1960 - 1969
Gordon Stollard (1960)
Still struggling with an indifferent golf handicap! s/y Pipe Dream is now based in Lagos, Portugal, cruised the Portuguese and Spanish coasts as far as Gibraltar, cruising logs can be found at www.gestollard.co.uk. This year I plan to take Pipe Dream to Sardinia, son Jonathan now engaged to Dr Giuditta Sanna from Potoscoso. (18/3/12)
I was an orthopaedic surgeon in Harrogate, retiring in 2001. In 2003 I commissioned an Island Packet yacht in which we came 2nd in class on the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers in 2006 returning to the Mediterranean in 2009. Pipe Dream is currently in Sardinia but will return to the UK via Portugal and the Azores in three legs in 2015. If any sailing OE would like to help crew for a two-week period involving a one-week off shore passage and some leisurely cruising thereafter please contact me. (24/1/15)
Christopher Hughes (1960)
I was honoured to receive an OBE for services to pension protection on the expiry of my term as a non-executive director of the Pension Protection Fund. My sons Christian and Marcus (both 1986) attended the ceremony at Buckingham Palace along with my third son Dominic and my wife, Gail. I continue as a longstanding Foundation Governor and consequently claim to have attended almost as many Speech and Founder's Days as I have had school dinners. I am the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren, three each to Christian and Marcus. (31/7/13)
Ralph R Bergmann (1961)
In July I presided over a national event at the Royal Festival Hall London - the 12th Siyum HaShas - marking the completion of the entire Talmud studies by thousands in the UK and abroad on a page-per-day cycle over seven years, under the Daf Yomi programme, launched by Agudas Yisroel. in the autumn of 1923. (1/10/12)
Terry Betts (1961)
Terry Betts is Chairman of Hertford Civic Society. (19/9/16)
Keith Bradshaw (1961)
After 50 years living in West Cumbria and 40 years working as a materials scientist in the nuclear industry at Sellafield we have now moved to live in Leyland, just south of Preston, much closer to our younger daughter and her family and 100 miles closer to KES. The scenery isn't so good as in the western Lakes, but there are still plenty of opportunities for walking and cycling in fine countryside. I hope to be able to get to more events at KES in the future. (24/1/15)
Richard Butler (1961)
In terms of academic life, last year was my first year of official retirement, although I continued to work for Strathclyde University and other institutions teaching in Hong Kong, Breda (Netherlands)and Venice, and as PhD examiner for several other universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Four books were completed along with four journal articles and five book chapters, and papers given at conferences including ones in Australia, Turkey, and Macau. In family life, my wife and I celebrated our 40th anniversary with children and grandchildren in Canada in August 2010. One grand-daughter Evelyn Butler, May 2010, in Canada, to add to three already in Canada (2 boys and a girl). (17/2/11)
Books published: Tourism and War 2012 (co-edited with W.Suntikul) Routledge, London Island Tourism Sustainable Perspectives 2011 (co-edited with J.Carlsen) CABI Wallingford. (21/9/12)
Awarded the UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge. The prize honours outstanding members of academia for their significant contribution to the development of tourism education and research. (19/9/16)
Howard Fincher (1961)
Since 2005, I have been living in Headington, Oxford, where I am a part-time Maths Tutor with the Study Advice Service at Oxford Brookes University. In addition, I am a CAB adviser at the local bureau. I keep in touch with my three married daughters (Worcester, Wimbledon and Saudi Arabia) and with my six grand-children. And I enjoy cooking lots of dishes with fresh ingredients. I am in touch with Chris Blunt and Alan Gracie, and we all met up for the funeral of Mike Storer in 2010. (20/3/11)
David Filkin (1961)
No special news. I have three sons from my marriage, all married. I am now divorced (since October 2010) but have four grand children with two more expected (one in October this year, 2012; and the other in February next year, 2013) (22/9/12)
David Gerrard (1961)
So sorry, all very boring - unless you wish to hear about my health! Still spending a couple of mornings a week at Citizens' Advice Bureau, have just been to Orkney for a wedding. Younger daughter has her marriage in St Andrews at the end of August, then niece has her's in her home island of Procida (Bay of Naples) three weeks later. Otherwise my time is my own. (31/7/13)
Rod Marston (1961)
I have continued to act as a director of two mining/exploration companies based in Australia, which explore for or mine copper, gold, nickel, tin and zinc, in Australia and Morocco. I have been in Australia, working as a professional geologist for 40 years. I have made publications on copper and nickel mineralisation over the period from 1975 to 1985. I spent most of the 1990's as a team leader developing a major new gold mine in Ghana, West Africa, which is still operating today. (22/10/11)
Michael Phipps (1962)
Retired from Senior Civil Service in 2004, but being kept busy with many voluntary activities including church, serving as Trustee of five charities (chairman of two), school governor (vice-chairman), going to opera and concerts, mountain walking in Lake District and Scotland, foreign travel. Still living in Buckinghamshire village on edge of Chilterns. Enjoyed attending OE 1962 reunion at School in March 2012. (28/3/12)
Ian Plenderleith (1961)
Joined the London Board of Morgan Stanley, the US investment bank, as a non-executive Director. (23/10/11)
John Ruddick (1961)
I am pleased to inform you that I have been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year 2014 Honours List - for services to jazz - Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra. Further details about the orchestra can be found at: www.myjo.co.uk (31/12/13)
Tom Shippey (1961)
Though retired and living in Dorset, I am still speaking at conferences. Nanjing in July, talking about ‘Epic and Romance’; Germany in August, plugging the second German translation of my Viking trilogy, co-authored with Harry Harrison, Hammer of the North; Hull in October and Trento, north Italy in November, both times to talk about our famous Old Ed, Tolkien. My book on science fiction, Hard Reading, came out last year, and my non-fiction book about Vikings, Laughing Shall I Die, is due out early next year. In between times I write a column for The Wall Street Journal once or twice a month, usually on science fiction and fantasy, but sometimes on historical topics. My wife Catherine says, when is this here retirement going to start? (1/8/17)
David Twiss (1962)
I retired as a Consultant Medical Physicist in the NHS in 2006, just after initial planning at St Stephen’s Church Selly Park started, to embark on our “Building for the Future” scheme. In fact the project has taken 10 years, during which time I have been Project Board Chairman. That involved leading the Project Board and encountering architects, engineers of all descriptions, contractors, and the joys of meeting with City Planners and the Diocesan Advisory Committee. But we got there in the end, and now have a brand new Parish Centre with a stunning foyer, and a re-ordered church which is bright, warm and comfortable.
