AlfrediansA newsletter for King Alfred School Alumni Autumn 2012

Iam going to a concert. Come with me. Onsecond thoughts, don’t. There are not twopeople in the world that I would invite to a

concert with me, although I might endure thepresence of perhaps half a dozen.

It is Monday. Staff-meeting. Long agenda– permits, stages, roofs, afternoon timetables, and, slight consolation, tea. Tea tillfive; then minutes of the last meeting; at lastwe begin on the real business. Time drawson. Six, half past six, seven. I must go. I do.

Down the hill, home. Taking my ticketand the Times, I make for the Undergroundand board the first Charing Cross train.Hampstead – the deepest underground.Belsize Park, for board-residence. ChalkFarm, sadly changed. Camden Town, for theZoo (and Camden Town). Euston. WarrenStreet. Goodge Street.

I get out. Left out of the station, leftagain, down Tottenham Street. Pawn brokersand dress agencies. The Scala. A fewchildren let off fireworks in the street. On pastthe Middlesex Hospital, past the home ofAmami, past “Pussy’s Butcher,” a wretchedlittle shop, about eight feet by three, with adisgusting selection of meat calmlydisplayed. Through Union Street, acrossGreat Titchfield Street (they are holding amarket here), along Ridinghouse Street. Notfar now. A door marked “Private – ArtistsOnly.” The great man is leaving his taxi.Well do I know that kindly face. A smile,and he is gone. Door No. 6, Block D.

I am in the area to-night, in the cheap,but not too nasty seats. Luckily I find a placein the front row. Before me are the stalls, theback row, where late corners will be leastfrequent. Firmly I occupy the whole of myallotted space. It is no joke sharing a seat allthe evening. Not long ago a man fell asleepon my shoulder and ever since I have beencareful to avoid somnolent neighbours. To-night my companions seem pretty safe;neither is unaccompanied, and, heaven bepraised, neither has a programme. I go onwith the Times. I have nearly got to the newsnow, but I must put it by and look about me.No one that I know. Many familiar faces, butno one likely to come across and saysomething unnecessary.

The players filter in; the drummer has

been there some time, hard at work. Nowthey come in groups, the ‘cellos, violas,second violins, first violins. The leader comesin last to take his little round of applause.The stage is set. The curtains on the left areparted. The conductor steps up to his place.He bows left, right, little still bows. Thedeeper ones later, when the audience haveearned them. A volley of coughs, a last rushof late-corners, an imploring left handupraised; the overture is launched. Leonora,No. 3. Perfectly played.

There is a short interval. Muchconversation. I am aware of the green of thehall with the contrasting colours of theaudience. Only five unshaded lights belowthe organ to irritate one. Even they will beforgotten after ten bars. I remember thegreat ones I have heard there, the singers,‘cellists, pianists; the noblest orchestras andchoirs, the most famous violinists. Yet noneof them more wonderful than the one I amsoon to hear. None to compare with Kreislerplaying Beethoven.

A tremendous reception awaits him. It isgood to see him again, good to know thatthe feast I have promised myself for the lastsix months is actually at hand.

The orchestra begins well. This is not thenight for slackness. With all the confidencein the world one can but hope that he willsurmount the difficulties of his openingpassage in octaves, the ruin of all comers.There he stands, biding his time; his lefthand holds his coat; the matchless fiddlehangs down from his right. Not a

movement, just a calm, steady gaze. Now itis his turn. From the first note all doubt isgone; here is the master; all will be well. Aperfect first movement. The second, with itsaccompaniment of horns and muted strings,a thing of infinite beauty. A short cadenzaleads into the irresistible Rondo which takesits triumphant course to the tremendousfinish.

A lull, then thunderous applause. Againand again he is recalled; always he comesgrave and modest; no boastfulness, noscorn shows in his face. At last he isallowed to leave. After all, even Kreislermust not be allowed to shorten the timeavailable for a smoke and a drink. Crowdsswarm out.

I too. I must go back. I cannot hear anymore with that music still in my ears, thatsight still in my eyes. Back at a great rate. Isee little. A heap of paper where late themarket was held, still there are children inthe street, figures in the shadows, and thatnight-attraction, the fish saloon. TheHampstead train.

The journey is short. Out and up thatlong, long lift. One must have air; the coolbreeze on the hill is always fresh. Up a sidestreet to miss the traffic, through the shadows,past inviting steps and alleys. A flower fallsat my feet, blood-red. From some windowbox, doubtless. No time for that now. On tothe pond; then down the hill, home.

R.

From The Alfredian 1931

Concert Going

The Queen's Hall in 1911 (Sir Edward Elgar and the London Symphony Orchestra)

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9 Feburary 1929 – 19 December 2010

Joyce Rathbone, talented musician andextraordinarily gifted teacher, died at theHighgate Nursing Home at the age of 81.The following commemoration is an editedtext from the humanist funeral conducted byJill Satin and is published with the permissionof Joyce’s goddaughter, Pippa Harris.

