Versa: Issue Eight

VERSA
OA NEWS
WAITING IN THE WINGS
BROTHERS IN ARMS
THE WOOMERA TROPHY
A GREAT RETURN
CHAMPIONING
WOMEN’S VOICES
Kate Verghese (OA 2004) and
shaping the craft of screenwriting
SPRING 2021

Inside
this issue
Editorial Team
Chris Harbour
Sarah Osborne
Upcoming Events 2
OA President’s Notes 3
OA Events 4
Leaving a Lasting Legacy 6
Waiting in the Wings 7
Featured OA: Kate Verghese 8
Brothers in Arms 10
OA News 11
Announcements14
Ask the Archivist 19
OA Sports 20
@oldalbanianassociation @OAAssociation @oaassociation
St Albans School
Archives
Old Albanian
Networking:
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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
07775 938368
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
Chairman
Geoff Lamb
07546 078970
Head Coach
Margie Edge
07946 225557
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
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Friday 11th June 2021
Virtual Gin Tasting Evening
Remote
Spirit of Hertfordshire in collaboration with St Albans School will be running an
exclusive virtual gin tasting event via Zoom, followed by an opportunity to socialise
and catch up in breakout rooms. The event is open to all members of the St Albans
School community including parents, OAs, staff and former staff. Richard Daniel
(former parent 2019) and Richard Osmond (OA 2006), owner and distiller of Spirit of
Hertfordshire respectively, will lead us through the tasting of three specially selected
gin cocktails, which will be delivered straight to your door prior to the event.
To register, please complete the form sent via email.
Friday 25th June 2021
Virtual Golden Jubilee Reunion (Classes of 1971 and 1978)
Remote
Due to the current climate, it is with regret that we cannot hold the Golden Jubilee
Reunion for the Classes of 1971 and 1978 on the School site this summer. However,
we do not want this milestone of 50 years since leaving (Class of 1971) and 50 years
since starting (Class of 1978) the School to go uncelebrated and are therefore hosting
a virtual reunion on Friday 25th June.
All OAs who attend the event will also receive a small celebratory package in the post,
so please do save the date and spread the word with your fellow OAs. An email with
further details and timings will be sent in the coming weeks.
Saturday 3rd July 2021
Virtual Founders’ Day
Remote
Current restrictions regrettably prevent us from gathering in the Abbey for our annual
commemoration of, and thanksgiving for, the School’s foundation. Once again, this
year’s service will be recorded in advance and available to view online on the day. A
video link will be sent via email and we hope that next year’s Founders’ Day can go
ahead as usual.
Friday 17th September 2021
OA Dinner
St Albans School – subject to restrictions
The provisional date for the OA Dinner is Friday 17th September, so please do save
the date in your diaries. This in-person event is of course, subject to Government and
School restrictions and we will keep OAs up to date with our plans. Covid permitting,
the informal dinner, open to all OAs, will start with (optional) tours of the School
followed by a delicious dinner in the Refectory. Tickets are just £15.00 for two courses
and a drink on arrival. There will also be a cash bar open on the night.
Development Office
Tel: 01727 515187
Email: development@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
St Albans School, Abbey Gateway, St Albans, AL3 4HB
OA PRESIDENT’S NOTES
More than a few years ago, I wrote a song which
started “Filling in time, doing my best not to lose
my mind…”, that resonates with me still! This last
lockdown has really been quite challenging but I have, at
no stage, been bored. One of the high spots of my week is a
Tuesday morning Zoom with three of my School year (1965)
Peter Knapp, Dave Merriott and John Matthewman – and here
we are shown in the pre-Covid photo below. We meet as the
RSC – Red Scarf Club – as at one of our Sunday lunches we all
turned up, randomly, wearing red scarves. Our weekly meetings
comprise of a quiz and there is a lot of discussion about the
accuracy of the answers. This takes us back, always, to events
which happened at School. It was at our 50th Reunion (2008)
where we resolved to get together on a much more regular basis.
I have heard said “Being alone is physical: being lonely is a state
of mind”. Reunions do have a lot of benefits!
At the OAA AGM in January 2021, my term as President was
extended, by common consent, for another year and I am
grateful for that. But nothing like as grateful as I am to David
Buxton (OA 1963, OAA Secretary), Alan Philpott (OA 1962,
OASA Secretary), David Hughes (OA 1994, OAA Treasurer)
and Peter Dew (OA 1965, Hon. Auditor OAA). Without the
patient help from these guys, my life as OAA President would
be impossible. I was able to report, at the AGM, that the OA
President’s Sports Grant for 2020/2021 had been awarded to
two exceptional School candidates: Luca Stubbs (Athletics and
Cross Country) and Matthew Cox (Triple Jump). These two
up-coming stars each received £1,000 to help them chase their
goals. Their progress will be watched with great interest.
I have attended just ONE School event and that was the Burns
Night Whisky Tasting evening on 22nd January. This, not
surprisingly, was very well attended! I spent the first 20 years
of my working life with HM Customs and Excise as they were
then. This included some time spent in the whisky distilleries
north of Hadrian’s Wall which I really enjoyed. The event was
led by Mark Westmorland, Global Ambassador for Wolfburn
Distillery, and it was a very convivial evening. Rabbie Burns
was also an “exciseman” and a musician – I like to think I have
something in common with him!
PRE-COVID OAS 1965 MEETING. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MIKE HODGE,
JOHN MATTHEWMAN, PETER KNAPP AND DAVE MERRIOTT.
Mike Hodge (OA 1965), OA President
Now to update you on the happenings – or lack of – at
Woollams. Sadly, in line with other such organisations,
OASA closed its doors in December 2020 to all but Saracens
who enjoy a professional sports exemption. During this
current lockdown, the facility’s costs were again minimised
with the furloughing of staff as appropriate. The opportunity
was also taken to carry out some works on the balconies. The
wear and tear of nearly 20 years of sporting entertainment
has taken its toll.
Now to the future – Woollams welcomed back the Rugby and
Tennis Clubs from 29th March as lockdown restrictions were
lifted and it is hoped that the Cricket Club will enjoy a full
league season with service provided as normal. Woollams is
looking to re-open fully on 21st June assuming the roadmap out
of lockdown is achieved.
You will all be able to read the extraordinary number of
obituaries in this issue. They are each limited to a couple of
hundred words in order to accommodate them all but could
I suggest that you read the complete obituaries in the online
edition, which can be found at www.OAConnect.co.uk. I
would like to add my own thoughts to three individuals.
Firstly, Ali Mills who was not an OA in the true sense of the
term but should have been. He was a giant of a character and
President of the OA Rugby Club for many years. Life was
never dull when he was about. Ali was a wonderful servant
to the Club and an outstanding President. They don’t make
folk like him any longer. Graham Hutson (OA 1962) was a
very long-standing friend of ours – another wonderful guy.
He died on New Year’s Day which was a huge shock for us all
and another delightful character taken much too soon. Finally,
Tony Hendra (OA 1959) who was a Prefect when I joined the
School in September 1958. I remember watching him playing
rugby for the 1st XV at King Harry. He was described in The
Albanian at the time as an “aggressive and hard tackling wing
forward”. He was also Captain of the 1959 Swimming team.
An email from one of his classmates read “Tony was, quite
simply, one of the very best classmates one could ever wish to
have”. What a great epitaph! He invented Spinal Tap and was a
Founder of Spitting Image. OK – maybe not everyone’s cup of
tea but a really gifted and spirited character, the likes of whom
are dwindling fast. Glass completely full – all the time. A truly
inspiring Old Albanian.
There is some light at the end of this Covid tunnel. As I write
these notes at the end of March, I am due to play my first golf
for three months. By the time you read this, I really do hope
that the roadmap is working well and that we are able to enjoy
some social normality. It has been a long and winding road.
I am very much looking forward to attending some School
events and meeting you at Woollams.

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OA Events
VIRTUAL
Wine Tasting
On Friday 20th November 2020, Flagship Wines
of St Albans hosted an exclusive Virtual Wine
Tasting event for St Albans School. OAs, parents,
staff and former staff were treated to four specially selected
wines (two contrasting red and two contrasting white) from
around the world.
The event was a great success and our thanks go to Julia
Jenkins, Owner and Managing Director of Flagship Wines,
who hosted and led attendees through the tasting.
Guests were guided across the various tastes, regions and
styles of wine from the comfort of their own homes. The
event proved to be very popular and it’s safe to say that a
good time was had by all!
1970s VIRTUAL OA REUNION
with Afternoon Tea
VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTING
Off the back of the successful wine tasting, we
held a Burns Night Virtual Whisky Tasting
on Friday 22nd January. The whole School
community was invited to join us in celebration with
a few drams!
Participants were sent four core expressions ranging in
warming flavours to lightly peated and smoke infused,
namely Northland, Aurora, Morven and Langskip.
Our host for the evening was Mark Westmorland,
Global Ambassador for Wolfburn Distillery – the most
northerly whisky distillery on the Scottish mainland.
Our thanks go to Mark for his excellent guidance
through the tasting and to Daniel Humphrey (OA
2002) for putting us in touch with Wolfburn Distillery.
Our virtual tasting events have proven to be very
popular!
