ottershaw school old boys` society the agm and old boys` evening

OTTERSHAW
SCHOOL OLD
BOYS’ SOCIETY
THE AGM
AND OLD
BOYS’
EVENING, 2004
August, 2004
No. 40
THE
GAZETTE
Saturday, 20th November 2004
Wheatsheaf Hotel, Chobham Road, Horsell, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4AL
6 p.m. Function Bar opens.
6.30 p.m. AGM (sitting at tables).
7.15 p.m. (approx) AGM finishes, pre dinner drinks while tables laid.
8.00 p.m. 3 course Dinner and coffee - wine list available.
9.30 p.m. (approx) Members circulate and drink.
11.00 p.m. Function bar closes.
To book, complete the enclosed form and send it with a cheque for £15 to:
Ottershaw School Old Boys’ Society, Freepost, WQFP15, Guildford, Surrey GU3 3BR.
If you have a special dietary requirement
please indicate this on the form.
IN THIS ISSUE
OFFICIAL STUFF
Minutes of the 2003 AGM
Old Boys’ Memorial to Gill Willis
Millennium Fund
A note from the Secretary
OSOBS Contact Details
Directory changes
2
2
2
3
3
4
EVENTS
6th. School April meeting
The Old Old Boys’ Annual Dinner
Golf Devon Tour, 2004
4
5
6
LETTERS
From Tony Foster
From Bob Freeman
From Tom We
From Dennis Williams
7
7
8/9
9
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Parents’ Day 1950
Cricket Fixtures 1952
Cricket XI 1954
Fathers’ Cricket Match 1951
Cricket XI 1951
Family Day 2003 photos
10
10
11
11
11
12
Obituary - Harry Burrow
12
!! BE THERE !!
NB: This year you can book or send
questions to me by email at
[email protected] - but you will
still need to send your cheque to the
Freepost address.
Please do not leave your booking until
the last moment, we have to confirm
numbers with the hotel and last minute
changes are not welcome!
A room for the night?
If you wish to stay at the hotel,
please make your own arrangements
direct
- ’phone 0870 243 0500
!!Family
12th.,
Day!! Sunday, September
2004,
In memory of
Gill Willis
East Horsley, Surrey
SEE INSERT FOR ALL DETAILS
Official Stuff
MINUTES of the A.G.M of the Ottershaw School Old Boys’ Society
Held at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Woking at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, 8th. November, 2003
Present: 38 members, D. Williams in the Chair.
1. Apologies: Harry Sharp, Barry Coldbreath, Jean Hislop, Graham Reynolds, Peter White, Ian Purves-Hume, Donald Palmer, Kim Jeffrey, Ralph White, Richard Rand,
Mr & Mrs Dedman, John Oecken, Michael Whitehead, Chris Carter, Peter Orpin, Andrew Peppit, John Lyndall, Stephen Church, David Over, Colin Wilson, Don Eade,
Malcolm Pratt.
2. Minutes of the last meeting:These were adopted - proposed Michael Carter, seconded Chris Roberts.
3. Matters arising: There were no matters arising.
4. President’s Report: The President welcomed the gathering of members and in particular Allan & Mary Dodds and Tom & Nina Weston. Thanks went to those
stalwarts Gill Willis and Marian McEwen, who both gave so much to the Society; to Peter Jones for his Chairmanship of the Committee; to Peter Trevett our Secretary
and the rest of the Committee; and to Nigel Haig-Brown our auditor. Finally, the organisers of our events - Robin Wills, Sixth School, David Howell and David Hibbert golf in Devon and modestly himself for the London Dinner. A particular vote of thanks to the Family Day sub committee - Peter Jones, Peter Trevett, George Pollard,
David Over, himself and David Hibbert (co-opted) and on the day Nadia Over, Vyv Hibbert and Helen Jones. The day went with a swing thanks to Glynn Burch and his
band and the school flag flew over us thanks to David and Nadia Over donating a portable flag pole to the Society.
The Family Day - a few questions were asked of the meeting. Who went? - 17. Who could not go? - 13. Who forgot! - Leaving 8 of those present. The AGM plus
attendees at the London Dinner and Sixth School formed the bulk of active members. If members did not attend events specially organised such as the Family Day,
one had to question the value of arranging these events. Last year’s AGM authorised the expenditure of £1,500 from Society funds on the Family Day, the actual
expenditure was £1,507.48. Forty members came together with families, about 100 in total, i e some £15 a head.
Next year were we to have an event? After discussion including the hire of a Thames boat, an event near the school, the meeting agreed on a further Family Day with
expenditure from Society Funds of up to £1,000, proposed Tony Forward, seconded David Jones.
In the coming year arranged dates were:London Dinner - Friday 2nd April - Dennis Williams
Sixth School - Sunday 25th April - Robin Wills - Golden Lion, Dean Street, London.
Godstone Gush - probably May
Devon Golf - 18/20th June - David Howell.
As usual Society funds would be available to assist organisers.
5. Treasurer’s Report:
Society Accounts: These showed that at 31 August 2003, the Society carried forward a balance of £10,293 and had total current assets of £11,575, including £1,342
held on behalf of the Millennium Fund; excess of income over expenditure for the year of £559.
Hislop Fund: As at 31 August 2003 an accumulated balance of £1,385, the total assets, was carried forward.
The meeting approved the accounts, proposed Dennis Pocock, seconded George Pollard.
6. Secretary’s Report: Since the last AGM 4 new members had joined the Society, one as a result of the Family Day. Tonight we were auctioning a clock from the
North House Dining Room, kindly donated by Andrew Peppit. On display were some of the results of John Athersuch’s research into the history of Ottershaw Park,
including its time as our old school. John, while not an Old Boy, lives at the Bothy and put on a similar exhibition at the Family Day for which with tonight’s exhibits we
would like to thank him.
7. Gazette Editor’s Report: Gill Willis asked members to ensure that she continued to receive a good steady flow of contributions and photographs for the Gazette.
Thought was being given to one issue of the Gazette in colour, and for this colour photographs were needed, particularly of the Family Day and other events. Tony
Forward said that Gill deserved a vote of thanks, proposed Michael Carter, seconded Dennis Pocock.
8. Headmaster’s Fund: The President reported on behalf of Don Eade that there was still some £1,500 to spend and Old Boys should be encouraged to apply for
grants under the terms of the fund, i.e. for further education. Last year one Old Boy had applied for a grant, but as this was a for his son’s education it was not within
the fund rules.
Before the election of the Officers and Committee, Tom Weston announced that he would not be standing again as Vice President. It was time that this post
was filled by an Old Boy. The President thanked Tom for his contribution and long support of the Society and this was endorsed by the meeting. The
Committee would consider who to invite to stand as Vice President and a name would be put to next year’s AGM.
9. Election of Honorary President: Dennis Williams, proposed by Dennis Pocock, seconded Michael Carter and elected by the meeting. However, Dennis Williams
announced his intention to stand down as President in 2005.
10. Election of Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer: Peter Trevett and Marian McEwen proposed by Pat Cowan, seconded Tony Forward and elected by
the meeting.
11. Election of the Committee: Gill Willis, Michael Carter, David Dungate, Peter Jones, Trevor Olney, Dennis Pocock, George Pollard and a new member
David Over proposed by Michael Pearch, seconded John Young and elected by the meeting.
12. Election of Auditor: Nigel Haig- Brown, proposed by Dennis Pocock, seconded Chris Roberts - elected by the meeting.
13. Next AGM: This will be on Saturday 20th November 2004.
An Old Boys’
Memorial to Gill Willis
As I am sure most of you are aware, it has been decided to
perpetuate the memory of Gill Willis, and all the wonderful work
she achieved on behalf of our Society, by a Memorial. I am very
pleased to tell you that her widower, Dick Willis, has obtained
permission from the appropriate Chobham Village Committee for a
bench to be placed outside the Chobham Museum, to which Gill
also contributed much of her time. The bench will be suitably
inscribed.
