OPA Newsletter February 1982

New Series No. 41

February 1982

THE OLD PHAROSIANS'

NEWS LETTER

President:

SIR ROBIN HAYDON.

Secretary:

Philip Harding, Esq., 6 Monins Road, Dover.

Treasurer:

Ian Pascall, Esq., 36 Willow Waye, Eythorne, Near Dover.

Editor:

K. H. Ruffell, Esq., 15 Friars Way, Dover CT16 2DH.

This edition of the Newsletter covers the period from July to February during which the school has been honoured by a royal visit.

Precisely fifty years to the day after his father, Prince George, had officially opened the present buildings, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent attended a service of thanksgiving and rededication in St. Mary's Church; sat down to lunch in the school's great hall with some hundred and eighty people; toured the school and planted a commemorative tree before departing in a helicopter of 'the Queen's Flight.

Old Pharosians of all ages, including many who were in the school fifty years ago, travelled to be present. Memories stored over the past half century will be matched by those of present boys when they are a further fifty years on.

Archaeologists digging in the Roman foundations of Dover tell us that a people with no interest in the past do not deserve to have a future. Never was this school more aware of its past and its future. Never was there a stronger sense of family, a sense of belonging to historic continuity.

This was the achievement that grew from the flair and imagination, enterprise and energy of the Headmaster.

York House, 9th December, 1981.

The Duke of Kent today visited Dover Grammar School for Boys and attended a Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication.

His Royal Highness, who travelled in an aircraft of the Queen's Flight, was attended by Lieutenant-Commander Richard Buckley.
R.N.

December the 8th had been a day of such downpour of rain, sleet and snow that the nation's transport ground to a halt. But Dover streets were washed clean for the Duke and on the morning that mattered a helicopter of the Queen's Flight dropped out of a cold, blue sky on to the top field with royal precision at 11 .1 5 a .m.

All was ready at St. Mary's Church. The choir arrived early for final rehearsal, the bigger boys came at 10 a.m., the younger ones at 10.30. All behaved admirably as they watched the arrival of Old Boys and their ladies, county and local dignitaries, clergy and laity.

The Duke was received at the West Door by the Vicar and the Bishop of Dover, and a procession moved through the congregation as the choir sang as an Introit Parry's "I was glad when they said".

The Headmaster spoke a welcome to the Duke and set out the purpose of the service. Prayers were spoken by the Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church in Dover and by the Senior Priest of the Roman Catholic Church. Lessons were read by the Rev. William Kemp, who could be said to represent 1931, and by William Marshall, Head Prefect in 1981.

The choir sang Psalm 121, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, for in Dover are we not encompassed about by hills? The choir also sang a Te Deum by Stanford and an anthem, Like as the hart desireth the water brooks, by Howells. In all their contributions to the service the choir brought distinction to themselves, to Adrian Boynton and to the school.

The Bishop took as his text, "I am the Light of the World". Beneath him was the Pharosian badge, Fiat Lux, made in flowers by the ladies of Dover's Floral Guild. In like manner as the ancient Pharos guided Roman galleys across the sea to a safe haven, so a school leads boys through life's hazards to a full and interesting career. The Pharos light has been replaced by a modern coastguard station that scans the world's busiest ocean passage. Today's technological age increases the need for a clear, guiding light through life's complexities. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World."

The congregation sang the hymn "Christ is our corner-stone" and, after a blessing, the school hymn, "Let there be light". As everyone poured out of church, the police were ready to guide cars through the town to the school on the hill, where the Duke inspected a guard of honour mounted by the cadets. In the Head's study the Duke saw pictures of his father's visit exactly half a century earlier and he spoke in a friendly and relaxed manner with everyone he met.

Lunch was beautifully prepared and served by the catering department of the Technical College at Folkestone under the direction of "Chef" Finn. The loyal toast was proposed by the Head Prefect; and Headmaster then took the Duke on a tour of the school with special attention to the music department, science laboratories and the workshops. Back in the great hall the Old Pharosians and their ladies enjoyed themselves in after-lunch conversation before going out to see the Duke plant a tree. The boys were massed tier upon tier on the various levels of the school building. They cheered their farewells and the Duke waved back as he took his leave. He said he had enjoyed a relaxed day, as nice a compliment as one could desire.

The evening Dinner and Ball in Dover's Maison Dieu Hall had been arranged mainly by Mrs. Golding of the school staff and Mrs. Reidy of the Parents' Association. About three hundred people shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Colman before going in to dinner. The mood was one of easy relaxation but dignity was added, at lunch and dinner, by Mr. Reg Leppard as toast master. The good health of the school was proposed in a historical survey by Councillor W. H. Robertson, Chairman of Dover District Council. The Head replied with his unfailing after-dinner eloquence: and the company adjourned for dancing and conviviality in the Connaught Hall.

St. Matthew said "Ye are the light of the world: a city that is set on a hill can not be hid." On this day a school that is set on a hill had shed its light on successive generations of those who wish to be numbered in the continuing family life of that school.

