THE
PANGB URNIAN The magazine of the Old Pangbournian Society
No.52 February 2022
Prince Philip remembered We reflect on how The Duke of Edinburgh has inspired the College
King’s Gold Medal 1936 returns to Pangbourne
Peter Politzer The Falklands 40 years on
A titan who touched the lives of so many
Lionel Stephens The anchor of the Pangbourne ship 1
Contents 04
07
Welcome from the OP Society Chairman
Welcome from the Chair of Governors
20 25 26
Prince Philip remembered
Upcoming Events
08
11 12 2
Welcome from The Head
OP Club News Sailing, golf & Turf Club
Welcome to the class of 2021 OP News recent OP achievements
28
Obituary: Lionel Stephens
32
Lionel Stephens’ Archive Project
THE PANGBOURNIAN | CONTENTS
44 48
King’s Gold Medal 1936 returns to Pangbourne
50 36
The Falklands 40 years on
Staff Profile: Colin Hearn
Campus Life
36
62 68
Development Report In Memoriam
78 81 82 84
The Antarctic Club
Book Reviews OP Profile Max Macklin OP Accounts and Committee
Academic News
Credits and Contacts Editor: Tim Hamilton
38 41
Contributors: Alexandra Garnier, Robin Knight, Gerry Pike, Phillip Plato
Sports News
Co-curricular & community News
51 56 60
Obituary: Peter Politzer Leaders by Robin Knight Bursar’s Report
Cover image: Prince Philip visiting The College in May 2007 Submissions: development@ pangbourne.com Pangbourne College, Pangbourne, Reading RG8 8LA Reception: +44 (0)118 984 2101 www.pangbourne.com
3
Welcome from the OP Society online survey generated almost 800 responses which helped identify what OP’s want from the Society. Accordingly, we have now modernised the Rules of the Society, and I am optimistic that several sports and social groups will be re-established including Hockey, Cricket & Rowing as well as a B2B group and a Car & Motorcycle Club. Most importantly we have created a new OP website called
In January, we sat down with Phillip Plato (H 73-77) to reflect on the past year for the OP Society. Highlights of
the Pangbournian Portal which offers much more functionality than the former versions
the interview are available to read below, with the full
ever could.
video interview available for those reading the digital
Are you pleased with the new
version of this magazine, or on the Pangbournian Portal.
Pangbournian Portal, and can
You have recently completed your first year as Chairman, how has that year been for the OP Society? Like many it has not been easy. Many of our normal events were unable to take place with meetings only able to be conducted virtually. However, I have been surprised at what has been achieved despite these difficulties and I think this is testament to the spirit of Pangbournians. The pandemic gave the Society the opportunity to undertake some important housekeeping and reflect on its aims and purpose. Our 4
you highlight what it can do that is an improvement on the old website? First I should say that it is still very much a ‘work in progress’ and we have a number of important things still to refine but yes, I am pleased and most grateful to the College for funding this facility.
THE PANGBOURNIAN | WELCOME FROM THE OP SOCIETY CHAIRMAN
Chairman Obviously its key purpose is to
7,000 OPs on our database, so I
its acquisition. The medal will be
convey news about OPs and to
urge every OP to register and tell
formally presented to the College
keep them in touch with each
their peers to do so too!
at Parade on Sunday 27 February.
other but we can now invite OPs
What other things have been
In October, the Society organised
going on?
an event in Portsmouth
to reserve event tickets online. This is important as previously event organisers had to process payments privately and account for any surplus afterwards. Likewise, we can now sell merchandise online which we could never do before, and we are therefore expanding the range of OP merchandise which now includes things like lapel pins, badges and wall plaques.
In the autumn, the OP Society successfully acquired at public auction the unique 1936 Kings Gold Medal. It is the only one bearing the head of King Edward VIII, and as he presented the inaugural Medal on behalf of King George V, it reflects a long association between the College and the Royal Family. The Society is grateful to 30 donors,
But for me the most important
many of whom were former
thing is that we can offer all
Chiefs, who crowdfunded,
Sports and Social groups their
pledging up to £28,000 to enable
own space on the website where they can administer their own
to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands War in which 51 OPs were known to have been involved. The weekend included a tour of the Mary Rose Museum (itself designed by an OP) and dinner in HMS Nelson, but for me the highlight was a presentation from 8 OPs who recited their personal stories of the conflict. These were enthralling, and the Society has created a video which is now available to watch via the new OP website.
Lunch at the Turf Club, London
content and interact with their “members” as well as network with other OPs. I mentioned it is work in progress and I would like to take this opportunity to invite OPs to visit the new site. We currently only have contact details for 2,500 of 5
I believe an OP has published
skills for youngsters, creating
an important new book too?
independence and strategic
Yes, Robin Knight has published “Leaders” which tells the stories of bravery and courage demonstrated by OPs between 1917 and 2020. Astonishingly this includes 2 George Crosses, 2 George Medals, 31 Distinguished Service Orders, 91 Distinguished Service Crosses, 17 Military Crosses and 18 Distinguished Flying Crosses. Having read
thinking, and it obviously also points to the nautical traditions of the College. In this respect the Society is proud that for the next three years, Pangbourne is involved in the management of the prestigious Arrow Trophy, an annual sailing competition between alumni of various Independent Schools, raced on the Solent.
Leaders I have never been
Aside from sport, I also want
prouder to be a Pangbournian.
to develop Regional clubs and
It seems as though the OP
activities around the UK so that
Introducing the OP Society to Sixth Form Students
the Society has appeal to those
You mentioned that keeping
not residing in London
OPs in touch and preserving
Chairman, what do you hope
and the SE.
the traditions of the College
to achieve looking forwards?
I also hope the Society can
were two of the key objectives
Society has had a busy year despite the pandemic. As
One of the key objectives of the Society is to help maintain the traditions of the College and in that regard, I am keen to promote sailing within the College again. Sailing develops transferable
promote the heritage of the College by helping preserve and
any others?
digitise the College archives that
Yes, the other key objective
Lionel Stephens had collated. We aim to catalogue all the College artefacts and memorabilia and to organise their display around campus as well as online. Related to this, we have established a Lionel Stephens Fund to fund the digitisation of College archives and for the creation of a new venue where valuable artefacts can be displayed. Also, in respect of the College’s heritage, we will soon be launching an initiative to capture oral histories of OPs, in the form of a series of one to one or group interviews with OPs from the same era sharing their
Messing about on boats with the OPYC
6
of the OP Society, are there
recollections.
is to support the College wherever it can. In this respect, I hope to establish more regular dialogue with the College and Governors to discuss how the OP Society might better assist by collaborating on fundraising initiatives. I believe that OPs can and should give more to the College. We already assist pupils by providing careers advice and I hope to extend this to offer opportunities for work experience. The Pangbournian Portal now has areas for OPs in further education to create groups so that they can remain in touch whilst at university.
THE PANGBOURNIAN | WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Welcome from the Chair of Governors Royal Highness The Duke of
returned to ‘normal’. There are
Edinburgh. This was a very
two further matters that may be
special day and Roger ensured
of interest to the OP community.
that the College put its best foot
I am pleased to report that we
forward. We owe a huge debt of
welcomed a large intake to the
for the Pangbournian
gratitude to Roger. Pangbourne
College in September. This
Magazine with a tribute
is very much in his heart and in
is set against a background of
his words ’Pangbourne made me’;
increasing competition from
thank you Roger, you have made
other independent schools. This
Pangbourne what it is today.
bodes well for the future and it
Patrick Roberts
I open my first report
to my predecessor Roger Lane-Nott. Roger was a governor for ten years and Chairman for seven.
The last year has been one of contrasts. The College has
is this future that is at the front of the minds of the Governing Body. We have also welcomed
His achievements during these
continued to provide a full and
years were varied, including
broad education within the
continued growth; the College
COVID restrictions. This has
in 2021 was at its largest in its
been far from simple for staff
history, in terms of pupils; and
and management as, at times,
he led a programme, which
significant numbers of pupils
continues, to renovate campus
and staff tested positive and were
facilities. His last year was
required to self-isolate. Everyone
dominated by the pandemic and
had to adapt to changes quickly,
his guidance was fundamental
pragmatically and always with
to the College continuing
the aim of providing pupils with
to provide our pupils with
the best possible education. On
meaningful education at home.
behalf of the Governing Body,
The highlight of his tenure as
I thank all staff for their huge
I look forward to seeing you
Chairman were the Centenary
efforts during a very challenging
at the College, OP events and
celebrations in 2017 and
year. At the February half-term,
thank you for your support.
specifically the visit by Her
there are only a handful of cases
Pangbourne continues to be a
Majesty The Queen and His
and College life has all but
very special place.
a number of new members to the Governing Body during the year. We are engaged closely with senior management in the production of a new development plan. This plan will take the College forward in the post COVID world. It is an exciting time and we shall engage with OPs in more detail once we have a clearer understanding of future plans.
7
Welcome from With pupil numbers and exam
work out and there are things we
results remaining strong,
are having to adjust to as we get
it feels like the College has
back to normal.
performed well throughout the pandemic?
Globally, 2021 was another challenging year, how was it for Pangbourne? Like others, it was challenging, but at the same time, a positive year. The most difficult thing were the bubbles, which cut across the atmosphere of the school meaning senior pupils couldn’t engage with younger ones, losing the invaluable mentoring which is essential for all pupils. It was only in September that we were able to return to a more ‘normal’ way of operating and this academic year has felt completely different. Other challenges involved those periods of lockdown, but staff responded extremely well and students showed commendable degrees of resilience throughout. We don’t think learning suffered however competitive sport and activities like music were significantly affected. 8
We’re in the process of producing a new development plan, to be
If you can have such a thing,
launched in the Autumn. I’m
we’ve had a very good pandemic.
excited about the process so far
Our reputation has been
and I am enjoying talking to
strengthened considerably, in
stakeholders including OPs.
large part due to the effective way in which the teaching and learning was maintained through the lockdowns. Feedback from parents has been incredibly good and I’m really proud of the team and everything they’ve done during the last twelve months.
The local market is changing substantially with most singlesex schools becoming coeducational over the next few years, so our distinctiveness is something we need to preserve and communicate clearly. It’s an exciting time and we have been
In terms of performance, the
growing steadily over the last ten
results themselves were very
years, now at 457 pupils, which is
good. The Cambridge Centre
as big as we’ve ever been, and I’m
for Evaluation & Monitoring
confident that we can continue
have identified that we are in the
to grow.
top 2% of schools. In terms of
The College’s commitment to
university destinations, 89% of pupils achieved their firm choice, including Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh and Newcastle. Looking ahead, what challenges face the College?
support and work with the OP Society remains strong, can you comment on developments in this area over the past year? I’m always very grateful for the support and interest of
Well, on the whole, I’m excited
OPs. This year, as before, OPs
about the future. We’re uncertain
have given generously of their
about how the economy will
time, volunteering to support
THE PANGBOURNIAN | WELCOME FROM THE HEAD
The Head the careers program. Also, in
forward. It’s very powerful in
education and leadership that
material ways, including the
terms of communications, but
we’ve always had at the College
refurbishment of the Main Mast
also in building communities
and which will be a central part
last term and towards new rugby
of interest groups, event
of what our plan and ethos
facilities on Big Side.
management, selling merchandise
going forward.
and much more. What we need
As part of the College’s
Phillip Plato, as Chairman of the Society, has been fantastic. I’m grateful for his energy and also the review that he’s been
now is for OPs to sign up to it so that we can keep in touch more easily.
celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, you will be hosting a special parade in
conducting about the aims of the
You attended the OP Society’s
April. Will you be welcoming
OP Society and the procedures
Falklands Memorial Weekend
OPs to join?
which they follow.
in October, how was that
In order to help us do that, we
experience?
Yes, we have decided to theme the College Sunday on 24th April
have launched the Pangbournian
It was a tremendous event. My
as a Platinum Jubilee event, and
Portal, which will enable the
thanks go to Robin Paine, with
we’re hoping that the community
College to support the Society
the help of Tony Morrow,
will come together to help
much more effectively going
for making it happen. I found
celebrate that.
the event very powerful; both Alex and I really enjoyed the weekend, in particular the Friday session, where eight OPs told their personal stories; it was both visceral and gave an entirely richer perspective of their conflict.
As we did for the Centenary, OPs are invited to march past. It made a powerful impact on the current generation of students, so I’m hoping that OPs who would like to, will come to the College and have a small, but significant part in the parade. The Guest
I wasn’t the only one, who at the
of Honour, is a former Chief
end of the weekend, was struck
of College, Lieutenant Colonel
afresh by the contributions OPs
James Greaves, commanding
made to that campaign. I went
officer of the 1st Battalion
away with a greater conviction
Grenadier Guards, so there will
than ever of the importance
be a Pangbournian flavour to it,
of the emphasis on character
as well as a Platinum theme. 9
Platinum Sunday
Platinum College Sunday 24 April 2022 As part of the College’s celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Old Pangbournians are invited to join the Parade and March Past. Those wishing to be part of the Parade are asked to form up by Port Jackson at 10:00 for practice, before the parade at 11:00 For more information please contact the Development Office 10
THE PANGBOURNIAN | CLASS OF 2021
Welcome to the class of 2021
Upper sixth form leavers: Jake Alexander, Hamish Bamforth, Will Barringer, Alex Bartlett, Dillon Benson, Matilda Beresford, Barnaby Bucknall, Lucia Buric, Jack Burton, Eleanor Burton, Tallulah Rose Butler-Broad, Daniel Carpenter, Edward Carter Keall, Wesley Castelain, Harvey Day, Aleksandar Dekic, Alannah Dunstan, Madison Foxcroft, Claudia Graney, Emily Greenwood, Rosalind Harper, Joseph Hayes, Spencer Hayhow, Roger Hobby, Oliver Howard, Luca Kennedy, Isabella Kent, Maisie King, Georgia Kingston Paterson, Natasha Lethbridge-Freeman, Laurence Livesey, Junwen Lu, Henry March, Charles McLaren, Daniel McMeekin, Andrew Mullins, India Nall, Daisy Naylor, Rory Norgate, Alexander Ormerod, Georgia Paine, Lillie Pitchforth, Oliver Poole, Alexander Price, Laila Ramsden, Josh Relf, Oliver Sawbridge, Calum Scott, Samuel Shepherd, Grace Spalton, Matthew Stanley, Joe Stickland, Jocasta Symons, Elise Szala, Ying Tao, Lara Thomas, Nicholas Vousden, Oliver Walker, Zihao Wang, Emma Woodrow, Nell Woollen, Poppy Wright, William Yang Honorary OPs: Carolyn Edwards, Richard Follett, Dawn Grehan, Samantha Greenwood, Anne Huddart, Neil Jeffers, Rafal Marcinkiewicz, Susan Newport, Dr Matilda Oppenheimer, Ian Osbon, Dan Paynter, Nikki Roberts, Mark Skidmore, Neil Walne, Patricia West Departing Staff: Amanda Bowden, Dan Colquhoun, Alex Corps, Matthew Eagers, Carolyn Edwards, Colin Hearn, Stewart McKane, Rosie Jewell, Sue Newport, Mike Salmon, Trish West, Rafal Zawistowski 11
OP News News about and from OPs in 2021. Some items have been edited and shortened, with the full news items available to read on the OP website. Please send news items for the Summer Edition of the Pangbournian Magazine to development@pangbourne.com
1950s
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services. He is, and has been
M.R.S. ‘Bill’ Bailey (Q 58-62)
for many years, a Senior Watch
In September, Bill, 76, squeezed
Officer with the National Coast
back into lycra one more time to
Watch Institution (NCWI) at
help out with “a very worthwhile
Portland Bill.
project” for a charity called PTSD Resolution. It provides assistance to serving and retired members of the UK armed forces who are suffering trauma or mental health issues as a result of experiences in war and crisis situations. With a friend, Jonathan Thomson, Bill rode from east to west across the French Pyrenees on a four-day journey. After a two-day rest, the pair undertook the return route from ArgelèsSur-Mer, ending about eight days later at Hendaye on the Atlantic coast.
Richard Waldon ‘Apples and Apron’
Richard Waldron (H 52-56) Richard a graphic design consultant, specialist in corporate branding and marketing graphics with 40 years’ experience has taken up his brush in “retirement” and reverted to the influence of his early training at the Croydon Art School in the 1960s. Richard paints mainly figurative
The NCWI records the names of all passing shipping traffic. His Buoyage System for Incompatible Water Sports has had a huge impact since being approved by the International Maritime Organisation in 1992. After years of accidents involving jet skis, sailboards and water-skiers in Weymouth Bay, there has not been a single fatal incident in the past 20 years.
landscape and figure work, plus some still life. Richard’s work has been exhibited at the Guildhall Gallery, with the Honourable Company of Painter Stainers Fine Art Society, the Dorking Group of Artists and B Gallery. In 2020 he won the SAA Still Life Professional Artist of the Year award for one of his watercolours, Apples and Apron. Peter Tambling (S 50-53) Peter has been awarded HM The
Bailey MRS ‘Bill’ (58-62)
12
Peter Tambling (50-53)
THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP NEWS
1960s
Isle (sub-titled The Extravagant Life of Colin Tennant) about
Robin Knight (H 56-61)
the owner of Mustique, Lord
In August, Robin published
Glenconner, was published in
Leaders: Profiles in Courage and
2012 to wide acclaim.
Bravery in War and Peace 1917-
1970s
2020. Documenting singular actions by OPs during a turbulent century since the College was founded, it highlights a number of outstanding Second World
Tom Woolley (60-65)
the combined fleet will total 21 vessels once a couple of oldies
Sir David Harding (72-78) Sir David received a Knighthood in the 2022 New Year Honours
War and post-1945 military
are sold.
List in recognition of services
and civilian heroes as well as
“I am staying on as Managing
and Chairman of Winton
recounting noteworthy exploits in the world of international sport. An article later in the magazine provides more detail.
