FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Old Dovorians
Welcome to what will probably be the last OD Newsletter in this format, more of that later.
This has been an interesting year for the Club. Gerald Kityakara who had served the Club so well over so many years as a Committee member, Treasurer and finally Chairman decided that he needed to spend more time with family and friends so stood down from his post in June. We will miss his wise counsel and steady hand on the tiller. And Maureen Cross, dedicated to the Club for many years, retired. I miss her at this moment, as she used to put this Newsletter together, which I am now doing and it is no easy task!
We are in difficult economic times with an uncertain future and schools like Dover College are under siege from all sides, not only from the government and the Charity Commission, but with less money in our pockets, it can be very difficult for parents, out of already highly taxed income, to find the extra for school fees. So it is especially important now for us to support our old school as much as we can.
Few older ODs visit the College these days and many have no idea about how it is now. I have had comments like, “I hear the Close has been completely built over” and “did you know that St Martin’s House is now a girls’ House?” “Priory House is now a big hole in the ground, the school is unrecognisable!” I visit our old school frequently and I think it has never looked better. The Close is as lovely as it always was. OK, Priory House has gone, along with the old gym, but basically it looks the same as it always did, but cleaner and tidier. There is a “buzz” amongst the pupils. It is a happy place, you can feel it. So have you thought about Dover College for your own children and grandchildren? It is now well worth considering. Come and see for yourselves. We have the OD weekend in the summer and the OD Club AGM and you can meet the Headmaster, Stephen Jones and his team who are doing such a good job. As for St. Martin’s, of course, it was always a girls’ House!
Concerning the future of this Newsletter, it was decided by the OD Committee and at the AGM, that there would be one more paper version after the setting up of the new OD website. The printing and posting of the Newsletter are the Club’s biggest annual expenses. The website has now been running for over a year and has generally been a success. It has just been re-vamped and we have dropped the £10.00 registration fee. The site will be backed up by the OD main database, with over 5000 names, addresses and details, and by registering you will also be bringing the database up to date, as well as giving us your email addresses, which could enable us to send you the Newsletter electronically each year. This Newsletter will be posted on the site and will be used as the basis of a permanent feature that can be continually up-dated. So OD news, sports fixtures and events such as parties and reunions will appear on the site straight away. Any OD will be able to contribute, it’s just a matter of contacting the webmaster
The London party at the RAF Club in January was a great success and we will be there again this coming January. It would be lovely to see as many of you there as possible with your families, and of course in Dover. We are also planning to have a summer party, perhaps in Dover. The details, when finalised, will appear, in due course, on the website
.I would welcome feedback about any of the subjects I have raised, particularly about the Newsletter and the website and perhaps with suggestions about the proposed summer party. I can be contacted at the email address below. You can obtain a Prospectus from the Headmaster’s office. Please look at the website and register if you have not already done so.
I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Let’s hope that 2009 will be a little better than the year we have just had.
John Sinclair
School House ’62-67
chairman@olddovorians.com
Website: www.olddovorians.com.
FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Old Dovorians
What a fantastic year we have had here at College – an excellent Independent Schools’ Inspectorate report, first class A level results – the best ever, and I’m sure OD’s were pleased to see us ahead of S. Lawrence, Dukies, King’s Rochester and Sutton Valence in the Telegraph league table – not to mention the beating of numerous local grammar schools! This year we achieved 54% of A levels at A or B grade with 75% at A, B or C. Well done the latest crop of Old Dovorians.
College was inspected for the best part of a week by a team of seven inspectors (mostly current Heads or senior teachers in Independent Schools) and their report spoke highly of us in all areas. They opined that College was clearly meeting its aims of educating the whole child and providing a broad and balanced curricular and extra-curricular programme with high academic expectations. They came to the conclusion that “pupils are provided with a broad range of educational opportunities and grow up to be well rounded individuals whose spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good”.
The Inspectors’ report also noted that “the quality of pastoral care is outstanding” and that “a particular strength is the school’s careful nurturing of all pupils by dedicated staff who know their pupils well and often provide extra teaching and support out of hours, going beyond what might normally be expected”. Overall we are very pleased indeed with the report; it is gratifying to see that the hard work of all in our community – the pupils and the staff as well as the parents and the Governors – has been recognised and written about in such glowing terms”.
(The full report will be available soon on the ISI website www.isi.net. Hard copies of the report can be obtained from College.)
Prize Day was another excellent occasion this year – the first year with Joe Sullivan as Chairman. Joe succeeded Chris Hare who retired as Chairman, and from Council, at the AGM last December. We were delighted to be able to host Dame Ann Murray – hot foot from singing in the Marriage of Figaro at Covent Garden – as our guest of honour; she distributed the prizes and spoke in a wonderfully warm way to the pupils about her own youth in an Irish boarding school. We were delighted too that she agreed to sing Bob Chilcott’s Irish Blessing in Chapel – a real treat for all who were there.
On Prize Day I paid tribute to those members of Common Room who were leaving – not many this year, and we said goodbye to Christobel Dunbar from the English department and Deborah Collis from Individual Needs. We also said farewell to Grant and Jennie Heppleston who ran the maths department and Duckworth House respectively, and to Paul Turner who had run the School House. Mark Algar, head of Business and Priory Housemaster was the longest serving of the leavers – it is always a sad, perhaps rather a bittersweet day for Common Room and pupils.
