Versa: Issue Twelve

VERSA
OA NEWS
ON-SCREEN SUCCESS
APPRECIATING OA WISDOM
PRIMA FEMINA
BOWLING IN THE NEW SEASON
CELEBRATING
OVER 30 YEARS
OF GIRLS
From 1991
SPRING 2023

Inside
this issue
Editorial Team
Louise Barnes
Alumni Relations & Development Manager
Sarah Osborne
Alumni Relations & Development Officer
Upcoming events 2
OA President’s notes 3
OA News 4
OA Events 7
Featured OA: Tamim Bayoumi 8
Ask the Archivist 10
OA Focus 12
Announcements15
OA Lodge 19
OA Sports 20
@oldalbanianassociation
@oaassociation
www.oaconnect.co.uk
@oaassociation
Old Albanian
Networking:
St Albans School
St Albans School Foundation | CHARITY NO. 1092932

2 3
Contacts & Dates
UPCOMING EVENTS
OA PRESIDENT’S NOTES
BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH:
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF GIRLS
AT ST ALBANS SCHOOL
Saturday 10 June 2023, 10am – 2pm
St Albans School
This summer marks 30 years since the first cohort of female
pupils left St Albans School. To celebrate this, we would like
to invite all female OAs and teaching staff from the past 30
years back for a special reunion brunch.
FOUNDERS’ DAY – SUMMER SOCIAL
Saturday 1 July 2023, from 12.30pm
Committee Room in the School Pavilion, The Woollam Playing Fields
OAs and their families are warmly invited to the St Albans
School Summer Social. As part of our Founders’ Day
celebrations, OAs will be able to enjoy watching sports and a
buffet lunch.
OA NETBALL AND AFTERNOON TEA
Saturday 16 September 2023, 1.30pm – 4pm
School Pavilion, The Woollam Playing Fields
The School’s new 1st VII will once again be up against the
OAs team, following an OA win in 2022. An afternoon tea
with fizz will follow in the School Pavilion. OAs are welcome
to attend all parts of the day – whether you want to play,
watch the game, or just enjoy the tea!
HERITAGE OPEN DAY – SCHOOL
MUSEUM
Sunday 17 September 2023, 11am – 4pm
The Gateway, St Albans School
Did you know that the School has its own museum? As part
of the wider county heritage celebrations in September, the
museum will be open for visitors. Come along to find out
more about the School’s heritage and its place in the history
of St Albans.
OA DINNER
Friday 6 October 2023, 6pm – 9pm
St Albans School
The annual OA dinner returns! A fantastic, informal way
to catch up with friends and fellow OAs. The evening will
begin with optional tours of the School, followed by a drinks
reception and a delicious two-course meal in the refectory.
CITY NETWORKING DRINKS
TBC November 2023
London
Keep an eye out for details of our annual networking
drinks in London – information to follow on OA Connect
over the summer!
A leap into the unknown
I’ll be honest, becoming OA President was a bit of a leap
into the unknown for me. I have very fond memories of the
School, both as a former pupil and former parent, but hadn’t
been too involved beyond the Old Albanian RFC, where
I spent a year as President, as well as watching rugby and
meeting with old schoolfriends.
This uncertainty reminded me of how I felt leaving school,
at a similar time of year to this edition of Versa, as the
Upper Sixth Formers begin their A Level exams, and how,
sometimes, we need to make the leap, even if we don’t know
where we’ll land. As I left St Albans School and headed
north to Liverpool University, I had no real idea where this
path was going to lead me.
I remember how I felt so clearly though. The excitement
at moving into the unexplored and leaving the familiar,
of meeting new people in an unknown city – unsure who
would become life-long friends and who would remain
memories of those early weeks away. You see yourself
standing on the cusp between childhood and school, and
adulthood and ‘the rest of your life’.
Paul Richardson (OA 1979),
OA President
OA PRESIDENT PAUL RICHARDSON
Please note that dates are subject to change.
For more details about all upcoming events and to book your place, please visit https://oaconnect.co.uk/events
IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT THE SCHOOL’S DEVELOPMENT OFFICE ABOUT ANYTHING IN VERSA,
PLEASE USE THE BELOW CONTACT DETAILS.
development@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
www.oaconnect.co.uk
Development Director
Rebecca van der Westhuizen
01727 515177
rdvanderwesthuizen@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Alumni Relations & Development Manager
Louise Barnes
01727 515184
lcbarnes@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Alumni Relations & Development Officer
Sarah Osborne
01727 224540
slosborne@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Archivist
Sue Gregory
01727 515178
sgregory@st-albans.herts.sch.uk
OA ASSOCIATION
President
Paul Richardson
OAAPresident@st-albans.
herts.sch.uk
Secretary
Mike Hodge
Treasurer
David Hughes
Membership Secretary
Roger Cook
Hon. Auditor
Peter Dew
OA RUGBY
www.oarugby.com
President
Richard Milnes
Chairman
Rory Davis
Hon. Treasurer
Rick Powdrell
Hon. Secretary
Peter Lipscomb
Mini Chairmen
James Hathaway
Junior Chairman
Scott Bachmann
OA Saints Chairperson
Wellie Clark
OA FOOTBALL
President
Nick Jackson
OA CRICKET
Chairman
David Goodier
President
Richard Morgan
Director of Cricket
Simon Bates
Treasurer
Richard Ransley
Secretary
Alison Finley
OA TENNIS
www.oatennis.com
Chairman
Geoff Lamb
Head Coach
Margie Edge
Hon. Secretary
Justin Azzopardo
OA RIFLE
www.oashooting.com
President
Owen Simmons
Captain
Andrew Wilkie
Treasurer
Andrew Moore
OA GOLF
Captain
Peter Dredge
Hon. Secretary
Mike Crowston
OA LODGE
Assistant Secretary
John Williams
Change, though, is a part of life, and I encourage all OAs –
both those new to the club and those who are rather more
long-standing members – to embrace that leap and to help
others to make it.
Building connections
During my first six months as OA President, it has been
fantastic getting to meet and know a range of alumni. It’s
been a privilege being able to meet OAs from a range of
years – whether that was at the annual OA Dinner, the City
Networking Drinks, across the various sports clubs, or
connecting online – who are doing all sorts of exciting and
interesting things.
As I’ve talked to a mixture of people, who all have a St
Albans School education in common, I can really see the
value of connecting, in all its guises.
I’ve also begun to recognise the real benefit of having
something so significant in common; our experiences at
Senior School have such an impact on shaping who we
become and so networking and connections feel easier, and
more significant, with those who can share memories of this
formative time.
We live in such an interconnected world now, but the value
of connecting never diminishes. The diversity across the OA
Community is fantastic – not just in sports (my particular
area of interest!), but across multiple sectors and disciplines,
covering music, drama, business, technology, science,
finance, healthcare and so on. This diversity is hugely
valuable and a real strength of the OA network.
In this issue of Versa, you will read more about how the
alumni community is connecting now, as well as a look back
to when St Albans School welcomed its first female pupils
because, incredibly, the first cohort ‘graduated’ 30 years ago.
As an aside, during my first six months in the role of OA
President, I also took on the slightly daunting (although
entirely self-imposed) task of reading Born Not For
Ourselves, the official School history. Having now read to
the end, I did genuinely enjoy finding out how the School
evolved, although I also feel a not inconsiderable sense of
pride that I managed to get through it!
I hope you enjoy reading Versa and I look forward to
connecting further with the OA Community in the future.

4 5
OA News
JUMPING TO A
NEW HIGH
SUCCESS ON-SCREEN
Many of us settled down to watch the heartwarming
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
on Christmas Eve. What most wouldn’t have been
aware of, is that the story was adapted for screen by Jon
Croker (OA 1999).
Jon said: “It’s been amazing to see the response to the film.
When it first came out, I think my favourite part was seeing
it featured in the Christmas Radio Times – nothing I’ve
done before has managed that accolade. Since then, it was
probably the Oscar and BAFTA wins!”
Both the reviews and viewing figures highlighted how
popular the animation of Charlie Mackesy’s book was; the
TV adaptation was shown around the world on Apple TV
and was the most watched BBC programme on Christmas
Eve, with an average of four million viewers tuning in to
watch. Its success has continued into 2023 with award
recognition – including winning both the Academy Award
for Best Animated Short Film and the BAFTA for Best
British Short Animation.
The original book was published in 2019, and the themes of
kindness, friendship, courage and
hope resonated over the following
years as the COVID pandemic
raged. The film was entirely hand
drawn with 120 animators from 20
countries collaborating virtually.