The £1.4M giving for the project has been wonderful; almost all raised from the congregation and one legacy. We have been hugely encouraged.
Has it been challenging? Yes! Has it been worth the effort? Yes! We hope that we shall now be much better able to reach out to the parish and the community, especially students, so that we can pass on the Good News about Jesus Christ.
My advice to all those approaching retirement: don’t expect a quiet one! (8/2/16)
Nick Brown (1963)
My Tanzanian partner Alice Lameck Gyunda and I had a baby boy on 11th August 2015: Francis Lameck Brown.
David Crigman QC (1963)
4th Crime Fiction novel entitled The Hangman's Fracture published May 2011. (28/10/11)
Pat Fern (1963)
I married Carole Bawlf (a realtor) on 5th September 2015 during a ceremony in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada.
I am currently the Executive Producer of docudrama series 1941, the Producer of the documentary China Transformed and am concluding the financing of the science film Whale Talk. (10/2/16)
Michael May (1963)
I have sold my practice and joined the ranks of the relaxed retired, hoping to travel and enjoy the fruits of years of hard graft. (21/9/12)
I am enjoying retirement very much. In 2013, I spent six weeks touring the North and South Islands of New Zealand and had a wonderful time with a mixed group of singles and married couples, about half and half Aussies and Brits.
In 2014, I went with a party from Lincolnshire on a week-long Pilgrimage to the Holy Land visiting sites relating to Our Saviour’s life and death as well as Masada where over 900 Jewish Rebels held out against the Romans for several months in 73AD.
Last year, with another party from Lincolnshire, I spent five days visiting the beautiful city of Krakow including the site of Schindler’s Factory featured in the film Schindler’s List and the Auschwitz and Birkenhau concentration camps, now preserved as a museum to the memory of those murdered there. This latter visit was moving and harrowing at the same time. I also visit Scotland each year for a couple of weeks exploring the Islands of the Outer and Inner Hebrides, the Orkneys and Shetland as well as the Highlands northwards along the western coast of the mainland. Otherwise I keep myself busy at home with leisure pursuits – walking, reading, watching TV and DVDs and generally having a rest.(5/2/16)
Chris Osborn (1963)
I have now retired as an entertainments and commercial lighting engineer but am busier than ever as a clerk to several local school governing bodies as well as being the secretary to the Birmingham Methodist District property committee. I have been trying to complete my model of a Tamar lifeboat and am determined to finish it this year, weather permitting! (7/2/12)
Paul Quinton (1963)
Having left the UK in January 1970 to work in Holland, Belgium, France and Austria; I was disappointed when the UK electorate decided to leave the EU. This had no direct impact upon our permanent resident status in Holland but did potentially affect us if we chose in the future to move nearer our daughter in Belgium. My wife and I therefore opted to become Dutch as well as British citizens thus solving any issues in the event of the Brexit negotiations derailing. My daughter is applying to become Belgian for similar reasons. (30/7/17)
Richard Batchelor (1964)
I was awarded the Hornsby Cup by the Institution of Engineering Designers for the best paper of the year in Engineering Designer. (21/10/11)
Stephen Cockle (1964)
Pax Christi Chorale, my choir in Toronto, Canada, recently completed a memorable tour in southern England, including a concert at The Ruddock PAC on Wednesday 27 July 2016. Although we attracted only a ‘select’ audience, I was pleased to have the opportunity of talking to OEs and current staff members at the reception kindly provided by the Ruddock PAC.
