OO Newsletter - Oswestry School
OO Newsletter - Oswestry School
OO Newsletter - Oswestry School
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The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
October 2011<br />
The Old Boys Are Back In Town!<br />
Teacher Training<br />
Martyn Leonard, Head Boy in<br />
2003-2004 and son of Mr & Mrs<br />
Leonard, former Guinevere<br />
Houseparents, graduated from<br />
Lancaster University before heading<br />
off Down Under for a Gap<br />
Year at All Saints. Martyn returned<br />
and became Assistant Holbache<br />
Houseparent in 2009 allowing<br />
him to undertake some Sports<br />
and History teaching. Now determined<br />
on a Sports teaching career,<br />
with the support of the<br />
<strong>School</strong> Sports Department, Martyn<br />
is undertaking a GTP teaching<br />
qualification at Chester University.<br />
(l-r) Darren Hollingsworth and Phil Bowd<br />
Welcome to the New <strong>School</strong> Bursar<br />
The growing band of Old Oswestrians returning to their old school, was<br />
joined by Phil Bowd <strong>OO</strong> (1987-1992) following his appointment as <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Bursar in Summer 2011. A graduate of Liverpool University,<br />
Phil joined Accountants Whittingham Riddell, qualified and became<br />
Senior Manager Corporate Finance for the <strong>School</strong> auditors. Phil married<br />
<strong>OO</strong> Rachel Jones, daughter of PS Jones, retired Head of Games, in the<br />
<strong>School</strong> Chapel in September 2008. Phil and his family look forward to<br />
following the family tradition and becoming more involved with <strong>School</strong> life.<br />
Director of Sports<br />
Returning to <strong>School</strong> as Director of Sports in September 2009, Darren<br />
Hollingsworth <strong>OO</strong> (-1999) took over the reigns from PS Jones. Darren,<br />
also a graduate of Liverpool University, had returned briefly to <strong>School</strong> in<br />
2003 to gain valuable experience before gaining his PGCE and starting<br />
his teaching career in Sunderland. A boarder throughout his <strong>School</strong> life,<br />
Darren became Head of Holbache Boarding House a year later and then<br />
introduced the youngest Holbache resident when his son, Jack, was born<br />
the following year.<br />
Martyn Leonard<br />
Former Headmaster Frank Gerstenberg to Speak at <strong>OO</strong> Dinner<br />
The Old Oswestrian Society is delighted to announce that our guest speaker at the <strong>OO</strong><br />
Founder's Day Dinner this year is Frank Gerstenberg. Frank was Headmaster of <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> from 1974-1985; his children Anna, Neil and Wendy are all Old Oswestrians<br />
and have settled around the world.<br />
Living just outside Edinburgh, Frank, a former Principal of George Watson's College, is<br />
now an Education writer for the Scotsman and Chairman of the Governors of Glenalmond<br />
College. Search for ‘Gerstenberg’ below to read some of his writings - we should<br />
be in for a stimulating talk! Turn to the back page for ticket details.<br />
http://news.scotsman.com/
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
Obituaries<br />
Sigi Faith <strong>OO</strong> (1939-1945) - An Extraordinary Life<br />
Sigi Faith died in London in November<br />
2010 aged 82.<br />
Born Siegfried Samuel Feitlowitz in<br />
Hamburg in 1928, Sigi had arrived in<br />
England on the Kindertransport in 1938<br />
and was sent to <strong>Oswestry</strong> in 1939 where<br />
he was welcomed at <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> by<br />
headmaster Ralph Williamson. From this<br />
start, Sigi embraced school life, football<br />
and cricket, and left <strong>School</strong> in 1945, having<br />
been Head Boy, to work for an accountancy<br />
firm in Birmingham where he<br />
qualified. Sigi moved to London and<br />
worked with his father (who had sheltered<br />
in Shanghai during the war) exporting<br />
textiles. In 1964 he opened his<br />
first shoe shop and Faith Shoes went on<br />
to become a national brand.<br />
Sigi always regarded himself as extremely<br />
fortunate in the way his life<br />
turned out from such a difficult start and<br />
retained a fondness for the school which<br />
took him in. Sigi regularly attended Old<br />
Oswestrian events and many classmates<br />
from over 60 years ago remained<br />
amongst his best friends.<br />
Sigi and his wife Terry often returned to<br />
the area to meet up with friends and<br />
support the <strong>School</strong>. In March 2006, Sigi<br />
opened the new Holbache Sixth Form<br />
boarding house when he recalled "I had<br />
a fantastic education here. It was secure<br />
and happy. Anyone who goes to this<br />
school is very lucky. I am enormously<br />
indebted to <strong>Oswestry</strong>." In March 2010,<br />
Sigi came to meet the Sixth Form History<br />
students to talk with them about his<br />
experience of the Nazi regime.<br />
Sigi Faith is survived by his wife Terry,<br />
son Jonathan, daughter Nicola, six<br />
grandchildren and a great granddaughter.<br />
Happy school days<br />
Nick Newman-Carter <strong>OO</strong> (1988-1991)<br />
News has reached the Society of the<br />
tragic death of Nick Newman-Carter in<br />
March 2008.<br />
Brother to <strong>OO</strong>s Simon and Sally (Head<br />
Girl in 2000), Nick was a well-known<br />
member of the north-east climbing community<br />
having developed a love of the<br />
hills when his family moved to Aviemore<br />
in 1993. He trained as an outdoor pursuits<br />
instructor and worked at Outward<br />
Bound Loch Eil, in Lochaber, before<br />
developing systemic mastocytosis, a<br />
