OCA NEWSLETTER NO 257
MAY 2014
The Journal of The Old Chelmsfordians Association.
Memorial Sports Field, Lawford Lane, Roxwell Road, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 2NS
Phone: 01245 420442 : Website: www.oldchelmsfordians.com
Secretary and Newsletter Editor: George Heseltine : 01245 265962 : heseltineuk@aol.com
ANNUAL DINNER
Saturday March 29th saw 100 diners
take their seats in the main hall for the
2014 Annual Dinner.
Paul Prichard, the former Essex
County cricket captain proposed the
toast to ‘The School and the
Association’ which was responded to
by the Headmaster, Tom Sherrington,
the Senior Prefect, James Barnes and
our President, Andy Cook who is
shown passing on the Chain of Office
to Terry Allen who now succeeds him.
During the evening a portrait of Nigel
Fanshawe, commissioned on behalf of
an OCA member, was presented to the
School to mark Nigel’s immense
contribution to the School during his
28 year headship from 1949-1977. We were delighted to welcome the artist David Hart to the Dinner,
himself a former KEGs pupil who is now studying architecture, along with Helen Wiltshire, head of art at
School who was responsible for organising the work. We were also pleased to take the opportunity to
invite another long serving lady member of staff, Jean Campbell, to be our guest at the Dinner together
with the senior prefects and representatives of the School Houses. David expressed an interest in meeting
Nigel and a trip was arranged.
Our photo shows David and Nigel
together with the finished portrait
and we are delighted to say that
Nigel was on top form and a very
enjoyable morning was spent with
him. He had recently heard from
Peter Combes who went to
Cambridge on a scholarship when
he left School in the late 1950s and
afterwards spent most of his life in
the communications industry and
who mentioned that Jeff Daniels
who left School at the same time
with a scholarship to study
engineering had himself enjoyed a
distinguished career in the
aeronautics industry.
1
SCHOOL NEWS
Tom Sherrington has written:- “It was a great pleasure to attend the annual dinner in March with my
colleagues and School Captains. As many of you will know, this was my final OCs dinner as Head of
KEGS as I am leaving the school at the end of this year to join Highbury Grove School in Islington. This
is much nearer home and represents an exciting challenge for me professionally as I seek to take some of
the rigour and scholarship from KEGS into a comprehensive setting. I won’t be saying goodbye just yet
so I’ll leave all of that to the final newsletter of the academic year. I’m delighted that Tom Carter will be
taking on the role of Acting Headteacher pending the appointment of a full-time successor.
It was a great honour to represent KEGS at the centenary celebrations of the Diocese of Chelmsford on
May 6th. Tim Worrall, our Director of Music and three students were singing in the choir which was a
wonderful experience for them. I’m sure that Her Majesty enjoyed the Bishop’s enthusiastic sermon
which included references to ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ (aka TOWIE) and West Ham. It was a lovely
celebration of the Christian community in the region and I’m glad I was able to participate on behalf of the
school.
Exam season is now upon us again. Year 11s have already left to embark on their GCSEs; Year 12s leave
this week and we have a few more weeks before Year 13s go to start their final exams. It is always a great
moment when the OCs President addresses the students about their lifelong association with the school
and I hope that more of our students join the organisation to keep the links going into the future.
From time to time we hear of the feats of former students. The most recent example was the news that
James Maynard who left KEGS nearly 10 years ago is now a world-leading mathematician. He recently
announced a major breakthrough in solving the ‘twin prime conjecture’ which involves devising new
methods in number theory. If you look him up on YouTube, there are videos of him explaining his work.
It’s really quite remarkable – and totally baffling to most people! A KEGS legend in the making for sure.
Thanks again to George Heseltine for his magnificent support. I hope you all enjoy the summer months
now that they have arrived”.
Spencer Wilcox, 1963-1970, Chair, KEGS Management Governors has written:- “Dear Old
Chelmsfordians. We currently have a vacancy on the KEGS Management Governors body for an
additional governor. We have reserved this vacancy against the possibility that we need some specific,
additional skills to support the responsibilities we have for the management of the school. An opportunity
has now arisen for someone to become a governor who has architectural, surveying or building experience
to assist with the oversight of the school buildings, infrastructure, their upkeep and improvement.
Currently, this responsibility has been held by Ed Turner, 1953-1958, (who is a community governor),
but the size and complexity of our estate has grown very significantly over recent years and Ed would
welcome some additional support. The role will involve becoming familiar with the estate, working
closely with Ed, the Business and Finance Manager, the site team (and, where necessary, external
contractors and professionals) and sitting on the Finance and Personnel sub-committee as well as
management governor meetings. The amount of time involved is not normally very onerous and is largely
consultative as the day to day premises issues are dealt with by the in house team.
If this role is attractive to you, perhaps you could email me (spencer.wilcox51@gmail.com), copy to Ed
Turner (eoturner@uwclub.net), setting out the experience you have, enclosing a CV and explaining why
you would be interested.
KEGS PA
June Povey has sent the following news from the School Parents Association:“We have just had our KEGS PA Diamond Jubilee Ball which was a tremendous success. We danced the
night away at Stockbrook Manor and had fun as well as raising funds for KEGS. We hope that Old Boys
will be interested in joining us for our Summer Festival at KEGS on July 5th between 12.30 - 3.30 for
which preparations are in hand. In particular please look out for the Grand Draw because the prizes are
incredible - first prize is an IPAD mini, second prize a Red Letter Day voucher and third prize a luxury
summer hamper”.
For more information contact June at pa@kegs.org.uk or visit the School website www.kegs.org.uk.
2
MEMORY CORNER
John Day, who must be one of our oldest members having been at School from 1932-1937, has sent us
these memories of his Schooldays and Chelmsford at the time.
“I was born in 1920 when Chelmsford was a small county town and where, so soon after the Great War,
unemployment was high, wages were low and the main employers were the Hoffmann Manufacturing Co, the
Marconi Company, Crompton & Co and Christy Bros.
The elementary schools of those days were fairly small; Chelmsford Cathedral Boys School (Church Street behind
the Cathedral), the Cathedral Girls and Primary School (at the cross roads in Victoria Road/New Street), along with
Trinity Road, the Friars and St Johns Schools serving the town whilst schools in Widford, Springfield, Writtle,
Chignal St James and Broomfield served the outlying villages. These catered for children from 5-14 years old at
which time you were expected to be able to earn a living although the Chelmsford College (next to the Baptist
Church in those days) offered evening classes for those wishing to progress further. Most schools consisted of one
large room divided by a six foot high railing, heating consisted of one large open fireplace and the use of the cane,
even at primary school under Miss Wodley, was quite normal with a 12 inch heavy ruler being applied, often
without reason, to anyone’s knuckles which happened to be in reach. Each morning a recital of the 2 to 12 times
tables was a must - hence the reason mental arithmetic has always been second nature to me. Moulsham School,
the first large school, was built in 1938 and replaced a lot of the then smaller school. A lot of the houses in those
days for the ordinary working people were mostly of the two up/two down style, still some without mains sewerage,
most with no electricity or gas, cooking mainly on an open fire and lighting by paraffin lamps. Beyond the town
boundaries it was mostly open country, the earliest council estates of Boarded Barns and the Allied beyond Trinity
Road were built about 1928/1929 as was Kings Road School. These were the first houses to have gas lighting,
cooking facilities and bathrooms. Most of us started Sunday School at about 5 years old and were taught Bible
stories at first by church members of all ages and I think most of us progressed as we got older, either being
baptised or confirmed. At 11 years old the brightest of each school were given the opportunity to take the 11+ exam
for entrance to the normal fee-paying Grammar or High School although later on in the 1930’s the choice of the
Technical College was also added. Most of the youngsters of those days made their own entertainment - no School
had playing fields of any sort, just a tarmacadam area around the school building, but in those days there were
plenty of green fields and local parks to play football or cricket. What domestic equipment there was generally left
a lot to be desired and I suppose the earliest wireless sets (as they were first known) were affordable to only a few in
the 1930s although some could be rented.
