Issue 5 - April 2011 - Ampleforth College

News from the Monastic Community, Old Amplefordians, the College and St Martin’s Ampleforth 

Diary 

Issue 5 - April 2011

02 

INTRODUCTION 

Contents 

Introduction to Monastic 

Community News 02 

Full Abbey Church witnesses 

Solemn Profession 03 

Second Zimbabwean monk 

takes vows 06 

School retreatants head for the 

coastline 07 

Manquehue helpers during Lent Term 08 

St Martin’s Schola members ‘travel’ 

to Oswaldkirk 08 

Fr Henry joins ARCIC III 09 

Wisdom of St Aelred nourishes 

married and single life 09 

Abbey on the rails 10 

Leyland - latest venue for parish 

monastic gathering 11 

Bamber Bridge celebration 12 

St Joseph’s Day at Oswaldkirk 13 

East and West join in prayer for 

final unity 14 

New Development Staff 15 

Old Amplefordian Events 2011 16 

Ampleforth Lourdes Pilgrimage 2011 17 

Sophie Ryan (A09) 18 

Tom Moon (C07) 19 

The Cardinal Hume Centre 20 

Ampleforth College Golf Club 21 

Henry Byrne (O04) 22 

Nicholas Coghlan (A72) 23 

Lily Doyle (M08) 24 

Peter Seilern (O70) 24 

Expedition Everest - Alice Reid (A08) 

and Lallie Fraser (A08) 25 

Building Panoramics for Ampleforth 26 

Old Amplefordian Rifle Club 27 

Bamboo Travel Top Tour Operator 

Ewen Moore (T02) 28 

Old Amplefordian Updates 29 

Births, Marriages and Deaths 30 

Introduction to College News 32 

Ampleforth Scholars 33 

Extended Project Qualifications 37 

Junior Drama Activity 39 

St Bede’s House 40 

Lent Term Sporting Highlights 42 

MANIS Cross Country Championship 

Success 43 

Rowathon 2011 44 

St Martin’s Ampleforth News 46 

Castle Factor 46 

Lyceum 47 

Scholarship Results 48 

Cross Country Success 49 

Hockey 50 

Year 7 Concert 51 

World Book Day 52 

Chinese New Year 53 

Pre-Prep Dinosaur Workshop 53 

Boarders’ visit to Rievaulx Abbey 54 

Year 1 Time Capsule 55 

Ampleforth Retreats 56 

Introduction 

As the team prepares to go to press with 

this edition of the Ampleforth Diary we are 

still preparing for the feast of Easter which 

falls late this year. In this issue, I welcome 

the opportunity to recall Br Cedd’s Solemn 

Profession at the start of 2011, and the 

Simple Profession of Br Placid Mavura in 

Zimbabwe a month later. The celebration 

of the Profession of Monastic Vows offers 

every monk in the community the 

opportunity to ponder anew his own 

response to God’s call; hearing once again 

the same vows he has made, and reflecting 

on his quest to live them ever more fully. 

It was a particular joy this year to welcome 

family, friends, and students and staff from 

the schools adjoining the monasteries to 

pray alongside the monastic community. 

In our Chapters over the last five years we 

have tried to discern God’s will for this 

community for we are very conscious of 

the warning of Scripture, “Where there is 

no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 

29.18). The resulting vision has been 

presented in Ampleforth | Our Journey. 

We are very grateful for the many 

comments and suggestions received. These 

have been a very encouraging stimulus to 

clarity of thought as we reflect on the next 

steps to be taken. If you by chance have 

not received your copy of Ampleforth | 

Our Journey, or would like additional 

copies, please do not hesitate to contact the 

Development Office on 01439 766777.

Full Abbey Church witnesses 

Solemn Profession 

Br Cedd Mannion took his final vows to the 

Monastery of St Laurence during Sunday 

Mass on 9th January 2011. The ceremony, 

at which Fr Abbot presided, was witnessed 

by Br Cedd’s family, friends, and students 

from the College and St Martin’s 

Ampleforth. His was the first term-time 

Solemn Profession for many years, and was 

thus a rare opportunity for our students to 

witness this climactic moment of 

commitment to the monastic way of life. 

The Mass coincided with the Feast of the 

Baptism of the Lord, with its focus on the 

start of Christ’s public ministry and his 

commitment to a life of service. 

03 

FULL ABBEY CHURCH WITNESSES SOLEMN PROFESSION

04 

FULL ABBEY CHURCH WITNESSES SOLEMN PROFESSION 

After Br Cedd had taken his vows, and 

signed the Profession Document, the 

congregation sang the Litany of Saints as he 

lay on the pall. This black cloth covers the 

coffin at monastic funerals. Its use at 

Solemn Profession symbolises one’s death 

to the world and entry into a new way of 

life. After the Litany, Fr Abbot said the 

prayer of blessing over the solemnlyprofessed 

monk, and Br Cedd received the 

sign of peace from all the solemnlyprofessed 

monks present. 

A distinctive part of the rite is the three-fold 

singing of the Suscipe by the newlyprofessed 

monk, and its repetition by the 

other monks. These words from Psalm 

118: Suscipe me Domine, secundum 

eloquium tuum et vivam. Et non confundas 

me ab expectatione mea (Receive me Lord, 

according to your word, and I shall live. Let 

my hopes not be in vain) are also sung by 

his brethren at a monk’s funeral as his coffin 

is lowered into the grave.

At the end of Mass, Fr Abbot pinned up Br 

Cedd’s hood, to mark the start of his 

three-day silent retreat. This ended with its 

unpinning at Conventual Mass on 12th 

January. During these days of retreat, the 

newly-professed monk attends the Divine 

Office, Mass and meals, but does not 

communicate with others. Normally, 

therefore, he arranges to see family and 

friends before the ceremony, as he does 

not attend the post-Profession lunch held 

in the Main Hall. 

05 

FULL ABBEY CHURCH WITNESSES SOLEMN PROFESSION

06 

SECOND ZIMBABWEAN MONK TAKES VOWS 

Second Zimbabwean 

monk takes vows 

On 4th February 2011, Br Placid Mavura 

of our Monastery of Christ the Word in 

Zimbabwe made his Simple Profession 

during Fr Abbot’s annual visitation to the 

community. Br Placid has already spent four 

years at Christ the Word, including the 

two-year novitiate approved by the Holy 

See for Christ the Word. He joins Br 

Joseph Dinala who was Simply Professed 

last year, as the second Zimbabwe-born 

monk of our foundation. Br Placid is seen 

here with the Prior and Subprior of Christ 

the Word: Fr Robert Igo (right) and Fr 

Richard ffield (left). Fr Barnabas Pham is 

Novice Master.

School retreatants head 

for the coastline 

Fr Chad Boulton, Fr James Callaghan, Fr 

Philip Rozario, Br Cedd Mannion, Br 

Anselm Sayer with seven members of the 

Manquehue Movement and lay staff from 

Ampleforth College accompanied final year 

students of Ampleforth College on a highlyappreciated 

one-day retreat on 10th 

February. All gathered at Sneaton Castle, 

home to the Order of the Holy Paraclete, 

an Anglican order of nuns. They reflected 

on themes drawn from Pope Benedict’s 

‘Big Assembly’ address last September to 

students of Catholic schools. The students 

discussed how the Pope’s challenge to seek 

holiness in daily life might be realised in 

their fast-approaching next stage of life 

beyond school. Group discussions were 

followed by conversations in pairs while 

walking along the seashore. The day ended 

with Mass in honour of St Scholastica - St 

Benedict’s sister - in the Chapel of Sneaton 

Castle. 

After half-term, on 24th February, it was 

the turn of Remove Year students. Being 

precisely halfway through their school 

career, they were asked to write a letter to 

their ‘older self’ to be opened in five years 

time (assuming it has not been mislaid in 

the meantime!) 

07 

SCHOOL RETREATANTS HEAD FOR THE COASTLINE

08 

MANQUEHUE HELPERS DURING LENT TERM & ST MARTIN’S SCHOL MEMBERS ‘TRAVEK’ TO OSWALDKIRK 

Manquehue helpers during 

Lent Term 

Pictured at Br Cedd’s Profession Lunch 

with Bishop Alan Hopes, Auxiliary Bishop 

in the Archdiocese of Westminster are 

members of the Manquehue Movement 

based at Ampleforth for the Lent term 

2011. They are left to right: Pilar Canales, 

Nicolas Gysling, Maria Trinidad Tupper, 

Roberto Quiroga, and Camila Rio. 

On 20th January, Fr Edgar Miller welcomed 

the girls of the Schola Sancti Martini to St 

Aidan’s Church, Oswaldkirk. Usually, the 

choir’s Evening Service of Prayer at 7pm 

on Thursday is held in the Abbey Church. 

This change in venue permitted a rehearsal 

in the Abbey Church for the Orthodox 

Solemn Liturgy scheduled for the next day, 

Consuelo Braun (not in picture) was also 

present throughout the term. During halfterm, 

other Manquehue members working 

at Worth and Downside travelled to 

Ampleforth and renewed contact with 

friends in the Monastery and the wider 

campus. 

St Martin’s Schola members ‘travel’ 

to Oswaldkirk 

as part of the Octave of Prayer for Christian 

Unity. The Schola, conducted by Mr 

Vincent Conyngham, Head of Music at St 

Martin’s Ampleforth, managed the slightly 

different acoustic without difficulty, before 

an appreciative group of parishioners and 

parents.

Fr Henry joins 

ARCIC III 

The Community of St Aelred, a group of 

married and single lay people based in 

various parts of England and affiliated to the 

Manquehue Apostolic Movement, held its 

annual weekend retreat at Ampleforth in 

February. St Aelred, the third Abbot of 

Rievaulx Abbey (d. 1167) is revered as a 

local saint and an internationally renowned 

guide to the Christian and monastic life. His 

Fr Henry Wansbrough has been appointed 

by the Vatican to take part in the new phase 

of Anglican-Catholic theological dialogue 

undertaken by the Anglican-Roman 

Catholic International Commission 

(ARCIC). The first meeting of the new 

Commission, ARCIC III, will take place at 

the Italian monastery of Bose from 17th to 

27th May 2011. The Co-Chairmen of 

ARCIC III are the Most Reverend Bernard 

Longley, Catholic Archbishop of 

Birmingham, and the Most Reverend 

David Moxon, Archbishop of the Anglican 

diocese of New Zealand. As well as Fr 

Henry, Catholic members of the 

Commission include Professor Paul Murray, 

a professor in the Department of Theology 

and Religion at Durham University. 

ARCIC III will consider fundamental 

questions regarding the ‘Church as 

Communion - Local and Universal’ and 

‘How in communion the Local and 

Universal Church comes to discern right 

ethical teaching.’ 