Jon said: “My work on the film
coincided with lockdowns, so most
of my time was spent on Zoom calls
with Charlie, rather than in a studio.
It was such a privilege to work on
this adaptation with him – it’s a beautifully written book.”
Jon’s writing work to date includes a range of film and TV
favourites, such as both Paddington films, Netflix horror No
One Gets Out Alive and the sequel to The Woman in Black,
with upcoming projects including an animation with Paul
McCartney, a new Merlin film for Disney and a TV series
about Richard Branson starring Andrew Garfield.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is available on BBC iPlayer.
Image courtesy of Freuds PR
HONOURING
fallen OAs
JON CROKER (OA 1999)
Following the Remembrance Day service on Friday 11 November
2022, the Roll of Honour, which lists the names of former pupils
and staff members who died in the First and Second World Wars,
was placed in its new dedicated cabinet outside the library. A
member of the CCF turns a page every few days, which will allow
every name to be shown within the academic year.
The Roll of Honour has taken several years to compile by the
School’s archive team, supported by a number of Upper Sixth
Formers. In addition, the OAA kindly supported the purchase of
the new cabinet. If any OAs would like to see the Roll of Honour in
situ, please contact the Development Office.
Lots of us enjoy cooking and food, but
dentist Dr Ronan Lee (OA 2015) has
taken this to a new level, taking part in
ITV’s latest cooking competition, Next Level
Chef, where he was one of the final three
contestants. The show premiered on ITV on 11
January this year.
A keen home cook, Ronan’s Instagram account
is filled with dishes that he has either eaten
or created. But this new show is not for the
faint-hearted – it is hosted by Gordon Ramsay,
alongside mentors Paul Ainsworth and Nyesha
Arrington. Added to this, the 12 contestants
are split between three levels - with one group
enjoying a luxury kitchen, one a middle kitchen,
and one a basic, basement kitchen.
Ronan said: “I love cooking and eating dishes
from around the world, and this show was a
fantastic opportunity to really test my skills
under pressure. I love creating dishes and
At the end of the indoor athletics
season, Kimani Jack (OA 2022)
has had a fantastic term and is now
ranked the UK’s number one U20 high
jumper with a new personal best of 2.10m.
Moreover, he is also ranked seventh in the UK
and sits 15th in Europe.
The start of the year has been busy and has
included the UK Indoor Championships –
where, in a tight-fought competition, Kimani
came fourth – and the British Universities
& Colleges Sport (BUCS) Indoor Athletics
Championships, where he achieved a silver
medal. He also won a bronze medal at the
National U20s Indoors Championships and
won the Cardiff Met Grand Prix as well as
an intervarsity competition.
COOKING UP
a storm
sharing them on Instagram – it’s very relaxing
after a day of work!”
As well as working as a dentist, Ronan is also
a passionate fundraiser, running full and
half marathons to raise money for a range of
causes, including the British Dental Association
Benevolent Fund, King’s College Hospital,
Leukaemia Care and Guy’s & St Thomas’
Hospital Charity.
Already a huge success in the US when the first
series was broadcast last year, Next Level Chef
is billed by its creator Gordon Ramsay as the
toughest cooking show on TV, a truly one-of-akind
culinary competition.
Ronan’s competition is made up of chefs who
cook professionally, at home and on social
media. You can follow Ronan’s Instagram
account @ronanleefoodie.
Next Level Chef can be viewed online at ITVX.
Kimani said: “As this is only my first year
at the University of Birmingham, I’m really
pleased with the season and how I performed.
I’m continuing with my training ahead of the
summer seasons where the main aims are to
win the BUCS Outdoor Championships at
the end of April, the England Athletics U20
Championships in June and perform well at
the UK Athletics Championships in July. If all
goes to plan, I’m confident of being selected
for the Great Britain team to compete at the
European U20 Championships in Israel this
August.”
Kimani’s medal at the BUCS Indoor Nationals
was one of 15 secured by the University of
Birmingham and he helped them to their
ranking of second in the table.

6 7
OA News
OA Events
HELPING TO
SOLVE THE
GLOBAL HUNGER
CRISIS
In her first lead author paper
as part of her PhD, Ellen
Piercy (OA 2015) has been
investigating how sustainable
technologies could be used to turn
food waste into edible protein.
The research paper, which was
published in Green Chemistry,
marks the first time that researchers
have intensively looked at
sustainable technologies in this way,
to help battle malnutrition, fight climate change and reduce
pressure of food chains and agriculture.
ELLEN PIERCY (OA 2015)
Ellen said: “Reducing waste by creating an economy powered
by nature is crucial for fighting climate change. We currently
throw away billions of tonnes of perfectly usable organic
waste each year, but this research shows that by using
sustainable bio-converters we can transform food waste into
a valuable protein resource.”
Working alongside colleagues at King’s College London,
Ellen’s research highlighted the role that fermentation could
have – a process that is already used to produce Quorn, by
converting carbohydrate waste into protein – as well as using
insects for both human and animal consumption.
“It is predicted that by 2030, 909 million people will be
suffering from malnutrition,” said Ellen. “When you combine
that with 1.3bn tonnes of wasted food, it’s clear that there’s a
real opportunity here.”
Having previously studied Biology at Durham University,
before achieving distinction in her Master’s studying
Microbiology at Imperial College, Ellen is now doing a
Chemical Engineering PhD as a microbiologist at King’s
College London.
OAFC TAKE ON
THE FIRST XI
On what was, quite possibly, the coldest and
snowiest day of the year, the OA Football
team met the School’s 1st XI footballers in a
charity match on Wednesday 8 March. Despite the
terrible weather conditions, both teams put their all
into the game.
In an exciting first half, the OAs scored three goals:
two solo goals from Alex Addison (OA 2005) and a
tap-in by Nima Salehi (OA 2012). The second half
remained goal-less, giving the OAs a comfortable 3-0
win in tough conditions.
Players were treated to a curry following the match,
with Upper Sixth Former George being awarded the
King Harry Man of the Match award.
Nick Jackson (OA 2005), Chairman of OAFC, said: “It
was fantastic to play the current team at the Woollam
Playing Fields. Whilst it’s always great to be back
and involved with the School, this year’s match was
particularly important to us as part of our fundraising
efforts for The Anthony Nolan Trust, a brilliant charity
supporting those with blood cancer, in support of our
friend Victor Stairmand (OA 2009).”
For more details about OA Football and their
fundraising efforts, please visit their Instagram page
@oa_football. You can read more about the team’s
season in the Arthurian League on page 20, alongside
a profile of player James Martin (OA 2005), the first
ever Old Albanian to reach 100 caps for the club.
THE NEXT ISSUE OF VERSA…
We’re already thinking about the next issue,
which will be out before Christmas. You’ll
be able to read about our new OA-to-OA
mentoring initiative, which we plan to launch at
the start of the next academic year. David Willacy
(Former Staff, 1973 – 2000) will also be writing about
the ‘Motty Years’. David said: “Those not remotely
interested in association football cannot help being
aware that one of its most famous broadcasters,
John Motson, passed away in March. Football fans
will have mourned the death of the BBC’s ‘Voice
of Football’ for the past two generations. His
commentaries were a reassuring presence behind the
pictures of Saturday’s MOTD, FA Cup finals and five
World Cups. But John made a significant contribution
to raising the profile of ‘soccer’ at the School, his
Commentators XI playing an annual match on King
Harry for twenty years. I was privileged to represent
the School at his funeral and extend condolences to
his widow Anne and son Freddie.”
CITY NETWORKING
At our first professional event of the year, it was fantastic to see
an array of OAs attending the City Networking drinks on 17
November 2022.
The aim of events like these is to support alumni to both reconnect
with friends and build new relationships with OAs – particularly if
there is a professional connection. To support the networking element
of the evening, all badges were colour-coded to indicate the sector that
individual OAs were working in or studying. Although until this was
explained there were lots of interesting theories as to what the colour
on the badges signified!
It was great to have a range of OAs attending and way more, in fact,
than our limited badge colour palette suggested. Alumni were from a
range of years, disciplines and roles, and it was great to see the level of
mingling by the end of the evening.
In the future, we are looking at increasing the number and range of
professional events, so watch out for more information on OA Connect.
CAROL SERVICE
It was wonderful to return to a full Carol Service
on Wednesday 14 December 2022, in St Albans
Cathedral. Many thanks to our alumni readers –
Kat Ailles (OA 2018), David Wharton (OA 1978) and
James Galloway (OA 1997).
