Newsletter February 2009
January 30, 2009 – 9:32 pmThe News
The Annual Dinner
What a night! Excellent food, excellent company. The extended hours seemed popular; the ‘5 minute rule’ for speakers worked well; the ‘silver tongued’ Tom Dowding hit the spot; Terry Lee responded; the Headmaster was inspired and the legendary Bill Hallett plugged the Su’s RFC. All in all, a splendid night. Please note the date for this year is already set at Saturday 17th Oct.
The Book
Regular readers will recall the idea of creating a ‘book’ of eminent Sulians, Terry Light reports:
“The interim title of the book is “Basements to Beechen Cliff “. If you can think of a more suitable name to cover the development of the School from 1896 in the Guildhall to today, then let’s hear it. In the Guildhall the School was called The Bath City Secondary Day School, evolving and moving to its present site at Alexandra Park It is intended to include a brief history of the School’s development, lists of past Headmasters, Head Boys, past Presidents of the Association, Old Sulians’ killed in armed conflicts etc in the final printed edition. There may be other items which readers may propose for inclusion.
The main core will be the 30 plus profiles of past students of the School whatever its name or wherever it was based. Those of us who have met, discussed and decided on the candidates have been amazed at the broad spectrum of achievers in professions such as the sciences, arts, sport, politics, the church, military and music. I don’t think any of us fully realised how many former pupils were ‘ high flyers’ in so many walks of life.
If anyone has any constructive comments to add to the above please contact me”.
Phone: 01225338619 or e-mail: terrylight@oldsulians.org.uk or via the Editor
As an addendum to the search, Ray Moon writes; “I have been in touch with Raymond Leppard who now resides in the USA. We write to each other and have been reminiscing on our years at CBBS – 1940-45. Believe me when I say that few people can have had such an interesting career in travelling the world. He was made a C.B.E. back in the ’80s and was a personal friend of the Queen Mother. He has much to say “.
The 49’ers Re-union.
The date is Friday 17th July 2009. [This is 60 years after completion of 5th form education] Meet at the school at 12 noon for an hours chat followed by a buffet lunch [nominal charge] with wine if wanted. During the afternoon there will be conducted tours of the school and it’s facilities. Dinner is at the Boatman Restaurant, Bathwick for 7-30pm. The cost will be advised later. Please book soon with Alan Blake [Bubbles] 01761 471088 or 49ers@oldsulians.org.uk
Ed’s Note: There has been much interest from non-49’ers. We might consider an open visit next year, with the Head’s permission of course. If you are interested let me know.
The Social Scene
Which leads me nicely on to our Social Calendar. The Annual Dinner is well attended but our other events are declining. Ladies Night is booked for this year, see over, and we will see if it has a future; the Association Golf is holding up with Mike Wood at the helm; and the Walking Treasure Hunt is still popular, but other events are at risk. Are we doing the right things? Would there be any interest in a coach trip for example? Kew Gardens, RHS Wisley, Imperial War Museum, St Paul’s? Although the boat trip was rained off for the last 2 years, I didn’t actually have more than a handful of bookings. Are there any more suggestions? And would you like to volunteer to help organise things because I will continue with the newsletter for a while but I want to stand down from Social Secretary except for the next dinner. Come to the AGM and volunteer.
The New Ties
Proved very popular at the dinner, nice feel, better width and good knot. Replace that old soup stained model for a new one from the Treasurer for only £10. Do it now!
The Diary for 2009
14th March (Saturday) 7.30 for 8 pm.
Mrs Beach’s Yorkshire Ladies’ Spring Supper Evening at Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle.
Eh up, we’ve moved it t’ spring, with lighter evenings and hopefully, better weather. A traditional dinner with a Yorkshire slant; a little light Sulian entertainment with The Grandads Wood for definitely the last time; usual raffle and a rose for your rose! No whippets near the greens please, ferrets and pigeons to be left at home. I can’t guarantee the weather but the company will be first class. Tickets held at last years price of £22.50 a head. Please let me know you are coming so I can lay on enough black-pudding. 01225 832207 or roger.wood3@virgin.net Get yer flat caps out of mothballs.
