of this Gilbert and Sullivan opera was performed by a chorus mainly from the Operatic Society with an orchestra of boys and professional instrumentalists. Several old boys were involved and a good audience showed their appreciation of a lively production.

A choir and instrumentalists from the two Dover Grammar Schools gave a concert in Zeebrugge on 10th July.

A concert in Calais has created links between a Calais school with over a thousand pupils and our own school.

Piano wanted

The school music department is badly in need of a good upright or small grand piano. Any offers of gift or sale would be appreciated and could be sent to the editor.

Sunday evening, 6th December

The Betteshanger Band gave a concert with a Christmas flavour to an audience seated at tables on which were drinks and mince pies. Elizabeth Weaver and Peter Booth contributed vocal solos to an enjoyable musical and sociable evening.

The Carol Service, 16th December

This annual celebration of Christmas was as well attended and well received as ever.

The young choristers have as usual a couple of gifted soloists: while the senior boys and Old Pharosians at the back have the benefit of a musical education gathered through their school life. Stephen Yarrow, Old Pharosian, was at the organ and the Director of music, assisted by a few other masters. arranges this celebration that gives so much pleasure.

Westminster Abbey

Do you live or work in or near London? The school choir sings Evensong in Westminster Abbey on Monday, 11th April at 5 p.m.

The May Ball is on 14th May 1988. Write to the school for tickets.

Obituaries

Major-General G A Bond. CB, CBE (1912-18) died in his sleep at home aged 85, just twelve days after the death of his wife. He went through Sandhurst and saw service with the RASC in UK, Gibraltar. Norway and so many other countries that the total became sixty-four. He trained as a parachutist in 1943 and served in 6 Airborne Division. After the war he held various high offices in the Middle East and War Office—and he was Colonel Commandant of the RASC. He had served on the staff of Field Marshal Montgomery who became a life-long friend. He was a good swimmer, a keen skier, and an enthusiastic yachtsman who had taken part in the Fastnet race.

Gary Gray (1982-85) died after a road accident on 1st November. He was serving with the 21st Engineers’ Regiment in West Germany. A service at Charlton Church, at which the school was represented, was followed by cremation at Barham.

William Waterhouse (1919-25) died on 6th July, 1987, aged 79 years. He had lived in Temple Ewell.

NEWS OF OLD PHAROSIANS

Paul Ashby (1977-83) has worked for two years to gain a diploma of the Gemmological Association.

Michael Austin (1972-76) has gained an upper 2nd class degree in Mechanical Engineering at Thames Polytechnic. After working at Tilmanstone Colliery he was sponsored by NCB for his four year course.
He is now working in the Nottinghamshire coalfield.

Roger Bent (1958-65) has been made a member of the Royal Victorian Order. As a Squadron Leader he was attached to the Queen’s Flight and as engineering officer he was responsible for introducing the Queen’s new BAC 146 aircraft.

Mr Kenneth Best (1955-77). Many of his former pupils will be sorry to learn that Mr Best and his wife were both knocked down in Canterbury. They were taken to hospital and no more is known at present. They live in Folkestone where Mr Best is organist at the Methodist Church. We send our best wishes for their recovery.

Richard Blackman (1970-77) has for many years been a soccer referee and has now been promoted to Class 1 and will officiate in Southern League matches. He plays cricket for East Langdon, is a member of Rotaract and works in the family firm of heating engineers. He has been appointed the sole representative from UK on an international committee on the Rotaract movement; he will attend his first meeting at Rotary headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, before returning home from his Florida honeymoon.

Malcolm Campbell travels widely in his business. He is transferring to the International Freight Consortium at Leeds where he is to be a director.

Mervyn Cooke (1974-81) is now continuing his musical career as a Research Fellow at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

David Cornelius MBE (1947-53) wrote from Malawi where he has worked in forestry for thirty years. The man-made forests cover an area the size of the Isle of Wight and contain mostly pines with some eucalyptus. He purchased a copy of the school’s cassette recording of the carol service.