Wisdom of St Aelred nourishes 

married and single life 

Spiritual Friendship and Mirror of Charity 

have long been recognised as spiritual 

classics within the western monastic 

tradition. Fr Cyprian Smith (pictured) 

offered reflections on possible links 

between the underlying purpose and spirit 

of the Benedictine vows of obedience, 

stability and conversion of life and married 

or single life. 

09 

FR HENRY JOINS ARCIC III & WISDOM OF ST AELRED NOURISHES MARRIED AND SINGLE LIFE

10 

ABBEY ON THE RAILS 

Abbey on 

the rails 

Continuing in the rail enthusiast tradition of 

the late Fr Leonard Jackson (d. 1999), and 

building on his collection, the Monastery 

West Wing has seen the creation of the St 

Laurence Railway Company – a large 

“OO” scale model railway devised by 

Monastic Controller, Fr Kentigern Hagan. 

Its centrepiece is the city of Ampreford, 

with its Cathedral, shopping centre and 

school. A freight yard also provides special 

siding and warehouses for Ampleforth 

Abbey products The Great Western style 

branch terminus serves the village of 

Western Magna and its castle. Finally, a 

second branch terminus is based at Jackson 

St Leonard. 

Many businesses in the three population 

centres are named after members of the 

Community e.g. The Lewis-Vivas Interior 

Design Studio, Dobson’s Newsagents, The 

Haigh Gallery and The Cramer Library. 

Saturday afternoons and holiday times see 

regular rail running sessions as an 

opportunity for Community recreation. 

Further ideas and additions are always 

welcome.

Leyland - latest venue for 

parish monastic gathering 

Ampleforth monks serving on our various 

parishes meet regularly (normally thriceyearly.) 

Such meetings, chaired by Fr 

Abbot, offer an opportunity to pool 

experience and enjoy each other’s 

company. This February’s gathering in 

Leyland included a report on Fr Abbot’s 

recent visit to Zimbabwe and on the 

Monastery of Christ the Word. Discussion 

then turned to specifically parish-related 

items. The latter included a report on 

parish property issues from David Read, 

Estate Manager at Ampleforth. Monks and 

others present included Fr Bonaventure 

Knollys (Ampleforth Village), Julia Brooke 

(PA to Fr Abbot), Fr Damian Humphries 

(Osmotherley), Fr Gordon Beattie 

(Parbold), Fr Leo Chamberlain 

(Easingwold) and David Read (Estate 

Manager). 

11 

LEYLAND- LATEST VENUE FOR PARISH MONASTIC GATHERING

12 

BAMBER BRIDGE CELEBRATION 

Bamber Bridge 

celebration 

St Mary’s Parish, Bamber Bridge, served by 

monks of the Community of St Laurence 

since 1780, held its annual dinner on 4th 

March. Fr Terence Richardson, the current 

Parish Priest, accompanied Frs David 

O’Brien, Bernard McInulty and Philip 

Rozario to the event at the nearby 

Penwortham Golf Club. Over 40 

parishioners attended. Such long ties 

between the Abbey and parish mean, 

naturally, that many other monks of 

Ampleforth also have close ties with 

Bamber Bridge. They include the Prior - Fr 

Colin Battell - Fr Alban Crossley, Fr Francis 

Davidson and Fr Bede Leach.

St Joseph’s Day 

at Oswaldkirk 

Fr Edgar Miller, priest-in-charge at St 

Aidan’s, Oswaldkirk, periodically holds 

lunches for parishioners and others. St 

Joseph’s Day was chosen for the latest 

event. St Joseph is patron of the carpentry 

workshop at the Abbey which Fr Edgar 

established ten years ago. This has become 

a favourite of many pupils of St Martin’s 

Ampleforth who take woodwork as one of 

their regular activities under Fr Edgar’s 

tuition. The celebration began with 

Solemn Mass at St Aidan’s where Fr Edgar 

was assisted by Fr Peter James and Fr 

Marek Zukowski (pictured above right). Fr 

Marek, a diocesan priest from the Czech 

Republic, has been a regular visitor to 

Ampleforth in recent years. Guests then 

moved across the road to Oswaldkirk 

Village Hall where, after grace in Czech, 

lunch was served. This had been cooked 

by Neil Swailes, a chef at the Monastery. 

13 

ST JOSEPH’S DAY AT OSWALDKIRK

14 

EAST AND WEST JOIN IN PRAYER FOR FINAL UNITY 

East and West join in 

prayer for final unity 

In a now established tradition, the choir of 

the Abbey Church hosted a Solemn 

Orthodox Liturgy on 22nd January to mark 

the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. 

The celebrant, Fr David Carnelly, is a 

curate in Leeds and pastor to Orthodox 

students at Leeds University. He also leads 

the community of St Constantine and St 

Helen in central York, whose services are 

mainly in English, with some use of Greek 

and Slavonic. 

Fr Simeon Piers, a priest of the Greek 

Orthodox province of Thyateira and Great 

Britain, and previously warden of St 

Simeon’s House, a former hostel in 

Oswaldkirk for Orthodox students of the 

College, in the 1970s, also participated. 

Several large icons represented the 

Iconastasis, a screen shutting off the 

sanctuary, found in Orthodox churches. Fr 

Alexander McCabe conducted the 

ecumenical choir with members drawn 

from the Catholic parish of Our Lady and 

St Chad, Kirkbymoorside, and the Anglican 

parishes of All Saints, Kirkbymoorside, and 

St Mary, Lastingham, in its singing of music 

of the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom from 

the Russian Orthodox tradition.

New Development Staff 

Louise Riley 

Being a Hampshire girl, whose last position 

was in the City of London, the move to 

Ampleforth was life changing! Having worked 

in the Development Team for over a year 

now and never looking back to the bustling 

city, I was delighted to be asked to take on the 

role of the Ampleforth Society and Old 

Amplefordian Assistant. It is no exaggeration 

to say that the Old Amplefordians compose 

not only a network but a family, joined by the 

compass for life which the valley provides 

them with as they leave the College. 

I am honoured to work with many of you on 

planning reunions, club events and through 

good old fashioned correspondence! The 

Development Office are planning to increase 

the number of annual reunions, events and 

gatherings of OAs, so please do get involved 

and let me know your thoughts and ideas. 

I look forward to meeting many of you in the 

future. 

Tel: 01439 766884 

Email: lr@ampleforth.org.uk 

Tom Miller 

Having been a York lad all my life it is 

wonderful to have found a calling here at 

Ampleforth, it is such a calm and inspiring 

place to come to each day, and I have felt 

nothing but warmth and welcoming from 

everyone I have met here so far. 

I keep our database in order here in the 

Development Office to make sure the 

information held is all present and accurate, as 

well as maintaining and evolving the web 

presence for our Old Amplefordian 

community. Having specialised in online 

marketing communication at university, I am 

thrilled to be working with the Old 

Amplefordians website and new OAs Online 

network. These projects have great scope to 

add a real richness to the community for 

future years to come and I feel privileged to 

be part of it. 

If you have a news item or any suggestions at 

all regarding the Ampleforth OAs website or 

the new OAs Online service then please do 

not hesitate to contact me, I look forward to 

hearing from you! 

Tel: 01439 766757 

Email: tdm@ampleforth.org.uk 

15 

NEW DEVELOPMENT STAFF

16 

OLD AMPLEFORDIAN EVENTS 2011 

Old Amplefordian 

Events 2011 

Friday 13th May 2011, London 

City of London Luncheon 

Saturday 14th May 2011, Rome 

58th Rome Pasta Pot 

Friday 20th May 2011, Malta 

OAs in Malta Dinner 

Saturday 25th June 2011, Ampleforth 

St Aidan’s House Girls Reunion 

Sunday 3rd July 2011, London 

10 Years of Girls at Ampleforth College Reunion 

Saturday 6th August 2011, London 

St Thomas’ House 65 Year Reunion 

Saturday 24th September 2011, London 

St Oswald’s House 85 Year Reunion 

Saturday 8th October 2011, Ampleforth 

Ampleforth Society AGM 

Saturday 15th October 2011, London 

1991 Leavers 20 Year Reunion 

Saturday 15th October 2011, Ampleforth 

Old Amplefordian Parents Day 

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October 2011, Brazil 

Old Benedictine School Gathering, Brazil 

Thursday 24th November 2011, Newcastle 

Northern Counties Dinner 

Thursday 8th December, London 

Friends of Ampleforth Lourdes Sick Carol Concert 

If you would like further details of the any of the events above, or would 

like to attend please contact Louise Riley, Ampleforth Society and Old 

Amplefordian Assistant, on lr@ampleforth.org.uk or 01439 766884.

Photograph courtesy of Matthew Plummer 

Ampleforth Lourdes 

Pilgrimage 2011 

The next Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take 

place from Friday 15th to Friday 22nd July 

2011. This annual event, conducted under 

the patronage of the Abbot of Ampleforth, 

takes a large number of sick and 

handicapped people of all ages for a week’s 

pilgrimage to Lourdes in the French 

Pyrenees. 

The Pilgrimage is always keen to hear of 

people (disabled, frail or elderly) who 

would welcome an opportunity to come 

as a Hospital Pilgrim to Lourdes. 

Ampleforth is one of the few remaining 

working Pilgrimages in the UK with a 

complement of doctors and nurses which 

enable it to take sick people to Lourdes. Is 

there anyone in your parish, village or 

neighbourhood who would like to come? 

Do you know anyone who is housebound 

or who cares for someone at home 24 

hours a day, seven days a week? The 

Pilgrimage offers such people respite from 

these daily tasks without separation from 

each other - a holiday for both parties. 

The Pilgrimage takes part in all the major 

ceremonies at Lourdes and our day is 

centred on the celebration of Holy Mass. 

Combined with the spiritual and liturgical 

messages of the week, healing in the true 

sense of the word can take place. 

Please look around and see if there is 

someone in your area who would benefit. 

We are happy to talk to anyone who is 

interested and will try to meet their needs. 

Similarly the Pilgrimage cannot function 

without the help and dedication of its 

nurses. As the result of successful 

fundraising this year the Pilgrimage is in the 

fortunate position to be able to offer nurses 

full funding, as for them it is truly a busman's 

holiday. You may know of nurses (or 

healthcare assistants) who would welcome 

an opportunity to come to Lourdes and 

share in what is a very enriching and 

fulfilling week. If you know of anyone who 

expresses an interest please encourage 

them to contact Janet or Annie on the 

details below. 

Thank you. 

For further information please contact: 

Mrs Anna Mayer (Pilgrimage Director) 

Tel: 02920 890556 

Email: anna@mayer.co.uk 

Dr Janet Squire (Chief Doctor) 

Tel: 01536 711451 

Email: rushtonmanor@aol.com 

Mrs Annie Bowen-Wright (Chief Nurse) 

Tel: 020 7274 0232 

Email: bowenwright@talktalk.net 

17 

AMPLEFORTH LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2011

18 

SOPHIE RYAN (A09) 

Sophie Ryan (A09) took part in a charity 

event through Newcastle University RAG 

week called 'Jailbreak' in order to raise 

money for KidsCan, a charity supporting 

research into child cancer. The aim of the 

event was to travel as far away from 

Newcastle as physically possible in 36 

hours... for free! 

