THE GATTON ASSOCIATION

Incorporating
THE MAITLAND ASSOCIATION & THE ROYAL ALBERT ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER - Summer 2003

Welcome to the Summer Newsletter, I believe the Spring Newsletter (available on the internet as well as by traditional post) may well have reached around 1,700 ex scholars and staff. I would like to start by extending a very warm welcome to you to attend our Annual General Meeting, which this year is to be held on Sunday 28th September 2003, at Gatton Park.

Time table

Association Buffet Luncheon Sample Menu

Any member wishing to submit a proposal for consideration at the AGM should send it to the chair Malcolm Cleroux, 37 Delaraine House, Tanners Hill, London SE8 4BZ, Tel 07770 613 128 together with the AGM and buffet slips (as appropriate) by no later than Monday 22nd September 2003. Cheques should be made payable to "The Gatton Association". Whether you are coming or not, please complete your name, current address and other details so that our records may be updated and your name will be read out at the AGM under apologies for absence.
In the Spring 2003 Newsletter, I gave notice that the Association will be considering seeking
Charitable Trust status. Following our last committee meeting on Sunday 15th June 2003,
approval was given for the Foundation Secretary and Headmaster to "firm up" the ideas and
consult the membership. Please make sure you read the headmaster's article for further
details.

The principle objective of the Trust would be for it to be better enabled to raise funds for
supporting scholars currently at the school. No decision will be made in advance of the AGM in September. However, the consultation period starts now, so please send comments as soon as possible either by email to headmaster@gatton-park.org.uk on the back of your AGM return form (to be found at end of this newsletter), to be received not later than Monday 22nd September 2003.

Now for something quite different... the School Chapel will shortly be replacing the original wooden chairs for new stackable seats and FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED PERIOD FROM MONDAY 7TH JULY UNTIL FRIDAY 15TH AUGUST 2003, THE ORIGINAL WOODEN CHAIRS ARE GOING TO BE ON SALE TO GATTON ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES AT A COST OF £5 PER CHAIR. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BUYER HAS TO COLLECT ONSITE FROM THE CHAPEL BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9am - 4.30pm MONDAY- FRIDAY AND 9am - 11am ON SATURDAY MORNING. Please telephone ahead of time to make sure someone knows you are coming. Cheques should be made payable to "The Royal Alexandra and Albert School". THE CHAIRS ARE SOLD AS SEEN BUT ARE GENERALLY IN GOOD CONDITION.

AN INTERESTING MEMENTO OF THE SCHOOL,and QUITE AN ATTRACTIVE CHAIR TO USE!

I do hope many of you will find your way to Gatton Park and spend the day with us. For further details of travel and possible accommodation please ring 07770613128 and I will see what I can do to help.

Best wishes for a restful summer, I look forward to seeing you in the autumn

Malcolm Cléroux Chairman

Greetings from the Editor

Dear Readers, Thank you for all the support and kind words conveyed to me over the past few months regarding me taking up this post, it is quite a unique challenge especially juggling, full time work & part-time study. But, so far it has been quite pleasant – well with a predecessor as efficient at Katie Houston and a dedicated Chairman such as Malcolm Cléroux, it is easy to see how the spirit of the Association has remained so vibrant. It was a great pleasure for me to meet some of the Bishopswood ex-scholars at the Founders Day gathering on 11 May this year and a special hearty 'Hello' to those who were kind enough to have a natter with me despite being preoccupied as they tucked in to their sarnies for lunch. What a warm and close knit bunch… you really brought it home just how magical schooldays are when you've a family of friends to share them with in Gatton Park.

Ok, while we're on the sentimental note, one special point I know is close to your hearts, and that is the passing of Mr Eric Corner (endearingly likened to "Mr Chips" by Doug Dielhenn). I have heard so many dear things said about him and have received some letters for inclusion in this newsletter. However, I realise many more of you would probably want to write a few things as a special tribute to the Mr Corner, but would have missed the opportunity to do this as I didn't give my details in the Spring Newsletter. So, thank you for those who have already sent in a tribute, I will include them with the others in the Winter Newsletter; perhaps a bumper edition ?

In this Summer edition we have a very touching, well recounted memoir from Vic Kelaher about bombers over Bishopswood, plus an antidote for those summer time blues from Joan Paris in Canada, but hey Joan, surprisingly it's the blue skies keeping us smiling in England this summer, but your little number sure brings the sun. Anyone else wanting to make any contributions to this Great, Fun and Happening Newsletter had better get scribbling. Don't be shy! Why let all the 1930-50s bunch have all the fun… get your say in! Email me at hyjones@yahoo.com or post to Hyacinth Jones, GA Newsletter Editor, 28 Horton Avenue, London NW2 2SA, you can also give me a call on 07703 342 732 if you like.