List of those who attended some part of the celebrations on 9th December, 1981.

Old Pharosians G. S. Alien, G. C. Austin, C. C. Bailey, Dr. G. L. J. Bailey, E. H. Baker, T. Beer, L. R. Bish, A. W. Blackman, Mrs. J. C. Booth, P. Brothwell, K. Burton, P. E. Buss, Monsignor J. Callanan, L. Castle, G. E. Cheeseman, W. Collard, M. J. Cooke, A. E. Coulson, D. F. Crouch, Dr. Dewar, A. Ellender, M. W. Fenn, N. Fright, D. Gibb, R. Gladish, G. V. Graeme, R. Graeme, G. F. Grey, R. Gretton, A. H. Gunn, D. M. Gunn, E. W. Hampshire, P. Harding, R. S. Harman, B. Harrison, A. J. Hayden, C. J. Henry, L. C. Hogben, R. J. B. Hood, H. Hopkins, B. A. Howard, Sir Clifford Jarrett, D. L. Jones, Rev. W. F. Kemp, F. L. Kendall, W. G. King, E. C. Large, J. Le Prevost, A. W. Lyons, E. J. Maynard, D. J. McNeil, Sir James Menter, Bishop K. A. Newing, H. C. Newman, W. D. Newman, W. V. Newman, D. R. Ovenden, R. H. Payne, T. W. Pearce, Rev. J. Philpott, F. J. Rhodes, K. H. Ruffell, G. E. Saddleton, Lt.-Col. A. W. Salmon, D. G. A. Sanders, Mrs. R. Sandiford, M. G. Sayers, M. J. Sharp, J. M. Simmonds, R. G. Standen, A. G. Stone, T. A. Sutton, J. E. Tansley, F. J. Tapley, A. J. Thomas, A. A. C. Tolputt, K. Tolputt, Mrs. L. V. Turnpenny, R. J. Unstead, T. S. Walker, H. R. W. Watkins, G. L. Watt, D. Weaver, S. J. Wenborn, F. G. West-Oram, Brigadier W. M. E. White, R. W. Winter.

The Earl and Countess of Guilford. Representatives of Kent County Council and Kent Education Committee.

The Dover District Chairman and the Town Mayors of Dover and Deal. School Governors. Officers and members of the Parents' Association. Representatives of local education, the police and the clergy. The Headmaster, present staff and boys of the school.

Many ladies helped to prepare for the celebrations and were present at the service, the lunch, tree planting and evening dinner and dance.

Apologies are expressed to any who were present and whose names have been by chance omitted from the above list.

By the time this is read in February the events of 9th December, 1981 will have taken their place in the history of the school. As I write they are fresh in my mind and I am grateful to the Editor for including this in the Newsletter.

It was a splendid day in all its facets and many have cause to thank the Headmaster and all who made it possible for giving such pleasure.

For myself I naturally felt very proud of my association with the school. I am most grateful for the kind and generous tributes paid to my father.

He would have been so pleased with the carefully planned arrangements and the high standards which still prevail. Above all he would have been delighted with the Service at St. Mary's Church and the excellent musical contributions by the school's pupils. Perhaps the simple fact that would have touched him most was that the greenery used in the flower arrangements had come from the bushes at Astor Avenue which he had so carefully planned over fifty years ago.

Is it too much to think that he and Mr. Booth and others of their colleagues were among us during the day? I hope not!

The above letter is one of many received after 9th December and the school is grateful to all who wrote.

Your Old Pharosian committee felt that the celebrations of 9th December should be recorded in a commemorative book with the above title.

Material already assembled includes appreciations of Mr. Fred Whitehouse and Mr. J. C. Booth; a reminiscent article from Dr. Michael Hinton; an account of the day's celebrations on 9th December, 1981; a list of teaching staff who served in the school between 1931 and 1981; and a large number of photographs taken in 1931 and 1981.

A few pages at the end will be left empty for individual recording of the school's future developments as reported in your Newsletter.

The book is intended to have historical value that will appeal to Old Pharosians, parents and other friends of the school.

Promises of sponsorship have been received and Old Pharosians have already sent cheques to a total income to date of about £200. But the total cost of an edition of two hundred copies is £1,000.

Your committee has decided that unless at least £900 is received by 15th February the project is not viable and cheques will have to be returned.

At the end of this Newsletter are details of the book. If you will now return the tear-off slip, accompanied by your cheque, you will secure a book you will be glad to have on your shelves; and you will help to make possible a lasting addition to the school's recorded history.

On June 24th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., twenty-one Old Pharosians with the Headmaster and Editor of the Newsletter met in the "Dover Castle", Weymouth Mews, London, W1.

There was something to eat, something to drink and plenty to talk about. The Head spoke about impending developments in the school and about the Jubilee celebrations planned for December. Sir Robin Haydon outlined hopes and plans for the year ahead under his presidency. Everyone there felt grateful to Lester Borley for arranging this most pleasant evening.

