Old Tamensians: Alumni News 2000 - 2003

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News for 1900-1999

2000: Jim Sutherland 66-71 had been in the Navy for 14 years, leaving as Weapons Engineering Technician. He was a member of the Society of Environmental Engineers. Paul Shewry 73-78 was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army; Cdr Tim Frazer, Cdr David Lilley and Lt. Col Steve Lincoln were all working in Whitehall; Andy Dean 77-84 was also in the Army. Mark Brown 74-81 was a Higher Executive Officer in the Civil Service and working in IT. Georgina Russell -82 was working as an Operations Manager for a comic and card accessories firm. She lived in Milton Keynes and was married to OT Steve Newman. Davey Leaning married Elaine, Kate Neal was engaged to John, and Mathew Jenkin was teaching history in South Wales - all 82-89. Lucy Fowler 85-92 was teaching at Epsom Primary School. Catherine Fursman 85-92 was finishing her PhD in Chemistry at Oxford. Chloe Lafferty 90-97 had graduated from Liverpool University as an Orthophist. John Fulkes gave the Founder's Day lecture: Lord Williams's in the Community: A Personal Reflection. Both Geoff Cornish 1950-57 and Jon Polden 1950-57 had contacted the OTs on the same day. Mark Brown 1974-81 first joined the Civil Service but then moved into IT and was working in Didcot as Higher Executive Officer. He was a boarder (some of his peers included John Bryan, John Cook and Simon Lambert), and was lucky enough to have recently returned from a guided tour with Mike Shorthouse his tutor for some years. Kendra Simpson 1985-92 had given birth to a son. Claire Rich 1985-92 had travelled to Australia and Africa for a year. Ian Maughan died suddenly. Brian Page 1940-47 also died - he was well-known for his sporting prowess and on several occasions represented the RAF at Lords. Kirstan Holmes was a primary school teacher. Alan Osborn 47-52 was known at school as Osbourn 1 as opposed to John Osborn was was Osborn 2. After taking retirement he was now heavily involved with geneaology and the University of the Third Age. Andy Arnold 67-73 is working with Hunting Aviation in Lincolnshire. Tony Yates 68-75 was a member of the Systems Group within Brunel's computing service. Jo Rycroft-Malone 77-83 was living in Haddenham and working in the R&D function of the Royal College of Nursing. She was also trying to do a part-time PhD. Kathryn Taylor 77-83 had spent the last 8 years teaching in Kenya but was now living in Surrey with husband Richard and four children. John Crouch who also left in 1893 had started student life late and had just gone-up to Oxford to read history. Thalia Simpson 82-89 had a second child, a daughter called Jessica and was still living in Paris with husband Sylvian Lescop. Davey Leaning 82-89 was getting married, as was Dominic Calder Smith, and Chris Shaw 82-87. Catherine Head 84-91 had studied American and Commonwealth Arts at Exeter, and after garduation worked for Kingfisher becoming Ad Manager for Woolworths. In 1997 she married Jonothan, who'd she met in her first year at University, and after several more years working in London decided life was better outside and were now back in Exeter where catherine was now working as Marketing manager for the University. Bob Hewson 89-94 was Captain of the 1st XV and Deputy Head Boy. He went to Exeter and whilst there ran the Student Radio Station. After graduating with two degrees he joined Barclays and was working on their Graduate Development Programme. He was still playing rugby for both Barclays and Phoenix, his village team. He wrote to say he was still in contact with a number of '94 leavers, including Sam Jordan (working in marketing in SW London), Tom Payne (farming in Wales), Liz Trew (marketing in Covent Garden), William Luther (had just passed out of Sandhurst and had joined the Coldstream Guards), and John Holman. Eddy Young was living in Mexico with his wide Pippa and daughter Joanna. Stuart Green was living near Witney and working for TWR. Keith Barnes had left Oxford-based engineers Young and Webb to join as a partner with enginnering consultants Hill Cannon based in Harrogate. However, Keith was working out of Reading and offering structural and civil enginnering consultancy services. He was living in Chalgrove and in regular contact with a number of contemporaries. Clare Turnball was working for Kyocera Electronics, a Japanese printer company, and living in Reading. Harald Purser 36-43 died at his home in The Elms after many months of ill-health. He was 74. After leaving school, he trained as an electrical engineer, then worked at Farnborough before joining EMI for 40 years. The Golf Day took place at Studley Wood; there was also a second golf day to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the death of Roy Holland, owner of Holland Sports in Thame. A reunion was held in the Spread Eagle for those who left the 6th Form in 1978. Graham Thomas 66-73 had opened a new Saatchi & Saatchi office in Tokyo, along with an art gallery. Roger Nixey -61 was living in Cullompton, Devon where he owned the golf store at Padbrook Golf Club and was also selling and repairing sewing machines. Robert Banbury -61 had spent virtually the whole of his career in and around the book publishing and printing industry and was now running a company providing publishing services for conference organisers. He moved to East Anglia in 1977 and now lived with wife of 35 years, Kate, on Norfolk/Suffol k border near Harleston. Married daughter, Helen, in London and son, Alastair, in Tokyo with Miho and their daughter, Hannah. Peter Timms, after some 38 years working for NatWest Bank was offered and took early retirement in 2000.Now spending most of his time playing golf, watching Kent and the village side play cricket, and visiting France. Married to Sandra Kinch for all but 27 years with a son (Richard) who is at Manchester Univ. and a daughter (Lucy) who works for P&O/Stena in the personnel dept. Michael Barrett -1963 took early retired from DiverseyLever (Unilever Group), as Food Hygiene Specialist / Training Manager. Now he was part-time Company Secretary for his brother's business (Primary Designs - racing exhausts) and Deputy Chair of Training Committee of Society of Food Hygiene Technology. Hobbies were mountain walking, gardening and photography. Married with 3 daughters. Mark Haynes 1958-64 was Managing Director of The Wheelchair Lift Company based in Long Crendon. Lived in Chearsley with Wife Jana (Cowler) and two grown up sons Howden and Russell.