See you soon.

Peace

Hyacinth x

This is a transcript of an actual radio conversation between a US Navy Ship and Canadian Authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995 (released CofN Operations)

Americans:    please divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid collision. Canadians:    recommend you divert your course 15 degrees south to avoid collision.
Americans:    this is the captain of US navy ship. I say again..DIVERT YOUR COURSE
Canadians:   NO. I say again YOU DIVERT YOUR COURSE.
Americans:    this is the Aircrafts carrier USS Lincoln the Second largest ship in the United States Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and a support vessel. I demand that you change your course one 15 degrees north that is one 15 degrees north or counters measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
Canadians:    This is s light house. Your call!

Joan Paris – Canada

BOMBERS OVER BISHOPSWOOD by Victor R, Kelaher

This month (March 2003) we have seen coverage on our television screens and photographs in newspapers of United States Air Force B52 bombers flying into RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire from where they have taken part in raids against Iraqi targets. These pictures brought back memories for me of the years 1942-1944 during WW2 following the decision by Sir Winston Churchill, and the then War Cabinet, to authorise Bomber Command to carryout massive raids against Berlin and the industrial cities of the Ruhr area, when as many as a 1000 aircraft took part in the raids in an effort to bring the Nazi regime to its knees and thereby hasten the end of that war. To a degree the strategy proved effective as it disrupted the supply of ordnance to the German military but was paid for by the great loss of allied aircrews and deaths suffered by the German civilian population.

At that time the Alexandra part of our school still occupied its wartime location at Bishopswood Farm Camp, Kidmore End, near Sonning Common, some five miles to the north-west of Reading in Berkshire where 1, as one of the older boys, was resident in the senior's dormitory. I still have vivid recollections of the night when we were woken up by the noise of what sounded like hundreds of aircrafts flying overhead and I, like many other boys in the dormitory, rushed outside to stare up into the night- sky which seemed to be full of four-engined bombers heading south. Realising they were our aircraft we started cheering and the noise we made brought the House Master, Eric Shepherd, from his room at the end of the dormitory to find out what was going on. He promptly ordered us all back to bed.

These fly-overs by the bombers became an almost nightly occurrence and we lads would often sneak outside to watch the aircraft pass overhead in an effort to count how many were taking part but eventually it became so frequent that the novelty wore off. Occasionally we would hear or see some of the bombers returning from the raids in daylight and I well recall one morning which must have been a weekend or holiday time, as we were not in our classrooms, when a long line of bombers appeared overhead flying up from the south. Suddenly plumes of black smoke billowed from one of the planes followed almost immediately by the sight of parachutes opening as the crew baled out from the stricken aircraft which went into a nose-dive hitting the ground with a tremendous explosion. I, and several other lads, ran from the camp and up the road in the direction of where the aircraft had crashed but after going for about a mile or so and not coming across any of the airmen or the crash site, we gave up and returned to camp. If the truth be known, the plane probably crashed two or three miles away from our school.

Years later when reading books written about bomber command and those raids I was to learn why the bombers regularly flew over Bishopswood. Apparently the skies above the city of Reading had been designated as a 'marshalling point for the squadrons which, having then joined up into larger formations, headed south across the Sussex countryside and out over the English coast high above Selsey Bill en-route for Germany or other enemy targets in the occupied territories. Little did I realise as I gazed up into those night skies at the aircraft flying over Bishopswood that I might well have been looking at a bomber in which an Australian cousin of mine could have been one of the crew members. Not only was I unaware of this at the time but it was to be some fifty odd years later whilst researching my family tree that I was to discover not only that two of my Australian cousins had been crew members of Lancaster bombers but that I have relatives living in Australia. One of those two cousins was killed when his aircraft was intercepted by a German night-fighter and shot down over Denmark in September 1943, whilst the other was to complete a tour of thirty operational bombing missions against enemy targets following which he was commissioned and became an instructor until the end of the war in 1945. As for tracing my relatives 'down under' and how the family arrived in Australia in the first place, well that is a tale for another newsletter.

Victor R, Kelaher.AO./R.A.S 1937-1945.

From the Headmaster

The weather was not too kind to us on Founders' Day, but the number of visitors present was the largest in recent times, with some 20 having to stand at the back of Chapel for the speeches and Prizegiving.

