Venta 5 - University of Winchester

venta
King Alfred’s Alumni Association Magazine
Issue 5 - Summer 2001
A dramatic opening
The West Downs Centre
New man at the top
Principal Paul Light
An all-male bastion
King Alfred’s in the 1950’s

Our cover:
Dance Lecturer, Olu Taiwo
rehearsing in one of the
state-of-the-art performance
rooms at the new
West Downs Performing
Arts and Conference
Centre.
Photo: Peter Jacobs
Contents
Features
Page 1
New man at the top!
Pages 2 – 3
The West Downs
Performing Arts and
Conference Centre
Page 4
(Un) forgotten treasures
Page 5
Life at King Alfred’s in
the 1950’s!
Regulars
Page 4
Reunion update
Page 6
Blast from the past!
Contact Venta:
The Alumni Office
King Alfred’s
Sparkford Road
Winchester SO22 4NR
T: (01962) 827386
F: (01962) 827548
E: alumni@wkac.ac.uk
Welcome to the summer edition of Venta, and apologies for the lack
of a Winter 2000 edition! I’ve been in post now for six months and
my feet are just about starting to hit the ground! I hope this issue
finds you well.
The last year has been an exciting
one here at King Alfred’s. Professor
Paul Light joined us as Principal last
Autumn. May 2001 saw the grand
opening of The West Downs
Performing Arts and Conference
Centre, and we asked two alumni
who attended the opening to share
their views of the new facilities with
us. In the midst of all that,
Education Studies scored full marks
(24 out of 24!) in QAA inspections
(Quality Assurance Assessment).
This issue highlights these
developments alongside the
regulars; "Blast from the Past" and
"Reunion Update". But please don’t
forget that Venta is just as much a
chance for you to share your news,
events and memories as much as it
is an opportunity for us to share
ours. So keep the emails and letters
flowing – and the more piccies the
better! A big thank-you to all those
who sent in articles and photos this
time.
Can you imagine a College …
Lastly, if you know of any fellow
alumni out there who for whatever
reason have slipped through the
"membership" net, please put them
in touch. It’s amazing where they
turn up – a colleague was on the
phone to the BBC the other day
and discovered she was talking to a
King Alfred’s graduate – who’s now
waiting for this copy of Venta!
Enjoy!
Sarah Hogan
Alumni Officer
where all students received free education, board and lodging …but only five had cars …there was
compulsory daily attendance at Chapel …and hymn practice on Saturday - that was King Alfred’s in
the 1950’s. Turn to page 5 to find out more!
A step back in time
In May of this year, a small group of friends who were students at
King Alfred’s between 1968 and 1972, included a trip to their old
stomping ground as part of their get-together.
King Alfred’s was a very different
place back in the late 1960’s. On the
tour of the familiar campus and its
new additions, the group shared the
following:
• The Kenneth Kettle Building, which
is now an IT area, was the Chapel
• The Library was in the main
building, where the Senior
Common Room is now
• The West Downs Centre was still a
prep school, where some students
carried out their teaching practice
• There was a porter’s lodge in the
Happiness
main building! (Next to where the
photo was taken)
• The Dytche was a playing field!
• There was an outdoor swimming
pool
• Alfie’s Castle was a TV room
• The curtains in Alwyn Hall are
exactly the same!
The group also provided some
memorabilia, including the following
"Variations on a theme: Happiness"
piece, taken from Grapevine, the
College magazine in 1970:
is getting a meal without chips
is recognising who you were with at the dance the night before
is making Pete Mackay watch a TV programme in silence
is going out with someone everyone else fancies
is a mature man
is knowing enough people to queue jump at meals
is pinching a second cake at tea
is getting enough butter to put on your bread
is missing Miss Gillingwaters’ P.E Lessons without being missed
is finding the book that you want in the Library
is being invited around for coffee
is finding a letter in your pigeon hole
is a lift up St. James’ Hill
is having a man with a car, bicycle, etc, etc.
is having a man!!
Above: (Left to Right) Richard Gibson,
(Teaching: Maths, 1969-1972), Rick Lucas,
(Teaching: Physical Education, 1969-1972),
Viv Lucas (nee Mason), (Teaching: Maths,
1968-1971), Julie Gibson (nee Tatlow),
(Teaching: Maths, 1969-1972), Vicki Jago
(nee Blackmore), (Teaching: Art & Craft,
1969-1971), Catherine Smith (nee Butcher),
(Teaching: Art & Craft, 1969-1971), Louisa
Smith, (DipHe Nursing Studies). Louisa is
Catherine’s daughter who also attended
the get-together.
