Venta 16 - University of Winchester

The University of Winchester’s Alumni Association
Issue 16 – Spring 2007
Winchester’s
First Ever
Chancellor
University Centre –
Latest News
Grand Opening for
Masters’ Lodge
The Universi
Dear Alumni...
n
i Associatio
ster’s Alumn
ty of Winche
Welcome to my first
Venta as Editor!
ring 2007
Issue 16 – Sp
I took over as Alumni Officer a few months ago
and have been overwhelmed by all the kindness
and support I’ve already received from alumni and
staff.
s
Winchester’
r
e
v
E
t
Firs
Chancellor
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ellie Balson for
all her hard work in this role over the past few years and
wish her well in her exciting new job. She’ll certainly be
a hard act to follow!
ntre –
University Ce ws
Latest Ne
ing for
Grand Open
dge
Masters’ Lo
Cover: The installation of the University’s
first ever Chancellor, Mrs Mary Fagan JP, Her
Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire at
Graduation 2006.
Photo: Stuart McWilliam Photography
Contents
Features
3 Graduation 2006 Welcomes Winchester’s First Chancellor
4 New Business Outlook for Masters’ Lodge
6 Read All About It!
7 Laura’s Artic Adventure
8 Autumn Opening for £10m University Centre
11Mastering the Art of Puppetry
15 Exploring Dance – Cuban Style!
Regulars
12 Reunion News
14 In Memory of . . .
16Blast from the Past
16 Desperately Seeking
The Alumni Office
The University of Winchester
Winchester
SO22 4NR
T: 01962 827403
F: 01962 827548
E: [email protected]
W: www.winchester.ac.uk/alumni
2
An important part of my job is establishing links and I’m
looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible
over the next few months. As you can see from our
reunion pages, there are plenty of different events in the
pipeline.
Do you remember the Alumni Survey last year? I was
pleased to see in the collated results that a staggering 90
per cent of those who filled in the form rated Venta as good
or above. Obviously that’s a great start; however there’s
still room for improvement so we’re trying to take on
board some of your suggestions and comments.
On the less positive side, 25 per cent of alumni said
they were unaware of many of the events hosted by the
Alumni Office. This is a great shame as these events are
always a good chance to catch up with old friends. Make
sure you check our website regularly and please keep us
updated with any changes of address.
Hope to meet you soon!
Sophie Jones
Alumni Officer
www.winchester.ac.uk/alumni
University Leads the
Way in Training Early
Years Professionals
Winchester was recently successful in its bid to
deliver the training and assessment for hundreds
of new ‘Early Years Professionals (EYP)’ throughout
Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset.
The development of Early Years Professionals Status (EYPS)
is being led by the Children’s Workforce Development Council. To help improve the lives of children, the Government
aims to have an EYP in every children’s centre by 2010 and
in every full day-care setting by 2015.
The University is one of the training providers offering
early years training and qualifications in the region.
Equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status, this new breed of
professionals will ensure that children receive consistently
high quality care and education.
It is also hoped that EYPS will attract more individuals
into working with children.
“We are delighted to be able to offer training,
assessment and accreditation for EYPS,” says Professor
Anne Williams, Dean of Education at Winchester.
“Delivering EYPS is a significant step forward in our
training portfolio.”
The University can now offer four pathways to achieving
EYPS. These range from a three-month part-time course
for those who can already demonstrate that they meet
many of the standards for EYPS, to a full-time course
lasting 12 months.
Further details are available on www.winchester.ac.uk
Mark of Quality
The University has been awarded the prestigious
Frank Buttle Trust Quality Mark for Care Leavers in
Higher Education.
“The Quality Mark is a great step forward,” says Bill
Rammell, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning.
“Not only does it show care leavers that higher
education providers are committed to helping them
overcome the challenges they face, it ensures that care
leavers have the same educational opportunities as
other young people.”
The award recognises the
work Winchester has been
doing in partnership with
Hampshire Children’s
Services over the past
few years to establish
an on-going plan to
ensure the University
adequately provides for
the needs of young people
leaving public care.
Graduation 2006 Welcomes Winchester’s First Chancellor
More than 1,200 students graduated from the
University last October at Winchester Cathedral
alongside an impressive line-up of honorary
graduates and fellows.
enthusiastic about the vision and the mission of the
University. I’m sure these values will set a firm foundation
for the future and will enhance the life chances of the
students who study here.”
The 2006 proceedings were particularly significant as
they were opened by the installation of the University’s
first ever Chancellor, Mrs Mary Fagan JP, Her Majesty’s
Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire.
The Chancellor was presented with her new purple
robes of office by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor
Chris Turner, and formally welcomed by both staff and
students amid a wealth of musical talent – including
the King Alfred Singers, Wessex Brass Quintet and the
University of Winchester Gospel Choir.
The Lord Lieutenant has been a supporter and
ambassador of the University over the past 12 years
and was a positive force behind the establishment of the
University of Winchester from the very beginning of the
campaign to create it in the mid-1990s.
“It is indeed a great honour to be invited to become
the first Chancellor,” Mrs Fagan commented. “I am very
Honorary awards were presented to the award-winning
theatre producer and former Winchester student, Michael
Rose; dance legend, Robert Cohan CBE; business
entrepreneur, Liz Jackson; and Deputy Director of the
BBC and Head of Journalism, Mark Byford.
Shaping the Future
Winchester Values
“Well, it looks as though I was right about the
University of Winchester! Even before I came to
Winchester I could see that it was an institution
that never stands still. It’s certainly a forward
thinking University with a thirst for success. I am
delighted and privileged to be here among such
a dynamic and friendly learning community.
We value freedom, justice, truth, human
rights and collective effort for the public
good. The plans and actions of the University of Winchester are founded in these ideals
together with the following values:
Many exciting things have happened recently
including the installation of the University’s first
Chancellor; submitting our application for Research
Degree Awarding Powers; the opening of a new
Research and Knowledge Transfer Centre; and the
emergence of our new University Centre. Amongst
all this, I have been overwhelmed by the exceptional
warmth of the city and the county towards the
University.
In this issue of Venta, I want to share with alumni a
set of values that have emerged recently as key to
our identity and purpose. These values were drawn
up after extensive consultation with staff, governors,
students and alumni (both in person and as part of
the ‘Alumni Voices’ project) and stand alongside the
mission and vision statements for the University.
Congratulations go to Vice Chancellor Professor Joy
Carter who was recently selected as a Woman of the Year
2006 and invited to attend one of the most significant
gatherings of women in the world. Winchester is now
the ONLY University in the UK with a woman Chancellor,
Vice Chancellor and Student Union President.
My suspicion is that the values listed may well have
been the same throughout the whole of the 166
year history of the institution!
Wishing you and your families a very joyous 2007.”
Professor Joy Carter
Vice Chancellor
INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM: Intellectual freedom
and its appropriate expression are at the heart of our
business.
