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THE CARTHUSIAN

Volume 42/3 2015

THE CARTHUSIAN

Vol. 42 /3 Autumn 2015

CONTENTS

Editorial

Letters

Miscellaneous & Writing

OC Interview RYAN WIGGLESWORTH

A Chat with BRIAN REES

Brooke Hall Valete and page 133

Brooke Hall Salvete

Music Concerts page 137

Drama

Artifex

Art

Design Technology

Sport and page 143

CCF & Expeditions

119

Obituaries

130

Births and Marriages

136

Editors: HAN Clements (G) & ES Curzon Green DBL Thomas (F), CF Harford (D), HA Jones (R), JWG Stocks (S), HJ Thacker (B), OMdG Daglish (S), MH Freeman (S), CJ Roche (H) Pupil Photographers: JHA Mackintosh (D), GA Kendrick (D), HPM Ambrose (H), WRMcK Dewar (D), L Enriquez (g), CC Stockdale (D) Editor Mark Blatchly Design & Photography Roger Smeeton Sport Nick Beasant with special thanks to Margaret Mardall (OC Recorder) & Catherine Smith (Archivist) THE CARTHUSIAN, CHARTERHOUSE, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2DX THE CARTHUSIAN Vol.42/3 covers life at Charterhouse from July 2014 to August 2015. Views expressed are not statements of School policy, neither do they necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.

THE CARTHUSIAN EDITORIAL Unselfconscious Enthusiasm

Lord), Fox founded a religious group with an emphasis on an individual relationship with God, and the importance of ‘testimony’ in simplicity, peace, and stewardship. One of Fox’s most memorable formulations, ‘Live adventurously, and be a pattern’, is simple, radical and exciting in its execution. It challenges us all to take (responsible) risks, and to travel along roads that we might otherwise not have planned or expected with an unselfconscious enthusiasm. Learning, at its very best, is a messy and adventurous business: it cannot be contained in processes and spreadsheets. Only by accepting that premise, and by participation in every intellectual, cultural and personal aspect of life can we do Sutton’s memory proud. ‘Be a pattern’ calls us all to model the personal and intellectual behaviours that all members of a community want to see: inclusive, engaged, and fundamentally humane. Fox and Sutton make for unlikely bedfellows, but their separate witnesses challenge us all to consider how we might renew our commitment to the School and others.

George Fox

Sutton’s Shadow There is an authority to Charterhouse’s motto, ‘Deo Dante Dedi’: God having given, therefore do I give. God certainly gave a great deal to Thomas Sutton, who on his death in 1611 was (allegedly) ‘the richest commoner in England’. His generosity, while extraordinary in its size, was not unusual in the seventeenth-century. In the aftermath of the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, schools, hospitals and libraries were founded around the kingdom to meet unmet intellectual, educational and social needs. By way of comparison, in Manchester in 1653, Humfrey Chetham’s enormous generosity manifested itself in a scholarly library and a Hospital School for poor boys. The philanthropy shown by Sutton has been a controversial topic at Charterhouse since its very inception. Percival Birrell’s 1614 Founder’s Feast sermon, entitled ‘Sutton’s Synagogue, or the Unparalleled Bounty of Protestant Piety’, was reprinted in 1629 to reinforce the strongly Protestant character of Sutton’s generosity. In 1677, Samuel Herne’s Domus Carthusiana attempted to rehabilitate Sutton’s memory in the light of scurrilous stories about his background and behaviour: ‘For the World has not been so kind to this Great Man’. More recently, David Starkey’s 2011 Birley lecture was less kind, describing Sutton as a ‘Dickensian miser’, the image promoted by Hugh Trevor-Roper (D 32) as an embodiment of the Protestant work ethic. Such debates, however, obscure the bigger picture. In a world as affluent as ours, the question of how to give of oneself and to do Sutton proud proves increasingly tricky. As a rule for living, Sutton’s alliteration can be enriched by another call from the seventeenth-century. At the other end of the religious spectrum from Sutton (and those who wished to contest his memory) sits the founder of the Religious Society of Friends, George Fox (1624-1691). Better known as the Quakers (the result of Fox encouraging followers to tremble at the word of the

Equality, not Money Is Feminism a fashion trend? 2014 was the year of Beyoncé’s ‘Flawless’, Lina Esco’s Free The Nipple, and Emma Watson’s speech at the UN. Feminism was everywhere and, for the first time since the early 2000s, Feminism became marketable again. It was Instagrammed, re-tweeted, and Facebooked around the world in screen shots of Mrs Carter, misguided quotes from Ayn Rand, and hash-tagged ‘I woke up like this’/‘no filter’ images. Feminism became cool in a superficial, imagebased way. This resurgence was partly thanks to the fashion industry, known for its repression of racial diversity and enforcement of an extreme height/weight ratio, which leapt upon the fad of popular neoFeminism with its customary gusto and materialism.

While many designers staged pseudo-Feminist shows (and some staged genuinely progressive shows), it was Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel runway show that was the most blatant. He staged a mock protest, with models waving signs declaring ‘ladies first!’ and ‘make fashion not war’, printed in cutesy matching colours with the CND sign playfully splashed about, as if nuclear disarmament were somehow relevant. Susie Lau, fashion commentator, assessed the situation perfectly in her acknowledgement of the designer’s prerogative, but also how designers’ awareness of current phases is always combined with the inherently elitist nature of high fashion: ‘Whatever Lagerfeld’s true stance on Feminism is, it is difficult to believe the conviction of a uniform cast of women, held up to an unrealistic standard of beauty, waving such banners, whilst wearing clothes that are prohibitively expensive. Why go there, Karl? To court controversy? To get more Instagram likes? I suspect it’s a combination of both.’ Some may argue that this publicity for Feminism is positive, as it spreads the idea of female empowerment to the younger generation; yet it seems that this particular type of promotion is doing nothing but reducing Feminism to a trend – and trends, like handbag Chihuahuas, fall out of style. Feminism is not a two-dimensional image that can be promoted on a T-shirt. It is not a ‘lifestyle’ choice that you can buy from Brandy Melville or Lulu Lemon. It’s not your brief phase of being ‘spiritually enlightened’ by Pilates and kale juice. Feminism is a belief in universal equality, not simply between the sexes, but between all people, regardless of race, religion, sexuality or gender; however, this belief is being oversimplified, sugar-coated and fed to us by (predominantly) male designers, who profit from imposing unattainable standards of beauty on women. That is not to say that all designers and celebrities are disingenuous, and that they do not have a positive message in some, if not many, cases. This, however, does not explain why Feminism has become a fashion trend. Derridian Deconstructionism is not simplified into a slogan, nor can you buy Civil Rights shoes and accessories. Why is it only Feminism that you can ‘buy’? Is it purely because Feminism is ‘for women’ and therefore can be sold in pink packaging? Or because late 90s and early 00s girl-power has cycled back into style, making Feminism only relevant by association with its fashions? Do halter-necks and Hole songs really have that much of an impact? It would seem so. As such, an entire movement spanning over more than a hundred years seems to be dissolving into ‘armpit hair selfies’ and Riot Grrrl-esque aesthetics, which not only miss the point, but also are undeniably self-censored. According to social media, Feminism is still only acceptable on a Chanel runway or in pristine images of thin, usually white, young women deciding to ‘free the nipple’, while images of untrimmed body hair, menstrual blood or breast-feeding

continue frequently to result in the closing down of that social media account. (See: Petra Collins’s Censorship and the Female Body). Yet wearing Mary Wollstonecraft’s face on a T-shirt instead of Cara’s to ‘prove’ a superior knowledge of the literary roots of Feminism is not the point either. The point is aiming for unrestricted, universal equality, which should be seen as an essential step – and perhaps the methods by which we achieve this should not be overly criticised. So go ahead, write ‘#feminist’ on your sweatshirt, but just remember who you bought it from, why they sold it to you, and check if you uphold that hashtag in your actions as well as your clothing.

The Occurrents: More is Less No News is Good News Some have referred to it as an addiction, which has been slowly creeping up on us while we have been busily failing to realise it: the constant desire to pick up small bits of information, Twitter feeds, Facebook updates – or simply to click on a well-loved news website just to ‘check the headlines’ before we embark on a more mundane task. We are indeed addicted to news. There is something easy about flicking through headlines. They are commanding but not demanding, they require no commitment, they fill that five-minute wait for a train or a meeting – and they flatter us: we feel that we are abreast of recent events, and therefore well read. In The Art of Thinking Clearly: Better Thinking, Better Decisions, Rolf Dobelli asks: ‘Of the thousands of news stories you have read over the last year, did any of them allow you to make a better decision about a serious matter in your life?’ Dobelli gives ten reasons why reading the news is bad for us. Never mind that it works like a drug, and is physically toxic (for panic stories cause the release of excess cortisol, which plays the jack with our immune systems) – his main idea is that we are slowly losing our attention spans. We can only ever focus on short bursts of information, which feed an overwhelming desire to have everything at lightning speed – yet these constant hits never satisfy us properly, so we never stop; more importantly, they inhibit thinking. Has anyone ever been struck by a good idea or the solution to a problem whilst imbibing news? No – because such advances come only through spending time sitting and thinking, uninterrupted. With the ability constantly to fill all our void time, we are subconsciously losing the will and the time to think. Dobelli also avers that news increases our cognitive errors. Headlines, sensationalised by journalists wanting to sell papers, make us over-confident about what we understand and cause us to misjudge situations. Junior doctors are now advised to be ready for patients (their minds brimming with tabloid misinformation) who claim that ‘back pain drugs cause infertility’, or who know better than to kick the cigs

rest of the UK; the Union cannot survive with a secessionist party (which, let’s face it, the SNP is) running half of it. It is true that the SNP hegemony is challenged at Holyrood: Scottish Labour remains the dominant party of opposition, and the Conservatives and Unionists have a fantastically capable leader in Ruth Davidson – a woman who is frankly wasted in Holyrood; she should be in the cabinet. Nonetheless, for the next five years the SNP will dominate Scottish representation at Westminster – and cause profound constitutional uncertainty as a result. While English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) may call a temporary halt to the Scottish march to the exit, there is no getting away from the fact that the West Lothian question will dominate the government’s constitutional policy, and might now only be solvable through Scottish independence or an extremely radical federal solution which the UK is ill-prepared to deal with. Labour recognises that a federal solution would destroy its chances of returning to power at Westminster, and further entrench the SNP hegemony north of the border. Thus, unpleasant as it may be to confront, the break-up of the UK increasingly seems inevitable. The question is: will the British left survive? The election was a disaster for Labour. It failed to reach the 35% of the vote deemed crucial for victory, instead receiving 30% and near wipe-out in Scotland. For all Miliband’s talk of rebuilding the party into a national force, Scottish Labour resembles a hedgehog trying to walk away from being hit by a steamroller, and the South looks lost to the Tories. To win in 2020, Labour needs to make a sharp tack to the centre in order to win over voters south of Watford, and run a programme designed to appeal to all voters (yes, even the 2% at the top) rather than a crudely designated 35%. Under the prospective leadership of Burnham or Cooper, these changes look unlikely, with the mistakes of the Miliband leadership (arrogance, ignorance, and hubris) being plastered across the Party’s time in opposition once again. Scotland is irretrievably lost to the Party; for all its claims that it will rebuild, Labour is frozen out of Dundee and Glasgow, and hanging on by a thread in Edinburgh. Even the North of England is no longer certain for Labour strategists, with the Tories winning in urban seats such as Bolton West and UKIP coming second in Stoke-on-Trent Central, Tristram Hunt’s fiefdom. Chaos in UKIP may grant Labour a reprieve in those seats, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the party faces a long road back to power; the New Statesman recently found that the party will need nearly a 9% swing to obtain a singleseat majority. Labour could win in 2020 with a good leader, a centrist, broad church programme, and a weak Tory party; at the moment, it lacks all three, and the situation seems unlikely to change. Part of the election result was rather ironic; the Scots, traditionally the foundation of Labour victories, did enough

because ‘one bad night’s sleep is as bad for your health as smoking’; if the doctor looks confused in the face of this freshly minted pop-wisdom, the patient will lose confidence in the medical profession, and rely even more on the ‘truths’ gleaned from the paper. There is usually some very weak factual basis for these health headlines – and the headlines themselves have no subtlety; they do not explain, or mediate in fine (or even crude) gradations. They may hold good for just one person in endless thousands.... if you were born on a full moon to a mother called Joan and refused to eat bananas until you were 7 years old, for example. Should we cut out news altogether? Probably not. Mornings without Radio 4 would be as painful as writing prose when feeling [ahem.... ] unwell – but we should cut out endless drifting to news sites, reflexively grabbing five minutes’ phonefun instead of just waiting, and we should make an effort to assess the historical and scientific context of headlines. In the time saved, we could (for example) finally understand the American political system by watching House of Cards whilst simultaneously tabletting Wikipedia; we could get through a good few more books, and (best of all) squeeze in many more productive naps.... which are absolutely never a waste of time – in fact, they help us to use our time better: and if you see that in a headline, you can relax and believe it. It is actually true.

Th’ election and [our] hopes.... A Five-Year Plan? It was the election of extremes. Apocalyptic visions of NHS destruction, spiralling debts, EU exit, and Alex Salmond being allowed access to the House of Commons café duelled with surreal visions of Ed Miliband confusing himself with Moses and unveiling the Labour Party’s Edstone. (Perhaps he observed, Christ-like, “upon this rock I will build my majority.”) Labour failed to make it into power, however, despite numerous coalition agreements with the SNP, Plaid, SDLP and Lib Dems being posited; instead, the Tories landed in office with a slim majority, in defiance of all the polls. The election result has changed Britain for ever; that much is certain. In the long run, this may be the election which destroyed the United Kingdom as we know it, and ushered in an era of Tory supremacy in UK politics, with a divided left wing proving fundamentally unable to defeat the Tories in national elections. In his column on 8th May, BBC Scotland’s Brian Taylor stated that England and Scotland were now ‘two nations, divided by a common parliament’. With the SNP running rampant in Scotland and the non-SNP MPs being able to fit into the back of a taxi, it is clear that Scotland is dominated by the SNP, and will be for the foreseeable future, in a constitutional position which will be fundamentally unsustainable for the

of the United Kingdom, and the British left could continue to fragment and lock itself of power. Reform is necessary. The present constitutional settlement cannot be allowed to continue if the Union is to survive, and Labour must adapt if it ever wants to see the inside of Downing Street again. However, for all this instability and uncertainty, one thing is certain: the next five years, whatever they may bring, will be very interesting indeed.

damage to Miliband to lock him, rather than David Cameron, out of Downing Street. The break-up of the Union would accelerate the decline of Labour; not only taking 59 leftleaning seats away from Parliament, but potentially causing a rightward jerk in British politics, with England recasting the national mentality in favour of a more fiscally conservative view of life. This would be fantastic for the Tories, and disastrous for Labour in its present form. So what of the Tories? They’re certainly riding high after this election, with England turned blue and Labour committing introspective suicide. The party is successfully fighting off UKIP, and has locked in seats in the Medway and SouthWest which used to be considered Lib Dem and Labour strongholds. Most importantly, the left looks set to tear itself apart. The SNP is destroying Labour in Scotland, and the Green public profile is sufficiently high that it will fuel the Labour left’s idea that there is an appetite for extreme antiausterity policies, further preventing Labour from having a sensible debate about its future. The left is fragmenting, and if the Tories capitalise upon it, then they could find themselves in power for a very long time indeed. The next five years will be unstable. Cameron will have to control his backbenchers, the SNP may well pull Scotland out

‘The people have spoken, the bastards’ All Tucked Up Results produced by our electoral system are well known to reflect poorly how votes have been cast. In May the Conservatives secured just 37% of the votes but ended up with more than 50% of the seats; the SNP secured nearly 9% of the seats on under 5% of the votes; the Liberal Democrats needed 8% of the votes to elect their 8 MPs. An electoral system, however, which restricts UKIP to one House of Commons seat on a 12.6% vote share is clearly doing something right but a General Election in which politicians of the quality of Charles Kennedy and Vince Cable lose their seats cannot be judged to have been a good one.

A musical weekend in Norfolk Rupert Peacock (G), Aidan Chan (W), James Inch (G), Christopher Cole (S) and Rafe Clements (G) Below left: with Brian, whom we had for supper Below: The Imperial War Museum, Duxford

THE CARTHUSIAN LETTERS Boot a Beak

Never on a Sunday

Boosting Morale

Inconvenient & Fatiguing

Dear Sir, I propose that we have a School vote to expel one beak at the end of each CQ. All pupils with less than a total of 360 minutes of extra school and labour would be eligible to vote. The beak polling most votes would be expelled. The ‘winning’ beak would, of course, be allowed to appeal – in which case Brooke Hall would vote on the question of whether or not the ‘winner’ should stay. If BH votes that the ‘winning’ beak should stay – so be it; the pupils will just have to try again next year – though it will not be permissible to ‘elect’ the same beak two years running. This, I think, would lead to a better atmosphere in the School – as all the beaks would be appreciated. Yours faithfully, Carrick Rhodes (Y)

Dear Sir, Sunday is not a convenient day for Chapel. Chapel on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays makes perfect sense – spreading the joy evenly through the week. Sunday is just too close to Monday, however – and too soon after all the weekend football. It is tiring to go and listen to sermons and sing after a tiring match of football – though this may not be the case for goalkeepers, who are probably already used to standing for long periods of time. Or shall I just keep my mouth shut, and forget about all this nonsense? Yours faithfully, Pragmatist

Stop it! After this....

Sloping off Early

Dear Sir, I am writing to complain about the over-abundance of complaints addressed to the Editor. Too much space is wasted by these boring, pointless letters. Yours faithfully, PK White (J)

Getting our money’s worth.... Dear Sir, Most beaks leave for home between 10 and 11 pm. Until then, they will have been engaged in the three futilities: house duty, marking and admin. Since they are handsomely paid, they should not be allowed to bunk off before midnight. Yours faithfully, Boy NG Boin (g)

More Cricket Criticism Boo! Cajun Crick Bats Dear Sir, Cricket is the single worst thing ever to happen to the human race. Two people in pads run frantically along the strip of land, while eleven others stand around silently praying that the ball (which is hard) does not come in their direction. It is synonymous with torture and hash – and antonymous with football and leave weekends. Consider this recent exchange: “Toabee – you’re looking well rough; have you been playing cricket?” Yours faithfully, Dick Chair (E)

High Finance, Great Views Economics in London

explained how unusual risks are dealt with by the syndicates and brokers and their clients – such as insuring companies against loss of reputation through cyber-hacking. Lloyd’s is the leader in its field, and will remain so. Charlotte Connell (L)

CQ 15

On Monday 8th June the 1YS economics divs went on a high finance field-trip. At Deutsche Bank we were met by Louise Kitchen (global head of commodities sales). Our egos boosted with individual name tags, we passed through security into the inner sanctum: in the main meeting room we learned how Deutsche Bank has become a global investment bank whilst retaining its clearing (current account) status in Germany. The trading floor wasn’t quite as Wolf of Wall Street as we’d hoped. We saw the physical walls and partitions, which guard against insider trading, and sensed the intense earnestness of an extremely powerful institution operating calmly and effectively across the globe. At the Bank of England Museum we showed off our knowledge (and ignorance) of monetary systems in the UK. We then visited C Hoare & Co in Fleet Street – the sole survivor of the private deposit banks which were established in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is an unlimited partnership: the partners are personally responsible for any losses or bad debts. Amongst many illustrious customers from its history are Jane Austen and Lord Byron. Clients are attracted by the knowledge that partners take a keen interest in all investments, as it is their money at risk. We toured the beautiful building

At Rothschild – in New Court St Swithun’s Lane, a stone’s throw away from Nathan Rothschild’s original 1812 headquarters – we were admitted to the extraordinary meeting room at the top of the building. Richard Murley (vice-chairman) explained that Rothschild is an advisory firm

in that it sells advice but rarely, if ever, provides money for clients – thus avoiding conflicts of interest. It does this in a variety of ways – through mergers and acquisitions, and wealth management for companies and high net worth individuals. Mr Murley showed us various examples – the most memorable of which was how Wimbledon had come to Rothschild to arrange for the financing of the latest expansion of Centre Court. Melanie Aspey (archivist) showed us documents from the Rothschild archive, from which we could see how the company has achieved stability and the fine reputation which attracts clients. We left deeply grateful to Mr Murley and Rothschild for allowing us this hour with them. DG Richardson (g)

and tried to solve sundry banking and investment puzzles, which demonstrated the volatility of world markets... also how hopeless we’d be as traders. This outing was perfectly balanced between FUN and EDUCATION: many thanks to Eniafe Christopher Momodu (H) our beaks and hosts. At Lloyd’s – where we were guests of Benno Reischel (who runs Europe for Lloyd’s) − we ascended the east side of the building in the external lifts. The incredible views continued inside on the 11th floor; here Helen Green explained how shipping insurance had started in Lloyd’s coffee shop, and how Lloyd’s has grown to be the world’s largest insurance market. She

Charterhouse built him one. Designed by Simon Fielder of the JDTC, it consists of an elegant wooden column, built with timber retrieved from old school benches, and surmounted by a model Spitfire cast in aluminium taken from the original wreckage. The memorial was completed in May 1995, and unveiled by the local mayor on the 50th anniversary of VE-Day. Its construction, including clearance of the site beforehand and regular maintenance afterwards, has involved Carthusians and OCs, past and present Brooke Hall and support staff, local authorities and various firms in France, and even a Dutch family who offered the use of their holiday cottage nearby. Above all, the project involved the active participation of Marcel Lepetit, supported throughout by his wife Thérèse. He identified the crash site; he welcomed Charterhouse visitors on the first and many subsequent occasions; he suggested the memorial; he made contact with various authorities and commercial concerns to facilitate the work, in which he took an active part; and he continued to devote considerable personal effort to the upkeep and improvement of the site. Marcel also donated to Charterhouse the plot of land where the memorial now stands, a few hundred metres from the crash site. The summer of 2015 marks the twentieth anniversary of its construction, and will see the third run of a vintage vehicle rally named after Arthur Beane and organised by Marcel’s son Eric. Very sadly, it is also the first anniversary of the death of Marcel Lepetit at the age of 78. Those of us involved with this project will never forget the enormous contribution Marcel Chris Wheeler made to its success. Further details: The Carthusian vol. 34 no. 8, June 1995.

‘Some corner of a foreign field...’ The story of a parcel of land donated to Charterhouse twenty years ago By a lane in the hamlet of Rauville la Place, 20 miles south of Cherbourg, stands a memorial to a Fleet Air Arm pilot of the Second World War, Lieutenant Arthur Haggie Beane RNVR. Elder son of a senior figure in Lloyds Bank, and an Oxford undergraduate until war broke out, he had served in North Africa until his posting to England to instruct at HMS Heron, the Naval air station at Yeovilton. Its commander used to attach his instructors to operational squadrons to maintain their combat skills. Thus, on 26th November 1943, Lt Beane had taken off from nearby RAF Churchstanton in a Spitfire of 165 Squadron, escorting bombers over occupied France. He had just downed his first enemy aircraft when he was himself hit. Among those who heard the doomed Spitfire, moments before it crashed, was a young schoolboy called Marcel Lepetit, who never forgot the noise it made. Nearly fifty years later, members of a French archaeological group were researching aircraft crashes in the Cotentin peninsula. Someone must have mentioned Marcel Lepetit, now the owner of a farm in Rauville la Place. One of his acquisitions over the years had been a field containing the remains of a crater. He had had the field levelled by filling the crater with earth from elsewhere – earth of a slightly different colour. So it was that when the researchers came knocking, Marcel was able to take them to the right field, poke a stick into the ground and tell them to dig there. With the aid of a JCB they found, several feet down, mangled remnants of an aircraft – the rest of it cleared off the surface by the occupying authorities in 1943. All work stopped when they discovered a parachute. A parachute means a pilot, and a pilot means a grave. With the appropriate authorities notified, the remains of the pilot were recovered, and in due course given a full Naval funeral in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at St Charles de Percy, some 40 miles away. There was some puzzlement that a Naval pilot had been flying an RAF aircraft, and that his uniform, his boots and papers in his pockets bore three different surnames, but he was eventually identified as Lieutenant Beane, listed as ‘missing’ since 1943. The Daily Mail printed the story, consulting the Librarian at Charterhouse for details of the pilot’s school career – for he had been in Saunderites from 1931 to 1936. The Librarian mentioned the enquiry to her husband; the husband mentioned it to a colleague... and on the fiftieth anniversary of Lt Beane’s death, a party from Charterhouse Motor Club set off in their restored wartime truck to visit his grave and the spot where he crashed. On a subsequent visit Marcel Lepetit expressed his hope for a memorial to the pilot, and over the ensuing months

700 pints per week was delivered to the scholars’ hall. Academically the School was not in a bad state in the 18thcentury, not least because of the distinction of its teaching staff. Thomas Walker (Schoolmaster, 1679-1728), for example, was an exact scholar in Greek, Latin and Hebrew, through whose encouragement Wesley learnt Hebrew at school. The foundation documents only laid down that the Schoolmaster and Usher should teach and instruct children in grammar. In the early days they instructed pupils in Latin and Greek literature. In the middle of the 18th-century the curriculum was expanded with the addition of English and geography. By the end of the 18th-century the practice of entering a trade in the City through an apprenticeship with a master who was a member of a livery company was all but gone – and the professions, overseas commerce, the army and navy, and colonial administration had become likely destinations for those boys who did not go to university. They were now given an allowance rather than an apprentice’s fee. In 1806 an exciting phase of quite radical innovation opened with the appointment of Dr John Russell as Schoolmaster, as he introduced the Bell or Madras System of teaching, originally devised for the teaching in the East India Company’s Male Orphan Asylum in Madras: The older and more capable pupils taught the younger ones in smaller groups than could be achieved in a form taught by a teacher. The master’s role was overseeing the classes and ‘hearing each form in order, spending about half-an-hour or less with each’. It resulted in an increase in pupil numbers from 238 in 1818 to 480 in 1825, although the number of masters only went up from five to eight. But by 1832 numbers had declined to 137 and Augustus Saunders, Russell’s successor abandoned the system. The numbers in the School then settled at around 180, and more teachers were employed to teach a wider curriculum consisting of classics, maths, French, German (for those in the VIth-form), history, geography, divinity, drawing, chemistry and music. In the middle of the 19th-century sports included cricket, football, racquets and fives. Stephen Porter also elaborated on the development of boarding and improvements in living conditions in the School in London. He concluded by outlining the developments that led to the migration of the School to Godalming and the fate of the London buildings after they were purchased by Merchant Taylor’s School. He thus provided an illuminating survey of the early days of the School in London, which was EHZ warmly received by an appreciative audience.

Ponded Maid, Beer Glut and Peer Teaching Dr Stephen Porter

Hall

OQ 14

1611 was the year in which Thomas Sutton’s Foundation for 85 old gentlemen and 40 scholars was created through an Act of Parliament, which resulted in the issuing of a Royal Charter. The home for old gentlemen opened its doors first, and it was only in 1614 that the School accepted its first pupils. It is this particular anniversary which the Headmaster decided to celebrate through a series of lectures, the first of which was given by the Archivist of Sutton’s Hospital in the Charterhouse in London, Dr Stephen Porter. His topic was ‘The Early Days of the School in London’. Stephen Porter is no stranger to this topic, as he covered the beginnings of the institution in the book we published for the Quatercentenary: Charterhouse – A 400th Anniversary Portrait. Dr Porter’s lecture, delivered in Hall on Tuesday 7th October, brought to life the character of the early days of the School with its particular idiosyncrasies and foibles extremely well. He first focused on the composition of the School and the prospects for pupils: the age range of pupils, which now spans from 13 to 18 or 19, went down as far as 9 – but pupils were not to be older than 14 on entry to the School. A high proportion of boys went to university with an exhibition from the charity. In order to qualify they had to pass an examination to test their ability. Those who seemed likely not to qualify were taught arithmetic and account keeping and, when they left, their enrolment fee as an apprentice was paid by the charity. So having a son at Charterhouse had considerable advantages; parents could save a lot of money and the son was ideally set up for life, for a university education was almost a guarantee of a career in the church, or entry to a trade in London, which eventually meant setting up in business and being admitted to the freedom of the City. There were very few boarders. Most pupils were day-boys; they were taught by the Schoolmaster and the Usher. By 1669 roughly 900 boys had been educated at the School. By the late 17th-century the School was recognised as one of the best public schools, but the condition of the buildings was deteriorating and the practical arrangements were really unsuitable. This contributed to some poor behaviour among pupils culminating in a rebellion in 1741, which involved the siege of the Matron’s house and her maid being dumped in the pond by the boys. A poor diet, due to the low standing of the boys in the pecking order of the institution, further exacerbated the harshness of the living conditions. This was in part the result of Charterhouse becoming gradually subsumed into the built-up area of the City and thus being affected by the pollution from brew-houses and pipe-makers, for example, which reduced the output of the School’s kitchen garden significantly. What was in plentiful supply was beer. Over a two-year period during Wesley’s time an average of

Ars Longa Music at Charterhouse Robin Wells Hall OQ 14 In this talk, Robin Wells (BH 1965-2003, Director of Music 1987-2003) placed the beginning of the strong tradition of music at Charterhouse in 1626, when the first School

buildings and how some of them had been literally transferred and placed in the new School, to the original Hardwick plans for the main building and its actual outcome. The epithet ‘unfinished’ attaches not only to this building (as it was not turned into a full quadrangle) but also to New Block, to which the two further planned wings were never added – also to Armoury, intended as one of two identical pavilions the second of which was never built. CBC did not hold back in his aesthetic evaluation of buildings, lamenting the unappealing nature of C Block, which became (to his chagrin) eventually the home of the History Department! The audience gained an excellent insight into the gradual expansion of the School in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the acquisition of further land. This was in no small part a reflection on the considerable business acumen of Dr HaigBrown: he spurred on some of the masters who had come down with him from London to use their private money to add wings to their private residences in order to house boys in their own independent boarding establishments, thus adding to the architectural growth and diversity of the Frith Hill area which now boasts a large housing development that succeeded these Victorian buildings once the School sold them to build the New Houses. CBC successfully communicated his passion for the architectural genesis of the School in Godalming, granting the audience an informed appreciation of its particular characteristics. EHZ

Organist was employed ‘to bring up the scholars to music’. From here Robin proceeded to provide an extraordinary catalogue of Charterhouse musicians, starting with the nine organists of Old Charterhouse, including Christopher Gibbons (son of Orlando) and John Pepusch, who worked with John Gay on The Beggar’s Opera. This was followed by Charterhouse composers, most famously Ralph Vaughan Williams (R 1890), but it was interesting to hear about composers as diverse as Philip Radcliffe (H 24), whose string quartets RJAW is currently editing, and Oscar-winner Rachel Portman (P 78). Robin closed his lecture with a register of performers who have made a mark on the musical world after Charterhouse, including, of course, Genesis – but also Sting’s guitarist Dominic Miller (D 76) and conductors Peter Oundjian (S 73), James Grossmith (S 95) and Ryan Wigglesworth (S 97). Amidst this index of luminaries Robin listed the seven Directors of Music, from Edward Rendall in 1901 to Mark Shepherd, who succeeded Robin in 2003. It was moving to hear Robin remember his predecessor, Bill Llewellyn (BH 1950-87, Director of Music 1965-87, Second Master 198487), who is largely responsible for laying the foundations for the current rude health of music in Charterhouse, and who was awarded an MBE on his retirement. RJAW made special mention of two notable WBJL projects, both of them sumptuous operatic productions on the grand scale: RVW’s The Pilgrim’s Progress (1972), and King of Macedon (1979) by Roger Steptoe (BH 1976-79). Time was also found to comment on the various heads of instrumental studies in the School’s history; extraordinarily, of the five Heads of Strings employed by Charterhouse, three were present at the lecture – David Stone (BH 1947-56), Geoffrey Ford (BH 1956-92) and current Head of Strings John Parsons – the powerful sense of a living musical tradition evoked by Robin’s lecture made flesh in the guise of three Charterhouse music beaks RCDM with a combined service of 67 years.

Dancing Bears & Dentistry Russia OQ 14 Over October Exeat a group of art and English students travelled to Russia, accompanied by Mr and Dr Reston, Mr Monkman, Miss Pinkney and Mrs Orson. Leaving Charterhouse on the 18th, the group flew to Moscow from Heathrow. Having negotiated roads packed with tankers, BMWs, and Ladas mostly held together by Sellotape and Communist nostalgia, we arrived at the hotel. Architecturally frozen in the 1990s, its minibars had enough alcohol to give an elephant cirrhosis, beds which squeaked like Satanic mice, and sufficiently eccentric food to necessitate a late-night trip to a supermarket. On the way, we stopped at the Worker and Kolkhoz Woman statue – a vast, spectacular, vaguely nauseating display of Soviet power. Our first full day was dominated by a trip to the Tretyakov Gallery – replete with paintings of splendidly bearded individuals (both male and female) staring down from gilded frames. Here we could track the development of Russian art – from icons, through the Baroque to the 19th-century. The Baroque section has a few weird gems, as the paintings were produced at a time when Russian artists were still learning

Charterhouse and its Glorious Victorian Beginnings in Godalming Clive Barham Carter Armoury CQ 15 We were privileged to welcome back Clive Carter – CBC, as he was always known during his many years here at School as history beak, Housemaster of Gownboys, Second Master and (in his final year) Headmaster – for a lecture on the architectural beginnings of the School in Godalming to the period just before the First World War. Clive is a great expert on the School’s architecture, but expertise does not automatically create interest in the listener. In this instance, however, the audience was enthralled by the beautifully illustrated and freely delivered talk which proceeded from a look at some of the features of the London

unfortunately its famous view of the city was obscured by fog, so a snowball fight started: cold, and rather fun. A tour of the Metro (as impressive as the buildings above ground) passed off in a blaze of tannoys, frescoes and people getting lost. The day culminated in a late night trip to Red Square on the way to the railway station; the Square now looked like something from a Le Carré novel, with the GUM department store glittering in the dark, Lenin’s mausoleum dripping in the drizzle, and the red stars shining atop the Kremlin. From Moscow we headed north to St Petersburg, passing the night (...well, the train left at 1 am, so technically early morning...) on a sleeper train speeding through the dark, passing through half glimpsed hinterland. After a delayed arrival in St Petersburg (the train broke down) the group shot from the subtly decorated St Isaac’s to the Petropavlovskaya Krepost, a symbol of Tsarist power dominated

how to paint realistically – for example, an exquisitely detailed head topping an almost cartoon-like body; the artist had an uncommon mastery of everything above the shoulders, and a total lack of ability in everything below – a Rembrandt face on a Calvin and Hobbes body. A further room is filled with portraits of Catherine the Great, and a series of increasingly insane portraits of Prince Potemkin. One can imagine the gallery being hung: “Pass the portrait of Potemkin.” “Which one?” “Whichever one the Empress liked the most…” “Ah! The half-naked one!” We went on to the centre of Moscow. Red Square is astounding – a vast expanse, with Lenin’s tomb squatting by the Kremlin like a socialist Great Pyramid. T-shirts of Putin were being sold – near-parodies being taken seriously. Moscow itself is similarly astounding – its layers of history jostling with a new sense of drive and uneasiness; this was evident at the Circus, which had taken a traditional entertainment and updated it – with camels trotting around the ring to the strains of vaguely Middle-Eastern pop music, and a bear lurching about pursued by two performers with shotguns. A few members of the trip thought (and hoped) that it was a man in a suit, only to be rudely disabused of that notion. On the second day we went to Sparrow Hills – but

by a golden spire. The Fortress’s Cathedral is staggeringly opulent, with a soaring golden altar forming the centrepiece to a riot of green marble, pink pillars, and white marble tombs. The remains of Tsar Nicholas sit in a side chapel with Peter the Great resting in the corner, his tomb distinguished by a bust. All the tombs are the same size, with the darkly comic result that the notoriously bulky Alexander III occupies the same amount of floor space as his father Alexander II, who was so cataclysmically maimed by a terrorist’s bomb that his remains could probably fit in a tuck-box. We had half a day to look through the astonishing State Hermitage Museum: to scrape the surface of its collections would take half a lifetime. It has halls of Old Masters, and

several ironic pieces – a statue of Voltaire for example. What would Voltaire, a constitutional monarchist, make of sitting in effigy in the Romanov’s palace? The day ended at a folk show, with cossacks and a bass balalaika large enough to double as accommodation for its player. The final day boasted the weirdest visit of the trip, to Peter the Great’s Kunstkammer – a collection of morbid curiosities and anthropological exhibits, including his set of dental equipment with which he indulged his hobby: amateur dentistry – a hobby open only to absolute monarchs. This trip was a resounding success. For all the occasional oddities and intermittently bleak weather, it provided a fascinating insight into Russia – a land of literature, art, and Lewis Thomas (F) rather interesting food.

La Libération Fête de Noël

OQ 14

This year’s Fête de Noël saw Concert Hall transformed, through the magic of Miss Pinkney, and Gavin and Sean of the Art Department, into an oppressively gloomy street in Paris during the Nazi occupation, complete with trees and street-lamps, in whose glimmer brave souls gathered to read and perform the moving songs, poems and letters of those who lived, fought and often died in France’s dark years. There was a palpable sense of relief as, at the word ‘Liberté’, the lights went up to reveal not only the catering team bearing unrationed trays, but also Polina Novikova’s (g) superb version of the Arc de Triomphe, the centerpiece of the décor. Congratulations should go to Miss Pinkney, Miss Fox, and all those involved in producing this year’s edition of what is PJR becoming a fixture in the OQ Calendar.

Photograph by Ben Howard (V)

Roadies at Ch’ouse in the Park (Photograph by Will Dewar)

Pontifex

Dinner Dance Benenden & Charterhouse Yearlings Hall CQ 15 It was the best of times; it was the best of times. No-one was shy of the girls. The music was way too modern for our taste, and we were well-dischuffed that there was no classical music. Those of us who danced used our legs, mostly; there were some thoroughly regrettable arm movements, however. Eagle-eyed beaks patrolled. X’s dancing was appalling. The food was nice. The soggy bits were meant to be soggy, and the crunchy bits gave way pleasingly under our mastications. We rocked. The floor did not crack, which was surprising because there was more jumping than jiving. The carillon played all evening. Did it? Yes, it did. All hail, Captain of Belfry: Arun Silva (G). The music was too loud, actually – but it meant well. The DJ did better than his best, but we were not an easy club to please. We were, in fact, as unclubbable as a very large and not cute beast, or verily as a spent golf bag. The evening was short. Well.... the evening itself was of the usual length, down to the nearest nanosecond (and that is impeccable quantum physics for you) – but/and the party itself ended too soon, when the music ceased and the lights commenced to reveal the horrific mess of wet tissue paper on the ceiling of Hall. (Have you seen how high that is? Go, as they say, figure.) Certain songs were heard too often, and that includes some that were heard only once. Ars longa, vita brevis est: dinner longa, dancing brevis est in our case. Oh woe were we. No-one lost face in front of their mates. Some words: cramped, singing, exciting, loud, {a word that we’ve had already}, cheese, cheeky, hot, stuffy, synchronised, moshpit, echoed, {please re-arrange my ceiling}, tasteless, divided, captivating, restricted, repeating, awkward, banteresting, amazing.... and intriguingly moreish. Seriously though, we would like to thank our kind and thoughtful beaks – Miss Hughes and Messrs Wilson and Sparrow − for a memorable, enjoyable and unusual party. The Unreliable Narrators

Not Cellophaney Cellophony

RVW

3% who do not indulge in any of the above: just as the cellists from the 97% are the most arrogant of the arrogant – cellists from the sainted 3% are the best and the greatest. The result: differences (if differences there be) are settled – and they cooperate with finesse and grace. Popular to contrary belief, ‘Cellophony’ is not a play on the words ‘cello’ and ‘polyphony’ – but a pun from ‘cellophane’. You see, this group originated as a hip-hop/street music society, intending to merge cello playing with modern music; however, the idea was soon abolished because the members realised none of them could ‘wrap’. (*mljb hyena laughter©*) Founded in London a few years ago, Cellophony transcends

LQ 15

It is a proven scientific fact that 97% of all string players are inherently snobbish and condescending. They regularly arrive 10-15 minutes early for every orchestral or ensemble rehearsal, park their carbon-fibre cases on the best front row seats in the room, then immediately launch into their Grade IX Paganini Caprice 42 Variations. Then they stare at the lowly brass players as they shuffle into the room, before launching into curtains of demisemiquaver scales – smirking at the prospect/ establishment/achievement (?) of their ‘superior’ discipline. The eight members of Cellophony are undoubtedly from the

the thresholds of common music-making. It is more than an ensemble of the very best cellists; it is more like an order – a choir, a squad of professional footballers. No gesture is wasted, no cue is unnoticed – they achieve impeccable levels of ensemble thanks to long-lasting friendship, trust – oh, and months upon months of hard work. As the first few dissonant chords of the Hungarian folk tune ‘Porzik a Hegyi Borozda’ rang out, we were immediately possessed by an unearthly medium of bliss and meditation. In front of super-imposed Eb and D major triads, Mr Matthijs Broersma launched into a pitch-perfect aria – a mantra in D, which split the fine mist and ricocheted around the corners of Llewellyn Room. We barely took our breaths back before they launched into a spontaneous Hungarian folk dance. It was inferno, it was passion, it was pure exaltation. The thing that struck me predominately as a cello player was the various inventive methods they had for playing their instruments. One focused on cello percussion – slapping, rubbing and knocking on different areas of his instrument. Three to four focused on ambient drones – striking a prolonged, mistuned discord, creating a fine mist in which the soloist(s) could work their magic. In a section of ‘Pedlars’, a cellist plucked and played at the small bits of strings below the bridge, creating clouded wisps of birdsong. The finale – the 007 theme – was extremely well choreographed for the cello octet. To simulate the tone of electric guitar strings, the majority of the cellists played col legno (using the wooden side of the bow to create a strumming effect). This nostalgic tune was precisely delivered – precise to a fault. In large ensembles passion and precision are polar attributes; attaining elegance, passion and extreme precision in a large ensemble is nothing short of a paradox. Cellophony managed this with ease. It is therefore no surprise that the ensemble has gained critical acclaim all over the world – across Europe and

as far afield as South Korea. This cello ensemble has carved a reputation across the Earth, as it has into our minds. Timothy Lam (H)

Ulysses, Prospero and ‘Colours’ English Recitation

Hall

LQ 15

Graham Seed (W 68) generously put himself alongside the competitors by adorning his adjudication with a recitation of his own – ‘Colours’ by Yevtushenko. His mellifluous and expressive voice rang sweetly under Blomfield’s hammerbeams, as it must have done when he trod the boards here at School. It was probably not difficult for him to judge the winners: a pair of remarkable recitations by the brothers Freeman carried the day. Michael Freeman (S) won the Underschool class with Tennyson’s ‘Ulysses’; William Davies (B – ‘Talking to Myself ’, Dannie Abse) and Igor Mikulik (R – ‘Caged Bird’, Maya Angelou) were commended. The Specialists winner was Bill Freeman (S), with Prospero’s most famous speech (The Tempest, IV/i 146163); Christopher Momodu (H – ‘I Did a Lot of Walking in Montgomery’, Christopher Momodu) and Mia Vallance (G – ‘Mirror’, Sylvia Plath) were commended.

Batter Run Pancake Race Founder’s Court LQ 15 This year’s race was a big event, with a huge number of spectators; the atmosphere was buzzing. Pupils in G and S were watching from their windows. D was unable to retain the title and, surprisingly, came last. B was fourth, S third, G second and g first. Although the whole thing was over in half-an-hour, it was highly enjoyable. Gurban Gylyjov (G)

A Pnyx Itinerary

oracle at the Temple of the Apollo, and later it began to thrive not just as a spiritual site, but also as a place to meet and exchange information. Some scholars have even described it as an antiquated ‘Times Square’. There are treasuries, a theatre and a stadium, where the quadrennial Pythian Games were held. Delphi was the heart of the Ancient World. That afternoon, we began our journey to Olympia. On the way we stopped at Nafpaktos, and later took the ferry across the Gulf of Corinth with views of the striking Rio-Antirrio Bridge and glistening waters.

Athens and the Ancient World OQ 14 A group of Remove and Specialist classicists led by Dr Aidonis, Miss Clarkson and Olivia Fairbank (F 14), embarked on an historical and cultural tour of Ancient Greece during exeat. Saturday: After landing in Athens, we took the bus straight into Syntagma Square and made our way to the hotel. Our first expedition took us through the crowds of the metro to the old city of Athens. The new Acropolis Museum, which sits at the base of the rock, is an impressive spectacle – effortlessly taking you through the rich and troubled history of the Acropolis. It exhibits significant finds from the ‘sacred rock’ and surrounding foothills, including sculptures and marbles from a vast array of historic periods, including the elaborate frieze from the Parthenon – at least that portion of it that was not sold to the British Government in 1816 by Lord Elgin. There is a virtual three-dimensional reconstruction of the Parthenon in its full glory, which highlights the use of colour in Ancient Greek architecture. We were led around the surrounding hills towards the Pnyx (literally meaning ‘tightly packed’ – this was where the Athenian democratic assembly convened) and the Philopappos Monument, both with grand vistas of the Acropolis and wider city as the sun gently faded away.

Tuesday: We began with a full tour of Olympia – a major religious, cultural and sporting centre. We saw the gymnasium, Leonidaion (guest-house), Philippeion (a memorial), baths,

crypt, stadium (where we were able to re-enact a typical race) and the Temples of Zeus and Hera. The site dates back to 10 BC, and today most people will recognise it for the lighting of the Olympic flame. The museum houses some magnificent sculptures, pots and fine metalwork including a set of brutal spearheads and helmets. Next we drove higher up into the hills and visited the unique Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae. Recently the crumbling structure has had to be covered by a large tent for preservation and reconstruction. It is of great historical interest partly because of its many unique architectural features. Descending down the mountainous roads, we soon came to Sparta. The town is located in a basin surrounded by a harsh landscape of mountains and ridges. Wednesday: The group set off early and ascended to an altitude of 980m by coach. Some might have thought this was high enough, but we got off the coach and began our ascent of Mount Taygetos. Accompanying us was a local guide who led us gallantly up the difficult and rocky landscape. After a 90-minute climb we came to our night refuge (1,550m). Then our ascent continued from warm sunshine all the way up into the lonely clouds. After several hours we came to the summit (commonly known as ‘Profitis Ilias’) at 2,407m. Even if we were struggling for breath, it was clear that everyone was overjoyed. We joined together in a desolate stone sanctuary and had a few minutes to rest before beginning our descent. By about five o’clock we arrived back

Sunday: We returned to the old city to follow the processional route onto the Acropolis – an important monument that stands boldly above modern Athens. After a brief look at the Odeon of Heredes Atticus we were struck by the grandeur of the Propylaea and rebuilt Temple of Athena. We walked around the Parthenon and Erechtheion, while taking in the glorious panoramic views of Athens; we also looked down the sharp rock face to the large Theatre of Dionysius. We then walked to the Kerameikos – an ancient burial ground – and then visited the Agora (market hill) and looked at the Stoa of Attalos and the Temple of Hephaestus. Monday: We left Athens and drove out of the city towards Delphi, travelling through the sparse yet beautiful hills. AA gave us a fascinating and detailed tour of the ancient sanctuary. Huge numbers of people used to come here to consult the

well-known structure, however, is the grand amphitheatre – which is one of the best examples of a typical Greek (as opposed to Roman) theatre: it opens up magnificently into the wider natural landscape and features extraordinary acoustics. We visited Tiryns, a Mycenaean settlement with heavy fortifications, and Nafplio, a coastal town with a grand fortress – Palamidi, completed in 1714 – which has impressive views of the Argolic Gulf. The castle’s winding steps (1,913 in total) took us into the town, on the Akronafplia, with its narrow winding streets and large squares. Saturday: We began our journey back to Athens. On the way we stopped at Nemea, which is where Hercules is said to have killed the Nemean lion in order to bring its skin to King Eurystheus as the first of his twelve labours. We saw the stadium (home of the Nemean Games, which were revived in 1996) and the Temple of Zeus. Next was the Fortress at Acrocorinth. This ancient acropolis has commanding views towards Corinth and the Peloponnese. However, due to significant Romanisation, there is not much left of the original Greek fortifications. Sharply descending from the rock, we came to Corinth to see the canal and have lunch. Finally we visited the sanctuary at Eleusis, which again in Roman times was adorned with brilliant new buildings and triumphal arches; then we made our way to the airport. This trip was an unforgettable experience that has greatly advanced our knowledge of the Ancient World. Our greatest thanks must go to Dr Aidonis and Miss Clarkson for their tireless work and planning, for without them this trip would not have been possible. Jonathan Stocks (S)

Photographs by Jonathan Stocks

at the refuge and were welcomed with a warm meal and a bed. We endured a frightful night of thunder as Zeus shouted fiercely from the skies. Thursday: After a final descent, we headed towards Mycenae – home to the Mycenaean civilisation, which evolved between the 16th and 12th centuries BC. We explored the ruins of the acropolis (including the palace, granary, artists’ workshops, a deep cistern and grand Lion Gate) as well as the burial grounds, culminating with the Tholos Tombs (or ‘beehive tombs’) of Clytemnestra and Aegisthus. Moving down to the water, we came to our final hotel in the small coastal village of Tolo. Friday: We continued our exploration of the Peloponnese. First we walked around the archaeological site at Epidavros (the Sanctuary of Asklepios), a renowned centre for healing in the ancient world. The sanctuary has a gym, library, stadium and Roman odeon as well as baths and residences. The most

Stirring Shoulders

The signing of the Armistice on 11th November 1918 led to an initial sense of euphoria, which faded away quickly as the wounds to the British national soul became ever more apparent. The cost of the war began to sink in: the great loss of life – the survivors who were shell-shocked and given labels such as, ‘He’s gone barmy’ or, ‘He’s a bit rocky upstairs’. There were also the injured, unable to hold down a job, reduced to selling matches. Compensation was given for loss of limbs: for instance, loss of an arm up to the shoulder got 16/-, to mid-arm 14/-, and to the elbow 11/-. There were also horrific facial injuries. With the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in July 1919, plans were made for a victory parade in London, to mark the anniversary of the Armistice, to be attended by King George V and Queen Mary; however, it was quickly realized that there was nothing for the troops to parade past. The architect Edward Lutyens was given a week to construct from scratch a monument in Whitehall – and so, over lunch at The Ritz with his mistress, Victoria Sackville-West, great-grandmother of the lecturer, he sketched, on the back of a menu, the design for the Cenotaph, initially intended to be a temporary structure of wood and plaster. Australian soldier-journalist Edward Honey suggested to Lloyd George a two-minute silence to remember the dead at 11 am on November 11th. King George V opposed the idea because of the difficulty in synchronizing clocks across Britain, but he was overruled by the Prime Minister. The nation observed the silence in 1919, and every year thereafter. The Times reported the scene of the crowd gathered at Piccadilly Circus around the statue of Anteros; the only sound was the splashing of water in the fountain. The post-war public mood was an amalgam of disappointment and diversion. Expressions of the former, such as the 1920 demonstration by miners over the failure of the ‘country fit for heroes’ to materialise, existed cheek by jowl with examples of the latter, such as the popular Hammersmith Palais de Danse with its Original Dixieland Jazz Band, whose lead player was reputed to ‘move like a filleted eel out of a stew pot’. One consequence of the decision taken early on in the conflict, to bury the war dead where they fell, was the absence of funerals and graves as means to heal the grief felt by many. Official letters of notification of death were, in many cases, never even opened by the next of kin. After extensive discussion, and with the support of the Archbishop, the Prime Minister Lloyd George, and the King, in September 1920 the bodies of four unidentified soldiers buried in continental battlefields were disinterred; the Chief of the Imperial General Staff selected one at random. The body was brought back to the UK in a coffin made of oak from a tree in Hampton Court Palace garden, being borne from Victoria Station by gun carriage, with the King following as mourner-in-chief. It was laid to rest at the west end of the nave of Westminster Abbey, and covered with earth taken from the four battlefields: the Aisne, the Somme,

Valladolid OQ 14 On the first Saturday of exeat at 6.30 am, fourteen Vthformers left Oak for Heathrow, weary from a long half of OQ but also fresh and ready for the adventure the day would hold. The two-hour flight took us to Madrid-Barajas and from there it was a two-hour coach ride to Segovia, where we went round the town following a ‘Gymkana’ – a kind of quiz, involving encounters with the locals… only five minutes in and we were being asked to join a conga line: already the trip was shaping up to be spectacular. We also looked at the castle, the cathedral, and the aqueduct. On Sunday we began to immerse ourselves in the Vallisoletano way of life. In the morning we went on a guided tour of the old town, visiting the three quarters divided by profession. In the afternoon we went on a boat ride down the River Pisuerga, encountering some local people (numbers were exchanged with chicas guapas) – then we played football on the sandy and bumpy river beach. We had another guided tour of the old town before dinner in the hotel. On the Monday morning, and every morning after that, we had lessons in the Casa del Español from a native Spanish speaker. After lunch – which consisted of traditional potato, potato and more potato – we went to a sports hotel in the suburbs and played football and pádel, which is a bit like tennis but with a plastic racquet. On Tuesday we had lessons and then went to a cooking course in which we made ‘arroz con leche’ (rice with milk) – basically a cold rice pudding – and a typical Spanish tortilla. There was a massive amount of stirring in the making of the rice, so we all ended up as ‘hombres de hombros’ (men of shoulders). On Wednesday we went on a day trip to Madrid; we were given a tour of the old town by Gerrardo, and were then let loose on the city; our arrival in the Puerta del Sol coincided with a student protest. In the afternoon we went to look round Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, and we enjoyed delicious chocolate con churros in the best churrería: deep fried doughnut and thick hot chocolate really is delicious. The trip was a great success – great cachondeo – thanks to the hard work and good humour of Mr Brennan, Miss Pizarro, Freddie Tidswell (R) Dr Baugniet and Miss Wright.

29th Sir Robert Birley Memorial Lecture BTT OQ 14 The Remembrance Day Story – Juliet Nicolson Juliet Nicolson’s lecture began with a vignette of British life shortly before war was declared. The activities of the Suffragettes and the Trades Unions, and the controversy over reform of the House of Lords, led to a fragmentation of society.

This year 199 started from Rodmell; 182 finished at Brooke Hall Arch. Newmarket Hill (at 16h08, 22 deg C) offered an implausibly varied array of CGI clouds and contrails; a cool and impetuous breeze beetled in from the west, where the sea appeared unnaturally golden; the contours of the downland away to the north were shaded with fine red flowers. Niton Down (IOW) and Chanctonbury Ring received their customary shouts-out from those with an eye for topographical salients. It did not rain, and was only just too sunny. As usual there was a cheerful and industrious battalion – both pupils & staff – doing the needful. Great thanks are due to Annie Hardie, who (as ever) organised a wonderful bunch of indefatigable helpers: on the Souterbus – Liz Carey & Judy Affleck [for whose valete notice, please see p 133]; after 30½ miles at Southwater (repairing worn, blown, whistling and cracked turbos) – Annie herself, Marie Genini, Tessa Robertson, Marjon Stephens, Mandy Howard, Marilyn Inglis & Joy Scannell, with catering by Julie Edwards; the pupil markers Arun Silva (G) and Henry Thacker (B) were particularly splendid value here. After 41½ miles at Snoxhall Fields – Vikki Pearce, Sarah Davenport & Julie Mills rebooted the unre-bootable for the redoubtable challenge of the last and extremely trying fuuuuurlooong. Back at School (‘minding the shop’, tending returned walkers, and ferrying the weary from BH Arch back to house) were Barbara Kealy, Alison Boyd, Sharon Sanders, Christine Roberts, Elaine Downes, Alison Todd, Pam Archer, Mary Scanlon, Anne O’Brien & Sue Arnold. Jodi Hutchins was an invaluable search & rescue marshal. At Rodmell Belinda Knox’s long experience in starting the walk was invaluable; Jane Drew & Annette McGivern multi-tasked efficiently at BH Arch, processing the countless and often pell-mell finishes. All at HHC were magnificent, as ever – ditto at Catering.... and this really was Don Hemmings’s last 50-mile Walk in charge of homebill. Beaks leathered it a good few hours later (or earlier) than they normally do with much generous-spirited above-and-beyonding. JNP ran the checkpoints with the precision (but not the expense) of one of those watches that tells the wrong time once per century. As for MLJB.... it was his 18th – and it was, as usual, a funny sort of party. There was an outbreak of hideously gorgeous ties in Chapel on the following day.

Arras, and Ypres. Lutyens was asked to convert the temporary Cenotaph in Whitehall into a permanent marble structure, which became the focus of the nation’s homage to the dead on Remembrance Day. This sparked off the construction of memorials throughout the nation, including Charterhouse Memorial Chapel, whose foundation stone was laid on 17th June 1922, and which was consecrated on 18th June 1927. In 1922, inspired by the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, penned by Lt Col John McCrae (a Canadian military physician), the American Legion adopted the red poppy as a symbol of commemoration of the war dead; the custom was imported into the UK. In April 1923 the Duke of York (Prince Albert, later George VI) married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons in Westminster Abbey. As the bridal pair processed out, Lady Elizabeth laid her gloves on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, a custom continued in subsequent royal weddings. It also became tradition that at coronations, during the procession into the Abbey, the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is the only one which the monarch sidesteps. Juliet Nicolson finished by astounding her audience when she produced, and passed round, the very menu on which SJH Lutyens had sketched the design for the cenotaph.

Half did 57, but no ‘xmas tree’ this year 50-mile Walk 2015

Photograph by Mark Blatchly

Happenings on the 50-mile Walk in living memory (ie, in the last 18 years): (a) four fully wrapped and completely intact packed homebills stuffed like xmas tree decorations into a bush on Truleigh Hill (truly, I say unto you....) – a sincere, if unusual, response to the overwhelming beauty of the scene; (b) walkers claiming to have added about seven miles to their 50 by getting catastrophically lost. The (b) problem affects roughly 50% of all walkers, and the claim is only ever acknowledged out of politeness; (a) happened only once, and it turned out be absolutely ok because the ‘walkers’ were ‘like running it?’ – and it inspired the happy notion that food should be fired directly (from a hose) towards those who read the appellation ‘50-mile Walk’ for irony or metaphor. This event is not a double-marathon – and we aim to leave the innocent countryside as we find it, without ‘shame’ and with only the ‘odd hits’ of our hoof-prints.

Dante Charity Dinners

improving projection in speech, acquiring and absorbing a small piece of literature so as to be able to remember it for ever and even to pass it on, perhaps long after leaving Charterhouse. Oscar Daglish (S)

Hall LQ 15

On 7th March, 130 parents of Specialists gathered for the School Monitors’ Charity Dinner in aid of Child Bereavement UK and Aid Africa. The evening commenced with drinks in Library – a setting that reminded us of the near immediacy of our final exams. The evening then progressed into a decorated Hall – with round tables, beautiful flowers and a team of attentive monitors helping to create a festive atmosphere. The fund-raising was centred on a silent auction: Wimbledon Final tickets, a Monaco Grand Prix experience, holidays to the Seychelles and Jeroboams of Champagne attracted very high bids. The monitors took a few moments halfway through the evening to give the parents a brief description of our chosen charities’ work. The evening was a huge success – enjoyed by all; it raised £28,200 for two great charities. The monitors were very grateful to all who supported the event. A week later, on 14th March, 140 2YSs gathered in CDR for a dinner in aid of the Mark Evison Foundation. The evening commenced with a welcome drink in a CDR decorated and lighted to look very different from a typical homebill scene. Again the evening was thoroughly successful and enjoyable. We were very fortunate to be joined by Sholto Moger (R 00) – a contemporary of Mark Evison (R 00) – who represented the Foundation, and said a few words about the fine work that it does. The evening concluded with the keenly anticipated raffle; its array of exciting prizes included spa days and a signed Chelsea football shirt. This evening raised £2,907.55, which we were very pleased to be able to give to such a good cause. Tom Harrison (D)

Inside the Monkey Cage THIMUN

Den Haag

LQ 15

HL Mencken wrote that ‘democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.’ This description rather applies to the Model United Nations trip: great fun, but somewhat bewildering at times. THIMUN centres around the (rather utopian) idea that, by taking 3,000 teenagers, cramming them into a conference centre run by 500 teenagers, and getting them to debate for a few days, you can reach a level of debate similar to that of the real United Nations. This may be disputed, but the whole experience was pretty enlightening. Twelve Carthusians, accompanied by Dr Yeo and Mr Wilson, made the trip – surviving a ten-hour coach journey through the Low Countries. Den Haag itself is a lovely city: rattling tramlines jostle for space with gabled buildings and immaculately maintained parks whose names include an improbable number of Js. The Netherlands’ colonial past is reflected by the number of Indonesian restaurants in the city. For the record, Indonesian food is fantastically tasty; if you haven’t tried it, you should. The group spent the trip shuttling between the conference centre and our hotel – an edifice like The Grand Budapest, with marble staircases, red carpets and formidably dark rooms. One half expected to see M Gustave gliding out of a corridor, pursued by a nonagenarian paramour and a bemused Zero. The conference itself was held in the vaguely Stalinist World Forum – a vast, brutalist building erected opposite the International Criminal Court. Several ICC verdicts were announced during the trip – reality bursting stridently into the surreal dreamworld of THIMUN. During the conference, the days were spent in committee, the nights enjoying Den Haag. We found ourselves on twelve committees, discussing matters ranging from sanitation to decolonisation (the debate seemed to revolve around a small atoll near Tonga), to slum reduction. Speeches were given before most of the committees (in one case, the wrong one), and several members of the delegation succeeded in getting resolutions before their conferences’ plenary sessions; two were passed. As the venue for one of the first instances of extraordinary rendition in history (several regicides were plucked from Den Haag and taken back to London for execution under Charles II), and the venue for the ICC, Den Haag and its institutions are of particular relevance in this new age of uncertainty. Towards the end of the trip we visited the British Embassy – a warren in the centre of town – to receive a presentation

Recitation Relay Ancient & Modern Languages Verse Speaking Competition – Hall LQ 15 To be in a competition: well, obviously you’re proud to represent your year and stand up in front of a crowd of people – and I was, exactly so. Yet nerves got to a few people, including me. Not only were poems recited, but also a whole array of foreign speech. Practice, leading up to the competition, had been intense. We would come in every day at the quarter and practise, and on the day there was a full rehearsal. At last, when the judges addressed us, we all sat slightly higher in our chairs; they offered advice on many things, including pronunciation and reflecting the atmosphere of the poem using your voice. I was in the Spanish competition and, although I did not win it, I felt that the judge allowed me an insight into what I could improve. Participating in this traditional competition wasn’t just about learning poems and then trying to recite them the best; it was also about

on the workings of the FCO, touching on a variety of topics including language tuition for diplomats, the precise role of the Embassy, and (I kid you not) the role of a presidential witch doctor in starting the Iraq War. It was deemed pivotal that an African state supported the war effort in the UN, so the FCO attempted to convince its President. When it seemed that they were getting nowhere, it emerged that the President’s closest confidante was his personal witch doctor – thus, overtures were made to the witch doctor, the witch doctor had a chat with his master, and the state gave its support to the war. Other than spending two hours in a rail terminal in the middle of the night – getting stranded in Calais by a delayed train provided ample time for thought – what did we get out of the trip? Well, a greater understanding of world affairs for one thing – and the realisation that the Dutch make the best chips in the world. Perhaps most importantly it provided an opportunity to let off some political steam, to see a fascinating city, participate in a conference, and broaden our horizons. After experiencing THIMUN, it is clear that for all his insistence that it is fictional, Armando Ianucci grounded his work firmly in fact. THIMUN 2015: Machiavellian, innovative, and great fun – a teenage In The Loop. Lewis Thomas (F)

purple-lit room I was unsure of what to expect; however, just as Mr Turner promised that nobody would regret attending the Band Show, I did not regret attending Unplugged. Thanks to Harry Manton and all the other participants, everyone who was attending got to enjoy the qualities of the gifted musicians that are among us. I especially enjoyed Robyn Durnford’s (R) version of Bon Iver’s ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’, as well as Will Ellis’s (R) interpretation of ‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran and a duet cover of Radiohead’s ‘Karma Police’ by Seun Oyeleye (G) and Marina Lademacher (V). Unplugged was a very enjoyable experience – the opportunity to forget about the workload everyone is Emma Bruhn (F) currently suffering under!

Things that they really said ... Apparently, it wasn’t that good. I did mean to go to hash, but had something to print out; at least, that’s what I told the beak. The biggest snag with boarding-school is that there are not enough dogs to eat your banco.

Exclusive: No Regrets Unplugged

Concert Hall

LQ 15

Calling-over grades are mostly made up.

Today I attended Unplugged for the first time. Sure, I’d heard about the event before – but, being the busy Carthusian that I am, I never quite found the time to attend. A week ago, however, Harry Manton (L), the concert’s organiser, sent out an e-mail: admission strictly by ticket only. For some reason the exclusive nature of the event seemed to appeal to me, and I reserved myself a ticket. At first, when I found myself in a

Some accidents are funny, actually – and this should not be forgotten. IVkb

Free Pens and a Lit Tent Festival of Education On Thursday 18th June Dr Aidonis, Dr Balasubramanian and Mr Hall arrived with a coach full of excited 1YSs at The Sunday Times Festival of Education. With the sky promising good weather, favourable smells emanating from the food tent, and a bustling schedule of activities and lectures ahead, it appeared that we were in for an excellent day. The programme started with an interesting lecture from Annette Karmiloff-Smith on how scientists get inside babies’ minds, exploring the ways in which babies can be understood and monitored despite their inherent lack of communication skills; these include methods such as watching the infants’ eye patterns, and extensive sleep studies. Next it was to the big Sir John Cass Foundation Marquee, lit like the night sky with beautiful fairy lights on the ceiling, to watch Stella Rimington

here, late in his life, as the beneficiary of a Conservative socialite MP, ‘Chips’ Channon, who in turn is linked to a number of other contemporary figures such as Terence Rattigan. The connection with Ireland continues in the second piece, ‘Doing Dublin Good’, which focuses on Sir Hugh Lane’s frustrated endeavours to establish a gallery for modern art in Ireland in which WB Yeats was also closely involved. More importantly Yeats’s involvement with Hugh Lane resulted in some of his greatest poems, for example ‘September 1913’. ‘Norman and Liz’ provides an insight into the key stages of Norman Douglas’s life and his close friendship with Elizabeth David – the writer of well-known cookery books – who dedicated A Book of Mediterranean Food to him. ‘From Loom to Doom’ explores the facets of a celebrated literary dispute between Percy Wyndham Lewis and Alec Waugh, the brother of Evelyn, which resulted in the former’s parody of Alec Waugh’s book The Loom of Youth (entitled The Doom of Youth) being withdrawn by the publishers. In ‘Harold and the Evelyns’ he shifts his attention to Evelyn Waugh and his association with Harold Acton, who inspired the figure of Anthony Blanche in Brideshead Revisited. He was at the centre of Oxford literary life when Evelyn Waugh met him and became part of his largely Etonian circle of friends. ‘Oxford’s One Civilising Influence’ refers to the description of John Fothergill by Evelyn Waugh. The former is the subject of the following piece, in which Mark traces Fothergill’s wide range of activities from classicist to innkeeper and the way friendships, such as the one with Oscar Wilde, developed and ended. Such is the diverse and colourful tapestry of literary figures and their associates which is captured here so engagingly – woven from the fruits of years of dedicated book collecting. In addition to the authors noted above, Mark Everett also collects books hand printed and published by Leonard and Virginia Woolf, Hours Press books published by Nancy Cunard in Paris, Black Sun Press books published by the spectacularly doomed Harry Crosby and his wife Caresse (also in Paris) and books illustrated by Eric Ravilious, Rex Whistler and Paul EHZ Nash – so perhaps a second volume will follow.

(the inspiration for M in the James Bond films, and the first female Director General of MI5) talk about her experiences and career. Suzanne O’Sullivan went on to do a fascinating talk entitled ‘It’s All In Your Head’ about psychosomatic illnesses: their manifestation, impact and treatment. After a messy lunch of pulled pork in ciabatta it was finally time to watch our star in action: Kareem Belo-Osagie (G) in a Battle of Ideas Debate about lads’ mags, on a panel with the feisty freedom of speech activist Ellamay Russell, journalist Eleanor Mills, and sociology professor Jan Macvarish. The lively and colourful discussion encompassed ideas about what free speech actually means, repealing acts that compromise it (such as the 2006 Racial and Religious Hatred Act), Feminism and rape, the unrealistic depiction of the female body in such magazines, and the correlation between the language used in FHM and the language convicted rapists use. The day at Wellington College concluded with a panel discussion chaired by David Aaronovitch about what ‘intelligence’ really means. This was argued between Sebastian Faulks (author), Sir Anthony Seldon (Master of Wellington College), Angela Duckworth and Robert Polmin (both psychologists). The day was full of great discussions, new information, and lots of free Tallulah Young (P) pens from various stalls!

Bosie’s Grapes Mark Everett This volume of delightful vignettes is the result of a love for books and for collecting them. Mark Everett freely confesses to the ‘thrill of the successful chase, finding that elusive rarity after years of searching or, even better, the rarity that one never knew existed.’ This quest and its particular focus had further unexpected by-products – and it is these which Mark Everett shares with his readers in this beautifully produced limited edition (designed by Roger Smeeton), which he has dedicated to his former Oxford tutor John Kelly and his wife Christine. This acquaintance of his days as an undergraduate years blossomed into a great friendship, in no small part a testament to the inspirational teaching he received which began at Charterhouse under Philip Balkwill, Harvey Hallsmith and Ian Blake whose literary predilections, for example Ian Blake’s love of WB Yeats, still shine through Mark’s focus of collecting today. Mark particularly likes books with interesting inscriptions by the author. In Bosie’s Grapes he uses inscriptions from books in his collection to illuminate important aspects of the author’s life and work. Bosie, the notorious Lord Alfred Douglas – whose father’s ruthless pursuit of his son’s infamous lover Oscar Wilde ensured the latter’s destruction and consigned his son to oblivion once the waves of the scandal had receded – emerges

Bosie’s Grapes was published privately by Mark Everett for his friends, but there is a copy in Library.

Japes & Jubilation Gownboy Association 400th Anniversary Dinner Sutton’s Hospital OQ 14 For current Gownboys, there is nothing more pleasing to behold than year upon year of old housemates who greet each other brimming with joy. Old Gs from the 50s and old Gs who left last year (and all the years between) were brought together by the 400th anniversary of a great house. It was both touching and satisfying to see members enjoying themselves so much, simply through meeting again those with whom they had spent years of their young lives. Venerable older alumni jubilantly recounted the mischief of undercubes life and japes played along the corridors, and more spritely old Gs engaged in conversations of gratitude with fond former tutors and housemasters. The evening was chaired by Mr GE Pratt (G 54; President of the Gownboy Association) and Mr CB Carter (D 60; Housemaster of G, 1978-90) was the guest speaker; the Headmaster spoke also. There was a sumptuous dinner of much cheer – Chris Akka (Head Monitor) read the grace before meat – and a service in Chapel, at which the congregation raised the roof in nostalgic memory of having done so as youths. Mr Blatchly led a small detachment from the house choir in ‘God be in my Head’ and the Stanford Nunc Dimittis in Bb at the service; Mr Smeeton, Mr JP Freeman and Mr Reston came too. The whole evening was an

entirely fitting way in which to celebrate the quatercentenary of G, which is replenished year by year with a dozen Yearlings, half-a-dozen girls and a few new Specialist boys. HAN Clements (G)

THE CARTHUSIAN W O R L D WA R O N E D AY Thursday 25th September 2014 film in BTT: Gallipoli – the story of a runner from Western Australia who was recruited to fight for the Anzacs in the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915. Nick Bellars (R)

Charterhouse’s centenary commemoration of the start of World War One began with a service in Memorial Chapel, which offered a time for reflection on the fallen and the bereaved; Chapel Choir, instrumentalists and School combined in a new anthem (‘For the Dead’) on the Latin text by Prudentius which was famously set for unaccompanied choir by Herbert Howells, in the translation by Helen Waddell (‘Take Him Earth for Cherishing’), in response to the assassination of President Kennedy. We spent the rest of the day doing a variety of WWI-related activities in groups deliberately mixed by house and year so that each group combined Carthusians of all ages, most of whom were unlikely to know one another or usually to work and play together. Among the many sessions and activities were: how the war effected the development of technology and medicine, digging trenches, engaging in bayonet drills and tackling assault courses, chemical weapons, the sportsmen who gave their lives on the battlefield, war poetry and experiencing an hour in No Man’s Land. There were lectures for Specialists and, in the afternoon, a special lunch of WWI food and a whole-house football match to recreate the one that took place on the front line during the 1914 Christmas Day Truce. The day provided the Charterhouse community with a chance to reflect on the impact of World War One, both at home and abroad, and was enjoyable and Vanessa Gunn (W) educational for all.

Running Battle Just before lunch the Yearlings had the chance to get some idea of what it was like running on a battlefield: the whole year-group was divided into two and we were told to race to the other end of Green, diving to the ground whenever we heard the whistle blow. It was hectic, and made us realise that it would be impossible for us to imagine being in an actual battle. In the evening the IVth-form was shown the film, War Horse. This was a memorable day, giving Carthusians deeper knowledge of the realities of this horrific war. Milo Knatchbull (L)

Fallen Soldiers and Their Families The Quick and the Dead Every audience member had studied World War One in previous years of schooling – had spent the past year hearing about the war on the radio, in the papers, on television – and was at that moment in the middle of an entire school day dedicated to remembrance. It is therefore quite amazing that that so many of the matters covered by this talk seemed so alien, at least to me. The impact of WWI on the families of the men who went away to fight is seldom discussed. Yes, it is mentioned that they were terribly sad to see their loved ones go, but it is rare that their plight takes centre stage. That is exactly what this talk, ‘Fallen Soldiers and Their Families in the Great War’, set out to rectify through a series of carefully chosen, meticulously researched and, above all, deeply moving case studies. Richard van Emden opened the talk with a seemingly prosaic sequence of events which followed the struggle of a woman desperately trying to locate her wounded husband after she had received a letter saying that he had been shipped back to England for medical treatment. All her correspondence, in which she attempted to find which hospital he had been sent to, went unanswered. After narrating this woman’s tragic story, Mr van Emden revealed that the man had in fact been killed; the letter stating that he was in a hospital

Physical Jerks There were two special activities for the whole Vth-form: the first was a challenge of mass self-organisation.... building a team (better described as a crowd) of more than 100 pupils. You might assume that about 125 teenagers (potentially a mob) would never show very high levels of organisation – but on this occasion the Charterhouse Vth-form reached an exceptionally high standard, demonstrating the corporate ability to excel in all of the following tasks in a very limited time (15 minutes): forming orderly ranks in preparation for the PE session; doing eight star-jumps, followed by eight jumps, followed by eight half-star-jumps (four with arms swinging gently, followed by four with arms swinging high) – and all in perfect synchronicity. After football and homebill, we were shown a two-hour

Strife Begets Strife

in England had been an administrative error. Then, having just turned everyone against a system which would allow such a mistake to be made, Mr van Emden proceeded to justify the War Office’s position: it is to be expected that in an organisation as large as the War Office one or two cases would ‘slip through the administrative cracks’. This position gave the talk another layer of originality, as the mistakes of the governing powers in World War One are seldom allowed justification. What followed were more heart-rending struggles of the families and friends of the fallen against the authorities – such as a campaign to have a loved one’s body returned to England, and a plot to blow up a monument that would not include the names of men executed for cowardice. In every case Mr van Emden, in the style of the ideal historian, viewed the story from both sides, first putting himself, and indeed us, in the shoes of the families, and then in the position of the War Graves Commission or the local authorities. If ever there was an account which embodied Tacitus’s promise of a history ‘sine ira et studio’ (‘without bitterness or zeal’), this was it. We were finally presented with an image of a note placed by a woman on the grave of a soldier in France: ‘I have missed you my entire life’. In this single phrase was encompassed the massive effect of the Great War on the families the soldiers left behind. What a beautifully poignant way to end the talk. Bill Freeman (S)

A Terrible Beauty All 2YSs attended the final instalment in our day of reflection: ‘A terrible beauty is born – the United Kingdom and the First World War’, a lecture by Dr Marc Mulholland (Fellow and Tutor in History at the University of Oxford). With his vast knowledge of Irish history he was able to take the war as a whole and demonstrate its effect on individual Irish lives, and to show how it paved the way for Irish Nationalism. His lecture focused on two men: Tom Kettle and Tom Barry. The impact of the war turned them towards nationalist ideology, and they became leading figures in the Irish Nationalist movement. Dr Mulholland argued that the Irish felt that their obligation to support the British war effort (which they saw as essentially an English cause) was a sound justification for calling an end to the Union; WWI was thus a catalyst for nationalism in Ireland – the key factor in dividing Ireland from Britain, the greatest agent of Anglo-Irish schism since the 1800 Act of Union. World War One Day had already taught us how far-reaching were the consequences of the conflict – but now we understood how it shaped the structure of modern Britain. Dr Mulholland entranced all who came to listen; he concluded thus: ‘The war changed as much in Ireland, as it changed on the continent.... as much as in the world’. Eleanor Curzon Green (S)

670 origami tanks made by Carthusians to represent the Carthusians who gave their lives in the Great War

They Went with Songs to the Battle Ypres CQ 15

Photographs by Rupert Follett

Thirty-seven boys from the IVth-form and four beaks (RNDF, HJM, SHC, EFP) departed from Charterhouse early on Sunday 26th April bound for the World War One battlefields of Ypres. The first point of call was the Bayernwald trench system (below); this section of German trench which overlooks Ypres has been preserved for visitors, and is said to be one of the sectors where Adolf Hitler served as a soldier. To get another perspective on the battlefield the group moved to Hill 60 (photo centre left: Ned Jordan in a bunker). As the Hill was a small area of elevated land in a flat landscape, it had strategic importance in the battle for Ypres. Following the end of the War, the land was left relatively undisturbed and the boys were able to explore some of the bunkers and defensive positions that remain. A short walk from Hill 60 is Caterpillar Crater, which was formed when a mine with a million lbs of explosives was detonated under the German trenches in June 1917. The blast was said to have rattled windows in London! As we headed into Ypres, the group stopped at Menin Road South Military Cemetery where James Meade (P) (above left) was able to pay his respects at the grave of Private Stancliffe (his great-great-uncle), who was killed in action in January 1917 aged 19. After settling in to the Menin Gate Schools Hotel and a fortifying supper of chicken and chips, the boys then managed to keep the chocolatiers of Ypres in business before attending the moving Menin Gate Last Post service. Especially poignant for Carthusians was standing looking at the names

of the Hunter brothers, who were in Weekites and were both killed exactly one hundred years ago to the day. The Hunter brothers are just two of the 35 Old Carthusians remembered on the Menin Gate. Oliver McBride (B) was able to see the name of his great-great-grandfather. On Monday, after breakfast, the group visited the site of the advanced dressing station at Essex Farm where the Canadian doctor John McCrae wrote the famous poem â€˜In Flanders Fieldsâ€™. In the cemetery is buried Rifleman Valentine Strudwick, who had lied about his age to join the Army and was killed aged just 15. It was then on to the ridge near Passchendaele, where 250,000 British and Empire soldiers and 200,000 Germans were killed in the 3rd battle of Ypres. From the vantage point on top of German-built concrete machine-gun bunkers, the boys were able to get a sense of the scale and difficulty encountered in 1917. Our last stop of the trip took us to Brandhoek Military Cemetery. Here we held a short service of remembrance at the graveside of John Lovell, an Old Hodgsonite who left Charterhouse in 1913 and was killed in action in August 1917 aged 20. Henry Bole (H) (below) laid a wreath. RNDF

Above: The panel on the Menin Gate showing Fletcher, the Hunter brothers, Wreford-Brown, Legard and Noble, all were Carthusians and have no known grave. The Hunter brothers were both killed on 26th April 2015, exactly 100 years to the day before the tour group attended the Menin gate service. Below: Current Saunderites at the grave of Claude Marshall who joined Saunderites in 1904 and was killed in action near Ypres on 27th July 1917 aged 27.

In remembrance of all Carthusians who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Help us to be worthy of that sacrifice and give us the strength and courage to run the race that is set before us.