Our Visitor was Mr Andrew Wates, High Sheriff of Surrey and Vice Chairman of the Board of Management.

There were a number of new Prizes awarded for the first time this year: The Jonah Jones prize for Art and the Richard Pool-Jones Trophy for Rugby Player of the Year were both given by John Jones, whose two children have gone on from the school to excel in Rugby and in Art respectively. We were also delighted to receive an England Rugby Shirt from Richard Pool-Jones, which will be framed and hung in Reception.

We also presented, for the first time, the Kingsgate Trophy, presented by Old Scholar John Hounsom.

Another Old Scholar, Tana Borlace, provided a Trophy for Dance. St Andrew's Parish Church provided a shield for the Religious Education Prize and the Topp Shield, presented by Geoffrey Topp, former Deputy Head, is for Drama.

I am most grateful to those Old Scholars and other friends of the school who have most generously given us these trophies. A named prize – and next year's programme will explain the origin of some of the prizes, is so much better than a School Prize. If any other Old Scholars are interested, I would be happy to discuss subjects or areas of school life, which would benefit from a named prize.

Future Events

Because we have moved to a two-week Half Term Holiday in the Autumn Term, boarders return in the evening on Sunday 9th November – remembrance Sunday. We will thus be holding the School Remembrance Service on Tuesday 11th November, starting at 10.15 a.m. in the Chapel.

I would welcome Old Scholars to this service, when the Rolls of Honour for the First and Second World wars will be read out. If you wish to check that a particular name is on the Roll of Honour, please do contact me. No need to contact the school in advance for this Service – 40 seats will be reserved for Old Scholars.

Carol Service. Friday 12th December at 4.00 p.m. Again, like Founders' Day, numbers have been growing over the last two years with more and more parents wishing to attend this uplifting occasion. Miss Rose, Director of Music, supported by Edward Sutton, Musician and Organist in Residence will be producing a yet more impressive performance of traditional carols, favourite hymns and more original items. No need to contact the school in advance for this Service – 40 seats will be reserved for Old Scholars. However, if demand seems likely to prove more than can be managed, then we will publish new details on the web site.

Charitable Work of the Gatton Association

Now that the school has taken responsibility for duplicating the newsletter and for posting it out, the Association has no running costs other than the expenses incurred by the Committee. The Association always had the intention of raising money to support current scholars at the school and this now gives the opportunity to do this, with all other costs being covered by the school.

Boarding fees for one year are £8,235 per year, (as from September 2003) and it was felt, at the last Committee Meeting that the Association was unlikely to raise such a sum each year in order to support one scholar directly – particularly given the cost over the several years required to provide continuity of education.

I was asked what financial support would be useful and replied that a fund to pay for occasional items would be very welcome. There are times when I know of a scholar who would love to go on a ski trip or a Rugby Tour, but who cannot really afford it. Another scholar may be taking music and be of sufficient standard as a musician to need a better trumpet that the school has to lend, for example. Similarly, a scholar who shows talent in French may wish to spend a fortnight in France, but not be able to afford the cost.

I would welcome the creation by the Gatton Association of a fund for such deserving cases. I would refer cases to the Committee and they would decide on what they wished to support.

The Foundation Secretary is investigating the legalities of registering the Association as a charity, but this may be costly – and thus use up funding which could be spent on deserving children. She is thus also investigating the alternative of the creation of a "closed account" within the Foundation, which is already a registered charity. Donations to such an account would have the same tax benefits as registering the Association as a Charity, but would remain under the total control of the Committee of the Association.

My questions for the consultation process are:

• Do you believe that raising funds to support current scholars is a good idea ?
• Would you like money raised by the Association to be spent on the sorts of things suggested above – or on something else ?
• Assuming all money raised remains under the total control of the Association, do you mind if the money is held in a "closed account" of the Foundation ?

Please let me know your views by e-mail – Headmaster@gatton-park.org.uk or in writing to me at the school so that I can pass them on to the AGM in September. Please understand that I will not always be able to reply to individual messages, but if you have particular questions, I will do my best to find the answer.

The Headmaster recently received this e-mail:

Dear All For all of those who new my brother Ken Leatherbarrow (Edinburgh House 1961-67) you will be saddened to hear of his untimely death at his home in Key West Florida on May 7th. Ken died from a heart attack, suddenly and without warning. I know that I can say this next bit safe in the knowledge that he would approve of my choice of words:- " Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Tell that special person or people what they mean to you , don't assume that they know, and never forget, that life is for living, this is not a rehearsal."