Below: On a Rag-Raid with Doctor
Spock in Winchester. Rag Week, 1970
Venta - King Alfred’s Alumni Magazine

BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
Paul Light joined King Alfred’s from Bournemouth University where he was
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) carrying responsibility for educational
development, quality and innovation, and research development across the
institution.
Previously, Professor Light held posts with the University of Cambridge, the
University of Southampton and with the Open University where he was Professor of
Education and Director of the Centre for Human Development and Learning. He is a
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and of the British Psychological Society, and has
served on its Council.
New man at the top
Professor Paul Light joined King Alfred’s as College Principal at the
beginning of November last year. In this article for Venta he
introduces himself and sets out some of the key issues, which face
the College over the next few years.
Married to Vivienne and with three
grown up children, I have lived at
Brook in the New Forest for many
years. My domestic interests are
practical as well as academic. I enjoy
my new job enormously, but I’m
never happier than when I can get
out on a tractor, or with a chain saw,
or best of all with a mechanical
digger!
My children are at the ages and stages
where higher education impinges on
Come rain or shine …
them. One is a graduate doing
professional examinations through
Oxford Brookes. Another is just about
to graduate from the University of the
West of England, and the third is
doing AS levels at a local FE College.
The range of different offerings
available in higher education today is
huge, so it is very important for this
College to be clear about what its
particular strengths are. Recent
external quality assessments of the
Keen eyed alumni in the South East region may have recognised a
familiar face cropping up on their TV screens in recent weeks…
Professor Light’s research work has included aspects of the social development of
pre-school children, the factors affecting children’s abilities in drawing, and the language
and spatial abilities of autistic and dysphasic children. His most recent work
has been the contextual factors affecting thinking, reasoning and learning in school
aged children and in university students especially in the context of
learning with computers.
College’s courses tell a very positive ability to pay, then we are going to
story; three ‘excellent’ grades in a row have to work hard on finding ways of
from the Quality Assurance Agency helping some of the students
and ever rising Ofsted grades mean financially.
we are certainly offering courses of
extremely high quality
King Alfred’s has prospered for 160
years, and has a real sense of
Our campus has been greatly
character and tradition as a result of
enhanced by the new Library and the that long history. It has changed and
West Downs Centre, both of which adapted over time, and will need to
offer wonderful facilities for students. continue to do so in the future,
But Winchester is expensive, and perhaps even more rapidly. The
indeed higher education anywhere is College’s continuity and distinctive
expensive these days. If we are to identity will be great strengths as we
continue to offer degree courses to confront these changes, and you, the
students on the basis of their ability alumni are an important part of that
and motivation, rather than their continuity.
Did you know ... BBC South East becomes the BBC's eleventh English region to split from BBC
London as a result of an extensive consultation exercise by the BBC, which revealed licence fee
payers favoured more locally-focussed news services.
Natalie Booker is appearing as
Weather Presenter for the recently
launched BBC South East Today
programme. She graduated from
King Alfred’s in Geography and
Mathematics in 1996, and initially
went into recruitment and training -
despite a long standing interest in all
things meteorological!
Having finally realised her ambition
by gaining a position with the Met
Office, Natalie moved to the BBC
Weather Centre at Television Centre
in London as a Broadcast Assistant in
1999. Here she supported the BBC’s
national forecasters and was
responsible for researching worldwide
weather stories, producing
broadcast-quality graphics and
maintaining the CEEFAX and Online
weather pages.
In her new role, Natalieis working on
the main 6.30pm and lunch-time
television slots as well as providing
regular weather information for
listeners to BBC Radio Kent.
Apart from being a familiar face to
BBC viewers Natalie is a keen rugby
and football fan. She is currently
keeping an eye out for a women’s
cricket team to join in the South East
– so any suggestions would be
gratefully received!
Issue 5 - Summer 2001 1

West Downs is probably best known to recent graduates as home to
the Student Village and the Tavern and to pre 1987 graduates as a
boys prep school. In these pages we celebrate the transformation of
a derelict school building into something more lavish.
