NEWSLETTER MAY 22nd 2009

An Adobe PDF version of this newsletter is available here.

Items in this newsletter:

2009 Annual Dinner photographs    Geography Field trips    Herbert Lee    Mark Hopwood    OW hockey match    OW shooting match    Rugby jerseys

EDITOR WRITES:

In April I sent out an email to approximately 1200 OWs, whose email addresses we have, with news of OW events, and news about the School. If you did not receive one, and would like to in the future, please email me ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk. I hope to send about 4 such emails in the course of the year. Do let your OW friends know about this so we can add their names to the circulation list.

Many thanks to Martin Berry, who has given the OW website a new design www.rgsow.com . Do have a look at it! You may want to amend your entry on the data-base of OWs, or, if you are not there, send in your details and any other information to ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk, together with any comments on the new design.

Many thanks too to Terry Williams, who is hoping to lead a small team to email all those 4,700 OWs who are on Friends Reunited, in the hope of re-establishing contact with a good number of them. If you would like to help Terry in this task, please contact me.

2009 ANNUAL DINNER

About 130 attended this year’s Annual Dinner, in the Centenary Year of the Foundation of the OW Club. The Guest of Honour was Peter Gibson, who had taught at the RGS for 36 years. He was introduced by Dave Willmot, OW (1967-1974), who had been a colleague of Peter’s. The Headmaster, Roy Page gave a presentation of what life was like at the RGS today. It was great to see many OWs renewing acquaintances, and some visiting the School for the first time for over 40 years. The attendance was the largest for some years with a party of about twenty 1978 Leavers. The conversations went on till late. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. Many, many thanks to Danny White, and others who organized everything so well. If you were there, and wished to make any comments about the Dinner, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Photos from the 2009 Annual Dinner

We would like to put names of people in each photo. If you can recognize any of the faces where there are numbers against them, please send in the names and numbers to Martin Berry and we will publish the names in our next update. Thanks to David Willmot who took the photographs.

Tony Wood, Peter Van Blokland

John Read, Tony Redrup, 4

5, Bert Hickman, David Butler

7, Gerry Hickey, Andrew Mactavish, Chris Cunningham, son of the famous wrestler Jack, 11, 12

Derek Slade, Robert Mitchell

Ian Clark, Nigel Currie

Andrew Longworth, Peter Poskett, Peter Gibson, David Willmot, Peter Hollingsworth, Fred Harrison

Bill Trendell, Philip Howe, Ewen Peters

Mike Moffat, 21

Capt. Robin Stibbon, Capt. Steven John, 24

Simon Noakes, Jon Wyatt

25, 26

27, Roy Page, 28

Jim Portlock, Gerry Hickey, Jimmy Richardson

Matthew Appleton, Christopher Andrew

32, Peter Collins, Mike Moffat

34, David White

Bob Hammond, Peter Howe, Philip Howe

David Stone, Steve Bourne

Ian Clark, Peter Howe

Mike Moffat, Jeff Walker

Brian Wright, David Wakefield

Peter Poskett, Jeff Walker, Fred Harrison

Dominic Spill, Matthew Appleton

Richard Shreeve, Jon Stock

Niall MacLaren, David Poskett

41, Phil Austin, Roy Page

Adrian Corser, Paul Harris

David Stone, Marcus Hunnibell, 45

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Club took place on Saturday 9 May 2009 in the school library with 14 Old Boys present. Due to other commitments the Treasurer, Danny White, was unable to attend, but the accounts were tabled and approved and it was confirmed that these, together with previous years’ accounts have been audited. It was noted that Danny intends to resign his office of Treasurer by the next AGM, which will lead to the appointment of a new Treasurer, approval of such appointment being put to the Club at the next AGM. Thanks were expressed for Danny’s service to the Club. Of the four committee members retiring by rotation, David Andrew, Alex Horsefall-Turner and David Stone offered themselves for re-election and were so re-elected. Crispin White, the other member of the committee retiring did not offer himself for re-election and Richard Pearson was elected in his place. Crispin has been a stalwart of the club and committee for many years, including being recently its chairman, and the meeting expressed its gratitude for his great contribution. Those present then adjourned to the Queen’s Hall for the Annual Dinner.

OW SHOOTING EVENT

On 9 May 2009 a shoot took place involving eight Old Wycombiensians and eight boys from the School. This was the first time that the two sides have been evenly matched in numbers, thus avoiding complicated maths in calculating pro-rata results. Following on 3 years of defeat by the School, this year the OWs achieved a resounding success, scoring 942 against the School 652.

