Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Copy of email from Steve Webb (runs OldBlues.com) - Steve pulls information from everywhere to put this together regularly, so some info you'll have seen before but other info is new.
Each section has been put in a different post, to ease reading, so scroll down for the one you're looking for:-

Please forward this email on to anyone else who may be interested. If anyone would like to be added to the Old Blue News circulation list, please send me an email with name, dates and house.

The content of http://www.oldblues.com has been updated.
Please email me new material to be added.

Try the new Search facility on the first page of the website! Please let me know whether it is useful.

Contents
1 Christ’s Hospital Association
2 Where are they now?
3 Obituaries
4 Happy News
5 Beekeeping
6 OBRFC
7 oldblues.com updates
8 Doing Business with Old Blues
9 Old Blues Forum
10 Help Required
11 Friends of Christ’s Hospital (USA) Update
12 Regional Old Blues
13 Missing – James Funnell
14 Events
15 Publications
16 Diary

1 Christ's Hospital Association

Carol Concert
The first CH Association Carol Concert was held on Thursday 15th December 2005 in St Andrew’s Church, Holborn Circus, London EC4 3AB (the current City church used for St Matthew’s Day) and attended by over 250 people being Old Blues (of all ages) and family, current Blues and parents together with CH staff and Governors. This first event by CHA was a very enjoyable evening with various social gatherings following the Carol Concert. The many comments that have come in over the last few days have noted in particular the relaxed atmosphere, full participation from the audience, and the quality performance from all the musicians, readers and singers. Others have noted that ‘……the whole atmosphere was great and the choir magnificent’ and ‘……it was wonderful to see the children involved, and the 12 days of Christmas was such fun you must do it again next year!’ One comment received really summed up the whole evening: ‘A big thank you for a fantastic evening on Thursday. It was truly great accomplishment on your behalf and may it become a tradition for many years to come. What I was particularly impressed by was the Great diversity in ages that attended the evening.’

Once again Sharp Photography covered the evening and a number of photographs are available to view and order on their website http://sharpphoto.co.uk . More details can be found at http://www.oldblues.com/careers/Club.htm

Other News from the CH Association Office
One Old Blue who will not be taking much time out this Christmas will be the Old Blue Editor. There is still work to be done this Christmas period to produce the new look Old Blue, which we are hoping shall land with you at the end of January. Thank you to everyone for all your correspondence.

A profile of Sara Voice, CH Association Manager:
‘A strong sense of customer service with a courteous and helpful manner as the post is highly people-orientated with the potential to be highly visible both within and outside Christ’s Hospital’, this being the first point on the Person Specification for the post of Association Manager. At 5 ft 2, I may struggle to be highly visible, so for those within Christ’s Hospital who see a small blond looking rather lost, please direct her back to the Counting House!

The nucleus of my well-practised interpersonal skills and a strong sense of customer service comes from a catering background, based in London, where by day I was responsible for the entertaining on behalf of directors in their corporate dining rooms, and by night testing the catering facilities at gala events in venues such as The Royal Opera House, Kensington Place, Saddlers Wells and the Salter’s Hall; working to tight deadlines always with a smile on my face, but with time to be courteous and helpful to colleagues and clients alike.

As my parental commitment grew it was time to bow out of the high life and learn to fit into the restraints of my own corporate family. As many of you know parenthood requires a certain degree of negotiation skills, and the ability to adapt ones style in order to respond to different needs. In my case a Montessori diploma and a five year career in teaching nursery children not only enhanced those skills, but extended my creative thinking and taught me the art patience.

Working up the educational ladder I became the NSPCC’s ‘face in schools’ across West Sussex, projecting a professional image and delivering important sensitive messages highlighting the various areas of abuse to children between the ages of 4 – 14. Being an effective and skilled communicator, I not only motivated children into fundraising, but convinced head teachers that the NSPCC was definitely the charity they should support. Successful at marketing and fundraising I was handed the responsibility of Acting Schools Manager facilitating the work of 12 professional fundraisers, overcoming many obstacles to achieve recognition beyond targets. Latterly as a project leader, I established a national fundraising initiative putting it firmly on the Society’s calendar, by bringing together the expertise of other departments and successfully marketing it to 27,000 schools.

