Versa: Issue Seven

VERSA
OA NEWS
VIRTUAL GOLDEN JUBILEE REUNION
A NEW BRITISH RECORD
MEET THE OA ASSOCIATION
TRYING TIMES
PICKARD AND
AUTUMN 2020
THE PROMS
David Pickard (OA 1978)

Inside
this issue
Editorial Team
Chris Harbour
Sarah Osborne
OA Merchandise 2
OA President’s Notes 3
OA Events 4
School House to Rectory 7
Featured OA – David Pickard 8
Announcements 10
OA News 11
A Venture into Post-War Europe 16
Ask the Archivist 17
Meet the OA Association 18
Committee Members
Give the Gift of Education 20
this Christmas
OA Sports 21
@oldalbanianassociation
@OAAssociation
St Albans School
Archives
Old Albanian
Networking:
St Albans School
St Albans School Foundation | CHARITY NO. 1092932

2 3
OA ASSOCIATION
President
Mike Hodge
07774 161624
mike@mikehodge.co.uk
Secretary
David Buxton
01727 840499
davidbuxton36@gmail.com
Treasurer
David Hughes
07701 027881
hughespost@hotmail.co.uk
Membership Secretary
Roger Cook
01727 836877
rogercook@btinternet.com
Hon. Auditor
Peter Dew
01582 453773
peter.a.dew@btinternet.com
OA SPORTS
RUGBY
www.oarugby.com
President
Richard Milnes
07940 255355
richard.milnes@oarugby.com
Chairman
Rory Davis
07748 146521
rory.davis@oarugby.com
Hon. Treasurer
Rick Powdrell
07795 200125
rick.powdrell@oarugby.com
Hon. Secretary
Peter Lipscomb
07856 240229
peter.lipscomb@oarugby.com
Joint Mini Chairmen
James Hathaway
07793 609279
james.hathaway@oarugby.com
Scott Bachmann
07931 338080
scott.bachmann@oarugby.com
Junior Chairman
Ian Tomlins
07867 971585
ian.tomlins@oarugby.com
OA Saints Chairperson
Steph Plunkett
steph.plunkett@oarugby.com
FOOTBALL
President
Nick Jackson
oldalbaniansfc@gmail.com
CRICKET
www.oacc.org.uk
Chairman
David Goodier
07796 551657
davidgoodier@hotmail.com
President
Richard Morgan
01727 843844
richard.morgan50@btinternet.com
Director of Cricket
Simon Bates
07720 383600
simon.bates@s2mprofits.co.uk
Treasurer
Richard Ransley
07878 499432
richransley@gmail.com
Secretary
Alison Finley
01727 853985
ajfinley@ntlworld.com
TENNIS
www.oatennis.com
Membership Enquiries
Matt Hume
matthume@btinternet.com
RIFLE & PISTOL
www.oashooting.com
President
Owen Simmons
01438 840674
olsandpjs@aol.com
Captain
Andrew Wilkie
01202 424190
Andrew.wilkie@ymail.com
Treasurer
Andrew Moore
01984 641539
caroline985moore@btinternet.com
GOLF
Captain
Peter Dredge
01582 834572
pjdredge42@aol.com
Hon. Secretary
Kevin O’Donoghue
01525 758356
kevin.odonoghue19@gmail.com
OA LODGE
Assistant Secretary
John Williams
01438 715679
johntwilliams@talktalk.net
SCHOOL
www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Development Director
Kate Gray
01727 515177
kgray@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Alumni Relations &
Development Manager
Chris Harbour
01727 515184
charbour@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Alumni Relations &
Development Assistant
Sarah Osborne
01727 224540
slosborne@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Archivist
Sue Gregory
01727 515178
sgregory@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
EDITORIAL TEAM
Chris Harbour
Alumni Relations & Development
Manager
Sarah Osborne
Alumni Relations & Development
Assistant
OA
MERCHANDISE
We have recently expanded our range of OA merchandise and now
stock woolly hats, tracksuit bottoms and Christmas baubles! Why
not pick up a stocking filler for the OA in your life?
1
2
Please go to www.oaconnect.co.uk to view our complete range
of merchandise. Items can be purchased on our website or by
contacting the team on oaevents@st-albans.herts.sch.uk or
01727 515187. Alternatively, please complete the form below, and
send to: Development Office, St Albans School, Abbey Gateway,
St Albans, AL3 4HB. International p&p prices may vary.
[1] OA Tracksuit Bottoms
£25.00 (+ £2 UK p&p)
Navy blue cotton blend drawstring lounge tracksuit bottoms featuring
the white School crest. Available in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL.
[2] OA Knitted Beanie Hat
£12.50 (+ £2 UK p&p)
Navy blue acrylic hat featuring the white School crest and a navy and
grey bobble.
[3] St Albans School Christmas Bauble
£5.00 (+ £2 UK p&p)
A brushed silver bauble featuring the blue School crest and packaged
in a transparent acetate box.
Name
Address
Telephone
Email
I enclose a cheque for £
Name on card
Card Number
Expiry Date
Signature
/ Start Date /
(if applicable)
3
Qty
Qty
Qty
payable to St Albans School Foundation
Please debit my: Visa/Delta MasterCard UK Maestro
Issue No.
(if applicable)
Date
for £
Security
code:
OA PRESIDENT’S NOTES
I
closed my notes for Versa: Issue 6 with the words “By the
time my notes are read, we might have a clearer picture
[about Covid]”. Well, the only clarity and certainty we have is
that Covid will affect all our lives for a very long time to come. I
would just ask all my readers to be as careful as you can be.
In the last six months, I have attended NO school functions,
which has been a huge disappointment to me. However, I was
delighted to be told that the two victores ludorum for the OA
President’s Prize were Lauren Adams and Kemjika Oguike
who are both exceptional in their sporting fields. Lauren was
the Lacrosse Captain and, despite being injured, motivated
her team mates to great successes from the side lines. She was
also in the Netball 1st VII. Kemjika is an outstanding athlete
and played 1st XV rugby for two seasons. He scored many
extraordinary tries through immensely powerful running. In
a very strong sporting year, his all-round contribution stood
out. Many congratulations to Lauren and Kemjika – two very
worthwhile winners of the OA President’s Prize.
I have received a splendid
letter from Fergus (pictured
left) who was the inaugural
winner of the OA President’s
Sports Grant in 2019. This
is a grant, given by the Old
Albanian Association, to
help a selected up-andcoming
sports person in
their quest for improvement.
Fergus told me he had
purchased dumbbells and
FERGUS
plates so that he could
work on his strength and
conditioning whilst all the gyms were closed. He is this year’s
1st XV Rugby Captain but, in all probability, is not going to
lead his team out at Woollams this term. A great shame. The
OAA wishes Fergus every success with his rugby prowess in
the future.
Turning, now, to OA matters. I am often asked about the
Old Albanian Sports Association and how it interfaces with
the OAA. OAs (and, I am sure, parents and students of the
School) are often interested in the role that OAA plays in the
running of “OAs” at Woollams. So, I thought it would be a
good idea to use some of my space here to try and explain the
workings at Woollams…
As you are hopefully aware, OASA is a charity created after
we moved to Woollams from Beech Bottom in 2002. OASA
is completely independent from OAA, though OAA appoints
trustees to the OASA Board. The OASA does not run the sports
Mike Hodge (OA 1965), OA President
clubs that use Woollams’ facilities and that is a fact which is
sometimes not understood. The primary objective of OASA is
the delivery of a community sports facility which is available to
EVERYONE at any age. I like to think that we have been hugely
successful in this aim and continue to live up to the ambitions
of those many OAs who have helped shape OASA, Woollams
and the Community facility.
The day-to-day running of the facility is handled by a full-time
team led most ably by the General Manager, Paul Watkins. He
and his team look after the facility, ensure the various sports
clubs can train and play their matches, cater to Saracens and
manage a full third-party events calendar, bringing in key
revenue to the charity. That is, of course, until the Coronavirus
hit. Just don’t forget – if you need a venue for an event in St
Albans, please call OASA.
Paul and the team report to part-time CEO, Craig Tallents, who
has been involved in OASA for the last 12 years. Craig and Paul
report to an Operations Board on a monthly basis. The Board
consists entirely of volunteers – a couple of whom are Trustees
of OASA. They act as a Board of Directors responsible for
ensuring that OASA is on track and operating efficiently.
The final piece of the jigsaw is the OAA Trustees, of which I am
one of 11. Most of us regularly attend Woollams and are kept
up to date on what is going on. As you can well imagine, the last
six months have been particularly tough but we have, thus far,
weathered the storm.