Director until December 2021 my 75th birthday, and after that will work part time.” Nicholas Courtney (58-62) In February, Nicholas featured in a Channel 5 programme “Princess Margaret: Queen
to philanthropy. The founder Group attended Pangbourne from 1972 to 1978 before studying at Cambridge. In 2019, David donated £100 million to Cambridge University, the largest donation by a British citizen to any university.
of Mustique.” Courtney was General Manager on Mustique in the Caribbean between 1970-77 when Prince Margaret owned a property on the island. The author of a number of books, Courtney’s biography Lord of the David Harding (72-78)
Phillip Plato (H 73-77)
Robin Knight (H 56-61)
In June, Phillip met with
Tom Woolley (60-65)
members of the Lower Sixth to
Tom sold Targe Towing in
talk about networking, and the
January this year to Forth Ports
value of the Old Pangbournian
Limited. Its tug and marine craft
network. Initially, three pupils
fleet are being integrated with
were invited to role play a
Targe Towing’s under Targe’s
networking event, and talked
management, meaning that Nicholas Courtney (58-62)
about the skills needed to make 13
The Naval Club, established in 1919, moved into the 17,000 sq ft property in 1946 when the house was acquired by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR).
Phillip Plato (H 73-77)
a positive and lasting impression. Phillip Plato then talked about the global network that current students would soon be joining, and the excellent opportunities that existed for those that participate. Peter Wetherell (66-70)
1980s Giles Fuchs (78-83) Owner of the iconic art deco Burgh Island hotel off the coast of South Devon, Giles got
Peter Wetherell expects its new
some welcome publicity in the
owner to be a billionaire “with
ITV show “Agatha & Poirot –
an art collection and a portfolio
Partners in Crime” shown on
of beautiful homes around
national television in early April.
the world.” Once the house is renovated, Wetherell believes it could have 16 bedrooms and two floors of reception rooms and be worth up to £100 million. The OP Society understands it has been sold.
The Naval Club at 38 Hill Street, Mayfair in the centre of London
Giles Fuchs (78-83)
close to Berkeley Square, was
Several of Christie’s books were
put up for sale for £35 million in
set in the hotel and its grounds by
April. For many years the Club
the sea and written in its beach
has been the location of OP
house when she visited Burgh
Society AGM and Committee
Island on holiday, And Then
meetings. One of the joint selling
There Were None (published
agents is OP Peter Wetherell
in 1939; to date it has sold more
who runs the Mayfair estate agency Wetherell.
John Fisher (I 68-73)
than 100 million copies) and Evil
John Fisher (I 68-73)
Under The Sun, (published in
John recently appeared in Channel 4s property series
these books.
Britain’s Most Expensive Houses,
The luxuriantly moustachioed
documenting life at Sotheby’s International Realty, where he is Head of Country House & Estate Sales. John is described as “an English gent who wears red Peter Wetherell (66-70)
14
1941) are the two best-known of
suede shoes and beige trousers.”
Giles, has restored much of the luxurious hotel to its former 1920s glory purchased it in 2018.
THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP NEWS
Daring. Hugh returned to the College as guest of honour to take parade in January 2020. HMS Richmond left Plymouth to join the UK Carrier Strike Group in Portsmouth. The CSG includes the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, Type 45 destroyers HMS Diamond and HMS Defender, Type 23 frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond and an Astuteclass submarine.
Major General Tom Copinger-Symes CBE (82-87)
Major General Tom CopingerSymes CBE (82-87) Senior serving OP in the Armed Services, Major General Tom Copinger-Symes played a leading role in a high-level Remote Leadership Course put on by The Centre for Army Leadership in March. Copinger-Symes is the Army’s Director of Military
1990s Commander Hugh Botterill RN (I 89-95) In May, former Chairman of the OP Society Merrick Rayner
James Austen (PJ 92-97) James, a recruitment specialist, was a keynote speaker at the Careers Day in March, this year held virtually. James introduced
(Q 68-73) reported of the recent departure of F239 HMS Richmond under the command of Commander Hugh Botterill.
Digitisation. The former Chief
Hugh was awarded an MBE in
Cadet Captain of the College
2018 in recognition of service
and Queen’s Gold Medallist
on HMS Diamond and HMS
was Guest of Honour at the Remembrance Sunday parade in November. James Austen (PJ 92-97)
In 2020, as Assistant Colonel
students to Shortlister, a video
Commandant, Copinger-Symes
interviewing tool. Andrew
was present at Windsor Castle
Sumner (PJ 79-86), Head of
to offer he salute to The Rifles
Careers and Enterprise, said:
Regiment’s outgoing Colonel-
“Each pupil had an opportunity
in-Chief, the Prince Phillip,
to record and re-record two
Duke of Edinburgh. Hugh Botterill (89-95)
interviews in an industry sector 15
in which they are interested in
my Colombian wife, Juliana, in
working. Going forward, there
Belize. She is a marine biologist
will be other opportunities for
like me, and together we founded
students to practise and hone
an NGO Talking Oceans www.
their presentation skills with this
talking-oceans.org We have
online interviewing software.”
two sons, aged 6 and 2. I was
Alex Tilley (I 92-98) Alex has volunteered as OP Representative for Malaysia and Singapore. He has worked in marine conservation in Fiji and
with the Smithsonian Institution for a couple of years doing fisheries research in Colombia and Myanmar, then we moved to East Timor to work with my current organisation, WorldFish
Mark Hamilton (I 88-93)
a research-for-development
open and free from pirates. More
organisation which has a focus
than 90% of trade uses these
on alleviating poverty and
routes and Mark was part of the
improving wellbeing in low-
Royal Navy team responsible for
income countries through small-
helping free hostages on a Somali
scale fisheries and aquaculture.”
pirate vessel in 2011.
& Ecology) in Canterbury to
Mark Hamilton (I 88-93)
Mark encouraged the Sixth
study conservation biology, and
In February Mark gave an
Form to make excellence a habit,
then spent the next two years in
inspirational talk to Sixth
to follow their dreams and to
Mozambique running a lodge
Formers. Now Commander
remember that ‘it does not matter
and researching whale sharks.
Marine Engineer of HMS Queen
how you got to where you are,
Elizabeth, he described his
you are where you are and the
23-year career in the Royal Navy
true measure is how
as what he had always wanted
you respond’.
working at Jeppe High School for boys in South Africa. He spent two years working as a tour leader in the Middle East, India, Nepal, Russia and the Baltic States, returning to DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation
“I moved to the Caribbean to run a marine research lab on a coral atoll in Belize. I also met
to do and shared valuable anecdotal advice. At school, he was a member of the record-breaking Pangbourne College Princess Elizabeth Cup winning crew of 1992, a crew with whom he is still in touch today.
Alex Tilley (I 92-98)
16
2000s Tom Read Wilson (H 98-03) Tom, who has carved a career out of celebrity television, appeared on the BBC-1 programme Celebrity Best Home Cook in February where he was described as “posh reality-TV graduate
One of the key roles of the Royal
Tom Read Wilson, cartoonishly
Navy, he explained, is to keep
handsome, plummy-voiced and
the shipping routes of the world
with a huge smile…”
THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP NEWS
Celebrity Best Home Cook
the national lockdown. Speaking
followed Tom’s starring role
from his home in Germany, where
in E4’s Celebs Go Dating.
he is a professional
where he acts as host to the
hockey player, Tommy was
various celebrities making them
interviewed by Director of Sport
feel comfortable and offering
Sam Hewick (PJ 06-08) about his
reassuring words as they prepare
sporting career.
for their dates.
Jess Payne (S 97-02) As part of International Women’s Pierre Coombes (H 98-02)
company with offices in the UK, Ireland, and the Ukraine. He has also set up a franchise in Australia with a school friend, James Fox (S 99-04). He is now a passionate self-educator and recognises that those who are Tom Read Wilson (H 98-03)
Pierre Coombes (H 98-02) In January, Pierre spoke to Sixth Formers as part of their General Studies series. Pierre is Founder and Managing Director of Big Wolf Marketing. Pierre gave pupils an insight into the world
successful in business are very good at acquiring knowledge about everything they want to create and sell. Tommy Alexander (Q 03-08) Tommy kicked off Pangbourne’s “Win January” online sports seminar series for pupils during
up Jess. After leaving Pangbourne, she studied Medicine at Imperial College London, where she continued to enjoy playing hockey. Now she is a Senior Registrar in intensive care and emergency medicine at The Royal London Hospital and training in pre-hospital medicine alongside these specialisms. From September 2020, together with her role at The Royal London, she has been a helicopter medic with the London’s Air Ambulance in an advanced critical care team which flies to patients who are critically unwell.
of marketing and recommended
Before then, she worked in
pupils choose happiness above
intensive care at Queen’s Hospital,
anything else.
Romford, during the first waves of
As he was unsure about what
the pandemic.
he wanted to study at A Level
2010s
and university, he left school early and fell into the music
Ed Winter (S 09-16)
industry, writing songs and
Passed out at Brittania Royal Naval
touring. In 2014 he set up his
College, Dartmouth as a Warfare
own marketing agency which grew to become an international
Day in March, the College caught
Tommy Alexander (Q 03-08)
Midshipman in April 2021. 17
Emily Howard (St G 05-12)
of the Centre for Metamaterial
Emily successfully graduated
Research and Innovation, now
from Britannia Royal Naval
recognised as one of the leading
College Dartmouth as
centres of excellence in the field
Midshipman in April 2021.
in the UK
In writing to the Headmaster,
“One of the highlights was
her father Eric paid tribute to
being a speaker for Soapbox
the College:
Science, a female-led, worldwide
“…the main point of our contact is to blow the Pangbourne Trumpet - Emily graduated last Thursday from BRNC. Her timing proved to be most challenging...with all the restrictions that the virus has imposed. A testament to her grit & determination, borne no doubt from her time at The College.”
initiative developed to amplify Rory Harris (H 11-16)
the voices of women in science.
medal winning crew in the Men’s
When I finish my PhD, I am
Quad in Tokyo. Jess Brown (I 07-12) As part of International Women’s Day in March, the College caught up with Jess. Since leaving school, Jess studied for a Master’s Degree in Physics and Astronomy at the University of
hoping to find a role in scientific communication or public engagement in some capacity.”
2020s Calum Scott (PJ 16-21) Since leaving the College in July, Calum has secured a 2-year
Exeter, where she returned for a 6-month graduate business partner internship, During her internship, Jess was offered a PhD position in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Metamaterials, part
Emily Howard (St G 05-12)
Rory Harris (H 11-16)
Calum Scott (PJ 16-21)
Rory won the Queen Mother
professional contract with
Challenge Cup (Men’s Quad
London Irish Senior Rugby
Sculls) at Henley Royal Regatta
Academy. Calum has been in
in August. Rory, in the bow seat,
the London Irish Academy since
joined Jack Beaumont, Harry
the age of 13. Calum was also
Leask and Tom Barras, three of Great Britain’s Olympic silver 18
selected for the England U18 Jess Brown (I 07-12)
training squad.
THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP NEWS
The Old Pangbournian Society is delighted to invite you to
FOUNDERS DAY on
Saturday 2 July 2022 Meet up with friends, share memories and be reunited with school contemporaries you have lost touch with.
All Old Pangbournians and former parents and staff are extremely welcome Book your place at community.pangbourne.com/events Tim Hamilton - Head of Development e: development@pangbourne.com t: 0118 976 6697 Pangbourne College, Pangbourne, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 8LA
19
Prince Philip remembered
It was with great sadness that we received the news of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, just after midday on Friday 9 April. In tribute, the College’s ensign was flown at half-mast until 18 April. The following day, the Headmaster wrote to The Queen on behalf of the whole Pangbourne College community to express our deepest condolences to her and the Royal Family on their loss.
20
‘In his life, Prince Philip was an
We are deeply conscious of
‘a man of strong character and
visited four times by the
to serving others, whether through
the school’s history and his
significantly, through his love for,
holistic approach to a broad
his wife and our Queen. In this,
it a unique ceremonial tradition.
Kingdom and the Commonwealth
Queen’s coronation, he came
years to come.’
Macquarie, the first of two new
inspiration,’ said the Headmaster,
the privilege of having been
action whose energies were directed
Duke at significant points in
his many areas of interest or, most
tremendous support for our
commitment to and support of
education which includes within
his contribution to the United
may only be fully appreciated in
In July 1953, shortly after The for Founders’ Day and opened
ABOVE: Prince Philip visit May 2017 during centenary year celebrations. MAIN PHOTO: His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, visit in 2007 during the 25th anniversary celebrations for the end of the Falklands War.
21
THE PANGBOURNIAN | PRINCE PHILIP
Queen and The Duke on their walkabout after the service. Most recently, in May 2017, he and The Queen visited the school as part of our centenary year celebrations. On this occasion there was a special Thanksgiving Service, walkabout, lunch in the Old Library, and then a short parade and presentation of The Queen’s Gold Medals, all of which he seemed to enjoy greatly. This visit was made more special because it was one of his final Royal engagements before he retired from public life in August of that year. The Headmaster said, ‘We will
remember him with gratitude as a
man who was deeply motivated to
help young people flourish. He was Prince Philip visit May 2017 during centenary year celebrations.
boys’ boarding houses at that time demonstrating the school’s growing popularity. In 1967, accompanying The Queen, he visited the school as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations. The day included a full tour of the school and an opportunity to watch the sailing of his boat, Te Kotuku, on loan to the College down at the Boat Club on the Pangbourne stretch of the River Thames.
22
In 2007, more than 10 years after the school had become co-educational, he accompanied The Queen for the Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War. This was a national event which allowed pupils to witness the significance of the school’s chapel in the nation’s life, as well as meet The
a role model for our pupils in that
he embodied our ethos which aims
to fulfil their potential by equipping them with confidence, values and
skills for the future, so that they can influence the world for good.
‘The school has always embraced adventurous training during its history. Since 2003, through
the adoption of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme,
his essential contribution to the
development of every Pangbournian has been felt and will continue to do so in the future.’
23
10 20 30 40
M I L E S TO N E R E U N I O N S 18 JUNE 2022
Pangbourne College invites all Old Pangbournians from the classes of 2011 & 12, 2001 & 02, 1991 & 92, and 1981 & 82 back to Pangbourne for a bumper celebration of their 10, 20, 30, and 40 Year Milestone Reunions. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to reconnect with friends and relive the glory days in the place that started it all!
More information and tickets are at community.pangbourne.com/events
Young Alum Night 5 May 2022
celebrating the 5 year reunion of the classes of 2016 & 2017 All OPs 35 & under are invited to this new annual Thursday night meet-up in London. Sip drinks, nibble on bar bites, and catch up with friends just as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, we’ll see you there.
More information and tickets are at community.pangbourne.com/events 24
THE PANGBOURNIAN | EVENTS
Upcoming Events Fri 18 March
Sun 24 April
Thu 5 May
Careers Day
Platinum Parade
Young Alum Night
Sat 4 June
Sat 18 June
Mon 27 June
Classic Car Show
10/20/30/40 Milestone Reunions
New OP Welcome BBQ
Thu 30 & Fri 1 July
Sat 2 July
Sat 29 October
OP Tent @ Henley Royal Regatta
Founders’ Day
Old Pangbournian Society Dinner
You can register for upcoming events, check important information, and see what’s new at community.pangbourne.com/events 25
OP Club News OP Yacht Club
annual weekend regatta, crewed by former pupils. This year, the 26 entries were split into two separate fleets. Pangbourne were racing in Division 2 with a brilliant crew who did a fantastic job in appalling conditions. Foul conditions with up to Force 9 gusts meant that the number of races was reduced. However, this didn’t dampen spirits for the Pangbourne crew. We placed 6th in the first race. Saturday’s OPs enjoying the Arrow Trophy Regatta
OPYC entry to Belvidere Cup James Minter (83-88) skippered another entry in this inter-school alumni regatta, racing J80’s on
second race was to see Team since the last social gathering on
Pangbourne over the finish line
the water. 5 boats and 15 intrepid
in 2nd position. Sunday’s racing
sailors met in Cowes for the
format was a ‘round the cans’,
Commodore’s Rally.
covering c.10 miles around the
Queen Mary Reservoir in April.
Fantastic weather made the
A day out on the water is always
weekend even more enjoyable
a great day! Crew: James Minter,
despite the lack of wind. A
Morrow
was the highlight. Thanks go to
Ed Nation, Rohan Batra, James
formal dinner hosted by RORC
Round the Island Race
all for attending and to Jeremy
This year saw 4 OP crewed boats racing round the Isle of Wight. Troubadour- Andy Roy 346th Go-Go – Paul Butterworth 360th Bright Future – Alan Kelvey 432
nd
Owen for organising. So nice to have OP Society Chairman Philip Plato joining us and get an idea of what we get up to while mucking about in boats! Arrow Trophy
Jenn-oh – Peter Kewish 505th
The Arrow Trophy Yacht
Commodore’s Rally
Racing Association sponsors a
In August, after nearly 2 years 26
sailing competition between Independent Schools, raced as an
Solent. Leaving the start line in 4th, the Pangbourne helm (James Minter) took the second mark on a starboard tack, knocking the 3 boats ahead of us to tack away from the mark. We pulled away some 5 boat lengths towards the final mark, even making considerable ground towards the fleet ahead. With 1/4 mile between us the boat behind, we romped over the finish line with a win! Crew: Peter Kewish, James Minter, Rob Mitchell, Ian Kirton, Larry Plant, Rohan Batra, Ed Nation, Ed Nash
THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP CLUB NEWS
OP Golf Club Summer Meeting
On 30 June 2021, after a long hiatus, over 30 golfers descended the OPGC held their Summer Meeting at Frilford Golf Club. Centenary Cup Matchplay Tournament In September in fine, but blustery conditions, with the Red course at The Berkshire in pristine condition, Charlie Parry took on Jasper Fulford-Dobson who, in an excellent first year in the tournament, took an early lead. Honours were even at half way. However, settled golf including an impressive birdie at the difficult 12th hole, Charlie ran out a 4 & 3 winner.