THE CARTHUSIAN An OC Interview

On a cold, clear afternoon we come upon Ryan Wigglesworth (S 97) drinking tea from a thermos lid outside the BBC Maida Vale Studios, where he is rehearsing the BBC Symphony Orchestra for a concert of Schumann, Strauss, Kagel and Wigglesworth at the Barbican in a few days’ time. Somewhat jet-lagged, he has just returned from Ohio where the Cleveland Orchestra was performing the premiere of his Études-Tableaux. We take our seats in the gallery of Studio 1 for the final hour, in which Wigglesworth takes the BBCSO through Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony – rendering its occasionally tricky scoring with an airy lucidity that is little short of miraculous. Afterwards, Wigglesworth discourses wonderingly upon Mahler’s rescoring of this work: “Mahler’s version creates as many problems as it solves. And it doesn’t sound like Schumann!” Clarity, and the sense of spaciousness that goes with it, is vital to Wigglesworth as conductor and composer. The Times has said: ‘Wigglesworth writes music stamped with iridescent hues, instrumental finesse, shapely ideas and a lyrical impulse that stays within reach even when textures turn prickly’; it has also praised him for ‘his bright ear for glinting textures, his flair for taut motivic interplay, his conjuror’s ability to cast a spell.’ In conversation he casts a spell also – though, despite his predilection for musical transparency, his utterances are sometimes opaque and gnomic. An imposing figure – clad from top to toe in black – he is quietly spoken, modest, and gives little away. He is entirely devoted to his muse, and most serious about it. Deeply thoughtful and considered, he has something of the air of a philosopher, leading a sophisticated inner life of the mind. At the same time, he is genial and disarmingly informal, and begins by telling us that he has just acquired a Cocker Spaniel puppy called Maurice. After Charterhouse (like us he joined in the Specialists) Ryan Wigglesworth was Organ Scholar at New College Oxford, working under Edward Higginbottom. Then came the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (studying repetiteuring rather than formal conducting), followed by some work on a doctorate in composition back at Oxford: “A terrible mistake. Given all the time in the world to compose, you don’t do it. A composer needs to be up against it!” He quickly escaped to Cambridge where he took up a university lectureship and fellowship of Corpus Christi College. But this, too, proved a relatively short-lived move: “I became quite adept at

Photograph by Benjamin Ealovega

Ryan Wigglesworth

solving other people’s compositional problems, and found it increasingly difficult to solve any of my own. I realised that, if I was going to write any decent music, I would have to give up teaching.” As an undergraduate Ryan Wigglesworth began conducting out of necessity. “You write these pieces that no-one else will conduct, so you end up doing it yourself. Then you start conducting pieces by your contemporaries and it snowballs from there.” But he had already begun to study by observation during his schooldays: “Roger Smeeton contacted Graham Sheen (Principal Bassoon of the BBCSO) and said, ‘There’s this strange boy who’s obsessed with Boulez’, which I was at the time.” Boulez was working with the BBCSO a great deal: “Graham would sneak me into his rehearsals, and Oliver Knussen’s – hundreds of hours of them! That’s where it started. I never understood why other student conductors weren’t there. After all, it’s not difficult to get into rehearsals. But at that time I didn’t really consider myself a conductor; I

they got it right.” So why tackle a problem play? “I chose The Winter’s Tale because I have never seen a production that convinced me. Trying to make an intelligible music drama out of a play is very difficult, and all Shakespeare is unsettable anyway. To sing The Winter’s Tale as written would take three days. You have to be brutal and cut big chunks – and whole characters: Autolycus, who is one of the most wonderful characters in the play, in the end does not serve enough of a dramatic purpose, so he has to go. You also have to make the lines singable. A pentameter is too long to sing – the thought itself is simply too long. By the time you get to the end of a phrase, you can’t remember what started it off.” Wigglesworth loves writing for the voice: “It’s my favourite thing.” He wrote a dramatic scena for the Aldeburgh Festival in 2014 – a setting of Ted Hughes’s ‘Echo and Narcissus’ from Tales from Ovid, which uses the same unusual forces as Janáček’s The Diary of One Who Disappeared: tenor, mezzosoprano, piano and three off-stage women. “Writing a fifteenminute dramatic shape – trying to bring this wonderful poem to life – was the best possible exercise before attempting to write an opera.” Does the experience of rehearsing his own music inform Wigglesworth’s interpretations? “If it was just a case of imposing on the orchestra an idea I had in my study, I would quickly lose interest. You have to make discoveries along the way. I’m paid to think how a piece ought to go, but a lot goes out of the window in practice. All orchestras like and expect different things, partly because they never usually see how other orchestras do it. You don’t have long to work out a dynamic, and you have to avoid falling into a routine interpretation, but I wouldn’t want to come in and say, ‘this is how it’s done’. It’s better if this emerges – finding a sound,

Ryan with Saunderites in 1997

was a composer. I was there because I wanted to learn how to write for orchestra.” Wigglesworth’s relationship with Boulez’s music has changed: “In my youth I was like a Communist: it was something to believe in. That kind of commitment and ardour changes over time. I’m still very fond of it because I felt its importance so strongly, but it’s clear to me now that Boulez did not have the only answer as to where music ought to be going. It was Olly Knussen who opened me up to a lot of different types of composition.” In the 1950s and 60s the leaders of the European avantgarde lost contact with their audiences: “It became more of a dialogue between themselves than with their public. It has taken a while to recover from that.” And there were reactions against the avant-garde – some of them extreme. Minimalism, for example: “I don’t perform it very much, because I don’t find it that interesting. Boulez said something about it being pre-digested. It can have an effect like a Bridget Riley painting, making your eyes go funny.... that sense of a pulse changing with rhythmic phasing: exhilarating, but not progressively more interesting on repeated hearings.” These days there is no common ground for composers: “Every time you write, you have to start from scratch. I envy Schubert, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. They had a shared foundation which they could either throw out of the window or work with.” At present Wigglesworth is Composer-in-Residence with English National Opera, where he also conducts a new production every season. From April 2015 he will take several months ‘off’ to write an opera based on The Winter’s Tale – an ENO commission for performance in 2017. “It’s very rare for a composer to be given the opportunity to write a full-scale opera. These days you cannot serve an apprenticeship as Verdi and Puccini did – writing god knows how many operas before

Photograph by Mark Blatchly

Directing Mozart piano concertos from the keyboard gives Wigglesworth yet another angle of approach: “There are many better pianists around, who do proper practice (which I never seem to have enough time to do), but I keep doing it because it automatically gives me a very different sort of relationship with an orchestra. It means that, during a concert, there’s at least half-an-hour when I’m not waving a stick! We have to become chamber musicians, and have a different sort of responsibility for bringing the piece to life. Also, it’s the only time I get to physically make a sound. Many claim that every conducting gesture alters the sound. That’s true, but only up to a point. As a conductor I am not physically making sound – though, when it works, it feels as though I am.” As with his choice of The Winter’s Tale it seems typical of Wigglesworth to take on, as a concert pianist, the hardest challenge: “I basically only play Mozart, which is the most difficult music as we all know. This season I have been playing the ‘Jeunehomme’ Concerto. I’d happily spend the rest of my life with that piece. It’s such miraculous music, like the Da Ponte operas: music that shows you where you are as a musician. I performed Così Fan Tutte last season at the ENO. It’s the hardest thing to conduct: there’s nowhere to hide, and everything has to be just so. As a conductor you want to do that piece every five years to test yourself against it.” In the opera house the conductor is totally immersed, working with stage crew, cast and orchestra: “When it’s good there’s nothing like it. On the opening night – when a wonderful team spirit (horrible phrase!) has been built up over several months (it’s a marathon, not a sprint) – if you get the timing right and the energy peaks, as conductor you feel you’re igniting this thing into life. I tend not to come out of concerts dripping with sweat, but I do with operas. You occupy this strange hinterland – your head slightly sticking over the parapet. With the floor of the stage at my eyeline,

and where it wants to sit – during the rehearsals. Making a piece into a work of art takes time, especially with unfamiliar music. There isn’t one way of doing it, and every performance is different.” Ryan Wigglesworth values the long-standing relationships he has with certain orchestras, not least because they and their audiences need to build up trust with a conductor in order for new music to flourish in their programmes. He looks forward to becoming Principal Guest Conductor of the Hallé Orchestra in September 2015. He grew up with the Hallé (he began as a chorister at Sheffield Cathedral, a city still regularly visited by the orchestra), and rejoices that, more than many other orchestras, the Hallé has preserved its own instantly recognisable sound. How does Wigglesworth balance his schedule – conducting with composing? “When I’ve been at my desk for a long time struggling to write a piece, somehow a concert comes along and stops me going crazy. Composing is such a solitary pursuit. You can think yourself into all sorts of problems simply because you haven’t been spending time with people. This is partly why I’ve got a dog now. He gets me up at 7, and the two walks break up my day. He’s transformed the way I work. At the same time, after I’ve been conducting a concert or an opera I can’t just go straight back to my desk and start writing music. I need a day or two, or sometimes even a week, to clear my head and start to feel like a composer again – to have an open imagination, not cluttered with other people’s music, however great.”

Ryan playing piano at Charterhouse in the 1996 Band Show

In juggling his performing and composing commitments, where does he seek intellectual space and solace? “I spend a lot of my time with the other arts. I’m not sure to what extent it feeds my music, but it does somewhere deep down.” He reads compulsively: “I go through fads. Biographies, contemporary fiction – but recently it’s been George Eliot. I think she’s the best. Middlemarch is an extraordinary panoramic; you simply can’t do that in music. That’s what makes her work interesting; she creates a life for this entire town, but her focus is absolutely sure and consistent.” He recently spent a day in the Art Institute of Chicago: “I walked into a room with the best Constable I’d ever seen in my life, and five of the greatest Manets from the 1860s. I fell to my knees. I’m not exaggerating.” How does he feel now about Charterhouse? “Those two years at Charterhouse – apart from it being a very lovely place to spend some time – were very important to me. I’d come from a very different world and must have been very difficult to teach when I arrived! Part of the problem was that, up until then, I’d believed that music was my thing, my world. I was actually very territorial about it (which was stupid, of course) – but luckily people like the wonderful Revd O’Neill were very good at stopping me becoming too closed off and blinkered…. just challenging me enough. And eventually, with their help, I gradually learned to stop over-thinking, and just got on and did it.”

and everything below that in the pit – trying to keep the two together, and trying to keep the evening alive dramatically – it’s the hardest thing, but the biggest thrill.” What about symphonic repertoire? “The last thing the world needs is a Mahler cycle from me. We have too many as it is. Conductors enjoy too much the thrill Mahler gives them. It lulls them into the sense that they are creating the music, whereas in fact all the hard work has been done by Mahler. It is so well scored. Conductor-composers like Mahler, Britten and Elgar write very differently for orchestra from nonconducting composers. They know that if you want someone to play quietly you have to write ppp. Not p, not pp. If you want something to really come out, then fff.” Wigglesworth is, in any case, interested in individual works rather than in composers: “For some reason Mahler’s 7th Symphony has never become a box-office hit like the others have. For me, it’s the best – partly because it’s the strangest. For now, Ryan Wigglesworth is perhaps best known for having conducted a crop of first class premieres – including major works by Harrison Birtwistle, Elliott Carter, Alexander Goehr, and Oliver Knussen. In 2013 he conducted the revival of Birtwistle’s The Minotaur at Covent Garden, and a new production of Knussen’s Where the Wild Things Are and Higgelty, Piggelty, Pop! with the Britten Sinfonia at the Aldeburgh Festival and Barbican. His recording of orchestral works by Harrison Birtwistle with the Hallé for NMC won awards from The Gramophone and the BBC Music Magazine. A disc of his own orchestral works will be released by NMC in 2015.

Photograph by Mark Blatchly

Ryan Wigglesworth was interviewed in Maida Vale by Erica Flint (F) & Christopher Waters (F) on Tuesday 3rd February 2015.

Heavy Duty

a third type of verdict (‘not proven’, in addition to ‘guilty’ and ‘not guilty’) had not been convincing enough, and that the arguments for the status quo from the opposition had convinced him. Emotive case studies about rape cases in which victims may be psychologically affected by a not guilty verdict (when insufficient evidence is available to convict) were the main content of the especially powerful arguments put forward by the proposition. Despite this, it was argued that ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is the cornerstone of our legal system and that it would not be maintained by the introduction of this third verdict. Thank you to all those involved, and for the significant effort TM put in by many throughout the competition.

House Debating House Debating reached its conclusion in the second week of CQ with Robinites (Charles Sweeting & Jonathan Knight, Hamish MacKinnon & John Reeve) winning both the Underschool and Specialist competitions. Throughout OQ and LQ, many battles between houses had been waged. Only Daviesites and Robinites remained for the finals: a testament to the effort and time these two houses had put into the competition. Particular mention must be given to William Holmes (L) in the Underschool competition, who was defending the title he won last year with Arthur Barnard (L). William sometimes had to compete on his own, for the lack of a team-mate, and he put up a sterling effort; he was knocked out of the competition in a particularly closefought match. Some of the earlier debates were especially interesting, and involved pupils arguing for particularly controversial things like the abolition of single-sex schools, the phasing out of animal testing in the development of medicines, prisoners being allowed to bring up children behind bars, and the heavy taxation of meat and religions! The final for the Underschool was especially close; special mention must be made of Isaac Fletcher (D), who delivered a confident and tactical performance. The guest judge, John Kingston (a barrister), actually agreed with Isaac that prisoners should not be given the vote, but felt that case for was stronger on the day. In the Specialist final the guest judge decided that the proposition’s argument for introducing

It’s a Knockdhu-out! 20th Annual St Andrew’s Ball

Hall

OQ 14

Tartan, tartan – and to be specific: kilts & frocks! Those Specialists with the inclination to dance were, at last, to exploit their newfound skills – to prove that the hours dedicated to learning how to set, whilst avoiding the blandishments of gravity to join the floor in a rather inelegant and horizontal mess, were not spent in vain. Weeks of Monday night rehearsals had paid off. What a night the Ball turned out to be! An evening of fine dining and, of course, fine dancing accompanied by live music from the George Buchanan Scottish Dance Band. With about 200 attendees the Ball was set to buzz late into the night – and thanks to the hard work of Mr Bogdan, Elior and the catering

All for Charity

team, Giles MacDougall (P, bagpipes), and helpers from the Specialists, the evening went off without a hitch (apart from a few harmless plummetings in the harder dances). A good number of the guests were OCs, and there was a large party from Brooke Hall as well. Scottish dances encourage everyone to mix, and to dance with a different partner each round. Thus, even within such a large group, most of us managed to meet almost everyone by the end of the evening. We started with festively appropriate mulled wine; dinner was a three-course extravaganza served at tables named after great whiskies and stretched over the entire evening, with much dancing between courses. The best-known dances were ‘Strip the Willow’, ‘Eightsome Reel’, ‘Mhairi’s Wedding’ and the final dance – ‘Reel of the 51st’; but several others were unfamiliar to most, so a few experts led the way. Honestly, a certain lack of experience and competence adds to the fun. This was an exciting and memorable night. We are hugely grateful to Mr Bogdan, our resident Scottish country-dancing expert, for all his efforts and enthusiasm throughout OQ, and for his amazing organisation of the event itself, which could not have gone better. We cannot wait for next year’s. There is something about the St Andrew’s Ball that will unfailingly entrance you – and leave you dreamily dancing and humming your way back to house. Maebh Mulligan Smith (H) & Henry Jones (R)

Right to Play On Carthusian Day 2014 the Charities Committee, led by Jens de Coninck-Smith (W), arranged a raffle raising £1,500 for the charity Right to Play – which, under the slogan ‘look after yourself; look after one another’, transforms the prospects of children affected by poverty, conflict and disease through sport and games. Our fund-raising effort was entered into a competition for fund-raisers, which we won. The prize was to present our cheque to the charity on the pitch at Stamford Bridge, and then stay to watch the match afterwards. REW

Cassian Schweitzer (D), Patrick Wasinsungworn (S) and Jens de Coninck-Smith (W) presenting the cheque

Walking through History Berlin LQ 15 During exeat a group of Vth-form historians departed for the thought-provoking city of Berlin – a city steeped in history and rich in chronicles of the past. Formerly the centre of Prussian, and later German, imperialism – the city’s ancient and beautiful architecture is interestingly juxtaposed with the Cold War buildings that emerged from the 1945 ruins. Our first day began with a visit to the concentration camp of Sachsenhausen. Here the true horrors of Nazism – conceptualized as actual events, rather than mere facts or

we left for Wannsee, the site of the infamous conference where high-ranking Nazi officials led by Reinhard Heydrich (it is notable that Hitler was absent) resolved to implement the Final Solution to the Jewish ‘question’. It felt sinister to tread in the very halls where such a dire event had occurred. We finished at the Holocaust Memorial: a maze of vast concrete monoliths, increasing in size as you walk further in until colossal blocks loom balefully overhead. This powerful memorial evokes an atmosphere of disquiet and oppression, reflecting the barbarous events of the Holocaust. On the following morning we were guided round the city, braving icy conditions; we gained fascinating insights into the depths of Germany’s historic capital. We started at the Brandenburg Gate – a particularly impressive symbol of Berlin’s illustrious history; the towering columns survived

tales told in hashes – can be comprehended. A great obelisk overlooks the camp, emblazoned with eighteen red triangles that signify the (mostly Soviet) political prisoners detained there. Some of the disturbing conditions of the camp remain – an enduring reminder of such evil affairs as the testing of gas chambers for the Final Solution. Bleak and desolate, the eerie nature of Sachsenhausen is encapsulated by the harrowing words over the gates: ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ (‘Work sets you free’). Surviving the morning’s bitterly cold weather,

onslaughts from Napoleonic France and from Russian hordes from the East – a testament to the resilience of the capital. We visited Checkpoint Charlie, the famous Berlin Wall crossing, where not so long ago there would have been tanks instead of taxis; much has changed, but there are still remnants of the

Russian bullet marks on the Reichstag

Cold War. We also explored the Topography of Terror, the aptly named museum built on the former foundations of the SS and Gestapo headquarters – the site of the infamous book burnings. The Russian Memorial was singularly poignant – its great columns commemorating the enormous loss of life

suffered by the USSR. Most striking of all, however, was the Reichstag building. This striking feat of architecture harks back to the time of Imperial Germany before WWI, and has acquired a modern glass dome which symbolises the reunification of Germany. On the morning of our final day we visited the German Resistance museum, honouring those who attempted to end the Nazi rule of injustice. Here Claus von Stauffenberg was executed following the failure of his attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. The trip concluded with a brief stop at the immense and imposing 1936 Olympic Stadium, a prime example of Hitler’s desire to evoke awe with German architecture. Many thanks to Messrs Gillespie, Sparrow, Smeeton and Miss Clark for organising our intriguing stay Hamish MacKinnon (R) in Berlin.

The Life of Brian A Chat with Brian Rees, Headmaster 1973-81 Whilst at Charterhouse, my great friend Tim Hyde (G 77) and I interviewed Brian Rees (BR) for Greyfriar, a magazine of which Tim and I were joint editors. The interview appeared in the issue of 14th March 1977. Two weeks later, Tim was tragically killed in a car accident – an event seared in the memory of so many of our generation at the School. Nearly forty years later, I was delighted to have the opportunity to talk with BR again, this time sadly without Tim, for the rather more august pages of The Carthusian. BR lives in retirement in Sandwich, a beautiful small town (one of the original Cinque Ports) on the Kent coast. It was the port at which an elephant first arrived in England, from where it was paraded by road to London as a gift to King Henry III. Sandwich is now most renowned for Royal St George’s – occasionally home to the British Open golf tournament, and immortalised as the setting for the rigged game of golf between Goldfinger and James Bond. Sadly, BR’s health has been very poor recently and in Sandwich he is lovingly looked after by his daughter, Jessica (S 82), who lives nearby. We met at BR’s home on a glorious early spring day. BR and I started at Charterhouse at the same time, in OQ 73. My recollection of BR is of a man short of stature but big in energy and fully engaged in all aspects of School life. Unusually, he was as interested in sport as in culture. Equally at home on the touchline or at the piano, he seemed to be everywhere. Where did all this energy and breadth of interest come from? BR’s home town is Sunderland, where his parents ran a post office. The city is a former ship-building giant and now, as when BR was a child, home to a top flight football team. BR remembers standing as a young boy of eight on the terraces at Roker Park when the team brought back the FA Cup in 1937. Subsequently, a grateful customer of his parents’ shop, who was the sports correspondent of the Sunderland Echo, often smuggled him into the press box to watch the matches from there. Later, a pupil at Merchant Taylor’s (where he was then Headmaster) generously gave him a ticket for the FA Cup Final in 1973; he was part of the cheering crowd when Sunderland, the underdogs, famously beat a Leeds United side which was reviled everywhere outside West Yorkshire. I well recall how BR was still full of excitement about the win when he came to Charterhouse a few months later. Although BR admits to having been a useless player himself, football was one of his great passions. Playing the piano was another. Both his parents were musical, especially his mother – and BR was obviously a talented pianist, whose skills at the keyboard were nurtured. He learned to play the organ in St John’s Church, which was near his home. He found

himself playing Chopin Preludes at morale-boosting concerts during the Second World War and recalls rehearsing and performing regularly with the Sunderland Operatic Society as an accompanist. At one time, he considered applying to the Royal College of Music, but at Bede Grammar School a young classics master put him off that idea, saying that Cambridge was the best place in the world for any kind of education (an extraordinary, but clearly persuasive notion). BR found classics a bit dry and dusty, preferring history, which he duly applied to read at Cambridge. BR conjures up a wonderful vision of his young self, travelling down to Cambridge in the late 1940s. In those far off days before everyone had a television, let alone the internet, he had no idea what Cambridge looked like and assumed that the colleges would be together, like a series of technical colleges, all in a row. The journey itself was an unprecedented adventure. He travelled by overnight bus through snow and ice from Sunderland to Biggleswade and hitched a lift from there to a misty Cambridge to sit the entrance examination. On his return journey, the bus was delayed and BR sought refuge in a church hall, where he recalls that the parishioners were extremely kind and offered him coffee and something to eat. The friendships made that night were maintained and, many years later, a number of these kind Samaritans were guests at BR’s wedding. BR was awarded a scholarship to Trinity College, where he encountered outstanding tutors such as Walter Ullmann and Steven Runciman, later to be the author of that great

work, The Sicilian Vespers. BR would have liked to stay on at Cambridge with a junior fellowship, but the competition was hot, with the future great historian of Spain, JH Elliott, in the same election. At this point, and by no means for the only time, Robert Birley entered BR’s life. Birley was Headmaster of Eton (194964), having previously been Headmaster of Charterhouse (1936-47). He contacted Trinity to ask if they could supply a young history teacher to Eton. (What an Anthony Powell world of connections this conjures up. Does it still happen?) The College put BR’s name forward, and he got the job. BR obviously had a very happy time at Eton, teaching at all ability levels and enjoying the social connections that Eton offered. He played piano in the company of England cricketers like Len Hutton, and recalls noisy impromptu duets with Fred Trueman. In the years leading up to the Profumo affair he was summoned by Bill Astor, eldest son of the formidable Nancy, to coach his son William for his Common Entrance. He found himself spending most of his time chasing young William down the corridors of Cliveden in often vain attempts to get him to attend to his studies. BR played the organ at Bill Astor’s wedding to Bronwen Astor and had dinner with them the night before Bill’s final Caribbean cruise. Subsequently, Bronwen Astor became a godmother to BR’s eldest daughter. At Cliveden, BR met Stephen Ward (“not a nice man”), the society osteopath who was a central figure in the Profumo affair. BR was surprised and saddened that Lord Astor got

drawn into the seedy world which produced the notorious scandal. Whilst at Eton, BR collaborated with the future Private Eye satirist John Wells on a musical adaptation of Aristophanes’s The Birds. This was obviously a memorable production. Not only does BR count it one of his greatest achievements, but the cast held a reunion only last year, which BR was delighted to be able to attend despite ill health. Most importantly, at Eton BR met and married Julia, daughter of Robert Birley, with whom he was to have five children. After two years of marriage, BR became a housemaster at Eton. This was not BR’s happiest period, as he found himself having to enforce rules after a period of indiscipline, but it gave him valuable insight into the life of a housemaster. At this juncture, Birley (no longer headmaster of Eton) intervened again and suggested that BR apply for the headmastership of Merchant Taylor’s School at Moor Park in North London. BR duly became Headmaster of one of the great London day schools. BR had a happy time at Merchant Taylor’s, even though it was a very traditional school and played rugby, which was not really a game to BR’s taste. He found the proximity of the parents to the school occasionally oppressive and sympathises with today’s headmasters who are only an e-mail away from an aggrieved parent. At Merchant Taylor’s, BR spent much time on (successful) fund-raising for development projects – a foretaste of what was to come at Charterhouse and Rugby. After eight years at Merchant Taylor’s, BR left to become Headmaster of Charterhouse in 1973. Sir Robert Birley (now Chairman of Governors) was instrumental in the appointment – though he did not participate in the interview process, and took a break from the Governing Body, only returning well after BR had been appointed. BR found it a big change to be back in a full boarding environment. He confirms that he was told by the Governing Body that discipline needed to be tightened up. (One wonders if a GB has ever told an incoming headmaster that discipline needs to be relaxed?) In practice, though, he found that discipline was in pretty good order and it was mainly a question of enforcing existing rules. He had to replace one housemaster who had lost control and chastise one or two others, which he found a distressing experience. The move to the New Houses, which was completed in BR’s first year, and the increase in the number of girls (“they took over, as they do”), gave the School the broad shape which we see today. BR is justifiably proud of the academic, cultural and sporting achievements in his time. In BR’s last year, a remarkable twenty-one awards were won at Oxford and Cambridge and a further twenty places were obtained. BR is quick to praise the “exceptionally good” teaching staff in Brooke Hall, which included such brilliant educationalists as Felipe Fernandez Armesto, David Lincoln, Paul Johnson and

(as I can confirm from my own very happy memories) Harvey Hallsmith. Harvey had been an actor earlier in his career, using the name Harvey Hall, and had studied under Orson Welles. As BR notes, who better to teach Shakespeare than a man who had studied under that great film-maker, who directed a renowned version of Othello and also his own take on Falstaff, Chimes at Midnight? (I recall Harvey being the first to admit that his own film career was rather less distinguished, his best work in Zulu ending up on the cutting-room floor (he said), and his most notable performances being in Hammer horror films like the memorable Twins of Evil.) Fund-raising for development was again a major, and exhausting, priority for BR. Successful campaigns were run to enable the construction of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Music Centre, the John Derry Technical Centre and the Ben Travers Theatre. This fund-raising absorbed much of BR’s spare energy for many years; he found himself travelling all over the world – including to the Netherlands, South Africa and Brazil. He paid his own travel costs, which included a once-in-a-lifetime return trip to Rio on Concorde. He vividly remembers the on-board display showing that the aircraft had reached Mach 2, which he found terribly exciting. BR’s tireless fund-raising efforts left an extraordinary legacy to the School. In 1978, BR’s wife Julia died, after a long illness. This was, of course, a terrible blow to BR. I remember her myself as a great presence around the School, and she was clearly a huge support to BR. Without her, he found himself being a busy single parent to five young children in addition to running a

major school. It was a huge burden. Looking back at Charterhouse now, BR recalls the happy times at Charterhouse; it is clear that, despite the pressures and Julia’s tragic death, BR looks back with great affection. I asked him what he remembers most fondly about the School. BR cites the celebrations in 1977 to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Memorial Chapel. The former and current Archbishops of Canterbury (Ramsay and Coggan) came to preach, as did all the extant former Headmasters of the School (Birley, Young and Van Oss). It was a great Carthusian celebration, which I remember very well. I have never forgotten the sight of some seven-hundred Carthusians metaphorically, and in many cases literally, sitting up straight as Brian Young strode purposefully to the pulpit. BR is proud of his time at Charterhouse. He modestly puts it that he kept the School alive at a time when the independent sector was under political threat. “And the place didn’t burn down”, he says. I reminded him that Saunderites did actually nearly burn down, thanks to a discarded cigarette – but all was well in the end. BR saw Charterhouse as a solid sort of place, perched on our Surrey hilltop, delivering a very good all-round education to pupils of widely varied abilities. He thought it essential to the success of the School to have a very good top sixth-form, and he certainly oversaw that in his time here. After eight years at Charterhouse, BR moved on to another of the great English public schools: Rugby. Yet again, fundraising for development was a priority, and this was one of the pressures that made BR’s time at Rugby a difficult period in his life. He freely admits that financial and emotional problems overwhelmed him: he had a nervous breakdown, leaving Rugby in 1985. Despite all this, BR has happy memories of Rugby and has remained in touch with many people from his time there. The years after Rugby were difficult for BR, but he was sustained by the love of his family and eventually recovered his equilibrium. He has remarried and written very well received biographies of Sir Edward German and Camille Saint-Saëns, as well as an excellent history of Stowe School. He has only recently finished a book about Reynaldo Hahn, and is currently searching for a publisher. I asked BR what alternative career might have beckoned, had he pursued his interest in music rather than teaching history. He reflected and said that he could see himself as an assistant director of music in a minor public school, teaching bad piano to bad piano players. “Yes, that would be it”, he said with relish. Fortunately for the Carthusians of his time, BR chose another career path – and, as Anthony Quick wrote in his history of Charterhouse, “the School fizzed under his headmastership”. Floreat, Brian! Mark Everett (B 77; GB 2008 - )

THE CARTHUSIAN VA L E T E at Charterhouse, her career has combined a commitment to first-rate science, with practical kindness. Elizabeth came to Charterhouse (after a spell at St Paul’s School) in 1983. She began by helping her husband, Dr David Holloway, to run Copseland girls’ hostel. (Her first memory of Charterhouse is seeing her husband playing a vigorous game of fives in the drawing-room with another member of Brooke Hall – subsequently a distinguished headmaster.) Shortly after her arrival, she was told by some senior housemasters’ wives that she might, if found worthy, be invited to help with flower-arranging in Chapel. She still awaits that invitation – but, in the meantime, she has endeavoured to make herself useful, and has done so through an extraordinarily diverse range of other roles. In her long career at Charterhouse, in addition to teaching physics and being Chatelaine of Copseland, Elizabeth has been responsible, successively, for all Cambridge University applications, the induction and mentoring of Newly Qualified Teachers, and the School’s provision of Special Educational Needs (when the needy were known less flatteringly as the ‘Educationally Sub-Normal’). She has also been Brooke Hall

Dr EHH Holloway Few of us, meeting the elegant and unassuming Dr Elizabeth Holloway, would suspect that she was the world expert in metalised polyethylene tetrathalate, let alone appreciate the world-changing significance of her ground-breaking research in its development at Cambridge University. (We must draw a veil of discreet silence over the afternoon when she nearly exterminated Cambridge’s entire Physics Faculty – or the other occasion when the gargantuan calculations her research data required, closed down Cambridge’s computing capacity altogether!) Her work solved seemingly insuperable problems in adding an impermeable microscopically thin layer of aluminium to extremely thin plastic sheeting (think of coating clingfilm with an unbroken layer of metal, less than a one ten-thousandth of a hair’s-breadth thick). Her successful solution to the technological problems posed has saved and improved lives ever since, enabling the production of everything from those ‘foil’ blankets used in mountain rescue, to the shiny food packaging that keeps everything from sun-dried fruit to fritters fresh. As at Cambridge, so

Retiring when the work is done is the Way of Heaven…

Treasurer, house tutor in Bodeites, Lockites and Fletcherites, as well as being a very distinguished Head of Physics for ten years, and Head of Science for six. Space precludes the full description of any of these roles, but the list alone will astonish those who have held just a few, let alone held several concurrently, as Elizabeth has done throughout her career. Outside the hashroom, Elizabeth has umpired cricket matches, and taught cooking. Regarding the former, she confesses to an abiding puzzlement with cricket’s preposterous prepositional distinction between ‘overs’ and ‘innings’. Regarding the latter, she recalls fondly the IVth-form chef who cheerfully sifted a whole bag of flour (self-raising?) directly into his ever-whitening lap, oblivious to the absence of a more conventional culinary receptacle than his trousers. She has also helped to run running, synchronise swimming, and energise equestrians, though her undoubted mastery of the latter was often cruelly tested by the stable owners’ penchant for issuing Elizabeth with their biggest and most unruly horse to ride; she was often to be seen disappearing over the Surrey greensward astride sixteen-hand Sampson, bidding involuntary “adieu” and a plaintively hopeful “I’ll meet you back at the stables!” to bereft Carthusians. Above all these things, Elizabeth has most enjoyed teaching physics – and generations of her pupils salute not only her skills, but also her generosity in doing so. They appreciate the endless extra hashes she has given – and many VIthform girls, less well scientifically tutored before they arrived at Charterhouse, have often had both their knowledge and their confidence boosted through her encouragement. In one particularly memorable year, the extra physics class included the son of a Chinese general and the son of a Korean governmental armaments dealer. She suggested that their friendship might sow the seeds for world peace. Inspired by her teaching and this vision, they have promised her both a palace and a motorcade, should she ever visit China. (Our munificent Founder, Thomas Sutton – himself a reformed armaments dealer – would surely be especially posthumously proud of this latter achievement.) As Head of Physics and Head of Science, Elizabeth has been a greater influence for good than anyone is likely to know; the virtue of humility blows no trumpets. In her perceptive practical support for pupils and colleagues (particularly those in especial need), she has been the making of many, and the salvation of scores more. When Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese sage, described the qualities of the finest leaders, he might well have had Elizabeth Holloway in mind:

Whether through her academic research, or her career at Charterhouse, Dr Elizabeth Holloway has made the world a better (and, I think, kinder) place, and it is entirely characteristic of her self-effacing generosity that she will slip away from Charterhouse so quietly. If she has a monument in the Science Department, it is not in stone, but in Mars Bars and chocolate biscuits – her introduction of a copious supply of which has been a source of solace and sucrose to scientific souls under stress ever since. Her legacy beyond both the Science Department and her grateful pupils and colleagues, is greater still. If ever you are rescued from a cold, wet mountainside in one of those foil survival blankets, if you carelessly discard the shiny plastic wrapping that has been keeping your food fresh, or if you nonchalantly swat aside those shiny balloons at your sixteenth (or sixtieth) birthday, remember Elizabeth Holloway. Those of us who appreciate her many gifts will feel appropriate gratitude. As for the shades of the ungrateful senior housemasters’ wives, they may howl for shame; Charterhouse Chapel Flower Arrangers have forever forfeited the crown for the world’s first bouquet of shining metalised polyethylene… CJBO’N

JJ Knight It might be a bit much to claim that in recent years Pageites has been part of NATO but, in a sense, a certain transAtlanticity has been important. As the Housemaster I have felt deeply supported under the nuclear umbrella that Jesse Knight has offered the House. To explain: Jesse was the Virginian established Assistant Housemaster back in 2010 and he helped immeasurably in guiding the House forward when the new Housemaster was, shall we say, a tiny bit naive. To put it bluntly and simply, we are going to miss Jesse immensely in Pageites. But, first things first. Jesse was appointed at Charterhouse as Head of Politics in 2006 and he has brought great energy and professionalism to that role. His grasp of US politics is sharply impressive and of course rooted in his Southern identity. Jesse is a justifiably proud alumnus of the College of William & Mary in Virginia, the second oldest university in the United States – and indeed it was as a graduate of that historic college that he first ventured onto our colonial soil, being William & Mary’s chosen student to take up the established graduate assistant position at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook. Inevitably, Jesse made a great success of this position and stayed on to become a key figure in the school’s General Studies Department. Jesse is a political being through and through, and the passions run deep: one only has to hear his description of the US Civil

…As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. When their work is done, the people say: “We did it ourselves!”

knowledge on the mysteries of courting the Ivy League will be a much sought-after grail in his absence. In addition to his galvanising effect upon the Politics Department, Jesse has invigorated other aspects of Charterhouse life. I think in particular of his impact upon the School’s basketball performances. He has brought a certain inside savvy to the junior and senior teams, and their record has improved noticeably under his guidance. But, from my point of view, Jesse’s primary contribution has been within Pageites. After a spell at Lockites, when he first came to the School, he came to Pageites and was soon Assistant Housemaster under Dr Ellis. He provided immense guidance and inside knowledge; when I subsequently arrived in 2010, his experience was an absolutely invaluable asset. And he did all of this with the best possible humour and indeed willingness to accept some questionable new approaches. He has been a resolute mainstay of the House for the last five years, and I can even forgive him for his raising of the stars and stripes flag in my office window on our weekend off when he was standing in. He has brought something utterly unique to House. It is quite hard to describe, but I think it is best understood as a great mixture of toughness with a genuine and absolute pastoral dedication, tied up in a brilliant bow tie. This tends to mean that the pupils know that they will not get away with anything but that they will be encouraged and supported in positive directions at every opportunity. Jesse is the king of what might be called follow-through – particularly in terms of congratulating individuals for achievements, be they ever so small. (His reports are amongst the most thorough that I have ever read.) But this default positivity is also matched with a hard-line in confronting unacceptable behaviour. In political terms, perhaps, he has tacked both right and left – and that has always made him a difficult person for pupils to mess with, as he might say. Pageites will be much the duller without Jesse. Every boarding-house has a personality, and no-one quite knows how this happens – but the loss of Jesse is potentially going to be something of an abrupt charisma diminishment for the House. And yet, at the same time we wish him all the best for his future at Aiglon College. It is a truly international college, and he and his wife Kate and his wonderful daughter Alma are I think perfectly suited for this new alpine adventure; all at Pageites wish them every success, but trust that they will, at some point in their new story, find a brief moment to drop NSP back to the old country.

War as the War of Northern Aggression to begin to realise that certain Whiggish givens are not given at all for Jesse – nonetheless it was always a matter of great professional pride for him that his pupils at Charterhouse would not be sure about his political preferences even by the end of the course. He also built up the Department’s record of speakers within the Beveridge Society to an impressive level, and he has been an effective chairman of the Rugby Group for political science. In addition, the Department’s annual Washington trip has become a legendary attraction for would-be politics students. Mr Knight’s itineraries on that trip typically include a political stage drama, an Evangelical church service and such extraordinary things as an interview with a Fox News luminary like Bill O’Reilly or in-depth discussions with highranking shakers from within the machinery of the Supreme Court. Beyond that, controversial issues such as gun control in the US have also involved the students meeting up with leading figures within the National Rifle Association. Under Jesse’s leadership abstract America became real America in no uncertain terms, and this tended to be rounded off with a barbecue at the Knight family home in Virginia. I can think of almost no better way in which students could have been dragged from the textbook page into the existential beating heart of America. It is also true that Jesse has given our Careers Department the right methodological stuff on how to help students apply to US universities. Jesse’s overseeing of US university applications has been one of the great advances in the School’s forward promotion of pupils in recent years. His insider

DAE Williams

the School’s critics and to endeavour to talk them round and to reassure them. He was much appreciated in the community and his careful handling and sensitive awareness of local authority figures meant that the School was able to expedite a number of interesting projects. He was a first-class representative for Charterhouse in the local community. He joyed in School occasions and both his and Pippa’s love of music, as much as their affection for the School as a whole, meant that they were stalwart attenders at concerts and services. Indeed, they were always prepared to spend time with audience members after an event, to share their company and to listen to what they had to say. It is appropriate that their lasting legacy should be the installation of the Carillon in Old Chapel: a bold and imaginative idea successfully brought to pass. We wish David and Pippa all the best and we very much hope that they will both continue to visit us here at Charterhouse. JH Kazi, with contributions from John Walker-Haworth and Peter Drew

David Williams and his wife Pippa very conspicuously loved Charterhouse. Their two children had been through the School and their time (as a family) here had been a happy one. It was happenstance that Peter Drew (GB) met David whilst in Guildford, at a time when John Walker-Haworth’s Governing Body was looking to find a finance director rather than a traditional bursar: it was a fortunate meeting for all parties and David was delighted to be offered the opportunity to contribute to the work of a school that he held in such high regard. Having been appointed, it was not an easy period in which to be running the financial side of any institution, but David carefully steered the School through challenging economic times and demanding projects. David’s great attribute was that he understood the School from both inside and out. He was all too aware of the pressures that parents face in sending their children to private schools: he dealt kindly and sensitively with those who were struggling with fees and his consideration to others was notable. Around him he built a first-rate and loyal team who gave him space to concentrate on the strategic aspects of the School and finance. David was an enthusiastic supporter of both Charterhouse Enterprises and the Charterhouse Sports Club at the Queen’s Sports Centre, acting as secretary to both organisations; his extensive commercial experience allowed him to make a major contribution to the successful operation of both these businesses. ‘Enterprises’ makes use of the School’s facilities that are not in use during the holidays in order to generate revenue for bursaries, which is something that David was very keen to promote. Notwithstanding, he appreciated the institution for all the right sorts of reasons (that Charterhouse is a School) and was always careful to remind colleagues in all areas that the priority was the pupil. He himself was certainly conscious of his responsibilities in that regard: he regularly taught economics lessons to pupils, who much appreciated his reallife commercial experience. As an ambassador for the School, David was impeccable. Charterhouse has a lot for which to be grateful to David, but the wider community appreciated his involvement just as much. There were testing times when the School was seen to be proposing controversial schemes to do with housing or parking, but David was typically brave enough to face

MD Kinder In a year that marks the departure of many Brooke Hall stalwarts, column space is at a premium, I know. Those that bestrode this narrow world will have their inches of course – and ordinarily it might be convenient to neglect the relative newcomer with the appreciative pen. But to diminish Mark Kinder so is not an easy task, such has been the sizeable impression that the petty man, as the Roman has it, has made to the magazine of Carthusian life. Mark came to teach chemistry and physics at Charterhouse from Lady Margaret Hall Oxford, in September 2009, on a one-year post aimed at graduating scientists. His qualities as a schoolmaster-in-the-making were soon recognised and, after another one-year position, he was appointed to a fulltime position in September 2011. Sensible and energetic, demanding high standards yet sympathetic towards all boys – fresh-faced though he was, he easily and quickly fitted in to a department that listed a perhaps daunting number of long-established beaks amongst its members. He was particularly influenced by the charismatic Ed How, and many Carthusians owe him greatly for the meticulous care he has taken in preparing them in the dark art of the chemical world. Recent years have seen Mark deputed to oversee provision for Specialists in Chemistry, a role he has undertaken with typical professionalism and organisation. It is undoubted that Dauntsey’s School is gaining an experienced and able scientist-teacher. Beyond the hashroom though, Mark has given of himself selflessly and has ably contributed to the ‘other half ’ of Carthusiana. He has been a much loved tutor in Pageites under NSP, having first plied his trade in the training ground

contributions to this area. Much of this work was behind the scenes, aiming to ensure that the IT developments in the School were the right ones to support its educational aims. This ranged from coordinating the introduction of computers for all beaks in their hashrooms, the introduction of interactive whiteboards throughout the School, the extension of both wired and wireless systems, and a new intranet. In all this he acted as a very effective liaison between the teaching staff and the IT department – able to smooth ruffled feathers on both sides. Staff training was an important aspect of his role – and his caring, patient and sensitive manner with colleagues ensured that this was effective. Optional training sessions at the beginning of each Quarter were well attended and the organisation of a training session, in which members of BH outlined their use of technology in their own teaching, was appreciated by all. There were also many departmental and one-to-one training sessions. Robert is a strong believer in the use of technology to benefit teaching & learning, and not just for its own sake. In this he was at the forefront of encouraging and supporting staff with the expertise and resources to explore and experiment with new uses of technology in their teaching. Setting up and encouraging the use of Virtual Charterhouse as an on-line learning environment and, more recently, training beaks and supporting the use of Greyhound for educational purposes has helped move Charterhouse into the educational 21st-century. His induction programme for the IVth-form ensured that new pupils were able to get access to, and become familiar with, the School IT systems as soon as they started – and then to further develop their IT skills throughout the year. A vital part of this was the imaginative CyberSense programme, which made them aware of the positive and negative aspects of the web and of how to behave responsibly on-line. This was always illustrated with topical and interactive material – including a bogus phishing e-mail, which invariably caught

of Verites. His pastoral involvement has been literal too; he has coached teams in all the major sports from the start of his time, and an interest in outdoor education as well has found him frequently in the nearer and further-flung fields of the country, egging on several generations of Fourths and Fifths Pioneers. Hockey is of course his main love and pastime: he has been master-in-charge for the past two years, touring with and coaching the XI to numerous victories. For the last four years has managed to juggle his School commitments with his maintaining a position in the 1st XI of Guildford Hockey Club: membership of the National West Conference has required a regular programme of twice-weekly training and Sunday matches, which have taken him as far away as Exeter, Cardiff and Birmingham. His talent and enthusiasm will be missed certainly; there is a great sense that it won’t quite be ‘business as usual’ on the all-weather pitches in LQ 16. By nature a more private man than others, Mark has frequently blushed at laud and praise, and so I hope he forgives me for these words. His departure, though a loss for us, is apposite for him: he leaves Charterhouse to embark on a new stage in his career, and to move nearer to Virginie, late of the School herself. Both are close to this community though and, however far he goes, there will remain I am sure a mutual affection for the sandstone walls. Many pupils and beaks alike have Mark to thank for his encouragement, care, ICS and support; he will be missed.

Dr RD Sarre Robert Sarre joined Charterhouse in 2009 to take on the newly created position of Director of Academic IT Strategy and to teach geography. His real interest in, and enthusiasm for, using information technology in innovative and effective ways in teaching & learning meant that he made significant

JJ Hughes

out a number of individuals – and was an excellent learning exercise for all. This programme, incorporated as part of the Monday Activity sessions, always received positive responses from pupils. While not a great fan of some of the recent forms of social media, RDS, nonetheless, always kept up to date with their use and functioning, which enabled him to talk knowledgeably to pupils and to spot instances where the technology was being used inappropriately – often using such occasions to help educate and improve on-line behaviour. Robert is also a highly qualified and enthusiastic geographer, and brought new ideas to the teaching of the subject. When he joined the Geography Department, the wisdom and experience he had gained from previous appointments proved to be immensely reassuring to his geography colleagues in the face of curriculum change – and his patient and supportive approach helped them develop their confidence in using IT. He has done exceptional things with the development of the IVth-form geography programme of study, building in a variety of both geographical and IT-based skills. Those pupils taking the course significantly improved their ability and confidence in using IT, which they could then apply to other subjects. Robert was a stalwart on many geography field-trips of all types, enlightening pupils with his diverse and expert geographical knowledge – always a level-headed influence. One London trip saw him calmly dealing with the retrieval of two IVth-formers who forgot to get off the train at Ebbsfleet: it was heading on to Folkstone and Europe. A colleague also remembers him cleverly building a food tour into a London field-trip, starting with breakfast at Yotam Ottolenghi’s NOPI restaurant. His keen interest in meteorology is well known, and not only to geographers. I recall him enthusiastically demonstrating on-line real-time radar images of rain storms, timed to the minute as they crossed southern England towards Godalming, confidently predicting that they wouldn’t affect the afternoon’s athletics match, in which he was to be time-keeping. As a tutor in Daviesites he has always been a calm, cheerful and unflappable presence. He was a great source of ITrelated insights and guidance in D, and the Housemaster well remembers his delight on being able, with Robert’s help, to join in and interrupt some Specialists, to their evident embarrassment, who were engaging in a live chat session during banco on a website they had set up. Robert, and his wife Jenny, quickly became fully involved in the Charterhouse community, demonstrating a real interest in Brooke Hall colleagues as well as his pupils and tutees. Their hospitality and Jenny’s cooking are legendary among those entertained to supper in their house. Retirement will enable them to indulge their love of travel and spend more time exploring abroad. Robert will be much missed by fellow geographers and by so many in the wider School community. CJE

Julia Hughes joined Charterhouse from Berkhamsted in OQ 12 to teach geography. She quickly proved herself as an accomplished and exceptional teacher with a natural flair for engendering enthusiasm and vitality. During these past three years, she has progressively developed her academic and pastoral reputation across the whole School; indeed there can be few in Brooke Hall who would believe that her tenure at the School has been so short, given the scale of her accomplishments. Widely recognised for her dynamic impact on the Geography Department, she relished opportunities for change and, among her many achievements, she built on earlier initiatives to revitalise the IVth-form geography programme. Her adeptness for refining and improving included the development of a programme of successful weekend local field-trips for Removes. She pioneered the inaugural geography trip to Iceland, and supported residential trips to Dorset, France and Morocco. In the hashroom JJH had clear expectations, and the pupils rapidly appreciated that these were in place for their own learning acquisition and benefit. No pupil could fail to appreciate her innovative, purposeful and supportive teaching. She readily grasped the opportunity to influence curriculum design and content and to take advantage of new technologies. It is particularly pleasing that she has gained national recognition from the Geographical Association in winning the annual Award for Excellence in Leading Geography for her recent article in Teaching Geography, which was acknowledged to have made the greatest contribution to the development of good practice. Julia has a strong sense that education is much wider than the intellectual world alone. She ably demonstrated this by the introduction of a Christmas holiday ski trip, which gained much popular support from pupils. This was also evident from her professional and courteous support for pupils and beaks in Duckites (where she was a tutor) and in Long Meadow (where she was briefly an evening tutor). Her tireless and energetic nature is both infectious and an inspiration to others – notably so in her involvement with netball and sailing, both demanding an endless supply of energy and focus. It has sometimes felt as if JJH has discovered a way of managing time to create a 26-hour day! Julia is well grounded and, whilst working tirelessly for her core subject and other sports activities, she has still managed to pursue her passion for choreography – ranging from the introduction of a IVth-form dance cultural activity to a Specialists’ group for Artifex. Her exuberance was always keenly felt at the St Andrew’s Ball. With an inherent appreciation of good teamwork, she always went the extra

teacher who has demonstrated considerable skill in developing meticulously planned lessons and creatively adding to the teaching resources – as is demanded by such a dynamic and ever changing subject as geography – especially through the imaginative use and sharing of IT-based resources. Helena is passionate about her subject, intuitive and perceptive and was always seeking to broaden the learning experiences of pupils, for example by team-teaching with two divs of Specialists so they could learn from each other. Her sound knowledge and understanding of the range and depth of educational issues allowed her to provide careful guidance and encouragement to the pupils – always seeking high standards of attainment, regularly attaining the highest results in the Department for both internal and external exams. She was kind and worked tirelessly to support her tutees and others as house tutor in Pageites and on evening duty in Stainers. Helena’s individual style, flair and indomitable spirit come to the fore in her unhesitating willingness to step in and volunteer help to colleagues whenever required, as many a trip organiser finding themselves short of a beak will know. Her good judgment and excellent company made her a popular choice on trips, be it camping with Yearlings in Wales or deepest Surrey, Southern France with Removes, or Specialists in Dorset and London. She engaged in and supported rowing, not only with races, but with training and circuits,

mile – and regularly appeared with her homemade baking for the appreciative Geography team with the introduction of Cake Tuesday.... or Wednesday, or sometimes Thursday. The School made a judicious decision when it appointed Julia Hughes – likewise, when she was recently appointed Head of Careers, which she tackled with great enthusiasm. She used her strong administrative and communication skills to forge links with OCs, engaging with them to work more closely with current pupils in the School to build their career aspirations through work experience and advice. Julia is leaving to become Head of Geography at Westminster: unquestionably their gain, and a huge loss to Charterhouse. We wish Julia every success in her new role.

HJ Maxfield

Photograph by Louise Batty

Helena Maxfield joined Charterhouse to teach Geography in OQ 13 from Eltham College, where she had been covering a one-year sabbatical. She brought with her a wealth of teaching experience having taught in South Africa and Grand Cayman, where she had been a highly successful Head of Geography for five years. From the outset she was a truly valuable addition to the Geography Department, which benefited from the breadth and strength of her geographical knowledge and experience. She is a talented and diligent

A clutch of geographers – Helena Maxfield, Robert Bogdan, Julia Hughes and Robert Sarre

and culture at Manchester. He then remained at Manchester to complete a PhD in the history of the book. ‘The Acquisition of Books by Chetham’s Library’ was published two years into his teaching career at Charterhouse and, although MGY recognised that it was never likely to be a best-seller, it is a testament to his passion for rigorous scholarship and clear, focused argument. In his six years at Charterhouse MGY was a highly valued member of the History Department. He took over the Junior History Society and then played a central role in getting varied and interesting speakers to address the Trevor-Roper Society. He took great delight in teaching Pre-U history, and was happy to fill the substantial shoes of HDG and take on 17thcentury British history. He also created the challenging but well-judged IGCSE coursework, and taught modern British political history with distinction. Perhaps one of his biggest contributions to the culture of the Department emerged out of his PGCE course when, by his own admission, he became a passionate advocate of ‘assessment for learning’. In this respect, his colleagues are very grateful for the many ideas and resources which he has provided over the last few years. He will certainly leave a legacy in the way the subject is taught and assessed. It would be wrong, however, just to focus on the academic side of things. With a family background in education, MGY is aware of the need to be a schoolmaster in the proper sense of the word. On Monday afternoons he helped with CCF, and he was a committed tutor in Weekites, performing his role with care and discipline. All of the masters-in-charge of the major sports have valued the energy and commitment he brought to the Academy, and I shall always remember his comment on the BH noticeboard at the end of his last ever match against Radley which read ‘first ever win’! Matthew, Ellie and Alexis leave us for Bedales with our best wishes for what promises to be an exciting next stage of their MRG life together.

encouraging pupils to participate and achieve, whatever the weather. Her tenacity, exuberance and cheerfulness must in some way reflect her own varied interests and achievements, whether it be scuba-diving or taking part in arduous and strenuous treks – and so her joining pupils on this summer’s World Challenge trip to the Himalayas is a fitting final contribution to the School from a charming colleague with a deep desire for all pupils to realise their full potential. Helena’s vibrant personality and a keen sense of fun means her departure will leave a gap in both the Geography Department and the School which will be hard to fill. Helena leaves us for Merchant Taylor’s School where she will undoubtedly contribute positively towards their strong RDS academic credentials. We wish her much success.

Dr MG Yeo Most students will know that MGY was the winning Manchester captain on the 2009 series of University Challenge – many will even have watched clips of the final on YouTube. They probably don’t know that he is also a talented pianist, that he often kept the Department entertained during the afternoon by playing The Smiths at loud volume, and that he missed an end of term social to watch The Pogues in concert. Every student taught by MGY, however, will know that they have been taught by an enthusiastic, thoroughly knowledgeable and utterly committed history beak. MGY joined the school in 2009 with impressive academic credentials. After attending Handsworth Grammar School in Birmingham, he studied history at St Catherine’s College Oxford, before embarking on an MA in European languages

Dr AD Hemery What do you get when you cross a mountain-climber with a mosquito? Nothing: you can’t cross a scalar (homophone: scaler – mountain climber) with a vector (mosquito – disease vector).* Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute-mile on the back of training sessions whilst studying as a junior doctor; however, he later believed that his proudest achievement, having become a neurologist, was his research into the nervous system. Adrian too manages to run startlingly fast despite having to squeeze his training round a hectic life as a schoolmaster in a boarding-school. I don’t know what Adrian will look back on as his proudest achievement, but I

would suggest that the legacy he will have left as a teacher will serve as a match for any of his personal academic or sporting achievements – if not his comedic or crossword skills. Adrian came to Charterhouse having completed a doctorate in maths at Loughborough University. Before that he read maths at Trinity College Cambridge, won the senior national decathlon title in 2002, and was ranked as the top U20 decathlete in the UK. (His PB is 7051 points.) One might assume that such a fine athlete would think that excellence is only for the lucky few: not so. Adrian’s philosophy in the hashroom and out on the track has been to instil belief in those confident in their own abilities and those who think they are just no good. He has shown them that, with a positive attitude and determination, they can transform their prospects for achievement. His inclusivity has been an inspiration as much as his embodiment of excellence. As one colleague put it – it is evident in the snap and bounce in every stride.... every crunch, and every throw. In the hashroom Adrian is brilliant at explaining complex ideas in ways that are accessible to all. His students still remember that fractions invert upon division because of the handstand Adrian performed in illustration. He also inspires a love of learning beyond the syllabus. He has set ‘interesting and beautiful’ questions for the Specialists, whilst his Underschool pupils have benefitted from a more utilitarian approach with questions involving football. Adrian has been described by those he has taught and coached as ‘encouraging’, ‘nurturing’, and ‘caring’. When they have achieved personal bests he has been as delighted as if they had broken a school record. In the words of one, he ‘makes people feel over the moon with their performance’. Coaches can be driven by their own desire for reflected glory; an injured athlete can suddenly feel cut loose and uncared for – realising that the coach was interested in them only because of what they could achieve. Adrian’s concern is always for the individual; he believes that athletics and academic work can help individuals to develop confidence and achieve success at school and well beyond. When athletes have been injured, Adrian has given them exercises and encouragement. Struggling mathematicians have received similar treatment. Adrian loves maths. One of his pupils, going on to read maths at university, says: “ADH may not be your typical maths geek, but deep down he still is an archetypal mathematician.” He set up a maths society with two branches: the Goldbach Society, which is about giving talks and broadening horizons beyond the Pre-U syllabus – and the Galois Group, which is about training for the Mathematical Olympiad. He can become oblivious to everything except the pleasure of talking maths (about weird and wonderful geometries, in which straight lines are curved and parallel lines intersect) and enjoying a good maths joke (see above). Adrian is a man of abundant enthusiasm, with ideas on all sorts of subjects. He

is always thinking about how to improve his teaching, how to help the pupils to learn better, and what new training could be introduced. Adrian leaves us for St Paul’s School, which is very lucky to be getting a teacher of great sporting and intellectual gifts. What really makes him stand out is his eagerness to use his gifts for the good of all those with whom he works. Just one word of warning, should he ever suggest squeezing in a quick EH 2 x 450m: don’t! *The cross product can be applied only to two vectors and not a scalar (a quantity that only has a size) and a vector (a quantity that has a direction and a size) – or two scalars, for that matter. My thanks to Anthony Wong (S) for the explanation.

RE Wright Rosalind Wright joined Brooke Hall in September 2012, immediately after graduating in modern languages at Wadham College Oxford, initially to cover Patricia Aguado’s maternity leave for one year. Despite Charterhouse being her first experience of the teaching world, she took to it like the proverbial duck to water, and by the time the year was up it was very much to the Department’s delight that her temporary post was made permanent. She has taught in both French and Spanish departments, bringing to her hashes not only an extensive knowledge of both subjects, but also an impressive and energetic desire to communicate a love of language to her pupils. She has shown extraordinary

PD Dixon Phillip Dixon came to Charterhouse in OQ 13 for one year to teach economics and business studies on a part-time basis and stayed for two. He brought with him a wealth of experience as an accountant and businessman who had changed to teaching economics some three years earlier. He was extremely well organised and thorough. His hashes were immaculately planned and based on recent material. I often came across him in the office adapting the day’s newspaper articles for his hashes. He also made great use of his IT background with innovative approaches to teaching; this kept the Department up to date and pupils interested. PDD has always made certain that pupils were well prepared for exams – and he also taught well beyond the syllabus. It is not for the contracted hashroom time that Phillip will be remembered at the School, but for his commitment in going well above and beyond. He threw himself into activities within the Department and into extra-curricular education. He ran Target Two Point Zero – the interest rate challenge sponsored by the Bank of England and The Times – which is part of the Oxbridge preparation for economics. This took an enormous amount of time and was of immense benefit to those who took part. He also helped with the computer studies GCSE exam. Outside the hashroom he volunteered for the CCF and was regularly seen with the cross-country team training on Tuesday lunchtimes. It is indeed rare to have a part-time teacher who is so full-time in his approach to teaching. Phillip Dixon is, in fine, an enthusiast; it is no wonder that he made many friends here in a very short time. He leaves us for Headington School in Oxford. We are much JCT the poorer for his going.

commitment to both departments, producing excellent resources, planning hashes carefully, and organising a wide range of activities for all age groups. Her love of literature has also been apparent, and successive groups of Specialists have benefitted enormously from her profound knowledge of such authors as Federico Garcia Lorca and Pablo Neruda. Indeed, her poetic specialisation made her the ideal person to train and encourage the Spanish candidates in the annual verse-speaking competition, in which the extraordinarily high standards set by the finalists in recent years has been due in no small way to Rosalind’s enthusiasm and expertise. In addition to all this, she has been a key member of the team of beaks that has accompanied groups of Vth-formers to Valladolid each October. Characteristically, Rosalind has also contributed hugely to many other aspects of School life. Her leadership of the School’s Charities Committee has been a case in point, and recent years have seen the production of high-quality calendars, charity stalls on Carthusian Day and a host of other projects which have raised thousands of pounds for needy causes at home and abroad. In last year’s Artifex, she provided the inspiration and hard work to transform the top floor of the Modern Languages building into a Spanish street complete with café and fairy lights, and was also the driving force behind this year’s outdoor film show. When one adds to this her house tutoring in Weekites and subsequently in Fletcherites, hockey coaching, regular help with athletics and Removes Pioneers, one can perhaps reach an approximate understanding of just how much members of the School are indebted to her. We wish her every possible success on her return to academia, and assure her that she will be sorely missed by a department, and indeed an entire school, that will be impoverished by her departure. SFCB

THE CARTHUSIAN S A LV E T E JS Wilson

PA Bagley

Deputy Headmaster Pastoral

Head of Biology Peter Bagley (P 82) left Charterhouse as a Sutton Scholar and went to Trinity Hall Cambridge with an exhibition to read natural sciences. There he met and married Gaenor, who is now on the board of PWC; they have three children – Adam (H 15), Matthew (P) and Emily (14). At Cambridge Mr Bagley specialised in cell and molecular biology: “While I loved the subject, I did not fancy the research – which involved much pipetting of small quantities of things onto electrophortic gels in the small hours.” Not knowing a thing about business, Mr Bagley decided to get some training – so he applied to join KMG Thomson McLintock. In theory the books were full and the staff partner was away, but his deputy had been given some leeway: “He asked me how I would conduct a stock-take. I had no idea, so made it up – but I was still hired. The day I joined, the merger with Peat Marwick to form KPMG was announced. I was extremely surprised that I really enjoyed accountancy. The training was superb and I was quickly running teams, interviewing relatively senior people in some large client companies, and then ran an audit department of 40 and was subsequently admitted to the partnership. Basically the job was to get a thorough understanding of the business, and through this to validate whether the accounts gave a fair picture of it.” Mr Bagley worked at banks, Phillips, an African gold mining company, and the Hyde Park Intercontinental: “I worked on many acquisitions – but my key moment was being brought to a secret weekend meeting where the GrandMet Guinness merger was announced to make Diageo (the world’s largest drinks business); this acquisition, and subsequent disposals, dominated my time for some while. I became a bit of an expert on advising on the sales of port, sherry and other small drinks businesses. I also spent time advising on treasury risks and their management, which combined financial theory with the reality of business.” After a particularly busy few years Mr Bagley took a sabbatical – “to restock, do more with the growing family etc”. He enjoyed a number of projects, including some volunteer teaching assistance at St Mary’s Shackleford: “I was enjoying

Jonathan Wilson joined Brooke Hall in OQ 14. He came from Benenden – where he taught politics & history, was Head of the Politics Department, director of one of the larger Model United Nations programmes in the country, and Housemaster of Guldeford. A native of Yorkshire, he spent his teenage years in Suffolk. He was a successful high-jumper and a middle-distance runner at county standard; he captained an unbeaten 1st XV in his final year at school. JSW’s first experience of teaching was in rural Nepal, at a United Nations Tibetan refugee school. He read PPE at The Queen’s College Oxford, specialising in international relations and labour economics; he fitted his studies around a burgeoning obsession with rowing, which culminated in various blades, becoming Captain of Boats, and coaching at different colleges and at university level. JSW continued to row for a few years after university at a decent club standard, but family and teaching forced an early retirement. JSW worked at British Gas until his ambition to work in education overcame the fact that both his parents were teachers. After a PGCE at Oxford, he started his teaching career at RGS Worcester in 1997. After stints at Uppingham and Merchiston Castle School, he moved to Kent in 2006. JSW has led departments for over a decade and examined A-level history and politics; he has been in charge of Oxbridge entry, Head of Scholars, and has run both girls’ and boys’ boarding-houses, and coached rugby and rowing (to national gold medal standard); he has also been Head of VIth-form. JSW has a strong involvement in the Political Science Association, serving on the national teachers’ liaison committee; he gave the keynote speech at the annual university political science heads of department conference in December 2013. When leisure beckons he likes to head for the hills of Wales with his wife Victoria and their sons, George and Fred. As well as enjoying time with his family, JSW likes road cycling, cooking, listening to music and reading.

KPMG, and might have moved fully into transaction or treasury work on my return; but having the time to think made my thoughts more radical – and I decided to follow my passion for biology and make a move into teaching, and ended up following a Graduate Teacher Programme at RGS Guildford: a superb place to learn my craft.... I was very happy there, until the Head of Biology post came up at Charterhouse.”

with his young family and enjoying many happy years at Charterhouse.

NE Beasant Director of Sport Nick Beasant has worked in sport since commencing employment at the University of Exeter in 1999, having graduated with a BA (hons) in geography. He fulfilled roles as Athletic Union Co-ordinator, Sports Performance Manager, Assistant Director of Sport (Performance & Competitions) and finally Director of Sport. During his time at Exeter, NEB coached the University Men’s Hockey 1st team in the England Men’s Hockey League and in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championships, winning national titles in 2006, 2010 and 2012. Internationally, he has been manager to the England Men’s Senior Indoor Hockey squad at the EuroHockey Indoor Nations Trophy Championship, the EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championship and the 2011 FIH Indoor World Cup. He was also Great Britain Hockey U21 Manager in the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, where the team were bronze medallists. In the summer of 2012, he was selected as part of Team GB’s Olympic Ambition Programme at the London Olympics. NEB is keen to extend the range of sport at Charterhouse, seeing it as an excellent opportunity for all pupils to enjoy themselves whatever their ability or interest: “Sport offers the chance to cultivate communication and leadership skills, to work as part of a team as well as developing resilience – learning to meet success and failure head-on. Most importantly, sport is an excellent way to improve health and well-being.” Mixing business with pleasure, NEB enjoys all sports – especially cricket and skiing; he is also an avid James Bond fan. He is married to Beth, a faculty registrar at the University of Surrey – and they have one son, called Samuel (aged 2¾).

Dr WR Baugniet French & Spanish Will Baugniet is passionate about literature and culture. His French connection started at the age of eleven when his family moved to a small village in Gascony with a bakery whose bread was out of a novel by Pagnol! At lycée in Lectoure, he chose languages and humanities as the core subjects of his Baccalauréat. Living close to the Pyrenees meant that learning Spanish was a natural choice, which grew into a lifelong love affair. It sparked an interest first in Spain and subsequently in South America. It also provided an introduction to the poetry of Lorca and the writing of García Márquez. He graduated from King’s College London and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne with a Bachelor of Laws and a Maîtrise en droit. This was followed by a Masters at the College of Europe in Bruges and the Legal Practice Course in Oxford. A gap year was spent travelling through Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. Highlights included sailing along the Nile, trekking up Mount Kenya, rafting on the Zambezi, diving off the Great Barrier Reef and mountain-climbing in the Andes. He then worked in France at a local holiday centre for children before going to Salamanca to study Spanish for the DELE Superior qualification of the Instituto Cervantes. A career beckoned at international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he trained and qualified as a solicitor, specialising in employment and pensions. He was seconded to the firm’s Madrid office and also carried out some pro bono work. Returning to academia, he embarked upon a research project at the European University Institute in Italy. However, the palazzos of Florence and the hills of Tuscany did not deter him from moving back to England to begin his teaching career. Four years at Canford School in Dorset showed that life in a boarding-school was his true vocation, providing a golden opportunity to share with pupils his passion for languages together with his enthusiasm for tennis, cricket, football, golf, sailing and skiing. Having recently completed his PhD, WRB is looking forward to spending more time

Dr GM Kemp Maths Graham Kemp is a native of Birmingham, so he has at present to endure a certain amount of ‘humour’ on account of the travails of Aston Villa. He attended King Edward VI Five Ways School. After taking a degree in maths & physics at

papers in the International Journal of Mathematical Physics, the International Journal of Theoretical Physics, and the Annals of Physics, he decided that he preferred teaching to research. He has been teaching for seven years (including his PGCE) and has taught at comprehensive schools in Nottingham (including Rushcliffe School for three years) and at the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. TM’s passion is creative writing, and especially the writing of speculative fiction about future sustainability issues, philosophy, brain science and psychology. He is also trying to find time for swimming and perhaps even triathlon training amidst all his teaching and looking after his young son, Torben. TM is married to Elisabeth – a structural engineer and senior sustainability consultant.

Manchester University, he did a PhD in maths at Loughborough University doing research in the areas of geometry and representation theory; then he did some post-doctoral research in the area of quantum integrable systems, also at Loughborough. “My favourite subject at school was physics. I was drawn to it for many reasons, not least its importance in understanding the world – and that my grades in it were not hindered by my hand-writing! As I spent more and more time in maths classrooms, however, a form of Stockholm Syndrome affected me – and I discovered that there is just as much beauty, if less obvious, in calculus textbooks as there is in the photos of galaxies and nebulae in physics textbooks. That said, my research in maths has always been viewable through the prism of a physical interpretation – so my initial ardour for physics has not really cooled.” GMK – who joined BH in LQ 15 – has been involved in badminton, athletics and the two maths societies: Galois Group and Goldbach Society. His other interests include walking, squash, chess, reading and music.

EF Poynter Housemaster of Weekites; English Ed Poynter has a degree in English & classics from Exeter University. He attended Sandhurst, and served as an Infantry Officer in The Royal Green Jackets and then The Rifles; he saw action in Bosnia, Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan. After teaching English at Greenford High School, St Benedict’s Ealing and Ardingly College, he moved to Charterhouse in August 2014 to become Housemaster of Weekites. He is married to Em; they have two children: Sophie and Arthur. EFP loves mountaineering, rugby, surfing, reading, cooking, good company and wine. He enjoys challenges!

TW Lowe Classics Tom Lowe was educated at Wellington College, and studied classics at the Universities of Oxford, where he was an Organ Scholar, and London. Within classics, his main areas of interest are the lyric poetry of Greece and Rome, and philology and linguistics. As an organist, Tom has given recitals in the UK, Germany, and the US. More locally, he has been a choirmaster at various churches in Berkshire, from where he originally hails. Before teaching, Tom worked in business consultancy, and has therefore had to exchange such terms as ‘leveraging’ and ‘granularity’ for Charterhouse’s ‘banco’ and ‘hashes’. A happy trade. In his free time, Tom is a keen cyclist, and has recently become the proud owner of a petrol-blue mandolin.

JL Price Jim Price read languages at the University of Manchester and moved on to do a PGCE at Oxford, having spent a semester at the University of Münster and a year as an assistant in a Gesamtschule (comprehensive) in Cologne, where he acquired a North German accent and a love of Germany to which he returns regularly. He went on to teach at Dean Close School, Forest School and latterly at Wellington College where he was Head of Languages for many years. Having taught French and German, JLP decided to learn Spanish, which he has studied all over Spain and in Mexico. (He has been told that he speaks it with a German accent.) He enjoys teaching literature, be it Kafka, Goethe or Maupassant but he delights equally in persuading reluctant Anglo-Saxons to speak languages, which he likens to performing. It is, perhaps no coincidence that outside the classroom he is a keen amateur thespian and has

Dr T Marlow Physics Thomas Marlow Studied physics at Imperial College London and completed a PhD in the foundations of quantum mechanics at the University of Nottingham, which involved philosophy, mathematics and theoretical physics. Having published some

directed a number of plays and, on occasion, has trodden the boards, most recently as the headmaster in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys. He is fascinated by modern German history and the First World War; whilst at Wellington he acted as a guide on a number of school trips to the battlefields. Other interests include cooking, art and foreign travel, particularly to Spain, Italy and the United States – anywhere with interesting architecture and fine galleries (and good food and wine). At home he likes nothing better than to sit down with a fine craft ale and an American thriller

SJ Wood French & Italian Stephen Wood had what he calls an ‘RAF childhood’ – moving around a great deal, from Denmark to Germany and Benbecula (Outer Hebrides) to name a few. His language studies also kept him on the move – from Siena and Milan in Italy, to Dijon and Paris in France. After taking a first-class degree from Birmingham (French & Italian), he had a brief spell working for KPMG in accountancy before finding his vocation in teaching; he spent two years teaching English abroad in Italy and France, and did his PGCE at Oxford University. SJW taught for eleven years at St Paul’s, where he was Head of Italian, worked extensively in Careers and in outdoor pursuits, as well as running lots of trips to Italy and France. He has a strong interest in pastoral work, and trained in social-focused therapy in education. He is also very interested in yoga, particularly Iyengar Yoga; he co-founded Yogaloft in Queen’s Park, London. SJW is keen on hiking and abseiling – also contemporary dance, often attending performances at Sadler’s Wells. He is currently learning Spanish: he quips: “Apparently when you know Italian, you get Spanish thrown in for free.”

Dr G Smith Biology Graeme Smith read chemistry with biology at St Andrews, integrated with an 18-month placement in industry at RollsRoyce in Derby. After graduating with first-class honours MChem, he moved to Cambridge to commence his doctorate in fuel cell electrochemistry; there he started supervising undergraduates in materials science and in rowing – and this experience encouraged him to go into school-teaching. Before joining Brooke Hall in OQ 14, Dr Smith taught at the Perse School in Cambridge for three years. Beyond the hashroom he is generally to be found either in the mountains or wrestling with his Morris Minor, trying to get it to start (or indeed to stop).

Squeezing a lot in.... Sardinia CQ 15 The IB Italian course allows students to reach a high level in the language in just two years; this year, for the first time, they had the opportunity to carry on part of their studies in the ‘bel paese’. A group of Italophiles spent a week on the coast of Sardinia, experiencing full immersion in the country, the language and its culture. Staying with host families with children of their own age, they lived the dayto-day rhythms of family life, and spent time at an Italian secondary school. They attended Italian language lessons every morning at Pintadera, a language and culture centre in the heart of the old town. There was also plenty of time for other activities. Life in Alghero, which is situated on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, is centred on the sea. We took a boat to visit the world-famous Grotte di Nettuno caves, spent time exploring the town, went climbing in the tree tops and still had time to sunbathe on

the idyllic sandy beaches. The strength of such a trip comes from the participants and their willingness to engage with a new culture and another language. Nicolas Pavoncelli (G), Eleanor Henderson (G), Pablo Subiotto Marques (P), Oliver Norton (B) and Andrea de Jong (g) threw themselves into the experience and found new friends; they returned to England more confident in their Italian, and with many SJW happy memories.

THE CARTHUSIAN MUSIC concert, they take the risk of blowing that fantastic-looking cake through their instruments. Ergo we had to contend with watching the string players enjoy their meal. Some of us starving, but none lacking energy, we all gave our hearts to the music and turned this musical night into a great memory. If a group of teenagers can sacrifice food for music, it speaks volumes for how passionate they are! So clap along if you know what happiness means to you…. Cyprien Roche (H) For details of the programme see page 138

Concerts & Happiness Cardinal Clinic LQ 15 For more years than anyone can remember, Dr & Mrs Leslie Morrish have kindly and generously hosted an annual concert with supper at the Cardinal Clinic in Windsor in aid of the Music Department. This event is always keenly anticipated, especially on account of the fabulous tea and supper upon which the Carthusians fall greedily and gratefully....

Not Shopping

One of the best sides of being a musician at Charterhouse is the many opportunities you are given to play in beautiful places – to share that fantastic experience with your friends but also to feel part of a community. In that respect, the Cardinal Clinic concert is special because the money collected during the dinner will enable more Carthusians to have their share of music-making. So you feel pretty useful – and very hungry too, especially if you are a wind or brass player. Yes, a mouth-watering tea is served to the dear music players when they arrive…. except that if trumpeters like me eat before a

Candlelit Carols

OQ 14

Chapel

In Chapel the scent of molten candle and the glistening warmth permeate the cold November air. Amid the sea of benches flanking the neo-Gothic edifice, the carol-seekers look up to the myriad shadows on the walls – seeing, not our familiar quotidian Chapel, but cave-paintings in an antediluvian space. As we bask in the calm embers of OQ, I reflect that the gruesome commercial battles of the USA’s annual post-

Thanksgiving Black Friday weekend are just starting. A gold cross in the aisle draws me back to our surreally beautiful reality: Chamber Choir enters, chanting in procession. Our festivities are beginning (a country fortnight ‘south’ of 25th Dec, but no matter): a portion-controlled mini-plethora of carols and readings, both familiar and unfamiliar: our world’s optimal outbreak of pre-Xmas cheer. The molten wax aroma gains pungency – the words and music match the strangeness and wonder of Chapel archaically lit – and all the scrupulous planning and preparation (with singing of the expected quality) produce the unique and wellloved effect on all present. Too soon we forsake the auburn Marcus Savage (P) glimmer for the wild November air. For details of the programme see page 137

worked and performed was a real privilege: Thanks to flyers and newspaper coverage, Mantova really came alive on the evening of our concert – and it seemed as if the entire town had turned up to hear us sing. We were helping to advertise some locally restored Catholic art-work, and to raise money for the Ducal Chapel, which was damaged a few years back in a rather devastating earthquake. The press lined the aisles and cameras flickered away all night; it felt like a red carpet event – and performing Palestrina’s Missa Papae Marcelli was especially moving. The tour only got better. In the morning we rose with the sun for a busy day, which started with morning mass in the Basilica di Sant’ Andrea. The cathedral had recently been re-opened; the walls and ceilings were decked with intricate trompe l’oeil paper, giving a stunning 3-D illusion. The local mixed choir was very welcoming and hugely appreciative of our singing. I imagine that Vaughan Williams’s Mass in G minor had not been sung here before; we made a very persuasive job of it. Italy is such a devout country: the place was teeming. All were wrapped up in coats; we sang in scarves, for the sheer size of the building meant that it was practically frozen until about noon. The Basilica di Sant’ Andrea houses a phial of Jesus’s blood, which lies under the painted dome that can be seen for miles around. In the afternoon we went to Sabbioneta; this tiny, secluded, ‘sandy’ town is a UNESCO world heritage site because it is such a fine example of Renaissance urban planning. The artists had keenly anticipated seeing Sabbioneta on account of its beautiful and ancient architecture; they quickly spread themselves across the square. What else did the artists do on this trip, apart from swarm in this manner? Throughout, while we rehearsed, they filled countless sketchbooks, visited an array of galleries – among them several in Mantova and, in Venice, the Guggenheim, a Joan Miró exhibition, and another modern art gallery. They saw all of our performances and advised us how to improve – and they were amongst the most enjoyable company on the trip. This busy Sunday ended with a small evensong in Chiesa dell’ Assunta, where Jacob Partington’s (G) award-winning composition for string quartet received its Italian premiere. On the Monday morning we waved goodbye to Mantova and set off excitedly for Venice; four hours later we arrived in glowing sun. A short water-taxi ride took us into the city and, before we knew it, we were surrounded by deep blue canals and the many hundreds of Venetian bridges. We toured the city all afternoon – visiting St Mark’s Square, taking a trip on a vaparetto, and viewing the Grand Canal from the famous Rialto Bridge. We found lunch in the most obscure back-street restaurants, tucked away behind canals and old churches. When evening came, we were treated to a truly delicious meal in Ristorante Rossopomodoro. The beaks (Miss Pinkney, Messrs Shepherd, Smith, Begbie and Kazi)

An Italian Job Art & Music in [see above] March 2015 A buzzing bus full of Carthusian musicians and artists sped to Gatwick. Wrapped against the cold, we bustled onto our flight with cellos, music stands, and stacks of sheet music. Soon enough we crossed the Alps and touched down: jackets off, sunglasses on. We were in Verona. After a short coach down to Mantova, the beautiful and ancient town in which we were to stay for four of our six Italian nights, we ended our day of travel with a quick dinner in our local: Ristorante Masseria, a 15thcentury loggia with original frescoes on the vaulted ceiling. Masses and masses of pasta, pizza, and homemade desserts made a blessed change from normal choir fodder: fish ’n’ chips from Godalming’s admittedly superb chippy. Our hotel was an old building like many others in Mantova, in which our rooms were dotted around a central courtyard in traditional style. We gathered for morning rehearsals (after nine, I am glad to say) in the breakfast room; then we would wander into the town to explore. We went most often to the Basilica Palatina di Santa Barbara, where we rehearsed on most mornings under gold chandeliers and 20-ft paintings covering the vast walls. We spent our first full afternoon in Verona – visiting the amphitheatre, Juliet’s balcony (touching her famous right breast for good luck), and the many cafés of the city. Our first concert was in Santuario Madonna di Lourdes, a church ten minutes from Verona: we sang Palestrina, Tallis, Tippett, and Lotti. On the following morning we caved the intimate nooks and crannies of Mantova, and visited the restored Ducal Palace and its beautiful gardens before sharing coffee in the town square. The Palace bears witness to the significance of the Gonzagas during the 16th-century; although many art treasures were lost to the English crown, and most of what was left was snaffled by Napoleon, the grandeur of the buildings makes Mantova a magnificent place to visit. To perform in the Basilica where both Monteverdi and Palestrina had

always managed to find the most beautiful dinner settings, which made for some memorable nights. On Tuesday morning we saw Monteverdi’s tomb in a small church on the edge of the city. In the afternoon we rehearsed and performed in Chiesa San Salvador, where the locals thanked us with biscuits and a flurry of congratulations. We sang in front of the altar which is adorned with a painting of Titian. It was wonderful to have Revd O’Neill, who we’d bumped into in St Mark’s Square earlier, to explain why Moses looked so hairy – and that Titan’s explosion on the Italian scene had been abetted by the recent use of canvases that could be rolled up. By this time we had refined our performances, practising the music to a rather good standard; now we added a solo from Katie Hastings (P) singing Hildegard of Bingen, and the Kyrie of the Duruflé Requiem conducted by Mr Begbie. Our final dinner was at Ristorante Nuova Valigia; here we contemplated our week. Mr Shepherd toasted us all and his fellow staff; Henry Crawshay-Williams (g) and Rex Henderson (S) stood on behalf of the choir and the artists to award prizes to a few people for their efforts. It wasn’t over yet. We went to bed early and rose for our final, but probably busiest, day. Before flying home, we enjoyed the artistic climax of the tour: singing the Mass in in the Basilica de San Marco, which was probably the most beautiful building many of us have ever been in. The vast ceiling is entirely covered in golden mosaic, and the exterior of the cathedral boasts an array of different marbles and intricate

stonemasonry. The congregation listened attentively and an elderly Frenchwoman was so moved that she sat in the middle of the choir! The trip had been very hectic, but we had made some brilliant memories, and had experienced some rather stunning cities and churches that we won’t forget in a hurry. Henry Jones (R)

Stradivarius Joyce Chen

Llewellyn Room CQ15

It is always a joy to welcome back OCs to the School, and we were especially pleased that Ling Chen (D 12), who was known as Joyce when at Charterhouse, came in CQ 15 to perform for us. During her time as a Music Scholar here (2010-12) Ling performed, among other things, the first movement of the Brahms Violin Concerto at the School’s Quatercentenary concert, and Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending with Symphony Orchestra. Since leaving the School Ling has been hailed as one of the most gifted violinists of her generation in Hong Kong, and has performed across Asia, Europe and North America. The programme included the first movement of Schubert’s String Quartet ‘Death and the Maiden’ in which Ling was joined by Timothy Lam (H), Aster Chun (g), and John Parsons (Head of Strings) seen below with Stephanie Tso (g). For a review of the concert see page 139

Strength in Depth Christmas Concert Hall

OQ 14

Photograph by Mark Shepherd

‘Twas the breath of a gnat away from Advent, and the musical cognoscenti of Charterhouse gathered to hear a wonderfully varied evening’s entertainment. No fewer than seven trombones made up the Trombone Choir: William Gibbs (H), Benjamin Harris (S), Rollo Jackson (H), Laurence Miller (G), James Peskett (P), Christian Pethick (g) and Luke Titmuss (H) treated us to Biebel’s ‘Ave Maria’ – as well as teaming up with Carthusian legend Mr Blatchly on the organ for Speer’s stunning Sonata for Trombones & Organ. Practicalities dictated an audience move from Chapel to Hall, where Chamber Orchestra (directed by Mr Parsons) performed the first movement of JS Bach’s Concerto for Oboe, Violin & Strings. This afforded an opportunity to showcase the prodigious talent of two of our finest soloists in Adam Bagley (H, oboe) and Stephanie Tso (g, violin).

Photograph by Mark Shepherd

clarinet) and Felix Scott-Copeland (G, horn) – brought an individual and collective flair to proceedings which was much enjoyed by the audience. It would not be a Christmas concert without just a little schmaltz: step forward Head Girl, Katherine Hastings (P) and a string quartet – Peter Adamson (G), James Chong (g), Hamzah Tarawneh (L) and Timothy Lam. Could we ‘Let it Snow’ in our ‘Winter Wonderland’? If not literally, then most assuredly metaphorically. An apt finale was provided by three pieces performed by the accomplished Symphony Orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s Waltz (Sleeping Beauty), Scriabin’s Andante (op 23), and the Allegro Vivo from Bizet’s Symphony in C lent a satisfying scale to this conclusion. The fluency of these players speaks volumes for the strength in depth of music-making at Charterhouse JSW under the sage leadership of Mr Mark Shepherd.