rare incurable cell disorder .<br />
Nick died at home, aged 33, after a<br />
brave battle just two weeks before he<br />
was due to have been an usher at his<br />
sister Sally's wedding.<br />
Sally returned to live in St Andrews over<br />
2 years ago whilst Simon still lives in<br />
South Africa. Sally said "It was very<br />
sudden and unexpected, so shook us all<br />
up greatly.<br />
“Nick left behind a son, Finlay, who is<br />
now 8, who lives with his mum, stepdad<br />
and little sister in the Highlands."<br />
Peter Vasey <strong>OO</strong> (1975-1984)<br />
Nick and Finlay<br />
My younger brother, Peter left <strong>School</strong> in<br />
1984 and it is with great sadness that I<br />
have to tell you that he died on Tuesday,<br />
27 September 2011, of motor neurone<br />
disease, after only being diagnosed<br />
in February this year. Pete had a<br />
lot of friends at <strong>Oswestry</strong>, most of whom<br />
he lost touch with as he immigrated to<br />
New Zealand some years ago.<br />
Peter went to university at Sidney Sussex<br />
College, Cambridge where he read<br />
Natural Sciences and on completing his<br />
degree joined HSBC where he quickly<br />
became a branch manager and then a<br />
project manager. He specialised in IT<br />
and following a number of placements,<br />
went on to work for General Motors in<br />
High Wycombe.<br />
He then emigrated to Melbourne, Australia<br />
with his family where he became CIO<br />
for Asia /Pacific, again at General Motors<br />
where he stayed for four years, and,<br />
after a one year return in the UK, he<br />
emigrated to Warkworth, New Zealand<br />
where he became head of IT for ING<br />
(NZ) in Auckland.<br />
He married Lisa in 1989 and they have<br />
three children between the ages of 14<br />
and 19. The eldest, Tom is at Auckland<br />
University.<br />
Sian Rowe (née Vasey) <strong>OO</strong> (1974-<br />
1982) sianrowe@hotmail.com<br />
Page 2
Obituaries<br />
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
Bernard Martin <strong>OO</strong> (1939-1948) - An <strong>Oswestry</strong> Man<br />
Mr Bernard Martin passed away peacefully<br />
at his home at Trefonen near <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
on 5 May 2011 surrounded by his<br />
family<br />
Bernard spent nine very happy years at<br />
<strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong>. It was wartime so<br />
things were difficult. Most of the<br />
younger masters had left to join the<br />
forces and several masters had been<br />
brought out of retirement to fill their<br />
places. He always spoke with much<br />
affection of Mr. Williamson the headmaster<br />
and Mr. Felton the maths master.<br />
He remembered fondly the wartime privations<br />
when the paddock was used for<br />
growing vegetables and raising animals<br />
to help feed the boys. <strong>School</strong> meals<br />
were apparently still dreadful though.<br />
Money was obviously tight too and labour<br />
scarce so the pupils themselves<br />
dug out the swimming pool. Rules were<br />
much stricter. Woe betide the boy who<br />
appeared in <strong>Oswestry</strong> without his school<br />
cap – even in the vacation.<br />
Bernard fared well academically and<br />
passed his <strong>School</strong> Certificate although<br />
like so many of his generation he went<br />
direct from school to carry out his National<br />
Service and not to University as<br />
today’s pupils do.<br />
He excelled at all sport and was Captain<br />
of both the cricket and football First XI’s.<br />
He often recalled vividly the final cricket<br />
match he played for the <strong>School</strong>, in the<br />
summer of 1948, on last day before he<br />
was to leave to join the army. The opponents<br />
were the “old enemy” <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
Boys High <strong>School</strong> and for once <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> were the victors; A very<br />
rare achievement and a very sweet note<br />
on which to leave the <strong>School</strong>.<br />
Bernard became a school prefect and in<br />
his final year he was appointed as head<br />
boy. As he was a dayboy this involved<br />
him in cycling from home in Trefonen to<br />
the <strong>School</strong> every Sunday to attend<br />
chapel. One of his duties was to count<br />
the collection after the service. He<br />
would laughingly recount that each Sunday<br />
Mr Williamson would say to him.<br />
“How many buttons Martin” There<br />
were inevitably at least half a dozen!<br />
His greatest friend at school was Sigi<br />
Faith. Sigi was a refugee form the holocaust<br />
in Nazi Germany. At first Sigi was<br />
regarded with a great deal of suspicion<br />
as he spoken little English and the boys<br />
viewed him as a German - not realising<br />
that as a Jew the Nazi’s were his greatest<br />
enemies. As Sigi had no family to go<br />
to in the holidays he often came to stay<br />
with Bernard’s parents. Thus was<br />
formed a life long friendship - only broken<br />
when Sigi died last year. Long after<br />
the pair had left school they and their<br />
wives would meet to celebrate their<br />
birthdays and wedding anniversaries<br />
either in London where Sigi now lived or<br />
back in <strong>Oswestry</strong>. Both of course loved<br />
the Old Boy’s dinners in latter years relishing<br />
being amongst the last to stand to<br />
take wine with the President. After the<br />
2010 dinner he was particularly pleased<br />
to tell all his <strong>OO</strong> grandchildren that he<br />
was the next to last left standing.<br />
Sigi and Bernard were an enterprising<br />
pair foreshadowing the fact they would<br />
