WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER 2012/2013
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER 2012/2013
The Elizabethan Newsletter is produced annually
by the Development Office of Westminster School
and is available to all OWW. Letters are positively
encouraged and should be sent to:
The Development Office
Westminster School
17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB
T: +44 (0)20 7963 1115
F: +44 (0)20 7963 1064
E: developmentoffice@westminster.org.uk
MARCH – MAY
OW Calendar
2013
We are pleased to provide
advance notice of some events
coming up in 2013 so do use
this list to save the dates of those
events you wish to attend. All
dates are correct at the time of
going to press and any changes
will be published on www.oldwestminster.org.uk along with
full details of the events and
booking information.
Certain events, like the Ben
Jonson Drinks and Medics’
Drinks are for OWW who work
in specific professional fields.
To make sure that you receive an
invitation to the events you wish
to attend please send us your
up-to-date business details by
updating your profile on
our website or emailing
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14th March 1st May 22nd May 1990s Decade Gaudy
OW Abbey Tour
Dryden’s Society Drinks
JUNE – JULY
6th June 11th June 13th June 20th June 9th July
11th July Medics’ Drinks
Women’s Network Mentoring Evening
Rigaud’s Society Dinner
Ben Jonson Drinks
Old Grantite Club
House of Commons Drinks
Old Westminsters at Home
(Westminster Abbey & College Garden)
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER
12th September 26th September 7th November
21st November
9th December Young Gaudy
College Society Dinner
Elizabethan Club Dinner
OW Wine Society Tasting Event
Carol Service
Above: Lottie Kirk (HH, 2005–07) and Henrietta Southby (BB, 2005–07)
at the Elizabethan Club Dinner 2012
Above left (top): David FitzSimons (LL, 1960–62) and
Simon Brew (RR, 1958–62) at the 1960s Decade Gaudy
Above left (bottom): Eduardo Musciacco (AHH, 2002–07)
and Bertie Milward (WW, 2003–08) at the OW Business Drinks
CONTENTS
From the School
03
Head Master • The Dean • Bursar
Westminster Development • Call Room Report
Building on Excellence Update • Legacies
House Reports • School Station Highlights
OW Social
To advertise in next year’s Elizabethan Newsletter, please contact:
The Development Office, Westminster School
17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB
T: +44 (0)20 7963 1115
F: +44 (0)20 7963 1064
E: developmentoffice@westminster.org.uk
Head of Alumni Relations/Editor: Katharine Robinson
Design: Tam Ying Wah
Photographs: Colin Wagg, Sandy Crole, Angie Garvich,
Katharine Robinson, Danielle Shaw, Cleo Jordan, Sam Baldock
and the Dean and Chapter of Westminster
Printed by: The Marstan Press
29
The Elizabethan Club • School Society
Edinburgh Drinks • Oxford Drinks • OW Women’s
Network Mentoring Evening • OW Abbey Tour
1960s Decade Gaudy • Cambridge Drinks
Wine Society Tasting • Business Drinks
Ben Jonson Drinks • Medics’ Dinner
Young Gaudy • Elizabethan Club Dinner
House Societies
53
Ashburnham • Busby's • College • Dryden’s
Hakluyt’s • Liddell’s • Milne’s • Grant's
Purcell’s • Rigaud’s • Wren’s
OW Sports
59
Angling • Athletics • Cricket • Fives • Football
Golf • Netball • Real Tennis • Tennis • Water
OW Articles
First published by Westminster School, 2013 © Westminster School
Prag Award • Neville Walton Award
From the Archives
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any shape or form by any means electronic,
mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission
of Westminster School.
OW News
The views and opinions expressed by writers within the Elizabethan Newsletter do
not necessarily reflect those of Westminster School. No responsibility is assumed
by the publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter
of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any
methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein.
Alumni Relations • Careers and Mentoring
2001–2011 Leavers’ Notes • 2012 Leavers
OW Updates • Letters • OW Recollections
Oli Bennett Charitable Trust • Obituaries • Deaths
69
81
FROM THE SCHOOL
• Dr Stephen Spurr (Head Master)
headmaster@westminster.org.uk
• The Very Reverend Dr John Hall (Dean of Westminster)
info@westminster-abbey.org
• Chris Silcock (Bursar)
chris.silcock@westminster.org.uk
• Angie Garvich (Director of Development)
angie.garvich@westminster.org.uk
Dushyant Gupta (DD, 2006-08), Harry Rose (LL,
2003-08) and Rameez Kahn (LL, 2003-08)
And next year, some of the scholars who are
processing here this evening, will be re-enacting
the salutation of Vivat Regina to mark the 60th
anniversary of her coronation. That is something we are all looking forward to.
Buoyed up by these thoughts, this time last
week I was addressing an international conference in Singapore. The theme of my talk was
how to educate the pupils of today to become
the global leaders of tomorrow.
Head Master’s
Address at Big
Commem 2012
Dr Stephen Spurr
Head Master
Above: The Head Master and the Dean of Westminster
at the 2012 Elizabethan Club Dinner
‘
recent letter from an
A
Israeli academic informed
me that careful research
shows that Westminster is
among the top 10 schools
worldwide. Flattery will
get you everywhere.
’
Citius, altius, fortius: by any measure of
national success this Olympic year has been
remarkable. One OW competed in the Games;
and now that we have our magnificent new
Sports Centre we can anticipate many more in
the years ahead. After biding our time, arguably
for several centuries, we have now found exactly the right building, in a perfect location, with
the very Westminster aesthetic of sport through
art-deco. Our most closely guarded secret now
is that sport makes us more intelligent still.
While Singapore and other Asia Pacific countries
seek ambitiously to improve, the UK, as we all
know, is in danger of standing still and effectively
sliding down the international tables, threatening
the competitiveness of the next generation.
Why, then, given the educational and economic
plight of the UK, was Westminster invited by
Cambridge to speak at the conference?
Well, we do alright by Cambridge. And I hope
no one here will be overly surprised to know
that the reputation of Westminster is high
among schools, universities and employers in
the eastern hemisphere.
The same goes for the Middle East. A recent
letter from an Israeli academic informed me
that careful research shows that Westminster is
among the top 10 schools worldwide. Flattery
will get you everywhere. Unlike here, where we
often seem to apologise for success, in Singapore
and throughout the East and Middle East they
celebrate it. They also read the Financial Times.
I trust this momentary immodesty is not too
embarrassing on an evening where, within these
ancient walls, among the memorials of the great
and good, we look back over our history and
hope to be judged worthy of it and of the faith
our benefactors have had in the School over the
centuries and continue to have.
If you have not yet seen the new Sports Centre
or the new Purcell’s, until earlier this year the
last Anglican monastery in London and now,
with a nice twist of fate, a girls’ Boarding
House, and the small School chapel next to it,
or the wonderful new building for the Under
School, please do join us for the Open Evening
next Tuesday. May I also say it is a particular
pleasure to welcome some 100 Under School
parents to Big Commem for the first time.
Our Olympic athletes provided a great example
to us all. But undoubtedly the greatest example
of steadfast leadership through selfless service
has been given by her Majesty the Queen, the
School’s Visitor, in this 60th year of her reign.
4 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
The delegates came from all over the Asia
Pacific region; the conference was organised by
Cambridge University’s international examinations syndicate, which works with over 2000
schools in the region and marked the opening,
by the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, of their
new educational office strategically located in
Singapore.
Why Singapore? Well, in the World Economic
Forum’s 2012–2013 Global Competitiveness
Report, Singapore is ranked second in the
world. And the report recognises that Singapore’s competitiveness is underpinned by its
strong focus on the education necessary to provide its young people with the skills for success
in a rapidly changing global economy.
Above: The Head Master and Zara Carey (HH, 2005–07)
at the 2012 Young Gaudy
Let us for a moment consider the words of Elizabeth I at the top of the first page in tonight’s
service booklet. She described Westminster
pupils as ‘tender shoots in the wood of our
state’. Given the incomparable importance of
timber in Elizabethan times, let me paraphrase
for you as follows: ‘Westminster pupils are a
national treasure’. >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 5
Left: The Head Master and Martin Chan (WW, 2006–11)
at the 2012 OW Cambridge Drinks
>>
Parents and teachers here tonight, I always find
that a helpful thing to try to remember in one’s
occasional frustrated moments.
as service to others becomes a reality. You will
be pleased to know that my description of this
overall formative experience gained in Westminster’s interdependent, outward-looking community of adults and young people, appealed to
my audience in Singapore as a concept worthy
of imitation.
National treasures need looking after. So this
evening, as we take stock of the past and look
ahead, let us determine to use all the experience
built up over centuries to ensure that the Westminster curriculum and our methods of teaching continue to challenge and to develop highly
academic pupils, who expect to operate globally
during their careers – firstly at university and
secondly in the work-place of the world.
We are not doing too badly to date. A new
measure of academic success in the FT tables I
referred to a moment ago was, for the first time
this year, the inclusion of successful admission
to the top-ranked universities worldwide; and
we were ranked first.
That was mainly based on successful admission
to Oxford and other Russell Group universities
in the UK, the Ivy League in the US and some
top European institutions, but it won’t be long
before Westminsters are going further afield
– to China, other Asian and Middle Eastern
countries, which are pouring money into the
university sector, producing superb teaching
and research facilities, and making English the
language of instruction.
Similarly, if this is to be ‘the Asian century’,
Westminster pupils will need to be prepared for
employment in the East as well as in the West,
going there to work willingly and confidently,
no longer forced to go with the threat of ‘Mumbai, Shanghai or goodbye’.
So how to build on Westminster’s success to date
and educate tomorrow’s global leaders? Excellence in the academic subjects most valued by the
globally ranked universities will remain absolutely
paramount. I am convinced of that; so let me
focus briefly on the teaching of those subjects.
In Singapore, I found many of the teachers in
something of a quandary. Used to the Confucian
principle that teachers teach and pupils memorise, they are now encouraged to see themselves
6 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
principally as facilitators of learning, showing
pupils how to access information through IT.
For in many disciplines, they argued, the
acceleration in the creation of new knowledge
means that what pupils are taught in school will
be obsolete by the time they graduate. So what
is important, the argument goes, are the skills
of research rather than the learning of knowledge; less what pupils know and more what
they know how to do; and the ‘brick school and
university’, where teachers and pupils physically
gather to teach and to learn as a community of
scholars, will gradually be replaced by the ‘click
school and university’.
My own view, that IT should facilitate teaching not the other way around, is unlikely to
be as controversial here as it was at the conference. If you want real excellence, you need
well-qualified, self-motivated teachers able to
inspire their pupils with the current state of
knowledge. The corollary of this is that a school
must be committed to giving its teachers every
opportunity throughout their career to keep
abreast of fast-moving developments in their
subject specialisms.
Teachers, too, just as pupils, therefore, are a
national treasure. Pupils and parents, please
remember that. Old Westminsters sitting here
will bear me out. How often, when I speak to
you, do you reminisce about individual teachers
‘
Old Westminsters sitting here
will bear me out. How often, do
you reminisce about individual
teachers who helped develop the
arts and habits of mind that have
served you well, who intervened
at a critical moment with friendly
moral advice as a tutor, or who
inspired a life-long interest in the
theatre, music, sport or the arts?
’
who helped develop the arts and habits of mind
that have served you well, who intervened at a
critical moment with friendly moral advice as a
tutor, or who inspired a life-long interest in the
theatre, music, sport or the arts?
For, while placing academic and intellectual
endeavour at the heart of the Westminster curriculum, we must also emphasise the importance of this overall curriculum for the formation of future global leaders.
Here we can also mention the many exchanges
and expeditions that promote self-confidence,
self-awareness, respect and understanding of
other cultures; the developing programme of
civic engagement, where altruism learns to prevail over egoism and the concept of leadership
The communities to which Westminsters will
belong will now be global; and they will often
be virtual. But the values they learn here at
School must still apply. In a recent interview,
the new President of MIT, himself a great
proponent of virtual, online learning, makes
the point: nothing replaces the residential
community of professors and pupils, where, he
says ‘you learn how to interact with people, you
learn morals’.
The aim, of course, is not to mirror society or
just to fit in, but to change it for the better.
And goodness knows we need to improve.
St Paul, the global networker of his day, as a
citizen of Rome, equally at home in the West
and the East of the known world, teaches us
that. Consider the third and fourth lines of the
reading by the Head Girl: ‘Be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind’.
A Westminster education must aim to provide
the overall transferable skills of synthesis, analysis
and persuasive expression of complex ideas, but
must also teach our pupils to use those skills
for constructive, ethical ends and solutions.
Competing in a globalised world, working across
international jurisdictions, young people will
need to be adaptable and mentally agile. But we
do not want moral flexibility. We want to win
but not to win at all costs. ‘Be not overcome of
evil, but overcome evil with good’, as St Paul
writes, in the last line of this evening’s reading.
Citius, altius, fortius: as global leaders seek to
‘transform not conform’, the need for a strong
personal moral foundation will increase not
diminish: a foundation which the inextricable
link between School and Abbey, celebrated here
this evening, will be sure to continue to provide
in the years ahead.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 7
Right: The roof terrace
on the new Purcell's
June next year, when at the Abbey we celebrate
the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her
Majesty which took place on 2nd June 1953. I
hope that some at least of the Queen’s Scholars
will be able to take part in the service much as
their predecessors did sixty years ago.
The Abbey has had a remarkable year of its
own, with two particular events that could have
a lasting impact. In June the choir and clergy
fulfilled an invitation from the Pope to visit
Rome, to sing at a papal service on St Peter’s
Day in St Peter’s Basilica with the Sistine Chapel
choir. This was the first time in the papal choir’s
500 year history that another choir had sung
not just alongside it but with it: the Pope had
instructed that the two choirs sang separately but
also for part of the liturgy formed one choir. It
was amazing how well the two different styles of
singing came together: true harmony, and a sign
perhaps of forthcoming (not quite yet, but in
God’s good time) Christian unity in diversity.
The Dean’s Report
The Very Reverend Dr John Hall
Dean of Westminster
2012 has been an extraordinary year for the
country, with the brilliantly successful Olympic and Paralympic Games and many imaginative and beautifully staged celebrations of The
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. For many of us it
all came together wonderfully at the moment
when Her Majesty half turned and said, ‘Good
evening, Mr Bond.’ I have it on reasonably
good authority that the film-makers had at first
expected, if they had permission at all, to stage
the moment with a stand-in for The Queen,
though they were rather impressed to have
the real thing, and then that those words were
unscripted and unexpected, a spontaneous
gesture from a really remarkably poised and
thoughtful person.
A number of people have said to me what a brilliant year it has been for the Abbey. Well, it has
been, since, a good year for the country is a good
year for us all. But not, as I think they imagined,
because the Abbey itself was involved in any direct way either in the Diamond Jubilee or in the
Olympic or Paralympic Games. We did hold a
remarkable service on a Sunday evening a couple
of weeks before the Olympics began for over a
thousand of mostly senior figures – volunteers
and staff – who had been involved, in some cases
for many years, in planning the events and were
8 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: The Duke of Edinburgh opens the Cellarium
facing within a few weeks both the culmination
of all their efforts and the end of their engagement. Princess Alexandra attended the service
and stayed valiantly long wanting to talk to
everyone at the reception in the East Cloister.
In fact there will be a great service in connection
with the Diamond Jubilee but that will be in
The second event was the culmination of a
building programme that turned the old 14th
century monastic cellar (Cellarium) that runs
south from the cloister entrance in Yard into
the Cellarium Café – open to the public during
the day and for hire in the evening – with a first
floor Terrace (enclosed but affording wonderful views), running east west over the former
monastic misericord (a room with a fire) along
the line of the South Cloister as far as the back
of the Fives courts in Ashburnham House
garden. The Duke of Edinburgh opened the Cellarium on 17th October and rather fancied the
cakes. This is the second stage of the Dean and
Chapter’s great development plan. Stage one was
the Education Centre opened in 1 Dean’s Yard
by the Queen on 21st May 2010 and stage three
will be galleries in the eastern Triforium taking
the place of the museum in the 11th century
Undercroft and able to show the visitor many
more of the Abbey’s treasures. We are busily
raising funds for that great project.
My role as Chairman of Governors continues to
be immensely stimulating and there have been
some excellent developments this year with the
purchase of the Sports Centre and St Edward’s
House. And for the first time this year I took the
leaving Queen’s Scholars on an Abbey roof tour,
which is itself quite an experience.
Bursar’s Report
Chris Silcock
In my report last year I looked ahead to some
major capital projects and to what can be described as a purple period of development in the
history of the School. Opportunities to acquire
a special building can arrive in pairs or even
threes, but given the nature of where we are and
the School’s dependence on acquiring new space
rather than being able to expand on land we
own, such opportunities have to be seized.
The Under School’s new building was finally
opened by the Dean, our Chairman of Governors, on 15th December last year and it has been
a huge success. The new dining hall and kitchen
has allowed more exciting fare to be offered at
lunch and has freed up the main hall in Adrian
House just for assemblies, plays, music and clubs.
The new art department has also been a great improvement to the teaching and the relocation of
a Latin classroom freed up space for a dedicated
and much needed Under School library.
The Great School finally took possession of St
Edward’s House, the last Anglican monastery
in London, on 31st May 2012 and conversion
began that day, continuing without a break
even for Jubilee celebrations until it opened
in late August. Purcell’s boarding girls, with
the Housemaster, Resident Tutor and Matron,
moved and were joined by new Fifth Form and
Sixth Form day boys. By 2014, the House will
be a boarding/day House similar to Busby’s and
Liddell’s. This has been a huge and welcome
improvement. >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 9
‘
The Westminster School Sports
Centre offers a 5 badminton court
size main hall in which there are:
6 cricket nets, 4 fencing pistes,
two superb climbing walls, and
courts for basketball, badminton,
volleyball and netball.
’
dance studio and a dojo room for martial arts.
The School is now able to host proper sports
teas for visiting teams and there are also changing facilities which have thinned out the crush
in the Pavilion. As the Head Master wryly
noted at Commem this year, Westminster
delivers sport through art-deco.
Above: The new Sports Centre
>>
The monks’ refectory in St Edward’s is now
used each day for tutor lunches with Upper
Shell, Sixth Form and Remove pupils, rotating
through by House every 11 days. This has also
greatly enhanced the pastoral life of the pupils.
The Chapel was rededicated by the Dean on
5th September and Evensong is now held there
fortnightly. In addition, Latin Prayers is held
there for Lower School year groups when it is
their turn not to be up School. The space is
also used for organ and piano lessons as well as
for choir rehearsals. In short, the building has
been a wonderful addition to the estate and the
School is grateful to all donors but in particular
the Westminster School Society for their most
generous gift towards this project.
The School concluded an excellent deal last
December to buy the Lawrence Hall from the
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS); it is 70
yards from the front gate of Vincent Square so
could not be better located. We took possession on 1st May and, despite some doubts,
we opened on time. The Westminster School
Sports Centre offers a 5 badminton court size
main hall in which there are: 6 cricket nets, 4
fencing pistes, two superb climbing walls, and
courts for basketball, badminton, volleyball and
netball. In the former conference centre there is
a rowing suite, a fully equipped fitness suite, a
10 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
We continue work to refurbish the old Adrian
Boult music centre and designs for Yard paving
have been approved by Westminster Council.
Engraved stones may be purchased from the
Development Office! Works should begin in
summer 2013.
Some will ask how we have afforded this and
others will question whether we are as committed to bursaries as we were and should be.
OWW will recall the generous legacy made by
A.A. Milne: that and existing smaller endowments enabled us to fund an increasing number
of bursaries from income down the years. Bursary numbers continue to rise as we become more
successful at getting the message out to London
parents that bright pupils who can make the
grade may be educated here irrespective of how
little money they may have. The School used
some of the endowments to fund the four big
projects and we are now fundraising hard to
replenish our coffers so that the income thereof
may support our Bursary Programme. The Director of Development has reported separately
on the Building on Excellence Campaign but I
would be remiss if I did not acknowledge with
enormous gratitude the Elizabethan Club’s most
generous donation of £25,000.
I will end as usual by saying that finances are
sound notwithstanding the many projects and
applications to the School increase year on year
– truly Dat Deus Incrementum. We are very
fortunate indeed. Floreat!
Westminster
Development
Angie Garvich
Director of Development
If for nothing else, we will remember 2012
as the year we all became intimately acquainted
with the term “Capital Campaign”! The Head
Master learned to recite by heart the cost per
square metre of London property, teachers went
on the campaign trail to extoll the virtues of
sport and Governors set about shaking out sofa
cushions for spare change, all in an effort to
help us to bring about the largest single upgrade
of the School’s fabric we have seen in centuries.
Never happy to do things by halves, in the
space of a few months Westminster acquired
a brand new home for Purcell’s House, an additional building for the Under School and a
breath-taking new Sports Centre. Add to that
plans for the complete redevelopment of Little
Dean’s Yard and you have a programme of capital works that would leave other institutions
faint with anxiety (and perhaps more cautious
Development Directors contemplating a hasty
run for the hills…).
The School knew that one of the major components to our success would be the support
of our wider Westminster Community, with
Above: xxxxxx
Above: The climbing wall in the new Sports Centre
OWW hopefully leading the way. With the
understanding that this group has never been
particularly shy about making their opinions
known, our intrepid student callers braced
themselves for the start of our summer OW
Telethon and the first opportunity our alumni
would have to weigh in on these new developments. Armour on, phones in hand and rebuttals at the ready, they placed their first calls and
met with… excitement and support! Old boys >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 11
Left: The rowing suite in
the new Sports Centre
year OWW would be able to make use of the
facility themselves!
The School is also offering, for the very first
time, the approved addition of OW names
carved into Little Dean’s Yard through the
sponsorship of new Yard stones. While the
operation might now lack a bit of its former
cloak and dagger excitement, we hope that
won’t put too many of you off and that we will
soon see the names of OWW young and old
adorning this special space at the very heart of
the School.
When we reached the half-way point of our
fundraising only six months after our official
launch, the collective sigh of relief could be
heard from Dean’s Yard to Vincent Square.
While we still have miles to go, the reassurance
offered by the Westminster Community was
enormous and has inspired us to push on even
more determinedly towards our goal.
of the Under School were very pleased that the
art department was being given the chance to
spread out into beautiful new facilities, and old
Purcell’s girls couldn’t wait to see their amazing new House (with old boys of other Houses
wishing they could have been a part of that
inaugural group of new Purcell’s boys!). Still,
the project that garnered the greatest praise was
the new Sports Centre. Setting aside a few very
OW comments about the old gym “building
character” (you are a stoic bunch!), the general
response was one of overwhelming approval –
even more so when they learned that from next
>>
‘
When
we reached the half-way
point of our fundraising only six
months after our official launch,
the collective sigh of relief
could be heard from Dean’s
Yard to Vincent Square.
’
12 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
With so much focus on the Capital Campaign,
we wanted to be sure not to lose sight of the
fact that in recent years Old Westminsters have
also shown an outstanding commitment to
the School’s Bursary Programme. As a direct
result of this generosity, we were able to offer
double the number of both 11+ and Sixth
Form bursaries for the 2012 School Year, taking the amount Westminster commits to the
Programme to roughly £1.2m a year.
Let me reassure you that when we say we truly
couldn’t do it without you, we are not just
being polite! While we would love to count
ourselves in the same financial category as other
schools blessed with endowments reaching into
the hundreds of millions of pounds, the level
of Westminster’s financial reserves sadly pales
in comparison. It is for this reason that where
investment is concerned, Westminster will
never seek what is simply “newer” or “shinier”,
but always what is necessary and important,
and what represents significant added value. In
return for your invaluable support, our promise
is that every step forward will be made with
eyes to the future and tempered by respect for
the past. Floreat!
Fund for Westminster
Telephone Campaign
Caller’s Report
We invited former Head Girl, Bea Natzler
(WW, 2010–12) to reflect on her experience as an OW caller as part of the Fund
for Westminster telephone fundraising
campaign last summer.
“I was already regretting my decision to participate in the telephone fundraising campaign
and I hadn’t even made my first call. How
was I going to phone up a parent, strike up a
conversation with them, and hopefully end the
call with a donation to the Fund for Westminster?
The stress on “character-building” from callers
who had taken part before did little to lessen my
unease. Nor did my boss’s explanation of the
game “Evolution”, in which on the white board
we all had an egg drawn by our name, which
would apparently “evolve” into a drawing of our
choice every time someone we called donated.
The thought of publicly remaining an oval blob
for the two and a half weeks did not appeal…
How wrong I was. After some excellent training
from Emily, our supervisor, and some inevitably nervous first calls, I was surprised to find
I was actually enjoying myself. Westminster
parents proved themselves generous not only
in donations but in the fascinating conversations they offered. Discussions ranged from the
philosophy of art, incredible career paths and
which foods melted cheese does and does not
go with. I left with offers of work experience,
occasional Facebook adds, and recommendations for reading, film and the world of work.
It hadn’t occurred to me that what I saw as
a fortnight of giving something back to the
School would in fact, through stretching me
Above: Callers for the Fund for Westminster
and demanding much time and energy, prove a
source of a great deal of intellectual stimulation
and satisfaction. How typical of Westminster.
As the Campaign progressed we evolved not
only on the board, (I think I ended up as a
dragon, whilst another caller alternated between a chicken and an egg), but into a team
of assured and conversational callers. We left
ebullient at the incredible sum raised, exhausted from hours of non-stop talking, and with
the strong suspicion that we’d be seeing the
majority of the group next year.”
Apply to be a caller!
If you’ve left the School within the last few years
and think you have what it takes to convince
potential donors to make a vital investment
in the future of Westminster we would love to
have you on board for our next Campaign.
On offer is a very competitive salary, full training and support, references for your CV and
a fun experience in the company of other
OWW. Most of all, you will have the chance
to make a real difference that will benefit
Westminster pupils for generations to come.
For more information, or to apply, please email
alumni@westminster.org.uk
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 13
all match participants the chance to muse over the
eventualities of that day’s games in an informal and
relaxed setting.
A Campaign for Westminster
Building on
Excellence
The new Sports Centre, the new Purcell’s,
21 Douglas Street and Little Dean’s Yard.
Thanks so much to all of the OWW who have
given to the Building on Excellence Campaign so
far. Launched in March 2012 in support of the
School’s newly-purchased buildings as well as the
refurbishment of Little Dean’s Yard, the Campaign
has already made a huge impact on the School
experience of our current pupils. Old Westminsters
will also reap the rewards through access to the
new Sports Centre, new spaces for events and the
chance to immortalise their names in Yard.
We are delighted to announce that, at time of
going to press, the Campaign is well over half-way
to its £25 million target, and we are pleased to
include an update on the various projects.
