Silhillian_1981_November_Issue Number 32 - Old Silhillians ...

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The SiIhillian 

THE MAGAZINE 

OF THE 

OLD SILHILLIANS' ASSOCIATION LIMITED 

INCORPORATING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 

Hon. Editor: SIMON WILCOX, Arden Lodge, 107 High Street, Henley-in-Arden, 

West Midlands B95 5AU. 

NOVEMBER 1981 No. 32 

President 1981 - John L. R. Hare 

1

President 

MAIN COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1981 

J. L. R. HARE 

145 Darley Green Road, Pershore 2181 (B) 

Knowle, Solihull B93 8PU Knowle 4404 (H) 

Immediate Past President P. B. L. INSTONE 

White Cottage, 021-705 4038 (B) 

Aspley Heath, Tanworth-in-Arden Tanworth-in-Arden 2389 (H) 

Presideni Elect R. CUPIT 

49 Manor Road, 021-525 6766 (B) 

Dorridge, Solihull Knowle 3570 (H) 

Headmaster G. D. SLAUGHTER 

Solihull School, 021-705 0958 (B) 

Warwick Road, Solihull 021-705 0201 (H) 

or represer)ted by D. H. TOMLIN 

19 Blackdown Road, 021-705 4273 (B) 

Knowle, Solihull Knowle 4853 (H) 

Hon. Membership Secretary C. R. WHITEHOUSE 

143 Dorridge Road, 021-643 2406 (B) 


Hon. Treasurer C. H. JACOB 

Netherwood Cottage, 021-706 6181 (B) 

Arbour Tree Lane, 

Chadwick End, 

Knowle, Solihull 

Knowle 6325 (H) 

Hon. Secretary D. W. EDWARDS 

16 Broadfern Road, 021-744 3010 (B) 

Knowle, Solihull Knowle 3298 (H) 

Editor "The Silhillian" S. G. WILCOX 

Arden Lodge, 107 High Street, 08894 6631 (B) 

Henley-in-Arden B95 5AU 05642 3642 (H) 

Ordinary Members P. BRAGG 

13 Keats Road, 021-440 2294 (B) 

Stratford-upon-Avon 

P. COURT 

0789 293003 (H) 

7 Besbury Close, 021-233 1100 (B) 

Dorridge, Solihull 

M. CUTLER 


56 Copt Heath Drive 


K. J. FOSTER 

Knowle 3117 (H) 

8 Ashleigh Road, 021-236 1866 (B) 

Solihull 

T. JONES 

021-705 2931 (H) 

Woodside Cottage, 021-472 1250 (B) 

Rising Lane, Packwood 

P. G. LEVENGER 

Lapworth 2979 (H) 

3 Bransford Rise, 021-455 9521 (B) 

Catherine de Barnes, Solihull 021-704 9117 (H) 

London Representative J. R. D. ORRETT 

'Dulas', 073-72 44411 (B) 

2 Harewood Close, 

Reigate, Surrey 

073-72 47084 (H) 

Co-opted Members D. M. POWELL 

39 Brooks Road, 021-556 1495 (B) 

Sutton Coldfield 

S. CRAWFORD 

021-354 1936 (H) 

70 Ladbrook Road, 0926-29444 (B) 

Solihull 

D. A. GURNHAM 

352 Warwick Road, 

Solihull B91 1BE 

021-705 0124 (H)

Chairman 

President 

President Elect 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Ground 

Bar 

Establishments 

Catering 

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 1981 

S. CRAWFORD 

70 Ladbrook Road, 

Solihull 

J. L. R. HARE 

145 Darley Green Road, 


R. CUPIT 

49 Manor Road, 


J. M. BATSFORD 

86 Purnells Way, 


P. COURT 

7 Besbury Close, 


P. LEVENGER 

3 Bransford Rise, 

Catherine de Barnes, Solihull 

D. GREEN 

7 Copt Heath Drive, 


J. R. LEVENGER 

16 Dyers Lane, 

Solihull 

B. WILDE 

ao John Wilde & Co., 

66-69 Devon Street 

Birmingham 87 4TU 

Stuart Crawford - Chairman Peter Court - Treasurer 

0926 29444 (B) 

021-705 0124 (H) 

Pershore 2181 (B) 


021-525 6766 (B) 


021-454 8111 (B) 


021-233 1100 (B) 


021-455 9521 (B) 

021-704 9117 (H) 

Redditch 24224 (B) 


021-236 4050 (B) 

Earlswood 2008 (H) 

021-359 6868 (B) 

althatut ttir 

Are you making the full use of your club? With the facilities that have now been added, it is possible for 

you to book functions catering for up to one hundred and fifty people under the able care of our new 

steward and stewardess, Kerry and Frances Dorgan. The clubhouse is open every day of the week. 

Lunches are available on week days, except Mondays, at very reasonable prices. Hot and cold snacks are 

also available at all times during normal opening hours i.e. 12.00-2.30 p.m. and 7.30-10.30 p.m. Meals 

are also now being served on Sunday lunchtimes. Why not book a table? All catering facilities are under 

the full supervision of our stewardess who will negotiate competitive rates for any function. 

Any Old Silhillian who wishes to hire a room for his own function does so at only 50 per cent of 

normal costs. With the advent of the M42, access is excellent from all parts of the country and the 

surrounding playing fields give marvellous views and atmosphere. It is ideal for a business conference 

during the day. 

This is your club. If you have any complaints let us know. We are all listed at the front of this 

magazine. 

I am pleased to inform you that Harry Morle has taken over as administrator for the Club and Ground. 

Chris Jacob 

Treasurer of the Association 

John Levenger 

Establishments 

STUART CRAWFORD

irreillawaliLe WiaLLI: 

The Planning Committee as a permanent body, was introduced eight years ago under the Chairmanship of 

Paul Instone, to look at the overall future needs of the Old Silhillians Association Clubhouse and Ground. It 

had been clear almost from the time that the Association moved to the new premises that expenses would 

not be met without regular revenue from outside, i.e. private functions, meetings, pitch hire, etc., and with 

the M42 Motorway altering the whole aspect of the site there appeared to be a real need for co-ordinated 

plans and proposals which would prevent any piecemeal building. 

Paul and his committee spent many hours discussing a broad structure plan and delivered their 

comprehensive report some twelve months after first meeting. Their proposals were designed to improve 

the letting potential of the Clubhouse by increasing it's size; the building of a badly needed new kitchen to 

improve the catering facilities; improvement of the cloakroom areas, including an enlarged foyer. In 

addition to this, there was provision for a new restaurant and an Old Silhillian clubroom, for it was 

envisaged that if the whole Clubhouse was let for functions on a regular basis, Old Boys and Girls ought 

still to have somewhere of their own to eat and drink. 

The proposals were far-reaching and far-seeing and in my view a valuable contribution to the needs 

of a progressive organisation. Up to the present time the Clubhouse has been extended; (The Instone 

Room) and has already added to the flexibility of the building's potential. A magnificent new kitchen has 

been built, which will be capable of coping with anything that is asked of it. Presently, the cloakroom 

facilities and the new foyer are being built which will, when finished, complete the first phase of the 

original proposals. 

As a result of the M42 we acquired more land which was adjacent to the site, and so now own 

twenty-eight acres where previously we owned twenty-three, and this has been incorporated into the 

original lay-out to make a far more attractive aspect than before. The Clubhouse and Grounds are a credit 

to the School and the 0.S.A., and I am sure will in the future, if developed to the limit of the proposals, be 

a thriving social and sporting complex as well as a permanent headquarters for Old Boys and Girls from 

Solihull School. 

Kind regards, 

DAVID M. POWELL 

IL triaLILL LILLIALILL dliritathr 

As many Old Sihillians know, the David Fricke Mountain Cottage has become a vitally important part of 

the life of pupils at Solihul School. It provides a base for superb opportunities to gain practical experience 

in such academic subjects as botany, geology and geography, and for the challenge of climbing and 

walking over the awe-inspiring mountains of North Wales, all of which contribute towards the 

development of character and appreciation of nature's beauty of all those who visit the cottage. 

So that we and our successors know the facts with regard to this Memorial, David Fricke's family, 

who presented the cottage to Solihull School Mountain Club in 1958, prepared the following account: 

"David Henry Roderic Fricke came to Solihull School in 1946 with a Warwickshire County Award. He 

was a Member of Fetherston House until he left in 1956 and became a House Bencher. He gained 

entrance and a County Award to Nottingham University, and it was during the State Scholarship 

Examination that his fatal illness first struck. He recovered sufficiently to take up residence at Nottingham 

University for a very short period in October 1956, but his health deteriorated very rapidly, and he died in 

January 1957. 

During his tragic and terrible illness, he and his family received kindness and sympathy from the 

School which helped them greatly. The Headmaster and Mrs. Martin and many members of the Staff and 

of the School were outstandingly kind, and the devotion of his great friends was a source of great strength. 

It became apparent then, and in later tributes that David's spirit of amazing courage, cheerful 

endurance and constant thought for others was an inspiration to all who saw him and a manifestation of 

his simple belief "Trust in God". 

In considering his Memorial, his parents, sister, and other members of his family wished for 

something of use to his fellow men, of gratitude to the School he served and who served him, and as an 

expression of things Eternal inspired by his own indomitable spirit. 

David loved the mountains, especially of North Wales, whence came some of his family. He had 

walked many of the mountains with his family, his friends, and with the School. It has therefore come 

about that his family have joined in giving the Cottage to the Mountain Club of Solihull School in David's 

memory. It is their hope that many generations of boys will there find the true love of mountains, good 

comradeship, and a spirit of Adventure. 

David's family are profoundly grateful for the enthusiasm which has come from the School, and for 

the wonderful generosity of so very many who have given equipment of all kinds, and to whose devoted 

hard work has brought the plan to completion." 

During the past 18 months the cottage has been extended to provide a study room and a new 

shower and toilet block. In pursuance of one of the main aims of the Old Silhillians' Association to develop 

closer links with the School, the Association has donated £1,000 towards the cost of the study area which 

will be known as the Old Silhillians' Room. We are extremely grateful to all those Old Silhillians who have 

made such generous contributions to the David Fricke Mountain Cottage Fund. Our support will help 

numerous fortunate boys and girls to benefit from these fine facilities for many years to come. 

The David Fricke Mountain Cottage

As all those who know and use the bar facilities at the 

Clubhouse the new extended clubroom bar and cellar 

has proved very successful since its inception. 

The bar side is ever growing due to the changing 

pattern of the Club and the increasing events which 

occur. 

This year has seen the leaving of Roger and 

Gwen Mills and the coming of Kerry and Frances 

Dorgan. The leaving party of the Mills family was one 

of the most enjoyable nights for many years, although 

at the same time very sad. I should like to thank them 

personally for all the help, advice and friendship they 

gave me and my family during my time as bar manager 

and wish them all success in the future. 

As you will probably know, this bar was run 

without a steward for the month of June. This involved 

a tremendous amount of work behind the bar and 

coupled with running the Ball Week in the marquee 

proved a great strain on all but at the same time was 

enjoyable and rewarding. 

I should like to thank all those who worked - 

especially Tim Platt, my second in command, my wife 

, 

Angie and daughter Samantha. 

Kerry and Frances Dorgan have settled in and 

although it may have seemed reasonably quiet at the 

David Green - Bar 

start, the Rugby Sevens and Hockey Festivals have 

well and truly broken them in behind the bar. The mini 

rugby on a Sunday morning sees a hectic start to their Sunday lunchtime. 

Help behind the bar varies from youngsters who wash up and collect glasses to the older members 

who help when required. Without this help it would not be possible to give such a comprehensive service. 

Kerry and Frances Dorgan 

Steward and Stewardess 

DAVID GREEN 

Bar Manager 

President 

Chairman 

Captain 1st XI 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Mixed Hockey 

President 

Secretary 

1st XI Captain 

Treasurer 

Fixtures Secretary 

President 

Captain 

Treasurer 

Secretary 


President and Treasurer 

Secretary 

Captain 

SPORTS SECTION OFFICIALS 

HOCKEY 

J. I. H. SMITH 

9 Hall Close 

Maids Moreton, Buckingham 

P. B. STRICKLAND 

2 Woodrow Crescent, Knowle, Solihull 

N. C. REEVE 

378 Peterbrook Road, Solihull Lodge, 

Shirley, Solihull 

D. ELLIS 

82 Ladbrook Road, Solihull 

M. C. BETTERIDGE 

53 Southam Road, Hall Green, Birmingham 28 

I. M. GRIFFITHS 

88 Swanhurst Lane, Moseley, Birmingham 

CRICKET 

G. STUBBINGS 

Arden Crest, 17 Oldway Drive, Solihull 

D. B. WEEDON 

15 Oban Road, Olton, Solihull 

M. A. WEEDON 

15 Oban Road, Olton, Solihull 

M. J. D. SMITH 

25 Barchester Road, Knowle, Solihull 

K. J. MAGUIRE 

383 Bromford Lane, Wood End, Birmingham 

RUGBY 

A. N. ATKINSON 

End Cottage, Barston Lane, 

Barston, Solihull 

P. A. THOMAS 

17 Blythway, Solihull 

8 9 

R. M. JERROM 

Four Ways, Besbury Close, Dorridge, Solihull 

A. J. KEELER 

1 Grange Cottages, St. Peters Lane, 

Bickenhill, West Midlands 

R. D. MORTON 

534 Streetsbrook Road, Solihull 

SWIMMING 

P. J. COURT 

91 Purnells Way, Knowle, Solihull 

J. M. LANDER 

12 Lichfield Court, High Street, Solihull Lodge 

N. J. SMITH 

52 Orchard Road, Hockley Heath 

02802-5383 (H) 


021-430 4968 (H) 

021-705 2366 (H) 

021-777 2013 (H) 

021-777 4757 (H) 

021-704 1968 (H) 

021-706 2371 (H) 

021-706 2371 (H) 

05645 5861 (H) 

021-327 1277 (H) 

021-458 4891 (B) 

Hampton-in-Arden 2956 (H) 

021-705 1894 (H) 

021-745 4131 (B) 


021-6351 (B) 

021-455 9521 (B) 

021-705 7860 (H) 


021-430 7667 (H) 

Lapworth 3174 (H)

President 

Chairman 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Captain (Rifle) 

Captain (Pistol) 

President 

Chairman 

Secretary 

Captain 

Treasurer 

Membership Secretary 


President 

Captain 

Vice Captain 

Secretary & Treasurer 

Match Secretary 

'B' Team Secretary 

RIFLE CLUB 

A. E. UPTON 

8 Manor Orchard, Harbury, 

Leamington Spa CV33 9LZ Harbury 612887 (H) 

M. F. DOBLE 

48 Chantry Heath Crescent, Knowle 6498 (H) 


0. BROCKLEHURST 

92a Hampton Lane, Solihull 021-705 4192 (H) 

J. M. YOUNG 

22 Park Avenue, Solihull. 021-705 2808 (H) 

P. J. UPTON 

5 Ash Close, Hatton Park, Hatton, 

West Midlands Claverdon 3027 (H) 

R. J. MILNE 

5 Fir Croft, Solihull, 021-705 2417 (H) 

West Midlands 

SQUASH 

M. J. CUSACK, 

"Wayside", 021-236 5801 (B) 

Arden Road, Dorridge 

P. R. SIDDALL 


21 Pettyfields Close, Redditch 27601 (B) 


J. S. PARROTT 


55 Miiton Road, 021-643 5494 (B) 

Bentley Heath 

Knowle 


R. D. TAYLOR 021-356 4888 (B) 

112 Station Road, Knowle Knowle 5883 (H) 

R. A. YEATS 021-705 6888 (B) 

30 Rectory Gardens, Solihull. 021-705 6673 (H) 

J. R. L. OWEN 021-744 8511 (B) 

56 Henley Crescent, Solihull. 

D. J. WALKER 

021-705 5939 (H) 

25 Temple Road, 021-525 6766 (B) 


GOLF 

A. G. BRAGG 

654 Streetsbrook Road, Solihull 

J. HUDSON 

19 Whitehouse Way, Solihull 

M. A. D. COOPER 

27 Hampton Lane, Solihull 

R. J. BROWN 

29 Shenstone Drive, BalsaII Common 

R. W. M. STANDLEY 

Woodyard Cottage, 

Windmill Lane, Dorridge 

"The Longhurst Society" 

dio J. Cooper, 

24 Gladstone Road, Dorridge 

10 

021-777 7171 (B) 

021-705 2734 (H) 

021-643 8311 (B) 

021-705 3582 (H) 

021-236 7161 (B) 

021-705 0860 (H) 

021-359 3147 

Berkswell 32039 (H) 

Knowle 6287 (B) 


Aldridge 53321 (B) 


DRIA 

As your editor I am taking this opportunity to draw 

from the contents of this magazine, the splendid 

contributions being your's as members, a theme which 

reflects the various facets of the Association and its 

links with the School and Old Boys spread throughout 

the world. 

Your Association has assets and facilities which 

in most cases compare favourably with those provided 

by multi-national employers. This is as a result of the 

untiring efforts of devoted committees over the years 

who give their time and costs free gratis. And yet there 

is a peculiar analogy between the two. The measurable 

resources which are involved in running such a venture 

are enjoyed by a disproportionate few. We must ask 

ourselves if this was within the main objectives as 

originally envisaged by W. F. Bushell so many years 

ago. 

The commercial side of the venture has shown a 

loss during the year. Let us not put this down to the 

recession. A continual review of a successful operation 

will ride the effects and pressures of a recession in the 

outside world. Your accounts show that the running of 

the Clubhouse and Ground are commercially unacceptable. 

Whereas this may be justifiable in the short term, 

in no way must it be seen to be jeopardising the more 

important objective of the Association which is to 

preserve the fellowship of those 1,600 members which are the common link between Solihull School and 

the Association. 

At a time when ties can be weakened by the ever increasing pressures of life, resources must be 

directed towards those areas of greatest need. As the treasurer reports, the contributions to the School 

have now increased to £2,500 per year and I have printed a larger proportion of the School Prize list to 

highlight this area. Money is not enough unless it is followed up by the support of an exclusive Association 

which can maintain the fellowship which is nurtured at School and can cater for members of all ages and 

both sexes. 

This year your magazine contains a lot more information than before about Old Boys and Girls, your 

Association and the School, I hope this makes for more widespread reading. 

Congratulations to the Rugger Club on their Jubilee. Many thanks to the committee and members of 

the staff whose efforts maintain the success of the Association. 

EDITORS 

SIMON WILCOX 

October 1981 

1. 1950 Bernard Owens 12. 1961 Robin Cooper 22. 1971 Brain Knight 

2. 1951 Brian Coughlan 13. 1962 Robin Cooper 23. 1972 Geoff Herne 

3. 1952 Brian Coughlan 14. 1963 Arthur Upton 24. 1973 Geoff Herne 

4. 1953 Bernard Owens 15. 1964 Mike Callaghan 25. 1974 Geoff Herne 

5. 1954 Bernard Owens Mike Cusack 26. 1975 Nick Atkinson 

6. 1955 Bernard Owens 16. 1965 Mike Cusack 27. 1976 Nick Atkinson 

7. 1956 Arthur Upton 17. 1966 Mike Cusack 28. 1977 John Woolman 

8. 1957 Arthur Upton 18. 1967 Mike Cusack . 29. 1978 John Woolman 

9. 1958 Arthur Upton 19. 1968 Brian Knight 30. 1979 John Woolman 

10. 1959 Arthur Upton 20. 1969 Brian Knight 31. 1980 Simon Wilcox 

11. 1960 Arthur Upton 21. 1970 Brian Knight 32. 1981 Simon Wilcox 

11

t1LL PR , 

A 

Ti ll7"i' -- ' Lt 

ittliwt 

Dear Old Silhillians, 

We are very fortunate to be members of an association through which we are able to preserve close 

links with a very fine old school which continues to aspire to first class academic and recreational achievements. 

We also have the facilities to maintain long standing friendships amongst fellow old boys and girls. 

It would be tragic if those on the political left in this country succeed in their proposals to close 

schools such as Solihull School, which is so ably led by a headmaster, Giles Slaughter, who firmly believes 

in the traditions of the School and who commands the respect and admiration of all those who come into 

contact with him as pupils, former pupils, parents and teachers. Through the foresight, and in many cases 

sacrifice, of our parents we had the good fortune to be educated to a high all round standard. It is one of 

our basic freedoms to decide how we wish to spend our hard earned cash, and the education of our 

children should remain a choice. It is also one of our duties as Old Silhillians to help to ensure that schools 

like Solihull continue to produce well educated boys and girls equipped to meet the challenges of an 

increasingly complex and competitive world during the decades ahead. Your association has agreed to 

support the Association of Representatives of Old Pupils Societies in their campaign to preserve the right 

of freedom of choice in education by fighting against any attempt to close public schools on political 

grounds. 

On 17th May 1981 the extensions to the David Fricke Mountain Cottage were opened. Old Silhillians 

were well represented by some who were seeing the Cottage for the first time and others for whom it 

brought back many happy memories. It was a great pleasure to meet Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fricke, who 

continue to take an active and lively interest in this memorial to their son. The Association has donated 

£1,000 towards the cost of the study area which will be known as "The Old Silhillians' Room". I would like 

to thank all of you who made such generous contributions to the David Fricke Mountain Cottage Fund. 

This appeal will remain open until the end of the year and any further contributions will be most welcome. 

The Association has awarded exhibition scholarships to the value of £1,350 to nine pupils, and the 

Life Members Fupd has contributed £200 towards school prizes. Michael Cusack continues to administer 

the O.S.A. Bushell Scholarship Fund and is always eager to receive further donations or covenants. Every 

additional financial support through scholarships helps not only the families of the individual scholars but 

also the school in maintaining its high academic standards. 

"The Silhillian", which this year has again been most efficiently compiled by Simon Wilcox, gives us 

the opportunity to keep in touch with news of fellow Old Silhillians at home and abroad. One such 

Silhillian, Tom Jackson, a recent President of the Association, left our shores in August with his family to 

set up a new home in Western Australia. We shall always be grateful to Tom for the tremendous amount 

of hard work he has done for the Association over many years on the playing fields and squash courts, 

solving management problems, keeping the accounts, assisting with the building of the new extensions 

and for the hundreds of hours he spent attending various committees right up until the time of his 

departure. It is typical of Tom that he found time to write giving us his first impressions of "down-under". 

At the end of May, Roger and Gwen Mills left their positions as steward and stewardess after 10 

years at Copt Heath during which time they had succeeded in becoming true friends of most Old Silhillians 

both young and old. We thank them for the interest they have always shown in the Association and we 

wish them every success in their new venture - running their own hostelry. At the beginning of July we 

welcomed a new steward and stewardess - Kerry and Frances Dorgan. They have settled in very quickly 

and are successfully managing to cater for the many varied requirements of our members. 

I must thank most sincerely all those who helped to keep the Clubhouse open during the period 

when we were without a steward and stewardess. This particular time was exceptionally busy as it 

included all the functions held during "Ball Week". Special thanks must be given to Roger and Pat Cupit 

and their family, David and Angie Green and Tim Platt for so efficiently organising the bar and catering 

facilities. 

Dick Bird once again arranged single handed a magnificent Commemoration Ball which was only 

marred by the arctic conditions on the night. The Ladies Society, under the effervescent chairmanship of 

Jenny Levenger, delightfully decorated the marquee, and supported the O.S.A. by arranging various events 

throughout the year to raise funds for divers items of furniture and equipment. We are most grateful for 

the continued support of our girls. 

The management of our Clubhouse and ground is an ever increasing encroachment into the spare 

time of those members who so unselfishly act as officers during the year. We have been most fortunate in 

being able to appoint Harry Morle, a former master of Solihull School, as administrator, who is proving to 

be a tremendous asset in organising our facilities and keeping the records on more professional lines. In 

order to maintain the high standards which we have come to expect of our Clubhouse and grounds we 

must make further efforts to ensure that we utilise them to the full. If our facilities are used more not only 

by our sports sections for all their social events but also by individual members for lunches and functions 

such as dinners, weddings, anniversary, birthday and retirement parties, business seminars and meetings 

12 

of various organisations, the additional revenue raised will assist in keeping the increases in members' 

subscriptions and sports sections rents to a minimum, and in the long term will make more funds available 

to help the School. 

I thank all those committee members who have worked unceasingly for the good of our Association. 

I am especially grateful to Chris Jacob who is retiring as Treasurer after serving the Association for eleven 

years. He has steadfastly steered us through the many financial minefields of the development of 

motorways, clubhouse extensions and on-going inflation. We have saved many thousands of pounds 

through the efforts of David Powell, Alan Danks and Paul Instone the mainstays of our Planning 

Committee, who continue each year to contribute so much time and practical help to the new extensions 

of the clubhouse. Thanks also to Charles Whitehouse, our Membership Secretary, who has the unenviable 

tasks of encouraging new members from the ranks of pupils and parents, and chasing overdue 

subscriptions without help, until recently, of an administrator, and to Darrell Edwards, our Secretary, 

whose wise counsel and support are always most welcome. 

I urge you all to attend our Annual Dinner to be held at the Memorial Clubhouse on Saturday 12th 

December, 1981, and, if possible, the London Dinner, which has again been organised so capably by John 

Orrett, at the Oxford and Cambridge Club, Pall Mall, on Saturday 21st November, 1981. There are 

splendid opportunities to renew many old friendships and they are events well worthwhile your support. 

It has been a great honour for me to serve as President of the Old Silhillians' Association. I have 

thoroughly enjoyed my year of office and the camaraderie it brings with it. I have no doubt that our 

Association will continue to prosper next year under the guidance of Roger Cupit, and I wish him a very 

happy and successful year as President. 