Later in the tour, the choir’s visit to Gloucester to sing Choral Evensong in the cathedral was the occasion for a get-together with Nick Collins and Andrew Turrall, two other 1964 OEs who had come along to hear us (and who thought the choir sounded wonderful!). Nick lives in Vancouver, but is on an extended visit to Bristol, while Andrew lives near Gloucester. We’re all now enjoying our retirement. Andrew and I met previously at a reunion of 1964 KES leavers a decade or so ago, but neither of us had seen Nick since our school days. I was pleased to find that we all still look trim on entering our 80th decades. (20/9/16)
Nick Collins (1964)
Well I am in regular communication with David Crigman (1963) who is a renowned QC in Birmingham, Clive Port a retired (at 49!!) teacher in Sutton Coldfield who is in a guitar class with Jim Evans from about 1961, and Chris Morgan (1963) who is in Swaziland. Sadly both Clive & Chris lost their wives to illness, so have a common bond and have reconnected in both Sutton & Swaziland. Peter Harborne who was the first UK Ambassador to Slovakia, later British High Commissioner in Trinidad now works in the House Of Commons checking that UK legislation conforms to EU legislation. Pat Ferns (1963), who has the Order of Canada and has been active in TV and documentary film making, and I connected last year in Vancouver at the Premiere of his film about Charles Darwin. He now lives in Victoria BC and we are trying to set up a pub lunch there or in Vancouver. He travels the world constantly and extensively. For my sins I have taught at Capilano University for almost a third of century and am a University Senator. (2/10/10)
I left Capilano University after 33 years and taught English in Salamanca for a year. Now happily retired beside the ocean in sunny Vancouver where I arrived in 1967. (2/2/14)
I have just finished working for FIFA on Hospitality/Protocol for the Women's World Cup. Most fascinating to see crowds of 50,000 plus at games. In August we are moving to Bristol so after nearly 50 years teaching in Canada I am coming home. (10/7/15)
I am now marking 50 years living in Vancouver, Canada – all spent teaching languages. When I first arrived, I thought I would move when I found a better place to live. I have moved three miles in that time. During a recent spell in England, I managed to meet Clive Port, David Crigman QC, Judge John Warner and ‘Mint’ Harborne. A highlight was the Dennis Amiss dinner speech. Recently I spent time in Japan visiting my wife's family and two months in Guatemala doing volunteer work. I have now embarked on studying Mandarin, my 10th language. What would VJ Biggs say to that? (20/3/17)
Well, recently I have been driving a lot; in fact, I have just arrived in Guelph Ontario after seven days driving my 11-year-old Yaris 4,603km from Vancouver. We passed through Rocky Mountains and endless wheat fields and towns named Medicine Hat, Moose Jaw and Swift Current. My wife is going to work on Gender Empowerment in The Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies and I am planning to work with 220 Syrian Refugees with their Settlement and Language Acquisition. All in all, a new adventure and I am looking forward to an OE meeting in Toronto in the autumn. (1/8/17)
Colin Falconer (1964)
After leaving school, I studied at King's College, Cambridge and the London School of Economics. In 1979, I moved to France and since then have lived and worked in various suburbs of Paris. I retired from teaching English – mainly to professional people, the unemployed and students in higher education – in 2011 and now spend part of the year in Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, where my wife was born (we have a house to rent for holidays if anyone is interested!). For most of the time I live in Saint-Denis, in the northern suburbs of Paris.
My two daughters are now in their 30s. After receiving a bilingual education, they now work 1) as a legal expert in a well-known international organisation in Zurich specialising in football and 2) as a journalist for the French national press agency. In January 2016, I became a grandfather for the first time. My grandson is of English/Welsh/Scottish/Afro-Caribbean and Swiss-German origin – his father being a native of the German-speaking part of Switzerland – and attends a trilingual nursery. (20/3/17)
Nick Holland (1964)
I left KES in 1964 to go directly to the Royal College of Art (RCA), London, to take a four year Masters Degree in Industrial Design. Despite art being my best subject, I only studied art to GCE O-level on strong parental advice, and took Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A-level - probably my three worst subjects! I was very fortunate to be accepted at the RCA, now recognised as the world´s best postgraduate university for art and design, as entry was highly sought after. The KES Head of Art, Bruce Hurn, had always been an enthusiastic supporter of my art studies, and gave me valuable advice and assistance that certainly helped me secure a place at the RCA. I only found out about this RCA course three weeks before the two day entrance exam in London, from a leaflet in the School Careers Library, and had an immediate certainty that that was exactly what I wanted to do. And it has very much proved to be exactly right for me.
On leaving the RCA in 1969 with a Masters Degree with Distinction, and the RCA Silver Medal, after an extra sabbatical year as President of the Junior Common Room, I won a Leverhulme Scholarship to spend a year studying and travelling in the USA.
My career thereafter was more or less equally divided between working in large companies as full time Head of Design, and running my own Design Consultancy, Nick Holland Design Ltd (www.nickhollanddesign.com). My last full time job was as Design Director of a large Ceramic and Glass Group in Portugal, Vista Alegre Atlantis. The company is an historic and famous name internationally in its product area. I joined in 1998 thinking I would stay for two or three years, and ended up staying until 2011 - my normal retirement age.
I am now as busy as ever working as an independent design consultant through Nick Holland Design. My clients are in many different countries around the world - England, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, USA, Korea, Vietnam, China, Taiwan. The beauty of the work I do is that with the internet I can be based wherever I choose. I don´t plan to ever retire as I love what I do.