Something has got to be done about this match which used to be a pleasure to watch or play in. The school team that played this year was the result of the master-in-charge having to go round the school begging to find eleven boys willing to play.

The school team had one very good player, their captain, Richard Hopkinson. He did all he could in the circumstances and every boy did his best and behaved well.

Perhaps the fixture should be moved to a date in June before the 'A' level boys have blotted their last page and departed to lucrative employment on the boats.

In this year's game the Old Boys scored 148 for 7 wickets: and the school were all out for 25.

The Annual General Meeting was held at school at 11.15 a.m. on Saturday, 19th September and was better attended than previous annual general meetings.

The Secretary reported on the Committee's work during the year. The Treasurer's report showed that subscriptions amounted to £412.75 and the two Newsletters cost £410.34. £100 had been transferred from deposit account to current account to meet expenses but deposit account still stood at a little over £600.

When minutes of last year's meeting came under review, Headmaster reported that the school organ could be given a temporary remedial treatment for £2,000 but a radical solution involving an electronic link between keys and pipes would need £7,000.

The Association membership continues to increase, partly because all school-leavers now join the Association by virtue of subscriptions paid by Barclays Bank. Fifteen of the 1980 leavers had since become life members.

The meeting endorsed committee recommendation that from 1st August, 1982 subscriptions for life membership should increase from £10 to £15 and ordinary members should pay an annual subscription of £2 instead of £1. A letter bearing on this matter will appear in the July Newsletter.

Election of Officers for 1981-82: President, Sir Robin Haydon.
Vice-President, Mr. T. Beer.

Assistant Secretary, Mr. Colin Henry.
Newsletter Editor, Mr. K. H. Ruffell.

New members coming on to the committee: Rev. W. Kemp and Mr. Terry Sutton.
Staff members of committee: Mr. B. W. Denham and Mr. R. Gabriel.

Member elected by the staff: Mr. M. H. Smith.

Hon. Auditor: Rev. W. Kemp.

The President expressed the thanks of the Association to Rev. W. Kemp for his many years of service as Treasurer.

He also looked forward to celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the school's entry into the present buildings. The following year, 1982, will be the 50th anniversary of the installation of the organ and the repair of this valuable instrument could be a main cause for concern and action in the year ahead.

The next Old Boys' Day with its A.G.M. and Dinner, will be on 25th September, 1982.

Names of Old Pharosian players: Mick Palmer, John Allingham, Chris King, Dave Hudson, Neil Beverton, Kevin Kiely, John Morgan, Kevin Redsull, Nicky Syrett, Graham Hutchinson, Dave Palmer.

Score: Old Boys 5, School 2 (H.T. 1-1). Old Boys' scorers: Dave Palmer (3). John Allingham, Graham Hutchinson.

In committee there were some who feared that the September dinner and the December celebrations could be mutually damaging. Optimists maintained that enthusiasm would carry both occasions successfully and the September dinner was certainly well attended and enjoyable. For the first time, the school prefects were present. One young gentleman lit an after-dinner cigar and what the Head said to him subsequently is fortunately not known.

When the company was in its warmest after-dinner mood of relaxation, Lord Cockfield of Dover reassured those of us who have failing memories by telling us that in the House of Lords the day's business is preceded by prayer and the duty bishop has the words of the Lord's Prayer in front of him in case his mind should lose its way. A dinner gains in interest when someone of high distinction troubles to come to his old school to bring a breath of life from the corridors of power.

Sir Robin Haydon outlined some of the history, purposes and achievements of the Association. He quoted Hilaire Belloc's lines:

Shall sit and drink with me.

We enjoyed sitting and drinking and listening to him.

Toasts to the School and the Association having been honoured, the Head warmed to his theme that personal integrity is of more worth than exam results. He welcomed opportunities for parents to choose a school and participate in its life and upkeep. Our school is maintained by government and local authority but has no private funds and is sustained in its work by the Parents' Association and the Old Pharosians. Among the company present were representatives of the Parents' Association whose links with the Old Pharosians are being strengthened for the purposes that we serve in common.

Those who attended the dinner included Sir Robin and Lady Haydon, Lord and Lady Cockfield, Mr. and Mrs. Colman, Mrs. J. C. Booth, twenty-three other ladies, and about ten prefects.

Old Pharosians and Parents: C. Bailey, E. H. Baker, T. Beer, J. R. Booth, D. Crouch, C. Deverson, J. Dicks, R. Eades, M. Eslam, D. Grinsted, D. Gunn, P. Harding, C. Henry, J. Horn, F. Jasper, C. H. Keeler, Rev. W. F. Kemp, J. Le Prevost, J. McNeil, H. Newman, W. Newman, Senior, W. Newman, Junior, J. Pain, J. A. Reidy, F. Rhodes, M. Sayers, M. Sharp, J. Shepherd, D. Soppitt, W. Skelton, A. Tolputt, R. Winter, — Wraight.