Missing Members at the time included: Richard Abram, Philp Andrew, Paul Ashford, Alexander Birch, Mathew Birch, Alistair Calder, Rebecca Calrk, Dean Clarkin, Adrian Collins, Terence Connor, Michael Cook, Rowland Coobes, Philp Cram, Debra Crook, Clive Dickenson, Ian Dillamore, Stuart Edwards, Janet Ford, Ben Forster, Stuart Gibson, Paul Glenny, Ruth Good, John Grammar, Paul Gratwick, Lorraine Gurney, Louise Halstead, Robin Harrison, Chris Heap, Fiona Hockaday, Ann Holroyd, Martin Honour, Paul Houghton, Stephen Hunt, Julia Irvine, Ingrid Jeffreys, Bernard and Dominic Jones, Anthony Joslin, Hubert Keys, Nigel King, Janet marsh, Robert Mitchell, Dominic Oakeshott, Dawn Preweitt, Rolf Provan, Jill Roberts, Nicola Rudd, Robert Shankey, Ian Smith, Lyn Tremlett and Peter Yeomans were all listed as 'missing' from the address list in 2000. (If you're reading this now, and have not yet contacted the OTA please do.)

2001: David Price (1966 - 1973) who had been living and working in Taiwan, died of cancer at his parent's home in Towersey. Gerald Beere 43-50 had, after 29 years service, retired from the European Space Agency. He'd been living in The Netherlands for nearly 32 years but had now returned to the UK to live in Yorkshire. David Green 50-57 (and also a teacher 93-94) was recovering from a hip operation. Dr Cliff Nixey 50-58 had been awarded the Rupert Chalmers-Watson Trophy for services to the UK turkey industry. Mike Barrett 56-63 took early retirement from Lever. He had studied at Brighton College of technology and then began a career in industrial detergents, mostly in the UK but also in Scandanavia and the Middle East. He and his wife plan to travel, and also to publish some walking booklets on the 'web. He was also a qualified trainer in Food Hygiene. Sandra Rutson 76-83 had gained a PhD in Chocolate Rheoplogy sponsored by Rowntree and had spent 5 years processing fats with Unilever. She was now a housewife and had been married to Rob Cryer 76-83 for ten years. Rob had spent 10 years with ICI and was now with PPG as their European IT Manager. Andrea Walker 80-86 had got married in 1999 was was now living in Warwick and teaching in Banbury. Mathew Jenkins 82-89 was married in Cowbridge with many OTs present including Davey Leaning, Neil Yates, Vicky Schofield, Gavin Ebeling, Mathew Wagstaff, Charottle Fraser, Richard Newman and Oliver Vass. Imogen Sellers 82-89 got married in 1998 but since the birth of her daughter had left her jon with ntl to look after young Freya. Deborah Walker 82-89 studied English at Middlesex and then went on to complete a PGCE at Exeter. She was now teaching English as a second language at Astor School, Dover, and living in Maidstone with John. Helen Patterson was a full-time student at Brunel studying Occupational Therapy, and also a mother to 7 year-old Zach. Brother Rob was a science teacher in Hereford, having gained a PhD in Geology. Keir Thorogood 91-99 having taken a gap year was now on a four year degree course in Event Management at Leeds. Elder brother Joel was working as an IT consultant for CMS and living in Aylesbury. Inga Thorogood 83-90 finished her degree in Maths with Russian at Durham in 1993. She then spent a year au-pairing in Paris and then worked for PWC for six years becoming a chartered accountant. She was now working for First Quench, a drinks company, as their Financial Accountant, lived in Hertfordshire and had got married in 2001. Katherine Ellis 84-91 was awarded a PhD in Molecular Paristology working on the malaria parasite. However she was now training as a Patent Lawyer with Williams, Powell and Associates. Jemma Paton 90-97 graduated from East Anglia in 2000 and was undertaking a PhD at the University of Buckingham, researching Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Andy Lambert had left advertising and was working for Visa in Singapore. James Petts 94-98 had completed a law degree at Reading and was now at The Bar. Oliver Vass was doing very well as an osteopath. 'Beefy' Burrough 37-43 died earlier this year playing golf. He played for Saracens after leaving the school. Richard Albury-Bennett, formerly of the Royal Agricultural College, died on his farm in Kwa Zulu Natal. Bev Bevan and Herbert Nicolle, the OT President, also both passed away. Jane Bugg, David Munson and David Youens were made honoury members of the OTA. Paul Boddington -62 lived in Ashby-de-la-Zouch with his wife Irene (married for 35 years). He worked for the Coal Board after leaving school then went to Zambia for 4 years where he worked in the copper mines. Then back to Coal Board before being made redundant on 1990 He was currently a Project Manager in the NHS in Leicestershire. Brian Goodger - 62 was teaching at the University of Greenwich. He lived in Tonbridge (in Kent), and married to Helen with two sons, aged 18 and 13.