I have, fortunately, been able to attend one reunion event this
year and that was at the beginning of October when eight of
the OA 1965 vintage turned up at The Digby Tap in Sherborne
for our annual meeting. I am told by the Digby Tap archivist
(Rick Moore) that this event commenced in July 2008 – about
two months before our 50th School Reunion (18th September
2008), which celebrated our first day at School on 18th
September 1958. The Digby Tap group was started by Rick
Moore, Barry Mackenzie and Bill Neale. Various “new bugs”
have now joined the select band including “Sid” Owen, Dave
Merriott, Pete Smith, Andy Wilkie, Alun Lewis, Dave Chapman
and myself. Rick Moore and Dave Chapman were unable to be
with us this year due to Covid reasons but the rest of us had an
excellent socially distanced session of four on each table. The
event is enjoyed hugely by us all – even if many of the stories are
repeated. But would we know?
We live in very challenging times but I am delighted to know
that the School is in good heart and functioning in the ‘new
normal’. We can only hope that our lives will become easier
once we have this virus under control. Please stay safe and well
for the next issue!

4 5
OA Events
Our usual calendar of reunions, networking events, concerts and dinners
have all made way for virtual meets and online events.
Thank you to our OA community for joining us at these virtual
occasions and we will continue to bring you creative and inventive ways
of socialising and staying in touch with your alma mater!
CLASS OF
1960
Reunion
VIRTUAL
GOLDEN
JUBILEE
Reunion
THE GREAT
ST ALBANS
SCHOOL
Virtual Quiz
In October, we hosted our first ever virtual quiz, in
which OAs could participate by completing online
questions about the School site, its history and sporting
achievements.
Many thanks to those who took part – we hope it was
enjoyable and bought back some memories of the School.
Congratulations go to Jeremy Bromfield (OA 1968) and his
daughter Anna Bromfield (OA 2014), who won the quiz with
a score of 33 out of 41.
VE DAY
Virtual Afternoon
Tea Party
On Friday 8th May, we marked the 75th
anniversary of VE Day with a virtual alumni
event on Teams. All OAs were invited to join
Development Director, Kate Gray (sporting a Great
Britain headdress), for a celebratory afternoon, where
OAs could share memories and pay tribute to all the
servicemen and women who played a part during
WWII.
We were lucky enough to hear Robin Ollington’s
(OA 1947) account of the memorable day and the
celebrations which took place on St Peter’s Street 75
years ago.
Reuniting virtually to celebrate 60 years
since leaving the School, the Class of
1960 shared a drink and some stories
on a Zoom call on Thursday 23rd April. The
international group proposed a toast to the
School and each other, before reminiscing
about times then and now.
Although we were unable to host our Golden Jubilee
Reunion in person, we were delighted to hold a
virtual version of the event on Friday 19th June
2020 for the Classes of 1970 (50 years since leaving the
School) and 1977 (50 years since joining the School). We
were pleased to welcome OAs from both years and we
hope that everybody thoroughly enjoyed catching up and
reminiscing after many years apart.
During the event, OAs shared photos from their time at the
School and discussed the School band, Fantasy. There was also
talk of a reunion when life returns to normal and a suggestion
that Fantasy should reunite to play some tunes! Many thanks
to all who attended and we hope that the physical reunion
may be a possibility in the future.
VIRTUAL SYDNEY DRINKS
Old Albanians can be found all over the world
and we are keen to keep our international
alumni just as involved as those closer to
home. Previous OA international events have taken
place in New York and San Francisco, and our
intention for 2020 was Sydney, Australia.
Unfortunately, the event was put on hold due to the
pandemic. In its place, we decided to host a virtual
drinks event on Thursday 13th August, 6pm (AEDT
time). We were pleased to have had the opportunity
to speak to a number of OAs who we otherwise would
not have seen for many years. Many thanks to those
who attended.

6 7
OA Events
FOUNDERS’
DAY
OAA
AGM
SCHOOL HOUSE
TO RECTORY
by Louis Baycock (OA 1949)
On Saturday 4th July, Founders’ Day was somewhat different
to its usual format. Every year, the School community comes
together to commemorate the Founders of the School with
a Service in the Abbey, followed by a drinks reception, lunch and
Summer Social at Woollams. Although we were unable to hold the
event on site this year, we were pleased to share the Headmaster’s
address with OAs via email. Our thanks go to all the OAs who sent
in positive feedback about the address, as well as to everyone who
contributed to its success.
THE GREAT
ST ALBANS SCHOOL
Bake Off
As part of our virtual events programme, we are
celebrating the return of the Great British Bake Off
to our television screens, with The Great St Albans
School Bake Off competition.
Once a month until the end of term, we are
launching a new baking challenge and asking
our School community to get involved.
October’s challenge was ‘Best in Class’
cake and we were inundated with entries!
Congratulations go to Ben in the Fourth
Form and parent Ms Cliffe for winning their
respective categories with their incredible cakes,
pictured right.
The final challenge this December is a Bûche de
Noël (yule log), so get baking! Every participant
who signs up receives a baking kit, and the
winners of each round are awarded prizes. Visit
our social media pages for information on how
to sign up.
BEN'S CAKE
The 128th Annual General Meeting
of the Old Albanian Association has
been rescheduled from Monday 7th
December to Wednesday 20th January at
8pm. All members are welcome to attend
the virtual meeting. Please contact David
Buxton, OAA Secretary, to request the link
to join (contact details on page 2).
MS CLIFFE'S CAKE
There was never any doubt in my family that I would
follow my brother Ken (OA 1932) to the School. It
was going to happen, and that was that. So, in due
time I sat the entrance exam in Room 22 in the Gateway – a
room I was to visit again some 60 years later for an OA Lodge
meeting when I was an assistant Provincial Grand Master for
Devonshire.
I arrived at School House in September 1946, after saying
a brave goodbye to my mother. Ration Book duly handed
over, I found myself in Upper Dorm, with John Willé as
Housemaster and Christopher Bloxham as his deputy. The
dorm was on the top floor, iron bedsteads with a ‘biscuit’ type
mattress. The wash basins were under the windows which we
had to sleep with open every night.
I began in 3B, with R.K. Hands as Form Master and set about
learning. Homework for boarders was in the Big Lecture
Room in the Science Block. At weekends, School House
boarders were “entertained” in that room by the Head, W.T.
Marsh.
We had breaks when term finished – how I looked forward
to those breaks – home on the 712 or 713 Green Line to
Mill Hill. I also looked forward to Sundays, with its ritual
giving out of small envelopes with one’s ‘Personal Points’ in
it together with 7d, sixpence for sweets at Ma Piggott’s sweet
shop just up the hill to town, and a penny for the collection in
the 9.30 service at the Abbey. Going to the Abbey gave me my
love of the Church of England, which has been a major factor
in my life! I was prepared for Confirmation by the Sub-Dean,
Canon Douglas Feaver, who I met again when he was Bishop
of Peterborough sometime in the late 70s.
The very severe winter of 1947 was enormous fun and
very very cold, as we found when we woke up one January
morning to find snow all over the washbasins, and oh boy!
Was it cold! But we had a lot of fun with a huge slide down
the upper quad. Ice skates were sent for or borrowed, and we
skated down Abbeymill Lane to the lake. We even skated up
and down the Head’s drive!
Arriving in 4B was a step up, and I came under the influence
of P.R. Heather. I learned a lot from him, not least a love of
the English language and eventually a rise to 5A for English,
learning Chaucer at his best!
I was still a boarder for the winter term in 1947, and it
happened that one day I was called out of class. My brother
wanted to speak to me, and as we walked around the quad he
told me that our father had died. He had been terminally ill
for a long time, and his possible death was something that I
must have known subconsciously, as it didn’t seem to come as
a surprise. My mother could no longer afford the fees, so I had
to cease boarding and become a “Daybug”, the breed of which
boarders were contemptuous. This had advantages for me
as a train enthusiast – commuting every day from Mill Hill
was a delight! School routine was just the same for dayboy
or boarder except that dayboys ate lunch in the dining room
under the Factory Block.
1948 was the great year when the School was 1000 years old,
and we joined together with the city to make a great thing
of ‘948 to 1948’, with a superb pageant which was great fun.
1949 came to be a great year for getting out and about. At
Easter Mr Jarry organised his usual trip to the Lake District
and that was most enjoyable, apart from the fact that on
arriving at Keswick, I was on the luggage rack with my
shoelaces tied together! I met my Waterloo when climbing
Helvellyn, as I ‘froze’, and had to be pushed from behind by
Brian Ward, whom I later linked up with at the OA Lodge. It
turned out that I was suffering from Chicken Pox at the time
without knowing it, and consequently gave it to some on the
expedition!
Then came the days of exams. Results came out in the
summer holidays and I received mine unofficially – quite,
in my view, spectacularly. I was in camp with the Crusaders
Union at Polzeath and went into the village Post Office to get
something. Who should be there but Marsh! ‘Surprise!’ was
not the word – he said ‘Ah, Baycock, you’ve done quite well,
but you need another subject to get Matric.” Needless to say, a
telegram was sent home there and then, to which my mother
replied in the words so often used by L. G. Walker: “Good,
splendid, Excellent”!