SOCIAL JUSTICE: We seek to embody social justice
and develop our students as effective and fulfilled
global citizens. They will be prepared to challenge the
status quo and will have the strength to stand up for
what they believe to be true.
DIVERSITY: We delight in diversity.
SPIRITUALITY: We celebrate our Christian Foundation
encouraging those living within the Christian Faith,
whilst also welcoming those who live within other faiths
and those who have no faith.
INDIVIDUALS MATTER: The wellbeing of each
member of staff and every student is important, as are
their opinions and views.
CREATIVITY: Permeability, agility and imagination
are central to our thinking. We endeavour to act as a
crucible for the generation and transfer of knowledge.
3
Enterprise Lecture Series
Founders of Eden
The current and former Chief Executives of the
Eden Project in Cornwall appeared at the Stripe at
the end of October to present the latest talk in our
Enterprise Lecture Series.
Entitled ‘Vision, reality and madness – the making of the
Eden Project’, Tim Smit and Evelyn Thurlby explained
how they helped to turn a 200 foot deep disused clay
pit into the world’s largest greenhouse, attracting more
than six million visitors a year and now the third most
popular tourist attraction in the UK.
“Eden isn’t so much a destination as a place in the
heart,” enthused Tim. “It is not just a marvellous piece of
science-related architecture; it is also a statement of our
passionate belief in an optimistic future for mankind.”
Described by those present as ‘inspirational’, the
talk explained to a packed audience how the project
brought together a team of experts from a wide variety
of fields, who applied new materials and technologies to
create the famous biospheres.
RDAP Update –
Full Steam Ahead!
“Last November the University submitted to
the Privy Council an application for its own
Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAP). We
were delighted that by December the Quality
Assurance Agency (who conducts the scrutiny
of the application on behalf of the Privy Council)
had confirmed that it would indeed proceed to
scrutiny. A team of QAA assessors will now be
with us until the end of the year.
The process is broadly similar to that of Taught Degree
Awarding Powers and we anticipate almost every
member of staff, whether they currently supervise
research students or not, being involved in the various
meetings with assessors.
Excitement and a certain trepidation reigns at the RKT
Centre. We are confident in our quality processes
for research degrees and we regard the attainment
of RDAP as the last step towards the summit of a
mountain we have been climbing for many years.”
Professor Liz Stuart
Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer
4
New
Business
Outlook for
Masters’
Lodge
The newly refurbished Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer (RKT) at
the University of Winchester was officially opened in October by Pam Alexander,
Chief Executive, South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and former
Chief Executive of English Heritage.
Before cutting the red ribbon, she praised the University for
buying and renovating this building, which, she stressed,
was of great significance to the built environment in
historic Winchester.
Until last year, the lodge, a historical grade 2 listed Arts
and Crafts building designed by the renowned architect
John Simpson had remained derelict for decades.
Now it has been lovingly restored to its former glory
and provides outstanding facilities for research and
postgraduate students as well as an incubator space
for enterprising staff, students and graduates living and
working locally. The brand new Business Start-up Office,
along with wireless internet access, contains everything
fledgling entrepreneurs need to help keep their start-up
costs down – along with a valuable meeting space for
networking.
Enterprise Lecture Series
Secrets of
Time Team
Professor Mick Aston, who received an honorary
doctorate from Winchester in 2004, will be
presenting the University’s next Enterprise
Lecture on Tuesday 27 February, 6pm for 6.30pm
at the Stripe.
The Masters’ Lodge also contains Wired Wessex and
eHampshire (formerly Hampshire Broadband) along with
the University’s Comino Centre for training and personal
development.
During the opening celebrations, Pam Alexander
highlighted the University’s active role in fostering an
entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in the creative industries,
and characterised the RKT Centre as a fine example of
“strength through collaboration”.
Grand opening:
(From left to right) Professor Elizabeth Stuart, Director
of RKT; Vice Chancellor Professor Joy Carter; and Pam
Alexander, Chief Executive of SEEDA
Calling all Entrepreneurs …
The University of Winchester’s Business Start-up
Scheme is open to students, graduates (living in
Hampshire) and staff. The aim of the scheme is to
provide facilities and support to help budding young
businesses. The scheme has been running since
July 2005 and to date has funded and supported
some 12 businesses ranging from street theatre to
‘behaviour management training’.
Graduates who have been successful in gaining
funding include Matt Feerick, Graeme Cockburn and
Penny Patrick of Wet Picnic (www.wetpicnic.com);
Sarah Hughes and Jenny Rooney of Platform School
Business Know How
Graduates starting up their own businesses
can use the facilities in the Enterprise Suite
without applying for the whole Start-up scheme,
including the meeting room, workstations,
scanner, colour printer, photocopier.
We would love to hear from you if you run your own
business. Perhaps you would be prepared to come
and talk about your experiences to students on the
enterprise module or recent business start up award
holders? You might even be able to act as a mentor to those starting up in a similar field. Either way
please contact Trish Kernan on 01962 827578 or
email [email protected]
of Dance (www.platformdance.co.uk); Emma Cosgrave
(www.theestudios.co.uk); Matt Brown (www.leoproductions.co.uk); and Andy Parks (http://petersfield-framing.
mysite.orange.co.uk).
What we offer:
Successful applicants are entitled to use the facilities in
the Enterprise Suite at the Masters’ Lodge, West Downs
for up to 12 months:
•
•
•
•
•
FREE use of a workstation
FREE internet access
FREE phone
FREE photocopying
FREE use of the meeting room
The scheme also provides:
• A grant of up to £5,000
•Advice and support from a business mentor for
a period of six months
•Subsidised rates for rehearsal/performance space
•Networking opportunities including regular
workshops on key business issues
•Signposting to sources of business advice, training
and enterprise support
•The opportunity to promote your business at
relevant University events
For further information about the scheme and how to
apply for the next round in May 2007 contact Trish
Kernan, Business Development Manager, on 01962
827578 or email [email protected]
Mick is a passionate educator and popularizer of
archaeology, and over the last 15 years has become
a familiar face on the Channel 4 TV series Time Team
where he has acted as Chief Archaeological Advisor.
His talk is entitled ‘Making Time Team: 15 years of
Archaeology and Television’ and will focus on aspects
of trying to use the medium of television to make
archaeology more accessible to the general public.
He has been involved with the programme for more than
15 years, and is also an emeritus professor at Bristol
University and an honorary visiting professor at both the
University of Exeter and the University of Durham.
Mick has long been associated with Winchester in
his role as an external examiner and has participated
with our archaeology students in a number of digs
over the years, including a fascinating 10-year project
investigating the manor of Shapwick in Somerset.
If you’d like to more information, then please contact
Trish Kernan on 01962 827578 or email
[email protected]
FlyingStart Rallies
The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship has organised a number of FlyingStart
Rallies for 2007. The aim is to help turn business
ideas into a reality.