2002: Using a gift from Graham Thomas, the OTA funds the restoration of Lord Williams' tomb. Jon Banks 1966-73 Runs his own engineering company from Hertfordshire. Morley Slade 1955-1962 Now retired after an interesting career in defence systems engineering. I have three married children who are now producing grandchildren. Avid reader of the Old Thamensians Newsletter. Margaret Ridgway I was at Lord Williams from 1988 - 1995. Peter J Allen 1957-1962 I left Lord Williams’s in 1962, did A levels at Ranelagh School ,Bracknell then worked for two years before going to Stockport College and then on to Bradford University for an MSc course in Marketing. My work has mostly been connected to export and in particular to Africa. In 1980 I started my own company which I still run from a base in Cardiff assisting a number of international companies with their sales to English speaking Africa. I still live in Lisvane, Cardiff with my wife Jennie. We have three grown-up children, Julianne, Jamie and Heidi. Nothing has changed since my school days. I am still mad about sport and play cricket for my village and golf as often as possible. It has been my pleasure over recent years to meet some of my contemporaries at the OTA golf day, so ably organised by Barry Yates and I attended our year's reunion when Barry was OTA President. I would be delighted to meet any of my old friends if they ever come this way or if they happen to live in the African or European countries I still visit.

Gordon Jones -1964 Leaving school I became the very last "A" level Student Apprentice at RAE Farnborough. Spent a few years developing Flight Simulators and Avionic Systems, before joining the then fledgling Digital Equipment Corporation. There I helped germinate the seeds of what has become the Software Industry. For the past 12 years I have been helping provide you all with mobile phones, more specifically the development of Radio Data Services. Along the way we have produced 4 daughters, which over the years seriously involved me in figure skating; currently enjoy fast cars and motorbikes, occasionally ski, and race off-shore yachts (which included Fastnet 97 and 2003). Now almost universally known as Don, How do nicknames stick ? No answers from Old Thamensians please. The latest update (Aug 2002) is my recent early retirement, I thought this was very early until I found many of school mates have already made it! Now what are we all going to do.

Steve Hunt -1966 Spent 22 years at sea and moved ashore into port management in the late 80s. Transferred to Australia in 1993 to run cruise operations for P&O in the South Pacific until made redundant in 2000. Currently running operations of Sydney Ferries and doing some consultancy work as well. Married to Jan ( 26 years this year) and have two sons Ben and Sam 21 and 18 respectively. Live in Sydney with plans to retire to Vanuatu in about 5 years subject to plans working out.

David Stringer -1966 First career in financial services, latterly in training & development, until 1992 when I set up my own consultancy. Work now varied and fun, including the Far East and Middle East. Also have some connections from the 6 years I enjoyed dabbling in the music business, in the seventies. Still crazy, after all these years...

Greg Holliday 1960 -65 Self employed travel agent. Married with two kids, 24 and 20 Live in Weybridge, Surrey Still in regular contact with classmate Ian Golding.

Malcolm Wright -1964. Still working - 25 years in Further Education as teacher and Vice Principal. Now living in Cornwall. Married with 4 sons (all left home). Spare time is used up birdwatching, listening to Bob Dylan (still after all these years) and wearing anoraks.

Peppi Talylor's rings were recently featured in Vogue.

Martyn Read 1956-63 I have been an actor for thirty years [thanks to Gerard Gould, whom I still see] surviving on the breadline. After career as jobbing actor in Rep, TV, Film, Radio and Gas Board Training Films, I am currently to be seen advertising fish as Captain Birds Eye. This vindicates Headmaster Nelson's leaving report: 'It is difficult to see what he's going to do with his life'. It would be good to hear from any of my year.

Ken Hathaway 1970-1977 After leaving in 1977, I had a year out doing absolutely nothing of any significance, then went to the University of Southampton, gaining a degree in English Literature. Decided against further study, and entered the world of publishing, where I still am. I am managing director of a small publishing company based in Ramsbury, Wiltshire. I have been married since 1981, and have two children aged 17 and 15.  Despite my woeful athletic performances at Lord Bill's (contemporaries will confirm) I now keep active by cycling and mountain walking, and have a keen interest in photography. Some of my efforts in the latter field can be viewed on www.hathaway.org.uk, mostly photographs of a recent safari to Kenya, not quite matching the globe-trotting exploits of some OTs, but fulfilling a long-held ambition nevertheless. I rarely see mention of my particular year entry in the Newsletter, but it would be great to hear from (or of) anyone who remembers me, especially boarders of the era.

Jon Polden 1951-8 (I think!) After 9 years’ semi-retirement during which I continued to work part-time with pupils who have Statements of SEN at the school where I was SENCo for 20 years, I have now taken up full time work there. But I have finished teaching altogether, with considerable relief. 130 sheets of paper used to report on the progress of 5 pupils to people who will probably never even look at it, seemed a complete waste of time and resources. I am now the Receptionist instead - and really quite enjoying myself. It has forced me to curtail some other activities but I've only 18 months to go so what the hell. Thanks for all that you do and best wishes to everyone.

Christopher Staples (1954-61) Hampden House, School Prefect, Senior Cross Country Champion 1959,60 &61, Athletics Champion 1960, 1st XV Rugby, School Tennis, Oxon Schools XV Rugby, N.F.U. Scholarship, Reading University 1963-5. 36 years in the grain/agriculture business in Scotland retiring this year. I would be interested in any 1961 leavers’ reunion in the future.

Tony Yates (1969 – 1975) Currently working as Head of IT for Friends of the Earth.

R H Thomas 1949 – 1952 Dear Mrs Trueman, thank you very much for continuing to send me The Old Tamensians Newsletter which I find most interesting in spite of the fact that It was 50 years ago that I left to become Head of History at Solihull. I had been at LWGS only three years, Mr Mullen having given me my first job in 1949. Few people could possibly remember those days but I still hear from Fred Seal, Dan Woolley and Julyan Bunney. Those were very happy years for my wife and me. We continued to live in Oxford: I commanded the CCF at LWGS, though having served in the Navy during the war, I knew little of Army manoeuvres which were introduced into the CCF by the visiting soldiers from Bicester. Anyway it was a very happy time & I owe a great deal to Mr Mullens with whom I corresponded until his death a year or two ago.

