Ros Hayes - Malvern St James

Spring 2010
From the
Chairman
My aims are to increase membership numbers
and to encourage recent leavers from the
1980s, 1990s and 2000s to return to Malvern
and become more involved in the OGA. I’m
keen to bring Old Girls from all the Schools
together. It has been a very exciting eight
months and we have been working really hard
to achieve these aims. The names of Old Girls
from St James’s, the Abbey and St James’s and
the Abbey have been added to the database
and we actually hold the names of about
7,500 members. Some of this information has
not been worked on recently, so there is a lot
to do re-connecting with our members.
This takes me to another really important area.
We have specially designated pages on the
School Website. I urge you to look at these
and to check the Old Girls’ section regularly
because Elisabeth is constantly updating it
with news of Old Girls, their families and both
OGA and School events. We would really
appreciate it if you could mention the Website
to any Old Girls you know. The section titled
‘Contact us’ has a form to complete which will
help us to re-acquaint ourselves with lost
members or confirm contact details. We are
using email more and more. Obviously for
those members without a computer we will
still contact by post, but email is such an easy
and cost effective way of keeping in touch. As
Elisabeth told me recently ‘Email is the Ally
continued on page 2
oga news
Message from
Ros Hayes
The School opened after the summer holiday with the largest number of girls since the
merger year; a testament to the high regard with which the new School is now held in
the local, regional and international communities. Last year, our A Level results placed
us in the top twenty schools in the country in the league table published in “The
Independent” and at the top of the Government Performance Table for Worcestershire.
However, our success is not confined to the
academic aspects of school life. In November,
our boarding provision was inspected by
Ofsted and I am delighted that we achieved the
overall, outcome judgment of “Outstanding”.
Although the inspection concentrated on
boarding, the outstanding judgements extend
to all areas of the school community. To quote;
“The commitment shown by all departments
of the school to boarding results in holistic
child-centred practice (for boarders and day
girls) that ensures pupils have a positive
experience and achieve strong outcomes.”
I am often asked to define the USP of
Malvern St James. However, I believe this
concept is alien in the education sector as
most schools promote very similar “selling
points”. Although we appreciate the excellent
facilities available at MSJ, it is not just the
amenities and resources that make our
School. For me, it is the people that make it
such a special place: the girls, the staff, both
teaching and support, parents, guardians,
Council members and Old Girls.
Ofsted’s conclusion, “Malvern St James is an
outstanding school” reflects the hard work of
so many stakeholders since the establishment
of MSJ in September 2006. I am very proud
of all that has been achieved in the last three
and half years and I know that the staff and
girls are also justifiably proud of their new
School. I hope that as you read this, you too,
will feel proud to have once belonged to one
of four girls’ schools in Malvern, now
embodied in Malvern St James, an
outstanding school.
By now, most of you will know that I am to
retire at the end of the school year. My last
eight years as Headmistress have been
exciting, stimulating and demanding in many
ways, but I have loved the challenge. I am
delighted that the School Council has
appointed as my successor, Mrs Patricia
Woodhouse, currently Headmistress at Abbots
Bromley School. I wish her every success for
the future and hope she will enjoy her time at
Malvern St James as much as I have.
OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

2
DIARY DATES 2010
Saturday 22 May
AGM AND OGA SUMMER REUNION
AT MALVERN ST JAMES
To thank the Headmistress Mrs Ros Hayes and
say farewell on her retirement
To celebrate the new Decade by holding a
● ‘Fifty Years on Reunion’ for Leavers from
1960 (or thereabouts)
● ‘Twenty Years on Reunion’ for Leavers from
1990 (or thereabouts)
If this is a significant year of Leaving for you,
please contact your friends to make up a group.
Further details are on the back cover.
Saturday 22 May
NORTHERN REUNION
Lunch at the The Angel Hotel, Corbridge.
Details from Jill Gladstone, 01207 528 114
or at Jill_Gladstone@CompuServe.com
June (day to be set)
NORFOLK REUNION
Lunch at The Anchor Inn, Morston
Details from Jen Murray, 01263 74040
Saturday 11 September (3 - 5pm)
HERITAGE DAY AT
MALVERN ST JAMES
Details from oga@malvernstjames.co.uk
Saturday 9 October
REUNION OF OGS BORN 1940ish
A special celebration at The RAF Club.
Details from Jill Gladstone, 01207 528114
or at Jill_Gladstone@CompuServe.com
Tuesday 12 October
OGA GOLFING DAY
Details from Lynne Saunders, 01233 633916
or at bybrookhouse@aol.com.
A Abbey
L Lawnside
MGC Malvern Girls’ College
MSJ Malvern St James
St J’s St James’s School (from 1896)
St J’s & A St James’s and The Abbey (from
1979)
St James’s and The Abbey and
Lawnside (from 1994)
St J’s St James’s (from the late 1990s)
*Asterisked article (often with more detail and
photographs) is in the Old Girls’ Section of the
School Website www.malvernstjames.co.uk
continued from page 1
not the Enemy of personal contact’. We would
like to run the Website side by side with the
Newsletter and this explains some of the
changes which we have made to the Newsletter.
I am sure you realise that printing costs are
very high, but at the same time we know how
much everyone loves to see photos of their
friends, so we have decided to remove some
of the ‘routine administration’ from the
Newsletter which we will post on the Website
and make available to any member who
would like a hard copy.
Before reunions we hold a Committee
meeting, but it was felt there has been so
much to discuss about how to make the
Association as relevant as we can to our wide
range of members that we would have a
special day-long session. I am very grateful to
Charlotte Morrison who generously hosted
this meeting at her home in September. It was
at this meeting that the changes were agreed.
We had a lovely reunion at Malvern St James
in May and a super time when we met up at
Worcester College, Oxford on a blustery day
in November. I would like to say how grateful
I am to the fifteen Committee members who
came to Oxford. We know many of you
prefer rather more informal gatherings, but do
hope you will send in photos of these for the
Newsletter and Website.
In July, as an Association and a School we
were all truly honoured and excited to
welcome an Old Girl to Prizegiving. Phyllida
Lloyd presented the prizes and entertained us
all with her stories. After a career at The Royal
Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, the bright
lights drew her to the West End where she
began a significant and award-winning career
as an opera director. In 1999, Phyllida was
offered the chance to direct the ABBA
musical MAMMA MIA! which became a hit
worldwide! So you can understand our
excitement that she managed to squeeze in a
visit to Malvern.
Every single member of our Old Girls’
Association is just as successful as Phyllida in
their own right and whether they want to
come and describe their path to the girls at a
Careers Fair, write a story for the website or
the newsletter, or just pop in for a cup of tea
and a catch up, the doors are always open
and we would love to hear what everyone
has been up to.
I live in Tenbury Wells, not far from Malvern,
so I visit the School once a month to catch up
with the Headmistress and Elisabeth and plan
for the next stage. I often stay to lunch and
enjoy meeting up with members of staff and
seeing the School in action. In the Autumn
Term, I attended the superb performance of
‘Dido and Aeneas’ and the beautiful Carol
Service in the Priory.
As an Association we value every single
member, but every so often we come across
very special members and I would like to
thank particularly Clare John for everything
she has done for the OGA.
Mrs Ros Hayes has decided to retire as
Headmistress of Malvern St James this year.
Mrs Hayes has demonstrated outstanding
leadership of Malvern St James throughout its
formative period. She will be sorely missed but
we wish her all the very best in her retirement.
At the Summer Reunion in May we plan a
special get together to thank Ros for her
dedication and hope her past pupils will return
to celebrate her contribution to outstanding
Girls’ Education in Malvern. We look forward
to welcoming Ros at future reunions.
I hope to meet as many of you as possible
and I would very much value any suggestions
and advice you might have to encourage Old
Girls to get in touch, as well any ways you feel
the appeal of the OGA might be broadened.
Please contact me via
oga@malvernstjames.co.uk.
Hannah Plant (St J’s & A 1997)
The School Newsletter can be viewed in a pdf version on the School Website
www.malvernstjames.co.uk in Latest News under Senior School, Sixth Form and Parents.
Please let the OGA Secretary know if you are happy to read the OGA News on line.
KEY Four Friends, Jillie Gregory (L), Trish Unwin (A), Catherine Bullock (MGC) and Penny Smith (St J’s & A)

In recognition of the tremendous contribution made by Patricia
Birchley (Banbury, MGC 1959) during her term of office as Chairman,
the Committee invited her to become an Honorary Vice-President of
the OGA. We send good wishes to Patricia in this busy General
Election year. Hannah Plant, who joined the Committee as Honorary
Social Secretary, was unanimously appointed Chairman.
Patricia Wilkinson and Barbara
Coghlan have kindly agreed to be
the Honorary Social Secretary and
the 1940s Representative
respectively. We would like to
thank Fiona Jenkinson (Wright,
MGC 1983), the 1980s
Representative whose term of
office has ended as well as Alice
Wright (MSJ), the Head Girl from
2008 for their contribution to the
OGA. In their places, we welcome
warmly Julia Hodgkins and Fiona
Sedgley. We were delighted to
hear that one of our Trustees
Emma Setchell had a daughter.
We were very sorry to hear that Clare John (Jones, MGC 1966) has decided it
is time for her to retire as a Trustee. Anne Borrowdale (Lea, MGC 1970) writes
‘Clare has been a trustee of the OGA and OGA Bursary Trusts for 20 years.
She became a Trustee, having completed 9 years as Treasurer of the
Association. As Treasurer Clare is credited with having set up the advance
subscription fund thus putting the Association on a sound financial footing. 26
years ago when the Association had many members but no money, she
famously passed a hat around the gathering at an AGM to make her point! For
the last 10 years or so, Clare has
taken responsibility for tax
reclaims and the accounts of the
bursary trusts and seeking
investment advice for the trust
fund and OGA money. She has
always been a delight to work
with and her ability, efficiency
and common sense have been
invaluable. She will be greatly
missed but we look forward to
Anne Borrowdale, Barbara Coghlan and
Clare John at the Summer Reunion
Patricia Birchley and Hannah Plant at
the Summer Reunion, at the Reception
in the new Sports Centre.
seeing her at future OGA events
and send her our very best wishes
for the future.’
We would like to thank Charlotte Morrison for agreeing to become a Trustee.
Please do get involved by attending the Summer Reunion and showing an
interest in joining the OGA Committee, in particular we would be delighted if
Members would be prepared to become Trustees. There is also a vacancy for
the Member of the School Council with responsibility for communication with
the Old Girls.
The Committee at the Autumn Reunion, with MSJ Head Girl, Alice Porter
Committee News¬
3
MALVERN ST JAMES
OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION
OGA OFFICERS 2009/2010
PATRONS
Stephanie Kershaw MA, PGCE, Philippa Leggate BA, MEd, PGCE,
Delme Moore BSc, Elizabeth Mullenger BA, Cert Ed, FRSA,
Dr Valerie Payne MSc, ARCS, Peter Pollard
HONORARY PRESIDENT
Rosalind Hayes BA Hons, MA, PGCE, FRGS (Headmistress)
HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS
Libby Anson, Patricia Birchley, Anne Borrowdale, Pam Cadbury,
Margaret Jago, Sarah Musgrave, Pauline Newton, Joan Roberts,
June Roundhill, Patricia Wilkinson
CHAIRMAN
Hannah Plant (St J’s & A 1997)
VICE-CHAIRMEN
Sarah Austin (Skinner, MGC 1987)
Penny Smith (Reay, St J’s & A 1980)
HONORARY SOCIAL SECRETARY
Patricia Wilkinson (Marsden, MGC 1956)
SECRETARY TO THE OGA
Elisabeth Rambridge MA, PGCE
HONORARY TREASURER
Margaret Wood (MGC 1960)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Decade Representatives:
1940s Barbara Coghlan (MGC 1941),
1950s Di Cooley (Pascoe-Williams, St J’s 1954),
1960s Frankie Williams (Royals, MGC 1966),
1970s Jenny Arrowsmith (Orwin, MGC 1971),
1980s Julia Hodgkins (MGC 1986),
1990s Cate Bennett (Lockwood, St J’s & A 1994),
2000s Francesca Clixby (MSJ 2007) and
Jenny Haighton (MSJ 2007),
Ex Head Girl Fiona Sedgley (MSJ 2009)
OGA Council Representative:
Charlotte Morrison (Page, MGC 1973)
Trustees:
Anne Borrowdale (Lea, MGC 1970), Veronica Blackmore
(Bashforth, MGC 1959), Charlotte Morrison (Page, MGC 1973),
Judith Pearman (Kenney, MGC 1971), Emma Setchell (Lowry,
MGC 1987), Rowena Westacott (Evans, St J’s & A 1980)