Members of the present staff: I. W. Bird, A. Boynton, B. Denham, A. O. Elliott and M. H. Smith.

Retired members of staff: W. G. King, K. H. Ruffell and T. S. Walker.

Friendships were renewed, tongues wagged and jokes flowed the whole evening, when 17 Old Pharosians who joined the school in 1941 in Ebbw Vale days met at The Archer, Whitfield on Saturday, 26th September last for a reunion. Many of us had not met since we left school, yet amazingly, with one or two exceptions we all recognised each other. Many had travelled long distances to be there and we all found it a great joy to meet up again. It was sad when this thrilling evening came to an end.

How did this grand time come about? Bill Collard worked hard over the past year to locate as many as possible of our group and managed to find 22. Of those, the 17 who made it were: C. C. Bailey, 'Bod' Bowles, V. E. Carr, R. G. Castle, R. S. Chawner, D. F. Clayton, W. E. Collard, A. Edgington, P. Elgar, A. Gallagher, B. Hedgecock, P. E. Marsh, D. J. Moore, D. S. Nurney, P. D. Post, W. Skelton and E. Stow. It was a pity that Derek Crouch (Past President) was not able to come because of previous commitment, nor was Les Whelton because of torrential rain in Yorkshire. Michael Rigden was located in Herefordshire and Les Steggles in Oxfordshire, but they were unable to make the trip. We were all saddened to learn of the deaths of Cliff Garwood and Jim Hancock earlier this year and of Peter MacPherson last year.

No arrangements were made to meet again, but perhaps those of us who still live locally can meet again from time to time—we do after all have a local landlord among our number.

Wednesday, 24th, 4.15 at Crabble. Rugby match, School v. Old Boys. Please write to Tom Walder, Alvisa, St. Vincent Road, St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Dover.

Thursday, 25th, Friday 26th, Saturday 27th. School production of "My Fair Lady". There is a suggestion that Friday night might be "Old Boys' Night" and tickets for that or any other evening may be obtained from the school secretary or the Editor of the Newsletter.

APRIL

Saturday 22nd. The May Ball. Please apply for tickets to the school secretary.

JULY

Saturday 10th, 2 p.m. Cricket match, Old Boys v. School. Please write to Jack Kremer, 37 Old Park Hill, Dover.

SEPTEMBER

Saturday 25th. Old Boys' Day. Annual General Meeting at 11 a.m. Soccer at 2.30. Dinner in the evening. Soccer players should write to Mick Palmer at 12 Hazeldown Close, River, Dover.

Tuesday, 21st July. The Summer Miscellany.
There was a bad weather forecast, mist crept up-Channel and storm clouds rolled over the Downs. But ladies came in summer dresses to listen to mid-summer music.

The choir seemed larger than ever before. There were one or two Old Boys singing, for apparently no one ever leaves this choir.

The music ranged from a Mozart piano concerto to a Rock Group, a Chamber Choir and that very popular Jazz Group. The main item among many offering the spoken word was an adaptation of a Tolkien story. The boys had adapted and presented the piece themselves and the result was well received and much to their credit.

Wine in the interval had to be taken indoors but in that kind of summer what else could one expect?

Wednesday, 7th October, at 2.15. A Junior Prize Giving.
This was a new idea, the intention being to lighten the burden on Guest Evening in November. Headmaster gave the address to boys and parents, and Mrs. Colman presented the prizes and certificates. The idea of a separate occasion of this kind for juniors is well worth continuing.

Monday, 26th October, at 5.30. Evensong in Canterbury Cathedral.
The Head Prefect had in his hands the power of the cathedral organ and the choirmaster and choir had at stake the reputation they have established. A large congregation of parents, old boys and friends must have been heartened by the quality and rich atmosphere of everything about the occasion. William Kemp, now a minor canon of the cathedral, spoke the prayers, including prayers for the Dover Grammar School for Boys in this its year of thanksgiving and rededication.

Friday, 6th November. Guest Evening.
There were changes from established patterns, some for the better and some for the worse.

Now we see girls in the orchestra as well as in the chamber choir, to the benefit of both. There is so much to be said for coeducation.

The Head Prefect made a report. As Dr. Johnson said of a woman preacher, "It is not a question of whether it were done well or ill, but whether it should be done at all."

At least he freed the Head from the need to propound the usual guest evening list of "successes", leaving Head free to philosophize about rededication of mind, body and soul. He commented on the flood of reminiscence and anecdote that had come from Old Boys in response to the 50th anniversary of the opening in 1931 of the present buildings.

About 270 boys processed across the stage to receive '0' and' A' level certificates. Applause became polite and perfunctory. Then followed the prize-winners, many of the clever fellows in whatever they touched coming round and round time and again. Thirty-five of last year's sixth form have gone to universities and several wore their undergraduate gowns to demonstrate their status, a pleasant practice.

