The Newsletter of the Old Grovian Association Issue 26 Autumn 2015

*Newspaper credit - Leicester Mercury Photo by Will Johnston (91-02)

www.willjohnstonphotography.com

OGA Chairman 2015/16 Roger Howard (71-78 & St 82-)

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At the OGA AGM on Sunday 8th November, Roger Howard took on the role of OGA Chairman for 2015/2016.

He thanked David Dickinson (his predecessor) for attending reunions and for his genuine interest in current school matters and the fortunes of the OGRUFC. He felt that David had really galvanised interest in the rugby club among his particular generation of Grovians. Roger also thanked the Southerns Trustees saying he was aware of the time involved in processing through all the scholarship applications and interviewing them all.

Roger thanked the OGA for the honour of being invited to be Chairman of the OGA. He spoke of his longstanding association and commitment to the school and the OGA and felt it was a privilege to be the Chairman at the commencement of the ‘Lockwood Era’.

He noted that the start of the Lockwood Era is a great opportunity for the school which is in a strong position despite the economic climate of recent years. Our facilities are envied by our rivals and there is a mood of optimism and expectation. The OGA must take advantage of this and this was emphasised by the great turn out at the 1990’s reunion the previous night.

The OGA o�ce team have ongoing projects and use social media, Xaipete etc to spread the word to members but OG’s themselves are the most e�ective way of spreading the word.

Roger stressed that It is important that members tell us what they want, eg types and venues of reunions, dinners, sport etc. Also OG’s must seize the opportunity and really build momentum, engaging with the Association in increasing numbers and become actively involved in the Associations events.

We wish Roger Howard all the best for his year in o�ce and look forward to seeing what events he has planned.

We need to remember the overall objectives of the Association:

• promote mutual acquaintances with former pupils and drive their interest in the school• assist the academic and recreational life of the school• further the interests and reputation of the school

The school appearing strong and prosperous owes much to the OGA and the many people who have served the school over the years. It needs support in many ways particularly from the younger generation who can contribute enormously after from:

• supporting functions• developing mutual interest (especially in business)• employment/work experience – The ‘Network’

The Old Grovian Association are delighted to welcome James Lockwood and his family back to the school in January. James has had a busy term as Headmaster of Royal Hospital School, Ipswich but we caught up with him to get an insight in to his times at the Grove and how he feels about coming back.

What are you looking forward to about coming back to the Grove?

Re-engaging with the School and wider School community and renewing old friendships. Playing a pivotal role in shaping the School’s future and making it the best version of itself that it can possibly be.

Best memory of WGS?

Too many. Beating Bradford Grammar School at rugby at U15 level, after they had beaten us by 40 points in the previous year. Scoring a century on the 1st XI pitch; being appointed Head of School.

Most embarrassing memory of WGS? None that I would like to disclose as the new Headmaster!

What does being an Old Grovian mean to you?

My time at the Grove was a period when my strongest and most enduring friendships were made and where my life values were formed. On the whole, Old Grovians are rounded and grounded individuals who possess the kind of confidence which is rooted in self-awareness and not arrogance.

James Lockwood (86-92)Woodhouse Grove Headmaster

How would you describe yourself in 5 words? Omnipresent, Energetic, Decisive, Determined, Approachable.

The school will be hosting a “Meet & Mingle” on Friday 5th February. This will give all Old Grovians and former sta� the opportunity to meet James and hear more about his plans for the school as its 18th Headmaster.

If you wish to attend this evening please contact Tara Gilks gilks.tv@woodhousegrove.co.uk by Friday 15th January.

James was at the Grove from 03-09. Then he studied Media Production at Northumbria University (09-12) and then he did freelance television work on the likes of "Britains' Got Talent" and "Don't Tell The Bride".

Then in 2013 he worked as a corporate video producer with the online retailer Andrew James until 2014 when he moved to Salzburg, Austria to work for Red Bull Media House as a live transmission assistant.

At the beginning of this year he became the Studio Manager and Producer for an online Gambling company in Portsmouth and after 3 months moved the company to Malta. Finally he has just started a new job as the Lead Video Producer for 90min in Asia at their o�ces in Manila, The Philippines.

James Lindsey (03-09)

Chris Nehaul (05-15) is at Hereford Cathedral for a year as a Choral Scholar, before taking up a place at University next year. At the end of November he had the opportunity to take part in a gala performance, attended by HRH The Prince of Wales, in the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace. The concert marked the conclusion of this year’s tercentenary celebrations for the Three Choirs Festival, of which His Royal Highness is President.

A massed choir of almost 300 singers including the Three Cathedral Choirs of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester, the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and the Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir gave an hour-long recital for The Prince of Wales and invited guests, who were welcomed by Dr Timothy Brain, OBE, QPM, Chairman of the Three Choirs Festival Association. After the performance His Royal Highness met some of the performers, including cathedral choristers and members of the youth choir and festival chorus.

J9 Advisory

3Read more about Jonny in the following article in Business Quarter: http://www.bqlive.co.uk/2015/11/02/meet-the-md-johnny-abraham,-j9-advisory

Jonny joined PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as a trainee at the age of 18 in 2001 straight after finishing his A-Levels at the Grove. After Qualifying as a Charted Accountant he joined Barclays Bank in 2008 as an Associate Director in their Asset Based Lending team. The economy turned on its head later that year and the country experienced unprecedented times financially in what was the beginning of the ‘banking crisis’.

During this time he learnt a lot about the Banks and their credit policies and operations etc. As there seemed to be no real scope of recovery in sight, Jonny decided to go back to what he knew best and joined Begbies Traynor Group in January 2010, working predominantly with clients in the Asset Based Lending sector.

In mid - 2013 he was approached to join Winterhill Largo Group as their Business Development Director for the North. However, having seen a gap in the market to assist businesses who were struggling amongst other things, to source the funding they required, he launched J9 Advisory in August 2014.

Johnny Abraham (93-01)

James Lindsey (03-09)

Old Grovian performs in “Three Choirs Festival” at Buckingham Palace to celebrate 300th anniversary

Chris Nehaul (05-15) &

Prince Charles

2015 marks 30 years since the Bradford City Fire - a sporting disaster in which 56 lives were lost and the lives of countless others were changed forever. ‘The 56’ is a piece of documentary theatre in which all of the lines spoken by the actors were taken from survivors and witnesses of the disaster. Former footballers, police o�cers and fans were interviewed by Old Grovian Gemma Wilson (97-11) and her co-writer, Matthew Stevens-Woodhead, over an 18 month period to create the script for the play. ‘The 56’ is the first production to deal with the disaster on the stage and it premiered at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Channel 4 sponsored venue, Underbelly.

The play was then selected for the 2015 Sunday Times National Student Drama Festival, where it won the Directors Guild Award and Spotlight Most Promising Actress Award. Later in the year ‘The 56’ embarked on an 11 date national tour, including performances at The Lowry and three sold out nights at the Alhambra Studio in Bradford where it was received by standing ovations from audiences in Bradford City strips.

Fresh from the successful national tour ‘The 56’ returned to the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it was one of The Guardian’s recommended shows of the year. In October the play rounded up its year with a week long run at the newly refurbished Battersea Arts Centre in London where it featured as part of ‘A Nation’s Theatre’, a celebration of theatre from around the UK.

