OCA NEWSLETTER NO 256
FEBRUARY 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 GENERAL MEETING NOVEMBER 25TH 2013
In keeping with tradition the Annual General Meeting was poorly attended but afforded those present the
opportunity to thank the officers and committee for their continuing endeavours during the year; to
confirm Terry Allen as the incoming President from the Dinner on March 29th and to invite David
Kitchiner to follow him as President in 2015. In the last issue Baz Bowerman paid tribute to ‘Kitch’ for
his work within the cricket section as ‘someone who has selflessly devoted his time for the good of the
club’ and this sentiment regarding the Association as a whole was echoed by all those at the AGM.
Members of the much lauded (but oft maligned) Friday gang of volunteers were also fittingly
acknowledged with Bernie Oram, Callum McLean, Lloyd Hardy and Frank Easton being appointed
Vice Presidents of the Association. In a loosely related offering from previous times the Secretary gave his
annual report:“According to a Guardian article written in 2005 there is an auld axiom beloved of burnt-out English
teachers, glamour-impoverished fantasists and a million other drudges seeking to transcend their lives of
quiet desperation that ‘Everyone has a novel inside them’.
With this in mind and after a morning tree felling with the Friday Gang last week I mused, whilst riding
my bike home afterwards, on how I might pen my opening lines were I to embark on releasing that novel
from within my inner being and came up with the following for starters:‘The earth had moved for us so we rested, breathless and exhausted, after our exertions; the peace of a
cold but dry, sun-kissed November morning had been shattered by the crashing to the ground of the now
broken willow that had stood tall and proud for so many years offering shade and a green, verdant
backdrop to the tennis courts, its tentacular branches of sun-dappled leaves weeping and sweeping down
to the chattering waters of the fast flowing babbling brook below’.
I had by now reached the ‘Cyclists Dismount’ sign in the High Street and in attempting to dodge the
PCSOs rather lost the further plot to this story but recalled that some years back I had come up with a
‘Novel’ approach to presenting my annual report and, with time pressing and the December newsletter to
write as well, decided to revisit this.
As mentioned, having spent last Friday morning fetching ropes and wedges and fuel for the various
chainsaws being used to make safe the said, sad willow I was reminded of my school day English
Literature lessons, more specifically the works of L.P. Hartley and quite appropriately for my morning’s
labours as the ‘Gofer’, his novel The Go Between, written in 1953. It is interesting to note that Hartley
was born in 1895, the very year that the Association was established, and then went on to write The Sixth
Heaven in 1946 at the same time that our members were formulating plans for a sports-ground at Lawford
Lane to be just that - as a memorial to those from the School who had died during the two world wars.
Although the Club is now far more open regarding membership there were suggestions in the past that we
were considered by some to be somewhat elitist for the pleasure the OCA took in having its membership
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drawn from our local Grammar School. The works of Jane Austen sprang to mind at this suggestion of
Pride and Prejudice and it is good that a little Persuasion has now encouraged those loathe to join us for
this reason to come to their Sense and Sensibility and to realise that all we are interested in is to provide
excellent social facilities for our members and a ground on which to play their sport befitting such a Mans
Field/Park. As Thomas Hardy may have reflected there can be no greater pleasure, apart perhaps from
watching football on a dank midwinter’s afternoon, than following a game of cricket on a sunny summer’s
day Far from the Madding Crowd from Under the Greenwood Tree. Somerset Maugham would add
to this that even if the match, balanced on The Razor’s Edge, was halted for Rain one could always retire
to the Clubhouse for Cakes and Ale. E. M Forster suggested that The Longest Journey was that for a
batsman to and from the wicket when bowled first ball from the infamous Howard’s End from Where
Angels Fear to Tread knowing the whole spectacle had been witnessed by the vast crowd from A Room
with a View within the clubhouse on the boundary. However we should not play down our own self
esteem nor forget, as Oscar Wilde extolled, The Importance of Being Earnest. It was ‘Vita’ SackvilleWest who impressed upon us that Land is our Heritage and on which All Passion Spent in the
groundwork, be it for football or cricket, would be more than rewarded by the quality of the playing
surfaces during the following season.
The current affairs of the club continue to be admirably administered by the existing committees whose
monthly deliberations are more than reflected in the writings of William Shakespeare. Whilst discussions
at times storm to The Tempest like proportions it can also resemble The Comedy of Errors with talk
occasionally akin to Much Ado about Nothing. Normally it does end As You Like It and for me as
Secretary A Midsummer Night’s Dream is that any discussion should conclude Alls Well that Ends
Well. John Milton got it similarly right by turning Paradise Lost into Paradise Regained.
I sense mumblings from the floor of ‘What the Dickens…’ so will in John Galsworthy’s words come to
the End of the Chapter.
What the Dickens?....what the Dickens indeed! His influence can be seen throughout the Club, be it
reflected in our newsletters, our modern day equivalent of The Pickwick Papers or our evergreen
members at their monthly coffee mornings with the clubhouse resembling The Old Curios (i) T (y) Shop.
I, like so many other long serving members, regard the Club as a whole as Our Mutual Friend, a place
for sport and for social gathering with an unrivalled warmth and friendship which should be paramount
during the festive period approaching. The decorated clubhouse will certainly be no Bleak House as we
enjoy firstly A Christmas Carol before celebrating right through to a Shakespearian Twelfth Night. Our
other big function, when young and old alike come together to celebrate, is the Annual Dinner, arranged
as would have George Eliot, in Middlemarch and when, at the end of the evening, we come together
with Michelle Magorian to say Goodnight Mr Tom to our Headmaster. In the past we may have known
Hard Times but with the efforts of all serving on our committees and those organising, preparing and
playing for the various sports sections we can look forward to the future with Great Expectations.
Let us hope that in seeking the Brave New World as countenanced by Aldous Huxley in 1931 we
experience no more of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind In the Willows which could lead to more of our
magnificent trees being Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and our Friday Gang having to again
reach those Emily Bronte like Wuthering Heights to perform their arboreal husbandry”.
CHRISTMAS DRAW SUNDAY DECEMBER 8th 2013
We are indebted to all who again supported the Christmas Draw which having giving back £1000.00 in
main prizes still raised a further £1165 for our funds. Thank You.
The first prize of a £500.00 ‘travel voucher’ was won by John Aldridge, (A0073) with £250.00 going to
Steve Little, (B2333), £150.00 to James Hasler, (B1157) and £100.00 to Hilary Beach, (D0464). Other
‘bottle’ prizes went to Jon Alston, A0207, Sandra Roulston, C1280, John Kelly, B1920,
Reg Richardson, C1083, S. Roberts, C0728, and Gary Miller, B2833.