Sophie writes: 

Sophie Ryan (A09) 

“A friend and I managed to get flights from 

Newcastle to Heathrow and then on to 

Montreal without having to spend a penny 

ourselves. Unfortunately we could only 

stay there for 24 hours as we both had 

lectures on Monday but we managed to 

cram plenty into our short stay and take 

hundreds of photos as well as befriending 

air cabin staff and managing to have a 

picture taken in the cockpit with the Pilots’ 

hats on!”

Tom Moon (C07) 

Tom Moon (C07) started playing in bands 

when he was at Ampleforth College. He 

played with various individuals of different 

age groups but enjoyed playing in a band 

at the time called ‘Behind The Light,’ which 

consisted of himself, Gabriel Cookson 

(T07), Archie Cookson (T09) and Edward 

Fallon (C07). When he went to University 

he knew that he wanted to start a band 

with original music and people who 

enjoyed different approaches to making this 

music. 

‘First Assault’ is a collaboration of Tom 

Moon and Tom Moore, who both met 

during fresher’s week at Newcastle 

University in 2008. Through the use of a 

clever computer (band member #3) and 

enthusiastic guitar riffs, they have adapted 

their own sound. Through a couple of 

band member changes they have found 

their preferred arrangement and over the 

three years they have been recording and 

gigging together. They now provide a 

diverse gig set aimed at all. Their music can 

be found in the following places: 

www.myspace.com/thefirstassault 

www.facebook.com/pages/The-First-Assault 

19 

TOM MOON (C07)

20 

THE CARDINAL HUME CENTRE 

The Cardinal Hume Centre, established 

by Basil Hume, an Abbot of Ampleforth, to 

help homeless young people who were 

sleeping rough on the streets of London, 

this year celebrates its 25th Anniversary. 

Philip Marsden (J74) reflects on the work 

of the Centre and how Cardinal Hume 

might view it today. 

“When Basil Hume was Abbot of 

Ampleforth he had a big impact on the 

school. Although absent for long periods 

on monastic business he always had time 

for the boys, and a particular interest in 

sport where I was fortunate to have most 

contact. 

“I became interested in his centre after his 

death and, together with my family, 

became involved in its work about 10 years 

ago. It is a remarkable place which has 

over the years built upon the Benedictine 

ethos of welcome and hospitality upon 

which it was founded. Today it provides a 

home to 40 homeless young people at any 

one time as well as working with hundreds 

of local people who are living on the 

margins of society. What makes it special is 

that it gives people the support they need 

as individuals - never taking a one size fits all 

approach – an ethos familiar to anyone 

associated with Ampleforth. Everyone is 

offered a range of support from help with 

finding a job, getting into education and 

training, learning English, freeing 

themselves from debt, advice on housing 

and immigration status, even lessons on 

how to become better parents. 

“I think Basil Hume would be delighted to 

see the way the Centre has developed and 

that his legacy lives on in such a tangible 

way. I think he would be even more 

pleased if he felt that Ampleforth and 

particularly its friends and alumni might play 

a bigger part in the development of its next 

25 years.” 

The Cardinal 

Hume Centre 

Young people from the Cardinal Hume 

Centre tell their stories on an exciting new 

video about the Centre and its work. You 

can view it on YouTube or by visiting 

www.cardinalhumecentre.org.uk.

Ampleforth College 

Golf Club 

The Ampleforth College Golf Club is a 

public golf club with 190 members from all 

walks of life including six members of the 

Community and 25 members of staff. 

Father Edward Corbould is President of the 

Club but the Club is managed by members 

from outside the College. 

The Club leases the course from the 

Abbey Trustees and contributes over 

£30,000 per year towards the 

maintenance of the course. The machinery 

and greenkeeper are provided by the 

College. 

All students at St Martin’s Ampleforth and 

the College have free use of the course 

and priority use between 2-4pm on 

weekdays during term-time. 

Set in the wooded, hilly parkland to the 

south and west of Gilling Castle, with 

stunning views of the North York Moors, 

the 9-hole course extends to 18 holes by 

the use of alternative tees. The 18 holes 

total 5,567 yards with a par of 69. The 

non-professional course record of 68 was 

set by Paul Butcher in June 2010. 

The Club has an extensive fixtures calendar 

throughout the year including matches 

against local clubs, the College and St 

Martin’s Ampleforth. Competitions are 

held on most Sundays, and occasional 

Wednesday evenings during Summer. 

In order to retain present members and 

attract new ones, the Club has built a new 

log cabin style clubhouse with changing 

rooms and a members’ clubroom. The 

Club raised funds through an interest free 

loan, generous donations and fundraising 

activities. A major factor was the self-build 

provided by a stalwart group of members 

resulting in a clubhouse of which the Club 

can feel proud. 

The Club employs no-one, the part-time 

manager is an in honorarium post. The 

Clubhouse is unmanned with an Honesty 

Box to collect non-members’ green fees. 

The Clubroom provides refreshments on a 

self-help basis. 

This year, the full membership fee is £250 

with country membership at £190. The 

Club is offering considerably discounted 

membership for parents of current 

students and for members of the 

Ampleforth Society. Parents and members 

of the Ampleforth Society who live over 25 

miles from the College are invited to 

become full members of the Club for just 

£100 or £150 for joint membership. 

Furthermore, green fees for parents of 

current students and for members of the 

Ampleforth Society who are nonmembers, 

wherever they live are set at half 

the full rate. 

The Club hopes very much that parents 

and members of the Ampleforth Society 

will join the Club and help foster the link 

between the College and the Golf Club 

that is so mutually beneficial. 

Please visit www.ampleforthgolf.co.uk or 

contact the manager, Ian Henley: 

Tel: 01439 788274. 

21 

AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE GOLF CLUB

22 

HENRY BYRNE (O04) 

Henry Byrne (O04) 

Henry Byrne (O04) is a painter living in 

London. His strong, colourful and accurate 

portraits have enabled Henry to sell 

internationally and exhibit extensively in 

London. Henry currently lives in East 

London near his studio. For more details of 

Henry’s work and commission prices 

please go to his website: 

www.henrybyrne.com

Coghlan (A72) 

Nicholas 

Nicholas Coghlan (A72) has recently 

published Winter in Fireland – A Patagonian 

Adventure. “After tough assignments as a 

Canadian diplomat abroad, Nicholas 

Coghlan (A72) and his wife Jenny unwind 

by sailing Bosun Bird, a 27ft sailboat, from 

Cape Town, South Africa, across the South 

Atlantic and into the stormy winter waters 

around Tierra del Fuego, South America. 

Coghlan recounts earlier adventures in 

Patagonia when, taking time off from his job 

as a schoolteacher in Buenos Aires in the 

late 1970s, he and Jenny explored the 

region of southern Argentina and Chile 

over three successive summers. This time, 

as they negotiate the labyrinth of channels 

and inlets around snow-covered Fireland, 

he reflects on voyages of past explorers: 

Magellan, Cook, Darwin, and others. 

Sailing enthusiasts and readers of true 

adventures will want to add Coghlan’s 

world-wise narrative to their libraries.” 

23 

NICHOLAS COGHLAN (A72)

24 

LILY DOYLE (M08) & PETER SEILERN (O70) 

Lily Doyle (M08) 

Lily Doyle (M08) is working in the 

marketing department of Great Rail 

Journeys in York whilst on her placement 

year from the University of Northumbria 

Business School where she is reading 

Business and Management. Great Rail 

Journeys are specialists in escorted holidays 

by train. As the UK's largest rail based 

holiday company, they offer over 130 

individual rail tours to over 40 countries. 

Peter 

Seilern (O70) 

As a result of Peter Seilern’s (O70) and his 

family’s loyalty to the House of Habsburg, 

he was recently elevated to Knight of the 

Order of the Golden Fleece. Peter is 

pictured here at the annual celebration of 

the Order’s patron Saint, St Andrew the 

Apostle, which took place in Rome in 

November 2009. Peter and his wife 

Caroline attended the celebration that 

included a Requiem Mass celebrated in the 

church of the Sovereign Knights of Malta 

where the investitures took place.

Expedition Everest 

Alice Reid (A08) & Lallie Fraser (A08) 

In Nepal, the under-five mortality rate is 

55%. That’s 550 babies per 1,000 live 

births - England’s mortality rate is under a 

fifth of this percentage. Two of the most 

common reasons why these little ones are 

dying way before their time are diarrhoea 

and malnutrition. This is incomprehensible 

when we live in a country where diarrhoea 

is at most highly embarrassing and one of 

the most pressing issues is obesity. 

Childreach International is a charity that 

works in partnership with the Dhulikel 

Hospital to improve rural child health. 

Their efforts have made a huge difference, 

but there are still so many children in need. 

This June, Alice Reid (A08) and Lallie Fraser 

(A08), have signed up for Expedition 

Everest, Childreach International’s flagship 

fundraising event. They will embark on a 

two-week hike through some of the 

Himalayas most impressive valleys to the 

base camp of the world’s largest mountain 

visiting some of Childreach International’s 

projects along the way. 

www.virginmoneygiving.com/AliceReid1 

www.virginmoneygiving.com/Lallie.Fraser 

25 

EXPEDITION EVEREST - ALICE REID (A08) AND LALLIE FRASER (A08)

26 

BUILDING PANORAMICS FOR AMPLEFORTH 

Building Panoramics specialise in producing 

incredible photographs of buildings and 

their locations. We strive to produce 

images that beautifully represent the unique 

nature of the buildings and locations that 

are a key part of Britain's heritage. 

Using a specialist photographic technique 

that we call eyesview, we produce a 

photograph that really captures the view of 

a location as you truly see it with your eyes. 

We take great care to select views that 

represent the unique character of each 

place, taking time to capture the light that 

best reflects the details of the architecture 

and the atmosphere of the environment in 

which it stands. Building Panoramics LLP 

aim to provide a product that is carefully 

crafted, artistic, accurate and of particular 

importance to the people who have a 

personal interest in a building, or a 

collection of buildings and the local area 

that they occupy. 

The eyesview technique allows a level of 

detail that is only achieved with the most 

high end capture devices used in 

photography. This allows the picture to 

have a quality and realism, that gives the 

viewer a sense that they can walk right into 

the picture. 

Building Panoramics take great care to 

produce a unique and artistic picture, taking 

inspiration from the great painters of the 

past, making sure that the light, atmosphere 

and composition of the picture captures 

the true magic and splendour of the place. 

Our main focus is on the unique buildings 

that make up the United Kingdom’s 

schools and colleges. In our opinion, these 

buildings represent an incredibly diverse 

collection of architectural styles and often 

reside in remarkable locations. 