Literature, music, left wing politics, art, andtheatre had a huge influencing role in, andbecame lifelong interests for Joyce. Musicwas her abiding passion and around thisshe built her professional career. She playedboth the piano and violin. Following hertraining at the Royal Academy of Music, shebecame a successful concert pianist,including solo concerts at the Wigmore Halland a solo BBC Haydn recording. She alsoplayed in a celebrated duo (piano andcello) with Joan Dickson and later, the twowomen set up a summer music school atWestonbirt.

Joyce was born on Feb 9th 1929 inLondon. Her then (unmarried) motherNellie had had an affair with the

renowned Irish novelist Liam O'Flaherty. Liamwas married at the time and Joycediscovered many years later that she had ahalf sister, Pegeen.

Joyce's step father, Mr Hugo Rathbone,was by all accounts a gentle, and kind manand it was his financial support whichallowed Joyce to buy her own house, No.31 Chepstow Place, in Notting Hill, in thelate 1950s. She lived in bohemian chaos inthe house for the rest of her life, until herdementia forced the move into a nursinghome in 2006. She had no interest increature comforts – never bothering to installcentral heating – though she did put down akind of attempted sound proofing in hermusic room, as it held two grand pianosand her much-loved, 18th-century fortepianofor teaching on.

Joyce's schooling was at King Alfred'sand her education certainly helped to shapeher own views on teaching, and theimportance of allowing children to developat their own pace. She loved King Alfred's,and even when she was getting very ill withdementia, could point herself out on theschool photo taken in June 1938. Thiscombined home and school backgroundhelped to forge Joyce’s strongly independentspirit and enduring loyalty for her work andfor her close friends. She was a womanwith great close friendships, and she lived tothe full; she loved London, and took

advantage of much of what it had to offer. Joyce was an independent, self-reliant,

formidable woman who came from a line ofstrong, feisty left-wing women. Both hermother Nellie and her aunt, Rose Cohen,were members of the British CommunistParty. Nellie also worked at one stage assecretary to Sylvia Pankhurst. When Joycediscovered that her Aunt Rose, along withher husband, had been executed by Stalinin one of his purges in 1938, Joycedecided to track down their son, her firstcousin. The boy had been put in aorphanage after his mother's execution andNellie had lost touch with him. Withcharacteristic determination and only asmattering of Russian, Joyce travelled toMoscow in the 1990s and found him, hischildren and grandchildren.

Joyce went on to be a Communist,reading the Morning Star and the IslipNewsletter, was a member of CND andprobably went on some of the Aldermastonmarches. There is an amusing story of whenthe census was taken in 2001, when theinterviewer asked Joyce what paper sheread, she replied “the Morning Star.” Notfinding it on the long list, the census officersuggested ticking the Daily Star instead…you can imagine Joyce’s firm and clearresponse to that outrageous and ignorantsuggestion. In fact she stood firm until it waswritten in.

Joyce was a woman of many complexsides; she could be private about herinnermost thoughts, although she formed andheld strong opinions and was at timesoutspoken in her views. When one got pasther direct speech and more than occasionalrudeness she was a great and loyal friend.Her greatest asset was that she was greatcompany, often irreverent, outspoken but fullof humour and wit, and not above apractical joke or two. Because Joyce had nophysical vanity she was in many ways non-threatening and had no interest in fashion,make-up or trends. She did have the mostbeautiful and piercing blue eyes. She losther hair through alopecia in her 40s andthereafter wore the same style brown,pudding bowl wig. She had a total lack ofvanity, and wouldn't care if her wig slippedslightly in the heat of an argument or whileplaying golf.

As a gifted musician herself and thenmentor and teacher…. though she wascapable of being rather stern, andfrightening, as well as a hard task master,she was also hugely inspiring. Sheexpected hard work from her students, andhated the cult of the child musical prodigy,young musician of the year competitions.Young musicians thrived under her tutorageand her plain speaking, always temperedwith her sense of humour, worked brilliantly.Of course she wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Pippa Harris remembers, “Joyce wasone of those life-enhancing people whoseintellect and passion influences everythingand everyone around them...” She had avast book collection, including a collectionof Jane Austen, who was her almostfavourite author. Joyce also wrote herselfand had a children’s book, Martin Bosey,published in 1979.

In the late 1960s she met the cellist JoanDickson and recognised a kindred spirit.They became firm friends, taught, playedand worked together. Joan maintained thatJoyce made her rethink almost everythingshe did. She once said of Joyce, “Herextraordinary intellectual grasp of music hasbeen most beneficial, not only to me –because I'm more intuitive – but also to myteaching.”

Joyce’s relationship with Joan, bothpersonal and professional, was withoutdoubt the most significant in her life. Theyspent many happy summers together atDartington Summer School of Music.Whether it was coaching chamber music,playing concerts themselves, or simply as aformidable duo on the croquet lawn, theyclearly gained enormous pleasure frombeing together. Their professionalcollaboration reached its height when theyset up the summer school at Westonbirt.