The sensation of swing that is Mr Smeeton would never be quite content with classical counterpoint, and the music itself seemed to doff a white jacket with characteristically stylish arrangements of Handel’s Water Music and Joplin’s Ragtime Dance; the Norfolk Ensemble – Aster Chun (g, violin), Max Kam (H, clarinet), Timothy Lam (H, cello), Christian Pethick (trombone), Cyprien Roche (H, trumpet), Oliver Rockall (V,

Pigeons & Snoring Punters St Martin-in-the-Fields

LQ 15

This lunchtime gig was as good as ever; there were, however, more snores and pigeons than usual – and a further increase in these next year would constitute a positive trend. Stephanie Tso (g, violin) and Adam Bagley (H, oboe) played Bach’s Concerto for Oboe, Violin and Strings (BWV 1060) with Chamber Orchestra under JNP. Saxophone Quartet – Charles Rockall (V), William Freeman (S), Max Kam (H) and Richard Corrin (G) followed on with ‘The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ by Mahler {joking}, er.... Handel (by whom else?), and ‘Liza’ by Gershwin. The G minor fugue (BWV 861), arranged by Leonard Cecil, and ‘Happy’ by Pherrel Williams, arranged by Hugh Davies, was played by Brass Quartet – William Handley (W, trumpet), George Pierson (H, trumpet), Benjamin Harris (S, trombone) and Felix Scott-Copeland (G, horn). The second movement of Mozart’s Quartet in C (K 157) was played by Aster Chun (g), Richard Lau (V), Dickson Tse (R) and Daniel Lee (g).

Tango and Popular Song (from Walton’s Façade) and Tahiti Trot by Shostakovich were performed by the phenomenon that is Norfolk Ensemble – Aster Chun, Tim Lam, Max Kam, Oliver Rockall (V), Cyprien Roche (H), Felix ScottCopeland and Christian Pethick (g). The coach trip to and fro was at least tolerable, though it should be noted that London traffic is becoming impossible. Felix Scott-Copeland & Timothy Lam

they swung into the ‘The Song of India’: God was back in his heaven and normal service resumed. For good-time, foot-tapping retro cool, you can’t beat this band. Their sound was as crisp and tight as the conductor’s cummerbund – as clean and bright as the tuba-player’s socks. Their look was equally snappy: bow ties, matching waistcoats, brass instruments polished to a gleam. Their commitment was undoubted: the drummer’s enthusiasm was such that he even bit his drumstick during the ‘Anvil Chorus’. Some highlights: a first playing of Miller’s ‘Lime House Blues’ by this ensemble; a ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ which transported us immediately to New York; not one but two baritone saxophones in the instantly-familiar ‘Pink Panther’. You couldn’t help smiling, even on a cold wet December evening with report deadlines looming. So it’s a pity this treat for ear and eye was enjoyed by exactly twenty-five people. This band exudes a sense of fun, and it JPF deserves a bigger audience.

Unbeatable Jazz Band

Hall

OQ 14

“It’s not really Jazz, of course,” opined a senior colleague when I first saw an advert for a Jazz Band concert some twenty years ago. “It’s more Swing: Glenn Miller stuff.” So my expectations were challenged as I walked into Hall for the end of OQ Band Show warm-up gig: the repertoire appeared to have taken a radical turn for the avant-garde. Then they stopped tuning up, RWS called them to order and

Hail, and Fellows Well Met Chichester Cathedral

OQ 14

On a bright and sunny morning, a group of around 40 musicians departed from Charterhouse for Chichester Cathedral, which was celebrating its 906 years that month; the Prebendal School (the Cathedral’s choir school) has had strong links with Charterhouse – and today a former chorister Christian Pethick (g, trombone) was one of our party. The journey was short. Proust might have been mildly narked at the way in which time slipped away as we chatted aimlessly on the coach; the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. As we entered the Cathedral, peering up, we marvelled at the sight before us. Huge tracts of stone rose in columns and pinnacles, towering on all sides; there are larger cathedrals – in fact, most English cathedrals make Chichester look dinky – but the nave and chancel are so well proportioned as to give a sense of elegance, grace and grandeur. Chichester Cathedral is also full of interesting modern art – not least the beautiful stained glass window by Marc Chagall; it has also tapestries and sculpture of all ages back to the Medieval period. Voices snapped me out of my daydream, and I followed others further into the building. We ran through our programme. The following groups were on the bill: Wind Music Society – directed by Mr Smeeton; a string quartet; Chamber Orchestra – directed by Mr Parsons and led by Stephanie Tso (g); and the Norfolk Ensemble. The acoustics were fabulous; we could hear music ringing through the Cathedral even after we finished.

Aster Chun (g), James Chong (g), Hamzah Tarawneh (L) and Tim Lam (H)

Photographs by Mark Shepherd

Wind Music Society:Oliver Taylor (D), Felix Scott-Copeland (G), RWS, Matthew Bagley (P), Henry Crawshay-Williams (g), Christopher Waters (F) Oliver Rockall (V), Max Kam (H), George Tennent (R), Henry Griffiths (S), Adam Bagley (H), Charlie Rockall (V) with RWS

Anne – aka ‘Eternal Source of Light Divine’ – as the warm-up act before a more sombre tone fell over Chapel for what was a truly compelling rendition of the solemn Mozart Requiem. Handel’s piece had, it is thought, been commissioned to celebrate Queen Anne’s birthday in 1713, though reports suggest that due to her ill-health at the time, it is very unlikely that she would have been in attendance at the performance itself. Nonetheless, with the lyrics scripted sensitively in praise of the Queen and her achievements by Ambrose Phillips, a friend of the famous Old Carthusians Addison and Steele, there was also something of a link with Charterhouse on which to reflect during the mellifluous (and, I am told, melismatic) alto solo by Alex Pullinger (H 07) which very much set the tone and the standard for the evening. The Requiem is, of course, a much better known work, not least for providing a rich seam of material for conspiracy theorists as to the link between the timing of the commission of the piece and Mozart’s own untimely death. The reality is that no such link has been proven, though what interests scholars more is how much of it he actually composed prior to his death, and how much of it was completed by others in imitating his style after his demise. The plaudits on the night rightly went to the staggeringly impressive group of soloists, ably supported by an imperious orchestra. Along with Pullinger, Mark Begbie (BH) and Eleanor Meynell (a visiting singing teacher) kept up recent traditions of soloists having obvious links with Charterhouse where possible, whilst singing with tremendous skill; it was a real treat to hear such accomplished performers grace Chapel.

About 1,000 people (so it seemed to us) came to watch and listen. After each performance they applauded loudly – their faces filled with appreciation and praise. As we left, however, there was a violent storm of hail that painfully drenched everybody; assuming that he would have approved of our music-making, John Ruskin might have seen this as a curious case of reverse pathetic fallacy. The main thing is that noone was seriously hurt. This was a fantastic trip – thoroughly enjoyable – and it was nice to see Christian meeting his friends and former teachers at the Cathedral. Aster Chun, with thanks to Christian Pethick for architectural and historical grist

Augury of Spring Choral Concert Chapel

LQ 15

The second half of LQ has always struck me as something of a curate’s egg: four long weeks without a break at a time when illness can frequently sweep through the School like wildfire, and when the pressures of preparing for exams – and Pontifex – can render pupils and beaks alike tired and tetchy. Offset against that are, of course, the gradually lengthening evenings bringing with them a promise of spring, and of the woods first dripping with snowdrops and then resplendent in a sea of bluebells. But of the glimmers amongst the gloom, none shines as bright as the prospect of the annual choral concert performed by Concert Choir on the last Sunday evening of the Quarter. This year the audience was treated to a rousing performance of Handel’s Ode for the Birthday of Queen

Amongst the pupils, Yolande Rowson’s (D) soprano solo in the Mozart was truly spectacular, and Katie Hastings (P) and Seun Oyeleye (G) also sang with a poise, confidence and quality of tone some way beyond their years. One of the things I most like about Concert Choir is that is brings together an unlikely combination of singers from across a genuinely broad spectrum: the choral equivalent of the golfer’s pro-am tournament, if you will. I always pore with interest over the list of the names of those participating in the concert: in amongst the well-established stars of the various pupil choirs, and the rich seam of vocal talent and repertoire amongst Brooke Hall and friends, there is always a little warm glow to be had by coming across a name of a pupil whom one knows from an entirely different context and whom one would never have expected to see involved. That glow turns to a full-blown smile when one sees that pupil unashamedly belting out a chorus with the same gusto as the seasoned chorister standing at his or her side. A salutary tale here, I think, for the sadly significant cadre of Carthusians with an SPMA aversion to singing in Chapel. Roll on next LQ.

both particularly precise with their timing, Pageites and Fetcherites had some wonderful harmonies, Duckites and Robinites demonstrated a good ability to bring their songs to life for the audience of over six-hundred that packed out Hall; while Hodgsonites focused on displaying house spirit in ‘Wavin’ Flag’, Bodeites plumped for some solo dance moves to keep the house choir’s rhythm crisp! The judge, Jack Furness (R 06), founder and Artistic Director of Shadwell Opera, praised the ‘confidence and collective endeavour’ of all the singers and ultimately brought the placings to three houses: Verites was commended for its whole-house involvement in singing Green Day’s ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ with excellent tuning and timing; ‘California Dreamin’’ by runner-up Gownboys was judged to be ‘beautifully sung, with great musicality’ while the winner, Daviesites (below), was acclaimed for its ‘classy, precise and well put together’ version of ‘Let it Go’ from Disney’s Frozen. Singing is very much ‘alive and kicking’ at Charterhouse, and is something in which houses clearly take pride; let us hope this is evident in all aspects of School singing now and CAC into the future.

Sometime Voices House Singing Hall

OQ 14

Orchestral & Chamber Concert

The rumour on the School grapevine was that this year’s House Singing was going to put paid to the widespread belief that the art of unison singing has been lost amongst Carthusians, a rumour that seemed well founded when Weekites headed up the evening’s entertainment with a hearty rendition of ‘Breaking Free’ from High School Musical. Houses had clearly focused on particular aspects of their musical offerings: Saunderites and Lockites were

Hall

CQ 15

Music from four different centuries awaited the assembled audience on Sunday 26th April in this exposition of the best of Charterhouse’s instrumentalists. The evening began with a slow movement from Hindemith’s Fünf Stücke für Streichorchester. Such was the intensity of the playing that, if it weren’t for the swiftness with which the artfully

executed by Russell Millard. This is a highly sophisticated and competent composition; a five-note theme is developed in sequence and inversion during the first movement, appearing in different colours throughout the orchestra. A prominent piccolo part was played with great poise throughout by Erica Flint (F). A deft segue into a ferocious central movement allowed the viola, often so lyrical, to display its seldom-heard rasping quality pierced by orchestral daggers. A beautiful third movement, beginning with paired horn and clarinet silkily played by Felix Scott-Copeland (G) and Henry Griffiths (S) respectively, brought the characterful work to a peaceful conclusion. Stravinsky-esque horn chords gave way to a languorous clarinet melody which supported a sustained note left hanging in the solo part. Thunderous applause followed and the composer appeared delighted with both performance and reception. The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March no. 4. While not as well-known as the first in the series, this contribution to the album contains an equally tub-thumping OPE trio; it wound up the evening on a celebratory note.

picked-out chromatic lines reached a climax, one might have imagined that Chamber Orchestra had just embarked upon a Shostakovich symphony. In complete contrast, JS Bach’s familiar Concerto for Oboe, Violin, and Strings was performed with a magnificent breeziness by both soloists and ensemble. Adam Bagley (H) demonstrated some superb lyrical control of the oboe’s top register during the second movement, which was played with a refreshing frankness and never allowed to wallow in its own beauty as it progressed towards its magnificent final major lift. Stephanie Tso (g), playing the solo violin part, demonstrated her lightning finger-work during the final movement which, with an energetic and rhythmic accompaniment driven by John Parsons, displayed the impressive standard of string playing in the School; this was a very fine performance. Two smaller ensembles provided an intermezzo next. A select septet of strings, wind, and brass (the Norfolk Ensemble) played The Essential Peter and the Wolf which had been especially and skilfully arranged by Roger Smeeton. Ably led by Aster Chun (g), the cast often had to play more than one part. Of particular note was the virtuosic contribution of Max Kam (H) who took the role of both cat and bird on the clarinet. The pared-down orchestration revealed Prokofiev’s inimitable harmonic genius and it was almost possible to hear strains of Romeo and Juliet. A highly proficient Underschool string quartet followed the dramatic world of hunter and wolf with a sophisticated account of an Allegro from Mozart’s String Quartet in F Major (K 168). When ensemble technique is good, one barely notices it, and it is easy to underestimate the skill required to play with such sympathy and awareness. Peter Adamson (G) led this excellent foursome, and we can certainly expect further exciting performances from them in future. Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Blatchly, was the final ensemble to take to the stage. It began with Sibelius’s nationalistic tone-poem Finlandia. A highlight here was the brass playing, both during the opening chorale and then punctuating its repeat. The Allegro was carefully controlled so that the syncopation, when it came, was tremendously exciting. The evening’s apogee was the first performance of the Concerto for Viola by 2YS music student, Christopher Waters (F). In this performance the solo part was superbly

THE CARTHUSIAN B E N T R AV E R S T H E AT R E Peachy Keen, Jellybean Grease OQ 14 The American High School has been a minor obsession for TV and film makers since the 1960s, but almost every incarnation tips its hat to the 1971 hit musical Grease, a sardonic look at the not-so-squeaky clean lives of 1950s teenagers. The BTT played host to a full stage of Charterhouse’s best teenieboppers and bobby-soxers in its own production. Directed by Julian Freeman, the musical proved itself once again to be a crowd favourite, managing a full house for all four performances. First Year Specialists Ophelia Norris (F) and Harry Manton (L) played the star-crossed lovers Sandy and Danny, REELING out the ‘best hits’; luckily, their vocal talents meant that they could be heard over the quietly humming audience. Supporting them were the rag-tag posse of T-Birds and Pink Ladies, including Florence Lace-Evans (P) who, in her role as the marine-collecting Marty Maraschino, played her Pink Lady to Perfection. Erica Flint’s (F) Rizzo was expertly brassy, and the consummate 50s bad girl with a big heart – a perfect counterpoint to the rakishness of Arthur Barnard’s (L) lovable

lothario Kenickie. Amidst the more saccharine and tragic teenage love were the endearing Jan and Doody, played by Robyn Durnford (R) and James Akka (G), who played out their bumbling romance with impeccable comic timing. With music directed by maths beak Owen Elton, the show stayed as energetic as Olukorede Solomonâ€™s (H) performance of the fast-talking radio jockey Vince Fontaine and as perky as Bella Gasparroâ€™s (D) portrayal of the indefatigable class brown-noser Patty Simcox. The staging was ambitious, managing both a large cast and transforming itself for some key scenes. The iconic Greased Lightning was rolled on and off stage seamlessly, and not long after the stage transformed into a glittery mist to play host to a song filled with Beauty School Drop Outs and a Teen Angel, played by William Matthews (G). Even the well-known saga of Danny, Sandy and their gang appeared refreshed and fun under the staging of the Charterhouse Drama Department, and certainly earned an SEC A+ grade from its audience.

Comme d’hab Band Show BTT LQ 15 It’s very difficult to do such a good show. It’s extremely difficult to do such a good show year after year, decade after decade – and to cause the billies* to emerge each year from Charterhouse’s underground-overground womble-free theatre saying, “I’m sure that’s the best Band Show I’ve seen.” Roger Smeeton relishes this challenge, because it involves lifewrecking quantities of unremitting toil and because he is a classic beak: in it for the proper Charterhouseness thereof. He is also least likely to say, “Any old how will do.... just as long as people can roughly make out the melody; I’m blowed if I can be bothered to paint the set.... why do we need a set, anyway?” BS15 kicked off with ‘The Song of India’, then Bill Freeman (S, comedian) welcomed us to hell (though not literally.... ho ho). The playlist went like this: ‘When the Lights go on Again’, ‘The Anvil Chorus’, ‘The Pink Panther’, ‘St Louis Blues March’, ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, ‘Limehouse Blues’, ‘Take Five’ (sax solo: Charlie Rockall, V), ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ with Arthur Barnard (L) and the Smeetones, and ‘I Gotta Gal in Kalamazoo’. There were some splendid independents: ‘Monday Nights’, written and sung by Will Matthews (G), who also did an amazing drum solo; Peter Adamson (G) accompanying himself in ‘The Way You Look Tonight’; ‘Falling Slowly’ – a charming duet from Harry Manton (L) and Florence Lace-Evans (P). There was more comedy: Edward Langley (H, comedian) joined Freeman for some heart surgery (again, not literally... arf ), and Smeeton lui-même made a successful comedy debut as one

of four Yorkshiremen with Barnard, Harry Clements (G) and Olukorede Solomon (H). Perfectionism and massive effort combined in a super show. Entropy, all on its ownio, caped the second of the show’s two nights with a power-cut. Not tragic, as disappointment is sometimes labelled – but certainly a substantial lulu: a lamented cut of 50% in this year’s quota of Band Showness. The Chambered Pachyderm *Billy Bunter: punter {package holiday rep rhyming slang}

The Tempest BTT LQ 15 In the penultimate week of LQ, Charterhouse’s BTT saw Magic Realism meet Steampunk in a surreal production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The audience quickly found themselves transported, along with the bedraggled crew of a brilliantly wrecked ship, into a post-apocalyptic, HG Wellsian world of colonial power-politics and intrigue. Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, is stranded on an island, with his daughter, Miranda. Prospero, in true European colonial style, has enslaved the locals: Caliban (a brutish native) and Ariel (a spirit). He uses and abuses them in order to distract and corrupt, and to lead his usurping brother Antonio, Sebastian, and Alonso (the King of Naples) and his court on a merry dance which buys him time to pair Miranda up with Ferdinand (the Prince of Naples). Thus, Prospero manages to align himself with the King and retake his long-coveted Dukedom. Many productions tend to focus on the triumph of virtue over vengeance – with all being forgiven at the end and Prospero’s Dukedom restored to him – but Julian Freeman’s version was much more nuanced. The ending offered some resolution but there were many questions left unanswered, resulting in an enduring sense of unease. This surreal and fast-paced production left one wondering whether Prospero really is the right person to lead the people of Milan onwards and upwards. The huge set; the techno-orchestral score; the opening scene, complete with sailors tumbling from the masts of the stricken ship; and the vibrant, psychedelic masque of the three goddesses reinforced the sense of being on some bizarre,

wild frontier – a liminal nowhere place where anything can happen and the normal rules don’t apply. Bill Freeman (S), resplendent in his cloak and goggled hat, and looking like a character from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, presented us with a seriously angry Prospero. His rage was evident from start to finish and it was clear that his Prospero’s key motivation was a bitter hunger for power. Bill’s performance was commanding and the audience were left with the very clear impression that forgiveness does not come easily to Prospero as he sneered and spat the lines, ‘For you (most wicked sir), whom to call brother/ Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive/ Thy rankest fault’.

Miranda – a rather thankless and often bland role – was pleasingly energised by Jessica Garlick (R), who appeared to be convincingly besotted with the dashing, if slightly pathetic, Ferdinand – played with great panache by Oli Sherwood (V). Jessica Turner’s (F) Ariel was a brilliantly unconventional manifestation of the ‘airy spirit’. Vampish, in killer heels, corset and dreadlocks, she had something almost Amazonian about her. She appeared strong and independent in spirit, yet utterly disempowered by Prospero’s violence and threats. Emil Almazov (g) presented us with a physical, monstrous and yet very down-trodden Caliban whose idealistic nature seemed only to be matched by his naivety. Cameron Hay (L) delivered a strong performance as Gonzalo, the kindly royal advisor, and Rory Hay (g) and Archie Phillips (G) provided some excellent light relief as Stephano and Trinculo – with Rory presenting himself as a worryingly convincing drunkard! The other cast members and crew (including the mischievous, dancing, monkey-like stage hands) rounded off the whole outlandish performance and ensured that it was a great EFP success. Well done to all!

Strong Viewing A2 Theatre Studies

LQ 15

One of the most eagerly awaited events in BTT each year is the original devised drama produced by the 2YS Theatre Studies pupils as part of their exam. Over the years these have provided a portfolio of different topics and theatrical styles, and this year’s offerings were no exception. Nirvana – devised and performed by James Knapp (D), Robyn Durnford (R), Charlie Suckling (S) and Olivia Turnbull (B) – was a fascinating piece which explored the way we, as a society, see and often judge our fellow human beings. In particular the issues of race, class and gender were addressed in a fast-moving, sophisticated and engaging play. Using a mixture of styles and theatrical forms, these fundamental areas of our society were variously illustrated using music hall, pastiche, role reversal and even a boxing ring in order to challenge the status quo. In addition, speeches from Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice and Antony and Cleopatra were skilfully adapted in order to make us re-evaluate the universal substance of what was being communicated. All the cast moved seamlessly between one theatrical style and the next to produce a play which was full of invention, interest and, above all, substance.

GERM – devised and performed by Olukorede Solomon (H), Erica Flint (F), Niklas Ferguson (L) and Poppy Tufnell (F) – took an honest and objective view of the dwindling influence theatre has in present day culture. Focusing on four key areas of drama in the last 2,500 years – Greek Tragedy, Elizabethan Theatre, Restoration Theatre and Modern Tragedy (hence the acronym GERM) – the group wrote its own versions of plays from these periods in order to highlight how important they used to be and how now, particularly in the face of competition from other art forms and technology, they have

ceased to feature much in the lives of many of us. Each actor took on the mantle of one of the historical periods at a quasitherapy session and demonstrated what we have lost. At the beginning, famous lines from plays over the last two-anda-half centuries were initially spoken individually and then fused to create a Tower of Babel effect; the final act of Erica Flint’s actress – forlornly exiting up-stage right, pausing for one last backward look at the stage – was a potent image on which to finish. decision-making points in her life: Amy Warner Allen (D) wrestling with the problem of marrying her overbearing boss (Robert Crockford, D), Felicity Rowbotham (H) trying to decide how to deal with married life and motherhood, Florence Lace-Evans (P) deciding to take a lover who makes her feel ‘free’, and Katrine Cereda (F) making the momentous decision to murder the controlling husband. The play moves swiftly through these moments, underscored and driven by jazz-influenced music – through an office with the mechanical duties of Rollo Jackson’s (H) filing clerk and William Ng’s (H) account clerk and a speakeasy where Oliver Sherwood’s (V) lover and Archie Phillips’s (G) man-on-the-make show the cynical playing with women. We are finally taken to court after the murder, and the machine-like justice system grinds inexorably towards the electrocution chamber – with Archie’s priest intoning clichéd Biblical passages, and the desperate plea of all of the young women at the end for ‘Somebody!’ The production, deftly directed by Helen Freeman, brought out the best in the cast and had the audience rapt from beginning to end. Michael Green

Both these plays showed us that these young pupil-actors have the skill with which to craft interesting pieces of theatre, and strong views about a range of issues as they seek to make their way in the ever changing world beyond Charterhouse. AN Orange

Two Tales of Murder AS Theatre Studies

BTT

CQ 15

What happens to a close knit family when, at the age of 18, a son and brother is randomly stabbed to death by a 17-yearold girl because ‘he wouldn’t lend me a quid for the tube’? When writing The Long Road, Shelagh Stephenson worked closely with prisoners, past and present, in order to try to find answers to questions such as this. Danny’s mum Mary (Jessica Turner, F) needs to understand, whilst her husband John (Harry Manton, L) has withdrawn completely and taken refuge in whisky. Joe (Morgan Davies, D) the eldest son, who was there on the night the murder happened, is increasingly resentful of the attention Danny still receives – and in one of the play’s most emotional outbursts demands to have ‘parity with the stiff’. None of the family tensions are helped by the apparent indifference shown by Emma (Jessica Garlick, R) about the devastation she has caused. Mediating between the family and Emma is Elizabeth (Ophelia Norris, F) who does her best to counsel both the bereaved family and Emma. This is a play which asks a great deal of the actors, who have to tap into the psychological trauma of the situation and convey this to the audience. Director Julian Freeman’s cast gave fully committed and accomplished performances; whilst the play doesn’t always make for easy viewing, the audience was with them all the way – as just about everyone could identify, if not (thankfully) with the reality of the situation, certainly with the possibility. Machinal was written in the late 1920s by court reporter turned playwright Sophie Treadwell in New York. Loosely based on the real life events of Ruth Snyder, whose lover murdered her husband, the play charts not the actual events in an ordinary woman’s life at the time but the moments of decision that lead up to these events. Thus, in the AS production all the female members of the cast played the Young Woman (the Snyder character) at the different

THE CARTHUSIAN

Artifex Fizzing Jaws International Fair

Hall

The International Fair was a splendid gathering. It was wonderful to see so many pupils proudly showing off their countries and sampling others. Represented were America, Australia, Belgium, China, France, Greece, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Wales and, of course, England. A vast array of food was on offer, with the Icelandic fermented shark being perhaps the most unusual. National dress was worn by many pupils and indeed by a number of parents, many of whom kindly helped to staff the stalls. There was a fabulous atmosphere throughout the evening, with traditional music being played alongside the odd national anthem. ARH

Curious Saw War Short Film Competition Six talented filmmakers were shortlisted, each of them recording their observations in very different ways. Some films had strong scripts at their core, others were more ambiguous; some were thoughtfully directed, while others challenged the viewer with complex after-effects and careful editing. John Deery (screenwriter, director & producer) kindly agreed to undertake the difficult task of comparing them. After each film Mr Deery gave valuable analysis, switching between objective and practical remarks and his own honest, visceral feelings. Emily Pite’s (F) ‘Crane’ was an obsessive, sometimes scary, monologue: why was she creating 1,000 origami cranes? In William Dewar’s (D) ‘Tyreless Journey’, we watched him roll and chase a tyre across West Wittering

beach. Anna Monkman (G) mesmerized us with surreal environments, in which performing figures were cleverly superimposed in peculiar boxes. Niklas Ferguson’s (L) ‘No need to hide’ was equally creative and playful. Mr Deery now narrowed the shortlist to two. Ophelia Norris’s (F) ‘On: the sea, four monologues’ was beautifully written; it consisted of four perspectives, read and interpreted by different actors. Emma Schilders’s (F) ‘I hope’ was playful and perceptive, documenting friends reading out post-it notes of others’ hopes: it was well written, directed and edited. Mr Deery chose this film, and kindly offered Emma the opportunity to shadow him for a day. Huge thanks are due to John Deery – and congratulations to all those who entered their films in JAB this competition.

The Magic Show Though all who attended this excellent show enjoyed it, noone wrote about it. We have only word of mouth (not the worst source of information, and certainly a very popular one in schools) and the eye-witness account of someone who peered briefly through the porthole window into Llewellyn Room and volunteered that the occupants of the room looked well entertained and not unduly menaced by threats of being sawn in half or having coins produced from behind their ears. To parody Prospero unforgivably, this magic was not ‘rough’ and there’d be no need to ‘abjure’ it. Zspgoijv;lchjsif ’

Pax Res Publica Classics Radio Play This academic year Luke Doyle (S), Bill Freeman (S) and Luke Titmuss (H) were asked by Dr Aidonis to create a radio play about the Roman senator Lucius Sergius Catiline. After reading up the history of ancient Rome under the consul Marcus Tullius Cicero, they began to write with the aim of being as historically accurate as possible. Starting in 63 BC, the play focuses on the escalation of political rivalry between Cicero (Luke Doyle) and his opponent, Catiline (Arthur Barnard, L) – which leads to active rebellion by Catiline against Cicero’s government. Striving to end instability in the Roman Republic, the two men devise conflicting plans based on differing ideologies to bring peace to Rome – hence the title: Pax Res Publica (Peace Republic). Acted by many Carthusians – notably Lawrence Weston (P), Giles MacDougall (P), Christian Pethick (g) and Rory Hay (g) – and with the kind and invaluable help of JMR, the entire play has now at long last been fully recorded. It only remains to add background sounds: this will be done in OQ 15. A run-through of many parts of this play at Artifex gave Audiendo a small taste of what will be a fantastic play.

Jazz Improvisation Concert A jazz concert was one of the highlights of last year’s Artifex, and this year’s performance on Thursday 18th June lived up to expectations. As last year, the concert opened with something a little different; this year it was string quartet arrangements of ‘Eleanor Rigby’ by The Beatles and the theme from Game of Thrones. The former was given an impassioned vocal performance by Owen Elton, who had only recently come off stage in South African Cloisters, where he had been performing his one-man show The Funniest Number. I often think that a jazz band is only as good as its arranger – just think of Billy Strayhorn for Duke Ellington, Nelson Riddle for Frank Sinatra or Bill Holman for Stan Kenton – and a great deal of kudos for the evening’s performance must go to Alex Curtis, who arranged most of the material,

Butterfly’s Tongue Spanish Outdoor Cinema At 9 pm on Wednesday 17th June, the Spanish Department arranged a screening of José Luis Cuerda’s critically-acclaimed film, La Lengua de las Mariposas as part of Artifex. The South African Cloister was decorated with Spanish flags, origami butterflies, fairy lights and candles, and the audience sat on park benches – cushioned by red and cream blankets and cushions, por supuesto! – to watch the projection, while snacking on freshly made churros, palomitas and helados. REW

as well as coaching and directing the group. That said, even the best arrangements will fail to make an impression if the performance is weak, and the real stars of the show were the performers themselves. Particularly noteworthy were the frequent trombone contributions of Ben Harris (S) and the stunning performance Florence Lace-Evans (P) gave of ‘Black Coffee’. However, ensemble jazz is always a collaborative effort, and all the musicians deserve a great deal of praise for the maturity and musicality they brought to their RCDM performances. childishness by Frederick Hervey-Bathurst (G). Three physicians – Warren, Baker and Pepys played by Harry Manton (L), Oliver Sherwood (V) and Michael Freeman (S) – try to treat George with all the quackery of Georgian medicine, but to no avail. Pepys has a scatological fascination and is constantly demanding that he be allowed to view the King’s stool, much to the exasperation of the other two doctors. Baker is constantly undecided on what to do, and Warren seems more interested in control than cure. The uncompromising west countryman Dr Willis, played by Bill Freeman (S) – who bases his cure on conversation, restraint with a straitjacket and asserting his authority over the King – is ultimately successful. As the King slowly recovered, the action moved away from Scholar’s Court and back towards Hall. Just as they had processed from Chapel to the fanfare of the orchestra when the play commenced, the doctors, the Royal Family and the politicians processed back from Hall and re-entered Chapel with the King once again fully in possession of his faculties. Thanks to their skilful direction and astute interpretation of one of Bennett’s most celebrated works, JHK and EJF, with a wide array of dramatic talent, managed to produce an extremely polished and well thought-out production, which provided an entertaining evening for all. Per Ambulator

The Verb and the Object The Madness of King George Despite the heavens opening in the seconds before the play, the audience still managed to amass to watch Charterhouse’s peripatetic outdoor rendition of Alan Bennett’s The Madness of King George, directed by Mr Kazi and Miss Fox. We loyally followed the actors in and around Hall and to Scholar’s Court as we were told the story of the increasing insanity of King George III (1738-1820), and his treatment by Dr Willis and three eccentric, fumbling physicians. Throughout the play there was a palpable air of panic, which not only reflected the concerns of the characters, but also those of the actors playing them as they rushed from location to location and from entrance to entrance. The Gothic-style Carthusian buildings, the wonderful strings, brass, drums and voices in Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’, performed live by a select choir and orchestra of Charterhouse’s finest musicians, contributed to the enthralling and unique atmosphere of the production. Rollo Jackson (H) pulled off a compelling and dramatic portrayal of King George, and was able to display the descent of a sane man into madness with startling success. Jackson’s performance was complemented by Ophelia Norris (F) who played the distressed Queen Elizabeth. Her love and worry for the King were wholly believable, and the interaction between these two revealed the domestic drama occurring parallel to the political machinations playing out in Parliament and Windsor. The root of many of the domestic and political troubles was the heir to the throne and prospective Prince Regent, the Prince of Wales (his mind set on over-throwing his father), who was played with an inspired petulant

Selma: ‘Flawless’ Cinema on the Ceiling

Chapel

In the late hours of Friday 19th June, Mr Begbie and his committee of 1YSs put together a unique cinematic experience – or, at any rate, the first of its kind at Charterhouse. Around 100 Carthusians and beaks filed into Chapel with blankets, duvets and pillows for a screening of the Oscar-winning film Selma – undoubtedly one of the best films of the past year. Starring the British-Nigerian actor David Oyelowo as the legendary leader and civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr, Oprah Winfrey and an award-winning ensemble – Selma flawlessly portrays the events before and during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. A dedicated group of African-American advocates for racial equality, including Martin Luther King Jr, conceived the idea of holding three protest marches – non-violent demonstrations – from

Selma to Montgomery Alabama in defiance of repression by segregation, and to demonstrate the desire for all American citizens – ‘black, white or otherwise’ – to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Each cinema-goer was equipped with a pair of wireless headphones, a duvet and a pillow. With sweets, snacks and smiling faces, and the fading sun to set the scene, nothing could ruin the event. The film was projected on the ceiling of the apse with the audience warm and snug on the floor beneath. The experience was received with overwhelmingly positive reviews; this is a definite favourite for next year’s Artifex programme – and perhaps there should be an extra screening to meet popular demand. Eniafe Christopher Momodu (H)

since the abolition of the extraordinary unnamed festival at the end of CQs in the 1970s, in which each night of the last week had a major concert: oratorio, orchestral, pastoralcomical, historical-pastoral.... you get the picture. The Summer Concert has often been a goodbye to all this for 2YSs, and it has often been jammed into the upturned trawler that is Llewellyn Room – with audients stacked high, windows tightly shut against some imagined sonic pollution (and the continuance of human life), and extra chairs hurriedly hurled at four past the hour. How good then that this year’s edition was in Hall. 2YSs were there none, so we were looking forward and not back. The evening began with Combined String Orchestra directed by John Parsons. I did not know where to put my admiring ears – whether on the completely extraordinary sound that JNP gets (not only eerily in tune, but also as texturally and colourfully fascinating as the sands of Alum Bay) or on his astonishing folk song arrangements, which are full of contrapuntal and rhythmic intrigue; these three miniatures were a lot more than a sumptuous shimmer, but they were that too. Next, Aster Chun (g) brilliantly led his quartet – with Richard Lau (V), Dickson Tse (R) and Daniel Lee (g) – in the enigmatic fourth movement of Mozart’s Quartet in Bb, K 172. Whenever Mozart most masquerades as a purveyor of tinkle-plunk, you can be sure that there is a world of harmonic and rhythmic complication beneath the limpid surface; in this case, as ever, the boy Mozart done good – and this was a treat. You may take it that, unless I explicitly inform you otherwise, Stephanie Tso (g) was starring throughout this programme – and now here she was again, reprising the last movement of the Elgar Violin Sonata to the deft piano accompaniment of Mark Shepherd. This sounded wonderful, as it did the previous week, but the extra space of Hall and the utterly superb Steinway significantly enhanced it. Joseph Deery (S) took over from MNS on Charterhouse’s finest musical instrument by far, and played brilliantly in the first movement of the Brahms Horn Trio – with Tso and the fabulous horn player Felix Scott-Copeland (G). Here was another three-star plateful. Then Tso (as leader) directed the first movement of Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K 525 – with Felicity Rowbotham (H), Chun, Tse, Lau and Timothy Lam (H). This item – coached by JNP, and showing fine attention to detail in elegantly and intelligently crafted phrases – was well out of the ordinary. Now the ordinary (‘Eleanor Rigby’) was elevated by extraordinary singing from Owen Elton, whose bold and theatrical tenor – accompanied by string quintet: Tso, Chun, Lau, Henry Bole (H) and Lam – made of this kitchen sink drama a sketch of Ian Bostridge doing syncopated and weirdly modal Schubert. This song was superbly performed and most

Summoning an Ambience Greyhound Café Run by scholars in the Old Headmaster’s House garden for the duration of Artifex, the Greyhound Café provided a culinary haven in the centre of the campus; pleasantly removed from the hectic events elsewhere in Artifex, its atmosphere of contemplation and relaxation inculcated a general sense of calm. With a selection of teas, food and coffees chosen by the café’s staff – ranging from Malawian cooperative coffee to organic rooibos tea − the café became something of a success, with a steady flow of customers keeping the staff on their toes rather than on anyone else’s. The food and drink were excellent – and musical performances from various Carthusians created a pleasant ambience, with numerous customers commenting on the general quality of service and entertainment. The first rush of customers, which caused a brief moment of panic amongst the kitchen staff, was soon dealt with; thereafter the entire brigade – Luke Doyle (S), Bill Freeman (S), Jago Thomas (S), Kareem Belo-Osagie (G), Kieran Nash (F), Lara Sabel (F) & Lewis Thomas (F) – conducted itself in an admirably professional fashion. The Greyhound Café was a greyht [sic] success, and there are plans for a fresh incarnation next year.... and perhaps new versions at other School events. Guillaume Bontour

And All the People Rejoic’d Artifex Summer Concert

Hall

CQ 15

Artifex is indeed probably (to quote one an esteemed colleague) ‘the best thing to happen at this School in the last quarter-century’ – and we must therefore excuse it for appropriating the Summer Concert; anyway, dubbing it the Artifex Summer Concert is no dafter than calling the Third Division something like Fizzeedrinque Premierbooters League One. There has been a Summer Concert at Charterhouse ever

– ‘Tea for Two’ to you and me – which was delivered with winsome charm and zest. The Artifex Choir & Orchestra (under MNS) – the Premierbooters League One singers & scratch band (so to speak), whose personnel looked much like Chapel Choir and a remnant of Orchestra.... well, strings with trumpets & drums (and what drums!) – finished with a reprise of the finale from The Madness of King George [qv p 74] – videlicet, ‘Zadok the Priest’. Taken at a cracking lick, this was a super finale to an excellent and varied concert. Artifex really is a wonderful thing {and there in the audience was its indefatigable director, the great Mark Begbie} – for it confirms what we all fervently hope: that school is certainly not all about cramming for beastly exams, and that education at its best is still richly enjoyable and (since one cannot quote Birley too often) ‘such MLJB tremendous fun’.

enjoyable, but once you’ve heard Neil Innes’s parody ‘Ready Mades’ (‘....he’s never seen his own wife in the nude....’) it’s hard to take The Beatles seriously; perhaps one should not try anyway, but the extravagant claims made mostly for though sometimes by the group demand a response, even if it’s baffled indifference. Game of Thrones is (one gathers) a popular televisual feast of many many courses; its theme tune is a one-bite mouthful chewed obsessively and at heroic length. It was ennobled by typically careful and musical playing from the same tidy quintet. Roger Smeeton’s Norfolk Ensemble, Max Kam (H), Oli Rockall (V), Cyprien Roche (H), Felix Scott Copeland (G),

Mountain, Books, Charterhouse Mallory Exhibition & Exhibition on the History of the Book at Charterhouse On Friday 19th June the Everest-conquering hero Stephen Venables (G 71) opened – with a gracious, learned and witty speech about mountains (mainly Everest), books (mainly The Magic Mountain, 1924, by Thomas Mann) and Charterhouse – a pair of beautiful and inspiring exhibitions in Library: one on George Mallory (BH 1910-21 – died Everest, 1924) in the Daniel Wray Room, and one on the History of the Book at Charterhouse elegantly created in the elegant Rare Books Room by Helen Pinkney (greatly assisted by Gavin, the fantastic Studio technician, and with videos and links on iPad by Samantha Clarkson). Mary Olive (Librarian, for whose valete notice see p 135) introduced the evening with a succinct, eloquent and touching survey of culture, imagination, creativity and above all bibliophilia at Charterhouse.

Christian Pethick (g), Aster Chun (g) and Tim Lam (H) gave vigorous life to Weill’s ‘Ballad of the Easy Life’; RWS’s skillful arrangement had the instruments parleying with one another in knockabout that was suitably sinister rather than farcical; the Norfolks followed on with Shostakovich’s ‘Tahiti Trot’

that however far we ‘progress’ and ‘improve’ upon the book, we will still feel the need for the corporeal, the scented, the heavy, the light BOOK in our hands – on our laps and ‘neath our elbows and cupped chins. Affectionate, playful, infinitely delightful and sumptuously good to look at – this exhibition, like the Mallory one, married the past, present and future in Le Métailler happy and life-enhancing synthesis.

Idyllic World Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense If criticising Wodehouse is (as Punch famously remarked) like ‘taking a spade to a soufflé’, getting Wodehouse from page to stage successfully must be as difficult as making said soufflé with said spade; but actor and director Oliver Geffen (D) and his cast – Isaac Fletcher (D), Ben Taylor (R) and George Kendrick (D) – created something as light and appetising as one could wish for, with all the Arcadian delights for which Wodehouse is justly adored.... and almost all the characters too: the eponymous duo (obviously), Sir Watkyn Bassett, Gussie Fink-Nottle, Stiffy Byng, Seppings, Aunt Dahlia, Roderick Spode, Constable Oates and Madeline Bassett – not to mention Butterfield and the proprietor of an antique shop. This production of David and Robert Goodale’s Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense was a triumph of Carthusian initiative and enterprise – the best possible use for the opportunities offered by a boarding-school – right down to the diverting programme, which graciously and wittily thanked BTT staff Julian Freeman and James Reader and credited stage technicians Rupert Peacock (G) and Peter Wallace (B). The audience was justly gruntled. Arthur Fairks

At the centre of the Mallory exhibition – which included photographs by Captain John Noel, official photographer on the 1921, 1922 and 1924 Everest expeditions, as well as the last letter from Mallory to Noel (from Camp VI, 7th June 1924), the Brooke Hall Dining Book with visitors’ signatures including George Mallory as the guest of Brooke Hall on the occasion of his leaving to join the Mount Everest Expedition (29th March 1921), and various reprints from The Carthusian and Greyfriar – was a series of portraits of Mallory by Peter Monkman. PM was commissioned to paint a portrait for Brooke Hall after it failed to win the bid for Mallory’s ice axe at Christies, which achieved £132,100. The challenge was to capture something of this great man and at the same time reinstate him as a member of Brooke Hall. The result was a series of four oil-on-canvas portraits, four studies, and a portrait of his grandson Stephen Mallory who, by chance, the artist met during the project. Studying the grandson’s physiognomy and observing a Charterhouse tweed blazer modelled by a current pupil provided elements that grounded the Mallory portraits in the present, while at the same time pointing towards a misty past of archival photographs. The exhibition on the history of the book was exquisitely beautiful and intriguing – full of information and entertaining invention, with tablets nestling in the innards of books and lacy paper cut-outs at eye level, suggesting that words have the power to animate themselves on the printed page (and dancing in the air) just as they will now arrive at the portals of our minds in ever more technologically advanced ways.... and

Trashing Avoided Lunchtime Concerts Saunderites recently had the pleasure of listening to the brass quintet in the house dining-room as part of this year’s Artifex. After a typically witty introduction from Mr Wright (Head of Brass), the players were at the mercy of impatient observers. The quintet opened with an almost uncanny rendition of the original James Bond theme tune, a piece that could easily have

Coffee Workshop

been trashed in less experienced hands; however, the quintet gave it the justice it deserved – and even the most cynical could not help but be astounded. The quintet followed with the iconic Muppets theme tune. Despite the understandable nerves generated by the scrutiny of a highly judgemental mass of VIth-form and Underschool pupils, the quintet held its own. The occasion ended with rounds of rapturous applause rarely witnessed at meal-times, and all confessed their admiration. This was an interesting way to introduce pupils (most of whom had never so much as picked up an instrument) to brass music, whilst also satisfying the few fans of jazz in S. We look forward to more such concerts in future. Michael Maitland-Jones (S)

On 19th June a workshop was held in the Old Headmaster’s Garden for the coffee-lovers of Charterhouse: a fabulous afternoon of exquisite tasting coffees in brilliant sunshine. Two prestigious coffee roasters from London brought their business to us and shared their knowledge on the best brewing, tasting and roasting methods. We learnt techniques such as ‘cupping’, and how to appreciate fully the complex smells and tastes of beans from all around the world. A clear favourite was the Pulp Natural Brazilian, with its balanced yet sophisticated flavour; however, the more bitter Tanzanian washed coffee bean was also received well, as was the strong berry flavour of the Natural Ethiopian bean. We finished by learning about the different stages of roasting, and then about brewing methods to achieve differences of flavour and texture using some rather bizarre equipment like the Aeropress and Alice Jones (B) the Chemex.

We do the Mithra[s] Cult of Mithras James Galliver (V), Joe Monkman (L) & Agnes Wilhelmsen (R) used the G cellars to give an idea of what it might have been like to be initiated into the Mithras cult. Because the cult was secretive and the different ranks within it were watertight, our only knowledge of these initiations comes from five frescos found in a Mithraic temple in Capua; these were reproduced on the wall. The audience was offered three different lectures: an introduction, an explanation of the initiation rites, and a final discussion of iconography. The similarities between Mithraism and early Christianity are astonishing; it seems that the Christians took some appealing elements from this cult – the idea of immortal life, and initiation via a ritual.

A Night with the Stars Before going up to the observatory we had a brief introduction in a hashroom from Dr Brown, who talked about people who developed the telescope – like Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler; he also showed some pictures of the night sky – including one of the Big Dipper (or Plough), which I was able to find later with my own eyes. The first thing we saw through the telescope was the greatest thrill of my evening: Saturn and its ring system, which I could clearly discern. We also went on the roof of Science Block to see the stars, and were lucky to find the Big Dipper. Navigating from this, we then located the Polaris (aka the North Star or Pole Star). Coming back down to the observatory, we finished by looking at Jupiter. I have always been fascinated by the stars; this was a night Sun Wha Whang (G) that I’ll certainly remember.

The Roman cult of Mithras first appeared in the 1st-century AD. Much like other cults of the time – those of Dionysus, Isis and Cybele – it existed for the worship of a specific deity. The cult appears to have originated in Persia with the worship of Mithra; when it spread to Greece, the god’s name gained an s. Members had pass a series of ritual initiation tests. The first fresco depicts a naked man being led blindfolded by a clothed man – presumably his initiator. After this, the naked man appears to have been bound by a second initiator. Next, his initiator is crowning him while he is still tied up. The fourth fresco appears to show the initiate trying to get up while his initiator forces him down. The fifth and final fresco shows the initiate lying dead on the floor. The man only appears to be dead; it is argued that this was a symbolic mock execution from which the man would rise, fully initiated into the cult. These frescos are very damaged; scholars interpret them differently – some suggesting that this was not an initiation ceremony for a cult member, but rather for priesthood in the cult. James Galliver (V)

Shock, Admiration and Gaping Holes House Quiz The annual house quiz was held on a Sunday afternoon in C Block as part of Artifex. Representatives of most houses took part in a two-hour long tournament in order to determine which was the best stocked with trivia and obscure knowledge, and throughout the afternoon there was shock and admiration at the incredible recollection of some of the competitors. There was an extraordinarily esoteric range of questions: Balkan capitals, chemical elements in French, names of Japanese emperors and Snooker Championship winners were all potential point winners. Some team members seemed to have been chosen at the last minute and, perhaps as a result of this, there were frustrated sighs from the

entire audience, both teams and indeed the judges, as some gaping holes in the most general of knowledge were revealed. Robinites and Lockites proceeded to the finals after an intense few rounds. The initial questions were fiercely contested; after R (captained by Rory Fisk) had a large streak of correctly answered questions, L heroically but unsuccessfully tried to get ahead. When twenty minutes were up, Joe Monkman’s L team graciously accepted defeat and R went home with the trophy. There was a friendly but competitive atmosphere, marked by tense moments as the clock ran down to the final minutes. The only shame was that there could have been a larger audience – but that is something for next year. This was MGY’s last house quiz, and many still fondly remember his performance as the captain of the Manchester team in the final of the 2009 University Challenge. Many thanks to him Jonathan Knight (R) and all the other beaks involved.

up of Eminem, Ed Sheeran, and his own lyrics was quite frankly sensational. Amongst the classic acts, Florence Lace-Evans’s (P) performance of Beyoncé’s ‘XO’ was beautiful. Harry Manton’s (L) heart-grabbing acoustic numbers silenced the audience. The resident band – Jonny Knight (R, guitar), James Walker (R, guitar & voice), Rollo Jackson (H, bass & voice) and Vladimir Mikulik (R, drums) knocked out a few numbers like ‘Henrietta’ by The Fratellis, and managed to maintain their reputation. Arthur Barnard (L) gave several rocky renditions and ended the show with Katrine, singing us out with ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers. Henry Jones (R)

The Funniest Number South African Cloister Laurel, Hardy, Lehrer, Bailey, Minchin … Elton?! In the atmospheric half-light of the South African Cloister, Mr Elton’s set of hilarious and irreverent songs propelled him brilliantly at least almost some way towards that pantheon of musical comedy. Nothing was too pure or innocent to be spared the satiric sneer of these riotous rhymes, which channelled Evelyn Waugh via Broadway and Stamford Bridge: Disney’s riddled with bestiality, football is a den of criminality, and don’t forget Maria von Trapp’s remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless musicality. The audience were treated to a spectacular feast of comedy, which they seemed to relish nearly as much as the complimentary iced-cream, and Mr Elton proved once again that he truly can write the funniest number. In the spirit of the social media that imbued the evening’s entertainment, all that remains for me to say is: OMG OPE. TBH TVM. CAM Sparrow

Breaching the Peace Ch’ouse in the Park This event is still one step from greatness. That step, like the secret of comedy, is.... timing. Saturday night here is not so much feverish as quiet. Authentic mosh-density cannot be engineered by a handful, however energetic. Friday night next year? We can’t wait. As the rain poured down, the crowd (adorned in pink ponchos) huddled close to the singers. Apart from irritating the whole of Godge – with loudspeakers set up by Alice Jones (B), Oliver Norton (B) and Mr Reader (BTT) – Ch’ouse in the Park went off without a hitch. Some well-known performers (let’s call them the headline acts) were joined by some stunning new talent: Amy Warner Allen (D) – backed by Greg Stuckey (D) on guitar – captivated the crowd with her enchanting interpretation of a number by The 1975; similarly Katrine Cereda (F) – backed by Max Schulte (G) – wowed us with her sparkling vocals. Perhaps most surprising was our only IVth-former – William Ellis (R) – whose mash-

Stage-fighting Workshop We began with hand-to-hand stage-fighting, throwing parrot punches and roundhouse punches with superb reactions from other participants. Eventually we composed a realistic fight scene and scared a few onlookers. During the second hour we were given wooden swords, and stroke by stroke composed a fast-paced sword-fight that resulted in half the participants being slashed across the stomach and ‘dying’ very dramatically. All in all it was a great two hours, and gave everyone involved Jamie Stapleton (S) some nifty tricks to try out later.

Jailhouse Rock Lack of Talent

BTT

OQ 14

This year’s Lack of Talent was pregnant with diversity. The prime suspects were at work again performing myriad tunes to keep the School off the streets on a Monday evening when Crack is closed. The delightful bass strumming of Chris Akka (G), Michael Okoye’s (D) rhythm guitar and voice, the husky tones and nimble fingering of George Shipton (D) and the wondrous guitar solos from Alex Campbell (R) injected new life into such classics as ‘Beat It’, ‘All Along the Watchtower’ and ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’. Michael Komodromos (g) and Tobi Oshai (g) made sure the rabble was kept suitably entertained while the band put on their jumpsuits. There was some fabulous singing, with Flo Lace-Evans (P), Seun Oyeleye (G) and Arthur Barnard (L) all taking to the microphone to quench the School’s lust for rock ’n’ roll. Chris Akka’s rendition of ‘Psychosocial’ was also impressive, and the band’s mask use and audience interaction certainly turned a few heads (away). Queen B(ella) Gasparro (D) put her ‘On the Run’ tour on hiatus so that she could perform ‘Crazy in Love’ with Robyn Durnford (R). Another celebrity ‘guest appearance’ came in the form of ‘Ed Sheeran’ – known to his close friends as Harry Manton (L) – accompanying himself in ‘Skinny Love’. Much fresh talent was on show: among those making their LoT débuts were Gaurika Rai (S), who gave the School a sumptuous amuse-bouche with her mash-up of traditional Indian and Euroclub; Jacob Partington (G), who chilled BTT with his performance of Avenged Sevenfold’s ‘Fiction’ with the help of Peter ‘Magic Fingers’ Adamson (G) – both of them widely tipped to become LoT stalwarts in the next two years; and Ashley Jiang (L), whose arrangement of some contemporary Chinese music dropped jaws left, right and centre. The Matthews brothers (both G) made sure that a new drum-kit will feature in next year’s show; this year’s has been sent for scrap – and there was a service after the show commemorating the suffering it was forced to endure. Will’s drumming, which all but ruptured the skins, paved the way for his younger brother, Tristan, who precipitated the greatest single outlay of expenditure on instrument replacement in the School’s 403-year history. It is a miracle that nobody was injured. Will also displayed his impressive vocal range, singing ‘Nights in White Satin’, and ‘Gravedigger’. This year, the Brooke Hall sketch proved to be tolerably amusing. Its wit would have been at home in a Kingsley Amis novel, and one boy even wondered if it was a lost magnum opus by PG Wodehouse. The acting was of stellar quality, too. Many of the impressions were uncannily realistic. Mr Hadley was able to take a sabbatical following the show, because Bill Freeman (S) was covering his hashes; who knew? Emil Calder’s (D) Dr Tully caused many members of the audience to embarrass themselves with their raucous

hoots of appreciative enjoyment. The show could not have been put on without Mr JD Freeman’s kind permission to use BTT, the help of Mr Richardson, James Reader, and the pupil body of theatre technicians, whose relentless hard work made sure the show ran seamlessly. Kind thanks also must be given to Will Gibbs (H) and James Mackintosh (D) – who also photographed the show – for their work in designing the flyers and programmes. Mary Clatchly

Oliver Wink (L) Anna Monkman (G)

THE CARTHUSIAN

A RT

William Gibbs (H)

Freya Fine (F)

Emilia Mackay (P)

Imogen Wilberforce-Ritchie (R)

Isabella Gasparro (D)

Harvey Pratt (B)

Oliver Wink (L)

Samuel Delaney (B)

Carina Harford (D)

Arthur Lutyens (G)

Niklas Ferguson (L)

Polina Novikova (g)

Amelia Cobb (g)

Carina Harford (D)

Lara Turner (V)

Anna Monkman (G)

Louis Moira (V)

James Knapp (D)

Polina Novikova (g)

William Gibbs (H)

Alexander Apodiacos-Fatsis (g)

Freya Fine (F)

House Art 2015

being quiet and working – but the doodles were vibrant and personal, expressing individual identity. Special thanks go to Arun Silva, Florian Schaffner, Harry Nicol, and those who Anna Monkman helped to hang paintings.

Simon Sharp (Head of Art, Bedales), Andy Marks (H 12) and Tiffany Wheaton (B 12) enjoyed judging very much, and thanked everyone for putting so much effort into organising their house art ‘events’.

Robinites: Unnatural Nature R explored its theme through installation and sculpture. Manufactured materials were used to create many objects: a flowering alien vine in the atrium, designed by Imogen Wilberforce-Ritchie and Adam Hockley – an interactive sensory installation representing a consumerist jungle, constructed from plastic bin liners by Vladimir Mikulik and Henry Jones, that the judges were invited to experience in pitch darkness. The Yearlings, led by Ben Lawson, used aluminium foil to create a sculpture inspired by fungus and tree bark, for which they won the IVth-form Prize. Vladimir Mikulik

Weekites: Unity & Connections The stairway was transformed into a huge web of strings with handprints on pieces of paper taped to them. The relative simplicity of this installation was complemented by its vibrant colours and vast size; the resulting combination produced an overwhelming effect. The draft from an open window brought the whole installation to life by creating movement among the handprints. This project symbolised the connections between all members of the house, which are particularly strong since W takes particular pride in its achievements in team competitions. The best part of this project was that every W contributed, even if only by donating a handprint. As well as the main installation there were works by Alfred Drinkwater, Pierre Petermeijer and Eddie Winter. Maria Melnikova

Girdlestoneites: Art in the Streets An installation with insects made by Luis Enriquez, and a house piece – a modern Trojan Horse (with major contributions from Alexander Renaud and Tony To) – were linked by a corridor decked with graffiti pieces by all Duckites. The small house courtyard was also transformed into an art space with a black & white poster made by Cynthia Zhu. Polina Novikova

Bodeites: Unity 2nd The main stairwell was the stage for the main installation, as it is the only place that connects the house from top to bottom. The design, by Nikita Kuzmin, involved running wires to the top and spiralling fabric around. Fifty metres of netted fabric twisted from each side of the house and converged in the centre. Olivia Turnbull’s idea turned the fabric into a metaphor for the house, binding all Bs together, with their different experiences shown by the balloons that filled the structure, each with an individual memory of the house. Thanks go to the Bodeites who helped put up the installation for spending their Saturday evening blowing up the 200 balloons needed, and for bringing their art for the Tom Willett gallery.

Fletcherites: Family Tree From large expressive charcoal drawings of trees covering the walls, to small detailed hand-printed personalized leaves

Gownboys: Identity, Unity, Mundanity & Uniformity Each year-group had its own project. The Yearlings took objects that represent uniformity in a school environment (slices of white bread, lined paper, white socks, white shirts) and projected their creativity onto them by throwing and splashing paint, writing and drawing. The Removes made small sculptures using lined paper, socks, Blu-Tack and other everyday items, showing how the mundane and uniform can be transformed into something complex and unique. The Vth-formers (led by James Wallis) made a poster exploring different people’s ideas of unity. The Specialists’ project involved doodling on a desk and chair covered in white paper. A desk is commonly associated with a student; it is a place for

Daviesites: The Urban Environment

that represented each member of the house, the Fletcherites exhibition incorporated all aspects of a family tree. Linocut tree stumps, to convey growth and the passing of time, covered the floor leading up to a large hanging installation (that appeared to be floating in mid-air) of densely packed earthy-toned hands representing both the childlike aspect of being at school and the unity of the house. In the background, music composed by a group of F musicians was playing – with sounds taken from everyday moments, including the babble of adsum and the rush to homebill. The overall feeling was tranquil and serene, to reflect the harmony and cohesion of Fletcherites. Freya Fine

Each year-group produced an artistic response to the artificiality of modern, city-based life. The Yearlings were given LED wire to sculpt on black card; their work was placed in a dark room and lit up to represent bright city lights. Long Room – the centre of the installation – was made to look like the studio of a graffiti artist like Banksy. The light was blocked out with dustsheets and the floor covered with bed linens and scattered spray cans. In the middle of the room four people were covered in blank dustsheets, with tears for their hands to fit though; their hands were tattooed with biros. The room represented the underworld of a city – the degenerate nature we have allowed our artificial existence to fall into. Notable contributors to the exhibition were Rob Crockford, Morgan Davies, William Dewar, Isaac Fletcher, Charles Pexton, Bella Gasparro, George Kendrick, Danny Sakka and Carina Harford Tom Wright.

Verites: Departure Change is in the air this year in Verites, with the impending departure of both Housemaster and Matron. An installation of swarming paper planes, each bearing a monotone photograph of a Verite, descended from the staircase. With unity our main goal, Sophia Wilcox and Lara Turner had directed the making of over 100 paper planes. All Vs had constructed their own planes, which were suspended at varying heights from the staircase down towards the gallery. The impression was, according to the judges, rather ghostly. This wasn’t quite what we had intended or anticipated, but nonetheless the installation provoked a response and was found to be emotive. The course of the aeroplanes terminated within the gallery, in which a diverse range of life drawings, oil paints and graphical photography by the three Vs who study art was on show; this exhibition was highly rated by the Sophia Wilcox judges.

Pageites: Dreams & the Subconscious 1st Prize – The Palette P created a large, hollow, sleeping head using chicken wire, mesh and paper mâché and placed a fan inside it. Blown up by the fan from the top of the head were newspaper headlines, representing dreams. When the whole house is sleeping, we are unified because we all inhabit the dream world – something that we don’t often think about. We incorporated media and the news into our project, because they exert major and uncertain influences on our lives since their messages are often picked up and distorted by the subconscious. We used the media to represent the negative and nightmarish dreams we experience, and explored the disturbing and distressing events depicted in the news as well

as the corrupted and untruthful ways in which the celebrities are publicly portrayed. These ideas inspired us to create two collaborative pieces using collage and paint. In one of our more engaging and ingenious manifestations, a boy (Luke Gifford) pretended to sleep whilst his ‘nightmare’ was projected in the form of a video; Luke acted the distress caused by his dream. In order to protect himself, Luke held a blanket which he had knitted; this showed the emotional bonds we have experienced as children with particular inanimate objects. We also had a peaceful dream room, created by Alex Fomin using coloured lights and performance art. Shane Mallard and Elliot Vaughan had created a video about dreams, which featured every member of P and a dramatic voice-over by Lance Maulsby. Our collaborative efforts enabled us to Emilia Mackay immerse P in a world of illusion.

feat achieved by a dedicated group of girls (Victoria Bukina, Laura Whiddon & Elle Curzon Green); the result was a representation of the game of chess, which conveyed the idea that you must make certain moves in order to succeed in life. All members of S had anonymously written their main life ambitions on pieces of paper, which were then suspended from the central hanging cubes by invisible thread. An invisible web structure was thus created, which presented all our lives intertwined. The culmination of the entire installation was in a video, carefully crafted by Alex Rutherford, depicting the Rubik’s Cube passing through each member of the house’s hands and being simultaneously solved. This was preceeded by Ose Akhigbe’s time lapse film, which showed him being able to solve the Rubik’s Cube, thus suggesting that it is possibly to solve your life and reach your goals. All this was mesmerizingly accompanied by a light and music show, resulting in an atmosphere similar to that of a game arcade. A strong conceptual message was combined with a powerful and enveloping visual display. S’s 3rd was its first House Art placing in recent history: a proud achievement for Elle Curzon Green all involved.

Hodgsonites: Unity & Knowledge The H installation was formed from long strands of bin bags from one side of the stairwell to other, forming what looked like two cones with their apexes touching. At the bottom were books and glow-sticks that invited the onlookers into the centre, so that they could view the installation from the inside. The convergence of all the strands on one point was an attempt to demonstrate the unity of H, which is such an eclectic house with people from so many corners of the

Lockites: Our House L decided to take a trip down memory lane in order to strive for the best future. Having led L’s House Art efforts in previous years, I decided that I was done with objective titles that meant little to the house as a whole and even to those involved. I wanted instead to focus on something that directly affected and linked everyone: L! After much discussion, we decided on the concept of unity; we wanted to bring the house together and commemorate every individual that has made up Lockites since it began, and to reflect upon our own lives. Everybody walks past ancient photos of old Lockites daily without truly considering that these old Ls were young men: alive and raring for their lives ahead, much like us.... but now they’re dead. They are only commemorated by the photos in the corridor, which seem irrelevant to our lives. Our first idea was to build a large scale human body plastered with the individual photos of each and every Lockite, in order to represent the body of L; however, through trial and error, we realised that we had been a little ambitious – so instead we decided to make three different bodies to represent the different generations of Lockites and hung them in the stairwell. It was an effective and thought-provoking installation – appreciated by everyone in L; although L was not placed, we were all proud of what we had achieved. Ollie Wink Prize-winners: The Brush – Anna Monkman (G); 2YS – Ollie Wink (L); 1YS – Morgan Davies (D); Vth-fm – Harvey Pratt (B); Remove – Luis Enriquez (g); IVth-fm – best installation: Benjamin Lawson (R) and all R Yearlings.

world coming together to create one body. We also wanted to show that knowledge and curiosity are key elements of H: the books, scattered at the bottom of the stairwell, were an obvious allusion to this idea – but perhaps a more subtle reference was the use of glow-sticks, which represented the classical metaphor (light for knowledge) as well as creating an Will Gibbs atmospheric effect.

Saunderites: Life is a Game

3rd

The S installation was focused on the Rubik’s Cube, which was used as a metaphor for our attempts to ‘solve’ our lives in order to fulfil our desires. A Rubik’s Cube, suspended from the ceiling and surrounded by another cube made from wood, created an almost hypnotic illusion. The walls were covered with hand-cut equally sized squares – an incredible

Sound, Not Drawing On Sunday 5th October a group of Specialists travelled to London to visit the Malevich Exhibition and the Jerwood Drawing Prize. The exhibition showed Malevich’s early paintings of landscapes and agricultural workers using lots of different styles, which progressed through the invention of Suprematism to his famed piece, ‘Black Square’ – and then to the figurative paintings of his later life. Tate Modern also displayed a room of the artwork in a similar way to Malevich’s 0.10 Exhibition of 1915, which gave us a real idea of how he wanted it to be presented. The Jerwood Drawing Prize was a contrast to what we had seen earlier in the day; some of us were surprised to find that the 75-second sound piece by Alison Carlier (‘an open-ended audio drawing.... a spoken description of an unknown object’) won the drawing prize. The trip was enjoyed by all, and we were inspired to see a Student Award given to Annette Fernando – a recent graduate of Central St Martins, who is only a couple of years JAB older than the Specialists. Jeremy Levison (G 69) and Kathryn Jackson judging the sculpture for the Levison Prize and (below) admiring Poppy Tufnell’s (F) installation of ceramic heads representing the human condition in times of war and destruction. Poppy won the Levison Prize for her moving depiction.

CHARTERHOUSE

Winner Matthew Adams (S) working on his speaker system, inspired by the Streamlining style of the 1930s

Alex Rutherford (S) – scooter

Matthew Lancaster (H) – innovative guitar design

Charles Baccanello (L) – bathroom organiser

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR 2015

Robert McBride (H) – loudspeakers

Osereime Akhigbe – ergonomic camera design

William Tennent (R) – collapsible canoe

4th Form projects

Casey Robinson (V) – mobile phone charger

Pum Lamsam (L) – lamp

Jack Stewart (W) – Art Nouveau lamp design

3D printing / scanning

The Whiff of Ingenuity

Silva for Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary. On the 50th anniversary day, the car was driven through the streets by the Lamborghini President and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann. Its futuristic look caught my eye: it is more like a jet than a car. I am sad, because this amazing piece of art is just sitting in the Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese. I wouldn’t trade for anything this trip. I bonded with people I had never spoken to at Charterhouse. I made friends for life. This was a joint trip with Winchester; to start with there was a bit of tension between the two schools, but as time went on we grew closer. There were very many laughs and, were I to relive those five days, I would not change one moment. Osereime Akhigbe (S)

Bologna March 2015 The City of Supercars: BOLOGNA! For an aspiring car designer, this DT trip was one of the best opportunities ever. I signed up without thinking twice, and I’m glad I did – because it was a hundred times better than expected. We arrived at the Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna on a British Airways plane painted with artwork by Brightonbased designer Pascal Anson for the 2012 London Olympics. I could smell the creativity in the air – and, there and then, we were treated to our first Lamborghini sighting: an allwhite Aventador. On the first day we toured the Ducati factory, where highly skilled workers are organised in small teams along the production line. Each team is responsible for assembling, by hand, a specific area of the motorcycle. Each member’s technical experience, manual dexterity and individual attention contributes towards the quality-crafted endproduct for which Ducati is renowned. Usually I am not a fan of bikes, but here I fell in love. After this we went into the city centre and climbed one of the towers of Bologna: a tiring experience. I am obsessed with art and sculpture, so seeing different pieces of art on the streets of Bologna was a dream come true for me. One piece, ‘Sculpture en plein-air’ by Leonardo Lucchi, really amazed me – because it shows a woman on a hammock that, in defiance of gravity, is not attached to anything for support. We visited the Pagani factory – the only one in the world. The Ferrari factory and Ferrari plant were amazing – nothing like I expected. I aim to buy a Ferrari in the nearest future. Of all the cars we saw on the trip, nothing beat the V10 Lamborghini Egoista (‘Selfish’) designed by Walter de

Ducati began as a maker of radios, but in the early 20thcentury produced its first engine. This was fitted to a bicycle, and from this humble beginning the company grew and

flourished – developing its engine and bodywork to create faster and more efficient bikes; it now produces a mix of racing and road machines. In the factory we saw how the engines are built. The engine block is put onto a gyroscope, and then the components are added; the gyroscope allows for full manoeuvrability of the engine block so that the workers can easily reach every part of it. Every seven minutes the engine moves along the assembly line to the next station, allowing for another component to be added. The basic engine is moved to the next line, where the assembly stations are constantly moving – meaning that the employees build the engine whilst on a slow walk. This encourages movement and prevents any task from becoming too monotonous. The engine is then put onto the chassis, and the full bike assembly begins. When it reaches the end of the line the bike is packaged and shipped out; however, it still requires a seat and a battery before it can be sold. There are three Ducati factories in the world; one is in South America, the other is in Asia. This one produces 300 bikes per day. Whereas Ducati is all about efficiency and the division of labour, Pagani is quite the opposite. The exclusivity of the brand means that everything is done to ensure the quality of the finished product. Pagani currently produces two models

the new F1 car, also a Ferrari boat built in the 1930s. Each engine from the Formula 1 cars was displayed, stripped back to the bare mechanism to give a sense of its complexity. At the Ferrari factory in Maranello there was another Ferrari museum devoted to the theme ‘California Dreaming’, to emphasise Ferrari’s link with the US and the cars specially designed to be driven there. We were driven through the original factory gate on a Ferrari bus. The factory produces 7,000 Ferraris every year – no more and no less, to protect the exclusivity of the brand; it is justly nicknamed ‘The Citadel’. Here again within these walls all photography was forbidden. – Zonda and Huayra; it makes only 20 cars per year. We saw only the Huayra under construction. Carbon fibre is moulded on site through the use of two large vacuum vessels. When the vacuuming process is complete, the carbon fibre is smoothed and finished by hand with hot air guns and files. The company is increasing the use of carbon titanium: carbon fibre reinforced with fine titanium strands running through it. Around the corner lay the repair centre for Pagani cars that had been sent back; here were a mixture of Zondas and Huayras. Photography was forbidden throughout our tour of the factory. We visited the Ferrari museum in Modena, where Ferrari began in 1929. Enzo Ferrari, the founder, started as a racing driver and went on to produce racing cars. The famous Ferrari red derives from the Italian racing colours of the 1930s; when Enzo Ferrari moved on to building road cars he kept the At the racing circuit, just around the corner from the factory, customers are able to test their own Ferraris to check that they have been made to their required specifications. This circuit is mainly used in the development of Ferraris – and the lap record is held by Michael Schumacher. Our final tour was of the Lamborghini Museum in Modena. Ferruccio Lamborghini founded the company in 1963 to make tractors. Lamborghini went on to produce road cars in the 1970s after Ferruccio had a row with Enzo Ferrari about the Ferrari gearbox; Ferruccio reckoned that he could create the perfect road car, in terms of looks and performance. We saw his first designs and a many classic Lamborghinis. There was also a wide range of special production vehicles – the greatest of which is the above-mentioned ‘Selfish’: a singleseat car, which will remain in the museum as it is not road Henry Ambrose (H) legal.

colour. In the museum we saw a vast collection of Ferraris – from the original cars right up to the new La Ferrari, which is an amazing car.... a major pioneering feat, with its price set at an astonishing £1,000,000. Next to the museum was the original building, which now houses an exhibition devoted to the racing cars of Ferrari – from the original racers up to

Get your head into this.... Performance and Theatre Design

LQ 15

On Thursday 12th February the DT Department was lucky enough to have a lecture from Mr Ashley Shairp. Mr Shairp works at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) as a lecturer in theatre and performance design. He gave a brief survey of the course at LIPA, and showed us some of his past and present students’ work. He was full of passion and enthusiasm throughout, and took great pleasure in showing and explaining his own latest design idea to us: a miniature opera house in which only your head pokes through! The great thing about this talk was that it interested a whole load of different people taking different subjects. The room was jam-packed with students of DT, also of art and theatre. Because I wish to study set design at university, I was particularly interested; we gained a brilliant insight into performance design. This was a very enjoyable talk, for which we thank Mr Shairp; we also thank Mr Aberneithie for organising it. Robert Crockford (D)

No Margin for Error Two Oxfordshire Factories LQ15 In early March the Vth-form and 2YS DT students visited the Mini and OGM injection moulding factories; both are in Oxfordshire. The aim of the trip was to see how companies use advanced manufacturing technology to produce their products. This was not only beneficial for our studies but also made us think how the products that we are manufacturing for our projects could be made commercially. At the Mini factory we saw over a thousand automated robots manufacturing the cars with very little human involvement. Every car we saw was manufactured to order; up to 900 cars are produced per day! They are built from components from around the world; any supplier which fails to deliver its components before they are needed can cause production to halt – for which there are severe penalties. At OGM, one of the leading companies for plastic injection moulding, we saw thirty machines making plastic products for a variety of companies. We also saw the final assembly and the packing – a manual process that does not lend itself to automation. Automation and careful plant layout increases efficiency and lowers cost. OGM is very flexible,

which allows it to manufacture a wide range of products for a variety of customers. Both Mini and OGM spend a lot of time and money to ensure that the quality of their products is optimal; getting it right first time is critical. I am currently manufacturing a full-size collapsible kayak, designed to fit into the boot of a car. It is a one-off prototype, and thus all the stages in manufacture are completed manually. For a product to be manufactured using automation, such as in these factories, high volumes are required so that machines can be set to complete repetitive tasks twenty-four hours a day. It is only possible to invest in the technology to do this if demand for the product is high. Will Tennent (R)

Goodwood Greenpower Challenge

CQ 15

On 14th June the Charterhouse Greenpower team competed at Goodwood in the first heat of the 2015 racing season. This

marked the culmination of two years’ hard work, building a fully electric one-seater racing car from scratch. Construction commenced in late 2014 with the assembly of the lightweight aluminium chassis; the hand-built body was fitted by the end of LQ. The team spent CQ adding complex diagnostic electronics and communications systems, as well as having some driving practice on the School athletics track. The Greenpower Challenge is inspirational; it encourages young people to design, build and race their own creations. Competitors come from all walks of life – from large technology corporations to small community technical colleges. The Challenge gives Carthusians the opportunity to learn some new engineering skills and to work alongside automotive engineers and designers; it is partly funded by industry sponsors. Our Goodwood day culminated in a one-hour race in the Under 25 category – meaning that we were racing against much more established teams, such as Jaguar Land Rover. The car, driven by Martin Wahl (W), had to race 20 miles without pit stops. Charterhouse shone – finishing 12th out of 16, qualifying as second best newcomer: a great finish to our first race. The team will be racing again in September at Dunsfold Park. The team – ably led by Martin Wahl, who now hands over to me – thanked IHdV, DPM and Martyn Humphreys in a presentation before the race: without their support the car would have never made Andrew Walton (V) it out of the workshop.

DPM, Andrew Walton (V), Theo Chalkley (D), Martin Wahl (W), IHdV Henry Thacker (B), Alan Mackenzie (D), Harry Nicol (G)

we clocked the car’s lap time at a slow seven minutes and two seconds, but later we cut that by nine seconds. Everyone who was eligible to drive (due to age restrictions, three of the team could not) did have a go round the track, including me. I must say that it was fantastic: a really wonderful privilege to drive around the Goodwood circuit. Henry Thacker (B)

My involvement with the Greenpower Challenge was unfortunately rather limited. I had exams when we started work on it, then I was acclimatising to the new work-load/ethic of the Specialists so I didn’t get to spend much time on the car; however, I can tell you that it was enjoyable, though difficult, to build the body. Because we rather neglected the project until a month before, it became a mad panic to get it race-worthy. We really didn’t have time to take the most aerodynamic approach, nor could we improve the gearing.... but we did get better, high-pressure tyres, which reduced our drag coefficient. The day itself was one of my best times at Charterhouse. It encapsulated everything that I love about cars and motorsport. The atmosphere was incredible. The Greenpower Challenge is competitive, in that there are prizes; people want to come first – but, most of all, they want to share ideas. We wandered around the paddock trying to spy on other teams – but they invited us in and told us all about their designs: by the end of the day we came away with some top tips for next time. The race itself was epic. Martin Wahl wasted no time starting. The flag dropped and he took off like a startled rabbit, while the other teams were dawdling.... not even moving. There were two reasons for this: we were geared for acceleration, while others were geared for top speed – and Martin’s reaction times were far superior to everyone else’s. In practice

Polite Mechanicals Meccano Club Meccano Club was started in LQ 15. We built cars and planes with motors, and other bits and pieces, every Friday for an hour. Some members also came at other times, whenever they were free. Mr Aberneithie inspired us with exhibitions of Meccano models and much technical advice. On 6th February we were honoured to have a visit from Mr Graham Howlett (BH 64-01), who showed us a fascinating windmill built entirely from Meccano pieces; after six years’ work, including eighteen months’ research on windmills, he had created a complete working windmill able to convert the wind’s energy so as to crush wheat: astonishing. If you would like to sit around making cool cars, or anything else you can imagine, while chatting with your mates of an afternoon, Meccano Club must be your best choice. Other than that, if you love Lego and robots, you might well be interested in joining Robotics Club, which is starting in the coming year. There will be much training on offer, and perhaps even an end Isaac Ng (H) of year competition. Come and join us!

1st XI vs Repton – Guy Warburton (F)

1st XI vs Ardingly – Luke Coghlan (L)

1st XI vs Westminster – Matthew Konadu -Yiadom (R)

1st XI vs Ardingly (ISFA Cup) – Ben Dickinson (B)

For match reports see page 143

1st XI vs OCs – Robbie Hughes (W)

1st XI vs Westminster – Mark Harvey (F)

THE CARTHUSIAN SPORT FOOTBALL

2nd XI vs Repton – Arthur Briggs (S)

1st XI vs Ardingly – Paul Hickling (B)

1st XI vs Highgate – Will Legge (V)

2nd XI vs Marlborough – Henry Griffiths (S)

2nd XI vs Marlborough – Sam Idle (B)

1st XI Football Awards dinner

2nd XI vs Repton – Tobi Oshai (g)

1st XI vs Ardingly – Ned Lutyens (G)

1st XI vs Repton – Max Wainwright (W)

1st XI vs Ardingly – Tom Roche (R)

U16 vs Eton – Alex Margarson (S)

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U14b vs Lancing – Charles Rankin (D)

U14 vs Hampton – Alex Ford (D)

U15 vs Forest – Ben Howard (V)

U14 vs Lancing – Caelen Firmani-Neligan (S)

U16 vs Eton – Hamish MacKinnon (R)

U15 vs Forest – Oliver Stevenson-Smith (R)

U16 vs Eton – Charles Pexton (D)

House Match Final ‘Very much within the ordinary’ A bustling crowd came full of wonder to Big Ground on the final day of term. Would they witness the fall of a dynasty? Was it possible that Verites might, like Wimbledon in 1988, topple the favourites for the cup? Might the new housemaster of Weekites end his first term with a defeat? The two teams had plotted contrasting routes to the final. Weekites had breezed through, basically strolling around in deck shoes, cargo shorts and Ralph Lauren shirts, occasionally lifting their panamas to observe a wine bar shimmering in the distance, but not really rushing or taking too much trouble about life. In contrast, Verites battled, scrapped and scraped their way through, after an epic and magnificent semi-final with Duckites, which finished 4-4. Extra time yielded no further goals, despite Duckites striking the post with virtually the last kick of added time. A high quality penalty shoot out followed, leading to victory for Verites, goalkeeper Columbus O’Donnell blasting home the winner like Rogério Ceni. And so to the final. In truth, not a lot happened. The game ebbed and flowed, but it was a pretty serene and unflustered ocean that day, like an old lady going about her grocery shopping at Aldi. The game was scrappy in midfield with few opportunities for the front men. The pent up energy was soon spent and pre-prepared songs from both sets of fans had already been sung and nothing had really happened. Soon speculation turned to whether the rain would come in the first or the second half of the game (in the event it was dry throughout) and still only ten minutes had elapsed. As is the wont of House football, passions were high and tackles were flying, but the quality was questionable. At half time, the score was still 0-0. The standard didn’t improve in the second half, but two players managed to get

it completely wrong and were sent off for throwing handbags at each other in the sort of petty incident to which House football is so painfully attracted. In the midst of banality, Angus Hatrick emerged as the quiet hero, popping up in the box like some sort of latter-day Francis Jeffers. In the moments afterwards, Verites had their best chance, but William Handley was secure between the sticks. And so the game petered out to a dismal climax, with Weekites securing a 1-0 victory. In the end, the answers to the above questions were: No. No. No. A little like Thatcher to Delors in 1990. Or Dawn Penn, depending on your interests. Weekites win again. RPN entitled last year’s article ‘Plus Ça change’. Exactly. DJM

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1st XI vs Hampshire Collegiate – Edward Osborne (P) scores

1st XI vs Acrostics – MDK scores

1st XI vs Cheltenham – James Hockley (W)

1st XI vs Cheltenham (Varsity Match curtain-raiser) – Ben Dickinson (B)

THE CARTHUSIAN

SPORT HOCKEY For match reports see page 161

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1st XI vs RGS – Christian Peplow (W)

1st XI vs Cheltenham – Matthew Buffoni (B)

1st XI vs Cheltenham – Angus Hatrick (W)

1st XI vs RGS – Freddie Russell-Jones (W)

1st XI vs Cheltenham – Oliver Taylor (D)

1st XI vs Cheltenham – Matthew Konadu-Yiadom (R)

1st XI vs RGS – Thomas Boulanger (P)

1st XI vs Cheltenham – Robbie Hughes (W)

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Charles Pexton (D)

U16 vs RGS – George Hammond (g)

U16 vs RGS – Ben Bradley (D), Michael Gimson (G) Sam Andrade-Brown (D)

2nd XI vs RGS – Cassian Schweizer (D)

U16 vs RGS – Hamish MacKinnon (R)

Alex Rutherford (S)

2nd XI vs RGS – Will Dyer Bartlett (W)

2nd XI vs RGS – James Mackintosh (D)

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U14 vs Lancing – Alex Ford (D)

U14 vs Kingston Grammar – Archie Samuelson (g)

U14 vs Hurstpierpoint – Max Say (B)

U15 vs Reeds – Will Morton (L)

U15 vs Reeds – Ben Howard (V)

House Match Final High Quality Weekites, looking to win the Cup for the third year in succession, found their way blocked by an organised Daviesites side, clearly buoyed by a passionate band of supporters clad in green who were eager for their team to bring this piece of silverware back to House for the first time since 1988. It was Weekites who began on top, and, given that their midfield was essentially the midfield of the 1st XI, it was not surprising to see them in control in this area. Daviesites would need to be organised in order to keep them at bay, and an unfortunate lapse in concentration at the back allowed a persistent James Hockley to make an early breakthrough for Weekites. George Bristowe, Angus Hatrick and Christian Peplow were all clinical in the Daviesites circle before half-time to move the game almost out of reach. However, Cassian Schweitzer gave Daviesites hope early in the second period with a trademark reverse stick strike that reduced the deficit to three goals. Frederick Russell-Jones put the game beyond doubt when

he dribbled through and slotted home to make it 5-1 with ten minutes remaining, and although a late deflection from James Mackintosh went close for Daviesites, by this stage it would just have been a consolation goal. Daviesites can be proud of their Cup run this season, with the infectious passion of Michael Okoye (above) and James Knapp (below) making them the fansâ€™ favourites, yet Weekites were undoubtedly worthy winners in this well-contested and MDK high quality house match final.