In the Christmas term I re-sat Geography, and happily I was
able to get the necessary marks for a Credit. So, at the end
of Christmas term 1949, I left School for the big wide world,
quite confident and looking forward to whatever was coming
my way. I feel that my life was influenced for good by so many
characters at School and I remember them with affection. I
am in no doubt at all that School gave me a secure grounding,
and a love of music, architecture and the Church of England,
the latter being something that helped to shape my future!
Louis Baycock was ordained in Peterborough Cathedral and
has had a 50-year career as a priest. Now retired and living
in Devon, you can read a full version of Louis’ memoirs in the
online edition of Versa here: www.oaconnect.co.uk/versa

8
9
FACING THE
MUSIC
David Pickard (OA 1978) talks to us about striking the right note as Director of
The Proms and finding the balance between tradition and creativity.
Tell me about your childhood and where you grew up?
I was a chorister at the King’s School in Ely for three years. I
loved singing in the choir but I hated living away from home,
so I came home and enrolled at St Albans School. I remember
it as being an incredibly friendly and welcoming school. I
felt very happy the whole time I was there. I found it a very
intellectually stimulating place to learn.
There was the most amazing teacher called Simon Lindley.
We all talk about inspirational people at school and he was
absolutely one of those. David McCord was another important
part of my musical upbringing. It was he who introduced me to
opera which has become such an important part of my life – he
was the person who got me through my A Levels and got me
into Cambridge. I went as a choral scholar to Corpus Christi.
After University, you went to the Royal Opera House. How
was your time there?
In my gap year before going to Cambridge, I remember my
mother’s insistence that I write to the Royal Opera House.
Incredibly, in December 1978, I got a telegram from the Opera
House saying, “Come in and see us”. It was the lowest of low
roles but to be there was amazing. They gave me a break which
genuinely would not have allowed the rest of my career to
happen had they not, because when I graduated, I wrote to
them again to ask if they had a job and they found me one. It’s
a good example of what I often say to people wanting to get
into the Arts, which is write to people and seize the initiative.
Unbelievably at the age of 22, I was the assistant company
manager of the Royal Opera House.
The New Shakespeare Company then followed…
Yes, we had a staff of three. One was the admin assistant, one
did the casting, and I did everything else – the books, the
banking, checked the loos were clean before performances – it
was very hands on and the best training you can possibly get.
I then went to Kent Opera which was probably the most
difficult moment of my career, as fairly soon after I got there,
the Arts Council withdrew their grant from the company,
which led to voluntary liquidation. If I’m being honest, I was
taking on a job at a company which in retrospect was not
financially viable, but you learn things from even the dark
moments.
Following Kent, in a moment of fate, I found myself working
with Sir John Drummond at the European Arts Festival who
was, at the time, Director of the Proms. Exactly 30 years ago, I
was working with the Director of the Proms not then knowing
that I myself will be Director of the Proms. He was a great
influence on my life.
How did you find working at the Orchestra of the Age of
Enlightenment?
I remember thinking at the time that the Orchestra of the
Age of Enlightenment was a rather odd job for me because
effectively, it’s all about trying to recreate music from the
Baroque classical period as those composers would have heard
it, played on very old, or copies of old instruments. It is quite
rigidly academic in that sense. Actually, what the OAE did was
convert me. I realised these people were not trying to create
museum pieces, they were doing the opposite, saying “you think
you know this piece but we’re going to show it in a completely
different colour”. Sir Martin Smith (OA 1960) interviewed me
for the job and at the end he said to me, “you should know we
went to the same school”. I had never met anyone who had been
to St Albans School before! It was a rather nice moment.
You set up the Orchestra’s first education programme, do
you believe the arts and music hold an important place in
Schools?
I think it’s absolutely vital. We must accept that the amount
of classical music heard in most schools is very little. As a
professional musician, it’s important you give something back to
the rest of the community, partly as a social duty but partly for
our survival. If people don’t hear the music of Mozart and Bach
in schools, they’re not going to be sitting in our audiences in 20
years’ time.
What advice would you give to pupils passionate about
music and wanting to follow a career path in music?
The big change in the musical world is what I call the iPod
generation. When my children were growing up, they had
access to a whole variation of music. When I was at St Albans
School, the other kids used to laugh at me (in a nice way!)
because I listened to Wagner while they were listening to Elvis
Costello. Nowadays, you can listen to both. The musical world
is broad and diverse now, where it never used to be.
In terms of career advice, it’s so hard at the moment as
musicians are suffering enormously in the pandemic, but I
have never regretted following where my heart led me. You
have to decide if you want to go and do a job that pays you a
lot of money but maybe gives you fewer emotional rewards,
or you may not get financial rewards, but your life is richer. I
think everybody must make that call and I have no regrets on
the decision I made.
At Glyndebourne Opera House, you were the first to
livestream performances free of charge. Why did you decide
to do this?
I went to Glyndebourne in my 20s and I remember thinking,
it’s a shame that it is more associated with champagne, wealth
and picnics. Whereas I associate Glyndebourne with quality,
imagination and innovation. I wanted the world to know that
side of it and see the quality of the work without having to go
there. I was particularly proud of the fact that it was free.
You are now Director of the BBC Proms. What did you
want to achieve when taking on this role and how did it feel
to be asked?
Partly because of my relationship with Sir John Drummond,
I had always thought if the role at The Proms came up, which
is regarded as the greatest classical music festival in the
world, I would be interested. With the Proms, you don’t go
in thinking “I’m going to turn this on its head, we’re going to
put an ice rink in the Royal Albert Hall and have skating to
music”. You’re starting with something very successful which
you can change. Part of that change while I have been there
has been around diversity, in the broadest sense of the word.
This includes diversity of the people on the stage and I was
very proud to watch the Last Night of the Proms this year and
see an entirely female line-up. That is indicative of how we
have tried to readdress some of the imbalances in the classical
music world. The other side is diversity in what we present in
music. There shouldn’t be any sacred cows. Music is a creative
business and although we will never get rid of the original, we
should always be thinking of different ways of doing things.
Nobody could have predicted the measures that needed to
be in place for this year’s Proms – how did you deal with the
Coronavirus restrictions?
When I left Broadcasting House for Lockdown in March, our
Proms guide was literally rolling off the printers. We hoped
we could go ahead as planned but each week that went by this
became less and less likely. It came to a point when we had
to make a call on what we could do, and even that was on a
wing and a prayer. Luckily, things moved sufficiently in the
right direction but the guidelines from the government were
changing all the time. We were planning programmes that we
didn’t know whether we could deliver. Thankfully, we did. We
only ever had 40 players on the stage at one time but that was
a huge step forward from what it might have been. It was nailbiting
stuff and I have to say, as we speak now I am very glad
the Proms are not in the first few weeks of November, because
I don’t think we would be able to do now what we did then.
How far into your planning did the decision of not having
an audience get made?
We planned it all along, because for most of this period,
audiences were not permitted. About a week before we were
due to get into the Royal Albert Hall, a decision was made that
we could have an audience but by that point, we had planned
the safety of all our performers and staff which was paramount.
Some people actually preferred the Proms without an audience
as there wasn’t anyone coughing between movements!
There was controversy gained around the Last Night and
the lyrics of Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.
What was your take on this public row?
What it served to show us is how treasured the traditions are
for the Last Night of the Proms and if I’m honest, I think we
were all very surprised at the level of feeling about it all. We
were trying to make the Last Night as special as it always is
but acknowledge it is not the same without an audience and
a choir. We needed to give people the same feeling of elation,
but in a different way. We started by saying we would have
those famous pieces not sung as we thought that was the best
way to do it musically but then rightly, as we realised this is
not what people wanted, we tweaked it.
Everything has to develop and evolve and I think what we’re
learning now is the pinch points of the Proms, what areas can
grow and what areas are part of the tradition that we leave
alone. The Proms should take people on an emotional journey,
which includes fear, anger, hope and joy. I think the pieces we
chose took people on that journey. Ending with You’ll Never
Walk Alone felt like the right piece to be presenting to an
audience now.
Are you currently working on the 2021 Proms? What plans
do you have for the festival?
We plan two years in advance, so we have most of next year’s
programme filled but we’re still in a totally unknown situation
as to where we will be next July. There are so many unknowns
but we need to assume it will be business as usual. The positive
about all this is it has made us learn to be more flexible,
which I think is true for all organisations. We managed to put
together a stimulating series of concerts at two weeks’ notice,
not two years’ notice. It may be that we have to do that again
next year. It’s good for us all to be more flexible and I hope we
can deliver next year.

10
Announcements
OBITUARIES
ENGAGEMENTS &
ANNIVERSARIES
11
Nigel Hardy Appleyard
(OA 1984) 1965 – 2020
Written by his wife Martine
Appleyard
It is with enormous sadness that the
family announce that Nigel passed
away in the Royal Free Hospital on
Saturday 26th September, aged 54,
following a bravely fought battle with
cancer. Dearly loved and devoted
husband, father and son, he will be terribly missed by his wife
Martine, daughter Siân and mother Rosemary. His warmth,
kindness and good humour will be sorely missed by friends,
family and all who know him. An inspirational teacher and
trainer of teachers, he will also be a massive loss to Goffs
School, Cheshunt where he had taught for 32 years.