But one word also springs to mind whenthinking of Joyce – uncompromising.Whether it was as a friend, a teacher ormusician, she refused to be swayed fromwhat she thought – no, knew – was the rightway of doing things. She even took thesame sensibility to golf which she took up inher sixties. Pity the poor lady member whosuggested one day that slacks and afisherman’s smock weren’t suitable attire forthe clubhouse.

But along with the fiery determinationwas a great generosity and kindness –which is why she inspired such tremendousloyalty in her pupils and friends.Uncompromising and generous – it wasn’t abad combination, was it?

Joyce Rathbone

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The reporting of music over the years atKing Alfred School has been patchy at best.It has definitely improved. Here are somesamples…

We had a wonderful series ofSunday concerts, generouslygiven by busy and celebrated

artists, in order that the children might getthe benefit of some first class music and insupport of our piano fund. The artistsincluded Mark Raphael, Karl UlrichSchnabel, Adila Fachiri and Vera Moore,Rose Keen, Grace Thynne and NormaSemino. The series was concluded by theconcert on May 8th by our own Solomonon our own Steinway grand piano (whichhe chose for us). He always makes hisconcerts delightful, not only by his beautifuland interesting programme, exquisitelyinterpreted, but by his very genial presenceand obvious delight in being an OldAlfredian. The success of the concerts andother activities for raising the funds was sogreat that we closed the account not onlywith the piano paid for but with a marginwhich has enabled us to procure a first classwireless with gramophone attached. Theschool is in consequence far betterequipped musically than ever, and it is apleasure to make mention of the admirablevoluntary work done by Mrs. Boulter inorganizing a small orchestra after schoolhours, which has already performedsuccessfully at end of term concerts.

(From the Headmaster’s Report to Council, 1932)

Mrs. Boulter has increased thenumber of her piping classes toaccommodate the applicants for

this popular and successful branch ofmusic…… In the Spring Term a performance ofscenes from Gluck‘s Orpheus was given bythe combined activity of Singing, Piping,Orchestra and Dancing classes. It was amost ambitious effort, and the highlycreditable result was, we think, a sufficientanswer to those who believe that our stresson the individual side in educationdisqualifies K.A.S. pupils for successful co-operation.

(From the Head’s Report, 1934-35)

The interest in music has increased inevery part of the school including theNursery. That the standard of work has

been raised considerably was evident fromthe enjoyable concert given on 8th Marchby about forty children from Mr.Tryggvason‘s classes. The development ofthe Orchestra which now has fifteen playershas been an outstanding feature of theyear’s work. In the Lower School interest insinging has been stimulated by Miss John’sentry of a group of children at the Festival ofChoirs.

(From the Heads’ Report, 1950-51)

There was another impressive concert onMarch 11th. The programme includeda Beethoven piano concerto with

Thorunn Tryggvason as the soloist, a Mozartsymphony by the school orchestra, songs bythe school choir and violin solos by theleader of the orchestra. For the first time theconcert was recorded—by the kindness ofthe parent of a junior school child, fromwhom copies of the records can beobtained.

Our first violinist who has for three yearsbeen a member of the National YouthOrchestra of Great Britain went on aconcert tour with that orchestra to theContinent and to the North of England.

(from the Head’s Report, 1955)

In March was the school concert in whicha high standard was reached both in soloand orchestral playing. On this occasion

for the first time one of the works played bythe Orchestra was conducted by one of theboys. This was the last concert in which ourFirst Violin would lead the orchestra, whichhe had done ever since it was formed. Werecord with pleasure that he was chosen tolead the National Youth Orchestra in itsconcert at the Edinburgh Festival inSeptember.

(From the Head’s Report, 1956)

Music over the Years

SCHOOL FUNCTIONS

The usual school functions havecontinued of course throughout the yearand it is difficult to know which to

select for mention. Omission of any must notimply that they are less important As alwaysthose functions put on for publicperformance tend to steal the limelight, andit is true that the drama this year has been ofa high standard…

The Music Society put on three recitalsduring the year. In the first, William andTony Pleeth and Margaret Good performeda programme of ‘cello solos and trios. Itwas a great pleasure to have both WiliiamPleeth and his wife again (they were the firstto give a recital for us about five years ago),and Tony who left the school about twoyears ago. In the Spring we had aprogramme by Sebastian Bell and SteuartBedford, Sebastian Bell being an OldAlfredian who left the school in 1959 andnow plays the flute in the B.B.C. WelshOrchestra. The Summer Recital was aprogramme by some of the HampsteadYoung Music Makers, conducted by JoyceRiddell, together with wonderful ‘cello

playing by Christopher Bunting. The schoolMusic Concert gave us a pleasant eveningalthough the school orchestra’s smallnumbers needed considerable augmentingwith outside help.

(From the Head’s Report, 1965)

School music continues to flourish andthe concert with the Young MusicMakers was well attended. The Music

Society numbers wet lower than last yearwhich was disappointing for the organisers.

(From the 1966 Annual Report, now under Music and Drama)

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

The music department has had a busyand eventful year. Early birds passingby the music room on Thursday

mornings will have heard Roger Pascoe’sBaroque Orchestra rehearsing. They gavetheir first concert in March playingmovements from concertos by Vivaldi andother Baroque composers. Lower SchoolChoir also participated, singing five songsin popular style.

