THE Alumni Magazine of Exeter School
Inspirational art 50 years of art and design www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni
Issue 5 Summer 2016
Contents Feature: Building blocks for the future Feature: Reaching for the skies Alumni in Focus School News Feature: A celebration of School art
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Memory Lane
Careers networking
News of OEs
Into the blue
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OE Club
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Photo credits and captions: Front cover: Rob Pepper (1995) in front of his painting commission 'London Bridge Blossom and Gold' for a top London investment bank. Photo credit Lissy Tomlinson. Contents: Top: Mark Wells (1985) from Boeing Defence UK talking about aerospace careers at Careers Convention 2015. Middle: Matt Jones (1992) flying RR232 in the tailchase at Duxford on 20 September 2015. It was rebuilt by Martin Phillips from Exeter. Photo credit Tony Smith. Bottom: Alumni Art Competition entry by Middle Fifth Form pupil William Eggleton.
01392 458941 alumnisec@exeterschool.org.uk Exeter School Alumni Office Victoria Park Road Exeter EX2 4NS
Alumni artists inspire pupils
www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni Twitter: @ExeterSchoolUK Linkedin: Exeter School Alumni (Old Exonians) Facebook: Exeter School Alumni TM
This publication is produced by Exeter School and printed by Brightsea Print Group. We welcome stories for consideration. Contributions may be edited for content and length.
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Welcome
Charlie Alder (née Ellis 1987), Emma Solley (née Chatterjee 1999) and John Davidson at Alumni Art Exhibition.
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his 1633 will reach you at the end of another busy year which has seen over 200 past pupils return to School for an event or talk, while many more have joined us at social occasions around the country. It has been a privilege to meet you all, and hear your stories which form such an important part of the School's heritage. The Alumni Art Exhibition celebrating the work of 18 professional past pupils was a particular highlight. It was also wonderful to welcome alumni back to School to help with our Careers Convention in November and our inaugural Lower
Sixth Careers Conference in March. We are always looking for more help, so please get in touch if you would like to be part of our careers network. We have an exciting programme of events for 2016-2017 printed on the back page. The full calendar of events will be emailed in September and January, and is on the alumni pages of the School website under forthcoming events. Please keep us up-to-date with your current email so we can stay in touch! Best wishes, John Davidson, Director of Alumni Relations
Welcome from the Headmaster
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have enjoyed meeting so many past pupils and staff who have returned to School to events including our celebration of 50 years of the Hildesheim Exchange and the National Trust and Choral Society Concerts in Exeter Cathedral. It has also been a privilege to meet Exonians spanning 8 decades at our social events in Oxford, Cambridge, Southampton and London. We look forward to seeing many of you at the next OE Day and Dinner. Exonians from all years are always very welcome; this year many of those who left around 1970-1972 are planning to attend. In March, we welcomed Steve Hodder to his first meeting as a School Governor, and we look forward to drawing on his wide experience over the next few years.
Headmaster Bob Griffin with new Governor Steve Hodder (1976).
With best wishes, Bob Griffin
We are sending this issue of The 1633 by post to all Exonians whose addresses we have except those who have specifically requested to receive copies of publications electronically. If you would like to receive future issues electronically, then please visit the ‘update your details’ page on the contact us tab of the alumni pages of the School website, tick the drop box and ensure your email details are correct. Alternatively, telephone Karen Dart, the Alumni Secretary, on 01392 458941. This magazine and two other school publications, the annual Exonian and bi-annual Exeter School Life can be read on the alumni news section of the School website. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 3
Careers
Building blocks for the future
It has been a pleasure to welcome back to School many alumni from our Careers Network since Christmas
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upils from Upper One to the Sixth Form have benefitted from career and subject talks given by past pupils and our very successful Lower Sixth Careers Conference in March was made possible by the willingness of our speakers and presenters to return to School for a Friday afternoon. In Autumn 2016, we plan to repeat our professional careers networking events in London and Exeter for those who have embarked on their career or are about to leave university. To support our current pupils, we will be running our established Upper Sixth Interview Scheme in October, our Careers Convention in November and the second Lower Sixth Careers Afternoon in March.
Careers talks
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Robyn Lockyer’s Nepal Earthquake seminar.
Southeast Asia won a 2015 Foreign Press Association ast pupils have visited School on a dozen occasions Award. Michael’s enthusiasm for telling a story to an since November to give talks or run seminars audience was very clear and his visit inspired pupils related to their career area or academic discipline. while showing that several different academic subjects can lead into journalism as a career. The Financial Times journalist Michael Peel (1992) led a lively lunchtime seminar on journalism as a career Robyn Lockyer (2012) ran a revision seminar in April with Sixth Form pupils in December. Michael joined for Upper Sixth Geography pupils on the aftermath of The Financial Times after completing his Science the severe Nepal earthquake in 2015. Robyn had just degree in 1997 and is currently their Bangkok regional returned from three months working and travelling correspondent. In the seminar he drew on his work in Nepal with a research organisation, following her in various regions including the Middle East, where Geography degree at Cambridge. Robyn explained why he reported on the uprisings that swept the region the earthquake occurred and how the plate movements from 2011, and his time in Nigeria as the West Africa led to over 400 aftershocks, hampering recovery. Using correspondent. His book A Swamp Full of Dollars: her own photos, Robyn discussed the short-term and Pipelines and Paramilitaries at Nigeria's Oil Frontier, longer-term effects and the ability of the local people was shortlisted for The Guardian’s first book award to bounce back even though the official Government and his recent writing on the illegal rosewood trade in rebuilding programmes had not yet reached their areas.
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Inaugural Lower Sixth Careers Afternoon
present job and what a typical week’s work would be like. The presenters (with their careers areas) were: Kris Sum (2000) Technology and ICT, Andrew Butler Creative/Design, Jonny Davidson (2011) Publishing, Dominic Leaver (1992) Project Management, Malcolm Shepherd TV and Journalism, Annabel Clark (2010) Environmental Consultancy, Katy Petherick (2004) Science and Medical Research, Tim Heal (1987) Law, Stephen Perring (1981) Management and Customer Relations, Katie Wade (née Alumni presenters Kris Sum, Stephen Perring, Katie Wade (née Endacott) Endacott) (2007) Fundraising Annabel Clark, Brittany Harris and Katy Petherick with Universities Adviser and Networking, Lucy Sainsbury Manoj Chitnavis. (née Rickett) (1993) Public s part of National Careers Week, 14 presenters, Relations, and Brittany Harris (2010) Engineering. including 11 alumni, ran our Lower Sixth Careers Afternoon attended by all Lower Sixth The presenters were impressed by the quality of the pupils in March. questions from the pupils and their interest in the chosen careers. The day ended with a second keynote talk The afternoon began with a keynote talk on 'Getting delivered by Ian Hodges, Careers and Employability started on your career and how to ace the interview', by Manager, Exeter University, entitled 'Next Steps – alumnus Luke Boxall (1983), Client Services Director Higher Education and beyond.' at Robert Half, a major international recruitment organisation. The afternoon provided a valuable opportunity for current pupils to think about future career areas and The Lower Sixth then attended two group sessions on to talk in small groups with the presenters, including specific career areas, where the presenters discussed parents and friends of the School, about their careers their own career journeys from School to their since leaving Exeter School.
