OLD WINBURNIANS NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2007

At our Christmas reunion there was a record attendance of 117 guests, our fully paid-up membership stands

at about 335, so it is fair to say we must be doing something right! However, if you know of anyone whose

membership has lapsed, or a former student of QEGS who has never been a member of the OWs, do

encourage them to rejoin/join us at the earliest opportunity. Good fellowship enriches all our lives and there

is plenty of that to be found in our Association.

This edition of the Newsletter contains a number of feature articles, each interesting in its own right. One

relates to the Switzerland trip of 1947 which seems to have struck a particular chord with a number of our

older members. Having been privileged to be a part of recent Poole Grammar School (Yes, I know- the old

enemy!) expeditions to Rome, Paris and Amsterdam I appreciate just how significant such trips can be in the

lives of the participants. Long after the mundane, routine days of school life are forgotten, such journeys bring

back so many treasured memories. If any of you wish to send me your recollections of other such trips when

you were at school, I would welcome your contributions.

On a more serious note, I know several present and former Committee members and others in our Association,

have recently undergone operations and suffered major health problems. We all send our very best wishes to

those individuals and hopes for a speedy recovery.

I have just been reading the concerns of a number of scientists about the potential dangers of allowing robots

too much influence in all our lives. Potential? I thought such creatures were already well established in some

of our institutions. Two that spring to immediately to mind are the House of Commons and Health and Safety.

Or is your Editor being too politically incorrect and provocative?

Ladies and gentlemen - and John Dacombe, of course - I/we look forward enormously to welcoming you to

our next gathering on Saturday, July 7. I wonder if we can make it an even larger gathering?

To each one of you, at home and abroad, the Committee sends its very best wishes for an excellent and healthy

and fulfilling year.

Compliments, Alan Bennett

FORTHCOMING REUNIONS

Saturday, 1 December 2007

Saturday, 5th July 2008

Saturday, 13th December 2008

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THE REUNION ON SATURDAY, 2 DECEMBER, 2006

The following is a list of those members (their spouses and friends, where known) who attended. Where

possible, I have included the maiden names of our lady members.

Alwyn Annels, Gareth Annels, Ann Antell,

Morgan Antell, Emma Ayling, Michael Bartlett,

Alan Bennett, Nick Bishop, Tony Bletsoe, Alice

Booth, Reg Booth, Cynthia Breach, Rex Breach,

Erica Burry, Paul Burry, Eunice Carnall (nee

Chadd), Pam Charman, Paul Charman, Rod Cheese, John

Clode, Brian Cooper, M.A. Copelin, Robert Copelin, Janet Coy

(nee Dowd), John Dacombe, John Dare, Janet Davidson (nee

Horsey), Zen Dotimas, Jack Douch, Peter Douch, Bob Downer,

Joyce Downton, Faith Elford (nee Hawes), Peter Eyres, David

Finnemore, Elaine Flippant, John Flippant,

Doug Foyle, Olive Foyle, Mervyn Frampton,

Sue Frampton, Edgar Francis, Ine Francis,

David Fripp, John Froud, Margaret Froud,

Brian Glover, John Guy, Frank Hackforth,

Brian Hall, Jill Hall, Lawson Hall, Noreen Hall, Audrey Hallett,

Keith Harvey, Bill Haskell, Sue Hatherley (nee Bush), Dot

Hawker, Len Hawker, Kay Herridge, Maurice Herridge, Geoff

Hill, John Hilton-King, John Horsey, Patrick Keeping, Sue

Lawrence, Alan Maitland, June Maitland, Patricia Marshall

(nee Unsworth), Jenny Moss (nee Day), Vic Moss, Fay Nicklen,

Kay Nicklen, Charles Palmer, Wilfred Palmer, Peter Pardy, Beau Parke, Brian Pearce, Len Pearce, Roy

Perry, Don Phillips, Graham Powell, Christine Price (nee Richmond), Terry Randall, Betty Read (nee White),

Richard Read, Gordon Richards, Nesta Richards, David Roberts, Ray Scott, John Selby, Elsie Shears, Frank

Shears, Ken Smart, Margaret Stokes (nee Burden), Geoff Stokes, Rodney Smith, Anne Sweeney, Cynthia

Tanner (nee Streets), Neill Tanner, Ken Taylor, Patricia Townsend, Monica Vatcher (nee Brown), Peter

Weaver, Geoff Welch, Stan White, Roger Whittaker, Ed Wood, Jose Wood, Beryl Wythers (nee Moreton).

