SUMMER 2012 ISSUE No. 150 - Shrewsbury School

ISSUE No. 150 

SUMMER 2012

School News 

EDITOR 

Richard Hudson 

Churchill’s Hall 

Shrewsbury School 

Shrewsbury 

SY3 7AT 

Tel: 01743 280630 

rth@shrewsbury.org.uk 

ASSISTANT EDITOR 

Annabel Warburg 

OBITUARIES EDITOR 

Hugh Ramsbotham 

Old salopian club 

Alex Baxter (Director) 

Miriam Walton (Administrator) 

Old Salopian Club 

The Schools 


SY3 7BA 

Tel: 01743 280891 (Director) 

01743 280892 (Administrator) 

Front cover: 

Summer of mud 

Inter-House athletics is reborn. See page 32 

E DITORIAL 

‘For the rain it raineth every day’ sings Feste 

the fool at the end of Shakespeare’s Twelfth 

Night. Never in my memory either as a 

Salopian boy or adult has this seemed truer of 

the Summer Term at Shrewsbury. Week after 

week cricket fixtures have been painstakingly 

arranged, house teams drawn up, only to be 

cancelled when, after a brilliant early morning 

full of the promise of a glorious day ahead, 

serried ranks of grey clouds have invaded from 

Wales and the heavens opened by eleven. 

Only the rowers have been able to carry on 

serenely, though sadly with mixed success this 

season. The geographical distribution of the 

rain has, very strangely, meant that despite 

falling in vast quantities over Shrewsbury, the 

river has remained more or less within its 

banks. 

Most readers will distantly remember from 

their schooldays a literary device, beloved by 

both authors and film directors, called the 

‘pathetic fallacy’, where the weather reflects the 

mood. In films, for example, the sun generally 

shines at a wedding, and the proper weather 

for a funeral is rain. Without wishing to sound 

too morbid, the weather this summer seems a 

2 

fitting reflection of the mood at the retirement of 

three of the School’s most loyal servants, 

Senior Master and former Grove housemaster 

Peter Fanning, Registrar and former Ingram’s 

housemaster Robin Case and David Gee (is 

this really his retirement?), sometime 

housemaster of both Dayboys, as it then was, 

and Severn Hill, after 54 years on the 

Shrewsbury staff; a little shy of Her Majesty’s 

stint, but bringing to his job the same 

philosophy of unselfish service. 

The Queen’s Jubilee has provided 

numerous opportunities for us to be reminded 

of the almost revolutionary changes which our 

society has witnessed over the past 60 years. It 

has therefore seemed fitting to start this issue 

with an extended reflection by David Gee on 

the changes he has witnessed at Shrewsbury 

over the same period. But there does seem to 

be a subtle difference. The spirit of the place, 

that special Salopian ethos, seems to have 

remained unchanged in its essentials. And 

seldom has it been so well described as it has 

been by David at the end of his marvellous 

retrospective. 

Floreat Salopia!

F IFTY-FOUR YEARS ON . . . 

It is over fifty-four years since I first came to teach at Shrewsbury 

and I am often asked how much it has changed. I usually answer 

that in some ways it has changed out of all recognition and in other 

ways not at all. Shrewsbury has its own distinctive ethos, composed 

of its landscape, its people and its structures: and the interplay 

between the actors on that landscape and the ethos which they first 

inherit and then transmit is a subject of intense fascination to me. In 

the letter, well-known in Salopian circles, which Malcolm White, who 

had joined the Common Room in 1910, wrote four days before he 

was killed on the Western Front in 1916, to his colleague and 

contemporary Evelyn Southwell, he was comforted by the reflection 

that Shrewsbury is immortal. I sometimes think that the river which 

flows past our school, always moving but always essentially the 

same, provides a powerful image of that abiding ethos, of that 

ethical continuum in which we all play our part. 

There have been significant changes on our incomparable Site, 

which Neville Cardus described as ‘the most beautiful playing fields 

in the world’; but its essential characteristics of space and surprise, 

which Laurence Le Quesne identified in a previous edition (No.100), 

have happily, if somewhat precariously, been preserved. The 

arrangement of our buildings round a central ‘village green’ is an 

essential element in the Salopian ethos: and though there has been 

much building in the last fifty years - the Lyle Building, Kingsland 

Hall, the Craft Centre, the Science Building, the Gym, the Swimming 

3 


Dr David Gee (DHG), who after a number of failed attempts, will make another attempt to retire 

this summer, reflects on the changes he has seen at Shrewsbury over the last half century. 

Sixth Form trip to Moscow, May 1961 

Pool, the Cricket Centre and three new boarding houses, The 

Grove, Mary Sidney Hall and Emma Darwin Hall, being the most 

notable examples - the Site retains its extraordinary beauty and its 

compelling magic. 

Of course, the people come and go; and here, too, there have 

been important changes in number, provenance and function. In 

1958 there were forty-five members of the Common Room, all male 

and all Oxbridge graduates. The first female member of the 

permanent staff was appointed in 1979. Now there are over a 

hundred full-time colleagues, one fifth of them female, drawn from a 

wide variety of Universities. Then it was generally assumed that, 

although ambition might lure a few away, most colleagues would 

stay for life. Now there is much greater mobility: there have been 

more than sixty new members of the Common Room in the last ten 

years. Then internal promotions, especially to Housemasterships, 

were generally based on seniority of appointment to the staff; and 

the average age of Housemasters was nearer 50 than 40. 

Colleagues addressed each other by their surnames. Senior 

colleagues would not hesitate to rebuke, or even report their juniors 

for some misdemeanour or solecism. When, as a young ‘brusher’, 

(Salopian slang for ‘master’), I donned a woolly ski-hat, with a bobble 

on top, for coaching on the river on a freezing February afternoon, 

the Senior Master, usually amiable and genial to his juniors, growled, 

as he passed me on his bicycle, ‘Take that thing off!’ I did!


The Salopian Common Room, in my experience, shows 

exceptional dedication, Housemasters, of course, not least. The 

closed ‘green baize door’ of my earliest days at Shrewsbury has 

now been flung wide open. The boys, bending over their Top 

Schools in Hall, no longer hear the sound of a gong announcing 

that their Housemaster is about to sit down to his dinner: nowadays 

he’s often lucky if he can grab a sandwich. House discipline then 

was the preserve of the monitors. All members of staff nowadays 

have a vastly increased administrative load, composed of UCAS 

forms, grade predictions, course work, preparation for external 

inspections, lesson observations and annual personal professional 

assessments. Risk assessments account for a considerable portion 

of this deluge of paper. I still shudder when I remember how, fifty 

years ago, I led a party of Sixth Form historians, shod only in gymshoes, 

over the notoriously dangerous rocks of Crib Goch, wet with 

rain and shrouded in mist, followed by an enthusiastic American 

exchange-student, who kept exclaiming ‘Gee, this is cool!’. At the 

time, I knew no better: and fortunately we all came down unharmed. 

Now I am required to fill in a risk assessment form if I drive a couple 

of my Sixth Form tutees out for supper in a country pub! The 

tremendous expansion of sport and its fixtures means that the 

demands on the staff, for coaching, refereeing or merely 

supervising, also constantly increase. The dedication of the 

Common Room has been fully reflected in that of the support staff: 

on the Common, on the River, in Kingsland Hall, and in the 

administrative offices, there has been a whole succession of great 

servants of the school, whose notable contribution has 

appropriately been acknowledged, in several cases, by their 

election as Honorary Salopians. 

The population on the Site has expanded enormously and 

changed significantly since 1958. Then there were 550 boys in the 

school, of whom just over 50 were Day Boys. Now there are nearly 

750 pupils, of whom 120 are Day Boys and 80 are Sixth Form girls. 

In 1958 it was exceptional for a Salopian to come from overseas: 

now a significant minority do so. While, therefore, the size of the 

School has increased by just over a third, the size of the academic 

staff has more than doubled: but by far the greatest expansion has 

been of the administrative staff. Whereas the 1958 Brown Book 

records only 13 names under the heading of Administrative, 

Medical and Support staff, the 2012 Brown Book records over 70. 

Computerisation, safeguarding policies, employment legislation, 

health and safety regulations and the demands of marketing 

account for much of this expansion. And particularly during the last 

decade, a merciless and unremitting avalanche of paper has 

descended upon the heads of the Senior Management Team, all of 

Teaching in the Lyle Building, 1969 Forty-one years on . . . 

4 

it demanding full and rigorous compliance. The days when there 

was a waiting list of boys whose parents could comfortably afford 

the fees are long gone: now there is intense competition for a 

dwindling constituency of potential entrants, many of whose parents 

have to make considerable financial sacrifices: every aspect of the 

School’s provision has to be ‘state of the art’. 

Many of the changes which Shrewsbury has experienced in its 

academic life are common to other schools of its kind. In 1958 

teaching was seen as ‘what a gentleman does with his leisure’. 

Though an Oxbridge degree was a sine qua non, a professional 

teaching qualification was regarded with suspicion. The Lower 

School was organised on the Form Master principle, in which a 

colleague taught a group of related subjects to his form and 

therefore had a great personal influence over them for a year and a 

real opportunity to give them a broader education. The idea that 

one needed a degree in a particular subject in order to be 

competent to teach it only became an established orthodoxy in the 

late 1970s. But the educational results of this ‘amateurism’ more 

than bear comparison with those of to-day. The Sixth Form was 

organised on the basis of five ‘Sides’; Classics, Modern 

Languages, History, Mathematics and Science, though there was 

room for variation and for other subjects within those categories. 

Since then, first Economics, (after a heated discussion in 1962 as to 

whether it was an Art or a Science – the dichotomy was then highly 

fashionable and well established), then Business Studies, Craft, 

Design and Technology, ICT, Photography and Theatre Studies have 

been added to the range of subject choices, Personal, Social and 

Health Education has been introduced, while Physical Education 

has achieved full academic recognition. Classical Civilization has 

partly replaced and has certainly reinvigorated the traditional diet of 

the old Classical Side and both it and Religious Studies have 

expanded greatly. Most of the negative influences and frustrations in 

academic education at Shrewsbury have been imposed from 

outside. The end of the seventh-term Sixth Form in 1984 removed a 

valuable community of scholarship and focus of aspiration. Since 

then the relentless tightening of the strait-jacket of examinations, 

their ever-increasing frequency, the constriction effected by narrow 

syllabuses and the obsession with assessment criteria have 

threatened to stifle imagination and originality and to award 

recognition to grades achieved rather than to the inherent quality of 

academic work. Good teaching is, first and foremost, the 

communication of an enthusiasm; and this requires an adequate 

context of freedom. 

The expansion of the academic curriculum has been more than 

matched by the concurrent expansion both of the variety of sports

With Day Boys Head of House, 1975. Note the length of his typical 

1970s hair! 

available and by the number of their fixtures. A comparison of the 

sparse ‘Fastis’ of the 1950s with the crowded, bulging schedules of 

today makes the point dramatically. Football, Cricket, Fives, the 

Hunt and the Boat Club remain the five traditional major sports: 

Rugby Football fought – and won – a long battle for inclusion and 

recognition. Swimming and shooting, tennis and squash (the last 

two originally with very limited facilities) were generally available. 

Fencing came and went. Now all of these are well provided for: and 

hockey, basketball, badminton, beagles, polo, (with netball for the 

girls) have joined them. The sole – but regrettable - casualty has 

been Athletics, now, it seems, happily poised for revival. In 1958 

prestige in the School was principally and almost exclusively the 

product of achievement in sport: there was even a vigorous 

objection when the introduction of a Scholars’ tie first broke sport’s 

sartorial monopoly! Now achievement in every official aspect of 

School activity is appropriately recognised by the School First 

Committee. But extra-curricular activity extended much further, far 

beyond the boundaries of recognised competitive sport. 

Domestically, under the inspirational and idiosyncratic leadership of 

Michael Hall, the Outward-Bound-style ‘Basic Year’ became a 

Day Boys migration from the Main School Building to Port Hill, 16th February 1979 

5 


consuming enthusiasm for many; and during his tenure effectively 

became a state within a state. Foreign excursions by linguists, 

mountaineers, biologists, musicians, artists and sportsmen, both 

‘wet-bobs’ and ‘dry-bobs’, though invariably both enterprising and 

rewarding, became commonplace. 

One very notable development in the last fifty years has been the 

complete and phenomenal transformation in the quality and 

prominence of the School’s activity and achievement in music, 

drama and fine art. These occupations were ‘poor relations’ in the 

1950s, but now the concerts, productions and exhibitions which 

Salopians stage, not only at school, but in Edinburgh, Birmingham, 

London and further abroad in locations as far-flung as Prague and 

Bangkok, contribute enormously to the current reputation of the 

School. Debating, for many years in the doldrums, has taken on a 

new and vigorous lease of life; and the Model United Nations team 

has recorded an impressive sequence of victories in inter-school 

competitions. 

All these activities together constitute only one aspect of the 

breakdown of the ‘monastic isolation’ which was characteristic of 

the traditional public school as it still existed in 1958. This 

breakdown was reflected in the decline – almost, but not quite to 

the point of extinction – of the private language. Internally, the 

decade after 1958 witnessed the progressive dismantling of the 

boys’ hierarchy of monitorial authority and of the rigid structure of 

privileges of each year group. The most prominent traditional 

features were fagging and beating. Juniors were summoned to do 

the monitors’ bidding by ‘doul calls’: (the use of ‘doulos’ befitted a 

famous Classical school, for it is the Greek word for ‘slave’). 

Corporal punishment by boys became steadily less common in the 

late 1960s, and by the Housemasters in the 1970s until, in the early 

years of the 1980s, the practice finally became extinct. Until 1969 

only praepostors might carry an umbrella: and only they might walk 

on certain specified expanses of grass. (I well remember their 

contemporaries crowding under the praepostorial umbrella in a 

downpour, or ‘hitching a lift’ with the praepostor across the grass.) 

Junior boys, with dreams of future grandeur but at potentially painful


risk, were reputed to emerge from their houses after dark to 

experience the thrill of that forbidden privilege.) In one of the 

houses, only boys in their third year and above were allowed to leap 

up the house stairs: their juniors had to place a foot on every step. 

One could go on....! What is certain is that the days when the 

normal condition of a junior boy was being ‘hungry, frightened and 

cold’ are long gone. Extensive provision of single bedsits for the 

Sixth Form and smaller multiple bedsits for the juniors has 

produced an infinitely more civilised and comfortable environment. 

(In 1958 even the Head of School slept in a large bedroom 

containing the whole range of 13-18 year-old boys: and one 

Housemaster’s wife used to say that the House corridor made her 

think of Pentonville prison!) And Shrewsbury’s excellent tutorial 

system, which has developed during the last thirty years, and which 

has done so much to counter, personalise and mitigate the 

institutional aspect of the School, is now one of its finest features. 

By the time the system had become fully articulated, in the 1990s, 

every boy had a personal tutor, assigned to the junior boys, but 

chosen by the Sixth Formers. It may not be possible to make sure 

that a boy or girl is happy (although the overwhelming majority are 

conspicuously so) but elaborate measures are taken to prevent 

unhappiness and to investigate and eliminate it when it occurs. 

With their historic, and now very substantial contingent of Day 

Boys (and recently Day Girls, too), Salopians have never been 

isolated from the local civic community. The greatly valued link with 

Shrewsbury House in Everton, forged over a century ago, has been 

a constant reminder of the reality of the wider world. Parents, who, 

fifty years ago, were expected to confine their appearance on the 

Site to Speech Day, are now frequent and welcome visitors to 

concerts, plays and matches. Parents’ meetings, a rare and 

controversial initiative in my earliest days at Shrewsbury, are now an 

annual fixture for each year group of the school. There are no 

queues for the House telephone after Top Schools; mobile phones 

allow easy and frequent communication with home. Long, unbroken 

terms, in which it was possible to be confined to the Site for three 

months at a time, have been segmented, originally by a weekend 

(subsequently a week and soon to be two) in the Michaelmas Term, 

then by the same process in the Lent and Summer Terms, and, with 

the concurrent development of ‘Coach Weekends’, have resulted in 

the division of each term into distinct quarters, allowing a Salopian 

to have regular breaks and get away. Social service in the town has 

steadily expanded: in more recent years the 

School’s facilities have progressively been made 

available to local teams and in the holidays also to 

the members of cultural and sporting Summer 

Schools. School and House Dances, originally in 

many respects rather like Home and Away 

matches, and undertaken as tentative experiments, 

are now a regular feature of the Salopian scene: 

Sixth Formers may spend Saturday evenings in 

local restaurants rather than in their studies: a Sixth 

Form Club was established over forty years ago in 

which girl-friends, many of whom had already 

joined in plays and concerts, could be entertained, 

and in 2008 a female contingent finally arrived in 

the Sixth Form, as full members of the School. 

And so we return to the crucial subject of ethos, 

so very hard to identify and yet the very heart and 

soul of the School. Each generation of Salopians 

inherits and transmits it, but the members of the 

Common Room are collectively, with their generally 

much longer tenure, its indispensable guardians. 

6 

The really crucial element in the Salopian ethos, is, I believe, the 

exceptionally easy and positive relationship between the staff and 

the pupils, which often, in the Sixth Form, develops into an abiding 

friendship. That this relationship really has an exceptional quality 

was powerfully endorsed by the report of the Bloxham Committee in 

1973, which had been commissioned to enquire into that very 

matter in a wide range of Independent Schools, and which found 

Shrewsbury to be quite outstanding in that specific respect. That 

encouraging conclusion naturally reinforced what it claimed to have 

found. Even an ethos, long-standing and pervasive as it often is, 

has to have an origin: and it is equally often asserted that this 

distinctive quality originated in the unusual degree of commitment, 

care and enthusiasm, cultivated and displayed by a community of 

young, bachelor masters, among them Evelyn Southwell and 

Malcolm White, and later Ronald Knox, established in the New 

House in the years immediately before and during the First World 

War. As a consequence of the friendly and genuine interest shown 

in their pupils (by no means a universal characteristic of their 

contemporary colleagues) and of the encouragement given by 

these dedicated young men, some of whom were soon afterwards 

to sacrifice their lives in an ultimate sense, this Salopian ethos was 

born and began steadily to percolate through the community. 

Salopians have consequently been enabled to respond with a 

distinctive confidence and have made their own equally distinctive 

contribution of a ‘northern’ (or at least a non-metropolitan) 

individualism and realism, a healthy (and occasionally satirical) 

scepticism about conformity and appearances, together with a 

straightforward friendliness and natural, if sometimes unpolished 

and unsophisticated social ease and grace: all together this 

constitutes an attractive combination of qualities which earns 

Salopians a welcome and enables them to thrive in a wide variety of 

social situations. 

As always, when building upon a long-established foundation, 

the challenge is to balance the need to adapt to contemporary 

circumstances and to prepare for the future on the one hand, while 

identifying and preserving those vital elements in the past which 

express the character of the institution and sustain its life. And, in 

the social context, our greatest care must be to preserve and 

nurture this sense of community. Expansion has been the recurrent 

theme of the observations I have made: and the growing size of the 

School, no longer a simple single-sex and five-year unit, the 

Launching The Good Doctor

ceaseless proliferation of activities and the increasingly heavy 

demands on the time and energies of staff and pupils alike, 

together with the universal tendency to communicate by electronic 

means rather than by personal encounter, all inevitably tend to 

present threats to community. While the community of the staff in its 

widest sense, as the most effective guardian of the ethos, is the 

most important priority of all, the explosion of administration, the 

development of specialisation and the provision of separate subject 

areas, together with the increased pressures on time, all combine to 

reduce both the opportunities and the inclination to arrange social 

encounters. 

Our pupils, too, need to safeguard that vital sense of community. 

One of the characteristic features of the traditional boarding school 

has been its challenging intensity. Specifically, the social intensity of 

a single-sex group of thirteen-year-olds, whose membership 

remained virtually unchanged over a period of five years, was the 

hallmark of the traditional Public School and it has consistently 

generated its own strong sense of community and loyalty: certainly 

it has had its negative aspects, but in its most positive manifestation 

the bond which resulted was lifelong. This consciousness and 

response now need a new stimulus and focus. The contemporary 

intensity is an intensity of activity: the current Salopian has the 

opportunity both to make his or her choice from a wide spectrum of 

opportunities, academic, cultural and athletic and then to develop 

those talents, in that chosen sphere, to their highest potential. In 

the academic context, we must remember not to confuse results 

Upper Sixth History set, May 2012 

7 


with quality. Perhaps, here too, we need a little more space and 

surprise, this time of an intellectual kind. It is characteristic of our 

age to focus on statistics and standards, but inspiration, loyalty, 

generosity and devotion, like all the most important things both in 

individual and community life, and of far greater intrinsic value, are 

not so easily measured. Salopians have always displayed a streak 

of non-conformity – that, too, is part of the ethos: and even a little 

eccentricity has its place in a great school. 

Scholae meae alumnos agnosco. After all the changes and 

chances which I have examined, I conclude that the ethos is alive 

and well but that at a time of ever more challenging and varied 

activity and of rapid and significant change, it requires very careful 

nurture. Shrewsbury does indeed have golden chains, as Ronald 

Knox discovered long before I did. To the School’s very great 

advantage, it has had the good fortune to be led by a whole 

succession of Headmasters who, without exception within my own 

recollection – and some would say from as far back as Alington and 

Butler – have each in turn contributed to and enhanced its strength; 

and it has been a privilege to serve with seven of them. The School 

is flourishing mightily and I contemplate its future with the greatest 

confidence. I am only a Salopian by adoption, but I hope that I have 

become a true Salopian if not in origin, then by conviction and 

allegiance. Shrewsbury has been worth a life. 

Floreat res Salopiensis! 

David Gee


P RIZEWINNERS 2012 

The Harvard Prize R. M. Parr (EDH) 

Nonely Exhibition T. F. Price (MSH) 

The Dukes French Prize J. W. Flowers (I) & T. F Price (MSH) 

The Bentley German Prize D. Onishchenko (MSH) 

The Bain Spanish Prize R. G. Fishbourne & T. F Price (MSH) 

The Moss Prize for Classics X. A. M. Greenwood (Rt) 

The Cross Prize for Classics R. M. Parr (EDH) 

The Classical Civilisation Prize P. J. H. Gadsden (Ch) 

The Marshall Travel Prize for Classics E. R. Moodey (MSH) & A. J. Thompson (G) 

The Philip Sidney Prize for English X. A. M. Greenwood (Rt) 

The Kitson-Clark Prize J. W. Flowers (I) 

The Allen Prize for Creative Writing J. R. Humpish (SH) 

The R.S. Thomas Poetry Prize T. J. J. Simmons (Ch) 

The Bentley Elocution Prizes: 

Sixth Form R. M. J. Cross (S) 

Fifth Form R. St. C. Wade (Rb) 

Fourth Form E. D. Carroll (Ch) 

Third Form O. E. Lansdell (PH) 

Theatre Studies Prize E. T. H. Chiagozie (MSH) 

The Goulding Family Prize for Drama J. W. Flowers (I) 

The Senior Debating Prize C. A. F. Straw (S) 

The Junior Debating Prize J. R. C. Plaut (S) 

The McEachran Prize: 

Senior X. A. M. Greenwood (Rt) & R. St. C. Wade (Rb) 

Junior T. J. J. Simmons (Ch) 

The Bright Prize for History E. A. W. Taylor (Ch) 

The Murray Senior Prize for History S. J. L. Constantine (S) 

The Quinn Prize for Third Form History L. G. B. Stewart (PH) 

The Dorothy David Prize for Religious Studies I. Z. Atkins (MSH) 

The Robertson-Eustace Prize for Geography A. W. Pollock (I) 

The Lower Sixth Form Geography Prize L. J. Emms (MSH) 

The Fifth Form Geography Prize S. N. Chandler (Rb) 

The Arnold Hagger Mathematics Prize Y. C. Chow (SH) 

The Powell Mathematics Prize A. K .Z. Koh (Ch) 

The David Harrison Mathematics Prize A. Angpanitcharoen (Ch) 

The Arnold Matthews Science Prizes: 

Biology M. H. Hassan (O) 

Chemistry P. S. Li (Rt) 

Physics A. B. K. Facey (G) 

The Darwin Prize for Science P. S. Li (Rt) 

The Astronomy Prize C. J. Papaioannou (PH) 

The Hawksley Burbury Science Prize M. J. E. Davies (M) 

The Rolls Royce Prize A. Pollock (I) 

The Lampel Prize for Natural History H. J. Stringer (PH) 

The Global Perspectives and Independent Research Prize R. Suemanothom (G) 

The Business Studies Prize J. F. Bailey (R) 

The Ramsbotham Business Studies Prize E. T. H. Chiagozie (MSH) 

The Lower Sixth Form Business Studies Prize A. C. Webb (S) 

The Economics Prize A. S. W. Bird (Ch) 

The James Meikle A Level Physical Education Prize S. E. Walker (EDH) 

The Physical Education Prize H. E. Adams (EDH) 

Art Prizes: 

Sixth Form C. A. F. Straw (S) 

Painting M. J. Farmiloe (SH) 

Ceramics K. B. E. Ngai (S) 

Photography A. R. Foster (I) 

The History of Art Prize E. P. Merison (MSH) 

The Hill Art Prize L. J. Emms (MSH) 

Music Prizes: 

Senior Piano G Ganchev (M) 

Senior Brass L.M Jeffcoate (Ch) & H.O Thomas (Ch) 

Senior Strings J. O. Owen (Ch) 

Senior Woodwind H. A. P. Newbould (Ch) 

Senior Singing L. M. Jeffcoate (Ch) 

The Graham White Organ Prize C. H. Li (G) 

The Russell Prize for Orchestral Playing T. C. J. Hardman (SH) 

The Guyer Family Prize J. A. Pople (SH) 

The Woollam Family Prize H. C. G. E. Haynes (O) 

The Special Music Prize O. M. Darrington (Ch) 

The Gordon Riley Prize C. A. Gittins (EDH) 

The Guy Lovett Award E. R. Storey (MSH) 

The West Family Prize E. M. Pring (EDH) 

8

S CHOLARSHIPS 2012 

THIRD FORM SCHOLARSHIPS 

Butler Scholarships: J. A. Himsworth (Shrewsbury High Preparatory School) 

T. A. W. Tulloch (Packwood Haugh) 

E. L. Chapman (Prestfelde) 

Kennedy Scholarships: C. M. Speed (S. Anselm’s) 

M. X .A. M. C. Schützer-Weissmann (Prestfelde) 

Moss Scholarships: F. J. J. Simmons (Aysgarth School) 

J. J. Mattinson (Shrewsbury High Preparatory School) 

M. H. J. Morris (Shrewsbury High Preparatory School) 

B. M. W. Jones (Prestfelde) 

Alington Scholarships: N. W. Davis (Shrewsbury High Preparatory School) 

W. S. Bedson (Prestfelde) 

A. Kim (Terra Nova Preparatory School) 

P. Cope (S. Anselm’s) 

G. C. Morris (Packwood Haugh) 

R. W. R. Davies (Packwood Haugh) 

S. T. F. Russell (The Elms) 

W. J. Lugo (The Ryleys) 

All-Rounder Scholarships: E. L. Chapman (Prestfelde) 

N. Davis (Shrewsbury High Preparatory School) 

D. J. Orchard (Prestfelde) 

Art Scholarships: W. A .F. Biggs-Lovell (Terra Nova) 

C. A. S. Barratt (Moor Park) 

Burney Music Scholarship: J. A. Himsworth (Shrewsbury High Preparatory School) 

Music Scholarships: N. W. Davis (Shrewsbury High Preparatory School) 

B. C. P. Higgins (Elstree School) 

D. J. Orchard (Prestfelde) 

R. J. Orchard (Prestfelde) 

J. S. Thevathasan (Prestfelde) 

Music Exhibitions: J. G. Eccleston (Pinewood School) 

G. W. Holder (Aysgarth School) 

C. Kathuria (Packwood Haugh) 

Sports Scholarships: G. Hargrave (Packwood Haugh) 

C. E. Home (Birchfield School) 

F. D. Fielding (Packwood Haugh) 

J. Malyon (Yarlet School) 

C. J. Tait-Harris (Birchfield School) 

SIXTH FORM SCHOLARSHIPS 

9 


Academic Scholarships: Gabrielle Byrne (Merchant Taylor’s School, Middlesex) – Academic & Drama 

Crystal Chan (St Paul’s Co-educational College, Hong Kong) 

Elizabeth Collins (Stratford upon Avon Grammar School for Girls) 

Elinor Dolphin (Shrewsbury High School) 

Stanley Hau (Reed’s School, Surrey) 

Arthur Kung (St Paul’s College, Hong Kong) 

Irene Kwan (Maryknoll Convent, Hong Kong) 

Denton Lee (St Paul’s Co-educational College, Hong Kong) 

Thomas Miller (Priory School, Shrewsbury) 

Ella Williams (Alderley Edge School for Girls, Cheshire) 

Music Scholarships: Awen Blandford (Ysgol Maes Garmon, Flintshire) 

Michael Cheng (Wah Yan College, Hong Kong) 

Charlotte Harris (Cathedral School Llandaff, Cardiff) 

Sports Scholarships: Niall Barrow (King’s School, Chester) 

William Cook (Bridgnorth Endowed, Shropshire) 

Joanna Cull (Winchcombe School, Gloucestershire) 

Margaret Cassidy Scholarship: Joseph Carrasco (Llanfyllin High School, Powys)


M ATHS PRIZES 

School Mathematics Prizes 

The Arnold Hagger Prize – a ninety-minute paper open to the whole 

School – was won this year by Martin Chow (SH, LVI). 

The David Harrison Prize is also open to the whole school, and takes 

the form of a mathematical presentation. Aue Angpanitcharoen (Ch, IV) 

won the competition with an original presentation on “Round Triangles”. 

Edward Elcock (Rb, LVI), last year’s winner, was a close runner-up with 

an entertaining talk on the paradox of the “Two Envelope Problem”. 

Sonny Koh (Ch, IV) won the Powell Prize. This competition, open to 

Third and Fourth Formers only, consists of a series of weekly problems 

of a puzzling nature. 

National Mathematics Competitions 

The School took part for the fourth time in the UK Senior Mathematics 

Team Challenge, with four boys in the Lower 6th making up the team: 

Martin Chow (SH), Win Chirayus (I), Non Suemanothom (G) and Peter 

R EFLECTIONS OF A RETIRING HEAD OF SCHOOL 

In my first year at Shrewsbury we took part in a charity bike ride as 

part of our Duke of Edinburgh Award. I was a timid, terrified thirdformer 

who was too scared of looking stupid to ask for a bike and 

ended up having to borrow one at the last minute. 

Four years later and I was about to start my time as Head of 

School. I was, once more, terrified and, as some of you will know, 

bikeless. As I write this – nearing the end of my time at 

Shrewsbury – the future stretches out in front of me, ominous and 

tantalising, darkened by the Damocles sword of A-level results. I am 

just as scared, overwhelmed but optimistically expectant as I was 

on my first day. Recently, the Shrewsbury bike thief struck once 

again and my much-loved mount (Hilda, as she had become 

affectionately known) was pilfered. 

This leaves me, yet again, terrified and bikeless. 

One could be forgiven for thinking that not much has changed 

since Sunday 2nd September 2007, when I stepped, wide-eyed, 

into the Salopian wilderness. But Shrewsbury School has a unique 

way of moulding every pupil into a Salopian whilst simultaneously 

nurturing the individual so that no two are ever the same. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MALAWI 

‘Just the Start…’ it says on the posters for the community service 

expedition to Malawi this July. Eighteen students and six staff will 

be working at a project in the central region of this African country, 

one of the seven poorest countries in the world. The project is 

funded by a charity based in Shrewsbury, Medic Malawi, and 

consists of a rural hospital, two schools, a nutrition centre and an 

orphanage. The Salopians will be playing with the children, 

gaining work experience in the hospital, teaching English and 

sharing music with this vibrant community. 

The aim is that this will be a long-standing connection and that 

groups will visit every two years. The community is a resourceful 

one; the orphanage children all ‘muck in’ with chores, while the 

adults give their time and skills. It is cash that’s missing. The 

expeditioners have been raising funds for the project by babysitting, 

holding a Jazz Evening, cycling from London to Brighton 

and arranging a ‘sponge-throwing at teachers’ session. Next 

10 

Zhan (R). They came first in the regional heat in December with a score 

of 169/176, and finished 20th out of the 63 teams participating in the 

London final in February with a score of 162/186. Over 1000 schools 

had originally entered the regional heats. 

The UK Senior Mathematical Challenge took place in November. 17 

gold, 25 silver and 29 bronze certificates were awarded to pupils across 

the School. Martin Chow and Win Chirayus qualified for the British 

Mathematical Olympiad, a gruelling and fiendishly difficult 3½ hour 

paper. 

The first round of the UK Intermediate Mathematical Challenge was 

held in February, with 28 gold, 37 silver and 24 bronze certificates 

awarded to boys in the Lower School. Seven boys did well enough to 

qualify for the Intermediate Mathematical Olympiad in March: Ronald 

Chiu (SH, V), Laurence Jeffcoate (Ch, V), Derek Law (O, V), Jonathan 

Cheng (I, IV), Sonny Koh (Ch, IV), Tom Dodd (Rb, III) and Alfie Grocott 

(PH, III). 

From flyering on the Royal Mile at the Edinburgh Fringe to lazy 

Sundays in Ridgemount after chapel, this school has so many 

experiences to offer which, coupled with the friends you share them 

with, make it such a great place to spend five years. I do not in any 

way feel a burning desire to escape this place, nor do I feel anguish 

at leaving the school behind. I am ready to move off into the world, 

taking a piece of Shrewsbury and everything I have learned here 

with me. 

Will Hunter (Rt) 

term, there will be a chance to hear from the students themselves 

about their experiences and the way they see the link developing 

in the future. Lesley Drew

F OURTH FORM MINI-SAGAS 

World War 3: the place not to be 

The year is 2018. The world is at war. WWIII has 

commenced. It’s the whole world versus Russia. 

I, Private ‘JP’, am with a group of elite soldiers, 

called the Navy Seals. We are armed and ready. 

Suddenly, three mushroom clouds rise into the 

sky. Can this be the end? 

James Pollard (PH) 

11 


�� 

�� 

�� 

The City 

The mighty walls towered high above the dusty surface, 

as did the other buildings inside. The magnificent 

cathedral sat behind the protection of the large walls. 

The thick, powerful gate guarded the entrance of the 

city. The architect stepped back and smiled; his model 

of ancient Rome had been completed. 

Nicholas Pearce (I) 

The Football’s Story 

The loud whistle blew; I was tapped on my side. The 

other man smacked me with his foot to reach the 

defender’s feet. Another man slide tackled him, got up 

and kicked me to the goal. I hit the bar, the crowd went 

‘Ahhh!’ very loudly, and so did I. 

Henry Peat (Ch) 

Final Journey 

The formidable jail gates in 

front of me shone like a 

beacon in the Arizona Desert. 

The metal gates slowly 

creaked open. The bus 

ground to a stop with only 

one building in sight. The jail 

guards violently shunted me 

out of the bus; they had 

‘Welcomed me to Hell!’ 

Oliver Pearn (S) 

Villain versus Victim 

In view, the hunter saw a 

vision of his humble 

vaudevillian prey. He 

viciously climbed the tree, 

violating its bark. He cast 

his vast arrow as both victim 

and villain, by the 

vicissitudes of fate, were 

vowed together…. He shot. 

He hit, therefore 

vanquishing these venal 

and virulent vermin forever. 

Guy Hunter (O) 

9/11 

To jump, or not to 

jump, that is the 

question. The 

building is falling 

down. I may have 

to suffer the 

planes of the 

hijacking terrorists. 

Or to take arms 

against a sea of stairs; by opposing them, 

to die? To jump? The heartache and one 

thousand natural shocks of jumping? 