Sports Centre
Above (top right): The main hall of the
new Sports Centre
Above (bottom): The Open House Evening
14 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
The impact of the new Sports Centre has been
enormous, eliminating the need for time-consuming
journeys to and from other sporting locations, and
allowing more time for pupils to practise their skills.
• The former Royal Horticultural Society Hall has
been completely transformed, providing a space
for an array of sports, including climbing, martial
arts, fencing, rowing, table tennis, badminton,
netball, indoor football and indoor cricket
• Match teas in the new dining hall are a highlight
of Tuesdays and Thursdays for many pupils!
• Boarders enjoy using the facilities during their
free time in the evenings
Sports Centre Manager Matthew Bull leads an
experienced team to run the new facility. Here
he outlines a typical working day which gives a
sense of how the new building is used and the
work undertaken by staff to keep it all going.
“I live in Weybridge, Surrey, in a Victorian property, which backs onto the River Wey. I wake at
6.30 am. Soon after I rise, my two very young
children wake. What then ensues is a manic rush
of teeth brushing and dressing to enable me to
have my breakfast with them before I depart to
catch the train to Waterloo.
I walk from Waterloo Station, over Westminster
Bridge, so I consider this to be my early morning
exercise. I arrive at the Sports Centre around 8.40
am. I discuss any eventualities that have occurred
with the early shift Duty Manager. We then review
the day’s timetable to ensure that the activities can
take place as scheduled.
On the day in question a full range of sports are
planned. Under School PE takes place in the
morning (an introduction to basketball). This is
followed in the afternoon by Great School Station,
which comprises of indoor football, fencing and
rock climbing, all taking place in the main hall.
On the other three floors gym fitness, bodystep,
judo and triathlon training will also be in full flow.
Home football matches will be played on Vincent Square, followed by match teas in the Sports
Centre dining hall. The catering team will be on
hand to ensure that nobody misses out on the opportunity of hot food and drink. This also allows
In contrast to the café, the building as a whole
cannot really be described as relaxed and informal.
It opened in 1928, is art-deco in style, and was
built by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS),
with the express purpose of hosting exhibitions.
It is great to work in an historic building and the
scope and scale of the Sports Hall is awe inspiring.
Having only started at the School in late August,
this period has been an extremely busy one for
me. I have worked very hard, first to understand
how a building of this scale operates and secondly
to come to terms with how the School functions.
Two months in, I am happy to say everything is
running smoothly.
I meet with the RHS team that afternoon to
discuss their autumn show. This meeting enables
us to discuss timings and procedures. They are a
great team to work with and their knowledge of
the building has been of significant help to me.
One of the main considerations for this first show
(all four of their London shows will be held here
annually) is protecting the specialist sports flooring. A protective floor cover has been purchased,
and I have been assured that this will be more than
adequate to meet the demands that will be placed
upon it. The meeting goes well and all are in agreement that this show will be a learning process for
both parties.
In a later Sports Centre team meeting, discussions
turn to the Sports Centre’s future use. Between us
we have a range of ideas as to how it can best be
used. These ideas offer a number of challenges and I
look forward to being involved in the very exciting
future the Sports Centre has.
I leave the building around 6.30 pm, as Westminster
Abbey Choir School’s pupils are using the hall to
play football. The Centre will remain open until 10
pm so the evening boarding activities can take place.
On returning home I try and fit in either a run or a
swim, as this is how I choose to relax. I can then also
go to sleep safe in the knowledge that I at least in
part practice what I preach.”
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 15
>>
The Under School Building
Our new building at 21 Douglas Street, directly
flanking Adrian House provides a splendid
dining room and new light-filled art studios.
• A brand new dining hall provides a light and
airy space for pupils to take meals in their
House groups
• The most popular menu items in the new
dining hall are curries, lasagne and roast
dinners – the most popular veggie option
is the egg noodle stir-fry
• A new IT suite provides pupils with the
chance to use state-of-the-art technology
to learn and create
Sports Centre in numbers
6000: the size of the new Sports Centre in
square metres
Fiona Illingworth, Head of Art and Design
at the Under School comments on the
new space:
1400: the number of multi-coloured holes
in the climbing wall
520: the approximate length, in metres, of
the new netting in the Sports Centre, that’s
enough to stretch half the distance from the
Great School to the Under School!
89: the combined number of hours taken
up by different activities at the Sports Centre
by Great School and Under School pupils
every week (Monday–Friday)
3: the number of days a week match teas
are served
Sample menu for a match tea
Butcher’s Sausages, Mashed Potato and
Baked Beans and a Chocolate Brownie
Previously Westminster pupils and visiting
teams were given a match tea of a sandwich,
penguin bar and squash – not much after a
hard match!
Above (top): A School Choir Rehearsal
in the new Chapel
Above right (below): Guests on a tour of the
new Purcell’s with a pupil guide
>>
The New Purcell’s
The recently purchased St Edward’s House
is now a new, enlarged co-educational
Purcell’s – a Boarding House for girls and
a Day House for boys.
• Sung Evensong in the St Edward’s Chapel
has already been established as a regular
fixture
• The Chaplain and his assistant have a new
office in a much more appropriate space!
• The first BBQ on the roof terrace has
already been held!
• Each House takes it in turn to have a
special House lunch in the St Edward’s
Refectory
“In December 2011, we made our way from
our temporary cabins in the Square to our newly completed luxury suite. We had requested a
learning space where students felt safe, secure,
challenged and stimulated, but were given so
much more.
Above: The new dining hall at the Under School
We now have our own IT suite, a kiln room
and large store room that any art teacher would
envy. There are two separate glass walled classrooms which can be reconfigured into one, to
enable flexible groupings of students and shared
learning areas.
An element in providing quality teaching is to
be able to vary the workspace and the activities
to suit the individual needs of the pupils, and
in our new and wonderfully light-filled space,
we are able to do this with ease.
Our new environment is spacious and comfortable
and to quote one of the boys ‘‘In winter we have
heaters and in summer we have electric windows”.
We conjured from our imagination a better place with a sense of theatrical occasion,
and with shared efforts we have a unique and
rewarding environment.”
Programme for Evensong
22nd November 2012
Introit: Byrd, Justorum Animae
Preces and Responses: Radcliffe
Psalm: 108.
Evening Canticles: Byrd, Second Service
Anthem: Tomkins, ‘When David heard’
Above: The new art studio at the Under School
16 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 17
>>
Little Dean’s Yard
Soon this historic space will be returned to a
much more fitting condition in keeping with
its practical use and aesthetic value. Original
ancient pathways will be retained and the footprints of previous structures will be outlined in
contrasting stone, resulting in an overall design
that meets the needs of today while recalling the
area’s rich architectural history.
• Designs showing how OW names will look
have now been put together
• Paving stones are still available for sponsorship, and OWW can be quite specific about
the location of their stones within Yard
• Originally, the Purbeck paths were surrounded by sand and gravel, not paving
• This is the first time that OWW will ‘legally’
be able to have their names carved into the
fabric of the School!
Arch Inscriptions: Punctuating Eternity
Will Kitchen (AHH, LS) had a wry take
on the existing carvings in a recent piece for
the School publication, The Elizabethan.
The A. A. Milne Society
Legacy Giving
Figure 2: Carve it well
Having a deeply carved, and properly carved,
inscription is a key factor in being noticed.
The clarity and depth of one’s carving increases
the prominence and likelihood of being noticed
too. Being noticed for having a poorly done
inscription also risks deletion, as has indeed
happened in recent years. It is possible to carve
well if one has the ability of a stonemason.
Figure 3: Don’t forget your name
One might think it is very obvious indeed, and
that it is ridiculous that someone might forget
to put their name on the wall after inscribing
the date. However, this does happen. Whilst
being pleased with inscribing the date on the
wall one must press on with the task at hand.
18 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
We asked two members of the A. A. Milne
Society to reflect on why they chose to make a
gift of this kind to the School:
Stuart Steele (AHH, 1942–48)
“In September 1945, after the end of the European War, 130 boys returned to Westminster
from Herefordshire.
Figure 4: Remember to use a ‘.’
This is one of the best known of them all.
However, if one looks carefully one can see that
it is in fact G. Legge not Clegge. Using a clear
full stop and a small gap avoids confusion.
Figure 1: Location, Location, Location
Seen these names before? I thought not. These
people have fallen at the first hurdle, the location of one’s inscription. These ones are almost
never seen. A better height would be around
eye level, neither too high nor too low. Choose
a prominent position.
The A. A. Milne Society has been formed
to recognise the generosity of those
who have chosen to support Westminster through their wills, and those who
have made a commitment to supporting
the School in future through a bequest.
The Society was named after one of the
School’s most famous legacy donors,
A. A. Milne, who bequeathed to the
School a one quarter share of the copyright of the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ stories,
a gift that later turned out to be Westminster’s greatest benefaction.
Figure 5: Use English
After one has achieved the above one can simply be pleased with oneself. However, do not be
lured beforehand to be boastful enough to do
your inscription in another language. It makes
your inscription completely illegible to the
majority of the population who are not scholars
in an obscure, old or ambivalent language.
I had spent three years with the School in Buckenhill where life had been fairly primitive in
terms of living conditions and limited facilities.
The Head Master, staff and boys worked hard to
make the best of a difficult situation. The contrast when the School returned to its home was
very marked even though some things took time
to return to normal (for example the Churchill
Club was still active in Ashburnham House).
I spent three further years at the School in
Westminster which made me very appreciative
of all that went on there and its relationship
with the Abbey. Visiting the School for events
when I could I have been greatly impressed
by its growth, development and extraordinary
academic success. I am delighted that building
particularly on the legacy given by A. A. Milne,
significant funds have been raised with enormous benefit to the School and all it can do.
I have always felt that I owed much to West-
minster and when the A. A. Milne Society was
initiated, I saw this as an opportunity to express
my appreciation by contributing to Westminster
and its future.”
Peter Gysin (BB, 1967–72)
“Why a legacy pledge? A legacy, rather than a
gift, because a severe road accident has reduced
my earning power. Not that education should
be seen as a mere a step towards remuneration
(important though that is) since Westminster
fostered a respect for learning, analytical curiosity about the world and, especially, readiness to
question modish values, that lasts way beyond
schooldays and the workplace. I hope the
School, modern pressures notwithstanding,
continues to value education per se. This legacy,
as important as the lifelong friends, deserves
one in return.
Urban (and urbane) Westminster, after a strict
rural prep school and elegiac Surrey childhood,
was a culture shock, though the new-found
freedom and weekly boarding (fewer day boys
then) provided welcome compensation for lack
of countryside.
Chief memories? Quality teaching, especially
Classics, under the stern but kindly Denis Moylan (lateness / yawning punished by fines), genial
Ted Craven (not averse to digressions on the
Navy) and, especially, inspirational Theo Zinn –
family friend, instrumental in my coming to the
School and producer of outstanding Latin Plays.
Performing in Latin Plays (the pimp in Phormio)
left vivid memories; reading them enhanced
understanding of human nature.
Outside the classroom - happy (occasionally
successful) afternoons on the football field
(kicking opponent as much as ball), cricket
pitch and Towpath; Busby plays (saying “I’m
a bastard” in Chips with Everything before
proud, if bemused, parents); Abbey (we liked
it more than we let on) and Latin Prayers. And
schoolboy merriment; a sobering thought, but
the one activity to mark me from the herd was
as Busby’s champion jelly eater.”
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 19
Extracts from House Reports
produced for The Elizabethan (June 2012)
House Reports
House Reports are produced by pupils for
the School magazine The Elizabethan at
the end of each academic year. We’ve included extracts from these reports below
– they look back over 2011/12 so there
are quite a few OW names to look out for!
‘
Busby’s
Concert saw an evening
of great musical sophistication
climax in a pelvic-thrusting,
hip-wiggling rendition of
Don’t Stop Me Now.
’
Ashburnham
While in ‘normal’ years Ashburnham’s policy of
not buying a trophy cabinet is thoroughly vindicated, this year the trend has been bucked. Upon
winning the House Rock Climbing Competition, many thought we had reached the summit.
Yet, equally glorious was our netball team
(despite the fact that Strat and Will were not allowed to wear skirts). We continued an excellent
run of House plays with a hilarious performance
of Death by Woody Allen, and against all odds
argued our way to second in House Debating. With two trophies under our belts (more,
rumour has it, than in the entire noughties) we
then demonstrated the magnanimous spirit for
which we are famous by ducking out of House
Football in the qualifying round. At September
Saturday we raised more money for PHAB than
any other House with our already legendary
bouncy castle. Raising money for charity may
not be a competition, but we definitely won.
Busby’s
Busby’s this year has remained the bastion of
a traditional Westminster education, demon-
20 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
strating on the one hand a veneer of cultural
sophistication and on the other a primeval
tribal loyalty to the House…Busby’s Concert
saw an evening of great musical sophistication
climax in a pelvic-thrusting, hip-wiggling rendition of Don’t Stop Me Now. Taking a tactical
last in House Chess we nevertheless soared to
the giddy heights of victory in House Debating. Perhaps it was this raw Busbite intellectual
prowess that aided our 6 and 11-a-side football
teams to fight their way to the finals of both
competitions, although a full complement of
team masseuses was undoubtedly a significant
stimulating factor. Concerns surrounding the
slightly ignominious exit of the Lower School
team in the first round of their competition
were nevertheless offset by the knowledge that
training is already under way for Benjamin
Botton’s entry into the team in 2023.
College
Life around College has continued to be as
entertaining as ever, with a lot of fun hidden
behind the dull, hard-working appearance we
like to put on. After hearing for years of Mr
Hargreaves’ famous pasta nights in Grant’s we
decided to emulate the whole-House atmosphere by inviting the Dean for pizza in College,
leading to a thoroughly enjoyable evening
punctuated by a discussion ranging from the
role of the media in law enforcement to genetic
modification of human beings. The Dean was,
as always, extremely witty, and as well as the
more serious aspects of the discussion, the
informal banter we were able to share with him
was much appreciated.
Dryden’s
The Dryden’s scarlet is no ordinary colour. It is
made from the blood, sweat and tears that each
Drydenite sacrifices to further the glory of the
Red Army. If the passionate cries within the
table tennis sweatshop were condensed into a
House shirt, it would look something like that
of Dryden’s. It has been a year in which the
House’s horizons have been broadened, and its
strengths solidified. Another devastating loss
in House Cricket was put swiftly to bed by
a runners-up performance in House Tennis,
before the Play Term began with Dryden’s
amassing by far the most money at September
Saturday. The inaugural House Carol Service,
created by the die-hard Drydenite that is Mr
Edlin, is already a fixture in the House calendar. Great team chemistry, and sharp shooting
from Bryce ‘Jackie Moon’ Leavitt, put Dryden’s
within touching distance of its second House
Netball victory in as many years.
Grant’s
One would have thought reaching the semis in
the football was enough for the Grant’s ladies
but they were hungry for success. They fought
long and hard, and in the end it took Ashburnham cross-dressers to deny them the netball title.
Yet the zenith of our achievements came one
sunny, February afternoon. Who would have
guessed that on that non-eventful morning,
history was to be rewritten?
Grant’s finished the six-a-side House Football
an almighty sixth. A new record.
Next came the 11s. We would deliver a full
match report, but the hurt is too great. Refereeing decisions and a Pinter penalty robbed
Grant’s of their rightful place among the best. >>
Above: Cake sale: just one of many activities undertaken
to raise money for charity
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 21
Hakluyt’s
The Blue Army has, once again, proven to be a
frightful force on the football pitch. Our female
battalion made history by becoming the first
team to win girls’ House Football and the boys
recorded a heroic victory over Milne’s to achieve
3rd place later in the year. A further highlight has
been the joint HH–LL House Play, The Young
Idea by Noel Coward, which was a triumph and
provided a night of amusement for all.
‘
The
Wren’s House play was...
well... I’ll go with shambolic
but it all came together and
more importantly we had a
brilliant time.
’
course will always be a constant; the factions of
Geordie Shore and Downton Abbey will continue
their battles over the Common Room TV, the
sportswomen of the House will yet again romp
home to mud-smeared victory in the Bringsty Relay [a nod here to Nicola Mason (PP,
2010–12) and Laura Cavenagh (PP, 2010–12)],
and forlorn-looking boys will inevitably litter
the pavement along Barton Street.
Now, to the future: a great year of Hakluytians
are leaving. Yet, the customary smell will linger,
the sound of the piano will continue to instil a
sense of warmth to the House, and above all,
the girls’ football victory will find its way into
the record books, a source of inspiration for
future generations.
Rigaud’s has as its founding principle a culture
of, and reputation for, inclusivity and fun
– two things which are not incompatible.
Fortress Building – once we had overcome the
procedural nightmares of blocking fire exits and
returning each mattress to its rightful owner
– was an activity that brought boarders of all
years closer together. Fun, laughter and originality are the lifeblood of the Rigaud’s community; we very much hope they will continue to
be long into the future.
Liddell’s
This year saw a return to the tradition of
House Plays with the HH–LL production of
the The Young Idea by Noel Coward. Under
the directorship of Alex Bishop (LL, VI) and
Rachel Finegold (HH, 2010–12), and featuring
memorable performances from Jess Ormerod
(LL, 2010–12), Louis Prosser (LL, 2007–12),
Isa Ouwehand (LL, Remove) and Katy Hessel
(LL, 2010–12) to name but a few, the play had
the audience roaring with laughter and was so
popular we had people sitting on the stairs just
to get a view.
Above: House Athletics
Milne’s
Fifteen years since its creation, Milne’s continues
to keep Dr Hartley’s study full of silverware.
Things got off to an ideal start with a sizeable
victory at the Long Distance Races in September, the third Towpath victory in succession.
Consistency was the key, as Milne’s was the only
House to place in the top four in every category,
even without star athletes. Further athletics success continued in March, where Milne’s retrieved
the Bringsty Relays from Ashburnham, which
included an impressive run from Oscar SatchellBaeza (MM, 2007–12) to bring home the win
for the seniors, as well as the overall competition.
As of March 2012 Milne’s has won six out of the
last eight school running competitions.
Purcell’s
This year has been one of both distinction and
routine for the girls of Purcell’s. Some things, of
22 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Rigaud’s
Proud successes in House Chess, Fives and
running competitions rekindled the flame of
Rigaud’s pride. The Remove rewrote House
Concert protocol with their last-minute Lion
King renditions. The most we ever won in
House Football was crockery, but at least we
had the most fun doing it – the sight of our
young Fifth Form protégés screaming Ipsu
Razu, unprompted, before each game they
played was deeply inspiring.
Above: Purcell’s undertook a 24-hour funded cycle ride
for the after-school club, Westminster House
However, several efforts on the part of the
House should not be missed. At the end of July
last year, we pulled off a 24-hour cycle ride, for
the after-school club, Westminster House. Although the effects of sleep deprivation may have
slightly unhinged some members of the House
(towards the end of the marathon our Head of
House, Ariane Moshiri (PP, 2010–12), produced the revelation that Westminster Abbey
looked ‘almost… three-dimensional’), it was a
bonding experience for this year’s Remove, and
fantastic training for the late-night efforts which
UCAS would demand in the following Play
Term. Whilst being woken up at three in the
morning in order to take my 40-minute shift
is not an experience I wish to repeat, Ariane’s
rousing combination of cheerleading and disco
dancing got us through the night, and we raised
over £4000 for Westminster House.
Wren’s
At the start of this year, this writer had the
pleasure of co-directing the Wren’s House play.
It was... well... I’ll go with shambolic; by way of
example I may have electrocuted myself trying
to do the lighting, but it all came together and
more importantly we had a brilliant time. The
fact that we managed to enjoy ourselves, put on
a brilliant show and cope with all our work without nervous breakdown must say something.
The whole experience actually reflected a lot of
things I will remember about Wren’s. I wouldn’t
want to cheapen anything by putting it down to
something as cliché or cheesy as, “House Spirit”,
but I do not exaggerate when I say my great
experience both with the play and in general, has
been 100% down to the lovely atmosphere created by the friendliness of the people involved.
It is this easy-going atmosphere that I will
remember about Wren’s. Since I’ve been here,
particularly this year, I have felt comfortable
wandering into any day room just for a chat
(excepting maybe with the terrifying Upper
Shell). I’ve walked to lessons with Fifth Form
and Sixth Form alike, and I’ve even received
complimentary paper aeroplanes through the
window from the Lower Shell as I sat in
College Garden.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 23
Fields. After the matches – whether in the Square
or the Centre itself – hot teas are now at last provided in the cafeteria area with tea and sandwiches
for spectators and staff in the café.
All PE lessons at the Great School are now double
lessons – with 5th formers taking PE now on alternate weeks – and take place in the wonderful space
available inside the Sports Centre with a variety of
programmed activities on offer, including volleyball, basketball, handball and basic fitness training.
Westminster Station
Station Report
2011/12
J D Kershen
Master i/c Station
For all the Westminster exploits described below
in the numerous competitions and on the various
fields of play throughout 2012, the School’s
sporting highlight of the year was undoubtedly the
acquisition, planning and delivering (on time!) of
the Sports Centre, housed in the former RHS
Lawrence Hall just a matter of yards away from
Vincent Square. This magnificent 6000 squaremetre, art-deco structure is now home to a number
of Westminster sporting pursuits (including use by
the Under School as well), and is a hive of activity
throughout the week but especially on Tuesday and
Thursday afternoons.
The Sports Centre provides sporting facilities in its
main hall for rock climbing (two separate walls),
fencing, badminton (5 courts), cricket (6 nets),
volleyball, basketball, 5-a-side football, netball and
handball, as well as offering 4 table tennis tables
on the raised dais. In addition, the front of the
building offers three floors of what were previously
conference rooms which have now been transformed
into a state-of-the-art Fitness Suite, a Dance/Movement Studio, a Judoka and a Rowing Training Suite.
These excellent and wide-ranging sporting facilities
are complemented by male and female changing
rooms (each with its own showers and toilets), a
café area, a cafeteria which is serviced by a fullsize kitchen and which can seat over 100 people,
and basement storage space which amply covers
the sporting needs as well as helping to alleviate
the overcrowding in both the Manoukian Music
Centre and the Millicent Fawcett Hall.
This superb addition has transformed the School’s
sporting facilities and now offers a fantastic hub
24 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
from which Westminster’s Station, PE, LSA and
boarding activities are benefitting immeasurably.
In terms of Station usage, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the fencers have exclusive use of the left alley
in the main hall throughout the afternoon whilst
the rock climbers have the same monopoly of the
two walls in the right alley. Meanwhile, in the
central part of the hall, there is indoor football (or
sometimes Futsal) followed by badminton. Simultaneously, on the dais, there is the newly-formed
table tennis Station taking place on the four tables
situated there. Meanwhile on the first floor, in the
Fitness Suite, there are two sessions back-to-back
of Gym Fitness where pupils follow their own
personal training programmes as compiled by the
onsite specialist instructor. One floor up, there is
another specialist instructor taking bodystep aerobics for the girls in the Dance/Movement Studio,
and this is followed by Yoga which is again led by
an external instructor. In the adjacent room to
this, there takes place judo Station throughout the
afternoon, and, on the top floor, there is the new
triathlon training Station where pupils utilise the
rowing ergos and watt/spin bikes as well as going
for a timed run around Vincent Square.
All of this activity, which was previously dotted
around the School and various other venues in central London has now been brought together under
the same roof giving the Sports Centre a real buzz
and community atmosphere on Station afternoons.
In addition, if there are football matches at Vincent
Square, then the away teams will generally change
in the new changing rooms thereby leaving the
home teams to have exclusive use of the ones up
The wide-ranging LSA programme makes great use
also of the Centre with activities such as land training (for rowers), team fitness training (for footballers), cricket, indoor football, basketball, fencing,
badminton, climbing and table tennis. This all ties
in with the Under School’s after-School Clubs programme which offers many of the same activities in
the Sports Centre.
Finally, there is the extensive Boarders’ Activities
Programme which runs from Monday to Friday between 9–10 pm with the 5th Form and Lower Shell
having exclusive use on Mondays and the Upper
Shell, Sixth Form and Remove on the other nights.
On each night there is supervised use of the Fitness
Suite available as well as a selection comprising of
1st XI cricket nets, boxing fitness, circuits, table
tennis, badminton and climbing amongst other
things which all take place during the week.
For those pupils aged 16 and over, there is the
opportunity also to train unsupervised – but never
alone – in the Fitness Suite between 4.30–7 pm on
most evenings once they have completed a full induction process carried out by one of the four new,
full-time Centre staff whose responsibility it is to
set up and oversee all of the many activities taking
place in the Sports Centre.
All in all, as should be evident, there is a lot going
on inside the School’s new Sports Centre and so
much more so (in both breadth and depth) than
was possible when Westminster was dependent
previously upon hiring external facilities. It is a
unique and wonderful space which the School is
taking every opportunity to utilise to the full.
Cricket
It was a case of ‘wet, wet, wet’ for the cricket season
with innumerable matches lost to the weather particularly in the first half of the term. Nevertheless,
when play was possible, a very young 1st XI enjoyed a promising season, winning as many as they
lost, starting with the successful pre-season tour
to La Manga where the 1st XI Player of the Year,
Milo Johnson (DD, Remove) scored the first of his
two centuries, and, the U15 spinner and the 1st
XI’s Most Improved Player, Kavi Amin (RR, Upper
Shell) took the first two of his four 5-wicket hauls
for the year. Indeed, Amin was to take 30 wickets
during the season, making him one of the season’s
leading schoolboy wicket-takers nationwide.
Elsewhere, the U15s provided arguably the highlight in reaching the final of the London Schools’
U15 Cup before losing out to a very strong Dulwich side, and, they were well led by Eugene Daley
(CC, Upper Shell) who was the top performer with
both bat and ball. The U14s showed plenty of
promise for the future too with Barnaby Graff (QS,
Lower Shell) an outstanding all-round prospect.
Cross Country
The highlight of the season came at the London
Schools’ Cross Country Championships where
Westminster was overall the top-performing
London School for an amazing ninth year in a row.
This was achieved by the Senior Boys and Senior
Girls winning their sections and the Inters and
Juniors finishing third in their respective sections.
Individually, there was success as well with Nicola
Mason (PP, 2010–12) winning the bronze medal in
Senior Girls, Sammy Skipper (DD, 2007–12) 6th
in Senior Boys and Mo Barry-Wilson (MM, Lower
Shell) 9th/100 in the Juniors.
Following on from this, five Westminster pupils
were selected to represent London at the English
Schools Cross Country Championships in Taunton, Somerset. This is the greatest number of Westminsters that have been selected simultaneously in
living memory and the pupils (all Seniors) were:
GIRLS – Nicola Mason; Lucile Pannetier (CC,
2010–12) and Gabrielle Michotte (CC, Remove)
BOYS – Sammy Skipper and Su-Min Lee (MM,
2007–12).
