OSAmag81

No 81 /July 2015
The Old Stationer
Number 81 - July 2015
Our new President takes office

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
The Old Stationer
Number 81 - July 2015
OLD STATIONERS’ ASSOCIATION
LIST OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2014/2015
President
Peter A Sandell
11 Maplecroft Lane, Nazeing, Essex,
EN9 2NR Tel: 01992 892766
E-mail: peter.sandell@hotmail.co.uk
Vice-President
John Rowlands
The Elms, 36 Lucas Lane, Ashwell, Baldock,
Herts SG7 5LN Tel: 01462 742758
E-mail: john@ashwell.org.uk
Past President
Roger Melling
43 Holyrood Road, New Barnet,
Herts. EN5 1DQ Tel: 020 8449 2283
E-mail: melling@globalspirit.net
Honorary Secretary
Tim Westbrook
7 Goodyers Avenue, Radlett,
Herts. WD7 8AY Tel: 0845 8724001
E-mail: tim@timwestbrook.co.uk
Honorary Treasurer
Michael F Hasler
8 The Glebe, Weston Turville, Aylesbury,
Bucks. HP22 5ST Tel: 01296 614352
E-mail: mikehasler.oldstationers@gmail.com
Hon. Membership Secretary
Gordon V Rose
39 King James’ Avenue, Cuffley,
Herts. EN6 4LN Tel: 01707 872645
E-mail: gordon.rose@talk21.com
Honorary Editor
Geraint Pritchard
1 Willow Way, Toddington, Dunstable,
Beds. LU5 6FD Tel: 01525 872166
E-mail: geraintpritchard@msn.com
Web Site Manager
Michael D Pinfield
63 Lynton Road, Harrow, Middx. HA2 9NJ
Tel: 020 8422 4699
E-mail: oldstationers@gmail.com
OSA website: www.oldstationers.co.uk
Honorary Archivist
David D Turner
63 Brookmans Avenue, Brookmans Park,
Herts. AL9 7QG Tel: 01707 656414
E-mail: d.turner@sky.com
Ordinary Members
Peter Bothwick
52 Hither Green Lane, Abbey Park,
Redditch, Worcestershire B98 9BW
Tel: 01527 62059
E-mail: pedrotres@hotmail.co.uk
Andreas H Christou
22 Woodgrange Avenue, Bush Hill Park,
Enfield EN1 1EW Tel: 020 8350 4857
E-mail: andreashchristou@yahoo.com
Tony C Hemmings
5 The Mount, Cheshunt,
Herts. EN7 6RF Tel: 01992 638535
E-mail: hemmingsac@hotmail.com
David J Sheath Ksg
12a Bolton Crescent, Windsor, Berks.
SL4 3JQ Tel: 01753 855021
E-mail: davidsheath@hotmail.co.uk
Honorary Auditors
Chris Langford, Roger Engledow
Clubs & Societies
Football Club
Vince Wallace
23 Lovelace Road, Barnet, Herts. EN4 8EA
Tel: 020 8361 0145
Golf Society
Peter J Bonner
3a Mount Grace Road, Potters Bar, Herts.
EN6 1RE Tel: 01707 658016
E-mail: peter.bonner@ntlworld.com
Apostles Club
Stuart H Behn
l67 Hempstead Road, Watford,
Herts. WD17 3HF Tel: 01923 243546
E-mail: stuartbehn@hotmail.com
Luncheon Club
Alan R Green
Willow Tree House, Ditchford Hill,
Moreton in Marsh, Glos GL56 9QS
Tel: 01608 654164
E-mail: alan.green61@btinternet.com
SC School Lodge
Michael D Pinfield
Details as above
E-mail: secretary7460ugle@gmail.com
Magazine
Publishing Adviser
Tim Westbrook
Details as above
Design & Production Manager
Ian Moore
Homecroft, Princes Gate,
Pembrokeshire SA67 8TG
Tel: 01834 831 272
Email: ian@outhaus.biz
Website: www.outhaus.biz
Printer
Stephens and George
Contents
Regular features
Editorial 00
Dates for the Diary 00
President's Address 00
Correspondence 00
Far as you roam
?? 00
?? 00
Special features
Feature 1 00
Feature 2 00
Clubs & Societies
Golf Society 00
OSFC 00
Varia
News of former staff 00
New members 00
Changes of address 00
Obituaries
?? 00
Minutes of the AGM 00
President's Address (AGM) 00
Treasurer's Report (AGM) 00
Balance sheet 00
Funds summary & General fund 00
Supplying items for publication
Text: Please supply as Word or typed documents if
possible. Images: Supply as original images or hi-res
(300dpi) digital files in tiff, jpeg or eps format.
Post or email to the Editor, Geraint Pritchard:
see Committee page for address details.
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EDITORIAL
To come...
Geraint
DATES for the DIARY
AGM & ANNUAL DINNER
Friday March 27th 2015
Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane
London EC4 7DD
AGM 6.00pm. Annual Dinner 7.00pm.
LUNCHEON MEETINGS
Tuesday, 12th May 2015
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square
Wednesday, 9th September 2015
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square
Wednesday, 2nd December 2015
Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane
PRESIDENT'S DAY
Sunday, 30th August 2015
43rd Annual Cricket Match
Botany Bay, East Lodge Lane, Enfield, EN2 8AS
Lunch 12.30pm; Match 2.00pm.
OSA CAROL SERVICE
Sunday 6th December 2015
4pm at St Mary with St George Church,
Cranley Gardens, Hornsey. N10 3AH
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PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
I am delighted to have been elected as
President of the OSA and even though I
have only been in office for a short while, I
am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to
serve and look forward to the various events
that I will be attending during my year.
I joined the school in September 1965
having been at junior school at North
Harringay, in Falkland Road. At that time
I was living in Sydney Road, the first road
from Turnpike Lane along “the ladder”
from Wightman Road to Green Lanes.
I recall in my first term I wore shorts; one of
just a few, much to my disgust. I recall Geoff
Blackmore also being in shorts; clearly good
grounding for future OSA Presidents! I am
the 2nd President from the 1965 intake;
Geoff served way back in 1993/4.
The school became comprehensive at the
beginning of my 3rd year when I moved
from Norton to Hodgson house. For many OSA members you
will have no concept of the change that comprehensive
education brought upon the school; it quickly became a
completely different school not least going from c 630 boys to
over 1300 in the next 5 years.
Unfortunately unlike many of my immediate Presidential
predecessors, I was not particularly academic & nor was I
much of a sportsman either. I was, however a reasonable
PRESIDENT'S DAY
SUNDAY 30th AUGUST 2015
I would like to invite you and your family & friends to
a special day on Sunday 30th August, when I am
hosting the traditional Old Stationers` President`s
Cricket Match in the beautiful setting of the Botany
Bay Cricket Club, East Lodge Lane, Enfield. Middx.
EN2 8HS.
I am grateful to Geoff Blackmore for selecting for me
the team of OSA Cricketers to play a team from Botany
Bay. The match will commence at 2.00pm, closing at
around 7.30pm.
The bar will be open from 11.45am and lunch will be
served at 12.30pm. If you wish to have lunch, the cost
will be £20 per head. Please send your cheque to
Gordon Rose (made payable to him) at the earliest
opportunity & certainly no later than 20th August.
Gordon`s address is 39 King James` Avenue, Cuffley,
Herts, EN6 4LN.
I do hope you will join Lesley and myself for this special
occasion.
Regards
Peter Sandell
President 2015/2016
musician, being a member of the school
choir for all of my 7 years and in my final
2 years in the 6th form, I was school
organist, which mainly entailed a visit to
Robert Baynes` office before morning
assembly to find out what hymn he
wanted me to play at assembly.
The music tradition of the school was
excellent and especially the choir ably led
by the four Music masters, namely Norman
“Jack” Rimmer, Roberts, Richard
Hickman and Donald Ellman. The most
notable choral work undertaken was
Haydn`s Nelson Mass which the choir
performed in the school Hall in 1968 and
subsequently in Christ Church, Crouch
End and St Andrew`s Ealing with the
school `s own Graham Bentley (1961-68)
singing the tenor soloist part when he was
in the 6th form. The work was accompanied
on the organ by a contemporary of mine,
Paul Bateman when we were both in the 4th year. Paul was an
exceptional musician and he has gone on to be a renowned
conducted and arranger. I saw him conduct the Royal
Philharmonic at the Royal Albert Hall a couple of years ago.
Membership of the school choir also took me to Stationers`
Hall for the first time in 1966 when I was just 12, following
the Ash Wednesday service held in the crypt of St Paul`s
Cathedral. We were given tea and cakes and half a crown. I
attended every year until 1972 and I remember even as a 12
year old appreciating what a magnificent place the Hall was. I
still have that same feeling and I know how lucky we are to
have the opportunity to use the Hall for our Christmas Lunch
and annual Dinner.
During my 1st year, my parents moved from Hornsey to
Winchmore Hill, so I became one of many commuters
travelling into Harringay West station each morning from
Grange Park station on the Hertford North line. It was very
handy to get home from games afternoon as I just jumped on
the 244 bus from Winchmore Hill Broadway.
Also at that time I joined the church choir at Holy Trinity
church on the Broadway in Green Lanes Winchmore Hill,
diagonally opposite the school ground. By the age of 14 I was
asked to help out playing the organ as the organist had retired,
so I agreed to help out & ended up being organist at Holy
Trinity for nearly 40 years!! I am currently organist at St
Peter`s church in Roydon, Essex.
At the beginning of my lower 6th, Geraint Prichard arrived
back at the school to teach Geography and for his sins, he was
also our form master. Despite there only being about 35 in
total in the sixth form with just one class, we had a great time
and we all had a great bond for those 2 years, which made life
bearable despite many issues that I recall the school having at
that time as standards fell which coincided with the growth of
the school.
I only achieved one “A” level in music, so it was appropriate
with such a qualification that I left school at 18 and went into
banking! I knew I wasn`t talented enough to have taken up
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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
music professionally, so I joined Barclays Bank and embarked
on career spanning the next 38 years!! Fortunately I seemed
cut out for banking and progressed through the ranks working
at various branches in and around North and Central London
from 1972 and achieved my first managerial appointment in
1986 in Kingsway branch with subsequent managerial jobs at
Strand, Regional Office and Palmers Green where I was
appointed Branch Manager in 1992. Since then I was mainly
in Corporate Banking based in Essex, in offices in Ilford,
Basildon and most recently Chelmsford from where I retired
in February 2010.
I have been living in Nazeing, Essex since 1978 and married
to Lesley since August 1977.We have two daughters aged 35
& 31. Sadly my younger daughter Claire, is severely physically
handicapped having been born with cerebral palsy. She has
neither speech nor any control of her body, hence she is in a
wheelchair and totally dependent upon others for all her
needs. She is however, mentally very “with it” and has a wicked
sense of humour. She has been living in a very good care home
in West Sussex for the last 10 years and we visit most weeks.
My older daughter, Joanne and I are both Arsenal season
ticket holders. I am also a member of Middlesex County
Cricket Club & frequently bump into a number of OSA
members at Lords throughout the season.
In the months to come I am determined to help increase
membership numbers particularly from the “younger” element.
It is interesting to note that there are only 33 members of the
OSA who joined the school from 1969 to the date of closure.
By 1970 there were well over 1000 boys at the school and the
intake each year was c 170/180; so why have so few from that
era joined the OSA? I am determined to find out and see
whether the OSA needs to offer some alternate functions in
order to attract this generation. I am compiling a list of year
representatives initially from the years 1966 to 1982 and will
encourage each of them to track down as many of the
contemporaries as possible with a view to running a reunion
and also encouraging them to join the OSA.
This year coincides with my 50th anniversary and Geoff
Blackmore, Huw Williams & I have been tracking down as
many of the 1965 intake as possible; last count we’d found 69
with another 24 to go. Our reunion is on 9th October.
Finally, I look forward to seeing as many of you who can make
it at Botany Bay Cricket Club on Sunday 30th August for the
annual President’s Day match. I have threatened to play, but
I’m not sure whether Mr Blackmore will pick me!! In any
event I will certainly buy you all a drink!
Peter Sandell
OSA President 2015-2016
ANNUAL DINNER 2015 -Stationers' Hall – March 27th 2015
President's Address – Roger Melling
Bishop, Master,Clerk, distinguished guests and fellow Old Stationers.
Thank you Stephen for your toast to the OSA. You are indeed
evidence that Old Stationers have been successful in many
callings and professions.
I have been coming to these dinners for some 11 years. I never
ever contemplated standing in this position! Be aware of the likes
of Tony Hemmings or Geraint Pritchard say ‘could I have a
word?’ It could be your turn! It has been a huge privilege to be
President, especially this year. Last september was the 60th
anniversary of the class of ’54, starting at Mayfield Road, so Ihave
been able to hold the presidency, on behalf of all members, of
The Presidential speech
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Tony Mash leads us into the school song
MC Mike Pinfield with The Master.
course, but especially on behalf of our year.
I’m sure we all have clear memories of arriving for our first day
at Stationers’ – being uncertain as to what to expect – Stationers’
being a very different place to our primary schools – no girls for
a start, not that that bothered me - well, at that stage anway!
It is interesting to reflect that these days there is a great deal of
preparation for the transfer to secondary schools. Exchange visits
of teachers, pre transfer visits etc. We just turned up on the first
day and got on with it. As I recall most of us soon settled down
to our new routines, subject teachers, afternoons at Winchmore
Hill, friday afternoon activities and detentions! I remember my
first—from Sam Read for not knowing all S. America’s capital
cities. By the way do any of you shop at Sainsburys Winchmore
Hill and think 'I should have brought my football!’
We all know that for good or bad the world of education has
changed beyond all recognition since the demise of our own very
special school. Its closure was a great sadness and to this day
there is still discussion on how this came about. But it is really
time to move on. Last October saw the opening of Stationers’
Crown Wood Academy [to which the Master has made
reference]. 26 of us attended the opening ceremonies which we
brought to a close with a rendition of the school song. We were
concerned as to whether this was appropriate but we felt we were
able to demonstrate to both pupils and invited guests that the
traditions of the old school have their place and that this was
appreciated. I am sure the new school will develop its own
culture but it will be hard to surpass our own collective creative
genius. Just think of the nick-names we gave our masters, in
my time: Beaky Davis, Josh Nunn, Donkey Bray, Flick, Wacker
Rees, Dickie Dash and so on. Our woodwork masters also had
Andreas Christou our youngest member with The Clerk, William Alden.
very appropiate names - Nailer and Sloggat. The managerial
brilliance of appointing good teachers with such appropiate
names will take some beating!
The pupils at the new school will not, of course, divide between
Tottenham and Arsenal supporters, as here! But probably
between Chelsea, Crystal Palace and even Millwall fans!
We found Stationers’ Crown Wood Academy to be an impressive
school, a 21st century school worthy to carry the Stationers’
banner. We are very pleased that the principal, Michael Murphy,
has been able to join us this evening, demonstrating an evolving
relationship between the school and the association. It is still
early days and we will need to take time to work out how our
history and traditions can contribute to the new school.
Presidents of the association are always appreciatve of the work
undertaken by our committee. It is not until you are on the
committee that you fully appreciate just how much our very
existence depends on the hard work and dedication of a very
limited number of people. I consulted our incoming president
and the last two presidents before proposing ‘an award for
outstanding service to the osa’. The presidents agreed that we
should make four such awards this evening. In no particular
order to Tony Hemmings, Gordon Rose, Geraint Pritchard, Tim
Westbrook and Alan Green.
Those of you who attended the AGM will know that Tony is
standing down as Secretary after 13 years in that role. We cannot
thank him enough for his immeasurable contribution to the
OSA. His knowledge of our procedures and history is
unsurpassed. Gordan has been a highly dedicated membership
secretary with the unenviable task of chasing non or late payers.
I hope that all of you have a clear conscience!! He has also been
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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
the mastermind behind President’s Day. He will be standing
down in the next year. We owe a great debt of gratitude to
Geraint. Apart from editing an excellent magazine he is our
roving ambassador and even if you live in the outer hebrides you
will not escape a visit. It is so good that there is someone who is
able to keep in touch with our members who may no longer
enjoy the best of health. Tim is a longstanding committee
member and very much the technical brains behind the
presentation of our magazine making sure that we have a quality
production. He will be our new secretary. Alan has been
organising our wonderful lunches for the last 20 years, they have
provided the opportunity to keep in touch and make new friends.
Please come and receive your awards.
Guest speaker, Rt. Rev. Stephen Platten.
Clearly there are others who, over the years have made a
significant contribution to the life of the association but are no
longer with us.One of those was Peter Bullen who sadly died last
year. Peter was the architect who brought together the Old Boys
Association and the sports clubs to create the association as we
know it today. He would certainly have qualified for an award of
outstanding service to the association.
We are very grateful for the continued support of the Stationers’
company. It is a privilege to be able to dine in this magnificant
hall. We are very appreciative Master of your kind invitation to
our members to become freemen. This will only serve to further
strengthen the close relationship between the company and the
association. It has been the drive and commitment of the
Tony, Gordon, Geraint and Tim, recipients of the OSA long service award.
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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
company that has resulted in the creation of Stationers’ Crown
Wood Academy. We will continue to work with the company to
determine how we can best support the school.
It has been a privilege and an honour to be your president and I
Gordon receives his long service award.
hand over the presidency to peter sandell knowing that with the
committee he will ensure that the association goes from strength
to strength. Thank you to all of you who assisted and supported
me over the last year.
Annual Dinner 2015 Attendees
Mike Pinfleld 60/66
Toast Master
Tony Hemmlngs 54/59
Michael Murphy - Headmaster,
Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy
Rt. Rev. Stephen Platten 58/66
Guest Speaker
Ian Locks
Master of the Company
Roger MellIng 55/62
President GSA
William Alden
Clerk to the Company
Peter Sandell 65/72
Vice President GSA
Geraint Pritchard 54/62
Ian Jones 38/45
George Copus 32/40
Stuart Behn 47/53
Terence Butler 48/53
Ray Chew 47/54
Stanley Ward 44/49
John Taylor 51/56
David Turner 51/56
Richard Hersey 51/58
Don Bewick 51/56
John Partridge 51/58
David Kaye 52/68
Michael Facey 51/57
Michael Brady 51/56
Richard Wilson 51/58
Peter Redman 53/59
John Miles 45/49
Peter Watcham 45/50
Tony Bodley 46/53
Peter Hawkins 46/53
Roy Saunders 43/49
Michael Saunders 46/50
Richard Phillippo 54/62
Michael Weatherley 54/59
Peter Bonner 55/62
Chris Wilkins 57/63
David Sheath 55/62
Michael Mote 55/60
Keith Mullender 56/63
Roger Phillpot 56/63
David Deane 57/62
Ian Meyrick 66/72
Steven Wallace 62/69
Liam Gallagher 74/81
David Gilligan 71/76
Pat Dunphy
Gordon Rose 44/49
David Uncoln 56/63
Chris Woodhams 56/63
Michael J Heath 55/62
Keith Knight 55/63
Tony Taylor 53/61
Michael Hasler 53/59
John Geering 53/60
Tony Moff~t 54/61
Roger Engledow 54/61
Andreas Christou 80/83
Adrian Broadbent 79/82
Timothy Westbrook 62/69
Peter Bothwick 62/69
Philip Geering 61/68
Derek Mitchell 61/68
John Rowlands 61/68
Alan Palmer 61/68
Alun Jeifreys 66/72
Michael Kahn 64/71
Michael Ttofi 73/80
Anthony Eade 73/78
Michael Howell 73/80
Geoff Blackmore 65/72
Bob Fry 65/72
John Lane 73/80
Mark Willison 73/80
Nigel Powell 61/68
Keith Allen 61/68
Robert Hughes 61/68
Richard Slatford 76/83
Nigel Burt 61/68
Tony Mash 61/68
Michael Evans 58/64
Raymond Warren 62/67
Ross Thompson 62/68
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10