Charlie Duckworth (O) 

The Meeting 

He stood there. The rain splashing down 

around him, the pitter-patter of the raindrops hit 

the ground around him, as he waited. Nothing 

else moved, and, as he stood there, he 

thought of the message he’d received earlier. 

He was wrong. He turned and left. The rain swallowed his emotions. 

Charlie Steele (O) 

The Scene 

– I’m going to kill you! You murdered my 

mother and you will die for that! 

– She was my mother too, and I did not 

kill her! I loved her and you know that I 

would never do that! 

– Go to hell! 

– “Stop! Stop! That acting was terrible!” 

said the director. 

Dmitry Lesnevskiy (O)


E D RUSCHA AT WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY 

This year, a new Thursday afternoon activity has been created for any 

Vth Former interested in Art History. The activity has included visits to 

various galleries and museums in Liverpool, Birmingham, 

Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton, as well as lectures in school. 

Ralph Wade (Rb) reviews the recent Ed Ruscha exhibition at 

Wolverhampton Art Gallery. 

Ruscha’s is the art of simple communication. All his work arrests 

attention, whether it be by his bold language of strong perspectival 

lines and primary colours or simply by the “noisy” nature of the 

contents – most notably Honk (1962) which encompasses all three. 

His most recent exhibition, in the Wolverhampton central gallery, 

externalises the works even more with a shifting lighting scheme, 

and Shakespearian quotes on the walls. 

What, then is conveyed by 

these methods? It is never 

simple – the complexity of the 

emotions or sentiments 

conveyed necessarily stand in 

deliberate juxtaposition with the 

simplistic stylisation of the 

subject matter. Take “Me” 

(1989), for instance – the red 

swollen characters, which 

represent the only colour in the piece, sit overshadowed by a vast 

mountain. It speaks of the unfounded arrogance which makes us 

even consider supremacy over the natural world. The block capitals 

of the “ME” have a certain petulance when you appreciate them in 

the scale of the rest of painting – and it is sentiments such as these 

that we are prompted to consider. 

S OMETHING FOR EVERYONE – 

HOUSE PLAYS FOR ALL SEASONS 

Something appealing – something appalling - something for 

everyone – a comedy tonight! 

Ah, the Annual House Play! For whom? For what? So that upwardly 

mobile thesps can have their fifteen minutes of fame? So that Mum 

and Dad and Gran and the younger sister can bask in the 

Housemaster’s assurance that ‘Terence was terrific as the butler in 

those early scenes’? Or so that small boys can ogle the charms of 

Emma Darwin Hall – those distant stellar beings who would never, 

ever, otherwise give them a glance? 

House Plays above all offer a glimpse of the beating heart that 

lies just under the radar in every boarding and day establishment. 

Heaven forbid there should ever be a House Play Competition. The 

sense of celebration and communal satisfaction at a job ‘well done’ 

should be enough – not to mention the overwhelming sense of relief 

for those who shoulder the blame. Aspiring directors – most of them 

students – have learnt to cut their theatrical teeth, discovered that 

herding cats is an easier task than persuading an amateur cast to 

arrive on time or deliver their lines in any sort of order. 

And still they come, week after week – with little more than four 

days preparation in the Theatre, building sets or fixing lights, whilst 

padding the corridors late at night, awake with restless worry. 

12 

There are, however, times 

when Ruscha slips slightly 

into pseudo-profundity – 

when a strong message is 

compromised for the sake of 

visual appearance, or simply 

for the sake of greater 

“sophistication”. I worry that 

his “The music from the 

balconies” (1984) is thus 

effected, its effect is brought at the expense of any true expression. 

Its bold juxtaposition of a disturbing J. G. Ballard quote with a sunny 

cornfield shouts at the viewer – but upon closer inspection says 

nothing. 

Visually, Ruscha’s work is, 

to my eye, attractive. It is an 

attractiveness leant by 

simplicity of colour and 

subject matter. His palette is 

of primary colours whilst his 

subjects are mundane – they 

draw in the viewer without 

need for introduction, for they 

are the colours and nature of 

21st century life. 

Ralph Wade (Rb) 

In (and out) of the Ashton Theatre, House Plays dominate each 

Lent Term. Mounting so many productions back to back is a real 

credit to stage hands without number, not to mention the patience 

and resilience of the doughty Theatre Staff. That Theatre Technician, 

Alex Davies, and his student lieutenant, William Allott, have ended 

Severn Hill in Hidden Meanings

Constructing the set for Noises Off (Churchill’s Hall) 

13 


the season vertical and practically sane is a tribute to their 

professionalism and tireless commitment. 

Well over two hundred boys and girls have performed on stage 

this year. 

And the quality? On balance, it’s been remarkably good. A 

spectrum of tones and talents has been visible throughout the 

season. And, without wishing in any way to place these pieces in 

order of merit, perhaps the most successful were the ones where 

Houses took the plunge and chose a really challenging text. 

Amongst these pioneering troupes was Ingram’s – who followed 

up last year’s marvellous Pirandello with a strikingly dour staging of 

The Quare Fellow by Brendan Behan and directed by Jack 

Flowers. Set in Dublin’s Death Row, when hanging was still a 

prospect for any murderous defendant, it featured stirring choruses 

and edgy commitment from a cast largely made up of courageous 

debutants. In a similar way, but aided by the sleight of a 

professional director’s hand (Des Hann’s, in fact), Radbrook and 

Porthill converted Rasmina Reza’s satirical comedy Art from a 

three-hand cast to a twelve-piece band, with some notably strong 

performances, not least from the younger generation. Meanwhile, 

shut out from the Ashton Theatre, Oldham’s staged a wonderfully 

whacky production of Pinter’s The Hothouse in the intimate 

surrounding of their Hall. Terrific performances from two old stagers, 

Gus Haynes and Freddie Fullerton, who will be sorely missed next 

year. 

For those with more conventional tastes, comedy is the natural 

order. But one of the most accomplished shows of the season came 

from Churchill’s in the form of Act One of Noises Off, Michael 

Frayn’s fiendishly difficult – and hilarious – farce about staging a 

farce. Anyone who reckons that farce is easy should have a go at 

this Actors’ Nightmare, where everything on and offstage that can 

go wrong, does exactly that. Will Heyes’s production was a tour de 

force from the entire company; and the set, a two-tiered revelation. You’ve guessed it . . . How to Make a Bomb (Moser’s Hall)


Elsewhere, The Grove’s Ten O’clock Angels mixed metaphysics 

with a starry-eyed talent show and a characteristically OTT 

performance from Sam Ansloos; Moser’s steered closer to the 

Crazy Gang with the anarchic farce How to Make a Bomb; and 

Ridgemount and Emma Darwin Hall deployed massed bands of 

students in Alan Bennett’s evergreen romp Forty Years On, whilst 

exiled to the Maidment Building, Severn Hill threw on a hilarious 

one-acter Hidden Meanings directed by that sadly departing and 

under-used ‘pro’ Matthew Mostyn. 

To cap an extraordinarily active year Rigg’s Hall produced a 

lavish pantomime, Robin Hood, complete with chorus line from 

Mary Sidney Hall and plenty of broad undergraduate humour; and 

finally, an extravagant staging of The Diary of Adrian Mole, by 

School House and MSH completed the entertainment. 

Something appealing – something appalling - something for 

everyone… 

– the words of Stephen Sondheim. But whatever your taste, from 

the sublime to the ridiculous, Shrewsbury’s remarkable House Play 

season has it all. 

Peter Fanning 

C ONCERT IN BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 

Back in the eighties, the weekly music listings for West Berlin (it was 

still divided then) had on a Tuesday just two entries: Berliner 

Philharmoniker and Shrewsbury School Symphony Orchestra. Last 

weekend in Birmingham, the School again provided the sole 

alternative, this time to the CBSO and as the latter were giving a 

performance of Tristan, it meant that for once a JFM concert was 

14 

beaten for length, though not by much. It takes confidence to 

venture into the musically sophisticated environment of the Second 

City, as well as much hard work, but there is sufficient talent – and 

enthusiasm – to mount a programme worthy of the venue. The 

refurbished Town Hall is a shining example of civic pride at work. 

The warmth of the acoustics was well illustrated in the first item, 

“Surround Sound”, in which the brass ensemble on the platform 

was supplemented by drums and trumpets positioned elsewhere in 

the auditorium. Nigel Gibbon directed this novel and rousing 

aperitif. 

The String Orchestra has made distinguished contributions in the 

past, but on this occasion, the chosen work, an arrangement of a 

movement from Dvorak’s “Dumka” quartet, did not bring out the 

best in them. Only fleetingly could we detect the poise and vitality 

that marked their St Cecilia performance; elsewhere, the playing at 

times sounded somewhat laboured. 

It was inconsiderate of Brahms to open his second piano 

concerto with a solo from the French horn, notoriously difficult to 

play from cold, but Edward Elcock gave the pianist his cue in fine 

style. The response from Jacob Owen, yet another talented artist 

who can tackle the grand concertos, was lyrical, sensitive, 

seemingly nerveless. His playing throughout had a clarity and a 

grace which lent a Mozartian feel to the interpretation, though that is 

not to say that it was lightweight., The programme note revealed 

that the commonest expression mark in the first movement is dolce, 

an aspect faithfully represented here, yet Jacob could and did give 

us powerful flourishes as required and nothing dented his 

composure. At one point his music fell over, to be quickly propped 

up again by the conductor, and it says much for these resourceful 

musicians that momentum was sustained. The performance did 

anything but fall flat. Nobly accompanied, it was a memorable treat. 

Regular Shrewsbury concert-goers will have seen Jacob Owen 

before, leading the cello section in the orchestra, and with not a 

minute to recover, he was back in his place for the Dvorak 

Symphony No 8. This is a favourite of John Moore’s, which he

conducts with a marvellous blend of passion and subtlety. While it is 

not the Berlin Phil, but a mixed-ability unit that he is directing, he 

manages to transcend limitations and inspire a thrilling reading. In 

quiet passages, the delicacy of the flute-playing stood out, and the 

climaxes, illuminated by the brilliance of the principal trumpeter, and 

hammered home by the fiery timpanist, were astounding, the whole 

orchestra responding as one to every fluctuation in tempo. 

Wonderful music-making. 

A big hit in November, the Wind Orchestra is very much the 

creation of its director, Maria Eglinton, and when you hear them in 

action, you will know what a compliment that is. Her choice of 

repertoire stretches, but does not over-extend the forces at her 

disposal and the playing of “Paris Sketches” was stylish, exuberant, 

and hugely enjoyable. 

At last the choir got their turn and in a concert dedicated to the 

memory of Vaclav Havel, writer and first President of the Czech 

Republic, it was fitting that their main offering should be Dvorak’s 

Te Deum. Initially overwhelmed by the volume of the orchestra, they 

sounded as remote as they looked on their lofty perches, but 

balance was restored and quieter passages were delivered with 

admirable warmth of tone. Guest soprano, Naomi Harvey, and our 

own Jonathan May, brought professional power to their solos and 

made a soaring contribution to a conclusion which left nothing to be 

desired, chorus and orchestra blending to massive, reverent effect. 

15 


Was it all over? Not yet, for on came Alex Mason, School 

choirmaster, to direct Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens. At that moment, it 

felt as if it would be one work too many, but the impression was 

soon dispelled. Birmingham Town Hall is steeped in the tradition of 

British choral music, and as the ode unfolded, words, music, and 

architecture seemed to be in harmony. In an ecstatic finale, the 

choir reached new heights, the organ rumbled in the depths, the 

whole of the venerable building resounded in glorious praise. 

Martin Knox


T HE MAGIC FLUTE 

The two semi-staged performances of The Magic Flute on 27th and 29th April surpassed the 

high expectations that we always have of our musical productions, and we hope that you'll 

agree that Martin has done justice to them here. 

These are good times for the Music Department, with performances 

individual and collective winning widespread acclaim. It has already 

been noted in these columns that singing has made particularly 

rapid progress, to the extent that John Moore was inspired to 

include a full-length opera in this season’s programme. I confess 

that when I first heard about the planned “Magic Flute”, I envisaged 

a cast of professionals, with some student participation, giving us a 

few extracts, nothing more. It was a serious underestimation of the 

Director’s vision and of the resources in which he had faith. A 

bridge too far? Not a bit of it. The adaptation for concert 

performance, with narrators filling the gaps left by discreet editing, 

worked a treat in the Alington Hall, never once seeming too long, for 

all that it lasted over two and a half hours. 

For this semi-staged production, the orchestra was placed 

behind two slightly raised platforms either side of the conductor. 

The cast, otherwise seated along the walls, came and went with 

admirable efficiency. First to make an entrance was one of the two 

guest artists, Robyn Lyn Evans, who brought a superb tenor voice 

and much charm to the role of Tamino. His impassioned rendering 

of the lovely portrait aria set the tone for the evening. I hope we will 

hear more of him. 

In this opera, villainy seems to be associated with top notes, and 

it was not surprising that the part of the Queen of the Night also 

went to a professional, Natalie Clifton Griffith, whose vocal agility 

won rapturous applause. In concert attire and without make-up, she 

was far from being a Wicked Witch in appearance, but she 

captured the menace in the score and never sounded in any 

danger of falling off the musical high wire. 

Conversely, the Queen’s opponent, Sarastro, is given the deepest 

imaginable bass part, and for this, Ed Chapman had the range, if 

not always the control of pitch. Some of the serene benevolence 

that lies in the great arias was missing, but the acting was 

authoritative, helped by excellent diction. 

Sienna Holmes is firmly established as the School’s leading 

soprano, with achievements in recital and oratorio to her credit. To 

these she added a splendid operatic debut as Pamina, singing and 

acting with mature command of every aspect of the role. We know 

she has ample power, but on this occasion it was particularly 

impressive to hear how movingly she held attention in the quietest 

passages. 

From the moment he strode jauntily onto the stage, Rob Cross 

was Papageno. Not even the longest round of applause (there were 

several) could deflect him from his total commitment to the 

character – and what a mature interpretation it was, rich in wit and 

pathos. Mastering the art of Singspiel, he slipped seamlessly from 

speech to song and vice versa, every word and gesture 

comprehensible and relevant. Months of preparation must have 

16 

gone into making it all seem so natural on the day. 

Similar attention to detail was evident in the acting of Sam 

Ansloos as Monostatos. His mocking of Papageno’s bells, 

embellished by a scornful pirouette, was a gem, and his flexible 

tenor voice was projected with appropriate vehemence. Occasional 

loss of clarity can be put down to the speed at which he was 

sometimes required to sing; the overall effect was impressive. 

Gus Haynes played the Speaker of the Temple with impeccable 

diction and an imposing stage presence. He made a valuable 

contribution to the drama, as did the excellent singers who took the 

walk-on parts of Armed Men (Tom Fletcher-Wilson and Will Heyes) 

and Priests (George Fowler and Ali Webb). The Three Ladies, 

Teresa Fawcett-Woods, Shannon Morgan, Kate Harrison, and 

Meredith Lloyd (one of the parts was doubled), also made a 

beautifully blended sound, though the hazard of projecting words in 

ensemble was not always overcome. With smaller voices, the Three 

Spirits, Angus Warburg, Edward Acton, Alex Howard (from 

Shrewsbury High Prep) nevertheless did manage to get their 

meaning across – with commendable confidence in what must 

have been daunting circumstances. Papagena, sung by Carys 

Gittins, who was unfortunately omitted from the programme, has 

not been forgotten here. Her interaction with Papageno was one of 

the highlights of the whole performance and their final duet was a 

joyful tour de force, setting up the exhilarating conclusion in which 

Light triumphs over Darkness, Good over Evil. 

The orchestra was very much part of this triumph, as it had been 

throughout. In spite of restricted rehearsal time, in spite of the length 

of the work, John Moore managed to conjure sensitive and 

authentic-sounding accompaniment from his players. Huge credit 

to the conductor and the music staff. Before the event, I had 

wondered pessimistically if a piano arrangement might not be safer, 

but from the first chords of the overture, it was apparent that all 

would be well. They were truly inspired in the Queen of the Night’s 

second aria and the Trial by Fire (not enacted) was created for us by 

a glowing quartet of trombones and the magic flute of Eugene To. 

And so to two names that have been saved for the final bow, 

Jonathan May and Kathryn Turpin, the singing coaches responsible 

for bringing so much talent to the stage. That they had confidence 

in their charges is best illustrated by the fact that they resisted the 

temptation to put themselves forward, content instead with reading 

the narration – and, along with choirmaster Alex Mason, adding 

weight to the chorus. Congratulations and gratitude are due. 

It is believed that this operatic venture was a “first” for 

Shrewsbury; let it not be the last. Next year is the Wagner 

Bicentenary. Now there’s a thought. 

Martin Knox

C OMMUNITY SERVICE 

Whilst most Salopians spend their Thursday afternoons engaged 

on some more obviously exciting activity, a small group of Lower 

Sixth formers religiously visit the local residential homes. Oscar 

Arrowsmith, Jack Ahmed, Chris Pearce and I go to Swan Hill, a care 

home for the elderly located five minutes away, on the street 

opposite Shrewsbury High School. 

Though some would find this option fairly unusual and wouldn’t 

expect Lower Sixth form students to choose to utilise their time in 

this way, it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I have 

made at Shrewsbury School as without these visits, I would never 

have met Margaret Jarvis. 

A typical trip to Swan Hill will last up to two hours. I start my visit 

by greeting the other residents within the 

home, and quickly find out what they have 

been up to that week. I then check that 

there is nothing that can be done back in 

the kitchen and make sure all the 

residents have got their cups of tea or 

coffee, before proceeding to spend the 

remaining time with Margaret, either 

outside in the garden or in her room. 

Conversations with Margaret are easy to 

settle into; we discuss anything from the 

hot topics of what gossip has occurred 

within Swan Hill, to nostalgic anecdotes. 

Time seems to go increasingly quickly 

during these conversations as Margaret 

never fails to have an entertaining story - 

our chats often end up with me in fits of 

laughter. I even forget that I am not just 

talking to one of the girls back in Emma 

Darwin! 

B LUE CHAIRS – A RIGHT PAIR OF JOES 

Joe Hart, pondering his Euro 2012 strategy, 

relaxing on a blue chair with Joe Bell (SH) 

17 


Despite Margaret’s grand age of 97, her alertness and kindness 

never cease to impress me. The atmosphere within Swan Hill must 

be depressing at times, but her consistent positive attitude inspires 

me. She never lacks a smile on her face and rarely has a bad thing 

to say about anything or anyone. Margaret has introduced me to a 

completely new outlook on life, and I see her as a real inspiration. I 

feel truly privileged to have been able to get to know her and would 

encourage anybody to take up Community Service in the Lower 

Sixth. Although it may initially feel like a less exciting option, you 

may just be lucky enough to get to know someone just like 

Margaret. 

Emma Pring (L6 EDH)


CCFTALARGERWYN CAMP 2012 

CADETS SOAK UP THE SUN IN SNOWDONIA 

Lt Col Nick David writes: 

Fourteen 4th form CCF cadets took part in our annual Outward Bound Camp to Talargerwyn during the first few days of the Easter 

holidays. We were blessed with amazingly unseasonal weather and this helped make the trip a great success. The aim of the camp is 

to introduce cadets to the joys of adventure training using the landscape and beauty of Snowdonia as the venue. What follows are 

some quotes from pupils who took part this year: 

Mountain Expedition – ‘These two final days were very good and this was a 

brilliant expedition. We traversed the Nantle Ridge just South West of the 

Snowdon range. After a tough start and brilliant team effort we conquered the 

first peak of Garnedd Coch. We then had wonderful views as we walked the 

ridge itself. On the first day we managed five peaks and had a well earned 

break (and cold swim) at our wild camp. Day two dawned with a glorious 

morning and with the sun slanting off the other side of the valley we bagged 

Moel Hebog and before long we were into a beautiful forest then onto the end! 

Within minutes we were on the minibus with Capt Lucas’s ridiculously 

annoying prog rock song ‘turn it up turn it down’ ringing in our ears. What an 

end to a fantastic expedition. Individually a mammoth task but as a team a 

great experience and an equally great way to spend time with your friends.’ 

(John Dempsey) 

High Ropes – ‘On Monday we visited the high ropes 

centre which includes a practice ropes course, some 

team building and a 50ft fan jump. George Patterson 

and Brendan Parsons ‘beasted’ the ladder getting to 

Level seven in 2 mins 50 seconds. After an exhausting 

afternoon we finished with a huge bowl of chips – the 

perfect end to a perfect day.’ 

Mine exploration – ‘In the evening we piled into a 

minibus and made our way to the Wrysgan Slate Mine. 

After a moonlit climb to the entrance we stepped into a 

dark abyss with only our head torches illuminating the 

60ft high chamber. In the next hours we learned a lot 

about mining and geology and emerged having been 

oblivious to this hidden world.’ 

(Toby Thomas and Henry Carter) 

Gorge walking – ‘The instructors gave us wetsuits and other kit – and we 

started our ascent up the river gorge. It was good fun and we didn’t feel 

cold due to the wetsuits. At the end we had a jumping competition 

followed by the bit everyone regrets – taking off the wetsuits.’ 

(Archie David and Freddie Perkins) 

Canoeing – ‘On a marvellous afternoon we 

ventured out into the deep of Llyn Padarn, the 

lake where Henry lost his beloved Superdry 

shoe – which sank slowly to the bottom. We 

took a dip and learned some new strokes (too 

many to remember by name) but we also 

learned teamwork, communication and the fun 

of canoeing.’ 

(Jack Kinnaird and Henry Binns) 

Climbing – ‘The weather was incredible and almost too hot. After a 

brilliant day of climbing and bouldering we had all had a great time 

but it wouldn’t have been the same without our fab instructor Dave.’ 

(Brendan Parsons and George Patterson) 

(Charles Joynson and Jon Cheng) Mountain biking – ‘As we got news that Charlie 

18 

Gillow had broken his arm after a bike fall, John 

Dempsey was on edge now he had the ‘jinxed’ bike. 

We had a great day on the Penmachno trail and I 

loved it so much I want to carry on with the sport.’ 

(Jack Burberry-Casey)

O N THE GROUND . . . 

Former Director of Sport and Ridgemount Housemaster Will Hughes 

reflects on the contribution made by the legendary Shrewsbury 

School Ground Staff. 

One of the largest group of unsung heroes (and a heroine) at 

Shrewsbury School is the Grounds Department. They are out in all 

weathers, cutting, spiking, seeding, rolling, fertilising, marking lines 

and getting pitches ready for pupils to enjoy their games of house 

and school football, rugby and cricket and the all important team 

training sessions for all abilities. The pitches get an incredible 

amount of use all year round and in fact last Michaelmas term there 

were over 600 matches between September and December. On top 

of this, there are netball and tennis courts to prepare, along with the 

hockey pitch on the astro turf. Add to this the gardens and 

hedgerows as well as an expanding programme of holiday use and 

one begins to appreciate the size of the task facing the department. 

A whole generation of Salopians will no doubt remember being 

asked politely to get off the grass by Ken Spiby. Ken was Head 

Groundsman at Shrewsbury from 1957 – 1994 and took great pride 

in overseeing what was quoted at the time as “the widest cricket 

square in the country”. Attention to detail was key and the grounds 

really were his pride and joy. Ken remains a keen supporter of the 

School and regularly attends fixtures and events. I suspect too that 

he still casts a beady eye over the pitches from time to time! Ken’s 

understudy for a number of years was Alan Lewis, who learned well 

from the master and took over the reins himself in 1994. Alan, too, 

19 


was passionate about the job and took things from strength to 

strength. He still lives locally and now runs his own thriving grounds 

consultancy business. Anthony Hough took over from Alan Lewis in 

2005, having come from Fulham F.C. via Christ College, Brecon. He 

was also a good custodian of the grounds and looked to innovate 

at every opportunity. Circular patterns on the football pitches 

became the order of the day! Anthony left for Bradfield in 2010 and 

was replaced by our current Head Groundsman, Andy Richards, 

who had also been at Christ College Brecon, Birmingham City F.C. 

and the British Airways sports ground. 

Andy oversees a team of ten grounds staff, who work tirelessly to 

ensure that the grounds and gardens are amongst the very best of 

any school in the country. It is a talented team, full of character, who 

are all highly trained in the different disciplines required. A vast array 

of machines is now put to use daily and a high level of expertise is 

required to operate them efficiently and safely. Andy also liaises 

daily with the games department to discuss their requirements. 

Master in Charge of Cricket, Andy Barnard, is one such colleague 

who is delighted with the rapid improvement of cricket squares and 

outfields. He feels that with the cricket expertise now in the grounds 

department we are well placed to enhance our growing reputation 

in the sport by providing surfaces conducive to positive, exciting 

cricket. 

The grounds industry is a huge business now and the science of 

growing and maintaining grass evolves by the month. One factor 

beyond the control of the grounds department is the great British 

Left to right: Brian Jones, Alec Waite, Gavin Perry, Anna Felix, Jon Lloyd, Brian Reynolds, Delme Whitbread, Anthony Parker, Stuart Edwards 

and Andy Richards


weather, but the School Governors assisted the groundstaff’s job by 

agreeing to the installation of a full irrigation system of over one 

hundred sprinklers on the Top Common in 2009. This is a key 

management tool, as it ensures that Andy has guaranteed water 

when he fertilizes, renovates and seeds pitches. It is also useful for 

putting water onto Senior fifteen minutes before kick-off to facilitate 

a ‘slick’ surface for Shrewsbury’s brand of passing football! 

Andy is innovative in his methods and recent initiatives have 

included using grass seed from New Zealand which germinates at 

just 2 degrees Celsius, meaning that he can repair pitches and 

grow new grass in the depths of winter. He is also experimenting 

with spray-on bacteria which is a very cost effective alternative to 

expensive fertilizers and has revolutionised the training pitches at 

Tottenham Hotspur. He is also looking to innovate with projects 

such as drop-in wickets to convert rugby and football pitches to 

cricket wickets in a short space of time. 

Andy’s long-term projects include continuing to improve playing 

surfaces year on year and trying to get Bottom Common and the 

Craig pitches up to the same standard as Top Common. This is an 

ongoing battle as these pitches are laid on top of the former town 

rubbish tip and it was not unusual in recent years to pull a 

bedspring out of the pitch before kick off! 

The phased arrival of irrigation for these pitches in the coming 

years will aid this process greatly and we should see tangible results. 

M ODEL UNITED NATIONS 

2011-12 has been an eventful year, not only for the world but also 

for MUN at Shrewsbury School. Although no-one would call it a 

vintage year for Arab dictators, bankers, politicians promoting 

austerity and the euro, it has been quite a good year for Shrewsbury 

MUN-ers, with five conferences attended and plenty to report. 

There have been many new faces at the lively Wednesday 

evening meetings, and our leaders this year (Jack Flowers, Kiran 

Morjaria and Will Shindell) have admirably steered that precarious, 

risk-laden line between cogent, informed argument, effortless 

citation of the UN Charter and gangsta rap. Girl power has been 

more in evidence at meetings, and I’m pleased to report that girls 

have trodden where previous generations did not dare, and finally 

made the long-fought-for breakthrough into the Security Council. 

At Royal Russell School in Croydon in October, Germany (our A 

team) scooped a Highly Commended Delegation award and nine 

members of our team won Distinguished Delegate awards. These 

were Sam Ansloos, Imola Atkins, Henry Dashwood, Daniel Edwards 

(Ambassador, Democratic Republic of Congo), James Halliday 

(Israel), Ben Gould, Guy Leslie, Kiran Morjaria (Ambassador, 

Germany), Anna Olerinyova (Ambassador, Bangladesh), and 

Emerald Storey (Ambassador, Sri Lanka). 

In December at the Paris MUN Conference in the highly 

prestigious setting of UNESCO headquarters, Shrewsbury also 

made its mark, representing Denmark and Rwanda, with 

Honourable Mentions for Jack Huntley, Anna Olerinyova and Ben 

Gould in their committees, and with Sam Ansloos named as the 

Best Delegate in the European Council. These were very pleasing 

achievements when one considers the size of the committees and 

the fact that there were over 900 delegates from all over the world at 

this conference. 

At Lady Eleanor Holles MUN in February, which mainly involves 

schools from London and the southeast, our teams (France, South 

Korea and Democratic Republic of Congo) braved the snow and 

20 

Andy enjoys the variety in his work that Shrewsbury provides, 

from planning bedding schemes, planting new shrubs and trees to 

preparing cricket and football pitches that are as good as any in the 

country. He enjoys the contrast of seeing elite games players on 

one pitch to nervous little Johnny on his way out to make his debut 

for the house team on another pitch with his pads on back to front! 

Andy is realistic about the challenge facing the modern 

groundsman to get pitches playable all year round and he says that 

he can no longer rely on or trust “the seasons”, but instead has to 

deal with the extremes of weather we seem to get these days. April 

used to be the best month for growing grass, as it was wet and 

warm, but in recent years it has been dry and cold. October now 

seems to be more favourable for growing grass as the ground 

temperature is better and there is more rain around. Keeping a 

close eye on the weather through various websites is an integral 

part of the job and he has to be pro-active in getting jobs done 

rather than reactive as was the case in the past. 

The next time you are on site and see the beautifully manicured 

beds, shrubs and trees and the immaculately striped pitches, 

please spare a thought for the men (and Anna) on their magnificent 

machines. 

Will Hughes 

Nils Sceery’s astonishing snowballing skills, and emerged from a 

weekend’s debating with an Outstanding Delegation Award for our 

DRC team (Ambassador Ed Elcock, Angus Thompson, Daniel 

Edwards and Theo Simmons). 

And finally on that sun-kissed last weekend of the Lent term, two 

separate teams (a total of 28 debaters) set off northwards; Togo 

and North Korea, accompanied by Jenny Burge and myself, to the 

Edinburgh MUN; and China, accompanied by Matthew Barrett, to 

Manchester, to an MUN hosted by Stockport Grammar School. 

Once again our plucky Togolese, North Koreans and Chinese ‘got 

stuck in’ and returned with a pleasing haul of awards. At George 

Watson’s College, in Edinburgh, Xavier Greenwood and Ben Gould 

were named as the Best Delegates in their committees, Jack 

Flowers, Will Shindell, Kiran Morjaria, Alex Montgomery, Sam 

Ansloos and James Halliday won Highly Commended awards, and 

Cecily Higham and George Mallett were Commended in their 

committees. 

Meanwhile at Stockport Grammar School Salopians worked so 

hard in the General Assembly on the last day that they were named 

as the Best Delegation in GA. In addition Rory Fraser was voted the 

Outstanding Delegate in his committee, Mark Huang, James 

Humpish, Ralph Wade, Daniel Edwards won Highly Commended 

awards, and Ed Elcock and Theo Simmons were Commended in 

their committees. 

We go into next year with lots of young and up-and-coming 

debaters, real strength in depth and a huge amount of spark, fizz 

and creativity in the team. But will words, arguments, resolutions 

and witty poems be enough to help us ride the rough waves of 

economic meltdown, ecological collapse, simmering tension in the 

Middle East and the challenges that these represent for our 

common future? 

Huw Peach

F OOTBALL 

A very busy football programme began for the 1st XI on Top 

Common at the end of August in near perfect conditions. 

Unfortunately the Lower Common was not in particularly good 

condition due to the near drought conditions experienced 

throughout the summer. It meant training/playing in trainers until the 

rain appeared. Our 19 school teams and our vast House 

programme began in earnest in September with record numbers 

playing football of all standards with great enthusiasm. 

The 1st XI travelled to Bristol for their pre-season training. We 

stayed in a hotel on the outskirts of Bristol and trained on the 

University playing fields at Coombe Dingle. The conditions were 

good and everyone was looking forward to getting prepared for yet 

another Shrewsbury School 1st XI season. We trained well and 

played three matches, the first against Weston Super Mare Youth 

team. Their team had been training for six weeks and had already 

played three matches. On a cold wet night we worked hard and 

quickly recognised that we had a lot to do. We lost the match 1-3 

(Max Pragnell scoring our goal) but it was a very good game and it 

showed us just where we were in terms of our fitness and our 

understanding of the game. We then played Bath City Youth team; 

goals from Sam Welti, George Ellery, Jack Hudson-Williams and 

Max Pragnell gave us a well earned 4-3 win. The match was played 

on a good surface and we played well. We passed the ball much 

better and were a fitter team than the one which played Weston 

1st XI Football Squad 2011 

21 


Super Mare. Our final match was against Bristol Rovers Under 16s. 

This was to be a real test and it showed just how far we had come 

in the six days we had been together. A 2-2 draw was a very good 

result, goals from Jack Hudson-Williams and Max Pragnell giving us 

real belief that we were on our way to a very successful season. 

However, in a training session before the Bristol Rovers match, 

our goalkeeper, Ben Gould, was injured in a routine shooting 

session. He was taken to hospital where it was revealed that he had 

broken a small bone in the base of his thumb. The break didn’t heal 

as quickly as first thought and Ben eventually had to have an 

operation. He didn’t play in goal again until the end of February. For 

the second season in succession we had lost our first choice 

goalkeeper before the regulation school matches had even started. 

In the Michaelmas Term we played 25 matches and used a total of 

five goalkeepers – this hints at the problems encountered during the 

term. 

They say statistics don’t lie and when you look at our stats for the 

Michaelmas Term you can see how the season went. 

Played 25, Won 12, Drawn 3, Lost 10, 

Goals scored 68, Goals conceded 48 

To have scored 68 goals in 25 matches is fantastic – 2.72 goals 

per game. In only one of our matches did we rattle up many goals 

and we scored in 22 of the 25 games played. We were in very good 

form when in possession of the ball and did create many goal-


Sandbach School under attack from a corner 

scoring chances. BUT to concede 48 goals in 25 games is not 

going to win any prizes! We did not have any huge problems 

defensively but we always had a mistake in our game – sometimes 

more than one. The goalkeeping situation was an obvious problem, 

for though few mistakes were made – when a goalkeeper does 

make a mistake it is rare that they get away with it and it usually 

ends up as a goal against. Perhaps the back four were 

uncomfortable with different goalkeepers behind them and it made 

them nervous. There were times when the back four did panic with 

their clearances and they took chances in our defensive third that 

they wouldn’t normally do. Of the ten matches lost, only four were 

lost by more than one goal which suggests we were unlucky. We 

never really got into our stride, our longest winning streak (if you can 

call it that) being three games. As soon as we got a winning run 

together, we slipped up and each defeat took a lot out of us. 

Our first match of the new term was against Shrewsbury Town 

Youth. Six of the tour party were unavailable due to the 1st XI Cricket 

team playing in a deferred National 20:20 Final at Arundel, but I think 

we surprised STFC and went into the break leading 2-0, courtesy of 

a Max Pragnell brace. They made changes at half time and we 

eventually lost 2-3; a good performance in a match which was 

played at a tempo we were not to encounter again during the 

season. 

A 2-2 draw against Liverpool Ramblers was followed by two good 

wins against Codsall Community College (3-0) and Hulme 

Grammar (2-0). Confidence was high, so did we become a little 

over-confident when King’s Chester came to Shrewsbury? We lost 

2-3. They played very well, we had to do a lot of chasing the ball 

and the game, and we eventually ran out of ideas and energy. 

Our first outing in the Boodles ISFA Cup was a very tense affair at 

Grange Grammar School, Cheshire. We eventually won 2-1 but it 

was a battle. Are we preparing ourselves for these tight matches 

where the opposition work very hard physically and give us very little 

time on the ball? We have to relish the challenge and outwork the 

opposition. Once that has been done we will then have the 

22 

opportunity to play our neat attractive passing game. There are 

times when players just don’t roll up their sleeves, do the physical 

work and win their individual confrontations. 

The Old Salopians came and enjoyed a deserved 2-1 win. It was 

a very good game of football where the School side worked hard 

and enjoyed the opportunity to play against a fit and well-organised 

men’s team – the defeat was nothing to be ashamed of. An easy 

ESFA Cup win against Abraham Darby School primed us for the 

next round of the Boodles. It did not however work out in our favour. 