Building Panoramics 

for Ampleforth 

The Ampleforth pictures can be ordered as either a gallery mounted canvas or mounted 

fine art print in several different sizes. Please visit www.buildingpanoramics.com 

to view the pictures which can be purchased in the online store. 

25% of each sale will go to the Ampleforth Bursary Fund.

Old Amplefordian 

Rifle Club 

Old Amplefordians have a tradition of being 

competitive and accomplished shots. The 

OA Rifle Club is hoping to rejuvenate this 

enthusiasm for the sport and bring together 

those Amplefordians in the area who might 

wish to participate in local competitions. 

Ampleforth College maintains its excellence 

in this curriculum, the schools team having 

recently won the National Small Bore 

Shooting Competition - they are sure to be 

a worthy competitor! 

The CCF department will be hosting a 

Centenary Tattoo in the afternoon of 

Exhibition Saturday 28th May and would 

welcome any Old Amplefordians 

interested in joining the OA Rifle Club to 

come along. Alternatively, for more 

information please contact Louise Riley, 

Ampleforth Society and Old Amplefordian 

Assistant, on lr@ampleforth.org.uk or 

telephone 01439 766884. 

27 

OLD AMPLEFORDIAN RIFLE CLUB

28 

BAMBOO TRAVEL 

Bamboo Travel 

Top Tour Operator Award 

Ewen Moore (T02) 

Having travelled extensively in the Far East 

and worked for one of the UK’s top tour 

operators for the last four years, Ewen 

Moore (T02) is now helping to develop an 

exciting young company called Bamboo 

Travel, which specialises in bespoke travel 

to the Far East. 

Bamboo Travel offers expert knowledge 

and good value, exciting holidays and 

honeymoons to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, 

Vietnam, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, The 

Philippines, China, Japan, Taiwan, Mongolia 

and on the Trans-Siberian express. 

In February 2011, the team at Bamboo 

Travel were delighted to be awarded the 

Gold Award for the UK’s Top Tour 

Operator as voted for by the readers of 

Wanderlust Travel Magazine. They beat 

over 700 other tour operators to the top 

spot, many of whom are much larger 

companies and established names within 

the travel industry. 

Bamboo Travel offers all Old Amplefordians 

and friends of Ampleforth an exclusive 

discount. Simply quote ‘Ampleforth’ when 

making your initial enquiry to receive a 

£100 discount on any tailormade holiday 

or honeymoon to the Far East. 

Tel: 0207 720 9285 

email: info@bambootravel.co.uk 

www.bambootravel.co.uk

Robin Blake (A66) 

Robin Blake (A66) recently published a new book entitled 

A Dark Anatomy. It is a historical crime mystery, set in 1740s 

Lancashire. Various further details about the book and 

author can be found on Robin’s website 

www.robinblake.co.uk. 

New Years Honours 

Three Old Amplefordians were named in the 2011 New 

Years Honours List – Michael Ancram (W62) and Julian 

Fellowes (B66) were both awarded Life Peerages and 

Anthony Fitzherbert (C56) was awarded an OBE for his 

service to agricultural development in Afghanistan. 

Eric Thomas (H70) 

Eric Thomas (H70), Vice-Chancellor of the University of 

Bristol since 2001, has been elected to serve as President 

of Universities UK from 2011 to 2013. Universities UK is 

the representative body of all Universities in the UK. 

Charles O’Malley (D85) 

Charles O’Malley (D85) has been appointed a ‘London 

Leader’ for 2011 by the London Sustainable Development 

Commission. In this part-time role Charles will be launching 

a high profile innovation challenge and ‘bootcamp’ for early 

stage entrepreneurs, in partnership with a number of large 

corporates and investors. In addition, Charles has recently 

been appointed Head of Europe for the leading sustainability 

consultancy and think tank, AccountAbility, where he will be 

advising major multi-nationals on some of their most 

The Ogden Brothers 

Robert (T91) and Ben Ogden (T92), the directors of their 

family jewellery business Ogden of Harrogate, have recently 

opened a second showroom in York. The sister shop is 

called The Little Diamond Shop, which was the original 

name given to Ogden of Harrogate by their great 

grandfather when he founded the company in 1893. 

Joe Vincent (O91) 

Joe Vincent (O91) studied Biological Sciences at Durham 

University before spending six years in the financial services 

sector at Robert Fleming and Cazenove. He moved to the 

private healthcare sector in 2003 initially as Director of Sales 

and Marketing at Medicsight. He spent four years at Bupa 

Cromwell Hospital before taking up his current post on the 

Senior Management Team at King Edward VII's Hospital. 

Charlie Grace (O92) 

important environmental and social challenges. Guy Mankowski (B01) 

John Kerr (O90) 

John Kerr (O90) has recently been appointed UK Executive 

Sales Manager for Armstrong World Industries, overseeing 

all sales activity for the United Kingdom and the Republic of 

Ireland. 

Charlie Grace (O92) is a broker specialising in Trade Credit 

and Political Risks Insurance for Berry Palmer and Lyle Ltd. 

Charlie works in the area of emerging markets for blue chip 

banking, trading, and exporter clients. The Chairman of 

Berry Palmer and Lyle Ltd is also an old boy of Ampleforth, 

Charles Berry (O70). 

Hugh Billett (C95) 

Hugh Billett (C95) heads a team at Morgan Stanley focusing 

on family offices and private clients in the UK with a special 

emphasis on the North-East. 

Guy Mankowski (B01) recently published his first novel. The 

Intimates tells the story of a group of closely-knit friends, 

each brilliantly talented failures, who are brought together 

one night at a party held by Francoise to celebrate the 

completion of her memoir, which portrayed them at their 

most promising. But by highlighting what each of them 

could have been Francoise sets the stage for a night in which 

all their buried ambitions and secrets will come to light, 

powerfully altering their lives in a matter of hours. 

29 

OLD AMPLEFORDIAN UPDATES

30 

BIRTHS 

Births 

2007 

7 January Jo and John Lentaigne (H93) a daughter, Islay Amelia 

2008 

11 February Sally and Simon Flatman (J90) a son, Thomas George 

2009 

5 January Jo and John Lentaigne (H93) a daughter, Romilly Kate 

23 May Danielle and James Lentaigne (H95) a daughter, Coco Mae 

5 June Deborah and Peter Thomas (B86) a daughter, Eva Verity Elisabeth Aurelia 

2010 

5 July Rupert and Suzanne Cornford nee Dale (OA97) a daughter, Rose Marie 

26 September Claire and Julian Lentaigne (H97) a son, Benjamin David Wolfe 

16 September Tara and Ceri Williams (B92) a daughter, Tessa Jude 

1October Katie and Tom Shepherd (H96) a daughter, Lily Mary Fitzsimon 

2 October Countess and Count Johannes Ballestrem (J98) a son, Alois Karl Josef Benedikt 

25 October Zoe and Archie Sherbrooke (A99) a son, Rory Edmund James 

27 November Kate and Peter Tapparo (A90) a son, Sebastian Arthur Rigby 

9 December Nikki and Benedict Ryan (J90) a daughter, Jemima Daisy Ophelia 

15 December Alexandra and Matthew Nesbit (H00) a son, Archie David Blake 

2011 

17 January Yvonne and Peter Kerry (T84) a daughter, Isabelle Grace 

8 February Liz and Philip Ryan (B95) a son, Thomas Gawen Hugh 

8 March Fiona and Edmund Dilger (O94) a daughter, Rose Mary

Marriages Forthcoming Marriages 

2008 

25 October Suzanne Marie Dale (OA97) to Rupert David Corford, 

St Austin’s Church, Grassendale, Liverpool 

2009 

22 August Benedict Godfrey (O95) to Audrey Walas, France 

2010 

7 August Rupert King-Evans (T94) to Emmeline Riis-Johannessen, 

St Andrew’s, Aysgarth 

18 December Mark Pickthall (B76) to Amanda Riley 


5 March Rupert Pepper (D94) to Vanessa Warren-Gash, London 

OA Deaths 

2010 

28 July John St-Clair Gainer (A48) 

25 November Andrew J Hope (T72) 

30 November Patrick L Pollen (E46) 

15 December Chad MG Sarll (T66) 

21 December Lord Windelsham (E50) 


7 January Michael Stokes-Rees (W52) 

13 January Christopher R Graves (C43) 

16 January Julian EG Oxford and Asquith (O34) 

18 January H John S Westmore (O40) 

22 January O Willoughby R Wynne (B52) 

25 January Vincent AP Cronin (W40) 

20 February Hon Hugh AJ Fraser (B65) 

27 February Denzil Hughes-Onslow (E57) 

13 March John Daniel Remers (D46) 

30 March Benjamin Ruck-Keene (E67) 

Hon Michael Brennan (H95) to Alejandra Mora Diaz 

Henry Foster (H00) to Victoria Rickards 

James Hughes (C93) to Rose Gretton 

John Leyden (D95) to Zoe Keatinge 

Prayers are asked for others who have died 

2010 

28 November John Mather, father of Jonathan (J78) and Mark (J81) 


11 January Jane Ryan, wife of Kevin (O56) and mother of Nick (O86) 

16 January Noreen Hunt, friend of Ampleforth Abbey 

24 January Kika Mycielska, great-aunt of Jozef Mycielski (O90) 

31 

MARRIAGES AND DEATHS

32 

HEADMASTER’S INTRODUCTION 

Headmaster’s 

Introduction 

College News 

This has been a long and busy term with 

much hard work achieved and many 

sporting and cultural achievements to 

celebrate. 

This term the college section of The Diary 

is focused, in part, on some of our scholars 

(more to follow next term). I often reflect 

with gratitude on the scholars’ 

contributions to the academic, cultural and 

sporting life of the school. Not only do they 

give much, but they act as excellent role 

models. Nine of our students, all academic 

scholars, have been offered places at 

Oxford and Cambridge, three of them 

with choral scholarships. This is a 

tremendous achievement not only for the 

boys and girls but also for their teachers, 

who worked so hard with them. We have 

enjoyed some wonderful informal concerts 

in the Central Hall on Thursday 

lunchtimes, designed to showcase our 

music scholars’ talents. Our Basil Hume 

scholars, you will discover, have been very 

busy setting high standards in art, theatre, 

sport and music. It strikes me that these 

talented boy and girl scholars are often, 

also, school monitors and energetic 

fundraisers for charity. 

In this edition of The Diary we are having 

a feature on St Bede’s House which is 

about to celebrate its eighty fifth 

anniversary. This milestone is planned to be 

fully marked with a celebratory meal in the 

autumn and the unveiling of St Bede’s 

house tweed, designed by Derek Lloyd 

incorporating the house colours. Jackets in 

this tweed will be available for old boys and 

girls of the house. We intend this article to 

be the beginning of a series highlighting the 

history, achievements and character of the 

different houses. 

