NEWSLETTER May 2007

IMPORTANT

This e-newsletter has been sent by post to everyone as a double check on e-mail and snail mail addresses. If you do not receive a postal copy please let us know at rich@oldsulians.org.uk

Steve Wall

Steve Wall was a teacher at CBBS 1964-1968 and at CBBS/Beechen Cliff 1970-1974 He will be visiting Bath in July 2007 after 32 years teaching in Australia. Steve would like to meet former colleagues/students and will be at the Slug and Lettuce, Edgar Buildings (top of Milsom Street) from 1800 - 2000 on Thursday 5th July. Whilst it is an informal affair if you intend to come along could you email Steve so he has some idea of numbers. His e-mail address: swa39476@bigpond.net.au Thanks to Graham Knight for passing on these details for our younger members!

Percy Thurgar

At the end of March, following the request in the February News, I was contacted by Richard Emra, whose Mother was the widow of Percy Thurgar. Details were passed to ’After the Battle’. A result!

Annual General Meeting

A quorate turnout! Terry Lee was installed as President without recourse to threats or bribery. Neil Blake became a Trustee and Len Dyer is sharing the Social Sec duties with the Editor with a view to taking over next year, he says hopefully! The Treasurer assured us we were solvent and the Secretary can still read his own writing (sometimes), so all is well with the world. The list of events is chronicled overleaf, we now only need your support. I have tucked a picture of the President into an odd corner somewhere.

Events

Numbers were down a bit for Ladies Night but a splendid time was had by those not on their travels. An excellent meal, a smoothly-run and well stocked Len Dyer raffle and entertainment of dubious quality filled the evening. The School Concert in March was up to its usual quality with the fruits of Paul Calvert’s merry band very evident. A number of Su’s were in attendance. There were performances from Guitar and Folk groups, Big Band, Wind Band and Choir. Paul, usually an unexceptional 4th Trumpet gave a virtuoso rendition on the viola. A performance, I am reliably informed, never to be forgotten!

Comings and Goings

Brian Baker and Roger Cryer have signed up for life membership, John and Janet Grebbell have taken up residence in Tuscany, although with the April weather in England this year I cannot see why!, and, sadly, John Blackman (1953) has died after a fairly brief illness.

Old Sulians’ Rugby Club

I know that many members played for the Su’s in days of yore and like to keep in touch. The results this season in Somerset 1 have been quite spectacular. The statistics, available from their website at: www.oldsulians.com read: Played 22, Won 18, Lost 4, Points for 917, Against 267. Ollie Dicks managed to score 266 points in the season. A 110 - 0 win at the beginning of March against Martock was followed by a 74 - 0 win against Crewkerne on the occasion of the President’s Lunch. They have yet to be notified of the League they will play in next season. All this and an early season ‘friendly’ win against Old Edwardians will give pleasure to old boys everywhere. May I draw you attention to their Annual Dinner details listed overleaf.

Newsletters

This time the newsletter is being sent by post to everyone on our mailing list. It will also be sent to the 50+ of you with an e-mail address by e-mail as well. However the e-mail has proved somewhat temperamental! Can I please ask that you notify us at: rich@oldsulians.org.uk if you do not get an e-mail version and have given us your address. Of course if you are new to the internet you are also welcome to contact us and be put on the list. It saves us a fortune in stamps! We can then double check our systems for the future and you will have got the most important dates for your calendar. Thank you in advance. Next news is scheduled for September. Let me have it and I’ll print it!

Diary for 2007

11th May (Friday)

Old Sulians Rugby Club Annual Dinner at the Clubhouse, Lansdown. Contact Terry Haines for a ticket. (01225 465107) or check the website www.oldsulians.com/ I would guess that there will be a few celebrations of their season’s success!

31st May (Thursday)

Newport High School Old Boys Golf Match. The traditional event against old rivals from rugby days. Away this year at Newport. I think the deadly duo, Mick Moore and Tone Bowrey are the ringleaders for this and you will receive the summons if your presence is required.