We travelled to Winchester College, where conditions were good 

but the pitch was a little narrow. We struggled to come to terms with 

their “kick it and rush after it” style of play and lost 1-2 after extra 

time. It was not a pretty game of football, but once again we were 

not allowed the time to control the ball and pick out a pass. We did, 

however, make too many wrong decisions as to whether we should 

pass/shoot/run with the ball etc. We failed to test their goalkeeper 

often enough and we conceded two poor goals. It was a long and 

quiet journey home. 

We were looking for a quick fix to get us back to a positive frame 

of mind. It was not to be, as Bradfield made the long journey from 

near Reading and won 3-2. We worked hard but Bradfield had a 

very useful young and mobile midfield who kept possession well. 

We gave the ball away too frequently and struggled to win it back, 

but the next two games did boost our confidence. We travelled to St 

Bede’s Manchester, and I was not sure how we would perform after 

two demoralising defeats. It was hard work, but we stuck to the 

game plan and won 3-1. This was followed by a 5-1 ESFA Cup win 

against Codsall Community High School. Some confidence had 

been restored as we headed to Millfield for the final match before 

half term. This was not the test we needed at this stage of the 

season. They were far too good for us on the day, although the 

mistakes we made were inexcusable. We handed them a 2-0 lead 

and they grew in stature. We found it very difficult but still created 

chances. Had we scored in the first half we would have had a 

lifeline and we could have been more positive in the second half,

ut our play became basic and we were naïve against a stronger 

and more streetwise Millfield team; Millfield went on to play in the 

Boodles final, losing 1-2 to Hampton. 

After half-term the team seemed to be energised. We won four 

and drew one of the next five games. Good victories against Bolton 

School (4-1) and QEGS Blackburn (4-2) and one of the best games 

of the season – a 3-3 draw against Manchester Grammar – should 

have set us up for Charterhouse (away) and the next round of the 

ESFA Cup. The Grammar School had not been on our fixture list of 

late so it was good to be playing against a high quality team who 

would always be competitive. 

We travelled to Charterhouse the day before the match. We had 

had five very good matches and we were fit and in good form. All 

the preparation had been done, all we needed was to build upon 

our recent good form. Playing on the new Charterhouse pitch, we 

did not come to terms with the firmness nor the slippery top 

surface. We began very positively. It was an entertaining end to end 

game and we waited for our first goal. It was Charterhouse however 

who struck the first blow after 30 minutes. It seemed like a vicious 

thrust to the chest as we capitulated badly. All the confidence that 

had been built up over the three weeks following the half-term break 

seemed to drain away more quickly than water dropping over 

Victoria Falls. Our work rate diminished, our passing was weak and 

inaccurate and the defensive errors grew. We were lucky to come 

away with only a 0-5 defeat. 

Max Pragnell in action against Sandbach School. Max scored 57 goals in 55 matches 

23 


Fortunately, three days later we were playing Thomas Telford in 

the next round of the ESFA Cup. The Charterhouse game had been 

played on the Friday of a Coach Weekend and the Cup match was 

on the following Monday. The players had had the weekend to 

recover physically and mentally and there is nothing better than 

having another game to take your mind away from the previous 

one. 

After such a demoralising performance at Charterhouse, changes 

had to be made. In fact, throughout the season, I couldn’t 

remember playing the same team in two successive matches. We 

did not have enough players who performed to a very high 

standard week in-week out, players whom it was impossible not to 

leave out. In the Michaelmas Term we used 27 players – including 5 

goalkeepers, one of whom, Jimmy Aston, was the unluckiest player 

not to play in the Thomas Telford Cup match. I did speak to him 

about being left out but I was unable to give him a logical reason as 

to why he wasn’t playing – I put it down to “gut instinct”. His record 

up to then read P9; W6; D1; L2; goals conceded 20. Four other 

changes were also made. 

It obviously backfired as we lost 1-3. Two defensive errors in the 

first 15 minutes and the game was out of reach. Our performance 

was a vast improvement on the Charterhouse match; we had 

greater enthusiasm and athleticism and once we scored I thought 

we had an opportunity to take further control of the game. Thomas 

Telford however, showed their greater experience and saw the


game out. They eventually lost 2-4 in the final of this competition, 

does this suggest we are not too far away? 

The term stuttered to a close with a 5-0 win at Wolverhampton 

Grammar and a disappointing 0-1 defeat at Repton. 

Henry Lewis, who captained the side, led through example and 

would not ask players to do anything he was not prepared to do 

himself. Jack Hudson-Williams found his niche playing as one of 

two attacking midfield players. He supported Max Pragnell brilliantly 

and scored 15 goals from 23 Michaelmas Term matches – a very 

good return for a midfield player. Alex Styles and Ed Lloyd (both L6), 

are very important players but are also a little unlucky in that they 

are amongst the most talented players in the squad, and as such, 

they have fulfilled many roles throughout the season. Perhaps if 

they had occupied one particular role/position they would have 

pushed our standards higher and given me fewer selection 

problems. Max Pragnell needs no introduction, having played a full 

part last year as he operated as a lone striker and been the main 

outlet for our midfield players. 36 goals in 28 games tells of a very 

accomplished goalscorer; his 1st XI goal tally now stands at 57 

goals in 55 games. However, he is much more than that. He is a 

very willing target-man, he has an excellent work ethic both in 

matches and in training sessions and he sets an example that all 

players (from schoolboys to professionals) should follow. He never 

rests on his laurels; if he scores 3 he always wants 4. He is a player 

who will never stop learning his craft and as a member of the 

current Lower 6th, I know he will be looking to top the 1st XI goalscoring 

feats of Roy Chatterjee (2009-11). 

Player of the Year Awards went to: 1st XI – Max Pragnell; 2nd XI 

– Rory Mucklow; Under 16 – Ollie Brown; Under 15 – William 

Hargreaves; Under 14 – Max Parsonage. 

House Winners: First House – The Grove; Second House – 

School House; Under 15 House – Ingram’s; First House Plate – 

School House; 1st Leagues – Ingram’s; 2nd Leagues – Ingram’s; 

A Leagues – Oldhams; B Leagues – Port Hill. 

Steve Biggins 

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Goals For Goals Ag 

1st XI 32 16 4 12 88 57 

2nd XI 29 14 3 12 85 59 

3rd XI 17 8 1 8 42 41 

4th XI 14 2 4 8 17 40 

5th XI 7 1 4 2 9 13 

6th XI 7 1 0 6 8 11 

7th XI 3 0 0 3 0 14 

U16A 10 7 1 2 28 14 

U16B 11 5 0 6 26 16 

U16C 4 0 0 4 2 20 

U16D 5 2 1 2 11 8 

U15A 15 3 1 11 20 68 

U15B 13 7 1 5 41 22 

U15C 6 2 0 4 10 28 

U15D 3 0 1 2 2 24 

U14A 14 11 1 2 84 18 

U14B 12 7 1 4 49 33 

U14C 11 3 3 5 23 39 

U14D 9 6 1 2 33 9 

24 

2nd XI 

The 2nd XI’s final record over 27 matches in the Michaelmas and 

Lent Term was: Won 15, Drew 2, Lost 10 

Our best run came at the end of the Michaelmas Term when we 

won five matches in a row, scoring 34 goals with only 1 against. The 

best performance in that period was a 5-0 win on Senior against 

Repton 2nd XI. 

The 2nd XI had a higher proportion of Rugby and Fives players 

this year, so we had to build a new team in the Lent Term. This led to 

rapid promotion for some 3rd and 4th XI players, but they rose to 

the task with good performances in wins against Liverpool 

Ramblers and Blessed Robert Johnson School, Telford. We ended 

up 4th in the Shropshire League, a good achievement, considering 

the turnover of players this year. 

Three of our best performances came in matches we didn’t win. 

In the Michaelmas term, we managed to come back from 2-0 away 

to Bradfield to draw 2-2. Against Millfield, we created chance after 

chance, but just couldn’t score and eventually lost 2-0. However, the 

team’s effort level and intensity in that match did them great credit. 

Our most exciting match in the Lent term was the 4-3 defeat to 

Madeley Academy. Madeley were one of the best sides we played 

all year and they scored three goals in the first half. However, the 

2nds never gave up and pulled the score back to 3-2 and 4-3. 

Sadly the final whistle came too early, but I was very proud of the 

resilience the boys showed that day. 

I suspect this year was a record year in terms of the number of 

boys who represented the 2nd XI at some stage. I want to pick out 

two stalwarts, both of whom are leaving this year. Rory Mucklow 

won player of the year at the end of the Michaelmas term and his 

strong defending and cheerful captaincy were a huge strength to 

us. Player of the Lent term was Jimmy Aston, our goalkeeper. He 

provided a formidable last line of defence, and enabled us to win 

matches that might perhaps have gone against us in terms of 

balance of play. I thank all the boys who have played for the 2nds 

this term and I would encourage all leavers to keep playing football. 

Matthew Clark

F IVES 

Last season, Shrewsbury School won almost every schools trophy 

and competition they entered (and reached the final of the only one 

they didn’t). Joining such a successful and strong club with an 

instruction to help to improve it sounded almost unfair. But try we 

did, and in a few areas I think we succeeded. As ever, the season 

was spent working up to the Schools’ National Championships. A 

new generation of 3rd formers had already been scouted and 

coached by Matt Barrett during games sessions and for everyone 

else, business as usual began in January. 

This, however, was business as usual version 20.12. We had 

more boys and girls on the courts from day one than had been 

seen last season, and all of them keen to keep coming back. Andy 

Barnard, as Master-in-Charge during this handover year, put 

together a masterful and imaginative plan involving three games 

hours rather than two and staggered starts and finishes, to make 

sure as many as possible got as much court time as possible. 

The fixture list was equally busy. On the first weekend we had a 

senior fixture against the Old Salopians and Monday Club on 

Saturday, a junior fixture against Oakham and Uppingham and a 

girls’ tournament at Eton on Sunday. I note that this is a perfectly 

normal weekend! Player rotations served to keep our athletes fresh 

(and to make sure time for work remained available). Already in 

these early fixtures, our U14s started showing themselves to be 

good sportsmen and promising players against opposition often 

more experienced than themselves. Through the season they grew 

quickly and naturally into the club culture: enthusiasm for matches 

and competition; a strong club identity and spirit; pleasure in 

each others’ company which is so important on trips to away 

matches. 

As part of the build-up to the Nationals, as a stretch for our senior 

pairs and a test against the very best players in the country, we 

entered the national U21s and two adult tournaments: the Northern 

Championship, which is held at Shrewsbury, and the Kinnaird Cup 

(the Open Nationals) at Eton. The U21s were held at the end of 

January and were a good early season marker of progress. Jack 

25 


Hudson-Williams and Henry Lewis, the school’s first pair, stormed to 

the final where they met two fellow Salopians: Sam Welti and his 

brother and recent leaver Tom. Jack and Henry were too strong and 

their power, athleticism and range of shots were their vehicles to a 

decisive win. U21 national champions; progress marker duly set! 

More than 20 Salopian pairs competed in the first of the open 

competitions (the Northern). There were some excellent 

performances throughout but of particular note were, again, Jack 

and Henry, who reached the quarter-finals where they played some 

good, sharp fives against the second seeds and recent national 

champions, showing they were by no means out of their depth in 

that game. The best result of the weekend, though, was from U15 

pair Jamie Humes and Samson Yick, playing in the Festival 

competition, who beat some good, experienced players and 

themselves played some great fives to reach the final, where they 

eventually lost a very close match. It was a fantastic achievement for 

a 4th form pair. 

The next big event was the Kinnaird Cup; again, we entered 

some pairs to gain exposure and experience. Our U16 pairs both 

had difficult draws: Henry Blofield and Harry Flowers were up 

against the second seeds in the first round, while Charlie White and 

Antony Peel drew the fourth seeds. While they were busy putting 

their results down to experience and competing in the Pepperpot 

competition (for first round losers, a prestigious event in itself), Sam 

Welti and Guy Williams had progressed to the second round. They 

played the holders and top seeds; Sam still remembers proudly one 

of the two points they scored against this pair, who conceded only 

four points over the whole weekend. Henry and Jack lost a close 

game in the same round against a gritty and determined Old 

Millhillian pair. These battles in which they were challenged by good 

pairs with a range of shots and a solid all-round game provided 

excellent preparation for the tests that might come in the Schools’ 

Championships. 

We also entered a few pairs into the Kinnaird Festival and our 

second string of senior pairs showed themselves more than


capable: in the final, Connor Jones and Jack Flowers beat Adam 

Morris and Rory Mucklow. 

Alongside all of these competitions, of course, the standard 

fixture list was running apace, with matches against Highgate, Eton, 

Wolverhampton, King Edwards Birmingham, Rydal Penrhos, 

Berkhamsted, St Olave’s and Westminster. These last three were all 

on one Wednesday (22nd February) at Eton and provided a string 

of magnificent five-setters at all levels from U14 to senior. 

So with fixtures having been battled out across the season we 

reached the tournaments to which we build and which we take 

most seriously, the Williams Teams Cup (a 3-pair event) and the 

Schools’ National Championships. 

We had won the Williams for the last two years and were looking 

for an unprecedented hat-trick; likewise the Schools U16 

competition. Jack Hudson-Williams was looking to wrap up his 

Captaincy year – spent ably leading the club from the front - by 

retaining his national title, this time with Henry Lewis. 

The Williams Cup was contested on March the 5th at Eton 

College. Eton, St Olave’s, Berkhamsted, Harrow and Westminster 

were the other five schools battling it out. Our dream team: Jack 

Hudson-Williams, Henry Lewis, Sam Welti, Guy Williams, Jack 

Flowers, Connor Jones, Henry Blofield and Adam Morris. 

Combined with ASB’s patented squad rotation system, this was a 

formidable team indeed! We expected some resistance from St 

Olave’s who had two strong pairs; Eton’s young squad, though 

depleted by injury, were nevertheless not to be underestimated. 

Focus reigned from the start and throughout the day we dropped 

only one game (against St Olave’s second pair), scoring 29 from a 

possible 30 points. It was an emphatic show of strength right 

through the squad to which every player present contributed. 

Williams Cup winning team (back row, left to right): Adam Morris, 

Sam Welti, Henry Lewis, Jack Flowers; (front row, left to right): 

Connor Jones, Jack Hudson-Williams (c), Guy Williams, Henry 

Blofield 

The Schools’ National Fives Championships 2012 

Held at Eton College, the week began, certainly from my point of 

view, with massive tarmac miles. 4 buses, 6 journeys, 36 boys, 170 

miles each way... and the decision that setting off with the U16s, I 

would educate them in some proper music. Cue Pink Floyd, Pulse. 

26 

And cue also various comments from the chaps. “How long is this 

song, sir?”, about half-way through Shine On you Crazy Diamond 

(for the philistines reading, the song is written about a former 

member who lost his mind to drugs, was used to open many of 

their live sets and, to answer the question, lasts around 13 minutes). 

My highlight came early on the M40, during High Hopes, when the 

Floyd, waxing inevitable, came out with the line most pertinent to 

our situation: “our weary eyes still stray to the horizon, for down this 

road we’ve been so many times”. The fifth form, mostly, slept. 

I fear I missed almost all of Sunday’s play, but I did catch George 

Lewis and Jamie Humes closing out their final game of the day to 

make semi-finals of the U15s. And then hopped in the bus and 

drove back again. 

Monday’s matches saw George and Jamie progress to the final 

(bagging a coveted bagel, 12-0, en route), Henry Blofield & Harry 

Flowers and Charlie White & Antony Peel reached quarter-finals of 

the U16s 

I, meanwhile, was circumnavigating Birmingham in the less usual 

anticlockwise direction but at the perfectly usual 5mph with the 

upper 6th, of whom Jack Flowers had just joined the great ranks of 

the twitterati. We were treated to regular updates as his list of 

disciples swelled; on arrival at Heathrow Central (not so far 

removed, ideologically, from Galilee Main Donkey Exchange), he 

had amassed 9, though to his frustration he could only identify one. 

Adam Morris. As surrealism continued apace, KH reconvened itself 

in the Oxford services as 3rd and 4th form rowers and 4th, 5th and 

6th form Fives players, headed down, up, under, over and 

sideways, crossed paths. I was half expecting a Domino’s scooter 

to pull up outside, having pursued from Shropshire. As we settled 

back down to business, caught up with those who remained from 

Monday’s play and ate our gourmet Travelodge supper, Grant 

Williams guaranteed the continued mental challenge with another of 

his infamous philosophical top-5s. Gradually the guard weakens... 

Minibuses squeezed to bursting point with boys and KH lunches 

then hit the Tuesday morning road to Eton for the Open competition. 

We had high hopes for many pairs which were quickly shown to be 

reasonable. Our top pairs progressed without trouble through their 

groups; there were some close matches, high drama was provided 

by pair 7 in a pool with Aldenham 1 and St Olave’s 2 (seeded) with 

a 3-way tie and a points countback. This was in the end just the tip 

of the dramatic iceberg, for as we immersed ourselves further into 

the day the tension and close matches built up to an intensity of 

which Alfred Hitchcock would have been proud. The U16 quarterfinals 

began in the late afternoon; Flowers and Blofield were 

dominant throughout, White and Peel were cut short cruelly while 1- 

0 up following an altercation between Antony’s big toe and a 

concrete wall. The toe came an emphatic second. 

George Lewis and Jamie Humes were in the U15 final against 

Ipswich (who had never before had a pair in the final but whose 

young team are playing very well.) Shrewsbury attacked the U15 

final with vigour and were quickly in a game that was more nip and 

tuck than a Los Angeles cosmetic surgery. Not surprisingly, it ended 

up a 5-game thriller. In the fifth, Ipswich’s rising star raised his game 

and though George and Jamie kept in touch throughout, they were 

pipped at the last. It was a very creditable performance from them 

after just two years playing and we will look to next year’s U16 

championship to reverse the result. 

Meanwhile shadows lengthened, indeed some feared that spring 

would turn to summer before play had closed, the 3rd form had 

long since arrived ready for Wednesday’s U14 competition and 

Harry Bromley-Davenport and Alex Styles were on court against 4th 

seeds Highgate 1. There were frenetic rallies, there was mania,

there were breaks due to cramp, there was sunset... and of course 

it went to 2-2. I thought that Shrewsbury had broken the resistance, 

but the younger of the Highgate pair showed great, quick hands 

and volleying that was a class better than anyone else’s. 

Nevertheless for our fifth pair to run the 4th seeds so close is 

testament to the strength in depth of Salopian fives. 

Jack Flowers finished the day on 19 followers. 

Those who thought that 8:45 was a late finish to play were looking 

perturbed on Wednesday morning, when a record 106 pairs arrived 

to contest the U14 competition. The logistics required to make a 

tournament of this size work make London’s transport network look 

like a merry-go-round. Somehow, amazingly, it ran completely 

smoothly and efficiently. It was a warm-up day for our U14s, a test 

against pairs who have been playing rather longer than we. 

Meanwhile Blofield & Flowers had their semi-final while Hudson- 

Williams & Lewis and Welti & Williams were playing quarters. The 

size of the U14s required that these be started after 6pm. I sense 

you can predict the corollary. The first pair, to give them their due, 

were clinical, conceding just ten points in their victory (12-4, 12-5, 

12-1). Prior to that they had conceded only 7 points in 6 matches. 

Our other pairs apparently like to sport with their opponents. Welti 

and Williams, looking to make sure we didn’t leave too early, went 

all the way to the traditional 5th game. In the words of Grant, “quelle 

surprise!” This fifth they won 12-1. After 9pm. 

Blofield and Flowers will be desperately disappointed to have lost 

their semi 3-1. It was a tight, closely-fought match throughout and 

could at times have gone either way. “Quelle dommage” does not 

begin to do it justice. May there be hunger for vengeance. 

Jack closed the day on 29 followers. 

The following morning before heading to the courts, Jack had 34 

followers. 

The U14 beginners’ competition was a much smaller affair than 

the previous day’s, and felt like a sigh of relief. The Shrewsbury 

pairs were well prepared for this after yesterday’s tough tournament 

and fared well, winning through most of their games. Indeed our top 

two pairs would have made the last four had pair 2 not had to 

concede their place in the semi-finals. George Panayi and Tom 

Breese were pretty emphatic in all of their games, showing class 

and solidity to make it through without nerves. 

The mixed tournament started at 1pm and we contributed 15 

pairs to the entry. This is a completely different challenge for our 

players, who are not used to appropriating quite the same level of 

chivalry on court. We ended up losing out in both semi-finals (Izzy 

Barber and Sam Welti in one half of the draw, Alice Long and 

Connor Jones in the other) to some more balanced Highgate pairs, 

whose girls have been playing for many years. 

The U14s take a break and watch pair 3 

27 


But the relaxed nature of the day and the sigh of relief were, 

predictably, but a highly convincing feint by day 5 of the 

Championships. The semi-finals of the seniors were to begin at 

6pm. We had a pair in each: Henry Lewis and Jack Hudson- 

Williams were hot favourites for the tournament and saw off a 

concerted and energetic challenge from St Olave’s 2 without a 

wobble to win 12-8, 12-5, 12-3. The other semi was exceptionally 

interesting on paper: Shrewsbury 2, known to be two capable 

players, against second seeds St Olave’s 1, a mature and proven 

pair in schools and adult competitions. Shrewsbury could only win 

by playing a risky, attacking game and working well together. The 

first game was, not surprisingly, a little cagey but St Olave’s got the 

better of some protracted exchanges and won the first game. The 

second was close and nervy as the Shrewsbury pairing was tested 

on their teamwork and, crucially, their trust in each other to cover all 

areas of court. Their attack ended up paying off and they levelled at 

1-0. The internal work had been begun but I felt the third game was 

crucial; I couldn’t bring myself to watch and indeed the score 

headed to 8-8. Shrewsbury reached 10, but St Olave’s drew level 

and a very bold and trusting call to play the game to 12 paid off as 

Shrewsbury won the next two rallies to go to game point and won 

the game shortly thereafter. 

Tom Breese and George Panayi in action 

St Olave’s were always going to battle the fourth but Shrewsbury 

now had consolidated and were working well together: they 

managed to absorb any pressure and kept themselves in the game 

despite the onset of cramp from quite early on. When the Olavian 

intensity inevitably subsided we were ready and a superb run of cut 

returns by Guy and some stunning shots in from back court from 

Sam brought a run of five points which seemed to break the 

opposition’s resistance. But from 11-5, lacking a rally to close it out, 

Shrewsbury slipped to 11-10 after three serves each. Was there yet 

to be a fifth game to this contest?! “No nerves!” came the call from 

coach Grant Williams at the back. Rarely have I heard anything less 

probable: I was sweating blood! But Sam and Guy held theirs and 

finished the game and the match to jubilance from the benches. 8 

hours later I am still not breathing normally. Relaxed day? Fat 

chance! 

Harry Flowers closed the day with 13 followers. 

Friday. Finals day. This promised to be a more relaxed day. 

Obviously by now we’d all worked out what a ridiculous notion that 

is and were therefore steeled for more of the same. It was the major 

day for our girls, most of whom were playing both in the Open 

Ladies and in the Beginners ladies. George Panayi and Tom Breese 

were playing the U14 beginners’ semi-finals (and hopefully final), so 

there remained plenty to watch.


Our upper 6th pair of Izzy Barber and Alice Long reached semifinals 

of the Open ladies: a great result given they were competing 

against players who have 6 years of experience to their two. The 

beginners is a tournament which puts us against schools on an 

equal footing. Such was Shrewsbury’s dominance, all of our top 

four pairs reached the semi-finals. This testifies to the great 

enthusiasm and commitment shown by the girls this term and also 

to the encouragement and coaching of the senior boys and of 

CWC. Winners in the final were Rosie Parr and Hannah Pritchard, 

who beat Elen Murphy and Alice Paul in a very closely contested 

match. 

Our U14 beginners, Breese and Panayi, played their semi-final 

against Eton 3 with sharp and elegant sidestepping of all puns on 

Tom’s name. They played a close second game but were dominant 

in the first and third, Tom’s accuracy and George’s reach for volleys 

proving too much for the opposition. The pair looks a genuinely 

exciting prospect for the future and murmurings have been heard 

around the courts that this quality of beginners hasn’t been seen 

since the current senior captain started out. They went into the final 

having played some good fives but knowing there were areas in 

which they could do better; they were going to be tested by Eton 1 

and any weaknesses would be exploited. The Salopians, however, 

raised their game and were fast and accurate, winning a close first 

game 15-11 and the second 12-7. Did they relax in the third? Did 

Eton raise their game a notch? A bit of both I think, and they lost 

that game comprehensively, 3-12. Still, leading 2-1 and knowing 

very well that the opposition were dangerous and capable of 

beating them elevated this match into the category of proper 

sporting encounters that are genuinely a test of the skills and 

characters of the players involved. George and Tom passed the 

test, regaining their focus, fighting on and playing their own game to 

28 

win the fourth game 12-7 and with it the match and the tournament. 

Meanwhile on court 8, Shrewsbury 1 and Shrewsbury 2 were 

playing out the final of the Open tournament. The game’s top 

psychoanalysts were of the opinion that Sam and Guy were the one 

pair that Jack and Henry would rather not have had to play and the 

dynamic was indeed an unusual one for a national final. It was the 

second pair who raised their game from the start and showed that 

actually, they’d like to win this. They matched the first pair shot for 

shot and, having scored the first points, held on to a one- or twopoint 

margin throughout and won the first game. This was 

something of a wake-up call for Jack and Henry and the first game 

that Jack had lost at schoolboy level for two years. The first pair 

then started game two with more intensity and the sort of pace that 

we are used to seeing from them. They finally looked like a pair who 

were playing to win a championship and took the second game to 

level the match. Their consistent pressure did eventually crack Sam 

and Guy who had stood two enormous tests in the tournament 

already and couldn’t raise the energy or pace they would have 

required to win this match. They kept in touch with Jack and Henry 

but couldn’t get the runs of points to shake the first pair. It was a 

very worthy final and a spectacular exhibition of the brand of fast, 

athletic attacking fives that we coach and play at Shrewsbury. The 

assembled spectators were resoundingly impressed at the speed 

and level at which the game was played. 

Overall I think all are agreed we had an excellent Championships 

with a good measure of success and thanks to the enormous 

efforts of the staff (particularly Andy Barnard who tops all of the 

league tables: hours of admin, number of return trips, credit card 

bill...) May next season be just as successful! 

And finally, please do consider following Jack Flowers on twitter. It 

will make him enormously happy!

Jack Hudson-Williams and Henry Lewis are presented the Open Trophy by Richard Barber OS 

A SUMMARY LOOK BACK 

Did we have a better season than last? Arguably not. Having set 

ourselves high targets, we surpassed them in some areas (getting 

two pairs to the open final), achieved them in others (a third 

consecutive Williams Cup) but missed out on the grand sweep of 

titles of last year. If, however, success of a school sport is measured 

in full courts, it was a season unparalleled! 

There can be no bus without a driver, no ship without a captain. 

The fives club owes an enormous amount to Andy Barnard who has 

led the team of coaches, organised the fixture list, put together 

serious logistics for the schools’ nationals and has, undeniably, 

Upper Sixth Leavers 

29 


provided an immense driving energy behind the fives club for his 

years as Master in Charge. Under his direction the school has had 

astonishing success. It is recognised as being the dominant force 

nationally. We have been very fortunate to have him at the helm; he 

arrived at the school as a non fives player; since then he has not 

only made himself an astute coach and analyser of the game but 

has approached running it with huge enthusiasm and always has 

an ear for the players. I am delighted that, though handing over the 

role of Master in Charge, he will continue as one of the fives staff 

next year. SKPC


RSSH 

today’s young runners hasten on, 

although those ancient ways 

are now un-trodden, gone; 

the eager hounds still quicken 

to the Huntsman’s melody 

from ‘One Last Toll’ by W. J. Jones, master i/c RSSH 1960-77 

From the very outset of this season, there was a sense that this year 

was going to be one of great promise and success. 3rd form 

entrant Oscar Dickins ran a blistering 8.16 in the New Boys’ Race, 

knocking 16 seconds off the previous record for the new course to 

‘kill’ for the first time. In the annual whole-school Tucks race, the 

Mallett brothers both ran under 18 minutes, with Huntsman George 

Mallett taking the Hector Rose Bowl with a time of 17.20, one of the 

quickest times in recent years. In fact, the top 16 runners all dipped 

under 20 minutes (compared to seven the previous year and nine 

the year before) generally considered to be the mark of a strong 

run. Benjy times began to drop through the course of the opening 

few weeks, with 13 runners eventually breaking the elusive 8-minute 

barrier. An early trophy for our promising juniors at the Manchester 

Relays ensured a strong start to the competitive season, and with a 

pre-season training camp held here in Shrewsbury, we went into the 

busy Lent term feeling better prepared than ever before with a 

group of runners who had made the leap up from being promising 

athletes, into the realms of being elite athletes. 

That promise delivered the first success of the season at the 

national Knole Run in Sevenoaks where last year we were just 

outside the medals. This year, however, we were able to break into 

30 

the top three in the country with bronze medals, an important step 

forward in our development aims. Strong lead performances from 

the Mallett brothers (George placing 5th/323 with a time of 34.11 

and Ed placing 10th with a time of 34.42) were backed up by fine 

performances from Rory Fraser (33rd), Seb Blake (35th), Tom 

Cousins (37th) and Ed Lloyd (44th). Our ‘B’ team once again 

placed just outside the top 20 (out of over 40 schools) just behind 

Uppingham ‘A’, but beating such notable names as Brighton 

College, Oundle, Lancing, and Charterhouse. For the first time, we 

also brought a girls squad and they performed exceptionally well on 

their debut, exceeding all expectations by placing 6th/19 with a 

particularly impressive run from Amy Stockdale (19th/115) 

Whilst we could not challenge for the trophies at the Knole, there 

were a string of trophies in February, with a particular highlight being 

an historic ‘clean-sweep’ of trophies at the Shropshire Schools’ 

Cross-Country champs, with wins at Junior, Inter and Senior Boys 

level, and a first trophy for the Girls’ Hunt, with Imola Atkins taking 

another county medal with her 3rd-place finish. There were 

individual county titles for Rory Fraser at Intermediate level and Ed 

Mallett in the Seniors, and further medals for Otto Clarke (3rd in the 

Inters race) and Seb Blake (3rd in the Seniors race). Further 

championship titles were won at the Shrewsbury Relays, the 

Worcester Relays at both Senior and Colts level, the Midlands 

League title at both Senior and Inter level, and in the Midlands and 

Northern Independent Schools Championships held at Sedbergh 

this year, our senior squad battled a very tough, muddy and 

undulating course to retain The Nutter Cup despite fierce 

competition from the hosts. 

On the back of this realised ambition and in the midst of what 

Whole squad photo after the Shropshire Schools' County Championships, in which for the first time we scooped up an historic cleansweep 

of trophies at all age-groups.

Our national relays squad, who picked up the runners-up trophy, our best result in 

the event since the mid-1990s (left to right): Tom Cousins (Senior Whip, UVIth, PH); 

Seb Blake (LVIth, S); Otto Clarke (Vth Form, S); George Mallett (Huntsman, UVIth, 

S); Ed Mallett (LVIth, S); Rory Fraser (Vth Form, Ch) 

was an astonishingly successful season we travelled to Coventry for 

the national relays brimming with confidence and aiming to medal 

again in order to fulfil our aspiration this year of being amongst the 

top three schools in the country. Our squads were certainly as 

strong as they have been for some time and despite having last 

medalled over ten years ago, we felt that this year it was within our 

grasp. A strong opening leg from Otto Clarke initially placed us 8th 

out of the 31 squads competing, though a number of schools 

without the depth of talent that we enjoy do tend to place their 

strongest runners in the opening legs. Indeed, despite running a 

swift 12.39, second-leg runner Tom Cousins was unable to make 

inroads position-wise, though importantly held 8th and passed over 

to Seb Blake knowing that this would be our first ‘attack’ move in the 

race. Seb did not disappoint, and with a time just over 12 minutes, 

he reeled in a number of big-name schools (including Manchester 

Grammar and Lancaster Grammar), and by the end of his lap he 

had somehow manoeuvred the Hunt into 3rd position. Our target 

now was to consolidate, and with Huntsman George Mallett running 

11.53 (the 3rd fastest lap time of the day out of over 180 runners), a 

medal looked secure. Rory Fraser looked comfortable in the 

penultimate lap with a solid 12.27, and looked to have made two or 

three seconds on the St Albans runner in front. However, there was 

a 20-second gap when final leg runner Ed Mallett took over, and it 

looked like we would settle in for the bronze medals. However, Ed 

had other ideas, and in a quite astonishingly courageous run, by the 

mid-point in the 2.5 mile leg he seemed to have halved the gap, 

and just as he was about to enter the ‘Garden Section’ Ed closed 

POLO 

Despite the best efforts of Father Nimbus, his flakes of snow and 

buckets of rain, we have kept Shrewsbury polo going this year and 

not without some success. The arena season opened in late 

January with some challenging chukkas against Marlborough and 

Cheltenham at Druids Lodge in Wiltshire. In the end overwhelmed, 

we managed to confuse the opposition for a while and score 

respectably against them. In the very least our players learnt where 

Stonehenge was. A later match against Radley was cancelled but 

the skies permitted us to take part in the Arena Tournament where 

after beating a Stowe team we received a double drubbing from 

Cheltenham. 

The summer season has been brief and intermittent between the 

darkness, the wet and the clouds. Our opener against Cheltenham 

was again instructive but we maintained a degree of respectability. 

31 


on the shoulder of the St Alban’s runner and made 

his move. It certainly made for an exciting close to 

the race, though having stormed home in 11.49 (the 

second-fastest lap time of the day) the 10-second 

gap between ourselves and St Alban’s was quite 

comfortable in the end, and Ed was greeted to the 

shouts and cheers of his team-mates who were 

thrilled to have taken 2nd place, our best result since 

1998. It was an important landmark for the club, and 

a tremendous achievement for the boys. It is also 

worth mentioning that the ‘B’ squad placed 12th, an 

outstanding effort given that only two years 

previously our ‘A’ squad had placed 11th! The girls, 

too, really impressed following their debut run the 

previous year. Having placed 24th in 2011, this year 

marked a significant step forward with progression 

up to 15th place, with Imola Atkins and Anna 

Thompson providing particularly strong legs. 

Full results and race reports can of course be accessed on the 

school website (www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/latest-news-hunt), 

and in mentioning these reports, I would like to thank all those who 

have been such loyal and positive supporters of the Hunt over the 

past few years. I would also like to thank the individual coaches 

who have helped to develop this group of talented athletes. The 

progression of our girls’ running is due in no small part to the 

significant contributions of JMMB, OKT and ARH, and their 

dedication and enthusiasm has been invaluable in our aim to 

establish solid foundations in the sport in anticipation of the arrival 

of girls further down the school in 2014. Further thanks goes to TRF 

for his continued support of the Hunt, and to NPD for some superb 

Hash runs this year (and some cracking post-run ‘slays’ 

afterwards!) And lastly, but certainly by no means least, I am 

indebted to IPH for his work in particular with our juniors but also 

with helping to develop our elite athletes at the top end of the 

spectrum. 

Always moving forward, always aiming higher, next year we 

believe that we will be capable of challenging for a national title, an 

accolade that has not been attained since 1996. These are exciting 

times for the Hunt, and the years ahead promise great things. 

Above all else, the enthusiasm and passion the boys and girls have 

for the sport is key, and we hope that for many of them, their love for 

the Hunt and running more broadly will be life-long and always 

enriching. Peter Middleton 

A hastily rearranged match against Radley at Kirtlington didn’t quite 

go in our favour. 

