Newsletter – May 2010

Headmaster – May 2010

On Tuesday 13th July Tony Buss has organised an outing to London. A party are going to St Paul’s with former President Terry Lee who mended it a bit. That party is already full but we have spare seats on the coach if you fancy a day out.

The coach leaves Avon Street Coach Park at 0900 hrs and will reach St Paul’s about midday. It will return from there at 1600 hrs (4pm). Pick-up and drop-off points can be negotiated with Tony. The cost will be in the region of a bargain £15 a head but the more that come the cheaper it might get! So, shopping in the West End, a trip to The Tower or a museum? If that appeals get in touch with Tony straight away. Phone 01225 404625 or e-mail:  bussstop@sky.com  You must reply by Tuesday 11th May, after which we will ask the coach company to try to fill Buss’s bus!

AGM

Another years passes. The President does 2 years now and the other Officers were re-elected. There were no new faces and we are really worried about the future. Rich is the only one under 60!

If we are to keep the Association alive we need some new blood. It will not run itself. We have a membership of  269 and a good following for the Annual Dinner. There is no one waiting in the wings for any of the committee posts! If you can spare an hour or two, once a month, we need you.

The Committee will meet in future at the Bath Cricket Club on North Parade, at 7.30pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month starting in May. From September it will be on Tuesdays for the winter. Please come along or phone any of the numbers below. Don’t let the grim reaper see off the Association by stealth, we should be aiming for our Centenary!

School

On to more cheerful things. A number of the committee managed to attend the annual Concert where Paul Calvert, ‘Basher’ re-incarnated, rallied his troops for another stunning evening. The scope and quality of the music improves year on year and there is now the promise of a new music block.  Enclosed you will find the Headmaster’s newsletter and on the reverse a note about the fund raising.  More in September.

This year’s drama production was ‘The House on Hellmouth Hill’ which also received good reviews from our resident critic.

School Visit July 2010

I have only 4 names for a visit to School in July. Please contact me before the end of the month if you would like to go.  It is likely to be a Friday, mid-morn start, tour and lunch but we need to make the numbers worthwhile.

Pat’s UK Coastal Walk

Honorary Life Member and former Master Pat Colbourne has embarked on a circuit of this sceptred isle. Starting from Dover Castle on 6th April  we think he may have reached Studland by the months end. He will now nurse his blisters before starting out again where he left off. If you would like to sponsor Pat by a  donation to his charities or support him by walking with him or giving him a bed for the night find out more from his website at www.patsukcoastwalk.co.uk He thinks it may take 2 years!!

CBBS Hockey 1949/50

Peter Powell produced several photos of the Hockey XI from way back. The pictures can be found on the .pdf version on the website  www.oldsulians.org.uk

Outdoor Pursuits

Your current President is an avid cyclist with more ‘bikes’ than I have guitars! During a recent chat with Terry Lee they found a mutual interest. Rich cycled for sport at School in the ’80’s and Terry did the same back in the ’50’s. 2 photos can be found, as before, on the .pdf versions at the website.

Basement to Beechen Cliff

The book continues to sell well. We now have our fourth hundred copies. Oldfield Park Bookshop in Moorland Road has plenty. See the website or contact the Treasurer for details.

Old Sulians RFC

‘The worst season I can remember’ said Pebble Beach whose connection exceeds 60 years. Plagued by injuries and players moving on, this has been a season to forget. The competition in Somerset Premier is hard with teams like Wells, Midsomer Norton and Chard and, but for league re-organisation, they would have gone down a league this season. Let’s hope next year is more successful. Note the Annual Dinner listed below. Martin Haag is the guest speaker. And our best wishes to great club servants, Martin Harvey and Tony Slee who have both been in the wars recently. Get well soon.

Amy Williams

For any one who was somewhere quiet, Winter Olympics Gold Medallist Amy Williams is a former sixth former at School, having previously spent 5 years at Hayesfield, formerly CBGS. A superb role-model and better looking than Roger Bannister! (Am I allowed to say that?)

Ray Moon (1945)

Sadly, I pass on the news of Ray’s death. After a life time with his building firm in Warminster, Ray fought with Parkinsons in recent years. He kept in touch by e-mail and contributed several memories and thoughts for the book. We send our condolences to Margaret and their family. Courageously Ray donated his brain to the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases.