APOLOGIES

Richard Ferguson, Dick Jeffrey, Tony Leigh, David Park, Brian Richmond.

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Ken Nicklen and Terry Randall

Rod Hurt and Don Phillips

David Finnemore and Derek Stevens

Our illustrious Chairman

Carolyn Kamcke

IMPORTANT NOTICE

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As the Summer Renunion is less formal than the Winter Lunch, it is

anticipated that, after a brief welcome from The Chair, there will be a Toast

to the ‘Good Lady Meg’, followed by the School Song. The proceeds of the

Summer & Winter Raffles will be divided between two charities, The

Bournemouth Talking Newspaper and “Julia’s House”, the Dorset childrens’

hospice.

DISTANT TIMES RECALLED

We have obtained a copy of the Winburnian magazine running from 1907 to 1927. This is the volume which

was thought to be missing but which has been in the safekeeping of Chris Hampton, a former Master who

lives in Ferndown. To read through these pages is to make acquaintance with a world we thought forgotten.

What is so surprising is to realise just how small the school was in 1907. There were only about 30 boys. The

start of the volume corresponds nicely with the departure of Eustace Fynes-Clinton after 27 years and the

arrival of Dr Allan as Headmaster. It also marks the beginning of an upward swing in the numbers because,

by the time it ends, there are more than 200 pupils. So many of the names will be familiar to the reader. In

1907, Commemoration Day was entertained by scenes from “The Rehearsal” and “Twelfth Night”. Among

the cast were O.B.J. Philpott, L. Budden, A.S. Hibberd. The Chair was taken by Sir John Hanham. The

prizes were presented by Mrs Bankes. The vote of thanks was seconded by Mr. W.J. Fletcher, grandson of

the formidable former Headmaster, himself an OW and well-known for having designed the present Church

House. The secretary of the Old Winburnians was Capt. R.B. Knight, who had the job of making a

presentation to Mr and Mrs Fynes-Clinton. She received a purse, and her husband a cigarette case. “Some

amusement was caused later by the latter, with his usual modesty, imagining that the case itself constituted

the entire testimonial, intended to express our estimate of the value of his life’s work; on better advice, both

purse and case were opened, and were found to contain substantial cheques.”

What also fascinates is the way you can trace a boy’s progress, first through school, and then through the years

after he leaves. Many kept in touch, and the addresses from which they write is a gazetteer of the British

Empire. It’s amazing the number who tried their luck abroad, and how easy it was for them to go to the ends

of the earth.

Bearing in mind that it was really only in 1896 that Commemoration was instituted, by 1907 it was a regular

ceremony, followed closely by the Old Boys’ Dinner. Reading this taught me that the toast to “Our Royal

Foundress” is drunk in silence. I’m not sure why, can anyone enlighten me? Anyway, perhaps we ought to

amend our use of this custom to conform. The Chair was taken at this reunion by F.R. Rushton. He was

followed by W. Jackson, one of the oldest OWs at that time, therefore dating from around 1860. At that time

the Association numbered 100 members. The Old Boys cricket match was played on a Tuesday, and School

won by 141 runs to 132. Scorers for the school were Mr Chessall, a Master, with 76, and another Master, Mr

Pitkin with 80 runs. For the old boys the brothers Montgomery were, as usual, conspicuous with “Minnie”

taking the lions’s share, 55. It goes on to mention that they had a smoking concert, arranged by F. Blount,

who left before the memory of the existing register. This gentleman was Headmaster of the Choristers at the

Chapel Royal. Savoy, no less, “Bunny” was present in his most obliging mood, it says. Blount was the family

name of the Lords Mountjoy, longtime occupiers of the Canford Estate, and one wonders whether Bunny

Blount may have been a descendant of theirs who remained in the area.

GRAHAM POWELL (1938 - 47)

LAST DAY OF TERM

(From: 47 Rue des Ecoles, 78125 La Boissiere-Ecole, France.

Dear Alan,

I have just received the latest Newsletter, which reminded me that recently I found the attached when turning

out a cupboard. I’ve re-typed it, as the original was written in barely legible pencil.