A private funeral was held at West Herts Crematorium on
15th October 2020. Due to Covid restrictions, the service
was unfortunately restricted to family and close friends only.
There was a webcast of the service for anyone unable to attend.
Donations if desired in memory of Nigel to be made to the Royal
Free Hospital Quiet Cancer Appeal – Special Trustees Grant 311.
David Stanley
(OA 1974) 1956 – 2020
Written by Chris Rolfe (OA 1974)
David Stanley died on 17 October, just five weeks after a
diagnosis of widespread and aggressive cancer, perhaps a
mercy, but shocking for friends and family.
David joined St Albans School in the autumn of 1967, joining
Form 1C under the tutelage of “Dickie” Bond. Pupils were
arranged alphabetically and as a result, I met David in the first
minutes of our school career and we were friends ever since.
David followed the typically broad school curriculum until A
Levels, when he chose the sciences.
Moving on to Liverpool University, David studied to become
a vet. Once qualified, he moved to Shropshire and spent much
of his career in a practice in Oswestry, caring for larger animals
on farms. Later, he moved to Norwich, practising as a locum for
smaller animal practices and also performing certification work
for the movement of livestock and other foods.
There will be a number of OAs who recall very happy holidays
on the Stanley family narrowboat, Ivy Rose.
Roger Varian Clifford
(OA 1948) 1930-2020
Written by Robin Ollington (OA 1947)
Those of us remaining of the wartime generation will be sorry
to learn of the death in August of ‘Rosie’ Clifford, a nickname
he earnt through the number of leading female roles he found
himself playing in the days of a single sex school. Amongst the
most memorable being that of Gwendoline in ‘The Importance
of Being Earnest’.
Possessing a very good singing voice, Roger became a chorister
at the Abbey from an early age and upon his arrival at St Albans
in 1941, he was immediately co-opted into the School choir.
A keen sportsman, Roger played rugby and cricket at school,
whilst in his role with the Prefecture, he was known for his
fairness and generosity, especially by the junior offenders.
I remember once, he and I had both been caught misbehaving
in some way or another by Charlie Argent. As a punishment,
we were given a detention during which we had to clean all
the school silver which had been locked away for safety during
hostilities and thus over the years had gone black. I will never
forget the smell of metal polish…but it did look amazing!
Michael Entwisle
(OA 1945) 1927 – 2020
Written by his wife Susan
Ketchen
Michael Entwisle was born in
French Guinea on 31st October
1927 and died on 31st July 2020,
in Courtenay, B.C., on the hobby
farm he dubbed, Guineacres.
At the age of five, Michael and his parents returned to England
where Michael attended St Albans School. After completing his
military service as an Officer in the Royal Artillery in Gibraltar,
he studied medicine at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in
London. He married Rosemary Moore in 1955 and they raised
four children. Michael was in general practice in Wisbech
for eight years, followed by two years in regional hospital
administration in Sheffield and Leicester and three years in
psychiatry, leading to a Diploma in Psychological Medicine
in 1969. In that year, the family emigrated to Calgary, Canada
where Michael joined the new Foothills Hospital and the new
medical school at the University of Calgary. He was appointed
to the Department of Psychiatry at the University in 1971 and in
1991 he was appointed Professor Emeritus.
After the dissolution of his first marriage in 1988, Michael met
Susan Ketchen who lured him to Vancouver Island where for
six years he was Director of Psychiatry at St. Joseph’s General
Hospital, Comox. He retired in 1997 and developed the skills
needed for the country life. He took special pleasure in sharing
his rural paradise with his children, grandchildren, friends and
colleagues. He had an easy laugh and behind his gentle exterior
was a remarkable determined spirit. He died on his terms, in his
own bed with a view out over the pasture to the mountains.
Michael is survived by his wife Susan Ketchen, children
Alison, Christine (Lance) and Stephen, and grandchildren
Kaela (Andrew) and Alexandra (Matt). He was predeceased
by his son Jonathan.
James Mohajer
(OA 2012)
On 14th September 2020, James
Mohajer and Tara Peseschkian got
engaged in London. They hope to get
married in April 2021 in Germany, their
future home.
After seven wonderful years at St Albans School, James went on
to teach music and sport at a school in Zambia during his gap
year. On his return, he studied Law with International Relations at
Canterbury Christ Church University. After completing an LLM in
Public International Law at LSE, James joined Quinn Emanuel as a
Legal Assistant. He will continue his legal career in Germany at GSK
Stockmann from January 2021.
Tara grew up in Wiesbaden, Germany and she studied Medicine at
the University of Kassel, which is in partnership with the University
of Southampton, therefore spending two years in England (and it
was during her time in England that James met Tara). She is now
a foundation year doctor and is hoping to specialise in child and
adolescent psychiatry, following in the footsteps of her father and
grandfather.
The wedding (COVID-19 permitting) will hopefully see a few OAs
attend, including two OA Best Men, Albert Koomson and Nima Salehi
(OAs 2012), as well as James’ former music teacher, David McCord
(1970-2014), who remains a close friend to this day.
Monte Copas
(OA 1942)
Monte and Doreen Copas
recently marked their platinum
wedding anniversary (70
years) with afternoon tea at St
Michael’s Manor.
Both Monte and Doreen were
pupils at Fleetville Junior School. Monte then studied
at St Albans School and Doreen at St Albans Girls
Grammar School. In their teens, the couple joined the
youth group St Peter’s Church Youth Fellowship.
Monte volunteered for the Army in August 1944 and
after training was posted to the Royal Engineers in
Palestine. Doreen qualified as a dancer and toured the
UK for three years in musicals including the Song of
Norway.
Monte and Doreen re-joined the Fellowship in 1948.
Their friendship blossomed and they married in St
Peter’s Church in 1950.
Doreen and Monte began their married life in St
Albans and later moved to Harpenden in 1966 where
they still live. The couple have three children and four
grandchildren.
NEW BEGINNINGS
OA News
In June of this year, Rebecca Sandler (OA 2014) was made redundant from a
Research Associate post based in London. This turned out to be the catalyst for
personal development and growth.
My redundancy left me feeling lost and panicked. Although executive search was
not my passion, it was a solid job with interesting clients and it paid the bills.
For me, personal connection and making a positive difference to people’s
lives is my thing. This led to me retraining in two completely new fields as an
investment in my future. I have now become a Yoga Teacher, having completed
an intensive training qualification. I am also on the road to becoming a
Transformational Life Coach which will propel me into my new career as a
Holistic Wellness Coach. Although a redundancy, a fractured hip and lockdown
were willing me to fail, I took the lemons that 2020 dealt me and, fuelled by
passion, fierce determination and ambition I have begun to rewrite what could
have been a hideous few months.

12 OA News
13
LOCKDOWN
Album Writing
Sean Wyer (Bracebridge) (OA 2016) was Head of
School whilst at St Albans School and went on to
study music at Hertford College, Oxford. He is now
embarking on the start of his music career.
My debut single, “You Don’t Get to Call Me Baby”, is
inspired by my current experiences as a proud Queer pop
artist and my past ones as a closeted teenager. My music
draws from the pop icons of my childhood, and tackles
themes such as body image, self-love, and the pressures
that come with being a young, gay man. This change
has come alongside me completing my degree at the
University of Oxford, touring the world in the a cappella
group Out of the Blue and moving to London to work
with Dan Patterson (creator of Mock the Week) on a new
musical for the West End.
Whilst Covid-19 brought a pause to my intended musical
plans, lockdown offered the opportunity to write a solo
album. I am hugely grateful to my School friend, Tim
Nejad (OA 2016), for illustrating the beautiful album
artwork and Harry Fleet (OA 2015) and Kaine Levy (OA
2014) for directing a series of music videos I intend to
release over the coming months.
This song marks a point of arrival for me; I have come
to fully embrace my authentic self. My hope is that my
music, and my story, can offer some inspiration for
young people seeking to come out and find a confidence
in their own skin.
“You Don’t Get to Call Me Baby” is available on all major
streaming sites or can be purchased on Bandcamp.
A NEW BRITISH
RECORD
On 15th August 2020, Lizzie Bird (OA 2013) won
the 2000m steeplechase in Pontoise, Paris – cutting
almost ten seconds off the previous British best. Lizzie
comments below…
Despite a rough end to the season, I am very grateful that I
had the opportunity to race this year. Because of all the race
cancellations, I just took whatever race opportunities came
up and ended up with three races in eight days to start the
season! A local road 5000m, a 1500m (both of which I ran
PBs in) and the 2000m steeplechase in Paris. I had never run
a 2000m steeplechase before (it's a non-Olympic distance, so
not raced very frequently) but thought it would be fun and I
knew I'd have a good chance of breaking the record.