4 School News
Letter from Charlotte Morrison
OGA Representative on Council
Dear Everybody,
As always, life has been busy. The Council has been occupied this year with the
‘Going For Gold’ initiative, which represents the School’s plans for the future. The
balance between day and boarding pupils and the arrival of many younger girls
dictate that we need to review our buildings and land in order to maximise the
benefits that they can give without compromising our options. Batsford (formerly
the Bursary) is being adapted so that it can provide excellent, homely and
comfortable accommodation for the younger boarders. Over the next few years,
new accommodation will be provided for the Sixth Form and for the new
Headmistress.
Our Headmistress, Mrs Rosalind Hayes, is to retire at the end of the academic year.
The School Council had the responsibility of appointing her successor. Our
Chairman, Anne Borrowdale (Lea, MGC 1970), a small committee and an
educational consultant reviewed the applicants. Besides interviews with the whole
Council, the process included school-based activities such as lesson observation
and interviews with representatives of the staff and Year 11. We are very happy
that the choice was unanimous, and Mrs Patricia Woodhouse has been
appointed. She is coming from Abbots Bromley School, where she has been Head
for five years, having previously been Deputy Head of St Mary’s Wantage. We
wish Mrs Hayes a very happy retirement – we shall miss her!
The School has recently had a boarding inspection and the overall grading was
‘Outstanding’. Need I say more?
I too am to retire in December 2010. I have been a member of Council since 2004
and have enjoyed meeting interesting people and learning an enormous amount
about the running of the School. I shall not be disappearing, however, as I am to
be a trustee of the OGA. I am going on a training course in January to learn
about managing the cash and investments of a charity. It is a refresher course for
trustees in general, organised by the same people as one that I attended during
2009. It was fascinating so I am hoping for great things. If you would like to apply
to be the Member of Council with responsibility for communication with the Old
Girls, there is an advertisement in this newsletter. Please get in touch.
I hope that you have all, if you are able to, looked at the School’s website at
www.malvernstjames.co.uk. There is a page with information about Council
members. We have one recent new member, Stuart Dawson who is a chartered
surveyor and a partner of GVA Grimley in Birmingham. There is also information
about the inspection I mentioned above and the ‘Going for Gold’ project.
With all best wishes,
Charlotte Morrison (Page, MGC 1973)
BOARDING INSPECTION
Malvern St James Girls’ School is celebrating after receiving a fantastic
Ofsted report - achieving OUTSTANDING in all categories concerned
with the well-being of the children.
After the inspection during November, the report recognises the
School’s exceptionally high quality of pastoral care. The outcome
judgements in Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving,
Making a Positive Contribution and Organisation are described as
‘outstanding’. The School did not receive any recommendations.
The report states that girls’ ‘self-knowledge, self-esteem and self
confidence is excellent because they are valued within the school
community and their contributions and efforts are noticed and
rewarded. Boarders benefit from excellent support provided by the
staff, external professions and peers’.
The report also notes that ‘girls are well informed and become
Mrs Rosalind Hayes
Headmistress of Malvern St James
2006 - 2010
It is difficult to believe that Ros Hayes is
anywhere near retirement age, but
apparently it is so. Her energy certainly does
not seem to have diminished. Recently she
walked the length of the Malvern Hills at
night in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Happily, Ros’ enthusiasm extends to the daylight
hours. Having been Headmistress of St James’s for
four years before the merger, her courageous
leadership and acknowledgement of the traditions
of all the schools which make up Malvern St James
gained the respect of pupils, parents and staff alike
and the grateful thanks of members of Council.
She successfully brought together the two school
communities to the extent that it has ceased to be
important who came from where.
Ros is seen as approachable, yet firm and
authoritative. This reputation has been won with
hard, but enjoyable work. For instance, a regular
series of teas and suppers has meant that every girl
knows her Headmistress, and the Headmistress
knows each of her girls, not just by name but also
by subject, by instrument, by sport and so on.
Her presentations at Council meetings are always
interesting. She is well-informed about detail and
her acute sense of fun means that her input is
never tedious.
Most recent evidence of her skill in spearheading
the successful establishment of Malvern St James
has been an outstanding grading given in this
year’s OFSTED Boarding Inspection. We are
proud of our School and of our Headmistress.
Whilst we look forward to welcoming her
successor Patricia Woodhouse, we owe Ros a
very great deal, and wish her well in her
retirement.
Libby Anson (Maude, St J’s 1957), Anne
Borrowdale (Lea, MGC 1970) and Charlotte
Morrison (Page, MGC 1973)
confident individuals and able to lead safe, fulfilling and healthy lives’.
‘The system in place to promote the safety and welfare of boarders was
described as ‘outstanding’ with girls living in a ‘positive and nurturing
environment where their welfare is paramount’.
Mrs Rosalind Hayes said, ’This is an excellent achievement for the
whole School. It was very pleasing that OFSTED recognised that the
holistic, child-centred approach that we achieve at Malvern St James is
very much a team effort and a result of the outstanding commitment
shown by all departments of the School.
The inspecting team praised Ms Elaine Drake, the Assistant Head
responsible for Boarding, for ‘her dynamic and visionary approach’.
The report concluded that, ‘Malvern St James is an outstanding school.
Boarders’ safety and protection is paramount, Boarders’ health and
pastoral care is being met by a dedicated team of professional staff who
are continually striving to develop the boarding experience and
maintain outstanding outcomes for children’.*

Congratulations...
Phyllida Lloyd
To Phyllida Lloyd (L) who was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s
New Year Honours List for Services to Drama.
Phyllida is pictured at Prizegiving with Miss Duseline Stewart, her Headmistress at Lawnside, Miss
Elizabeth Mullenger (Patron), Hannah Plant.*
Ann Westmacott
Congratulations
To Ann Westmacott (Gough, MGC 1927) who celebrated
her Centenary at the end of 2008
Belatedly the OGA sends many congratulations to Ann Westmacott. Ann's daughter, Julie
Wilcher (Westmacott, MGC 1962), sent in stunning photographs to illustrate her mother's
life along with a potted biography.*
Nicki Brocklesby
To Nicki Brocklesby (MGC
1984) who has qualified to
shoot for Great Britain’s
Ladies Olympic Skeet team.
She is pictured here as the flag bearer for the
Great Britain shooting team at the opening
ceremony of the San Marion World Cup in
June 2009. Nicki started shooting originally
about 9 years ago, encouraged by Louise
Baltesz (Nickerson, MGC 1984) whom she
had become good friends with in the Sixth
Form at Malvern.*
Deirdre Kinloch
To Deirdre Kinloch Anderson
(Loryman, MGC 1956) who
was awarded an OBE in the
Queen’s New Year Honours
List for Services to the Textile
Industry.*
5

6 Awards and Staff News
AWARDS GIVEN
BY THE OGA
The OGA is delighted to support the
CICERO Classics Competition, co-founded
by Mrs Anne Dicks who teaches Classics at
Malvern St James and Patrick Voisin in
France two years ago. CICERO aims to bring
Classicists from different backgrounds in
Europe together. Two extremely demanding
examinations are set, with students
competing for national and international
prizes. CICERO supporters include politician
Boris Johnson and TV personality Tony
Robinson. In 2010 CICERO goes
international and will include centres in
Tunisia and Australia. Imogen Goodier
(MGC 1997) teaches Classics at Hazelwick
School in Surrey and one of her students
Liam Erskine won the UK Latin translation
section to be awarded the Malvern St James
CICERO cup in 2009.
The organisers of CICERO UK are pictured
at the 2009 competition. Anne Dicks is cofounder
and Webmaster, Judy Nesbit is
Chief Examiner and Emily Davies (MGC
2005) is Assistant Marker and Facebook coordinator.
Emily graduated in Classics from
Durham University last year. Judy, who
taught at Malvern Girls’ College and is now
Head of Classics at Bristol Grammar School,
said, ‘The translation that the students
undertook is much harder than anything
they will be set at A Level or International
Baccalaureate’. Anne would love to hear
from Old Girls (ex-Classicists or not!) via
their website www.ciceroconcordia.com .*
We are delighted that our
new Registrar is also an
Old Girl! Jennifer Bailey
(MGC and St J’s & A
1994) returned to School
at the start of the new
academic year. Jennifer’s
previous experience
includes business
development, sales and
marketing in the UK and
overseas in corporate
and Third Sector
organisations, as well as
teaching both home and
abroad.
Emma Smith
Emma Smith (MGC 1992) received a Travel
Award from the OGA last year as the
expedition medic in India for a Raleigh
International expedition (pictured on the
right) and was grateful for the support she was
given by the OGA. A recent article in the
Malvern Gazette described Emma’s work in
Happy Retirement
to Mrs Pallett
Old Girls, parents, girls and staff joined Mrs
Hayes at a garden party at the Benhams to
wish Mrs Suki Pallett well on her retirement as
Housemistress. Mrs Pallett has given twenty
six years of loyal and dedicated service to the
School. During her time she has worked in a
number of houses and provided care, support
and guidance to many generations of girls.
Mrs Pallett spoke warmly of her time as a
Housemistress and wished Mrs Hayes and
Malvern St James every success for the
future.*
the Middle East for three months as the
medical officer for 902 Expeditionary Air
Wing. She was quoted ‘It's a challenging
environment to work in. It is over 40 degrees
by eight in the morning'. Emma is a locum GP
and a Squadron Leader with 612 Squadron,
Royal Auxiliary Air Force.*
Ottoline Scriven
Ottoline Scriven (MGC 2004), a former
Head Girl, who read English and
Classics at Oxford has been given a
Travel Award by the OGA to support
her studies for a Masters in
International Development at Tsinghua
University in Beijing.

Lesley Lokko
Well known author Lesley Lokko (St J’s & A
1983) was interviewed in ‘Worcestershire
Living' magazine about her latest novel Rich
Girl Poor Girl which describes four girls as
they grow up, chronicling a story of money,
power and revenge that stretches from the
1980s to the present day. Lesley was born in
Scotland but grew up in Ghana and came to
St James's and The Abbey for the Sixth Form.
Joan Bonfield
She spoke frankly
about her first day –
remembering it was
cold! – but she has
very warm
memories of her
time at school. She
has written about Malvern
and Worcestershire in 3 of her 5 books.
Lesley was Head Girl and has been in touch
with the OGA from Johannesburg where she
spends part of the year. Trained as an
architect, Lesley wrote the ‘First Person'
column in Stella magazine of the Sunday
Telegraph in July.*
Rich Girl Poor Girl is published by Orion
(ISBN 9780752869100).
Joan Bonfield (Greasley, MGC 1950) was in touch with the OGA, absolutely delighted with the
news that her son Richard has been invited to be Poet in Residence of the Born Free Foundation.
Virginia McKenna, the Founder and Trustee wrote 'When I first
read Richard's extraordinary poem ‘The Beautiful Alphabet',
never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day he
would be Born Free's Poet in Residence. How fortunate we are
to have such a person to help the animals and inspire us.'
Richard's collections of poems, A Bestiary an Animal Alphabet,
Swan for all Seasons and Menagerie
Another Animal Alphabet have all been
received with much acclaim. Richard has
very kindly sent copies to the OGA office.
The front cover of Animated Nature, his
fourth collection, is illustrated by the
celebrated artist Pollyanna Pickering
who along with Virginia McKenna will
be attending the launch of Animated
Nature in March 2010.*
Animated Nature is available from
richardbonfieldpoet@talktalk.net .
Rosie Whittaker
Rosie Whittaker (Nickerson, MGC 1986) said in her news last year she was
writing a book and it was very exciting when she sent in the press release
for How to be Asked Again How to be the Perfect Shooting Guest with
illustrations by Oliver Preston. ‘How to be Asked Again' covers in a logical
way what should happen from the moment you receive a shooting
invitation. Hilarious cartoons by Oliver Preston make ‘How to be
Asked Again' a very entertaining book, the perfect gift for any
shooting man or woman, either novice Shot or experienced Gun.
The youngest daughter of shooting legend Sir Joseph Nickerson who
wrote ‘A Shooting Man's Creed', Rosie has been steeped in the do's
and don'ts of shooting since early childhood. A freelance
journalist, she has written for ‘Country Life' and ‘The Field' and
was a token ‘green wellie' for ‘Tatler’ and more latterly is a
regular contributor to ‘Fieldsports'.*
How to be Asked Again How to be the Perfect Shooting Guest
by Rosie Nickerson is published by Quiller Publishing
(ISBN 978-1-84689-057-4).
Publications
Dr Isobel Williams
Dr Isobel Williams (Simpson, MGC 1960)
has written a biography With Scott to the
Antarctic, Edward Wilson, Explorer,
Naturalist Artist. Sir Ranulph Fiennes
comments, ‘This book puts Edward
Wilson in his rightful place as one of the
heroes of Antarctic exploration in the
early 1900s and as Scott's right-hand
man'. Isobel describes Wilson as ‘the
most remarkable man’ and continues ‘He
was the only officer to go with Scott on
both British expeditions to Antarctica in
the early 1900s. He died with Scott and
another companion just 11 miles from
the next food cairn in 1912. He was the
first to unravel the life cycle of the
Emperor Penguin and made a perilous
journey in the Antarctic midwinter, to
obtain specimens of the Emperor's eggs.
This expedition was in darkness and in
temperatures always well below freezing
and in one case that dropped to minus 76
degrees F’.*
With Scott to the
Antarctic, Edward
Wilson, Explorer,
Naturalist Artist is
published by The
History Press and
available from
Amazon Books
(ISBN 978-0-7509-
4879-1).
7

8 Charity Work
Charlotte Hesp (MGC 2004) ran the
Flora London Marathon with a team
supporting Action For Kids which
together raised £20,000. Action For Kids
is a national charity working with
children and young people with physical
and learning disabilities and their parents
and carers. The charity helps to
transform young lives by removing the
barriers to independence.*
Christy Page-Turner (Tetley, MGC 1953) and
Angela Judge (Whatley, MGC) open their
gardens for the National Gardens Scheme
Charities.
Christy opened her garden at Woodhayes for
the first time as a member of the Luppitt
Gardens. She emailed ’We were blessed with
brilliant weather to open the garden. It was
incredibly hard work and a challenge and I
have to say the garden has never been tidier,
but the whole thing was incredibly rewarding
- lovely people who were really appreciative.
Over the two days we had 117 people
through the gates and raised £445 for NGS
Charities’.*
Angela and her husband David have created
a stunning 3 acre garden at Shuttifield
Cottage in Storridge which opens regularly for
The National Gardens Scheme and is
described as having ‘superb position and
views. An unexpected plantsman's garden
with extensive herbaceous borders, many
unusual trees and colour-themed for interest
throughout the year’. The garden also features
in the Good Gardens Guide.*
Old Girls are involved with
Charities all over the world
Kim Harris (MGC 2006) has an internship
with NEED (Network for Entrepreneurship
and Economic Development) in Lucknow,
India. Kim emailed ‘NEED is a fantastic Non-
Governmental Organisation genuinely
committed to helping those at the grassroots.
We promote the empowerment of
disadvantaged communities, in particular
women in the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar region
of Northern India. 'Shakti' is our unique
collection of products, handcrafted by
women from NEED producer groups, which
blends traditional techniques and natural
materials with new design ideas. My time at
Malvern influenced me in so many ways,
especially going on the Gambia Expedition
and the fact that it is an all girls' school
motivated me to work for the cause of
Alice Paisley (MGC 2004) and her
university friend made their way into the
Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator last
summer after a gruelling journey 10,000
mile drive in an ambulance across
Europe and Central Asia in aid of Save
the Children. Alice said ‘When we hit
Kazakhstan, it really got going. The roads
deteriorated massively – to the point of
not existing’. The ambulance was left in
Mongolia and will be donated to a local
hospital.*
Carolyn Hopkinson (Bennett, MGC
1979) and her sister Sarah (MGC 1979)
aim to raise £5000 for Marie Curie Cancer
Care. Carolyn, who is pictured on the
left with Sarah on the right,
emailed ‘We are going to trek
for 70Km along The Great Wall
of China with the aim of
raising over £5000 for Marie
Curie Cancer Care. This
charity provides free end of life
care to terminally ill patients
allowing them the choice of
spending their last days at
home with their friends and
family around them’.*
women and children’. Kim would love Old
Girls to be in touch with her at
k.harris.need@gmail.com .*
Jane Bachner-King (Bachner, MGC 1971) is
President of Colombian Orphans, Inc. They
have just received their first grant and are
teaching girls to become micro entrepreneurs
through machine knitting. They will soon
have a UK branch of the charity so that
donations are tax-deductible in the UK. She
asks that Old Girls look at the website
www.friendsofcolombianorphans.org .
Megan Taylor (Honorary Member) is
Chairman of Macmillan Cancer Support's
Committee in Malvern and opened her
beautiful garden in Coddington to the
public to raise money for the charity and
raised £1100. Two other Honorary
Members are on the Committee, Head of
Science at MSJ, Isabel Carmichael and
Suki Pallett.*