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The main prizes all seemed well received and members at the club were delighted when John Aldridge
called in on a Sunday lunchtime over Christmas to share a little of his good fortune at the bar, Steve Little
was equally delighted that his £250 will help towards an already booked May holiday when he and his
wife are visiting the Normandy gardens and D-Day beaches. Chris and Hilary Beach, having returned to
the clubhouse after the draw had taken place, took some convincing that the ‘wags at the bar’ weren’t
pulling their legs in telling them of their win and we were particularly pleased to hear from James Hasler
from Wellingborough, “I had given up believing in Father Christmas but now I realise that he passes
through Lawford Lane from time to time!” James, at 88, suggested that he was now only fit from the
neck up so wasn’t sure if he would spend the money on travel but was sure the family could help him out
in spending it - “I’m not entirely moribund yet!”
NOT ONLY PAUL PRITCHARD….
The Annual Dinner will be held at the Lawford Lane Clubhouse on Saturday March 29th at which the
guest speaker will be Paul Pritchard, the former Essex County cricketer. Paul also played football for the
OCs alongside our resident President, Andy Cook, so it will be a welcome return for him. Tickets will be
available shortly but meanwhile all enquiries should be made to George Heseltine.
....BUT ALSO THE TOUR DE FRANCE….TO VISIT LAWFORD LANE
Stage 3 of the 2014 Tour de France cycle race on Monday July 7th is from Cambridge to Central London
and will pass through Uttlesford and Braintree Districts before entering Chelmsford to the north of Howe
Street, passing through Great Waltham and urban west Chelmsford before passing the gates of the
Clubhouse at Lawford Lane before departing via Roxwell on route to Epping and Central London.
Information briefing meetings for interested parties are being held with the City Council and more
information on how we will celebrate this event will be given in our next Newsletter - meanwhile please
book the date!
THE HEADMASTER, TOM SHERRINGTON, WRITES
We’ve enjoyed a very positive start to the term, riding high in the performance tables once again. The
BBC and Telegraph placed KEGS 5th in the country for A levels and 6th for GCSEs; the only school to be
in the top six on both measures. Exam results are obviously just part of the picture when we measure the
success of the school but it is always helpful to deliver success on this scale; not least because it allows us
to carry on doing the things we feel give our students an excellent all-round education without too much
interference. We’ve also had an excellent year with entrance to Oxford and Cambridge with 25 students
receiving offers. Interestingly we’ve had more for Oxford (16) than Cambridge (9) which is quite
unusual.
The Art Block construction is well underway with the steel frame in place and the brick work taking
shape. Despite the relentless rain we are confident that the building will be finished on time. We are
hoping that Grayson Perry, a former KEGS student and recent CBE recipient, will be able to open the
building in the autumn but that is still to be confirmed. The rain is playing havoc with our playing fields
and sports fixtures; we had a sizeable swimming pool on Friday on West Field. I hope that we can return
to normal before long.
You may have picked up on the announcement that KEGS Governors are discussing the proposal to form
a multi-academy trust that would allow us to sponsor Melbourne Park and Kings Road primary schools
and, possibly to bid to open a new primary school on the vacant Maltese Road site adjacent to the school.
There are many considerations but the main motivation to take this step would be to provide a means for
all three schools to collaborate in serving the local community, raising aspirations and improving the
quality of education. We’re holding a parents’ forum on March 12th where some of the issues will be
discussed.
I hope to see many of you at the OC’s Dinner in March when we will be joined by Deputy Head and
Head of Sixth Form, Helen Wiltshire.
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KEGS SCHOOL NEWSPAPERS
Peter Crisp, (1945-1950),
dawncrisp@sky.com, has responded to the
School Newspapers article|:“Dear Editor, I read with interest the
contribution from Paul Herrington regarding
his history of school newspapers. I was
amazed to note that there was no reference
to the Form 3A Bi-weekly Newsheet that
appeared for at least three editions in 1948!
Obviously at this date the few remaining
copies are extremely valuable and do not
allow reproduction in an acceptable quality
but the following is a copy of page one,
edition one for your information”.
(Thank you Peter - Paul’s contribution was
headed ‘School Newspapers in the 1950s’
which is possibly why there was no
reference to your 1948 news-sheet!! How
desktop publishing has advanced over the
last sixty years though - advertisements
have also gained an ‘e’, copies of photos
can be developed and enlarged at home,
Google provides on line library facilities,
privatisation of the postal services may see
the end of philately as we know it and
walking sticks are a must - be they made of, or by, Grim Wood! - Ed)
WERE YOU HE……IN A LONDON CAFE?
We had a call from Selwyn Wheeler (1940-1947) saying he had recently been in a cafe in London
wearing, as always, his OCA blazer when he was approached by a 'younger' man suggesting that Selwyn,
like he, must obviously have gone to KEGS in Chelmsford. Pleasantries were exchanged along with the
‘younger’ man’s name which Selwyn dutifully wrote down on his newspaper - which he then
absentmindedly discarded!!. Selwyn recalled the stranger was a contemporary of Kevin Menhinick and
John and Paul Swinney and lived in the Stowmarket area and was hoping for help in remembering the
name. We proffered a few possibilities from the 1965-1972 era, none of whom rang a bell with Selwyn,
who subsequently thought our member might have been a drum major in the Corps of Drums or a senior
officer in the CCF with a surname beginning with ‘W’. If you are he we would love to hear from you to
both resolve our own intrigue and put Selwyn’s mind at rest that the lost name was nothing other than a
self professed 'senile old man' moment.
FROM OUR POST BAG
Brian Goodey, (1952-1960), brian.goodey@btopenworld.com, has responded to the articles in our last
issue:“Semi-Retired academics do have a drive to write – note Paul Herrington and John Baker in the last
edition – so I had better join in the chase.
I have to admit that many of my contemporaries’ memories are far better than my own, and I do rely on
the Newsletter to remind me of worlds which I have never, thus far, recalled. In the last issue there were
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terse descriptions of Ron Stedman, the epitome of the geographer/sportsman and of Hylton, the
idiosyncratic French teacher. The latter is firmly embedded in my mind as he caught me reading the
Melody Maker underneath the desk. Retribution followed, but so did the suggestion that we form a Jazz
Club. This record society thrived for a while and its peak event is fixed very clearly in my mind.