1980s VIRTUAL OA REUNION
with Beer
On the evening of Friday 23rd April, OAs from
the Classes of 1980 to 1989 were invited to a
virtual catch up with their 1980s classmates
and teachers. Following the success of the recent 1970s
Afternoon Tea Reunion, OAs from the 80s era enjoyed
a get together via Zoom, accompanied by some locally
brewed beers sent straight to their door! A big thank
you goes to the team at Farr Brew, Wheathampstead,
for supplying us with some contrasting ales.
We have received some great feedback about the event
and are pleased to read that OAs far and wide enjoyed
seeing each other for the first time in many years.
Watch this space for the next OA virtual reunion!
On Friday 5th March, OAs from the classes of
1970 to 1979 were invited to a virtual reunion
with their classmates and teachers. The event
included a free afternoon tea box containing sweet treats.
Many thanks go to Carpenters Nursery & Farm Shop,
who were able to assist and provide us with a selection of
cakes from St Albans suppliers.
OAs from all Classes in the 1970s were in attendance,
including alumni calling in from nine different countries!
We were pleased to also welcome former staff Nigel
Woodsmith, Stephen Gell, Peter Stubbs and Derek Sawyer.
After introductions and rollcall, guests were divided into
breakout rooms, enabling OAs from the same and similar
year groups to catch up with one another.
We hope that all who attended had an enjoyable time
and were able to recognise some familiar faces in the
photographs that were shared! We hope to welcome OAs
back to in-person events and reunions in the near future.

6 7
OA Events
WAITING IN THE WINGS
Theatres in Lockdown
CAROL SERVICE
Government restrictions regrettably prevented us
from gathering in the Abbey in the usual way last
December. As a result, the Carol Service was prepared
and recorded in advance and made available to OAs and
parents to view online on Wednesday 9th December.
Our thanks, as always, go to Dr Pines and Mr Stout for their
expertise in organising the Service and to everyone else who
LEAVING A LASTING
Legacy
St Albans School aims for excellence in all it does. The
St Albans School Foundation exists to create the best
possible facilities and opportunities for both current
students and the generations of pupils still to come. This
mission can only be achieved with the generosity and
financial support of our alumni and wider community.
After the regrettable demise of the Direct Grant scheme in the
mid-1970s, our Bursary Fund has become vital to the ethos of
what we do – offering a first-class education to the brightest
pupils, regardless of their parents’ financial circumstances.
Our means-tested bursaries are awarded in confidence, so
that the beneficiaries can make the most of the wide-ranging
opportunities of the School in the same way as any other
pupil. The School is committed to increasing the number of
bursary places it is able to award.
Leaving a legacy is one of the most influential ways in which
you can help. Past legacies have not only helped individuals
to develop their unique skills and talents but have also
contributed to it. Although we couldn’t follow the Service with
mulled wine and mince pies in traditional School fashion, all
OAs were also warmly invited to our virtual Christmas Drinks
that evening and we are thankful to those that did join us.
We remain hopeful that the Service can go ahead as planned
in 2021.
enabled the School to develop and improve the makeup of
its buildings.
By way of recognising your generous gift, we induct all
legators into the Gateway Society, a means by which we
can thank you during your lifetime. By informing the
Development Office that you have made a bequest to the
School, you will automatically become a member of the
Gateway Society – there is no obligation to disclose the size
or nature of your gift. Members receive a specially designed
silk tie and receive an invitation to the Gateway Feast, the
Society’s annual dinner. A wish for anonymity will of course
be respected and you can be assured that your wishes and
intentions will be treated with the utmost respect.
There are many different ways in which you can make a
bequest, and a brochure with more detailed information
and suggested wording for your will is available under the
Foundation section of the School website: www.st-albans.
herts.sch.uk/foundation.
Luciano Macis (OA 2002), talks to us about his career in theatre as a Stage Manager, how his
life and work have been impacted by the pandemic and what he thinks of the industry’s future.
I
joined St Albans School having already been in theatre
since the age of four, so drama (and sports) provided
me with great escapism. My parents were worried about
me academically because I have severe dyslexia, and I’m
really grateful that the School gave me a good education
and provided me with a support structure. Andrew Grant
(former Headmaster) and a number of other staff recognised
my mental health as an important concern and helped me
considerably. Without that support, I probably wouldn’t have
achieved what I wanted to. After school, I studied Visual
and Performing Arts at the University of Chichester. There, I
gained experience in acting, directing, management and the
technical side of productions. I realised then that I preferred
the backstage side of theatre.
When I graduated in 2005, there was an economic recession,
so it was difficult to find work. My first job was as a general
crew member at Butlins in 2006. In 2007, I left and started to
send out feelers to the West End, hearing back from five out of
150 companies. Fortunately, I was offered work experience on
Wicked. Since then, I have worked my way up and have since
worked as Assistant Stage Manager of Wicked, Deputy Stage
Manager of Walking with Dinosaurs, Head of Automation
with Top Hat, Technical Assistant Stage Manager of The Book
of Mormon and Stage Manager of Murder For Two, to name a
few. In 2019, I was offered a job at Chichester Festival Theatre
as Company Stage Manager and ran a production of Sing Yer
Hearts Out for the Lads. It was meant to transfer to national
theatres in September but because of the pandemic, it was
pulled and now it probably won’t happen. Life was simpler
before the pandemic. We now have to come to work two
hours early to be tested before shows!
Before lockdown, I secured a job running a show called
Sleepless at The Troubadour Theatre in February 2020. The
show was relaunched in June so we went back into rehearsals
in August and we were the first production to reopen with
Covid restrictions and an audience. Usually, show capacity
is 1,200 but with restrictions we had 400. It was important
that we all felt safe, especially the cast who were in close
proximity with one another. We had Covid testing six
days a week and set up our own version of track and trace,
segregating departments so that only one person would
interact with another department. I encouraged colleagues
to express concerns and talk about their mental health and
it created a real sense of community between us all as we
spoke in a much more open manner. Feeling reassured and
safe was important.
There is almost no theatre work out there at the moment and
my wife is also in the industry, so we’ve taken a double hit.
The self-employment grant saved us and we could have lost
our house if we hadn’t had the help. I take what I get – I’ve
applied for jobs at supermarkets, I deliver fruit and vegetable
boxes, I host online Escape Rooms, I worked as a Christmas
temp at Homesense and I have also applied to be a vaccinator
for the NHS. I do think things will slowly go back to the
norm, and I believe that theatre capacities will be less for a lot
longer than we think. For some reason, theatre has been made
out as unsafe, whereas sport stadiums have not. The finger has
been pointed at singing and musical instruments as a means
for Covid spreading. I attended a show in the summer and
the safety was so well managed, I can’t understand how it’s not
as safe as a stadium. My temperature was checked and I was
shown directly to my seat. We had nobody directly in front of
or behind us. There has been a lot of miscommunication and
there needs to be a clear explanation of what is and isn’t safe.
Theatre will take a real hit unless people realise that it is a lot
safer than other places.
I’m grateful for the range of jobs I’ve secured since the start of
the pandemic and am hopeful that l will be back working as a
theatre Stage Manager again by the late summer.
"I would like to thank “Bear” for everything that he did for
me throughout my time at St Albans School. He really knew
how to get the best out of every player that he coached. Rest
in Peace Mr Hudson."

8
Featured OA
9
You joined St Albans School in 2002, what prompted the
decision to make the move?
I was originally at St Albans Girls’ School and loved it there.
However, I thrive on change and new challenges – I think
that’s partly why I do what I do. When I came to look around,
I was compelled by the setting – the Gateway and Abbey are
very evocative. The School felt like a place that engaged with
and nurtured pupils as individual thinkers. Soon after, I had
an interview with Andrew Grant (former Headmaster) who
encouraged me to take all the A Levels I’d wanted, plus some
extra subjects. I was lucky enough to get a music scholarship.
So, I decided to make the jump.
I had an amazing time looking back. My Form Tutor,
Julia Grieveson, was fantastic. She helped me manage my
commitments and generally felt like an all-round champion
of me. I also loved my English lessons. I remember studying
Byron with Mr Pedroz and was rapt by the Romantics. I was
introduced to satire for the first time when we read A Modest
Proposal and it informs a lot of my writing now, either tonally
or as a genre. It’s an effective way to deliver hard truths in the
guise of entertainment! I remember in those English classes,
with Mr Cassidy and Mr Pedroz, looking at the etymology
of words and the Latin roots and realising what a sharp tool
language was. I found it fascinating.
I attended the Royal College of Music outside of school and
decided to do music A Level quite late, but Mr McCord was
brilliant and completely accommodated me. Being in the
choir and getting to sing in Abbey every Monday and Friday
was also incredible – something I did not take for granted. I
thought it was the most beautiful, romantic thing to do and so
atmospheric.
ALL THE
Write Moves
Kate Verghese (OA 2004)
takes us on her screenwriting career
journey and discusses the importance
of making sure female voices and
characters are heard. Successfully
gaining a place on the BBC Trainee
Scheme after university, Kate has
progressed from writing for longstanding
shows to creating her own
work and writing a film for Halle Berry.
After School, UCL followed. How was the course?
I didn’t originally want to go to London. At the time I was
applying, however, I think UCL was the top English course. I
went to the interview and really liked the feel of the place and
the curriculum. It was really important to me to understand
the history of literature comprehensively, from the beginning
to present day and UCL gave me that. The Capital can be
a tough place as a student. But the upside is you have all of
London’s theatres at your disposal.