A decision has yet to be taken on the design of the bench, and this
will be made on the members’ behalf by our Committee. We should anticipate a cost in excess of
£1,000. The cost will be raised by voluntary contribution and raffles. Already about £250 has been
raised from the generosity of those who attended my London Dinner last March.
I am delighted that the Family Day on Sunday, 12th. September at East Horsley has been
designated a Memorial Day to Gill. I trust that this will encourage many of you to attend.
There will be a donations box there for you to make contributions to the Gill Willis Memorial
Fund. If you wish, you may make a contribution by post. Please send your donation, made
payable to the Gill Willis Memorial Fund to Mrs. Marian McEwen, Honorary Treasurer, Ottershaw
School Old Boys’ Society, Hilstanlea, Horsell Way, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4UJ.
I look forward to seeing you in September.
2
Dennis Williams
Millennium Fund
Shortly after Christmas the Committee was
delighted to disburse its first grant from the
Millennium Fund. £350 was awarded to
Charles Merrett so that his car controls
could be converted, thus enabling him to
continue to drive.
The Society has received a card from
Charles expressing his gratitude and
thanks for its generosity.
If anyone is aware of a similar deserving
case, please inform a member of the
Committee.
An Announcement
Adrian and Michelle McEwen
announce the arrival of George
Tony on 8th April 2004 - a
brother for Amy and a further
grandchild for Marian.
A note from the
Secretary
Official Stuff
The most efficient way to do this would perhaps be as follows:
Produce the Gazette as now (presumably edited on a PC/MAC?)
Convert the PC/MAC original to an Adobe PDF file
Store the PDF file on the OSOBS website under the Gazette section
Send a notification email to recipients containing a link to download the file.
This solution would:
Save OSOBS money by cutting down on postal/stationery costs
Help to generate new membership (OSOBS could forward the email to nonmembers)
Generate more traffic for the website
Provide a colour version of the Gazette
Still enable OSOBS members to print a hard copy if required
Encourage OSOBS members to submit copy for future issues via email
Enable users to view old versions of the Gazette stored on the website
For five weeks in February, March and April I took myself around the world,
spending most of my time in Australia and North Island, New Zealand. I do not
propose to retail, regale or otherwise bore you with details of the trip, but to say who
from OSOBs I met.
First, in Cairns, Bob Guy - OT 348 - and his second appearance in the Gazette in
consecutive issues as in September he met up with Terence Nagle. Terence picked a
better time to visit Cairns than me as March is the cyclone season, i.e. very wet and
windy. I was there for four days and after one dry day enjoyed some 20 plus inches of
rain. The one bright spot was Bob and the meals we had together. The night before I
left, Bob was to pilot a bulk carrier north inside the Barrier Reef for the next 4/5 days
through a possible cyclone. My next visit to Queensland will be in August/September.
On to Auckland where first I was royally entertained by Peter Batten, his lovely wife
and mother.
Then I met up with Tom Newnham, who was a master in my time and after
Ottershaw went to Hong Kong for four years. Tom gave me a copy of his
autobiography - Interesting Times - of which a short review says:
"For Interesting Times, A Kiwi Chronicle. At a more personal level, Tom Newnham
tells the story of his life to date. He is one of our most effective, energetic and humble
social campaigners, and he has made a significant personal contribution to the
campaign against apartheid and racial discrimination, New Zealanders' understanding
of Asia and China in particular, the development of Citizens Advice Bureaux, the
drive for a nuclear-free New Zealand, recognition of Maori rights, prison reform and
an end to discrimination in our immigration policies. As we approach Race Relations
Day 2004, it is no surprise to note that it was Tom Newnham who organised the first
commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
with a public meeting in the Ellen Melville Pioneer Women's Hall in Auckland on
March 21, 35 years ago".
In the N Z Listener there is a 3 page review and I reproduce one extract:
"Tom Newnham was to New Zealand's anti-Vietnam war, anti-nuclear and antiapartheid years what Tom Paine was to the American Declaration of Independence –
its letter-writer, pamphleteer, chronicler, analyst, activist and a strategist in what
became a revolution. He was unquenchable, and one looks to the opening chapters of
his newly and, naturally, self-published biography."
Unlike Cairns I enjoyed splendid weather in New Zealand, but regardless of the
weather what shone through to me was that these OSOBs firstly much appreciated
receiving the Gazette and secondly were always pleased to be looked up by visiting
Old Boys. On your travels it is therefore worth remembering that we are scattered
around the world - USA, Canada, Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain,
Middle East, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Barbados, Cyprus. An advance
phone call or email is always worthwhile.
You will have seen that we have another Family Day on Sunday, 12th. September at
East Horsley Village Hall.
This follows the one held last year at the same venue and very much enjoyed by those
who came. The AGM voted that there should be a second Family Day, paid for from
Society Funds, although donations on the day will be most welcome.
It is important is that you support the event, which this year is in memory of Gill
Willis. We hope that there will be a much bigger turnout than last year, otherwise the
wisdom of organising similar future events must be in question.
This is of course the first Gazette since the tragic death of Gill Willis. For the time
being I am acting, and (I hope) a temporary editor. Regardless as to the future Editor,
your Committee have agreed that in the not too distant future an electronic Gazette
will be produced in addition to a printed version and an outline as to how this
might work is as submitted by Greg Kendall below:
I'd like to suggest a cost saving way of distributing the OSOBS Gazette to many of
its readers.
Having just received the latest issue, I read Dennis Williams' piece and was
particularly struck by his comments on the strength of the Gazette to bind the
membership and the use of the website for 'younger' members.
As an Internet consultant, I would be very surprised if a substantial and evergrowing number of OSOBS members did not have an email address. Hence for
such members it should be easy to distribute the Gazette in an electronic rather
than a printed form.
The software required by the editor of the Gazette to convert the PC/MAC file, is
extremely simple. It acts like a printer, but instead of producing a hard copy file it
produces a PDF file. Numerous products providing this functionality are available
on the Web. Furthermore, the software required by each recipient (Adobe Reader)
is also available for download via the Web and best of all is absolutely free.
I do realise that there will be many OSOBS members who would still prefer to keep
receiving the printed version and of course that should continue. However, I think
that a significant number could easily be persuaded to switch to an electronic
version. Over time, as the number of OSOBS using email becomes much larger, it
may be an option to drop the printed version, but this may be sometime away yet.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this idea and would trust that Andrew Goolding
would be happy to store the electronic version on the OSOBS website.
Yours,
Greg Kendall
We shall confirm precise details with Andrew Goolding and set them out in detail in
the next issue of the Gazette. But I can say now that members who have an email
address will automatically be notified of a new issue and not sent a printed version
unless they specifically so request.
Another development I am investigating is the use of a system such as PayPal to
allow overseas members to pay their subs. Again full details in the next issue.
Peter Trevett
OSOBS’ WEB SITE
The Society’s website address is www.osobs.com
EMAIL ADDRESSES: Send emails to: [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]
[email protected] ... as appropriate.
These will automatically be routed to Peter Trevett, and information
for the Treasurer delivered to Marian as necessary.
But if your correspondence with Marian is wholly/partially personal,
then we suggest you use the good old-fashioned mail.
While Marian may not have email, many members do, and it
therefore seems sensible to include any email addresses in the
Directory. Those members wanting this should send details to
[email protected]
Finally, our thanks to Andrew Goolding for all the work he has
done, and is still doing on the website.
PLEASE DO NOT USE THE OLD FREEPOST
ADDRESS, OR GILL WILLIS’ HOME
PHONE/FAX/POSTAL ADDRESS. Please phone, mail or
email any Gazette materials direct to Peter Trevett. The new
Freepost address is now:
OTTERSHAW SCHOOL OLD BOYS’ SOCIETY,
FREEPOST WQFP 15, GUILDFORD, SURREY, GU3 3BR
All copy for the next issue of The Gazette to
be with the Editor by January 21st.
3
please!