It was a low-key meet with relatively small fields, but a few
of us were trying to run fast. Irene Sanchez-Escribano was
aiming for the Spanish record and Aimee Pratt was also
aiming for the British record. A pacemaker led the first
kilometre and then I took the lead for the rest of the race,
with Irene close behind me. The clock wasn't working so I had
no clue what pace we were running, but I was pretty excited
to find out afterwards that we'd both broken our national
records!
I was looking forward to competing for the British title (and
the 3000m steeplechase record) at the British championships
in Manchester, but unfortunately I picked up a stomach bug
and I didn’t have time to recover before the end of this very
short season. I will have to save that for 2021!
THE FLYING
CIRCUS
Jerry Ward (OA 1977) learnt to fly at the age of 17 with an
RAF scholarship. Jerry spent 20 years in the RAF including
30 missions in a Tornado fighter during the first Gulf
War, then flying commercially up until a tragic accident in
November 2007. What followed was 22 months in hospital,
three on a ventilator, before getting home and trying to carry
on with life as best as possible. He has completed the Great
Manchester Run 10 times in his wheelchair being pushed
by friends, family, and supporters, and continues to actively
fundraise to benefit others.
“Due to all the restrictions with Covid-19 this year, I haven't
been able to do the regular Manchester Run, or any corporate
dinner talks to help with charity fundraising. So, to combine
my passion for all things aviation related, we came up with
a plan to raise funds for three great charities: Back-up Trust,
Aspire and Fly2Help.
“On Monday 21st September, I took to the skies again. Not
wanting to do it the easy way, we were in three, 1940s Stearman
bi-planes. At least, I was in one, my wing-women were standing
on top! Huge thanks go to AeroSuperBatics, my wing-women/
carers and for everybody’s support over the last 13 years.”
To donate, please go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/
FattysFlyingCircus.
After a varied career in business, David Tearle (OA 1965) decided to exercise his
writing skills to produce a number of books on American and British history. For
his latest work, David has turned closer to home…
In September, we mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. We also celebrate the
Spitfire but what is less well known is the role that the aircraft played more than a year
earlier – and without firing its guns.
In early 1939 the British Secret Service hatched a plan to use an unarmed Spitfire to fly
secret reconnaissance missions high over Nazi Germany to establish the true extent of
its readiness for war. I knew some of this story because my father designed the camera
that went into that Spitfire. In the last few years, I have been able to uncover the story
behind MI6’s ‘secret’ espionage air-force that changed aerial intelligence forever. All this
was achieved by two former World War 1 fighter pilots and an American/Mexican arms
dealer with a very shady past…
‘Winterbotham, Cotton and Miranda’ will be available on Amazon in the New Year.
BEGIN AGAIN
Brian Scruby (OA 1950) took full advantage of the
Covid-19 hiatus to write his autobiography, Begin
Again. Born in England to parents Iris and Charles,
a war correspondent and a real estate developer, the book
witnesses the sweep of history from the Blitz on London to
the development of the American television industry and
the coming digital age. Brian tells of his experiences during
the German bombings of his town on the glide path out of
London as a youth, and of the lessons learned from building
a career in the nascent television business. He covers life
lessons learned from surviving hurricanes and flooding,
the Coronavirus and everything in between. Brian has
extensively travelled around the world and in Begin Again,
shares much of what today’s world has to offer.
The e-book is available to purchase from Amazon.
SPITFIRE SECRETS

14
OA News
15
TAKING IT UP A GEAR
Tipped off by Nigel WoodSmith about
Andrew Grant’s (Headmaster 1993-
2014) recent successes on the bike, we
found out more about the record breaking
feats Andrew has accomplished with his club,
Cambridge CC.
When I retired, among other projects for
which I now had time, was a resumption of
a cycle-racing career interrupted by the need
to work for a living, forty years after I last led
Cambridge to victory in the Varsity Match.
My club, Cambridge CC, has a formidable
veterans team, some of whom I used to ride
with forty years ago, so, having accrued
five national records and four national
championships at various distances in the past
five years, as well as contributing to numerous
national team wins, I had high hopes of the
BOB WILLIS
Trophy
In August, George Scott (OA 2014) was part of
the Gloucestershire team to take on Warwickshire
in the Bob Willis Trophy. After a couple of weeks,
training, the team started the 5-game series of 4-day
matches in the modified tournament. After missing
the first match against Worcestershire with a side
strain, Scott was lucky enough to play the remaining
games, fulfilling the role of an all-rounder.
“Having moved from Middlesex at the end of
last season, it was very fulfilling to be given this
backed run in the Gloucestershire side, and to
make meaningful contributions. Our win against
Warwickshire, bowling them out on the last day, was
about as much fun as I’ve had on a cricket pitch!”
2020 season until Covid-19 scuppered it.
The East District 50-mile Championship, based
at Attleborough, was one of the survivors as the
season struggled back to life after lockdown and
the 50-mile record was one I’d already identified
as vulnerable.
On the day, there was a constant threat – amply
fulfilled – of heavy showers, but pressure was
low and winds were light, making for very
fast conditions for those who avoided coming
to grief at any of the 14 roundabouts made
greasy by the rain. I managed to stay upright
and finished in 1:45:56. which took almost five
minutes off the previous national veteran record
and was good enough for 12th place in the open
event against the youngsters as well as winning
the veterans’ competition – one of five such wins
I’ve had in this ragged end of a ravaged season.
RECONSTRUCTING
Abbot John
In 2017, the remains of Abbot John of Wheathampstead
were unearthed, dating over 500 years old. He is
recognised as one of the most powerful and significant
figures within the Benedictine monastery. Fortunately,
Abbot John’s skull is well preserved, and a visual
representation of what his face may have looked like all
those years ago has been constructed. The Dean of St
Albans, the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John comments:
“The reconstruction of Abbot
John of Wheathampstead’s face
brings him startlingly to life,
and immediately invites us to
read his character from his
features. He has an impish look,
but also looks like a man who
was not to be trifled with – as
befits one of the most powerful
ecclesiastical fixers of his day.
I hope that seeing him in his
human reality will raise interest
in his life, and in the central role
St Albans Abbey has played in
this country’s history.”
PHOTO BY: LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY/FACELAB.
PUSHING ON
It was almost a year ago that Ed Marsh (OA 2015) found out
he would be running the London Marathon for Hospice UK.
Sadly, his vision of running round the streets of London with
cheering crowds didn’t come to pass.
After five months of training I was in great shape and ready for
the challenge. I even managed to run 20 miles in preparation.
Sadly it was in vain, as on 13th March the event was cancelled.
The cancellation, after all the time that I had put in to building
up my fitness, was extremely demoralising.
In mid-August, the virtual event was announced and while
unsure of my fitness due to the short notice, the incentive of
supporting Hospice UK proved enough motivation. I set off on
Sunday 4th October, not to the cheer of crowds lining the route
in Greenwich Park but instead to the noise of the howling wind
in my ears, running up the deserted A5. I was able to make it
to the finish line in 4 hours 36 minutes. I ran up the final hill
watched on by my former St Albans School running coach,
George Harrison, as would have been the scene 13 years before.
If you would like to support Hospice UK, please go to Ed’s
fundraising page: justgiving.com/fundraising/edward-marsh2
CAPTAIN
SWAN
by Max Swan (OA 2018)
Currently in his third year at the University
of Manchester studying Politics, Philosophy
and Economics, Max Swan (OA 2018) is now
embarking on the role of 1st team football captain.
Being able to play university football was a real blessing.
It provided a solid structure to my week, helping me
settle into a routine that often goes out the window at
university. After my first year, I was appointed Social
Secretary allowing me to get to know everyone in the
Club even better, which has given me a good grounding
for the role of 1st team captain this year. Finding the
balance between authority and friendship has been the
biggest challenge so far.
Sport at university can be demanding, physically and
mentally, but it has shaped my character and has been a
unique and memorable experience.
TOLAJI BOLA
Rochdale FC
Congratulations go to left-back Tolaji Bola (OA 2015),
who has been signed on loan from Arsenal Football Club
to Rochdale Football Club from October 2020 to January
2021. Good luck, Tolaji!
CRICKET
at Lords
After missing his last season of cricket at St Albans
School due to lockdown, Hugh Craig (OA 2020) picked
up where he left off playing competitive cricket.
“It was amazing to be able to play competitive
cricket at Redbourn this season and get to the final
of the National Village Cup at Lords. Playing at
Lords had been something I’d always dreamt of and
although we didn’t lift the trophy this year, it was an
incredible experience and I hope we will have the
opportunity to play again on the hallowed turf!”

16
17
A VENTURE INTO
POST-WAR EUROPE
ASK THE ARCHIVIST
As the Coronavirus pandemic continues across the nation, it would be enlightening to know how St Albans
School coped with the Spanish Influenza which lasted from February 1918 – April 1920
The party was organised by Major ‘Dido’ Davies who, having
recently returned from active service, arrived at St Albans
School to teach French and decided where better to learn the
language than in France and when better, than now?!