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Careers Convention
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he annual Careers Convention for Lower Fifth to Upper Sixth in November included nine alumni amongst the organisations present. Exhibits on display included a drone from Boeing Defence UK, Neolithic and Roman artefacts, stethoscopes, a mechanical arm, barrister’s robe and other interactive exhibits lending the convention a fun and informative atmosphere. The evening provided a valuable opportunity for our pupils to speak to people in different sectors about what the work is really like – good and bad. Our alumni presenters included Ian Williams (1986) and Charlie Pidgeon (2009) Dentistry, Dan Wilkinson (1995) Surveying and Estate Management, Mark Tyler (1982) Marketing, TV and Radio, Jasper Westaway (1990) Media and IT entrepreneur, Aidan Dominy (2011) Accountancy, Sarah Hornblower (née Butler) (2000) Barrister/Law, Alex Dudley (2013) Flybe – Operations and Logistics, and Mark Wells (pictured right) (1985) from Boeing Defence UK on Aerospace Careers.
If you would like to be part of our Careers Network to help with an event or give a talk and have not already let us know, please email alumnisec@exeterschool.org.uk www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 5
Feature
Reaching for Exonian Matt Jones (1987-1992) fulfills his dream
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had wanted to fly since I was 4 years old, and I have knew it, we were off and it was incredible! been been lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream. Due to my eyesight I could not join the RAF, but with an investment banking career behind me, I completed The first step on this ladder came at Exeter School as flight training and became the captain of a private jet, a cadet in the Royal Air Force (RAF) section of the and a commercial helicopter pilot. Suddenly there was Combined Cadet Force (CCF). I arrived at Exeter the opportunity to learn to fly a Spitfire, an aircraft that Airport with some of my cohort for my first air symbolises the saviour of the free world, is loved by experience flight in 1988 expecting a scene akin to the nation, and whose sound and sight brings people to those in the movie Top Gun. I was slightly disappointed an immediate standstill. when I was introduced to a 1950's built de Havilland Chipmunk, a tiny tailwheel aircraft with one propeller, And so two decades after my first air experience flight I a top speed of only 140 knots and two seats, one behind was reunited with another Chipmunk trainer, this time the other. at RNAS Yeovilton. After six hours’ flying training, the day finally came to go solo in the Spitfire. The promise made at School had been aerobatics with a fighter pilot but I had initial doubts about flying After a perfect landing, still the best I've ever done, upside down in an airplane that was four times older I taxied in, shut down and the emotion hit. The huge than me! However, peer pressure is a very strong force honour, the pride of the achievement, the great relief at and after the safe return of a couple of my friends, I not breaking her all came together at once. found myself in the back seat and heading off down the runway. As my experience grew so did my capability and I now regularly display the Spitfire at air shows and private The instructor in the front, whose face I never saw, events alike. gave me great comfort over the intercom and once we'd flown to a reasonable height he asked me in a In 2010, a friend and I set up the Boultbee Flight reassuring tone whether I'd like to do a loop. Before I Academy at Goodwood. It is the world's only Spitfire
"Ironically he'd probably never been in greater danger than flying with me..." 6 | The 1633 - Summer 2016
the skies Photo b
y Neil H
aynes
hard Paver
Photo by Ric
training school, training pilots in our two, two-seat Spitfire Tr9s. It is a wonderful business where each customer fulfils a lifetime's ambition. I am very proud that our business makes people happy and gives them an experience they will never forget. The greatest honour of my flying career came on 15 September 2015 when I got to fly some of the last remaining Battle of Britain Heroes in the backseat of our Spitfire. We had set up a Spitfire Scholarship in 2014 with the Royal Foundation's Endeavour Fund to select and train injured ex-servicemen to fly a Spitfire solo. To promote this scholarship and commemorate the Battle of Britain, we decided, with the help of the Royal Household and specifically Prince Harry, to invite the owners of every Spitfire, Hurricane and Blenheim in the world to bring their aircraft to Goodwood Aerodrome in Sussex for a flypast across the south of England. We ended up with 36 aircraft, or 3 whole squadrons! 36,000 people came to watch and Channel 4 commissioned two documentaries, watched by over 2 million people. My greatest moment was having 95-year-old Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC* AFC, the greatest living fighter pilot from World War II and the Battle of Britain flying with me. The day was designed as a tribute to him and all his colleagues, fallen or still alive, who
fought so bravely. We took off leading the formation with seven other Spitfires and Hurricanes, as he had done 75 years ago to the day. As we flew out in the sunshine over the Isle of White, I remember very clearly looking in the rear mirror and watching Tom's expression as he gazed over the seven accompanying warbirds thinking of the memories this sight must have brought back. Ironically he'd probably never been in greater danger than flying with me so I am very glad to report that I returned both him and the aircraft to Goodwood in one piece. Flying has given me many of the greatest highlights of my life. I was a far wealthier man as a banker but no amount of money can compare to one day's association with this incredible aircraft, and I consider myself very lucky to have realised my ambition to fly it. www.boultbeeflightacademy.co.uk Main picture shows the 17 Spitfire fly past at IWM Duxford’s Battle of Britain 75th anniversary, September 2015, with Matt Jones flying a leading Spitfire. Photo by Darren Harbar. Inset top: RR Sport Vs Spitfire, with Matt Jones in cockpit. Inset bottom: Mk9 Spitfire piloted by the author, known as the ‘City of Exeter’ as it was rebuilt by its owner, Exeter resident Martin Phillips. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 7
Alumni in focus
From sunny Devon to California living
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Maryann Kongovi (née Bryant) (1994) visited Exeter School in May, and led a seminar with Middle Fifth pupils interested in studying Economics or Business Studies about her career journey and working for Google.