My days at King Edward VI started in September 1932, the Headmaster then was Mr Harold Bailey who lived in
the main part of the School and at that time there were quite a few boarders. The School consisted of the main
building, gym and, behind these, two ex-army huts where we spent our first two teaching years moving to the front
of the main building in the third year. The Junior School (Headmaster Mr Powley, teachers Miss Veasey and Mrs
Alderton was at the other side of Westfield). Our form master was Bruiser Findlay (Physics), and our teachers Sally
Burton (English language, literature and RE), Copper Smith (Geography), Pussy Johnson (History), Baker
(Chemistry), Birdy Beckett (Latin), Brooks (French), Maurice Bucknall (Gym). In those days there was a mixture
of grassed areas, full of stinging nettles and weeds, backing on to Cedar Avenue. A copse divided the School
buildings from Westfield, with Tennis Courts and the Rifle Range beyond the wooden classrooms. I joined the cadet
force under Captain Brooks and Bucknall eventually joining the Band as a bugler. I think we changed to Red/Black
uniforms about 1934/35. At School I was possibly above average and did collect one book prize for Art. Class
mates included the Urquhart brothers, Bobby Willcox whose father owned Canons restaurant, Peter and Michael
Thorne who lived in Cottage Place and Grant who went on to play cricket for the OCs.
I left in 1937 to start an apprenticeship in engineering, originally five years as an apprentice tool maker, with one
year’s day release at the Tech College in the late 30s for ONC Mech (3 evenings ONC Elect). I played most games
at school without achieving anything of particular note but carried on playing Hockey, Badminton and Tennis at
Hoffmans until the 1970s.
At 93 years of age I still regularly attend the monthly coffee mornings at Lawford Lane and was delighted to join
the tour of the School in October 2012 to revive and relive many memories from eighty years previous. I also
attended the Annual Dinner this year for the first time in many years and, despite the lateness of the hour it finished,
thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience!”
3
REMINISCENCES - A ‘LITTLE’ MORE
Steve Little has published "Days We'll Remember All Our Lives' a humorous collection of stories from his
time at KEGS from 1960-1968 and we will be featuring a selection of these edited extracts in future
newsletters. Copies of the book are available by contacting Steve on 01372 375574, at
www.stevelittlebooks.com or steve@medehollow.co.uk.
“DON’T KICK THE SHAVINGS OUT OF THE DOOR”
On arriving at KEGS in 1960 two subjects were new to us – Latin and Woodwork – studying Latin was essential as
you needed an O-level in it to obtain a place at Oxbridge, but Woodwork? Not many saw the point of it yet we had
to suffer a double lesson once a week. Of the one hundred boys in my intake year I cannot recall any who had an
aptitude towards a subject taken so seriously by E B Danvers – Woodworkmaster and Major in charge of the Cadet
Corps. Unsmiling, aloof and lacking any character the Major, ironically, had been voted by his fellow staff members
to be in charge of the ‘meet-and-greet’ responsibilities towards parents of new boys. We all assumed this to be a
joke played on Nigel Fanshawe by the other staff as the Major was the last person suited to that particular role.
The Major, or ‘Dan’ as we called him, was one for routine. Apart from showing us how to plane a piece of 2-by-1,
cut joints etc. he rarely moved from his desk, never helping us individually to come to terms with the art of intricate
carpentry, never hands on. Resplendent in our aprons with our name in the top left hand corner with our Form and
Set number beneath, we were set four tasks to complete in the first year. The first job was planing the 2-by-1 into a
twelve inch ruler and then marking it out with the inches etched with an unsteady hand. The next two pieces of
work were to introduce us to the art of using joints – one being mortise and tenon. The fourth job was the making of
a small box with a lid. Such was my incompetence that I did not complete the box until the start of my THIRD year
by which time Peter Pike was now my woodwork master! I was far from being alone in this incompetence.
The problem most of the boys had was how to plane a piece of wood to meet ‘Dan’s’ strict eye in ensuring the wood
was ‘set straight and square’ as he called it. The euphoria felt when he pencilled his ‘face-mark’ to one side of the
wood you had spent ages trying to get right meant the 1960s equivalent of high fives from your fellow pupils.
Once the job was complete you would be allowed to take it home if it was totally to ‘Dan’s’ satisfaction – if not, he
would tell you to move to the next job and throw your work of art into the wood waste box, a crushing blow if you
had spent a whole term or more desperately meeting his strict criteria. If you messed up a piece of wood ‘Dan’
would replace it. Many of us planed away and got turned down for a “face mark” time and again. By that time our
intended rulers would only be useful to our Mums as they began to resemble knitting needles, so we had to ask for a
replacement piece. “Dan” would mark in his register with how many pieces of wood you used. After two you
received a “Ticket Warning” and if you messed up number three in the same school year you would get a “Ticket”.
To most of us a “Ticket” was an anathema. It was a sign of failure. It was a sheet of paper with a table of a school
week split into the 40-minute lesson segments and one at the bottom of each column to be signed off by the parents
each night to confirm you had completed your homework. Into the table we had to write in the lessons or the
“Office” typed them in and the Master would sign that you had attended his lesson, insert a comment or test results
etc. This you would carry round for the whole week then have it signed off by the Head or his Deputy. If you kept
your nose clean you would never get a “Ticket” but in woodwork it was just that we were all naff at what we were
doing and, seemingly beyond our control, we would suffer the ignominy of this “Ticket”, which also meant a
deduction of house points too. I remember spending about six double woodwork lessons pretending to plane my
piece of wood to complete one of the tasks. It was the size of yet another knitting needle and I had had my “Ticket”
warning and so there was no chance of another piece of wood but I was determined not to get the dreaded piece of
paper. By the time my knitting needle had almost become the width of a toothpick I recall I went home to my Nan’s
for lunch before one woodwork lesson and feigned illness with a hacking cough but she did not buy the ruse and
gave me a cough sweet to suck instead! The cough soon went when I walked back to the school to try and outwit
“Dan”. The good thing was he rarely rose from his desk at one end of the rectangular workshop and my bench was
at the other. It never occurred to me that all this grief could be overcome if I just went down to Browns, the local
timber yard, and have them knock up a piece of two by one with the sides and edges “straight and square” for the
cost of a few measly pence out of my pocket money. It would be easy to copy “Dan’s” “face marks” and smuggle it
into the workshop. How naïve, yet honest, we were!
Safe to say I never did get a “Ticket” from “Dan” as the end of the school year came to my rescue. It’s funny how
things stick in your mind from almost a lifetime ago. ‘Dan’ would end every lesson by calling out the numerous
tools we should have all neatly returned to the cupboard at our individual work-bench.
The worst eighty minutes of any school week was brought to a welcome end with Dan’s final, closing words –
“… and lastly either a hammer or a brush….and don’t kick the shavings out of the door”!
4
WERE YOU HE IN A LONDON CAFE? - THE MYSTERY SOLVED
Following the article in the last newsletter of Selwyn Wheeler’s brief encounter in a London café we very
quickly received this communication from Denis Wicking, denis@wicking.me:‘I was the "younger man" that Selwyn encountered; Denis Wicking, 1968-75, CSM 1974-1975. Home near
Stowmarket and, following the meeting I had after encountering Selwyn and his wife, now working in
Luxembourg for a few weeks. We mused for some time over life at the school and after.
His memory was working well and I am sure he would have got there in placing me eventually!’.