Lord Puttnam raises the curtain
on new Performing Arts Centre
Village is still a major pulling factor
After two and-a-half years and at a
with prospective students.
cost of £6,500,000, the restored listed
school building now forms an
The refurbishment of the former
imposing centre piece to the modern
school building on the other hand,
student village.
has been a nightmare at times for all
involved! The building had been long
neglected, was riddled with rot, and
close to being beyond economical
repair. No less than seven feasibility
appraisals were undertaken before
“...The building had been long
neglected, was riddled with
rot, and close to being
beyond economical
repair ...”
the idea was conceived of moving the
fast growing School of Performing
Despite last minute flooding a week
Arts into the teaching areas of the old
before, the show went ahead on 2nd
Top Left: A terrified refugee, as portrayed by
Founded in 1897, the School closed
building and converting the
May 2001, when film producer Lord
a Performing Arts student, remains in char-
in 1988, and King Alfred’s acquired
dormitories into more study
David Puttnam officially opened The
acter to pose for a photo with Principal Paul
the site in 1994.
bedrooms. This approach
West Downs Performing Arts and
Light and Lord Puttnam. Above: The exterior
complemented the College’s
Conference Centre. There were over
of the West Downs Performing Arts and
Soon after its purchase, plans were
academic needs during term time,
200 guests in attendance, ranging
Conference Centre. Below: Third year
under way for a student village and by
and would accommodate the
from governors and education
Performing Arts student Karen Tween, who
1997 nearly 700 students were in
College’s expanding conference trade
officials to clergy and former pupils of
wrote the music and performed a song writ-
residence. There is no doubt that the
during vacations.
West Downs School. The day
ten by Kings School pupil, James Rose.
award-winning West Downs Student
included a range of performing arts
Mark Hichen’s book about West Downs offers some interesting insights into the
teaching of the performing arts through the twentieth century.
An early custom was that boys would perform the plot of a Shakespeare play, but using
their words, not Shakespeare. One old West Downian has vivid memories of a
performance of Macbeth: "The curtains parted and two boys emerged from opposite
sides of the stage and ran into each other. One of them, acting as Lady Macbeth, said to
the other: "Let’s murder Duncan." "Yes, let’s," said the other, at which the curtains were
once again drawn."
Taken from
West Downs - A Portrait of an English Prep School
by Mark Hichen
Rebekah Bernstein graduated in
BA Performing Arts in 2000. She
shares her thoughts on the new
West Downs Centre:
to be invited to the opening. The
project aims to inspire and encourage
young people to participate in the
Arts and to develop a range of skills,
song, ‘Why?’ which takes an
expressive look at the issue of
bullying, and Daniel composed the
music.
and marked the beginning of a very
Since graduating, I have been
special relationship between the Anvil
As a graduate in Performing Arts, I
working at The Anvil Theatre in
and schools in Basingstoke.
must admit that I felt quite envious
Basingstoke as an arts assistant. I still
whilst admiring the wonderful
have close links with King Alfred’s
Sophie Hartgill and Daniel Van
facilities! Sadly, we did not have such
that have developed through my
Leeuwen are two pupils who
luxurious studios to work in and often
I think that West Downs will be a
work in Arts Education.
participated in the project from Fort
had to resort to rehearsing in a room
fantastic investment for the future of
Hill Community School. They were
that resembled something along the
the Arts at King Alfred’s, especially
It was through one of our most
invited by King Alfred’s to perform
lines of a rather dull and dirty port-a-
with the intake for the BA Performing
recent education developments, ‘The
their song on bullying at the new
cabin! In saying that, I did thoroughly
Arts course increasing yearly.
Schools Opera Project’, that we came
West Downs Centre. Sophie wrote the
enjoy my time at King Alfred’s!
2 Venta - King Alfred’s Alumni Magazine

Above: Looking through the main entrance
to the West Downs Performing Arts and
Conference Centre.
workshops and tours of the facilities,
followed by the official opening by
Lord Puttnam and a staff reception.
“...high ambition combined with
creativity and the
latest technology ...”
In his opening speech, Lord Puttnam
congratulated the College on the
imaginative way in which the space
had been converted, he said:
"We are told we should not have
"fancy ideas". But we no longer live in
the world of "make do and mend".
You have shown high ambition
combined with creativity and the
latest technology to give
opportunities to many young
people."
He watched the variety of dance,
drama, art and music workshops, and
commented that the Centre would
give the Performing Arts students the
time, space and confidence to
develop their skills.