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Hot & Sticky

Peplow (W) put us ahead. Ed Osborne (P) stunned most people on and off the pitch by scoring a well-timed deflection; this was to be the only contender for goal of the tour. Wednesday: Before leaving Kuala Lumpur for Ipoh we stopped at the King’s Palace, where Frankie Pong (our tour guide) explained the Malaysian Monarchy to us. In Ipoh we played, in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium on the Astro used in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, against a school called Anderson: a well-drilled team, boasting also a good deal of individual skill. We were on the back foot from the off. Our goal-keepers, James Knapp (D) and Freddie Gratton (L), led the way with some stunning saves. The boys in pink didn’t create enough chances, partly because of the high intensity of the game; high pressure from the Anderson team gave no-one time to linger on the ball – but the game ended in a 0-0 draw. In the evening we all stayed in at the hotel as a squad, had a buffet supper followed by our first team meeting. Thursday: We went to a water-park, with slides and wavemachines. Even Mr Gillespie and Mr Kinder made it down the slides! In the evening we played Anderson’s B team. After a slow start, conceding an early goal, we managed to fight back to level the score – and the game ended in a reassuring 1-1 draw: Tomma Boulanger was again goal-scorer. Friday: we arrived in Penang around lunchtime; we had a free afternoon. Many went jet-skiing and banana-boating; others remained by the 4-metre-deep pool. In the evening we indulged in local Malaysian food, visited some night markets – and a few even visited a tailor. Saturday: Most looked like lobsters, and started the day slowly; the pool was the most visited place. Our fourth game was against Penang Free School at the University Stadium, an hour from the hotel. Once again Charterhouse began

Hockey Tour to Malaysia Played 8, Won 5, Drew 2, Lost 1 On Saturday 2nd August 2014, eighteen boys and three beaks departed on an epic adventure to Malaysia: eight matches in two weeks. We arrived next morning completely flummoxed by jet-lag; Malaysia is seven hours ahead. Our first stop was Kuala Lumpur, where the majority of our matches were to take place. We had the afternoon free to get used to the extreme heat and humidity. Even the glorious English summer heatwave had not prepared us for Malaysian temperatures. Most went to bed early as jet-lag took hold. The following day, although a man down, we were lucky enough to use the facilities at the brand new Epsom College Malaysia. This school had not yet been opened but all the buildings and all their facilities stood strong waiting for our use. The Astro hadn’t even been played on! Charterhouse was the first team to use it, and this allowed the ground staff to test the watering system and spot other minor faults. To acclimatise us to the heat whilst playing hockey, the sessions consisted of five minutes on the pitch and five minutes in the air-conditioned bus with gallons of iced water. After an hourand-half of hockey the heat was draining all the energy from us. When we were told that there was a pool, motivation levels rose – and after a small-sided game we called it a day. After a long cool-down session in the pool with a few relay races, we headed back to the Swiss Garden Hotel. Tuesday: The first game against St John’s School at the Pantai Hockey Stadium – the first time that both year-groups would combine and play together. Everyone was optimistic, and a 5-3 win got the team off to a flying start; a helpful hat-trick from Tomma Boulanger (P) and a penalty flick by Chris

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in defence. Close to the final whistle we managed to sneak a goal past their rock-solid defence thanks to Tomma yet again, who scored probably the most important goal of the tour. We held on for the remaining ten minutes playing very deep, with about six players acting as a defence – holding on to a very creditable 2-1 victory. Tuesday: A 6-hour coach journey back to Kuala Lumpur, stopping off at a service station for a traditional Malaysian lunch; here Frankie tempted us to have a look at all the various Malaysian fruits on show. Three more games in three days seemed a tough task. The first was against a national sports school. I have confidence in saying that some of their players will play for the Malaysian international hockey team in the years to come. We lost 2-0 – and we lost our hope of an unbeaten tour. The last two games were much easier: we won 11-1 and 9-1 – despite encountering the best Malaysian player of the trip: he had unlimited skill and energy – and seemed to be playing in every position from defence to attack. We would all like to thank Dom Low (D 07) and his mother who were very generous in treating us to our last supper out in a Chinese-style restaurant before the long plane ride home. The courses just kept appearing; this was by far the best meal we ate during our two weeks. We would also like to thank Frankie Pong and our bus driver for guiding us through Malaysia, and giving us an insight into Malaysian cuisine and lifestyle – and Mr Kinder and Mr Gillespie, for coaching us and improving our hockey. Finally we would like to thank Hammy, who organised the whole tour and stuck by us through thick and thin. The tour was extremely helpful as it improved individual skills, and boosted our confidence in one another. We played in places that many would not have dreamed of, and against some great players. The coaches allowed us to have a good time off the pitch and helped us to focus on the pitch. Everyone Freddie Russell-Jones (W) loved every day of the tour.

sluggishly, but by the second half things were looking better. We won, but only just: 2-1, with goals from Ben Dickinson (B), and Tom Brown (D) whose reverse stick gave us the win. We are grateful for the hospitality of the Penang Free School, which introduced us to the Malaysian-style match tea. Sunday: Our free day – no travelling, no match. Many took advantage of the lie-in, and of the great facilities at the Bay View Hotel. An impromptu game of football didn’t last long; everyone jumped in the pool in an attempt to cool down. After more local Malaysian food, and a further visit to the night market, most headed for bed. Monday: Despite a 7 am start, we were boosted by a kip on the bus on the way to our fifth game – and Ed Osborne’s infectious spirit and fiery attitude inspired us all. We were up against a school for outstanding sportsmen from Penang State. For once we started the game well. It was now noticeable that our hockey had improved during the first week of the tour. Honours were even at half-time. The whole squad, and Messrs Kinder, Gillespie and Hamilton, were optimistic. The first goal came eventually from Osborne in the 37th minute, but a few minutes later the opposition equalised. All that hard work had been for nothing, and for a moment we collapsed. We were lifted by some stunning challenges by James Hockley (W) and Ollie Taylor (D), and led out of disaster by Robbie Hughes (W) who had outstanding games

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THE CARTHUSIAN SPORT CRICKET

1st XI vs OCs â€“ (above) Robbie Hughes (W) and (inset) Jack Hunter Lees (S)

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For match reports see page 169

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1st XI vs Radley – Frederick Gratton (L)

1st XI vs Radley – Christian Peplow (W)

1st XI vs Radley – Jonathan Charles (L)

1st XI vs Bede’s – George Barlow (V)

1st XI vs Radley – Ishaan Rajan (L)

2nd XI vsWhitgift – Nicholas Aldersley (R)

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W vs V House final – Frederick Russell-Jones (W)

W vs V House final – Monty Cox (V)

U16 vs Eton – William Melhuish (S)

U16 vs Eton – James Hawkings (R)

U15 vs Radley

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U15 vs Weydon â€“ Sam Browne (S)

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U14 vs Tonbridge – Edward Crockford (D)

U14 vs Bede’s – Austin Wilman (W)

SQUASH 2014-2015

MONDAY 8th DECEMBER A late afternoon match against Brunswick School, Greenwich, Connecticut. Even Lee is unable to eek out a victory against a team tipped to win the National Schools title. A great dinner is enjoyed by all hosted at the home of one of the players – complete with squash court at the bottom of the garden!

TOUR to USA 2014 FRIDAY 5th DECEMBER A team of 4 players: Charlie Lee (F), William Hartley (V), Jamie Denham (V) and Max Phillips (g) arrive in New York with RWTH and DL.

TUESDAY 9th DECEMBER An afternoon match at Rye Country Day School. We notch up another 3-1 win.

SATURDAY 6th DECEMBER Training at the Racquets and Tennis Club, Manhattan. The squad train at this prestigious club in Manhattan.

WEDNESDAY 10th DECEMBER Drive to New Haven to tour Yale University campus. Another double-header at Choate Rosemary Hall against our hosts and Kent School. We score three wins against Choate with Phillips picking up a win. Kent School with an Egyptian 1, 2, 3 at the top prove too strong but Lee restores pride with a 3-1 win. THURSDAY 11th DECEMBER A wonderful reception at Poly Prep Country Day School, Brooklyn, NY including tea, cakes and Union Jacks to make us feel at home. Fantastic matches and a big crowd, but we can’t quite nail down a victory, despite winning positions held by Lee and Denham.

SUNDAY 7th DECEMBER Drive to New Jersey. A double-header against our hosts, Blair Academy and Pingry. Lee, Hartley and Denham notch up wins against Blair, and Lee wins an epic 5 game battle against Pingry no. 1. Spooky evening spent on the street where the film Halloween was shot.

Dr Lancefield rests his feet in the library at Yale

FRIDAY 12th DECEMBER Lee departs to compete in the Canadian Open, where he eventually reaches the final. The others play a match at Streetsquash, Harlem before watching a basketball game at the Barclays Centre, Brooklyn. SATURDAY 13th DECEMBER A time to relax after 8 matches in 6 days! Sightseeing in Manhattan included a boat trip to the Statue of Liberty. Woolly hats required.

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Charlie Lee (F) and Paul Hickling (B) win the Schools Doubles cup at Epsom RAC Club. Charlie Lee reaches the final of the U17 US open, wins the U17 English Closed title and is selected for England U19 team to play in World Junior Championships in July.

1st V squad at National Squash Centre, Manchester having just come 3rd in the National Schools Finals 2015 The U19 team reach the National Schools Finals in Manchester and eventually come 3rd in the country after beating Eton in the Quarter Final.

Captain of Squash Will Hartley (V) and Charlie Lee (England U19) in action

The squash team walks across the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan

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THE CARTHUSIAN OTHER SPORT

Connor Bindler (V)

Lucy Ross-Skinner (G)

For match reports see page 178

Alex McIntyre (R), Oliver Norton (B), Adam Bagley (H) and Piers Bowden (S), the team who competed in the Public Schools Relay Championships, The Bath Cup, breaking two school records in both the heats and finals at the Olympic Pool at Queen Elizabeth Park.

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Obinna Onyejekwe (V)

Charlotte ArbutÚott (H)

Oliver Taylor (D) at Queen’s Club

Tom Hurley (S)

Adam Bagley

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George Shipton (D)

THE CARTHUSIAN CCF and EXPEDITIONS

Pride & Enjoyment CCF Inspection

the success Charterhouse has had in recent shooting competitions, most notably the Country Life competition. After the range the inspection moved on to Lessington, where JFAT and the Royal Marines Youth Team were putting the Royal Marines Detachment through their paces with some robust physical training. JHK then introduced Captain Thomas to the RAF section and he watched them enjoying the challenge of skill at arms. The inspecting officer was able to meet a number of the civilian staff from the School who are directly involved with supporting the CCF, and the Non Commissioned Officers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force youth and cadet teams who provide a strong level of support to Charterhouse CCF. On completion of the inspection of the training activities, a final parade was used as an opportunity for Captain Thomas to address the contingent. He said how much he had enjoyed his visit, and particularly remarked that he could see that the cadets obviously enjoy and take pride in what they are doing, and value the opportunity to do something different from the normal School curriculum. RNDF

CQ 15

Charterhouse Combined Cadet Force held its Biennial inspection on Monday 20th April 2015. The inspecting officer was Captain Thomas RN, who currently holds the appointment of Deputy Commander Regional Forces.

In glorious spring sunshine, the afternoon commenced with a ceremonial parade conducted by the Head of Corps: Michael Komodromos (g). With musical accompaniment arranged by DGW, Captain Thomas and the Headmaster reviewed the parade and spent twenty minutes talking to cadets about their CCF experiences. The inspecting officer was impressed by the cadets’ enthusiasm for their particular service, their high level of turn out and the pride they displayed. On completion of the parade, the inspecting officer was able to visit the cadets undergoing a variety of training activities. The Royal Navy section had taken over Fonthill to conduct fire training. This novel and innovative employment of the School estate provided the chance to observe training of the section in their search of smoke-filled rooms. This not only simulated the work of damage control parties clearing compartments aboard ship, but also served as good experience in domestic situations. The Army sections were conducting rifle training and the inspecting officer was able to observe Charlie Baron (R) teaching a practical field craft lesson to cadets in the Remove. At the School range Captain Thomas presented shooting medals to a number of cadets, including national shooting caps to Lucas Figi (G) and Alex Fomin (P). VJB-T explained

Jolie Brise but No Jolly Breeze... On the soggy morning of Sunday 5th October we (nine naval cadets) awoke at 7 to the excruciating sound of our alarms, and trudged to CDR to be greeted by a bleary-eyed but cheery Mr Reynolds. After a hearty breakfast, an investment against the knowledge that our next meal would be a packed lunch (not everyone is a fan), we began an hour-long drive to the marina by the River Hamble. Here we first caught sight of the majestic Jolie Brise – a gaff-rigged vessel built at Le Havre in 1913, hence her French name; she is best known for having won the first Fastnet Race in 1925 – also, she was moored in the Thames during the Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012. We boarded her, stowed our belongings beneath the varnished deck, and quickly learned how to sail such an old boat: trading turns at the tiller, we steadily made our way to Cowes with the sun now out over the gleaming Solent. We entered Cowes just after lunch with the disappointment of not much wind; our spirits were, however, immeasurably lifted by the fabled meal of fish & chips that managed to live up to its

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Photograph of Jolie Brise taken by Henry Ambrose (H), up in the rigging

greasy reputation. We returned to the boat in the hope of a wind that never came. Instead we learned a harsh truth: how hard it is to manage a large boat – having to haul the sail up and then back down again – without mechanisation. We returned to the marina in good spirits and, after mooring, said our goodbyes to the Jolie Brise. A sleepy bus journey ensued; we eventually returned to Charterhouse – hungry, tired, yet content. John Jillings (S)

high. Everyone enjoyed the food particularly, and all slept well. On the first day we split up into two groups – one for gorge-walking, the other for kayaking; next day we swapped to give everyone a go at each. Gorge-walking is a unique experience; the more you get stuck in (no pun intended) the more you enjoy it. Kayaking and canoeing depend on your sense of balance; many got soaked through a lack thereof, and those that didn’t got soaked anyway courtesy of a nice splash at the end from other members of the group. We had planned for hill-walking on the morrow – but it was due to rain very heavily, so instead our instructors (anticipating the weather) took us to traverse some cliffs and to use a zip-line. Everyone was enthusiastic to go on the zip-line, and traversing was a great experience with some people conquering their fear of heights and falling. So far we had had an amazing time – getting to do things we would not normally do, overcoming difficulties and relishing the struggle, also having lots of time

Exceeding Expectations CCF Easter Camp – Capel Curig, Snowdonia

Photographs by Alexander Fomin

This trip took us to an MOD camp: a barracks. The drive up made worse our anticipation of what the accommodation would be like; some thought we would be sleeping in tents – others hotels. When we arrived at the barracks, our spirits were

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Launching with Lunch Duke of Edinburgh Award LQ 15 After a quick breakfast at Charterhouse, a noisy and cheerful journey to the New Forest, and a final briefing, our little team of explorers made the first steps onto the muddy pathway of our adventure. Childishly excited, unfolding the maps and preparing the compasses, we were ready to show off our best survival skills in the wild. Almost immediately, as though to prove our independence and self-sufficiency, we decided to have lunch. What I particularly like about these expeditions is the unequivocal enjoyment of having a meal. Not only does it turn out that one is on a picnic, but also as more food gets eaten, the backpacks become agreeably lighter. Surrounded by tranquil and graceful horses, we spent a pleasant fifteen minutes chatting and re-supplying muscles with precious energy. Once we had navigated successfully to our campsite, we whiled away the time by putting up tents, attempting to make a campfire and finishing off the day with a restful dinner. Next morning we set off to conquer nature once again – still energetic, although slightly quieter. We were prepared for the 24-mile walk on rough, wet, hilly terrain; however, we did come to regret not having spent more time beforehand writing out finely detailed instructions for some tricky turns and junctions. Tired, sometimes lost, often unsure about the paths, we fortunately ended up at the campsite in time to relax before the home straight next morning. What we all learned from the last day of the expedition was how important it is to have the the support of our friends. ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ The truth of this proverb became clear, as we encouraged each other to keep going quickly for the several last miles, supporting one another on slippery slopes. Finishing second, we settled in the van and waited for the others. The trip back was silent, with only a few people exchanging laconic comments. The experience of spending three days walking in the forest was definitely pleasing and worth it; we have all discovered something new about each other and about ourselves. Artyom Panychev (B)

to rest and enjoy ourselves as a group. Now came the final day: a great climax to a great trip. We were all going cycling. For many cadets, this trip overturned their expectations. Imagine: you have just had your last few hashes of LQ; all your friends are talking about the stuff they will do at home with one foot out of the door already. You come to Armoury as your friends are leaving for the holidays; you, on the other hand, are stuck on a CCF trip. “The WORST”, you think. But.... three key things make a trip like this exponentially enjoyable for all the cadets: comradeship, physical fatigue and surges of adrenaline, and the free time at the ends of the days. Most assume (wrongly) that a CCF trip will be horrible, and the letters CCF are embedded in their minds as symbolising a waste of time and bad associations. We cannot change everyone’s mind, but perhaps one day a majority of the cadets will look back appreciatively at their time in the CCF and at the trips they went on. The day we drove home, morale was high. Everyone was happy with themselves, with others, and with the trip: a Alexander Fomin (P) successful CCF camp.

Thrown Tasks D of E Mountain Skills LQ 15 Group 1 – otherwise known as Group Marmite: Theo Hunt (V), James Galliver (V), Lucy Shalders (V), Lara Sabel (F), Kieran Nash (F) and Dominic Wilson (S) – was required to attend a Mountain Skills training weekend in March to prepare for the Gold D of E expedition in the Pyrenees. We were accompanied by JPF and EPN, and had four days

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Photographs by Kieran Nash

away from School including the ‘enjoyable’ six-hour drives to Snowdonia and back. On the Saturday morning we had a classroom-based run-through of navigational skills, organisational advice and a kit check. In the afternoon there was a practical test: we navigated around for three hours. On the Sunday we planned a route: climbing Y Garn (947m) and descending via the Devil’s Kitchen. Inhospitable peaks and driving rain and snow would make for a challenging day of walking and navigating. We managed to complete all the tasks that our great instructor Berwyn threw at us; I can confidently say that we all learned something and improved our personal skills. The weekend was very helpful in preparing our group and our kit for the practice expedition, and it also helped to build up our team morale – a very important factor Theo Hunt (V) on any expedition.

Shooting, Survival, Assault

shot very well with the GP rifle from 100 metres. Everyone gained a shooting badge, with many getting the top class award. Overall the weekend was a great success. Luke Doyle (S)

Activities Weekend OQ 14 Many of the Army section undertook a challenging set of activities. On the Saturday all cadets trained to pass their weapons handling test, to make sure they knew the necessary safety skills for the range day: they would be firing live ammunition. After this arduous day, Sunday brought sunny weather. The Removes, some Vth-formers and many NCOs were taken to Longmoor camp. Split into four groups (led by NCOs) the cadets completed four separate stands, including an assault course, survival training, shelter building and command tasks. The day was very enjoyable, and was made even more eventful by the reappearance of C/Sgt Walker, who had left the section a few days before! On Monday many Army cadets and several Royal Marines were taken to Chilcombe ranges outside Winchester. The day was blighted by large amounts of rain and cold conditions; nevertheless the cadets showed their true determination and

Wet & Windy We boarded the bus with high hopes for the day ahead; the skies, though, had other plans. We reached the range to meet pouring rain and winds howling. We managed to get to the shed, in which we would be spending our time before shooting. My group was first to brave the weather; we forged a path to the range, and took the prone position to begin firing. We tried to fire five successive shots, but with the wind and the rain pelting the results were various. We marked our shots and then tried to retreat to the shelter as fast as possible. At the end of the day there was still some light rain; this made no difference, as we were already soaked. Most of us went to Oscar Daglish (S) sleep on the bus home.

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Duke of Edinburgh Award D of E Gold Expedition to Norway

Photographs by David Martucci

During August 2014 a group of 1YSs – Eleonor Frost (B), Clara Zettelmeyer (W), Jens de Coninck-Smith (W) and Edward Hubbard (F) – went on an expedition to the Vestlandet region of Norway to undertake a Gold Expedition. After meeting at Heathrow very early on the 19th, we flew to Bergen and then drove to our campsite for the night. Over the next two days before out expedition began we did some practice walks; we saw the highest waterfall in Norway as well as the Trolltunga stone, a piece of rock jutting horizontally off a cliff face over 700m above the fjord below (below). Our expedition lasted for four days and involved challenging navigation, finding our own water, and wild camping – as well as having to walk up to 20 miles a day through all sorts of weather including heavy rain, hail and the rare bit of snow! After finishing in the town of Kinsarvik, with spectacular views overlooking the fjords, we returned to Bergen where we had a well-deserved meal and rest. Thanks to Mr Martucci and Mrs Nelson for organising such a fantastic trip; I would recommend doing Gold D of E to anyone. Edward Hubbard (F)

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Harbours & Ambushes CCF Army Aldershot LQ 15 Two CCF Army platoons, consisting mainly of Removes, went to the Aldershot training area for a 24-hour exercise; both were formed of three sections. Two 2YS NCOs acted as the platoon commanders and each section had a 1YS NCO in command. The two platoons started at the edge of the training area and then patrolled to where they would set up their ‘harbours’ (triangular formations for protection while troops sleep), before going out to do a navigation exercise. After sunset the cadets moved on to an ambush phase, in which they ambushed and were ambushed. They finished with a night navigation exercise. On the following morning, the cadets dismantled their harbours and then went through close quarter battle lanes with blank ammunition. There were targets randomly placed along the lanes that cadets would engage with two or three shots before moving forward. The Removes then watched a section attack conducted by the NCOs. The attack involved eight NCOs patrolling out into an open area; they were then fired upon from a location in front of them; four of the NCOs then flanked round to the right and attacked the enemy position. The NCOs regrouped, bringing the attack (and the weekend) to a successful conclusion. Charlie Baron (B)

Not Lethal

of 30 has even heard of. We set off in three groups, each with an allocated beak and a different route. After an hour’s hard trekking, we reached the summit. Greeted with a glorious view and a café, you can guess which one the boys spent the most time admiring. Jonathan Rees (P) paid for everyone’s snacks and was granted immunity from carrying the rucksack. Soon we on our way back to the drop-off point. My group took a purposeful detour engineered by Akali Moju (H), which added to our journey time – simply to appreciate the local area. We were, therefore, last to arrive – but the coach arrived soon after. We thank Mr Funcasta for organising the walk, and Mr Wood Henry Poil (L) and Dr Northwood for accompanying us.

Vth-form Pioneers Leith Hill On Sunday 5th October the Vth-form Pioneers set out on a mission to climb Leith Hill. It is the highest hill in all of the South-East (if you don’t count Walbury Hill, West Berks): no challenge for this group. We had scaled mountains in Wales, and navigated the dangerous route from Cranleigh to Godalming – so surely a small hill in Surrey would be, as some might put it, ‘goive’. We set off at 9 am after the distribution of equipment by PF, SJW and SJN. The coach journey was filled with excitement, anticipation and music no-one above the age

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Rise & Shoot CADSAAM

The Blue Swan operated with this brand new Atlantic Class lifeboat, undergoing trials in the Solent.

OQ 14

Over the September leave weekend, eight members of the shooting team competed at the Cadet Skill at Arms Meeting (CADSAAM) held at Pirbright. The competition involved four different shoots, and participants were from across the country. The squad – which had spent Tuesday and Thursday afternoons training for the event – was split into A and B teams, and used a semi-automatic variant of the British Army’s SA80 rifle (5.56mm); it stayed in army accommodation for the weekend and woke up at 0545hrs on Saturday and Sunday. Three of the four shoots were on the Saturday. The first was on the Electronic Target Range, where targets came up at 100, 200, and 300m and then fell once hit. The second shoot was on a Converted Gallery Range. Cadets shot at 300m, then ran to 200m and shot, and then ran to 100m and shot again. The final shoot of the day was the snap shoot. A target, at 100m, was exposed for a few seconds and one shot was fired at each exposure. On Sunday, the team competed in the falling plate match. Teams started, in the prone position, at 300m. When a whistle was blown, the teams ran forward to 200m, got into the prone position and engaged ten steel plates. The team to knock down all ten plates in the shortest period of time won and then moved on to the finals.

a relatively large boat in the busy Solent, and each night one group slept on board the vessel at Lymington marina. Meanwhile the land-based groups camped at Ferny Crofts activity centre were busy with activities such as walking,

Louis Moira (V) helping to navigate on board the Blue Swan

climbing, zip-wires and a high-ropes course. They also visited the RNLI College at Poole. Over the weekend the groups rotated so everyone got to experience both land and sea aspects of the Royal Navy. Those who slept at the campsite were treated to a large campfire and amazing unobscured views of the stars; although the tents could get quite chilly, everybody persevered and made the weekend thoroughly enjoyable by getting involved and always encouraging each other to keep going. Harry Malmstrom (V)

Half-dozen Blisters & Sham Pain The A team – CWK Baron (B), RSM Lawson (P), AJ Fomin (P), FAJ Viet-Jacobsen (S) – was placed fifth overall out of over thirty teams. The B team – FC Strange (D), CO Sweeting (R), JRB Clegg (V), OMdG Daglish (S) – took second place in the falling plate match. Ross Lawson was ranked as the PSS overall best shot in the competition.

Remove Expedition Not a cluster of tedious commonplaces about unhygienic and uncomfortable camping, blisters, suboptimal chicken and other people’s horrible habits – but the painful truth: that it is practically impossible to get out doing what you’re told at School. On the Monday of Activities Week we planned, shopped and learned about tents and Trangia stoves. On Tuesday we were bussed to the first campsite and told to walk to the second. On the Wednesday and Thursday we repeated the formula. Personal testimonies: The magnificence of my brave physique was quickly curtailed by the half-a-dozen blisters that agonised my poor soles. Most beaks asked us to imagine a stream of molten lava as our chief hazard and obstacle to performing the pointless but amusing task – but beak A required us to reach across a ditch

Swan, Fire & Stars CCF RN

New Forest

LQ 15

The Royal Navy contingent of the Charterhouse CCF ventured into the New Forest in four groups by both land and sea. Each group spent time on Blue Swan, a motor cruiser lent to us from the Royal Navy. The group on Blue Swan learned about maritime affairs and how to navigate

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full of infected piranhas with a pole in order to lift a ‘bomb’ (of catastrophic potency) from one hole to another. Beak B threw a party, two days in a row; there was a dog at his campsite, and it attacked my wraps like a lightning strike: they were the only edible material for miles around. Beaks C and D were arguing quite a lot. Beak E did not appear too happy when we turned up; beak F was, we allege, wearing unfashionable sunglasses (much like beak G’s). We had an absolute ton of pasta: “[it] weigh[ed] too much.” Some ate raw beef; others had bought raw fish, which got eaten before it started to smell too bad. Beak H gave us strawberries and cream. We waited two hours for the coach to the first campsite. After clambering up Blackdown for an hour, gravity took its revenge. Some of us did things; others just mocked. Smelling the fresh, nourishing air of Sussex was like dunking my head into an ice bath having walked 15 miles in dank, gloomy Surrey. The first car we saw on our return to Surrey was a yellow Porsche. Remove div 2 Eng

Tom Wright (D) won a prize for this, the best photograph of the expedition, and Aster Chun (g) came second (below)

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Activities Weekend OQ 14

thin and awkward caving ladders; a safety rope was provided here. A confidence test was also performed: this involved jumping down a 50-ft face with your hands on your head, having complete faith in the Mountain Leader instructor below to stop your fall. Overall it was a hoofing day, and I’m sure the Royal Marine cadets will remember it all. Darius Moore (R)

Cakes and Sail On Saturday 4th October the RN section of the CCF set off for a sailing expedition in Portsmouth. When we arrived it was pouring with rain, so we started off with a bit of theory about the sailing-boat itself and how to achieve the best outcome in the water in varying conditions. Once the weather had cleared, we decided to head off on the boat. It was great: the wind was strong and, although it was cold, we all sucked it up together and sailed for a few hours or so. Afterwards we warmed up in HMS Bristol, a former battleship – and then we played football. Next day we got woken up at 7 and got dressed in our blues for breakfast and more sailing. We practised capsizing, and at lunchtime we landed conveniently near a bake sale; I can still remember the chocolate cake. After lunch we had two sailing regattas before Alexander Renaud (g) heading back to Charterhouse.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Pitching in the Blackness We started our weekend expedition (4th & 5th October) with a trek through the local Sainsbury’s to purchase supplies. Having survived that challenge, we set off. We walked out of Godalming and into the countryside, admiring the views from the tops of the hills. Fortunately we avoided the rain that had fallen that morning, but we could not avoid the dark – and we arrived at Bentley Copse scout campsite in tenebrous post-gloaming pitch-blackness. We hastily put up tents and prepared the evening meal; now the cold was one more thing that could not be avoided. Next morning we awoke to good weather. After packing up, we departed and began the return journey – enjoying the sunshine that we had missed the day before. It was a joy to walk through the fields to the sounds of church bells. Joe Watson Brown (V)

Remove Pioneers Cranleigh to School Our challenge was to walk from Cranleigh Sainsbury’s back to School. We were dropped off in groups of four or five with map, compass, instructions (where certain beaks would be, etc) – and that was it. We had our first look at the map: the route was so long and twisty that it ran to two sides. Even at a glance we realised how long and tricky this challenge would be; nevertheless, we cracked on and started walking. At each checkpoint we got told how some of the other groups were lost in various different ways; all we did was hope and pray we would not become one of them. When we got back to School we went through a mixture of emotions: relief, pain, happiness. Finlay Jenkins (B), Charlie Short (P), Jay Porter (R), Aster Chun (g) & Max Batchelor (R)

Hash County Geography in Dorset OQ 14 Sun! For once the weather forecast was reliable – and the 1YS geographers reaped the benefits, enjoying a weekend in Dorset. Geologists adore the county, as gamblers cherish Las Vegas; it offers a variety of field-work that covers practically the entire Pre-U natural geography course. This trip was therefore academically essential, also physically tiring. Our schedule was jam-packed, but we got to escape to the seaside: fair deal. We worked our way from Hurst Castle spit (which guards the Solent) all the way around the coast to Weymouth and the Isle of Portland, and beyond to Chesil Beach – the fossil-famous barrier, the formation of which has perplexed geologists. We stayed in the Crown Hotel at Swanage, saw the arched Lulworth Cove, Poole Harbour, the beach at Bournemouth and (most keenly anticipated) Durdle Door. The scale and wonder of these geological monuments cannot be gleaned from a textbook or Google Earth; they must be seen. Our visits etched them in my mind as real. This reality is easily lost in hashroom and study, and without it education becomes a meaningless (though unavoidable) set of facts. Standing on Pulpit Rock at the southern tip of Portland, staring at a vast stretch of ocean that reaches to the Caribbean, the pounding

Hoofing Lungbust Royal Marines LQ 15 After a comfortable night at Okehampton Training Camp, the 22 Royal Marine cadets braved the torrents of Dartmoor. With a quick transfer to Foggin Tor, the home of the celebrated Mountain Leaders, the day began. Our first lesson in the quarry was climbing. Without a safety device of any kind at all, we were to climb using a rope up a 30-ft rocky face. Once completed, it was a military-style abseil descent. Then came the famous Mountain Leader race: the ‘Lung-othon’, better known as the ‘Lungbuster’. This involved a steep hill sprint, a 50-ft speed abseil, a quick run over a deep marsh, a 30-ft climb and then a 30-ft abseil to the finish. Lunch was the usual packed meal – and for the hungry: frogspawn. Upon completion of the race, we began climbing using the

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waves hammered home this reality. We are so sheltered in the confines of Charterhouse; it felt refreshing to see the world. This trip – so busy that it seemed a week long – was exhausting, but excellent. We arrived back salty-faced and with a surplus of geographical insights. We would all like to thank Miss Maxfield and Mr Bogdan for making the trip Henry Jones (R) possible, and so enjoyable.

The good thing about camping is that it gives you something to look forward to: going home (or, in our case, back to

School). Another good thing about it is that you cannot do it on a ship. Pioneers walked ten miles up two mountains in Wales. The Navy went to Portsmouth; we slept on board ship. Spending three nights on HMS Bristol (a de-commissioned Destroyer) made me realise how dependent our generation is on Wi-Fi and phone signal; it was just like a boat-house, but not really a boat-home. The Army section did not use proper tents: cadets slept under a sheet of tarpaulin suspended from trees, secured with tent pegs in the ground; it was completely open on three sides. We prayed for good ration packs; we jumped around like rabbits, scavenging and trading for other people’s rations. IVa Eng

Above: Duke of Edinburgh Award in the Lake District Below: Photograph of Snowdonia by William Dewar (D)

CCF Royal Navy cadets Luke Clegg (V), William Briggs (V) and Moye Ponnle (W) sailing a Drascombe dinghy in Portsmouth harbour.

Activities Week

CQ 15

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ADDITIONAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARS Edoardo Bonacina (P) William Matthews (G) HONORARY FOUNDATION SCHOLARS Lana Bang (S) Alexandra Crawford (B) Elle Curzon Green (S) Michelle Fang (V) Carina Harford (D) Mark Harvey (F) Polina Novikova (g) Lucy Ross-Skinner (G) Akshay Shah (S) Guy Warburton (F) RESEARCH ESSAY PRIZES Lee Prize Guy Warburton (F) Unnamed Prizes Connor Bindler (V) Elektra Georgiakakis (G) Mark Harvey (F) Phoebe Nelson (D) Daria Stotskaya (H) Max Thomas (R) PATON PRIZE FOR ART Polina Novikova (g) BENN PRIZE FOR CLASSICS Elektra Georgiakakis (G) THE MARK LOUGHLIN PRIZE FOR HISTORY Theodore Hall (G) NAMED and DEPARTMENT ACADEMIC PRIZES ART Levinson Prize Poppy Tufnell (F) Jackson Prize Nicholas Bellars (R) CLASSICS Palamountain Prize Elektra Georgiakakis (G) DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY Hammerwood Prize Alex Rutherford (S) Hyams Prize Matthew Adams (S) IDC Technology Trophy Tosin Oshai (g) Power Prize 1 Freya Fine (F) Power Prize 2 Henry Ambrose (H) Power Prize 3 Jack Stewart (W) DRAMA & THEATRE Evans Prize Emil Almazov (H) Catherine Gygax Prize Oliver Geffen (D) Timothy Hyde Prize Ophelia Norris (F) Emily Leonard Prize Erica Flint (F) ECONOMICS Wales Prize 1 Daria Stotskaya (H) Wales Prize 2 Natalie Chan (L) ENGLISH Anderson Prize Michael Freeman (S) London Prize James Akka (G) Tennant Prize Eleanor Curzon Green (S) Thackeray Prize Carina Harford (D) GEOGRAPHY Jenner Hoskin Prize Olivia Hurton (F) Talbot Prize Katherine Hastings (P) Wales Prize 3 Thomas Farrell (W) Wales Prize 4 Phoebe Nelson (D) Fourth Form Prize Alan Mackenzie (D) Remove Prize Max Kam (H) GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS The College of William & Mary Essay Prize Ann-Christin Dobrinski (S) HISTORY Balfour Melville Prize Carina Harford (D) Bryant 2 Prize Yolande Rowson (D) Carter Prize Sergey Sudakov (g) Elwyn Prize Edoardo Bonacina (P) AS White Prize Eleanor Curzon Green (S)

SPECIAL NAMED PRIZES CHEMISTRY Kreis Prize Bettina Chan (H) CLASSICS Elder & Alick Tassell Prize Elektra Georgiakakis (G) Gordon Whitbread Prize Harry Clements (G) Bryant 1A Prize (Latin) William Holmes (L) Bryant 1B Prize (Greek) Darius Moore (R) ECONOMICS Beveridge Prize Daria Stotskaya (H) ART David Baldwin Prize (Photography) Carina Harford (D) Dean Prize (Figure) Sophia Wilcox (V) Ehrman Prize (Design) Lara Turner (V) Leech Prize (Drawing) Anna Monkman (G) Struan Robertson Prize (Painting) Imogen Wilberforce-Ritchie (R), Oliver Wink (L) Thomson Prize (Ceramics) Freya Fine (F) ART AND DESIGN Victor Chu Prize (Portfolio) Mia Vallance (G) ANCIENT AND MODERN VERSE SPEAKING COMPETITION LATIN Specialists (Stuart Prize) Kit Livsey (W) GREEK Under School (Stuart Prize) Michael Freeman (S) Specialists (Stuart Prize) William Freeman (S) FRENCH Under School (O’Meara 1 Prize) Freddie Tidswell (R) Specialists (Havelock 2 Prize) Polina Novikova (g) GERMAN Under School Christopher Willis (P) Specialists (Havelock 4 Prize) Vanessa Gunn (W) SPANISH Under School (O’Meara 1 Prize) Rory Hay (g) Specialists Diana Salina (L) ITALIAN Specialists Eleanor Henderson (G) ENGLISH RECITATION COMPETITION Under School (Ivor Gibson 1 Prize) Michael Freeman (S) Specialists (Ivor Gibson 2 Prize) Bill Freeman (S) SECOND YEAR SPECIALIST SUBJECT PRIZES ART Polina Novikova (g) BIOLOGY Max Thomas (R) BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT William Legge (V) CHEMISTRY Max Thomas (R) CLASSICAL CIVILISATION Polina Novikova (g) DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY Freya Fine (F) ENGLISH Guy Warburton (F) FRENCH Emma Bruhn (F) GEOGRAPHY Daria Stotskaya (F) GERMAN Guy Warburton (F) GREEK Alexander Campbell (R) GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Theodore Hall (G) HISTORY Jemima Wilson-Smith (G) LATIN Luke Coghlan (L) MATHEMATICS Bettina Chan (H) FURTHER MATHEMATICS Tony To (g) & Anthony Wong (S) MUSIC Christopher Waters (F) PHYSICS Tony To (g) SPANISH Shota Motohashi (g) THEOLOGY, PHILOSOPHY& ETHICS Mark Harvey (F) FIRST YEAR SPECIALIST SUBJECT PRIZES ART Jemima Li (g) CLASSICS Classical Civilisation Alexander Ayling (L) Greek William Freeman (S) Latin James Galliver (V) BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT Christopher Dolciami (R) DESIGN AND TECHNLOGY Osereime Akhigbe (S) ECONOMICS Jago Thomas (S)

ENGLISH Lewis Thomas (F) GEOGRAPHY Rebecca Edge (S) GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Lewis Thomas (F) HISTORY Ophelia Norris (F) MATHEMATICS (Double) Vladimir Mikulik (R), Krit Patarapak (H), Sun Wha Whang (G) MATHEMATICS (Single) Catherine Lung (S), Stephanie Tso (g) MODERN LANGUAGES French Rory Fisk (R) German William Freeman (S) Italian Oliver Norton (B) Spanish Rory Fisk (R) MUSIC Joseph Deery (S) SCIENCE Chemistry Krit Patarapak (H) THEOLOGY Henry Jones (R) CALLING OVER TROPHY Collected on behalf of Robinites by Rory Fisk MUSIC PRIZES COMPOSITION PRIZES John Wilson Prize 1 Peter Adamson (G) John Wilson Prize 2 Christopher Waters (F) MUSICIANSHIP PRIZES Pennant Prize William Matthews (G) Russell 3 Prize Stephanie Tso (g) ORGAN PRIZES James Prain Prize Henry Crawshay-Williams (g) Ralph Llewellyn Prize Christian Pethick (g) SINGING PRIZES Philip Langridge Prize (Senior) Oluseun Oyeleye (G) Warren Green Prize (Intermediate) Arun Silva (G) Joanna Dawson Prize (Junior) Richard Lau (V) STRING PRIZES Antonia Butler Prize (Open) Stephanie Tso (g) Intermediate String Prize Richard Lau (V) Geoffrey Ford Prize for Junior Strings Aster Chun (g) WOODWIND PRIZES Wales Prize (Open Prize) Adam Bagley (H) Carpenter Prize (Intermediate) Max Kam (H) Ashley Prize (Lower School) George Tennent (R) George Draper Prize Oliver Rockall (V) BRASS PRIZES Intermediate Prize Oliver Geffen (D) Open Prize Felix Scott-Copeland (G) PIANO PRIZES Ehrman 1 Prize Aisling Tuffy (R) Ehrman 2 Prize Henry Crawshay-Williams (g) VSH Russell 1 Prize Adam Bagley (H) & Jasmine Ong (B) VSH Russell 2 Prize Alexander Nicol (V) ARTS FESTIVAL PRIZES Specialist Arts Festival Prize Maebh Mulligan Smith (H) & Lewis Thomas (F) Under School Arts Festival Prize Stephane Ellis (L) & James Akka (G) PUBLIC SPEAKING Christopher Jones Prize Alex Stuckey (D) Cyril Maude Prize Tallulah Young (P) Junior Public Speaking Prize Isaac Fletcher (D)

OBITU PA RR I ZI E S

GREYHOUND AWARDS Adam Bagley (H) Thomas Harrison (D) William Hartley (V) Arun Silva (G)

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL Corke Prize Luke Gifford (P), Frederik Markus (P) Rendall Prize Christopher Tsang (S), Michael Freeman (S) MATHEMATICS McIsaac Prize James Chong (g) Talbot Prize 2 Kaylie Zhu (F) Walford Prize Vladimir Mikulik (R) MODERN LANGUAGES Bushe Fox Prize (Spanish) Lucy Ross-Skinner (G) Havelock Prize 1 (French) Jemima Wilson-Smith (G) Havelock Prize 3 (German) Guy Warburton (F) SCIENCE Eustace Dallin Wade Prize 4 Aster Chun (g) BIOLOGY Allen Prize James Mencacci (B) Bridge Prize Catherine Lung (S) Eustace Dallin Wade Prize 3 Max Kam (H) Poole Prize Sergey Sudakov (g) CHEMISTRY Ed How Prize Sheel Patel (B) Eustace Dallin Wade Prize 2 Max Kam (H) PHYSICS Allsop Prize Krit Patarapak (H) Beeton Essay Prize Max Thomas (R), Martin Wahl (W) Eustace Dallin Wade Prize 1 Cyprien Roche (H) THEOLOGY Monahan Prize Vladimir Mikulik (R)

BRITISH CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD GOLD CERTIFICATE Krit Patarapak (H) BRITISH BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD GOLD CERTIFICATE Matthew Bagley (P) BRITISH MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD CERTIFICATE OF DISTINCTION Krit Patarapak (H), Tony To (g), Kaylie Zhu (F) THE HARVARD BOOK PRIZE Suvesshaa Iyanathan (D) DUKE of EDINBURGH AWARD GOLD Jens de Coninck-Smith (W) Anna Monkman (G) Edward Hubbard (F) SILVER Oliver Norton (B) Jonathan Knight (R) Alice Jones (B) Camilla Ryan (F) Dominic Richardson (g) Cameron Jones (D) Henry Ambrose (H) Mark Barley (g) Angus Hatrick (W) Frederick Russell-Jones (W) Arun Silva (G) Hugo Tucker (H) Dominic Wilson (S) Charles Sweeting (R) Will Dewar (D) Will Handley (W) Shaan Patel (B) William Nation-Dixon (R) William Ng (H) Justin Heng (V) Michael Maitland-Jones (S) Jago Thomas (S) Martin Wahl (W)

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HEADMASTER’S PRIZES Matthew Buffoni (B) Katherine Hastings (P) Awarded for obtaining A* results in all 9 subjects at GCSE: Boris Belsky (B) George Bristowe (W) Richard Corrin (G) Joseph Deery (S) William Freeman (S) James Galliver (V) Angus Hatrick (W) Nicholas Haworth (S) Edward Herring (V) Henry Jones (R) Jonathan Knight (R) Kit Livsey (W) Vladimir Mikulik (R) Alexander Nicol (V) Oliver Taylor (D) Cameron Temple (S) Jago Thomas (S) Elliot Vaughan (P) Alexander Zakon (H)

Harrison EE Harrison Died 9th July 2014, aged 90 Brooke Hall 1946-84; Housemaster of Saunderites 195772; Second Master 1970-84; Governing Body 1988-98; Master of Sutton’s Hospital 1984-95

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OBITUARIES

This is the text of a eulogy given at Eric’s memorial service in Charterhouse Chapel on Saturday 27th September 2014. Second Masters, speaking generally, exist in three categories. The first group are characterised by a certain repressed jealousy. They will appear to be helpful but only fitfully, sometimes failing to give their headmaster but a few minutes’ notice before some sacred school event. With parents and others they will discuss the headmaster using the device of ‘faint praise’. In private, they hope the headmaster will drive over a cliff. Those in the second group suffer from the delusion that they ARE the headmaster and are running things with admirable efficiency. At fleeting moments they will recall that there is an individual called the headmaster roaming lands near and far seeking out donations and subscriptions like the mendicant orders of the Middle Ages. Thankfully there is a third group who have arrived in the school as young masters anxious to teach their subjects with no wish to brandish new ideas of education or calls for instant change. They will avoid common room (in our case Brooke Hall) quarrels, which split factions apart – and beside which the arguments in the Parliaments of King Charles I or the tirades of the Dantonists versus the Robespierreists in the French Convention were but mere polite conversations. They will begin to admire the buildings through which the daily flow of life proceeds and find quiet corners and fine viewpoints from which to contemplate them. They will take trouble to read the plaques and memorials which recount the school’s past. They will agree to serve in the school’s CCF, suffer the nerves of drill inspections and spend cold nights out in some scrubland region drinking cups of tea. They will umpire and referee innumerable games whether or not they know the rules, sit through plays and concerts which may be enjoyable but equally might be excruciating. Trusted and approachable, the mantle of Second Master will eventually be thrust upon them. The image of Eric Harrison must surely now be coming into focus. EEH, as Second Master, served a long series of Headmasters and in 1981 – not 1976, as The Carthusian stated on his leaving – he acted as Headmaster and delivered the School safely into the hands of Peter Attenborough. Knowing how much Eric loved Shirley and his children, I had thought – if the idea ever crossed my mind – that Happy Harrison families had begat Happy Harrison families from generation unto generation as far back as Magna Carta. But this was not the case. Once in my Study when we were talking over some problem, Eric (in a voice a little different from his normal voice) quite suddenly said: “Of course – my parents were divorced.” I could have been hit with a brick. Divorce, in the days of Eric’s childhood, was something of a rarity and often attended with much scandal and derision. In Eric’s case it seems his plight was pitiable. His father removed his much-loved elder brother Dick from the family home and Eric was left behind. He was then sent to Kingham Hill School. Kingham Hill is now a normal English public school; in Eric’s childhood it was an orphanage in all but name, and occupied old orphanage buildings. A child in this situation might have been scarred

for life. Like his namesake in the unflinching Victorian novel – Eric, or, Little by Little – Eric might have descended the various steps from rebellion to the more modern vices or become a miserable drifter. Fortunately, Kingham Hill and its staff did wonderful work. Founded on Christian principles by a philanthropist, Charles Baring Young, its aim was to care for the children of one-parent families which were unable to cope. There were no fees to pay. As well as academic subjects it taught certain trades such as carpentry and farming to help boys find gainful employment. Eric made a great success of his time there. He became Head of House and Head of School. He won prizes for maths and science and for carpentry. And in preparation for the work-place, and I am sure because of his honesty, he was put in charge of the school shop and made stock-keeper. In 1942 – after leaving (and I would imagine because he had no home to go to, and masters were in short supply in war-time) – he stayed on to teach science. I have read the inspectors’ reports on his teaching and class management. They are as good as one would expect: ‘no lack of discipline’, ‘dignified yet approachable’, ‘lessons obviously prepared’, ‘a clear and pleasing voice’ are some of the comments on the teenager instructing pupils almost the same age as himself. After Kingham Hill, Eric went on to St Peter’s College Oxford. It was a young college, even younger than Eric himself, and the brain-child of James Chavasse, Bishop of Liverpool – who, alarmed at the rising costs of education at the older universities, created St Peter’s where (as the rubric states) promising students who otherwise might be deterred by the costs of an education at Oxford or Cambridge could obtain an Oxford degree. Eric studied chemistry, and so successfully that he was granted a fourth year to research and specialise in the study of rocket fuels. These were the years of the V1s and the V2s. It was in this fourth year that Eric met Shirley, who was also researching in the Oxford Science Department. In the further recesses of the laboratories was another bright young scientist, Margaret Roberts. I think that, with every due respect to Baroness Thatcher, the shades that watch over Charterhouse must have heaved a collective sigh of relief that – in the giddy world of Oxford romancing – Eric decided to marry Shirley rather than Margaret. The arrival of Margaret as a young Brooke Hall wife might well have caused the pillars of the temple to shudder, if not actually collapse. Eric took the decision to go into teaching. As few scientists were making that choice at the time, those who did were like gold dust. Eric considered a number of famous schools, including Shrewsbury – but, happily for Charterhouse, he went through that Study Door in Saunderites to be interviewed by Robert Birley, from whom few promising candidates escaped. No doubt Eric was transfixed by those almost hypnotic eyes, and phrases such as: “Of course, teaching is such TREMENDOUS FUN !” Hardly recognisable as ‘tremendous fun’, but amusing nevertheless – Eric recounted some of his early teaching experiences in his memories published in 1984. How the young Carthusian proud of his lineage asked his fledgling chemistry beak if he had taught his grandfather, who entered the School in 1908. How there was a dashing county cricketer also called Eric Harrison, and Eric’s younger pupils refused to believe that he was not secretly leading a double life. Along with his teaching, Eric was becoming a keen archaeologist. He submitted erudite papers on Mesolithic and Neolithic sites, especially those along the ridges and promontories of the Surrey Downs. David Summerscale recalls how he was once driven urgently by Eric up to the Hog’s Back where the County Council was busily laying down a major road over an important pre-historic site,

enjoying what Matthew Arnold calls ‘the quiet mossy path to age’. He had brought peace to calm so many differences and disputes, as Housemaster, as Second Master and acting Headmaster, and as the benign guardian of Sutton’s Hospital. Eric Harrison devoted his life to Charterhouse. He had peace at the close, and for that we give thanks. Brian Rees

Woods MJ Woods

In the last few years of his life, Michael wrote a journal which he referred to as ‘a collection of thoughts and memories’. It begins: ‘I have just walked up King Street to the post box at the bottom of Carrow Hill. A bit mad because there is a postal strike on. But I passed a patch of strong green grass; on it lay yellow leaves…’ He later remembers how, during his national service at Rudloe Manor near Bath, he took evening art classes and, during the weekends, he would walk into the city to look, draw and paint. He was always looking, and was often enthralled by the smallest of details. In his journal he recalls sitting in the back of a canvas-topped RAF vehicle being fascinated by the flurry of leaves in the vacuum created by the wheels. Michael Woods was born and brought up in Norwich – a city he always loved; his house in Norwich, where he spent holidays and later retired, was the smallest house possible. But – full of paintings, pots and random, beautiful objects set against white walls – it was a lovely, warm and welcoming space which he and his beloved wife, Jacqueline, created together and often entertained in. Michael delighted in observing the gentle changes in light and colour. He notes: ‘I’ve just moved my laundry into the clear sunlight in the studio. The load is eleven of my red handkerchiefs. I have just turned everywhere pink! And the pink in the studio makes the bathroom blue. “Why do you have your whole house white?” many people ask. Well, it never is white!’ His memories are dominated by observations that many people would overlook; it was this attention to detail that drove him and everything he did – and, as a teacher, Michael was particularly pleased to be told by a student that he had not only taught him to see and draw, but also to understand what was there. Michael approached every task he undertook with enthusiasm and completed it to the best of his ability. In his journal he describes how a brief spell working at the local firm where his father was a senior engineer, proved to be a useful early lesson: ‘One day my foreman asked me to paint numbers on each of the contacts.... so I brought in some of my own paint and small watercolour brushes and duly did what I was asked. When he returned some hours later, he said that I had done them too well and cost the firm too much. Well, that was ‘it’ for me. I wasn’t going to be doing bad jobs for anyone, so I told my parents I would have to leave.’ Luckily, he got his wish and proceeded to spend the next seven years at Norwich Art School and the Slade, before securing the position of Assistant Art Master at Charterhouse. He enjoyed teaching and took great pride in contributing to many aspects of the School. In his journal he recalls being amused when he discovered that his sixth-form students had hollowed out and eaten the bread loaves of their A-level still-life set-up, noting, ‘it was such a pleasure being able to help such bright people’. Brian Souter, his assistant and successor at Charterhouse, remembers working with Michael ‘Potty’ Woods in Studio:

OBITUARIES

Brooke Hall 1958-94; Director of Art 1970-94 Died on 26th June 2014, aged 80

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while Eric and those who could help were hastily collecting as many artifacts as the steamrollers would allow them. He made a close study of an Iron Age settlement situated on the edge of the Charterhouse ridge, past the cricket pavilion – and, in 1961, did a considerable excavation on the pre-Roman site there. To his just annoyance the tennis courts, presumably some bursarial appanage, prevented him from extending his trenches further. He took pupils out on digging expeditions. On one occasion when he stepped out of the vehicle he found beside his toe a perfectly formed flint arrowhead just lying on the ground. He was Editor of the Surrey Archeological Society annual journal, and in January 1963 he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. In 1957, when Brian Young separated the twin duties of Headmaster and Housemaster of Saunderites, Eric and Shirley moved into the oldest, largest and most imposing house in the School. There was a story – very hard to believe – that Eric thought that his summons to the Headmaster’s Study was because of some imbroglio in the Chemistry Department. Shirley was the daughter of a Winchester housemaster, and knew well the workings of a boys’ house. In those days there was no central catering. Shirley had to arrange the feeding of her hungry flock, deal with the domestic staff – never easy in the post-war years – and often plunge into the kitchens and prepare the meals herself. In addition she played in the string section of the School orchestra, and she sang in Small Choir. At the start some literate Saunderites gave Eric the nickname of ‘Quiverful’, after the Barchester clergyman of that name, with his large horde of hungry children. (“Really! The very worst side of Trollope”, Robert Birley used to say.) The nickname did not survive very long. Eric became better known for the care he took with each Saunderite. He could be very good with difficult boys. There was one whom Eric dragged over the hurdles of his A-levels after many problems. The father of the boy was so appreciative of Eric’s efforts that he sent him a case of his finest claret. Eric rightly thought of sharing these spoils with the Headmaster. Oliver Van Oss arrived in Saunderites to find the family drinking the wine from cold tumblers and popping in ice-cubes. It must be a wonderful thing to be asked to become a housemaster twice in one’s life; for the Master of the London Charterhouse, despite his ancient and eminent title – despite fine halls, Chapel and cloisters and gardens so expertly embellished by Oliver Van Oss – is in fact a housemaster, caring for those at the ends of their lives rather than their beginnings. Seeing the pensioners coming and going, the Master will make remarks such as, “John: did you remember to get to your fretwork class? You forgot last week”, or “James: did you enjoy your visit to the theatre?”, “William: did you enjoy your snooze in the garden?”, “Jasper: is that the top of a whisky bottle protruding from your lapels? I had better relieve you of it.” Echoes of a previous life, with uncanny similarities. When Shirley became ill and confined to her chair, Eric was always at her side bringing comfort and all manner of assistance, to make her way smoother and guide her through family festivities and Old Carthusian gatherings. They were able to entertain friends and ex-colleagues, and Eric the Antiquary could enjoy the old records and manuscripts. When Shirley became ill and confined to her chair, Eric was always at her side bringing comfort and all manner of assistance, to make her way smoother and guide her through family festivities and Old Carthusian gatherings. After they moved from the Old Charterhouse and after Shirley died, greatly mourned, Eric came to the Sussex farmlands where he had had some happy memories of his grandparents’ farm and where he was cared for by members of his family – still corresponding shakily with us, and

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‘It was a time of great happiness and productivity during which a great number of young people were inspired and given the skills to develop as artists, designers, architects and art historians. Michael ran what must have been one of the best art departments in the country, and I learned so much from him. The introduction of life-drawing was skilfully slipped past a headmaster, and helped to raise drawing standards. In his white dentist’s jacket and with his arm submerged in a tub of slip, Michael was never lost for words – and if the right one did not spring to mind, he might invent one! Michael’s enthusiasm and energy was not confined to Studio. There were wonderful sets for theatrical productions such as My Fair Lady, King of Macedon and Aida – as well as exhibitions such as ‘Look at Godalming’, ‘Look at London’, ‘The Charterhouse Cartoon Tradition’, contributions to The Carthusian and the Arts Committee, the design and construction of floats for three Lord Mayor’s Shows, and a royal visit in 1972 when Michael presented the Queen with one of his own pots. Michael was a considerable artist and designer, and his souvenir mugs for the1872-1972 Centenary and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 will doubtless become collector’s items. When a group of OCs started the OC Art Society, quite rightly they asked Michael to be their first President.’ Michael was also well-known and admired by many outside Charterhouse. John Booth, Director of Art at Eton remembers Michael’s highly organised and lively department: ‘He was the first of us to persuade his headmaster and governors to finance the construction of a separate and purpose-built art school, and was generous in inviting his art colleagues from other schools to visit his department of which he was justifiably proud.’ Jeremy Baines, fellow student at the Slade and later Head of Art at Clifton, recalls meeting Michael on their first day at the Slade: ‘He was a great and unique character – famous for his little mannerisms and naughty gurgling laughs. Michael told some of the worst and least funny jokes, which were somehow funny because Michael was telling them.’ Throughout his life Michael remained committed to his vocation as artist and teacher. He continued to draw and paint every day and exhibited and sold his work all over the world. He also wrote many books. The sitting-room at home was always an extension of his studio, and the place where his large mahogany easel stood. Most people who knew Michael will remember his annual Christmas card. As children, Oliver, Geraldine and I grew up watching this happen during the autumn months. The print run, of course, increased steadily over the years – but the process was always the same. Once the image was decided upon, the blocks made and the proofs finalised, the hand-printing began and the finished cards were steadily laid out around the sitting-room hearth to dry. This all took several days. Luckily we were fairly adept at avoiding any painting, drawing, wet clay pots etc that regularly inhabited the sitting-room – so there were very few disasters. Everything in Michael’s life was carefully considered and loved. Friendships were valued and maintained, belongings were polished and mended, and every pot and picture he ever made was remembered as if it were a member of his family. He made endless lists and notes, many of which he carried with him, along with a fascinating range of useful tools which he would famously produce from his jacket pocket at any given moment. Everyone who knew Michael would recognise his voice, and his laughter was infectious. Many people will remember him whizzing around School on his bicycle, always wearing a hat and carrying a spotted handkerchief in his pocket. His funeral at Norwich Cathedral was attended by many people who had known Michael including colleagues and

past pupils, many of whom he had not seen for years. It was an elegant occasion, replicating the service he chose for Jacqueline and enhanced by the many fabulous tributes sent by people from all over the world whose lives have been enriched by knowing them both, and who now hold on to lovely memories. They talk of him as being a dear friend, an exceptional teacher, wonderful, generous and talented – and a gentleman. We shall all miss him in very different ways. Vanessa Free (daughter)

Zinn TL Zinn Died on 18th January 2015, aged 92 The last group of Carthusians Theo coached in Latin and Greek verse speaking nicknamed him ‘Yoda’. He was indeed a sage and mentor to these aspiring Jedi of the hexameter: seated legs apart, hands planted on his stick before him, eyes tight shut and jaw jutting forward as he listened to their recitation, he was quick to pounce and quick to praise. None whom he taught will ever forget the experience. Theodore Lionel Zinn (P 38) was a Foundation Scholar and Head of Pageites during his time at Charterhouse before the Second World War and he was awarded a Sutton Prize in 1940. His memories of Charterhouse were warm, and he stated in an interview he gave The Carthusian in the early 1990s, “I was never lucky enough to have such teachers again; from them I received inspiration and love of my subject.” After war service in India deciphering coded messages sent by the Japanese, he completed his degree at Oxford and then started his long career as classics master at Westminster school. During his time there he inspired a generation of distinguished classicists, and he revived the ancient tradition of putting on an annual Latin play. These were comedies by Plautus and Terence (topical prologue by Theo), performed by boys to their peers, masters and parents in Little Dean’s Yard in the summer. After his retirement he put his peerless skill and experience in speaking classical verse at the service of his alma mater. Carthusians coached by him regularly carried off the prizes from the Guildford Classical Association’s Reading Competitions, and the esteem in which he was held in the classical world was evident from the deference with which he was greeted by the distinguished judges. His pleasure at his pupils’ successes was only matched by his ill-concealed outrage at judgements which went against them. He coached too for Charterhouse’s own Verse Speaking Competition, where pieces are recited not read, and he sometimes coached and judged the competition in Russian. As he delivered his judgements, enthusing about the work he had heard performed, the years dropped from his shoulders and the invigorating passion he felt for literature was clear. As PAD remarked of him in his departing speech to Brooke Hall, he was ‘iam senior, sed cruda deo viridisque senectus’ (now elderly, but the god’s old age was fresh and green). He wrote an ode in Latin, the Carthusiana Domus, in honour of the Quatercentenary, performed at that year’s VSC; he was a bibliophile, and a lover of classical music who composed a Requiem himself. A scholar, then, and an inspiration to scholars. But he is equally to be remembered for his kindliness. He supported the family of his Indian bearer long after he left the army; he was dubbed ‘our resident humanitarian’ by the Headmaster’s Essay Society whose meetings he regularly attended; he was patient with the halting and the tardy; he rang up his friends in Brooke Hall to warn them of any health scare he’d heard of on the radio.

Studio

OQ 14

Michael Woods joined Brooke Hall in 1957; he became Director of Art in 1970, and retired in 1994. These reflections are by his daughter Geraldine Hoy, who curated the exhibition. Searching through what must have been thousands of paintings – from atmospheric scenes of Bath (when my father was doing his national service in the 1950s), to zebra prints after a safari holiday taken with his wife, Jacqueline – to choose a select few for this exhibition was by no means a small feat! My father was always known for his landscapes and seascapes – but his talents were broad, his interests wide. He spent many months in Hastings whilst helping care for his mother-in-law. The outcome of this time was an amazing range of oil and watercolour studies of fishingboats and seagulls. During his sabbatical around Europe he painted at every opportunity – his favourite destination, Italy. Travels to America to visit his sister produced skylines of incredible detail. Oils of the Somerset levels on visits to his grandchildren mix with (my personal favourite) his vibrant vegetable still-lifes. My father’s time at Charterhouse was spent living at Northridge; a lovely sketch of the house was on display. His daily cycle past the stunning architecture of Gownboys is reflected in his many views of Charterhouse. His retirement was bountiful – spent in his Norfolk birthplace, which he adored – from which we have his many paintings of Norfolk churches, Norfolk sailing boats, Norfolk beaches, the Norfolk Broads. The final, and probably most poignant, picture I’d like to mention is of the cloisters in Norwich Cathedral. This building meant so much to my Father and was where his wonderful and talented story ended.

Judy Affleck In the corridor leading to the Matron’s surgery on the first floor of Verites there are two plaques commemorating the extraordinary dedication of two former Verite Matrons: Elizabeth Turner ‘a true friend of Verites’ who served 29 years from 1898 to 1927, and Elizabeth Lister who ‘devoted her life to Verites’, serving 27 years from 1945 to 1976. Judy Affleck, affectionately known as ‘Jude’ or ‘Maitch’ to almost two decades’ worth of Verites, only came to help out temporarily for one term in January 1997, but has served with similar dedication, resilience, compassion and good humour for over 18 years. During that time she will have cared for some 350 Carthusians and Carthusiennes. It is with particular sadness that the Charterhouse community will be saying goodbye to Judy when she retires this summer; her association with the School goes back even further than that first Long Quarter as Verites matron, since she originally came to Charterhouse in 1975 as the wife of the Chaplain, leaving five years later to help him run the Pilsdon Anglican community in the West Country. Two of her three sons, Dom (g 90), Ben and Patrick (g 96), came to Charterhouse, and Judy has therefore experienced the School at many different levels over many years. Although her youthful energy, looks and style would certainly lead you to think she is considerably younger than those impertinent dates might otherwise suggest, Judy has worked beyond retirement age and thoroughly deserves a rest. The job of a matron encompasses many disparate tasks and skills, though ‘sickness, sadness and socks’ encapsulates the three key areas of matronly responsibility; namely, looking after the health of the pupils in our care, providing them with essential TLC, pastoral support and guidance, and dealing with the domestic aspects of running a boardinghouse, such as managing the cleaning staff and handling vital laundry and maintenance issues. Judy has managed all of these elements of her work with an admirable sense of balance and good judgement. Teenage boys, in particular, are not known for their tidiness, cleanliness, good discipline and common sense, and it takes considerable reserves of patience, tolerance and stamina to cope with the stresses and strains of boarding-school life, whether mental, physical or emotional. Judy’s robust sense of humour, her compassionate nature and warm, friendly, forgiving personality have all contributed to her enduring success as Matron and it is no surprise that she is remembered with great affection by so many OVs and their parents. Looking after boarding pupils involves dealing with blizzards of trivia (exacerbated by the advent of digital communications) and the biggest bombshells affecting the lives of the children in our care, not to mention their mothers and fathers. Judy has risen to those often daunting challenges with great humanity and an unshakeably positive and optimistic view of the world. Beyond the House, and over many years, she has been an enthusiastic member of various choirs and the Charterhouse female staff members’ Annie Marion Society, she has skilfully prepared the splendid flower arrangements in Chapel and has attended countless concerts, plays and sporting events in support of pupils and colleagues. In short, she is a much loved and respected member of the Charterhouse community and will be sorely missed. Judy plans to live near her sister and other family members in Derbyshire and I am sure that many former pupils will join Judy’s colleagues and friends at Charterhouse in wishing her a long and very happy retirement, and as much rest as her seven grandchildren allow her! Nigel Hadfield Housemaster of Verites 2000-15

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Michael Woods Memorial Exhibition

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He used to say that the recipe for a long life was to take as little exercise as possible, to get as little fresh air as possible and to eat as many cream buns as possible. But his athletic career was not without distinction, and I’m indebted to James Holloway (G 02) for this anecdote: Charterhouse was playing Winchester (the Eleventh XI or some similarly august team). Theo was nominally the 11th man but no-one really expected him to be called upon (tea was expected well in advance of such an eventuality), so instead he took up the much more sedentary role of scoring during the Charterhouse innings. Winchester managed to get all out for 11, and Charterhouse were 11 for 8 when we got bowled. Theo was called to the crease and told to ‘just stand there’. The stakes being high at this point, he did just that. In his words: ‘Now, you please must believe me when I say that the ball came at me and, completely by accident, hit my bat. Then somebody shouted “run!”.’ Winchester were as good at fielding as they were at batting, and Theo managed to score what for want of a better word might be termed a run, thus securing a victory for Charterhouse 12-11. Now Theo, who never changed in the near twenty years I knew him, is gone. There will be no more phone calls late at night, no more discussion of the ‘small print’, no more sense that getting this phrasing right is the most important thing in the world. All we that are left can do is pass on what he taught us, and remember him with gratitude and affection. JPF

O B I TVUAALREI T EE S

Neil Athey Neil joined Brooke Hall, after a very short period of retirement from Haileybury, to provide cover during OQ 14 between two appointments; he brought with him a wealth of experience, which he gladly shared. As an experienced teacher with a boarding-school background he quickly adapted to life at Charterhouse and established himself as a respected mathematics beak, teaching all aspects of the subject with great skill and enthusiasm to his Specialist divisions. As a veteran of the outdoors, Neil has been a hugely important part of the Pioneers team; his good humour, professionalism and willingness to help out with all aspects of the programme were evident from the start, and his contribution to Monday afternoons will be missed. As the Timetabler at his previous school, he shared his experiences with me as we reviewed procedures for timetabling and he also helped numerous colleagues cope with the vagaries of ISAMS; he also helped Carthusians complete their UCAS applications – and applications to American universities, where his extensive knowledge and attention to detail were greatly appreciated. Neil is a multi-talented man who made a great impression in his short time at Charterhouse; we wish him every happiness as he returns to retirement in Scotland. MKE

Sophia Clark Sophia Clark (R 11) was Deputy Head Girl and a superb monitor during her time in Robinites. A member of the Robinite ‘Golden Generation’, she fitted in brilliantly with her peers and she had a very happy and successful time in the Specialists. When I heard she was coming to teach history for a year, I knew she would be more than up to the task. Sophia has impressed everybody she has worked with this year. She has worked hard to prepare great hashes, and she has been totally committed to her pupils. Sophia settled into academic life in Brooke Hall effortlessly. Sophia was a house tutor in Weekites, and she has been an excellent role model for the girls in the VIth-form, with whom on many occasions she has taken the time to share her experiences of life at Charterhouse. I know she will go on to have a very successful career in Law. We all wish her well, and thank her for her many contributions to School life this year. STH

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Ann Craig Ann Craig came to work at Charterhouse as assistant in the Exams Office under the waspish but entertaining leadership of Frank Wiseman. She must have done a good job, because Frank was always full of praise for her – and the hugely complicated business of administering exams continued to take place with exemplary efficiency. I came to know her when she transferred to Admissions, to replace the virtually irreplaceable Sue Stevens. The transition went as smoothly as it could have done, made easier by Ann’s extensive knowledge of the School. Her job in Admissions required a number of skills. First, she had to show endless patience and understanding on the telephone, fielding enquiries from all over the world – not always on perfect lines or in perfect English. Ann was very good at this, answering sensible enquiries with charm and efficiency, listening without complaint to the triumphs and woes of parents with too much time on their hands, dispensing brisk and sensible advice to those who clearly knew nothing about Charterhouse, and dealing with angry or disappointed

parents with firmness, tact and sympathy. Second, she had to manage a very busy office and a registrar who was not always as well-organised or briefed as he should have been. Ann got on well with her colleagues, always willing to help out when their work-load got oppressive and remaining calm and collected when the inevitable crunch times came. She was also very good at handling her boss, shielding me from unnecessary phone-calls, covering for me when I forgot appointments and always quick to answer my questions, however ill-conceived they may have been. Finally, she had to do a great deal of routine but essential administration, wrestling patiently and mostly successfully with the vagaries of iSAMS, keeping the multitude of files, reports, letters and lists in good order, dealing with Accounts over the large sums of money that pass through Admissions in registration fees and deposits, and handling the complex business of joining packages and airport collection arrangements with aplomb. Ann was a pleasure to work with and a loyal and tireless advocate of Charterhouse. I regret her departure, but appreciate the reasons for her decision to take up a part-time position in order to have more time for herself HDG and her family.

Helen Laurie Helen Laurie joined the Headmaster’s Office in 1997 as Assistant Secretary, and three years later succeeded Jane Clibbon as Headmaster’s Secretary. The position of Headmaster’s Secretary is unique, requiring a rare combination of abilities, all of which Helen possessed in abundance. Administrative efficiency is basic. Everything threatens to hit the Headmaster’s desk, and Helen’s judgement in deciding what needs to pass from her in-tray to his, in what order, and at what moment in the day was remarkable. IT skills are important too, and Helen’s were enviable, especially by a Headmaster who had no idea how to switch on the machine. Unflappabilty, patience and a ready welcome are essential in an office situated on the front line, and receiving a constant stream of visitors, often feeling nervous or stressed. I can remember tense and confrontational moments, but I cannot remember Helen ever being less than polite, calm and professional. And often too in the face of provocation; you might be surprised to know how often people take out on his secretary their anger with the Headmaster. Looking presentable matters when you represent the head of an institution, and Helen was always (as they used to say) smartly turned out. A legacy perhaps of ten years in the 70s as an air stewardess on BOAC, stylishly attired in uniform white gloves, pill box hat, and mini-skirt. Helen had in abundance the stamina and capacity for hard work her responsibilities demanded. She was always at her desk by eight, never leaving before six (and often later), and never complaining when even longer hours were required. And all that with a family at home to care for. The best headmaster’s secretaries enjoy the school they serve, and don’t see their work in isolation. Helen loved Charterhouse, its people and its pursuits. She relished the Quatercentenary, and all the extra work that landed on her desk. She enjoyed plays and other events when she could get to them, and she took a pride in organising our entertaining, especially in the garden, fussing over seating plans, catering and flowers almost as much as the Headmaster. And Sarah was indebted to Helen too for all her help in establishing, running and supporting the ladies’ Annie Marion Society. The Secretary’s loyalty to the Headmaster, and her ability to keep confidential matters to herself, are critical. Helen was unwavering with the first and watertight with the second. But her ability to combine these virtues with her genuine openness and friendliness with beaks and support staff

Anna Meadows has taught bassoon at Charterhouse for the last thirty years or more. A contemporary of Roger Smeeton – they went through the Royal College of Music together and played in professional orchestras and chamber music for many years – Anna has been a great friend and inspiration to countless Carthusian bassoonists.

Mary Olive Mary Olive joined Brooke Hall as Librarian in LQ 07, initially to cover a maternity leave absence. Always positive, utterly professional and pleasant, Mary’s personality has had a wide-reaching influence on the whole Charterhouse community. Her great skill has been to make Library accessible to all age groups, starting with introducing new IVth-formers to it in order to build up their research skills and encourage them to read for pleasure. She has nurtured the Specialists, so that they enjoy using Library for private study and research − maintaining an ordered, but friendly and welcoming atmosphere. She has built up both traditional printed resources and digital information, listening to teaching colleagues in each department so that Library has kept up to date with the best resources to support the pupils’ learning. Mary has also worked collaboratively with many departments to facilitate exhibitions in Library, most recently with Studio to present cross-curricular exhibitions on the History of the Book at Charterhouse and the launch of Peter Monkman’s portraits of George Mallory. The smart displays in Library that reflect current events, recent publications and literary interests are a further indication of Mary’s artistic creativity. During the last two years Mary has overseen the digital cataloguing of the School’s eclectic and interesting rare books collection so that it can be used more readily by pupils and beaks. Specialist rare book cataloguers, Felicity Stimpson and Harvey James worked with Library staff to achieve this, thanks to a grant from The Carthusian Society Mary founded the Charterhouse Staff Book Group in 2011, providing an opportunity for beaks, support staff and staff family members to meet and share a common interest in literature. She has also led the Annie Marion Society very ably over the last 18 months, again providing opportunities for social activities and friendships across the wider Charterhouse community. Mary will be greatly missed; we wish her every success as she moves down the road to Prior’s Field.

Alex Polunin Even before Alex Polunin’s arrival to teach English for OQ 14 only, his family name had a fine Carthusian pedigree.

VALETE

Anna Meadows

His great-uncle was Oleg Polunin (BH 1938-72), the distinguished botanist and long-serving biology beak. Alex made a contribution to the life of the School which belied the brevity of his stay. ANIP came to Charterhouse from University College London, where he had secured a prize-winning First in English Literature and captained the University football XI. His twin academic and sporting accomplishments set him up well for life as a Charterhouse beak, whether explaining the subordinate clause to a division of IVth-formers, discussing Milton with Oxbridge candidates, or cajoling the Under 16s from the touchline. He brought with him an impressive array of interests, ranging from Milton to social anthropology and contemporary art. Within the English Department he taught various divisions throughout the Underschool, always with great sensitivity and good humour, even when forced to chop and change at very short notice. His passion for literature, combined with patience and understanding, meant he quickly developed a rapport with all the groups he encountered. ANIP also developed a large number of electronic teaching resources on Greyhound, and began the dusty and unglamorous task of organising the Department’s stock of books. The fruits of these labours will undoubtedly benefit us for very many years. Perhaps more conspicuous was the impact of ANIP’s coaching on the U16A football team. He approached training and matches with a passion and thoroughness which could not fail to inspire his charges. It was no coincidence that the team’s 2014 record, including notable wins against Eton and Highgate, constituted a considerable improvement on previous seasons. Whether in Brooke Hall, on the football field, in the hashroom, or during his evening duty in Old Headmaster’s House, ANIP’s intelligence, kindness and thoughtfulness made him popular with all he encountered. He leaves Charterhouse for a period of travel, which, undoubtedly, will be followed by a highly-successful career, whichever field he chooses. There are very many at Charterhouse who NPW hope it will be teaching.

Emily-Jane Richardson Emily-Jane Richardson came to Charterhouse in September 2014, having recently graduated in French and linguistics from Oriel College Oxford, for a one-year stay to cover PA’s maternity leave. Having spent much of her summer in Salamanca to brush up her Spanish, she has taught both French and Spanish across the year-groups. This has been her first taste of the teaching profession, and both pupils and staff have benefitted greatly from her professionalism, enthusiasm and energy. Having been handed two IGCSE divisions – quite a task in itself in one’s first year in the profession – she set about preparing her pupils through an excellent range of resources and varied hashes, always giving of her best and providing a wealth of material to encourage expertise in both languages. All of her students have been taught with thoroughness and absolute commitment, and she will be greatly missed in the Department. Emily has also involved herself fully in School life, offering cultural activities, help with Pioneers and doing a full range of boarding duties. We wish her every possible success as she undertakes further study, and will miss her cheerful, SFCB positive presence.

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was especially extraordinary. Beaks never felt, and Helen never let it show (or matter, come to that) that she might know things that they would rather she didn’t. In this way Helen was an easy conduit, representing the Headmaster to Brooke Hall, and Brooke Hall to the Headmaster. And she cared and worried about people. Often she would let me know that she was concerned about someone who didn’t seem perhaps as cheerful and positive as usual. To sum up in a sentence, my own debt of gratitude to Helen is limitless; I consider myself very fortunate indeed to have been accompanied for over sixteen years by such a gifted secretary, and such a very good friend. John Witheridge

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Dennis Stovold

Simon Walker

1947-2015

Colour Sergeant Simon Walker joined Charterhouse as the CCF Senior Staff Instructor in January 2012. For many cadets he was the embodiment of the British Army Senior Non Commissioned Officer: short hair, slightly intimidating and with a gallows sense of humour. To those cadets who got to know him well, especially on CCF trips or at the back of the shooting ranges, he was amusing, affable and had a story for every occasion. C/Sgt Walker also administered the Armoury Run – the School’s minor punishment sanction – a role he performed with a unique blend of humour and discipline. He has never been a man to shirk a challenge; he took part in the Help for Heroes Big Battlefield cycle ride from Paris to London in 2013, raising thousands of pounds for charity. On completion he promptly sold his road bike to buy a motorbike! C/Sgt Walker has a passion for instructing cadets – from the trim trail, to the parade square, to the bayonet demonstration he gave during the World War One commemoration day. It therefore came as no surprise when he announced that he was to leave Charterhouse to join the Full Time Reserve at Longmoor as a Cadet Instructor. We wish him and his wife Karen well. Nulli Secundus. RNDF

Dennis Stovold died unexpectedly on 22nd June 2015. He had been on the staff at Charterhouse since 2002, working at various times in Domestic Services and Maintenance. He was a larger-than-life character in all facets of his life – at work and at play. He semi-retired to a part-time role at the School a couple of years ago; at the same time he married Maggie, whom he had met when she joined the School five years ago. Dennis was a fanatical sportsman. From his early teenage years he played competitive cricket and football at a high level. He played a schoolboy international as an Under 14 footballer, and was trialled with Aldershot Football Club in the early 1960s. He continued to play local football with the Surrey Senior League for Farncombe for many years. His other love was cricket. He played for Peperharow Cricket Club, where he was also a regular fixture as a groundsman. Up until only two years ago he still helped to prepare the wickets. He was a long time playing member of Farncombe Cricket Club, where he captained the 1st XI to become club champions. Not content with that, some years later (and claiming he was feeling his age), he turned his attention to the 3rd XI and elevated them to club champions as well! Although as a School we only got to know Dennis in the last 13 years of his life, he started his working life apprenticed to the Milford Glass Company, in Church Road, Milford. Here, over some six or seven years, he trained as a glazier – working with all forms of glass, including the finer arts of stained glass and leaded lights. A family man, Den leaves his wife Maggie, his two daughters from a previous marriage (whom he bought up on his own as a single father), and a significant number of brothers and sisters, as well as wider family and friends. He will be sorely missed by us all. Jane Drew

Sarah Taylor Sarah Taylor joined Charterhouse in OQ 14 as head of coaching for girls’ sport. The vagaries of this role and its title were soon to be extinguished through her passion and love of sport in general. From the outset Sarah proved to be a real inspiration to all those lucky enough to be coached by her – in particular in lacrosse, netball and tennis. This passion for sport started at school, when Sarah attended St Catherine’s School, Bramley. She competed in lacrosse, netball, swimming, athletics, tennis, rounders, gymnastics and sailing. She began by specialising in swimming, but then moved to lacrosse. Sarah achieved a full scholarship to play lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. However, she also excelled off the field of play, becoming the first lacrosse player at Johns Hopkins to be inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honours Society for academic achievement. For one so unassuming, and prepared to give anything a try, the only initial sign of Sarah’s illustrious time ‘stateside’ came in the form of a strong Surrey-American accent, which we have managed to expunge over the course of the academic year. Whether it be coaching the Yearlings beginners’ lacrosse, taking the fencing team to the Public Schools’ Championships, staffing a football team in OQ, or on duty in Chetwynd or Stainers, Sarah has approached each and every task with great enthusiasm and commitment. Away from sport, she enjoys going to the theatre, particularly musicals and listening to pop and country music. We wish Sarah good luck both in her new job with the accounting firm BDO, and (after attending three previous tournaments) in her quest to gain selection for the Senior England Lacrosse squad for the 2017 World Cup. There has been much to celebrate this year: very well played indeed! NEB

Julie Walker This year we were sorry to say farewell to Julie Walker, who was PA to the Bursar and to the Deputy Headmaster (Academic). She left us to become PA to the Development Director at Eton. Julie joined Charterhouse at Christmas 2009. She always brought calm and order to any situation in which she found herself. She had to balance the very different styles of James Kazi and David Williams; this she did with aplomb. She was the ‘go to’ person for rental accommodation as well as all insurance matters – and her desk always gave the impression of a person in control. We also benefited from her outstanding organisational skills as she turned her hand to the many staff barbecues she planned, as well the annual support staff Christmas lunch. She never tired of trying to find appealing items for the end of lunch raffle! She was an active member of the Bursary team and the Annie Marion Society, and contributed to the whole School community. We wish her every happiness in her future career. Jane Drew

BROOKE HALL BIRTHS BROWN, Javier Santos to Kevin Brown and Patricia Aguado on 18th November 2014 COOPPER, Albert (Bertie) Lawrence to Nigel and Samantha Coopper on Saturday 9th May 2015 HOWELLS, Hudson Eric Glynn to David and Sally Howells on Saturday 2nd May 2015 HUNT, Rose Elizabeth Mia Jean to Andrew and Sarah Hunt on 5th February 2015 KNIGHT, Alma Tracey Libby to Jesse and Kate Knight on 24th October 2014 LANGMAN, Iris Lilian to Philip and Sarah Langman on 20th January 2015

WAKELING – Mr Nicholas Wakeling to Miss Laura Whittle on 11th July 2015 at St Lawrence Church, Little Wenlock, Shropshire

CONCERTS Right Out Loud Sunday 19th April – Post-Tour Concert The axiom that there is a sweet and burnished unanimity to the sound of a choir that has lately toured may serve as an extension of the old drummer and drum-machine joke. {What’s the difference betwixt the twain? With the drummachine you only have to punch the information in once.} Choral singers who have sung together at all hours of the day and night – and in diverse buildings, coaches, courtyards, hotel rooms, and in all weathers – know the music better than inside out (having had it ‘punched in’ many more times than the most recalcitrant student drummer) – and, in few, will never sing together so well as in the few weeks after the passport has been safely lost again or locked in the desk drawer. This much (the music that they’ve sung) that goes on tour does not (as ‘twere) stay on tour, but comes home rejoicing; those who stayed on after morning Chapel on the first Sunday of CQ were treated to a fine feast – not scraps and leavings, but the very finest cold table. From the first chord of Byrd’s ‘Ave Verum’ a strong and vigorous-throated warble, like a massed band of celloplaying comedians ordering seconds in a restaurant hushed by their rowdy humour, filled the apse – a space, mark us, not so very much unlike the noble stone shells of Venice and Mantua save for our Chapel’s manly eschewal of the gaudier beauties – and thrilled the apt; we, the audience, were being shown something more than the taste of their usual quality. While chairs and stands were fetched for Jacob Partington’s (G) miraculous arch-form string quartet in the style of Monteverdi – severe counterpoint admixed with dancing and decorative runs in fast threes, played with suitably austere cleanliness by Aster Chun (g), Richard Lau (V), RCDM and Timothy Lam (H) – the choir (under MNS) continued with Tallis’s Third Mode Melody, upon which RVW’s famous string Fantasia is based. More Tallis followed – ‘If ye love me’ – before the choir knocked out two Italian knock-outs: Lotti’s ‘Crucifixus’ (a generous sequence of anguished suspensions) and the drop-dead perfect Kyrie from Palestrina’s sumptuous Missa Papae Marcelli. This brief musical pageant – a delightful inversion of the ancient calamity of having to look interestedly at someone else’s holiday snaps – was substantial and did not fade so much as leave behind the racking harmonies of Tippett’s ‘Steal Away’, with soul-piercing solos from Peter Adamson (G) and Katie Hasting (P), to ear-worm us for the rest of MLJB another fudged Sunday.