Official Stuff Events
DIRECTORY CHANGES
New Members
CRICHTON Stuart: Civil Engineer; 19, Queens Road,
Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6JW; home 020 8940 6798;
Mobile 07768 457398;
email: [email protected]; OT899; West
1965-70;
GOSLING Martin MBE: Writer; Beech Farmhouse,
Wingfield, Eye, Suffolk, IP21 5RG;
Home Tel/fax 01379 586630; OT304, North, 53/56;
email: [email protected]
Directory Changes
this issue contains a record number, no doubt
because of the card sent out with issue 39.
BATTEN Peter; semi retired; email:
[email protected]
BRIGHT Roy W: tel home 0118 988 3886;
email: [email protected]
BURCH Glynn: email:
[email protected]
CASHMAN Jon: company director; delete home tel,
Bus: 020 8255 6102, mobile 07711 264321
COLDBREATH Bruce: ships captain; home phone
+61 (07) 54456719; email: [email protected]
COLLEY Derek W P: note WISTOW not Westow in
address; now retired; no bus tel;
mobile 07799 600506; email: [email protected]
COLLINS John: occupation retired; delete business
telephone;add email: [email protected]
COOKE John: new address 8 Meadway Drive,
Horsell, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4TA,
Mobile 07811 107294; email:
[email protected]
CRAWLEY Mark: Tecnical Director;
Tel - home 01489 573146, work 10420 566504;
email: [email protected]
DEANE Graham: occupation Logistics;
bus fax 01784 240960; mobile07774 232405;
email: [email protected]
DEARDEN Roger: Ladydown - one word; retired
engineer; delete bus tel; mobile 07900 972307;
email: [email protected]
DEDMAN Timothy; new address 15, Culworth Close,
Rugby, Warks, CV21 1TX; mobile 07774 196008;
76/79 (not 75); email: [email protected]
EADE Donald: email [email protected]
EDGINTON Michael: home phone 01932 842375;
email: [email protected]
FORD Ian - note not L; tel 01276 505191; 1974/80,
East; email (tv only): [email protected]
FOSTER Tony: Tel 020 8325 0747; fax 020 8325
0733 email: [email protected]
FRYER Richard: tel Bus 01923 666230,
mobile 07802 208521; email: [email protected]
GALE Jim: new address Bachefield House,
Kimbolton, Nr Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0EP;
home tel 01568 615855; email:
[email protected]
GLUCKSMAN Peter: 1190, Morse Blvd,
West Palm Beach, Florida 33404, USA;
Phone - home 561 844 6648; bus - 561 863 7349;
fax 561 863 3674; email: [email protected]
GOOD Nigel: immigration officer;
bus tel 01234 821600, fax 01234 821607;
email: [email protected]
GUY Robert: email: [email protected]
HEARNDEN Colin: new email:
[email protected]
HOLBOURNE Mark: delete all, no longer a member.
HOLLOWAY William: postcode is GL51 4SR;
mobile tel 07905 612491
HOWELL David: retired schoolmaster; delete bus tel;
email: [email protected]
HUTTON George: Directional Driller;
email [email protected]
JANES Barry: new address 193/38, Kavanagh Street,
Southbank 3006, Victoria, Australia;
home tel 9686 3101; mobile 0402 794683;
email: [email protected]
4
JENVEY Tim: Account Manager, Program Planning
Professionals; email: [email protected]
KENDALL Greg;
Email: [email protected]
LUKER Leslie: security officer; bus tel 01179 222370;
mobile 07950 972540; email: bristol-city.gov.uk
MASON Russell: aviation insurance broker;
6 Lower Village Road,Sunninghill, Ascot, Berks,
SL5 7AU; delete home tel,
change bus 0207 397 4813; mobile 07971 501749;
MASSEY Peter; new address - Rocha de Momprole,
Matos Lima, 8100-308 Loule, Portugal
MERRETT Charles: delete email
MILLINGTON Peter: email: chezpetella@ xtra.co.nz
NAGLE Terence: Retired Chartered Surveyor;
delete bus tel; add home fax 01483 237598;
email: [email protected]
NEEDELL Tiff: new address East Dean House,
East Dean, Salisbury, SP5 1HQ; delete phone;
email: [email protected]
NEVE Peter: retired Headteacher
NOKES David: tel home 0118 9783100,
bus 0118 9404111
OECKEN John: home tel 01963 521885;
email: [email protected]
PAGE Terry: tel bus 01737 222303;
fax 01737 245422; mobile 07796 690416;
email: [email protected]
PAGE Roger: new email:
[email protected]
PALMER Angus: email:
[email protected]
PARSONS Nicholas: new address Wychwood,
Crawley Down, West Sussex, RH10 4HG;
Tel home 01342 712029; bus delete;
PAYNE Steven: tel home 01189 732537;
bus 01189 666662;
email: [email protected]
PEARCH Michael J: retired; mobile 0787 0890871;
email: [email protected]
PHILLIPS Stuart D: Tel Home 01225 480896,
work 01225 858989
PURVES-HUME Ian: add OBE; delete bus tel.
RAESIDE Steve M: new address 149, Beecham Road, Reading, Berks, RG30 2RB;
Tel 01189503248; email: [email protected]
RANSLEY James: email: [email protected]
ROBERTS Alan: post code now NP25 3NS;
Tel 01600 713505
ROBERTS NICK: development consultant;
postcode RH2 8PZ; Tel home 01293 862012;
fax 01293 863012; bus 0208 786 8363,
fax 0208 786 8256; mobile 07721 337600;
email: [email protected]
ROKE Stephen: email: [email protected]
SADLER Russell J: add email:
[email protected]
SCOTT John: change e mail to:
[email protected]
SHARDLOW Julian: retired gynaecologist;
delete bus tel; email: [email protected]
SILK Roger: Pennwood, Paganhill Lane, Stroud,
Gloucestershire, GL5 4JU; email: [email protected];
OTT47, Tulk 1967- 72.
STONER John T: retired
THORNE John: Engineering Manager;
Tel home 01483 838993; bus 0208 562 2097;
mobile 07789 611154; email:
[email protected]
WILLIAMS Dennis: email:
[email protected]
WILSON Colin OBE: home tel 01428 653344;
email: [email protected]
WINK Peter: new address: 13, New Durham Road,
Annfield Plain, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 7UQ;
occupation Army Officer; tel work 01748 873968;
mobile 07968 763859;
email: [email protected]
WOOD Jeremy: tel bus 020 7992 1930;
mobile 07748 622330; email: [email protected]
YARWOOD Peter: logistics consultant; delete bus tel;
email: [email protected]
6th School at
the
Golden Lion
On Sunday 25th April the annual 6th School
reunion took place at the usual location, the
Golden Lion in Dean Street in London's West
End. As ever we enjoyed ourselves and some
beer was consumed while the conversation
flowed. For me it was particularly good to catch
up with chaps I had not seen since I was still at
school. Robin Wills produced the prefects’
punishment book for 1967/ 68, I think it was
from Tulk House. In this I saw the cryptic entry
" CLDICR" many times, apparently "clothes left
down in changing room" was a mortal sin!
Robin, as ever, had laid on a buffet lunch which
fortified the body, the talk and liquor doing
similarly for the spirit. The time flashed by and
before we left to go our separate ways it was
suggested that next year we could perhaps
meet in Brighton. Those present this year, and
in order of appearance, were-:
Dudley Dixon (844 West), Steve Turner (922
North), Robin Whyte (878 West ), Colin Blowers
(947 North), Brian Cockerill (898 North), myself,
Steve Rathbom (863 West), Richard May (931
North), Trevor Olney (365 West), Byron
Bogawski (793 Tulk), Dennis Kidd (810 East),
Robin Wills (880 Tulk), George Hutton (26
West), Edwin Pitcher (42 West).
Son of 6th School!
This was a meeting for a few drinks and a
natter at the New Inn, Send, near Woking.
Present were Steve Raeside, Chris Fryer, Jim
Lyons and their families, who joined me for
lunch and a drink or two. I was Jim's Guardian
at School, since when he, like most of us has
changed.