As was my wont on Saturdays, I was at Dobell’s Jazz record store in Charing Cross Road (long since
departed), thumbing through priceless 2nd hand discs (which still load the attic). In the past I had spotted
such as Chicago tenor player Bud Freeman and John Bastable of the Ken Colyer Band, but this day, here,
was Bruce Turner, the alto sax player with Humphrey Lyttelton’s Band. Turner’s appearance in Humph’s
Band at Birmingham Town Hall had occasioned the suggestion that ‘the dirty bopper should go home’,
akin to the shock which greeted Dylan’s electrification. Turner was a very British …. and eccentric
musician who linked the prevailing traditional jazz with the moderns (whose smoky discs were spun at a
club in the Chelmsford Friend’s Meeting House). I asked Bruce Turner if he would talk at our Jazz Club
and he duly appeared and spun a range of modern jazz – Lee Konitz sticks in my mind – to the surprise of
a large audience. Does any reader remember the event? Around the same time there was also a KEGS
skiffle group, replete with tea chest bass, which entertained (inside) at a school fete.
Jazz was initially an enthusiasm to be shared quietly in front rooms – of my year Sid Goldman, who lived
very near the school was a clarinettist whose turntable took a pounding from our 78s, likewise a
gentleman named Radford who lived near Admiral’s Park, and especially Geoff Liggett, with whom I
shared the traditional jazz interest until he died a few years ago.
My first live Chelmsford ‘jazz’ experience was creeping round the tent flaps of an evening dance by Harry
Gold’s Pieces of Eight in the late 1950’s when Kenny Ball led his band, until hauled home by my father
but there were to be many more, locally at the lamented Corn Exchange and then in the ballroom above
the Odeon where a weekly parade of the pop heroes of the ‘trad’ boom performed. Earlier, and with my
father, Reg, I saw Chris Barber with skiffle arrayed by Dickie Bishop and Johnny Duncan, at the Regent.
My father had played drums before the war and his record collection – deep in Ellington – started the
enthusiasm.
Popular music was largely prised apart from the school experience in the 1950’s. It was not I think a
matter of daily discourse, though did certainly appear on Saturdays (Dace’s record shop and the coffee
bars). Songs and sounds provide the markers for events and group portraits like nothing else and I still
marvel at the fact that the Hopkinson Brothers (Richard and Andrew) and others of our group both
attended a RAH Prom where Richard’s poster ‘Boots for Women’ (a Goon-derived surrealistic
statement?) appeared, and managed, on a different night to catch the emerging Rolling Stones doing the
interval for Alexis Korner at the Marquee.
Music provides a personal sound dictionary of themes and groups, against which a past can be re-visited
and enjoyed. Of your recent commentaries, I suspect that my HEARING and admiring the Drum Corps
echoing from under the Railway Arch, announcing KEGS as a key element in Chelmsford, started this
train of thought.
John Candler (1947-1953), jaypee.john49@hotmail.co.uk, has written:“When reading the article about the Olympic Ideal I saw two references to the Chelmsford Mayor on page
2, quoting his name as Charles Kingsley whereas his name is Christopher Kingsley. That said I was very
interested in the article because I was in Strutt House during my time at the School. I remember Dudley
Courtman well, not only as Strutt House captain, but also as Cross Country Captain for the School. Those
were the days; I can barely run across the road nowadays. Thanks for another excellent read”.
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Barry Godden, (1945-1953), bargilexy@btopenworld.com, emailed us a correction to a December item:“It is sad to record that Nigel Fanshawe's hitherto infallible memory has let him down in the extract from
his piece to you. His ‘Godden’ visitor was not 'Spike', my younger brother, but myself and wife Gill.
Moreover, having O.C. Jim Gowers, 1947-1954 or thereabouts, visiting us for a few days with his wife at
the time they came along with us on our visit to NHF at Frinton. That said I'm pleased to record that whilst
with him his mind and memory were as sharp as ever. A case I suppose, as so often for the elderly, of poor
recall of recent events in contrast with the clearest recollection of the long ago. I echo his sentiments about
the copper beech tree and Westfields where I spent two and a bit very happy years.
Two other points are to confess that I was an accessory to the 'bad manners' condemned by NHF on the
occasion of "Boys abandoned in Cambridge after trip" as in the reproduced ‘Westfield Weekly News’ No.
7 in that I was entertaining my brother and a few others to tea in my rooms! The other item is that I
remember Geoff Rison singing 'O Little town of Bethlehem' to a tune of his own composition at a morning
assembly. I should also comment upon the amazing story recorded in No. 4 of ‘The Edwardian’
concerning the extraordinarily enterprising student rag which parked a farm waggon on the Eastern
National Bus station forecourt. Puts the effort of my year, a chamber pot atop Judge Tindal, into a very
inferior league! I wonder how on earth it could have been achieved - a farm waggon needing some
'horsepower' to move”.
Donald Kelly, (1944-1951), donpatkel@btinternet.com,
“Many thanks for the latest newsletter. It is good to be reminded of the school of my youth and to learn
about the continuing strength of the rounded education there. I have forwarded your email to Stephen
Newsholme in Pennsylvania. Stephen and his brother Tim used to live next to Newfields on Broomfield
Road. Their father was a veterinary surgeon there and was my mentor when I was a veterinary student in
the 1950s. I later did locums for that practice, as well as "baby sitting" for the young Newsholmes.
Stephen later qualified as a vet in London and then worked in South Africa where he trained as a
veterinary pathologist. Later still he came back to this country as a Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology in my
department at the University of Liverpool. Sadly for us he did not stay long and has had a distinguished
career in biomedical research in the USA.
When I was in the sixth form there was no biology teaching so I went to day and evening classes at the
Mid Essex technical college for zoology and botany. With me there was Alan Hunter's brother, Willie, and
Tony Farrow - who also became a veterinary surgeon. Tony and I joined the army together in October
1951 and I still recall waiting for the train at Chelmsford station en route for military induction in
Hampshire. I have lost touch with Tony but I think he has retired to Devon. Also in our biology class was
Paul Baker who lived in Danbury. He had a Triumph motor bike and used to give me pillion lifts and
taught me the counter- intuitive need to lean in at corners. I think Paul's family firm is now a large civil
engineering company. I'd be interested to hear from any of the above.
The newsletter also reminded me of the industrial importance of Chelmsford as not just a small country
town. There is an excellent account of its industrial past in the Essex Museum at Oaklands Park where I
spent a few hours on my last visit earlier this year”.