both be successful businessmen in later<br />
life. In the summer holidays they tried to<br />
earn themselves a little extra pocket<br />
money by selling field mushrooms. They<br />
would go out and collect baskets full of<br />
them at first light and then cycle to <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
to sell them. One particular<br />
Wednesday however, despite trying all<br />
the market stalls and greengrocers, they<br />
could find no buyers. Their last stop was<br />
Dodd’s the Greengrocer which was opposite<br />
Cae Glas Park in what is now<br />
Park Gate Florists. The owner told them<br />
he was not interested as he had plenty<br />
of mushrooms already, left over from the<br />
previous day. Just at that moment the<br />
boys overheard a Welsh farmer’s wife<br />
complaining that the mushrooms Dodd’s<br />
had for sale were too old. Quick as a<br />
flash Bernard and Sigi whipped out their<br />
basket of mushrooms and offered to sell<br />
her some newly picked ones, gathered<br />
only hours before. Needless to say Mr<br />
Dodd immediately agreed to buy all the<br />
boys’ mushrooms and any more they<br />
could pick for him whilst the season<br />
lasted.<br />
Although Bernard was the first of his<br />
family to attend <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> it became<br />
a family tradition. His cousin Brian<br />
Ellis joined him as a pupil and his wife<br />
Marie was the sister of John Owens <strong>OO</strong>.<br />
His son Peter was also educated at the<br />
school and his daughter Valerie married<br />
Richard Edwards <strong>OO</strong>. In turn both Peter<br />
and Valerie sent their children to the<br />
<strong>School</strong> and to Bernard’s immense pride<br />
his grandson Jonathan Martin followed<br />
in his footsteps and became head boy in<br />
2000 and his granddaughter Katie Edwards<br />
head girl in 2002.<br />
<strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> was always close to<br />
Bernard’s heart. He reminisced often<br />
about his school days and wore his <strong>OO</strong><br />
tie with pride on every possible occasion<br />
(even when Marie pointed out it did not<br />
match the shirt he had chosen). He<br />
would say <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> gave him a<br />
great start in life and taught him much<br />
more than the three R’s!<br />
Valerie Edwards<br />
Bernard Martin, former head of Martin’s Cash & Carry<br />
Page 3
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
Obituaries<br />
Martin Thorpe - Parent, Governor and Honorary Old Oswestrian<br />
Martin Thorpe<br />
Brief Notices<br />
It is with regret that the Society has learned of the deaths of the following members.<br />
John S Jones <strong>OO</strong> (1943-1947)<br />
Sadly, John passed away in September 2009. He was Chairman of the Parents' Association in the late 70s when his sons attended<br />
the <strong>School</strong>. John attended the <strong>OO</strong> Dinner in 2008.<br />
Mike J Higgins <strong>OO</strong> (1954-1958)<br />
Tom Higgins <strong>OO</strong> (1952-1956) writes to inform the Society of the death of his brother, Mike, in May 2009. Mike had spent his life<br />
dairy farming but was able to enjoy the last four years of his life in semi-retirement before he died after a short illness.<br />
Fiona Gittins <strong>OO</strong> (1979-1983)<br />
Fiona passed away on 12th March 2010 after battling with leukemia.<br />
Philip Kyffin Richards <strong>OO</strong> (dob 8/11/48)<br />
Martin Thorpe passed away on Sunday 3rd July 2011 at<br />
the age of 58 after a short illness. Martin, was a proud<br />
husband to Katie and father to James and Thomas, both<br />
old boys of the school, and will be sorely missed by all<br />
those who knew him.<br />
Martin’s commitment to <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> began as a<br />
parent some 20 years ago, and continued through his<br />
tireless efforts as a governor for the last 11 years. In his<br />
time as governor he was instrumental in changes to the<br />
school, notably the new dining room and the headmaster’s<br />
house. He was always looking to ensure that <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> would be set up for success for the next<br />
600 years. In recognition of his dedication to the school<br />
he was made an Honorary <strong>OO</strong> last year.<br />
Martin’s life was celebrated with family and friends on<br />
Friday 8th July in the <strong>School</strong> Chapel.<br />
James Thorpe <strong>OO</strong> - Head Boy 1998-1999<br />
George Fulcher - Memories of <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> in the 1930’s<br />
Pat Fulcher writes to advise that her husband, George Fulcher <strong>OO</strong> (1933-1940), passed away in July 2010.<br />
"George was born in October 1924 and spent his early days in Morda. He attended Bellan House, but then at the age of 11 he<br />
came to <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> where he entered fully into the life of the <strong>School</strong>, appearing in several <strong>School</strong> concerts and followed<br />
the example of his father (another George) by playing in goal for the soccer team in the late 1930’s.<br />
“On leaving <strong>School</strong>, he followed his father again into the Merchant Navy, served throughout the Second World War and became<br />
the Chief Officer aboard the Federal Steam Navigation Company’s ship ‘Kent’. Later, he elected to come above in a managerial<br />
position for the Liverpool stevedores ‘James Dowie, Marwood and Robinson’, becoming an Executive Director by 1969.<br />
“George later became instrumental in the development of cargo handling between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.<br />
