old stamfordian update 09/15 - Stamford Endowed Schools

OLD STAMFORDIAN UPDATE 09/15
October 2009
Contact: chewmike@aol.com
Circulation: 1721 (About 400 others have failed to notify us of their change of email
address. Forward this OSUpdate to all your OS friends. Some of them may be among
the 400)
† Gerald S Parker, ex House Master of Radcliffe House, died in July 2009. Alan Pender
(1945-52) writes: Gerald was well into his nineties, and when I last saw him several years
ago he was as alert as ever. Gerald taught History for his six or so years at the School. He
left in 1952 to take up the Headship of Newquay GS and later he took up a similar position at
Windsor GS. Brisk and efficient in the classroom, Gerald's biggest impact was almost
certainly in extra-curricular activities. Not only was he active in stage productions, but he
also made many contributions on the sports field, both with school teams and with his
beloved Radcliffe House.
Jon Nickerson (1943-52) writes: Gerald Parker was one of the finest men I ever knew. He
was my Housemaster at Stamford of course and was one of the main reasons why I decided
to go into teaching .I was teaching in Bedfordshire in the early 60s and happened to notice a
vacancy (which appealed to me) at Windsor Grammar School. Applications were to be made
to the Headmaster,G.S.Parker. Then began sixteen very happy years for me -and my family.
Gerald was a wonderful headmaster who helped me to develop my career in many ways.
During his headship the School grew not only in numbers, but also in reputation and came to
be recognised as a leading school in Berkshire. Gerald knew every one of his pupils
extremely well and was very highly thought of by them. My own son went through the school
very successfully and like many others still acknowledges his great debt of gratitude to GSP.
When I eventually moved on, to a Deputy Headship at another Berkshire School I
remained very much in touch with Gerald. After I retired in 1993, living in Old Windsor, I used
to visit Gerald and Brenda regularly. Brenda died some years ago, but Gerald remained very
active and was determined to remain independent. In 2002 he gave a rather nice Dinner at
his home to which he invited his House Prefects from 1952. We had such a wonderful
evening, full of so many memories. When Mary and I moved down here to Hampshire ,
Gerald had by that time gone into a Residential Nursing Home but it was always well worth
the seventy mile journey to go to see him and I continued to do so about every six weeks or
so. He became very frail but his mind was ever sharp and he could hold a wonderful
conversation. His great sadness was when his eyes became too weak to read because he
had been an avid reader. I saw him last about three weeks before he died.
I attended his funeral in Slough - it was a very moving occasion for me - I had lost a
lifetime friend - and mentor. I still am in contact with his family. His son Christopher, recently
retired Headmaster of Nottingham High School, lives in Norfolk and I will tell him that you
have been making enquiries.
OS Diary:
SIGN IN NOW!
The London Old Stamfordian Club Dinner 2009
Wednesday, 4 November 2009. 7.00 for 7.30pm prompt
The Royal Air Force Club, 128 Piccadilly, London W1J 7PY

Lounge Suits
This Dinner is open to Old Stamfordians only. Please note it is intended to hold the AGM of the
London Old Stamfordian Club at 6.45pm, prior to gathering for drinks
Guest Speaker: Ex-Chairman Bernie Tebb
together with a School Report from the Headmaster, Stuart Burns
Tickets: £42.50: five-course silver service dinner. Bar extension to midnight.
Tickets available from: Neil Paterson, Treasurer, London Old Stamfordian Club,
12 Swallow Court, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 1NP
(t) 01480 353588 (m) 07803724255 (e) nppaterson@hotmail.com
Further details on accompanying attachment to this email.
Old Stamfordian Club
Invites all Old Stamfordians, Wives & Partners to the
Boston O.S. Annual Dinner 2009
on
Saturday 14 November 2009 at 7.30pm for 8pm
at the
Boston & County Club, Parkgate, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 6RL
3 Course Dinner, Coffee & Mints
GUEST SPEAKER :
MR. STUART BURNS, HEADMASTER OF STAMFORD SCHOOL
Tickets: £25 per person
Cheques payable to “Dudley Bryant”
RSVP by 31st October 2009 to Dudley Bryant
Morgan House, 13, Somersby Green, Boston. PE21 9PH
Tel : 01205-364017 E-Mail : dudleybryant@tory.org
RUGBY: OLD STAMFORDIANS OVER 25s v UNDER 25s Sunday 6 December
Stamford School Ist XV pitch: Kick Off:11.00 hrs
Presentation of The Peter Fraser Cup to the winning captain in The Dining Hall after the match.
Informal drink and sandwich lunch, courtesy of the Headmaster in The Dining Hall.
Over 25 Manager: John Barker 07810 527703 jbarker@matthews-goodman.co.uk
Under 25 Manager: Robert Gordon 07590 846669 rg1986@hotmail.co.uk
HUMBLE APOLOGIES. IN THE LAST OSUPDATE THE EDITOR GOT THE DATE OF THE LOCAL
OS LUNCHEON WRONG. HE COULD SAY THAT THIS WAS A DELIBERATE AND CLEVER
MARKETING PLOY TO DRAW MORE ATTENTION TO THE LUNCHEON, BUT HE WON‟T.
STAMFORD OS PRE-CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON at LADY ANNE’S HOTEL
A well-attended congenial gathering of local Old Stamfordians
A delectable three-course meal with choices. Meat off the bone.
Sunday 13 th December. 12.30 for 1 pm Ladies cordially invited
£16
John Cartwright 01572 822233 jmcartwright@btinternet.com
Andy Croft 01780 755732 dabgen@aol.com
Colin Francis 01780 763840 colin@colinfrancis.wanadoo.co.uk
John Hale 01780 764194 halea2@sky.com
More details closer to the date.