I’ve always wanted to be a writer since I was a child. I think
initially it was more about novel writing. However I’d always
loved film and fell in love with shows like The West Wing
and Ally McBeal and the scope they have for building huge
and complex character journeys. It was then that I realised I
wanted to work in TV and film.
After University you joined the BBC Trainee Scheme, what
was that experience like??
It was great because as a trainee you are given a hands-on
overview of the industry. You don’t know what is involved in
a role until you’re in it. It takes an army to make a TV show.
I knew I wanted to work in BBC Drama from the off, so I
made sure I got a placement in that department. I had a very
sharp mentor who was Chief of Staff to the Director General.
She told me that working on a show like EastEnders is best
because it puts out so many episodes per week and you will
be plugged into the machine of storytelling there, rather
than just hanging around on set and bringing the director
drinks. That was absolutely the right advice. I was assistant
script editing and reading about 20 scripts a week. From
there it was very easy for me to get a job at one of the BBC’s
other long-running shows, Holby City.
I had a great time at Holby and a boss who completely
championed me. I moved into the Story Department, which
creates the long-running storylines for the show. There are
52 episodes a year, so 52 hours. There is no other hour-long
show with that level of output – it’s a mind-blowing amount
of story to create! I was quickly promoted to Story Producer,
running that department, when I was quite young. I was 25
and I think at that age you have less fear about failing, so
even though it was very pressured, I just went for it.
I would run story conferences and writersrooms to originate
new ideas for upcoming series. We would think of the surgical
wards as a microcosm for society. We would discuss what
was going on in medicine at the time, such as doctors’ protests,
but also what was going on in the world. This could then spark
a story about sexism and equal pay, for example. We would
also use Shakespeare and mythology for inspiration. Time and
time again we would do a King Lear story for the head of the
hospital. You see this in drama constantly – HBO’s Succession is
essentially King Lear. An Icarus story would also be a common
one for a really ambitious surgeon. How far does he go before
he flies too close to the sun? What does that look like in the
world of surgery?
“There has been more focus in
my industry on ensuring female
characters are at the centre of shows
and, crucially, that it is women who
are telling their stories.”
What made you decide to go freelance?
I had been offered a few other jobs to produce on other
shows and at that point I thought, I’m either going to be
courageous and start writing or I’ll just carry on working
on other shows as a producer. That would have been fine,
but I knew I wanted to create and write my own shows and
ultimately, I wanted to produce them, too. This is something
that we’re doing more and more in this country but it’s
definitely an American structure. The writer creates the
show and also executive produces it and is head of the show.
They are, in essence, CEO of a company – the role is called
“the showrunner”. That’s what I’d always wanted to do and it
just felt like the right time. I remember sitting down to the
blank page on day one of writing and having a huge bout of
Imposter Syndrome. I had to have a pep talk with my mum!
I sent my ‘spec script’ to loads of producers that I knew at
the BBC, including the Head of BBC Drama who had moved
on to another company. He really loved it, so we started
developing the script together.
You’ve written quite a number of original scripts that are
in development with the BBC and Amazon, among others.
How are they progressing?
My most recent work to have aired is an episode of The Spanish
Princess, which is a show about Catherine of Aragon and her
journey to marrying Henry VIII. It’s quite distinctive because
it’s all from the female point of view, which history doesn’t tend
to be. On the other end of the scale, I’ve just written an episode
of Industry, which is an international finance drama about
twenty-somethings aired on HBO and BBC Two.
Currently, I’m working on my own show for Amazon with
US director Lawrence Trilling, who is the showrunner for
Goliath. The script is loosely based on the novel UNSUB by
US author Meg Gardiner. It focuses on a young detective from
San Francisco who is drawn into investigating the return of
an infamous serial killer, loosely based on the Zodiac Killer.
The twist is that their parent was the lead detective, chasing
the same killer decades ago and their relationship is in tatters
because of this. I’m not typically drawn to detective or police
shows but I am really compelled by stories that are character–
driven and psychological. At its core, this is a story about
intergenerational trauma.
I’m also writing my first film, a remake of the 1985 legal
thriller, Jagged Edge. Halle Berry is set to star in Glenn Close’s
old role. It is such a gift to be able to write for a particular
actor and hear their voice as you craft dialogue. It’s been really
interesting to look at the story and work out its contemporary
resonance and my angle. I started writing the courtroom
scenes the other day, which was very exciting as I love a good
argument and, that’s essentially what drama is!
You recently provided the School with a profile for
International Women’s Day. How important is this campaign
to you and is it something that affects your industry?
Definitely. There has been more focus in my industry on
ensuring female characters are at the centre of shows and,
crucially, that it is women who are telling their stories.
The way that I would write something versus, say, a man
who is older, based on our experiences of the world, our
perspectives, would be very different.
When I was younger, I went through a phase of really
wanting to be a film director, but the truth is that there were
no female film directors that I could point to at that time. I
do believe in the idea “you have to see it to be it”.
There is still a long way to go and true equality comes when
all stories are considered equally. I do believe that writers
should be able to write what feels truthful to them, as long as
they do this responsibly and well.
Do you have any advice for OAs or pupils that are looking
to get into a similar field as you?
Just make sure you are writing as often as you can and getting
feedback on it. There’s no typical or linear path into this
industry so just send your CV to as many people as you can.
It sometimes feels like you’re not progressing, but I genuinely
feel that almost every meeting I’ve ever had when I was trying
to break into the industry has somehow got me closer or paid
dividends. You have to be incredibly resilient but if you’re
driven and focused enough, ultimately you will break through.

10
OA News
11
BROTHERS IN ARMS
THE DYMOND FAMILY (ALASTAIR MIDDLE ROW, CENTRE, ROBERT TOP
ROW, SECOND FROM THE LEFT)
Both my late, older brother, Robert (OA 1959) – who very
sadly died too young in 2014 – and I were boarders in
School House, before it was closed to boarders in late
1956. We did not live that far away, in Welwyn, but our parents
were keen for us to go to boarding school for the experience,
and I suspect in my case, for the discipline!
My year was the very last intake for boarders, with only seven
of us in our 1955 dormitory on the top floor of School House. I
remember being terribly home sick – literally – at breakfast for
the first few days of each of the three terms I was there.
Older brother Robert went on to do great things and following
Pembroke College, Cambridge, joined Arthur Andersen
LLP as a Trainee Accountant, doing annual audits for major
companies. He bought a flat in London and visited our parents
at weekends.
Robert was, without a doubt, an exceptional mathematician,
and if I pressured him, he would occasionally help me with
my maths homework! He only had to glance at the question
to know the answer! No scribbling on sheets and sheets of
paper to get the wrong answer. I understood, later in life, that
he and one or two others in his year group at school, were
all exceptional mathematicians. One of that small group in
Robert’s class was a chap called Stephen Hawking, who I think
he occasionally met in Cambridge whilst at University.
Robert opened an office for Arthur Andersen in Kuala Lumpur
to service that part of Asia. He bought a house there and
hosted a family trip around Malaysia, with my wife, one of my
three sons, my widowed sister and her two children. A great
experience for all of us.
On his return to the UK he bought a house in Cheshire, as he
was to lead a team of up to 500 personnel computerising Giro
Bank, based nearby. After retirement he moved to Hanslope,
Bedfordshire, near both our elderly, soon to be widowed,
mother and our sister. His early death as our Head of Family
and personal financial adviser, as we saw him, was a great shock.
By Alastair Dymond (OA 1962)
For my part, I was always going to be a “farmer”! I was born
on my grandparents’ farm in Buckinghamshire in 1944. Two
adjacent farms had been bought for my uncle to farm after
the War and I think one or two family members thought they
might be offered to me. I never saw that happening and in any
case was not too keen on milking cows for the rest of my life.
12 months, practical work experience was a prerequisite for
agricultural college. This was spent on a farm in Knebworth,
Hertfordshire, during one of the worst English winters of the
last century, when I carried my bicycle, through the six-foot
snow drifts in the lanes, to and from work, every day, for
months. I went to Wye Agricultural College, Kent – then the
Agricultural Faculty of the University of London.
I spent a year there, before giving up on academia and going
to New Zealand for practical experience! I officially emigrated
on a £10 ticket and lived out there on a 6,000 acre, 10,000
sheep and 300 beef cattle ‘station’ for four fantastic years. The
nearest village was over 15 miles away and from my wooden
bungalow I looked out over 30 miles, all year round, through
clear blue skies to snow-capped mountains.
On my return to the UK I had one or two minor agricultural
jobs, with my first farm management role being at Knebb Castle
Home Farm Estate in West Sussex. After a a very enjoyable four
years in beautiful West Sussex, I was appointed Farm Manager
to the Royal Agricultural Society of England. I am sure a good
reference from Sir Walter Burrell at Knepp Castle played a key
part in my getting the job.
In the 1970s, Whipsnade Zoo owned several rare breeds of
British Farm Livestock but had a problem with space when they
needed to find grazing for white rhinos and other endangered
wild animals. Reading University Agricultural Faculty took some
and the Royal Agricultural Society took others. In fact, three
sheep breeds and a cattle breed came our way. The White Park
Cattle are still gracing the roadside fields on the B4113, South of
Coventry forty years later!