In common with many Catholic Heads 

from both independent and voluntary 

aided sectors I have written to encourage 

the government to include Religious 

Studies in the new English Baccalaureate. 

Its exclusion from these core subjects 

disadvantages our students; it is also a sad 

reflection of the marginalisation of 

Christianity in the modern world. Indeed 

there is a spiritual black hole which can 

threaten our national heart; in my 20 year 

experience as an RE teacher the study of 

Theology can be part of the attempt to 

address this desperately serious issue. 

Religious Studies, particularly the popular 

areas of Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, 

broaden, deepen and challenge the minds 

of our young people and thus invests in our 

and their future. 

The Easter holiday approaches. For many it 

will be a busy time with preparation for 

public examinations next term. However, 

I hope it will also bring some time for much 

needed rest and that Easter will bring a 

sense of rebirth and spiritual renewal. I will 

keep you in my prayers.

Ampleforth 

Scholars 

Digby Walker (T) Libby Simpson (B) 

I have been a Basil Hume Scholar since my first year at the 

school, specialising in sport and drama. 

During my time here I have played rugby for the 1st XV, tennis 

for the 1st VI, been joint captain of the 2nd XI football team, 

swam for the 1sts and got through to the semi-finals of the 

Rosslyn Park rugby 7’s tournament, amongst others. I am also 

an Under Officer in the CCF, have been a member of the 

greenroom and have acted in, directed or been backstage for 

over 20 plays and achieved my theatre laurels. I have been a 

lectio divina group leader, achieved academic scholarship status, 

been a student librarian and completed my bronze and gold 

Duke of Edinburgh awards. I am heavily involved in the school 

charity FACE-FAW and helped with the Friendship holiday. I 

have been awarded house colours and I am Head of School. I 

play the cello to grade 5 as well as the piano, and I participate 

regularly in many other activities, from cricket nets to poetry 

society. I also completed the Paras10 Charity run last year. I 

have thoroughly enjoyed being a Basil Hume Scholar, as it has 

allowed me to really get to know people with similar strengths 

and interests. 

Having been privileged enough to have been given a Basil 

Hume Scholarship before I came to Ampleforth, I have tried to 

make full use of it by involving myself in all aspects of school 

life. 

I was given the scholarship for music and sport, however I have 

also taken part in several school plays, completed my gold 

Duke of Edinburgh and been an active member of the school 

charity, FACE-FAW, for five years, helping organise projects such 

as the school charity rock concert and the whole school 

Rowathon. Furthermore, alongside my A levels I took part in a 

sponsored 50K row to raise money for Hope and Homes for 

Children, which proved a very tough challenge! This year I was 

made Head Girl, it has been a great experience, which I am 

currently thoroughly enjoying, although it keeps me very busy! 

I believe that being given a Basil Hume Scholarship is a fantastic 

opportunity, yet to really get the most out of it, it’s necessary 

to not just make an effort with your speciality but to try new 

activities, be a member of various societies and say yes to the 

opportunities that are offered to you. 

33 

AMPLEFORTH SCHOLARS

34 

AMPLEFORTH SCHOLARS 

Mat Beckwith (D) 

During the entire month of July I had the privilege of working 

as an intern for a world-renowned elephant conservation 

group Save The Elephants. 

I was based at their main research camp in a remote nature 

reserve on the Kenyan savannah. The goal of Save the 

Elephants is to secure a sustainable future for elephants and 

their habitat, by promoting a tolerant relationship between 

elephant and man. The group normally takes interns from 

Universities, so I was very happy to be given the position. 

The reasons why the experience was so special for me are 

twofold. Firstly, I was able to contribute in a meaningful way to 

an important cause; elephant numbers in East Africa have been 

in rapid decline since the 1980’s, almost exclusively due to 

poaching, fuelled by high demand for ivory in Asia. I contributed 

to the efforts of the group by assisting in surveys of all the 

animals present in the local nature reserve, in order to establish 

the general health of the ecosystem. This meant I got to drive 

vehicles around the reserve, observing and recording the size 

and frequency of elephant families I encountered. 

Secondly, the remote and unfamiliar setting of the camp, and its 

basic facilities posed a lot of unique challenges, such as how 

best to wade across a crocodile infested river at night, how to 

make a tent “snake-proof,” or how to exit a room in a hurry if 

you find a seven foot long spitting cobra coming through the 

door (dive out a window!). 

Overall, my experiences in Africa were life shaping, and fuelled 

my desire to become a biologist. I would love to return to 

Kenya in a few years time to pursue my own research project. 

Mat has a provisional place to read Biological Sciences at 

Magdalen College, Oxford. 

Bella Brown (B) 

My Basil Hume Scholarship is in art and sport. I have felt very 

privileged being awarded a Basil Hume Scholarship. 

I have participated in many school teams such as the 2nd netball 

team, the 2nd hockey team, cross country team, the athletics 

team and many house competitions. Outside of school I play 

district netball and have trained with the junior British Event 

team for horse riding. Being involved with all these different 

sports has been a thorough enjoyment and has been great to 

be able to be in a team with others and gain close friends. In the 

Art department I have managed to produce a variety of work, 

which has been displayed in many school exhibitions and also 

achieved high results in examinations. I thoroughly enjoy my 

Art at the school with great help from my teacher, Mr Bird, 

who gives me confidence and advice. I have also been involved 

in many theatre productions such as Love Labours Lost and The 

Alchemist, which have been a fantastic experience and a great 

way of meeting others in the school. I am also currently 

completing my Duke of Edinburgh award. Achieving a Basil 

Hume Scholarship at Ampleforth helped me gain confidence 

in myself and therefore achieve to my full ability and apply my 

full potential to the school.

Max Cockerill (T) 

When I came to Ampleforth in the winter of 2006 to audition 

for a music scholarship I did not realise quite what would be in 

store over the next five years; hour long music lessons and lots 

of ensemble groups became a part of daily life. 

Music dominates my time but without it I would have found 

Ampleforth a very different place. Immediately my limits were 

tested by being asked to play the solo viola part in Variations on 

a theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams, a daunting 

prospect. While my performance was adequate, more 

importantly it was my first step in learning how to perform and 

to enjoy doing so. 

Lots of performances have followed. Highlights have been the 

Mendelssohn Octet and singing on stage in Purcell’s Dido and 

Aeneas. In the upper sixth I prepared for my choral scholarship 

audition at Trinity College Cambridge. The audition gave me 

an intimate day and a half with one of Cambridge’s most 

famous choirs. We were expected to pick out individual notes 

from a randomly played six note chord (a test I failed!) and then 

asked to sing a piece for piano and voice to the Trinity College 

choir. My reaction to this terrifying prospect was to start pacing 

around in feverish excitement, showing that being a music 

scholar at Ampleforth has given me a confidence and passion 

for performance. 

As a music scholar I find my time split between instrumental 

practice and ensemble, a demanding programme but not one 

that has prevented me from participating in many other aspects 

of school life. 

Max Cockerill was awarded a choral scholarship at Trinity. 

Philippa La Rosee (B) 

I was given an honorary Basil Hume Scholarship for sport, 

which I felt very privileged to have been given. 

My speciality is cross country, not only have I run for the school 

but in the past four years I managed to qualify for the county 

team and compete in the English Schools Cross Country 

Championships. I also enjoy playing hockey and tennis. I was 

given the opportunity to be the 2nd X1 hockey captain, which 

I really appreciated and enjoyed especially as there are so many 

enthusiastic and keen hockey players at Ampleforth. At the end 

of last year I was also appointed as Head of Girls Games, which 

involves organising sports events and liaising with the Games 

Department. Furthermore, I have greatly enjoyed throwing 

myself into many other areas in school life. I am currently 

completing my Duke of Edinburgh gold award, I have acted in 

two school productions, and I play the piano. I took part in the 

Rowathon rowing 50 km for the charity Hope and Homes for 

Children with the collective aim of raising £30,000. Being a 

Basil Hume Scholar has further encouraged me to do 

everything to my full potential and given me the incentive to 

participate in a variety of aspects of school life. 

35 

AMPLEFORTH SCHOLARS

36 

AMPLEFORTH SCHOLARS 

Ava Podgorski (A) 

Sine musica nulla vita … without music there is no life. This is 

certainly true to my life at Ampleforth in my first term and a 

half. 

Weekly activities, classes and practices keep us on our toes. I 

am a ‘singing’ scholar, but I also play trombone and piano, and 

having sung from an early age, the choral opportunities at 

Ampleforth are a wonderful chance for me to push myself, 

singing new repertoire every week in Mass. 

Since the age of 10 I have been a member of the Yorkshire 

Youth Choir, attending residential courses during Easter and the 

summer, and we toured Tuscany in 2008. I have also sung with 

the National Youth Choir and done several vocal workshops 

with composers and conductors such as John Rutter and Mike 

Brewer. These courses build upon singing technique, 

incorporating musicianship and Alexander Technique sessions. 

My involvement with these organisations has furthered my love 

for singing, and has broadened my repertoire, having sung 

everything from Pergolesi to Coldplay. 

I am a member of the Ampleforth Singers, who are currently 

preparing for several concerts this term, of Big Band, the Brass 

Ensemble and the Orchestra. This means that my ensemble 

playing now has a chance to improve, as well as providing me 

with new chances to perform in a range of musical groups, a 

rich experience of a life of music. 

Dan Thurman (O) 

One of the many privileges of attending Ampleforth College is 

the enormous range of activities available for everyone to take 

part in; from cricket to art and from the orchestra to the CCF. 

Being a Basil Hume Scholar entails involving yourself and others 

in as many of these activities as possible and since arriving at 

the school five years ago I have endeavoured to do just that. 

This has resulted in me representing the school in the 1st XI for 

both cricket and hockey and being a member of the school 

orchestra for five years. The activities on offer can be taken up 

by anyone of any skill level with experienced members of the 

upper years lending a helping hand to the younger students. 

The consequences of the help given by the older students is 

that time is spent with other years in a way which rarely 

happens in other aspects of school life. The Basil Hume 

programme is a hugely rewarding one with students being 

encouraged and challenged to achieve their full potential and in 

my case has been very helpful in developing my skills in sport 

and music.

Shobha Prabhu-Naik (M) 

Extended Project Qualification 

This year I decided to take up the challenge 

of doing an Extended Project Qualification 

(EPQ) on short stories. As I hope to study 

English Literature at Cambridge University, 

researching the development of the short 

story was something that I knew I would 

enjoy as well as benefit from. I did not 

foresee, however, the vast scope of 

literature that this would require me to 

research. Although I only really needed to 

look at stories written by a few authors, I 

was immediately encouraged to keep 

reading. This is mainly because researching 

about the stories myself, rather than being 

told about them, led me to think about 

very different interpretations of them, as 

well as developing a deeper insight into 

their background. 

