by old blues for old blues - christ's hospital · obituaries of old blues and ch staff by old...

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OLD BLUE SPRING 2017 THE CONTENTS CHOBA NEWS 1-4, 16 Communications and Engagement Working Group, Careers networks, Miss Tucker‘s news, CH hockey pitch, Carol Concert FOUNDERS DAY, REUNIONS 4-9 OBs gather at CH, London and across the globe UPDATES 9-12 Names made in politics, law and banking; beating the trains home; volunteering overseas; art for the homeless; and keeping the war spirit alive in words and cartoons SPORT 13 OBs cruising, football, golf and rugby REMEMBERING 14-15 Obituaries of Old Blues and CH Staff BY OLD BLUES FOR OLD BLUES COUNCIL APPROVES OLD BLUES‘ SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS THE Council of Almoners has approved recommendations by the Communications and Engagement Working Group in response to Old Blues’ views on communication in a survey carried out by CH and CHOBA in August 2016. Old Blues provided a valuable insight into the kind of interaction they would like with CH, and what CH can do to improve communications. Of the 5,162 OBs who received the survey by email, 45% (2,312) OBs participated. CH and CHOBA are enormously grateful for this huge response. Using the results of the survey together with additional research, the CH and CHOBA working group, led by Jon McLeod (LHB/MdB/ColB 75-83), prepared recommendations that aim to enhance engagement with Old Blues and harness the extraordinary levels of goodwill for CH. These were presented to and endorsed by the CHOBA Board and Council of Almoners in December. They include: the creation of a single transparent mission-led communications strategy; the introduction of a segmented approach to Old Blue activities and communications that meets the interests of different ages and genders, with increased focus on social media; and a review of the opportunities Old Blues have to contribute towards the School’s mission throughout their lives. CH and CHOBA are working to implement these and other recommendations over the next few months. It is only through deeper involvement of Old Blues that CH will be able to increase the impact it has for both pupils and OBs. At the heart of this is enabling more “needy” young people to attend CH — an ambition that is central to the School’s new business plan and fundraising campaign and one that will help address the widening inequality in our society. In detail, the survey results demonstrated the value of a CH education: 80% of participants believed the School had had an “excellent” or “good” impact on their lives, and 65% said that being an Old Blue had had a positive effect on their career. Only 4% said that CH was not a good experience and has been of limited benefit. In the round: Old Blues across the generations enjoyed the CHOBA Carol Concert at St Stephen Walbrook, in the City of London, on 13 December. See page 16 continued on page 3 City signing: 2016 Development Link Grecians Iona Popat (left) and Onyinye Udokporo (right) are now both Company apprentices. See page 2

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Page 1: BY OLD BLUES FOR OLD BLUES - Christ's Hospital · Obituaries of Old Blues and CH Staff BY OLD BLUES FOR OLD BLUES COUNCIL APPROVES OLD BLUES‘ SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS THE Council

OLD BLUESPRING 2017

THE

CONTENTSCHOBA NEWS 1-4, 16Communications and Engagement Working Group, Careers networks, Miss Tucker‘s news, CH hockey pitch, Carol Concert

FOUNDER‘S DAY, REUNIONS 4-9OBs gather at CH, London and across the globe

UPDATES 9-12Names made in politics, law and banking; beating the trains home; volunteering overseas; art for the homeless; and keeping the war spirit alive in words and cartoons

SPORT 13OBs cruising, football, golf and rugby

REMEMBERING 14-15Obituaries of Old Blues and CH Staff

BY OLD BLUES FOR OLD BLUES

COUNCIL APPROVES OLD BLUES‘ SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONSTHE Council of Almoners has approved recommendations by the Communications and Engagement Working Group in response to Old Blues’ views on communication in a survey carried out by CH and CHOBA in August 2016.

Old Blues provided a valuable insight into the kind of interaction they would like with CH, and what CH can do to improve communications. Of the 5,162 OBs who received the survey by email, 45% (2,312) OBs participated. CH and CHOBA are enormously grateful for this huge response.

Using the results of the survey together with additional research, the CH and CHOBA working group, led by Jon McLeod (LHB/MdB/ColB 75-83), prepared recommendations that aim to enhance engagement with Old Blues and harness the extraordinary levels of goodwill for CH. These were presented to and endorsed by the CHOBA Board and Council of Almoners in December. They include:• the creation of a single transparent

mission-led communications strategy;• the introduction of a segmented

approach to Old Blue activities and

communications that meets the interests of different ages and genders, with increased focus on social media; and

• a review of the opportunities Old Blues have to contribute towards the School’s mission throughout their lives.

CH and CHOBA are working to implement these and other recommendations over the next few months. It is only through deeper involvement of Old Blues that CH will be able to increase the impact it has for both pupils and OBs. At the heart of this is enabling more “needy” young people to attend CH — an ambition that is central to the School’s new business plan and fundraising campaign and one that will help address the widening inequality in our society.

In detail, the survey results demonstrated the value of a CH education: 80% of participants believed the School had had an “excellent” or “good” impact on their lives, and 65% said that being an Old Blue had had a positive effect on their career. Only 4% said that CH was not a good experience and has been of limited benefit.

In the round: Old Blues across the generations enjoyed the CHOBA Carol Concert at St Stephen Walbrook, in the City of

London, on 13 December. See page 16

continued on page 3

City signing: 2016 Development Link Grecians Iona Popat (left) and Onyinye Udokporo (right) are now both Company apprentices. See page 2

Page 2: BY OLD BLUES FOR OLD BLUES - Christ's Hospital · Obituaries of Old Blues and CH Staff BY OLD BLUES FOR OLD BLUES COUNCIL APPROVES OLD BLUES‘ SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS THE Council

CHOBA NEWS

2 THE OLD BLUE

Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBlues

CHOBA OFFICE ROUND-UP OF 2016IT WAS a busy year. In the summer, we held reunions, applauded successes at GCSE, A level and IB, and welcomed our recent leavers to our CHOBA family.

Whether you graduated this year or 65+ years ago, you will always be an Old Blue and able to take advantage of the many benefits available to you as alumni. Remember to keep us updated with your current contact details so that we can keep you posted on all that’s coming up. If you would like to provide a profile of yourself and your career, or get involved with events for current students, we would love to hear from you — you could inspire the next generation!

In late 2016 and early 2017, there were changes to the Board personnel (see Chair's report, page 3); and we had three Grecian Monitors working with CHOBA in 2016: Georgia Koronka (ThB/GrW 09-16), Iona Popat (LHB/GrE 09-16) and Onyinye Udokporo (BaB/GrE 09-16). Their skills in hosting visitors at reunions, conducting tours and input to CHOBA projects were appreciated.

EventsThe 2016 Carol Concert took place at St Stephen Walbrook, London (see report, page 16).

We are looking forward to Old Blues’ Day on Saturday 29 April 2017. The longer lead-time since the 2015 event has allowed consultation with Old Blues to make it more inclusive and appealing to all generations. Additions include an Old Blues’ band-performance with current pupils, a buffet-style lunch and CH staff presentations.

The reunion programme was expanded with new venues, including The Royal Academy of Arts and the café at St James’s Park, Inn the Park, as well as CH and the National Gallery. We offer annual reunions from ten years after leaving, then every ten-year cohort up to 60 years after leaving and a 65+ reunion every two years. The events are organised with OBs’ suggestions for content and venues. We are planning a Hertford reunion to be held in the autumn.

TechnologyEvents can now be booked online, plus, through the OB portal on the website, Old Blues can update their details and view details for other Old Blues. This does of course require registration, and is password protected.

The monthly e-newsletter continues to be popular, and readership increases. It is part of our initiative to engage with more Old Blues. We have also consulted with external experts so that we can enhance our social-media presence.

CHOBA Careers Network The Careers Network capabilities are continually improved. We have about 450 Old Blues who actively assist CH pupils and Old Blues. Their advice is available across a broad range of industry sectors and professions. In the Michaelmas term, a series of careers lunch-seminars gave pupils insights into areas including law, the world of finance, public affairs, medicine and the arts. A group of successful Old Blues were on hand to host the event, at which external speakers made presentations.

SectionsCHOBA continues to improve and support the existing geographical, sporting and business groups of Old Blues known as “Sections”, both in the UK and overseas.

New business groups have been formed: financial; engineering and construction; and utilities groups. In February, the legal group organised a second annual CH Law Debate, again chaired by the Rt Hon Lord Justice Rupert Jackson (PrepA/MdB 58-66).

A new strategy is now in place to maximise UK section coverage. New and rejuvenated groups include Ireland; Cheshire and Merseyside; Hampshire; Norfolk and Suffolk; and Warwickshire and Worcestershire. If you would like to join your group, or set up one for your area, contact us for details and support.

AWARD-WINNING PRICE OF FISHCH COMMIS chef Patrick Kane beat seven competitors to win the Compass Group UK and Ireland Apprentice Chef of the Year 2016, on 5 October 2016. The judges, five senior chefs who hold between them three Michelin stars, named Patrick the winner for his dish of “Mackerel Two Ways” — pickled mackerel and aromatic mackerel, served with a butternut and mango dhal with a radish and cauliflower green masala — at the Restaurant Show in London.

Patrick joined the Chartwells team at CH in January 2015; he helps to plan 3,000 meals a day for the pupils and staff during term time. In school holidays, the team prepares fine-dining and other menus to suit the tastes of students from international schools who hire the facilities.