Lorraine Woodley (Left mid 1990s) has played ‘Lady Anne’ in an adapted version of Richard III. An independent film company produced a short version of the play, setting it in Brighton in the present time, using the Shakespearean language. She has also taken part in a ‘Sprite’ advert on TV. She is also dancing, recently performing at the Lucin Bayliss Theatre as part of the Islington Dance Festival. In between her theatrical activities, she is doing freelance teaching.

A W Higgs 1929-34 was clerk to the School Governors & Lord Williams’s Almshouses Trust 1951-78, has moved from Suffolk to Fleet in Hants.

Andrew Skinner 1972-1977. After initially working for King Harry Foods in Thame, I moved to Bristol (in 1985), I got married (one son) then divorced, and worked in the Meat industry. I then did a couple of years each with Safeway and Tesco travelling all over Europe as a Food Technical Manager for Meat and Dairy products. During my time with Tesco, I was also part of a team that managed GM foods out of the business and got to spend a short time in Canada looking at Non GM products. In early 2000, I returned to manufacturing Industry as Technical Director for a meat products company. Along the way I have also served as Chairman for 'The Society of Food Hygiene Technology' (SOFHT) through which I met another OT wearing his lapel pin at one meeting, Mike Barrett (1956-63) who now assists in the SOFHT work as Examiner for the Food Hygiene training arm !! During 2001 I realised that the calling to work for myself was finally too strong to resist any longer and so decided to leave the 'corporate rat race' and set up my own Food Safety and Hygiene, Advisory and Training company (checkout  www.t-q-s.co.uk for more info). Life is good here in the South West of England but I do still return to my roots as often as possible to see the rest of the family who stayed in the Thame area (Brother Stuart left LWS 1979, Sister Anita left LWS 1982). If there are any of my year in the South West feel free to get in touch.(andrew@t-q-s.co.uk)

John Russell 1941-48. My years at LWGS were 'Dyer years' 1941 to 1948- as a wartime evacuee day boy for most of that period, -aged 10 to 17 years old,- I am particularly appreciative of both the education and the shelter received at Thame. Like Desmond Slay, I have some understanding of the enormous task Dyer had: both masters and pupils arriving and leaving overnight... and with little or no warning ! -the former having their 'weaknesses': -the latter, having God-alone-knew what recent memories of the German-occupied Europe that had been their homeland. A wartime history of life at LWGS would make interesting reading.... there was even a little 'Black Market' trading going on in such goodies as eggs and chocolate !... and that's only the pupils! And the Thame milkman who very occasionally stepped over the threshold to deliver the midday milk: then we had super farm fresh butter!

Clare Pearson [nee Markus] 1978-1980. I left in 1980 and went on to train as a Physiotherapist at Kings College London. After qualifying in 1983 I worked in Oxford, London and Berkshire until 1998 when we moved to Ottawa Canada where we still live. I married Neil in 1989 and now we have 2 children Ben and Anna[11 and 8]. I would love to get in touch with anyone who remembers me particularly Helen Johnson and Kate Baker. I have been in sporadic contact with Carmel Tildesley who is in New York and Ali Shaw who when last heard from was in Bristol and has 2 boys.

Peter Clarke 1977-84. You might like to know that I'm currently working as a shift manager at Pharmacia (a multinational pharmaceuticals manufacturer, in process of being bought by Pfizer, the world's largest) in Morpeth, Northumberland.

Peter Torrs 1940-45. I was at the school for your records from the beginning of 1940 to the end of 1945 when the war was on it must be history to you. I didn't go to the last gathering as I was away, and do not remember many of the pupils I was at school with, only the ones I used to travel with on the train from Princess Risborough. I have been retired now for 7 years now and find I don't have much time to sit as the family always find things that need to be made or repaired, that’s enough for now.

Rebecca Ireland 1992-1999. Has moved from Chinnor to Nottingham.

Bridget C. Trueman nee Thompson 1971-72. Lives in Thame with her husband and two boys, James (16) (year 12) and Mark (14) (year 10). They both attend Lord Williams’s School, studying for their A2 and GCSE exams respectively. Bridget teaches at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow. She teaches A and AS levels in Computing and Biology, GCSEs in ICT, Biology, Physics and Chemistry and is Key Stage Three co-ordinator for Year 8 Science. She also writes material for the School Intranet, specifically for learning skills. She has full responsibility for KS3 Science, and is about to take on full responsibility for Year Head for Year 9 and SENCO for KS3.   www.waitrose.com/~bctrueman

Jane C. Vaucher nee Thompson left in 1974. Until recently lived in Fontainbleu near Paris, with her husband, boys David (17), Christopher (15) and daughter Sophie (11). Jane combined being a mother and a secretary at a language school near her house. The family is now living in Houston Texas where David has gained a place to study at Rice University.

Liz C. Reece nee Thompson 1976-78. Liz lives in Tackley with her husband and two small boys. She has one of these 'portfolio' working arrangements - self employed for the majority of time, providing careers consultancy in such things as guidance, training, writing materials, and assessing across a wide geographical area; and employed for a small amount of time, with the local careers service to provide training and curriculum development for schools. She would love to be contacted by anyone who remembers her (or even who wants careers help!)

Oliver Mott 1990- 97. I'm currently working in Nottingham trying to get a job in forensics, something along the line of scenes of crime.

George Edwards Left the then LWGS in 1960 and retired at end 1999 after just over 39 years in banking. Married for 35 years with two children - son 32 and daughter just nudging 30. Now dedicating his life to visiting all those places and countries that have been on his/his wife's "must see" list for many years. Achieving this, neatly coincides with the other ambition of spending the childrens’ inheritance!