Also, there were excellent performances at the
King’s Trophy, where Westminster’s A team finished
4th out of 23 teams and the B team were the highest-placed B squad, and, at the Grim Challenge,
where Westminster dominated the men’s team event
finishing in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th places.
Fives
There were plenty of victories across all the age
groups during the year but the season’s main event
was the Schools’ National Championships at Eton.
All the pupils involved were great ambassadors for
the School and there were some excellent results
with arguably the outstanding performance coming
from the top pair, James Alster (DD, Remove) and >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 25
>>
tion in 2012 as for the fourth year in a row, Westminster won the Best Overall Team Trophy and,
in addition, they were the Best Junior Team, Best
Junior and Senior Bouldering Team and Best Junior Lead team. The Westminster team in full was:
Seniors – Dom Smith (DD, 2007–12 Captain),
Marshall Bradley (GG, 2007–12), Henry WilsonSmith (MM, 2007–12)
Juniors – Jed Thompson (AHH, VI), Pip Woolley
(BB, 2009–12), Neirin Gray Desai (WW, Upper
Shell).
Leo Nelson-Jones (RR, Remove) who won all their
group matches and another two knockout games
before bowing out in the quarter-finals to the top
seeds and eventual winners. Also in the Seniors, the
third pair of James Sherwood (DD, Remove) and
Fred Tomlinson (DD, Remove) were runners-up in
the plate competition, as were Tom Ashton (CC,
Upper Shell) and Lewis Bixer (LL, Upper Shell) in
the U15s section. In addition, the top U15 pair of
Ismail Salim (RR, Upper Shell) and Matthew Lewin
(DD, Upper Shell) won all their group matches and
progressed to the quarter-finals before losing out.
Football
The 2012–13 season is well underway and the
1st XI, in spite of being ravaged by injuries, have
recorded some excellent victories including defeating Charterhouse and Latymer Upper in the same
week, as well as a fine win over Brentwood earlier
in the term. The U15s have done well also and
reached the last 16 of the ISFA U15 Cup for the
second year running before losing out to the tournament favourites, Whitgift.
Looking back though, it was a momentous
2011–12 season for the 1st XI who showed that
they could compete and win against the very best
on the Independent Schools’ circuit. The team
equalled the ‘living memory’ record for the most
wins in a 1st XI season (15), as well as losing only
two of their last twenty matches and remaining
undefeated by another school side for the last four
months of the season. Also, they were unbeaten
and finished close runners-up in the Northern
Division of the Southern Independent Schools’
League, and, reached the last 16 of both the ISFA
Sixes and Boodles ISFA U18 Cup, agonisingly
losing out on penalties having been seconds away
from 1–0 wins in both games.
There were so many highlights that it is hard to
single any out but the 2–1 defeat of Hampton on
their home soil was arguably the most complete performance of the season, coming as it did against the
team who were to go on to win the ISFA U18 Cup.
Individually, Forrest Clancy (HH, 2007–12) and
Ollie Iselin (BB, VI) were selected for the Full ISFA
U18 & U16 England Independent Schools’ squads
respectively – the first time that Westminster has
had representatives in both of these sides simultaneously – whilst Sammy Skipper (DD, 2007–12), in
defence, and Ben Cooke (DD, 2007–12, 23 goals),
in attack, were outstanding as well.
Elsewhere, all of the other 8 School teams put in
excellent performances during the course of the
26 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
season with the U16s and U14s showing particular
promise whilst the U15s enjoyed success in the
ISFA cup as they reached the last 16 before losing
away to the might of Millfield.
Girls’ Football
This Station continued to flourish and grow
throughout 2012 and the Olympic Year provided
another historic moment for Westminster sport as
the first ever win for a Westminster girls’ football
team was registered over no less an opponent than
the ‘auld enemy’, Charterhouse.
Golf
There was Old Westminster golfing success at
Cambridge for recent leavers as Oliver Flynn (RR,
2003–08) played in the Varsity Match and Carl
Rietschel (GG, 2009–11) was the first reserve. This was a rare feat to say the least for OWW
golfers as the last one to be selected for the Varsity
Match was in 1975.
Hockey
The 1st XI enjoyed a very successful 2011–12
season, registering numerous victories and losing
only a couple throughout the year, and, special
mention should go to Angus Mylne (RR, VI)
who was selected as goalkeeper for the Middlesex
U17 Hockey squad.
Netball
The Westminster A side have started the 2012–13
season strongly with wins over Highgate, South
Hamsptead and Godolphin & Latymer as well as
finishing runners-up in the Ibstock Place tournament.
This has built upon the success enjoyed in the second
half of the 2011–12 season which saw them win
several games including against Notting Hill & Ealing
HS as well as the might of the Common Room.
Rock Climbing
It was a tale of triumph once again for Westminster
at the Independent Schools’ Climbing Competi-
In the individual competitions, Thompson picked
up an excellent second place in the Juniors. Swimming
There was exciting news concerning recent Old
Westminster swimmers as Philip Cohen (AHH,
2006–11), Joe Northover (AHH, 2004–09) and
Antonia Millard (WW, 2008–10) were part of
the Oxford University Swimming team who were
victorious in the Varsity Match against Cambridge.
It is likely that this is either the first time ever
or the first time for a very long while that three
OWW have appeared in the same Varsity swimming team simultaneously.
Tennis
As with cricket Station, the rain played havoc with
tennis fixtures throughout the Election term, but
when fixtures did get underway there were successes in the matches against Haileybury, Winchester and Merchant Taylor’s. At the end of the term,
the 1st IV – Gabriel Cagan (DD, 2007–12), Alex
Rafter (AHH, 2007–12), Johnny Church (LL,
2007–12) and Alex Ho (GG, 2007–12) – competed in the Youll Cup (the Independent Schools’
Cup Competition) and secured an excellent 2–0
victory over Whitgift in the 1st round before losing
out 2–1 in a deciding set of singles play against
Canford School in the 2nd round.
Water
The Lent term saw the Schools’ Head of the River
and National Junior Sculling Head Competitions
on consecutive days. In keeping with recent times,
there was plenty of Westminster success as the
School picked up a win and two second places at
the Sculling Head followed by three victories and a
third place at the Schools’ Head.
It was the J18 Quad of George Matthews (GG,
2007–12), Ivan Karpov (GG, 2007–12), George
Bradbury (BB, 2007–12) and Nicholas Scott
(AHH, Remove) that was triumphant at the
former, and their win was backed up by second
place (and 4th overall) for the J17 Quad whilst the
J15 Quad were second in their event.
At the Schools’ Head, there was another win for
James Gunn (QS, Remove), Scott, Daniel Kim
(MM, Remove) and Will Ripley (HH, Remove) in
the Junior Coxless Fours whilst Matthews, Karpov
and the Bradbury brothers were coxed to victory by
Nicola Mason in the Junior Coxed Fours event. The third Westminster win of the event came in
the J15 Coxed Fours as Tim Wu (AHH, Upper
Shell), Sam Meijer (HH, Upper Shell), Conrad
Thomas (MM, Upper Shell) and Alex Balgarnie
(HH, Upper Shell) were guided to glory by cox,
Nishant Lahoti (HH, Upper Shell), and there was
a third place also for the J15 Four.
The Election Term was another successful and
busy one for Water, although it was one that upon
reflection didn’t quite deliver the National Schools
and Henley success that was hoped for.
At the former, there was still a gold medal for the
J16 Eight as well as an excellent silver for George
Bradbury in the Championship Single Sculls and
another for the J15 Coxed Fours. Hopes were
high in the Championship Quadruple Sculls but
Westminster was left somewhat disappointed by a
bronze medal.
At Henley, the top Quad of Matthews, Karpov,
Scott and G. Bradbury were optimistic of repeating
the success of three years ago in the Fawley Challenge Cup. All looked good after a comfortable
win over a strong Melbourne Grammar crew but it
was to go awry in the next round against Marlow
R.C. where Westminster made too many mistakes
and slipped to defeat by 1 length.
In spite of this disappointment though, there was still
much success to celebrate elsewhere throughout the
term with numerous wins at the Reading, Nottingham
City, Wallingford, Kingston and Gravelines Regattas.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 27
Below: James Kershen (WW, 1981–86
and Master i/c Station),
Meg Trainor (HH, 2008–10) and
Niamh Tupman (HH, 2008–10)
OW SOCIAL
Elizabethan Club Committee Members
• David Neuberger (WW, 1961–65)
President
• Caroline Lewis (GG, 1980–82)
caroline.f.lewis@btinternet.com
• Tim Brocklebank-Fowler (RR, 1976–80)
Chairman
tim@brocklebank.biz
• Tarun Mathur (AHH, 1988–93)
tarun.mathur@barcap.com
• Nicholas Brown (RR, 1968–73)
Hon. Secretary
NicholasBrown@bdb-law.co.uk
• Artin Basirov (GG, 1989–94)
Treasurer
abasirov@sdcglobal.net
• Jonathan Carey (GG, 1964–69)
jonathan_carey@hotmail.co.uk
• Jessica Chichester (GG, 2000–02)
OW Sports Representative
jessie_cc@hotmail.com
Above: Eleanor Turner-Moss (PP, 2005–07), Guy Hopkins (Housemaster of Hakluyt's
and Master of Music) and Genevieve Turner-Moss (PP, 2008–10)
• Gavin Griffiths (WW, 1967–72)
gavin.griffiths@westminster.org.uk
• Darius Norell (BB, 1985–90)
darius@realworldmagazine.com
• David Roy (AHH, 1955–61)
daroy@btinternet.com
• Graham Walker (RR, 1963–67)
House Societies Representative
gajwalker@sky.com
• Matthew Webb (BB, 1999–2004)
mwebb@gmail.com
• Zara Carey (HH, 2005–07)
Young OW Representative
zaracarey@googlemail.com
• James Kershen (WW, 1981–86 and
Master i/c Station) Common Room
james.kershen@westminster.org
Left (top): Wren's Housemaster Simon Wurr
and a current pupil at the Wren’s Society Dinner
Left (bottom): Tamsin Cox (guest), Alasdair Donaldson
(MM, 1994–99), Thomas Munby (MM, 1994–99) and
a current pupil at the Milne’s Society Drinks.
these two events biennial in future. The Ben
Jonson Drinks will go ahead in 2013 and the
Business Drinks will next be held in 2014.
A 1960s Decade Gaudy was very well supported. This was the first time this format had been
tried and the feedback was generally positive.
There were university drinks parties hosted
at Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge, all of
which were appreciated by the attendees. The
Club also hosted a wine tasting at the Carlton
Club and sponsored a drinks party during
the tea break on the Saturday of the Henley
Regatta. This attracted a number of past and
present rowers, pupils, parents and staff.
2011–2012
Elizabethan Club
Annual Report
Tim Brocklebank-Fowler (RR, 1976–80)
As presented to the AGM on Thursday,
20th September 2012 by the Chairman,
Tim Brocklebank-Fowler.
Above (top): Tim Buchanan (GG 1984–89)
and Nicola Bunting (AHH 1978–80)
at the Business Drinks
Above (bottom): Joseph Thomas (guest)
and Rebecca Greenhalgh (guest)
at the Medics’ Dinner
Above (right): Ralf Ackermann (guest) and
Thea Darricote (PP, 1997–99)
at the Purcell’s Society Drinks
‘
The Groucho Club proved
to be an attractive and
glamorous venue which
was much enjoyed by
all who attended.
’
30 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
The Club has continued its efforts to attract
a more diverse group of Old Westminsters and
particularly to appeal to the young and female
members of our constituency, as well as those
who have been supporting events for many
years. To this end a women’s networking group
has been established and a recent female OW
has been proposed for the committee to be the
first to hold a rolling one year position, to help
keep in touch with our most recent Leavers.
Dinners
At the 2011 annual dinner we were truly
delighted and privileged to welcome Tom
Hooper (HH, 1988–90) who won an Oscar
for directing The King’s Speech earlier that year.
Tom spoke eloquently about his journey from
Westminster to Oscar winner and gave us some
fascinating and amusing insights into the workings of the film industry and the challenges
involved with cooperating with and managing
some of the characters. The event was attended
by one third female and one half young OWW
(under 36). This is the highest proportion in
memory of these two categories of OWW to an
annual dinner.
Other dinners this year have included the
Lawyers’ Dinner on Shrove Tuesday, Wren’s and
Busby House Society dinners and a Medics’
Dinner in College Hall.
At the 2012 annual dinner we will welcome
Henry Winter (WW, 1976–80) who is Chief
Football Correspondent for The Telegraph.
Drinks
The Ben Jonson Drinks were held in June at
the Groucho Club which proved to be an attractive and glamorous venue which was much
enjoyed by all who attended. The Business
Drinks which were held at the School in 2011,
moved to the Royal Exchange which encouraged a good gathering of those working in the
City and Canary Wharf. These two annual
parties in particular are usually better attended
away from the School which, of course, means
a higher cost including a substantial room
hire charge and wider margins on drinks and
canapés. In order to provide the best venues,
high quality hospitality and have well attended
events the Committee has decided to make
Other
The Club held its first OW Women’s Network
Mentoring event which was described as being
“rather like speed dating, but seeking useful
contacts rather than dates”! The ever popular
Abbey Tours were reintroduced after their
absence in the busy 2010 calendar.
House Societies
House Society events have been an increasing part of the OW calendar for a few years
now. In fact, the activation of new societies
has presented problems of congestion in the
list of events, particularly those seeking dinners
in College Hall. It has therefore been decided
that each House Society will hold an event each
year with a drinks party one year and a dinner
the next. This should ensure that dinners are
well attended, as well as easing the demand on
College Hall.
Sports
The OW sports teams remain at the heart of
what the Club does and we continue to finance
all the major stations, enabling OWW to keep
in touch and to continue to play their chosen sport. The Club remains indebted to the
School for the use of many of its facilities. The
footballers have had a particularly successful >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 31
>> year,
but other stations including cricket, golf,
tennis, water, fives and athletics continue to
encourage OWW to get together for some exercise and a sociable time with old friends. Most
of those required to have CRB checks in order
to continue to use School facilities chose to go
along with this requirement, rather than give
up their sport and this is to be applauded.
Finance
The finances of the Club are in reasonable
health despite volatile markets. It is the Committee’s intention to continue to grow the assets
of the Club in order that we can do more to
preserve the association between Old Westminsters and the School and further the interests
and prosperity of the School and its pupils,
in accordance with the rules of the Club. The
index linking of pupils’ subscriptions has now
been agreed and will be calculated annually in
future.
Travel/Cultural Bursary
I am pleased to announce that Harry Winter
(GG, 2007–12) was chosen as this year’s winner
of the Neville Walton Travel Award. He had
planned an interesting tour of China with a
view to comparing Chinese society to those he
has studied as a classicist.
The Development Office
I have been very fortunate to have a full
strength, stable and energetic Development
Office to assist me throughout my first year as
Chairman. I am most grateful to Angie Garvich, the Director of Development, Katharine
Robinson, Head of Alumni Relations, Cleo
Jordan and Danielle Shaw for all their help
and advice over the year. We are all trying to
operate in the best interests of the Westminster
Community and endeavour to do so within
the inevitable constraints of a substantial and
responsibly run charitable organisation, whilst
retaining sufficient flexibility to sustain the
ethos of Westminster School.
Future Plans
The major new event which is being introduced
in 2013 is ‘Old Westminsters At Home’ in College Garden on Thursday, 11th July. The Dean
32 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: Howard Gooding (MM, 1993–98)
and Thomas Munby (MM, 1994–99)
‘
I feel honoured to have been
asked to serve as Chairman
of the Elizabethan Club and
pleased to have completed
my first year without too
many mishaps.
’
and Head Master very kindly offered us this
date, following the success of the pre-dinner
drinks at the 2010 Ball. We will have privileged access to the Abbey, drinks in College
Garden and Latin Prayers.
The Elizabethan Club
Notes to the accounts
31st December 2011
(1) Investments
The accounting policy has been changed to recognise unrealised gains or losses made in the year.
Therefore the Club’s investments are now stated at market value.
The Club’s investment policy continues to be to hold balanced and medium risk investments.
(2) Club Funds
Capital Fund Income Fund
OW
Bequest Fund
Details of this and all other events in 2013
will be available on the website and I urge you
to keep in touch and use our online booking
system to reserve and pay for tickets online
if possible.
At 1st January 2011
20% of annual subscriptions
Excess income over expenditure
Loss on disposal of investment
Unrealised gains on investments
342937.11
88782.03
14490
0
0
38049.17
0
0
-9091.02
7879.75
0
0
0
The Committee
I feel honoured to have been asked to serve as
Chairman of the Elizabethan Club and pleased
to have completed my first year without too
many mishaps. My predecessor, Tim Woods,
left me a ship in very good shape and I am very
grateful to him for all his hard work. I would
also like to express my thanks to the Committee for all their support and for selflessly giving
their time to the Club. Finally, and on behalf
of the Committee, I would like to thank all the
other Old Westminsters who give their time
to the House Societies and sports teams and
enable us to be a vibrant and modern organisation, connected to a School with a long and
important history. Floreat.
At 31st December 2011
348336.09
7879.75
126831.2
The OW Bequest Fund was established with the generous bequests of two eminent old
Westminster sportsmen, Wilfred Attwood and John Stocker (RR, 1932–37).
Report of the honorary examiner to members of the Club
I have examined the accounts set out above which have been prepared under the historical cost
convention. In my opinion the accounts give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the
Club at 31st December 2011 and of the income and expenditure for the year ended on that date.
I M W Latham (LL, 1958–62) FCA
Honorary Examiner
7th September 2012
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 33
Coming Soon:
Old Westminsters
at Home
An evening in Westminster Abbey and
College Garden for OWW and guests
Event date: Thursday, 11th July 2013
Booking opens: 11th March 2013
As a very special gift from Westminster
Abbey we are delighted to extend an invitation,
on behalf of the Dean and Chapter, for OWW
and guests to visit the Abbey and enjoy drinks
in College Garden this summer. Access of this
kind is an immense privilege, for which we are
extremely grateful.
Programme of activities
OWW and guests will have the opportunity
to explore the Abbey in the quiet of a light
summer’s evening, after the crowds have
departed for the day. Guests will be welcome
to attend Evensong at 5 pm and to stay on,
or to be greeted by the Dean and Chapter
from 6.30 pm at the West Cloister Door and
invited to absorb the treasures of the Abbey on
a self-guided tour, before walking through the
cloisters to College Garden for drinks (cash
bar). Latin Prayers at 8.30 pm or so will round
off the evening in traditional Westminster style!
34 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Tickets
Tickets to this very special event are free and
will be allocated on a first-come, first-served
basis. Booking opens on Monday, 11th March
2013 at www.oldwestminster.org.uk/oldwestminstersathome2013.
If you do not have internet access and wish
to book by post please send a note with your
name, house and years, the name of your
guest and any special access requirements
(if applicable) to ‘Old Westminsters at Home
Administrator, Development Office,
Westminster School, 17a Dean’s Yard,
London SW1P 3PB’.
On behalf of the Elizabethan Club Committee
we look forward to seeing many of you at what
promises to be the event of the summer!
Tim Brocklebank-Fowler (RR, 1976–80),
Elizabethan Club Chairman, and the
Elizabethan Club Committee
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 35
7th March 2012
Exeter College, Oxford
13th December 2011
Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh
School Society
Report
Michael Rugman (GG, 1955–60)
The School Society continues to
provide support for bursaries and music
scholarships and activities such as
School concerts.
The Tizard Lecture, which again
received our sponsorship, was given
by Professor Sir Richard Sykes FRS,
formerly Rector of Imperial College,
London on “Microbes v Man: the
Power of Evolution”. The 2012 Lecture
was the 50th in the series. We also made
grants for travel by pupils.
Our work with the School to identify
further opportunities for co-operation
on new initiatives continues and we
look forward to working on these
projects over the rest of the 2012/13
academic year.
36 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Edinburgh
Christmas
Drinks
Edinburgh set a beautiful scene
for our Christmas gathering which
took place at the Scottish Arts Club
on Tuesday, 13th December 2011.
The warm Scottish welcome we
received more than made up for the
wet and windy night and it was great
to see such a mix of ages chatting
about their time at the School over a
glass or two of wine! Tim Brocklebank-Fowler (RR, 1976–80), Chairman of the Elizabethan Club, and
Gavin Griffiths (WW, 1967–72),
former President of the Common
Room, spoke about forthcoming
OW events and the news from the
School and commented on what a
pleasure it was to be in the city for
such a great event. Our thanks to all
who attended for making it such a
special evening.
Above: George Griffiths (BB, 2003–08),
Gavin Griffiths (WW, 1967–72), Anna Marris
(guest), Ted Roy (AHH, 1996–2001) and
Richard Jones (GG, 1961–65)
OW Oxford
Drinks Party
By Sarah Lack (BB, 1992–94)
A merry time was had by all on 7th
March in the refined but intimate Rector’s
Drawing Room at Exeter College. A bubbly
crowd of current OW Oxford undergraduates took the opportunity to catch up with
each other, squashing up on grand settees or clustering over trays of wine and
mouth-watering canapés. Many OWW
from earlier generations gathered here too,
to share anecdotes about Little Dean’s Yard
and to postulate about what is bestowed
by the Westminster School experience.
Perhaps my imagination, but the arrival of
Tristram Jones-Parry (former Head Master
and WW, 1960–64) brought a momentary
hush amongst the crowd, until he took up a
glass of wine and genial conversation with a
fellow guest.
Tim Brocklebank-Fowler (RR, 1976–80),
Chairman of the Elizabethan Club, welcomed us and expressed his delight to see
so many in attendance at an Oxford event.
Following this, James Kershen (Master i/c
Station and WW, 1981–86) spoke buoyantly about the new Sports Centre near
Vincent Square and invited us all to visit
for a tour.
Above (top): Fiona Reid (AHH, 1980–82), Edwin Richards
(AHH, 1977–81) and Tristram Jones-Parry (former Head Master
and WW, 1960–64)
Above (middle): Flora Easton (HH, 2006–08)
and Eliza Easton (HH, 2008–10)
Above (bottom): Rohan Sakhrani (AHH, 2007–09)
and Louise Moss (LL, 2007–09)
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 37
Wednesday, 14th March 2012
Lecture Room
OW Women’s
Network Mentoring
Evening
2nd December 2011
Camden Room and Westminster Abbey
The first OW Women’s Network Mentoring
Evening was a resounding success with around
forty OW mentees and mentors filling the Lecture Room. Conversations were in-depth and
proved extremely useful with the vast majority of attendees commenting on how valuable
they found the contacts they made and the
advice they received. Many of the mentors also
mentioned how pleased they were to have the
opportunity to ‘give back’ to the School in such
a rewarding way.
OW Abbey Tour
We were delighted to welcome back OWW
for a special tour of Westminster Abbey on
Friday, 2nd December. Led by our guides John
Curtis (Registrar) and Tom Edlin (Master of
History and DD, 1993–98), guests were given
the unique opportunity to view the many
highlights of the Abbey in an intimate setting.
For many attendees, highlights of the Tour
included the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, the Lady Chapel and Poet’s Corner. Do
keep an eye on the website for details of future
Abbey Tours.
Jessica Chichester (GG, 2000–02) addressed
the group on behalf of the Elizabethan Club
Committee, mentioning how delighted she was
to see such a big crowd, especially following
the enthusiasm for mentoring events expressed
at the launch of the OW Women’s Network in
November. Jessica also mentioned the forthcoming launch of the School’s Capital Campaign at the RHS Lawrence Hall, the site of the
long-awaited Westminster Sports Centre, and
outlined all of the exciting Campaign projects.
Above (top): Eddie Appathurai (guest), Louise Stanway
(guest), Chaz Stanway (LL, 1990–95) and
Bala Balaguru (LL, 1990–95)
Above (top): Krystyna Kosciuszko (PP, 2005–07)
and Fenella Welsh (DD, 1984–86)
Above (bottom): Niall Quinn (guest) and
Lucy Morgan (WW, 1982–84)
Above (middle): Petra Kwan (MM, 2001–03)
and Jessica Chichester (GG, 2000–02)
Above (bottom): Roxy Rezvany (AHH, 2008–10)
and Rachel Holt (PP, 2005–07)
38 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 39
10th May 2012
The Camden Room
1960s Decade
Gaudy
16th May 2012
Trinity College Cambridge
By David Roy (AHH, 1955–61)
OW Cambridge
Drinks
I probably return to Westminster more
than most (due to my role on the Elizabethan Club Committee and various other
sporting commitments) but on the occasion
of the 1960s Decade Gaudy the School felt
completely different – Little Dean’s Yard
had been taken over by the 1960s cohort!
The event was a sell-out and it was wonderful to see the Camden Room (the former
dining room in Ashburnham House – an
unfamiliar title to many of us from the
’60s) packed to the rafters with Old Boys.
Archive materials dug out of the stores were
compiled for a display which reminded us
all of lessons attended, station played and
group photos posed for – as well as old
teachers and absent friends. I took on the
task of addressing the crowds – updating
my peers on plans to repave Yard and the
opportunity to name one of the new stones
which sparked some interest.
Above (top): Sarah Lyne-Pirkis (guest), Susan Newman
(guest) and David Newman (RR, 1968–73)
Above (middle): David FitzSimons (LL, 1960–62)
and Simon Brew (RR, 1958–62)
Above (bottom): Simon Mortimore (GG, 1963–67)
and James Wilson (AHH, 1961–66)
40 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Towards the end of the event guests were
spilling out into the warm evening. Overlooked by the Abbey, the new statue of Elizabeth I and the old familiar landmarks the
atmosphere was truly special. I hope we’ll
have the opportunity to organise something
similar again soon and, in the meantime, I
wish the 1990s OWW all the best for their
Gaudy in March and challenge them to
have as much fun as we had!