OSA CHRISTMAS LUNCH 2015
at STATIONERS HALL
Wednesday 2nd December 2015
As you will know by now, this is not just to remind you of our
Christmas Lunch - but also to request your confirmed booking.
We are pleased to say again this year that we do not have to share
the Hall as we continue to be treated as a separate ‘Company
Event’ in our own right!
You all remember, too, that we now must do the same for
Christmas Lunch as we do for our Annual Dinner – which
means that we need to receive your booking with a cheque.
Bookings WITH CHEQUE must be received by
20th November 2015 at the latest!
No cheque received means no booking has been made - & there
will be no lunch for you.
As usual, there is likely to be a large footballers’ table (that is large
in number, of course, & not referring to their respective sizes
nowadays!) & other tables that each take no more than ten
diners. Please indicate those with whom you would like to sit
with (or those you wish to be away from!) and, whilst no
guarantees can be given, every attempt will be made to
accommodate your wishes.
Once again, we are pleased to continue our arrangement whereby
the price is inclusive of pre-lunch drinks and wines with the
lunch itself. It is our normal practice to start the ball rolling by
around 12.15 p.m. (although some of us do get there well before
that time!) so they can start feeding us at 1:00 p.m.….
Dress code remains of course, Lounge suits or Jacket and trousers
with an Old Boys Tie.
T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
CAROL SERVICE
Confirmation has been received from Fr Bruce Batstone
that ths year`s Carol Service will be on Sunday 6th
December at 4pm at St Mary with St George
Church, Cranley Gardens, Hornsey N10 3AH.
Encoragement to attend...
If you require an acknowledgement of your booking, please
provide your email address – or include a stamped self-addressed
envelope with your booking & cheque.
Please note:
Even if you have already said you are coming, you must still
confirm it by sending a cheque for £48 - payable to The Old
Stationers’ Association.
Please cut-out or photocopy the slip below, enter your details and return with your cheque to:
Mike Pinf ield, 63 Lynton Road, Harrow, Middx. HA2 9NJ
Name: Years at school: to
Contact number:
Address:
Postcode:
Email:
I wish to sit with/near to
and/or
away from

MID SEASON REPORT
The Society numbers some 28 members this year, with a couple
of regular guests. Several of our regular members have ceased
competitive golf this year, including Harold Perry – now
approaching 90 – and Peter Engledow. However, we are pleased
to have welcomed several new Associate Members who have all
the privileges of full members save entry to the Champions
Shield. Further, some new retirees have committed themselves,
including David Hudson, Tony Mash and Ian Meyrick.
Our first event of the year was for the pairs trophy. It was held at
Redbourne Golf Club on a beautiful but windy Spring day in
April. Some eight pairs entered. The winning pair were Tim
Westbrook, our new OSA Secretary, partnering Colin Walker.
Tim was the individual winner with 37 points. The next best
score was carded by Geoff Blackmore, playing off 27, with a score
of 35 points. He even parred the 18th, a monster 600 yard par
five. Perhaps it is time for a further handicap cut! Dave Lincoln
and Tim (again!) won the two nearest the pin holes.
In May we played our now traditional match against Old
Tollingtonians. This was held at Crews Hill Golf Club. The
match had to be hastily re-arranged to avoid clashing with the
OSA lunch on 12th May. In all some 23 players participated.
There were a few hitches in the administration of the day, for
which the club has offered fulsome apologies. These included no
hot water in the showers. It was a fine day and the course was in
excellent condition. The meal post the match was excellent.
However, sadly, we had to relinquish the fine cup. Dedicated to J
E Johnston, an Old Stationer, who had taught at Tollington. In
the five years we have played for this trophy we have only won it
once (2014). Next year!!
On 22nd June we play the first Shield event of 2015 at
Brickenden Grange, which is Roy Saunders’ home course. The
club is buried deep in the Hertfordshire countryside adjacent
(nearly) to the Zoo at Paradise Park – birdies and eagles abound!
T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
Old Stationers' Golf Society
The balance of our programme is as follows:
13th July Essendon GC: match against the Stationers
Company (2nd Shield event)
16/17th Aug Away trip to Thorpness GC
3rd Sept Broke Hill GC (final Shield event)
28th Sept Theydon Bois GC (Guest pairs)
27th Oct Mill green GC (Team event)
Should any non-members be interested in any of the above,
please contact me – contact details at front of magazine.
It looks to be a good venue and at £75 per head for dinner, bed
and breakfast, two rounds of golf, a bargain!
Our last Shield Event is in September at the beautiful Aspley
Guise GC, followed by our team event at Brookmans Park at the
end of October.
Peter Bonner Secretary to OSGS
OSA v the Stationers company
On Monday July 13th the best of the OSA golf society turned
out at Essenden Golf and Country Club for our annual match
against the Stationers Company.
Playing the Old Course we had a few showers to liven things up
but also some reasonable interludes of sunshine when the course
could be appreciated in all its glory.
The greens were receptive and slow but true giving everyone a
chance to score while the rough was severe, punishing any
wayward drives.
The Company had won the trophy for the previous two occasions
so we were all determined to contribute a creditable score for the
team result.
Colin Walker & Tim Westbrook winners of the Pairs competition.
Peter Bonner & Mike Hasler
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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
OSFC 2014/15
End of Season Report
Peter Sandell & Ian Meyrick
Peter Sandell & Tim Westbrook
With this in mind, Peter Bonner shrewdly agreed with their
captain, a “cross-country” scoring formula only counting the top
5 scores from each side.
After a satisfying dinner of fish and chips we eagerly awaited
Peter’s announcement of the scores. Mike Hasler carded 41
points but Ian Meyrick excelled with a stunning 44 point
contribution and this was decisive in giving us a famous victory
over the Company.
President, Peter Sandell presented the prizes and the trophy
which Tim Westbrook received on behalf of the team.
The story of our season can be summed up as "what might have
been". Despite strong performances from the 1st XI and 2nd XI,
both ultimately had to settle for third place finishes in their
respective leagues
The 1st XI, under the leadership of keeper Perry Langley, had an
indifferent start to the season, picking up only 3 points in the
first 6 games, but once a settled team emerged, performances
improved and we then went eleven League games undefeated
(10 wins, 1 draw). However a backlog of 7 games in the last
month of the season proved our undoing and despite being in
with a chance of the runners-up spot right up until the last
Saturday, we fell just short. To compound our frustration in just
missing out on promotion, we actually beat the eventual runnersup
Old Esthameians both home (2-0) and away (6-2)!
Encouragingly the third place finish in the League was our best
performance since dropping down to Senior Division 3 in
2004/05. With a young side, including two teenagers, Sean
Derrick and James Phillips, who both represented the AFA
under 18 Representative side, we hope to have a strong push for
promotion again next season.
The 1s also reached the Quarter Finals of the Middx/Essex AFA
Cup, beating two sides from higher divisions on the way, before
losing to a strong Old Hamptonians side. In the AFA Cup we
lost a tight game 0-2 to eventual runners up Old Meadonians.
The 2nd XI, run by Mickey Byrne/Kyri Apostolou, had an even
more frustrating season, having led Intermediate Division 3 for
much of the campaign, some poor away form meant the Reserves
also ultimately fell just short of promotion losing out on the
runners up spot on the last day of the season to (yet again) Old
Esthameians, and only on goal difference. This was despite
beating OEs away 5-3 and drawing at home 0-0 and completing
the season unbeaten at home. Again, maybe next year!
A young 3rd XI side overseen by "veteran" skipper Mark Tansley,
took a while to settle, but with a string off impressive results
mid-season, promotion suddenly seemed an outside possibility.
However, towards the end of the season we failed to pick up
points in two crucial double-headers against higher placed clubs
which meant we had to settle for a credible mid-table finish in
Junior Division 2.
The 4th XI was captained by
Jamie Luis (mentored by Dave
Gilligan), and were certainly
consistent in their inconsistency,
which resulted in an 8th place
finish in the League. The high
point of the season was reaching
the Old Boys Cup Semi-Final
against Old Parks, which
despite leading 4-1 at one stage
was disappointingly eventually
lost on penalties, another what
might have been!
The 5th XI, captained yet again
by stalwarts Nick Plinston/
Russell Toone also had an
Have you got your copy?
inconsistent season finishing
13

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
7th in the League, but with the usual committed group of players
showing no less enthusiasm that those in higher XIs
The finale of the season was the Annual Awards Dinner in early
May at The Southgate Masonic Club (organised for the
umpteenth year with his usual efficiency by Jim Mulley) and
attended by many present and past players. The following Player
of the Year Awards were handed out (see over):
1st XI: Sean Derrick, Ben Jackson, James Keenan ( Joint)
2nd XI: Lenos Apostolou
3rd XI: Reece Evans
4th XI: Harry Houldsworth (yes, son of Ray)
5th XI: Jay Gladdy
Young Player of Year: James Phillips
Club Service Award: John Jackson
A note for your diary. The next Annual Re-Union of Ex-OSFC
Players will be on Saturday 10th October 2015 at the club,
further details will appear on our website www.oldstationersfc.
co.uk nearer the time. Over the past few years this popular event
has been supported by many ex-players, so if you played for the
club at any stage over the past 109 years and have not visited us
for a while, then this coming October is your chance.
Information about the Re-Union and all club matters will appear
on, our now regularly updated, website, please take a look.
Finally, congratulations to former OSFC player Grant Mathias
(right), who was appointed to referee this season's AFA Senior
Cup Final at Bank of England's ground in which Old Wilsonians
defeated Old Meadonians 3-2. Grant now joins a select band
who have refereed and played in an AFA Senior Final (having
been a member of our victorious 1988/89 side). At least one Old
Stationer appeared in an AFA Final this season!!
The club is still alive and kicking, here's looking forward to a
successful 2015/16 season.
Ian Meyrick
OSFC Chairman
OSFC 1stXI 2014/15
Back row L-R Ben Jackson, Marcus Archer, Tom Jackson, Perry Langley, Matt Taylor, Steve Watts, James Keenan
Front Row L-R Perry Christian, Josh Toumany, James Phillips, Sean Derrick, Marc Smith, Billy Phillips, Tom Gullon
14

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
WAR MEMORIAL WINDOW ORIGINALLY IN THE SCHOOL HALL,
MAYFIELD ROAD - DESIGNED BY ALFRED WILKINSON, A FORMER PUPIL
Correspondence from Mark Wilkinson, Andreas Christou and the
Editor
Dear Mark Wilkinson
As Andreas has written to you on the 3rd October 2014, I am
aware of his response and of the Order of Service for the War
Memorial Window dedicated on the 19th February, 1950. This
WINDOW, as Andreas mentioned, was located in the Parish
Church of Hornsey at the bottom of Cranley Gardens, in Park
Road around 1983. If my memory serves me well, I went to the
Parish Church before the closure of the Stationers' Company's
School with the Headmaster, Stan Read at that time to see the
Window positioned in the Parish Church.
Susequently, the Annual Carol Service that the Stationers'
Company's School held annually, was revived by the Old
Stationers' Association (OSA) a few years after closure to
coincide with a Dedication of the Memorial Window in the
Parish Church. This Service of Dedication was the impetus for
an OSA Carol Service which has taken place ever since for at
least ten years.
At the Dedication of the Window in the Parish Church, the
then former Headmaster, Robert Baynes wrote introductory
noters for the Booklet that was prepared for the occasion. The
cover of this booklet had a photograph of the Memorial Window,
copied from an original produced as a sheet with explanation of
the Window before the Memorial service that took place in the
School Hall on the 19th February 1950. The actual Magazine of
the Old Stationers' Association, 'The Old Stationer' also carried
this photogaph on the cover of the edition of the Magazine of
the time.
The Carol Service in the Parish Church of Hornsey this year is
particularly poignant as you will know, commemorates those Old
Stationers who died in the First World War, started 100 Years
ago and those Old Stationers who died in the Second World
War, 1944, that ended 70 Years ago.
We would welcome and members of the family to the Carol
Service on Sunday the 7th December at 4.00pm in Hornsey
Parish Church – St.Mary cum St.George's in Park Road at the
bottom of Muswell Hill, London N.10.
As for your Uncle, ALFRED LASHBROOK WILKINSON,
born 14th October, 1899, perhaps you could let me know when
he died. Could you please let me know some details of
S.E.GORSKI? However, I met ALFRED WILKINSON, when
Alfred visited Stationers' Company's School, many years ago.
You may have some information when Alfred attended
Stationers'.
Yours sincerely
Geraint Pritchard
Hello Geraint
mark wilkinson (markwilkinson86@gmail.com)
28th November 2014
Thanks for writing. Thank you for the invite to the Carol Service
at Hornsey Parish Church on 7th December, but I won't be able
to visit at this time'
You asked about Alfred Wilkinson's date of death. That was the
25th March 1994 at Dovercourt, Harwich. He had lived there
since the 1960s. You also asked about S.E.Gorski. All I do know
is that on a wall of Alfred's house, prior to it being cleared and
sold, were two oil paintings of trees with S.E.Gorski's signature
in deep red paint. They had been hanging in the same place
since at least 1970.
You mention Muswell Hill which made me check on Alfred's
works in that area. He has windows in St. Michael's Muswell
Hill (1940) and the great East Window of St. James (1952).
Another couple of snippets of information about Alfred.He was
born in Germany. He was at Stationers' from 1911-1916. He
came first in a Senior Handicap Race (over 14s). When he left
school aged 17 he was a Lance Corporal in the School Cadet
Force and a member of the signalling station.
Later he studied at St. Martin's School of Art and worked with
his father, Horace, as a stained glass artist at their studio at 101
Gower Street. He became a Fellow of the Society of Master
Glass-Painters in 1935. In 1965 he was secretary of that Society.
I live at Autumn Lodge, Moulton Lane, Boughton,
Northampton, NN2 8RF.
I would be pleased to have a copy of the documents you
mention for our family archive.
Sincerely
Mark
15