He said: “When the results were announced, I couldn’t believe I had won such a prestigious award.“

CHOBA board member, Howard Holdsworth (MaA/MdB 66-73, Staff 92-present), was “My Best Teacher” in the Times Educational Supplement on 11 November. In the feature, stand-up comedian Romesh Ranganathan recalled Howard’s fun and love for the subject, English, when he was at Forest Grange school, near Horsham.

“He was drily funny, and his praise would be very sparing and occasional so that it would have the ultimate impact. He had this thing about making us really try as hard

as we possibly could. Going to his lessons felt like an event.”

Two of last year’s Development and CHOBA Link Grecians have become apprentices in the City of London. Iona Popat (LHB/GrE 09-16), is an apprentice of the Skinners’ Company. In four years’ time, she will have the Freedom of the City of London, and will be a Liveryman of the Skinners. She is pictured, on page 1, with City of London Governor and CH Almoner, Henry Pollard.

On 1 September, Onyinye Udokporo

(BaA/GrE 09-16), pictured on page 1, became the first female apprentice for the Tylers‘ and Bricklayers‘ Company. Following the main ceremony, she has signed the indenture at Chamberlain Court in the City of London.

She said: “The apprenticeship will last seven years. It does feel a little bit like a repeat of a CH journey. In seven years’ time I will have Freedom of the City of London and will be a Liveryman of the Tylers and Bricklayers.”

Onyinye is in her first year at King’s College, London.

CHOBA TEAM IN THE MEDIA AND THE CITY OF LONDON

NEW YEAR HONOURSTWO Old Blues were appointed MBE in the 2017 New Year Honours. Dorothy Blincoe (3s 48-55) has been honoured for services to the community in Clapham, south London. Major Thomas Cairncross (MaB/MaA 93-00) was awarded for his service in The Rifles.

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RECOMMENDATIONScontinued from page 1

Some 67% felt that CH is fulfilling its charitable mission “outstandingly” or “well”, although 16% chose “could do better” and 1% “not at all”.

Despite the positive picture, Old Blues’ current engagement with CH is modest: 53% feel “neutral” or “disengaged”. In addition, 40% feel only “moderately” and 3% “not at all welcome”. Engagement between Old Blues is very strong though, with 35% of participants being in contact with seven or more Old Blues.

Survey participants called for more reunions and professional networking, easier access to the OB network, a more comprehensive social-media presence and more tailored and transparent

communications. Specific topics that people wished to learn or see more of included photos from past years (60%), CH and Old Blue success stories (54%) and the charitable impact of CH (41%).

Additional themes can be found in age groups. Those aged 18-34 felt the least engaged with CH and want more careers and networking support from Old Blues. They would like more opportunities to give back to CH, including through volunteering. Those aged 35-54 wanted more information on CH’s charitable impact and are looking for ways to support the School to do more. Those aged 55 and above were largely happy with their engagement with CH, but currently have only a modest inclination to support the School, although there are many in this group that do donate.Contact CHOBA with your suggestions.

IT HAS been a very eventful year for the CHOBA Board. Simon Chadwick and I represented the Board on the Communications and Engagement Working Group (see page 1). We felt that we had contributed to a very worthwhile process that should lead to improved communications and engagement with Old Blues.

Over the summer and autumn, we undertook a recruitment process to fill vacancies on the Board. We specifically set out to look for people with communications and engagement skills and experience, and were very pleased to welcome Ralph Tait (ThB/ThA 86-93), Anna Larkin (ColA 90-97) and Louisa Lockwood (4s/BaA 81-88). They are already making an active and valuable contribution. Our thanks go to Anjola Odulaja (ThA/PeB/GrW 03-10) and vice-chair Harriet Bellenie (née Weller ThA/GrW 07-09) who have left the board, both pursuing careers in medicine; and Jasmine Boadi (ColA/GrW 02-09) who is a trainee solicitor.

Old Blues have enjoyed a busy reunion programme over the past year, with both London and Horsham-based reunions being well supported. Another successful and well-attended Carol Concert was held at St Stephen Walbrook, and we are looking forward to a revamped Old Blues’ Day on 29 April. The CHOBA Office have listened to feedback from previous years, and have put together a programme that we hope will have something for everyone: complimentary refreshments, a cheaper lunch option, the opportunity to participate in a band event, access to more areas of the School than before, and much more. If you haven’t already booked your ticket, please do so! Later this year, in addition to all the decade reunions, there is an event in London specifically for Hertford Old Blues, which I am very much looking forward to.

Careers-networking groups grow, as do OB sections (see report, page 2). We are also developing our social-media presence: alongside the many groups maintained by Old Blues themselves. There are also official CHOBA Facebook and LinkedIn groups, and we tweet regularly from our Twitter account. Please join and/or follow us. If there are other social media you think we should be using, do let the CHOBA Office know.

On a personal note, I am well aware that my name is not particularly well-known in Old Blue circles. I left CH Hertford in 1975 and had nothing to do with the School for more than 30 years. Some of my friends find it quite comical that I have had such

CHOBA NEWS

SPRING 2017 3

Old Blues CHOldBlues

TIME, SERVICE AND ADVICE FOR AND FROM CH Outgoing CHOBA Board Chair Jo Sidebottom (5s 67-75) highlights what CHOBA provides and what OBs can give back

a change of heart over the past few years that I joined the CHOBA Board and ended up as Chair. I came to realise that, whether our experiences of CH were positive or negative, someone somewhere, who knew nothing about us and owed us nothing, was generous enough to fund our education with the best of intentions. That’s an extraordinary gesture for our benefactors to have made, and one we should all consider repaying.

For those whose time at CH was less than happy, be assured that today’s pupils enjoy a supportive environment, with pastoral care that we could only have dreamed of. Supporting them is definitely a worthwhile investment. Some people are not able to contribute financially (nor ever will be), but time and expertise are valuable too: volunteering as a section secretary or on a section committee, becoming involved in the careers network or business

groups, or contributing in some other way. As I write, I have just returned from the

funeral of a truly remarkable Old Blue, Neville Osmond (MaA 44-51), whom I knew from my local CHOBA section. I was struck both at the service and on previous occasions to hear how much time and energy he put not only into fundraising for CH but also into encouraging young Old Blues with advice and useful introductions at the start of their career. Neville was an inspiration and he fulfilled the Charge many times over.

I have now stepped down from the CHOBA Board on completion of my allotted six-year term. I have learned a lot in that time both about CHOBA, and about CH today — particularly over the past year as Chair. I continue to be impressed by everything that the School achieves. I wish my successor Simon Chadwick and his team the very best over the coming year.

Incoming CHOBA Board Chair Simon Chadwick (LaB 67-73) writes:I AM delighted and honoured to be the Chair of the CHOBA Board for 2017, and look forward to continuing the outstanding work of the Board under the leadership of Jo Sidebottom. The Old Blue community is spread across the world and, as a resident of the US, I have been privileged to see it at work both for CH and for the societies in which it resides. The Charge is alive and well in all these societies.

As Old Blues, we all share a common experience — an outstanding education that, in the vast majority of cases, was primarily funded by charity. The Charge places upon us all the duty to pay that gift forward which, today, we can do in a variety of ways — a Blue Fund, careers advice, mentoring or serving on the CHOBA Board. At the same time, the School and Foundation should include the OB Community in its plans and strategies, as well as in its communications about modern-day CH. CHOBA‘s remit is to act as the link that enables all of this to happen with you, the Old Blue, firmly front and centre.

Please do not hesitate to help us. You can contact us via email, on social media, by post or on the phone. Tell us how we are doing and let us have your creative ideas for how we could do better!

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4 THE OLD BLUE

Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBluesCHOBA NEWS / FOUNDER'S DAY Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBlues

NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTRALIASYDNEY, 11 DECEMBER

Clerk and Chief Executive of the Foundation, Greg Andrews, addressed the New South Wales Old Blues’ annual lunch on 11 December on board the MV Sydney 2000. It was a great occasion, with a toast to those absent.Leo Vesey (MdA 88-93)

BARRISTER at Three Stone, Lincoln’s Inn, London, Andrew Cosedge (PeB 60-65) spoke to current Blues in the last careers lunch of the Michaelmas Term. The Head of Careers, Helen-Claire Burt, highlighted the extensive knowledge he gave the pupils.

Deputy Grecian Sara Mallawaarachchi said: “I learnt a huge amount from Mr Cosedge: he spoke about his personal journey into the field of law and about the individual paths that can be taken, whether this is to become a barrister or a solicitor.

“He mentioned that not all aspects of being a barrister are theatrical (as shown on television) and that obtaining a pupillage is fundamental. He also explained the difference between civil, criminal and family law.”

ANDREW COSEDGE EXPLAINS THE LAW

LET THE LE MAKE AND EAT CAKE!ON 3 November, Gina Skillings of the CHOBA office, enjoyed afternoon tea prepared and hosted by the Gauntlett group of the Christ’s Hospital Exploration and Life Skills Programmes (CHELSP).

All LE pupils take part in the CHELSP, to gain life skills, and experience challenges and adventures in a range of settings. Over the year, they rotate through the nine groups, whose activities — named after Old Blues in these areas — include DIY, climbing, scuba diving, sewing techniques and fine dining. The groups are scored for their successes; at the end of the year the winners receive a victory outing.

