Old Sulians' Association

Raymond Leppard

As you will see in the Headmaster’s Letter, Raymond Leppard, distinguished former scholar, musician and conductor of renown, will be visiting the UK in May. Raymond will be signing copies of his autobiography “Music Made Me” on Friday 20th May from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon in the Sun Lounge, which is the ante-room of the Pump Room. Proceeds will go to the School’s Music Centre project. The function at school will now be an afternoon reception, beginning at 2.30. Music will be provided by various ensembles. There will not now be an evening function. Sulians are welcome at either event.

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Newsletter May 2011

Newsletter May 2011

NEWS

Annual General Meeting
The AGM passed off without drama. The dozen present saw everyone re-elected. Rich Wood is in for another stint as President as we were unable to find a volunteer for this year. However we have a putative replacement for the future. We will also look at the rules to see whether a President Elect might help avoid this situation..

Coach Trip to St Pauls Cathedral
Alan Blake reports: Transport arranged by Tony Buss, guides organised by Terry Lee, seems like a pretty good do and so it turned out. Leaving Bath at 0830hrs., a brief stop to pick up a foursome in Corsham, and 19 souls were on their way to London to visit Wren’s Masterpiece. It didn’t take long; with a comfort break on the M4 we arrived in good time for lunch. By prior arrangement, a brief phone call informed of our imminent arrival and resulted in a barrier chain being lifted and our coach being ushered into the Cathedral Square, privileged or what? After lunch we set out on a wonderful tour guided by 2 men very well qualified to do so as they are part of the team charged with looking after the fabric of this wonderful building. The general public are allowed to visit many parts of the cathedral, but we privileged few were shown through doors which had to be unlocked to gain access; in many instances passing along corridors between the inner and outer walls of this edifice, in some places in spaces above the chancel and other parts of the church and some up to 30 metres above ground level. Many steps to climb, some in very narrow passageways. In no particular order, we saw the bell tower, the clock [manufactured by the same company which made the clock for Big Ben] the original Wooden Model of the cathedral, made for Wren to show the King what he was proposing to build on Ludgate Hill, the Library with its many very old editions of our bible, the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery [Outside of course] with wonderful views of London’s changing skyline. Not for the faint hearted or week limbed, our tour was quite tiring but very interesting. Our driver had asked us to be ready at 4pm, which of course we were. So we set off home trying to beat the rush hour. Through London we were largely successful but as soon as we joined the motorway we were informed that due to an ‘incident’ long delays were expected and it took us about an hour to reach the Reading off ramp before we were clear of traffic. What a trip, what a day, many memories and a slight feeling of ‘smugness’ for having experienced something special. Thank you Terry and thank you Tony.

Membership
We welcome John Weeks (1952) as a new Life Member. After the Royal College of Music and National Service, he spent 10 years at Dauntsey’s School and then 25 years at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. If you remember John, a clarinettist, and would like to get in touch, let me know.

EVENTS

Informal Lunches
May 11th at The Stag, Hinton Charterhouse
June 15th at The George, Bathampton and
July 13th at Riverside, Saltford.
Contact Peter Powell for any directions. Make your own arrangements, pay your own bills. Meet from 12 noon, have a treat and enjoy lunch with friends in the English countryside. (Well, almost!)

Golf
9th June Association v NHSOB. This year is away in Newport – Mick Moore will be handling the selection as usual and you will receive The Call if selected.

6th July Approach Golf At Victoria Park. Meet 6 pm as usual

17th June Association Golf Day At Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle on the Friday. Meet at 12.30, dinner at 7pm (ish) Note that this year it is one round in the afternoon only.
Please let Mike Wood know you’re coming : mike(AT)systemagic.co.uk or 01225 742184
Open to all Sulian golfers, please endeavour to give your support to keep this event alive.

Treasure Hunt or ‘Robert’s Ramble’
July 14th Start from opposite the Pump Room by Bath Abbey from 6 pm.
After many successful events Sue Trude is standing down but has found a willing successor in Robert Hill. He will be aiming to stress you all on what we hope, will be a balmy summer evening. Teams of not more than 4. Modest entry fee. See parts of Bath that you didn’t know existed. Argue, chat with the tourists and try to fit in a pint on the way.

Annual Dinner
15th October 2011 The usual Saturday at the Bath Cricket Club, North Parade. This year Graham Knight’s young friends will be getting their bus passes so Graham has already got 14 lined up to celebrate at The Dinner with hopes of reaching 20! Full details and chitty in September but make a note of the date, I’m hoping for a record turnout.