We also heard from Geoff Wheatley, 1964-1971, geoff@theatreserve.com who wondered if the OCA
member Selwyn had met might just have been his brother, Paul, who attended the school in the late 60s early 70s. In a story more befitting a theatrical play than real life Geoff, who has worked as a freelance
Production Manager in commercial theatre for many years, subsequently explained why he had asked:“Over the years, a number of people have described meeting my brother Paul, especially in and around
the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford, although occasionally elsewhere. They have thoroughly enjoyed their
chat with him – often at a time when they were feeling a little low or uncertain about a part they were
playing or life in general. Usually they have only met him the once but have always said that the young
man (who they have described as Paul) had reassured them and helped them considerably. These
incidents have occurred in the late ‘70s, the ‘80s and ‘90s (I am not sure about more recently) but the
strange thing is that Paul sadly died as a result of an accident in Duke Street in December 1976………!”
THIS AND THAT
A new BBC One series ‘The Gift’ is looking for people who are desperate to say ‘sorry’ or ‘thank you’ to
an important person from their past who they can no longer find. Whether it be the childhood nanny, old
friend, or even a stranger who was there when you needed it most, or the person you really regret hurting
who you’d finally like the opportunity to apologise to, ‘The Gift’ aims to find these people and put you
back in touch.
Using a team of professional mediators and specialists in searching for you, ‘The Gift’ can help you say
the things you still really need to say. If you feel you have a long overdue debt of gratitude or if you’ve
felt burdened with the need to apologise and make amends, then the programme makers would love to
hear from you. Please contact Rachel Ozers on 020 7241 9310 or at rachel.ozers@walltowall.co.uk.
FROM OUR POST BAG
John Dominy, 1939-1945, john@thebarn.bbmax.co.uk, has written under
the caption ‘Those were the days’.
“Somebody recently asked me what the 1st World War soldiers had wrapped
around their legs and how did they stay up?
As you can see from the photo taken in 1939, when I got my cadet uniform at
school, I was able to explain.
The down side was that as this is the 100th anniversary they thought I must
be that old or even older!!”
We further heard from John that he served in Singapore and Hong Kong
from 1950 to 1953 and stayed on in the army after National Service before
finally retiring in 1978. “I was in Singapore when Peter Philcox, who was in
my form, won his MC in Malaya. I went to see him in Kuala Lumpur
Military Hospital for he was very badly shot up.
Those were the days but they all seem a very long time ago now!”
5
John Candler, 1947-1953, jaypee.john49@hotmail.co.uk.
“When reading Barry Godden’s item I was interested by his reference to a farm wagon on the Eastern
National Bus station as the result of an enterprising student rag. My interest was aroused because I
attended two Sixth Form Dinners, one in December 1952 the other in December 1953. At the end of the
Dinner it was traditional to perform some prank or other in the town centre; Judge Tindal’s statue was a
common target and received well needed clean-ups on several occasions and the Library steps (Borough)
were another frequent target. In 1953, my final year at the School, VI Science found an old farm wagon
somewhere and brought it onto the School premises where it was cleaned and greased to ensure that it was
road-worthy. The plan was to wheel the wagon into the town as far as the Railway Station where it was
chained and padlocked to the set of railings near the cut through to Railway Street; the padlock had been
doctored by our amateur locksmith (David Wright) such that no key would unlock it and a special
technique was needed to pick said padlock. Almost all of us in VI Science, including the amateur
locksmith, were employed by Royal Mail delivering Christmas mail and the farm wagon remained in
place until the amateur locksmith could be located on his round, then returned to base. It was well into
lunchtime before a team of pushers plus amateur locksmith could be assembled and the farm wagon
removed from railway premises.
I also knew of Don Kelly through a common interest in Cross Country Running. Don was School Captain
the year before Dudley Courtman and his reputation was passed on to our team. Apparently Don Kelly
would tell his team that a particular evening would incorporate a long leisurely run around a particular
course; the next time out he would tell his team “tonight it will be a short sharp run”, in fact the course
was exactly the same - only everyone ran a lot faster. Thankfully, Dudley did not use such tactics”.
Robert Parsons, 1954-1961, juneandbobparsons@msn.com.
“I regret that my forward planning takes me further ahead than the 2015 OCA Dinner. You know I am a
lifelong Scottish dancer and that I have yet to grow out of drumming which started for me in September
1955 when I joined the junior Corps of Drums. I will be playing at the Medway Ball in Rochester on the
29th March, the night of your 2014 Dinner and at Harrow Caledonian Society's Spring Dance on 21st
March 2015! There is a glimmer of hope with the second date as this could move to 28th March. If that
happens I will keep the date clear to join you all for that occasion.
I enjoyed Brian Goodey's comments about the short-lived Jazz Club. I do remember Bruce Turner's visit,
and I mentioned this in a record recital I gave recently to Big Bands Windsor (BBW) and included one of
Bruce's recordings. I read somewhere that Bruce was American; he most definitely wasn't - born in
Saltburn and educated at Dulwich College. I don't remember how he spoke, but seem to remember him
calling everybody "man" although perhaps “dad” is more likely. I have retained my schoolboy interest in
jazz and am now helping to run a jazz group for Windsor U3A.
BBW, Pinner Big Band Club and U3A
jazz all benefit from use of my PA systems. Brian may be pleased to know that I have a large collection
of Duke Ellington recordings ranging from 1928 to 1974 although sadly I have no 78s but most of the
collection is on vinyl”.
Brian Saunders, 1951-1958, bhs1@btinternet.com.
“David E Wood, might remember me better as ‘Sam’ Saunders although, as I now consider myself
‘respectable’, and only to be addressed by my given name would rather that not be published. My mother
was always upset by the use of my nickname - even more so when she realized that it came from a
notorious piece of doggerel although I prefer to believe that it was simply alliterative. I too was in
Transitus along with Choppin et al and went from the First Form to the Fourth Form (4A).
Spike Godden's brother, Barry, was a senior prefect when I was in my early years at the School. He was
slightly handicapped but did not allow this to interfere in any way with his School activities. He was, and
is, no doubt an example to us all.
David Gower had the misfortune to coach me (together with Rogers) when I won the House Music
Competition for the best soprano in the school singing "Where the bee sucks there suck I" - what a wimp I
must have been!
All of a sudden it seems that various contemporaries of mine are coming out of the woodwork - I suspect
it's because old farts like me have little else to do! It does, however make your magnificent publication far
more interesting. Thanks for all your hard work putting it all together”.
6
Gareth Gunning, 1952-1960, garethgunning@btinternet.com.
“There were other teaching-staff musical taste revelations of the kind recalled by Brian Goodey in the
1950s. The stern disciplinarian Ellis Williams, always thought to be strictly Welsh-chapel-only in musical
matters, responded during a geography lesson to some random reference with an outpouring of praise for
swing music and an opinion that the Benny Goodman Story was the finest film ever made. One would like
to think it was prompted by some observation about classmate Michael Sidney Goldman’s fast developing
clarinet talent. Sid’s father had been a band musician in the 1930s, saxophone I seem to recall. Sid led a
memorable performance with a small group in one school fete cabaret when, after a brilliantly
extemporised rendition of [perhaps] Lullaby of Birdland, he poured liquid from a stage-prop teapot all
over the drummer. The ensuing scene suggested that hadn’t been part of the rehearsed performance. I
think the skiffle group which Brian remembers played its only public engagement at a Parents’
Association fund raising bazaar, a performance probably crafted more for enjoyment of band members
than entertainment of the parents and their supporters. Nigel Fanshawe, quite unexpectedly, sang a Gilbert
& Sullivan piece during his speech at a Sixth Form dinner, and remarkably well too. He is, as we later
discovered, an authority on the operas.
The school fetes could be another prompt for reminiscences in your ever more interesting Journal. I wore
Reg Goodey’s Old Chelmsfordian blazer to one of them, probably with a boater. Several of us bought
them in an effort to re-establish the fashion. Tony Gard’s boater fell off while he was cycling to school
and was crushed under a bus in Broomfield Road. I still have the blazer and Brian is going to have it back
next time we meet in suitable circumstances for the exchange.