Jonathan Archer1966-1973. I travelled for a year with Martin Corrall to New Zealand and Australia before going to University. I then took a Business Studies degree and 20 years later took an MSc at Sheffield (part time). I have worked in Logistics (Distribution and Warehousing) since leaving University and I am currently employed with Exel as a Commercial General Manager within their Retail Sector. I have been married for 22 years with two children aged 19 and 17.

Alison Jefferey Left 1995. I graduated from Warwick University, with a first in a science degree with qualified teacher status, 18 months ago. Since then I have been the Year 4 teacher in a small primary school in a deprived area of Leamington Spa. I am now job hunting for teaching post number 2, which could, potentially, take me anywhere, but is likely to keep me round the Leamington or Coventry area, or take me to Sheffield or York!

Tom Crampton Smith Property developer, living near Oxford.

Mark Crampton Smith Prep school teacher at a school close to Brill.

Neil Yates 1984 – 89. Married Vicki Schofield (85 – 92) in Carlisle April 14th 2001.

Helen Ferris (Nee Radwell) 1985 – 91. Married Phil Newport on 18th December 1999. Helen trained as a nurse at Addenbrookes in Cambridge after completing her degree at Hull.

Andrew Goldsmith 1982 – 89. Married Nicola Colley June 2nd 2001.

Sarah Rothwell (Nee Ross) 1984 –1991. Spent 2 years as an administrator at Thame Community Hospital then went on to Tring as Senior Administrator for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home www.irhh.org

Dr Claire Sheppard 1984 – 1991. Married Squadron Leader Matthew Lewis in Shabbington on 11th March 2001.

James Sheppard 1983 – 1990 and his wife Polly have one daughter Mollie, and her sibling. Mark & Carolyn (Nee Chaplin) Warner 1982 – 1989. Had Jacob in February 2000, a brother for the elder child Benjamin. Michael S Collinson 1956 – 61 is interested to know whether there is a reunion for his year group. He lives in Gloucesteshire. Eddie Bishop 1959-1966. And still alive ! he says.

Martin Corrall 1966-73 Managing Director BIGwebshed Limited trading as imediat Unit 1 George Street Industrial Estate Huntingdon PE29 3BD tel 01480 411176 fax 01480 413789 mobile 07785 760182 email corrall@BIGwebshed.com

Norman S. Good At Lord Williams’s as a pupil: Entry date - Sept.1937. Leaving date - July 1944. As teacher: Entry date - Sept.1959. Leaving date: July 1983 Semi-retirement-Sept. 1983 to July 1997. Total teaching period - 50 years! Lives near Shaftesbury.

Adam Lazaruk is working in his parent's newsagents, the Chocolate Box in North Street, Thame. Lynne Trasler is now Lynne Heard, living in Bicester, with husband Phil, expecting their first baby in August. Sarah Minchin (nee Harvey) 1988 – 1995. My news is that I'm living and working as a teacher in Milton Keynes with my husband, Mike (we were married August 1999 at St Mary's, Thame) and our 17 month old son, Rhys. I can be contacted through the Friends Reunited website. Rachel Paton (nee Hussey) 1986. Living in Haversham. Dan Wooley I taught with Mr Bevan and was Mr Mullens’s first teaching appointment, your report brought back many happy memories. Andrew Skinner 1977. Has moved to Stoke Park in Bristol.

Chris Hargreaves is living in Booragoon Australia. (A number of other OTs are in Australia too including Paul Glenny, Stephen Castle, Angus Crampton-Smith, Roger Allen, Ian Benn, Mike Kingston and Sean Johnson - Ed).

Lynne Trasler (nee Heard) Is living in Bicester with husband Phil, expecting their first baby in August.

Mike Barrett I was most excited to see on the OTA newsletter that we have a website, He found the school site for me which I found of much interest. Good luck with the site, and I hope it will facilitate contact between "older" members. I have lost touch with the 56-63 year group to which I belong.

Peter Douch I left in 1968 and have long been settled in Colchester, Essex. Nowadays I am employed to help Essex County Council and Essex people win more bids from the lottery good causes and from other sources of external funding. My brother Mike, the leading sportsman of his era at school, continues his successful PE teaching career by running the school-based PE teacher training course at Thomas Telford School in Shropshire.

Helen Dutton (nee Moss) 1972 – 1978. Married in April 2001. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in April 2002. Christine Moss 1975 – 1980 has just had her second child, a son called Jack. Christine & her partner live on the edge of Dartmoor, in Mary Tavy. Laura Moss 1980 – 1985 lives in Cardiff where she went to university. She is a consultant specialising in cancer.

David Hayter 1967-1969. I have just come across Lord Williams’s website. Very interesting and extremely well presented. Since leaving, I have spent most of my time overseas (Thailand, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh), working in various non-government development organisations (VSO, OXFAM, Terre des Hommes, Stiftung Kinderdorf Pestalozzi). I currently run the Mines Advisory Group (Manchester based) landmine action organisation in Cambodia (www.magclearsmines.org) and was formerly in Laos. We have about 500 Cambodian personnel working on clearing land-mines in four provinces. Wishing the school continued success.

Roger Allen 1953—58. Lives in Western Australia. “I have lived in Australia for almost 30 years. From the Lord Williams’s School internet site, the school has radically changed from my days when it was boys only. I would love to hear from any of my contemporaries if they are available. I was in the same class as Peter Jordan who last time I talked to him about 4 years ago was the Butcher of Thame.”

Stuart Earley 1984 – 91. Now living in Reading with wife Jo, nee Withey (84 – 89) and daughter Olivia.