REUNION FORUM
The new Reunion Sub-committee had its first meeting a week ago (in the Toby Norris) under
the chairmanship of Ianrplant@aol.com. It was a discussion meeting, rather than a
recommendation-making meeting; final decisions, of course, will be made by the full OS
Committee.
The sub-committee is hoping to put greater emphasis and effort in five-year Reunions and it
is pleasing to note that both the 1995 and 1970 year groups are already planning to return in
numbers in 2010. (See below).
With recent leavers enjoying busy and exciting lives, an understandable and perennial
problem has been to find younger OS willing to serve on the Club‟s General Committee. The
Club is keen, for instance, to build on the success of the ‟One Year On‟ gatherings,
organised by the Foundation in July of the past two years. These are hog-roasts open to
boys and girls who have left the previous summer, and they have attracted ninety of so in
each of the years. Through the efforts of young OS committee member Peter Scott (1992-
2001) (pjs56@cam.ac.uk) Adam Rimmer (left 2006) and Stuart Roche (left 2008) have
already been recruited and, subject to approval, will be co-opted onto the General
Committee.
Two new suggestions for Reunion have cropped up:
There should be a light-hearted tag rugby tournament on the Friday evening,
preceding a visit to a hostelry.
The OS AGM should be held on Saturday at 11 am in the marquee on the field.
Hitherto it has been held in Brazenose.
2010 REUNION of the 1988 SCHOOL FIRST XV
Mark Watters writes: Over the past 2 years I've organised a reunion for the 1988 1st XV which has
proved very successful, with about 15 attending each year.
I'm organising next year's also (2010), so could you please publish in next month's update that I'm the
POC. If anyone I haven't got in touch with wants to come along, then they should drop me a line at
mark.watters@rhmw.co.uk or phone 07876 465607. You don't have to be from the rugby team but
being of the same ilk helps!!
The third annual '88 1st XV reunion will take place next year on OS Weekend (03 Jul 2010) in
Stamford.
REUNION 2010: The 1995 Year Group.
Damian Roland is organising a get-together for the 1995 Year Group at Reunion 2010
(weekend of 3rd July) to mark the 15th anniversary of their leaving. He also hopes to do
something on Facebook to publicise the event, Please contact damos@doctors.net.uk to
register your interest. Congratulations, incidentally, to Damian for starting the whole process
so early. It takes longer than you think to organise such gatherings.
REUNION 2010: The 1970 Year Group. Ted Stevenson
(edward.stevenson1@homecall.co.uk) writes: I have been meaning to write to you for some
time now regarding the 40 th anniversary year of the 1970 leavers in 2010.
We were a very close unit as a year group - this was demonstrated by the large gathering
we had in 1995 to mark our 25 th year since leaving. I am still in touch with quite a few of
those who left in that year or those who would have started in the 3 rd form in ‟63 but didn‟t go
through to ‟70. I am sure that there could be a good response to a get together over Reunion