Out and about in College we have had a great year of music with our new Precentor, Paul Young, who has done many splendid things culminating in an excellent Summer Concert. We were served a wonderful and rich programme featuring works by Ralph Vaughan-Williams – it is the fiftieth anniversary of his death – and Antonio Vivaldi. Of particular note were the excellent solo pieces by Aimee Mullan, Emily Coles, Elspeth Robertson and Stacy Lin in Vivaldi’s Gloria, and the extraordinary and virtuoso playing of Elspeth in Vivaldi’s Recorder Concerto in C Minor – we could all see why she has been awarded a scholarship by the Royal College of Music.
Music has been at the forefront of current College development too, for we have recently purchased the last house in the original Effingham Crescent, next door to the Headmaster’s House, and have thus expanded our boundaries; this will enable us to develop a new Music School in the current Headmaster’s House, and to give the whole of Menzies over to Drama. More broadly, work has also been under way on the new Lecture Theatre behind Leamington – the George Eccleshall Lecture Theatre in honour of George whom we have always viewed here as Father of the School. Phase one is complete.
The broad sweep of year has included some excellent work in the extra dimension of drama, art, design – and of course the games. Highlights this year include particularly good performances from the cross country runners with Ben Hadman and Shusanta Rai coming first and second respectively in the Kent county league and leading the U15 boys runners to first place; Millie Gaskin coming second individually in the league, heading our Open Girls’ team who were a very close second place behind King’s Canterbury; and Ollie Gaskin being unchallenged in the county throughout the season in the U17 boys.
There has seen some outstanding drama not only from the Houses, but particularly in IJD Christmas production and the AS and A2 exam shows, and we have had some excellent Art and Design; last year’s UVIth leaver Clare Perry’s egg shaped bantam coup – her A level design piece – was a particularly astonishing piece of design.
In the Junior Department the big change has been a large influx of pupils from Folkestone. Many of you will have been in the Junior School when it was in Folkestone – the old Westbrook House. This school separated again from us over ten years ago but finally closed this summer and around half of the pupils joined us here in our new IJD, along with some of the teachers from Westbrook. It is a great sadness to see Westbrook finally fold, but all from Folkestone have settled well here and are enjoying life in Dover. It is extraordinary how things turn around and around…
On the OD front it has been excellent to see the club in such good form. The London Drinks at the RAF Club in Piccadilly has been growing annually and is excellent – do try to be there this time round on 16th January 2009. Canon Nigel Nicholson, now vice Chairman of Council, has been running a tremendously successful annual dinner near Cranleigh, and the London Group drinks now seems to last from lunchtime and on into the evening! Do look at the OD website too – and try the link to visit the new College website.
So finally, I am very pleased to report to you all that College is in excellent heart and looking forward to closer links with London and the South East as the new fast train from St. Pancras come into service next year – central London will then be only one hour away! I would finish by quoting to you the last words of my final assembly to College in the summer
“Now I would really like to talk about the last two weeks or so here. I wrote list of things that went on here, starting with the Yr 5 week in Priory and moving through to: trips to the Ardeche for Priory and to Aosta for the fourth form; the fifth form leadership week under canvas; the Lower VIth futures week; the Medieval week for the third form (and any spares); the Old Dovorian weekend with Chapel and Cricket; Cricket Week itself; the Choir singing for the flower festival at Alkham; the Leavers Dinner and dance; the IJD Campover. At the bottom of that list I wrote the words “What a fantastic school!” ”
That busy-ness, and the sense of coherence and purpose at a time in the year when many schools are idling is the epitome of why College is a great school and I am very proud of the efforts of all – I hope too that you all also remain very proud of your old school.
Yours sincerely
Stephen Jones
OD CLUB COMMITTEE NEWS
The new OD website was set up in the summer of 2007 following comments from various ODs that the old site, which was attached to the school’s, was inadequate and not kept up to date. So a professional web design company was commissioned to produce a modern stand alone site dedicated to ODs. The set-up costs were going to be reconciled by discontinuing this version of the Newsletter, which is expensive to produce and post world-wide. Then, following representations from some ODs, it was decided to publish one more paper copy, so this is the last Newsletter that will be posted to you.
It is hoped that the website will become the main conduit for ODs wishing to get in touch with each other or search for old friends, as well as giving out all the information ODs would need, such as news of events and reunions, parties and sports fixtures, news of Old Dovorians, contacts at the OD Club and the school, as well as the Notices of Births, Marriages and Deaths. This is a completely free service to all members of the OD Club.
Club Committee meetings have generally been well attended this year. The best attended is of course in January as it has a party attached to it! There is now a Student Representative on the Committee, which this year is the Head Girl, Corriene Miller. New members are encouraged, particularly those with a skill or service they can offer as well as a commitment to the Club. Needed at the moment are some IT enthusiasts to join the webmaster rota. Committee meetings take place four times a year, one in Dover after the AGM and three in London, one of which is at the RAF Club, immediately before the drinks party. If you wish to become a member of the Committee, please contact the Hon. Secretary for details.
Future plans include a summer party to complement the January party at the RAF Club. The Mentoring scheme needs to be developed, this requires more volunteers. Discussions have taken place about giving grants to some of the regional and international groups to help them to promote more social interaction and networking among ODs. Long term, it is hoped to set up a fund to help ODs wishing to send their own children to Dover College
A VIEW OF LIFE AT DOVER COLLEGE TODAY
by the Head Girl, Corriene Miller
Life at Dover College is a fantastic experience for anyone, whether a boarder or day pupil. The family community which encompasses the school enables everyone to receive close pastoral support.