Gina, who was involved in helping name the CHELSP groups, said the invitation to sample the groups’ work was the “icing on the cake” of being involved with this project.

Celebration: Hazel Picking (née Roberts 3s 36-42) received personal congratulations from Head Master John Franklin on 7 September, the 80th anniversary (to the week) of her joining CH, Hertford. She joined other West Surrey Old Blues for their monthly lunch, on the dais in Dining Hall. The Head Master said that she was the first Old Blue he had met to be celebrating this milestone

80 YEARS SINCE JOINING

Holding court: Andrew Cosedge talks to pupils about a career in law, in the Court Room

MISS TUCKER’S NEWS HERTFORD HEAD MISTRESS 72-82

IT HAS been very special for me to share the time at CH of Lottie Medhurst (BaA 11-16), my second Old Girls’ Presentee. She has now left to attend the Arts Educational School, a specialist dance and drama school, for her A Levels. She rang me to tell me excitedly of her GCSE grades, and recently to tell me how much she is enjoying her new course.

It was wonderful to attend Speech Day at CH with her mother, Juliet (née Bond-Taylor 5s 77-84), and to hear Lottie singing in the choir and playing the flute in the band. My former presentee, Georgia Garrod (BaA/GrE 04-11), keeps in touch with me, too. I went to the Spital Sermon, at which the CH choir sang and the Bishop of London preached. It is lovely to have contact with Hertford girls who visit, or to see them at the CHOBA carols at St Stephen Walbrook.

My own activities continue, with music, talks on the Greeks at the British Museum, a holiday in Sirmione on Lake Garda with my sister, and involvement with church and with Mozambique.

MUCH MORE ONLINE VISIT the CHOBA website to read full-length articles and obituaries, plus recollections from a range of Old Blues. After our report on explorer Ernest Giles, Roger Wickens (BaA 49-54) highlights the

fact that CH has two alumni who have appeared on an Australian stamp, the second being wheat researcher William Farrer (MaB 48-55) (left). Anthony Hurst (MaB

48-55) tells of his trip to the Somme with the Devon Royal British Legion, in March 2016. And we report on a bronze statue of Sir Barnes Wallis (CH 1900-04) in Herne Bay.

THE OLD BLUE is sent to all those on the CHOBA Office mailing list. If you would prefer to receive the publication by email only, please contact the CHOBA Office: [email protected]. www.choba.org.uk

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SPRING 2017 5

Old Blues CHOldBlues

40 YEARS ON LONDON, 2 SEPTEMBER

OUR first reunion at The Keeper’s House, hidden within the Royal Academy in London, was for leavers of 1975 and 1976. We were delighted to read feedback on social media:

“What a lovely evening, with lovely, lovely friends.” “You haven’t changed a bit! That takes me back many years!” “Great evening but so many people to catch up with and so little time.” “It was truly lovely to catch up with so many of you and I look forward to our next meeting, hopefully much much sooner than ten years.”

“It was a really lovely evening. Great to catch up with friends I last saw in 2006 and others not seen since 1976.”

REUNIONS / FOUNDER'S DAYOld Blues CHOldBlues

FRIENDS OF CHRIST‘S HOSPITAL SAN FRANSISCO, 22 OCTOBER

LOUISVILLE, 13 NOVEMBER

Baker’s dozen: 13 OBs and guests joined FCH’s annual Founder’s Day dinner (above). Michelle and Frank Huggins (PrepA/BaA 57-66), Hervey Howell (PeB 50-56), and Sylvia and Grant Bruton (ThA 48-49) enjoyed brunch in November (below)Belinda Reiser (née Albinson 4s/ColA 79-86)

SWITZERLAND LAUSANNE, 8 OCTOBER

THE Swiss Old Blues met for the first time, for a Founder’s Day lunch, in Lausanne. Mostly we are of 1991ish vintage, but it was also great to have one recent Old Blue who was “impressed” with our knowledge of the tube. When did it pass into legend? Apparently by 2014 no one even knew how to get into it. [It still seems to be something of a mystery to some, see the 50-years-on reunion report (page 8) — editor].

Thanks to those who made it; I hope we do something again soon.David Manser (MaB/MaA 84-91)

MORE than 130 Old Blues and partners were joined by the Clerk, the Head Master, Robert Muir (LHB/ColB 66-72) representing the Almoners, CH Staff and Grecians in the Mountbatten Room of the RAC Club in Pall Mall to celebrate the birthday of our founder, Edward VI.

Recent dinners have featured distinguished members of the armed services and the law. In 2016, we took the opportunity to celebrate CH’s music. Both speakers were former Oxford organ scholars with subsequent but very different careers in the City of London.

Catherine Ennis (6s 65-71, Staff 82-85), whose career as recitalist, recording artist and teacher in the UK and abroad has included more than 25 years as director of music at St Lawrence Jewry, and thus as organist for the Lord Mayor, spoke passionately about the value of music education and the folly of pushing it to the margins of the curriculum; then concluded with the Organ Scholar’s Lament, in which all were encouraged to sing.

Paul Koronka (PeA 66-71) put the organist’s ability to take charge and

multi-task to good use, with a stellar career in law, shipping and insurance that has culminated in his present position as one of the City’s leading experts on mutual insurance.

The RAC Club pulled out all the stops

to provide splendid food and wine and, in addition, put on display just for CH its priceless and rarely viewed Formula One trophies. We return for the 2017 dinner on 13 October.Perry Kitchen (PeA 64-70), Chief Steward

RAC CLUB, PALL MALL, LONDON 7 OCTOBER

The value of music: former Oxford organ scholars addressed the London gathering at the RAC Club

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6 THE OLD BLUE

Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBluesREUNIONS / FOUNDER'S DAY Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBlues

HONG KONG22 OCTOBER & DECEMBER

THE group celebrated Founder’s Day at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, about 35 years since the dinner was last held there. At the last minute, there was some doubt as to whether it would really happen. An unseasonably late typhoon, Haima, was headed straight for the territory the day before the dinner. Offices, schools and public buildings were closed, and hundreds of flights — including that bringing the CH Admissions team — were delayed or cancelled.

But we were lucky. By Saturday morning, the worst had passed, the UK flight had arrived, and 22 OBs, staff and guests gathered to remember our Founder.

We were safely guided through the evening by Chief Steward Ben Davey (MdB/GrW 00-07) with Giles Brennand (PrepB/LaB 62-70) as our eloquent chair, speaking about Edmund Blunden (ColA 1909-15) and his Asian connections (see East Midlands, below). We were delighted that Dr Andrew Wines (CH Assistant Headmaster, Admissions) was our Responder, re-emphasising the close relationship that exists between CH and Hong Kong, at so many levels.

A reasonable rendition of The Votum was sung. As the group of Hong Kong Old Blues grows and diversifies — with recent Hong Kong leavers joining us — we give

thanks for the opportunities we have in this place.

Old Blues also met for a Christmas dinner at the Rugby Football Club, and a curry evening, with current Blues and parents. Debbie McGowan (2s 72-80)

DORSET & WILTSHIRESALISBURY, 7 DECEMBER

THE Dorset and Wiltshire Old Blues enjoyed a Christmas lunch in Salisbury on 7 December. Thirty Old Blues came together, thanks to the great organisation of Charis Dunn-Chan (8s 66-71).

Our next gathering will be a lunch around Easter time, and a picnic in Poole on 25 June. Do come and join us.

SIBLINGS and family members at Christ’s Hospital are common. What is perhaps less common is for brother and sister Old Blues to chair Founder’s Day dinners on different sides of the globe.

Penny Hodgson (née Brennand 8s 58-65) was the speaker at the East Midlands’ group lunch at Quorn Grange Hotel, near Loughborough, on 15 October. She spoke about her career as a chartered librarian and the opportunities that came her way as she took triple “firsts” with three appointments as a professional school librarian: at Ratcliffe College, Loughborough High School, and the newly opened Harrow International School in Beijing. Her years at Hertford taught her to be determined and grasp all that life had to

offer; even when the Harrow Headmaster said that the appointment “was not for the faint-hearted!”

Penny’s brother Giles Brennand (PrepB/LaB 62-70), who has lived in Hong Kong for more than 20 years, took the chair at the Hong Kong event the following week (see report, above). He spoke about Edmund Blunden (ColA 1909-15), who took up his deferred place at Oxford, switching from Classics to English, became a journalist, and was then invited to take the position of Professor of English at Tokyo University. He had also married and fathered three children by this time, all before he was 28.

Blunden was horrified when war broke out again; he spoke and wrote vehemently

against it. Later, he was offered the Vice-Chancellorship at Hong Kong University, but, instead, took the Chair of English and, over ten years, built the leading English department in Asia.

The one disappoint ment was that neither sibling was able to attend the other’s event.