By Charlie Walker-Arnott (QS, 2003–08)
Above (top): Vir Bannerjee-Bulchandani (QS, 2006–11),
Charles Walker-Arnott (QS, 2003–08), Laura Ashforth
(DD, 2008–10) and George Illingworth (GG, 2003–08)
Above (bottom): Anne Powles with
Richard Powles (WW, 1959–64)
For the soon-to-be graduate quaking at the
imminence of Real Life, a gathering of some
several dozen OWW in the grandiose Master’s
Lodge at Trinity, proved a welcome tonic, and
a gentle reminder that life does in fact continue
outside the cradle of education. What a pleasure it was to meet a QS from some 50 years
ago, whose stint at the old place must have
been so immeasurably different from anything
experienced today; and how reassuring to hear
from familiar characters in younger years that,
though the School is developing apace, the
general tenor of the alma mater remains much
the same. With levels of nostalgia increasing in
inverse proportion to the wine stock, all were
delighted to see, once again, the ever eloquent
Dr Spurr taking the floor to report that the
School’s affairs are flourishing apace. Repairing
with some of the guests to the Trinity bar later
that evening, the soon-to-be graduate reflected,
however one’s relationship to the School may
have been at the time, what an enormous privilege it is to have be given the best start possible.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 41
Wednesday, 6th June 2012
The Carlton Club
OW Wine
Society Event
The OW Wine Society excelled itself
in June with a ‘wine challenge’ tasting event that stretched even the most
knowledgeable connoisseurs in the
group! Indeed, Miles MacInnes (BB,
1999–2001) of Jascots Wine Merchants
devised aspects of the ‘Wine Challenge’
specifically with OWW in mind after
a previous Westminster event where
attendees had deduced multiple choice
answers before they had even tasted the
wine! Different generations of OWW
were split into teams which mixed up
the group nicely and allowed complete
beginners to learn from experts and
everyone to enjoy the spirit of friendly
competition. Our thanks to John East
(RR, 1962–67) and Miles MacInnes for
a wonderful evening.
Above (top): Rupert Williams (guest) with
Sujay Chandran (BB, 1994–99) and
Rachel Oakeshott (WW, 1998–2000)
Above right (middle): Sam Scheuringer
(DD, 1997–2002) and Zara Morton (guest)
Above right (bottom): John East (RR, 1962–67)
and Seb Rosin (RR, 1940–44)
42 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
12th June 2012
The Royal Exchange, London
OW Business
Drinks
By Sam Wilkin (QS, 2001–06)
Curiosity was the dominant emotion
as I jogged up the rather grand steps
leading to the Royal Exchange, the site
for the 2012 OW Business Drinks.
What, I wondered, becomes of OWW
when ejected from the happy Westminster bubble and thrust unceremoniously
up Real World? The event’s location, in
the rarefied heart of London’s financial
district, reminded me of the wry adage
that OWW all end up reading a pink
paper of one sort or another, and indeed
the financial sector was well represented.
But so were others: the Business Drinks
brought together a fascinating mix of
people, each putting a distinctive OW
stamp on the wide variety of worlds
in which they worked, as conversation
and drinks flowed effortlessly through
the evening. My early fear of being the
youngest attendee quickly evaporated,
as the event drew a number of young
guns in their early 20s, along with one
venerable gentleman in his 80s and everything in between. Katharine and the
Development Office deserve our warm
thanks for planning and delivering such
a memorable evening.
Above (top): Eduardo Musciacco (AHH, 2002–07)
and Bertie Milward (WW, 2003–08)
Above (middle): Lucy Wolley Dod (RR, 1980–82) with
Michelle Doughty (RR, 1980–82) and Anita De (GG, 1985–87)
Above (bottom): Charles Gorman (AHH, 1988–93) and
David Weinstein-Linder (HH, 1998–2003)
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 43
21st June 2012
College Hall
OW Medics’ Dinner
By Johnny Lewin (WW, 2001–06)
Tuesday, 19th June 2012
The Groucho Club, London
Ben Jonson
Drinks
The Groucho Club, London’s “approved watering hole for the creative
industries”, provided a highly appropriate venue for the re-launched Ben
Jonson Drinks in June. The evening
saw OWW working in the Arts and
creative industries come together to
catch-up and meet new people and
there was a great atmosphere in the
packed private room where the event
was held.
Above (top): Ally Rowell (RR, 2004–06)
and Tom Hoare (RR, 2001–06)
Above (middle): William Brittain-Catlin
(GG, 1980–84) and Michael Hunt (RR, 1980–84)
Left: Richard White (WW, 1951–56)
and Richard Franklin (BB, 1949–53)
44 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
When I was an aspiring medical student
in the Sixth Form up Wren’s, I remember
how fantastic the OW Medics’ Dinner
was. All echelons of the medical world
attended, from undergraduate students,
junior doctors and young trainees through
to world-class academics and clinical leaders, all gathered in College Hall where we,
like them, had eaten dinner from the age
of thirteen. Coming back 7 years later as a
final year student, it was great to feel a part
of this diverse group of medical professionals who shared the wonderful experience of
growing up in the shadow of the Abbey.
The evening started with drinks in the
Camden Room, where I was reunited
with fellow students from my time at the
School, many of whom I had not seen since
leaving. A meeting with Mr Smith and
Dr Hargreaves in Little Dean’s Yard was
unavoidable, as was their asking after our
family members who were all named with
a display of characteristically impeccable
memory (which luckily did not seem to
extend to our misdemeanours). The dinner
itself was a lovely opportunity to impart
what knowledge we had of applications
to the three Sixth Formers present, and to
Above (top): Johnny Lewin (WW, 2001–06), Camilla Clark
(MM, 1999–2001), Jason Ho (GG, 2001–03), Oscar Mitchell
(MM, 2002–07) and Oliver Hamilton (MM, 2002–07)
Above (bottom): Clive Coen (AHH, 1964–67)
with current pupils
talk to young doctors and medical veterans
alike. The evening concluded with a trip to
one of our old haunts close to St James’s for
some reminiscing over a pint.
Thanks to the School for organising a great
evening, I look forward to attending the
next one as an actual doctor (finally)!
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 45
Thursday, 27th September 2012
Up School
Young Gaudy
The last ten years’ Leavers turned
out in force for the 2012 Young
Gaudy. The number of attendees
was more than double that of 2011
with a particularly strong turn-out
from the youngest year-group represented (2011 Leavers). OWW and
teachers mingled over drinks and
canapés up School and the traditional display of old School photos
garnered much interest. If you
weren’t there and you left 2001–
2011 make sure we have your email
address so we can tell you about the
2013 event – it’s not to be missed!
Above (top): Jared Isaacs (MM, 2006–11),
Alexander Petrenco (GG, 2006–11),
Sophie Roche (GG, 2009–11)
and Gavin Griffiths (WW, 1967–72)
Left (top): Rob Runge (DD, 2000–05)
and Jenny Ellis Logan (PP, 2003–05)
Left (middle): Roxy Rezvany
(AHH, 2008–10) and Sharon Ragaz, Housemaster
of Ashburnham and Master of English
Left (bottom): Verity Myers (DD, 2009–11)
and Arav Gupta (MM, 2006–11)
1st November 2012
Up School and College Hall
The Elizabethan
Club Dinner
By James Cross (BB, 1997–2002)
Our evening commenced up School with
drinks and fine musical accompaniment. We
then set off through the cloisters to College
Hall, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner, after
which all eyes turned to the guest speaker. As
one of the country’s foremost football writers, Henry Winter (WW, 1976–80) had many
enlightening tales to share with us about,
for example, Gazza the Intellectual, Frank
Lampard the Latinist and Steven Gerrard the
Author. Henry is a gifted speaker, and he had
everyone – from the youngest attendee at 17
to the oldest at 80 – in fits of laughter. We
were all warmed on a frigid night by seeing old
friends, and by making new ones too. The port
might have also helped. Our sincere thanks
go to Henry, the Elizabethan Club, Katharine
Robinson and the Development Office, as well
as to the catering staff and the musicians, for
making it such a wonderful evening.
Above (top): Henry Winter (WW, 1976–80)
speaks at the 2012 Elizabethan Club Dinner
Left (top): Lottie Kirk (HH, 2005–07)
Henrietta Southby (BB, 2005–07)
Left (middle): Oliver Gillie (QS, 1953–58), David Roy
(AHH, 1955–61) and David Drew (BB, 1965–70)
Left (bottom): Simon Craft (RR, 1978–82)
and Ros Marston (RR, 1978–80)
46 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 47
Below: CW Commem Worldwide (Hong Kong): Nicola Ho
(PP, 2009–11), Reynold Chan (BB, 1976–80), James Fulton
(QS, 1987–92) and Elita Lai (PP, 2006–08).
16th November 2012
Westminster Abbey and 11 locations worldwide
The Commemoration
of Benefactors and
Commem Worldwide
Above: Commem Worldwide (New York)
Front row: Gaurav Golechha (RR, 1993–98), Olga Polunina
(QS, 2004–06), Will Leavitt (MM, 2000–01)
Back row: Richard Fassam-Wright (WW, 1964–70),
James Southward (DD, 1978–82), Craig Jenks (GG, 1965–69),
Cecilia Mortimore (BB, 1995–97), Cyrus Sadiq (AHH, 1993–98),
Adam Alfandary (RR, 2000–05), Ben Doeh (DD, 2000–05)
On the same day as the Westminster Community in London gathered to attend the
Service for the Commemoration of Benefactors
nearly 100 OWW were gathering in 11 locations across the globe for our very first ‘Commem Worldwide’.
California
OW Rep: Simon Thornton (RR, 1978–81)
Location: Simon’s home in Los Gatos, CA
“It was a small, but perfectly formed group, and
I think we all had a fun evening. Many thanks
for your help in getting the event set-up and
I look forward to working on the next one.”
Simon Thornton (RR, 1978–81)
The number of OWW living and working overseas has increased significantly in recent years
and we were keen to offer an opportunity for
OWW to gather together wherever they are in
the world to celebrate their connection with the
School. Simultaneous gatherings on the night
of Commem meant that even locations with
just a small number of OWW could feel part of
something bigger. The response was incredible
and we are so grateful to all of the volunteers
for coordinating events which ranged from
dinner in Cipriani in Monaco to drinks overlooking the Sydney skyline. All of the events
are listed below along with photographs and
reports from the various locations. We hope to
build on the success of the gatherings throughout the 2012/13 academic year and if you
would like to be involved either by attending or
organising an event in your city please contact
alumni@westminster.org.uk – we’d be delighted
to hear from you!
48 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
‘
Simultaneous gatherings
meant that even locations with
just a small number of OWW
could feel part of something
bigger. The response was
incredible and events ranged
from dinner in Cipriani in
Monaco to drinks overlooking
the Sydney skyline.
’
USA: New York
OW Reps: Will Leavitt (MM, 2000–01) and
Olga Polunina (CC, 2004–06)
Location: Salute, 270 Madison Avenue,
New York, NY 10016
“It was a terrific event and the first alumni outing for many in attendance. We all had a great
time meeting lots of new people and reminiscing about our glory days at the School. It was
wonderful to be able to bring together OWW
from so many generations and we hope that the
high turnout will inspire many future New York
gatherings”. Will Leavitt (MM, 2000–01) and
Olga Polunina (CC, 2004–06)
Above: Commem Worldwide (California)
Simon Thornton (RR, 1978–81), Scott Donohoe
(DD, 1978–82), Guy Francis (RR, 1950–55) and
Roger Lazarus (CC, 1971–75)
Above: Commem Worldwide (Toronto)
Robert Jekyll (WW, 1948–51) and
John McCleary (QS, 1953–58)
Canada: Toronto
OW Rep: Robert Jekyll (WW, 1948–51)
Location: Robert’s home in downtown Toronto
“Here in Toronto John McCleary (QS,
1953–58) and myself (WW, 1948–51) spent a
very pleasant two hours discussing our various
experiences at the School. As we were there at
slightly different but adjacent periods, we were
able to fill in “before and after” gaps. With a
history that reaches as far back in time as does
Westminster’s there was rarely a pause in our
accounting of it. Of course our reminiscences
were facilitated by some excellent Beaujolais
paired with a choice selection of cheeses. Even
though there were only two of us, I think we
generated the enthusiasm of more. Certainly we
are keen on continuing our discussions in future
such events. We are also committed to sharing the experience with all OWW living in our
“neighbourhood”. Having a fixed date in the
late autumn is going to help considerably.
Now to the photograph (above). We decided to
include two of my framed prints of the School
to compensate for the lack of bodies. The upper
one is “Little Dean’s Yard – Facing the South”
while the lower is “The School Room”. Neither
is dated or attributed. We also included the
crest for context.” >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 49
Above: Commem Worldwide (Vancouver)
Dave McArthur (GG, 1950–54), Mat Loup (LL, 1982–86),
Adam Parry-Wingfield (LL, 1982–86), Pip White (LL, 1974–78),
Kina Cavicchioli (AHH, 1986–88) and Michael Madsen (AHH,
1960–65)
Above: Commem Worldwide (Singapore)
Standing: Abbas Rahimtoola (BB, 1980-84), Gautam Rampuria (BB, 1984-86), Greg Somerville (HH, 1989-94)
Sitting: Byron Fiske-Harrison (RR, 1980-84), Simon Woods
(GG, 1967-72)
Above: Commem Worldwide (Sydney)
Vancouver
OW Rep: Michael Madsen (AHH, 1960–65)
Location: The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
Included below are emails from attendees to
Michael Madsen, the OW coordinator of the
Vancouver event:
“Thank you very much for organising the OW
dinner. It was a most enjoyable and worthwhile
trip. You were a great host and the company
was very congenial. I gather there was some
thought of having another one in Victoria
sometime in the future, which would be nice.
I would offer Lac La Biche but I don’t think it
would attract too many of us!”
Dave McArthur (GG, 1950–54)
Singapore
OW Rep: Abbas Rahimtoola (BB, 1980-84).
Location: OverEasy, #01–06 One Fullerton,
1 Fullerton Road 049213
“The evening was a great success – we all really
enjoyed sharing our memories of Westminster
and we hope to meet up again soon!”
Abbas Rahimtoola (BB, 1980–84)
Australia: Sydney
OW Rep: Alex Millar (MM, 1997–2002)
Location: Alex’s home in Sydney
“It went well – the only problem was the
weather! Rearranged it and held it in the apartment as you’ll be able to tell from the photo of
the group.” Alex Millar (MM, 1997–2002)
“Thanks for putting together Friday’s Commem
Worldwide event in Vancouver; you couldn’t
have picked a better location. It was great to
meet everyone around the table. I was not sure
what to expect, but it was a really interesting
evening hearing from fellow OWW spanning so
many different decades! It’s also always interesting to hear other stories of what brought people
to this part of the world. Probably the most fun
though was everyone’s memories of the teachers!
Adam Parry-Wingfield (LL, 1982–86)
“Thanks again for organising last Friday. It was
great fun, and stirred some great memories.
Do please let me know if you do another.”
Mat Loup (LL, 1982–86
50 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: Commem Worldwide (Hong Kong)
Elita Lai (PP, 2006–08), Ronnie Potel (RR, 1988–93),
Jason Scott-Lewis (RR, 1988–93), Bonnie Tse (PP, 2007–09)
and Nicola Ho (PP, 2009–11)
Hong Kong
OW Rep: Elita Lai (PP, 2006–08)
Location: L16 Café & Bar at Hong Kong Park,
19 Cotton Tree Drive, Admiralty
“The Hong Kong event went well, hope it was
the same over in London!”
Elita Lai (PP, 2006–08)
Australia: Melbourne
OW Rep: Emma Poole (WW, 1989–91)
Location: Pei Modern, Collins Place,
45 Collins Street, Melbourne
“It was a really great night which stretched on a
couple of hours longer than planned. We plan
to stay in touch and there seemed to be general
support for another event.”
Emma Poole (WW, 1989–91)
Monaco
OW Rep: James Arnold (WW, 1988–93)
Location: Cipriani Monte Carlo, 1 Avenue
Princesse Grace 98000 Monaco
“Thank you again for having impeccably organised the OW Commem reunion at Cipriani last
night. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s company, delighted to have made new friends and
to discover mutual ties to old ones. Best wishes
and grazie, although the Westminster “Floreat”
would be more appropriate!”
Giuseppe Lipari (GG, 1986–89)
Above: Commem Worldwide (Monte Carlo)
Saman Ahsani (QS, 1987–92), James Arnold (WW, 1988–93),
Masa Pajkovic (RR, 1995–97), Giuseppe Lipari (GG, 1986–89),
Jesse Marre (BB, 1998–2003)
Paris, France
OW Rep: Guy Sainty (LL, 1964–68)
Location: Guy’s home in Paris
“Just to let you know that we had a lovely evening on Friday in Paris. Guy Sainty generously
hosted the drinks party. There were only 4 of
us but it was very interesting as we were spread
across the generations so we all had our stories
to tell which showed how much Westminster
has changed in some ways but how many traditions continue.”
Penny Noble (DD, 1983–85)
Dubai, UAE
OW Rep: James Elwen (BB, 1987–92)
Location: Rivington Bar & Grill in
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
“We all met up and had a very pleasant evening. There were only a few of us – and Dany
and Aly could only stay for an hour, but John
and Andrew and respective wives and I had a
very nice meal. Lots of – very positive I might
add – reminiscing about the School and some
familiar names and characters. A good evening
and very good to have made contact with some
fellow OWW. I suspect there must be more of
us lurking around the region...!”
James Elwen (BB, 1987–92)
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 51
Below: Krystyna Kosciuszko (PP, 2005–07)
and Rebecca King (PP, 2005–07) at
the 2012 Purcell’s Society Drinks
HOUSE SOCIETIES
ASHBURNHAM SOCIETY
• Angus Roy (AHH, 1993–98)
a
droy@btinternet.com
01923 842538
BUSBY SOCIETY
• Julian Lyne-Pirkis (BB, 1969–73)
julianlynepirkis@hotmail.com
• Matthew Webb (BB, 1999–2004)
mrhwebb@gmail.com
07771 825746
COLLEGE SOCIETY
• Duncan Matthews (QS, 1974–79)
dmatthews@20essexst.com
• For membership details (£10 a year):
Charles Low (QS, 1967–72)
charles.low@westminster.org.uk
DRYDEN’S SOCIETY
• Aqib Aslam (DD, 1994–99)
aqib.aslam@gmail.com
• Leo Xenakis (DD, 1994–99)
leo.xenakis@gmail.com
HAKLUYT’S SOCIETY
• Nick Poole (HH, 1987–92)
nick@collectionstrust.org.uk
LIDDELL’S SOCIETY
• David Eaton Turner (LL, 1974–79)
det@newsquarechambers.co.uk
• Tom Weisselberg (LL, 1984–89)
tomweisselberg@blackstonechambers.com
MILNE’S SOCIETY
• Alasdair Donaldson (MM, 1994–99)
alasdair.donaldson@new-oxford.com
• Neil Fisher (MM, 1994–99)
newfisher@gmail.com
• Thomas Munby (MM, 1994–99)
TMunby@maitlandchambers.com
OLD GRANTITE CLUB
• Peter Cole (GG, 1993–98)
pdcole7@hotmail.com
PURCELL’S SOCIETY
• Krystyna Kosciuszko (PP, 2005–07)
kmhkosciuszko@gmail.com
RIGAUD’S SOCIETY
• Matthew Rhodes (RR, 1987–91)
matthew@rollonfriday.com
WREN’S SOCIETY
• Dean Chatterjee (WW, 1997–2002)
deanchatterjee@hotmail.com
issue of The College Street Clarion. The Society
continues to publish The Clarion annually and
copies are available to all Old Busbites who attend the Society’s social events.
Ashburnham
Society
The Pite Scholarship is awarded annually to
current Busbites or recent Leavers who are
undertaking a live dramatic performance. The
Society would like to encourage current and
former members of the House to apply for
the Scholarship and for further details please
contact Matthew Webb.
by Angus Roy (AHH, 1993–98)
The Society had a relatively quiet year during
2011 as it encouraged its members to come
along to events organised by the School and in
particular Chris Clarke’s retirement drinks party.
However, in addition to our own activities this
year, the Society helped the House re-launch its
magazine, The Ashtree. From what we can gather
The Ashtree started back in the 1940s but disappeared at some point in the 1970s. It is great to
see it back in action and it is hoped that future
editions will be available to download from the
OW website. The Society also sponsored the
House’s annual photographic competition.
In November 2012, the Society held a magnificent black tie dinner in College Hall to
celebrate Ashburnham’s 130th Birthday. Our
guest speaker for the evening was Sir David
Cooksey (AHH, 1953–58) who enlightened
us on his working life in the City since leaving Westminster School. Past pupils, former
Housemasters and House Tutors as well as
the current Housemaster, House Tutors and
Remove pupils gathered to enjoy a wonderful
evening.
A few years ago, the Society was pleased to
announce that it was able to offer an annual
bursary of up to £500 to Ashburnhamites in
their final two years at School and in the first
few years after they left. We hope that this
bursary will be able to be used by the selected
pupil towards a project (whether travel, music,
arts or otherwise) which they would, without
the bursary, not have been able to do.
The Society would like to build on the success
of this year’s events and expand its activities.
We have had some ideas already but please do
get in touch with the Development Office if
there is something in particular you would like
to attend. In this regard, the Society is trying to expand its committee, and if anyone is
54 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: Winning entry in the AHH Society
Photography Competition – Jamie Griffiths (VI)
interested in joining or simply helping as a link
to their contemporaries, then please let Angus
Roy or Katharine Robinson know.
We look forward to a successful year in 2013.
Busby Society
by Matthew Webb (BB, 1999–2004)
2012 started on a strong note for the Busby
Society with the AGM and biennial dinner
taking place in College Hall on Thursday, 22nd
March. The evening proved to be one of the
most memorable and enjoyable of recent years
thanks to an unforgettable speech by Michael
Harrison (BB, 1948–53), who vividly recalled
his time up Busby’s and, in particular, his
recollection of The Queen’s coronation from a
Westminster schoolboy’s perspective.
A stunning musical performance by Betty
Makharinsky (BB, 2010–12) and Alex Ho
(GG, 2007–12) provided the perfect end to the
evening. The next dinner will be held in 2014.
The Society has continued to work closely with
Paul Botton, Busby’s Housemaster, in order to
benefit both current and former members of
the House. In particular Paul deserves thanks,
together with George Swainston (Remove),
John Morse (Remove) and a team of current
Busbites, for producing another outstanding
Special thanks go to Julian Lyne-Pirkis (BB,
1969–73) (Hon. Chairman), Christian Wells
(BB, 1968–73) (Hon. Treasurer), James Nunns
(BB, 1967–72), Adrian Lloyd-Thomas (BB,
1967–72), Peter Gysin (BB, 1967–72) and
Wilf Hashimi (BB, 1971–75) for their continued support and guidance. As ever I would like
to remind all Old Busbites that the Society exists to maintain and foster connections between
old friends and contacts and should you have
any ideas for future events or wish to be put
back in contact with anyone please do not hesitate to contact the Hon. Secretary. Similarly,
if any former member of the House would be
interested in joining the Busby Society Committee please do get in touch.
College Society
We plan to hold the next lecture in spring
2013, details to follow.
I am pleased to say that we will be holding a
dinner in College Hall, and AGM, on Thursday, 26th September 2013.
We were saddened to learn of the death of one
of our previous speakers, the eminent art historian Professor John House (QS, 1959–63).
I would like to thank the Housemaster, Mark
Feltham, for his continuing support of and enthusiasm for the Society which is much appreciated.
I would also like to record the Society’s (and the
Committee’s) huge debt of gratitude to my predecessor Jonathan Rawes (QS, 1963–68) who
decided to hand over the baton at the AGM this
year after a most distinguished period of office.
He will be a hard act to follow and we are very
fortunate that he has agreed to maintain close
contact and participation going forward.
If you would like to join the Society please
contact the College Society Secretary, Charles
Low (QS, 1967–72).
If you have any ideas as to how the Society
might extend its activities please do not hesitate
to contact me or indeed any other member of
the Committee (contact details on the website).
by Duncan Matthews (QS, 1974–79)
The 2012 College Lecture was given in October by Dr Jonathan Katz, Master of the Queen’s
Scholars 1987–2002 and principal founder of
the Society, now teaching Classics and Sanskrit
at Oxford. In a fascinating and thoughtful talk
to an audience of around 75 he reflected on
his time at Westminster and his own education
and demonstrated the wide range of his talents,
interests and achievements (a full report will
follow in the College Newsletter).
We combined the lecture with our AGM and,
in the absence of a dinner in College Hall, we
adjourned to the Camden Room for drinks and
canapés. Many then made their way onto an
Italian restaurant in Victoria for a very convivial dinner afterwards.
Dryden’s Society
by Aqib Aslam (DD, 1994–99)
and Leo Xenakis (DD, 1994–99)
The Dryden’s Society continues, somewhat
quietly since its inception, to look boldly to
the future. Despite a quiet 2012, the Society
will be hosting its annual drinks event on 22nd
May 2013, and looks forward to welcoming
Drydenites, old and new, back to the School.
As well as being a chance to catch up, we are
planning a tour/talk covering, amongst other
things, the numerous recent developments at
the School and along our beloved corridor.
We hope to see you all next year and are keen
to solicit suggestions, feedback or offers of help >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 55
>>
regarding future events, which can be directed
to Aqib Aslam or Leo Xenakis.
Grantites, and to this end we are thankful for the
support and input of both David Hargreaves,
Grant’s Housemaster, and the Development Office. To make the Club fit for purpose, however,
we need to hear from our members of all ages
and to understand what is expected from us.
Hakluyt’s Society
by Nick Poole (HH, 1987–92)
Following our Hakluyt’s Dinner back in
November 2011 we are keen to build on the
support of OWW by holding another event in
the 2012/13 academic year. It is thought that
this might be a fairly casual gathering – perhaps in a pub close to the School – details to
follow soon. We look forward to seeing many
of you then!
Above: Jamie Stoker (MM, 1997–2002)
and Daniel Stoker (MM, 1998–2003)
Liddell’s Society
Old Grantite Club
The Society continues under the direction of
David Eaton Turner and Tom Weisselberg with
the Liddell’s Society Committee and Housemaster Teehan Page. The Society is looking to
organise a drinks event over the course of the
2012/13 academic year so do keep an eye on
the OW website for details.
Being a ‘fallow’ year in terms of events, 2012
was relatively quiet for the Club. A number of
smaller events were still arranged, however, the
first being a drinks and canapés evening for
2012 Leavers held in May. This annual event
provides an opportunity for those leaving the
House in the summer to be introduced to the
Old Grantite Club and to meet the Committee.
by David Eaton Turner (LL, 1974–79)
and Tom Weisselberg (LL, 1984–89)
Milne’s Society
by Alasdair Donaldson (MM, 1994–99)
The brand new Old Poohs’ Society held
its first meeting in April this year to celebrate
the 15th birthday of Milne’s. Housemasters
old and new were in full attendance and flow.
They were joined by a generous smattering of
Milnites from every era, including a promising crop from the 2011/12 Remove. Despite
the limited number of ex-Milnites given the
House’s youth (or perhaps we should now say
adolescence), the catering department noted
with some awe that the Old Poohs managed to
blow through their budget by consuming more
bottles of wine at a single event than any other
House Society that they were aware of since
their records began. We are pleased that the
House continues to uphold its reputation.
A dinner is being planned.
