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Recent Information about O.C's
William Perks and Karen Ripper
As far as I know, William Perks (75-80) and Karen Ripper (76-80) are the first, if not the only, OCs to have married. Congratulations! They have three children: Oscar, Elliot, and Ursula. They must fit into a new category of ‘Clayesmorian’. The first time I met the then whole family was at the OC Choral day. Oscar and Eliot sat in on some of the rehearsals and did not seem to want to leave when Grandmother thought it was time to go! The next time I met them was when I went to have a delicious dinner at their home. It was then that both children, with no fuss, happily played their violins (they were only four and five years old at the time). It was remarkable to hear such gifted youngsters. I remember telling Oscar to let me know when he had learnt a concerto and I would come down to hear it. Within a month Karen phoned to say that Oscar hoped I would keep my word as he would be performing a concerto movement at a forthcoming concert at the ‘junior’ department at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Would I come and listen? Of course I went. It was delightful to hear them both perform.
Last July the whole family came up to the Albert Hall for their first ‘Prom Concert’. They ‘promenaded’ in the gallery and I felt justified (as both parents had been in the school Choir) and was delighted to introduce them to other season ticket holders in our bay as my “Grand-students”. Since then I have heard that Oscar has been invited to audition for the ‘main’ Menuhin School. Not a bad start to life!
NJZ