I have looked at how the short story has 

developed over the twentieth and twentyfirst 

centuries in terms of form, plot and 

style. Whilst doing this my supervisor 

suggested that I do some writing of my 

own, imitating the style of certain authors. 

This has not only enabled me to learn in 

detail how authors such as James Joyce and 

Angela Carter write, but also to make a 

first step in developing my own creative 

writing. I have certainly not included most 

of what I have discovered in the limited 

5,000 word essay required by my EPQ but 

this is actually what I have found most 

exciting about it; I have been led to study 

something without any limits on my 

interest. I have been able to research huge 

amounts of information on short stories, 

even if not all of it is specifically relevant to 

my question. Indeed, doing this project has 

both helped further my interest of literature 

and introduced me to the joys of 

independent research and learning. 

37 

EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATIONS

38 

EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATIONS 

John Clapham (J) 

Extended Project Qualification 

I decided to undertake an EPQ (Extended 

Project Qualification), and as a passionate 

musician, I was always set on doing a 

musical project. However, the flexibility of 

the qualification allowed me to consider 

several options before starting. I 

subsequently settled on a creative project 

based around a musical composition of the 

name Missa Veni Creator Spiritus for 

unaccompanied choir. As the name 

suggests, the composition is a setting of the 

Latin mass. The last three words of the title 

owe themselves to the Latin plainsong 

hymn of the same name, which I used both 

as a melodic and philosophical basis for the 

work. As a former chorister of 

Westminster Cathedral, I had grown up 

with both the Latin mass and plainsong as a 

part of my everyday life. And so I was more 

than happy to be able to put my 

knowledge, experience and love of these 

two disciplines into a creative use. 

I completed much of the composition over 

the summer holidays at home, away from 

the busy schedule of school life. I had 

already met several times with Mr Hardie, 

my supervisor for the project, to whom I 

am much indebted. So I was able to 

complete most of the actual composition 

by the time I returned for my upper sixth 

year in September. Another aspect of the 

project was that I would rehearse and 

conduct the work using the Ampleforth 

Singers, to whom I am also much indebted 

to for their consistent focus and hard work 

on the tight deadlines. I wrote a brief 

commentary on the work on my return to 

school, explaining some of my influences 

and compositional techniques (I had spent 

time researching composers such as 

Britten, Durufle, MacMillan and Bairstow in 

order to fulfill the research aspect of the 

project and stimulate my own 

compositional ideas). 

The project came to a grand and satisfying 

conclusion with a premiere of the work, 

sung by the Ampleforth Singers, in the Main 

Hall. This was then followed by a 

presentation (an aspect of the project 

which I particularly relished) in the Alcuin 

Room in which I briefly explained what I 

had done for the project as well as taking a 

variety of questions from those kind 

enough to attend. I was later thrilled to 

learn that I had attained an A* grade for the 

project, which I had found to be both 

rewarding and exciting. Since finishing the 

project, I have continued working with the 

Ampleforth Singers on other repertoire 

and have had the opportunity to perform 

the mass for the first time in its true liturgical 

setting in Easingwold Parish Church. I also 

decided to set the poetry of Niamh Keenan 

(M) to music for choir with organ 

accompaniment (performed by the 

combined Scholae of Ampleforth College), 

as a part of the Christmas Carol Service, a 

task which provided me with a new set of 

challenges and difficulties and which I was 

thrilled to be involved in. I am looking to 

continue composing after I leave school 

and am constantly eager to take part in any 

compositional opportunities that are sent 

my way. 

I would strongly recommend the EPQ to 

anyone currently a part of, or joining the 

sixth form, as its flexibility provides 

absolutely anyone with the opportunity to 

gain recognition for something they love 

and enjoy, as well as developing key skills 

such as organisation, time management 

and public speaking in an enjoyable and 

self-determined environment.

In September 2010, 25 members of the 

first year gathered for the Junior Drama 

Activity. There were no auditions, and 

everyone was encouraged to join, whether 

or not they had ever acted before. 

Four months later, having made new 

friends and learnt new skills, the same 

students – a bit older and a lot louder – 

took to the stage in a dazzling production of 

Lucy Prebble’s Enron. 

The play follows the career of Jeffrey 

Skilling and shows how the hubris of one 

man led to worldwide financial meltdown. 

The youthfulness of Miss Brown’s cast 

emphasised Prebble’s satirical message, 

taking us to a world where children juggled 

millions of dollars like toys. George 

Brichieri’s set – a scaled up rubix cube – 

transformed the theatre into an adrenalinefuelled 

playground. Special praise must go 

to Harry Holroyd (C), for his swaggering 

portrayal of Skilling, with Santiago Giraldo 

(D) as his oleaginous side-kick. The trading 

floor, made up of Phoebe Gibby (B), Alex 

MacCuish (J), Matthew Warden (C), Rory 

Skinner (H), Rosie Blackett (M), Tilly Trant 

(M) and Anna Ogden (A), sang, danced and 

wielded light-sabers with panache. 

What was most impressive however, was 

the good-humour and maturity of the cast. 

This was a genuine ensemble production, 

in which every member of the cast 

supported each other wholeheartedly. The 

future of Ampleforth theatre looks very 

bright with talent like this to draw from. 

Junior Drama 

Activity 

39 

JUNIOR DRAMA ACTIVITY

40 

ST BEDE’S HOUSE 

St Bede’s Due to the expansion of the school, Ampleforth College moved to a house system in 1926 

House 

with St Bede’s opening along with St Aidan’s and St Cuthbert’s. As one of the oldest houses 

the history includes a wealth of old boys, housemasters including Cardinal Basil Hume and 

buildings. St Bede’s returned to Aumit House in September 2006 after two years in the central 

building whilst renovation work adapted the building from two boys’ houses into one for girls. 

St Bede’s House had moved from the 

central building to Aumit House when it 

was first built in 1957. Up until 2006 St 

Bede’s had been a boys house but in June 

of that year, the final top year formally 

handed over the house, with their blessing, 

to girls. In the September, 28 new girls 

arrived for their first term. St Bede’s quickly 

grew in size, with 28 becoming 72 in just 

three years! This year, on the 85th 

anniversary of the house, our founding first 

year girls leave the school after five years. 

To see an entire year group go through the 

house has been a fantastic experience and 

they are incredibly close to each other. We 

have no doubt that they will stay in touch 

for years to come and tears will most 

definitely be shed in June. 

St Bede’s girls still maintain strong ties with the old boys of Bede’s, including brothers, 

uncles, fathers and grandfathers and we regularly welcome OAs back to visit. One of our 

old boys has decided to come back for an extended stay, as a housemaster! Ben 

Pennington (Head of House B95) will be joining the school in September as Housemaster 

of St Dunstan’s. 

Moving from a small prep school to a large school like Ampleforth can seem quite daunting 

at first, but the house system allows the younger students the chance to settle into a more 

homely environment, away from the hustle and bustle of school life. A first year of St 

Bede’s writes: “There is a very strong sense of family within the house. Everyone is 

treated equally and there is no favouritism, which means that everyone can have the same 

opportunities and can achieve to the best of their abilities. We have weekly mass where 

the community comes together in a spiritual way and Matron bakes for us every Friday 

(we love her chocolate muffins best!). The house has a friendly, homely atmosphere and 

the older years are approachable – they talk to us and help us with prep. And of course, 

we have the best house colours!”

Housemasters 

1926 – 1940 

Fr Hugh de Normanville (RIP 1943) 

His orderly methodical mind made him an 

excellent organiser and his persistent drive 

and irresistible determination carried his 

plans to success in spite of considerable 

opposition and indifference. 

1940 – 1955 

Fr Paulinus Massey OA24 (RIP 1977) 

He always knew just what had to be done, 

and if anything looked like going wrong, he 

always contrived quietly, unobtrusively, and 

smilingly to put it right before it grew 

disastrous. 

1955 – 1963 

Cardinal Basil Hume D41 (RIP 1999) 

‘There is in every boy a gift which I do not 

possess - I must encourage that.’ 

1963 – 1976 Fr Martin Haigh 

1976 – 1990 Fr Felix Stephens 

1990 - 1997 Fr Hugh Lewis-Vivas 

1997 - 2003 Fr William Wright 

2003 – 2004 Fr Oswald McBride 

2004 – 2006 Mr Matthew Fogg 

2006 - Mr Brendan & 

Mrs Victoria Anglim 

Independence and honesty are bywords for St Bede’s girls, developed through the 

shared experience of living together, through exemplary role models of many senior 

girls but also through open discussions about the pitfalls most teenagers come 

across. We treasure the fascinating range of talents and skills within the community 

of girls living here, from fencing to sculpture and lacrosse to drama. The building 

naturally adds to the experience of life in St Bede’s; the separate chapel and 

common room provide space for reflection, peace and quiet or a chance to practice 

musical instruments or singing whilst others chill out in front of the TV. The elevated 

position on campus with expansive views across the valley encourages the girls to find 

moments of reflection during their busy lives, reinforcing our retreats which always 

include an element of practical stewardship. 

41 

ST BEDE’S HOUSE

42 

LENT TERM SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS 

Lent Term 

Sporting Highlights 

This Lent term has been a long one but has 

been packed with lots of high quality sport. 

There was time at Ampleforth when the 

Lent term was very short of team sport as 

the weather and indeed the facilities did not 

lend themselves to them, but this year has 

seen the college thrive in many of the 

team sports. 

The term began well with the college 

retaining the Durham Warm up Sevens 

trophy as the 1st VII, U16, U15 and U14 

VII’s all conquered their opponents. The 

1st VII then backed this up with a very 

impressive performance that saw them 

claim the North late trophy in a very tough 

tournament. This was their finest hour but 

they did perform well in other tournaments 

and claimed the Plate in the U18 sevens at 

Durham school. They were unfortunate to 

miss out on qualification for the second day 

at Rosslyn Park on tries scored. 

The U15 VII played some fine rugby, 

notably at Hymers where they missed out 

in the final at the Hymers’ tournament and 

in doing so claimed the Plate. The U14’s 

fought valiantly throughout their season 

and whilst they did not always succeed they 

developed their play throughout. This was 

shown to full effect at Ashville where they 

won all their games to claim a tournament 

win. 

The 16’s also saved their best to last. They 

had already won the Pocklington plate 

competition but showed real spirit and no 

little skill in their Rosslyn Park campaign 

where they won their group and then beat 

Bedford Modern in the play off stage 

before going out in the last 16 of this 

national competition. 

Our football sides have also enjoyed their 

season with the 1st XI achieving some fine 

wins throughout their season. 

The boys’ hockey teams have carried on 

from the success of the girls with all our 

side producing quality performances 

through the term. The 2nd XI have the 

best record, losing only once. 

Each age group had very good national 

tournament days. The U14’s pictured 

were crowned as Yorkshire champions 

and, together with the 1st XI, went 

forward to represent the county at the 

Northern stage of the Nationals. The 1st 

VII senor Hockey side also reclaimed the 

Durham seven a side trophy a feat they 

have achieved 3 times in the last 4 years. 