Yours sincerely, 

JOHN L. R. HARE 

John and Maggie 

13

- 


Once again I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to write to you through the columns 

of The Silhillian. Before I get down to the task of telling you something about our School in the year which 

has passed, I must say how pleased I am that as year succeeds year the Old Silhillians Association and the 

School seem to draw closer and closer together. Not only is this how I should wish things to be in Solihull 

but it is also a source of great encouragement to all of us concerned for the future of the independent 

schools that we can draw upon the massive support of our former pupils. I must also thank Paul and 

Romayne Instone for making the last year such a very happy one for us all. The extension to the clubhouse 

would not have been brought to a successful conclusion without Paul's perseverance, and we should all 

be most grateful. John and Maggie Hare have carried on that kind of positive and cheerful leadership 

which we have come to expect from Presidents of the Association, and we now look forward to what will, 

I am sure, be a memorable Annual Dinner under his chairmanship. Finally in this rather lengthy preamble I 

must congratulate the Rugby Club on their Golden Jubilee and wish all the officers and players every 

success in the years ahead. 

Congratulations to the Rugby Club lead me directly to one particularly memorable aspect of last year, 

the triumphs of the School XV. It is possible that some years ago the XV went through the season 

undefeated by other schools, but I suspect that if this is so it was in days when the fixture list was lighter 

and the opposition less testing. It was a very happy season for school rugby and the success of the Fifteen 

had a really very salutary effect on the morale of the School as a whole. The annual match against the 

Association which resulted, as it should, in a narrow victory for the Old Boys, was played in an excellent 

spirit, and it is good to know that many of the Old Boys who took part so greatly enjoyed the game that 

they have asked to be included in the team again this December. Hockey also flourished during 1 980- 

1981 largely through the introduction of extra skills training in the Middle School. The 1st XI should reap 

the benefit of this in a few years time, when I very much hope we shall make a really good showing at the 

Oxford Hockey Festival. The Cricket Xl had a much better season than we had expected and reached the 

final of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Schools' Competition. Unfortunately we were well beaten by 

Bablake, but later in the summer the Under 13 XI, playing under the Old Silhillians flag, won the H. Samuel 

Trophy at Edgbaston, which again promises well for the future. In some respects the Cock House 

Competition provided the most exciting cricket of the summer. In the semi-final match between Pole and 

Jago, 400 runs were scored in 60 overs, the match being finally decided with a six off the penultimate 

ball. This and many other domestic matches this season were played in an excellent spirit and were quite 

clearly very much enjoyed by those who took part. 

On the academic front I am pleased to be able to tell you that we had another good year. In 

November a total of 15 places were won at Oxford and Cambridge, seven with Open Awards, whilst after 

some very sound 'A' Level results this summer a total of 83 boys and girls either started at the universities 

or returned to School for a seventh term in the Sixth. The Ordinary Level results were as good as any we 

have had, so we feel encouraged by a good entry to the Sixth Form this year; and entry incidentally which 

includes thirty girls. 

In Music and Drama the School enjoyed a really memorable year. David Briggs won the King's 

College Organ Scholarship and two awards from the Worshipful Company of Musicians, one for his 

performance in the examinations for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists and one for being the 

outstanding musician in the National Youth Orchestra. Two other Silhillians played in the National Youth 

Orchestra, whilst a School Ensemble reached the finals of the first-ever National Chamber Music for 

Schools Competition. This is an extraordinary achievement when one considers that the full-time music 

schools, like Chetham's in Manchester and the Menhuin School also entered for this event. However our 

most memorable music came perhaps from the larger groups such as the Choral Society, who gave two 

performances during the year: Bach's great Cantata 'Sleepers Wake' at Advent, and Handel's 'Messiah' in 

the spring. For both these performances we made use of our own soloists in preference to bringing in 

professionals from outside, with very happy results. Old Silhillians will be interested to know that next 

spring there will be two exciting musical events at the School. In March the choir of King's College, 

Cambridge, will give a recital in Chapel, whilst in May the School Choral Society and Orchestra will be 

joined by Alexander Young and the Jubilate Choir from Manchester for a performance of Verdi's Requiem. 

There were three principal dramatic presentations last year. The Sixth Form Operatic Society 

performed Offenbach's 'La Belle Héléne' with colossal verve and style, whilst earlier in the year Mr. Bailey 

produced 'The Merchant of Venice' for the Upper School Dramatic Society. This was a really very polished 

production and clearly helped our '0' Level candidates for whom The Merchant was a set text, as the 

English results were unusually good. Finally Mrs. Instone and Mrs. Brough produced 'Joseph and his 

Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' for the Junior School Summer Concert. I was astonished by this 

performance, which was without question the best junior school musical play I have ever seen. 

One event during the year which I recall with particular pleasure was the official opening of the 

14 

extension to the David Fricke Mountain Cottage in North Wales. I have no doubt that a detailed description 

of that event will appear elsewhere in The Silhillian, but as an occasion it did seem to me to embody in a 

very real sense the idea of the School as a family. Firstly the money for the extension was raised jointly by 

the Governors, the parents and the Old Silhillians, all of whom were well represented at the opening. 

Secondly there was a link with the past, as the Fricke family were all present, including David's sister 

Elizabeth who joined my wife in performing the opening ceremony. Finally the interest in the cottage and 

in the opportunities it offers to our boys and girls seemed to me to be a colossal vote of confidence in our 

future, which I found most reassuring. 

As you will all know, the School's Governors have this year been giving a great deal of careful 

thought to the future of our School. I do not want to say anything at present about the controversial issue 

of co-education, because no final decision on this matter will be taken until the Working Party set up by 

the Governors submits its report. However one painful decision which we have taken is to close School 

House as a boarding establishment in 1983. For exactly a century School House has provided a term-time 

home for thousands of boys and members of staff, but for some years now it has really not been 

economically viable and eventually we had to bow to economic pressures. The next two years will be 

difficult ones for the boarding house staff as numbers dwindle, but we are very fortunate to have in Mr. 

and Mrs. Rickman an outstanding team and I know that they will maintain the good morale of the house 

right through to the end. 

Planning for the future can be a very difficult and traumatic business. None of us like to make 

changes which may threaten the character of the School but we have to recognise too that we are living in 

a changing world and that the first task of any school has to be to prepare its pupils for life in that world. 

What of course we really want to do is to build for the future on the foundations of the past; retaining our 

traditions and heritage but always looking forward. I am sure that we shall achieve this goal because we 

all share a deep determination that Solihull School should flourish in the years ahead and continue to 

serve this Borough as it has done for the last 421 years. 

My wife and children join me in sending best wishes to you and to your families. I look forward to 

seeing you all at School in December. 


G. D. SLAUGHTER 

October 1981. 

Anne Kemp, John Hare, Gillian Slaughter, Giles Slaughter, Maggie Hare, Ernest Kemp 

15

1:441.itatE LOAigii TI 1 TTER 


I appreciate being given this opportunity by your editor to write concerning the achievements of the 

past year and our future programme. 

A full and enjoyable year ably led by Ernest and Anne Kemp achieved a notably large sum enabling 

several projects to be financed. 

The Sports Pavilion mentioned in last year's letter was officially opened on 13th December and is 

now in full use, providing a valuable asset to the school's sporting facilities. It reflects great credit on all 

those concerned, viz, architect, builder and those parents whose enterprise conceived the project. 

The other large item funded by the Parents' Association was a major overhaul of the school grand 

piano originally donated by the parents in 1937 and now rejuvenated for further service. 

To fund these and a number of minor items the functions organised by the parents in addition to 

giving much enjoyment, raised £4,188 and we are grateful for the support of so many Old Silhillians both 

as parents and non-parents. 

In our varied activities may I again express our great appreciation of the use of your excellent 

facilities at Copt Heath. They formed the venue for the A.T.V. All-Stars soccer match in March where a 

local team lost a keenly contested match to the team of T.V. and media personalities. A very busy hot dog 

stand, well organised by the scouts, was indeed welcome on a chilly afternoon. 

The programme for the year ahead begins with a French evening on Saturday, 7th November, in Big 

School. A Race evening on Saturday, 6th February, opens the 1982 programme, followed by the 

President's Ball on Saturday, 20th March with a Barn Dance on Saturday, 12th June concluding the social 

events. Our hardy annuals the Christmas Fayre on 28th November and the Jumble Sale on 22nd May are 

two very important events to boost the funds and provide astonishing bargains. Do note all these dates in 

your diary. 

In extending our best wishes to your association, my wife Pamela and I wish to John and Maggie 

Hare continued success in the remainder of their year in office and to Roger and Pat Cupit for their 

forthcoming year. 

We look forward to a continued strengthening of our links in the future years. 


PETER COOPER 

"Ranjana" 

700 Old Lode Lane 

Solihull 

West Midlands B92 8LU 

Roger left School in 1957, having been Head of School, Head of Jago House, Captain of rugby fifteen and 

the tennis six. His intention was to complete National Service but ultimately failed his medical examination 

on the grounds of a possible recurrence of an ankle injury - which Roger found difficult to understand - in 

view of the fact the Medical Board X-rayed his knees as evidence of the problem. In any event both ankles 

and knees have stood up perfectly to an active sporting life for the ensuing 24 years on the rugby fields, 

tennis courts and latterly, golf courses, of the Midlands. 

After a year in London at Harrods, as trainee manager, Roger was invited back to Solihull to work for 

a local company of builders' merchants and subsequently joined Timber & Wallboard Importing Group. 

Four years ago he left and is now joint managing director and partner in his own company, selling timber 

and sheet materials. 

Roger is past Captain and President of the Old Silhillians' Rugby Club and served on their Committee 

for 20 years. He has also served on the Management Committee and intermittently on the 0.S.A. Main 

Committee. 

Roger's wife Pat, is past chairman of the 0.S.A. Ladies' Society. They have three teenage daughters, 

the eldest of which, Nicola, has just joined the sixth form of Solihull School. 

Roger says his main aims in his year of office are fourfold. Firstly to consolidate, continue and 

improve the long established links between the School and the Association. Secondly, to try and increase 

the numbers of local Old Silhillians living in the area to use the Memorial Clubhouse and its surrounding 

facilities. Thirdly, to examine the long term future of the Memorial Clubhouse and grounds in view of the 

falling membership and rapidly escalating overheads. Fourthly, wherever possible and practical, to involve 

those Old Silhillians living outside the area in the Association events. 

16 

President Elect - 1982 - Roger Cupit 

17

O.S.A. COLOURS 

For orders under £10 please add 50p for packing and postage. 

TIES 

Modern width in Crimplex, 

striped design in claret and blue 

CUFF-LINKS 

The School Crest in full colour in a strong die stamped enamelled style 

with a swivel back fitting and attractive presentation box. 

LADIES HEADSQUARES 

Blue polyester with the School Crest in each corner 

Size: 36 in. by 36 in. 

PRICE 

(inc. VAT) 

£2.50 

£5.00 

£3.50 

WALL PLAQUES 

The School Crest in full colour on oak base. 

(Only available from the School Shop) 

Telephone No. 021-705 0883 (approx) £9.00 

Orders (apart from Wall Plaques) to the Administrator, Old Silhillians' Association Ltd., Memorial 

Clubhouse, Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands, with remittances. The prices shown may be 

changed without notice if increases in costs make such action necessary. 

18 

GOVERNORS 

Mr. G. E. Hill, 0.B.E., T.D., J.P., F.C.A. (Chairman) Mr. N. L. Green 

Mr. R. G. Davies, (Vice-Chairman) Mr. T. G. Jones 

Dr. G. B. AnseII, D.Sc., M.A., Ph.D. Mr. D. G. Lewis, O.B.E. 

Prof. J. M. Bishop, M.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P. Air Commodore J. W. Price, C.B.E. 

Mr. N. Bradbeer, J.P. Mr. F. D. Robinson, M.A. 

Prof. J. Bridgwater, M.A., Ph.D. Mr. J. R. Talboys 

Mr. D. W. Chapman, D.F.M., LI.B. Rev. Canon R. S. Wilkinson, A.K.C. 

Mrs. C. Clark, M.A., Ph.D. Mr. W. Wood, LI.B. 

THE UPPER SCHOOL 

The Funded and Scholarship Prizes 

Old Silhillians' Prize for the Head of the School D. J. Whitney 

Prize for the Deputy Head of the School C. P. Sayer 

Leitner Scholarship Prizes 

D. J. Briggs, N. J. G. Brown, A. J. Creedy, T. J. Fulford, P. Jenkins, G. M. Lowe, S. H. Thane 

Shenstonian Lodge Prizes for Initiative and Resource 

C. E. E. Hamilton, M. J. Hindley, M. R. Mabon, M. J. K. Thorpe 

Solihull Rotary Club Prize for promoting good international relations M. D. Wright 

Peter Budd Memorial Prize for Leadership in the C.C.F. C. P. Sayer 

Snowdonia School Prize for Leadership R. D. Ellis 

Urry Prizes for Voluntary Work of a Practical Nature 

T. A. Plant, I. G. Ravenhall, A. M. Siddique 

Prizes for Public Service in the School 

Adrienne Attwood, Georgina Berrow, M. A. Bradford, N. J. G. Brown, Bridget Cassey, 

A. C. Constable, A. C. Cooper, P. M. Dodds, J. S. Flannery, G. E. J. Fletcher, N. J. Hawkins, 

Carolyn Hazard, R. P. Hindley, P. Jenkins, M. T. L. Johnson, R. Macer-Wright, 

Vanessa Masters, D. M. Middleburgh, Deborah Pack, A. W. Palmer, Julia Robinson, 

A. W. Simpson, R. J. Southall, A. P. Spurrell, T. J. F. Steele, M. K. Tafft, B. C. Turner, 

P. D. Warden, C. D. Wilde, T. R. Withers, Elizabeth Wrenn, S. C. Young. 

Scout Parents' Committee Prize for Venture Scouts 

Prizes for the Editors of "The Shenstonian" 

Librarians' Prize 

Prize for Art and Design 

Alfred Caulkin Prize for Art 

David Shepherdson Memorial Prize for Art 

Whitehouse Memorial Prize for Biology 

George Angier Harding Memorial Prize for Chemistry 

Clarke Prize for Civics 

Simon Powell Prize for Economics 

Frances Tayler Prize for English 

J. R. R. Hunter Prize for French 

Richard Lancaster Prize for Geography 

Foundation Prize for German 

David Prust Memorial Prize for History 

Eric Havinden Memorial Prize for History 

Canon Brookes Prize for Mathematics 

Thompson Memorial Prize for Mathematics 

Foundation Piize for Music 

Anthony Peter Dean Memorial Organ Prize 

Foundation Prize for Physics 

Alice Harding Memorial Prize for Science 

Wright Memorial Prize for Science 

Prizes for Acting 

Kimberley Prizes for Rhetoric 

19 

R. P. Hindley 

P. R. Manton, R. H. Sellars 

A. G. Macdonald 

I. J. Christian 

T. A. Plant 

R. P. Penny 


M. D. Wright 

M. J. Hindley 

A. J. Plant 

D. M. Middleburgh 

C. D. Wilde 

J. S. Flannery 

P. N. Lawrence 


R. C. Vinen 

P. L. Hastings 

T. J. F. Steele 

S. D. Fitter 

D. J. Briggs 

N. J. G. Brown 

K. J. Plummer 

S. H. Thane 

M. A. Griffiths, Helen E. Taylor 

D. T. Brown, M. G. Hughes

P. R. AnseII Memorial Scholarship for Mathematics 1981 A. J. Owens UNIVERSITY AND ACADEMIC HONOURS, 1981 

Old Silhillians Bushell Scholarship 

I. H. Simcock 

Old Silhillians Exhibitions 

Kim E. Hackett, G. D. Roberts, N. C. Pittaway, C. E. Berrisford, R. A. Gardiner, G. Tar, R. J. Tayler, 

R. R. Cohen 

Cooper Scholarships for Science 

D. M. Allen, A. W. Palmer, Deborah A. Price 

David Blythe Memorial Award for Field Studies in Biology 

G. Phaguda 

Parents' Association Prizes for Outstanding Academic Achievement 

D. A. S. Craig, P. M. Harbidge, N. R. C. McWhinnie, Ann E. McVeigh, S. J. Price, P. J. Rollinson, 

D. J. Stevenson, R. L. Vilain, M. C. Weedon, Natalie R. Zolty 

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL 

Funded and Special Prizes 

Maurice Hirst Prize for Head of the Middle School 

Andrew Stevens Memorial Prize for Leadership 

Scout Parents' Committee Prize for Scouting 

The Peter Roe 'All-Round" Cup 

Bushell Prize for Divinity 

P. J. Thacker 

J. E. T. Brunskill 

M. J. Saunders 

M. C. Warden 

G. A. Evans 


G. A. Evans, T. J. Gibbs, R. W. Hare, L. M. Harris, N. N. Layton, D. L. Maclean, J. S. Middleburgh, 

W. R. Periam, A. J. Portman, S. R. Thorp 

THE LOWER SCHOOL 


Bluck Prize for Public Service and Leadership 

E. T. Halstead Prize for Public Service in the School 

Bushell Prize for Divinity 

Bernays Prizes for Reading 

Literary Competition Prizes 

E. T. Halstead Prize for Public Speaking 

Terriers Prize 

Peter Curwood Prize for Snowdonia School 

Old Shilhillians Exhibition 

S. J. Townsley 

T. R. Langford 

A. W. J. Stevens 

C. G. Harrison, L. L. Mzimba 

P. M. Buttifant, J. D. Smith 

G. W. Tooke 

J. Moppett 

A. R. Attwood 

P. J. Logan 


A. R. Attwood, J. E. M. Clayton, R. C. Dale, R. E. Gaut, J. J. Homer, A. C. Maclean, S. Talwar, 

R. M. Thomas 

THE JUNIOR SCHOOL 


Headmaster's Prize for Leadership 

M. R. Lucas 

Prize for Public Service in the Junior School S. J. Perks 

E. T. Halstead Prize for Good Handwriting 

M. A. Lawrence 

E. T. Halstead Prize for Improved Handwriting A. J. Hill 

Timothy Powell Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement P. S. Harrington 

Scout Parents' Committee Prize for Cub Scouting J. H. Pick 


R. J. Crawford, P. S. Harrington, P. W. Howarth, M. R. Lucas, J. D. Proudfoot, J. A. Rintoul 

Aston 

R. A. Clarke 

M. J. D. Eccleston 

J. P. Lilly 

Bath 

A. Pollard 

Birmingham 

W. A. Hopton 

D. J. Meek 

S. G. T. Smith 

Bradford 

T. M. Broadhead 

T. J. T. Smith 

Bristol 

A. M. Davies 

M. D. Singer 

M. H. Whitfield 

Cambridge 

A. A. H. BerriII 

A. J. Bond 

Nicola J. Creedy 

J. D. M. Currie 

D. J. Mack 

I. W. Weetman 

City 

D. E. Rowe 

Durham 

S. L. C. Diggins 

R. L. Toyn 

J. S. Ward 

East Anglia 

P. A. Simpson 

Edinburgh 

S. M. Jacobi 

Exeter 

P. A. Tinley 

Glasgow 

P. G. Rose 

Keele 

G. H. Ellis 

Leeds 

M. P. Barnfield 

Liverpool 

W. M. Lainchbury 

M. Jane Robbins 

London 

G. D. Harris 

C. C. Morton 

M. A. J. Sharp 

A. P. R. Wilson 

D. A. Young 

B.Sc., Computing Science, Class II, Div. 1. 

B.Sc., Mechanical Engineering. 

B.Sc., Metallurgy, Class II, Div. 1. 

B.Sc., Business Administration, Class II, Diy. 1. 

B.Sc., Minerals Engineering, Class I. 

B.Soc.Sc., Class I. 

M.B., Ch.B. 

B. Pharm., Class II, Div. 2. 

B.Sc., Social Sciences, Class II, Div. 2. 

B.Sc., Mathematics with Statistics, Class I. 

B.Sc., Physics, Class II, Div. 2. 

B.Sc., Civil Engineering, Class II, Div. 1. 

Postgraduate Certificate in Education. 

B.A., Civil Engineering, Class I. 

B.A., Geography, Class II, Div. 2. 

B.A., Engineering, Class II, Div. 1. 

B.A., Engineering, Class II, Div. 1. 

B.A., Modern Languages, Class II, Div. 1. 

B.Sc., Chemical and Administrative Sciences, Class II, Div. 2. 

B.A., History, Class II, Div. 2. 


B.Sc., Physics, Class II, Div. 1. 

B.A., Economic and Social Studies. 

Diploma in Education. 

B.Sc., Engineering Science, Class II, Div. 2. 

M.B.A. 

B.A., Biology/Physics. 

B.Sc., Civil Engineering, Class II, Div. 2. 

B.V.Sc. 

B.D.S. 

LI.B., Class II, Div. 1. 

M.B., B.S. 


M.B., B.S. 


20 21

Oxford 

D. A. Child 

M. J. Eyre 

T. W. Ramage 

G. D. Robson 

R. J. Sadler 

Reading 

M. D. Weavers 

Salford 

P. H. Barnard 

Sheffield 

C. J. M. Kinsey 

T. S. O'Connell 

Stirling 

S. W. Mitchell 

Wales 

Cardiff 

P. L. Jones 

York 

P. I. W. Pay 

J. P. Roper 

University Open Awards 

D. J. Briggs 


A. J. Creedy 

T. J. Fulford 

P. Jenkins 

G. M. Lowe 

S. H. Thane 

Aberystwyth 

Kathryn C. Craig 

A. D. Keil 

Birmingham 

N. J. Hawkins 

Sandra H. Lloyd 

Deborah A. Price 

Julie K. Showell 

B. C. Turner 

Bristol 

Penelope A. Hamilton 

N. R. Hurrell 

Cambridge 

D. J. Briggs 


A. J. Creedy 

T. J. Fulford 

T. M. Gower 

Suzanne R. Hunt 

P. A. Lawrence 

G. M. Lowe 


K. J. Plummer 

S. H. Thane 

Elizabeth A. Wrenn 

B.A., Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Class I. 

B.A., Law, Class II. 

B.A., Modern Languages. 

B.A., Modern Languages, Class II. 

B.A., Physics, Class II. 

B.Sc., Quantity Surveying, Class II, Div. 2. 

B.Sc., Civil Engineering, Class III. 


B.A., Economics/Accounting and Financial Management, Class II, Div. 2. 

B.A., Philosophy, Class II, Div. 1. 

B.Sc., Town Planning, Class III. 

B.A., Economics and Politics, Class II, Div. 2. 

B.A., Economics and Statistics, Class III. 

Part II THE SCHOOL 

Organ Scholarship, King's College, Cambridge. 

Exhibition in Mathematics/Physics to read Engineering, Jesus College, 

Cambridge. 

Exhibition in Geography to read Law, Girton College, Cambridge. 

Exhibition in English, Downing College, Cambridge. 

Exhibition in Classics, Balliol College, Oxford. 

Scholarship in English, St. Catharine's College, Cambridge. 

Exhibition in Mathematics/Physics to read Engineering, Trinity Hall, 

Cambridge. 

THE UNIVERSITY ENTRIES 

French. 

American Studies and French. 

History. 

Commerce. 

Metallurgy and Materials. 

History. 

Mechanical Engineering. 

Economics and Mathematics. 

Modern Languages. 

King's College, Music. 

Jesus College, Engineering. 

Girton College, Law. 

Downing College, English. 

St. John's College, Natural Sciences (Biological). 

Queen's College, Economics. 

Pembroke College, Modern Languages. 

St. Catharine's College, English. 

Trinity Hall, Law. 

Jesus College, Natural Sciences (Physical). 

Trinity Hall, Engineering. 

Homerton College, History and Education. 

22 

Durham 

R. G. Gordon Economics. 

S. G. Haberland-Schindler Law. 

P. J. Moss German. 

R. J. Packwood Economics. 

D. A. Penn Economics. 

A. J. Plant Economics. 

East Anglia 

M. J. Hindley 

Edinburgh 

M. J. K. Thorpe 

Exeter 

P. M. Dodds 

Sarah L. Hurley 

Hull 

Deborah J. Pack 

C. P. Sayer 

Kent 

M. A. Bradford 

Lancaster 

R. M. Waltham 

Leeds . 

M. G. D. Ashton 

Rosalind E. Tague 

Liverpool 

M. A. Bull 

M. A. Stretch 

London 

D. M. Allen 

Catherine D. Allert 

I. J. Christian 

Jacqueline E. Cutting 

Anne M. Darby 

J. B. Hall 


A. H. Milne 

T. D. Plant 

A. P. Spurrell 

M. D. Wright 

Loughborough 

Tania E. Pickering 

Manchester 

Madeline E. Hughes Law. 

Accountancy. 

Business Studies and Accounting. 

Music. 

Statistics and Operational Research. 

Business Economics. 

Geography and Geology. 

Accountancy. 

Computer Studies—Mathematics. 

Law. 

Geography. 

Latin. 

History. 

Imperial College, Chemical Engineering. 

Goldsmith's College, English. 

University College, Architecture. 

King's College, English. 

Queen Elizabeth College, Physiology. 

Royal Veterinary College. 

St. Mary's Hospital, Medicine. 

Imperial College, Mechanical Engineering. 

University College, Architecture. 

Imperial College, Mathematics. 

Imperial College, Chemical Engineering. 

Business Administration and Language. 

Manchester Institute of Science and Technology 

W. R. W. Evans Chemical Engineering. 

R. H. Morton Engineering Management. 

A. W. Palmer Biochemistry. 

Nottingham 

M. S. Marshall 

Oxford 

P. Jenkins 

J. Fiona Keil 

Louise V. Tunbridge 

D. T. W. Young 

Reading 

K. P. Hammond 

Elizabeth J. Willson 

St. Andrews 

M. T. L. Johnson 

Wales 

Cardiff 

Carolyn Hazard 

Architecture. 

Balliol College, Classics. 

St. Hugh's College, Modern Languages. 

Christ Church, Modern Languages. 

Trinity College, Jurisprudence. 

Quantity Surveying. 