All proceeds from the play are to be donated to the Bradford University Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit at a ceremony in December as part of the 30th anniversary commemorations. As a part of the fundraising e�ort Gemma has been visiting schools throughout Bradford to give talks on the play and help raise awareness of the impact of the fire on the local community.

The Burns Unit are accepting donations throughout the year for the 30th anniversary commemorations at www.fire-anniversary.brad.ac.uk

Colonel Phil Carter (WGS 83-90) studied Medicine at the University of Dundee, joining the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Medical Student. Since then he has qualified as a General Practitioner, served in places as diverse as Northern Ireland, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Africa and obtained Masters Degrees in Public Health and International Relations.

As a Major, Colonel Carter was seconded to HM the Sultan of Brunei’s Armed Forces and advised them during the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Later he commanded the clinical unit of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Birmingham, a team of 300 military sta� embedded within the NHS, providing healthcare and welfare support for wounded soldiers. In 2013, as a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded 5 Armoured Medical Regiment in Afghanistan, with responsibility for delivery of primary and prehospital emergency care to NATO troops in Helmand.

He deployed again in 2014 to Sierra Leone to lead the Ebola Training Academy, a collaborative project involving the British Army, UK Department for International Development, the World Health Organisation and the Sierra Leone Government teaching Ebola infection prevention and control techniques to volunteer healthcare workers.

Colonel Carter was promoted to Colonel in 2015 and is currently deployed in the Middle East.

Colonel Phil Carter

30 years since the Bradford City Fire

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Will Johnston was recently named The Society of Editors' Daily Newspaper Photographer of The Year for 2014 at The Regional Press Awards at The Lancaster Hotel in London. He also won a regional award for his News Photo of The Year at The Midlands Media Awards, held at Villa Park, Birmingham. His website can be found at http://www.willjohnstonphotography.com/ *Newspaper credit - Leicester Mercury

Will Johnston (91-02)

Gri�n WeddingDate: Friday 2nd October 2015 Location: The Coniston Hall Hotel & Country Estate

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Anthony Gri�n (01-08) married Charlotte Redfern at The Coniston Hall Hotel, Skipton. The groom is not only an Old Grovian but also a key member of the Old Grovian Rugby Club so the guest list was bound to include a large number of former pupils; in fact we are sure it is up there in the record books! The bridal party were in safe hands with not one but 4 Old Grovian Best Men and 2 bridesmaids, who ensured the day went to plan!

We wish Anthony and Charlotte many congratulations as they embark on married life.

Old Grovians Wedding party;Chris Blackhall (01-08)Best Man, Ben Brown (01-08) Best Man ,Dean Hogg (98-08) Best Man, Matthew Worrall (03-10) Best Man, Georgina Gri�n (07-10) Bridesmaid, Maxine Best (01-08) Bridesmaid,

Old Grovian Guests;Dom Copsey (05-12) Jack Hartley (05-12), Aaron Magee (06-12), Joel Bradley (04-11), Harry Cody-Owen (04-11), Harry Dunhill (98-10), Alex Fox (03-10),Tim Dalton (01-08), Tom Dalton (01-08), Charles Davy (01-08), Jaskaran Deu (01-08), Craig Fagan (06-08), Joe Sowden (93-08), James Trenholme (01-08), Adam Driver (01-07), Sam Robinson (97-07), John Oakes (04-06), Adam Weaving (98-06), Dan Nulty (90-97), John Hinchli�e (83-94)

Congratulations to Old Grovian Nicki Weaving (98-04) who married David Robertson on 15th September at Villa Palazzola in Italy. The couple, who currently live in Bo’ness, Scotland (where Nicki works as a vet) were joined by their family and close friends for a lovely service and weekend in the Italian sunshine.

Social media was overloaded with fantastic photos of the couple and Old Grovians who were

in attendance.

Nicki’s brothers Adam (98-06) and Ben (03-10) both did readings at the ceremony, Helen Duce (97-04) was a bridesmaid and former Governor John Weaving was also seen on photos

looking proud of his beautiful daughter.

Other Old Grovians in attendance were: Nick Page (97-04), Faye Tiritoglu (97-04), Rebecca Ives (94-04), and Ellie Curtis ( 97-04 nee Wooler). After the wedding Nicki and David visited

Naples for a Mini-moon and are hoping to embark on their proper Honeymoon next year.

Jodie Page (95-02) married Dave Clow at St George’s Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus on 16th October 2015. Those present included Old Grovians Emma Hill née Cadman (95-02) and Louise Aveyard (97-01).

The photo is of the married couple, Louise, Jodie, their partners and their children.

The couple also hosted an evening reception on 24th October at The Old Barn, Esholt.

Over the August Bank holiday weekend friends and family celebrated with Richard Graves (87-94) as he married the beautiful Kathryn Harrison at Grays Court Hotel, York. This was followed by a wonderful reception at Hornington Manor. The venue was stunning, and friends and family all enjoyed staying for the weekend to celebrate with the couple. As you would expect the guest list was full of Old Grovians and all of the ushers were friends of Richard’s from school some of whom had known Richard for over 30 years.

Old Grovians present:Ned Taylor (87-94), Ben Brown (01-08), Sam Cadman (89-96), Stuart Nesbit (82-92), Anthony Cadman (87-94), Stuart Vincent (94-01), Martin Gri�ths (86-94), Claire Mo�at nee Howard(94-01), Nick Fawcett (87-94), John Hinchli�e (83-94), Dave Webster (83-93), Kelly Carter nee Graves (87-96).

On 24th May 2015 at The Star Inn,

Harome, North Yorkshire Rhodri Jones

(son of Keith Jones) married Lucy

Elsender. Possibly one of the most well

known Old Grovians of recent times,

having spent the first 20 years of his

life living at Woodhouse Grove, Rhodri

said “ I do” to the stunning Lucy in a

beautiful ceremony in front of friends

and family.

Old Grovian Guests: Stuart Vincent (94-01), Lucy Vincent (st 98-00), Tim Rawlins (90-01), Dan Gullick (94-01), Michael Allewell (90-01), Eniola Gesinde (94-01), Craig Shaw (92-01), Richard Graves (87-94), Danny Kondras (84-94), Bryan Stone (st 80-06), Eileen Mollard (st 88-08), Hugh Knowles (49-54), Janet Knowles (st 86-02), Roger Howard (71-78 & st 82-), Ian Frost (st 86- ), Belinda Frost (st 83-),Tony Zammit (st 82-08), Jeremy Wilson (st 80-13).

Weaving Wedding

Jones Wedding

Jodie Page WeddingGraves Wedding

Read more about Jonny in the following article in Business Quarter: http://www.bqlive.co.uk/2015/11/02/meet-the-md-johnny-abraham,-j9-advisory

Old Grovian Reunions

90's Reunion......

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The past year has seen many OG Reunions, the 2014 Leavers reunion (which is now held annually for the newest Old Grovians) was a great success with over 60 OG’s coming back to the school to catch up with friends and chat about their first term away from the Grove. We will be hosting the 2015 Leavers Reunion on Friday 18th December.

The Lancashire and Cheshire Reunion was held on Friday 20th March at the Mitre Hotel in Manchester. This reunion was chaired by Chris Taylor (52-57) and well attended by Old Grovians living on the other side of the Pennines.

At the end of June we held our Summer OG Reunion. The weekend was packed with cricket, tennis, kids entertainment and musical performances. This reunion has evolved over the last couple of years and is now a well established family event where OG’s, current pupils and sta� can enjoy the beautiful grounds, excellent entertainment and celebrate the end of the academic year.