He was particularly taken by a
performance of a song written by
Kings’ School pupil, James Rose.
James has cerebral palsy and uses a
head pointer attached to a computer
to write. His words were set to music
and performed by third year
Performing Arts student, Karen
Tween. Lord Puttnam described the
performance as a "quintessential
moment" and praised the
combination of artistry and
technology, which enabled the
partnership to happen.
He said: "It is a pleasure to have the
opportunity to dedicate the opening
of a resource like this.
Congratulations to all the students
and lecturers that have taken part in
the tour and allowed us to see the
purposes for which the building
exists." he added "The College should
be justifiably proud of the Centre and
continue to use it absolutely
brilliantly."
The grade II listed building has always
been part of a strong tradition of
education within the city of Winchester.
Always, that is, with exception to the
duration of World War II, when it housed
the Allied Command Centre for planning
the D-Day landings.
Director of Estates, Chris Higgins recalls:
"When we started work we found some
interesting documents under the floor
boards including a tearstained letter from
a homesick seven-year-old school boy;
and partly eaten by mice, instructions
from the United States Army on what to
do if captured by the Nazi’s."
Sue Pearson graduated in 1986
in Human Movement Studies.
She explains how she came to
be invited to the Opening of
West Downs:
I was invited to the West Downs
Opening following a conversation
with Janet Sparkes (School of
Education) about a project that I am
involved with at work (Shepherds
Down School for children with
moderate learning difficulties). She
thought it would be great for an ex-
King Alfred’s student to represent
art-related activities that are taking
place in the community.
My project is based on Sherborne
Movement, and I am currently
leading a series of workshops with
the parents of children who are a
mixture of autistic and high
dependency. I was first introduced to
Sherborne Movement by Janet about
18 years ago when I came to King
Alfred’s to study a 4 year BEd (Hons)
course specialising in Human
Movement Studies and Special
Needs Janet was my personal tutor.
I've practised Sherborne Movement
over the past few years both here
and in Romania whilst working for a
charity, MUSIKA in Romania (also
introduced to by Janet).
Sherborne Movement is an attempt
to recreate the early stimulating
environment between parent and
child. It is particularly important for
children who for one
reason or another are
unable to access such
essential experiences
at an early age. It
does this by involving
the child in shared
movement
experiences that aim
to increase their
body’s awareness and to
develop their ability to relate to
others and gain a feeling of security
and confidence in themselves.
I think the new centre looks
fantastic, and I would like to see it
being used for classes open to the
public and workshops for teachers.
I hope that the public will also be
invited to College performances here
– in addition to school visits to see
performances, exhibitions and
experience workshops. We have
been invited back for a tour in the
summer as a 'thank-you' to the
Mums and children who took part in
the workshop at the opening – I’m
already looking forward to it!
Issue 5 - Summer 2001 3

Class of 1980 reunion
The class of 1980 met last September in Alfie’s Castle, organised by
Deborah Carter (nee Robertson), BA History and Archaeology.
Deborah writes:
The event was attended by 80
graduates who studied at College
between 1980 – 1984 with a few
impostors of previous years included
and two "old" lecturers – Utrick
Casebourne and Michael Hicks.
30 stayed the night in Alwyn Hall –
like old times!
Names and addresses were swapped
so that people can be involved in my
40th Birthday celebrations.
(Left to Right): Caroline Coomber, Claire Barrett, Teresa Whitton, Vicki Adler, Alison Daone, Paul
Trimble, Sue Yeend-Curd, Deborah Robertson.
A disco was held playing eighties
music and a two-course meal was
enjoyed in the Dining Hall. Also, over
Please call me on 01255 553811 if you
too would like to be included!
I remember when ...
Would you like to take a trip down memory lane and have a look around campus to see how things have changed?
Simply get in touch with the alumni office to arrange!
(Un) forgotten treasures
Barbara Yorke was recently awarded the title of "Professor of Early
Medieval History" in recognition of her national and international
research profile and of the professional leadership she has shown
both within the College and the wider community.
Here she reminisces on an Archaeology dig from days gone by, in
response to a photo sent in by Mark Housby (Archaeology
1979 - 1982).
I remember the field trip very well,
and I think that I am still using some
of the slides I took while we were
there, but I don't remember this
photograph being taken. If a similar
photo were taken today it would be
rather more packed with people
because numbers have risen
substantially in recent years, and a
class this size is almost an unknown
luxury. There would also be a much
greater variation in ages represented
as mature students are now a major
element of the student body.