So KES, and Bruce Hurn in particular, had a pivotal role in helping me to find the right path in my professional career. (2/8/15)
Peter Knowles (1964)
I have co-written A History of Eton Fives which was published by JJG Publishing during 2012. There are many references to KES and Old Edwardian Fives included in this very first history of the game. (20/1/13)
David E Long (1964)
I was appointed Secretary (Hon) of the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS), after serving as Hon. Solicitor for many years. The RPS is 200 years old in 2013 and is arranging many events to mark this birthday. My wife and I visited Michael and Kathi Hamar (1964), fellow member of History UVI in Sydney in February 2012. (14/1/13)
Sergio Carlo Maresca (nee Sergio Tew) (1964)
Born of an Italian mother and English father, and in Prince Lee House, Sergio left KES in 1964 and went on across the road to complete an LLB (Hons) at The University of Birmingham, graduating in 1967. He then entered the worlds of business and later education, lived and worked in Barcelona for four years and then emigrated to Australia in 1976. For the last 27 years, Sergio has been a world-ranked multilingual international business motivator who changes lives and businesses around the world. His latest book is called Focus or Fold and is about how to differentiate yourself from your competition without price discounting. He is known as 'The Gladiator' and 'The Thunder Down Under' on the international business speaking circuit because of his ability to enter the international corporate arena and consistently turn around the most toxic corporate cultures of small, medium and large businesses. One of Sergio's most treasured moments at KES was when, as a member of the 1st XV, he scored all three tries in KES's first win over Denstone for many years and was accorded the privilege of leading the team out on school assembly the following week in recognition of their achievement. Sergio also speaks to many community organisations including schools, charitable agencies, hospitals and palliative care institutions. Sergio has recently returned from a speaking tour throughout Southeast Asia, and has this year also spoken in South Africa and the USA. He has also been in touch with Simon Kerwill and is looking forward to arranging to speak to KES's current students on his next visit to the UK. He would really welcome being contacted by any fellow students from his time at KES. For more profile and testimonies see www.maresca.com.au. (24/08/14)
As a result of my adventures after emigrating to Australia, I discovered my passion as an international business speaker and author. One of my books on the personal development theme has been extremely successful and has recently been reprinted this year. It is called ANYWAY! I have recently been travelling extensively around the world this year, promoting it. You can find out more at www.maresca.com.au.
I am really looking forward to any opportunity to give inspirational and motivational presentations to KES students and “Old Boys” on one of my next visits to the UK. I would also love to hear from any Old Edwardians who knew me at school. Amicitia Vita Est! (Friendship Is Life!).(19/9/16)
John R Nurcombe (1964)
Article to appear in the Mathematical Gazette in July 2013 entitled Alteration in the sum of an infinite series by rear anglement? The magisterial work on this topic by Alfred Pringsheim appeared in the Mathematical Annalen (in German) in the same year as the Old Edwardians First played Football. (5/11/12)
Christopher Etherton (1965)
The older one gets, the more one values one's school. I was disappointed that work commitments prevented me from attending the recent reunion of '1965' OEs.
I never quite managed to avail myself of as many of the opportunities that KES presented during my time there. That characteristic has remained with me throughout life, I fear! Including University. A First in Polymer Chemistry from the then UMIST. My uncle, the late and much lamented Howard Stockley (Physics Teacher, Kings Norton Grammar) never quite forgave me for shunning Oxbridge.
I opted for R&D at Cadbury's. Not, I have to say, exciting or fulfilling. I'd enjoyed the Business Management module at university; I applied for a job in Management Services in the West Midlands Regional Health Authority. That turned out to be my main career. They were good times. Within five years we moved from a resource employed by the NHS for its benefit to a purveyor of packaged solutions. I then escaped with my wife Diane and family to the Isle of Wight where we ran a hotel.
I had explored ordination myself in the late '80s, but the church turned me down. In the mid '00s I was persuaded to reapply, and was ordained in 2007. Before ordination, I worked for a while for a manufacturing company on the Isle of Wight, the major supplier to London Underground. It was good to return to an environment involving chemistry.
After ordination, the church let me loose in charge of a couple of Island parishes. Last year, Diane and I returned from exile to mainland England, where I am part of the clergy team covering Bourton-on-the-Water and surrounding villages. (13/8/15)
Peter Handford (1965)
Limitation of Actions: The Laws of Australia (3rd ed) to be published by Lawbook Co, Sydney in November 2011. (22/10/11)
I retired from the University of Western Australia Law School in July 2016, and was made an Emeritus Professor. I taught at the Law School for 40 years, continuing on a part-time basis when acting as Director of Research of the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia from 1983 to 1998. I have recently published a new edition of my book Tort Liability for Mental Harm. (20/3/17)Tom Johnson (1965)
Our daughter, Helen, married Joe Bridal at Marylebone Registry Office in London on Saturday, 21 May 2011, and afterwards at the Mappin Terrace in London Zoo. Helen and Joe live in Primrose Hill and work at the publishing company H. Bauer and Co. To celebrate the event I compiled two crosswords especially for them, one appeared in the May issue of Prospect magazine and the second was published on the day of their wedding in the Financial Times. The second edition of my Malta Bus Handbook, published by British Bus Publishing, appeared on the shelves of all good bookshops in February 2010. (22/10/11)
Jean and I became grand-parents for the first time three weeks ago when our daughter presented us with the most gorgeous baby in the world - Elise Mariella Rose Bridal was born on July 6th. I have already celebrated her birth by compiling my monthly Generalist crossword puzzle for Prospect magazine (October issue) with a secret announcement of her name hidden in the puzzle. (31/7/13)
In July 2013, I was featured in the 'Meet the Setter' online blog by Alan Connor, The Guardian columnist, in which I answered two dozen or so questions about my crossword compiling career and my thoughts as a compiler. December 2013 saw the centenary of the crossword and I did my bit to celebrate the occasion. I wrote an article about crosswords for the December issue of Prospect magazine and my accompanying Generalist puzzle was based on the article. On November 26th I hosted an afternoon party at the magazine's offices to mark the upcoming centenary. The December issue of Saga Magazine included an article about five British crossword compilers; I was one of the five and we met in London for a photoshoot in July - the resulting article featured a photo of us all standing on a large crossword grid along with our CVs. Also in December my wife Jean was interviewed for a weekly magazine - she is one of a small group of female compilers and puzzle proof-readers in the country and the magazine wanted to feature her work. A photo of us both at work at home appeared alongside the article. I contributed material for three chapters in an Australian book about the crossword centenary. Cluetopia by David Astle is only available from the Australian publisher at the moment as it is yet to be released in the UK. I talked about my crossword life as compiler for the Spectator, Prospect and the Puzzler magazines and recounted some amusing anecdotes about each. During 2013 the health of the country's leading compiler Araucaria (of The Guardian) was declining and as he was unable to meet all his usual commitments I was invited by Hugh Stephenson the crossword editor of The Guardian to consider stepping into Araucaria's shoes and to compile the three Jumbo Bank Holiday puzzles (Easter, August and Christmas) which had been Araucaria's sole preserve for almost 50 years. Adopting yet another pseudonym (Maskarade) I made my debut in August and then my second puzzle appeared on the Saturday before Christmas. (Jan 2014)
Towards the end of March, the crossword editor of the Financial Times invited me to consider compiling the 15,000th puzzle in the daily series, to be published on Tuesday 4th August. It did not take me long to decide to accept the challenge and so I set about dreaming up a suitably relevant theme to commemorate the milestone.