Christopher North1951—1956. I am married to Elizabeth and we have two grown up daughters. I have been retired for 10 years and spent most of my working years with IBM.We currently live in Milton Keynes.

Jane Lucas (nee Good) left '77. I would like to catch up on some old friends. At the moment you have 2 of my nieces at your Lower School (Hannah and Kelly Good) where Mr Harding is. (He used to teach one of my brothers but not me, and apparently he hasn't changed).

Greg Dickinson 1986-1990. After doing a Law Degree and Legal Practice Course I've worked in IT (who hasn't!), practised law for a while, and am now in Legal Publishing. I'm married to Vicky and we have a lovely (if noisy) 7 month old baby boy called Henry! I am now Platinum Account Manager, Lexis Nexis Butterworths Tolley USA.

Pete and Jan Merrow-Smith At the end of this year we are considering a move. I wouldn't mind coming back to the UK if I could take up a teaching role at Lord Bill's but otherwise I think we may travel to some other remote part of the globe instead and so continue with our adventures. We hope Jan can finish her BMus in Music Education from the University of Pretoria first. Then perhaps we can get jobs in the same school. Presently she teaches in a private primary school while I teach in the government secondary school. If we do decide to stay I will have to be working for someone other than the government. It has been a real eye-opener working in a developing country! We do enjoy life here and have had a few OTs out to stay. Eddy Young came out for his honeymoon and Kev Laxton has been a couple of times. My brother Nic came over a few years back too. They've all enjoyed the bush travel and fine weather, the wildlife and the wide open spaces. I think if we do move on it may have to be to Oz or NZ, just so we can find a similar climate and the open space. Of course, we won't be employing a maid there like we do here, so it would be back to the graft of washing, ironing, washing up the dishes and emptying our own garbage! But then perhaps we won't be walking in to find a spitting cobra on the lounge floor either.

Joanne Heydon I left Lord Williams in June 1998 and went straight on to do a 3 year degree at Bristol University. I now hold an unconditional offer to study for an MSc in Management Science at Warwick University.

Derek Stoakes1966-1973. Has a vet’s practice in Ledbury.

Richard Smith 1966-1973. Runs his own very succesful hi-tech engineering business in Worcestershire.

Graham Thomas 1966-73 Having left Saatchi & Saatchi after nearly 20 years working there, is now a writer, a political activist, Trustee of several charities, and a founding partner in the innovations company Visionary Thinking.

Peter Douch: I left in 1968 and have long been settled in Colchester, Essex. Nowadays I am employed to help Essex County Council and Essex people win more bids from the lottery good causes and from other sources of external funding. My brother Mike, the leading sportsman of his era at school, continues his successful PE teaching career by running the school-based PE teacher training course at Thomas Telford School in Shropshire.  

Helen Dutton (nee Moss) 1972 – 1978 married in April 2001. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in April 2002. Christine Moss 1975 – 1980 has just had her second child, a son called Jack. Christine & her partner live on the edge of Dartmoor, in Mary Tavy. Laura Moss 1980 – 1985 lives in Cardiff where she went to university. She is a consultant specialising in cancer. Christopher North 1951—1956 I am married to Elizabeth and we have two grown up daughters. I have been retired for 10 years and spent most of my working years with IBM. We currently live in Milton Keynes.

Jane Lucas (nee Good) - 1977 I would like to catch up on some old friends. At the moment you have 2 of my nieces at your Lower School (Hannah and Kelly Good) where Mr Harding is. (He used to teach one of my brothers but not me and apparently he hasn't changed).

Greg Dickinson 1986-1990 After doing a Law Degree and Legal Practice Course I've worked in IT (who hasn't!), practised law for a while, and am now in Legal Publishing. I'm married to Vicky and we have a lovely (if noisy) 7 month old baby boy called Henry! I am now Platinum Account Manager, Lexis Nexis Butterworths Tolley USA.

Sally Bailey, 1980-87 Galaxy 101's former breakfast show presenter has defected to GWR Group to present the Mix-networked CoreControl countdown show.

2003: New President Boards are mounted in the Old Refectory.

December 2003

Bruce Finch 1950 – 1957 I am a general medical practitioner in Suffolk where I have been in practice since 1970.

Louis Busuttil Though I remain a Cranfield lecturer (Senior Lecturer, Air Transport Group College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University) running the Air Transport Group's Statistics, OR, and Forecasting courses I will be working for Cranfield part time from 1 Jan 04 allowing me more time for Revenue Management consultancy. Please keep in touch, best regards, and Seasons Greetings.

Adrian Goodall who left in 1978 writes, 'With an energetic & demanding family and a young business to support, it isn’t easy to make time to come up to Thame for school events or reunions. I’m sure there are many more like me! But I have been in touch with a few old friends recently and that has been fun, and I’ve recently managed to play a bit of cricket again and wondered how the OT team is picked each year – I could be interested.

Paul Evans, who up until last year taught at the school, is now teaching English at Cranford House School in Moulsford.

Recent leaver James Buchanan is at Bath University studying a four year degree course in International Managment and German. He has published his own home page with insights in to school life. (Wonderful picture of John Fulkes.)