56 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Please do contact us if you have any suggestions
as to potential future speakers at Old Grantite
Club Dinners. We would also like to hear from
any Old Grantite who feels that they can help
develop the future of the Club by playing some
role within the Committee.
by Peter Cole (GG, 1993–98)
The 2012 AGM, held on 4th October, had an
unusually solid attendance and went off well.
Following the AGM, drinks and canapés were
served in the Camden Room.
Although 2012 may have been quiet in terms
of events, this does not mean that the Committee was not busy beavering away to arrange
a landmark Old Grantite event for 2013. With
the help of Dominic Grieve QC MP (GG,
1969–74), the Committee is arranging a drinks
evening on the House of Commons Terrace to
take place on 9th July 2013.
To contact the Club or to gain more information on its activities please contact the Chairman, Peter Cole.
by Matthew Rhodes (RR, 1986–91)
The Rigaud’s Society continues to maintain an active and close involvement with the
House. A travel bursary was awarded to a pupil
leaving the Remove and a donation was made
towards the House Play (A Comedy of Errors).
After the success of our last dinner, the Society
will be subsidising another black tie dinner
in College Hall on 13th June 2013. All RR
OWW and their guests are encouraged to
attend and further details will be given in good
time. Ipsu Rasu!
Purcell’s Society
by Krystyna Kosciuszko (PP, 2005–07)
The Purcell’s Society was launched last
May, with Housemasters and matrons past
and present in attendance. I say ‘launched’,
but essentially we had a great gossip over wine,
reminiscing about the School and discussing
the new changes taking place in the House.
It was a lovely evening and a promising start to
many more Purcell’s events and future collaboration between the old girls and the School.
On 20th November 2012, we showcased the
new Purcell’s at the Open House Evening,
marking a new chapter in the history of the
House (including the introduction of boys!).
Dr Ward-Smith, the current Housemaster, has
promised the roof terrace will be put to good
use – cocktails anyone? Look out for details
soon! If any Purcell’s girls have ideas for future
events or would like to be involved in any way,
please get in touch with Krystyna Kosciuszko.
A ‘save the date’ for this event has already been
circulated by the Development Office, but in
case it escaped your attention, please do put it
in your diary. Tickets will be on sale in early
2013. Partners will be invited.
It just remains to say that the Committee is
determined to continue its work in communicating with and arranging events for all Old
Rigaud’s Society
Above: Georgina White (PP Matron) and
Ann Tucker (former PP Matron)
Above: George Shillam (WW, 2006–11)
and Raaid Sahabdeen (WW, 2006–11)
Wren’s Society
Dean Chatterjee (WW, 1997–2002)
by
The Wren’s Society continues to flourish each
year. The biennial Wren’s Society dinner was
held on 15th March 2012. There was a good
turnout especially from recent Leavers who
enjoyed mingling with previous generations
of Wren’s OWW. The Wren’s Society drinks
will be held on 18th April 2013 and we look
forward to this event.
Dean Chatterjee (WW, 1997–2002) continues
to run the Wren’s Society but new committee
members are actively being sought so please
contact him if you would like to be involved.
All former Wrenites are automatically considered to be members of the Society and are not
required to pay an annual subscription fee. The
possibility of holding additional social events
throughout the year is still being explored –
please contact alumni@westminster.org.uk to
register your interest.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 57
OW SPORTS
ANGLING
• Chris Manderson (GG, 1957–62)
chris.manderson@comituk.com
ATHLETICS
• John Goodbody (LL, 1956–61)
john@jbgoodbody.co.uk
48 Rowan Road, Brook Green
London W6 7DU
GOLF SOCIETY
• David Roy (AHH, 1955–61)
daroy@btinternet.com
7 Sandy Lodge Lane, Moor Park
Northwood HA6 2JA
NETBALL
• Anne Rogers (RR, 2005–07)
anne.rogers18@gmail.com
CRICKET
• Jake Robson (AHH, 2001–06)
jnarobson@googlemail.com
T: 07764 181366
• Alexander Asher (LL, 2001–06)
alexanderasher@gmail.com
T: 07795 364694
REAL TENNIS
• Simon Marshall (DD, 1990–95)
simarsha@hotmail.com
T: 0033676090126
T: 07985 604042
• Edwin Richards (AHH, 1977–81)
edwin@alienor.biz
FIVES
• Chris Watts (DD, 1985–89)
cdjwatts@hotmail.com
TENNIS
• Tristan Vanhegan (HH, 1994–99)
tristanvanhegan@hotmail.com
T: 07977 993193
FOOTBALL: 1ST XI
• Hugo Braddick (QS, 1989–94)
hb@meadowcroftgriffin.co.uk
• David Weinstein-Linder (HH, 1998–2003)
davidw-linder@hotmail.co.uk
FOOTBALL: 2ND XI
• Daniel Cavanagh (RR, 1993–98)
daniel.cavanagh@gipartners.co.uk
WATER
• Sam Scheuringer (DD, 1997–2002)
sam@scheuringer.co.uk
T: 07958 765205
• J ack Holborn (LL, 1997–2002)
jack.holborn@hotmail.co.uk
T: 07909 962576
the national over 70s sprint triathlon title by
the huge margin of eight minutes. This was
the 11th national title in the sport by someone who has been a stalwart of the athletics
squad for 50 years and still holds several
School swimming records.
The next event for the OWW is the annual
Inter-Old Boys race on Wimbledon Common on Saturday, 15th December, organised
by Thames Hare and Hounds. The OWW
will be defending the over 60s trophy they
won last year and there will be strong representatives in all the other age-groups. Anyone
wishing to participate in OW Athletics
should contact Jim Forrest.
Cricket
Angling
by Jake Robson (AHH, 2001–06)
by Chris Manderson (GG, 1957–62)
Members of the Elizabethan Angling
Society met in May to fish the Leckord Estate
Water on the River Test. There were plenty of
Hawthorne around and one or two Mayfly.
Richard Beeston (RR, 1976–80) impressed
everyone by landing a 9lb trout. Tom Manderson (GG, 1983–88) landed a 21lb salmon
at Knockando when members of the Society
fished the River Spey in August. Further
details of the Society are available from Chris
Manderson.
Athletics
by John Goodbody (LL, 1956–61)
The OWW won the annual Towpath
Cup in a desperately close finish against the
School on the traditional 3.3 mile course
from Barnes to the Boat House in Putney.
In total, 27 runners took part in the event
on Sunday, 23rd September with both the
OWW and the School totalling 18 points
with the old boys winning because they had a
faster third runner.
The race was won by Richard Kowenicki, who
led the Common Room team home in third
60 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: Richard Beeston, (RR, 1976–80)
place. He clocked 17 minutes 21 seconds,
with the first OW being Mark Wainwright
(WW, 2003–08) in 19 minutes 2 seconds,
followed by the School’s Nicholas Clanchy
(MM, US) in 19 minutes 17 seconds. Will
Sweet (RR, 1997–2002) on 20 minutes 17
seconds and Matthew Neve (HH, 2000–05)
on 20 minutes 29 seconds were the next
highest placed runners for the OWW, with
Graham Ball (RR, 1962–66), the cornerstone of the over 60s team, coming home in
22 minutes 42 seconds. It was pleasing to
see Mary-Alice Davison (WW, VI) record
the fastest ever time by a female pupil at the
School with 21 minutes 4 seconds.
Representatives of the Common Room,
headed by Simon Wurr, the Master of Athletics, and also OWW did the officiating and
everyone was entertained to sandwiches and
drinks in the Boat House afterwards.
Individually, the star performance by an OW
athlete this year was the overwhelming victory
by Charles Doxat (AHH, 1955–59) who took
The 2012 season began with the OWWCC
being overcome by the youthful skill and
enthusiasm of the School XI in the Jim Cogan
Cup; no break from the tradition of previous years then. However, there was a break
from tradition, as Oxford fielded not one,
but two OWW in their side for the Varsity
Match: many congratulations to Alex Scott
(LL, 2003–08) and Fred Johnson (AHH,
2003–08).
June saw the visit of the MCC, with whom
we contested a very exciting draw, falling
short of the victory target by a mere two runs
despite good innings from Alex Campbell
(WW, 1989–94) (58), Alex Scott (70*) and
Charlie Cooke (LL, 2000–05) (40). Later
in the month, OWWCC played against the
Pink Elephants at Vincent Square. The game
was in memory of Simon Massey, who had
coached at the School for a number of years,
and sadly passed away in December 2011. We
were made to wait by the weather until after
tea, but did manage to play an enjoyable and
competitive 20/20 game that was ultimately
won by the Pink Elephants in the last over.
It was a great tribute to Simon that so many
OWW who had been coached by him, and
staff who had worked with him, were at the
Square to remember him. It was also fitting
that his wife, parents and brother were all
there; we look forward to making the Simon
Massey Memorial Match a regular fixture
against the Pink Elephants.
On an unseasonably cold and wet day at the
start of July, OWWCC travelled north to play
against Denstone Wanderers in the first round
of the Cricketer Trophy. After a long journey
frustrated by shut sections of the M1, OWWCC won the toss and put Denstone into
bat on a damp pitch. Excellent opening spells
from Charlie Cooke (3–30) and Debashish
Biswas (AHH, 1996–2001) (2–24) left Denstone reeling at 64/6, however they were able
to recover to 175/9 from their 40 overs. Unfortunately, having competed well for the first
70% of the match, we were unable to convert
a good platform into a successful chase.
As it turned out that the awful weather was
to remain with us for the remainder of the
summer, every match in Cricket Week was
washed out, leaving OWWCC with only
one game left in the season: our inaugural
trip to the HAC. Thanks to sterling performances from Dan Brodie (WW, 2001–06)
(33), Fred Spoliar (GG, 2006–11) (57) and
Olly Wood (MM, 2005–10) (80*), we were
able to declare on 229/5 after 39 overs. After
Fred Johnson (4–10), ably supported by Tom
Fitzsimons (RR, 2005–10) (3–46), ripped out
their top order, the HAC shut up shop and
fought hard to secure a draw with just a single
wicket in hand. Nonetheless, this was a very
enjoyable day and we look forward to returning to the HAC next season.
Thanks as always to Franklin Barrett for his
role in preparing Vincent Square and his
enthusiasm and to Gloria for her cooking.
Finally, OWWCC would like to thank the
School and the Elizabethan Club, without
whose kind help OWW cricket could not
function.
Any OWW wishing to join OWWCC should
contact Jake Robson or Alexander Asher.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 61
Below: 2012 OWW vs Pupils Football Match
Football 1st XI
by David Weinstein-Linder
(HH, 1998–2003)
At the beginning of the 2012–13 season,
Birmingham City’s Jack Butland became the
youngest goalkeeper to be capped by England. The man he replaced? Billy Moon (GG,
1883–85) – who was 19 years old when first
capped in 1888. As a former School 1st XI
captain and the current OW 1st skipper, I’m
not ashamed to admit the swell of boyish
pride that I felt at learning this fact. Fives
by Andrew Aitken (WW, 1967–71)
Despite the hefty spanner tossed into the
smooth-running Westminster Fives machine
by the new child protection requirements at
the School courts, the 2011/12 season turned
out to be one of the most successful in recent
years for the OWW.
The access problem resulted in frantic fixture
re-scheduling, Division One home games
moved to Highgate, a mass CRB check of
OWW and finally a post-Christmas resumption of something akin to normal service,
though with the proviso that visiting players
were to be escorted to and from the courts.
The Highgate base certainly did OWW I no
harm as they finished second in the First Division, whilst OWW II overcame the operating
difficulties to end up bang in the middle of
Division Two. It was encouraging also to
see the Abbey Club (essentially the School)
runners-up in Division Three.
Much credit is due to all involved in this
League performance, from teenagers to old
62 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: The winning Old Westminster Veterans team
stagers, with some bravura match management from Edward Levy (QS, 1977–81),
Chris Watts (DD, 1985–89), Freddie Krespi
(DD, 2000–05), Laurie Brock (BB, 2003–08)
and John Reynolds (guest player), which
enabled the Hon. Secretary to relax on the
administrative sofa.
As a season finale, the Very Old Westminsters – four of the six School contemporaries
from c.1970 – beat the Very Old Ipswichians
to take a 2–1 lead in the highly competitive
series of over-50s matches. At the other end
of the age scale, Season 2012/13 (just a few
games in as this goes to press) has seen an influx of young players which should help keep
the oldies on their toes…
Our league results for the 1st XI this season
have been excellent. Until our last league
game, the 1st XI sat on top of the Arthurian
League Division 1, with a record of 3 wins
from 3 games. We then went 1–0 up away
at Winchester, only for a hamstring to go a
few seconds before half time. As we had no
substitutes this condemned us to 10 men and
an eventual 3–1 defeat.
The Club’s vibrant social scene continues, with younger members jostling for the
right to organise nights out for Christmas
and the AGM.
Despite these great results for the 1sts, the
OWFC as a club has struggled this academic
year due to a lack of regular players, particularly the 2nd XI. We’ve got a great pool
of ‘occasionals’, maybe 40–50 players who
represent the two sides in an average season,
as well as a Veterans’ Cup team, but it is the
regular players that commit every week that
make the sides work and produce the good
results. Our weekly training sessions are
generally well attended; however of the
16 or so who turn up regularly, not all can
play in matches.
Because of the problem with numbers for the
2nds, currently exacerbated by a long injury
list, we are concerned that a 150 year old
institution could end up becoming extinct
without the help of new OWW willing to
commit on a regular basis. I appreciate that a
lot has changed over the last 150 years.
A smaller proportion of us now work 5 days
a week for a large employer. Many entrepreneurial OWW have founded their own firms,
meaning those few hours at the weekend cannot be routinely given up to soccer. There’s
also more football on the television – 12.45
and 5.30 kick-offs mean players may have to
give up watching the side they support, or
just a big game, in order to play themselves.
I would be very happy to hear any suggestions about how we can improve the current
situation, but more than anything else I just
want to make it clear that there is a danger to
the future of the Club as a whole if numbers
are allowed to dwindle.
Westminster has a great footballing history,
and a long tradition of occasionally overenthusiastic attacking football (I’m thinking
of Yard football here!). So if you feel like you
could come down and support the team by
playing for either side on a regular basis or if
you know someone else that would be interested, please email the Club Captain, David
Weinstein-Linder.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 63
Netball
by Anne Rogers (RR, 2005–07)
• Rob McHugh (RR, 1991–96) and
C J Morrell (GG, 1979–84) Lost 2&1
• Oli Flynn (RR, 2003–08) and Henry Kingsbury (HH, 1991–96) Lost 1 dn
• Jerome Kamm (LL, 2006–11) and Richard
Neville-Rolfe (QS, 1972–75) Lost 7&6
• Tom Smith (DD, 1998–2003) and David
Weinstein-Linder (HH, 1998–2003) Won 2 up
In the Grafton Morrish we qualified for the
knock-out stage with 82 pts, coming 3rd out of
18 sides, the scores were:
• Oli Flynn and Jerome Kamm 28 pts
• Henry Kingsbury and Tom Tredinnick (GG,
2002–07) 24 pts
• Edward Cartwright and Johnny Woolf 30 pts
Football 2nd XI
In the Finals we lost 1–2 to Oakham at
Hunstanton the matches were as follows:
by Daniel Cavanagh (RR, 1993–98)
The 2011/12 season was a frustrating and
ultimately unsuccessful one for the 2nd XI.
A slow start resulted in no points on the board
until mid-November, but this was then followed by a run of 4 wins in 5 matches including memorable victories away at Eton, and at
home against the ultimately promoted Salopians. This should have proved to be a spring
board for a solid mid-table finish however the
side failed to shake their Christmas hangovers
and were dragged back into a relegation dog
fight which we failed to survive. Despite the
disappointment, thanks should go to the efforts
of regulars: Robin Mcpherson (RR, 2002–07),
Archie Mckay (HH, 1991–96), Hugo Braddick (QS, 1989–94), Howard Gregory (HH,
1987–88), Freddie Johansson (LL, 1990–95),
Johannes Gunnell (AHH, 1993–98) and Ben
Golden (RR, 2004–06).
The 2012/13 year is proving to be one of transition, with a new captain, Robin Mcpherson
(RR, 2002–07), taking the helm and hopefully
ushering in a new era accompanied by some
fresh faces who have replaced a number of the
seasoned campaigners who have elected to put
themselves out to pasture.
64 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
• Edward Cartwright and Oli Flynn
Won 4&3
• Henry Kingsbury and Tom Tredinnick
Lost 1 dn
• Tom Smith and David Weinstein-Linder
Lost 5&4
In the Bernard Darwin we lost ½ – 2 ½ to
Winchester.
In the Senior Darwin we lost 0–3 to Wellington.
Above: 2012 OWW vs Pupils Football Match
Golf
by David Roy (AHH, 1955–61)
The Club played in five old boys’ golf
competitions during the year. In the Halford
Hewitt Westminster lost 2–3 to Mill Hill.
The scores of the individual matches were as
follows:
•E
dward Cartwright (DD, 1979–83) and
Johnny Woolf (LL, 2003–08) Won 7&6
In the Old Boys’ Putting Competition at Royal
Wimbledon we reached the final where we
finished fourth.
This year the Society has played nine inter-old
boys’ matches where we won four, halved one
and lost four. The Society defeated the Senior
Old Uppinghamians, Old Wykehamists, Old
Paulines and Old Reptonians and we halved
with the Old Carthusians.
The Society played the School at Royal Mid
Surrey in March and won 3 ½ – ½.
The three Society meetings were well attended.
The OW Netball Club had its inaugural
meeting on 6th October 2012. Our objectives
are two-fold. In the first instance, we all want
to have fun and get a bit fitter in the process.
In the second instance, it’s a great opportunity
to meet up with old friends. The first session
had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and our
intention is to keep it that way. We are looking
to establish a regular event that caters to the
preferences of its members. In due course, for
example, we may introduce coaching. In the
meantime, we have established a forum for
members to choose the time and day that best
suits them. If you would like to get involved
please contact Anne Rogers.
Real Tennis
by Simon Marshall (DD, 1990–95)
This year matches were played against
Oxford and, for the first time, Radley College,
both captained impeccably by Edwin Richards
(AHH, 1977–81).
Against Radley in February unfortunately the
team slipped to a 2/4 defeat. In the Oxford fixture in May, however, and for the second year
running, the OWW were triumphant by the
opposite score, winning 4 matches to 2 – this
despite the presence of a renegade half-Blue in
the Unicorns side!
Edwin Richards and Jamie Ross (WW,
1978–82) represented the School at the annual
Brigand’s Peripatetic tournament at Holyport
Grange in September. Although they bowed
out in the group stage after a valiant fight, an
excellent and convivial time was assured.
For the first time since 1996 regular play has
been re-established at the School, with twice
weekly sessions led by John Woodman at the
Queen’s Club. The future of OW Real Tennis,
it can be safely said, now looks considerably
brighter than it has for many a day.
Please don’t hesitate to contact either myself or
Edwin if you are interested in playing for the
team in future.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 65
practices and matches throughout the season
and has left the Club with surplus funds to be
put to good use next season. The committee is
seeing how the Club can use the funds to potentially contribute to the facilities, including
current investigation into the possibility of a
ball machine to help members practice. Thanks
go to Tom Sooke (LL, 1958–63), Duncan Matthews (QS, 1974–79), Simon Clement-Davies,
Tristan Vanhegan, Alex Perry and Matt Webb
(BB, 1999–2004) for contributing.
We are delighted to have welcomed a number
of new members to the Club this season, including many recent leavers. All are very much
encouraged to join us for a hit!
Tennis
by Tristan Vanhegan (HH, 1994–99)
This year saw wins for the OWLTC in a
number of areas despite challenging weather
throughout the season.
On court we had one of our most successful D’Abernon Cup performances in recent
memory. Chris Anguelov (GG, 2003–08) and
Ed Roussel (LL, 1979–83) won every match in
their round robin qualifier. They were joined
by Marc Baghdadi (HH, 2001–06) and James
Amott (WW, 1985–89) in a thrilling quarter
final match against UCS Old Boys which they
narrowly won five sets to three, with Marc and
Chris clinching a crucial tie-break in the final
set of the match, without which we would
have lost. I stood in for Ed in the semi-final
against KCS Wimbledon. Unfortunately we
were outplayed in the best chance we’ve had to
make the final in recent competitions. We seem
to be going from strength to strength so fingers
crossed for next year!
The poor weather saw most of our usual
schedule of friendly matches postponed to next
season. Nonetheless, we secured a comfortable win against the School; we narrowly lost
to the Old Etonians and were comfortably
beaten by the Old Wykhamists. Thank you to
all the players who took part in the friendlies,
including Jimmy Notaras (LL, 1995–97),
Simon Clement-Davies (WW, 1975–78), Giles
Atkinson, Charlie Stevenson (GG, 1993–98),
66 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: OW Tennis at Boisdale of Belgravia for their end
of season dinner. Left to right: Giles Atkinson (guest),
Jimmy Notaras (LL, 1995–97), Alex Perry (RR, 1996–
2001), Nick Perry (RR, 1964–67), Tristan Vanhegan
(HH, 1994–99), Tom Sooke (LL, 1958–63), Matt Webb
(BB, 1999–2004), Caspar Melville (guest), Simon
Clement-Davies (RR, 1975–78), Alex Mackenzie
(QS, 1996–2001), Duncan Matthews (QS, 1974–79)
William Stevenson (LL, 1998–2003), Harry
de Quetteville (LL, 1988–93) and CJ Morrell
(GG, 1979–84).
This season saw the launch of coaching for
members, courtesy of our own Chris Anguelov. This was extremely well-received and it is
something we hope to build on significantly
next season.
On the social side, we held our ever-popular
pre-season pizza and drinks in Covent Garden
in March. A damp season was marked by plenty of drinks at the Barley Mow. Thanks again to
Simon Clement-Davies for yet again organising this year’s end of season event at Boisdale.
Special thanks go to Nick Perry (RR, 1964–67)
and Alex Perry (RR, 1996–2001) for hosting
a fantastic day at the Wimbledon Championships followed by an excellent dinner.
A huge thank you to all members who gave
generously to the Club’s voluntary donation
scheme. This ensured a supply of new balls for
Finally, the Club has sorely missed the high
spirits and companionship of our dear friend
Alec Melville (RR, 1957–62) who we lost
in tragic circumstances last year. In order to
commemorate Alec, the OWLTC Committee will be arranging an annual club doubles
tournament. The winners of the tournament
will be awarded with the Alec Melville Cup
and we hope you will be able to join us for the
inaugural event next year. Further details will
be circulated towards the start of next season.
Saturday morning sessions at Vincent Square
will continue as long as the weather permits,
usually well into December. Please come along
and we hope to see you on court soon!
Water
by Oliver Cox (HH, 1997–2002)
Elizabethan BC (EBC), the boat club for
OWW, started the 2011–2012 season in
fine style. Building on last season’s successful
Henley campaign, EBC competed first at the
annual inter-old boys Alleynian Regatta. EBC
fielded not one but two full eights and “Elizabethan A”, which contained the entire Henleywinning quad from 2009, went on to win the
event outright – beating crews from Dulwich,
Latymer, Teddies and Hampton. Piran Tedbury (HH, 2004–09), George Bradbury (BB,
Left: Tom Fielder (DD,
2005–10) collects the
Alleynian Challenge
jCup on behalf of
Elizabethan A
2007–12) George Matthews (GG, 2007–12),
Jack Bannenberg (WW, 2006–11), Dan RixStanding (BB, 2004–09), Tom Fielder (DD,
2005–10), Pierre Thomas (HH, 2004–09) and
Wilf Kimberley (WW, 2005–10) made up the
crew. An Elizabethan coxless four made up of
Ivo Tedbury (HH, 2006–11) and Jack Bannenburg, Tim Jones (LL, 1992–97) and Oliver
Cox then raced the Fours Head in November,
securing a solid 36th amidst the 60+ crews of
the IM2 category. In March the pre-2002 element of the Club competed for the first time in
the Veterans Head of the River Race – learning with a bruising 62nd place that the junior
“Veteran” categories are just as competitive as
the regular Head! Despite plans, day-to-day
commitments and an injured coxswain meant
there was no Elizabethan four at Henley Royal
Regatta for the first time in four years. We
hope to put that right this year, which marks
the bicentenary of the Westminster School
Boat Club. New members, spanning three
decades, are now joining the Club; we will also
be returning to the normal Head of the River
Race in March, giving the younger members a
chance to shine. For anyone who wants to get
involved, male or female, see the sports page of
the OW website.
Off the water, it was a great pleasure to see
so many Old Westminster rowers and their
partners at the 2012 Henley Royal Regatta for
the traditional tea-break drinks. We hope to see
as many of you again this year, to help us celebrate this remarkable anniversary of our Club.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 67
OW ARTICLES
Get in touch
If you would like to submit an article for inclusion in
the next issue of the Elizabethan Newsletter, please
send details to the Editor:
The Elizabethan Newsletter
The Development Office
17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB
E: alumni@westminster.org.uk
T: 020 7963 1115
Prag Award Winner’s Report
The Royal Museum
of Central Africa
(Tervuren, Belgium)
by Mayowa Sofekun (AHH, Remove)
Though the building is more reminiscent of
Classical Rome with the central dome articulated with a rounded arch and ionic capitals, the
Royal Museum of Central Africa (RMCA) located in Tervuren, Belgium houses works from
another great empire that flourished during the
5th century BC. The Nok culture was a highly
advanced ancient social system that is considered to be the earliest sub-Saharan producer of
life-sized Terracotta sculptures. Encased within
a Perspex box, the head of Lajuwa from Nok in
south-eastern Nigeria appears to hover between
flesh and stone as the slightly parted lips signify
a speaking motion. The surface of the skin is
sensitive to facial features, as the crevice in the
corner of the eyes gives the impression that the
figure has just blinked. Even the textured hair
surface contributes to rendering an accurate
degree of naturalism that is redolent of Michelangelo’s David. The head of Lajuwa is just one
example of the delicate artworks on display at
the RMCA.
The Royal Museum of Central Africa has the
reputation of being one of the world’s most
impressive museums devoted to the collection
and preservation of both ancient and modern
African artworks. For a continent that has
largely been left out in the history of art, the
rising status of African artworks has become
increasingly important; particularly since the
rediscovery of various ancient treasures like the
Benin Bronzes. The RMCA displays artworks
from a highly complex and diverse continent,
70 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: Pendu Mask
dating from the 5th century BC right up to the
present day.