I was allowed a free hand to present a cryptic puzzle on any 15x15 squared grid of my own design. I realised that the appropriate phrase CROSSWORD NUMBER FIFTEEN THOUSAND divided easily into two 15-letter phrases. So, I thought, how about having the solutions starting with these letters in order, Across and Down. A couple of hours later I had completed a sample grid which still allowed changes to be made if necessary without losing the 30-letter phrase. Within the grid, I had also concealed two short diagonals which revealed the name of the FT crossword editor. "Why not compile the clues starting with the same 30 starter letters?" I wondered.
As an extra challenge I decided that I should acknowledge other FT compilers and soon I had drawn up a list of thirty FT compiler, past and present whose names would appear clue by clue and the initial letter of each of their names would contribute to the cryptic part of the clue.
The challenge of completing this commemorative puzzle was enormous, but was great fun to achieve. As usual I presented the puzzle under my FT pseudonym, Gozo. As I write this, I am now looking forward to my August Bank Holiday Jumbo crossword in the Guardian on August 29th, this time under my Guardian mask of Maskarade. (4/8/15)
David Jones (1965)
After 45 years, David has recently retired from his paid employment with the University of Aberdeen, and is now Deputy Academic Registrar Emeritus.
In his spare time he continues in his 37th year as Secretary of the Aberdeenshire Cricket Association, and 21st as Lay Representative & Treasurer of St Margarets' Episcopal Church (the Lay Representative attends Diocesan Synod and, being Scotland, participates in the election of the bishop). He has added to his full-time first degree in Hungarian a part-time degree in Theology, and delivers the odd sermon when requested.
More surprisingly, for services rendered, along the way he has been accorded Honorary Life Membership of Judo Scotland, and has recently been awarded his 2nd Dan (strictly non-competitive since a minor stroke in 2009!) black belt grade of the British Judo Association. (13/8/15)
Ian Nuttall (1965)
Caught up with Bill (WR) Sykes (1964) last year in the Algarve where Bill and his charming wife Sally have lived for the last 20 plus years.
Bill and I both played first XI cricket under the tutelage of Derek Benson for two or three years in the early 60's and both went on to become Chartered Accountants, Bill then going in to banking, which took him out to the Caribbean. Whilst there he actually became Chancellor of the Exchequer for the Turks & Caicos Islands before returning to Portugal where he bought three acres of an old beekeepers land on which he now has a beautiful Villa and properly laid cricket pitch complete with an old English cricket pavilion which is crammed full of superb sporting memorabilia.
Bill had become a qualified cricket coach and until recently brought over parties of young cricketers for coaching holidays. Interestingly he now has many sporting icons amongst his many friends, such as Graham Gooch and Henry Blofeld and has had many ex test players staying at his Villa.
He contacted me via OE email listing and I spent a long weekend with him and Sally in the summer which culminated in a charity garden party, and yes, a game of cricket. Bill also came over to Birmingham in September for a couple of days as I had a pair of corporate tickets for the England V Australia ODI at Edgbaston which unfortunately was rained off after an hour although on leaving we bumped into Chris Tickle who is now a high ranking official at Warwickshire CCC as well as being a respected Barrister. Chris was a cricket loving contemporary of ou
Bill and I plan to see each other more regularly now - but I think I get the better deal out of that!
Incidentally, I left the Accountancy profession around about 1970 to enter into my father's manufacturing business and still work far too many hours although two of my t sons tell me they now run it! (28/1/14)
Bill Sykes, Graham Gooch and I recently played at Graham’s charity golf week at Vila Sol in the Algarve. Bill and Graham are very old friends through cricket. Bill and I were part of the very successful 1st XI in early mid 60s and still see each other regularly in Vilamoura.