Generations: left: about 20 Old Blues, former staff and guests, representing Hertford and Horsham from the 1940s to the 1990s, met at Loughborough; right: Penny Hodgson and Giles Brennand

EAST MIDLANDS LOUGHBOROUGH, 15 OCTOBER

EAST SUSSEXRINGMER, 7 DECEMBER

THE group enjoyed Christmas lunch, organised by Sarah O’Reilly (7s 58-65). The group, which meets at The Cock Inn, near Ringmer, on the first Wednesday of the month, was joined by CHOBA and Development Co-Ordinator Gina Skillings (second from the end of the left side of the table)

WESTERN AUSTRALIAPERTH, 21 OCTOBER

A GROUP of 12 attended an excellent Founder’s Day lunch in October at the West Australian Club overlooking the Swan River in Perth. Thanks are due to Christine and John Trewin (MdB 44-50) for organising.Left to right: Doris Morrin, Gwen Wheatley, Jeremy Lea (BaB 54-61), Patrick Guiton (BaA 44-52), John Trewin, Sam Williams (ThA 43-51), Elizabeth Williams, Christine Trewin, Christine Norman (née Chandler 3s/5s 48-56) Peter Gaze (LHB/PeB/LHA 79-86), Bruce Morrin (MdB 51-60), Richard Young (ThB/ThA 84-91)

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THE Victorian Society met for its 2016 Founder’s Day dinner at the All Nations’ Hotel, Richmond. We were joined by our newest Melbourne OB resident Jamie (James) Boswell (PeB/PeA 86-91), who has moved from Gibraltar, from where he had commuted to CH.

Highlights included Mark Russell (Staff 08-13) giving us a fantastic insight into modern Housey life and an update on long-standing members of staff. Nick Hardy (LHB/ColB 74-81) gave the most heartfelt and grounding speech about the meaning of family, home and growing up.

James Kirby (LaB/LaA 87-94) studiously delivered photocopies of Leila Drew’s (LHA 15-present), most recent gleaming report (as part of close Collins Street operations with Alan Naylor (PrepB/ThB 46-53) overseas).

Alongside the seriousness, there was amusement all round. Mark Lemon (MdB/MdA 85-92) arrived so late that he had been replaced by an actual lemon. He took the jeering upon arrival in good spirit. Robert Timms (ThA 50-59) raised the bar with a stirring poem about comradery and, as ever, was the engine room of terrific humour, aided and abetted by his wife, Jill (forever a great sport), and the timeless vibrancy of Guy Aylward (ThB/ThA 87-94), a leading authority on “the pun”. Lewis Jenkins (PeA/GrW 94-01) was now fully in the fold, and working well with the bar staff.

We were blessed to be in the company of Henry Huggins (PeA 41-48), who has had a year of distinction, playing with the Whitehorse and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Thanks to Margot and Roger Craddock (PrepA/PeA 56-54), who, as ever, are the sturdy foundation of the whole operation. On that note, we voted on whether to replace The Votum with The Foundation Hymn, which was vastly overruled. We apparently loved it so much that we forgot to sing it this year. Ross Eden-Smith (LaB/ThA 89-96

REUNIONS / FOUNDER'S DAYOld Blues CHOldBlues

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY EDINBURGH, 8 OCTOBERTHE Founder’s Day lunch was held, for a third consecutive year, at the New Club in Edinburgh. It was pleasing that there was a substantial increase in the number of diners over more recent years. We enjoyed welcoming many OB students, whose presence helped to create a buoyant atmosphere. The new dining layout of four round tables also enhanced the conversation and interaction.

The chairman, John Cugley (PrepA/PeA 64-73), invited Stan Amey (PeA 50-55), the most senior diner, to say Grace before Meat. He was honoured, having waited more than 70 years to do so. Saskia Dickson (BaA/GrE 11-15) read the Grace after Meat.

After the customary toasts, our guest speaker, Peter Eslea MacDonald, a

tartan historian, gave a fascinating informal talk about tartan. This was exceptionally well received, such that Peter found himself talking and answering questions for much longer than he had been asked.

Prior to leading the assembled crowd in the annual rendition of The Votum / Carmen, John Shippen (Staff 66-04) asked all members to join him in thanking the Chairman for his hospitality, as it was he who, through his membership of the New Club, had enabled the Society to dine at the venue. It was agreed that the Society would meet for its next Founder’s Day lunch at the New Club.David Crompton, Secretary (MaB/PeA 79-85)

’Tis the season: left to right: David Wong (LaA 12-14), Leighton Wong (LaB 12-14), John Perry (MaB/PeA/GrW 96-03), Ainara Lopez-Baqueriea, Frank Mayes (MdB 64-70), Debbie McGowan (née Rice 2s 72-80), James Swatton (LaB 98-05), Sophie Lindsay (née Gimber LHB 89-95)

VICTORIAN SOCIETY MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALANDAKAPUNA, 11 DECEMBER

THE New Zealand Old Blues enjoyed an entertaining and lively Christmas lunch at Regatta in Takapuna on the North Island. Conversation included the merits (or not) of Housey food; kiff, flab, and marmalade sausages. Tony Montford (PrepA/ThA 50-58) told of a time when someone brought a (live) cow into the dining hall and was subsequently expelled.Left to right: Jill Andrews, Tony Andrews (LaB 43-49), Tony Montford, Colleen Montford, Marian Cox, Peter Cox (LHA/ColA 69-74), Julia Mills (née Stones 4s 66-73), Paul Cornish (ColA 68-75), and David Mills

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Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBluesFOUNDER'S DAY / REUNIONS Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBlues

5 YEARS ON LONDON, 27 OCTOBERAchievers: the 5-years-on reunion for leavers of 2010 and 2011 at the National Gallery Café in London, on 21 October, was another record-breaking gathering in both numbers and alcohol consumption

Tours, sunshine and rain: the party outside Dining Hall (above) and in the Mellstrom Careers Centre (right)

BRITISH COLUMBIAVANCOUVER, 20 OCTOBER

Twelve Old Blues and guests celebrated Founder’s Day at a lunch hosted by Janet and Terry Bate (ColA 45-51). Janet’s special cake for dessert was delicious. Juliet Eastman (née Averay 5s/8s 43-50) said Grace; after the meal John Stanger (ColA 39-46) proposed the toast to the Queen, and Roger Blackman (ColB 51-58) proposed the Housey toast. On 10 September, a group enjoyed brunch at Sylvia Hotel on English Bay, with Debbie Wright (née Stone 1s/7s 57-66).

THAILANDBANGKOK, 21 OCTOBER

Team spirit: standing, left to right: Michael Semmence (PeB/LaA/ThA/GrE 95-02), Adam Matthews (MdB/GrE 01-08), Alex Collings (LaB/LaA 90-97); seated, left to right: Ranald MacDonald (PrepA/PeA 43-52), Olly Derbyshire (ThB/MdB 90-97), Ken Grimshaw (Staff 72-92)

ON A very wet first day of October, more than 60 Old Blues and their guests braved the weather for a visit to CH. After some time reminiscing, the group split up to tour part of the School. One group met with the Head of Sixth Form at the newly opened Mellstrom Careers Centre in the former School library, while a smaller group braved a journey down the Tube.

The Tube tour, running behind schedule and not wanting to be late for Chapel, required a surprise exit up through the servery in Dining Hall. While somewhat confused to see 20 Old Blues appearing (as if by magic) by the yogurt counter, the catering staff did not allow this to slow down their preparation of lunch for more than 850 children and staff.

Due to the rain, Band Parade was called off; a disappointment for many, but it gave more time to enjoy lunch and a glass of wine. With a good number of Hertford girls and Horsham boys attending together, the Head Master and Clerk kept an eye over lunch proceedings to make sure everyone was behaving appropriately!

The clouds parted in time for a group photo in front of Dining Hall in glorious sunshine before House visits and tea.

50 YEARS ON CH, 1 OCTOBER

DO POST your photos on social-media sites, and send hi-res images to the CHOBA Office. Remember to tell us who you met, where and when.

Festive brunch: George Hobden (MaB/GrE 01-08)and Mark Gleeson (MdA/GrE 97-04) had a surprise meeting in Singapore, on 10 December

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IN OCTOBER, Bruce Heywood (PrepB/LaA 51-60) was installed as chairman of West Somerset Council. The civic service was held in All Saints’ church, Dulverton, with a reception in the town hall. Among the Old Blues present were three Lamb A house captains, one of whom was Senior Grecian.

Old Blue Liz Leffman (6s 61-67) stood, and very nearly overturned a large Conservative majority, as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Witney by-election, David Cameron’s old seat. She gained 11,611 votes (30.2%) to Robert Courts’ 17,313 (45%).

Jon-Selous Borlace (LaB/GrE 00-07) was recently called to the bar at the Middle Temple. After receiving two Masters from Cambridge, he took a degree in law, and is now serving his pupillage to

become a barrister, in London.Paul Arman (LHA/ThA 67-75) retired

from Hoare’s Bank at the end of December. He says: “Not only does this mark my departure from the bank, but it will also be the first time in 90 years — almost to the day — that there will be no Old Blue employed by the bank. One of those employees was Jack Palmer (ThA 20-27), whose name appeared recently in The Old Blue as Jonathan Scott’s (PrepA/ColA 59-68) godfather. Although he retired about six months before I joined, I did meet him at one Old Blues’ Day. In a recent conversation with his daughter, I discovered that we were both in Thornton A.“

The Hoare family has long connections with CH; Sir Richard was the first of three

members of the family to hold the office of Lord Mayor. He was President from 1712 to 1719 and, on his death, he made many charitable bequests, including one to CH.

FOUNDER'S DAY / REUNIONS / UPDATESCHOldBluesOld Blues

BUCKS, BERKS AND OXON SEPTEMBER, OCTOBERWE ENJOYED a fascinating visit to the Hook Norton Brewery, a Victorian Brewery near Chipping Norton.