Incidentally, David Woods is right about Roy Stewart who was certainly Drum Major, and for three years
too. Terence Wood was never Drum Major. He was leading side drummer when he left school, the best of
his era and unequalled until after I left in 1960. He subsequently became a highly respected senior
member of the Diplomatic Service.
Also, in Nigel Fanshawe’s Christmas letter 2013 he tells me he remembers knowing Paul Herrington was
writing things in the school office but he didn’t interfere and neither did Doris Moth. He has kept in touch
with Paul but not about “The Edwardian”. One cannot envisage such freedom being allowed to pupils in
schools of the 21st Century or, indeed, their headmasters attending CCF field days in Colonel’s uniform!”.
Gareth subsequently found a ‘pie chart’ in a Guardian Review drawn by Tom Gauld entitled ‘Content
Analysis of the Memoir’ which he suggests well sums up the reliability of the newsletter stories that are
told…certainly his. He suggested that whilst copyright might prevent its reproduction in the Newsletter
we could, however, refer to the sentiment which has ‘Artistic License’ as the largest slice of the pie
followed in decreasing percentages by ‘Rose-Tinted Nostalgia’, ‘Myth-Making’, ‘Verifiably True’,
‘Possible but Unlikely’, ‘Bullshit’, ‘Libellous Score-Settling’, ‘Disputed Facts’, ‘Dubious Memories’
down to the smallest slice ‘Misremembered Details’.
Len Menhinick, 1936-1945, has written “Thank you for yet another most interesting read in Newsletter
256 although, because of my advancing years, most of your correspondents are younger than me but I still
find their reminiscences most interesting.
It was nice to hear that Dick Rondel is still alive and kicking, his brother Mike was a year above me at
School, a lovely man, tall, gangling and always smiling. Dick probably won’t remember me as I was
always known at School, during my time there, as ‘Minny’. As I have mentioned in previous newsletters
a vastly different school in the wartime; the teaching staff was made up of very willing gentlemen no
longer in the first flush of youth and equally charming ladies - somehow they all survived me!
I wonder how many of my compatriots are still alive and kicking? Jimmy Hasler, who I first met up with
at Good Easter Council School in 1932 is still going strong. So I believe are Ray Knappett, Ray Collins,
Brian Butcher, Peter Baldwin, Roy Shead and Reg Richardson. A year younger than me, who I still see a
lot of, is my dear friend Don Norman, softly spoken and self effacing, he has put so much into the OCA
over the years. He not only played football but was a team manager and a linesman and is also one of the
longest serving members of that wonderful institution, the ‘Friday Gang’. He was very pleased when one
son played football for the OCs for several seasons and is even more delighted that his grandson Dominic
is a very talented cricketer and has scored a lot of runs in the last few seasons, mainly for the 2nd eleven
including his maiden century last season.
7
I was pleased to see your note about ‘JJ’ Lewis. Two corrections, dear old Carlton Wright only played
for the Essex 2nd Eleven; it was his brother Albert who played the occasional game for the First Team.
John Urquhart who got his Cambridge Blue in 1948 also played for Essex 2’s, another lovely man, sadly
long since gone. One person, a former member of the School, who did play for Essex was TPB (Peter)
Smith who was in the Junior School circa 1918. Cousin of Ray Smith, Peter played no fewer than 434
games for Essex between 1929 and 1951; he died very early when he was only 59. In 1948 he was the
premier leg spin bowler in the Country, playing four times for England. He took 1,614 wickets, scored
over 10,000 runs and did the double once. In 1947 against Derbyshire, at Chesterfield, he put on 218 runs
with Frank Vigar, still, unsurprisingly, an Essex last wicket record. Whilst still playing he established
Pope and Smith Sports Outfitters, in those days in Tindal Street. His partner and fellow cricketer, Dudley
Pope, was tragically killed in a motor accident whilst a county match was in progress at Chelmsford.
I think I have bored you long enough but, like so many others, I am so lucky to have been able to play my
part in our great Association”.
CONGRATULATIONS
We were delighted to receive this news from former School staff Lindsey Clarke and David Bishop:“February 21st was a very special day as David
and I got married (finally I hear you cry).
Yes, we tied the knot in the Guildhall, Derry at
12.30 p.m. surrounded by close family and
witnesses. It was such a special day which ended
in a party at the house with a wedding meal of
shepherd’s pie (made from home produced
Fuchsia House lamb) and desserts made by kind
neighbours (who’d obviously heard of my
inability to produce anything edible in the
‘sweets’ department).
The partying continued for another 2 days with
the family enjoying the England v Ireland Rugby
in the Harbour Bar, visits to the shop and a
bracing walk on the local County Donegal beach
to blow the cobwebs away.
Our thanks go to all our close friends and other
family in England who sent good wishes and
cards – they were greatly appreciated and made
our day even more special as it was simply not
possible to have everyone here. We will look
forward to reliving the events with visitors who
have booked to come over this year (no, it’s
definitely too late to cancel the tickets now!)”.
We send our very best wishes to them both and also to the former Roxanna Moles who was at School
from 1998-2000 and who contacted us with her news:“My name is Roxanna Forman (nee Moles) (1998-2000) and I would be happy to receive the newsletter
by email, roxannamoles@hotmail.com. After nearly 10 years working for the NHS I am currently taking
a break to look after my son Luca Jago Forman, born 6th February 2014. We now live in Bury St
Edmunds and I hope to return to work at Public Health England in the New Year”.
We also heard from John Rendle that his father-in-law, Eric Black, 1925-1930, has now moved ‘across
the road’ in Tiverton to live with them. Eric lost his wife Lydia aged 98 last December and will himself
celebrate his 100th birthday on May 10th. Our congratulations to him.
8
OBITUARIES
We are sorry to report that ‘Bert’ Pipe (1945 – 1950) passed away on 27 March 2014. Bert appears in
italics because his real name was Henry and as a further complication he was known to many as Harry!
However to his many school and OC’s friends he was always – Bert. At school he enjoyed his time as a
tenor drummer with the Corps of Drums and was a member of the party on the famous Denmark tour.
Bert enjoyed his OC’s football for several years in the late 50’s/early 60’s, mainly as 3rd XI skipper. He
is entirely responsible for recruiting his friend Peter Crisp into the OCA and the football section – whether
this is a matter for congratulations or not must be left for separate discussion. In August 1963 he married
Connie, who sadly pre-deceased him.
On leaving KEGS in 1950, Bert was employed briefly at Hoffmanns but soon undertook an engineering
apprenticeship at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth. From there, he spent a few years in the
Merchant Navy on cable laying ships before a major move to British Aerospace at Farnborough where he
enjoyed a very successful career. One claim to fame in this part of his life was as a major participant in
the development and launch of experimental rockets and guidance systems at sea under secondment to the
MOD.
Bert was happily settled in Farnborough where he led a very full life. He was an extremely enthusiastic
member of the Fleet Cricket Club where in the latter years he was Chairman and General Dogsbody – all
members are aware of how important such a volunteer worker is to a sports club. He also found time to
train as a glider pilot by way of a hobby and throughout his busy working life would take every available
opportunity to return to Chelmsford for a chat and the renewal of friendships and often attended our
annual dinner.
Bert died on 27 March 2014 at the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham. He leaves a son Simon and
daughter Karen and several grandchildren. Simon was responsible for the production of a comprehensive
programme for the funeral service at Aldershot Crematorium which includes several photographs which
our members would recognise. The service included Bert’s favourite song “Sailing” and music from
‘Over The Rainbow’. Eulogies were given by Peter Crisp on KEGS and the OCA, by a fellow employee
from BAE and a by a fellow player from Fleet Cricket Club.