The organisation helps connect entrepreneurs with
programmes, people and organisations that will help
to start and grow their businesses. The next FlyingStart
rally is scheduled for 7 March in Brighton.
More information is available at
www.flyingstart-ncge.org.uk
or contact the NCGE on 0121 380 3545.
5
Read All About It ...
World-Class Attraction for Winchester
This tourist attraction would be housed at a new educational and tourist venue within walking distance of the
Cathedral. The University is currently providing funding
for an important feasibility study to assess the venture’s
commercial viability.
If the English Centre goes ahead, the multi-million
pound project will offer the chance to learn how English has evolved and developed over time, and has
spread to become a global language. One area of
particular interest is the exploration into King Alfred’s
involvement in the birth of the English Language.
The University is supporting a scheme to provide a
major new visitor attraction for Winchester – the
English Centre.
Christopher Mulvey, Professor of English and American
Studies at Winchester, is acting as Chair of the steering
group evaluating this project.
“Englisc was the mixed tongue of three tribes that developed into modern day English which over two billion
people speak today.
“As someone who has devoted my whole life to the study
of English, it is something of great excitement to be involved in a venture which includes the city, the University,
the whole of England and the world.”
STOP PRESS!
The University’s new BA English Literature and
Language is due to start in September 2007. Students
can explore the historical development, as well as
the current state, of the English language alongside
important literary texts.
Further information on www.winchester.ac.uk
Teacher Scoops 2006 Costa Poetry Award
After spending nearly 18 years in Nigeria, John
Haynes (Certificate in Education, 1960 to 1962) has
drawn upon his experiences of living in Africa for his
inspirational collection of poetry Letter to Patience.
His book has just won the prestigious 2006
Costa Poetry Award (formerly
the Whitbread Award) and has
now been shortlisted for 2006
Costa Book of the Year due to
be announced this February.
lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. “The ‘I’ in the
poem is drawn from me, but isn’t really a self-portrait.
Letter to Patience is a poem set in
Patience’s Parlour, a small, mud-walled
bar in Nigeria during the 1990s – a time
of much political unrest. The book is a sequence of letters sent from the writer who
has returned to Britain to nurse his dying
father. He writes to Patience, the bar’s owner,
who has been forced to leave her job at the local
university. The book deals with the writer’s experience of
Nigeria and his friendship and separation from Patience.
“All of Africa is changing, of course, but
there were and still are marked traces
in Nigerian Society of values which
we perhaps have lost, in particular a
sense of community and belonging.
Every Nigerian student I taught knew
everything about what was going on around
them and read the papers. I find the sixth-formers that
I’m teaching part-time now, on the whole, find the news
and public life ‘boring’.
“Patience is based upon someone I knew who ran a bar,”
explains John, who spent most of his teaching life as a
“Whilst in Nigeria, my links with Winchester never ceased,
and I soon found myself working alongside Michael
“I left the UK for Nigeria in 1970 as I wanted to see the
world. I had always wanted to go to Africa. I soon
found people in Nigeria were more gregarious,
and unlike here, didn’t wait to be invited. I found
this aspect of life drew me out of myself and I
got me to meet people from a wide range of
backgrounds – all different from my own.
Financial Top Tips from City Expert
The Money Tree, written by Martin Bamford (BA
Hons Business Administration, 1999 to 2000), is
described as “a simple but brilliant practical guide to
the main steps in mastering your personal finances
– for now and for the future”.
Since graduating from Winchester, Martin has established
a respected reputation in the Personal Finance sector,
as a qualified Independent Financial Advisor (IFA). As
a result, he is regularly quoted as a personal finance
expert in national newspapers. He’s also featured on BBC
6
Etherton, who was at Winchester in the 1980s. I very
much admire his work and have since dedicated some
of my work to him.”
Radio London and on Anna Raeburn’s show for
London’s LBC 973.FM.
Martin secured a publishing contract
with Prentice Hall Business (Pearson) and
spent the first half of 2006 locked in his
spare bedroom working on his manuscript.
The blood, sweat and tears paid off, when his
book was published in September 2006. The
book has received glowing reviews from leading
figures in the personal finance community.
“Letter to Patience was our unanimous choice and a
clear winner; a unique long poem of outstanding quality,
condensing a lifetime of reflection and experience into
a work of transporting momentum, imaginative lucidity
and consummate formal accomplishment.”
– Judges of 2006 Costa Poetry Award
Letter to Patience is published by Seren Press.
Laura’s Arctic Adventure
Winning Tale of
Findo Gask
Huw Thomas (DipHE Social and Environmental
Studies, 1984 to 1986) from Truro has just had his
first book published after coming top in a major
new national literary competition for aspiring
authors.
Huw took first prize in the fiction category of the
Undiscovered Authors writing competition last summer.
His manuscript, The Tale Of Findo Gask, won him
£10,000 and a publishing contract with BookForce.
“This recognition has given my confidence
as a writer a huge boost.”
“It’s hard to believe that my book is finally in print” he
says. “I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was at school.
The fact that people will have a chance to read my
book is marvellous!”
The competition was judged by a number of influential
figures in the publishing industry, including Hans
Offringa and John Murray.
The Tale Of Findo Gask, published last October, tells the
story of a thief born in a ditch, raised in slums and educated by the underworld. It is the story of an unconventional life; a book about alienation, love and a desperate
search for acceptance.
Since leaving Winchester,
Huw has worked in a
number of journalism,
press and PR roles and
now works as a publicity and fundraising
officer for the disaster relief charity
Shelter Box.
A few years ago, Laura Le Cheminant (BA Archaeology & Tourism and Heritage Management,
2000 to 2003), answered an unusual advert
calling for ‘would be artic explorers’. Little did she
know that two years later she would be going to
the North Pole and taking part in the 2006 Ice
Warrior Expedition.
Celsius – but fortunately I didn’t find the cold nearly as
difficult as I thought. In fact, by the end of the expedition
the temperature had raised to a warm minus 18 and I
had stripped down to one base layer.
“For me, the best part of the expedition was being in
such a wild, unspoilt and beautiful environment. I loved
knowing that when I got up in the morning all I
had to think about was putting one ski in front
of the other. On average, we skied between five
to seven hours a day with a 10-minute break
every hour. “
“Anyone that knows me will agree that I’m
always up for a challenge!” laughs Laura, who
first worked for the British Museum after
leaving Winchester. “I’ve always been
active and love the outdoors so
the advert in The Metro really
One of the highlights of Laura’s
appealed. What I didn’t realise is
trip was seeing a polar bear. “He
that I would be chosen out of
was beautiful, curious and I’m
600 applicants to be one
happy to say, at a very
of 25 team members.”
safe distance. We found
“Any moments of hardship were outweighed
out later that he had been
tenfold by the breathtaking scenery and
The Geomagnetic North
tracking us for 40 miles.
incredible team spirit.”