John Kelly, (1950-1956), JKelly8543@aol.com, whilst acknowledging receipt of his Christmas Draw
prize enquired “Is Nigel Fanshawe still with us - haven't heard anything for a while?” We are pleased to
be able to report that Nigel very much is and celebrated his 103rd birthday on February 3rd.
By a strange coincidence whilst researching the footballing conditions (see later) in the July 1963
Chelmsfordian we spotted the following entries on the Personalia page regarding those mentioned above.

Miss Gillian Porter, viola player and instrumental teacher of music at the School, married B.V.
Godden (1945-1953) on April 6th. R.N. Godden (1949-1956) was best man.
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
D.F. Kelly (1944-1951) has married Miss Patricia Holt at Bolton. He gained a Ph.D at Cambridge
and is now a lecturer in the Faculty of Veterinary Science in the University. His brother J.P. Kelly
(1950-1956) is also married and working as an engineer for Cromptons, Chelmsford.

Dudley Courtman (1945-1952) has married Miss Pamela Jackson of London N22.

B Goodey (1952-1960) has an assistantship at Indiana University.
Philip Mizon, (1943-1948), philip.mizon@talktalk.net, “Greetings, and many thanks for the latest
newsletter. As you so often hope, I have found something that is of interest. I see a name of one of the
Quiz captains is Tracey Pease. Is this a relation of Michael Pease who was a boarder along with me in
about 1944 to 1946? I think he was of farming stock, but was certainly in the Corps band and played one
of those larger side drums of which there were only two – one each side of the big drum, of which I
believe you have first hand knowledge. Were they called kettle drums? As I remember, and you will
correct me if I am wrong, didn’t they also wear leopard skins? I have a photograph of the band at this
time, taken in a street, possibly at a carnival, either Chelmsford or Great Baddow. Would you, or anyone
else like this photo for the archives? Sadly it is only black and white, but there again, the whole world
was black and white in those far off days! I can produce copies so can satisfy several requests, although I
expect that Alison Brown at the School has more photos of this era than she knows what to do with.
Another good read, thank you very much, but not enough contribution from those at the School in the
1940’s”.
We did confirm that the drums were tenor drums, we did wear leopard skins and that we are always
willing to accept photos for our archives. We did make enquiries about Michael Pease but without
success.
Gareth Gunning, (1952-1960), garethgunning@btinternet.com, in acknowledging safe receipt of the
newsletter and being aware of John’s illustrious career in Law commented:“I especially enjoyed Nigel’s advice to John Baker (that no prior knowledge of anything was necessary)
....... and John’s comment on the outcome (It turned out to be a sensible move)”.
David E Wood, (1949-1955), david.wood@briscoeway.plus.com:“I was intrigued to read the article "Reminiscences - The Final Part" in this month’s OCA
newsletter. Whilst the name Brian Saunders is vaguely familiar there were a few names that I recall
vividly. These guys were considered by form 1a as the brains of the new intake and went on to join the
transition form 2r or was it 2t in the second year. These 'brains' eventually jumped a year from 2t to 4a.
The four names that I recall were Choppin, Daniels, Coombes and to a lesser extent Beanland, a name not
all that familiar to me now. They were also front runners in the maths competition set at the start of each
of our early Maths sessions with a teacher whose name escapes me, but was renowned for this type of
exercise. I also had the dubious pleasure of being a ‘cymbalist’ and eventually a ‘tenor drummer’ in the
CCF band under both of the Drum Majors - Stewart and ‘Twiggy’ Wood - no relation. The notorious
‘Spike’ Godden was also a contemporary of mine. He and a chap called Scholan were always in trouble
with authority of one sort or another. Thank you for the newsletter, it is a delight to read”.
Richard Rondel, (1938-1949), richrondel@aol.com, has emailed:“While my brother Mike (1935-1944) was alive I kept up to date with OCA affairs through sharing with
him his copy of the Newsletter. Now, by a strange coincidence, my next door neighbour here is Nick
Barbone (1998-2005). He has just passed to me his copy of your December 2013 Newsletter, so happily I
am 'connected' once more.
Reading it I am slightly surprised to see how many men of - more or less - my generation are still around
and offering interesting reminiscences, many of which chime closely with my own from that time.
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I have here in pristine condition my two report books: one for Westfields from August 1938 to the
summer term of 1942; and one for the senior school from the winter term of 1942 to the summer term of
1949. The report for this last term is signed for the first time by Nigel Fanshawe. I wonder how many
other boys have a similar intact record for that span of years?.
On leaving School I went to King's College, London to read medicine and (to the best of my knowledge,
but I stand to be corrected) was only the second boy from KEGS ever to do this, the first being 'Fuzzy'
Furlong about four years earlier. I mention this only to say how pleased I have been over the years to see
how many medics we have later gone on to produce. I hope that is still happening.
I could - as I used to do, with Mike - reminisce endlessly about that period - boys, staff members, and
events. I wondered if there would be any interest in my forwarding some of these thoughts to you - or
whether there have already been enough contributions of this sort to satisfy the need”.
We have replied to Richard that his original Life Membership is very much still alive, just an updated
home address is all that is required to keep in touch. We also questioned the address for Nick Barbone as
that we have for him in Brentwood wouldn’t make him a next door neighbour to Richard whom we
thought was in Surrey. Hopefully we will get more news of this and further reminiscences from Richard
for a future issue.
Welcome also to Matthew Stockings and Jake Morris and who have taken up Life Membership of the
Association having left School respectively in the summers of 2012 and 2013.
MEMORY CORNER
In the last issue we reported receipt of some old photographs from Richard Appleton and reproduce
another here. The occasion
was the President’s match
against the School on July
23rd 1977. The OCA team
featured, Chris Eve, Roger
Gaffney, John Roulston, Paul
Fuller, Reg Taylor and John
Beagles, Ricky Richmond,
Brian Poole, Harold Glynn,
Steve Little and Alan Stacey
and our photo shows them
flanked by umpires David
Yates and Len Menhinick.
Our newsletter report at the
time commented that on a
beautiful day the Lane,
fittingly, looked at its best for
Harold, as President, to lead
his team to the field.
Highlights were a maiden century by the School skipper, Steve Wilson, a great knock of 69 by our
President himself and Chris Alexander’s slow left bowling for the School taking 6-45. Others in the
School team were Peter Owers, Martin Daniels, Stuart Carpenter, Steve Locke, Stuart Cheek, Keith
Alexander, Steve Lee, Tim Sutton and Jim Iliffe. With only 20 runs required and 5 wickets standing to
overhaul the School’s 204-7 OCs hopes were justifiably high. However, just 5 runs later, we were all out
and the boys had won by 14 runs with but one ball left. Drama indeed and perhaps the tightest finish in
the history of these matches.