On 10th September the annual London reunion was held at the Walrus & Carpenter, Monument. This is a reunion which captures what being an Old Grovian is all about; OG’s of di�erent ages mingle, share memories and laughter as they reminisce on their time at the Grove. This is an event which we would really like to grow and encourage people to attend. If you live in London and would be interested in attending this event please get in touch.

November OGA reunion weekend was kick started on the Saturday evening by a lively gathering of 90’s leavers, who through forethought and attention to detail had gathered in the Stansfield Arms to rea�rm bonds before returning to the “scene of the crime (or crimes)”, as it were.

The initial assault was led by a hardy group of diehards who appeared desperate to engage with former teachers and have confirmed to partners, spouses and friends how good they actually were. Next arrived some serial o�enders, a little reticent in case others present recalled the errors of their ways, or the “follies of youth”. Finally the stragglers arrived, several of who were already finding the pace pretty hard going and wishing more local accommodation had been booked. The group were welcomed by a rousing, inspirational and witty speech by the incoming Chairman, who was unjustifiably heckled by several who should know better. Chief suspects were believed to be Messrs Zammit, Jones, Pickles and Brosnan, but we await confirmation ahead of further proceedings which are pending (cctv footage is currently away being scrutinised). Also there was a disdainful attempt to hijack the evening as a Southerns reunion, which was swiftly dispelled by the majority of those present sober enough to recall that this was a fairly typical of the delusions of this house during the 90’s.

What is probably best described as a very “convivial” evening followed, good company, excellent and substantial amounts of food courtesy of WGS catering dept and seamless recollections from many happy and some sad times.

As midnight loomed closer the Cinderella Chairman, hopefully having planted a few seeds among the gathering to consider directing some of their self proclaimed largesse back into the school’s sports scholarship and bursary funds, bade a discreet farewell as a number of dedicated stalwarts planned which venues in Leeds were to benefit from their patronage now that they had “warmed up”.

All in all a great evening which all seemed to enjoy. Not sure what shape they were in the following morning, as not many made it to chapel!(unlike this writer) I would commend such a gathering to all and recommend you contact Sam to look into doing something similar for your generation or decade. Please let us know - we want to encourage you back, there is so much change to see in your old school - it is a school you can be proud of.

Thanks Sam, a great night, much appreciated by all who attended. The commencement of the Lockwood Era was toasted in a fitting style.

Roger Howard OGA Chairman

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November Reunion 2015Following the Remembrance service in chapel taken by the school Chaplain Rev David Bonny the OGA AGM was held in the school seminar room. The Old Grovian Rugby Club were in attendance at the meeting and showed a presentation about the club and their future ambitions. Roger Howard was also o�cially appointed OGA Chairman in this meeting.

The afternoon saw the annual Netball match versus the school 2nd team end with a victory for the Old Grovians (33-19) and the Windle Cup was won by the Chairman’s team captained by Ben Brown (01-08). Despite the nasty weather many OG’s and their families stayed for the presentations and afternoon tea on the Hastings-Long Gallery.

Next year’s November reunion falls on 12/13th November where we are hoping to do a similar reunion on the Saturday evening for a di�erent decade of leavers and on the Sunday the new Headmaster, James Lockwood, will be inviting former rugby players to play in an invitation game, more details will follow.

50 years laterIn April the school were delighted to host a reunion for Old Grovians who started at the school 50 years ago (between 1963-65). A group of 15 Old boys and their partners enjoyed a tour of the school, a leisurely lunch at the Stansfield Arms and the day ended watching the Old Grovians rugby team play the last match of the season.

The day was organised through Richard Littlefair who managed to organise OG’s to attend from all over the country, one OG even made the journey from the South of France!

The sun shone and the OG’s got to catch up and see the substantial change in the school facilities from the 1960’s!

“Sitting back for a few moments over lunch looking at the assembled throng, you were all chatting, involved and enjoying yourselves, so those one or two with doubts about these occasions I am sure have none now! Rightly so that’s how it should be as last Saturday was the meeting of nothing more than “old boys” (literally now!!).”

Richard Littlefair (64-69)

Classmates

Abby Arianne McDermott (1997-2004) married James Elliott Steadman on 22nd August 2015 in the School Chapel.

Elliot Cosgrove (2002-2009) played for Irish Wolfhounds against Wales in the rugby league European Cup.

Gordon Fox (1951-1958) If there are any OG’s resident in or visiting New Zealand in the future he would be interested to hear from them gordon.fox@xtra.co.nz

Keith Loudon (1945-1950 + Governor 1989-1998) received the OBE in the New Year Honours List for services to business and charities in the City of Leeds.

Chris D Carter (1954-1961) has just retired from a career in catering most of which was spent in Corporate Hospitality at the Head O�ce in Halifax before the merger with the Bank of Scotland thus combining his own ambition with the school’s suggestion that he should try Banking as a career.

Gordon Reed (1958-1966) would like to trace some of his old chums Anthony C B Dyson (1960-1968), Andrew J Mattock (1961-1969), Michael C Tidey (1960-1969), Peter J Tidey (1960-1968) and Jeremy R Wilkinson (1959-1967). He can be contacted by email on cpsadt@aol.com

Philip Carter (1976-1983) Lieutenant Colonel Phil Carter led a seven-week mission to Sierra Leone as part of the British Army’s response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. He was part of a team deployed to establish the Ebola Training Academy in Freetown, during the deployment the squadron successfully trained more than 4,000 medical personnel.

Emma Littlefair (97-04) married Ben Van Der Velde on 4th July at the church in her father, David Littlefair's (59-67) village of Stoke Gabriel in Devon.

Rebecca Littlefair (98-05) married Ben Robinson on 7th November at St Audries Park in Somerset.

Oladele Onile-ere (1980-1988) is married with a daughter and is currently working as a legal counsellor (Commercial) for the United Nations in New York. He is still in touch with Gbemiga Rotimi 91980-1988), Colin Srivastava (1981-1988) and Yusuf Kwande (1981-1985).

Elliot Turner (2010-14) has been selected for the U17 State 7's team they will play in a tournament against other states in early December he has also been invited to train with the Melbourne Rebels U18 squad. In April he was selected for the Victorian Schools Rugby Union U18 Squad involving a 3 month training period and culminating in a national tournament which will take place in June in Sydney.

Maurice Hopkins (1942-1946) congratulations to Maurice and Marjorie who celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary in September 2014 with a family lunch at a local restaurant. They were delighted to receive a letter of congratulations and a photograph from the Queen.

Hugh Mitchell (1926-1931) on 19th November 2014 Hugh celebrated his 100th Birthday a card was sent from the OGA to mark this occasion. He wrote to thank the OGA for our good wishes saying he was overwhelmed by the number of cards he received from family and friends – and many from the past who knew him from his time of ministry when he lived in Wales, Glasgow and London, together with the fellowship at the Church in Eastbourne over many years.

He said ‘I have been bowled over by all the wonderful and kind thoughts that have been sent. It made my birthday very special indeed.’ His daughter arranged a surprise party with many members of his family attending including his son and daughter in law from France but unfortunately his brother Kenneth aged 98 was unable to make the journey from Canada although they had a long chat over the phone.