Headmaster kept looking round at the clock in some alarm at the advancing hour. Eventually the guest speaker had his say and warmed the company by assuming that he had been invited because Max Boyce was not available. He had a nice Welsh store of anecdotes before getting round to the question—"What is an educated man?" He supplied a number of characteristics relevant to the question he had set; and then supplied his own personal, pragmatic and exemplary answer, "An educated man is one who does as I have done—he marries brains."

Instead of sherry for some before the evening's programme, there is now coffee for all after the event. This is well worth continuing and made an enjoyable end to an evening that had been interesting but over-long.

Tuesday, 15th December, at 7.30. Carol Service.
As ever, so many delightful happenings brighten mid-winter in the run-up to Christmas. Because of pressure of other demands on time, this year's music was on familiar, uncomplicated lines and if anything the appeal was enhanced rather than diminished.

The school's Lenten appeal raised £1,025 for the East Kent Hospice project.

Some masters volunteered for a soaking as boys paid to pour buckets of water over them; and one youngster charged for a performance in which he gave impressions of the teachers.

Two boys have become Queen's Scouts. Their endeavours included week-end work in Buckland Hospital, a 50-mile trek over Welsh mountains, First Aid and Fire Brigade training, music and drama.

It was a wet cold afternoon on 26th June, 1981, more like midwinter, when we gathered to pay our last respects and tributes to Alec Coveney, master, tutor and friend for nearly forty years at the school. He will be remembered as a gentle man who always observed the niceties of life. The Service at River was moving in its simplicity. The Vicar paid suitable tribute to Alec's contribution to the life of the school and the community. The hymns "Guide me O thou great Jehovah" and "Fight the Good Fight" were sung. The school was represented by the Headmaster, also former colleagues, Messrs. F. Kendall, A. Coulson, T. Walker, M. Smith, E. Large, A. Bird and N. Horne, Old Pharosians by E. H. Baker, P. A. Slater and Rev. and Mrs. Sandiford.

Alec Coveney taught at the school from 1934 to 1970, serving during the 1939-45 war as an instructor at Chatham.

L. H. R. ABBOTT (1925-32) has recently retired to Norfolk after being a solicitor in Woverhampton for the past twenty-six years.

G. L. J. BAILEY (1926-34) recalls being one of the science sixth form boys who under the guidance of W. E. Pearce, put in the electric wiring to the organ and also equipped the stage switchboard with a most alarmingly dangerous set of dimmers.

H. C. BLACKFORD (1928-32) has moved to 15 Davenport Road, Coventry CV5 6QA and remembers taking part in "Arms and the Man", the first full length play the school ever performed.

H. W. BOND wrote from Leicester and sent a quantity of reminiscences, with photos, of the school in 1937.

Capt. J. McCONNELL died on 19th November in the Royal Masonic Hospital in London.

Monsignor J. CALLANAN lives at the Archbishop's House, St. George's Road, London SE1 6HY. He recalls that he and his brother were the first Roman Catholics admitted to the school.

GEORGE CURRY (1927-36) has been in Dover during the autumn and gave a performance in school of his adaptation of "Great Expectations" by Dickens.

Dr. A. D. DEWAR (1923-34) has a practice in Edinburgh and specializes in the treatment of stutterers.

A. ELLENDER (1925-35) lives in Maidstone and recalls being in the Cadet Guard of Honour in 1931. His father was an O.P. and was killed in the 1914-18 war. His brother, Peter is another old boy, as is his nephew.

E. H. FRY (1907-12) died at his home in the Gateway, Dover on 2nd December, 1 981 . He was a teacher in Dover for many years.

A. H. GUNN and his wife celebrated their Golden Wedding on 15thJuly,1981.

E. W. HAMPSHIRE, in correspondence, paid tribute to the charm and efficiency of the school telephonist. We all know that this tribute is richly deserved.

G. E. HARROW (1921-23) recalls being Secretary to the Association in 1931. His two brothers and his son are all Old Pharosians.

S. J. JEFFREY (1920-26) died at Canterbury on 30th August, 1981, aged 73 years.

SEDGEWICK JELL (1934-42) works in the Foreign Office in , London after serving in many overseas stations. He met a D.B.G.S. party in the Baltic when they were on their way to visit the Winter Palace in Leningrad.

A. W. LYONS, at the 1931 opening of the school buildings, had the honour of beating the big drum in the Corps band. The drum major was R. Hood, later a Major in the Royal Corps of Signals, and the cymbal player was Gordon Graeme, now a circuit judge.

J. D. McNEIL (1926-35) is now able to attend most O.P. functions. He returned from Bahrein in 1965 and transferred to the British Airports Authority until he retired to Walmer in 1980. He worked at Heathrow and Gatwick and in 1978 published an authoritative work on supervision of Airport Services.

W. E. MOORE wrote from "Owzat" in Debenham, Suffolk with twelve sides of immensely human and interesting reminiscence. Alas, not all are printable but would be rich material for after-dinner entertainment.

SIDNEY MORRIS died recently in Folkestone. He was a life member of the Association and a founder member of the Pharos Lodge.