CLASS OF
2022
reunion drinks
What a great turnout from the
Class of 2022! Despite days of
snow and icy temperatures, our
most recent leavers showed up in great force,
along with a fantastic array of teaching
staff. With over 80 attendees, the Peahen
was extremely busy with a brilliant buzz as
everyone caught up after a term away.
DURHAM
NOTTINGHAM
REGIONAL
EVENTS
On Thursday 9 February and
Thursday 2 March 2023, we were
delighted to hold two informal OA
Regional events in Nottingham and Durham
respectively. The first was held at The Fat
Cat and the second at The Three Bridges. In
all, 46 OAs attended, many of whom were
studying at local universities, but also several
who were from earlier year groups. Dr Greg
Hacksley, Assistant Head – Higher Education
and Careers, who attended both events, said:
“It was wonderful to catch up in person with
so many members of the OA community in
Nottingham and Durham, and to hear firsthand
about what they have been up to since
leaving us, as well as their fond memories of
their time at St Albans School.”

8 9
Featured OA
APPRECIATING
OA wisdom
Economies around the world have experienced some turbulent years. Who better to explain what’s
happened, and what could be coming next, than Dr Tamim Bayoumi (OA 1978), former Deputy Director
at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Tamim has had an illustrious career in Economics, including working as a senior fellow at the Peterson
Institute for International Economics. He has also published on a wide range of subjects, including a
book about the origins of the 2008 North Atlantic Financial crisis, called Unfinished Business (Yale
University Press), which was one of the Financial Times’ Economic Books of the year in 2017. After
leaving St Albans School, Tamim studied Economics at the University of Cambridge and received his
PhD in Economics from Stanford University.
The UK has been through an extremely economically
turbulent time recently, with Europe as a whole grappling
with inflation and cost of living challenges. What are your
predictions and thoughts on the year ahead?
First, a prediction. Inflation will stay uncomfortably high for
the next year leading to higher interest rates, and then higher
unemployment. The recent reduction in inflation owes quite
a lot to falling goods prices as global supply chain issues have
been resolved, but when goods prices stop falling and stabilise,
inflation will accelerate again.
Second, a thought. The new Northern Ireland protocol will be
followed by further economic reintegration with the European
Union. Trade is highest with places that are nearby and rich –
which explains why the EU continues to make up about half
of UK trade. The NI protocol still leaves many unnecessary
nuisances with the EU’s biggest trading partner that firms will
want cleaned up.
Part of the work you’ve been involved with in the past
around the IMF’s surveillance strategy has included
integrating natural disasters into the surveillance
framework. Are natural disasters – and now climate change
– a key concern and priority for the IMF?
The IMF is involved in natural disasters and climate change
to the extent that these events increase the risk of a financial
crisis, for example, the recent catastrophic floods in Pakistan
forced the government to borrow, increasing financial
pressures. So, in this regard, the IMF’s lens is quite narrow
but important for many of our members, such as Caribbean
islands, where a hurricane can create huge losses. On climate
change, our sister organisation, the World Bank, works on
long-term development for countries, so their role is more
directly linked to climate change since many of the effects
will occur over longer time scales. Similarly, the World Bank
is much more involved in helping those directly affected by
disasters, such as the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
While the IMF lends to central governments to help with
paying international bills, it is the World Bank that makes
loans to rebuild after a disaster.
Did you feel a sense of responsibility in your work at
the IMF, particularly when you were leading teams that
produced the World Economic Outlook?
Yes, I did feel a sense of responsibility throughout my time at
the IMF. The World Economic Outlook was important as it
was very widely read and reviewed. More generally, I chose
an IMF career in part out of a desire to further the common
good. While I know not everyone thinks the IMF is helpful
for the world, I strongly believe in its core mission of lending
to countries to ease some of the shock caused by a financial
crisis. The IMF’s other functions – surveillance (such as the
World Economic Outlook) and teaching (the IMF does a lot
of work upgrading member’s capacities in areas such as taxes
and monitoring spending) are both aimed at avoiding crises
by making countries work better. But in the end, crises do
happen, and it is then that the IMF is of most value.
How did your role evolve since you started working with
the IMF in 1988?
Over my career, I advanced from being someone who mainly
provided inputs (writing papers, adding technical analysis,
and advising my bosses) to creating outputs (deciding
topics to explore, discussing issues with member countries,
overseeing analysis presented to our Executive Board). The
two roles were quite different. One was essentially applying
what you learned and working with others in a team. The
other was about motivating people by explaining the value
of what they are doing, making sure the final product is top
notch, and explaining the value of the IMF to members and
the public. I found the transition between the two roles easy
and, in many ways, natural. It helps to understand what it
feels like to be a junior when you lead people from the top.
We also asked our Upper Sixth Economists what their questions would be to Tamim.
How does the IMF collaborate with other international
organisations, such as the World Bank and the World
Trade Organization?
We cooperate closely with the World Bank, the World
Trade Organization (WTO), and other international
organisations such as the Financial Stability Board and
the Bank for International Settlements. We have written
agreements that define our roles and obligations vis-a-vis
each other. For example, the WTO uses IMF exchange rate
assessments in its analysis while we generally defer to the
Financial Stability Board on the principles of international
financial regulation. The link with the World Bank is
especially close (the IMF and World Bank were set up
at the same time and their headquarters in Washington,
DC are across the street from each other). IMF and
World Bank staff cooperate closely on implementing
loan agreements with agreements on macroeconomic
policies (monitored by the IMF) and microeconomic
ones (generally monitored by the World Bank) as well
as broader issues of mutual interest, such as stemming
corruption.
How does the IMF monitor and enforce compliance
with its financial programs with member countries?
There are two ways. When the IMF makes a loan to a
country, it only makes a small part of the payment up
front. The rest is paid out over time, based on an agreed
set of policy changes (including some monitored by
the World Bank). If these policies are not implemented
as agreed, then the IMF withholds the money. This is
a powerful incentive as most countries with IMF loans
are unable to borrow from the private sector unless they
follow the IMF’s advice.
How did your time at school shape your interests and lead
you to where you are now?
Looking back on it, St Albans School affected me more than
I realised. I got a great education, but also an appreciation
for other points of view. I particularly recall both the
headmaster, Mr Kilvington, who was always ready to listen to
my (probably silly) ideas on how to make the School better,
as well as the Religious Studies teacher who spent a lot of
time discussing Buddhism with us. I also had a fantastic
Economics A Level teacher, who really sparked my interest
in the subject. The classmates were also generally fun and
stimulating. Despite not having lived in the UK for a long
time, I still keep in touch with some of them.
How does the IMF determine the requirements on the
loans they provide?
The IMF writes regular reports on economic conditions
in all member countries, normally once a year, like an
annual financial check-up. It also provides many members
with technical advice. This knowledge of the economic
conditions in a country is used to create the policy
program should the country need to borrow money
from the Fund. Loans depend on the size of a country’s
economy and the need they are facing. There are internal
IMF policies that stipulate what kind of loans a country
can request and how much is available.
What was the single most useful thing you learned at
school?
Being able to listen to and respond constructively to
other points of view. I found my teachers to be open
to discussion rather than dogmatic, even in areas such
as Maths where solutions are well defined. Of course,
learning was also important – I still use the Maths I
learned at A Level, for example calculus and some pure
Mathematical concepts. This is an important skill that
helped me in my career working with people from all
over the world with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and
languages.
Apart from a good degree, what is the best preparation
for working with a major international organisation
such as the IMF?
Energy, enthusiasm, and an ability to adapt to changing
circumstances. In the end, what matters is both what you
know and how well you can apply that learning to real
world issues.
You can read more about how the economic situation in the UK has had an impact within the School on page 20
of the St Albans School News side of Versa.

10 11
ASK THE ARCHIVIST
PRIMA FEMINA
By Sue Gregory, School Archivist
Whilst women officially joined the School in 1991, archivist Sue Gregory has
found evidence of a tenacious young girl who studied alongside her male
peers in the 1200s.
In Autumn 2019, when the archive started to research
if any of the Barons who were initially involved in the
Magna Carta were OAs of the School, a note came to me
highlighting that a group of records dating from the 12th
to the 14th Centuries were being deposited into the British
Museum. These records were from a property whose land
was once part of the de Clare family.