Old Grovian guests included Claire Carlile (nee Brimacombe) (1992-2002), Nick Carlile (1989-2000), Laura Nulty (1993-2000), Becky Kelly (nee Sharp) (1995-2002). Bridesmaids included Becky Shaw (1993-2000), Sara Rahmatullah (1996-2001) and Lisa Speet (nee Bellhouse) (1994-2001).

Yasmin runs her own business YTR Design Greeting Cards. Yasmin’s website can be found at: www.ytrdesign.com

Yasmin Rahmatullah (1995-2000) married Philip

Jones in August 2013. The wedding was held in France in the south Charente at Le Logis de Puygaty, a beautiful stately

manor.

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Matthew Bickerton (04-11) and

Chris Nehaul (05-15) both

received their Gold Duke of

Edinburgh Award from the Duke

of Edinburgh himself on Tuesday

13th October at St James Palace.

It was a great honour for the

boys to meet HRH himself in the

Picture Gallery room where the

India Round Table Conference

was held.

Amelia Lancaster (00-15) was

also awarded the Gold Duke of

Edinburgh award on 18th

November at St James' Palace.

A FAMILY who tackled a 200-mile cycle ride from Edinburgh to Newcastle in memory of their late father and raised £7,000 for Diabetes UK, has won a volunteering award from the charity.

The Perry family, of Oakleigh View, Baildon, won the fundraising award at the charity’s regional Inspire Awards for their completion of a challenge set by dad Michael Perry.

Mr Perry, who was diagnosed with Type One diabetes when he was 18, was a keen cyclist and was planning to undertake the 200 mile cycle challenge on his 52nd birthday to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Tragically, he died unexpectedly before that could take place.

After his death, Mr Perry's 18-year-old son, Isaac (07-14) took on the ride with the support of his sister, Libby (06-11) and boyfriend Oli Smith, his mother Anita Perry, close friends Paul and Lynne Smithson, along with four other Old Grovians.

Despite not riding a bike in more than ten years and studying for his A-levels at the same time, Isaac was determined to raise as much money as possible to improve the lives of people with diabetes.

Stephen Ryan, head of the North of England at Diabetes UK, said: “Completing the journey that Michael started is an incredible feat and something the whole family can be proud of.

We are extremely grateful to the Perry family for all their commitment to raising money for diabetes.

It is a tremendous achievement to raise £7,000 so we would like to say an enormous thank you to them.”

Mrs Perry said: “Isaac rode his dad’s bike and it was the only bike that we did not have problems with so we think Michael must have been looking down on him all the way.

We are really delighted and honoured to have won. Michael was passionate about raising money for Diabetes UK because of the wonderful support they gave him. I still can’t believe we did it!”

Diabetes UK has 883 registered volunteers in the Northern and Yorkshire region, many of which also belong to the charity’s 27 local support groups.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer for Diabetes UK or to join a local support group; please email northyorks@diabetes.org.uk or call 01325 488606.

GOLD for Old Grovians

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Old Grovians who supported Libby Perry (06-13) and Isaac Perry (07-14) were; Henry Martindale (07-12), Richard Proctor (07-14), Tom Wilkinson (07-14) and Mac Westerman (00-12).Charity Ride

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Dylan Budge left the Grove in 2014 after attending Ashdown Lodge, Brontë House and the Grove. He was the 1st XI Cricket Captain in 2014, where he captained the side to win the National T20 Championship.

We know Dylan’s cricketing success did not end when he left the Grove so we caught up with Dylan to find out what he had been doing in 2015.

He travelled to Bangalore with Durham CCC Academy in February for 2 weeks. He was contracted to Durham Academy last season and played quite a few games for Durham CCC 2nd XI.

He was awarded Wisden Schoolboy Cricketer of the year in 2015 and was presented his award by Andrew Strauss.

He made his debut for Scotland A and scored 105 v Lancs 2nds for them.

Dylan is currently playing for St Albans Cricket Club in Christchurch, New Zealand as their overseas professional/coach.

Andrew Strauss with Dylan Budge

He played for a Scotland XI v MCC and got 70

With the surname Tordo� you would expect Sam Tordo� (00-07) to have a passion for cars but Sam’s love of cars has gone further than that…..

Sam has just completed his third season in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) finishing 6th in his BMW 1 Series for Team JCT600 with GardX.

He achieved 2 wins in his debut season driving the BMW following two years racing for their rival’s MG. The BTCC is one of the best-loved, most illustrious and famous championships in the world which is televised live on ITV4 and regularly attracts over 40,000 spectators each race weekend. In 2015 it featured no less than 5 previous champions and a three-time world champion!

Starting at the age of 9, Sam spent 10 years in Karting competing at British, European and World Championship level throughout his time at Woodhouse Grove. After winning the British Championship in 2007, Sam made the move into race cars aged 19. Since, then he has raced in the Renault Clio Cup Championship and Porsche Carrera Cup Championship before his debut into the BTCC as a factory MG Driver for MG alongside two-time champion and television presenter Jason Plato.

Sam is hoping to return to the BTCC in 2016 with BMW where the season begins at Brands Hatch, Kent on 3 April.

Sam Tordo�

OGRUFC

Old Grovians rugby continues to go from strength to strength. A second league title in three years means we find ourselves competing in Yorkshire Two with long established clubs such as Keighley, Pontefract, Barnsley and Leodensians. The standard of rugby is considerably higher and we find ourselves needing to be much more organised and structured rather than relying on individual skill and pace to win games. It's been a tough start but we are confident we can consolidate our position this season before looking on to bigger and better things. I am pleased to report that the club is no longer just about the first XV. We have had a second XV fixture and are looking to put in place some more so if you are looking for a relaxed run out and some refreshments afterwards please get in touch. In terms of development of the club as a whole we are looking to put floodlights up at Elm Tree Farm and have started discussions about a building to house the club and incorporating the Old Grovian netball team and a future cricket team. If you can help on any aspect of this or are looking to be involved in an administrative capacity please don't hesitate to get in contact.

Please visit our website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oldgrovians/ for further information on fixtures and social events. Hope to see you soon.

Dan Nulty (90-97)

Out of the Blue

Dr Frank Cyril Pritchard

It all started a long time ago, in August 1955, to be precise, when after five years deferment at Bradford College of Art and Manchester University, I found myself doing basic training as a National Service soldier with The Duke of Wellington's Regiment in Halifax.

Further training with the Royal Army Education Corps at Beaconsfield was followed by rapid promotion to the rank of sergeant (the most junior rank in the Corps) and a posting in January 1956 to Sennelager, Germany, to the All Arms Training Centre, an enormous complex of barrack blocks and an even bigger area of rifle, artillery and tank ranges, used not only by British units, but also by the armed forces of many other NATO countries.

There were of six of us, (major, warrant o�cer and four “schoolie” sergeants) who were to be responsible for setting up a brand new Army Education Centre, 41 AEC. It was all very interesting. Fifty years later, in December, 2005, it occurred to me that the people then working in 41AEC might not be aware that they were about to celebrate a golden anniversary, so I managed to contact the then CO, Major Pogson, telling him something of what life had been like all those years ago. Back came a charming reply, in which the Major told me that, some years before, the Centre had moved a few miles down the road to another barracks in Paderborn. He light-heartedly o�ered me a job at salary vastly greater than the six guineas a week I received in the 1950s.