We must now begin to think of future seasons. Alas, with the 

departure of such stalwarts as Will Hunter (Rt), Alex Montgomery 

(O) and especially of Archie Smyth-Osbourne (Rt), loyal captain, 

high goal-scorer, shirt-provider and last scion of his family decade 

of Shrewsbury polo, we will rebuild a team around Messrs Max 

Hulse (I), Henry Kennedy (I), Elliott Robinson-Boulton (R) and the 

stalwart Sebastian Heywood (S). Let all of these ride and ride and 

ride over the summer and take up the stick where possible. 

Our gratitude as ever goes to the families who support the 

enterprise. 

Jim Sheppe


RSSH AFTERWORD – THE NEW HUNT PAVILION 

By far the most exciting moment of last term was the unveiling of 

the new design for the Hunt Pavilion. Previous suggestions had 

been made for the RSSH to move to Blenheim or Versailles – but 

the Hunt considered these as inadequate given the scale of its 

aspirations. So instead the renowned Architects Fraser & Wade 

were employed to come up with a solution. After many months of 

talks with the Governors and some quite violent scenes with the 

bursar (until an OS RSSH Russian Oligarch was discovered), a final 

design was drawn up. 

It has been said that when the news reached Buckingham Palace 

Her Majesty the Queen could only utter ‘I want one’ to Charles’s 

‘bravo’, and muttering about the Chelsea barracks. The new 

Huntingdon Hall with interiors based on The Hall of Mirrors, sprint- 

I NTER-HOUSE ATHLETICS REBORN 

Thursday 3rd May saw the School's first Inter-House Athletics event 

for nearly twenty years. Almost every member of the School turned 

out at the track on London Road for an afternoon of track and field 

events, as well as a tug-of-war competition. 

After the School demolished its own track in the mid-90s, a 

whole-school event like this hasn't been attempted, given the 

logistical challenges of ferrying everyone down to an external venue 

and back. Nonetheless, the day was a great success, despite trying 

weather conditions, and it is hoped that this will once more become 

a regular feature in the Summer Term Fasti. 

In the Junior category (3rd form only), there were some terrific 

32 

rep stairs from The Paris Opera House and halls from Holkham, 

according to Mr Middleton was ‘becoming increasingly necessary’. 

However the Architects deny any allegations of the boys’ popular 

request for a harem wing being fulfilled, this being considered 

discourteous with the move to full co-education in 2014. Instead a 

fleet of Rolls Royces with adapted Silver Hunt Runner statuettes will 

be among the new first class facilities. With corridors spanning the 

length of a Benjy - to be timed by white gloved butlers, Radio RSSH 

and a series of life size Michelangelo-style statues of the 1st Eight. 

Huntingdon Hall will indeed be a fitting emblem to match the 

splendour of the Hunt as the oldest club in the world, in its new 

position as the 2nd best in the country, whilst training some of the 

most talented runners of their generation. 

Rory Fraser (Ch) 

Rory Fraser’s award-winning design for the new RSSH pavilion. Discussions about a pssible location are ongoing 

talents on display which suggest that Shrewsbury can look forward 

to several years of success in Athletics. Nick Entwisle (SH) 

dominated the sprints, winning the Hurdles and 200m and coming 

2nd in the 100m behind Max Paronage (S). Gene Ratanadaros (O) 

won the Long Jump and came second in the Triple Jump, as well 

as earning second place in the 800m behind Oscar Dickins. Oscar 

also ran in the 1500m, coming second behind Ben Remnant (Ch), 

who won in a very impressive 4:51.5. Tom Breese (PH) showed 

great athleticism with a first place in the Triple Jump, second place 

in the High Jump and third place in the Long Jump. In the throwing 

events, Giles Holroyd showed great promise in the Shot, winning

Libby Naylor (EDH) Shrewsbury’s first-ever Victrix Ludorum 

with a throw of 9.80m, while Leo Sartain won the Javelin with a 

throw of 25.30. Anton Nelson took gold in the Discus, managing 

27.15m – an excellent achievement in this age group. The relay was 

won by Severn Hill in a very quick 52.7. Indeed, overall honours – 

and a rather handsome trophy – went to Severn Hill in this age 

group, winning from their closest rivals Oldham's by 16 points. 

In the Intermediate category (4th and 5th form), The Grove were 

victorious, with excellent displays in both track and field. Stuart 

Brown (G) took gold in both 400m and Javelin, while Ivan Sanin (G) 

secured first place in the Discus and second in the Shot. Samson 

Yick (G) earned gold in the Triple Jump, and The Grove also won a 

very dramatic 4x100m relay, which went right down to the wire on 

the home straight against Moser's. It was Moser's who took second 

place overall in this category, with some fine performances on the 

33 


track from Chike Kandi who took gold in the 100m in a blistering 

11.1 seconds – the fastest time of the day (and, incidentally, around 

the national standard in this age group). Chike also won the Hurdles 

in 16.0 seconds, while fellow Moserite Misha Lepekhov earned 

silver in the 200m behind James Plaut (S), who won in 24.4 

seconds. In the middle-distance events, Otto Clarke (S) took first 

place in the 800m with a very quick 2:15.7, while Rory Fraser (Ch) 

led from the start to take first place in the 1500m in 4:50.8. 

The Senior category (Sixth form) saw some exceptional 

performances, but once again it was Severn Hill who took the 

overall trophy, defeating their closest rivals Rigg's by just seven 

points. This victory was largely down to their dominance in the 

middle-distance events and the jumps. Seb Blake (S) took first 

place in the 800m, while Ed Mallett (S) took the honours in the 

1500m, in times of 2:09.9 and 4:36.6 respectively. Alex Styles (S) 

won the Long Jump, while Nick Douglas (R) won the Triple Jump. In 

the Hurdles, Matt Davies (M) was victorious in 17.9 seconds, while 

Jack Hudson-Williams (PH) took first place in the 100m, in a time of 

11.5 seconds. Howard Stringer (PH) dominated the 200m and the 

400m, winning both comfortably, while the relays was also won by 

Port Hill in an exceptionally quick 47.5 seconds. In the field, Charles 

Cameron (M) took gold in the Discus and second in the Shot, 

behind Sam Lapage (R) who threw 10.84m. The Javelin was won by 

James Kynaston (Ch), who managed a 32.50 m throw. 

The girls' event was a closely-fought contest, with victories for 

both houses in both track and field. The sprints were dominated by 

Libby Naylor (EDH), who won both the 80m Hurdles and the 400m. 

Issy Barber (MSH) took gold in the 100m with a time of 14.9, and 

Anna Thompson (MSH) won the 200m in 32.9. Imola Atkins ran 

away with victory in the 800m in 2:50.2, over 12 seconds ahead of 

her closest rival Becky Home (MSH). The 1500m was much closer, 

between Amy Stockdale (EDH) and Imola Atkins, with Amy just 

taking it in 5:47.3. In the field, there were victories for Polly Bingham 

(MSH) in the Long Jump, and Daisy McConnell (EDH) in the Triple 

Jump, while Cressida Adams took gold in the High Jump, clearing


1.35m. Lucy Emms (MSH) secured an impressive victory in the 

Discus, managing to throw nearly two metres further than second 

place, while Holly Free (EDH) took the honours in the Javelin. 

Emma Darwin Hall just took the overall prize from Mary Sidney Hall, 

winning by just eight points in total. 

The overall boys' house victor on the day was Severn Hill, who 

showed great athletic skill and talent in all three age groups. 

Congratulations to them and to all 13 houses, each of whom took 

part with great spirit and energy. 

Each age category, as well as comprising an Inter-House 

competition, was also the chance for individuals to shine, and the 

competitor who had won the most points for his/her house was 

awarded with a trophy: the Victor Ludorum (for the boys) and the 

Victrix Ludorum (for the girls). In the Junior category, Nick Entwisle 

(SH) picked up the trophy, for his two gold medals in the 80m 

Hurdles and the 200m and his silver in the 100m, as well as his part 

in the 4x100 relays, in which School House came third. In the Inters 

age group, Stuart Brown (G) took the honours, winning both the 

400m and the Javelin, and also competing in the winning Grove 

4x100m relay team. The Seniors Victor Ludorum was awarded to 

Howard Stringer (PH) for winning the 200m, the 400m, and helping 

Port Hill to win gold in the 4x100m. The first-ever Shrewsbury School 

Victrix Ludorum was awarded to Libby Naylor, for winning the 100m 

Hurdles, the 400m, and her part in the victorious Emma Darwin Hall 

4x100m relay team. Huge congratulations to these four athletes for 

their tremendous performances. 

S QUASH 

The Lent Term 2012 was an excellent term if measured by the 

progress of the pupils. Squash is divided up into Top Squad (for all 

year groups by invitation) and there are separate groups for other 

year groups so that the four courts are in constant use for 15 hours 

every week in the Lent Term. 

Top Squad squash have trained consistently and with real 

purpose. The majority of Top Squad now look like squash players 

and do the basics well. There is no doubt in my mind that this year’s 

squad are the hardest working, most accomplished and with the 

greatest strength in depth of my five years at Shrewsbury. In terms 

of results Shrewsbury predictably lost fixtures against the combined 

staff and parents, the OS and Shrewsbury Squash Club where a 

comparative lack of experience but were able to beat Wrekin twice, 

draw with Malvern, beat Repton and lose once and win once 

against Bromsgrove. The House Final was won by Severn Hill 

beating last year’s champions Oldham’s. 

Top Squad Squash was made up of twelve boys and one girl 

(Eliza Hodgson EDH). Only Captain Ollie Greig (O) is leaving this 

year so the squad and hence the team will be stronger still next 

year. Ollie has worked hard on his game since becoming a member 

of Top Squad in the 4th form and progressed to the point of being 

the second best player we’ve had at Shrewsbury School. He has 

made great strides but occasionally has allowed himself to become 

DATES FOR DIARIES: 

34 

The tug-of-war provided some light relief for the spectators, but it 

was a gritty contest for the several dozen competitors, and victory 

eventually went to Ingram's in a dramatic final on what was, by the 

end, a rather muddy pitch! 

Thanks to everyone who supported this event and well done to all 

participants on a great day for sport at Shrewsbury School. 

Ian Howarth 

frustrated. Ollie needs to learn the lesson of always working to his 

best level even when the match is going against him. Ollie was 

awarded with a School Fist for his efforts over his four years in the 

team. The rest of the squad has made big improvements. George 

Carver (S) and Rob Cross (S) have both made significant 

adjustments tactically and are much better players now. George 

Carver received the award for player of the year and Rob Cross is 

the Captain for 2013. The three Fifth formers Jack Francklin (R), 

George Bates (S) and Charles Kidson (G) have all pushed each 

other hard, with Charles Kidson currently being the strongest player. 

All three players will be pushing George Carver and Rob Cross for 

the top places next year. Jack Francklin received the award for most 

improved player and a Junior First. Jack’s desire for self 

improvement is fantastic and he will be a very fine player in the 

future. Ed Graves (R, 4) has also become a much stronger player 

but needs to develop a bit more intensity in his play as technically 

he is one of the most correct in the whole squad. 

The three third formers were all terrific value this year with Luca 

Mattinson (Rb), Tom Edwards (S) and Tiger Vechamontien (M) all 

playing the game with great enthusiasm. 

Thanks of course must go to all the staff who assisted in running 

the squash this year. I am confident of an even better season next 

year. 

Saturday 12th January 2013 – 3.00-5.00 p.m. Parents and Staff vs Top Squad 

Saturday 19th January 2013 – 3.00-5.00 p.m. Shrewsbury Squash Club vs Top Squad 

Saturday 9th March 2013 – 3.00-5.00 p.m. Old Salopians vs Top Squad 

Saturday/Sunday 16/17th March 2013 – Shropshire Junior County Championships U15, U17, U19

R UGBY 

The 2012 season was a difficult but thoroughly enjoyable one, not 

least down to the abundance of injuries throughout the Michaelmas 

and Lent Term which led to many players who otherwise may not 

have featured in a 1st XV, stepping up to the mark and acquitting 

themselves superbly. 

As has become custom at Shrewsbury, many senior players 

commenced their season before Christmas for the now established 

‘A XV’, made up of occasional footballers and non-footballers. 

These fixtures included matches against Rossall School, Denstone 

College, Christ College, Brecon, Ellesmere College, and 

Shrewsbury 6th Form College amongst others, and meant that 

many players were not playing their first match in January against 

boys who had a three month head start! 

The 1st XV season proper started on the back foot for two 

reasons. Firstly, 2011 regular Ruaidhri Smith (U6th, Rt) broke his 

collar bone within five minutes of him coming on as a replacement 

in a warm up match, and secondly our first match was against the 

strong Rydal Penrhos, including their two Welsh internationals. 

Credit must go to the team who scored an outstanding try in the first 

half courtesy of a Matthew Davies (L6th, M) finish to an exciting 

backs move. This kept things tight up to half time, but the Rydal 

quality shone through in the second half. Following a comfortable 

40-0 victory over local opposition Ludlow College, there then 

followed two further defeats to good Midlands rival schools KES 

Birmingham and Adams Grammar School. Against KES, the 

Shrewsbury defence offered their Great Britain Rugby League 

winger far too much space, and he sliced through our lines three 

times in the opening twenty five minutes, meaning it was an uphill 

struggle from there. Adams Grammar had another good Daily Mail 

Cup run this season, but we always seem to raise our game against 

them. It will read as strange but we were outstanding in defeat 

(39-3) and created many chances that we were unable to finish off. 

Immediately prior to the half term tour came a disappointing 15-15 

draw with bogey team King Henry VIII School, Coventry. 

Off the back of a successful tour were two further wins against 

Solihull 6th Form College (39-0) and Old Swinford Hospital 2nd XV 

(20-14). Old Swinford’s 1st XV went on to reach the Daily Mail U18 

Cup Final at Twickenham shortly after this fixture, so their 2nd XV 

provided us with a stern challenge, and one we responded to well , 

with tries from Ali Pollock, Oliver Brown and Will Mason. Will Mason 

added a conversion and penalty with his right boot, which served 

the team excellently all season. 

35 


Welbeck College always provide a direct and physical challenge, 

as one might expect from a military college. We defended superbly 

and stayed in the game at 17-14 with around twenty minutes to go, 

however Welbeck’s superiority in strength and fitness saw them 36- 

14 winners at full time. Many observers felt that Shrewsbury tried to 

play all the rugby in this game however, as we had tried to do all 

season. 

Our play centred around keeping the ball out of contact, and 

creating time and space for our quicker supporting players using 

free flowing moves in the backs, and as coach it was a pleasure to 

see the squad take this on board and stay true to the plan! In our 

final 15-a-side game against KES Stratford it was a pleasure to see 

our U6th leavers finish superbly and with a win! 

Overall, the 1st XV played 13, won 6, lost 6 and drew 1. Both 

sevens tournaments we entered at Hereford and Stoneyhurst 

ended in honourable defeats in the group stages. By this time, 

injuries most certainly had taken their toll, and even the 

indestructible captain Paddy Lynch-Staunton (U6th, R) was 

sidelined with a knee injury. A full starting seven were unavailable for 

these prestigious tournaments, hence the unfortunate, yet 

necessary, decision to withdraw from the National Schools Festival 

at Rosslyn Park. 

School Firsts were awarded to Paddy Lynch-Staunton, Archie 

Darroch (U6th, M), Oliver Hughes (U6th, Rb), Edward Wynne (U6th, 

M), Max Mason (U6th, I), and William Mason (U6th, S) who have all 

been outstanding servants to Shrewsbury rugby in their time. 1st XV 

Player of the Season was scrum half Archie Darroch whose service 

off both hands, defensive capability and constant support play was 

superb throughout the A XV and 1st XV seasons. The 1st XV 

Player’s Player of the Season was Edward Wynne. Ed switched to 

play at open side this season and was a threat at every breakdown 

and an excellent ball carrier and support runner. Paddy Lynch- 

Staunton led the side with a great deal of character and passion, 

and was unfortunate not to take one of these awards away at our 

end of season dinner. 

A great deal of thanks must go to our two visiting coaches Chris 

Condliffe and Andrew Reynolds, whose expertise and enthusiasm 

was enjoyed by all the boys. We look forward to next season with 

them both, and a talented crop of fifth form players moving through 

the school. 

Paul Greetham 

Full accounts of the 1st XV and U15 XV 

half term tour to Valencia and the 

U16 sevens tournament at Rosslyn Park, 

plus all the latest rugby news, can be found at 

http://www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/rugby-latest-news


36

RSSBC 

Top Squad 2011-12 

In some ways this year might be seen as the end of an era for the 

club, and by the same analysis it is the start of another: RSSBC 

moves forwards with great pace and rarely stands still. A more 

opportune moment will present itself soon to reflect on forthcoming 

changes in the coaching staff, but this is a good opportunity to 

comment on the achievements of some talented U6 leavers this 

year. Like many of their predecessors, these U6 have been at the 

forefront of the sport, but what is distinctive is that this group has 

won gold or silver or bronze medals at the national level in every one 

of the five years that have been at Shrewsbury. There has been 

strength in depth from their J14 level upwards at A and B and even 

C boat level. Between them they also have International gold, silver 

and bronze medals too. Shrewsbury’s name is well and truly on the 

rowing map, and long may it continue to be so. 

The remaining members of top squad, comprising L6 and 5th 

formers, together with a small number of 4th formers who are ‘old’ 

for their year and cannot compete with their school-peers, also have 

a burgeoning medal count and great determination; these are very 

strong foundations on which to build next year. We look forward to 

their continued success; it is already a great pleasure to see younger 

as well as older club members moving ahead in the GB program, for 

example, and we wish them good luck over the summer. 

The club also has an inspirational recent seven-year history. None 

can doubt the enormous skill and insight of the principal coach, 

Todd Jesdale, with earlier assistance from Nick Henderson. This 

year, as every year, the chasing of those decreasing margins at the 

top as the season has progressed, the combining of individuals and 

groups in a variety of different sequences in the boat so as to find 

the fastest unit, always with options, based upon where each athlete 

is at that moment and the propagation of his technical expertise has 

been an inspiration – and a challenge - to many. Sparse though the 

competition was in the Michaelmas term it yielded cause for 

J15 

The 2011-2012 season has seen record numbers at J15 level. Over 

fifty boys have rowed for the squad at some stage or other this year, 

and with considerable success. When one sees the giants getting 

in and out of J15 boats belonging to other schools, it must be 

remarked upon that physical size is not a strong point of this squad, 

but what they may lack in stature, they have more than made up for 

in technique, fitness and – above all – attitude. For us coaches they 

have been an absolute delight to work with, and have laid some 

very firm foundations for the years to come. In previous years these 

boys would be moving straight into Top Squad next year, where 

many would have sunk without trace, so it is particularly pleasing 

that next year will see the long overdue reinstatement of a J16 

squad at the RSSBC, and much more enjoyable and exciting 

prospects for this terrific group of boys. 

First up was Bedford Head in October in fours, where the boys 

won gold in J15A (stroked by Peter Hammond on his birthday) and 

bronze in the Novice event. Next was Agecroft, and another gold in 

J15 A Fours. This was also our first excursion in an eight, winning 

bronze in the Novice event. Northwich brought us another gold in 

J15 fours, although calling our three crews ‘Tom’, ‘Dick’ and ‘Harry’ 

37 


optimism, and, as the weekly e-bulletins have described, the Lent 

and Summer Term have also been encouraging. Particular 

successes at Wallingford Head Race and Regatta were 

complemented when the squad recently regained, in a new record 

time, the Hedsor Cup for coxed fours at National Schools’ Regatta; 

this was last won by Shrewsbury in 1999. The crew was Sophie 

Walker (cox), Sam Lapage (stroke), Rupert Chitty, Harry Lonergan 

and Tom Marshall. The tour to America in the Easter holiday, kindly 

hosted by schools in both Washington DC and Cincinnati was a very 

successful, productive and enjoyable venture, and friendships made 

there continue. Further details, photos and racing results from all the 

squads, can be found on the RSSBC pages of the school website: 

http://www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/latest-rowing-news . We wish the 

crew every success as the season reaches its climax. 

The new boathouse nears completion, and we are very excited at 

the prospect of moving in. It is the end product of a lot of energy and 

input from many people, chief among them being Nick Randall who 

has worked tirelessly on our behalf. We are hugely grateful to him. 

We also owe an enormous debt of thanks to any who has 

contributed towards it: to Sabrina and its generous individuals, from 

RSSBC, thank you very, very much. We expect to move the 

equipment in over the summer, and to open it formally in the autumn. 

This year’s squad has included: U6 : F Day (Capt.), S Lapage 

(vice Capt), S Walker (cox), R Chitty , T Marshall, R Morgan, M 

Pattison-Appleton, D Beeston, C Rhodes-Bell, C Randall 

L6: H Lonergan, M Kimpton-Smith, J Rand, P Gadsden, J 

Kynaston, A Angpanitcharoen, R McCourt, L Koch De Gooreynd 

(cox) 

5th form: J Eardley (cox), W Angell-James, C Clarke, C Lane Fox, 

R Homden , W Dodson-Wells, T Lloyd 

4th form: H Rassmuss, U Cappelen 

Philip Lapage (River Master) 

caused some confusion for King’s Chester. Next was a bronze at 

Wallingford, where the size of the MacDonalds bill made up for the 

mild disappointment of third place. Wycliffe was a chance for the A 

crew to get out of the way and make room for our Bs and Cs to 

show what they were made of. They did themselves proud, winning 

a gold in the J15 4s category. 

The Lent Term brought mixed fortunes at the massive Reading 

University Head of the River. Seventh place (out of 29) was mildly 

disappointing for the A VIII, whilst the B VIII suffered technical 

difficulties. But a poor dress rehearsal is often a good thing, and a 

few weeks later at the Schools’ Head, the boys excelled 

themselves, with the A crew coming home in second place. To be 

the second fastest J15 crew in Great Britain was better than we 

might have anticipated only a few weeks earlier. It was certainly a 

great asset that the coxes had been given a tour of the difficult 

Tideway course in a launch beforehand – huge thanks to Mr Powell 

at Thames RC for organising this. 

Buoyed up by this success, the Summer Term started well at 

Birmingham Regatta, with gold, silver and bronze medals in fours in 

horrendous conditions. Shrewsbury Regatta also fell foul of the


weather, but our own hastily organised event proved a great 

success with the J15A crew emerging Head of the River. 

Nottingham City Regatta proved thrilling, with the A crew coming 

third (in a photo finish for second), although steering problems 

made for a less fortunate day for the Bs. 

Rowing is a sport where one slip up can cost dearly, and this was 

sadly the case at National Schools. The early successes of the 

season meant that the As had their sights on gold – so a poor start, 

J15A ‘throwing’ their boat 

J14 

When watching the 1st VIII cruising past the enclosures at Henley in 

the balmy summer sun, it is all too easy to forget that in the not too 

distant past, the idea of rowing was a completely alien concept to 

them. 

I am sure that a fair number of our third formers arrive with little 

idea of where Henley is, or that a river runs through it, let alone that 

they might soon compete at the world famous regatta hosted there 

for five days every summer. That the boat club can take complete 

novices through to international standing in as little as two or three 

years is quite remarkable. Unlike other major school sports, very 

few, if any, boys turn up as “a rower”, they need to be developed 

from scratch. This process begins with two words that strike both 

fear and excitement into the heart of any J14 coach: “Foundation 

Fortnight”. Every single third former is given the chance to try out 

the ergo, the tank and then a boat on the river, all in a two hour 

crash course (hopefully no pun intended!). Off the back of this, 

sports options are made, and 60 or so boys choose to do some 

more, and this year was no different. 

Regular autumn fixtures pitted us against local rivals King’s 

38 

causing them to narrowly miss qualifying for the final, was little short 

of a disaster. At the time of writing, there is one more big challenge 

ahead of us – Marlow Regatta this Saturday promises tremendous 

competition, with all the top crews taking part. In short, it is a 

welcome second chance to end the season on a well-deserved 

high. 

Matthew Mostyn 

Chester. At Northwich, racing in quads we had a marginally faster 

squad average; and then in a private match on the Severn, King’s 

showed a significant turn of speed. As a number of boys combine 

rowing and rugby in the Lent Term we limit ourselves to two major 

races, first at Hampton, and then at the National Junior Sculling 

Head on Dorney Lake. At Hampton we placed 2nd and 11th out of 

30 crews which boded well. At Dorney our A crew was unfortunate 

to break a blade when a silver medal looked like a real possibility, 

our B crew had a disturbed run up and could be pleased with their 

7th place finish in their division; whilst another crab and broken oar 

cost our C crew the chance of gold. 

The summer term can normally be relied on for something close 

to good weather, not so this year; wind, rain and a flooded river 

were more common. After disrupted Birmingham Regatta, and 

Shrewsbury Regatta being cancelled, the squad as a whole finally 

got to race in some decent conditions in a private match against 

Abingdon and Bedford Schools. Some good racing saw us place 

just behind Abingdon, but a decent way clear of Bedford. By the 

time the sun came out we were into the final run up to the National

Schools’ Regatta – news of results here can be found elsewhere in 

this publication. Undoubtedly this is a year group with great 

potential as oarsmen, and it will be interesting to see how they 

develop over the coming years. 

J14 rowing needs a huge staff commitment, so please may I take 

this opportunity to formally recognise the contribution of Steve Fox, 

J14 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 

39 


Huw Peach, Jim Sheppe, Richard Case, Charlotte Rule, Dan 

Nicholas, Richard Hudson, Tim Whitehead, Dan Still and Tim 

Sanderson. Without them, third form rowing would, quite simply, not 

happen. 

Rob Wilson 

The boys in blue. Henry Thomas (Ch), George Whitehead (Rb), Jake Carter (R), Wilf Deacon (Rt) race a King's Chester quad at Northwich 

Autumn Head 

National Schools’ Regatta 

Two octuples and a quad from the J14 squad travelled to Holme 

Pierrepont near Nottingham for the first day of the National 

Schools’ Regatta. 

The quad was racing in the B catagory (our C crew for the day, 

and nominally our E quad), and they performed above and 

beyond expectations. Racing first in a time trial of 18 crews for 12 

places in the semi-finals, the crew put together a sparkling 

performance, finishing with the 6th fastest time. This is the first 

time since 2007 that our C crew has made it to this stage, a 

superb achievement. The top three crews from each semi-final 

would proceed to the final, and although our boys raced with real 

grit and determination, racing in the faster semi-final they finished 

in a creditable 5th place, only 0.05 seconds slower than 3rd 

place in the other semi. Huge congratulations to the crew, who 

have great potential for the future. Many thanks and 

congratulations too to their coach Mr Huw Peach. 

J14B 4x+: George Young (O), Tom Marques (Rt), Charlie 

Rassmuss (I), Mischa Manser (Rb) and cox Ed Jones (M) 

Our B octuple also qualified for the semi-finals. Drawing an 

outside lane, they were racing well until a crab, and a subsequent 

broken blade cost them the chance of a coveted place in the 

final. It was hugely unfortunate, but all too common at J14 level. 

They enjoyed their six lane racing experience and the 

atmosphere of a major regatta. Hopefully they will want to come 

back for more next year! Many thanks to their coach Mr Steve 

Fox. 

J14B 8x+: George Whitehead (Rb), James Walker (Rt), 

Douglas Major (S), Alex Brinkley (PH), Hector Kaye (Rb), Alfie 

Mitchell (SH), Tom Sykes (PH), Jake Carter (R) and cox Ed 

Chamberlain (Ch) 

The A crew had found speed week by week in the run up to the 

regatta, and hopes were high of contending for a medal. They 

raced the time trial in a composed and controlled fashion – when 

the final results were published they were 10 th out of the 18 

qualifiers. 

The crew was placed in the 2nd of three semi-finals alongside 

Abingdon, Radley, Westminster, Latymer and London Oratory. 

Racing with real maturity the crew pulled out to a one length lead 

which they extended to clear water by the finish line. In the final 

they were placed between the winners of the other two semis, 

Great Marlow School (alma mater of Sir Steve Redgrave) and


perennial rivals King’s Chester (winners of the Sculling Head). 

Apart from the Grange dropping back, at 250m there was little to 

choose between the crews, though by 500m Shrewsbury had 

pulled out to a narrow lead over King’s Chester. As the race 

progressed Shrewsbury were able to extend their lead, and leave 

three crews battling for silver and bronze. Shrewsbury won by just 

over one second, while 2nd to 4th positions were separated by 

0.27 seconds. A close race, a gold medal, the right to call 

themselves National Champions, and Shrewsbury’s second 

Cherwell Cup in three years! 

The J14A octo pulling ahead to win the Cherwell Cup at the National Schools’ Regatta 

G IRLS ROWING – THEN AND NOW 

A lone single sculler travels up the Severn beyond the Welsh Bridge. 

The coach follows closely behind in a launch filming every stroke for 

later scrutiny. There is nowhere to hide, no chance given for a lapse 

in concentration. The coach asks the sculler to take their feet out of 

the shoes, removing the security afforded by the connection to the 

boat, thus increasing the chance of going for a swim. Given that 

they are 4 miles from the warmth of the boathouse on a cold wintery 

morning, the prospect of a dip in the river is not one many would 

relish. However, the sculler willingly obliges, perhaps too willingly – 

the coach sees it as an opportunity to test the sculler’s boundaries, 

and so the prospect of swimming becomes almost guaranteed. 

But, the desire to improve the run of the boat overrides any fear that 

sculler might have of ending up in the water. 

This may be one example, but it typifies a significant change in 

girls rowing at Shrewsbury. The current cohort of girls have made a 

significant step up. Girls’ crews have always been based on squad 

camaraderie, but the current batch have shown something extra, a 

wish to perfect the skill, and as a result, go as fast as they can in the 

18 months afforded to them as Salopians. 

However, where we are now is always built upon what has come 

40 

J14A 8x+: Paddy George (M), Henry Thomas (Ch), Alfie 

Grocott (PH), Stamos Fearnall (I), Alex Matthews (PH), Wilf 

Deacon (Rt), Joe Davies (M), Harry Lane Fox (Rt) and cox Guy 

Cabral (Ch) 

This is a truly outstanding squad performance, and one that 

indicates a potential for great things in years to come for this 

group of young Salopians. 

Rob Wilson 

before, and just four years in, it is interesting to note where girls’ 

rowing as come from. 

2008-2009 

The arrival of 35 girls into the sixth form, and with that, the (perhaps) 

rather optimistic hope of establishing Girls’ Rowing. Needless to 

say, it proved quite a challenge, yet that summer saw the addition of 

an MSH crew to the bumps chart. 

2009-2010 

This year saw marginal progress, with an increase in numbers, and 

indeed a sum total of nine girls committed to the year. With a 

notable win at Wycliffe Head by the narrow but nonetheless 

important margin of 1.2 seconds, there was an air of confidence 

and satisfaction. And so with that, the crew committed to the 

National Schools Regatta. Entering a novice crew into 

Championship Girls Eights was always going to be a steep learning 

curve. 

One should also note that this is a year when Rigg’s Hall, perennial 

House Rowing Champions in recent years, lost in Senior IVs to

MSH! [some would claim that a technical failure played some part, 

but a win is a win]. 

2010-11 

Girls’ rowing witnessed further progress still. For the first time there 

were girls embarking upon a second year of rowing, with fresh 

blood to fuel the ‘squad’ atmosphere. With the focus remaining on 

sweep rowing a decision, or in hindsight a gamble, was taken to 

tackle the Schools Head on the Tideway in London. Given the 

demands of such a stretch of water, and not forgetting that they 

were competing against established crews, most of whom had 

been learning to row since the age of 13, the crew were able to beat 

one other crew. A victory, however small it may seem. 

This year also marked a shift in the house rowing competition. 

Bumpers, day one, saw a flicker of progress as MSH turned the 

tables on an unsuspecting School House crew. This was to be 

rectified the following day, but marked a statement of intent for the 

fairer sex. 

2011-2012 

A second girls house, compulsory sports options for the sixth form 

and ‘taster rowing sessions’ saw 18 girls on the water; two VIIIs. No 

more need be said. 

The usual self selection quickly whittled numbers down to 12 with 

which we developed a sculling group and a sweep group. A double 

of Bridget Lapage and Eliza Hodgson (both EDH) raced at 

Agecroft, beating local rivals Kings Chester and losing to a crew of 

who had represented Great Britain in the summer holidays. Not bad 

for beginners. 

The sweep squad gained experience at both Northwich and 

Wycliffe racing out of their status but amongst the pack of 

41 


established crews. It was this that led to the formation of an VIII for 

the Lent Term. Reading University Head, the Women’s Head of the 

River proved to be superb experiences, building up to a second 

appearance at the Schools Head. The result showed significant 

progress on the previous year, the crew finishing 12th out of 16 

crews. Similar development over the next 12 months could see 

such a crew challenge for a place in the top 10. 

At the time of writing, the regatta season has yet to get fully 

underway, but it will be interesting to see how it develops. One can 

be assured that a solid term of VIII’s racing has given them the 

hunger for more, alongside valuable racing experience and fitness. 

RSSBC can boast its first female Regional representation in the 

WJ162X at the Junior Inter Regional Regatta at which they finished 

6th /12 

On a personal note, whilst it is easy not to recognise the 

development that happens on a daily basis, when viewed from afar 

the change in four short years cannot be underestimated. I have 

nothing but respect for the girls who have gone before, those who 

have, in their own way helped to shape rowing at the school for 

girls. 

It will be a pleasure this year to see the Birt Cup awarded for the 

first time alongside the Leadbitter Cup to the rowing houses. 

Named after Sarah Birt, the first female graduate of the boat club, it 

will serve as a constant reminder of the origins of girls rowing. 

With established rowers on the registrars books to arrive in 

September, and then third form girls from 2014, the prospects can 

only be good. 

Claire Wilson


HEROES OF TELEMARK – CCF NORWAY EXPEDITION 2012 

After weeks of late night gym sessions and early morning runs the 

team for the “Heroes of Telemark” expedition was ready. On the eve 

of the last day of term we met our expedition leader, Colonel 

Rothwell, and packed our Arctic gear, recently hired from the MOD. 

After a quick team meeting it was off to bed (on the floor of the CCF 

building). 

After a MacDonald’s breakfast and an uneventful flight, we arrived 

in Bergen, to surprisingly sunny weather. We took a train to Finse 

where we were based for the majority of the expedition. At Finse we 

attempted to ski across the frozen lake to reach the hut where we 

would be staying. After plenty of falls and laughter we made the last 

ascent to our destination. 

For the first three days we learnt how to cross country ski, under 

the guidance of Col. Rothwell. Having been shown various different 

turns and techniques it was our turn to follow suit. Unfortunately, his 

elegance was not easy to follow and we spent most of the day with 

our faces in the snow. As the days progressed we gradually 

improved and were able to embark on our first “tour” to the base of 

the glacier where we could practise making snow holes. During this 

time we encountered some breathtaking landscapes and our 

camaraderie grew. On the eve of the fourth day we were full of 

optimism for our forth coming expedition. We were joined by Mr 

Gerry Edmonds, who as he put it “would provide some extra 

insurance”. 

The next morning, we awoke to a total white out. It was clear that 

we were going nowhere. With near zero visibility and a wind chill 

factor of -20 C we sat in the hut idling away the day playing endless 

card games and trying to conquer the world at Risk. The next day 

brought the same conditions and we decided to stay put. However 

as time was running out we would, whatever the weather 

conditions, try the following day to make it to a hut called Geiterygg 

hytta , around 30km away. The next morning it was clear that there 

had been no let up in the weather conditions. Despite this in true 

Shrewsbury tradition we ventured out into gale force winds. We 

spent six hours battling the wind and snow with plenty of falling over 

but the group could be heard singing and laughing to keep morale 

high. We eventually arrived at Geiterygg hytta cold and wet but 

there were smiles all-round knowing that we had conquered, as Col. 

42 

Rothwell put it “the worst skiing conditions I have experienced”. 