Pole Expedition is part
of a series of expeditions organised by Ice Warrior,
“Taking part in Ice Warrior was a fantastic, life changing
an organisation which trains ordinary people to do
experience for me. I’ve learnt so much about myself
extraordinary feats.
and made some extraordinary new friends.”
Laura was invited by them to a special selection
weekend in Wales, where she was only given a grid
reference to find the meeting place.
“I have to say, at no point in the arctic were my toes
as cold as they were in Wales!” she recalls. “After I was
selected, I then spent 18 months raising sponsorship
to allow me to take part. I also attended a number of
training events and undertook personal strength and
endurance training. I was amazed that for the first time
in my life, I was not training to lose weight but to put
it on!”
Laura finally set off on the expedition in April 2006.
“Upon arrival it was a freezing minus 33 degrees
Since returning to the UK, Laura has been accepted
to study a Diploma in Outdoor Activities. “I’ve learnt
that the office certainly isn’t the place for me
anymore.”
Ice Warrior Challenge 2008
Do you fancy taking part in an expedition like
this? If so, log onto www.ice-warrior.com
to find out more
7
Autumn Opening for
£10m University Centre
Work is now well underway on Winchester’s
brand new flagship centre in the heart of the
King Alfred Campus. Exciting artist impressions of the internal spaces are now available
and they give alumni the chance to take a
sneak preview before the grand opening later
this year.
as well as the framework for the roof structure.
By the end of this month the building should be
watertight and work will start on the electrical and
mechanical installations.
When completed, the building will provide an
impressive gateway for visitors as well as social
facilities for the whole University community.
As you can see, the Student Union will be stateof-the-art and will encompass a bar and venue
space large enough for 1,200 people for club
nights and concerts. The venue will also have a
cinema screen and surround sound for movie
nights.
Staff and students have been able to follow the
work in progress via two webcams on the portal.
Steelwork for the four storeys is already in place
The University Centre will also include catering
facilities, the main reception, a bookshop, a minimart convenience store and a learning café.
Details of future concerts and bands at the
centre will soon be available.
Check www.winchester.ac.uk
and www.winchesterstudents.co.uk
for regular updates!
8
9
Lights, Camera, Action!
SKY TV negotiations for The Lighthouse
Winifred Martins (English and Drama 1993 to 1996) is
currently in the process of negotiations for her first
short feature film to be broadcast on a new channel
on Sky TV. The Lighthouse has already received praise
from many festivals including Berlin, Birds Eye View,
Moviefone and Edinburgh. It also appeared last year
at Filmstock International Film Festival in Bedfordshire.
reluctant four-year-old brother. Their journey has
unexpected consequences when the children learn that
some monsters can be far from imaginary.
“I have always dreamt of directing films,” says Winifred,
who enrolled in a short film course a few years ago after
leaving Winchester. “My film, The Lighthouse was shot
on Margate Beach and is adapted from a story by Scottish author Agnes Owens. It tells of a young girl’s journey towards a distant lighthouse accompanied by her
“Once I had got permission to adapt the story, I got in
touch with a number of industry contacts, including my
former lecturer, Professor Steve Hawes, to get valuable
feedback. I was very fortunate during the whole process
as nearly everyone liked the story and wanted to get
involved with the project.
“This story provided me with a fairly simple shoot with
not too many locations and only a few actors. It also had
a good element of the dramatic.
BBC Viewing for Spring Awaits the Fall
There’s no denying that Tony Butterfield (Certificate
of Education, 1954 to 1956) has certainly rubbed
shoulders with some of the greatest names in
showbiz. However, now he’s basking in the glory of
producing his first ever film, Spring Awaits the Fall,
which has just gone out on BBC TV.
King Alfred’s College 1955
“Now, I like to think that I am laughing retirement in the
face, having just made my first film, Spring Awaits the
Fall. The film is based on the play by Jean-Jacques
Bernard called Martine. It’s about a young country girl
who meets a city boy. Unfortunately the story does not
have a happy ending.
“The film was shot in Sweden last year and cost £5,000
to make – much to the shock of a London Agent who
expected it to cost at least 15 million. My film is currently
undergoing final edit stages and is due to go out at the
end of January. I am sure those from my year would be
interested to know that Brian Thomas was a business
‘angel’ for the film.
“Following my time at Winchester, I went on to the Central
School of Speech and Drama. In 1957, I brought the
Central’s ‘A-Team’ to Winchester to perform a play called
I Remember Mama. Amongst the cast were two young
actresses – Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave. I got to
know Judi well, as she would regularly attend the bingo
sessions I held!
“I went on to teach in Suffolk and in 1960 became
the youngest Drama Adviser in the Country. By 1963
I moved as an Adviser to Oxfordshire and held this post
until I became a lecturer to Culham College for 11 years.
After this I started freelancing, which took me all over
the world.
10
“The day of the actual shoot at Margate was made
difficult by the famous British weather with high
tides and incredibly
strong westerly
winds. However
I was incredibly lucky as
the dreadful
conditions
actually enhanced the
mood and feel
of the film in the
end.”
Fresh New Talent –
Click and Listen!
Singer Mitra Djalili (BA Performing Arts, 1997 to
2000) is working hard to achieve her dream of
becoming a rock star.
As well as taking part in Rock Star Lottery, she now
features on Popworld – an exciting new site which
promotes unsigned musicians, allowing them to make
money from download sales. The most popular artists
on Popworld are actively promoted on television, radio,
online and mobile.
“My music is infused with latin, R&B and rock twists”
says Mitra, whose husband also works as a producer/
composer in the industry. “All my songs are about
my own life experiences. They basically address the
universal themes of life and love.”
“I have little plans for the future apart from keeping in
good health and doing some work with Swedish filmmaker, Called Borg.”
Check out her music on www.popworld.com and
www.sellaband.com
Mastering the Art
of Puppetry
The River People Theatre Company was
founded in 2004 by Edward Wren (2003 to
2006) and Claire Harvey (2001 to 2004) whilst
they were both studying at Winchester
for degrees in Drama and Performing
Arts. Now River People has become
a popular name on the Hampshire
arts circuit.
As well as devising performance work,
the theatre company also offer workshops for adults and young people
in areas such as puppetry, drama,
physical theatre, mask and puppet making. Last Christmas the
company took part in a tour
of Cinderella and amongst
other things, continue to provide local venues with their
comedy show, Comealong
…comedy.
“We were frustrated
with seeing the same
old plays all the time
and seeing no one actually developing the idea
of ‘theatre’,” explains Claire. “So, Ed and I decided to
set up our own company where we could make original
performance work utilising different performance styles
in attempt to create something we enjoyed, which could
potentially lead to the creation of a new popular form
of theatre.”
The River People are currently re-working The Ordinaries
in An Awkward Silence to enter into the National Student
Drama Festival later this year, with a view to taking it to
the Edinburgh Festival. The show was first seen at The
Theatre Royal in Winchester and involved a cast and production team made up of students and graduates from
Winchester.