Another member of that team, David Taylor, recently celebrated his 70th birthday along with his lovely wife Pat. I was very pleased to be at Wedmore Golf Club in Somerset to celebrate with them along with OEs Andrew Packham, Mick Tracey, David Dalloway and Jim Evans. (28/7/14)
Graham Rand (1965)
On my 65th birthday I took 5 wickets in a league match at Holker Hall near Cartmel. In October I became President of Omega Rho, the International Honour Society of Operational Research. (15/11/12)
I am the founding editor of Impact, a magazine published by the Operational Research Society. The first issue is available at: issuu.com/orsimpact/docs/impact_issuu (11/7/15)
David Taylor (1965)
I have just got back from the OECC Tour, which I believe is the 47th. Among those attending were John Winspear, Jim Evans, Mike Hughes and Preston Fletcher, who is the only one still playing. It is no longer a trek for me to get to the Tour HQ in Bath, as I live less than an hour away in deepest Somerset. Apart from playing golf, I now sing in the Glastonbury Male Voice Choir and recently conned Mike Tracey (1961) (another cricketing stalwart) to come to our concert in the Abbey at Glastonbury. (08/8/13)
We have just completed an abridged 49th Old Edwardians Cricket Club Tour. The 50th Tour will take place at the end of July 2016, along with a celebration dinner in Bath. (2/8/15)
News from deepest Somerset... We have been here for nearly seven years. In 1967 the Old Eds Cricket Club had its first tour to the West Country and has been here every year since. 2016 is the 50th tour. We had dinners to celebrate tours 25 and 40. This year we want anyone who has been on a tour, played for the Old Eds or is an OE who plays cricket to come on the tour commencing 25 July. The dinner will probably be on 28 July in Bath. Anyone wishing to come should email me: davidandpattaylor@btinternet.com. (7/2/16)
John Clarke (1966)
After 43 years in social housing and 11 years freelance I hope to retire on my 65th birthday. My health is ok and I hope to be able to follow through things like learning to play the piano, making a bread oven, and travelling across Europe to Asia, preferably with Diana and possibly in our 1964 VW camper. (21/9/12)
Michael (Mick) Cooney (1966)
Played the dame in local amateur drama clubs pantomime in December 2011. Still married after 43 years. (25/9/12)
Approaching my 70th birthday, I have recently taken up walking football and am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to play a team sport again. (28/7/17)
Paul Hill (1966)
Having just 'returned to the fold', I retired in 2006 after a career in the bus industry, the last 21 years as Managing Director of Lincolnshire Road Car Company. As a musician at school, I've always kept singing, currently in three choirs with my wife. On retirement, I became chairman of the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival, and am also a Trustee of the British & International Federation of Festivals of Music, Dance & Speech. I hope to take a more active part in OE activities and to renew old acquaintanceships. (20/3/14)
Richard Reeve (1966)
32 former 70th Birmingham (KES) Scouts who left KES between 1960 and 1972, plus 13 wives, held a 50 year reunion in July 2016. With attendees from as far afield as Singapore, Serbia and across the UK from Edinburgh to Devon, Co Durham to Pembroke and Lincoln to Bristol, all came together one beautifully sunny day in a picturesque village in Lancashire. A huge thank you to everyone who came, their presence was what made the whole event the success it was. Read a full write up of the event at: www.oldeds.kes.org.uk/scoutsreunion (19/9/16)
I have supplied a selection of audio clips from the final assembly in July 1965 to the Foundation Archive, including the unmistakable voice of Canon Lunt throughout. Those interested can listen to the clips at: www.oldeds.kes.org.uk/final-assembly-1965 (30/7/17)
Richard Arculus (1967)
I retired from the Australian National University at the end of December 2015. I am now an emeritus professor at that institution, and will be maintaining my research interests, particularly in submarine volcanism and hydrothermal activity. I am currently on a two-month-long research voyage in the vicinity of Heard and McDonald islands in the Southern Ocean. (7/2/16)
Paul Rugg-Easey (1967)
Travelled to Australia (Perth area). (21/9/12)
Nigel Gilbert (1967)
Gilbert, N. (Ed.). (2010). Computational Social Science. London: Sage (4 vols.) (9/12/11)
After leaving KES, I went to study in Cambridge. I was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2016 for services to engineering and the social sciences. (19/9/16)
Stephen Hiley (1967)
I will be appearing (not very satisfactorily) as a contestant on Countdown on Channel 4 on Thursday 12th September 2013. (31/7/13)
Graham Hooper (1967)
Retired after 25 years as Senior Executive with a global infrastructure company (AECOM) and returned home to Brisbane after 5 years in Dubai. Celebrated 40 years of marriage to Sue. Now enjoying seeing more of our children and eight grandchildren in Melbourne.
