March 2014
The Old Kings Monktonians’ Newsletter
It has been a while since the last publication; this has been largely due to the
uncertainty over the future of the school. However, as you’ll read later in this
issue, in a message from Dr Gwen Lowe a friend of the school, there has been
a remarkable turnaround in the school’s fortunes. So what was once seen as
a forlorn situation is no longer the case, as the new management group has
steered the school into a much stronger position.
In this latest edition you’ll see some familiar features and a new direction from the
committee with regards to embracing newer technology in order to reach out to the younger generations of school
leavers and potential Association Members. I believe as an organisation we have reached a point in time, similar to
that currently being experienced by the Royal British Legion (RBL), where Armed Forces Service leavers associate
themselves more with Help 4 Heroes than the RBL. As there is no heir apparent to our Association it is therefore
critical we attempt to stave off irrelevance and make every effort to revitalise! We have to become more appealing
to the younger generations, which in turn will enable us to generate more members, which should (if members pay
up!) raise much needed funds in order to preserve the traditions and heritage of the long standing association
between the school and ‘the old guard’.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
With that in mind The Association is always keen to recruit new committee members. We hold about four meetings
a year in order to produce material for this Newsletter, discuss donations to the school and look for interesting
opportunities to keep The Association running. So if you can spare a small amount of your time, please contact us.
The Editor.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time and trouble to send Stuart an e-mail, you have now been added to
our electronic address book and you will receive an electronic version of this Newsletter. Transforming our service
from snail mail to e-mail will save The Association a considerable amount of money and with more members making
the change over we will be able to produce much more dynamic editions, which hopefully will enhance your
experience. Of course the other benefit will be to the School, whereby we can increase donations to further
improve the students learning experience. There is more work to be done however and you can help e-mail Stuart
today and join the evolution stuart.1000@tiscali.co.uk
We are also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OldKingsMonktoniansAssociation
GOLF SOCIETY UPDATE
Mike Halloran has been appointed to the prestigious position of Captain for the coming season, which we all hope
will be much drier than last year, we wish Mike all the best for what should be another successful campaign.
Day
Friday
Friday
Friday
Friday
Thursday
Friday
Date
11 April 2014
9 May 2014
13 June 2014
18 July 2014
21 August 2014
12 September 2014
Location
Parc
Dewstow
St Andrews Major
Llanishen
Whitchurch
Peterstone Lakes
Tee off Time
1.30pm
1.30pm
1.30pm
1.30pm
1.30pm
1.30pm
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If you would like to join the Golf
Society, then please contact David
Thomas either on e-mail
dafyddthomas1@googlemail.com
tel. 029 2061 4242 or any other
Association Committee Member.
March 2014
NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL
As promised the following was received from the Dr Gwen Lowe on behalf of the new Head – Paul Norton.
“The school is going from strength to strength since the new school year started in September, with improvements in
IT, new subjects and new teacher appointments. The new Principal is very enthusiastic and dedicated to the success
of the school. Lots of new pupils have been recruited and structural improvements are imminent. The sixth form is
due to re-open in September 2014. The next school open day is between 9.30-12.00 on Wednesday 12th March.
The Kings Monkton Parents Association (KMPA) has returned to active fund raising this year, and is planning a social
evening incorporating a curry and quiz to which all Old Monktonians are invited. Tickets are £10 a head and the event
will be held on Friday 2nd May from 7pm at The Glamorgan Wanderers Rugby Club Memorial Ground Stirling Road
Ely Cardiff CF5 4SR, There is the option of chicken (halal) or vegetarian curry, and there will be a quiz (with a small
prize for the winning table!) and a bar.
Tickets can be obtained from the School (contact paulnorton@kingsmonkton.org.uk) or from Maria Morgan social
secretary of the KMPA (morganmz@cf.ac.uk; 07774 909248). All proceeds will go to the KMPA, which uses the money
to benefit the children attending the school. “ Dr. Gwen Lowe
SUBSCRIPTIONS
This is a gentle reminder to all Association members PAY UP please any overdue subs, this money is used for vital
donations to the school to fund new equipment, trophies, books etc. which is the primary aim of the Association.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Yet again we had a good turnout from past pupils at the Cenotaph in Cathays Park, Cardiff. This was to lay a wreath
on behalf of the Association to remember past pupils and teachers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their
country.
I would like to invite all members of the Association to join us at 10.15 on remembrance Sunday to support our
military, local leaders and to join in the ceremony itself which is an important and moving event.