My family has been part of the on-going life of Woodhouse Grove School for over seventy-five years, in fact since 1938 when my eldest brother entered Bronte House. My brother Peter followed in 1940. The headmaster in those days was Cli�ord W Towlson and he was still in post when I joined the school as a nine year old in 1947. Mr Towlson was a headmaster of a type which does not now exist or who could now cope with the rigours of today’s educational establishments where most heads are really chief executives of large diverse communities. C W Towlson, by then Dr Towlson, retired in 1950 after being headmaster for twenty-eight years. His successor was a man who had a great influence on my life and for whom I have had a lasting respect. Frank Pritchard came to the Grove in the autumn of 1950 and he arrived to stir up the life and to clear the accumulated dust of the school like someone with a new broom. During Dr Towlson’s latter years, with a senior teaching sta� of elderly retainers, the school had come through a time of some privation caused by the Second World War. Discipline was lax, bullying amongst the boys was endured and younger masters were returning from the services and F C Pritchard was one of these. He had taught at Bronte House before being called-up into the army and to the Governors he must have seemed the ideal candidate to take the school into the new generation. He immediately set about to bring the school up to date for those days, to raise educational standards and encouraged the Governors to embark on necessary improvements with new school buildings and amenities.

For several generations of Grovians Dr Pritchard was an enigma. The recollection of him for many would be of a slight erect figure with serious pointed features, almost always walking with quick determined strides, and dressed in a dark suit with an air of formality which made him appear unapproachable. Most people knew him in regulated situations either when he was speaking directly to the whole school in morning assembly or in his study, over the door of which on Tuesdays a red ‘no entry’ light constantly shone to show he must not be disturbed whilst he wrestled with the school’s a�airs. Those were the days before adequate financial and administrative sta� was available. There was no detail in the life of the school at that time in which he did not take an interest, even in the quality of the food in the dining hall. For example my father filed away a letter written to day-boy parents in May 1951.

I thought no more about this until late July of this year, when I had a most unexpected letter, right out of the blue, from the current CO, Major Jennifer Painting, (“Jen”), who told me that as part of the run-down of British forces in Germany, 41 AEC was to move back to its original base in Sennelager, where after sixty years, it would shortly be the sole remaining AEC in Europe.

When sorting things out in readiness for the move someone had come across my letter of ten years before, and from then on things began to move towards me in a most remarkable way.

To celebrate the work and achievements of army education in Germany since the end of the war there was to be a full-scale Valedictory Dinner, to which I was invited as a guest of the army.

My initial response was that my age (then 83) and infirmity (limp, with a stick), would probably make it impossible for me to travel, but that I would investigate possibilities. A couple of days later I had a reply that if I could get myself to Birmingham airport, everything else would be taken care of. Which it was. And to some tune!

I won't go into all the details, but Jen, (Major Painting) met me at my overnight hotel, took charge of me and my passport, by-passed waiting queues of passengers to board one of the thrice-weekly military “Trooper” flights to Hannover. This, in itself, is very unusual for civilians.

From Hannover a chartered bus took us and a number of serving soldiers on to Sennelager, which I had last seen in July 1957, fifty-eight years before.

The Education Service has for many years been an all-commissioned o�cer unit. I was accommodated in the o�cers' mess, and at the dinner, wth all the serving o�cers resplendent in full number one dress unifrom. There was I, dinner-jacketed, 23162495 Sgt Davy, P., RAEC., (Retd)., the most junior soldier of all those present, seated in the centre of the top table as guest of honour! I couldn't believe it. The following day I was taken on a nostalgic tour of old haunts, some of which are still there, but many have been replaced or rebuilt. The original 41AEC building is no more, nor is the senior NCOs' mess, in which I ate and relaxed for eighteen months. But I was pleased to see that the building I which I slept, Block 27D, is still there, extensively refurbished. I went in, uninvited, and stood for a moment outside “my” room. I would have liked to have gone in, but I think someone was asleep inside. To say that I was well looked after would be the understatement of the year, or any other year for that matter. The whole amazing experience, which lasted only four days, was set up and organized with typical military precision, but with much care and consideration for my well-being. Very surprisingly, everyone I met throughout the trip seemed to know who I was and why I was there! Words cannot fully express my gratitude for being able, at my age, to take part in such an adventure. In particular I am most grateful to Jen, Major Jennifer Painting, who accompnied me and looked after me from start to finish, and whose initiative made the whole wonderful experience possible.

As Xaipete went to press we were notified that Peter Davy passed away on 7th December Peter Davy - WGS 1940-1950

I was a member of a B form, the members of which were not particularly academic, including me. I remember in the second year at the upper school we had made so little progress in most subjects that the decision must have been taken for those of us in Lower Remove to begin again. During our first year we had been taught English and History by a young teacher, fresh out of the forces and inexperienced in the arts. In addition, the teacher’s talents in the old gymnasium were not dramatic though he was able to do a hand-stand against the wall-bars and demonstrate a vault. His skill in the class room was of doubtful quality and lacked inspiration though he could be easily and cheerfully distracted to tell impressionable young minds many of his wartime experiences! During our second year Dr Pritchard must have been so concerned about our progress that in addition to his many responsibilities as headmaster, he decided to take us for English. He had an immediate e�ect on the sad situation and certainly for me made the subject exciting and revealing. He showed us how to publish our own regular classroom newspaper to which we all contributed short articles about everyday things that interested us. He even made the learning of grammar interesting. I particularly remember the lessons when he told us about Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and for the first time I heard our headmaster read aloud some of those stories in the old English language and dialect of those far o� days. A glorious window of understanding and enjoyment of English literature and history was immediately opened in my young mind. It is still wide open today and I am very grateful. In my later, sixth form years, and particularly in my last year when I was head prefect, I really got to know my headmaster in his o�-duty times when he would sometimes knock on the school prefect’s door late in the evening and say ‘Come on Roger, come and have a cup of tea!’ He would be in his ‘civvies’, wearing a tweed jacket and brown cords and I would go with him into his study or the lounge and we would cheerfully chat with little reserve about the life of the school from my prefect’s point of view. He was not prying and he did not want me to betray any confidences, FCP was just genuinely interested in all aspects of the school community for which he was ultimately responsible. I am sorry that many people never saw this other side of the personality of this great man. In his position as headmaster it was necessary for him to stand back from intimate and close friendships with his sta� and students. That was his lot which I am sure at times could be a lonely one. He retired from the Grove in 1972. We often met at numerous Old Grovian reunions and he was always interested to know about my growing family and how I was progressing in the family business in Bradford. Together with my own father, F C Pritchard had a great and good influence on my life. Sadly they both died within a few months of each other in 1970. Roger Davy MBE JP - (1947 – 1957)

Dear Parent,As you will be aware a second vegetable is now provided every day of the week. This partly explains the increased cost of the lunch, each lunch actually costs the school 11d (aprox 5p). Today, one of the day-boy tables left completely untouched the cauliflower which had been prepared for them. We cannot a�ord waste of this sort, and if there is a repetition I shall instruct the Matron not to provide a second vegetable for the day boys.

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Obituaries

Basil C Hall – informed by Brian Greenwood (1934-1945)

Well known Old Grovian Basil C Hall died in late June 2015 peacefully at home after a long illness when he was in and out of hospital. Well remembered by OG’s from war time days for the fact that he was probably the most helpful boy in the school as regards assisting when any problems arose. For example, in the days when the only person cooking was the Headmaster’s wife, Mrs C W Towlson, it would be Basil who would be in there helping. Many and various were the bursarial type of jobs that Basil Hall helped with. After school he was a successful wool merchant in Bradford for many years and he was still doing some wool merchanting when well into his 80’s. He will be remembered as one of the best known Grovians of his era.