My book Undivided - closing the faith life gap was published by Inter-Varsity Press in UK in April 2013. (2/4/13)
Retired after 25 years as Senior Executive with a global infrastructure company (AECOM) and returned home to Brisbane after five years in Dubai. Celebrated 40 years of marriage to Sue. Now enjoying seeing more of our children and 8 grandchildren in Melbourne. (2/4/13)
Philip Marcus (1967)
After retiring last year from the bench (I was a Judge of the Jerusalem Family Court for 17 years), I have been devoting my time to writing and lecturing on Family Law, particularly relating to children. In the past year I presented papers at conferences in Chicago, Hong Kong, Sydney and most recently London. I also spoke on a panel on careers at KES - an extraordinary experience, coming back to school for the first time since 1967. Much of my work product is available on my website www.philip-marcus.com (18/4/13)
Since my retirement as a Judge of the Family Court in Jerusalem, I have been writing and lecturing on a variety of Family Law topics. In the last three years I have spoken at conferences in Hong Kong, Sydney, Chicago, Toronto, Israel and London, and to experts from four continents who have attended seminars in Israel on Surrogacy, Violence in the Family, Abduction, Trafficking and Parental Responsibilities. In the next year, there are plans for conferences in New Orleans and Fairbanks, Alaska. (25/8/14)
I have lectured at international conferences and given courses in the US, Canada, Australia, Zambia, England, and of course in Israel, and had articles published in the International Bar Association's Family Law newsletter, the Israeli Journal of Medicine and Jewish Law, and other publications. I am also producing position papers on law reform issues in Israel, and have recommended revision of International Conventions relating to children. (2/2/15)
I will be coming to England between 1-11 July, to speak in London at an international conference on Culture, Dispute Resolution and the Modernised Family. I may also visit Birmingham, and would love to meet any Old Edwardians who might be interested. I can be contacted at philipmarcusjurist@gmail.com. (9/2/16)
Robin Wood (1967)
Continued my research as director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town. Elected as Fellow of University of Cape Town and awarded D.Sc (Med). (11/1/13)
Director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at University of Cape Town and the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Our Masiphumelele Youth Centre was in the public eye; visited by President Obama, Annie Lennox etc.: www.desmondtutuhivcentre.org.za. I was awarded DSc (Med), Fellowship of Royal Society (SA), Emeritus Professor UCT, SA National Research Foundation A rated scientist, Scientific adviser to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation AERAS International TB vaccine initiative International Partnership on Microbicides US Government PEPFAR programme. Continuing my research on Tuberculosis Transmission at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine. (24/1/14)
2014 was an eventful year. I became an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Cape Town and was awarded the Weber-Parkes Medal by the Royal College of Physicians, London, a Platinum Lifetime Scientific Award from the South African Medical Research Council, the Ralph Kirsch Golden Pen Award for most highly cited paper in the South African Medical Journal and the Alan Pifer Research Award for outstanding welfare-related research. I am currently working with an outstanding group of scientists working on the aerobiology of tuberculosis transmission. I have managed to postpone retirement for a few more years. (23/1/15)
I managed to postpone retirement by becoming an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at University of Cape Town and remain the CEO of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation. I was recently lucky enough to be awarded the Alan Pifer Research Award for outstanding welfare-related research at University of Cape Town, the bi-annual Weber-Parkes Weber medal for tuberculosis research from the Royal College of Physicians (London) and a Platinum Lifetime Scientific Award by the South African Medical Research Council. I continue to have great fun heading up a team of bright young scientists in the UCT/MRC Flagship Project investigating the “Aerobiology of Tuberculosis”.
My wife Professor Linda-Gail Bekker has become the President Elect of the International AIDS Society and seems to be perpetually traveling, and our youngest son has just started attending senior school in Cape Town. (6/2/16)
Steve Drinkwater (1968)
I retired from work in 2010, having spent most of my professional career in National Parks - the Lake District and then the Pembrokeshire Coast. For the last 5 years I have gained much enjoyment from leading walking holidays in England and Wales for HF Holidays - many of their hotels are located in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. I still live near to the Pembrokeshire Coast with its magnificent cliffs and numerous sandy beaches. There's no doubt in my mind that being a Scout at KES was instrumental in kindling my lifelong passion for the outdoors...
Richard Green (1968)
Retired from regular employment as a Divisional Director of Mott MacDonald, but continuing to work as a part time consultant. (1/5/12)
Life in retirement is no less busy as I volunteer at Birmingham St Mary's Hospice, as well as playing golf, treasurer of the OEGS, walking and spending time with the family, some of whom live in Vancouver - a great place to visit. On a recent visit, to meet our new grandson, I met up with Nick Collins (1964), probably 50 years since we had last eaten in the same room! Nick moved to Vancouver in 1967 and taught at Capilano University for 33 years. We had a great time reminiscing exchanging views on the developments at KES, Birmingham and life in Vancouver from the differing perspectives of a long term expat and a regular visitor - all very interesting!
A Saturday evening in early July saw KES in a new role as the start and finish of Birmingham St Mary's Hospice annual Moonlight Memories Walk. As a volunteer in the fundraising department I felt a great sense of pride in the surroundings and that the school facilities were being used for one of our principal fundraising events.
Big School made a huge impression on everyone involved in this eight mile sponsored walk around Edgbaston, Harborne and Selly Oak, and was a magnificent arena for the pre-walk formalities, Zumba-style warm up and finishing medal presentations. Many of the 300 participants were in fancy dress and, as the anticipation mounted before the start, I found myself wondering what the former Chief Masters looking down from the walls might have been thinking! (17/8/15)
I studied Civil Engineering at Sheffield University and enjoyed various private and public sector jobs in Civil Engineering, including 10 years with the NCB/British Coal before joining Mott MacDonald – a global engineering and management consultancy – in 1989. I was based in Birmingham and developed their railway civil engineering business in the Midlands and across the UK, and became a Divisional Director.
I took semi-retirement in 2010, eventually retiring in 2015 before recently becoming a part time consultant with SLC Rail, and devoting increasing time to a voluntary fundraising and ambassador role with Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.
Away from work, I married Carol in 1973, and lived in Staffordshire for 15 years then moved back to Birmingham in 1988. We have always been very involved in the local community – I was a founder member of Penkridge Round Table – and have been keen supporters of local schools and community organisations.
Semi-retired life is great fun, providing I can find the time to do everything I would like to do! We have one daughter, son-in-law and grandson now permanently resident in Vancouver and another daughter, son-in-law and two grand-daughters a lot nearer in Hertfordshire; we love holidays, preferably with good walking, and I have never lost my enjoyment of all sports as well as photography, so life is never dull.