“The story follows Sarah, a two-foot rag doll-like puppet
made by myself, her family and a bunch of travelling
creatures who stop to tell the audience their tale. The
original musical score was written by a very talented
former student, Alistair Murden.”
The company also has plans to tour Shakespeare to
schools this year, and then to stage a large open air
event in the summer.
For further information check out
www.myspace/theriverpeople.com
Visit our other site: http://www.myspace.com/comealongthursday A comedy show run by us at regular venues in Winchester
Recording Debut for Solo Artist
Three years ago, Fran Lazarski (BA Drama, Theatre,
TV and Film 1995 to 1998) answered an advert looking
for singers to record a new album. Now she’s a member of the electronic breakbeat band, The Dark Poets,
and is currently working on her own solo album.
“My big break came when I was asked to perform with
another artist at a Tsunami Benefit Gig at The Brook in
Southampton,” says Fran. “I’d always wanted to appear
there and it was the first time I’d performed my own,
original material in public.”
A few months later, after another successful gig in Cardiff,
Fran and her band were summoned to London to meet a
record manager who offered to sign them there and then.
“Understandably, we were a bit sceptical,” she remembers.
“So we checked his credentials. He turned out to be the
legendary Stevo Pearce who launched the careers of Soft
Cell and Depeche Mode!”
The Some Bizarre compilation album Re-Defining the
Prologue was released last October and features a Dark
Poets track. Meanwhile, The Dark Poets own album is
due for release this March.
“We’ve been doing some work with American guitarist
Gary Lucas. I’ve also been sampled on a couple of tracks
which will appear on his new album in the spring.”
Besides all this, Fran has been working on a digital
short film called The Dreaming Forest which depicts a
meditative, shamanic view of the New Forest.
“Singing has always been my passion; it is as natural
to me as breathing. I take a lot of my inspiration from
nature and especially like to focus on the healing aspects
of music.”
11
9 to
Shelter
39.0m
63
Stop Press!
D ROAD
AD
49
Meon
House
51
39
37
27
El Sub Sta
AND ALL SAINTS WARD
Penton
Place
MILLAN
73
10
67
+ 40.00m
14
+ 39.25m
childrens playground
(+ 39.30m Existing)
12m high
Community Sports Project at Bar End
13
6
+ 37.70m
12m high
2
Basket ba
12
skateboard ramps
12m high
discus + hammer
+ 37.65m
1
+ 38.00m
competition
shot putt
15
5
pedestrian barrier 1.22m high
Following a couple of years of negotiations with the
local authority, an imaginative new Sports Project
is proposed on the University’s land at Bar End.
It will benefit the whole community and is funded
jointly by Winchester City Council, Sport England
(lottery funding) and the University.
A competition standard eight-lane athletics track with
supporting field events and an all-weather hockey pitch
will be built. The University will have use of these facilities
on Wednesday afternoons and during agreed windows
at weekends, so local schools, sports clubs and youth
groups can use them the rest of the time. The facilities
will be floodlit so they can be used in the evenings to
maximise the benefit to all aspects of the community.
3
19
4
+ 37.40m
12m high
+ 38.00m
11
8
pole vault
+ 39.25m
12m high
7
16m high
With the build up to the 2012 Olympics, this should
generate considerable interest, and the University will
have sports facilities of which they can be justly proud.
+ 39.25m
pedestrian barrier 1.1m high
18
11
+ 38.00m
16m high
16m high
12m high
6
long jump
12m high
timekeepers stand
pole vault
assembly area
The new innovative and vandal resistant pavilion will be
extended with additional changing rooms. A detailed
planning application has been submitted and work is due
for completion next year.
shot putt
20
+ 38.00m
+ 38.00m
(+37.30 Existing)
18m high
+ 38.00m
18m high
20
18m high
+ 36.50m
16
Winton Reunion 2006
Winton Reunion 2007
Last summer saw yet another successful Winton
Weekend with an excellent attendance from both
‘Fifty Years On’ and ‘Forty Years On’ alumni.
This year, the Winton Club Reunion Weekend 2007
will take place on Friday 6 July to Sunday 8 July.
When the roll was called after reunion luncheon, the first
to rise was F. R. Williman (1932-34). Nine members of
the A.T.S, who were stationed in the college buildings
from 1941 to 1946, were also present celebrating
‘Sixty Years On’.
The preacher at the Reunion Service was the Reverend
Canon Russell Bowman-Eadie (1963-66) and an
informal organ recital was given by M Edwards after
the AGM.
The weekend will begin on the Friday evening with a
special buffet supper for those celebrating landmark
years since they left Winchester. Saturday will begin
with the Reunion Service in the Chapel followed by
Reunion Luncheon.
Invitations to the reunion will be sent out during April. If
you would like to ensure you are sent an invitation or
require further information, please contact the Alumni
Office.
ion
1 April 20
07
7.00pm fo
r 7.30pm
At the We
st Downs
C
The Univ
ersity of W entre
inchester
Champa
followed b gne Reception
y three co
urse dinn
and musi
er
cal entert
ainment.
Carriages
at midnig
ht
Places are limited – we strongly recommend you reserve
a place now to avoid disappointment later.
Ruby Leavers – Can you help?
12
Saturday
2
Invitations have been sent to all 1981 to 1987 graduates
on our database. If you have not received your invitation
or know of anyone that would like to come, please
contact the Alumni Office.
“The Winton Reunion gave me such a valuable insight
into the institution,” explains Professor Carter. “I was able
to talk to so many interesting people and managed to
learn decades of fascinating history about Winchester.”
“This year’s Winton Reunion marks a special occasion
for me – it will be 40 years since I left Winchester,”
says Colin. “I recently came across a photograph of the
1964/67 P.E. group and was wondering what became
of us all. Does anyone recognise the following names?
Rick Hawkes, Graham Orris, Bob Gordon, Phil Wheeler,
Dave Messenger, Joss Binns, Dave Armitage, Guy
Thornton, Lionel Paris, Roy Newton, Mike Halpin, Bob
Silver Reu
n
Open to graduates from 1981 to 1987
Ticket cost: £35 per person
RSVP Monday 9 April 2007
Alumni were especially pleased to be able to meet
with Professor Joy Carter, who was the speaker at
the reunion luncheon. It was her first Winton weekend
since becoming Vice Chancellor in April 2006.
For one cohort of Winchester graduates, this
year’s Winton Reunion Weekend will mark a
special anniversary. Colin Chegwyn (Certificate of
Education, 1964 to 1967) now needs the help of fellow
Wintonians.
16m high
16
17
16m high
9
12m high
Baker, John Goodman, Ronnie Craddock, Trevor Garner,
Tony Lock, John Bell, Dave Childs, Adrian Morris, Alan
Jones, Dave Evans and John Taylor.”
If you know of any of their whereabouts, please contact
the Alumni Office.