Jasper Fulford-Dobson with Charlie Parry
Over 60s Turf Club Luncheon On Tuesday 23 November, around 50 gathered at the Turf Club, Carlton Terrace in London for an Over 60s Luncheon. Generously hosted by Mark Dumas (Q 64-68), those gathered enjoyed a delicious lunch and some fine wines. After a brief introduction from our host, the Head Thomas Garnier gave an update on the College and introduced some early thinking on the School’s Development Plan, which the Head and Governors are currently working on. Those gathered were very grateful that no references to Peppa
the launch of Leaders: Profiles in
thanks to our host and sharing a
Courage and Bravery by Robin
number of exciting updates from
Knight (H 56-61), there was
the Society, including news of
much conversation about the
the purchase of the Edward VIII
extraordinary contribution that
Gold Medal earlier in the year.
Old Pangbournians have made
The author of this piece sadly had
Pig World were included in his
over the generations.
short address.
Phillip Plato (H 73-77),
Head, but I am reliably informed
Lunch was a convivial affair,
Chairman of the Old
that drinks continued at the
Pangbournian Society, closed
Army & Navy Club long into
the luncheon by giving warm
the evening.
and having recently attended the OP Falklands Reunion and
to return to the College with the
27
Anchor of the Pangbourne ship By Robin Knight
When Lionel Stephens arrived in 1954 at the Nautical College Pangbourne (NCP) in Berkshire to teach history, the school’s single purpose was to train boys for the Royal or Merchant Navy. The regime was tough: a mile run before breakfast to be followed by a cold shower, and parades twice a day. The college was run by the captain superintendent, a naval officer, and a system of hierarchy prevailed among the boys and the year groups. 28
THE PANGBOURNIAN | LIONEL STEPHENS OBITUARY
Lionel, who became known
and the NCP morphed into
headmaster served to further
as “Steve” or “Basil” to staff,
the more liberal Pangbourne
galvanise Lionel. A practising
pupils and generations of OPs,
College. Out went the nautical
Christian, he began to deliver
had been teaching history at
emphasis on the education
eloquent and thoughtful sermons
the school for a dozen or more
offered and in came a friendlier,
in chapel. Ever the historian,
years when, in the late 1960s,
more consensual outlook. The
he started a lone decades-long
the shipping companies that had
momentum had started and
struggle to preserve and collate
funded Pangbourne started going
for Lionel, who embraced
the school archives that were
out of business. It looked as if
reform — often in a minority of
stored in a 19th-century cellar
the school was heading for the
one — the ideas kept coming.
and he once saved them from a
rocks and, to avert a potential
From then on, he evolved into
flood caused by a burst pipe.
catastrophe, Lionel stepped into
the ‘conscience of the College’
the breach. He was often firm
to quote his close friend and
in his views and undeterred by
long-time colleague Morton
criticism. Nobody, however,
Hooper. They included a careers
ever mistook his forthright
room for those not wishing to
positions for anything other
go to sea, improvements to the
than total loyalty to the College
library’s shelves and a growing
and its historic values. It was
range of “hobbies” (in the early
whilst running Macquarie in
days a chess club and a printing
the second half of the 1960s
press). Lionel also lobbied for
that this was best seen at a time
the so-called minor sports such
when the Nautical College was
as squash to take place one
heading for the rocks. In 1967,
afternoon a week.
never afraid to speak his mind, he was one of three members of the academic staff who, by-
The arrival of Peter Points in 1969 as the school’s first
“The omnipresent glue
which held the OP system
together for which we should all be very, very grateful” reckoned another.”
Lionel Stephens was born in 1926 to Albert, a bank manager, and Dorothy (née Hallum). He had an elder brother, Edward, who emigrated to what was then Rhodesia after the Second World War. Lionel was largely raised in Bedford and went to Bedford School.
passing an unyielding Captain Superintendent, prepared a strong memorandum urging the Governors to de-emphasise the sea-going approach to education and presented it to the Board. Their initiative paid off. Two years later the captain superintendent resigned MAIN PHOTO: Lionel Stephens in 2000. RIGHT: Lionel with OPs in 2005.
29
Lionel with Pat, Nick (80-87), Jenny and their families in 2009.
In 1944, when he was 18, he
reasoned he could sign his own
many other contributions to the
was called up for basic training
certificate of competence to drive
well-being of the school, he was
with the Royal East Kent
and when he returned to Britain
master-in-charge of rugby and
regiment known as the Buffs.
in January 1947 he never took
cricket for lengthy periods.
He embarked for India the day
a test.
after VE Day and was in the country when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Soon after he was deployed to the North-West Frontier Province to keep peace with a Pashtun tribal leader known as the Faqir of Ipi, whose objective was to drive the British out and set up a separate state. Lionel was assigned the role
In the mid-1950s he had joined
Lionel taught sport at a prep
Blackheath rugby football club
school before going up to
in southeast London and at
Merton College, Oxford, later
Pangbourne he relished the role
that year. He graduated with a
of master in charge of rugby,
degree in modern history and
coaching a team that remained
then, largely to please his father,
unbeaten for its first two
joined the Macleans toothpaste
years. He also co-founded the
company in Brentford before
Nightowls cricket team. Beyond
deciding to change direction and
school life, he became a leading
settling on a teaching career.
rugby referee, reaching his peak with a touchline role in 1961
of regimental motor transport
At the College Steve taught
officer in charge of 75 mules as
History and was Head of the
well as motor vehicles, but hadn’t
History Department for 25 years
yet learnt to drive so taught
in addition to being Housemaster
Behind the forthright demeanour
himself in a Bren gun carrier. In
of both Port Jackson and
there was a touch of the
his role of transport officer he
Macquarie Divisions. Among his
exhibitionist about Lionel and he
30
at an England international at Twickenham.
THE PANGBOURNIAN | LIONEL STEPHENS OBITUARY
of an unusual school since its
to the school. Remembered as
foundation in 1917.
a strongly individual character
In 1963, aged 37, he married Pat Bradley, the sister-in-charge of Sick Bay and a former military nurse who had worked in a field hospital behind advancing Allied ground forces in Normandy after D-Day. They raised two
appeared in school productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas showing an acute sense of comic timing and a mischievous sense of humour. This catalogue of achievements, impressive as it is, eventually earned Steve the moniker of Pangbourne’s second ‘Mr Chips’ following in the footsteps of Harry Sykes and his 50-year involvement to 1967. But it in no way gets to the essence of the man. As a former colleague remarked on hearing of his death: “I will treasure the memory of a man whose probity, integrity, sense of duty and commitment were beyond question.” In effect, Steve in his person and his actions came to epitomise many of the values that have lain at the heart
with firm views that he did not hesitate to express, Lionel ended up epitomising what a colleague described as “the conscience of the college” or, as an old boy put it, “the anchor of the Pangbourne ship”.
children: Nicholas, a director
Following his death, tributes
of a holiday letting and cottage
from OPs and others poured
cleaning company in Whitby,
in. He was “a great and unique
North Yorkshire, and Jenny,
person who has touched many
a teacher in Winchcombe,
of us over the years” wrote one.
Gloucestershire.
“The omnipresent glue which
“He became the conscience of the College”
On retirement in 1986, Lionel and Pat settled in Goring, Oxfordshire, and he continued his commitment to Pangbourne. He researched and wrote the first history of the College, which was published in 1991, and as the honorary secretary of the OP Society edited the OP magazine, wrote countless letters to OPs, and visited them in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. He attended innumerable dinners, meetings, funerals and reunions. Pat died in 2012. It was with some reluctance that Lionel retired from the old boys association in 2009 at the age of 83. He had given 55 years
held the OP system together for which we should all be very, very grateful” reckoned another. “A very special person, always himself. An irreplaceable character” messaged a third. “I had huge respect for his directness and knowledge” posted a fourth. Lionel Stephens, like Harry Sykes before him, lived for the College at Pangbourne. His contribution will not easily be forgotten.”
A service of remembrance was held for Lionel on Tuesday
14 September at the College.
Over 150 OPs, family, friends and former colleagues joined together to remember his life
and the contribution he made to the College.
31
Lionel Stephens' archive project In July Sue Carpenter, mother of Old Pangbournian Dan Carpenter (PJ 16-21), volunteered to become the new College Archivist. Her interest in archiving began at her son’s prep school St Neot’s, where her passion for military history led her to research the schools casualties of the First World War who’s stories she compiled into a book entitled ‘Playing field to Battlefield’. It was at this point that Sue took over the care of the school’s archives, cataloguing and preserving them for future generations. On numerous research trips to the National Archives at Kew Sue was able to get advice from the experts including the Head of Private Archives and later the expert team of conservators at The Vyne, where Sue volunteers with the National Trust as a room guide. What attracted you to the role, and why did you volunteer? Since my son first came to Pangbourne I’d been fascinated by the history behind the College’s traditions and terminology. Knowing from previous experience that school archives are often under32
THE PANGBOURNIAN | ARCHIVE PROJECT
resourced due to the myriad of other demands made on schools I offered my help. The role is one I get a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction from. The opportunity to meet and talk with so many OP’s is a real bonus and the satisfaction of taking a long forgotten and neglected item, preserving and researching
King George VI with Princess Elizabeth in 1943
A long dramatic tradition
it and in the process bringing an amazing story to life is fantastic. What was the first thing you did when you started the role? My first priority was to find a temporary home for the archive which had to vacate the Harry Sykes Room as it was being repurposed to form part of the
On the terrace in wartime
official photographer, Herbert
Admiral Lord Nelson or looking
Ponting and as I began to delve
at photographs of a young
deeper into the collection a
Princess Elizabeth taken when
number of items have come
she visited the College with her
to light which link to these
father King George VI. It makes
photographs to tell the story
me all the more determined
of Commander Jackie Blair,
to preserve these items and to
Pangbourne’s own polar
research the stories surrounding
them in safe storage.
adventurer.
them for future generations.
Did any items in particular
How do you feel about what
Have you been contacted by
stand out?
you find?
anyone outside of the College
Among the hundreds of
It’s impossible not to feel a buzz
new café development in the College Shop. After moving the collection to Devitt House, covering both the Dining Room and the Old Library the next task was to sort through the items and gently clean them to remove decades of dust before placing
photographs two in particular stood out. They were images of Captain Scott’s ship the Terra Nova taken on his fateful polar expedition in 1912. The images were taken by the expedition’s
regarding the archives?
of excitement when you find
Since the digitisation project
yourself looking at the College’s
began we’ve been contacted by a
first record books from 1917,
number of family tree researchers
handling a sextant that went
looking for background
to the pole with Captain Scott,
information on relatives who
reading a letter written by
attended the College. It’s fantastic 33
THE PANGBOURNIAN | ARCHIVE PROJECT
A large collection of College photographs
Richard Shuttleworth’s 1st XV Cap 1961
to be able to add to their stories
have had a lot in common when
they were a few years ago but
and fill in some gaps and in turn
it comes to a love of history and
they come at a cost. With digital
get to know more about the lives
the importance of preserving it.
technology we have the ability
of Old Pangbournians and their achievements in later life. So what is the aim of the Lionel Stephens' Archive Project? During the time I’ve spent sifting through the papers and documents in the collection one name has been a constant companion, that of Lionel Stephens. Very sadly Lionel passed away last year at the age of ninety five and sadly we never got the opportunity to meet but from the little I’ve learned of him in the archives I think we may
The fact that the College has an archive at all is largely down to Lionel. For many years he fought valiantly to preserve the history
to make these fascinating records available to a wider audience but support is also needed to meet these costs.
he cared so much about. He
Despite this I agree
was acutely aware of the many
wholeheartedly with Lionel
demands on College finances
Stephens that the record of this
and facilities but argued that the
remarkable place should be
archive was part of the very fabric
preserved and used to inspire
of the College and needed to be
and inform future generations.
treated as such. Lionel petitioned
It would be a fitting tribute to a
for many years for a permanent
man who cared so much for the
home for the archive and this still
history of this place if we could
needs to be found. Fortunately
build on the solid foundations
archiving materials and
that he laid and create this archive
preservation standard storage are
in his memory.
now more readily available than
Help us ensure that the history of the College, and the legacy of Lionel Stephens’ work is preserved for generations to come. By giving £20 per month, for example, you will enable us to digitise records, photos and documents, and photograph objects and memorabilia left to the College. The estimated cost over the next 5 years is £40,000 to fully digitise the archives, and to create a permanent home for displaying our best items. 34
To find out more scan here
PPA
THE PANGBOURNIAN | PPA
The Pangbourne Parents’ Association
The Pangbourne Parents’ Association (PPA) is a voluntary organisation which raises funds for the College and a nominated local charity, Young People and Children First. The PPA is chaired by Jayne Wells, wife of Andy Wells (PJ 79-86) and has a committee of 10 parents. Like others, activities and events have been curtailed by the pandemic, but in spite of that, the PPA have worked tirelessly to raise funds. The ‘Hollywood Ball’ planned for October was
This year has seen the launch of
conditioning equipment for the
the PPA Shop, an online shop on
gym, new lighting for the
the Pangbournian Portal, which
drama department, outdoor
has enabled us to run fundraising
seating for Illawarra, and
initiatives in spite of not being
equipment for the Wellbeing
able to run events. Available
Room in the Health Centre.
items include a Pangbourne College 2022 Calendar, Christmas Cards and Divisional Tote Bags, in addition to limited edition signed prints of Devitt House and the Falklands Chapel.
postponed until March 2022,
All proceeds from events and
but the Committee managed to
these initiatives go towards
run their only event of the year
support the College and our
in November.
nominated charity. In 2021, the
The Christmas Bazaar run by Candida Kennedy, who remained on the Committee after her son Luca Kennedy (H 14-21) had graduated, was a roaring success. The market brought the whole community back together after a hiatus due to the pandemic and it was fantastic to see current and
PPA donated over £5,000 to support various departments. The PPA was also able to donate £2,500 to Young People
30
parents volunteered with PPA events this year
£2,500 given to local charity YPACF
and Children First (YPACF) who look after young people when they leave foster care, helping them to find work and a new home.
former parents mixing with local
The grants to the College this
people from the area. The market
year included funds towards the
itself raised almost £3,000.
purchase of new strength and
£5,000 given to the College in grants
35
Campus Life Academic news Students overcame the challenges of COVID-19 to achieve exam success Despite the upheaval faced this academic year, students achieved results which have thoroughly reflected their capabilities and academic potential. The percentage of A Level A*- A grades was 45%, evidence of the wealth of talented students in this year’s group. The overall pass rate for GCSE was 97% and 46% of the Grades were 9-7. The vast majority of A Level students will be progressing to their firm-choice universities. Amongst those celebrating is Music Scholar Grace Spalton, who achieved A*A* A and has accepted a place at the University of Cambridge to study Natural Sciences. Six students will be heading to Durham University, with others taking up places at other Russell
Happy GCSE pupils on results day
straight set of ten grade 9 GCSEs,
this Summer. We gathered
and Daniel who achieved nine
evidence from a broad range of
University of York, University
grade 9s and one grade 8.
assessments, including teacher-set
of Exeter and King’s College
Mark Seccombe, Director
Group universities including the University of Edinburgh,
London. Individual GCSE success stories this summer include Jonathan and Fleuve who both achieved a 36
of Studies says: “In common with most schools, we put a lot of time and effort into the Teacher Assessed Grades earlier
examinations. We also carried out a rigorous moderation process before submission, so we are highly confident that these grades are fair reflections of individual pupils’ achievements.”
THE PANGBOURNIAN | CAMPUS LIFE
The High Potential Achievers Programme’s Success Continues Recent focus has been on further developing an environment where intellectual gifts are fostered and academic excellence is valued. Our HPA programme has been established by Jack Sims to challenge pupils from all year groups in their chosen disciplines. With specialised supra curricular activities and support from an assigned mentor, those in the programme receive specialist care and help in fostering a love
Grace Spalton who has accepted a place at the University of Cambridge
combines scholarship preparation
our HPA pupils, with one of the
for core subjects with elements of
2021 cohort being offered a place
the International Baccalaureate.
at Cambridge and six going onto
Students are also asked to
Durham. The College has reacted
complete a large written project
in an astonishingly good way
on a chosen area, as well as extra
and I look forward to seeing how
Theory of Knowledge lessons.
the HPA Programme helps build
Mr Sims comments, “We have already seen the enormous benefits of this programme for
bright futures for the children at Pangbourne College.” Six happy U6 HPA students, all off to Durham
of learning. The work of HPA pupils now features in the newly published annual journal called The Crow’s Nest, available to read on the College website. In September 2021, Mr Sims launched the Dunbar Project Qualification (DPQ), offering prospective Academic Scholars in Year 7 a pathway to the HPA Programme. The qualification 37
Sports news Lockdown 3 and the sports department leads the way with ‘Win January’ At the turn of the year, Director of Sport Sam Hewick (PJ 06-08) encouraged pupils to re-define ‘winning’ and focus on ways they can ‘win’ every day. To help them meet this
seized upon by the most
challenge, the department
energetic members of the school
provided a series of activities and
community and distances rose
initiatives for pupils and staff to
fast on the Boat Club Strava page.
undertake during lockdown to
In just over three weeks, the
help them to ‘Win January’.