That Easter we set off on a long and tedious Channel crossing
and rail journey through countryside still bearing the scars of
war-ruined buildings and vehicles in the fields. As we pulled
into Paris, the station archways held children begging for food
to whom we gave what we had, including sweets that we had
brought with us.
Our accommodation was the Ecole des Jeunes Gens at
Boulogne sur Seine, a boarding school then on holiday.
The accommodation was basic with the lavatories in the
middle of the school yard, totally exposed to the weather and
ridicule. Food, of course, was not plentiful and included an
introduction to horse meat.
Daily visits were made to the Louvre and other famous
landmarks but of more interest was the visit to Napoleon’s
Tomb, where we found ourselves walking on wooden planking.
This was left from the Occupation to prevent German Jack
boots treading on sacred ground. Whilst at Sainte-Chapelle, its
famous stained glass had been removed and we stood in the
pouring rain, inside, to look at the architecture. Another visit
was to the Comédie Française to see a Molière production,
probably remembered more for the amount of spit produced
by the overacting rather than the story itself! Evening meals
were brightened by visits to a restaurant where the proprietor
had known Dido Davies in the war and so we got more than a
warm welcome and great food.
by Robin Ollington (OA 1947)
In the Easter of 1947, a party of 42 boys from the School made a historic visit to war-torn Europe, which is believed
to be one of, if not the first visit of its kind following the end of hostilities. The following recollections are by one who
was fortunate enough to have been on the trip some 73 years ago, in the hope they may be of interest to today’s
generation whose travel experiences, though covering wider fields, are very different to the ones they encountered…
Part of our trip included a visit to the family of Mr Garnier,
who also taught French at the School and had not seen his
family since the outbreak. We were able to take greetings,
sugar and other foodstuffs for them to enjoy, together with
news of him and his family.
Our trip continued into Brussels and Bruges where again
Dido was recognised and we were given another great
welcome, including two Civic Receptions. In Brussels we
basked in the luxury of the Hotel Splendide Suisse with real
steak and fries. Whilst in Bruges the Hotel Lowyck received
us with open arms. Dido knew the proprietor and was
remembered for taking part in the German surrender, so he
was very popular, as you can imagine.
Mr Lowyck, the owner of the hotel, was also an art
connoisseur and each day he would take us to different
galleries and with the help of a huge magnifying glass,
introduced us to the work of Hans Memling and the other
great painters, whose work remains with me still.
I remember evenings in the hotel when Mr Lowyck and his
family told of their life during the Occupation and the effect it
had on their lives, especially working with the Resistance.
Something a little happier was the farewell party on the last night
when we all had to do a turn in a great conga finale around the
square with everybody, including the staff, taking part.
It may have been a short visit but one that had a profound
effect on all of us, having taken place so immediately after the
War. The trip has coloured mine and others’ lives ever since
as a unique experience to be remembered, particularly for the
man who organised it.
‘Spanish Flu’ is a somewhat misleading nickname, as the first
reported cases came to light in France, Germany and Britain,
where a media blackout was imposed so as not to affect morale
of the country during the World War i . The country that
publicly identified its cases was Spain; hence the name stuck.
The outbreak hit Britain in a series of waves, starting in the
summer of 1918, which saw a low mortality rate. The autumn
saw an intermediate rate, then the winter and spring of 1919
saw a higher mortality rate ii . Unlike the current Covid -19
pandemic, it appeared to proportionally affect young children
around the age of five, young adults between 20-30 years old
and those over 65 years old.
At this time, the School’s Headmaster was Edgar Montague
Jones whose specialist subjects were in Mathematics, Physics
and Chemistry. Letters and notations written by him to the
Home Office and the Education Board of Hertfordshire show
that he had a deep understanding of infectious diseases. In
1903, he informed the Government of the day that tuberculosis
could be halted if the “anti-social behaviour of spitting”
was banned and he pushed for laws to be passed. His aim at
getting a full Government Act passed was somewhat watered
down to a byelaw which was implemented in the areas most
affected by this disease. In 1919 when the Spanish Influenza
was increasing, Jones wrote again advising on how to contain
it: “sneezing and coughing into a handkerchief then washing
hands and spitting of any form should be refrained but again if
this must be done then into a handkerchief.” iii
In the early summer of 1919 the local Education Board had
asked if they could borrow masters to teach in the state sector
because the pandemic was seeing a huge rise in cases within
Hertfordshire and thus, the need for teachers was becoming
a problem. This first offer was declined but by July 1919, the
Board insisted and the School seconded its masters to local
schools. iv This left the School struggling to cope and often
classes were combined. Those who were on secondment often
came back to teach at the School in the evenings.
The Headmaster insisted that hygiene and health should be
paramount and extra staff were employed “as both caretakers
and for the well-being of the pupils to keep fit and thus ward off
the Influenza” v . Basic hygiene was to be adhered to including
hand washing and “…not sharing personal washing water, [and]
the need to disinfect twice daily, communal toiletry areas.” vi
Failure to adhere to hand washing resulted in the boys being,
“gated”, for the remainder of the term. Anybody caught spitting
i Information taken from the Government Health Report for England 1920
ii LCC/ CL / GP/1/35 – spitting – anti social behaviour National Archives
iii Hertfordshire School Admissions Logs HALS/ HEd & St Albans School Governor
Records 1917-1922
iv St Albans School Governor Records 1917-1922
v St Albans School Governor Records 1917-1922
vi St Albans School Governor Records 1917-1922
within the premises of the School was punished heavily and
repeated acts led to the offender being expelled. The constant
cleaning with strong disinfectant for over two years required the
replacement of floors and equipment. The wooden floor in the
Masters’ Common Room was covered with “sanitary linoleum”
and the students cupboards needed to be replaced with “a more
sanitary material with a matter of urgency.” vii
Fewer day pupils were enlisted to the School during the
year 1919-1920 and those that boarded were confined to the
School’s premises. Children who were ill were sent home to be
home-schooled. Spring and autumn half term holidays were
cancelled, with the boarders remaining onsite and only sent
home for Christmas and summer.
The School’s biggest decision was made in the winter of 1919,
when it temporary leased its playing fields (which were then
based on Hatfield Road) to The Hertfordshire Public Health
Trust. viii A temporary Infectious Diseases Hospital was built,
which helped to limit the spread of the infection within the
poorer areas of the City.
On 1st September 1918 the new A Level courses were
introduced. The examinations were to be taken after a two-year
course in Science and Mathematics. However, the first recipients
of these awards were denied as their examinations were curtailed
in spring 1920 due to “the Influenza Situation”. The results were
gained via aptitude tests and a formal mock examination which
had been set throughout the two-year course. The grade was
then ratified by the examination board. The Governors’ Record
on 30th September shows that most of the students did not suffer
and were able to proceed onto their next stage of life. Those that
did not succeed were readmitted for a further six months to
allow for the taking of “the examinations in the formal manner”.
A note in the Hertfordshire Record Office reads: “It is the
foresight of the Headmaster Mr Edgar Montague Jones, who
ensured the safety of his pupils and staff by shielding them
from areas of St Albans where this dreadful influenza presides
in earnest. It should be noted for future situations of how The St
Albans Grammar School had undertaken such tasks to combat
this disease in an affective and timely manner.” ix
Jones’ scientific understanding of how viruses reacted within
the community had the Government taking note and his
stringent acts of cleanliness saw him advise the local Health
Board with regards to public health. It is evident that his
foresight and actions helped save the School community.
vii This Trust was set up in response to the Ministry of Health Act which had been
passed in 1919 and allowed more of the population to have access to health services.
Previously this had relied upon the Poor Laws of 1839 and The Health Act of 1911,
neither of which helped contain the Spanish Influenza Virus
viii St Albans School Governor Records 1917-1922
ix Hertfordshire Health Report 1920 – Index of Schools HALS/ Hed

18
MEET THE OA
ASSOCIATION
Committee Members
In 1891, the Old Boys’ Club was founded, later to be renamed the Old Albanian Club in 1919 and again in 2018 to the Old
Albanian Association. The aims of the Association are to promote the interests of St Albans School and to “provide a bond of
union between members”. The management of the Association is in the hands of the committee, many of whom you hear from
via their sports reports in Versa. However, there are other committee members who assist with the running of the Association. Here
is a selection of profiles to introduce you to a few committee members...
Alan Philpott
Class of: 1962
Career: International
Banking
Date you joined the
Association: 1962.
My main reason was
to play cricket for the
OAs!
Favourite School
memory: My six-a-side cricket team. I recall it
comprised of two Smiths, two Hopkins, Oakhill
and me. We were a successful team, although I do
not remember any trophies. The year after I left,
the younger members continued the team under
the name ‘Philpott’s Six’.