I am a very keen, but not particularly good, golfer and maintain my links with school through the Old Edwardians Golfing Society. As well as being a very active member of Walsall Golf Club, I have been Treasurer for some years of what is now the only OE Sports Club which hasn’t gone ‘open’ – but we welcome any OE golfers, regardless of age or ability to our events. (19/9/16)
I have been fortunate to be able to retire gradually from professional life as a civil engineer (which included several years as a Divisional Director at Mott MacDonald, the global management, engineering and development consultancy) and to progressively increase my volunteer role at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice. As an ambassador in the income generation and marketing team, I have guided the development and growth of our Christmas Treecycling campaign, which raised over £30,000 in 2017, and played key roles in many other fundraising events. In June, I was awarded the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council’s Community Volunteer of the Year Award for 2017 – this was a huge boost to Treecycling’s profile.
I have enjoyed enthusiastic support for my work for the Hospice from my family, and a great response from the companies and volunteers who have become key members of the Treecycling team, but it is the tremendous growth in the community which is really gratifying and exciting to see every year. We have ambitious growth plans for 2018 and would welcome any offers of further corporate and community support.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to be part of the fundraising team at the Hospice and I am incredibly grateful for their help, support and friendship, and for the opportunity to work on some amazing projects and events. (28/7/17)
Neil Hickman (1968)
May it Please You, Madam was reprinted by popular request in 2020. I have also published Memorable Games of British Chess (Amazon, £14.99); of the 90 games in it, 11 are by Old Edwardians. Although retired from the law, I still contribute to the Family Court Practice, the standard work on Family Court procedure, and write occasional articles on chess and on the law. (12/2/21)
David Jeffcoat (1968)
I went on a memorable trekking holiday in Nepal, a tough physical challenge during which we saw some amazing sights and met some fascinating local people. (10/2/12)
Dr Robert Johns (1968)
Johns R.; 2011; Using the Law in Social Work (fifth edition). Learning Matters; Exeter. ISBN 978 0857254054 Johns R.; 2010; Social Work, Social Policy and Older People. Learning Matters; Exeter. ISBN 978 1844453498 (23/10/11)
Stephen Rand (1968)
I edit the digital communications of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief:www.freedomdeclared.org. In January, my report 'Freedom of Religion and the Persecution of Christians', written for Christian charity Open Doors, was launched at an event in Parliament attended by over 70 MPs. (23/1/15)
Graeme Cull (1969)
Retired in December 2011, having commuted daily from Stafford to London for six years. Getting to know my six year old twins better, and brushing up on my maths by doing their homework! (12/11/12)
Phil Drake (1969)
I am now retired after a career in teaching- latterly as Head of History at a Sixth Form College in Derby. Living in Sheffield as I have ever since going to University there in 1969. Still, as at KES, into railways, walking and music (especially progressive rock and Vaughan Williams). Also in the same Sheffield suburb are Colin Roberts (1970) and Mike Smith (1976) who are both friends of mine. (8/8/15)
Roger Herbert (1969)
Now semi-retired after nearly 40 years as a solicitor, latterly working as in-house counsel in John Hemming MP (1978) associated IT and stockbroking companies. I have lived for last seven years in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, working as a holiday rep and timeshare sales agent at Club La Santa sports resort. I am helped in the business by wife, Jane, and younger children, Cathryn (21) and Matt (19). (12/7/14)
Brian May (1969)
I was one of a group of 13 who attempted to climb Kilimanjaro in January 2011. Seven of us made it to the summit, including me, even though the temperature at 5900m was -35C! A good challenge for my 60th birthday and charity benefited to the sum of £25,000. My feet have nearly recovered and maybe another challenge will be forthcoming. (10/10/11)
I have just finished a successful year as President of Northampton Rotary Club. Highlights have included trips to India, Denmark and Germany. But the greatest event must have been a reunion with John Wheatley at the Bowie exhibition! (31/07/13)
Peter Morris (1969)
Married Karen Thompson in April 2016. (20/3/17)
Harry Irrgang (1969)
Met fellow Old Edwardian and classmate Richard Felski in Warsaw after 42 years and ended up talking in Polish to each other. As this is my first posting, perhaps I should say that I have lived in Poland since 1986 and am married to my second wife, Ania, who is Polish. I have two daughters from my first marriage, and six granddaughters. (26/9/11)
Rex Walker (1969)
Having been successively finance Director of John & E. Sturge Ltd (fine chemicals), Triton plc (domestic showers), and Apollo Metals plc (aerospace metals), I co-founded First Choice Watercoolers Ltd (office drinks) in 1997. The company was sold to Nestle in 2001 and I retired in 2003. I was part-time Treasurer to two substantial charities until 2011. I have kept up my languages (all those verb drills with Vic Biggs et al must have paid off) and we have now retired to Spain. I am still in touch with a few OE's (George Marsh, Steve Hayes) but would welcome news of other contemporaries. (6/12/11)
John Wheatley (1969)
I have recently joined the board of Trustees for Birmingham Dogs Home as Vice Chairman to Richard Temple Cox (1956). (26/1/15)
I took over, from Richard Temple Cox CBE who is an OE, as Chairman of the Birmingham Dogs Home in January this year. We had a Royal opening on 13 April.
Neil Burton (1972) and I have also recently come back from our 16th consecutive annual trip this year (2016) on our motorbikes to the Vosges Mountains in France. It was torrential rain for three of the six days we were away but we saw the new memorial museum at Verdun and witnessed the most amazing firework display alongside the river at Verdun on Bastille day. (19/9/16)