One of the current strengths of Charterhouse music is the sheer number of capable young (Underschool) musicians. It was a joy to hear so many of them playing in various enembles (directed by John Parsons and Roger Smeeton) with enthusiasm, confidence and virtual accuracy – and cheered on by a good number of parents. A wind quintet – Christopher Cole (S, flute), Rafe Clements (G, oboe), Aidan Chan (W, clarinet), Rupert Peacock (G, horn), James Inch (G, bassoon) – played a minuet from the Serenade K 375 by Mozart, with fabulous high horn notes; the Norfolk Ensemble – Aster Chun (g, violin), Timothy Lam (H, cello), Max Kam (H, clarinet), Oliver Rockall (V, clarinet), Cyprien Roche (H, trumpet), Felix Scott-Copeland (G, horn), Christian Pethick (g, trombone) played RWS’s arrangement of the Overture from Handel’s Water Music, with florid violin sounds and bright trumpeting; the better-known Jack Trombey’s ‘Eye Level’ (scored for string orchestra) was confidently led by Joe Deery (S); a fluent sax quartet – George Tennent (R), Theo Phillips (S), Oli Rockall (V) and Matthew Adams (S) – played Tchaikovsky; and a string quartet – Richard Lau (V), Christopher Tsang (S), Dickson Tse (R) and Daniel Lee (g) – reminded us (in case we had forgotten) how Pachelbel’s Canon goes.

Candlelit Carols programme OQ 14 ‘Come Thou Redeemer’, Praetorius & Woodward; ‘The Innkeeper’s Wife’, Clive Sansom; ‘Adam Lay Ybounden’, Ord; ‘Three Kings from Persian Lands’, Cornelius arr Atkins; ‘The Journey of the Magi’, TS Eliot; ‘Reges Tharsis’, Sheppard; from ‘A Christmas Carol’, Dickens; ‘Venite, Gaudete!’, Adrian Peacock; ‘Christmas Bells’, Longfellow; ‘Jingle Bells’, Pierpont arr Ralph Allwood; ‘In Dulci Jubilo’, trad arr Pearsall; ‘Christmas’, John Betjeman; ‘There is no Rose of Such Virtue’, Mark Shepherd; ‘I Sing of a Maiden’, Lennox Berkeley; ‘Carol for the Last Christmas Eve’, Norman Nicholson; ‘Away in a Manger’, arr Ryan Wigglesworth (S 97); ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’, 16thcent French arr Wood; ‘The Truth from Aboive’ arr RVW

The Past is Beautiful Chamber Choir at Sutton’s Hospital

OQ 14

After a half Quarter of intensive preparation leading to the choral pinnacle that is Candlelit Carols, the final week of OQ is always somewhat quieter. Our annual visit to the London Charterhouse is as much a relief as it is a wonderful experience; we are always welcomed so warmly by the Brothers and the Master – and this, more than anything, makes the evening so memorable. At evensong in Chapel we sang the Howells Gloucester Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis – a most ambitious choice of setting, given that it was written for the loveliest choral acoustics in Europe and here we were singing as if in a shoebox (though a most elegant one); the evening really kicked off, however, in the glowing hall. Carols and graces echoed from our creaking and sagging balcony perch over the hungry bustle of guests. The atmosphere was established; the evening felt promising. Eating with the Brothers was a privilege: they were excellent company, and had so much to share with us. They have led interesting lives, and could entertain us with diverting accounts of their past occupations and experiences. It was also much appreciated that we were served the same delicious

MARRIAGES

OXLEY – Miss Jean Puri to Mr Robert Oxley on 25th October 2014 at St Nicholas Church, Thames Ditton, Surrey

Junior Ensembles

CONCERTS

BROOKE HALL MARRIAGES

Tuesday 11th November

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POYNTER, Arthur Benedict Paul to Edward and Emily Poynter on 16th November 2014

menu as the diners in the hall. The London Charterhouse has a long and fascinating history, from its foundation as a monastery to its conversion for use as a school and an almshouse – and its history is continuing: just recently it has been used as a film set. Our evening drew to a close when we sang ‘Grace after Meat’, and we disappeared into the night just as the Headmaster was giving his speech. As we crossed Charterhouse Square, remarking on the candles that had been laid out across the lawn, I reflected that what we would most remember was the fellowship we had enjoyed. Henry Jones (R)

Friday 16th January

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CONCERTS

Owen Elton Charterhouse’s musical theatre enthusiasts assembled in Llewellyn Room to enjoy Owen Elton’s performance of a selection of songs from the shows. Demonstrating his impressive vocal range and mastery of American and Cockney accents, Mr Elton’s programme catered for all tastes: beginning with the prologue from Mary Poppins, featuring moving songs such as ‘Why God Why?’ (Miss Saigon) and ‘Stars’ (Les Miserables), interspersed with more comic or tongue-in-cheek tunes, for instance ‘If You Were Gay’ (Avenue Q) and ‘Dancing Through Life’ (Wicked) – the audience was taken on a journey through some of the most popular productions of the last forty years. ‘Out There’ from Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame closed the concert, whereupon the audience was given an opportunity to make a donation to charity. Fans of OPE can see him perform at the Guildford Fringe Festival this summer; meanwhile, let’s keep our fingers crossed that he’ll offer us another evening’s entertainment next year! REW

Cardinal Clinic programme LQ 15 Saxophone Quartet – Charles Rockall (V), William Freeman (S), Max Kam (H) and Richard Corrin (G): ‘The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ (Handel); ‘Liza’ (Gershwin) Aster Chun (g, violin): Praeludium from the Partita in E major (Bach) Brass Quartet – William Handley (W), George Pierson (H), Benjamin Harris (S), Felix Scott-Copeland (G): Fugue no.16 from The Well Tempered Clavier (Bach arr Cecil) ; ‘Happy’ (Pherrel Williams arr Hugh Davies) Stephanie Tso (g, violin), Mark Shepherd (piano): Sonata, 1st Movement (Elgar) Sutton Singers – Peter Adamson (G), Henry CrawshayWilliams (g), Joseph Deery (S), Michelle Fang (V), Henry Griffiths (S), Katherine Hastings (P), Florence Lace-Evans (P), Jacob Partington (G): ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ (Noble, Campbell & Connelly); ‘Short People’ (Newman) Underschool Brass – Cyprien Roche (H), Jacob Partington, George Campbell-Wilson (L), Felix Scott-Copeland, Christian Pethick (g), Oliver Geffen (D): ‘I Vow to Thee my Country’ (Holst arr Wyss); James Bond Theme (Barry arr Wyss) Peter Adamson (violin): Spring Sonata 2nd movement, Adagio (Beethoven) Norfolk Ensemble – Max Kam (clarinet), Oliver Rockall (V, clarinet), Cyprien Roche (trumpet), Felix Scott-Copeland (horn), Christian Pethick (trombone), Timothy Lam (cello) and Aster Chun (violin): Ballet (Debussy arr RWS), Tango and Popular Song from Façade (Walton arr RWS) and ‘Tahiti Trot’ (Shostakovich arr RWS) String Quartet – Aster Chun, Richard Lau (V), Dickson Tse (R), Timothy Lam: String Quartet in C (K 157) 2nd movement Stephanie Tso (violin) and Adam Bagley (H, oboe) with

Chamber Orchestra under JNP: Concerto for Oboe and Violin, JS Bach (BWV 1060)

Thursday 5th March Patrick Addinall (trumpet) with Mark Blatchly (organ & piano) and Hugh Davies, David Wright & George Pierson (trumpets) Patrick Addinall (D 77) is a phenomenon without equal in the world trumpet-playing – and he always was. With a veritable toolbox full of different trumpets he can play higher, faster, louder, softer, longer, truer than most could imagine. He is an artist, indefatigably searching for the perfect trumpet sound – and, along the way, he produces some miraculous performances. After judging Brass Prizes he gave a short recital at 6.30 pm in Chapel with his old Music A-level stablemate, MLJB (G 77), and Charterhouse brass staff – Hugh Davies and David Wright – and one of the School’s leading trumpeters, George Pierson (H). Mr Addinall began with the Fanfare for Unaccompanied Trumpet written for him, by the Charterhouse Composer-in-Residence Adrian Williams, to play at the opening of RVW Music School in 1985. Addinall’s gently fiery tone swelled and burst into a thousand colours in the glooming spaces of Chapel, whose vaults were better heard than seen. The programme switched between lively ensembles – Music for the Ark by CPE Bach, Noël Suisse by Louis-Claude Daquin and Canzo Cornetto by Samuel Scheidt – and dazzling solos: the Honegger Intrada and the opening Allegro from a Concerto by Tartini. On the following morning Addinall & Blatchly gave the School the Stanley Trumpet Voluntary after Chapel. Many of those round whom classical music seems to skirt like an unloved sonic ring-road declared that they had never heard anything like it.

Sympa-Synco-Symphony Jazz Group Gig

Llewellyn Room

CQ 15

Blue light, prinked with pinky red: a friendly crowd (the band) arrives. Ben Harris (S, trombone) starts a fugal exposition; he is followed by Alex Rutherford (S, saxophone) and Cyprien Roche (H, trumpet). Seun Oyeleye (G) starts to sing ‘Nostalgia in Times Square’ and is joined by Will Matthews (G, drums), Shane Mallard (P, bass) and Peter Adamson (G, piano). This number is, it turns out, in arch form; it ends as it began in the basement with Harris’s soulful trombone. An improvised piano segue heralds Oyeleye’s plaintive ‘I fall in love too easily’; Matthews, at the top of his excellent game, lends a sophisticated patina of brushwork while Oyeleye occasionally yodels. It is already clear that the balance during this concert will be conspicuously superb throughout. Florence Lace-Evans (P) now cautions us to listen out for a ‘song in blue, like a flower crying’ – and the hint of Piaf in her voice is only one of many shades of expressive top-spin she will apply in the next hour. Her phrases, nay individual words, break up under the emotional strain. She teases ‘symphony’ out into ‘sympho - - - ny’, and you wonder why you ever put up with hearing the whole word tumble out in one piece. Fatly hoarse muted trombone in the background cranks the pathos quotient the rest of the way to 100%. There’s more corrupted brass next, with throaty growls from Roche as Robyn Durnford (R) belts out ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ with irresistible and completely smooth power; her voice is thrillingly colourful and complete, carrying the persuasive conviction of the classic torch-singer. Not to be out-done,

Ling Chen (violin) with Stephanie Tso (g, violin), and Aster Chun (g, violin), John Parsons (viola), Timothy Lam (H, cello) & Mark Shepherd (piano) It is always a joy to welcome back OCs to the School, and we were especially pleased that Ling Chen (D 12), who was known as Joyce when at Charterhouse, came in CQ 15 to perform for us. During her time as a Music Scholar here (2010-12) Ling performed, among other things, the first movement of the Brahms Violin Concerto at the School’s Quatercentenary concert, and Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending with Symphony Orchestra. Since leaving the School Ling has been hailed as one of the most gifted violinists of her generation in Hong Kong, and has performed across Asia, Europe and North America. As a soloist, chamber music player and orchestral leader she has performed in many leading venues, including the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and St Martin-in-the Fields. She was appointed as the cultural ambassador of Hong Kong for the celebration the 10th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and serves as the youngest faculty member of Violin Studies at Yip’s Performing Art Centre, one of the premier music centres in Hong Kong. Many of her students have been awarded diplomas at the highest levels, and have won numerous competitions in Hong Kong, and internationally; Ling was awarded the Outstanding Mentor by the Hong Kong Musician Association in 2014. As a testament to her enthusiasm for teaching mentorship she was particularly keen to work with current Carthusians in this concert, all of whom gained a great deal from the experience of working with such an encouraging and skillful teacher and performer. The concert began with Johan Halvorsen’s somewhat eccentric arrangement of the passacaglia from Handel’s G Minor Harpsichord Suite, HWV 432. Although Halvorsen originally wrote for violin and viola, the work has been taken up by all manner of string duos, and Ling was joined this evening by Stephanie Tso (g, violin). I have heard this technically challenging work crashed through indiscriminately by a number of over-enthusiastic interpreters over the years, and it was a rare experience to hear it played with such discernment and musical skill.

CONCERTS

Monday 15th June

This Handel-Halvorsen was followed by the dramatic first movement of Schubert’s String Quartet No 14 in D minor; the work takes its nickname, ‘Death and the Maiden’, from Schubert’s song of the same name, which forms the basis of the second movement’s variations. This quartet is one of the pinnacles of the genre, and a significant mountain for any ensemble to climb, let alone one that had only come together to rehearse in the previous twenty-four hours. That the performance was so polished and musical was impressive enough; the fact that alongside Ling and John Parsons (Head of Strings) were two Removes, Aster Chun (g) and Timothy Lam (H), was even more remarkable: the future of string playing at Charterhouse looks very healthy indeed with such performers in the Underschool. Following the chamber music, the rest of the concert was given over to repertoire for violin and piano. Ling ceded the floor to Stephanie Tso for a muscular and exhilarating performance of Wieniawski’s virtuosic Scherzo Tarantelle, accompanied by Mark Shepherd. Ling returned to the stage for a performance of the second and fourth movements of Franck’s joyous Violin Sonata, for which she was joined by Gareth Owen, one the School’s piano teachers, and a frequent accompanist at Charterhouse concerts. This work is as much of a challenge for the pianist as it is for the violinist, and the performance demonstrated an impressive rapport between both performers, especially in the jubilant final movement. The concert finished with Monti’s ‘Czardas’, a virtuosic paean to the Style Hongrois and an entertaining end to such a happy occasion. We look forward to welcoming Ling back for future concerts with Carthusians. As if the occasion was not already special enough, Ling was given the opportunity in this concert to perform on the 1696 Stradivarius violin, a fine and well-preserved example of the maker’s work. A viola from the same year is currently held at the Royal Academy of Music and shares the same wood-grain pattern on the back; the wood for the backs of these instruments clearly came from adjacent slabs of wood from the same tree. Like many such instruments, its history is fascinating: this particular violin was stolen in 2010 from its then owner, Min-Jin Kym, an internationally acclaimed performer, while she ate in Pret A Manger at Euston Station in London. The thief was so ignorant of its value that he tried to sell it for just £100 to a bus driver he met in an internet café, who refused the offer because his daughter already had a recorder. Five years later the instrument was recovered, undamaged, by police at a property in the Midlands, and sold by the auction house Tarisio, to ‘an English violinist and a music festival’, as it was reported in the national press at the time. It was later revealed that this was Andrew Bernardi and the Shipley Festival (www.bmglive.com). John Parsons, who has been involved with the Festival since its conception, was given the opportunity to be a part of this scheme, and he now plays the instrument himself in concerts; indeed, he played it here recently when the Everard Ensemble performed the Brahms Piano Quintet. It is very much in keeping with spirit of Andrew Bernardi’s venture that the instrument is used (alongside his own work as a concert violinist) to inspire young people in Sussex and Surrey – and it was thus that Ling was able to play the violin in this concert. RCDM

Wednesday 17th June The Threepenny Opera – Brecht & Weill One of the greater joys of Artifex is the opportunity it gives to pupils to run with a project of their own – and command a good audience to witness the fruits of their labours. Barely

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Roche climbs a few storeys and matches Durnford belt for belt. Now Adamson accompanies himself at the piano in ‘My foolish heart’. His voice actually manages to upstage his dazzling piano playing: it has a head start, since his digits are battling with an intermediary (our rather meaty piano) whereas his voice is a unique instrument of extraordinary harmonic richness; every note is laden with overtones.... every note is, fact, a ‘sympho - - - ny’. Now Oyeleye is back with ‘There is no greater love than what I feel for you’. His audacious vocalising and the drumming of Matthews – whose solos this evening combine acrobatic wizardry with winsome subtlety – have been an admired feature of the Charterhouse landscape for five years, but never (one hopes) taken for granted. The three singers combine in a brief a cappella ‘Mood Indigo’ before a jaunty finale comprising ‘Billy’s Bounce’ and ‘Blackbird singing in the dead of night’, which sports some intriguing slap-bass percussion from Mallard. It’s over too soon. Jazz Group is trained by Mr Alex Curtis, and its seamlessly improvised performances are apparently effortless – but great expertise, exciting talent and much graft have conspired to delight and amaze us with (as the nonpareil improviser Pierre Cochereau described it) the art of the illusionist. MLJB

RECITALS

had the programme begun this year when such a gem was served up in Llewellyn Room. Those who made it down to the furthest reach of RVW (and there were many) cannot have failed to be entertained by this delightful pop-up version of The Threepenny Opera. Joseph Deery’s (S) coordination of a select troupe of young musicians (including the ever-spry MNS as occasional accompanist) treated us to a whistle-stop tour of Weill’s inimitable setting of the well-known Brecht play. Arthur Barnard (L) was an apposite choice as narrator and observer, swiftly switching the scene from shop to stable, from brothel to bar. Along the way, the eight-man cast conjured up the host of different characters, memorably in the vengeful ‘Pirate Jenny’ – sung by Maebh Mulligan Smith (H) – and the defiant and doleful ‘Barbara Song’ – Florence Lace-Evans (P). And who could forget Frederick Hervey-Bathurst (G) in the amusingly antithetical role of Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum, controller of the beggars? A brilliant Noel Coward-esque interpolation of Fagin-cumfence quickly showed the versatility of the cast, following on from an opening and mellow ‘Mack the Knife’. But there was nothing more superbly Artificial than pianistbaritone Peter Adamson (G) as the amoral anti-hero, whose technique and variety of tone allowed him to charm allcomers in ‘Love Song’ and ‘Ballad of the Easy Life’. It was in duet with Deery’s Tiger Brown in ‘Cannon Song’ that he later stole the show – but only just, such was the evocative mood and emotional involvement that was so eminently on display to an appreciative gathering. ICS

EVENING RECITALS Thursday 13th November

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James Chong (g, violin) with Sarah Pickering (piano) Adam Bagley (H, voice) with Eleanor Meynell (piano) The evening recitals present some of the best music-making at Charterhouse; it was gratifying to see this concert better attended than some, although it was still noticeable that few Carthusians were there to support their peers. It also pleased me to attend a concert in which both performers were properly dressed, eschewing the jacketlessness over which I have found myself (probably unnecessarily) exercised in previous reviews. Adam Bagley’s performance of Vaughan Williams’s complete Songs of Travel was sandwiched between James Chong’s two items. The songs were intelligently introduced by the performer, giving the audience some context in which to listen. The performance itself was beautifully characterised, which was partly down to the exemplary diction; every word could be heard clearly, allowing the audience to engage completely with the unfolding narrative. James Chong began the concert with the first two movements of Franck’s warhorse of a sonata, which he performed from memory. The first movement captured just the right sense of low-level intensity, and the second projected a strong sense of personality over the tumultuous piano accompaniment. The final item in the programme was Mozart’s charming G major Violin Concerto – his third – which was performed with a dash of wit. It is common to abstain from commenting on the pianists in such ventures; to do so for this concert would be absurd. It is not frequently enough acknowledged that accompanying is an extremely difficult job, especially with piano parts as technically and musical tricky as those in this concert.

Both accompanists performed superlatively, and their contributions were warmly appreciated by the audience. RCDM

Thursday 18th November Everard Ensemble Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor, op 34 I have never seen Llewellyn room as packed as it was for the Brahms concert. In fact, the beginning was delayed by several minutes while Mr Shepherd (among other beaks) feverishly unfolded chairs and gestured Underschool members (yes, even the Underschool turned up!) to shuffle along so that all the audience could fit in. A sudden unprompted hush descended and the players strode in to a soundtrack of applause and shuffling as necks craned to sneak a peek at the wonder of the evening – Mr Parsons’s Stradivarius. Indeed, once the audience had settled and the players had been introduced (we were in exalted company), Mr Parsons’s introduction drifted inevitably to the instrument in hand. His quip – ‘well I suppose most of you are here to see this’ – was met with not a little guilty laughter; but once the music first breathed into the room, the beautifully soaring sound of the Strad was matched in earnest by the sound of the entire ensemble – with Helen and Richard Birchall (2nd violin and cello), Margaret Roberts (piano), and our very own Mr Millard (viola). It is clear that these highly skilled and experienced musicians enjoy playing together immensely, as they create a unity of sound and emotion delivering performances of subtlety and power. This was a performance of stunning quality, carrying the listener through the terror, sorrow and euphoria of the music. Mention should be made of Joseph Deery’s (S) skilful and CN Waters (F) attentive page-turning

Friday 27th February Erica Flint (F, flute) and Henry Griffiths (S, clarinet) with Margaret Roberts (piano) This recital of weighty repertoire by two outstanding wind players (accompanied by the wonderful Margaret Roberts) was bound to be a great treat, and so it proved. Erica gave us a pair of rightly popular 20th-century masterpieces – the Berkeley Sonatina and the Poulenc Sonata – with the less well known but nonetheless delightful Allegro con guisto from a sonata by François Devienne (1759-1803; professor of the flute at the Paris Conservatoire). Henry played two movements from Brahms’s 1st Sonata in F minor and the Martinů Sonata. MLJB

Tuesday 3rd March Peter Adamson (G, violin) with Gareth Owen (piano) On the third day of chilly spring Peter Adamson (G) played Beethoven’s warm Spring Sonata with mature poise and elegance, especially in the Adagio – brief, poetic and (selon JNP the best slow movement of all) – in which Peter beguilingly conjured its evanescent charm. Admirable as this Beethoven is, Schumann’s three Fantasiestücke (op 73) are, as ‘twere, ‘metal more attractive’ – and, particularly in the last two – Lebhaft, leicht and Rasch und mit Feuer – Peter’s playing took flight. His swooping phrases were full of irresistible forward motion, moving with authority between the registers of the instrument: a fiery and quick ending to a fine recital. MLJB

Bach’s partitas, like Mahler’s symphonies, create a whole world – but differently: for Bach’s modus operandi is the multum in parvo (weaving ingenious counterpoint and harmony from a single line), whereas Mahler’s is the multum in multo. In fact, the Partita for solo violin in E (BWV 1006) has more movements than most Mahler symphonies – though, like Mahler, there are dances aplenty.... and no wonder, since it is a dance suite. That’s enough useless comparisons for now. Aster Chun stood just forward of the apse in Chapel on a still June evening, and filled the building with sound. He used the building too, but not (as some organists do) to hide in; he leant into the echoes, riding the sonic boom and (with fine judgement) letting the sound die before resuming. Here indeed was a whole world of musical invention, mastered with precocious authority and absolute commitment – from the very familiar Preludio and Gavotte en Rondeau, the delicate Loure and Minuets, to the brisk Bourrée and fugal Gigue. Aster Chun is a deeply serious instrumentalist of huge promise. Politely impatient of the thunderous applause that lapped after his Bach barque, he tucked his violin under his chin almost immediately in order – when we had duly caped the handbattering.... (we made him wait quite a long time) – to tackle Paganini’s 20th Caprice. This is that rare thing – a violin show-piece with soul. It is in arch form, with chromaticism and tranquillity above a drone in deceptively fast three-time in the outer sections and a calorific agitato in the middle. Chun negotiated its thrilling sequences, mad register-hops and terrifying octave passages with his customary calm. Still longer and louder applause followed. The audience migrated into Llewellyn Room for the second part: Elgar’s Sonata in E minor (op 82), and Wienawski’s Scherzo Tarantelle (op 16). Stephanie Tso’s violin playing has been described as ‘a series of platinum bullets hitting a plate-glass window, instantly forming perfect crystals’; so it was this evening, though there was so much more to her music-making than mere ballistics. Indeed, Elgar’s moody and at times indecisive utterances (the Sonata just pre-dates the Cello Concerto) call for an infinite range of colours, many of them autumnal; colours it got from an astonishing cello noise, through standard (but perfect) violin to a delicate accompanimental voice and eerily accurate high notes. Beyond this, there was palpable authenticity: Tso’s interpretation was as Worcestershire as a blustery hike on the Malverns – from the stormy Allegro, through the solemn-skittish half-thoughts and after-thoughts of the Andante, and the unquietly questing Allegro non troppo. Tso can play the fiendish Wienawski like a real pro (that is to say a very good one) right down to (or, in fact, right up to) those ludicrously high harmonics that she pinned on the tails of conventional but convoluted phrases. Here again were her immaculate changes of register (so often demanded by the Elgar) and completely unblemished by extreme quickness; also, despite this extreme quickness, Tso managed to make this not massively interesting piece of music sound like a masterpiece. You would have to have ears of cloth not to realise how extraordinarily in tune Stephanie Tso plays. Her co-ordination and aural acuity enable her to knock out the often practically impossible and to make musical pyrotechnics sound expressive. MNS, at the piano, was on magnificent form – knocking out a good many technical marvels of his own. MLJB

Composition Every year I’m taken aback at the sheer diversity of compositional styles adopted by Carthusian composers; on Thursday 21st May we heard pieces that ranged in style from 17th-century counterpoint to Schoenbergian Expressionism, from concert music to film music, and for instrumental groupings extending from solo piano to full symphony orchestra. Having recently returned from judging composition prizes at another school, I’m well aware of the difficulty of adjudicating such diversity, and our thanks must go to this year’s judge, Oliver Tarney (Head of Composition at Winchester College) who provided many perceptive and constructive comments on the compositions submitted. Peter Adamson (G) won the junior class, with an evocative piano trio; both Isaac Fletcher (D) and Rodney Fung (G) were highly commended. The senior class was won by the virtuosic and expressive Viola Concerto composed by Chris Waters (F), with Erica Flint’s (F) playful, Pan-ic flute piece receiving a high commendation; George Shipton’s (D) piece for clarinet and piano was commended. I would also like to highlight the superb compositions of Jacob Partington (G) and Oliver Geffen (D), as well as give thanks to all the performers who took the time to learn the compositions, and performed with such authority. RCDM

Organ Organ Prizes was held on Thursday 14th May at 5.30 pm. In the Ralph Llewellyn Prize (junior) Ruwan Silva (G) captured the incense-laden atmosphere of Boëllmann’s Cortège Solennel; Rupert Peacock (G) played Bach’s short Prelude in Bb (BWV 560/i) with deft pedalling, and Reger’s intensely chromatic ‘Christus, der ist mein Leben’; the winner was Christian Pethick (g) with a brisk and authoritative Prelude in G minor (BWV 558/i) and a poised reading of the first Agnus Dei movement from Couperin’s Messe pour les Couvents, which showed that he’d been écouting the peerless Poitiers recordings of JeanBaptiste Robin: cherchez-les! The James Prain Prize (senior) was a festival of noisy postludes: Stephanie Tso (g) gave a bold account of CS Lang’s ebullient Tuba Tune; Henry Crawshay-Williams (g), the winner, rippled through the flowing figuration of Pierné’s G minor Prélude; Arun Silva (G) gave flash, sparkle and even some gravitas to Rutter’s novelty wedding march, Toccata in Seven. It was a great pleasure to welcome back to Charterhouse Timothy Parsons (B 10) as judge and recitalist. After a year as Organ Scholar of Hereford Cathedral, Mr Parsons went up to Selwyn College Cambridge as Organ Scholar; he took a starred First in music. At present he is Organ Scholar of Winchester Cathedral, where during LQ 15 he was Acting Assistant Director of Music. His comments to the players were an erudite, richly detailed and succinct masterclass in history, articulation, ornamentation, tempo, registration and general matters of taste. At 6.30 Timothy Parsons gave a short recital, beginning with ‘Allein Gott in der HÖh’ sei Ehr’ a 2 Clav e Pedale, Canto fermo in Tenore by JS Bach (BWV 663) – featuring the H & H’s loveliest stop {note that I did not say ‘the H & H’s only lovely stop’}: the Lieblich Bourdon on the Choir. I have not been traduced a great deal in my life, so far as I am aware – but some naughty scuttlebuttery has it that I do not care for the Charterhouse organ. Wrong. I do. I just think that it has to be registered in a certain way, because (and this is incontrovertibly true) like most other English

MUSIC PRIZES

Aster Chun (g, violin) Stephanie Tso (g, violin) with Mark Shepherd (piano)

MUSIC PRIZES

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Tuesday 9th June

MUSIC PRIZES

organs of the early 20th-century, it was not designed for the staples of the organ repertoire: the Baroque − the French Classical, Romantic and Modern. What does that leave? Erm. Hymns and Howells. Why do we seldom hear the Choir Lieblich B? Because it is so quiet, and can only be heard if the audience is relatively small and prepared to make no noise at all – not even breathing (to add to the Niagara Falls effect of the organ’s grievous wind leaks). On with the review. Timothy Parsons’s Bach playing is quite wonderful. The phrasing and timing have that enviable and elusive just-so quality purveyed by only the finest players (such as Thomas Trotter). Few know how it is done, fewer still can do it – but thus by much art the music artlessly appears in its purest form. Parsons’s delicate and tender trio playing proved a refreshing and focusing prefix to the main course: Duruflé’s Suite (opus 5) – a brooding and melancholic escalade by major thirds: the arch-form Prélude in Eb minor, the lilting Sicilienne in G minor and the tarantella-like Toccata in B minor. The pacing was superbly judged, so that the somewhat episodic nature of the work was gathered up in one assured and totally convincing gesture. This triumphant return of a great OC was capped by the blazing B major with which Duruflé reluctantly (perhaps) but inevitably concludes. MLJB

Piano Piano Prizes took place on Sunday 9th November 2014. This year’s judge was Nicholas Salwey, Head of Piano and Deputy Master of Music at Winchester College. The adjudications provided some very interesting historical insights into various composers, as well as some helpful comments for the pupils to take away with them. The VSH Russell Prize (junior) was awarded to Alexander Nicol (V) for his confident performance of Grieg’s ‘Alvedans’. Nick Bellars (R) was also commended on his performance. Aisling Tuffy (R) won the intermediate Ehrmann Prize (no.1) with a lovely performance of Bach’s 5th Partita in G major. Henry Crawshay-Williams (g) won the intermediate Ehrmann Prize (no. 2) with a very musical account of Berceuse de la Poupée by Grovlez. There were many promising performances amongst the twenty-four pupils playing in this Prize – in particular Alister Kirby (S) and Matthew Bagley (P), who were both highly commended. The VSH Russell Prize (open) went jointly to Adam Bagley (H) for his very impressive performance of ‘Un Sospiro’, by Liszt and to Jasmine Ong (B) for a fine account of Beethoven’s Sonata in D minor op 31. Krit Patarapak (H) was highly commended. The Piano can be a lonely instrument at times, and it was lovely to have the chance for us all to get together and hear other performances. A thoroughly enjoyable day! Muriel Phillips

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Singing Singing Prizes was held on Tuesday 19th May at 4 pm. The Judge was Eloise Irving. The Joanna Dawson Prize (novice) went to Richard Lau (V) for a beautifully accurate and under-stated performance of Britten’s controversial ‘Sally Gardens’ arrangement – controversial because some (perhaps only one) find(s) it rather fussy, whilst most (perhaps nearly all) think it clever. Is some Britten beginning to sound dated? Never mind if so, since had Britten written only the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings (and ‘The Useful Plough’ from Friday Afternoons) he would be regarded as one of the super-great writers for the voice. The Warren Green Prize (intermediate) was won by Arun Silva (G) for his convincing and touching ‘Impossible Dream’ (Leigh & Darion), which ended with a completely

superb high and sustained ‘stars’: this one note alone would have been worth the prize. Archie Phillips (G) was commended for a lively (nay leaping) ‘Die Forelle’, billed as by Bach on the programme but sounding entirely like Schubert. The Philip Langridge Prize (advanced) was carried off by the first contestant: Seun Oyeleye (G). Everything he sings is joyously flung at the audience with his unique and soulful style – and both ‘Les Berceaux’ (Fauré) and ‘Being Alive’ (Sondheim) came with the same utter throbbing conviction. What followed was a class of remarkable quality and variety – with notable Schubert and Ireland from the pleasing light baritone of Christian Banks (g), Schumann and Mendelssöhn from the fiery tenor of Joe Deery (S), Caldara and Rodgers & Hammerstein from a Remove of rare promise – Scott Davies (D), Bellini and Purcell from the flexible and infinitely musical tenor of Jacob Partington (G), Purcell and Fauré from the cool counter-tenor of Henry Jones (R), and Bach and thoroughly English Kern from the deadpan and lustrous bass of Frederick HerveyBathurst (G); Christian Pethick (g) gave us a delicately controlled ‘Mach dich mein herze rein’ (Bach) and the BEST SONG, which regular readers of this article know is ‘Silent Noon’ by RVW. Just think: the composer of this extraordinary four minutes walked this hill-top, and not so very long ago! Yolande Rowson (D) – whose maturely vibrant soprano is truly remarkable, especially in its lower register – sang ‘Fleurs’ by Poulenc and ‘Dos Cantares Populares’ by Obradors in such a way as made the year before next Singing Prizes seem like a very long time. Banks, Deery, Jones, Partington and Rowson were duly commended. Peter Adamson (G) was highly commended for ‘Vi Ravviso’ (Bellini, La Somnambula) and ‘My Foolish Heart’ (Young & Washington), in which he accompanied himself in inimitable style at the piano – as was Florence Lace-Evans (P) for ‘Du bist die Rüh’ (Schubert) and a superbly acted ‘Some things are meant to be’ (Howland, Little Women). There was skilful and sympathetic piano accompaniment throughout from MNS, Eleanor Meynell, Tim Travers-Brown, Gareth Owen and Muriel Phillips. Eloise Irving’s adjudications were appreciative, encouraging and instructive. MLJB

String String Prizes, held on Sunday 10th May, was judged this year by Nic Pendlebury, Head of the String Department at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and also the founder and violist of the internationally acclaimed Smith Quartet. Nic is no stranger to Charterhouse, having judged String Prizes previously, and also conducted and performed here on several occasions. He is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced adjudicators we have had in recent years; not only did he pick the ‘correct’ winners (a definite bonus!) but he gave some extremely pertinent and useful advice to each player. The junior class (Geoffrey Ford Prize) was won by Richard Lau (V) with a compelling performance of the first movement of Bruch’s Violin Concerto; he played with a wonderful tone, and impressive musical insight. Dickson Tse (R) was highly commended (it was very difficult to choose between Dickson and Richard for first place) for a really musical performance of the gorgeous first movement of Bach’s Violin Concerto in E. Henry Bole (H), playing with an impressively big tone, was commended for his rendition of Jaccini’s Cello Sonata. The intermediate class was won by Aster Chun (g) with an evocative interpretation of Kreisler’s Recitativo and Scherzo Caprice – a very difficult, unaccompanied piece in the style of the Ysaÿe Sonatas. (Eugène Ysaÿe was a Belgian violinist and composer living about 100 years ago; Kreisler dedicated

This year Wind Prizes reverted to an old formula and became the Woodwind Prize Concert, and with apologies to Ronseal we had a concert and no adjudicator. This avoids the cruelty of comparing completely different instruments and making impossible musical judgements. Adjudicators are for pianists (and brass bands) for whom there is little to life apart than exams and competitions. But we did have to distribute some prizes and so two secret experts in the audience (happily) agreed which of the four performances they enjoyed the most. The programme only included star players, any of whom could have been thought to be the best, and it was shorter than usual because three of our senior stars were busy with exams and did not feel that they could have given their best. Here is the programme:Ben Birch (flute) – Cantilena from Sonata by Poulenc; Oliver Rockall (Saxophone) – Andante and Rondo by Millars; Matthew Bagley (Bassoon) – Solo de Concert by Pierné; Henry Crawshay-Williams (Oboe) – Larghetto, from Concerto in F by JC Bach; George Tennent (Saxophone) – Gypsy Songs by Balogh; Max Kam (Clarinet) – Concerto no. 2, 3rd movt by Spohr; Adam Bagley (Oboe) – Concerto by Bellini Oliver was awarded the George Draper Prize, George the Ashley, Max the Carpenter and Adam the Wales.

Golden Lightbulbs Festival of Ideas

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Nine 1YSs under the direction of Dr Tasos Aidonis gave short talks in this new enterprise, as follows: Jaime Ortega Olazabal (B) on why Franco was a benign dictator – Tallulah Young (P) on the importance of failure – Luke Doyle (S) on the extent to which the 1929 Wall Street Crash was a result of the death of liberal politics and economics – Jonathan Knight (R) on why is there a hegemony of Eurasian civilisations throughout history – Tom Willett (B) on the rise of nationalism in Britain in the 18th-century and the similar rise we see today – Jago Thomas (S) on why prisoners should have the vote – Arthur Barnard (L) on the Victorian sex poetry of Algernon Charles Swinburne, his skill as

1st XI Football Played 22, Won 12, Drawn 2, Lost 8, For 60, Against 54 Arch-rival Wes Mantooth, after hauling Ron Burgundy out of the bear enclosure at the San Diego zoo - the latter having gone in there to rescue former colleague, lover and betrayer Veronica Corningstone (who had been pushed by a rival newscaster), both, in the final analysis, owing their survival to Burgundy’s returning dog Baxter, who was able to negotiate with the bears as he had communed with one of their cousins on his voyage home, having earlier been lost to Ron as the result of having been thrown off a bridge – announced, as it became clear that Burgundy had resurrected his career in his act of supreme selflessness and hopeless love, ‘today we spell ‘redemption’ ‘R-O-N’.’ But this season redemption at Charterhouse was spelt ‘C-H-OU-S-E’. There were wrongs to be righted, injustices to be resolved, demons to be exorcised, souls to be made aflame, memories to be expunged and crimes to be solved. Last season left a number of lingering disappointments – losing to Eton, Westminster and Winchester for example – and this season vengeance was in the air and the Charterhouse XI approached the season with anger in their hearts and a rabid sense of indignation, like a bunch of discontented tenant farmers abusing absentee landlords and rallying to Michael Davitt’s Land League demanding nothing less than the 3Fs. The season probably hinged on the incredibly difficult cup draw, which pitched Charterhouse into an away fixture at Manchester Grammar School. Coming so early in the season, defeat would have been a heavy blow and MGS were by far the best side the 1st XI encountered all season. It really was an utter impossibility that the team found itself 1-0 in front at half time. The second half was more closely fought, the away side trailing 1-2, before producing two moments of character and class, resulting in Thomas Boulanger (P) scoring the all-important winning goal. And so did the result beget a cup run, which was halted only in the literal and metaphorical gloom of penalties, away at Ardingly in late November. In between times, a strong Eton side was held under the Heathrow flightpath, Winchester beaten and Westminster resolutely thumped 6-0. Ardingly came to Big Ground and lost; Alleyn’s came to Big Ground and lost; Highgate came to Big Ground and lost; Victoria College came to Big Ground and lost; Repton came to Big Ground and lost. It wasn’t perfect, of course. Two losses to Bradfield and Bede’s before October half term threatened to stall the momentum, while sloppy defending resulted in defeat at Hampton. But on the whole, this was a positive season. In its second season in business, Charterhouse football turned a profit. In Premier League terms, the 1st XI were definitely top half and if, perhaps, we didn’t do enough to make the top four, we probably did enough to guarantee ourselves Europa League football next year. The question, as always, is whether there is a big enough squad to cope because next year there are more absentees from the side than Russians from the workplace in the early Gorbachev era. Of those available for selection next season, only two players featured regularly this year. ‘It’s got to be turned over,’ said Bob Paisley, ‘year by year’. Exciting times ahead. Waiting in

FOOTBALL MUSIC PRIZES

Woodwind

a lyricist and why (in comparison to his contemporaries, predecessors and successors) he has never found favour with the critical establishment – Suvesshaa Iyanathan (D) on policy-making in macroeconomics with reference to Simon Wren-Lewis’s article ‘Received Wisdom’, which exposes our current dependence on knowledge that is generally believed to be true but is actually false – Frederick Hervey-Bathurst (G), on the golden ratio in nature and art.

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this piece to him, and described Ysaye as his ‘master and friend’.) Timothy Lam (H) was highly commended for his Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto (1st movement) which was accomplished and impassioned, and Katie Hastings was commended for her beautiful and musical ‘Chanson de Matin’ by Elgar. The open class (Antonia Butler Prize) was won by Stephanie Tso (g) for a dazzling performance of the last movement of Saint-Saëns’s 3rd Violin Concerto; she dispatched all the virtuosic ‘fireworks’ with ease and aplomb (it appears that she plays the violin as fast as she runs, and as high as she jumps) and gave us a thoroughly convincing performance. James Chong (g) was highly commended for his performance of the second movement of Franck’s Violin Sonata (written for Ysaÿe’s wedding incidentally), which was full of enormous contrasts of tone – by turns passionate, tender and turbulent; James captured the mood of this music perfectly. The commended spot was shared between Peter Adamson (G) – giving a skilled and musical performance of Schumann’s Fantasiestücke no. 3 – and Matthias Ravens (W) – playing the final movement of Elgar’s Cello Concerto; this was a heartfelt and honest performance, which brought us to the end of a day of great string playing, of which all the participants should be very proud. JNP

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the wings are fresher faces than in an advert for Johnson’s Baby Powder. It’s very similar to Stars in their Eyes, when some random, average-looking bloke announces ‘tonight Matthew, I’m going to be…’ before seconds later emerging as Neil Diamond. All the work is done behind that curtain and, very often, the results are startling. And one never knows until the singing starts. We will have to, in the words of H.H. Asquith, ‘wait and see’. Sure that ideology ended poorly for the Squiffites but this will be different. We hope. ACS Cobham W 4-1 (Dickinson 1, Idle 3) Charterhouse laboured and then finally delivered after three thirds of absorbing football on a glorious sunny September day. Struggling with selection and injury, the home team’s 13 players were reduced to 12 when the magical Warburton, who up until then had been the clear star of the show, had to be replaced because he was ‘seeing stars’. There certainly weren’t many ‘stars’ to be seen on the Charterhouse team in that first third, but after DH laid down a few home truths at the break, a response was soon forthcoming. Charterhouse had lost a goal in that first third. Warburton’s removal from the fray came just as the home side prepared to defend a dangerous set piece. And, of course, ACS Cobham scored, Warburton’s absence crucial. The second third saw three exceptional performances from Dickinson, Harvey and captain Hughes. Fittingly it was Dickinson who equalised after some good work by de Coninck-Smith on the left hand side. Going into the final third, Roche pulled up with one of his customary injuries, while Lutyens fell foul of cramp. It looked like Charterhouse might have to see out 21 minutes with the score poised at 1-1. But that was before the Sam Idle show. His first goal was created by good play from Dickinson and Lutyens, but it still left Idle with a 40 yard run on goal, before a neat finish put Charterhouse ahead. Then Dickinson again with some influential play, released Wainwright, whose inchperfect cross was met by Idle, who, by now, was mounting the sort of charge not seen since the Light Brigade. Next thing you know, he’s only gone and got himself a hat-trick! Lovely turn on the edge of the box. 4-1. Utterly utterly remarkable. Still time to concede a soft second, which was, of course, disappointing, but look, a win’s a win. And the season is up and running. OCs L 3-6 (Lutyens, Yiadom, Harvey) Charterhouse Old Boys always represent a formidable hurdle. The sight of a decent-sized squad of fully grown men with a month of pre-season and a couple of warm up games in their tank was one to behold indeed. But behold it the canny players of the 1st XI did. If that makes any sense. A format of three thirds was negotiated, which was actually

a great test of fitness and the opportunity to try a few players in some different positions. It proved to be troublesome for both Roche and Lutyens, both of whom succumbed to injuries, which would keep them out of the ISFA Sixes competition, to be held on Sunday. Nevertheless, the first third showcased some solid play but a little bit of defensive frailty, as the OCs quickly established a 3-0 lead. Having regrouped however, the Charterhouse back line solidified, helped enormously by Legge and Saveliev as respective full backs. Legge has somehow acquired a reputation for having the ‘safest hands in Surrey’ and though this is more of a cricketing boast, metaphorically it held true during the second third. Saveliev was efficient, busy and cemented the claim that he is one of the best passers of the ball over 1015 yards in the school. That second third saw Charterhouse draw 1-1 with the OCs, a brilliantly taken goal by Lutyens netting for the home side. The final third saw the reintroduction of Boulanger, the debutant, who settled very well. I’m sure there will be time for lots of bread-related puns as the season progresses, but let’s constrain ourselves today. Let’s not rise to it. The final session was keenly contested; at one point Charterhouse led 2-1, thanks to goals from Yiadom (a towering header over a despairing Cadzow) and a lovely team goal, finished off by Mark Harvey. However the OCs rallied to score an equaliser, making the final third 2-2. Overall, the score was 3-6, but it’s so much better to look at it in the respective thirds. At least that’s my opinion.Hughes was once again outstanding at centre back; Dickinson continues to impress. Overall we’re two proud coaches and we’re very excited about Alleyn’s on Wednesday, the first league game of the season. ISFA Sixes An exhausted and depleted Charterhouse side saw exactly half of London’s orbital motorway on their Sunday morning jaunt to Chigwell School. A slight navigational error resulted in the driver missing the M11, one of the smaller roads intersecting with this loop, which meant a tight arrival time and scant preparation before the first game against Manchester Grammar School. It’s easily done. Nevertheless the players acquitted themselves really well in the format, narrowly losing 0-1 to a decent side in somewhat controversial circumstances. That said, if the referee doesn’t blow the whistle, the game doesn’t stop, even if the ball is one metre over the dead ball line. Another narrow loss to another decent side in Ardingly ensued, before Hughes notched up a corker, simply belting the ball past the St. Columba’s goalkeeper to attain victory in game three. Unfortunately Charterhouse never really recovered from the lunch break; a number of players were absolutely out on their feet, unsurprisingly after the exertions against the OCs the day before. In the end, a disappointing exit from the tournament, at the hands of Forest school, despite a nicely taken goal from Sam Idle. And we got lost on the way home. Alleyn’s W 3-0 (Dickinson, Yiadom, Lutyens) Charterhouse rampaged to victory over a good Alleyn’s side on Big Ground, netting thrice with no reply as the league season got off to a flier. A keenly contested match could have gone either way at various points but the character and fortitude of the home side was inspirational at times. At the back Warburton and Boston-Townsend resumed their partnership and together with Coghlan, Hughes and Legge, they looked like a quintet of angry nightclub bouncers, determined to deny entry to any would-be revellers. In midfield, Boulanger and Harvey were combative and broke down play. Of course with Boulanger in that holding role, there was no way any attacker was going to slice through

Eton D 2-2 (Yiadom, Lutyens) The Duke of Wellington probably didn’t say that the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton. Nevertheless, there certainly was a battle of the fields of Eton in this match, Charterhouse receiving three yellow cards for their trouble in what was a closely contested encounter. Charterhouse took the lead with a Yiadom penalty, only to see the home side equalise in the third minute of first-half injury time, with another penalty. The second half commenced with more bluster, hard knocks and body blows. A Hughes exocet throw was nodded on by Boston-Townsend and Lutyens poked home from short range, Charterhouse taking a slender advantage. This too was cancelled out, as if an enormous game of tic-tac-toe was being played out. Eton’s second goal was a touch disappointing, coming from yet another long ball over the top. For once, the Charterhouse defence was not well organised and Eton were presented with a tap in, to level at 2-2. A tense finale saw both sides have chances, while a long period of injury time made for an uncomfortable last stretch. Overall, Charterhouse deserve enormous credit for standing up to Eton’s style of play and grinding out a result. Particular mention should go to the defence: Hughes, Warburton and Boston-Townsend, marshalled by Coghlan, but perhaps Wainwright deserves the most credit for his man of the match performance at left back, where he was simply outstanding. Charterhouse remain undefeated in three school matches and face Westminster this Tuesday, looking for revenge for the 0-2 result last year. Onwards!

Forest W 2-1 (Harvey, Lutyens) Going to Forest is like being in a Narnia novel. Emerging through some sort of enchanted wood, one finds oneself bestriding several playing fields, as if laying claim to unchartered territory like some sort of nineteenth century missionary. And so it was that Charterhouse came bearing a message and looking for an audience. After the sort of coach journey normally enjoyed by Newcastle fans travelling to Southampton, the game finally kicked off a full one hour and twenty minutes late. Understandably this resulted in a sloppy start, but the back line was superbly marshalled by Boston Townsend, with Isvy growing in confidence and assurance beside him. Hughes handled the speedy Forest left winger with aplomb and Charterhouse began to turn the screw, like the Russians after the winter of 1942/3. Into the break at 0-0, it was clear that the away side had the momentum. Despite chances (and disallowed goals) for Yiadom and Aldersley, it was the unlikely figure of Mark Harvey who put Charterhouse into the lead. I say unlikely, because Harvey’s shooting can be erratic to say the least. Still that’s his second goal in as many games. This one was memorable for the fact that he commented on the goal as it headed towards the net. I’ve never seen that before. He could very clearly be heard saying ‘that’s the one’ as his floated forty yard free kick headed towards the corner of the goal. Remarkable. After that, Charterhouse looked comfortable, the second easing the tension. Lutyens was on target this time, hassling and haranguing the Forest defender before carrying the ball 35 yards and finishing with aplomb. There was still time for some late tension as Forest pulled one back after weak defensive play high up the field and still time for outrage at the shameless dive, for which Saveliev was responsible. In a one on one with the keeper and looking for his first senior goal, Saveliev decided to boot the ball into the back garden of an adjoining house before flinging himself to the ground with preposterous theatrics. Shocking. Nevertheless, Charterhouse saw out the game to record a 2-1 victory. Momentum maintained as Manchester looms on the horizon.

Westminster W 6-0 (Aldersley 2, Yiadom 2, Harvey, Lutyens) Charterhouse thumped Westminster in a stunning act of retribution for last year’s red-faced ignominy. In this, the 151st game between these two footballing juggernauts, Charterhouse set out to make a point, to cleanse the soul and frankly to put the house in order once more. Verily is the world back on its axis. And it was put there in age-old fashion by two big men up top. Aldersley and Yiadom are much more than that of course, but blimey they’re absolute colossi. They were too much for the Wesminster back line; providing a combination of pace, power and (I love

FOOTBALL

alliteration) purposeful penetration. Aldersley opened the scoring with a goal akin to the one Eric Cantona scored in the 1996 FA Cup Final against Liverpool, mastering a difficult technique to notch his first goal for Charterhouse 1st XI. Not to be outdone, Yiadom notched his fourth goal in four games, a lovely piece of skill followed by a deft finish making it 2-0. Before the half was out, Aldersley was at it again, reacting quickly and dancing through the Westminster lineup like a latter-day Christine Keeler, before a positively cheeky chip made it 3-0. Into the second half and Charterhouse went again. Harvey netted the fourth with what looked like the strike of the season, before it became apparent that the mother of all deflections had aided the ball’s flight (at least one account had the initial strike sailing off into the squash courts). Then good play from Yiadom sent Lutyens free in the penalty area, a left-footed finish making it five. Yiadom bagged the sixth with an absolute belter. Turning on a sixpence he sent the ball into the net with sheer disdain, lashing it past the despairing Westminster keeper in a style reminiscent of H.S. Hamish from Roy of the Rovers fame. All in all a good day at the office, but as was said after the game, there is even more to come. With ISFA a week away and Forest in between, the season is reaching a critical point. When Mercury said ‘don’t stop me now cos’ I’m having a good time’ he really was onto something.

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the defence. That said, there were a few hairy moments, but the home side deserved their luck. Up front, Yiadom looked very dangerous for the whole game, often simply steamrollering his way through the Alleyn’s back line, like the Russian army at the outset of World War One. It was good play from Yiadom that released Dickinson into the box for Charterhouse’s first goal, a neat move capped off by a fine finish. This was Dickinson’s second of the season in only three games. After a nervy last ten minutes, Charterhouse reached the break with a slender advantage. Twenty minutes of tension followed as the second half got underway, but the introduction of Wainwright and Saveliev steadied the ship, the latter anchoring the midfield, the former adding pace and penetration in wide areas. Charterhouse were slowly beginning to turn the screw, like medieval torture agents in charge of a garrotting machine. The second goal effectively ended the match, Yiadom with a good turn and acceleration and a smart finish, his second of the season. Shortly thereafter, Lutyens popped up with his second of the season, a volley after more good play from Yiadom, who thus was involved in all three goals, showing clear signs that he’s approaching full fitness. It might even be possible that Charterhouse sit atop the Elgin Capital Southern League tonight. This was a fine start in a season of redemption. Next up: Eton.

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Manchester Grammar School W 3-2 (Yiadom 2, Boulanger) After a KFC, a curry, a full English, a Subway, Chicken and Chips, and a Burger King, not to mention the discovery of the ‘Krushem’, Charterhouse’s 1st XI returned home absolutely stuffed full. And they could rub their swollen tummies with pride because, dangerous as this diet might prove to its long-term health, the heart was strong and the heart was absolutely willing. Charterhouse went into battle in Manchester and emerged triumphant, mounting their horses and riding off to the south with tales of heroism, daring and achievement. And a 3-2 win. And what a win. What a win! The scenes pitch side at the end of 80 minutes of pulsating drama were wonderful to behold. Every man jack up on his feet, including some fantastic support from a number of OCs based in Manchester. Well every man jack except Yiadom, who left everything on the pitch and was an exhausted heap, and Lutyens, whose knee had swollen to some sort of ridiculous size. But delirium, you magnificent maned beast, what a pleasure it was to see you run in the fields, your magisterial head held high as you pawed at the light. And what a game. What a game! To say it was a slow start doesn’t really do it justice. MGS were demonic in the first twenty minutes, pounding on the door like a scene from The Shining. In that frenetic period, Charterhouse’s post was struck twice and the bar once, while Coghlan demonstrated his sensational solidity with a number of saves. The MGS right winger was an absolute bag of snakes and caused all sorts of problems to the Charterhouse rearguard. Truly the away side led a charmed life against a really talented side. But slowly a foothold became established. Boulanger, Saveliev and Harvey began to snuff, Yiadom began to sniff and MGS started to snag (does that even make sense?). But no-one saw what was to come next. Yiadom, freshly descended from Olympus and seemingly covered in a cloth of gold, received the ball from a throw on the edge of the eighteen yard box, took one touch, swivelled and pummelled the ball into the top corner with his left foot. And it was was almost as if a crowd of angels started singing. One nil Charterhouse. And so it stayed until the break. It was the most extraordinary scoreline, given what had gone before. But Charterhouse weren’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth and set out to make the best of their good fortune, conceding virtually the instant the second half began, the immortal words of DH still ringing in their ears (‘if they don’t score boys, we win’). And then they scored again and oh tragedy, you wretched wench, don’t take it all away! Back came Charterhouse, Yiadom again, this time with an evasive manoeuvre, forty yard run and tidy finish. 2-2. And where next on this ghost train? Still time for late heroics from the unlikely figure of Thomas Boulanger, who strode forward like Cecil Rhodes, latching on to an inch perfect pass from the inspirational Hughes and finishing with dainty decorum. What a time to slot one in the bread basket. Superb. And aside from the goalscorers, there was effort and determination and guts and glory and a stubborn refusal to yield all over the team. Boston-Townsend and Warburton were like two huge boulders resisting the violence of the ocean, while Coghlan was immense. Hughes had his best game, leading the troops, while Legge fought and harried and looked as if he’d never been away. Lutyens ran about 35 kilometres during the game; Idle and Kristensen gave their all on the flanks. Aldersley, unlucky not to get more game time, chipped in with steely determination and Dickinson risked further injury to snub yet more waves of attacks from the home side. And MPB, fresh from one of the great curry orders, tweeted away with grit and determination while IJMH looked on, supportive, nervous, ever-reliable and loyal. It was a fantastic team effort, one of the great away

trips and the stuff of memories. And now Winchester await. At home. The second round. ‘Mother doesn’t know where love has gone’ said Spandau Ballet, ‘she says it must be youth that keeps us feeling strong’. Amen Spandau Ballet. Amen. Repton W 3-2 (Legge 2, Dickinson) ‘Go and cause some trouble’ said Harvey to Hughes and it was an apt description for the home side’s approach to the game. Looking to move on after THAT win against MGS, Charterhouse started strong, Yiadom releasing Wainwright in the first seconds of the game, the latter forcing a shot, which was well saved by the Repton goalkeeper. For the first twenty minutes Charterhouse looked on top and took the lead when ‘turn down service’ Legge slotted a penalty past the Repton goalkeeper. Alas it didn’t last, Repton grabbing an equaliser in the last seconds of the first section of the game, when a mistake led to the Repton forward waltzing through the defensive line like an ex-cricketer on Strictly Come Dancing. For once the Charterhouse defence parted, ushering through their opponent with grace and politeness and presenting him with an empty net, like a sommelier in a Harvester. 1-1 at the break. The home side came out strong at the start of the second half, a powerful run from Yiadom resulting in a good finish from Dickinson, increasing his impressive midfield tally for the season. Then, controversy. A second penalty for Charterhouse, awarded for pushing in the box. Probably not an understatement to say that the away side disagreed with the decision, but ‘can’t believe there’s no table service at Subway’ Legge ensured that he bagged a brace in the match, extending the lead to 3-1. But, as appears customary in these balmy autumnal days, the game was not destined to peter out. Instead, the home side conceded an awful goal from a short corner and Repton were right back in it. And such was the hospitality on show that Charterhouse seemed insistent on ensuring the away side left with a point, presenting a series of chances to the Repton forwards as if desperate for parity to ensue. Fortunately the end came on Big Ground, meaning that Charterhouse see out September with an unbeaten record, six wins and a draw. ISFA Cup. Second round. Winchester. Home. Tuesday. 3pm. Boom! Winchester College W 2-0 (Aldersley, Yiadom) ‘Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true’. There really was the most amazing rainbow in this match, arching high over Charterhouse’s south tower like Dick Fosbury on a balmy night in Mexico City. And verily did the pot of gold manifest itself as entrance into the third round. In truth, the rainbow was among the more spectacular sights in this particular game, the home side labouring to a solid 2-0 victory over a resilient and well-marshalled Winchester team. Fortunately the first goal was relatively early in the piece, a typically high-octane run by Yiadom resulting in a magnificent cross, which was met by the sweetest of headers from the deadly Aldersley. Winchester ummed and ahhed, prodded, poked, muttered and spluttered but found it difficult to penetrate the Charterhouse back line, even if they did have the longest thrower of a football since Thomas Gronnemark set the world record back in 2010. Time and time again he arrowed the ball into the Charterhouse area like some sort of Agincourt archer, but time and time again, unlike the French, the home side were equal to it. Into the second half and Charterhouse mustered themselves to score another. This time Aldersley, having had his back scratched by Yiadom, set out to return the favour, delivering a cross that seemed to make time stand still, as Yiadom collected

Bradfield L 2-0 London buses and all that. And not the bendy or new-style buses, but two of the old, knackered, stuck-on-HighgateWest-Hill buses. Because we’re a good side. A strong side. And we gave our all again. And again. And we gave Bradfield a proper game. But still we lost. And the bells rang. And they quite literally rang from the moment we kicked off

Hampton School L 3-5 (Lutyens, Harvey, Dickinson) Eight goals at Hampton. More action there since that crazed Protestant womaniser Henry VIII sacked Wolsey and nicked his house. And it’s difficult to imagine how the ‘defender of the faith’ would have felt about Charterhouse’s rearguard during this game, as five pretty poor goals were shipped like cargo on the Mary Rose. For a while it was even. Lutyens’ equaliser brought parity to a match where dominance was hard to come by as the two sides wrestled with each other like Henry and Francis at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. However, it was all thrown away in ten disastrous minutes as Charterhouse fell apart, conceding goals two and three and entering half time with real issues, the like of which made the future fate of the Church seem somewhat trivial. The passing was abysmal at times, occasionally leading to the Charterhouse coaches turning away in disgust like Henry VIII after seeing Anne of Cleves in the flesh. However the away side rallied and pursued the second half like a bunch of Tudor propagandists seeking to discredit Richard III. Wave after wave of attack was launched, Roche and Dickinson excelling on the flanks and Lutyens causing constant problems with his machinations, intrigues and plots, like a latter-day Thomas Cranmer. And yet momentum stalled and Hampton again were presented with a brace. And now it was 5! But Charterhouse weren’t to be deterred. Bad boy Harvey, the dancing theologian, booked in the first half, absolutely hammered home with a brilliant left foot finish, before a wondrous cross from Dickinson was converted by Yiadom. And so 3-5 was the final score. Much more positive in the second half but so much frustration at having scored three good goals and conceded five such shockers. Still, at least no-one lost their head.

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Bede’s L 3-4 (Roche, Aldersley, Yiadom) Nelly Furtado asked the pertinent question ‘why do all good things come to an end?’ And frustratingly she never really answered her own question Fortunately analysing football is a bit easier than answering the great philosophical questions but it’s no less depressing for all that. What is clear is that Charterhouse are possessed with a magnificent team spirit; they fought and battled for each other until the bitter end, like a collection of mothers in their mid-thirties scrapping over the last Elsa and Anna dolls at the Disney store. But blimey there was some pretty poor defending on show. All four goals were preventable with missed tackles being a common theme. But Bede’s were a good side and Charterhouse more than matched them, scoring three good goals of their own. Bede’s took the lead after a series of missed tackles on the half way line were succeeded by a number of further missed tackles in the defensive third, before, in a lovely piece of thematic consistency, tackles were missed on the edge of the box leading to a tap-in. But then there was Roche. And what a goal. Storming through, like a sans-culotte at the Bastille, he met a floated throughball with a first time strike on the outside of the right boot, the ball soaring into the goal and nestling in the corner like a contented toddler chewing on a blanket. Half time and Charterhouse could rightly be pleased with their resilience in getting back into the game. And then the lead, Aldersley with a screwed shot on his left peg, kissing the far post and eliciting delirium. The lead lasted approximately 20 seconds before a slip allowed Bede’s in for a tidy finish. And then another. This time the Bede’s forward tiptoed through the centre of the park like Nureyev, skipping over tackles with giggling glee as if overwhelmed by excitement at the thought of clawing at the Christmas paper covering his little BMX. And yet still Charterhouse came, Yiadom with the equaliser. Surely this time the pendulum wouldn’t swing. And yet, propelled by the pesky laws of Physics, sure enough it did, and at great pace. Probably only 15 seconds elapsed on this occasion before Bede’s netted again. And so it ended. Ah frustration and anger you old foes, back again, as we knew you someday would be. Despondency, depression, despair. Yet, Churchill once said ‘now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning’. So we’ve lost the unbeaten run, but life goes on and there’s always a match around the corner. Bradfield you say? Well well. Tasty.

until the moment Legge got tangled in a bench. Grey skies and ringing bells. It was positively funereal. And amidst lit candles, the Bradfield centre back wandered into the Charterhouse box at the pace of a cortege, but still wasn’t picked up. One simple header later and it was 0-1 and the strong smell of incense wafted over Big Ground. But after that Charterhouse settled and arguably had the better of the first half, Yiadom spurning two good chances to equalise. Half time and belief surged through the Charterhouse ranks. In the second half, Aldersley crashed a brilliantlytaken effort into the Bradfield crossbar, but alas, it found its way out to safety. On the flanks, Dickinson and Roche put in magnificent shifts, the latter having one of his best games of the season to date. Hughes was glorious at centre back, alongside the ever-reliable Boston-Townsend. And yet it wasn’t enough because, in a moment of heartache, a short corner caused the sort of havoc normally seen on the first day of ticket sales at a New Kids on the Block concert. Whitley Bay Ice Rink, 1989, that’s all I’m saying. And it was 0-2. ‘Tragedy’, remarked Barry Gibb , ‘when the feelings gone and you can’t go on. It’s tragedy.’ So disappointing to lose two in a row, but it’s been a long seven weeks and the boys should be hugely proud of how well we’ve done. David Peace writes of Bill Shankly after a Liverpool defeat to Cardiff City, in Red or Dead, ‘There will always be times when we get beaten’, said Bill Shankly. ‘There will always be times when we lose. But the important thing is what we take away from that beating, what we learn when we lose. Because we’ll always learn more from a loss than a win. So remember that and learn that, lads. And I’ll see you all on Monday.’ But that particular Monday, Liverpool Football Club weren’t about to travel to Glasgow for four training sessions at Celtic Football Club and three matches against Kilmarnock, St. Mirren and Falkirk. But we are. Aye lad. The tour is upon us.

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the ball, made himself a cup of tea and an emmental panini and dispatched the ball into the far corner. The second goal, much like the impact of the decree abolishing the feudal system on 4/5 August 1789, seemed to satisfy the popular movement, viz. the decent contingent that came to see whether Charterhouse were the real deal this season. Perhaps there are more questions to answer, but where better to start than round three? In the end, the game petered out to a lacklustre finish, but the sign of a good side is winning when not playing well and now another live draw looms on Thursday night, with Charterhouse very much in the hat. ‘If happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbow, why oh why can’t I?’. Precisely.

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Ardingly D 2-2 (Yiadom, Lutyens) lost on penalties Agony. Pain strewn across grassy hearts. And cruel fortune gnawing at the soul like a toddler at a rice cake. Heroes all. Men. To a man. Under threatening skies on an Ardingly ground surrounded by slopes that made the pitch feel like it was precariously perched on a volcano, Charterhouse exhorted. Charterhouse urged. And Charterhouse pressed. And Charterhouse led. And Charterhouse stood firm. And at half time it was 1-0. Yiadom had notched again. And belief surged through the veins like Irn Bru through a Scotsman. But Ardingly were utterly relentless in the second half, coming out of the traps like a frustrated greyhound chasing a tattered old bunny. And first an equalizer and then the lead. And Charterhouse looked within themselves. As we squinted into the darkness, M People seemed to appear on the horizon singing ‘search for the hero inside yourself. Until you find the key to your life.’ And Charterhouse responded. They went again, metaphorically proclaiming with one voice ‘just seek yourself and you will shine’. And the tide turned. And the ever-irrepressible Lutyens looped a header into the back of the net for 2-2. And could it be? Might it be? And at once further tension as a mistimed tackle saw Harvey see red. And then were ten. But the little one didn’t roll over. Instead the team banged their heads together and began to shout. It was almost like that scene from the ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ as collectively Charterhouse beat their chests in time and hummed as one. ‘You know what?’ they proclaimed, ‘we’re not leaving, we’re not leaving. We’re not #*^*ing leaving. The show goes on. This is my home!’ And they pressed and harried and hassled. And they strove. And my word did our proud hearts swell to bursting. And they held out In the face of incessant pressure, in an almost literal recreation of that scene in the ‘300’, though everyone was wearing tops. And full time. And extra time. And then the frenetic pace and fuzzy noise gave way to a slow thudding heartbeat. Penalties. And Hughes took a belter. But then three were missed. And in the mist. In the still greyness. In the centre circle. At last it was over. Ah ISFA you wretched harlot. What fate has befallen us! You took us in, gave us shelter and tended to our wounds. And now you throw us onto the street and we leave you, bereft and sorrowful. And, like Narnia for Peter and Susan after the ‘Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ or Edmund after ‘Prince Caspian’ many of us will be too old ever to see you again. But it was fun. Let’s try and remember the good times like Coghlan’s saves today, one of which was simply impossible, or Boulanger at MGS or the sheer size of Bicknell’s curry order in Manchester. These were the days of our lives. Farewell my old friend. Fare thee well. But the League lives on and it continues tomorrow against Ibstock. And so we press on hand-in-hand into the next adventure with our eyes wide open and our hearts aflame. And we’ll find our voices again. And we’ll sing aloud and proclaim a new dawn as sure as night follows day. Or something like that. Ibstock Place L 0-2 Nadir. Inordinate nadir. Lord Mayor’s show over. Finished. And an afternoon that started in sunshine finished in damp, pathetic grey and all was drab and dark and dead. Even the two rainbows that soared over Big Ground didn’t promise any treasure or hope. Or leprechauns for that matter. Hangover? Unfair. Those that played in the drizzle at Ardingly gave their all again, but this was a much changed side. Wainwright came in at right back; Wainwright played at left back. Guy played at right back; Guy played at centre back. And they were three different people. It was preposterously confusing. And Platts made

a creditable debut, though disappointingly his name offers few American links, because fellow debutants Columbus and Orlando are absolutely ripe for all sorts of USA-related metaphors, similes and puns. Still, it will suffice here to say that Columbus really discovered himself as a 1st XI goalkeeper and Orlando offered glimpses of a magical kingdom where dreams come true. Guy Wainwright, making his debut for the 1st XI, playing alongside Guy and Wainwright, also played well. Ibstock Place took the lead with a goal kick. It really was that bad. A long hoof down the pitch broke the centre back pairing as easily as a moist Rich Tea and despite a valiant effort from Columbus, the centre forward dispatched the ball into the goal. 0-1 at half time. Charterhouse pressed harder than a Corby 3300 but weren’t able to capitalise on some excellent opportunities and, in the last minute Ibstock broke free and notched a second. It really was a wretched end to an unedifying week. And it’s only Wednesday. ‘So if you’re waiting, jump out your skin. To find a cure for whatever state you’re in … I put on my shoes and I’m ready for the weekend’. We’ll just have to be, Calvin. True that. Ardingly. Again. Ardingly W 2-1 (Wainwright, Roche) Big Ground. 3.32pm. Victory. Ah, the refreshing splash of redemption, like some sort of 1980s’ Bounty commercial or Tom Daley’s bronze in London. And Coghlan again at the very heart of it, his every limb a barrier, his very essence an impediment as Charterhouse clung on and ultimately endured. Back between the sticks after a break against Ibstock, Coghlan was immense, patrolling his zone like an overly-officious Godalming parking attendant (6 minutes late! £50! So harsh) and pulling off a series of saves as Ardingly showed their quality in the final third. Charterhouse did have to weather a storm on an oddly flat day, where time seemed to stand still and, at points, go backwards. It wouldn’t have been any surprise to see Harry and Hermione appear from the South African Cloister with a Time Turner, seeking to rescue Buckbeak from the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, before using him to liberate Sirius Black, all the while trying to make it back to the medical centre before the last chime of the clock. And as time ticked on, Ardingly went ahead, some shenanigans in a crowded Charterhouse box resulting in ricochets, deflections, partially-attempted clearances and hastily-put-together exit strategies, none of which worked. Finally and almost dismissively, Ardingly simply smashed the ball into the roof of the net. 1-0. Charterhouse limped to the break, looking every inch a team who had played two and a half games in the space of five days. Dickinson was spent, his lungs heaving like a bunch of fat blokes in a tug of war; Hughes was exhausted. Could the team find something? Anything? Coghlan could. With a smoke machine and some slow motion camera work, he could easily have appeared as the backdrop in a Mariah Carey music video. And we were all reminded of the immortal words: ‘So when you feel like hope is gone. Look inside you and be strong. And you’ll finally see the truth. That a hero lies in you.’ And finally there was a response. At first a murmur, as Charterhouse began to slowly establish base camp. And then, a growing sense of indignation at what was unfolding, rather like an angry member of One Direction, fed up and perplexed at the fact that everybody seemed to be trying to steal his girl. Well not on my patch sunshine. And out of the gloom came Roche, as if astride a magnificent white horse, staff in hand, cloak fluttering in the breeze. And he began to gallop, flaring nostrils and hoof prints shattering the calm. And he passed the baton to Max Wainwright. And finally a precise, concise and erudite finish, the ball kissing the post and nestling in the back of the net.

Shrewsbury W 2-1 (Yiadom 2) The 1st XI made its way to Shrewsbury for the traditional fixture between two of the oldest footballing schools on the circuit. With both sides out of the ISFA Cup you could be forgiven for thinking it would be a low key affair but nothing of the sort from these two old rivals. Charterhouse started brightly and Yiadom and Roche linked up well several times but Roche failed to put away a couple of decent chances. Yiadom then took on the entire defence during a run down the left, and crossed straight at the keeper, who fortunately managed to let the ball squirm through his hands and just over the line and we led 1-0 at the break. Conditions were now awful but both sides continued to play neat football, the away side were largely untroubled and after a foul on the edge of the box Yiadom added a second with a low drive that the keeper may have done better with. Cruising into the last ten minutes and in control of the game Coghlan made his first mistake of the season (it wasn’t a day for the keepers) and gifted a goal to Shrewsbury. The game petered out in the awful conditions and we ran out 2-1 winners, making the five hour journey home slightly more bearable...

Victoria College W 3-2 (Roche, Yiadom, Lutyens) A shroud. An all-encompassing blanket. Enveloping. Enveloping. It was almost as if someone had produced a massive smoke machine, heralding the arrival of Gene Simmons and his gargantuan tongue, blasting out ‘crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy nights’ in some sort of rock-fuelled orgy of sound. But there was nothing of the sort. Only bells. Yet more bells. As the still greyness wandered yet closer, we peered into the abyss and beheld a touring side from the Channel Islands, from Jersey to be precise (though there won’t be a single mention of Bergerac here and that’s a promise). Having had the traditional welcome (a massive Lasagne twenty minutes before kick-off, to really fill them up), the game kicked off in dull, dank, ashen cloud which just tightened around Big Ground like the hangman’s noose. Fresh from an extraordinary 4-4 draw the day before, Charterhouse were largely unchanged, except for bull-in-a-China-shop-Dickinson, who was replaced by little Wainwright (the blond one). Harvey and Saveliev were back to something approaching their best and Yiadom, Roche, Lutyens and big Wainwright made a jolly old nuisance of themselves, wailing and cavorting like naïve Russian women at a Rasputin house party. At times the interplay was stunning, and it wasn’t long before a mazy run from big Wainwright resulted in a through ball to Roche who, running at the left of the goal, steered the ball in to the open side in classic Henry style. Charterhouse were beginning to hit their stride, confidently strutting around like Liam and Noel in their 1990s’ pomp (but without the anoraks, drug taking and ubiquitous cans of Red Stripe) and soon enough the lead was doubled. This time it was Harvey who ran down the right at really quite extraordinary pace before crossing to Lutyens, who nudged it on to Yiadom and Boom Shaka Laka, it was two. Half time came and went and then Charterhouse added another when Hughes, liberated from goal by the return of Coghlan, pasted out of defence and played a bumping, nurdling through ball for Lutyens, who took it into the box, rounded the keeper, posed for a photograph and then slotted home. ‘These days are ours, happy and free (O happy days!)’. But unfortunately there was no goodbye to grey skies and hello to blue. Instead the sky simply got more depressed and weirdly the home side started to implode, mostly coinciding with the removal of Boston-Townsend. Suddenly the Charterhouse backline looked more nervous than a French noble during the Terror, and like the seigneurs, completely lost their heads. First, one goal (as is traditional in the order of things) and then two and out of absolutely nowhere, a game was in the balance. Charterhouse continued to press and Roche might have had a penalty, but the referee couldn’t see the lines in the gathering gloom and awarded a free kick, which came to nothing. Roche then entangled himself in Harvey’s bike in a somewhat bizarre episode at the side of the pitch, emerging the worse the wear from the encounter in the kind of incident that might have put him out for six weeks, knowing his luck. In the end, the home side hung on, to extend an impressive unbeaten record at the end of a long season. Only one game to go. ‘This’ sang Kiss in the aforementioned song, ‘is my music, it makes me proud. These are

Lancing D 4-4 (Yiadom 3, Lutyens) Red and white lights everywhere. Window wipers flying. Cold feet. And in the murky gloom the magnificent chapel of Lancing College. And in its imposing shadow, Charterhouse came without a hint of intimidation. And fair enough. Have you seen the chapel at Charterhouse? And anyway, size isn’t everything. And so the football. Where to begin? How to sum up? What to pick out? Let’s start with Coghlan, whose game was cut short when his knee received three studs in a challenge with the Lancing forward. So it was Hughes. Robbie Hughes. In goal. And a goal conceded. And another. And 2-0 down before the antiseptic wipe had done its bit on Coghlan’s weeping knee. Truly an abysmal turn of events. Blimey. But Charterhouse possess a real weapon in their ranks. And on this day, Yiadom stood tall, like some sort of crusading Christian knocking on the door of Constantinople. He shed his armour, casually picked up a sword and just bellowed aloud in the centre circle ‘Who wants it? Who wants it?!?!’ before proceeding to toss aside Lancing defenders like some sort of mythical beast. He strode through down the right hand side, looking askance at Lancing defenders as if to say ‘Really? Really!?’ before motoring past and knocking in the away side’s first goal off the far post. But then Lancing scored again. And Yiadom picked up a mace and starting swinging it, pawing at the turf and striding forward again with his banner unfurled. And he scored again. And it was 2-3 at half time. Charterhouse emerged early, desperate to impose themselves. And (not again surely!) yes. Yes! 3-3. Yiadom. Hat-trick. Three goals. The triumvirate. The left foot this time. Time to turn the screw. But instead it was Lancing who pushed, launching a screamer into the top corner after some defensive lapses. Heartbreak. But Charterhouse have the sort of team spirit more commonly seen in a European Ryder Cup unit and they bounced back again through Lutyens. Murky skies and motorway lights. And the chapel lights were on. Gloomy.

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Maybe even spooky as it was increasingly apparent that we could easily have been featuring as unwitting extras in an episode of Miss Marple. Still both sides pressed. Yiadom with a great chance. Post. Lancing with a goal. Offside. Winners sought in vain. Tension high, tackles flying. Dickinson sent off. And 4-4 at full time. Literally a score draw. Two games left. Red and white lights everywhere. Window wipers flying. Feet a little warmer now. The last away trip.

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And parity, But Roche wasn’t done, converting what proved to be the winner from the edge of the box after a lovely passing move down the Charterhouse right, finally putting his bad run of post-hitting-luck to bed. And suddenly the clouds parted and there was energy and urgency and ambition. Full time. A win. A long-overdue win. A win, which spoke for guts, desire and appetite. And the restoration of pride. Dust off your dancing shoes Mark. We’re back.

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my people and this is my crowd’. But the music is reaching the final bars and soon the orchestra will disband, never to play together again. Keep the emotions in check. Final game on Big Ground for the 1st XI. Final game for Coghlan, Hughes, Boston-Townsend, Warburton, Wainwright, Legge, Hickling, Dickinson, Harvey, Saveliev, Lutyens and Roche. And still that wretched clock on the tower ticks on. One final hurrah. Highgate. Highgate W 3-0 (Yiadom 2, Warburton) It was an afternoon, which started with Legge emerging from the ladies’ toilet, before flooding most of South African Cloister. It was an afternoon where the ‘lids’ were perfect, because it was the 1st XI photograph. And it was an afternoon where the Charterhouse flag fluttered proudly against a backdrop of deepest blue, where the buildings seemed to shine and where the pitch looked even more like a carpet than ever. And after security and maintenance had quelled the exploding tap, everything was just perfect. We welcomed Highgate to Big Ground, the last game of a season, which comprised 22 matches. And one by one the actors took their place on the stage for the last time. The emotion was everywhere. And Charterhouse delivered. Slow at first, like a wheezing old postman, but then Saveliev and Harvey found their rhythm and began to orchestrate. Meanwhile the irrepressible Roche began to turn his full back, Lutyens found holes in pockets, and Yiadom started to just cause utter carnage all over the pitch. His first goal was extraordinary. It defies description. He flicked it over, ran through, knocked it over one defender’s head, then another and smashed it home. Then he snatched off his glasses, shed his suit and launched himself heavenward, en route to the Eiffel Tower to ensure the collection and safe delivery of a hydrogen bomb into outer space, unwittingly releasing General Zod and his two evil buddies in the process. Next, Warburton popped up at a corner, marching into the box carrying a mace-style baton, as if directing a military band and screaming ‘Guy’s!!!!’ as he smashed home a header from close range. It was exhilarating stuff. And after half time, Charterhouse simply purred. The pressing was intense, the passing crisp. Saveliev was everywhere, resolving conflict, negotiating treaties and laying the foundation for future growth. There’s a strong possibility that he nipped out at some point during the half to resolve Legge’s leak. Nothing was beyond him. And all the while the old Guy was back. Liberated, perhaps, by the fact that he was the only Guy, he was imperious in the centre of defence. And he wasn’t the lonely Guy either, supported by his long-term partner Boston-Townsend, who literally glided through the match as if on one of Michael J. Fox’s futuristic skateboards. And on came Hickling. Hairband-wearing, bracelet-sporting, haveto-open-the-batting-because-I-have-a-flight-booked-toJersey-in-twenty-minutes-Hickling. And he was responsible for one of the greatest crosses ever seen on Big Ground. And in the centre was the unerring Yiadom. 3-0. Still time left for the big striker to do his absolute utmost to avoid scoring a hat-trick and for Hughes to start marauding forward, leaving his defensive position with reckless abandon in search of his first ever Charterhouse goal. But who cares when you’ve got Coghlan in goal? Even though Legge was now on at left back, there were to be no further leaks and Charterhouse ended with their first clean sheet since 7th October. And so, it ended.