History of Art. 

History. 

Business Management. 

23

Aberdeen 

J. A. Duffy, D.Sc. 

A. W. Calder 

Adelaide 

B. L. D. Coghlan, Ph.D. 

Aston 

M. J. D. Eccleston 

J. P. Lilly 

R. A. Clarke 

S. R. Greenfield 

M. S. Stott 

S. K. Jervis 

S. B. Roberts 

M. Wallwork 

J. R. A. Hereward 

A. C. Rhodes 

Bath 

P. P. Rutherford, Ph.D. 

A. Pollard 

P. M. Taylor 

Birmingham 

J. M. Bishop, M.D., D.Sc., 

F.R.C. 

J. Bridgwater, M.A., Ph.D. 

C. S. Upton, M.A., Ph.D. 

W. H. Gunzburg, B.Sc. 

S. G. T. Smith 

S. N. Bennett 

D. A. Wittridge 

Sally A. Gill 

R. S. Bate 

W. A. Hopton 

D. J. Meek 

Ann R. Blackburn 

Philippa L. Johnson 

K. L. Mak 

Catherine A. Meldrum 

R. H. Portman 

J. D. B. Potts 

M. W. Taylor 

S. W. Ward 

M. V. Oliver 

Bradford 

T. M. Broadhead 

T. J. T. Smith 

Bristol 

R. W. Houghton 

C. G. Maddick 

A. M. Davies 

I. R. Lightowler 

M. R. Peck 

M. D. Singer 

M. H. Whitfield 

S. J. Wood 

P. Hadjisotiriou 

N. T. A. Campkin 

THE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE LISTS, 1980-81 

The accuracy and completeness of the lists depends largely on the information received from Old 

Silhillians themselves. 

THE UNIVERSITIES 

Brunel Durham 

J. M. Zissman 

J. M. J. Rogister, B.A. 

J. S. Ward, B.Sc. 

Cambridge 

S. L. C. Diggins 

W. J. H. Butterfield, 0.B.E., R. L. Toyn 

M.D., F.R.C.P. Elizabeth Beaumont 

J. G. Collier, M.A., LI.B. (Fellow) C. S. Watts 

R. R. Weber, B.A. (Fellow) 

F. D. Skidmore, M.B., Ch.B., 

East Anglia 

F.R.C.S. (Ed.) 

A. J. Boulton, Ph.D. 

B. G. Gasson, B.A. 

T. J. M. Love, B.A. 

C. J. Pollock, Ph.D. 

P. A. Simpson 

K. D. Evetts, B.A. Edinburgh 

A. A. H. BerriII, B.Sc. S. M. Jacobi, B.A. 

S.G.W. Smith Abigail A. Barrow 

I. D. Ballard 

M. E. Dodds-Smith 

M. A. Jordan 

A. B. Murray 

Diane Watson 

A. J. Barsham 

A. J. Bond 

R. A. Brocksom 

Exeter 

A. J. C. Lea, Ph.D., B.Sc. 

P. A. Tinley 

Joanna C. Goddard 

Christine D. Lilley 

Glasgow 

P. G. Rose 

P. 

Nicola J. Creedy 

J. D. M. Currie 

N. R. Fisher 

B. K. Horne 

Susan E. Moss 

P. A. Newman 

M. H. Pardoe 

J. N. Steffen 

Hull 

J. H. Sudd, Ph.D. 

Keele 

R. M. Whitehouse, B.A. 

G. H. Ellis 

F. Mursaleen 

Sarah A. Beresford 

I. W. Weetman Kent 

A. Barkla L. T. Holmes, M.A., Ph.D. 

P. M. Bradford 

M. J. BuIlen 

J. A. Butt 

R. D. J. Heacock 

P. M. Jessop 

W. Powrie 

P. F. Rivers 

C. E. Sweeney 

M. R. Taylor 

R. M. Tickell 

M. W. R. Worster 

P. F. Anderson 

P. Bell 

I. P. Eckloff 

T. B. N. Farazmand 

Melanie J. Harris 

I. M. L. Jones 

A. T. M. Wyles 

Leeds 

M. L. J. Rollason, B.Sc., M.Sc. 

R. M. Green, B.A. 

R. M. Thomson, Ph.D., B.Sc. 

M.Sc. 

M. P. Barnfield 

C. J. Roylance 

R. G. Berrisford 

P. C. Salloway 

N. M. Williams 

N. J. Stockton 

R. N. Wood 

Leicester 

J. H. Parkinson, B.Sc. 

J. McDonald 

M. A. Binnersley 

M. D. Billingham 

Liverpool 

City 

D. E. Rowe 

T. R. G. Gray, Ph.D. 

W. M. Lainchbury 

Cornell 

F. H. T. Rhodes (President) 

M. Jane Robbins 

N. E. J. Sharrock 

M. R. Arlington 

Dublin 

E. F. James, M.A., D.Phil 

P. J. Banister 

P. E. Scott 

B. R. Taylor 

Dundee J. M. Parry 

M. S. Ellis 

R. D. Williams 

24 

London 

Newcastle 

Sheffield 

J. S. M. Hutchinson, Ph.D. P. L. Lowe 

M. Cable, Ph.D. 

M. Hardingham, B.Sc. 

G. A. Dickinson 

J. R. Tippetts, B.Sc. 

P. Donnai, M.A. 

R. H. J. Newcombe 

P. J. Green, B.A. 

D. A. Henley, B.Sc. 

D. N. Bennett 

C. D. Bellamy, M.B., B.S. North Western University, U.S.A • D. M. M. Currie 

A. M. Cotton, B.Sc., A.R.C.S., Melise R. Blakeslee 

P. R. Junod 

F.R.E.S. 

C. J. M. Kinsey 

M. L. Harris 

C. C. Morton 

E. M. Ashfield 

M. R. W. Evans 

R. Y. Anthony 

Rosemary C. Berrisford 

R. D. Evans 

J. Fairley 

M. J. Foster 

G. D. Harris 

M. Mitra 

D. 0. F. Rafiqi 

M. A. J. Sharp 

A. P. R. Wilson 

D. A. Young 

Jane M. Clayton 

Nottingham 

T. S. O'Connell 

D. M. Smith, D.Phil. 

R. D. S. Burton 

P. N. Bishop 

N. A. Hayward 

C. H. Liew 

C. M. Singer 

Lynne C. Davies 

J. P. Wyatt 

A. G. R. Griffin 

H. R. Loader 

Southampton 

Julie L. Mantle 

N. H. Stainton 

A. D. Young 

S. A. H. Lloyd 

R. D. J. Seedhouse 

Oxford 

A. R. Hands, B.Sc., M.A., D.Phil. 

P. R. Cook, M.A., D.Phil. Stirling 

R. L. Hutchings, M.A. S. W. Mitchell 

M. J. Colledge 

J. Crisp 

Strathclyde 

S. N. Gray 

N. A. Kahtan 

A. M. Stroomer 

T. G. N. Mitchell, B.A. 

P. I. Butler 

Surrey 

M. S. Hawes 

L. R. Irani 

P. A. Newby 

Karen T. Steyn 

M. A. Holmes 

R. M. Harbidge 

R. D. Jones 

I. G. Sinclair 

Sussex 

R. J. Tayler, Ph.D. 

R. C. Morton 

Loughborough 

A. P. Harbon 

A. J. Tapper 

M. Sleath 

Manchester 

P. J. King, Ph.D. 

J. R. Mace, B.A., M.Sc. 

P. R. F. Clemence, B.A. 

M. J. Darby 

Teresa A. Millane 

M. T. Spurrell 

A. Sara E. Playford 

A. F. Kay 

Susan E. Walton 

Manchester Institute of 

Science and Technology 

J. C. Bodenham 

I. K. Strangward 

C. J. Boucher 

M. J. Clayton 

Caroline E. Masters 

R. D. Parry 

P. E. Scarrott 

A. J. Bourne 

Manitoba 

D. M. Symes, B.A. (Fellow) 

C. J. Phillips 

M. D. Portman 

G. D. Robson 

D. A. Child 

M. J. Eyre 

T. W. Ramage 

R. J. Sadler 

G. A. R. Simpson 

K. M. Colgan 

D. I. Colledge 

Karen L. C. Ellison 

M. C. Johnson 

S. C. Whatling 

J. B. P. Barber 

A. J. Darby 

M. R. Hudson 

P. J. Pinto 

S. L. Ramage 

N. A. Smout 

Reading 

D. J. Smith, B.Sc. 

A. P. Ash 

A. C. Ellison 

M. D. Weavers 

T. C. Lowe 

M. T. Bradbury 

St. Andrews 

R. A. Stradling, M.A., D.Phil. 

Salford 

P. J. F. Millier, B.Sc. 

P. H. Barnard 

J. H. J. Gower 

G. N. Perkins 

J. M. Ellis 

A-R. Mehjoo 

P. J. Norris 

R. Satchwell 

M. N. Wright 

25 

Wales 

Aberystwyth 

J. A. A. Jones, Ph.D., M.A. 

C. C. Johnson, B.Sc. 

R. A. Evans 

D. M. Tomkins 

Bangor 

P. Greig-Smith, Sc.D. 

Cardiff 

P. L. Jones 

Jacqueline R. Byles 

J. E. Abbott 

Warwick 

A. G. Marriner, B.Sc. 

D. E. Smith 

R. N. Arney 

S. E. Read 

York 

V. W. D. Hale, Ph.D. 

P. I. W. Pay 

J. P. Roper

ir 1 8 'I 

Once again I would like to thank all those who have contributed towards this important and interesting 

part of the magazine. 

DAVID G. ALLEN (left 1962 — Pole). H.N.C. Mech.Eng. Currently M.D. of M.H.H. Engineering. David 

is married and has two children. 

MARK R. ASCOUGH (left 1976 — Jago). Presently attending the University of Surrey. Just finished 

Industrial Training Year, the majority of which was spent at the Food R.A. in Leatherhead, Surrey. 

MARTIN D. ATKINS (left 1970 — Shenstone). Martin has a B.Sc. in Quantity Surveying and 

A.R.I.C.S., (Quantity Surveying). He is employed as a Quantity Surveyor with a building contractor in 

Cologne. 

JOHN E. J. BAGGS (left 1938 — Jago). John is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and he 

is General Manager of the Eagle Star Insurance Group. He was President O.S.A. 1969-70, a member of 

the Old Silhillians 1st XV 1938-1949, Chairman of various British Insurance Association Committees and 

Hon. Sec. (West Midlands) Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association. 

REVD. JOHN E. BASSETT (left 1949 — Pole). Studied at St. Aidans Theological College, Birkenhead, 

and is now Rector of Laceby Diocese of Lincoln (4 miles west of Grimsby). Hon. Life Member of 0.S.C.C. 

John has occasional meetings with David Tustin who is Bishop of Grimsby. David regrets greatly the 

omission of his year as Captain of 6th Xl Hockey Club from the board in the Clubhouse (1968/69 season!). 

They ask "Were all those Monday nights for selection meetings in the George, and travelling in from 

Stechford only a pleasant dream??" 

JOSEPH BATES (Fetherston). Joseph is currently employed as a Managing Director. He is a paid up 

member of the Rugby Club and attended the School during the 1920's. 

JOHN M. BATSFORD (left 1969 — Windsor). John is an Associate of the Royal Institution of 

Chartered Surveyors and is an Associate Partner in Shipway Doble & Earle (Commercial). He is married 

and has one son. Also, Secretary O.S.A. Management Committee. 

ANTHONY P. M. BENNETT (left 1969 — Fetherston). Anthony obtained B.A.(Hons.) Economics at 

the University of Swansea and is currently a Computer Consultant/Computer Auditor with Peat, Marwick, 

Mitchell & Co. 

ROSEMARY BERRISFORD (left 1979 — Fetherston). Finishing first year of clinical studies at Charing 

Cross Hospital Medical School and finding it very interesting and enjoyable. 

RICHARD BERRIFORD (left 1977 — Fetherston). Finishing second year at Leeds University Medical 

School and taking a year out to intercalate a B.Sc. in Pathology. Thoroughly enjoying himself. 

ROY BEVINS (left 1959 — School). Roy is presently employed as a Company Director. 

WALTER A. BIRCH (left 1946 — Pole). Self-employed Accountant. Walter describes himself as a 

very ordinary bloke with an ordinary life! 

FRANCIS R. BISHOP (left 1936 — Shenstone). Profession - Retired since August 1979. Honorary 

Member of the Hockey Club. Francis regularly visits W. J. Dawkins and also J. E. C. Thornton. Recently he 

met W. R. Fowle who lives in a nearby village and who has many interesting school team photographs of 

his era. 

JOHN M. BISHOP (left 1961 — Jago & Windsor). John is a qualified Accountant and registered 

Football (Soccer) Referee. His current employment is Financial Director with Richards & Wallington Group. 

(At time of writing - Editor). 

PETER B. BLOW (left 1953 — Pole). Peter's current job is Company Director with William Shipstone 

& Co. Ltd. 

PAUL S. BONESS (left 1970 — Fetherston). Since 1977 Paul has resided in Germany and is 

currently Station Manager at Saarbruecken Airport, W. Germany. Prior to that he studied for his M.A. 

(Honours) (1977) French/German at Dundee University. 

HUBERT ESCHOL BOTTELEY (left 1928 — Nomads). Hubert is a Chartered Surveyor in private 

practice. He is a member of numerous committees and his practical interests are gardening and golf. 

ERIC L. BOWKER (left 1927 — School House (Wanderers)). Eric was a Bank Official but has now 

retired. 

26 

ROBIN C. BOYCE (left 1963 — Pole). Robin is in Advertising and PR - Computers. 

MARK T. BRADBURY (left 1980 — Shenstone). Mark is now starting his second year in Land 

Management at Reading University. In 1979 he won the David Blyth Memorial Prize for Geography Field 

Work and in 1980 the Richard Lancaster Prize for Geography Field Work. Also in 1980 he achieved Full 

Sailing Colours. 

EDWARD A. C. BRINDLEY (left 1969 — Windsor). Edward's academic achievements are B.Sc. Hons. 

in Science II(i) at Salford University. He is an Inland Revenue Tax Officer (KG.) and in his leisure time he is 

a committee member of Lancaster and District Rambling Club. He states that he is not married. 

ROBERT J. BRAGG (left 1966 — Jago). In 1975 Robert married Jennie Lewis, daughter of Old Boy. 

There are now two more Braggs for the School - Matthew b.19.1.79 and Jeremy b.13.4.81. Robert 

qualified as an Associate of the Institute of Bankers in 1977 and after five years at the Solihull branch of 

the Midland Bank he is now Accountant with one of their branches in Birmingham. 

R. S. BRAGG (left 1927 — Jago). Mr. Bragg is now retired. 

JONOTHAN S. E. BROMLEY (left 1972 — Shenstone). Details of Jonothan's academic and sports 

achievements appear to be few and far between but he says he has achieved some notoriety as a 

physicist. His present job is Head of Physics and resident House Tutor at a school in Banbury. Jonothan 

sends his best wishes and thanks for some excellent issues of the magazine. (Thanks on behalf of present 

and past editors.) 

MALCOLM R. BURNS (left 1963 — Pole). Having attended South Birmingham Polytech, Malcolm is 

now an Associate of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors and a Member of the Construction Surveyors 

Institute. He is presently employed as Quantity Surveyor Sub-contract Manager by Fairclough Building Ltd. 

Malcolm is Secretary of Llantwit Major Round Table and Regional Technical Liaison Officer C.S.I. 

DR. STEWART A. BURNS (left 1969 — Pole). Stewart attended Liverpool Medical School and 

obtained M.B. (Bachelor of Medicine) and in 1975 achieved Ch.B. (Bachelor of Surgery). He is currently 

working as a General Practitioner. In November 1973 Stewart married Elaine and they now have a 

daughter Kati born 23rd April 1978. Stewart's hobby is sailing, he is a member of various medical 

committees and Vice President of Flint and Denbigh Agricultural Society. 

LESLIE S. CADDY (left 1924 — Jago). Leslie tells us that he is now retired. 

GORDON A. CAMPBELL (left 1948 — Jago). Apparently Gordon's academic achievements were nil 

and he is currently an Insurance Broker. However, he kindly sent a donation towards the Old Sils Room at 

David Fricke Mountain Cottage - thank you very much Gordon. 

WALTER CAMPBELL-SMITH (left 1906). We would like to send our best wishes to Walter who will 

be 94 on 30th November. He attended Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University and became a B.A. 

1910, M.A. 1914 and Sc.D. 1939. He was a member of the British Museum (Natural History) Department 

of Minerology 1910-1952 and Keeper of Minerals 1937-1952. During World War I he was a 2nd Lt. 

1914 and Lt. Col. 1917-1919 M.C., T.D. From 1910 to 1942 he served in the Artists Rifles (Territorial 

Army). In World War II was Brevet Lt. Col. from 1939-1942. As Walter says, we never know what is in 

store for us next year but at present he is remarkably well. 

THOMAS H. CAULCOTT (left 1945 — Shenstone). Since 1976 Thomas has been Secretary of the 

Association of Metropolitan Authorities. His academic achievements include M.A. Cambridge 1948 and a 

Harkness Fellowship at Harvard University and at Brookings Institute Washington D.C. 1960-61. 

ALAN CAVE (left 1964 — Shenstone). Alan has modest sporting achievements - Squash and 

Hockey (Old Sils Veterans Vice-captain). His current job is as Group Planner (Town Planning) West 

Midlands County Council. Alan has B.A. Hons. (Leeds), Dip.T.P. (Aston) and R.I.C.S. Diploma. 

BASIL BLUNDELL COLE (left 1930 — Pole). On leaving school in 1930 Basil joined the Old Boys 

Hockey Club and played (2nd XI) for two or three seasons until his job took him away from home. On 

returning to the Midlands in 1936 he played for the Rugby Club (2nd XV) and was Match Secretary until 

the outbreak of war in 1939. In 1940 he married and now has a son and daughter and also a grandson 

and granddaughter. 

RICHARD DOUGLAS COMPTON (left 1961 — Jago). Richard has M.A. (Modern History) Hons. - 

Oxford and is currently employed as a civil servant. He married in 1974. Richard has done 70 marathon 

walks, including Dounsman (100 miles), South Wales (50), Surrey Hills (50 - twice, event record) and has 

been a member of the Croydon 1st team for the last 12 years. 

JOHN W. COULAND (left 1970 — Fetherston). John sent us the following interesting letter from 

Hong Kong - 

Dear Mr. Wilcox, 

I am the old boy living in Hong Kong who you met on Old Boys' Day. I promised to write a piece for 

the magazine within four weeks. However, with one thing and another time has evaporated and I'm afraid 

I'm late. In order to get ahead of myself for this year's magazine I decided to jot down a few brief words: 

27

After leaving school I gained a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering at Salford, and then worked for a short while 

in Holland before returning to England to do an M.Sc. in Soil Mechanics at Imperial College. After that I 

worked for two years in Coventry and lived in Stratford-upon-Avon. I then worked for two years in London, 

during which time I married my wife Suzanne. 

At the beginning of 1979 I moved to Hong Kong to join a team engaged on their landslide problems. 

Hong Kong is a fascinating and exciting place, and we have enjoyed our time here. Life has been very good 

to me and I have been able to achieve my ambition of travelling to many parts of the world. The highlights 

have been Kenya, Japan and Mexico. 

I have kept in touch with Martin Atkins, Shenstone 1960-70, who worked as a Quantity Surveyor in 

Birmingham before moving to Germany in 1979. He now lives in Cologne. Also John Standley, Fetherston 

1963? to 1970, who returned to Solihull after Bath University. And John Harper - Jago? 1960? - 1970, 

who, after Manchester University worked in London and now resides in Bristol. I have been pleased to 

have both Martin and John Standley visit us in Hong Kong, and this summer I dropped in for a few beers 

with Martin in Cologne, en route for England. Whilst in England I met Kit Whitham, Shenstone? 1960? - 

1970, who is alive and flourishing in Knowle. 

Finally, if anyone I knew well is visiting Hong Kong we have plenty of room. 

Yours sincerely, John W. Couland. 

BARRY R. COWARD (left 1962 — Windsor). Barry gained a B.A. (Hons.) through Open University and 

is currently employed Staff of Flag Officer Submarines. 

ALAN R. CROSS (left 1947 — Pole). Alan's professional qualifications are F.R.I.C.S. and F.I.Q.S. and 

he is Principal of a Chartered Quantity Surveying Practice. 

MICHAEL J. CUSACK (left 1956 —Jago). Michael attended St. Andrews University. He is a Member 

of the Stock Exchange and is currently a Stockbroker Partner with Albert E. Sharp & Company. In 

November 1980 Isabel gave birth to their sixth child, a son, Richard. Also Michael has been appointed as a 

J.P. His sporting activities include playing Squash for Warwickshire and Worcestershire. 

E. RUSSELL CUTLER (left 1946 — Pole). Russell is a local councillor and due to become deputy 

Mayor in May 1982; Chairman of Bollington Light Opera Group - they recently presented 'Kismet' at the 

Buxton Opera House; Vice-Chairman of Local Conservative Association and a Member of '73 Supper Club. 

Russell is currently Managing Director of Cutler Cleaning Limited and his professional qualifications 

include Fellow - Institute of Directors, and British Institute of Management; Member - Institute of 

Marketing and British Institute of Cleaning Science. 

MICHAEL A. CUTLER (left 1966 — Windsor). Michael's professional qualifications are F.R.I.C.S. and 

A.R.V.A. He is a Chartered Surveyor. In the past he has been Chairman of the Old Silhillian Squash Club 

and is a former Secretary of the Association (for 3 years). He is a past playing member of the Rugby, 

Squash and Golf Clubs. 

JOHN M. DAVIES (left 1967 — Jago). John is a British Telecom Manager and has gained B.A. 

Nottingham and M.Sc. London. 

BERNARD G. DIGGINES (left 1936 — Jago). Bernard gained his LLB at Birmingham University, 

qualifying as a Solicitor. He is now a Consultant with a firm of Solicitors. After becoming a widower he remarried 

- Claire - in St. Louis MO U.S.A. and they are now resident in Dorridge. 

JOHN F. DINGLEY — We have received a letter from John's mother telling us that he emigrated to 

Canada 5 years ago. Should any of the Old Boys wish to write to him or visit him if they go to Canada, 

John would be very pleased to hear from them. His address is as follows — 3231-108A Street, 

Edmonton, Alberta, T6J 3E1, Canada. Tel: 1-403-436-7421. 

KENNETH H. J. DODDS (left 1942 — Jago). Kenneth is Manager at one of Barclays Banks in Dorset 

and is married with two sons aged 17 and 11. He is an Associate of the Institute of Bankers and gained 

B.Com . External at London University. 

GERALD DOWNING (left 1968 — Shenstone). Gerald is a Computer Programmer and part-time 

trout farmer. He gained B.Sc. (Hons.) in Liberal Studies in Science at the University of Manchester. 

DR. JOHN A. DUFFY (left 1950 — Pole). John is Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at Aberdeen 

University. He gained B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc. at Sheffield University and has F.R.S.C., C.Chem. Also, John says 

that Dr. J. S. M. Hutchinson, an exact contemporary and also in Pole, is also at Aberdeen University. He is 

Senior Lecturer in Developmental Biology. 

REX J. DUFTY (left 1948 — Shenstone/Bushell). In 1958 Rex married Diana Clifford of Solihull and 

they now have two children - James aged 16 years and Emma aged 12 years. They have owned and run 

Polsue Manor for the last 14 years. 

GORDON P. DYNE (left 1964 — Fetherston). In October 1979, at Hampton-in-Arden Parish Church, 

Gordon married Susan Elizabeth Witts, a British Airways Stewardess from London. He joined an export 

merchant in Birmingham in 1965 and in 1973 moved on to become Export Sales Manager for Wyko 

Bearing Distributors Ltd. Between 1968 and 1979 he travelled to 78 countries in the world, travelling half 

28 

a million miles. Gordon lived in Kuwait in 1979. Currently he is Sales Manager for the Wyko Group Ltd, 

covering N. England and Scotland. For three years he worked with Stan Bramley at Wyko. Hobbies include 

golf, squash, shooting and now that he is married - gardening. Gordon says that he is a fanatic Royalist 

and loves England (the name of his house - "My England"). He is a former special constable and former 

2nd Lieutenant in the T.A.V.R. 

RONALD W. EADES (left 1938 — School). Academic achievements - B.Sc. (Econ.), A.C.M.A., A.C.I.S. 

Ronald is currently Operations Member, Meat Products Co-ordination, Unilever Ltd. He is a County Player 

for the Croquet Association. Apparently only a Croquet Match would persuade him to come to Old Boys 

Day! (On Big Side perhaps - Editor). 

GEOFFREY W. EDEN (left 1943 — Shenstone). Geoffrey is a Fellow of the Institution of 

Environmental Health Officers and is Assistant Urban Renewal Officer for the City of Birmingham. 

JOHN B. EILBECK (left 1971 — Jago). John is a Civil Servant, he gained M.A. at Cambridge 

University and his professional qualification is L.R.A.M. 

GRANT ELLIS (left 1977 — Windsor). Monty Python sends love to all who remember him! He is a 

Student at Keele University starting M.Sc. in Physics. He already has B.A. Biology/Physics. 

RICHARD F. EVANS (left 1964 — Shenstone). Richard has H.N.D. Production Engineering and is a 

Chartered Engineer. He is Managing Director of his own engineering company. As a hobby he plays Rugby 

for the Old Sils. 

ROBERT C. J. FLAMANK (left 1973 — Jago). Robert is a regular clay pigeon shooter at a fairly new 

Club in Chadwick End. He is employed as a Computer Operator and is an Associate of the Institute of 

lnsu rance Consultants. 

ALAN G. FRAME (left 1969 — Shenstone). After studying for his M.B., B.S. (Bans.) Alan is now a 

General Practitioner on the Isle of Wight. 