FIVE OLD GIRLS PERFORMED
WITH THE MALVERN BIG BAND
Heather Porter (MSJ 2008), Natalie Halliday (MSJ 2008), Anne Lunn (Hardie, MGC 1956), Gabi
Grandi (MSJ 2009) and Jessica Davies (MSJ 2008) took part in an evening of jazz and swing in
the first concert of the new school year. The York Hall was alive with the infectious sounds of the
Malvern Big Band. Mike Halliday, who leads the band, gave the Old Girls a special mention.*
AENEAS
DIDO &
The Music Department celebrated the
success of their production of ‘Dido
and Aeneas’ in the Autumn Term. The
performances were a triumph on all
levels, from the elegant simplicity of
the set, to the stunning costumes and
the outstanding vocal performances.
At the end of the performance, the
Epilogue was impeccably delivered by
the Head Girl, Alice Porter. Mrs Hayes
said ‘The impressive degree of
involvement from the wider school
community certainly contributed to
the great success of this production’.
The Artistic Director of Dido and
Aeneas was our Patron, Miss Elizabeth
Mullenger.
Old Girls are warmly invited to attend any
concerts and receive information about
forthcoming concerts from The Music
Department Administrator, Amanda Langard
at music@malvernstjames.co.uk
Ali Bendall
Ali Bendall (St J’s 2006) and Hatfield’s
Dancing Queens
For the second year
running Ali has
worked with
Hatfield girls to
produce their
Charity events. Last
year it was 'High
School Musical
Hatfield Style' and
this year she has
been helping the
girls perform a
range of Abba classics in aid of the Hatfield
House Charity 'Tusk'. Earlier in the year Ali
danced to 'Fantasy on Gershwin's Porgy and
Bess' during a concert given by a member
of the Music Department,
Malcolm Forbes-
Peckham.
Musical Notes
Nicki Bowley
9
Nicki Bowley
(Jones, MGC 1984)
has been in touch
with the OGA. She
is now a busy solo
singer, performing
under the
professional name
of Nicki Kennedy
singing mainly
baroque and classical music, as well as
teaching on the Eton Choral courses and
also at Repton School where her husband
John Bowley is Director of Music. Nicki has
performed, broadcast and recorded at
many of the major festivals of Europe, Japan
and the USA, with a wide range of
orchestras including The Academy of
Ancient Music, Les Musiciens du Louvre,
L'Orchestre des Champs Elysées, the Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia,
the Purcell Quartet and the Brook Street
Band. Her website is
www.nickikennedy.co.uk
Susie Allan
Susie Allan (MGC 1984) performed at
Malvern Concert Club in May 2009. The
Malvern Gazette highlighted the evening
with a heading ‘Magnificent recital of the
highest class'. The reviewer Jill Hopkins
described Susie as a ‘most sympathetic
partner and brilliant pianist'. Susie was
accompanying the very talented baritone
Roderick Williams who ‘has a God-given
voice'. At the end of the concert Roddy told
a full audience at Malvern Theatre that his
wife, Miranda (Clasen, MGC 1984) her
mother and her grandmother were all Old
Girls of Malvern Girls' College. There were a
number of teachers in the audience,
including Susie's piano teacher Miss Elaine
Hughes-Jones. Louise Cartledge (MGC
1984) came to the performance and is
pictured with Susie and Roddy.
The Music department at MSJ is most grateful
for the generous gift made recently of a lovely
Goble Spinet from Mrs Pat Foster, the mother
of two former pupils, Ruth and Anne.

10 Family News
DAUGHTERS OF OLD GIRLS IN THE SCHOOL
(Mother’s maiden name in brackets)
Junior
Department Lucy Walton (Diana Hale, MGC 1985)
Mount Helen Buchanan (Linda Pollock, MGC 1980))
Cara Homes (Fiona Ballard, MGC 1979)
Katherine Panton-Kent (Mary Panton, MGC)
Poulton Laurel Buchanan (Linda Pollock, MGC 1980)
Linda with her daughters Helen and Laurel, who is the School Games
Prefect, at the Carol Service
GRANDDAUGHTERS OF OLD GIRLS IN THE
SCHOOL
(Grandmother’s maiden name in brackets)
Mount Pandora Fowles (Patricia Barrow, MGC)
Greenslade Clemmie Fowles (Patricia Barrow, MGC)
We are delighted to congratulate the following and send them our
best wishes.
BIRTHS
1984 Georgina Brown (MGC) a son Thomas Alexander on
03/11/2008
1986 Sarah Daniells (Caunce, MGC) sons Louis in September
2007 and William in March 2009
1986 Ruth Partridge (Harris, MGC) a son Ben in December
2000 and a daughter Hannah in December 2002
1987 Mairi Van Looy (Campbell, MGC) a son John Morris on
28/06/2008
1987 Emma Setchell (Lowry, MGC) a daughter Nancy Eloise on
08/10/2009
1989 Sarah Woodhead (MGC) Roman on 22/12/2000 and Luca
30/05/2003
1990 Joanna Mackeson (Chappell, MGC) a son Alec Muir on
03/02/2009
1990 Charlie Raeburn-Ward (MGC) a daughter Emily on
05/08/2009
1991 Justice Jenny (Pain, MGC) a daughter Holly on
12/08/2009
1992 Kate Blackwell (Meredith Jones, MGC) a daughter Sukie
on 14/01/2008
1993 Catherine Ramsden (Goodman, MGC) daughters Helena
on 15/01/07 and Lydia on 15/08/08
1993 Fiona Toms (Thomas, MGC) a son William on 25/07/2009
1994 Katy Wade (Maclean, St J’s & A) a son Hector on
09/09/2009
1994 Kate Windley (Foottit, MGC) sons Thomas Andrew on
24/03/2007 and Noah James on 18/09/2008
1996 Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo (Ihyembe, MGC) a daughter
Amarachukwu Shiena (Amara) on 20/06/2009
2002 Annabel Rayer (Warner, MGC) a daughter Sophie Anne
on 12/08/2009
2003 Harriet Hackston (Colenso, MGC) a daughter Poppy
Isabella in May 2009
ENGAGEMENTS
1993 Elisabeth Wilkinson (MGC) to Simon Allison on
07/03/2009
1997 Hannah Plant (St J’s & A) to Kersten Rice on 14/10/2009
MARRIAGES
1993 Charlotte Taylor (MGC) to Matthew Harris in November
2008
1994 Chloe Ellerton (MGC) to Justin Heaton in August 2008
1994 Kate Foottit (MGC) to Richard Windley in June 2006
1995 Charlotte Strong (MGC) to Richard Ayres on 20/10/2007
1996 Ngover Ihyembe (MGC) to Nnamdi Nwankwo in 2004
1998 Katie Owen (MGC) to James Radcliffe on 13/09/2008
2001 Wandoo Ihyembe (MGC) to Gbenga Hassan in 2009
2001 Jennifer Scott (MGC) to Quinton Newcombe on
16/05/2009
2002 Julia Charnocke (St J’s) to Iain Shields on 11/09/2009
2003 Harriet Colenso (MGC) to David Hackston in
December 2007

We are sorry to record the following Deaths and remember our
friends with gratitude for their contributions to the life of our
Schools.
DEATHS
MEMBERS
1926 Beryl Thorne (Garnham, MGC) in November 2008
1931 Joan Tomes (Maxwell, MGC) in November 2009
1932 Phyllis Robinson (Hall, MGC) in October 2009
1936 Mary Crawford (Rushworth, MGC) in April 2009
1936 Victoria Erskine (St J’s) in February 2009
Miss Erskine was a niece of Miss Mary Anstruther, an Old Girl who
taught at St James’s and became Headmistress in 1948 when Miss
Alice Baird, the Founder, retired.
1942 Patricia Reeves (Green, MGC) in February 2009
1943 Jean Oldham (Westbrook, MGC) in January 2008
1945 Cynthia Troup (Hutchinson, MGC) in June 2009
1946 Mary Finch (Gee, St J’s) in February 2009
1947 Stella Carton-Kelly (Rash, MGC) in January 2009
1947 Barbara Moir (Branfill, St J’s) in 2007
HONORARY MEMBERS
Secretary to the Council and Bursar of Malvern Girls’ College (1972 to 1985)
Deaths
1948 Diana Vinnicombe (Swan, MGC) in May 2009
1949 Julie Hodson (Goodwin, MGC) in July 2009
1949 Jilly Peacock (Thomas, St J’s) in January 2009
1949 Sally Stewart (Gabb, MGC) in December 2008
1949 Dorothy Young (Howarth, MGC) in September 2009
1950 Rachel Thomson (Tetley, MGC) in June 2007
1953 Susan Dunn (St J’s)
1955 Gillian Mary Cooper (Harmston, MGC) in October 2008
1957 Anna Cocking (Pugh, MGC) in 2008
1974 Nicky Milligan (Leech, MGC) in April 2009
The eulogy given by Peter Sinclair, Nicky’s Tutor in Economics at
Brasenose College, is available from the OGA Secretary. After reading
Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford where Nicky was an
Exhibitioner, she worked as an economist with the Henley Centre for
Forecasting. She applied her futurology skills to corporate planning
and later became a senior recruitment consultant. Peter ended
saying, ‘Balanced, bright, and brave. Today let us try to summon up
some of these three great qualities of Nicky’s, to give thanks, and
celebrate the life of a truly wonderful person’.
1997 Zena Hughes (St J’s & A) in 2009
1981 Elizabeth Stewart in November 2009
1987 Pauline Ford in August 2009
The tribute to Miss Ford in Microcosm 1987, the year she retired, described her career at MGC from 1960 when she was appointed Head of
Geography. ‘A keen photographer, many lessons were brought to life by her own slides. The Geography Department was one of the first to
have its own video recorder and computer. During her time she held many positions – timetabler, acting Housemistress in Hatfield, Senior
Mistress and form mistress to all ages. In each of these roles she has brought an admirable balance of honesty, tact and kindliness.’
Christine Shepherd (Cullingford) conducted Pauline’s funeral service which was attended by many friends and former colleagues.
1991 Pamela Mullin in August 2008.
Sue Doyle (Mullin, MGC 1978) sent in this tribute to her mother. ‘Pam, a qualified pianoforte teacher of the Royal College of Music, arrived at
MGC in 1965 and had a distinguished career of 35 years in the Music department which was devoted to teaching excellence in music and
inspiring and encouraging young musicians. For many of those years she was the Director of Music. Many of her piano pupils won national
awards. She trained an exceptional, highly respected MGC Choral group whose achievements were widely recognised. Few will forget those
inspiring concerts. Her love of music will live on with her pupils. Pam leaves her husband of 50 years, Brian, a daughter Sue, son-in-law Will,
and much-loved granddaughter Meriel.’
1985 Rear-Admiral A R B Sturdee, CB, DSC in October 2009
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Rear-Admiral Rodney Sturdee was held at Malvern Priory in December
2009. Christopher Sturdee paid a moving tribute to his father and included references to the farewell Miss
Owen wrote in Microcosm 1985 when Admiral Sturdee retired. ‘Admiral Sturdee had a presence and a depth.
There was something special about him as he went around the school. The female staff enjoyed being
addressed as “M’dear” and all appreciated the speed with which he responded to their requests. The school
listened entranced to his appeals for economies and eagerly awaited the literary and nautical references with
which he sought to stir his academic audience.’
Rear-Admiral Sturdee’s step-daughter Emily Jauncey (Hunter) is an Old Girl of St James’s and The Abbey.
Among the many present at the Service were Honorary Vice-President June Roundhill, a family friend and
OGA Secretary Elisabeth Rambridge.
This article is on the Website with a link to The Times obituary describing Rear-Admiral Sturdee’s distinguished
naval career in the Second World War and afterwards abroad, culminating in a tour as Flag Officer Gibraltar.*
11