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
Our New Master
After the ceremonials last night, 7 July, the celebrations
took their usual joyous turn (drinks in the garden) as Helen
Esmonde was installed as Master although there was an
extra frisson of excitement, obviously, as Helen is the first
woman to be Master of the Company after a line of 612
men. We wish her well for her year as Master and commit
to supporting her endeavours. It is going to be a year
focused on education as that is the Master's especial
interest but, as with every year, there will be all sorts of
causes to which members can contribute their energy and
from what Prof Tim Connell, Chairman of the Livery
Committee, said at Common Hall, all sorts of Livery
Committee events to enjoy - something for everyone was
the mantra!
CLASS OF ’53 REUNION
Notice of a Second reunion of the class of ’53 has been
arranged for Wednesday 21st October 2015 at The
Cheshire Cheese, Little Essex Street, Temple, London,
WC2R 3LD. The time 12.00 with lunch being served at
around 13.00. Lunch will consist of 2 courses with a
choice from the pub menu.
Please let Peter Redman know your availability asap by
e-mail: pete.redman@pgra.co.uk or telephone:
01707654821.
Alternatively, Mike Hasler via email: mikehasler.
oldstationers@gmail.com or telephone: 01296614352 or
Alan Green via email: alan.green61@btinternet.com.
The missing names in the last magazine (Issue No.80, page
14) were middle row, Chris Seabrook and either Keith
Fielder or Peter Finch in the back row. Can anyone help as
I seem to have mislaid my list of attendees?
Mike Hasler
The Royal Maundy
Thursday 2nd April
by Rev. Brian Cranwell
To say I was surprised to receive an envelope in February
postmarked E:R Buckingham Pallace, must be the understatement
of a lifetime. Even greater was the surprise to find an invitation
to be a recipient of Maundy Money from HM the Queen at
Sheffield Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, April 2nd .
I telephoned one of the enquiry numbers given in the letter, and
told the clergyman on the other end that I had always assumed
that these gifts were a token payment to the poor and destitute.
He replied that they were in the days of King John but are now
given for services to the church and the community. He could
not tell me who had nominated me for this honour; the Dean of
Sheffield had sent the list to the Palace but had merelv collated
the nominations.
The envelope included a stamped reply envelope addressed to
the Royal Almoner at the Palace. This merely had a second class
stamp. So concerned was I that it might go astray that I sent it
recorded delivery (accepting the invitation naturally)!
I had seen in our local papers that the Maundy service was to be
held in our Cathedral, the first time a monarch had ever done
this in South Yorkshire. It marks the fact that the Diocese had
just completed its 100·h anniversary since being separated from
York Diocese in 1914 and the completion of a massive reordering
and restoration of the cathedral. Originally this was Sheffield
Parish Church, the site of which goes back to the Saxon era with
parts of the present building dating back to the Normans
On Saturday March 14'" recipients and their escorts were invited
to attend a briefing by the lord High Almoner, by tradition the
Bishop of Worcester, at the cathedral. The Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr
John Inge gave us an interesting history of the Maundy ceremony
which was at one time much more involved. Recipients used to
receive clothing and a platter on which was bread, salmon and
herrings in addition to the money. Now there is a purse of money
in place of the food, plus another purse containing the specially
minted Maundy coins of 89 pence representing the age of the
sovereign. These are given to 89 men, and 89 women.
It was interesting to hear the lord High Almoner explain that the
Queen has always insisted that the sense of an act of humility
(the essence of the origins of the ceremony from Christ's last
supper with his disciples) should be retained, by her coming to
the recipients rather than recipients going to her in london as we
would for a medal or other award. The first Elizabeth included
washing the feet of the recipients though it seems that three
wandsmen twice washed their feet before the queen did it and
the sovereign also received a nosegay to counter any unsavoury
smells that might arise! Such nosegays are still prepared by
Purveyors of Nosegays by Royal Warrant, and carried by the
Queen and others.
The first record of a sovereign carrying out this ceremony was by
King John at Knaresborough in 1210, but later research found
mention of it in the days of Augustine, the first Archbishop of
Canterbury. The ceremony used to be carried out at whichever
city the sovereign was Visiting on the day. We were also advised
that the Queen would personally hand the purses to each
recipient, walking round to our seats, quite a task for a lady of 89.
16

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
Further information from the Sheffield Master Cutler advised
that a) all recipients and their escorts were invited to a lunch in
Cutler's Hall after the service and b) the Cutler's Company was
having two special chairs made for the service, for the Queen and
the Duke of Edinburgh by a Company member, using Sheffield
stainless steel. These would remain in the cathedral. The Cutler's
Hall, which is directly opposite the cathedral, was to be used for
the recipients to be received and duly identified before being
taken across to their seats.
The Almoner pointed out that we were not expected to give the
Queen anything in return. Apparently on one occasion an elderly
lady presented her with a jar of homemade marmalade after
receiving the purses!
And so to the great day. Needless to say, my wife Hazel had a
new outfit, and as the street was closed to traffic, we could not
take cars UP to the doors of the Cutler's Hall and had to walk
the final 200 yards. We hoped that the weather would be kind to
her outfit and my suit, and this proved to be the case as although
cold it was dry and sunny. We were taken across to the Cathedral
watched by the crowds gathered The Queen arrived spot on 11.0
am, with an escort of Yeomen of the Guard. There were four
processions, the Cathedral's, the Ecumenical, The Queen's and
The Royal Almonry. The Choirs of the Chapel Royal and
Cathedral were magnificent, and the music (I gather chosen by
the Queen) included Handel's stirring "Zadoc the Priest" which
is sung at coronations. During the service the Queen went twice
round the cathedral handing the Maundy money to each of us
personally. like many others I was surprised at how petite she
seemed. Amazingly, despite all that had to be achieved the
processions out were right on 12 noon (perhaps because there
was no sermon i), with the Queen signing the Visitor's Book at
the Cathedral door, following which she was greeted by a crowd
estimated at 10,000, and went across to a Civic lunch at the
nearby Town Hall.
The irony for me was that the cost of my wife's new outfit for the
event would have qualified me for assistance under the heading
of destitute! But regardless, the occasion was a memory of a
lifetime.
Rev Brian Cranwell after receiving Maundy Money from the Queen in
Sheffield Cathedral, with his wife Hazel.
Music at Stationers'
Your article about Dr David Clover, Director of Music at
Stationers’ reminded me of a coincidence that happened
only 3-4 years ago in Sheffield.
I was talking to another retired clergyman named John
Collie, and in the course of the conversation he mentioned
he had been at Highgate School. When I told him I had
been at Stationers’ he said “Oh, my father taught music at
Stationers’ for some years”. I realised that his father was
Norman Collie who ran the choir of which I was a member
at Stationers’. He had the nickname of ‘Hamilton’ though I
have no idea why.
This choir was invited to sing at St Paul’s Cathedral at the
first post war Stationers’ Hall crypt service on Ash
Wednesday in 1946. I still remember the first two lines of
the anthem we sang with its tune but have no remembrance
of the composer.
When John died a memorial service was held for him in
the church where he had been vicar for many years. During
the service two of John’s grandchildren played an
instrumental piece “Romance” written by Norman Collie
for his daughter’s 21st birthday.. Later, at the bun fight
following I told the grandchildren I remembered their
great grandfather. They must have thought I was as old as
Methuselah!
I remember mention of Clover in the Sheffield press when
he ran the youth choir. I wish I had known his connection
with Stationers. The musical side of life only consisted of
the choral practice one hour a week at Stationers in my day.
Rev. Brian Cranwell
Promotional programme to
encourage membership of the
Stationers’ Company
Our President was recently a guest at a Master and Wardens’
Luncheon at the Stationers’ Hall. When invited to speak, he
recalled his first visit to the Hall in 1966 as a member of the
school choir after singing the Ash Wednesday service in the
crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral in the memory of John Norton who
died in 1612.
His comments reminded me that our relationship with the
Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers not
only takes us back to the days of our teens and the opening of our
school in 1861, but it also links us to the beginnings of the
printing industry in 1403.
There are 110 Livery Companies in the City of London, all
playing a part in maintaining the traditions of each guild and
industry from which they were created. Today, not only do these
companies provide a wide variety of social gatherings and a
network of business contacts, but there is also a strong ethic of
support for both charities and educational establishments.
Collectively, the Livery Companies of London donate over £50
million per year which is exemplified by the current investment
by the Stationers’ Company in the Stationers Crown Woods
Academy.
17

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
Anyone who studied economics under Joe Symons and his
predecessors will recognise the role our school played in training
and supplying bright chaps to work in the worlds of banking and
finance in the City of London and beyond. While, the majority
of us are now retired, one can continue to enjoy the linkages with
both history and the City by applying to join the Stationers’
Company as a Freeman.
Currently, there are 37 Freeman and 17 Liverymen who are old
boys of the school. Many of them joined the Company in 2006
as Freemen when a special discount scheme was offered to
members of the OSA. Recognising that a new generation of
members has joined the OSA since that time, the Stationers’
Company is pleased to offer a new programme to encourage a
new wave of applications.
The current fee to join the Company is £381 as a Freeman and
the annual membership fee is £88. The joining fee has been
reduced temporarily to £281 for all members of the Old
Stationers’ Association. To take advantage of this offer, you
should first approach Hon.Secretary Tim Westbrook who will
confirm your OSA membership and arrange for the application
forms to be sent to you. This offer will close at the end of this
year.
Freemen can attend the many social functions organised by the
Company Livery Committee, the Annual Lecture, archive
evenings, industry seminars, concerts in the Hall, the Ash
Wednesday service in St. Pauls and the twice yearly golf events.
It is often said that people get out of membership as much as
they put in. This discount scheme is designed to encourage many
more OSA members to join the Company and take an active
part in its programme of events.
Tony Mash
OSA welcomes our new
Honorary Secretary
We congratulate Tim Westbrook on his recent election to
Honorary Secretary following on from his service as Committee
member since 2003; supervision of the two year project for
digitising the entire archive of Stationer’s School Magazines and
The Old Stationer magazines going back to 1884; as well as
publishing adviser initiating the move to all colour printing for
the OSA Magazine and currently overseeing the set up of direct
distribution from the printer to our world-wide membership.
Plus unofficial photographer for OSA events.
OUR OLDEST STATIONER?
Harold Perry celebrating his 90th birthday this week.
18

Hi Geraint
perring32@btinternet.com
3rd January 2015
Happy New Year to you and I hope your
weather today is better than ours. Its dull
with constant drizzle and the hill above us
is shrouded in mist. Soon it will soon be
spring again.
A couple of years ago you published a
letter from me in which I gave a brief
outline, as far as I knew, of the careers of
the six Stationers, including self, who
joined the PLA (Port of London
Authority) in September 1954. One of
these was BRUCE HOLLOWAY whom
I last heard of some twenty five years ago
when he was working for an estate agency
in the Southend area. However, this
Christmas I had a card from EDDIE
DENNISON who had run across Bruce
some time last year.
Have copied Eddie's card to you and no
doubt you can use it in some form in the
next mag. unless Eddie has already told
you the same.
Regards
Lucien
7th January 2015
Further to my recent e-mail concerning
Bruce Holloway, I have now received an
e-mail from Eddie with a little more
detail. The picture he refers to I found on
the internet, and is of Bruce being
presented with the Seniors Trophy at
Boyce Hill Golf Club which is at Benfleet,
Essex, picture attached, date not known.
Regards
Lucien Perring 1949-1954
Lucien
7th January 2015
eddie.dennison@btinternet.com
Thanks for the picture. It certainly is our
Bruce and I have no idea why I did not
recognise him because upon reflection he
has hardly changed and of course I have no
objection to you informing OS of his
existence or our meeting. I always knew of
his interest in jazz because when we were
at school I remember he bought a trumpet
and had professional lessons from a jazz
tutor. If I see him again, which I hope that
I do, I will tell him of your interest and get
his address for you. I will keep you updated.
Best wishes
Eddie
Edward Dennison 1949-1954
T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
(Another talented musician in the OS, in this
case a jazz player. How many jazz players do
we have? Ed.)
Hi
CORRESPONDENCE
18th January 2015
perring32@btinternet.com
Further to my earlier info re. Bruce
Holloway, looking at the Boyce Hill Golf
Club site it would seem that Bruce is a
keen golfer as since 2005 (the earliest
results they have on line) his name has
appeared in the results of their Senior
competitions on a number of occasions,
has won one competition and figured in
several others.
Lucien
Bruce Holloway being presented with the Seniors
Trophy at Boyce Hill Golf Club in Benfleet, Essex.
Members of the OSA who are contemporaries
of those mentioned above: Peter Clydesdale
1949-1954; Peter Engledow 1949-1954;
Peter Evans 1949-1954; David Hill 1949--
1954; Kenneth Hills 1949-1956; Brian
Humphreys 1949-1956; Brian Moir 1949-
1954; George Sprosson 1949-1954; John
Wheeler 1949-1953.
Hi Gordon
566, Wolf Grove Road
ALMONTE
Ontario K0A 1A0
February 18th 2015
Just back from our local OS luncheon
featuring ART MOREWOOD and
JOHN BATHURST. Some talk of the
Academy project and more talk of John's
Prince Shoal Lighthouse made for a very
entertaining afternoon at the Whispers
Pub.
I was back in Britain last year for the
Yorkshire stages of the TdF (Tour de
France) and did a circle tour on the bike
which included a couple of days on the
IoM (Isle of Man), finishing up in
Worthing to join brother Ray, RAY
HUMPHREYS 1954-1960 and
RUSSELL PLUMLEY 1956-1964, for a
couple of days by the sea. Before returning
home I attended a reunion of the class of
'52 in London.
Please find my subscription enclosed, best
regards,
LesHumphreys 1952-1959
Prince Shoal Lighthouse.
Les Humphries on the Isle of Man
26th February 2015
roy.turner@telkomsa.net
Greetings Geraint
I trust you arrived safely back home after
your SA (South Africa) sojourn. We
appreciated and enjoyed your visit and it
was good to spend some time together and
hear some OS news.
I trust that the rest of the trip enabled you
to relax after the beach walks and swims
on the KwaZulu Natal shore of the Indian
Ocean.
19