Favourite OA memory: I must say being President
of the OA Club (now, OA Association). This was
a real honour, particularly attending the various
annual events and seeing the workings of the
School. However, I would say being in the role
at a time of a change in Headmasters was an
occurrence which does not befall many Presidents.
Organising farewell events for Andrew Grant and
welcoming Jonathan Gillespie were huge privileges.
Sports representation: I played for the OAs some
600 times and I have captained all four XI teams. I
hold the Club record for 1st XI victims (over 300)
and have held the offices of President, Secretary,
Chairman, Treasurer, Fixture Secretary and Team
Secretary!
Stephen Burgess
Also known at school as Sid.
This name was bestowed on
me to distinguish me from my
cousin Jeremy who started in the
same form as me. We could not
be referred to by our Christian
names, so I was Sid and Jeremy
was Joe. The names stuck
throughout our school years.
Class of: 1962
Career: My career was in Investment Management. My last
15 years were spent with Newton Investments where I was
an Investment Director looking after corporate pension
schemes. We were top ranked in the UK for the 1990s as a
whole and top ranked in three individual years.
Date you joined the Association: 1963. I had already joined
the Rugby Club and I felt I should join the main Club.
Favourite School memory: Becoming ‘School-mile’
champion in the Fifth Form when I was not then part of the
athletic setup.
Favourite OA memory: Employing The Zombies at an OA
dance for £20 when they had the top ten hit ‘She’s Not There’,
soon to be a massive hit in US.
Sports representation: I represented the School at
cricket (1st XI), Rugby (1st XV), Cross Country and
Athletics. I had full colours for Rugby, Cross Country and
Athletics and 2nd XI colours in Cricket. I played rugby and
cricket for the OAs and spent some ten seasons running for
St Albans AC and Verlea AC, alongside Archie McDonald
(OA 1958) and Mike Palmer (OA 1954). I then took up
cycling and have been a member of Verulam CC ever since.
Archie McDonald
Class of: 1958
Career: Chartered Civil
Engineer
Date you joined the
Association: I joined about six
years ago. I was in the Scouts
and at school with Pete Dredge
(OA 1960) and Don Carnell
(OA 1954) and I knew them
both for many years. When Don died, Pete asked me to
replace him on the OA Committee, which I quickly
agreed to.
Favourite School memory: Being Captain of the School
athletics team and holding four school records. I held the
100yds (10.0 secs), 220yds (22.2 secs), 440yds (52.6 secs)
and high jump (5 feet 10 inches). I also remember Steven
Hawking who was two years below me.
Favourite OA memory: Winning the OA Golf Cup about
10 years ago.
Sports representation: I represented the County,
British Universities and Scotland as a sprinter. I ran for
Hertfordshire in the Inter-Counties Championships and
the British University Championships. I then entered the
World Student Games in Turin. I was the Scottish 220yds
Champion in 1962 and ran for Scotland three times.
Anna Philpott
Class of: 1993
Career: Teacher
Date you joined the
Association: Genuinely can’t
remember the year! I have
been involved with the OAs
all my life, when I actually
became an OA myself, I was
already institutionalised!
Favourite School memory:
I’m guessing you don’t mean the pub/party memories of
which there are many! One of my favourite memories
was a heated discussion with the Head of Sixth Form
regarding the classification of culottes as a trouser or a
skirt! Ladies were only allowed to wear skirts back in
the day and I loved pushing boundaries. Apologies Mr
Talbot! As a teacher I now spend a significant amount of
time debating uniform rules myself, what goes around!
Favourite OA memory: Representing the OAs by
speaking at the Upper Sixth graduation evening. I love
welcoming the new recruits.
Sports representation: As the first year of girls we had
quite limited options but we did start a netball team. I
don’t believe we won any games though!
David Buxton
Class of: 1963 (left in 1961)
Career: initially accountancy
but that didn’t suit me, so went
into industries as a Product
Development Manager (plastics
and medical dressings), to
Export Manager (construction
chemicals), then engineering
and petroleum equipment and
spares, finally sports safety equipment.
Date you joined the Association: 1965
Favourite School memory: I genuinely loved my time at
school, I wish I had studied harder! It was an enjoyable
period in my life and I’ve always been proud of my school
association. We had some wonderful masters such as
Sawyer, Jenkins, Heather and Bloxham. I loved Geography,
History, English, French, Rugby, Shooting and the Corps of
Drums. I remember marching through the town, playing
a solo drum roll in the Abbey at the Civic Remembrance
Service, prior to the last post being played on a bugle.
Favourite OA memory: Having been an active member
of the OA Rugby, Shooting, Fishing and Cricket teams,
I have so many memories, all combining to give me 57
years of comradeship and fun.
Sports representation: I was selected to represent
Hertfordshire in a shooting match against the
Metropolitan Police. I achieved the top score of the
competition and received a medal in recognition.
P. Nick Barnes
Also nicknamed “Binnie”
by Mr “Joey” Webb, after an
American actress.
Class of: 1966
Career: Solicitor and Notary
Public
Date you joined the
Association: Autumn 1966 as
I lived locally and wanted to
play rugby.
Favourite School memory: Going on School organised
holidays to the Isle of Wight, Deauville and Venice
which were all great fun.
Favourite OA memory: The Saturday night dances
at Beech Bottom. There was always a live group, the
noise was ear splitting, the air was hot and smokey, the
floors were awash with beer and the walls were dripping
with condensation. I loved those dances, they were the
highlight of the week!
Sports representation: 1st XV rugby, 1st XI hockey
and 1st VI tennis. The highlight was being a member of
the President's hockey team which went a whole season
unbeaten.

20 Bursaries OA Sports
21
GIVE THE GIFT OF
EDUCATION
this Christmas
As a former Direct Grant School, we have always
remained focused on our bursary provision. In the
absence of any state support, the Bursary Fund is vital
in offering transformational opportunities and to preserving
the mixture of academic and co-curricular excellence with
social diversity that is so central a part of St Albans School's
historic mission and character.
There are many Old Albanians who have received a St
Albans School education at little or no parental expense and
we are eager to continue this tradition, particularly in these
turbulent times.
If you would like more information about how you
can transform a young life such as Seun’s or Ellen’s
through the power of education, please visit
www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk/foundation/bursary-fund/ or
contact development@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
MAKING A SINGLE GIFT
I would like to make a single gift of £
I enclose a cheque made payable to St Albans School Foundation
I enclose a Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) voucher
Please debit my: Visa / Delta MasterCard UK Maestro
as follows:
Name on card:
Card number :
Start Date / Issue No. (if applicable)
Expiry Date:
Security Code:
(3 digit code on the back of the card)
Signature:
Date:
“St Albans School gave me a top class education and set me
on a path to achieve my full potential. I developed in more
ways than just academia and the co-curricular activities
sowed the seeds of my confi dence and social abilities.”
Seun Adekoya (OA 2015)
“The key benefi t I gained from attending St Albans School
was having the opportunity to be around students who were
genuinely interested in learning. It was so refreshing to be in
an atmosphere that valued aspiration and success”.
GIFT AID
Ellen Piercy (OA 2015)
Please gift aid your donation to make it worth an
extra 25% to the School at no extra cost to yourself.
I am a UK taxpayer, and would like St Albans
School to treat this donation (and any other
donations I may make from the date of this
declaration until I notify you otherwise) as a Gift
Aid donation*
Name:
Address:
Signature:
Date:
*NB I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax
and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of
Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any
difference. I will notify the Charity if I wish to cancel my donation,
change my name or address or if I no longer pay sufficient tax
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO: St Albans School Development Office, Abbey Gateway, St Albans AL3 4HB.
Registered Charity Number 1092932
BREAKING RECORDS
To provide some context to those unfamiliar, the Old
Albanian Football Club solely consists of former OAs
who have previously studied at the School. Matches are
held within the Arthurian League and played against other
independent schools across the South East.
Following the rebirth of the Club in 2017 and with the
backing of the School, over 150 former students have now
represented the team, a stat we are excited to increase over the
coming years.
Like many sports clubs over the past few months, play was
prematurely suspended leading to the season being cut short.
DON MILLS (OA 1970)
RECEIVING THE OA CUP
OA Football Club
by Nick Jackson (OA 2005)
Ever since the restart after lockdown, the
guidelines set down by England Golf
on how to implement the limitations
imposed by the pandemic have been
interpreted in different ways by local clubs.
In addition, throughout the summer we
lived with the constant threat of reimposed
restrictions should the pandemic become
worse. Thus, the final meeting of the season
was cancelled by the host club and right up
to the eleventh hour the Society’s tour to
Lakeside Lodge was in some doubt. The tour
did go ahead, albeit with reduced numbers
due to self-isolation and fortunately, an
alternative venue was found for the final
meeting, so all’s well that ends well.
However, as the 2020/21 campaign kicks off, at the time of
writing OAFC currently sit top of the division and are on
an unbeaten run of three matches – with back to back wins
against Bancrofts, Merchant Taylors and most notably Old
Brentwood with an Arthurian record breaking win of 19-0!