And finally we would like to see if we can add some colour to newsletters that you can download from the web. What we  need therefore is some colour photos. Virtually all of the archive is black and white, after all, most of us are ‘of an age’! If you have any colour shots which would be of interest, get in touch. I can scan and return and in some cases, even revive old photos.

Events Diary

May 14th– Old Sulians RFC Annual Dinner at the Lansdown Clubhouse. Contact Terry Haines for details.(01225 465107)  or visit their website : www.oldsuliansrfc.co.uk

June 3rd—NHSOB Golf Match. This year we are at home at Sham Castle. This annual match against the Newport High Schools Old Boys has been taking place since before the war. Mick Moore will tell you if you are        selected to uphold the honour of the Association. No pressure!

June 18th—Association Golf Day at Sham Castle. A slightly simplified format this year. Details as previously  notified in the newsletters. Contact Mike Wood soon on 01225 335250 or: mike@systemagic.co.uk   to book your place and please don’t make him sweat. He needs to find his tees and polish his ball.

July 7th—Approach Golf at Victoria Park The small band of regular short course players will meet up once more from 6pm to contest the Midgely Cup round the full 18 holes. Pebble Beach will produce his book which will ensure that your inspired (or lucky) score will be suitably marked down.

July 13th—Coach Outing to London. See front page.

July 22nd—Walking Rally starting from opposite the Pump Room from 6pm., Sue Trude has agreed to punish us one more time for not paying attention to what exists around us. Those veterans of the ‘Trude Trundle’ will know the frustrations, anguish and sheer anger that a gentle stroll ‘round town can provide. Come and share the angst. Teams of maximum four and no violence or bad language please. Without giving away any secrets, I think it a fair bet that we will finish at a certain cricket club in North Parade, but don’t say I said so!

October 16th—Association Annual Dinner at Bath Cricket Club, North Parade. Full details will be provided in the          September Newsletter but the format will be the same, short speeches = maximum social time. Keep the date free!

The onset of Spring has allowed minds to focus on the imminent examinations and cricket season preparations – I leave it to you to decide which is more important in the formation of a boy’s character.

Currently John Cruickshank, teacher of Economics and Classics, is working on the 2010 version of the ‘Gryphon’, our school year book. Those of you familiar with last year’s edition will know that this is an exceptional work and I am very much hoping that each member of the Old Sulian’s can be prevailed upon to purchase a copy this year. It will include details of some excellent sporting success, the next foray into dramatic arts though the school production, Model United Nations work and, of course, a piece from the President of the Old Sulians’ himself!

The Spring Term saw success in the County Hockey, Football and Rugby – senior teams winning Somerset and Avon cups in each sport. I believe this is unique even for Beechen Cliff! The term ahead will see a large number of school cricket teams preparing to ‘do battle’ (in the most civilised way, of course) and I very much hope that the July newsletter will recount positive news of our adventures against the great and the good in the school cricketing world. Outdoor activities will also be a focus for the next few months, the school attempting the “Three Peaks” challenge for the first time, as well as running the incredibly popular (and also incredibly challenging) Centurion Challenge. Boys and staff will put themselves through huge levels of physical suffering to prove that the school will never shirk from any challenge – it never did and should not do so now. As one boy said “It beats lessons”. Probably not the quote I was looking for …..

A short piece this time but the promise (or threat?) of a much longer one to come at the end of the summer term.

Best wishes to all and thank you again for the support of your school.

Andrew Davies

Special Note from the Editor

MUSIC PROJECT

The School is embarking on the construction of a new Music Block. They need to raise a considerable sum of money. If you would like to make a donation towards this ambitious project please send your cheque, large or small payable to: Beechen Cliff Trust No. Two Account
to:
Beechen Cliff School, Alexandra Park, Bath, BA2 4RE

If you are a taxpayer, you can even increase your gift to the school at no cost to yourself by completing the Gift Aid form available on the website. This allows the school to reclaim tax against your gift increasing its value by over 28% and, if you are a higher rate taxpayer, you can also reclaim part of the tax yourself. As an example, a gift of £25 is worth £32 with the reclaimed tax.

I will ask the Headmaster to give further news of their intentions and progress in the September Newsletter.