With more and more boys developing 

their hockey the sport is becoming 

stronger and stronger at the school.

MANIS Cross Country 

Championship Success 

Shrewsbury School hosted this year’s 

Midland and Northern Independent 

Schools Cross Country Championships. 

. 

On a superb Spring afternoon, Ampleforth 

continued its fine tradition in the Open girls’ 

event. Having had individual winners 

(Phillippa La Rosee 2009 and Anna Gould 

2010) and team success (Joint 1st in 2009 

and then 2nd in 2010) it was pleasing to 

see them emerge as convincing victors 

over a strong Sedbergh ‘A’ team (who were 

3rd in the National King Henry Relays ), 

Uppingham and Oundle. This was a very 

strong field. Anna Gould was caught in the 

pack early on but came through very 

strongly to finish in 3rd place, Celia Powell, 

who has had a wonderful season so far, 

followed her home in 4th place. Phillipa 

Jalland was a revelation in 9thplace, Phillipa 

La Rosee, displayed a real commitment to 

the team, by nursing a calf strain around the 

course, to finish 16th and thereby secure 

the final scoring place and ultimately team 

victory. Lydia Dalrymple, who is only in 

Year 10 ran remarkably well to finish in 

22nd place. This was an exceptional team 

effort to win this major Championship. 

The added good news is that four of these 

runners will be available next year to 

defend this trophy. 

43 

MANIS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESS

44 

ROWATHON 2011 

Rowathon 


On the Saturday, 16 students from St Martin’s Ampleforth successfully took on a team 

from local rivals Terrington School and this was followed by the Endurance Challenge 

when staff joined Olympic rower Roger Brown, and his rowing partner Julian Norton, for 

the grueling 100km event. Eighteen students (along with 10 staff, parents and friends) took 

part in this challenge rowing for up to five hours and we are so proud that they all finished 

with admirable times. Our congratulations to them all - Philippa La Rosee (B), Niklas 

Wittmann (J), Kick Douglas (H), Geordie Tulloch (H), Charles Ramsay (H), Ross Dwyer 

(EW), Alex Crean (EW), Anthony Hornung (EW), Digby Walker (T), Angus Duncan (T), 

Libby Simpson (B), Joe de Klee (EW), Vincent O’Rourke (D), Alex Hall (D), Max Archibald 

(EW), Joshua O’Donovan (T), Charlie Oxlade (H) and Will Theile (C). 

Over 800 students, members of staff and the local 

community took part in the second Ampleforth College 

Rowathon on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March at 

the St Alban’s Sports Centre. 

The challenge was to row over 2,500 

miles, the distance from Ampleforth to 

Romania in support of Hope and Homes 

for Children, a leading charity which helps 

children grow up in loving families in their 

own countries by closing orphanages, 

preventing child abandonment and keeping 

together families at risk of breakdown due 

to the pressures of poverty and disease. 

The first Rowathon in 2009 raised £23,000 

and we are determined to beat this 

amount this year – with over £25,000 

raised to date and donations still coming in, 

we are confident we will reach our target 

of £30,000.

On the Sunday, students from St Martin's 

Ampleforth competed in a 10km House 

Challenge before the students of 

Ampleforth College took part in the 100km 

House Challenge. Joining the houses were 

students from Da Vinci House from the 

David Young Academy, Leeds, a house 

twinned with Ampleforth College. St 

Thomas’ followed up their victory last year 

by winning the boys’ race and St Aidan’s 

won the girls’ race. All the Houses were 

winners, as every single one beat their time 

from last year and the camaraderie and 

support between everyone was 

outstanding. As for the decibel level during 

the event….amazing! 

The weekend was great fun and thoroughly enjoyed by the participants and spectators 

alike. The Justgiving site is still open should you wish to support Hope and Homes for 

Children www.justgiving.org.uk/ampleforthrowathon 

Finally, many thanks to our sponsors who made the weekend possible: Concept 2 

Rowing, Denison Till, BPI Recycled Products and Quentin Matthews Osteopathy. 

raising funds in association with FACE-FAW for 

45 

ROWATHON 2011

46 

ST MARTIN’S AMPLEFORTH NEWS - CASTLE FACTOR 

St Martin’s Ampleforth News 

Castle Factor 

This event is put on by the Gap Year 

students for the children to surprise 

us with their previously hidden 

talents. Milly Cooper and Joe Cleary 

ran auditions during the week to 

separate the wheat from the chaff (or 

the just about bearable from the truly 

bad!) Once accepted onto 'the list' 

the performers spent hours honing 

their act, preparing their costumes 

and practising their routines. 

The venue was the Long Gallery, the 

time was Sunday evening..... and 12 

very nervous acts gathered in the 

Matthews room (backstage). First the 

judges were introduced: Louis Walsh 

(Richard Wilson), Dannii Minogue 

(Lorna Garety - with an Australian 

accent that caused the MC much 

hilarity), Cheryl Cole (Anna Wilson) 

and the evil Simon Cowell (Nick 

Higham). 

In between each act the judges gave 

their verdicts, often using surprisingly 

familiar phrases. The people's vote 

for winner was 'The Soldier 

Monkeys.' Then the judges awards 

were given. In joint third place were 

Lizzie Dore's solo act and Alice 

Brookes and Lexie Everetts duo. In 

second place was Hamleys' gymnastic 

act and in first place was 'The Billy 

Jeans' - worthy winners.

Lyceum 

The initial aim in setting up the Lyceum was 

to provide a forum in which our most able 

students were given opportunities to 

explore new and exciting challenges; 

challenges designed to help them to 

develop their talents, discover new 

interests and prepare themelves for the 

world beyond the classroom. At Lyceum 

they are encouraged to discuss, debate and 

assimilate new information, arriving at 

informed opinions, which they are able to 

defend in a logical and reasonable manner. 

Above all they are encouraged to think. 

Apart from workshop sessions on 

Scholarship Maths, Science, Art, English 

and Drama, Lyceum sessions have 

included: a Thai evening (presented by 

pupil Hamleys Cherngwiwatkij) and a 

Japanese evening, discussing the food, 

language and culture of these two nations; 

a talk by Fr Philip on ‘The Life and Times of 

the Blessed John Henry Newman’; a lesson 

on The Periodic Table of the Elements by 

Dr Ansell; a discussion led by Fr Leo 

Chamberlain on ‘What is the use of 

History?’; another by Major Blackford on 

‘Working with Ghurkhas: Operations in 

Afghanistan’; and a talk entitled ‘The Lighter 

Side of Plastics’ by Roy McAdoo from BPI, 

the largest manufacturer of plastic film in 

Europe, who presented a fascinating talk 

on some lesser known properties of 

plastics. 

The final talk of the series was by Richard 

Ansell (pictured above), who returned to 

Gilling Castle to deliver a talk in the room 

where Mr Hollins used to teach him maths. 

After Ampleforth College, Richard studied 

history at Cambridge University, then at 

Brown University in the USA and is now 

half way through his doctoral research at 

Oxford University. 

For his talk, entitled ‘Only great men make 

history. Do you agree?’ Richard started by 

focusing on the key words in the question, 

asking the pupils to think about questions 

such as what ‘great’ means and whether 

great and good are the same thing. He 

looked at the impact of three ‘great’ men 

from history as well as that of certain 

women, ordinary people as well as natural 

events, concluding that it was not only 

great men who made history. 

47 

LYCEUM

48 

SCHOLARSHIP RESULTS 

Scholarship 

Results 

St Martin’s Ampleforth have broken their 

record for the second successive year in 

gaining scholarships to Ampleforth College. 

A record number of pupils were entered 

by parents for the senior school’s all 

rounder Basil Hume Scholarship. Pupils 

were tested in their chosen fields: 

combinations of sport, drama, music, art, 

and sundry specialities with exercises, 

interviews and auditions, all the while 

competing against pupils from schools all 

over the country. Of the 18 pupils 

entered, St Martin’s Ampleforth were 

delighted that ten were successful. 

Lucy Bidie – Music and Drama 

Morgan Clarke – Music 

Michael Higham – Drama, Sport 

and Pipe Band Drumming 

Basil Fitzherbert – Sport 

Phoebe Irven – Sport and Drama 

Oscar Oulton – Sport 

Daisy Pern – Sport 

Alicia Slater – Art 

Jake Smerdon – Sport 

Patrick Walsh – Music and Art 

In addition, Mr Higham, the Headmaster, 

was delighted to announce that Patrick 

McGovern had been awarded an 

Academic Scholarship to the College and 

Harry Black had been successful in his 

scholarship attempt at St Edward’s, Oxford, 

being awarded an Exhibition to that school.

Cross Country 

Success 

Another inspiring and successful cross 

country season began with both senior 

boys and girls winning our own event at St 

Martin’s Ampleforth. The ice and snow 

had melted just in time, leaving the course 

muddy and challenging for the runners. In 

the Junior Girls race, the St Martin’s 

Ampleforth team was placed third with 

encouraging runs from both Hattie Duree 

(4th) and Chiara Wittmann (8th), both 

experiencing a match for the first time. The 

Junior Boys failed to get into the top three 

overall, but we were very encouraged by 

the efforts of Leo Higham and Theo 

Smerdon, who both look strong prospects 

for the future. The Senior Girls won their 

competition, led, in first place, by Olivia 

Smerdon. The Senior Boys ran over the 

very challenging ‘Lakes’ course and won in 

fine style, maintaining a winning record that 

has lasted a decade! Oscar Oulton led the 

way in first place, with a time of 23 minutes 

57 seconds. It is very rare for a boy to 

complete the three mile course in under 

24 minutes, especially in difficult conditions. 

This initial win was backed up by a 

resounding win for our 1st Boys at 

Giggleswick with Oscar Oulton as the 

outstanding runner of the year, winning first 

place. The Senior Girls were a very 

creditable second. Further success was 

enjoyed with both the 1st Boys and Girls 

teams winning the Red House match, with 

Oscar Oulton yet again in first place in the 

boys race and Olivia Smerdon winning the 

girls race. 

The next meeting was at Woodleigh 

School, where Diego Cardon won the 

race (in the absence of Oscar Oulton) and 

the 1st boys won the match. The U11 

Girls were in second place and the first 

outing for the U9’s was rewarded with 

second place overall, with Theo Smerdon 

finishing second. 

The final match was at Worksop College, a 

new venue for us this season. A depleted 

boys team were second overall, with Jake 

Smerdon placed third. The U11 Girls 

were equal first on points but placed 

second overall on countback to fifth 

runners. Credit to Hattie Durée (3rd) and 

Chiara Wittmann (4th). All in all a great 

season. 