fter my studies at Exeter School - where I had the good fortune to study for my A Levels with Sam Poole and Roger Walker (Economics), Ian Wright (Politics), Mike Porter (Religious Studies) and Claire Lund (Spanish) - I did my degree at St Edmund Hall (Teddy Hall) Oxford, in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. After graduation, I left England for a gap year in Mexico and Central America and have yet to return... at least to live. After a few years in Mexico, where my Spanish studies came in handy, I moved to San Francisco to work at The Boston Consulting Group, a management consulting firm. I got on-the-job training on how large companies operate, how to use Excel, how to work in teams and with clients. I also met my husband there, so it was a pretty good experience all around! I then moved to New York to get an MBA at Columbia Business School. While still at Columbia I did an internship at a start-up called DailyCandy, a digital media company, and then joined full-time after graduation. I wore a lot of hats, as is typical at start-ups, including marketing, where I learned how to advertise using Google. This experience served me
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Maryann Kongovi is Chief Operating Officer for Code for America, based in San Francisco. well when I joined Google’s sales team in New York a few years later, where I was part of a team advising large media companies. When my husband joined a start-up back in San Francisco, I transferred to Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California (aka Silicon Valley). Whether it was seeing self-driving cars on the way to work, or secret product demos at the weekly staff meeting hosted by Google’s co-founders, most days at Google felt different from what I imagined work would be. Plus, there aren’t many places you can see Presidential hopefuls including Obama in 2008, and Clinton in 2015, as well as the likes of Lady Gaga and Henry Kissinger, doing live interviews for staff, as a matter of course. Despite all of this, after almost nine years running sales teams and building out sales operations for new ventures, I recently left to join Code for America, a not-for-profit company, as Chief Operating Officer. Based in San Francisco, around the corner from Twitter, Uber and Square, we develop technology with local governments to make critical services work better for everyone. One of our bigger projects is improving access to food stamps through a mobile site, saving applicants time and increasing the chances of their success in an often challenging process. Now, all these years later, I remain grateful for the experience I had at Exeter School. I was encouraged to aim high, and I’ve never looked back.
Engineering without borders Brittany Harris (2010) is currently working for surveys were completed in the second month, which Buro Happold Ltd in Bath and was a presenter was a great experience. Talking to the locals was at the Lower Sixth Careers Conference. initially challenging as my Spanish was still quite basic ,but it rapidly improved as the weeks went by. I gained n August 2015 I headed to Lobitos, in north west a good understanding of the different neighbourhoods Peru, to join a team of three fellow engineers of Lobitos, and their individual problems and needs. for a three-month placement with EWB-UK in partnership with EcoSwell, a local NGO. The next stage was to analyse the information, design the type of dry toilet to be used in Lobitos and write Lobitos, on the pacific coast, has just over 1,500 up my report. We also looked at the feasibility of using residents, mainly fishermen and their families. A recent reed beds for water filtration with an initial design for surge in surf tourism has spiked interest in the area. reuse of both grey water from sinks and showers, and In order to avoid unsustainable growth, which has black water from toilets. happened in resorts nearby, EcoSwell wanted to work with the community and surfers to improve the quality I was also able to help monitor EcoSwell’s Lobitos of life of the residents, and to ensure the benefits of Verde Project which gave local women trees to cultivate, tourism reach everyone. using grey water to plant the seedlings, kitchen waste to make compost and recycled plastic materials to EcoSwell are very concerned about raw sewage protect the plants from damage. I helped improve the contaminating the environment. The current sewage local women’s knowledge of permaculture by showing system is broken, leading to spills, and is also them how to plant a range of different seeds in their inaccessible to many people. Water is in short supply. own back garden, using planting sheets. My project was to carry out a feasibility and design study for dry sanitation (composting toilets). The Lobitos Verde Project helps builds a strong positive relationship with members of the community, My first month was spent reviewing past projects, in a visual way, and introduces the ideas of recycling, mapping the area, and talking to EcoSwell. I then conservation and composting, which will be important designed a community survey about health, sewage for future projects. Working with the local community systems, and their socioeconomic situation to see if was a fantastic experience, and I was also able to dry sanitation would be a suitable option. Sixty-five try some of the local activities, including sea fishing and surfing, and to see some of the amazing local wildlife of this beautiful coastline.
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A strong relationship has been built between EcoSwell and EWB-UK, and I intend to continue work on the reed bed project from the UK, and hopefully return at some point to help implement it. Meanwhile the dry sanitation project will continue with the next EWB-UK volunteer. I really enjoyed my three months working with EcoSwell and EWB-UK and I look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.
Engineer Brittany Harris put ideas into practice in Peru.
I am very grateful to those who supported me on this trip, including Exeter School Old Exonian Club, Okehampton Rotary Club, The Alchemy Foundation, friends and family.
www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 9
School news Thought-provoking theatre
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he senior school production this year was the award-winning, Thornton Wilder classic Our Town. This was a challenging piece of theatre to attempt with such a young and relatively inexperienced company, but the cast and crew delivered an astonishingly professional production.
Taken for a ride!
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xeter School pupils were given the experience of a lifetime when two Sea Kings descended onto the playing fields on Friday 4 March. The Royal Navy helicopters had flown from RNAS Yeovilton especially to give 80 lucky CCF cadets a 20-minute flight as part of their training. The event was covered by BBC Spotlight.
It is rocket science
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stronaut Tim Peake gave Exeter Junior School pupils the thumbs up when he praised their care of rocket seeds from space on the School's Twitter handle @ExeterSchoolUK. Science club members are busy conducting experiments on the seeds to see whether space makes a difference.
Sunday Times accolade
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xeter School features as number 48 in a list of the top 424 independent secondary schools in the 2015 edition of The Sunday Times Parent Power (ranked 62 nationally in 2014).
England calling
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upils from School have represented the country from chess to cricket. Lower Fifth Former Leif Hafstad has been selected to play for England at the European Schools Chess Championships held in Halkidiki, Greece, in June. Equestrian Anna Johannson has been selected to ride for Great Britain. She recently returned from Saumur, France where she competed in the Nations Cup team. Upper Fifth pupil Bill Taylor and Lower Sixth pupil Sophie Jefferson have been selected onto the U16 and U18 England Hockey squads. Middle Fifth pupil Emily Sharpe was successful in making the U16 England Rounders squad. Upper Sixth Former Ben Green played cricket in the England squad for the U19 ICC World Cup in Bangladesh.
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Science success
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xeter School is the recipient of the Good Schools Guide Award for A Level Physics for the second year in a row. This is the seventh year that the School has received a Good Schools Guide Award for Science. Upper Sixth pupils took part in the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad with four Silver and eight Bronze prizes awarded. Ten pupils have been awarded medals in the demanding British Biology Olympiad in which over 7,000 pupils took part.
Ten Tors triumph
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xeter School fielded four teams in the Ten Tors 2016 event in conjunction with St James’ School, Exeter, and assisted in the training of walkers in four other local teams. In all, 55 of our pupils completed the 35, 45 and 55-mile routes, and all teams finished strongly and in good spirits.
Team accelerate into Final
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he F1 in Schools team, Burning Rubber, won a place in the National Final of the STEM competition held at Silverstone in May. The team of six Middle Fifth pupils took four prizes at the F1 in Schools South West Regional Final held at Exeter University in March. A highlight of the Final was two laps of the track in the School minibus which made the accompanying staff happy!
Double award for first time
Homecoming for composer
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omposer Paul Patterson returned to School after almost 50 years to attend Choral Society rehearsals of his piece, Magnificat. The Choral Society then performed the work at Exeter Cathedral on Thursday 17 March in front of the composer himself. Paul Patterson played trombone in the orchestra in the 1960s.