Split into four details, the shoot comprised five ranging shots, ten shots deliberate and ten shots rapid deliberate in 90 seconds, the latter scored as a grouping to avoid sight corrections both personal and to the rifles. Congratulations to Dave Pickering and Nick Miller respectively highest scorers for the OW and the School!

The OWs who shot were Chris Andrew, Ben Full, Bill Martin, Bruce Martin, Dave Pickering, Allan Popplewell, Rupert Swinhoe-Standen and Andrew MacTavish.

The School was represented by Will Holmes, Mat Easton, Jonty Dawson, Nick Miller, Simon Leroy, Ralph Higson, Charles Jeffs and Richard Vanryne.

Our thanks to the boys for coming along, the school for the use of the range and a special thanks to Chris Cunningham for giving up his afternoon once again to run the shoot and the range so efficiently. The afternoon was most enjoyable and hopefully we can repeat it next year.

Chris Andrew

OW HOCKEY MATCH

This again took place on the afternoon of the Old Boys' Dinner at the Cressex Astro on a sunny afternoon.

With the ex-Sydney Olympic captain Jon Wyatt present, the skill level was high and it was good to see former Cambridge University captain Stuart Penman combining with ex-Light Blue Tim Parr.

An outstanding lobbed goal from Dan Martin who was playing his first serious game for a while set the tone for an entertaining match and there was plenty of opportunity for some outstanding goal-keeping from Ben Saunders who last played 5 years ago!

Simon Molden's pace up front was always a threat and Michael Spragg made a welcome appearance this year.

The outcome of the match was as always incidental to the occasion but it was believed to be 6-6.

Several Wycombe H.C. players were invited to play and their contribution was much appreciated.

David Stone

GOLFERS!

This is to let you know or remind you that the Annual Match between the Old Boys and the Teachers is on Friday June 26th at Weston Turville Golf Course, which is about 3 miles east of Aylesbury. It is based on handicap, so you do not have to be a great player to enjoy it! The match will start at 4.00pm, and there will be sandwiches and cakes at the end. The cost will be £25.

Perhaps you have some OW friends, who might be interested. We play in pairs and you can always ask to play with a particular OW. The more the merrier!

At any rate, do let me know if you would like to play ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk

CRICKETERS!

The Annual match between the OWs and the RGS 1st Team is on Wed July 15th at 2.00pm. The match against the Teachers is in the evening on Thursday June 18th. If you would like to play in either match, please email ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk.

WOULD YOU LIKE AN OW RUGBY JERSEY?

Liz Charleston has a design for the Old Boys Rugby Jersey, but needs a minimum order of 12 to be able to go ahead with it. We took orders for 5 at the dinner, so it is looking as though it may be possible to get the minimum order together. If you are interested, please contact Liz ec@rgshw.com as soon as possible.

VERY SAD NEWS

The deaths are reported of John Parkins (1951-1959), Alex Robinson (1992-1999), and Tim Milward (1986-1992)

We extend our deepest sympathy to their families and friends.

EMAILS/ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ian

I am already coming to the OW dinner and look forward to seeing you there.

I have just purchased an apartment on a prestigious golf course in Portugal and would be happy to offer a discount to OWs on the rentals. Is it possible to advertise this?

The website is www.lisbongolf.com

Regards, Bill

Ed: Anybody want to take up the offer?

Dean Mr Clark

Just seen the March OW newsletter and recognised the picture at the end. Here's what I remember and apologies for offending anyone if I've got any wrong.

Back row: Irons, Bell A, Howgate, Dunlop, Fenwick, Trott, Morris, Tully, Walsh, Foden

Middle row: Bell I, Garratt, Heather, Heyes, Leggatt, Whalen, Steggles, Dickins, Keohane, Fuller

Front row: Morris, Phipps, Jones, Lewis, Harrison, Jarman, Ahmad, Wilson, Neish, Free, Warmer

Best wishes, Andrew Bell

Hello Ian,

Having just checked the Old Wycombiensians’ website to make sure I am still on the database, it sparked a question to ask me on a subject that has always been nagging me from time to time since I left RGS all those years ago. I wonder if you can help?

Since I have pursued a career in aviation, I am keen to establish the “aviation credentials” of a couple of the masters during my time. I know “Blanco” White was an RAF pilot during the war, but can anyone add anything to that bare fact? I also recall being told at some point that one of the other masters had been a glider pilot at Arnhem? Again, can anyone confirm that, and identify him, if true?