Peter Crisp’s mention above at
the worth to any sports club of a
‘general dogsbody’ was very
much highlighted in the early
hours of April 30th when Brian
Terry, our very own volunteer
Mr Fixit, got the call that we
had intruders at the Lane! The
culprits turned out to be horses
from the adjoining land that,
having escaped, had apparently
been corralled by a passer-by
on to our field for their own and
the public’s safety. Brian and
his wife Eileen then spent the
next few hours contacting
everyone who needed access to
our now secured premises
during the day before locating
the owners and then helping
them return the horses to their
own pasture.
Thank you Brian for your ever presence at Lawford Lane and Eileen for your help and tolerance!
9
We have recently learned of the deaths of Ray Kirkham (1939-1945), Robin Patmore (1949-1954)
Bernard Fred Currall, 1930-1937, last September and Peter Raven,1941-1950, last November.
Peter’s widow, Tressa, has sent us a copy of the eulogy given at his memorial service which detailed his
long military career and his later life farming in the Woolpit, Thurston and Stanton areas around Bury St
Edmunds. At School he was a member of the CCF which first led to his interest in an army career and his
passing of School Certificate proved an essential tool in later getting a commission initially with the Essex
Regiment before being seconded to the Royal Norfolk Regiment about to depart for Korea. He
subsequently enjoyed three spells with 22 SAS Regiment and service with the 1 Royal Norfolk in Cyprus
fighting EOKA and with 1 Royal Anglian in BAOR and Berlin and a period with the Sultan of Oman’s
armed forces in Oman and Dhofar. Whilst leading his company of Omani soldiers he held a vital
mountain pass for so long between Muscat and Salalah that this became known as ‘Raven’s Roost’ and is
still named as such on many maps of the area today. Despite a later life in farming in the UK and
Nigeria, the army was his real love and he retained his interest by working with Army Cadets, the Royal
British Legion, the Korean Veterans and by attending Royal Norfolk, Royal Anglian and SAS Association
reunions. In 2011, despite poor health, he attended the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the liberation of
Korea at the invitation of the Korean government.
Patrick Roberts, postmaster@patrickroberts.force9.co.uk, has sent us an obituary for his good friend
David Ivory, 1962-1969.
“Dave died from cancer in Chambery hospital, near his home in Novalaise, France. Those who remember
him from his KEGS days will recall a fiercely intelligent, competitive, driven and challenging youth.
These qualities remained with him to the last.
He was a boarding scholar and also won a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music which he
nominally attended on Saturdays; Dave attacked every task he set himself with vigour. When he took up
cycling, he set off with a friend to Derbyshire and back, a distance of 500km. Nigel Fanshawe drove off to
find them but Dave refused to get into his car; he was determined to do what he set out to - and the
consequences were painful!
All this tells us that Dave was definitely not prefect material and not always the most popular pupil in the
teacher's eyes. Luckily, he was championed by the head of English, Mr "Isiah" Lee, who ensured his place
at Magdalen College, Oxford where he read English and was a leading light in the Alpine club, pioneering
new climbs. A varied career saw Dave working as a luthier, trading commodity futures, qualifying as a
chartered accountant, learning IT skills and starting up a company providing CAD to the construction
industry, sales director, IT consultant in the insurance industry and latterly trading in precious metals.
Whilst doing all this he trained gun dogs, qualified as a pilot and became a skilled cook. His love and
knowledge of food was typical of Dave - he read, researched and practised until he was an expert. My
visits to his French home were marked by long conversations with local food market traders followed by a
three hour preparation time of the evening meal. We would then talk until the early hours covering topics
ranging from the poetry of Alexander Pope to the need for a return to the gold standard to the dangers of
modern day food production methods. Dave had a deep understanding of the world and how it works. He
was uncompromising, would not suffer fools and would not accept the easy answers but he was loyal,
witty and a good friend and companion.
He leaves his wife, Lorna, and his son
from his first marriage, Julian, his mother [who still lives in Chelmsford] and a brother and sister”.
We briefly mentioned in the last issue the death of John Fairhead RIBA on January 28th at the age of 78
and have now been provided with this further information.
Having initially attended St. Philip’s Priory, Chelmsford, John transferred to KEGs in 1944 as an eight
year old in the junior school at Westfield House and progressed through to the senior school until he was
17. From 1949-1953 he was a member of the KEGS CCF and played the bugle in the Corps of Drums
with whom he competed in three consecutive and highly successful Hornchurch Band contests. In August
1951, at the tender age of 15, he was lucky enough to be able to participate on the band tour of Denmark.
10
From 1953-1955 John attended Mid-Essex Technical College & School of Art in Chelmsford (now know
as Anglia Ruskin University) where he studied architecture. He started work with the Hornchurch Urban
District Council before moving on to various private practices including the Stanley Bragg partnership in
Witham and at the end of 1965 started work for the Basildon Development Corporation where he was
subsequently promoted to senior town planner and helped design and re-establish Basildon’s town centre
with shops, restaurants & multi-storey office buildings. In October 1988, with the eventual closure of the
Basildon Development Corporation, John returned to work for Stanley Bragg in Colchester before
embarking on a successful and exciting career as a self-employed chartered architect from 1990-2007.
At college John was a talented tennis and badminton player and later in life became an accomplished
squash player. He had a deep love for cars, sailing, a passion for travel and was a keen all-round gardener.
He is succeeded by his wife Amicie, their children Zada & Jake and his grandchildren Amelie and Leonie.
Although not an Old Boy as such the recent death of Ollie Hopkins was felt by many at the club. Better
known in Chelmsford for being a former Player, Coach, Manager and President of Chelmsford City
Football Club he was often at Lawford Lane to meet up with former Barnsley team mate Peter Gillott,
others from the Chelmsford City teams of the 60s and 70s and to watch his son Paul playing his football
with us. He was also a regular visitor here playing cricket for both Great and Little Waltham and after
finishing his playing career continued to umpire for many seasons and was an honorary Life Member of
the T Rippon Cricket League.
COFFEE MORNINGS
Peter Turrall MBE, President Grapevine Essex, peter.turrall@sky.com:“Many thanks for the February Newsletter (another great issue) which I have read with interest. Although
not ex-KEGS I do remember the names of some of the contributors. I took over from Len Menhinick as
Chairman of the local Ann Johnson’s Educational Foundation several years ago and have recently retired
from this organisation as well as from Chelmsford Mencap where for many years I was Chairman and
President. I have recently been appointed President of Grapevine Essex, a Charity set up within the last
year for people with Learning Disabilities. This Charity, which I and my colleagues are delighted has
been adopted by the OC's Thursday Coffee mornings for their 2014 Charity, is very much locally based
and offers Easter and Summer full activity programmes of entertainment and outings as well as regular
weekly events comprising special dance groups, social clubs and arts and crafts sessions. All run on a
voluntary basis by our many helpers. Peter Crisp and his wife Dawn are also supporters of our new
organisation and their son David is a very able member of our Dance Group which perform at the Civic
Theatre and Boswell School Shows on regular occasions. Should any OCs wish to become an active
voluntary contributor to or member of Grapevine Essex, I would be pleased to make contact with them”.
Ted and Ann Caton were in charge of proceedings on February 20th with a few new faces amongst the 20
or so present. A special welcome was extended to Richard Rondel, 1938-1949, and he, Ray Collins and
the Secretary enjoyed a nostalgic trip round the School afterwards.
Brian and Margaret Churcher took control of the March meeting at which John Barton, 1960-1964, home
briefly from Australia, arrived with his mother Mary who for so many years was our newsletter typist.
Selwyn and Elaine Wheeler managed things on April 17th with a couple of dozen present again. Hugh
Piper had brought along a box of archive material from his days at School and entertained all with his
reminiscences of ‘Entertainment’ put on by members of the Sixth Form in 1949 which included a
performance of Dick Whittington in which Hugh played ‘Alice’ and Richard Rondel ‘the Cook’.