Alan Bushnell 1948 – 1956 Having read in your last newsletter the contribution from Ian Todd and his reference to Paul Rich, together with the separate item about John Maxton (all three of whom I remember well), I have been inspired to submit these few lines about myself. I too was privileged to be at L.W.G.S. during the headship of H.G. Mullens to whom l owed a tremendous amount for my eventual place at St. John's, Oxford, to read Greats. I also remember with affection Messrs. Bevan, Guest, Miller, Bancalari, Anderton, Bunney, Moore and Seal, amongst others, as well as Mr. Mullens' sister, Ruth. In my last two years I was entrusted with challenging parts in the School Play, namely 'Hamlet' and 'King Lear'. Coping with the youthful Dane I found exhilarating (strange to relate?), but playing the old man put years on me! After Oxford I taught at Burford School for 27 years, becoming Head of English) and Latin and also Senior Master. Extra-curricular activities included being in charge of 1^st Xl cricket and producing plays and musicals. After taking early retirement in 1988, 1did some further A level teaching, private tuition, and some proof-"reading for Blackwell's. Nowadays I enjoy life in the village of Ducklington, just outside Witney; as well as involvement in Church and Village Hall affairs and being on the Primary School Governing Body, my time is spent in gardening, playing bridge and, together with my wife, helping to amuse and follow the progress of our six grandchildren, three of whom live just around the corner! The other three live in Durham where our son has followed in my footsteps and is a master at Durham School. I send my best regards to anyone who may remember me from those happy days of fifty years ago.

Victoria Smith 1989 - 96 graduated from the University of Wales and is working in PR.

Reed Cutting is now a retired secondary-school science teacher. He taught on Nantucket Island (MA) for 5 years, followed by 33 years in the Marblehead (MA) public school system. He was an early pilot teacher for IPS starting in 1964 and has continued teaching the course and its sequel, Energy, for 30 years. He has been active in IPS teacher-training for more than 35 years, including eight summers as an instructor at SCI's national workshop at the Colorado School of Mines. He has been a member of the writing team since 1993. For two summers, Mr. Cutting was responsible for bringing IPS to teachers in Caracas, Venezuela (under the auspices of USAID.) He was a Fulbright exchange teacher at Lord Williams's School in the 1980s. Mr. Cutting holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an M.A. from Colgate University.

John Balance is Coil. Their next gig is on May 14-16, 2004 at Camber, East Sussex, England Venue: RE-TG Festival at Camber Sands Holiday Resort.

Sean Franklin 1977 - 1982 trained as a chef. In the past he worked at The Jolly Sailor and the Spread Eagle in Thame.

Kim Love 1988 - 1995 took a degree in Imaging and Media Communications at the University of Bradford. After working in Manchester with ScreenFX, recently moved to London.

Adam Courtney 1988 - 89 is currently working for Eurocontrol in IT.

James Meek 1980 - 1987 is an IT and communications expert currently working for Energis in Reading. Previously he worked for Cable & Wireless and the BBC among others. In 2001, he took a year off and travelled around the world.

Geoff Branner 1965 - 1972 is Oxfordshire Secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, and is a teacher at the school. He is also responsible for keeping the old Cadet Hut in use.

Colin Stoakes 1964 - 1971 is still farming in Tetsworth.

November

Andrew Logan 1956-1959 has had a busy year with a significant number of shows including “Alternative Miss World Filmshow”, University of Hertfordshire, St Albans; “Universe of Smiles” - sculptures and jewellery, Flowers West Gallery, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California, USA; Workshops, Newtown Festival, Newtown, Mid Wales; “The Heart of the Matter” - sculpture for About Face Theatre Company, Leominster, Herefordshire; Commission and Workshop: “Water feature” - large outdoor sculpture for Oldford Community First, Welshpool, Powys; “Simplicity & Splendour” - sculpture for Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire; Jewellery Workshops, Berriew Show, Berriew, Montgomeryshire, Mid Wales, and performances at the Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture, Berriew, Montgomeryshire, Mid Wales.

Bev Roebuck (now Godfrey) left in 1977 and went to Stratford College to do a Travel & Tourism course.  I left after several three terms, as being out of area (living in Oxford and college in Warks) didn't qualify for a grant and it was impossible for Mum and Dad to fund my lodgings and everything else. After a short spell at 'Molins' in Risborough, landed lucky in the Purchasing Department at Rank Xerox in Uxbridge. Stayed there until I married Dave Godfrey (also ex Lord Bills and whose Dad taught at School) and moved to Lancaster with Dave's job. Moved around the country but are now very settled just outside Chesterfield in Derbyshire.  I am running Sprint Sports & Leisure, the company my Dad set up while I was at school and Dave has set up his own business supplying and calibrating instrumentation that measures water flow and quality. We have two teenage daughters, an aged (19) cat, one house rabbit and an aviary of birds. My brother Steve Roebuck was a couple of years behind me at school and is a policeman living just outside Milton Keynes.  Would love to hear from anybody who remembers us. I am in touch with Teresa Cross who lives in South Africa and visits the UK occasionally. She is married to a South African and now has two lovely children.

(I went to school with David from John Hampden, right through our teenage years (in the Scouts together as well has being in the same form), and I know Bev from our time in the CCF. Colin Beadle)

2003 Leavers: A number of last year's leavers are currently studying at Sheffield including Mark Ansell (Social & Political Studies), Isabel Heafey (French and History), A.P. Stevens (Engineering and Architecture) and Ellen Ward (Linguistics).

Elsewhere, Claire Barron is at Queen Mary's & Westfield studying History and Journalism, Ellie Issac, Physical Education in Brighton, and Isobel Noy, Footware Design in London.

News of recent leavers: Helen Jones and Helen Lee are studying Medicine at Birmingham, Naomi Heydon is studying Management Sciences at Warwick, Richard Moore is at Plymouth studying Engineering, Julia Morrow at Liverpool studying History, Polly Steiner is studying Fine Arts at Hastings and Gemma Watts, Medicine at Southampton.

Paula Knall who left in 1998 is currently doing an Open University degree in Biology.

Judith More 1971-1973 is working for a publishing company in Lewes, and living in central London.