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust had become a reality,
established by the Royal Agricultural Society, Whipsnade Zoo,
Reading University and enthusiastic individuals. As a newlyformed
charity, it had been managed by unpaid enthusiasts,
but the time came when it had grown to the point where it
needed a permanent secretariat. So, in the 1980s I accepted a
secondment to be the first Chief Executive of the charity.
At the end of my secondment, it was time to move on and I
set up a “one man” advisory service for budding small-scale
farmers and smallholders. Since then, I have retired on our
own 1.5 acres with four “mowing machine sheep” and now at
77, a smaller house and garden, where I prioritise time with my
children, grandchildren and friends.
RELIEVING
Lockdown Loneliness
Dr Chris Williams (OA
2014) has received
national coverage for his
research into loneliness during
lockdown. The team at the
University of Cambridge School
of Medicine, led by Dr Williams,
carried out a systematic review
to identify approaches to combat
this growing public health issue.
Dr Williams said “We found 58 DR CHRIS WILLIAMS (OA 2014)
relevant studies of interventions
that could be adapted for people living in pandemic-related
isolation. Among these, the most successful interventions
include psychological therapies, such as mindfulness,
and education on how best to make friends or address
barriers to social integration. We also identified several
important implications regarding the accessibility of
available interventions – many effective interventions will
require telephone or video call technology. The costs of the
technology required to deliver interventions may restrict
participants by socioeconomic status, while the minimum
level of digital literacy required may prevent its use among
groups of people not used to interacting with technology.
“There is a considerable risk that those who are most
likely to be lonely or isolated – and hence most in need
of interventions – will not possess, or know how to use,
electronic devices or a high-speed internet connection to
facilitate intervention delivery."
To read more about the study, please visit
www.cam.ac.uk/research.
WORKING
from Home
Having been in the midst of a pandemic for the
last year, homes have become our workspaces
and it comes as no surprise that office furniture
sales have boomed.
Nial Parkash and Caleb Patel (OAs 2013) saw a market
need and founded their own furniture business noukk
in November 2020. Nial graduated from Newcastle
University School of Architecture in 2017 and has since
spent his time working at a leading London-based
design and build company. Caleb studied Economics
and Management and has spent many years extensively
travelling South America, witnessing first-hand the
scale of destruction to ecosystems in the Amazon Basin.
Over the last few years, both have become increasingly
concerned about the environmental impact modern
day life and construction inflicts on the environment
and thus, the idea of noukk came about – a simple and
sustainable furniture company, so that everyone can up
their working from home game!
We wish both Nial and Caleb the best of luck with the
new business venture.
For more information, please visit www.noukk.co
COPYRIGHT, DATA AND CREATIVITY
in the Digital Age
Julian Warner (OA 1973), a faculty
member in Information Science at
Queen’s Management School, Belfast, has
recently published his fifth book Copyright,
Data and Creativity in the Digital Age: A
Journey through Feist.
Julian describes what to expect from the
book, “The book is concerned with a topic
which affects our everyday lives – copyright
in collections of data. The Supreme Court of
the United States had required creativity for
databases to be copyrightable however, it had
not substantiated creativity. The judgment
has been described as ‘inordinately Delphic
even by Supreme Court standards’, and
creativity had remained uninterpreted. The
book gives an authoritative, comprehensive
and practically implementable understanding
of creativity”.
Copyright, Data and Creativity in the Digital
Age: A Journey through Feist is available to
buy on Amazon.
NOUKK DESK – CALEB PATEL AND
NIAL PARKASH (OAS 2013)

12 OA News
13
THE SPANISH
Elizabethans
Congratulations to Jonathan Roche (OA 2012)
whose thesis for his PhD in History was featured
in The Times. The investigation into the political
activities of a group of English Catholic exiles during the
Anglo-Spanish War, revealed how one of this group, Hugh
Owen, a Brussels-based Welsh Catholic exile, developed
a sophisticated espionage network, which gathered
intelligence from England. The information this network
obtained was integral in the Spanish Elizabethans’ efforts to
advance their political and religious ambitions, namely the
re-establishment of Catholicism in England.
HARRY DI-LIETO (OA 2013)
BETTERNOTFORGETMENOT
JADE SMITH (OA 2019)
Over the last year, OAs have
embodied the School motto non
nobis nati – born not for ourselves,
and have aimed to better the lives of others
and the planet in a number of ways. One
such OA is Jade Smith (OA 2019), who has
founded Betternotforgetmenot, a sustainable
artwork clothing and card company.
Jade said, “St Albans School provided me
with opportunities to pursue my interests in
biology and my studies have made me aware
of the problems surrounding sustainability.
I attended many of the Stephen Hawking
Society and Café Scientifique lectures, as well
JONATHAN ROCHE (OA 2012)
Jonathan said, “I followed the evidence and uncovered a
far larger operation than I had ever imagined with agents
deep within the Elizabethan regime and audiences receiving
and using the intelligence gathered at the courts in Madrid,
Rome, and Brussels.
“The reaction my findings has received has been amazing.
People have been absolutely fascinated by the subject and
keen to learn more. A number have asked when the book is
coming out!”
OPERATION
Newcombe
We would like to wish Lieutenant Harry Di-Lieto (OA 2013) and the
2nd Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment the best of luck, who as
of December 2020, have been deployed on Operation NEWCOMBE
1 to Mali as part of the first ever British troops to be deployed to this war-torn
West African nation. Working under the banner of the United Nations, the Long
Range Reconnaissance Group are operating for weeks at a time up to 300km
away from their base to protect civilians, combat terrorist groups and support the
implementation of a peace process.
as writing my EPQ on a sustainability-related
topic. Lockdown gave me the time to be able
to turn my interests into a small business
which I have been able to run alongside my
studies.”
Most of the artwork on Betternotforgetmenot
is inspired by nature and its core value is the
importance of making as little negative impact
on the environment as possible, as well as
encouraging customers to reduce their own
environmental impact. Please go to
www.betternotforgetmenot.com to see Jade’s
full range of products.
THE WOOMERA TROPHY
Ashley Abrahams (OA 2008) has been selected
for the Great Britain Match Rifle Team training
squad. The squad will be whittled down over
the year to a select team of 20 to travel to and compete
against Australia for the Woomera Trophy in October
2022, the most prestigious trophy in Match Rifle. The
WALKING
WITH
Saint John
Christopher Brown (OA 1958)
is a Lay Leader of Worship in
a Bedfordshire Parish. After a
course on Saint John’s gospel, he felt there
were too many gaps and set about writing
Walking with Saint John. Christopher’s
great grandfather, George Carter, was
Headmaster of New College School,
Oxford and wrote many books on the
Gospels (as well as The Outlines of English
History, used by St Albans School in the
1950s) but didn’t write about Saint John’s,
so Christopher took up the baton.
Christopher said, “When John wrote
his Gospel nearly 2000 years ago, those
OFFICER OF THE
ORDER OF CANADA
Congratulations to Tony Penikett (OA 1964) who in December, received
one of Canada’s highest honours and became an Officer of the Order of
Canada, for his “contributions as a teacher, negotiator and public servant,
for his human rights activism”. Tony became politically active at a time when
territorial politics mainly involved conservatives and liberals battling for control of
chambers of commerce. By 1985, Tony had led a coalition of the “underrepresented”
(Indigenous villagers and mine workers) to power in the Territorial Legislature. On
his appointment, the current Yukon Premier, Sandy Silver said, “To this day, Mr
Penikett remains a strong advocate for the North and continues to help all Canadians
understand the complex history and challenges of northern living.”
team will also compete in individual championships.
Ashley has represented England at Match Rifle since
2011 and Great Britain since 2016, top scoring for the
successful Great Britain Team in the 2016 Woomera
Match held in Tasmania and winning the Tasmanian
State Championship. Well done, Ashley!
reading it at the time would have been
familiar with the oppression of people
under the yoke of occupation, places,
festivals and the laws, both religious
and physical. Things have changed, and
today, we don’t have that knowledge
which was taken for granted then. I
have therefore taken a leaf out of my
Great Grandfather’s books and tried to
look over St John’s shoulder whilst he
is witnessing and recording the events
which unfolded before him”.
Copies of the book can be purchased via
email at: chris.brown1940@talktalk.net.
TONY PENIKETT (OA 1964)
ASHLEY ABRAHAMS (OA 2008), SECOND ROW, THIRD FROM RIGHT

14 15
Announcements
OBITUARIES
As a result of recent events, the number of obituaries recorded in this edition of Versa are much higher than usual.
Regrettably, we only have space for shortened versions of each obituary in this printed copy but we encourage readers
to visit www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk/oas and click on the Versa link to read the full write ups for each individual.
Albany Wiseman
(OA 1946)
1939 – 2021
Written by Robin Ollington
(OA 1947)
Albany was one of the wartime generation entering the
School shortly after the dramatic days of Dunkirk. National
Service with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
interrupted his subsequent time at St Albans School of Art. A
collection of his sketches of life as a squaddie are now held by
the National Army Museum in London.
