Old Sulians' Association

Newsletter May 2008 – Part 1 of 2

News
AGM. Enough present, Terry Lee elected, others re-elected, rules passed, tie discussed, agreed to incorporate Griffin, Terry Hardick elected to committee because of new rule that all those attending and called Terry must! Also agreed that Terry Light will co-ordinate the compilation of a  list of notable (or notorious?) Sulians in liaison with the School. We could both benefit by adding the list to our web-sites. If you wish to add, contribute or volunteer, let Terry know through terry@oldsulians.org.uk
Ladies Night. An excellent evening with great entertainment provided by Just in Time II and fine food from Nikki and the staff at Bath Golf Club. Next year we are thinking of making it a little later. A season starter instead of a finisher! So March, before the clocks go back and the golfers are still chipping and putting,   perhaps. Any thoughts?
New Tie. Somewhere on the page, you will find a leaked black and white image of the proposed design for the new tie. Our   current stock has almost gone and new supplies are needed. Rich has found a UK supplier who can do a very nice silk number with our traditional colour striping but with the  addition of alternate Griffins in a  gold thread matching the shield outline. A full    colour version can be seen on the web-site. Again, are there any thoughts? We hope to it sell for about £10.

Obituaries.
Very sadly I have to report that Jim Sagar, much respected former Master and long time Sulian supporter, died in   February. Always cheerful and mentally astute Jim had  suffered ill-health for a number of years. I received many  messages from members after sending out an e-mail and  we wrote to his son Paul. Other Masters Brian McConnell, latterly Head of Maths, and Tony Pembroke have also passed on. Ron Cox (1932) one of our elder statesmen also died in February aged 90. On leaving School he was apprenticed at the Pitman Press and went on to spend a life in printing in Africa and then back home. He served in the Somerset Light Infantry and landed on D-Day at Arromanches. He was the Speaker at the Annual Dinner in 1968. A full eulogy is on the web-site. Finally Vernon Whitchurch (1937) was another     February departure. Our condolences go to all the families.

New Members.
Harry Millican (’57), Pete MacKenzie (’55) and Nigel Miller (‘57) have all assisted in our ‘50’s revival!

Memories
After my request in the last newsletter I was inundated with a letter from Derek Blake, who resides in Spain. The full text can be found on the web-site but a few tasters include: “I am writing this with my smart Old Su’s tie just removed after a session of Adult English Language classes. As I rarely wear a tie, my students wondered why I was wearing a Barcelona FC tie?” He   recalls many of the Masters including Alan (Basher) Bennett, Roger Corrick, Ken Gelling, Tony Lawdham and Phil Turk.

After studying Spanish in Southampton he began teaching. A trip to the World Cup in Spain in ‘82 found work and a Senorita, not necessarily in that order. As a final snippit, “I arrived at CBBS with ex-St Mark’s School friends Mike Jenkins and John Glenn. Mike was one of three staff sons in one class. A record? The others were Robin Barrett and Peter Radford.
I also received an e-mail from another former student turned Teacher, Andrew Nunn. He says: “I was fascinated to read your website when exploring news about CBBS for the first time in almost 40 years.. My vintage is 1962-1969 and the photographs on your site prompted some vivid memories!” Now we just need his cheque!

Old Sulians RFC
Regular readers will recall last years promotion to Somerset Premier Division. Well this season has been one of consolidation, holding there own at mid-table against much stronger opposition. The season’s full history can be found at their web-site: www.oldsulians.com/
I know that several of the Committee have been encouraged to visit Lansdown more than in recent years and have been rewarded by entertaining rugby. Make a note for next   season as this young side seek to improve further. And note the Dinner date overleaf.

And finally
I am very grateful to the Headmaster for a comprehensive update in his newsletter. Those of you away from Bath are sheltered from the almost continuous attention directed at the number of Schools in Bath, frequently seeming to target Beechen Cliff. And on the reverse I have added a plea for some practical help from Ed Gill, one of the merry maths band at School.
Don’t forget that if you have an e-mail address you can save us a fortune in postage by letting us know! Contact us at:
committee@oldsulians.org.uk  You may also send news, memories, photos or requests.  (sounds like Family Favourites!)

Diary for 2008

7th May (Wednesday) 6.15 pm on the Bath Recreation Ground – Old Sulians RFC play Stotherts in the Combination Plate Final

29th May (Thursday)
Newport High School Old Boys Golf Match. The chosen ones will get the call from Mick Moore. Lunch for players and caddies is 12 noon at Sham Castle. We need to make amends for last year!

30th May (Friday)
Old Sulians Rugby Club Annual Dinner at the Bath Rugby Club on the Rec. Contact Terry Haines for a ticket. (01225 465107) or check the website www.oldsulians.com/

20th June (Friday)
Association Golf Day at Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle. Organiser Mike Wood is on 01225 335250 or mike@systemagic.co.uk.   Start times are 9.15-10.30 and 2.30-3.45 for the usual cocktail of medal, stableford and ’Old Tossers’ Tankard’. Morning coffee is available from 8.15 (the kitchen will be open for a “full English” or bacon roll if needed) and lunch will be from about 12.45. Dinner will be about 8.00  followed by the presentation of the prizes. For the first time this year, the re-named Tony Bowrey Cup will be awarded in recognition of his contribution to Sulian Golf over many years. Please contact Mike if you think you might be there! Newcomers are always welcome so feel free to forward this to any golfing Sulian you know asking them to phone or drop him an email.

2nd July  (Tuesday)
Association Approach Golf at Victoria Park. 6 pm onwards. The Midgely Cup gets another outing. I can’t recall last year’s winner but Pebble will make sure he doesn’t do it again. All welcome, why not make up a foursome. Find Peter Beach from 6p.m. at the Clubhouse to register your attendance.

24h July (Thursday)
Walking Treasure Hunt (or Trude’s Trundle). One of our most popular outings. Come and see bits of Bath that only Sue has found! We finish at Bath Cricket Club around 8 p.m, we start at the Abbey Church Yard opposite the Pump Room from 6 p.m. Where we go in between depends on your reading of the runes! It would help with the copying of the clues if you would let me know if you are coming on 01225 832207 and how many, ( teams with a maximum of 4 please)

13th August (Wednesday)
River Boat Picnic. By kind permission of Terry Hardick, (Officer Commanding Bathwick Fleet) (Actually it’s his daughter now but don’t tell anyone!) Once again we attempt to embark for a leisurely cruise to Bathampton Weir. Anchors away (or is that A-weigh?) at 7.15 (19.15) from the harbour behind Pulteney Bridge. Bring  a picnic and a bottle of tizer and look out for the Kingfisher and Heron. Last year’s floods threatened the bilges and scuppered us; this year we hope to avoid the monsoons and spring tides. Again, an indication of your party would help with the number of oars to order! 01225 832207

18th October (Saturday)
Annual Association Dinner, at The Bath Cricket Club, North Parade, Bath. Black Tie or lounge suit. Full details will follow but please note the date now. We had a record number last year, at least since the halcyon days of Fortts, so if you have any old school friends you want to bring, the chit will be with you in early September.

March  2009 (!) (Saturday)
Ladies Night at Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle. Dates and details in September but a move to a spring    evening is being mooted. This avoids the pre-Christmas rush and the post-Christmas weather. And gives you all a chance to replenish your wallets!

NOW PUT THE DATES IN YOUR DIARY, PLEASE!

And please spare a thought for dear old Len Dyer who is in the wars at the moment and unable to assist with the social arrangements. Here’s hoping you get back to full throttle soon Len.