Alan Loosemore (Governor 1988-2002) – informed by David Wilberforce (St1980-1999)

Alan died aged 87 as a result of a fall and broken hip. He trained as a Methodist minister in Cambridge and was a graduate of Selwyn College. He became Chaplain and a Housemaster at Truro School. He was a Religious Studies Advisor to the West Yorkshire Authority and produced RS syllabus at national level. He was an eminent preacher and an active Rotarian – a past Chairman of the Wakefield branch.

He was a very positive, thoughtful man with a good sense of humour. As a Governor he was a valued supporter of many aspects of school life.

Joseph Hugh Dawson Mitchell (1926-1933) – informed by his son Andrew Mitchell

Hugh brother of Ken passed away on 8th July 2015 aged 100 after a short illness.

Thomas Kenneth Mitchell (1926-1933) – informed by Don Bowder (1946-1952)

Ken died in Canada on 18th September 2015 aged 99 just a few months before his 100th birthday and only weeks after his brother Hugh. Ken was a good sportsman joining the 2nd XI in 1931 at the age of 14, to play alongside his brother, Hugh, and his cousin, John Richardson. Ken then went on to play for the School 1st team at cricket (1932 and 1933), rugby (1932) and Lacrosse (1933) and was awarded 1st Team Colours in all three. Don Bowder wrote that he was a fine gentleman who was very fond of Woodhouse Grove.

Dennis R A Atkinson (1938-1941) – informed by Brian Greenwood (1934-1945) Denis R. ("Dick") Atkinson 1939 -1945, died peacefully at his home near Harrogate on the 4th July after a typically courageous and lengthy struggle with failing health. He was only a few weeks short of his 88th birthday. "Dick" was a highly respected and skilled dental surgeon who practiced in Harrogate for nearly 40 years.

At The Grove he was a well-known figure during the war years. He was first a day boy but for his sixth form years he was a boarder in Findlay. As a keen sportsman he played for both the first XI and the first XV.

After school he trained at Leeds University Dental School and was Captain of the Leeds Medics Rugby team or several years.

His post-war military service saw him commissioned as Dental O�cer to the Royal Horse Artillery Regiment. Much of his time in the army was spent in Germany. His prowess as a Rugby Loose Forward was such that amongst many inter-service matches he had the thrill of playing Rugby in the Berlin Olympic stadium.

He was married to his widow Audrey for some 60 years. His immediate family comprised a daughter and two sons and four Grand-children.A life-long sportsman he became a highly skilled fly fisherman catching salmon on numerous Scottish rivers and trout on Yorkshire streams.

He was a member of the Harrogate Fly Fishers Club for many years and became the Club's President. Another deep sporting interest was in shooting, particularly wild fowling on the Solway Firth.

Dick led a full and happy family life and was a very well-known figure in Harrogate for 60 years. He will be greatly missed.

We regret to record the following deaths

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Oswald Richard Brooke (1935-1941) – informed by his wife Jean Brooke

Kenneth Edward Hanson (1937-1944) - informed by Robert Udy

Roger Brayshaw Burnhill (1946-1954) – informed by Roger Howard (OG Chairman)

Roger died in October 2015 following a short illness.

Gordon Caird (1933-1940) – informed by Philip Maud (St1997-2005)

John Graeme England (1941-1949)– informed by Chris Woolass (1963-1970)

Graeme was born in March 1931 and died on 1st June 2015 after a long illness. His most vivid memory of his time at the Grove was hearing the Lancaster engines being tested at Yeadon. He leaves three children and seven grandchildren all born in this century.

Ronald Edley (1943-1947)– informed by his son Nigel Edley

Ronald Edley passed away, peacefully, on 8th April 2015, in his hometown of Grantham, Lincolnshire, aged 84. As a former pupil, he remembered his time at Woodhouse Grove (1943-1947) with great fondness. The school certainly left its mark. From there one can trace directly his life-long interest in woodwork and his passion for sports of all kinds. Neither was it a coincidence that he gave the name ‘Findlay’ to the home in which he lived for over 50 years. He was a man of many virtues: hard-working (he retired at 81), conscientious and loyal; but most of all, he will be remembered as someone who placed the interests of others ahead of his own. Woodhouse Grove certainly did him proud – but, in the way he lived his life, it is also true to say that he succeeded in returning the compliment. He will be sorely missed. Ronald died peacefully in his hometown of Grantham, Lincolnshire on 8th April 2015 at the age of 84.

Anthony ‘Tony’ Redfearn (1942-1951) – informed by Roger Burnhill (1946-1953)

Tony died in 2014. In his final year at the Grove he scored 25 tries in a season beating the record set in 1943 of 24 tries by W Postle.

He was an arable farmer farming 324 acres near Knottingley and went into partnership with James Burnhill and Sons fattening pigs. In 1977 he featured as ‘Farm of the Week’ in the Yorkshire Post.

He was a joint rescuer of an old man who had fallen into the Leeds Liverpool canal after wading and swimming across the River Aire.

My younger brother Jonathan Veale (WGS 1960-1971), a lecturer at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, France, died in July aged 62. He had been treated unsuccessfully for a brain tumour, and he spent his final weeks in his home in Lyon among family, friends and colleagues.

Jonathan’s days at Bronte House and WGS were not particularly happy. At the age of eight he lost his father and at 16, his mother died leaving me as his guardian.

At the senior school he recalled having been victimised by a small number of boys and harassed by one or two masters. Some of his possessions, such as his tuckbox, were inscribed with the number 4, a reference to the missing digit on his right hand. After a cryptic warning from the head, Frank Pritchard, to be "careful" of certain members of sta�, he was inexplicably rusticated for a minor misdemeanour several weeks before his A-level exams. However, Jonathan’s school experience clearly imbued him with an iron determination to persevere in the face of adversity, a quality which he would need in his future life.

In the sixth form, he would spend the school holidays sharing my somewhat bohemian student digs in London, and would return to school full of his new experiences. On leaving school he successfully applied to be a trainee journalist with the Pearson Longman group, working on a number of West London local papers. Having gained his Indentures in journalism at Harlow College, he decided to broaden his horizons and go travelling.

In 1974 he obtained a berth as a deckhand on a superyacht, leaving London and traversing the Atlantic and the Panama Canal to California. He spent the next four years crewing and skippering yachts in San Francisco, the Hawaiian Islands and Australia, crossing the Pacific several times.In San Francisco he formed an abiding friendship with two French brothers and fellow sailors, eventually returning to Europe with them and settling in France. There they introduced Jonathan to randonnee skiing, trekking on skis in the wild Alps. It was on one of these treks that he met his future wife Guillemette, also a fervent randonnee skier.

J.T. Shepherd– informed by David McCarthy (St1953-1992) It was with great sadness that we learnt of the sudden death on 9th August at his home in Lancaster of J.T. (‘Joe’) Shepherd. He was 86. Joe Shepherd, with his scholarly yet enlivening approach, stimulated even the least gifted of his pupils and inspired others to unaccustomed (and unimagined) heights of enthusiasm. In this he was equipped with a sharp intellect, a thorough knowledge of his subject (he had not wasted his time as a boy at Royal Grammar School, Lancaster, or as an undergraduate at Selwyn College, Cambridge),

A gentle, subtle vein of humour, a width of vision, an infallible sense of perspective (sign of the classics scholar) and a rare degree of tolerance and patience.