49 

CROSS COUNTRY SUCCESS

50 

HOCKEY 

Hockey 

On Saturday 22nd January, the air was 

electric as excited teams of juniors and 

seniors gathered in their houses to 

compete in the annual house hockey 

competition. From the skills of the seniors 

to the sheer enthusiasm of the juniors, it 

was a day of thrills and spills. It was great 

to see house captains ensuring that as 

many players as possible had a chance to 

take part. 

It was frenetic from the start. Just 12 

minutes one way to determine the result 

and then a rapid turn around. Both halves 

of the pitch echoed to the shouts of the 

competitors and spectators alike. The bank 

was jam packed with watching parents, 

friends and children. After each section had 

completed the round robin, everybody 

gathered round for the eagerly anticipated 

result. Mr Slingsby and Mr Arnold added 

up all the points. It was a draw! They then 

totted up the number of goals conceded to 

determine a winner. Still a draw! The result 

was a draw overall for Barnes and Etton in 

both the junior and senior sections. It had 

been an exhilarating afternoon of hockey 

with some memorable moments and a 

very high standard of play. 

Since then it has been a very busy few 

weeks. The boys’ hockey has been very 

exciting and Mr Arnold’s merry band have 

been travelling far and wide for fixtures. In 

one blisteringly fast game at Malsis we 

came up against several class players. While 

the scoreline of 6-2 might suggest a 

drubbing, it was far from that. There was 

some really courageous hockey played 

with Smerdon, Ainscough, Coysh and 

Fitzherbert making Malsis work hard for 

their goals. Oulton and Waley were tireless 

in attack and despite the very slippery 

conditions launched several attacks on goal. 

Outstanding in goal was Higham who, 

despite the power and skill of the talented 

Malsis skipper, saw off shot after shot and 

gave a very good account of himself. This 

was a great display of schoolboy hockey 

and the boys should feel proud of the 

standards achieved. 

In the meantime, the girls were busy at the 

Durham School annual hockey sevens 

where they worked hard in cold, blustery 

conditions to come third overall. 

Mentioned in despatches for outstanding 

performances on the day are Guilia de 

Chezelles in her first tournament on the 

wing and midfielder, Olivia Smerdon who 

was tireless in defence and also attack 

when we were on the break.

Year 7 

Concert 

On Saturday 22nd January, Year 7 rounded 

off their Parents’ Day with a concert of 

varied vocal and instrumental items in the 

Blackden Hall. Highlights included the 

vocal item beginning the concert, Give ear 

unto me by Benedetto Marcello, sung by 

Rupert Waley and Henry Laird. 

Our cellists were well represented and 

there were items played together as well 

as solos. Archie Campbell played us a 

rousing piece on the trumpet, 

appropriately titled Ready, Aim, Fire! 

followed by Christopher Tang playing us 

Hungarian Dance No 2 by Brahms on the 

violin. Set 1 sang items from Gilbert and 

Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance and Princess 

Ida, with solos by Edmund Hirst, Rupert 

Waley and Raphael Gould. Peter Black, in 

one of his two appearances, played a 

Spanish Ballad on the guitar, a most 

sensitive performance which made the 

audience listen closely. Rupert Waley 

closed the solo section with a fine vocal 

rendition of Handel’s Silent Worship. 

This was followed by the entire year group 

singing a varied programme, with audience 

participation. The evening’s entertainment 

closed with the famous You’ll never walk 

alone from Rogers and Hamerstein’s 

musical Carousel. Parents seemed delighted 

with the programme and the efforts of their 

children in performing a quite challenging 

repertoire for young boys and girls. 

51 

YEAR 7 CONCERT

52 

WORLD BOOK DAY 

World Book 

Day 

For World Book Day, Mrs Keogh, our 

librarian, offered a list of possible titles to 

the school librarians and they chose Wind 

in the Willows, mainly for the wonderful 

characters in the book. This has now 

become an annual event very much 

anticipated by in-coming librarians. Once 

the book had been chosen the set had to 

be designed, costumes ordered and 

provisions made. The Front Hall was 

turned into Moley's house, complete with 

a second hidden entrance, and a picnic on 

the river bank. Librarians dressed up as 

Toad, Mole, Ratty, Badger, the maid and 

butler and a wicked weasel while Mrs 

Keogh and parent Mrs Grace, set to work 

making delicious storybook-looking 

muffins, cakes and biscuits. The room was 

quite enchanting once the set was 

complete and every child in the school had 

the opportunity to visit and try on a face 

mask on their way through to buy a book 

at the book fair. Events like these go a long 

way to encouraging reluctant readers, firing 

the imagination of all age groups and 

inspiring more advanced pupils to write 

their own stories.

Chinese 

New Year 

Chinese New Year was celebrated by both 

the Boarders and the Pre-Prep in February. 

The Reception Class learnt the art of paper 

folding to make Chinese dancing dragons 

and even tried to eat their morning break 

using chopsticks! Year 1 learnt how to say 

Happy New Year in Chinese, learnt about 

some of the customs and enjoyed a 

Chinese tea party. The Boarders 

celebrated with a supper on Sunday night. 

Gap students, Chris and Katie, bravely 

donned Chinese robes to join in the fun: 

“We ate lots of Chinese food using 

chopsticks. Most of the people didn't know 

Pre-Prep 

Dinosaur Workshop 

Steve Plater from Dino-Star, the Dinosaur 

Experience in Hull, came to the Pre-Prep 

to lead a Dinosaur workshop on Friday 4th 

February. It was a great success and the 

children were very excited to be able to 

examine all his treasures closely. Steve 

showed the children real dinosaur claws. 

Nico correctly guessed which one 

belonged to the T-Rex. The biggest claw 

belonged to a Camasorous. The Allosaur 

skull was the most popular exhibit and Tom 

put his head inside its jaw! Kitty counted 

63 teeth. Steve explained that they were 

all different sizes because when a dinosaur 

tooth falls out another grows in its place so 

all the teeth were of different ages. In the 

second workshop the children made their 

own cast of a fossil (trilobites and small 

ammonites) by pressing it into plasticine 

and seeing it filled with plaster of paris. The 

how to use chopsticks, but the Chinese 

pupils helped them. Even so, Elena 

(Spanish) tried to do it by using an elastic 

band around her sticks! It's now the Year of 

the Rabbit, so this will bring a lot of peace 

and not really bad behaviour. Happy 

Chinese New Year!” (Rex Lei, Year 6). 

children also learnt how to make rubbings 

of these fossils. Finally Year 2, Year 1 and 

the Reception Class were divided into 

groups to search for their own fossils using 

paintbrushes in a sandbox. They were 

allowed to take home any they found. It 

was a wonderful experience for the 

children, who now have even more 

knowledge about their favourite subject! 

53 

CHINESE NEW YEAR AND PRE-PREP DINOSAUR WORKSHOP

54 

BOARDERS’ VISIT TO RIEVAULX ABBEY 

One Sunday, Fr John invited boarders to 

join him in visiting the peaceful ruins of 

Rievaulx Abbey. Situated in the North 

Yorkshire Moors National Park, the Abbey 

provides a serene and reflective local 

attraction. 

Fr John’s good friend and local historian, 

Lucy Warrack met us there and then Lucy 

walked the students through the ruined 

Abbey while providing them with a vivid 

portrayal of what life was like for monks in 

medieval times. The students remained 

reverent in respect of other visitors and the 

tranquil atmosphere of the Abbey. As they 

listened curiously to Lucy, they discovered 

how the monks lived their day to lives 

within the Abbey, what their work entailed 

and how the Abbey itself was built by their 

bare hands. Fr John compared his first hand 

experience of life in Ampleforth Abbey to 

what life was like for monks in Rievaulx 

Abbey. As a result of Fr John and Lucy 

kindly sharing their knowledge, the 

students walked away with a strong insight 

into how times have changed and what it 

meant to be a Cistercian monk from the 

year 1132 onwards. 

The day out finished with a lovely tea, 

kindly hosted by Mrs Birkett, whose 

beautiful house overlooks the ruins. 

Boarders’ visit to 

Rievaulx Abbey

Year 1 Time 

How do we know what the toys of the 

past are like? What will children play with 

in the future? Will the toys be the same as 

our toys today? It was questions like these 

that led to the children of Year 1 wanting 

to bury their toys for children of the future. 

We personally delivered a letter that Teddy 

had written to Mr Higham asking 

permission to dig a hole. Mr Higham then 

came for a meeting and agreed this was a 

good idea. The hardest task of all for the 

children was choosing something to bury. 

Clementine chose her sister’s toy! William 

buried school lego. Imogen chose a battery 

toy and Lydia a CD. Louis was very 

generous, choosing his school uniform, his 

Dad’s book, and a soft toy. The hardest 

task for Mrs E was finding a suitable 

container. Thanks to Ebay, an army 

ammunition box satisfied the children. But 

would everything fit in? 

The class could not agree on a site. The 

gardens were the preferred site but Teddy 

was so worried about Mrs E getting down 

the steps when she is 90 that it was 

decided to dig a hole at the top of the steps 

to the gardens. Mr Higham joined us, 

donating a bottle of wine to the future head 

teacher. Each item was placed in a plastic 

bag or wrapped in clingfilm. In addition to 

items put in by the children there were 

photos of the class, the classroom, the 

playground and school grounds, the daily 

prayers and weekly timetable, letters, 

poems and prayers written by the children, 

a card with 3D glasses signed by the class, 

local and national newspapers, information 

about the school and the monks and the 

bottle of wine. And it did all fit in! Everyone 

then had a turn at digging soil on top. And 

now we can look forward to the 

excitement in 50 years time when we 

open up the time capsule! 

Capsule 

55 

YEAR 1 TIME CAPSULE

17-19 June 2011 

Great Themes of 

Scripture 1 

The Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr, has proposed nine Great Themes of Scripture which 

run through the Old Testament and into the New. This retreat will examine the first three, 

entitled, ‘God needs Images – Beyond separateness and shame,' ‘Mutual Mirroring – A 

relationship of Love' and ‘The Stumbling Stone of the Law – From requirements to 

relationship.' 

11-14 July 2011 

Ampleforth 

To book please contact: 

Yvonne Wall or Gemma Kirk 

Hospitality & Pastoral Office 

Ampleforth Abbey 

York YO62 4EN 

Tel: 01439 766889 

Email: pastoral@ampleforth.org.uk 

www.hpo.ampleforth.org.uk 

A retreat led by Fr Christopher Gorst OSB. 

Loving Myself and 

Others and God 

Are these loves one and the same? Is self-love wrong? Did God first love me? 

A retreat led by Fr Matthew Burns OSB. 

Diary 

The Editorial Office 

Ampleforth Abbey & College 

York YO62 4EY 

Tel: 01439 766777 

Email: cee@ampleforth.org.uk 

www.ampleforth.org.uk 

Details of future retreats and events are 

available on the Ampleforth websites: 

www.ampleforth.org.uk 

Photography by Damian Bramley Photography www.djbphotography.com

Issue 5 - April 2011 - Ampleforth College

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