We had a good pub lunch in the Old Pear Tree first to fortify us before embarking on our educational tour. It was like stepping back in time; it was impressive how this brewery is still so successful. We tried the beer after and can testify that it tasted great! Thank you to Charles Ellis (ThA 45-52) for organising this trip.

We tried a new venue for our Founder’s Day dinner, the Vaults and Garden, below the University Church in Oxford High Street, which turned out to be a very atmospheric place for a fun evening. The dinner was delicious, the chatter of 30 diners became more and more lively and everyone threw themselves into saying the

Housey Toast and Grace, as well as singing the School Hymn.

Stephen Harrison (ColB 71-78), of Corpus Christi College, was our guest speaker; he gave an excellent and amusing account of his time at CH and how CH had influenced his life. Stephen has been our chairman for many years, and we are sorry to see him retire from this post. We are delighted that local farmer David Orpwood (BaA/ThB 62-70), who also gave an excellent speech, has agreed to take over as chairman.

If you live in Oxfordshire, Buckingham-shire or Berkshire, you would be very welcome to our next Founder’s Day dinner; a generous subsidy is available for recent leavers. We also offer a number of outings throughout the year.Clare Blakeway-Phillips (4s 68-75)

BATH AND WEST WELLS, 23 OCTOBER“All at Sixes and Sevens”: above, left: Hertford Old Blues at the annual Bath and West section lunch at Wells Cathedral School. Photographed by David Farrar (BaB 52-57), left to right: Fiona Stevens (6s/BaA 79-86), Valerie Stewart (née Wharton 6s 67-74), Maureen Smethurst (née Connor 6s 70-77), Susan Penry (née Rhead 6s 54-61), Janet Loines (7s 71-77), Rachel Bowers (née Green 7s 71-78), Deborah Hodges (née Seaman 7s 73-80). Around 30 Old Blues and staff (above, right) attended this year; Janet read the first grace magnificently!

OBs SHOW THEIR METTLE IN POLITICS, LAW AND BANKING

Civic duties: left to right: Peter Bugge (MaB 51-58), Bruce Heywood, Martin Prowse (LaA 48-58), Jeremy Marriott (LaA 46-53), Tim (RH) Stevens (LaA 46-55) and Bruce Gauld (MaB/ColB 66-74)

By the sea: the November 2016 issue of Sussex Life included a feature on Brighton-based ceramicist Rowena Gilbert (LHA 91-98) (above). She says her work — bowls, vases and lampstands which are sold at leading galleries across the country — celebrates the natural world, inspired by the south coast and her travels. Rowena is the daughter of fine artist Terence Gilbert. She developed a love of ceramics at CH, with then Head of Art Mike O‘Connor (Staff 83-05). Rowena has set up her shared Brighton studio with a Prince’s Trust loan

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THE official sequel to A A Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh has been illustrated in the style of E H Shepard by Mark Burgess (MdB 68-74). The Best Bear in All the World comprises four stories, and has been published to mark the 90th anniversary of the original publication.

The reviews said: “The illustrations are lovely and much like Shepard’s without being exact replicas.” They “capture the style and spirit of the originals”. “Stunning.“

Mark studied fine art at the Slade School, in London. He has worked as a full-time author and illustrator of children’s books for more than 25 years. He uses both “Scrivener” and “Writer’s Café”, which, he says, are two “inexpensive but feature-rich programs worth looking at if you enjoy writing”.

He also writes plugins for “Pixologic’s ZBrush“, a sculpting and painting program used extensively in the game and film industry.

PHOTOGRAPHY by Joss Mullinger (ColA 60-69) (right) is on the Roundhouse website, in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Joss was one of four Housey boys at London’s Roundhouse in September 1968 to see The Doors and Jefferson Airplane’s only UK performances. The website states: “They have gone down in history as a landmark moment. Joss Mullinger was there with his camera to tell the tale.”

Joss’s interest in photography started as a member of the CH Photographic Society, which had its darkroom facilities in an outbuilding behind the then Manual School. He retired from a 40-year career with NatWest Bank in 2009 to concentrate

on his small business, This Way Books.

Joss specialises in local historical publications and historical Ordnance Survey maps. In 2005, he supplied the photographs to Festival Folk: A Celebration of the Unique Style of Fairport Convention’s Cropredy Festival. The sale of 1,500 copies raised £3,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

In recent years Joss enjoyed re-acquainting himself with school life through his step-granddaughter, Morgan Langford (ColB 07-12).

Cartoons penned between the two World Wars by a freelance illustrator, Alan Gregory (LaB 41-47), have been included in a book of two stories by his nephew, John Gregory (PrepB/LaA 54-64). The Road to Ruin and Z8, the German Spy reflect the spirit of their times. The first is redolent of the 1920s, and the second is an “affectionate and unserious take” on the WWII era.

John describes the cartoons as having been “painstakingly prepared and scanned from odd pieces of card and ‘thin brownish tissue paper’”. They are a “confident and skilled economy of line… by an artist who never really fulfilled his potential”, he says, stating that they “deserve a wider audience”.

The book is published by Aspect Designs, in Malvern.

UPDATES Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBlues

FOLLOWING a highly competitive selection process, comprising interviews, a scrutiny board, time in the field through a generic army insight course, and a medical, George Boyle (MdB/GrW 10-16) has won a full Main Board Pass and a guaranteed place at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst,

George said he was thrilled to be one of a handful of people to have been awarded this place. He has been interested in a military career — the range and scope of careers available — from a young age.

“There is the possibility and opportunity of a university bursary, which I will try for in due course. The Board Pass also means that I have the option of applying for any type of commission, including a gap year, short service or regular commission.

“I received lots of help, useful advice and practical experience from several helpful sources at school, not only from the CCF (in the form of both internal and external leadership training) but also from my time as deputy head of house, and through playing team and individual sports.”

HONG KONG Old Blue section organiser, Debbie McGowan (née Rice 2s 72-80), has been undertaking voluntary English teaching in the Diocese of Toungoo, four hours’ drive north of Yangon, in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Now the country is opening up and developing in every area, one of the overwhelming needs is for the people to improve their spoken English.

Debbie was based in Asia in the mid-1990s and has now been in Hong Kong for ten years. She revisited Myanmar early last year on a visit with a group from St John’s Cathedral, where she sings. She has paid all her own costs for her trip over the past couple of months, and has been raising funds for the people of Toungoo: for basic essentials, including clothes and educational materials, and for the diocese’s building programme that includes youth hostels.

Archaeobotanist Jennifer Bates (ColA/GrW 05-07) has co-written a report on research she and her colleagues at the University of Cambridge have been carrying out into the Indus Civilisation of South Asia. They have discovered that rice farming in India is much older than had been thought; it was used as a “summer crop” by Indus civilisation.

LONDON TO HONG KONG — VIA WORTHING

On foot: brothers Otis Kirby-Dunkley (MdA/GrW 10-12) and Isaac Kirby-Dunkley (PeB/GrW 14-16) walked the 60 miles home from London to Worthing in the autumn, owing to the continuing delays to the Southern Rail services. Their feat was reported in the Worthing Herald

FULL PASS FOR THE MILITARY

SPIRIT ALIVE IN WORDS, ILLUSTRATIONS AND CARTOONS

ROUNDHOUSE CELEBRATIONS

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LONDON TO HONG KONG — VIA WORTHING

Time well spent: Bob Finch (BaA 46-53) and Patrick Guiton (BaA 44-52) on holiday in the Shetland Islands, 70 years after they met in Barnes A

WEDDING BELLSCONGRATULATIONS to Dilip Abraham (MaA 97-99), who married fashion designer Charlotte, in the Chapel at CH. His bride says: “We visited the school in February 2015. As soon as I walked into the chapel I knew it was the place we had to get married. The emotional attachment that he felt towards the School was evident and I knew it would be very special to get married there.”

There was a good involvement of Old Blues. Dilip’s godmother, Judy Evans (6s 62-69) organised the choir; his sister Pia Abraham (BaA/GrE 00-02) read from the first letter to the Corinthians; and Emma Jones (ColA 93-98) read Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney.

Christopher Hunter (PeB/PeA/GrW 96-03) married Rachel Goulden on 2 September at St Vincent de Paul church in Altrincham, Manchester. Old Blues in attendance included his mother Kathryn Hunter (née Francis 3s 58-65), sister Natasha Hunter (2s/BaB 84-91), Trystan Ajjane-Jones (PeB/PeA/GrW 96-03), John Perry (MaB/PeA/GrW 96-03) and Daniel Park (PeB/MdB/GrE 96-03).

TELEMEDICINE expert Sinclair Wynchank (BaA 48-57) has written a scientific biography of OB, Louis Harold (Hal) Gray (MaB/BaB 18-24). Gray studied physics at Trinity College, Cambridge, and became a pioneer in the study of the effects of radiation on living matter, especially by neutrons, and the body’s reactions to its use to treat cancer.

He invented the area of radiobiology, which forms the basis for modern-day radiotherapy. When you have an x-ray, radiotherapy or any form of radiation, the absorbed dose is given in official units of Grays. Sinclair points out that this is a highly significant honour that reflects the importance and impact of the work of a relatively unknown scientist.