Living at different times in Sydney, Auckland and Tonga, George finally settled in Queensland, Australia where he enjoyed<br />
receiving any information to do with <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
“George loved to meet up with his old <strong>School</strong> friends including John Lloyd <strong>OO</strong> (1934-1941). He last attended the <strong>OO</strong> Dinner 2<br />
or 3 years ago and his loss further depletes the ranks of the <strong>OO</strong>s who were at <strong>School</strong> in the 1930's.”<br />
Taken from the writings of Syd Bailey <strong>OO</strong> (1929-1939)<br />
Living in Bangor on Dee, Kyffin passed away on 21st June 2010.<br />
Page 4
News<br />
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
<strong>OO</strong> Society Dinner, Caledonian Club, London - Friday, 20th May 2011<br />
evening are still buried somewhere in<br />
the entrails of the Caledonian Club<br />
server (computer for those like me).<br />
Henceforth we will ensure that at least<br />
one of the guests at a dinner is a qualified<br />
photographer with a sponsored<br />
ticket for the evening (an opening for<br />
Mike Bracegirdle or indeed any other<br />
budding or established photographers of<br />
note).<br />
Being involved in the London Dinner<br />
proved to be a challenging roller coaster<br />
ride! With an initial mailing of over 1,000<br />
emails and 1,816 letters to Old Oswestrians<br />
around the world drawing rapid acceptances<br />
from over 60 members and<br />
associates of the Society, we thought we<br />
were going to need the largest room at<br />
the club which was duly reserved by<br />
Caledonian Club Secretary, Ian Campbell<br />
<strong>OO</strong>.<br />
Although it was generally felt that a London<br />
Dinner was a good event to hold, it<br />
was suggested that the format and promotion<br />
needed to be reconsidered to<br />
ensure that it would be of interest to a<br />
broader spectrum of past pupils and<br />
therefore attract a greater number to the<br />
dinner.<br />
We have tentatively reserved two venues<br />
for next year’s London Dinner on<br />
Friday 18th May 2012 in London one<br />
large and one small!! Any feedback or<br />
thoughts regarding this would be gratefully<br />
received by email.<br />
Thanks for the support of the Caledonian<br />
Club and those Old Oswestrians who<br />
attended and promoted the event.<br />
Mike Longshaw<br />
<strong>OO</strong> Society President 2010-11<br />
michael.longshaw@igrm.co.uk<br />
Old Oswestrians and Guests Present:<br />
Joy Griffiths (1980-1989), James Mawle, Chris Wylie (1954-1959), Judith Wylie,<br />
Jack Bateman (left in 2006), Sian Parry-Lewis (1982-1989), Simon Parry Lewis,<br />
Jonathan Edwards (1993-2006), Chris Wylie (1954-1959), Douglas and Lucinda<br />
Robb, Steve Payne (1979-1983), Andrew McArdle (1981-1983), Michael Longshaw<br />
(1971-1974), Roger Hodgson (1970-1975) and Ian Campbell (1968-1973) and<br />
Guest<br />
Ian Campbell<br />
Then the fun began and the cancellations<br />
rolled in, someone must have<br />
heard about the plan to stay late in the<br />
bar! Despite the serious concerns about<br />
numbers or lack of them, we managed to<br />
relocate to a more appropriate room,<br />
cancel the expensive quest speaker and<br />
make a great evening of it with the oldest<br />
of the Old Oswestrians Chris Wylie<br />
and the most recent Jonathan Edwards<br />
and Jack Bateman in attendance.<br />
The Headmaster spoke positively about<br />
the school and the future challenges it<br />
faced before toasting the Old Oswestrians,<br />
most of whom subsequently retired<br />
to the bar where they debated late into<br />
the night (or early into the morning dependant<br />
on your view) the merits of the<br />
European Union with a number of members<br />
and their guests who hailed from<br />
Barcelona.<br />
The great photographs taken on the<br />
magnificent staircase and during the<br />
Apologies and Comments from Absent Old Oswestrians:<br />
Ian Thompson (1942-1946) “I regret that I am not well enough to attend, and send<br />
my best wishes for a very successful dinner.”<br />
Stephen Simpson (1967-1974) “Could not attend due to family commitments but<br />
wish you every success for your evening and hope everyone has a good time.”<br />
Howard Ryley (1924-1933) “Would love to be there. I am sure it will be great, but<br />
alas unable.”<br />
John Huins (1976-1995) “I hope you get sufficient support. I think it is an excellent<br />
idea.”<br />
Dr John B Taylor (-1933) “Sorry, lack of stamina these days.”<br />
Melanie Patterson (Green) (1976-1980) “I am living in Colorado, so will not be able<br />
to attend. It has been interesting following all the <strong>OO</strong> updates and looking at the<br />
school. How things have changed!”<br />
David Lees (1968-1973) “Unfortunately, I will not be attending - it’s a long way from<br />
Bangkok for a weekend. Another year, hopefully, I can be in the UK and attend.”<br />
Joe Fong (1973-1975) “When are the <strong>OO</strong>s gonna set up a Malaysian Chapter”<br />
Tony McCarthy (1947-1953) Victoria, Australia “I would like to extend my sincere<br />
best wishes to all <strong>OO</strong>'s.”.<br />
Page 5
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
News<br />
Mimi and Sally<br />
Conquer the Chester<br />
Marathon for Charity<br />
miles were at a pretty good pace, but I<br />
slowed down a lot after that, especially<br />
at mile 23 when I developed a terrible<br />
stitch and had to adopt a walk/jog technique<br />
to keep me going. But I did manage<br />
a sprint finish so I must have had<br />
some reserves left to use!<br />
“It was an amazing thing to be part of<br />