15th June (Friday)

Association Golf Day at Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle. Organiser Mike Wood is on 01225 335250 or mike@systemagic.co.uk. Tee times are 9.15-10.30 and 2.30-3.45. 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 so those that need to be carried home can arrange carriages for 9.30(ish). Please give Mike a clue if you think you might be there! Newcomers are always welcome so please forward this to any golfing Sulian you know asking them to phone or drop him an email. There will be the usual menu of medal (or Old Tosser’s Tankard), lunch, stableford and dinner.

3rd July (Tuesday)

Association Approach Golf at Victoria Park. 6 pm onwards. Another tilt at the weather Gods! I seem to recall that one of the Dyer clan walked off with the Midgely Cup last year. If you fancy a round (18 holes of course, not the junior 12!) then turn up. Peter Beach knows how the handicaps work!

19th July (Thursday)

Walking Treasure Hunt (or Trude’s Trundle) organised once again by the redoubtable Sue Trude. Start point is in the Abbey Churchyard opposite the Pump Room. Finish is at the Bath Cricket Club for winners and prizes. Teams of not more than 4 to set off between 6 and 7.15 pm. Modest fee. Please let Len Dyer know you are coming. (01179 864514) Having lived in Bath for most of my */^ years it never ceases to amaze me that Sue finds bits I never knew existed. Or I’m getting old! This event is very popular so arrive early and, like the Treasurer, you may fit in a 3 course meal on the way round!

15th August (Wednesday)

River Boat Picnic. By kind permission of Bosun Terry Hardick, who is still a man of influence at the Bathwick Boating Station, once again we embark for a leisurely cruise to Bathampton Weir. Depart by 7.15 (or in nautical speak 19.15) from the docks behind Pulteney Bridge. Bring your own cheese and pickle sandwiches and a little of what you fancy (Or the wife!) Look out for the Kingfisher and Heron.

27th October (Saturday)

Annual Association Dinner, at The Bath Cricket Club, North Parade, Bath. Black Tie. Full details in September but note the date now. Although last year’s do was a bit fraught, we had a splendid meal and are avoiding Trafalgar night and the swimmers this year! Free parking is available and we have our own ‘en-suite’ bar. And the guest speaker is booked.

19th January 2008 (!) (Saturday)

Ladies Night at Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle. A New Year treat once again. We have agonised over the date but stayed with the January Saturday. This time we avoid Burn’s Night! Oh how the Sulians’ celebrate any and every birth, death and anniversary! Hopefully our cruisers, trekkers and bungey jumpers will be available. Our traditional proper entertainment, the ‘Just-in-Time II’ Big Band are booked and the caterers are putting the sprouts on to boil as I write to go with the turkey curry! (Or casserole, salad, fricassee, stew, burgers or soup!) NOW PUT THE DATES IN YOUR DIARY, PLEASE! 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

Headmaster’s Letter.

Dear Old Sulians,

The summer approaches rapidly and with it the promise of cricketing success, academic endeavour and even the possibility of uniform becoming a little ‘dishevelled’. We will, of course, work on the latter element but we will also hope for the same level of success as last season –winning the Independent Schools’ Cricket trophy and achieving an entry in Wisdens (2007) as the only state school entering and for the highest batting average for a Schools’ 1st XI player.

You might have read recently that we have been awarded the potential status of an International Baccalaureate School. This qualification will only be available in a small number of state schools nationally and it is currently only due to be delivered at the Royal High School as a Bath provision. We are very pleased with this development and I feel sure that many young people in the future will be able to achieve great success as they undertake the qualification.

Clubs and societies flourish. The first drama production for some years, Oliver Twist, takes place next week and this acts as the prelude for an additional lesson, ‘Drama’, to appear on the timetable for younger boys from September. It is hoped that they will gain confidence in public speaking and working together to achieve outcomes in front of their peers. Who knows, a full production of ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’ or ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in years to come? As always the School aims to build on its strengths and many staff are working tirelessly to provide the best possible provision for our boys and girls, despite our limited resources.

May I wish all Old Sulians the very best of health and happiness, on behalf of the Staff and Governors of the School.

A Davies
Headmaster

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