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wo cadets have been awarded the Jack Sadler Award for outstanding contribution to the CCF Contingent. Warrant Officer and Head of Army section Amanda Herring and Flight Sergeant and Head of RAF Section Ollie Brady were presented with the he Young Enterprise team, Foodprint, took brass trophy of an artillery shell case and an engraved the prize for Best Presentation at the Regional medal by Colonel David Carson, Colonel Cadets for Final. They also made the highest level of profit the South West, on annual inspection day. This is the for their company for their Devon foodie cookbook. first time a joint Jack Sadler Award has been made, Judges noted the professional attitude of the team who recognising the commitment and leadership shown by were featured on Radio Devon and in Exeter Life. both of these cadets.
Cooking the books!
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www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 11
Feature
50 years of inspiring art and design
From competitions to exhibitions, a celebration of School artwork by current and former pupils in Exeter and beyond
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Left: Owl Over Buckingham Palace by artist Rob Pepper (1995); Top: John Davidson, Molly Doyle and Rob Pepper; Above left: Jamie Hignett (2011) and Head of Art Alison Dyer; Above right: A pupil looking at Freya Edmondson's (2009) fashion photography.
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he inaugural Alumni Art Exhibition in the School’s new Art Gallery was staged for pupils, staff and Exonians in December. The exhibition celebrated the creative and innovative work of eighteen past pupils in the field of art and design spanning the last 50 years. It featured traditional and contemporary work from a variety of disciplines, including photography, fine art, architecture, fashion, sculpture and illustration.
Fashion designs and associated photography from Clara Finnigan (2015) and Freya Edmondson (2009) contrasted with the exotic children’s book illustrations of Charlie Alder (née Ellis) (1987) and the intricate pen and ink illustrations of insects and birds by Bea Forshall (2010).
Cover artist Rob Pepper (1995) exhibited prints of two cityscapes, while two oil paintings of the School in the 1950s by Captain Joe Welch (1957) reflected the style The artwork on display ranged from the 3D installation of art taught at that time. A stunning local landscape of art of Ben Yates (1997) and the photography of Emma fields and wildflowers by Iain McBay (1977) caught Solley (née Chatterjee) (1999) through to the miniatures the eye, as did Hannah Berrisford’s (2014) striking and portraits of Oliver King (2000) to the architectural kingfisher in acrylic. designs of Jamie Hignett (2011) and Seb Fathi (2014) and the 3D models of Dan Hambly (2015). Works from four well known artists from earlier in the www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 13
Feature twentieth century, all of whom attended Exeter School, were also featured in the exhibition. They included the landscapes of the late Albert Foweraker (1890), Grenville Cottingham (1960) and Lionel Aggett (1956). A stunning wildlife painting of a tiger by Spencer Hodge (1960), who travels around the world promoting wildlife conservation through his artwork, was much admired. Several of the artists and their friends and family joined School staff, governors and guests for the exhibition’s opening night, and the School welcomed back retired art teachers Molly Doyle and John Mason. Head of Art, Alison Dyer, said: “We are very grateful to all those who have contributed to the exhibition. This impressive and wide ranging display will undoubtedly inspire the current generation of pupils at Exeter School and broaden the horizons of all those interested in pursuing a career in the arts.” More detail on the careers of the artists featured in the exhibition can be found on the School website.
Ben Yates (1997) in front of his mixed media relief art.
We are very keen to welcome back alumni working professionally in art and design to run workshops with our current pupils. Please contact us if you are interested. We are planning to stage another art exhibition in the future, and if you are working in this field and have not yet been in touch, please let us know what medium you work in and where you are based. We would love to hear from you.
Art around the school Visitors can see artwork from past pupils on display around the School including collaborative artwork inspired by Picasso completed by Fourth Form pupils around 2006/7 and more recent work by Miles Johal (2016 leaver) and Bea Forshall (2010). 14 | The 1633 - Summer 2016
Alumni Art Competition All Middle Fifth pupils studying Art submit entries for the annual Alumni Art Competition, creating images on a School theme for use on alumni greeting cards. The standard of this year's entries was very high. Peter Quine won the first prize with his depiction of the Lower Corridor lamp with the School logo superimposed.
www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 15
Memory lane
Fifty years of the Hildesheim Exchange
School pupils with their German exchange partners celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of this School event in November 2015.
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he German exchange was established in 1965 by Bob Brooks, Head of Languages at Exeter School, and Helmut Kersten, an English teacher at the Scharnhorst gymnasium following a pilot scheme. At that time, both Exeter and the Scharnhorst gymnasium were boys’ schools, but girls from the Maynard School accompanied by their German teacher Eileen Jones, took part.
"Hildesheim was just a fantastic experience, living with a great family. We visited the Harz mountains, and the VW factory. I was able to travel abroad for the first time with a group of friends, to a very welcoming country." Tony Worth (1965-1972)
along the transit autobahn for an awe-inspiring stay in West Berlin, with a visit to the Berlin Wall. In the 1980s, special events were arranged in Hildesheim to mark Exeter School’s 350th anniversary in 1983 in Germany. In 1985, a group from Exeter took part in the centenary of Scharnhorst Gymnasium. Guest speakers included Exeter’s Headmaster Geoffrey Goodall, languages teacher Lawrence Sail and Maynard Headmistress Felicity Murdin, while English teacher John James and Director of Music Simon Foxall led a group of Many pupils got the chance to go with their host families school actors and musicians, performing extracts from Shakespeare plays, madrigals and musical extracts for a very appreciative audience. The Chamber Orchestra "I remember the exchange very well; Richard Fryer's visited Hildesheim again in 1990 to celebrate 25 years as-ever-inspiring energy, enthusiasm and love for of the exchange. the German language, and the fact that the family I stayed with when in Germany weren't the most Until the 1990s, travel was by train or coach to talkative, so to fill in the awkward silences I wittered Harwich, an overnight ferry to Hook of Holland and on in my very basic German, so it made me talk! An thence by train to Hildesheim. The scenic journey was excellent exchange programme; experiences I still enlivened by breakfast in the Mitropa restaurant car, look back on with real pleasure." a literal taste of the Communist German Democratic Republic (East Germany) since the train’s home base Tom Nash (1976-1983) In the early years, the Exeter party travelled to Germany at Easter when the cold spring weather lent extra spice to the regular coach trip to Goslar and the Harz, while the German party visited in July enjoying the beaches in the sunshine. A highlight in Germany was the arm’slength taste of the East-West border fence seeing the East German guards in their watchtowers watching the pupils, and the self-firing guns on fence posts.
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Above: Members of the Hildesheim exchange group in Germany in 2010. Below: Former Heads of German Richard Fryer and Ian Davis at the Hildesheim 50th anniversary celebration in November 2015. Top right: Members of the School Chamber Orchestra in Hildesheim for the 25th Anniversary in 1990.