The next day brought sun and clear, blue skies. We began to 

ascend to the mountains with continuing sunshine as we traversed 

the mountain paths with varying degrees of success. After 

descending down from the mountains and navigating across a 

frozen lake we found an area suitable for snow-holing. We dug a 

snow hole into the mountain side, which took about two hours. We 

were pleased with the finished result as we could all stand up in it 

and there was ample room for cooking. After a final toilet stop, the 

entrance was closed up and we were left to spend the night under 

the snow. 

We awoke after a rather wet night’s sleep and amidst the 

confusion of sleepiness it dawned on us that the roof had slumped 

and the entrance had fallen in. A quick decision was needed to 

abandon breakfast and get out as fast as possible before the 

mountain collapsed on us. We dug ourselves out and began 

heaving rucksacks and bodies through the hole to the outside. 

However the white-out conditions had returned so we decided to go 

back inside and wait out the worst of the weather conditions. But as 

we piled back into the snow hole a call came from within. “It`s 

collapsing, get out quick”. 

We fumbled around in the cold and wind struggling to get our 

skis on because the bindings had frozen. After half an hour, making 

little progress a little bit of panic and fear crept in. What was it like 

for Captain Scott on the South Pole expedition? Finally we were off 

-heading back to the hut at Finse as fast as our tired, cold limbs 

would carry us. Slowly the blood started to course through our legs 

and the cold receded. 5 KM later we came over a ledge and an 

hour later, our goal appeared in the distance. A cheer went up, we 

had made it. Hot chocolate and warm showers were awaiting us! 

In total we skied over 70 km, surviving freezing gale force winds, 

gaining insight into polar exploration and the true meaning of 

adventure. 

The group wish to thank Colonel Rothwell, Mr Gerry Edmonds 

and Lieutenant Simper for giving up their holidays in order to take 

us on this amazing expedition. 

Ed Chapman (M) 

New arrivals 

We are delighted to welcome the 

newest member of Oldham’s 

Hall, Edward Charles Johnson, 

who was born on 8th May. Many 

congratulations to his parents 

Marcus and Holly and to his big 

sister Lizzie. 

Congratulations also to 

Admissions Coordinator Bethan 

Lea and her husband Nigel on 

the birth of their son Sebastian in 

April.

N EWS OF OLD SALOPIANS 

1950-59 

John Ravenscroft (Peel) (R 1953-57) A wing of New Broadcasting 

House is to be named after John Peel. The Egton Wing, which is on 

the site of Radio 1’s former Egton House home in London’s W1, will 

become the Peel Wing in tribute to the man who championed new 

music and anticipated new trends. In an email to BBC staff, Director 

General Mark Thompson said: “The Peel Wing will be a fitting tribute 

to a man who personified so much of what the BBC stands for – 

quality, creativity and innovation.” 

Roger Pitts-Tucker (SH 1959-64) put together a rowing crew to 

row a Shackleton Gig (5 fixed seat oars) in the River Thames 

Pageant (Queen’s Diamond Jubilee) on Saturday 2nd June. 

Roger reports: “For me the experience was a little 52 years ‘déjà 

vu’, as at The Schools in 1961 I stroked my School House 

(Headroom) four, which was fixed seat in those days, to head of its 

division, making Headroom head of all four divisions in the Summer 

bumping races. 

Our boat in the Pageant was called ‘The Farringdon Mermaid’ 

since I am a Committee member of my City Ward Club in 

Farringdon , which contributed generously towards our expenses. 

We collected money for our individual charities, eg. Cystic Fibrosis 

Society, Alzheimer’s Society, The City of London’s Lord Mayor’s 

Appeal.” 

1960-69 

After 40 years, Peter Sheppard (S 1961-66) is retiring from the 

Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute. Up until 

1995 he was involved mainly in structures and earthquake 

engineering, in which he obtained an M.Sc., following which he 

worked in the administrative part of the Institute, mostly as a 

translator and editor. He quickly became fluent in Slovenian (which 

has the unusual dual form), and also found Serbo-Croat (now 

Serbian and Croatian) quite easy to learn, all of which was partly 

due to his excellent language teachers at Shrewsbury, including 

Mark Mortimer and Stacy Colman. He lives in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 

where he enjoys the pleasant climate and attractive environment, as 

well as the good Slovenian cuisine. He has two children, and is 

married for the third time. 

Simon Mountford (Rt 1961-65) was elected on 3rd May 2012 to 

be a member of the Scottish Borders Council for Kelso & District 

(standing for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party). One of 

his support team was David Gwyther (Rt 1964-68). 

43 

Old salopian News 

1970-79 

James Hooper (M 1971-76) 

and his daughter Jenny 

(pictured right) made 

Swimathon history in April 

when they swam 2,000 

lengths – 31 miles in total – in 

ten swimming pools in 

London, Sussex and 

Hampshire as part of the 

national Swimathon Weekend 

to raise money for the 

Swimathon Foundation and 

Marie Curie Cancer Care. 

James writes: “The logistics of 

competing in ten different 

pools and squeezing in meals along the way took some effort, but 

we managed it with the invaluable help of my wife Jane who 

supported us en route, and the volunteers who counted our endless 

laps.” 

James has previously raised around £6,000 for charity in six 

successive Swimathons and is now preparing to take part in a relay 

race across the English Channel in August to support the Edward 

Starr Trust, a Hove-based charity which helps children reach their 

full potential in education, healthcare and sport. 

Jamie Muir (Ch 1974-79) is a GP in Shrewsbury and also works 

one day a week in the Dermatology Department at the Royal 

Shrewsbury Hospital doing skin surgery. He is a trustee of a 

medical charity www.medic-assist.org and has recently set up an 

online GP service www.askagp.com 

The 2012 Boat Race will go down in history as one of the more 

difficult meetings to umpire. John Garrett (Rt 1976-81) umpiring 

the race for the third time, is unlikely to forget this particular race. 

With the aid of the eagle eyes of Sir Matthew Pinsent, John was 

forced to call a halt when a protestor was spotted in the water close 

to the Oxford boat. The race was eventually restarted at the halfway 

point and more controversy ensued following a clash of oars 

between the two crews, leaving Oxford with a broken oar. 

Cambridge went on to win the race comfortably. 

Another Old Salopian involved in this year’s race was Jonathan 

Legard (O 1974-79), a sports reporter, who shared the coverage 

with the BBC’s Dan Topolski. 

Giles Morgan (I 1979-83) has recently returned from five months’ 

service with the Territorial Army in Afghanistan. He writes: “I suspect 

there are other Old Salopians serving in-theatre, but at 46 I was 

probably the oldest, unless one or two Generals could top me! In 

the office where I worked we had an Old Etonian, St Paulian and 

Old Westminster, so rowing talk prevailed.” 

1980-89 

Rigg’s fielded an assorted ex-President’s XI for the match of Simon 

Lewis (R 1985-90) to Aimee Ng, both of New York, at All Souls’ 

Church, Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday 31st March, followed by


a reception at The W Hotel. Others in attendance were all in Rigg’s 

except where stated: 

The Ven Christopher Hewetson (51-56), who gave the address, 

Martin Hodgson (85-90), Anthony Lewis (52-56), Benji Lewis (SH 

81-85), Christopher Lewis (Best Man) (80-85), Edward Lewis (87- 

92), Tim Lewis (Father of the Bridegroom) (50-55), Tom Lewis (86- 

91), Griffin Parry (88-90), Noel Surridge (50-55). Stephen Lewis 

(RHJB 54-58) did not bat. 

Adrian Cassidy (R 1984-89) has been the Chief Coach for the Irish 

Rowing Team since March 2009. He writes: “In that time we have 

had to start from scratch with no returning Olympians. We went 

about systemising the Irish High Performance programme. We have 

introduced a national development programme as well as 

centralising the top Irish athletes. It has been very rewarding to be 

responsible for the whole programme and getting all aspects of the 

system in place to enable the talented athletes achieve their 

potential.” In May 2012 the sculler Sinead Jennings qualified for the 

London 2012 Olympics, becoming the first Irish woman rower ever 

to qualify for an Olympic Games. 

John Hesling (SH 1984-89) is living in Los Angeles where he has 

been Senior Vice President of Programming for BBC Worldwide 

Productions USA for three years. He is currently Executive Producer 

for Top Gear USA. He writes that he is “married to an eccentric 

Italian” and they have two young daughters. 

David Walker (Ch 1984-89) and his wife Sarah are delighted to 

announce the safe arrival of their son Jamie, born on 28th 

November 2011 in Dundee. 

Nicholas Mountford (Rt 1989-91) emigrated with his family in 

January 2012 to Perth, Western Australia, where he has been 

appointed senior marine scientist with the Australian Government’s 

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. 

1990-99 

Alastair Humphreys (Rt 1990-95) has recently rowed 3,000 miles 

across the Atlantic, raising money for Hope and Homes for 

Children. As he neared landfall, he reflected on why he returns time 

and again to arduous, remote trips: “One of the main reasons is the 

perspective it gives on my normal life. Until I press the ‘pause’ 

button on my busy 21st Century life and step so far away from it 

that I can see it in its entirety, it is difficult for me to really evaluate it 

all. Being out here on the ocean gives me a fresh motivation to 

chop away all the superficial, time-wasting rubbish that clutters and 

clogs my days and to remind myself who and what really matter. 

44 

Finally, whilst I greatly admire people who do difficult things just 

for the sake of the doing, and do not feel the need to boast and 

blog at every opportunity, I personally am enjoying more and more 

using these trips as a way of telling stories. To share my 

experiences with an audience who may find them interesting, 

diverting or as a prod towards adventures of their own makes this 

whole mad venture feel a little less stupid and a lot more worthwhile. 

This is particularly true of the schools I have phoned from the 

ocean, spread across 16 time zones. I love the thought that these 

children’s day of sensible education has been punctuated, if only 

briefly, with the subversive notion that there are oceans out there to 

be rowed across and more mad adventures and experiences and 

lessons than can ever be crammed into one short lifetime.” 

Philip Wood (M 1992-97) was selected for the Cressage leg of the 

Olympic Torch Relay on 30th May. During his time at Shrewsbury, 

Phil was an active sportsman and was House Captain of Rowing. 

More recently he has become involved with the Bridgnorth Rowing 

Club both on and off the water. His enthusiasm has brought the 

Club many new members and much needed funds. 

James Nichols (S 1994-99) and his 

wife Jennifer are delighted to 

announce the birth of their daughter 

Jessica Chloe Sophia, born on 1st 

September 2011. Her name is already 

down for Third Form entry in 2025. 

Freelance motoring journalist, 

Rob Marshall (R 1994-99) and 

his wife Nicola, became proud 

parents on the 8th March 2012, 

with the safe arrival of their 

daughter Catherine Lucy. Baby 

Marshall has been put to work 

already, by being photographed 

for a feature within a national car 

magazine profiling child safety 

restraints. Is infant labour illegal? 

Pictured is the proud father 

reading his daughter an excerpt from his favourite book – it sets her 

off to sleep a treat… 

Robin Woollan (Ch 1995-2000) has become engaged to Katie 

McNeill. Their wedding will take place in July 2013. After spending a

number of years as a headhunter, Robin has recently undertaken 

postgraduate study and will be starting a new career in careers 

guidance, working in the HE sector. 

Jonathan Beeston (Rb 1995-2000) is setting up a new business 

called Luxos Glos – a bespoke online lifestyle magazine and events 

service covering Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds and the 

surrounding areas. 

James McCrea (PH 1996-2001) and his wife Amy are delighted to 

announce the birth of their son Miles Calan, born on 5th November 

2011. 

Peter Nichols (S 1996-00), brother of James (S 1994-99) and 

Richard (S 1998-03) and son of Paul (S 1966-71), has become 

engaged to Becky Hepworth. Their wedding is planned for 

December 2012. 

Henry Brydon (PH 1997-2002) and Jamie King have completed 

their epic 22-month cycle ride from London to Sydney. Their 

adventures are chronicled in their blog, which can be found at 

www.the blazingsaddles.com. Their final post on 24th May ends: 

“We want to say a huge thank you to absolutely everyone who 

supported us throughout our adventure. From our dear friends and 

supportive families through to generous Iranian ostrich farmers and 

hospitable Uzbek road workers. Without you this trip simply 

wouldn’t have been what it was. We raised a staggering £55,000 for 

Brain Tumour Research and the MS Society thanks to the 

generosity and hard work you all put into fundraising events - club 

nights, comedy nights, charity balls, rugby sevens tournaments… 

the list goes on. 

“This enormous pot of cash will go towards funding the fight 

against these awful diseases and it’s all thanks to you guys. We’ve 

had friends and family fly to meet us at various far-flung locations 

around the globe over the last two years, ensuring fun times were 

had whilst completely destroying the carbon-free nature of our 

bicycle trip. Words really can’t describe how wonderful the support 

you’ve shown us has made us feel. Thank you all. 

P.S. News on our upcoming exploits regarding the book, new 

website, Sydney micro-adventures and future odysseys will be 

posted on our Facebook fan page, so stay tuned folks…” 

Harry Exham (R 1997-2002) writes: “I have been teaching Biology 

at the Oratory School for four years and have really enjoyed it, 

especially my role as 1st XI football coach. However in September 

I’m moving on to start a new job as Biology teacher and Assistant 

Housemaster at Fettes College in Edinburgh. On a personal note I 

married Anna Brown on 17th July 2010. We now have a daughter 

called Indigo Ava Grace born 4th August 2011.” 

Dan Howie (Ch 1998-03) – who never set foot in the Boat House at 

Shrewsbury and indeed has only taken up rowing in the last few 

months – has entered for the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race, 

renowned as one of the toughest endurance events in the world. He 

will undertake the challenge as one of a two-man crew with his 

rowing partner Will North. The race will start in December 2013 on 

the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands and will finish 

approximately 3,000 miles away in English Harbour, Antigua an 

estimated 40 – 70 days later. They are aiming to raise £100,000 for 

three charities: Cancer Research UK, Leukaemia and Lymphoma 

Research, and St Anna’s – a charity set up by friends of Dan and 

Will that provides a safe home and a family environment for 

45 


abandoned and orphaned children in Ghana. 

Dan is currently seeking corporate sponsorship to enable him to 

get to the start line and would be delighted to hear from anyone 

who is interested in supporting his campaign. Please contact him 

on 07793 970 598 or email atlanticrow2013@gmail.com. 

Andrew Jennings (I 1998-03), 

Chairman of the recently revived 

Old Salopian Rugby Club, has 

been turning his life-long interest 

in vintage watches to good use. 

In partnership with a Swedish 

friend, Joakim Larsson whom he 

met on a skiing trip when still a 

student, he has launched a 

specialist watch design 

company called Larsson and 

Jennings. 

Andrew has managed to 

achieve this while holding down 

his day job as an investment manager. His entrepreneurial flair was 

already in evidence while he was at Shrewsbury: his 

contemporaries will doubtless remember that he ran an eBay 

business, buying and selling mobile phones. Andrew and Joakim 

are also using the Internet, including social networking sites, to 

good effect in developing their new project. More details can be 

found on their website: www.larssonandjennings.com 

Rupert Connor (S 1999-2002) married Eiléen Lee in April 2012 in 

St Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York (pictured below). They are 

currently living in the UAE, where Rupert works as a financial 

consultant. 

Pete Lloyd (G 1999-2004) has recently begun working for Expedia 

Inc as the Lead Site Optimiser for their Hotels.com brand. 

2000-09 

Chris Lewis (Ch 2000-01) graduated from Oxford Brookes 

University in 2009 with a BSc (Hons) in Motorsport Technology from 

the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His final year 

dissertation was published in the Racecar Engineering Motorsport 

Journal. A year after graduating from University, he secured a job at 

the Red Bull Formula 1 Team and is now a Design Engineer in the 

Suspension & Driver Controls. During his time there, Red Bull 

Racing has won both the Drivers and Constructors Formula 1 World 

Championships two years running.


Chris writes: “I am a keen Rugby fan and go to watch Bath and 

England as much as I possibly can. I snowboard in the winter and 

surf in the summer and I also completed a Triathlon in September 

2011 and am looking forward to competing in more in 2012.” 

Laurie Cottam (M 2001-06) and his Oxford all-male a cappella 

group ‘Out of the Blue’ (and stars of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’) gave an 

entertaining performance of “taste-defying modern mash-ups, 

intimate ballads and stunning solos, all with their own original twist” 

in the Britten Theatre at the Royal College of Music in February. 

Tom Crosby (Ch 2001-06) graduated from commissioning course 

no 112 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 13th April 2012. 

He commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Artillery. His 

Royal Highness, Field Marshal The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO 

ADC, represented Her Majesty the Queen. 

‘All the King’s Men’ (pictured above), an a cappella singing group 

founded by Henry Southern (G 2003-08) at King’s College 

London in September 2009, was declared the winner of Voice 

Festival UK on 10 March – making them officially the best collegiate 

a cappella group in the UK. The Group also toured California in 

February and represented the UK and Europe in the International 

Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Final in New York in April, 

where they were delighted to be awarded third prize. 

During the summer they will be making their third successive 

appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August and they will 

also be touring in Hong Kong and Singapore in September. They 

are planning a concert at Shrewsbury School in October too (to be 

confirmed – please check OS website for details) 

More information about All the King’s Men can be found at: 

www.all-the-kings-men.com 

Ahead of making his full season debut in the Firestone Indy 

Lights Championship, British racing driver Ollie Webb (S 2004-09) 

has confirmed that he will continue his involvement with supercar 

manufacturer BAC. Ollie has now settled in the USA with the Sam 

Schmidt Motorsport (SSM) team and is also a member of the 

prestigious MSA Elite Team UK. He has been involved with BAC as 

test driver throughout the development of the 280-bhp single-seat 

Mono and he will return to the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power 

(15th – 17th June) after an impressive show last year, where he was 

among the top runners. He will also be demonstrating the Mono at 

the Goodwood Festival of Speed (28th June – 1st July), where he 

46 

will make his debut on the famous Hill route alongside some of the 

greatest names in motor sport. 

For information on OllieWebb, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ 

or follow him on twitter www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb. 

In July, Will Loxton (R 2001-06) and two friends will be attempting 

to cycle from North to South then East to West USA to raise money 

for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and 

to beat the current Guinness World Record for the cycle ride by 

completing the 4,600-mile journey in 40 days. The SSAFA is the 

UK’s oldest Armed Forces charity and assists currently or previously 

serving members of the British Armed Forces and their families. Will 

writes: “We are funding the entire trip out of our own pockets and 

100% of proceeds go to the charity. If any Old Salopians are 

interested in sponsoring us or could offer any kind of support or 

valuable knowledge from experience, that would be fantastic. For 

more info on the challenge my website is 

www.downandacrossusa.com” 

This summer, Kit Schützer-Weissmann (PH 2005-10) will be part 

of a team of 14 students and one driver cycling the 4,400km route 

over the Alps, through Northern Italy and down The Adriatic Coast 

to Istanbul in aid of Help For Heroes. 

The team is trying to raise £40,000 and Kit is asking the Old 

Salopian community for help in finding corporate sponsorship to 

help cover the cost, in return for fairly extensive publicity. They are 

hoping to get an article in each team member’s local newspapers, 

as well as radio coverage/website/etc. Kit also says that if there are 

any OS Club members who run bike companies or work for one, it 

would be great if they would get in touch! 

For more information, the website is: http://londonistanbul2012.com/ 

and Kit’s Just Giving page is at 

http://www.justgiving.com/KitSchutzer-Weissmann 

Alex Beaumont (SH 2005-10) has been awarded a College 

Exhibition in German from St Hilda's College, Oxford, at the end of 

his first year. Chris Minns, Head of Modern Languages, commented 

"As one of our best Germanists in recent years, with a particular flair 

for literature, Alex is clearly continuing to impress." 

Rupert Harvey-Scholes 

(R 2006-11) has come up with an 

enterprising scheme – silk knot 

cufflinks in House colours. He says: 

“Since leaving Shrewsbury last 

summer and after two years of 

careful research, I had the perfect 

opportunity to launch my latest 

business venture. Whilst I was at 

Shrewsbury I thought it would be 

novel to have a pair of silk knots in 

the Rigg’s colours. I could never find any in the high street shops, 

hard as I tried. I thought if I wanted a pair then there were bound to 

be other Salopians and Old Salopians who desired a pair. Hence 

Alumni Links was created. 

“Finally I have found the correct supplier who can actually deliver 

the correct colours of all the eleven boys’ houses and the Old 

Salopian colours. Having had such a positive response I would love 

to be able to supply other clubs and societies in the future 

throughout the United Kingdom who like the idea.” To contact 

Rupert about Alumni Links, email alumnilinks@gmail.com

47 


THE SALOPIAN CLUB WELCOMES TWO NEW HONORARY MEMBERS 

Last year, and just before he died, Richard Raven (M 1945-50) 

recommended that the Club consider inviting two long-term 

supporters of Shrewsbury School and the Salopian Club – Ronald 

Williams and Geoffrey Clarke – to be Honorary Members. 

Ronald (Ron) Williams served the School as a hard-working 

groundsman and gardener for over 25 years. His friendly greeting 

and ready smile were famous throughout the Site and there must be 

very few pupils or staff who have not been on the receiving end of 

his friendly banter at one time or another! 

Geoffrey has been an avid supporter of Salopian cricket and 

Nick Randall, Geoffrey Clarke, Ron Williams and David Gee 

O LD SALOPIANS DOWN UNDER 

For some time, the late Richard Raven and I had talked about 

making a trip down-under to link up with Salopians who had kept in 

touch with the School and the Club and who had often given 

hospitality and support to visitors from Kingsland. Sadly, Richard 

never made the trip, but when I decided to visit many old friends 

from Africa who now live in Australia and New Zealand it seemed an 

ideal opportunity to encourage some Old Salopian gatherings in the 

cities I was to visit. 

First was a brief stop-over in Mumbai to visit Nitij Arenja (SH 

1990-95) and his brother Anuj (I 1994-96). Both brothers now work 

with their father in a variety of business enterprises and his friends 

will be pleased to know that Nitij’s business includes a number of 

gyms and health centres supporting those aiming for a healthy 

lifestyle. A svelte Nitij himself is the ideal example, having recently 

completed the Mumbai marathon and currently training for one in 

Istanbul. 

The next stop was Western Australia and Perth where I was 

generously met and chauffeured around by Martyn Thompson (SH 

1951-54) who with James Lush (S 1983-85) organised a gathering 

football for the past 16 years. In that time he has developed an 

encyclopaedic knowledge of those who have represented the 

School at 1st team level and has proved to be a useful guide to 

many a parent. 

The new Honorary Old Salopians were welcomed at a lunch 

arranged at OS Club Director Alex Baxter’s home on Tuesday 28th 

February. 

Club ties were presented to Geoffrey and Ron by the Club 

Chairman, Nick Randall (O 1972-76). Also attending the lunch was 

Dr David Gee, History Master at Shrewsbury. 

at a splendid waterfront pub/restaurant where a dozen Salopians 

and their wives had an enormously enjoyable drinks and dinner 

(see photos) party. James is a very popular radio figure with his own 

show on Saturdays; it was good to meet Tim Ward (I 1974-79) 

again, and excellent to see that newly-married Gordon Gow (Rt 

1981-86) has made the move successfully. Others there included 

Mike Gray (S 1965-67) Dr Nick Hayter (R 1944-49) John Laird 

(SH 1964-69) James Martin (DB 1978-82) Dr Peter Platt (S 1960- 

95) Nick Robotham (M 1962-67) and Mark Williamson (O1956- 

60). It was unanimously agreed that this sort of occasion must be 

repeated and visitors to Perth would always be made welcome. 

Then on to New Zealand where I enjoyed meeting David Fyfe 

(SH 1933-39) who at 91 is in indefatigable form, Brett Whiteley (I 

1974-78) and nearly John Vallings (DB 1949-53) whose security 

gate proved too much of a barrier! Robin Topham (O1965-70), who 

flourishes at Kings College, would have liked to have organised a 

gathering but he was tied up with cricket and family. 

Next stop was Wellington where Doug Pollock (I 1979-84) and 

Richard Kearney-Mitchell (SH 1983-87) had arranged to meet in


the Wellington Club where we were joined by John Weaver (SH 

1944-48) William Eckford (S 1958-63) and three current ‘gappers’, 

Nick Oakes (SH) George Hanmer (Rt) and Fiennes Davey (G). It 

was great that they made the journey in from Rathkeale College and 

the point was made that it was very good to arrange for gappers to 

meet local Salopians as soon as possible at the beginning of their 

year. Naturally with Doug Pollock this was another enormously 

enjoyable occasion. 

Finally back to Australia and a marvellous evening in Sydney 

organised by Patrick Cadman (SH 1970-84), Nigel Swain (SH 

1990-95) and Justin Lees (O 1985-90) where with Andy Head (O 

1992-97), Nic Andrews (M 1970-75) and Ben Parry (I 1986-91) we 

had a delicious dinner and much laughter. Fairly well-travelled by 

now, I sadly lacked the stamina to continue the evening after dinner 

with some of the younger more energetic company. 

Another stopover on the way home, this time at Shrewsbury 

International School in Bangkok, ended an amazing time – and 

what a superb place to end! The School is flourishing and very 

exciting and it is a ‘must visit’ place for any Salopian reaching 

Bangkok. Stephen Holroyd is always hospitable, there are ‘gappers’ 

who I am sure will always show you round, and how good it is to 

48 

find men like Simon Baxter (and soon Peter Fanning) so obviously 

enjoying teaching there. 

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Salopians enjoyed 

these get-togethers and they will be repeated occasionally. It was 

said again and again that it was very good to know that there are 

Salopians around when one first arrives in a new place – not just to 

help with contacts or advice, but to open up a possible social or 

sporting or other scene. Certainly I felt that a visit from the School, 

whether Salopian Club or Staff, provided the perfect excuse to 

arrange a gathering. 

I am extremely grateful to those who agreed to organise the 

events and who did so with so much efficiency and enthusiasm, to 

the Club for helping with names and addresses, and to the 

Salopians who met and made each gathering so obviously 

worthwhile. 

The aim now must be to get Salopians round the world to agree 

to put their names forward as link men – someone who might 

perhaps be contacted by a new arrival, who might agree to 

organise the occasional get-together similar to these ones held, 

who might be ‘Our Man in Havana’ – or anywhere! 

Hugh Ramsbotham

L AUNCHING THE NEW CAREERS INITIATIVE 

One of the most exciting changes arising from last year’s 

governance initiative was placing the provision of careers 

assistance at the heart of the Club’s affairs. There has always 

been some provision for careers assistance, but the sheer 

scale of the new initiative and the resources being dedicated to 

it mark this as potentially the most significant transformation 

within the restructured Club. 

There has been considerable dialogue between the School 

and the Club to ensure that the overall approach to careers is 

correctly aligned and ‘joined-up’. There is immense goodwill 

amongst Old Salopians and parents when it comes to helping 

with careers talks and advice. In addition to the many OS 

speakers who visit the School, the Club has recently worked 

with Careers Master Chris Conway to organise two events for 

pupils interested in entering the medical and legal professions. 

Both have been very successful. From 2013 the Club plans to 

organise an annual careers fair, offering advice to pupils in the 

Sixth Form, and possibly extending this to other age groups in 

future years. The intention is that these occasions will provide 

pupils with up-to-date guidance on the qualifications and 

characteristics needed to succeed in different fields, as well as 

exposing the breadth of possibilities across the jobs market. In 

particular, it is hoped that the fairs will assist pupils in making 

informed decisions on subject choices with a view to further 

education and career opportunities. 

As well as remaining involved in the School’s careers 

programme, the Club intends to concentrate its efforts on 

those who have left the School, whether they are at university 

or beyond. Although these plans are still being defined, they 

will certainly build on the existing framework of Old Salopians 

C ELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF A SUCCESSFUL 

SALOPIAN BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 

For the last ten years, Ed Godrich (I 1988-93) an Interior 

Architecture graduate of Nottingham Trent University and 

Rupert Hunt (M 1988-93), a Management graduate from 

Leeds University, have jointly run a high-end interior design 

business as well as an art warehouse and a soft furnishings 

business. 

After Ed graduated he went on to work for a number of top 

design practices, while Rupert forged a successful career in 

the banking sector, specialising in corporate finance and 

working with large multinationals on share offerings, mergers 

and acquisitions both in London and, for two years, in Hong 

Kong. 

Ed and Rupert always stayed in touch during these years. By 

the time Rupert had decided he had ‘done his time’ in the City, 

Ed was itching to set up his design business and so 

approached Rupert to manage the financial side of operations. 

Since then they have built up the business to a very successful 

level and have a constantly expanding portfolio of residential 

49 


and parents who already offer one-to-one professional advice, 

work experience, internships and so on. The Club is 

approaching the various professional groups, seeking 

assistance from those willing to help the careers programme. 

To date the responses have been very encouraging indeed. As 

this editorial goes to press, a careers sub-committee is being 

formed and a prominent OS businessman has been identified 

to lead this group. Areas of development are likely to include 

engaging with Old Salopians who might need careers 

assistance, developing a responsive interface for those 

seeking our services, advertising work experience and 

internship opportunities and developing our offerings such as 

CV advice and practice interviews. We will also be establishing 

professional and sector networks for Old Salopians of all ages. 

The Club is keen to engage parents and Old Salopians 

within the careers initiative, particularly as a large pool of 

volunteers is needed to cope with increased demand in a 

diminishing jobs market. Many parents are already involved. If 

you are able to help, we would love to hear from you. 

The following details would be most useful: your sector or 

profession, how you might be able to help (e.g. talks in school, 

careers fair, advice, work experience and/or internship) and 

your address (work or home, and email). The Club can be 

contacted by post: The Salopian Club, the Schools, 

Shrewsbury, SY3 7BA; by email 

oldsalopian@shrewsbury.org.uk or by telephone 

01743 280891. 

Alex Baxter 

Director 

Salopian Club 

and commercial portfolios both in the UK and abroad. Ed and 

Rupert have often found that Old Salopians pop up in every 

industry and have forged great relationships with businesses 

having this in common. 

On a more personal level, Ed and Rupert have both 

undertaken major restoration projects on farms near Ludlow 

and have also just restored and opened an ancient Inn in 

Corvedale (The Tally Ho Inn). 

The fact that they remain such good friends as well as 

successful entrepreneurs gives the lie to the notion that ‘friends 

don’t usually make good business partners’. They believe that 

their success, however, comes from a deep-rooted respect for 

one another that goes back to their Shrewsbury days, and of 

course their defined roles in design and finance respectively. 

More information on their joint businesses may be found at 

www.godrichinteriors.com, www.signedandoriginal.com and 

www.violetandgeorge.com


A LEX WILSON FOUNDATION EVENT 

On a squally Easter Sunday afternoon, Barcelona took on Real Madrid on the Astroturf pitch at the Schools. The class of 2008 in Barcelona 

colours played the mighty class of 2009, disguised as Real Madrid. The latter side ran out 2-1 winners in an entertaining game. 

The event was organised by Hugo Tapp (PH 2003-08), James Trelawny (G 2004-09) and Henry Wilson (brother of Alex Wilson), to raise 

funds for the Alex Wilson Foundation. Approximately 150 spectators showed up for the occasion and a whopping £1,500 was raised through 

gate sales, a raffle and a generous donation from the Butter Market nightclub, via Jimmy Wallace (PH 2003-08). 

There are a wide variety of fundraising activities for the Alex Wilson Foundation taking place later this year including: 

21st July – John O’Groats to Land’s End cycle ride 

September – cycle ride to and marathon in Munich 

23rd September – Annual Alex Wilson Memorial Football Match at The Schools. 

For further details, please contact Henry Wilson on Hwilson@shelleysandzer.co.uk 

F ROM SHREWSBURY HOUSE TO HARAR 

This is certainly not the first recession that older OS will have 

experienced. The early 1980s were also a time of great hardship for 

many. Sixth Form memories of my time at Shrewsbury House stay 

with me and the abject poverty of the surrounding areas are still 

very fresh even 30 years later. 

I founded Project Harar in 2002 with the social injustice of 1980s’ 

Liverpool in mind. I was nearing the end of a long trip in Ethiopia, a 

most fascinating country, and my last stop was the walled town of 

Harar in the East, near the Somalian Border. 

As I meandered back to my hotel after another hot and dusty day, 

I was confronted by a young street boy with his hand out. He was 

wearing a veil. I hurried on, but as I did so, he lowered his veil to 

reveal a gaping hole where his cheek should have been. It was a 

horrendous sight. I gave him money. I was now deep in thought. 

By the time I reached my hotel, I knew I wanted to aid this boy, 

who I later found out was called Jemal (12) and was suffering from 

Noma, a facial gangrene. I found an even younger boy too, Fhami 

(9), whose face had been terribly mauled by hyenas. Both boys 

needed urgent facial rebuilding surgery. 

Over the next six months I managed to get them the offer of 

surgery on a hospital ship on the other side of the African Continent 

50 

Jonathan Crown (right) with Project Harar’s Ethiopian Director 

Sebsibe 

in the Gambia. Within a further six months, I had got them there! 

After another three months on board the ship and three complex 

surgeries, the boys returned home with new faces, able to lead 

pretty much a normal life. 2003 saw me repeat the feat, this time 

bringing the patients to London.

Those early successes spurred me on to set up a proper 

charitable organisation, which I am pleased to say has flourished. I 

realised in 2004 that the key to expansion was performing surgery in 

Ethiopia itself, rather than take patients out of the country. In the 

past eight years we have treated over 2,000 young Ethiopians who 

suffer from a range of conditions from cleft lip and palate, to Noma, 

burns, tumours, animal attacks and other facial trauma. 

Expert Ethiopian surgeons treat hundreds of the simpler cleft lip 

cases throughout the year in Addis Ababa, but for the more 

complex cases we need outside help. Therefore we organise and 

sponsor teams of UK surgeons to travel for two weeks at a time to 

perform up to fifty surgeries on suitable candidates. 

Indeed as you read this, the last of our April patients will be 

returning home to their villages from such a mission that we have 

run in collaboration with staff from Guy’s Hospital in London. 

Their faces have been repaired, their lives enhanced. Prior to 

surgery many of these individuals are ostracised and feared 

because of their looks. They are unable to go to school, cannot find 

jobs or marry. Post-surgery, these barriers to living a normal life are 

removed. 

To this day, I still keep a close eye on the Shewsy and I was lucky 

enough to visit it again a couple of years ago. The gloomy high rise 

When Revd Christopher Jenkin (I 1950-55) and his wife Mary 

visited Kasese in south-western Uganda in March 2008, they met a 

group of street children and were deeply touched by their plight. 

Inspired by the vision of a local man, Enos Kyibibi, to raise funds to 

build a hostel for them, they returned to the UK determined to 

enable that vision to be realised. 

The first fundraiser was the Great North Run half-marathon – 

Christopher had not run since his days as Senior Whip at 

Shrewsbury! There were talks, concerts, dances, exhibitions; and 

now over £40,000 has been sent out and the building is virtually 

complete. On 24th March 2012 it was formally opened and 

Christopher and Mary flew out to attend. 

“When we last saw the hostel in 2010 the walls reached waist 

height,” Christopher explains. “It was exciting to see it almost 

finished.” A full day’s programme had been planned, with three 

choirs, ten speakers and a meal. Marquees, stacking chairs and a 

PA system had been brought out along the rough dirt roads. 

The timing was African-style – i.e. relaxed! Over twenty of the 

street boys were also there, running around inside and outside 

‘their’ building, and even joining in the speeches. One was Ashiraf, 

the boy who in 2008 had described their lives. At the Opening 

Christopher and Mary met him again. “We shook his hand, and told 

him that it had been his words that had led to this building being 

before us today.” 

The Guest of Honour, the Assistant Resident District 

Commissioner (whose importance was shown by the fact that he 

arrived with an armed guard!) cut the tape with Christopher’s help, 

and the Hostel was declared open. 

Although it is still unfinished, the boys are using the building now. 