KENNETH NEWING (1931-40), Archdeacon of Plymouth, has been appointed Bishop of Plymouth.

D. R. OVENDEN (1938-40) has retired from his life's work as an architect but generously applied skill and time to draw up the seating plan for lunch on 9th December, 1981. This plan will go into the school archives.

COLIN PADDOCK (1928-351 writes from Arabia to recall the lusty singing of his fellow schoolboys in "Trans" when Prince George came in 1931.

GEORGE PLATER (1912-16) died on 9th December, 1981, aged 81 years. Many Old Pharosians were at the funeral service in River Church. He left school to become an apprentice and in 1948 became District Engineer to the Electricity Service. He enjoyed gardening and his final admission to hospital was the first admission in his life. He served in both world wars and between the wars played cricket for the Old Pharosians. He was President of the Association in 1953 and Auditor until September, 1981.

P. L. REED (1917-20) died on 10th October, aged 75 years. He was a Freeman of the City of London and "extremely proud of his old school".

WILLIAM SMITHEN (1921-26) died on 25th July, 1981, aged 70 years. Ill-health had forced early retirement and latterly he was employed part-time by Dover Rural Council. He was at one time Treasurer of the Association.

W. M. E. WHITE wrote that "the scene when we went into lunch, with the orange table napkins, made my wife gasp with pleasure".

LESLIE WEBSTER died in Guy's Hospital on 22nd November, aged 61 years. His father and his son passed through the school and there are very few families that already have Pharosians through three generations.

FRANK WEST-ORAM recalled the 1930 Pharos Dance Band. He thought the Marine Band on 9th December, 1981 was "a bit loud" but he gave them "full marks".

R. C. WILSON (1905-12) has contributed valuable recollections of the earliest days of the school. He writes "I left in 1912, the same year as Norman Sutton, and we opened the innings of the Old Boys' cricket team."

R. G. BOOTH (1951-59) is now one of H.M. Inspectors and has been assigned to the Birmingham area, his office being in Kenilworth. He and his family have moved to a house in Warwick.

M. J. CHEESEMAN (1945-52) has a Foreign Office job that has taken him to Berlin, Hong Kong, U.S.A., Canada and Abyssinia. He is now in Cyprus. The Cheeseman family have had grandfather, father and son pass through the school.

DENIS DOBLE (1948-55), in the British Embassy at Lima, is enjoying a three month stint as Charge d'Affaires. He now has two children and, though he finds Peru a fascinating country, would rather like a return to London after seven years abroad.

Dr. JAMES W. HANCOCK (1941-45) has died in the U.S.A., aged 50 years. He married an American lady and there is a son at university in Chicago.

PETER HEARN (1945-51) has written another novel "From the High Skies" drawing on his experience as a free-fall parachutist.

JOHN MITCHINSON (1949-61), formerly Art master at Oundle School, is now Head of the Art Department' at a College of Education in Lincoln.

TONY MITCHINSON is in the accountancy business with Reeves and Neylan in Deal. It will be no surprise that another Mitchinson is now in the school.

MAURICE SAYERS (1939-42) is chairman of the Dover Rugby Club and holds coaching sessions for young players on Sunday mornings.

JOHN RUSSELL TAYLOR (1947-53) appeared on BBC2 on 20th August at the National Film Theatre where he conducted an interview with Ingrid Bergman. He gave her every opportunity to delight the audience and wider public.

SYDNEY WILLCOCKS (1955-62) is moving from Herefordshire on appointment as Headteacher of a large junior school in Salisbury.

TREVOR DIXON (1965-68) lectures in environmental studies at the Buckinghamshire Coliege of Higher Education. He received from the hands of the Queen Mother a commendation for work in the Keep Britain Tidy project. David Slater was present as Honorary Treasurer of the British Trust for Conservation volunteers scheme.

WILLIAM FITTALL (1964-72) wrote from Paris where he has been following a course at the Ecole Nationale d'Administration. In September he began a two-month stint in a Prefecture in Toulon.

DAVID JOHNSON took his Cambridge science degree into industry with Elliot Automation where he was mainly involved with computers. But three years ago he took himself out of industry into teaching and finds the change much to his liking.

RICHARD OWENS who left school in 1966 to go to university has returned to Kent and now lives at 33 Mossy Glade, Rainham.

IAN WADE (1959-67) teaches geography at Folkestone Technical School and may be seen with his students on field studies among the well-known excellent sites in East Kent.