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
I have caught a little more OS News after
receipt last week of the two copies of the
magazine you sent me – many thanks
indeed. We are away from home for a
couple of days but I have completed the
application form and shall scan and send it
when back home and on line.
Regards
Roy Turner 1953-1958
Hi Geraint
4th March 2015
peter.sandell@hotmail.co.uk
Having just read some of the magazine
and the letter 'from your ecclesiatical
correspondent in the North', I remembered
that I came across another Old Boy, C of
E priest: MARTIN JOHN HARRIS,
1966-1973, whom I'm sure you will recall
and no doubt you taught.
He is 'Team Rector' at St. Paul's Harlow
and is also Area Dean for the Harlow
Deanery. I play the organ at St. Peters
Roydon which comes under the Harlow
Deanery, so heard his name and found him
on facebook a couple of years ago, but met
him at a dinner 16 months ago in Harlow
and was sitting on his table, so we had a
chat.
After university he practised as a solicitor
for a number of years but changed direction
to become a priest.
Regards
Peter Sandell 1965-1972
PS. Have a look at Facebook. There's two
sites in particular: Residents of Hornsey
and Residents of Muswell Hill which
often have postings from Old Boys of all
ages. The OSA doesn't have a facebook
site and I think in order to tap into the
'younger' market, maybe we should.
From my ecclisiastical correspondent in the
North – PETER MILLS former pupil at
Reading School.
A copy of a letter that Peter Mills received
from ALAN CLEPS regarding DAVID
OWERS.
Please see Magazine Number 80 page 24,
where Peter Mills meets DAVID OWERS
and his wife EILEEN at Haxey Church and
Peter discovers that David Owers is a former
pupil at Stationers' Company's School.!
Hello Peter,
alancleps@yahoo.co.uk
4th March 2015
My name is Alan Cleps and I was a pupil
at Stationers' from 1946-1951. I remember
DAVID OWERS well. He was a fine
footballer and played for the School
alongside ALAN 'Shorty' JOHNSTONE
1946-1950 with whom I am still in regular
contact. Alan and his wife Rosemary have
lived in Canada for many years and
currently reside in Toronto. I left Stationers'
in July 1951 to take up an apprenticeship
in the printing industry. I remained a
printer all my working life as did 'Shorty'
Johnstone. Alan is also a member of the
OSA. Like yourself my wife and I are very
much involved at our church, St. Faith's
Gaywood, King's Lynn, Norfolk, where I
was churchwarden for ten years. My wife is
currently a Server, Acolyte and Chorister.
She also takes Communion to the local
housebound and runs a drop in centre on a
Thursday morning. I left London 35 years
ago for Norfolk. I turned 80 in August
2014. I have remained active in my
retirement and currently create and print
our church magazine. I also print two
other Parish magazines along with creating
and printing several other publications.
We are fortunate in that our church has a
complete printing set up which enables us
to do the work for outside organisations, so
bringing in much needed funds. I was in
Hodgson House. Please remember me to
Dave when you see him.
Regards
Alan Cleps 1946-1951
Dear Geraint
56 years on!
ATC CAMP 1959
brijwilk@yahoo.co.uk
12th March 2015
In issue number 79, you kindly published
my request for a copy of the photo of the
1959 ATC Camp at RAF Leeming (which
I now live near). GRAHAM ARNOLD
1953-1960 responded as he had a copy of
the said photo. He also reminded me that
we were in the Potters Bar Boys' Brigade
and the church youth club together!
I had been in touch with RAF Leeming to
see if they had a copy of the photograph in
their records but they could not oblige.
However, the Station Warrant Officer got
in touch with me recently to say that if I
would like to have my photograph taken in
front of the Gloster Javelin gate-guard, I
had better visit the station in the near
future as it was about to be dismantled.
Apparently, the MoD will only maintain
such planes as are visible to the general
public whereas the Leeming gate guard is
now a long way from the original gate as
the station has expanded over the years.
The RAF have sold the Javelin to an air
museum.
So I visited the station and the Station
Warrant Officer showed me around the
station including their museum, which
brought back memories of 1959, and I was
able to present them with a copy of the
2049 squadron 1959 photo which is now
in a prominent position in the museum.
One amusing incident was when I was
having my pass issued in the Guardhouse,
the aircraftman on the desk asked if I had
been to RAF Leeming before, so I said
“Yes, 56 years ago!” at which the SWO said
“You won't find him on the computer
system!”
At the end of our tour, we took some
photos of the Javelin including one of me
in front of the plane where I was standing
56 years ago! The eagle-eyed among the
magazine readers will spot that it is not the
same plane as we lined up in front of in
1959 but it is still a Gloster Javelin. The
SWO, who had only recently been
appointed, was obviously immensely proud
of RAF Leeming and when I thanked him
by e-mail, he responded, “You are more
than welcome, it was lovely to talk to you.”
My abiding memoryof that camp was the
bone-shaking journey up the Great North
Road in the back of a lorry (no Health and
Safety in those days!) and the next day we
flew down to Hendon in a transport plane.
We all wondered why we couldn't have
waited a day and travelled up in style. I also
remember long chats with one of the
officers about the possibility of taking up a
short-term commission when I was called
up for National Service. However,the last
quarter of 1940 was the first quarter not to
be called up so it didn't arise and I went
to Exeter to read Law instead. It would be
interesting to hear others memories of that
camp.
Yours nostalgically
Brian Wilkinson 1952-1959
alex.flemming@websmartware.com
7th April 2015
Hi Geraint
The extensive piece in the last issue of The
Old Stationer by Roger Engledow
attracted my attention. The various
scenarios facing the OSA regarding the
future, especially since the inception of
Stationers Crown Woods Academy,
deserve much credit for their wide-ranging
nature. Indeed I can only think that this all
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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
boils down to the following points:-
1. Are the members of the OSA (however
this 'vote' may be achieved) interested in a
future for their past?
2. If the vote is no, then all the other
scenarios are pointless. If yes, then a hand
needs to be extended to the future
graduates of SCWA whether by means of
sports societies or whatever. (For those of a
more sporting bias, it would be great to see
actual Old Stationers playing in the teams
of that name, would it not?)
3. Finally, in my last message, 'Exit the
Royal Blue' the deliberate mistake in the
spelling of Harringay West Station (I
could see the place from my room at
home) was only mentioned to me in an
e-mail by my pal MIKE KAHN. Does
this mean that people do not read these
messages or simply there is no feedback at
all or what?
Incidentally, my friendship with Mike
Kahn goes back to 1957 when we started
school together as bewildered little boys.
Considering that he has been a
'professional' Tottenham supporter all this
time, still going regularly to games around
England and Europe and I have been an
Arsenal supporter for as long as I can
remember, these partisan differenceshave
never upset our relationship. Stationers'
Company's School was not on the the 653
(then 253) bus route connecting the two
grounds but it could boast a bus connection
by means of the 233 (W4) route. So I
wonder how many Old Stationers also
enjoy a good friendship despite these
soccer variations?
Kind regards
Alex Flemming 1964-1971
Dear Geraint
peter@chantrell.plus.com
17th April 2015
I have recently received the February copy
of The Old Stationer and was much
surprised to see my picture at the tender
age of 11 on the front cover. Fame at last I
thought, but shortlived. I was sorry to find
myself as one of the four pictures assembled
as part of the obituary to Peter Bullen. We
were friends and sat next to each other for
some time and shared detentions when he
was keen to look out of the window at the
back of the class to watch a dog-fight in
the air pretty close by. Two or three years
back, Peter phoned to ask how things were
with us. This was out of the blue since we
had no contact for the past 60 years. It was
pleasant to chat. So, I was sorry to learn
he had died last year.
The article by JOHN BATHURST
brought back many memories and names
long ago lost in the depths somewhere. It
is a pretty good photograph too. Thank
you for printing it.
Kind Regards
Peter Chantrell 1938-1943
Peter lives in Widemouth Bay near Bude in
Cornwall. Not very many Old Stationers
in these parts!
Contemporaries of Peter that are members
are, KEITH HEWETT 1938-1943, IAN
JONES, 1938-1945and DENIS LOFTS
1938-1943.
Stationers' 1stXI,1959 - Can anyone identify faces? (Photo courtesy of Mike Weatherley)
21

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
OLD STATIONER MEETS PRESIDENT OBAMA
Dear Geraint
14th May 2015
davidsheath@hotmail.co.uk
In June last year I travelled to Normandy
to take part in the D Day Celebrations.
My father, Robert, was a paratrooper in the
US Airborne Division (The Screaming
Eagles 101st) and had been killed on
D-Day in 1944 in the first wave of the
invasion. His plane had crashed at a small
village called Magneville, south of
Cherbourg. All 18 paratroopers and 4 crew
had perished. There is a fitting memorial
just outside the village (see picture) to
commemorate the event. Every year in
June the Mayor and Villagers perform a
small ceremony around the Memorial and
I was invited to attend. It was a very
emotional moment, especially when I met
one of the villagers, Alfred (picture
enclosed), who was 17 at the time of the
crash, and had rushed to the scene and
removed all the bodies (badly burned),
covering them with their parachutes before
taking them by trailer to the local
churchyard for burial. My father was
reburied after the War at the American
War Cemetery (Colleville-sur-Mer)
overlooking Omaha Beach. I was privileged
to be invited, as next of kin, to the June 6th
event at the American War Cemetery
which was hosted by Presidents Hollande
and Obama. It was indeed a great honour
on the occasion for me to meet and shake
hands with the American President. Sadly
I have no 'selfie' of the moment!
I had made the same trip to my father's
grave in 2013 when I was accompanied by
former classmates and good friends
PETER BONNER and MARTIN
BURR and their wives. It was then that
we discovered the crash site at Magneville
and met the Mayor whose grandparents
too had been present on that fateful
morning, He, very kindly presented me
with a small book that had been written
(in French) about the crash on June 6th
and the events preceding it (picture
enclosed). Thanks to 'Beaky' Davis, I was
able to read most of it!
Yours sincerely
David Sheath 1953-1960
OLD STATIONER
UNVEILS NEW SPORTS
HALL
Dear Geraint
davidsheath@hotmail.co.uk
14th May 2015
I was wondering if any Old Stationer has
had a building named after him? Last
December I was honoured to be asked
back to the School, St. Marks Catholic
School, Hounslow, where I had been
Headteacher for 15 years, to open the new
£2 million Sports Hall that had been built
at the rear of the School, on the old school
'MAGNEVILLE Ce Jour La...' 6 Juin 1944
Philippe R. NEKRASSOFF Eric BRISSARD]
(bottom left) DAVID SHEATH and the MAYOR
(below right) David Sheath in France
22

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
field. To my utter astonishment, when I
pulled back the curtain over the brass
plaque in front of the Sports Hall Entrance,
I found that the Sports Hall (picture
enclosed) had been named after me . To
say I was chuffed would be the
understatement. I had no idea as it had
been kept a complete secret from me.
Yours sincerely
David Sheath
The David Sheath Sports Hall
Officially Opens
The Sports Hall was officially opened on
the 10th December at 9.30am. The school
was fortunate to welcome back former
Headteacher, David Sheath as guest of
honour. Mr Sheath was Head of the
school from 1986-2001, and in recognition
of the great contribution he made to the
school the new Sports Hall was named
after him.
David Sheath unveiling the plaque.
The David Sheath
Sports Hall
23

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
far as you roam
GO WEST (OLD MAN!)
In 2012 I discovered that my old friend and Old Stationer,
Martin Burr, and his wife Beverley, had not visited the
American West. I and my wife, Diana, have been fortunate
enough to have made several trips to the Northern and
Southern Rockies, often driving a camper (aka an RV) and
have visited numerous of the spectacular National Parks in the
region. We thus decided to organise a trip in the late spring to
the amazing region of southern Utah & northern Arizona.
We spent many hours discussing, agreeing and booking a
roughly circular tour, starting and finishing in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas
We flew with Virgin to Las Vegas, booking premium
economy, mainly for better seats and to avoid noisy infants,
which can be a pain on long haul flights. The flight was
excellent. We had booked a hotel in Las Vegas — Trump
Tower. It is a 5 star hotel with, thankfully, no casino — the
main hotels on the ‘strip’ have literally acres of slot machines,
crap tables etc. on the ground floor and gaggles of rinsed
haired widows spending their ex husbands’ life insurance
money on the slot machines. The hotel rooms were exceptional,
even having an LCD TV inset into the mirror in the
voluminous bathroom! All this (no breakfast) for £62 per
room, per night!
We spent a day and a half cruising the strip. If you have ever
been to Las Vegas you will appreciate that the place is so over
the top as to be a complete hoot. There are replicas of the
Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids, Venice (St. Marks Square) and
virtually all the wonders of the world.
We lost our obligatory $50 on the slots and blackjack tables,
but none of us were real gamblers, so watching the antics on
the crap tables was pretty amusing. By the way do any
Europeans understand this uniquely American game? We
took in a show in the evening and watched the wonderful
fountains set to operatic music at Belagios before collapsing
into exhausted jet lag sleep.
Zion National Park
After 36 hours in Las Vegas we left. Having picked up a huge
Ford Expedition, a 4x4, we travelled to St. George in Utah
where we stayed overnight. St. George is close to the western
gateway to Zion National Park, our first objective. We drove
from St. George to Zion the next morning and parked our
‘truck’ and took the courtesy coach tour. Zion apparently is a
Hebrew name for Jerusalem and the park is mainly based in a
valley, perhaps a quarter of a mile wide and five miles long
with towering mountains reaching five thousand feet above
the Virgin River on either side. There are rivers, waterfalls,
‘weeping’ rocks and nature trails in the park. It is a scenically
splendid valley. On leaving the coach we picked up our ‘truck’
and travelled east through a mile long tunnel dug during the
Great Depression by ‘unemployed’ labour. On exiting the
tunnel, still within the park, we were confronted by mile after
mile of the most extraordinary rock formations — the like of
which I doubt exists anywhere else in the world. One of the
strangest of these is called ‘Checkerboard Mesa’ (see photo).
Here the rock strata are parallel (surprisingly rare) and are
intersected by rivulets that run perpendicularly down the
mountain. This creates thousands of squares — hence the
name.
Bryce Canyon
On leaving Zion we headed for Bryce Canyon — my wife’s
favourite place on earth! —and stayed in the small town of
Tropic, just outside the park. Tropic is a half-horse town and
Bryce Canyon
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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
one of the (few) locals confided in us that for groceries she
had to travel to Cedar City — a journey of over two hours,
whilst if she wanted a selection of clothes she travelled to Salt
Lake City — over four hours away.
The next day we visited Bryce Canyon — for my wife and I
- the third visit — and again marvelled at the quite astonishing
rock formations. Here the soft red sandstone has been worn
away into thousands of stacks, called Hoodoos, each one
surmounted by a small cap of harder rock. The Canyon covers
several square miles and can be viewed from the canyon rim
in a number of places. For those with poor hearts be advised
that the rim reaches 9000 feet above sea level. Detailed below
are some of the more fascinating views.
Hell’s Backbone and the Burr Trail
We left Tropic and finally drove a road that I had always
wanted to travel — Hell’s Backbone — but one needs a four
wheel drive and it is impossible in snow. However, were
driving the granddaddy of 4x4s and it was May! The road is a
dirt one, carved out of the mountains in the 1930s by
unemployed labour (the Federal Civilian Conservation
Corps). It is some 40 miles long between Escalante and
Boulder (Utah) and rises 9000 ft to the Aquarius Plateau,
passing such interesting places as Death’s Hollow and
climaxing at Hell’s Backbone Bridge, which spans a deep
gorge between two mountains massifs.
In the event the drive was uneventful, except for the odd large
boulder in the road. The view from the bridge was pretty
spectacular however. On completing this drive we arrived at
Boulder and stopped for lunch at Burrs Trail Diner at the
junction of Burrs Trail and Highway 12. Martin, who of
course is a Burr, was intrigued by the trail, which bears his
name. It wanders for fifty or so miles east, being mostly a dirt
road towards a high plateau in the general direction of Capitol
Reef National park. In the diner, having lunched and bought
the inevitable baseball cap (Burrs Trail) for Martin, we were
told that some eleven miles down the trail there was an
impressive canyon called Long Canyon some seven miles
long. We promptly decided to make a detour and visit this. We
passed such evocative places as Deer Creek Gulch and arrived
at Long Canyon. It turned out to be spectacular. Try to
imagine a dirt track winding along the canyon floor, which is
about 60 yards wide. On either side are sheer cliffs of dazzling
red rock over 200 feet high. You might also image the Indians
on top of the cliffs waiting for the cowboys below!
Capitol Reef, Arches National Monument
and Monument Valley
Leaving Burrs Trail we rejoined Highway 12, heading north
to Torrey, another half¬horse town, still in Utah, where we
overnighted. That evening we found a gourmet restaurant
virtually in the middle of nowhere. Apparently people travel
for scores of miles to eat there.
The next day was to be our most interesting, although in
unexpected ways. We visited Capitol Reef National Park, so
named as one of the mountains was said to look like the
Capitol building in Washington. None of us thought so,
however, and the park was a disappointment, except for two
adjacent mountains (see photograph) — remind you of
anything?
Capitol Reef
We left the park early and headed east for Hanksville, which
is the furthest north we were to travel, and is at the northern
end of highway 95, the route to Natural Bridges National
Monument and thence Mexican Hat and Monument Valley.
On route to Hanksville we passed through an area of ‘bad
lands’ i.e. no trees or vegetation and sombre black mountains
on either side of the road — quite depressing. It turned out to
be a rough drive as we ran into the mother of all hail storms
with heavy black skies. The hail buffeted the 4x4 for nearly an
hour, creating a din that made it difficult to speak let alone
drive. We fully expected to see dents on the bonnet and roof
when we stopped — but surprisingly our truck was
undamaged..
I turned the wheel over to Martin when we stopped for lunch
at Hanksville. The hail, of course, had stopped by then, leaving
a coating of ice on the windscreen (aka windshield). The two
hour drive from Hanksville south to Natural Bridges National
Monument was uneventful, albeit along a high plateau, about
7,000 feet above sea level. The Natural Bridges National
Monument was a bit of a disappointment. Although there are
three natural rock bridges to be seen they are not as impressive
as those in Arches National park, some 150 miles to the north
east.
On leaving NBNM it was my turn to drive again and we
headed for Mexican Hat. Shortly we came to the junction of
the 95 and 261 highways. Our satnav instructed us, as they do,
to stay on the 95 and head east, then south on Highway 191
and then west on 163, a total of some 75 miles to reach
Mexican Hat. The map we had, however, showed that the
alternative 261 went due south to Mexican Hat, a distance of
only 25 miles. There was a road sign at the junction which
muttered something about switchback roads, and speed and
heavy vehicle restrictions but we blissfully ignored this and set
off down the 261. It was a pretty road, and for the first twenty
or so miles was fairly flat. Then we crested a small rise, the
tarmac road ceased and we were presented with an awe
inspiring panorama. We were on the top of a cliff, more like a
sheer precipice, about 700-1000 feet above a vast plain. We
could make out Mexican hat, a high stone stack capped with
a larger harder rock in the shape of a Mexican sombrero, and
in the distance perhaps as much as fifty miles away, we could
make out Monument Valley, one of our objectives for the day.
Wondering where the highway went we looked to our left and
saw to our trepidation that it had degenerated into a dirt track,
about 30 feet wide inching its way down the escarpment with
a one in fifteen slope — not quite Muswell Hill — more
Denton Rd! This dirt track hugged the face of the precipice,
wending its way around blind buttresses for some three miles
25