Unlike other western countries Britain does not
have a museum or gallery solely dedicated to
the collection of African art, so it was particularly rewarding to be able to travel to Belgium
and discover Ife – a medieval city state that
flourished from the 12th to 15th centuries
in Africa. It is believed that the Kingdom of
Ife, located in modern day southern Nigeria,
evolved out of the Nok culture as stylistic
similarities are evident within the artworks –
most notably in the adoption of the head as
a popular motif to sculpt. The Head of Ife is a
little smaller than life-size, and made of brass,
which has now darkened with age. The shape of
the face is an elegant oval, covered with finely
incised vertical lines, but it’s a facial scarring
so perfectly symmetrical that it contains rather
than disturbs the features. It has been compared to the finest naturalism of Verrocchio and
is so unlike the ‘primitive’ artworks that European artists had stumbled across in the early
part of the 20th century as the Pendu Mask
seen within Picasso’s Les Demoiselles D’Avignon.
Although the primary purpose of my trip was
to visit the RMCA, I took advantage of being
in Brussels during the biennial Flower Carpet
held at the Grand Place. It was very topical
given that this year’s display was inspired by
patterns found on African clothing, in particular patterns from Congo, Botswana, Ethiopia
and Nigeria. The artistic skill and expertise
required to produce the display was outstanding – a parallel to the sculptures on display
at the museum. The sophisticated craftsmanship required to produce the sculptures of Ife
was once considered to be impossible to have
been at the hands of African artists and it was
thought that the artworks were the product of
Greek sculptors, providing evidence for the lost
island of Atlantis which had sunk off the coast
of Nigeria!
From an overnight coach in Victoria into
the heart of a great diverse city, my visit to
the Royal Museum of Central Africa was an
enlightening experience into the depths of
a highly complex and interesting continent.
Whilst enjoying some of the sights of Brussels
I could not help but indulge in the delicacies
of Belgian cuisine such as frites in a cone and
a strawberry and cream waffle. I had never
experienced so much culture in a period of
twenty-four hours!
‘
Encased within a
Perspex box, the
head of Lajuwa from
Nok in south-eastern
Nigeria appears to
hover between flesh
and stone.
’
Left: Belgian Waffles
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 71
‘
Shanghai itself is a throbbing
metropolis, with the people
completely obsessed with
gaining wealth, understandably
given the poverty of the slums.
’
Neville Walton Travel / Cultural
Award Winner’s Report
Beijing, Hong Kong,
Shanghai and
Areas beyond
Normal Tourism
look Indian, replete with fearsome expressions
and multiple arms. Yonghe temple (built in the
17th century) in Beijing, the largest in China
outside of Tibet, shows temples were used to
try to unify different cultures within the country, as inscriptions are pointedly made in four
languages, Mandarin, Manchu, Mongolian and
Tibetan.
by Harry Winter (GG, 2007–12)
China and its growing international assertiveness is a theme frequently written about
by columnists and authors. Intrigued by this
nation of which many westerners and, certainly,
I had little detailed information or experience,
I set out last August trying to move beyond my
vague conception of oriental mystery and economic strength. With this in mind, I planned a
trip to China’s three main cities, Beijing, Hong
Kong, and Shanghai and also to areas beyond
normal tourism. I found a country that centres
on cities, but has a quintessentially rural mindset stemming from the fact that almost every
family has parents or grandparents originating
beyond the metropolis. Outside the cities,
I found limited interest or knowledge in the
outside world, with China, somewhat understandably given its size, still comprising the
totality of most people’s world-view. Travelling
in the countryside and looking over the small
houses and fields one feels little has changed
for hundreds of years, and there is some truth
in this: China’s development has left many
behind, causing growing resentment.
I wanted to have a look at the level of foreign
influence on Chinese culture, whilst also trying
to get some insights into what it is that unites a
billion people. At a basic level, to most Chinese
their nationality is defined by their Han race,
with Mongolians and Tibetans crammed in on
the side, a conception very different to ours.
For example, the son of an Englishman and
72 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: Hong Kong skyline
Chinese girl who had lived in China all his
life and spoke fluent Chinese would not be
considered Chinese. City-dwellers who have
exposure to foreign culture embrace it ostensibly, frequenting western restaurants, watching western films, and for those who are rich
enough, striving for western education, but
simultaneously always considering such things
to be non-Chinese.
Hong Kong is the most foreign-influenced city
in the country. One cannot but see the western
luxury-goods shops on every big street, there
are white faces everywhere, and materialism
seems to be the predominant order of the day.
Looking out from the Victoria Peak, a hill on
Hong Kong Island, the towering sky-scrappers
reflect the city’s status as one of the world’s
financial hubs, an ever-present reminder to its
people of the rewards of Mammon. I found
it strange that the atmosphere was no more
British than American, but it was certainly
very different to the mainland. Obviously, the
Cantonese language and culture is distinct from
Mandarin, but there is a greater awareness of
what is happening beyond the oceans, as well
as in China as a whole. Hong Kong is the only
place in China where the victims of Tienanmen
Square are officially remembered and lamented.
Despite all this, Hong Kong shares winding
back-alleys, street-food, and road-stalls with
the rest of China, and there is Chinese religion
in abundance. Incense fills the street from the
Man Mo temple, and on Lantau, one of the
outlying islands, a magnificent 90 foot bronze
Buddha sits serenely atop a mountain, drawing
thousands of idol-worshippers.
Chinese religion itself is a mix of indigenous
and foreign. Native ancestor worship, Confucianism and Taoism co-exist with foreign Buddhism in a remarkably tolerant (considering the
history of religion in the West) and interlinked
fashion. Incense features in all temples as
offerings, and there is a common thread of
civic tranquillity. All the Buddhist temples I
visited were heavily Tibetan, with prayer wheels
and Sanskrit lettering in abundance, a great
example of foreign influences which is made
even more obvious by the statues of gods which
My next stop was Shanghai, mainland China’s
own Hong Kong. This was reached after a 20
hour train journey, a cultural experience in
itself. People were very surprised to see foreigners using such a ‘pedestrian’ mode of transport,
believing for the most part all westerners to
be wildly rich and thus given to flying everywhere, but were delighted to converse in a
mix of Chinese and English, and even shared
their food. Getting to know and like people
so far from home felt really special. I learnt
that trains are very important in the Chinese
psyche, standing as a symbol of their modernisation and industrialisation, with people
regularly travelling vast distances to visit family.
Shanghai itself is a throbbing metropolis, with
the people completely obsessed with gaining
wealth, understandably given the poverty of the
slums. It contains fewer sites of traditional Chinese cultural interest than other places I visited,
but features the beautiful French Concession,
full of boutiques and colonial architecture, and
the iconic Bund, the old banking centre on the
waterfront. However, the financial heart of the
city has moved over the river to the Pudong
District where the fourth highest sky-scrapper
in the world, the World Financial Centre
proudly stands, symbolising China’s determination to compete financially and industrially
with the West. In Shanghai as a whole however, there is little cultural competition with >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 73
Above: Mongol Plains
>> the West,
with western art galleries and music
predominating. The principal difference with
America in the materialistic culture would seem
to be that in Shanghai the rich are even richer
and the poor are even poorer – there is a local
proverb that the city is ‘heaven for the rich, hell
for the poor’, which is a rather nice aphorism
for the much-vaunted “Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics”.
Leaving Shanghai, I proceeded north-west, into
the province of Gansu, which is over a thousand kilometres inland, and used to form part
of the Silk Road. Here I found a true taste of
rural Chinese life and culture. What surprised
me most was the fact that every small town
had a huge construction site just outside where
hundreds of new flats were being built: I had
expected to find this in the metropoleis, but
it was a shock to realise the extent of China’s
construction boom. In the small towns of this
province, meals could be had for ten pence,
and once or twice I was even invited in for
food from friendly locals! People were generally happy to talk, but expressed little interest
in the world beyond their borders, considering
the presence of a foreigner an amusing novelty
rather than an opportunity to learn. When
questioned about democracy, China’s increasingly belligerent territorial claims in the South
China Sea, and corruption, I soon realised that
few were well-informed on these matters and
74 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
even fewer were willing to talk about it. One
particularly strange feature of Chinese life to
a western perspective is the mass organised
exercise, with compulsory morning exercise
(jumping up and down a bit, nothing truly
taxing) in schools, and early morning Tai Chi
being practised in small squares. The views and
rights of the individual, prized by our societies, are comparatively less important, and
the penchant for uniformity enshrines this. I
likewise saw some elements of uniformity in
Han culture, which although being very rich,
nevertheless feels quite uniform over vast
geographical distances.
Hohhot, my next destination and the provincial capital of Inner Mongolia, was very
different. Mongolian rather than Chinese
could be heard in the street, and life felt more
relaxed than in hectic Shanghai. Islam was in
evidence, but with a Chinese twist; the Great
Mosque had Chinese style roofs, even on the
minaret! I was intrigued to learn that Genghis
Khan was venerated almost as a god, but I
suppose that chimes with seeing the enormous
Mausoleum to Mao in Beijing. A real highlight
of the whole trip was going out to the Steppe,
a few hours’ bus journey beyond the city. The
flatness strikes one, but it is the vast blue sky
that really takes the breath away. The enormity
of it is incredible, and it explains the traditional Mongol belief in the god Munkh Khukh
Above: Summer Palace
‘
It is the vast blue sky that really
takes the breath away. The enormity of it is incredible, and it
explains the traditional Mongol
belief in the god Munkh Khukh
Tengri, or Eternal Blue Sky.
’
Tengri, or Eternal Blue Sky. I was lucky enough
to be able to go riding across the grassland and
learnt about a few differences in Mongolian
equestrianism, such as their horses having variant gaits and riders wearing special boots and
socks to allow them to fall off without risking
breaking their ankles. Some people lament the
government-mandated loss of the nomadic way
of life, but are understandably reluctant to talk
about separatism given the government’s distinct lack of a sense of humour regarding such
matters. I only managed to skim the surface
of the Mongolian area, but it was a fascinating
counterpart to Han culture – the lamb kebabs
were amazing too!
At last I arrived in Beijing, whose very name
signifies its importance, meaning as it does
Northern Capital. Here I found an inspiring
mix of grandeur and local atmosphere, with a
plethora of historic sites. My favourite was the
Summer Palace, with an unforgettable vista
over the Kunming Lake to the hills, where the
Imperial Court would be held when the centre
of Beijing became too stifling. However, the
most magnificent site of all was the Forbidden
City, an enormous palace complex lying just
beyond Tienanmen Square. To walk where
emperors trod for hundreds of years, see their
thrones, and admire the classical architecture
(all red, as the colour signifies happiness and
success which is rather helpful for the Communist Party), was a great experience. Of course,
one cannot go to Beijing without travelling up
to the Great Wall, but, determined to avoid
the restoration and tourist-friendly spots, I
opted to stay overnight at a tiny village called
Xiangshuihu, which had an almost deserted
and untouched section of wall very near it.
Though the Wall is spectacular, it was not
hugely successful – as Genghis Khan remarked
“the strength of a wall depends on the bravery
of those who defend it”.
Overall this trip really opened up my eyes to
a culture that no longer feels so alien. The
different threads of classical Chinese culture
and religion, the minorities on its borders, and
centuries of western influence come together
to create a fascinating whole with which I have
been privileged to become slightly acquainted.
I should like to thank the Elizabethan Club
and the Walton family for allowing me to have
this wonderful opportunity.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 75
Left: Olympic display
Below: Photograph, from The Elizabethan, 1948
of David Secker-Walker coxing the men’s pair
From the Archives
by Elizabeth Wells
Westminster School Archivist
has been displayed to pupils and at some OW
events. David Secker-Walker (KS, 1945–50)
sent in his recollections of coxing the men’s
pair in the 1948 London Games. In the excerpt
below he recalls encountering some difficulties
following his selection:
Reel History
It is hard to believe that a year has passed
since the Reel History Film Screening I organised at the School in November 2011. The
event was a great success and I was delighted
that we had such a diverse audience drawn
from alumni, staff, pupils and the broader
Westminster Community. There are still some
films which require digitisation and plans are in
train to hold another screening in 2013. Please
keep an eye out for an announcement in the
e:liz@ e-newsletter with more information.
For those unable to attend the screening, all the
films shown are now available to view online
via the School’s YouTube Channel at http://
www.youtube.com/user/WestminsterSchoolUK
Copies are also available to purchase on DVD
at a cost of £5 per film. For more information
or to receive an order form please contact the
Archivist at the address below.
Archives Online
In my article last year I published some excerpts
of a recent acquisition, Lawrence Tanner’s
school boy journals from 1908–9. Following a
well-received serialisation of the journal on the
School’s intranet in 2011–2012, this year I have
made the journal publically available in ‘blog’
format. If you have not yet had a chance to take
a look, please visit ‘Journal of a Westminster
School Boy’ http://tanner.westminster.org.uk.
Another online initiative has been to publish
sections of the Edward Lear and Charles
Church Greek Diaries, described in my last
article. The text, drawn from a typescript held
in the School Archive, has been illustrated with
some of Lear’s drawings and paintings made
whilst travelling. These artworks, now scattered
across the world in public and private collections, have been reunited, virtually, for the first
time. To view the diary, images and learn more
about the project visit:
http://edwardlear.westminster.org.uk
76 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Olympics
‘
Thank you to all those who have been in touch
on the subject of OW Olympians. A small
exhibition, including an OW Medal Table,
“Alarmingly, I began to grow. I had always
been small for my age and particularly so in
my teens, when others were growing. Hence
the job as one of the Westminster School coxes.
But this was the one moment when I needed to
be small. Either the Olympic rules imposed a
limit on the weight of coxes or my two fellows
were anxious not to have to haul an extra ounce
over the course. I can’t remember which. For
my part, at a time when rationing was not yet
finally ended, I suddenly had food galore (was
there some dispensation for Olympic teams?)
Anyhow I tucked in and began putting on
weight and height. As a result, I was weighed
each morning and told by my coach and crew
to eat less.” >>
To view the journal visit:
http://tanner.westminster.org.uk
’
>>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 77
Above: Stephen Lushington, with Liddell’s House, 1961
Above: A selection of magazines from a generous
donation by Alexander Carswell (RR, 1963–67)
Oral History
Left: Under School pupils enjoying an art lesson in
the early 1960s
Oral History is a growing part of the School’s
collections. Interviews with departing teachers
and OWW, Gavin Griffiths (WW, 1967–72)
and Andrew Johnson (LL, 1987–92) have
recently been recorded. I also had the great
privilege to interview Stephen Lushington at
the beginning of the summer, shortly before
his death at the age of 95. Many OWW will
remember Lushington who taught English
at Westminster between 1946–64 and was
Housemaster of Wren’s and the newly created
Liddell’s. The recording provides a fascinating
insight into the life of a master at Westminster
after the war, with particular focus on Lushington’s interest in directing School plays. Thanks
to the positive response to my call for OW
volunteers I now have a team of interviewers to
undertake further recordings.
labelled. Seeing a photograph of an ancestor,
or research subject, is often the highlight of a
visit to the School Archives and it is frustrating
when we are unable to identify the correct face
in the crowd. In order to combat this problem
we have teamed up with the Development
Office to make a selection of these photographs
available on www.oldwestminster.org.uk. Do
log on and see if you can spot yourself, or your
friends and contemporaries in any of the photographs. Every individual has been numbered
so it will be easy to submit your notes to be
added to our catalogues.
The Under School
2013 is an important year for the Under School
as the anniversary of its formal foundation in
1943 and of PJ Campbell’s appointment as
Master ten years later. Sadly, the Under School
does not feature prominently in the School’s
archival records. This lack of documentary evidence is probably largely due to the number of
times the Under School has changed its accommodation; records are often lost or destroyed
during a move. We are working to draw
together what remains of the Under School’s
Archive and ensure material is collected in the
future. If you have any items from your time at
the Under School which you would be happy
78 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Thanks
to donate to the Archives please do not hesitate
to get in touch.
How you can help...
We received an excellent response to our request for names of the individuals in a photograph taken in Ashburnham Garden in 1963.
Unfortunately, this image was the tip of the iceberg, as many of the School, House and team
photographs in the collections have not been
‘
Seeing a photograph of an
ancestor, or research subject,
is often the highlight of a
visit to the School Archives.
’
I would like to take this opportunity to thank
all OWW who have donated time, reminiscences and archival material to the School over
the past year. It is always a pleasure to receive
something new to add to the collections,
which are being used by increasing numbers
of researchers both within and outside of the
School. Please keep the donations coming!
Elizabeth Wells, Archivist
archives@westminster.org.uk
020 7963 1110
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 79
OW NEWS
Get in touch
If you have any news you would like to share with your
contemporaries, please send details to the Editor:
The Elizabethan Newsletter
The Development Office
17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB
E: alumni@westminster.org.uk
T: 020 7963 1115
Left: The 2012 Young Gaudy.
Photo by James Sakal (GG, 1997–2002)
Report from
the Head of
Alumni Relations
Report by Katharine Robinson
Head of Alumni Relations
Gaudy. We had more than double the number
of attendees compared to the year before which
was incredible. The 1960s Decade Gaudy was
another highlight and reports of both these
events may be found on pages 40 and 46.
If you wanted to attend the Young Gaudy but
couldn’t make it do have a look at page 87 to
see who was there.
It feels good to have a year at Westminster
under my belt. The experience acquired from
having seen most OW and School events
happen is hugely valuable and trying to make
improvements for the 2012/13 academic year
knowing how the events went last time is an
exciting prospect. As always, feedback is most
welcome if you attended an event over 2011/12
(there are plenty of pictures on pages 29–51 to
jog your memory if needed) or, if you didn’t attend an event please let us know why and what
might tempt you to come back in future!
As 2012 was a Big Commem year I can even say
that I’ve seen this event. The atmosphere in the
Abbey and afterwards was really special and it
was great to catch up with the OWW who had
been lucky enough to get tickets. Having now
attended Commem I can add some experience
of Westminster Latin to the list though I think
it’ll take quite a few more Commems before I
get to anywhere near an acceptable standard!
As always, we make every effort to make sure as
many OWW as possible are accommodated at
School events like Big Commem and the Carol
Service but, as I am sure you will understand,
pupils and parents must take priority as they
would have done when you were at the School.
As it’s our aim to communicate with OWW
in the most efficient way possible you’ll notice
that we will start to advertise our most popular
events in the e:liz@ e-newsletter only rather
than sending out an additional email invitation. The e:liz@ will list the time and date
booking opens then it’s up to those who want
tickets to get on the website and book! If you
do not have access to email, the events calendar
on the inside front cover of this magazine gives
you an idea of the year ahead so do contact us
by post if special arrangements are needed.
82 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
‘
It was wonderful to see such
a huge crowd of OWW at the
Young Gaudy. We had more
than double the number of
attendees compared to the
year before which was
incredible.
’
In my last report I mentioned that I was keen
to organise more events for OWW based overseas as increasing numbers of OWW relocate
for family or work. I am thrilled to report that
we held our first ‘Commem Worldwide’ event
to coincide with Big Commem on 16th November 2012. Gatherings were organised in 11
locations and nearly 100 OWW signed-up to
attend. Seeing the pictures of OWW meeting
up overseas was one of my personal highlights
of the year – we’ve printed these along with a
report on page 34.
Back in London it was wonderful to see such
a huge crowd of OWW at the 2012 Young
The 2012 Young Gaudy also caused a surge of
interest in our Careers and Mentoring programme which went from strength to strength
over 2011/12 and continues to be extremely
popular. Being in touch with mentors who
have given up their time to help OWW – and
being in touch with OWW at university and
those seeking a career change has been hugely
rewarding. A full report including comments
from some of our mentors can be viewed on
page 84–85.
It was great to meet the 2012 Leavers at the
reception after the Leavers’ Service back in June
2012. Leavers’ Packs were extremely popular
and Leavers’ Forms enabled Leavers to update
us with their email addresses and contribute to
our special Leavers page in this magazine which
may be viewed on page 86.
Our Linked In group also continues to be a
great way of promoting events without an extra
email – it’s also where you can get in touch
with other OWW, promote your own business
news, find snippets from the archives and have
access to other School publications that we cannot advertise to the larger OW email list. Do
join up if you have not done so already – just
search for the group ‘Westminster School –
OWW Online’ on Linked In.
It was a great pleasure to meet so many OWW
at events over the 2011/12 academic year and
I look forward to seeing many more of you over
2012/13!
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 83
Left: Alessia de Quincey (MM, 2005–07)
and Martine Sobey (LL, 2002–04) at the 2012
OW Women’s Network Mentoring Evening
‘
I have benefitted from the
variety in the OW network
and the willingness of
mentors to take time out to
discuss plans for the future
with fellow OWW.
OW Careers and
Mentoring
Report by Katharine Robinson
Head of Alumni Relations
The OW Careers and Mentoring Programme launched last year and, at last count,
105 OWW had volunteered their services to
help recent Leavers and OWW seeking a career
change. So far 70 mentors have been in touch
with 40 ‘mentees’ (mentees are often matched
with more than one mentor) and the feedback
has been wonderful. A recent surge of interest
from the Young Gaudy and the 2012 Leavers’
Forms have resulted in more OWW than ever
before seeking and finding guidance on careers.
A few OWW have been kind enough to write
about their experiences below.
We are always looking for new mentors so please
email the Development Office if you would be
willing to be involved. Anyone looking to find
a mentor should also contact the Development
Office – it would be great to see the numbers
involved increase further over 2012/13.
’
‘
It is rejuvenating as well as
rewarding to meet OWW
who have left recently, not
least the sheer variety of
characters whom I meet...
Every meeting leaves me
glad to have volunteered.
’
Daniel de Lisle (BB, 2007–12)
“I didn’t know if I’d be taking a Gap Year when I
left School, and when I finally decided, the next
thirteen months were worryingly blank. Filling
out the Leavers’ Form and Katharine Robinson’s
great work in putting me in touch with Westminster mentors was really helpful in giving my
year out some direction, so I can go to university
with a clearer idea of what I want to spend my
80,000 hour career actually doing. The advice I
got was really well balanced, and however enthusiastic the OWW were for their professions, they
could see that they weren’t for everyone. I even
got the opportunity to try out a law mini-pupillage in January, so I’d say that OWW generosity
more than matches their enthusiasm.”
Christian Wells (BB, 1968–73)
“Over the years I have been a mentor, I have
met about a dozen OWW, more of them recently than at the start. I offered to be a men84 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: Madalyn Brooks (WW, 1978–81) and
Ophelia Field (LL, 1987–89) at the 2012 OW
Women's Network Mentoring Evening
tor because, when I was leaving Westminster, I
found the views and experience of older people
helpful in making my mind up about a choice
of career. While I am not sure how much benefit my own experiences and conclusions will
be to those leaving School or university, I can at
least act as a sounding board, free of family or
(recent) school conditioning. It is rejuvenating
as well as rewarding to meet OWW who have
left recently, not least the sheer variety of characters whom I meet, though all seem formidably bright. Some have great plans but need a
spark or two, others have great potential but
need a harness for it, and some have a mixture
of both – the spectrum is wide. Every meeting
leaves me glad to have volunteered.”
Jade Jackman (PP, 2010–12)
“University is a strange hybrid between Westminster and ‘real’ life. Amidst the novelty of
freedom lurks the dull pressure of adulthood,
and with that the question of “what next”
after education. But these concerns have been
softened by the advice and support supplied
by OW mentors. One may extrapolate from
my chosen degree, law and anthropology, that
my career prospects are fairly diverse. However,
I have benefitted from the variety in the OW
network and the willingness of mentors to take
time out to discuss plans for the future with
fellow OWW.”
Martin Sherwood (WW, 1957–62)
“I have met about 8–10 OWW over the last
year. What have they got out of it? An objective, fresh appraisal of them as a potential job
candidate. How do they present (in writing,
verbally, visually)? How well prepared? Would I
hire them? If not, why not? I give them one hour
and the chance to come back for another hour in
3 months on condition they have made progress
in the meantime. The standard of OWW is
incredibly high – I wish I had been that focused
and “together” when I was that age!”
Alex Leese (DD, 2002–07)
“I chose to use the OW Mentoring Scheme
when I was beginning to change my mind
about my career path, as I felt that I could
greatly benefit from the advice of people who
had enjoyed successful careers. I met with several OWW over the course of a few months, all
of whom worked in different areas, and all of
whom provided different pieces of advice and
guidance, ranging from offers of work experience to practical ways that I could improve my
employability in my chosen field. It has been
such a privilege to be able to speak to these
people and I am so grateful for all their help.”
Louis Florentin-Lee (HH, 1988–93)
“I joined the mentoring programme this year
and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The Old Westminsters I have met have come prepared to the
best of their abilities as well as being openminded and enthusiastic in their approach to
starting their careers. For me it has been an
interesting challenge. Moreover it has allowed
me to evaluate the characteristics that I would
look for in hiring someone.”
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 85
2012 Leavers’
Westminster
Memories
Naomi Curtis (Ashburnham, 2000–02)
Jazz concerts, Mr Bateman’s art department
and weekly life drawing, beautiful and stimulating surroundings, bright people, intelligent
debate.
We asked 2012 Leavers for their favourite
School memory and best teacher and a selection of their answers, along with photos from
the 2012 Leavers’ Service, are included below.
We hope to see plenty of new OWW back at a
School event soon.
Ariane Moshiri (PP, 2010–12)
Best School memory: Singing Hey Jude in
Latin Prayers with the whole School.
Best teacher? The best teacher without a doubt
is Dr Brown from the History Department
because he never failed to inspire and to teach
with a smile. Perhaps what made him best is
also the fact it was evident that he truly cared
about us as his students.
Peter Hitchcock (QS, 2007–12)
Best School memory: Hey Jude at the Leavers’
Ball was sublime.
Best teacher? Mr Ireland – constantly helpful
interesting and fun to be around over 5 years.
David Wong (QS, 2007–12)
Best School memory: Looking down into the
Lady Chapel through a hole in the ceiling.
Best teacher? Dr Katz – many things, including riveting lessons for 3 years, concerts and a
choir trip.
Sachin Gupta (WW, 2007–12)
Best teacher? Mr Ireland – one of the quirkiest teachers I’ve ever had the pleasure of being
taught by.
86 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Oliver Cox (Hakluyt’s, 1997–2002)
I miss the theatre and the hubbub of a crowded
Yard. Bedlam. I loved it.
Thomas Wrathmell (Dryden’s, 1997–2002)
Maximilian Wood (HH, 2010–12)
Best School memory: Attending Abbey twice
a week.
Best teacher? They were all so helpful, it would
be difficult to choose one!
Miranda Hall (AHH, 2010–12)
Best School memory: Singing Hey Jude in
Latin Prayers.
Best teacher? Mrs Cave-Bigley – incredibly
supportive and passionate about English.
Siddharth Amrat (AHH, 2010–12)
Best teacher? Dr Kalivas. He was funny, and
went off-topic to more interesting maths a lot.