I was fortunate enough to be one of the Infant and Junior Department’s founder pupils and making the jump into senior school life was made so much easier knowing that I had the help and support of my junior school teachers close by. When I moved over to Priory I had the advantage of knowing my way around the school and knew many of the senior school teachers. During my two years in Priory House I was encouraged to challenge myself, and my abilities, academic, sporting and dramatic, were stretched, helping to make me the person I am today.
Moving into St Martin’s was also another step forward in my journey through Dover College. Although I had the security of having my elder sister in St Martin’s with me, I was always expected to be independent and discover new things for myself.
The Sixth Form has been the icing on the cake. My peers and I are enjoying the prestige of being School or House Prefects. As Head Girl I have the opportunity to meet the Headmaster every week to discuss the daily business of school life and develop my leadership skills. Our prefect meetings and Sixth Form events advance our personal growth, whilst Common Room assist us to start to make the huge step into university life.
As my final terms at Dover College pass by, I am looking forward to making my speech on Prize Day. I feel Dover College has given me a solid grounding, both academically and personally, which will enable me to move on to the exciting new opportunities of university, with confidence and pride.
NEWS OF OLD DOVORIANS
SASHA BOWERS writes “ I just graduated from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, with a 2:1 in Film and Media, where I made two short films, one of which was about female gang violence and the other, honour killings. Both were screened at an independent cinema, The Filmhouse, in Edinburgh. I also briefly worked as a runner on the BBC series Flog It for an upcoming show. I am currently doing my Masters in Directing (Digital Film and Television) at Bournemouth University and am a presenter for Nerve TV Music, my university’s own online TV channel.”
ZARA DAWN BROADLEY was Called to the Bar in 2008.
VERITY CATT is living in Surrey BC, Canada saving North American Wildlife.
SIMON CHARLIER became an Admiral on February 6th. 2008.
JOHNNY CHU is teaching English in China to under-privileged teenagers in High school. His E is J_C_Y_C@hotmail.com
PATRICK DUDGEON (staff) was 80 in February 2008. He held lunch parties in Kent and London. John Lee OD hosted a dinner for him in London and Ralph Townsend (staff) hosted a lunch at the Athenaeum. ODs attending events included Mr & Mrs Martin Wright, The Rev Richard Wood, John Francis, David Ross, Nick McConnell, Sandra Hignett-Jones, Michael Thomas, Charles Nettleton and Pava Sukhdev.
DANAE KATHARINE JOHNSON writes “Well I’m now living the life in sunny Sydney. I have been here for 16 months and was permanently offered my job…so I’m here to stay! I’m working for an LPG shipping and trading company in the operations and trading side, it’s a great industry and very social. Have managed to do a fair bit of travelling with it too….New Caledonia, New Zealand, most of Oz….and off to Singapore early next year as well as a trip to the head office in Geneva in January….No babies though, thank goodness!”
DAVID KEELER writes “…just finished recording my new album with top producer Chris Sheldon (foo fighters)…toured America…lots of European tours also!…I’m the drummer…the band called ‘the walts’!…..and Mr Blunt said I would never do it! Haha!
LIAM McNICHOLAS writes “I have finished uni now and am working for a production company in London making factual TV documentaries. Its wicked fun…..well I have only just qualified, I got a 2:2 from media college. I am working on my first credit, hopefully will get one in the new year, its only a placement at the mo just to get some more experience.”
MATT MERRICKS writes “I’m living in Chile with my girlfriend and working as a carpenter building houses. I was teaching English which was fun but I wanted to work on site…and we are expecting the birth of my son at the end of November….my girlfriend is a Chilean so she doesn’t really have any problem communicating but I have learnt a lot of the language since I arrived…I can have a decent conversation with someone now.”
RYAN MARTIN writes “Got a daughter of 11 months old called Molly. Working on Wicked, Mama Mia, Avenue Q, Jersey Boys, Grease and The Lion King. I was the drummer on Daddy Cool in 2006 and Fame in 2007. I also played on Will Young’s new album called Let It Go! I was the Musical Director and drummer for Pop act Booty Luv, ex Big Brovas’ front girls. I also played for Pixies’ new album due out next year sometime. Apart from being rushed off my feet with Sessions I am very well.”
EMMA LEWIS, now McCOUBRIE is to become a teacher at Dover College, starting in January 2009. She will be a housemistress in Priory House (girls and boys, years 7 & 
and teach English. Emma was previously at Sevenoaks School. She is married with two small children.
MICHAEL M PENNING writes “Let it be known that I’ve found another ‘side-line’ and opened a restaurant in Brussels. Actually it’s my daughter and son-in-law (since September 2007) who took over a charming little establishment….and of course we’d be delighted to receive anybody with connections to Dover College….And especially ODs of any generation!…information can be gleaned from www.mandivass.be …I’d be glad to translate or explain any feature or look after visitors to Belgium who need advice or help of any kind
Contacts: Tel/fax. 32 2 374 55 25 M. 32 475 616041. E penning@skynet.be
MATTHEW SOLLEY was a finalist in the National Farmers’ “ Manager of the Year”.
ELIZABETH TRESSIDER is now teaching History and Geography at Dover College. She graduated from Hatfield College, Durham in June 2008 with a Combined Honours in Arts, Class II Division 1.