12 News
PATRON
Val Payne (MGC) was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the
Royal Horticultural Society for her work in helping to raise the
profile of education in the Society. Val writes, ‘It came as a great
surprise but I felt very honoured’.
HONORARY MEMBERS
Jill Bray (St J’s) has been a teacher and librarian in various state
and independent schools from 1962 to 1998 and is now retired.
Margaret Panter (St J’s) writes that ‘much as I loved teaching and
the buzz of being with all the girls, I must confess that retirement is
just wonderful. I have a new role as House Manager (and
education coordinator – of course!) for a volunteer run Heritage
Centre on Friar Street in Worcester called Tudor House. We are
open Wednesdays and Saturdays 10.00 – 4.00, do visit us. We
have fascinating displays and also a very nice coffee shop’.
www.tudorhouse.org.uk.
Jane Smallwood (MSJ) emailed ‘Since leaving MSJ in July 2008, I
have been working with several part time jobs: for England
Hockey (doing admin work for Hereford and Worcester) and I still
keep up my PE teaching but now within the State sector with new
challenges and different skills to learn - I am loving all of it. I
trained as a LTA tennis referee and I have moved house still in
Malvern so have more time to meet friends, play sport and travel.
Paradise!’
Sally Tudsbery Turner (MGC) emailed ‘We have just had the third
‘Malvern in the Gambia (MING)' Golf Day and it was very
enjoyable, raising over £1000. We are off to the Gambia in
November to check up on the two chicken farms which we hope,
eventually, will raise enough money to pay the salaries of the head
teachers of the MING schools and be really sustainable projects. If
we can pay the salaries of the teachers, then we do not need to
sponsor children's schooling’.
1927
Ann Westmacott (Gough, MGC) is still
leading an independent life. She
celebrated her 100th birthday in
December with a family party at her
son-in-law’s Golf Club. Friends followed
up with a drinks party. In May she
hosted a party at her daughter’s house
(her former home) – the celebrations
continue!*
1936
Margaret Green (Thomas, MGC) was
thrilled to receive the newsletter. She is
still living in a good retirement home
and sees Dr Marjorie Williams (Dix)
when possible since neither still drives. She is 92 and writes ‘I still
remember my school days at Malvern as the happiest. Marjorie or I
would be glad to help any Old Girl who comes to the Washington
area’. She would like to hear from Daphne Johnson.
1940
Maureen Chapman (Bungey, MGC) wrote ‘Sadly, I lost my husband of
almost 60 years at the age of 91 in March 2008. As I have no family in
Yorkshire, where I have lived for 53 years, I have moved to near
Bedford, where I had some outhouses converted into a cottage in the
grounds of my daughter’s and son-in-law’s old farmhouse. They have 2
children aged 7 and 8 so I do my bit as a granny! It is a very good
arrangement. But I still miss Yorkshire!’
1941
Rene Dale (Gilston, MGC) is keeping pretty active as 85-year olds go:
still gardening (gently), cooking for her still growing family including the
2 small great grandsons. She reads the local paper on to tape for Kent
Association for the Blind. She is intermittently in touch with Peggy
Smith (Tyson) who was also in Mount and shared those remarkable
war-years in Poulett Hall, Hinton St George, Somerset and wonders
who also remembers them?
1942
Sheila Hutchinson (Parkes, MGC) writes, ‘Having retired 25 years ago (!)
I still keep busy, belonging to and participating in the activities of many
local organisations and local church. I finally retired again a year ago
after giving travel lectures/presentations for the last 43 years but I still
fill in locally if a speaker drops out at the last minute. In April/May
2009 I went on my final (4th) SAGA Ruby Cruise – “Wonders of the
Eastern Mediterranean” – fascinating! I still visit young relatives and
hope to travel in the UK and near Europe by coach and air – still drive,
thankfully’.
Joy Richardson (Cooke, MGC) had not visited England for over ten
years but returned in May to attend her granddaughter's wedding and
stayed with her son near Market Harborough.
Ann Simon (Kendrew, MGC) is living near her daughter, Philippa
Holme (Simon, MGC).
1943
Lois Williams (Johnson, MGC) was saddened to hear of the death of
Paul Scofield this year – a great actor and a really ‘gentle man’. She was
at Stratford in the Company with him in 1946/7, at the start of his
career. She says ‘We all adored him! One of my grandsons, Oliver
Williams, is an actor and my 7 year old granddaughter, will surely
follow on – ‘Drama’ is her second name – or should be!’
1944
Margaret Freeman (Watson, St J’s) is not able to get to reunions, but
she sends her best wishes for Malvern St James.
1945
Shirley Greenwood (Fitton, MGC) would love to have news of Patricia
Chamberlain, who was her bridesmaid.
1946
Honor Collins (Doll, MGC) is currently living with her daughter and is
in the process of organising living in sheltered housing in Dorking. She
is in touch with Joan Coulter and would love to hear from any Old
Girls.
Elsie Tongue (Morgan Edwards, MGC) is a Member of the Hotel and
Catering Institute. She graduated with BA First Class (Exeter University)
in 1949, when University College was then part of London University.
She has spent 20 years working unpaid for the National Gardens
Scheme in Cumbria. In 2007 she moved south and has been busy
updating the house and making new contacts in the area.
1947
Jean Beasley (Latchford, MGC) tries to support our rural way of life:
conservation, village societies, PCCs, local agricultural show. She writes,
‘A visitor to one of our concerts remarked it was all like “Midsomer
Murders” and very enjoyable’.
Ann Bonne (Duncan, MGC) describes herself as ‘a golden oldie living
her life out in Spain, 26 years now. All my family are in Denmark and I
haven’t had connections with England for over 50 years’.
Phyllida Cockell (Nicol, St J’s) sent her best wishes to Malvern St James.
1948
Adriennne Davison (Dale, MGC) found as the result of a chance

emark at her Church Book Club that she had been a fellow member
with an ex-MGC girl, Joan Rudd-Jones (Newhouse), for several years!
Her younger sister, Heather, was her contemporary and they both
feature in the front row of the 1938 Hatley St George photograph as
the youngest two in the Junior School.
1949
Olga Evans (Griffiths, MGC) writes that ‘our over 60s’ lunch club
shares priority with Welsh readings in my grandparents’ parish church’.
She asks to be forgiven for not greeting any ‘old’ friends at Christmas,
Shirley Turner, Daphne Worraker (Wippell), Pat Laird (Broad), Ann
Stallard and Lizzie Morgan (Cook). ‘Osteoarthritis is a bit of a
nuisance, so I tackle weeds on my knees’, she says. Her view of the
Brecon Beacons is a constant joy. Mary Howells (MGC) is enjoying
retirement having spent most of her working life in Canada.
Daphne Worraker (Wippell, MGC) keeps in touch with Anne
Andrews, Olga Evans (Griffiths) and Helen Coultas (Marston).
1951
Rosemary Hoyes (Mason, MGC) retired and has had a very quiet year –
with a lot of wet weather gardening and a little wet-weather travelling!
Anne Muir (MGC) is still enjoying life in Bloxham!
1952
Monica Knowlton (St J’s) was in touch with the OGA hoping she might
contact some of her classmates when she returned to the U.K. from
America to see her daughter.
1953
Christine Page-Turner (Tetley) MGC) wrote ‘My sister Rachel
Thomson (MGC) died 28th June 2007, besides being a very successful
plantswoman, she taught the flute at Milbourne Lodge School in Surrey,
helping many of her pupils to get scholarships to their public schools.
My husband and I still manage our farm in Devon. The garden which is
quite modest opens under the umbrella of the NGS the last week-end
in May. I am in touch with Sue Bourne (Clarke) and Anne Laubscher
(Scott)’.*
1954
Helen Campbell (Jolly, MGC) is involved with weekly reading for the
RNIB, fundraising for NSPCC and the local hospital and local history
groups. She is still playing tennis and enjoys her grandchildren and rural
life.
Patricia Nicholson (Lewis, MGC) was very sad that Felicity Barnett
(Fizzy Willis, MGC 1955) died last summer. ‘She was a great character
and recently I have had several happy visits to her and her husband in
their delightful house near Auch in France. I am glad Fizzy had been to
stay with me last year. We had a busy week with two theatre visits
which she particularly enjoyed – also lovely walks and visits to the
antique shops in Hungerford.’ She wishes more people from her time
at MGC, particularly from Avenue, would send in their news or it
would be even better if they would come to Malvern reunions.
Mollie Walton (Donovan, MGC) moved house last year, only half a
mile away! She recovered by cruising the Greek Islands and the Black
Sea and had a wonderful time. In February 2009 she flew down to
Argentina to cruise the Antarctic peninsula and South Shetlands – ‘best
trip ever’.
1955
Angela Overy (Farley, MGC) author of ‘Sex in the Garden’ and a
speaker on flower pollination and pollinators, emailed that she would
be happy to receive the magazine ‘on line’. ‘Save the planet, try not to
use more paper and ink!’ she says.
1956
Deirdre Kinloch Anderson (Loryman, MGC) writes, ‘As Director of
News
Kinloch Anderson, our family clothing and textile company founded
over 140 years ago, I continue to be invigorated by the current
challenges and demands of the workplace. We have 7 grandchildren
and we took all of them and their parents to Disney World in Florida
last Easter; we had a fantastic time at the end of which we were all
totally exhausted!’*
Susan Rowe (St J’s) is a Goldsmith whose work featured in Vogue and
Queen, as well as an archaeologist and natural born Healer, Iridologist,
Master Reikii. With many other interests, she was in touch with the
OGA from America.
Patricia Wilkinson (Marsden, MGC) has enjoyed being the 1950s
representative on the OGA Committee. ‘We have a new grandson
George born August 2008 – we are lucky to have them living nearby so
see a lot of him and sister Harriet now 3. Very exciting news that
daughter Elisabeth (MGC 1993) is engaged to Simon Allison and hopes
to marry around next Easter – they are in Norfolk. Sarah (MGC 1986)
and I are off to India this autumn for a holiday’. On their return Sarah
sent in this super photo.*
1957
Innesmary Quigley (Reid, MGC) has 7 grandchildren! Having taught
for many years, she became a School Governor on retirement and got
the National College and Teachers Certificate in Governance last year.
She was involved with the amalgamation of 3 schools into the first rural
Academy, Midhurst Rother College – and now is a Governor at a school
for children with severe learning difficulties.
1958
Gillian Fuller-Shapcott (Osmond, MGC) says ‘Nothing different, just
getting older, so things take longer!’
Priscilla Ratcliffe (MGC) asked to be removed from being Area
Representative for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire ‘as I do not get
around as much as I did’. She has great memories of Iris Brooks,
Margaret Jackson and Miss Jackson. Her best friend is Ruth Leadbetter
(Webber) who worked at MGC as well as being a former pupil.
1959
Patricia Birchley (Banbury, MGC) explains that ‘Chiltern Ridges, my
County Council Division, comprises 14 hamlets and villages in the
Chilterns AONB such as Little Missenden, The Lee and Cholesburycum-St
Leonards. This necessitated 9 Polling stations and despite the
logistics I had the highest turnout in the Buckinghamshire elections of
50.4%. A majority of 1100 votes gave me a safe return for the next four
years’. Most recently she has chaired the Member challenge panel
examining next year's draft budget. One of the greatest strengths is the
quality of educational success at GCSE and A Level. She has been
elected by the Conservative Party as chairman of Bucks & Oxon
Executive Committee prior to the General Election May 2010.
13