Returning to civilian life, Albany joined the studio of his
commercial artist father, eventually taking over on his
father’s retirement. Albany also imparted his knowledge as
a tutor at Leicester College of Art and as a member of the
Royal Watercolour Society, once giving the Prince of Wales
instruction on how to lay down a wash…
Book illustration was his forte and together with Robin
Ollington (OA 1947) with whom he later shared a studio,
produced a number of children’s books. Their latest
cooperation in 2020, telling the story of Captain Coram, had a
print run of 30,000.
Albany will be greatly missed, but many who have examples
of his work on their walls or in their bookcases will have a
continuing reminder of him and his talent. Albany is survived
by his wife Maria.
John Crowhurst
(OA 1954)
1935 – 2021
Written by his wife, Joan Crowhurst
My husband, John, a life member
of the Old Albanians who died on
6th January, was born on Holywell
Hill on 21st January 1935. He won
an open exhibition to Worcester College, Oxford to read
Modern History which he took up in 1956 after National
Service. Following University, he qualified as a Chartered
Accountant and John and I were married in 1964. He
followed his interest in education to become a Lecturer in
Accountancy at South West London College (later Thames
Polytechnic and then Greenwich University). He took
early retirement as a Principal Lecturer in 1993, which
gave him the opportunity for further study with the OU;
he was awarded a Diploma in European Humanities (with
distinction).
John was a member of the Liberal Party, and latterly the
Liberal Democrats, in various constituencies including St
Albans. We moved to Sutton in 1968, where John was Chair
of the Liberal Association when Graham Tope won the Sutton
& Cheam by-election from the Conservatives in 1972.
In later years, his health declined and he developed vascular
dementia in his eighties. John loved St Albans and valued his
years at School. He died peacefully at home, after a long illness.
John Graveson
(OA 1964)
1946 – 2021
Written by Tony Quance (OA 1964)
We are very saddened to report the
death of John Graveson in January,
following a lengthy illness.
Given his family’s legal background, it was inevitable John
would be urged to enter that field. He articled for a few years
with a St Albans firm of solicitors, then moved to work at
another firm as a licensed conveyancer, eventually holding a
partnership.
In 1969, he married Vivian Foote, who later taught English
at St Albans School. His second wife Hilary predeceased
him in 2012. He is survived by son Dominic, sisters Diana
and Christine, nieces and nephews Alexander, Christopher,
Leonora, Juliet, Robert, and Sarah, grandsons Oisin and
Gabriel, and first wife Vivian.
Besides two “up-pre’s” attendances, John made good
friendships at School which survived a lifetime, notably Pete
Lloyd (OA 1964), Ez Harding (OA 1962) and Tony Quance
(OA 1964). Teen vacations in rented cruisers on the Norfolk
Broads were uproarious events with much beer consumed.
John had well developed tastes for the good life. He enjoyed
his exclusive St Albans hideaway home, his friends, good
wine, marmite and golf, with Portugal’s Algarve a favourite
location to play. The life has departed, the laughs are silent,
but the love endures.
Sydney Dorling
(OA 1950)
1932 – 2020
Written by his son, Chris Dorling
My father, Sydney Dorling, sadly
passed away on 21st November at the
age of 88.
After leaving School, he joined the Plastics Division of ICI
in Welwyn Garden City. While working there, he attended
evening classes at Northern Polytechnic (as it was then) in
London, gaining a BSc in Chemistry, and consequently was
funded by ICI to undertake research for a PhD at Cambridge
University. He continued to work as a Research Chemist for
ICI until being made redundant on the closure of the site
in Welwyn Garden City in the mid-seventies. The company
funded him to take a Diploma in Management Studies at
Hatfield Polytechnic, after which he joined St Albans Rubber.
When the company relocated to County Durham, he was one
of the few staff invited to relocate.
On his retirement in 1997, Sydney and his wife moved south
again to be nearer their three sons and their families, settling
in Diss where they stayed until September 2020 before
moving to Cambridge, where two of his sons live.
Sydney is survived by his wife Margaret, also known as Jane,
three sons, three grandchildren and one great-grandson. He
was still in contact with Terence Jowett (OA 1950), who was
the best man at his wedding in 1955.
Robert Park
(OA 1961)
1943 – 2020
Written by his daughter, Nicola Park
Robert died unexpectedly on 18th
May aged 76.
Robert joined St Albans School in 1954 and later obtained a
scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford to read Philosophy,
Politics and Economics. He had a long and varied career
working in the manufacturing and computer industries before
taking early retirement to retrain as a maths teacher. He
worked in schools across Surrey seeking to pass on to young
people a lifetime’s fascination in science and mathematics.
Robert had a love of all things political and worked
tirelessly in local politics including as a member of the
Labour Party, the Compass Movement and the Fabian
Society. He had a vast range of charitable exploits which
included running a community lift scheme, a local
lottery and fundraising for international development. A
dedicated internationalist, he was a leading light of the
European Movement, fighting on the local and national
stage to keep Britain within the EU.
He loved the arts and had eclectic tastes ranging from choral
to heavy metal. In retirement he enjoyed ballroom dancing
with his wife Linda and having time to travel. He is much
loved and missed by all who knew him and has left a large
void in his family and community. Robert leaves behind his
wife of 40 years, two children and two grandchildren.
Graham Hutson
(OA 1962)
1945 – 2021
Written by Peter Brazier (OA 1968)
Graham died suddenly but peacefully on
the 1st January at the age of 75 years.
He was brought up in St Albans and gained a scholarship to
St Albans School. At the time Graham entered the School,
his father was landlord of The Fighting Cocks public house
which gave Graham no excuse for lateness due to his 800-
yard commute! At School, Graham played rugby and cricket.
He excelled in athletics and earnt several discus trophies. He
also played the bugle in the School band and with his flowing
blond locks received the nickname ‘Gloria’.
On leaving School, Graham joined Lever Brothers on a
management training scheme and furthered his career in
Sales and Marketing. He was soon employed by Philip Morris
and Seagrams.
In 1970 he married Jenny Lamb. They lived in St Albans in
various properties and after a brief period in Holmes Chapel
in Cheshire, returned to St Albans and finally moved to
Codicote. They have two sons, Giles and William, and four
granddaughters. My sincere and deepest sympathy goes out
to Jenny and all her family. I know that they and all Graham’s
friends will miss him and never forget his genuine friendship
and cheeky smile.
John Smith
(Former Staff 1994 – 2009)
Written by Gary Calvert (Former Head of Design &
Technology)
It is with great sadness I announce the peaceful passing of
John Smith on 8th February.
John was a most valued member of the D&T Department,
joining the School in 1994 after a long and distinguished
design and engineering career in industry. The School were so
fortunate to have the services of such a knowledgeable, skilful
and capable creative with the rare advantage of a thorough,
traditional training which proved so valuable to staff and
students alike. John was methodical, meticulous, precise and
accurate in all he undertook and could be relied upon to come
up with a solution to any problem. Many OAs are in debt to
John for his support throughout coursework tasks.
Once Anne retired, John joined her and they kept busy
supporting and enjoying their family, including their
beloved dog, and spent much time pursuing their passion
for antiques and collectables. John was a collector and could
not resist the draw of items such as vintage cameras and
technical drawing equipment.
John had long lived with heart and lung issues but never let
this affect or restrict his work and pursuit of interests. It was a
relief to his family that his final decline was short-lived and he
passed at home with the support of his family around him.
Robert (Bob) Wilkinson
(OA 1962 – 1969)
1951 – 2021
Written by Mike Nurton (Former
Head of P.E.)
It is a privilege to write a tribute to Bob Wilkinson. His
outstanding achievements as a schoolboy and especially on
the rugby field are well documented. Bob was a student during
my time as Head of P.E. at St Albans School. He soon became
a friend rather than a pupil and that was reinforced when we
played together in county and club sides. Bob joined me at
Bedford Rugby Club along with Alan Towersey (OA 1968)
which was an endorsement of the excellent coaching they had
received from Pete Avery (former staff) during their 1st XV

16 17
Announcements
careers. It was a great pleasure to meet up with both of them
and their wives at Goldington Road for lunch a few years ago.
It was evident both on the rugby field and in the 1st XI
cricket team that Bob was first and foremost a team player
with innate sporting talent. He was a natural leader, a fierce
competitor and yet a modest, self-effacing individual. He had
a good sense of humour. One of my favourite memories of
Bob was when Bedford toured Jersey. He was introduced to
the opposition by Gareth Davies, the Captain, as being “a big
boy for an eleven year old.” I make no apology for admitting
that I have traded on relating the fact, that whenever the
Barbarians game against New Zealand in 1973 is mentioned, I
claim to have known one of the guys in the build-up to Gareth
Edward’s try. Bob leaves a legacy that is a shining example to
all aspiring sportsmen.
Sally and his children can reflect on a life well lived and in the
knowledge of the pleasure that they gave to him during his life.
Simon John Morgan
(OA 1973)
1955 – 2020
Written by his brother, Lt Col (Ret’d)
Nigel Morgan MBE (OA 1978)
Simon attended St Albans School from
1966 to 1973, as did his father David
(OA 1946) and brothers Nigel (OA
1978) and Julian (OA 1984). Simon enjoyed his school years;
he sang in the choir, played the clarinet in the orchestra, and
gained his colours in cricket. He studied History at Queen
Mary University, London and made a successful career in HR
which culminated in him owning a business in East London.