SARAH VAUGHAN writes “…I had Bryn in March this year so I am enjoying a year’s maternity leave before going back to Christ Church Uni to do a PGCE in primary teaching….I still see HANNAH HOLMES (now Hannah Agar) who also has a baby boy called Barnaby…and HANNAH CHRISTIAN (now Waller) who has a baby boy, Christopher….as well as INIGO DODD, TOM O’CLEE and NIAMH SULLIVAN. They are all doing well. Tom lives in Liverpool and Inigo and Niamh are now an ‘item’ and live in Folkestone doing lots of arty things!”
Have you informed us of your changed postal address or email address? Do you know of any ODs not receiving this newsletter? The club would like to up-date the master database of all ODs.
Please contact the OD Club webmaster at webmaster@olddovorians.com
ENGAGEMENTS
Mr & Mrs Gordon T J Kitney have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter, Emily, with Captain Edward Thompson QGE.
Emily was a sixth former in Duckworth in 1999 and Edward was Head of House in Leamington in 1999. Edward’s mother, Yvonne, was a Housemistress in St.Martin’s.
MARRIAGES
Brenton Amadee got married at Dover College on Saturday 12th.July. The Ceremony was a joint effort by Katie Jones and a family friend, Mike Barnard. There was a Drinks Reception on the Close with a steel band playing sweet Caribbean music. There was a small marquee and a bouncy castle on the Close to entertain the 40 or so children. The food was a Caribbean buffet, served in the Refectory, prepared by a chef from London, but Gerry and the school staff were fully involved with the preparation and serving of the food and drink. The tables were named after Caribbean islands
There were four Best Men, two of whom were ODs, Adam Sims and James Ledger.
Photographs of the day are on the website, www.olddovorians.com.
Alex Bradley (School House 92-97) married Tracey Pye in Adelaide, South Australia on 11th.October 2008. They both now live in Gawler, South Australia.
BIRTHS
CHEUNG to Henry and Wai Yee, a daughter, Stephanie, a sister for Sophie
IN MEMORIAM
SIMON ATHERDEN (S 1973 – 77)
Patrick Dudgeon writes;
Simon started as a Day Boy in School House but became a Boarder for the VI form. He was very popular and contributed largely to the running and the social life of School House. Another Housemaster, talking of Simon, said, sourly “All the nice boys go in to School House.”
After leaving, he read Law and graduated with an LL.B. After qualifying he became a Partner in a firm at Tamworth where he continued until his death.
He was a keen runner and ran in the New York Marathon when he raised £18,000 in sponsorship for Cancer Relief.
He leaves a widow, a daughter of 15 and a son of 12. His brother, Nigel, is an OD.
LT. COL. CHARLES E BOOTH-JONES
Charles E Booth-Jones died on 16th January 2008, leaving a wife and two children. His son, Christopher, was also at Dover College.
He was at Dover College from 1933 to 1937 in Crescent House. Afterwards he attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, subsequently attaining a commission in the Royal Corps of Signals.
After war service in the Middle East, the army sent him to Cambridge University where he gained an Honours Degree. He then served in the Korean War and at SHAPE, near Paris.
He then qualified as a schoolmaster and taught at several schools, also writing four little books on Maths for children, before retiring to Somerset.
MAURICE GORDON CRAWFORD
Born 14.12.1932 died 10.11.2006
St Martin’s House ’46-‘50
Maurice enjoyed his time at Dover College playing Fives and was capped for rugby. His close friends were Johnny Pearce and Peter Alderton.
On leaving Dover, he went to work in Fleet Street for the publishers John Dickinson as a trainee journalist before being called up for National Service with the City of London Royal Fusiliers, serving in Korea. On his return he went to Devon where his parents had retired after running the Northern Star pub in New Southgate. In Devon he went on to run his own successful reclamation and packaging business until his retirement.
A loving husband, father and friend, he loved to throw parties and barbecues to entertain them. Throughout his life he enjoyed rugby, riding and equestrian events, fishing, golf and travel, especially holidays in France where he used his French linguistic skills, having gained a Distinction at Matriculation in French at Dover College!
Sadly Maurice died of cancer. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia and four children, Beverley, Rebecca, Paula and Iain, and nine grandchildren.
NB If anyone recalls memories of Maurice, we would love to hear – please contact his daughter Beverley Delve – Telephone 01392 447339 Exeter, Devon.
MICHAEL TONY FLICK ( St Martin’s 1949 – 1952)
Always known as Tony, died of liver cancer on 11th.March 2008. His older brother, Peter Flick (St.Martin’s 1946 – 1950) writes “Although becoming decrepit, I am – thank the Lord – still fit and well, and beg to remain on the List for a little longer.”
PETER GREGORY (St. Martins 1937 – 1940)
Died 13th. February 2008.
JOHNATHAN FRAZER SUNDERLAND ( “Big Balls”) Priory 66 – 70
Suddenly, on 10th.September 2008. He leaves a son and daughter, Louise and Tim.
Sadly, his ex-wife, Sandy, pre-deceased him by a couple of months.
Among the many mourners at his funeral were Robert Stingemore (P 65 – 70) and Graham Wessel (P 66 – 70) two of his best friends at Dover. A larger than life character, in many ways, he will be profoundly missed.
THE COLLEGE CHAPEL
The College Chapel is available to Old Dovorians and Staff for Marriages.
After the Marriage Ceremony, why not hold your reception either in the Refectory or on The Close.
For details of Marriages and Wedding Receptions (and other functions), please contact Rick Sullivan in the Bursary who will be pleased to give you details.