On a sadder note we are sorry to report the death in April of Tony, wife of Mary Argent, Secretary of the
High School Old Girls Society who has become a regular member recently at our coffee mornings. We
extend our condolences to Mary and her family.
Coffee Mornings are held on the third Thursday of every month and all members are welcome.
For further information please contact Lloyd Hardy on 01245 251187 or Ted Caton on 01245 256790.
11
OCA WILDLIFE
Nick Green has updated us on the wildlife around Lawford Lane since the New Year and clarified which
rivers run close to our bottom boundary:The weather made headlines yet again in February with the month’s rainfall falling in just three days in
some parts of the country and confirmation that it was the wettest winter recorded, as testified by the
horrendous flooding on the Somerset Levels and Thames. Thankfully the weather improved and continued
rather mild, nothing like the cold spring of 2013. The stream on the eastern perimeter drains south into the
River Can running west-east past the ground south of the paddock field to the south of the ground. The
River Wid runs north from Widford and also meets the Can behind the paddock field.
Bird sightings include a pair of Mistle Thrushes that have graced the field on many occasions – even noted
by Ted Marsh!! Other birds recorded include:
February: 7 Goldfinches, 2 Jays, a Green Woodpecker on 21st; a pair of Mallard on the field and stream
from 26th into April are no doubt prospecting…
March: 2 Goldcrest nearby on 6th; Moorhen (unusual) and first migrant Chiffchaff from 14th; a superb
Kingfisher flew down stream on 26th; first Blackcap singing from 31st.
April: possible Osprey reported by Chris Flint on 4th; 2 Bullfinch on 8th and 13th; first Willow Warbler,
Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat from 16th; 2 Swallows on 17th..
Butterflies have included: Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks from 14th and a Brimstone on 31st March,
Orange-Tip and Speckled Woods from 10th April. In good weather, there has been an encouraging number
of bees and butterflies.
Special thanks to Terry Burney who built and donated four more nestboxes which have already been
positioned round the field by the Friday crowd who continue to do an excellent job for conservation. One
nestbox looks to be hosting a pair of Blue Tits, another Great Tits… Really good to see all the flowerbeds
and saplings springing to life, including the Willow tree “experiments” suggested by Dr Chris Gibson.
Please let us know if you have any OCA wildlife sightings: nick7green@aol.com or Editor George on
heseltineuk@aol.com
E-MAIL CONVERSIONS
Sanjiv Ingle (1978 – 1985), sanj43ingle@gmail.com. “I am glad I bumped into John Swinney in
Brentwood High Street and signed back up to the OC’s again. For those that remember me at school, I am
probably best remembered for my prowess at Table Tennis - having been school No 1 for the entire 6th
Form! Then striking a clinical partnership with the OC’s TT club, playing with John Gardner, Ashton
Parker, Clive Beagles, Baz Bailey, Tom Iliffe’s dad, who was the only guy I knew that used to play TT
wearing his shirt and tie, and Brian Shipley to name a few, some of whom enticed me to the OC’s Sunday
Circus side for cricket for a few games. I am back in the Brentwood area after many years away if anyone
wishes to look me up”.
We have also had requests to convert to email from:Martin Cansdale, 1992-1999, martin.cansdale@gmail.com; Dudley Courtman, 1945-1952,
dudleycourtman@gmail.com; Alan Walker, walker.alan@hotmail.com and have re-established contact
with Richard Carter, 2001-2008, rpcarter@me.com and Angus McCallum, 1975-1980,
angus.185.mcc@watsall.com.
12
GOLF
THE ALEX SWAN TROPHY 2014
Howard Swan has written to let us know that this year’s tournament, the 30th in memory of his father,
will take place at the Bentley Golf Club, Ongar Road, Brentwood, Essex on Thursday 19th June.
The plan for the day is:
09.00 onwards
10.00
12.00 onwards
13.30
19.00/19.30
Tea, coffee and breakfast
9 holes TEXAS SCRAMBLE (in pairs) with playing some holes with hickories
Lunch
18 holes BETTER BALL STABLEFORD (in pairs) competition for the Alex Swan
Trophy and for the David Salmon Trophy – for parent and offspring.
Carvery dinner, auction and prize giving
“The cost of the day will be £60 per person, with the cost of the golf remaining as before, and, this year a
contribution per player of £5 will be made for SNAP, a local charity for underprivileged children and £5
to the TOF Foundation, a charity for children who are challenged by a digestive and respiratory system
anomaly, with which my youngest granddaughter was diagnosed at birth.
The generous contributions made by everyone last year, particularly from the auction, allowed me to give
almost £2000 to the two charities and, working with SNAP, we have managed to begin to run golf classes
for the special needs kids from the Endeavour School, which has enabled them to experience something
they could otherwise not have done. It has helped them immensely as giving them a positively therapeutic
recreation. The initiative is now continuing in an expanded form and is being aimed towards an Essex
county special needs kids and families golf day in Chelmsford in July.
The day is a family affair ... for fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, grandparents and grandchildren ... and
for many friends and colleagues at the Old Chelmsfordians Association ... with whom I spent much time
at school, on and off the playing field, ... and together with many whom I ... with William .. have worked
with over the past years in designing golf courses at home and abroad.
Hopefully you might be able to be there with us at Bentley for the day”.
Howard can be contacted on howard.swan@swangolfdesigns.com, by phone +44 1277 896229,
+44 7778 970496 or at Telfords Farm,Willingale, Ongar, Essex CM5 0QF.
FOOTBALL
Graham King has sent us this close-to-the-end of the season summary and the results of recent fixtures:After an indifferent season the 1st XI secured their Olympian League Division One status by obtaining 14
points from a 7 game spell in March and April whilst the 2nd XI must await their fate but look as though
they will drop into Reserve Division Two next season. Unfortunately the 3rd XI in Mid-Essex Division
Two found the going too tough and Division Three is where they will play their next campaign. The Vets
1st XI still have games to play and there is an outside chance they could be promoted whilst the Vets 2nd
XI managed to establish themselves as mid table contenders and will surely benefit from this, their first
league campaign. Sundays have been a success story for both our teams, the 1st XI, with several games to
play, could be champions of Pope and Smith Division Two to go with their League Cup runners up spot.
The 2nd XI are top of Division Three, with their fixtures complete, and must await their rivals results to
see if they move up to Division Two - presumably if the 1st XI are up to Division One. The 2nd XI also
reached the semi final of the Essex County FA Junior Trophy. On the whole a successful season and
special thanks should go to the hard working Secretary, Sylvia Eve, Chairman, Brian Terry and all the
Team Managers and their Coaches for their dedication to the traditions of the Old Chelmsfordians
Football section. Results, such as they are with cancellations due to the prolonged wet spell, are to date:13
SATURDAY FIRST TEAM
15/02
HOME
22/02 HOME
NEWBURY FOREST
Essex Saturday Premier Cup R4
Lost on penalties 7-6 after 2-2 Draw. Craig Ewing, Paul Ellis
NEWBURY FOREST
Essex Saturday Premier Cup R4 Replayed as no extra-time played in original fixture.