Calling Former Scouts and Guides!
Many of you will no doubt remember King Alfred’s
College Scout and Guide Club. It was a thriving
association at Winchester up until the late 1970s.
If you were a member and have memories to
share, the Student Scout and Guide Organisation
(SSAGO) want to hear from you!
In order to celebrate the fact that the Scouting organisation is 100 years old this year, they’re hoping to get
hold of as many members as possible to organise reunions and to find out more about SSAGO’s past.
If you’d like more information, contact Martin Whelan
on 07950 331 716
or email [email protected]
16m high
‘Bobby Dazzlers’ at West Downs
Alumni may have spotted West Downs Performing
Arts Centre on their TV screens in January as the
venue for a couple of editions of ITV’s Dickinson’s
Real Deal. Hundreds of hopeful people and adoring
fans turned up last November to take part in the
filming of the popular daytime TV series featuring
the Duke himself.
The new show, which attracts more than a million viewers
each week, offers people the chance to choose whether
they take money on the spot from dealers or go on to
take a gamble at auction.
Wedding Bells
at Winchester
Over the past few years, the number of wedding
celebrations held by Alumni at the University has
increased greatly. This year another five couples will
return to their educational roots to either marry in
the Chapel or to hold wedding celebrations.
This was the first time TV antiques expert and collector,
David Dickinson had set foot in Winchester and it was the
final location of a tour which has included more than 40
locations across the UK.
“Winchester is a notoriously cash rich city,” he said during
filming. “We’ve already uncovered a number of pieces that
are very special indeed. We’ve been especially looking for
items that are quirky and not automatically associated with
the world of antiques. West Downs really has been the perfect venue – the student helpers have been great too!”
TVs David Dickinson with two of his biggest fans,
first year Winchester students,
Christine Hudson and Charlotte Coleman
Civil Partnership Celebrations
Congratulations go to Neil Childs (BA Primary
Education, 1992 to 1997) and Nigel Thomas (BA
Environmental Studies with Geography, 1993 to
1996) who celebrated their civil partnership at
Winchester recently.
Since graduating, Neil has been teaching at Bitterne Park
Infant School in Southampton. He has also taken on a
role within the Local Authority moderating Key Stage One
Teacher Assessments. Meanwhile, Nigel has completed
a Masters in Integrated Environmental Studies and now
works at The Environment Agency.
The couple first met on a final year geography
module at University. They were joined together at
a ceremony at the Tudor hall at Marwell Zoological
Park followed by an evening party at West Downs
Conference Centre.
Winchester can now offer both church and civil
ceremonies. Special arrangements can be made for
alumni to hold marriage ceremonies in the Chapel on
the King Alfred campus. Marriages are performed by
the University Chaplain, Jonathan Watkins.
“We had an absolutely brilliant day,” says Neil, who
has carried out a lot of volunteer work at Marwell.
“Both venues were chosen for their meaning to us.
Loads of friends from our Winchester days were
there and all in all, everything was just perfect. We’ve
now joined our surnames to become Neil and Nigel
Thomas-Childs.”
At West Downs, our Victorian Performing Arts and
Conference Centre, there are also two rooms licensed
for civil ceremonies and partnerships.
Love at First Sight
What better story for February than one of true
love at Winchester? Venta was pleased to receive
from Peter Wilkinson (Certificate of Education, 1963
to 1966) in Albert, Canada this account of his days
on campus where he first met his wife Maureen.
“I first joined King Alfred’s College in 1963 as a
mature student after leaving the Royal Navy. The college
had only recently turned co-educational and things were
changing rapidly.
“It was very exciting as I remember a dance was
arranged for Guy Fawkes Night and we had permission
to have a bar with alcohol for the very first time. At the
“Organising a wedding is always an exciting and
interesting part of the conference team’s job, but when
the wedding is for past students, it makes it even more
rewarding,” says Hannah Lane, Conference Operations
Manager. “I can honestly say the University has established an excellent reputation for weddings over the
years and our facilities really are first rate.”
grand old age of 32 I had become the resident father
figure and was therefore asked to run the bar. It was
a very successful evening so a bar became part of the
regular dances.
“At that time Maureen was running the student coffee bar
but her space became quickly reassigned for the liquor
bar. I spent a memorable afternoon helping her move
the regular stock out and our beverages in. I’m happy to
say, that meeting eventually led to our marriage which is
now in its 42nd year!
We would be delighted to hear from any old friends from
that time. My email is [email protected]
The Shakespeare Room in the West Downs Centre
makes the perfect wedding reception venue.
The University can provide a wide selection of menus,
accompanied by a varied wine list and are also happy
to tailor a menu to either suit a theme or particular
favourites. The room can be transformed for an evening
reception to allow up to 140 guests to dance the night
away to a choice of disco or band music.
The University can also offer guests the opportunity to
stay on campus. Within the West Downs Centre are
65 single en-suite bedrooms, so friends can enjoy the
opportunity to re-live their University days.
If you would like any further information, please contact
Hannah Lane on 01962 827663 or by email
[email protected]
13
Alumni Project –
The Next Stage
The Alumni Project seeks to explore and record
the history of the institution from the viewpoint
of its alumni. You may already have read about
the first stage of the project, ‘Alumnae Voices’, in
earlier editions of Venta.
We now have funding for a second stage which will
examine the experiences of both male and female students and will concentrate specifically on the relationship between the institution and the wider community
of Winchester. The remit for the project requires the
completion of questionnaires, four filmed interviews.
(which will be used to produce a short film/DVD) and
20 recorded interviews.
We began work on this stage of the project at the
Winton Weekend last summer and we would like to
thank all those who took part by either completing
questionnaires or by allowing us to interview and film
them. It was a very enjoyable experience for us and
has provided us with much valuable material as many
more than the original ‘four’ we envisaged were happy
to share their memories with us.
If any other alumni would like to complete questionnaires, please get in touch.
Drs Andrea Jacobs, Stephanie Spencer and Camilla
Leach [email protected]
In Memory of …
We have been notified of the deaths of the following
alumni and staff recently. We send our condolences to
their families.
W. Drew1934 to 1936
A. Dodd1935 to 1937
S. Heavisides1938 to 1940
Sqn Ldr Edward Bevan1957 to 1959
S. Williams (nee Thane)1963 to 1966
Ursula Brown1992 to 1995
Stephanie Morgan1997 to 2000
C. Gorvin1926 to 1928
A. Lawson1949 to 1951
D.J. Perfect1954 to 1956
A.C. Hounsone1952 to 1954
D. Rogers1961 to 1964
P. D. Hart1954 to 1956
D. J. Perfect1954 to 1956
P. E. Brine1961 to 1964
14
Obituaries
Albert Dodd (1913 to 2006)
Albert Dodd died in July last year
aged 92. He took his teaching
certificate at King Alfred’s
College from 1935-1937, and
in his second year was the
Senior Student.