JOHN B. GEDGE (left 1948 — Shenstone). John is an F.C.A. and as the result of a practice merger he 

became a partner in a firm of Chartered Accountants, soon to have an office in Solihull. 

FRANTISEK R. GEISLER (FRANTA) (left 1963 — Shenstone/Windsor). Franta does not wish for Blurb 

in the mag. - just an advert that he is now Managing Director of his own company operating in Coventry! 

He married in 1969 and has no children. Resigned Regular Army Commission in 1978 having reached the 

rank of Major. (For £12 you can have your own space at the back - Editor). 

DUNCAN M. GILBERT (left 1950 — Jago). At present Duncan is Chairman of the Exeter and District 

Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director of a company in Textile Rental, Dry Cleaning and Laundry, 

with 440 employees. He is married and has two sons - Tim 19 years old and Ian 14 years. Sailing a 

Folkboat is his main hobby and he also still cycle races (slowly!). 

CHRISTOPHER GILES (left 1973 — Shenstone). Christopher is an Assistant Engineer 

(Instrumentation) E.M. Gas. After gaining B.Sc. Hons. (Mech.Eng.) he became a Graduate of the Institute of 

Mechanical Engineers. He is a Member of the S.D.P. and states as sporting achievement - Advance Tapes 

Southfields Volley Ball - National League. 

CYRIL W. GOLD (left 1927 — Fetherston). Cyril would like to know if we are endeavouring to form a 

"ROGUES GALLERY" of Old Sils. He is now retired and plays golf at Olton Golf Club where he was Captain 

in 1952 and President 1971-73. He played hockey for Olton, Old Silhillians, Warwickshire and Midlands 

and was Chairman of the Hockey Association. 

ROBERT S. GREENWOOD (left 1952 — Shenstone). Robert has just fled Birmingham to live near the 

sea, moors and Lake District. Whilst much regretting leaving Solihull he considers himself very fortunate 

to live and work in such splendid surroundings. He will welcome any Old Silhillians to Hest Bank for a 

game of golf and a drink. He misses the Old Silhillian activities but hopes he made some contribution to 

the Hockey Club. One of these days he will make a return trip to renew old friendships. 

GEORGE A. GRIFFIN (left 1930 — Wanderers). George is Chairman of the Dart Spring Company Ltd. 

He has a private museum at his home of veteran and vintage cars and takes part in many rallies including 

three entries in the London/Blackpool Run every year. He still plays Hockey for Womborne and the 

Bacchanalians as he is President of the latter. 

IAN P. N. HAGUE (left 1975 — Windsor). At present Ian is in his second year at Bedford College 

(London University) studying for B.Sc. in Geography with Mathematics. For four years before going to 

University he was at Bancroft's School in Essex where he obtained 10 '0' levels and 4 'A' levels and was 

W/O in charge of R.A.F. section of C.C.F. He was also a member of the swimming team and senior member 

of backstage crew for several School plays. In his spare time he is a Lifeguard at the Local swimming pool 

and plays tennis. 

KENNETH G. M. HALL (left 1972 — was a Member of Staff). From 1st September 1981 Kenneth 

has been appointed Headmaster, Newport Free Grammar School, Saffron Walden, Essex. (Is it co-ed? - 

Editor). 

29

FRED HARRIS (1959 — Jago). Fred's academic achievements include a double first in "Spot the 

Ball" and as for sport - he once called Sam Foster for a quick single. He is married and has three children. 

He says he is at College - "A nice little red brick place, high walls - Winson something!" His present job is 

Chief instructor to trainee bulldozer drivers for D. Doyle & Co., also consultant to Solihull Planning 

Authority on 'Cow Shed Demolishing'. He is also a State Registered Chiropodist. (Fred has offered to buy 

me a pint - is this a reliable offer?) 

ROY L. HARRIS (left 1962 — Fetherston). Roy has B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (Brighton Poly) and 

is a Grad. Member of the Institute of Mech. Eng. His current job is Senior Commercial Representative - 

U.S.A. & Mexico. He is a paid up member of the Golf Club and is in the Warwickshire Bridge County First 

Team. 

ROBERT S. HICKMAN (left 1972 — Shenstone). Academic achievements - B.Sc. (Hons.) Metallurgy 

- University of Aston 1976 - C.Eng. Corporate Member Institute of Gas Engineers. He is a Distribution 

Engineer with West Midlands Gas and on 18th July 1981 married Karen Elizabeth Dean of Ilkley, 

Yorkshire. 

KENNETH W. HIGHWAY (left 1930 — Shenstone). Kenneth qualified as a Solicitor in 1935 and that 

has been his profession ever since. Unfortunately Kenneth has been laid up with arthritis for the past four 

years and has recently undergone an operation. We hope you will soon be up and about again and send 

our best wishes for a quick recovery. 

CHARLES D. F. HILL (left 1935 — Pole). All we know about Charles is that he attended Solihull 

School from 1928 to 1935 and he was born 6th August 1917. 

CHARLES K. HILL (left 1971 — Jago). Charles obtained his Cert.Ed. at St. Peter's College, Saltley, 

Birmingham and is now teaching. 

NEIL HOBDAY (left 1962 — Fetherston). After obtaining his Teacher's Certificate in London Neil 

became a Youth & Community Officer. He is also a Magistrate, Assistant County Commissioner - Greater 

London North East Scouts and is a member of numerous committees dealing with international exchange 

of young people. 

EDWARD K. HOFTON (left 1936 — Shenstone). Edward is now retired and after living in Solihull 

area since the war he left Dorridge in May this year to settle in Devon. 

GORDON C. HORNER (left 1950 — Shenstone). Gordon is a Financial Accountant and his 

professional qualification is A.C.M.A. 

PETER S. JACKSON (left 1967 — Windsor). Gained Cert.Ed. at Reading University. Played for 

College Rugby XV and later Portsmouth R.F.C. 1st XV. Peter has worked as an insurance clerk, banker, 

magazine sub-editor, languages teacher and public service vehicle driver since leaving school. He has now 

settled fairly happily into the last-named honourable 'profession' ! 

SIDNEY JACKSON (left 1915). Now retired, Sidney is finding the Open University Foundation Course 

"Living with Technology" pretty tough going but very rewarding and the "Summer School" at U.E.A. 

(Norwich) extremely interesting and a very pleasant interlude. Enjoyed a cycle tour with his two sons in the 

Haute Savoie in June this year. Sidney tells us that a good time was had by all on 8th May at the Very Old 

Old Boys Lunch organised by J.H.V. (Joe). This has been an annual event for some years and this time over 

30 people attended - the Headmaster was also present. 

NEIL C. JENNENS (left 1959 — Fetherston). Neil is Managing Director of the family business 

employing 30 people. He is married to Jane and they have two children, Nicholas (13) at Solihull School 

and Pollyanna (10) at Kingsley School, Leamington. Hobbies include tennis and squash, gardening and 

beer & wine making (also drinking the results!!). 

STEPHEN JOHNSON (left 1966 — Jago). Sqn. Ldr. Stephen is now in his fourth season with the Red 

Arrows and this year leads the synchro pair. While at School and as a member of the Combined Cadet 

Force he gained his gliding certificate and, through a flying scholarship, his private pilot's licence. At the 

University College of Wales, where he gained a B.Sc. in Economics, he flew Chipmunks with the University 

Air Squadron. Since earning his wings he has flown Phantoms both with the Royal Air Force in Germany 

and the Royal Navy aboard the H.M.S. Ark Royal. Prior to joining the Team he was an Instructor on the 

Phantom Air Defence Operational Conversion Unit at R.A.F. Coningsby, Lincs, and now has over 2,200 

flying hours. Stephen married in February 1971 and they have a son aged 3i years. Leisure interests 

include squash and sailing. 

JONOTHAN P. JOWETT (left 1952 — Fetherston). Through Open University Jonothan gained a B.A. 

His present job is Controller of Computer Services with the West Midlands Gas. As for sport, he is an 

honorary member of the Hockey Club. 

ROBIN M. A. JOY (left 1964 — School). Achieved B.Sc. (Eng.) Electrical Engineering (London 

University) and M.I.E.E., M.I.E.R.E. Currently working in London but due to move in January 1982, Robin is 

a Major with the R.E.M.E. and he has an Army Hockey Cap. 

30 

DAVID J. KENDALL (left 1974 — School House & Windsor). David gained a B.A. (Hons.) in Theology 

at Exeter University and is now a teacher. For three consecutive years he participated in the U.A.U. Hockey 

Champions. At present he and his wife Pauline are renovating a dilapidated old 'Pub' to its former glory 

(unfortunately minus "taps"). The village in which they live - Epworth, Nr. Doncaster, is the same village 

where John Wesley spent his childhood. 

SIDNEY P. LAKIN (left 1935 — Shenstone). Sidney, whose qualifications are F.R.I.C.S., M.R.T.P.I., 

M.I.Nun.E., is now retired. He was Chief Estates Officer to Newtown Devt. Corpns. and Commissioner for 

New Towns Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield. 

MICHAEL F. LAW (left 1946 — Jago). Michael is married and has a daughter aged 17 years. He is 

Director of Naval Education and Training Support Ministry of Defence (in the rank of Captain R.N.). He has 

been in this post since October 1980 and it will be his last job in the Navy before he 'retires' i.e. - starts 

another job, at the end of 1982. Michael feels that in the post war years a unique situation in the history of 

the School has been reached. There are now Old Silhillians in all three Services in the equivalent rank of 

Colonel or higher. Alan Wooldridge in the Army, John Price in the R.A.F. and himself in the Navy. Of 

course, some may by now have reached the equivalent of Flag rank, which would be even more 

noteworthy. 

JOHN A. N. LOCKYER (left 1966 — Fetherston). John obtained B.A. (Econ.) at Sheffield University 

and his professional qualification is F.I.A. At present he is employed as an Actuary. 

CHRISTOPHER D. LOWE (left 1973 — Fetherston). Christopher is working as Chartered Accountant 

in Birmingham and has B.Sc. (Econ.) (Leicester University). He qualified A.C.A. in December 1978. 

DUNCAN J. McKICHAN (left 1942 — Jago). Gaining Bachelor of Law (B.L.) at Glasgow, Duncan is 

now a Partner in a firm of Solicitors practising in Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

STUART C. MACKAY (left 1951 — Pole). Stuart is currently practising as a Chartered Accountant, 

having gained A.C.M.A., A.C.I.S. He was president of the Hockey Club 1976/77 and is still a member. 

JOHN R. Y. MADELEY (left 1955 — Pole). John is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants 

in England and Wales and is in private practice as a Chartered Accountant. He is a member of the Rugby 

and Golf Clubs. 

CECIL E. MATTHEWS (left 1929 — Nomad - School House). Cecil is now retired. He was Captain of 

Hockey and 1st Xl Football. 

CHRISTOPHER M. MORRIS (left 1972 - Shenstone). Christopher has 7 0-levels and 3 A-levels. He is 

still a keen follower of Birmingham City F.C. and Warwickshire C.C. His present job is Pets attendant at his 

local park and greenhouse keeper. 

GLEN MULLINEUX (left 1970 — Windsor). We have no further news on Glen ! 

MICHAEL D. NEWELL (left 1969 — Windsor). Michael is a Bank Official with Barclays Bank. He 

gained Regimental Colours orienteering - 8th Signal Regt. Is Hon. Auditor of the Shooting Club. Michael 

qualified as a Private Pilot in 1976 but his licence lapsed when he married Ann in April 1978! He served in 

the Regular Army - Royal Signals from 1971-74 and at one time was Chef on the Schooner "Sir Winston 

Churchill". 

PAUL 0. NEWELL (left 1935 — Fetherston). Paul says his academic achievements are nil. According 

to the Headmaster's Report - Mr. A. R. Thompson, 1934 - he "plods on well"; and Paul says he is still 

plodding. He is currently a Director of a Wholesale Newspaper and Magazine Distributors in Portsmouth, 

where he is living. Paul has also kindly sent us these interesting photographs. 

• 

Front row: Miles Thomas (bugler), Donald 

Robertson (Sgt. of Guard), Bob Bishop, Peter 

Blunt, Jack Dawkins. Rear row: Self, Tony 

Hawkins, Rex Goddard, John Thorneloe. 

31 

Left to right: Bill Jarratt (killed in action), 

Tom Arculus, Self, John Capell (killed in action), 

Arthur Gregory.

DAVID NEWMAN (left 1971 — Shenstone). David is Project Manager for Taylor Woodrow-Towell 

Company, Oman, on the Khasab Water Supply Extension and Khasab No. 2 Power Station. They are also 

tendering hard for other development works in Musandam province of Oman. He now lives in a gracious 

plywood cabin and drives a fast land-rover. That's what comes of gaining M.A. (Cantab.) M.I.C.E. 

DENNIS A. NICHOLLS (left 1935 — Fetherston). Dennis gained his B.A. at Cambridge University and 

is now retired. 

TIM S. O'CONNELL (left 1978 — Pole). Tim will shortly graduate from Sheffield University and join 

the Accountants Coopers & Lybrand. In his spare time he plays Tennis. 

WARWICK N. PARTINGTON (left 1973 — Shenstone). Warwick is not married, has no children and 

does not participate in any sports. He did gain B.Sc. Hons. in Agricultural Mechanisation at Newcastle 

University and his present job is Associate Producer, Current Affairs, Tyne Tees Television. 

C. JAMES P. PHILLIPS (left 1977 — Pole). James is in his fourth year of undergraduate course in 

Biochemistry at Exeter College, Oxford University and hopes to gain B.A. (Hons.). In September 1981 he 

will join Rowntree Mackintosh in York as Marketing Assistant. James has so many hobbies and interesting 

activities we cannot list them all here, but he does play the piano and French horn and has also spent 

some time as a barman. 

JOHN H. PICKERING (left 1909 — School House (Dr. Wilson and later Dr. Cooper)). John joined the 

Solihull Old Boys Club on its formation in 1920 and is now a life member. 

WILLIAM J. PORT (left 1946 — Pole). The only news we have on Bill is that he is in the Army. 

JAMES H. W. POWELL (left 1931 — Pole). James tells us that he is one of the five founder members 

of the Old Silhillians Rugby Club. His current job is Chairman of a Company. 

STEPHEN J. POWELL (left 1959 — Fetherston). Stephen is a Director of Powell Gee & Co. Ltd., of 

Wednesbury. He is also a member of the Rugby Club and Golf Club. 

ADRIAN RAYBOULD (left 1980). The Headmaster kindly sent the following very interesting letter 

from Adrian for insertion in our magazine: ... "I am presently at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. I 

have been here for nine weeks now and very busy I've been too! 

I have joined the RN as an engineer officer. This means spending one term at BRNC and then a term 

on the Dartmouth Training Ship before reading for a degree at the Royal Naval Engineering College, 

Manadon. 

I joined with a large amount of trepidation, on January 7th and the following day was issued with 

some £450 worth of kit. The worst thing about the kit is how it has to be laid out; all neatly pressed and 

only a small amount of it is on display, the remainder has to be concealed in the civvies drawer or the 

laundry basket! Before I came here I had never had to do any washing or ironing for myself - I was pushed 

straight in at the deep end trying desperately to iron shirts and sheets the correct way. 

We were told that our first four weeks here would be the worst. Every morning, except Sunday, we 

were up performing early morning activities, better known as the dreaded EMA's. At night, having spent 

the day in five hours lectures, we had to stand rounds. An inspecting officer visits everyone's cabin, looks 

at the kit and searches for dust which can usually be found. I think I am lucky for I was placed in Jellicoe 

Division and we have the largest number of cabins of any of the five divisions, so I'm in a cabin. Cabins are 

about 10' x 8' and are very easy to clean, unlike dormitories. 

Since I've been here I've done some quite exciting things that I'm glad I have had the opportunity to 

do. 

In the first four weeks we had our New Entry Exercise which involved sea manoeuvres in Start Bay 

and long walks around the country lanes surrounding the College. One of the walks was at night and 

despite a perfectly clear night with full moon, my team got lost, finally returning at half past one. The 

following day was worse because it rained non-stop. 

At Dartmouth, apart from having professional studies, there is character and leadership training. The 

major test in this is the Practical Leadership Exercise which is three days on Dartmoor. I was with a group 

of six people from my Division and we were given all the necessary items to survive three winter's nights 

on the moor, unfortunately, these items, a tarpaulin, stove, and 100ft of 3" rope all had to be carried with 

us as well as all our own kit. The days started early and finished late. They involved walking through bogs, 

climbing up and down cliffs, crossing rivers and other such delights. The whole exercise finishes with a 10 

mile walk to the River Dart and rowing downstream at 4 o'clock in the morning. We had had perfect 

weather although it had been very windy and trying to row downstream with both wind and tide against 

us was impossible - we achieved some 500 yards in 1-1- hours, we then almost went aground and had to 

drop anchor and wait to be rescued! 

Soon after then, I went helicopter flying. That is quite an experience - especially when I had the 

opportunity to take the controls (it was a dual control aircraft); it would have fallen out of the sky had the 

pilot not been there! 

Since then I went to H.M.S. Raleigh at Torpoint Nr. Plymouth to the Firefighting School there. We 

spent the day putting out fires, crawling through smoke-filled corridors in breathing apparatus and trying 

32 

1 

to find a fire to put out in the huge black iron mock-ups of ship's interiors which are there. It was 

thoroughly enjoyable apart from the soot that refused to come off afterwards. 

As I have said, we have a four week regime here of hard physical training and long hours. Apart from 

that, pressure builds up on you in different ways, perhaps more subtle. Suddenly exams appear and you 

have to try and revise all those lectures that you fell asleep in - fortunately we have handouts from every 

lecture. I sat five exams last week and amazingly have passed each one! This coming week is dominated 

by my trip on H.M.S. Conqueror - it is a Fleet submarine and at the moment that is what I should like to 

specialise in. I believe that we will be dived about six hours. Next term I go on board a surface ship, H.M.S. 

Intrepid, for my second term of Dartmouth Training. It is not clear where Intrepid is going yet but it will 

probably be the Mediterranean or the Baltic. 

I must finish now because it is quite late and tomorrow morning it's my duty to wake everyone up in 

the Division - that means an early start at 5.30 a.m. 

Best wishes, Adrian Raybould. 

CHRIS REES (left 1970 — Windsor). Chris achieved LLB, at Warwick University in 1974. In 1979 he 

married Angie, ex Head Girl of St. Martin's and daughter of Old Sil. John Hudson. His present job is 

Northern Regional Manager with Abelson Plant Limited. Chris says he is an enthusiastic but inexpert 

water-skier - holder of Lake Windermere underwater waterskiing record for 3 years running. Now that he 

has a Private Pilot's Licence he also enjoys flying. 

ANDREW M. D. RICHARDS (left 1975 — Fetherston). Andrew gained Bachelor of Law (Hons.) at 

Leeds University and is now an Articled Clerk. 

STEPHEN A. W. RICHARDSON (left 1970 — Windsor). Stephen gained A.C.C.A. and is now an 

Accountant with Grimley & Son. He married in October 1975. 

BRIAN C. ROBERTS (left 1973 — Windsor). In 1976 Brian gained his B.A. in Industrial Economics at 

Nottingham University and in 1978 became an Associate of the Institute of Bankers. His current job is 

Student Financial Adviser, Midland Bank Limited and he is studying at Birmingham University. 

ALAN C. ROSE (left 1974 — Fetherston). Alan achieved B.Com . Hons. (1st Class) at Edinburgh 

University and is currently employed with Shell Oil Marketing. He lived for one year in New Zealand in 

1975 and in 1978 studied for one year at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He is a member of 

the Squash Club. 

GEOFFREY C. K. ROWE (left 1940 — Shenstone). Geoffrey's main interest in life has been his career 

as a Regular Army Officer. He was with the Indian Army 1941-1945. Royal Artillery 1 945-1 978 - Colonel. 

He is now a retired Officer working with HQ South West District. He was also assistant secretary 

Marylebone Cricket Club from 1978-1980. Geoffrey has two children. 

KENNETH R. SAUNDERS (left 1938 — Shenstone). Kenneth spent a very interesting 4 terms at 

Solihull School in the form then known as VI Industrial, or more colloquially known as "The Business 

Sixth". This was something of an experiment and the Master in charge was Mr. D. Franklin. Whilst perhaps 

looked down upon by those who were going on to University, those who were fortunate enough to receive 

this "further education" no doubt found it most useful later in life - at least Kenneth did!. They toured 

British Leyland at Longbridge (then Austins), went to London to tour . Harrods Store. Other trips were to 

South Kensington Science Museum, Dunlops Tyre Factory, etc., etc. Kenneth would be most interested to 

know if there are any Old Boys still around who would like to contact him for a chat about the fun they 

used to have together. Does anyone know where Mr. Franklin is nqw? At that time the Headmaster was 

Mr. A. R. Thompson. Kenneth is now retired and lives in Torquay.. 

TIMOTHY B. SCHWERSENZ (left 1975 — Pole). Timothy is currently employed as a Bank Official 

with Lloyds Bank Limited. He gained B.Sc. Hons. in Mathematics and Statistics at London University 

(External). He is Secretary - 432 Solihull Motor Club Ltd and Minute Secretary for Junior Chamber Solihull. 

PETER R. SHEPHERD (left 1975 — Fetherston). Peter gained 1st Class Hons. B.Eng. at Sheffield 

University and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. He is currently studying for 

Ph.D. at Portsmouth Polytechnic. After graduating from Sheffield he worked for a year at Plessey 

Semiconductors in Plymouth, before returning to Academia at Portsmouth. 

MICHAEL J. SHUFFLEBOTHAM (left 1956 — Shenstone). Michael is a practising Chartered 

Accountant and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants - F.C.A. While at School he was a 

member of the Cricket Xl and 2nd Xl. 

PETER J. SILVER (left 1968 — Fetherston). Peter is a Partner in a firm of Chartered Accountants. 

BARRY A. SIMS (left 1965 — Shenstone). Barry has gained Nat. Dip. Agric. Eng. and is a Member of 

the Institute of Agricultural Engineers. He is currently Director of a company distributing agricultural 

machinery. He is a past player of the Rugby Club and a Member of the Cricket, Squash, Hockey and Golf 

Clubs. 

MARK D. SINGER (left 1978 — Shenstone). Mark gained B.Sc. Hons. in Physics at Bristol University, 

finishing his studies in June 1981. 

33

F. PHILIP SMITH (left 1914). Philip attended the School from 1906 to 1914 and gained his B.Sc. at 

the University of Birmingham. He was born in July 1896. 

GEORGE E. SMITH (left 1918). All George tells us is that he is now retired. 

JOHN SOUTHGATE (left 1944 — Fetherston). John is Chairman and Managing Director of Purbeck 

Insurance Brokers Ltd., in Dorset. He is present Club Captain of Lakey Hill Golf Club and in 1978 he was 

W.M. of the Lodge of St. Martin No. 7986 in the province of Dorset. 

ALAN L. STEELE (left 1927 — Pole). Alan gained B.Com . at Birmingham University and he is now 

retired. He is an honorary member of the Hockey Club. 

JAMES B. SWITHENBANK (left 1951 —Jago). James is a Licensed Victualler at present, having left 

industry in 1970 to run the "Pub". He is married to Valerie and they have a son Christopher. James still 

plays hockey and his son is following in his footsteps! 

ROGER J. TAYLER (left 1947 — Shenstone & Bushell). Roger achieved B.A. (1950) and M.A., Ph.D. 

(1954) at Cambridge University. He is currently Professor of Astronomy at the University of Sussex. 

CHRISTOPHER J. TAYLOR (left 1964 — Fetherston). Christopher has an Honours Degree (B.Sc.) in 

Civil Engineering (Aston) and is now a Senior Assistant Chartered Engineer. He is a member of the Rugby 

and Golf Clubs and a member of Ladbrook Park Golf Club. 

HENRY J. C. TAYLOR (left 1967 — Fetherston). Henry is now an F.C.A. and while at Cambridge 

University (Jesus College) gaining his M.A. in Economics he played cricket and hockey for Cambridge. In 

1979 he set up his own Practice of Chartered Accountants. He is married to Anabel and they have two 

children - Charlotte aged 6 and Alexander aged 3. 

NICHOLAS D. TAYLOR (left 1964 — Jago). Nicholas is Sales Director of A-P Springs Ltd. and is a 

member of the Rugby Club. 

BRYAN P. THOMAS (left 1955 — Fetherston). Bryan's professional qualification is F.C.A. and he is 

Managing Director of Edgar Vaughan & Co. Ltd. 

DAVID A. THOMPSON (left 1963 — Shenstone). David is an Agricultural Auctioneer, Valuer and 

Land Agent practising in Herefordshire and the Border Counties. He married 7 years ago and has three 

children. He is a member of Hereford Round Table. 

JACK E. C. THORNTON (left 1935 — Shenstone). Jack is an Overseas Education Consultant. He is a 

C.B.: Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. O.B.E. and M.B.E. 

HIS HONOUR JUDGE RICHARD J. TOYN (left 1940). Richard was called to the Bar in 1950 and is a 

Circuit Judge, Midland & Oxford Circuit. His two sons are also Old Silhillians - A. Jonathan - B.Sc.(Hons.) 

and Richard L. graduated B.Sc.(Hons.) 1981. 

JOHN R. TREDWELL (left 1966 — Windsor). John is Deputy Principal of a Sixth Form College 

(Itchen). As for sport, he gained Rugby Blue 1968 and Swimming Half Blue 1969. He is an amateur 

basketball association grade III referee. 

FREDERICK R. TUBB (left 1927 — School House & Wanderers). Too old now to be interested in 

anything but his retirement! Thank you Fred for the cheque for Old Silhillian's Room at Mountain Cottage. 

TIM TUCKEY (left 1977 — Windsor). Tim is in the R.N. and is currently a Gunnery Officer and Mine 

Hunting Control Officer. 