"The Hildesheim exchange was one of my most formative experiences. Even now I can still remember seeing the border with East Germany running across what would have been just an ordinary country lane in a typical woodland setting. I went on to study Modern Foreign Languages at Jesus College, Cambridge and the love for languages I learnt at Exeter School has stayed with me ever since. I still consider it a real privilege to have been able to study French, German, Spanish, Russian and Latin at school, and I gained so much understanding of other cultures and societies. I hope that the exchange continues to strengthen and grow, and will be as formative an experience for students today as it was for me over thirty years ago." Revd Tim Buckley (1979-1986)
was in East Berlin. More recently journeys have been by overnight coach or by air.
School lunches! Over the last fifty years many long term friendships have been fostered by the exchange for both pupils and staff, with many pupils taking part Pupils visiting Berlin now see only the remains of in the exchange twice. the Berlin Wall, and Checkpoint Charlie, but gain a profound sense of history from the various museums Over the years, several Exeter School teachers have and sites dedicated to both a divided Germany and the been involved including Richard Fryer, Jane Welton, rise and fall of the Nazi regime. Michael Wager, Simon Foxall, John James, Samantha Wilson (nĂŠe Windley), Philippa Knight, Alice Francis, Some aspects have changed little over the years. In Germany, the shock of getting up early for lessons in "My best memory of the exchange was how different Germany starting at 8am but the joy of finishing at the architecture is in Germany. Germany is a 1pm, Hannover Zoo, the variety of food and pastries stunningly beautiful country and using my knowledge to try and of course the chance to speak the language. of the area, I was able to convince my family to take For the German students in England, Devon lanes, a holiday there. " Dartmoor, being in a school with a CCF, and eating Rachel Broderick (current pupil) "The Hildesheim exchange, and Germany in general, made a very positive impression on me as in later Stephanie Shrubb (nĂŠe Trica) and Ian Davis. Several life I went to work for Deutsche Bank for 12 years in attended the 50th anniversary celebration event in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Frankfurt and then 5 years Exeter in November. We would like to thank the UKat WestLB in London." German Connection for their support of these 50th anniversary celebrations. Mike Watson (1972-1979) www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 17
Alumni events
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1. Exonians studying or living in Cambridge joined Headmaster Bob Griffin, staff and Governors for the 2016 Cambridge Dinner at Jesus College in February. 2. Composer Paul Patterson with current pupils at the Choral Society Concert in Exeter Cathedral in March 2016 where the School performed his Magnificat. 3. Governor Adrian Burbanks (1984) and Exonians Signe Hulbert (2008) and Alice Hulbert (2006) with Head of Sixth Form Ali Marsh, languages teacher Mike Wilcock and John Davidson at the London Buffet and Drinks Reception at Davy’s Wine Bar, Piccadilly in March. 4. 1982 leavers Graham Inglis, Richard Vinton, Rob Murray and Chris Abel at the 2016 Exonians London Dinner held at Browns Covent Garden in May. 5. Exonians from the 1950s to current undergraduates studying at Oxford with the Headmaster Bob Griffin, Governors and staff at the Oxford Dinner held in Christ Church in February. 6. John Barlow (1965), Howard O’Brien (1968) and David Leon (1961) at the London Buffet and Drinks reception at Davy’s Piccadilly in March. 7. 2010 leavers Hugh Collins, and Sophie Hopkins, with Will Sarjeant (2011) and Jonathan Schranz (2012), at the 2016 Exonians London Dinner held at Browns Covent Garden in May. 8. Nigel Walkey (1970) with 2012 leavers Sophie Salisbury, Claire Richardson, Charlotte Martin and Jenna Collison at 2016 Exonians London Dinner held at Browns Covent Garden in May. 9. 2013 leavers Miles Harris, Alastair Hardie, Briony Allen, Ben Gould Smith and Hope MacLeod, with Laurie Kirkcaldy and Nicholas Alford (2014), and Bryony Mann (2012) enjoy the Southampton Buffet and Drinks Reception in March. 10. Robert Dempster (1992), Ben Heptinstall (1987), Governor Martin Grossel, Simon Bryant (1992), and John Kerslake (1961) at the Southampton Buffet and Drinks Reception. 11. Peter German (1972), with his wife and daughter, 2016 leaver Rebecca German, at the 2016 WaterAid Concert in St Michael’s Heavitree. Photos are also on the School website and Facebook page. Forthcoming events are on the back page. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 19
News of Exonians 2016 marked the end of an era for the Jenner family, after an association with the School that began in 1957 when the late Bob Jenner was appointed to teach Geography. His son, Dr David Jenner (1970 - 1977) is still very busy working as a local GP in Cullompton where he lives with his wife Kathy and unlike many of his profession still enjoys being a GP immensely. He is often to be seen on local TV in his Clinical Commissioning Group role usually when there is a flu epidemic or something is closing. His son Oliver Jenner (2002 - 2009) graduated from Harper Adams University and is currently moving between Australia and Mexico and plans to spend several months with Wallacea International doing conservation work in the jungle with the snakes and creepy crawlies he has always loved. Joshua Jenner (2003 - 2011) graduated from Durham University and has built upon his Physics degree to become a software programmer. He is working in Oxford having secured postgraduate software training in Costa Rica. Bob Jenner’s wife Jean has attended School concerts continuously since 1957 and it was fitting that she was in the audience for all of David's daughter's (Harriet and Alex Jenner) Upper Sixth music concerts as they move from A Levels to become alumnae this summer. David adds that if anyone remembers being taught by his dad Bob, Boris the dog is still keeping an eye on you! Ian Williams (1990 – 1995) entered the record books this year as the first skipper to win sailing’s World Match Racing Tour title six times. The former Senior Prefect, Captain of Hockey and GAC Pindar sailor previously won the title in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2015, beating his own record when he won the title for the fifth time last year. Ian won the Final of the Monsoon Cup on Saturday 30 January, and extended his record as the most successful match racing skipper in the history of the World Match Racing Tour.