Dennis Pocock
Editor’s Comment: I cannot help but note that
not all attending the 6th School functions are
Society members. Do those who are
proselytise? We would also be pleased to hear
of other gatherings of Old Boys as at Send,
particularly if you can get new members.
Events
The Ottershaw
Old Old
Boys’
Annual
Dinner, 2004
by John Furlonger
This was an evening of many moods. The first a mixture of sadness - on the loss of two of our members, Gill Willis and
Harry Burrow - and gratitude for the great contribution they have both made to the School and to the Old Boys' Society.
Under the circumstances, it was very appropriate that we had as our guest, Marien McEwen who with Gill, has long been
one of the pillars of the Society. Then there was the traditional mood of camaraderie, and revelry, which could be enjoyed
for longer, and more cheaply, thanks to the generosity of Len Beach, Ralph White, Bill Holloway, Danny Winter, John
Calnan and Malcolm Pratt. None of these was able to be present with us, but by their generous contribution to the slush
fund, they enabled the spirit of good fellowship to be enhanced by even more potent spirits. Unfortunately when the
announcement was made that, thanks to this bounty, vouchers were available for free drinks, the President's chronic
laryngitis took hold upon him, and he was only able to speak so quietly, as to be almost inaudible. However, skilled lipreaders among those present identified what was being mumbled and were thus enabled to prevent the regrettable
necessity of Dennis having to retain all the vouchers for his own personal use.
A sterner note was struck when the President gave his "State of the Society" speech to the assembly. The spirit of Julius
Caesar, Genghis Khan, Joseph Stalin and Arthur Foot spoke in him. He reminded us that though we had defied him the
previous year, he was no longer prepared to tolerate dissent. It was for our own good. Men of our age should not be up
and about at this time of night. The morbid night air could do us irreparable harm and the evening damp might rust our
zimmer frames. Dinner was off! In future, a light lunch of Bengers and rusks, washed down with Lucozade or Phyllosan,
was to be set before us. Thus refreshed we could be wheeled home and put to bed before the remaining hair and teeth
succumbed to the hostile elements. Argument was futile; indeed, it might be severely disciplined. A few muted mumbles
were heard, but these were answered by threatening growls from the High Table, and the potential mutiny subsided.
The amicable mood of the evening was restored when an intellectual treat was set before the Members. A General
Knowledge quiz had been compiled to test the Old Boys' memories of the School. In fact there was a concealed purpose
behind this device. It had been suspected that there might be in attendance, guests who had no connection with the
school, but who merely hoped to get a free meal and the prestige of mingling with a group of such distinction. The quiz
would find out such weasels. It did not have this effect. Instead it revealed hidden vices. Old habits die hard. There were
twenty five questions. A.M. had ten incorrect answers on his sheet, but still claimed a score of seventeen. This reminded
one of the days when he would have several incorrect answers on his Physics test paper, but still register a score of eleven
out of ten. An early example, I suppose, of always giving 110%.
Other secrets also came to light. The question: "Who ran 'The Otter' pub?" elicited from several of those present the
answer "The West House Prefects". They had obviously misread the question as: "Who ran to 'The Otter' pub?".
Some Old Boys had never lost their puerile sense of humour. "Where, in the grounds, were slow worms found?". "A
long way behind the fast worms.".
Others were just plain ignorant. The Brown Room was a Toye Room, not a toilet.
They should certainly have known that it was not Mr Ayling who told you to 'get your hairs cut!' nor Mr Foot who
instructed you to 'cut accordin' but vice versa.
Worst of all was the slur on the Headmaster's integrity. The question: "How did Mr Foot say that an athlete should run?"
demanded the answer: "Like a stag!" not "with a gutful of drugs.".
We are beholden to Dennis Williams for organising the evening, and look forward to next year's lunch, the following
year's elevenses and the next year's breakfast. The year after that should be a cup of cocoa and a bun, by which time we
should be back to a Dinner again.
Next year the London Old Old Boys’ Lunch has been
arranged for Thursday 11 March 2005 at 12 Noon venue as usual - New Cavendish Club.
THOSE PRESENT THIS
YEAR WERE:
David Alderson
Alan Berger
Roy Bright
Tony Buckley
Glynn Burch
Michael Carter
Derek Colley
John Collins
Tony Delwiche
David Dungate
Laurance Eamshaw
David Evans
Tony Foster
John Furlonger
James Gale
Martin Gosling
David Hibbert
Roger Holroyd
David Jones
Peter Jones
David Kennedy
Alan Marsden
John Matthews
Kevin Mayall
Terence Nagle
Angus Palmer
Michael Pearch
Nick Pearson
George Pollard
Clive Robertson
Leslie Smith
Terry Still
Barry West
Dennis Williams
Colin Wilson
Tom Weston
Marian McEwen
5
Events
The Old Ottershavians’
Golf & Social Tour,
July, 2004
This year the date of the tour was moved forward to July, hopefully to
attract some of the younger contingent who might otherwise be required to
take their children on holiday in August. However the response was still
mainly from the usual suspects and unfortunately, with the date being
moved, our fearless leader Dennis Williams was engaged on filial duty in
the Dordogne.
Nevertheless, at the invitation of David and Mary Howell the annual
pilgrimage to Devon started out on Friday the 9th. July for a weekend of
course golf, reminiscences over dinner, followed by quality assurance
testing of the Howell wine cellar. All three were accomplished although not
without incident.
Those that chose the A303 route were rewarded with a two to three hour
delay due to an accident but most made it to the Teign Valley golf course on
time for a two o’clock kick off. The basic format for the weekend’s golf
being an introductory round on Friday, a competition on Saturday followed
by dinner and prizes in the clubhouse with a final round being played on the
way home on Sunday.
All in all about twenty or so gathered over the weekend, some old boys
with their wives or partners, some on their own plus other guests and
friends of David and Mary who we have come to know over the years.
The Teign Valley Golf Club has the distinction of appearing in the
Guinness Book of Records for the longest hole in one, a matter of some
555 yards. – the hole in question being a par five dogleg with part of it
down hill. Sad to relate, no Ottershavian rose to this challenge and as a
measure of the standard of play it has to be recorded that after eleven
players had driven off to compete for the longest drive, although
considerable length was achieved, no one found the fairway. In a
previous era this might have been met with a "see me" note on the
scorecard from TW as a prelude to issuing a buff card - followed by
a week’s remedial tuition. However, due to time constraints, a
further attempt to find the winner was arranged on another hole.
Mercifully, by this time, performance had improved and Paul
Nielson won by a distance.
After the initial round on Friday when results and insults had
been settled, it was discovered that by a tactical late
submission of his score card in the restaurant that evening,
David Howell had scooped the kitty (£5 per head). This
proved somewhat costly to the player who had been
declared the winner at the course earlier in the day and
who had fronted up for drinks and wine out of the
proceeds of victory.
Nevertheless the full
amount had to be handed
over to our beaming host
but with customary good
grace these winnings were
put to good use over the bar
on Saturday.
Dinner on Friday was taken at The Walled Garden in Dunsford – a
delightful olde worlde type establishment with arrangements to match. The
menu was pre ordered some days beforehand (all arranged by David
naturally) and it was bring your own booze. This of course was no
impediment to resourceful old boys from an early learning centre not a
stone’s throw from Addlestone whose formative years had been spent in
evading Harry Burrow at the Castle public house. Also, and rather quaintly,
the owner of the restaurant without a licence, doubled up as the owner of
the post office/general store and opened up the shop at 8pm to allow
purchase of vino collapso for the meal in the restaurant upstairs. Needless to
say he was obliged to carry out substantial restocking the next day and it
must be said that David Alderson’s selection of a full-bodied Ugandan
Chardonnay at room temperature received special mention.
After the meal, some retired to Chateau Howell for further alcohol, George
Pollard had booked a room at the Walled Garden and others were
abandoned in the village in the dead of night arguing among themselves as
to whether anyone had called taxis.