PETER N. TUSTIN (left 1974 — Fetherston). Peter is at present studying for his Solicitor's Final 

Examinations. If all goes well he will commence two years of Articles in Birmingham in September 1981. 

JOHN B. M. VRAY (left 1954 — School). John says he failed abysmally at sport. He is Managing 

Director of Metals Division of the Econa Sub-Group of Newman Tonks Group Ltd. 

JOHN M. WALKER (left 1960 —Windsor). John is a Director of George Walker & Sons (B'ham) Ltd. 

and is a member of the Squash Club. 

ERIC WALL (left 1927 — Fetherston). Eric is an Ironmonger and Fiat Dealer. He is also an honorary 

member of the Hockey Club. 

MICHAEL J. N. WARD (left 1958 — School House). Unfortunately we have no further information on 

Michael. 

JONATHAN P. WASSALL (left 1971 — Fetherston). Jonathan is an Insurance Inspector. In 1978 he 

married Izabela Krystyna Omiljanczyk. He is a past member of the Hockey Club and this year is Captain of 

Aldridge Hockey Club 2nd XI. 

MARK A. WATSON (left 1974 — Pole). Mark will be completing his Articles this year and thereafter 

will be working for a firm of Solicitors in Gray's Inn, W.C.1. He is engaged to Debbie, a teacher, and will be 

getting married in April 1982 - after the end of the Hockey Season!! He is playing Hockey for Surbiton at 

present. 

34 

1 

RON WATSON (left 1927 — School). After 37 years at Netherwood Hall, Baddesley Clinton, he will 

be moving this Autumn to Tredington in South Warwickshire. Ron is now retired. 

RICHARD R. WEBER (left 1971 — Fetherston). Richard is a Lecturer at Cambridge University 

(Engineering and Mathematics). 

DAVID A. WESTLEY (left 1973 — Pole). David is a Dental Surgeon in General Practice and married 

in 1975. 

HAROLD N. WHEATLEY (left 1929 — Shenstone). The only news we have of Harold is that he is 

retired and has been awarded the O.B.E. 

JOHN V. WHEELWRIGHT (left 1946 — Pole). John is a Director within the C. T. Bowring Group. He 

is married and has two sons, Nicholas and Christopher and they are both studying to be Chartered 

Surveyors. 

JOHN E. E. WHITE (left 1923 — School). John tells us that he is now retired. 

WILLIAM D. WOLFF (left 1920). Bill qualified as a Chartered Accountant and is now retired. Bill 

regrets no longer being able to take an active part as a member of the Old Silhillians (he is approaching 

80) but enjoys reading all that we send to him, including the magazine. 

SIR OLIVER WRIGHT, G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.C. (left 1939 — School). Now retired from the 

Diplomatic Service, after 5+ years as H.M. Ambassador in Bonn, Oliver has joined the Board of Siemens 

(U.K.) Ltd. and is a member of the steering committee of the annual Anglo-German Königswinkn 

Conferences. 

ALAN K. YARDLEY (left 1975). After leaving school Alan spent three excellent years at Reading 

University studying music. After that he moved to London to take a course in teacher training at Kingston 

Polytechnic, but most of his time was spent in London itself enjoying all the concerts and operas being 

performed there. When that all ended in the summer of 1980 and having no success in obtaining a 

teaching job, he spent the last of his savings on getting a Heavy Goods Vehicle Licence. He now drives 

articulated lorries around the country and occasionally goes abroad. He has driven across to Vienna once. 

As for the future, Alan hopes to teach music in the long term but will see some other parts of the world 

from his lorry cab first. 

RICHARD M. YORKE (left 1949 — Fetherston). Richard achieved M.A. (Oxon.) Balliol College and is 

now a Queen's Counsel. He broke his leg badly skiing in 1978 

. but was back at it after a year. 

EDWARD R. G. YOULE (left 1954 — Shenstone & School). Having becbme a Chartered Accountant 

Edward is now a Company Secretary and Chief Accountant. 

DAVID YOUNG (left 1978 — Fetherston). David obtained LL.B. Degree with Class II Div. 1 Honours 

(Law) in July 1981. After leaving University College London, David is going to College of Law (Chancery 

Lane, London) to take Solicitors Final Exams. 

U!t1LLLLtLL ILLU 

Miss H. E. (Beth) Pittom came to Solihull School in January 1951 as Matron at Kineton House, then under 

the care of Mr. & Mrs. Halstead. At that time, there were 21 of the youngest boarders (11-13 year-olds), 

living in Kineton and Miss Pittom was in charge of their health and general welfare. In addition, she also 

deputised for the School House Matron and helped with the preparation and serving of the boarders' 

breakfasts. When Mr. & Mrs. Morle succeeded the Halsteads at Kineton in 1960, Miss Pittom continued 

as Matron with them. 

Time changed the style of boarding house living and the numbers under her care, so that by 1969 

when Kineton House was closed Miss Pittom undertook more duties in the catering department, being 

much in evidence at weekends for the provision of team teas on Saturdays and additional events which 

took place on Sundays in School House. Until 1976, the whole school worked a six-day week and all 

boarders were in full-time residence, giving i lively and busy atmosphere to School House. 

Miss Pittom will be remembered with affection by many Old Boys who were boarders and entered 

Kineton as timid and homesick small boys to find a kind and sympathetic 'Matron' who would understand 

their problems (and find their lost kit!). 

She will be greatly missed by colleagues and boys at the school, even though latter years have found 

her here only on a part-time basis, but always with her usual interest in and concern for the boys of the 

school. Meeting the sons of those boys whom she knew in the Fifties and Sixties who.are now members of 

the school has been a particular pleasure to her in recent years. 

(On behalf of Stuart Burton, Geoff Cox and myself, many thanks for the second and third helpings.) 

35

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF "DOWN-UNDER" 

Starting at the beginning, we had an uneventful flight from London on 19th August, arriving in 

Singapore the following day at about 5 p.m. and checked in to the Hotel in the middle of the town (the 

Orchard). I obviously had mixed feelings being there 20 years ago on National Service but I must admit I 

didn't recognise the place, which I suppose isn't surprising. Singapore is very much a business and tourist 

place these days and there is so much to see that we didn't get round it all in the four days we were there 

but thoroughly enjoyed our stay. 

We didn't suffer much from 'jet lag with the exception of Michael who woke up at about 10 a.m. the 

day after we got there, had breakfast, went back to bed and slept through till about 7 p.m., had dinner, 

went back to bed at 9 p.m and slept through until 9 a.m. the following morning! 

We left Singapore on Monday 24th August at 8 p.m. arriving at Perth at 1 a.m. on 25th to a rather 

large reception committee as you can imagine. 

Now to a few impressions of the country, climate, people, etc. 

The city of Perth is almost flat on a coastal plain of sand (makes gardening very easy!). Its a lovely 

place giving the impression of cleanliness, space and vitality with just a few high rise office blocks right in 

the centre. 

About 15 miles from the coast is a range of hills parallel to the coast, which is where we are living at 

present (Carmel) within easy commuting distance of the city. Its a beautiful area, heavily wooded and in 

some respects similar to some of the Cotswolds or the woody parts of the Welsh hills, although obviously 

the vegetation is somewhat different. 

The first thing that catches the eye as regards the vegetation (particularly in the valleys round the 

hills) are the orchards of citrus fruits — oranges, lemons, grapefruits, etc, as well as apples, pears and 

plums. There is also a thriving wine industry with acres of vines to see and with 'yin ordinaire' here only 

costing $2.50 for 4 litres (about £2 per gallon! U.K. money) it would be very easy to be permanently 

plastered. The native trees are invariably eucalyptus which are in leaf throughout the year and hence you 

don't get the 'barren look' in wintertime like England. 

The weather at present (Springtime) is similar to April/May in England, a mixture of fine warm days 

(temp. 3bout 65-70 0 ) and rainy interludes with the nights a bit chilly. According to the locals it will start 

getting pretty warm by Oct/Nov (temp. about 70-80 0 ) with the real heat Dec/Feb (90 0 +I. 

The people we have met so far are very hospitable with no 'anti-Pom' feelings I can detect (it's a bit 

different over in Sydney and Melbourne I understand). In fact I understand W. Australia and Perth in 

particular consider themselves very much a different people, attitudes of life etc from the rest of Australia. 

It is a very much more classless society than in England and although you still have a social structure 

and some people obviously better off and richer than others, there is no snobbishness as such or envy. The 

fact that your neighbour may have a better house or car than you is just accepted as such. In most 

businesses or social gatherings it is very much on christian name terms from the top to the bottom of the 

hierarchy right from the start. 

As regards cost of living etc it is rather difficult to compare, with the exchange rate fluctuating so 

much at the moment. With the present rate (approx. $1.50 to £)food and commodities would seem to be 

similarly priced as England with the exception of citrus fruits etc which are obviously cheaper here. Other 

commodities cheaper here are petrol (approx. £1 per gallon), wine and housing (see later). 

The drop in the value of the pound (sterling) apart from making commodities seem more expensive 

than six months ago (when it was $2 to £) has of course made wages and salaries seem more attractive 

than ever. An example is teaching. Sheila has made enquiries about teaching jobs and assuming she gets 

an equivalent position (which is by no means certain as teaching jobs seem just as difficult to obtain here 

as in England) she would be entitled to $16,000 p.a. (approx. £10,500 p.a.) with her qualifications and 

experience. 

The biggest difference in prices and values is in housing. We are at the moment in the process of 

buying a bungalow (there are virtually no two storey houses here) which is A. bedroomed, two 

bathroomed, fully airconditioned, on a acre plot in the hills overlooking Perth with a beautiful view, 

costing $73,000 (approx. £48,000). It is in the middle to upper price bracket here but would not seem out 

of place in Lady Bryon Lane and is really quite a typical house here and not in the least ostentatious by 

Australian standards. The rates and water rates work out at $320 p.a. (approx. £200)., 

As regards jobs for us — I, at the present moment, have approached two Brick companies and with 

luck will get an offer any moment now. Christine has got a job with a modelling agency (which she has 

always wanted to do) and although her employment there is a little intermittent at the moment (being the 

nature of the job) the prospects look good. 

The boys are settled in at a school called Hale, very similar to Solihull in a lot of respects as regards 

standards (academic, sporting and discipline). They are enjoying every minute of it. 

I think that's about all for now. We obviously don't expect weekly (or even monthly) news from the 

'Old Country' but it would be nice to hear from you occasionally about affairs (or 'affairs'!) in Solihull. We 

still get plenty of U.K. TV programmes to remind us of England albeit a bit later than you — David 

Attenborough's 'Life on Earth' has just completed its first repeat and last night there was the debut of the 

'Butterflies' series! 

Tom & Sheila & family. 40 Yorna Road, Kalamunda, W. Australia 6076. 29/9/81. 

36 

OE RI 

DYNE, Franklin L. E. Died 13th May 1981, aged 66 years. 

Particularly saddened by the death of Franklin were the earlier members of the Rifle Club who recall his 

dynamic personality in the Club's formative years. He became Founder Honorary Treasurer in 1954 and 

played a major part in raising the capital to build the rifle range. As an expert marksman Franklin was a 

member of the Club's 'A' Team which won its first divisional championship way back in 1958. He also 

won several individual Club awards. Always keen to encourage younger shooting members, he presented 

a plaque to be competed for annually by pupils at the School and a pair of silver tankards for a "Father & 

Son" competition. These coveted trophies will now perpetuate the memory of one who served them so 

well. An inscribed tankard was presented to Franklin at the Club's Annual Dinner in 1971 after his 

retirement as Hon. Treasurer, as a tribute to his inspiring and sterling service. Subsequently he was elected 

President of the Rifle Club, retiring only last year due to ill health. He was also a popular President of 

Shenstone Gun Club where he practised Clay Pigeon Shooting. 

Apart from rifle shooting, his other interests included gardening and caravanning. He also played a 

major role as Honorary Treasurer for the Hampton-in-Arden Horse Show for some years. 

Franklin was at Solihull School from 1926 to 1933 in Fetherston House. In the School O.T.C. he 

became C.S.M. At the outbreak of war in September 1939 he enlisted in H.M. Armed Forces and was 

commissioned in the Royal Artillery. Serving throughout the war he was wounded in 1944 and 

"demobbed" in 1945 as a Captain, R.A. 

He had a successful career with the Midland Bank, from which he retired in 1975 when Manager of 

their Shenstone Branch. 

His wife Vera .was a wonderful support to him in all his activities - to her we extend our deep 

sympathy and to their three children and six grandchildren. Of the three children, the one boy, Gordon, is 

also an Old Silhillian, at the School from 1956 to 1964 in Fetherston House. He also is a marksman and 

was in one of our divisional championship teams in 1963. 

The writer is privileged to pay this short, inadequate tribute to Franklin, who was to him a never 

failing friend. 

Arthur E. Upton F.I.A.M.A. 

The following was submitted by Len Villers as a tribute to the memories of his bosom pals Horace and 

Norman Bragg. 

Lads of the Village 

The recent sad demise of Norman Bragg has evoked many memories of days gone by. Norman and his 

brother Horace were sons of the much respected and genial local butcher, Mr. Alfred Bragg. Their shop 

was at the end of Solihull's High Street, opposite Poplar Road. 

Horace and Norman, my brother Don and I, all attended Solihull Grammar School as it was known in 

those days and we were inseparable companions, especially in the school holidays. Then we would roam 

the countryside all around the 'village'. We soon came to know every nook and cranny. Mr. Bragg had 

some fields at the rear of Widney Manor Station and we boys were induced to go stone picking at certain 

times of the year. We were paid 'Id per bucketful by Mr. Bragg. How we coveted those half pennies! We 

spent them on sweets at old Mr. Cohen's shop in the High Street, or bought a yard of catapult elastic at 

dear old Miss Deebank's treasure house of toys, etc. 

Mr. Bragg also used to pay us 1/- per sack for acorns which helped to fatten up his pigs. Here, Don 

and I were extremely lucky insofar that our home in Homer Road had a huge oak tree in the garden - so it 

was a simple task to just shovel up the acorns. 

On one memorable occasion we four lads were playing on the roof of the pigstyes at the rear of the 

shop. Our combined weights were too much for the roof and it collapsed on those poor unfortunate pigs 

and we as well. The enraged Mr. Bragg cornered us there, took off his broad belt and set about us (quite 

rightly too !); but there were no hard feelings, except on our bottoms and come teatime we were all 

esconced round the table in their lovely old, large kitchen, consuming endless rounds of bread and jam, 

etc., presided over by Mrs. Bragg who was always so kind to Don and I. 

From time to time, we boys would accompany Mr. Bragg to the Monday Stock Sales at Dorridge, 

where he would purchase four or five bullocks for slaughter. We boys would be given the task of driving 

the cattle all the way back to Solihull, down Widney Manor Road, up Churchill and down the High Street! 

(Ye Gods, just imagine the chaos it would create today). As far as I can remember we never lost a bullock 

or a small boy. Afterwards we would all cheerfully assist in the dispatching of the same poor beasts. To we 

country lads it was all part of natural daily life. 

At school our devotion was applied much more assiduously to Sports than Studies. At cross country 

Hare and Hounds runs, Horace was the 'Devil Incarnate' as a Hare, knowing all the muddiest quagmires, 

the thorniest thickets, through which to lay his trail. To this day I can see his grin of satisfaction as we 

37

arrived back covered in mud. Which brings me to the occasion when Mr. Bushell came as our new Head. 

As no doubt many will remember he had a rather portly figure, so when he announed that he was going to 

join us on an evening cross country run we fell about laughing. What! this 'old' man going to run with us? 

But yes, you've guessed it, at the end of the run there was 'Pa' as he affectionately became known to us, in 

the lead and not in the least bit puffed. From then on he had us eating out of his hand. He could do no 

wrong. 

There were many other activities we four boys indulged in. We built a dam across the brook near 

where now runs Whitley Avenue, and then, more ambitiously, we dammed the River Blythe where it ran 

under the railway at Widney Manor. 

Here we could actually swim. Not for us the luxury of 'Tudor Grange' Baths, but nevertheless, there 

was fun in plenty. Last summer I retraced the paths of one of Horace's runs, albeit at 73 it was at a much 

more sedate pace. 

Len Villers 

72 Heaton Road 

Solihull 

STOP PRESS 

It is with regret that we learn of the recent death of Ben (Froggie) Hunter, an ex-master of the School who 

for many years taught many of us what little French we can remember. 

38 

After including the accounts in the magazine last year, it has been decided this year that the Treasurer 

should also give his report to the membership as a whole and not just to those few who attend the Annual 

General Meeting. 

In presenting your company's accounts on behalf of the Directors, it gives me pleasure ... I can't say 

that . Fellow members of Solihull School Old Boys' Club ... and that's wrong. Fellow team members of the 

Old Silhillians' Sporting Association ... even that's wrong. This typifies the position of the main Committee 

in trying to deal with the various aspects of the O.S.A. 

The Old Silhillian's Association is a limited company and as such it is required to adhere to the legal 

requirements of the various Companies Acts. At the same time, it is an Association for former pupils of 

Solihull School whilst providing at Copt Heath sporting facilities second to none. The main Committee and 

the Treasurer have, however, over many years had the problem of segregating these various activities and 

at the same time combining them into one form of reporting. 

Perhaps the best way to look at the Association Accounts is to view the objects and activities of the 

Association. The main object of the Association is to preserve and further the ties of loyalty to Solihull 

School and friendship between its members; the principal activity of the Association is the provision of 

bar, catering and sporting facilities for its members. 

From the membership income is provided scholarships and gifts to the School - this year a total 

payment to the School was made in excess of £2,500 - and also The Silhillian magazine. This magazine is 

circulated to all members, having a circulation of approximately 1,600. It is solely these two items that are 

paid for out of the subscription income and this year this income, together with interest on investments, 

was adequate to cover the expenditure leaving a small surplus. Criticism is often levelled at the Association 

that members do not wish to pay their subscription because they do not use the clubhouse and ground 

facilities. The clubhouse and ground facilities are available to all members but the membership subscription 

itself is only used for the Association's purposes. 

The main activity of the company is the provision of bar, catering and sporting facilities for its 

members and it is here that professionalism must creep in to administering the affairs of the Association. 

Serving in excess of 50,000 pints of beer and 5,000 meals in a year, together with administering 18 acres 

of land and the Association's buildings, requires constant monitoring and financial controls. The days of 

Dingle Lane are far gone. The Association's fixed costs such as rates, fuel and insurance now exceed 

£30,000. The cost of maintaining the sporting facilities alone was nearly an additional £10,000. This is 

met by contributions from the sports sections and although the individual sports sections' rents were 

increased by 20% last year, the Association's share of the costs increased by nearly 50%. 

These costs are met out of income derived from the social activities at the clubhouse and ground. 

The income from bar sales continues to grow even in this period of recession and bar sales are now in 

excess of £54,000 with a steady gross profit percentage being maintained. The catering sales are 

improving with the increased facilities and it is up to all members to use these facilites. May I draw your 

attention to the excellent weekday luncheon facilities provided by our new steward and stewardess. 

The year has seen a considerable increase in the contribution of the gaming machines, aided by the 

'Star Wars' machines. Our social events this year, principally the Ball Week, gave a major boost to the bar 

and catering but unfortunately there was less than adequate bookings on the marquee itself. 

The overall result this year is that on a 7% increased income and a regrettable 28% increase in fixed 

costs, a small loss was made. The Club and Ground Committee are currently reviewing all expenditure 

with a view to reducing this figure and reverting to the normal surplus position but this can only be 

achieved through your assistance in using the facilities both for business and pleasure purposes and also 

by the dedication of the current management team. 

This is my last report as Treasurer of your Association. It is a position that I have been happy to hold 

over the last eleven years. During this period your Association has seen considerable progress - notably 

the motorway and the modernisation of all our major assets. The effects of the motorway are now over. In 

its death throes we are liable to pay some £2,500 worth of additional tax which, I am happy to say, is 

adequately funded and soon the motorway and its disruption will be a thing of the past. Looking back over 

my period as Treasurer, it's amazing to think that we went through the problems of decimalisation and the 

introduction of VAT but the turnvover of the Association increased during this period from £11,000 to 

some £85,000. Over this period nearly £100,000 has been invested in increased changing rooms, ladies' 

changing rooms, new groundsman's sheds, the new steward's house and the increased clubhouse itself - 

the majority of this money coming, of course, from the motorway compensation. Throughout my period as 

Treasurer I have been helped by constant support from the Committee and whilst it is invidious to single 

out people there are two I feel should be referred to. Tom Jackson who over the last three years has acted 

as Treasurer of the Management Committee until his recent departure to Australia and also Graham Hughes 

who, although no longer a member of any committee, has acted as my Deputy over the last few years. 

To end on a positive note, I am highly gratified to see that during my period as Treasurer the 

Association's contribution to the School has increased by over 800% to exceed £2,500 in this current 

year. This is in addition to the help given to the School by Old Boys and surely this way your Association is 

at least fulfilling its objects. 

C. H. JACOB 

39


Officers Report 

The officers submit their Annual Report together with the audited accounts of the Company for the year 

ended 31st July, 1981. 

Company Status 

The Company is limited by Guarantee and does not have a share capital. 

Object and activities 

The main object of the Company is to preserve and further the ties of loyalty to Solihull School and 

friendship between its members. 

The principal activity of the Company is the provision of bar, catering and sporting facilities for its 

members. 

Fixed assets 

Details of fixed assets appear on page 43 of these Accounts. 

Officers 

The officers who have served during the year were:- 

President J. L. R. Hare Honorary Treasurer C. H. Jacob 

President Elect R. C. Cupit Membership Secretary C. R. Whitehouse 

Immediate Past President P. B. L. Instone Editor of the Silhillian S. G. Wilcox 

Headmaster of Solihull School G. D. Slaughter Chairman of the 1 T. Jackson/ 

Honorary Secretary D. W. Edwards Management Committee 1 S. Crawford 

The following officers and past presidents also served as directors of the Company during the year:- 

P. B. L. Instone J. L. R. Harel appointed R. C. Young resigned 6th March 1981 

C. H. Jacob 

D. M. Powell 

R. C. Cupit 1 16th Feb. 1981 J. B. M. Urry resigned 19th March 1981 

Auditor 

A resolution for the re-appointment of Stephen J. Power, F.C.A., as Auditor of the Company is to be 

proposed at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 11th December, 1981. 

Registered Office: By Order of the Officers 

Memorial Clubhouse, Warwick Road, Solihull. D. W. Edwards 

Honorary Secretary 

2nd November, 1981 

Profit and loss account 

for the year ended 31st July, 1981 Note 

Turnover 2 

Trading profit/(loss) 2 

after charging:- 

Depreciation 

Interest - Bank 

Debentures 

Audit Fee 

Directors' Emoluments 

after crediting:- 

Interest received 

(Loss)/Profit before taxation 

Add 

Taxation 3 

(Loss)/Profit after taxation 

before extraordinary items 

Extraordinary items 4 

Retained (loss)/profit for the year 

40 

3,155 

337 

299 

100 

NIL 

2,329 


E E 

92,658 

(1,142) 

1,537 

(2,679) 

(2,679) 

1980 

E f 

81,963 

(1,142) 2,949 


362 

299 

100 

NIL 

3,891 3,085 

975 

2,949 

6,681 

9,630 

5,043 

14,673 

Balance Sheet 

31st July, 1981 

Fixed Assets 

Current Assets 

Stock 

Debtors 

Bank 

Less 

Current Liabilities 

Creditors 

Taxation 

Net Current Assets 

Financed by: 

Accumulated Fund 

Life Members' Fund 

6% Debentures 

Secured Loan 


Note 

5 

1 5,783 

7,688 

11,770 

25,241 

18,437 

3 3,559 

6 

7 

8 

9 

21,996 

The notes on pages 42 and 43 form an integral part of these accounts. 

J. L. R. Hare, President 

Source and Application of Funds 

in the year ended 31st July, 1981 

Source of Funds 

(Loss)/Profit after taxation before extraordinary items 

Adjustment for items not involving cash: 

Depreciation 

Funds from other sources 

Extraordinary items 

Loan 

Donations 

Application of Funds 

Purchase of Fixed Assets 

Loan repayment 

Working capital decrease 

Components of increase in Working Capital 

Decrease in Stock 

Decrease in Debtors 

Decrease in Creditors 

Decrease in Bank 

41 


E E 

203,715 

3,245 

206,960 . 

174,509 

1,863 

8,484 

22,104 

206,960 


E 

(2,679) 

3,155 

_ 

991 

1,467 

13,339 

2,500 

(14,372) 

(340) 

(8,326) 

2,791 

(8,497) 

(14,372) 

6,123 

16,014 

20,267 

42,404 

22,766 

2,021 

24,787 

1980 

E E 

193,531 

17,617 

211,148 

177,188 

872 

8,484 

24,604 

211,148 

C. H. Jacob, Treasurer 

1980 

E 

9,630 


17,217 

25,000 

1,046 

55,217 

29,554 

396 

25,267 

(678) 

(938) 

(9,618) 

36,501 

25,267

Notes to the Accounts 

31st July, 1981 


1 Accounting Policies 

(a) Accounting Basis 

The Accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 

(b) Depreciation 

Depreciation is provided on all fixed assets other than freehold land at rates calculated to write off 

the cost or valuation of the asset over its expected useful life as follows: 

Freehold Buildings 50 years (from 1st August, 1980) 

Motor Vehicles 4 years 

Fittings and Equipment 5 years 

(c) Stock 

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated realisable value. 

(d) Taxation 

No liability for the taxation deferred to date is likely to arise in the next three years or thereafter as 

can reasonably be foreseen and accordingly, no provision is made in the accounts. 

2 Turnover and trading surplus 

Turnover represents the sales value of goods and services provided during the year stated net of 

value added tax. 