and it was such a wonderful feeling to<br />
know that you've done it! I just burst into<br />
tears when I crossed the line! Having<br />
said that, I don't think I'll be rushing to do<br />
another one!<br />
“Thanks to everyone for the support,<br />
from the strangers on the sidelines to the<br />
friends and family offering donations and<br />
words of encouragement! Couldn't have<br />
done it without them!”<br />
Sally Newman-Carter - Head Girl 2000<br />
No Tea Party for Tim<br />
Sally Newman-Carter<br />
Sally Newman-Carter, Head Girl 2000,<br />
and her friend and <strong>OO</strong>, Mimi Lawrence<br />
(née Pearce), took part in the Chester<br />
Marathon at the beginning of October in<br />
aid of Cancer Research.<br />
Coming to the event as a novice to running,<br />
Sally had trained seriously for<br />
months beforehand. This is a brief record<br />
of the day.<br />
“Mimi was disappointed with her time of<br />
4:14hrs as she was trying to better her<br />
time in Berlin last year of 3:57hrs. However,<br />
as she pulled a muscle in her neck<br />
at mile 18, I think she was amazing to<br />
continue and finish when she must have<br />
been in so much pain!<br />
“I finished with a time of 4:23hrs which<br />
I'm absolutely delighted with! The first 15<br />
Tim with some of the staff of The Tea Leaf Trust in Maskeliya, Sri Lanka<br />
After a honeymoon visit to Sri Lanka had opened the eyes of Tim Pare <strong>OO</strong> (1985-<br />
1992), and his new wife Yasmene Shah, to the poverty and squalor endured by Sri<br />
Lankan tea pickers, in January 2008 they founded The Tea Leaf Trust, a UK registered<br />
charity to provide free education to the tea picking youth of the plantation areas,<br />
"providing opportunities and promoting ethnic cohesion through education".<br />
Tim and Yasmene now live in Sri Lanka and their project continues to go from<br />
strength to strength. Find out more here:<br />
http://www.tealeaftrust.com<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=XGx9_zb2phc<br />
Swapping Welshpool for Uganda<br />
Over a year since his move, Pete Worthy<br />
<strong>OO</strong> (1976-1978) has settled into his<br />
new extraordinary life. As Operations<br />
Manager for Owen’s Coaches at Four<br />
Crosses, he was looking for a fresh challenge.<br />
“I joined a company out here<br />
called Skenya Motors {U} Ltd, a Scania<br />
franchise/dealership for Uganda,” he<br />
said. “I was brought in as Operations<br />
Manager with a brief to improve standards,<br />
efficiency and quality of workshops<br />
service and ultimately improve<br />
market presence of Scania in Uganda.”<br />
Whilst conceding that life is different, he<br />
is enjoying the change.<br />
Pete remembers rugby at <strong>School</strong>, then<br />
coached by John Huins, but Pete also<br />
used to play with Nigel Keighley at <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
Rugby Club on Saturdays.<br />
"Many a time I sneaked back into school<br />
via the TV room window! Seems a long,<br />
long time ago, but some memories never<br />
fade." Pete recalls.<br />
Page 6
News<br />
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
It has been five years since I left <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong>, and I<br />
am as passionate about photography and fashion as<br />
always. I studied for a BA (Hons) in Fashion Photography<br />
at the London College of Fashion and graduated in<br />
2010.<br />
Returning home to Hong Kong, I started to look for a job,<br />
but it’s hard for a new graduate and it took me about 6<br />
months to find one. I am now a Visual Merchandiser<br />
(VM) at American Eagle Outfitters, based in Hong Kong.<br />
I chose to be a VM at a fashion store because I want to<br />
be a fashion stylist, but it is quite hard to get that kind of<br />
job in Hong Kong without experience or a network.<br />
A VM job’s duties involve a little bit of everything - design,<br />
styling, etc. I am willing to try different things in the<br />
fashion industry and discover what I am seriously interested<br />
in.<br />
In the future I want to own a creative studio to work on<br />
different projects which can satisfy both me and my customers.<br />
I have actually thought of a name for it!<br />
Just follow your dream, one day you will find your<br />
dreamplayground :)<br />
Nicola Tsim <strong>OO</strong> (2001-2006)<br />
Nicola’s dreamplayground :)<br />
Aleko - my favourite photo from<br />
my Final Year project back at Uni!!<br />
Old Woman - taken at the beginning of this<br />
year in an alley in Mong Kok, a very busy<br />
area of Hong Kong.<br />
If you're interested, here are two ways you can check out my other works and updated news:<br />
http://dreamplayground.carbonmade.com<br />
https://www.facebook.com/dreamplayground<br />
Page 7
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
News<br />
Gina Targets Commonwealth Games from Across the Pond<br />
Like her brothers Jonathan<br />
and Michael, Gina Paletta<br />
started at <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> in<br />
Bellan House.<br />
After GCSEs, Gina moved to<br />
Yale College, Wrexham and<br />
then the University of Wales<br />
Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) from<br />
where she graduated with a<br />
2:1 degree in Sports Development<br />
in 2011.<br />
A promising teenage athlete,<br />
Gina has developed into a<br />
strong fell runner and has represented Great Britain and<br />
Wales in Mountain Running placing fifth at the World<br />
Mountain Running Championship in 2008 and sixth at<br />
the European Mountain Running Championships in<br />
2009. Unfortunately, Gina was injured for some of last<br />
season and was unable to make the GB team this year.<br />