Clifford Jones, of the CH Museum, writes: “What comes across immediately on reading this book is the immense dedication that Hal Gray devoted to his work. Alongside this is the clear determination of the author, Sinclair

Wynchank, to ensure that Gray’s contribution to medical science is fully acknowledged and recorded. Although the author has indicated that no knowledge of science is necessary to understand the text, and this is true, nevertheless, the reader is treated to very well-expressed and lucid accounts of the fundamental principles behind Gray’s scientific research.”

Of the 14 chapters in Sinclair’s book Louis Harold Gray: A Founding Father of Radiobiology, four are about CH. They detail the then entry requirements for the School, give an insight into the improvement of teaching science, and a meticulous account of CH life in the early 1920s. Photos show the newly built Horsham site.

The book is the result of 35 years of investigation and consultation with colleagues and associates of Gray. The source of much of the information —

RADIATION ABSORPTION DOSAGE NAMED AFTER OLD BLUE

Powerful work: Sinclair Wynchank's biography of Louis Harold Gray

otherwise inaccessible — is letters written by more than 100 OB contemporaries of Gray. The LH Gray Memorial Trust, established in 1967, is dedicated to promoting research and “furthering for the benefit of the public the knowledge and understanding of all aspects and all applications of radiation”.

Other areas of Gray’s personal life are also included in the text: his marriage and subsequent devotion to his wife, Freye Picot, who was blind.

The author himself has had an illustrious scientific career. He received his PhD from Oxford, and continued research on nuclear medicine and physics, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and radiobiology. For 28 years, he was based at the Medical Research Council of South Africa and directed an institute that introduced medical MRI to the southern hemisphere. He has been president of the African Association of Nuclear Medicine and has chaired the SA National Telemedicine Forum. He has lectured in 25 nations and carries out work for two journals.

SQUADRON Leader Arnold John Mott MBE (BaB 26-33) is the subject of a compelling wartime adventure story told by his niece, Stella Marsh, and published by Uniform Press. The Twisted Florin: Evasion from France, Escape from Italy is a personal and evocative tale of one of the Second World War’s forgotten heroes.

John completed 19 missions as a bomber pilot before being shot down, and then evaded capture across the Pyrenees; he returned to duty at RAF Tangmere, West Sussex, and conducted missions for the Special Operations Executive. He is described as an “unsung hero with no sense of his own achievements, just an

innate sense of duty in a time of crisis”.

He was appointed MBE in 1944 “for his great fortitude and determination to return to active duty”.

His obituary in The Telegraph, in 2002, revealed that it was at Christ’s Hospital that his “determination to fly was inspired by the sight of a Zeppelin overhead”.

TALES OF WARTIME ’UNSUNG HERO’ PUBLISHED

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PEN AND SWORD’s Great War Diaries series includes Menus, Munitions and Keeping the Peace: the home front diaries of Gabrielle West, 1914-1917, edited by Avalon Weston, the writing name of Sarah Avalon West (1s/8s 54-62).

By chance, as the eldest living relative, she inherited the copyright to her Great Aunt’s diaries, which had been lying, untranscribed, in the Imperial War Museum since 1979.

She said: “When I read them, they were such fun and full of little line drawings that I transcribed them, wrote an introductory essay, and Pen and Sword decided to publish them.”

The book, for which Anthony Richards of the Imperial War Museum has written the foreword, has been reviewed:

“A fascinating account of life on the home front… far beyond superficial detail, the details included in the diaries and letters could have been considered a security risk.”

Gabrielle West was a trailblazer. She was one of the first women to be enrolled in the police force, and later joined the Red Cross. Her diaries are featured in the National Archives‘ online exhibition “Women and the First World War“, with photos of pages from the diaries and transcripts.

Sarah trained as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital, London, later specialising as a midwife. She has worked for Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Albania and Namibia and

UPDATES Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBlues

THIS carving in Portland stone of St Cedd by Clorinda Goodman (1s/6s 62-68) is on display in the Chapel of St Cedd, at Chelmsford Cathedral. It was sent on loan, following its display in commission4mission’s exhibition at St Stephen Walbrook, in the City of London, in September.

Clorinda began stone carving in 2007 at St John’s, Bethnal Green. Her work has been displayed in churches and cathedrals in exhibitions organised by commission4mission. The organisation was launched in March 2009 by the Bishop of Barking to promote the display of contemporary Christian art in churches “as a means of fundraising for charities and as a mission opportunity for churches”.

She travelled to Wales in January, to work on a new piece set on Julian of Norwich. In addition to working, Clorinda enjoys singing liturgical music, and has joined the church choir, following her recent house move.

ON DISPLAY IN CHELMSFORD CATHEDRAL

HAIR OF YOUR DREAMSAN EBOOK by Ntongo Kiwanuka (ColB/GrW 97-04) examines the root causes of a hair condition. In The Ultimate Cure for Your Itchy Scalp: The Ground-Breaking New Guide for Afro Hair, she shows readers how they can cure themselves of the condition for good.

SARAH EDITS FAMILY WAR-TIME DIARIES

FOR her A-level art exhibition, Adwoa Owusu-Darko (BaB/GrE 14-16) produced a series of mono-prints based on the homeless and forgotten parts of society (pictured). She hopes to use her artistic talent to help better the lives of those less fortunate, by raising awareness of the destitute through exhibitions and auctioning some pieces.

Through the Old Blue network Adwoa has met with the chief executive of an organisation called Suited and Booted, which assists “vulnerable, unemployed and low-income men into employment by providing interview clothing and interview advice”, so that they may re-establish themselves in society.

She says: “The main aspect of the project is creating portraits of the homeless people I interact with, understanding their story and retelling their struggles in my art. It will then be sold to both raise

awareness and donate the money to the companies and charities I will work with.”

She is seeking help in four areas: funding for the costs of supplies she will need to achieve the best-quality work; displaying her work; framing and shipping the work; and designing a web page on which she can display her work for sale.

If you can help or can provide contacts for Adwoa, be in touch via email to: [email protected].

ADWOA'S ART TO HELP THE HOMELESS

for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Mexico and South Sudan. After obtaining an MSc in Maternal Health, she worked as a community

midwife in Plymouth, writing in her spare time and studying creative writing under Fay Weldon.

She has written several novels including A Midwife Abroad, All the Sky and Sian and the Winterwife: A fairy tale.

FIRST WITH THE NEWS AT THE PENTAGONCH SCHOOL days and the major British military and political events of his more than 40-year career are included in the memoirs of Michael Evans (LaA 56-63). The book, First with the News, covers his six years as a war correspondent, which, he says, “significantly shaped” his life.

The title has received glowing reviews, many of which are about Michael. He is said to have the “qualities of professionalism, integrity and modesty” in a profession “tarnished by hackers and liars”.

He says: “CH gave me self-assurance and also, crucially, an ability to lead others with confidence, particularly as a result of my time as house captain of Lamb A.”

Michael’s career started at an east London newspaper in the 1960s and progressed through Fleet Street to the post of defence editor for The Times. He was, from 2010 to 2013, the first Pentagon correspondent in Washington. The author of six books, he continues to write for The Times.

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Winning trio: some of the three OB teams who won their first matches of the season on 24 September at home: 1st XV 53-12, 2nd XV 31-0 and 3rd XV 64-12. The season continued well: the team in the Surrey 2 division were at the top of the table at the end of January, having won ten matches and losing just one

MARATHON MADNESSAT THE beginning of September 2016, David West-Watson (PeA 59-66) completed a challenge he had wanted to do since its inception in 2012. Over three days, and with a time of 40 hours 45 minutes, he ran The Ring of Fire, a 135-mile ultra-marathon around Anglesey. Of the 95 starters, only 36 finished; David was 30th, and the oldest at 67.

He said: “I have been in touch with and received donations from Old Blues, both unknown and known from my days at CH. I have received donations from so many people; made many new friends and reconnected with old ones; and received some fabulous comments, quite often starting with ‘must be mad’.”

OLD BLUES’ FOOTBALL CLUBHigh kicks: on 6 November, the Vets team (aged 35 and above) turned out for the cup match. Great performances meant the lead was taken, but a clear goal was disallowed, and the result was a 3-1 loss. Thanks go to our manager, John Hargreaves (Staff 80-98), for his superb management, words of wisdom — “Angles, gentlemen!" and post-match drink

OLD BLUES‘ GOLFING SOCIETYTWENTY-TWO golfers played at the autumn meeting at Cowdray Park, near Midhurst, West Sussex, on 16 September. They included eight leavers of 1983, who, organised by John Simpson (BaA/LaB 76-83), started their reunion with us before going on to Goodwood for the weekend. It was one of this cohort, Duncan Brown (MaB/PeB 76-83), who won the Ross Goobey trophy with 40 Stableford points. Duncan was also nearest the pin, while Charles McKay (BaA/LaA 75-82) hit the longest drive.

The morning team Stableford was won by Charles, Piers Sibson (ThB/BaA 76-83) and Tom Godfrey (LHA/MdB 77-83). An enjoyable dinner followed, with prizes presented by the captain, Robert Muir (LHB/ColB 66-72). Former captain Stephen Quest (BaB/PeB 65-72) won the trophy for the

best aggregate score for his rounds at both Cowdray and Effingham in May.

For the first time since 2004, the OB team qualified for the Grafton Morrish finals: three scratch foursomes at Hunstanton and Brancaster, Norfolk, from 7 to 9 October, organised by the Public Schools Old Boys Golfing Association. Our first pair, Charles Lemon (MdB/MdA 84-91) and John Simpson, gave the Brentwood top pair a fright, but sadly lost; Charles McKay and Julian Tedder (ThA 80-87) won the second match; but our third pair, brothers Fergus Hardy (ThA/GrW 00-07) and Alastair Hardy (PeA/GrW 04-11) succumbed on the 17th.

