Old Dovorians vs College, followed by Drinks at the Flotilla Pub. Don’t miss it!

The AGM was held at Knole Park G.C., Sevenoaks on 14th October 2011. Those present thanked the outgoing Captain Tony Robin for his sterling work over the past 4 years on behalf of the membership. A new era was ushered in with the election of Richard Owen as Captain – Charlie Scott as his Vice Captain and Michael Walter as our treasurer.

We returned to Littlestone G.C. for our Spring meeting this year. Rare, idyllic conditions led to some good golf scores with Charlie Scott retaining the Turner plate with 39 points.

At our Summer meeting at Tandridge G.C., after a morning of torrential rain, the skies cleared for a dry round in the afternoon. David Walter won the Crescent Salver with an excellent 36 points.

Patrick King won the Turpenny Jug at Redlibbets G.C. with 39 points on a warm September day with a gentle breeze – ideal golfing weather.

Once again we were treated to a beautiful autumnal day at Knole Park G.C. However, there was a testing wind that was reflected in the scores. Andy Hitchcock’s 30 points was sufficient to win (after a count back with outgoing Captain Tony Robin).

Charlie Scott was awarded the Bruce- Johnston Salver for the best aggregate over the year.

For the fourth year it was encouraging to see our five trophies in four different pairs of hands.

Finally, after a most enjoyable season, the icing on the cake was to retain the trophy at our annual Triangular match against King’s Canterbury and St. Lawrence.

We meet with the Old Lawrentians for a full diary of fixtures in 2012 as follows:

Schedule for 2012

• Friday 13th April Spring Meeting at Littlestone G.C.
• Friday 18th May Triangular Match at Royal Ashdown Forest G.C.
• For those of us living South- West of London, there will be an easy get together at my club West Hill* – north of Guildford – towards the end of May / early June. More news will be available early 2012.
• Thursday 12th July Summer meeting at Tandridge G.C.
• Friday 31st August Late Summer Meeting at Redlibbets G.C.
• Friday 28th September Autumn Meeting & AGM at Knole Park G.C.

*The date that has been arranged for West Hill is Thursday 31st May. I have 4 tees using 3 ball partnership starting 1030 until 1056. There will be bacon butties and coffee from 9-30. I am estimating a cost of £35 for the refreshment and a round of golf. Lunch is not included but the 12th hole has a facility for food and so has the clubhouse afterwards. I will be restricted to 12 people and I have been advised that as it is a free day at the moment that this could change if a better offer comes their way.

We always welcome new members. If you would like to join us please contact Richard Owen on 01276 475950 or golf@olddovorians.com
Richard Owen – Captain

How splendid is this Dover Sports cap?
(Click it to see it in microscopic glory!) It was awarded to Alan Victor King while he was in the 1st XV Rugby team, and his daughter sent us this photo in order to find out more about it. Alan was in School House from 1929 to 1933 and was also a House and School Prefect.

Do you have any photos of Dover College memorabilia? Please send them to us!

Alan Victor King - 1916-1994

Funeral Information

John Turnpenny’s funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church, Cannon Street, in the precinct off Market Square, Dover. Arrangements are as follows:

• Place: St Mary’s Church, Dover
• Date: Friday 11 November 2011
• Time: 12 o’clock
• Dress: John wanted no black ties and a cheerful service.
• Refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall afterwards.

An obituary will appear in the Times and the Telegraph tomorrow and also in the East Kent Mercury and the Dover Express.The Mercury will also contain an article about John.

The Funeral Directors are Farrier and Son, Dover

Family Flowers only; donations to RNLI Dover.

[Please login to the Members site to see personal tributes to John Turnpenny]

Some press notices in Dover newspapers (large PDFs):
This is Kent
Kent Online
Dover Mercury

Dear Old Dovorians,

Having completed my first full month in office, I thought that it would be useful to write a brief letter of introduction. First and foremost, Liese and I would like to thank-you once again for your excellent hospitality in London at the RAF club last January: it was our first official Dover College occasion and a thoroughly enjoyable evening it was and a wonderful entrée to the subsequent warm reception which we have received from the whole “Dover College family”. I have already articulated both in Monday Assemblies, which incidentally are now back in the refectory, and in our newsletters that I am delighted to be Headmaster of Dover College and I hope that I will serve the whole college community with commitment and style.

Every alumni association has a different modus operandi and I look forward to working closely with the OD Committee and all ODs to continue to enhance college-OD relations. Indeed, I have already held two meetings with your chairman, who visited the college earlier this week to give away prizes at our Junior School Cross Country competition which was attended by over 500 local children from primary schools.