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
to the bottom. We now realised why the satnav had told us to
take the long route! After some debate, and realising that to
backtrack would take hours, we determined to tackle this dirt
track. We carefully read the notice at the start of the descent
— no more than 5 mph and no heavy or long vehicles. The
descent was in second gear, on the wrong side of the road,
hugging the cliff face and with ample use of the horn! It took
nearly an hour to get down — a distance of some 3 miles! We
passed only two vehicles on the way down, one of which we
were astonished to see dragging a boat up the precipice!
Obviously he was a local!. At the bottom we uttered a sigh of
relief and headed for Monument Valley, some 40-50 miles
away. We were now in Arizona.
Monument Valley is within a Navajo Indian Reservation and
is an astonishing collection of sandstone buttes, mesas and
stacks, some of which reach over 1000 feet above the plateau
floor — which itself is some 6,000 ft above sea level. The
valley is far from any significant habitation and was made
famous by those John Ford westerns made in the mid 20th
century. There is even a viewing point named after John Ford.
The Navajo have made the Valley a money spinner and charge
for access to the 17 miles of track within the valley. The track
is not for the faint hearted or saloon cars, being extremely
rough. Ideal, of course, for rented 4x4s! Some of the most
spectacular formations include the ‘Mittens’ and the ‘Three
sisters’ (see photos).
After Monument Valley we overnighted in Kayenta, a small
nondescript town of shacks, trailers and flatpack houses.
Route 66 and Flagstaff
From Kayenta we drove south west towards Flagstaff, skirting
the Painted Desert. We stopped briefly at Sunset Crater
The Grand Canyon. Sedona and the Petrified Forest
volcano National Monument to see an extinct (?) volcano and
acres of lava fields from an eruption some 1000 years ago.
Arriving at Flagstaff we found our vacation home, which we
had rented for 6 days, as a base, as we had felt, correctly, that
by now we would be ‘canyoned out’ It turned out to be a
welcome stop, with a well kitted house — which included —
of course — four televisions!
The Grand Canyon. Sedona and the Petrified Forest
After a day of rest/shopping we visited the Grand Canyon,
which is some sixty or so miles north of Flagstaff It is over
6,000 ft deep, and 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide.
The North Rim is higher than the south rim. On the day of
our visit it was too windy for fixed wing flights over the
Canyon and we didn’t fancy a helicopter ride, so we took the
tour bus. The problem with the Grand Canyon is that is too
big and one’s eyes cannot really adjust to the vastness of it.
Still it is impressive. I gather from another Old Stationer,
Roger Engledow, that to really appreciate it one has to trek
down to the valley floor on a two day jaunt.
After a golf day we next went to Sedona, a typical cowboy
town set in splendid red rock canyons. It is very much a tourist
trap and now one of the most visited places in the USA.
However, the drive to it, down Highway 89A, is beautiful and
the town has immense charm. There is a sign you can see on
entering the town that states “God created the Grand Canyon
but he lives in Sedona” (See photo of ‘Bell Rock’).
The following day we tracked east on Route 66 in the
direction of Gallup, New Mexico — what a dump! — to the
Petrified Forest. This is an area of a former primeval forest
that has seen the trees petrified. Large chunks of petrified logs
are scattered across several square miles. (see photo). Whilst it
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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
is illegal to pick up any fragment in the park, once outside
there are many shops selling fragments should you care to buy
them. On the way back to Flagstaff we passed the Meteor
Crater. This is now run as a commercial enterprise and the
charges to see only a huge hole in the ground are truly
exhorbitant. We did not stop!
Lake Havasu City and London Bridge
Las Vegas and Home
Finally we left Lake Havasu and travelled the short distance
back to Las Vegas and home. An enjoyable but exhausting trip
of some 2,500 miles and six national parks.
After Flagstaff we headed for Lake Havasu City along I 40
(formally Route 66). Lake Havasu was formed from the
Colorado River once the Parker Dam was built. It is on
Navajo land but was bought by an entrepreneur, Robert P
MeCulloch, in 1963 where he established a city on the east
side of the lake.
In order to promote his new city he decided to offer free
homes to the Apollo Astronauts and extraordinarily purchased
the old London Bridge — no he did not think he was buying
Tower Bridge, which is an urban myth. He spent $7.5 million
disassembling the bridge, shipping it and re-assembling it. In
order to make best use of the bridge, he arranged for the
Colorado River to be diverted, creating an island which is now
connected to the east bank of the lake by the bridge!
All this has proved successful as the city from nothing in 1963
has developed to a population of over 50,000 today. The city
is a haven for watersports and even has artificial beaches —
catering for weekenders, since the nearest coast, California, is
several hundred miles away. California, in fact, starts on the
other side of the lake and a small fee will allow you to take the
ferry across. On the other side is an Indian reservation, and
being federal land the Indians have built a casino there (no
gambling casinos are allowed on state land in California). The
Indians are clearly getting their own back on the palefaces!
Lake Havasu City and London Bridge
27

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
Dear All
Here is the attachment I recently received from Mike Bonner, noted
right back of OSFC many years back – and of course, brother of Peter
and like me also 1951 intake. He originally sent this to John Taylor,
also same intake, who had the idea of sending an abridged version to
Arsenal. This resulted in it forming part of the programme for the
Arsenal vs Liverpool game a week or so ago. Hope of interest even to
those supporters of the Lillywhite boys – you will find still worth a
read as there is an almost kindly mention of the likes of Blanchflower,
Mackay etc. at one point - maybe edited out from revised version?
Regards
Don
North of The Angel
The Angel in Islington, that is. It’s Highbury, a stadium which
evokes love locally and derision elsewhere, especially at the other
end of the Seven Sisters’ Road close to the White Hart Tavern,
home of Tottenham Hotspur. It’s May 2004 and the football
season – the Premiership anyway – has drawn to a close. The
Gunners have lifted the league trophy without a single defeat
home or away and are being hailed as the best Arsenal team ever.
The day after clinching the title one national daily carried the
views of several past players on their all-time best elevens. They
were all different, of course, though unsurprisingly Liam Brady
and Thierry Henry figured in each. Being of an age to remember
most of the outfield players mentioned I found it fascinating
reading, and could readily understand the rationale behind most
of the selections. We’ve had some decent goalkeepers in our time,
too – Swindin, Wilson, Seaman and company, as well as the
immaculate Pat Jennings, who was most pundits’ choice. He
wasn’t the best, though. That accolade will only ever belong to
the great Jack Kelsey.
Jack was a quiet, blond Welshman with film-star good looks who
(it seemed to me at the time) steered a succession of very
moderate Arsenal teams almost single-handedly through the
turbulent fifties into the clearer water of the post-Joe Mercer
sixties, albeit in the shadow of the dazzling skills of Blanchflower
and Mackay’s all-stars over at Spurs. He was a talented and
courageous ‘keeper and that rarity: a man’s man who was
attractive to women, too. A great servant of the club, you could
meet him serving in the supporters’ shop after training. Quite a
few players had local business interests – you’d always get served
by Wally Barnes in his sports shop (especially after his broken leg
in the 1952 Cup Final against Newcastle ended his playing
career), and Alex James’ sweet-shop was en route to the ground
from Finsbury Park Station. The trouble with him was that
no-one I knew could
actually recall Alex’s playing
days, with the result that
almost any male assistant
could palm himself off as
the great man. “He was in
today. Served me himself ”
was a common claim in the
pre-match exchanges.
Jack Kelsey inspired the sort
of confidence fifties’ supporters had no right to expect in an
endless succession of suspect Arsenal defences. It wasn’t as
though his influence spread far upfield, like the later Shilton’s, or
certainly Schmeichel’s at Manchester United. It was in the goal
area where Jack reigned supreme; the penalty spot marked the
farthest limit of his authority. He didn’t so much patrol the goalline
as prowl a cage, and all of us North Bankers (hardly anyone
I knew stood at the Clock End) had our brittle hopes ransomed
there. For an hour and a half we would watch them attacked
from all sides by dark forces with strange kits and unfamiliar
names, protected only by one man’s unwavering skill and courage.
And we trusted him completely.
I’ve always thought goalkeepers get off rather lightly when
apportioning blame for goals conceded, but I can honestly say
Jack was never ever at fault. The ball found his net often enough
in those days, but such shots were of the unstoppable variety and
usually as a result of some defensive cock-up. Every team visiting
Highbury at that time seemed to possess at least one player
whose mischievous skills – I’m talking the likes of Matthews,
Shackleton and Finney now – wreaked the kind of devilry to
which the straightforward heroics of Jack Kelsey had no answer.
Whatever the score, however disappointing the performance,
nothing ever diminished our faith in him.
I didn’t actually go to Highbury that often compared to some of
my pals – I had a serious cash-flow problem, for a start – and my
visits became even less frequent once I started playing regularly
myself. Maybe that’s why I can often recall so much of the detail
– each match seemed endowed with its own peculiar uniqueness.
Funnily enough, some of my best mates were of the Tottenham
persuasion – Tony Balding, for a start, a gifted footballer himself
who played with the sort of neat economy of movement that
seemed to characterize their sides … Anyway, enough about that
lot. I made more of an effort when the F.A. Cup came round,
though, and one of these occasions was probably the last time I
ever saw Jack play. It was a home tie against one of the Lancashire
clubs – the Big Bs, Bolton, Burnley, Blackburn maybe, or even
the great Blackpool team, all of whom I think were in the old
First Division at the time. I had the usual isolationist ignorance
of most Londoners at that time, and imagined these all to be
huge, million inhabitants-plus cities with great stadia to rival our
own. Much, much later I was to visit all four. Needless to say, I
was deeply humbled when I recalled the defeats they regularly
inflicted on us with such apparently limited resources.
Jack, like all goalkeepers, had his own superstitious ritual prior to
kick-off. Fans would roar encouragement as he made his way
goalward before kick-off, and he would respond with a shy,
solitary wave of the hand. He’d throw down his gloves in the
back of the net, mark out the corners of the goal-area with the
heel of his boot, then walk the length of the goal-line and kick
both posts. He’d bend from side to side and jump twice in the air,
tucking his knees tightly into his chest before picking his gloves
28

up from where he’d thrown them and tapping imaginary mud
from the toes of his boots. He’d swing both arms backwards in a
circular motion before jumping and hanging momentarily from
the crossbar. And so it went on, his every movement quietly
monitored by the approving fans crammed into the terrace
behind, part of the 60,000-plus gate then usual on such occasions.
For a moment I thought ahead to the final whistle and the crush
towards the exit on Avenell Road. I had a horror of tumbling
down the steep steps and being trampled on by thousands of our
own supporters.
We won the toss and Joe Mercer chose to defend our end. The
Gunners had just finished warming up and there was just time to
watch Jack Kelsey complete the rest of his routine before kickoff.
I hoped he’d find time during a lull in proceedings to turn
and chat to some of the spectators, which he sometimes did. I’d
been at the front of the crowd a few times and wondered if I’d
ever have the nerve to come out with the sort of quip that made
him turn and grin in acknowledgement. I’d have given a lot to do
it, but I didn’t then and it’s too late now. This was a match we
should have won on paper. A shame, as they say, it was being
played on grass. Besides, I hadn’t spotted Lishman or Roper in
T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
the line-up and Jimmy Logie had been injured for weeks. I’d
check on the team-sheet at half-time – someone had always
finished with their match-day programme by then.
I’d felt vaguely uneasy in the seconds before kick-off but couldn’t
put my finger on why. The crowd, too, were strangely silent. Then
someone to my right rustled his programme noisily in agitation
and seemed to speak for the whole of the North Bank as he
pointed almost accusingly towards a Jack Kelsey now busily
adjusting his stockings and yelled “He’s not punched his gloves!”
Dismayed fans were now staring anxiously in the direction of the
Arsenal goalkeeper. Something was badly wrong. “He hasn’t
punched his gloves!” the man repeated. “No, he hasn’t,” I silently
mouthed, horrified.
The game couldn’t start yet. The ritual wasn’t complete. Unmoved,
the referee raised the whistle to his mouth to signal the start of
play. This couldn’t be happening. Just as he blew for the off Jack
jumped lightly on his toes and punched his gloved left hand
once, twice, in quick succession with his right. There was a huge
communal sigh of relief from all sides of the ground. The match
was on, now. Once again we were in with a shout.
DRAMA PRODUCTIONS AT STATIONERS' COMPANY'S SCHOOL
Having collected a number of programmes of Drama
productions that have taken place at Stationers' over the years,
I thought the list of productions may be of interest to the
thespians of the Old Stationers Association. One of the
problems over the years, is that sometimes there is no date of
any kind on the programme, so the only clues are the names of
the actors who appear on the programme. Who remembers the
production of 'It's Spreading.... with The Company'? There
were 14 items in 'It's Spreading, in fact 15 as the first item was
highlighted as, -1 'Before the Beginning Began', and the last
item in this section was 14 Concerto for Homo Sapiens with
Gramophone in 3 movements! The dates and names of the
production only, in this compilation, have been gleaned from
information from the back of the programme that lists
productions over, say a decade, but the information is not
always correct!
1947 DR. KNOCK December 1947
1949 TWELFTH NIGHT December 1949
1950 HENRY IV December 1950
1953 ANDROCLES AND THE LION February 1953
(Photographs of this production hung in prominent places in
the corridor of SCS, I remember when I arrived at Stationers'
in 1954.Ed.)
1957 MASQUE OF THE COMPANY May 1957
1958 CAKES AND ALE December 1958
1960 SCUTTLEBOOMS TREASURE April 1960
1961 TWELFTH NIGHT February1961
1961 THE LADY'S NOT FOR BURNING November 1961
1962 LES PLAIDEURS April 1962
1962 IT'S SPREADING Before the Beginning Began, took
place in July 1962 which included A Selection from Cakes and
Ale and 'Spreading the News'', a comedy in one act by Lady
Gregory. A few members of the Association who are members
at the present time and were behind the scenes at that time are
A.W.Dunlop, 1955-1962; A.W.Henfrey, 1956-1963;
M.J.Heath,1955-1962 who are named in the programme; and
the list of actors in 'The Company' for 'It's Spreading' are shown
on the front of the programme. Members of the OSA today who
were in 'The Company' are Alan Holmwood, 1960-1967; Philip
Miall, 1960-1967; Anthony Pigden, 1961-1967; John Rowlands,
1961-1968; Martin Slatford, 1961-1968; Michael Pinfield,
1960-1966.
1962 BILLY BUDD December 1962
1963 MACBETH by William Shakespeare, took place on
12th,13th, 14th December 1963.
This production of Macbeth, was directed by Mr P.L.B.Woodroffe.
Members of the Cast in this production who are present
members of the OSA include Anthony Mash, 1961-1968;
Robert Assirati,1958-1965; Alan Burgess, 1963-1970;
C.A.Woodhams, Construction.
Apart from one scene at the King's Palace in England, the action
of the play takes place in Scotland in the eleventh century in the
castles at Forres, Inverness and Fife, and in and around the castle
of Dunsinane.
1964 THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR by Nikolai Gogol
was performed on the 3rd, 4th and 5th December 1964. In this
programme Anthony Mash acted Hlestakov, a junior official;
M.Evans, Construction; Mr J.Leeming and D.A. Owen on
Lighting, 1960-1967; Mr G.R.Dolamore; Stage Management.
1965 LES FOURBERIES DE SCAPIN April 1965.
1965 THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE, December 1965
1966 THE LONG AND THE SHORT AND THE TALL
December 1966
1967 THE ALCHEMIST December 1967
1968 SERJEANT MUSGRAVE'S DANCE December 1968,
by John Arden took place on the 4th,5th,6th December 1968. In
29