The tentative steps taken then to
introduce Archaeology into KAC have
led to two popular Single Honours
courses in Archaeological Practice and
Archaeology. It’s still possible to do
Combined Honours in Archaeology
and History, but it’s not so popular
though since Single Honours History
has taken off. There is also a MA in
Field Archaeology and another in
Regional and Local History and
Archaeology. Please let us know if you
are interested! Both Archaeology and
History are based in Medecroft now,
and those who remember it will be
delighted to hear it has had a bit of a
facelift - it even has carpets on the
floors!
Of course, there have been many staff
changes though a few old favourites
are still hanging on - Michael Hicks,
Tom James and Roger Richardson, for
instance, and Alan French is due to
retire at the end of the summer.
Archaeology has seen most changes as
several new staff have been appointed
over the years, and it is now under the
direction of Tony King. I don't do so
much teaching in Archaeology, but I
am still very interested in the interface
of Archaeology and History and like to
have a foot in both camps. I have been
publishing quite a lot in recent years,
mostly on Anglo-Saxon history, but I
always try to incorporate some
archaeological material as well if I can.
One of my recent publications is a
general book on "The Anglo-Saxons"
for the Sutton Pocket History (all
those introductory I lectures made it
relatively easy to write!) and I am just
The photo was taken in 1980 in a car park in Dorchester, whilst the History & Archaeology group
were on a course trip. This group were the 1979 intake of Archaeologists, who were only the second
year of Archaeology students at KAC. There is however one interloper from the 1978 intake
in the photo, namely Andy Simpson, but also one 1979 student missing, who refused to have his
picture taken - Pete Crotty. Barbara Yorke is also in the photo, together with the Archaeology
tutor, Annie Robinson. Alex Turner is of course still working at KAC in the Archaeology
Department.
The occupants of the photo are: Front row (left to right): Mark Housby; Nick Riall; Betty Hansell;
Alex Turner; Tina Lowesby; Jill Oseman and Rob Collins. Middle row: Claire Blackman. Back row
(left to right): Yvonne Thyer: Andy Simpson; Barbara Yorke; Annie Robinson; Neil Maylen; Gina
George; Cathy Johnson; Nick Hurst, Charlie Cracknell and Aen Bennent.
completing a much more detailed and history he has had success
study on "Nunneries and the Anglo- recently with a book based on his
Saxon Royal Houses".
grandfather's journals of the Boer War.
I was delighted to meet Tina and Andy
One of the good things about the again when they came to a lecture I
smaller classes in days gone by is that gave in Bradford on Avon last year. I
one got to know everyone, so the am also still in touch with Annie who
names and faces in the photo are all is married with a young daughter and
familiar to me. I have seen quite a living just outside Bristol.
number of people more recently as
well - not so difficult in some cases as It’s always a great pleasure to see
they are still in Winchester (Alex, Gina, former students, so do come and look
Mark). Nick Riall lived in Hampshire us up if you are visiting Winchester.
until recently when he retreated to
Wales; as well as publishing various
pieces on Hampshire's archaeology
4 Venta - King Alfred’s Alumni Magazine

Down memory lane ...
Howard Horstead attended King Alfred’s between 1953 and 1955.
Then the College was an all-male bastion of less than 200
students. Here is just a brief snapshot of King Alfred’s nearly half a
century ago.
• The Principal, W. P. Dickinson,
personally interviewed all men
applying. Most men had served at
least two years of National Service.
• Everyone studied "Education" in
their first year, dividing into primary
and secondary groups in year two.
We chose two main subjects from
English, Mathematics, History,
Geography, Physical Education, Craft,
Biology, French, General Science,
Divinity and Horticulture.
• Each year some ten mature
students from abroad were admitted
onto a one year course to learn about
English education. There was also a
small cohort of men taking a one
year course in Handicraft - they were
informally known as ‘the wood and
iron men’.
Boys will be boys…
In my second year, there was a
General Election – we postered all
over Winchester for the spoof
candidate "Alfred King - Communist"
- including a banner on the prison
stating "Vote for King and get your
freedom!" The Principal informed us
that a Detective Sergeant and a
Detective Constable wished to
interview those involved. There were
less than a dozen culprits but 143
(out of 178 students) turned up for
questioning! No action was taken!