Other Football Elsewhere, the stand out side were the 6th XI, led by the resplendent duo of MRG and RAB, for they were the only

side with a 100% record throughout the season, winning every one of their seven games. The 3rd XI, 4th XI and 5th XI were also in credit, while the 2nd XI, with a young side, won 9, drew 3 and lost 5, scoring an impressive 44 goals. In terms of goals scored however, the stand out side were the U14A, who amassed an extraordinary 70 goals in their 12 games, losing only one match of the season (their first). Goals flew in for the U15A team as well, where 52 goals were scored in 13 games, culminating in a hugely entertaining 4-4 draw against Highgate on the last day of the season. The U16A team is full of talented footballers, three of whom represented the 1st XI at one point in the season. Theirs was a successful season too, winning 8 of their 11 games, including impressive wins over Bradfield and Hampton. Overall 21 teams wore Charterhouse colours in OQ2014, a tally very few schools can match. It is clear from the results of the Underschool that football is in rude health and that the future promises the sort of riches and booty not seen since Mikey and the Goonies discovered one-eyed Captain Willie’s pirate ship The Inferno. Senior House final: Weekites 1-0 Verites Senior House plate: Saunderites 4-0 Bodeites Junior House final: Verites 4-1 Bodeites Junior House plate: Robinites 3-2 Pageites

2nd XI Played 17, Won 9, Drawn 3, Lost 5, For 44, Against 33 The 2014 season will go down as a good, strong year. With the 1st XI putting 2013 firmly behind them and performing strongly in 2014, so it permeated through the rest of the senior teams. We kept a fairly settled side throughout, although injuries to Ed Herring (V) Shota Motohashi (g) and Paul Hickling (B) meant a fair bit of shuffling around in the early stages of the season. Goal keeping duties were shared by Marcus Illingworth (R) and Henry Griffiths (S). The back four of Olly Taylor (R), Jaime Ortega-Olazabal (B), Jordan Isvy (W) and Freddie Russell-Jones (W) were the mainstay with Guy Wainwright (W) and Paul Hickling filling in occasionally. Although we didn’t keep a clean sheet all season (!), they performed very well and should be aspiring to push for 1st team honours next year. We generally played a midfield five. In the centre - a mixture of Jens de Coninck-Smith (W), Seb Kristensen (V), Arthur Briggs (S), Will Puvanesan (F) and on the outside of them Ose Akhigbe (S), Guy Wainwiright, Henry Mallin (W) and George Shipton (D) provided the pace and skill on the flanks. All had their moments and can consider themselves to have had a good year. Up front Nick Aldersley (R) started before he was shipped up to the 1st XI, Ed Osborne (P), Tobi Oshai (g) and Sam Idle (B) all played on their own up front at some stage. Highlights of the season included great wins over Eton, Bradfield, Repton and Highgate. The draw at Harrow against a very strong 1st XI was one of the best games I have ever seen. Lowlights? The losses to Marlborough, Hampton and Tonbridge. Although Bedales away is not a game that will be relived anytime soon! Charterhouse 0, OCs 2 The OCs arrived for their annual fixture with another strong side on a warm and sunny day. The first half was very evenly contested as the school side, playing their first game together, more than held their own and should have taken the lead as Kristensen hooked over from close range. Illingworth in the home goal made a couple of important saves as the half drew to a close. The second half was again

Eton 1, Charterhouse 2 The 2nd XI maintained their excellent start to the season with a hard fought victory at Eton. An even first half that saw Charterhouse playing well below their best was short of clear cut chances. Eton took the lead from a corner, an uncontested header from close range; a soft goal to concede. Sparked into life, a good run from Akhigbe and a cool finish from Aldersley brought the teams level at the break. More passion was needed after the break and we duly delivered. Snapping into challenges and tighter marking led to greater possession of the ball and the chances came more regularly. Aldersley (who else) struck in the winner from 25 yards past a bemused keeper and the game was ours. A very good win. Westminster 1, Charterhouse 2 This game won’t live long in the memory as the 2nd XI won again, albeit in trying circumstances. On a narrow pitch, football was never going to be the winner as both sides resorted to fairly direct tactics. Charterhouse created plenty but the radar clearly wasn’t on. And when you miss countless chances, you get punished as the home side scored from a set piece leaving the away side having to ridiculously chase the game. Ortega pulled it level just before half time but it wasn’t pretty. The second half was played out in one half of the pitch, with ball after ball arriving into the box with no one capable of putting it in the net. Time was running out and just as you thought it would never come, Tobi Oshai got a foot on another ball into the box and one piece of class finished this exceedingly poor match. Best forgotten. Charterhouse 3, ACS Cobham 1 Having lost the corresponding fixture last year revenge was in the offing from the start against the ACS Cobham 1st XI. Charterhouse had a lot of the early play and Kristensen was denied by a good reaction save from the opposing keeper. Russell-Jones drove one at a post but despite dominating for large periods we couldn’t find the net. The second half was only a minute old when Akhigbe was played through by Puvanesan and finished clinically. But back ACS came and a succession of corners into our penalty box finally paid off when we conceded yet another goal from short range, a worrying trend. ACS started to dominate and we were battling to stay in the game. However, a little against the run of play, de Coninck-Smith scored from a driven free kick and Kristensen increased our advantage and the game was won. An excellent performance against a tough side. Lancing 3, Charterhouse 3 The game started very scrappily. Charterhouse undeservedly went 1-0 up when Akhigbe poked home a loose ball in the

Charterhouse, 4 Repton 2 The first ever fixture against Repton at 2nd XI level resulted in a comfortable victory for the home side. A terrible start saw the visitors take a shock lead as an Illingworth howler presented Repton with a goal after barely 20 seconds. However, as the home team took control of the match, chances started to come and Oshai levelled things up with a good header. Jens de Coninck-Smith scored again after a scramble and at half time we lead 2-1. The second half was a fairly comfortable affair as we dominated and Oshai scored with a neat finish and then collected his hatrick a few minutes later, a fitting reward for a lot of hard work. A late penalty for Repton couldn’t take the gloss off a decent performance. The unbeaten run continued. Charterhouse 4, Winchester 2 Matches against Winchester normally follow the same fashion, we get the ball, start to play football, lose it, they get it and boot it as far as they can. It doesn’t often make for a pretty game. This match was no exception. Returning from injury, Tom Roche (R) and Ed Osborne bolstered our side, but with neither of them being great in the air, they couldn’t prevent us again conceding from a corner, that trend continues. Back we came and won a soft penalty that Ed Osborne converted, countless chances fell our way but we found their keeper in inspired form. At half time we preached about keeping better possession and dealing with balls into our box; this was advice which went unheeded as Winchester equalized after Kristensen finished neatly and at 2-2 the game was in the balance. Roche was a constant thorn in their side and it was his clever play that opened them up time and time again only for us to squander chances. However, Kristensen scored from the edge of the box and Oshai finished well after running clear and we ran out 4-2 winners. It wasn’t pretty but a win is a win.

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Charterhouse 5, Alleyn’s 1 Charterhouse tore into Alleyn’s from the off with pace and power. Early chances were missed but it was no surprise when Puvanesan scored with a deflected shot. Aldersley then converted a penalty and scored another just before half time, not a flattering score as the home side threatened with every break. More of the same followed in the second half as it quickly became five; Aldersley notched a hatrick and Kristensen bundled in from close range. A sloppy 15 minutes followed allowing Alleyn’s to have more of the ball with them scoring with a good header at the far post. The game petered out a little but it was an excellent display.

box. Lancing, however, went on to score two goals early in the second half. Shipton’s first equaliser wasn’t enough to quell Lancing’s scoring account, as they went on to score another immediately after to make it 3-2. Another penalty given towards the end of the game gave Shipton the opportunity to get his side level - and he was, probably, our most effective player on the day overall. Oshai had the best chance to put us 4-3 up in the dying embers of the game, but it wasn’t to be – and, ultimately, it wasn’t deserved.

Charterhouse 1, Tonbridge 1st XI 2 Tonbridge were the visitors to Lessington and with the away side making it through to the last 16 of the ISFA Cup this was always going to be a stern test of our abilities. Through a torrential downpour there wasn’t much to choose between the sides and chances were at a premium. The first half drifted along until a grave defensive error gifted Tonbridge the lead before Idle jinked his way through the defence to equalise just before half time. The game was there to be won but our inability to keep the ball and too many mistakes proved our downfall. Ortega brought down a Tonbridge forward to concede a penalty after yet another mistake, only for Illingworth to make a fine save. However, after a period where we couldn’t get out of our own half, Tonbridge scored the winner after another mix up. Too many ‘off’ days for our team, but we didn’t really deserve to get anything out of the game in all honesty. Charterhouse 3, Bradfield 1 After the defeat to Tonbridge it was important to get back to winning ways just before half term. Bradfield are never to be underestimated and it’s always a battle from start to finish. Sam Idle found himself in the right place at the right

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a very even affair until the legs started to go and the heat kicked in; the young lads started to fade. With fifteen minutes to go a close range effort and then a scramble from a free kick took the game away from a very spirited 2nd XI. There will be more to come from this side.

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time to tuck away the opener after a couple of minutes. But Bradfield hit straight back with a great strike from the edge of the box. The rest of the half was a scrappy affair with neither side doing enough to keep the ball. Charterhouse stood off players and didn’t win enough battles whilst Bradfield were sloppy in all areas. If the first half was average in terms of the home team performance, then we arguably produced the best half of the season in the second. Working hard all over the pitch to close down the opposition; denying them any space to play and attacking at speed, we dominated. Arthur Lutyens (G) was outstanding on his return from injury and Kristensen dominated the midfield. A good cross from Shipton found Oshai and he buried his header with aplomb. Idle added his second from a straight through ball and the match was over. A very good performance indeed. Harrow 1st XI 2, Charterhouse 2 Under leaden skies Charterhouse travelled to Harrow. Harrow’s 1st XI had just been edged out 3-2 to Shrewsbury in the ISFA Cup so it was always going to be tough match. We were bolstered by having the twin pillars of the 1st XI in Warburton and Boston-Townsend looking for some match practice. We flew out of the blocks and created early chances but it wasn’t until Kristensen bundled home after good work from Osborne that we took the lead. Harrow came back hard and only last ditch defending prevented us conceding. The second half saw wave after wave of Harrow attacks as they battered us playing some great football. Inevitably they drew level and then took the lead as the third of their Premiership Academy players scored a stunning free kick. But, with the night drawing in and as drenched as we were from the hideous weather, we conjured up a chance that Puvanesan buried and the scores were level. As good a game as I have seen, credit to both sets of players. Excellent. Bedales 1, Charterhouse 4 Words can barely describe the quality of this game. After the excellence of the Harrow game we couldn’t string two passes together and our work rate was non-existent. We won 4-1, a slightly flattering score line, due in the most part to our opponents gifting us goals. The best goal of the game, a scorcher from the edge of the box, was quite easily the best own goal I have ever seen. A forgettable experience.

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Charterhouse 1, Hampton 3 A match that was over before it started. Still asleep after ten minutes, we found ourselves two down against a very good side and we never recovered. It was a very sloppy first half performance which was even more disappointing as we had a very strong side out; quite baffling. The second half was more even as we upped our work rate and intensity, but still conceded another very soft goal. We did drag one back through Briggs, but we were soundly beaten. A shame. Charterhouse 2, Ardingly 2 This was always going to be a tight and hard fought game, and we weren’t disappointed. The unsatisfactory aspect was being two down at the break. Harsh words were had at half time and a response was needed. And in some style we fought. Passionate, hardworking, gutsy and with no lack of quality we scrapped our way back into the game. Kristensen and Shipton scored but the whole team produced arguably the best half ’s football of the year. Ardingly didn’t have an answer to our football although they had plenty to say to the referee. The game lacked a winner. A game that won’t live long in the memory, well, certainly not mine anyway. Charterhouse 2, Marlborough 1st XI 4 Marlborough 1st XI were sharp, 2-0 after three minutes

without breaking sweat. We huffed and puffed with little quality but dragged one back through Aldersley before conceding another soft goal to be 3-1 down at half time. Nothing really changed second half, we couldn’t keep the ball, they couldn’t do much when they had it either. A penalty made it 4-1 before de Conick-Smith flicked a header in, but 4-2 was a fair result. An awful performance. Charterhouse 3, Highgate 1 The final game of the season saw an excellent win which this season’s efforts deserved. On the whole, we have been an excellent side, the odd blip here and there but a great set of lads and performances worthy of a good team. Ortega opened the scoring from close range following an Idle free kick. We played some free flowing football but couldn’t find a second until right on half time when Puvanesan scorched one into the top corner from 25 yards. 2-0 at the break and cruising. Failure to keep a clean sheet all season meant we had to give away another soft goal and all of a sudden Highgate were back in it. The game turned feisty with tackles and also inappropriate comments being directed at the ref from our opponents. Nevertheless, we stood firm and Puvanesan scored from a cross come shot to put the game beyond reach. Idle added a fourth from distance, Puvanesan missed from the spot with the highest penalty I’ve ever seen and then, the season was over. It was good, the season of 2014. MPB

3rd XI Played 15, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 4, For 38, Against 34 The 3rd XI played 15 matches this season, scoring 38 goals and conceding 34 which gave the squad an average of 4.8 goals per game. As this statistic would suggest, fixtures were lively and action packed. In a surprisingly large number of the games, Charterhouse conceded first despite playing what was considered to be a better standard of football. It was often the case that the team would fight back strongly in the second half having gone in at the break a goal down. In fact, the one time Charterhouse went in at the break a goal up, the end result was a 1-1 draw! The season started as it always does with a tough fixture against the OCs. The team lost the game 6-0 but given the painful memories of a 12-0 defeat the previous year, 6-0 was actually not a bad return. Playing against many former 1st XI players who are physically bigger and stronger is always a tough ask. It was a good test of character and the OCs were comfortably the best team the 3rds encountered all season. The squad then set out on a fabulous run of eight straight victories. Alleyn’s (H) 3-2, Eton (A) 2-1, Westminster (H) 2-1, Aldenham (H) 4-1, Hurtwood House (H) 5-3, Winchester (H) 3-2, Battersea (H) 4-3, Tonbridge (H) 1-0. As the team repeatedly came from behind they found they did not panic when they conceded early on, but kept trying to play a respectable style of football. The highlight from these fixtures was the win at Eton. A notoriously difficult fixture, it was very pleasing to record a victory away from home. The final match before half term was against Bradfield. With a forced change at centre back due to injury, the home side knew they would be struggling for pace. Unfortunately, Bradfield had probably the best out and out striker we encountered all season and sadly the result was a 6-1 defeat. After Exeat, there was a close match against St Edmund’s where the side won 1-0, followed by a very good drawn match against Hampton. Both sides played an excellent short passing game in glorious sun shine, reminiscent of hazy days at the Camp Nou. Sadly this was followed by a home defeat to Ardingly 4-3; a game with some extraordinary goals and plenty of incidents that could

Played 14, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 5, For 44, Against 25 To see the quality and depth of football currently at Charterhouse one could have done a lot worse than to watch this year’s 4th XI. The squad moved the ball quickly and neatly to play a neat brand of flowing football that was very pleasing on the eye. Coach TER highlights a secure spine as another reason for this year’s success with Benjamin Jackson (B) strong between the posts, team captain Tommy Fairbank (L) very solid as centre back, Freddie Melvin (S) always scrapping as centre-mid and the free-scoring striker James Walker (R). The coach’s player of the season award went to Jonny Charles (L) for some commanding defensive displays, especially in the air. The players’ award went to Alex Wheatley (V) for his tireless running and fine goal scoring record as striker. Other players who had strong campaigns included: Tom Batchelor (W) and Ben Dunscombe (P); Sam West (V) and Joe Donnan (P) who were solid in defence; Tom Brown (D), Hugo Birch (L), Dan Talbot (H), Hedley Docx (G) and Robbie Goar (V) impressed in midfield. Nicholas Haworth (S) deserves a mention too after a promising start was curtailed by injury. The 4th XI had some good results, often against ‘higher’ teams. Among some narrow defeats including 1-0 away at Harrow, only Hampton outplayed Charterhouse when they lost 2-0 at home. The 3-0 away win at Eton was a particular highlight and was one of the best displays from a Charterhouse 4th XI that TER has seen over the past few years. 7-1 and 7-0 home wins against Winchester and Highgate were also pleasing, whilst beating Bradfield twice in one season, 5-4 at home and then 2-0 away, was also a notable achievement. Well done and thank you to all who played and supported. TER

5th XI Played 10, Won 6, Drawn 2, Lost 2, For 34, Against 13 Throughout this season, the 5th XI played an attractive attacking style of football that was admired by Carthusians, parents, opposition and coaches. A convincing 2-2 draw against the OCs at the start of the season was followed by an early defeat against Eton in a fixture that came too soon to challenge the true potential of this team. Having integrated some new blood, the 5ths showed, as the season developed, that they had become a creative attacking force that was matched by a steadfast and committed defence. This resulted in victories against Aldenham, Lancing,

6th XI Played 7, Won 7, Drawn 0, Lost 0, For 26, Against 11 It has taken 40 years to reach the pinnacle: a school team that manages a full set of victories. The season began in September with a major set-back when our coach, MRG, fell on his shoulder in a pre-season hockey match and was out of action for the rest of the term. With an enthusiastic bunch of 34 players on our books we had two warm-up matches against Brooke Hall: 6A managed a draw whilst the following week 6B beat BH! Seppe Abegunde (L) emerged as a dependable centre back and a solid skipper of the side. For once we travelled to Eton with a goalie in our squad and thus did not gift them the customary 3 or 4 goals. In fact, Ben Elsing (H) had a stunning match with Nick Kaba (H) and Akshay Shah (S) clearing off the line if he was beaten. We were competitive across the park and after Shayan Salehi (S) chipped the ball over their keeper, it was left to Louis Woods (D), showing uncustomary composure, to round the keeper on the break and seal our victory 2-1. Now that the season was underway, promotions and absences began to take their toll, and for the trip to Forest the team was down to 8: we had to scour the school to get a full complement onto the coach. On a small wet pitch in North London we stunned them with a couple of early goals, a few mistakes allowed them to test Gustavo Gabarda (L) guesting between the posts for us. Shayan Salehi (S) completed his hat-trick to seal a worthy 6-4 victory. An away match at Lancing was another tough recruiting challenge and delayed travel meant a 4.00pm kick-off. We did dominate the match despite dreadful passing and our key forwards, Louis Woods & Guy Boliston (V), squandered many chances including a soft penalty. Eventually, Woods made amends with a tap in, after Eddie Winter (W) saved the day and a penalty, deputising in goal. We had now become a travelling team and the trip down the A31 to Winchester posed a familiar problem: a rotating stand-in goalie. We survived a few scares and eventually managed to hold on to our slender lead winning 2-1. The visit of Tonbridge gave us a chance to perform at home and we found their net on regular occasions, scoring 6, but our defence had a few lapses to make the match seem closer than it was in reality by conceding 4. We were much more dominant when Winchester paid us a return visit and goals came a plenty with Gabarda proving his versatility with a

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Bradfield, St. Edmund and Winchester (twice). The only one other defeat came against Tonbridge 3rd XI with a hard fought draw against a spirited Hampton side, in which Charterhouse enjoyed most of the possession. The standout strikers who performed so well up front were Ellis Keddie (P), Chris Hatton (V) and Freddie Gratton (L). The midfielders who kept and passed the ball so beautifully were Harry Browne (S), Dom Richardson (g) and Justin Heng (V), supported by the skill and determination of Emil Calder (D) and Will Mason (g). The defence, rock solid for large parts of play was made up of Nick Kaba (H), Will Handley (W), Charlie Suckling (S) and Pablo Subiotto Marques (P). Between the posts, the captain of the 5ths Alex Ayling (L), was consistent in his ability to organise the defence; he made many influential saves showing what a good goalkeeper he is. His reading of the game was excellent throughout as shown by his articulate match reports. Other contributions came from: Alfred Drinkwater (W), George Clinch (g), August Von Oppenheim (F), Akshay Shah (S), Oluwasepe Abegunde (L) , Dominic Wilson (S), Meehir Patel (g) and Tom Kerr-Dineen (V). Overall, a very successful and enjoyable season. WRB Congratulations to all involved!

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occupy the 2 good 2 bad slot on MOTD2. Our penultimate game was against Marlborough and it was good to undo the damage done to the team’s goal difference at the start of the season with a resounding 6-0 win. Finally, the team played Highgate and sadly the season ended with a 4-2 defeat. As the cliché goes, it was very much a season of two halves. Unlike most of our matches where we started slowly and got better as the matches progressed, the season started superbly and then faded a little towards the end. Looking back, the highlight of the season was definitely the 2-1 victory at Eton. It was a fantastic match and a tremendous battle. With a couple of injuries occurring during the match, the XI that came off the pitch at the end were themselves carrying many knocks and were struggling to keep going. As the final whistle went, the pain of the battle was soothed by the best remedy of all: a rare away victory over Eton! Many thanks to all those who played across the course of the season – all 26 players and to all parents for their touchline support. ARH

hat-trick. We managed to string together the passes that had troubled us down on their meadows and won 7-0. The final challenge was an extra fixture against Bradfield’s 5th XI. Our substantial squad had dwindled to a mere 10 keen players when Harry Browne (S) came to our rescue. It was a close run match with both teams creating chances but there was an inbuilt resilience in this team and it was a coup to secure a totally victorious season with a final 2-1 win. RAB

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U16A Played 11, Won 8, Drawn 1, Lost 2, For 31, Against 12 The U16As had a very successful campaign this year, and one which they should be very proud of. Between the 201314 and 2014-15 seasons, the squad of players which had previously formed the U15As and became the U16As, almost doubled their winning rate percentage from 46% to 73%. Oliver Platts’ (g) incredible goal-scoring record at the beginning of the season was a significant reason for this. After three games – which involved 7-2 wins against Millfield and Westminster, with some incredible goals, and an even more convincing 2-0 victory against Eton on Big Ground – the team had already scored more than half of the number of goals that they had scored in the entirety of last season. Impressively, exactly half of those came from Platts, who ended up as the squad’s highest scoring player by Christmas, scoring more goals than he played games. But it was also because of the U16As’ immaculate defensive record, as a very closely-knit and highly disciplined group, that the team’s form improved so notably. Having conceded 29 goals last season, the U16As conceded only 12 goals this campaign. Playing 11 matches, Columbus O’Donnell (V) was an impenetrable shot-stopper who was bold both in his positioning off the line and in his ball distribution. He managed to tally up a very impressive total of 5 clean sheets. Maximilian Hitchins (D) was the stalwart captain and player of the season. His highly consistent partner at centre-back, was Charles Pexton (D), who alongside Louis Clayton (P), James Hockley (W) and Matthias Kristensen (V) were exciting when they drove forward with the ball. All formed a formidably well-organized defensive group in front of their goalkeeper which rarely looked like it would be broken down. Alexander Margarson (S), and Jai Kanwar (g) – returning from injury later in the season (determined and committed to fight for his place in the team), both took up very effective roles as sweeping defensive midfielders and were useful distributors in possession as well as being extremely diligent and brave in that unnoticed responsibility of limiting opposition space in front of the Carthusian back four. Overall, the squad’s attitude and applied work ethic in training and matches were exceptional. It was their willingness to learn and improve, above all else, which allowed them to develop into the well-structured and tactically aware side that they became. It was out of an informed knowledge of how the game structurally and mathematically works that individual players within the team were able to become more self-conscious, considered and – most importantly – selfless, in their approaches to contributing to the team’s overall success. Examples of this included the team committing to a strict and more efficient two- or occasionally one-touch policy in most areas of the pitch, and defensively-minded players, relying on a greater degree of decisive communication between teammates, making intelligent and mature decisions about when to advance higher up the pitch and when it wasn’t safe to do so. Many players demonstrated a real desire to improve, but one in particular was Jojo Hammond (g) who, being brought into the team half way through the season, became fundamental to the success of the team. Jojo worked tirelessly

in training to integrate himself into the philosophy of the U16As and this quickly showed in his performances. The absolute culmination of this was a powerful winning header that he scored in the final minute of the 1-0 victory against Hampton to help the team on their way to an unbeaten run after the Exeat break. The pattern that the U16As often deployed was to begin the game with a fairly direct style of play, and an emphasis on distribution to wide players, that allowed them to break teams down early on, before switching to a more compact defensive shape and a conservative, patient approach to ball retention and possession. It was this grueling test of opposition stamina and desire to have to chase the ball around for minutes on end which allowed the team to consistently go on to win games convincingly. Jimmy Hawkings’ (R) passing range was, at times, sublime and it was his constant desire to get on the ball, and to patiently and creatively shape the course of Carthusian offensive play, which steadied the team going forward. Orlando Allen’s (V) command and orchestration of the offensive rhythms was also instrumental. At times, his control of the ball was a different class to his opposition and he was often difficult to contain. Both Hawkings and Allen in central midfield were able to intelligently exploit triangular angles and to open up spaces in wide areas at the right time for their teammates which was ultimately fundamental to the team’s success in possession of the ball and in the final third. Whilst Hawkings was directly involved in assisting almost exactly half of the goals that the U16As scored this year, Allen was also highly effective in his finishing, scoring a number of remarkable goals both in and outside of the box. These included a stunningly potent volley, for instance, against Winchester and a thunderous free-kick on the opening day of the season against Millfield. Jamie Platts (g) and Samuel Andrade-Browne (D) were both extremely dangerous outlets for the team in wide areas. Andrade-Browne enjoyed rich veins of form at the beginning and then at the end of the season, both creating and scoring a considerable number of goals, including two fantastic crosses in the 5-2 win against Highgate. Whenever the team were experiencing a period of pressure from the opposition, Jamie Platts was often the target-man; lingering in wide spaces, he would powerfully and relentlessly drive at full-backs if given the time to turn. Often it was his desire to change the game, and to endlessly hunt the ball down, like his twin brother, which inspired and animated the team into life. A great example of this was Jamie’s early goal in the defeat against Bradfield which was, with captain Max Hitchins missing, actually the low point of the U16A’s season. Although Charterhouse did go on to lose the game, Jamie’s bravery and audacity was what kept the U16As in the only game this season when the team looked genuinely outclassed. Jamie scored a number of important goals for Charterhouse this season. One of his most remarkable efforts, and one which was very much a culmination of his experimentation on the training ground, was a lob over Highgate’s goalkeeper in the final game of the season. Alongside a number of goals scored by both his brother Ollie and by Orlando Allen, this was surely the strongest contender for the goal of the season, rounding off an excellent end to the year which saw the U16As bounce back from their defeat at Bradfield to go unbeaten after half term until Christmas. Well done indeed. ANIP/KDB

U16B Played 10, Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 5, For 23, Against 26 This was always likely to be a difficult season for the U16B team, having lost a number of key players from the previous

U15A Played 13, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 4, For 52, Against 40 The Oration Quarter of 2014 saw an U15A side embark

Charterhouse 4, Millfield 3 After an intensive period of training upon the return to Charterhouse, we welcomed a Millfield side that were always going to present a strong challenge. With a large squad available, it was decided that the match would be played in three 25 minute periods. It was an extraordinary end to end game with regular changes in tactics and formation. There were plenty of positives, with the philosophy of playing free flowing football being clearly demonstrated. A definite work in progress, but nonetheless an encouraging start with 2 goals from Jack Hunter Lees (S); 1 from Nils Raber (B) and a trusty own goal. Eton 4, Charterhouse 3 A trip to Eton is always going to be a stern test, fully aware of Eton’s 4 – 3 – 3 formation played seemingly throughout all of their school teams. Eton were always a threat on the break – boasting one of Great Britain’s top junior sprinters, and centre backs Harry Gilbey (W) and Tom Mercer (R) had to cover some ground pretty rapidly throughout the match! This was an epic game in which an injury time Hunter Lees free kick was brilliantly saved by the Eton ‘keeper to see them hold out for a win. This was another exciting game which any neutral fan would have enjoyed. Charterhouse 6, Westminster 0 George Morton (L) made his U15A debut in this match, and what a debut it was! An outstanding performance at right back, he used his strength and pace to good effect, slotting nicely into the squad. This 6-0 victory against a reasonable side provided yet more confidence boosting in the build-up to the impending ISFA Cup match.

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on a quite extraordinary campaign, playing a brand of exciting football that provided enough entertainment to last a considerable amount of time. You know things must be going right somewhere when a side scores an average of 4 goals a game.

Charterhouse 6, Forest 3 There were multiple forced changes to the line up that comfortably defeated Westminster; a combination of injuries and outings made the match in preparation for the forthcoming ISFA Cup campaign one in which several players had a golden chance to stake a claim for one of the coveted 14 squad places. Ben Howard (V) and Cameron Petrie (D) made their U15A debuts, with the ever reliable Aster Chun (g) showing he possesses multiple strings to his bow. Aster is living proof that players from all ranks can rise through the sides – he was in the U14E side last year and has since become an accomplished defender. A game filled with flowing football with Oliver Stevenson-Smith (R) scoring a brace and which was typified by Hunter Lees who scored with a cheeky chip to make the tally 6 for the match. The U15As certainly provided entertainment. Hampton 4, Charterhouse 2 ISFA Cup 1st Round In terms of the two football colossi locking horns, this was the tie of the opening round of the ISFA Cup Competition. A strong squad of 14 was selected including Alex Ford (D) staking a claim for a place after some encouraging displays in the U14A side. The score remained level up to the half time interval. A good start to the second half saw continued Charterhouse pressure, which was again rewarded as a Hunter Lees corner was deflected/bundled in by a number of players. The threat for set pieces was a defining feature in this match, with Jay Porter (R) adding a second. With the score set at 2-1 with 20 minutes to go, Charterhouse were then undone by some

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year’s squad. The term began very promisingly, however, with a hard-fought win against a very strong Eton side; victory was sealed by an outstanding strike from JoJo Hammond (g), who then proceeded to torment a weak Westminster side as we strolled to an easy victory in the next fixture. His promotion to the A team for the remainder of the season was well-deserved but left us short of firepower despite the best efforts of the pacy and intelligent Hamish MacKinnon (R) and the fast-improving Robert McBride (H), who came up from the C team and scored a number of goals in the second half of the season. Pum Lamsam (L), whose partnership with JoJo had been so dangerous, struggled to have the same impact later in the season but always posed a threat to opponents with his skill on the ball. Although the goals did not flow so freely after JoJo’s promotion, we did score in every game apart from the mismatch against Forest (when a much-depleted side were treated to a footballing lesson by a very strong 3rd XI). The problem was not so much scoring goals as preventing the opposition from doing so, and this was largely due to our inability in most games to retain possession. Despite my tinkering with changes of system and personnel, the same basic problems remained: simple passes were routinely misplaced and our defence were therefore often under sustained pressure. Ben Price (S) and Harry Poil (L) did their best as the regular centre backs, but despite many fine tackles and interceptions, they were rarely able to maintain concentration throughout a match and goalkeeper Tristan Matthews (G), and his able deputy Charlie Davies (L), frequently found themselves forced into action. Both goalkeepers performed heroically at times (notably Tristan against Forest and Charlie against Bradfield), but they could not repel every threat. One notable feature of the season was the number of goals scored from corners, both by ourselves and by our opponents. Ben Price was our major threat, benefitting from excellent deliveries from Toby Cohn (S) and Pierre Petermeijer (W). Toby started the season in midfield but ended it at right back; in both positions he offered consistency and good reading of the game as well as great comedy value in shooting practices! Pierre came down from the A team halfway through the season and did a good job in the centre of midfield from then on, often looking the most likely player in our team to create a goal. Alongside Pierre, John Jillings (S) and Will Melhuish (S) both improved markedly as the season wore on and always worked very hard for the team. Akali Moju (H) also played at times in the centre of midfield as well as spending much of his time in his less favoured position wide on the right; his pace unsettled some opponents and on his day he could be very effective. On the other side of the pitch, Emil Almazov (g) was our regular left back and adapted well to this position having previously been more used to playing in the centre. Ahead of him, Herbie Pyke (L) was one of our most consistent performers, working hard both in defence and in attack and performing especially well in some of our hardest games. This was not a vintage season in terms of results, but the attitude with which the team trained and played throughout the term was pleasing. I am extremely grateful to the boys for their good-natured and enthusiastic approach and for their willingness to practise hard and to learn. I am also very thankful to ANIP, KDB and RNDF for their input. My thanks go also to the laundry and grounds staff for their hard work and to our loyal parental support. EJR

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poor decision making gifting Hampton an equalising goal. The effect on the team was clearly visible. A strong challenge by Mercer saw the ball unfortunately deflect into the path of an onrushing Hampton striker who made no mistake from close range. Shortly afterwards a mishap at the back saw Hampton sneak a fourth goal. Stevenson-Smith almost reduced the arrears in the last 5 minutes, but was denied by an excellent save. Such a pity that the ISFA campaign had to finish at this early stage, however there were valuable lessons to be taken away from the match, even in defeat. Charterhouse 7, Alleyn’s 4 Off the back of a disappointing exit from the ISFA Cup, a sluggish did not do justice of what was to follow. Charterhouse went to town and produced arguably the best 15 minutes of football of the season, and in doing so secured a 4 goal lead with efforts from Stevenson-Smith (2), Porter and Will Dovell (L) effectively securing the match and killing the contest. In the final few exchanges, possession was carelessly conceded which resulted in an Alleyn’s goal flurry; the last kick of the game was a beautifully struck free kick from the visitors which meant the final score was a freakish looking 7 – 4. Winchester 1, Charterhouse 5 With the return of Raber and Morton from injury, the back line had further reinforcements; as long as the side could maintain a good intensity and play flowing football, they would be a handful for any side. The only blemish on a perfect scorecard was one goal conceded. However, this should not take away from the fact that a 5 – 1 away win against Winchester is always a pleasing result. Max Batchelor (R) and Porter chipped in with a goal apiece, alongside a hat-trick from Stevenson-Smith. Bede’s 5, Charterhouse 5 Bede’s, situated near Eastbourne with the coast only 10 minutes away, is positioned ideally in East Sussex... But my word it takes ages to get there! The start was solid, if unspectacular as we adjusted to playing football having spent tow hours in a coach. Nonetheless, Charterhouse took a 2-0 lead going in at half time. Then the entertainment really began. Within 15 minutes of the second half there were 8 (EIGHT) goals. It was Batchelor who at 5-5 nearly won the game with the last kick of the match, but who was denied by a fine save. Adventurous, bold, exciting, nerve shattering – call it what you like, but there is no getting away from the fact that the team had played an attacking brand of football like no other!

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Charterhouse 1, Bradfield 4 The match kicked off with Charterhouse playing positively. Armaan Harjani (L) made his debut and looked assured in his favoured position of right back, with Gilbey and Mercer keeping a disciplined shape to the back four. The final score of 4 – 1 did not tell the story of a competitive game that was played with tremendous heart by both sets of players. Always a pity to lose, and normal to feel slightly deflated in the initial aftermath of a fixture when do, but there will be plenty of opportunities to develop throughout the boys times at Charterhouse. Hampton 3, Charterhouse 4 Seconds out, round 2 as we returned once again to Hampton, the scene of our ISFA campaign being sadly cut short at the first hurdle. The opening exchanges were extremely encouraging; good build-up play through the midfield saw Porter have a great chance which he just put wide of the left hand post. Dovell and Stevenson-Smith made their speed

and physical presence felt. However, it was late on with the score locked at 3-3 when George Morton from the left touch line about 45 yards from goal, received a pass and looked up. Seeing Dovell and Stevenson-Smith, he sent the ball towards them through the air. The ball floated over both attackers, nestling neatly perfectly in the far right corner. Pandemonium on the touch line; players on the pitch and scenes of delirium I have not seen in many a year. It was a defining moment in our season (with a little bit of good fortune!). Rather than go ultra-defensive, Charterhouse pushed for a 5th goal and only thanks to good goalkeeping were we denied more goals. It wasn’t long though until the final whistle blew – a 4-3 victory, and another excellent advert for Charterhouse football. Well done to all players and supporters! Charterhouse 1, Ardingly 5 Charterhouse started off positively, with play flowing down both flanks thanks to Charlie Bruce (R) and Porter. However, it was against the run of play when we went behind; to give Ardingly credit, it was a well worked goal starting deep in their own half. And so it continued, Charterhouse finding themselves 1-4 at the interval, with Ardingly only having had 4 shots of any real note. In the end, this was not a 1 – 5 game. The attitude of the Charterhouse team was excellent. Charterhouse 4, Lancing 0 Max Vallance (G) made his full debut for the U15As, and in paying homage to the absent George Barlow (V), he exquisitely left a Lancing shot/cross which hit the top left corner of the crossbar. What judgement! 1-0 up at the break thanks to Raber, with chances coming and going, this was a dangerous score line. However, after another set piece from Hunter Lees, an incisive pass by Mercer found the tireless Gilbey unmarked at the far post, who in turn slotted home from close range to double the advantage; a huge goal that relived any tension and made sure of the result. 2 further goals followed from Stevenson-Smith and with these came the win. Charterhouse 4, Highgate 4 The final game of the season and this was to be a classic. Coming into the match, Highgate had in fact played 14; won 14. A lethargic opening 10 minutes set the tone for the first half with Charterhouse finding themselves 1 – 3 down inside 30 minutes. With half time quickly approaching, a moment of inspiration was needed. Bring out the goal machine! The ball was played through to Stevenson-Smith who struck it sweetly with his left foot whilst off balance from 20 yards out. In off the underside of the crossbar! It was a wonderful way to bring up the side’s half century of goals for the season. 2 – 3 at half time and the game was there for the taking. 35 minutes left to finish the season on a high. The returning Malcolm Bailey and Richard Lewis were there to watch – could we put on a show for them? With chances at both ends, it wasn’t going to be long before the 6th goal of the game was going to materialise, and despite the best efforts of the omnipresent Barlow, the score moved to 2 – 4 with 20 minutes remaining. The response was immediate from kick-off. This time, Hunter Lees picked up the ball, beat a defender, took a shot and scored! Then a moment of magic by Dovell; gliding past the keeper, he slotted the ball home into an empty net. 4 – 4 with 8 minutes to go, with the tension levels soaring. Chances came at both ends; Highgate had corners, as did Charterhouse, but in the we were the first team to hold Highgate all season. Who knows what would have happened if play had gone on for another 10 minutes. Over the course of the season, a big thank-you must be

Played 13, Won 8, Drawn 3, Lost 2, For 36, Against 14 Eton 0, Charterhouse 2 This was a solid performance from the U15Bs. The team was disciplined in defence and the opposition was put under significant pressure. Eton had a few good early chances early on but some very organised defending, as well as a great save from Max Vallance (G), ensured that we kept a clean sheet. The Man of the Match was Cameron Petrie (D) who played a very important role shielding the defence and initiating our attacks in our 4-1-3-2 formation. Charterhouse 3, Westminster 1 This was a less disciplined performance than our previous game against Eton. However, goals from Obi Onyejekwe (V), Frederick Gilgallon-Scoular (S) and Arun Nayak (H) along with a Man of the Match performance by Armaan Harjani (L) saw Charterhouse home. Aldenham 4, Charterhouse 1 This was a very difficult fixture. We were missing a number of players and were also facing a tough Aldenham U14A team with three academy players. It was 0-0 at half time, but an early penalty and then another three goals in quick successions saw the key Aldenham players really show their class. Max Benians (V) did well to clear a shot off the line. In reply, Heath Ostrer (W) took a shot which the keeper saved but which Leopold de Biolley (g) managed to bundle across the line. The Man of the Match was Kai Magee (S) who worked hard at right-back and also did a good job of launching counter-attacks. Charterhouse 2, Lancing 0 At the start of the match, the team was a little bit vulnerable when defending set pieces and Lancing had a few good opportunities. However goals from Ostrer and Magee, either side of half time, were enough on the day.

Charterhouse 2, Battersea Park 2 This was a hard fought match. The game was played at a high tempo and unfortunately, the Charterhouse attack was not able to combine effectively. Battersea took the lead from the penalty spot but goals from Harjani, and Sam Slingsby (V) offered up a lead Charterhouse was ultimately not able to hold onto. Charterhouse 7, Bede’s 0 Charterhouse was significantly better than the opposition and this was therefore a convincing victory. Charterhouse played some excellent combination football particularly down their right-hand side. This allowed Charterhouse to go into half-time 3-0 up with all the goals coming from Magee. He added another after half time, as did Slingsby, with two further goals coming from Luke Shedden (V). Charterhouse 4, ACS Cobham 1 In the first half, Charterhouse played the better football but failed to combine effectively in the final third. Charterhouse did however manage to exert some pressure and the score was 1-0 at half-time following a Gilgallon-Scoular long range effort. Onyejekwe (2) and Ostrer scored the remaining goals to help finish off the match. Charterhouse 0, Bradfield 2 This was a disappointing performance. The defence was not as solid as it had been in previous fixtures due in part to the loss of Harjani to the U15As. However, final passes failed to find a free attacker and the home side never really tested the opposition goalkeeper.

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the clock, it looked like Charterhouse was about to have a very convincing victory. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The tem relaxed a little and Winchester scored two messy goals. The second half was an untidy affair and the game was a lot more uncomfortable for Charterhouse than it should have been.

Hampton 2, Charterhouse 2 Charterhouse made a poor start to this game; the team was slow to the ball and they were under pressure as the Hampton boys passed the ball around them. It was no surprise when Hampton took the lead after one of their players dribbled through the Charterhouse defence. Onyejekwe levelled things up before half time and when Shedden scored after the break, the team finally got what it deserved from an improved second half performance. Unfortunately, in the dying minutes, some poor defending from a corner meant that Hampton scored unmarked at the back post. This was a competitive match and Charterhouse should have edged the victory.

Charterhouse 5, Alleyn’s 0 The first half was a very open display; Charterhouse and Alleyn’s both had clear chances and either side could have taken the lead. At half time it was 3-0 to Charterhouse which was a slightly flattering the score-line. In the second half, Charterhouse played some good football and 5-0 was a fair reflection on the game as a whole.

Charterhouse 1, Royal Russell 1 This was a fiercely contested match. Charterhouse played a very high intensity game and the match in the first half was very fluid. Shedden gave the home side the lead, which they held onto for a long period of the second half, even though the game deteriorated. Many of the Charterhouse boys deserve credit for working very hard and keeping their cool in what was a very heated contest. Unfortunately, Royal Russell scored in the dying minutes of the game; Charterhouse deserved better.

Winchester 2, Charterhouse 3 Charterhouse made a very impressive start to this match. They scored three quick goals. These involved excellent combination play with Magee playing an important role in all three. At this point, with less than 15 minutes on

Charterhouse 3, Highgate 0 This was an impressive victory and an excellent way to finish the season. The squad was depleted so we only had 11 players at the start of the match but every single one of them worked hard in this match. Good work from

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extended to the Charterhouse ground staff; to DJM for supplying referees for most of our home games, as well as his tireless work as the master-in-charge of football. To PF, OPE, TWL and AA for their huge input in the U15 football programme. Having 5 sides competing and training regularly does require a lot of preparation, and I could not have asked for better staff to help assist with getting Removes playing football. Finally, to all the supporters who continued to follow the U15A side all over the south of England. Bedes away was a killer! It makes such a huge difference. The final word must go to the stars of the show – the U15A squad. Every player contributed a significant amount to the team’s impressive positive ethos. They were a pleasure to work with and I am sure that there are now solid foundations in place for a strong senior Charterhouse side. Just remember to keep it simple and keep the ball moving. JMS

Oliver Kristensen (V) allowed Onyejekwe to make it 1-0. Early in the second, Kristensen burst into the box from midfield, received a pass and found himself taken out by two defenders. Kristensen scored his first of the match and was followed by a second from Onyejekwe. With the game won, the most significant occasion late on was a brilliant Vallance save from a Highgate free-kick. Congratulations to everyone for working so hard during the season. I enjoyed coaching the team and there is significant talent in this U15B squad. I hope that you continue to enjoy your football in future years. PF

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U14A Played 12, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 1, For 70, Against 16 After more than a decade running the under 16A and under 15A squads it was with a good deal of excitement that I accepted the invitation to be involved with the under 14As in the 2014 season. The attraction of being able to pick a team from scratch with no danger of being influenced by which players had been selected the previous year was significant, as was the chance to work with Tom Battley, the excellent and well-qualified coach who had helped run the U14As the previous year. As it transpired, the reality more than lived up to expectations: the team enjoyed a tremendously successful season characterised by a pacy and enterprising brand of football which yielded some outstanding victories and an avalanche of goals, seventy of them in total. Ten of our twelve games were won, none by fewer than three clear goals, with an average of just under six goals per game achieved; on another day the other two games might have been won also. We could not have anticipated such a satisfying playing record and impressive tally of goals at the end of our first game against perennially tough opponents Eton. In recent years this has been our first block fixture, and they always seem to be a step ahead in preparation across the age groups. Some early nerves that saw us concede an early goal were to an extent settled by a superb curling equaliser from central midfielder Alex Ford (D) midway through the first half, but we were undone firstly by an innocuous floated free kick that squeezed in under the bar, and later by the pace and power of their ISFA centre-forward David Chiana who exploited the space left by our back four’s questionable decision to hold a high line without there being sufficient pressure on the ball in midfield. An excellent volley from Will Briggs (V) following a raking pass from the right by Rory Boswell (V) brought us back into the game at 2-3 but Chiana got away twice more to put an emphatic but slightly flattering gloss to the score line.

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We got up and running away at Westminster when a very good all-round display gave us a comfortable 7-1 win; this featured a first of many for the season for Joseph Odogwu (H), a brace for Ford, two for the versatile midfielder Max Say (B) and one each for fellow Weekite full-backs Henry Rowland and Rex Riefler. Forest were next up and provided an altogether sterner test. They had two dangerous players, one commanding central midfielder and a very quick and direct winger, and they started very brightly; we struggled to get a foothold in the game in the first fifteen minutes, and found ourselves a goal down. The match turned on a fine long-range equaliser from the sweet left foot of left midfielder Toby Duffen (S); this proved the catalyst for us to go on to enjoy a period of greater dominance. Briggs got the second with a crisp strike from the edge of the box, before Odogwu finished an

excellent move for the third. In the second half Briggs got his second with a good header after a fantastic cross from Rowland, and after Forest had got back to 2-4, Odogwu got his second as we ran out pretty comfortable 5-2 winners in the end. Lancing provided only limited resistance in our next game, again at home, and although we were without Alex Ford, who was playing in the ISFA U15 cup game at Hampton, we had far too much for our visitors, and racked up eight goals without reply. Duffen scored for the second successive game, whilst Odogwu grabbed the first hat-trick of the season and further goals were added by Rowland (two), Rory Boswell (V) and debutant forward David Campbell (P). Alleyn’s away was a much more difficult game and we were certainly tested, not having things all our own way. Campbell opened the scoring with a tap in before Say added a second with a good strike from outside the box, and Odogwu added a third just before half time to give us a flattering lead at half time. Alleyn’s came at us strongly in the early part of the second half, and soon got a goal back, after which we were indebted to keeper Austin Wilman (W) and centre back Afa Nfor (H) for preserving our advantage. Having weathered the storm, Odogwu got a second late on to give us a 4-1 win. Winchester were the next team in the firing line as our winning run began to gather serious momentum. Say scored again, pouncing on a rebound early on to put us in front, with a Briggs hat-trick and one more apiece for Odogwu and Duffen completing another comprehensive win, by 6 goals to one, though in truth it was not our best team performance. 6-1 was also the score after a very long journey down to Bede’s in the depths of East Sussex. We started well, with Odogwu getting the first after a good through ball, and centre back Luca Viventi (W) adding a second from a corner. When Campbell scored a third opposition heads dropped, and we soon added more goals in the second half, from Rowland, Campbell again and Duffen. The game became rather bad tempered and scrappy towards the end and Bede’s eventually got a consolation goal from a corner but we were worthy and comprehensive winners. We had an extra game on the last Monday before Exeat against Koninklijke HFC, a touring team from the oldest club in Holland. It was the club’s under 13 team run by an OC whose son was a key member of what was a talented squad of technically gifted young players who were comfortable in possession and passed the ball intelligently. However, the year’s difference in age did cause something of a physical mismatch which gave us the platform to play with a freedom and swagger that led to a terrific team performance. We started and ended the game very strongly indeed, and although the final score of 10-1 in our favour didn’t reflect what our opponents had contributed to the game in terms of their skill and ability, it did reflect the gulf in pace and power between the teams. Our two centre forwards Odogwu and Campbell scored seven of the ten goals between them, with others added by Say and Duffen again, along with a first of the season for midfielder Caelen Firmani-Neligan (S). The final game before Exeat saw us journey to Bradfield. There wasn’t a great deal in it for much of the first half, but we turned the screw in the second, running out 5-1 winners with goals from Odogwu (two), Rowland, Duffen and Campbell.

Our final two games were both scheduled to be away, but in the event both were changed to home due to unfavourable pitch conditions at the away venues. Ardingly were up first, and given their return to the highest echelons of independent schools football in the last two or three years, we were expecting a difficult afternoon. As it turned out, this was to be another game we would win very comfortably, in this case far more so than we might have thought possible. An extraordinary sequence in the first fifteen minutes saw us score four goals from the first four corners we were awarded, which effectively ended the match as a contest, with Odogwu and Briggs the grateful recipients of a number of free headers in and around the six yard box. Odogwu couldn’t stop scoring, as it turned out, and finished up with five goals, before missing a glorious chance for his sixth. Ford and Boswell also got themselves a goal as we finished up 9-0 winners, but Ardingly had kept trying to play football all afternoon and in many ways had shown us how to pass the ball effectively as a team. Another two week break ensued before Highgate came to us right at the end of November for our final game. We started very fast again, and soon found ourselves 2-0 with goals from Boswell and Say. We let our opponents back into the game thereafter in terms of possession and territory, though we extended our lead when a FirmaniNeligan cross was diverted into his own net by a Highgate defender. Campbell later added a fourth before Rowland, playing in a more advanced wide midfield role in an attempt to compensate for the absence of Odogwu through injury, added two more to give us another 6-1 win, the seventh time in twelve games that we had won by five goals or more. Highgate had played their part and had spells in the game, but we had been able to find the net when it mattered and never really relinquished control of the match as a result; this was, in many ways, the story of our season. In a team with such attacking instincts it might come as something of a surprise that one of our star performers was to be found in goal. Austin Wilman emerged as the outstanding keeper in the trials, not just for his excellent

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A long break without a game ended with the visit of Hampton on the first Saturday after Exeat, a match in which we failed to produce a level of performance in line with some of our imperious displays in the earlier part of the term. This was in part due to our own rustiness, and in part to the lesson in keeping possession that our opponents gave us, but in truth this was a game that we should have won. Things started well enough as Odogwu got away from the back four to finish well to give us the lead, but we lost the ball on the edge of our box trying to play out from a goal kick and Hampton equalised. We regained the lead in the second half from a penalty from Rowland after Odogwu had, perhaps harshly on the Hampton defender, been adjudged to have been fouled. At 2-1 up entering the last minute or two we should have seen the game out but we gave the ball away on the halfway line, which led to the opposition left winger finding some space out wide from which to curl in a fine and not undeserved equaliser. A lesson in game management had certainly been learned, but we were disappointed not to have held on.

handling and shot-stopping, but also for his fine positional sense and his ability with his feet. I lost count of the number of our wins in which I wondered whether the result might have been considerably closer had Austin and the opposition goalkeeper swapped teams before the game began. The back four developed into a solid and reliable unit that opposition defences found difficult to break down. The preferred centre back pairing was Afa Nfor and Luc Viventi. Both are strong, brave, good in the air and reasonably quick, and although each was prone to the odd error – not least when in possession, they served us well as a partnership. Rex Riefler was the regular right back, and a more committed and level-headed team player you could not hope to have at one’s disposal. He listened carefully as to what was expected of him in the role, and aside from a bit of a dip in form in the middle part of the season, was a model of consistency. Henry Rowland operated at left back but in truth he could have played anywhere. A good athlete blessed with excellent touch and a powerful strike with his wand of a left foot, he was one of our players of the season. Alex Ford and Will Briggs picked themselves in the engine room of the middle of midfield; both were athletic, skilful and determined, and both very important to the side in their own ways. Ford had a great engine, good close control and a bit of the street fighter about him in his tigerish tackling. He started with a bang with three goals in the first two games but only scored one more in the remaining ten; such is his ability he should aim to get into the box more, and in general his final ball – be it a shot or a pass – will need some work if he is to develop into the talismanic playmaker that he has the talent to become. Briggs was more prolific, chipping in with eight goals and he used his considerable physical edge to drive forward into dangerous areas to good effect; he also filled in at centre back at times and despite his attacking threat, I suspect that his longer term future may lie in a more defensive role. The wide midfield roles were shared by a quartet of talented, technically adept players all of whom were also used in other positions. Max Say was used mainly on the right and was perhaps the pick of the four over the season. Relatively slight in stature, his good first touch gave him time on the ball and his passing was as consistent as anyone in the side; he also contributed five goals including one or two strikes from distance. Left-footed Toby Duffen was used mainly in his natural environment on the left side, and he too demonstrated a high level of technical ability as well as accurate passing, good feet and an eye for goal. Rory Boswell operated wide on the right or up front, and although he perhaps didn’t get on the score sheet as often as he would have liked, he worked tirelessly for the team and showed an excellent touch and created a number of goals for others. Caelen Firmani-Neligan was also used mainly on the right, though occasionally also played in the centre also. He too had a good work ethic and demonstrated some deft touches, though he will need to trust his left foot more, and to be a little more physically robust, if he is to establish himself as a regular starter in years to come. The regular front pairing of Joseph Odogwu and David Campbell was the final, key ingredient of the recipe for our success. Odogwu showed himself to be a natural goalscorer; deceptively quick with a silky touch but with enough strength to look after himself against physical defenders, his twenty-one goals in just eleven games was highly impressive. Campbell began in the U14Bs for the first couple of matches but it soon became clear that his abilities merited promotion. This is certainly a group of which much will be expected in the years ahead, and there is undoubtedly the talent here to form the basis of an excellent 1st XI in due course.

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However, David Howells, who took the team that afternoon reported that lots of chances were missed, that we hadn’t played particularly well and that there was a lingering sense of disappointing in the bus on the way back that we hadn’t racked up an even more emphatic victory. It’s not often that one comes away from Bradfield a little disappointed with a 5-1 win!

However, as they develop, the need to evolve from a group of talented individuals into a team with a cohesive passing game and strategy – as demonstrated by Hampton and, to an extent, Ardingly – will become more pressing if the impressive dominance in evidence for much of their first term of football at Charterhouse is to be repeated in the coming years. For now the boys can reflect with considerable satisfaction on what the coaches found a very enjoyable season indeed, and one that will live long in the memory. SPMA

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U14B Played 11, Won 7, Drawn 3, Lost 1, For 44, Against 19 The team had an excellent season, one particularly marked by durability and a determination to score late goals. As ever, the B team at this level are often in a tricky position: too strong for many B teams but severely challenged by A teams. Ultimately, the team played eight B and three A teams, a tough proposition. In summary: As – an easy win over Harris Academy Battersea (9-3), but hard-fought draws against Aldenham (2-2) and Royal Russell (3-3); Bs – matches against the ‘big 4’ were slightly mixed with superb wins over Bradfield (4-0) and Highgate (6-0), a gutsy opening draw against Eton (2-2), but our only defeat against Hampton (1-4 against the best all-round team that we played); more straightforward wins came over Winchester (4-0), Westminster (5-1), Alleyn’s (3-2) and Bede’s (5-2). Four players were ever-presents: Freddie Pardue (P), a fine keeper who saved the team on many occasions, particularly with an outstanding penalty save at Westminster when the game was at 1-1; Aidan Chan (W), a hard-tackling left back; Milo Knatchbull (L), a skilful central midfielder, who also scored six goals; and Jack Wilson (L), a tricky left midfielder. The defence was completed by Dominic Matthews (G), a fine athlete who played with distinction in several positions down the right wing, Alex O’Callaghan-Brown (R), Ethan Cheeseman (W), Caspar Woodward (W) and Raphael Boulanger (P), who filled in admirably at centre half after Rocco Brignone left the school at half term. Rignone, a tall ball playing centre half was a loss. The midfield was largely completed by Max Wilkinson (V), a combative ‘CDM’, and Arran Taylor (D). The key forwards were David Campbell (P), who scored four in four before promotion to the U14As, Adam Phillips (R), who top scored with eight, Toby Rawlings (S), who scored seven and Harry Pascoe (S) with three late season goals. Many thanks to SPMA, CAMS, Tom Battley and a loyal band of parents for all of their assistance/support and to all of the boys - I wish them many happy days playing football at Charterhouse and beyond. PP

U14C Played 11, Won 5, Drawn 1, Lost 5, For 34, Against 33 The 515A Sunday bus service will take you from Guildford, via Hampton Court, to Kingston; a 5-1-5 (Ardingly – cancelled) season with the U14C Charterhouse football team will take you from hope, through dark despair (and 34 goals), to redemption. It is my pleasure to conduct you through the gutters and glorious gardens of this journey! (If you are still searching for the time of the last bus from Burpham, please stop reading now). Like Guildford, the origin of the 515A and a city forged in the dark ages, the U14C season rose from bleak beginnings: unfortunately, Eton came, saw and conquered. Charterhouse fought bravely, however. Sam Duffen (S),

our first captain of the season, was particularly impressive, as he charged around the field with red-faced energy, and Richard Treneman (B) nodded in a nonchalantly precise corner from Sam Chauhan (P). Forest School added to the suffering, but it wasn’t long before we broke the cycle and recorded our first win. The Lancing team were greeted with a deluge of goals, including the season’s first hat-trick, from the right boot of Harry Pascoe (S), and a 25-yard wonder-goal from Charles Rankin (D). In the half light of an autumn evening, Alleyn’s School provided fertile ground for further success. Tife Austen-Peters (g) took his chance and matched Harry’s previous hat-trick, while Max Joyston-Bechal (W) stole the man of the match award, with valiant effort in command of the defence. At this stage, the season was beginning to look like a one-way ticket from defeat to endless victories, and the Winchester fixture only confirmed that impression. Charles and Harry added to their tallies; Tife doubled his with another hat-trick; and Alex O’Callaghan-Brown (R) produced a faultless performance at the back. ‘Hubris;’ ‘delusions of grandeur;’ ‘false sense of security’? Whatever your explanation, the fortress of Broom and Lees’ Pitch E was breached; KES Witley and Bradfield reaped the rewards, despite stalwart efforts from Freddie Foulston (R) and Nicholas Keattch (W) on his vital addition to the squad. Down but not beaten, we took the field against Hampton and, with the help of some potentially (albeit accidentally) dubious refereeing, won a hard-fought victory that saw Sam Chauhan whip a goal in from the corner and the spirited return from injury of Henry Wellesley (R). The season finished on a similar high with a bold and impassioned final outing, against Highgate. Darioush Valizadeh-Achfar (H) and Alex Daintith (V) both capped energetic and dedicated seasons with sterling performances. It was Rob Parham (B), however, who was crowned king at our last stop of the journey, for the cleanest of clean sheets and his fantastic sportsmanship. The very last words and my thanks must now go to: Fynn Atherton (V), for his strong leadership and unflinching tackles; Matteo Loria (B), the undisputed player of the season; all of the hugely dedicated U14 coaching staff; and CAMS the parents for their unstinting support.

1st XI Hockey Played 14, Won 4, Drawn 2, Lost 8, For 40, Against 37 After a successful and enjoyable tour to Malaysia in the Summer of 2014, the 1st XI squad, captained by Robert Hughes (W), began pre-season looking to quickly rediscover the form and momentum that had been on display several months earlier. Matches against Churcher’s College (lost 3-4) and Taunton School (won 2-1) enabled players to both find their feet and stake their claims for a place in the 1st XI squad, and it was a confident side that ran out against a Guildford HC 2nd XI side containing several National League players in our final pre-season match. Our opening match against the RGS Guildford, turned out to be a tough encounter. Two powerful drag-flicks left us 0-2 at half-time, with an early second-half reverse stick strike putting us three behind. Edward Osborne (P) opened his 1st XI account with a neat deflection from a well-worked short corner, but we were unable to get back into the game against a quality side containing several National League players; the game finished at 1-3. The XI had an easier run-out a few days later in the first round of the National Cup, professionally seeing away Hampshire Collegiate School with a 12-0 win, the first of

Kingston Grammar School came to Charterhouse in the middle of the following week expecting to dominate as they had the previous season, however the 1st XI fought very hard, and looked set to secure a 1-1 draw thanks to a neat Ben Dickinson deflection, until KGS scored with four minutes on the clock, and held out to win 2-1. This was a great display of teamwork and spirit against a strong KGS side that dominated in terms of possession and chances created, and although to lose was disappointing, it was a pleasing performance. Sadly this was followed up by a poor showing against KES, Southampton in the National Plate competition; we lost 2-3 and were dumped out of the competition. The only real highlight was a nice reverse stick goal from Angus Hatrick (W). The next match, usually a real highlight of the season, was also a disappointing affair; we lost 2-4 to an average Cranleigh side. We proved to be our own worst enemies, talking ourselves into conceding a late short corner to go 2-3 down having fought hard (despite playing badly) to get back to 2-2. Cranleigh’s fourth come on the break as we searched for a last minute equaliser. Hurstpierpoint were up next, in a golden year for them. We were defeated 2-6 by a side that went on to reach the National Cup semi-finals. Despite the score line, this was a decent performance, and helped to get the team back on track after a couple of disappointing showings. Thomas Boulanger (P) scored in his last contribution before a snowboarding injury sadly ended his season prematurely. KDB took over organising the Shafts XI this season, and he put together a strong side that just about overturned the 1st XI 4-5. After Exeat we faced Tonbridge away from home, and again, we played very well only to lose by a single goal. Once again, the concession of soft short corners, followed by powerful drag-flicks were our Achilles’ heel; and we conceded two of these plus a penalty stroke in this match. Our two goals were both nice efforts; our first, to get to 1-1 was a superb highspeed deflection into the top corner by Matthew Buffoni (described by Tonbridge’s coach as “alright”), and our second to get back to 2-3 was neatly finished by Frederick RussellJones when released one against one with the goalkeeper. The visit of Lancing College represented an opportunity to

Our next match came just two days later against Bradfield. They had won all of their previous games except for one, which they had drawn against KGS in the final second, and then lost on penalties; they also went on to win all of their remaining games after playing us! I have gone into this detail about the opposition in order to contextualise probably our best result of the season, which was actually a 2-2 draw. This Bradfield side was very good, but despite being on our third game in four days, we played an absolutely outstanding match. We were 2-1 up with a few minutes to go, and weren’t far from denying Bradfield an unbeaten season. Sadly for us we just couldn’t hang on, but I was very proud of this result against a fine outfit. A rearranged match against Eton followed just two days later, and in order to save legs for our last block of the season against Radley, several experienced players were rested. We lost 2-3, and certainly could have done better with the side we had, but some tired bodies and slight inexperience cost us in the end.

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Up next in the fixture list was Reed’s, another challenging prospect against a side that went on to win the National Plate competition against some stiff opposition. This wellfought 2-2 draw was one of our better results against a high-quality side. James Bradley (R) was most impressive at right-back, and despite injuries to two key players in leftback Monty Cox (V), who had really stamped his authority on the position by this stage, and tireless experienced right midfielder Ben Dickinson (B), we were able to fight back, and then hold out and share the spoils. Reed’s had scored two powerful drag-flicks from two in the game, and with the score 1-2 with 7 minutes to go, Matthew Buffoni (B) finished off an excellent move to bring us back on level terms, and a combined save from James Knapp and Oliver Taylor (D) from Reed’s third drag-flick in the final second of the match kept the score at 2-2.

put right a poor 0-0 draw away from home in the previous season. This was achieved with a strong 4-0 victory, with two goals for stand-in midfielder William Dyer-Bartlett (W), who made a strong case for his inclusion in the 1st XI squad in 2016. He had stepped in for Thomas Hurley (S), and he certainly had big shoes to fill; Thomas had been one of our most consistently highly performing midfielders for the past two seasons, making a huge number of valuable contributions to the team from the left and centre of midfield. The following day saw the 1st XI take part in the Varsity Match curtain-raiser against Cheltenham College at Southgate Hockey Club. The boys conducted themselves superbly on this fine occasion, and did Charterhouse proud in running out 2-0 winners, with both goals coming from Edward Osborne.

The decision to rest the core of the side was, however vindicated, when we put in a classy performance in order to beat Radley 2-0 at home in our final School fixture. Edward Osborne scored his tenth of the season, and a solid defensive performance from captain Robbie Hughes helped James Knapp to another clean sheet, his third in eight days. This year, instead of playing the Acrostics XI, we finished the season by playing a very strong OC XI, which will hopefully be the start of a regular fixture. It was great to see so many talented players from seasons gone by, and although we couldn’t break them down and lost 0-4, it was a great occasion and was played in good spirit. In my final year as MiC Hockey and 1st XI coach, I must thank all of the players, parents and my colleagues for putting such a huge amount of energy into hockey at Charterhouse. Thanks also to our regular umpires Geoff and Nigel! I have very much enjoyed my time as MiC and I have no doubt that hockey at Charterhouse will continue to go from strength to strength over the next few seasons; it is in fantastic hands. MDK 1st XI team photograph on page 192

Other Hockey The 2nd XI and 3rd XI both had very pleasing seasons, only losing two games each, with all four losses between them by just a single goal. The 2nd XI impressed with wins over some big names on the circuit such as RGS Guildford, KGS, Hurstpierpoint, Tonbridge and Radley, and they were unlucky not to have seen out Bradfield who equalized with seconds to play in a 4-4 thriller. The 3rd XI won eight of their eleven matches, including back-to-back 5-0 wins over

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four clean sheets for goalkeeper James Knapp (D), with the goals coming from nine different scorers; the pick of these were the solo effort from Christian Peplow (W) at a short corner, the Frederick Russell-Jones (W) drag-flick, and Edward Osborne’s reverse stick shot to the top corner.

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Eton and Cranleigh, and a run of five straight victories at the back end of the season. The Vagabonds As season stalled somewhat, as despite having a small core of committed individuals, the number of players able to participate was diminished to the extent that only three matches were played this season, despite tireless efforts of RAB. It is hoped that next season will prove far more positive. The U16As recorded a fine 4-3 victory over Hurstpierpoint, and really developed over the course of the season; building further on their achievements from LQ2014, and in many cases improving on their results from last year. This was all achieved without arguably their strongest player who had moved up to the 1st XI. The U16Bs won or drew as many as they lost, and the highlight of the U16Cs’ season came with a 5-0 thumping of Eton. The U15As started slowly, but soon got into their stride with an excellent 2-1 victory over Kingston Grammar School, which they added to with wins over Hurstpierpoint, Lancing and Bradfield. The U15B won five and lost five; a run of four wins in a row in the second half of the season turned it around for them, with wins of 5-0 against Hurstpierpoint and 6-2 against Tonbridge the picks of the bunch. It was a tough year for the U15C and U15D teams, but the enthusiasm and team spirit on show in the face of some difficult results could not be faulted. The U14A won more matches than they lost, and were undefeated in their last five outings, picking up notable victories against Hurstpierpoint, Lancing, Bradfield and Radley, as well as a fantastic comeback for a 2-2 draw against KGS. The U14Bs finished with four wins and two draws out of their ten matches, including a pleasing 2-0 victory over RGS Guildford in the season-opener. It was a tough year for the U14Cs, who were on the losing end of some very close games, but the U14Ds were able to win more than they lost, with good wins over RGS and Eton amongst others. The U14Es lost just one match, and the U14Fs went unbeaten, with two notable 2-1 wins against Reed’s and Radley. To finish with some statistics, 137 School matches were played this season, and just over 50% were either won or drawn. Of the losses, 40% were by just one goal. It has been a highly enjoyable season; many thanks to all players, supporters, umpires and coaches; it has been amazing to have been a part of hockey at Charterhouse this year; it is truly in a healthy state and will undoubtedly continue to strengthen over future seasons. Housematch Final Junior Housematch Final Senior League Yearlings Cup Robbie Allen Cup

Weekites 5 – 1 Daviesites Weekites 2 – 1 Verites Girdlestoneites 4 – 2 Lockites Pageites 2 – 1 Gownboys Robbie Hughes (W)

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2nd XI Played 11, Won 6, Drawn 2, Lost 3, For 33, Against 18 This proved to be a very good season for the 2nd XI and it began with the first game of pre-season against a strong Churcher’s College side who were always going to be a tough opponents. However, strong work from William DyerBartlett (W) down the right set up Alex Rutherford (S) for the tap in to make the score 1-0. However, Churcher’s had many crafty and skilful attackers and after good work from their striker they scored a well-rehearsed short corner routine and this was followed shortly by another well worker goal. Despite the result, the team played well and all in all it was a good way to start the year. This was followed by a comprehensive 6-0 win over a young Taunton School side with goals from Tom Brown (D), two tap-ins for Alexander Fomin (P), two from Alexander Rutherford (S) and one

from James Macintosh (D). The regular season then begun with an excellent 2-1 away win against RGS Guildford. Goals from Dyer-Bartlett and a well executed penalty corner from Cassian Schweitzer (D) saw Charterhouse over the line. Reed’s away followed and a poor start defensively resulted in a 0-2 score line at half time. A slight change in formation gave the visitors more stability at the back with Thomas Farrell (W), Mark Adshead (B) and captain David Ellis (P) performing courageously and set the tone for the rest of the team. A neat finish by DyerBartlett still saw the score end 2-1 to Reed’s, but the second half gave encouragement for the rest of the season. The following match versus Kingston Grammar began nervously with both teams making unforced errors and lacking spells of possession. Good defensive work from centre backs Benjamin Draper (L) and William Handley (W) and several key saves from the keeper Freddie Gratton (L) ensured a 0-0 halftime score line. However, two goals from James Hurran (R) and one each from Tom Brown (D) and Matthew Konadu-Yiadom (R) saw Charterhouse run out 4-2 victors. Against Eton at home, goals from Fomin and DyerBartlett gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at half time, but despite this dominant first half display, complacency in the home defence married with an inspired final quarter from the Eton keeper resulted in a 2-2 draw. A strong and well contested local derby away at Cranleigh resulted in a 4-3 defeat with the goals shared between Dyer-Bartlett and Mackintosh. The final match before the half term exeat was an excellent 4-0 defeat away to Hurstpierpoint. This was arguably the best performance of the season with a strong midfield performance from Guy Wainwright (W), and goals from Konadu-Yiadom followed by one from Fomin and a brace for the outstanding Dyer-Bartlett. This was a game which left SDJ very satisfied indeed – a great victory. The final three matches of the season were also against strong opponents. Nevertheless, things started well with a 3-1 win over Tonbridge where the Charterhouse fitness and counter attack play proved too much for the opposition. A pulsating game followed versus Bradfield with Charterhouse scoring four goals in a barmy first half - two from Wainwright and one each from Brown and Dyter-Bartlett. However, changes at half time brought an end to such dominance and signalled the beginning of a catastrophic collapse. By the end of the game, Charterhouse were holding on for the draw. The game ended 4-4 but it certainly felt like a defeat – a tough result to take. The final game of the season saw Radley as the visitors. Goalkeeper Abdulkareem BeloOsagie (G) made one key save diving to his left to prevent Radley from taking an early lead. The midfield partnership of Dyer-Bartlett and Draper then grew in confidence and dominated in the centre throughout the rest of the game. The first goal of the game came via Dyer-Bartlett as he went past two players to slip to Brown for an easy tap in. In the second half, Charterhouse remained in control, and the second goal fell to Fomin, with Dyer-Bartlett having the final say of the season with a third goal to complete a comprehensive victory. It was the end of a successful season, and a very satisfying way to finish it with a convincing win. Many thanks to all of those players who represented the team with such enthusiasm, skill and passion; you should all be rightly proud of an excellent set of results and a fantastic season of hockey. SDJ

3rd XI Played 11, Won 8, Drawn 1, Lost 2, For 34, Against 13 This proved to be an exceptional season for the 3rd XI as the playing record above suggests. The team ended with

Vagabonds Played 3, Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 2, For 5, Against 6 This was the season when Vagabonds folded. Three decades ago we were able to launch a Vagabonds team and in some seasons managed to field two Vagabonds sides. Now our numbers have shrunk as many seniors prefer to take a weekend off instead of playing sport. The team was coached alongside the 3rd XI and thus the keen players managed to feature in Robbie Gray’s side when there were not enough players for a 4th team. In the match against RGS we were outclassed in many areas and lacked the punch to gain parity, however the game across at Reed’s was splendid. In the first half we conceded two rather soft goals with some of the defence not appreciating their roles. However, positional changes were made at half time and led to total domination for the remainder of the match. Cameron Hay (L) was a trusted defender allowing Harry Manton (L) and Connor Lavelle (V) to play further forward. We created a host of chances but a makeshift forward line, of surplus goalies, failed to convert any of them. Reed’s managed a couple of breaks but

the flow of play saw us entirely camped in the Reed’s half and they were relieved when the final whistle blew. The final match, as it emerged, was a solid win against Eton. This featured brothers in opposition. Despite sending Arthur Barnard (L) up for the short corners he was unable to beat his brother who was in goal for Eton, but we had enough pace in the forward line, thanks to a couple of recruits form RAB the Cross-Country team, to score on the break.

Played 8, Won 1, Drawn 2, Lost 5, For 16, Against 27 Losing a key member of the team to the 1st XI was always going to challenge a squad which had not won many matches over the last two seasons. In fact, however, it provided an opportunity for everyone else in the team to take on more responsibility, and every player should be pleased with their performance throughout the season. Every match was played with spirit, determination and drive, and it was pleasing to finish the season with a very accomplished display against a good Radley team. This positive and energetic attitude was arguably best represented by the forward trio of Hamish Mackinnon (R), Nitidh Lamsam (L) and James Platts (g) – no doubt the quickest and trickiest set of forwards in my time as coach of the U16s. They don’t necessarily have the slick stick-work to win short corners in a tight space, or the power to beat a keeper from the top of the D, but they run intelligent lines, and were prepared to do the dirty work and help the midfield. The skill in the team was found in this midfield, particularly the crafty James Hawkings (R) and the calm Alexander Margarson (S). Both had a tendency to run with the ball a little bit too much, but when they released the ball early (as at the start of the second half against Radley) they were a match for all but the very best players we encountered. Alongside these two in midfield was the mature presence of captain, Charles Pexton (D), who led the team throughout the season in a commendable manner. He was another who played superbly in the final game against Radley; it was just a shame that he had to try and balance his training with so many squash practices. The defensive unit got better and better as the season progressed, and learnt that they couldn’t afford to switch off – even for a second. John Jillings (S) was superb at picking balls up on his reverse stick, and just needs to relax a little more when in possession. Toby Cohn (S) was surprisingly aggressive – and normally in a legitimate manner – and improved his distribution with every game. Michael Gimson (G) was perhaps unlucky not to have more time in midfield, but was a reliable presence on the flank, and trained in a commendable manner. His disguise hit will soon be a dangerous weapon. On the other flank was Benjamin Bradley (D), another to have his best game of the season against Radley. He made many interceptions and has a good positional sense. Behind this four – they remained the defence from the start to end – was our non-Scouse sounding Scouse keeper Giovanni Dos Reis Montefiori (B), who remained a calm presence in goal, and made many superb saves throughout the season. He was another who combined hockey with a minor sport, and it was great to see his commitment to training when not in the swimming pool. For the first time in twelve years I was lucky to have a resident writer in the team, who seemed to have been inspired by the reports penned by DJM for the 1st XI football. Their historical references might have been a little bit different – and narrowly focused on Scottish History – but they captured the determination and drive at the heart of this very pleasant group of boys. I am most grateful for MRG their literary input during the season.