The noble house of ‘de Clare’ were prominent Anglo-
Normans that held various earldoms throughout England
and Wales. They were descended from Richard Fitz Gilbert,
a kinsman of William the Conqueror who accompanied him
into England during the Norman Conquest. Descendants
Richard and Gilbert de Clare were two of the Barons
involved in the Magna Carta against King John, and such
was the family’s involvement with the city of St Albans
that some of the records from the dissolution of St Albans
monastery in 1539 were placed in the hands of the de Clare
family. One such record was a small leather book dating
from 1250-1300, which noted daily events and accounts
connected with life on the monastery farm, including
fishing, recipes and a record of the young boys who
appeared to attend classes to serve the catholic church as
messengers or defenders of the monastery precincts.
The record of these boys showed that they were part of an
Almonry, which was based around what today would be the
cathedral area of Romeland, the Gateway and a Blacksmith’s
shop on Fishpool Street. The boys were logged by name, age,
size (ells), subjects undertaken and their grading for each
subject. The log shows that all undertook basic academic
subjects of Latin, writing and Maths alongside physical
activities of bérhourd (sword fighting), archery, and hand
combat. They were also trained in the craft of bowyering,
fletchering (making of arrows) and swordsmithing. The
eight pages show the life and social activities of these boys
and where their strengths were.
Once training was finished, they are logged as either
working for the Abbot or being sold onto wealthy families
as a form of early bodyguard. On page three there is an
interesting log, of what appears to be the first female of St
Albans School.
Her name was Lorde de Boyes, of good deportment, 1.5ells
(5ft 6inches) and aged 13. She was good at archery and
sword fighting and was an excellent bowyer and fletcher.
Across her entry is written in bold red ink the words
‘fëmina 1297’. I assume that 1297 is the date when she was
discovered to be a girl; her entry appears to have been made
in 1295, with no recorded finish date.
Such a discovery led the archive team to try and locate
who this ‘St Albans Joan of Arc’ was. However, little can be
gleaned from this entry; her name, Lorde, means master of
a lord’s servant or hlalord, and there is no de Boyes recorded
as living within the city of St Albans. Tracking the surname
further, it appears that the de or du Boys or Boyes lived
in Sussex and Blackfriars in London. Whether she was a
member of these families is hard to tell, because the word
de Boyes could also mean just ‘boy’, thus her real name may
never have been revealed or logged.
What it does show is that this female showed tenacity and
was determined to join the Almonry. We can infer that she
saw that being a master’s servant would have been a better
paid and more exciting life than if she had worked within a
female profession. Such servants, we know, did travel widely
through Europe to Rome and Constantinople (Istanbul), and
two escorted Matthew Paris on his missionary trips, whilst
others became servants to the Crusaders.
However, England at this time was a patriarchal society and
females on the front line of fighting or defending would
never have been countenanced as servants to important or
notable people. Despite this, she would have been allowed to
fight or defend as a layperson or commoner, but such action
would only have been within the realms of United Kingdom.
We do not know what happened to her as nothing is written:
she may have been kept within the monastery as a servant,
have been allowed to continue fletchering, a craft that
women were allowed to work in, or she could have forged
her way in life as a defender of local disputes.
Her story sits within the archive, waiting for further
discovery to explain who she was and the life she led –
when, or if, these records come to light.
DETAIL OF A BAS-DE-PAGE SCENE OF A LADY SHOOTING AN ARROW AT A RABBIT, FROM THE TAYMOUTH HOURS, ENGLAND,
S. E. (LONDON?), 2ND QUARTER OF THE 14TH CENTURY: LONDON, BRITISH LONDON, MS YATES THOMPSON 13, F. 68V. IMAGE
COURTESY OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY.

12 13
OA Focus
A PEARL
anniversary
2023 marks 30 years since the first co-ed cohort of Upper Sixth pupils ‘graduated’ from St
Albans School. The decision to admit girls was agreed by Governors in the spring of 1990, with
the first group joining Lower Sixth in September 1991 – numbering only 15 in total. Whilst the
number of girls joining fluctuated in the early years, it has been climbing ever since, with female
pupils now comprising around a fifth of each Sixth Form year group.
When the current Upper Sixth leave, over 700 women will have studied at the School. We spoke
to four OAs who were in Sixth Form during the first ten years that it was co-ed, about their
memories and the impact of their time at St Albans School.
LAURA WHEELER
Class of 2000
A Levels: French, Maths, Religious Studies, AS Economic and
Business, General Studies
Degree: BSc Philosophy and Economics, London School of
Economics
Current role: Senior Manager at Capital Group, one of the
world’s leading asset managers
What have you done since leaving St Albans School?
I was desperate to move to London and so I went to
university there – and then stayed for another 20 years.
I’ve worked in finance all that time, but also have
had a very active ‘outside work’ life. I’ve volunteered
for Samaritans for 15 years, worked as a trainee
psychotherapist at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic
Art), rescued a lot of rabbits (the most mistreated pet in
the UK!), and have two young children, with a third on
the way. I’ve also done a lot in the industry to improve
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – I was awarded
DE&I Champion of the Year at the 2022 Women in
Investment Awards, and was listed at number five in the
EMpower 100 Future Leaders 2022 (Ethnic Minority
Future Leaders).
How did you get into your current role?
I had a very demanding role in credit derivatives for
many years at Goldman Sachs (including during the
credit crunch). I had
a brilliant time there,
working in London,
New York, Bangalore
and Tokyo, but I got to
the point when I wanted
a better balance in my
life. I ended up coming
to Capital Group, which
is based in California
(rather than the East Coast like most of the large firms)
and I immediately felt comfortable. I loved its focus on
associate development and wellbeing, which is a huge
passion of mine.
What is your favourite memory from your time at St
Albans School?
I was lucky enough to have Dr Jeremy Grundy as my
form tutor and Philosophy tutor for my first year at
SAS. He had a profound influence on my life, was one
of my first role models, and was the best teacher I have
ever had. We are still in touch, which is lovely. He was
exceptional, and I learnt so much from him.
What advice would you give to your 17-year-old self?
Focus on what you’re good at and try to worry less
about what you find harder – no one is perfect.
ANNA PHILPOTT
Class of 1993
A Levels: English Literature, History, Economics
Degree: LLB Hons Law, PgDL, PgCE
Current role: SENDCO, Business and Economics teacher
How did you get into your current role?
I initially trained in Accountancy at BDO Stoy Hayward.
However, I wasn’t fulfilled with an office-based life in
accountancy and without much consideration (or any,
to be fair) decided to give teaching a whirl on a gut
feeling, and never looked back. I still teach but now
also work with students who have special educational
needs, helping them to access education and meet their
potential.
How did your time at St Albans School shape what
you’ve gone on to do?
It gave me a love of learning which continues today,
I am always enrolled on a course of some kind, an
HOLLY MAUGHAN
Class of 2019
A Levels: Maths, Physics and Economics
Degree: MEng Civil Engineering with Project Management,
University of Leeds
Current role: Masters student – Civil Engineering
What have you done since leaving St Albans School?
Since leaving St Albans School, I have completed
my Bachelors in Civil Engineering with Project
Management and am currently in my industrial year
before I go onto complete my Masters. During my
third year of university, I won the C.F. Lunoe Prize for
being the top achieving student in my school of Civil
Engineering. Amidst my industrial year, I have been
able to work on some amazing construction projects,
even managing my own block. I have also been lucky
enough to travel around Europe with friends.
How did your time here shape what you’ve gone on
to do?
Moving to St Albans School for Sixth Form, I had the
chance to meet so many new people and develop a
new group of friends. This has helped me at work and
university, to socialise and connect with new people
eternal student! I am
very proud of being
an OA and am now a
Governor, so I keep
coming back.
What is your favourite
memory from your
time in Sixth Form?
I had to pinch myself when I had History lessons in the
Abbey Gateway, could there be a more apt location? We
had a work hard, play hard philosophy, and our parties
were, quite frankly, epic!
What advice would you give to your 17-year-old self?
Failure is not fatal; mistakes build character and make
far more interesting stories. Worry less, it is a wasted
emotion, both time consuming and emotionally
exhausting, and you have a life to live!
instead of staying in my
comfort zone. I became
comfortable being in
a male-dominated
environment during
my time at school
which helped me
transition easily into the
construction industry
which is very male
dominated (especially on site).
What is your favourite memory from your time at St
Albans School?
One of my favourite memories is netball and rounders
with Miss Sandell. All of my best friends played sports
with me, and we turned out to be quite good which was
a bonus! We got to bond with Miss Sandell at matches
and tournaments and it is always lovely coming back to
play the OA vs pupil netball tournament.
What advice would you give to your 17-year-old self?
I would tell myself to appreciate every day because your
time in Sixth Form will be some of your most treasured
memories, and to take mocks seriously!