Using her credits from UWIC, Gina was offered a 4 year<br />
full scholarship at Concordia University in Portland,<br />
Oregon in the USA, to take an Exercise and Sport Science<br />
degree over 2 years and then a Masters over 2<br />
years. On 14th August, Gina signed off with a personal<br />
best time in the Welsh 10km Championships, her last<br />
race in the UK for some time as she departed for Oregon<br />
the following week. Better known as a fell runner,<br />
Gina hopes to continue her progress in this event and<br />
achieve the qualifying time for the 10km race for the<br />
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.<br />
Jeanette Paletta, Gina's mother, says "She has settled<br />
really well. The setup there is excellent. Training has<br />
been going well and times have improved." Gina has<br />
made an excellent start, winning her first two races and<br />
earning the Cascade (the state league) Women's Cross<br />
Country Runner of the Week for two weeks running.<br />
This achievement saw her named NAIA National<br />
Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week for 21st<br />
September.<br />
Gina's parents plan to travel to the States in November<br />
to watch her run in the National Championships. We<br />
wish her luck!<br />
You can follow Gina's progress<br />
on the internet. Her college<br />
a t h l e t i c w e b s i t e i s<br />
www.gocugo.com. The Casc<br />
a d e w e b s i t e i s<br />
www.cascadeconference.org<br />
for Cross Country and http://<br />
naia.cstv.com for Women's<br />
Cross Country.<br />
Chinese Studies Take David to Zhejiang University<br />
After completing my undergraduate studies in the<br />
UK, I decided to continue my postgraduate studies<br />
in China. During my years at <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>, I made many friends from Hong Kong<br />
and Mainland China and this made me interested<br />
and curious about the country.<br />
I am currently residing in the city of Hangzhou,<br />
100 mile west of Shanghai, studying Chinese at<br />
Zhejiang University. I am thoroughly enjoying my<br />
time at the University and have had the opportunity<br />
to meet people from all over the world including<br />
two exchange students from North Korea!<br />
I have had the opportunity to visit many places in<br />
China, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong<br />
and also to ride on the new super high speed<br />
trains. The Chinese people have been very welcoming<br />
and I am very happy with my decision to<br />
come here for further study. I cannot recommend<br />
it enough.<br />
Three <strong>OO</strong>s meet in Hong Kong, Spring 2011<br />
Newell Tang <strong>OO</strong> (2000-2005), Fritz Chan <strong>OO</strong> (1999-2005) and David<br />
David Lewis <strong>OO</strong> (1996-2005)<br />
Page 8
News<br />
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
Andy Chapman Summits Everest<br />
The <strong>OO</strong> Society is delighted to hear that Andy Chapman <strong>OO</strong><br />
(1981-1984) summited Mount Everest at 6.20am on Monday<br />
16th May 2011 (local times).<br />
News of his tremendous achievement came via Allan Mitchell<br />
(former Physics and Maths teacher at <strong>School</strong>) who still lives<br />
in <strong>Oswestry</strong> and had originally taught Andy to climb at Pandy<br />
Rocks.<br />
Andy has been working in the outdoors since 1989 and has<br />
led Jagged Globe expeditions since 1998, when he was an<br />
assistant on their first Tien Shan Climber expedition. He returned<br />
two years later to summit on Marble Wall and Khan<br />
Tengri (6,995m). Andy then spent 2 1/2 years in Antarctica<br />
as a Field General Assistant for the British Antarctic Survey<br />
(BAS). After two winters on the base, he decided it was time<br />
to return to the UK and since then has been a regular instructor<br />
on their Scottish Winter Courses and Rock Courses,<br />
as well as leading expeditions each year. Andy is a determined<br />
climber, who has led some very successful trips in the<br />
last few years including The North Col of Everest (2006),<br />
Alpamayo (2007), Huascaran (2007), Muztag Ata (2008),<br />
Ama Dablam (2009), Cho Oyu (2009) and Mera Peak<br />
(2009).<br />
It has been Andy's great ambition to climb Everest since he was a 6 year old, so it must have been with great anticipation that<br />
he set off in March for Nepal as Assistant Leader for the Jagged Globe 2011 Everest Expedition.<br />
Andy's father Eddie Chapman <strong>OO</strong> (1944-1953) said "My wife and I are thrilled and extremely proud of his achievement which is<br />
a result of his determination and courage. We are very grateful to many people who have given him guidance, advice and support<br />
over the years."<br />
Academic News<br />
Tristan Hartey<br />
Vince Chu<br />
Dr Rob Pfeifer<br />
Tristan Hartey (Head Boy 2008) studied<br />
International Relations at The University<br />
of Leeds. Tristan is now training to be<br />
an investment advisor in Chester, with<br />
the long term goal of standing as an<br />
MEP in a few years time.<br />
Page 9<br />
Vince Chu <strong>OO</strong> (-2008) studied Human<br />
Resource Management at Keele University<br />
and is now job hunting for trainee<br />
accountant positions whilst working and<br />
studying for the ICAEW's ACA accounting<br />
qualification.<br />
After qualifying as a medical doctor in<br />
the UK in 2001, Rob Pfeifer <strong>OO</strong> (1989-<br />
1996) moved to Australia as a PhD<br />
Physics student at The University of<br />
Queensland, Brisbane. We hear that he<br />
has just moved to Canada and promises<br />
an update for the next <strong>Newsletter</strong>.