OBITUARIES
George Brian Williams (1932-2013)
Known to all as Brian, he attended Monkton House School from 2+52 to 1950. Leaving School, he trained as a
Quantity Surveyor with a large Cardiff Company. Married to Valerie in 1957, they had four children and
subsequently ten Grandchildren, a family to which he was devoted and rightly proud. Following the death of his
father, Brian in partnership with his Brother-in-Law, John, took over Clarence Bridge Service Station, Grangetown,
until their retirement in 1987.
A staunch member of the Association and joint founder member of the Golf Society, he organised Golf trips to Spain
and acted as a very good tour guide. In later years, Brian suffered his many operations including two hip
replacements, with fortitude and cheerfulness, still regularly playing golf which he much enjoyed. He will be greatly
missed by all who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him. Courtesy of Russell Seale.
Greta Lowtha (1938-2013)
Greta will always be remembered for her dedication and kindness to pupils of the school. She was also involved with
the Kings Monkton Parents Association and the Old Kings Monktonians’ Association. As a former pupil of Clive Hall
and a teacher at Kings Monkton, she had a massive impact on so many of our lives over the years and was still
working in her 70’s at the school.
I’m sure you’ll all agree Greta was an amazing lady who is greatly missed by everyone.
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March 2014
COMMITTEE
President
Chairman
Hon Treasurer
Committee
Richard Zamboni
Deputy President
Gordon A E Longmore
Stuart Edwards
Vice Chairman
Iain Phillips
Evan Thomas
Hon Membership Secretary
Stuart Edwards
Keith Heselton, Auditor John Price, Vice Presidents Terence D Turner OBE,
Professor M B Wilkins, Dr Richard Roderick Jones, William Graham AM, Roy K Hopkin,
Rev Owen Harris, Pierre Cox.
Editor
Peter Harrison
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the AGM of the Association will be held at the School, 6 West Grove, Cardiff on
Wednesday 11 June 2014 at 7.30pm. For those that turn up a tour of the school has been promised.
The Agenda can be requested from Stuart by e-mail and found on Facebook.
GALLERY
Monkton House School Under-15 XV (1962-3)
Old Monktonians’ Rugby XV (1967-8)
Larger images of the above photographs can be found on Facebook, unfortunately not in colour as that wasn’t an
option in the 60’s. I’m told the 60’s were a groovy/swinging time to live......
It would appear the chaps above missed out
ASSOCIATION TIES
The latest must have accessory is now available.......for the reasonable price of £10.00 you can purchase an
Association Tie.......don’t delay contact Evan as stocks are limited!
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March 2014
A BLAST FROM THE PAST
Several Association Committee Members have been allowed to venture into the vaults of the school and they have
discovered Vol 1, No 1 of The Bulletin, which was published in July 1968. Interestingly, the first AGM was on the
11th June and was held in the Grand Hotel and amazingly 63 Old Monktonians’ turned out to support the meeting.
There were several Sub-Sections of The Association formed during the meeting and they were:
Cricket, Rugby Football, A Dining Club, Skittles Team, Golf Society and a Car Club, and what’s more there were
training sessions to get involved with. It would appear the pioneers were more athletic than wizards in the kitchen
as the first Dining Club was to be a Buffet! Sadly the only remaining activity is the Golf Society.
VERY MISCELLANEOUS – FROM SPRING 1930
Weather Forecast.
A depression over the Isle of Wight looks very black.
Wind: Hot or cold.
Snow, sun or rain possible, unless it hails.
Barometer Readings (supplied by Home & Colonial).
85 to 11 W. Each way.
Bolton Wanderers beat Cardiff City 2-1.
Proverb.
A ladder against a wall is worth two in a stocking.
Career for our Boys.
Why not let him make holes for wire-netting? There are many good openings in this business.
This was considered as humour in the 1930’s, little wonder the world was ready for the ‘Flying Circus’ and for
‘something completely different’.
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March 2014
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Association costs just £5 per annum. Please complete the enclosed Standing Order Mandate so
your membership is automatically paid each year. If you prefer to pay by cheque, then please send your
membership fee or any donations to the association made payable to the Old Kings Monktonians’ Association, to the
address of the Hon. Treasurer Evan Thomas, Wenallt Farm, Wenallt Road, Cardiff, CF83 1ND.
Tear off here---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Standing Order Mandate – Instruction to your Bank or Building Society
To The Manager
Address
Bank/Building Society
Post Code
Name(s) of account holder(s)
Sort Code
Bank/Building Society Account Number
Please credit the account of The Old Kings Monktonians’ Association at Barclays Bank, Cardiff North Branch,
Llanishen Office, PO Box 522, Cardiff CF4 5ZY, annually to commence on 1st May 2014 until further notice in writing
by me the amount of £5.00 per year.
Sort Code
20-18-15 Account number
20574058
Signed
Dated
Signed
Dated
Please send completed form to the Treasurer who will forward it on to your bank after taking a suitable record.
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