Club had completed the required
Among the activities there were daily sports skill challenges, weekly fitness challenges, and a webinar series featuring national and international sport stars, including rugby World Cup winner, Danny Grewcock. Sam Hewick said: “The webinars have proved popular with pupils and parents as many of the lessons have explored skills for life, not just those who are keen on sport. Their aims have been to add a different layer to our sporting provision and we have been very fortunate to have some excellent guests.” In addition, the Boat Club created an Olympic-themed challenge: ‘Race to Tokyo’. The challenge was quickly 38
distance of 16,348km to reach the Olympic Rowing venue in Tokyo and decided to go on to circumnavigate the globe before the end of term! Mr Follett said: “It was fabulous to see so many people taking part with such consistent enthusiasm. It has also been lovely to see so many members of the College community joining the senior rowers for their Saturday morning Google Meet training sessions for the combined social and health benefits they provide.” Sam Hewick and Danny Grewcock on webinar
THE PANGBOURNIAN | CAMPUS LIFE
Grays Hockey sponsorship opportunity for U6 student Megan Fergusson, has been offered an incredible opportunity to be a Team Sports Brand Ambassador with top-class sports equipment company Grays International. Megan’s hockey career has gone from strength to strength over the years, despite being born without her lower left arm. Learning the art of adaptability, she has never let this hold her back. As part of her newfound responsibilities within the role, school and club visits are on the agenda. Megan will spend time helping to build confidence with children that lack belief. “I’ve never let my disability hold me back in life and in hockey” explains Megan, “I’ve adapted and have come
through stronger as a result and I believe that I can achieve what those with two hands can achieve.”
Show jumper pupil selected for Podium Potential Pathway In May, it was announced that U6 student, Josie Symons was selected for the Podium Potential pathway level of the World Class programme that is part of the Olympic Development Squad. Upon beginning her time here
European Championships in
to support her throughout her
at Pangbourne College, Stacey
Slovakia, where she successfully
time here. From providing Josie
Mackie, Head of Riding, asked
secured a Gold Medal for the
with the flexibility that she
Josie what her goals were for
young GB team.
needs to train, yet ensuring that
the future. Josie’s response was bold, yet simple - she wanted to compete in the Olympics.
Recognising Josie’s immense capabilities and talent, the College has continuously strived
she does not miss out on other aspects of college life, such as her studies and time with friends.
During her time in Dunbar (Year 7 and 8), Josie won county titles and competed in elite classes very early on. At around Year 10, Josie exceeded county level competitions and progressed onto more challenging adventures. In 2017, she competed in the FEI
39
Calum Scott wins 2-year contract with London Irish In April, we were delighted to announce that Upper Sixth student, Calum Scott, had secured a 2-year professional contract with London Irish Senior Academy. Chief of Port Jackson division Calum was confirmed as captain for the London Irish U18s for the 2021/22 season. Director of Sport, Sam Hewick, commented on Calum’s achievement, “This is an incredible opportunity for Calum, who has been in the London Irish Academy since the age of 13. Initially coming through the London Irish Developing Player Programme, he has also played club rugby for both Tadley RFC and Newbury Blues. Calum’s determination has truly paid off and he has also been selected for the England U18 training squad. As strong advocates of our pupils’ success stories, it is crucial that we maintain high levels of support for our pupils, from the sport itself, right through to academics.”
40
THE PANGBOURNIAN | CAMPUS LIFE
Co-curricular & Community News Lower sixth tackle Taking Responsibility Each year Lower Sixth student embark on a Taking Responsibility Course. Its aims are to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for leading the College in their final year. This year, following 12 months
the course was an inspirational
of lockdowns and distant
and popular talk by Mark Herbet,
learning, it was great to enjoy
author of I am [not] a leader.
face-to-face activities in the extensive grounds of the College, as well as on the River Thames. The week encompassed an array of activities, from leadership tasks, to community service, to networking exercises. Kicking off
The pupils tested their leadership capabilities through indoor and outdoor challenges, including physical challenges, such as rafting on the river and command stances on Piggeries. As the week progressed, pupils spent time preparing for university applications. Fred Binley (Admissions Department, Southampton University), visited the College to offer guidance on how to write a persuasive personal statement for any university application.
Others engaged in a networking
An assortment of activities
exercise where pupils learned
rounded off the week, with some students undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold practice, whilst others took part in a community action day. Nicknamed ‘Ground Force’ day, pupils volunteered at St James the Less in Pangbourne, helping the local village church gardening team to achieve at least four days’ gardening work in a single day.
how to create a LinkedIn profile and understand the many professional benefits that the social media channel provides. Special thanks to the OPs Phillip Plato and Connor Brown, who helped deliver an insightful afternoon including professional networking advice, how to write the perfect CV and how best to prepare for an interview. 41
Double success for Johnny! Johnny Pride, a pupil in Year 7 has been awarded a Citizenship Award by the UK Education Guide. The award recognises Johnny’s fantastic efforts to raise over £10,000 for Parkinson’s UK earlier this year. Johnny organised and undertook the challenge of walking 81 miles from his home to Wembley to coincide with one of the England Euro games. He was inspired to raise money for the charity as his Grandfather had suffered with Parkinsons for 20 years before he died in the Summer of 2021. His father said: “Johnny is utterly obsessed with football, we went via the Madjeski stadium, where Johnny was presented with a signed first team shirt. We then walked onto Wembley. It was a fab journey, in which he was interviewed most days on various national radio stations. We are enormously proud of what he has achieved” In addition to the award, it was announced that Johnny has been selected to play in the Gothia Cup Tournament in Gothenburg next summer. Billed as ‘one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world’. Each year, around 1,700 teams from 80 nations take part, playing 4,500 matches on 110 pitches. Johnny at the Madjeski Stadium
42
THE PANGBOURNIAN | CAMPUS LIFE
International Women’s Day Pangbourne marked international Women’s
Jess Brown (07-12)
Day by celebrating the successes of Pangbournians past and present. To mark International Women’s Day in March, we decided to shine a light on the success stories of some of our female Pangbournians. The week started with Jess Brown (07-12), who is currently studying for a PhD at the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training
Jess Payne (97-02)
in Metamaterials, part of the Centre for Metamaterial Research and Innovation. Jess shared a written piece about her work and achievements since leaving Pangbourne. Jess Payne (97-02), a Senior Registrar at the Royal London Hospital, was interviewed by Jenny Clubbe, Housemistress of Illawarra where she spoke about her career in medicine. Charlotte Butterworth (90-92) was interviewed by our Chief Cadet Captain, Elise. Since leaving Pangbourne she has served in the
Charlotte Butterworth (90-92)
Royal Navy and is now a successful lawyer, and is also on the Board of Governors. Georgia Francis (08-13) was interviewed by Richard Follett, Deputy Head, Co-Curricular. Georgia has gone on to achieve great success in Rowing for Great Britain at recent European Championships and World Cup. Finally, we celebrated Lucia Burić, a current pupil and HMC Scholar at the time, who has enjoyed great success with her musical talents.
Georgia Francis (08-13)
Lucia Burić (19-21)
43
The Falklands 40 years on By Alexandra Garnier
Old Pangbournians start a year of events to mark the 40th Anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands Not many other schools will
way or another in the Falklands
represented not only in raw
choose the 40th anniversary of
campaign, including one
numbers, as might be true for
the liberation of the Falkland
who was living on the islands
a school in one of the garrison
Islands in June 2022 as a theme
during his gap year when the
towns or cities, but also in
for a series of events during
Argentine forces invaded. Of
terms of their influence on the
this academic year. This is not
the Pangbourne veterans there
campaign? Almost certainly not.
because what took place in 1982
were eight commanding officers
was insufficiently inspiring.
or Masters of major units: HM
The scale of the achievement
Ships Avenger and Cardiff,
should not be underestimated
HMS Splendid, SS Canberra, the
and this was made clear by the
Naval Party Atlantic Conveyor,
eight Pangbourne Falklands War
OC 3 Commando Logistics
veterans who spoke at the 40
Regiment and, back at home in
anniversary event in Portsmouth
the UK, HMS Centurion and
in October 2021, masterminded
Commander Fleet Operational
by Robin Paine (55-58), Rear
Sea Training. Strikingly, there
Admiral Jeremy Sanders (56-60),
were still more Pangbournian
Col Ivar Hellberg (56-60), and
officers in key staff roles, for
Commodore Tony Morrow
example, Senior Staff Officers
(58-62).
to Admiral Lord Fieldhouse
th
A task force assembled in a matter of weeks; the objective more than 8,000 miles from home and about 4,000 miles from the nearest point of resupply, Ascension Island, to liberate the Falkland Islands from a foreign invader. Further, winter was approaching. There were an estimated 51 OPs that participated in one 44
and Rear Admiral Woodward. The contribution of another Pangbournian, Ewen SouthbyTailyour, was described by Julian Thompson as ‘irreplaceable’ due to his significant research of the islands not long before the Argentine invasion. Is there another school, though, whose alumni were so well
The College is proud to be the site of the Falkland Islands
THE PANGBOURNIAN | FALKLANDS 40 YEARS ON
Memorial Chapel which was
Sanders expressed a similar
formally opened by Her Majesty
sentiment in his presentation
The Queen in March 2000.
at the 40th anniversary event
Sara Jones, H Jones’s widow,
in Portsmouth.
wrote to Anthony Hudson, then Headmaster of Pangbourne College, after it had been dedicated to say, ‘The most important thing for me is that the Chapel is to be used by a younger generation and so the memorial is a living thing, not just consigned to the pages of history’. Pangbourne Falklands War veteran Rear Admiral Jeremy
“Even though the gap between 1982
and today’s Pangbournians is greater than the gap between 1982 and the
end of the World War 2, our regular
use of the Chapel, with its memorial wall, and the annual Service of
Remembrance and Thanksgiving in June maintains a special connection with those who were involved, and their values.”
ABOVE: memorial cross on top of Mount Tumbledown, Falkland Islands
BELOW: Debris from the Falklands war
45
OP Reception by the light of the Marie Rose
On the Saturday morning the attendees split into two groups and returned to the Mary Rose Museum for a guided tour of this impressive facility led by a museum volunteer, and a talk about this unique museum given by one of its two architects, OP Chris Brandon (64-68). Chris generously sponsored both the talk and tour and gave a fascinating presentation describing how the museum
Gala OP event in Portsmouth Around one hundred
afternoon of Friday 15 October
OPs, partners and guests
with a film and slide presentation
attended a two-day event in Portsmouth in October 2021 to recognise the extraordinary Old Pangbournian contribution. By Robin Knight The programme began in the Princess Royal Gallery of the Historic Dockyard on the
given by eight OPs involved in the conflict, led by Jeremy Sanders (56-60), Staff Officer Operations to the commander of the Task Force Battle Group, and Ivar Hellberg (56-60) who led the Royal Marines Commando Logistics Regiment. Also contributing were Capt Stephen Taylor (55-60), Lt Cdr Clive Carrington-Wood (72-77), Cdr Andrew Gordon Lennox (62-65), Cdr Robert Hamilton (60-65), Rear Adm Mike Harris (54-59), and Dick Borwick (6670) for the Merchant Navy. This was followed later in the evening by a Cocktail Party reception in a darkened gallery overlooking the Mary Rose ship in the nearby Mary Rose Museum.
Thomas Garnier toasts the OP contribution
46
- which imaginatively and superbly displays many of the 26,000 artefacts retrieved by divers over 11 years alongside the remnants of the Mary Rose - was conceived and has been operated since the hulk of the flagship of The Gala Dinner in the Copenhagen Room of HMS Nelson
THE PANGBOURNIAN | FALKLANDS 40 YEARS ON
King Henry VIII’s fleet was lifted
from HM The Queen to the
Reed who was Chief Officer
out of the Solent in 1982.
OP Society on the occasion of
on SS Canberra commanded by
the dinner, and a Toast to the
OP Denis Scott-Masson (44-46)
Falklands Veterans was proposed
during the conflict.
In the evening, a black-tie champagne reception was held in the Copenhagen Room of HMS
by Thomas Garnier, the Head.
That concluded the formal part
Nelson, the shore establishment
The Head went on to describe
of the programme. Many of
headquarters of the Royal Navy
the relevance of the Falklands
those attending took advantage
in Portsmouth. At this reception
campaign, and OPs prominent
of free time during the two days
Robin Paine singled out two OPs
role in it, to the school today.
to explore the Historic Dockyard
for a special toast - Courtney
He also highlighted the
and Portsmouth and to take a
Edenborough (45-48) who was
important role played in the
ferry ride to the Isle of Wight.
celebrating his 91st birthday,
life of the College by the iconic
Throughout, this imaginative
and Polly Sturgess (00-02) who
Falkland Islands Memorial
and memorable gathering was
was the youngest OP present.
Chapel, and gave an update to
characterised by a spirit of
At 7:30pm guests sat down in
OPs on the challenges facing the
remembrance, nostalgia and
the impressive Wardroom for a
College as it emerges from the
friendship among OPs and the
three-course dinner. Grace was
prolonged hiatus of the pandemic
other attendees which spanned
said by Richard Shuttleworth
era. His speech was followed
the generations and everyone’s
(57-62), the Loyal Toast was
by a strong and often amusing
subsequent experiences in life
proposed by Tony Morrow who
response on behalf of the Falkland
during the succeeding 40 years.
also read out a special message
Veterans by Captain Martin
47
King’s Gold Medal 1936 returns
By Robin Knight
A group of Old Pangbournians, led by OP Society Chairman Phillip Plato (73-77), have ensured that a unique King’s Gold Medal awarded in 1936 to the then Chief of the College George Launchbury Bown (32-36) will be returning to Pangbourne College on permanent loan in the near future. The medal, the only one awarded at the College during the brief 326-day reign of King Edward VIII, came up for auction at an international coins, medals and watches sale organised by Dix Noon Webb on September 7th 2021 together with an Elder Brethren of Trinity House gold watch, also presented to Bown. The medal and watch combined had been predicted to fetch between £4,000-£5,000. Following substantial pre-sale George Bown in the Cricket XI in 1936
interest, several bidders contested the auction. Ultimately, the Plato group of OPs prevailed at a cost of £21,896. Once agreement is reached with the College over the terms of the memorabilia’s display and future ownership, it is hoped that the medal will form a centrepiece in a revamped permanent exhibition at the school.
The unique King’s Gold Medal presented in 1936
48
THE PANGBOURNIAN | KING’S GOLD MEDAL
to Pangbourne At the time of the presentation
At the NCP he passed the
A relative, a half-brother who
on Founders’ Day 1936, Edward
Civil Service Commission
served in the Royal Navy for 13
VIII was five months away
examination and entered what
years, sent his son Charlie Bown
from his abdication. As Prince
was then the Royal Military
(73-75) to Pangbourne College.
of Wales, he had visited The
College at Sandhurst in late
Nautical College once and
1936. Commissioned into the
presented the inaugural Gold
Royal Gloucestershire Regiment
Medal awarded by his father
in 1938. He transferred to the
King George V in 1927 when he
Indian Army with the rank
also named the new main access
of Captain in April 1940 and
into the school from Bere Court
returned to the British Army
Road as the Prince of Wales
in 1946 by which time he was
Drive. Accordingly this Gold
a Major.
Medal aside from being the only one issued under the reign of Edward VII reflects the historic link between the Royal Family and the College.
Bown had little or no contact with the NCP after leaving so details of his career are sparse. According to a partial family history it appears that
George Bown had an
he remained in India for a
outstanding career at the NCP,
time after Partition and Indian
especially on the sports field.
independence, returning to
He was captain of the hockey,
the UK in 1952 with his wife
cricket, fencing, boxing, squash
Evelyn (who he had married in
and fives teams and also was vice-
Caversham in 1950) on board
captain of the successful 1935
P&O’s SS Strathnaver liner. In
rugby 1st XV. In the summer
England he took a job as a sales
term 1936 he headed both the
representative for a firm of paint
batting (average 57) and bowling
manufacturers. He died in a
(average 14) averages and opened
motor accident in 1958 aged 40,
both the batting and bowling.
leaving no children.