Albert was now teaching in a Poole secondary school.
He was a keen gardener, had a small printing press
(producing much Winton Club material), belonged to
the Purbeck Group of Artists, trained groups of choral
speakers and, when his wife’s health declined, taught
himself to cook.
When he was admitted to King Alfred’s College, he was
four years older that the majority of fellow students and
the regime of college life was very different from today. In
the 1939-45 war, after teaching English, he was posted
to Bovington as a tank instructor and married in 1940.
His daughter Marion was born in 1942.
He was an active 1935 to 1937 Year Secretary,
served on The Winton Club Committee, was Honorary
Treasurer of the club, of which he was also a Vice
President, and attended reunions regularly. To
his daughter Marion and her family our sincere
condolences.
Wilfrid Drew (1914 to 2006)
It is with great sadness that Venta
reports the news of the death
of Wilfred Drew (Certificate of
Education, 1934 to 1936),
who sadly passed away in
June 2006, aged 92.
Before Wilfred passed away, he wrote to Venta, wishing
to share with readers how he has spent his years since
leaving Winchester 70 years ago. Wilfred wrote:
“After leaving King Alfred’s College in 1936 I joined
the staff of St Agatha’s Church of England School
in Portsmouth. In 1940 I joined the Royal Air Force. I
later trained to be a Wireless Operator Mechanic and
became an instructor, serving at the No 4 Radio School
at Hereford.
I was demobilised on the 5 November 1945. The Local
Education Authority told me to report to St Jude’s Church
of England School, Portsmouth to take up duties as PE
teacher. I decided very soon that I wanted to stay there and
I did, until I retried in 1978 after a total of 33 years.
I enjoyed my life teaching. It was very satisfying. I felt
that I was doing something useful. St Jude’s was on the
whole a very happy community. I can remember being on
playground duty, strolling up and down the playground,
then a little hand would grasp one of mine then another
little hand would take the other. Then another would
fight with those there and grab hold of probably a finger
– and that could be painful – but I would have two on
each hand and the others would be hanging on the back
of my jacket and we’d stroll up and down. I must have
looked rather like the Pied Piper of Hamelin!
I found this fact, that the children liked me, very congenial
and we had a friendly staff and life was good. It reminded
me of a few lines by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, she
said:
Earth’s crammed with Heaven
And every common bush afire with God
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.
The rest sit round and pick blackberries.
– I’ve taken my shoes off!”
Charles Gorvin (1907 to 2006)
Charles Gorvin died in June
2006. He took his teaching
certificate at King Alfred’s
College from 1926 to 1928,
and regularly attended
reunions. He was last at
Reunion 2005, with his wife
Joyce, when his was the first name when the roll was
called.
He remembered many of the events from his time as
a student, including his year’s intake of 40 men and
a total student member of 80. Carnival in the city was
enjoyed each year with contributions from the students,
including the decoration of King Alfred’s statue.
After graduating, Charles taught in Wood Green in north
London for 12 years, was evacuated with his school,
and when called up served with the RAF. After the war
he enjoyed a year’s exchange with a teacher from
Western Australia and was subsequently appointed as
headmaster of Lordship Lane Primary School where
he remained for 17 years until he retired in 1968.
In retirement he supervised King Alfred’s College
students on school practice (1969 to 1971) and also
taught English to foreign students.
An active member of The Winton Club for many years
whilst living in New Milton, he provided many details of
life at King Alfred’s College some 80 years ago. To Joyce
and her family our sincere condolences.
Exploring Dance
– Cuban Style!
Last year, Zela Gayle (BA Choreography and Dance,
2000 to 2003) was awarded a Winston Churchill
Travelling Fellowship to Cuba. For two months she
danced with a company called Danza Libre in Guantanamo, studying the history and form of Afro-Cuban folkloric dance.
“The whole experience was amazing,” says Zela. “Cuba
is the most incredible place – music and dance is always
in the air. Dancing there is a totally liberating experience,
where everyone is given the chance to learn and make
progress. The awesome Danza Libre Company was extremely welcoming and I danced to the beat of the drums
every morning.”
On her return from Cuba, Zela took a job as a dance
assistant with the East London Youth Dance Company.
“I wanted to share my passion for dance and soon
I was teaching dance in Primary Schools. I mixed
dance with poetry and gave them a taste of Cuban dance. It is very inspiring to bring this traditional dance experience to the classroom and the
wider community of dancers in the UK.”
Zela is no stranger to the dance programmes at
Winchester. A few years ago she gave a lecture on
her professional development to Performing Arts and
Dance students at the University and returned to teach
African-Cuban Choreography to second year BA Dance
students.
For more information on Danza Libre, email Zela on
[email protected]@wcmt.org.uk
Spreading the Word
Across the Globe
Traveller’s Cheque
for PhD Research
Last year saw a rapid expansion of International
activities for the University of Winchester. The
University’s International profile is developing fast
and Winchester is attracting many students from
around the globe. In particular, the University
welcomed three new students from India on
international scholarships.
This February, Winchester PhD student Karenanne
Knight will be presenting a research paper at the
Art in Early Childhood Conference at the University
of New England, just outside Sydney in Australia
– thanks to a £300 bursary award from the Winton
Benevolent Fund.
Karenanne, who completed her MA in Writing for
Children at Winchester a few years ago, will be discussing her PhD research at the Conference. Her investigations look at the use of text and image in children’s
picture books. She hopes to show how the results of
this research will define new strategies for literacy in
the Early years.
If anyone is interested in hearing more about the
Winton Benevolent Fund, please contact Director of
Student Services, Ann Keating, on 01962 827263.
Rajni Gill, from New Dehli in India, is studying MSc
Managing Health and Social Care.
“I feel very privileged to have received this scholarship,”
says Rajni. “It has really helped towards my fees. A lot
of universities don’t offer such scholarships and some
don’t seem bothered how overseas students will pay
for their fees.
“The tutors and students are very helpful and friendly
here. I’m telling everyone back home about Winchester
and am currently talking to seven other students who
are interested in coming here. I’m looking to be in
Winchester for a long time to come. I’ve decided that
I’m going to apply to do a PhD here.”
Winston
Churchill
Memorial
Trust
The Trust awards 100 travelling fellowships every
year for overseas projects lasting between four and
eight weeks. They are granted to allow people to
acquire knowledge that will make them more effective in their work, whilst enriching themselves, their
communities and ultimately the United Kingdom as
a whole.
If you would like to find out more about the Travelling
Fellowships of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust,
then please click on www.wcmt.org.uk or
email [email protected]
New Fund Supports the
Winchester Experience
The University has established a Development Fund
along with a Development Manager to help raise financial
support for special projects through an annual giving
programme and a legacies campaign. Formerly the Vice
Chancellor’s PA, Corinne Mackenzie took up her new
position last September. She confirms that in the Fund’s
first year, some £5,000 has been generated through
annual giving, with the highest single gift being £1,000.
other friends of the University are so willing to support the
Winchester Experience for generations to come.