Responsibility for the Hostel has been handed to the local 

community and plans are being put together for securing ongoing 

funding, which will be crucial. 

Lots more information about the Kasese Street Kids Hostel is 

available at www.kasesestreetkids.blogspot.com and Christopher 

and Mary Jenkin would be delighted to hear from anyone who 

would like to offer support. 

51 


blocks I remember so well have long gone, the surrounding area is 

so much neater. But dig below the surface and the chronic 

unemployment and poverty remain. The Shewsy, though, remains a 

beacon of hope within the community; as I hope Project Harar is 

4,000 miles away. 

I am always delighted to hear from Old Salopians who have an 

interest in all things African. Please also visit our website at 

www.projectharar.org where it is easy to make a donation. 

Jonathan Crown (M 1978-82) 

. . . AND FROM SHREWSBURY SCHOOL TO UGANDA 

Christopher and Mary Jenkin with Mrs Margaret Sentamu, wife of 

the Archbishop of York, at a fundraising exhibition in Carlisle


OS CLUB AT EDGBASTON 

For the first time in forty eight years at a Test Match, the first two 

days of the Edgbaston Test were rained off with no play. It was 

therefore with the utmost relief that forty four Salopians including 

guests arrived at the Warwickshire County Ground on a dry and 

cold Saturday 9th June to enjoy a full day’s play. 

As England had already won the series, Anderson and Broad 

were rested and replaced with Onions and Finn. England won the 

toss and put the West Indies in to bat, presumably in the hope of 

getting some quick wickets. 

A combination of a slow, still wet outfield, unseasonably cold 

weather and good out-fielding meant scoring was slow (2.86 per 

over). There was some good cricket – England’s pace attack was 

steady and Onions was the pick of the England bowlers. Samuels 

hit some excellent cover drives for the West Indies. Swann, the 

England spinner proved ineffective, 2 sixes being dispatched from 

his bowling and the cold weather may have contributed to a lot of 

‘playing and missing’ from the batting side and three easy slip 

catches being dropped. 

In the light of the next morning’s events when the tail-ender, Best, 

scored 95 taking the West Indies score to an unassailable 426 allout, 

we were sold a little short on the cricket front! 

Happy to relate then that the facilities at Edgbaston in the Jaguar 

suite were excellent with a spacious dining room for lunch, all-day 

free bar and a balcony with uninterrupted views of the pitch, 

scoreboard and replay screen. Nearby, there were covered seats 

for those wishing to concentrate exclusively on the game. 

Although it was first and foremost a Birmingham and West 

Midlands Old Salopian event, the occasion was graced with several 

Saracens from further afield: Simon Worthington (Rt 1980-85) 

visiting the UK from Melbourne, Australia, Mary Evans, wife of 

David (Ch 1968-73), a keen cricket supporter, who had flown in 

from Chicago that morning and Philip Kynaston (Rb 2001-2006) 

with his brother Stuart and four RAF colleagues out for a great day 

before being posted to Afghanistan. 

52 

This year is the benefit year for Neil Carter, the South African born 

Warwickshire bowler, and Neil brought along a cricket bat signed by 

all the England players for us to raffle. Salopians were extremely 

generous and £500 was raised on Neil’s behalf with the bat fittingly 

won by Jeremy Penn (M 1954-59), whom many older Salopians 

remember as an outstanding sportsman of his day. 

Many thanks are due to Richard Woodgate (Rt 1954-59), chair 

of the Birmingham and West Midlands OS Branch for his help and 

support in organising such an enjoyable occasion. 

Jeremy Penn and Richard Woodgate with bat (above) and John 

Everall, Philip Kynaston and brother Stuart (below)

S ABRINA CLUB 

NEW BOATHOUSE OPENING 

The construction of the new Boathouse is progressing well. The 

opening ceremony will take place at 3.00 p.m. on Saturday 22nd 

September, the same date as the annual Old Salopian Day at the 

School. Additionally the clubroom of the Pugh Boathouse (which 

was opened on Armistice Day 1921) will be refurbished in time for 

this opening celebration. 

SABRINA SUPPORTERS 

None of these Boat Club building projects could have started 

without the generous support of Sabrina supporters. Sabrina 

members wishing to help the Boat Club through the Foundation 

(which will add 25% to donations through Gift Aid) will be warmly 

welcomed. Please contact Nick Randall on 01824 707953 or email: 

nick@ruthinsim.co.uk 

Many Sabrina members have responded generously to the letter 

Sabrina Club sent to members in June 2011 and January this year. 

Please support if you have not already done so. 

OLYMPICS 

With this being an Olympic year, we are keen to update records of 

all members of the Boat Club who participated in past Olympics. 

The writers will be delighted to hear of any additional news and 

have listed below known participants. 

J. G. H. Lander – Amsterdam 1928 Gold Medal Coxless Fours* 

J. H. T. Wilson – London 1948 Gold Medal Coxless Pairs* 

H. H Almond – Helsinki 1952 

J. S. M. Jones – Helsinki 1952 

R. F. A. Sharpley – Helsinki 1952 

K. A. Masser – Melbourne 1956 

I. W. Welsh – Melbourne1956 

D. W. Shaw – Rome 1960 

J. L. Garrett – Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 

H. V. Thomas – Seoul 1988 

O.W. Hall-Craggs – Barcelona 1992 

*We have been kindly sent pictures of the Gold Medals won in 

1928 and 1948: 

John (Jack) Hyrne Tucker Wilson (R 1928-32) 1948 London 

Olympic Games: Gold Medal Coxless Pairs 

53 


The history of Jack Wilson winning the Gold Medal in the 1948 

Coxless Pairs with WGRM (Ran) Laurie is extensively chronicled. 

Ran Laurie was father of Hugh Laurie (CUBC Blue and latterly of 

acting fame) and brother of Alan Laurie, Housemaster of Severn Hill 

1960-68. Prior to winning this Olympic Gold Medal, Jack Wilson had 

won the Ladies Challenge Plate at Henley Royal Regatta with the 

School 1st VIII in 1932 and had enjoyed a further six Henley wins, 

which included the Stewards Challenge Cup 1933, 1934 and 1938, 

the Grand Challenge Cup 1935 and Silver Goblets 1938 and 1948. 

He had also competed in three Boat Races with CUBC. Jack 

Wilson’s picture and list of wins, including novice sculls at 

Shrewsbury in 1930, is in both the Pugh Boathouse Clubroom at the 

School and the Shrewsbury Room at the Leander Club. 

John Gerard Heath Lander (SH 1921-26) 1928 Amsterdam 

Olympic Games: Gold Medal Coxless fours 

John Lander (known as “Bish” because his father was Bishop of 

Hong Kong) was one of three brothers who attended Shrewsbury. 

He won the Gold Medal for Coxless Fours with Trinity College 

Cambridge at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games. Another 

member of this Trinity College crew was EV Bevan, brother of David 

Bevan, Housemaster of Ridgemount 1943-54. John Lander stroked 

the School 1 st VIII to their second Henley win in 1924, winning the 

Ladies Challenge Plate, beating Jesus College Cambridge in the 

Final by 1¼ lengths. The same Jesus College crew also lost the 

final of the Grand Challenge Cup to Leander Club by just 6 feet. It 

was said by most commentators at the time that Shrewsbury could 

have won the Grand and were probably the fastest VIII at the 

Regatta. 

With Trinity College, John won four further Henley events: the 

Ladies Challenge Plate 1927 and 1929, Visitors 1928 and Stewards 

Challenge Cup 1929. After Cambridge, he joined the oil company 

Shell in South East Asia. Between 1929 and 1931 he was Captain of 

the Hong Kong Rowing Club and between 1931 and 1941 was 

involved with the Manila Boat Club, leading the club to compete 

successfully in the South East Asia Games. 

John returned to England in 1938 where he married his wife Betty. 

Betty had competed in the hurdles for Great Britain in the early 

1930s. In 1939 John brought Betty and their newly born son Gerard 

to Manila, Philippines but in early 1941, in view of the rapidly 

deteriorating political climate, John took Betty and Gerard to Baguio 

in the Philippines for safety. Returning to Hong Kong, John joined 

the Volunteer Defence Force and chose the Royal Artillery. When the 

Japanese succeeded in landing on the island, his battery was 

outflanked and he and his gun crew returned to General HQ in 

Victoria for further orders. They were given rifles and ammunition 

and sent out – to their deaths. John was killed on Christmas Day in 

1941, a few hours before Hong Kong surrendered. He is buried in 

the Sai Wan War Cemetery at Cape Collinson. John Lander was the 

only Great Britain Olympic Gold medalist to be killed in action in 

WWII. 

In January 1942 after the Japanese army entered Manila, Betty 

and her two-year-old son were interned with other members of the 

Allied Forces community at the University of Santo Thomas. Both 

Betty and Gerard survived the War and moved to South Africa. Betty 

lived to the age of 90 and Gerard has recently contacted the writer 

and provided pictures of the Olympic Gold Medal (featured) and 

Henley Medals. Gerard is also in possession of his father’s silver


miniature of the 1924 Ladies Challenge Plate, which he will donate 

to the Boat Club when he attends the opening ceremony of the new 

boathouse on Saturday 22nd September 2012 

The second brother Hugh Lander was also a school oarsman 

(1st VIII 1928 and 1929) and his son Richard stroked the school 1 st 

VIII to win the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal 

Regatta in 1955 before going up to Christchurch Oxford, where he 

also stroked the 1959 Oxford Boat Race crew to win by their 

greatest margin since 1912. (Other members of the 1959 Oxford 

54 

Boat included 1955 School 1 st VIII crew colleague Donald Shaw, 

who rowed at 7, and fellow Salopian oarsman RL Howard. Donald 

Shaw’s uncle TW Shaw was also a member of the JGH Lander’s 

1924 Henley winning School 1 st VIII). Sadly a third brother, Peter 

Lander, was also killed in WWII (RAF). 

Report compiled by: Nick Randall (Captain) 

(Tel: 01824 707953 email nick@ruthinsim.co.uk) 

Malcolm Davies (Honorary Secretary) 

(Tel: 01709 370071 email malcolm.davies@talktalk.net) 

INTERESTED IN FIXED-SEAT ROWING ON THE THAMES? 

Roger Pitts-Tucker (SH 1959-64) would like it to be known that there is a flourishing series of regattas for traditional fixed seat rowing 

on the Thames throughout the year, and any OS who would like to participate could contact him - rpt@farringdonc.co.uk, or write to him 

at 3 Nursery lane, Holwell, Leics LE14 4UF. The next race is the Great River Race taking place in mid September, from Hampton Court 

to the Tower of London, approx 3 hours of steady rowing. 

OS RUGBY CLUB 

The Old Salopian Rugby Club has been reformed this year, 

thanks to an enormous amount of work from Andrew Jennings 

(I 1998-03), Lewis Brown (I 1996-2001) and Sam Robertson 

(M 1998-2003). The Club has received an incredible amount of 

interest in its early stages and the signs are promising. 

Funding has been secured and thanks to those in charge, a 

shiny new kit has know been tested. The Club competed in the 

Rugby Rocks 7s festival recently and is entered for a further 

competition in the London area. It is hoped that a couple of XV 

games will be organised towards the end of the year at the School. 

Prospective players are urged to get involved and make 

themselves known (contact Sam Robertson at 

Sam.Robertson@glhearn.com). Training, for those based in 

London, takes place in Battersea Park every Monday at 7pm and 

new players of all shapes and sizes are more than welcome. You 

don’t have to be based in London to get involved. 

The future of the Club looks bright! 

We are delighted that this year's Captains of the Oxford Cricket team and the Oxford Rugby team are both Old Salopians. 

Ben Williams (Rt 2008-2010, Head of School 2009-10) is the Captain of the Oxford University Cricket Club. The OUCC is one 

of the most prestigious cricket clubs in the country, and their first-class facilities at the University Parks have been graced by some 

of the most famous cricketers of all time, producing many ‘Blues’ who have gone on to represent their country such as Imran 

Khan, Douglas Jardine, and M.J.K. Smith. 

Ben joined Shrewsbury in the Sixth Form, and went on to become the first Sixth Form entrant to be appointed Head of School. 

Amongst his many sporting and academic achievements in his two years here, Ben helped our 1st XI to victory in the 2010 Silk 

Trophy. 

Captained by OS John-Henry Carter (Rt 1994-1999), the Oxford University Rugby Club (OURFC) has had a successful 

season, with the highlight being their victory in the Varsity Match at Twickenham in December 2011.

OS HUNT 

In this article I will report on our races in late 2011, the planned 

events for 2012 and the response to requests for Hunt memorabilia 

made in the last issue of The Salopian. 

RACES IN 2011 

The annual race against the RSSH and the Staff was closely 

contested this year, with the additional benefit that, unlike last year, 

all runners approached the finish funnel from the same direction! A 

welcome return by our captain, Oli Mott, saw him lead the 13 OSH 

runners home in a strong second place, completing the 3.5-mile 

course in 19 minutes 39 seconds. Ian Howarth killed for the Staff in 

19:17 and George Mallett, Huntsman, was third. Other scoring OSH 

runners were Kris Blake in 5th, Ed Hector 9th, Ben Hebblethwaite 

10th, Toby Jones 15th and Adam Booth 17th. 

The OS Hunt competitors and supporters before the race against the 

RSSH and Staff 

The OSH fielded an enthusiastic team of four runners for the 

Thames Hare & Hounds alumni race. This is a highly competitive 

race at the ‘sharp end’ with the winner, Martin Shore of QEH 

covering the hilly and muddy 5-mile course in 26 minutes. Our first 

runner was, like last year, Charles Tongue in 47th position, followed 

by Mark Holloway, fresh(ish) back from the New York marathon, in 

61st. Our team was rounded out by the former Ridgemount pair of 

David Thomas in 84th and Andrew Christophers in 107th. 

PLANNED EVENTS FOR 2012 

As stated elsewhere in this issue, Salopian Day will be held on 22 

September and will have a sporting theme. We have agreed with 

Peter Middleton that there will be a combined OSH/RSSH run 

conducted at a leisurely pace, with all-ups, on one of the traditional 

Hunt courses. The run will be relatively short, may be punctuated, as 

they were in the C19th, by cakes and ale, with the emphasis being 

on enjoyment rather than competition! Some regalia will be 

provided, but please do come with your own whether running or 

supporting. This will be followed by tea in the Hunt Gym, where 

much Hunt memorabilia will be on display, along with the Hound 

Books. Precise details will be agreed nearer the date and posted on 

the OSH web pages, (www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/os-hunt) and 

will be e-mailed to OSH members. 

The annual race against the RSSH and the Staff will be held on 

Saturday 24 November, throwing off from the Drum at 3pm as usual, 

followed by tea, the AGM and dinner. The date for the Thames Hare 

& Hounds alumni race has yet to be set. Details will be posted on 

the OSH web pages and will be emailed nearer the time. 

55 


HUNT MEMORABILIA 

I am very grateful to those who responded to my request for Hunt 

memorabilia. I would particularly like to thank Martin Slocock 

(Huntsman1952/3) who wrote ‘I still have my Huntsman’s jersey, cap 

and whip, also my GOR baton and vest – but not the horn – RSSH 

property and duly handed to my successor. All precious reminders 

of much pleasure – and toil!’ Thanks also to Gerald Smith, who is 

proud owner of a baton that records his winning the Tucks in 1960, 

to Andrew Christophers (Huntsman 1979) for team photos from the 

1970s, and to Richard Sinnett (Senior Whip 1945) for a photograph 

which he believes to be of the DayBoys Hunt in the 1860s, and the 

war-time Hunt 1st VIII of 1943/4 which is produced below. 

Andrew Christophers also related the very sad news that Simon 

Front (left to right): R. J. G. Downie (O) Senior Whip, T. D. Harvey (Rt) 

Huntsman, J. S. Hughes (DB) Junior Whip. Rear (left to right): C. F. 

Dumbell (JHT), W. H. Riley (O), B. S. Kent (DB), N. B. Clark (JHT), R. 

J. M. Sinnett (O) 

Ponsonby, Senior Whip in 1979, died recently after a short illness. As 

Andrew recalls, “running was his passion” and that he ran the 

London Marathon in 2 hrs 20 mins in 1983 whilst in his final year at 

Durham University. Andrew and I are pretty sure that this is the 

fastest marathon time by an OSH member. Our thoughts are with 

Simon’s family and friends at this sad time. 

And finally, Kukri, the provider of kit to the RSSH, have made a 

video about the RSSH. It is available on YouTube and can be seen 

here: http://www.youtube.com/user/KukriSports 

David Thomas 

david.t.thomas@hotmail.co.uk 

OS Squash Club 

WANTED! 

Keen players based in and around London, 

to form OS Squad for Friendlies/League Matches. 

Please contact Paul Nichols 

(paul@paulnichols.com or 07710 132770) 

or 

Bill Higson (wshigson@googlemail.com or 07720 052322) 

for further information


S ARACENS CRICKET 

It appears the Club has survived the Closed Season in good health 

and spring is upon us – the start of the Season for the Summer 

Game. 

Firstly, congratulations to Jimmy Taylor on his hundred for the 

England Lions against the West Indies! A true Captain’s Innings 

when the side was in real trouble, which then proved to be a matchwinning 

knock. 

The Cricketer Cup started on 17th June with Tom Cox, Ben 

Chapman and The Squad playing Uppingham Rovers in the first 

round. Please check the Saracens page on the OS website for 

up-to-date information and the 2012 fixture list or contact Paul 

Nichols on 07710 132770. If you are playing regular Club / 

University Cricket, please advise Tom Cox (mobile 07786 587425) 

with your credentials. 

The major event of the Closed Season, to celebrate the Club’s 

history and future, was the Biennial Dinner, which was held on 15 th 

March. The venue was the Media Centre at Lord’s. It turned out to 

be a fantastic evening and enjoyed by a full house of 50 Saracens 

and their guests. Our President – Nicko Williams – presented 

Saracen sweaters to Tom Cox and James Kidson for superb 

performances in the 2011 Season. Tom scored back-to-back 

Saracen’s North Devon Tour 1953 – Back row (standing from left to 

right): Christopher Hewetson, Tim Lewis, David Spencer, John 

Stapleton, Chris Hill, Dan Latham, Gwyn Roberts, Henry Lewis, and 

Johnny Clegg. Front row (seated from left to right): John Walker, 

Philip Miles, Robin Moulsdale, Edward Hewetson, and Miles 

Robinson. See page 70 for an obituary of David Spencer 

OS GOLFING SOCIETY 

A record number of 76 players have entered for the Campion 

Trophy, the Society’s National Matchplay Championship. 

Depending on the draw, you get the thrill of playing on some of the 

finest courses in the kingdom – Royal Lytham and St Anne’s, venue 

of this year’s Open, or the Old Course at St Andrews, where new 

member Ben Marlow is drawn to play Fife farmer Geoffrey Sprot, or 

Royal St George’s or Royal Birkdale, where last year’s Final has yet 

to be played between Anthony Smith, the new President of the 

Society and James Shaw – billed as “The Little and Large Show”. 

Ian Campion, our late and much lamented President donated the 

56 

centuries against a strong North Devon Cricket Club side at Instow; 

and James had a superb six-wicket haul against the Marlborough 

Blues in the Cricketer Cup. It enabled the Saracens to pull a win out 

of a game that had looked all but lost. 

This was followed by a humorous and powerful speech from our 

Pressie, proposing the Toast to Our Guests – many of them 

individually. Joe Ullman, Secretary of the Cricketer Cup Committee 

and an Uppingham Rover, responded in like form. On a serious 

note, he thanked the Saracens for their great support to this fine 

and long standing Competition. It was prefaced by his hope that it 

continued well into the future, but that its success was in the hands 

of the Young Saracens and their counterparts. He trusted they were 

up to the challenge, in the light of so many other distractions and 

demands of our modern society. 

We all departed before midnight, well fed and watered, looking 

forward to the Season ahead. 

––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

Thank you to Mr Scott Corbett (G 1994-99) for generously 

providing kit for the Saracens’ 2010 and 2011 Devon Tours. 

––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

Saracen’s North Devon Tour 2011 – Back (left to right): Nicko 

Williams, Richard Nichols, Ben Marlow, Jack Brydon, Sam Hoskins, 

Max Lillee, Mark Ferguson, Scott Corbett (not looking!), Richard 

Mackay, Nick Graham. Front (left to right): Tom Chapman, Tom Cox, 

Ben Chapman, Tom Williams 

Trophy on behalf of the Campion family – a Claret Jug, replicating 

the moment in 1973, when, as Captain of Royal Birkdale, Ian 

presented the Open Claret Jug to Johnny Miller. The referee for the 

Final will be Will Campion, who, with Jonty Campion, is among this 

year’s contenders. 

The first of our meetings took place in warm Spring sunshine at 

Denham on Thursday 22nd March. The field of 17 players was 

enriched by the appearance of two new members, David Cookson 

and David Umpleby, who took most of the spoils. David Cookson 

struck the longest drive, whilst Stephen Shaw’s exquisite 6 iron was

nearest the pin on the 12th. Runner-up was the seasoned John 

Parker with 35 points, dwarfed by the superb return half in strict par 

of David Umpleby (40 points). Rob Cutler and Stephen Shaw (25 

points) won the afternoon greensomes over 12 holes, on a count 

back from John Godby and Mark Summers. As usual, our thanks 

go to Anthony Parsons for his excellent organisation of the day, 

including an outrageously lavish lunch – classic Denham hospitality. 

Our second meeting took place on the eve of the Grand National 

at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake, stage for the Open in 

2014. A distinguished field of local eminences, such as Patrick 

Booth, Sean Duncan, John Rowlinson – snatching a day off from 

his duties in charge of televising the London Olympics – and Nicko 

Williams (evergreen President of the Saracens), just back from 

watching the Test Match in Sri Lanka, was further enhanced by the 

presence of the Lady Captain of the Royal Liverpool Club, Sue 

Greenhalgh, mother of Richard Greenhalgh, whose father John was 

also adorning the day – an example of the inclusive family nature of 

OSGS. 24 players took part. Chris Dickson won first prize with 36 

points, with Michael Roberts runner-up: there were eight other prizewinners, 

including Mark Schofield who was making his OSGS debut 

as the new Master-in-Charge of Golf. Robert Lanyon, ensuring 

enjoyment to all who played, arranged this meeting with immaculate 

attention to detail. 

So much fun and challenge lie in store for the remainder of this 

year. It is not to late to join OSGS for 2012 as we have 15 more 

meetings. This year so far, Robert Champion, Matthew Houston, 

Sam Jarvis, Peter E.J. Stewart, Tom Williams and Rex Worth have 

rejoined the fold in response to snail-mail invitations personally 

written in wet pen and black ink from the Hon Sec, who lives in 

hope for replies from others, best unnamed. The Daily Telegraph 

cricket writer Michael Henderson once described Shrewsbury as 

“full of inky-fingered loafers from the Wirral”. This was, of course, 

intended as a friendly insult; out of character from the pen of an Old 

Reptonian. In no sense does it pertain to those who have yet to 

respond to the invitation to join OSGS and to play in our meetings. 

Tim Lewis 

Honorary Secretary, Old Salopian Golfing Society 

tim.lewis@osgs.net tel: 01491 641651 

Halford Hewitt 2012 

It was indeed a pleasure to return to Deal and the links at Royal 

Cinque Ports in my second year of Captaincy. In 2011, the Old 

Salopian Golfing Society struggled and in doing so we did not cover 

ourselves personally, nor the venerable club, in glory. It was the 

second year in a row that we had been turfed out on day one and 

relegated to the secondary competition. This early bath is certainly 

not something to be proud of or to continue, lest our reputation be 

permanently tarnished. 

The response in 2012 was great. The Club responded well to my 

New Year call to arms and we ended up having a true selection 

battle. We were able to welcome back certain former winners of the 

tournament such as James Skelton and Alan Wright, as well as a 

number of other relatively new names pushing for places. I had 

asked Andy Pollock (he of cricketing and football fame) if as a Vice- 

Captain he would be kind enough to help me with this selection 

issue, as he had a distinct geographic and occupational advantage 

over me – mainly by way of living in England and having retired! 

In the end, the final ten was a pretty strong group. Better still, it 

seemed that the competition for places had ensured that 

everyone’s game was in good nick for the surprisingly tense 

examination of your game that is the Halford Hewitt. 

In practice, Richard Roberts and Simon Shepherd were 

57 


particularly impressive and gave the Captain some good options for 

pairings. 

We went out on Thursday 29th March against Framlingham. It 

had been decided to put the effervescent Mark Ferguson out top 

with Simon Shepherd. They duly delivered by hammering the 

opposition by 5 holes. There was much banter in the dressing room 

afterwards that Framlingham had thrown a sacrifice off top, but I 

suspect the team was merely jealous of the result. The lively and 

good atmosphere amongst the team was exemplified by this goodnatured 

banter and Mark Ferguson was certainly welcomed back 

with open arms as much for what he brings behind the scenes as 

for his gritty and reliable on-course game. He also provides an extra 

dimension and focus for our Old Guard, who are perhaps better at 

digesting their breakfast than the ‘Fergmonster’s’ breakfast shorts. 

Alan Wright came back to the fold, off second with Richard 

Roberts, after 27 years out pursuing a career and raising a family. 

Down the middle of the first, and home with a point, 1 up a few 

hours later – it was very much a case of “welcome back, Alan”. 

Peter Worth, President of the Salopian Club no less, and the Vice- 

Captain were off third and swept home comfortably in 2/1. 

Shrewsbury’s only playing centurion, Will Painter used his 

experience, deft short game and my 3 wood to clobber their 4th 

pair, who Will and I actually suspected were the sacrificial lambs! 

The result was 3/2. Last up, in the anchor role, were Jonty and 

William Campion playing together in a rather emotional return to the 

Hewitt since the sad passing of our famously cheerful and 

doggedly competitive ‘Pressie’ Ian Campion last year. The record 

books will show a half, but the Campions were, in memorium, 

ahead of the opposition when they offered a sporting half to 

Framlingham. 

It is very important to note, and shows the strength of the Club, 

that support for the ten was almost matched in number by the 

spectators. Robin and Robert Mousldale were harried around by 

our new President, Anthony Smith, and a number of other venerable 

Salopians like Charles Edwards, Anthony Parsons, Phil Phillips. If 

there were others I have forgotten… please remember I was trying 

to keep my head down! 

Friday 30th March came, and I am afraid went, with a defeat to 

the Old Enemy from Slough Grammar School. The defeat, while still 

tough to take and early in the competition, was to an excellent side 

which played to its abilities. We played well as a group and pushed 

them to the finish, but this defeat highlighted that we will need to get 

our very best side out to get back to winning this tournament. The 

following day, Eton smashed Malvern, the best team in the 

competition over the past ten years, proving we are likely back in 

the top ten or so sides but that we have to move up another level to 

win this competition outright. 

I sent out Jonty and Will at the top and they delivered a splendid 

2/1 victory. Mark and Simon were up in the match all day and 

finished all square without needing to play extra holes because of 

6/5 defeats in pairs 3 and 4 (Richard and Alan, Peter and Andy) and 

because Will and I were overhauled in the closing holes to lose 2/1. 

The final result 3 ½ to 1 ½ is what is in black and white, but we 

were only a few putts from beating a formidable side. Perhaps we 

are the Lee Westwood of Halford Hewitt golf. 

On behalf of the President and the Secretary, Tim Lewis, I wish 

you all a great golfing season. I hope you can make as many of the 

great fixtures as possible and if you or anyone you know is keen to 

play in the fantastic Halford Hewitt, please get in touch. In the 

meantime, the Hewitt squad will be preparing for the Grafton 

Morrish. 

David Cassidy, Captain


OSGS PRESIDENT ANTHONY SMITH (I 1954-59) 

I have played golf since before I left Shrewsbury School. Despite the School’s lack of enthusiasm for 

individual sports at that time, several very good golfers emerged during the fifties, sixties and seventies. 

I hope my Presidency will see an improvement in opportunities for golfing pupils at the Schools. 

My own golfing career has seen victories as County Champion many times, and I have played over 

150 times for Shropshire and Herefordshire. I have also been both President and Captain (at different 

times) of the County. I am still active as a County ‘Senior’ golfer and a County administrator. I 

represented and captained the Midland Counties in the 1970s. 

My proudest moments include selection for England Seniors (aged 55 and over) for three years in 

the early 2000s; nearly winning the County Champions Tournament in 1973 – losing to ‘Chubby’ 

Chandler, when he wasn’t chubby – by one shot; and perhaps the high point, Captain of the first 

Shrewsbury winning Halford Hewitt team in 1980. It may be a sign of a misspent youth, but I also 

managed to win the County table tennis championship, many years ago. I have also played for the 

Salopian winning Mellin Salver team a few times. 

Becoming President of the Old Salopian Golfing Society is an honour and another highlight, following such illustrious Salopian golfers 

as Robert Walker, Jonny Clegg, Tony Duerr and, sadly, succeeding Ian Campion, following his untimely death last autumn. The Golfing 

Society itself is very active, and our Secretary Tim Lewis produces an excellent Fasti each year. We are always keen to increase 

membership, and any pupils leaving Shrewsbury this year are most welcome to join. 

STOP PRESS . . . STOP PRESS . . . STOP PRESS . . . STOP PRESS . . . STOP PRESS . . . STOP PRESS . . . STOP PRESS . . . STOP PRESS 

Spirits were high after a terrific performance by the OS Golfing Society in the Grafton Morrish qualifier at the Olton Golf Club, when the team 

won through to the finals of this prestigious competition in October at Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster) and Hunstanton. The triumphant 

team comprised: Simon Shepherd (O 1977-82), Will Painter (R 1966-71), Angus Pollock (I 1975-80), Andy Pollock (I 1971-74), Ben Chesters 

(Rt 1992-97) and Mark Ferguson (Rt 1992-97). 

OSYACHT CLUB 

With the rigours of last October’s Arrow Trophy now just a distant 

memory, Old Salopian sailors have been probing both ends of the 

endurance spectrum. Late December saw Treasurer Johnny 

Moulsdale (Ch 1969-74) battling storms in a demanding leg of the 

Clipper Round The World Race, whilst newest OSYC recruit, 

Freddie Lechmere (R 2006-11), found life a little less tough onboard 

Commodore Charles Manby’s (DB 1971-75) yacht on 

passage from Chesapeake Bay to the British Virgin Islands. 

With warm breezes awakening less hardy Salopian sailors from 

the crevices into which they crawled to sleep away the winter 

months, our thoughts are now turning to this year’s AGM and 

Somewhere on here is the Treasurer on the Clipper Round the World Race 

58 

dinner, to be held on 21 June in the Royal Ocean Racing Club, and 

to the 2012 Arrow Trophy to be raced at Cowes on 6/7 October. 

As ever, we should be delighted to welcome new Club members, 

whether experienced racers or merely able to pour a gin reliably 

when under sail. We have been particularly pleased by the number 

of recent school leavers who have joined us, but extend a warm 

welcome to Salopians of any age who want to get afloat. For more 

information, and especially if you’d like to take part in the Arrow 

Trophy this October, contact the Secretary, David Richards (Rt 

1966-70) (david.richards@trinity.oxon.org).

OS FOOTBALL CLUB 

Football is often said to be a game of two halves. This searching 

aperçu could, and indeed will, be extended for the sake of this 

report on the tumultuous, mercurial and frequently quixotic 

2011/2012 OSFC 1st X1 season. It was a season of two halves and, 

if it had been an apple, the first would have been wolfed down like 

the proverbial Assyrian on the fold and the second would have 

been held some distance from the body before being summarily 

deposited in the dustbin. 

At Christmas we were in the middle of one of the finest winning 

streaks in OSFC history; by Easter we were unrecognisable, 

shadowy figures more reminiscent of Great War survivors than the 

effete Arthurian League. But enough preamble.. 

As Steve Jobs used to say, let’s start with the good bits. The 

season got off to a flyer at Chelsea’s training ground, where a raft of 

youngsters turned up, instantly transforming the side from a 

creaking, leaky tugboat to a slick, ocean-going sunseeker. 

Opposition Malvern got the sort of thrashing that wouldn’t have 

been out of place on Carl Jung’s couch. There was verve, there was 

panache, there was swagger, there was sunshine, there was hair, it 

was like the outtakes from Troy and by the end, dazed and 

discombobulated, it looked to all appearances like Malvern had 

been asked to bail out the Greeks. 

And that’s what we did to teams in the first half of the season – 

we bamboozled them, we thought quicker than them, moved 

quicker, pinged the ball around in a dazzling whirl of creativity, and 

finished teams off like Attila the Hun at feeding time. After briefly 

faltering (and by faltering I mean drawing) at Queen’s Wimbledon, 

the OSFC set off on one of the most remarkable runs in recent 

history, notching up 11 consecutive wins including a memorable 4-1 

thrashing of premier league high flyers Brentwood in the Dunn. That 

match proved to be one of the highlights of the season, with Tom 

Kelly and Robbie Williams (no, not that one) holding court in the 

midfield and Roy ‘The Boy’ Chatterjee providing the pomp and 

goals up front. The opposition were genuinely baffled by the 

interplay, the touch, the technique, the sheer chutzpah of some of 

the OSFC play. 

The weeks passed and the points racked up and soon the 

schedules threw up what looked like a defining fortnight against 2nd 

placed Tonbridge and league leaders Queen’s Wimbledon. The 

match against Tonbridge was played with a slightly depleted squad 

and was a tense, nerve-racking affair. Defending like the 

champions-elect we had decided we were, we took an early lead 

from goal-scoring marvel and captain Harry Fildes and never 

surrendered it. And so it was off to Wimbledon and our chance to 

claim our rightful position at the summit of the league table with 

games in hand. Robbie Williams (no, not that one) – a man 

untroubled by punctuality – was nowhere to be seen at kick-off and 

the omens did not look good. But starting with ten men, we 

unleashed a hellish onslaught on the Wimbledon goal and set the 

tone for what was to prove the last truly great performance of the 

season. Cookson and Heywood were imperious in midfield, Hawkin 

swashbuckling at right back, Jones a pantomime distraction up 

front, McGarry (as he was all season) unflappable in goal, 

Westerman a colossus in defence and Duncan rolling back the 

years on the wing. It was, in short, the complete team performance, 

embellished still further when the wayward genius that is Robbie 

Williams (no, not that one) turned up bleary eyed, misplaced the 

first pass of his short career, then proceeded to put in another 

59 


masterclass that would sadly prove to be his last of the season for 

the OSFC. 5-1 it finished and both top teams had been conquered 

on their home turf – surely there could be no stopping the rampant 

Salopian hordes in this form? 

Sadly the euphoria did not last. We did win matches after that – 

not many – but never again did we look like that all-vanquishing 

mob. Call it ill luck, call it total lack of spine, call it typical Salopians, 

call it what you will, but our season wilted like an unfed basil plant 

(do those things ever survive by the way?). The season limped on 

and we still had a chance to restore reputations as we made it 

through to the semi-finals of the Dunn, but really we were never in 

the match and deservedly lost to a well-organised but eminently 

beatable Tonbridge. 

So what can be taken from this topsy-turvy season? It could, in 

the long run, be a good thing that we collapsed so violently, for it 

may inure us against complacency the next time. And there will be a 

next time because this squad of players is too talented not to 

challenge for honours. For some, like Olly Harrison, Rob Hawkin and 

Adam Parker, it was a great first showing in the OSFC and one that 

augurs well for next season. For others, only around for a few games 

– Charlie Pilkington, Roy Chaterjee, Tom Kelly and Robbie (no not 

that one) Williams – there was a tantalising glimpse of the future, a 

future where there are no defeats, only glorious expansive football, 

long-winded rambling tales and a mid-season exodus to Dubai. A 

special mention should go to two groups who, despite everything, 

turned up week in and week out putting in a real shift for the Club, 

Olly Heywood, Rich McGarry, Harry Fildes and outlandish celebrator 

Hamish McKenzie at one end and the old stalwarts Phil Westerman, 

Dave Cookson and Joel ‘I’m not that old’ Duncan at the other. 