Delighted to have been chosen as the new Association Manager here at Christ’s Hospital, I hold great faith in the Clerk and the Director of Development for selecting me from such a strong field of candidates. Having passed two days of intense interviews that tested my management, marketing, presentation, written and oral skills and not least my ability to work under pressure, I feel well prepared and armed with energy and enthusiasm, I relish the challenge ahead. Looking forward to meeting many of you in time, I assure you of my commitment in developing this partnership to create an alumni association that would be better placed to give greater benefits to all its members and the school.

Best wishes to Old Blues and their families for a happy and healthy New Year.

Sara and Wendy at the CH Association.
http://www.chassociation.org/

2 Where are they now?

From Alex Berry (now Schwieso): I have noticed a few names on this web site that I had forgotten since leaving CH. Julianna Mathews in particular (found). I would also like to find Rachel Gull and Kathy Barrows and Sari (oops forgotten her surname) all these three were in 7's until 1985 & at Hertford. Help please....

From Steve Le Butt on 21st November and so the stag do is probably a distant memory by now!!: I wonder if you can help, I have the dubious honour of organising a stag do for Jon Watson Miller (the second one I might add!) and I am trying to find Chris Bell (72-79) and Elliott, same year, but cant' remember his first name. Do you have any details for either of them?

Nick Sarel (Col B 70-74) is trying to trace Andrew Starkey (Col B 70-74).

Has anyone got an up to date email address for Robin Webb (Col A ?-70?)?

3 Obituaries

From Jan de Walden (Prep B, LHB and Mid A 64-71): I write to you with the sad news of the death of my stepfather John Edwards (JHE) who passed away peacefully at his home in Northamptonshire last night, on Sunday 27 November 2005. He was 92 years old and had been rather frail since picking up a chill whilst standing in the cold at a very long Remembrance Sunday parade. He was a wonderfully kind and generous man and will be fondly remembered by his family, friends and all the pupils with whom he shared his knowledge in so many years of teaching service, both at Christ's Hospital and later in Midhurst, Sussex.

From Mr Ken Keebler: ‘Mr Webb, it is my sad duty to inform you and the "Old Blues" that my father-in-law, Garforth S. Mowll, Captain (RN, Ret), at age 92, passed away on September 17, 2005 at the Brandon Regional Hospital, Brandon, Florida. His passing came after several years of poor health. His wife, Shirley, age 87, continues to reside with my wife, Carolyn, and I at 1901 Capri Road; Valrico, FL (USA) 33594.

4 Happy News!

Congratulations to Diana Garnham (6’s 66-71) who joined The Science Council as Chief Executive in December 2005. Diana had previously spent 18 years with the Association of Medical Research Charities leaving as Chief Executive.

From Duncan Barraclough (Ma A 85-92): ‘I have had a busy year, I moved house in June, my wife Nikki and I had our first baby son Harrison, born in august, and I became affiliates manager for http://www.LateRooms.com in September.

5 Beekeeping

From Richard McGregor (Ma B 1948-57): A friend of mine, Penelope Walker, has constructed a database of traditional beekeeping structures, which is to be found at http://www.ibra.org.uk/beeboles . She tells me that if you go to Search, and at the bottom of the page (Select by number), select 1335 – you will find details of a structure at Christ’s Hospital. Unfortunately there are no photographs and the structure was apparently demolished in 2001. I am sure we all remember Bill Kirby’s bees behind the New Science School. It occurs to me that there may be a few enthusiasts who have photographs of the old beekeeping structures (not conventional hives) at CH or may be able to supply more information about them. If so, please will you get in direct touch with Penelope Walker at mail@ibra.org.uk

6 OBRFC

OBRFC Reunion Games:25th March 2006 when we will be entertaining Old Tiffians at Motspur Park KO at 3.00 pm. Details from Bryan Hall at 07939 204648 or Bryan.Hall@manbytesdog.net – ask to be put on the mailing list!

OBRFC seeks players and non-players, old and new. If you would like a game, please contact Giles Simons at 020 7786 6954 or gilessimons@firthrossmartin.com. OBRFC members can also apply for International matches at Twickenham – for details, contact steverwebb@47woodvale.fsnet.co.uk. See also http://www.oldbluesrfc.com .

From Giles Simons (Hon Sec OBRFC) - If anyone has any action photos of Old Blues Rugby or any other relevant photo's from tours or other events could they please send them to Ian Palmer - he is in the process of reconstructing our web site and needs these to put the icing on the cake so to speak. His email is ian@10-44.co.uk and also to steverwebb@47woodvale.fsnet.co.uk - please send what you can.