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
News<br />
Lucy’s Summer Placement at The Tizer<br />
The <strong>School</strong> often receives enquiries like<br />
this one from Roger Pointon <strong>OO</strong> (1957-<br />
1965):"I am keen to research my years<br />
at the school through back copies of the<br />
school magazines. I recently I went<br />
hunting for my old copies and failed to<br />
find them. I am really interested in reminding<br />
myself of guys I was in the football<br />
and cricket teams with, many whose<br />
names I am ashamed to say I have<br />
failed to remember!!<br />
I am about to embark upon my third year<br />
at the University of Birmingham studying<br />
English with Creative Writing and this<br />
summer I have been lucky enough to<br />
land myself some work experience at<br />
our local newspaper, the <strong>Oswestry</strong> and<br />
Border Counties Advertizer.<br />
My tutor at Birmingham was thrilled as in<br />
the current economic climate, work experience<br />
is not only valuable but also<br />
very hard to obtain.<br />
I applied to lots of different places but<br />
the Advertizer was the only place willing<br />
to take me on for the length of the summer.<br />
I was really thrown in at the deep<br />
end as on my first day there they got me<br />
writing articles immediately - my Mum<br />
thought I'd just be making cups of tea<br />
and coffee! I had never done anything<br />
like this before but it was really interesting<br />
and useful to see what daily life is<br />
like at the Advertizer, and the way in<br />
which journalism works.<br />
I am so grateful for the Advertizer taking<br />
me on this summer as I feel I have learnt<br />
so much, doing interviews over the<br />
phone and face to face, and even wandering<br />
around <strong>Oswestry</strong> looking for a<br />
story! I have also helped to edit a promotional<br />
film script for an international logistics<br />
company, and see myself next year<br />
looking for jobs in journalism or advertising/marketing.<br />
I would really recommend students now<br />
at <strong>School</strong> to try and get as much work<br />
experience as possible as I have friends<br />
who have graduated with good degrees<br />
but no one wants to employ them because<br />
of a lack of work experience.<br />
If any Old Oswestrian knows of any work<br />
experience I might be able to do, I would<br />
be ever so grateful if you got in touch!<br />
L u c y N i b l o c k O O ( - 2 0 0 9 )<br />
Grandaughter of Peter Humphreys<br />
<strong>OO</strong> (1924-1932) and former Chair of<br />
Governors<br />
The Past!<br />
"I was a school teacher for over 30 years<br />
but ended my working life as the Regional<br />
Manager for the National Assesssment<br />
Agency (a Government<br />
quango) and in that capacity I visited<br />
<strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> with one of my colleagues<br />
to discuss assessment arrangements<br />
with the Exams Officer and to<br />
offer some Government money (these<br />
were the days of plenty). That was a<br />
most enjoyable day and brought back<br />
many memories, most of them very<br />
pleasant.<br />
"Is it possible to get hold of back copies,<br />
and if so how"<br />
The answer is: "Yes. We keep old copies<br />
of The Oswestrian magazine in the<br />
<strong>School</strong> Archive but we do not send out<br />
blanket copies. Interested people may<br />
make an appointment with the <strong>School</strong><br />
Archivist by asking for her at the<br />
switchboard (01691 655711) and arranging<br />
to come into <strong>School</strong> to view them."<br />
Roger is pleased to be able to come into<br />
<strong>School</strong> and view them at his convenience<br />
and for his benefit, and for others,<br />
here is a photo (with names) of the 1965<br />
First XI team. Roger is on the front row!<br />
1965 Cricket First Team<br />
R.W. Westrup, I.A. Cole, L.E.D. Ward, K.<br />
M. Todman, I.P. Wood, A.D.R. Wood<br />
C. T. Brooksbank, R.M. Pointon, A.E.<br />
Birtwistle, G.R.J. Moffat (Capt.), J. S.<br />
Batchlor, P.M. Mathias<br />
Page 10
News<br />
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
Oswestrian Golf Day - Captain’s Report<br />
On Friday 24th June 2011<br />
around 50 players turned up<br />
for the Golf Day at <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
Golf Club.<br />
The weather was good and<br />
a little breezy.<br />
point!<br />
Stuart Williams’ <strong>OO</strong> (1998-<br />
2006) team won the Mens'<br />
section and Barbara Warner<br />
the Ladies’. Both teams<br />
scored well and should be<br />
proud of their efforts. Bad<br />
luck to Mike Scott and Ian<br />
Potter <strong>OO</strong> (1971-76) whose<br />
team came second by one<br />
Above: Fred, Martyn Leonard <strong>OO</strong>, Stuart Williams <strong>OO</strong> and Ben Calveley <strong>OO</strong><br />
Mike Scott kindly donated a glass of champagne for each player at the first tee,<br />
which was a generous touch and also helped to sponsor the event for ‘OsFest’.<br />
The course and food were excellent. I would recommend a trip to <strong>Oswestry</strong> Golf<br />
Club just for the food alone really. We are grateful to the club members for offering<br />
us the slot at such a good rate. Particular thanks to John Evans who quietly helped<br />
things along through the process.<br />
Left: Headmaster with Donald Usher<br />