Lost 3-2 Marti Cullum (pen), Paul Ellis
HUTTON
Won 1-0 Ryan Sutton
08/03 AWAY
15/03 NO FIXTURE
22/03 HOME
OLD SOUTHENDIANS
29/03 AWAY
05/04 HOME
09/04 HOME
12/04 HOME
19/04 HOME
WESTHAMIANS
BENFLEET
SPRINGFIELD
CANNING TOWN
WESTHAMIANS
26/04
NEWHAM UNITED
HOME
OLYMPIAN LEAGUE DIVISION 1
Draw 3-3 Gareth Burton, James Ward (pen)
Ryan Sutton
Won 3-0 Marti Cullum, Josh Goodey, Ryan Sutton
Won 2-0 Marti Cullum, Ryan Baxter
Lost 3-2 James Ward (pen), Shaun Crockford
Draw 0-0
Won 5-0 James Ward 2, Marti Cullum,
Shaun Crockford, Liam Hopkins (pen)
Lost 3-1 OG
SATURDAY SECOND TEAM
OLYMPIAN LEAGUE RESERVE DIVISION 1
22/02 HOME
KELVEDON HATCH RES Won 3-1 William Baxter, Joshua Hector Dan Pettit
01/03 AWAY
HAROLD WOOD RES
Lost 6-1 Luca Curtis
08/03 HOME
HUTTON RES
Draw 2-2 Dan Pettit, OG
15/03 HOME
MANFORD WAY
Lost 4-2 Paul Ellis, Dan Griffin
22/03 AWAY
MAY & BAKER
Draw 1-1 Elliot Armstrong
05/04 AWAY
SOUTHMINSTER ST LEONARDS Lost 2-0
08/04 HOME
FRENFORD SENIOR RES Lost 3-2 Steve Cooke, Josh Hector
12/04 NO FIXTURE
16/04 HOME
RAYLEIGH TOWN
Lost 2-1
19/04 NO FIXTURE
26/04 HOME
CANNING TOWN RES
Lost 3-0
SATURDAY THIRD TEAM
22/02
01/03
15/03
05/04
12/04
19/04
MID ESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION 2
AWAY
BOREHAM Lost 10 (ten) -1 Liam Landers
NO FIXTURE
HOME
DUNTON RANGERS Lost 3-1 Darren Riches
NO FIXTURE
HOME
FLITCH UNTED Lost 5-2
Ben Sanders. Samsa Yavuz
NO FIXTURE
VETS 1
22/02
01/03
08/03
15/03
22/03
29/03
05/04
12/04
19/04
26/04
ESSEX VETERANS LEAGUE DIVISION 1
HOME
OLD PALMITERIANS
Lost 2-1 Steve Parry
AWAY
BEACON HILL ROVERS Won 4-1 Matt Drummond 3, Pat Fairman
HOME
HANNAKINS FARM
Won 3-1 Jez Riches, Clint Hilling, Alex Wilson
HOME
WEST ESSEX
Draw 0-0
HOME
COLLIER ROW
Lost 3-2 Jez Riches, Iain Wilson
HOME
CRICKETERS HORNDON SAXONS Lost 3-0
AWAY
CRICKETERS HORNDON SAXONS Lost 1-0
AWAY
SUNGATE
Won 2-1 Phil Kerridge, Matt Drummond
NO FIXTURE
NO FIXTURE
14
VETS RESERVES
15/02
22/02
08/03
15/03
22/03
29/03
05/04
12/04
19/04
26/04
ESSEX VETERANS LEAGUE DIVISION 3 (EAST)
NO FIXTURE
HOME
HOME - Friendly
NO FIXTURE
AWAY
NO FIXTURE
AWAY
NO FIXTURE
HOME
AWAY
HATFIELD BROAD OAK Lost 4-1 Keith Young
RAINHAM VETS
Lost 4-1 Matt Mott
LITTLE WALTHAM
Lost 4-1 Phil Kerridge
SHENFIELD RESERVES
Lost 3-2 Guy Harris, Stephen Summers
SHENFIELD RES
SPRINGFIELD RES
Won 1-0 Steve Parry (pen)
Won 3-1 David Scarfe 2, Phil Kerridge
SUNDAY FIRST
23/02
HOME
09/03
AWAY
16/03
AWAY
23/03
AWAY
30/03
06/04
13/04
HOME
AWAY
HOME
20/04
27/04
AWAY
HOME
AWAY
POPE AND SMITH LEAGUE DIV 2
ONGAR UNITED
Won 7-0 Paul Tiffen 3, Sam Haldane, Tom Lakin,
Ryan Baxter, Stuart Lockwood
BICKNACRE League cup semi final Won 5-1 Ryan Baxter, Matt Crick,
Shane Bone, Tom Lakin, Jack Mundy
MARGARETTING S & S CLUB Coward Cup Quarter Final Won 5-2
Matt Crick, Stuart Lockwood 4
PSV BILLERICAY Won 7-1 Ryan Fleming 2, Tom Lakin 2, Jack Mundy,
Paul Tiffen, Max Johnson
HEYBRIDGE SOCIAL
Coward Cup Semi Final Lost 2-1
WOODHAM ATHLETIC Pope & Smith D2 Cup Final Lost 2-0
SPRINGFIELD
Won 7-0 Paul Tiffen 2, Stuart Lockwood,
Jack Mundy, Max Johnson, Dan Belcher, Dan Booty
BROOKHOUSE
Won 4-1 Ryan Baxter, Paul Tiffen, Cameron Crick 2
M & G Double Header Won 7-0 Matt Crick 2, Max Johnson 2,
Paul Tiffen 2, Stuart Lockwood
Won 9-0 Max Johnson 2, Ryan Fleming 2,
Jack Mundy 2, Stuart Lockwood, Paul Tiffen, Scott Fleming
SUNDAY SECONDS
16/02
23/02
AWAY
AWAY
02/03
16/03
23/03
30/03
HOME
HOME
HOME
AWAY
HOME
06/04
AWAY
13/04
AWAY
20/04
HOME
POPE AND SMITH LEAGUE DIV 3
VALLEY GREEN Essex Sunday Junior Trophy quarter final Won 5-1
WOODHAM RADARS
Won 5-2 Elliot Armstrong 3, Mike Farnworth,
Craig Robertson
HOWBRIDGE SWIFTS
Draw 2-2
PRIORY SPORTS
Lost 3-2
Ross Lamb 2
MARGARETTING S & S Won 3-1 Liam Barr, Ross Lamb, Craig Robertson
BROOMFIELD RES Double Header Won 3-0 Mike Farnworth 2, Ross Lamb
Won 5-3 Samsa Yavuz 2, Tom Witham,
Liam Barr, Elliot Armstrong
HOWBRIDGE SWIFTS
Won 6-1 Samsa Yavuz 3, Ross Lamb, Jack Harris,
Mike Farnworth
WILLIAM DE FERRERS Won 6-1 Ben Bailey 2, Mike Farnworth, Jack Harris,
Harley Yavuz, Craig Robertson
HANNINGFIELD
Won 6-4 Elliot Armstrong 2, Mike Farnworth 2,
Ross Lamb, Samsa Yavuz
OCs U15s
23/02
AWAY
OCs U12s
23/02
NO FIXTURE
BLACKWATER AND DENGIE YOUTH LEAGUE DIV 1
UPLANDS RANGERS Won 2-1
BLACKWATER AND DENGIE YOUTH LEAGUE DIV 3
15
CRICKET
At the time of writing the new cricket season is less than one week from beginning, writes Baz Bowerman.
The fixture lists for our four league teams are available to view online at the T Rippon Mid-Essex Cricket
League website (www.tripponcricket.com) and details that:Our first eleven start their campaign with a trip to Bentley; the second eleven host Galleywood's first
eleven; the thirds are at home to East Hanningfield and Great Burstead second eleven; and the fourth
eleven are away to the second team of St John's Billericay.
Results from these matches and the others from the first half of the season will feature in the next OCA
newsletter.
TENNIS
Membership Renewal Our peak membership renewal period runs from 1st to 30th April. Most members
who are going to renew do so by April 30th in order to benefit from the small discount on offer. We’ve
already had a few new members join and although there is always a small ‘churn’, we would expect the
2014/15 overall total to remain close to the current figure of 180.
Court Maintenance Just over half a ton of sand was recently added to Courts 1 and 2. It’s probably
been overdone a little but with Astro courts, it’s always better to have too much rather than too little.
They are still playing very well, not slippery and with a good bounce.