Ben Forster 1969 - 75 Very interesting to read the recent letters - particularly the one paying tribute to Gerard Gould. I would very much like to echo the writer's sentiments. Gerard Gould had a terrific influence on me. His infectious enthusiasm and encouragement never wavered. He had the ability to nurture potential where lesser masters had long given up. It was his encouragement that helped me apply to Drama School, and go on to have a successful career as an actor. I shall always feel grateful to him and remember him fondly. I hope he reads this. There are so few teachers who have the patience, kindness and understanding of men like Gerard. There is one other from my time at Lord Bills though...Colin Brookes (Bones) Whether it was teaching Biology, directing the Musical or as a Housemaster, Colin was always dynamic, witty enthusiastic and encouraging. A more balanced individual one could not hope to meet. Thank you for your work Bridget. I determine to come to next years OT's.

Cameron Naish 1965-1968 After leaving Lord Bill's, I worked for a few years for Oxford solicitors, Morrell, Peel and Gamlen. On 10 November 1975, I started a casual clerical job in the Civil Service - just notched up 28 years service - not bad for what was to have been a temp job. These days I am based in Sheffield, working for Dept for Education and Skills. For the past 15 years I have mainly worked in IT training and support.Until a couple of years ago, when DfES decided to have training delivered by external firms, I managed the departmental IT Training Team. Since then, I have spent the past two years on loan to a number of different public sector bodies helping them rollout new IT systems. I am currently seconded to NHSU, the new corporate university set up to serve the learning needs all levels of staff in the NHS. Great to see you have the website up and running - recognised a few names as I browsed through. Sadly I only found it today. Making Founder's Day might have been a laugh.

Peter Garner 1963 - 1971 is a Global Account Manager working for Vodaphone. He lives in Wiltshire, based in Newbury but still travels abroad frequently for work. He reported once spotting PE Master Dave Burgess in the Falklands but we don't know whether this was before or after DB was in Nepal!

Tim Daplyn 1964 - 1970 is a vicar with the Church of England, a rural Canon and a broadcaster on religious matters. He has kindly agreed to lead the next Founder's Day service.

Brian Robb 1967 - 1973 has spent many years living abroad -including the Far and Middle East. But now he's back in the UK and runs his own business in the Lake District.

Attending Founder's Day included:

Steve Moles I couldn’t make Founders’ Day, too much going on right now, I'm off to Brussels on Monday so I owe it to the kids to be home.Would you please pass a message to Gerard Gould for me? As you may know from my note on friendreunited, I spent the first twenty years of my life as a roadie travel the world with rock bands. Now I write for a living. Two factors contribute to my success in the writing field, and both emanate from Lord Bills. The never ending stream of 500 and 1000 word punishment essays I received for my countless misdemeanours has given the me confidence to never be undaunted by deadlines. And the ardent promotion of written expression that Gerard Gould imparted to me - I can still recall now my Damascene moment; when suddenly I understood I had the ability to make a direct connection between my subconscious imagination, and the tip of my pen. He more than anyone, did that. A charming, elegant and urbane man, I remember him most for his indefatigable sense of style; while all around him boys clamoured to grow long hair and look scruffy. He kept his own council and never wavered. Great stuff for the impressionable.
Geoff Goodall was a great headmaster too, even if he did 'invite me to leave'. It was unquestionably the right decision for me and for him.

Thank you for organising such an excellent Founders' Day - it was a memorable event in so many ways. A good service in St. Mary's, an excellent lunch, some bracing fresh air at the matches and being able to renew lost contacts. I urge all OTs to come next year, it was great fun! Regards Andy Arnold

Dear Bridget, thanks for all your hard work which is making it possible for us all to catch up with our happy past again. You're a star! In spite of driving for six and a half hours I wouldn't have missed it for the world. 35 years is a long time not to visit the school and I fully intend to be back next year. It was wonderful meeting Gerard Gould, Peter Moore and Norman Lilley again, as well as my contemporaries - George Edwards. Peter Traies, Danny Hedge and Ross Menham. I look forward to more news from you. Many thanks, David Martin (who's currently teaching in Exeter).

Saddened to hear of Ivor Shrimpton's recent passing: he used to live just round the corner from me in Thame. Best Wishes, John Russell. (1941 - 1948)

Just a quick note in case any of my contemporaries are at the reunion and ask after me (I left in 1972). My name is now Chris Hargreaves, but when I was at school it was Chris Heap. I’m living in Perth, Australia, not far from John Higgs, who was a couple of years ahead at of me. Feel free to pass on my email, or my phone number, (61) 419908550. Regards, Chris.

On attendance at Founder's Day: I'm coming - probably with Tony Buckle, Colin Shurrock and Nick Woolfrey to the Service - we were 1951-7. Regards........Gordon Wells

My name is Andy Butler and I left in 1972. I definitely plan to attend next weekend, although probably only until mid afternoon or so. But I will be there for the service and the lunch. This will be my first real contact with the school for upwards of twenty years, so I am looking forward to it.

Malcolm Bloomfield here. Alison and I will definitely be attending on Saturday but will not be in Thame in time for the Church service. Where will the coffee be served?? Do you still require raffle prizes?? Look forward to seeing you again, Malcolm.

Dear Bridget, thanks for your reply. I don't know how you find the time, especially as I gather you are a techer. Many thanks for your wonderful work! Just to let you know that I have sent John Fulkes a cheque for £9 for Nov. 8th. and that Danny Hedge (left 1961) is also intending to come. What is the venue for the events listed on the programme? As I haven't been to Thame since 1968 I don't know where things are going to happen. Best wishes David Martin

Norman Good It may interest OTs that I have recently been entertaining Dudley Witney (Witney i ) 1937-42. He was a classmate of mine at Thame Grammar School throughout the war years. He moved to Canada after the war, where he has lived ever since. Dudley and