His telephone number is 01304 205969 extension 208.
ADDRESS LIST
The price of £5.00 includes postage and packing to a UK address.
Overseas purchasers: The price of £5.00 includes postage and packing but please enclose payment by sterling cheque drawn on a UK bank or sterling notes or local currency notes to the equivalent in pound sterling.
Please send the form below with cheque payable to: ‘The Old Dovorian Club’ to:
The Old Dovorian Club, Dover College, Effingham Crescent, Dover, Kent CT17 9RH and mark your envelope – ADDRESS LIST
This form can also be used to inform us of your change of address.
Name………………………………………………….House…………..From………….To……
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Email …………………………………………………Tel. No.………………………
THE LONDON CITY GROUP
The London City Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at lunchtime in the Cock & Woolpack, a charming little pub in Finch Lane, just behind the Royal Exchange Building and two minutes’ walk from Bank tube station.
The meetings are generally well attended with ODs from every age group coming from far and wide. Among the regulars are Tony Bunting, Gerald Kityakara, Richard Robinson, Richard Upton, Paul Hayes, Chris Cox and Arthur Ryser to name but a few. Recently Mike Lightbourn (all the way from the Bahamas) and Peter Coulson, Head of English at Dover in the Sixties, attended.
For more information call John Sinclair on 07984 278476 or email chairman@olddovorians.com .
DOVER GROUP
We meet at 12.30 on the last Saturday in the month (except December) at the Brewer’s Fayre Restaurant, Premier Lodge/Travel Inn, Marine Court, Marine Parade, Dover. This is at the eastern end of the Sea Front
.
The regulars are mainly ex staff, so there is a better chance that visiting ODs will know someone. Lionel and Nicole Gay, Peter Kershaw, George and Penny Matthews, Rosemary Rottenbury, Klara Stefan-Nelson, Jean Tuckwell and Pearl White are usually there. The Nickalls family come when they can.
Apart from the “Last Saturday” meetings, we have had visits from Tony Bunting, Ray Dias and Mike Lightbourn. At the time of writing we are expecting visits from Patrick O’Donnell (Director of PE and assistant Geography master 1968-71) and Richard Townend (Modern Languages 1968-70) to celebrate 40 years since they started teaching at Dover. They will be joined by Colin Sumner.
For further information, please telephone 01304 206905 or email me j.turnpenny@talktalk.net .
John Turnpenny
Jess Howe and Shirlej Gabbai are hosting a reunion party at the Cricketers Pub, Crabble on Saturday January 10th. From 7.00 pm to 4.00 am. Details will be posted on the website.
WEST COUNTRY GROUP
The annual West Country reunion was held at Stanton Manor, Chippenham, on 9th. May 2008 , and, as ever, proved to be a very enjoyable occasion. It was unanimously agreed that these reunions should continue, and the date of Friday 8th.May was decided upon for the next function. It will be held again at Stanton Manor, Chippenham. This lies just off Junction 17 of the M4 and is very easy to find, only a few minutes from the motorway.
We get together between 12.00 and 12.30pm, enjoy a drink, order our lunch from the menu, catch up on any news from the College, and drift away throughout the afternoon.
Anyone wishing to attend should let me know in order that numbers may be given to the Manor in advance.
My telephone number is 01761 463163 and my email address is lf10@talktalk.net (not as previously)
Being in such a convenient location this venue enables Old Dovorians from a very wide area to meet together and we do hope that officers and staff will join us in order that we might be more directly acquainted with the progress of our Club and our school.
Leslie Fox
REUNION DINNER IN SURREY
Over the past four years, because we seem to have gathered a great crowd of ODs in the Surrey/Sussex area, we have been meeting for a most enjoyable dinner at the Punchbowl at Oakwood Hill, near Ewhurst, Surrey. We have entertained nearly 20 people and always look forward to new members joining us.
If anyone would like further details, please contact Nigel Nicholson, telephone number 01483 273620, or e-mail stnicoloff@aol.com .
Nigel Nicholson
OLD DOVORIAN GOLFING SOCIETY
The AGM was held at Knole Park G.C., Sevenoaks on 10th October 2008. Thanks were given and a small presentation was made to the outgoing President, John Turnpenny, for his unstinting support. Graham Turner, a past captain and long standing supporter was elected the new President of the Society.
Graham Turner retained the Quantock Salver at our Spring Meeting at Littlestone G.C.: 37 points on a blustery day with a 3 club wind was impressive.
At our Summer Meeting at Tandridge G.C. the wind and long grass took its toll but Jack Fuller took the Crescent Salver with a creditable 32 points.
Charlie Scott won the Turnpenny Jug at rain lashed Redlibbets with 37 points.
On a fine autumn day at Knole Park, David Walter played some stunning golf to take the Dawes Cup with 42 points.
The annual Triangular Match against St Lawrence College and Kings Canterbury this year was dominated by the Old Laurentians.
We meet with the Old Laurentians for a full diary of fixtures in 2009 as follows:
April 17th Triangular Match at Royal Ashdown G.C.
April 24th Spring Meeting at Littlestone G.C.
July 9th Summer Meeting at Tandridge G.C.
September 4th Meeting at Redlibbets G.C.
October 9th Autumn Meeting at Knole Park G.C.
A total of seventeen golfers contributed to a very successful season with our five trophies being shared by four different pairs of hands.