Canon John Dilnot (1940-46) was installed as vicar of the church of St Eanswythe and St Mary on Folkestone Leas in July. The service was attended by the Bishop of Dover, the Archdeacon of Canterbury, The mayor of Folkestone and many parishioners and friends.

Trevor Dixon (1965-68) remembers that he gained a Grade A at Advanced Level in geography, which took him to Keele University and later to King’s College, London. He is now senior lecturer in Environmental Studies at Buckingham College of Higher Education. As an expert in problems of pollution he attends international conferences and has spoken on radio and TV.

Dennis Doble, (1948-55) whose work for the Foreign Office has in recent years taken him to India, appeared in the TV programme “Songs of Praise” on 28th December when he spoke from Jamaica. The editor last met him in the pavilion at Lord’s but no doubt there is good cricket in Jamaica.

David Donald (1974-81) is the new President of the Dover Rotaract Club, a younger branch of Rotary.

David Ellery (1966-73) continues to control professional football matches. A Devon paper includes in its report of Plymouth Argyle v. Hull—”Harrow referee David Elleray, having already booked Andy Saville for not retreating 10 yards for a free kick, flashed the yellow card when Heard again bundled Hodges over. Peter Skipper (dissent) then became his third booking in 25 minutes.” There have been later newspaper references to “Mr Elleray’s distaste for colourful language.”

R. Falconer (1960-67) was met by the editor in the Dover Swimming Pool with a party of young boys and girls from a Maidstone Secondary School where he is in charge of PE and Games and of the sixth form. He was a memorable soccer player at school, captain of the 1st XI, and is clearly now a very good schoolmaster. He works with Philip Harding in the organisation of Kent Schools’ Football. His party in Dover were camping and doing a bit of geography field study in a district well known to the master in charge.

K. W Forward. MBE (1934-40) wrote from Dartford where he has retired after long service as the Divisional Education Officer for that area.

V. Fryer (1920-21) asks whether any of the Junior School boys of 1920-21 would care to contact him at Findings, High Street, Sixpenny Handley, Salisbury, SP5 5ND. What lovely names many villages have in the, Salisbury Plain area!

Philip Gibbs is a research physicist in Berkshire.

Richard Gretton (1965-73) has moved to Goudhurst. He works in educational research, mainly South East Records of Achievement, i.e. the nature of school-leavers’ records, and examinational achievements.

David Gunn (1947-53) is leading observer and instructor for an underground post at Hawksdown where personnel and instruments would be in operation at any time of emergency.

Nicholas J. Haves (1974-9) passed his professional examinations after five years of study and became an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. He is Head of Securities and Foreign Departments at Barclays Bank in Dover’s Market Square. He has been awarded the Bankers’ Jubilee Prize for being the youngest person to obtain professional qualification this year in the local area.

Paul Hinchcliffe (1969-71) is manager of a commonwealth bank at West Wyalong, New South Wales.

Michael Hine (1875-83) made a parachute jump at Ipswich in October to raise money for the charity Mind.

John Hendy is co-operating with a colleague to produce a book on the Townsend Thoresen company.

Commander Bill Hutchison (1954-61) is now the Naval Attaché to the government at Bonn. He had previously seen service with West Germany’s Fleet Air Arm.

David Ince worked for Corals the turf accountants and developed an interest in horses and a desire for open-air life, so he transferred to training establishments and is at present working with national hunt horses near Ashby de la Zouche.

A. J. King is manager of RJB Plant Hire, Dover. He is married with one son and lives at Whitfield.

Martyn Michael (1972-79) has established himself as a regular member of the Blackheath 1st XV. He has also played for Kent and has been awarded the county cap and blazer which he will wear on a tour of New Zealand in the summer.

