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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 6
T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 1 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 7
Page 1 and 2: No 81 /July 2015 The Old Stationer
Page 3 and 4: T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o
Page 5: T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o
Page 11 and 12: OSA CHRISTMAS LUNCH 2015 at STATION
Page 19 and 20: Hi Geraint perring32@btinternet.com
Page 29 and 30: up from where he’d thrown them an
Page 39 and 40: got them both into trouble. Who wer
Page 47: Old Stationers Fantasy Football - S

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