Photo by Robert Hajduk WMRT
Tom Littler (1996 - 2002) is a professional Theatre Director and runs his own theatre company, Primavera which he founded in 2003. He recently directed The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame for the Guildford Shakespeare Company at the Watts Gallery, the Creation Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, at Lady Margaret Hall Oxford, and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams for the English Theatre of Frankfurt. In December 2015, Tom led a series of seminars for pupils studying GCSE and A Level Drama in the newly refurbished Drama Studio, drawing on his own experience working with directors including Trevor Nunn and Peter Hall. It was an interesting and inspirational day which gave the pupils many ideas to follow up. 20 | The 1633 - Summer 2016
Izzy Beresford (2007 - 2012) joined the Oho Group in September 2015 as a recruitment consultant after graduating from Loughborough University with a degree in History and International Relations. She is enjoying the challenge of living and working in London. The Oho Group is a well-known consultancy firm that offers a range of specialist services to candidates and clients in areas such as IT, Engineering and Finance. Izzy says that she has found the work very interesting particularly learning about the technology sector and working in a fast paced environment where she is given a lot of responsibility. She also enjoys the fun that London has to offer such as going to events with friends or visiting the food markets. David Drake (1957 - 1965) studied French and Politics at Reading University after leaving School and then taught at Middlesex University where he was Head of French and Modern Languages and also at Paris VIII University. He is a former president of the UK Sartre Society with an international reputation as a Sartre scholar. While teaching at Paris VIII University, David noted the plethora of reminders of World War Two all over the city: the names of streets, squares, boulevards and Metro stations; the plaques to Jewish deportees and to those killed during the armed uprising as the city was liberated in August 1944, and the still visible battle-scarred buildings. His book Paris at War 1939-1944 is a lively, accessible chronological account of life in Paris revealing how and why the mood there changed during this traumatic period. It is written from the perspective of the Parisians who, unlike the reader, did not know how it would all end or if they would be there to see it. By drawing extensively on the diaries of “ordinary” people (many of whom were extraordinary) David has succeeded in providing a moving and gripping account of everyday life in Paris during the “dark years”. Anthony Jenking (1986-1993) was presented with Queen’s Award for Enterprise by Sir Hugh Duberly KCVO, CBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire for his work with software company cr360, formerly known as CRedit360. Having founded cr360 in 2002, Anthony built up the company as Managing Director working with over 200 customers, including Centrica, Nestlé, Philips, and McDonald’s, using its software to help them accurately capture,
manage, and report the sustainability and Environmental Health and Safety information needed to ensure compliance and drive performance across all business areas. His company was included in The Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table of the UK's fastest growing tech companies and Top Product of the Year 2015 in the Environmental Leader Product & Project Awards. In 2016, cr360 became part of the company UL EHS Sustainability.
Peter Davidson (2006-2008) has been working in an Independent British Primary School in Warsaw since 2014 when he gained a CELTA from the British Council in Krakow. Pete completed his PGCE at Cambridge after gaining a degree in history at Winchester, and did some supply teaching in Devon before moving to Poland. His current role is Coordinator of the Primary School. His management responsibilities include organising the curriculum
from Early Years to the end of Key Stage 2 and being the lead teacher on pastoral and behaviour matters. Pete is fascinated by the history and culture of Poland and enjoys travelling around the country from the ski resorts of the Tatras to the beaches of the Baltic Coast. He is very happy to talk to any Exonians who may be thinking about TEFL teaching and working in a British School abroad and can be contacted through the Alumni Office. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 21
Malcolm Brook (1949 - 1954) became a Chartered Accountant after leaving School but quickly found that accountancy was "not for him", and started his company Sparex to manufacture and sell agricultural spares and accessories. The business expanded rapidly with sales hitting the £1 million mark in 1973, including customers in over 40 export markets; in the same year it moved to its present premises at Exeter Airport. He
sold his interest in Sparex in 1981, and it is presently owned by Massey Ferguson, with 2014 world sales of £130 million. After an unsuccessful attempt at retiring, Malcolm started Stovax Ltd, together with his son Guy and another Old Exonian, Miles Jennings (1974 - 1980), to produce wood burning stoves. Again, the business expanded rapidly, with subsidiaries Gazco, who make gas stoves and fireplaces, and Original Style, who make ceramic tiles, being formed. All three companies are based in Exeter’s Sowton Industrial Estate. Current annual sales of Stovax, Gazco and Original Style are running at over £60 million, with export customers in more than 50 overseas markets. Malcolm was Chairman of all three companies until quite recently, but is now "nearly retired". Around 1,000 employees presently work for Sparex and the other companies he started. Malcolm lives near Ivybridge with his wife and enjoys visiting many of the countries where he previously saw "offices, motorways and airports", to view more scenic attractions instead. In 2015, Malcolm unveiled a plaque celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sparex Ltd, the company which he started in 1965.
Ben Honey (2007 - 2011) completed his degree in Marine Biology at Bangor and in September 2015 joined the ship Mission Blue II on an expedition to the Solomon Isles as a marine photographer. Mission Blue II, set up by TED Prize winner Sylvia Earle with TED directors, brings people together from different backgrounds to focus on environmental issues. The Mission Blue II voyage took attendees from Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands, to look at the threats to this oceanic region, and how to protect the environment. Ben learnt the tricks of underwater photography on an expedition to Mozambique in 2014 supported by a grant from the OE Club and developed his skills further on this expedition taking pictures both on land and under the sea and during the conference presentations on the ship. In January 2016, Ben gave an exciting interactive presentation on coral reefs to Upper One pupils demonstrating his diving and photography equipment, showing them the underwater sign language used to identify fish and hazards, and using his own amazing photos to show reef wildlife from clown fish to moray eels and cleaner shrimps to octopi.
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Amelia Davies (2000 - 2007) After completing her foundation medical training within the Oxford Deanery, Amelia took twelve months out of her training from Autumn 2015, to focus on medical research and undertake some undergraduate tutoring, before starting her anaesthetics training in Bristol in August 2016. From February to April, she studied at the Insted Language School in Chamonix. This was an amazing opportunity to dust off her school French, meet some interesting people and enjoy being in the spectacular French Alps. Insted offers both summer and winter courses and Amelia highly recommends them to any OEs who are lucky enough to have some time off and want to combine either skiing or climbing with learning a language. Dr Rory Cox (1994 - 2000) is a lecturer in Late Medieval History and Associate Director of the Institute of Intellectual History, at St Andrews University. After reading History at University College London, he was awarded his D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in 2010. He then taught at the University of Aberystwyth and held a Scouloudi Research Fellowship at the Institute of Historical Research, London. He researches military history, especially medieval conflicts such as the Hundred Years War, and has a particular interest in the ideas of just wars and war ethics. Rory visited the School in February and led a seminar for Sixth Form pupils thinking about studying History at University. away as soon as World War II broke out, at the tender age of 15, but his mother showed up at the barracks and brought him back to School! TFH enjoyed being a cadet in the Junior Training Corps, as the Army Section was then called, and joined the Army in 1941 so he got his wish. There followed an amazing career, and he ended up as one of the Army’s best-known generals and a highly respected military historian, seeing action throughout the Second World War and in just about every military campaign Britain fought until his retirement from the Army in 1982. TFH had very happy memories of Exeter School and returned frequently to talk about his adventures, one of his last visits being to present the prizes on Speech Day in 1994. The author of Oft in Danger, Jon Riley, knew TFH well. The book is a gripping read from start to finish and a The life and campaigns of the late General Sir Anthony fitting tribute to a great Old Exonian. Farrar-Hockley (1937 – 1941) are celebrated in a book called Oft in Danger written by General Jon Riley which was published in September. Anthony Farrar-Hockley Please send us your news and photos. See the or TFH as he was always known, was in Raleigh House School website and Facebook page for more and a boarder at Exeter School. If he’d had his way, stories and galleries. his time at School would have been shorter: he ran www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 23
OE Club
OE grant supports Nicaragua trip
E
mmie Giles (2010) (front centre) visited Nicaragua for three months this Spring with the charity Raleigh International, through the International Citizen Service (ICS). ICS is a government-funded international organisation that recruits young people to volunteer in developing countries, working towards the eradication of global poverty. Emmie’s work centred on Raleigh’s entrepreneurial project, based in the rural communities of Nicaragua where there are few job opportunities and local people are very dependent upon the agricultural or informal sectors for income. The sustainability of farming is severely threatened by increasing water shortages due to climate change, whilst work in the informal sector is sporadic and poorly paid.