7 Oldblues.com Updates

Sections on http://www.oldblues.com updated over Christmas include:
Old Blues and Books
Old Blues News
Old Blues in the News on the Web
Doing Business with Old Blues

Update to Old Blues Web Links:
The following people have been added to the Old Blues links page at http://www.oldblues.com/ontheweb.htm:

Robert ASHE (TA 1966-70), United Nations official
William BALSTON (CH circa 1770), papermaker
Ben BARBER (OB, left 2003, Senior Grecian), student, Southampton University
Robert BOLDER (CH 1870s), actor
Peter BORGARS (TB 1964-70), died in 1987
David BREWER (past or present Almoner), Asia specialist, International Financial Services
Tim BRICKEL (Peele 1987-95), percussionist
Anthea CASE (Stones, 4’s 1956-62), Chair, Heritage Link
Thomas CASS (CH 1820s), pioneer surveyor in New Zealand
Margaret CLAYTON (8’s 1952-59), former Chair, Mental Health Act Commission
Sir Robert CLAYTON (Governor from 1675), banker
Jonathan COLE (CH 1980s), composer
Eric Boyd COSTIN (Wd 11, CA 1899-1905), Major-General
J R W COXHEAD (CH 1914-18 ), author
Brian CREAMER (BB 1938-43, Governor, Almoner 1986-98 ), gastroenterologist
J F CROIL MORGANS (BA 1934-43), marine biologist
Paul CUDDEFORD (PA 1980-87), guitarist & composer
John William DONALDSON (MA 1920-27), Squadron Leader, RAF
Sarah ELDRIDGE (8’s 1966-71), journalist & media officer
Colin FALCK (CH circa 1944-52), poet & scholar
Robin FARQUHAR-THOMSON (PB 1969-77), photographer
Nigel FARRELL (MdA 1962-70), broadcaster & author
Jimmy GODDEN (CH circa 1890), actor
Sydney John GOUGH (CH circa 1898), civil servant & toastmaster
Clifford HARRIS (CH circa WW1), missionary in Persia
Leslie HARRIS (MA 1953-60), mathematician. GCHQ official
Amanda HERRIES (McIlwain, 2’s 1965-73), archaeologist, curator, lecturer, writer & broadcaster
Penny HODGSON (Bernard, 8’s 1949-57), librarian
Margaret HUMPHREY-CLARK (Music Staff, dates?), vocal teacher at Guildhall, teacher of Alexander Technique
‘INCANDESCENS’ (Horsham 1980s), blogger
Randolph KIRKPATRICK (CH 1872-79), spongiologist, cnidariologist & bryozoologist
Horace LANG (CH 1900s), schoolmaster & wartime soldier
David LEWIS (current Almoner), lawyer. Ex senior partner, Norton Rose. London Alderman
John LING (Staff 1991-94), teacher, Kent College, Canterbury. Education Secretary, Christians in Science
Peter MIDDLETON (LB 1971-77), managing director, CRE:8 Multimedia Ltd
Joss MULLINGER (CA 1960-69), banker & photographer
Jerrald Keith NEEDHAM (TA 1934-42), Royal Navy officer. Killed in submarine disaster, 1955 (photo of his gravestone)
Paula NEUSS (2’s 1954-60), scholar of English literature
Sheila PESKETT (1’s, 4’s 1955-62), Associate Medical Director, National Clinical Assessment Service
Sorrel PINDAR (8’s 1969-76), osteopath
Doraine POTTS (Truscott, 3’s 1944-52), school & university teacher
Moyna PRINCE (Campbell, 3’s 1948-55), cultivator of bromeliads
Alan QUAIF (MdB 1933-38 ), insurance agent & real estate agent
Philippa RANDALL (CH circa 1960), ex-Headmistress, Leeds Girls’ Grammar School (her portrait in the Leeds Education Tapestry)
Edward RICE (CH circa 1810, Staff from before 1820, Headmaster 1836-53), priest & headmaster
Philip SALMON (CB 1969-75), tenor
John SANDYS (TA 1970-75), trailer and towbar manufacturer & retailer
James SCHOLEFIELD (CH 1800s), priest & classicist
Sarah SHARP (8’s 1973-79), solicitor
John SHAW the Elder and John SHAW the Younger (Architects to CH, 19th century)
Anne SILK (Arnold, 4’s 1943-47), optician & health researcher
Anne SMITH (Millington, 1’s, 2’s 1948-56), ex-Principal, John Ruskin Sixth Form College, Croydon (photo, 1992)
Robert John SPRINGHALL (BB 1910-16), Brigadier
Cathy STEINER (Havilland, 3’s 1964-71), fees & investments secretary, St Catherine’s College, Oxford (photo)
Lord STEWART of Fulham (LA 1918-25), Labour politician
Judith THOMPSON (Lillie, 1’s, 7’s 1953-63), priest
Nesta TOUGH (1’s, 7’s 1943-49; later Housemistress of Ward 3), nurse/midwife, housemistress/matron
David VICKERY (LA 1988-95), visual effects man
Jon WATSON-MILLER (LA 1972-79), motorcyclist. Head of Bracken Motorcycle Workshop & Team Bracken
James WHELPTON (MA 1979-87), acupuncturist
Kenneth WHINNEY (BA 1940-47), banker
Ash WHITING (MA 1981-86), web & interactive media designer, musician
Gilly WILFORD (Woods, 4’s 1968-73), Head of Primary Care Development, Ashford Primary Care Trust
Henry J YOUNG (CH circa 1990), lawyer, United States
Oskaras ZIFERMAN (CH 2000-04), student of IR, Economics & Ancient History, St Andrews University