Jean Mercer’s Brass Group alsorehearsed regularly before school. InDecember they went on their annual tripthrough the’ streets of Hampstead andHighgate playing carols for charity. Even theyoungest pupils from Lower Family Groupjoined in. In the summer term they presenteda successful music circle concert.

In July Ivor Goldberg’s guitar pupils fromlower and upper school presented anevening of popular music entitled “Night ofthe Axe Monsters.” By popular request theseconcerts have since become a termly event.

In the summer term Jaffa Galbinski’spiano pupils, ranging in age from five tosixteen, presented their annual piano concertto a packed hall.

Middle School presented a Concert inMarch organised by Anne Elliott in whichthe Band Method class, Middle School

Orchestra and Andy Hampton’s windensemble combined in a variety ofensembles.

The Band Method was begun four yearsago in middle school with a pilot string class(violins, violas, cellos and basses). Pupilsplay in ensemble in their class lesson andgo to a back-up lesson in small groups. TheBand Method has now been extended to allfirst formers. The school has purchased alarge quantity of orchestral instruments andevery pupil plays in ensemble for a year ineither a string or wind class. Thereafter theymay continue privately and join orchestra orone of the ensemble groups.

The school now has a keyboardlaboratory equipped with 24 electrickeyboards, synthesisers and organ whichare used in second and third form classlessons. This enables pupils to workindividually on performance andcomposition

The music department supplied originalmusic for the Lower School productions of“Alice in Wonderland” in December and“The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” inJune.

Middle School pupils continued theirtradition of performing at an old people’shome just before Christmas under thedirection of Roger Pascoe and DeniseGibbs.

There have also been a number ofinformal music circle concerts presented bythe violin, brass and piano pupils of ourperipatetic staff. In fact, wherever theopportunity has presented itself the musicdepartment has been there looking for achance to take part.(From the Annual Report, 1988 – notice that

Music now has its own Department – ed.)

MUSIC REPORT

1992 – 93 has seen an expansionand consolidation of music withinthe school. Several new

appointments have been made in theperipatetic music staff: Hannah Lang(flute),Helen Jenkins (voice), Dinah Beamish(cello) and Scott Bywater (percussion). KenReay (percussion) and Jamie Moore (guitar)leave K.A.S. to pursue their careers asprofessional musicians. With a team of 3full-time members of staff (Liz Mellor, RobHersey and Mary-Lu Hurley) and 12specialist instrumental teachers the quality ofprovision of music education has developedwith over 50% of pupils receiving individuallessons and a range of performanceopportunities increasing likewise.

Performance landmarks throughout theyear have included several successfulworkshop performances organised by Andy(woodwind), Sue (strings), Jaffa (piano) andJean (brass). Feature concerts have includedthe Parent/Staff/Upper School “Xmas”

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choir, “Jazzworks” and the Valentine’sConcert – ”The Language of Love” whichalso involved staff/pupils reading poetryand singing in a range of languages. Othercollaborative ventures includedvideo/shadow play and music compositionwith visiting Creative Arts Lecturer FritzReinhardt from Germany, and Art/Musiccomposition as part of the Xmas LowerSchool production.

The performance year culminated inMusic Week (May 19 – 27). Items in theweek included (Wed) a Parents’ Evening forthose receiving instrumental tuition; (Thurs)Baroque Concert featuring solo violinistDavid Chivers; (Mon) Axe Monstersfeaturing Rock Bands throughout the schooland original compositions by Tom Kenyatta;(Tues) The Friends of the Earth Concertfeaturing Environmentally Friendly songscomposed by Middle School pupils andG.C.S.E. and A-level compositions; (Wed)Lower School Concert featuring LowerSchool Strings, Windband, Orchestra andChoir, Recorder Groups and ClassCompositions; (Wed) Jazz Piano recitalfeaturing Oliver Rockberger,

(Thurs) “Strawberry Fair”: a selection ofEnglish part songs and poetry featuringUpper School string quartet joined byclarinettist Louisa Ranpe, Middle SchoolChoir, Upper School Chamber Choir,Parent/Staff Choir and Jazzworks.

All venues were full to overflowing andas Music Week culminated in the “finalconcert” it seemed like music had comealive at K.A.S. for the school as acommunity. One of the reasons why the yearwas particularly successful was not so muchin the quality of the leadership but in thequality of the team committed to raisingstandards both in the classroom and in the“public” eye. Whilst the department createsan atmosphere to encourage musicianship atall levels of ability it also recognises thatmusical development can be fun andlearning through disciplined rehearsalworthwhile. In this way its value isenhanced, its authenticity authorised by theparticipants and audience and its energy

made magnetic. K.A.S. can look forward tomany more successful ventures. Many thanksto the “team” and those who wholeheartedlygave their support this year.