14 15
Announcements
OBITUARIES
ALLIE KEITH (NÉE CONLAN)
Class of 1998
A Levels: English Literature, Politics and Ancient History
Degree: BSc Business & Marketing, Royal Holloway, University
of London
Current role: Global Vice President – Media, Digital &
Data at Coty
What have you done since leaving St Albans School?
After leaving I took a year out and worked internships
in PR and Marketing before starting my three-year
degree. My first role was in a very early eCommerce
function within a big high street retailer. It was an
emerging way to buy products online, but I loved digital
marketing and folded this newly important skill into all
my future roles. I have worked in marketing for leisure
retail, creative and digital agencies, leading global
brands like Honda, and tech product development
teams. I ran the digital business of Johnson & Johnson,
Proctor & Gamble and Jack Daniels in media agencies
for 10 years and then moved internally to lead the
Media, Digital & Data division at Coty with over 50
beauty brands worldwide and a budget of over $400m
pa. I moved my family to Amsterdam three years ago
when Coty relocated our Head Office here and have
enjoyed travelling around the world over the last 15
years with my teams.
What is your favourite memory from your time at St
Albans School?
Sitting in the park after school with friends near the
Abbey in the sunshine. My politics lessons with Mr
Walker (Head of Sixth Form now) when he would tell
us important points and refer to them as ‘dog biscuits’
so I would literally draw a picture of a dog biscuit
in the margin to remind me that this was a point to
remember.
What advice would you give to your 17-year-old self?
Make better notes than you think you need to – there
is nothing more stressful when revising than not
being able
to decipher
your notes or
remember why
that point was
relevant (the
dog biscuit
notation was
actually very
useful).
Don’t think
that the
decisions you
make now
will define your whole life. I have changed direction in
my career three times, been made redundant twice and
have gone on to be more successful with every move.
What advice would you give to someone interested in a
similar career path?
1. Be intellectually curious – keep learning about your
industry but most importantly, the broader world
and how developments will affect your business.
2. Be helpful – I have built a vast network across many
industries because I want to see others succeed.
3. Be flexible – Set yourself a future goal that is not
linked to any one job or industry and be prepared to
move yourself, your skills, and your mindset in order
to achieve it.
4. Be creative – every task demands creativity. I am
always looking for new ways to bring the best
thinking to the table regardless of the topic.
5. Be demanding of yourself and others – respect your
work life balance, know your worth and stay on top
of your health.
For an insight into the experience of our Sixth Form girls today, please see the article on page 22
of the St Albans School News side of Versa.
Bruce McDonald (OA 1941, former staff)
1925 – 2022
Written by Roger McDonald (OA 1973)
Bruce McDonald was
raised in St Albans and
attended St Albans
School. When he was
about 15, his father
died and so he left
school to become one
of the breadwinners,
along with his sister
Jean. Bruce became
an apprentice at the
de Havilland Aircraft
Company working on
Mosquitos. Three years
later he joined the
Royal Navy as a pilot.
Trained in the United
States, he was due to join HMS Indefatigable in the Pacific,
but during his journey to the Far East, the war ended, and
he came home and retrained as a teacher, specialising in
Technical Drawing, wood and metal work. He then worked
at St George’s School, Harpenden and later at his alma mater,
St Albans School.
After retiring and after the early death of his wife Sheila, he
moved to the Helford River in Cornwall where he spent a
happy twenty years sailing, singing, and walking. He was a
keen pilot, excellent boatbuilder, good sailor and great father
and husband.
He died of old age in August 2022. He is survived by
two of his children, eight grandchildren and 16 great
grandchildren.
Monte Copas (OA 1942)
1926 – 2022
Written by his daughter Debbie Copas
Monte moved from Norfolk to St Albans whilst a young
boy, attending Fleetville Junior School before moving on to
St Albans School. He retained a strong connection with the
School as an active Old Albanian throughout his life.
After leaving school, he volunteered for the Army, in
honour of his brother Ken, who was shot down and killed
over France in 1943. He joined in 1944 and, after training,
was posted to the Royal Engineers in Palestine; he was
demobbed from Gaza in 1948.
On returning home, he joined St Peter’s Church fellowship,
where he was encouraged to walk Doreen home after a
dance one night, and from there a romance blossomed.
They married in 1950, settled in St Albans, before moving
to Harpenden in 1966 with their three children. They
celebrated 72 years of marriage shortly before his death.
Monte’s career saw him become a chartered quantity
surveyor and he spent his working life with British Rail,
working on many projects, the largest of which was the
construction of Euston Station.
He took early retirement in the 1980s and spent many
happy years enjoying interests such as the theatre, travelling,
various local societies, as well as worshipping at St Nicholas
Church. His was a long life, well lived.
John Henry Smith
(OA 1952, OA
President 1989)
1934 – 2023
Written by his son,
Nigel Stirling Smith
We are saddened to
report the death of
our father, John Henry
Smith, a previous OA
President.
On the death in 1943 of
his father Percival, at just
41 years old, John Smith
was funded through
St Albans School by
his uncle Henry; John
was just 9 years old at
the time. During his
nine years at St Albans
School, he became a
prefect in the Sixth
Form, a sergeant in the RAF cadet force, a rugby player for
the 2nd XV, a member of the swimming team and Vice-
Captain of the School’s 1st XI cricket team.

16 17
Announcements
After leaving school in 1952 he joined Marconi Instruments
in St Albans. This was rather short-lived, in his own words,
“I didn’t get on well there”. National Service then beckoned,
and he joined the RAF at the age of 19. John was accepted
into the Flying Training Officer Cadet School, passing
through into RAF Feltwell, where the first aircraft he flew
was the ‘Percival Prentice’ – appropriate given his father’s
name. Next, he flew the ‘Harvard’. He eventually left the RAF
in 1955 at 21.
John then landed a job in the advertising department of
Regal Oil Company, staying with them for several years
before a move to Manchester where he joined Donald
Macdonald advertising and spent weekends playing cricket
for Didsbury Cricket Club 1st XI.
John married his beloved wife Ruth in 1958, in Welwyn
Garden City. They went onto have four children – Nigel,
Alison, Carolyn and Philippa. John played cricket
successfully for Hertford and Welwyn Garden City.
In 1970 the Smith family moved to Berkhamsted where John
became a popular member of the local cricket club and the
Old Albanians, the Frogs and his beloved MCC, scoring a
128 not out for them in Jersey. He continued in advertising
and secured a job with WS Crawford Ltd. It was, in his own
words, “a wonderful agency with full TV and recording
facilities”. John’s voice was often used for voice overs and
commercials.
In 1976, John set up his own advertising agency with
his old friend Harry Straton and so Northwest Studios
was born. Two years later he formed Stirling Smith
Advertising, Marketing and Design which was successful
until the 1981/82 crash when, as the sole investor in the
company, John took the full brunt of it. After that he joined
the Holiday Property Bond which took him away from
Hertfordshire to Ely and Newmarket for several happy years.
To add to all his many interests, John had a good nose
for wine and was in his element when Tesco, courtesy of
his dear friend Ian MacLaurin, sponsored him to travel
to France and train to the stage below Wine Master. Ruth
secured a job in hospital administration at Addenbrookes
– coincidentally where John was so well looked after in the
final week of his life. They lived in Cambridge for 24 years
where John was a member of the Gild of St Mary Lodge
becoming Master in 2005.
Gog Magog Golf Club played a large part in his final years
where he was a regular and very popular member – playing
his last game of golf at the age of 88. His funeral and wake
were a thanksgiving of a life well lived – over 150 close
friends and family attended. He was one of life’s great
characters who will be sorely missed. St Albans School
played a pivotal role in shaping him, of which he was
immensely proud.
Norman Duncombe
(OA 1953)
1938 – 2022
Written by his sons, Peter
Duncombe (OA 1984)
and Robert Duncombe
(OA 1986)
Norman Duncombe sadly
passed away in April 2022.
After St Albans School
he pursued a career in
accountancy, initially
working at a number of
firms in London before
setting up his own practice.
While Norman left St Albans School after his O Levels, he
always reflected very fondly on his time at the School. In
particular, one of his proudest moments was singing the
opening verse of Once in Royal David’s City in the Cathedral
at the start of the School’s Carol Service. Norman continued
his love of music throughout his life both as a member of the
choir of High Street Methodist Church in Harpenden and as
organist at St Mary’s in Whipsnade. Norman’s sons Peter and
Robert both attended St Albans School meaning that Norman
met, on occasions at parents’ evenings, teachers who had
taught both himself and his sons.