Trip to Imperial War Museum, Lambeth.
23rd October. Flushed with the success of St Paul’s, Tony Buss is arranging a group booking on a coach trip to Lambeth, leaving from Bath about 8.30 am. Tickets are £15.50 each and you need to book and pay Tony before the end of June. Pick–up points can be arranged with Tony. Phone 01225 404625 or e-mail: bussstop(AT) sky.com

Reunions
As in the last news, I understand that Mike Hucker is co-ordinating another ‘49ers meet this summer for those that did School Cert in 1949. Contact me to be put in touch.

And a last call for anyone wanting a visit to School at the end of the summer term. If you are interested let me know now! I will see what can be done.

School Events
The Annual Concert was a great success and again demonstrated the resurgence of music in School and the diversity of instruments played. An Orchestra performed for the first time for years, and although lacking in some areas gave a good account. Choral and instrumental ensembles were very varied, and the drums were loud!

You can catch up on other School news on their website at: www.beechencliff.org.uk

And for those of you living away from Bath, the School achieved Academy status in April, and also received an Ofsted inspection, which raised their ‘score’ to ‘Outstanding’!

Old Sulians’ Rugby Club
The 1st XV finished in mid-table in Somerset 1 having had a much better season than last year. Terry Lee represented the Association at the annual Sponsors lunch, and reported a very good time was had by all. The Annual Dinner is on Friday, 13thMay at the Clubhouse, 7 pm for 7:30pm. Tickets (£20) from Terry Haines, limited numbers. Three-course meal, after dinner speeches and awards. Suits and ties to be worn. See the Club website: www.oldsuliansrfc.co.uk

And finally on the Rugby Scene, this August the Su’s will celebrate 50 years on Lansdown! On Saturday August 27th there will a ‘do’. Watch for the details but several of those present at the last Committee meeting, names withheld to protect the innocent, recalled the first occasion when the late Jimmy Wood, no relation, whilst working for Whitbread, provided a tanker full of beer which the assembled Su’s drank dry. Pebble and Blakey still remember the hangover!

And incidentally, Peter ‘Pebble’ Beach, as the current President of the Bath Combination, recently had the great pleasure of hosting Sir Ian McGeechan at their Annual Dinner.

Pat’s UK Coastal Walk
You may recall that Honorary Life Member and former Master Pat Colbourne is attempting to walk the coastline of Britain. He started from Dover Castle on 6th April 2010 and in fits and starts, reached Polperro by the end of August. Then his knee gave out! I saw him at the School Concert and was told that he returned home for a rest and later had surgery on his knee but was then told his other hip also needed replacing! He is hoping that his increasingly bionic body will be ‘fit’ to resume around February 2012. His website is at: www.patsukcoastwalk.co.uk

Music Block
As mentioned elsewhere, work is in hand on the new music block at School. Donations towards kitting it out are very welcome but in addition two local Sulians have provided a Yamaha Clavinova electric piano and a Technics Organ, which got me to thinking. Have you any musical instruments stashed away in the loft/garage/box-room that could do with a good home? I’ve had a chat with young Paul Calvert, the Head of Music, and instruments for beginners are always in short supply. When I was at School, (what a memory!), there were instruments to try before commitment, so please have a delve. I can arrange collection or delivery, or put you in touch with Paul. Bagpipes, drums, guitars and everything musical welcome.

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

or: committe(AT)oldsulians.org.uk

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May 2011 Headmaster’s Letter

May 2011
Dear Old Sulian,
The School officially became an Academy early in April and we are now in the position of being considered an independent school funded by central government. We hope that this will allow us the freedom to innovate and to utilise the sparse resources which exist to support the boys and students across the City. As you would expect we will continue to work with our partner school, Hayesfield Girls’ School, and our friends within the Bath Education Trust. Over time I hope to be able to bring you news of the work we undertake and its impact on the City.

On to much more important issues, I am pleased to inform you that the cricket season has officially begun and the early signs are very positive. The Under 12 boys are unbeaten after three matches, having dispatched Warminster School and two QEH teams. The Under 14 team has achieved the accolade of bowling out King Edward’s School for 50 runs before cantering home to victory with the loss of only one wicket. Their former coach takes all the credit for this great success and asks why he was demoted to the new boys team. The Under 15 team is currently in disgrace for failing to defeat Writhlington School in a recent Cup game.

We have recently competed in four Somerset Cup Football Finals but I am only able to report positively on one clear victory. The Under 16s team avenged a defeat by Chew Valley last year and ran out 5-1 winners in a well played game at Twerton Park. The Under 13s were edged out 4-2 by Wellsway School and the same opponents defeated our Under 14s 3-2 in a very closely fought contest. Despite being considered a ‘rugby school’, it is good to see our boys competing so well in this particular sport.