Thanks and regards, Dr Steve Bond (1958-1963)

Ed: Indeed can anyone help?

This photo was very kindly sent in by Robin Stibbon (1964-1969). If you were at the RGS in the sixties, can you recognize the group, the year and the boys? Any information to the Editor please.

OBITUARY OF HERBERT LEE (1929-1935)

Here are some brief extracts of an obituary we received:

Herbert Henry Lee was born 8th February 1918 the oldest of six children. He went to local schools and eventually to Wycombe Royal Grammar School where he took an active part in sport as a footballer, cricketer, and rugby player. Also, as with most boys at the time, he became a member of the school army cadet corps. He left school in 1937 and went straight to work for Barclays Bank in Devizes.

In World War 11 he served in France, Palestine, Italy, and the Baltic. After the war, he rejoined Barclays, where he worked until 1976.

He was married for 66 years and had four sons.

MARK HOPWOOD (1983-1989)

If you missed an article by Robert Wright, Transport Correspondent in the Times, here are some very brief extracts:

A train operator threatened with being stripped of its franchise 13 months ago is within reach of joining the industry's top performers, after extra rolling stock, maintenance and infrastructure improvements and staff training transformed its performance.

Mark Hopwood, managing director of First Great Western, said, "In about 15 months we've got First Great Western from bottom of the [punctuality] table up to average, which I think is quite an impressive achievement. We're targeting ourselves with getting to 92 per cent in a year's time. The key issues we've had to fix are around the reliability and availability of our own rolling stock, which we've seen significant improvement on. We also took on an extra 250 staff, on top of existing numbers of almost 5,000, to prevent train crew shortages. We've addressed some of the more cultural issues, in terms of making sure that everyone in the business understands that punctuality and reliability are fundamentally important to customers and therefore fundamentally important to the business."

However, while work to improve punctuality continues, the operator now faces the task of working around major infrastructure projects as well. In 2010, Network Rail starts work both on a £600m remodelling of Reading station and the cross-London Crossrail project, which will use the Great Western main line between near Paddington and Maidenhead.

Ed: If you were at School in the eighties, do you remember Mark?

CONGRATULATIONS!

Richard Boarder (1998-2005) graduated at the passing out parade at the Britannia Naval College on 9 April. He is now a Sub-Lieutenant (Marine Engineer).

AND FINALLY……

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE RGS THESE DAYS?

Geography Field Trips - Year 10 Field Trip to Malham, Yorkshire and Year 12 Field Trip to Blencathra, Lake District

Following our very successful first trip to Malham in 2008, the Geography Department took two trips back to Yorkshire this year due to the unprecedented level of interest.

We spent four days exploring the unique glaciated limestone scenery of the Yorkshire Dales: visiting the famous drumlin fields of Ribbleshead, the classic glacial troughs of Kingsdale and Chapel-le-Dale, the beautiful waterfall at Thornton Force, walking through Watlowes Dry Valley, climbing down Malham Cove, over the Clints and Grykes of the limestone pavement and the towering gorge at Gordale Scar.

We finished our stay by visiting the impressive limestone caves at Ingleborough. The Yorkshire Dales really are a magnificent place to visit and we are looking forward to our return visit next year!

Geography – Year 12 Field Trip to Blencathra, Lake District

This year the Geography Department decided to take all Year 12 Geographers (62 – a record year!) to the beautiful Lake District for the fieldwork element of their AS course.

We stayed in fabulous accommodation, overlooking a quite dramatic view of the northern Lake District. The main focus of the trip was to carry out an investigation into flooding risk in Keswick.

Saturday was spent collecting primary data in Keswick, as well as using Google Earth to collect secondary data. Evening sessions were spent writing up the investigation ready for the Skills exam in the Summer. On Sunday we had a short bus journey to Easedale, where we climbed up to Easedale Tarn to examine some awe-inspiring glacial scenery.

Ed: Did you go on a Geography Field Trip when you were at School? Do let us have your memories.

If you want to read more about activities at the RGS, perhaps about the Rowing Regatta or Leavers' Ball in the Queen’s Hall, (How did you celebrate your last week at School?) do CLICK here

NEXT NEWSLETTER

This will be published on July 22nd. It will hopefully report on the OW Golf and Cricket matches. Please send in your contribution, your memories, and your photographs to me, Ian Clark ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk or post it to 5, Foxhill Close, High Wycombe. HP13 5BL Ian edits the Newsletter. Martin Berry ensures that it appears on the website.