14 News
Veronica Blackmore (Bashforth, MGC) is still kept very busy with the
local swimming club, teaching, refereeing at galas and helping with
administration. She has also been on the Devon ASA management
committee for several years and assists at galas throughout the south
west. She emailed, ‘To keep the ‘grey cells’ working I have been
studying Humanities and languages with the OU, some Italian and then
French, which I failed miserably while at school. We spend several
weeks every year at our apartment in Switzerland, and my son, and
now grandson, lives in Italy, so the languages are very useful.’
Diane Cook (Leeke, St J’s) attended St Godric's College, Hampstead,
for two years (1960-62), worked in London afterwards and then
returned to Wales in late 1962 to run the family business, Leekes, while
her father was ill, until he recovered. She returned to London for a year
before returning again to Wales. Since then she has worked in the
family business and continues to do so. She is a Company Director.
Anita Freter (Allen, MGC) is still enjoying the new life in Cape Town.
She continues to work as a Freelance Riding Instructor and also
manages to compete in Dressage and take part in the Cape Drag Hunt
despite a knee replacement op last summer. She writes, ‘The warm
weather certainly helps the old joints!’
1960
Suzanne Bailey Sheffer (Harris, MGC) keeps in touch with Helen
Wilson (Bass) and Wai Pin Beynon (Chan) and met up with Wai Pin
and her husband John for supper in the summer. She is still working as
a physiotherapist in private practice and has many other voluntary
commitments - scouts, care home and Rotary Club.
Deborah Cameron Moore (June Darley, MGC) was in Kenya in
February 2009 and on a visit from Hemingway's to the Sheldrick
Elephant Sanctuary at Ithumba, way up in the Tsavo Park, she met an
Abbey Old Girl, Tina Allen (Leamington, A 1972), who has a lovely
safari tented camp on the banks of the Galana River. She had a
wonderful visit to the adolescent elephants, feeding the youngest and
watching them have glorious mud baths! Well worth visiting.
Joan Roberts (MGC) sent good wishes and wrote, ‘When I was active I
came to all the meetings, but now I’m handicapped and house bound.
However I have had ‘phone calls from Tricia Wilkinson and June
Roundhill who said I should contact MSJ’. She wonders if any Old Girls
know the address of Janette Williams (Taylor) who was on the staff at
MGC for only 4 years so was not a member of OGA.
Isobel Williams (Simpson, MGC) was a Chest Physician in
Hertfordshire and is the author of book on Antarctic hero ‘With Scott in
the Antarctic, Edward Wilson, Explorer, Naturalist, Artist.’*
Margaret Wood (MGC) is enjoying retirement and is ‘still hunting,
despite the ban!’
1961
Catherine Jones (Boughton, MGC) is enjoying retirement with her
husband. ‘I have 5 granddaughters and one grandson, sadly none at
Malvern!’
Elizabeth Williams (Cox, MGC) is still enjoying being on the South
Worcestershire Bench as a magistrate and doing local church and
community work. She writes ‘This year my mother is 100 and we
expect to have a happy, rather muted celebration as she is still very
alert and as intelligent as when she read her Modern Languages degree
at Oxford in 1931’.
1962
Anna Bockris (St J’s) went to the University of Pennsylvania, then San
Francisco State and worked in education coordinating special
education services in Manila and Nairobi. She is teaching children in
Vancouver and San Francisco (where she lives currently) and emailed ‘It
would be great to hear from anyone who may remember me. Perhaps
some live in the U.S.’
Christabel Flight (Norbury, St J’s) joined Westminster Council in 2006
and represents Warwick Ward (Pimlico). She became Westminster’s
Older People’s champion and has organised large functions for them,
as well as editing Westminster’s magazine for older people and
arranging for senior citizens with freedom passes to have free admission
to Lords Cricket ground for various fixtures. In May 2009 she became
the Lead Member for the 2012 Olympics and writes ‘I really hope that
everyone will look back on 2012 as one of the best years ever!’
Maureen Jones (Evans, MGC) has retired and moved to a lovely
manageable house. She still helps in the family business and loves
looking after her 2 grandsons when needed. Her daughter lives close
by with her family and so does her son who has just got married. She
met the Mid Wales Old Girls with Ann Payne which was really nice
and still keeps in touch with a few of her year.
Jill Maris (Rumsey, MGC) now lives within easy travelling distance of
Malvern, having moved here from North Yorkshire three and a half
years ago. She recently visited the town for the first time for over 40
years. ‘I was surprised to see very little change at all!! The dining room
at the Mount Pleasant Hotel where I was always taken for a 'feed up'
had become a 'function room' and I had lunch in a bar which I don't
remember, but apart from that, the atmosphere of the town was just as
I remembered it. I hope to climb the hills again when/if my knees allow’.
Rosemary Wharton (Johnson, MGC) returned from South Africa to
celebrate her mother-in-law’s 91st birthday in Keswick. She regrets she
has not attended a Reunion since 1963, the past 43 years spent living
outside England! She reads about her old friends with much interest
and perhaps one day will have the freedom to be near Malvern at the
right time of year! She sent good
wishes to Malvern St James.
Julie Wilcher (Westmacott, MGC) is
kept busy with latest 2
grandchildren who live nearby. She
also spends time with her mother,
an active centenarian. Julie sent in
the stunning photos of her mother
Ann Westmacott (Gough).* Julie is
pictured at the Autumn Reunion
with her husband Christopher and
Veronica Blackmore.*
1963
Sandi Ward (St J’s) has her own business between Europe, South
Africa, the USA and China, manufacturing goods for multi-nationals
who do not have capacity in their factories. Her life has been very full
travelling the world and living in different parts of it too. ‘With a 17
year old daughter, I am kept very much on my toes and very much a
modern Mum!’ She keeps in touch with friends from her class and this
has been fun over the years.
1964
Nicola Baxter (Mason, MGC) emailed ‘We are having a reunion for our
year, very informal and just through word of mouth, the first weekend
in October. I have 3 friends coming to stay and no idea of how many
will be there, but hopefully about 20 so should be good fun. It is only
when meeting friends after so many years out of touch that we realise
what nice people they are rather than just schoolfriends’.
Linda Grimwade (Hassan, MGC) retired from teaching in October
2008, after 20 years in the Philadelphia School District. She now has
more time to spend with 3 grandchildren and enjoys classical music,

gardening, reading, tennis and travel. She is pictured with her husband
Sandy going for a paddle in a Dragon Boat on the Schuylkill River.*
Kate Lloyd (MGC) was in touch with the
OGA and sent in a photo taken recently
at the London College of Fashion on the
set where she was creating a page for
Vogue! She is now (after a lifelong career
in another field) a professional portrait
photographer.
www.katelloydphotography.com
Elizabeth Smales (Miller, MGC) sent her
thanks for the OGA magazine and said ‘if
'Old Girls happen to be on walkabout in
the South Pacific, I would be happy for
them to call in; I now live just outside
Hastings, with stunning views and a
‘granny flat’ for visitors’.
1965
Sue Stubenvoll (Stiff, MGC) is now semi-retired from business but still
farming, cycling and sailing.
1966
Marianne Herne (Walker, MGC) is now semi-retired but seems to be
working as hard as ever with her own training business, which she
thoroughly enjoys. Two gorgeous grandsons keep her busy, as well as
her feisty mother, now 92 years old and living in Sunninghill, Berkshire
and very close. She writes, ‘I have been keeping in touch with Jenny
Tolhurst in recent years and it has been great renewing our MGC
friendship’.
Ruth Lewis (Elsom, MGC) writes ‘We now have a German son-in-law,
so I am trying very hard to learn German, even though Stephen’s
natural language is Swabish! Another addition to the family arrived a
month after the family in the form of Simon William. Otherwise I
continue a minimal amount of teaching and playing the organ’.
Elizabeth Vaughan (Munn, MGC) has been working in the wine trade
for the last 23 years, is married and the mother of three (adult)
children.
1967
Ruth Bray (Lawrie, MGC) is still sitting on a Tribunal and as a
magistrate. She is busy at her local church, travelling often to bird
watch and many other activities.
Gina Lawrie (MGC) has finally moved out of London and refurbished a
new home in Farnham. She thoroughly enjoyed a hilarious reunion
with Di Walker (Widdup), Hilary Rayner (Humphreys), Oriole Cooper
and Shelagh Booth (Martin) and Susan Jensen (Thompson) who was
over from Australia.
1968
Sue Wheal (Ballard, MGC) was sorry not to be able to attend the
Summer Reunion but was sailing with her husband around the
Kimberley coastline, Northern Australia!! She said ‘Hi to all those that
remember me!! Maybe some of you will come for a visit to South
Australia’.
1970
Margaret Bruno (Donaldson, MGC) is still working as a Probation
officer in Lancaster.
Janet McClarty (Frazer, MGC) always enjoys reading through the
magazine. She is the South African representative and has lived in Cape
Town, South Africa, for 33 years. She is married to a South African and
they have three grown up children. She writes ‘I return to the UK often
as all my family live in England. My parents are still alive and live in the
Wirral, Cheshire’.
1971
Jane Bachner-King (Bachner, MGC) is
President of Colombian Orphans, Inc.
After adopting a Colombian teen in
2006, she was moved by the plight of
the orphans to set up this charity.
Rachel FitzRoy (Millett, MGC) is
farming, supplying organic, free-range
eggs to Waitrose. She sees quite a lot
of Audrey Frampton and Deirdre
Vere in the village.*
Anna McVittie (MGC) responded to Lucy Temple Seminario’s request in
last year’s newsletter to get in touch and emailed to say they had met
up in Lima. She also met one of Lucy’s daughters and a granddaughter.
Anna and a small international group of partners has built a lovely hotel
in Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras in the western Caribbean,
famous for its diving, and she is very involved in the running of it:
www.cocolobo.com When there, she visits Gillian Lewis in Costa Rica.
She saw Margaret MacFarlane in Montreal last year.
1972
News
Agnes Gregorian (Babayan, St J’s) from California had met Hilary
Cowan who was a MGC student during her time at St. James's. She has
fond and vivid memories of her years at St. James's and would love to
find out about the girls from her year. She emailed ‘Lovely school,
wonderful young ladies. If we had the internet culture as developed at
that time I bet we would be so much more in touch now. I graduated
from the University of Southern California in 1978, while studying
there trained and competed in Ballroom Latin dance and won many
national champion titles. I have 2 children who are both college
graduates. We live in the Silicon Valley’.
Philippa Ann Holme (Simon, MGC) writes ‘My parents Dick and Ann
Simon (Ann Kendrew, ex-head girl of MGC 1942) now live in our
converted stable block, and my time is spent as mother/wife/daughter
caring for family, pets and any visitors who are most welcome to come
and see us’.
Heather Woods (Hoare, MGC) writes ‘no real news except have got
divorced and moved house but still in Malvern and working in Home Care’.
1973
Sarah Hutchinson (MGC) is Head of Finance at BA Pension. She is in
touch with Karen Ramsay (Parry) and Judith March.
Alenka Lawrence Lavrenic (Lavrenic, MGC) lived and worked in
central London as a journalist and editor for the BBC World Service for
many years, then had a big life change - she married an American in
2004 and went to live in rural western New York. She took early
retirement from the BBC and has worked since then as a freelance
writer and adjunct professor teaching a course on British media at the
local university. She emailed ‘Old Girls in the Buffalo area are welcome
to get in touch - but don’t ask if I'm free for lunch in New York City -
we’re six hours’ drive away!’
1974
Marian Brebner (Atkinson, MGC) is still very busy and now Vice Chair
of Governors at our local primary school and goes in to help most
weeks. She also co-ordinates their Clergy Wives group. She writes, ‘My
mother Eileen Atkinson (Sales) also a MGC Old Girl is keeping well, if
slowing down!’
Penelope Jacques (MGC) was looking forward to the visit of Caroline
Rook (Chan) at the end of June. She emailed ‘Quite exciting as we
haven’t seen each other for about 20 years as she is living in LA now’.
1975
Jane Williams (Perrins, MGC) is no longer in Korea! She writes ‘Tim
has left the Navy and has a new job in Provence so we divide our time
between Aix and Dorchester’.
15

16 News
1976
Cathy Baty-Kamke (St J’s) works as a full time Federal Archaeologist in
the San Carlos District of Colorado. She also works with Native
American Tribes in Tribal liaison.
Margaret Sharland (Dutton, MGC) still undergoes six monthly reviews
for breast cancer. She now finds more time to enjoy London theatre,
gardens, museums and exhibitions.
1978
Philippa Thompson (Hadley, MGC) is enjoying life in Pembrokeshire
after four years in Seychelles as Deputy High Commissioner. She is on
unpaid leave from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, spending
more time with two young sons and allowing husband to further his
studies.
1979
Claudia Kennedy (MGC) currently lives and works in Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania. She emailed ‘Unfortunately I very rarely make it back for the
OGA weekend in May as I am a teacher (performing arts) and our
school year doesn’t finish until early June. Most of my family is based in
Vienna so I’m usually over there for the month of July, and I usually try
to get over to London for an intensive week of theatre-going at some
point during that time’.
1980
Jane Leonard (MGC) sent her apologies for not attending the Summer
Reunion as she was currently in New York. She wrote that ‘Some of the
Benhams ‘lot’ who all left in 1980 will be holding our own mini
reunion in Salisbury during August with Barbara Thompson (Bazarnik)
(over from Sydney with family), Alex Mansell (Jennings), Janet Wallis
and Suzanne Raghavan’.
Omozogie Ogbeide (Omos Straughn, St J’s & A) has spent most of her
working life in The Banking sector in Nigeria. She writes, ‘However, for
the last 10 years, I have lived in the UK as a result of my marriage.
While here, I worked briefly for Nationwide Building Society but I'm
now looking after my young family’. She would like to trace the former
Headteacher at The Abbey, Mr Pollard, or any of the other staff like
Reverend Cox who were at the Abbey in 1977.
1981
Victoria Blankstone (St J’s & A) trained as a nurse to start with at the
Middlesex Hospital. She is now a solicitor in medical law for Irwin
Mitchell solicitors, dealing with a lot of high profile medical cases
which have been in the press with a special interest in inquests. She is
married to a surgeon with 2 lovely step children and living on the
waterways in heart of city. She also enjoys horse riding and time away
on their narrow boat.
1982
Elizabeth Clark (St J’s & A) was the third generation of the family to
attend St James's. Her grandmother & her sisters (the Watkinsons) were
some of the early girls to attend St James’s almost if not in Miss Alice’s
day. She writes, ‘My Aunt and her cousins were the next generation to
attend St James's - then came me!’ After leaving St James’s, she went to
Foundation Art College in Farnham and then to Edinburgh Art College
to do a degree in Art and Design. She spent 20 years in the Advertising
industry and lived and worked in London, China, South Africa and
Central Europe before returning to London to work for O2. Then she
left London behind and set up her own Pottery painting business called
Pot Doodles and has a website where she sells her design work. She
lives in Yeovil with Andrew her partner and their dog Scribble. She
occasionally sees Joan Bridges (Mrs Bridges - the art teacher) who lives
nearby and regularly sees Sara Haskins (Haskey) as well as being in
touch with Rachel Matcham, Juliet Maynard and Sally Green (who
lives in South Africa).
Anne Caudwell (Foster, MGC) qualified as an accountant in the 1980s
and worked in the utilities industry in a number of roles - audit,
management accounting, financial and management. Recently she
moved into change programme management and has worked in a
number of sectors such as manufacturing, trading, IT, utilities. At the
moment she is integrating a company called SPI into npower. SPI
provide gas services to councils and housing associations, has a
turnover of £50m and runs a field force of 350 engineers. She is
married to Derek with two children Madeleine and Alex. She has two
stepsons - Robert and Edward, and one grandchild Isabelle (Robert's
child).
Ruth Rudwick (Foster, MGC) has worked in the IT industry for 25
years. She joined Axon (a very small UK based SAP consultancy) in
2000 and has worked in a variety of roles, becoming a director and
moving to Malaysia to run the Asia Pacific operations. She writes, ‘We
were then acquired by an Indian company called HCL. I am now head
of Global Delivery for HCL Axon, still based in Malaysia but running all
the delivery centres for the new organisation. I am responsible for the 3
delivery centres in India (Bangalore, Noida and Chennai), where I am
now spending a lot of my time, plus Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore
and Puerto Rico – over 2,500 people. We provide services to clients all
over the world including Cadburys, Xerox, BP, Transport for London. I
am married with 3 children – Tom (at university in the UK), Charlotte
(at boarding school taking A levels) and Chris who is with us in Malaysia’.
1984
Nicki Brocklesby (MGC) is a rural surveyor working for a Midlands
based firm of private practice chartered surveyors doing estate
management and professional work. In April 2009, she qualified to
shoot in the Great Britain Ladies Olympic Skeet team – currently
ranked no 3 in the country. She is in contact regularly with Jo Adams,
Georgina Brown, Elizabeth Morris, Louise Baltesz (Nickerson) and
Jane Case (Hughes).*
1985
Bridget Garlick (Paris, MGC) has been in touch to say ‘2010 will be
our 25 year anniversary of leaving MGC and a few of us are trying to
organise a reunion on May 7 in London’. Please get in touch with
Bridget via the OGA office.
Ann Lawrence (MGC) obtained her Registered General Nurse
qualification in 1990 and since then has been working predominantly
in the orthopaedic and trauma nursing speciality. She joined the Acute
Pain Management team at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) in
2000, having developed a particular interest in this speciality. In 2007
she completed a MSc in Pain Management at Leicester University. She
is now Clinical Nurse Specialist in Acute Pain Management, still at
NOC and writes ‘there are many different aspects to this role, which
include clinical, educational and managerial responsibilities’.
1986
Nicola Barker (Blackham, MGC) is still working as a playgroup assistant
and studying towards a Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and
Development. She writes, ‘both Lucy and Flora are really enjoying
school and I am enjoying supporting the school as a Governor’.