Turnover 

1981 1980 

Trading Surplus 


Bar 54,646 48,354 18,546 16,885 

Catering 13,234 13,848 2,776 3,173 

Gaming Machines 8,122 5,037 4,534 3,314 

Use of Clubhouse 6,761 5,608 (24,962) (18,588) 

Use of Ground 7,402 6,357 (2,271) (1,772) 

Clubhouse & Ground 90,165 79,204 (1,377) 3,012 

Association 2,493 2,759 235 (63) 

O.S.A. Limited 92,658 81,963 (1,142) 2,949 

Detailed copies of the trading accounts are available on request from the Honorary Treasurer. 

3 Taxation 

Liability to tax arising on interest received during the 


£ 

1980 

£ 

year, less interest paid 974 (117) 

Under-provision for previous year 

Repayment of Corporation Tax paid in 1977 

re capital gain resulting from compulsory acquisition 

563 - 

of land for motorway 

6,798 

1,537 6,681 

Taxation - Creditor 

Tax payable on interest for year 974 117 

interest for previous year 2,585 

motorway compensation 

8,488 

Less 

Tax deducted at source on motorway compensation 

4 Extraordinary items 

President's Appeal for the David Fricke 

Memorial Cottage 

Donation to the School 

42 

3,559 8,605 

6,584 

3,559 2,021 

1,000 

(1,000) 

5 Fixed Assets 

Cost at 1.8.80 

Additions in year 

At 31.7.81 

Depreciation at 1.8.80 

Charge for year 

Net Book Values 

At 1.8.80 

At 31.7.81 

Freehold Vehicles 

Land and Fittings and 

Buildings Equipment Total 

205,602 9,189 214,791 

7,669 5,670 13,339 

213,271 14,859 228,130 

13,658 7,602 21,260 

2,045 1,110 3,155 

15,703 8,712 24,415 

191,944 1,587 193,531 

197,568 6,147 203,715 

In the opinion of the Officers the market value of the freehold land and buildings is not less than the 

net book value shown above. 

6 Accumulated Fund 

At 1st August 1980 

Donations 

Retained (Loss)/Profit for Year 

At 31st July, 1981 


177,188 

- 

(2,679) 

174,509 

1980 

162,341 

174 

14,673 

177,188 

7 Life Members Fund 

The fund was established in 1980 as a result of an Appeal to Life Members and is still open for 

donations. The income from the fund is used to support the School. 


£ £ £ £ 

At 1st August 1980 872 - 

Donation in year 825 837 

Income for year 366 235 

1,191 1,072 

Less gift to School (200) (200) 

At 31st July, 1981 1,863 872 

8 Debentures 

The 6% Debentures are secured by a floating charge on the assets of the Association. The final 

redemption date is the 31st December, 1990. Interest is paid on the 31st March and the 30th 

September. 

9 Secured Loan 

£22,104 is the balance of an interest-free loan of £25,000 received in 1980 and secured by a 

floating charge on the assets of the Association, after the Debentures. The loan is repayable over 10 

years, commencing June 1980 at £2,500 per year. 

10 Capital commitments 

The aggregate amount of capital commitment at the 31st July, 1981 was £1,000 (1980 £5,000). 

Expenditure authorised, but not yet contracted for, £15,000 (1980 £3,000). 

Auditor's Report to the Members of the Old Silhillians' Association Limited 

I have examined the accounts on pages 40 to 43 which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting 

policies on page 42. 

In my opinion the accounts give, under the accounting convention stated above, a true and fair view of the 

company's state of affairs at 31st July, 1981, and of its loss and source and application of funds for the 

year ended on that date and comply with the Companies Acts of 1948 to 1980. 

Stephen J. Power 

2nd November, 1981 Chartered Accountant 

43

C UB R PORT 

1980-1981 Season 

The success of any club is often judged by the results of its first team, and on that basis the Old Silhillians 

Hockey Club had a very successful campaign. Since the inception of League Hockey it has been the main 

ambition of the Club to win promotion, an ambition finally fulfilled when a very exciting 2-2 draw against 

Divisional Champions Nuneaton gave us the one point needed to clinch promotion to Division 2. However, 

generally the Club had a difficult year, with insufficient playing members to comfortably produce five sides. 

Fund-raising activities were poorly supported and bad weather again badly curtailing hockey during the 

depths of midwinter. All is not gloom however and the full reports team by team are as follows: 

1st Xl Captain: Nick Reeve 

P W D L F A 

32 19 7 6 68 38 

The record speaks very much for itself. However, of the six defeats, three were in the league which 

almost wrecked our promotion challenge and one was in the final of the Warwickshire Plate Competition 

when we unluckily lost 2-1 to Nuneaton (our bogy side in recent years). Nevertheless, impressive wins 

were recorded over Stourport, Edgbaston, Kings Heath and Sutton Coldfield in friendly matches (all clubs 

from higher divisions). A settled side has been the feature of our success, in particular in defence where 

"new signing" Roger Newcombe has been outstanding, as has David Benjamin. Up front Tony Smith and 

Richard Higson scored 30 goals between them and Bob Ireland provided plenty of enthusiasm and drive 

along the left flank. Special mention should be made of Mike Smith, a steadying influence on the team and 

no mean performer when the going gets tough. (He also has a large car which helps!) 

2nd Xl Captain: John Harrison 

P W D L F A 

24 13 4 7 53 30 

A very satisfying season for the seconds with a consistent record, and particularly outstanding wins 

recorded over Stourport, Kings Heath, Harborne, Pickwick and Cannock. Although Peter Levenger played 

in all matches, the average age of the side was somewhat reduced by the end of the season, an 

encouraging feature. 32 players represented the side and the goals seem to have been spread around 

accordingly. Johnny Johnson only played in 10 games but scored 11 goals, John Levenger scored 12 in 

14 appearances. In defence, the aforementioned Peter Levenger was the cornerstone, ably supported by 

Pete Davies in goal and Pat Bragg at full back. With this framework the 2nd XI can look forward to similar 

success next year. 

3rd XI Captain: Paul Holton 

P W D L F A 

23 6 5 12 54 54 

A disappointing season after a promising early start. Three wins and three draws in the first six 

matches seemed encouraging but things went somewhat astray from the end of November, from which 

point until the end of the season only two matches were won. This coincided with the non-availability of 

the captain, and the side lacked direction and commitment. The final humiliation was an 11-0 defeat 

against Cannock. On the benefit side was the improvement of Teale Withers in attack and the occasional 

appearance of Keith Jones who averaged two goals per game in reaching 18 goals. Of the few wins 

recorded the best were 6-2 v Edgbaston, 4.0 v Evesham, 8-0 v Rugby. 

4th Xl Captain: Steve Lucock 

P W D L F A 

20 3 8 9 33 49 

As always the 4th XI found that the most difficult problem to overcome was to find eleven players 

each week, and regrettably sometimes that was not achieved; however Steve Lucock, in his last season, 

and Richard Fell as Vice Captain did their utmost to promote 4th team hockey, and less than half the 

matches were lost. 

The main goalscorers were Bob Noakes, Mike Foster and Richard Fell, and Scott Morton deserves 

particular mention for his improved play throughout the season. 

44 

Veteran XI Captain: Nigel Thomas 

P W D L F A 

21 7 5 9 25 31 

The Veterans, too, suffered from availability problems, including the non-availability of a team 

report! However, the main problem appeared to be the inability to score sufficient goals. Good wins were 

nevertheless recorded over Olton 4-2 and Rugby 4-0 in particular, and several young school players 

benefited from the occasional game with thre "old heads". 

Sunday Xl Captain: Ian Griffiths 

P W 

20 11 

11 

A 

6 3 50 28 

A good season was enjoyed by the Sunday team, although cancellations seemed to eat into the 

season curtailing the activities of the Sunday morning enthusiasts. Results we impressive, with a string of 

notable victories and all the defeats being by the odd goal. Simon Roberts improved during the season, as 

did Teale Withers. Mark Weedon showed promise, and "veteran" Graham Essex's goalkeeping 

performances were continually an inspiration to a generally very young side. 

Mixed Xl Captain: Ian Griffiths 

W D L F A 

6 3 2 25 18 

Mixed hockey continues to take on increased importance in the Club, and quite rightly so. A hard 

core of male players has been supported by a seemingly endless supply of girls from various sources and 

the results have been encouraging, and the matches very enjoyable. The mixed festival at Worthing also 

suffered the attentions of an "Old Sils" touring party, with no apparent ill effects despite transport 

arrangement being under the auspices of Stuart (*I've got a minibus') Shorthouse! All in all a promising 

venture with even better prospects - as I write it is our intention to run our own pre-season mixed festival. 

Indoor Hockey Captain: Bob Ireland 

P WD L F A 

12 2 0 10 56 92 

In the new "Superleague" (one large division) our indoor side found the opposition very tough and 

was outclassed on several occasions quite easily. However, on the whole we were by no means disgraced. 

Following the league we also did well in a knockout competition beating Khalsa and losing narrowly to 

Bournville in a preliminary league before going out to Kings Heath in a closely fought match. We look 

forward to next season, and hope for more support from club members for the Indoor sessions weekly. 

Club awards: 

Team trophy: 1st Eleven - 72% playing record. 

Most improved player: Mark Wallwork. 

Nic Cutler Award: Bob Ireland. 

Easter tour Golf trophy: Nick Smith. 

The Club is indebted to the various officers in the various jobs, in particular to Bob Ireland and our 

president Keith Foster, who with Jerry Poulter, have encouraged the growth of mini hockey, perhaps the 

club's future life-blood, on Sunday mornings. Our thanks to the 0.S.A., the Ground Staff; and to Roger and 

Gwen Mills, who will be missed by the Hockey Club, and we wish them luck in their new venture. 

1981 Weymouth Easter Tour Report 

P WD L A 

Festival Games 6 3 2 1 12 5 66% 

Friendly Games 6 2 1 3 9 9 42% 

N.C.R. 

Easter tour invariably is a demanding assault course, and with twelve games being played this year, 

the efforts necessary on the field were approaching the level required off the field. As usual, the tour was 

well supported and the twenty-five member squad was able to cope, in numbers if not energy, with the 

largest number of games ever played on tour. 

Since winning the festival in 1978 we have been placed in a strong group and it has been necessary 

to use a limited squad system for the festival games to ensure our recorded results merit an invitation to 

45

the festival next year. Consequently, the results of the friendly games suffer, with a different type of skills 

being exercised by most of the players involved in these games. Once again, the point has to be made that 

the tour is a geat leveller of playing skills, and the friendly match against Adelaide 'A', which we won 3-1, 

was considerably better in quality than a number of festival games which we watched being played 

between other clubs. Our other friendly games were played with equal enthusiasm although less 

favourable score-lines. 

Turning to the festival games, we started optimistically by scoring eight goals and only conceding 

one in our first two matches. These victories were recorded against the Royal Navy 3-1 and Timperley 

Hockey Club 5-0, both these teams having beaten us in the last two years. The game against the Royal 

Navy epitomised the play of the 1st eleven in achieving promotion this season, and was greatly enjoyed by 

supporters and other onlookers alike. Our supporters inflicted a verbal battering on the Navy with retorts 

like "send on your sub", "umpire, that's no foul - he took a dive", and "how do you like the fire power of 

our destroyers?" It was noticeable that the Sils Were regularly winning 50/50 balls as the opponent turned 

away every time a Sils player called "mine". 

By Saturday evening we had lost 0-1 to Southgate Adelaide and beaten Southgate Tankards 2-1. It 

was a great credit to the defence that only three goals had been conceded in four games, as we did not 

have a recognised goalkeeper in our party until the Monday games. Possibly our most difficult game was 

played on Monday morning against the Johnnies (Old Johannians) from South Africa. Although we took 

the lead, the points were shared at the end of the game, and this was repeated in our final game against 

the Corpuscles. 

Off the field activities will be mentioned briefly, to protect the guilty, and one hopes that the 

decrease in "incidents" this year has not set a precedent. Traditionally the festival dance is very good 

value for producing incidents and this year was no exception. The tireless John Harrison, in no uncertain 

terms, personally undertook to convey his and the Sils' congratulations to any female remotely worth 

congratulating as the numerous raffle prize tickets were drawn. It is embarrassing enough to push through 

a crowd of 400 people to receive your prize, but to be mobbed after collecting it was all too much for 

many winners. 

On the dance floor, our "heavy metal" factor ably demonstrated that they were second to none in 

displaying their ritualistic and often primitive girations to the music of Status Quo. Whilst this produced 

much hilarity for all watching, the same could not be said for a group of dancing females who had the 

dubious pleasure of an enforced infiltration by an uncontrolled mob of drunken destructors. 

The Sunday evening annual fiasco at the Criterion Restaurant again proved a testing time for 

waitresses and diners alike. The spasmodic and heroic attempts by our Chairman to restore some order 

were regularly over-ruled by a considerable hail of sugar lumps. Nick Reeve went round the table and tied 

up the various orders whilst Andy Bond went under the table and tied up Nick Reeve's laces. However, 

there was no significant increase in Nick's pace, so further research will have to be done before the rigours 

of Division Two are encountered next season by him. 

Tour invariably produces problems, punishment and discomfort, - all of which are overcome at any 

cost, or at least they have in the past. Time and time again we have challenged, fought against, sometimes 

been overwhelmed or overcome by Devenish Ales, but never beaten. This year Pope's beer was our 

opposition and it proved to be formidable by its lack of strength in depth. As the encounter was only a brief 

one, we did not have an opportunity to discover if we could hold our own under pressure. Instead of licking 

our lips it was our wounds, and our pride was swallowed in place of a pint of Pope's. If this really is 

"Pope's beer" then we can immediately shelve any plans to tour Rome or Poland in the future. Future 

tours of Barbados are also likely to be restricted after our game against the South Africans. Certainly 

eleven of our players are now on an international white, or should that read black-list, after their 

involvement in the game. 

It should be mentioned that as a condition of their playing at the Festival, the South Africans had 

been asked to play against teams of any colour, and they had readily agreed. However, it was apparent 

that they were more than apprehensive when confronted with the Sils whose facial colours varied from 

purple, red, ghostly white to a delicate shade of unhealthy green. Ironically, the game did produce a colour 

clash - of shirts that is - and we were required to change to our alternative strip of white shirts. 

Once again tour was over too quickly for some, although not early eno.ugh for most, depending on 

the physical state of the individuals. It was particularly pleasing to see the Chairman visit tour as a playing 

member and also Stuart Mackay. Roger Meadows who played for us two or three years ago before moving 

to Oxford, once again toured with us and not his present club. 

Geoff Small, the kindly and most obliging festival secretary at Weymouth suggested that a veterans 

game or games could be arranged in a future year if it was felt that some of the senior members might like 

to tour together one year, for the whole, or part of the Easter weekend. Geoff sends his regards to Keith 

Foster, Roger Flood, Johnny Johnson and Stuart Burton and would like to see them all again - on the field 

if possible. 

Alistair Walker is to be thanked for selecting the teams and acting as tour P.R. man, and in spite of 

anything which may have appeared in this report, our invitation to next year's festival looks safe. 

46 

P.A.B. 

RIF E EP R 

We are happy to report that the Rifle Club continues to flourish as one of the leading Midland Smallbore 

Shooting Clubs. Financially we only just manage to keep our heads above water, due mainly to the 

monetary genius of our Honorary Treasurer, John Young, but in shooting performances we have plenty to 

make us proud. 

Conversely however, since our last report, we have been greatly saddened by the death of 

Franklin Dyne who was our Founder Hon. Treasurer, and later our President. No-one did more to establish 

the Rifle Club and ensure its continuance in its formative years. An obituary tribute to Franklin 

appears elsewhere. 

Our first Founder Vice-President, Evan Price, has also died. He attended our Silver Jubilee Dinner and 

was included in the group picture shown in last year's "Silhillian". Evan was a very prominent figure in the 

shooting world, being Vice-Chairman of the National Smallbore Rifle Association; Vice-President of The 

English Smallbore Union; former Captain of the British Olympic Pistol Shooting Team; former Chairman of 

Warwickshire Smallbore Rifle Association, amongst many other distinctions and achievements. In our 

early days he shot in one of our teams and won our Vice-Presidents competition one year. We mourn the 

loss of these two staunch supporters. 

A further loss to the Club is that of Dick Moore, who moved from Copt Heath to a Suffolk village in 

September. Dick has been one of our top scoring marksmen for many years, and his services as a coach to 

new and old members alike has been invaluable. We have indeed been most fortunate in having one of the 

Midlands leading smallbore prone rifle coaches in our Club. Dick was County Coach for twelve years and 

during this time was responsible for prone training courses for coaches, 252 of whom passed the tests 

and examinations to qualify as Club Coaches, each receiving the official certificate. As an indication of the 

standard achieved, the majority of those now shooting in the Warwickshire County teams were trainees of 

Dick. For the past four years he has been Regional Prone Smallbore Coach and was elected to the Council 

of the National Smallbore Rifle Association. He was also Chairman of Warwickshire Smallbore Rifle 

Association for several years. As one of our top shots, winning, amongst others, our Highway Cup more 

than once, he and his sons Tim and Sam won the Dyne Father and Son Tankards several times. Not 

surprisingly, both Tim and Sam were expert marksmen who used to shoot for us but unfortunately they 

left the district some years ago. In addition, Dick shot for the County many times, helping them to win the 

County and B.S.A. cups in 1979, and he used to shoot for the City of Birmingham long range B team. 

Amongst many other shooting achievements Dick once won the Metric City of Birmingham Open Day 

Shoot with a score of 593 ex 600 at a time when the world record stood at 597! He also won an N.S.R.A. 

Silver Medal at a Warwickshire Open Meeting; a Master Shot Badge at Bisley and other prizes; the 

Individual Knockout competition of the Solihull Borough Rifle Association; team badge awards from 

Warwickshire Summer League; individual medal awards from the Midlands Winter League; and so on and 

so on. This sketchy record of Dick Moore's activities indicates why Warwickshire County will be as sorry as 

we are to lose such an outstanding devotee of rifle shooting. 

In the course of our 27 years history we have had many of our leading marksmen and keen 

supporters and workers leave the district, die or retire, and up to the present we have weathered their loss. 

It should not be taken for granted however that the Club will continue to flourish without effort. There 

must be a regular inflow of new members and supporters prepared to undertake duties and office to 

replace those we lose. For instance, Dick Moore was a regular Range Warden and unless a new warden is 

appointed to undertake this role in his place, more frequent calls for duty fall upon the existing Wardens. 

The same applies to the Officers and Committee of the Club. Suitable replacements are needed from time 

to time and unless these are forthcoming, then eventually any Club so placed ceases to exist. Happily our 

Club is not in this sorry state at the moment but nevertheless, members should always act as recruiting 

agents and encourage suitable people to join us to ensure our continuing progress. We do offer better 

facilities, equipment and opportunities than most Midland rifle clubs, and hope that more and more Old 

Silhillians will come along to make use of them and enjoy our sport. We invite you to visit us at the 

Memorial Clubhouse range on a Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, Monday or Wednesday evening 

and have a try at shooting. A coach is always present, and we have first class club rifles, pistols, 

telescopes, etc. available for use. 

At our Annual General Meeting last March, all retiring officers were re-elected, and Susan Chandler, 

David Hughes and Kay Tunstall added to the existing Committee. A satisfactory financial report was 

submitted through the skilful handling of our monetary affairs by John Young. Rifle Captain Peter Upton 

reported on the rifle successes, and sometimes failures, of our members, and Pistol Captain Robin Milne 

did likewise for our pistol shooters. Chairman Michael Doble referred to the need for fund-raising and a 

regular inflow of new members and workers. Hon. Secretary Oliver Brocklehurst dealt with general 

matters. 

Once again a successful, well-attended and enjoyable Annual Dinner (the 27th) was held at the 

Clubhouse last November. Dick Moore, whose value to Warwickshire marksmen in general and our club in 

47

particular, referred to earlier, ably proposed the toast to the guests. President of the Old Silhillians 

Association, Paul Instone made an appropriate and interesting reply. We were particularly pleased to have 

Melville Cooper present. Melville was President of the O.S.A. when the Rifle Club was formed in 1954. He 

proposed a toast to the Club, recalling the circumstances of its inauguration, for which he gave his ardent 

support and help, wishing the Club continued success. Rifle Captain Peter Upton responded on behalf of 

the Club, referring to various achievements and drawing particular attention to one we have so far failed to 

win - the Public School Old Boys Cup, though failing by only a narrow margin on several occasions. This 

therefore remains on the Club's list of things which still have to be done! Attending the dinner was George 

Austin, a leading member of Warwick Rifle Club. He presented to the Club a shield which is competed for 

annually shoulder-to-shoulder between teams from his and our Clubs. We were the winners in 1980 and 

intend to win again this year. After the speeches Kathleen Upton, wife of the President, presented the 

glittering array of trophies to the 1980 winners as follows: 

Billing Salver: Simon Westwood 

Davis Cup: Michael Doble 

John Young Cup (Open): Robin Milne 

John Young Cup (Handicap): Robin Milne 

Taylor Trophy: Graham Tunstall 

Ken Highway V.P. Cup:" John Tunstall 

Wheatley Shield: Michael Doble 

Dyne Schoolboy Plaque: Graham Tunstall 

Dyne Father and Son Tankards: John and Graham Tunstall 

Michael Doble Shield: John and Graham Tunstall 

Miller Pistol Plaque: Stuart Danby 

Clegg Pistol Cup: Ron Argyle 

Chas. Bell Certificate: Simon Rex 

Pistol shooting now has more supporters and three teams were entered in the Midland Winter Pistol 

League 1980/81. The A team has progressed to Division 3 and acquitted themselves reasonably well to 

finish 9th in the table. Robin Milne was our top scorer with a high average of 81.6 John Tomkins was 

highest average for us with 67.7 in B team in Division 9. C team were the most successful in Division 12, 

ending the season as runners-up, with Ron Argyle top average in the whole division and Gerry Willsmore 

runner-up. These two now compete on handicap for the League Individual Trophy against all other 

Individual Divisional winners. Several members have entered the Warwickshire Individual Pistol League, 

and we hope to learn that they have performed well in due course. 

As usual our members have had a very full programme of smallbore prone shooting, with at least one 

of our own trophy competitions every month in addition to league, county and other individual contests. 

Four teams were entered in the Warwickshire Summer League 1980, and for the second year running our 

A team won the Division 2 championship, John Penny recording our top average of 99.0. B team became 

champions of Division 5 and C team were just beaten into 2nd place in their division, whilst D team 

finished in third place. A splendid record! This year we have five teams entered and up to the time of 

writing not doing too badly. It is encouraging to report that since girls entered Solihull School quite a few 

have taken up shooting. In fact Susan Hurley was appointed Captain of School Shooting and as such was 

a guest at our Annual Dinner. Now we are pleased to have several very promising female shooters in our 

midst, some of whom will undoubtedly soon be qualifying for places in our higher teams. Five teams were 

entered in the Midland Winter Smallbore League 1980/81, but with only modest results. There were 

plenty of scores of 99, but only two "possibles", one by Johnathan Chandler, the other by John Hinton. 

David Hughes was third in the individual averages in D team in Division 19, whilst his son Adrian Hughes 

was equal individual second highest average in Division 22 for our E team which took second place in the 

divisional championship. 

We won our annual Old Boys Day match versus the School VIII last December, but were more 

pleased with our decisive victory over the School VIII and the Parents on Commemoration Day this July, 

particularly as four of our members opted to shoot for the Parents team. 

Several members shot for the County and entered various open competitions. In the Warwickshire 

National Postal Handicap 1980, open to all-comers, David Hughes took second place with a score of 

300.11 and his son Adrian finished 12th with 299.19. At the Warwickshire Open Meeting 1980 Adrian 

Hughes won the Junior Championship and was runner-up in D class which included senior marksmen. 

Another member, Johnathan Chandler, was runner-up in the Open B Class at this meeting. He was one of 

our members who helped Warwickshire to win both the County and County Reserves Championships in 

1980, whilst Sue Chandler shot for Warwickshire Ladies. 

Half-a-dozen of our members went to the International Bisley meeting this year and Johnathan 

Chandler won the week-end 50 metres B Class competition with a score of 198 ex 200, being awarded an 

N.S.R.A. Silver Medal. For some it was their first attendance at this great event and whilst they did not win 

any special honours, they shot well and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This included shooting in the 

British Championship, which our own Bob Bayley won twice, in 1954 and 1955 - his maximum possible 

48 

score in 1954 in this competition still stands as the record, unequalled. Maybe we shall add yet another 

O.S. name to this illustrious list, who knows? However, we don't expect to win all the time, and we must 

never forget the moral in those words of Rudyard Kipling: 

"When the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name, 

He writes, not that you won or lost, 

But - how you played the game." 

Photo: Birmingham Post 

A line-up of some of our crackshots. From left to right - Johnathan Chandler, Peter Upton, John 

Miller, David Hughes, Sue Chandler. You could join them, through our expert coaching. 

Old Boys' Day commenced, for many members, at an extremely early hour for December, when over 50 

competitors teed off before 9.00 a.m. in the annual Stableford competition. The winner was Peter Siddall 

with a score of 36 points followed by Mike Wiseman with 33 points whilst Bob Young was third with 32 

points. 

The Annual Dinner was held at Olton Golf Club in February when a capacity 105 members and their 

invited guests sat down to the popular and traditional steak and kidney pie. The proceedings were, as 

always, conducted by the President in his own inimitable and highly amusing manner. He was admirably 

supported by the Headmaster whilst John Cooper delivered a dry and witty speech in proposing The Toast 

to the Guests. 

The first serious Golf Competition of the year took place in May at Olton Golf Club. The winners of 

the Wiseman Foursomes were two newer members recruited from the Rugby Club, Phil Johnson and Ian 

Thorpe, with a gross score of 88 less 21 for 67. In second place were David Winslow and Roy Harris with 

a 72. Best gross score was returned by John Westall and Laurence Shiels with a 78. 