Cricket was his passion and he was a useful batsman, VP, and
stalwart supporter of the OACC throughout his life.
Sean Russell (OA 1973) recalls, “Simon was part of a group
of us that played badminton on sports afternoons. I also
remember us getting caught up in a craze for bridge of all
things, along with Nigel Emms, Anthony Meyrick, Trevor
Allan, and Huw Morgan-Thomas (OAs 1973). My enduring
memory of Simon is of generosity, kindness, and constant
good-humour. He took people at face value, didn’t judge them
and made one feel safe and looked after.”
Simon passed away on Christmas Day, after three years
courageously fighting cholangiocarcinoma, a rare type of
cancer. A man who gave so much to so many, he will forever
be in the hearts of all who knew him. A memorial service will
be held at Kew Gardens on Sunday 15th August and all OAs
who knew him are welcome to attend.
Patrick Harris
(OA 1953)
1934 – 2020
Written by Patrick’s family
Bishop Patrick Harris died peacefully
at the age of 86 on 26th December. He
was a man of deep faith, with strong
convictions as a Christian since his army
days as a young officer. He studied Law at Keble College,
Oxford where he was President of the Christian Union and
later attended Clifton Theological College, Bristol.
Patrick was a curate at St Ebbe’s, Oxford and spent 17 years
in Argentina amongst the Wichi people, preparing them for
ordination. He was once Archdeacon of Salta in northwest
Argentina and later, Bishop of Northern Argentina.
Patrick led in promoting the establishment of the College
of Evangelists and was a strong advocate of lay ministry. He
helped write the Five Marks of Mission which is still used
today and was a onetime Secretary of Partnership for World
Mission for the Church of England.
In 1968, Bishop Patrick married Valerie Pilbrow. They had
three children, Jonny, David and Rachel and later, many
grandchildren. Above all, the lasting impression of Patrick’s
ministry was his gracious resolve to make Christ known. His
transparent kindness and spiritual insight, rooted in Scripture
and prayer, was an inspiration to many, not only in his
teaching and episcopal leadership, but also in his daily life.
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving for Bishop Patrick’s
life on 25th September, 3pm at Southwell Minster.
Ali Mills
(Former OA Rugby Football Club
President)
1948 – 2020
Written by members of the
OARFC
It is with great sadness that the
Rugby Club announces the passing
of Ali Mills, a man whose stature belied a great heart and a
giant personality. Many of us in the OARFC and friends in
untold other rugby locations are proud to have shared even a
little time with him.
So much of his life involved humour, his laugh was infectious
and his sense of comedy was never absent for long. His longtime
friend and colleague, the late lamented Tom Howard,
often mused on his erstwhile half-back partner’s abilities.
One such was his affirmation that Ali was the inventor of the
Barnes Wallis pass!
His career at OAs started in the 1960s and he played in every
side Albanians fielded. Music played a big part in his life and
he brought his enthusiasm to the clubhouse every season. The
Ali Mills Night was always a gig which filled Beech Bottom
or Woollams to the rafters and seemed to get better as the
years rolled by. Ali was a worthy President for many years. On
election he stated, “I’ve been given the greatest honour of my
life”. He guided us through some turbulent times but never
lost sight of the fact that the players were, and always will be,
the mainstay of our organisation.
He leaves a son, Jonathan, and a daughter, Amy, whose
grieving will surely be alleviated by so many memories of a
delightful Dad.
Michael J Kenningham
(OA 1952)
1932 – 2021
Written by John H Smith (OA
1951)
Mike was a side drummer in the
School corps band but his other
achievements at School were largely
on the sports fields. His athletic ability stood out, culminating
in 1st XV colours whilst in the Fifth Form and on the track in
the 400-yards.
In rugby, he played for the OAs alongside such fine players
as Micky Knee (OA 1948) and the late Tony Hedge (OA
1952). Mike continued to support OA Rugby as Vice
President but his attendance in the last few years was
restricted by the need to care for his wife of over 60 years,
Iris, who survives him. He had two sons and a daughter,
David, Graham and Susan, with six grandchildren between
them. The family’s sports tradition continues on with rugby
being unsurprisingly foremost amongst them.
Mike was a dedicated Freemason and held London Grand
Rank and although he never joined the OA Lodge, he kept in
close touch as often as he could. He had a highly successful
career in the oil industry with Esso Petroleum and with the
French company, Total.
Mike died on 29th January, falling victim to Covid-19
following a short stay in hospital. Mike was a very kind and
generous man and always supported the School through the
Foundation. There are plans for a memorial service later in
the year. If you would like further details, please email me on
stirlingsmith@talktalk.net.
Timothy Charles Wharton
(OA 1971)
1952 – 2021
Written by his brother, Chris
Wharton
Tim was the youngest of five children
born to Marie and Alan Wharton in
St Albans. He left St Albans School
at 16 years old, insisting that he
knew his future was to be in antique furniture restoration. He
joined Dunnings Antiques on Holywell Hill and remained
for several years training with a master craftsman. Once
sufficiently trained he left there and set up his own business
restoring and selling fine antique furniture, eventually opening
a shop in Redbourn. He became widely renowned for his skill
and expertise not only by his trading colleagues but most
importantly by his regular customers.
Tim soon met and married Sally, originally from Australia,
and they lived in St Albans for many years raising their young
family of four children, Amy, Jess, Tobie and Lotte, joined
later by three beautiful grandchildren, Ava, Scarlett and
Monty. The couple finally moved to a small Suffolk village
where Tim continued to restore his antiques in the extensive
adjoining outbuildings.
Tim sadly passed on before he was fully able to appreciate
his semi-retirement in the new home. He is greatly missed
not only by all of his family and relatives, but by so many
friends and people who admired and loved him for his gentle,
friendly and outgoing personality as well as his sincerity and
great hand working skills.
Trevor Forecast, Ch ENG,
MCIM, FIH, MI
(OA 1953)
1934 – 2021
Written by his daughter, Katie
Sheen
On leaving School, Trevor
completed a five-year engineering
apprenticeship with Hawker Siddeley Aircraft, spending his
National Service caring for RAF planes in Cyprus. He was
Marketing Manager for the Polymer Corporation of America
before his career in hospitality began in 1972, when he and his
wife Christine bought the Crown Hotel, Downham Market.
In 1982 they created Congham Hall Country House Hotel from
a private house, receiving many awards including Johansens
Hotel of the Year 1993, RAC Gold Ribbon award 1998, AA Red
Stars since 1985 and two Rosettes for the restaurant.
Trevor sat on various hospitality industry committees and
was Chairman of the British Hospitality Association amongst
others. He and Christine also visited Local Hotel Associations
around the country, inspiring and encouraging others.
In retirement, he became Chairman of the Master Innholders of
Great Britain and Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
in West Norfolk, only retiring as Chairman of the DofE Award
Trustees in West Norfolk in 2019. Trevor was a lifelong jazz
drummer, MG car owner, rugby and cricket fan. A man with an
enthusiastic welcome, he was a consummate hotelier who will be
much missed by family and friends.
Tony Hendra
(OA 1959)
1941 – 2021
Written by Michael Woolard
(OA 1959)
It would not have been easy to
forget Tony Hendra. Along with
Professor Stephen Hawking (OA
1959), he was one of the brightest
boys in the 1952 intake in 1A – although very different in
style. Confident, articulate and never short of an answer, it
was clear that he was always destined to succeed in whatever
he chose to do. Tony was a pretty decent sportsman but
chose a varied career in the arts and entertainment world.
His death will be mourned by many of those who knew him.
Peter Dredge (OA 1960) recalls, “Tony was an aggressive,
hard tackling and effective wing forward for the 1st XV in the

18
Announcements
19
1958 season. He was also a great entertainer on the School
coach for away matches, orchestrating singing and providing
anecdotes that became so popular with members of the team.
A real character!”
Tony’s obituary appears in a number of publications including
The Times and The Telegraph, detailing his illustrious career
as a satirist and the many highlights, such as his appearance as
Ian Faith in the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.
Tony will be remembered by many for co-founding Spitting
Image with Peter Fluck and Roger Law and helping to launch
the careers of John Belushi (Saturday Night Live) and Chevy
Chase (National Lampoon).
Chris Hudson
(Former Director of Sport, 1989 – 2016)
Written by the Hudson family
It is with broken hearts that the Hudson family is having to
say that Chris tragically passed away surrounded by his family.
He was a devoted and loving husband, the most supportive
and inspirational father and grandfather anyone could wish
for, we will never forget him and he will always be with us.
Chris loved teaching and coaching sport, and we will all
remember him for being that selfless, larger than life legend,
that gave a little piece of his big kind heart to every student he
ever taught. Sport for all being his vision.
That very same heart suddenly had no more to give and he
left us, proud, fearless and at the top of his game. We will be
having a celebration of his life this summer so please email
manager@thelionbuckden.com if you would like to attend.
Tour blazers, chinos and tash optional.
WEDDINGS
Alys Payne (née Drake)
(OA 2009)
Many congratulations to Alys
Payne (OA 2009) and her husband
Mathew, who were married on
1st August 2020 at the height of
Covid restrictions in the St Albans
Cathedral.