For ‘fly on the wall’ access, team releases and behind the
scenes action, we’d encourage those interested to follow
@oa_football on Instagram.
During these uncertain times, the OA Football Club would
like to wish Old Albanians and the School community all
the very best.
SWINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
OA Golf Club
by Kevin O’Donoghue (OA 1959)
The three days’ golf at Lakeside Lodge were
played in bright sunshine for the most part.
Three different formats were tried and despite
initial misgivings, they worked out well.
Most participants managed a prize on at least
one day and, of course, the usual suspects
managed it on all three days. Most consistent
throughout the tour was Tony Clarke (OA
1961) who retained the Tour Trophy.
In the dining room, the group had to follow
the ‘rule of six’. We compared our experiences
of school, among other things, concentrating
principally on our failures and lapses of
discipline rather than any academic success.
It was decided unanimously that we should
Continue
OAFC, PHOTO TAKEN PRE-LOCKDOWN

22
OA Sports
23
Swingin’ In The Rain … Continued
return next year and a provisional reservation has already
been made.
Twenty members arrived at Whipsnade Park for the
final meeting of the year in bright sunshine and in the
knowledge that the prospects were favourable for a fine
afternoon’s golf. On this occasion, however, meteorological
forecasting was well wide of the mark. By mid-afternoon we
were all thoroughly drenched and the ground conditions
were somewhat heavy. That affected the scoring drastically
but, in such circumstances, class tells. Thus, it was that Don
“IS THIS A BLANK I SEE BEFORE ME”
OR “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”
Sitting in front of this once blank computer screen and trying
to report our activities, I was reminded of the absent results
that traditionally punctuate our shooting calendar. There is
little we can do about that of course but I suspect several trophies
will bear the engraving ‘Covid-19’ in lieu of this year’s result.
Lockdown stopped all shoulder-to-shoulder and postal
competitions, following the closure of ranges. A situation that,
until recently, has remained largely unchanged with summer
season shooting being abandoned on block. As restrictions
eased in the summer, there were initiatives by the NSRA
and county associations to extend shoot-by dates, in a drive
to close out last winter’s competitions, many of which were
nearing completion. This was tricky as indoor ranges were
not yet Covid-19 safe due to changing restrictions, however,
a few individuals did manage to complete their competitions.
Well done. The move did draw a line under the 2019-2020
season and enabled results to be recorded. Not that I have any
to recount here as end dates have only recently passed and
scoring needs to be completed and results published.
In July – despite outdoor ranges being allowed to reopen in
a Covid-19 safe format – there remained an understandable
reluctance to start shooting again. The absence of competition
did not help encourage shooters. Those with outdoor smallbore
ranges were definitely at an advantage at this time.
We used to consider Bisley as our home range. Unfortunately,
the NRA’s attempt to re-start shooting was in a format that did
not lend itself to our competitions. So, following consultations
among club secretaries, it was decided to scrap all shooting
for 2020 and start anew in summer 2021. Ominously, recent
increases in Covid-19 case numbers put even that in doubt
but we live in hope. There is a real chance the Arnold Cup will
become one of those trophies to bear a “Covid-19” inscription
for 2020. Let us hope 2021 does not do the same.
OA Rifle Club
by Andrew Wilkie (OA 1965)
Mills (OA 1970) retained the OA Cup that he won on his
own course at Harpenden last year. Second was John Cox
(OA 1974) and third Tony Clarke (OA 1961). The winning
Antelope was Simon Cooper. The secretary reported that
the bank balance was healthy so subscriptions for 2021
would be held at £10, as they have been since before the
turn of the century.
The Society has members of all abilities and is always
pleased to welcome golfing OAs particularly those who
would help to reduce the average age of its membership.
At the start of lockdown, a learned small-bore colleague
suggested we should all don our gear once a week and
partake in lounge carpet shooting (no bullets!). The idea
being to maintain muscle memory or in my case, remind
the grey cells what was expected! I for one failed to heed
that recommendation so when I tried 100yds small-bore
in August, a few minor positional settings felt awkward.
I took the view that when shooting regularly, one makes
unconscious allowances for these issues, meaning they were
unseen but randomly caused point losses during lapses in
concentration. I have now made some adjustments and time
will tell if that works. Have others found the same I wonder?
Congratulations to Andy Moore (OA 1970) who will be
shooting for Somerset county small-bore team this winter
season. Martin Warr and I hope to continue our county level
careers as well. Our AGM this year was also a casualty of
the virus so by exchange of emails the committee members
agreed to remain in post until next year. Andy reports that
finances are sufficiently healthy at present.
Owen Simmons (OA 1960) recently reminded me of the dates
the current OA R+PC officers took up post which reads like this:
President OL Simmons 1989
Chairman OL Simmons 1988
Secretary OL Simmons 1964
Treasurer AQS Moore 1977
Captain AWB Wilkie 1971
I think we could all do with a change. Any volunteers to take
over or help out!? Despite everything, we all remain optimistic.
Entries for the winter are going in and competition calendars
for Bisley 2021 are being put together. More information will
follow but, in the meantime, keep shooting, consider how you
might be able to help, and above all, keep safe.
TRYING TIMES
We continue to lead the way as a top community
rugby club, not only in Hertfordshire but nationally.
As a club, we are particularly lucky to have so many
dedicated, talented and passionate people who give their time
and energy freely to see our plans through to completion.
The club remains in a strong position with four senior men’s
teams, two senior women’s teams and minis & juniors playing
almost every week of the season. This means Woollams is a
busy place most weekends, offering rugby to anyone whatever
their gender, standard or level of experience. It has been a
challenging season for many reasons. Firstly, the weather
cancelled a lot of fixtures and then Coronavirus cut the season
short, but with what is going on in the world right now, we as
a rugby club and a community know we must and will do our
part by keeping to the Covid-19 guidelines.
When we look back at 2019/20, inevitably it is not going to be
remembered for events on the pitch. Nonetheless, 25 games of
the scheduled 30 were completed in our second season back in
National League Two South and we finished 10th.
It’s fair to say that while the club underachieved, it could so
easily have been different. Of the 16 matches lost during the
season, losing bonus points were secured in 10 of them, the
most of any team in at least the top six divisions in England.
A huge number of injuries tested the medical team to the full,
with over 45 players appearing for the 1st XV, including seven
former Junior players and one current Colt.
The Old Albanian Saints have been training
since August and are getting into the swing of
the new rules. While we could not train together
over the summer, we wanted the players to stay
connected and active, and so, the OA-lympics was
born. The squad was split into groups, with each
group aiming to gain as many points as possible
by following our strength and conditioning plan.
Challenges saw one Saint hold a wall-sit for seven
minutes and another handstand for two and a
half minutes!
We also started the Calorie Challenge which
pitted teams against each other to see who could
burn the most calories collectively in one day,
while raising money for charity. The Saints had
a brilliant turn out, winning one challenge as a
OA Rugby Club
by Rory Davis, Chairman
SAINTS
by Steph Plunkett, Captain
Our 2nd XV, the Romans, had a decent start to the season
but unfortunately were unable to play more than a handful
of matches with injuries, then weather and finally a global
pandemic seeing limited action.
The 3rd XV, the Gladiators, continued their strong seasons with
another league title secured in HMMT #2. Congratulations to
Rob Fenton and all involved in a memorable season.
The Grizzlies had a tough season ended early with no chance of
silverware, finally ending up 6th in HMMT Merit 4 SW. This is
definitely a transition period and we know the Grizzlies are in a
good place and will come back fighting next season.
In the National Colts U18 Cup we had another fantastic run.
We started off with a walkover at Old Colfeians in October
followed by a 41-7 win at Westcliff in November. We then
beat Dartfordians 40-5 before defeating Chelmsford 15-5 at
Woollams in February. In March, we travelled to Sevenoaks for
the quarter final and recorded a fantastic win by 17-13. We were
in the semi-finals for the third time in seven seasons. However,
the season was declared over by the RFU and that was that.
So, what does the future hold for us? Simple: We will carry on
doing what we are doing!
We will continue to ensure we maintain the values of the Old
Albanian RFC and to uphold the policy not to pursue 1st team
progression at the detriment of the rest of the club, offering
young players a platform to express themselves when they
reach senior rugby at whatever level they might achieve.
team and producing some outstanding individual
performances.
The squad is working hard to keep their fitness up
and we’re starting to gel as a team. This year sees
the return of Sarah McKenna as Head Coach with
a new appointment of Charlotte Fredrickson as
Assistant Coach while Dale Baines continues to
lead the newly re-formed development team. Our
development squad look forward to competing
in a league while the 1st XV are excited to defend
their title in the Championship 1 South. As things
stand, we will not be playing games until January
2021 at the earliest but right now we are enjoying
training and are continuously pushing to get
fitter, faster and stronger.