It’s just a thumbnail sketch of a brief moment in time 46 years ago when we had most of our lives ahead of

us. Nothing exciting happens, but the people named - now for the most part parents and grandparents with a

great deal of life behind them - may recognise themselves. Room 4 was on the first floor of the “new”

building, long since demolished. You are welcome to publish it if you think it may be of interest. Thank you,

Janet. I am sure it will be of interest.)

We are sitting in Room 4 on 6th April, 1960, at 10 minutes to 10 a.m. Our desks have all been tidied and the

rubbish bin passed round. The board is clean for once, and it is likely to remain so till the beginning of the

Summer Term. Everybody is messing about.

Near the door. Hibberd, Stevens, Slater and Stephenson are having a game of cards. In the same row, near

the back of the room, Bowden, Royce, Martin, Knights, Williamson and Rich are having a quiz from Rich’s

Quiz Book.

At the back of the room in the next row Kathleen Hudson is playing cards with Woodsford, Douch and

Froud, although playing-cards are strictly forbidden at school. At the front of that row, Heather Barlow and

Carle Chaffey are looking at a storyviewer.

Across the gangway in the next row, Christine Cousins is reading quietly. Behind her Elizabeth Gent has

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just finished tidying her desk and is blowing her nose. In the next desk back, Jennifer Greening and Coralie

Haddock are playing a pencil and paper game, and behind them Pamela Johnson, Susan Davies, Jacqueline

Macgregor and Susan Edwards are playing cards.

Near the back of the room in my row, June Mansbridge and Haidee McIntyre are reading. In front of them

Christine Millard, Margaret Newell, Jane White, Elizabeth Streets and Rosemary Selby are playing a

queer kind of Draughtboard game. Liz has just turned round and is talking to me. I am sitting in front of her

and in the next desk forward Susan Wright has just said “Janet, are you writing a book?”

Now, at the back of the room, Martin seems to be doing a balancing act on the desk. Stevens has just written

untidily on the board. “2A. Line up in School Lane before going to the Hockey match”.

Susan Wright has got up and is joining in the Draughtboard game. Ouch! She is climbing over my chair! Liz

says she is bored. She is messing about with a rubber band. It has started to rain, so perhaps we shan’t be able

to see the Staff Hockey Match.

The babble of chatter is rising to a roar because the boys are having an argument. A moan arises from the back

of the room, followed by a squeky voice. Really, those boys.

Elizabeth Gent has started doing a crossword. Jane has just climbed over my chair, after repeated efforts to

get behind it.

Stephenson seems to be hot. He has just taken off his jacket, pullover and tie.

Some conversation.

“If you buy something . . .”

“You’ve got to carry on . . .”

“I don’t know where . . .”

“Cor!”

“Ha, ha, ha!”

“Last day of term . . .”

“I thought it . . .”

“Hallo Janet . . .”

“I thought she was going to do that.”

“Ha! Ha!”

“I’m stuck, real stuck.”

“Yes?”

“refreshment time . . .”

“What ever . . .?”

“Whacko.”

“Hi, Slater . . .”

“Ow! Oooh! Ow!”

“Hmmm . . .”

“Whist . . .”

“The same to you . . .”

“Oh, no!”

“You have! He had two threes”

“Mrs Who?”

“Law.”

“Mrs Law?”

“No!”

“Oh dear.”

“Yes, Susan”

“Have you got . . .”

“Whoops . . .”

“Come on, change . . .”

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Some 6th form boys are looking in the window of the door. The people behind me are playing Happy Families and

Liz and Jane are playing draughts. In the front desk. Slater is passing Stephenson’s pullover round and Stephenson

has unbuttoned the neck of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves.

The time is now just gone twenty-five past ten, so I think I’ll stop doing this and have a read of my book in a minute.

Stevens has taken off his pullover now. Rosemary is wailing. “I haven’t even got half a family yet!” Now Hibberd

has taken off his pullover. Kathleen Hudson has just gone out. Well, cheerio! I hope it stops raining.

JANET DOOLAGE (nee PURSEY) (1958 - 65)

QUEEN ELIZABETH’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WIMBORNE DORSET.

SCHOOL VISIT TO SWITZERLAND, APRIL 1947.

On Tuesday lst. April 1947 a group of 4 Masters, Mr. Huntingdon (who organised the trip), Mr. (Motty) Mottram,

Mr. (Fishy) Maiden, and Mr. Clarke (accompanied by Mrs. Clarke) and 60 boys set off on the first Post-War School

trip,

to

Switzerland.