Emmie’s project consisted of working with young people from 17 - 30 in these rural communities to train them in key business knowledge and assist them in the development of their own small enterprises, particularly by helping them write business plans and proposals for funding. By the end of the project, her team had helped set up nine new businesses which will hopefully become sustainable and lead to higher incomes for the entrepreneurs and their families. Emmie found it a privilege to meet so many people from different cultures, and gain an insight into the way people live in rural Nicaragua. She found that speaking Spanish was essential, and rapidly developed her language skills! The Old Exonian Club provided some financial support towards this very worthwhile trip which helped make it possible for her to participate.
OE Dinner 2016
T
he annual Old Exonian Day and Dinner in Exeter will be held on Saturday 17 September 2016 and we look forward to welcoming many past pupils back to School. The booking form is supplied in this magazine. The programme includes lunch, an afternoon concert, tours, displays of the School in the 1960s and 1970s, the OE AGM, and the traditional OE Exeter Dinner. This year many OEs who left around 1970 – 1972 are returning for the lunch and dinner. Further details can be obtained by emailing alumnisec@ exeterschool.org.uk.
24 | The 1633 - Summer 2016
THEN AND NOW:
The .22 shooting range 2016
1955
E
xeter School’s first purpose-built indoor range was opened in 1955 amongst the CCF huts. When these old structures were demolished in the early 1990s and replaced by the Goodall Building, a new range was constructed along the west side of the Sports Hall. The recent completion of the new boys’ changing room complex, as part of the swimming pool development, meant that the range had to be relocated. A re-designed modern range was completed in January 2016 on the east side of the Sport Hall. It is used regularly by the Shooting Club and the CCF, under the direction of CCF SSSI WO2 Fred Smith and longserving shooting coach, OE John Sampson (1955).
OE SPORTS:
OE v School Girls Hockey The OE girls played the School’s girls’ hockey XI in December 2015 and started vigorously, scoring their first goal within the second minute when Emma Willson (2015) flicked a pass across the goal mouth to Emmie Giles (2010) who shot it into the net. The School team rallied with two goals in quick succession from around the 25-yard line. Another goal from the OEs just before half-time levelled the score at 2-2 and the excitement in the watching crowd mounted. In the second half, the experience of Annabelle Clay (2015), Tara Davidson (2014) and Katie Taverner (2014) in mid-field and attack resulted in three more OE goals while vigilant defensive play by Emily Ackland (2015) prevented the School scoring again, despite some very accurate passing. The final result was a win for the OEs 5-2, after a thrilling and enjoyable game, ably refereed by Hockey Performance Coach Graham Skinner (1972). The teams adjourned to the Andrews Hall to enjoy a post-match reception with seasonal food and drink hosted by Director of Alumni Relations, John Davidson, Graham Skinner and Head of Sixth Form, Ali Marsh. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 25
OE Club OE SPORTS:
OE v School Football The annual 1st XI v Old Exonian football match followed the girls’ hockey match in December, and was an extremely competitive game. The Old Exonians arrived with a squad of fifteen players, including no less than five former captains. The School’s team chose to play in an unfamiliar formation, specifically designed for this match and it worked perfectly with a resilient back three making life hard for the OE strikers, while strong midfield play gave away few chances. The OEs had more shots at goal, led by record goal scorer Ben Stone (2014), but neither team managed to get the ball in the net before the full-time whistle resulting in a 0-0 draw. The game was played in a great spirit and refereed superbly by Middle Fifth pupil, Harvey Edwards. The teams enjoyed a convivial reception afterwards, hosted by John Davidson and Giles Ashman (1987), 1st XI Football Coach. OE v School Netball In March, the Old Exonians netball team took on the School in a thrilling High 5 Match. The OEs started strongly scoring three times in the first four minutes, and rather rattling the School team with their speed and accuracy. The School rallied and counter-attacked with some precise passing levelling the score and taking the lead. The scores remained very close for the remaining three quarters. Some notable long shots at goal from Ellie Sharman (2014) and Verity Ashford (2014) and
snappy midfield play by Lauren Dixie (2014) and Sally Crawford (2014) kept the OE score up, but the School retaliated with impressive shooting by Lydia Gibson and Jess Wilcock. At the final whistle the scores were level at 17 - 17, a well-earned draw at the end of a fast and exciting match. The teams joined staff and spectators including Richard Sharman (1978) and Mark Dixie (1984), Headmaster Bob Griffin and John Davidson on the new Sports Hall viewing gallery for drinks and refreshments. Thanks go to referees Becci Carter and Lisa Stewart, and scorer Ali Marsh. OE Golf Day On Thursday 5 May, the sun shone once again for the annual OE Golf Day, organised by Eddie Trick (1972) at the Exeter Golf and Country Club. Twenty-two OEs enjoyed excellent conditions and for some the challenge of playing the new greens for the first time. After the match John Davidson joined the OEs for refreshments and a catch up of news. The party enjoyed an excellent evening meal at the club. Awards were presented as follows: The Nigel Hook Trophy for the morning 9 hole to Harry Trick (2003), the nearest the pin on the 4th to Martin Davies (1980), and the longest drive on the 18th to Nigel Hook (1971) who also came second overall. The John Jago Over 55 Trophy and the Domville Cup both went to Eddie Trick. The overall team winners were Peter German (1972), Nigel Hook, Tim Davies (1971) and Martin Davies, with Chris Taylor (1984), Greg Crosse (1994) and Tim Lee (2005) close behind in second place. Although GCSE and A Level exam timetables prevented pupils playing this year, Mike Wilcock kindly represented the School. Mike said “I played awfully for the first nine holes but much better on the last nine, though not quite well enough to beat Eddie Trick and Nigel Hook.” It was great to see a number of new players this year including Andrew Neligan (1996) and Paul Scoble (1997) alongside more familiar faces. Many thanks go to Eddie for all his work in masterminding this popular event. The other golf players were Rupert Pratt (1984), Gary Dixie (1987), Mark Dixie (1984), Julien Harrison (1951), John Billett (1960), Adrian Knight (1963), Andy Shepherd (2003), Joe Mullins (1955) and Ian McNeill (1980).
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Please visit the alumni pages of the School website for more photos and news www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni.
Obituaries In memoriam
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of the following Old Exonians.