Oliver Hanton (DD, 2007–12)
Best School memory: Winning National
Schools’ Rowing Championships
Best teacher? Dr Brown due to such a relaxed
and effective teaching style and passion for
history and caring about his students.
2001–2011
Leavers’ Notes
We asked attendees at the 2012 Young
Gaudy what they missed most about Westminster and what they are doing now. Their
answers provide a snapshot of ten years’ worth
of life at the School. To share your memories
in the next issue of the Elizabethan Newsletter
(once you’ve seen how they compare!) please
email alumni@westminster.org.uk.
The fantastic people and opportunities.
Daniel Freyhan (Hakluyt’s, 1997–2002)
Football, friends, academic work with less
reading!
Charles Corn (Busby’s, 1998–2003)
The freedom!
William Gore-Randall
(Ashburnham, 1999–2004)
Abbey access at quiet times.
Alyson Thompson (Rigaud’s, 2002–04)
What do you miss most about Westminster?
Valuing learning for its own sake, (not requiring
boxes to be filled...).
Fabian Joseph (Wren’s, 1996–2001)
Sarah Alexander (Busby’s, 2003–05)
The beautiful setting which I took for granted
Camilla Clark (Milne’s, 1999–2001)
The boys!
Matthew Sheldon (Wren’s, 1996–2001)
Bizarrely, lessons.
Ellie Chandler (née Seilern-Aspang)
(Purcell’s, 1999–2001)
Being a carefree whippersnapper without the
daily burden of real life.
Abbey, boarding, Big Ben, Busby’s, especially the
view from the fire escape!
Jenny Ellis Logan (Purcell’s, 2003–05)
The location and having some amazing teachers.
Benjamin Shillito (Milne’s, 2000–05)
The collegiality of Little Dean’s Yard and the
view of Victoria Tower at night.
Frederick Krespi (Dryden’s, 2000–05)
Playing fives three times a week.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 87
Engagements,
Weddings and
Family News
Thanks to all those who have contributed their
news. If you wish to submit a note for inclusion
in the next issue of the Elizabethan Newsletter
please email alumni@westminster.org.uk
Maya Shinozaki (Hakluyt’s, 2003–05)
Friends, Yard, Abbey…most things!
Robin Menzel (LL, 1980–85)
Robin is engaged to Phillippa (Pip) Howeson,
eldest daughter of Captain and Mrs Charles
Howeson.
Sam Smith (Hakluyt’s, 2000–05)
People looking after me without me realising it.
Alexa Baden-Powell (Milne’s, 2004–06)
All the weird and wonderful traditions.
Peter Cole (GG, 1993–98)
Peter married Helen Smith on Saturday, 1st
September in Marylebone Parish Church; the
two best men were both OWW – Alex Livingstone (GG, 1996–98) and James St Clair (GG,
1993–98).
Freddy Lyon (Ashburnham, 2001–06)
Expeditions with great friends and teachers.
Leyla Osman (Rigaud’s, 2004–06)
Being part of Westminster School, an historical
entity within its own right. That, and the obvious thrill of Latin Prayers.
Joshua Harris-Kirkwood (Wren's, 2007–09)
Andrew Spyrou (Liddell’s, 2001–06)
Avalon Lee-Bacon (Grant's, 2007–09)
Greek classes in the Busby Library.
The John Locke lecture series.
“My (new!) fiancé’s name is Benedict Smith and
we met at a mutual friend’s wedding in Australia
(even though we were contemporaries at the
same university, we never met!).”
Matilda Hay (Milne’s, 2005–07)
Hayley Chapman (Dryden's, 2008–10)
People watching in Yard and tea with chocolate
spread at the end of every day.
Priceless history lessons with Mr Edlin and Mr
Allnatt.
Emma Thompsell (HH, 2004–06)
Oliver Kember (Busby’s, 2002–07)
Thomas Sutton (Milne's, 2005–10)
The lunches...
Edmund Knox (Liddell’s, 2002–07)
Football on Green.
Emeric Monfront (Wren’s, 2005–07)
The library.
Harry Tayler (Hakluyt’s, 2002–07)
The free thinking approach to learning and
abondment of the syllabus.
Chris Anguelov (Grant’s, 2003–08)
The teachers!
Jo Shuttleworth (Rigaud’s, 2003–08)
The A level classes where we could properly
discuss the material and really think about what
we were learning.
88 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Yard football; drama; the people.
Being able to have a second breakfast when I
arrived at School.
Rosie Carpenter (Liddell's, 2009–11)
People excited about their subject and interests.
Soojean Choi (College, 2009–11)
Frees in College Garden.
Alexander Nikolov (Hakluyt's, 2006-11)
The way it instilled in you a need for intellectual
pursuit, a strong work-ethic and a powerful
sense of aspiration.
Adam Smith (Grant's, 2006–11)
Cricket on Vincent Square.
Dakyung Kwon (Purcell's, 2009–11)
Everything.
Romilly Collins (GG, 1996–98)
Emma recently announced her engagement to
Peter Cohen. The couple met playing handball
and are currently busy planning their wedding
which will take place at St Stephen’s Rochester
Row.
Above: Alexandra married James Thomson on Friday 8th June
at All Saints, Fulham and afterwards at Fulham Palace
rock band. Our ushers also wore Bermuda shorts
– the picture above was taken by Thomas Giddings (WW, 1998–2003), now a professional
photographer, and includes Tristan Summerscale
(QS, 1998–2003) back row, second from left).
We dined and danced under a see–through marquee in the Tudor courtyard of Fulham Palace,
with many OWW ending up in the fountain!”
OW Updates
and Publications
1940s
John Barrington-Ward (GG, 1942–46)
OW Olympian John Barrington–Ward (yachtsman, 1952 Olympics) was profiled in an article
in the Isle of Wight County Press.
Nadya Wells (née Booth) (HH, 1987–89)
is delighted to announce the arrival of Albert
William Weston Wells on 13th August 2012. He
joins their large team of boys to the delight of
his big brothers Theodore, Oscar and Benedict.
Alexandra Jackson (PP, 2001–03)
“At our wedding in Fulham on 8th June, my
husband wore Bermuda shorts, as is customary
in Bermuda where he grew up. Later he
changed into ‘evening wear’ – a white
dinner jacket with black Bermuda shorts
(and the long black socks of course)! The
reception was a mix of English and Bermudian – we drank Dark n’ Stormies; we
had a steel drum band and then an English
1950s
Michael Jones (BB, 1949–53)
Michael published
Guy de Maupassant: The Rondoli Sisters
and Other Selected Short Stories (Pen
Press, 2011)
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 89
at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
at the University of Sussex, and embarking on
some work with UNICEF headquarters on
“post–2015” planning, which focuses on what
happens after the expiry of the Millennium
Development Goals.”
Nicholas Low (BB, 1954–59)
“Professor Carey Curtis and I published Transforming Urban Transport: The Ethics, Politics
and Practices of Sustainable Mobility in October.
The publication explores systematically the barriers to transformative change to urban transport systems. Put simply, the earth will not
avoid dangerous climate change unless there is
a global transformation in methods of mobility
and transport. With empirical research in three
Australian metropolitan cities, this book
demonstrates the nature
of path dependencies
standing in the way of
change, and how they
may be overcome. A
second book is due to
be published on 22nd
November which goes
further into the transformation required and the
processes of socio–technical change.”
1960s
Julian Francis
(AHH, 1958–62)
Julian was the subject
of a cover story in
the Dhaka Courier
30th March 2012.
Tara Swart (nee Banerji) (CC, 1989–91)
Tara has co–written An Attitude for Acting:
How to Survive (and Thrive)
as an Actor (Andrew
Tidmarsh and Tara Swart)
a ‘how to’ book for actors
who want to develop a ‘can
do’ attitude to their profession in the face of rejection
and intense competition.
Above: Ian Ridley
1970s
Ian Ridley (RR, 1976–80)
On the 25th May 2012 Ian summited Mount
Everest, 8848m, at 6.28 am after 10 hours of
continuous climbing through the night from
Camp Four. This followed 7 weeks of acclimatisation on the mountain. Following a career as a
Chartered Surveyor three years ago he decided
to use his mountaineering qualifications and set
up Mountain–skills.com, which offers courses
both here in the UK and abroad.
Andrew King (GG, 1976–81)
Andrew was appointed Professor of Neurosurgery at the Salford Royal Hospital in July 2012.
E. Michael D. Scott (BB, 1960–65)
Michael was recently elected Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) in the USA.
Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury
(WW, 1961–65) took up the position of presi-
dent of the UK Supreme Court on 1st October
2012 becoming the second-ever UK Supreme
Court president after the court was launched
in October 2009.
Christopher Catherwood (AHH, 1968–72)
Christopher recently published a new, officially endorsed, illustrated biography of Winston
Churchill entitled Churchill: the Treasures of
Winston Churchill, the Greatest Briton.
90 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
1980s
Charlotte Harland (BB, 1980–82)
“For the past two decades, I have had a long
career in social development in Zambia, taking
time out to do a PhD on politics, poverty and
witchcraft. For most of that time, my husband
Guy Scott has been an opposition politician.
At the elections of September 2011, his party
overcame the significant challenges of beating
an incumbent, and won at their fourth attempt.
Guy was appointed Vice–President of Zambia.
Unfortunately this was perceived as a conflict of
interest by UNICEF, where I had been working
for the five years prior to the elections, and I
resigned. I am now doing a great range of things
around my new and very unexpected role as
“Second Lady” of Zambia, which is an extraordinary opportunity and privilege, especially for
a British woman. I am also a Visiting Fellow
1990s
Briony Marshall (CC, 1990–92)
“2012 has been a busy year so far. I started the
year still on my one year residency in Kingsplace working hard towards my solo show with
Pangolin London in 2013. The show is taking
shape nicely: lots of work inspired by how 3-dimensionality forms in nature, and hence lots of
Embryogenesis as well as my old favourite DNA.
I have had my portrait taken by Simon Stanmore and have also been working with Tangent
Films to document the creation of the works for
my solo show. I will be finishing and releasing
these films in the autumn. I have now moved
back to my old smaller studio in Fulham and
I am also settling in to a good routine with 4–5
days/week in the studio, and balancing this with
Below: Briony Marshall (CC, 1990-92) in the Pangolin London
Sculpture Studio. Photo by Simon Stanmore
bringing up two young boys – which is slightly
easier now I’m closer to home.”
William Stevens (GG, 1994–99)
William opened an exhibition of his large
paintings at The Prince’s Drawing School in
Shoreditch on Wednesday 21st November 2012.
The exhibition was the first time alumni of the
illustrious art school (founded by HRH Prince
of Wales) had been invited back to show their
work. William was therefore honoured to be
one of only three painters displaying work in the
large gallery. He is part of a new generation of
post–Damien Hirst artists for whom drawing is an essential skill, and
who are keen
to reinstate
figurative
painting in
the art world.
The show,
entitled Pretty
Gritty City made
London its primary subject.
Aruna Arasu (PP, 1995–97)
“Still lawyering in Zurich, enjoying the skiing
and trying to keep my shoes safe from our new
Bernese mountain dog puppy!”
Delia Burnham (PP, 1996–98)
“I have been living in Romania since 2003
and love the energy and vibrancy here. I am
building my dream – a sustainable living community – and inspiring others to live free, and
do this using an amazing Japanese total health
concept. Come and visit!”
William Prochaska (MM, 1996–2001)
“I currently run a social enterprise called Alive
and Kicking that was established at Westminster by Jim Cogan OBE in 2004. Alive & Kicking makes top quality footballs (soccer balls),
volleyballs, netballs, handballs, and rugby
balls in Kenya, Zambia and Ghana. We are a
charitable social enterprise – an organisation
that uses business practices to pursue our charitable objectives. We create fair paid jobs in the
manufacture of sports balls that are appropriate
for typical African conditions, we ensure that
schools that cannot afford to buy the balls are
able to access them, and we invest in educating
young people about HIV/AIDS.”
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 91
Letters to the Editor
Alexander Campkin (WW, 1997–2002)
“This August, my opera Three to Midnight was
produced by Future Opera and performed
as part of Tete a Tete: The Opera Festival, at
the Riverside Studios in London. I have been
commissioned by the Royal Opera House to
compose Awake in Chorus!. It will be performed
in the Paul Hamlyn Hall, Royal Opera House
Covent Garden, and The Backstage Centre of
the National Skills Academy on High House
Production Park, in October. I recently completed my fourth Mass setting; Missa Magister
Bone commissioned by the Vokalkapelle Munich. It will be premiered in Munich, Germany
in October. Closing on a personal note, I am happy to
announce that I am engaged to Stacey Kurtz.
I organised a flashmob choir for the proposal
when we were rowing on the lake in Regent’s
Park. The Oxbridge Singers were hiding in
boats behind the island, and started singing as
they approached us. They threw flowers into
our boat as I got down on one knee.”
2000s
Wilf Kimberley (WW, 2005–10)
Congratulations to Wilf Kimberley who came
4th in the final of the World U23 Rowing
Championships (Lightweight Pair).
Please send letters to:
The Development Office, Westminster
School, 17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB
or email alumni@westminster.org.uk
Andrew Kavchak (BB, 1976–77)
“In the last issue of the Elizabethan Newsletter you were kind enough to reproduce a part
of an email that I previously sent you with
some memories of my time at Westminster in
1976–77 (Busby’s). You also indicated that I
would welcome contact from any former classmates. Even before I received my own copy of
the Elizabethan Newsletter I received an email
from my former classmate, Paul Castle (QS,
1976–80). It turns out that Paul lives in Basel,
Switzerland, and was planning a visit to Ottawa
in the following weeks. Please see below a picture of us beside the Nobel Peace Prize medal
that had been awarded to Lester B. Pearson, in
the lobby of the Pearson Building, headquarters
of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. If anyone ever
expresses any doubt as to the Elizabethan
Newsletter's powers to connect former students
on a global scale, please use this photo as proof
to the contrary!”
“I’m living in Beijing – currently working at
Time Out here as the art editor and part time at
the New York Times bureau, so quite busy.”
Rachel Holt (PP, 2005–07)
“I’ve just completed my Graduate Diploma in
Law and am about to start the Legal Practice
Course in September.”
Alice Godwin (PP, 2007–09)
92 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
“I was surprised – and touched – to read The
Awesome Term by Jeremiah Newbury in the
2011/12 Elizabethan Newsletter, with his memories of his time at Westminster in 1951– he’s
kind enough to mention me by name among
his hosts. The account he gives of the range of
activities in which he took part revives memories of some of the formal occasions in which
we were both present, like the Bath Knights’
installation.”
David Seddon (AHH, 1969–73)
Above: Paul Castle (QS, 1976–80) and
Andrew Kavchak (BB, 1976–77)
Brand Inglis (GG, 1953–56)
“If you are in touch with Jeremiah Newbury
(page 50 The Awesome Term), you might tell
him how very much I enjoyed his reminiscences about his year in College and his fascinating
account of meeting His Majesty.”
OW Recollections
Clem Danin (AHH, 1950–55)
‘Glider Launch’
“It was a Field Day in about 1954 and the excitement was that, after several months of anticipation, the School had at last received delivery of
a glider at Grove Park. This also seemed a lot
better than crawling through bracken and ferns
to defeat the enemy at Hadlow Down.
“Like Lawrence Tanner – whom I met when,
as Keeper of the Muniments at Westminster
Abbey he showed me the enormous swords and
tiny suits of armour with which knights were
once equipped, I recall walking the mantelpiece
as a new boy in my first term. Tanner’s vivid
description, and the accompanying photograph
of the mantelpiece itself, brought it all back.
I was a weekly boarder ‘up Grants’ from 1956
to 1961. I too was obliged to walk the mantelpiece as part of a wider initiation process,
which also included having to memorise and
regurgitate all of the distinctive Westminster
terms – such as ‘up fields’, ‘up School’ and of
course ‘up Grants’, as well as all of the ‘colours’
(including the special ties and scarves) awarded
for sporting prowess.
On 2nd October 1956, shortly after I had
‘gone up’ to Westminster, I wrote home to my
mother, saying “Monday was a very exciting
night. First we had to have our medical test, in
which I was declared normal; then all the new
boys had to walk the mantelpiece and jump off
and try to knock the Head of House over.
I nearly knocked him over. There is nothing
else exciting that has happened”.
Clare Pennington (PP, 2003–05)
“I’ve just finished my time at Oxford doing my
history of art degree and I am eagerly anticipating starting my MA at the Courtauld in October on the image of the body in 19th century
British art. Over the summer I am interrailling
around Europe and most likely visiting far too
many art galleries along the way and boring my
other half horrendously.”
Nicholas Deakin (KS, 1949–54)
The Head of House at that time was Corin
Redgrave (GG, 1952–57), a superior being
in every sense, he kept himself aloof from the
mass of humanity that was the ordinary student
body. Pale and serious, he exuded dignitas
and gravitas (words with which I would soon
become familiar through my Latin lessons with
a series of Classics teachers, including ‘Jumbo’
Wilson, the Housemaster of Grant’s). Redgrave
was already apparently acting, but I remember
him as a distant and impressive figure, as Head
of House – and as an accomplished fencer.”
Above: Clem Danin: "I had been attracted to the RAF Section
of the Corps on the basis that Geoffrey Shepherd (the Air
Marshall), who taught French, was not as enthusiastic about
polished boots as was Major French, who taught English."
The moment had come; a beautiful day, a blue sky,
a shining sun, and the monster in all its glory.
The device was propelled by a catapult system
with 5 or 6 heavers on each arm at the front
and a man at the back with a long pole stuck
through a socket in the glider into the ground.
After a great deal of heaving at the front, the
Air Marshall, having accurately pinpointed the
optimum moment of elasticity, would give a
technical command such as “Let go anchor!”,
or “Now!”. The anchor man would struggle to
yank the pole out of the ground and the glider
would move forward in accordance with Newton’s 3rd law of motion.
Since none of us had ever seen a glider before,
let alone driven one, the instructions were that
all the controls would be locked so that the
glider would merely move along the ground to
give the pilot a feel of the process. Certainly >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 93
An update from the
Oli Bennett
Charitable Trust
2012–13
By Kieron Connolly (GG, 1985–90)
>>
at this stage, with an inexperienced pilot on
board, it was not to be airborne; particularly as
many of us had the idea of flying, Biggles-like,
to nearby Biggin Hill.
After Oli Bennett (RR, 1985–90) was killed
It fell to me to be the first candidate ad astra.
always dreamt of starting a business of his
I sat upon the placid eagle (the design was not
such that one could sit in it) with nonchalance
and features, both rocky and suave, of the two
Johns – Wayne and Mills.
There followed the necessary pulling, stretching
and anchoring until the great moment came.
The Air Marshal cried “Go!” (Another military
command); the anchor man lifted the pole and
movement commenced. Nonchalance continued for a few seconds until the glider ignored
page 16 of the handbook and decided to take to
the air.
Even if the controls had been unlocked I
would have had no idea what to do. Inevitably
another of Newton’s influences took command,
ensuring that the glider and I took a plunge
of about 6 feet to the solid ground. No ejector
seat, no parachute but outwardly a picture of
calmness itself.
Consternation abounded. Glider grounded.
Needless to say, there was much more interest in
the damage to the glider than there was in my
well being.
Thus the Field Day ended at about 10.40 am, and
Eiloart and I went to the pictures in Bromley.
A good day. I was the first person to crash the
School glider – probably the height of my career
at Westminster – and Eiloart was thus inspired
to attempt to cross the Atlantic in a balloon a
few years later with a similar result; although he
was in the air for a bit longer than I was.”
94 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
in the September 11th attacks in New York,
his parents, Joy and Adrian (RR, 1954–59),
established a charity in his name. As Oli had
own, they decided the charity would support young people (between the ages of 18
and 30) in getting their new business ideas
off the ground. As Adrian explains, “It’s
about turning creativity into profitability”.
Most new businesses fold within the first
few years of trade and many small charities
fizzle out, but ten years after awarding its
first grant, the Oli Bennett Charitable Trust
is a well established small charity. Since
2002 it has awarded more than £84,000
and supported more than 65 young adults
in setting up new businesses – from wood
recycling to fashion design, from community radio to ceramics.
Each year the charity holds a fundraiser
at Westminster. At these the beneficiaries
present their businesses to the guests (and
offer their wares as raffle prizes), there are
speeches (from the charity’s patrons Roger
Graef and Nicholas Owen, among others),
there’s usually some live music and there
have been two outstanding art fairs with
works ranging from current pupils to Peter
Blake. And the even better news? We’ll be
holding another art fair at 2013’s fundraiser
on Friday, 21st June.
For more information and tickets, contact:
info@olibennett.org.uk
www.olibennett.org.uk
Above: CCF Inspection up fields 1960
Obituaries
Ron French (Former Master)
Died on 20th September 2011
By Andrew Botterill (WW, 1957–62),
Adrian Chitty (AHH, 1960–65) and
David Benson (RR, 1957–62)
Ron’s main drive was to provide opportunities to
boys to push themselves that bit further towards
the edge of their comfort zone – it was an integral part of a broad education and something
that could not be achieved through sport alone.
“Looking back from present times to this
picture, one would be forgiven for thinking
that Westminster was a military boot camp in
those days. Friday afternoon square bashing of
course thrilled no one but associated activities
like the spring ‘Arduous Training Camps’ in
the Scottish Cairngorm mountains, shooting
(both .22 and .303 calibre), CCF night war
games around the Home Countries and forays
into the real military world in summer Army
camps were good fun for those that wished to
participate. The School expeditions to remoter
regions which he started in 1962 were a natural
extension to these activities.
He was considerably helped by being active at
the School before the onset of cramping health
and safety legislation. It is revealing that under
his guidance there was not one serious injury
during the activities he oversaw during my time
at the School. Many learned a sense of selfreliance which served well in later life.
Throughout all these activities he intentionally or otherwise often managed to concoct a
rather heady mix of danger and fun. Everyone
will have anecdotes. I remember the first ‘night
op’ I went on with Ron popping up everywhere throwing thunder flashes. He was always
>>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 95
>> conscious
of unacceptable risk however. He
and Denny once called off a live firing exercise
to prevent the possibility of one group of boys
mowing down another with machine gunfire.
We were so disappointed and I can still hear
the moans “oh Sir . . .”.
School and St John’s College, Oxford where
he read history. While at Oxford he was received into the Roman Catholic Church by Fr
Gervase Matthew, a Dominican, a Byzantine
scholar and a member of the Inklings (Carpenter 2006).
He was a balanced and sensitive man. We got to
know him again after his retirement in the 1990s
when he would accompany us on summer climbing expeditions to Scotland. His reminiscences
were delightful, informative and enlightening.
Early on in World War II (1941) my father was
involved in an Italian prisoner of war camp.
This was outside Northampton. He was officially the interpreter but had a fairly free hand
in running the place. He is particularly proud
that he was able to change the British army
rations which were allocated to the prisoners.
By swapping their meat ration for bigger flour
rations the Italian prisoners were able to make
larger quantities of pasta which was what they
wished to eat.
His teaching career at Westminster must have
been one of the longer ones. As I have already
said, he was a mesmerising presence, his life
was the School and the School was his life.”
Andrew Botterill (WW, 1957–62)
A version of this article was originally published in
Issue 10 of the e:liz@ e-newsletter in May 2009.
“I was saddened to read of the death of Ron
French. He stayed with us in Auckland on at
least two of his globetrotting tours, which must
have been at least 20 to 30 years ago now. I like
to think that we provided slightly better accommodation than the youth hostels he was used to
– when he couldn’t find an OW to stay with!
I hope the following anecdote is not considered
disrespectful of his memory:
On one of his trips to Auckland he had obviously been very well looked after by the airline
staff; so well, in fact, that on arrival he breezed
happily through customs and immigration
without bothering to collect his baggage from
the carousel...”
Adrian Chitty (AHH, 1960–65)
“I understand from my OW contemporaries that
you may be preparing an article on Ron French,
one of the more memorable members of staff at
Westminster during my time 1957–62.
Please see above a pic of “ERDF” in one of
his more mischievous moments digging a hole
in the gravel surface of the Arctic Highway in
Norway during the 1962 Arctic Norway expedition. Perhaps he was searching for an IED
ahead of his time!”
David Benson (RR, 1957–62)
96 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Above: Ron French on the 1962 Arctic Norway expedition
Memorial Service for Ronald French
on Tuesday, 30th April 2013, 6 pm
All those who remember Ron French with
affection are invited to attend a memorial
service in the new School Chapel on Tufton
Street (opposite the South Gate entrance to
Dean’s Yard). Partners and guests are also
most welcome. The service will be followed
by a glass of wine in the refectory below the
Chapel or in the Camden Room depending
on numbers. It is hoped that films will be
shown of the Arduous Training Expeditions in 1962 and 1963 and the Annual
Army Camp and the trip to the German
Army (both 1963). It is anticipated that the
evening will conclude at about 8 pm. If you
wish to attend please notify Colin Brough
(AHH, 1959–63) at colin@lighttheworld.
org.uk (or telephone 01235 833041) letting
him know the number of places required in
order that the appropriate reception rooms
and refreshment can be organised.
John Anthony Benedict Vernon
(BB, 1930–34)
Died on 15th October 2011
By his son Gervase Vernon (BB, 1966–69)
John Vernon, fourth child of Captain Sidney
Vernon and Janet née Foster, was born in High
Wycombe. His family had been land agents
there for several generations, most notably
to Disraeli. He was educated at Westminster
He crossed enemy lines in a Jeep about two
weeks before the end of the war. At this point
he was back with PWB. He was one of the first
British Officers into the city of Turin. When
the Allied armies arrived shortly afterwards he
was able to help to negotiate between the Allied
forces and the partisans who had taken control
of the town. He remembers that the first Allied
forces to arrive were Brazilian. They woke him
up one morning wishing to accept the surrender of the city from him, which he refused
to do. He pointed out that the partisans had
liberated the city. He ensured that the Turin
communists had equal air-time on the radio to
the other political parties. He felt that they had
done more than their share of fighting for the
resistance during the war. This position was opposed by the other political parties, but made
him popular with the Turin communists. A
description of him in Turin at that time is published in Ada Gobetti’s Diario Partigiano. This
book became a standard text in Italian schools
and was made into a TV serial in the 1970s.
Sometime later he was moved by the Army
from Turin to Trieste where he remained until
1949. In 1946 he left the British Army but
continued to work in the same or similar roles
in Trieste for the Foreign Office. He was the
Assistant British Political Advisor. His boss
was the British Political Adviser Sir William
Sullivan. They worked for the “Allied Military
Government Free Territory of Trieste”. They
had to negotiate with the communists within
the city and more particularly with Tito’s
communists in Slovenia. In 1948 he and Sir
William Sullivan were sent, as part of a British
delegation, to the United Nations to negotiate the future of this area. While in New York
he met up again with Susanna Wieniawa, his
future wife, then working as an interpreter for
the United Nations.