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
this production the part of Private Attercliffe was played by
Stephen Jeffreys, 1961-1968; Bludgeon, the Bargee by Martin
Lawrence, 1963-1970; The Constable by Tim Westbrook, 1962-
1969; The Mayor, Nigel Dant, 1963-1971; Officer of Dragoons
by Graham Hobbs, 1962-1969; Design by Keith M. Hewett;
Communication and Painting, by Geoffrey T. Dent; Lighting
and Sound by John Leeming; Front of House, Daniel J. Bone.
1969 HOBSON'S CHOICE December 1969
1970 THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS December 1970
1971 THE HAPPY APPLE December 1971
1973 OF MICE AND MEN April 1973 by John Steinbeck
took place on the 4th,5th, 6th April, 1973. In this production
Carlson was played by Dave Fuller; Lighting and Sound, John
Leeming;
“It's gonna be nice there. Ain't gonna be no trouble, no fights.
Nobody ever gonna hurt nobody, or steal from 'em. It's gonna be
– nice.”
The place across the river which George and Lennie, his simple
travelling companion, hope to reach is familiar, in one form or
another, to the dreams of most men. The play is set in the 1930s,
but its theme, and the timeless quest involved, retains, perhaps
more than ever, today.
John Steinbeck was born in California in 1902 and educated at
Salinas High School and Stanford University. His first book,
Cup of Gold, was published in 1929. He wrote several articles
about the injustice suffered by the displaced persons of California,
the migratory agricultural workers, and in 1939 'The Grapes of
Wrath' was published. Controversial feeling reached such a pitch
that Steinbeck had to leave the United States for several years,
including the war period, and he travelled extensively in Europe
as a war columnist. His later novels include, Of Mice and Men,
from which this play is adapted. In 1940 he was awarded the
Pullitzer Prize and in 1962, the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature.
1973 PASSION, POISON and PETRIFACTION July 1973
1973 SWEENY TODD December 1973. A Victorian
Melodrama by Alan Rosser was produced in the same year, on
the 12th,13th, and 14th December , 1973. Dave Fuller, 1967-
1974 acted the part of Mark Ingesgrie. Michael Morrison, 1967-
1974 was the Stage Manager; Ian Morrison, 1970-1976 in the
Stage Team. Sound by John Leeming and Raymond Borella,
1968-1975; Make-up, Mary Pryor. Hot pies will be sold in the
interval!
1974 THE GHOST TRAIN by Arnold Ridley took place on
the 11th,12th and 13th December 1974. Teddie Deakin was
played by Richard Griffiths,1968-1975; Herbert Price by Richard
Comerford 1968-1975; John Leeming and Raymond Borella,
1968-1975, Sound and Lighting; Mary Pryor, Make-up.
The Ghost train was first performed at the St. Martin's Theatre
in London in 1925 and its author was a young actor named
Arthur Ridley, better known now as 'Godfrey' of 'Dads Army'
on TV. One might ask why 'The Ghost Train' has lasted when
so many other plays of that fragile theatrical era have vanished.
For at first sight 'The Ghost Train' is just another example of
that popular twenties artform – the comedy thriller. But 'The
Ghost Train' has outlived the rest because of its superb situation
and the sheer suspense of its plot. Who could think of a more
tense situation than to have six people stranded for the night in
a deserted Cornish station haunted by the ghost of a train which
crashed twenty years previously! Linked with the situation, have
traditionally gone the sound effects that are now part of the
play's reputation. In 'The Ghost Train' it is the drama and
comedy of the situation that has carried the play along for three
generations,
1975 ERNIE'S INCREDIBLE HALLUCINATIONS by
Alan Ayckbourn took place on the 10th,11th, 12th December
1975 followed by THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND.
Members of the OSA today who took part in the first of these
productions are Andrew Devon, 1972-1979 acting the part
of'Mum'. In The Real Inspector Hound, Ian Morrison, acted the
part of 'The Body', and was Stage Manager and helped out on
Business Management. Michael Morrison,1967-1974 was in the
stage team. John Leeming was on Lighting and Sound. Peter
Maddigan, 1969-1976 was on Front of House.
1976 CRACKERS, A Christmas Revue, took place on the
15th,16th, and 17th December 1976. Mary Pryor and Michael
Fitch sang in the Opening Chorus. John Leeming was again on
Sound.
1977 ANDROCLES AND THE LION by George Bernard
Shaw, and LITTLE BROTHER LITTLE SISTER by David
Campton, took place on the 14th,15th and 16th December 1977.
In this production Charles Zarb acted the part of Ferrovius;
Michael Howell, 1973-1980, acted the part of Spintho.
The Stage Crew included, Michael Morrison, Keith Roberts,
1971-1978, and Glen Catlin 1971-1978. John Leeming on
Sound. Mary Pryor on Make-up.
ANDROCLES. The central theme of Androcles and the Lion is
that men must have something worth dying for to make life
worth living; in other words, an end outside oneself is essential
for human existence. Shaw regarded religion as something to
30

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
31

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
inspire people to strive for a better world where every one would
be able to use his individual aptitudes to the full for the common
good, unhampered by any form of class or racial restrictions.
There are Shaw Theatres in Niagara on the Lake in Canada,
which are extremely popular. Ed.
LITTLE BROTHER, LITTLE SISTER
A macabre fairy tale, set in a deep shelter, where two adolescent
children have spent their entire lives. The play concerns the day
when they finally challenge the only authority they know:
ancient cook armed with a mincing machine. "A beguiling and
touching fable of innocence, (quote) with a fine flourish of of
Carrollian fantasy, and a nice ear for irony."
1978 MAN ALIVE by John Dighton, took place on the
13th,14th,15th December 1978. Waldorf was played by Mike
Howell, 1973-1980; the stage crew included Ian
Morrison,1970-1977; Mark Willison, 1973-1980; Paul
Clague,1973-1980. John Leeming on Sound. Mary Pryor on
Make-up. Dave Fuller, 1967-1974, printed the programmes.
1979 CABARET and UNMAN WITTERING ZIGO by
Giles Cooper.
1980 CATCH 22 by James Heller, and TOP TABLE by
Margaret Wood took place on 10th,11th, and 12th
December,1980. The time of action is World War II. The place
of the action is an air base on an island somewhere in the
Mediterranaen.
Richard Farrow took the part of the Patient's Father. Ian
Morrison as Stage Manager. John Leeming on Sound. Mary
Pryor on Make-up. Liam Gallagher and Richard Jenkins 1974-
1981 both on Front of House.
CATCH 22. Although comedy is uppermost, our theme this
evening is the futility of war. Catch 22 will be new to our
audience in this stage version and – as in the premier production
in America – many new roles are doubled or trebled.
1981 HERE IS YOUR LIFE by Bob Wilson took place on the
9th, 10th, and 11th December 1981.
Gabb was acted by Alan Dobbie, 1978-1983.
BLACK COMEDY by Peter Shaffer was performed the same
evening.
1982 CINDERELLA by Norman Robbins, took place on
December 15th,16th,17th 1982. Euthanasia was acted by Mike
Fitch; Stage Manager, Ian Morrison; Mary Pryor, Make-up;
Sound, John Leeming.
This was the last production in the School Hall at Stationers and
when Euthanasia, played by Mike Fitch, daughter of Baron and
Baroness Hardup of Stoneybroke Mansion, was caught with
stolen silver and about to be sent to prison, the lines that brought
the house down were 'Don't send me to the Langham, don't send
me to the Langham!!
The significance of the last sentence, is that the Langham School
was the new name for the amalgamation of Stationers' Company's
School with William Forster School!
SUMMARY OF PRODUCERS
S.C.Nunn had been Headmaster since 1936.
The 1963 production of 'Macbeth' was directed by Mr
P.L.B.Woodroffe, as well as producing 'The Government
Inspector' in December 1964.
In 1965 the 'Devil's Disciple' was produced by Mr Michael Hay.
In 1966 The Long, the Short and the Tall was produced by Mr
Jim Cooke.
1967 Mr Clive Blenkinsop produced 'The Alchemist'.
In 1968 'Serjeant Musgrave's Dance' was produced by Mr Jim
Cooke. Was he not a former pupil of the School?
In 1969 'Hobson's Choice' was produced was produced by Mr
Clive Blenkinsop with Martin Lawrence.
In 1970 'Servant of Two Masters' was produced by Mr Clive
Blenkinsop.
In April 1973, Ian Paterson directed,'Of Mice and Men',
followed in the December 1973 by 'Sweeny Todd' also directed
by Ian Paterson. 'Ghost Train' in December, 1974, and the
Double Bill of 'Ernie's Incredible Hallucinations' and 'The Real
Inspector Hound' in December, 1975, followed by 'Crackers' in
December 1976 were directed by Ian Paterson. In December,
1977, Derek Reid, directed 'Little Brother, Little Sister' in
another Double Bill with 'Androcles and the Lion' directed by
Ian Paterson. 'Man Alive' followed in December, 1978, 'Unman,
Wittering and Zigo' in 1979, and another Double Bill of 'Catch
22' and 'Top Table' in 1980 with direction again by Ian Paterson.
In 1981, the double Bill was 'Here is Your Life' and ' Black
Comedy'. The last production of Drama at Stationers' took place
in the School Hall was 'Cinderella' and marked this phenomenal
record of over 10 years of productions by Ian Paterson in the last
decade of the existence of the Stationers' Company's School,
now brought to a premature end!
These notes have been compiled with available evidence of
fourteen programmes. This is a start to have a fuller
documentation of those who contributed to the very successful
drama productions at Stationers'. I am aware that 'The Guest'
performed at Wisbech during the War, is missing, which has
been recorded in a recent magazine. Gaps from 1930 to 1960,
particularly are missing because programmes and magazines
need to be further researched. Also, there are a number of
teachers not necessary Drama Teachers who produced or
directed plays. Those who had a flair for Thespianism in the
wider meaning of the word, have not been included because they
did not appear in this sample. D.J.O'Connell is little mentioned
in this article and together with S.C.Nunn were very keen on
Drama directing many a production. Frank Dash, R.A.Robertson,
John Morris and Peter Huke et al. are missing in the credits at
this stage.
Old programmes and School Magazines will be the main source
for such information! While doing this exercise neither were
available to me Ed.
During the 1950s Mr S.C. Nunn and Mr D.J.O'Connell were
the producers of many of the drama productions. Mr
D.J.O'Connell had been on the Staff since circa 1930 and Mr
32

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
WILLIAM GEORGE
ERNEST COTTRELL
1923-2014
School Dates: 1935-1940
It is interesting to note that George
Cottrell was the last man standing of the
1935 starters!
wolram@btintemet.com
26~ August 2014
Dear Gordon
It is with great sadness I write to let you
know that my father George died suddenly
last Thursday, 21st August, 2014 aged 90.
He had been in reasonable health, apart
from his Alzheimers, until early last week
and I am just pleased for him that he did
not suffer at the end.
With my good wishes,
Mike Cottrell
gordon.rose@talk2 1 .com
Dear Mike
Thank you for your recent email even
though it was sad news. I had the pleasure
OBITUARIES
of playing with George in my early days
with the O.S.F.C. when I guess he was in
his late twenties. He is yet another of our
players of that vintage who have suffered
with Alzheimers in their later life. I have
for some time believed that it was the
result of playing with the heavy leather
ball and the amount of heading they did.
It is also a factor in the senior game.
My very best wishes to you and the family.
Gordon
Address by MIKE COTTRELL
William George Ernest Cottrell was born
on 18th October 1923 in the St Pancras
area of North London, the eldest child of
William & Florence. Within six weeks
George had the first of his brushes with
death when he contracted pneumonia. He
was not expected to live and was given the
last rites after which he miraculously
recovered. His early years were spent in
various locations around North London
and in the early 1930s the family, now
increased by a sister Marjorie and a brother
Harry, moved to Crouch End. It was here
that in 1935 George attended the local
Stationers’ School. With the exception of
French and Art he was a star pupil and
regularly came top of his form. As the
country descended into war the school was
evacuated in September 1939 to Wisbech
in Cambridgeshire George and Harry
were billeted together with a local family.
Their education continued at the Wisbech
Grammar School using the buildings on a
time-share basis with that school’s pupils.
The following summer saw George
complete his General Schools Certificate
thus enabling him to return alone to his
parents in Crouch End. Following his
return with the help of a master an
interview for George was arranged through
the Headmasters Bureau with a firm of
City accountants. He subsequently joined
Sissons, Bersey, Gain, Vincent & Co in
August 1940. Two months later George
had his second brush with death when a
German bomb landed right outside his
house bang in the middle of the road. The
resulting explosion blew out the front of
Back row from left: Jim Barry; ?; Les Wingrove;
Bob Beckley; ?; Peter Hodgson. Front row from left:
Dereck Pyrke; ?; Laurie Battell; George Sabini.
33

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
Back row: Colin Lea; ?; Bernie Kelly; Ronnie Day;
Brian Cook; Dereck Pyrke; Dickie Rundle. Front
Row: Brian Owers; George Sabini; George Cottrell;
David Owers: Stan Dickens.
the house and George awoke under a pile
of rubble as the ceiling fell in on him. His
parents were unharmed as they were safely
tucked-up in the air-raid shelter which
George had considered to be for cissies.
Also during this period of the Blitz, George,
being a young and more active member of
the accountants’ staff, was press-ganged
several times a week for night-time roof
duty. This entailed wielding a long-handled
broom and knocking any incendiary devices
that had landed on the roof into the street
below. What fun this must have been for a
17 year-old. In 1942 at the suggestion of a
friend, he joined a tennis club which was
affiliated to the local Methodist church. It
was here one afternoon that he was attracted
to a somewhat sunburnt and red-faced
young woman out on court. He turned to
his friend and asked “who is the strawberry
tart?” What a description of the lady who
one day would become his future wife! Her
name was Mollie and they soon started
stepping out together. Their courting
continued apace until the following summer
when George received his call-up to join
the RAF. He was billeted in a rather
swanky St John’s Wood apartment and sent
to the Long Room at Lord’s Cricket
Ground where he was kitted out in his
uniform. George joined an Initial Training
Wing in July 1943 and the powers that be
decided that he had an aptitude for flying.
In January 1944 full of fear and trepidation
he boarded RMS Andes in the Upper
Clyde to make the dangerous journey across
the North Atlantic to New York and then
by train, firstly to Canada then on to the
mid-west in the USA. Here he joined
Course 20 at No. 3 British Flying Training
School in Miami [Geraint: this is
pronounced ‘my am ah’], Oklahoma and
over the next 8 months learned how to fly
aircraft. He graduated as a pilot and was
promoted to the rank of Sergeant Pilot
exactly 70 years ago last Wednesday. For R
& R, on some weekends, George and fellow
pilots on a Friday afternoon would hitch a
ride direct to Chicago along the famous
Route 66 which passed right by his airfield.
His US based training completed; he made
a trouble-free return trans-Atlantic trip on
the luxury troopship liner 55 fle De France.
During the trip he celebrated his 21~
birthday. Within 10 days of arriving back
in the UK a wedding to Mollie was
arranged, honeymoon leave granted and
his next posting to Scotland confirmed.
Luckily for George he was still training
when it became apparent he would not be
required to enter combat, as the war in
Europe was rapidly coming to an end. In
late 1945 the birth of his only child,
Michael, took place and George spent
most of that day drinking and playing
darts with his chums in a pub at the top of
Muswell Hill. The RAF in their wisdom
retained George’s services for all of 1946 as
his Wing Commander had recognised his
sporting talents. Most of that summer was
spent representing his squadron at not
only tennis but also cricket. 1947 saw a
return to Civvy Street and a return to the
City accountants where in 1951 he
qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
During the 1950s major events took place
in George’s life. He joined a new tennis
club with Mollie, one that had a bar and
permitted tennis to be played on Sundays,
something of course which was anathema
to Methodists. This was a good move as
George together with his doubles partner
went on to win 21 men’s doubles titles at
the club. The family relocated from
Muswell Hill in 1957 to the leafy North
London suburb of Totteridge and for
George this was to be the start of a
residency that lasted 54 years. In 1953
George joined the Secretary’s department
of United Dairies in Bayswater and by
34