Weekend in 2010. I wonder if you might have any suggestions as to how I could get it off the
ground.
Editor: We do indeed have suggestions, but will also be able to help in other ways,
including though our records. In the meantime, please contact Ted Stevenson to register
your support.
STAFF: BARTLE FRERE & HIS ROLLER
Mike Blackall (1946-54) writes from Australia: It brought back many good memories reading
about Bartle Frere and his roller. If I remember correctly, the registration letters on his Rolls
Royce in 1953 were APG and duly named Arthur Pennyfoot Gammylegs. Unfortunately, my
memory does not recall the numbers following these letters.
'Bunt' Wainwright and Bartle Frere were great scouters and my colleagues at the time
were John Benns and Peter Bliss. The three of us became Queen Scouts. I subsequently
met John and Peter in Malaysia and Australia respectively.
Ian Blackburn (1963-72): The talk of Bartle Frere obviously brought back memories of SS in
the 60s, however a more recent encounter comes to mind. I work for BA as a 777 Captain
and I had just landed at Washington USA and met the oncoming crew who were due to take
the a/c back to London that evening. The First Officer, whom I had not met before, turned to
me and I saw his name badge and was surprised to read Bartle Frere! Immediately I knew
there had to be a connection with our Bartle and learnt that he was his nephew. I haven‟t
seen him for a couple of years but he too is now a skipper with BA, so we have a Captain
Bartle Frere!
I am living near Stamford and work out of Heathrow on Longhaul.
STAFF: GERARD HOFFNUNG (b 1925 d. 1959) was for a short while the Art Master at
Stamford School. He was not what you might call a stereotype schoolmaster. He was quite a
character and there are surely a number of stories out there waiting to be told or retold. He
was an artist and musician, best known for his humorous works. On the web is a transcript of
probably his most well-known story delivered to the Oxford Union, „The Bricklayer‟s Story‟,
which can be found on www.monologues.co.uk. As with all monologues the impact is in
manner in which the story is told, but the text is pretty funny anyway.
Alan Pender (1945-52) writes: A week or so ago Radio 4 marked the 50th anniversary of the
death of Gerard Hoffnung with a Monday afternoon play based on his life, and especially his
two 'Classical Concerts' which were an instant sell-out at the RFH on the South Bank [I
should know, I was there - though I was more than a little mystified by some of the goingson!!].
I have memories of one bus journey from Peterborough [on a WH Patch bus] when he
sat next to me and talked non-stop - causing great amusement among the other passengers
and considerable embarrassment for me.
STAFF: MARSHALL PALMER. Alan Pender also writes: I can confirm that Marshall Palmer
did indeed go on to teach at Erith G S. The proof is that I actually spoke to him when I visited
the school with a cricket team c.1959 - a mere 50 years ago.
STAFF: JAMES/JIM NOTTIDGE. From Tom Nottidge, son of James/Jim Nottidge: I was
seven when my father James left Stamford for the seemingly greener pastures of
Sevenoaks. Some 42 years later I rediscovered the really green meadows of Stamford
when briefly posted to run the Perkins plant at Peterborough for Caterpillar, and greatly
enjoyed a year living in the town. In 2006 I returned for good, having left engineering behind
and moved into the law. I have met a couple of those who knew my father from teaching at
Stamford with him (Bruce McKenzie, Brian Appleyard) and was delighted to have the recent
OS mention passed over by Brian.
My comments on the article may amuse at least:

I never heard my father referred to as Joe, but invariably Jim at work and James at home. He
did smoke like a chimney, gave up almost every year, and finally quit at 48. Sadly the heart
specialist who did his best after my father's fatal heart attack at 58 was almost certainly right
when he told my brother and me that it was the smoking that killed him.
On a lighter note, he would be rolling in the aisles laughing at the serious talk of inheriting the
baronetcy - his description of how his father was knighted coming from a rather different
angle: "no good as a barrister so he went into politics and never got beyond Kent County
Council, where he was knighted for services to the Kent Education Committee over many
years because he was good at sitting still". So this is not an email from a minor member of
the aristocracy, just from a man glad to have had a father with his patience, wisdom, energy
and almost complete absence of ego. If I were to be remembered in such glowing terms as
the article writer applied to James Nottidge, I would feel proud of it.
I have passed the article on to my mother, who still occasionally visits us in Stamford, and
know the pleasure those words have brought.
So from an old Sennockian (well, it was the family business, teaching!) - please keep up the
good work.
STAFF: C H EDLEY-MORTON
David Thomas (1962 – 1969) asks: Does anyone in the OS Club have any memories of Mr
Edley Morton who was head of geography in the 1950s, I think. I never knew him as a
teacher since I was too young but became friendly with his widow - she lived at a house
called Scarrington in St Paul's Street, next door to Squibs Bowman. I saw him once - we
were patients in the same institution, but never spoke. I enjoyed his widow's company and
wondered if anyone could give me a pen picture.
NICK ANSTEE: LORD MAYOR OF CITY OF LONDON
THE City has elected Nick Anstee as the 682nd Lord Mayor
of the City of London, to serve from Friday 13 November
(Lord Mayor‟s Show and fireworks Saturday 14 November).
Alderman Nick Anstee, who served as Sheriff of the City
2003-2004, is an eminent City figure, a senior director of the
international law firm SJ Berwin and chartered accountant
with a long-standing commitment to public service.
The annually-elected Lord Mayor is the head of the City of
London Corporation and acts during the year as global
ambassador for the whole UK-based financial services
industry, typically spending three months a year leading City
business delegations overseas – and also meeting leading
overseas politicians and business leaders visiting London‟s
financial community.
Lord Mayor Elect Nick Anstee‟s charitable appeal Pitch
Perfect will be on behalf of the London Symphony Orchestra
and the Cricket Foundation. The aim of the Appeal is to bring
musical and sporting opportunities to young people in the
disadvantaged boroughs of East London.
STAMFORDIAN MAGAZINES
Copy of the Stamfordian Autumn 1960
Now available. Email chewmike@aol.com. Our thanks once again to Peter Killow.