(From the Annual Report, 1993)

This has been a blockbuster year for thePerforming Arts! The department has remained busy,

ensuring the full Concert Programme andvariety of Musical events held over theacademic year allow as many students aspossible to demonstrate their talents.

We heard some fantastic singing anddeveloping bands performing in Unpluggedand Axemonsters, while the Soloist Concertseach term, remain a great opportunity forthose students preparing for their GradeExaminations to perform in public.

The Christmas and Summer Concertsreflected the variety of Music that goes on inthe department with performances thatranged from Handel to Jimi Hendrix! Ahighlight for many was the collaborationbetween the Orchestra and Chamber Choirwho performed Zadok the Priest by Handel

with such passion and commitment that itwas a very moving occasion.

The Choirs have been as busy asalways with Middle School Choir preparingfor their performances at Disneyland Parisand the 90-strong collaboration of Jazz andMiddle School Choir that performed at theRoyal Festival Hall in the regional rounds ofthe National Festival of Music for Youth. Thestudents are now having an uncharacter-istically busy Summer Term as they sang soconvincingly, they were picked to gothrough to the next round. They will beperforming in the Adrian Boult Concert Hallin Birmingham in July, where we hope toraise the roof King Alfred style!

Jazzworks was also successful in theabove mentioned competition and will beperforming in Birmingham as part of theJazz Festival also in early July. We areextremely proud of the achievements of bothof these groups, as it is the first time twogroups from KAS have got through to thenext stage of this prestigious nationalcompetition.

For many, the all singing, all dancing

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1988 Are you in the photo? We’d love to hear from you. Please drop us a line.

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production of Grease that was put on inDecember will be one of the highlights ofthe Performing Arts’ year. The dedicationand commitment of the cast was the mainreason for the success of this production. It isalways so special to see students from avariety of year groups bonding and workingtogether so effectively. Friendships areformed and the sense of ensemble issomething that students who take part inextra- curricular activities never forget.

Other notable occasions over the yearhave included the Watford Singing Festival,where several KAS solo singers performed.Despite facing some stiff competition, theKAS students really shone and I was soproud of their achievements. Some singerswere very experienced, having sung formany years, while for others this was theirfirst public performance. Once again thestudents represented King Alfred in such apositive light and their confidence andcommunication skills were remarked upon.

One of the things the adjudicator said

which really resonated was the importanceof being able to stand up in front of peopleand present yourself with confidence.Whatever the students choose to do in theirfuture they will at some point have to presentthemselves, whether in an interview, in theboardroom, on a stage, in a classroom. Asa singer you have no instrument to hidebehind and seeing young studentscommanding the stage with such authorityand confidence was a real reflection of thework that goes on throughout the school.

The singers at King Alfred werefortunate enough to have worked with andwatched the soprano Lesley Garrett, whocame into school and gave a Masterclass.It was such an entertaining and informativeevening. Everyone who was there cameaway with a greater understanding of thephysical nature of singing and theimportance of performance skills. Therewas incredibly positive feedback from theaudience and students alike. Particularlyimpressive was the way in which Lesley

engaged with the students, understood theirindividual needs, and really made adifference to the sound they made!

I know the singers who performed andwatched were excited and inspired by thework that took place. The Phoenix Theatreis such a great venue for Masterclassessuch as these, and this is an area thePerforming Arts Department hopes toexpand upon next year, not only forsingers, but instrumentalists and Dramastudents too.

Every year I wonder if we can top thelast as the highly skilled Upper Sixthstudents move on to the next stage of theirlives. However, I was inspired by theLower School Callover I saw recently,where several young students performedwith the confidence and talent to reassureme that there are budding musiciansdeveloping throughout the school andwaiting for their opportunities to shine!

(From The Alfredian, 2012, article writtenby Anna Broad, Head of Performing Arts)

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Richard Adeney (KAS – 1932-34), therenowned flautist wrote that KAS was “...acivilised school in North London, where I stillmanaged to avoid being educated, but didlearn how to make recorder-like instrumentsout of bamboo.” At King Alfred’s he becameobsessed with tuning his little instruments andtrying to make them sound sweet. “The usualtensions of family life and worries aboutgrowing up disappeared when I played—and last I’d found something I could dowell.” (from Richard Bigio’s obituary,published in the Summer 2011 Alfredians)

And Barbara Richmond, née Bolton,(KAS 1931-1936) wrote as a follow-up:

“Richard Adeney. The Greatest flautist Ihave ever heard, but I had no idea he wentto KAS. I still have the bamboo pipe I made,as he did. It seemed a good thing to bedoing at the time and perhaps in his case itwas the starting inspiration for all thatfollowed.”

Janet Craxton“We were sad to hear of the death of JanetCraxton in July this year. An Old Alfredian,she had studied at the Royal Academy ofMusic where she held a Chair and also atthe Paris Conservatoire. She was principalOboe at the HalleOrchestra and withthe London MozartPlayers and theBBC SymphonyOrchestra, andsince 1970, withthe LondonSinfonietta. SirLennox Berkeley,Alan Rawsthorne,Elisabeth Lutyensand Oliver Knussenwere among those

who composedworks for her.She and herhusband, AlanRichardson,gave concertsfor the school,the last ofwhich tookplace in July1978, and shealways retaineda kindly interestin our activities.”