One hesitates to contemplate how colourful the language of Harold’s post match analysis might have been
but perhaps one of his own team mates or someone from the School team, many of whom are now OCA
members themselves, might be able to enlighten us - the changing room walls are not that thick!
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THIS AND THAT
Len Menhinick recently phoned to inform us that Jonathan Lewis was appointed 1st team coach at
Durham CCC in December 2013. ‘JJ’ attended KEGs in the late 1980s and played for Essex from 19901996 (gaining his cap in 1995) before moving on to play for Durham from 1997-2006 for whom he was
captain from 2001-2004. As a right-handed batsman and occasional right-arm medium fast bowler in 205
first-class matches he scored 10,281 runs at an average of 31.92 with a highest score of 210. He scored 16
hundreds and 66 fifties. His appointment as first team coach at Durham follows his successfully
deputising last season for Geoff Cook, who suffered a heart attack in June 2013, and helping Durham to
their third County Championship title win.
(I am currently ‘tidying up’ my loft and came across a copy of the letter I wrote to ‘JJ’ on September 30th
1990 congratulating him on behalf of the OCA for not only scoring his maiden century but for also being
named Young Essex Cricketer of the Year. In that we suggested that he was only the third KEGs pupil to
play for Essex with ‘JJ’ following in the steps of Ray Smith and Carlton Wright - Ed).
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. We will be featuring a selection of these stories in future newsletters.
The following is an introduction to KEGS life
“The euphoria parents felt when their son passed his elevenplus exam with a place at KEGS soon dissipated when the
reality of the costs involved became apparent. “How much!”
my Dad exclaimed when Mum showed him the receipt from
Bond’s in the High Street. “£29, that’s nearly two weeks
wages and I bet there’s more to pay out yet?”
‘Not too
much,’ said Mum, lying.
Parents were sent a list of uniform and other items of clothing
required. Everything had to be labelled with the pupil’s name.
In 1960 the basic uniform was cap, a choice of two grey thick
shirts that made you itch, tie (black with two thin red stripes
every inch or so), pair of short trousers (only the tall boys had
long trousers in the first year – by the second year all of us
were in long ones), two pairs of long knee-length grey socks
with red and black hoops at the top and of course the
resplendent school blazer.
This was black with a round school badge on the breast
pocket. The lapels and collars were edged in red braid until the end of the third year when it was not
required, which normally meant hard-up parents having to buy a new blazer, but some Mums simply
removed the braid. Unfortunately the black colour underneath was much darker than the rest of the blazer,
so the dual black effect in the fourth year was an embarrassment for some.
Black shoes with laces were required. A satchel for our books was not something we had at Primary
School so this was also needed. A gabardine black mac would be essential for the winter and would be
something to be acquired at the end of October when finances had been replenished.
The basic sport’s clothing was a red and black school football shirt with two buttons in the neck and a pair
of dark blue, serge shorts the seams of which forever rubbed on our thighs and made them chapped and
sore. Socks were black with two red rings at the top. For PE we needed a plain white tee shirt and white
shorts and socks plus black plimsolls. Not for us designer trainers or tracksuits and sweat tops or replica
football shirts.
9
Woodwork lessons were given high importance at school for some reason. We had to have a specific
apron to protect our school clothes with name, class and set shown in the top left hand corner.
So with all this equipment to buy, my parents had to forego a proper holiday in 1960 and we went out for
‘days’ to save money.
As first years we were aghast to discover that we had to wear our caps until we sat our O-levels when we
were 16. By 1965 our hair was thick and long. The caps were perched precariously on top, not creating an
image outside the school that Nigel Fanshawe appreciated! Perhaps this accelerated the dropping of the
cap requirement.
When the long haul through to the sixth form ended we were released from some of the strict uniform
code. No caps or boaters (dropped in the late 50s) and a different tie with a sort of orangey-red and yellow
thick stripe. We could move away from the grey thick shirts and onto thinner white ones. Brown shoes
were now permitted and most of us switched to them because they were something different.
If you became a sub prefect you wore yet another different tie but this time it was given to you by the
school, so it saved parents yet more cost. The tie was a rather nifty one with a red, black and white thin
stripe that was even passable to wear to your older cousins’ weddings. Full prefects were even better off
with an elegant black tie with a thin green, yellow and even thinner blue denoting their illustrious position
in the school. This tie was also that of the Old Boys, so was available for Old Boys’ dinners for some
years.
Such was the culture shock of entering KEGS over 50 years ago. A recent visit to the school showed that
high uniform standards have been maintained and quite rightly.
If you would like to obtain a copy of Steve's book at £9.99 plus p&p telephone him on 01372 375574 or
email steve@medehollow.co.uk or visit www.stevelittlebooks.com
COFFEE MORNINGS
At the Christmas meeting on December 19th a couple of dozen regular members were pleased to welcome
David Yates, a former teacher at KEGS, for the now traditional Fish and Chip lunch to round off the
morning’s normal coffee proceedings. Thanks were extended to Murray Brazier for organising the
ordering and collection of the food following which he and Colin Beeton ‘entertained’ all with their
repertoire of jokes and stories.
At the January meeting on the 16th a small gathering welcomed John Bobin from the Little Havens
Hospice to whom a cheque for £500.00 was presented being the profit on the year’s raffles. The question
of our choice of charity for 2014 was discussed and agreed that this should be the Grapevine charity with
which Peter, Dawn and David Crisp along with Peter Turrall are closely associated.
The club already hosts a quiz once a year for this charity at Lawford Lane at which Brian Churcher
presides as both MC and Question Master.
A welcome ‘new-face’ at this meeting was Mike Russell, 1943-1946, who subsequently renewed his
membership of the Association.
Coffee Mornings are held on the third Thursday of every month and all members are welcome.
Any questions can be directed to:Lloyd Hardy on 01245 251187, Ted Caton on 01245 256790 and Murray Brazier on 01245 441014.
10
OCA WILDLIFE
Nick Green has updated us on the wildlife around Lawford Lane:“This time last year we were complaining about the cold weather and what proved to be the coldest spring
for 50 years. This winter has been much milder so far but the record books have been rewritten already
with the wettest January on record with double the usual monthly rainfall! No football has been played at
Lawford Lane since before Christmas (you may hear that elsewhere!), hence there has been poor coverage
and few observations. The flooding on 31st January-1st February was quite impressive with the local
River Wid overflowing its banks and flooding the paddock to the south.