Chris Ward (LHB/ThA 71-78) joined the team to play in the Solihull Salver Stableford competition where the team were not disgraced, but neither were they in the running to win the trophy. Charles

McKay and his team, with its new recruits, did well to reach the finals.

On 17 October, the Old Blues took on the CH Masters at Slinfold Golf and Country Club. Captain of the Slinfold team Tim Hackshaw (MaB/ThB 68-75) led the OB team, and Erik Hansen (Staff 08-present) the Masters. Tim was supported by Brian Quaife (PrepA/MdA 56-63), Mike Wilson (LaB 59-66), Mike Burgess (LaA 56-63), Colin Eley (LHA/LaB 71-78) and Rod Bayliss (PrepA/BaA 51-61). Masters joining Erik were Alex Henocq (Staff 11-present), Sean O’Boyle (Staff 84-present), Jon Perris (Deputy Head 16-present), Daniel Farnfield (Staff 13-present) and Kevin McArtney (Staff 00-present). The Masters were the stronger, taking 7½ points of the 9 available. Tim was able to halve his match with Erik, and Mike Wilson won the other point for the Old Blues. Colin Russell, Secretary (BaA 54-61)

Masters' match: from far left: Sean O'Boyle, Jon Perris, Mike Wilson and Mike Burgess; Tim Hackshaw, Alex Henocq, Brian Quaife and Erik Hansen; Daniel Farnfield, Rod Bayliss, Kevin McArtney and Colin Eley

OLD BLUES' RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

CH CRUISING AND SAILING CLUBALL IN the club were greatly saddened to hear of the death, in October, of Vice Commodore Jeremy Simon (PrepA/ThB 49-56). Jeremy made a great contribution to his local community and business, as well as to the club.

In December, Commodore Mark Stevenson (BaB/MdA 74-81) stepped down and, as a result, remaining Vice Commodore Martin Crick (LHB/LaA 78-85) has taken on the post of Commodore until the next AGM.

Planning has started for the 2017 cruise in July. There are polls running on Facebook about the exact destination and duration. Please do tell us your views. It is likely that we will cruise around the West Country, or the coast of France. The

duration will be from five to 14 days, with options for joining part of the cruise likely.

For more details, contact Martin Crick on [email protected].

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DECLAN ANDERSONLaB 32-38

Died March 2016. Condensed from the University of Bristol website.

DECLAN gained his degree in dentistry at Guy’s Hospital in 1942, and studied for a degree in physiology and a PhD. He held clinical posts and a lectureship in physiology at Guy’s. He became a pioneering dentist, physiologist and scientist. His work was published widely; he made important contributions to dental education. He was Chair of Oral Biology at the University of Bristol from 1966 until his retirement in 1985.

A popular man with a great sense of humour and sharp wit, Declan was also an accomplished silversmith.

RICHARD CAVENDISHBaA 40-49

Died November 2016. Condensed from the Daily Telegraph.

RICHARD was an authority on magic, myth and witchcraft; his bestseller The Black Arts caught the imagination of spiritual questers at the tail-end of the 1960s. Dabbling in astrology, black magic and necromancy was all the rage at the time of the book’s publication in 1967, and the notorious occultist and voluptuary Aleister Crowley had been reinterpreted as an exemplar of countercultural freedom.

According to Gary Lachman, a biographer of Crowley, The Black Arts (subtitled An Absorbing Account of Witchcraft, Demonology, Astrology and Other Mystical Practices Throughout the Ages) “was part of Mick Jagger’s favourite bedside reading”. Anthony Powell described it as “the standard work on contemporary occultism”.

Richard was the son of the Revd Richard Philip Cavendish (CH 1910-16) and brother of the publisher Patrick Cavendish (BaA 51-57).

BETTY COLESHertford Staff 71-74

Died August 2016. Collated from tributes on social media.

BETTY was a well-liked and respected history teacher, whose stay at Hertford was all too brief. She inspired interest in even those who did not pursue history beyond

O Level, and encouraged her students to think for themselves and form considered opinions. Several recall her dry, sarcastic and sometimes slightly risqué sense of humour.

Participating in a staff revue staged to mark D R West’s retirement, Betty unfortunately fell off the stage and injured her Achilles tendon. Many of us remember her hobbling around on a walking stick for quite some time afterwards.

Although fondly remembered by 1970s pupils, Betty had long since disappeared off the CH “radar”. At the time of her death, aged 85, however, she was living in a village in Sussex, and discovered the vicar’s granddaughter was at CH, thus remaking the connection.

RICHARD COUSENSPrep/LaB 48-56

Died July 2016. Contributed by John Swayne (PrepA/LaB 49-58).

RICHARD excelled academically and was a keen bandsman, playing the bugle and trumpet. After CH, he completed a BSc in electrical engineering at Kingston College, and worked as an electronics development engineer for several companies. Richard was a regular traveller, both on business and for leisure. He enjoyed memorable and eventful trips to the Soviet Union, the Sahara Desert, the Arctic and Antarctic, Greenland, Iceland and the Middle East. His greatest love, however, was music. He was an expert trumpeter, and played with both the Croydon Symphony Orchestra and the Dorking Philharmonia Orchestra.

Richard never spoke ill of anyone and would often go out of his way to help people in difficulty, especially friends who were becoming isolated through failing health. He never married, but had many friends among his travelling companions, Old Blues and the orchestras. He attended Old Blues’ Day and other CH events, and regularly attended both the West Surrey and the East Surrey monthly pub lunches.

HOWARD DAVIES CBEMaA 56-63

Died 25 October 2016. Condensed from BBC News website.

HOWARD studied at the Universities of Durham and Bristol and made his career in

the theatre. Periods at the RSC, National Theatre, the Old Vic, and as a founder member of what became the Donmar Warehouse led to his impressive reputation as a director. He also directed operas and films for television.

He won three Olivier Awards for best director and was appointed CBE in 2011 for services to drama. He was hugely well respected among his fellow professionals, many of whom, at the announcement of his death, paid tribute to him on social media.

Despite his respected status, Howard was a private man who preferred trekking in the Himalayas or spending time with family and friends to socialising and partying on the theatrical circuit.

Howard is survived by his wife, the actor Clare Holman, and his two daughters from a previous marriage.

RICHARD FRY MCStaff 57-89

Died 11 October 2016. Contributed by his son, Dominic Fry (MaA/LaB 70-77).

AFTER a distinguished war service, which earned him the Military Cross for his part in the Normandy campaign, Richard became first a Somerset farmer — where he met Jeannie, his wife — and then a Metropolitan Policeman with Special Branch. He

gained a BSc in zoology from Birkbeck College, London, in 1957.

Thus began his 32-year-career at CH, during which time he was housemaster of Lamb A and Leigh Hunt B, teacher of biology and chemistry, Hall Warden, judo coach, boxing coach and CCF instructor. The organisation of the annual St Matthew’s Day parade in London was another of his responsibilities.

Richard loved his time at CH and kept in lifelong contact with many former pupils. He relished the School’s inclusive nature and charitable purpose, and also its wide open spaces. His son Dominic (MaA/LaB 70-77) was born in 1959 and daughter Verity in 1961.

On retirement in 1989, Richard and Jeannie spent time in their house in Languedoc, France, and settled in Lyme Regis. In July 2016, he was made Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur by the French

REMEMBERING

14 THE OLD BLUE

Christ’s Hospital Old Blues Association @CHOldBlues

We are aware, through various channels, of many more OB deaths, but unfortunately we are not always able to include obituaries for all. If you would like an obituary included in a future issue, please contact CHOBA Officer Margaret Wadman. Obituaries can also be found at www.choba.org.uk/old-blues/obituaries and obtained from Margaret Wadman. An extended version of the obituary published for Norman Longmate in the Autumn 2016 issue can be found online.

Richard Fry

Richard Cavendish

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SPRING 2017 15

Old Blues CHOldBlues

government for his part in the D-Day landings.

Richard is survived by Jeannie, their children, Dominic and Verity, and grandchildren Alastair and Esme, all of whom remember him for his gentleness, altruism and courage. A memorial service was held at CH on 26 February.

NORMAN GUTHKELCHLaA 24-33

Died 28 July 2016. Condensed from the University of Southern California Center for Health Journalism and other online sources.

FOLLOWING a degree in medicine at Oxford University, Norman worked at hospitals in Manchester and Hull and served as an army neurosurgeon during WWII. He later became the first doctor in Britain with the title of paediatric neurosurgeon.

He was the first person to identify “shaken baby syndrome” in a 1971 British Medical Journal paper. He was shocked later in his career, however, to discover that this diagnosis was being misapplied regularly; parents of children with similar symptoms were being demonised and, in some cases, convicted, for child abuse.

Norman emigrated to the US in the mid-70s and retired from full-time clinical practice in 1992. He spent his final years working with lawyers to overturn the convictions of several parents whose babies died from injuries consistent with documented medical problems or easily identifiable illnesses, rather than from abuse.

He is remembered as a gracious man with a curious and unassuming nature combined with intellectual integrity.