But all was well on the morrow and those of us who were staying with
David and Mary paid a visit to Mark Steer and his wife Linda who live a
short way down the road. Mark was in good form and regaled us with the
general operations of the Devon Mafia, Pykees and local Del Boys
whose nefarious dealings enliven an otherwise tranquil
6
environment. It would seem that utilising an unconverted cow shed as a
bijou bread and breakfast without planning consent for a change of use is
not viewed favourably in these parts. Furthermore, it would appear that
informing the local Health and Safety Inspector that he can put his rules and
regulations where the sun don’t shine will not elicit a sympathetic hearing
from the magistrate who handed down time without the option. All this and
more plus coffee and anecdotes over we made our goodbyes and moved on
to the golf in the afternoon which resulted in:
The overall winner being Tim Christopher
Best Front Nine - Francis Leversedge (guest)
Best Back Nine – Paul Nielson
Longest Drive – Paul Nielson
Nearest the Pin – David Alderson
Special Prize for shortest drive, furthest from the pin and nearest the
window – Mike Pearch.
The prizes by the way (after discussion with Dennis and a contribution from
the Old Boys’ fund) were sourced by David Hibbert with some originality.
However as he won the giant wall crossword on the Sunday, the general
view was that without help this could occupy the Hibbert household for
some time. To give you an indication of the problem, when asked, "what is
an anagram?" the reply that "it is a yearly measurement of weight" hardly
inspired confidence for an early solution.
Dinner over, Tim Christopher (whose birthday it was) generously brought
Taylors Port for the congregation and the meeting broke up in the usual
disarray with passengers being ferried at the right time to the wrong places
in accordance with local practice.
On Sunday it was disappointing to find the playing count depleted for the
round at Bristol as the younger contingent staying with or near Paul, opted
for Oakhampton. David Howell, who had put in a lot of work to organise
these venues had once again to renegotiate the numbers, but he and Francis
made the trip and those that played finished up with an excellent lunch.
However, for next year it was felt that maybe Taunton or a little nearer to
Exeter might be the preferred option - and with deposits up front.
Finally, the organising committee has had one or two requests for
clarification on the subject of golfing etiquette and the rulings are as
follows:
Firstly; if your opponent queries his lie and asks for relief or a free drop, a
simple and polite explanation is all that is required if you wish to refuse. In
these circumstances offering him the benefit of colonic irrigation with the
rubberised end of a three iron in no way complies with the spirit or rules of
the Royal and Ancient. A basic Saxon word with two LLs in it will suffice.
Secondly; for those participating next year, instructions will be issued to
prevent those inconsiderate players from addressing their ball or putting
whilst other members of the four ball are talking or practising wheelies and
hand brake turns with the buggy.
Thirdly: "preferred lies" is not a licence to claim a bent handicap, does not
allow you to move the ball out of the hazard without penalty and does not
mean carding pars instead of recording double bogies.
With these exceptions, the normal standards of coarse golf, flagrant abuse
of the rules and poor behaviour will be acceptable.
Well it all came to an end too quickly and it only remains to say a big
"Thank You" once again to Mary and David for the organisation and their
hospitality. Every year seems to be more enjoyable. We look forward to
2005 when with luck, if he obtains a weekend pass from his commanding
officer, we might see some representation from the President.
For those interested in coming in 2005 and particularly new faces you will
be very welcome – Contact David Howell Fax/Phone 01647 252525. And
come for the crack – you don’t have to play golf!!
See you all soon.
A list of the old boys who attended this year is appended below.
George Pollard OT95, Mike Pearch OT164, David Alderson OT249, Tony
Foster OT256, David Nokes OT282, David Howell OT307, David Hibbert
OT350, Paul Nielson OTT153, Tim Christopher OTT186, Ian Bevan
OTT243, John Cooke OTT475, Richard Bolton OTT562.
Tony Foster
The French Connection
From Tony Foster
Letters
East v West in the Dordogne April 2004.
The Venue: A Farmhouse somewhere in France, East of Bordeaux.
The Host: Dennis Williams.
The Guests: David and Mary Howell, David and Vivienne Hibbert and Tony and Gladis Foster.
The Occasion: To visit Dennis in his French home, tour some of the countryside, visit the odd chateau, enjoy local wining and dining and contest some coarse golf.
The Thursday of April 22nd dawned with poor weather and as the Hibberts chauffeured the Fosters to Stansted airport the forecast was none too promising –
Foster had in fact packed swimming trunks but wisely neglected to own up to this piece of intelligence. Ryanair was the carrier to Bergerac where Dennis had
promised to meet us at the airport – the Howells having driven down the day before. Ryanair only charged us £9.99 for the flight and then very kindly added an
extra £15 per set, each way, to carry golf clubs. Somewhat harsh we thought - and judging by the standard subsequently displayed, a rebate in the order of £14.99
each on the way back would not have been unreasonable. However the hire car the other end proved very good value – having prepaid beforehand only an extra 25
euros if we wanted to drive it. Nevertheless to avoid the in-flight doorstep sandwiches, the one smart move proved to be ordering lunch at the Stansted seafood bar
with draught Chablis to wash it down.
So, suitably fortified we duly arrived at Bergerac to be met by our host in his 2CV all-purpose French car. On closer inspection it proved to be British right hand
drive 2CV but we assumed the trained military mind had a very good reason for this. It turns out that although no longer in production, the make is still popular
but very difficult to buy a French one in good condition. So the resourceful Den bought one in England. The salesman assured him it had only one previous careful
owner, a priest, and to verify the fact pointed to the bible on the back seat. Nevertheless it was in perfect nick, ran like a dream and the ideal practical car for the
countryside.
Home proved to be a delightful converted farmhouse, roses round the door with fruit trees of all description just outside, set among 12 acres of rolling countryside
where you can see your neighbour but it takes a ten minute walk to talk to him. It proved to be a place where everyone looks after his or her neighbour. Fresh eggs
come from Madame Bouchet next door, paté from the local duck farm, Bernard up the road helps with maintenance and keeps an eye on the place when Dennis is
away, the lady mayor cuts the field in return for keeping the hay and generally the people are so kind and helpful - a refreshing change from the rush and rudeness
of suburban England today. The deer at the bottom of the wood can be seen in early morning or late evening but otherwise are very shy and only venture out at
night to eat any unprotected saplings – do not look for small Christmas trees in this area! The Dordogne river, beautiful but in spate due to recent rains, is about a
mile or two down the road.
After unloading, salutations and fraternal greetings with David and Mary Howell, who had arrived earlier, the assembled company dined out in the local village,
which apart from the restaurant, was completely deserted. This generally proved to be the case, as the rural French tend to retire early. However the meal, starting
with the local foie gras or garlic soup, was, needless to say superb and Dennis on the basis of his selection the first evening was designated to choose the wine for
the rest of the trip. Wine in this area naturally was never a problem. In fact near the farmhouse, the local brew, (retailing at about £12 a bottle in Unwins) was sold
by the litre at a fraction of this cost - bring your own containers (usually old Evian bottles) and fill up from the vat with a nozzle just like a petrol pump. It seemed
quite strange at first drinking Chateau Evian or Volvic with lunch, but institutionalised early training in our formative years pulled us through and by the second
day we had got the hang of it and had to send out for reinforcements.
The first morning dawned with fair weather and at a typical French breakfast of fresh baguette, croissants and farm eggs the Brigadier laid out the order of battle.
Golf for the men after lunch, sightseeing for the ladies, return to base camp for sundowners and then dinner at home provided courtesy of the ladies who did us
proud.
The golf was divided down familiar school lines with Williams and Foster (West) v Hibbert and Howell (East). The end result, at three different venues and aided
by Hibbert’s innovative interpretation of the rules of the Royal and Ancient when in trouble, was one each and one all square, so honour satisfied and more or less
reflecting one’s memories of senior scruffs’ house matches in an earlier life.
The French villages proved most interesting. Around the thirteenth or fourteenth century this part of France of course was predominately English and the towns or
villages were constructed in protective square formations or bastides for security. Built around a church and mostly named after Catholic saints they have remained
largely unchanged but unfortunately as is the case almost everywhere nowadays, the younger people migrate to the cities and these character rural villages decline.