Amanda-Jane Corkhill (Hemming, MGC) is living in Cambridge,
teaching Spanish and enjoying Christopher aged 6, Simon aged 4 and
Philip aged 2.
Sarah Daniells (Caunce, MGC) writes ‘Enjoying maternity leave but
think work may be easier! Georgie Turner (Caunce) is also well and
still living in Suffolk. Would love to catch up with old MGC friends.
Does anyone live near Epsom?’
Ruth Partridge (Harris, MGC) met Juliet Fisher, Head of Drama at
Malvern St James, watching their sons play football and got back in
touch with the OGA. She emailed ‘a potted history of life since I left
school’: ‘after a year off, I went to Cambridge to study Natural
Sciences, and also did a PhD in Biochemistry there. I joined Unilever
and had a series of roles (Ice Cream Scientist was my best job title) until
I left in 2000. I now have 2 children - Ben, the footballer, born in
December 2000, Hannah, who is more inclined to ballet, born in
December 2002. I have mostly been at home with them over the last
few years, following my husband's work to the USA, Bedfordshire,
Oxfordshire and now to Cheltenham. I'm currently doing my PGCE in
Primary teaching at the University of Worcester’.
Sarah Wilkinson (MGC) is still living in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire and
working in Rotherham helping businesses in the local area. She is still in
touch with Claire Roberts (Bishop), Sophie Thomas (Orchard), Jo
Nicholson, Jo Hoskins (Macdonald) (who lives in Australia) and Julia
Hodgkins. Jo Hoskins came over in September and they had a lovely
weekend with Jo Nicholson.
1987
Millie English (Wong, MGC) contacted the OGA. She studied at the
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of
London and has worked for Coopers and Lybrand in London from
1990 to 1994, then for Price Waterhouse, 1994-1996 and abroad for
Pepsi Cola International in Hong Kong 1997-2000 and Singapore
Power, Singapore 2001-2005. She now lives in the United Arab
Emirates.
Rebecca Lawrence-Bristol (Lawrence-Smith, MGC) wrote ‘I am
frantically busy as a conference organiser staging international medical
events in Europe and the USA, still loving every minute of it, even after
15 years of pressure and deadlines! My days as Deputy Head Girl at
MGC, setting out chairs in the York Hall set me in good stead!’
1989
Lisa Ballinger (Rippington, MGC) is married with 2 boys aged 5 and 7.
She is Director of Sales and Marketing at the Sidney Pier Hotel 7 Spa
on Vancouver Island.
1990
Elizabeth Gowing (MGC) was in touch
with the OGA and emailed ‘I feel I was
launched by the school into a very exciting
life where I was able to draw on the skills
and experiences learned at Malvern in a
range of exciting contexts. Most recently, I
lived in Kosovo for 3 years, where I have
set up a charity to develop cultural,
environmental and education projects to
support this beautiful but conflict-scarred
country. I now speak Albanian and work
part-time as a translator (I have often
thought about the grounding in languages I
got from the excellent MGC Classics
department) as well as being a writer. I have a regular column on the
www.newkosovareport.com newspaper, and have written 'The Land of
Blood and Honey' about my experience of becoming a beekeeper
while I lived in Kosovo. I am now working on a book about the
Edwardian lady traveller to the Balkans, Edith Durham and have
recently spoken at the Royal Geographic Society.*
Joanna Mackeson (Chappell, MGC) was married in Zimbabwe. She
keeps in touch with Louisa Davis, Fi Chick and Charlie Raeburn-
News
Ward. She hopes to do some more part-time book keeping from home
and is setting up a Mum and Toddler group at her local church.
1991
Olivia Alderson (Millington, MGC) writes ‘My 3rd baby boy was born
on 11th April 2009, William John Archie Alderson, a brother to Harry
and George. We are having a small MGC get together at the start of
December which we try and do annually, those going are Virginia
Walker (Bowen), Chitra Humphries (Thambyrajah), Laura Fulton,
Charlotte Prosser (Picken), Jo Leahy (Moulds) and Fiona Noble. Jo
had her first baby, Peter, in the Summer. I am also going to Fiona’s
wedding in February which I am looking forward to!’
Jenny Justice (Pain, MGC) emailed ‘I had my little girl Holly on 12/8/09
and moved on 17th, madness!!!
1992
Kate Blackwell (Meredith Jones, MGC) is living in Pembrokeshire, near
Tenby and now has 3 daughters – Daisy, Mila and Sukie. She is still in
contact with lots of MGC girls and would love to see anyone if they’re
ever visiting South West Wales.
Lindsey Latimer (Sheffield, MGC) contacted the OGA. She worked as a
co-ordinator for an advocacy charity before having her two daughters,
but is currently enjoying being at home with them while they’re little.
Natasha Phillips-Holt (Whitaker, St J’s & A) spent 13 years at Dun &
Bradstreet, and moved to Cisco Systems at the beginning of 2009.
Lydia White (St J’s & A) has been working as a project worker for some
time now, supporting young homeless adults.
1993
Charlotte Harris (Taylor, MGC) got married last November to Matthew
Harris. She is still living in Fulham and running a boutique legal search
firm O’Gorman Taylor.
Fiona Toms (Thomas, MGC) qualified as a Solicitor in October 2001,
and was made a Partner of the firm in April 2006. She is still in contact
with Jo Gadney (Pain) and Emma Reed-Daunter (Whateley).
Johannah Wegerdt (St J’s & A) is an Aid worker in Central Asia, Africa
and South East Asia. She is currently taking a break to have a baby in
India.
Elisabeth Wilknson (MGC) is currently teaching in Dereham, Norfolk.
She went to Sara Finn Kelcey’s (Hales) wedding and keeps in touch
with Sally Hall (Mindelsohn) who is living in Switzerland, Tessa
Chester (Davies), Katie Fox (Thomas), Virginia Temple (Walls),
Victoria Pennell, Penny Kaye and Caroline Burlison (Bruce Brown).
1994
Jennifer Bailey (MGC and St J’s & A) has moved back to Cheltenham
after a couple of very fun years in London, and recently took on the
role of Registrar at Malvern St James, and is enjoying the challenges of
School life (from a whole new angle!). She keeps in touch with a very
wide circle of Old Girls.
Jenny Glyn (Jowit, MGC) was married in 2003 to Aneirin and lived in
Oxford, teaching at the Dragon. They moved to North London in 2005
and now have Harry (3), Freddy (2) and Isabelle (1). She emailed ‘We
have just moved to East London for my husband to take up his first
Curacy at St Helen's, Bishopsgate and are living in Mile End’.
Chloe Heaton (Ellerton, MGC) worked in the City of London for almost
10 years. She married Justin Heaton, brother of Tess McLaughlin
(Heaton), who left MGC in 1992. They have now settled in Yorkshire
and are in touch with Gayle Watson (Stafford), Vanessa Langton
(Green), Alex Lockett (Cowie), Victoria Walters (Webb) and Katherine
Watkins - Katherine and Tessa were her bridesmaids!
Anna Lermon (St J’s & A) looks forward to completing the fourth and
hopefully final year of a PhD.
Irene Monyo (St J’s & A) did a BSc in Pathology & Microbiology,
17

18 News
converted to Law and qualified as a lawyer at City firm Addleshaw
Godard in 2002. As a Corporate Lawyer, she worked between 2002-
2008 in London, Brussels and Nairobi. She joined French law firm Gide
Loyrette Nouel in 2008 as Oil and Gas lawyer, worked in Paris and is
currently in the London office.
Fiona Norris (Cooke, MGC) is thoroughly enjoying taking a break from
marketing and being at home with Harry, 3 and Kate, 1. She emailed
‘We’re moving to Ireland with my husband’s job, he’s going to be
managing a residential outdoor pursuits centre on behalf of Scripture
Union. We’ll be living on site and are looking forward to the
adventure! I would love to know if there are any other old MGC girls in
the area’.
Katy Wade (Maclean, St J’s & A) was a lettings manager for Wetherell
Estate Agents in Mayfair from 2001 to 2005. She then became a
Recruitment Consultant for Macdonald & Co which recruits property
professionals, her area of expertise was recruiting chartered surveyors.
She writes, ‘I worked there from September 2005 to December 2008
and then moved to Wales to live with my husband who is a Captain in
the Parachute Regiment. On moving here I discovered I was pregnant
and gave birth to a baby boy named Hector on September 9th 2009 so
am currently busy with him!’
Kate Windley (Foottit, MGC) qualified as a pharmacist and is currently
enjoying being on maternity leave.
1995
Charlotte Ayres (Strong, MGC) works as Investor Relations executive at
JP Morgan Cazenove and regularly sees Beatrix Neillie (Thomas).
Frances Dunn (MGC) is a vet and currently working in Bristol. She
keeps in touch with Lucy Morgan (Pritchard) who is in London and
Catherine Willshaw (Roberts) who is now living in Singapore.
Bridget Whately (Perkins, St J’s & A) works for Coty Manufacturing UK.
1996
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo (Ihyembe, MGC) married in 2004, has a 2
month old daughter and is the Head of Transaction Banking, Standard
Chartered Bank Nigeria. Her husband Nnamdi Nwankwo is Regional
Manager of Public Sector Group Access Bank Plc.
Emily Jauncey (Hunter, St J’s & A) is Office Manager at Criminal Law
Defence Solicitors, Worcester.
1997
Georgia Burford (St J’s & A) took a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences at
Exeter University, followed by a PGCE in General Primary Specialist
Science. She then taught for three years in an Inner City London
primary school. After completing a TEFL qualification, and an MA in
Education, Gender and International Development, Georgia moved to
Malawi to work for the Ministry of Education as a Continuing
Professional Development Facilitator in the Shire Highlands Division
through VSO. After Malawi, she has worked with Plan International in
the School Linking Programme and done consultancy for DfID on
Inclusive Education. Since August 2009 Georgia has been the
Education Advocacy Adviser at the Education For All Campaign
Network, The Gambia.
Lisa Clark (Hall, St J’s & A) obtained her Masters degree in Physics with
Nuclear Astrophysics in Surrey, and then went on to obtain a PhD in
Theoretical Physics at Newcastle University. She emailed, ‘Since I have
a passion for cosmology, I spent three fantastic years as a postdoctoral
research fellow at Sheffield University’. Last year, she left academia to
set up her own company, called Excelscient, which tackles the skills
shortage in Maths and Physics.
Kate James (St J’s & A) was Press Assistant to the jeweller Catherine
Prevost from 2002-2004, she was then Personal Secretary to HRH
Prince Michael of Kent from 2004-2006 and is now Personal Assistant
to Anya Hindmarch.
Amy Knowles (St J’s & A) is a French Teacher at Eaton House in
London.
Ainhoa Lopez Lopez (St J’s & A) is working in the tourist industry.
Fiona Prew (St J’s & A) took a MSc from Bristol University and has been
a Workplace Health Specialist since 2004 and is a Founding Director of
Healthy Edge Ltd - Corporate Health and Wellbeing Consultancy and
Weight Management Service launched in autumn 2009.
Gillian Staehelin (McIlwaine, St J’s & A) worked for Reisefachschule
(Travel Agency School), Switzerland from 2005 and since June 2008
she has been secretary to the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in
Switzerland. She will be on maternity leave from March 2010 for a few
months.
1998
Katie Radcliffe (Owen, MGC) is enjoying married life and teaching in
Hove.
Miranda Stromer von Reichenbach (St J’s & A) is a teacher and artist.
1999
Helen Slaney (MGC) is currently working at the International Union of
Railways (UIC) in Paris since September 2008. She took BA Single
Honours French at University of Bristol (2000- 2004) followed by MA
Interpreting and Translating at University of Bath (2004-5). She has
been living in Paris since September 2005.
2000
Imogen Krupski (MGC) has a BA 2:1 from Durham University in
Economics. She is a professionally trained chef and has recently started
up own catering and cookery teaching business based in London
www.capitalcooking.co.uk.
2001
Catherine Jane Bungay (MGC) is a solicitor in the Netherlands.
Rachel Hui (MGC) met up with Emily Borrowdale and Sarah
Passmore when they were travelling in the Far East.
Wandoo Ihyembe-Hassan (Ihyembe, MGC) married in 2009 and
works in Ocean and Oil Holdings (Energy Investment Vehicle) in
Nigeria. Her husband Gbenga Hassan is a Senior Vice President of
Àrgentil Capital Partners Limited (Premier Energy and Infrastructure
Advisory Firm in Nigeria).
Vanessa Lovatt (MGC) was in touch with the OGA to send her best
wishes on to Mrs Pallett on her retirement.
Jennifer Newcomb (Scott, MGC) has qualified as a barrister and
married fellow barrister Quinton Newcomb on the day of the Summer
Reunion. Jenny emailed that this was the very good reason she couldn’t
attend! She wrote ‘Familiar faces at the wedding will include Clare
O'Brien, Emily Booty, Katy McGuinness, Roshani Pulle and Queenie
Lo. They are all happy and healthy (Clare works in a hotel, Emily is
training to be a personal trainer, Katy is an environmental consultant,
Roach is a barrister and Queenie is a doctor in Eastbourne) and we
manage to meet up a fair amount. Katy lives just round the corner from
me in London!’
2002
Demvihin Ihyembe (MGC) graduated in 2006 from UCL in Biomedical
Sciences, followed by 2 Year Medical School in St Georges University
Grenada and she is currently doing her clinical studies in America.
2003
Harriet Hackston (Colenso, MGC) graduated from the University of
Winchester in 2007 with a BA in Primary Education. She married
David Hackston in December 2007 and they are now living in
Basingstoke and their first baby was born in May.
Victoria Djioeva (MGC) has a MBA in Hotel and Tourism Management
and is now living in London, married and with a four months old
puppy. She emailed ‘I recently took my husband to Russia for the first
time and it was great!’