The Summer, of course, always sees the departure of two echelons from the school and we wish our Upper Sixth and Year 11 boys every success in the examinations to come. We anticipate a splendid crop of results and it is very pleasing to note that, yet again, our students will be taking up exceptional University offers, including Oxford and Cambridge, cementing our place as a premier provider of A Level courses for Bath. We are very pleased to note that, as well as 100 of our own boys joining the Lower Sixth in September, 100 external students will also being taking up places with us.

I am very much hoping that when you are able to take up the opportunity to visit the school you will be delighted to note one or two small improvements to our stock. The Music Block will be completed by the end of August and this will at last give accommodation which is an improvement over that in enjoyed by illustrious musicians since the time of Raymond Leppard. Some of you, of course, less illustrious in musical circles, will also have endured music practice in cold and draughty accommodation. There will, of course, be some who venture to suggest that the more miserable a room, the better the learning. I assume that future budgets will allow your philosophy to be realised! In addition to the Music Block we are very pleased to have had the support of many across the City to allow us to begin work on the new artificial surfaces which will allow our boys the opportunity to excel in a number of sports which previously needed specialist accommodation away from the school. These new surfaces are sited on the redgra and the old wasteland adjacent.

I mentioned Raymond Leppard earlier and many of you will know that he is in Bath to promote his new book and will also be visiting his old school on May 20. May I cordially extend an invitation to you to join us in the Main Hall from 2.30 p.m. for cream teas and some musical entertainment. You will also have the opportunity to visit the new Music facility, although, of course, in, as yet, an incomplete state. I hope that it will be an opportunity for you to catch up with old friends.

Yours sincerely,

A Davies

Headmaster

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Raymond Leppard

Eminent former pupil Raymond Leppard will be visiting the UK in May to promote his autobiography. At present it is planned that this will include a trip to Bath on the 20th May. The hope is that there will be a book signing session in the morning and his attendance at a concert at School in the evening. Details of Raymond’s career can be found here: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Leppard-Raymond.htm

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PDF Newsletters – February 2011

Newsletter – February 2011

Headmasters Letter – February 2011

AGM Notice 2011

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AGM Notice – February 2011

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held at 7.30 pm. prompt on Monday 21st February 2011 at the Bath Cricket Club, North Parade, by kind permission of the Cricket 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 2010 AGM

3        Matters arising

4        Hon. Secretary’s Report

5        Hon. Treasurer’s Report

6        Election of Officers:

a.         President—Nomination: R J Wood Esq.,

b.         Vice Presidents

c.         Hon. Secretary

d.         Hon. Treasurer

e.         Hon. Social  Secretary

f.          Hon. Correspondent

g.         Hon. Auditors

h.         Trustees

i.          Executive Committee

7.         Any other business.

Hon. Secretary’s Report

In October 2010 we saw the publication of ‘Basement to Beechen Cliff’, a task undertaken by a small team of Old Sulians’ which has proved to be not only popular but profitable. The profits have now been donated to the School for the purchase of books for the library.

We shall try to arrange new events but to do so we need input from members. You will note from the newsletter that we are going to have lunch at various venues (with wives).

Any Old Sulian is welcome to attend Committee Meetings at the Bath Cricket Club on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Looking back to past minutes, in December 1955 the minutes show that the Headmaster, L H Scott, suggested that the Association should consider awarding prizes. We agreed to present 2 prizes at a cost of One Guinea each to boys in Form 2 and 4 who showed the most progress in the year, evidenced by exam results.

Graham Mower was President followed by T A W Palmer, with a strong Committee containing amongst others, Freddie Burt, Bill Oatley, John New, Bill Wood, Tom Archard, Ken Ruddick and John Ruddick, Brian Dawes, Jim Sagar and ‘Spud’ Gardner. It is interesting to note that whist drives were held jointly with the Parents Association.

The Headmaster was a regular attendee at Committee Meetings. The Annual Dinner   held in December 1955 showed a profit of £12-19-8p. The first Old Boy elected as Mayor of Bath was S A Smith. And finally a Motor Rally was held attended by 73 competitors at 10/6p a head, which included dinner, organised by Maurice Robinson and Fred Burt. It made a loss of 1/8d.!

P D Powell   Hon Secretary.

Hon. Treasurer’s Report

I can report another successful year for the Association helped largely by the sales of The Book and a good crowd for the Annual Dinner. The Auditor has passed the books and produced the Balance Sheet in a revised format which will be available at the AGM as usual. We would have shown a profit of about £150 on the year but for 2 items. We donated the sum of £1000 to the Headmaster for books for the Library, and we wrote off the £1000 loan to The School towards the organ fund that was made many years ago. John New and the then Treasurer Bill Wood, arranged it as a loan because of the uncertain future of the school under the political masters of the time. Plus ca change! But Beechen Cliff is in a much more stable position today and your Committee decided that the continued state of the loan as an Association asset was anachronistic. I am grateful to our Hon Auditor John Foster for his continued advice and support.