We welcome new members. If you would like to join us please contact Tony Röbin on 01483 276959 or tony.robin@btinternet.com
Tony Robin (Captain)
THE OLD DOVORIAN CLUB LONDON DRINKS PARTY
FRIDAY 16th. JANUARY 2009
At the Royal Air Force Club
128 Piccadilly
London
7.00 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.
You are invited to come with your spouse, partner, friends or guests
Dress: Jacket and Tie
Ticket Price only £29.00 per person
(includes Sparkling Wine, Orange Juice and food served during the evening)
Please complete the form below and return with your cheque to:
Richard Robinson
Hon.Treasurer,
OD Club
12 Towerside,
148 Wapping High Street
London E1W 3PF
Tel: 0207 702 9103
Fax: 0870 285 8580
Mobile: 07887 520411
Email: rrr@3rconsultants.co.uk
Please try to send applications to arrive as soon as possible, but, in any event, not later than Friday 9th January 2009
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Applications will be acknowledged by Email, Fax. or Mail. Please circle your preferred means of receiving acknowledgement and ensure that the appropriate contact details are entered in the form below
Please supply……..…tickets at £29.00 each. I have written the names of any extra guests below.
I enclose my cheque for £………………made payable to The Old Dovorian Club
Name(Block)Letters……………………………………………………………………..
(nee………………………..if applicable). House………….From………….To……….
Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………
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Fax No.…………………….…..Email………………………………………..Tel. No………..………..………
Name of Spouse/Partner/Guest(s) with first names if desired:
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OLD DOVORIAN MEMORABILIA
The following items are available from the School Shop
Description Price inc. p&p for UK Sales
Cufflinks – (Silver and boxed see Page 15) £25.00 per pair
Town Tie – (Narrow Stripes on a Black Background) Silk £18.00
Country Tie – (Broad Grey/Red/Blue Stripes) – Silk £18.00
Burgundy Tie with College Crest – Polyester £7.50 £ 2.50 each
Ladies Pendant – St. Martin emblem (Gold) £7.50 £ 2.50 each
Ladies Pendant – St. Martin emblem (Silver) £7.50 £ 2.50 each
Prices as at June 2007
Please supply the following:………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Name House Year
Nee:- (if applicable)
Address
Postcode
Send to
Mrs Brenda Barber School Shop Dover College Effingham Crescent Dover, Kent CT17 9RH
I enclose a Sterling Cheque drawn on a UK bank for £ Payable to the “Old Dovorian
Club”. (add £1.00 for any overseas orders.)
We regret that for reasons of administrative costs, we cannot accept
non-Sterling cheques, bankers drafts drawn on overseas banks or credit cards.
OLD DOVORIAN SILVER CUFFLINKS
Prices as at October 2007. Overseas purchasers please add £1.00 for postage and enclose payment by Sterling cheque (payable to the Old Dovorian Club) drawn on a UK bank or Sterling notes or local currency notes to the equivalent in £ Sterling. We regret that for reasons of administrative cost, we cannot accept non-sterling cheques or bankers drafts drawn on overseas banks.
Other College Memorabilia available: A set of prints of Dover College at a special price of £32.50. For this item cheques should be made payable to “The Friends of Dover College”.
Mrs Brenda Barber, Dover College, Effingham Crescent, Dover, Kent CT17 9RH
Please supply the following:
Quantity Description Price (Each) Total
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I enclose a Sterling cheque drawn on a UK Bank for £…………. payable to:
The Old Dovorian Club…………………….
or Sterling notes or local currency notes equivalent to the Sterling amount.
Name…………………………………………….House…………….From………………To……
Address……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
The Great Explosion
by Donald Stephenson (1936 – 39)
When I was at Dover College, all the boys were required to be in the OTC, which meant a weekly period of marching, rifle drill and the periodic firing of rifles at the County Rifle Range up on the cliffs above the school. The OTC was equipped with First World War Lee-Enfield Rifles which fired .303 calibre bullets. Surprisingly I was found to be a good shot and was made a member of the school Shooting Eight competing at Bisley (an annual English Public School Rifle Shooting Competition). Because of that we practised once a week with a generous allocation of .303 rounds. I managed to accumulate a number of these rounds (which should of course have been handed in after each practice) and kept them hidden in my locker.
At the end of one of the Christmas holidays, (which I used to spend with my sister Kathy at the Warren School in Worthing when our parents had moved to Malta) I had to return early to Dover before the other boys had gone back, sleeping in my ‘dorm’ but being fed by my Housemaster’s wife.
Having not much else to do during the days, I found that the .303 bullet fitted exactly into the round hole of the metal handle of my dorm window, and that with sufficient pressure I could thereby twist off the bullet’s brass casing. Inside were thin, tightly packed sticks of cordite. Using some sort of instrument, I removed the cordite from a number of rounds, packed them tightly into a glass bottle, and threaded a long fuse wire through the cordite and the cork stopper, which sealed the bottle. There were about 20 feet of tarmac path between the School House and the Housemaster’s home, and one afternoon, when I thought I was alone, I attached one end of a length of two-ply electric cable to the fuse wires on the bottle and the other end to a power point inside the back door of the School House. By extending the bottle-end cable, I found that it almost reached the housemaster’s back door. Now since term had not yet started, I thought I was alone in the area – so, looking around to make sure, I then threw the power-point switch.