19th June Association Golf Day at Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle
Mike Wood is on 01225 335250 or mike@systemagic.co.uk
17th October Annual Dinner at Bath Cricket Club, North Parade
Full details in the Autumn.
The Other News
The School Carol Service at The Abbey was described as the best ever by our representatives. Unfortunately I was laid low by proper ‘woman’ flu. None of this namby-pamby ‘man’ flu stuff! Former President Alan Blake did the Honours at the School Presentation Evening with our Awards as follows: Literary Achievement Rose Bowl – Maisie Bygraves and George Gibbs; A W Marquiss Cup- Daniel Ford; Presentation of Work Plate – Jake Butter. And at the end of term, Peter Powell gave the ’Bowrey’ Environmental Award to Jonathan Chorley.
Sulian and former Master, Tony Sweet (1948) died in November. He was a great character and despite a ‘tiff’ with the Rugby Club many years back, remained a loyal Sulian. I first met him when he taught at St Saviours Juniors and remember with great affection his laugh and his smile. Later he moved to Oldfield, then became Deputy Head at Beechen Cliff, always greeting my boys with the same warmth and the comment ‘ Your Grandad was my first Rugby Captain in the Su’s’! R.I.P.
The Headmaster has provided an excellent update and an interesting development which is enclosed or attached.
Finally, The Old Sulians’ RFC have had a torrid season so far, but as I write, have won their first match. Keep it up..
_ _
Hon Secretary’s Report 2008
Once again I would urge members to attend the AGM on the 25^th February and help to keep the Old Sulians’ active. We have vacancies on the Executive Committee and if you feel that you would like to help keep the Association alive or assist in organising events please come along. We meet monthly at Lansdown (except August and December)on the 2nd Wednesday at 7.30.
This year saw the design and purchase of a new Association tie incorporating the Griffin and showing the continued connection with Beechen Cliff School.
Events held during the year have been detailed in the newsletters.
This year I look back to the year of 1966. Tom Wyatt was President and most of our meetings were held at the School with the Headmaster L H Scott regularly in attendance. There was a well attended old boys’ visit to the School in July. The annual Motor Rally, organised by George Dubberly and John New was a hit as always. The Annual Dinner was moved from Fortes to Pratts Hotel and cost 25/- (25 shillings or £1.25 for the young!), up from 21/-. The President was concerned at the lack of School Leavers joining the Association (what’s new?) and arranged for copies of the newsletter to be sent to boys who had recently left School. The Headmaster had maintenance problems; in May ’65 the roof leaked and plaster fell into the 4^th Form classroom. In ’66 the heating failed and paint started peeling from the walls. Another problem for LHS was a planned walkout by 570 pupils in support of his opposition to proposals for comprehensive education. This was called off with a promise from Head Boy, Graham John, for support in another form!
Light relief was noted when Glyn Maddox supervised the building of a 12 foot twin-rigged dingy, duly launched at Sheerwater. I wonder what happened to the boat?
We are sorry to note the passing of Vernon Whitchurch (1937), John Sagar, Ron Cox (1932), Bryn James (1943), Jack Pope (1937), Tommy Cuff and Tony (Hector) Sweet (1948). Our condolences to family and friends.
And finally, our grateful thanks to the Old Sulians’ RFC for the continued use of the Clubhouse at Lansdown for our meetings.
Peter Powell. Honorary Secretary.
Hon Treasurers Report 2008
2008 shows a modest surplus of about £85 for the Association. The
books are back from our Auditor John Foster, to whom we are again
very grateful. We made no losses on events and we continue to be
supported by sponsorship from Patchway Autoparts for the Dinner,
and Systemagic for our website and stationery. Once again
expenses show an increase due to the cost of postage and our
awards. We added £15 book tokens and medals to our 3 School
Awards, and a £25 token and framed Certificate to the A P Bowrey
memorial Environmental Award.
Membership remained static with the ‘ins’ balancing the ‘outs’.
It is encouraging that we can still attract new members but we
must not be complacent. Please spread the word and cajole your
contempories. We have invested in new ties and they are, as
usual, available from me at £10 each. A bargain and very well
received at the Dinner.
The full accounts and balance sheets will be available at the AGM.
Rich Wood. Honorary Treasurer.