Steve Leatherbarrow

EVENTS ROUND UP

Founders Day Football Report. 11th May Gatton Park

The annual gathering on Founders Day for the 'Old Scholars Football Match' was a great success, although the weather was not in our favour. This was the first time since the start of these matches back in 1997 that the weather has let us down. But we were not deterred.

The Old Boys were strongly represented by many fit and able stars of the past. The first half was strongly contested by both the School team and our own Old Boys.

By the end of the first half the score was School 2 - 3 Old Scholars.

The second half was as manic as the first. The School battled to survive under the sustained pressure from the Old boys. Eventually fitness and skill shone through and after a hectic second half the game ended with the 'Old Scholars' winning for the third successive year by a score of 5 – 2. After the match all gathered in the refreshment area, and caught up on old times.

A marvellous day was had by for all who attended, and a great result.

Question: Why did the Headmaster get the Shield engraved with Gatton Association as the winners for 2003 BEFORE the match ? What does he know ?

For those who missed the fun, there is a chance for you come to the next match, which is on Sunday 9th May 2004. Don't miss out on the great time to be had by all.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Reunion 2004

The dates for the 2004 reunion have just been confirmed. The event, which will be run
on similar lines as the July 2002 event.

The dates for your diary, are Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd August 2004.

If this event turns out like the 2002 event, we are in for a very good weekend. If you
were there last time you know that you don't want to miss out, and if you weren't there
you did miss out, big time.

Keep your eyes open for further details, which will be available early next year.

66 - 69 Reunion 31st May 03.

REUNION FOR LEAVERS IN YEARS 1966-69 – A BRIEF REPORT

Date: 31st May 2003

Venue: Armoury House, HQ of the Honourable Artillery Company, in the City of London.
- Special thanks to Stewart Wilson.

Format: Superb Silver service lunch, with pay bar (1-4pm), followed by drinks in nearby
'Bohemian' hostelry ('til late).

Attendees: 38 former pupils (and 3 partners), plus 7 former teachers/staff. (Lots more
wanted to be there but couldn't make it due to other commitments) See following list.
Photos of the day: First batch posted on Friends Reunited website by Ricci de Freitas.
The pictures speak for themselves really – so much warmth and exuberance in
evidence.

Prognosis: A wonderful day, to be repeated in the not too distant future, if possible, at
Gatton. Everybody looked so well and enormously happy to be back with their good
friends of 35 years ago! Our surprise guests, the former teachers/staff, received a warm
reception from the former pupils – age had not withered them! (Thanks to Bill and Beth
Jeffries, Ray and June Davies, Freddie and Mavis Stafford and Malcolm Cleroux for
making our day). Really worth the effort and research involved in tracking down some of
those old friends – even got some of them connected to the internet along the way!
Speaking of which, we were conscious, as organisers, that this was an exclusively e-
mail dependent affair, ably assisted by Friends Reunited, so if you weren't 'connected'
you didn't get to hear about it. Next time we must endeavour to reach the rest of you,
one way or the other, as it really was an experience to be shared.

Attendance List:

1. Carol Gascoine
2. and partner
3. Christine Negus
4. Edd Sharratt
5. George Moutoussis
6. Ian Lane
7. John Meadows
8. Christine Meadows
9. Kevin Peters
10. and partner
11. Len Rutherford
12. Linda Smith
13. Marilyn Lane
14. Lorraine Lane
15. Michael Brown
16. Linda Brown
17. Paul Goddard
18. and partner
19. Percy Mason
20. Peter Cottrell
21. Peter Howell
22. Peter Page
23. Philip Wade
24. Richard Doughty
25. Richard Gammon
26. Ann Davidson
27. Richard Quelch
28. and partner
29. Robert Starkie
30. and partner
31. Stewart Wilson
32. Graham Wilson
33. Tony West
34. Vanda Haley
35. Verona Driver
36. Leonora Driver
37. Ricci de Freitas
38. Michael Tabinski
39. Tony Wales
40. Liz Delara


Guests: Freddie & Mavis Stafford
Bill and Beth Jeffrey
Ray and June Davies
Malcolm Cleroux
Apologies received from: Kevin Bettany, Graham Russell, Meredith Hatherly (Oz),
Michael Turner, Janice Brown, Sandy and Joy Harding (Cancer), Peter Astbury,
Michelle Delara, Peter Cherry, Ken Devine, Linda Pender, Ken Brown, Liz Delara,
Percy Mason and Tony Wales.