Royal Blue

Coaches left

Wimborne at

7a.m., picking

up boys at

various

locations en

route to

Victoria Coach

Station. On

arrival, we

transferred to

the Victoria

Railway

Station for the

Boat Train to

Dover, where

we embarked

on S.S. Prince

Charles for the

crossing to

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The Editor hopes readers enjoy some more postcard views of Wimborne from his

collection. This card postmarked Cranborne 1905, is the reverse of the old school

scene above

Ostend in Belgium.

From here we travelled via Brugges and Ghent to Brussels’Gare du Nord, then transferred to Gare du Sud for the long

journey south which took us across Belgium, Luxemburg and France to Basle in Switzerland. The main memories of

the journey to Basle are sitting on hard slatted wooden seats and seeing extensive war damage along the way. In neutral

Switzerland, where there was no sweet rationing, there was a concerted dash to a stall selling chocolate!

In Basle we changed to an electric train, much faster than the steam train across France, and travelled to Schwyz,

passing through a five mile long tunnel en route. From Schwyz we were taken by Automobil A.G.Schwyz coach to

our destination, which was the “Jugendferenheim und J.H. Rotschus, Gersau, Vierwaldstattersee (Youth Hostel). The

journey took more than 30 hours overall. A quiet supper and off to bed. We slept on straw palIiasses and the toilets

consisted of a hole in the ground with a foot pad on either side. The Youth Hostel is right on the shore of Lake Lucerne,

and still exists today.

During our stay, our activities were as follows:

Thursday 3rd. April. We walked to the village of Vitznau, west of the Youth Hostel, along the shore of the Lake. Most

of us did some more shopping, almost certainly including more chocolate!

Friday 4th. April. In the morning we walked to the village of Gersau, east of the Youth Hostel. In the afternoon we

walked part way up the mountain directly behind the Youth Hostel, getting up to quite a height, or so it seemed at the

time.

Saturday 5th April. We travelled by lake steamer from Vitznau to Lucerne. Part of the time was spent shopping.

Purchases included cameras, watches, crayons, propelling pencils and, of course, more chocolate We saw the Chapel

Bridge (Kapellebrucke) with its mediaeval paintings and also visited the Lion Monunent. Return to Vitznau was again

by Lake Steamer.

Sunday 6th April. We walked to Vitznau to catch the Rigibahn rack railway up the Rigi Kuim mountain. This took us

above the snowline and of course there were snowball fights as well as admiring the fine views.

Monday 7th. April. We travelled by Lake Steamer, departing from Gersau, to the northeastern part of the Lake. There

were stops at Treib, Brunnen, Seelisberg, and the William Tell Chapel at Altdorf , with paintings of William Tell on

the walls. From here, steamer back to Gersau.

Tuesday 9th. April. We started homewards, the reverse of the outward journey, coach to Schwyz, electric train to Basle,

steam train across France and Belgium, steamer to Dover, arriving 4.30p.m., into London 7.50 p.m. Departed by coach

8.05pm, and arrived home around I.50a.m. after a holiday which I am sure has stayed in the memory of those who

took part as a highlight of their school years.

The above was compiled from information kindly provided by Ray Wheeler, Brian Davis, Mike Clift, and Tony

Porter. A much more detailed account is being prepared for the Old Winburnian’s Archives. I shall be attending the

Reunion in July 2007 and plan to hand this over to O.W’s. Archivist, Derek Stevens that time. If anyone who was on

the trip would like a copy of the full report, or would like to add information or their own memories, I would be

delighted to hear from them. There are a number of photographs, postcards and even a brochure of the Rigibahn,

copies of which will be included with the final report.

STAN RICHMOND (1943-1948), 3/150 Fenchurch St., Goolwa, South Australia 5214.

MEMORIES OF THE VERWOOD BUS

It was called the Verwood Bus but it actually began its journey from Handley, collected pupils in Cranborne,

Verwood and Three Legged Cross and delivered them to school at the ridiculously early time of 8.15am.

Nobody ever knew why.

There were two old dilapidated, clapped-out red and blue coaches that conveyed us to school. Frank, the elder

of the two drivers, wore a cap and drove at an infuriatingly slow pace. We often thought rigor mortis would

set in around Ferndown and we would have to walk the rest of the way. Walt, the other driver, drove at a speed

that today would make Schumacher seem pedestrian. He would be crouched over the steering-wheel looking

for misbehaving pupils in his rear-view mirror regardless of the danger this posed to the few well-behaved

passengers behind him.