• Nearly all students received free
education, full board and lodging.
I received one of the largest grants:
£40 per year from the London
County Council. Many of us
undertook vacation work – such as in
the Post Office at Christmas which
included a Christmas morning
delivery!
• Virtually all students lived on site
in St. James’. St. Grimbald’s, St.
Swithun’s and Main Building, with
West Hayes (just off the Romsey
Road) as the fifth hostel. A room with
a wash basin was a luxury!
• Students enjoyed three cooked
meals a day in the Dining Hall. Staff
who wished to attend sat at the top
table. Luncheon and Supper were
formal meals where one stood as staff
entered and "bowed out" if you
wished to leave before staff..
On another occasion we dug a very
large question mark on St.
Catherine’s Hill. Photographs and
news stories appeared in many local
and national papers – all blaming the
boys from Winchester College.
Howard Horstead with his friend Troy proudly displaying the Christmas Tree they
"borrowed" to donate to the children’s ward at Winchester hospital. The origins of
the tree remain lost in the murky mists of time!
This sporting life
Despite its size the College had a wide extra-curricular programme. Soccer,
rugger, hockey, tennis, cricket, badminton, cross-country and athletics could
all muster two or three teams according to season. In addition, there were
other activities such as debating, drama and film.
On Ascension Day all lectures were cancelled and clubs and societies
organised the day’s programme. There was no Student Union.
Top marks for King Alfred’s!
Quality Assessors have descended on
the College over the past year and
have given the thumbs up to three
subject areas. The specialist subject
reviewers deemed the College’s
provision as excellent, with
Education Studies achieving the
maximum possible score, 24 out of
24! A final visit to Archaeology will
take place in October 2001 … we
look forward to another excellent
result!
Business and Management: 22/24
Theology and Religious Studies:
23/24
Education Studies: 24/24
Issue 5 - Summer 2001 5

8
Blast from the past!
Why not drop us a line to share your news for inclusion in the next
edition of Venta?
1964
Wilkinson,
Peter
1-year Mature Students
Programme
I graduated from KAC in 1964, after
coming almost directly from the Royal
Navy where I served as an Engineer
room Artificer from 1948-62. KAC was
my first experience as a "student" and
was the catalyst that changed my life
and goals.
After graduating, I taught in the
Sweyne Technical/Grammar School in
Rayleigh, Essex for one year, where I
went on to the "National Nautical
School", Portishead as Head of
Engineering Training for the following
4 years.
At that point (1978) my wife and I
(we met at KAC and married a couple
of years later) emigrated to Canada. I
was a "Technology Education" teacher
and part-time "Guidance Counsellor"
in a Junior/Senior High School in a
small country town called Rimbey in
Central Alberta. After 4 years there I
was appointed Principal of a large
Junior High School (12-16 Years) in a
nearby larger community called
Ponoka.
Then 5 years later, I moved again to a
larger community called Olds, and
the Principal-ship of a Junior/Senior
School (12-18 years). I returned to
the classroom to teach Technology
Education after a further 5 years and
taught until retiring in 1992. We still
live in the town of Olds in the house
we built ourselves. Olds is 60 miles
north of Calgary, 30 miles south of
Red Deer, and is situated in the
beautiful foothills of the Rocky
Mountains.
When I said that the experience at
KAC changed my life you may judge
how much from the following -
• At universities in Canada and the
United States, I completed a total of
11 further years of education finishing
with a Ph.D.
• In addition to my school teaching
and administration I have done
sessional teaching at universities all
over North America
• I developed new curriculum for
Alberta Education in "Career &
Technology Studies".
• In 1991 I was awarded the
International Marshall McLuhan
medal for distinguished teaching.
• I was selected as a "Shell Canada"
Fellow to Queens University,
Kingston, Ontario, to study LASERS in
Medicine, Industry and Education.
My one year at King Alfred’s will
remain one of my most treasured
times. I made very many good
friendships there but, regrettably, all
have been lost with the move to
Canada. I would love to hear from
anyone who recognises my name
from those days. My e-mail:
pwilkins@telusplanet.net
My address: Peter Wilkinson
4426-46 Ave.