The gold watch presented by the Elder Brethren of Trinity House
49
Colin Hearn Outstanding In July, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to College life, retiring CCF Contingent Commander Colin Hearn (2010-21) was presented with a pair of Oakley cycling glasses as a memento of his 11 years at Pangbourne College by the Head, Mr Thomas Garnier. Well known for his latest hobby, long cycle rides, it is no surprise that when asked what he would like for a leaving present he chose this gift. Colin Hearn on Founders’ Day 2021
Corporal Dan McMeekin and the Sixth Form CCF cadets also purchased and presented Contingent Commander Hearn with some engraved port glasses as part of their appreciation for all he has done in their time at the College. Among recent highlights has been winning the drill section of the Sir Steuart Pringle competition at Lympstone. Colin Hearn joined Pangbourne eleven years ago after a successful career in the Royal Marines. One of only thirteen Warrant Officers in the Corps, it became quickly apparent why he had been one of them. At a gathering to mark Colin’s retirement, Thomas Garnier said, “He is, I think, among the most ‘can do’ people I have ever known. Super reliable, impeccably organised, always ready to help, he has improved every area of College life with which he has been involved - the CCF, performing two people’s roles as Senior Staff Instructor and Contingent Commander; with Mr Crossley, developing our provision for D of E and the Llangorse experience; setting standards on the Parade Ground and introducing the march on from both sides for The Queen’s visit in 2017 and subsequent Founders’ Day parades. Those are just the things in his job description, but he took on much more. He has led expeditions to the Galapagos, Nabugabo, the Falkland Islands and the Alps in France. He has also overseen the school’s ceremonial tradition and created unique parades for Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in May 2017 as well as Founders’ Day 2021, among others. 50
THE PANGBOURNIAN | STAFF PROFILE
Contribution He has organised the colour party
to find her. He is unbelievably
wish him well as he retires and
at the Annual Seafarers’ Service
competent, but also has a sense of
will be following his adventures
at St Paul’s Cathedral. He has led
adventure and fun.
on Strava!
mountain bike trips to North
He is constantly coming up
Mr Hearn is a legend and has
Wales. He has supported Mr Andy Crossley with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. He has played a key role in developing our links with the Nabugabo Community Learning Centre in Uganda and suggested that instead of very expensive World Challenge trips, which he had led to South East Asia, Africa and South America, he could organise our own at lower cost to Nabugabo but which would provide a much richer experience for our Sixth Formers and real benefit to the children there. They did, thanks to the rigour of his planning and his
with new ideas and initiatives which carry others along with him. Early morning runs for staff at 06:30 were surprisingly well attended, even in winter, and each week he would have worked out a slightly different
been a very popular member of staff. He has brought inspiration to all that he has done and has enriched the lives of so many Pangbournians in his time at the school.”
route; more recently, he has embraced cycling and I don’t think it is any surprise that the number of cyclists in the Common Room has increased most of us are left trailing in his wake and his regular weekend rides, several hours long and at an invariably high average speed, leave us feeling inadequate but aspiring to be as fit as he is when
leadership. The ski trips, too,
we retire.
benefited from his organisation
He will be embarrassed to
and commitment. I am told that
hear me say it, but Mr Hearn
on one occasion, when a pupil
is someone who is inspiring.
did not return with her group at
He was intending to retire last
lunch time and other staff started
year but seeing that we had not
calling lift operators or planned
been able to identify a suitable
to go up and ski back down the
replacement, he offered to stay
route, he ran up the mountain
on. Such selflessness was typical
in his ski boots and was the first
of him. We are all glad he did so,
A presentation to thank Colin for his years of dedicated service
51
A titan who touched the Pangbourne has lost “a titan who touched the lives
Tributes poured in after Peter’s
of so many,” as Patrick Derham (73-78) put it.
death demonstrating the
Peter Politzer passed away in January 2022 aged 85.
the lives of colleagues and pupils
He joined the Nautical College, Pangbourne in 1964,
significant impact he made on alike. Gerry Pike (CR 86-14)
taught History at the school for 97 terms, was Illawarra
wrote: “Peter was a remarkable
Housemaster for 15 years, Second Master 1984-94
man who made an enormous
and 1st VIII coach and mentor to generations of Pangbourne rowers. Peter was born in 1936, educated at Blundell’s School, Devon and at Trinity Hall, Cambridge where he first rowed. After leaving Cambridge, he taught at Milton Abbey in Dorset before answering an advertisement from Pangbourne for a History teacher. Peter meeting the Queen Mother in 1980
52
contribution to Pangbourne over a long period of time. He left a lasting imprint on those he mentored and inspired, not only by the sheer force of his considerable personality but
THE PANGBOURNIAN | PETER POLITZER OBITUARY
lives of so many because he brought a manifest
gave everything in return. As you
importance of Peter’s role. As
integrity and a rare capacity
got closer, a mischievous sense of
senior Housemaster, he was clearly
to motivate.
humour became apparent.
Peter Points’ right-hand man.
Peter’s professional persona
The flowering of previously
was formidable: as Second
unpromising individuals that
Master he made Pangbourne
this emphasis on motivation
run on time. This was not
frequently produced came
simply a matter of enforcing
to infuse the very ethos of
a daily routine efficiently but,
the College and has been its
more profoundly, because his
touchstone ever since. It was also
meticulous engagement set
reflected in the rising standard
exacting standards and required
of College sport; this was truly
total commitment. His energy
the age when Pangbourne
seemed indefatigable as he
became accustomed to “punching
whirled between administration,
above its weight” as Peter’s
house-mastering, teaching,
natural competitiveness helped
vision and aspirations”
coaching and tutoring, always in
to raise the bar. He and Peter
the same galvanizing style. In this
Points enjoyed a ready rapport,
His tight discipline, and the feeling
respect he was a force of nature.
and together they provided an
He could be famously brusque
inspirational and irresistible
when dissatisfied: his peppery red
leadership team. For many of
notes to errant staff became the
us who worked closely with
stuff of legend, but he was always
Peter, he came to embody the
quick to recognize the potential
values and standards that set
in others and he gave his life to
Pangbourne apart and helped to
nurturing them.
change the College decisively for
Underneath this robust,
the better.”
meticulous style, typical of much
Ian Busby (CR 72-96), Peter’s
of the best school-mastering in
teaching colleague and close
its day, lay deep pastoral instincts,
friend for many years, summed
sensitivity, warmth and wisdom.
up: “Arriving in 1972, I
If he expected a lot of you, he
quickly became aware of the
What struck me was his integrity, dedication, practicality, loyalty and identification with Peter Points’ vision and aspirations, combined with a restraining caution as he helped steady the Headmaster’s plans.
“What struck me was his integrity, dedication,
practicality, loyalty and
identification with Peter Points’
he generated that Illawarra, away from the main College campus, was special – “Illawarrans never come second” was his mantra – left behind a competitive, responsible, caring ethos for me when I took over from him.” Rowing was an important part of his life. Reverend John Spriggs wrote: “Having taken up the sport at Cambridge, Peter settled into a career of coaching that saw success not only with the 1st VIII but also with the British junior rowing team where he set up the 53
THE PANGBOURNIAN | PETER POLITZER OBITUARY
selection process and became a wise father-figure. He also served on the National Schools Regatta Committee, was Chairman of the Junior Rowing Commission and for many years was race secretary of the Pangbourne Sculls event.” David Rendle (73-78, CR 9112) wrote: “As my rowing coach through to the First VIII, Peter’s competitive nature attuned with my own will to win. I benefited greatly from his no-nonsense approach to hard training. One memory stands out. I recall arriving at the National Schools
vacancy and coach the First VIII…The 1992 Henley win was in large part built upon the Politzer legacy. For me, Peter will be remembered as a titan of Pangbourne rowing and as a formidably good history teacher.
“His energy seemed
indefatigable as he whirled between administration,
house-mastering, teaching,
coaching and tutoring, always
in the same galvanizing style. In this respect he was a force
Regatta in 1976 with a very
of nature.”
sore large blister on the sole of
Richard Hamilton (87-92)
my foot. No problem, Peter administered none too gentle and quite unsympathetic treatment with a needle.” Many years later, Peter collared me on a towpath and insisted that I fill a Geography teaching 1971 winning PE crew
noted: “There is always that one person in one’s life who has such an impact that it changes the course of your life forever. That person for me was Peter Politzer. In 1989, he sat me down and said I’m sending you to the
Peter at a Leander reunion
Junior Rowing Trials. As we approached Peterborough in his car, still having no clue what I was going to, I asked him ‘What do I do?’ His answer was straight forward: “Keep pulling hard until someone tells you to stop.” I did just that, and ended up rowing in the Olympic Games in 1996. He not only changed my direction, but instilled in me the belief that any challenge was achievable.” Phillip Plato (70-77), Chairman of the OP Society added: “As Captain of Boats in 1977, I had considerable interaction with Peter. Although I did not appreciate it at the time, I learned later what an influence he had on the sport nationally. He was awarded the Amateur Rowing Association (now British Rowing) Gold Medal of honour for services to the sport.”
54
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These and many other items of College merchandise are available to purchase at community.pangbourne.com/shop
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55
Leaders by Robin Knight Reviewed by
Gerry Pike (CR86-14)
There is much talk these days about “leadership” or perhaps a signal lack of it. But what do we really mean by “leadership”? It can prove an elusive term to define and we are unlikely to all agree. Context matters hugely. War tends to encourage certain types of leadership, the challenges of peacetime rather different ones. Individual nations and cultures, let alone schools, have historically tended to be identified with very different styles of leader too, though we should beware
Robin Knight talking at the launch.
stereotypes. But to allow that
back, however, and the universal
leadership takes many forms and
themes become apparent. What
that it can be a dynamic, even
is courage? How does it differ
problematical concept, is not to
from bravery? Are we born
subside into absolute relativism,
with these qualities or are they
still less cynicism about the term.
shaped at school or forged by the
Below the surface it is about
experiences of life? Can there
identity: what sort of people
be such a thing as an “unlikely
have we been and who do we
hero”? Does heroism necessarily
want to be?
involve self-denying service
In fraught times these are seldom easy questions to address. In this sense Robin Knight’s latest book is timely. Initially its focus may seem quite narrow, parochial even, as he concentrates on the extraordinary exploits of Leaders by Robin Knight (published in 2021 by Unicorn Publishing Group)
56
Old Pangbournians, in peace as well as in war. Take a step
to some great cause and the sacrifice of one’s own wellbeing? Is courage the preserve of the few or a source of inspiration to the many? These are sorts of essential questions Robin raises by telling the inspiring tales he has encountered in the annals of the College.
THE PANGBOURNIAN | LEADERS
In what senses are the individuals whose exploits are described in this book “leaders? Some are so, in the literal sense: Admirals, Air Commodores, Squadron Commanders, Brigadiers, Captains on land, on sea, and below sea, all formally responsible for leading large groups of men and women. This, by all accounts they did with quite remarkably consistent distinction. Others led in a classically heroic sense,
Surgeon Lt Phillip Evans, sketched in hospital by the artist William Drink in 1943
acting with such courage and
The first is the sheer breadth
of solitary confinement in
of activity. You will find many
Sachsenhausen concentration
branches of human endeavour
camp before being shot by
here: the armed forces, of
the SS. or Richard Pool who
course, but alongside them
survived three years as a POW
the peacekeepers, the medics
working on the infamous Burma
combatting Covid, the charity
Road. Some found a natural
workers and sporting stars too.
niche in particularly hazardous
honour that they inspired those around them, usually unconsciously and often selfeffacingly. Indeed, their abiding modesty for the most part seems to have been unaffected by the many gongs, medals, mentions in despatches, or the admiration of colleagues they earned. When pressed as to why or how they had behaved with such courage and selflessness, their replies are simple: we were just doing our duty. Often it was a matter of sheer instinct. Importantly, Robin has looked beyond war to find his material, including chapters right up to the Covid present, and on the remarkable sportspeople, who in peacetime tend to become our icons. It makes for an actionpacked if humbling read. So what general themes stand out?
The second is how individualist many were, maverick even, which seems paradoxical given the strict codes and hierarchies they often worked in. Whilst
occupations: in submarines or bomb disposal for instance or in Covid wards. Then one encounters the enterprise of George Chatterton in helping to
a sense of adventure or bloodymindedness could look like recklessness at times, generally it was complemented by selfdiscipline and determination on an epic scale: just read the incredible “Smiley”s special operations in Crete and Albania or of the cultured, scholarly charismatic Grecophile, Mike Cumberlege, who defiantly endured two grueling years
Sir Frank Hopkins in the FAA Museum
57
qualities seem to have overridden
conduct. All the individuals
any concern for self or personal
concerned were “Pangbournian”
safety. There are some quite
in that they attended the College,
staggering examples of this
some albeit briefly. How far
throughout the book. One
their experience there proved
which stuck in my mind was
formative, character-wise, is hard
that of John Mackenzie, at 29
to quantify objectively. Some
the youngest Army Brigadier,
were in no doubt. As Richard
Robin signing Mr Vousden’s book
whose heroic stand against an
Hamilton put it: “Pangbourne
create the strategic Glider Pilot
entire Panzer division echoes
not only taught leadership but,
Thermyplae. That this capacity
more importantly, how to be
for self-sacrifice does not wither
part of a team. It taught me to
with time is well illustrated
…to set a goal and to go all out
by the example of John Faber,
to achieve that goal…. and to
who at 84, gave his own life in
never give up”. The exploits
rescuing a drowning 13-year-old
of current and future students
at Littlehampton. Nor was there
will probably be inspirational in
glorying in war: As Admiral
less martial ways but the ethos
Peter Gray put it crisply: “it was a
expressed in the Flag Values
dreadful time”.
embodies the essential continuity
Regiment, or the dogged courage of Colin Hodgkinson, one of only two legless Allied pilots in World War 2. Or one can also cite the less hair-raising but still rare sporting exploits of Mike “the bike’ Hailwood and other OPs covered in the book. The third theme is the appetite for adventure which many shared, buttressed by quite extraordinary powers of endurance and resolve. These
This summary skims the surface of a book packed with instances of heroism and inspirational
Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson en route to Olympic Gold at Beijing 2008
58
that characterizes a school with a unique and distinguished tradition of service.
THE PANGBOURNIAN | LEADERS
Q&As “Leaders,” written by ROBIN KNIGHT (56-61), was published in 2021. In 15 chapters it describes examples of courage, bravery and leadership in war and peace by OPs between 1917-2020. Below, Robin answers questions about the book. Q: How did ‘Leaders’ come
A: There are a number of
of separating peace from war.
about?
books by and about OPs that
The three individuals featured
are outstanding. I would
in separate chapters and the
highlight Roger Hill’s memoir
chapter on the George Cross and
Destroyer Captain; Richard
George Medal recipients selected
Pool’s memorable Course for
themselves. As for the chapter
Disaster; Colin Hodgkinson’s
on sports heroes, I simply felt the
frank autobiography Best Foot
need for a change of pace and
Forward; and a work by the
focus, particularly as Pangbourne
writer Fred Majdalany called
has produced some exceptional
The Monastery, which superbly
sporting icons down the years.
profiles John Mackenzie’s key
Q: The book includes a
A: I realised, when writing a chapter about OPs in the Centenary history of the College (published in 2016), just how many extraordinary and varied stories there were waiting to be researched and retold to a new generation. Q: How did you set about unearthing the mass of detail and first-person material that underpins the book?
role in the capture of Monte Cassino in 1944. If you haven’t read any of these books, you
A: I had a head start from my
should!
previous work; and there is a
Q: The structure of the book is
mass of detail in The Log and the many books by OPs I have collected. One piece of research often led to other sources such as specialist archives, museum collections and family papers. Some of those in the book I knew personally, which helped. To give an example, Roger LaneNott, who commanded a nuclear submarine during the Falklands campaign, sent me a memoir he had written for his family. Q: You write in the Acknowledgments that the book has strong foundations – the work of others?
clear. How did it emerge?
number of striking illustrations – for example, the paintings of OPs done during WW2 by the war artist William Dring. How were they unearthed? A: Well, society has changed a lot
A: The opening essay titled
so you have to put that question
‘What is Courage?’ actually
in context. The generation
emerged at the end when I
produced by a very young,
realised that the book needed
new school in the 1920s and
more in-depth context. Given
1930s clearly was exceptional.
the Nautical College’s emphasis,
Mostly, this comes through in
there was bound to be a strong
their wartime records, but not
naval character. Even so, I
always. Since 1945 I would
was surprised by how many
agree with Gerry Pike (in his
outstanding WW2 destroyer
review of Leaders) that there is
and submarine commanders had
a strong appetite for adventure
come from the school. Having
and also an underlying respect
separated the Services, there had
for life which often is displayed
to be chapters on the Army and
through leadership in difficult
the Flyers – RAF and Fleet Air
circumstances.
Arm. Post-WW2, it was a matter 59
Bursar’s Report The impact of COVID-19 continued to overshadow the year, with another closure of the College for most of the Lent term. The Government decided to
as strong. The overall pass rate
School, these were extremely
cancel exams for the second
(grade 4 or higher) was 96.7%
pleasing results. In terms of
year running and use Teacher
and the average number of passes
outdoor pursuits, 13 Gold, 34
Assessed Grades instead. The
per candidate was 8.79.
Silver and 122 Bronze Duke
College gathered evidence from a broad range of assessments, including teacherset examinations. The academic management team also carried out a rigorous moderation process before submission. We were very pleased that the exam boards did not alter the grades which had been submitted to them and our A Level, BTEC and GCSE results days in August saw our students being justly
The Governors remain resolute that the College will continue to select pupils on character and aptitude for an education at Pangbourne College, rather than purely on academic ability. These results demonstrate the Headmaster’s intent to increase the College’s academic rigour. Given the broad range of academic abilities within the
of Edinburgh’s Awards were completed by Pangbourne pupils. A number of significant improvements were made to the College’s facilities during the year. The new astro carpet replacement was completed over the summer, as was the creation of a new resilient fibre network around the College. A large area opposite the College’s
2021 (£’000)
2020 (£’000)
10,277
9,753
Trading and other income:
571
601
Grants:
208
491
11,056
10,858
Teaching
5,174
5,535
Welfare
1,472
1,309
Premises
1,312
1,255
Support
1,693
1,663
Trading
185
137
results overall were almost as
Finance
102
96
good as last year, reflecting a
Total
9,935
9,995
rewarded for their hard work over the last two difficult years. At A Level, the percentage of grades calculated as A*- A was 45%, evidence of the wealth of talented students in the year’s Upper Sixth. The vast majority of the cohort will be progressing to their firm choice universities which include Cambridge and other Russell Group universities including Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter and Bath. At GCSE,
cohort with a strong top end but one which overall was not quite 60
Income Net school fees and other school income:
Total Expenditure School:
On generating income:
The Governors of the College report a pre-depreciation surplus of £1,610k (2020: £1,349k).
THE PANGBOURNIAN | BURSAR’S REPORT
main building was cleared as
including maintenance, but also
scholars now carry no financial
preparation for the creation
investment for future capital
award. In the financial year
of a cafe facility which will be
projects. Additionally and most
2020/21, the College provided
located in the building currently
importantly, it limits the financial
means-tested support for pupils
occupied by the School Shop.
support that the College is able to
whose parents could not afford
provide to parents and pupils.
the fees worth £960,184 or
The College currently receives no additional funding towards
Over many years the College has
its charitable activities, which
awarded a substantial number
are the education of young men
of bursaries (means-tested) and
and women. Unlike many larger
scholarships (based on merit)
schools, any financial support
each year. The Governing Body’s
that is provided to pupils and
policy is to move to a situation
parents represents a reduction
where the majority of the
in income for the College. This
College’s fee assistance is given to
impacts both the funds available
those most in need. To that end,
for operational expenditure,
automatic fee discounts for new
7.6% of gross fee income. Six pupils received support worth at least 100% of fees,including 2 via HMC Projects to students from Central and Eastern Europe, and 1 via the Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation. Additionally, the equivalent of £136,192 was given in discounts to children of parents serving in the Armed Forces.