Stuart Lazarus (OA 1955)
1936 – 2022
Written by his family
Stuart Samuel
Lazarus, aged 86,
of Ascot, Berkshire,
died on 17 July 2022
after a short but
valiant battle with
cancer.
Stuart was born
on 23 June 1936
to Beatie and Jack
Lazarus at The
London Hospital,
in the East End
of London. Stuart
attended boarding
school and then went on to St Albans School. He was always
very proud to say that his school was one of the oldest in
the world and always had fond memories of his time at St
Albans School.
After leaving school, Stuart was drafted into the army
whereby he spent two years doing Military Service. He was
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Army
Service Corps and spent most of his time at Aldershot.
Stuart then graduated from University College, Oxford
attaining a First Degree in Law. Stuart then decided to
pursue a career in Law, whereby he got his first job in the
conveyancing department of the National Coal Board before
moving on to become a Solicitor at Rank Xerox and finally a
Partner at Paisner & Co.
Stuart married Theresa Rusholme in 1966. He had two
children (Paul and Karen) and four grandchildren (Mateo,
Ana Belen, Jack and Mia). In 1998, Stuart retired and spent
his retirement travelling the world, going to the races, and
watching sports. His favourite teams were Arsenal and The
Harlequins.
Stuart was always very proud of his achievements. His
interest in cricket started at prep school where he started
collecting cricketers’ autographs. He was a member of the
cricket team at St Albans School and is mentioned in the
Wisden Almanack. He later continued his passion as a
spectator, supporting Middlesex Cricket Club. Stuart had
many other hobbies including photography, quizzes, Sudoku
and music. Stuart was much loved and is sorely missed, but
his memory will be cherished.
Captain Ian Brannam
(OA 1958)
1941 – 2022
Written by his brother,
Patrick Brannam (OA
1950)
It is with sadness that I
report the death of my
younger brother Captain
Ian Brannam, Royal Navy,
on 18 September 2022,
leaving his wife Barbara
and daughters Susan and
Helen. The following is
taken from the eulogy at
Ian’s funeral service.
“It must have been during Ian’s time at St Albans School
that his interest in the Navy was aroused; his Headmaster
WT Marsh, although known affectionately as ‘Stoker Bill’,
had spent the six wartime years as a Commander in Naval
Intelligence. Suffice it to report that in September 1958
Ian achieved a notable ‘first’ within the School when The
Albanian noted that ‘for the first time, a member of the
RN Section became the senior NCO of the Corps, and PO
I Brannam has discharged his duties with considerable
distinction and ability’.
“Not unexpectedly Ian joined the Navy by way of BRNC
Dartmouth as a cadet in April 1959. On the strength of his
A Levels he was selected for University and King’s College,
Cambridge in October 1960 to read for the Mechanical
Sciences Tripos. However, the Navy retained a realistic view
of naval needs, and even its sense of humour, by ensuring
that Ian’s long vacations between Cambridge’s eight-week
academic terms were filled with short appointments to shore
establishments for detailed officer training and engineering
workshop practice. As a Captain he spent much of his time
ashore with Naval Support Command in Bath concerned
with research and design, equipment procurement
engineering support and defence policy. During this time as
a Captain, he was licensed as a lay reader in the Church of
England.”
Adrian Weatherhead (OA 1962)
1943 – 2022
This is an edited version of the full obituary that ran in
The Scotsman on 1 November 2022
Adrian Weatherhead
was born in St Albans,
attended the School from
1955 and sang in the
local cathedral choir. In
1957, Adrian took early
leave to study elsewhere,
as the family moved to
Edinburgh for his father’s
work.
After school, Adrian
studied Chemistry at
Heriot-Watt University
and focused on his
passion: athletics. By then
a member of Edinburgh’s
Octavians Athletic Club,
Adrian was inspired by the
feats of top world milers.
IMAGE COURTESY OF SCOTTISH
DISTANCE RUNNING HISTORY, BY
PHOTOGRAPHER GRAHAM MACINDOE
Adrian’s determination
soon paid off, and he became known as a middle-distance
track runner who ran four sub-four-minute miles. He
also earned seven Great Britain international vests and
six Scottish ones. He was runner-up three times in
the prestigious Scottish National Championship, and
represented Scotland seven times, including at two World
Championships. In the latter stages of his career, Adrian
enjoyed road racing, competing in the British Amateur
Athletic Association (AAA) Championships and more.
After graduating from university, Adrian joined Ethicon
before moving into local government with Lothian Regional
Council. On 24 July 1972, he married Jean Gibson, and they
recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.
He retired in 1996 and pursued many hobbies, including
small bore target shooting, astronomy and playing guitar.
Adrian died suddenly whilst holidaying in Portugal. He is
survived by his wife, brother and other family members.

18 19
Announcements
David Varty (OA 1982)
1964 – 2022
This is an edited version of the obituary that was
circulated to the print industry
Born 30 May 1964 in
Kent, Dave grew up
in Harpenden and
attended St Albans
School, where he was
active in rugby, cross
country and the CCF.
He remained close to
his parents Jackie and
Ian, sister Sonja and
brother-in-law Steve,
who are devastated
at the loss of such a
supportive and muchloved
member of the
family. Dave was also
very close to Sophie, his
niece, and Callum, his
nephew, and had just become a great uncle, with the birth of
Tiggy seven months ago.
At university, Dave studied Sports Science and his interest
in sport, adventure and lifelong learning continued
throughout his life. Along with a BA in Sport Science from
Northumbria University, he achieved an MSc in Training
and Development in 1994 from the University of Leicester,
and an MBA in Business Administration. More recently,
Dave enrolled into a M-Phil with the Open University. A
word defining Dave was ‘curiosity’, whether intellectual,
professional or physical.
Dave was certainly a thinker, an avid reader and lived life
to the full. He had a love for sport, whether swimming and
running while growing up, watching his beloved Saints
(Northampton Rugby Club), volunteering as an assessor for
the Duke of Edinburgh Award, or mountaineering, deepsea
scuba diving or travelling to the far-flung places of the
Earth. He simply loved nothing better than spending time
outdoors and camping under the stars.
Dave certainly applied this natural energy and enthusiasm
to good effect in his career in the print technology industry.
He joined DuPont after graduation, and worked at a range
of companies including Agfa, Xennia and Ricoh, where
he remained until his passing. Dave was hugely liked and
respected by his customers and his colleagues, and his
enthusiasm to learn and his ability to educate will be sorely
missed.
George Leigh (OA 2018)
2000 – 2023
We are devastated to report the death of George, following
an accident whilst trekking in France. George will be
remembered as a warm-hearted personality who brought
so much enthusiasm and commitment to everything he did
during his time at St Albans School, especially to the CCF.
A wider tribute will be available on OA Connect and in the
next edition of Versa.
George Harrison MBE (former staff 1972 – 2017)
1932 – 2023
Written by Dominic Easter (OA 2008), Nick Corfield (OA
1977), Nigel WoodSmith (former staff), Matt Grant (OA
2005) and Andrew Grant (former Headmaster)
The Captain’s Philosophy: A successful season for a St Albans
School team is to remain undefeated throughout the entire
season. My basic running philosophy is very simple and is one
which I’m sure would work for anyone: “Do what George says.”
All that is required of you is to wander the 200 metres from
the School to the orchard on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday, and do what George tells you. Then on a
Saturday morning get to Woodside and again, do what George
says. On a Sunday, you simply have to find an hour in your
day and run for the amount of time that George tells you. This
applies just the same if you are injured: all you need to do is
tell George and he will either adapt the session or tell you to
go home. Whatever he tells you to do will be the one that will
benefit you the most. There is no excuse not to train, there is
no excuse not to be prepared, and there is no excuse not to
succeed.
George Harrison, the School’s Cross Country and Athletics
coach for over 35 years, died at home on Sunday 22 January
2023.
He will be much missed. An amazing man who quietly
inspired others to achieve the greatness he saw in them.
It had been my intention to write an obituary for The Times
but George would not have read it being a Daily Mail reader.
Instead, after some debate with myself, I have agreed to
write for Versa.
If you want to read about George’s early life and the hundred
or so international athletes he trained outside the School,
which led to him being regarded as one of the world’s great
youth coaches, then I refer you to two books in the School
library: George Harrison MBE – the story so far and St
George – The Miracles. My main emotion since I heard of
George’s death has been of disappointment and frustration.