Sharen Lau (MGC) returned to Hong Kong after graduation to do the
legal practice course in 2003, after which she joined law firm Kennedys
as a trainee solicitor. She has only just completed two years training
and now has qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong. She recently joined
local firm Deacons as a solicitor to continue her career in law. She
keeps in touch with girls in her year who have returned to work in
Hong Kong after graduation, including Gabby Chan, Lecky Lau and
Valerie Chu.
2004
Ruth Bennion (MGC) took a GAP year before starting at the University
of Wolverhampton in 2005 and graduated in 2008 with a degree in
War Studies (BA Hons). She writes, ‘I then went on to fulfil my dream
career by being accepted by the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in
September 2008. I am due to get a commission in April 2010 due to 8
months in rehabilitation, with a bad knee’.
Ottoline Scriven (MGC) is taking a Masters degree in International
Development at Tsinghua University in Beijing. She is learning
Mandarin and also teaching English to Chinese students, as well as
gaining valuable experience in writing and editing, as the Chief Editor
of a newsletter for her department.
2005
Emily Borrowdale (MGC) and Sarah Passmore (MGC) travelled
through China and South East Asia together. Sarah also visited Central
America and Africa, totting up a total of thirteen months travelling!
They keep in close contact with Jessica Wood, Theodora Lees and
Lucy Scott and try to catch up when they can. Emily emailed ‘As for
me, I'm three months into the GDL at the Guildford College of Law
having had a rather relaxing gap year! It's certainly a change in pace!’
Charlotte Colenso (MGC) graduated with a degree in biochemistry last
summer and is continuing at Bristol University for the next 4 years,
studying towards a PhD.
Primrose Milvain (St J’s) is the in-house Training Co-ordinator at the
Directory of Social Change. She organises bespoke training courses for
organisations and charities.
Hannah Mitchell (MGC) is living in London whilst she completes her
legal studies.
2006
Kim Harris (MGC) has an internship with NEED (Network for
Entrepreneurship and Economic Development) in Northern India. After
leaving Malvern, she attended the University of Leeds to do a three
year course of International Development with Economics and also
spent time studying abroad at the University of Ghana, West Africa.*
Emma Hobday (St J’s) is currently studying for a BA Hons. degree in
History and Drama at the University of Kent, Canterbury.
Eleanor Robbins (MGC) graduated in June in Human Biology and is
currently on a year out earning work experience and with plans to
travel.
2007
Chloe Osterloff (MSJ) is in her 2nd Year at University College
Birmingham studying Sports Therapy. She emailed ‘The best bit of news
is that for the 2012 London Olympics, Team USA are using
Birmingham as their training ground prior to the start of the Games and
as the only Sports Therapists in Birmingham, we have been asked to
provide treatment and health care for the team for the duration of the
games! Hopefully I'll get a place on the Therapist team and will get to
meet some of the best athletes in the world! We have signed up to the
volunteer list for the Games, so may yet end up working in London
during the Games!’
2008
Ailsa Pringle (MSJ) is in her second
term at St. George's University,
Grenada, West Indies, Caribbean
doing Veterinary Medicine, and
having a great time here. She
emailed ‘The study atmosphere is
fantastic, and although my course is
pretty challenging, there are many
things for me to do to relax and
escape from it all - a good example is
the BEACH which is only 5 minutes
down the road. I have made many
great new friends and would
recommend this university to anyone
wishing to study in the sun!’
News
welcome
The following sent in Contact Forms
with news
Nerys Bayley (Jones, MGC) is a former lawyer, property developer
and a yoga enthusiast.
Zena Fox (St J’s & A) studied at Northampton University and is
now a Midwifery Sister.
Sarah Gulak (St J’s & A) took a Degree in Marine Biology, followed
by a PGCE in Secondary Science. She taught for a year at Holland
Park School in West London, then for 3 Years at Abberley Hall
Prep School in Worcestershire. She is now in her first year
teaching Biology at Harrow International School Bangkok.
Paula Gustavsson (St J’s & A) studied at Gothenburg University
and has worked for Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals since 1996.
Diana Hackett (St J’s & A) is currently working as Press Officer at
New Theatre, Oxford.
Camilla Hung (St J’s & A) studied Japanese and Korean at
Sheffield University and is now a full time housewife. She was
delighted to meet Mrs Hayes who taught her Economics when she
visited Hong Kong in the autumn half term.
Maria Stevenson (St J’s & A) is a children’s nursery nurse at
Worcester Hospital.
We welcome warmly all leavers from 2009 and hope that they will
send in their news.
We are also delighted that Fiona Homes (Ballard, MGC 1979) has
joined the OGA and that Vicky Collett, Juliet Fisher, Rosemary
Hopkins, Liz Prophet and Lynne Poynton have become Honorary
Members.
19

20 Reunions
The Summer Reunion and AGM*
A very successful reunion was held at Malvern St James with 50
Old Girls and former members of staff attending, enjoying each
other's company and a delicious lunch. The Old Girls had an
opportunity to visit the new Sports Centre, officially opened last
autumn by Sally Gunnell, OBE.
Mrs Patricia Birchley, the Chairman of the Old Girls' Association for
the last four years, was thanked warmly by Mrs Penny Smith (Vice-
Chairman of the OGA and a current member of staff) for her
devotion to the society lasting over many years. Mrs Birchley was
also the Old Girl Representative on the Council. Miss Hannah
Plant was unanimously elected her successor as Chairman of the
Old Girls' Association. The Headmistress Mrs Ros Hayes brought
the Old Girls up to date with current developments and successes
at the School then Elisabeth Rambridge took them on a walk down
Memory Lane with a presentation celebrating the pioneering work
of the ladies who founded the Schools in the 1890s.
*The Minutes of the AGM are on the website.
The Autumn Reunion*
Forty Old Girls met for lunch at Worcester College, Oxford and were
joined by Mrs Sarah Musgrave, the Deputy Headmistress and Alice
Porter, the Head Girl who brought news of MSJ. The Committee
members were delighted to congratulate Hannah Plant, on her
engagement. It was very impressive that four members of the Malvern
St James Council attended the Reunion: Old Girls, Anne Borrowdale,
the Chairman, Charlotte Morrison and Libby Anson and Patron,
Elizabeth Mullenger. The Reunion was at the end of an extremely busy
week at School that included a Boarding Inspection. The OGA very
much values their support.
After an excellent lunch, Hannah told us about the history of Worcester
College, originally founded as Gloucester College in 1283 and then she
said ‘Now onto what has brought us all here today, we were all
educated at fine establishments in Malvern, which have all come
together to be represented by the Malvern St James Old Girls’
Association’. Hannah welcomed Mrs Musgrave who described the
excellent results last summer and the many extra curricular activities
that take place. She too stressed how much the girls had enjoyed
hearing Phyllida Lloyd speak at Prizegiving. Mrs Musgrave was
delighted that Hannah invited her to become an Honorary Vice-
President of the Old Girls' Association.
Alice was warmly applauded when she concluded 'I look forward to
the future of the OGA, and I know I will want to be a part of a
programme that allows everyone's yesterday to be part of today,
making tomorrow a much greater future.'
The following attended the Autumn Reunion:
Joanna Aitken (Napier, St J’s & A 1980), Libby Anson (Maude, St J’s
1957), Jenny Arrowsmith (Orwin, MGC 1971), Sarah Austin (Skinner,
MGC 1987), Cate Bennett (Lockwood, St J’s & A 1994), Veronica
Blackmore (Bashforth, MGC 1959), Anne Borrowdale (Lea, MGC 1970),
Helen Burns (St J’s & A 1997), Lynnsay Dulley (Flavell, St J’s & A 1980),
Julia Hodgkins (MGC 1986), Diana Lewis (Matthews, MGC 1975),
Elizabeth Lule-Shillingford (Lule, St J’s & A 1980), Takako McLoughlin
(Edayoshi, St J’s & A 1994), Rachel Mifsud (Moore, MGC 1974),
Katharine Morgan (Moore, MGC 1970), Charlotte Morrison (Page, MGC
1973), Anne Muir MGC 1952), Rosemary Nye (Painter, MGC 1974), Jill
Oldham (Cornes, MGC 1972), Hannah Plant (St J’s & A 1997), Harriet
Pope (St J’s & A 1980), Helen Pugh (MGC 1974), Philippa Quesnel (Le
Neve Foster, St J’s & A 1980), Sarah Renwick (Haggas, St J’s & A 1980),
Fiona Sedgley (MSJ 2009), Penny Smith (Reay, St J’s & A 1980), Sarah
Stoddart (Hartley, MGC 1987), Nina Waddell (Ince, MGC 1976), Jane
Walker (Ashwell, St J’s & A 1980), Rowena Westacott (Evans, St J’s & A
1980), Julie Wilcher (Westmacott, MGC 1962), Tricia Wilkinson
(Marsden, MGC 1956), Margaret Wood (MGC 1960), Elizabeth
Mullenger (Patron, Headmistress of St James's and The Abbey, 1986 –
1997), Sarah Musgrave, Elisabeth Rambridge, Alice Porter and Guests
attending, Christopher Wilcher and Nicholas Waddell.
Three MSJ Head Girls – Alice Porter, Fiona Sedgley (2009) and Francesca
Clixby (2007, joint Head Girl with Jenny Haighton).
Norfolk Branch Reunion*
Once again it was a very happy (and noisy) gathering. Tishy
(Mackenzie, MGC 1964) and Chris Bayne, Anne Charlton (Burton,
MGC 1958), Pamela (Harrison, MGC 1950) and Roger Flewitt,
Marianne (Newman, MGC 1951) and Alan Fry, Jill (Smart, MGC
1959) and Roger Hargreaves, Marion Gaymner (1941), Anne (Scott,
MGC 1954) and Louw Laubscher, Susan (Boston, MGC 1952) and
William Riddington, Charlotte (Crossley, MGC 1964) and John
Ridler, Elisabeth Rambridge, OGA Secretary, Patricia (Marsden,
MGC 1956) and John Wilkinson and Jen Murray (Carter, MGC
1947) attended.
Unfortunately health problems prevented the contingent from
Lincolnshire, as well as Angela (Smith, MGC 1951) and Paul
Raywood and Sue Key-Burr (Fyte, MGC 1954) from joining us –
they are very regular attendees and give me an enormous amount
of help. We were also saddened by the news that Jean Brewer
(Fawkner) and Diana Vinnicombe (Swan) had died. Our annual
lunches mean we all know each other so well and it is a great
sadness when members are no longer able to join us. However, on
the plus side it was great to have Elisabeth Rambridge with us and
to have her report on events at Malvern St James – and we were
all delighted to know that Tricia Wilkinson is now the Honorary
Social Secretary and she would love to hear from you!
As ever we had a delicious lunch and we all sat and chatted for
hours! Sue Key-Burr had suggested we might have a
Suffolk/Norfolk ‘get together’ lunch. This was greeted with total
silence – so I asked them to say something! The response was that
they might attend a joint lunch – but they wanted our annual
lunch to continue as they enjoyed meeting at the Anchor!
So we plan to hold this year’s lunch at The Anchor in June. Angela
and I will confirm the date and select the menu. Husbands seem
to enjoy the lunch too. I am happy to say one Old Girl from St
James’s has already contacted me – you would all be most
welcome! You can be sure of a happy and enjoyable gathering –
do join us.
Please ring me (01263 740404) for details. Jen Murray