Olds
Alberta, Canada
T4H 1A1
Phone: (403) 556-7021
Cellular (403) 512-5184
1981
Thompson, Stella (nee
Canavan) BA English and
Drama
Since leaving KAC, I have been
teaching both at home and abroad. I
am currently still living in Belfast, but
am hoping to move back to
Hampshire – probably the Winchester
area. I am still writing poetry –
"International Contemporary Poets" is
an example of my work:
International Contemporary Poets
Recharging the batteries of existence
Voluntary work better than nothing
Nothing is a long way from something
International Contemporary Poet, you
Guest at a famous party
Outfit not least extraordinary
Juice trussed up like a Turkey
International Contemporary Poet,
golly!
Gesticulate arms flung around him
Love all in front of the audience
Special people placed in the hall of
fame
International Contemporary Poet join
the party
Constant keeping of records
Invisible ties that bind us
Jew or Muslim Catholic Sikh or Hindu
International Contemporary Poet a
job of work
1989
Bizien, Carolyn (nee Martin) BA
History & English
If anyone is in contact with Amy
Chidgey (1989 History and English),
could you please pass on the
following information? I would
desperately like to hear from her and
am grateful to anyone able to assist
me in my search for a dear friend.
My address: Carolyn Bizien
3559 East Immigrant Pass Drive
Boise, Idaho 83716
U.S.A.
e-mail address: cafecaroline@aol.com
1998
Kohli, Simon BA World Music
and English
Hi to all those who graduated in
World Music and English, and to all
those who graduated in 1998. After
two years of struggle, I have finally
made it in the field I originally wanted
to work in, publishing, although not
as an editor, which I am not really
suited to. I now have a cushy
permanent job at 18K in Web
Production. I am also doing a few
little performances of North Indian
Classical music on my Sarod and
getting paid for it, and if anyone
wants to meet up for a jam they are
welcome.
So, Hi to Colin in English and Szu
Ling Shao, Ian and Gordon in World
Music.
e-mail address: simonkohli@hotmail.com
Kosidowski, Annabel BA
Combined Hons Programme
Greetings! I am now on the
secretarial ladder, but I am trying to
keep up with my Archaeological
studies as well. Currently, I am
studying Classical Latin with the Open
University, and have plans to start an
MA (eventually!)
A big hello to Jan Symonds, featured
in the Winter 2000 edition; I still
remember our chats on the
Medecroft porch with Andy White.
Also, hello to Bill Knott, whose
humour is infectious, and I still
remember you embarrassing me
outside the canteen on my 21st – you
rotter! You are duly forgiven! Finally,
at long last you cry, "hello" to
lecturers and fellow colleagues on the
Shapwick Excavations 1996 – 1997; I
hope that you are all still digging and
swigging scrumpy!
Main, Sarah (nee Burbridge) BA
QTS Biological Sciences
Life has moved fast since I graduated
in 1998. I am still
teaching at a school in North East
Hampshire, but have changed just
about everything else in my life!
Tom and I got married in August 2000
in Southampton, with a wonderful
reception at Marwell
Hotel. Thank you to all
our friends who made
it such a good day.
Teachers seemed to
be quite prominent
feature to the day:
we had 2 teachers
playing music at
the Reception
and even the
car was driven
by a teacher!
It would be great to hear from
anyone from my course! Anyone can
e-mail me at:
s.burbridge@holme.hants.org.uk
1999
Cross, Jilly BA Drama and
Psychology
After graduation I went back to
working at my summer job at a
clothing company called Fat Face and
quickly moved up to Manager of their
new store in Southampton. After six
months, I had enough and decided to
take the big step and move to the city.
My career has since moved drastically
from the Drama/Psychology degree I
took and I now work in the
wonderful world of Business
Marketing.
Things have gone very well and I am
now a team leader/supervisor for a
small agency in Knightsbridge - just
opposite Harrods! However, I have to
admit that the theatre is still my
passion and I hope to take an MA
course once all the debts are paid
off!!
I would love to hear from anyone
who remembers me - by all means
contact me at the address below!
e-mail address: jilly@rain-maker.co.uk
Dean, Gareth BA Archaeology
I am currently nearing the
completion of a MA in Field
Archaeology at the University of York.
I felt like getting in touch after
meeting Nick Thorpe at a conference
held here.
I took a year out before starting my
course and worked in archaeology. I
was wondering what any one else
from that year in is doing now? It’s
certainly been a swift two years since
I finished!
As I may be moving soon, I am using
my parent’s address:
13, Parkfield
Letchworth Garden City
Hertfordshire
SG6 2QF
Venta - King Alfred’s Alumni Magazine