Frank’s bus had wooden slatted seats which were more comfortable if we sat cross-legged facing backwards.

This also made it easier to socialise with friends. Walt’s bus was more ancient and had upholstery full of splits

and explosions of foam. There were also fewer seats on Walt’s bus so, invariably, three had to sit on a seat

designed to accommodate only two.

Old Frank never seemed to mind bad behaviour. He always seemed to be oblivious to everything around him.

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Walt, however, would explode with rage and mete out his favourite punishment. You would be dropped off

several stops before or after your normal one and you were made to walk the extra distance home.

Certain behaviour on the bus was unacceptable. Reading in particular was frowned upon as being anti-social.

I recall picking a fight with a very studious boy who persisted in reading on the bus after being warned! Doing

one’s homework was also taboo but the copying of someone else’s homework was actively encouraged!

Wearing school caps was not permitted until the Wimborne boundary was reached when all heads would be

ceremoniously covered to comply with School Rules.

Waving and making obscene gestures and remarks to pedestrians en route was the norm, especially to school

girls, who regularly were waiting for their own transport to school.

Farting seemed to be obligatory and, on occasions, competitive. It was also seasonal because limited

ventilation in the winter made it a less popular activity. In the summer plenty of fresh air was available to

assist in restoring normal breathing patterns. Rolled up school caps provided the ideal breathing protection in

these circumstances.

I was Bus Prefect in my last year which was the first year that the girls were admitted to the school. I think

we had two or three on the bus. Norah and Anita boarded before Verwood and stoically sat together. They

survived in spite of intimidation from those around.

Not only did we get to school before anyone else but the Verwood bus didn’t leave until 4.45pm. We had to

spend three quarters of an hour in the Prep room doing our homework in complete silence. The kids on the

Verwood bus had a lot to put up with. For the five or seven years we were pupils at the school nobody ever

saw us arrive or leave the premises at the end of the day. We were though a happy bunch and, in the years I

travelled on it, miraculously we never had an accident or even a flat tyre.

MERVYN FRAMPTON (1947-54)

LOOKING BACK

Being some reflections on the years 1936-43 at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Wimborne.

It was a long day - out of the house at 7.30am Monday to Saturday and not home again until 5.45pm, except

on Tuesday or Thursday when we could have half a day, also Saturday when we arrived home around 2.30pm.

I guess we got used to it and I was lucky living near Daggons Road station. I reckon we must have walked at

least 700 miles between school and Wimborne station over the years. However, it is an ill wind that blows

nobody any good so, on many occasions, instead of hanging around on half-days waiting for a train we went

to Newman’s boat-hire near the bridge and learned to row on the Stour to Julian’s bridge and back. There

seemed to be more water and less weed then.

What did Forms A and B mean? Looking back, maybe it meant the clever kids were ‘As’ and the rest in ‘Bs’

or perhaps it was down to ages. As the years passed and I met the ups and downs of life I came to the

conclusion that, no matter how hard I worked, I would never be in the same league as those few bright boys

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who were due to have their names on the HSC board in Big School for they took things so easily in their

stride. Of course, it was a question of Intelligence Quotient and I did not have a high one, nor did I have an

analytical mind. A bit of plodder, I fear, but surprisingly when plodders get really interested in a subject

sometimes miracles do happen.

The French lessons from ‘Tich’ Drury have stood me in good stead. All that conjunction of verbs done orally

by the class whilst ‘Tich’ collected his thoughts for the coming lesson were worthwhile and enabled me to

communicate to some extent thereafter. Mr Huntingdon, ‘Hunty’, was lost to the call-up but some of it

remained. I guess in those days, as we looked up at the vapour trails of air battles above, our choice of subjects

was guided by the staff available to teach them and ‘Tipper’ Airey would sometimes join in.

A few other things come to mind.

eg. Can you ever win races if your legs are short?

Can you ever do large numbers of press-ups if you have short arms and small muscles?

Can you ever take part in out of school activities if you miss your train home miles away?

Why was I chosen for a prefect’s job?

What was on the other side of the high brick wall beyond the large lime tree beyond the rifle range?