Bird sightings include a flyover Little Egret on 1st January and on a mild 16th January, there were two
Song Thrushes and a Mistle Thrush singing round the grounds. On a dry and sunny 3rd February I noted a
flyover Lesser Redpoll plus two Mistle Thrushes feeding on the cricket pitch – and the Little Egret feeding
on the nearby banks of the Wid.
The Friday crowd continue to do an excellent job for conservation and have been following Dr Chris
Gibson’s advice as given in the last issue regarding the fallen willow trees. In addition, Mountain Ash,
Willow and Dogwood saplings have been planted in the car park area where the flowerbeds also have
been tastefully decorated with tree stumps. We certainly look forward to spring and the progress of all the
bulbs and saplings planted round the grounds.
OBITUARIES
Former OCA President and Chairman of Chelmsford Hockey Club, Spencer Wilcox informed us of the
death of Ross Thompson who died in America just before Christmas, aged only 57, and sent us this
tribute.
“With great sadness we announce that Ross Thompson died on 20 December at 5.45am. Ross had been
suffering from cancer, became very unwell earlier this week and died in a hospice in Chicago. Our
thoughts go to his wife Carmen, to Viggy and his children Andrew and Katie. Ross went to KEGS in
Chelmsford, was an Old Chelmsfordian and had a long association with Chelmsford HC dating from the
time when he and his mother lived next to the County ground in Chelmsford and she made the teas for the
club games which were then played there. Aside from being a stalwart defender, Ross went on to become
a respected and very well liked umpire for both Essex and the East. He was also an inveterate tourer in
most recent years with the Evergreens. We were lucky that Ross came to the hockey club when he
returned for Katie’s wedding in the summer and we were pleased to see him again when he turned up in
the clubhouse a few weeks ago on a flying visit back to the UK. At this stage the funeral arrangements
have not been announced but we will let everyone know in due course”
The funeral was held at the Grove Memorial Chapel, Elk Grove Village in America on Sunday December
29th and Andrew and Katie subsequently arranged a Celebration of the Life of Ross at Chelmer Park on
Wednesday 29th January for family and friends over here. Tributes were followed by the customary
hospitality that Ross had enjoyed on many an occasion at the Chelmsford Hockey Club. Ross had for
many years been a regular member of the Hockey Club party at our own annual dinners and his presence
there with them will be sadly missed.
We have also heard from Philip Mizon of the death of John Fairhead, (1944-1953), who passed away on
January 28th at Farleigh Hospice with his wife, daughter and son at his bedside. John was well known
locally as an architect and we understand that he had worked for some time in earlier years with Clive
Plumb for the Basildon Development Corporation His funeral was held at Chelmsford crematorium on
Wednesday 12th February.
11
E-MAIL CONVERSIONS
Ian Brotzman, (1977-1984), ian.brotzman@live.co.uk:- “Could you email the newsletter to me in future,
please? Many thanks”.
Peter Clarke, (1958-1963), clarke_peter@ymail.com:- “Have been meaning for ages to advise that I am
happy to receive newsletter by email and have finally got round to notifying you after receipt of the
December issue”.
Robert Foster, (1998-2005), fosterrobert@hotmail.co.uk:- “I'm just emailing to say that I would be very
happy to receive my Old Chelmsfordian newsletter by email in future. I think it is a good step forward and
have been meaning to sign up for it for a while. My name is Robert Foster and my current address at
Sandford Mill Road should be updated to 117 Park Grange Croft, Sheffield, S2 3QJ in case there are any
letters sent out to stop my parents having to forward post all the time - 8 years is probably enough!”.
Nigel Goody (1966-73) suggests:- “I am probably best remembered at the School for giving Headmaster
Nigel Fanshawe (amongst others) a fright when I returned to school after the summer holidays to enter
the Lower Sixth in 1971 with a full beard!”
Having moved to Scotland in 1985, Nigel now manages the Hydrometry Unit for the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), managing about.50 staff who monitor river flows and rainfall
throughout Scotland to provide data for flood warning, flood risk assessment, and water resources
management. A member of the British Hydrological Society since 1987, Nigel was recently elected
President of BHS for a 2-year term.
“In keeping with the ethos of sustainability, please remove me from the list of those receiving hard-copy
of the OCA Newsletter, and send copies quarterly (or even just a reminder to "collect" my copy from the
web site) to npgoody@hotmail.com”.
Roy Knights:- “Happy to receive future issues via knights-7@blueyonder.co.uk and save your petrol/shoe
leather”.
Simon Watkins, (1970-1977):- “Due to ongoing problems with my antique email address
(simon@bwonline.co.uk) please use simon.watkins3@btinternet.com”.
FOOTBALL
Having called for contributions from our regular correspondents for this issue of the newsletter our
Football Secretary, Sylvia Eve, responded:“Here is my football report for the year so far - ‘Rain Stopped Play’ - It’s just not cricket!!”
We also received an enquiry from Nick Green: “As a matter of interest, do you know the last time there
was no football at the club for the whole of January - Peter Crisp suggested the hard winter of 1963?!?”
Our research of the following OCA Football report in the July 1963 Chelmsfordian magazine would
certainly confirm that this was another bad season, weatherwise. We can only hope conditions improve
soon:"The 1962-1963 season recently completed was overshadowed for the Club, as for every other Club in the
Country, by the complete black-out (or perhaps white-out is more apt) of fixtures for about two months
from Christmas onwards because of the exceedingly bad weather".
12
CONTINUAL RAIN CAUSES MATCHES AT THE `LANE TO BE POSTPONED.
Despite valiant efforts by all at Lawford Lane the Christmas and New Year football programme had to be
postponed as the playing surface at the Club became waterlogged, not helped by the river and stream
alongside the pitches running at full bore over the holiday period following the heavy and continuous rain
fall. Not only were the home league fixtures that were scheduled for the weekends of the 4th, 11th, 18th,
25th of January 2014 and 1st February 2014 postponed, one of the longest upheavals to fixtures since the
winter of 1962-63, but also the annual Boxing Day memorial fixtures fell-foul of the weather. It is hoped
these important football club events can be re-scheduled at the end of the 2013-14 season, when it gives
the older and younger players the opportunity to pit their skills against each other in memory of sadly
missed former colleagues and team mates.