Immediately there was an almighty blast, which shattered the windows and scared the living daylights out of me. I pulled in the cable as fast as I could and hid it behind the door. And it was just as well, as at that moment a very flustered Housemaster came shooting out of his back door, demanding to know what the hell the bang was. Fortunately the glass had shattered into so many small pieces that it left no evidence of the explosion at all, so I was able to look as surprised as he did, and pleaded ignorance.
The story that I nearly blew my housemaster up is one that I could dine out on, but is not quite true! I am pretty sure he thought I was responsible for the colossal explosion, but without proof he had to let it go and (probably by the skin of my teeth) I remained at school.
Minutes of Annual General Meeting of the Old Dovorian Club
Held at Dover College on Sunday 29th June 2008
Here are the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Old Dovorian Club held at Dover College on
Sunday 29 June 2008. The Meeting was initially presided by Richard Foxwell.
1. Apologies for Absence
These were received from Jean Tuckwell, Niall Sullivan, Gerald Kityakara and Richard Upton.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
These were confirmed as accurate by those who had attended and were duly adopted.
3. Matters Arising
These were deferred to the appropriate agenda items below.
4. Club Finances
Sunil Devalia, Hon. Treasurer, reported that the Club finances were healthy and the income good. There was enough cash to keep going for two years without income. In the accounts he had capitalised the website set-up costs.
Guy Nickalls asked why the reserves were so high. Sunil Devalia stated that the Club had a liability of up to 70 years and had to consider the situation if the income were to cease for whatever reason.
The Headmaster stated that the relationship between the Club and College would change with a closer merger of financial commitments.
John Sinclair stated that the Committee was currently discussing the future of the nature of the Club’s investments.
The Club accounts and the War Memorial and Endowment Fund report would be published on the website.
The accounts were approved and adopted.
5 Election of new President of the Club
Richard Foxwell thanked James Ryeland for his tremendous help over the years in different roles in the management of the Club. James Ryeland was then proposed and seconded and duly elected as President of the OD Club. At this stage James Ryeland took over the Chair and in a short speech thanked Gerald Kityakara (the outgoing Chairman of the Committee) and his wife Pam as well as Sunil Devalia, the retiring Treasurer, for their wonderful contributions to the running of the Club over the years. The Club’s relationship with the school was the best it had been for a considerable time.
6. Election of Club Officers
The following were proposed, seconded and duly elected unanimously as officers of the OD Club Committee for a term of one year;
John Sinclair (Chairman)
Richard Upton (Hon.Sec)
Richard Robinson (Treasurer)
7. Elections to the Committee
James Gatehouse offered himself for re-election to the Committee having retired by rotation. He was proposed and seconded and duly voted onto the Committee for a further three-year term.
Kanatta Kyazze stood for election for the first time and was duly proposed, seconded and elected for a three-year term.
8. Dover College War Memorial and Endowment Fund
Richard Foxwell, as Treasurer, explained the nature of the Fund whose income all reverts to the school.
The Fund had no liabilities. The income for the period 2007/8 was £1952.71 which was to be spent on new stage lighting in Menzies Hall. The previous year’s income had not yet been utilised by College.
M.Harrington was unanimously re-elected for a further four-year term onto the Committee.
9. Any Other Business
James Ryeland praised the contributions made by Maureen Cross to the Dover office of the Club. She had seen the Club through some difficult times. She was presented with a large bouquet of flowers and some garden furniture. The Headmaster spoke of some achievements of the school over the past year and of his plans for further integration of the Club with the school to create a “cradle to grave” service for students and ODs.
Lunch was taken in the Refectory after the meeting.
An informal meeting of the OD Club Committee was held after lunch.
Richard Upton John Sinclair
Hon Secretary Chairman
OD ACCOUNTS
DOVER COLLEGE WAR MEMORIAL AND ENDOWMENT FUND 2008
Trustee: The Corporation of Dover College,
Dover,
Kent CT17 9RH
Hon. Treasurer: R.D.S. Foxwell Esq.,
Doune House,
56, New Wokingham Road,
Crowthorne,
Berks. RG45 6JJ
Committee (from 25/06/06) R.D.S. Foxwell Esq.
S. Schilder,
M. Harrington,
G. Kitiyakara
Report for the year ending 5th April 2008
The charity is governed by an indenture dated 30th September 1926. It is registered as a subsidiary charity of Dover College. Its Charity Commission reference is 307856-0004. Its Inland Revenue reference is X24872.
The College is entitled to the whole of the gross income from the trust fund, which amounts to £1,952.71 for 2007/8. This may be applied towards any special purpose selected by the Committee, so long as it is legally charitable and for the benefit of the College, or otherwise must be paid to the College for its general purposes.
A request has been received from the College for the funds to be applied to should go towards sound and lighting equipment for the stage in Menzies Hall, to replace the current very old equipment. The Committee have agreed, and transfer of the money will be made shortly. The Fund does not have any liabilities.
Members of the Committee retire every four years and are eligible for re-election. No member retired in 2007, and Michael Harrington retires in 2008. He has agreed to stand for re-election.
Note that the bank charge reported last year of £21 was subsequently refunded by the Bank, so that the whole income of £1,803.63 was available for distribution. The College requested that the 2006/7 income be assigned to help with the refurbishment of the Maxton pavilion, and towards the cost of dinghies for the sailing club. This was agreed by the Committee, and the transfer of funds was made on 14 August 2007.