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
1959 was heavily involved in the merger
with Cow & Gate. In 1960 he became
Group Accountant of the newly formed
company, Unigate. Various promotions
followed and culminated in his
appointment as Unigate Company
Secretary in 1975, a position he held until
his retirement in 1983.
During the 60s, 70s and 80s George and
Mollie started to travel abroad for holidays.
They preferred very hot Mediterranean
locations especially the Greek islands, in
particular Antipaxos where they went for
many years. They also travelled to the
United States to stay with tennis club
friends who had moved there. Some of the
antics that they got up to whilst there are
probably best not to be aired, just to say
that George was almost arrested for
consorting with a hooker who in fact
turned out to be his own wife! In 1973
George became a grandfather at the
ridiculously young age of 49 and was
chuffed to bits to welcome his
granddaughter Teresa into the world.
George was a very keen gardener and
loved walking especially with the three
dogs he and Mollie owned over a number
of years. In 1998 it was becoming apparent
that George required a replacement hip
but before this happened he had his third
brush with death when he suffered a
pulmonary embolism in his lung. He was
rushed to Barnet General where prompt
action saved his life. Six months later he
had recovered sufficiently to enable him to
have that replacement hip from which he
unfortunately took a long time to recover.
In 2004 his beloved Mollie suffered a fall
and broke her hip. They were however,
able to celebrate their diamond wedding
anniversary together, albeit round her bed
in Finchley Memorial Hospital. Sadly 6
months after that she died. George decided
that he wished to remain living in the
home he and Mollie had shared and there
he stayed until October 2011. During this
period his great-granddaughters were
born, Evie in 2007 and Molly 2009, yes
another Molly and nothing gave him more
pleasure than to have them visit their
Grampy in Totteridge. By then it had
become apparent to George that he was no
longer able to fully look after himself and
he asked to come and live with Lyn and
Mike in Marlow.
This he duly did for almost 2 years before
sadly he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
As his illness grew worse it became clear
that he needed more specialist care than
Lyn and Mike could provide, so a place was
found for him at Sir Aubrey Ward House, a
Back row: John Hudson; ?Name; Gary Dayton; Bill
Mountford: Robbie Robertson;George Cotterell; Joe
Johnson. Front Row: John Taylor ;Frank Tree; Peter
Bullen; Eric Van Emden; Frank Abbott.
care home in Marlow and this is where
George spent the final 15 months of his life.
All the family would visit George frequently
and he loved all the drawings and notes that
Evie and Molly would make for him. These
he kept in his room and during their visits
he would always open up his biscuit tin for
them or give them a chocolate or two from
his bottom drawer. It was also lovely that
some of his former friends from Totteridge
would visit him from time to time even
though George’s Alzheimer’s must have
made these visits very difficult for them. As
this terrible debilitating illness progressed
he became more and more insular, rarely
leaving his room except at mealtimes.
However, he remained extremely cheerful
and content in his own little world. This was
a blessing and a great comfort to those who
loved him. The end came suddenly and he
did not suffer for which his family will be
eternally grateful. George was a kind and
generous man a true gentleman especially to
the people he cared for most. He was a
loving husband, father, grandfather and
great-grandfather.
He will be greatly missed.
35

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
OSFC Champions Division III Southern Amateur
League 1952-53
Back row: Tony Budd; Robbie Robertson; Malcolm
Ridgeway; George Cottrell (Vice Capt.); Bernie
Kelly; Colin Lea. Front Row; Brian Owers; Dereck
Pyrke; Dickie Rundle (Capt.); Jim Barry; George
Sabini.
League Record P 20; W 17; D 2; L 1; Goals for 49;
Against 15 Points 36
Geraint
gordon.rose@talk2 1 .com
16111 December 2014
I have now done as much as I can to
identify the players in the four photos.
There are still too many gaps, but I have
now run out of those who may be able to
help and I must now rely on feedback
from our readers.
That’s the best I can do, GORDON
(Please contact Gordon if you can supply any
of the missing names. Thanks Ed.)
There is also an article on GEORGE
COTTRELL in The Old Stationer No. 79
pages 25&26 under the heading ‘News of Old
Stationers who started School in 1938 or
earlier.
DAVID WATTERSON
1943-2014
David was a pupil at Stationers’ from 1954-
1959.
Obituary by TONY MOFFAT
David joined Stationers’ in 1954, in Norton
House, and left at the end of the fifth
form. Mike Hiron (a year-mate) was one
of his friends and remembers: “One
absolutely marvellous, unforgettable
moment that will always remain with me,
is when we had a school cross-country
race. Just before the race started, one of the
runners, a real big-headed big-mouth (no
names no pack-drill as they say!) loudly
boasted “at least I will beat old Watterson
cos he will probably come last”. The race
ended with David finishing in the top half
of the runners while old big-mouth (no
names etc!) finishing way, way behind him.
That really made our day - well done
Dave”. David later moved to Enfield and
Richard Phillippo (another year-mate)
also remembers David when they would
go running around the streets of the town
and Richard had difficulty keeping up.
David maintained his links with Old
Stationers by joining the OSA and was
still in contact with Old Stationers John
Brown and George Mears who were a few
years older than him.
When at School, he lived near Highbury
and that is why he was such a passionate
Arsenal supporter. He was such an ardent
fan, that he was even buried in his Arsenal
shirt and scarf.
His first job was working for the Post
Office dishing out pensions etc, then a
newspaper before joining GEC as a credit
controller. He became a Member of the
Institute of Credit Management and later
became a credit controller for Lloyds of
London enjoying travelling abroad to keep
36

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
in touch with his clients.
In his spare time he was a drummer in a
band, he enjoyed all sorts of music ranging
from Buddy Holly to “Last Night at the
Proms” – hence the choice of music for his
funeral service.
He met his wife to be, Jan, when he was 21
and she was still at school. It was at a
ballroom dancing school in Walthamstow
- no internet dating in those days. One
evening at the dancing school, David bet
his friend (another Old Stationer, George
Bigby) half a crown that he would dance
with the girl in the flowered dress first and
that is how their 50 year relationship
started. Jan went off to teacher training
college but they continued to see each
other and got engaged on Jan’s 21st
birthday and married the following year.
They bought their first house in London.
Jan soon found out that, while David was
very good at drawing and painting pictures,
his DIY skills were sadly lacking. He
managed to wallpaper their bedroom
hanging the pattern of the paper upside
down. Jan thought that this was a cunning
plan on his part so she wouldn’t ask him to
do any more decorating. It worked!
They thought that London was not the
place to start a family so they moved to
Colchester in 1972 whilst he was working
for GEC. The following summer, Russell
was born and then Lara two years later. As
the children grew up he was involved in
their activities: governor at their schools, a
keen fundraiser for the Scouts, a track
judge at Russell’s athletics meetings and
even attempted horse riding with Lara.
He was a real family man and was very
proud when his children graduated and
very happy when they were both married.
He was full of pride when he gave Lara
away wearing his Manx kilt. He introduced
his daughter in law, Bee, to the joys of
football and his son in law, Matthew, to
gardening. In 1996 he moved jobs to
Norwich working for Her Majesty’s
Stationery Office as UK Trade and Foreign
Credit Controller. Although he liked his
job, he always fancied being a full time
beer drinker, aka a publican – the dream of
many an Old Stationer. So when he saw an
advert for a relief manager at a Greene
King pub in Norwich, he decided to apply.
He got the job and “The Ten Bells”
became his home from home. As David
wrote in the Old Stationer in the winter of
1999, “I have a part interest in The Ten
Bells in Norwich and if any Old Boys are
in the neighbourhood, please drop in”. In
2003 he retired and returned to live in
Colchester. In 2007 they moved to Port
Erin, Isle of Man back to his Watterson
family roots. By this time Matt and Lara
had given David two grandsons, Charlie
and Russell, and the family moved to live
on the island in 2011.
The funeral service was held on 19
November 2014 at the Church Hall near
the Douglas Crematorium. The service
was opened by Gordon Cringle (a friend
of the family) with a tribute to David read
by his daughter in law, Bee. Two of David’s
favourite pieces from the Proms were
played: Jerusalem, followed by The Lord’s
Prayer and Rule Britannia ended the
service.
Perhaps David is best summed up by his
class-mate Richard Woods, “He was a nice
chap”.
Tony Moffat
KENNETH GEORGE
HORTON 1930-2014
A Service of Remembrance and
Thanksgiving for the life of Kenneth
Horton was held at Kemnal Park
Cemetery and Memorial Gardens was
held on Wednesday 17th December 2014.
The hymn sung was, ‘Morning has broken’
by Cat Stevens. Tributes were given and
the Bible Reading was from St. John 14,
verses 1-6. The Music was ‘Theme of the
Dam Busters’ Eric Coates on entry and
the Exit Music was ‘Stranger on the
Shore’ Acker Bilk.’
Mrs T. Horton
49 Longdon Wood, KESTON
Kent BR2 6EN
l1& February 2015
Dear Geraint
Thank you for getting in touch, I hope the
enclosed makes sense and is correct.
After leaving Stationers’ circa 1948,
Kenneth tried various forms of office
employment, including Shipping and
Forwarding where he met his wife Thelma.
They married June 1954 and celebrated
their 6011k Anniversary 2014.
After Shipping and Forwarding he
realised he needed a job with more
prospects to support a wife, so joined
Barclays Bank in 1953 Southgate/
Cockfosters, until he transferred to the
City, Newgate Street, where he stayed till
retirement.
Yours sincerely
Thelma
HARRY ROY SPiNKS
1924-2015
The funeral service for Harry Spinks was
held at Enfield Crematorium on the 22nd
January, 2015.
The hymn sung was, ‘Eternal Father,
strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the
restless wave,’.
During the Service there was a family
tribute, Prayers of Penitence and and the
the reading of Psalm 23 and verses from
37

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
Genesis 1, verses 26-28. There was an
Address and Prayers. The Music at the
end of the Service was ‘Sailing’ (Gavin
Sutherland 1972) performed by Rod
Stewart.
The photograph was taken on holiday in
Porthleven, Cornwall in May 2008.
A Life by Michael Spinks
Harry Roy Spinks, Roy, to distinguish him
from his father also a Harry, was born on
20 April 1924 inside the sub¬division of
Tollington in the Registration District of
lslington in the County of London, at least
that is what his birth certificate states. He
was the beloved elder son of Harry Claude
and Beatrice Maud Spinks, brother of
Peter. No two brothers could be more
unalike.
Roy attended the Stationers Company
School and studied electronics and radio
engineering at night school and became a
highly successful electronic engineer.
From his own CV he writes,
“1943-1947 Royal Air Force, Leading
Aircraftsman, Wireless Mechanic South
East Asia Command” “1948-1949 Air
Service Training, Hants. Student. War
interrupted studies leading to Institute of
Electrical Engineers and City + Guilds
Radio and Telecommunications exam
results. Maybe it is true that he never
threw anything away. We have the exam
results to prove it.
He worked successively in London for
The Gramophone Company at Hayes and
then for Murphy Radio Electronic
Division Engineer where he did work for
Swedish Air Force radar. He subsequently
signed the Official Secrets Act. I trust
nobody will be done for revealing that the
Swedish Air Force owes him a debt of
gratitude.
As a young man he played tennis. It was at
a tennis club that he met the lady who
soon became his wife, Pamela Mary
Cambridge Clarke. They were married at
the Parish Church of St. Aldhelm,
Edmonton on March 15th 1952. They
became the proud parents of Michael,
Susan and Richard and the grandparents
of Robert, Alex, Timothy, Fiona, Owen,
Kathleen, Freya and Megan.
Roy and Pam moved to 3 Gayton Road,
Southend-on-Sea, Essex late in 1952. He
started working for EK Cole in Southend
in January 1953 and wrote up a set of notes
“Memories of EK Cole 1953-1957” A
colleague from those days, Alan Moltino,
regrets that he cannot attend today. Neither
can his brother, Peter, living in Devon or
his old “cousin” for want of better words,
George Trowbridge.
Roy left EK Cole in 1957 and worked as a
Principal Development Engineer at the
Plessey Company, Ilford. He acquired a
Thames Minibus, 00 3609, and transported
a group of SE Essex residents to Ilford
every working day between 1957 and
1966. That minibus became almost a
second home and was used as a camping
base at Burnham on Crouch and for
transporting the whole family for many
summers on the annual overnight trip
down to Praa Sands in Cornwall. Neither
the MS nor the M4 existed then so it was
more of an adventure in its own right than
it would be now. Turning back to his
career, it was whilst at Plessey that he was
involved in the development of a family of
UHF Airborne and Marine Transmitter
Receivers for the RAF, RN and “friendly
governments”. That led to an opportunity
for the family to resettle in South Africa
but it didn’t happen.
It was whilst living at Southend that a
passion for sailing was ignited. He built his
own Lazy E, a twin manned sailing boat,
somewhat bigger than an Enterprise, in
the garage, which he had also built, in his
back garden and sailed it for many years on
the River Crouch at Burnham as a member
of Burnham Sailing Club. For the last 10
years of his life he was a Member of
Creeksea Sailing Club.
The family moved to Muswell Hill, North
London in 1966 when Roy joined the
family business, EFG, as a Director.
Relationships between the generations on
the male side of the Spinks family have
never been the easiest and he departed in
1969. He joined Marconi Space and
Defence Systems at Stanmore as a
Principal Quality Engineer on the Stingray
project essentially being the Quality
Controller to do with vendor and subcontractor
plans.
Perhaps his radio engineering days at
Plessey and then at Marconi were
professionally his most creative and
satisfactory opportunities. He had joined
the Institution of Electrical Engineers in
1947, became a Chartered Engineer, and
received congratulations in 1997 for having
been a member for 50 years. He was also a
member of The Chartered Institute of
Quality Assurance.
After leaving Marconi he rejoined the
family business, this time as Managing
Director. He put up the new buildings at
Liverpool Road, fought the good fight
against British Rail when they damaged
those buildings, fought each of the many
(hundreds or thousands of them )parking
tickets that our drivers accumulated,
supported the Freight Transport industry
inside London, ensured our banking was
done correctly each day and defied any
mugger to attempt a robbery on his daily
visits to the Nat West Bank branch in
Upper Street. Working Life in the
wholesale industry was a bit more civilised
when Roy was at EFG and a daily luncheon
break was taken at either of the two Italian
Tavernas at Highbury Corner.
He did effectively retire but nobody is
quite sure when because he retained keys
to get in for many years and had an
unhealthy attachment to the company’s
fork lift trucks. Very little was more
important than checking that they were
properly on charge each weekend.
What were Roy’s passions? Certainly for
sailing which he maintained for 50 years.
He was sailing independently last summer.
Whilst he never learned to swim and was
baled out of the River Crouch only last
June having been outside his boat for 20
minutes and unable to get back in, he was
never deterred. In his later years he went
on many Jubilee Sailing Trust voyages in
their two large three masted schooners to
places like The Canary islands and Lisbon.
He blacked out preparing for one such
trip, ended up in hospital, forfeited the trip
and never fully forgave them for not taking
him back on board again.
He was involved in The Worshipful
Company of Loriners. Before him, his
father was and now his grandson, Robert,
is a member. He became and was very
proud of being a Freeman of The City of
London. He had his loyalties to a select
group of clubs which he actively maintained
and supported for many years, The Burma
Star Association, The Royal Air Force
Association, The Royal British Legion, the
United Wards Club of the City of London,
the City Livery Club and was Chairman
of the Aero Section of The City Livery
Club. He also supported the RNLI and
the National Memorial Arboretum and
other voluntary associations. Whilst
Chairman of the Aero Section he
accompanied John Jordan chairman for
many years ofJordans the Flour Millers
who supplied the Essex with its flour) who
piloted his own biplane, by approval onto
an RAF base. What was not approved was
the manner of their departure which
involved doing barrel rolls in the biplane
down the length of the runway and which
38