These days would Health and Safety allow young boys to swim in the cold River Allen, but it was all we had

most of us being country boys?

One remembers ‘Maggie’ Holmes urging us to dissect frogs and rabbits in the old Biology lab. Then there

was Mr Jolly who taught us clueless boys how to appreciate opera and classical music, a change from our

previous teacher who wanted non-singers on the back bench! There was the daily chore at lunch-time moving

and setting tables and chairs in Big School, ordered by prefects operating a press-gang system for workers.

Seniors could sometimes go to the war-time cafe opposite the Priest’s House. Was it called the British

Restaurant?

Looking back, I guess it was a lucky break not to lose my life during the war. I was lucky to be taught new

subjects at a higher level and gain some qualifications for my future life. I was lucky to make friends and

study with some great and clever people. Some of these people are still in touch. There was discipline and a

good spirit. However, I do wish somebody had taught me how to mend taps and do a bit of DIY. They say

that all you need can be found in books or the Internet now but what about the tricks of the trade? It would

have been handy later on with a wife and family. Perhaps the . . .

There is, of course, so much more I could say but space does not permit any more of my ramblings!

DON HIBBERD (1936-43)

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CORRESPONDENCE AND NEWS OF OWS

(I am indebted to my friend Len Pearce for the following news of Richard Lock, Tony Carter and Harry

Wells).

RICHARD LOCK (Left in 1943)

Back in March, in the Letters section of the Wimborne Community Magazine, there was a letter signed

Richard Lock, from Blairgowrie in Scotland. The writer mentioned several things of a local nature, including

residing at Sturminster Marshall and marrying a young lady from Wimborne. Len Pearce read this letter and

remembered a Dick Lock from Sturminster who had married a Jean Willis from the Leigh Park area in

Wimborne and that they had moved to Scotland several years ago.

Aquick look at the “the phonebook.bt.com” web site, produced an address and telephone number, so Len rang

him. During the next half hour he discovered that sadly, Dick has been a widower for the last few years. Their

chat ranged over WGS and former staff and pupils, together with Dick’s life, including his friendship with

Frank Shears and their football activity whilst the remainder of their form ‘square bashed’ with the School

Cadet Corps.

Dick served for 30 years in the RAF during which time he and his family travelled all over the world. On his

retirement, he returned to Sturminster Marshall and then worked in Poole for the RNLI. When he retired from

there, Jean and Dick decided to move to Scotland where their children and grand-children lived.

Dick was surprised that his letter had been published but pleased that someone from WGS had contacted him

and agreed that because of the distance, he would not be able to attend any reunions.

TONY CATER (1935 - 41)

After leaving WGS, where he was a boarder, Tony joined the Army and served in Somaliland, Ethiopia and

Kenya and, following his Medical Discharge from the Army, he worked for the government in Tanganyika.

Tony left that post to become a hotelier and, in that capacity he later moved from Africa to Australia but did

not settle there and returned to run a successful establishment in Rhodesia.

On retirement, he re-located to Durban but, sadly before long, his wife died and he also had to vacate their

flat. Tony retutned to the UK where his sister lived in Shoreham-by-Sea. Unfortunately he had a fall which

resulted in a broken hip and he now lives in sheltered accommodation in the town. He would like to attand a

reunion but he could only do so if he was driven in a car by his sister and the distance would mean an

overnight stay.

Tony would have liked to have become an actor but the Headmaster, J.C. Airey knew about this and

discouraged from thinking about it. However, his aspirations were recognised by one of the masters, Mr L.H.

Mottram, who welcomed him into his family for meals from time to time amd also arranged for him to enter

competitions at the Bournemouth Festival where he enjoyed some success. However, his subsequent life

prevented him from following his dream.

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Tony’s elder brother Ken was a strong supporter of the Old Winburnians and attended our renunions until he

died a few years ago.

HARRY WELLS (1935 - 40)

Achance meeting in Wimborne Minster on May Day gave two Old Winburnians the opportunity to chat about

pupils and staff of the late 1930s.

Harry Wells from Florida, was in town for a brief visit, when one of the helpers in the Church happened to

mention to Len Pearce, who is a Minster Guide, that the couple to whom she was talking came from America

and that the gentleman had lived in Wimborne. Len established that the man had lived in the Corn Market,

that his name was Wells, then realised he was talking with Harry, whom he had known since pre-WGS

days.