And so another season passes in to that dusty record book and 

time winds its ineluctable way through all our pitiful endeavours. 

There is succour in this meagre tale if we look hard enough and if, in 

this Olympic year, we can keep that softly burning Salopian torch


held proudly aloft, then maybe, just maybe, there will be salvation 

and redemption along that dimly lit future road. 

Floreat Salopia and rest in peace, RNER. 

Jonathan Jones 

AGM AND DINNER 

This year’s annual Football Club AGM and Dinner was held on 17th 

May in the imaginatively named ‘First Floor Dining Room’ on 

Portobello Road, London. There was a gratifying large turnout of 

nearly 70 current and former players. The main guests including 

Robin Moulsdale (I 1942-46), former master at the Schools and OS 

football stalwart, Steve Biggins, head coach of Shrewsbury School 

football, and Alex Baxter, Director of the Salopian Club. 

OS MASONS 

The Old Salopian Lodge has had another happy and successful 

year, with three meetings in London and the usual summer visit to 

the Schools. The Lodge serves a dual purpose in maintaining a link 

with the School through a very pleasant sociable group, as well as 

being part of the wider Masonic movement, which has some 

250,000 members in 8,000 lodges in England and Wales. It bears 

mentioning that Lodge membership in the UK is an exclusively male 

activity. 

The Lodge was founded in 1925, with the then Headmaster, 

Canon Sawyer, as a Founder Member. We find that it provides a 

very good environment for Old Salopians with an affection for the 

School to mix, support the School and keep in touch with it by 

regular visits. About two-thirds of those joining the Lodge were 

Freemasons before they joined and one-third were initiated into the 

Lodge on joining. Freemasons share a common outlook on life and 

try to live their lives according to a set of shared principles. Current 

membership covers leavers from every decade from the 1930s to 

P UBLICATIONS 

Geoff Brandwood 

The Architecture of Sharpe, Paley and Austin 

Published by English Heritage ISBN 978-1-848020-49-8 

Tim Austin (SH 1962-66), a collaborative author, writes: 

The greatest provincial architectural practice in late Victorian and 

Edwardian England was based in the relatively quiet town of 

Lancaster. It was founded in 1835 by the remarkable, multi-talented 

Edmund Sharpe – architect, engineer, businessman, politician, and 

winner of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Royal Gold Medal 

for his writings on architectural history. 

Sharpe’s successor Edward Graham Paley developed the 

practice and in 1867 took on the man who elevated it to greatness – 

Hubert Austin, described as an architect of genius by Pevsner. The 

firm established a national reputation, especially for its splendid 

churches, ranging from great urban masterpieces to delightful 

country ones imbued with the spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement. 

The practice was extraordinarily prolific and, besides the churches, 

undertook commissions for almost every imaginable building type, 

ranging from great country houses to the modest extension of a 

local pub. After Austin’s death in 1915 the firm was in the hands of 

Paley’s son Harry, who continued to design fine churches. 

60 

The AGM was held in the main bar of the public house and 

proved to be a lively affair. The review of the season noted that the 

1st XI ended-up 3rd in Division 1 of the Arthurian League and was 

knocked out of the Arthur Dunn Cup competition semi-finals by a 

well-organised Tonbridge side. The surprise of the season was the 

late surge by the 2nd XI, which secured promotion to Division 2 in 

the very last game of the season. Afterwards, during a very jolly and 

noisy dinner, the following awards were made: 

1st XI player of the year – Rob Hawkin (PH 2001-06) 

2nd XI player of the year (the Matt Sasse Memorial Award) – Zang 

Greiner (Rb 1999-2001) 

The Craig Buchanan Shield for long-term contribution to the Club 

was awarded to David Cookson (Ch 1993-96). 

the 1990s, and virtually every house is represented. 

One of the most important charities we support is a bursary fund 

set up by the Lodge to support a Sixth Form student who might 

otherwise be forced to leave the School. 

Anyone interested in finding out more should look at 

www.ugle.co.uk or www.londonmasons.org.uk or contact Lodge 

Secretary Chris Williams on 07956 964937 or 

chrisjhwilliams@yahoo.co.uk 

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 

Wednesday 26th September 2012, 5.00pm – Old Salopian Lodge 

Meeting, City University Club, 50 Cornhill, London EC3V 3PD 

Tuesday 27th November 2012, 5.00pm – Old Salopian Lodge 

Meeting, City University Club, 50 Cornhill, London EC3V 3PD 

Contact Lodge Secretary Chris Williams (details above) for further 

information. 

Chris Williams (R 1978-83) 

The development of the firm, its location in Lancaster, and how it 

secured many of its commissions, can be explained through a web 

of family and professional connections which are set out here for 

the first time. 

The firm has family connections to Shrewsbury going back to the 

days of Headmaster Samuel Butler. Graham Paley’s mother Sarah 

Apthorp was the younger half-sister of Butler’s wife Harriet. Butler 

took a close interest in the Paley family’s affairs and financed the 

education of Paley’s eldest brother, Frederick Apthorp, at the school 

from 1827-33. Later three successive generations of descendants 

of Hubert Austin attended the school from 1897 to 1966. Hubert’s 

son Geoffrey attended the school 1897-1903 and was the firm’s job 

architect for the extension of the school swimming baths in 1913 

and the extension to the house of Arthur Chance on Ashton Road in 

1914 (the famous Forte). The firm were most probably the designers 

of the original baths in 1887, for which no original records survive. 

The significant link in this story is Chance who was ‘the man who 

had done most in his day for the games and the playing fields’ after 

the move in 1882. By 1913 he had been the housemaster of 

Hubert’s son Geoffrey and would have no doubt known who the 

architects had been in 1887.

Michael Curig Roberts (R 1952-56) 

Welsh Odyssey: in the footsteps of 

Gerald of Wales 

Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2011 

ISBN 1845273540, 9781845273545 

The latest book by Michael Curig 

Roberts tells the story of the 

intriguing Gerald of Wales, who in 

1198 travelled around the 

Principality with the Archbishop of 

Canterbury trying to persuade 

Welshmen to join the Third 

Crusade. 

The author, using Sir Richard Colt Hoare’s 1806 translation of 

Gerald’s account, examines some of Gerald’s comments about the 

landscape, culture and personalities of Wales at that time and also 

travels to see what remains of some of the places Gerald visited. 

The book includes many stories and myths that the author picked 

up during his journey. It even includes a little on Shrewsbury, as 

Gerald visited there on his travels. 

M ENS AGITAT MOLEM 

Michael Ingrams (I 1940-45) recently wrote to the Old Salopian Office and offered an excellent 

recommendation for anyone who feels that the nimbleness of mind they acquired during their 

schooldays may be beginning to creak somewhat: 

“We are advised to keep our minds active to avoid the dreaded Alzheimer’s! I read through “A 

Classical Anthology – A Selection from the Greek and Roman Literatures” by LA Wilding and RWL 

Wilding (father and son) published by Faber. One half is Greek opposite English translation; the 

other half is Latin opposite English translation. Second-hand copies are available on line from ABC 

Books and Amazon at various prices.” 

By happy coincidence, we have also recently been sent a brief article about Eric Arthur Barber 

(WDH 1906), who was awarded the Sidney Medal “for brilliancy in Greek and Latin Prose and 

Verse composition”. He went on to become a distinguished Classicist at Exeter College Oxford, 

where he was a Fellow from 1913 to 1943 and then Rector until 1956. 

He once commented that even at the age of thirteen, “he had been composing Latin verses for 

some time...and never lost his inclination to this pursuit”. His compositions were usually versions 

from English, in the manner that would have been demanded in his schooldays. An article by his 

son, Giles Barber, ‘Latin and Greek Versions & Tributes by Eric Arthur Barber’ (Humanistica 

Lovaniensia, Lyr, 2007, Lerven University Press) prints all the extant verses, alongside their originals 

where they are recorded. 

Here is one of the shorter pieces, drawn from a well-known English poet. The Editors of The 

Salopian would be delighted to award a small prize to the first person who is able to identify the 

English original. 

Sed mihi da calicem plenum, semel oscula iunge: 

Nos quoque mors, coniunx o mea cata, manet. 

Parte aliqua claudet rerum natura, sed olim 

Expediet causas, quae lafuere, deus. 

Non nihil in vita mortalibus adfluit; isdem 

Plura datis penitus demere fata solent. 

Tu memor assidue, coniunx dilecta, precare, 

Nos simul exstinctos auferat una dies. 

61 


Memories sought by OS author for book about Liverpool 

Ramblers 

Jonathan Russell (O 1959-64) is asking for any Old Salopian with 

memories of playing against Liverpool Ramblers at school or for the 

Club to get in touch with him. Any photos would be a bonus. He is 

writing a book on the history of the Liverpool Ramblers, probably 

the world’s oldest amateur football club in existence that has never 

played in a league. 

Most Salopians who have played in a School football team will 

probably recall playing against the dark blue and gold halved shirts 

of the Ramblers. Since 1945 the membership has been dominated 

by Old Salopians who have heavily contributed to the Club’s 

colourful history both on and off the pitch. Please contact Jonathan 

Russell at jhrussell@umbria.eclipse.co.uk 

The book will be published during the autumn. 

BOOK DONATION 

We are very grateful to Edmund T. F. Palmer (R 1955-60), who has 

generously donated to the Ancient Library a rare copy of the first 

English translation of Nostradamus: The true phrophecies or 

prognostications of Michael Nostradamus (London, 1672). 

Eric Arthur’s Sidney Medal, 

now in the Ashmolean Museum, 

University of Oxford


OBITUARY 

T. J. Barrow (DB 1960-64) 

N. D. Barwick (Rt 1930-35) 

A. J. R. Beauchamp (I 1943-47) 

*The Hon Mr Justice E. de B. Bewley 

(Rt 1944-49) 

D. P. Bion (Ch 1943-48) 

J. D. Bird (O 1947-51) 

R. M. Blomfield (Staff 1957-86) 

H. M. Brigg (Rt 1933-38) 

A. W. R. Brook (S 1931-35) 

J. B. B. Bullough (O 1960-65) 

W.I. Campion (M 1953-57) 

H. M. Clark (S 1942-46) 

W. B. Crawford-Clark (M 1948-52) 

R. Evans (Staff 1939-90) 

T. A. R. Evans (O 1964-66) 

N. D. Haworth (M 1945-49) 

B. H. P. Heaton (Ch 1937-42) 

R. H. Henn-Collins (DB 1926-30) 

C. W. A. Hickman (I 1939-43) 

C. Hodgkinson (I 1944-49) 

R. F. Jarrett (Whm 1924-29) 

R. E. Jenks (Ch 1943-46) 

J. C. C. Jourdan (I 1939-43) 

C. R. T. Laws (M 1949-53) 

R. H. Legge (S 1950-52) 

D. S. Marland (R 1938-43) 

P. N. Midwood (S 1968-72) 

R. A. C. Miller (I 1960-61) 

J. Morris-Eyton (Rt 1944-48) 

A. H. Nair (G 1999-2001) 

J. D. Owen (M 1945-49) 

R. H. Owen (Ch 1948-52) 

R. W. Painter (JHT 1938-43) 

S. M. N. Ponsonby (I 1975-79) 

R. N. E. R. Raven (M 1945-50 

and Staff 1960-93) 

C. D. Roobottom (R 1945-49) 

M. R. Sanderson (S 1948-53) 

J. S. Smart (DB 1937-41) 

D. A. Spencer (SH 1948-54) 

L. M. (Tim) White (R 1946-50) 

*an obituary will appear in the next edition 

It is always intended that an obituary will 

be published in this magazine of each 

Salopian who has died since the last 

edition. For the past few years Richard 

Raven nobly acted as Obituaries Editor, 

and he was reliant on those who have 

been, and will we hope continue to be, 

so helpful in sending notices to the Club. 

Families are asked if they would like an 

obituary and it is they who usually 

provide the information and often the 

wording. The editors are very grateful for 

such help given by them and by friends. 

Sometimes we rely on the national and 

local newspapers for the details. 

Lives of past pupils recorded in this 

way are, we believe, an inspiration to 

today’s Salopians, showing as they do 

the immense breadth and depth of 

experience and of life, sometimes 

expected, often recognised, but 

frequently totally unpredicted, that has 

followed five years on Kingsland. 

ROGER MARSH BLOMFIELD 

(Staff 1957-86) 

Roger Blomfield was 

born in 1925 in 

Leatherhead, Surrey. 

His father was a 

cerebral, frugal, civil 

servant par 

excellence whilst his 

mother was an 

artist; warm, generous and often ‘badly 

dipped at the bank’. Roger inherited the 

best of both of them. He grew up, not only 

with his sister Hazel and brother Dick but 

also with six other cousins, the children of 

feckless maternal aunts. 

Roger’s early childhood was full of 

pleasant memories: sailing with father and a 

family friend at Itchenor in Sussex, playing 

long and complicated games with his 

brother Dick, and enjoying prep school 

where he was rather good at sport. Roger 

then won a scholarship to Hurstpierpoint 

where Dick later joined him. Both hated it, 

calling it ‘Worstpierpoint’. But in spite of 

school, Roger gained a place at St Edmund 

Hall and went up to Oxford. He said it was 

like paradise, rooms in the front quad, a 

scout named Joe, pleasant meals in the old 

dining hall. He played hockey, read a little 

history and drank in the Buttery. 

And at Oxford he met one of his great 

loves, an abiding passion to which he 

remained true for the rest of his life – 

rowing. He was asked to cox a ‘side seater’ 

one day, hired from Salters boatyard. It was 

everything he loved – water, boats, 

competition, and telling other people what 

to do – he was in his element. It is fair to say 

that he spent more time on the river and 

less in the library than was entirely prudent. 

He completed his Dip Ed and decided to 

move on to ‘fresh woods and pastures new’ 

– in a word, Australia. He arrived in Geelong 

to join the staff of the Grammar School and 

of course to take up coaching duties. He 

taught boys who went on to Oxford and 

Cambridge as well as those from the 

outback who were barely literate. During 

this time, he met and married Jan and they 

had their first child Jonathan. 

But after a seven year sojourn, Roger 

wanted to see England again. He had met 

62 

Michael Charlesworth at Geelong and 

under his aegis in 1957 he came, via one or 

other teaching jobs, to Shrewsbury School. 

His academic achievements were not 

immediately recognised and he inherited 

the lowest history set and a group of boys 

who had already failed O level French. But 

every boy passed A level history and as he 

said with pride, one or two even got a ‘B’. 

During his time at Shrewsbury, Roger taught 

History, English, French, Latin and Ancient 

Civilisation. He had a laid-back teaching 

style and was known to address more than 

one anxious parent as ‘my dear old trout’. 

Rowing remained a strong theme 

throughout his life. When he arrived at 

Shrewsbury Blom coached the 2nd VIII and 

3rd VIII. When the 2nd VIII won events J R 

Hope Simpson grudgingly admitted that the 

eight was not bad. He coached the 2nd VIII 

to win the Public Schools Challenge Vase at 

Marlow in 1962. The School then loaned 

(permanently) the Elsenham Cup to the 

National Schools Regatta in 1964 as the 

Cup for 2nd VIIIs and Blom coached the 

2nd VIII to win the inaugural event. He was 

close to Peter Gladstone and took over as 

1st VIII coach between 1966 and 1968. He 

organised the first School Boat Club 

overseas tour in 1966 with a successful visit 

to North Eastern USA. The 1968 crew was 

fancied for Henley but stroke became ill on 

the Friday and needed to be substituted. 

That year (1968) the 1st VIII provided a 

coxless four and coxed pair for the World 

Junior Championships GB squad, both 

having been selected by winning their 

respective events at the National 

Championships. The coxless four won a 

bronze medal having been in the lead for 

most of the race. An outstanding result for a 

school crew. Blom was also very good at 

securing a place for oarsmen into both 

Oxford and Cambridge, many of whom 

became Boat Race Blues. This helped 

Shrewsbury achieve its current status as the 

school that has provided the second most 

participants to the Boat Race after Eton. 

Becoming Housemaster of Churchill's 

Hall in 1967, Roger retired from being 

School 1st VIII coach, though he did 

continue coaching until 2001 with many 

wins for all categories of school VIIIs, 

including perhaps his last with Elsenham 

Cup 2nd VIII win at Nat Schools in 1994. He 

also greatly enjoyed coaching the girls from 

the High School - with much success. As 

President of the Sabrina Club he was the 

driver in ensuring the rowing tank was 

completed in 2002, and he was excited to 

see the new boathouse being built. To 

coincide with the opening of the rowing tank

in 2002, he wrote “The History of Rowing at 

Shrewsbury”. 

Roger was a very sound historian who 

enjoyed conveying his interest to his pupils 

whilst ensuring that they entered 

examinations with confidence and left with 

success. He was also a pioneer in the 

introduction of audio-visual techniques and 

History projects. As Housemaster of 

Churchill’s from 1967-77 he and Jan 

presided over the house with realism, 

tolerance and wisdom. The seventies were 

not easy times and he dealt with complex 

issues in a skilful, sophisticated and always 

kind way. They were early days of overseas 

students and he handled the cultural 

adjustments needed to cope with rather 

Dickensian living conditions pretty well. And 

he was an important member of a Common 

Room that included men of great intellect 

and wide-ranging interests. A small group 

of them, The Monday Club, met weekly to 

challenge each others’ minds (and alcohol 

capacity): Kek, Laurence LeQuesne, Mark 

Mortimer, Michael Ling, Simon Baxter - a 

few members of a group whose interactions 

had a more profound influence on the 

intellectual life of the School than perhaps 

they realised at their weekly meetings. 

Roger retired from teaching in 1986 but 

remained in Shrewsbury, connected to the 

School through the rowing. Before he 

retired he had become a Marriage 

Guidance Counsellor and he continued in 

this work, now called Relate, for many 

years. He was a knowledgeable and 

enthusiastic gardener and an energetic 

traveller – in France, Ireland, Wales, 

Australia, Canada, West Indies – sad that 

their daughters Penny and Vickie lived in 

Ireland and Tasmania, but glad of the 

opportunity to travel to see them and their 

grandchildren. He had had two long-term 

relationships: with Jan and with his partner 

Johanne and both brought him great 

pleasure. He was the key stone in son 

Jonathan’s life, for whom his strength and 

shared interests were a vital support. 

Jonathan’s recent death was a huge blow 

to him and his own illness soon followed. In 

this he displayed great courage, remaining 

as cheerful as he could for as long as he 

was able, immensely courteous to all who 

cared for him, and so grateful to his 

colleagues and pupils who visited him. We 

will all miss him. 

DR JOHN B B BULLOUGH (O 1960-65) 

After a Civil Engineering degree at 

Aberdeen University followed by a PhD on 

the way liquids behave in pipes, (which in 

the 1970s was very relevant to what was 

happening in the North of Scotland), John 

joined BP and steadily rose up the rankings, 

his work involving travel and living in 

different lands. He became Vice-President 

of BP Petroleu Development in Indonesia, 

and then spent eight years as General 

Manager in Jakarta and Norway for a small 

vibrant British oil company Enterprise Oil, 

which he had joined in 1990. 

Throughout his working life his 

management skills grew stronger. He 

believed in the worth of all those with whom 

he was in contact. He gave more than he 

took. His dealings with his colleagues and 

friends were filled with consideration and 

compassion, as well as the desire to foster 

in others the success they could achieve. 

Where he was able, he did everything to 

increase their chances of gaining that 

success. He also showed that in the 

workplace, if individuals feel ‘safe’, they can 

afford to think differently; with imagination 

and innovation. To be such a leader in the 

oil industry is rare and his genuine belief in 

the people who worked in his team 

promoted success. 

At the age of 52 he decided to finish his 

oil career and for a while indulged his many 

hobbies, particularly restoring antique 

clocks with his usual care and precision. He 

and his wife Linda in their wonderful 16th 

century farmhouse in Essex, enjoyed a 

family life (though their chidren Emily and 

Robert had moved on) not always possible 

in the international corporate world. 

After he planted his specimen trees and 

had a spell on the Parish Council, he 

started working for the Citizens Advice 

Bureau. It soon became clear to him that a 

large number of people to whom he was 

offering advice required something more 

fundamental. He went back to University 

and trained to be a counsellor, qualified as 

a member of BACP and practised mainly in 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. He had a 

gift for this, which was recognised by the 

profession. Latterly however, he specialised 

in and became passionate about Emotional 

Freedom Technique (see the book “EFT 

and Beyond”, which he co-edited with 

Pamela Bruner). He was extremely good at 

it and helped many people find freedom 

from phobias, traumas, addictions, or 

whatever was holding them back from living 

a full happy life. Here again as always, his 

aim was to help people to help themselves. 

For those of us who were touched by John, 

he will be missed; the smile, the hugs, his 

laugh. But his extraordinary influence will 

not be lost. 

Clive Marsden 

63 


WILLIAM IAN CAMPION (M 1953-57) 

Just occasionally the remarkable happens 

and a final report written by Housemaster 

and Headmaster is seen many years later 

to be extraordinarily accurate. In the 

summer of 1957, Messrs Hawkesworth and 

Peterson wrote of the eighteen-year-old Ian 

Campion “his greatest contribution to 

Shrewsbury has been through his games – 

he has played everything with great 

enthusiasm and skill. In the House he has 

had the greatest effect on morale which 

had been rather low, and it was largely due 

to him that 1956/57 was so good a year for 

the House. He is a very good hearted boy 

with an excellent sense of humour and 

corresponding high spirits. He has a high 

sense of his duties and obligations and has 

a becoming modesty and reticence about 

himself. He will never lack for friends.” 

How true that was – and how accurate 

the last sentence proved at the church in 

Southport when hundreds gathered for the 

Service of Thanksgiving. Naturally most 

were friends made on the golf courses of 

the nation; but Ian made friends wherever 

he was and whatever he did. Even those 

who met him irregularly or only once or 

twice were affected by his bearing, his 

company, his close personal interest in 

people of all ages, his sense of fun, his love 

of friendship. 

After Shrewsbury, Ian qualified as a 

Chartered Accountant with Mitchell and 

Bunting and spent over forty years at 

Progress Bakeware, Metalrax plc, first as 

Finance Director and then as Managing 

Director, building it into the largest 

housewares business in the UK. And 

beyond he was recognised as a sound 

adviser and totally loyal and committed 

Director of several companies. 

But sport was always going to be the 

centre of his life; it had dominated his 

school days both in term and in the 

holidays. He was a natural ball player, be it 

moving - cricket, fives, tennis, rugby - or 

temporarily static - golf, and in his youth he 

was very good runner. Golf was his real 

love; he was steeped in the game. As a 

teenager he played competitively in local 

and national competitions; in his early 

twenties he played off a handicap of 1 and 

played in the German and Scandinavian 

Opens as well as competing closer to 

home in the British Amateur and Brabazon 

Trophy. He was a member of Holyhead, 

Formby, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of 

St Andrews and his beloved Royal Birkdale, 

and at all these clubs he won so many 

Trophies and Medals. He loved the Hittite 

Golfing Society which he captained in


1988; he captained the Seniors Golfing 

Society in 2011, representing them at over 

fifty courses throughout the UK in that year; 

he was the official Recorder at the Open for 

ten years and served on R & A 

Committees; he played for Lancashire and 

was honoured to be County President in 

1991. 

In 1976, aged thirty-six, he was elected 

Captain of Birkdale in the year that the 

British Open was held there, and he 

presented the trophy to Johnny Miller in 

front of a crowd of 35,000 people and 

millions more on TV. In the Captain’s 

speech he had some words in Spanish for 

the golfer who finished joint second, a 

young man of nineteen called Severiano 

Ballesteros, and a past captain of the Royal 

and Ancient later wrote in a poem entitled 

Campion’s Champion: 

Last year saw Johnny Miller’s win, 

He flashed his irons around the pin, 

But when he came to take the Cup, 

A young but balding man stood up, 

And midst the words that passed his lips 

Were shafts of wit, and merry quips. 

He quite outplayed the Open Champion 

And stole the show – did Ian Campion. * 

Ian’s ‘wit and merry quips’ were a 

hallmark – no one told a joke like him and 

he was a much sought after speaker – his 

library of jokes (some of them totally 

appalling) was extensive. Rarely did his 

audience hear the punchline as he was 

laughing so much himself, but rarely did 

they need to. “He is a very good hearted 

boy with an excellent sense of humour and 

corresponding high spirits.” And his 

laughter was so infectious and so 

generous, as was his hospitality. He loved 

to entertain and did so to so many, young 

and old, with that large smile on his face 

and the twinkle in his eye. “He will never 

lack for friends.” 

There were two families in his life. Ian was 

a devoted Old Salopian, so delighted that 

his sons Jonty and Will followed him to 

Moser’s, so totally dedicated to Old 

Salopian Golf. After leaving school he 

played over one hundred games for 

Shrewsbury in the Halford Hewitt, many of 

which he won with his old friend Tony Duerr. 

The Campions are the only family in the 

history of the event that has won it (twice) 

with a father and two sons in the side. And 

later when he stopped playing for the team, 

with his flat cap and Barbour on, shooting 

stick in hand, he would, as President of the 

Old Salopian Golfing Society, be supporting 

on the sidelines in wind and rain, eagle of 

eye, popping up on a sand dune at a most 

crucial time and ready with a few words in 

the heat of battle, always positive and 

confident, especially when there were 

crucial points to bring home or desperate 

putts had to drop, “In the House he has had 

the greatest effect on morale.” He founded 

the Campion Trophy, now the most 

important feature of the OSGS year, and a 

superb memory the Club will have of him 

forever. 

And at the very centre was his own 

family. First as a child, with his brother 

Barry, and then as a father and grandfather, 

Ian was a family man. His enjoyment of life 

and total commitment to the sport and 

people who made up that life was made 

possible by the presence of Sally by his 

side, with a smile and a welcome as large 

as his, and a tolerance and understanding 

that was so lovingly strong. She flourishes 

with entertaining as much as he did, and to 

her, to Jonty and Will and Louise, we say 

thank you for sharing him with us. “He has 

left an enduring example to us all that will 

never, never fade.” 

*Extract from ‘Odes’ by John Behrend, 

published by Grant Books 

HENRY MAITLAND CLARK 

(JHT and S 1942-46) 

Henry Clark was a member of that 

distinguished Irish family that have seen 

generations at Shrewsbury. After Severn 

Hill, where he was Captain of Rowing and 

Boxing, Henry read politics and economics 

at Trinity College Dublin (where he 

captained the eight and narrowly missed 

winning the Ladies Plate) followed by the 

Devonshire Course at Trinity Hall, 

Cambridge. In 1951 he joined the Colonial 

Service where he served for eight years 

mainly in Africa, an experience that became 

significant in his second career. 

In 1959 he decided to come home and 

contest the parliamentary by-election at 

North Antrim where he increased the 

Unionist majority, brushing aside the 

opposition from Sinn Fein. Once at 

Westminster he was soon recognised as an 

expert on African affairs and was Chairman 

of the Conservative and Unionist East Africa 

Committee. It was a time when African 

countries were moving towards 

independence and he travelled widely and 

was consulted at all levels until he fell out of 

favour with his party as he argued against 

granting nationhood to Northern or 

Southern Rhodesia. He was also a delegate 

to the Council of Europe, involving himself 

with agricultural issues (including his 

revealing that the Vatican had waived its 

64 

food regulations so that visiting Irish 

bishops could enjoy sausages from home, 

and supporting the joining of the EU in the 

hope that we could do so in time to prevent 

Brussels outlawing the digestive biscuit!). 

But events in Ireland moved quickly and 

where Henry declared himself a proud ally 

of the moderate Unionist premier Sir 

Terence O’Neill, he failed to see the rise of 

the less moderate sections of his party, and 

in the election of 1970 he was swept aside 

by Rev Ian Paisley, standing as a Protestant 

Unionist. 

Henry then left active politics and moved 

to Wiltshire, became a wine merchant, then 

worked for The Council for Small Industries 

in Rural Areas, and enjoyed being a feature 

writer for the Avon Advertiser until he retired 

in 1997. He remained a keen supporter of 

the Sabrina Club throughout his life. 

RICHARD EVANS (Science Laboratory 

Technician 1939-90) 

Richard Evans left school at 14 and joined 

the Shrewsbury Lab staff in 1939, working in 

all science departments, becoming senior 

biology technician with John Woodroffe and 

Bertie Fowler, and in 1961 moving to 

become senior chemistry technician, 

(perhaps in order to marry the newly 

appointed junior chemistry technician 

Rosie!). 

Peter Hughes writes: “During my time at 

three schools, I have dealt with a couple of 

dozen technicians. Richard may not have 

been the most intelligent or best qualified 

but he was the most reliable. You asked for 

a practical or a demonstration; it was 

always meticulously put out with great 

attention to detail. He was the last 

technician I had who was a good 

glassblower and would gladly construct a 

new piece of apparatus. He had just the 

right knack with the boys, friendly but not 

familiar and they respected his expertise. 

He knew better than anyone who had a grip 

on their classes and who had not. He knew 

which boys were troublemakers and made 

sure that they cleaned up the apparatus, 

just like everyone else. I found him 

invaluable in letting me know about 

difficulties with other technicians. The other 

long-serving technician, Fred Brayne, never 

challenged his authority. 

He was absolutely loyal and supported 

the teaching staff one hundred per cent. 

New teachers found his advice invaluable – 

they could ask him for help without seeming 

to be too ignorant. I remember my last term 

in Michaelmas 1979. A new colleague 

wanted to try out a rather tricky 

demonstration with a rather suspect, old

ottle of a chemical. I told him to get Evans 

to open it for him. When Evans tried to get 

the stopper out, the bottle exploded and a 

piece of broken glass slashed an artery in 

his wrist. The hospital managed to get an 

ambulance to us in under ten minutes and 

an hour later he had had three stitches in 

the artery. When he came back to work, he 

was furious with himself for being so 

careless. The thought of him suing the 

school for negligence would have been 

unthinkable. 

He retired in 1990 at the retiring age of 

65, having served the School for 51 years.” 

NORMAN DAVID HAWORTH 

(M 1945-49) 

David Haworth was born in Birmingham 

where his father was Professor of Chemistry 

at the University (later Sir Norman Howarth, 

Nobel Laureate in Chemistry). When war 

broke out and Birmingham was threatened 

with heavy bombardment, the family was 

evacuated to Canada to live in the 

household of Sir Frederick Banting, the 

great Canadian biochemist, discoverer of 

insulin and another Nobel Laureate. After 

this early upbringing, David returned to 

England in 1944 and entered Moser’s and 

enjoyed a distinguished scientific career at 

School before Magdalen College Oxford, 

where he was awarded a Demyship to read 

Chemistry. This was followed by research 

chemistry in industry and then in 1959 an 

MSc in Crystallography applied to 

Metallurgy at London University. 

David then decided to move back to 

Canada with his wife and their children and 

in 1971 he was appointed Information 

Officer at the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd, 

a post he held for the next 24 years until he 

retired. 

David was always grateful for his years at 

Shrewsbury, where the depth of his 

scientific skills was developed, but with that 

came an eclectic range of interests, music, 

literature, outdoor life, all of which he shared 

with his close family. He was very involved 

in the Catholic Church and was a long-time 

member of the Knights of Columbus. 

BASIL HUGH PHILLIPS HEATON 

(Ch 1937-42) 

After Shrewsbury, Basil Heaton volunteered 

for the Royal Artillery and was 

commissioned into the 86th Hertfordshire 

Yeomanry Field Regiment. He was in the 

first Bren gun carrier to go ashore on Gold 

Beach during the Normandy landings. 

Ships around him were hit and he lost his 

signaller to a sniper’s bullet, but in the 

confusion that was taking place his battery 

drove back a German counter-attack and 

the advance was made possible. After the 

War he was stationed at Oswestry where he 

found time for the country pursuits he 

enjoyed, before being posted to Korea as 

Adjutant to the 14th Field Regiment. During 

the Battle of the Hook, his calmness under 

heavy fire earned him the MBE (Military). He 

was subsequently posted to Malaya, the 

Staff College, BAOR and finally to a field 

regiment as battery commander. 

On the death of his father in 1964 he 

retired from the army to manage the family 

estate at Rhual in Flintshire and he soon 

become involved in agricultural affairs as 

county Chairman of the Country 

Landowners’ Association and President of 

the National Farmers Union. He was a keen 

supporter of the RNLI and received the 

charity’s Gold Award for his fifty years of 

fundraising. As President of the North Wales 

Normandy Veterans Association he 

returned to Normandy frequently – and he 

was an active supporter of SSAFA. In 1971 

he was appointed High Sheriff for Flint. 

His wife Bronwyn predeceased him; he 

leaves his second wife Jennifer and two 

daughters from his first marriage. 

CHRISTOPHER WOLFE ARDEN 

HICKMAN (I 1939-43) 

Chris was the third of the Hickman brothers 

to be at Shrewsbury and he clearly enjoyed 

his time in Ingram’s, becoming a 

Praeposter and a member of the 1st XI 

cricket. Inevitably school was followed by 

war service but thankfully this was short, 

and he arrived in France just after D-Day. 

On his return he started to farm, and he 

was to remain doing so for nearly fifty years. 

Throughout those years he dedicated much 

time and energy and wisdom to local 

affairs, as Chairman of the Parish Council, 

as Churchwarden and as School Manager. 

In retirement he and his wife Daphne 

bought a small holding and he continued to 

devote many hours to others, driving 

minibuses, caring for the needy and lonely, 

and always being available. 

Some would say a quiet, inconspicuous 

life; others will see a full and splendid one. 

He always said how much he valued his 

time at Shrewsbury, and his willingness to 

be involved is a tribute to that education. 

CHARLES HODGKINSON (I 1944-49) 

Charles Hodgkinson came to Ingram’s from 

Clevedon House School in Ilkley and had 

a full and successful time at Shrewsbury: 

Head of House and Praeposter, 1st VIII 

and active in a wide range of intellectual 

activities. He also developed his interest 

65 


in ornithology, and was a keen all-round 

athlete. His Housemaster much 

appreciated his “maturity and dignity” as 

Head of House - while also commenting 

that he could be “one of the most crusted 

old Tories I have ever come across! But 

he has done many things here and has 

done them extremely well”. 

Shrewsbury was followed by National 

Service in the Royal Artillery Field 

Regiment and then a law degree at 

Lincoln College, Oxford, where he was 

Captain of Boats and had a trial for the 

Oxford eight. Following graduation he 

went to Slaughter and May, the leading 

law firm in London, before returning to 

Yorkshire to join the family firm of 

Dransfield and Hodgkinson, specialising 

in legal debentures; he finally retired in 

2009 after fifty years as a qualified 

solicitor. 

Charles kept his interest and 

enthusiasm for sport throughout his life. 

After working with a former Chairman of 

Huddersfield Football Club, he became 

club solicitor in 1954 and joined the board 

in 1981 serving for twelve years. During 

that time he was much involved with the 

change of ground and the formation of 

the Patrons Association for supporters. 

He followed the club all over the country, 

though he was also involved with playing 

hockey and soccer for Huddersfield 

Amateurs, hockey for the Honourable 

Artillery Company, and in later years golf 

at Wortley, then Silkstone Golf Club and 

Lindrick. 

In retirement he was able to spend 

more time birdwatching, stamp and coin 

collecting, following steam locomotives, 

and enjoying his membership of Yorkshire 

Cricket Club. He and his wife Kit enjoyed 

their Golden Wedding anniversary; his 

son Richard is Secretary of Silkstone Golf 

Club and son Ian is a solicitor in Cheshire. 

(With acknowledement to the 

Yorkshire Post.) 