Extra or better links have been added for:
Jo BAKER (LHA, GrE 1999-2002), Social Studies student in Liverpool. Senior Staff, Christian Survivors Ministries
Louise BARR (CB 1989-96), web/graphic designer
Tim BENJAMIN (MdB, left 1994/5), composer & web technologist
Fari BRADLEY (BB 1985-92), radio technician
Paddie DRAKE (CA, BB, MdB 1939-47), army officer, personnel & training manager, art historian (the address delivered at his funeral by Colin Brant, LA 1939-48, Governor)
Patrick DUNCAN (Staff 1986-92), priest & painter
Chris FENNING (PB, MdB, GrW 1994-2001)
Simon GILLESPIE (CA 1970-77), Head of Operations, the Healthcare Commission
Nathan MATTHEWS (LB, MA, GrE 1994-2001), stage manager
Patricia MENON (Mitchell, 2’s 1954-61), teacher in Canada
Henry Wentworth MONK (CH circa 1835-43), unorthodox Biblical scholar, prophet, pacifist and Zionist
Sergiu PANAITE (LB, MA, MB, GrE 1996-2002)
Gabor PODMANICZKY (LA, GrE 2000-01), Warwick University graduate
Natalie ROSIER (CB, GrW 1994-2001), graduate, Bristol University
Hugh SACKER (CA 1935-43), former Professor of German, Trinity College, Dublin. Prophet
Michael SCHMIDT (TB 1965-66), poet, novelist, scholar & publisher
Anna SWAN (3’s 1971-77), journalist, author & editor
Sophie TILL (4’s, BB 1981-89), violinist

We have also linked to more threads on the Unofficial CH Forum.
The following topics have been added:
Daily Telegraph article about CH, September 2005
A discussion of the CH entrance exams
‘Housey of Fun’, a very shortlived blog (4 entries!) by current pupils

8 Doing Business with Old Blues

Miranda Reid (Maguire, 2’s, BB, LHB 84-91) is Associate Director of the online jobboard http://www.multilingualvacancies.com , which advertises language jobs on behalf of companies, recruitment agencies, etc. She would be more than happy to put together a competitive package for Old Blues looking to advertise their language jobs – contact her directly on 020 7659 2573.

Peter Chisholm provides a link to James Whelpton (?-87) who runs an acupuncture clinic in Marlow: http://www.theacupunctureclinicmarlow.co.uk

9 Old Blues Forum

The Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum (http://www.chforum.info) is really taking off, over 500 (now over 600 - JT) registered users and 5095 (now over 13,000 - JT) posts in total. Please do take a look, and join in if you can help build this potentially huge Old Blues point of contact.
http://www.Oldblues.com has no responsibility for the content or performance of the site

10 Help Required

From Sinclair Wynchank (Ba A 48-57): I am trying to find the date of birth (or approximate age in about 1920) of Rev W R Kelsey, who taught physics at CH in the years ca 1918-30. A search for Kelsey in the OBs' website gives 22 refs, none of which feature Kelsey. I've tried several (non OB) website searches for him without success. (He was also the author of two text books and gave a memorable sermon in the CH Chapel, as a result of which he never preached there again, so I am surprised there is apparently no reference to him anywhere!). Any suggestions will be very welcome. Please contact via Steve Webb.