From the Head’s Report in the AnnualReport, December 1981

Dorothy Kothari – born27.10.1919, died 12.02.2012

A nursery school assistant. Mother ofRaj and Shanta Kothari. Grandmother ofMerlin Kothari (Raj’s son at KAS)

Dorothy left in 1952 and returned in1953 as a Nursery School helper. Sheleft in 1955 and returned in 1956 toreplace Miss Smithells in Nursery School.She left in 1963.

Nicholas Bullock – born22.12.1938, died 17.11.2011

Gerry [Gerd] Weiss – born31.05.1923, died 28.05.2012

Gerry was at KAS between 1936 and

1940 and also acted as HonoraryTreasurer of the King Alfred School Societyfrom 1951 to 1963, giving his final, 14threport, at the December 1963 AGM.

(A fuller tribute will appear in a lateredition – ed.)

Siobhan Morris – born12.01.1988, died 24.09.2012

A student at the school from 1996 to2004

Sophie Coleman – born10.08.1987, died 18.11.2012

A student at the school from 1996 to2005

Deaths

Diary

Ashort word of apology for notproducing a Spring edition ofAlfredians this year. I’m afraid

that family and health concerns (toouninteresting to go into here) made itdifficult for me to work on themagazine. I hope we are now backon track and can look forward to theusual two editions per year.

I hope you all have a festive end to2012 and a Happy New Year 2013.

Peter Palliser

A word……from the Editor

Open Day/Summer FairIn 2013, Open Day will probablybecome a Summer Fair. Whatever itis, the day will be on Saturday 29June, 2013 – from 12 noon to 4pm.

Bring a picnic, if you want, but therewill be food for sale on site.

Bonfire NightSaturday 9 November 20134:30-8.00 pmReception 6 to 7:15 pm

Alfredians Autumn 2012. Alfredians is a biannual newsletterdistributed in May/June and November/December.

We always welcome news and memories from Old Alfrediansfor publication. All copy should be sent to:

Alumni Coordinator, King Alfred School, Manor Wood, 149 North End Road, London NW11 7HY

Email: oa@kingalfred.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8457 5282 Fax: +44 (0)20 8457 5249

PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED OF ANY CHANGES OFADDRESS.

The King Alfred School Society is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 57854. Registered Charity No. 312590. Registered in England.

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(I had promised to publish the followingthree letters in the Autumn 2011 edition, butfailed to do so. Many apologies – ed.)

Hello,It was lovely to

spot my son, BusterTurner, in the schoolphoto, in your lastissue (it was theAutumn 2010 issue –a long time ago nowand apologies, ed.).He is the cheeky blonde, second row fromfront right with a grey sweatshirt on itmarked with a W.

On a sadder note, my brother SimonTurner, another cheeky KAS boy from wayback, died on October 13th after a longillness. He was a wonderfully warmhearted rebel, who, on being hauled upbefore Nikki Archer for a misdemeanour,ate a raw onion beforehand andproceeded to blow gently at her throughoutthe telling off.

He is truly missed. A wonderful manand an avid Chelsea supporter - KingAlfred at that time turned out a lot ofChelsea supporters. I think that Simon hadsomething to do with that!

Carol-Anne Turner (ex-KAS from wayback as well)

Just saw the recentnewsletter, is great.Would have loved tohave come to thatconference in fact,as I work ineducation myselfthese days.

Anyway, myname is Michael Mann, am in the photofrom 1992 second from top row, belowthe kid 7 from the left. In fact, that kid isSamuel Potter, who I met again for the firsttime the other day in the National Theatre -which was amazing. Am also now sharinga flat with Matthew Gretton from KAS (whois the photo somewhere too), and am stillgood friends with his brother Jamie Gretton,and recently met up with Simon Kirk inNew York, when I was passing through, sothe KAS spirit lives on even though I leftwhen I was 9 after Beth's class. OllieLockett is two down from me in the phototoo, and is business partner with Jamie andsaw him too at the national theatre, and helooks the same now too - although a lot

taller! Still also in touch with Tom PollakAnyway, I was working for the Clinton

Foundation HIV/AIDs Initiative last year inthe Caribbean as a regional analyst, andhave now come back to London andworking with Absolute Return for Kids, achildren's charity, in their UK educationarm. Living in Highgate, all is well,although after a year in eternal sunshine thesnow is taking some getting used to!