JOHN CHARLES COPELAND JOURDAN 

(I 1939-43) 

John Jourdan was born in Essex and went 

to St Wilfrid’s Prep School in Seaford, where 

he was the first boy ever to score a century, 

before entering Shrewsbury in 1939 where 

his interests turned towards the river, and he 

was a member of the 1st VIII. In the holidays 

he became a member of the Home Guard 

and, as soon as he was eighteen and left 

school, he joined the Royal Navy serving in 

Rocket Ships, seeing action at the D-Day 

landings, and afterwards being posted to 

Singapore. He would like to have stayed on


but was demobbed because of his asthma, 

and he subsequently joined his father in the 

family firm Jourdans Ltd, becoming 

Chairman until he retired in 1983. 

John settled with his wife Rosemary and 

sons Edward, Peter and John in the village 

of Spreyton and he immersed himself in 

family and village life. He was Chairman of 

the Parish Council for many years and 

spent much time following all country 

activities, especially fishing, and pursuing 

his wide interest in stamp collecting and 

antiques and houses – and above all his 

family. He was always devoted to 

Shrewsbury, was delighted when his sons 

Peter and John followed him in Ingram’s, 

and was a very welcome attender at the 

Salopian Devon Lunch in 2010. 

CHARLES RICHARD THURLOW LAWS 

(M 1949-53) 

Charles was born in Bristol but lived much 

of his early life on a farm in Mid-Wales 

where he absorbed a love of the 

countryside. Prep school at Lovegrove 

(where his mother, who was on the staff, 

stopped a friendship with his fellow pupil 

the Duke of Kent, as Charles’ fascination for 

explosives might disturb the securityconscious 

Kent family) led to Shrewsbury 

and Moser’s. He was stroke in the VIII at 

Henley and claimed to have taught Michael 

Heseltine his first lesson in making money 

as they bought lemonade in bulk and sold it 

bottle by bottle at huge profit margins. 

National Service in the RNVR as a Sub- 

Lieutenant was followed by working and 

qualifying as a Land Agent, but a year later 

in 1962 he was asked by his father to join 

the family firm of stockbrokers at home in 

Bristol. Charles was with Laws and Co for 

thirty-four years, as senior partner for the 

last fifteen. In 1986 the firm was bought by 

Allied Provincial and he became Deputy 

Chairman of that company; he was also 

Chairman of the Midlands and Western 

Stock Exchange - and was known 

throughout the profession as “the voice of 

reason and sensible strategy”. 

Inevitably Charles reason and wisdom 

was called on by others, and few were 

refused: Secretary and Treasurer of the 

Somerset Golf Union, President of the 

Leatherjackets, the Dolphin Society, The 

Canynge Spociety. The Colston Research 

Society, the Manor Farm Boys Club; 

Treasurer of his Parish Church, and of the 

Bristol Cathedral Trust; Trustee of the 

Redland Chapel and Hill’s Alsmhouses, 

Governor of schools. In 1987 he was High 

Sheriff of Avon, a year of total commitment 

and enjoyment. 

Charles’ first wife Grania died in 1987 and 

he later married Trisha and they brought 

together their eight children. Their home 

was always a tremendously happy one – he 

laughed a lot and his laughter was 

infectious. In his retirement he went back to 

the land, planting trees, breeding Black 

Welsh Mountain sheep, laying hedges, 

enjoying country life to the full, his golf and 

his fishing, and above all his family – eight 

children now with twenty-four grandchildren 

and a great grandchild – and his very many 

friends. 

PETER NORRIS MIDWOOD 

(SH 1968-72) 

For those at the 

Schools in the 

late 60s, many 

will remember 

Pete as he was 

a head and 

shoulders taller 

than anyone else. His height and long legs 

meant he was not well suited to the 

traditional Shrewsbury games and was 

frequently to be found walking ‘Benjies’ as 

one of the five ‘changes’ we had to do each 

week. However Pete loved the outdoors 

and he and I, with three others, took part in 

the first Shrewsbury School Duke of 

Edinburgh’s Award. Then Mr ‘Chaps’ 

Hagger started a school canoe club and 

Pete found that here was something he 

could do, and do well. Indeed, Pete went on 

to become one of the top UK competitors in 

canoe slalom and white water racing 

events. Later his canoeing activities 

branched out into expeditions down some 

of the world’s toughest and most remote 

rivers, including the Grand Canyon, the 

Orinoco, K2 and an 800-mile trip down the 

River Fraser in British Columbia. This was 

the first time this had been attempted and 

the film account of this expedition won the 

BBC Mick Burke Award in 1982. 

One of my most vivid memories of Pete is 

him turning up at our cottage on Anglesey 

one evening asking if he could stay the 

night as he was going to paddle to Ireland 

the next day. The following morning there 

was a thick sea mist and the Coastguard at 

Holyhead said Pete was “raving mad” even 

to attempt it; but he made it and the 

headline in the Dublin papers the next day 

was “Pete avoids ferry queues by paddling 

the Irish Sea alone”! 

After Shrewsbury Pete spent a year in the 

USA and then went to teacher training 

college. He dropped out of this after a year 

and went to an Outdoor Education College 

– where he met his future wife, Helen; they 

66 

had two daughters, Pamela and Carol. 

Outdoor Education was much more 

suited to his abilities and started him off on 

a very successful career as an Outdoor 

Activities instructor, with two appointments 

at the National Centre for Mountain 

Activities in Snowdonia, and others with 

Rotherham and with Hereford and 

Worcestershire Councils, and in the Lake 

District. 

Following a long battle with cancer, Pete 

died in December last year but even whilst 

coping with cancer treatment, Pete found 

time to try his hand at gliding. He joined a 

gliding club in February 2010 and by 

October was flying solo. By August last year 

he achieved his first Bronze leg and was 

awarded a club trophy for the most 

outstanding progress. 

Pete was a big man with an even bigger 

heart. He will be greatly missed by his 

family and by his many, many friends. 

David Barritt (SH 1967-72) 

JOHN R. MORRIS-EYTON (Rt 1944-48) 

Jack (John) 

Morris-Eyton 

died very 

suddenly from a 

heart attack on 

29 th November 

2011 aged 81. 

Jack was 

born on 9th July 

1930 at 

Newport, Shropshire, the youngest of three 

children. He attended Bilton Grange 

Preparatory School before entering 

Ridgemount in 1943 where his chief 

sporting interest was rowing. His reports 

said that in every aspect of school life he 

was extremely involved and a very cheerful 

presence – except in schoolwork! He won 

colours for Rowing and Rugby, was a first 

class shot, and much enjoyed his OTC 

activities as a Sergeant. 

Leaving school in 1948, he did his 

National Service and then joined the 8th 

Hussars for service in the Korean War. On 

his return to the UK, he entered the Royal 

Agricultural College, Cirencester for the 

three-year Estate Management Course 

before working with his brother Gilly on the 

family farm, Calvington near Newport in 

Shropshire. In 1954 Jack took on the family 

property Beckside Farm, a dairy and sheep 

farm near Millom in Cumbria. In 1959 he 

married Jane and together they farmed 

Beckside, buying adjacent properties as 

they became available. They have four 

children Robert (Rt 1975-80), Susan, Helen 

and Claire and eight grandchildren.

Jack served the local community in many 

ways. He was a Magistrate for twenty-four 

years and a member of the Lake District 

National Park Board. He served on several 

NFU Committees, Whicham Parish Council 

and the Parochial Church Council amongst 

other things. His shooting at School 

developed into a lifetime hobby and his 

classics masters would have been 

interested to know that in later years he 

took a keen interest in archaeology, 

especially prehistoric stone monuments. 

Jack was very proud that his son Robert 

and his wife Rowena now run the farm and 

are continuing the family tradition. 

ARJUN HARI NAIR (G 1999-2001) 

Arjun Nair 

applied for the 


School Indian 

Scholarship and 

came from 

Bangalore to 

appear before 

Hugh 

Ramsbotham 

and Richard Field and the UK Deputy 

High Commissioner for interview at Delhi. 

He seemed younger than the other 

candidates, and clearly differed in the 

more urban image of candidates from 

Delhi and Mumbai; but his total 

enthusiasm for all things scientific, 

alongside an interest in literature and the 

arts, his relaxed sense of humour and his 

self-confidence convinced the panel that 

he would not just survive two years at 

Shrewsbury but would contribute hugely. 

That contribution was significant, 

especially in the intellectual environment. 

Although Arjun concentrated on Maths, 

Physics and Business Studies, his interest 

and researches roved wide, from the 

interpretation of quantum theory to holistic 

medicine, from abstract ideas in 

computing such as entanglement and 

superposition to esoteric philosophy - and 

he brought ideas to every kind of 

intellectual lecture and discussion group 

that was taking place. In the House he 

remained a rather private individual, 

perhaps bemused somewhat by the 

institutional environment, but always 

popular, cheerful, a committed man on 

the wing in 1st Leagues, and very lively. 

He left without clear ideas of what path he 

would take, but clearly equipped to go 

down one or more of a very wide 

selection. 

After Shrewsbury, Arjun took a 

sabbatical in India studying Sanskrit and 

practising Sericulture. In 2002, he started 

a degree in Electrical Engineering at 

Imperial College London, but realised that 

he was not tuned into that discipline and 

after the first year he decided to accept a 

Chancellor's scholarship to study 

International Business at Bentley College 

in Massachusetts, USA. Upon completion 

he found himself back in India with the 

family enterprise, Exa Thermometrics, on 

new business opportunities in land use. 

During this time he was also responsible 

for planting close to 400 trees, all of them 

long yielding varieties such as Rosewood 

and Mahogany, in the family farm, a 

tremendous undertaking for a young man, 

leaving an ecological legacy behind. 

In a brief spell working with the 

government of Xiamen and an 

International Software firm in Shanghai he 

studied Chinese at the Jiaotong 

University, becoming a true student of 

China making several trips to the country 

over the years. He also spent a year back 

in the US working for a wind energy 

house, Urban Green Energy in New York 

City. But in 2010 he decided to return to 

India, marketing wind turbines throughout 

India and South Asia. He was on his way 

to apply his skills set towards a mobile 

app business when he died in a traffic 

accident in September 2011. 

The tributes in his home town spoke of 

a young man “with a bold, considerate 

and generous soul who richly coloured 

the lives of all who knew him. He was an 

adventurer, naturalist, lover of people, he 

was a paradox in so many ways - he had 

this incredible way of explaining the most 

complex things into just simplicity, yet he 

was as well just so incredibly humble for 

all his brilliance; he was the smartest guy 

but he could be so incredibly silly. Always 

inquiring, debating and exploring with 

abandon, he had many avators; he was 

an artist, writer, traveller, linguist, lover of 

cultures and a fearless zealot for truth. 

This tragic accident has taken from us a 

man in the peak of his exuberant youth - 

his quality as a person sadly far exceeded 

his time with us.” 

JOHN DORSETT OWEN (M 1945-49) 

John Owen was born in 1931 in Edinburgh, 

an only child, and he had a somewhat 

peripatetic childhood, his father being a 

Naval Attaché. When war came he was 

sent to live with relatives at the family home 

in Shropshire and so inevitably arrived at 

Shrewsbury School. On leaving he 

immediately joined the Royal Marines, 

serving for the next eight years. His final two 

67 


years service were spent as a trainer at the 

SBS Amphibious Warfare School in Poole 

Harbour, where he came across a number 

of Salopians – David Hunter, Hugh Towers, 

William Hill and Noel Surridge. 

In 1957, now married to Wendy, he 

resigned his commission, worked on a 

farm for two years before attending 

Agricultural College and then buying a farm 

in Wiltshire. There followed many happy 

years in an environment he loved and 

surrounded by a growing family, his two 

sons Roddy and Patrick and daughter 

Victoria, and later his grandchildren. He 

was the perfect farming gentleman, host to 

many friends to shoot, teaching 

grandchildren to ride, a friend to many. 

John and Wendy parted in the 1980s and 

in 1990 he married Heather. They moved to 

Oakshott on 2004 and they became very 

much part of the local community. Later in 

life he took up gilding and cabinet making, 

also restoring furniture, and he produced 

beautiful work which was much 

appreciated by many. John had a strong 

religious conviction and supported many 

charities, giving special support to his local 

church. 

ROBERT WILLIAM PAINTER 

(JHT 1938-1943) 

Robert Painter 

came to 


from Packwood 

with an interest 

in sports that so 

many boys 

have at that 

age; but few 

could develop 

that interest into 

such achievement in the next five years. 1st 

XI Cricket, 1st XI Football, Captain of Fives, 

Gentleman of the Runs, Shooting VIII, 

Rugby XV – six school colours are not 

gained by many. His Housemaster 

remarked that “his output of physical 

energy is remarkable and he has played a 

very active role all round”. 

This interest and skill continued for the 

rest of his life. Captain of Bewdley Cricket 

Club, Captain of the Law Society Golf Team, 

Member of Habberley and then 

Kidderminster Golf Clubs, Kidderminster 

Hockey Club, fishing clubs, all scenes of 

enthusiasm, commitment, and above all, 

fun. Pavilions and club houses were filled 

with laughter – and stories – when Bob was 

there. And the Shrewsbury connection 

stayed as he so enjoyed playing Saracens 

cricket and Arthur Dunn football, including


the 1951 Final against Charterhouse. 

Bob had entered the army as soon as his 

school days were over, was commissioned 

into the Royal Artillery in 1944 and served in 

Italy, Palestine and Greece. Those years 

played an important part in his life and there 

was much of the soldier in all that he did. 

After the War he qualified in law and joined 

his father and brother John in the family firm 

of solicitors, setting up the Stourport office 

and remaining there until retirement in 1994, 

by which time he had been joined by his 

son Will and other members of the family. 

‘Painter and Sons’ has a growing reputation 

throughout the area and clients and staff 

alike were devoted and loyal as the firm 

grew under the family leadership. He was 

one of those family solicitors who, by the 

support of their clients with common sense 

and wise counsel and utter devotion, have 

been the rock on which much of our local 

society is built. 

But although the family business and his 

sport occupied much of his energies, his 

interests were wide. The early introduction 

to music gave him a love that moved from 

the beginnings with piano lessons and the 

school choir into brass bands and military 

music. He was an accomplished 

photographer; he was an enthusiastic 

fisherman even if, so his fellow anglers 

report, not always calm and steady on the 

bank – and those stories! And he was a 

total family man, not just because so many 

members worked together but because his 

life with Mary and his children and 

grandchildren, and with John his brother 

and nephews and nieces and their families, 

was always at the centre of his heart. 

SIMON PONSONBY (I 1975-79) 

Simon Ponsonby 

arrived at Ingram’s 

Hall at Shrewsbury in 

1974, and soon 

impressed his peer 

group with his 

worldliness and 

maturity. In schoolboy 

circles, Simon was 

known for his 

legendary hairy chest, his manly stubble, 

and his performances at Sixth Form discos, 

when the slow numbers would invariably 

herald the onset of “The Ponsonby Shuffle”! 

At school Simon became Head of the Choir 

(Choregus), an accomplished rower, and a 

doggedly determined cross-country runner, 

becoming Senior Whip in the RSSH. 

Simon went on to Durham University, 

sponsored by the Royal Navy, to read 

Zoology & Anthropology, and it was here 

that his distance running career really took 

off. Simon developed into an elite athlete, 

captaining the university cross-country 

team, and finishing in the Top 50 at the 

London Marathon, with an Olympic 

standard time of 2 hours 20 minutes. 

Distance running really summed Simon up 

– the dedication, the commitment, the 

courage and the unstinting will power. 

After graduating, Simon went on to serve 

in the Royal Navy for ten years, largely on 

submarines, where he was a highly rated 

naval officer. He moved on from “life in a 

blue suit” (as he used to call it), and after a 

spell in the commercial world, Simon found 

his niche in recruitment, going on to 

establish and run his own business, 

Ponsonby & Partners. More recently, Simon 

combined his work duties with a highly 

productive spell as Chairman of The Naval 

Club in Mayfair. 

Simon was diagnosed with cancer in 

January, which he confronted with typical 

courage and characteristic bravery. Simon’s 

funeral was held at Salisbury Cathedral, and 

he is survived by the three children from his 

marriage, (Elizabeth, Andrew and Tom), and 

by his subsequent partner, Lizzie. 

Simon was a remarkable person, who 

brought great richness into the lives of his 

many friends and much-loved family. He 

was a man of conviction, who always had 

an opinion, often expressed with “quite 

frankly” forthrightness. But Simon also had 

a wonderful sense of humour, and was 

never afraid to laugh at himself, which 

made him not just good company but great 

company. Simon would throw his head 

back and laugh, in that full-on way that 

characterised both his personality and 

his life. 

Andrew Christophers 

RICHARD NISBET EARLE RAVEN 

(M 1945-50, Staff 1960-93) 

Richard Raven’s sudden death in 

November was a shock to his family, to his 

many friends and to the whole Salopian 

community. It is rare that someone plays 

such a significant role in the lives of so 

many and the packed Church at his funeral 

was an indication of the great respect and 

affection in which he was held. 

Richard Raven arrived in Moser’s in 1945 

from Maidwell Hall, following his father, 

grandfather and great grandfather, and his 

school career was inevitably full and 

successful - Praeposter, 1st XI football, 

Sidney Gold Medal and then on as a 

Scholar to read Classics at Christ Church, 

Oxford. His Housemaster reported that 

“throughout his time, Richard nobly kept up 

68 

the high 

standard of 

work, and has 

played himself 

to a standstill 

on the football 

field. A highly 

civilised young 

man, who has 

lost nothing of 

his natural vigour and energy in the 

process”. The seed of a schoolmaster’s life 

at Shrewsbury had been sown. 

Richard enjoyed his time at Oxford, 

achieving his degree whilst spending much 

time playing football and cricket – and 

making what would be lifelong friends. In 

1954, National Service as 2nd Lieutenant in 

the Royal Artillery began and, although the 

thought of their father defending their 

country brought much amusement to his 

family, he loved his time in the army, mainly 

because it was where he met and worked 

alongside so many different types of 

people from so many different 

backgrounds. 

Then it was four years teaching Classics 

at Radley, where he became certain that 

teaching was for him and where he also 

showed he had all the necessary skills for 

that profession, such as refereeing rugby 

football (as Richard always referred to it) 

with only the knowledge of association 

football rules and a loud whistle to support 

him. When an invitation to join the staff at 

Shrewsbury came in 1966, he leapt at it 

and he resumed his life by the Severn. 

His career was long and varied: Head of 

Classics, Resident House Tutor in School 

House, Housemaster of Severn Hill for 13 

years, Second Master (when every 

responsibility was considered equally as 

important - lost property, litter, coaches, 

writing minutes, compiling the Fasti etc), 

implementer of The Children Act, football 

and rugby coach (how much Junior/Senior 

owed him for his enthusiasm on those 

miserable November afternoons) – the list 

goes on. But, in addition to all his 

scholarship and skill, Richard’s overriding 

characteristic was his enormous ability to 

listen, to weigh up all the issues and to give 

wise, fair-minded advice. Schoolboys in his 

class, members of his House, games 

players and colleagues all recognised 

Richard as someone who could always be 

approached, who was always listened to 

and whose judgement was always 

accepted. His bite could be sharp - he was 

the only man, it was said, “who could 

deliver an olive branch with a crossbow”; 

colleagues who were leaving were always

apprehensive about his valedictory 

remarks; members of Severn Hill remember 

specific comments which hit home rather 

too accurately for their comfort, even 

though justified. He was, however, the 

same with everyone and, for that, he was 

held in great respect. His eightieth birthday 

was marked by dinner parties organised by 

those who were new boys when he entered 

Severn Hill and those who were there when 

he left the House – colleagues, tutees and 

family were all present, and Richard was, in 

such company, quite simply “in his 

element”. 

In the latter stages of his teaching career, 

Richard became increasingly active in 

building relationships between town and 

gown; he became a magistrate, a role he 

undertook for twenty years, and was a wise 

member of the board of visitors at 

Shrewsbury prison for even longer. After 

his official retirement, his involvement in the 

town grew, fulfilling a variety of roles with 

Age Concern, including driving the minibus 

for many years (mostly in second gear), 

The Radbrook Foundation, John Evans 

Mews Almshouses, Millington’s 

Almshouses, The Nuffield Hospital and 

The Shrewsbury Drapers Hall Preservation 

Trust (to name but a few) and being a 

member of the Board of Governors of 

Adcote and Ruthin schools. Although he 

was both flattered and embarrassed to 

have been nominated for the award, the 

whole family and his close friends were so 

proud when, in 2002, he received the MBE 

for services to the community in 

Shrewsbury. 

Throughout, the church was central to his 

life - worshipping at the School Chapel, 

then St Chad’s and, finally, St Alkmund’s. 

He was also involved in administrative and 

fund raising roles at these churches and 

the diocese as a whole. His beliefs and his 

faith underpinned almost everything he did. 

And then there was his golf. Once he 

decided that the legs of Old Reptonians, 

Etonians, Malvernians and those 

unfortunate boys who played against the 

staff were to be declared free of the Raven 

tackle, Richard concentrated on his golf. 

His many partners and opponents will 

remember with affection his kit (shoe laces 

never done up), his swing (which certainly 

didn’t appear in any coaching manual), his 

sucking of the golf tee and, above all his 

commentary on the game, the national and 

international situation, the history of the 

School, the idiosyncrasies of his friends 

and colleagues etc. – eighteen holes of 

continuous conversation and banter ... 

even if often one-sided. 

And always, in his heart and soul, he was 

a Salopian. Present at any Old Salopian 

function (occasionally buying a drink), 

always ready to greet past students to the 

Site, active as a playing member and, 

eventually, President of the Old Salopian 

Football Club, editor of the Newsletter and 

a distinguished President of the Club in 

2002 when he seemed to be at every 

sporting and social occasion. In his last 

years, he was a source of guidance to 

those managing the Club (and so proud 

when his son Hugh was Chairman, 

although perhaps that was the only time 

when his talking was restricted) and he was 

the host and member of the group rewriting 

the Old Salopian Club’s constitution and 

structure. 

And beside him, supporting, caring, 

guiding, listening (but not always for too 

long!), encouraging, chiding and, where 

necessary, scolding, was, for forty-five 

years; Liz, without whom Richard would not 

have been able to involve himself in all his 

activities. What a team. 

It is hard to think of Shrewsbury, School 

and Town, without Richard and the loss of 

course is greatest to Liz, to Hugh and Molly 

and their children, to Emma and Kevin.. But 

we all thank Richard for giving us such 

inspiration and service: a Salopian, through 

and through. 

The Trustees of the Miles Clark Travel 

Scholarship write: 

One of the causes which Richard 

most cherished in his later years was 

the creation and nurturing of the 

Miles Clark Travel Scholarship Fund. 

Miles Clark was in Severn Hill 

(1974-78) when Richard was 

Housemaster. An outstanding 

oarsman, Miles went on to Downing 

College, Cambridge where he won 

his Blue in the Boat Race of 1981. 

After Cambridge he spent a short 

time in the Army and then began a 

career as explorer, adventurer and 

journalist. He seemed destined for 

greatness – his adventures and 

writing exciting considerable interest 

in the early 1990s. Tragically, for 

reasons which remain unclear, he 

took his own life at the age of 32. 

Feeling the loss acutely, Richard 

was determined to honour Miles and 

his achievements. Together with 

some like-minded helpers, he created 

a Fund in Miles’ name that offers 

scholarship grants to Salopians to 

help them realise their dreams of an 

adventurous Gap Year experience. 

69 


Since it was set up in 1995, it has 

distributed some £55,000 to well over 

150 pupils in scholarships of up to 

£700 each. Originally Richard had 

hoped to raise enough for one 

scholarship a year! 

Richard worked tirelessly on the 

Miles Clark Travel Scholarship, 

devising the concept, nurturing it, 

admininistrating it with characteristic 

thoroughness. He skilfully interviewed 

applicants, delighting in their 

company and empathising with their 

adventurous spirits. We as Trustees 

salute his vision and energy which 

gave so many Salopians the chance 

to realise their dreams. 

Chris Conway, Thane Warburg 

and Richard Case 

Old Salopian Day 

22nd september 2012 

11.15 a.m. 

A short thanksgiving service to 

celebrate the life of 

Richard Raven, ‘RNER’ 

will be held in 

Shrewsbury School Chapel 

COLIN DOUGLAS ROOBOTTOM 

(R 1945-49) 

Colin was born at Newton-le-Willows, the 

site of Vulcan Foundry where his father was 

chief accountant. Vulcan built railway 

engines and this may be how Colin first 

developed his interest in railways. 

His time at Shrewsbury was perhaps not 

the happiest of his life, as he found little in 

the organised structure that interested him 

and his Housemaster worried that he was 

not really ‘involved’. Perhaps he did not 

know that Colin managed to spend time at 

the engine sheds and probably at signal 

boxes in the local area, thus encouraging a 

life-long involvement. 

After school he followed in his father’s 

footsteps and trained as an accountant with 

DeLoittes in Liverpool, where he also 

developed his interest in railway signalling, 

visiting and working signal boxes on the 

West Coast mainline. He transferred to 

DeLoittes in London in the 1950s and 

continued his signalling interests as well as 

going to work on the Talyllyn Railway in Mid 

Wales at weekends and holidays, being 

active both on the engineering and the 

locomotive sides. He became a very 

competent welder among other skills and 

did much work on lever frame installations.


He was elected to the Council of the 

Tallyllyn Railway Preservation Society 

(TRPS) in 1963 and shortly afterwards he 

was appointed as accountant and treasurer, 

a role he would fulfil for forty years. This is 

probably a record for voluntary service, 

though few members realised the amount 

of effort Colin put in. He must have spent 

several hours a day working on the 

accounts, which were recorded in large 

ledgers. He also paid most of the invoices, 

which involved writing many dozens of 

cheques each month, as well as paying the 

wages of the permanent staff and dealing 

with the pension scheme and banking 

arrangements. The Talyllyn owed him a 

great debt and recognised this by 

appointing him a Vice-President. 

Leaving Deloittes in the early 1960s, he 

moved to Derby and then in 1965, through 

Talyllyn contacts, he moved to Turners 

Asbestos Cement as administrative 

account at Trafford. In March 1977 Colin 

married Ljliana and immediately his world 

widened to include the Church, the Grail 

Trust, a charity with strong Welsh border 

roots which operate children’s homes in 

southern India, and various homes in which 

they maintained a small holding with 

various livestock. 

Colin was in some ways a shy person 

who did not seek the limelight. Indeed his 

major concern about becoming the Talyllyn 

Treasurer was having to make the financial 

presentation at the AGM. Being a 

Lancastrian and an accountant he was 

careful with money (vitally important with 

the voluntary TRPS!) but he was also 

generous and a great supporter of 

charities. 

No.7 sounded its whistle as his coffin 

was lowered into the grave and his wife 

and very many friends rode a special train 

up the line, the locomotive carrying as a 

headboard the replica ‘TALYLLYN’ plate 

that had been presented to Colin when he 

‘retired’ from driving. 

David Mitchell, 27th April 2012 

DAVID ALLAN SPENCER (SH 1948-54) 

David Allan Spencer was born in Reedley 

Hollows, Burnley on 25th May 1935. He 

attended The Leas School, Hoylake before 

entering School House in Michaelmas 1948 

with future First XI cricketers John Webb 

and the hostile bowler John Stapleton, who 

later represented The Rest of the Schools at 

Lord’s in 1954. 

Those Salopians with any interest in 

sport, who entered the Moss Gates in the 

early 50s, will not fail to remember the allround 

feats of D. A. Spencer of Headroom. 

His name is inscribed on the School Wall for 

eternity, the privilege of Heads of School or 

of triple School Firsts, such as David and 

other superstars of that age: A. N. Duerr, J. 

M. H. Tilbury, J. L. Ward and R. H. C. 

Waters, to name but a few. 

In those years, the whole school watched 

the 1st XI Football in their matches on 

Senior. In the Michaelmas Term of 1950, 

there was Spencer, fifteen years old, playing 

inside forward in the first of his four years in 

the side. He went on to captain the 1st XI 

Football for two years – one of only two 

Salopians to do so, according to records 

from 1925-75. 

Spencer’s ball control was uncanny, as 

was his sense of positioning. Robin 

Moulsdale remembers gasping with delight 

when Spencer caught a long pass on his 

foot (instead of trapping it!); this is a skill, 

which any self-respecting under-15 league 

player displays nowadays without thinking. 

In 1951, the first of his three years in 1st 

XI Cricket, Spencer topped the batting 

averages with an average score of 53.8 in 

17 innings and was second in the bowling 

averages. Wisden noted: “...D. A. Spencer 

proved repeatedly that he possessed ideal 

temperament and concentration in a critical 

situation”. John Farnell remembers Spencer 

as a great team player and as a superb 

fielder in the covers, with “a wonderful 

throwing arm, like a professional’s – a 

glorious pick-up and throw, all in one 

smooth movement”. He played one year in 

the Fives IV. 

It was to the Old Salopians’ loss that his 

business commitments prevented Spencer 

from playing in the Arthur Dunn Cup or even 

the Halford Hewitt, as he quickly became a 

low handicap golfer. He played for Burnley 

Cricket Club in the Lancashire League and 

served as President of Nelson Golf Club. 

He was a season ticket older at Turf Moor 

and an avid fan of “The Clarets”, as locals 

know Burnley footballers. 

Spencer served in the Border Regiment 

for his National Service. He went up to St 

John’s College, Cambridge, reading law 

and economics. He played for the 

University Second XI Football, known as 

The Falcons. His subsequent career was in 

textiles. These were hard times for the 

Lancashire cotton industry. His family 

business John Spencer (Burnley) Ltd, of 

which he was a director, went into Voluntary 

Liquidation in 1971. It was a source of pride 

and a sense of proper justice to him that all 

creditors, workforce and shareholders were 

paid in full. Thereafter, Spencer ran a 

knitting company called Clayton Warp 

Knitters. Tragically, in 1987, he suffered a 

70 

stroke that left him confronting problems 

with walking. His willpower and his 

phlegmatic, self-reliant mentality enabled 

him to face his new circumstances with 

admirable stoicism. He refused to give in 

and he would not use a wheelchair in his 

home, until the last few months of his life. 

Typically, he devoted his energies and flair 

to a mobility charity in the Pendle area of 

East Lancashire. In 2006, in recognition of 

his tireless work for electric wheel-chair 

users, Spencer was named as Passenger 

Number One by Pendle Transport Services, 

being the first to board their inaugural bus 

with modern disabled access. 

He married Judy in 1961: they had two 

children, John and Sara. Sadly the marriage 

broke up in 1978 but David and Judy 

remained good friends. It is hard to imagine 

the woes in David Spencer’s daily life, after 

illness struck down so talented and so 

ardent a games player. David remained 

fiercely independent, albeit supported 

closely by his family and by his sister Jill. 

He retained a detailed interest in all 

sports and in matters Salopian: on his final 

evening, he asked to be told if his beloved 

Clarets won their match against Cardiff City, 

to be played the following day. The result in 

the Football League Championship was an 

away draw for Burnley: that would have 

pleased him greatly. 

Tim Lewis 

Note: David Spencer is pictured in the 

1953 Saracens team photo on page 56. 

TIM WHITE (R 1946-50) 

Tim's Headmaster, John Wolfenden, 

reported that “his Housemaster's (Brookie) 

report does him great credit”, and that “his 

academic career may not have been 

distinguished, but there are other sides to 

life. I am glad he has done well as a 

monitor.” How those 'other sides to life' 

flourished; and how much all those who 

were involved in them were so shocked by 

his sudden death in Tasmania in March. 

There were perhaps three 'sides' to his 

life. Two years after leaving Shrewsbury he 

joined the family business, originally 

involved in milling before later concentrating 

on dried fruit and cereals. After his father 

and uncle retired and his cousin died in 

1972, he ran the company on his own until 

in 1977 he sold it to Robertsons (jam), 

though remaining with the company for the 

next nineteen years, during which time it 

was sold four times to various competitors, 

none of whom would let him leave. 

The second side was his sport. At one 

stage a one handicap golfer, competitor in 

the Amateur Championship, Captain,

Chairman and Trustee of the Royal 

Liverpool Golf Club, long time member, 

Captain and President of the Hittites, a 

North Western Society where only those 

with a handicap of 4 or less are invited to 

join – and always someone who was 

enormous fun to play with. His failure to 

enthuse about Modern Languages at 

Shrewsbury paid when he was the first 

captain of RLGC to deliver a speech entirely 

in German to a visiting party from Hanover 

without understanding a single word that he 

said. He thought he was giving a talk on the 

history of Links Golf, and the influence of 

John Ball and Harold Hilton on the modern 

game – his German guests may have been 

somewhat bemused, and far too polite to 

react to a brief summary of the D-Day 

landings. 

On the football field his activities centred 

round the Liverpool Ramblers with whom he 

played for many years and of which he was 

proud to be Secretary and then President. 

He maintained that he held the record as 

the only man to have played (pre-veterans) 

for all four Ramblers teams in four 

consecutive weeks, but in the words of his 

favourite comedian Eric Morecambe, in no 

particular order. And in cricket he was a 

devoted member of the Spasmodics 

Cricket Club with whom he spent many 

enjoyable days. 

And the third side was his family, and fiftytwo 

years spent with Katie, with particularly 

special times spent with her and the 

children at Trearddur Bay, and in Tasmania, 

Katie's home and his adopted one. He was 

very proud of his sons Chris and Richard 

Ian Campion with his sons Will and Jonty and his brother Barry at The Old Course, St Andrews 

71 


who followed him to Rigg’s, and his 

daughter Jo, and so thrilled that two of his 

grandsons have followed him to 

Shrewsbury (with more to come!). He and 

Katie travelled widely together when he was 

doing business, but so often it was back to 

Trearddur Bay to carry out 'urgent' DIY or to 

get the boat ready; and it was also so often 

to Australia and back home to Tasmania, 

where he died. His funeral, in the chapel 

where they were married, was filled by all 

his family and his very many friends there. 

Tim was to everyone a thoroughly decent 

man – modest, loyal, supportive, generous, 

and enormously good company. His love of 

team games says it all – he was so much at 

home in such company; but above all he 

loved being at home with all his family.


C OMING EVENTS . . . 

Date Event Venue 

Sat 22nd September Old Salopian Day Shrewsbury School 

Sun 28th October Yorkshire Lunch Venue t.b.c. 

Fri 23rd November South West Dinner Wells Cathedral 

Thu 29th November City Drinks City of London Club 

Thu 29th November Midlands Christmas Drinks Birmingham (Venue t.b.c.) 

Fri 7th December Shrewsbury Christmas Drinks Shrewsbury School 

OLD SALOPIAN DAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER 2012: 

Time Event Venue 

11.15 a.m. Thanksgiving Service for Richard Raven Chapel 

12.00 noon Light buffet and refreshments (throughout day until 3.00 p.m.) Quod and Moser Library 

12.45 p.m. AGM Science Lecture Theatre 

1.30 p.m. Library and Arts Centre open Various 

2.00 p.m. Sports programme begins: 

Football (Top/Lower Common) 

Fives (Fives Courts) 

Hunt (Main School Building) 

Various 

2.30 p.m. Houses open (until 4.30pm) Houses 

2.30 p.m. School Tours available from Alington Hall 

3.00 p.m. Boat House Opening Ceremony Boat House 

4.00 p.m. Sabrina Club AGM Boat House 

5.15 p.m. Sports Supper – Hot/Cold Buffet, sweet, cheese & wine Kingsland Hall 

*To book, and for more details, please visit : www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/osevents 

Please note: If you have not received an insert for the OS Day with your copy of the magazine, or you require further copies, please contact 

to Club Office on 01743 280 892 or oldsalopian@shrewsbury.org.uk. The form is also available to download at the above link. 

Symphony Orchestra cello section. Birmingham Town Hall, March 2012 

Printed by Creative Digital Printing, Shrewsbury (01743) 263030 

72

SUMMER 2012 ISSUE No. 150 - Shrewsbury School

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