From Robert Ridley: 1912 Diary and Photos found! I am trying to discover more about an Old Blue, one of a group of six backpackers in Northern France, 1912. They admired the poppies. He was their main photographer - some photos are excellent. He spoke very good French, quoted Terence, and the easy Bayeux tapestry Latin obviously no problem at all. I do know that this man was born in Lamb Street, Spitalfields, and, unless I have the wrong name, - there are two possibilities - lost his father before his second birthday. The later part of his life is clear - and I'm in regular contact now with his octogenarian godson - but his early history is very important to my research. I'm writing a book - non fiction - based on the 1912 diary, and subsequent war years. French historians v. helpful - and all concerned have agreed that any royalties will go to the Red Cross and MSF. Please contact via Steve Webb.

From Jenny Thomson (current parent): I am trying to find and buy an old CH penny Token. I have seen one dated 1800. My son Charlie has just started at CH (MidB) and we saw the token on Ebay. We tried to buy it but we were outbid by 50p in the last minute of the auction. It sold for £3.00. I just wondered if any of your "Old Blues" may have one that we could buy or they may know where we could get one. Many, many thanks for your time and help.

11 Friends of Christ’s Hospital (USA) Update

Since our start-up in 2001 we have received donations in cash and stock of $199,867 from 56 donors and two foundations. We have responded to grant requests from the school to the tune of $188,918. The majority has been directed toward the Building Fund. We have supported student travel such as the Band trip to the Rose Bowl and the 2004 and 2005 Senior Grecian visits, and other student enrichment activities with grants of $17,713 to “The Tunbridge Beneficence”, a fund administered at the headmaster’s discretion. We supported the publication of Gordon van Praagh’s last book, ‘A Fire to be Kindled’, with $1,755 and contributed $700 to the Engineers’ Fund. In addition, in accordance with our minimal overhead philosophy, Board members have spent approximately $5,000 of their own funds supporting Founder’s Day Dinners, mailings, conference calls and the Senior Grecians’ visits.

To find out more, please contact: M. Lance Reynolds, Secretary/CFO, 470F Cola Ballena, Alameda, CA 94051. Tel: 510-814-1942 Email: lancereyno@sbcglobal.net

12 Regional Old Blues

Cornwall:
For photos from the Old Blues gathering attended by the Headmaster on 21st August 2005, go to: http://www.oldblues.com/regional/cornwall.htm.

Caledonian Society of Blues:
John Shippen (ex Staff and Editor of the Blue 1992-2004) has taken over as Secretary of the Caledonian Society of Blues from Joy Holmes.

13 Missing – James Funnell

From an email sent out by Julian Taylor on 6th December 2005.
We have not heard that James has been found yet:

Old Blue James Funnell, age 50, of Haldslow Road, Hastings, has been missing since Sunday November 13th. His wife Fiona is understandably distressed - "I am beside myself with worry. The last time I saw James was in our bed, just after midnight three Sundays ago. His disappearance has been a complete shock and came out of the blue. I honestly cannot think of any reason why he would just up and leave like this."

Mr Funnell is a large man, 6ft 3in tall with short grey hair and a stocky build. Further details at the link: http://www.hastingstoday.co.uk/ViewArti ... ID=1274846.
The police are looking for help in finding him - anyone who may know of Mr Funnell's whereabouts or who may have seen him is asked to call Hastings police station on 0845 60 70 999, quoting serial 542 of 14.11.05. CH Forum topic viewtopic.php?p=12477.

14 Events

The annual London Bluecoat concert is due to take place on Monday 6th February 2006 at St John’s Smith Square, London. Tickets: £12 (£8 concessions) from St John’s Box Office, 020 7222 1061.

From Annabelle Mark (Nee Parfitt CH 63-69): I have just been to the new Degas Sickert and Lautrec in London exhibition at Tate Britain to find that the first painting shown is London Visitors by Tissot which features two CH boys. The original is normally in Milwauki so this is a chance for anyone interested to see it without incurring the air fare! The exhibition finishes in January.

15 Publications

Paul Price (Ma A / Col B 61-69) reports that Joss Mullinger (Col A 60-69) has recently had a book published: http://www.festivalfolk.co.uk. If anyone would like a copy, contact Steve Webb who can put them in touch with Joss Mullinger.

16 Diary

Although the Diary at http://www.oldblues.com/diary.htm has been updated, it is still sparsely populated> I would welcome additional contributions.