OO Newsletter - Oswestry School

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The Old Oswestrian Society Obituaries Martin Thorpe - Parent, Governor and Honorary Old Oswestrian Martin Thorpe Brief Notices It is with regret that the Society has learned of the deaths of the following members. John S Jones OO (1943-1947) Sadly, John passed away in September 2009. He was Chairman of the Parents' Association in the late 70s when his sons attended the School. John attended the OO Dinner in 2008. Mike J Higgins OO (1954-1958) Tom Higgins OO (1952-1956) writes to inform the Society of the death of his brother, Mike, in May 2009. Mike had spent his life dairy farming but was able to enjoy the last four years of his life in semi-retirement before he died after a short illness. Fiona Gittins OO (1979-1983) Fiona passed away on 12th March 2010 after battling with leukemia. Philip Kyffin Richards OO (dob 8/11/48) Martin Thorpe passed away on Sunday 3rd July 2011 at the age of 58 after a short illness. Martin, was a proud husband to Katie and father to James and Thomas, both old boys of the school, and will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. Martin’s commitment to Oswestry School began as a parent some 20 years ago, and continued through his tireless efforts as a governor for the last 11 years. In his time as governor he was instrumental in changes to the school, notably the new dining room and the headmaster’s house. He was always looking to ensure that Oswestry School would be set up for success for the next 600 years. In recognition of his dedication to the school he was made an Honorary OO last year. Martin’s life was celebrated with family and friends on Friday 8th July in the School Chapel. James Thorpe OO - Head Boy 1998-1999 George Fulcher - Memories of Oswestry School in the 1930’s Pat Fulcher writes to advise that her husband, George Fulcher OO (1933-1940), passed away in July 2010. "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 came to Oswestry School where he entered fully into the life of the School, appearing in several School concerts and followed the example of his father (another George) by playing in goal for the soccer team in the late 1930’s. “On leaving School, he followed his father again into the Merchant Navy, served throughout the Second World War and became the Chief Officer aboard the Federal Steam Navigation Company’s ship ‘Kent’. Later, he elected to come above in a managerial position for the Liverpool stevedores ‘James Dowie, Marwood and Robinson’, becoming an Executive Director by 1969. “George later became instrumental in the development of cargo handling between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Living at different times in Sydney, Auckland and Tonga, George finally settled in Queensland, Australia where he enjoyed receiving any information to do with Oswestry School. “George loved to meet up with his old School friends including John Lloyd OO (1934-1941). He last attended the OO Dinner 2 or 3 years ago and his loss further depletes the ranks of the OOs who were at School in the 1930's.” Taken from the writings of Syd Bailey OO (1929-1939) Living in Bangor on Dee, Kyffin passed away on 21st June 2010. Page 4
News The Old Oswestrian Society OO Society Dinner, Caledonian Club, London - Friday, 20th May 2011 evening are still buried somewhere in the entrails of the Caledonian Club server (computer for those like me). Henceforth we will ensure that at least one of the guests at a dinner is a qualified photographer with a sponsored ticket for the evening (an opening for Mike Bracegirdle or indeed any other budding or established photographers of note). Being involved in the London Dinner proved to be a challenging roller coaster ride! With an initial mailing of over 1,000 emails and 1,816 letters to Old Oswestrians around the world drawing rapid acceptances from over 60 members and associates of the Society, we thought we were going to need the largest room at the club which was duly reserved by Caledonian Club Secretary, Ian Campbell OO. Although it was generally felt that a London Dinner was a good event to hold, it was suggested that the format and promotion needed to be reconsidered to ensure that it would be of interest to a broader spectrum of past pupils and therefore attract a greater number to the dinner. We have tentatively reserved two venues for next year’s London Dinner on Friday 18th May 2012 in London one large and one small!! Any feedback or thoughts regarding this would be gratefully received by email. Thanks for the support of the Caledonian Club and those Old Oswestrians who attended and promoted the event. Mike Longshaw OO Society President 2010-11 michael.longshaw@igrm.co.uk Old Oswestrians and Guests Present: Joy Griffiths (1980-1989), James Mawle, Chris Wylie (1954-1959), Judith Wylie, Jack Bateman (left in 2006), Sian Parry-Lewis (1982-1989), Simon Parry Lewis, Jonathan Edwards (1993-2006), Chris Wylie (1954-1959), Douglas and Lucinda Robb, Steve Payne (1979-1983), Andrew McArdle (1981-1983), Michael Longshaw (1971-1974), Roger Hodgson (1970-1975) and Ian Campbell (1968-1973) and Guest Ian Campbell Then the fun began and the cancellations rolled in, someone must have heard about the plan to stay late in the bar! Despite the serious concerns about numbers or lack of them, we managed to relocate to a more appropriate room, cancel the expensive quest speaker and make a great evening of it with the oldest of the Old Oswestrians Chris Wylie and the most recent Jonathan Edwards and Jack Bateman in attendance. The Headmaster spoke positively about the school and the future challenges it faced before toasting the Old Oswestrians, most of whom subsequently retired to the bar where they debated late into the night (or early into the morning dependant on your view) the merits of the European Union with a number of members and their guests who hailed from Barcelona. The great photographs taken on the magnificent staircase and during the Apologies and Comments from Absent Old Oswestrians: Ian Thompson (1942-1946) “I regret that I am not well enough to attend, and send my best wishes for a very successful dinner.” Stephen Simpson (1967-1974) “Could not attend due to family commitments but wish you every success for your evening and hope everyone has a good time.” Howard Ryley (1924-1933) “Would love to be there. I am sure it will be great, but alas unable.” John Huins (1976-1995) “I hope you get sufficient support. I think it is an excellent idea.” Dr John B Taylor (-1933) “Sorry, lack of stamina these days.” Melanie Patterson (Green) (1976-1980) “I am living in Colorado, so will not be able to attend. It has been interesting following all the OO updates and looking at the school. How things have changed!” David Lees (1968-1973) “Unfortunately, I will not be attending - it’s a long way from Bangkok for a weekend. Another year, hopefully, I can be in the UK and attend.” Joe Fong (1973-1975) “When are the OOs gonna set up a Malaysian Chapter” Tony McCarthy (1947-1953) Victoria, Australia “I would like to extend my sincere best wishes to all OO's.”. Page 5
Page 1 and 2: The Old Oswestrian Society October
Page 3: Obituaries The Old Oswestrian Socie
Page 7 and 8: News The Old Oswestrian Society It
Page 9 and 10: News The Old Oswestrian Society And
Page 11 and 12: News The Old Oswestrian Society Osw

OO Newsletter - Oswestry School

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?