DEREK ASLETT (1969-76). Hants v. Kent, at Bournemouth. Kent: First Innings. R. A. Woolmer, c Parks, b Malone O. L. Potter, c Parks, b Jesty 18. N. R. Taylor, lbw b Malone 17. D. Aslett not out 146. C. S. Cowdrey, lbw b Malone 33. G. W. Johnson, c Terry, b Stevenson 70. R. M. Ellison, lbw b Tremlett 1. E. Baptiste not out 22. Extras lib 14, nb 2) 16. Total for 6 wickets 323. Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-27, 3-53, 4-134, 5-257, 6-268. Bonus Points: Kent 3, Hampshire 2. Hope for the present and future was then revived by an outstanding innings from 23-year-old newcomer Derek Aslett. Nearly run out before scoring, he batted with growing assurance to stay undefeated with 146, completing his maiden century in the course of a century partnership with Graham Johnson. His score is understood to be the second highest debut innings in county cricket and included nineteen boundaries as well as a six. He returns in the winter to Western Australia where he will coach and play. His contract with Kent has been renewed for next season.

The cricket page of the Dover Express on 14th August contained many references to past and present players from Dover Grammar School.

At the previous week-end Robin Hastie had scored 97 and Alan Edgington 64. Alan Beer had a century to his credit while among the bowling performances L. Hayles took 8 for 14 and T. Kremer 6 for 22.

Five Old Pharosians were playing for Dover in the Kent League. Derek Aslett scored 47 and Chris Penn took a couple of wickets. Later in the week Penn played for Young England cricketers against the Young Indians and Aslett had two useful scores for Kent 2nd XI against Surrey.

TIM BATSON (1966-73) appeared in The Observer coloured supplement as "Tim Bat", professional juggler, who runs a juggling class in Covent Garden.

RICHARD BLACKMAN (1970-77) is the new president of Dover's Rotaract Club. He took over from Gordon Warren who was recently married in Buckland Church.

MICHAEL COURT (1966-74) took his Oxford degree in English into advertising and he recently won the Independent Radio Authority's award for the best music accompanying a radio commercial. He has travelled on fourteen liners in the past eight years and has just returned from New York in the OE2.

STEPHEN GARLINGE (1969-76), one-time school goalkeeper, has become the youngest manager in the Debenham stores group. He is in charge of their Stockport store.

TONY KING (1968-73) lives in Deanwood Road, River, and has a business involved in C.B. Radio. He has a young Thai wife and a little girl one year old.

STEPHEN LAWRENSON (1974-78) got an Upper Second degree at Manchester and celebrated with a four-week motor cycle tour of 4,000 miles through Western Europe. He is now marketing for 3M U.K. Ltd.

DAVID LAWRENSON (1974-80) is reading for a B.Sc.(Econ.) degree at Cardiff and meets people whose parents recall the wartime Dover invasion of Ebbw Vale.

D. J. MAYNARD (1972-79) has done a two-year course in Civil Engineering at Kingston Polytechnic. He is now doing a year of work experience and plans to return to Kingston to complete the degree course.

P. J. MAYNARD finished last year a degree course in mechanical engineering at Brunei and is now working in Rochester with Marconi Co.

PAUL PAYNE (1972-78) recently passed out of Dartmouth as a midshipman and has joined H.M.S. Hermes for fleet training.

PAUL TAYLOR (1973-80) is at a college in Worcester doing a three-year course based mainly on geography.

CHRISTOPHER SOUTHEY completed his articled training with Cumbria County Council and is now an assistant solicitor with Durham County. He married in May and has done some work for Amnesty International and continued his musical interests.

KEVIN REDSULL (1966-73), a frequent correspondent and footballer and full-time journalist, has moved to 1 6 Viceroy Court, Dunstable, Beds.

JULIAN SAMPSON (1970-77) followed his London degree in geography with a year at Wye College where he got an M.Sc. in Agriculture Economics. He is now an assistant to one of the partners of a firm of agricultural surveyors and auctioneers in Canterbury.

DAVID THOMAS is now financed through Oxford University to carry out research in environmental change in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. This work is under the direction of the Oxford School of Geography and should lead to a D.Phil. degree.

N. A. BAKER (1973-80) obtained a Merit pass at the end of his first year in the School of Mathematics at Canterbury.

M. ERRINGTON (1970-77) was awarded an Honours degree in Social Sciences at Southampton.

C. P. GILL gained 1st class honours in Banking and Finance at Loughborough, winning the Midland Bank prize in all three years. After a year of research in International Banking he was awarded an M.Phil. degree. He is now working in London for Midland Bank's International Division in their Oil and Energy group.

DAVID HEADON (1969-76) obtained a 2nd class degree of B.Sc.(Sociology) at the University of Bath.

GRAHAM NORRIS (1970-77) was awarded an Honours degree in Economics at Canterbury.

D. D. OLIVER got a 2nd class B.A. Honours degree in Literature at Essex University.

I am indebted for the substance of the following account to some of the school's earliest pupils: Mrs. K. Codd (nee Thompson), of the Gateway, Dover, Mr. A. G. Gooding, of South Croydon, Mrs. L. Turnpenny (nee Vass), of Park Avenue, Dover and Mr. R. C. Wilson, of Exmouth.

They named many of their contemporaries, among them a pupil teacher, Ernest Gann.

By the longest possible arm of coincidence, Mr. E. H. Gann taught me at Hampton School, Middlesex in the late nineteen-twenties.