The Captain's day out was held at Tadmarton Heath Golf Club near Banbury on Friday, 5th June, 

1981. Twenty members and guests enjoyed a fine day's golf and fellowship. Rye greensome winners in 

the morning were father and son, Arthur and Stephen Bromley. The afternoon 4 ball Stableford 

competition was won by Brian Urry and his guest Nick Tarratt. 

The major event of the Golf Society's year is the Old Boys Challenge Cup and the Charles Hill Salver 

and the competition took place at Olton Golf Club on the 18th June. The winner of the Challenge Cup for 

the best net score was again Phil Johnson with a score of 93 less 23 for 70. Thankfully, Phil's handicap 

49

has now been reduced to 19! The Charles Hill Salver for the best gross score was won by Laurence Shiels 

with an excellent score of 73. 

Throughout the summer the Society continued to play a number of A and B team matches. 

Unfortunately, both A team matches against Olton and Copt Heath were lost 5-1. The B team, however, 

redeemed the situation with convincing wins against Old Edwardians, North Warwickshire, Robin Hood 

and The School. 

The response to the hitherto very popular Invitation Foursomes was this year slightly disappointing. 

August is traditionally the holiday season and this year the date was only two days before the Bank 

Holiday. However, the participants enjoyed a gloriously hot and sunny evening which resulted in Andrew 

Mackay and Ian Baillie scoring 80 less 10 for 70 to win the competition. David Powell and his guest came 

second with a 92 less 18 for 74. The best gross score was returned by the immediate past captain of the 

Society, Pat Hill, who, playing with David Winslow, returned a very creditable 72. 

The advent of September sadly heralded the Society's last meeting of the year. This comprised of a 4 

club Better Ball Stableford. The winners, with a remarkable score of 45 points, were Keith Foster and Giles 

Slaughter, who, off handicaps of 18 and 23, scored a gross 76 on their Better Ball. The runners-up were, 

strangely enough, playing in the same Fourball, Richard Strickland and Richard Blasdale, with a score of 

41 points. The evergreens, Roly Parsons and Cyril Gold were third with 38 points. 

The A.G.M. followed in true Society spirit and Captain, John Hudson, reported a very full and varied 

year. He thanked the members for their support and felt sure the Society would continue to flourish in the 

future. A. G. Bragg and John Hudson were re-elected President and Captain. Roger Brown is to continue 

as Secretary and Treasurer. Mel Cooper is Vice Captain and the B team for next season will be run by John 

Cooper, a member of the Longhurst Society. 

The Society has been fortunate in attracting a number of new members during the year: Mike 

Cusack, Dennis Butler, T. Withers, M. Marshall and J. B. Hill, who will, I am sure, be active supporters of 

the Society in the future. 

May we extend our congratulations to Roger Cupit who is President Elect of the Association. We 

look forward to seeing you in your official capacity at our meetings and we wish you and Pat a happy and 

successful term of office. 

We are also fortunate that our own Roly Parsons is President of Olton Golf Club and I would ask him 

to extend our grateful thanks and appreciation to the Captain, committee and members of Olton Golf Club 

for the continued use of their Course and Club House. Finally, we extend to John and Marion Griffiths our 

thanks for their excellent catering facilities and attention they give to the Society at Olton. 

R. W. M. STANDLEY 

The 1980/81 season got off to a good start with the refurbishment of the courts and lobby area and 

members were able to enjoy the feeling of carpets under their feet for the first time. Rumours that 

sunglasses were being worn to reduce glare from the clean walls proved to be false! 

The season saw the departure of three key members, firstly of Lynn Weller who resigned from the 

committee, to concentrate on producing a bouncing baby son for David, secondly to Bill McCracken, ex 

internal league organiser, who retired for the more dubious reason of wishing to concentrate on his golf 

swing and opening more shops, and lastly to that excellent club servant Tom Jackson, who emigrated to 

Australia to concentrate on drinking inverted beer! The club wishes them all well and their respective 

efforts will be greatly missed. 

Membership numbers in total held steady throughout the year although the number of schoolboy 

and parent members continued to be a disappointment and every effort must be made to improve this 

situation and to bring forward new Silhillian membership. 

The team's results during the season were:- 

L Points 

Warwickshire League 2 14 3 11 9 

Midland League 5 14 7 7 45 

Friendlies 14 7 7 — 

All the matches were played in excellent spirit but the Warwickshire League result means that the 

club will be relegated to League 3 for the new season. The results generally reflect the greater competition 

to be found in the region and the present dearth of top class players within the club. This is despite the 

very successful coaching sessions run by Stan Bramley, our S.R.A. coach, who has been operating an 

experimental 'mini-squash' session for children over 8 years old. The club's internal leagues have 

50 

continued to strengthen during the year and competition is now very tough indeed. Sue Birch has taken 

over the organising responsibility and we wish her well. 

In the competitions the club Open Tournament was again contested by the 'old firm' of Roy Dixon 

and Stan Bramley and on this occasion Roy had the upper hand, taking 3 games to nil. In the Handicap 

Tournament Keith Fisher beat John Standley also by 3 games to nil, but this result disguises some very 

hard fought rallies. Congratulations to the finalists and to all who took part in what proved to be a very 

well-balanced competition. 

The Trophy for the most improved player was awarded to John Parrott for rapid progress through the 

internal leagues, and the Ted Price Clubman Award went to Bill Else for all his hard work concerning the 

refurbishment/maintenance of the courts. 

The Annual Dinner was particularly well supported and those attending were treated to some fine 

oratory and wit. It was particularly pleasing to welcome Vic Hawley, one of the club's earliest members 

and co-presenter of our 'Open' Trophy. Please make a note that the Dinner date for 1982 is Friday, 

April 2nd. 

Finally, we look forward to the new season and further improvements, principally heating, which we 

trust will inspire and encourage us all. 

Pat Hill, Mike Thorpe, Nick Atkinson, Pete Thomas, John Hare. 

51

The 1980/81 season was one of mixed fortunes for the Club as the results given below show. The Club 

has suffered, in cOmmon with most of the other clubs in the locality, playing rugby at junior level, from a 

decline in the number of active playing members. 

The full season's results were: 

P W L F A 

1st XV 36 19 16 1 615 431 

2nd XV 34 20 13 1 398 351 

3rd XV 29 8 20 1 317 588 

Colts XV 22 7 13 2 

For the 1st XV pre-season training attendance and spirit within the Club held great promise 

but regretfully these expectations were short-lived. As a result of a crop of injuries in September, the 

most serious being to Mike Le Resche, who broke his leg in the first match against Aston Old Edwardians, 

a stable side never materialised. In the Warwickshire Cup we advanced no further than the first round, 

being defeated by Dunlop of Coventry. The highlight of that first month was the Midland Old Boys 

Seven-a-Side Competition. For the first time since 1967 we won the John Rae Memorial Cup. The last 

time we had won the team comprised players of the calibre of John Smith, Simon Dawkins, Brian Trippas, 

John Treadwell and Graham and Rog Creed. This year the Club was represented by Ada Robertson, 

Tim Platt, Chris Jones, Hilton Elgie, Ian Eckloff, Geoff Cordwell and the Club captain, Peter Thomas. They 

triumphed by beating Old Dixonians in the final with Tim Platt scoring the winning try in the last minute of 

the game. Since then many members have wished that the try scorer had been somebody else! 

Fortunately after twelve months Tim's memory has faded and fewer ears are being bent. The victory 

reflects the hard work of Peter Thomas and coach, John Hickin. Later in the season the Club lost in the 

final of the Sutton R.U.F.C.'s sevens competition to a very strong Walsall team, having defeated the host 

club in the semi-finals. 

The 2nd XV were captained by the ageing David Veale and as has become the norm, achieved the 

best playing record of the Club. The more senior members of the club played in the side and the points 

difference t'eflects that once a winning margin had been established further energy was not expended in 

piling up points. The Saints, with Alan Power at the helm, had a disappointing season. This was because of 

shortage of numbers. On occasions we struggled to produce a side. The Hornets never really materialised, 

Mike Martin, who took on the captaincy raised a team on a few occasions but the results are better left 

unpublished. 

We had several Veterans matches and lunches during the season, playing Solihull and Old 

Veseyans. The Veterans side which played Solihull on Boxing Day was the only victorious side 

in the Club. 

At U.19 level the Club continues to flourish. Ian Thorpe took on the task of raising and running . a 

Colts XV for the first time in a number of years. Although the results are not outstanding, the raising of the 

side was a major achievement and already its benefit is being felt in fostering closer ties with the School 

and securing players for the Club for the future. 

The mini-section continues to grow and flourish. There are now in excess of 150 boys between the 

ages of 6 and 14, playing every Sunday morning. The noise created is unbelievable and not to be 

encountered when suffering from a hangover. The growth and continued success has been mainly due to 

the efforts of Roy Tapper, David Veale, Geoff Cox, Clive Truscott and Phil Johnson ably supported by a 

large number of parents. 

One of the highlights of the year was the match against the School. Up to December the 

School XV were undefeated and for once even Les Garrett, the master in charge of rugby, seemed 

to be enjoying life. A star President's XV was assembled by Peter Thomas and Barry Allen comprising 

such players as: Bryn Taylor, Alan Tapper, Paul Horton, Nigel Heath, Ian Eckloff and David Allen; 

in the end the School were defeated by six points to nil. The game was played at a blistering pace 

and the only score was from a short penalty move when Nigel Heath's 164- stone proved to be 

unstoppable from five yards. At the time of writing the School XV are again undefeated and so we are 

again making arrangements to raise a star team. The match last year was well supported by Old Boys and 

it is hoped that as this is the Golden Jubilee season of the Rugby Club there will be even greater support 

on Old Boys Day. 

On the social scene the Club continues to thrive. Alan Schofield, who members will be astonished 

to learn is dieting yet again, has continued to fill the coffers on the disco scene. In February this 

year Bob Young and Rog Cupit organised a most successful supper dance to the music of the Eagle 

Jazz Band. Many old faces appeared for the evening, including Rob Winslow, Rob Waters, Peter Suckling 

and Brian Urry — needless to say the dance floor was a little cramped and the bar trade brisk. The 

immediate past president, Brian Wilde, put in a tremendous amount of work on the summer fund-raising 

functions. 

The Club is celebrating its 50th year and the President, Richard Jerrom, started the year with a 

flourish by staging a Golden Jubilee Ball at the St. John's Hotel. The evening was a great success with 

over 350 members and guests attending the function. The Fixtures Secretary, Bugsy Morton, has arranged 

52 

1980/81 0.S.R.U.F.C. winners Midland Old Boys seven-a-side competition 

A. Robertson, T. Platt, C. Jones, J. Hickin (deserted), H. Elgie (deserted), 

I. Eckloff, G. Cordwell, P. Thomas. 

O.S.A. XV 1936 

Back row: M. Archibald, E.G. Thorpe, E. Chamberlain, V. 0. Hawley, J. B. Thorpe, A. Thompson, P. 

Bayliss, D. Bayliss, Twyman, B. Marston. Centre row: P. Newell, G. Jarrett, D. Newell, M. A. D. 

Cooper, Pat Evans, C. Dicken, Botteley, W. Webb, Wasdell, J. R. Tittley, J. Hill. Front row: Lingard, 

A. Webb, H. N. Wheatley, C. W. D. Cooper, R. Taylor, R. Stallard, L. Kinchin, Porter. 

53

fixtures with Birmingham, Coventry and Moseley during the course of the season. The Club's name looks 

most impressive in Moseley's fixture list sandwiched between Bridgend and Leicester. 

The Annual Dinner will be held on Friday, 7th May 1982 at the St. John's Hotel. The total club 

membership at the present time is 250 and we hope to sell tickets to all members!! Over the years many 

former players have not kept up their membership but it is hoped that as many as possible will contact the 

Club, or be contacted by existing members so that the night will provide a reunion for as many existing and 

former members as possible. 

On a sad note Tony Keeler, the secretary for the last thirteen years retired this year. His service to the 

Club over the years has been invaluable. He first held office under Peter Hanks, who regretfully died early 

this year. 

In conclusion, although the Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary it is very difficult not to be 

pessimistic as to the future, as the total playing membership is only about 70. These 70 are having to 

meet the major part of a total cost in excess of £3,000 p.a. in order to play. In common with other sports 

sections within the Association this money has to be raised without the help of any of the bar revenue. The 

number of members arriving from the School each year has not exceeded six over the past five years and 

the majority of these are vacation members who are away at university. The Club has had to rely 

increasingly on non-Old Boys in order to keep the Club afloat. We have been extremely fortunate in 

managing to attract a large number of members who although they did not attend the School are still 

prepared to work within the existing framework of the Club and to strive for its survival and progress. It 

can only be hoped that current trends will be reversed and that the Club can look forward to celebrating its 

centenary. 

NICK ATKINSON 

President 1980/81 

SOME THOUGHTS OF THE EARLY DAYS OF 

THE OLD SILHILLIANS' RUGBY CLUB 

1932-1939 

It all started in the early summer of 1932. About 30 Old Boys received a letter from Pat Evans, who 

subsequently became the founder-secretary, convening a meeting with the object of the formation of a 

rugby club. We duly met at the School in the lecture room above the chemistry lab in the Wilson Building. 

We were all new Old Boys having but recently left the School and very much of an age between 17 and 

19. The rugby club was born that evening. We had then, until the end of the war, a semi-permanent 

president in the person of the then headmaster, A. R. Thompson. The principal founder-officers were Pat 

Evans, Secretary; John Timings, Treasurer; Ron Taylor, Captain. 

The subscription for this first year was 15/- I75p) and it was only 25/- in 1939, the end of the 

decade — no inflation in those days. In the first season there was just sufficient membership to run one 

team and the club played its first ever match on its home ground at Broomfields in September, 1932. In 

the early days it was a fin.ancial struggle to keep the club going and in a copy of The Shenstonian of that 

time it is recorded that the club borrowed the sum of £20 to tide them over. 

The facilities and amenities of those early times were almost non-existent, very primitive and 

sometimes downright crude. I remember on one occasion, at an away match, changing in an open field 

behind a canvas screen. There were two baths, the water drawn from a nearby brook was heated on 

braziers. There were some facilities for home matches in that we used to hire a couple of bedrooms and 

bathrooms at the Royal Oak in Solihull. Most changed at home. 

There was no groundsman then. All the work, servicing the goal posts, marking out the ground, 

cutting the grass was done by working parties of members, the latter cut by a horse-drawn mower lent by 

a friendly farmer. Entertainment was simple, too, no sophistication. We used to run a couple of dances 

during the winter months and the highlight of the year was the annual dinner, held then, as now, on the 

first Friday in May. Throughout the 1932-39 era this was always held at the Royal Oak in the High Street, 

Solihull, alas now no more, on the site where Cooks Travel Agency now stands. This was always an 

informal affair with no speeches and around 30 members attending, including the president, the 

headmaster, who tactfully left when the actual meal was over. We then got round the piano for a good 

sing-song of traditional rugby songs until it was time to go home. 

In our first season Harold Wheatley was the only member who owned a car and on away matches 

about half the team used to ride in his ancient but broad beamed Standard, the remainder either cycled or 

used the public transport. I still remember on our cards used to be a space on how to get to the ground 

"take the tram from Navigation Street". There were many hilarious occasions, one of which I and many 

others will remember. At a dinner at the "Oak" Bill Wigley pinched a chamber pot from one of the upstairs 

bedrooms, this was later smuggled down to the Olton Cinema where a midnight matinee was held. This 

pot was passed along the rows and I shall always remember the gales of laughter as the pennies were 

54 

0.S.R.U.F.C. 1948/49 

Sevens 0.S.R.U.F.C. September 1967 

Simon Dawkins, John Smith, John Hofton, John Treadwell, 

Roger Creed, Brian Trippas, Graham Creed. 

55

dropped in. The proceeds were later given to charity. A very few of the party eventually finished up at the 

Barley Mow for breakfast. What a night! 

Time moved on and in its second year the club managed to field two teams and this was so right up 

to 1939 when the war put a stop to the club's activities for 7 years. As the years went by many new 

members joined, most of whom are on the past players list today. 

In conclusion I would like to say how proud I am to have been connected with the club from its 

beginning. Many of the events of so many years ago are still clearly in my memory. I was very active with 

the club in its early years, though not so active but still interested in more recent times. 

Below I have given a list of names of the actual founder-members, partly from memory and partly 

from the few scanty written records I possess. Some names no doubt are missing. It is a pity that the 

club's minute books and other written records were mislaid during the war years and have not been found 

since. 

I hope the above will be of some interest when the club's history comes to be written about this era. 

There are plenty, well qualified to do the years of the post-war period. I think I played my last season in 

1947 and then hung up my boots forever. 

JOHN CURRALL 

The Founder Members: 

Ainsworth, Bob 

Archibald, Max 

Cooper, Desmond 

Currall, John 

Diggines, Bernard 

Evans, Pat (Secretary) 

Hawley, Vic 

Hill, Jim 

Jarratt, Jack 

Jarratt, Bill 

Kinchin, Les 

Lingard, E. 

McMurdo, Stuart 

Peck, Stan 

Powell, Jim (Match Secretary) 

Priestley, Ray 

Smith, Geoff (G.C.A.) 

Spicer, Jim 

Stallard, Ray 

Taylor, Ron (Captain) 

Thorpe, John ("Twink") 

Timings, John (Treasurer) 

Twyman, E.S. 

Wheatley, Harold 

0.S.R.U.F.C. 1st XV 1951-2 

B. Lewis T. Cooper P. Suckling A. Boardman P. J. V. Thompson 

R. 0. Garwood A. D. Tague R. G. Davies G. Nicholls 

D. R. King W. Rees A. Smith S. N. Sanders C. T. Coton F. A. R. Moon D. Lowe 

(Capt.) 

56 

Lad. lialili 

A GROWTH INDUSTRY 

In these days it is fairly unusual to report on 'a growth industry', particularly one involving weekend 

working on an unpaid basis following a strenuous five day working week; but this is the case at Barston 

Lane where the Old Sils Mini and Junior Rugby Section of the Rugby Club is steadily expanding its 

operations. 

The section began in 1974 under the guidance and enthusiasm of Old Silhillian Peter Callaghan, 

who at that time was teaching at a local school, not Solihull School, but nevertheless had the foresight to 

join the advance guard of the mini rugby industry and establish a branch factory at the Old Sils ground. 

Peter appreciated that there was some demand for Sunday morning rugby activities which would 

provide young lads with an opportunity to try or expand their knowledge, skills, ability and enjoyment of 

rugby football in a situation which, whilst being organised and purposeful, did not have quite the 

controlled discipline which typified their Monday to Friday activities. 

An initial 9 man team product plan was available from the English Rugby Football Union, drawing 

heavily from recent experience gained in the new Welsh mini rugby project. Peter built on this and I 

suspect that little realising what he was setting in motion he started a mini factory at the Old Sils 

clubhouse. 

The initial months were encouraging but there were difficulties. The facilities in terms of ground arld 

changing rooms were readily made available; the raw materials were some 25-80 boys of varying ages 

who were raring to try out their skills at mini rugby; but the main problem was the lack of a few people 

who were prepared to invest some of their time and skills in organising the raw material into an 

acceptable product. 

Peter nevertheless persisted and attracted some well intentioned helpers and their project gradually 

established itself. Despite Peter leaving the area the next year, as each season passed by the demand 

increased, the numbers of boys attending grew to well over 100, more helpers emerged, many from 

parents and some from the Old Sils Rugby Club, and the product range gradually extended to cover the 

under-8s up to the under-14s. Today the project is well established and appears to have an attractive 

future. 

How should the success of this operation be measured? There is no money profit with the £2 

subscription per young player just covering the costs. However, each Sunday morning some 150 boys 

enjoy the use of the Old Sils facilities; they expend their vast energy and enthusiasm in a reasonably 

organised fashion; they seem to enjoy their work and by their good results they somehow seem to absorb 

the lessons provided and at least hold their own with the local competition. 

James Hare getting it away 

57

The parents obviously think the effort is worthwhile as they even come along in numbers to watch 

the process in action on a Sunday morning. The organisers however have the best return as they see the 

boys developing their rugby skills, their sportsmanship and their enjoyment. In due course the rugby 

playing clubs and the senior clubs should see some benefit from the efforts of all those concerned - the 

boys, the parents, the coaches and the Old SiIs Rugby Football Club. 

If you would like to know more about this project or invest your son or your help in this venture 

please contact the Editor, or failing him, phone Roy Tapper (705 6998) or Paul Grosvenor (Knowle 3088). 

Under 9's going for goal 

Under 8's 

58 

Anfaailll WILL 

The Swimming Club has been well supported during the year with increasing numbers of families taking 

part. Old hands claim that the water is warmer than ever (though this is disputed by some!). 

Our fixtures have been enthusiastically supported, as the photographs show - if not for success, for 

enjoyment by the participants. The club remains, however, primarily a facility for members and their 

families to take some gentle exercise, and improve their swimming. It is heartening to see how many 

children have learned to swim with us, and even nervous parents have been seen making heroic 

performances in the deep end. 

We are always anxious to welcome new members. For those of you who are not aware of the times 

we can use the School pool, these are as follows: 

Wednesdays 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. 

Sundays 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. 

These times apply to term times only: please feel free to 'turn up' and make a splash! 

Apple bobbing in the School pool 

-- - 

Peter Court and the teams 

59 

, 

PETER COURT 

(President) 

Awe • 

Presentation of the winner's trophy to the 

School swimming captain by Neil Smith

1st XI: P 34; W 4; D 19; L 11. 

The 1981 cricket season was undoubtedly one of disappointment, as the results show. With only 1 league 

victory against 4 defeats, the 1st Xl could only attain a lowly position in the Kendrick League table, 

although this might have been improved had the games against Studley and Highcroft not been washed 

out. In fact, the weather hindered all thoughts of cricket in May for the Sunday team, who did not complete 

a match until 14th June. In 1982, when all league matches are played on Saturdays, at least this problem 

will be the same for everybody. The problems of 1980 were to a large extent the problems of 1981, with 

difficulties at both ends of the season in fielding 22 players per day still all too evident - often the elevens 

were woefully short of either batting or bowling, even both. Only 8 players played in 15 or more matches, 

which, out of 34, is not very good. The best 11 players in the club could, I am sure, win the league - if they 

played to the best of their ability which is, of course, a separate problem. 

The victories against Dorridge, our only league win, and Olton were obviously the highlights of the 

season, together with the draws against Kenilworth Wardens and Solihull Municipal, when the scores 

were level on both occasions. 

The batting of 1981 improved as usual with the weather. There almost appears to be a mental block 

against batting on soft wickets. Phil Arthur showed that he undoubtedly has the ability to score a 

thousand runs in a season - all that is missing is the final application and concentration which, I hope, will 

develop quickly. Nigel Duckitt batted soundly throughout the season, and is to be congratulated on now 

being the father of two sons (opening pair?). We clearly missed Mike Hooper's batting during his marathon 

holiday, and two other important run-scorers, Mike Smith and Peter Ellis, were available all to infrequently. 

Peter Levenger only scored one fifty this season, which was a disappointment, as was the form of 

Andy Ellis, John Vincent and Bob Barnett. Neil Ross was the second highest aggregate scorer and 

although often unconventional, proved a far better batsman when attacking. His two biggest scores - 74* 

v. Prestatyn and 85 v. Warwick - confirmed this. There were also occasional contributions from Phil 

Johnson, Neil Hayward and Ken Maguire. Mention must be made of Jock Dandy, whose average of 2.88 

included five ducks in eight completed innings. 

Despite his many ailments, Tony "Barnsley" Lawrence topped the bowling averages with an 

impressive striking rate of one wicket every 26 deliveries. Dave Ellis amassed over 1,200 runs off his 

bowling, completing 'the double', conceding 100 runs in a weekend several times. Both spinners were 

forced to bowl long spells by the poor form of the seam attack. Jock Dandy did improve considerably and 

shows great promise, but Barry Allen, Peter Levenger and Bob Barnett only threatened spasmodically. 

The fielding was generally disappointing, with at least half a dozen matches either lost or not won 

due to dropped catches - many of which were none too difficult. Chasing the ball appeared difficult to too 

many of the side, although Phil Arthur and Mike Hooper usually showed up the rest. 

The 2nd XI's, under Dave Cartwright and Mike Halliley, both had fine seasons. However, the majority 

of the 2nd Xl failed, in my opinion, to contribute adequately to the running of what is supposed to be one 

club, not two. There often appeared to be a wide gulf between the two elevens in every respect, and 

efforts must be made in order that this does not continue. On person of whom this cannot be said is Ken 

Maguire who, although not an Old Silhillian, worked tirelessly as Fixtures Secretary, although all too often 

his work proved wasted. The 0.S.C.C. 2nd Xl must return to what it used to be - a team for developing the 

talent of young cricketers under greater experience. What this club lacks is sufficient players of thirty-plus 

who can teach the game. Every other club has these people, so why not us? So many players appear to 

disappear around the age of thirty and never return, whereas these are the players we miss most of all. 

In 1981 we said farewell to Gwen and Roger, stewards for the last 10 years, and we thank them for 

their efforts in that time. We extend a warm welcome to Kerry and Frances and hope the pints of bitter will 

be just. as good. We also welcome Martin Brough, master in charge of cricket at School, and hope we can 

continue a policy of 'mutual aid', which has unfortunately been missing for several years. 

Finally, I would like to thank all those people who have worked in any way for the club during my 

three years as Captain, and hope that they will continue to give the same help and support to my 

successor. 

M.A.W. 

1st Xl AVERAGES 1981 

Batting (qualification 10 

completed innings) Bowling (qualification 12 wickets) 

Inns. N.O. Runs H.S. Ave. Overs Mdns. Runs Wkts. Ave. 