Michael Mann

Dear KAS Friends,I am writing for a few reasons:

1. Please update my records. Currently youhave : Joanne Steinbeck, 3801 N Swan,Tucson, AZ 85718. My new address is:6569 E Ghost Flower, Tucson, AZ 85750USA.2. The name Joanne is fine as that's howpeople know me: Joanne Warner.However, for the last 20 years, I have usedmy Hebrew name, Batsheva (I lived inIsrael for many years). Steinbeck was mymarried name.3. I would like to respond to the recentarticle and conference, "What does itmean to be well educated?". My family leftLondon (and I sadly left KAS) when I was13.We moved back to NYC, our originalhome, and I went to the Calhoun School. Inotice that Steve Nelson was at yourconference and spoke of nurturing, notmurdering, free thought in education. Ihave had the great honor of beingeducated at open-minded and eruditeschools such as KAS and Calhoun (andthen went on to Grinnell College, asimilarly minded institution). I have chosena life of educating people using the tools ofyoga; not your typical path, and yetsomething so rewarding and fulfilling forme. I am truly blessed to have attendedschools that allowed me to find my highest,unique expression of myself. Many thanks.

Batsheva

And more recently:

Thanks to all concerned for the latestAlfredians. Always such an interesting andnostalgic read.

I was very sorry to learn of Joyce'spassing. This reminded me of one of myearliest memories of Royston, where I wasthroughout the war. My mother haddelivered me to school one Mondaymorning, during the early period when I

was a weekly boarder. I was walking,homesick and tearful, past the stablestowards the barns, when I heard pianomusic coming from one of the stables. Ientered the room, and saw two of theolder girls playing the piano, anarrangement for four hands one piano ofthe first movement of Mozart's 40thSymphony. Joyce was playing the basspart, and the upper part was being playedby Janet Craxton - the late sister ofMichael, whose obituary appears next toJoyce's. This affected me greatly, and tothis day whenever I hear that symphony I'mreminded of that episode. I look forwardvery much to the next issue, and to readingmore about Joyce.

Paul Davis (1937 - 1951)

(Paul is referring to Joyce Rathbone – pleasesee her obituary in this issue and the smallmemorial to Janet Craxton as well – ed.)

Esmond Harris (KAS 1937-1939)sends us his new address:

The Old Police HouseMain RoadSutton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3DU

Retirements

Brian Rance – KAS 1983-2012Caretaker, Goatherd and Archivist

Nora Evans – KAS 1987-2012English TeacherHead of Sixth FormHead of EnglishHead of English and Curriculum SupportActing Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Dermot Allen – KAS 1990-2012Head of HistoryHead of History and Government andPoliticsDirector of StudiesHead of Upper SchoolDeputy Head (Academic)

Final Retirement

Mike Young – KAS 1982-2012Head of Lower School (retired 2006)Ivy Wood Coordinator (2006-2012)

OA News & Correspondence

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Diane started teaching Geography atKAS in January 1990. Over the nexttwenty odd years she was involved in

the school in every capacity imaginable –teacher, friend, parent, member of Counciland, at the end, Chair of Parent Staff. Theschool has been, and still is, an incrediblyimportant part of our lives. That wasreflected in the wonderful turnout at Diane's

funeral. Diane took me to the end of yearparty in July of 1990. The outgoing Head ofHistory described the school as a'community'. Diane believed passionately inthat idea. In recent times it has, to me, feltexactly like that – a community. On behalfof my family I want to thank everyone at theschool for the love and support they haveshown us over the years and over the past

few months in particular. A really heartfeltthank you.

● Alan Davies

1 June 1941 –8 November 2011

Peter died a few days after suffering asevere heart attack not long after he hadreceived applause for a well-received

piece of prose he had read to the membersof his creative writing club... He leaves hiswife Margaret and two daughters, Catherineand Helen. He also leaves behind agranddaughter, Isla, who was born in AugustHe would sometimes say, “I hope I will seeCatherine’s baby.” He did, and what joy hisgranddaughter brought to him.

He became a pupil of KAS in 1945 atthe age of four, attending kindergarten at theschool’s wartime premises at Branch Hill onthe edge of Hampstead Heath. During hisyears at school he developed a talent fordrawing and writing, with a taste for EnglishLiterature and History, but an aversion toMathematics. He finished school in thesummer of 1959 after completing his

advanced level GCE.Upon leaving school, Peter attended the

Art College and later the London College ofPrinting. Having worked in industry forseveral years, he decided to teach Art,training at Bristol. His first job was inDagenham, at Hunters Hall Junior School.Later, he became class teacher there, wherehe met Margaret. They were married in1975 dwelling at first at Lymm. When Peterbecame qualified to teach the new subject,Design and Technology, in secondaryschools, they moved to Ashton in 1981.Peter taught the subject in Skelmersdale, untilhis early retirement at Our Lady Queen ofPeace RC High School, in 1993. However,until he reached 60, he worked as a supplyteacher at St Edmund Arrowsmith’s, teachingmainly Design. In the following years afterthey moved, Peter and Margaret wereblessed with their two daughters. The familyregularly attended St Thomas’ Church (Peter isburied in the churchyard). He graduallybecame involved in many ways in thechurch’s works, in particular, in hospitalvisiting and the designing of church banners.Soon after their arrival in Ashton, Peter joined

the local Art Club, and was its Chairman forseveral years.

Shortly after his retirement fromSkelmersdale, Peter joined the team at theCraft Gallery in Haigh Hall. In his retirement,he enjoyed walking, visiting places andtouring abroad.