NEVILLE OSMONDMaA 44-51, Almoner, Donation Governor

Died 26 November 2016. Condensed from funeral eulogies by Susan Mitchell (1s/7s 47-56) and Neville’s family.

NEVILLE was Senior Grecian and won an Exhibition to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, to study economics. He spent most of his career as a management consultant.

He devoted his life to public service. He was a Justice of the Peace and belonged to Harpenden Lions Club, raising nearly £250,000 for their Life Skills Programme.

CH benefited enormously from Neville’s commitment. He was actively involved with the CH Club (a predecessor of CHOBA), serving as chair from 1996-99. He was also

instrumental in setting up the Christ’s Hospital Partnership — now the CH Development Office — was a long-standing member of the Benevolent Society of Blues and of the Amicables, and a Donation Governor.

He will be remembered primarily for his work towards the Blue Fund, which allows donors to contribute affordable regular amounts to fund a child collectively throughout their seven years at CH. In 2014, Neville received a Special Recognition Award for commitment to CH.

Neville was a gentle, courteous, but persistent, Old Blue dedicated to fulfilling The Charge. CH was well represented at his funeral, with fellow Old Blues and School representatives in attendance.

Neville’s first wife, Sue, died in 1986. He is survived by his second wife, Antje, and by his son, daughter and grandchildren. Another daughter died in childhood.

DONALD HARBURN THOMPSONLaA 34-40

Died with his wife Dilys on 7 November 2016. Contributed by his daughter Anne Thompson-Lynch.

THROUGHOUT his School days at CH, Donald was known as “Puffin”. He was a proud Yorkshire man, who, although he spent his adult life away from his home village of Robin Hood’s Bay, never stopped missing its rugged seas and cliffs. After the war, Donald spent his working life on hunting or game estates in Shropshire and Oxfordshire, the last 50 years of his life being spent at Blenheim Park, Oxfordshire. He had a passion for field sports and was an excellent horseman and shot. He also imbued in his children a love of nature and rural life that is still very much with them.

Married for 62 years to Dilys, they had, for a number of years, provided a home for foster children, many from significantly deprived backgrounds. Donald always had a wonderful affinity with children and was a much loved grandparent and great-grandparent. In their later years, when they became too old to foster, Donald and Dilys provided a home for retiring Thames Valley Police dogs.

Right into his later years, Donald retained his love of horses and often followed the hunt; he stopped only when the hunts became faster than he was.

ALSO REPORTEDThe deaths are reported of the following Old Blues and former Staff.John Allen (LaA 41-46) died October 2016(Cyril) Paul Bamford (LaB 55-60) died 9 August 2016(John) Christopher Barnes (BaA 35-41) died 16 November 2016Lenon Beeson (ThA 37-44) died 16 December 2016Reginald Bromfield (MaB 40-47) died October 2016David Bryant (MdA 46-54) died October 2016Godfrey Dennis (PrepA/MdA 53-61) died October 2016Jerry Fitzpatrick (MaA 45-52) died 27 January 2017Donald Fox (ColA 33-39) died 3 August 2016Jean Greenfield (née Mummery 5s 29-34) died 26 November 2016Julia Griffith (née Harris 6s 53-57) died September 2016Philip Harris (BaB 39-46) died September 2016Peter Hebben (MaA 47-52) died 11 November 2016David Hemming (MdA 47-52) died July 2016June Hill (née Harvey 4s 39-47) died December 2016Ruth Holden (née Lynam 5s 37-42) died September 2016Victoria Holt (2s 78-83) died June 2016Veronica Humphrey (Hertford Staff 69-78) died 18 February 2017Anthony Jennings (BaB 32-40) died September 2016Christine Kallmeyer (née Alford 7s 47-56) died February 2015Peter Newey (MdB 36-44) died July 2016Dennis Quinn (MaB 40-47) died 4 September 2016(William) Gordon Silk (PeA 37-44) died May 2016Michael Silva (BaB 40-45) died 14 October 2016Jeremy Simon (PrepA/ThB 49-56) died 7 October 2016Geoffrey Smith (MdB/MdA 37-44) died 8 November 2016Christine Summers (née Saul 6s 28-35) died August 2016Andrew White (PeB/PeA 85-90) died November 2016Peter Williams (PrepB/MdA 58-66) died 24 August 2016Pamela Woolgar (née Sellick 1s/4s 52-57) died 22 September 2016

REMEMBERING

Neville Osmond

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SPORT / NEWS

CHOBA OfficerMargaret Wadman

CHOBA and DevelopmentCo-ordinatorGina Skillings

Christ’s Hospital, Horsham,West Sussex RH13 0YP

T 01403 247665E [email protected]

www.chassociation.org

Registered Charity Number 306975

CHOBA BoardSimon Chadwick (Chair)Clorinda GoodmanHoward Holdsworth(Head Master’s Representative)Robert Judson(Board of School Governors’Representative)Anna LarkinLouisa LockwoodRalph TaitBridget West

OB Editorial TeamBridget West (Editor)Miranda ChaveLouisa LockwoodJo Sidebottom (Deputy Editor)

Proofing TeamChristian AshbyMike BaileySusan BainLydia Chantler-HicksJude ComberPhilip CunliffeHarriet DeardenSophie GlennyZoë HuttonFrank LearnerJo TaylorSophie Winship

OLYMPIC GOLD FOR CH HOCKEY PITCHRIO Olympics gold medallist, GB hockey goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, opened the School’s new all-weather surface hockey pitch, on 6 December. The GB women’s hockey team made history in Rio, when they won their first Olympic gold medal. Maddie played a huge part in this, saving all four penalties in the shoot-out.

After formally opening the pitch, in which she complimented its “beautiful” surface, she fired a couple of opening shots into the goal. Some of the CH goalkeepers were then thrilled to receive a coaching session from her. One of the girls, Lydia Thornhill (ThA 2012-present), said: “It was an honour to meet Maddie and train with her, and I know it will improve my hockey for the future.”

The Head Master, John Franklin, said: “This is the second astro pitch to be opened at CH. Only having one pitch impacted on the girls’ (and sometimes the boys’) playing and training of hockey. The boys have excellent rugby pitches and the girls, being just as important as the boys, will now have the benefit of this wonderful new surface. It has been a great pleasure to welcome Maddie to CH to mark the opening of this excellent new facility.”

Many supporters, notably Bluecoat Sports, have enabled this new pitch.

TRAIN strikes notwithstanding, Old Blues from across the decades, representing Hertford and Horsham, piled in to the now familiar venue of St Stephen Walbrook, London, for the CHOBA Carol Concert on Tuesday 13 December.

The church was looking beautiful for Christmas, with its white stone altar, candles, crib and extra flowers, owing to a wedding. The scene was matched by the music from the choir of Old Blues, with four members of the CH Schola Cantorum; the well-chosen readings; and the singing from the whole audience. Those OBs who entered church for the first time in a few years had their initial “We have to sing?” worry distilled quickly; after seven years of chapel services four-plus times a week, on hearing the organ thundering a hymn-playover, you just find yourself singing automatically.

The music was enjoyed by all, and the post-concert mulled wine, mince pies and conversation equally so for a good hour or more, with many leaving to continue their reunions elsewhere.

Our thanks to Ed Jones, Deputy Director of Music at CH, for conducting the choir; our organist, Bridget West (née Dray 7s/ColB 84-91); and the choir members who gathered just a couple of hours earlier, to perform four contrasting numbers. As is customary, a few stepped forward to perform solos: this year we were treated by Jim Nelhams (MaA 55-61), Linden Innes-Hopkins (5s 61-70), Lottie Woodall (ColA 2013-present) and Daisy Marshall-Porter (ColB/GrW 2010-present).

Luke Neill (MaB/GrE 2010-present) and Katrina Troth (LHA/GrE 2010-present) came to help the CHOBA team on the day, and, at the last minute, Katrina read for us, together with Keith Mills. Sarah Clifton from the Development Team spoke to us about the work of the Necessitous Children’s Fund, for whose assistance 117 families at CH currently qualify. The collection raised more than £500.

We hope to see you at St Stephen’s this December.

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR CAROLSAS THE leavers of the 2000 decade storm ahead in support of the Blue Fund, our young alumni are demonstrating that you do not have to wait until you have reached a milestone in your career. Instead, your philanthropy can have a positive impact right now.

“I am so proud of our young alumni answering the call to support more pupils at CH,“ CH Director of Development Hugo Middlemas says. “We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and philanthropic spirit, which set a tremendous example for our entire CH community.”

All Old Blues have the power to increase the Blue Fund participation rate. No matter the amount of your gift, by participating, you play a vital part in sustaining the unique ethos of CH for future generations. Just as the contributions of previous Old Blues helped support and enrich your learning experience at CH, you can also take pride in offering another child the same opportunity of a CH education. How can you participate?• Make a Gift at: http://bluefund.christs-hospital.org.uk/donate. Even small monthly gifts add up quickly and demonstrate the collective power of our Old Blue community.• Inspire others to make a gift to the Blue Fund. Remind your peers and friends that they can make a difference to the life of another child at CH by participating in the Blue Fund.

If you have not done so already, we hope you will join the 340 Old Blues, parents and friends who generously support the Blue Fund and to whom we, and future Old Blues, are incredibly grateful.

YOUNG OBs LEAD BLUE-FUND GIVING

“Beautiful” surface: GB’s Maddie Hinch with the CH girls’ team