“We were the first wedding at the
Abbey since they were locked down
in March, so it felt like a historic
moment. We were unfortunate that
Boris U-turned on his relaxation for
wedding receptions the day before, so
we were only allowed the service with
our (much smaller than intended)
group of guests, followed by the
well-known ‘rule of six’ for the rest of
the day. Despite this, the weather was
beautiful and the sense of majesty
in the Cathedral, combined with the
limited congregation, made for a very
special atmosphere.
“The Gateway made a lovely
backdrop for our photos. I felt like
the School was watching over us that
day when so many others couldn’t be
there, and it gave me an unexpected
confidence boost to be in a place
which is so special to me and full of
so many fond memories. If only I
had known when I was walking to
and from Economics in the Gateway
back in 2009 that eleven years later I
would be walking through here, with
my new husband, in my wedding
dress during a global pandemic!”
Dr John Smith
(OA 1956)
Written by Andrew Sangster
(OA 1956)
John Smith was a generous man,
not just in the conventional sense
but also with his time and medical
advice. This was coupled with a
great depth of curiosity in matters
that interested him and he was always willing to challenge
boundaries and perceived wisdom.
John attended St Andrews University to study medicine,
where he met his future wife, Maggie. She set out to become
a highly regarded psychiatrist in Scotland while John
went on to the Dundee and Aberdeen infirmaries for his
professional training. His first registrar appointments were
in Aberdeen and Glasgow. Whilst at the latter he, with a
colleague, identified and designed methods to measure new
tissue plasminogen activators leading to thrombolysis, the
emergency medical treatment for strokes, heart attacks and
blood clots; this led to the saving of millions of lives.
In later life he acquired a fifteen-acre field adjacent to the
house where he and Maggie created an arboretum which
became a ‘must visit’ destination for ‘tree lovers’ and the
subject of a Scottish TV gardening programme.
John is survived by two sons, two daughters and numerous
grandchildren, his beloved Maggie having died in 2013. He
will be missed by many for his energy and enthusiasm.
ASK THE ARCHIVIST
In this issue, current Upper Sixth and Archives pupil, Henry, takes over the Ask the Archivist article from
Sue Gregory, and gives us a glimpse into the lives of former OAs who fought in the Wars, shedding light
on why it is so important to research and preserve history.
Archiving was one of the last things I expected
to do going into Lower Sixth Form. As a
committed CCF cadet, there was never any
doubt as to where my Friday afternoons would be spent.
However, when I received an email making me aware
of the job, my passing interest in history led me to the
entrance of the rabbit hole. So, laptop in hand, I signed
up to one of the after-school sessions.
Our task was to collate all of the pupils over the School’s
history who fought and died in the First and Second World
Wars to ensure that every alum is included in the Roll
of Honour and given the recognition they deserve. With
around four decades of OAs to sift through, it was truly a
gargantuan task. We had to digitalise century-old records
and then work through casualty reports, death certificates
and service records online to find out if they served and if
they unfortunately lost their life during service.
The best thing about archiving is the tangents that
you can go off on. Every faded bit of paper you look at
represents a person, a life story of someone like you living
in wildly different times, yet linked to you via a shared
School heritage. Each had their own careers, their own
families and, most importantly, their own war records.
During my time with the 1926 records, I was able to find
many colourful characters. Some notable ones included
the three sons of a missionary who moved here from
Shanghai, China in 1935, just before the outbreak of the
devastating Second Sino-Japanese War. One who left for
Brazil due to his father working in the lumber industry
and another who enlisted in the Fleet Air Arm and was
killed in Sri Lanka whilst serving on the HMS Avenger.
We found a particularly interesting OA that was a colonial
administrator in Nigeria for decades and another that had
close links to British fascists and helped to put down a
colonial revolt in Rhodesia (modern day Zimbabwe) with
the British South African Police.
There are men who fought in all corners of the world, from
the jungles of Burma to the freezing Arctic Circle, in all
manner of roles from pilots to sappers. We found cluedup
civil servants moving their sons abroad in the years
before WWII and those who were listed as employees of
the ‘postal service’, which was often used as a euphemism
for working as a spy. Looking at the current progress on
the WWII list, I can see many who fought and fell in the
great battles straight out of the history books; El Alamein,
D-Day, Arnhem and Kohima to name but a few. One
thing that my research has made clear is the significant
contribution that OAs made to our war efforts.
In our searches, we have found many who gave the
ultimate sacrifice, yet have not seen recognition in the
current Roll of Honour. I’m sure I speak for the entire team
when I say that we are all deeply humbled and honoured
to have helped bring this history to life and into the public
eye. Archiving may not seem like the flashiest or the most
interesting thing to do, but appearances can be deceiving.
When carrying out this research, you are brought face to
face with history and can become hooked. You become
invested in these people, wanting to find out more about
them and in turn, broadening your horizons immensely.

20 OA Sports
OA Sports
21
OA LODGE
FORE-GETTING LOCKDOWN
The Lodge last met in January 2020 at Ashwell House
but has been unable to do so since. Given that there
is no activity to report, I thought it an opportune
moment to look back at the origins of Freemasonry and the
start of the Old Albanian Lodge.
The origins of modern Freemasonry were far removed
from the social club and charitable organisation that it has
become today. Freemasonry is believed to have originated
in the medieval craft Guilds formed specifically to look after
skilled craftsmens’ interests by establishing codes of conduct,
setting high standards, regulating the training of apprentices
and charity. Early English Freemasonry owes much to Sir
Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
and subsequently Lord Chancellor under King James I. OAs
who received a copy of the ‘black book’ at the start of their
school careers, containing ‘Notes on St Albans School’, may
recall that Sir Francis was the son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, one
of the School’s early patrons and instrumental in obtaining
the Wine Charter from Queen Elizabeth I, later confirmed
and extended by charters granted by James I, who had been
initiated into the Masonic Lodge of Scoon and Perth in 1601.
Sir Francis, also a Freemason and fine philosopher, played a
large part in the development of early Freemasonry.
In 1621 Francis was created Viscount St Alban. Unusually
and uniquely, the title of Viscount St Alban is named after
the Saint, not the place, which would have been normal
By John Williams (OA 1964)
A GREAT RETURN
OA Tennis Club
By Geoff Lamb, Chairman
Since the lockdown in January, there has been no tennis at the Club due to the
government restrictions. Prior to this, we were able to play social tennis under the
distancing rules and our membership doubled, which has been very encouraging. We
welcome back Margie Edge as our Head Coach and she and James Eggleton were able to hold
coaching sessions for adults and juniors alike prior to the lockdown.
I am pleased to report that since the restrictions were lifted on 29th March (which coincided
with the Easter school holidays), our coaches have been running drop-in style sessions in
the mornings for juniors and they have proved very successful. We are now also able to play
social tennis again, just in time for the beginning of the new season, but subject to social
distancing. We hope that we may be able to have some competitive matches later in the year.
The Covid pandemic has been a very difficult time for our members but we are now looking
forward to returning to some form of normality. We continue to welcome new players to the
Club, so please do contact Geoff Lamb or Margie Edge via the details on page 2 if you are
interested in finding out more.
practice. His heraldic coat-of-arms portrays the Bacon shield
supported by two centurions. The motto will of course be
familiar to older OAs!
Twenty years after his death in 1645, during the turmoil of
the civil war, Freemasons in London established what was to
become the Royal Society. It was the world’s first assembly
of scientists and engineers dedicated to understanding the
wonders created by the ‘Great Architect of the Universe’.
In the early 20th Century, there were many OAs living in and
around St Albans who were Freemasons and they proposed that
they found a School Lodge for the benefit of all OAs, School
governors and staff present and former. The OA Lodge was
sponsored by Halsey Lodge and consecrated (by dispensation)
at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London on Saturday
19th May 1928 by the then Provincial Grand Master of
Hertfordshire, Charles E. Keyser. There were 17 Founding
Members of the Lodge and the first Master was Edward Percy
Debenham, who had been Master of Halsey Lodge in 1890. The
first working meetings of the Lodge later in 1928 were held (by
dispensation) at the Town Hall, but by January 1929 the Lodge
was meeting at the School. The first candidate to be initiated
during the first meeting at the School was Headmaster, Major E
Montague Jones.
The Lodge has been proud to have maintained the most
cordial relations with the School throughout its life.
At this time of year, members are usually happy to
just play at their own club, entering winter league
competitions where they invariably fall victim to
members with dodgy handicaps whom they have never seen
before and who “don’t usually play as well as that”. Some
even take themselves off to sunnier climes to hone their
game for the forthcoming season. This year, however, none
of the foregoing has happened. For obvious reasons, golfers
have been severely restricted in what they have been able
to do. The frustration caused by the Coronavirus shutdown
has been mitigated somewhat by the fact that this year’s
exceptionally high rainfall would have made many of the
courses unplayable anyway.
Last season was a particularly testing one for OACC as it
faced up to the realities of trying to maintain some level
of normality during the pandemic. Closely following the
ECB guidance, the Club were able to deliver over 200 games
for our junior and senior groups in a truncated season. This
was in large part due to the hard work of the committee and
the army of parent volunteers, who helped to deliver cricket to
all our age groups from U5 to U15.
The senior club continues to run four sides in the Saracens
Hertfordshire Cricket League and took part in a noncompetitive
eight matches in their relative league structures.