After war time service in the Army, Harry had made a career in the Hong Kong Police Force. Whilst there,

he and his wife, Barbara, met up with Joe Mottram, the younger son of “Motty” who was in the Army and,

at that time O.C. the Army mules! They were surprised to know that Joe transfered to the Australian Army

and that he had retired to Tasmania.

Harry had attended the 1997 Reunion which he thought was a very worthwhile celebration of the foundation

of the School, 500 years ago. He recalled several of the events in his school life and the friends he had made,

including Maurice Herridge, ‘Jacko’ Butler and Ken Cater.

Harry, now in his eighties, and Barbara, retired to Florida but they occasionally cross “The Pond” to see his

brother who lives in Colehill and his sister who lives in London.

MICHAEL BULL (1944 - 46)

Michael wrote some kind words regarding the last edition of The Newsletter and also offered some useful

advice regarding the new postage charges and its impact on our costs. We may well take up your suggestion,

Michael. He also forwarded a press cutting on his old friend John Wiseman who sadly died later last year.

Michael wrote affectionately: ‘I remember John when he travelled in the bus from Ringwood to Wimborne.

The group included Ken Bartlett, Bill Ayers and myself. Happy days!’

W.F.E. GIBBS (1940 - 47)

(Bill, as everyone knows W.F.E., wrote the following to Carolyn Kamcke)

I had hoped to get to the December Renunion but, having recently moved house and down-sized, we have too

much on the go to enable us to get away. I have noted next July’s date, and we hope to make it then and to

combine it with a visit to a NT property we have wanted to see for some time. (It is Tyntesfield in the Bristol

area and was the home in the 19th century of an unrelated William Gibbs who made his fortune from the

importation of guano!)

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As for me, despite the demands of the new home, I have been able to pursue my usual activities - a couple of

holidays abroad and my regular commitments in invigilation for the University of London and several

chartered bodies (Taxation, Management Accountants, Corporate Treasurers) which at least helps to keep me

off the streets.

DICK JEFFERY (1936 - 42)

Dick wrote his usual interesting letter in which he said he had duly acquired a copy of ‘Soldiers, Civilians

and Stockmen’, recommended in the last Newsletter. ‘My wife and I, being the vintage of teenagers in the

war years, relived those times while viewing it. In spite of the circumstances, they were fulfilling years for

us. Something which may be missing for some teenagers today.’

Dick was also pleased to report that, following an item in the last edition, Roy Perry duly made contact with

him - their first conversation for a mere 64 years!

He also referred to one of the best-loved of all our old teachers, notwithstanding his sometimes fierce

demeanour when we were tiny, short-trousered innocents, namely Albert Maiden. Dick wrote: ‘I wonder

how many can remember him as the Scout Master in the school’s Scout troop? I can still vividly recall a

weekend camp in Merley House grounds when about ten of us loaded up a sort of barrow boy’s truck with all

the tents and equipment and pushed it from the school to the site via that long hill up to where Merley railway

gates were - and beyond.’

Dick regrets that he cannot get down to reunions but he did enjoy a mini-reunion with Judy Hutchins (nee

Slater) and their respective spouses in Angelsey in December. He asks if there are any other OWs in the

locality. If so, please write to Dick at Eryiwen, Lon Tudur, Llangefni, Anglesey, LL77 7HP.

TONY LEIGH (1949 - 54)

Tony sent his Christmas greetings from Texas (1418 Tilman Drive, Richmond, Texas) to everyone who

remembered him. Of course, Tony, I remember you very well. I do hope, as you say, that you will make it to

one of our reunions before you ‘kick the bucket’!

STAN RICHMOND (1943 - 48)

I have been pleased to feature Stan’s contribution earlier in the newsletter. Stan is hoping to grace us with his

presence in July when he will be assured of a most warm welcome. Stan reiterates the importance of the

Newsletter for those most scattered about the globe. ‘It was solely through its existence that Ray Wheeler, Mike

Riggs and myself were able to make contact’. It is very rewarding when we receive such kind comments, Stan.

JAN RICKETTS (nee PERRY) (1959 - 64)

I hope Jan’s communication problems are resolved. I note that she did hope to attend in July with her friend Mary

Pope (nee Bishop) but I fear, to judge by my list earlier, that she didn’t make it. Better luck next time, Jan!