Peter will be sadly missed by his family,colleagues and his closer classmates fromKAS, including, among others, DianaKabadi, Julie Mitchell, Hugh Sheridan, NickyRubashow and Paul Papadopoulos.

● Paul Papadopoulos

Obituaries...Peter Raymond

Joan Morris2 July 1952 –22 February 2012KAS: 1993–2012

For 11 years Joannie was my boss, mymentor and my friend. I fear I am not asufficiently talented wordsmith to do her

many attributes justice but the ones thatspring readily to mind are wise,considerate, honest and strong.

Joan loved to laugh but, unlike many ofus, mostly chose to do so only when thingswere actually funny. When you took aproblem to her you could be assured that

she would listen, and when she spoke youcould be assured that she meant what shesaid. She didn’t bother too much with falseniceties and trivial banter; an honesty of

approach that I personally treasured abouther.

Her love and commitment to her ownchildren was absolute, as was herdedication to and affection for the studentsshe taught. I have no doubt that there arecountless current and former pupils of thisschool who, like me, will be forever gratefulfor her patient guidance and geographicalexpertise.

Our department and our staffroom havelost a kind and consummate professional, asupremely reliable source of common senseand clear thinking, and a genuinely goodperson. Her family have lost much more.

Thank you Joannie; gone but neverforgotten.

● Bob Stephens

Diane (Rawling) Davies 1 May 1964 – 30 December 2011

There can’t be many people at KAS whonow remember a most marvellous mancalled Tom Bond or “Bomber” Bond as I

remember him (don’t ask!). Tom was theAccountant who dealt with the manual payrollas well as lots of other financial stuff and hadthe ordeal of training me up to take over from

him when KAS was dragged kicking andscreaming into yet another computerisedsystem in 1990.

I had initially come to install the newcomputers at KAS and train staff on thesoftware that the school had bought and, likemany others before me, and indeed since,KAS became a major part of my life. In fact Ifound it so amazing that I stayed (now 22years). The proof of KAS’ pull was that Ihappily travelled all the way up here from thedepths of Surrey every day.

My love for KAS also meant dragging mytwo children out of bed at 6.00 am whenthey joined the school in 1997 because, asfar as I was concerned, nothing could matchKAS and its ethos – it would allow them to“fly.” Robert (now 31 and a FinancialAnalyst) went into the L6 after attending a

boys’ public school and said it was the onlytwo years of school that he had enjoyed.Whilst Rob was in the 6th form, Alex wasjoining up to Reception at the other end of theschool! Alex completed his studies last yearand has taken a gap year before going toSussex (King-Alfred’s-by-the-sea) in October.

I am sorry, I digress –

Tom helped me understand what KAS wasreally about – not a school but a family. Tomhad come to KAS when he retired from his“proper” job as a Bank Manager at 65. Idon’t believe he ever thought he would be atKAS until he was 82, but he was, and infact had to be told to stop shifting all the filesover from the “old” bursary by Francis Moranin 1994, when the new bursary was built.The “old” bursary is now where David andMeg have their offices.

Tom was a mine of information bothfinancial and otherwise. He had lived avaried and interesting life and I loved to hearhis stories from around the world and at KASwhich were amazing. I admired the way inwhich he supported his wife Dolly when shedeveloped Alzheimer’s.

I can remember talking to him about mybeing totally doolally at times and he askedme if I knew what the real meaning of theword was, and then proceeded to tell methat it came from the 1900s when there wasa Sanatorium called the Deolali Sanatorium inMarashtra where British Army serving in Indiawere sent, when they suffered madness fromthe harsh life in India, before being sent backto England.

I digress again… now onto the realreason of the story… DUCKS!

Tom’s stories included one about theducks and Squirrel Hall, both close to myheart. He told me that every spring the femaleduck would lay her eggs in the tree inSquirrel Hall and when they hatched hewould watch mum very carefully flutter downwith her babies in her wings one by one.Tom never knew how the ducklings got backup there but every morning at 7.00 am hewould watch them flutter down until they wereold enough to leave home. It was awonderful story and I would have loved tohave seen it happen and I have oftenrepeated it to people who would listen to me.

Imagine my amazement when BeckyBarker (Estates) came up to me yesterday(25.4.12) and told me that she had seen theducks fluttering down from the tree onceagain. Presumably this is because thecladding around squirrel hall has been takendown and mum has been able to lay hereggs in the tree once again! Becky has

managed to get some wonderful photographsof the ducks. I am just so glad that Beckycame up the Bursary yesterday and told me,she has taken some of the most amazingphotographs of the ducks who, I believe, arenow residing in the duck pond in LowerSchool.

Talk about history repeating itself – isn’tlife wonderful?

● Tricia Still, Bursary

This really is about the DUCKS

Ducks over the years

Ducklings hatching in the tree...

Making their way out of the bushes towards thepond...

Finally into the pond...

They nearly ended up in the Green Building !!!

Happy Endings…

Onto the Field...

After falling from the tree by Squirrel Hall themother duck and ducklings hid in bushes until thecoast was clear.

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