He was a splendid, quiet teacher who ran a magnificent programme of athletics. Unhappily, he died in service about 1930.

Mr. Gooding ended a letter with these words: "Les souvenirs. C'est la chanson que l'on se chante lorsqu' on n'a plus de voix."

In 1902 an Education Act required that Secondary Schools should be provided by local authorities to meet the needs of able pupils in the elementary schools already provided by Church and State.

In Dover at that time education of a standard above that of the elementary schools was provided by Dover College and a Girls' School of the Public Day Schools Trust in the Paddock, Maison Dieu Road.

In Park Street, behind the Town Hall, was a "School of Art" and "Municipal School" that included a pupil-teacher training centre, classes of various kinds being given in day-time and in the evening. In 1903 among the teachers in this establishment were Messrs. J. Tomlinson, G. D. Thomas, F. Smith, R. S. Standring, W. H. Darby and G. W. Coopland.

In 1903 Mr. Whitehouse arrived to take an appointment as "Director of Further Education" and when in 1905 the establishment was named as the Dover County School he became Headmaster. "Forty years on" became the school song: and there were about sixty boys to sing it, some only nine years old.

At this time there was on Priory Hill a private school for girls, named St. Hilda's School, directed by Miss Jessie Chapman. So when Mr. Whitehouse became Head of the Boys' County School, Miss Chapman became Head of the Girls' School, each in the buildings already occupied, with Mr. Whitehouse having overall direction. He went to the girls' school to give singing lessons; and the girls went to the boys' school for art and chemistry. The schools joined forces for prize-givings and Christmas parties, both in the Town Hall. There were dancing lessons for sixpence in a hall on Priory Hill: and school dinners, when eventually started, cost the same sixpence.

There were entrance exams to the schools and scholarships awarded but fees were also charged. In 1905 the girls paid 30-shillings per term plus 8 shillings 4 pence per year for books.

Pupils took the Oxford Junior and Senior exams and in 1908 Mr. Whitehouse started a co-educational sixth form, selecting a few girls to join the boys in his premises in a room known as the "Well". Form 6A worked toward Matriculation and later Intermediate Arts and Science, while 6B prepared for admission to a Teacher Training College. Sixth form girls continued to start the day with prayers under Miss Chapman but spent the rest of the day being taught by the male staff of Mr. Whitehouse.

There were two classrooms and a cloakroom on the ground floor; and downstairs was a larger room with lockers where gym was practised. Upstairs was a room large enough for assembly and a chemistry lab. The yard outside, now a car park, was a gravel playground and the present bowling green was also a recreation area around which boys could walk one way—and the girls in the opposite direction.

In the academic year 1908-09 Kent Education Committee decreed that the co-educational sixth form must stop but that any girl who had begun a course could complete it. All girls left at the end of the year except Kitty Thompson (now Mrs. Codd), who stayed a short time and Lily Vass (now Mrs. Turnpenny) who stayed until 1912.

By September 1909 the girls' school had moved to the Paddock, vacated by the G.P.D.S. Trust: and in the buildings on Priory Hill a junior boys' department was started under Mr. L. Langley.

The two girls remaining in the boys' school mended masters' gowns, helped with cricket and sports teas and served tea to visiting examiners. Mrs. Turnpenny studied mainly at the direction of Mr. Coopland and gained a scholarship to London University. At Bedford College she eventually gained an Honours degree in English Literature and French.

Mr. Coopland started the Pharos magazine in 1910. He worked on a thesis for a D.Litt. degree of Liverpool University where he became a lecturer and finally Professor of Mediaeval History.

We leave the story of the school's earliest years when the school moved in 1916 to Frith Road, followed in 1931 to the present site on Whinless Down. We should not end this account of the early years of the school without due tribute to Mr. Fred Whitehouse, Headmaster from the beginning to 1936. The present school on the hill, its buildings, character and achievements are his lasting memorial.

The School invites you to subscribe to a private limited edition souvenir book entitled

FIFTY YEARS 0N

The book will be case bound with a colour jacket, 9½" X 7¼", and will contain memories and pictures of the opening of the new school by H. R. H. Prince George in 1931, photographs and details of the anniversary ceremonies on 9th December, 1981 and articles about the School in the intervening 50 years.

A number of personal recollections and anecdotes will be included. The Headmaster has already received many from Staff and Old Pharosians but he would be very pleased to receive more.

Subscribers to the book will be listed therein providing the School receives the form below and a cheque before 15th February 1982. Publication is expected by Easter 1982.

The production costs of the book are partly being met by local business houses and any surplus will be devoted to School projects.

As a friend of the School we feel sure you will wish to be associated with this publication which will be a permanent reminder to you of notable events in the School's history and record your participation and continued interest.

Please send me on publication. . . . . copies of Fifty Years On at £5 each. If this form is received by you before 15th February, 1982 I would like my name included in the list of subscribers in the following way.....................................................................................................

I attach a cheque for.............................................................................

Name .................................................................................................

Address...............................................................................................

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