All this he brought to areas beyond the classroom – as master-in-charge of the school’s cross-country, which he built up virtually from nothing, ski-ing trips, where he displayed on the slopes an impressive skill (comparable even with that of Ronald Bolt – meticulously well-prepared, precise), and as a housemaster, attentive, compassionate, reliable and supportive. Within the sanctum of the Sta� Room he also enjoyed a further legendary reputation as (pre-Sudoku days) ‘Times’ crossword wizard and champion Scrabbler.

After all too soon leaving the Grove he embarked on a career that ultimately took him and his family - wife Lois and daughters Diana (80-82) and Emma – to Malawi, where he had been appointed deputy head of Kamuzu Academy, instituted by President Dr Hastings Banda as ”the Eton of Africa”, with a strong insistence on the Classics – a sizeable challenge, but richly satisfying.

On retirement Joe returned to England and Lancaster, actively sharing - with Lois, until her death last year - in the life of the community and the local Methodist church and in the Old Lancastrian Society, attending Old Grovian events whenever possible.

During a service of thanksgiving in the Methodist church that followed the cremation, brief addresses were given by David McCarthy and Tony Mason, a former colleague at Kamuzu Academy. The hymns included “The King of love my shepherd is”.

They settled in Guillemette’s home city of Lyon, where she supported him as he studied in French for a first degree in English Literature, and then a Masters in Linguistics at Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University while bringing up their young family. In 1996 he sat the French national teachers’ exam, the CAPES, which he passed at the first attempt, a rare achievement for a foreigner.

This led to a teaching post in a “challenging” secondary school in the Lyon suburbs, which he endured for 13 years. His perseverance was rewarded with his final post as a lecturer in English at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 Science University where he was in great demand among the final year postgraduate engineers and medical students he taught.

At home Jonathan and his wife, perhaps consciously compensating for his unhappy childhood experiences, were determined to establish a strong family ethos and to give their three children a broadly based cultural education and fluency in French and English. Each of the children obtained top marks in the Baccalaureate at the intensely competitive International School in Lyon. They all attended universities in the UK, the two older girls, Claire and Laurene, both gaining Firsts with distinction before taking up posts in international development organisations in far-flung parts of the world while the youngest, Robin, is in his final year at Edinburgh.Jonathan is survived by his wife Guillemette, and their children Claire 26, Laurene 23 and Robin 21.

Jonathan B I Veale (1961-1972) – informed by his brother Robert Veale (1959-1965)

Frank Tyson (St 1995-1997) – informed by Stan Dawson Nicknamed ‘Typhoon’ Tyson, Frank was considered by many to be the fastest bowler ever to play Test Cricket for England, particularly making his mark against Australia in the 1954/55 Test series Down-Under! Fortunately due to age and arthritis he was unable to repeat such performances against the boys in the school nets! The announcement of his appointment as Cricket Coach at The Grove in 1995 caused raised eyebrows and comments from several students such as “but isn’t he a boxer sir?”

Although only at The Grove for 2 years, his modesty and commitment made him a popular figure, gaining much admiration from both the Sta� and those boys who were fortunate to benefit from his cricketing expertise and coaching. In July 1995 he made a brief reappearance at the school with his old sparring partner, Freddie Trueman, entertaining a packed School Theatre with many anecdotes and stories from the World of International Cricket.

Frank always remained in contact with The Grove. He was always pleased to hear of both team and individual successes in the School’s cricket.After a period of ill-health Frank sadly died in hospital on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Sunday 27th September.

13

Kenneth Postle (1938-1944) – informed by his son Alistair Postle

Kenneth died in early 2015 at the age of 88. He was a great sportsman playing rugby and lacrosse and In 1943 he won the Victor Ludorum winning the 100 yards, and beating the record in the 220, 440, 880 yards and mile races. He attended the bicentenary celebrations in January 2012 wearing his colours blazer.

British Council International School Award success

14

South Africa Rugby Tour 2015The Rugby Tour to South Africa and Swaziland was a tremendous success this summer. With two squads playing 5 games each, the results on the field against tough opposition saw seven wins out of the 10 matches played with the 1st XV winning four of their five matches and the 2nd XV winning three of theirs.

O� the field, many life experiences were enjoyed in such a beautiful and diverse part of the world. The team building camp at Konka near Pretoria set the squad up for the tour. Our coaching session with the Skrum charity in a underprivileged primary school in Swaziland was a very special day and many Swazi kids will wear their various pieces of kit with pride which were handed over by our group. The boys enjoyed a very warm welcome by their host families in East London and Mossel Bay and will have made friends for the future. Our experiences with the wildlife of South Africa were outstanding; whether on Safari at Kariega or at the Cango Wildlife reserve or even at Sea when a group went Shark Diving. Other highlights included a trip into the World famous Cango Caves, Bungee Jumping, stadium tours and sightseeing in Cape Town.

The Rugby Tour of 2015 is one which will be remembered by the whole party for many years to come!

Woodhouse Grove in Apperley Bridge has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The International School Award is a badge of honour for schools that do outstanding work in international education, such as through links with partner schools overseas. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need to live and work as global citizens. Woodhouse Grove School has International links with 10 schools across the world including schools in China, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia. The links have been developed over time and include; school trips, individual pupil and teacher exchanges and web-based projects. At the beginning of 2015 a member of teaching sta� spent 6 months at Newington College, Sydney and this summer pupil Molly Leslie (Y10) spent 4 weeks at Westminster School, Adelaide. The school annually hosts pupils from Methodist College, Kowloon, Hong Kong and in 2014 a group of our pupils visited Wuxi United International School, Wuxi, China. This week our pupils and their families hosted 9 pupils from Xiaoshi High School, Ningbo, China.

On hearing the news that the school had received the award Peter Lambert, Modern Languages Teacher and International Coordinator said “We are delighted that The Grove has received this award which honours the e�orts of many people over a number of years, who have striven to widen the horizons of our young people. Now our students can truly begin to have a view beyond the confines of the classroom, to develop their own sense of globalism and make their contribution to making the world a better and a safer place.

We all knew that we were an international school, but now we have the proof and we look forward to telling everyone about it!”

British Council Chief Executive, Sir Ciarán Devane, said:

“The school’s fantastic international work has rightfully earned it this prestigious award. The International School Award is a great chance for schools to demonstrate the important work they’re doing to bring the world into their classrooms. Adding an international dimension to children’s education ensures that they are truly global citizens and helps prepare them for successful future careers in an increasingly global economy.”

The award is now available worldwide in countries such as India, Egypt, Lebanon and Pakistan as part of the Connecting Classrooms programme, which is delivered by the British Council and supported by the Department for International Development (DFID).

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said:

“Young people must be at the heart of our work to create a safer and more prosperous world for everyone and we need to ensure their voices are heard if we are to win the fight against global poverty.

That is why I am delighted to celebrate the international work of Woodhouse Grove School and the energy and passion of the young people involved. “The International School Award is a great way of highlighting how young people have the potential to change things for the better. I’m sure that schools getting involved will be broadening the horizons of their students, which will not only help their careers but benefit their wider lives in the future.”

Around 5,000 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.