DAVID SINGLETON (1951-57)

David certainly had a busy 2006 with his responsibilities in the American Chemical Society, his wine-tasting

expeditions and family matters. I understand David suffered a health scare but hope this is now satisfactorily

resolved. All the best from all your old friends, David. Do look us up when next you are over.

RICHARD WHITE (1943 - 48)

Richard wrote an interesting letter from Weymouth where he has recently retired as church organist in the

Salisbury diocese after 60 years - ‘my last 14 years as Director of Music at All Saints, Wyke Regis.’ Don’t

you think you are a bit young to retire, Richard?!

He also wrote nostalagically of the days he and Stan Richmond were at Colehill school together and those

days in the early 1940s when ‘we used to miss lessons in order to tie up bundles of newspapers and collect

bags of acorns for the pigs - all in aid of the war effort.’ (I wonder if John Dacombe used to ‘dig for Victory’

in Churchill’s era? I do seem to recall he was present at Bradman’s last Test. He did once claim, I understand,

that he could turn the ball even more sharply than Eric Hollies in the halycon days of his youth). Richard also

remembered ‘cycling from Colehill to King Street when he would get an occasional lift from ‘Tich’ Dury in

his car or ‘Motty’ in his sidecar!’

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OBITUARIES

JOHN GOULD (late 1930s)

John left England in the early 1950s to begin a new life in Australia. He achieved considerable distinction in

his career becoming the Chief Accountant of the Bank of Australia. This was after beginning as a humble bank

clerk at Blandford and Fordingbridge. John passed away in December ‘06. We send our sympathy to John’s

family.

WALTER ANTHONY GRINEAU (1933 - 39)

We learned of the death of Walter (better known as

‘Tony’) from his family a couple of months ago. Tony

attended QEGS until he was fifteen. I have no particulars

of his civilian career but he did serve with distinction in

the Royal Marines in WW2. Tony spent the last couple

of years of his life in a local retirement home and died

peacefully in January. His family gave Tony a moving

‘send off and the local branch of the Marines provided a

guard of honour, two standard bearers and the coffin was

draped with the Union Jack and his medals. A bugler

from the Marines camp at Poole played the Last Post.’

We send our condolences to Tony’s family.

JOHN WISEMAN (1942-47)

I received several press cuttings relating to

John who died in October last year. It is

evident from the length of the obituaries that

John achieved much in his life and earned

the love and respect of a vast number of

friends and acquaintances.

John was born in Ringwood and began his

career with Unilever. After a spell in the

paint industry he became Senior Area

Manager with the brewers Whitbread & Co.

Throughout his life he loved and played

competitive sport with great passion and no

little skill. He was a fine rugby player and

cricketer in his youth but later achieved even

more success in bowls. He was selected for

England on no fewer than 38 occasions and

played innumerable times at county level.

By common consent John was an old-

fashioned sportsman and deeply regretted

the decline in standards of sporting etiquette

and behaviour.

At QEGS and with Ringwood Musical and Dramatic Society he showed great prowess as a singer and actor.

He was married to Pauline and had two sons, Mark and Paul, and ten grandchildren. John died after fighting

a valiant and brave battle against cancer in a hospice in Somerset aged 74. We send our sympathy to his

family. John was a remarkable man and will clearly be sorely missed by very many people.

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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

The MC at this year’s reunion will be Patrick Keeping, Esq. (Compassionately released by the Governor,

H.M. prison , Dartmoor, for the occasion).

The Committee is presently considering the most appropriate way in which the 500th anniversary of the death

of Lady Margaret Beaufort should be commemorated in 2009.

Please note the bar will be briefly closed at noon on Saturday, July 7, for the duration of the AGM.

ESSENTIAL ADDRESSES

Treasurer

BETTY READ - 15 Allenview Road, Wimborne BH21 1AT

Chairman/Sec CAROLYN KAMCKE - 4 Pine Close, Ameysford Road, Ferndown BH22 9QX

Membership DAVID FINNEMORE - 4 Purbeck Gardens, Poole BH14 0QS

Vice-Chairman DON PHILLIPS - 7 Heather Drive, Ferndown BH22 9SD

Memorabilia DEREK STEVENS - ‘Gurnards’, Mornington Drive, Winchester, Hants S022 5LR

The Newsletter ALAN R BENNETT - 11 Hawk Close, Pilford Heath, Colehill, Wimborne BH21 2NW

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