‘Disappointment and frustration’ since George, at the last,
got something wrong. He had promised me, since his
massive heart attack 14 years ago, that he would live until
he was 92 which meant that I was expecting it to be another
two years before I had to write an obituary. Each day I
have caught myself about to phone him with a question or
comment.
Probably the most difficult day, for one of those left behind,
has been the day of the King Henry VIII cross country relay,
on the 1 February; regarded as the national championship
by the participants. Apart from a tribute to the passing
A
‘meridian’ Lodge meeting was held on Saturday
14 January at Ashwell House and the attendance
was good. The meeting commenced with a eulogy
delivered by John Williams (OA 1964), the Lodge Almoner,
for Bro Monte Copas (OA 1942) who died in November at
the age of 96. Monte was the oldest member of the Lodge
and up until recently regularly attended meetings.
Monte was initiated into the Old Albanian Lodge in
September 1966 and served as Master of the Lodge in 1978.
He gained Provincial Honours in 1985, serving for a year in
an active role as Provincial Junior Grand Deacon. In 1992
he was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent
of Works and in 2016 to Past Provincial Grand Registrar.
In the mid-nineties Monte served as Lodge Almoner (1994
to 1996). Monte was exalted into the Old Albanian Chapter
in 1972. He also joined the Mark Degree and was a founder
member of Scholars-in-Amity, the Mark Lodge meeting in
Ashwell House. Monte was elected an honorary member of
the Lodge in 2018. After the eulogy, the brethren stood for a
short time in respect of departed merit.
The Lodge then resumed its normal business. The Master
of the Lodge, W Bro John Sanderson, vacated the chair in
favour of the Secretary, W Bro Roger Shrimplin (OA 1966),
who with the assistance of the officers of the Lodge, raised
Bro Joshua Varghese (OA 2017) to the Third degree in a
most exemplary manner. Bro Joshua had been initiated into
the Lodge on Saturday 8 January 2022 and passed to the
Second degree on Saturday 10 September 2022. After reports
from the Almoner and Charity Steward the Lodge was
closed, and the brethren lunched at the Festive board.
OA LODGE
By John Williams, Assistant Secretary
of George in the welcome, the programme contained the
following tribute from the Judd School, who have become
the major force in Schools Cross Country since George’s
retirement: “As Judd goes for a 7th win overall, they wish
to pay tribute to the late St Albans coach George Harrison
MBE, who died last week. The record 11-time winner at this
event, former coach to our team manager Simon Fraser, and
a friend to us always whether in victory or defeat, he loved
these relays and is sadly missed at the War Memorial Park
this year.”
This obituary would be complete with a brief envoi, but
instead we would like to open it to anyone who wishes
to write a brief personal message… To leave a message or
memory, please visit the obituary on https://oaconnect.co.uk/
news.
MONTE & DOREEN COPAS 71ST ANNIVERSARY
The Lodge has begun to explore the possibility of ‘twinning’
with the Old Verulamium’s Lodge (OVs). Twinning is a
common arrangement in Freemasonry, whereby two Lodges
agree to hold their meetings on the same day. Members of
both Lodges attend each other’s meetings and afterwards
there is a combined Festive board, with both Masters at the
head of the top table, with the Master of the Lodge that had
the full meeting taking the lead.
The Old Albanian Lodge has had a long-standing friendly
relationship with the Old Verulamium’s Lodge and many
OV brethren are, or have been, members of the Old
Albanian Chapter (as are many Old Berkhamstedians). If an
agreement to twin with the OVs is made, then the OA Lodge
will change its bye-laws so that we can meet on the same
Saturdays, for the benefit of all.
For the longer OA Lodge report, please visit https://
oaconnect.co.uk/news.

20
OA Sports 21
OA FOOTBALL SEASON
update
The 2022/23 season is going very well, with the
team on track to achieve an unprecedented third
consecutive promotion. We have continued our
strong early season form, with three wins in December and
January matches, and despite a recent 2-0 loss to OMTs [Old
Merchant Taylors] at home, we remain in second place with
a four-point cushion over our nearest rivals.
The team has played some brilliant, fast counter-attacking
football, with Alex Addison (OA 2005) and Nima Salehi
(OA 2012) combining to create some memorable goals. At
the back, first team captain Richard D’Rosario (OA 2012),
Player Profile:
JAMES MARTIN (OA 2005)
In our first OAFC player profile, we’re covering a stalwart of
the club, James Martin (OA 2005). James has played a key part
in the club since its inception in 2017. As well as being a part
of the core group of leaders on the pitch, he is the club’s Match
Secretary, organising games and liaising with the league’s
administrators. Having barely missed a game in years, he’s a
true club legend and loves everything OAs.
Name – James Martin
Positions – Right back / centre back
Biography – I’ve been involved in OAFC since its conception.
I had played football since leaving school and university but
dreamt of playing regularly with my friends. I played in a
seven-a-side on Monday nights in Mill Hill, and other leavers
of 2005 would get involved when available. We discussed how
good it would be to form our own side, and we knew through
friends of Aldenham’s Old Boys team in the Arthurian League.
From what started as a WhatsApp group of five people, Nick
Jackson and Alex Addison contacted the School and League to
get the ball rolling.
Fast forward a few months and we were pulling a threadbare
11 OAs together until late at night before our first game at
Harrow. Not knowing what to expect, we were 2-0 down in the
first five minutes. But in true OA spirit, we grouped together
LEADING AT
Lakeside Lodge
Alex Addison (OA 2005), OA Football Captain Mike Crowston (OA 1966),
OA Golf Club Secretary
Luke Bevis (OA 2014) and James Martin (OA 2005), have
proven both solid defensively and a big threat from set
pieces, playing a pivotal role in our good form. Sadly, there
will be no cup run for OAFC this season as we were knocked
out in the first round of the JLC [Junior League Cup].
This has focussed us even more on the league season and
securing yet another promotion. Come on you OAs!
Want to play 11-a-side football in a historic, competitive
league, in a fun atmosphere and with a winning team? Get
in touch via our Facebook group, Instagram (@oa_football)
or email at oldalbaniansfc@gmail.com.
and came back to win 9-3.
Five years, 113 appearances,
two promotions and a cup
win later OAFC is stronger
than ever, and the future looks bright. The club has become a
huge part of my life, and I plan to be involved in some capacity
both on and off the pitch for years to come.
Supports – Tottenham Hotspur
Favourite OA player – Chris Schon (midfield general, OA
2012)
Favourite non-OA player – Harry Kane
Pre-match music – TalkSPORT, always on the drive to a game
Best OAFC moment – Winning the David Woolcott Trophy
(DWT) was one of the best moments of my life, even beyond
OAFC!
Best part about playing for OAs – Regularly playing a high
standard of football with old friends and new friends from
the OA network. There’s no better feeling than winning with
my mates and my team on a Saturday morning. There are also
many examples off the pitch where players have supported one
another when in need, be it in health or business, it truly is
more than a club.
The Society golfing year
ended with the annual
visit to Lakeside Lodge
in Cambridgeshire on the last
Tuesday in September. The
twelve of us who arrived eager
to play had an enjoyable three
days in fine but sometimes
windy conditions. The first
round saw the ‘Blue Team’ beat
the ‘Green Team’ quite easily
with the Captain, Peter Dredge
(OA 1960), and Secretary, Mike
Crowston (OA 1966), returning
the best two cards.
On the Wednesday the main competition was for the Graeme
Tate Trophy. Once more the Secretary had a good round,
winning the Stableford competition by four points from
Tony Walters (Antelope) and Peter Dredge. Our last day had
us playing for the Pop Rush Trophy which was duly won by
Tony Walters with Brian Hayden-Smith (OA 1970) second.
After another successful Lakeside trip, we all retreated to our
own clubs to brave the winter cold and rain, but all hoping
to at least maintain our golfing skills for the 2023 OAGS
calendar. I would like to thank John Saunders and Peter
Dredge for their help, advice, and efforts in arranging the
above programme. After many years as Secretary and the last
four years as Captain, Peter has finally retired, and we are
all grateful for his efforts on behalf of the OAGS. Our new
Captain is Brian Hayden-Smith, and we wish him all the best.
Membership of the Society is open to golfers of all abilities,
and upcoming 2023 fixtures are listed below. Anyone
interested in joining should contact the Secretary via the
Development Office.