Richard Marley 1963-2016 Richard joined Exeter School in the Third Form in 1975 in Raleigh House. He represented the School in hockey, cricket and tennis and was also a prefect. Following his A Levels in Geography, Biology and Chemistry in 1982, he achieved a 1st in Biology at Sussex University which led to a career in publishing scientific journals beginning with Pergamon Press in Exeter (where he met his wife to be, Deb), and then at Cambridge University Press. Richard remained a keen sportsman playing hockey for his local club, running marathons and he cycled from Land’s End to John O’ Groats to raise money for charity. He sadly passed away at home in Ely aged 52 in April 2016, after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer, leaving Deb and daughters Becky and Zoe. Many of his contemporaries from School were at his memorial service, including Graham Inglis, Richard Vinton, Chris Abel, Alex Wallace, Jon Carr, Emad George, Mark Phipps, Robert Murray, Phil Coombes and Dexter Perrott, where one of the eulogies was given by Jerry Perrott. A real character, sadly missed.
Anthony J Smith 1938-2015 Tony was a member of Drake House from 1952 to 1957. He disliked games but was an enthusiastic member of the Young Farmers’ Club (The Dug Diggers) led by Lionel Barker, whose projects included making a wagon rope from baler twine, and building gates and dry stone walls around the School. Tony was one of the “train boys”, travelling in daily from Newton Abbot by steam train with his lifelong friend David Hough. After leaving School Tony became a Civil Engineer with Exeter City Council, specialising in sewage treatment. He spent a large part of his career down manhole covers, acquiring an intricate knowledge of the city’s drainage system. He married Mary in 1974 having met her at the Vespa Club. Tony was a great collector who never threw anything away. His house in Huxham became a living museum of mechanical and agricultural artefacts. He was very involved in the community around Stoke Canon and kept the Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin Church mowed and tidy right up until his sudden passing, aged 77. Tony was a member of OE committee and a regular attendee at OE dinners, including over 20 in Exeter, and also events in London and Cambridge. He was a quiet, unassuming man with a delightful sense of humour who is much missed.
William Trump 1934-2016 William entered School House in 1942 and left in 1951. He was a School prefect and played rugby, hockey for the 1st XI and was also in the shooting team. He ran a dairy farm near Exeter Airport until retiring due to ill health. He kept in touch with the School through three of his grandchildren until he passed away aged 82.
David Cockram 1930-2016 David joined the School in 1941 in Raleigh House where he played 1st XV rugby and cricket, gaining School colours in both and was Silver Bugler in 1947 in the CCF Band. He left in 1948 to follow a career in farming. He was still enjoying farming in his eighties near Wimborne and passed away following a brief spell in hospital aged 85. David was very proud of the School and looked forward to events where he enjoyed sharing memories and jokes with his friends. He only missed one OE dinner in the last 20 years. Much missed by his beloved wife Kathleen, and his four children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A charming, gentle man, who always had a cheery manner.
Patrick Tilbury 1968-2016 Patrick was a pupil in Drake House from 1979 until 1984, taking part in the French exchange and enjoying those lessons where he could demonstrate his encyclopaedic knowledge and offer ideas and theories. After leaving School he worked abroad making friends across Europe and in the USA, and then studied in Leeds. Patrick sadly passed away in January 2016 at the age of 47 after a short illness in the RD and E Bolham Ward. Many of his School friends attended his funeral service where memories of happier times together were shared, particularly of his love of Star Wars and Doctor Who. Patrick leaves behind his parents David and Barbara, brother John and sister Emma and many very good friends. He was a memorable individual and a real character who lived his sadly short life to the full.
Simon J Williams 1937-2016 Simon was a pupil in School House from 1948 – 1955 where he was a School prefect and member of the cross country team, gaining his School colours. He served with the Royal Tank Regiment, and as a German-speaking liaison officer in Germany. He was also a hard-working volunteer in North Wales helping to rebuild the Welsh Highland Railway. He enjoyed keeping in touch with School, attending OE days and dinners on a regular basis, most recently in 2015 at the 1950s reunion. He latterly lived in Sweden with his wife Elisabet. A lovely man, hugely missed.
www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 27
Alumni noticeboard History of the School Chapel
Mystery Object
Exeter School’s Chapel will be 130 years old in 2017. We are writing a booklet on its history to celebrate this milestone. We have heard many stories over the years about the Chapel, its services, the organ, the chapel bell and special events. Many of you have shared recollections with the School; we would welcome more memories for the booklet.
Our mystery object from issue 4 was a Bolometer, also known as a Thermopile Radiometer used to measure heat emissions from a distance.Several OEs remembered it being used by Head of Physics “Nobby” Clarke in the 1950s. We are grateful to Malcolm Colman (1960) and Richard Jowett (1959) for sharing their knowledge. The mystery object shown here is one of four. We would be very interested in any details about which lesson it was used in, when and by whom.
Vinyl request A big thank you to all who lent us vinyl recordings of Ivan Cole’s productions. We hope to make digital versions available soon.
The other hut - room 17 Many thanks to everyone who sent in memories. Further highlights about this eccentric building will feature soon.
Forthcoming events
A selection of alumni events is shown below. Details of 2017 events will be published in the next issue of The 1633 in November. The full list of alumni events can be found on the School website or via the Alumni Secretary, Karen Dart. Tickets are available from the School Box Office: www.exeterschool.org.uk/box-office. Friday 9 September
Drinks Reception for 2015 and 2016 Leavers, School Pavilion, 5 - 7.30pm
Saturday 17 September
Old Exonian Day and Annual OE Dinner, Exeter School
Tuesday 20 September
Exeter Professionals Careers Networking Evening, Music School Hall, 6pm
Thursday 22 September
Speech Day, Guest of Honour Sara Orchard (1998 - 2000), BBC Sports Reporter and Commentator London Exonians Wine Tasting Event
Tuesday 27 September Tuesday 4 October
A Celebration of Poetry to mark the 10th Anniversary of Exeter School's New Library. Library (tea and tours), 4.30pm and Music School Hall, 5.30pm October TBC Birmingham Reunion Buffet and Drinks Reception October or early November TBC London Professionals Careers Networking Event, Central London Thursday 24 - Saturday 26 Senior School Musical Guys and Dolls, School Hall, 7.30pm November Tuesday 6 December National Trust Christmas Concert, Exeter Cathedral, 7.30pm Tuesday 13 December Old Exonians v School Football Match, Astroturf, 4pm Thursday 15 December
Christmas Concert, School Hall, 7.30pm
THE
We would like to keep in touch with past pupils and staff. You can update your details on the School website by visiting the alumni pages and completing the on-line form under ‘Contact Us’ or via the Alumni Secretary.
Alumni Magazine of Exeter School
01392 458941 alumnisec@exeterschool.org.uk Exeter School Alumni Office Victoria Park Road Exeter EX2 4NS www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni Twitter: @ExeterSchoolUK Facebook: Exeter School Alumni LinkedIn: Exeter School Alumni (Old Exonians)