“We are much encouraged by the generous response to
the first brochures sent out to launch the Development
Fund,” says Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Chris Turner.
“It is very exciting to find that alumni, staff, governors and
Watch out for updated information packs explaining how
you can participate. Further details can be obtained from
Corinne Mackenzie on 01962 827532
or [email protected]
“We are using the money to support students through
difficult times and for small but significant projects in
areas such as libraries, faculties and social facilities,
and special pieces of equipment which will improve the
student learning experience.”
15
What’s On
23 to 25 February
Winton 2007
For further information on the event, please contact
Peter Beard (Student Union Vice President) on 01962
827414 or email [email protected]
27 February
Enterprise Lecture, to be given
by Professor Mick Aston
‘Making Time Team:
15 years of Archaeology and Television’.
6pm for 6.30pm at the Stripe. For further information
on the event please contact:
Trish Kernan on 01962 827578
or email [email protected]
7 March
Flying Start Rally
12-6pm, Brighton. For more information please
contact the National Council for Entrepreneurship on
0121 380 3545
or click on www.flyingstart-ncge.com
21 April
Silver Reunion 2007
See page 12 for details
16 June
Postgraduate Open Day
10am-1pm, the Stripe. For further information on the
event please contact the Student Recruitment Office
01962 827185
29 June to 1 July
27th Winchester Writers’ Conference and Bookfair
Keynote speaker: Jacqueline Wilson OBE
For more information see the alumni webpage or
contact Barbara Large on 01962 827238
or email [email protected]
6 to 8 July
Winton Reunion Weekend 2007
See page 12 for details
15 September
10 Years on Reunion 2007
Open to 1996, 1997 and 1998 graduates. Details of
the event will be announced nearer the time
Further information about the above reunion events
can be obtained from the Alumni Office
or www.winchester.ac.uk/alumni
16
Blast from the Past!
D F Williams, Certificate of Education
(1950-1952)
“After leaving Winchester where
I specialised in PE and History,
I spent four years teaching in
a secondary school in Bournemouth. During my time there
I built up a good reputation as
a Boxing Coach and Referee.
I then travelled the world
teaching in Rhodesia, training
African teachers in Uganda
and working as an Administrative
Education Officer in the Western Pacific.
My time in Uganda was especially memorable. I met my
wife there – a former Portsmouth Training College student
who was Headmistress of the first boarding school for African Muslim girls. I continued my interest in amateur boxing
and whilst refereeing in one international tournament was
in charge of Idi Amin’s last bout as Heavyweight Champion
of East Africa. I also had the honour of leading the New
Hebrides Team to the first South Pacific Games in 1963 as
Chef de Mission.
On my return to the UK I went back to secondary teaching as Head of History. I enjoyed the fact that many of
the kids used to say “you taught my mum/dad/uncle/etc”
– so my reputation as a ‘hard man’ was assured! I loved
teaching and continued until I was 70 before retiring
in Dorset.”
Dave Johnston, Certificate of Education (1959 to
1961) and Sheila Johnston (nee Inder),
Certificate of Education (1960 to 1963)
“I left Winchester in
July 1961 and joined
the staff of Court Lane
Juniors in Portsmouth.
My training and some
well-remembered
philosophical observations from John
‘Tiger’ Stripe, then
Principal, stood me
in good stead!
I married Sheila (one of the first women to be admitted to
Winchester) in 1963 and the following year moved to Aden,
where we both took up teaching posts. I also joined the
Aden Forces’ Broadcasting Association as a scriptwriterbroadcaster. Sadly we left Aden in 1967 following a handgrenade incident which left Shelia badly injured. I had also
had a narrow escape from a shooting in my school library.
Many of my year will doubtless remember Hugh Campbell
and I recall him saying to me ‘Why don’t you come and
teach in the Bahamas?’ The opportunity to do so came
soon after we arrived back in the UK and by October 1967,
we were in Nassau. Sheila found herself at Baillou Hill High
School where Hugh was Headteacher and I was at the
newly-built Kennedy Secondary. A few months later, another member of our year arrived at Nassau, Keith Kirkham.
As both of us were keen chess players, having represented
Hampshire during our time at Winchester, Keith and I organised the Bahamas National Chess Championships for
two years.
In 1971, we decided to return to the UK in preparation for
the birth of our second child, Caroline. However one more
tour beckoned, this time it was Papua New Guinea were I
taught at Popondetta High – a mixed boarding school with
pupils from a range of tribes from all over the Northern
District.
We returned to the UK in 1973 and settled in Stubbington.
Sheila took a job at Lee-on-the-Solent Juniors, remaining
there until retiring in 1989. I joined the staff at Bishopsfield
Secondary in Fareham. One day a member of Sheila’s year,
John Hester, arrived to take over the headship at the school
– what a small world!”
A C Spurling, Certificate of Education
(1934 to 1936)
“I left College in 1936
and started teaching
the very next day at
Andover Secondary
Boy’s School. Having qualified as an
Association Football
Referee, I spent almost every Saturday
controlling matches
between local teams. I
met and married my first wife before I was enlisted in the
RAF as a Physical Training Instructor in 1940.
As you can imagine, returning to civilian life and teaching
in 1946 wasn’t easy and required some adjustment. My
referee qualification became recognised, and I started
officiating in the Hampshire League. From then it was
a rapid move up through the ranks to Linesman on the
Football League. I met many interesting people both on
and off the pitch, one of whom was the legendary Stanley
Matthews, a gentleman in all senses and a brilliant controller
of the ball. I became good friends with Ken Aston who was
an excellent referee and officiated in the World Cup series
played in South America.
My first wife gave birth to a son and daughter, but what
seemed like an ideal family life was shattered in 1952 when
she died of cancer. The support I received during this time was
tremendous and something I will always treasure. I eventually
remarried and fathered twin boys.
After a very active career and retirement, I am now living in a
retirement home. I have attended College reunions for the past
25 years and enjoy the many pleasant memories they bring
back to mind. My second wife died seven years ago, but with
seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, life still
offers me much and I enjoy it.”
Contact Venta Now!
Desperately Seeking – Can you help?
Ever fancied seeing your story in print? If so, now’s
your chance! We’re already busy gathering stories and
features for the next issue and would love to hear from
you. Please get in touch by emailing
[email protected]
or telephoning 01962 827403.
David Scourfield, who attended King Alfred’s
College from 1960 to 1963. Any idea where he is?
If so, please contact Peter Keeble (1960 - 1963) on
[email protected]
Remember...
Martin Halfpenny and Catrin Rees, who both
attended King Alfred’s College from 1991 to 1994.
We’re partners for life!
Any idea where they are? Andrew Burford (nicknamed
‘Burf’) is keen to get back in contact with both of
them.
If you can help, please contact
the Alumni Office on [email protected]