Improvements Over the last few years, we have undertaken an annual improvement project. Two years
ago it was replacement of the surfaces and last year, the installation of a cold water supply, hut
refurbishment and a Wi-Fi floodlight control. This year we have ordered new furniture for the decking
and court sides. We have donated the existing items to the ‘Wilderness Foundation’. This is a charity
with a local base at Chatham Green who work with troubled young people and, as the name suggests,
some of this work takes place outdoors.
Defibrillator The Tennis Section was able to acquire a defibrillator at a much reduced cost through the
LTA. This has arrived and will be available to all club sections and members. It will be stored in the
office and we now just need to arrange some training.
Tennis Leaders Two years ago, we ran two ‘Tennis Leaders’ courses for 16 of our juniors in the 13 to
18 age bracket. These consist of six modules delivered over two full days, 50/50 classroom and on court,
which culminate in the students designing and teaching an hour’s coaching session, under supervision, to
groups of younger juniors in the 6-10 age bracket. The LTA award a qualification to successful students
and it creates a pool of older juniors who can be used as Assistants in the coaching programme. On a
wider note, it is a really good investment in our juniors as it becomes a valuable piece of evidence on their
CVs. A further 20 juniors have been identified for training this year and two more courses will be
delivered in the summer holidays.
Teams The winter season is now completed and generally a very successful campaign over the eight
teams. There were four promotions and only one relegation as follows – Men’s 1 (Div 1) 7th out of 7,
Men’s 2 (Div 2) 5/8, Men’s 3 (Div 7) 2/8, Ladies 1 (Div 2) 3/8, Ladies 2 (Div 5) 1/8, Ladies 3 (Div 5) 7/8,
Mixed 1 (Div 2) 2/8 and Mixed 2 (Div 5) 1/8.
Membership If you are not currently a member of the tennis section but have always fancied trying out
the great courts, particularly with the new surface, contact Alan Coulthard on 07795 105328. If your
tennis is a little rusty, Alan and Derek Rogers (Head Club Coach) can organise coaching sessions to
individuals and small groups. Also, our website at www.chelmsfordianstennis.co.uk is a good source of
information about the section.
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TABLE TENNIS
David Porter has prepared this report for us:Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League 2013/14
“The 2013/14 season is all now “done and dusted” and it has been one of the most successful for the Old
Chelmsfordians teams for a number of years with two Divisional Champions, one Runner Up and our
youngsters finishing a very creditable 3rd in their own league.
The A Team in Division 1 couldn’t quite maintain their early season form and ended up finishing just in
the top half in 5th. They probably suffered from having too big a squad and rotating their players a bit too
often which may have affected consistency towards the end of the season. When he played Peter Hayden
maintained his form and ended up with a very impressive win percentage of 83% and Brandon
Crouchman, the player with the most appearances for the team also had an excellent season, winning over
50% of his matches.
The B Team looked, on paper, the strongest in Division 3, but to win all 20 of their matches during the
season by, on average 8 games to 2 was a remarkable performance. Stephen Northcott (96%), Robbie
Burton (86%) and Nat Ravlic (70%) were simply a class apart in this division and should perform well in
Division 2 next season.
Alas the C Team didn’t fair quite so well and occupied the second relegation spot, therefore returning to
Division 4 just a year after leaving it.
In Division 4 the E Team almost performed as well as their colleagues in the B Team, winning 17 and
drawing 2 of their 20 games. The youthful pairing of Daniel Berry (92%) and Charlie Mariner (47%) were
superbly mentored by the slightly more mature Frank Hodge (82 - % that is - not age!). They should do
well in Division 3 next season.
The D Team were very unlucky not to join the E Team in Division 3 as they finished 3rd and missed out
on the second promotion spot by just one point. The squad of Adrian North, Stuart Wintle, Charles Yeung
and Farooq Ahmed all had very consistent seasons and if they can maintain this level of form must have a
good chance of promotion next year.
There was also good news in Division 5 where the G Team – made up of another youthful squad of Tom
Barker (89%), Peter Windley (83%) and Josh Watts (42%) – finished as runners up and are therefore
promoted to Division 4.
The F Team, propped up Division 5, despite the efforts of Dave Newman (76%). There were, however,
signs in the last few games of the season that the rest of the squad, most of whom are relative newcomers
to League table tennis were coming to terms with match play and starting to get the results which their
ability deserved. Better things are hoped of them next season.
Finally the H team in the Click League – made up of under 16 players – finished in a really creditable 3rd
position. Particular mention should be made of Aswin Siam (90%), Lawrence Bartlett (72%) and Joel
Rowden (50%) who all have considerable ability and should continue to progress in future years.
AGM and Summer League The section AGM will be held at Lawford Lane at 7.30pm on Monday 12
May 2014 and the Central Essex Summer League starts in June, so there will continue to be table tennis
activity throughout the summer until the new main league season commences again in September.
New Players We are always looking to recruit players to supplement all of our teams If you are
interested in playing or know someone who may be then contact David Porter by emailing
djpessex@aol.com or phoning on 07885 467935. This is a particularly good time of year for new players
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to join the Club as they can be entered into the Summer League (a cut-down format of the full Winter
League) which operates during June and July and forms a great introduction to competitive table tennis.
Practice sessions All those interested in playing table tennis are reminded that Tuesday evening sessions
continue throughout the Spring and Summer, 6pm to 7.15pm (juniors and seniors) and from 7.15pm for
senior members only (unless there are home Summer League matches taking place)”.
AND FINALLY…
A reminder to everyone that the 200 Club and Development Funds continue to operate although Ricky
Richmond has now handed on the administration of these. The 200 Club, just £13.20 a share per annum,
is now being run by Malcolm Dewar and the Development Fund at £5.00 a month by Mark Allison and
both these fundraisers enable us to continue an ongoing programme of improvements at the Club.
In the first instance can we suggest you contact Alan Ball, the Association treasurer, for further details and
application forms at 2 Chamberlain Farm Cottages, Sporhams Lane, Danbury, CM3 4AJ
Tel: 0787 655 0695: Email: alanball333@gmail.com.
The Tour de France Cycle Race will pass the clubhouse on
Monday July 7th and should be an event not to be missed. This
will be part of the 106 mile stage three of the 2014 race which
will start in Cambridge and finish later in the day in London
along the Mall. The first action will be a series of sponsor
vehicles and a promotional caravan passing through at about
mid-day before the cyclists themselves at around 2pm followed
by the various team support vehicles.
The clubhouse will be open during the day for members to use as a base and get refreshments but the
timings of the day might prove difficult for some members as the surrounding roads will be closed from
8am until 5pm meaning that there will be no vehicular access to the Club outside those times.
Pedestrian and cycle access only will be available along Roxwell Road and the Cycle/Pedestrian Pathway
running from the City Centre to Writtle which will be open to give access via Lawford Lane.
As there will not be another newsletter before the event anyone requiring further information
should contact George Heseltine on the below details.
The President’s Cricket match against the School will take place on Sunday June 29th and all are most
welcome to come along to this. The match starts at 11.30am and continues throughout the day.
For those unacquainted with the Clubhouse and the facilities on offer the bar is always open on Sunday
lunchtimes between noon and 2pm when there are always members present who would be happy to show
you around.
As always ‘Thank you’ to all contributors to this issue which we trust will again make enjoyable reading.
We invite everyone to send their news and views for the next issue which should be available in July.
Any members wishing and willing to receive the newsletter by email or wanting to advise us of any
change to either their home or email address should contact George Heseltine at heseltineuk@aol.com.
Our website has recently undergone something of a facelift and members are invited to take a look at this
at www.oldchelmsfordians.com. This is looked after for us by one of our members, Steve Cooke, and
should others be interested in having professional help with their own website Steve would be delighted to
hear from you. Steve.cooke@chelmsfordwebdesign.com.
George Heseltine : 30 Trinity Road : Chelmsford : Essex : CM2 6HS
Phone : 01245 265962 or email : heseltineuk@aol.com
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