Sunday was a golf free day with a serious gourmet lunch programmed at a hilltop restaurant set in the centre of the wine district. The views were quite stunning,
the food equally so and after a mere three or four hours we retired back to base camp to slump on the terrace sun loungers.
That evening we commenced playing "Risk," a board game roughly equating to military monopoly with the fixture played over two evenings. The outcome was
that Dennis, with the obvious advantage of his training at Sandhurst, was first to be eliminated whilst David Hibbert’s tactical brilliance in dominating two
continents proved that if you want an argument, just offer your wife unasked-for advice thus ensuring Mary Howell ran out the comfortable winner. David Howell
wisely absented himself from the contest and took up station as custodian of the drinks cabinet. The only man who got his strategy spot on.
Well it all came to an end too quickly and whilst David and Mary were staying one more evening before setting off for other parts of France, we bought up the
local produce, foie gras, langoustine, wine et all and reluctantly made tracks for the airport. With insincere flattery yours truly was invited to write the report and
although protesting I struggled with English through my O levels, they said Tom must have confused me in my last year and I couldn’t argue with that. So, as I
probably needed the practice and with apologies for grammar and syntax, thank you Dennis, we had a marvellous time.
Tony Foster, OT256
From Bob Freeman - OT 37
I retired from the London Borough of Bromley in 1996 where I worked for many years, the last ten as Chief Building Surveyor. We then moved
from Selsdon to Kingsbridge, where we previously had a weekend cottage for some eighteen years. I soon realised that I needed something to
occupy my mind and for the first two years of retirement I joined forces with a local Architect, mainly doing structural
calculations and surveys. Before long, however, this became virtually a full time job, nearly always with unrealistic
deadlines. I soon decided this was not what I needed in retirement so I looked for something else to occupy my time. With my
long experience in Local Government I thought that I could offer something by becoming involved in the Town Council and
in 1999 I succeeded in being elected. ,
I soon became Chairman of the Property Committee and in 2001 I was elected Deputy Mayor, a post I held for three years.
As you will see from the photo I was elected as Mayor this year.
There is a lot of hard work involved but also some good times. H.M. S Liverpool recently visited Dartmouth and my wife
Judy and I were invited for cocktails with the Captain. We also were guests of honour at the opening of the Devon County
Show and are shortly to be take more cocktails with the Commodore of the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. This
event always finishes with the "Beating of the Retreat" by the Royal Marines which is a most impressive display
With kindest regards,
Bob Freeman
7
Letters
A continuation from the last Gazette of Tom We's
"Memories of the Early Days"
Instalment 3 -Summer Term 1952.
Before launching into an account of my first summer term (1952) at Ottershaw, I must recall something which happened in the Easter Term and I
forgot to mention in my previous installment. This was the handing over to my charge of the running of the Chess Club. Begun by Jake - who had
played at number 3 board in a top London club earlier in his career - the previous year, now that the West House building was complete, the club
began meeting in his study on Wednesdays after games until supper time. I had not played since my schooldays, when I had captained my school
team. On entering a trial in my first term at college, I had been so comprehensively outplayed by every one of the other trialists that I decided it
was far too "intellectual" an exercise for one of my limited intelligence, and gave it up. Jake encouraged me to try again and taught me a great
deal, and eventually persuading me to take over the club. One tradition we began that term was the annual staff match. Often eight to ten masters
were persuaded to play, including Arthur Foot. Denys Hall always played, but seldom completed his match before the second or third week of the
summer term!
The chess club did not function in the summer, since everyone was far too busy with outdoor pursuits, mainly, of course, the Premier National
Game, though other activities such as athletics, swimming and tennis did take place also. When I arrived a few days before term began, with my
suitcase and cricket bag, brolly draped round my neck, having walked up from the Otter, I found Jake painstakingly working on the cricket square.
I discovered that he always spent a large portion of his Easter holidays -he held a diploma on cricket ground maintenance from Bert Lock, the
famous Surrey Oval groundsman - mowing, weeding, watering and rolling not only the main square and the nets, but the whole of the outfield as
well. I for one really appreciated this when fielding: anywhere on the outfield you could run in at full speed and pick up the ball one-handed in
complete confidence that it would not deviate at the last moment by hitting a bump or worm cast. Things where never the same after AFB left
Ottershaw, though I did my best to emulate him with the under 15 square! The tremendous amount of personal time and effort he spent gave rise to
an explosive outburst this term when, early one morning, he caught Olive Johnson, no lightweight, pedalling her heavy old bicycle straight across
the square. The resulting confrontation soured relationships for many a year. Never again was the Buttery family invited to the Johnsons'' dinner
parties!
West House in general contributed a great deal to the excellence of the square. Every morning in the Summer Term a dozen or more of those on the
Prefects' List served their sentences, under the supervision of the Duty Prefect, for 40 minutes or more, sitting on and pulling the heavy roller. The
roller itself, if my information is correct, had been procured from a farm near his home by one Roger Holroyd, and towed for miles by him and
Jake behind the school "jalopy".
Despite having captained my school, won a trial for the Oxford Authentics, captained my regiment and represented British Far Eastern Land
Forces, so high was the standard of Ottershaw cricket in 1952 that I was only entrusted with the coaching of the under 14 XI. I was allowed,
however, to help coach the lesser lights in the First XI nets, to umpire occasional away matches and, early in the term to help make up the
opposition in trial games. In the first such match I remember establishing my credentials by holding a spectacular catch on the square leg boundary
to dismiss one Peter Millington of North House, who, I believe, had been, the previous season, the first Ottershavian to score a First XI century.
Other main stalwarts of the team that season -some of these names I confirmed by a telephone consultation with Malcolm Pratt -were the captain,
Alan “Gofer" Marsden -one of the best cricketers and all round against players ever at Ottershaw -a young Dennis Williams, Ian Hislop, Norman
Brightwell, who, I think, opened the bowling with Adcock, Rose, Field, who I think was the wicket-keeper, Scott, Winter, and Fairweather. At this
stage we were just beginning a sixth form, and were starting to play the first elevens of our later regular opponents, most of whom were schools of
600 or more pupils compared with our modest 180.
Standards were high and Jake, who had played regularly for the Cambridge equivalent of the Authentics and later for Cambridgeshire in the Minor
Counties competition, was an excellent batting and bowling coach. My humble contribution was trying to improve the fielding, notably picking up
the ball, accurate throwing in from the boundary - full toss over the stumps, and throwing down the wicket from cover and mid- off. I remember
having distance throwing contests with Alan Marsden: my own throws of 90 plus yards regularly exceeded by his, which occasionally topped 100
yards. I am glad to say, however, that he never bettered me in direct hits on the stumps!
For me all this involvement in cricket was pure enjoyment. To add to this was the pleasure of playing for the staff XI on Sundays. In the morning,
after house inspection, some five or six of us, sometimes only two or three faithfuls, would help Jake, who had watered it the night before, cut and
roll the match wicket and mark out the creases. Our afternoon matches, all perforce at home during the term, included the County Police, Surrey
Clergy (who sometimes fielded an old blue or two), the Old Wimbledonians, and sundry local village sides. In later years we several times played
the Sandhurst staff XI, against whom I remember Denys Hall, once being dismissed for 99. Of a staff of perhaps 13 or 14 we regularly fielded ten
masters: Arthur Foot (captain and wicket-keeper) who opened the batting with Arthur Oettinger, Jake, Peter Cunningham, Denys Hall, Robey
Johnson (who later took over as wicket-keeper when A. E. F. Retired), Handel Goddard (who opened the bowling), Harry Barrow, Tom Kennedy
(from New Zealand) and myself. To make up the eleven one of the school bowlers would usually oblige, though in previous years I gather Bill
Penfold, school groundsman, had often played. He had an excellent eye, and was always good for a quick fifty, full of unorthodox fours and sixes.