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the best set of hockey results in the school – a noteworthy accomplishment. However, if you were to delve a little deeper, the manner of the victories and the notable scalps achieved across the Quarter merely add to the sense of achievement. 28 players graced the pitch during this illustrious campaign and there is no doubt that the addition to the squad of several strong Vagabonds players later in the season, added to the strength of an already talented group. This in turn meant that the pain of any worthy promotions to the 2nd XI was felt a lot less keenly. The season opener did not necessarily signify what was to come, with a closely fought 1-0 defeat away to RGS Guilford; always a tough opener. However, the following weekend saw an equally tough trip to Reed’s. Travelling with a depleted squad so early in the season, with a few ‘willing’ additions the team, they proceeded to fight tooth and nail to earn an unexpected but well deserved 1-1 draw. And so the run of results began… What followed was exceptional with the side suffering only one further defeat against a talented Hurstpierpoint side in February. The run started with a 5-1 dismantling of Kingston Grammar followed by a 5-0 home win over Eton, and as the first half of the Quarter drew to a close, a scintillating 5-0 demolition of Cranleigh on their home patch; excellent stuff! The trip to Tonbridge post exeat could have proved to be a potential banana skin as the half term cobwebs were still to be blown away. However, a solid 2-0 victory was then followed up by a 2-1 win over Christ’s Hospital. And so, the final run in to the end of the season. This started with a comfortable 5-2 win over Lancing and then a tight and closely fought win versus Bradfield 3-2 – always a good victory to achieve. And then Radley on the final Saturday of term; a 3-1 home win to cap off a fine season from an excellent squad, of whom all played their part across the season. One defeat in the whole February and March typified the resolve and ability of the team which enjoyed a seriously good season. My thanks to all those who played, but especially to skipper Harry Browne; thanks also to all the parents who showed their support both home and away – it is always greatly appreciated! Finally, thank you to RAB, IJMH and MDK for all their support and guidance and of course to all those who helped umpire matches, without whom, such a great season would not have happened! Robbie Gray

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U16B Played 8, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 4, For 12, Against 20 The first match of the season against RGS is always a tough fixture and, although we lost 1-2, I came away from the match very positive as the team showed a lot of promise. In the end we were unlucky to lose this match and even the opposition coach suggested that it would have been fairer to end in a draw. I was impressed with our fitness so early in the season, our general stick skills and our overall team spirit. The second match was potentially another tough fixture against Reed’s but we stepped up to the challenge and played some fantastic hockey. We ended with an excellent win (5-2) and I was impressed with the team’s stamina; particularly given that we had no substitutes. Jamie Platts (g) was devastating up front. The opposition defence found it impossible to keep up with him as he made darting runs through them, often juggling the ball one handed. Although he did not get on the score sheet himself, he set up many of the goals. I was very disappointed when we lost Jamie to the U16A team after three matches, although it was a much deserved move. James Randolph (S) was always in a good position around the penalty spot throughout the season and managed to deflect in a couple of shots against Reed’s. Theo Phillips (S) also got off the mark from the left post and he nearly scavenged another from the same position when Ben drove a great ball across the circle from the right hand side. We decided in the end that Theo did not touch the ball before it crossed the line and so the goal was awarded to Ben. The remaining goal came from our one and only short corner. We had been practicing them the day before and the chosen routine worked perfectly with Herbie Pyke (L) the scorer. This newly named “Crouching Tiger” routine bedazzled the defence and throughout the season this routine along with “Hidden Dragon”, “Swooping Eagle” and “See No Evil” were very effective and the boys obviously enjoyed calling the names! Although we conceded two goals this match, our defence were organised and they communicated well. George Chigladze (P) made some confident and composed saves. Throughout the Quarter our team was ably led by two captains – Herbie Pyke and Matt Adams (S). Herbie showed real talent at CM whilst Matt led our defence from his position at sweeper. I am very grateful to these two for their dedicated approach to hockey this season and all the help they gave me. Next up was a fun and friendly midweek fixture against Eton. Both teams worked very hard as the ball travelled from end to end and the 1-1 draw was probably a fair result. In defence, Matt Adams and George Chigladze were ably supported by Joss Cary (S), Henry Elston (S) and Jacob Partington (G) fought tooth and nail to the last moment. Throughout the Quarter our defence could always be relied on to put their bodies on the line; other regular players in defence were Nick Milton (P) and Ishaan Rajan (L). Behind them all stood Chigladze. Although he could not be relied upon to turn up on time, check that his kit was fixed or indeed put his kit on the bus for an away fixture (Bradfield!), he could always be relied upon to deliver some fantastic saves. He has excellent reactions and appears to be fearless when coming out to take on an attacking player. The Cranleigh match was a frustrating fixture. We struggled to maintain our shape and were playing more like a group of individuals than a team. Cranleigh were a good side and it was a fair result that we lost 1-5. They broke at pace and, unlike us, passed the ball quickly and effectively, which made it easy for them to evade our defenders. One of our main issues this season was that we were often too keen to hang on to the ball. There are times to run with the ball – taking on a player up front when there are no better options

– but we needed to trust each other and work together. More awareness of where everyone was on the pitch and planning ahead would have done us the world of good. The next week we returned with a depleted team due to various injuries and illnesses but we picked up five very capable players from the C team and managed a fantastic win (3-1) against Hurstpierpoint College. Among them was Louis Moira (V) and the return of Ben Price (S). He had been out for most of the season after breaking his finger and we were delighted to have an intimidating forward back up front. The loss against Tonbridge (0-2) was a fair result. Tonbridge were the better team, not in terms of desire to win the ball and score, but in terms of their calmness on the ball. The next mid-week match against Bradfield was very disappointing (L 1-7) although I could not blame the boys. Many of them had been away on DofE trips at the weekend and were exhausted. They simply did not have the energy to withstand the continual pressure from the opposition. The season ended on a rather strange note. We were playing at Radley and were in complete control of the game. It was a very frustrating game, a few decisions went against us and we just could not get the ball over the line. With a few minutes remaining we were camped out in the opposition circle battling hard when Radley suddenly broke away and, in the dying seconds, scored. As the final whistle blew we were heart broken and furious that we had not managed to convert our chances. It was then that a timid Radley coach came over to tell me he had just realised that they had played with an extra man on the pitch for the last five minutes! After a brief discussion, we decided that the fairest way to end would be to declare a 0-0 draw. I thoroughly enjoyed the season and look forward to seeing some of the boys challenge for the top senior teams next year. LFB

U15A Played 10, Won 4, Drawn 0, Lost 6, For 15, Against, 22 The 2015 season may not have been a vintage one in terms of results for the U15A team but the never-say-die attitude of the players, their commitment and good humour both in training and matches, and the improvement in their skill level, promise much for the future. A pre-season game against a young but talented U14 Guildford Club side was very much a precursor of what to expect for most of the season: valiant defending against more skillful and experienced players. We knew it was going to be a very tough start to the season against local Surrey sides which included a number of county and regional players. And so it proved. A strong defence would be crucial. In addition we had lost the A, B and C team goalkeepers from the previous season so that was an area of concern. Ayo Oshin (W) played the first school match and performed extremely well against RGS, Guildford but, ultimately, Oliver Kristensen (V), totally inexperienced at school level, would take his place in the line of fire – and he was to prove a more than adequate replacement; his quick feet and bravery quickly became a trademark of his game. From the start captain Harry Gilbey (W) led the team admirably from central defence: strong, unflappable and leading the team by example. He was partnered in the centre by Cameron Petrie (D) who had come through the ranks from the U14B team: Cameron’s strength and strong tackling proved key in avoiding a cricket score against some of the better hockey schools we played. He impressed throughout the season with his tenacity, but was at times over-physical and the odd shoulder-barge was rightly penalized; however, his physicality was what was needed. Our half backs were William Morton (L)

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game became even more open and remained in the balance until we broke the deadlock and finished things off with a scrambled goal from a penalty corner, the first time one of these had actually paid off. For the away match at Tonbridge we practised a few aerials of our own, launched by our very own Harry Gilbey. This proved an effective tactic and one of them almost proved an ‘assist’ for Jack Hunter-lees to run onto and provide a cross which almost ended in a goal. But, for the most part, our performance on the rain-lashed ‘green lagoon’ at Tonbridge was rather tame: we dominated the first-half but squandered a number of attacking opportunities and our final pass was woeful. There were plenty of gaps in the Tonbridge defence which sadly we could not exploit – a certain rustiness had set in over Exeat. Tonbridge were not strong but one or two of their players certainly had the ability to launch reversestick strikes, mostly high or wide but two of them, one in the first half and one in the second flew into the goal resulting in a flattering 2-0 win. So, with three games to go we had won 2, lost 5. Three wins and we could even up wins and losses. Draws did not appear to be interesting enough for this rambunctious group of players. Lancing and Bradfield appeared to offer us an opportunity, which indeed we duly took. A 3-0 away win at Lancing was followed up by a scrappy 4-2 win at home against Bradfield. Kai Magee (S) was the star in this match with a brace of opportunist goals, beginning to show his scoring potential, and ending up as top scorer in the team. Magee was also always prepared to work back and help defend – an admirable trait for a forward. By this time George Barlow (V) had returned to the A team; early season he had lacked the mobility and skill at A team level. However, a ‘sabbatical’ in the B team, during which he scored a number of goals, had given him the confidence to return. His switch of position to left wing where he could use his long reach to advantage, also suited him better. Barlow duly finished off a fine move with a well taken goal. George Morton also nipped in with a goal so all three forwards found themselves on the score-sheet for the first time! And so to the final match in which we had high hopes of dealing with Radley despite their very strong record. But things did not go our way – the long journey and short warm-up time did not help – and we lost Walton to injury during the first half and found ourselves short of options with Henderson not feeling on top form. George Morton, on the other hand, was proving more than a handful down the right-hand side and we were more than holding our own. Hunter-Lees and Magee welcomed the opportunity to show what they could do in a central midfield diamond and, despite all the internal problems and break downs in communications, we held out until half-time. 0-0. Not a very inspiring end of season game so far but we were level. In the second half we played with great fight and determination as usual but just before the end we finally conceded and, despite a late penalty corner chance, ended up with a narrow loss to end the season. Our thanks to the whole squad of players for a most enjoyable season, frustrating at times due to a lack of goals and a failure to convert at penalty corners, but this is a team that can potentially go places in the next few years. RWTH/KDB

U15B Played 10, Won 5, Drawn 0, Lost 5, For 37, Against 24 This was definitely a season of two halves: four losses from the first five matches followed by four wins from the last five. The contrast reflects a fixture programme which threw us in at the deep end against strong opponents before the squad was settled and basic skills mastered. Performances

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and Edward Henderson (B), both inked in on the team sheet though they were to swap sides later in the season. Will Morton was the ‘player of the match’ against RGS Guildford, making countless tackles at right-back and running the ball out of defence to link with twin bro’ George. Though he lacked an effective hit he was quick and a very useful team player. More experienced club player Edward was less mobile but employed a powerful hit (and at times, an “overhead”) to clear the lines while also having a good awareness of the need to provide cover in the centre, in particular when Gilbey raided forward. Though we conceded four goals against RGS and three against Reed’s we were by no means dismantled or disgraced and we went into the third game against Kingston Grammar with the intention of creating a few more opportunities in the opposition third. Kingston felt they should be playing our U16s and left a few of their U15 stars behind to practise penalty corners but they still expected to give us a good hiding. That didn’t happen. In fact, much to Kingston’s frustration, we notched up a well-deserved 2-1 win, including a thunderbolt shot to remember from Ben Howard (V). The last few minutes after Kingston got one back were a little hectic and somebody on the side-line might have lost their voice. A good time to mention our mid-field who performed extremely well in this match: our only player with county experience Tom Walton (V) played at centre-mid throughout the season, mostly supported on the left by Charles Short (P) and on the right by Ben Howard (V) or Fraser Swindon (P). We experimented with four in mid-field at times with Jack Hunter-Lees (S) playing an attacking centre midfield role but this was not entirely successful. Later in the season Rollo Payne (D) and Alex Holmes (W) joined the squad, both having previously starred in the midfield of the U14B team. All of these players had good skills on the ball but were a little lightweight when it came to retrieving it! At times we found problems trying to switch the play or find the gaps, partly because we had to spend most of our early games without the ball! We hoped to follow this up with an away win at Eton with KDB returning to the fray but we hadn’t counted on a Belgian international at inside left and a very powerful forward line intent on letting fly reverse-stick shots. We allowed Eton too much space and soon found ourselves 0-1 down and under siege. Frankly it could have been 0-5 by half-time had it not been for the bravery and skill of Kristensen who, despite his small frame, seemed to attract the ball to every part of his anatomy and kit. After several deflections over the bar and past the post off his helmet and stick, we found ourselves still only one goal adrift and creating chances through the pace of George Morton (L), Tom Mercer (R) and Kai Magee (S) up front. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and we lost 1-2 but it had been a brave display against Eton’s strongest year group. Our next visitors were Cranleigh, another very strong side with a couple of regional stars. They outplayed us and, despite holding out for twenty minutes or so, it was inevitable that they would eventually force the gaps. We ended up losing 1-5, no disgrace at all. Hurstpierpoint up next, Sussex champions but would they be up to a Surrey ‘second division’ side? What transpired was certainly the match of the season, or should I say ‘war’, mainly caused by the aerial bombardment we faced from their giant sweeper who launched 50m aerials from 16 yard hits for fun, resulting in Barnes Wallis-esque bombs which threatened to create carnage as both sets of players clashed sword-like sticks in running duels for the ball. We took a 2-0 lead into half-time but shortly after an inspiring talk from the coaches we found ourselves level at 2-2 (!). The

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never lacked effort, however, which became the foundation for success later in the season. The 11-1 victory against a weakened Lancing team was of course the stand-out score line. However, the 6-2 win against Tonbridge was more significant since it is traditionally one of the hardest fixtures of the season. Performances which stick in the memory were Gurban Gylyjov’s (G) defensive tenacity whenever called up from the U15Cs, Scott Davies’s (D) athletic energy, William Toulouze’s (V) fearless defending and William Dovell’s (L) driving from the right at opposition defenders. Alex Holmes (W) was the linchpin in midfield whilst Ayo Oshin (W) never let us down in goal. Charlie Bruce (R) and Alexander Bowes (D) rotated to great effect on the left, and Sam Slingsby (V) reluctantly accepted that the team needed him in defence in spite of his capabilities as a midfielder. George Barlow (V) and Luke Shedden (V) came down from the U15As to strengthen attack and defence respectively, while George Peattie (G) was an unexpected find. Irvin Chen (D) was ever-present up front, using his pace with great effect in attack (next year’s U16B coach might like him to use his gift defensively too!). All-in-all this was a character-forming but enjoyable season full of ups and downs but always worth watching. SJN

U14A Played 10, Won 4, Drawn 3, lost 3, For 25, Against 15 By the end of the Long Quarter, the U14As had completed a highly successful season; primarily as they grew and developed into an excellent team and most importantly, with each squad member playing with enjoyment and with no shortage of determination and application. There is no doubt that this was a talented squad with several players joining Charterhouse with some excellent hockey experience behind them. This included captain Raphäel Boulanger (P) who showed real skill and leadership at the heart of midfield; Toby Duffen (S) and Max Say (B) who scored goals from both midfield and up front and who were tireless in their work across the pitch; goal keeper Elliot Clarke (W) who marshalled his defence well and regularly made difficult saves look effortless; Piers Bowden (S) when his amphibious commitments poolside allowed him to play, and new addition to the school for LQ15, the marauding midfielder Oliver Farnfield (R). The season started well with a promising 1-1 draw at home to RGS Guildford. The tenacious Alex Ford (D) scored the Charterhouse goal following a fine flowing move just after half time. However, the inexperience of not having previously played together started to tell and RGS grabbed a deserved equaliser soon afterwards. Nonetheless, it was a promising start to the season. Reed’s away was a more a daunting prospect and so it proved to be. Finding ourselves 2-0 down at halftime, which could have been far worse, had it not been for the excellence of Clarke in goal. It was Boulanger who almost single handily sparked a Charterhouse revival scoring a sumptuous reverse stick shot and setting up Archie Samuelson (g) 1-1 with the Reed’s keeper only to be brought down in the circle. Inevitably it was Boulanger who scored the resulting penalty stroke to spark a mini fightback which was to ultimately fall short with a 3-2 loss. The 2-1 away defeat to Eton was probably the most disappointing result of the season as the side played well for long periods of the game, but a few lapses in concentration allowed Eton to score twice at crucial times. It was again Boulanger who set up the Charterhouse goal, this time Max Say was the happy recipient. The arrival of Kingston Grammar also saw some changes in personnel with a new look defence which was to serve the side well for the remainder of the season. The ever present

Miles Kiener (g) was joined in the centre of defence by ‘powerhouse’ Will Briggs (S), who had proved his quality thus far in the U14Bs. On the flanks Fynn Atherton (V) and Henry Rowland (W) provided width and strong attacking potential. Nonetheless, with six minutes remaining in the game, Charterhouse trailed 2-0 but such was the growing confidence and resolve of the team, two goals in the last two minutes from Boulanger and Ford saw the home side achieve a deserved 2-2 draw. Cranleigh away was probably the side’s most comprehensive defeat although a 0-0 half time score might not have suggested this. 3 goals in quick succession from the home side sucked the confidence out of the visitors with a masterful display of clinical finishing from the hosts. Notable performances in defeat came from Bowden, Duffen and Farnfield. The visit of Hurstpierpoint was an excellent opportunity to bounce back from the Cranleigh defeat and two excellent well worked penalty corner goals from Duffen and Briggs gave the hosts a comfortable 2-0 victory. The Exeat break clearly had a galvanising effect on the team as they returned refreshed and ready for the Surrey U14s County Heats hosted at Reed’s which had been previously postponed due to snow. Charterhouse were drawn against St. George’s and Cranleigh… St. George’s proved a little too powerful first up, running out 2-0 winners although the match was perhaps closer than the score line suggested. However, the match versus Cranleigh perhaps put in perspective how far the team had come. Cranleigh had earlier defeated St. George’s 3-0 but this was to be keenly fought contest. Charterhouse missed three golden opportunities in front of goal to take the lead, before a defensive error gifted Cranleigh an undeserved late winner. However, this performance alone signified real progress from the squad as a whole. The final month of the season delivered what can only be described as a golden few weeks for the U14As. It started with an agonising 1-1 draw at home to Tonbridge who equalised very late on following a Max Say strike, and who would go on to subsequently defeat Cranleigh 7-0. This was followed by a devastating 6-0 away win at Brafield. Birthday boy Boulanger rallied his charges well and some excellent two touch passing hockey allowed Duffen to score 4 and Say 2 goals in an all- round excellent victory. The visit of Lancing College again saw Charterhouse find its scoring touch once again, but not before they had fallen behind 1-0, certainly against the run of play. However, this time Adam Phillips (R) found the back of the net twice as did Max Say with Duffen and Briggs adding one each, whilst Joe Goldring (L) showed his versatility playing in both the back four and midfield. The final match of the season saw Radley as the visitors and they brought with them a squad including several talented individuals. However, they were unable to cope with the powerful distribution of Briggs from the back and the overall team play of their hosts. Phillips ran riot scoring all four goals in a much deserved 4-2 win. And with this victory, the curtain descended upon a very enjoyable, encouraging and exciting season of hockey. Three wins and a draw scoring 17 goals and conceding only 4 in the final month of the season was a real reward for all those who had played and worked so hard to develop and progress throughout the all too short season. A big thank you must be extended to the faithful band of supporting parents who I hope saw a side which progressed and matured in to an exciting hockey team. Thank you also to NLC for all his support and encouragement as well as the invaluable and inspirational coaching and guidance of current England and Great Britain international Dan Fox. A final thank you to IJMH and MDK for their expert officiating!

Played 10, Won 4, Drawn 2, Lost 4, For 29, Against 15 This was a season that promised so much, and one in which the boys worked so hard. However, without a true goal-scorer, the successes were always going to be hard to come by. The team was reasonably inexperienced, but those who had played some competitive hockey before and who remained with the team all season deserve a mention for commanding some good team performances: Sheel Patel (B) and Milo Knatchbull (L) in the defence, Sam Duffen (S) in the midfield and Toby Rawlings (S) up front. For the first time in several seasons, the term got off to a good start with a win over a well-organised and skilful Royal Grammar School side. William Briggs (V) proved too strong for the opposition and with his hard and accurate hitting put the team 1-0 at the start of the second half. His domination of the first few games ensured a deserved call up to the U14As, and we struggled to replace him. The determination of Rawlings in front of goal meant that he finished the season as our top goal scorer, although Joseph Odogwu (H) found the net to finish the first game 2-0 victors. The next two games were tight against teams that looked dangerous going forwards. The defence held tight and Harinda De Silva (S) threw himself on the line on several occasions to keep the ball out of our net. The midfield also worked hard to ensure that the ball made it into our attacking half, only for the forwards to waste too many chances – we only had a handful of shots on target in both games combined. It was a frustrating game against Eton, and the score-line does not reflect the effort and determination of the players. With the U14 age group wiped-out by the flu-like bug that was sweeping across school, we played with no reserves and with several players playing out of position. The forwards had more chances, but the goals still did not come, until Briggs pushed up from the defence to get us back in the game. However, Eton were effective going forwards, and even with some heroics from Milo Knatchbull (L), the team could not stop a strong Eton team. By the time we played Cranleigh, there was a new look to the team, with several boys moving up to the As and being replaced by those coming down. Joseph Seaton (P) had played tremendously in goal up to now, not only making some incredible saves but ensuring that the defence were organised and marked their opponents tightly. In his absence, he was replaced in the Cranleigh game by Aleksandr Prokofev (L), who had a good game but lacked the experience to calm the defence against an excellent opposition; unfortunately we were totally out-classed. Nevertheless, we bounced back the following weekend to a 4-0 win against Hurstpierpoint. The team passed the ball effectively and made their opponents work hard to have any possession at all. Dominic Matthews (G) gave some pace to the attack and Rawlings capitalised with two goals. The first game after Exeat was against Tonbridge. After a rather lack lustre first 15 minutes, the team woke up and played some excellent fast-paced hockey, and deserved to go 1-0 (Rawlings). However, a lack of concentration at the start of the second half allowed Tonbridge to score three quick goals. Luca Viventi (W) played a solid role in the centre of defence, only for the ball to be cleared up the middle from 16 yards hits and be picked up by the Tonbridge forwards, putting the pressure back on. The next week’s practice was all about moving the ball out of defence, pushing it wide to be collected by the midfield, and making good use of the

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whole of the pitch. Bradfield were the team to try out our practice on… For three quarters of the game we controlled the ball, moved it back and forwards, out wide to the wings and not surprisingly were 3-0 up. As tiredness started to take its toll, the boys lost concentration, pushed the ball up and down the middle, and inevitably Bradfield scored. The pressure was back on, but luckily the midfield of Caelen Firmani-Neligan (S), Duffen, Matteo Loria (B) and Rory Boswell (V) worked hard to protect the defence. The match against Lancing was a mismatch, and a rather embarrassing one, although it did wonders for our season’s goal difference! The Lancing boys were ill-disciplined and not strong enough to compete with the organised, skilful players that the U14Bs had become. With the score at 9-0 at half time, the forwards became defence and the defence got their moment to get on the score sheet – Patel scored 5, Rawlings 4 and Nathan Rowland (P) 3, with Matthews, Arran Taylor (D), Thoran Landers (D) and Duffen all scoring one a piece. The boys certainly returned with high spirits. Radley is always a tough end of season game as the two sides are often well-matched, as was the case again this year. The boys showed real determination after going 0-1 down in the first half. They demonstrated how much they had improved over the season and they should be proud of what they have achieved, both in refining their individual skill but also in learning to play as a team – and to the weaknesses of the opposition. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching them; they were a group of boys who listened carefully and always tried to put into practice what they had been taught. I expect several of them to go on and play at A team level over the next couple of years. The team could not have had the success that it did without the tireless enthusiasm of REW; she made my role as coach an easy one knowing that there is someone ready to step in when I was otherwise engaged in the boarding House. I would also like to thank EJR, RAB, IDV and SDJ for standing in to umpire and coach in my absence too. SCA

U14C Played 8, Won 0, Drawn 3, Lost 5, For 4, Against 21 The playing record does not immediately smack of a vintage season, and it is true that the final whistle of final game blew on a team still seeking a maiden victory. However, if success is measured in terms of the improvement in the quality hockey played, both as individuals and as a team, the season suddenly takes on a much rosier hue. The makeup of the Yearlings C team is, by nature, highly fluid. Boys new to hockey rapidly find their feet (and their sticks) and are swiftly elevated, while those who start in the D and E teams waste to time in staking their claims. Over thirty players featured over the course of the season, and it is no exaggeration to say each of them finished the season playing hockey that was more intelligent, and more skilful than when they began. All but one of the team’s matches were closely-fought. Defeats against Bradfield and Radley could, and perhaps should, have been victories. Even an apparent 9-0 drubbing by Reed’s was in reality a much closer affair than the score line suggests. There were fine draws against Eton and Tonbridge, earned in no small part by heroic goalkeeping performances from Aleksandr Prokofev (L) and Joshua Wainwright-Jones (H) respectively. In the game against Cranleigh, a goal from the final hit secured a 2-2 draw which was suitable reward for a battling performance against very strong opposition. It was a team certainly not lacking in character and resolve. Most often it was simply the lack of an out-and-out goal scorer to finish the chances generated which held the team back. Standout performers over the course of the season

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Good luck next season to this talented and exciting group – the future looks encouragingly bright for them. NEB

were Rex Riefler (W), a midfielder of great vision and skill; Jack Wilder (P), a rock in defence; and David Campbell (P), who was always a threat in attack, despite the absence of a regular strike-partner. Had Lady Luck chosen to smile on this team rather more frequently this report could certainly have reported several wins. It would be no surprise at all if next year’s U15C fixture list produces a substantially improved return. NPW

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U14D Played 8, Won 4, Drew 1, Lost 3, For 10, Against 6 Like a first-time gambler at the tables of Las Vegas, this inexperienced squad piled win on win with no regard for the house (or the rules, at times!). Cynics might attribute the U14D hockey team’s success this Quarter, to beginner’s luck. For anyone who watched the boys roll the dice against more experienced opposition, however, there can be no doubt that enthusiasm, determination and fun were at the heart of what was one of the most successful teams of the school’s hockey season. After only two training sessions, with a novice squad and several footballers, the odds were stacked against us as we took to the green against RGS Guildford, giants of the hockey-playing world. With lightning feet and sleight of hand, however, Freddie Pardue (P) and Zayd Abedi (G) spearheaded an impressive victory. They were supported by stalwart performances from Joshua Wainwright-Jones (H), Rex Riefler (W) and Luca Viventi (W), who all found themselves in higher teams at later points in the season. Although our chip-pile was a little depleted with the arrival of Reed’s at the table, we soon recovered with an away win at Eton, masterminded by Ganesh ‘El Capitan’ Robinson (L). Despite a valiant team performance, in which the midfield of Max Wilkinson (V), Henry Bole (H) and Jack Wilson (L) were instrumental, Lady Luck brushed several shots just the wrong side of the posts to hand Cranleigh the next game. The return of Caspar Woodward (W) from injury, against a resilient and physically stronger Hurstpierpoint side, insured the underdog persevered once again, with the help of a miracle goal from Ajibola Shashore (g) and a late finish from ‘El Capitan.’ The unbeaten streak of three games that followed was testament to the energy and perseverance of the whole team: Aidan Chan (W) and Rafe Clements (G) were the heart of a solid defence; Will Ellis (R) and Henry Wellesley (R) joined our ranks bravely; Pardue led the attack with his goal-scoring frenzy at Bradfield. It was sad to end such a promising and eventful season with a loss at home to Radley, but this performance, perhaps more than any other, illustrated this team’s spirit. We were without our usual keeper; we lost our top scorer to fill in the gap; our momentum was cut short by various unavoidable stoppages; and yet, the team won the praise of the opposition coach and produced a fighting effort. Most notably, Brandon Chiu (L), who had been vital all season in his link up play on the left, delivered a titanic display of skill and energy. Tor-Christian Olafsson (L) also deserves special mention for his mature and promising performances this Quarter; they demonstrated an impressive versatility. It was Ganesh Robinson, however, who was voted Man of the Season, for his limitless perseverance, his leadership and his control of the game. Finally, my thanks must go to all the boys, the coaches and the parents for such an enjoyable and lucrative season! CAMS

1st XI Cricket Played 19, Won 5, Drawn 2, Lost 12, Abandoned 1 (MCC) A season which started and finished in glorious sunshine. The cricket may not have always had that sunny feeling but there was enough to suggest that in the next couple of years we will hold our own against our major competitors. On the whole the circuit was strong, the Cowdrey Cup was played out by four excellent sides as we and Radley struggled, our win against Radley consigning them to the bottom of the table. We competed, but in truth the big four of Eton, Harrow, Wellington and Tonbridge were just that bit too strong for us this year. Before half term we struggled, we should have won the first two matches against Christ’s College, New Zealand and IZingari, but batting let us down, and then we ran into Whitgift, Cranleigh, Eton, Harrow and Tonbridge. It made for a difficult period, but the win against the OCs gave us hope for the second half of the season. And improve we did. The batting showed a little more substance and with our bowling attack always proving a threat, we turned performances into victories with wins against Winchester, Bradfield and Dulwich. Two draws against two top sides in the Free Foresters and Cranleigh ended our season with a bit of fight in difficult circumstances, which bodes well going into the winter tour of Sri Lanka in December and next season. We used over 20 players in the 2015 season. It was a difficult year with exam pressures taking out players for periods of time, injuries and the occasional suspension didn’t help either! The batting was headed up by captain Robbie Hughes (W) who scored 584 runs at 48.00. His back to back hundreds against Westminster and Cranleigh showed great maturity allied to great power. Tom Hurley (S) provided an admiral foil in scoring 429 at 28.00 and with his off spin contributing 23 wickets, Tom was an integral part of our side and we will miss his all round contribution. Jack Hunter-Lees (S) as a Remove showed great promise in scoring 305 runs, but will feel only one half century when he had so many good starts is below what he should expect from a player with his ability. Not helped by some crazy run outs and the occasional lack of concentration, Jack will score plenty of runs in the future if he applies himself. Paul Hickling (B) will feel his last year at the school was a little stop/start. Not helped by living in Jersey and succumbing to the pressures of exams, Paul played only half the games. When he did play however, his batting looked much improved from 2014 and his left arm spin was often the go to option in the middle of the innings. Monty Cox (V) came into the side occasionally and cemented his place with great fifties against the OCs and Cranleigh; he kept wicket when Christian Peplow (W) broke a finger before half term. Peplow started the season well, scoring a couple of good 40s and took some stunning catches behind the stumps but errors will need to be eradicated if he is to become a top keeper. Ishaan Rajan (L) and Louis Clayton (P) played a good number of games between them. Both played well at times, Clayton hitting a match winning 50 against the OCs, but both will need to work on all round batting skills going into next year to cement their places in the batting line up next year; the potential is there though. George Barlow (V) made up the top six at times and proved during his 50 against Eton that he has the technique and power to score plenty of runs in the future. The bowling department was well stocked and performed well in virtually every game. Harry Browne (S) was the senior seam bowler and he bowled with skill and control in taking 20 wickets at 25.00 apiece. Harry’s 4-10 against Dulwich was his highlight of the season. At the other end was 15 year old Barlow, a Surrey age group bowler who in

IZingari, Lost by 5 Runs Once again glorious weather welcomed IZingari to Green and after winning the toss we sent in our visitors and bowled very well once again. After good spells from the seamers, Charles and Hurley exerted a vice like grip and strangled the innings with clever off spin. A total of 175 was again below par for the excellent surface. In reply Ishaan batted with composure as wickets fell around him. Wickets fell at regular intervals before Charles and Yiadom batted sensibly to get the target to 13 off 3 overs before Yiadom fell. A mixture of naive batting and pressure created problems for us and we fell five runs short. A game we should have won, but again the batting let the side down as no one reached fifty.

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some of the bowling and fielding sent us to a narrow defeat by three wickets. A game we would have won in mid-season, some good performances but more runs needed!

Radley (Cowdrey Cup), Won by 98 Runs Charterhouse duly completed their first victory of the season, totally dominating a Radley side short of a bit of quality this year. Despite losing Ishaan and Hughes early, Hickling and Hurley played beautifully in compiling a 100 run partnership. When they fell in succession both Peplow and Hunter-Lees kept the momentum going with good running and the occasional boundary. A score of 263-7 was a good effort and so it proved as the home sides bowlers exerted a vice like grip on proceedings. Hurley and Hickling with three wickets each won’t have had too many better days in school colours and we ran out easy winners. Harrow (Cowdrey Cup), Lost by 5 Wickets Harrow were the visitors for the 2nd round of the Cowdrey Cup. After winning the toss we struggled to establish any sort of momentum against a very impressive opening attack. Both Hughes and Ishaan were removed and when Hickling fell the score had barely reached 30. Hurley and HunterLees finally got a partnership going with Hurley playing more expansively. A moment of madness from HunterLees getting run out precipitated a collapse and from 75-3 we ended up 80-7 at lunch. Charles and Yiadom formed a partnership but scoring was tough against an excellent attack. A score of 133-9 off 55 overs represented a well below par score. Barlow and Gratton started well again with the ball and Gratton forced a false shot. Hurley and Charles then turned the game on its head with some excellent bowling and some rash batting. At 66-5 the game was in the balance. A missed stumping a couple of overs later was to be our last chance as the partnership grew in stature and took the game away from us. We did well in the field again but the experience of Harrow told in the end against our young team.

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his first full year in the side impressed everyone with his pace and control. George always performed to a high level and troubled all the top players on our circuit. His 17 wickets at 23.00 and more than useful economy rate will provide us with a top performer in the next three years. Tom Brown (D) made up the trio of regular seam bowlers. Having started the season in the 2nd XI, Tom came into the side and was possibly the pick of the seamers in consistency. His 14 wickets at just 18.00 showed us that he too will provide a good cutting threat next season. Freddie Gratton (L) and Matthew Konadu-Yiadom (R) made up the seamers used in the season. Gratton bowled with great control before injury put paid to his season and Yiadom bowled with aggression but a lack of control at times. Our spinners always got through plenty of work on the unresponsive wickets on Green. Hurley, Hickling and Jonny Charles (L) bowled consistently and almost always half of our overs as we sought control in the middle part of the innings. Hurley was outstanding before half term before taking time off for exams and didn’t really gain the same control after. Hickling, again, missing games for various reasons bowled well at time in a containing role. Charles got through lots of overs and picked up wickets whilst maintains a good economy rate. As the senior spinner next year he will hold the key to the middle period of the innings. Overall it was a disappointing season in terms of results, only 5 wins from 19 matches doesn’t represent a great return. However, there is hope for the future in our younger players who will have to replace the outgoing generation and score heavily if we are to utilise our strong bowling attack. The most disappointing aspect of season will undoubtedly be our fielding which at times bordered on comical. So many dropped catches and blundered run outs, allied to some below average ground fielding undermined many of our bowling displays that needed and deserved more support. This is an area that must improve if we are to improve as a team. Jonny Charles takes over the captaincy for next year and will need the support of his senior players to form a strong unit. My last thought at the season end is saved for our own school cricket. Exam pressures are causing concern as is the lack of genuine cricketers coming into the school. We are really going to have to work in making Charterhouse the ‘destination’ school for cricket in the South East. Boys are also going to have to become better organised in their work so they don’t miss any cricket in their final year at the school. As a school, our boys miss too much cricket, not a problem at other schools I am led to believe, so hopefully there isn’t a trend developing. We have an incredible history of cricket at Charterhouse and it needs to be maintained and built on, not diluted by outside pressures. I would like to thank all our cricketing beaks who have run teams this year in what has been a challenging time. Their efforts and commitment, especially for those long away trips doesn’t go unnoticed, so thank you from me. Finally, DH has been an excellent right hand man for me this year, adding positivity to even the most alarming batting collapses as I contemplate my own sanity! Onwards and upwards into 2016, with plenty of runs.... MPB Christ’s College, Lost by 3 Wickets Christ’s College from New Zealand were the visitors for our first match of the season played out in glorious April sunshine. After being put into bat Hughes and Rajan got us off to an excellent start before Hughes fell for 32. What followed was disappointing as wickets fell regularly before Peplow salvaged the innings with an excellent 48. A total of 170 was below par but after Barlow made early inroads a win was on the cards. Browne and Charles bowled excellently but a bit of rust in

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Whitgift, Lost by 8 Wickets A trip to Whitgift often results in a bit of a mismatch and this was no exception. Whitgift, fielding 8 Surrey Academy players were just that level above and played accordingly. We didn’t help ourselves much to be honest, two run outs and three stumpings, a reverse sweep that didn’t come off prevented us from posting any sort of a total. Chasing 134, Whitgift set off at a gallop. 14 year old Jamie Smith smashed an unbeaten 50 and we left Croydon with our tails between our legs... Tonbridge (Cowdrey Cup), Lost by 6 Wickets The 3rd match of the Cowdrey Cup series saw us travel to Tonbridge. After losing the toss we played nicely with Hunter-Lees and Max Phillips (g) laying a solid foundation. With the score on 46 Hunter-Lees fell and thereafter wickets fell at regular intervals. Hughes offered some resistance but more run outs contributed to our below par 140 all out. In reply, we took two early wickets through Gratton and Browne but Tonbridge dominated after and cruised to the victory target for the loss of four wickets. Tonbridge were an excellent well drilled side and thoroughly deserved the win. Westminster, Lost by 5 Wickets On the most expensive piece of grass in London one of the oldest fixtures took place on a beautiful spring day. Inserted into bat we made slow progress against a steady attack. Hughes looked to be batting on a different wicket as he took on the bowling as wickets fell around him but at 60-6 things looked decidedly ropey. However, partnerships and lusty hitting took us to a respectable 191-8 as the declaration came. Hughes finished on 117 not out, a magnificent effort. 191 should have been enough, especially as Westminster were reduced to 15-2. A combination of poor bowling and even poorer catching gave Westminster impetus and we never recovered. Westminster recorded their first win over Charterhouse in 29 years and deservedly so.

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Cranleigh, Lost by 5 Wickets Next up were Cranleigh with their plethora of Surrey players. After winning the toss and losing Phillips in the first over Hughes and Hurley settled in well; Hughes in particular being brutal with any loose bowling. Wickets fell at regular intervals but in the meantime, Hughes, in the form of his life, dominated the scoring for the second match running. He found a willing partner in Barlow but it was all Hughes as he recorded back to back hundreds and a score of 236 was a good effort. Cranleigh came hard with the bat but Barlow struck and Yiadom followed up with a wicket also. The match was finely poised when an unfortunate run out decision went against the visitors and from there on in Cranleigh were always ahead of the game. Recording a 5 wicket defeat didn’t really show how close the game was and we should take great credit in our performance, especially Hughes. Winchester, Won by 16 Runs This match took on special significance as it was the 100th anniversary of this fixture between the two schools. Charterhouse won the toss and Hughes started quickly again, dominating the early scoring. After he fell for 36 a regular fall of wickets on a now difficult pitch to score on prevented us from posting a good score. 136 wasn’t what we were after, but early wickets kept us in the hunt. At tea Winchester required 60 with 6 wickets left, with Dan Escott, their star man still in. It needed a great spell from someone so up stepped Barlow and he single handedly changed the course of the match. His 4-28 backed up by all the bowlers led us to run out winners by 16 runs. It was

nice to win finally and hopefully this will give us confidence for the games ahead. OCs 20/20 (Lewis-Noble Trophy), Lost by 7 Runs The Lewis-Noble Trophy is played out as a 20/20 match the evening before the main event the following day. The youngsters started very well with Browne and Barlow bowling superbly to reduce the old boys to 22-5, however, in Harry Hooper and Tom Gallyer they recovered to post 101-6 in their 20 overs. Browne finishing with 4-16 in 4 overs. In reply we never got going, losing regular wickets and lacking the power to hit boundaries. We finished on 94, a game we should have really won. OCs (Carthusian Day), Won by 4 Wickets Always a tough ask to play against the OCs, especially when they had no fewer than 5 ex-1st team captains in the side. After putting the OCs into bat we bowled well and kept the runs down through good fielding and discipline in our approach. The OCs could only muster 197 in their 50 overs. Hurley and Hickling the pick of the bowlers, with Barlow also bowling well. In reply the opening partnership of Hughes and Hunter-Lees shone like a beacon as both players dealt with the threat of Gilbert and Ryder-Smith with ease. After they both fell we slipped to 81-4 and the writing looked to be on the wall. However, in Clayton and Cox we had two differing styles and two sensible heads. The required rate was kept at a comfortable level and we ran out winners by 4 wickets in the last over. This was an excellent advert for the school’s cricket and massive credit to the boys who played their best game of the season. Bede’s 20/20, Lost by 7 Wickets We don’t play many 20/20 matches so this format will always be difficult for us to adjust to. We posted a competitive score with contributions from many without anyone going on to a big score. After a couple of early wickets the game looked like it was drifting away from us but great spells from Brown and Charles brought us right back into the match. Hickling and Barlow took us to the brink of victory with great final overs but Bede’s just scraped home. An excellent match but we just came up short losing off the last ball of the match. Eton (Cowdrey Cup), Lost by 5 Wickets Eton were the latest visitors to Green to play a very young, inexperienced Charterhouse side shorn of its senior players for various reasons. After winning the toss we made slow but steady progress but found ourselves 96-5 at lunch, Clayton hitting 31 before falling on the stroke of lunch. Barlow took control after the break showing great maturity in compiling his maiden fifty for the 1st XI and finished 54 not out while others supported. A score of 170 in 55 overs was a good effort. We started poorly with the ball and even poorer in the catching department, dropping four catches including Armaann Treon twice early on, who went on to score 73. We fought back and put them under enough pressure that they looked concerned but eventually they got home by five wickets. Not much between the sides but the fielding showed a difference in class and ultimately if you don’t catch your catches, you don’t win many matches; a decent effort though with a very young side. Aldridge Cricket Academy, Lost by 63 Runs The Aldridge Cricket Academy, based at Brighton and Portslade Aldridge Community Academies, were the visitors on a very cold a blustery day in June. After winning the toss they made slow progress against some disciplined bowling until the last few overs where they accelerated to record a challenging total. In reply our batting struggled against two

Bradfield, Won by 70 Runs Winning the toss on an excellent batting surface with a fast outfield and warm June sunshine was the key to this match. Hurley and Hunter-Lees took advantage with a 120 opening stand. Once Hunter-Lees fell for a bright 47, Hurley accelerated to score his second hundred on Green. Wickets tumbled towards the end, but 231 was a very good score. Barlow and Browne once again started well with the ball and reduced Bradfield to 40-4 with two wickets apiece. A brief fightback followed but Brown broke the partnership and wickets then followed at regular intervals as we ran out comfortable winners. Two wins in a row and a real sense of good times ahead. Wellington (Cowdrey Cup), Lost by 8 Wickets The final match of the Cowdrey Cup season and at 68-0 off 12 overs things were looking great for the home side. However, Hunter-Lees crazily ran himself out and what followed beggared belief. From 95-2 we went to 127-9 against some very innocuous spin bowling. Losing 9 wickets in 14 overs is never going to win you a game of cricket. In reply, Wellington took the game away from us very quickly, we weren’t helped by a wet ball after some heavy rain, but in truth we got what we deserved. Free Foresters (Ed How Cup), Match Drawn Free Foresters were the opponents in a match now traditionally played for the Ed How Cup. Batting first in perfect conditions the Foresters took advantage and scored quickly, however the boys stuck manfully to their task and restricted a strong line up to 243-7 after 55 overs. In reply we found ourselves in early trouble but Hughes struck an excellent 65, backed up well by Charles who went on to an unbeaten 39 in saving the match. It was an excellent test of character against a far superior side but we held our own and a credible draw was good reward. Cranleigh (2 day game), Match Drawn A very strong Cranleigh side turned up for the two day match that ends our season. We bowled well in the morning session but they got away a little towards the end of their 50 overs to post 243-8. In reply Hughes struck the ball beautifully in getting to 71 but after being 124-2 we subsided to 162 all out in the face of some good leg spin from Angus Dahl. The second day saw Cranleigh lead by 81 and it was damage limitation in the morning session as we waited for them to declare. They set us a notional 268 in 67 overs, a task that was made harder by Hughes and Hurley’s early departure. Just after tea we found ourselves five down and looking down the barrel of defeat. However, Cox with support from the tail held firm. Cox played a

Batting RL Hughes TEW Hurley MG Cox JG HunterLees LEA Clayton GCH Barlow PGA Hickling JS Charles M Konadu-Yiadom

Runs 584 429 198 305 155 182 191 203 135

Average 48.66 28.60 22.00 17.66 17.22 16.54 15.91 15.61 12.27

Bowling TGAM Brown GCH Barlow HJR Browne JDF Gratton JS Charles TEW Hurley PGA Hickling M Konadu-Yiadom

Wickets 14 17 20 6 22 23 9 5

Average 18.85 23.23 25.30 25.66 26.90 28.30 28.88 45.60

2nd XI Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7 Harrow, Lost by 12 runs Arriving at Harrow on a very hot day for our first game of the season we put them in to bat. Getting off to a good start we got their opener out for a duck being bowled by Tom Brown (D). Their troubles continued with more wickets from Brown, Freddie Russell- Jones (W) and Guy Wainwright (W). They were now 55 for 4. However, the quality of the Charterhouse fielding and bowling slipped and they managed to put on a 72 run 5th wicket partnership and a 52 run 6th wicket partnership, finishing their innings on 194 all out, with Brown and Cameron Hay (L) being the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets each. Our batting got off to a good start with our first fall of wicket coming at 31 runs, Nicholas Haworth (S) had a very good innings making 41 before edging to the slips. Some good middle order batting by Matthew Buffoni (B), Wainwright and Brown put us in a good position needing 20 runs with 3 wickets remaining, but a lower order collapse saw us lose by 12 runs in a very close game. Whitgift, Lost by 2 wickets After a difficult defeat at Harrow, the 2nd XI welcomed Whigift to Green for the first home match of the season. Captain Buffoni lost an important toss and Whitgift with only ten men chose to bowl on a tricky looking wicket. The Charterhouse batsmen never really got going, unable to take advantage of the space in the field, the top score in the end being just 19 runs as the hosts fell for 106. This left a tall order for the bowlers who got straight to work. Wainwright and Nicholas Aldersley (R) took a wicket each in the first three overs setting up a real contest over the next 27 overs. Whitgift however responded well, putting on a partnership of 45 runs for their 3rd wicket, leaving them just 53 runs to chase in 13 overs. Wickets soon fell with contributions from all seven bowlers used. In the end it fell to their tenth and final batsmen to score the winning runs from the fourth ball of the final over with a well hit boundary. It was another very close game which Charterhouse should have won. After a strong response in the field, but the damage had already been done; the batsmen hadn’t scored enough runs.

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Dulwich, Won by 9 Wickets We produced our most dominant display of the season as we swept aside Dulwich with ease. Bowling first we strangled their batsman and with Browne taking 4-10 and all the other bowlers chipping in the opposition had nowhere to go. A total of 119 wasn’t going to be enough on a flat wicket. Rajan and Hunter-Lees started well until the former offered a catch behind. Hurley then composed a fluent innings and Hunter-Lees played an innings we all know he is capable of playing. His 63 not out leading us home by 9 wickets. If only all the matches were this easy...

flurry of quality shots as he and Browne mixed aggression with defence as the overs ticked down. Dahl posed a real threat as he took his 10th wicket of the match but it wasn’t good enough as we salvaged a draw against a quality side.

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high quality opening bowlers and we didn’t recover. Having four U15s in our top six was a gamble but in Harry Gilbey (W), on debut, we found a batsman for the future as he scored a composed 29. We lost quite comfortably in the end but it was a good experience for our younger players.

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Tonbridge, Lost by 128 runs With a very grey and miserable start to the day, Tonbridge won the toss and decided to bat. The visitors came out with a very positive start and proved to be a very strong batting side who were hard to break down. Tonbridge managed to keep their score ticking along with the loss of only a few wickets and eventually decided to declare with a score of 229-6. As Charterhouse set out to bat, they faced a number of difficulties, losing too many early wickets. Wainwright saw the opportunity, coming in at number three, to score runs with a solid innings of 52 not out. In the end however, the hosts found themselves trying to earn a draw but unfortunately could not quite hold out. The game had turned out to be a tough challenge against a strong Tonbridge side, who deserved their victory. Cranleigh, Lost by 5 wickets The following fixture saw Cranleigh travel to Green. Charterhouse batted first and started slowly but soon runs started to come. Haworth scored 20 but played a huge part in the game as wickets were lost quickly and he tried to steady the ship when Wainwright and Monty Cox (V) were dismissed cheaply. William Dyer-Bartlett (W) went on to score 40 without a single boundary. Only two boundaries in 35 overs were found by the whole of the Charterhouse side. The boundaries were big and the outfield slow, so 108 was not as low as many would think. After tea, Charterhouse started well with 2 maidens in 4 overs, one from both openers Hay and Wainwright. Cranleigh’s opening pair both scored in the thirties. The bowlers found the right line and length but there was no breakthrough until the 24th over. This came from Tom Batchelor (W) but by then it was too late and too many runs had been scored.

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Winchester, Won by 108 runs With only one Second Year Specialist playing in Buffoni, additional resources had been moved up from Maniacs. 1st XI player Freddie Gratton (L), who had an injury which limited his bowling, was still able to play a part with the bat. Charterhouse won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Cox and Haworth set about putting immediate pressure on the Winchester bowlers with Cox. In a partnership full of high quality shots, Josh Holland (W) and Harry Holmes (P) saw the home side over the 100 run mark before Holland was bowled. Holmes departed soon after, nevertheless the hosts ended up 176-8. Charterhouse simply had to bowl out Winchester in their 30 overs and Wainwright got them off to a good start with two early wickets. Hay also got a brace as did Batchelor. Russell-Jones took 3 wickets as Gratton also bagged a wicket in his only over bowling. Some tidy work behind the stumps from Cox and sharp fielding all round left Winchester with a poor scorecard, where 14 was the top score and one other man made it into double figures. OCs, Won by 2 wickets On their return to Charterhouse, the OC team chose to bat first in a declaration game on Wildernesse. As parents and students settled down to their picnics, the OC opening batsmen made a strong start to their innings, helped by some loose 2ndXI bowling. The run rate was initially fierce reaching 90-2 off 11 overs. Thankfully the bowling response was excellent, allowing the OCs to score only 57 more runs. The pick of the bowlers was undoubtedly Russell-Jones who took 5 wickets for just 21 runs, leaving the batsmen with a highly achievable target of 148 runs on a good wicket. Whilst this should have been a formality, the team made rather heavy work of the run chase. The openers fell early before Dyer-Bartlett and Jai Chopra (G) put on 87 between them in two fine innings. With just 25 required, 4 quick wickets

fell, leaving Batchelor and Hay to eventually knock off the final runs with just two wickets in hand. It was another close match which thankfully ended well on this occasion. Eton, Lost by 59 runs The team were rather disappointed to find out that we would be playing the Eton 3rd XI and not on their 1st XI pitch. In the end, their 3rd XI was too strong, scoring 185 runs from some loose bowling and weak fielding from Charterhouse. The pitch was a good one, so the target of 186 in 35 overs should have been well within reach. A strong start from Haworth and Gratton set a good tone with Ed Osborne (P) following. The top three put on 71 runs, leaving the remaining batsmen a chase of 115 runs off 16 overs. Unfortunately, Charterhouse managed just 56, with a top score of 15 amongst the last 8 wickets to fall. Dulwich, Lost by 7 wickets Gratton captained the 2nd XI away at Dulwich College and he won the toss and chose to bat. Haworth and Gratton opened the batting with the run rate starting slowly. But with the arrival of Dyer-Bartlett, so the run rate gradually picked up with Gratton finishing on 27 and Dyer-Bartlett finishing on 65 in what was a very good innings, and one which gained the majority of our runs. It was left to Wainwright who scored a very impressive 41 off 20 balls to take the score to 208 off 35 overs. Dulwich started off very well until the 17th over when Batchelor a wicket in his first over. However, as Dulwich’s opening batsman reached100 not out, the hosts proved too strong with the bat and won with almost 5 overs to spare. Bradfield, Won by 8 wickets Having lost the toss and being told to have a bowl, Charterhouse dominated from the outset and took wickets at regular intervals. Batchelor bowled with craft and took four wickets. He was supported by Hay and Jimmy Hawkings (R), but undoubtedly the highlight of the innings was Hay’s phenomenal hat-trick. Three bowled in three balls. Chasing 77, Charterhouse lost Gratton early on and Osborne was soon to follow. However, stability came in the form of Dyer Bartlett and Haworth and these two knocked off the runs fairly easily with Dyer Bartlett finishing 32 not out. Wellington, Lost by 63 runs Buffoni captained in his last game for the School but lost the toss and Wellington elected to bat. With a fast start from the openers, they made 80 from the first six overs. However, tidy bowling from Batchelor and Guy Warburton (F), along with great catches from Tom Farrell (W) restricted them to 215 from 30 overs. In reply, Charterhouse made a good start with George Bristowe (W) making 17 off 9 balls. Wainwright made a quick fire 30, hitting umpire SDJ in the arm from one such lusty blow. Haworth made a stoic 50 and Batchelor played a solid innings but unfortunately Charterhouse fell 63 runs short in this, the final game of a mixed yet at times, exciting season. SDJ/ICS

Maniacs A Played 6, Won 3, Lost 3 Maniacs A were much more successful than last year and were at one stage amongst the most successful of the school cricket teams, with three wins from the first four matches. The weather was kind to us throughout the season – some matches were chilly but none were disturbed. The first game of the season was against a disciplined Harrow side who bowled with great precision. At that stage in the season the Maniacs batsmen were in no state to resist

Maniacs B Played 7, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 3 Maniacs B still manage to maintain their fixture list against villages and clubs. With strong links at Bramley, it was a fun ground to play our first match on. The openers kept the scoreboard ticking over steadily but the match came alight when Theo Hunt (V) strode to the pitch. His half century was spectacular whilst Angus Hatrick (W) played a more classic role to also reach a half century. This impressive partnership allowed us to declare early after 28 overs. The Bramley players knew their pitch all too well and none of our bowlers managed to sustain a regular line and length to really unsettle them. Despite fitting in 38 overs, Bramley settled for a draw 30 runs short. It is a long drive to Waldron and we had to borrow a couple of players. Our batsmen never settled and it was left to RAB to add 50 for the final wicket with the Waldron president and take our total into three figures. Waldron chased down the 102 runs required with ease, only losing two wickets en route. Having managed to scrape together a team over Leave Weekend to meet at the charming village of Dunsfold it was

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disappointing to get a last minute phone call cancelling the match after the sun had replaced the overnight rain. Theberton’s experience was too much for our slender resources. They posted only 210 having been 175-3 in the 30th over. Joe Monkman (L) and RAB cleaned up their innings in the next 7 overs. Ed Osborne (P) helped to get us off to a steady start but once Illingworth was out, only WRB recorded a respectable score and we succumbed 90 runs short. A return game against Bramley on Wildernesse gave us a chance to bring in some new blood since it was a Sunday fixture. SDJ and Ollie Taylor (D), fresh from his 20 mile practice run, helped a recovery after early wickets had fallen, but the innings was based round an undefeated 63 from Alex Rutherford (S) our keeper. Most of the bowlers chipped in with a couple of wickets, but it was a wily spell of left arm spin from OPE, which helped us to a comfortable win. Old Maniacs were unable to raise a side on Carthusian Day and so we settled for a game against a combined U16s team. Maniacs won by 24 runs. The Ripley Courtiers was a new fixture but with a strong Old Maniac flavour. Maniacs posted a respectable total based mainly round Ollie Taylor’s 47 with ICS playing the anchor role after Marcus Illingworth (R) had been run out. We bowled very tightly to restrict their openers with 6 maidens in the opening 10 overs shared by Cameron Hay (L) and Kai Magee (S) which put us in charge, but it was a fine spell of seam bowling from Guy Warburton (F) which broke the back of their batting. It was left to Illingworth, CWM & eventually Hay to mop up the tail. Marcus Illingworth (R) was the only player to earn his Maniac cap this season in recognition of his regular contribution with bat and ball over two seasons. The final match of the term was against the Ancient Mariners. The main challenge was to find 11 players and eventually we just managed to scrape together enough bodies to honour the fixture. With Artifex rehearsals blaring out on Founder’s Court it was distracting, especially to our wicket keeper who was also the lead singer! It was thus quite an achievement to bowl them out for 178 with their No 3 reaching a century. Wickets were shared around but some of our fielding did not support the bowlers effectively. When it came to our innings the openers: James Vere (S) and Cameron Temple (S) took the score to 50 whilst our only recognised batsman, Arthur Barnard (L) had retreated to the stage. This makeshift side did manage to give the AMs a game but it was hard work in the absence of all the regulars. It was disappointing to end the season and a 40 year involvement with Maniacs with such a struggle. RAB

U16A Played 6, Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 3 The season started with away fixture to Harrow. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat on what looked to be a flat pitch. They got off to a steady start until their opening partnership was broken by a fantastic piece of fielding from Alex Margarson (S), diving low to his left he cut off a shot that looked to have passed him and then deftly returned into Kalen Patel (P) who whipped off the bails for an excellent run out. A change in the bowling delivered the second wicket Will Melhuish (S) got some turn which bowled out the other opener with the score at 69-2. Harrow then put on a sustained partnership and even an excellent run out by Jamie Platts (g) could not put the brakes on the Harrow batsmen, who finished their allotted 35 overs on 236 for 3. This was certainly a big score but not insurmountable. Melhuish succumbed in the first over, given out caught behind. Louis Clayton (P) and Tristan Matthews (G) put on a steady second wicket partnership of 64. They ran really

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and 23 at the top of the order from Marcus Illingworth (R) and a late 28 from Louis Woods (D) were the bulk of the meagre 127ao (43 extras). Predictably, Harrow reached the target without much trouble but Mark Barley (g) showed signs of what was to come with promising figures of 2/28 from 6 overs. Against Whitgift extras were not so generous and we reached 123ao, mainly thanks to 50 from Woods and 28 from Harry Holmes (P). This total was then made to look massive thanks to excellent partnership bowling from Barley and Cameron Temple (S). Barley finished with 6/11 from 5.3 overs as Whitgift were skittled for 45. Having had a demonstration of how to stick around in the previous match we managed 151-8 against Tonbridge thanks to a solid 60 from George Bristowe (W) and some powerful hitting from Theo Hunt (V) and Tom Batchelor (W). Again this total was increased in stature by the bowling effort, Barley took 2/10 before succumbing to an injury which would keep him out for a few weeks and he was well supported by the change bowlers with three wickets apiece for Angus Hatrick (W) and Hunt. The bowlers had help from some excellent fielding, in particular a cracking catch by Illingworth. Ever keen to assist the 2nd XI we borrowed an out of form batsmen for the match against Westminster and Will Dyer-Bartlett (W) promptly scored a century and was ably assisted by a 43 from Holmes in posting 172-4. Bowling was tidy all round, the most parsimonious being Batchelor with 3/7. Westminster went down by 107 runs. A match against Eton is always hard work and a batting collapse meant that Maniacs posted 73ao. The bowling showed promise, Illingworth took 1/15 from 4 overs, Barley on his return from injury was still swinging the ball nicely and Rex Henderson (S) took 2 wickets in 2 balls with some excellent leg-spin deliveries. Eton won by 6 wickets. The final match of the season was against Dulwich and despite some excellent bowling from Guy Warburton (F) some of the change bowlers (we used 9 bowlers) were less kindly treated and Dulwich raced away to 240-4 from 30 overs. Needing to bat quickly, several Maniacs contributed with strike rates of over 100 – James Hockley (W) 47, Arthur Barnard (L) 21, Temple 23 and Henderson 33. Sadly the run chase got off a bit slowly and we managed 217 in reply. The season finished with 3 wins from 6 thanks to some excellent contributions with both bat and ball; many thanks to all those who participated at various times. CWM

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well between the wickets and Matthews was well set until he played on for 26. Clayton went on to make 45 valuable runs. Margarson with 20 and James Hockley (W) with 11 kept the rest of the innings together. To their credit the boys refused to give away their wickets and batted out their allotted overs finishing on 125 for 6, a mere 111 runs adrift. Whilst the rest of the School departed for the long weekend, the stalwarts of the U16As made the journey to Tonbridge. Charterhouse won the toss and elected to bat. Matthews and Melhuish comfortably saw off the Tonbridge opening bowlers. Just as they were looking to make inroads into the change of bowling, both batsmen fell to cheap shots. At 23-2 the stage was set for Ishaan Rajan (L) and Harry Gilbey (W) to carry on the attack. Both batsmen had a point to prove, and both were playing their first match for the U16As, Rajan having had the start of the season in the 1st XI and Gilbey recruited from the U15As at the 11th hour. A third wicket stand of 91 was just what was needed. The boys played some excellent shots, Rajan was eventually out in the final over of the innings for 48 and Gilbey was undefeated on 28. At the end of the allotted 30 overs Charterhouse closed at 115 for 3. This looked to be about 20 runs below par, but nonetheless gave the bowlers something to defend. After tea and the application of more jumpers, Tonbridge came out to bat. The old adage ‘catches win matches’ was never truer. 7 were put down, admittedly some were very hard and Margarson’s effort not to get his head knocked off was instinctively courageous. Jimmy Hawkings (R) can count himself very unlucky having seen 4 catches dropped of his bowling. James Hockley (W) did however manage to hold on to one and Hawkings bowled out the middle stump of the other opener. The efforts of wicket keeper Harry Poil (L) at jumping into one of the batsmen, accidentally he claimed, but the ‘retired hurt’ allegation still stands, also proved fruitless. Tonbridge won the game easing to an 8 wicket win reaching 118 for 2 from 24 overs. Charterhouse scored 136/5 at the end of 25 overs; Cranleigh only managed 100 all out in 21 overs. Against Cranleigh, Hawkings was the most impressive of all-rounders: he captained with authority, batted splendidly, scoring 48 not out and bowled accurately and aggressively; Rajan provided a good opening spell to set the stage. Charterhouse consistently got wickets, picking off Cranleigh batsmen one by one and of course, the old adage ‘catches win matches’ remains stronger than ever. Wickets were taken by Hockley, Hawkings and Charlie Pexton (D) and Benjamin Taylor (R). Pexton was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 4 wickets with great flair. What was most impressive was that the Cranleigh team was comprised of only 3 U16 players with the rest coming from the upper and lower sixth forms, so we quite comprehensively beat an older more experienced team winning by 36 runs. This was a fixture on another glorious day and a real treat to be playing on the Winchester College 1st XI pitch. Winchester won the toss and decided to bowl. This was a decision they were made to regret. Margarson was in imperious form, and ably supported by Matthews they put on 52 runs for the first wicket, before Matthews was stumped. Clayton strode purposefully to the crease and played like a batsman with real purpose. The score soon ticked past 100 with impressive acceleration. In the final over Clayton was cruelly run out on 49, Margarson carried his bat for an unbeaten 74 and Charterhouse finished the innings 150 for 2 from 30 overs. After a good tea and more sun cream, Charterhouse set about the defence. Hawkings generated some terrific away swing and the Winchester opening batsmen were soon back in the pavilion. Hockley, Melhuish and Pexton all chipped in with vital wickets at key stages, however the stellar performance came from Ben

Price (S), not content with claiming two towering catches at deep square leg, he then stormed in to bowl against the Winchester tail enders. The hat-trick was excellent and then the fourth wicket in 4 deliveries won the game with 2 overs and 24 runs left to spare. Price finished with figures of 4 wickets for 13 runs. This fine victory was followed by an ignominious 10 wicket home defeat to Eton, which deserves no. further coverage. The final match away to Wellington saw Charterhouse open the innings under grey cloud cover and posted a fantastic total of 199/4 in 30 overs - Rajan and Melhuish batted, splendidly scoring highly (Ishaan scored 80, Will posted 58) and both appeared invincible on the pitch, tearing the Wellington attack apart, bowler after bowler, over after over. Hawkings and Hockley then contributed well to the overall total and kept the run-rate ticking. Wellington came to bat and were under no illusions about the herculean task that Charterhouse had set upon them. Having lost a wicket initially, Wellington steadied the ship and fought back valiantly. Hawkings, Price, Hockley and Pexton all bowled with energy, focus and a grim determination to win and were rewarded with wickets along the way. Our fielding was robust and there were some outstanding pieces of magic by Pexton, Rajan and Hawkins, who appeared to pluck catches out of thin air. As the overs drilled on, sun gave way to dark cloud and then to rain. With only four overs remaining, Wellington had been reduced to their last two wickets and a total of 178. The rain remained unyielding and the persistent downpour denied Charterhouse of the very victory they had all worked so hard to set up; the match resulted in a draw. A bittersweet climax representing a perfect contradiction in terms, we left with our spirits slightly dampened but with our heads held high. Wellington knew they had got away with it but they won’t forget that they played against a RNDF/GXB superior and formidable team.

U16B Played 4, Won 2, Lost 2 The U16B team cavorted around various parts of the south east of England with varying degrees of success. After some initial teething problems regarding the playing roster, Charterhouse headed off to Harrow in glorious sunshine and hopeful of runs, wickets and some of those tasty scones that seem synonymous with cricket in that part of north London. In 30 overs, Harrow amassed 189 runs, which was countered by a mere 29 from Charterhouse, with extras amounting to 16; a less than auspicious start. Still, the side pushed on to Tonbridge, but not without losing more players as the rate of attrition climbed and the spurious excuses mounted. Here, a similar tale unfolded, the side losing by 145 runs. But then, in a plot line reminiscent of the Mighty Ducks, that 1992 Disney classic, the corner was turned and the team finished with two magnificent victories against Cranleigh at home and Winchester away, though admittedly the latter victory was in no small part down to the two Winchester players who guest-starred for Charterhouse and effectively bowled out their own teammates. Still, there were some innings of great promise in this match, from Matthew Adams (S), Toby Cohn (S) and Joss Cary (S) in particular and some solid bowling from Henry Poil (L), who kept and captained with aplomb, Augustus Montgomery (W) who even took a catch, Oliver Geffen (D), James Russell (W) and Platts, J (g), despite the extraordinary number of extras he conceded. Platts O (g) distinguished himself in his two ball innings which read 6 and out. Other players to regularly represent the B team included Benjamin Taylor (R), who bowled beautifully at Harrow and was quickly promoted, Sebastian Rimmer (D) and Jed Polson (W).

Played 14, Won 9, Lost 5 Losing two of the best players to the 1st XI and still ending up with a playing record of won 9 and lost 5 is a tremendous achievement, and a testament to the spirit, determination and good spirit in which this talented squad of boys played cricket throughout the season. They were admirably led by the best captain I have seen at this level, Harry Gilbey (W), but always remained a close-knit unit on the field. Indeed everyone in the team can point to a moment where their contribution made the difference. Following a 43 run pre-season defeat by at the hands of Radley, playing Harrow away is perhaps the most difficult of starts, and a 134 run defeat did not bode well – despite the fine performance with both bat and ball by Callum Atkins (P). However, after a comfortable victory in the 20/20 competition against Weydon, the team bounced back in emphatic style by defeating the always-talented Whitgift. In many ways this must rank as one of my best victories as a cricket coach, and was the product of a fine all-round performance. Samuel Browne (S) and Kai Magee (S) bowled superbly to reduce Whitgift to 60 odd for 8, only for them to add sixty runs for the last two wickets. Having George Barlow (V) back from 1st XI duty as a batsmen certainly helped, but contributions all the way down the order, including sparkling 30s from Charles Short (P) and Jai Chopra (G), and 18 not out from Browne in a man of the match winning performance saw us home – even if William Dovell (L) nearly ran himself out as the match was being won! In many ways this performance set the tone for much of the rest of the season. Tight, disciplined bowling at the start of the innings by Browne and Magee, who finished with 16 and 11 wickets respectively, was followed up crafty spin from Chopra, and wicket-taking deliveries from Atkins, Dovell, Thomas Mercer (R) and Scott Davies (D). This bowling was always supported by intelligent field placings by Gilbey, who was very good at responding to the changing circumstances of the game, but always looked to remain on the offensive. Despite a loss to Tonbridge, where we lost our heads against a very slow spinner, the team then went on a four win streak against Cranleigh, Kingston Grammar, Winchester and Bede’s. It was encouraging that after losing a few early wickets on an almost painfully slow Winchester pitch, both Nils Raber (B) and Max Vallance (G) played with spirit, confidence and also some thought, to score important fifties. This took us to an imposing 180 runs, which the Wykemists never really threatened, especially with Chopra being almost unplayable at times. The match against Eton was seemingly dominated by two good bowling attacks and, having batted first, Charterhouse needed someone to bat twenty overs and get them to around 120 runs. As it was they scored barely half this total, and so just one innings of substance was enough for Eton to win by 5 wickets. Next up was the quarter final of the Surrey Schools 20/20 competition, when we travelled to RGS Guildford in the middle of the week. Charterhouse teams have never been the best at playing midweek, but nonetheless they produced a superb batting display to put RGS out the game almost at the half way mark. Particular credit should go to the fearless and skilful batting of Raber and Short who helped us score nearly a hundred runs in the last ten overs. Although the loss to Whitgift in the semi-finals was something of an anti-climax, the season finished with two

U15B Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7 Despite losing a number of players from a successful U14B season to promotion, this was a talented squad of players, whose season was much more successful than a record of two wins might suggest. Had the cricketing gods smiled on the U15Bs more often, and had they been able to draw on the team spirit and cricketing intelligence they developed over the course of the season from the start, they might well have finished with a clutch of wins against strong opposition. As it was, they often found themselves the wrong side of the fine margins which so often decide cricket matches. The season, then, was a cricketing education: its success measured more accurately by the intelligence, steel and resolve it developed, than in runs scored or victories achieved. There were two wins in the sunshine, against Winchester and Dulwich. William Shore (B) was prolific in the former, scoring a half-century before taking three wickets with some crafty spin; while the Dulwich result was built round a fine innings by Nicholas Joliffe (S) and an excellent team bowling performance. Next, those that got away: defeats to Harrow, Tonbridge and Wellington. At Harrow on the opening day of the season some tight bowling in the first innings and a wristy thirty from Arun Nayak (H) meant our batsman looked set to chase down the 145 needed for victory – until a flurry of wickets and a lower meant order collapse left us twenty runs short. Tonbridge was a ‘win’ for Charterhouse in terms of the number of runs scored off the bat. However, although Thomas Walton (V) bowled very tidily for his two wickets, a total of 54 extras conceded when fielding cost us dear. Finally, in the season’s closing fixture at home to Wellington, Lady Luck, frugal in her patronage all season, deserted the team entirely. Batting first, the opening pair Joliffe and Ruwan Silva (G) were in the course of putting together an excellent opening partnership when the rain – until that moment mercifully rare all season – forced the players from the field. On the resumption, the previously flat pitch had become a batsman’s nightmare; the damp surface leading to some fiendish movement off the seam and Charterhouse were skittled for 89. The sun came out at tea time, the pitch dried out, and, despite some canny bowling from Edward

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excellent wins against Dulwich and Wellington. Against Dulwich Chopra, having batted with great maturity to make a half century, then proceeded to take three wickets to seemingly put the game beyond reach. The opposition late order rallied, however, and it was left to Vallance (who had started to bowl with genuine pace) to finish the game off with two wickets in two balls with deliveries which would have done for many a top order batsmen. Against a rather boorish Wellington team Chopra again batted very well to finish on 47 not out and give us a defendable target. The opening bowlers again bowled very tightly (both Browne and Magee took two wickets apiece) and with a few run outs the game looked won. The heavens then opened and, after a brief break, we came out to bowl again with a slightly wet ball. Wellington then struck a number of fine shots, and suddenly the match was on again. Fortunately, Raber – who, contrary to the histrionics, often dropped catches in practice – took an outstanding diving catch to seal victory by 23 runs. This proved a fitting end to an excellent and enjoyable season. Credit should go to the entire squad who played such an entertaining and enjoyable brand of cricket. My thanks also go to NEB for his efforts throughout the season and to ICS for his umpiring. A final word of thanks should go to our loyal band of supporters who followed us unstintingly both home and away. MRG

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Overall the record reads played four, won two, lost two. So we broke even. To sum it up in one word, I would borrow the title of Take That’s 2010 album (the one where Robbie came back) and simply say ‘progress’. DJM

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Henderson (B), Wellington were able to knock off the runs with relative ease. In the remaining matches, big first innings scores from Bede’s, Whitgift, Eton and a very strong Westminster U15A team proved insurmountable. Nevertheless, Scott Davies (D) thoroughly deserved his five wickets against Whitgift, and the unsuccessful chases saw some fluent cameos from Ben Howard (V), and some lusty hitting from Nick Gudgeon (B) and Arman Harjani (L), whose raw pace with the new ball, also harried batsman in every game. Honourable mentions, also must go to Fraser Swindon (P) and Charlie Fowler (P), who shared the duties behind the stumps and both kept very tidily, and to Christian Pethick (g) and Joe Pickering (g) who, after moving up from the C team, were tireless in the commitment to the cause. As a result they were among the season’s most improved players. JCT and I enjoyed coaching this squad immensely and we were left very confident that in some of this season’s defeats lie the seeds of victories in future seasons. NPW

U14A Played 11, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 7 This was a challenging season for the U14As in many ways but although the lows outnumbered the highs, there were some good individual and collective performances and much was learned about the demands of playing cricket at A-team level and the levels of consistency required to compete with the perennially strong schools that make up our circuit. The batting was heavily dependent on the success of our opening pair, captain Austin Wilman (W) and wicketkeeper Toby Rawlings (S). Both have a good array of shots on both sides of the wicket, and when in form were able to score quickly and fluently in a manner that was very easy on the eye. Of course, both found ways to get themselves out cheaply that frustrated them and their coaches, and exposed our brittle middle order sooner than would have been ideal, but when in full flow they were impressive. Wilman in particular was able to dominate the bowling at times, his brilliant innings of 86 at Wellington the most accomplished of the season given the quality of the attack. Rawlings scored two unbeaten fifties, with 76 not out against Winchester preceding a belligerent 96 not out in a twenty over game against Bede’s in which he batted superbly but sadly ran out of balls to reach what would have been a richly deserved hundred. Although we chopped and changed things in the middle order in terms of batting positions, the personnel was consistent, with David Campbell (P), Will Briggs (V), Elliot Clarke (W) and Raphael Boulanger (P) occupying numbers 3-6 in every game in which we were able to pick from an injury free squad. Briggs was the pick of the four in terms of aggregate of runs, and in addition to a couple of important 30s and 40s he posted an excellent fifty at Dulwich at time when we really needed him to deliver. He was able to use his long levers and strength to strike the ball cleanly, and although flaws in his technique persisted, he took his batting seriously and worked hard in the nets at his defensive game; he could develop into a force to be reckoned with in the years ahead. The other three all had innings of substance of which they could be proud, but none really threatened to bat for long enough in partnership with each other to enable us to post a competitive total in the event that we had already lost early wickets. In the bowling department we had reasonable variety in the attack, but again consistency was a problem and as a unit we were only infrequently able to apply sustained pressure to the opposition batsmen. Wilman and Campbell tended

to open up, at least once the latter had recovered from a side strain that left him unable to bowl until some way into May. Wilman could bowl at a decent pace and he took twelve wickets, though his line tended to be either a little too full on the legs or a little too wide of the off stump to be really effective. Campbell was a gentler pace but he generated some lateral movement and took wickets especially when the ball was swinging. Henry Wellesley (R) and Harinda de Silva (S) were the main alternative seam options, and whilst each took the odd wicket, they too struggled to find a consistent line at times. The spin options comprised of Ed Crockford (D) with his leg-spin and Sam Chauhan (P) with his somewhat unconventional off-spin. Both bowled some excellent deliveries but each also went through spells where one or two four-balls an over made life a little too easy for the opposition. The fielding was a bit of a mixed bag, with a few more runs leaked and catches going down than we might have liked, but the boys learned a lot about the importance of maintaining focus and intensity, particularly when trying to defend a small target. Against Tonbridge and Cranleigh, for example, some good performances in the field – and with the ball – allowed us to build pressure and make our opponents work harder for their win than might have been anticipated. Other individuals to play for the A team were Fynn Atherton (V), Harry Clayton-Jones (G) (whose season was sadly ended prematurely when he dislocated his shoulder bowling at Whitgift), Sheel Patel (B) and Jamie Inch (G) (who kept wicket in the last match due to an after banco football injury sustained by Rawlings). Thanks must go to these lads for their efforts with bat, ball and gloves. The final message and buzzword of the season was consistency: when faced with a relative lack of strength in depth within the year group, the importance of everyone making a contribution and trying to execute their skills to the best of their ability on a regular basis is paramount. Although we achieved this in patches this season, ultimately we weren’t able to do so enough against what was often superior opposition. SPMA/KDB

U14B Played 10, Won 1, Lost 9 An opening fixture against Harrow is always a difficult and, on a bright blustery afternoon outside Weekites, Charterhouse U14B succumbed to a vastly more experienced Harrow side. Having lost the toss and sent out to field, the Carthusians started brightly with Will Burns (g) using the breeze to trap Harrow opener, Stevenson, lbw in the first ball of the second over. The run-rate remained sluggish until the 16th over thanks to some tight bowling from Sheel Patel (B) and Archie Samuelson (g) but, crucially, no further wickets fell; the second wicket partnership of Farr and Lewis putting on 70. Their platform was built upon by the swashbuckling Cullimore who was eventually bowled on 75 by a straight one from Charterhouse skipper, Ethan Cheeseman (W). The run chase got off to the worst possible start, Charterhouse losing five quick wickets all to the delicious left-arm in-swingers of Owston. Nevertheless, a resilient knock of 22 from Henry Schmeltzer (L) helped a number of Charterhouse boys get some valuable experience in the middle albeit in heavy defeat by 142 runs. The first away fixture of Quarter started promisingly for Charterhouse. Patel and Schmeltzer batted well in partnership with Samuelson whose innings of 43 from 65 balls helped Charterhouse to a seemingly competitive total of 136. The chase started poorly for Whitgift as Lloyd was bowled in the third over during a magnificent wicket maiden

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attempt to set a target but, once again, extras were often given away. 35 of Bede’s total came in wides and no-balls. Ryan Kannepalli (S), making his debut, showed particular promise. He bowled one over, skittled a dangerous batsman with his first ball, and secured a wicket maiden. The chase was generally well-handled with the batsmen finally forcing singles. They didn’t get it right all the time; two run-outs resulted from underestimating fielders’ ability. Significant contributions from Atherton, Duffen, Wright, and the skipper saw Charterhouse chase down the target with nearly 7 overs to spare winning by 6 wickets. The depth of Eton’s cohorts are always difficult to deal with and the identities of the victors of this game were never really in doubt. Schmeltzer, taking over the captaincy from Cheeseman for the second half of Quarter, lost the toss and Eton, choosing to bat first, enjoyed an opening partnership of 70 before Duffen took the openers’ scalps; bowling one and seeing the other sharply caught by Schmeltzer at square leg. Samuelson also dismissed an Etonian caught and bowled but the unbeaten fourth wicket pair plundered 97 runs from 52 deliveries to set Charterhouse an unobtainable total. To the credit of the Charterhouse batsmen, the team were only bowled out 96 runs light, but only four balls short of the maximum 30 overs with Wallace batting for 84 minutes. A sunny day; a flat batting track; a fast outfield. You’d have to be either mad or bursting with confidence to win the toss and field. Westminster U14As were the latter as Charterhouse looked on nervously before this mismatch commenced. Atherton and Harry Clayton-Jones (G) batted watchfully as the opening bowlers consistently hit a good length, shaping their deliveries away from the right-handers. Once word got out that it might be more profitable to aim for the stumps, however, the hosts duly crumbled to 15-7 from the first 11 overs. A brave rear-guard action from Duffen, Patel, and Inch took the score to a more respectable level during the second half of the innings. The target was never a sufficient challenge for the Westminster batsmen and they took just over half the allotted overs to achieve a 9 wicket victory. A glimmer of satisfaction when Duffen knocked an off-stump out of the ground was a rare highlight in a testing afternoon. After a couple of hours on a coach and a fifteen minute walk to the ground, Charterhouse’s batsmen were put in and looked eager to set a competitive target. Alas, this tempted several players to go aerial and Dulwich held onto absolutely everything. Wallace was the first to go, falling to a sharp catch at point. Atherton and Cheeseman both hung around long enough to score double figures but Charterhouse were eventually toppled for 56 in the 18th over. A much better fielding performance than against Westminster two days previously was pleasing to see but Dulwich made easy work of the total in a 8 wicket win. Both Duffen twins took wicket opportunities, however. Toby ran the non-striker out off his own bowling, having had the ball driven straight back at him. Sam Duffen (S) produced a full in-swinger to bowl the new batsman. Following a heavy shower and under leaden Crowthorne skies, Wellington won the toss and put Charterhouse into bat. Wallace began positively, scoring four past third man from the first ball. Once this gap had been plugged, however, runs were tricky to come by. Charterhouse batted largely sensibly with notable contributions from T Duffen, Samuelson, and S Duffen who scored 15 each. Rowland made a celebrity appearance with his Mongoose but, having proved a successful ploy at Tonbridge, he made the mistake of playing his first forward defensive stroke of the season and the ball flew straight up off the shoulder of the bat for a 2-ball duck. With a Burns boundary from the last delivery, Charterhouse reached 93 from their allotted 30 overs. This

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from Henry Rowland (W). The next over, however, saw the innings’ first wide and it was this that became a recurring feature. Loose bowling meant that Whitgift were never under any pressure and they proceeded to pick off bad balls at will, charging at top speed towards their target. Edward Wright (V) gave the visitors a glimmer of hope when he trapped danger-man Lowery lbw on 49. Extras (29) proving the second highest contribution to the Whitgift total as they won by 7 wickets. The leave weekend fixture began with Cheeseman winning the toss and electing to bat. The Tonbridge opening bowlers, however, were devastatingly accurate and made it very difficult for Wright and Peter Wallace (B) to hit the ball off the square. The Charterhouse batsmen managed stubbornly to keep hold of their wickets and successfully made it to the eleventh over before succumbing to the relentless attack. The score at this point, however, was only 15 and as bats started swinging in an attempt to up the rate, wickets started tumbling. The highlight of the innings was Henry Rowland’s decision to swap his bat for a mongoose when the ninth wicket fell. His agricultural but effective efforts helped to add 22 runs in the last four overs before Burns was run-out attempting a second on the penultimate ball, Rowland carrying his mongoose. In response, Tonbridge made short shrift of the chase. Some terrific hitting from Dix Perkin and Taylor meant that the target was reached in the tenth over without the loss of a wicket. The side reached a milestone in the first match after the leave weekend; they managed to bowl a team out within 30 overs for the first time in the season. In fact, it was in the 23rd over that James Meade (P), making his debut, bowled out the Cranleigh number 11. Earlier on, he had been very unlucky not to take a hat-trick; a third consecutive wicket was narrowly missed after a nick just failed to carry to keeper, James Inch (G). Toby Duffen (S) also picked up two wickets in consecutive balls and, both he and Samuelson bagged three wickets each. With Cranleigh’s final 5 wickets falling for 14 runs, Charterhouse went into tea feeling that they had the edge. Run chases, alas, are very hard to judge and the home team’s top order missed several easy singles to put pressure on the fielding side. With the score on 25-3 at the end of the 9th over, the remaining batsmen had their work cut out. A brave partnership of 33 from Cheeseman and Inch helped things along but the side was always well behind the required rate. Requiring 31 runs off the last ball, Atherton (V) attempted a “Dilshan” and was clean bowled. A fitting end to an enjoyable contest; many of the boys were old friends from prep schools and they enjoyed becoming reacquainted. A familiar story played out on the first really sunny fixture of the year. A track that, two days previously, had seen hours of torrential rain was difficult to score boundaries on so the Charterhouse batsmen’s reluctance to score quick singles cost them dearly. For every run that was taken, there seemed to be another that was not. With wickets taken at regular intervals by the accurate Winchester bowlers, the target of 74 never appeared to be enough. Rupert Peacock (G) and Samuelson, however, opened up the bowling nicely and, with a wicket down after six overs, the visitors’ score was exactly what Charterhouse’s had been at that point. Alas, after that, the traffic was very much one way; Winchester reached their target with nearly 14 overs to spare for the loss of only one wicket. The warmest match of the year also brought the only victory of the season. Given the late start, a 20/20 game was played with Cheeseman winning the toss and electing to field. Tidy opening overs from Peacock and Burns meant that Bede’s were restricted to 2-1 from the first 3 overs. A steady fall of wickets restricted the fluency of the visitors’

never looked a large enough target, especially as Wellington began the chase at a rate of ten runs an over. Wickets for Peacock and T Duffen, however, gave the visitors a few mini victories to cheer about before succumbing by 7 wickets.OPE

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ATHLETICS BADMINTON

Athletics 2015 was a highly successful season for the Charterhouse Athletics team. Ably captained by George Shipton (D), the senior team went through the season undefeated, including memorable wins at the Lord Burghley Trophy match at Eton and at home against Dulwich, Eton, St Paul’s, and Tonbridge. There was also early season success at the Radley Relays, with the senior 4x100m team taking victory and the medley team taking a fantastic 3rd place – both in school record times. The U15 4x100m team also broke the school record with 50.6 in finishing 6th. School Records were set with feverous regularity – 41 in total – across the full spectrum of the athletic disciplines. Combined with a buoyant camaraderie, this created a real buzz within the team with athletes of all ages supporting one another and celebrating each other’s success. It will not be possible to list all record breakers, but it’s right and proper that some get mentioned here. On the track, Shipton set senior records at 100m, 200m and 400m (11.0, 22.5 and 50.2, respectively), whilst vice-captain Michael Okoye (D) improved the high jump record in every match – finally achieving 1.94m in winning the Surrey Championships. Kareem Belo-Osagie (G) improved the discus record by 4.5m to 38.23m, whilst Nikita Kuzmin (B) added almost 1.5m to the shot put record with 12.81m winning a Surrey silver medal. Shipton and Belo-Osagie also bagged Surrey gold medals in Kingston. In the intermediate boys, Obi Onyejekwe (V) ran 13.2s for the 100m hurdles, ranking him in the top five U17s nationally. As well as winning gold at the Surrey Championships, his time means he will represent Surrey at the English Schools’ Championships in July. Casting an eye to the future, things are looking bright. The junior team is packed with ability, and if next year’s Athletics team can build on the enthusiasm that has been displayed this year, then this future success will undoubtedly follow. It has been a real pleasure working with this fantastic group of athletes, and it is with a heavy heart that I say farewell. ADH

Badminton The 2014-2015 Badminton season proved to be a fruitful one for a squad that has grown in both size and ability over the past year. 12 months can feel like an incredibly long time. The Charterhouse side had fought tremendously at the 2014 Harrow tournament, only to miss out on success in the harshest of ways. Two of the side who played that day would return; Raghav Munshi (G) and Ellis Keddie (P) would lead by example as our top pair. Pairing superbly were then George Tennent (R) and Aster Chun (g), who with their mix of power and touch games would prove to be tough opposition for anyone. There were six schools participating, with each school having two pairs. First up were Haberdashers’ Askes; Raghav and Ellis got the ball rolling with a 21-12 victory, looking very assured in the process. George and Aster played a pair of a very similar ability, and after a positive start could not fully capitalise on their opportunities; a 14-21 score line was still encouraging. Coopers Coburn came next; once again Raghav and Ellis put their opponents to the sword with a comprehensive display. George and Aster meanwhile upped their game considerably against arguably a pair who were stronger than

Haberdashers; with great dedication they came home 21-18 victors – superb! Then it was time for Harrow; after our defeat to them in OQ14, the squad knew it had its work cut out. George and Aster, though, decided that they wanted to upset the apple cart. Scintillating stuff from both players with an array of points constructed in such a way as to wonder what the future holds for these two as a Charterhouse pair. Sensational stuff as they built a lead to 18-16. However, a Harrow fight back saw the two face a match point at 19-20. Much to their credit they saved it to take it to 20-20 and a sudden death shoot out! And it was Charterhouse who won 21-20. Only an hour later would we see the significance of that sudden death point in the final classification. Ellis and Raghav then took command of their match against Harrow; after an incredible start, they were always in the driving seat, coming home eventual winners 21-16; composed and ruthless. John Lyon were next in line, and although they played very well indeed, Charterhouse were just too strong. 21-7 to Raghav and Ellis. Aster and George again continued to excel on court, winning their third match of the day to take Charterhouse up to seven wins from eight matches. Lastly, it was Eton’s turn to test the pocket dynamos of George and Aster. Beginning to slightly tire, they couldn’t quite take their chances before going down 18-21. As for Ellis and Raghav, they were as emphatic as ever with yet another dominant performance. A 21-12 win saw the 1st pair go unbeaten throughout the day. Given the quality of the opposition, this was a magnificent achievement. When the matches won were tallied up, the final results saw Charterhouse come out on top with eight wins to seven by Harrow and Haberdashers. The team had thoroughly deserved this success for a multitude of different reasons. All four players were a credit to Charterhouse.