“Mac” W. D. McNeil (1926-35), president in 1985-6, has been travelling in South America. Via Miami he flew to Manaos, then Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and Buenos Aires, through Patagonia and Chile to Cuzco, Lima and Quito before flying back to Miami where he hoped to call on George Curry. His journey, however magnificent, would be incomplete without a call on an Old Pharosian somewhere.

The Bishop of Plymouth, The Right Reverend Kenneth Newing (1931-40) is resigning to take up the life of a monk in April. Ordained in 1955 after eight years in the army, Kenneth was rector of Plympton St. Maurice, the archdeacon of Plymouth and bishop four years later. His duties as bishop require him to travel about 2,500 miles each month. He says he is “grateful for the love heaped upon me during the 32 years in the ministry and the diocese”. Our good wishes go with him in his new way of life.

Alex Nice (1978-85) is in his second year at Aberystwyth reading classics. He reports on extra-curricular activities such as Rag Collections in which he raised £2,131 in an Aberystwyth total of £112,000. He has resumed competitive swimming and was in the University of Wales water polo team. He still plays the clarinet but is well aware that finals year has to be devoted to the gaining of a good degree.

L. T. S. Sheriff wrote from Rugby after a chance meeting with James Kilmartin who lent him a copy of the “History”. Mr Sheriff writes: “I cannot tell you of the effect it has had on me. The memories of all those years ago have come flooding back. Dear old “Freddie” who bestowed on me the dubious honour of being the only member of the junior school to be caned by the headmaster of the senior school. At lunch one day, while one of my companions’ head was turned away, I conceived the idea of emptying the salt cellar into his glass of water. As I put the empty container down, I happened to glance across the room to where, two tables away, Mr Whitehouse was watching me with great interest! I can see him now beckoning to me: down to his study—and the rest you know!”

Terry Sutton (1940-47), news editor of the Dover Express, has been appointed deputy editor. He has for many years been a valued member of the Old Pharosians’ Committee.

Wing Commander John W Thorpe. AFC (1956-62) lives at 24 Orchard Avenue, Deal and works in the Joint Services Defence College at Greenwich. He entered the RAF as a pilot in 1962. In March 1988 he will return to active flying duties at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire. He has recently become a life member of the Association.

Denis Weaver (1939-50), vice-chairman of the school governors, is a member of a trust formed to save Crabble Corn Mill. He takes over in July as Rotary District Governor for Kent and East Sussex, with 71 Rotary Clubs to visit; he and Elizabeth go to the States shortly to meet the 450 other incoming District Governors from all over the free world.

Peter Wheeler is teaching R.E. in the cathedral choir school at Chichester. Our school choir has several times sung in the cathedral.

The Woolhouse family Dr. N. Woolhouse (1946-52) spends most of the year as a professor at Accra University. Son, Julian Woolhouse studied maths and psychology, spent three years in Greece and has now got a job in Japan, but before settling to routine employment he travelled across China, Tibet, Kashmir, and from East Africa across the Sahara. Son, Damian Woolhouse has settled down as a social worker.

Kent Cricket, 1987 Derek Aslett played in all but one of the three-day matches and scored 969 runs, including one century not out, and an average of 30.28. In one-day matches he was placed second in the batting averages with an average of 37.71. No one who saw his 122 not out against Worcestershire will ever forget that innings.

Chris Penn was awarded his county cap during the season on the day his son was born. He took 48 wickets in championship games and 22 in Sunday games, in both cases at an average cost of about 30 runs.

For this relief much thanks

Finally, a word of relief that David Gunn emerged unscathed when a young thief with a shot-gun entered his jewellery business at closing time on Friday, 11th December and held David and his assistant captive overnight until the man surrendered to the police in the morning. David said that the bitter cold was the worst part of the experience but he and all his family and friends must have had a dreadful night while the TV and other media kept the public aware of developments.

It is well to end this newsletter on a note of thankfulness.

Let us all hope there is so much for which we can be thankful in 1988.