CAPITAL ACCOUNT
Assets as at 5th April 2008
7782.64 units Treasury 5 1/2% 2008/12 £8,019.82
Cash from donations £50.00
2290 M&G Charifund income units (wide) £4,029.00
Total Book Value £12,098.82
On 5th April 2008, the securities were valued at £30,686 (M&G) plus £7,801 (Treasury), total £38,487. Net capital on account equals £56.62.
INCOME ACCOUNT
Receipts
M&G Charifund £1,390.50
Treasury £513.03
Deposit Account (Interest) £49.18
£1,952.71
Committee of four, each retiring in rotation every four years:
R.D.S. Foxwell 2009
S. Schilder 2010
M. Harrington 2008 (standing for re-election)
G. Kitiyakara 2009
Banker: National Westminster Bank PLC,
25, Market Square,
Dover,
Kent CT16 1NQ
Telephone 01304 201308
THE OLD DOVORIAN TRUST
The Old Dovorian Trust was set up over 20 years ago to provide a channel for ODs who want to help support and develop the College. Thanks to the generosity of many of you, and in particular a major donation from the late Gordon Fowlie, the Trust has been able to contribute over £25,000 in the last decade alone to fund a large variety of projects ranging from the a grand piano, CDT and sports equipment and contributed to an all weather surface on the gravel. It has concentrated on helping the College obtain some of the smaller capital items on its wish list which had been hard to come by in fairly tough years. Thanks to you, the Trust has therefore been able to make a real difference to the quality of experience of pupils at the College.
At present despite the hazardous nature of stock market investment, the Trust has assets of around £60,000.00 and an income of slightly more than £2000.00 per annum.
Because of the tax changes and low interest rates income has been static for a couple of years and it would be an excellent idea to boost the capital now so that it can start to grow again! This could be a very good time to invest! All donations of any size would be most welcome! Cheques, CAF, cash, standing orders, we are not fussy. If you are taxpayers we can get another 25% or so from the Revenue which is an added bonus. Rest assured that the benefit all goes to the charity, all donations are invested and the income distributed as requested. There are no expenses as the trustees have donated their time and handle all the administration. Please send donations to:
David Walter, Cotman’s Ash Farmhouse, Cotman’s Ash Lane, Kemsing, Kent TN15 6XD
The bank is Natwest, sort code 60-07-04, account no. 59273992. Thank you.
As well as the Old Dovorian Trust, the Dover College Trust exists for the benefit of providing scholarships and capital project contributions to the College. During the year, the Dover College Trust and the College set up a combined Foundation Fund with the aim of accumulating sufficient money to enable comprehensive upgrading of College buildings including the boarding accommodation. It is possible that the Fund will be used as the basis for an appeal, in due course. Meanwhile, any contributions or testamentary dispositions would be welcome. Remember, that if you are the sole beneficiary of a pension fund, the new rules allow you to donate the residue, on death, free of tax, to charity – much better than giving it to Gordon!
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SUNDAY 28th June 2009 at 11.45 a.m.( provisional date, to be confirmed)
AGENDA
1 Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the previous meeting – 29 June 2008
3. Matters Arising
4. Treasurer’s Financial Report and Adoption of the Club Accounts for year ended 31st December 2008
5. Election of Officers for 2009/2010
Nominations: Chairman: John Sinclair
Treasurer : Richard Robinson
Secretary : Richard Upton
Any variation to the above nominations will be posted on the OD website (www.olddoovorians.com) closer to the date of the AGM.
6. Election to Committee 2009/2012 – Nominations will be posted on the OD Club website
(www.olddovorians.com)m closer to the date of this AGM.
Notes: (i) Committee members are elected for a 3 year term of office
(ii) On completion of his/her term of office, a committee member may
seek re-election for a further term
7. War Memorial and Endowment Fund
(a) Adoption of the Accounts and Report of the War Memorial and
Endowment Fund
(b) Members of the War Memorial and Endowment Fund committee hold
office for a four-year term
8. Any other business
There will be a meeting of the OD Club Committee after lunch.
Richard Upton John Sinclair
Hon. Sec. Chairman
OLD DOVORIAN CLUB INFORMATION
President J Ryeland M 76-81 01304 381497
Committee
Chairman J C Sinclair S 62-67 01707 652228
Secretary R Upton P 55-59 0208 673 1879
Treasurer R Robinson L 80-85 0207 702 9103
A J C Bunting S 60-65 0208 866 4647
G Conlon S 92-97 07769 660954
Mrs. J. Dixon D 81-82 01304 823370
J. Gatehouse S 76-81 0207 350 1808
K. Kyazze S 92-97 0207 537 1140
N. Sullivan L 97-2000 01303 241295
S Devalia M 75-80 0208 202 1190
Student Representative Miss C Miller Current
Office Administrator Office 01304 205969
College Representative Mrs. H J Tresidder Staff 01304 205969
Contacts
Cricket Staff 01304 205969
Golf A. Robin M 61-66 01483 276959
Hockey R D Kilbee C 58-62 01303 276754
Football G R Hill Staff 07786 85 84 82
Old Dovorian Lodge S Devalia M 75-80 0208 202 1190
West Country Group L F G Fox P 48-53 01761 463163
West Midlands Group T M Bosher L 61-64 0121 6054040
Priory House Group L F G Fox P 48-53 01761 463163
Old Leamingtonians I McLean Staff 01304 205969
The Old Dovorian Club, Dover College, Effingham Crescent, Dover, CT17 9RH
Tel: 01304 205969. Email; info@olddovorians.com
Chairman: chairman@olddovorians.com
Old DovorianClub Website: http://www.olddovorians.com