Newsletter – February 2010

AGM Notice 2010

Headmasters Letter – February 2010

‘Basement to Beechen Cliff’

Terry Light reports: “Since it’s launch at the Annual Dinner in mid October sales have exceeded all expectations. We hoped for a good uptake from old boys but we were surprised at the demand from some of the City’s bookshops such as Oldfield Park Book Shop, Waterstones and Mr B’s Book Emporium. This resulted in the nice embarrassing situation before Christmas where we could not meet the demand. Now the Christmas rush has finished we urgently await another print run to be delivered so that we can meet the requirements of overseas Old Sulians’ and the School. The Editorial Committee would like to thank all Old Sulians’ who have purchased the book, passed positive feedback by telephone, letter and e-mail and also brought to our attention old boys who were not included. If there should be a Second Edition then all comments will be taken into consideration.”
I have to say that it was with some trepidation that your Committee ordered 200 copies of ‘The Book’ back in the summer but, as Terry says, sales have been incredible. Reports have been very favourable – The Chronicle gave us a good spread, and we even appeared on Amazon! (They don’t have any at present!). Peter Tait at Beechen Cliff designed the cover and Alex and Zac at Systemagic did the preparation and warehousing. The ‘Book Boys’ were Terry Light, Roy Ludlow, Terry Hardick and the late Len Dyer. The Treasurer also attended and winced when large sums of money were discussed!
Copies will be available again soon at £10 collected, £12.50 delivered in the UK, and contact us for an overseas price. All enquiries to the Treasurer (below) who is feeling a lot happier, although he hasn’t got the accounts past the Auditors yet.

Annual Dinner

An excellent evening once again. 55 stalwarts attended encouraged by my small band of whips! Tony Comer missed giving his own speech through ‘illness’ but arranged from his hospital bed for Mike Wood to deliver it anyway. I am delighted to report that both Tony and Mike have now recovered. The date for this year is Saturday 16th October, please put it in your diary now, and someone let the Rugby Club know!
At the Dinner we circulated 2 chits to see whether 1) there was interest in having the AGM before the Annual Dinner, and 2) whether there was interest in any organised coach trips. The response was underwhelming for both ideas.

Presentation Evening.

Terry Light reports again: “This was held during the evening of the 25th November in the imposing surroundings of the Assembly Rooms. The Special Guest was Michael Eavis CBE, of Glastonbury Festival fame, supported by a couple of sponsors from the business world and myself. In addition to the usual prizes presented to pupils on behalf of the Association, I had the privilege to present a ‘special prize’ to Sixth Former, Peter Tait, as a thank you for designing the front cover of ‘Basement to Beechen Cliff’. The Assembly Room Main Hall was overflowing with schoolboys and girls, well supported by their parents and grandparents resulting in a well worthwhile atmospheric evening.”

John New

Fortuitously, I have just received a letter from John’s nephew to say that he has moved to Englishcombe House, a care home in Englishcombe Lane. Although his short term memory is extremely short term, his grasp of the old days is still there and he would welcome visitors. At 94 he is, I believe, the Father of the House and fondly remembered as a great character and servant of both the Association and the Rugby Club.

Foreigners!

Don Duck in New Zealand and Geoff Yates in Australia have both recently moved. Anyone wishing to make contact can do so through the Editor. I gather the weather down there has been a bit milder than here of late! I am not jealous. Much.

Membership

Since the last news Keith Prosser(‘54), Pat Cogswell(‘63), Colin Rawlinson(‘55) and Roger Boakes(‘61) have all joined the Association. Sadly G W Hudson(‘47) has passed on.

Old Sulians RFC

Continue to find the going difficult in their current division although I am told that the rugby is better than the results would seem to show. And of course the snow has not helped recently.

Association Golf Day

Friday 18th June, contact Mike Wood for details 01225 335250
or mike@systemagic.co.uk

School 1.

The President, along with Alan Blake and Terry Lee met with the School Governors in October to outline the Association’s aims, and also attended a presentation by The Bath Education Trust, which consists of Beechen Cliff, Hayesfield, Bath College, Bath University and Rotork. The Trust, formed in 2009, is designed to pool the resources and expertise available so that students can have wider academic and vocational opportunities. Our Hon. Secretary, Peter Powell, attended both the Annual Piano Concert and the Carol Service and reports that they were both splendid occasions. I visited School to hear Nicolas Ridley talk about ‘Godfrey’s Ghost’, a book about his father, Sulian Arnold Ridley of Dad’s Army fame. I enjoyed the book which gives a fascinating insight into the man as opposed to the actor, and as a social history of Bath in the early 20th century.

School 2.