Inter House Badminton This proved to be the most open competition since its reintroduction six years ago. It was anyone’s guess as to who would come out on top. The group stages saw Robinites, Daviesites, Pageites and Saunderites qualify for the semifinals, with Duckites, Fletcherites, Hodgsonites and Gownboys contesting the plate. The main draw produced two high quality semi-finals with Pageites and Robinites progressing. The final though saw the tension rocket through the ceiling; unbelievably the match with Ellis Keddie and HJM representing Pageites, and Marcus Illingworth and Dickson Tse representing Robinites, reached 29-29, meaning that it had to be decided by a sudden death point. With Pageites winning this, it put them in a strong position; however, the Robinites consistency saw them scrape home 5-4 to be deserving winners. The plate event saw Duckites record a narrow semi-final victory over Fletcherites, and despite Henry Chan’s best efforts (!), Gownboys were knocked out by Hodgsonites. Could Team Hodge go on to glory? They battled hard, but came up just short meaning that Duckites took back the silver plate. This was an event played in a great spirit – well done to all players! And finally, a brief note about some of the outgoing 2nd Years who have contributed hugely to Badminton at Charterhouse. Raghav Munshi (G) has been a superb captain; leading the U19A by example, but also showing a willingness to work with the younger players in the squad. Ellis Keddie (P) has been a remarkable success story in terms of his development as a badminton player. Playing as a 4th, he progressed through the sides, and not only has he been unbeaten with

U19s: Played 11, Won 5, Lost 6 U16s: Played 6, Won 2, Lost 4 It has been an impressive season for both Charterhouse Basketball teams with their records not doing them full justice. It was a delight to have such full squads with so many Carthusians interested in playing the sport. All have contributed across both teams, many of whom it has not been possible to mention by name below; rest assured all your efforts did not go unnoticed. The senior team finished second in their group at the Wellington Tournament and putting up very strong performances against the Wolfpack (a men’s team based in Waverly), Harrow, Eton and a good showing even in a loss against Bradfield. Particular credit must go to Raghav Munshi (G) for his speed and defence, to Mina Fanous (G) and Adam Kazharov (D) for their strength inside rebounding, to Alexander Zakon (H) and Shane Mallard (P) for their strong play and scoring, and above all to the Captain Dennis Chan (g) for his outside shooting, overall scoring, and outstanding leadership throughout the year. The junior team started the year with only four returning members from last year. Thanks to an impressive turnout at try-outs the team was restocked with a record number of Carthusians. Captain William Korolkiewicz (W), Andrew Chang (D), Alexander Bowes (D) and Cameron Petrie (D) all showed outstanding improvement from their play last year as 4ths. They led the team throughout the year, despite being a year younger than most of the competition. All four have been training and playing for the U19 team, an impressive feat two years early. Korolkiewicz captained the team well, scored impressively both inside and outside, as well as rebounding solidly. Chang controlled the game at the point guard position, driving to the basket for acrobatic layups and solid assists to open players. Bowes was outstanding on defence and rebounding, using his size to prevent opposing players from scoring as well as using it to

Cross-Country Cross-country is, in some ways, full of contradictions. On the one hand, we run pretty much anywhere in all weathers and with little prior preparation of any course needed. But when it comes to a match we need volunteers for marshals (Brooke Hall is wonderfully generous with its time), recorders at the finishing funnel (my thanks to John How and his team), a results genius (LFB), grounds to set up the course (thank you Jo and now Paul), and not to mention help from Security, the Hunt Health Centre, and Catering. A particular thanks to Jo who with the rest of the Grounds team has made sure that our courses have roots marked with yellow paint, leaves swept, downed trees removed, and tape in place. The Inter-House relays route has to have been one of the smartest presented cross-country courses anywhere. Then there is the fact that cross-country is an individual sport. It is you fighting for your place and battling against the pain. But the shared pain brings people together, whilst the endorphins give a feeling that is only heightened by the lunch afterwards; a lunch at which conversation often goes on long after the food has been eaten. It is this team spirit that has been the highlight of the season. We have had more than 30 pupils again regularly volunteer to submit themselves to the suffering twice a week. They all respect each other whatever age group or pace knowing that we all feel the pain or in the words of Greg Lemond, “It doesn’t get any easier, you just go faster”. Crucial to the spirit of the team have been the captains Phoebe Nelson (D) and William Gibbs (H). They have led by example with Phoebe having to take the sole lead in OQ whilst Will was often off playing rugby. It is not easy getting so many to follow your lead but she led warm-ups with calm authority and with evident respect from the rest of the team. Possibly they understood that were they to step out of line, Phoebe has a range of variations on our core strength exercises that could be inflicted at the end of the training session. Again, it is an individual sport and yet you are also running for the team result. So, whilst we had outstanding runners in the form of Connor Bindler (V) and Alex Lyons (H) who both qualified to run for Surrey, much of the pleasure of the season was in the form of the team performances. The finest performance was at the prestigious Judge Cup in Richmond Park in which the senior team of Bindler, Lyons, Martin Wahl (W), Louis Clayton (P), and Angus Reynolds (H) came 3rd against a number of the top cross-country schools in the south east. The senior team was also greatly responsible for Waverley coming 3rd at the Surrey County Championships. Connor Bindler won the race at RGS Guildford, whilst the juniors showed great promise coming 4th out of 9 teams in the Wellington Relays. Other good results were 3rd out of 8 schools at Winchester with particularly good runs from Jack Stewart (W), 3rd, and Clayton, 4th. Both Stewart and Clayton have the potential to be producing times achieved by only our very best runners by the time they leave in two years’ time. Meanwhile, the junior team of Alex O’Callaghan Brown (R), Michael Freeman (S), Jack Small (D), Adam Soussane (D), and Edward Halford (P), showed great potential, especially at Wellington with a particularly strong run from O’Callaghan Brown, coming 7th on his relay leg out of 45 other runners. We can look forward to next year with confidence. Just in the 2nd years alone there will be plenty of powerful runners in the form of Luke Doyle (S), Alex Lyons, Jamie Collier (B),

CROSS-COUNTRY BASKETBALL

Basketball

score on the other end. Petrie played impressive defence, communicating and controlling the team defence at one end while scoring smartly on short jump shots at the other PSS end.

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Raghav in doubles, he is currently playing in doubles at a standard close to junior county level. Given that he has only played at school, this is a remarkable achievement. Will Tennent (R) has been ever present during the past five years; he has improved exponentially in this time. His positive personality will be hugely missed. Freddie Johnson (R) too brought his game face determination to the badminton court; always ‘pumped’, he too will be greatly missed. David Ellis (P) thoroughly deserved his minor sport colours; another player who started as a 4th and really took to the game. It was fitting that in his last match, he won two matches against a strong Wilson side, playing some of his best badminton. Charles Massingham (F) played some solid badminton during his time; putting up with my constant ‘Charles-Charlie-Charles’ references, he always gave his best, and was a huge part of the Fletcherite side that won the House competition in 2014. Marcus Illingworth (R) also featured evermore during the course of his time at Charterhouse; always competitive, he played his part in ensuring Robinites won the House competition in 2015. Gaurika Rai (S) as our leading female player demonstrated her ability on numerous occasions; having to play predominantly mixed doubles against all boys’ pairs, she always stepped up to the plate, producing some excellent badminton in the process. With a sizeable number leaving, the squad will be led by incoming captain Piyakorn Kridakon (g), whose attitude and commitment to badminton has been truly exceptional. Good luck both to those who are leaving and to those who will be returning to take their places. JMS

FENCING

Runners Wanted Charterhouse-in-Southwark is seeking keen runners for the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 24th April 2016. There are up to 9 Golden Bond (guaranteed) places and prospective runners need to be 18 and over and able to pay a non-refundable deposit of £300 (towards the cost of £396) and promise to raise £1,500 in sponsorship. Runners lucky enough to work for an employer who match their sponsorship will find it easier to reach the target. All funds raised go towards supporting young people living in the London Borough of Southwark who may not benefit from the same advantages as Charterhouse pupils. OC runners in past years have included Martin Winter (G 72) and Jonathan Gough (V 86). Prospective runners are asked to contact Rosemary Hill (rah47@hotmail.co.uk) for a reservation form.

Angus Reynolds, Rory Fisk (R), Kit Livsey (W), Michael Maitland-Jones (S) and Edward Christie (G). One of the delights though has been seeing new runners emerge and to see the progress they can make. In particular, this year it has been the Duckite trio of Aster Chun, Rory Hay and Alex Renaud. My thanks, as always, go to CAC, MB, JPF, EPN, and DPM who have joined us when they can. They have been only too willing to encourage, support and lead. Finally, one last contradiction. Generally long distance runners are more aware than most of what makes a good diet, which makes our pizza and ice cream run on Saturday afternoons in OQ somewhat ironic. But then again, when they taste that good after a run, it would be wrong not to. Our enormous thanks go to Lin for all his efforts to keep us fed and watered on those happy afternoons. EH

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Fencing The Charterhouse fencing team has once again had a very successful year, with some notable results. This has been helped in part by the fact that the school now offers fencing training 3 days a week. Carthusians have had several outstanding performances on the national and international fronts. Epeeist James Russell (W) achieved a very impressive 12th place in the U17 national championships, earning him a national ranking of 7th and consequently leading to his selection to be a member of the British cadet team on the international circuit. His journeys with the British U17 team led him to events in Turkey and Denmark, where he finished 16th and 39th respectively. In foil, Max Schulte (G) won 1st place in the U18 London regional tournament, and came 28th in the U23 national championships facing members of both of the junior and senior British teams. Both Russell and Schulte competed in the annual British

Youth Championships where James came 2nd and Max made the Last 32. Alex Beck (B), this year’s captain, also had an eventful season, competing at foil in 6 Junior World Cups and representing Thailand in the Junior World Championships in Tashkent, where he came 101st. The Fencing teams began OQ with a match against Bradfield, which was narrowly won. Foil A won 45 -32 whilst Epee A lost narrowly 16-20. Next came Harrow, who have a history of proving to be tough opponents, but this year Foil A achieved a victory with a score of 45-32, where Daniel Lee (g) managed to successfully keep the scores up having done fencing for less than a year. However, Epee A lost 16-20 thus resulting in a draw. Next up was Wellington. On the Foil side, fielding an incomplete team, the school suffered an all round defeat with Foil A narrowly losing 4345 and Foil B losing 27-45. With Epee, the school fared better with an Epee A victory of 45-39 and an Epee B loss of 28-45. Abingdon proved to be much stronger opponents than anticipated and the school suffered all round defeats. Foil A suffered a loss of 30-45 and Epee A a loss of 18-45. Against Ardingly, Foil A won 45-36, and the fourths fought twice. In their first match the fourths lost 32-45 and in second match the fourths team lost 20-45, having had little chance to recover from their first bouts. Lastly, Epee A lost 33-45. Eton over the years has been one of the main rivals of Charterhouse, housing many respectable fencers. In Foil, the As managed to achieve a 45-36 victory, but the Bs were defeated 18-45. With Epee, the As narrowly lost out 43-45 whilst the Bs lost 35-43 with time running out. As the OQ drew to a conclusion, the team managed to end the quarter on a high note with all round wins against Hampton. Foil A won comfortably 45-27, whilst the fourths Foil team achieved an impressive score of 40-36. Epee A throughout the match was head to head with the visiting team until the final bout, where they edged to a 45-40 victory. The final match of OQ was against the Old Carthusians. Fortunately the school remains undefeated against the OCs. Foil A managed to do very well until the final bout where the team was unable to close the match after an impressive come back from the OCs, but nevertheless gained a 44-40 victory overall. Foil B did not do as well and scored a 25-45 loss. Epee A was, like the Foil A, quite close, but in the final bout Epee A managed to close out the match with a 45-40 win. Epee B also managed to achieve an impressive 45-40 victory. However, when it came to the Sabre A, the OCs put out a very strong team which lead to the Sabre A tailing throughout the match. Although Sabre A failed to give up regardless of the score, they lost 90-68. LQ started off with an all round victory against Epsom College where Foil A won a comfortable victory of 45-15 and Epee A had a successful win of 45-37. Following the good start to the term, the school was halted by Winchester, who claimed a narrow victory after 5 incredibly close matches. Foil A managed to get a swift victory of 45-23, but Foil B were unlucky to lose a very narrow match scoring 44-45 and Foil C scored 43-45. Epee A lost a narrow 43-45 whilst Epee B won 45-33. The next match was against Tonbridge where the Foil A won 45-36, Foil B likewise achieved a score of 45-30, but Foil C was unable to complete this Foil winning streak and in the final bout lost a close 43-45. Epee A was very successful and won their match 45-26 but Epee B encountered much stronger competition than expected; losing 35-45.Following the recent victory against Tonbridge, the school fencing team achieved a further victory against Worth school. Foil A won their match with ease with the score 45-10. Additionally, the Foil B won their match 45-19 and Epee A finished the all round victory by winning 45-38. The final match of the year was against Eton. Although we defeated them in OQ, it appeared that they were more

The great news on the Fives front for OQ was the successful refurbishment of two of the courts. The floors were replaced with slabs of York stone which meant slippery, dangerous flooring was far less of an issue. When the courts became wet the grip remained firm. Courts were also repainted and looked extremely impressive; a real boost for the start of the new season. On court, the Fives team had a mixed season. Led by Ned Cobb (V) during OQ, he struck up a strong partnership with Mark Barley (g) beating Harrow in the first match of the year. However, he sustained a serious injury before the end of the term and was unable to play again. This was particularly damaging for the team as he was the only player with senior experience; this left the novice seniors exposed, particularly as we have created a reputation over the previous two years for strength at this level. Mark Barley then partnered Nick Kaba (H) as first pair. They played well but did not really manage challenge the top pairs on the circuit. The problem might have been alleviated had they managed to practice together more. This was a consistent issue throughout the season and one which we hope to address next year. The second senior pair of Rex Henderson (S) and Dominic Richardson (g) fought long and hard against strong players they encountered. The evening matches brought the return of Will Legge and Will Harvey (both V) who played against the OCs and other adult sides. They played well, and as good sportsmen showed that with more practice they would be able to threaten stronger pairs. I do hope that they continue to play after they leave Charterhouse. The two U16 pairs showed great potential but only towards the end of the season did they really start to practice and show how this could pay dividends. James Hockley (W) and Jack Hunter Lees (S) went through most of the season as first pair taking points and sets from good players but not converting this into victories. They managed to do this in the second match against Eton and subsequently made the quarter-finals of the national championships. They will do well as senior players next year. Chris Jin (G) and Michael

FENCING

Fives

FIVES

The Public Schools Fencing Championships, which is one of the oldest and largest fencing competitions in the UK, was held at Crystal Palace in March. It is a 3 day individual tournament which the school enters annually to prove its strength compared to other schools. In the last few years, the school has been very successful in this competition, so there was a lot to live up to. The first day of the competition was on Tuesday 17th March, and its scheduled events were Senior Foil and Junior Epee. In Senior Foil, James Wright (H), although he is more naturally skilled with the Epee, gave the Foil a try and managed to achieve a very respectable rank of 76th. Max Schulte managed to achieve an excellent result of 22nd. Max has throughout the year been a valuable asset to the Foil A team and his aspiration to achieve success will doubtless see him go far as he takes on the role of captain next year. Alex Beck (B) achieved 5th place, having won all of his matches during the day until he narrowly lost 15-14 to the eventual winner of the Senior Foil event in the Last 8. On the same day Hugo Berry (g) and James Russell (W) fenced in the Junior Epee event. Hugo fenced well throughout the day winning the majority of his fights until he was halted in the Last 64, but he still managed to achieve a respectable result of 38th. James Russell came back to Crystal Palace with his eyes on the gold medal which he had achieved last year. He approached the event with determination and dexterity. Throughout the day he was undefeated and it remained that way until he reached the finals. It was here he lost his first match of the day 1512, gaining 2nd place. This was nevertheless a tremendous result; James was demonstrably calm and mature even under the greatest of pressure, a state which only the best fencers are capable of achieving. On the second day the Junior Foil, the Mount-Haes Foil and the Senior Epee events took place. In the Mount-Haes Foil event Rupert Peacock (G), James Stapleton (S), Daniel Lee (g), Harry Nicol (G) and Thibodhi Sujarirat (H) all took part. For all of these fencers this was their first competition and having only taken up the sport at Charterhouse for two terms, they fought very well indeed. Thibodhi came 66th, Rupert 77th, James 79th, Daniel 64th and Harry 98th. All of these fencers have shown signs of becoming very respectable fencers. In the Junior Foil, although James Russell’s talent lies with an Epee in his hand, he used his natural skill and talent to compete in this event where he achieved an excellent 24th place. Zayd Abedi (G), who had only taken up the sport at the start of OQ, achieved a commendable result of 84th. Max Schulte, Joe Watson Brown (V) and James Wright all competed in the Senior Epee event. James, being a relatively

new member to the team achieved a good result of 80th place. Joe achieved an impressive 70th place. Joe’s dedication and commitment to the team has always been of great value as he continues to inspire others to live up to the same standards. Max achieved an excellent result of 42nd, losing in the Last 64. On the final day of the competition, Max alone entered on behalf of the school to fight in the Senior Sabre. Even though Sabre is a weapon he does not practice regularly, he managed to achieve an outstanding 21st place. Others who were valuable members of the team but were unable to attend the competition were Merlin Rowlands (H), Marcus Savage (P), Chris Akka (G), Harry Clayton-Jones (G) and Rafe Clements (G). The excellent results and victories this year have not only been a reflection on the fencers themselves, but are also the result of the efforts of our coach Mick Johnson and our Master in Charge, CWM. Without CWM, none of the matches that enabled all the fencers to obtain experience and progress would have been possible. Additionally, Mick’s dedication to the team has continued to inspire and encourage everyone to be the best they can possibly be within the sport. He has continued to improve the skills of all fencers and offered expert advice on the side lines whether it be at training, matches or at competitions. It is him I thank for teaching us all on a personal level that fencing isn’t all about winning, but about developing your character and skills, allowing you to reach your full potential. Alexander Beck (B)

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united and prepared, and they narrowly won the majority of the matches. With their Foil A, Eton put out a very strong team and managed to take an early lead. Whilst Foil A gave it their best efforts, they went into the final bout 6 losing 40-36; but they nevertheless managed to come out triumphant, finally winning 45-44. Foil B was not quite so lucky and although they gave it their best shot they lost 1945. Foil C got off to a fairly strong start and was successful in keeping the scores tight. But when it came to the final 3 bouts, the Eton team managed to scrape ahead, thus achieving a score of 39-45. After the 2-1 loss in Foil, it was down to the Epeeists to try to seize the victory. Epee A were able to take a quick lead and maintain it, making it difficult for the Eton team to catch up, leading to a 45-42 victory. With the scores tied, it was down to the Epee B who had fenced well throughout the match. But with victory within their sights at 44 apiece, Epee B were unbale to make the final touch, losing 44-45.

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Gimson (V) improved enormously over the season. They are on the edge of producing consistency and had many hard-fought games during the season. Once consistency is achieved they will be a formidable pairing. The U15s are strong year group. Jack Hunter Lees was promoted to be number one U16s player. Christian Pethick (g) had a number of partners. He was happiest playing with Alex Holmes (W). They followed the pattern of taking many pairs to a final set, but rarely converted this into victories. Edward Henderson (B) was a stalwart of the season practising furiously and, at his best, beating strong players with the aggression of his play. He generally played with Zander Bowes (D) and achieved three splendid victories, the greatest of which was against Westminster. Jai Chopra (G) returned to the courts and, as a good cricketer, used his natural talent to play with another cricketer, Ruwan Sliva (G). This created a pairing which should improve enormously next year. Luke Lavelle and Matthew Milligan (both g) played mainly in practice games. They should improve next year and progress to playing school matches. We had a good group of Yearlings led by Aidan Chan (W) and Robert Elston (G). They played against strong opposition as the first pair. Their best result was a victory away to Westminster. Robert is a thoughtful player who thinks hard about the game. Aidan relies on natural talent to hit the ball very hard indeed. They should develop into very strong players next year. Ahmed Abdulai (D) grew in stature throughout the year, forming a strong partnership with Ryan Kannepalli (S). They were a cheerful mixture of calm and tempestuous temperaments, each bringing qualities out of each other during the year. Robert Parnham (B) came to the sport at the beginning of LQ and immediately showed himself to be a natural Fives player. He hits the ball hard and is able to adjust his position on the court in the way unusual for someone so tall. He settled into a partnership with Freddie Fulston (R), who needed the enthusiasm of Robert to help him move around the court. When Freddie is awake, he is a formidable player with a real understanding of the angles of the court and he clearly gains much enjoyment from using them. Again, this partnership should grow next year. Perhaps the most frustrating pair to watch were Fynn Atherton and Ruaridh Boswell (both V). Like some of the Verite seniors they are good sportsmen who need time on the court to make the most of their ability. This was evidenced by the downward track of results until the national championships when they improved hugely during the day, eventually losing out in the final of the plate competition. Teddy Wright (V) is another member of that august house who has plenty of hands-eye coordination but relies upon it too much. He came to the game at the end of LQ and formed a decent partnership with Oliver Lofthouse (S). They both went to the national championships and learnt a great deal indeed. Ben Lawson (R) was one of the good players who needs to move more freely around the court. There is nothing wrong with his ability to read the hazards or his capacity to hit the ball hard. Alan Mackenzie (D) improved throughout the year and made a good partner for Ben. We approached the national championships, held at Eton in April with hopes of pairs developing their Fives during the matches in which they competed. They all did well and we came away with two quarter-finalists - U16s Jack Hunter Lees and James Hockley; Yearlings Aidan Chan and Robert Elston. This certainly gives hope for the future. In summary, this was a year in which we played well in the school matches and made significant progress. We have a splendid coach in Julian Black who has helped all players make significant progress. I also wish to pay tribute to the enthusiasm of TWL and GHMG. With the excellence of

his company on the court and the wisdom of his advice, Fives is extremely lucky to have such an enthusiastic and gentlemanly supporter and player at the school. JCT

Golf It has been another busy year for both senior and junior golfers at Charterhouse with nineteen fixtures in total as well as the Gerald Micklem Trophy. We have continued to enjoy an excellent relationship with Worplesdon Golf Club; we are so fortunate to play our matches on such a great golf course and as a result Charterhouse is a popular team for other schools to play against! The team has been successful winning over half of its matches, with notable victories against Tonbridge and Bradfield. We also saw success in the ISGA trophy, getting to the final of the plate trophy. This year eight golfers departed for Mallorca and the Arabella Resort in December for five days. We played on three courses against the junior academy members of the Arabella Resort which included Son Vida which recently hosted Balearic Island trophy; so we followed in the footsteps of the great Seve! The tour was a big success and although we came up against some very impressive golf from some of Spain’s upcoming young talent, we certainly enjoyed the challenge. A huge thank you must go to the Wilson family for kindly inviting us and hosting the team at their lovely home. The highlight of our golfing calendar is the Gerald Micklem Trophy, played each year at Woking Golf Club. We went into this competition as the reigning plate champions and although expectations were not as high this year, the team consisting of Tom Harrison (D), Dominic Wilson (S), Cameron Jones (D), Edward Herring (V) and Jamie Ortega Olazabal (B) played very well. Although narrowly losing out to Bradfield in the first round (3-2), we went on to beat Eton and Harrow with two good victories to win the plate. With all members of the team claiming a point in at least one game, a special mention must go to Edward Herring who won all three of his matches. This year the Family Foursomes competition was run on Carthusian Day and ten families competed for the Hollingsworth Cup. The cup was shared by the Roche (R) and Farrell (W) families who played some impressive foursomes golf; many congratulations to them. On behalf of all of the team, thanks must go to CLM, WRB and IJMH for their time and help with the golf team this year. Tom Harrison (D)

Racquets It barely seems creditable that a year has passed since my last racquets’ report and there is much to tell. Oli Taylor (D) has made an excellent captain and has lead from the front with his composed presence on the court and fine play. He has been partnered at different times in the two Quarters by George Bristowe (W) and Freddie Russell-Jones (W). When playing with George, whilst not winning any matches, they performed with spirit and determination against some talented opposition. Noteworthy amongst these was a 2-3 loss at Tonbridge having fought very hard to level the match from 0-2 down, and encouraging starts against Clifton College (played at Marlborough), Eton (away) and Harrow and St. Paul’s at home. When paired up with Freddie they secured a fine victory away at Haileybury (3-2) clinching a tense match 15-13 in the 5th. In the second pair Jonnie Charles (L) had success when paired with George Bristowe winning both of their matches: Winchester (at home) 3-0 and at Harrow (away) 3-2 from 0-2 behind. When Jonnie was paired with Freddie Russell-Jones they were less successful but had some tremendous tussles only to lose

ROWING

number of players in with a realistic chance of victory. Nils Raber, in his side of the draw made comfortable progress to the final, whilst on the other side Ben Hollingworth, Max Vallance and Toby Rawlings all had titanic struggles before Max finally forced his way into the final. In the final Max took the first game and was looking good for a 2-0 win before Nils, in characteristic fashion, engineered a fine come-back to level at 1-1. The final game swung both ways before Max’s more powerful stroke play proved decisive. In February we were very proud to play host to the British Amateur Doubles Competition and were delighted to see so many OCs step up to the plate and enter. The meal after the play on Saturday in the Peter May Pavilion was enjoyed by all and was a good time to catch up with the news on old friends. In the tournament itself there was a very strong field with seven ex- and current world champions entered. We were treated to some of the most competitive and enthralling racquets with both semi-finals (Coyne & James against Cockcroft & Titchener-Barrett and Foster & Hue Williams against Owen & Duncliffe-Vines) proving difficult to predict before Cockcroft & Titchener-Barrett and Owen & Duncliffe-Vines forced fine wins to gain places in the final. The final itself lived up to and ultimately exceeded expectations when it first swung one way and then the other before the tumultuous seventh and deciding game when both pairs had chances serving in the set, before the youth, determination and sheer energy of the young pretenders in Owen & Duncliffe-Vines won through. Everyone who attended the tournament commented on how well it was run and this is due in no small part to the hard work of our professional, MJC. Whilst this wasn’t the most successful of racquets’ seasons here at Charterhouse, there is plenty to look forward to next year with all the seniors staying in the School and looking to build on their tough introduction to the game at this level. Likewise, the developing talent in the Junior Colts and Yearlings looks exciting and with Nils Raber, Max Vallance and Ben Hollingworth all opting to make racquets their main sport in the LQ (or should it now be re-named the RQ), who knows what the future holds for racquets at Charterhouse. The cry from one and all now being ‘One AGJ more (Quarter of Racquets) please!’.

Rowing Oration Quarter: The new season started well. Again we had a good number of beginners signed up to brave the waters. At the end of the term only a handful of hard-core oarsmen and one oarswoman(!) remained and joined the squad with great enthusiasm. The Whitgift match brought us our sixth consecutive win (since its inauguration) with a score of 9 to 5. This match is always held first in OQ and involves seniors, juniors and all novices. The senior and junior squads then went on to race as follows: Weybridge Silver Sculls J17 single sculls: Harry Malmstrom (V): 12/17, Nicolas Pavoncelli(G): 13/17, Adam Hockley (R): 16/17 J16 single sculls: Saravanan Ramachandran (P): 29/30 J15 double sculls: Asa Dyason (R) and Jamie Kelly (P): 10/20 Kingston Small Boats Head J18 single sculss: Nicolas Pavoncell: 8/14, Harry Malmstrom: 9/14, Adam Hockley: 10/14 J16 double sculls: Aage Voigt Noble (V) and Darius Moore (R): 7/15, Saravanan Ramachandran (P) and Andrew Walton (V): 15/15 J15 double sculls: Charlie Rockingham (P) and Asa Dyason: 11/13, Jack Wild (G) and James Kelly: 12/13

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by the finest of margins. Five times they lost by two games to three; against Harrow (at home) they saved two match points to finally succumb 16-18 in the fifth, whilst against Tonbridge (away) they lost in the set in the fifth, and against St. Paul’s at home they did very well to level the match at 2-2 before ultimately losing. In the Colts A John Jillings (S) and Columbus O’Donnell (V) had good wins at home against Wellington (3-0), Harrow (3-2) and Cheltenham (3-0) but were unable to reproduce the same form in any of the away fixtures. The one exception to this was when Nils Raber (B) played up from the JCs to pair up with John and were unlucky to lose a high quality game of racquets 2-3 away at Tonbridge. In the Colts B it was good to see the pairing of Will Melhuish (S) and Sam Andrade-Brown (D) though their relative inexperience and problems with injury meant that they were not successful; we hope to see much more of this pairing in the future. The Junior Colts had three boys vying for to play in the As and in varying combinations all had success. Ben Hollingworth (R) and Nils Raber won four of their School matches though the most memorable was the fixture against Radley at home were the pair looked to be staring down the barrel trailing 0-2 in games and 6-11 in the third, then through a mixture of energy from Nils and better racquets from both they forced a fine 3-2 victory. Ben Hollingworth and Max Vallance (G) won three games with home and away victories over Wellington being particularly sweet. In the Bs Harry Gilbey (W) also experienced success with a fine win at Eton, when paired with Max Vallance, in which they secured victory in the fifth set, and then when paired with Nils Raber in a comfortable win at home against Wellington (3-0). It is always with interest that we see the new talent coming through in the Yearlings and this year we were very well served by Toby Rawlings (S) and Adam Phillips (R). Their racquets’ career got off to the most dramatic start with a 2-3 loss at Winchester with both pairs having chances in the set in the 5th. Since then they have enjoyed success with wins away at Eton (3-0) and at home against Winchester (2-1) and against Harrow (3-2), in which they showed much character to come back from 1-2 down. In the wings Milo Knatchbull (L), Oscar Kane (R), Oliver Farnfield (R) and Alexander O’Callaghan-Brown (R) have all shown promising signs and with more court time we should see them representing the School next season. At the Public Schools’ competitions held at The Queen’s Club our stand-out performance was of Oli Taylor reaching the semi-final of the singles in the Renny cup. Other than that, it was good to see Jonnie Charles finally break his duck and win through to the second round in the Renny, also John Jillings had a good first round win in the IncledonWebber and Ben Hollingworth also progressed past the first round in the Jim Dear. Toby Rawlings was also given his first taste of Queen’s playing up a year in the Jim Dear, but a tough first round match ended his tournament early. We had less success in the doubles at Easter though it was good to see Adam Phillips play up with Ben Hollingworth in the Peter Gray Cup. They won the first round match 3-1 and were looking competitive in the second round at 1-1 before exiting with much credit 1-3. In the Charterhouse Senior singles Oli Taylor triumphed with a quality 2-0 victory over Freddie Russell-Jones, though Oli was pushed hard (15/11, 15/9) in both games. The surprise packet of the competition, however, was John Jillings who efficiently dispatched George Bristowe (3-0) early on and had three match points against Freddie-Russell Jones for a place in the final. The Junior competition this year was very open with a

Long Quarter: Over the past years the weather in LQ has proven to be a real challenge. Whereas last year there was no water training at all due to fast streams, the weather gods were much more generous this year. We had a clear run on the water and as a result were able to enter our usual races. The term was however slightly tainted by the fact that the crews were hardly ever in their full outfit owing to health issues in the squad during the entire term. It should be noted that for the first time since the foundation of the (modern) boat club, Charterhouse raced an VIII.

ROWING

Weybridge Winter Head J18 VIII (scratch crew): Alexander Oganesyan (L), Harry Malmstrom, Adam Walton, Aage Voight Noble, Yaroslav Chichvarkin (V), Darius Moore, Asa Dyason, Saravanan Ramachandran, OWC (cox): 23/100 (all boats), 4/5 in division Hampton 4s and 8s Head J18 VIII:Saravanan Ramachandran (cox), Alexander Oganesyan, Nicolas Pavoncelli, Lucas Figi, Darius Moore, Adam Hockley, Aage Voigt Noble, Andrew Walton, Harry Malmstrom: 19/19 J15 4x+: Jack Wild (cox), Asa Dyason, James Kelly, Charlie Rockingham, Thomas Wright (D) 26/30 Hyne Cup J18 4x: 8/40 (across all boats) J16 2x: 26/40 (across all boats) J15 2x: 21/40 (across all boats) Schools’ Head of the River Race J 4x: Alexander Oganesyan (L), Nicolas Pavoncelli, Darius Moore, Harry Malmstrom: 21/26 J16 4+: Saravanan Ramachandran (cox), Aage Voigt Noble, Andrew Walton, Yaroslav Chichvarkin, Felix Woodward (W): 8/10 Oarsport Junior Sculling Head J15 4x+: Christopher Willis (P) (cox), James Kelly, Charlie Rockingham (P), Asa Dyason, Thomas Wright 34/39 J14 4x+: Christopher Willis (P) (cox), George Campbell Wilson (L), Alex Hail (G), Ned Jordan (B), Alex Rigg Franco (g) 30/41 Cricket Quarter saw for the second time in Charterhouse’s history a girls’ squad taking to the waters. This year’s girls’ squad must count as the most successful; The quad won silver in the Ball Cup and Camilla Ryan (F) and Emily Pite (F) won J18 2x Walton and Weybridge Regatta at the end of term; a great achievement.

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Chiswick Amateur Regatta (notable results are) Nov 4x: Saravanan Ramachandran (cox), Yaroslav Chichvarkin, Nicolas Pavoncelli, Darius Moore, Harry Malmstrom 2nd; beat Magdalene College School (3 lengths), beaten by St George’s College (1.5 lengths) J14 4x+: Christopher Willis (cox), George Campbell Wilson, Alex Hail, Ned Jordan, Alex Rigg Franco 3rd; beaten by Emanuel School (1.5 lengths) and Tideway Scullers (3 lengths) J14 2x: Frederik Markus (P), Alex Rigg Franco: 3rd; beaten by Emanuel School (1.5 lengths) and Tideway Scullers (3 lengths) Ball Cup South (notable results are) Sch 4+ (Ball Cup): Saravanan Ramachandran (P) (cox), Alexander Oganesyan, Nicolas Pavoncelli, Darius Moore, Harry Malmstrom (V): 4th WJ18 Sch4x+: Alex Hail (cox), Maebh Mulligan Smith (H), Lara Sabel (F), Camilla Ryan (F), Emily Pite (F): Silver

J18 2x: Harry Malmstrom and Nicolas Pavoncelli: Silver Yaroslav Chichvarkin and Alexander Oganesyan: Bronze J16 2x: Darius Moore and Yaroslav Chichvarkin: Gold Andrew Walton and Felix Woodward: Bronze J15 4x+: Frederik Markus (cox), George Campbell Wilson (L), Jack Wild (G) (cox), Charlie Rockingham (P), Christopher Willis (P): Bronze Walton and Weybridge Regatta (notable results are) WNov 2x: Camilla Ryan, Emily Pite: won; beat University of Surrey in straight final (3/4 length) J14 1x: Frederik Markus (P) (semi-final) Chiswick Amateur Regatta (notable results are) Nov 4x: Saravanan Ramachandran (cox), Yaroslav Chichvarkin, Nicolas Pavoncelli, Darius Moore, Harry Malmstrom 2nd; beat Magdalene College School (3 lengths), beaten by St George’s College (1.5 lengths) J14 4x+: Christopher Willis (cox), George Campbell Wilson, Alex Hail, Ned Jordan, Alex Rigg Franco 3rd; beaten by Emanuel School (1.5 lengths) and Tideway Scullers (3 lengths) J14 2x: Frederik Markus (P), Alex Rigg Franco: 3rd; beaten by Emanuel School (1.5 lengths) and Tideway Scullers (3 lengths) Ball Cup South (notable results are) Sch 4+ (Ball Cup): Saravanan Ramachandran (P) (cox), Alexander Oganesyan, Nicolas Pavoncelli, Darius Moore, Harry Malmstrom (V): 4th WJ18 Sch4x+: Alex Hail (cox), Maebh Mulligan Smith (H), Lara Sabel (F), Camilla Ryan (F), Emily Pite (F): Silver J18 2x: Harry Malmstrom and Nicolas Pavoncelli: Silver Yaroslav Chichvarkin and Alexander Oganesyan: Bronze J16 2x: Darius Moore and Yaroslav Chichvarkin: Gold Andrew Walton and Felix Woodward: Bronze J15 4x+: Frederik Markus (cox), George Campbell Wilson (L), Jack Wild (G) (cox), Charlie Rockingham (P), Christopher Willis (P): Bronze Walton and Weybridge Regatta (notable results are) WNov 2x: Camilla Ryan, Emily Pite: won; beat University of Surrey in straight final (3/4 length) J14 1x: Frederik Markus (P) (semi-final) The squad is still very young and in a large number of races the boys and girls had to be entered one or even two years above their age. We have no leavers in the squad which means they will be in much better position next year. This makes their achievement even more remarkable. Looking ahead into the future we have high hopes to build on the foundations laid this year and, perhaps affected by fewer colds and injuries, take home a few more medals. Especially the Ball Cup is very much in sight and will be the focus of the year. The enthusiasm and commitment the squad has shown is testimony for its success and it is the pupil’s’ enjoyment and passion that makes the hard work all worthwhile. Thanks must go to this year’s officers: Nicolas Pavoncelli and Keepers of Boat: Saravanan Ramachandran and Darius Moore. Finally I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the CBC coaching team: David Hosking (Head Coach, in charge of water training), Ralph deJong-Mellon (Head Coach Fitness), MWN, GS, SEC and HJM. A special mention must go to our parents for their unrelenting support and food supplies during races. The officers for the next season will be as Captains Darius Moore and Harry Malmstrom, and Andrew Walton as Keeper of Boats. OWC

SAILING

Sailing Throughout the year the sailing team has been running an internal competition. This means every Thursday afternoon, when out on the water, two of the races would be added to a score board to decide an overall crew and helm winner. 12 races were completed in total with competitors allowed to discard their 2 worst scores. The winning crew was Aaron Sahdev (V) who earned 17 points. The winning helm was Henry Ambrose (H) who had 18 points (the fewer points the better). The team also attended the BSDRA Southern Championships. Conditions were perfect and this lead to an exciting competition. Charterhouse started against one the best teams at the event, Winchester, meaning we got off to a tough result of a 4, 5, 6 (each team takes 3 of the possible places between 1st to 6th). This was the followed by a number of very difficult races against extremely good schools. The best result we managed was a 3, 4, 5, however these were the qualifying rounds against excellent teams. After this we were seeded and Charterhouse was put into the plate group. This meant we were up against opposition more suited to our own standard. Out of the 4 races we managed two wins and two narrow defeats with 2, 3, 6. Overall we were pleased to be competitive against the teams of our standard and will look to improve on our results next year. The sailing year was finished off with a day’s yachting with and against the Old Carthusians. We set off for Cowes around 7:30am and after a quick drive and calm crossing arrived at 9:30. We met the OCs and got changed ready for a day of racing. We were sailing brand new J-70s (23 feet yachts, crewed by 3-4 people) and there were 5 boats in the fleet. Each boat had a crew of 2 current Carthusians with 2 OCs. We sailed out to Osborne bay and quickly the first race began. This was followed by a full day of enjoyable and

RUGBY

Played 7, Won 4, Drawn 0, Lost 3 This annual report for the Carthusian, written a couple of months after the season’s close provides an opportunity for reflection on the successes and disappointments of those in pursuit of the oval ball last Quarter. For there were, of course, disappointments: losses in close games, cancelled matches, injuries. But I’d accept them all for the satisfaction from our win against Cranleigh in the final match of the season. They’d beaten us (albeit narrowly) at home in our warm-up game in September, so the rematch was played on their turf on a cold, raw December day, in front of a threatening partisan crowd against a side composed almost entirely of the top year, and we conceded points early. But by half time retreat had been turned to parity, then in the second half parity to dominance, and by the end there was only one team in it. That was a complete squad performance, and as look around that squad in my mind’s eye I can see burgeoning experience, skill and physical presence from those who will, I hope, return next season. But it has become the norm for me to make special grateful mention of those who will be leaving Charterhouse this summer: Will Gibbs and Korede Solomon (both H) joined the squad as 2nd year Specialists. Their commitment to their new sport was never in doubt (they’d often train at lunchtime with the cross-country squad and then come out for their Rugby session); they both put their running skills to good use on the wing. Cassian Schweitzer (D), a big, athletic man, took on the considerable challenge of learning the game from scratch this season. He was very patient on the bench for a large part of most games, and I was delighted that he could get on the field to share in the triumphant finish. There’s a proud tradition of Rugby in German universities, so I very much hope he’ll keep playing. Jamie Pollitt’s (S) move from 2nd row last season to centre in this one was unconventional, but our attacks were spearheaded, and the oppositions’ nipped in the bud by his skill, size and commitment. We were only disappointed he couldn’t feature in the side more often, and his absence from the side through injury made us realise how much we had made him a pivotal player. Harry Clements (G) reminded us that front-row forwards who are also students of Latin and Classical Greek are testimony to the breadth of the human spirit. His stoicism much in evidence, as he was willing to stand in at prop or hooker, and there to stand his ground. Nikita Kuzmin (B) came with a wealth of experience from his previous school, the benefits of which he was always happy to share with his coach. His strength and forward skills in ruck, maul or tackle were formidable, and his was a significant element in any complete team performance. Matthew Buffoni (B) our full back and then centre was ever secure under the high ball, but he’ll be remembered for his inspirational, barnstorming runs from deep, usually with a couple of hand-offs and often a score at the end. We were fortunate to have within the squad three players of great experience, who had joined the squad as fifths and who have grown in stature with each of their three seasons playing Rugby at Charterhouse. The speed, strength and endurance of Will Kirkpatrick (R), as well as his experience made him a natural choice as pack leader when one became necessary. He regularly led the running in any fitness session, and was often our saviour with some memorable last-ditch cover tackles. Tom Hurley (S) our fly half began to boss games as we’d always hoped he would. Always assured with the boot, he possessed a devastating break and threw out perfectly weighted accurate passes. He was also notably reliable in

defence and maul, prepared to shoulder the unglamorous workload of the forward. Tom stayed behind after every session kicking balls through the posts, and every one of those kicks was a gift to the squad, and a huge number of points accrued came from his place kicking. The ease with which he assumed the captaincy gave a clear indication of his authority within the squad and his care and encouragement of younger players justified his appointment. James Bradley (R), the scrum half named as captain last summer, suffered a serious shoulder injury (playing soccer at a Turkish hotel: I ask you!) a week before the season began. It’s hard to lead a squad if you’re not playing, but the fact that he did so speaks volumes for his strength of character; he attended and helped where he could at every training session, and he was there at every fixture, including one away at Tonbridge on a Saturday afternoon. When he returned from injury, he reminded us of what we’d been missing: his tactical kicking, defence, ripping the ball from opposition forwards, and crucially his direction of play lifted the team’s performance noticeably. Tom and James have been two of the most complete Rugby players we’ve produced in the twenty years I’ve been associated with this team. I also wish to record my sincere thanks to my fellow coaches, AJ and Peter Simmonds. Their experience, expertise and enthusiasm have been much needed and much appreciated. Any educational enterprise (that is, anything we do at Charterhouse) should be concerned with making better people. In a Rugby context, we can hope to make those who play fitter, more skilful, calmer under pressure, better integrated with their peers, and more resilient. If we have achieved any of those outcomes, the effort has been worthwhile. JPF

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Rugby

competitive racing. Brilliant wind accompanied by excellent crews meant there was a fast pace of racing. There were a total of 7 races, 3 with spinnakers and 4 without. The fleet then returned to the Royal Yacht Squadron to relax and reflect on superb day of racing whilst enjoying afternoon tea. We returned to Charterhouse at 7:30pm and looked back on what was an unforgettable day meeting a lovely group of OCs. We are certainly looking forward to next year already. Henry Ambrose (H)

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SQUASH

Squash 1st V This was a memorable season for several reasons. Charlie Lee (F), a player with England pedigree and ex-U15 British Closed winner, replaced leaver Tom Williams (V) at 1st string. We could field a strong team of experienced players to back him up including the same 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings as in 2013/4: William Hartley (V), the captain, with USA tour experience and an Independent Schools winner, Jersey ‘international’ Paul Hickling (B) and local lad Jamie Denham (V). Fastimproving James Kim (g) came in at no. 5. Provided we could keep this team fit we would have a chance of silverware and, perhaps, after disappointments in the previous two seasons due to illness, a chance to progress to the National Finals. That was the ultimate goal. We also had a tour to the USA to look forward to just before Christmas. Things didn’t start well. Hickling returned in September with a long-term ankle injury which put him out of football and squash for over half of OQ and Hartley was still hampered by the foot injury sustained the previous season. Though we lacked the depth of players of previous seasons, Max Phillips (g), Charlie Pexton (D) and Alex Margarson (S) would all be capable of playing 1st team squash against the majority of our school opponents – but lacked the experience to deal with the strongest Surrey teams or the likes of Lancing, Harrow or Eton. We had an early season match at Surrey Sports Park against some experienced adult club players; despite losing 1-4, it was invaluable experience and an enjoyable evening. With Hickling out and Lee not playing, we lost our first school match of the season at Tonbridge 2-3. Tonbridge were strong in depth and we had several players making their debut: Kim, Phillips and Margarson. Despite close matches these bottom three couldn’t quite close out a win but the performances by Hartley and Denham at no.1 and no. 2 were encouraging. A similar story followed at Radley, with both Hartley and Denham winning, but this time Kim notched up a victory to seal a 3-2 win. Other early season matches included a close win at Wellington and a comfortable win at home over KCS, Wimbledon. In the National Cup we won our first group match 5-0 against City of London Freeman’s, but bigger challenges lay on the horizon with visits to both Reed’s and Epsom once again in our qualifying group. Our first really key match was away at Reed’s who had a young but strong team. But, as in the previous two seasons, we rose to the occasion and took them out 5-0, including a superb performance by Kim to win 3-1 at no. 5. Next in the Cup we faced a trip to Epsom who again boasted a young but talented team: again we were very efficient, winning 5-0 with the highlight being Hartley’s win at no. 2. So we won our group to go into the knock-out stages after Christmas against teams from Berkshire, Hampshire and beyond. We had avoided our usual independent school rivals but the draw already looked ominous with the mighty Peter Symonds Sixth Form College from Winchester looking like they might block our path to the Finals in Manchester. After exeat we defeated Winchester before facing Harrow at

home, still without Hickling. Nevertheless, we should have won the match 3-2 but Denham was under-par at no. 3. It was still good to win the top two strings, however, with Hartley’s 3-2 win particularly hard-fought. With Hickling back in the team we won 3-2 against Eton the following week, with Hartley again winning the deciding match 3-1. Hartley was still unbeaten in normal school matches at Christmas – along with Lee. On the last Sunday of quarter we attempted to defend our Independent Schools title at Epsom but were just squeezed out on the day by a strong St. Paul’s threesome. However, we ended up in 2nd place. A week long tour in the USA followed. Sadly, Mina Fanous (G) who had improved greatly during the term in playing for the 2nd V, had to pull out at the last minute due to illness so we were reduced to a team of four. Nonetheless, we had a great time with some very competitive fixtures in and around New York and Connecticut. (The USA tour report can be found elsewhere in the magazine). After Christmas, we played in the 2nd annual school doubles competition at Epsom RAC Club, in a three pair event alongside Eton, St. Paul’s and Epsom. Eton dominated the 3rd pair encounters and their strength in depth ensured a team win for them but our 1st pair of Lee and Hickling battled through to win the cup for the best pair. This was after a thrilling comeback against St. Paul’s to win 27-25 and by just a handful of points over the evening. So, some silverware to make up partly for the loss of the Lexus Cup to St. Paul’s! Injuries at various times in the next few weeks cost us wins away at Eton and Harrow, but we managed crucially to field our full team in the National Cup. In the Last 32 we played Charters School, the Berkshire champions. This was an epic encounter in which all our resolve and team spirit were tested to the limit. In the end Hartley played the match of his life to beat the Charters no. 1 (no. 2 on the day!), Berkshire champion at several age-groups, 12-10, 14-12, 9-11, 11-8 in the tie decider. What a change from a year previously when, badly injured, he’d watched the team lose 2-3 from the balcony! So to the expected clash with Peter Symonds College – to put this into some sort of context we had been put to the sword by them in the National Cup about 7 years previously. But now the stakes were higher – a place in the National Finals in Manchester. And we were ready… and Kim was ready, after extra training, to play the most important match of his school career. And so it turned out: at 7-7 in the 5th the whole tie lay in the balance, resting almost entirely on Kim’s (actually quite broad) shoulders. This was a ‘Korea-defining’ moment – could he win this crucial game when so often before he had come up just short? We had talked about how to deal with these situations, not to go for risky shots, play to his strengths. Would it pay off? 11-7 to Kim suggests it did. Peter Symonds deflated, though they had by then levelled the match at 1-1. But Denham, also by now on top form, played an error-free game mixing up his tactics and shots admirably to win 3-0. One win now from victory and surely Lee would maintain his unbeaten run for us – but playing their highly rated U19 player. 3-0. And Hartley put the icing on the cake with a 3-0 win too. 4-1. Not incredible but very satisfying. A National Quarter Final awaited now in Manchester. And so it was – you wouldn’t expect any other draw, would you? Eton. It was too close to call who were the favourites for this clash of ‘Southerners’. Before then we had to face Eton at Roehampton Club in the annual Schools Invitation event. Without Lee, who was on England U19 duty, we were going to have to fight to maintain our Division 1 status. With Lee we would undoubtedly have challenged to win the tournament. In short, we lost quite heavily to Eton, though Denham our normal no. 4 laid down a key marker with a draw against

In the semi-final we fought hard but, apart from Lee’s comfortable win at no. 1, we never really looked like beating the favourites for the title, though Denham had chances to win the first game. In an exciting 3rd/4th play-off we played extremely well to win 3-2 with Lee winning the deciding match against a Welsh international, maintaining his unbeaten record for the school throughout the season. So, 3rd place in the country, a fantastic and unprecedented achievement by a Charterhouse Squash team. And Wycliffe beat Millfield 3-2 in the Final. Charterhouse 1, Wycliffe 4, National Semi-Final 1 Charlie Lee: 11-3, 11-4 2 Will Hartley: 1-11, 3-11 3 Paul Hickling: 8-11, 7-11 4 Jamie Denham: 9-11, 6-11 5 James Kim: 5-11, 5-11 Charterhouse 3, Tewkesbury 2, 3rd/4th Place Play-Off National Finals 1 Charlie Lee: 11-7, 8-11, 11-4 2 Will Hartley: 8 -11, 1-11 3 Paul Hickling: 7-11, 11-9, 11-3 4 Jamie Denham: 11-9, 11-3 5 Max Phillips: 5-11, 4-11

House matches and competitions Verites retained the Senior House shield, defeating Bodeites in the final. Their team was Will Hartley, Jamie Denham, and variously Will Legge or Connor Lavelle. However, Bodeites picked up the Junior Squash Cup for the first time, beating Weekites in the final. Well done to Simon Gray, May Say, Matteo Loria and Nick Gudgeon. The Tony Williams Cup for most improved player was awarded to Will Hartley for his fantastic record at both no. 1 and no. 2 losing only one school match during the whole season. The Senior Singles cup was won by Charlie Lee and the Junior Singles Cup by Finlay Boultwood. RWTH

Swimming We have had a very successful year with the highlight being the Senior Boys’ team qualifying for the ESSA Championships in November at the Olympic Pool in Queen Elizabeth Park, coming 8th out of 20 schools and breaking the School Long Course record in 1:55.50. The team comprised Adam Bagley (H), Sam Delaney (B), Oliver Norton (B) and Alex McIntyre (R). In March we again went to the Olympic Pool for the Bath Cup, the National Public Schools Championships. The team consisted of Adam Bagley (H), Alex McIntyre (R), Piers Bowden (S) and Oliver Norton (B). The team qualified for both finals, coming 5th from 77 schools in the 4 x 100m Freestyle in a new school record time of 3:47.15 and 4th in the 4 x 50m Otter Medley also in a new school record time of 1:54.26. The Senior

SQUASH

Other Squash We were a little short of players in the U16s and 1st year but the 2nd team competed well and had several close matches. Max Phillips and Charlie Pexton were ably backed up by Alfred Drinkwater (W), and Mina Fanous and Alex Margarson, and a few ‘guest’ players. Hard fought matches at Windsor Grammar School and Christ’s Hospital were welcome additions to the calendar. Their overall playing record was played 9, won 3, Lost 6. The U15s improved considerably during the season and several players played full time in LQ. They reached the knock-out stages of the National Cup where they lost 1-4 to a strong Epsom side. The squad consisted of Luis Enriquez (g), Finlay Boultwood (H), Simon Gray (B), Heath Ostrer (W), Seb Payne (S) and Charlie Bruce (R). In the U14s a keen and enthusiastic group of players made good use of the short time that they spent on the courts and fought out several exciting matches with wins against Wellington and Harrow being the highlights. My thanks go to JAB for all his help with the U14s. Overall, they played 9, won 5, lost 4 matches. The squad was W. Briggs (V), Max Say (B), Jamie Inch (G), Samuel Rackind (W), Matteo Loria (B), Alex Ford (D) and Harry Pascoe (S).

SWIMMING

Charterhouse 3, Eton 2, National Quarter-Final 1 Charlie Lee: 11-4, 11-5 2 Will Hartley: 5-11, 11-8, 11-4 3 Paul Hickling: 11-9, 9-11, 11-7 4 Jamie Denham: 14-12, 5-11, 6-11 5 James Kim: 12-10, 5-11, 1-11

My thanks to our coach Neil Frankland for making the journey up to Manchester and to all of his coaching of the boys over the past season. DL accompanied us too, as he did on the tour to the USA and for many of our matches; my thanks also go to him for all his time and support during the season. Next year will be a time for rebuilding to a certain extent, but the boys can look back with pride in what they have achieved and, I hope, keep playing and come back and play us in an OC match. Meantime, Charlie Lee will lead the 1st team: congratulations to him on reaching both the U17 Canadian and US Open Finals and winning the English Closed U17 title. He has already joined the professional ranks and has played in the men’s professional squash league for his club St. George’s Hill and been selected for the England U19 squad.

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the Eton no. 3. We then beat KCS Wimbledon before facing Epsom to see who would progress to the semi-final and who would almost certainly be relegated at the hands of Harrow. As usual, we rose to the occasion with Hartley winning superbly 2-0 against a Surrey county player; Phillips also played very disciplined squash at no. 5 to win the points we needed to progress to the semi-final where we were not strong enough to defeat St. Paul’s who then went on to win the title on the deciding point against Eton – a thrilling conclusion to an exciting day. A few weeks later we were very shocked and sad to hear the news that the ex-chairman of Roehampton squash club Ross Heffler, instrumental in the inauguration of schools’ event and a huge supporter of squash in general tragically died suddenly on court in April. To the National Squash Centre, Manchester, Thursday 12th March 2015, 11 am: Quarter Final v Eton. No. 5 James Kim bravely won the first game 12-10, but in the end his opponent proved too strong as he lost 6-11, 1-11. First blood to Eton. No. 4 Jamie Denham just held on to the first game 14-12 but he was unable to cope with his opponent’s superior power and lost the next two 5-11, 6-11. 2-0 to Eton and we now needed to win the top three strings to progress to the semi-final. No. 1 Charlie Lee won comfortably, as expected, 11-4, 11-5, leaving the tie in the hands of our two most long-serving players - Hartley and Hickling. Hickling won his first game 11-9, Hartley lost his 5-11; Hickling then lost the second game 9-11. So, one more game lost by either player and the tie was over. After a pep-talk from coach Neil Frankland, Hartley fought back with much more aggressive hitting to level up at 1-1. Hickling responded too and played his best squash of the season to win his decider 11-7, leaving all on Hartley’s final game. Hartley had the bit between his teeth by now and was not going to let his chance slip and he emerged victorious 11-4. I include the full scores of this historic win:

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WATER POLO

TENNIS

team have won 17 of their 18 swimming matches this year and records have been broken by Oliver Norton (B), Adam Bagley (H) and Alex McIntyre (R). Our Intermediates have also swum well winning nine of their fifteen matches. Many personal best times have been achieved by the swimmers but no records. The Yearlings have struggled as a team but improved throughout the year. Newcomer, Piers Bowden (S) has broken six school records in Backstroke, Freestyle, Butterfly and IM and also has qualified for the National Championships in Sheffield. This year we have tried to put out a Girls’ team and have managed to do so on five occasions with a win, a draw and three losses. House Swimming goes from strength to strength and each Quarter and we have had inter- house Water Polo competitions on Wednesday evenings in OQ and LQ. Winners of cups were: House Cup (Seniors) Gale Cup (Intermediates) Yearlings Cup Burgess Cup (overall) Buchanan Cup Standish Cup (Under School)

Bodeites Girdlestonites Pageites Saunderites Oliver Norton Giovanni Dos Reis Montefiori (B)

Water Polo Our U18 Water Polo team won six of their ‘friendly’ matches and lost only two friendlies. In the London Schools League the Under 19s did much better than last year defeating several schools in the rounds. In the ESSA we lost out in the Plate and went to Bedford to play off for the Bowl which the team won in spectacular style pushing St. Paul’s into second place, Bedford Modern into third with Bedford fourth. The U15s have played in two rounds of the London Schools League with three losses, a draw and a win. Winners of cups were: House Water Polo Under16 Water Polo Yearlings Water Polo

Robinites Bodeites Girdlestonites

I would like to thank ISR, TJA, SPM, TM and ER for all their help with swimming matches and motivating the teams and Jim Boucher for his continuing support to water polo. Ellery McGowan

Tennis This season will be remembered for some fantastic weather and for the dramatic improvement in so many of our squad players. Trials started with a number of promising players from last year missing. There were injuries, IB exams and the pressure of work meaning that the pool of players was smaller than I can remember in recent years. However, my disappointment with the numbers soon evaporated as the squad started to work with a focus and determination that promised good things to come. Our visiting coach, Martin Sterio was visibly enthused at the work rate of this group. Jamie Denham (V) captained the 1st VI with a quiet determination and was to gain the respect of the squad with his fortitude on court and dedication to practice. Jamie paired up with Shota Motohashi (g) who showed promise last year but lacked consistency. This year his improvement was outstanding, he was stronger, far more consistent and his variation when volleying at the net made him a doubles partner Jamie worked well with. Will Handley (W) and James Walker (R) had played together throughout the junior

squads and both moved up to the harder hitting tennis of senior matches very well. Will showed his ability to stay in the rally to great effect and combined with the big serve of James they became a formidable pairing. Charlie Suckling (S) and Patrick Wasinsungworn (S) had also played doubles together and improved in both consistency and tactical awareness. Ollie Taylor (D) started the season rather slowly and with various pairings as his regular partner was injured. George Clinch (g) joined this group to form the eight players who represented Charterhouse in the Independent Schools League. George benefitted from taking part in the four day pre-season training camp held for the first time at Charterhouse. His natural good footwork and the fact that he was not rusty helped him to a good performance in the ISL event. Theo Chalkley (D) would go on to take the place of George and as an eight, they won the ISL group 3 beating Epsom, Tonbridge and Magdalen College School to take the win. Will Handley, James Walker and Ollie Taylor each won all of their six sets in the final, quite an achievement against strong opposition. Ed Herring (V) came back from a serious long term injury to partner, as at the start of the match we looked rather the underdogs. In the Second VI Will Tennant (R) and Will Kirkpatrick (R) regularly showed their competitive nature whilst Angus Reynolds (H) improved his court craft and technique enough to be a first VI contender next season I am sure. A mixed doubles match was played against Wellington on a lovely sunny afternoon with some outstanding rallies. The match was followed by a BBQ and I think the format worked very well and will be repeated next year. The House Tennis was a very competitive event with some of the closest matches of recent years. It always brings out some good sportsmen who otherwise play cricket and also give the tennis players a chance to show off their skills to their house. The final was a very close match, Verites winning pair one and Robinites winning pair two; poised at one match all, pair three became the decider. This went to one set all before Robinites ran out the winners 6-1 in the final set. The decision to make the final best of three sets in each match added to the excitement of the event. In the Underschool, the depth of talent and numbers playing tennis have been equally as impressive as the results achieved by all squads. U16, U15 and U14 squads won group 4 of the ISL with victories over Bradfield, Marlborough and Wellington. The U15s reached the finals of the Aegon Tennis Surrey School League. The squad also reached the final of the plate in the Eton Pairs competition, registering creditable wins over Wellington and Radley. A major highlight for the U14s was an excellent win over Reed’s and their world-renowned tennis programme. My thanks as ever go to JMS, ARH, TER and EJR for their tireless work with all the Undeschool teams. For the seniors, my thanks go to EPN and LFB for their assistance throughout CQ and also to Martin Sterio once again has made the coaching sessions both informative and fun. MJC

Football Played 14, Won 1, Drawn 7, Lost 6, For 9, Against 23 Despite not being very lucky in front of goal this was an incredibly encouraging season for girls’ football at Charterhouse. We enjoyed having the largest squad and the most committed group of players we’ve ever had in the short five year history of girls’ football at the School. Moreover, for the third consecutive year, we hosted the prestigious national ISFA 7s tournament in mid October and for the first time ever we organised a girls’ inter-house competition in September. Girls’ football has grown in both status and size in the last two years and there are more plans afoot for future seasons.

GIRLS’ SPORT

when so many of them has so little experience of playing competitive football and full pitch 11-a-side to boot! This was a keenly contested game with the action swaying to and fro. Both teams had great chances to finish the game off. In the end two wonderfully taken goals by Eleonor Frost (B) won us the game, but stalwart defending kept us in it when St Swithun’s put us under pressure in the second half. Our defence and midfield worked tirelessly as a unit to close down and break up opposition attacks. Our Captain, Francesca Fraser, Clara Gutierrez Domenech (B), Eleanor Henderson (G) and Cosima Hollamby (F) deserve special mention for the part they played. Francesca made countless tackles and interceptions and, as always, led from the front (unsurprisingly, she also was named Player’s Player in the end of season awards). The second round game at the end of Quarter was against one of the giants of the ISFA Cup, ACS Cobham. They have won the Cup 3 times in its 7 year history and have featured in 5 finals. This was going to be a tall order for us so we set the team up to ‘park the bus’, as the saying goes. Against a highly skilful team full of regional and national ISFA players, we played remarkably well and went into half time just 1-0 down. The defensive tips we received in the week leading up to the game from Director of Football, DH, seemed to be working. Girls like Zoe Nahas (F) and Jasmine Ong (B), who had only played two competitive 11-a-side games in their lives, played with composure and organisation. They fully matched their more experienced opponents. Unfortunately, ACS stepped up a gear in the second half and a few avoidable errors on our part cost us several more goals. We went out of the Cup having fought bravely, but being outplayed on the day. Looking ahead, we will be losing several highly committed and enthusiastic players this year. Indeed, the player voted ‘most enthusiastic’, Michelle Fang (V) is off, as are the highly valued Laura Giani (W) and Mathilda-Rose Bell (W). Our goalkeeper for much of the season was a converted centre back from last year. Victoria Jurisch (F) played in goal for most of our games after a serious knee injury stopped her playing out-field this year. We were fortunate to have her in goal, as well as Alexandra Zylstra (R), who played in goal last year and made the ISFA South East squad in 2013-14. Fortunately, there are plenty of committed girls coming through the ranks and they will lead a new squad next year when we hope girls’ football will grow yet again (though a ISR few more goals would be nice!)

Hockey Played 11, Won 2, Drawn 4, Lost 5, For 7, Against 24 As we only have girls in the Specialists at Charterhouse our team changes dramatically each year and we have to start from scratch every September. It is therefore always a tough ask to compete against schools who have been playing together for several seasons. The girls who played hockey this year put their all into every match; I could not have asked for more. By the end of the OQ we finally looked like a team and were starting to get some good results (2 wins and 2 draws in our last five matches). As always, I was delighted by the number of beginners who turned up to practices and improved no end throughout the Quarter. I was also extremely grateful to the more experienced members of the team who gave up their time to help the beginners develop their technique. We enjoyed two hard fought games against Reed’s specifically for the beginners. These now regular fixtures are played in excellent spirit and the girls new to hockey learn a lot. Reed’s are always a very friendly opposition and, whilst both teams had chances, draws were fair results. Throughout the Quarter I was able to rely upon our captain

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Having lost several highly experienced players from the 2013-2014 season, September saw a fresh crop of players coming into the squad to join a large number of last year’s girls starting their second year. Considering the limited number of girls in the sixth form as a whole, a significant slice joined the football squad with up to 25 girls available for matches on a regular basis. As the Quarter wore on it was pleasing to be able to pick from over 20 enthusiastic and committed players. If more schools were able to put out two teams we could have certainly fielded an A and B side on a regular basis. As in previous years, the main challenge was to bring the girls quickly up to speed and match-ready as none of the new girls to the School had played any competitive football previously. The occasional kick-a-bout in the back garden was the extent of most of their playing experience! The girls from last year were a great help in sharing their knowledge and encouraging the many new squad members. Arguably, it is the greatest strength of girls’ football at Charterhouse that we have been able to recruit and retain so many girls who have never played before, and that there is a genuine buzz and camaraderie around girls’ football at the School. So, even when we play opponents where the players have been playing from 13+ we are always positive and competitive. It is also a credit to our new recruits that they start playing competitive games after just a handful of training sessions in early OQ. This season was always going to be a challenge after our top goal scorer from last year left to attend St. Andrew’s University. Kidist Haile-Michael (P14) had played for the ISFA national team last year and had scored most of our goals playing in front of an experienced and talented midfield. Indeed, this year, only our captain Francesca Fraser (G) had played any competitive football before coming to Charterhouse. Therefore, alongside the raw enthusiasm and commitment of the players, the other defining feature of the season was our inability to score goals. Comparisons could be made with Liverpool losing Luis Suarez! Time and again the girls came off the pitch having played with individual determination and a great team shape, but having failed to break through with a goal or two. The girls never let this get them down because they could see just how much progress they were making as a team and how close most of our games were. Even when the score line suggested a heavy loss (for instance at home to Sevenoaks losing 4-0) we could hold our heads up high having made a competitive match of it. Usually small individual errors or lapses in concentration cost us a goal here or there, but the girls kept plugging away nonetheless. For the first time ever we organised a girls’ inter-house football tournament held on WWI Day in late September. It was impressive to see over 100 girls playing 5-a-side football on Broom and Lees. At the end of the afternoon the previously unfancied Hodgsonites’ team beat Gownboys 1-0 in extra time. In October, we again hosted the ISFA 7s tournament, which was eventually won by King’s School, Taunton. The Charterhouse team drew 4 and lost 2 during the day with a draw against one of the tournament favourites, Uppingham, being the highpoint. Our respective records suggested that Uppingham would crush us, but our girls rose to the occasion and not only held on, but were well matched against a very good team. Our regular fixtures included close games against St. Catherine’s, King Edward’s, Sevenoaks, Prior’s Field and Bedales. We played St. Catherine’s twice, losing comfortably in the first game of the season, but drawing well later in the term in the return game. This was a measure of our growth during the course of our short time together. The highpoint of the Quarter was our first round ISFA Cup victory over St Swithun’s of Winchester. The girls were excited but also nervous at the prospect of playing in a full blooded cup game, especially

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Imogen Adams (L). She ably led the team with a wonderfully positive attitude and, with the assistance of her second in command, Imogen Wilberforce-Ritchie (R), ran excellent warm up routines before matches and practices. Thank you so much both of you for your reliability and passion for the game. These two senior members of the team showed a robust attitude in the way they played. Never giving up and battling on even when injured. They were great role models to the junior players. The first match of the season was against KES Witley. It ended up being a good indicator of how the season would go. We battled hard and looked particularly dangerous down the right hand side. However, KES Witley capitalised on their chances and, unfortunately, we did not convert ours. Throughout the Quarter we seemed a little timid in front of goal. We had the skill to score but not quite the willingness to get stuck in whilst in the more crowded circle. We lost the KES Witley game 2-0 but I was not downhearted as the team showed a lot of promise. One of the new additions to the team this year was an import from Spain, Clara Gutierrez Domenech (B). She quickly showed herself to be very skilled on the ball. Indeed she gave the boys something to think about in some of our mixed practices. The challenge for Clara was to keep her temper under control; used to being a little more vociferous with the umpires in Spain, she risked a card for the same approach here in the UK. Off the pitch (and progressively on the pitch as well) she became a delightful girl with a real passion for the game. I am most pleased that she will be captain the side next season. From her position at right midfield she linked up very well down the right hand side of the pitch with Francesca Fraser (G) at right wing. She was excellent in taking on players, changing direction and creating room for Francesca to deliver superb crosses into the circle. These two players would run non-stop throughout each match, working hard until the final whistle. The second match of Quarter found us against Seaford College. We were up against it from the start with no substitutes and I was very proud of the work ethic the girls showed, especially given the myriad of substitutes available to Seaford. Amelia Cobb (g) demonstrated her usual calmness on the ball as she struck a wonderful short corner. She kept it simple, a straight hit from top D, and a useful bobble helped it into the bottom left corner. Amelia has an excellent eye for the ball. She holds it in a strong position and looks like she has more time than most to move it around. At times in the match we were a little open in defence but we sorted this out in the second half. Isabel McClean (R) was key to our defence. She has an excellent ability to read the game and consistently uses her pace to intercept dangerous through balls, charging up the pitch to deliver some super balls into the danger zones. Isabel never seems to tire and reliably gets back in time to deal with quick breaks. She is also excellent at organising the defence, advising those less experienced than her as to how best to work as a unit. She is a very capable player and showed her class in the games when we pushed her up to centre midfield. Seaford capitalised in the second half on a moment when the team completely lost its shape, scoring a reasonable goal that could have been avoided. We did however, do extremely well to keep them out towards the end of the match when they had much fresher legs. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. The rest of our defence was made up of Lara Turner (V), Mary Harding (H), Charlotte Connell (L), Jemima Wilson-Smith (G) and Eleanor Henderson (G). Lara has been an excellent goal keeper for the last two years. She has been a delightful member of the team and, whilst she sometimes needs a little time to wake up at the start of a match(!), she has made

some fantastic saves and has been an excellent leader from the back. Whilst she will be a loss to the team next year, I am delighted that we have Alice Jones (B) ready and able to step into her shoes. Jemima has improved over the last two years. Initially her methods were a little unorthodox; however, her timing has developed and she now picks off attackers with some crunching tackles. I was continually impressed by Charlotte, Eleanor and Mary’s attitudes throughout the Quarter. They listened very carefully to advice and their games have gone from strength to strength. Mary has been solid at the back, with sensible decision making and good marking. She also has a thumping great hit in her arsenal. Although Eleanor has sometimes spent time picking her kit off the astro – flying shin pads and in a couple of cases a shoe (!) – she has never given up, putting her body on the line to fight her way to the ball. Charlotte has learnt a lot this season about where to position herself on the pitch. She now is always there between the forward and our goal and has become a tricky prospect for any attacker. Our defence was often under siege this Quarter, particularly in the match against Lord Wandsworth College. We faced a quick team who could pass the ball accurately and strongly and who were not afraid of running at a player. We were often caught on our heels, diving into tackles rather than channelling them and waiting for the right opportunity to pounce. The opposition would have been in double figures if Lara had not been on her game. The one and only goal for us came from one of Isabel’s hits at the top of the circle. She clipped it (whether by accident or not) and it swooped in a lovely arc up and over the defence’s sticks, landing nicely in the bottom left corner. Playing at centre midfield, she distributed the ball well around the pitch and did not stop running from start to finish. Even the opposition awarded her with man of the match! At half time we were 4-1 down and I was very pleased that we battened down the hatches and only let in one more goal in the second half. Francesca even picked up a war wound - a deep cut on the shin - during one of her fabulous runs out at a short corner. However, the stick catching her just above her shin pad did not stop her from running out at the next short corner immediately afterwards! Throughout the season we were always a little slow to start in a match, often conceding a goal early on when we did not quite have our heads in the game. This is something to work on next year, warming up and maintaining focus from the onset. Another important lesson was learnt this Quarter – the importance of gum shields. Captain Adams was hit in the chin in one match giving her quite a bump. Luckily, her teeth were safely protected and unaffected. Felicity Rowbotham (H) learnt the hard way towards the end of the Tormead fixture. As usual, she had had a marvellous game, dashing up and down the left wing, making real progress and causing trouble for the Tormead defence. Unfortunately, in the last moment of the game, she removed her gum shield. Soon after, the ball came her way and struck her in the mouth. She was left clutching half her front tooth and, whilst the damage was quite swiftly repaired, I hope this has acted as a reminder of how important gum shields are; nobody should play without wearing one! The last few girls to mention are Tallulah Young (P), Vanessa Gunn (W) and Victoria Bukina (S). Tallulah was given a very specific task throughout the season, to get to the left goal post whenever we were attacking down the right. She was unfailingly there and put a lot of effort into practicing deflections. Although she was initially a little worried about being in such a position, she really improved and managed to knock in two goals during our fabulous 4-1 win against Christ’s Hospital. Tallulah is a little spot of sunshine and kept up everyone’s spirits throughout the season. I am very grateful to Vanessa for the number of times she stepped in to

Played 13, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 4, For 103, Against 82 This lacrosse season has been the most successful season Charterhouse has played to date. It is never easy playing with girls who you have never played with before, but with this year’s team you really couldn’t tell. We had only six second years remaining, and at the start of the season were praying for a large influx of first years keen to play. And our prayers were answered! We had 10 new players join the team, all of who had played before at their previous schools. As well as this, we had a number of beginners who were keen to learn the sport from scratch. One of these, Charlotte Arbuthnott (H) proved to be a natural and within a couple of weeks was passing and throwing like a real pro. Unfortunately once again, we struggled to recruit a goalkeeper. With some strong encouragement, Camilla Stockdale (D), who was struggling with shin splints for the beginning of the season, bravely volunteered. She had never played in goal before, however was willing to give it a go. What started out as a couple of games slowly expanded to the whole season and Millie ended up playing in goal over both quarters. By the end of the season, she had an outstanding 46 saves. She deserves a big thank you! We were also extremely lucky in that two of our first years are current Wales U19 International players. Both Rachael Chaffey (L) and Daisy Chaffey (B) brought a tremendous amount of skill and experience to the team. They were forces to be reckoned with both in attack and defence and together combined for a total of 28 goals. Both sisters were selected in the Wales U19 World Cup, due to be held in July 2015 in Edinburgh. All of the first years brought their own character and style to the team. Eleanor Gudgeon (F) was very strong in the centre, winning a total 15 centre draws. A very fierce player, she was often able to dodge her way to the goal all the way from the middle. Lara Sabel (F), Mia Vallance (G) and Isobel McClean (R) quietly got on with their roles in attack and were very deceptive at times. When she put her mind to it, Mia was often able to use her speed to run past defenders and used this to help set up attacking plays with her teammates. Because of this Mia had the second highest number of assists on the team with 7. Charlotte Warrington (G) and Eleanor Hillcox (P) worked extremely hard in the midfield, and Jennifer Apthorp (V), another gifted player, was a great link between defence and attack, often running the ball up in order to clear it. Our second years all proved to be great role models to the new comers. Harriett Cunningham (S) and Elle CurzonGreen (S) brought enthusiasm to every practice and match, and were always keen to do exactly what was asked of them. Alex Crawford (B) was the backbone of the defence, and was one of the team leaders in caused turnovers of which she

Netball This was a very special year for netball because for the first time, we were able to field 4 netball teams for the whole of LQ. It was great to see so many girls, 1st years especially, who wanted to play netball. Everyone brought a great deal of enthusiasm and energy to every practice, which made them a lot of fun to teach. We started the season off with a tough fixture against Reed’s. It was never going to be easy to start to a season competing against a team which has played together for a number of years. Even though they lost, the girls improved significantly as the game went on; starting to learn how to play with each other. This was evident the next day as the 1st team bounced back to beat a tough Claremont Fan team 17-16. The girls had an outstanding 3rd quarter, outscoring Claremont 8-2, holding on for the win in a tight 4th quarter. The 1st team certainly gave me a few nervous moments with their habit of starting every match off very slowly in the first 2 quarters, and then as if a light bulb had suddenly been switched on, rallying to produce really strong final 2 quarters. This was the case in both our St George’s School, Ascot and our Bradfield College matches. Sadly, in both of these, our second half efforts weren’t quite enough to catch up the existing deficit. Nevertheless, there were a lot of positives to take away, particularly the camaraderie of the team. Needless to say the two big highlights of the season were the 1st team’s 39-6 win over King Edward’s Witley, and also the team’s victory over Prior’s Field School 11-8. It is also worth noting that with a number of these losses, the score really didn’t reflect the true intensity and closeness of the game. Our season ended with the Fastnet Tournament at Seaford College. This year, we also decided to enter our 3rd team into the tournament to give them an extra opportunity to play

GIRLS’ SPORT

Lacrosse

had 15. I knew I could always rely on her to organize the defence and direct girls if she needed to. Serena Wright (V) grew in confidence as the season progressed, and by LQ was confidently dodging past defenders with ease. And finally Flora Johnston (g), (who always found herself being marked by much bigger girls than herself!), was an extremely sneaky player. She was had a real talent for getting herself free and always found herself wide open in the middle of the fan. This just leaves the captain, Lucy Ross-Skinner (G). Lucy did a great job as captain, consistently motivating the team and always leading by example. Not only was Lucy the team’s top scorer with 27 goals, but she was also voted the Most Valuable Player by her teammates for the whole season. She covered every inch of the pitch and even though she played attack, she was more than willing to track back into defence when needed. The matches throughout the OQ and LQ were all closely fought. After narrowly losing their second and third matches to The Royal and St Catherine’s 7-9 and 7-8, the team then went on a 8 game winning streak – the longest streak in School history! These wins included a 12-2 win against Benenden, a 7-6 win against The Royal, a 9-3 win against Wellington, a 9-3 win against St Swithuns, and a 10-5 win against Bradfield College. LQ saw us play in the National Schools Championships at the beginning of March. On day one the squad finished 5th in a group of 7, which meant we had done better than our seeding suggested. Saturday was a tough day and unfortunately the girls didn’t play up to their potential – we only won one game so sadly went home early in the day. I have absolutely loved coaching this squad over the past two quarters. They are an amazing group of girls who always brought a lot of fun and energy to practices. I hope the second years will carry on their lacrosse at university. ST

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help us out; she always worked hard and made real progress. I am really proud of the resilience she demonstrated. When I think back to the beginning of last year when Victoria first came out to play hockey, I am amazed by the improvement. She started as a complete beginner, not knowing how to hold the stick or any of the rules. She is now a force to be reckoned with and made it into the 1st XI for the last few matches of the season. Victoria is a natural sportswoman with a keen eye for the ball. I really enjoyed running the team this year and, whilst we are losing some key members of the team, there is a lot of promise remaining. I am very grateful to IJMH for his coaching and support and am looking forward to next season already. LFB

GIRLS’ SPORT

competitive matches. In previous years, this has always been an extremely fun tournament and SHC who accompanied them, happily confirmed that this year was no different either. All the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The 1st team comprised of five 1st years and three 2nd years. Francesca Loggia (g), Elle Curzon-Green (S) shared the role as GK, and our captain, Alex Crawford (B) as GD. Having 3 veteran players in defence was a real advantage and they made life extremely difficult for the opposition’s attack. Francesca’s movement around the circle made it very hard for the opposing team to feed the ball in to their GA and GS. Alex was an extremely skillful player with a great ability to read the play. This often led to her making incredible interceptions. The other 2nd years were Francesca Fraser (G) and Milly Cobb (g) at the other end of the court as WA and GA. Francesca is a very competitive player, and always fought hard to get into space to receive the ball. Milly on the other hand is a quieter player. She used her height to her advantage as her GD would often lose track of where she was so, allowing Milly to pop up wide open right under the net! And still, up until the last game of the season, she always had a surprised look on her face whenever one of her shots went in! In the midfield, Isobel McClean (R) and Charlotte Arbuthnott (H) took on the roles as C and WD. Both Issy and Charlotte were tremendous workhorses, covering all corners of the court. And finally, in the position of GS was Eleanor Gudgeon (F). Eleanor was a very strong player in the circle who was not afraid to play tough with her GK. She worked extremely hard under the net to try and get free and she really succeeded in using the split jump to move herself closer to shoot. She also brought with her a very fancy backline-passing trick, which caught out every one of our opponents! Throughout the whole season, one of the things that pleased me the most, was that whenever we covered a specific area in practice, the girls really focused on that and made a real effort to work on it in the future games. This was particularly the case when we worked on centre passes and back line passes. There really is nothing better for a coach than to see the girls using what they have learnt from you. I would like to say a huge thank you to JJH and SHC without whom netball wouldn’t have run so smoothly. I have thoroughly enjoyed my season coaching the netball teams. Thank you to all the players – you have been great fun to work with! I also want to say a big thank you to all the parents who have turned up to support the teams and cheer them on. ST

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The team has enjoyed an excellent tennis season this year. Even though the results may not have appeared strong, what was great to see was that we had a lot of girls who came out every week to practice. It was really promising to see so many beginners turning up and you could really see them progress as the Quarter went on. In past years, we

have only had enough girls to run one training session at a time, whereas this year we were able to hold three different sessions twice a week. This worked really well as the girls were able to play with others of similar ability! We had a really great group of 2nd Years who continued to play from last year. They consisted of our captain Victoria Bukina (S), Lucy Ross-Skinner (G), Milly Cobb (g) and Francesca Fraser (G), and they all played in a number of the early fixtures before they started their exams. We were also extremely lucky in that two of our first years, Charlotte Arbuthnott (H) and Kyla Ng (W) were very strong tennis players and made a great pairing right from the beginning. This gave us a very strong 1st VI! Our first fixture of the year was a tough one – we hosted the Surrey Schools U18 League. To make things harder, our draw consisted of Guildford High (who pipped us last year!), Kingston Grammar, and Sir William Perkins. Winning this group all came down to our final match against Guildford High. The games were extremely close but all the girls showed great consistency to bring home the victory and, for the first time in several years, we made the Surrey League Finals! These Finals were held at Sutton High School. The draw in the finals was even harder with Charlotte and Kyla winning our only point! Even though we were not as successful in our Final matches, we were extremely proud of the girls to have made the finals. The team also entered the Branston Shield. Unluckily for us, we were drawn against Reed’s for our first match. This was a hard draw considering the talent Reed’s can attract with their sport’s scholarships and tennis academy. The girls fought gallantly but unfortunately we went out in this first round. Once our 2nd Years left for their exams, we were fully reliant on our 1st Years’ to make up the team. Luckily, we had a large group to choose from! Charlotte and Kyla became our first pair, and we also had a great 2nd pairing of Yolande Rowson (D) and Clara Gutierrez (B). One of the great things that came out of having such a large group of 1st Years wanting to play was that we were able to field a different team for every fixture. This was amazing as it gave everyone a chance to play for Charterhouse. For many, it was the first tennis match they had ever played in! Unfortunately we were unlucky with the weather this year so some of our fixtures had to be cancelled, however we did have matches against Kings College Wimbledon, Reed’s, Christ’s Hospital, Bradfield, and Cranleigh. We also ran a very successful mixed doubles match against Wellington where our girls were paired with members of the boy’s team. They all seemed to really enjoy this and we held a delicious BBQ afterwards in the sunshine! I would like to thank Martin Sterio for giving up his time to regularly come and coach the girls. I know they really appreciated it and thoroughly enjoyed it! I would also like to thank LFB, who was always there helping me with the coaching. I would not have been able to do it without you ST (and your very smart scorecards!).