There are still a few copies of Basement to Beechen Cliff available and we also have a good stock of ties. £10 each, with postage an extra £2.50 for the book

R J Wood   Hon Treasurer

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Newsletter – February 2011

H John New 1915—2010

Since 1925 when it was formed, the Association has been blessed with many distinguished and long serving Sulians. None more so than John New who sadly passed away on 23rd December 2010 at the grand age of 95. He had not been in good health for a while but his recall of the ‘old’ days was still quite sharp. He came from a large family with 5 sisters and a brother. He left School in 1933 having been present at the laying of the foundation stone for the ‘new’ school at Beechen Cliff. He served his time with the Army mostly in Africa. Active in both the Association, serving as President in 1951 and also as Secretary and Treasurer and Trustee, and in the Rugby Club, where he was one of the group instrumental in the acquisition of the ground at Lansdown. He served as 1st XV Captain in 1937 as well as Secretary, Treasurer and ultimately Life President. As a Legal Clerk with Stone, King and Wardle he knew ‘everyone’ in Bath and he was involved with almost every organisation in Saltford. Many will recall him sailing majestically between Bath and Saltford on his Honda moped. ‘Stately as a Galleon’ are the words that spring to mind! Always calm and considered, John was a true Gentleman in a time conspicuously short of that rare breed. We send our sincere condolences to Peter and the other members of his family.

News

Informal Lunch

It has been decided to trial a series of informal lunch meets for members and their wives, starting at The Stag, Hinton Charterhouse at Midday on Wednesday, 11th of May. Dates will be added for June and July and listed in the May newsletter.

Make your own arrangements, pay your own bills but take the opportunity to meet up with friends and give yourselves a well deserved treat!

School Events

The President did the honours for the Association at Presentation Evening at the Assembly Rooms where former International Referee Tony Spreadbury was the main guest. Along with the Rose Bowl and cups we give commemorative medals and book tokens. And at the Annual Carol Service Mike Hucker read ‘The Word’ on behalf of The Association for the first time following negotiations with School by Alan Blake. A good collection of Sulian Ties were present at The   Abbey for a wonderful evening.

Reunions

I understand that Mike Hucker is also co-ordinating another ‘49ers meet this summer. Strictly for those that did School Cert in 1949, if you are not already on Mike or Alan Blake’s list, get in touch.

Also I have had a number of requests to arrange another visit to School at the end of the summer term from some who were unable to go last year. I have not approached the Head yet but let me know if you are interested and I’ll see what can be done.

Old Sulians’ Rugby Club

The 1st XV are currently about mid-table in Somerset 1 and doing better than last year with coaching help from Bath RFC and the University. A very successful Old Players lunch was held in November but the weather in December and early January did rather hamper efforts on the normally sunny lush green grass sward of Lansdown. I can also report that Billy Hallett is improving steadily and Tony Slee is still finding the going a bit tough.

Golf

Association  v NHSOB. This year is away on Thursday 9th June – Mick Moore will be handling the selection and you will receive The Call if needed.

Association Golf Day As usual at Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle on Friday 17th June . This year it is afternoon only. Meet at 12.30, dinner at 7pm (ish)

Contact Mike Wood at: mike@systemagic.co.uk or 01225 742184

Open to all Sulian golfers, please endeavour to give your support to keep this event alive. Numbers have been falling off of late, Now is the time to put it in the diary, book your leave or arrange to send flowers to the ‘boss’!

Annual Dinner

Put the date in your diary now, Saturday 15th October 2011 at the Bath Cricket Club.

Membership Lists

I get occasional requests for lists of members from those trying to reclaim their white fivers! If you would like to peruse the current list it is available free by e-mail in .pdf format from:  committee@oldsulians.org.uk or in exchange for 2 stamps by post from the Hon. Correspondent listed below. If you do not wish to have your details disclosed let me know and you will be redacted! If MI5 can do it……

And we also welcome to membership A R Mills (1960)

Obits

Sadly I also report the passing of Alan Garrett (1939), Brian Hamilton (1948)and Charlie Ruff.

And Finally in the last newsletter was a chitty for the dinner containing my  e-mail address. When I copied the chit onto our web page I forgot to change the usual @ sign for ‘at’, which helps to stop spammers getting hold of your address. Within 2 days I was getting 50—100 extra e-mails each day offering me all sorts of pills, devices and services that I didn’t learn about at School! And offers from Ukranian ladies that Mother warned me about! And a lot of people want to give me money! If I’m not here next time you’ll know why!

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

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