Means-Tested Bursaries: 1200
100
number of pupils
60
81
79
74
64
40 20 0
value (£’000)
1000
80
800
1,006
995
960
19/20
20/21
790
600 400 200
17/18
18/19
year
19/20
20/21
0
17/18
18/19
year
61
Development Report From the Head A School, A Business, or a Charity? Pangbourne College is first and foremost a school, with the fundamental aim of providing an excellent all-round education to boys and girls which extend well beyond the classroom. Of course it includes the co-curricular aspects, but a major focus here is on development of personal character, to include values and a community-minded outlook. We wish to send our young-people out into the world ready to make a positive contribution to society, and so what they learn in their time at Pangbourne is very much about developing the skills they will need to do that.
62
THE PANGBOURNIAN | DEVELOPMENT REPORT
We are also a business. As such,
in the year, which over the
be to be honest, transparent and
we have to make sure that our
coming years will seek gifts from
ethical about our fundraising. We
income covers our costs and
throughout the Pangbourne
will only raise funds for projects
that we can continue to provide
community - of time, expertise
and facilities that further our
the best possible services to our
and financial donations.
educational aims.
Finally, we are a registered
The long term aim of the
charity. The charitable sector has
College remains untouched:
received some negative attention
to become the best small co-
in the past few years, and this
educational boarding and day
is one of the reasons that new
school in the country. I am sure
regulations and restrictions on
that with the ongoing support
charities came into force. At the
of our community we will be
same time, the vast majority of
able to achieve this, through the
charities are simply trying their
provision of excellent all-round
best to achieve their worthy aims.
education, an efficiently run
Pangbourne College is among
business, and a charity which
that majority, and indeed one
benefits both our immediate
of the guiding principles of the
community and the wider
Development Programme will
local area.
‘customers’. Unlike for-profit organisations, any surplus we make goes straight back into the College to improve and upgrade facilities, recruit and retain the best possible staff, and create a nurturing environment for our pupils. Like many businesses we are faced with a number of rising costs on multiple fronts, and this is one reason we are now seeking to diversify our income streams. As such, we are creating and launching an updated Development Programme later
63
From the Head of Development: My first year back at Pangbourne, having been a pupil here from 1996-2001, has felt like a welcome return home. In spite of starting during a national lockdown it has been a busy year, packed full of opportunities to reconnect with old friends, and meet so many OPs, parents and POPs. Despite COVID and an uncertain year, you have continued to support Pangbourne, for which we are extremely grateful. Over the last 12 months Pangbourne has deferred expenditure, particularly on facilities and non-essential projects, however, generosity from donors has meant that families who have been struggling financially because of COVID could be helped. To everyone that has supported Pangbourne in the past year, thank you, however I do believe there is much more that can be done. In order to achieve the aims of the Development Plan, launching later in the year, we will need more support.
Giving Day 2022 In October this year, we will be launching our first virtual fundraising campaign, bringing together the whole Pangbournian Community. The whole community will be
life-long interest in the future and health of the school through participation in events, access to work opportunities for current pupils, and to secure financial donations and legacies where appropriate.
Looking forward: The power of bursaries Bursaries obviously make an enormous difference to the recipients and their families. According to the Royal SpringBoard Foundation, a
invited to participate in a 24 hour
Philanthropically-minded Old
charity which places hundreds
event, in which we will aim to
Pangbournians, parents, former
of bursary pupils in boarding
raise awareness, engagement
staff, governors and friends will
schools, 92% of the beneficiaries
and donations for the College’s
be asked to help current and
stated that the bursary had
fundraising aims.
future generations of pupils to
changed their life for the better.
have the same advantages that
As well as benefiting individual
they had, by donating to the
recipients, bursaries can also play
Bursary and Scholarship Fund.
an important role in increasing
In 2016, Pangbourne College
This will then help to liberate
the diversity of the whole pupil
established its Development
surplus trading income to support
community.
Office. The function of
the needs of the College.
What is the Development Office?
Development is to engender 64
THE PANGBOURNIAN | DEVELOPMENT REPORT
The power of bursaries to
have given vast amounts of time
transform individual lives and
and energy to Pangbourne over
the College community as a
the last few years: OP Society
whole are the main drivers for
President Mr Mark Dumas
Pangbourne’s ambitious plans to
(64-68) and Honorary
significantly increase the number
Vice President Mr Richard
of bursaries in the years ahead.
Shuttleworth (57-62). Both
Looking forward: Legacies In recent years we have been fortunate to receive two unexpected gifts totalling over £300,000 in the form of legacies: one from an OP, the other from an Honorary OP. Their gifts will have a lasting impact on generations of Pangbournians.
were asked about their motivation behind leaving a bequest to the College. “I got involved again with Pangbourne when my own sons were accepted, and have since been Chair, Secretary and President of the OP Society,” says Richard Shuttleworth. “To keep the best of old values yet
celebrations, a new programme
become a modern institution,
was introduced for any member
thus remembering it in my will
of the Pangbourne community
seems like the right thing to do.
who wishes to remember
I hope others will be encouraged
Pangbourne College in their will.
to do the same.”
(or Devitt Society for short) will be open to all those who chose to leave a legacy to Pangbourne and signal this intention to the College Development Office. The name of the society is in recognition of the contribution
Gold Medal Exhibition As part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the College is putting together an exhibition showing the long association with the Royal Family. We are seeking a medal showing King George VI (1936-52) to complete our collection of Gold Medals for the display. If you would be willing to loan the medal to the College, please contact Tim Hamilton.
me the College has managed to
In 2017, as part of the Centenary
The Sir Phillip Devitt Society
Can you help?
Mark Dumas says, “I hope others might feel that some of their success in life is due to their time at Pangbourne. I think Pangbourne deserves some of the credit, and that is why the College will feature in my will.”
of the Devitt family, who
For more information, or to
through their own commitment
discuss any aspect of leaving a
to the school built a foundation
legacy, please get in contact.
which is now in its second century. The two founding members of the Devitt Society are both influential members of the Old Pangbournian Society. They
Tim Hamilton Head of Development e: development@ pangbourne.com t: 0118 976 6697 65
THE PANGBOURNIAN | DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Volunteers 2021 Thank you to the following volunteers, who kindly donated their time and expertise throughout
the year. While we have listed all those volunteers we know about, we do apologise if any names are inadvertently omitted. Governors
Old Pangbournians
Mr Patrick Roberts MBE - Chair
OP
Mr Mike Askwith
Mr Adam Lewis
Mr Rohan Batra
OP
Mr James Bamforth
Mr Rhidian Llewellyn
Mrs Charlotte Butterworth
OP
Mr Robin Batt
Mr James Mackenzie
Mr Patrick Derham
OP
Mr Edward Bence
Mr Shaun Maynard
Mr Rhidian Llewellyn
OP
Mr Rohan Batra
Mr David Metcalfe
The Reverend Andrew Bond
Former Parent
Mr Charles Bown
Mr James Minter
Mr David Mullins
Former Parent
Mr Conor Brown
Mrs Clare Morphy
Mrs Sally Rossiter
Former Parent
Mrs Charlotte Butterworth
Mr Tony Morrow
The Reverend Mark Bodeker
Mr James Canham-Ash
Mr David Nicholson
Mrs Tracy Brooks
Mr Louis Carrel
Mr Michael Nicholson
Mr Desmond Devitt
Maj Gen Copinger-Symes
Mr Andrew Nzeyi
Dr Matilda Oppenheimer
Mr Patrick Derham
Mr Charles Parry
Mrs Perena Shryane
Mr William Donaldson
Mr Brian Painting
Mrs Rebecca Tear
Ms Tarka Duhalde
Mr Charles Pettit
Mr Mark Dumas
Mr Roger Pike
Current and Former Parents
Mr Courtney Edenborough
Mr Phillip Plato
Mr Matt Allen
Mrs Heather Lewis
Mr Paddy Evelegh
Mr Geoff Popple
Mr Jason Alexander
Mrs Sarah Masters
Mr John Fisher
Mr Geoff Rae
Mrs Jo Baker
Mr Paul Nelson
Mr Nick Gillet
Mr Merrick Rayner
Mrs Karen Bonnett
Mrs Jules Poole
Mr Alex Heaton
Mr Patrick Roberts
Mrs Judy Bromfield
Mr Nigel Rossiter
Mr Wayne Heyland
Mr Jeremy Sanders
Mrs Charlotte Butterworth
Mrs Lucy Shepherd
Mr Dan Holloway
Mr Charlie Shillito
Mrs Sue Carpenter
Mrs Caroline Skidmore
Mr Colin Howard
Mr Richard Shuttleworth
Mrs Sadie Clare
Mr Guy Slocombe
Mr Lawrence Howard
Mr Andrew Scott-Priestley
Mrs Tessa Costin
Mr Richard Stone
Mr Theodore Isaacs
Mr William Skinner
Mr Matt Evans
Mr Graham Jex
Mr Joe Spencer
Mrs Beth Farrow
Mrs Leigh-Anne Swire-Thompson
Mr Michael Keigwin
Mr Andrew Sumner
Mrs Linda-Jean Ford
Mrs Joanne Vousden
Mr Peter Kewish
Mr Gyles Thornley
Mrs Alex Garnier
Mr Charles Walters
Mr Robin Knight
Mr Andy Wells
Mr Jonathan Hebbes
Mrs Kelley Waters
Mr Paul Lawrence
Mr Ian Williams
Mrs Caroline Home
Mrs Jayne Wells
Mrs Yuk Keane
Mrs Corry Wilde
Ms Candida Kennedy
Mrs Abi Williamson
66
DEVITT LEGACY SOCIETY
The Devitt Legacy Society is named after the remarkable Chairman of Governors, Sir Phillip Devitt (1876-1947). No single individual in the history of the Nautical College Pangbourne did more to ensure its character, survival and growth, or to guarantee the national reputation it had gained. We have all undoubtedly benefited from the generosity of previous benefactors, starting of course with the Devitt Family. But benefaction should be a continuing process and leaving a legacy to Pangbourne is an excellent way to ensure our Founder’s vision can continue for the benefit of future generations of Pangbournians. “Most of us won’t be here for the
College’s Bicentenary, but I do believe it is our duty to make sure there is one.”
Roger Lane-Nott, Former Chair of Governors and Old Pangbournian. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Devitt Legacy Society, please contact Tim Hamilton, Head of Development, e: development@pangbourne.com or t: 0118 976 6697
To find out more scan here
67
In Memoriam The following is a summary of obituaries published in 2021, written and collated by Robin Knight. Fuller accounts may be read on the Pangbournian Portal.
1930s PRESTON, THOMAS H.B. (33-34), later known as Sir Thomas Houstoun-Boswall, died in May 1982 aged 63, the OP Society learned in 2021. During the Second World War, he served in the RAFVR, became a Pilot Officer and fought in the Middle East and the UK. A businessman, he was chairman of HB Properties and a director of several companies including Southern Television. CONNELL, ROBERT BEATTIE (36-38) died in an air crash in July 1951, the OP Society learned in 2021. He was a Flt Lt RAF who had been awarded the DFC in 1946. Connell joined the RAFVR in 1941, flying Hawker Hurricanes and the Supermarine Spitfire.
Connell is recorded as having
stalled approaching Tangmere,
shot down two Japanese aircraft
disintegrating on impact with the
as well as two trains and other
ground and killing Connell.
transports during the advance on Rangoon. The Citation for his DFC states: “This officer has shown outstanding keenness and has set an exceptionally high standard of flying and navigation in the face of arduous conditions.” After the war, Connell remained in the RAF, serving with 17 Squadron until it was disbanded in 1951. On July 12, 1951 he was test flying Hawker Sea Fury TF897 from Farnborough airfield to RAF Tangmere, “investigating trim changes with different speed and power settings.” The aircraft in question had twice struck the ground in “hard” landings but had been repaired. This time it sustained engine failure and
May 1 2019, aged 96. As far as is known, he is the only New Zealand-born person ever to attend Pangbourne. He was born in Matamata, New Zealand in 1923 and arrived at the NCP aged 15. In 1942 Val joined the Royal Navy and was posted to Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. He served in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean and witnessed the surrender of the Italian fleet in 1943. Soon after, he was encouraged to join the newly-forming Royal New Zealand Navy, sailing to New Zealand in HMNZS Arabis and making several war patrols in the Pacific. In 1947 he returned to the UK for training, before
Early in 1942 he was sent to the
later touring in HMNZS Kaniere
Far East to resist the Japanese
patrolling off the coast of North
offensive in Burma. Connell
Korea. In 1956 he received
flew defensive patrols during the
his first command – captain of
retreat to India, took part in the
Kaniere – returning to Korean
siege of Imphal and supported
waters for another year. In
Orde Wingate’s Chindit
1959 he was posted for three
expedition. In late-1944, 17
years to Canberra as Defence
Squadron played a leading role in
Liaison Attaché at the New
taking on the Japanese air force. Robert Connell (36-38) - Flt Lt RAF
68
WERE, VAL (38-41) died on
Zealand High Commission, then
THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM
in the Normandy landings and action off the beaches of Southern France. Further actions in the Mediterranean followed, including the surrender of the German garrison on Santorini, before Ajax was deployed to the Val Were (38-41) in 2013 at a reunion in New Zealand (front row, 4th right)
Singapore in 1965 as. He left the
Jardines in Hong Kong in 1951.
RNZN in 1969 after 27 years.
He returned to London in 1955
Following his naval career, he
as a director of Howe Robinson
and his wife Joy built a house in Auckland in the early 1970s. On weekends, they sailed their 35-foot yacht Alberti, and Val continued to command his boat well into his eighties. HOPKINS, A.G. (38-42) died in September 2019, aged 94. On leaving school during WWII Tony joined the MN, sailing with the Blue Funnel/ Glen Line Group. He survived his ship being torpedoed before coming ashore to join shipbrokers Howe Robinson. When Howe Robinson was appointed shipbroker to the Jardine Matheson Group in 1951, Tony was seconded to
After the war, Richard worked for a time for Glaxo in Co
and began a long involvement with China until his retirement in 1989. In 1974 he was admitted to The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and for many years chaired its Education and Charity committee. He did much to modernise the Shipwrights’ philanthropic activity. In 1989 he was appointed a Court
Richard Llewellyn (39-43)
Assistant Emeritus. Such was his
Durham. Marriage in 1952 to
impact that ten years later he was
Alice McInnes was followed by
awarded the Shipwrights’ Medal
a move to Southern Rhodesia,
of Honour, becoming only the
working with an agricultural
fourth person to receive the
seed supplier and fund-raising
company’s highest award.
for the British Red Cross. In
LLEWELLYN, RICHARD C. (39-43) died in February 2021, aged 95. As a Cadet RNR in wartime, Richard went directly into the Royal Navy when he left the NCP. He joined his first ship, the battleship HMS Howe, at Scapa Flow in September 1943. In 1944 he was posted to the light cruiser HMS Ajax in the Mediterranean providing gunfire support for the Allied landings on the Anzio beachhead in Italy
Tony Hopkins (38-42)
Far East.
followed in 1944 by participation
1960 he returned to the UK and began a series of business initiatives that led to the purchase and turnaround of the Banbury printing firm HE Boddy, before a move to Devon in 1973. Here he again built a thriving print business from scratch.
1940s ROBINS, GEORGE G. (41-44) died on January 4 2021, aged 93. At the NCP he was CCC of Port Jackson Division and Captain of the Boxing team. He went onto 69
the Merchant Navy with T&J
flagship Windsor Castle before
Hesperus Division in Lent Term
Harrison. Later he came ashore,
being promoted to captain and
1946. We have no further details
set up his own business and for
transferred to cargo ships in
of his life. Charles sent his son
the rest of his life made a living
the British & Commonwealth
Simon to Pangbourne 1969-73.
as an inventor. In 1973 he won
Shipping Company. In 1972 he
Simon worked in advertising
the Design Council’s Duke of
was elected a Younger Brother
in Hong Kong for some years.
Edinburgh award for producing
of Trinity House and during the
Today he raises beef cattle in the
an original – in his case, an
1970s also became a member
Hunter Valley north of Sydney,
electric bicycle. Noted for his
of The Honourable Company
Australia.
generosity, George remained
of Master Mariners, a founder
a lifelong friend of Michael S.
member of The Nautical Institute
Lavender Jones (41-45).
and a member of Southampton
JONES, MICHAEL S.
Master Mariners’ Club. In 1975
LAVENDER (41-45) died on January 27 2019, aged 91. He left a wife Sheila and a son Neil. At the NCP Lavender Jones was CCC of Macquarie in 1945 and won Colours in the College 1st XI hockey team. From Pangbourne, Lavender Jones joined the shipping line T&J Harrison. By 1963, when an OP Register was compiled, he had come ashore and was working in the tobacco trade. OLDEN, RICHARD (42-46)
he came ashore to become Marine Superintendent for Union-Castle in Southampton. In 1978 he was seconded to Dar es Salaam as the British Shipping Lines’ Representative in Tanzania responsible for
TUKE, DAVID R.M. (44-47) Commander RN, died in February 2021, aged 91. He joined the RN in 1947, Special Entry (Supply and Secretariat Branch), reaching the rank of Commander in 1968. Amongst his appointments was a spell in the battleship HMS Vanguard 1951-52 as Naval Storekeeping
the onshore business of six companies. Interested in marine surveying, he returned to the UK in 1983 and joined a small marine survey company in Southampton, remaining with it until retirement.
a Captain in the Union-Castle Line and Younger Brother of Trinity House, passed away on
David Tuke -Devonport 1968
September 23 2021 aged 92.
