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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
e-mail address: rhysjones@oldbrutonians.com .
Dear Old Brutonians,
Since my last letter, a number of events have occurred, as
one would expect, but the one with the biggest impact is
the news that the Headmaster and his wife, Richard and
Nicole Smyth, are leaving us this Summer to take up the
Headmastership of St. Peter’s, York. After twelve years at
King’s we will all sadly miss them, but they will go with the
very best wishes of the members of the OBA. Richard has
been a great supporter at all times of the OBA and has
given us generous hospitality, for which the Association is
most grateful. David Hindley expands upon this in his
letter, as he is in a much more qualified position to do.
Unfortunately, nearing the end of the Headmaster’s
time at Bruton, two tragic events have recently occurred to
mar life at the School. First was the death of Alex Edwards
in November last year, in an accident a few weeks after
leaving the School. The second was Alex Buckler who died
during the Easter Term this year. Our sympathies go, not
only to the families of these two boys, but also to their
many friends, fellow pupils and staff at the School. It is not
easy to grasp fully the impact and shock a double tragedy
such as this has on a tightly knit community.
In my last letter I mentioned the meetings being held
with the Upper Sixth Form by Jamie Reach, Kate Sedgman
and David Hindley. These have continued in order to give
future members of the OBA an insight into our activities. In
addition, upon joining, new members now receive a
‘Welcome’ pack, consisting of an introductory letter, the
address list of the Committee members, a copy of the
Association’s Rules and a copy of the latest OBA Newsletter.
I hope these efforts will encourage members to become
involved in their Association. My thanks go to Jamie, Kate
and David for all their work. I am sure we will see the
benefit as time goes on.
Last summer the committee lost David Barton and
Roderick Wallace-Simpson, but they have been replaced by
Francis Luard and Trevor Albery. I should like to thank the
former for serving and for their efforts, and welcome the
latter pair to the committee with the hope that their time
will be fruitful and enjoyable.
Last year, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire (P 59/63)
retired from the RAF as Chief of the Air Staff. To
commemorate Peter’s achievement, the committee
commissioned a portrait to be painted by Theo Platt and
presented to the School by the OBA. It was felt that the
portrait would be a fitting tribute to one of our most
illustrious Old Brutonians and the occasion could not pass
uncelebrated. It is planned to present the portrait to the
School at the Dinner in June.
OBA NEWSLETTER 2003
Remaining on the theme of achievements, the OBA once
again awarded two scholarships to pupils joining King’s,
and our aim is to increase our support for the School in the
future as funds allow.
Elsewhere in this Newsletter there is a report concerning
the very successful OB London Lunch held at the
Ironmongers’ Hall in the City, and I would like to thank
Richard and Alice Taylor together with Richard Sullivan for
their hard work in making this the event that it has
become. However, this brings me to the subject of the
Bruton Dinner! There is absolutely no reason why the
Dinner should not be just as successful, with a little more
effort from our members. The Dinner is now held in the
Memorial Hall (also impressive); it is a Black Tie event,
making it more of an ‘occasion’; the food is every bit as
good as that provided in London; the cost is less than half,
and it is at the School! Last year there were 56 OBs, 19
guests of OBs and 36 guests of the Association. I am sure
you will agree that when the School and the Catering Staff
put such a huge effort into this event for us, it is a pretty
disappointing response from our side. Your committee
would like to alter this and make the event as popular as
the London Lunch - we need your support.
Once again I must thank Harry Witherby for all his
efforts in controlling the OBA website and much else, which
only he knows! At present there are 1,539 OBs registered
and this is steadily increasing. Anyone reading this who
has not already registered can click onto
www.oldbrutonians.comm where they will find the
registration form on their screen.
Finally, may I thank all members of the committee for
their help and participation throughout the year and
particularly David Hindley, Colin Hughes and Richard
Sullivan without whom I would resign!
I send all members of the OBA my best wishes for health,
happiness and success in their various activities.
Floreat Brutonia!
Christopher Rhys-Jones
President , Old Brutonian Association
To update addresses or to inform us of news for publication
in the annual newsletter please contact:
The O.B.A. Office, King’s School , Bruton, Somerset BA10 0ED
Telephone/fax: 01749 813253
e-mail: oba@kingsbruton.somerset.sch.uk
OLD BRUTONIAN ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER 2004 5