Results, such as they are, to date:SATURDAY FIRST TEAM
07/12
14/12
AWAY
AWAY
21/12
HOME
04/01/14 HOME
11/01 AWAY
18/01
HOME
25/01 HOME
01/02
HOME
08/02
HOME
OLYMPIAN LEAGUE DIVISION 1
OLD BARKABBEYANS Won 2-1 James Ward, Ben Sanders
HERONGATE ATHLETIC Won 6-0 Marti Cullum 2, Mitchell Yeo 2,
Ryan Sutton, Dan Griffin
CANNING TOWN
Postponed
BENFLEET
Postponed
LEIGH RAMBLERS
Lost 5-1 Marti Cullum
NEWBURY FOREST
Essex Saturday Premier Cup R4 )
NEWBURY FOREST
Essex Saturday Premier Cup R4 ) Postponed
NEWBURY FOREST
Essex Saturday Premier Cup R4 )
NEWBURY FOREST
Essex Saturday Premier Cup R4 )
SATURDAY SECOND TEAM
07/12
14/12
21/12
04/01/14
11/01
18/01
25/01
01/02
08/02
OLYMPIAN LEAGUE RESERVE DIVISION 1
HOME
WHITE ENSIGN
Drew 0-0
HOME
DEBDEN SPORTS
Lost 4-0
AWAY
HAROLD WOOD ATHLETIC )
AWAY
MAY AND BAKER
)
HOME
KELVEDON HATCH
) Postponed
AWAY
HUTTON RESERVES
)
NO FIXTURES
AWAY
WHITE ENSIGN
Postponed
AWAY
HUTTON RESERVES Won 6-2
Aaron Johnson 3, Dan Pettit 2, Ben Bailey
SATURDAY THIRD TEAM
07/12
14/12
21/12
04/01/14
11/01
18/01
25/01
01/02
08/02
MID ESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION 2
NO FIXTURE
AWAY
WHITE HART UNITED RES )
AWAY
FLITCH UNITED
)
HOME
FLITCH UNITED
) Postponed
HOME
DUNTON RANGERS
)
NO FIXTURE
HOME
SANDON ROYALS Won 2-0 Steve Cooke, Ryan Baxter (Switched to Sandon)
HOME
DUNTON RANGERS
) Postponed
AWAY
SILVER END RES
)
13
VETS 1
07/12
14/12
21/12
04/01/14
11/01
18/01
25/01
01/02
08/02
ESSEX VETERANS LEAGUE DIVISION 1
HOME
AWAY
NO FIXTURE
HOME
AWAY
HOME
NO FIXTURE
AWAY
AWAY
OLD PARMITARIANS Won 3-2 Brett Lattimore 2, Jez Riches
NEWBURY PARK
Won 2-1 Clint Hilling, AlexWilson
COLLIER ROW
)
CRICKETERS HORNDON SAXONS ) Postponed
WEST ESSEX
)
HANNAKINS FARM
CRICKETERS HORNDON SAXONS
VETS RESERVES
07/12
14/12
AWAY
HOME
21/12
04/01/14
11/01
18/01
25/01
01/02
08/02
NO FIXTURE
NO FIXTURE
HOME
HOME
HOME
HOME
NO FIXTURE
ESSEX VETERANS LEAGUE DIVISION 3 (EAST)
BLACKMORE ROYALS Lost 5-0
FOBS
Won 5-3 Matt Hooper, Matt Mott,
Steve Corlett, Neil Cleave
HATFIELD BROAD OAK Won 3-1
RUNWELL FRIENDLY
)
WHITE RODING
) Postponed
SHENFIELD RESERVES
)
SUNDAY FIRST
08/12
AWAY
15/12
HOME
22/12
AWAY
05/01/14
12/01
19/01
26/01
02/02
09/02
HOME
AWAY
AWAY
AWAY
HOME
AWAY
) Postponed
)
POPE AND SMITH LEAGUE DIV 2
WOODHAM ATHLETIC RES Won 6-1 Paul Tiffen 3, Max Johnson,
Stuart Lockwood, Ryan Baxter
RIVERMEAD Won 10-1 Paul Tiffen 3, Max Johnson 2, Jake Munday 2,
Shane Bone, Ryan Baxter, Tom Lakin
ONGAR UNITED League Cup R2 Won 3-2 (aet) Ryan Fleming 2,
Daniel Booty
M&G
)
BROOKHOUSE
)
MARGARETTING Coward Cup R3 ) Postponed
PSV BILLERICAY
)
REDSTONES
)
MARGARETTING Coward Cup R3 )
SUNDAY SECONDS
POPE AND SMITH LEAGUE DIV 3
08/12
15/12
22/12
05/01/14
12/01
19/01
26/01
AWAY
AWAY
HOME
AWAY
HOME
HOME
HOME
WRITTLE MANOR RES
CHELMER WANDERERS
HOWBRIDGE SWIFTS
WILLIAM DE FERRERS
CFC SHALFORD A
CFC SHALFORD A
CFC SHALFORD A
League Cup R2 Lost 4-1 Ben Bailey
Lost 4-0
Postponed
Postponed
Essex Sunday Junior Trophy R4)
Essex Sunday Junior Trophy R4) Postponed
Essex Sunday Junior Trophy R4 Won 10-1
(Switched to Shalford)
02/02
09/02
NO FIXTURE
HOME
PRIORY SPORTS
Postponed
14
OCs U15s
08/12
15/12
22/12
05/01/14
12/01
19/01
26/01
02/02
09/02
BLACKWATER AND DENGIE YOUTH LEAGUE DIV 1
HOME
AWAY
NO FIXTURE
HOME
HOME
AWAY
AWAY
AWAY
NO FIXTURE
OCs U12s
08/12
15/12
22/12
05/01/14
12/01
19/01
26/01
02/02
09/02
UPLANDS RANGERS Cancelled
HATFIELD PEVEREL GALLOWS Lost 2-0
VIPERS
)
GREAT NOTLEY PYTHONS
)
HATFIELD PEVERELL GALLOWS ) Postponed
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS
)
UPLANDS
)
BLACKWATER AND DENGIE YOUTH LEAGUE DIV 3
HOME
AWAY
NO FIXTURE
HOME
HOME
HOME
HOME
AWAY
NO FIXTURE
BADDOW SPARTAK PUMAS Lost 1-0 League Cup Group B
GALLEYWOOD FALCONS
Won 5-3
GREAT NOTLEY PYTHONS
VIPERS YOUTH
???