Now that Ottershaw village had started the club, however, he was in constant demand to play for them. When we played the village in the early
years we used to slaughter them - usually there were two or three run outs -but in later times they fielded some very good sides. Some of us used to
play for them on occasions in the summer holidays.
Early in the term I was put in charge of organising the Sunday cricket teas, and we evolved a cooperative system. Each week one wife of the
married masters would in turn produce sandwiches, while Denys Hall and I, the bachelors, purchased the tea, milk, sugar and cakes. These I used
to get from Chertsey. On Saturday morning the timetable was so arranged that I had a free period after break. At 11.05 I would set off on my
ancient bicycle, pedal like a madman into Chertsey, make my purchases, stuff them into the large front bicycle basket, and race back, arriving justin time to teach the last lesson -sweating like one of the young farmers' pigs.
I believe it was this term that the young farmers club, under the management of Tom Kennedy, began their practice of making themselves enough
money to buy other animals by purchasing a pregnant sow at the start of the term, supervising the birth (most educational), fattening up the piglets
on the school kitchen waste, and selling them for a good price at the end of the term. Whether or not it was this term I cannot be sure, but certainly
on one occasion Mrs Pig produced 23 progeny, of which two were crushed by her prodigious weight, but 21 healthy, happy piglets survived.
The summer term also brought swimming, athletics and tennis. If I remember correctly, at this stage of the school we were County Schools’
swimming champions, just as we were joint County squash champions, and we had a tradition of excellence in athletics. Ian Hislop represented us
at the White City in the sprints and long jump, where he attained 20 feet plus. Towards the end of June our Harry Sharp, with meticulous
efficiency, organised the local District Schools' Athletics meeting at Walton. This was not only administered but dominated by Ottershaw.
Our boys, immaculately turned out in school ties and blazers, politely but firmly marshalled not infrequently unruly competitors and
8
Tom We continued .......................
Letters
spectators, and managed the car park and the refreshment tent, while our competitors performed
excellently. I particularly remember a certain Skidmore win the most of the sprints and quarter
miles for his age group year after year. Most of the staff were roped in as starters and judges. I
remember invariably feeling very proud of the way our boys conducted themselves - often a pleasing contrast to some other schools.
Then there was tennis, played on our six hard courts. This was never an official house competition, but organised on an individual basis. The final
was a great occasion, watched by pretty well the whole school, full of line judges and Sylvia Foot umpiring on a high pair of steps: Wimbledon
had much to learn. These are the years when Roger Christie, later to play at Queens club, won the school cup time after time. He was another all
round sportsman - cricketer, rugby stand off, soccer forward and first team squash player, as well as tennis champion.
There was, of course, also a staff tennis team, which played the occasional evening match, usually successfully, against local clubs. Oett, Robey
Johnson and Denys Hall I can remember as excellent players. I recall umpiring a challenge match, I think between Oett and Denys, which was
abandoned at 28 all. I got in the team only as a humble No 6, though I had captained the London Institute of Education during my years training
with them in 1952. Many of the staff wives played regularly on these courts during school hours, both the summer and winter.
The summer term was the only term in those early years when we were granted a half term holiday, usually the first Monday in June. No visiting
parents were allowed. All boys organised their own expeditions, most involving long cycle rides, and sometimes including sleeping out in tents on
the Sunday night. Itineraries had to be submitted to A.E.F. for approval, and many of the parties were inspected and checked up on by masters
going round in their cars and arriving unexpectedly. This term, having no car, I organised a walking expedition with about 20 or so of my younger
pupils, some of whom had not yet won their cycling license from Oett and B.W., to visit some local Roman remains.
This term also brought me a far less pleasant task. One evening about 6.30 I was summoned posthaste to see the Headmaster. In fear and trembling
that I was in serious trouble for something, I presented myself at the study in the Mansion, to be told I was immediately to drive home in the
school "jalopy" a certain character - who shall be nameless - whom he had just expelled for persistent and serious misdemeanors. The boy
concerned was already waiting with his bags packed. I had been chosen because I hardly knew the boy, and he hardly knew me: he had not been in
any of my classes or on any of the teams I ran, and lived in the Mansion. The boy’s mother lived in a small house somewhere in the east end of
London. It was a nightmare for me, inexperienced driver that I was, to find the place, and when I eventually got there I had to do my best to
comfort a very upset mother without having the least idea what the boy had done. She was not on the telephone, and our arrival was a most
unpleasant shock. By the time I left for the return journey, it was growing dark, and the jalopy's lights were not of the best and one-way streets did
not help.
During this year one of the school governors, Mr. Tulk, observing the excellent standard of cricket and appreciating the need for a School pavilion,
made a generous proposal to Mr. Foot. He would give a sizable sum of his own money to buy the materials, provided staff and boys would build it.
Oett of course rose to the occasion. He designed and planned the building, and during the Easter and summer terms he and his classes in the
workshop produced all kinds of prefabricated parts. Towards the end of the summer term the foundations were dug. Boys and staff were asked to
volunteer to stay on at the end of the term and put up the building under Oett's direction. Mr. Tulk laid the foundation stone. Most, if not all, of the
First XI, and many other boys from all three Houses plus quite a number of staff volunteered, and worked hard in a splendid spirit of teamwork. I
helped with digging and concreting foundations, nailing on wooden roof tiles, and fitting glass into the windows. My worst contribution came
while helping to connect the back of the pavilion to the main sewerage pipe which traversed the field. All the years afterwards, when the wind
blew in a certain direction, there was a definite pong, traceable to my join in the pipe!
This was just one of a number of projects in which staff and boys work together on a completely voluntary basis, in a spirit of comradely
teamwork. In those days many of the staff were completely unstinting of their free time. I can remember various visits to the school - the first of its
kind in the public sector - by parties of teachers from the N.U.T. They just could not believe the hours we prepared to put in.
That, then, was my first summer term at Ottershaw. An exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable experience. It meant a great deal to be part of such a
community: it was a time when lasting friendships were made, and everyone felt proud to belong to Ottershaw.
A Visit to the Mansion and
Ottershaw Park, 27 March 2004
Thanks to some assistance from David Over and John Athersuch, the
Ottershaw Park archivist, a visit was arranged to the Park for the
Committee. Handel Goddard's two daughters, Felicity and Helen, were
invited to join the party; Felicity had let it slip that their parents' ashes were
scattered in the Formal Gardens. The visit thus provided an official
opportunity for them to spend a little time there. In the event, only Helen
was free to attend.
The party assembled at David's flat in Tulk House before strolling up to the
Bothy area. One is struck immediately by the ribbon development along the
road. Other dwellings have sprung up where the Science block and Masters'
Common Room once stood. Even the squash court has grown and acquired
another floor and bijou front. The sense of space, so evident in 1950, has
disappeared. Strangely though, the path that ran from the Chapel, past the
Log Cabin and down the red brick steps to the Bothy retains its old charm.
Sadly, only the great oak marks the place where the Log Cabin once stood.
Its trunk still bears the initials and symbols carved in it by wayward boys
dismissed from class by David Hughes and Denys Hall.
The Bothy is converted into six small houses. The veranda, which covered
Oet's and Sid Ayling’s treasures, has disappeared. But otherwise one could
sense the noise of the workshop bellows and the tap of metal on metal.
At the Mansion we were met by our host, Mark McDonald, the Chairman of
the Residents' Committee. He led us though the Basement Corridor, into the
Boot Store and thence to the Swimming Pool. The pool has been reduced in
size to provide space for a reception area. Prints and photographs hang on
the walls and provide an interesting perspective of life in the
Park pre-1900, and when Ottershaw Park School existed.
We spent almost an hour in the Formal Gardens. The concrete
blocks manufactured during Estate Work to support the York
stone pathways are still in place, though some are crumbling. The layout of
the Gardens is unchanged. The Mediterranean Oak which graced the front
left hand corner would still harbour many a smoker, and the rhododendron
bushes down towards the cricket square are no less dense.
But having been warned that the Cricket Pavilion is now a garden godown
(Indian warehouse) I could not induce myself to wander in that direction.