Officer. From 1952-54 he served
Tom Woolley (60-65) attended
at NATO Fontainebleau as
the funeral. Richard was born in
Assistant Secretary. Later, he was
1928, the son of a banker. On
in HM Yacht Britannia 1963-66
leaving the NCP, he went into
as Deputy Supply Officer. As a
the MN with Clan Line and remained with it until 1950 when he transferred to the UnionCastle Mail Steamship Company. From 1967-69 Richard was staff commander of the Union-Castle 70
Retired Officer, from 1983-93 he Richard Olden (42-46) - in East Africa 1969
POUNDS, CHARLES E. (43-46) died in March 2021. At the NCP Charles was a CC in
rewrote all Naval Administrative Instructions, leading on to his revising and rewriting the entire Queen’s Regulations for the Royal Navy.
THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM
HARDWICK, JOHN H.
Chairman of the Rubber Industry
(44-48) died aged 90 in February
Safety Committee. In 1987
2021 in Bradford-on-Avon. At
John was awarded an MBE for
the NCP, John was a born leader.
this work.
Despite being the goalkeeper,
John also had a long association
he captained the 1st X1 hockey team ably in 1947 with The Log stating: “Hardwick has been conspicuous… cheerful always, and as a captain has not been afraid to drive his team.” In the 1947 rugby 1st XV he was termed a “hard-working forward” playing in the second row and gaining his colours. In Summer Term 1948, when CCCC, he was awarded The King’s Gold Medal.
with the Magistry and the Bath Bench. This culminated with the chairmanship of the Avon Magistrates Courts Committee in the 1990s. On retiring from Avon Rubber in 1994, he set up a
Keith Mann (45-49)
consultancy which specialised in
Manager of the company’s Hong
tutoring ex-service officers to win jobs in industry. He also brewed homemade wine for many years, produced home movies, made bread and was an avid weatherwatcher who kept barometer
From the NCP, Hardwick
records going back decades.
entered the Royal Navy,
MANN, KEITH S.M. (45-49)
eventually becoming a Lt. Commander, serving in eleven ships and being present at medal theatre operations at Suez in 1956 and in Singapore/Malaysia and Aden. In 1966 he left the Navy and began a long career in industry, rising to become Group Personnel Director at Avon Rubber. In parallel, he became
died in Christchurch, New Zealand in November 2021 aged 89. Born in London in 1932, Keith’s teenage and adult sporting life revolved around fencing. At the Nautical College, he was a CC in Hesperus division and Captain of Fencing, In 1948 he was the winner of both the Under-16 Naval Cadets championship and the Under-20 Junior Officers championship at the Royal Tournament. Keith joined the Blue Star line and by 1954 was a First Officer with the company. Two years later he left the sea, emigrated to New Zealand, married, and began a new life in commerce in sales and marketing with Dunlop
John Hardwick (44-48) - receiving MBE 1987
Rubber, becoming General
Kong office. On retiring in 1992, he continued his association with Dunlop as a consultant for the next ten years. Throughout his career Keith was involved in fencing at a high level. Rising rapidly to the top of the sport in New Zealand, he represented the country at four Commonwealth Games, twice as a competitor (1962, 1966) and twice as a Games official (1970, 1974). From 1967-70 he was President of the NZ National Fencing Federation (NZNFA) and from 1971-80 sole national selector. In 1994 he became President of the NZNFA for a second time and later was awarded with both a Special Award by the NZNFA and a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to sport. An obituary by Fencing New Zealand stated: “Keith was the epitome of a good fencer and a role model for many in the fencing community… He was renowned for always 71
acting with modesty and good
Medal from the Society for
Commander RNR in 1970, he
sportsmanship.” A loyal OP, he
Nautical Research for my efforts
faced new challenges in locations
regularly attended the annual
to record and save historic ships
such as the Canadian Western
reunion of OPs in New Zealand.
and small craft. This is, I believe,
Arctic where he worked the
a first for Pangbourne.”
dredger Beaver Mackenzie. In
Captain in the Royal Navy, died
BANBURY MICHAEL C.
December 1978 he was appointed
in Cornwall in June 2021 aged
(48-52) died in November 2021
86. “A great man missed by all his
a month after attending the OP
HOGG, GEORGE A. (48-51) a
Falklands Islands reunion event in Portsmouth with his wife Julia. He was 86. At the NCP he was CCC of Port Jackson. In 1952 he won the Maitland Cup presented to the best cadet joining the Merchant Navy that year. Aged 17, he joined Clan Line Steamers Ltd in the footsteps of his father, working his way up to the rank of Chief Officer, Mike Banbury (48-52)
and helped to set up the British &
family and friends” stated a death
Commonwealth Cadet Training
notice in The Daily Telegraph. At the Nautical College, Hogg was a CL in Hesperus Division before passing the Civil Service Examination aged 16 to enter BRNC Dartmouth. In March 2019 George contacted the College to share news of his life. He wrote: “I am now at the end of two long and successful careers, firstly the Royal Navy (Electrical Branch 1952-88), and secondly as a museum volunteer 1990-2017 when I retired as a founder member and longstanding Trustee of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. In June this year (2019) I was awarded the Victory 72
Scheme in 1964. He also enjoyed an interlude with British United Airways piloting a new passenger hovercraft service between Rhyl to Wallasey in 1962. In 1965 he transferred to the Union Castle Line, on the flagship RMS Windsor Castle.
Captain RNR. Subsequently, he joined the Alexandra Towing Company at Gravesend in 1981 and became a member of the British Tug Owners Association; he was Chairman 1990-92. He retired in 1997 and among other interests became President of the Gravesend RNLI and the Gravesend Sea Cadets, whilst continuing as a member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners and the Nautical Institute.
1950s DUGGAN, HUGH (50-53) died in Queensland, Australia in May 2021. He was 85. At the NCP he represented the College at the Public Schools’ Fencing Tournament. In 1953 he left school for Shell Tankers.
Throughout his time in the MN, Mike continued in the RNR with stints in various RN ships. In 1966, by then an RNR Lieutenant Commander, he had the honour of commanding the minesweeper HMS Invermoriston on her voyage from Singapore to Portsmouth. After moving to Westminster Dredging and being appointed
Hugh Duggan (50-53)
THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM
The following year he joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. By 1956, he was 3rd Officer RFA Tidereach and was on station with the fleet during the Suez Canal Crisis. Later, in March 1958, he was one of 12 officers selected to form the Guard of Honour representing the Royal Navy at the Cenotaph in London. Following his years at sea, Hugh met his wife-to-be in Rhodesia, where his love of theatre found him in the vanguard of an emerging television industry. Settling back in England in the early 1970s, he pursued a television career, living in Newcastle, Southampton and Bournemouth. In 1980 he emigrated to Australia. Here he joined Channel 7 and won awards as producer and director of children’s programmes, light entertainment specials and outside broadcasts. In later life he became Executive Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation in Melbourne. He is remembered as a gentleman who lived a full life and loved his dogs, the sense of the absurd and his family. COLLINGWOOD, JEREMY J.R. (50-55) died in December 2020. He was 83. At the NCP he stood out as a scholar, sportsman and leader spending three summers in the 1st XI and as CCC of Macquarie Division.
Jeremy Collingwood (50-55) - centre front row sitting 1955
He then won a place at Corpus
Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and
Christi College, Cambridge to
Zambia.
study Economics and Law. First,
Jeremy returned to England in
however, he did National Service in the Royal Navy, serving in the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle as a Midshipman. Having completed his degree Jeremy joined the UK Overseas Civil Service spending another year at Cambridge.
1970 and joined the Director of Public Prosecutions as a Legal Assistant until in 1978, he switched direction and was ordained in the Anglican Ministry, serving as a Rural Dean and Vicar of Holy Trinity
On completion, he went
Church Bristol and then Christ
to Northern Rhodesia as a
Church Guildford. He retired
District Officer serving until
to Saffron Walden in 2002.
independence in October 1964.
Jeremy was also a scholar and
Subsequently, he stayed on in
author, writing many articles and
independent Zambia, qualifying
books including well-researched
as a barrister and writing a
biographies of notable figures in
Criminal Law of East and Central
the history of both Guildford and
Africa. Later, he undertook roles
Saffron Walden, and an account
as Magistrate, Law Lecturer
of his distant Lake District
and Head of Law School at the
Collingwood relatives.
National Institute of Public
HERKLOTS, JEREMY B.
Administration in Lusaka. He was to maintain links in Africa for the rest of his life leading teaching missions to South
(50-53) a Lt Cdr in the Royal Navy, died in Oxford in January 2021. He was 83. He had an 73
Jeremy Herklots (50-53)
extraordinary upbringing before
of a new form of low-cost
left the NCP and went to sea,
boatbuilding for artisan fishermen
but remained in the Royal Naval
in South India. After ITDG,
Reserve. Later, he switched to the
Jeremy set up an overseas
Royal Navy rising to become a
development unit for the fairtrade
Captain RN. In retirement, he
charity of Traidcraft. Later, he
moved to Norfolk and played
settled in Oxford and owned a
golf at Eaton GC, smoking a
business setting up computerised
pipe – “a steady 15-handicapper”
accounts systems for small
according to OP Richard
companies. In retirement, he
Guillaume who partnered him on
was treasurer and trustee of
several rounds.
the Oxford charity Archway
UPTON, GEORGE LEIGH
the NCP. His family lived in
Foundation.
Hong Kong. Aged five, he
WARD, PATRICK ERSKINE
RN, died in Torbay Hospital in
(51-54) died in Norwich in
August 2007, aged 70 years, after
January 2012 as the OP Society
a short illness as the OP Society
has recently learned. At the NCP
discovered. Upton joined the
Pat captained the Fencing team
NCP in Lent term 1951 and was
in which he was, according to
in Hesperus Division. He was
The Log, “a tower of strength.”
also a member of the College’s
A member of the 1st XI cricket
cross-country running team
team in the summer of 1954,
in 1953, 1954 and 1955 before
his “value to the side cannot
gaining Special Entry into the
be overstressed.” An opening
RN. Cdr Upton’s death came
bowler, “his accurate, nagging
to light as a result of efforts
length was invaluable.” That
made ahead of the OP Falklands
season he took 38 wickets at an
commemoration event in
average of just 14.3. Destined
Portsmouth in October 2021 to
for the Merchant Navy, Ward
track down all 51 OPs thought to
escaped to the Philippines in 1940 as the Japanese invaded the colony, leaving his father behind. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, he spent the next four years in two harsh prisoner-of-war camps in the Philippines. Dying from dysentery, he was rescued from a grim prison in Manila by U.S. troops in 1945 the day before the family was expecting to be executed by the retreating Japanese. Herklots qualified for BRNC Dartmouth in 1953 and spent
(51-55) a retired Lt Commander
have taken part in the conflict. As
seven years in submarines
far as is known, Cdr Upton was
before retiring in 1966. He
in the Falklands as Chief Officer
then began a varied career involving navigation systems and
on a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel.
pump technology, including a
JACKSON, M.J.R. (52-56) died
rewarding eight year period with
after a long illness In November
the Intermediate Technology
2021 in Auckland, New Zealand
Development Group (ITDG)
where he had lived since 1967.
in South East Asia. The most
He left a wife, three sons and
significant project was the introduction and evolution 74
a daughter. At the Nautical Patrick Ward (51-54)
College Mike, who came from
THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM
Mike Jackson (52-56)
postings in HMS Ark Royal,
in 1969 and remained with the
Invincible (during the Falklands
company until 1983 achieving
conflict), Hermes, Intrepid and
Captain rank. At this point Miles
Illustrious. Also recorded by
swallowed the anchor, came
Navy News are stints with 3
ashore and worked in the City of
Commando Royal Marines and
London specialising in shipping
with the Sea Cadet Corps. The
litigation. In 1995 he retired and
last Pangbourne event Andrew
spent the remainder of his life in
attended is believed to have
Wimbledon, southwest London.
been the 2010 OP Dinner. In
From 1957-92 he was an officer
retirement, he had an interest in
Essex, was in Macquarie division
sheep farming.
and for three years the Boxing
EDEN-SMITH, MILES R.
team. He went into the Merchant Navy, obtained his Masters Certificate, sailed with Blue Star and then with The New Zealand Shipping Company. In 1967 he left the sea after a final voyage in the Rangitoto. That year he married and settled in Auckland. Here he worked at the Waterfront Training School, teaching port workers to drive heavy machinery. Later he was employed in the Ports of Auckland as a Ship Planner. He stayed there until retirement. ELLIOTT, ROBERT ANDREW (53-58) died in
(54-57) died in November 2021, aged 81. Miles always regarded himself as “a simple sailor” and was happiest when at sea or yarning with sea-going friends. At the NCP, he was in Hesperus division and won the prestigious Maitland Cup for Seamanship in
in the RNR, rising to the rank of Commander. He was also a member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, the Nautical Institute and the Shaw Savill Society. For many years, he represented the OP Society at the Remembrance Sunday service at the MN memorial at Tower Hill, laying a wreath on behalf of all OPs who had gone to sea in the
1957. He was a member of the 1st
Merchant Navy.
X1 Hockey and Fencing teams.
CHAMPION, JOHN
After the NCP, Miles joined
(57-61) died in New Zealand
Alfred Holt/Blue Funnel Line
on February 14 2021. After the
then Royal Mail Lines rising
NCP, he entered the Merchant
to 2nd Officer and qualifying
Navy with Shaw, Savill & Albion
as an Extra Master Mariner.
Line and served in the RNR.
Seeking command, he moved
Most of his voyages involved
to the Furness Withy Group
trades between the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Shaw Savill
August 2018 as the OP Society
ceased trading in 1975. John
learned in 2021. He was a Lt.
settled in New Zealand but did
Commander Royal Navy. His
not take part in OP events there.
last address was in St. Agnes, Cornwall. At the NCP, Andrew
The Society has no further details.
was in Macquarie Division. He
COOMBS, JOLLYON
became CCCC in Lent Term
(59-63) died in May 2021
1958. The October 2018 issue of
aged 75. Jollyon represented
Navy News provided detail about his service in the RN including
the College at shooting and Miles Eden-Smith (54-57)
fencing. On leaving, he studied 75
photography at Bournemouth
made him a true presence in the
School of Art, before signing up
Livery world. In parallel, Jollyon
for the Welsh Guards and went
undertook many charity-raising
to Mons Officer Cadet School.
initiatives, included walking
By 1976 he had risen to the rank
across Iceland, rowing down the
of Major after tours of duty in
Thames and rowing the Great
Germany, Northern Ireland,
Glen in Scotland, finishing a
Dubai and Cyprus. A chance
harrowing 70 miles and 24,000
meeting with the C.O. of the
strokes in 20 hours spread over
16th/5th Lancers lured him away
six days. In 2018, aged 72, he
from the Welsh Guards to the
rowed an Olympic course for
Lancers from 1979-1986.
each year of his life. The boat was
In 1986, Jollyon left the Army,
later donated to the College. In
embarked on a career in property. A partner at Cluttons invited him to join the firm, which he did, before being head-hunted by Chesterfields in 1989 and Jackson-Stops & Staffs in 1990. In 1992, Jollyon participated in a management buy-out and took charge of offices in Chelsea and Fulham before selling his shares when he became ill with pneumonia. In 1999 he secured a job as Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers in the City of London. For 20 years his larger-than-life personality
all, he raised well over £100,000 from these ventures.
1960s ABBOT, DAVID R. (64-69) died in November 2020, aged 70. At Pangbourne, he was a CL in Hesperus, a proficient fencer and College Librarian in 1968. After leaving the NCP David went to Southampton College of Technology where he achieved a Diploma in Yacht & Boatyard Management. His first employment, in 1974, was as Chandlery Manager at Westerly Marine Construction in Waterlooville, Hampshire. In 1980 he moved on and spent a brief time selling life insurance. In late 1981 he joined the Yachting Monthly advertising team, based in London, where he sold space in the South and South West of England regions. In 1998 David was made redundant. He and his wife moved to Suffolk.
Jollyon Coombs (59-63)
76
There he joined Oyster Marine
David Abbott (64-69)
in Ipswich as Warranty Manager. He also became a member of Pin Mill Sailing Club, downriver from Ipswich, and its Vice Commodore. GLENCROSS, JON (67-70) died suddenly in Gibsons, British Columbia in May 2021 aged 66. After leaving Pangbourne, Jon went to Agricultural College in Devon and then worked on various farms while starting a smallholding in Cornwall which extended to 70 acres. One of his neighbours was Robert Strang (41-43) who farmed near Liskeard and died in 2009. In parallel, he began a 30-year career as a Cornish Hedger – surely the only OP ever to achieve this distinction – building hedges across Cornwall and Devon. During this period, Jon inherited an estate in Cornwall, from his father JEH Glencross [38-42], including woodlands, but was disillusioned by the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. With his wife Ali, he
THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM
began to contemplate emigration
company was the main agent for
wonderful family with which to
and focused on southwestern
the purchase and onward sale of
share it, a full life well lived.”
British Columbia. After a wait of
PCs into the Kingdom and the
nearly eight years, the couple got
wider Middle East. He married
1970s
the go-ahead to move in 2011,
in November 1990, and his
settling in Gibsons. Although
two children were born before
retired, Jon remained very active
he left Saudi in 1995 to return
becoming commanding officer of
to the UK as Chief Executive
the local Navy League
of Latchways. Two years after
Cadet Corps.