Duckitt 14 0 419 72 29.93 Lawrence 149.5 17 580 34 17.06 

Arthur 22 0 508 83 23.09 Levenger 130.2 28 406 18 22.56 

Levenger 12 0 269 70 22.42 Dandy 176 39 471 20 23.55 

Vincent 13 1 246 75 20.50 Ellis D. 329.3 46 1,205 49 24.59 

Ross 27 4 437 85 19.00 Weedon 225.5 41 772 31 24.90 

Hooper 17 0 310 60 18.24 Barnett 141 23 507 19 26.68 

Barnett 12 0 182 35 15.16 Allen 115.3 20 385 14 27.50 

Weedon 29 3 319 43* 12.27 

Ellis A. 26 2 196 24 8.16 

60 

LEI:1w, EilLibit LILL aika 

Over 200 people were welcomed by the President and his wife at the Annual Summer Ball. The marquee 

was again beautifully decorated by the Ladies Society, who also ran a highly, successful raffle. 

Although once again we were not blessed with a warm mid-summer's evening this did not detract 

from the enjoyment of the function and guests danced the night away to the accompaniment of Brass 

Tacks. 

Thanks must go to the Ladies Society and also to the bar staff and waiters from the club who helped 

make the evening so enjoyable. 

John Maggie Roger Mills 

Alan Power, Taff Davies and guests 

61

The Wilde table 

Brian Urry, Bob Young and guests 

62 

4 I 7 4 --r-i - 'AV ' l' P 1 it 

The Old Silhillians Ladies' section continues to flourish, offering its members a variety of entertainment 

during the year, both conventional and original. 

The Committee, under their new Chairman, Jenny Levenger, have contributed their inspiration and 

energies to provide their Society with several informative and amusing functions. 

The first of these was a Sherry Morning at Jenny's home, which was an enjoyable morning for all 

who attended. 

During February, Mr. Peter Janes, a local veterinary surgeon, gave a very interesting and amusing 

talk at the Clubhouse, which was enjoyed by all the mixed audience. 

Mr. Fowler came to the Club in March to present his 'History of Cheese'. After his fascinating 

account of how cheese is prepared at his farm in Earlswood, the audience were invited to sample the 

various types with a glass or two of wine. Later that month, a 'Punch and Pâté Evening' at the home of Phil 

and Chris Johnson proved a great success and was very well supported. 

A raffle was organised for April, the first prize being a portable television. All involved were delighted 

to learn that this had been won by a local housebound gentleman. 

Mrs. Shakespeare visited the Clubhouse in May, to give the assembled company an insight into 

aromatherip oils. 

The latter half of June saw great activity in and around the Club, in readiness for the Annual Ball. 

Although all present at this superb event could have wished for a warmer evening, the night and following 

morning passed pleasantly enough. The marquee was made to look as attractive as ever, thanks to the 

Ladies' Society Committee who presented and arranged the floral decorations with their usual efficiency. 

The ever popular 'Golden Oldies' Disco was organised in July, an opportunity for the 'mature' to 

enjoy the music of their youth. • 

The last function run to date was a candlelight supper, followed by a very professional performance 

by the 'Crescent Theatre', who presented their own original version of "All that Jazz". 

The Ladies' section is primarily in existence for the enjoyment of its members. However, it is also the 

intention to make a profit, wherever possible. These monies are then put to good use, providing better and 

new equipment for the Stewardess and the Clubhouse. The Society has given a piano, waste disposal unit, 

electric can opener and first aid box amongst other things this year, and with the new extensions already 

begun, will have much scope for further donations in the near future. 

Three other events have already been arranged for the last three months of the year, culminating 

with a Carol Service on the 21st December - an enjoyable start, no doubt, to the Christmas festivities. The 

Clubhouse will have the right atmosphere as, before that date, the Ladies will be putting up the seasonal 

decorations. 

The Society welcome all to their functions, but always need new members to enable the section to 

continue - they are a great asset to the Club! 

Di Harris Trish Jones Judy Dandy Chris Johnson 

Angie Green Jenny Levenger Sally Power 

63

CONGRATULATIONS, SIR JOHN! Old Silhillians Association Ltd. 

Membership Report 

Sir William John Hughes Butterfield, 0.B.E., D.M., M.D., F.R.C.P., Regius Professor of Physics, who is 

Master of Downing College, Cambridge is an Old Silhillian who fills us with admiration and pride. His 

extraordinary success has been recognised as reflected by the many honours bestowed upon him. He is an 

academic who always shows a keen interest in the various activities of University life, for example, he is 

currently President of the University Cricket Club. 

He has recently been nominated for the esteemed office of Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University 

in 1983-85. Many congratulations to him and may he have a successful and happy period of office. 

STOP PRESS 

1981 KNOCKERUG DRAW - WINNERS 

£500 John Standley 

£200 Alan Cave 

OLD SILHILLIANS LONDON DINNER 

Congratulations! 

John Orrett has, for a long time, organised this extremely convivial meeting of Old Boys in London at the 

latter end of November each year. The 1980 Dinner saw 37 Old Boys gather at the Oxford and Cambridge 

Club on the 22nd November to eat an excellent meal and enjoy the opportunity of re-uniting for a few 

hours. 

Although this occasion is informal, it is traditional for the President, who this year was Paul Instone, 

to say a few words and for the Headmaster, Giles Slaughter, to respond with details of some highlights of 

the School's past year, both academic, musical and sporting. 

The Silhillians who travel down from the Midlands use the Public Schools Club in St. James's Place 

as their base which is only a stone's throw from the Dinner venue, and, more particularly, 'Eros' in 

Piccadilly; although the traditional late night haunt "Churchills Night Club" has been closed by the dual 

vise-like effect of the economic climate and Gaming Licensing Laws, the lads from the 'Country' are 

reputed to have found its successor. Alternatively, the snooker tables back at the Club provided others 

with an enjoyable end to another successful Dinner. Let us hope more will be tempted to attend next year. 

ANTIENT AND HONOURABLE FRATERNITY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS 

THE SHENSTONIAN LODGE No. 5544 

(consecrated September 1935) 

The Lodge continues to meet regularly at the Old Silhillians Association Memorial Clubhouse, on the 

second Monday in the months of October, November, February and March. 

The Master this year is Howard Westwood (School House 1962-66). Membership of the Lodge is 

open to Old Silhillians, Governors, Parents and members of the School staff. 

The Secretary, Michael Bullett, 169 Station Road, Knowle (Knowle 3371), or the Treasurer, Keith 

Berridge, 7 Rockingham Close, Dorridge (Knowle 2792) would be pleased to hear from those interested in 

joining the Fraternity and also Old Silhillians who are Freemasons but not members of this Lodge. 

H. C. C. Westwood 

MASTER 

17th November 1980 

GOLDWATER, J. E., (Miss) - Junior Member 

64 Woodchester Road, Dorridge, Solihull, 

West Midlands B93 8EJ. 

MARTIN, M. S. - Parent Member 

64 Chantry Heath Crescent, Knowle, Solihull, 

West Midlands B93 9NJ. 

SIMPSON, D. W. J. - Parent Member 

1147, Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 3HQ. 

YOUNG, A. D. - School Life Member 

22 Park Avenue, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 3EJ. 

19th January 1981 

ABBOTT, J. E. - School Life Member 

37 Albert Road, Harborne, Birmingham B17 OAP. 

BAKER, N. G. - Ordinary Member 

19 Broadfern Road, Knowle, West Midlands 

B93 9DE. 

BRADBURY, M. T. - School Life Member 

28 Ashleigh Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

891 1AF. 

GODDARD, J., (Miss) - Junior Member 

1 Temple Road, Dorridge, Solihull, 

West Midlands. 

KEIL, J. F., (Miss) - Junior Member 

536 Streetsbrook Road, Solihull, West Midlands. 

LETTS, J. B. - School Life Member 

27 Blue Cap Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, 

Warwickshire CV37 6T0. 

LETTS, S. D. - School Life Member 


Warwickshire CV37 6TQ. 

LETTS, J. C. - School Life Member 


Warwickshire CV37 610. 

PARRY, J. M. - Junior Member 

74 Rodborough Road, Dorridge, Solihull, 

West Midlands B93 8EF, 

SATCHWELL, R. - Junior Member 

Avoncroft Farm, Snitterfield, 

Nr. Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire 

CV37 OJE. 

HORTON, J. - Parent Member 

212 Starbold Crescent, Knowle, Solihull, 


16th February 1981 

BERRIDGE, G., (Miss) - Junior Member 

7 Rockingham Close, Dorridge, Solihull, 


POWELL, M. H. - Parent Member 

850 Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 3HA. 

ROUSE, J. M. - Ordinary Member 

6 Hareway Lane, Barford, Warwick CV35 8DB. 

NEW MEMBERS APPROVED BY COMMITTEE: 

64 65 

16th March 1981 

CHARLES WHITEHOUSE 

Membership 

JUBY, D. A. - Junior Member 

1 Wash Lane, Yardley, Birmingham 825 8SB. 

27th April 1981 

PENN, D. A. - School Life Member 

24 Brueton Avenue, Solihull, West Midlands 

891 3EN. 

18th May 1981 

CREED, R. N. - Country Member 

26 Castlegate, Prestbury, Cheshire. 

FIGG, J. H. - Parent Member 

15 Rushbrook Close, Olton, Solihull. 

16th June 1981 

GODDARD, C. J. - School Life Member 

9 Albany Gardens, Hampton Lane, Solihull. 

21st September 1981 

School Life Members 

BURTON, R. D. S. 

26 Ravenswood Drive, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 3NL. 

COOPER, A. 

1 Beechwood Park, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, 

Herts. 

FLANNERY, J. S. 

6 Manor Road, Solihull, West Midlands 891 2BH.

HABERLAND-SCHINDLER, S. G. 

4 Hallcroft Way, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands 

B93 9EW. 

JACKSON, G. M. 

1 Ash Road, Carmel, Western Australia. 

JACKSON, M. B. 

1 Ash Road, Carmel, Western Australia. 

JENKINS, P. 

19 Heaton Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 2DY. 

MARSHALL, M. 

19 The Crescent, Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull, 

West Midlands B92 OBN. 

SIMPSON, S. B. 

23 Wentworth Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, 

West Midlands B74 2SD. 

SPURRELL, A. P. 

532 Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 1 AG. 

TULLOCK, D. 

7 Hollywell Road, Knowle, Solihull, 

West Midlands B93 9JY. 

WHITE, A. R. 

54 Broad Oaks Road, Solihull, West Midlands. 

WHITNEY, D. J. 

24 White House Way, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 1SE. 

WILDE, C. D. 

49 Oldway Drive, Solihull, West Midlands. 

Junior Members 

FLETCHER, G. E. 

Hintsbrook, School Lane, Hints, Nr. Tamworth, 

Staffordshire B78 3DP. 

GREENHOUGH, S. E., (Miss) 

170 St. Bernards Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B92 7BL. 

HAMILTON, P. E., (Miss) 

33 Lady Byron Lane, Knowle, Solihull, 

West Midlands 693 9AT. 

HUGHES, M., (Miss) 

Hither Barn, Star Lane, Claverdon, Warwickshire 

CV35 8LW. 

HURLEY, S. L., (Miss) 

19 Brueton Avenue, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 3EN. 

JOHNSON, M. T. L. 

Magpie Farm, Magpie Lane, BalsaII Common, 

Coventry CV7 7AW. 

JONES, H. A., (Miss) 

Woodside Cottage, Rising Lane, Packwood, 

Solihull B94 6HW. 

MACKAY, N. D. 

18 Lovelace Avenue, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 3JR. 

MARKS, S. J. W. 

40 Alderbrook Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 1NW. 

MORTON, M., (Miss) 

1 Mayfield Road, Tyseley, Birmingham B11 3PE. 

PACK, D. J., (Miss) 

249 Ulverley Green Road, Olton, Solihull, 

West Midlands 892 8AD. 

PALMER, A. W. 

Frogmore, Frogmore Lane, Fen End, Kenilworth, 

Warwickshire CV8 1NT. 

PENNY, R. P. 

12 Alderbrook Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 1NN. 

PLANT, A. J. 

512 Streetsbrook Road, Solihull, West Midlands. 

PRESBURG, C. S. 

5 Mapperley Gardens, Goodby Road, Moseley, 

Birmingham B13 8RN. 

PUGSLEY, J., (Miss) 

17 Gladstone Road, Dorridge, Solihull, West 

Midlands 693 8BX. 

SHOWELL, J. K., (Miss) 

323 Blossomfield Road, Solihull, West Midlands. 

SIMPSON, A. W. 

183 Lordswood Road, Harborne, Birmingham 

B17 9BP. 

TAFFT, M. K., 

Fieldgate, Meetinghouse Lane, BalsaII Common, 

West Midlands CV7 7GE. 

TAPPER, A. J. 

91 Alderbrook Road, Solihull, West Midlands. 

Parent Member 

TAYLOR, B. W. 

3 Pettyfields Close, Knowle, Solihull, 

West Midlands 693 9EG. 

19th October 1981 

Junior Members 

BROWN, N. J. G. 

5 Dorset Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4QN. 

HAWKINS, N. J. 

8 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands 

B90 3LT. 

HAZARD, C., (Miss) 

46 Broad Oaks Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 1JB. 

HORABIN, J. 

23 Westholme Croft, Bournville, Birmingham 

630 1TR. 

HUNT, S. R., (Miss) 

21D Hampton Lane, Solihull, West Midlands 

691 2QE. 

PICKERING, T. A., (Miss) 

175 Danford Lane, Solihull, West Midlands 

691 1QR. 

THORPE, M. J. K. 

53 Danford Lane, Solihull, West Midlands 

691 1QD. 

WALTHAM, R. M. 

27 Rollswood Drive, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 1NL. 

School Life Members 

GIDNEY, A. M. 

86 Lady Byron Lane, Knowle, Solihull, 

West Midlands B93 9AY. 

YOUNG, S. C. 

21 Purnells Way, Knowle, Solihull, 

West Midlands B93 9JN. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

We acknowledge with thanks the support and interest of the following firms 

and organisations: 

ALLEN STANLEY ADVERTISING LTD. 

4 Drury Lane, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3BD. 021-704 3535 

Advertising Agency. 

Contact: T. K. Stanley or C. W. Davies 

A-P SPRINGS LTD. 

Reddings Lane, Tyseley, Birmingham B11 3HA. 021-706 2236 

Spring and Spring Clip Manufacturers. 

Contact: P. D. Taylor, N. D. Taylor. 

ARCHERS (SHIRLEY) LTD. 

Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands B90 4BA. 021-744 4405 

Solihull's leading B.L. Cars Distributor. 

Contact: Mr. P. W. Jennings (General Sales Manager) 

AVON VALLEY INVESTMENTS LTD. 

Station Road, Pershore, Worcs., WR10 2DN. 038 65 2181 

Colour Litho Printers and Garage Proprietors. 

Contact: John Hare 

BAIN DAWES LTD./WOOD & STEVEN LTD. 

Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street, Queensway, Birmingham B1 lEJ. 

021-632 4211, Telex 336118 

International Insurance Brokers 

Contact: Gordon Campbell 

BRIGHT WILLIS 

677 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 1AU. 021-705 6491 

1624 High Street, Knowle. Knowle 79111 

Also at Birmingham, Moseley, Sheldon and Warwick 

Chartered Surveyors; Valuers, Auctioneers and Estate Agents. 

Contact: Allan Thompson/Michael Cutler 

BURCHELL EDWARDS & CO. 

137 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull. 021-744 3010 

Estate Agents, Valuers and Surveyors. 

Contact: D. W. Edwards, ARICS., ARVA 

CARTWRIGHT & CO. (SERVICES) LTD. 

365-369 Olton Boulevard East, Acocks Green, Birmingham B27 7DP 

021-706 5541 

Suspended Ceiling Thermal Insulation and Partitioning Contractors. 

CARTWRIGHT NEWMAN & NOCK 

46 Poplar Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3AB 

021-705 6361/2 

Chartered Surveyors, Auctioneers & Estate Agents. 

Contact: M. Wilkin & T. J. B. Croft 

66 67

CHART TUTORS LTD. 

82 New Street, Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4BA 

021-643 2406 

Professional Tutors who prepare students for the examinations of the Institute of 

Chartered Accountants, The Law Society, The Institution of Taxation and for 1st 

degrees in Law and Economics at London University. 

Contact: C. R. Whitehouse, F.C.A., Managing Director. 

COLLIERS OF SOLIHULL LTD. 

Station Garage, Grange Road, Dorridge, Solihull, B93 8QR. 

Knowle 6131 

Austin-Morris-Rover-Triumph Distributors 

Contact: Richard Husler 

COLLINS, SON & HARVEY 

95 High Street, Solihull and 1584/6 High Street, Knowle 

021-705 6348 & Knowle 4251 

Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors. 

Contact: J. S. Shepherd & J. Pearce 

COX WILCOX & CO. LTD. 

Ten Acre Works, Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2YL 

021-472 1250 

Domestic Hardware Manufacturers. 

Contact: Trevor Jones 

DIXON DOBSON & CARVER 

64 Poplar Road, Solihull & 1683A High Street, Knowle 

021-705 7541 Knowle 6888 and 2384 

together with seven other midland offices 

Estate Agents and Surveyors. 

Contact: Vyvyan Dunn, Christopher Propert 

ECONA (BILSTON) LTD. 

Oxford Street, Bilston, West Midlands WV14 7DN 

Bilston 41519 

Brass Pressure Diecasting and Hot Brass Stamping for the Building and Engineering 

Trades 

Contact: R. C. Young 

ELLIS & YOUNG 

25 High Street, Solihull, West Midlands 

021-705 0618 

Also at Shirley, Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield 

Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents. 

Contact: Peter D. R. Ellis 

ELWELL & BROWN LTD. 

New Road, Netherton, Dudley 

Dudley 232631 

Steel Stockholders and Shearers. 

68 

"FLORAL ART" FLORIST OF BIRMINGHAM 

66 Lower Queen Street, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands 

021-354 7107, Telex: 339279 

Florist and Floral Tributes 

Contact: Linda Instance 

GREENHOFFE LTD. 

80 Ullenhall Road, Knowle B93 9JH. 560-2892 

Property Investment and Development. 

Contact: Geoffrey E. M. Herne, A.R.I.C.S. 

MIKE GRIMES OF SOLIHULL 

Four Ashes Road, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands 

Knowle 5118 

Datsun Main Dealer 

Contact: Mike Grimes. 

HARRIS McCLELLAND LIFE AND PENSIONS CONSULTANTS LTD. 

Dorset House 244A Lichfield Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, 

West Midlands B74 2UD 

021-308 6381/2 

Life Assurance and Pension Brokers 

Contact: Tony McClelland, Knowle 4185 

L. S. HARRIS & CO. LTD. 

Edgbaston House, 183 Broad Street, Birmingham B15 lEA 

021-643 7391 

"Public - Loss Assessors, Surveyors and Valuers 

Contact: Steve Allso 

HUDSONS BOOKSHOPS LTD. 

116 New Street, Birmingham B2 4JJ. 021-643 8311 

Branches at: The University, Coventry, Dudley and Wolverhampton 

Booksellers. (A Pentos Company) 

BERNARD INSTONE 

Langstone Works, Boulton Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

021-705 4038 

Manufacturing Jeweller. 

LEESON SON & HACKETT 

43 Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 3QP 

021-236 0501 (5 lines) 

Chartered Surveyors, Estate Agents, Valuers. 

Industrial and Rating Consultants, Property Management. 

Contact: Derek H. Hackett, Esq., B.Sc (Est.Man.) FRICS FRVA 

LESTER BROTHERS (A Division of Amoco U.K. Ltd.) 

Lincoln Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham B27 6NY 

021-706 0658 

Fuel Oils Industrial and Domestic. 

Contact: V. G. Allaway 

69

LONDON & MIDLAND OFFICE CLEANERS LTD. 

7 Summer Hill Terrace, Birmingham B1 3RA 

021-236 4050 

Commercial Cleaning Contractors 

Contact: John Levenger 

CHARLES LUCAS & SONS 

84 Vyse Street, Birmingham B18 6HA. 021-554 5445 

Manufacturers—Gold Dress Rings 

Contact: Stephen Lucas 

MANSTYLE OF DORRIDGE 

Dorridge Shopping Precinct, Dorridge, Solihull, B93 8HU 

021-560 5464 

Clothes for Men with Style 

Contact: Clifford Amiss 

MARSTON ROOFING CO. LTD. 

Prospect House, 635 Warwick Road, Tyseley, Birmingham B11 2EZ 

021-707 8211 

Roofing and Construction Service to Industry. 

Contact: Stephen Bridgens 

McKECHNIE METALS LTD. 

Middlemore Lane, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8DN 

0922-53321 

Makers of Brass and other Copper Alloys in Rod and Section. 

Contact: R. Marchington—Home Sales Manager 

G. W. PEARCE & SONS LTD. 

158 Chester Street, Aston, Birmingham B6 4AT 

021-359 3147 

Holloware Manufacturers. 

Contact: Roger Brown or Peter Brown 

PEERLESS STAMPINGS LTD. 

Priory Road, Aston, Birmingham B6 7LF 

• 021-327 1621 

Manufacturers of Hot Brass & Aluminium Pressings. 

Contact: Clive Jordan 

HERBERT W. PERIAM LTD. 

2-10 Gopsal Street, Birmingham B4 7DB. 021-359 1762 

Fastener Distributors. 

Contact: R. C. Periam 

PHILLIPS PETROLEUM PRODUCTS LTD. 

Divisional Office, 4th Floor, Post and Mail Building, 

Colmore Circus, Birmingham 4H6 BQ 

021-236 4083 

Industrial and Automotive Petroleum Fuels. 

Contact: D. H. C. Foss, Division Manager. 

70 

POWELL GEE & CO. LTD. 

P.O. Box 15, Rigby Street, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 OUF. 

021-556 1495, Telex CHACOM.G. 338212 

Manufacturers and Distributors of a complete range of roofing fittings and tools for 

fixing for the roofing and cladding industry. 

Contact: Steve Powell (Sales Director) 

POWELL PIGGOTT LTD. 

Herbert Road, Birmingham B10 OQG 

021-772 5754 Telex: 337315 

Non-Ferrous Tube Manufacturers and Non-Ferrous Machinists. 

Contact: J. B. M. Urry 

RAYNERS (Ironmongers) LTD. 

55/57, Warwick Road, Olton, Solihull. 021-706 2278 

Contact: Richard Rayner 

Ironmongery, Hardware and Garden Sundries. 

and at 33/35, Drury Lane, Solihull. 021-705 8318 

Pine and Cane Furniture, Cookware. 

Contact: John Rayner 

F. H. SIMS & SONS LTD. 

Birmingham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. 0789-5671 

Suppliers of Farm and Garden Machinery. 

Contact: Barry Sims 

SOLIHULL MOTOR COMPANY LTD. 

707 Warwick Road, Solihull. 021-705 3028 

Austin-Morris-MG-Rover-Triumph Cars Distributor. 

Contact: J. M. Kinchin 

SOLIHULL SPORTS SERVICE 

74 Drury Lane, Solihull 

14 Station Road, Solihull. 021-705 4980/1203 

Sports Outfitters 

Contact: Ray Hitchcock 

STERLING MOTOR BODIES (BIRMINGHAM) LTD. 

Lode Lane Industrial Estate, Solihull 

705-0677 & 705-4874 

Motor Vehicle Accident Repairs 

Contact: Mr. L. A. Morgan 

GEO. STUBBINGS LTD. 

Streetly Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 7AJ. 021-373 1681 

General Building Contractors. Private and Industrial Developers. 

Contact: Geoffrey/John Stubbings 

THORNPROOF (MANUFACTURING) CO. LTD. 

Unit 32, Power Station Road, Rugeley, Staffs. WS15 2QT 

Manufacturers of Original British Thornproof Clothing. 

Contact: S. G. Wilcox

F. W. THORPE LTD. 

Facet Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 9PU 

021-458 5321 

Industrial, Commercial and Floodlighting Equipment 

Contact: Mr. M. D. Lippold 

TRIDENT COMPUTER SERVICES LTD. 

2113 Coventry Road, Birmingham B26. 021-742 4431 

Computer Hardware and Software 

Contact: Mike Bull 

W. J. VINCENT & CO. LTD. 

Bournbrook Sawmill, 473 Bristol Road, SeIly Oak, Birmingham B29 6BB 

021-472 1142 

Timber and Plywood Importers and Merchants, Packing Case Makers and Fabricators 

Contact: John Vincent and David Vincent 

WHITBREAD FLOWERS LTD. 

Southern Way, Off Holyhead Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands 

021-502 1672 

Beers, Wines, Spirits and Minerals. 

Contact: Brian Dennison, Area Sales Manager 

WHITEHOUSE MOORMAN & PARTNERS LIMITED 

International Insurance Brokers, Malvern House, New Road, Solihull, West Midlands 

B91 3EE. 

021-704 2531 Telex: 337210 

Insurance Brokers - General, Marine and Life. 

Contact: Bryan J. Lancaster Esq. 

JOHN WILDE & CO. (PLASTICS) LTD. 

66-69 Devon Street, Birmingham B7 4TU. 021-359 6868 

Injection Moulders 

Contact: Brian Wilde 

WOOD & STEVEN LIMITED 

24 Bennett's Hill, Birmingham B2 5RD. 

021-643 9531 

Incorporated Insurance Brokers 

Contact: Gordon Campbell 

H. WOOLMAN (DORRIDGE) LTD. 

Grange Road, Dorridge, Solihull B93 8QB. 021-560 6283 

Suppliers of Plants for Garden and Greenhouse. Send for catalogue. 

Contact: John Woolman 

J. S. WRIGHT & CO. LTD. 

4 Bartholomew Row, Birmingham B5 5JX 

021-236 0425 

Plumbing, Heating and Electrical Engineers. 

Contact: R. L. Boland 

72

Silhillian_1981_November_Issue Number 32 - Old Silhillians ...

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