<strong>OO</strong> (1936-1946) , friend and contemporary<br />
of Sigi Faith and Bernard<br />
Martin, who played a round today<br />
part of the day done well too.<br />
Headmaster Douglas Robb very<br />
kindly donated a rare bottle of 1968<br />
single malt whisky which helped raise<br />
a significant sum in the raffle. The<br />
Headmaster also gave out the prizes<br />
and offered support at the start. Alan<br />
Crowe <strong>OO</strong> (1971-1977) who did not<br />
play but came along and helped out<br />
at the start which was an important<br />
I hope everyone enjoyed their day and is looking forward to next year already.<br />
We were able to raise a decent sum for the <strong>School</strong>’s prospective Sports Hall and<br />
encourage others to help out where they can to support this essential last part of the<br />
jigsaw at <strong>Oswestry</strong>.<br />
Robert Willcox <strong>OO</strong> (1974-1982) - Golf Captain 2011<br />
Libby Returns to The<br />
Walls for Charity Ball<br />
Libby Gliksman <strong>OO</strong> (-2006) started performing<br />
at The Walls Restaurant in <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
when she was 16 years old.<br />
Since then she has performed in venues<br />
across the county and is now ready to<br />
take on the music scene in earnest after<br />
finishing her French and Spanish studies<br />
at Liverpool John Moores University.<br />
Playing again at Osfest this year, Libby<br />
appeared on the same stage as charttopping<br />
artists Tinchy Stryder, The Feeling<br />
and Example. “I am unsigned but<br />
would really love singing to be a bigger<br />
part of my life” Libby said. “It was so<br />
much fun getting up on the stage at Osfest<br />
and singing to my home town.”<br />
A number of her cover songs have been<br />
recorded onto CD but she now wants to<br />
put pen to paper and invent some of her<br />
own. “I have only ever done covers because<br />
I have been at university studying<br />
a degree,” she said. “I will be writing my<br />
own music very soon.”<br />
You can catch Libby on her return to The<br />
Walls on Thursday January 12th when<br />
she performs two sets at a Charity Ball.<br />
Search for Libby here.<br />
www.rotarycluboswestry.co.uk<br />
<strong>OO</strong> Society Donation<br />
to New Fitness Suite<br />
Thanks to pupils’ fundraising and<br />
donations from the <strong>OO</strong>s and PA, the<br />
new <strong>School</strong> Fitness Suite has<br />
opened in the Memorial Hall and is<br />
proving very popular with students,<br />
both in timetabled lessons and as a<br />
leisure time activity for those desiring<br />
to improve their personal fitness.<br />
Page 11
The Old Oswestrian Society<br />
Dates For The Diary<br />
Founder’s Day Events, Saturday 26 th November 2011<br />
Founder’s Day Service St Oswald’s Parish Church 11.00am<br />
<strong>OO</strong> AGM Wynnstay Hotel 6.30pm<br />
<strong>OO</strong> Dinner Wynnstay Hotel 7.15pm for<br />
7.45pm<br />
Dress: Black Tie or Lounge Suit<br />
Sporting Events <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> Matches to start at<br />
2.00pm<br />
Contacts:<br />
Football Zak Manhire 07837 391421<br />
zak.manhire@theaa.com<br />
Netball / Hockey Sian Boffey 07813 764938<br />
rogers.boffey@virgin.net<br />
Old Oswestrian Society Founder’s Day Dinner 2011<br />
The annual dinner takes place again this year at The Wynnstay Hotel, <strong>Oswestry</strong>. We are delighted<br />
to announce that the Guest Speaker will be Mr Frank Gerstenberg, Headmaster of <strong>Oswestry</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> from 1974-1985.<br />
Ticket prices are only £28 and we anticipate an excellent evening.<br />
download the booking form here<br />
To book tickets please<br />
www.oswestryschool.org.uk/uploads/1/<strong>OO</strong>DinnerBookingForm2011a.doc<br />
or from the Alumni section of the <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> website. Why not get a group of your <strong>School</strong><br />
friends together and come and listen to Mr Gerstenberg The event should be of particular interest<br />
to those <strong>OO</strong>s from the 70s and 80s.<br />
Change of Date for Founder’s Day from 2012<br />
Please note that this is the last year that Founder’s Day will be held in November. Founder’s Day<br />
next year will be held on Saturday 22nd September 2012.<br />
Summer 2012<br />
Keep checking the <strong>School</strong> website for details of the Oswestrian Golf Day, <strong>OO</strong> Cricket and<br />
Rounders matches next summer.<br />
Moved House Married New Baby New Job Keep In Touch!<br />
YOUR Old Oswestrian Society relies on YOU, our members, to keep us up to date with your<br />
changes of details. If you don’t keep in touch we will lose contact with you. There are many on our<br />
database for whom we have no current postal or email address. They may wonder why they haven’t<br />
heard from the <strong>OO</strong> Society for a long time . . .The fact is we need YOU to keep us up to date<br />
with your changes of circumstances.<br />
email: theoldoswestrianssociety@hotmail.com<br />
We also want to hear all your news so that we can let other <strong>OO</strong>s know where in the world you are<br />
and what you are doing. Keep visiting YOUR section of the <strong>Oswestry</strong> <strong>School</strong> website:<br />
web: http://www.oswestryschool.org.uk/About-Old-Oswestrians/