Tuesday 6 June:
Wednesday 12 July:
Tuesday 22 August:
Welwyn Garden City – OA
Cup (Tee Off 13.00)
Mid Herts – Briggs Goblets
(Tee Off 09.00)
Dunstable Downs – Captain’s
Day (Tee Off 14.00)
Tuesday 19 –
Thursday 21 September: Lakeside Lodge (Tee Off TBC)
A WALK ON
the wild side
Andrew Wilkie (OA 1965),
OA Rifles Honorary Captain
Picture if you will the English countryside idyll –
the wind in the trees, bird song and the sound
of trickling water. Characterful locations for a
stroll such as Brock Hill, Peatmoor Pond, Strawberry
Bottom, Round Butt, Cockadobbin – well, not quite!
I recently acquired an Ordnance Survey app and
discovered the places mentioned above in the Danger
Zone located behind Bisley and Pirbright ranges. Not
exactly recommended venues for a summer walk and
somewhere to keep your head down!
We plan to be back at Bisley this year for the Short Q
Match and extending to five visits over the summer
season. Despite the above we will be using the ranges!
Unlike previous years we are starting with a match, so
we will have to hit the ground running or we’ll get left
behind. This year we have cut back on the total number
of full-bore shoots largely because of the amount of
travel involved and the increases in costs. The season
culminates with our long-standing favourite: the
Arnold Cup Match against the Old Alleynians (Dulwich
College) on 30 September. As in previous years we
make the London and Middlesex Pavilion our rallying
point for shooting. If you would like more information,
please contact the Development Office.
With restricted access to the School range, plus being
dispersed around the country, most of us now shoot
the majority of our small-bore competitions with local
clubs ranging. However, despite the geography, Owen
Simmons (OA 1960) still manages to raise a team for
the Herts 25-yard Rifle Leagues for both the Summer
and Winter seasons. Over the winter 2022-23 season we
were shooting as Team 4 in Division 1. Sadly, and for
a variety of reasons, we didn’t cover ourselves in glory
coming fourth in our division. I’m delighted to say
Yolanda Gao (OA 2022) joined us for the season and we
look forward to welcoming her back.
Looking forward we have the Coles Trophy to be shot
at school on Wednesday 21 June. This is a great social
occasion so if you would like to meet up with some of
your shooting peers get in touch with the Development
team to book a spot.
There is no doubt that age is becoming a significant
factor for the current officers of the club so if you are
looking to rekindle a sport you enjoyed at school, do get
in touch. Here’s to an enjoyable summer season.

22 23
OA Sports
BOWLING IN
the new season
The Old Albanians Cricket Club are undertaking all
preparations for the new league season that will
commence on the first weekend of May. Once again,
we will have four senior teams running in the Saracens
Herts League, with James Barwick (OA 2021) taking up the
captaincy of the 1st XI.
The club will host the Hertfordshire branch of the Lords
Taverners, who exist to empower and positively impact the
lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality, at a
fundraising dinner and charity cricket match on Sunday 25
June 2023. Please contact oacc_team_sec@hotmail.com if
you would like more information about the lunch or would
be interested in playing for the OACC side.
The club continues to enjoy significant growth at junior
level and is widening access to the game across the area.
The 2023 spring/ summer season kicked off with the
annual Sue Barnes Tournament, held in honour of
one of our founding members.
Sue Barnes was a dedicated and competitive player who
loved the game of tennis. She was an integral member of
the OA’s fraternity and served as the club’s membership
secretary for many years. Her passion for the sport was
contagious, and she was never far from a court. The
tournament was held on Sunday 5 March and saw 16 club
members participating in doubles tennis.
The event was a wonderful opportunity for members to
come together and enjoy the sport that they love. The
atmosphere was lively and friendly, and everyone was
David Goodier, OA Cricket Chairman
This season the club will enter its first girls’ teams in the
Hertfordshire Junior Leagues at U11 and U13 level. We offer
the ECB Dynamos programme to younger age groups: this is
a fun and highly interactive programme designed to provide
basic skills and enjoyment of the game.
Finally, we are delighted to say that we have finally
completed the installation of our new net facilities, for the
benefit for all our members. We are extremely grateful to all
former pupils, players and parents who kindly donated to
our fundraising scheme. We can’t wait to use this brilliant
addition at the start of the season.
If you know anybody who would like to join the club, please
contact: oacc_team_sec@hotmail.com.
THE SUE BARNES
Tournament 2023
Justin Azzopardi, OA Tennis Honorary Secretary
in high spirits throughout the day. In between games,
players retreated to the warmth of the clubhouse, where
they enjoyed refreshments, caught up with each other
and discussed their matches. At the end of the day,
congratulations were in order for the deserving winners
of the tournament, Irene and Sanil, who played brilliantly.
However, the event was not just about the winners, it was
about the whole community coming together to celebrate
Sue and her contribution to the club.
Junior tennis coaching courses for all ages, 3-17, are now
available for the Summer term – please see the website
for details and booking. Players of all ages and abilities
are welcome to join the Tennis Club: www.oatennis.org
SAINTS BLESSED WITH
league success
As we enter the last month of the 2022/23 rugby
season, I am delighted to report that our Old
Albanian Rugby Football Club has, yet again,
produced many notable achievements.
Our senior male 1st XV is sitting comfortably above midtable
in National League Two East, the fourth tier of English
rugby, with our Romans (our male 2nd XV) closing in on
second spot in the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League.
Our Grizzlies (our male 4th XV) are chasing fourth spot
(which will hopefully be third by the time Versa arrives!) in
the Herts/ Middlesex Merit Table Three North League.
Like many rugby clubs up and down the country with
various pressures on senior male numbers, players from
our Gladiators (our male 3rd XV) have merged with both
Romans and Grizzlies. We expect our Gladiators XV to
return to full strength next season and again take up their
rightful position within the Herts/ Middlesex Merit Table
One League.
Our Women’s 1st XV, OA Saints, have had another very
successful season under the guidance of Hannah “Wellie”
Clark, currently occupying second place in the RFU
Women’s Championship South One League, the second tier
of English Women’s rugby, and closing in on Bath Ladies,
who we beat comprehensively 26-15 on Harpenden’s allweather
pitch back on 21 January.
We have witnessed another incredible season for our
Saints 2nd XV who have won the RFU Women’s National
Conference One East League – the fourth tier of English
Women’s rugby. This follows two seasons of not losing a
single game, and promotion at the beginning of this season
into the RFU’s Women’s National Conference East League.
They look firm favourites to be promoted to the third tier of
English Women’s rugby, some achievement!
Our huge mini and junior section, headed up by Scott
Bachmann, Junior Chairman, and James Hathaway, Mini
Chairman, and their respective teams of hard-working
coaches and parents, have had an excellent season.
We are blessed with two extremely strong Colts teams this
season, the A XV currently sitting on top of the Herts/
Richard Milnes, OA Rugby President
Middlesex Colts League with our B XV also having won most
of their games. Dan Brighton and his coaching and support
teams deserve immense credit for this excellent season.
Our U16 Boys have run A and B Squads, with our B Team
flying to the Herts Youth Finals on 23 April. Our A XV have
a few League games left with the B XV targeting a top three
finish, which would be a great achievement having been
promoted after winning Division 5 last season. The U15s
have a playing squad of 55 which has allowed us to field two
extremely strong and competitive sides. The A Team are
currently undefeated and have progressed to the final of the
U15 Herts County Cup. The B XV have grown exponentially
and closed the gap on all 1st team clubs they play in their
league, finishing third and making the semi-final of the
Herts County Plate. Our B team is the highest ranked
in Hertfordshire, competing with a lot of other Clubs’ A
teams. Our U14 B XV have also earned their place in their
respective County Cup Final and will play their counterparts
from either Letchworth or Hitchin. They are greatly looking
forward to their April tour to the South of France. This is the
first season for our U13s playing in the Leagues as well as
for the players having more set positions, which has been an
exciting learning curve, for both players and coaches.
Our Junior Saints (U12s to U18s), under the guidance of
Craig Ihlenfeldt and his superb and hard-working team,
have again seen another hugely successful season for our
Junior Girls. Both our U14 and U16 Girls topped their
Buckinghamshire Hertfordshire League Pools and our U18s
have won their Hampshire/Oxfordshire/Berkshire League
and progressed to the National Cup Quarter-Final.
Our U12s have grown in confidence and are playing good
open rugby, winning more than they lost.
Our Minis, from Rugby Rats up to our U12s, under the
watchful eye of James Hathaway and his team, have also had a
fantastic season, playing in various rugby Festivals, including
the County Festival, with the U7s through and including our
U13s going off on tour to Bognor in mid-April.
All in all, another wonderful rugby season across the board
for our fabulous Old Albanian Rugby Club.
THE 1ST XV TEAM IN ACTION