You may recall that last year Alan Blake organised a reunion for the ‘49’ers which included a visit to School. We had a number of requests from other vintages to join in which were politely declined. However I have tentatively broached the idea of a visit towards the end of term in July with the Headmaster, which would be open to any members. Before we firm up would you register your interest with me please. Drop a note to the me at the address for the Hon Correspondent overleaf or e-mail me at: committee@oldsulians.org.uk. If there is sufficient interest I will give full details in the May newsletter.

Annual General Meeting

We would really appreciate your attendance at the AGM. A few more volunteers for the Committee would be a bonus, and might reduce the average age by decades! Remember that things only get done with people power. Please give it a thought or two. Aussies are excused.

Hon. Secretary: Peter Powell 11 Kennet Park, Bathampton, Bath BA2 6SS 01225 466608
Hon. Treasurer: Richard Wood 63 Caledonian Road, East Twerton, Bath, BA2 3RD 01225 422210
Hon. Correspondent: Roger Wood. 101 Hansford Square, Combe Down Bath, BA2 5LL 01225 832207

Our publishing partners in ‘Basement to Beechen Cliff’ – www.systemagic.co.uk 01225 426800

The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held on Wednesday, 24th February 2010 at 7.30 pm. prompt at the Old Sulians’ Rugby Club, Lansdown, by kind permission of the Rugby Club. Your attention is drawn to Rule 15, under which any member wishing to move a resolution or nominate an Officer at the Annual General Meeting must give notice of their intention in writing to the Honorary Secretary, not less than seven days before the meeting. P D Powell Honorary Secretary

AGENDA

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of 2009 AGM
3. Matters arising
4. Hon. Secretary’s Report (See over)
5. Hon. Treasurer’s Report (See over)
6. Election of Officers:
   1. Vice Presidents
   2. Hon. Secretary
   3. Hon. Treasurer
   4. Hon. Social Secretary
   5. Hon. Correspondent
   6. Hon. Auditors
   7. Trustees
   8. Executive Committee
7. Any other business.

ANNUAL REPORTS

Hon. Secretary’s Report 2009

It is good to report the continuing support for the Association from Andrew Davies, the Headmaster of Beechen Cliff, noting that the standards that we grew up with are being maintained.
The next AGM is almost upon us and we urge you to support us by attending and possibly bringing new ideas.
It is sad that we were unable to get enough support for a Ladies Night this year but maybe another gathering could be arranged in future together with new ideas such as coach trips to selected places but these can only take place with your support.
Again we are indebted to Roger Wood (him with the new eyes) for all the work he puts in throughout the year.
My dip into the past this year is 1990. Mike Wood was President for his 2nd year, Avon Education’s attempts to reorganise education in Bath by, amongst other things, turning Beechen Cliff into a 6th Form College were abandoned, Beechen Cliff opted out of Local Authority control and Roy Ludlow was appointed Head in the midst of the turmoil! 10 teams took part in the Treasure Hunt organised by Bert Marquiss which was won by Tony Burt, with Mike Wood and Tony Comer runners-up. Ladies Night, organised by Tony Bowrey, was attended by 66 people with entertainment provided by Roge and Mike Wood. The Annual Dinner attracted only 29, quite a few less than the present day.
This year we are sorry to have lost Tony Sweet, Len Richards, Len Dyer, B D V Coombes and G W Hudson. Our condolences go to their families and friends.
Finally, once again our thanks to the Old Sulians Rugby Club for the continued use of the Clubhouse at Lansdown for our Committee meetings.
Peter Powell.
Honorary Secretary.

Hon. Treasurer’s Report 2010.

As this goes to press I have just delivered the books to our Auditor John Foster. Subject to his approval the Accounts and Balance Sheet will be available at the AGM. They will show that on our normal activities we about broke even, However the outstanding success of Basement to Beechen Cliff has resulted in a profit in excess of £1000. When we originally ordered 200 copies we modestly hoped to sell perhaps 150. We have currently sold 300 and have another 100 on the way. Your Committee will decide on the use of this sum in due course.
Although there was no Ladies Night our costs have been roughly covered by our income. The use of the internet has helped considerably in the distribution of the newsletter and has attracted a number of sales of the book. If you do not receive your newsletter by e-mail at present and you have an e-mail address please consider the imminent rise in postage costs and get in touch with committee@oldsulians.org.uk.
Our net membership shows another slight rise to 267 despite the Grim Reaper’s best efforts.
Rich Wood
Honorary Treasurer.