Whether you loved your time at Dover College or you couldn’t wait to leave, this is of course still your school and rest assured that you will be made very welcome to visit us when your “flight path” takes you over East Kent.
There are already initial plans “on the table” for a sporting weekend in March 2012 which Benn Smith, our Director of Sport, Rupert Hill, Richard Robinson and myself have been discussing. We have also been discussing other possible developments.

In these challenging economic times for small independent schools, it is good to know that my staff and I can rely on the enthusiastic support of a lively and long-established network of committed old boys and girls.

I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you back to your alma mater.

With warm best wishes,

GH

You are cordially invited

As a member of the Old Dovorian Club, you are invited together with your spouse, partner, friends or guests to the Old Dovorian Club Party. This is going to be the liveliest one yet, so book now on-line – we are expecting a big turnout and numbers are limited!

Date: Friday 20th January 2012 at 7.00pm – 9.30pm
Venue: The Ballroom at the Royal Air Force Club, 128 Piccadilly, London
Dress code: Smart. Men must wear jacket and tie
Tickets: Ticket are £35.00 per person (which includes sparkling wine, orange juice (etc) and deliciousfinger food)

House and year (from-to)

Nee (if applicable)

The Cranleigh Group is meeting on Friday 28th October 2011 at the Punchbowl Inn on Oakwood.

For further information, please login to the Members Area.

Dear Friend of Poltimore House

This is to let you know that Poltimore House and grounds will be open for Heritage Weekend – Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of September from 11am to 4pm. Admission is FREE.

This may be your last chance to take a look inside the House as major building works are due to start soon on the roofs which will put the inside of the House out of bounds for at least a year. If, in the mean time, more finances become available then this might be longer.

There will be many things going on around the site including, on the Saturday only, flights in a tethered balloon. You can also experience the award winning “Organ of Corti” – see their web site for more details – http://www.liminal.org.uk/portfolio/organ-of-corti/

There will be the usual displays but additionally will be a chance to discover the archaeology of Poltimore with the celebration of the first of the University of Exeter’s Community Landscape Project.

There is an opportunity to show your skills with a camera by entering the Poltimore Landscape Photographic competition.

And there will be food – especial the famous cakes (at very reasonable prices) washed down with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Thank you for your continued support.

Rikky Apps

For The Friends of Poltimore House
Registered Charity No: 1111977

Richard Robinson – Chairman

It was a pleasant and somewhat daunting surprise to see so many of you turn up for Chapel and AGM on Sunday. Many of you had made significant journeys, and this clearly demonstrated the interest of OD’s both in the school and the OD Club.

I personally felt suitably interrogated on the day for my actions to date as treasurer and webmaster; I have carried out these jobs in my spare time and given as much as I can to them.

Having achieved the change-over to an active website with easy and regular updates, the back end database with its incomplete links looks very poor by comparison. The overwhelming message from those present was to sort the back end database to match the quality of what has been achieved on the front pages. This is therefore one of the completion tasks for the new committee this year.

We have a challenging year to come. I am confident that we as a committee will succeed with the support of the College and ODs. I look forward to seeing as many of you again at the next OD gathering in January 2012 at the RAF Club.

Mark Copson – Treasurer

I would like to take the earliest opportunity to thank the number Old Dovorians who voted in favour of my undertaking the role of Treasurer of the OD Club, a most humbling yet invigorating experience. There are absolutely no illusions as to the challenges and responsibilities that lay ahead, however one would hope that with the support and input of ODs of all ages, based both domestically and abroad, we can continue to develop the club into a position of which we are all proud.

I very much look forward to working on behalf of each and every one of the Old Dovorians and will endeavour to help drive the club to future and sustained success.

Paul Hayes – Secretary

Well, now that the excitement of the elections and AGM has passed I can muster the energy and focus to finally put pen to paper (or digit to keypad these days). My humble appreciation goes out to all who voted for me as Hon’ Sec’.

I am looking forward to working with my fellow officers and committee members to further develop the interests of the OD Club, build on the relationship we have with the school and the Headmaster and progress the points raised by all OD’s at the AGM.

What an exciting day, yesterday! It had it all – drama, food, sun and sport… The photos below feature the wonderful gift presented to Stephen Jones (the retiring Headmaster) by John Widgery on behalf of the OD Club, the OD lunch in the Refectory and cricket at Upper Maxton.

See A message from your new Officers of the Committee

OLD DOVORIAN CRICKET CLUB
Old Dovorians v Dover College
The Team
Jack Fuller – Gerard Grofton-Martin – Sunil Devalia –  Matt Jay –  Jack Woods – Ashley Burton – Antony Stanley –  Teddy Easthope – John Brasier – Andrew Walsh – Mike Walsh
Umpire: John Widgery
Scoresheet: ODs v DoverCollege 03-07-11