In 1949 he left his job in Trieste and married
Susanna while living at Grand Saconnex near
Geneva. The only members of the congregation
were her mother and Mme Éva Maramaldi, a
friend of John’s.
Because his wife was now working as an interpreter in Geneva for the United Nations, he
found himself newly married and unemployed.
He did get a job in Geneva for a few months
with the United Nations High Commissioner
for refugees. He was responsible for refugees
from the Soviet Union in Korea and China.
In 1952 he got a job as an international civil
servant with NATO in Paris. He remained at
NATO until he retired. On retirement in 1982
he received the OBE.
He had three children, one of whom, Catherine, predeceased him. He devoted a good
decade of his retirement to the care of his wife
who died just two months before him.
Alec Melville (RR, 1957–62)
Died on 22nd October 2011
By Theresa Davies, taken from The Guardian,
6th January 2012
Alec Melville, who has died aged 67 of injuries
sustained when he was knocked down by a bus
near his office in Holborn, central London,
was that rare and fortunate thing for a woman:
a male friend who treats her – and is happy to
be treated on – equal terms. We met in 1964
when he was training to be a solicitor in London and I was at secretarial college. We became
instant and lifelong friends, although we never
lived in the same city.
The younger son of a British ambassador to the
UN, Sir Eugene Melville, and his wife, Elizabeth, Alec went to Westminster before qualifying as a solicitor in 1970. He worked at Tucker
Turner Kingsley Wood for more than 35 years, >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 97
>>
where his colleagues thought highly of him as
a practical, dependable lawyer and friend. Alec
had a huge, boyish appetite for life. Eclectic
and independent in his political views (he liked
to tease me about my stubborn devotion to the
Labour party), he loved debate, whether it was
about politics, the economy, novels or films. In
spite of his own educational background, he
ensured that his own children benefited from
the freer ambience of a state education.
Alec played tennis regularly and loved cricket
– he was delighted when I moved to Birmingham, because he could join our family trips to
the Edgbaston ground. And it was there, with
my husband and our eight-year-old son, on
that now legendary Sunday afternoon in 1981,
that he watched Ian Botham snatch an unlikely
victory from the bemused Australian batsmen
with an unforgettable spell of five wickets for
one run.
Alec had an easy rapport with the young. While
still unmarried and childless himself, he came
on several holidays with our family; a beloved
honorary uncle, appreciated by the children for
his unforced interest in what they were doing
and his enthusiastic participation in family
games, especially charades.
In 1983 he married Lorna Jordan and started
a family of his own – Alastair, Anna and Kate.
We saw a little less of him as they, and a successful career as a commercial lawyer, absorbed
his energy and devotion. But we saw enough to
appreciate the enormous pride, satisfaction and
happiness they brought him. And he still found
time to introduce our own teenagers to the art
of serious lunching, and to offer advice and
sympathy when the parental hand lay too heavily. We loved going to the theatre together. I
saw him last in April 2011 when he and Lorna
came to Truro to see Derek Jacobi in King Lear.
Alec is survived by his wife and children, his
brother, Richard, and his sister, Andrea.
David Owen Byrt (Former Master)
Died on 15th December 2011
By Philip Crabtree (LL, 1973–76)
With the recent death of David Byrt readers
might be interested in the story of the “Owls”.
98 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
The three of us, Philip Crabtree, Anthony
Delarue (WW, 1972–76) and Peter Wilson
(LL, 1972–76) met up with David annually
for every one of the 36 years from 1976 until
2011 inclusive. We thought it would be worth
reflecting on those nearly 40 years of friendship
since we first got to know David in 1974, as
Director of Music.
David (a.k.a. Dobby) had left Westminster earlier in 1976. The first occasion we all met up
after this was at Christmas 1976 when we went
to sing with him at his new school after leaving
Westminster – the Dragon in Oxford. We
contributed in our own special way to a unique
rendering of Haydn’s Nelson Mass. Although
this first visit was very much a Dragon School
event, our annual meetings would invariably
take the form of some food (often at the Cherwell Boathouse restaurant), punting on the
Cherwell, before enthusiastic singing, and some
excellent tea, cake and (even) jelly, provided at
David’s house in Oxford by Cynthia, David’s
second wife, whom he had met at the Dragon,
where she had taught for many years.
Pretentiously the three of us, with David, called
ourselves the “Owls” which kept alive the name
that David had invented for his evening singing
group at Westminster, which met in his rooms
in Great College Street. David also ran “Music
Guild” in our years, and we went on several
‘improving’ jaunts with him on Wednesday
afternoons, some only loosely connected to
music (such as a barge-trip to Greenwich,
where time forbade disembarking, so we simply
stayed on board and came back!).
The quality of the singing produced by the four
of us was, alas, perhaps not of the quality that
one might associate with real Owls, nor with
many OWW. However what was lacking in
quality was always made up for with enthusiasm, fuelled especially by David’s sherry. Each
year he would select samples of his favourite
music for us to sing. He seemed oblivious to
the fact that that the noise thus emanating
while we attempted to sing these pieces might
well have caused discord with his neighbours,
let alone to the long suffering aural capacity of
Cynthia. It is noteworthy that she insisted his
music-room windows be kept shut, even in August, to protect her reputation in north Oxford!
David was a great Elgarian and nothing gave
him greater pleasure than conducting, or
listening to, great works such as The Dream
of Gerontius or the Enigma Variations. Elgar
had featured heavily in his School concerts
at Westminster. He was always fond of the
Boult recordings of these classics and we would
always refer to him in his musical moods as
“Sir Adrian Byrt”.
From the earliest meetings David suggested
that we should start a tradition of singing the
school song (Carmen Feriale Westmonasteriensis,
otherwise known as Domus Alma Floreat, music
by Sir Frederick Bridge, organist of the Abbey).
During his time at Westminster, David had
always ended School concerts with the singing
of the School song. Indeed we have been wondering in later years whether any current pupil
or OW still sings it, or indeed even knows that
there is a School song at all!
We treasure the memories of our visits to
Oxford. David was a kind and very modest
man, a gifted musician and a very dear friend.
The three of us hope to keep up the musical
tradition that David started by continuing to
meet up and croak out its immemorial verses,
hopefully at least annually. Floreat!
Simon Massey (Cricket Coach)
Died on 27th December 2011
By Joseph Ireland (Master of Classics) and
Simon’s widow Sue
We are very sorry to announce that Simon Massey died quite suddenly over Christmas 2011. As
some members of the community will be aware,
he had suffered some illness during the last two
cricket seasons. Simon began coaching cricket at
Westminster in 1998 and his work at the Under
School and the Great School was valued very
highly by all the boys he coached. He prepared
for these sessions thoroughly and he kept meticulous records of scores and coaching points on
his charges. His enthusiasm, commitment and
loyalty to the School were outstanding.
Those boys who were coached by him will not
have known that he had been a professional
cricketer contracted to Hampshire from 1980
to 1984 and Worcestershire. He also played
grade cricket during this period for Manley
C.C. in Sydney, Australia. He was then signed
by Berkshire and played Minor County Cricket
from 1986–89. He captained the Berkshire
League Representative XI from 1992–97 during which time he broke the league batting
record with a score of 194.
His coaching took him to many other schools
and cricket clubs. For a while he was Head
Coach at the Oval’s Ken Barrington Cricket
Centre and he also worked for the Tasmania
Cricket Association in Australia. He continued to play league cricket until 2010 and
will be fondly remembered within the wider
cricket community. Some may remember him
switching from his specialist right-arm off-spin
to bowling accurate left-arm spin in cricket
practices. He also worked as a cricket commentator for Rapidline, Cricinfo and Lashings
Cricket Club. On one coach journey back from
Highgate he entertained the boys on the microphone with a comic routine which celebrated
his enthusiasm for the game and the characters
involved.
His widow and family are currently setting up
a way to donate to charity in Simon’s name.
Robert Edward McNamara
(AHH, 1939–42)
Died on 28th December 2011
By RHG (Bob) Charles (QS, 1950–55)
Robert Edward McNamara was born 7th
March 1925. He attended the School 1939–42
before being accepted to Trinity College, Cambridge. He achieved the rank of Flight Lieutenant in the RAF and married Diana on 3rd
September 1949. He then became a Chartered
Engineer. He was Assistant Managing Director
of Allied Polymer Group from 1972 until his
retirement.
He was initiated into the Lodge of Trinity College, Cambridge, where he served as Worshipful
Master and, for many years, as Almoner. He
also joined the Old Westminsters’ Lodge, where
he also served as Worshipful Master. He was a
kind man and much respected. He spent his last
few years in a nursing home. He died Wednesday, 28th December 2011 of pneumonia. >>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 99
William A Cooper (AHH, 1936–41)
Died on 29th December 2011
By his son Ben Cooper (GG, 1973–78)
“I am writing with some sad news to advise you
of the death of my father William Cooper, who
was at Westminster in the late 1930s and was
evacuated with the School to Herefordshire at
the start of the Second World War. He gained a place at Corpus Christi College,
Cambridge to study Engineering, but was
subsequently enlisted into the Army (Royal
Engineers) before finishing the degree, and was
posted to India. Whilst there he contracted
Poliomyelitis, and was invalided out of the
Army ultimately paralysed in one leg. He returned to Cambridge, changing his
degree to Geography, and trained to be a
teacher. He subsequently joined the staff of
Cheltenham School, before moving to Sherborne School in the mid 1950s. He became
a long serving Housemaster in 1965 (serving
for 15 years), and continued to teach thereafter (teaching several, now famous, individuals, such as Jeremy Irons!). He was invited to
be a School Governor soon after his retirement
from teaching, and continued to support the
School through his retirement. There was an
interesting time when I myself was at Westminster when he shared many experiences
with the Head Master, John Rae, and my own
Housemaster, David Hepburn-Scott, contrasting and sometimes comparing, the challenges
of a boys’ school in central London, versus an
all boarding school in Dorset, with certainly a
few exchange visits occurring for staff between
both schools. Alongside his long teaching career, he had a
passion for art, and became a well-known artist. He particularly produced distinctive collages
using cut pieces of wallpaper, along with oil
paintings and latterly, watercolours. He was a
member of the Royal West of England Academy, eventually being invited to be an Honorary
Member, and had exhibitions in London, the
UK, and beyond. My father had a passion for sport, and I believe
he played football and cricket to quite a high
standard whilst at Westminster. Sadly his ill100 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
ness almost certainly prevented him from winning a blue at Cambridge for cricket, although
he continued to follow the sport closely, indeed
he loved most sport. He was never more proud
than when his own House at Sherborne dominated the inter-House rugby tournaments, nor
indeed much more recently when (although
now confined to a wheelchair) we got him to
Wembley to see his local football team, Yeovil
Town, lose in a league 1 playoff final. As indicated, his disabilities started to take their
toll, although his mind was still active, and he
spent the last 6 years of his life confined to a
wheelchair, looked after by my devoted mother,
and a team of fantastic carers. In the end, his
body caught up with him, and he died peacefully, at home, still living in Sherborne, on
29th December 2011.”
Professor Richard Beard (BB, 1944–48)
Died on 13th January 2012
Taken from The Telegraph, 29th January 2012
Professor Richard Beard, who has died aged 80,
was Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at
St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, and a champion of new approaches to the care of pregnant
women and their children that are universally
practised today.
Beard was one of the pioneers in the development of fetal monitoring during labour. In his
MD thesis, for example, he demonstrated that
the pH balance of a foetus during labour is a
good indicator of whether the unborn child is
suffering metabolic or respiratory problems.
Such “acid-base evaluation” continues to be
routinely used.
qualified from St Bartholomew’s Hospital. He
is survived by his wife and by three sons and a
stepdaughter.
Francis James Earle (GG, 1936–40)
Died on 15th January 2012
By his son John Earle
Having studied French in Geneva, Francis
James Earle began a career in teaching at Aldro
School in Surrey and then, from 1949 until his
retirement in1982, the Hall School, Hampstead. He taught French, Latin, English and
History and was Deputy Head under Paddy
Heazell in his latter years at the Hall.
All James’ sons attended the Hall School and
two, Timothy (GG, 1966–71) and Stephen (GG,
1968–72), went on to study at Westminster.
He worked for Hampstead Scouting Group
for 35 years as Leader. He retired to Sherborne
in Dorset with his wife Gladys in 1982. He is
survived by his three sons, Timothy, Stephen
and John and 9 grandchildren.
Lord Carr of Hadley
(GG, 1930–35 and Honorary Fellow)
Died on 17th February 2012
Taken from The Telegraph 19th February 2012
Lord Carr of Hadley, who has died aged 95,
was, as Robert Carr, a liberal Tory who served
with credit as Employment Secretary, Leader of
the House and Home Secretary under Edward
Heath; having led the party briefly in 1975 as
Margaret Thatcher was being elected, he left
the Commons to chair the Prudential.
on the shop floor as foundry supervisor; when
a miners’ MP later challenged the Tories to
roll up their sleeves and work, Carr offered
to spend a shift down the pit if his challenger
would do his old job at Dale’s.
Excused military service because of a collapsed
lung, Carr worked in aircraft production,
serving on the British Intelligence Objectives
subcommittee which, after VE Day, investigated German light alloy foundries. He became
Dale’s chief metallurgist and, in 1948, its
Research and Development Director.
Carr’s industrial experience ignited his interest
in politics; he became a Conservative, he said,
because he found it hard to be doctrinaire.
He chaired Barnet Young Conservatives, and in
1950 became MP for Mitcham, defeating the
Labour member Tom Braddock.
He was one of a talented Tory intake whose
leading lights — including Heath, Enoch
Powell and Angus Maude — coalesced under
Macleod to form the One Nation group, making headlines with a pamphlet advocating NHS
charges. From the outset he was on the Left of
the party, championing abortion law reform
and abolition of the death penalty.
Anthony Graham-Dixon (KS, 1943–48)
Died on 13th March 2012
By Edward Enfield (RR, 1944–48)
In the late-1980s, working under Sir Stanley
Clayton at King’s College Hospital, Beard’s
work on the physiology and management of
diabetes in pregnancy gained him international recognition. He demonstrated that poor
control of maternal blood glucose levels during
labour leads to fetal distress, a discovery that
led to the use of intravenously administered
insulin infusions for diabetic women in labour.
Leonard Robert Carr was born on 11th November 1916, the son of Ralph Carr, a north
London businessman. He was educated at Norman Court, Potters Bar, and at Westminster,
where hunger marchers converging on Parliament made a deep impression him. At Gonville
and Caius College, Cambridge, he read Law,
Economics and Natural Science, graduating
in 1938. His ambition then was to become a
tennis champion.
Ant Graham-Dixon was one of those boys
who contrived to be better at most things than
pretty well everyone, without the trouble of
really trying. He sat at the top of the Classical
Seventh for at least two years, which must have
been tiresome for his elder brother Mike (KS,
1940–46), who was lower down. Impeccable
Greek iambics and flawless Latin elegiacs came
easily to him, and if he wrote an essay it was
inevitably marked with an alpha. If you scoured
the back numbers of The Elizabethan you
would find that reviewers who had heard him
sing expressed the hope that he would make
singing his career, and those who had seen him
act, that he would go on the stage.
Richard William Beard was born in Sussex on
4th May 1931 and educated at Westminster.
He read Natural Sciences at Cambridge and
Carr went into the aluminium castings firm of
John Dale, founded by his great-grandfather
but no longer family-controlled, beginning
Mercifully he was no great shakes at football
or cricket, so he took to water instead, and
advanced from the Westminster second V111
>>
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 101
>>
to the first V111 at Christchurch where, of
course, he took a double first in Mods and
Greats. Also, he found his match in the Westminster debating society, where Oleg Kerensky,
Donald Allchin (KS, 1943–48) and I refused to
acknowledge any superiority on his part. These
human traits made him a good friend and an
excellent Captain of the School.
Robin Denniston (QS, 1940–45)
Died on 6th April 2012
Taken from The Telegraph, 28th May 2012
Robin Denniston, who died aged 85, was an
influential publisher who launched the careers
of writers such as Erich Segal, John le Carré
and Anthony Sampson; in 1995, however, he
gave it all up to become a country priest.
appointment broke the tradition whereby the
mastership alternates between a scientist and an
arts man.
Huxley was held in great affection by the Trinity fellows and remained Master until 1990.
He was as proud of the college as it was of him,
and liked to remind interviewers that Trinity
had notched up more Nobel Prize winners than
the whole of France.
He was president of the British Association for
the Advancement of Science (1976–77) and of
the International Union of Physiological Sciences (1986–93).
He was knighted in 1974 and appointed a
member of the Order of Merit in 1983.
Denniston married, first in 1950, Anne Evans,
who died of cancer in 1985. In 1987 he
married the embryologist Rosa Beddington,
FRS, who died, also of cancer, in 2001. He is
survived by the son and two daughters of his
first marriage.
Andrew Huxley married, in 1947, Jocelyn
Richenda Pease, the daughter of the geneticist Michael Pease and his wife Helen Bowen
Wedgwood, a daughter of the 1st Lord Wedgwood. She died in 2003; they had five daughters and a son.
Andrew Huxley (AHH, 1930–35)
Died on 30th May 2012
Taken from The Telegraph, 6th June 2012
Stephen Lushington (Former Master)
Died on 9th August 2012
By John Goodbody (LL, 1956–61)
Sir Andrew Huxley, the former Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, who died aged 94, was
joint winner, with Sir Alan Hodgkin and Sir
John Eccles, of the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their analysis of the electrical and chemical processes involved in nerve
impulses which control the action of muscles.
Stephen Lushington was a master, whose indelible contribution to one’s time at Westminster,
was remembered by many of his pupils for
years after they had left the School. This was
not solely because of his distinctive personality
but also because his influence, particularly in
the teaching of English and direction of plays,
infused one’s own attitudes and understanding
of literature. Frequently the lessons of teachers subconsciously shape the character of their
pupils throughout their later lives.
Andrew Fielding Huxley was born in Hampstead, north London, on 22nd November 1917
into a notable scientific and literary family. His
grandfather was the 19th-century scientist and
writer Thomas Henry Huxley, famously a champion of Darwin; Andrew’s father, Leonard, was
for a time a Classics master at Charterhouse and
later took up a literary career, writing biographies and editing the Cornhill magazine.
He was elected Master of Trinity, Cambridge,
in 1984, after the request of the previous master, Sir Alan Hodgkin, to be allowed to stay on
after his 70th birthday had been narrowly and
controversially rejected by the fellows. Huxley’s
102 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Stephen, previously Housemaster of Wren’s,
was the first Housemaster of Liddell’s when
it was founded in 1956 and I was among the
28 boys who were enrolled that autumn term.
He was also my form master in my first year
and taught me English for several years. He
was memorable for his commitment to the
House, even shouting encouragement during
cricket matches, sometimes from as far away as
the tennis courts at Vincent Square, where he
was master-in-charge of the station. His love
of tennis meant that during the Wimbledon
fortnight, lunch in Liddell’s was consumed in
about 17 minutes, sometimes interspersed by
his cry of: “I hate custard. Take it away.” The
speed of eating was motivated by his desire to
be in time for the start of play at the All-England Club, began at 2 pm. Years later, he did
admit that lunch “was a bit of a gobble.”
Jack Dribbell (RR, 1936–68)
Died on 3rd October 2012
Taken from The Times, 9th October 2012
Liddell’s had a reputation in its early days of
being unusually easy-going and liberal, even by
Westminster’s prevailing ethos. This may have
been true but Stephen had lines in behaviour,
which pupils knew not to cross and were
enforced by a volcanic temper that would suddenly erupt. It cowed everyone, even people
outside the School. On one occasion, driving
the Liddell’s monitors to dinner in Soho, he was
obstructed by an overtaking car in Whitehall.
Stephen wound down the window and shouted:
“We are trying to get there too, you know !”.
At which the other driver let us go ahead.
Andrew Murray (RR, 1939–44)
Died on 7th November 2012
By Michael Partridge
Stephen was a most understanding Housemaster,
always concerned with the welfare of his pupils,
encouraging them in their studies and other
activities. Under his guidance, Liddell’s quickly
acquired a distinctive place at Westminster.
Literature came alive in his lessons. In the
reading of Macbeth, where he would often take
the choicest roles and enthuse the class with his
portrayal of the characters, he would pound the
chalk-tin to convey the sound of thunder. He
carefully drew out the responses of the pupils to
the words of poems and plays, while memorably condemning much popular writing as being
“five-star bosh de luxe”.
With School having to be completely refurbished after the War, it took some time for
drama to have a suitable stage. However, his
production of King Lear was a memorable
revival of Westminster’s acting tradition and
gave him immense satisfaction, so that he
could recall, even in old age, which boys played
which parts.
Stephen remained interested in the lives of his
former pupils until the end of his long life, not
perhaps fully aware of the considerable contribution that he had made to the development of
their careers.
Jack died peacefully in hospital, aged 90, after
a short illness. Loving husband of Giuliana,
father of two sons David and Peter, grandfather
of eleven. He will be sadly missed.
Andrew died on 7th November 2012 at the
age of 86. He was educated at The Grange prep
school in Eastbourne 1933–39 and during
the war, at Westminster (evacuated to Herefordshire) 1939–44. Gaining an exhibition to
Christ Church, Oxford, in 1944 he graduated
with a degree in maths. After National Service
with the Royal Army Educational Corps in
Egypt and elsewhere, in 1950 he joined the
Royal Greenwich Observatory, moving with
them to Herstmonceux in the early fifties
where he worked as an astronomer until his
retirement in 1986. A fellow of the Royal
Astronomical Society, he became Vice President
in 1975–77. During his time he witnessed
huge developments in his field of astronomy
known as astrometry, the precise measurement
of the movements and positions of stars and
celestial bodies. Although officially retired, he
remained deeply involved with the European
Space Agency team responsible for the Hipparcos Space Telescope Mission that was launched
from French Guiana in 1989. In more recent
years, pursuing a passion as an archivist and
historian, Andrew researched and wrote about
Eastbourne’s Victorian architecture, and he
was very proud of the part that his grandfather, William Hay Murray, had played as the
architect of Eastbourne College Big School, the
Eastbourne College School House frontage,
the original cricket pavilion and as the original
designer of the Memorial Building, as well as
many other fine buildings in the Saffrons and
Dittons Road area of Eastbourne. Andrew is
survived by his wife Mary and their three children, Simon, Jane and Richard.
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013 | 103
Deaths
Claes Edward Akerhielm
College 1932–1936
27/2/1918 – 1/6/2012
Mervyn Talbot Archdale
Rigaud’s 1939–1940
20/10/1924 – 9/1/2012
Richard William Beard
Busby’s 1944–1948
4/5/1931 – 13/1/2012
Humphrey McCartie
Buckler
Busby’s 1943–1947
7/3/1929 – 16/8/2012
Charles Christopher
Michael Buckmaster
Ashburnham 1937–1942
21/12/1923 – 8/7/2012
Leonard Robert Carr
of Hadley
Grant’s 1930–1935
11/11/1916 – 17/1/2012
Desmond Nicholas Croft
Grant’s 1945–1949
14/6/1931 – 7/9/2012
John Andrew Davidson
Grant’s 1942–1947
22/12/1928 – 1/7/2012
Robin Alastair Denniston
College 1940–1945
25/12/1926 – 6/4/2012
104 | THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER | 2012/2013
Jack Lodewyk Charles
Dribbell
Rigaud’s 1936–1938
30/7/1922 – 3/10/2012
Francis James Earle
Grant’s 1936–1940
13/3/1922 – 15/1/2012
David Stuart Ellis
Rigaud’s 1935–1940
17/11/1921 – 21/2/2012
Anthony Philip
Graham–Dixon
College 1943–1948
5/11/1929 – 4/7/1905
Brian Vivian Isitt
Greenish
Grant’s 1934–1939
11/10/1920 – 27/4/2012
John Peter Humphry
House
College 1958–1963
19/4/1945 – 8/2/2012
Andrew Fielding
Huxley
Ashburnham 1930–1935
22/11/1917 – 30/5/2012
William Stephen
George Macmillan
Grant’s 1936–1941
6/12/1922 – 4/7/1905
Colin Andrew Murray
Rigaud’s 1939–1944
07/01/1926 – 08/11/2012
Alan Naylor–Smith
Rigaud’s 1952–1957
14/1/1939 – 4/1/2012
Sidney John Vatcher
Rigaud’s 1936–1937
25/4/1924 – 1/3/2012
Roger Fenwick Wilding
Grant’s 1948–1952
13/2/1935 – 20/5/2012
Giles Colston Wintle
Wren’s 1948–1952
27/2/1935 – 27/1/2012
Former members of staff
Howard V Fox
d. 10/1/2012
Stephen Lushington
d. 9/8/2012
Louise Napier Johnson
d. 25/9/2012
MARCH – MAY
OW Calendar
2013
We are pleased to provide
advance notice of some events
coming up in 2013 so do use
this list to save the dates of those
events you wish to attend. All
dates are correct at the time of
going to press and any changes
will be published on www.oldwestminster.org.uk along with
full details of the events and
booking information.
Certain events, like the Ben
Jonson Drinks and Medics’
Drinks are for OWW who work
in specific professional fields.
To make sure that you receive an
invitation to the events you wish
to attend please send us your
up-to-date business details by
updating your profile on
our website or emailing
alumni@westminster.org.uk.
14th March 1st May 22nd May 1990s Decade Gaudy
OW Abbey Tour
Dryden’s Society Drinks
JUNE – JULY
6th June 11th June 13th June 20th June 9th July
11th July Medics’ Drinks
Women’s Network Mentoring Evening
Rigaud’s Society Dinner
Ben Jonson Drinks
Old Grantite Club
House of Commons Drinks
Old Westminsters at Home
(Westminster Abbey & College Garden)
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER
12th September 26th September 7th November
21st November
9th December Young Gaudy
College Society Dinner
Elizabethan Club Dinner
OW Wine Society Tasting Event
Carol Service
Above: Lottie Kirk (HH, 2005–07) and Henrietta Southby (BB, 2005–07)
at the Elizabethan Club Dinner 2012
Above left (top): David FitzSimons (LL, 1960–62) and
Simon Brew (RR, 1958–62) at the 1960s Decade Gaudy
Above left (bottom): Eduardo Musciacco (AHH, 2002–07)
and Bertie Milward (WW, 2003–08) at the OW Business Drinks
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER 2012/2013
THE ELIZABETHAN NEWSLETTER 2012/2013
The Elizabethan Newsletter is produced annually
by the Development Office of Westminster School
and is available to all OWW. Letters are positively
encouraged and should be sent to:
The Development Office
Westminster School
17a Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB
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