David arrived, Latchways became a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange. In 20 years, David took the company’s turnover from £1.5 million a year to over £42 million a year, with the majority of output going to export. David and his wife Dawn lived near Marlborough, on a farm with 80 acres dedicated to
Jon Glencross (67-70)
DAVID HEARSON (65-69) died after a fall in Scotland on January 18th, 2022, aged 70. He left a wife Dawn and two children. Paul Hearson (65-70), David’s twin brother, writes: “We arrived at the Nautical College, Pangbourne in September 1965. David embraced everything that Pangbourne had to offer and, in time, became Captain of Rugby, a member of the 1st VIII and CCC of Illawarra. In 1972 he joined IBM and began life as a salesman, eventually becoming personal assistant to the head of IBM Europe. In 1991 he moved to Saudi Business Machines based in Jeddah. This
breeding racehorses. Among his breeding successes was Aqlaam which was sold as a yearling to Hamdan Al Maktoum. Aqlaam earned half a million pounds on
HACKER, ROGER DAVID (70-75) died in 2019, the OP Society discovered in 2021. At Pangbourne, Roger was a CC in Illawarra Division and Captain of Boats, winning a silver medal in the coxed pairs at the 1974 National Schools Regatta. He was also awarded his Colours in the 1975 1st XV using his height and weight well in the second row. He also played the bugle the Band later becoming Drum Major. In 1975 he won the Music prize; one of his skills was playing a 12-string guitar. On leaving the College, Roger studied Print & Business Management at the London College of Printing. Later he worked for Pan Books and BT.
the racecourse including winning the Jersey stakes at Ascot and the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. When living in Paris David had begun a lifelong interest in wine and had a magnificent cellar which he shared with both friends and family. In his younger days he enjoyed sailing and whilst in Saudi Arabia he gained his diving qualifications. He
Roger Hacker (70-75)
also loved fishing but, above all,
Please visit the Pangbourne
he enjoyed the good company and rapport of friends. David enjoyed life immensely and had a
Portal to read all obituaries in full. 77
The Antarctic A very Sometimes it’s the most ordinary moments that can uncover the most extraordinary stories. Buried amongst a pile of dusty ledgers in the College archives was an equally dusty piece of cardboard seemingly destined for the bin. Closer examination however revealed that this piece of card was actually a Certificate of Membership to The Antarctic Club issued to Lieutenant Commander J H Blair RN on the 17th January 1929. Behind this faded document lies the story of a remarkable man and one of Pangbourne College’s great characters. John (Jackie) Hamilton Blair
The SY Aurora and her crew
was born on the 29th July 1889
had been chartered by the
in Glasgow and as a teenager
experienced geologist and
embarked on a career at sea,
Antarctic explorer Douglas
signing on as an apprentice with
Mawson with the aim of
The Loch Line whose fleet of
undertaking an expedition
twenty five ships sailed between
to chart and map the area of
Scotland and Australia. Jackie, as
Antarctica directly beneath
he was more commonly known,
Australia. Mawson had previously
reached the rank of third mate
taken part in Shackleton’s 1907
before leaving the company
expedition and was offered a
and joining A. Currie & Co, a
prominent role on Robert Falcon
shipping line founded by fellow
Scott’s ill-fated expedition of
Scot Archibald Currie and whose
1910 which he turned down in
ships plied their trade between
favour of his own plans.
Melbourne and India. It was while based in Australia that Jackie, aged twenty four, secured the position of Chief Officer on board the SY Aurora but this voyage was no ordinary voyage. JH Blair
78
In 1913 Chief Officer Blair set sail for Antarctica. Ironically for someone who would later become such an integral part of the College, the ship embarked from Port Jackson to one of
THE PANGBOURNIAN | THE ANTARCTIC CLUB
Club exclusive club!
awarded the silver Polar Medal for his trip with Mawson. Perhaps the greatest recognition that Jackie received for his work in the Antarctic came from Douglas Mawson himself when he named a group of islands in Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica the Blair Islands. This was perhaps an indicator of the mutual respect and admiration that formed between the forthright Yorkshire man, Mawson and the tenacious little
Certificate of Membership to The Antarctic Club
its first ports of call Macquarie
returned to his base camp alone
Island where Mawson established
just in time to see the Aurora
one of three shore bases he
sailing for Australia for the
would use for the expedition.
winter. It would be another year
Facing sub-zero temperatures,
before the ship returned to pick
mountainous seas and the ever
him and his relief party up.
present danger posed by sea ice, the Aurora covered over 1800 miles of unmapped coastline. The expedition was to be one of the most harrowing ever undertaken and was marred by the death of two of its members who along with Mawson embarked on an attempt to reach Oates Land by sledge. Mawson eventually
The following year and with war looming, Jackie Blair enlisted with the Royal Navy and between December 1914 and the end of the war would carry out sixty eight submarine patrols earning himself the Distinguished Service Cross in 1917. This however was not the first medal he received as in 1915 he was
Scotsman, Blair. In 1919 Jackie Blair was recruited by Sir Philip Devitt to Captain the training ship St George and so began his illustrious career with The Nautical College, Pangbourne. The College archives contain the log that he kept during his first year with the St George in 1920. His love of the sea and his overwhelming desire to see the cadets succeed jumps from the pages as well as his reminiscences of his time spent in the Antarctic. Eventually he would rise to Captain 79
THE PANGBOURNIAN | THE ANTARCTIC CLUB
Superintendent of the College in 1939 before returning to sea during the Second World War. A fuller account of JH Blair’s role at the College can be found in chapter 3 of Robin Knight’s centenary publication “Spirit in Changing Times.” But what of
First dinner club
that dusty piece of card. The Antarctic Club was founded in 1929, by invitation, open to individuals who have spent at least one winter or two summer field seasons south of the Antarctic convergence. The first annual dinner and reunion was held at the Café Royal on Regent Street, London, on the 17th January, to coincide with the anniversary of Captain Scott’s party reaching the South Pole, in 1912. Thirty nine founding members attended that first dinner, representing 11 expeditions from Carsten Borchgrevink’s Southern Cross Expedition (1898-1900) to the British Imperial Expedition to Grahamland (1920-22). At this dinner, Lieutenant Commander John Hamilton Blair was issued with membership certificate number thirty eight, he would later go on to be elected the Club’s 9th President in 1937. 80
Diner club letter dated 1928
THE PANGBOURNIAN | BOOK REVIEWS
Book Reviews by ROBIN KNIGHT
What Ship, Where Bound? by
standardization was a long process
Officer ‘Charlie’ Sewell who had
and took several hundred years.
been a young boy signaller in
Navies and merchant shipping
HMS Neptune at the Battle of
companies went their own ways.
Jutland in 1916. Later Craddock
(58-62)
Admirals in battle had their own
joined P&O and spent five years
ideas. Rival concepts constantly
at sea before coming ashore and
David Craddock
The title is taken from the
arose. The importance of the topic studying Graphic Design at the
message exchanged between was widely recognised, given the passing ships at sea. implications for safety at sea, yet It covers the history of visual
even in the present day all is far
London College of Printing. Sections of the book will be of interest to non-specialists,
communication, and the
from uniform.
language of signalling, at sea from
David Craddock is well placed to
the most famous signal in British
Byzantine times to the present.
cover this subject. At the Nautical
maritime history – Nelson’s
The subject is far more complex
College, his own experience of
“England expects that every man
visual signalling began under the
will do his duty” before the Battle
than might appear at first glance.
Achieving any sort of international redoubtable eye of Chief Petty
The Culinary Dangers of Rural France …and other stories by John Beadon (62-67)
John Beadon, by his own account “has been lucky to lead an unusually full and adventuresome life.” In a book he describes as the
including a detailed analysis of
of Trafalgar in 1805.
ten months of which has been
Seychelles at the end of 1983, a
spent in offices.
mechanical issue forced Beadon
Since his time at the NCP, he
to put in at the port of Hodeidah
has sailed, run sailing schools and delivered luxury yachts all over the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Always a risk-taker, he ran a fast motorboat for a year in the southern part of the Red Sea when piracy and kidnapping was rife there. He married three times and, until Covid struck, was living half
“memoirs and musings of a slightly the year in a shepherd’s cottage in deranged Englishman” made up of the Alpes-Maritime foothills north
in Yemen. Welcomed with infinite suspicion by Kalashnikovwielding soldiers, he spotted a Red Ensign freighter anchored nearby and managed to sneak on board. The captain, was Rodney Pym (60-64). Half an hour later, spare-part made and the NCP duly toasted, Beadon got back to his yacht, distracted the guard with a copy of Playboy magazine, and
of Nice and half the year in
hurriedly sailed out of the port.
South Africa and the sea, he
South Africa.
This is an enjoyable, exuberant,
conveys vividly the great pleasure
Pangbourne features in a chapter
irreverent book written to
54 short stories from rural France,
he has derived from a 50-year post-Pangbourne existence only
titled ‘A Most Fortuitous Meeting.’ “provide some light relief.” - a testimony to a life lived to the full. Sailing a 50ft ketch to the
81
Max Macklin Art of Concrete School; however I’d like to think they are now part of my daily life. The resilience and industry learnt at Pangbourne, mixed in with lots of moral courage and initiative have been key for me personally with my new business. Starting a business from scratch with my own savings didn’t prove to be as easy as I had hoped, but by digging deep and pushing forwards to get through Max Macklin (07-14) proudly introduces “Bristol Concrete Studio”
I started Pangbourne College in Year 7 and followed right through to Upper VI, looking back it was an opportunity of a lifetime, (thank you Dad and the College!). I studied Business and Design Technology at A-Level and funnily enough the skills learned in these two subjects are exactly the skills I utilise in my day to day life now. I am currently 26 and left Pangbourne 8 years ago, I went on to get my degree at Bristol UWE and I now run a small independent business called Bristol Concrete Studio Ltd, which makes bespoke concrete furniture. We have been running a little over a year now and are doing very well. I think the opportunities that Pangbourne enabled me as a student have allowed me to become the person I am today. I think everybody at Pangbourne has heard of the Flag Values...I could even remember 4 without having to check on the College website! I remember struggling to memorise each one for the test in Junior 82
every obstacle and challenge it presented, these elements have definitely been an integral part of my success. Pangbourne for me, was very much a people place and the friendships I formed here are the ones that have stood the
THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP PROFILE
test of time, many of those have been involved in helping me get my new business up and running. My friends have been so supportive and amongst other things, have even helped me with deliveries on a Sunday morning to the other side of the country...kindness and selflessness to the extreme! Another Pangbourne friend; Ru Pawluk (who is a fantastic talent) has also been key to the success. He used his skills in 3D imagery to really boost my marketability in the earlier months and this year, together we are launching ‘The Bristol Sink Company’. A large part of the success of my brand has been customer service. When designing bespoke pieces, you have to work closely with clients, working to achieve exactly what they’re looking for or wanting to achieve; this takes time, perseverance, patience and integrity and has resulted in some heart warming customer reviews. I think in any walk of life and certainly any business - respect is a huge quality which is necessary in order to do well. Pangbourne
quality, handcrafted, bespoke
here of my designs which I
certainly instils this in people and
furniture made from concrete for
hope will entice you to look
I think it does so, in a manner
both internal or external spaces;
further at my website www.
which produces great people.
dining tables, coffee tables,
bristolconcretestudio.com or
Thank you Pangbourne!
side tables, consoles, seating
you can find me on Facebook,
and plinths... some examples
Instagram and Etsy.
BCS Ltd specialises in high
83
OP Accounts & Committee Can you help?
Income
Pangbourne College:
Member Contributions
An Oral History
OP Magazine
200
In May, we will be launching
Legacies
104
Total Income
an initiative to capture oral
College Contribution
histories of OPs, in the form of
Expenditure
a series of one to one or group
OP Events
interviews with OPs from the same era sharing their recollections. If you are interested in participating, please contact Phillip Plato (phillip@ platoestates.com) or Sue Carpenter (sue.carpenter@ pangbourne.com)
2021
2020
15,000
15,000
1,726
1,943
16,726
17,247
470
205
OP Society Gazebo
803
OP Magazine - Design
2,640
2,640
- Print & Post
6,103
5,589
Publication of OP Record Vol. 2 1,646
- Design - Print
4,146 500
- Robin Knight Publication of Leaders Archiving Website
2,500 628
277
30
30
250
475
1,500
800
OP Sport Notes: The OP Society agreed in 2018 to gradually redistribute funds in its bank account in the form of grants and donations to small OP projects and to Pangbourne College. With that in mind, a deficit in the balance sheet is likely in the years ahead.
- Golf - Sailing Presentations Wreaths & Flowers
372 42
Travel Expense Total Expenditure Surplus / (Deficit) for the year
21 (18,681)
(12,986)
(1,955)
4,261
General Funds held at Lloyds Bank total £47,131 (£43,382 in 2020) 84
THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP SOCIETY ACCOUNTS & COMMITTEE
OP Society Committee
OP Decade Representatives
President
Mark Dumas (Q 64-68)
1940s
Courteney Edenborough (Q 45-48)
Vice President
Merrick Rayner (Q 68-73)
1950s
Vacant
Honorary Vice Presidents
Robin Knight (H 56-61)
1960s
David Nicholson (Q 64-68)
Robin Paine (S 55-58)
1970s
Phillip Plato (H 73-78)
Richard Shuttleworth (H 57-62)
1980s
William Skinner (Q 82-87)
Ian Williams (I 61-63)
1990s
Claire Morphy (S 90-92)
Chairman
Phillip Plato (H 73-77)
2000s
Paul Lawrence (Q 04-08)
Secretary
Adam Lewis (H 99-01)
2010s
Larry Howard (Q 05-11)
Treasurer
Tarka Duhalde (S 95-98) John Fisher (I 68-73), Larry Howard (Q 05-11), Theodore Isaacs (PJ 78-85), Claire Morphy (S 90-92), David Nicholson (Q 64-68), Mike
2020s
Vacant
Elected Members
Nicholson (Q 57-61), Andrew Scott-Priestley (I 58-62), William Skinner (Q 82-87), Jonathan Spencer (Q 73-77) Notes: Decade Representatives encourage fellow OPs to attend events, plan decade-specific events, and act as a link to the OP Society Committee. In you are interested in representing the 1950s or 2020s, please email Phillip Plato at phillip@platoestates.com OP Overseas Representatives
College Contacts Head of Development & Alumni Relations
Tim Hamilton (H 96-01)
Pangbournian Magazine & News
Matt Allen
College Archivist
Sue Carpenter
OP Clubs & Groups
Argentina
Charles Pettit (Buenos Aires)
Yacht Club
Peter Kewish (Q 84-89)
Australia
Paddy Evelegh (Perth)
Golf Society
Charlie Parry (H 81-85)
Roger Pike (Sydney) Geoff Rae (Brisbane)
City / London Group
Robin Batt (S 61-64)
Alex Heaton (Melbourne)
Over 60’s Group Mark Dumas (Q 64-68)
Canada
James Mackenzie (Vancouver)
Cyprus
Louis Carrel
Military Group (MOPs)
Malaysia
Alex Tilley
New Zealand
Graham Jex
South Africa
Shaun Maynard (Johannesburg) Geoff Popple (Cape Town)
Uganda
Andrew Nzeyi
United States
Charles Bown (Chicago) Nick Gillette (California)
D P Holloway (PJ 94-99)
Notes: OP Overseas Representatives act as a point of contact for OPs visiting their area. Occasionally they organise events. If you live abroad and would like to take on this role, please email Phillip Plato at phillip@ platoestates.com In addition, the OP Society is seeking to establish regional UK groups, if you would like to act as a representative, please contact Phillip Plato at phillip@platoestates.com
Gyles Thornely (Colorado)
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THE PANGBOURNIAN | CHARLOTTE DRAKE SOCIETY
Charlotte Drake Society Early in 2021, former Housemistress Amanda Bowden proposed a new society for 6th Form girls. The objective was to inspire girls through experiences, knowledge and skills. The pupils named the society after one of the first girls to attend Pangbourne College, Charlotte Butterworth. Following a discussion around women taking their husband’s name in marriage, the girls also agreed to name it after Charlotte’s maiden name, Drake. The aims of the society are as follows: To form a trusted group where girls can share experiences and learn from each other;
To be a voice and make a positive difference in the Pangbourne community; and
To empower each other to take the opportunities available.
Sixth form girls enjoying the discussions at a recent Charlotte Drake Society meeting.
The new academic year began
in academia. Hannah Stone an
with our first in-person event.
OP and forensic psychologist had
All attendees brought an example
some fascinating stories working
of an inspirational woman and
with convicted criminals at
we shared stories over a delicious
Broadmoor. The final guest,
chocolate fondue including:
(via google meet), was Oenone
Alice Ball, an African-American
Flambert who works for the
chemist who found a treatment
charity TearFund. The guest
for leprosy whose work was
speakers shared similar stories
stolen and subsequently re-
and advice despite taking very
credited to her, and Silvia
different career paths.
Rivera, a drag queen and trans woman in the late 1900s, who started the STAR organisation with Marsha P. Johnson (drag queen) for LGBTQ support and
We are always looking for guest visitors, speakers and resources. We are lining up a self-defence workshop and in the Summer term we hope to run a formal
Charlotte kindly offered to be
empowerment.
a guest speaker at the inaugural
In November we welcomed three
successes. If you feel that you
guest speakers for a Q&A. Laura
could offer any support, we
Green a sociology lecturer at
would be delighted to hear
Bath Spa university spoke about
from you.
meeting in April 2021. She spoke fondly of her time at the College and her role as a current Governor of the College. 86
her experiences as a woman
dinner to celebrate the Society’s
1917 CLUB If you would like to provide a life changing place at Pangbourne then please join the 1917 Club. Pangbourne College was founded by Sir Thomas Devitt in 1917. Members donate £19.17 every week, every month, every quarter, or just once
‘It is clear that - for the right person at the right school at the right time - boarding school can be transformative.’ Baroness Barran, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Schools System
To join, please visit www.community.pangbourne.com/supportus
The Pangbourne Bursary Foundation’s mission is to offer life changing opportunities by providing fully funded boarding places at Pangbourne College. Pangbourne College Foundation is a restricted fund that comes under the umbrella of Pangbourne College Reg. Charity No. 309096
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Connecting, inspiring and mentoring all Pangbournians
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