Alumni of the School Robbie Goldstone (OA 2014) and Chris
Dobson (OA 2009) had a particularly productive season in
the 1st team, averaging 43 with the bat and 13.5 with the ball
respectively.
Off the pitch, the Club has been faced with a number of
challenges but we are lucky enough to receive grants from St
Albans District Council and Sports England to enable us to
provide Sunday morning junior sessions and much needed
community resource for school children in the area.
OA Golf Club
By Kevin O’Donoghue (OA 1959)
NETTING FUNDS
OA Cricket Club
By David Goodier, Chairman
But enough of that doom and gloom. Barring unforeseen
circumstances, at the time of writing the signs are that golf will
soon be on the agenda again. The Society is ready. This year’s
programme includes two matches, one against Mid Herts Golf
Club and one versus the Old Berkhamstedians at Aldwickbury
Park. Meetings for the various Society trophies will be held at
Whipsnade Park, Leighton Buzzard and Harpenden Common.
The autumn tour will once again be to Lakeside Lodge. This
will be our fifth visit and no, we are not in a rut. The fact is that
nowhere else offers such exceptional value.
The Society is open to all OAs, their family and friends.
Details can be found on page 2.
As you may know, the OACC moved to Woollams in 2000
and the venue has provided excellent cricketing facilities for
alumni of the School and local residents over the years. The
original three lane net provision has now reached the end
of its life and urgently needs to be replaced. The committee
have been working hard and have managed to raise about
a third of the £30k required to replace the facility. We have
recently written to our members and local businesses seeking
contributions to help us meet our financial goal and are
hopeful that we will be able to build new nets in June 2021.
If you are interested in learning more or would like to make
a contribution, please feel free to contact the club at
oacc_team_sec@hotmail.com.
We are looking forward to the full season ahead and the
introduction of the first all-female squad through the ECB
Dynamos programme. The now traditional OA Legends
versus Lord Taverners match will take place at Woollams
on Sunday 27th June, with lunch before the match. If you
are interested in attending, please contact us via the
email above.

22 23
IN THE BEGINNING…
The OARFC was founded in 1924, by a group of OAs
with an urge to continue playing rugby together. The
first pavilion acquired was a timber WW1 barrack
hut, but later in the 1950s, the OAs along with architects and
builders constructed a pavilion from their own resources.
Flash forward to the early 2000s
and the Club have moved to
Cheapside Farm, now named
Woollam Playing Fields.
A host of OA players have won
county honours, including the
late Nigel Cartwright (OA 1946)
and Ian McMillin (OA 1944),
who also played for London
Scottish in 1950/60s. In the 1970s,
MARO ITOJE
Jeff Probyn joined the Club and
played at loose-head prop for
a few seasons, ending up at Wasps with full international
honours for England and the Barbarians. The late Bob
Wilkinson (OA 1969) of Bedford RFC also played for the
Club as a youngster while at the School (obituary on page 16).
The Club’s recent promotion to the National Leagues has
involved interplay with the Saracens’ Academy. Maro Itoje,
British Lion and England, played a full season for OAs as did
Nathan Earle on the England wing. Nick Isiekwe of England
At the end of the many Zoom sessions in Lockdown
One, we celebrated with the end of season awards and
drinks. The ever-determined OA Saints continued
to work hard, enduring a tough strength and conditioning
programme, throughout Lockdown Two and the bi-weekly
Zoom workouts focused on keeping the team strong,
motivated, and united; designed to prepare us for what was
bound to be an unpredictable start to the season. The mixed
tournament at Harpenden was the last taste of rugby many
of the Saints saw. Soon after, we rekindled at Woollams for
a brief but wonderful stint of training, allowing the coaches
to implement some focused skills and fitness work, and for
the team to get back together (in our bubbles). Just as we had
built back up to minimal contact and were able to play real
game scenarios, the dark cloud of Lockdown Three fell upon
us. As ever, this didn’t hinder the Saints’ commitment to train
and the ladies jumped back on another one of Laura Clint’s
OA Rugby Club
By Rory Davis, Chairman
OA Saints
By Ioana McCusker, Player
joined Saracens from OA Juniors and Colts whilst Max
Malins has recently graced the England international side.
Gregg Botterman, Darren O’Mahoney and Steve Pope have all
played for the Barbarians, whilst former Welsh International,
Paul Turner has both played for the
Club and coached. Ex-Saracens player
and coach, Bruce Millar was Director
of Rugby for the years in London 1 and
for one season in NL2 South. Millar
resumed as Director of Rugby for the
OAs in the 2013/2014 season. The
OA family now includes the Saints, a
women’s side who joined shortly after
Woollams was opened. Several players
have achieved international recognition
for England, Wales and Italy. Although
now a Saracen, Sarah McKenna has England honours in both
the 15 and 7-a-side codes.
Every Sunday morning in the season, around 900 Minis and
Juniors who stretch as far as the eye can see, arrive with their
parents. Many trophies have been won at county level at all
age groups, which also includes a successful Colts side.
As for the up-and-coming stars in the ranks destined for
international heights…watch this space.
gruelling training regimes. With ambiguity about when we
would be return to training, we were keen to keep the team
morale high. That meant one thing, and one thing only… a
fantasy Six Nations tournament to raise the rugby spirits!
We were delighted to return to our home ground for
training on Monday 29th March. In order to bring focus to
our sessions we will be building towards several 7s and 10s
competitions this summer. 1st XV Captain Mica Gooding
says “I’m looking forward to getting stuck back in with the
girls and working hard towards the summer competitions.
Following this we will have a short, well-earned rest before
digging deep into pre-season, ready for the 2021/22 season.”
If you are interested in supporting OA Saints in defending
their Championship in the coming season, sponsorship
packages start from £275.
Please contact saints@oarugby.com
AN UNCERTAIN SEASON
Normally at this time I would whip my readers’
excitement into a frenzy with teasing snippets
regarding last season’s Arnold Cup result. However,
that match, along with most other full-bore matches, was
lopped off at the knees in 2020 by Covid-19. So, I’m sorry
but I have to disappoint!
With full-bore locked away in the armoury for the 2020 season
we had all hoped for some winter small-bore action. Initially,
things looked promising with the Herts County Executive
Committee reducing the leagues from ten to five rounds,
embracing self-scoring – which had been discussed for some
years – and relaxing shoot-by dates to the end of March
2021. Several clubs with Covid safe ranges and keen shooters
managed to complete the first one or two rounds before
everything went south and we entered Lockdown Three.
This year, just as we begin to emerge from lockdown, we find
that we are again left with partially completed leagues. Due
to this, the structure of the summer small-bore calendar has
changed yet again. The forthcoming summer 25yd leagues
have been cancelled and shoot-by dates for completion of
the winter 2020-2021 leagues extended until early September
2021. The usual 50yds and 100yds team competitions will,
in some cases, be replaced by individual long-range leagues,
again with a closing date of early September. Individual
leagues have been selected because there is much debate as
to how many will return to shooting post Covid-19, making
the selection of teams exceedingly difficult for club captains.
For those keen to continue shooting, the closure of their
club is a devastating blow. As ever, successful clubs will come
to the rescue of active members, but many skills learnt by
experienced club shooters will almost inevitably be lost.
Our summer 2021 full-bore programme is also fraught by
lack of clarity over the ending of Lockdown Three, combined
with the length of lead time necessary to organise events, even
more so when they are rescheduled. We have a route map
out of Covid-19 that so far looks to be a good guide but until
we can see some certainty, events will be patchy. Our Club
organisers are doing a sterling job and we have a number of
pencilled in dates for the Bisley, Q Matches, which look as
though they may now go ahead.
So, for now, this is your Hon. Captain handing you back to
the virus management circus at No.10 in the hope that some
shooting goes ahead this summer. As ever keep safe and good
shooting to all. See you at Bisley – I hope!
200 PLAYERS STRONG
OA Football Club
By Anthony Koumi (OA 2007) & Nick Jackson (OA 2005)
We would like to take the opportunity to
honour the passing of Chris Hudson. He
was committed to promoting sport for a
better and healthier lifestyle to take beyond
the school environment. With many of
the squad serving under his tenure at
St Albans School, we are grateful for his
passion and dedication to the cause. Our
thoughts are with his family.
A
testament to the culture
surrounding St Albans School is its alumni. Following
input from the Club ahead of this most recent Versa
article, a genuine sense of pleasure and pride in representing
the School (that for some was over 15 years previous) was
echoed throughout.
Following the Club’s re-birth in 2017, to date the OAs
have drawn upon a pool consisting of over 14 year groups
OA Rifle Club
By Andrew Wilkie (OA 1965)
and closing in on the 200th player, a
feat we hope to be achieving in the
coming months. Whether by design
or by chance, the Club finds itself
placing equal emphasis on bringing in
new ‘youth’ while on-boarding more
‘senior’ OAs, who otherwise may have
lost touch with their Albanian roots.
In what has been a challenging year for
so many, a spotlight is brought upon
the communities we are involved in, whilst cherishing the
moments that bring us together. Despite sport taking a
back during this unprecedented period in history, the Club
has remained united and engaged throughout, leaving a
great sense of optimism as the world makes positive steps
towards a better future.
The future is bright..the future is orange yellow and blue!