Stamfordian magazines. 1964-66
We are most grateful to Steve Riley (1958-66) for his donation of £200 to Club funds in return
for eight copies of Stamfordian magazines from 1964 to 1966. Copies of these Stamfordians
are, of course, also available to anyone who emails chewmike@aol.com – at no cost.
Peter Killow, who produced the copies, is happy to produce more Stamfordians for us. He
will be even happier if his efforts produce further donations to the Club or the Foundation.
Other Stamfordian magazines currently available as email attachments:
The Stamfordians that are currently available are:
Summer 1952, Summer 1957, Autumn 1958, Autumn 1959
Spring 1960, Summer 1960, Autumn 1960, Spring 1961, Summer 1962, Spring 1967
Summer 1972, Spring 1973, Spring 1977
Summer 1982.
Any requests?
SCHOOL TRIP TO FRANCE 1957 or 1958
Rupert Taylor (1951-61) writes from Waterloo in Canada: “The Reverend Tommy Wright was
a brave man. In the summer of 1957 (or ‟58 – at this distance it‟s a bit of a blur) he took a
bunch of Stamford School oiks to Boulogne-sur-Mer. We were to spend a week, (or was it
two?) in French immersion at Le Collège Marriette. There must have been 15 or 20 of us.
The only ones whose names I recall are Tim Crowson, Robin Dickenson, John Partridge
(Phes), and Charles (?) Bowron. Oh yes, and me, Rupert Taylor.
Rev. Wright herded us across London without losing a soul to the fleshpots of Soho (bit
too young to be interested frankly - most of us were still making that awkward transition from
stamp collecting and train spotting to reading the articles in Health and Efficiency) and on to
Folkestone. There we boarded the channel packet, and a battered old tub she was. She still
had a hole in her funnel, a souvenir of Dunkirk.
The sea was angry that day – as they say in the worst novels. It being the height of
summer there was, of course, a force nine gale blowing down the Channel. It was breaking
green over the harbour wall, and just past this it was not a pretty sight below decks. Tim,
Robin, and I headed for the bow, this being the place where those suffering mal de mer were
unlikely to be. It was like riding the Waltzer at Stamford Fair with the added bonus of a
bucket of cold seawater in the face on every circuit.
Eventually we limped in to Boulogne Harbour. All the buildings along the seafront were
still pockmarked by holes left over from the effort to evict Herr Hitler‟s forces. It was a grim
looking place. So was the Collège Mariette; an enormous pile of masonry not far from the
centre of town.
Accommodation was in a dormitory which was fine with the boarders but a bit of a novelty
for us day boys. The grub was good too. None of the vast trays of stodge trundled out by the
broad-beamed ladies who served up school dinners in that nasty hut on East Street. Frites
instead of lumpy, mashed taters: delicately grilled pork cutlets instead of boiled whale meat
(or so it was rumoured); and, not a bowl of acrid swede in sight. And, what‟s this? A glass of
wine to aid the digestion. Magnifique.
At the Lucky Bar they had a suitably relaxed attitude about the age at which a person
should begin consuming alcohol. It was here that I began a lifelong love affair with beer,
albeit a bottled French brew – the inestimable Kronenbourg.
We also discovered the joys of French pastry. Until Boulogne the most exotic baking I‟d
encountered was an Eccles cake at Parsley‟s Restaurant in All Saints‟ Square. But in
Boulogne there were gooey treats with custard and strawberries oozing out of them; flaky
pastry filled with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate. Another lifelong love affair had
just begun.
Of the French lessons I remember absolutely nothing except that I was put in the
“Moyenne” class. This meant that I was introduced to the joys of conditional tenses, which I
later discovered were to be of no use whatsoever in the ordering of “une bière s‟il vous plaît.”

One evening, Tim, Robin, and I were heading back to our accommodations when we were
accosted by a gentleman in a long raincoat carrying a battered cardboard suitcase. “Voulezvous
me guider au Collège Mariette.” The accent seemed strange, we thought. From
Marseilles? Martinique perhaps?
We chatted away in our „moyenne français‟ as we guided him to the collège until one of
us said something in our native tongue. The raincoated gentleman then said in pure
Brummigan: “‟ere, are you English?” We had encountered the very strange Mr. Dace.
What a lone middle-aged man was doing on a French course meant for schoolboys puzzled
us in that far off and innocent time. For me the trip to Boulogne-sur-Mer was memorable;
alas, the French lessons not so much.