EAC Magazine - Alleyn's School

C l u bn e w sConsecration of the Memorial GardenOne of the most valued parts of the Alleyn’s site is the MemorialGarden, developed since the Second World War as a peacefulplace where students and staff are honoured and remembered.In order to affirm and preserve the status of the garden Dr ColinDiggory suggested that the area be consecrated. Thus in theafternoon of Founder’s Day, newly appointed School Governor,the Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Woolwich, theFoundation Chaplain, Canon Dianna Gwilliams, and the SchoolChaplain, the Rev Anthony Buckley, led a brief service before agathering of alumni, governors and staff who took theopportunity to remember past friends. The Chairman ofGovernors, Professor the Lord Kakkar, Lady Kakkar and theHeadmasters of Alleyn’s Senior and Junior Schools, Dr ColinDiggory and Mr Mark O’Donnell, were present.Bishop Christopher consecrated the garden and led thecommemorative prayer:‘We give thanks for those who have labouredthrough the years to make this garden a specialplace of memory and reflection…. We give thanksfor those whom we knew, whose memory is preciousto us, whose loss we still keenly feel… We givethanks for friends alongside us as we have walkedthe path of sorrow.’If you would like to visit the Memorial Garden this can bearranged through the Rev Anthony Buckley or Susie Schofield,either of whom can be contacted through the school on020 8557 1500.AOB Russell VernonAt this same ceremony, a plaque was also unveiled tocommemorate the late Russell Vernon (Roper’s, 1927-35),Architect and Surveyor to Dulwich Estate, who died in 2009.Mr Vernon, a past-President of the EAC, left generous bequeststo both the School and the Alleyn Benevolent Fund. The plaquewas unveiled by his son, Christopher, with the Vernon family inattendance. Christopher spoke briefly of his father’s longassociation with the Dulwich Estate, and of the legacy that willremain through his progressive development of thearchitectural environment in andaround Dulwich that he pursued duringthe post-war period.Club President, Neil French, also spokeat this ceremony where he recalledhow, ‘when Russell was well into hisseventies he was still regularlyattending the Club AGMs, and wasalways to be relied upon to ask apertinent question on the variousreports that were given; this was oftenof some concern to me during my stintas hon treasurer!’ Many members ofthe family, covering four generations,were present to witness the ceremony.www.edwardalleynclub.com7