Northern Region
Drs Margie (Rippon, MGC 1957) and Robert Hall retired from York to
Castle Bolton, a delightful hamlet in Wensleydale and they invited our
group to their home in May 2009. It was a lovely journey but quite a
long one for most of us so only 8 of us gathered. We very much
enjoyed the chat and lunch.
This year we are planning to meet at the The Angel Hotel, Corbridge
for lunch on Saturday 22 May 2010. Please do come as these are
always friendly, informal gatherings.
For further details please contact:
Jill Gladstone (Vernon, MGC 1958), Larkspur Cottage, Lanchester,
Durham, DH7 0LF Tel: 01207 528 114
Email Jill_Gladstone@CompuServe.com and please let her know by 14
May.
2009 Reunion of Old Girls born 1940ish
We were welcomed on 10 October by Gail Hewlett (Stratton,
MGC) to her home in Harrow Weald. There were 11 of us and we
greatly enjoyed an exchange of reminiscences and news as always,
and Gail gave us a delicious lunch. Our conversation focussed on
planning our Big Reunion next autumn when (almost) all of us will
be 70. It seems amazing – but it’s true – we have been friends for
60 years, so our next gathering will be a celebration of this. We will
also remember friends who are no longer
here to celebrate with us.
BIG REUNION in 2010
We have booked a private suite of rooms at the RAF Club in
Piccadilly from 12noon to 4:00pm (with lunch at 1:00) on
Saturday 9th October 2010. Do please try to come and remind
your friends. There are 60 places and the cost will be
approximately £40.
If you are interested in coming please contact Jill Gladstone for
further details. She will need a commitment from you as soon as
possible.
Jill Gladstone, Larkspur Cottage, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0LF
Tel: 01207 528 114
Email Jill_Gladstone@CompuServe.com .
Reunions
Edinburgh Reunion*
In October 2009 19 Old Girls (pictured below) who left between
1964 and 1966 met up on a windy Scottish weekend in Edinburgh
at a splendid reunion organized by Liz East (MGC 1964) and
Stephanie Ingham (MGC 1965). Quite a few travelled from all
over the country to join the many Scottish girls who had suggested
this event.
On the first night, Liz East had organised a lovely dinner in a
private house which was much enjoyed by everyone, and there
was never a silence in the room as much catching up took place
since our last meeting 3 years ago in the Midlands. Liz had also
organised a visit to the new Scottish Parliament building which was
most interesting, followed by lunch at the Ocean Terminal (after a
very winding bus tour around Edinburgh), where many girls visited
Britannia which was a real time warp back to the fifties. Finally, we
had a big dinner at the hotel Saturday night which everyone
attended and then all went our separate ways the next day, hoarse
and exhausted!
If anyone from that era is interested in joining us the next time a
reunion is organised, please send your email address to Steph
Ingham at stephanie@asbci.co.uk
2008 Surrey Reunion
In May 2008 we organised a visit to the New Victoria Theatre, Woking
to see ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. We enjoyed
an excellent supper before the show and we all felt the whole evening
had been a great success. Those who came were: Pat Brittain
(Hopewell, MGC 1954), Louise Cartledge (MGC 1984), Catherine Colby
(Timberlake, MGC 1989), Hilary Cowan (Slade, MGC 1972), Marianne
Herne (Walker, MGC 1965) and her mother, Val Walker, Tricia Lea
(Beresford, MGC 1959), Katrina Pearmain (Smart, MGC 1969), Roz Reid
(Sims, MGC 1951), Audrey Sutcliffe (MGC 1945), Mary Young (Herbert,
MGC 1942) and it was lovely to welcome so many guests.
After a number of years organising the Surrey Branch, I felt it was time
to hand over to someone younger and we are delighted that Helen
Vose (MGC 1987) agreed to take it over. She will bring fresh ideas and
we also hope to encourage the more recent leavers to join in. My
personal thanks go to our group of 6 who met 2 or 3 times a year at
Wisley to mull over and plan our annual activities, and have always
been a tremendous help - the only one missing at Woking was Jane
Hudson (Dalling, MGC 1955). We met Helen for lunch early in 2009
and told her we will all give her lots of support.
Patricia Brittain
21

22 Reunions
OGA Golfing Group
The 2009 Tassie was held on June 25 at St George's Hill Golf Club.
Having come 5th out of 37 schools in 2008, the year 2009 held a
different story, and we came nearer to 5th from bottom. Typical golf! It
was disappointing for the team of Liz Elliott (Davies, MGC), Alison
Evans (White, MGC), Lynne Saunders (MacEwan, MGC), and Jane
Sweeting (Perry, MGC), but meeting friends from other schools and in
the surroundings of St. George's Hill is always a delight. Thank you,
Elisabeth Rambridge for your encouraging phone call before the event.
The cost of the Tassie day continues to rise and therefore the Tassie
Committee has decided to move the event to The Berkshire, Surrey, for
the foreseeable future. It will stay as a foursomes competition played
over twenty-seven holes.
Our annual old school get-together, which was scheduled for The
Worcestershire, unfortunately had to be moved to another course. On
October 13 twelve Old Girls (of varying ages and abilities) had the most
wonderful day with clear blue skies at Chipping Norton Golf Club,
Oxfordshire. It was an extremely relaxed and happy occasion and
afterwards it was unanimously agreed that we should return to
Chipping Norton in 2010 on Tuesday 12 October. We hope that more
golfers will come. Please do not worry if you need accommodation for
the night as various local golfers have kindly offered to have people to
AREA REPRESENTATIVES
UK Representatives
Jill Muir (Thomson, MGC 1965), Area Representative for Scotland,
SE and Edinburgh and Nicola Baxter (Mason, MGC 1964) met
Elisabeth for coffee in the Overseas League on Princes Street and
had a great chat.
Lynnsay Dulley (Flavell, St J’s & A 1980) has kindly offered to be Area
Representative for Somerset.
We would like to thank:
Patricia Brittain (Hopewell, MGC 1954) who has been the Surrey
representative since 1992 and Helen Vose (MGC 1987), also a
former member of staff, for taking her place.
Priscilla Ratcliffe (MGC 1958) who has been the Nottinghamshire
and Derbyshire for many years and now feels she must resign.
Overseas Representatives
It has been lovely to have news from
Sue Wheal (Ballard, MGC 1968) Australia/Queensland
Lisa Ballinger (Rippington, MGC 1988) Canada/BC
Janet McClarty (Frazer, MGC 1970) South Africa
We would like to thank the following who can no longer represent
their area:
Gail Pearce (Smart, MGC 1964) Canada/Ontario
Jane Williams (Perrins, MGC 1975) South Korea
Sheila Hines (Auckland, MGC 1947) USA/Washington DC
stay. A thank you to Jane Sweeting who last year kindly gave some of us
dinner and a bed for the night.
My contact number for golfing events is: Lynne Saunders 01233
633916 or bybrookhouse@aol.com
Lawnside Old Girls visit
Malvern St James*
The Headmistress Mrs Ros Hayes warmly welcomed a group of
Old Girls of Lawnside after their own Reunion in nearby Christ
Church Hall in June. She spoke about the many shared
experiences of girls educated in Malvern. The Old Girls had tea in
the ‘Lawnside’ Room and were shown round Malvern St James.
Miss Duseline Stewart, Headmistress of Lawnside from 1971 to
1990 was at the reunion which was organised by Sue Adeney
(Honorary Member), who was Deputy Headmistress at Lawnside
and is a current parent and Member of Council at Malvern St
James. A time capsule from Lawnside that included an old boater
was fondly examined by the Old Girls.
We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the many Old Girls who have kindly agreed to be Area Representatives and an especial
thank you to those who have organised reunions. The full list is available in the Old Girls’ section of the School Website or a
hard copy can be obtained from Elisabeth if you are moving to a new area.
Patricia Wilkinson has very kindly agreed to be a point of contact with the Area Representatives, 01422 372594 or email
pootw@btinternet.com
Vacancies in the UK Vacancies Overseas
Derbyshire Bermuda
Lancashire Canada/Ontario
Leicestershire Germany
Lincolnshire Portugal
Nottinghamshire South Korea
East Sussex USA/Washington DC
Wales – Gwent
Wales - North
Northern Ireland.
We would welcome more representatives for London
If you feel you can be the Representative for any of these areas it
would be super to hear from you.

From the Archivist
I am very grateful for the interest shown in the Archives and the following
donations.
Two of our Honorary Vice-Presidents have
made donations. Libby Anson (Maude, St J’s
1957) gave her own silver Prefect’s badge
engraved ‘Vi et Virtute’ and a St James’s Old
Girls’ Association brooch which is reputed to
have belonged to Miss Alice Baird, the
founder of St James’s. Anne Borrowdale (Lea,
MGC 1970) gave a copy of the Malvern
Gazette from the 75th Anniversary of MGC, a
Exhibitions
● ‘Two Royal Sisters-in-Law’ celebrated the
long lives of HRH Princess Alice, an Old
Girl of St James’s and HRH the Queen
Mother who opened the York Hall in 1934
when she was Duchess of York.
● To mark the 90th anniversary since the
Imperial Hotel was bought in 1919, two
exhibitions were mounted: Part 1, The
Hotel and Part 2, The School.
● To mark the visit of crew members from
HMS Triumph, I wrote a paper ‘Miss Alice
Baird and the British Confidence’ which
was the ship she launched in 1936
Programme notes from the exhibitions are
available on request.
Lawnside Archives
Miss Duseline Stewart the former headmistress of
Lawnside has entrusted the Lawnside archives to
Malvern St James. These archives were used by Miss
Stewart to co-author with Miss Mary Dixey (L)
‘Lawnside The History of a Malvern School’ in 1996.
The initial research was by Mrs Sheila Barker, who will
be known to Old Girls from Ivydene Hall. Amongst the
many wonderful items is an almost complete set of
school magazines from 1912 to 1985. Some of these
items have been used to create the imagery for the
Lawnside website.
prospectus and other items. Julia Bagguley
(MGC 1964) sent in a number of items
including College magazines from 1958 to 61
and a 75th Anniversary commemorative
issue. Patricia Nicholson (Lewis, MGC 1964)
gave her handwritten hymnbook. Jan (Janet)
Sullivan (A 1975) gave her Guide badges
sewn under the heading ‘4th Malvern Wells
(Abbey)’.
Peter Thorne sent a photograph of the
Hockey 1st XI circa 1923/4 with his mother
Beryl Thorne (Garnham, MGC 1926), the
captain seated in the middle. Mrs Caroline
Bradley sent in a number of College
photographs that belonged to her mother Rita
Hawker who attended Malvern Girls’ College
in the 1920s. Cheryl Williams, the niece of
Miss Nellie Vigors Williams (1895-1981),
Housemistress of Avenue sent in a House
photo from 1945 and a brochure, ‘Souvenir
of Malvern Girls’ College’. Mrs Anne Johnson
who taught Games at MGC in the 1950s
visited MSJ and sent in a number of photos
including this stunning shot of the Tower
before the parapet had been dismantled.
Archives
The National Heritage
Scheme
Malvern St James participated again last
September when areas of the School
were re-created to celebrate the Main
Building’s past as the Imperial Hotel.
Wendy Thain (Reynolds, MGC 1966)
came all the way from Shropshire and
Lesley Bowker (MGC 1985) and Diane
Marillier (MGC) also visited. ). A special
exhibition to ‘spot the difference' was set
up in the York Hall to show the additions
to the building over the past 90 years.
Old uniforms and Patricia Nicholson’s
hand written hymnbook were on display.
A box of inkwells also brought nostalgic
comments. Sue Adeney lent an old
Lawnside desk. Three Hatfield girls,
Saskia Osterloff, Caitlin Walters and
Lucinda Ellaway-Bell welcomed the
visitors and played croquet in the Quad
by the tree the Duchess of York planted
in 1934. Saskia (with plaits!) and Lucinda
(with the boater!) have sisters who are
Old Girls, Chloe Osterloff (MSJ 2008)
and Vicky Ellaway-Bell (MSJ 2009). Such
is the interest in the history of the School
that I was interviewed beforehand on
local radio BBC Hereford and Worcester
- certainly one Old Girl recognised her
‘old’ History teacher! *
Elisabeth Rambridge, School Archivist
23

24 Notice Board
News Slips
A huge thank you to everyone who sent in a News Slip or emailed news last year.
Please send in your news and any family news – of engagements, marriages and births,
as well as any change of address, including email address, either by post or email to the
OGA Secretary. We love to hear from you and everyone loves to read your news. Please
send the information no later than 30 November 2010. For any news of special interest
that would make a good story to feature also in the News of the Old Girls’ Section of the
School Website, contact the OGA Secretary.
Old Lawnsidian Society
Please tell any Lawnside friends about www.lawnsideoldgirls.org.uk.
Lawnside Old Girls can contact Miss Duseline Stewart via the OGA Secretary.
Where are they now?
Please tell the OGA when you move. The
OGA Secretary is delighted to have made
contact with several ‘Lost Members’. Do look
at the list which is posted on the Website
under ‘Where are they now?’ and changed
monthly. Thank you for any help you can give
in making contact with these Old Girls.*
OGA
BRACELET
The OGA has commissioned a charm
with the Malvern St James crest, with
a matching bracelet. The charm and
bracelet cost £25, plus postage. The
charm only is £12.50. It is available
from the OGA Secretary.*
Abbey Reunion
Gilly Matthew (Collis, A) is organising a
Reunion for the Class of 1962 at The
Abbey on 2 October 2010. If you have
any friends from this year group at The
Abbey, please let them know. Gilly can be
contacted via the OGA Secretary.
OGA Trustees
Would you consider becoming a Trustee?
We need another Trustee and someone with an
accountancy or a legal background would be
most welcome. However, these skills are not
essential and common sense, experience of
efficient administration and a willingness to ‘get
involved’ are all that is required. The trustees
aim to meet twice a year and divide the tasks
up between them according to the skills
available. They also aim to have an enjoyable
time whist doing what needs to be done!
Further details are available from the OGA
Secretary and on the Website. Please send in
your name for nomination before the
Summer Reunion and by 12 May 2010.*
Member of School Council
(Governor) with Special
Responsibilty for the Old
Girls
Charlotte Morrison (Page, MGC 1973) has
filled the role of Member of the School
Council with particular responsibility for the
Old Girls since the founding of Malvern St
James in 2006. She will be retiring in
December 2010.
The position is, first and foremost, that of a
Member of Council and Trustee of the school
with the same responsibilities as those of the
other members. In addition, the member in
question would ensure efficient
communication between the Council and the
Old Girls’ Association and ensure that the
valuable resource that they represent were
utilised satisfactorily. It is, therefore, likely that
the post will be filled by an Old Girl.
There are four or five Council meetings a
year. Each member is expected to be a
member of a committee. Most of the
committees meet once a term. Council
members are invited to School functions and
act as ambassadors for the School in general.
Members are appointed by Council, on the
recommendation of the Governance and
Legal Committee, following a selection
procedure overseen by Committee Chairman
Rev’d. Prebendary Carl Attwood. The Council
aim to maintain a range of skills among their
members. At the moment, Council are
looking for people with current experience of
tertiary education or marketing.
Please contact the OGA Secretary if you are
interested.*
Old Girls who are
not members
Please encourage any Old Girls you know who
are not members to be in touch with the OGA.
The Annual Subscription is £12 which entitles
a member to attend the Summer Reunion
and to receive a newsletter that year. If the
member then decides to take out a Life
Membership, the £12 fee will be deducted
from the Life Membership fee for the
appropriate decade. Life Membership rates
are on the Website.*
Mrs Elisabeth Rambridge, OGA Secretary,
Malvern St James, Avenue Road,
Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3BA
Tel: 01684 892288
Email oga@malvernstjames.co.uk
www.malvernstjames.co.uk