Alan
Marsden, lain Hislop, Peter Glucksmann and I constructed the shingle roof
during an Easter holiday. And I harbour such happy memories of cricketing
days, and gazing upon the pavilion from the outfield and the crease. Better
to remember those times.
Mark McDonald has lived in the Library Suite for several years. The
Library forms a magnificent lounge-dining area. The odour of linseed oil
still pervades the room and the fine wood carvings, panelling and flooring
survive. Only one detail is absent; the beautiful silver door locks and handles
are gone, sold by the previous owner to pay debts.
Mark was a delightful host, and clearly very proud of his impressive
apartment. After being regaled by him with stories of the Mansion's more
recent occupants, we retired to Tulk House where David and Nadia Over
had prepared a sumptuous lunch. Thanks to the generosity of our hosts the
informality of the occasion, and that long stroll down memory lane we all left
the Park suitably fulfilled.
Dennis Williams
9
From the archives
After the good response to the archive photos in the
October 2003 Gazette No.38, the response to the
photos in the March 2004 Gazette has been nonexistent, (other than a short note from Mike Broberg
promising me a letter, which is still to arrive!) Lost
interest I ask? I hope not. Nick Pearson did come back
to me regarding the photo of what I thought was
maybe the construction of the 'Great White Way', built
after my time and he thought it may be his 'estate duty'
gang at work. But that was it, disappointing!
I am advised by Peter Trevett, who is busy putting this
latest Gazette together, that there is an article about
cricket in 1952. He asked for a photo of the team at
that time but unfortunately team photos did not appear
until 1954, well after the official school photos started
appearing in 1951. The first school photos were taken
by John Emberson who had his studio in Chobham
Road, Woking and from the standards of photography
he may well have taken the first team photo of the
1954 Cricket XI (opposite page) led by Dennis
Williams who I believe took over the captaincy from
Alan Marsden after the 1953 season. I do have in the
records the list of fIxtures for 1952 for all teams
operating then (below) and put together very
efficiently by 'secretary' Harry Sharp Esq. who had
been teaching physical education and maths for a full
18 months by then.
The final photo I am including in this edition shows
the beautiful setting for the Fathers' cricket match
against the school XI on Parents' Day 1951
(opposite page). The pavilion had not been built at
that stage but note the tent and the scorers’ table,
fortunately no rain that day. I have also included the
programme for the 1950 Parents' Day (alongside), I
am not sure of the purpose of visiting the Otter at 6.45
by coach, was this to catch the bus or to find something stronger than the tea and milk and lemonade provided earlier in the afternoon? The school had some 120
students in 1950 prior to the major expansion of numbers in January 1951 when the school grew to approximately 180 students. And finally, who was playing in the
Ist XI in 1951? I include the team selected for the match against St. George's, Weybridge 2nd XI which took place on the 30th June (opposite).
10
From the archives
11
From the archives
Family Day 2003
Let’s have some
names, please!
Harry Burrow (1916-2004)
It was with great sadness that I heard of Harry's death on 19th. March aged 87.
He was one of the two great stalwarts who served the school and is a founder member of staff
from the beginning in September 1948 to the end in 1980. The other was Arthur Oettinger.
When the Old Boys' Society was founded in 1951 he became its first Honorary Secretary,
Treasurer and Correspondent, and the Society owes him an immense debt for the 19 years
that he remained in office.
At first Mr Burrow divided his time between Art and Mathematics but, as the school grew, he
developed a many sided Art Department. Besides producing sets for the school plays and
innumerable artistic posters and notices he fulfilled a host of functions, including running the
Printing Society, the Second Cricket XI and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. But his
chief role was as Housemaster of West House from 1958 to 1973.
In the words that follow, although I refer to Harry Burrow mainly from a personal point of
view, I am sure I will be speaking as all Old Boys would have found him.
Harry was very special to me. He had a great influence on my general school life and early
career. It was very daunting entering Ottershaw in September 1948 as a small young boy of
12. I was fortunate in that Harry was my personal tutor. He was always friendly,
Harry & Graham reading "upmarket
approachable and reassuring. His wife, Doreen, complimented him in every respect. She was
papers" in the new Masters'
Common Room - 1966/7
kind, had a warm smile and always made you feel welcome if you ever had reason to knock on
their flat door. In my first year Harry taught me maths and art. He was an excellent teacher. I
wasn't much of an artist but one occasion I remember him taking my brush and with a deft stroke here and there, he transformed my
very ordinary painting into something special. He gave encouragement and was always very patient.
I left school in 1954 with two years’ National Service to look forward to. I hadn't given much thought to a career, but Harry had it
planned for me! He not only suggested that I should think about teaching, but that I should also apply to his old college - St. Luke's,
Exeter. This I did and was accepted, specialising in physical education and geography. Following St. Luke's and a further specialist
diploma year at Carnegie College of PE, I commenced teaching at Wallington Grammar School. I had only been there about a month
when, to my great surprise I received a letter from Mr Foot inviting me to apply for the PE post at Ottershaw. Although he never said
so, I feel sure Harry had something to do with my appointment, which I took up in January 1960.
All the staff who had taught me welcomed me back as the first Old Boy to return and teach there, but none more so than Harry my old
mentor.
Nearly eight enjoyable years were to follow before I moved onto Teacher Training. Arthur Oettinger and Harry (of course!) both acted
as superb referees on my behalf. One can see what a great influence Harry had on my career.
When I heard of his death I immediately wrote to Doreen to offer my sympathy and condolences. She responded by asking me to say a
few words on behalf of the Old Boys and Staff at his funeral. I was pleased to do this and felt very honoured that she should ask me.
The funeral went off very well with a good attendance of Old Boys and Staff plus their many personal bowling friends. It was nice to
see Doreen again along with sons John and Graham. John, also an Old Boy, spoke at the funeral and said what a good family man
Harry was, and how much he will be missed. He also mentioned that Harry was awarded the French bravery decoration - the Croix de
Guerre - following the D-Day landings.
The last time I saw Harry was at the 50th. celebration at Ottershaw Park in 1998. He was quite frail then (82) and was sitting in an
easy chair by himself. But he was not by himself, for there was a continual stream of Old Boys taking their turn to speak to the only
member of staff still alive at that time who witnessed the entire life of Ottershaw School.
God bless you Harry. Thank you for everything. You were a lovely man.
12
Graham Reynolds
A message from
your President,
Dennis Williams:
! ! F a m i l y Day!!
f
o
y
r
o
In mem
s
i
l
l
i
W
l
l
i
G
It has been decided to hold
another Family Day this year, on
this occasion in memory of Gill
Willis, for this is just the type of
OSOBS occasion that she truly
loved so much.
Up to £1,000 has been allocated.
Please contact old School friends
(Society Members or not), bring a
picnic and join in the fun!
Volunteer helpers are urgently
needed for incidental jobs. Please
offer your services - and as early
as possible!
HOPEFUL NOTE!
WHILE EVERYTHING IS
FREE, THERE WILL BE A
COLLECTION BOX NEAR
THE BAR FOR THOSE WHO
WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A
DONATION TO SOCIETY
FUNDS.
Sunday, September 12th., 2004
East Horsley Village Hall,
Kingston Avenue, East Horsley, Surrey
12 Noon - 6 p.m.
* FREE ENTRY! FREE BAR!
FREE HOG ROAST!
* 150 free parking spaces * Bring your own picnic & drinks
* Plenty of grass for kids, mountain bike course * Bouncy Castle
* Ice cream stall * Tennis courts (bring your own raquets/balls)
* Under cover if it rains!
* Open to all Old Boys & families (even if not Society members)
* NO BOOKING - JUST BE THERE!
If you have any further queries, ’phone one of the following:
Peter Jones; 07770 365559 (mobile)
Peter Trevett; 01483 233027
George Pollard; 01344 775432
Trevor Olney; 01932 843991
T R AV E L L I N G
DIRECTIONS:
By road - see
maps.
By rail - Horsley
Station, 40
minutes from
Wa t e r l o o .
Or bike it ... or
hike it!