The International School Award encourages and supports schools to develop:

• An international ethos embedded throughout the school• A majority of pupils within the school impacted by and involved in international work• Collaborative curriculum-based work with a number of partner schools• Curriculum-based work across a range of subjects• Year-round international activity• Involvement of the wider community

General Election 2015

Message from Alan Wintersgill Chairman of Governors

They settled in Guillemette’s home city of Lyon, where she supported him as he studied in French for a first degree in English Literature, and then a Masters in Linguistics at Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University while bringing up their young family. In 1996 he sat the French national teachers’ exam, the CAPES, which he passed at the first attempt, a rare achievement for a foreigner.

This led to a teaching post in a “challenging” secondary school in the Lyon suburbs, which he endured for 13 years. His perseverance was rewarded with his final post as a lecturer in English at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 Science University where he was in great demand among the final year postgraduate engineers and medical students he taught.

At home Jonathan and his wife, perhaps consciously compensating for his unhappy childhood experiences, were determined to establish a strong family ethos and to give their three children a broadly based cultural education and fluency in French and English. Each of the children obtained top marks in the Baccalaureate at the intensely competitive International School in Lyon. They all attended universities in the UK, the two older girls, Claire and Laurene, both gaining Firsts with distinction before taking up posts in international development organisations in far-flung parts of the world while the youngest, Robin, is in his final year at Edinburgh.Jonathan is survived by his wife Guillemette, and their children Claire 26, Laurene 23 and Robin 21.

15

In my Chairman’s letter last year I was explaining the part played by Woodhouse Grove within the Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST) and how well we were represented through myself as Trustee, former Governor John Robinson also a Trustee and our Headmaster, David, as one of the heads representatives.

Little did I know that within less than twelve months following a review of the Management Structure of MIST, our Headmaster would be taking up the role of MIST General Secretary, thus bringing to an end another chapter in the life of Woodhouse Grove.

I will now turn the clock back to 1996, when, through the wise choice of our Life President, Brian Greenwood, and his Governing Body, a young man, David Humphreys, arrived as Headmaster. I remember it well, at the time our son Craig was in Year 11 and I was Chairman of the Rugby Club and quickly became aware of David’s love of sport.

It is fair to say that the school’s finances were a little stretched at that time, and as a consequence the estate was not in the best or order. David rose to the challenge and, with the support of Governor Stephen Rawson, established a Budget Committee to help improve the school’s financial strength.

Once David realised that depreciation was simply a provision in the Accounts and not cash there was no stopping him. In his 19 years the Estate has substantially benefitted from a £17.5 Million investment: Sports Hall, Bronte Hall, Swimming Pool, Davy Building, Brodwell Boarding House, 4G Pitch and much much more.

The school is certainly in a strong financial position today.

It is not just about the finances, David will always acknowledge the importance of the Team around him and he has been supported throughout by professional, dedicated, hardworking and experienced sta�. This has resulted in the school’s reputation (academically, in sport, creative arts, and for its caring ethos) going from strength to strength.

We have worked together over the past 13 years, myself being a member of his Budget Committee, Treasurer for 7 years and Chairman of Governors for 6 years. Latterly we have also both been very actively involved in MIST and, when the role of General Secretary (MIST) became available, it fitted the bill for his next challenge. Whilst we were losing our Headmaster he was staying within the family of Methodist Independent Schools.

At this point it is appropriate to thank Alison and the family for their fantastic support over the 19 years. Without that support, David could not have done the job he has. He has left us here at Woodhouse Grove with a wonderful legacy.

On behalf of everyone involved at Woodhouse Grove, I would like to thank David for his dedication, commitment and achievements over the 19 years. We cannot thank him enough for his contribution to the life (past, present and future) of the school. We know that MIST will now benefit from his experience and we wish him every success in his new position – General Secretary of MIST.

The school’s own General Election reflected a similar outcome to the real election. Following the candidates ‘electioneering’ which was conducted with much passion and professionalism, the result was very close with Oliver Cooper for the Conservatives winning by 10 votes with 36% and George Styles coming second for UKIP with 34% of the votes. Well done to the other candidates’ Josh Gorner, Green Party, 14%, Doris Jovovic, Liberal Democrat, 5%, and Adam Woodman Labour, 7%, for their enthusiasm and contribution to an interesting election.

WGS Cricketing Successes

We are delighted that The Cricketer has named The Grove in its inaugural ‘best of’ list for secondary education, entitled, The Playing Fields of England: An A-Z Guide To The Summer Game’s Top 100 Schools 2016.

It follows an exhaustive process which saw more than 250 schools enter submissions for inclusion. All were matched against an exhaustive set of criteria, with the schools chosen all having outstanding cricket programmes.

“This is a superb insight into schools’ cricket, serving not only as an informative guide but as a tribute to all those teachers and coaches out there who are nurturing the talents of future club, county and international cricketers,” deputy editor Huw Turbervill said.

“I have been lucky enough to visit a handful of games this summer, and I can state firmly that the standard of cricket has been very high. Of course there are a lot of fee-paying schools in here with some incredible facilities listed. But the game refuses to die in state schools too. The competition to be included was incredibly high and plans are already in place to provide more in-depth coverage of schools’ cricket next summer.”

The 64-page magazine is bumper-packed with the regular November issue of The Cricketer (newsstand October 30). As well as appearing in print in the world’s No.1 cricket magazine, the guide will also be made available as a major free digital download via The Cricketer app on December 1.

The school were delighted to be listed in the top 100 and have achieved great things out on the wicket for many years under the Master in charge of Cricket, Mr Ian Frost. The school were crowned National T20 champion in 2014 and reached the Northern Final in 2015. The Cricketer will be releasing a video of Woodhouse Grove School and its cricketing achievements in December.

*From next year we will only be producing a limited amount of paper copies of Xaipete so it is important that we have your email address so we can be sure that you get to see a copy.

The Newsletter will be available as a download and will also be posted on facebook and twitter.

Woodhouse Grove, Apperley Bridge, Bradford West Yorkshire, BD10 0NR

tel: 0113 250 2477 | email: development@woodhousegrove.co.uk

Friday 18th December 2014 Leaver’s Reunion on the Hastings-Long Gallery

Friday 5th February Old Grovian “Meet & Mingle” with the New Headmaster, James Lockwood,MA

Friday 26th February Old Grovian & Parent Medical Networking Lunch

April (TBC) The Old Grovians’ Lancashire & Cheshire Reunion

Friday 24th June Old Grovians’ Golf Day and Dinner

Sunday 3rd July Old Grovians’ Summer Reunion and Family Funday

Thursday 15th September Old Grovians’ London Reunion

Saturday 12th/ Sunday 13th November Old Grovians’ Winter Reunion

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Old Grovians Diary 2016

We love to keep in touch with our Old Grovians and hear what you are up to and to do this we need to ensure we have all your up to date details.

If you are in touch with any Old Grovians who do not receive regularly updates from us by email please can you tell them to get in touch. For more regular updates follow us on facebook or on twitter.

The Woodhouse Grove School World War I Centenary Magazine has recently been completed by a team of dedicated pupils including an editorial team of recent Old Grovians whose members include Greg Newark (08-15), Meenu Anil (08-15) and Rebecca Davies (08-15). The magazine was formed over a year ago with pupils from all age ranges in the school getting involved and writing articles relevant to the First World War and to life at the Grove during the war.

Look out for it on the new school website (launching in the spring) or get in touch if you would like a pdf copy.

development@woodhousegrove.co.uk

www.facebook.com/woodhousegroveschool

@woodhouse_grove