GREAT NOTLEY PYTHONS
VALLEY GREEN UNITED
)
)
) Postponed
)
)
CRICKET
It seems optimistic to talk about the forthcoming cricket season given that it is currently too wet to play
football, but we are only two and a half months away from once again hearing the sound of ball on bat,
writes Baz Bowerman.
Winter nets for all teams have begun at the Essex County Ground and will run until April, and the season
itself starts on Saturday 3 May. The fixture lists for our four league teams have recently been published
online 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.
Full details of results from these matches and those from the rest of the season will feature in forthcoming
issues of the OCA newsletter.
TENNIS
Teams
Our tennis teams are probably not being affected as badly as the football teams but the weather is still
taking its toll on our fixtures. Generally speaking, we can and will play our home games unless it is
raining very hard or a gale is blowing. A wet AstroTurf surface is perfectly safe. However, some of the
clubs that we have been due to play have found that their lack of proper maintenance has resulted in big
problems where heavy rain has brought dirt and slime to the top which then remains. So fixtures are being
postponed even when the weather conditions on the night would be suitable for a match to take place!
Our Mixed 1’s 100% start to the season ended with a defeat in the 10th match but promotion to the top
division is still very much on the cards.
15
Facilities
The first heavy frost of the winter caused a problem when our newly installed water supply developed a
leak but this was quickly rectified. We have now installed large warning signs on two of the fences facing
car users in order to ensure that drivers on the site keep their speed to an absolute minimum.
Social Tennis
We have recently introduced an additional social tennis session on Saturday afternoons between 2.00pm
and 4.00pm. This has proved to be very popular with around a dozen members playing and hopefully,
some of them staying on afterwards to use the club facilities.
Defibrillator
Essex County Lawn Tennis Association (ECLTA) decided last year to offer affiliated clubs the
opportunity to buy a defibrillator with 50% of the cost being subsidised by ECLTA. The main OCA
committee agreed to meet the balance of the cost on the basis it would be stored in the main clubhouse and
available for all sections to use. The equipment is due to be delivered in mid-February and soon
afterwards, training will be provided.
Notable Dates for 2014
At the first committee meeting of the year on 6/1/14, we agreed the following ‘calendar’ for 2014:
Friday 18/4/14 – Easter Social
Monday 5/5/14 – Wimbledon Ballot Social
Friday 16/5/14 – Inaugural Spring Mixed Tournament
Sunday 8/6/14 – Annual Tournament Preliminary Round, Ladies Doubles (AM only)
Sunday 22/6/14 – Annual Tournament Preliminary Round, Mixed Doubles (AM and PM)
Sunday 29/6/14 – Annual Tournament Preliminary Round Men’s Doubles (AM only)
Saturday 20/9/14 – Finals Day
Thursday 16/10/14 – Annual Dinner (The Punchbowl)
Sunday 28/12/14 – Festive Social
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.
TABLE TENNIS
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League 2013/14
“The 2013/14 season could prove to be one of the most successful for the Old Chelmsfordians’ teams for
many years”, writes David Porter, the section Chairman.
“Our A Team in Division 1 currently lie in 3rd place and have a realistic chance of finishing the season in
this position or, if all goes particularly well, even higher. Peter Hayden has had a very strong season with,
currently, a 90% win rate (18 wins out of 20 matches played). Brandon Crouchman and Terry Dowsett
have also had excellent seasons with win percentages both above 50%.
16
In Division 3 our B Team is already almost across the winning line having won all 14 of their matches
most of them by 8-2 or 9-1 scorelines. The team should perform well in Division 2 next year if current
first choices, Stephen Northcott (94% win rate), Robbie Burton (85%) and Nat Ravlic (72%) stay together.
In Division 4 our E Team have almost performed as well as the B Team. Of the 15 matches currently
played they have won 12 and drawn 2. The fast-improving Daniel Berry, playing at this level for the first
season has an excellent 91% win rate (41 victories out of 45 matches played). The experience of Frank
Hodge (81%) has been essential in the development of Daniel and also Charlie Mariner who, again in his
first year at this level, has achieved a very encouraging 48% win rate.
Also in Division 4, our experienced D Team are currently in 4th place and still have an outside chance of
filling the second promotion place behind our E Team. Consistent scoring by Stuart Wintle (63% wins),
Adrian North (58%) and Charles Yeung (54%) have been the secret of their success in the season so far.
In Division 5 our G Team currently occupy the runners up spot, just two points behind the leaders with a
healthy gap back to third place. Tom Barker has been in excellent form with a 95% win rate (37 wins out
of 39) and he has been well supported by Peter Windley (82% wins) and Josh Watts (39%). It would be
good to see this youthful side competing at a higher level next season and they are currently on course to
achieve this objective.
The performance of our Junior Team in the Click (Introductory) League has also been encouraging with
five wins out of seven matches played. Although they currently lie 5th in the table they have games in
hand over the teams above them and a top 3 finish remains a possibility.
For the eagle-eyed amongst you, you may have noticed that no mention has been made of the C and F
Teams in the report so far. The F Team in Division 5 currently occupy the bottom position which makes
Dave Newman’s achievement of an 85% win rate even more remarkable. They remain in contention for
catching the team above them, thus avoiding the wooden spoon.
Finally the C Team in Division 3 look like occupying the second relegation place, thus returning to
Division 4 after a single season at the higher level. The stalwarts of this team, David Porter (50%), Mick
Hayes (33%) and Roy Moore (28%) have not quite performed at a high enough level although a
strong end to the season may just see them retain their Division 3 status.
Chelmsford & District League – Finals Night
The Old Chelmsfordians will again be the venue for Finals Night of the Chelmsford & District League
individual championships which will take place from 7.30pm on Monday 17 February 2014. All are
welcome to attend this event, and entry is free. The bar will also be open throughout the evening.
Hopefully there will be some OC’s players contesting the singles and doubles finals on the evening and a
full report will be included in the next edition.
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 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 winter and spring period from 6pm to 7.15pm (juniors and seniors) and from 7.15pm for
senior members only (unless there are home League matches taking place)”.
17
AND FINALLY…
Thank you to all members who sent their good wishes for Christmas and the New Year and for all the
complimentary things you have said about the Newsletter.
Also thanks again 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 April.
The date for the Annual Dinner in 2014 has been set for Saturday March 29th and as mentioned in
the last issue for those who enjoy forward planning that for 2015 has been arranged for Saturday
March 21st. More details will be available in the New Year.
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 to arrange this.
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
18