got them both into trouble.
Who were his closest friends. His children
recall Donald Careswell, Lawrence Lawry,
John Thorpe, Alan Moltino, Bill Bates,
Keith and Jean Henderson, the adventurous
John Jordan, John and Joan Summers,
Frank O’Connor, his brother-in-law, John
Clarke. No Engineer can be said to be
short of convictions and Roy was not.
John Black writes” i shall always remember
him with great affection. He was of course
a wonderful character and always admired
for his great energy and enthusiasm” That
just about sums up Roy. But he goes on to
say” Many years ago he drove me in his
ancient car to Llandudno, a terrifying and
uplifting experience” with his hands firmly
across his face in front of his eyes blocking
off any view. That also sums up Roy.
There was a well defined rhythm to his
life. For many years the Easter weekend
was devoted to charging up and down the
highways and byways as he supported
participants in the Devizes to Westminster
Long Distance Canoe race. In particular
he supported his son Richard, who still
holds the record, only acquired after many
attempts, for the military canoe class, the
klepper class. 4 of his children /
grandchildren have competed in that race,
some with great distinction, some without.
He and Pam went on the holidays latterly
which they felt unable to do formerly and
for a period of years Roy and Pam, Don
and Betty and Frank and Ann enjoyed
holidays together.
Father and much-loved grandfather, e was
proud of the achievements of his children
and grandchildren with a special respect
for those who had followed him into
military service.
A life lived fully to the very end. He died
on 2~ January. He had enjoyed his cigarette
on Christmas Day and a full Christmas
Day Turkey lunch and on Boxing day he
roused himself at 4am, drove to Muswell
Hill to check on the timing of a medical
appointment, then drove back to Enfield
and pressed the doorbell to be let back in
at 630am. Always himself, Roy Spinks.
May he rest in peace.
Michael Spink
A cheque was received by the OSA through
Gordon from Michael and Susan Spinks for
the sum of £1,000 as a bequest.
We thank the family very much for their
generous gift to the OSA in memory of Harry
Roy Spinks.
T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
IAN RICHARD
DUNFORD
1956-1963
It is very sad to report the death of Ian
Dunford on 28th February 2015. Ian was
a member of Meredith House and lived at
85 Boundary Road, Wood Green, N22
6A5.
RAY BARKER
I have been advised of the death of RAY
BARKER of the year 1948. Any
information would be welcome. Gordon.
d.turner@sky.com
Gentlemen
I believe I can be of assistance. 50 years
ago we bought a house in Enfield ad one
of our neighbours was a RAY BARKER.
He was married to Rita and had two
daughters and was in the printing trade,
working at one time for the Macmillan
Press and I think he became a director.
Anyhow we moved away to Brookmans
Park in 1972 and we did not see them
again for many years until we were at a
Freemans Association Dinner. It
transpired that although he was never
interested in OSA he had been a pupil
and I feel almost certain this must be the
same man because he was approximately
three years older than me.
His connection with the Company was
not through the School but through the
printing trade. He was a very pleasant
man who must have started life in the
North or Central England. We saw them
from time to time at Freemans functions
and always enjoyed his company.
Regards
DT
Mark Radstone
CHANGES OF ADDRESS
DAVID COX
Apt 14, Highbeam House
581 High Road
WOODFORD GREEN
Essex 1G8 ORD
ROGER ENGLEDOW
118 Hertswood Court
Hillside Gardens
BARNET
Herts ENS 4AU
39

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
40

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1
41

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the
Old Stationers’ Association – Stationers' Hall, Friday 28th March 2014
Present:
David Sheath (President) in the chair
Tony Hemmings (Hon. Secretary)
Michael Hasler (Hon. Treasurer)
together with 8 other Officers, Committee members and 42 ordinary members.
The meeting was called to order at 6.00pm
1. Confirmation of Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 22nd March 2013
The minutes of the AGM held at Stationers' Hall on Friday 22nd March 2013 were unanimously adopted as
a true record on a vote taken on the proposal of Roger Melling, seconded by Chris Langford.
2. President’s Address
See attached report.
3. Honorary Treasurer’s Report
See attached report.
Auditor Roger Engledow advised the Meeting that, due to time constraints, he had still to conclude his audit
of the Accounts. It was proposed by Michael Facey, seconded by Peter Sandell and unanimously agreed that,
subject to the Committee being assured that the Accounts as presented have been ratified by both Honorary
Auditors, the report and accounts for the year ended 31st December 2013 be approved.
4. Election of Officers and Committee
The Chairman invited nominations for the Association's Officers and Committee for 2014/2015.
The following members were duly proposed, seconded and elected:
Elected Proposer Seconder
President Roger Melling David Sheath Tony Hemmings
Vice-President Peter Sandell Roger Melling Geraint Pritchard
Secretary Tony Hemmings David Turner Tim Westbrook
Treasurer Michael Hasler Tony Moffat David Turner
Membership Secretary Gordon Rose Tony Hemmings Michael Hasler
Magazine Editor Geraint Pritchard David Sheath Andreas Christou
Website Manager Michael Pinfield Nigel Wade Tony Hemmings
Entertainments Secretary Post left vacant
Archivist David Turner Michael Hasler Nigel Wade
Ordinary Members
Andreas Christou
Tony Moffat Geraint Pritchard Michael Hasler
Peter Sargent
Tim Westbrook
5. Election of Honorary Auditors
Chris Langford and Roger Engledow were unanimously elected Honorary Auditors on a vote taken on the
proposal of Roger Melling, seconded by Peter Engledow.
6. Other business
The Honorary Secretary drew attention to the decision of Peter Bonner and Nigel Wade to stand down as
Committee members, Peter after 7 years including President in 2008-09, and Nigel after 4 years including
President in 2011-12, and thanked them both for their valuable contribution, which was warmly supported by
the members present.
Peter Sargent asked about obtaining a copy of the Pupil Record Cards which have recently been incorporated
into our Archives at Stationers' Hall. The Archivist replied that personal copies can be produced for members
and a proposal by Cbris Langford that a fee of £5.00 should be charged was seconded by Mike Hasler and
approved by the members.
Peter Hames reminded members of the 'School Corner' on the 2nd floor, which contains portraits of former
Headmasters of the School.
The Honorary Secretary advised members that the AGM and Annual Dinner next year will be held at
Stationers' Hall on Friday 27th March.
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 6.30pm.
42

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
OLD STATIONERS’ ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
Good evening, gentlemen, and thank you for your presence here tonight at our AGM. I hope we will not
detain you for too long as I know that finer events await.
Let me start with a brief historical introduction. Whenever I visit Stationers' Hall I never cease to marvel
at the beauty of this building and be inspired by a sense of the history that seeps through this Hall. To
think that this great building was burnt down in the Great Fire of London and rebuilt in 1673 at a cost
of just £3,000. The wood panelling alone came to the princely sum of £300. The School, of course, came
much later - first at Bolt Court in 1858 at a cost of £8,000 and then its relocation in 1893 to Mayfield
Road, Homsey, at a cost of £14,000.
The Stationers' Old Boy's Association, later to become the Old Stationers' Association, was founded in
1895 and I was proud and honoured to have been installed last March as its 90th President. I have had
a marvellous year and have enjoyed participating in so many events and meeting so many of you. Though
the School has been closed for more than 30 years - and most of us left many years before that closure
- clearly, as our School Song says, we are proud to be Stationers and with hearts thus united no distance
can sever.
A number of you have travelled some way today to be present at our Annual Dinner, and I thank you for
that. And for the many who live too far away, or are too infirm to travel, we keep them close to us through
our wonderful magazine, and I pay particular tribute to editor Geraint Pritchard who has the arduous
task of bringing it all together. I think that you will all agree that the latest 78th edition is just superb and
a brilliant read.
I didn't appreciate, until becoming Vice-President and then President, just how much work goes on
behind the scenes to ensure the success of the wide variety of activities that our Association is involved
in. In particular, I have been greatly impressed by the dedication and diligence of our Committee, who
give so much of their time and effort to ensure that everything is running smoothly, and I would like to
place on record my grateful thanks to them for the support they have given me in my presidential year
of office. I would also like to thank and praise the significant contribution made by fellow Old Stationers
who head up the various clubs and societies that make our Association so active and enjoyable. I
particularly single out Alan Green, for his impressive organisation of the Luncheon Club; Peter Bonner,
for the running of our very successful Golf Society; Vince Wallace and Ian Meyrick, for ensuring that
our soccer traditions continue to thrive in the Stationers colours; Stuart Behn, for overseeing the exclusive
and convivial Apostles' Club; Mike Pinfield, for his works with the School Lodge; and David Hudson,
who organises the Bridge Society. I think a little round of applause would be merited for all those unpaid
volunteers who represent us so well.
Last December, at our Christmas Luncheon at the Hall, I asked for your help in finding storage for some
important pupil record cards, dating back over many years, which Philip Trendall had managed to retrieve
from the School before it was demolished. They contain details of every pupil's academic and sporting
achievements and look like this (holding up sample). You will be pleased to hear that this problem has
been resolved thanks to the Company finding us a suitable storage room in this building, which will
accommodate all of our valuable archives, and my thanks to Archivist David Turner for overseeing this
successful relocation.
Now, just a brief word about the proposed new' Academy that I know the Master will make reference to
in his address tonight, and which will probably incorporate the name Stationers when it finally opens. It
is an existing school in the London Borough of Greenwich called Crown Woods, which was completely
43

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
OLD STATIONERS’ ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
rebuilt at a cost of £50M in 2011. It is seeking Academy Status through the sponsorship of the Stationers'
Company, and then will be renamed. I visited Crown Woods in January, with members of the Company,
and was very impressed by the state of the art facility - particularly for sport. The Company is hoping
that, after due diligence has been performed, the Academy will open this September. Once this takes
place, then the Committee will have to assess how this impacts upon our Association and in due course,
no doubt, make recommendations.
Finally, I would like to commend those of you who have been organising reunions of year groups in the
past and, I hope, for many years to come. Sadly, each year we lose a number of members and this is likely
to accelerate with the passing of time. Therefore, I urge you to be proactive in recruitment. Our
membership continues to remain healthy at around 500, and the reunions that you are organising have
been a good source of new membership.
Thank you again for your support for tonight's occasion and I hope that you enjoy the remainder of the
evening in very good company.
David Sheath President
Honorary Treasurer’s Report
For the year to 31st December 2013
I am pleased to present the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2013.
The surplus for the year on Ordinary Activities is £586 (last year £2,057). The membership is around 500, down
very slightly on last year, and includes a number of Honorary Members. We have had a steady intake of new
members during the year.
The decrease in income is due to the reduction of the amount of arrears being collected since subscriptions were
increased a few years ago, and to lower donations.
Higher expenditure this year is due to the last magazine being 56 pages as against the normal 48 pages, with the
associated extra costs and postage. Web site expenses were £163 compared with zero last year.
Other Activites, covering merchandise, books and social events, show a surplus of £965 this year (last year deficit of
£73). They include a surplus on sale of ties, scarves and blazer badges. Baynes' book, A History of the Stationers'
Company's School, produced a surplus of £61 on sales during the year and there was a surplus of £889 on dinners
and lunches.
Overall, we have a surplus of £ 1,551 this year (last year £ 1,984) which has been added to the Accumulated General
Fund.
This year the Embleton Fund has subsidised the reprint of the 40th Anniversary President's Day programme and
£123 has been written off against this Fund.
The main features of the Balance Sheet are an increase in the cash held, partly offset by the increase in creditors. I
am pleased to report that the OSA is in a healthy financial position and that, following the rise in subscriptions
three years ago and barring unforeseen circumstances, we should be able to hold them at the present level for some
time to come.
Michael Hasler
Hon. TreasurerHon. Treasurer
44

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
OLD STATIONERS’ ASSOCIATION
Balance Sheet
As at 31st December 2013
ASSETS
31.12.13 31.12.12
£ £ £ £
Cash at bank on current account 6,331 4,209
Cash on deposit account 10,935 7,730
Total cash at bank 17,266 11,939
Stock of ties & badges (note 2) 850 1,119
Stock of books and programmes (note 3) 271 252
The Carpenter Painting 1,077 1,077
Less Net Creditors/Debtors
Debtors 10 0
Less Creditors (9,994) (6,335)
(9,984) (6,335)
TOTAL ASSETS 9,480 8,052
FINANCED BY:
Memorial Fund (Embleton) 1,721 1,844
Accumulated General Fund 7,759 6,208
9,480 8,052
NOTES
1 The OSA also has in its possession a number of items of regalia and cups.
It is not proposed to show these on the face of the accounts, but the value for insurance
purposes is £2,950.
2 Stock of Ties and badges
Stock 31.12.12 1,119 1,469
Purchases - Scarves, badges and ties 0 30
1,119 1,499
Less sales at cost 235 348
Less presented to The President 22 32
Less presented to The Master 12
Stock 31.12.13 850 1,119
3 Stock of books and programmes
Stock at 31.12.13 252 993
Purchases - reprints 536
788 993
Less cost of sales 517 721
Less F.O.C. to Baynes family 0 12
Less 1 to Archive 0 8
Stock at 31.12.12 271 252
M F Hasler Treasurer
Auditors Report
In our opinion the above Balance sheet and related Statements of Income and Expenditure, Accumulated Fund
and Memorial Fund present a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Old Stationers' Association as at 31
st December 2013 and of the surpl of income over expenditure for the year.
R Engledow, C Langford
45

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 9
OSA Funds Summary
Year ended 31st December 2013 31.12.13 31.12.12
£ £
MEMORIAL FUND (EMBLETON)
Balance per Accounts 31.12.12 b/fwd 1,844 1,994
Less Old Stationers' President's XI 40th Anniversary book net cost (123) (150)
Accumulated Surplus on Memorial Fund 1,721 1,844
ACCUMULATED GENERAL FUND
Balance per Accounts 31.12.12 b/fwd 6,208 4,224
Add: Surplus on ordinary activities 586 2,057
Deduct: -Deficit/Surplus on other activities 965 (73)
Accumulated Surplus on ordinary activities 7,759 6,208
TOTAL OSA FUNDS AT 31.12.2013 9,480 8,052
GENERAL FUND
Income & Expenditure Account
Year ended 31st December 2013 31.12.13 31.12.12
ORDINARY ACTIVITIES £ £ £ £
Income
Subscriptions & donations 7,480 7,863
Bank interest 5 4
7,485 7,867
Expenditure
Magazine and bulletin costs 6,443 5,487
Printing, Stationery, Postage & Web expenses 336 143
Sundry expenses 120 180
6,899 5,810
Surplus on Ordinary Activities 586 2,057
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Tie, scarves and blazer badge sales net -cost/income 25 (20)
Past President badges at cost (10) (20)
Baynes book 61 79
Net surplus on dinner and lunch club 889 (112)
-Deficit/Surplus on other activities 965 (73)
EXCESS INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR 1,551 1,984
46

Old Stationers Fantasy Football -
Season 2014/5
As per our league table below, Odetothomas Dons finished as League
Champion, shading TrundlinAgain (Pat Dunphy) into second place, with
Chevaliers NZ, managed by John Shanks, based in New Zealand, claiming
third place. Congratulations are in order to our newcomer, Ian Moore, of
magazine fame, winner of our Cup competition at the first attempt.
Just a brief word about this competition: points are scored based on the success
or otherwise of footballers in the Premiership and at the beginning of the
season all players eligible are listed by the Daily Telegraph, with values stated,
which don’t change throughout the season, although comings and goings of
players are constantly updated. The competition allows the Manager of each
team a maximum expenditure of £50,000,000 per team. Currently up to 30
transfers of players are allowed in the season, limited to just 5 any one week. The
Telegraph awards points for goals scored and assists as well as for defensive
players keeping clean sheets and “man of the match”. There is a scale of points
deducted for goals conceded, yellow/red cards received. The Telegraph itself has
a range of prizes awarded weekly/at the end of the season - its top prize this
year was £35,000. The paper ecourages the formation of leagues such as ours,
providing regular revised editions of league tables available on the computer, all
making it very user-friendly, even for the newcomer. Full details as to our own
rules, award of prize money etc., can be found by reference to www.oldstationers.
co.uk.
Don Bewick
Final League Position - Overall
1 5796 Mr D Bewick* Odetothomas Dons 15 1714
2 9953 Mr P Dunphy TrundlingAgain 34 1687
3 17424 Mr J Shanks Chevaliers NZ 28 1654
4 19160 Mr R Slatford In The Net 27 1648
5 29342 Mr D Bewick NE1410IS 35 1617
6 34755 Mr D Hudson Thinslug 11 1603
7 44121 Mr I Moore DribblyBibs 15 1581
8 46868 Mr M Mote itsafreebie 25 1575
9 48320 Mr M Mote bellow street united 18 1572
10 49718 Mr D Bewick Pick & Peckham Dons 28 1569
11 58918 Mr M Mote grange park utd 13 1550
12 67931 Mr R Slatford BFG Fc 21 1532
13 71543 Mr P Dunphy ONandONandON 49 1525
14 87752 Mr D Hudson OSFC 5 1494
15 91914 Mr D Hudson HUD1E 16 1486
16 119170 Mr D Hudson Bens Boys 16 1432
17 140263 Mr M Mote shanghai surprise 12 1387