Old Clayesmorian Society

On a very, very cold and wind-swept Sunday in March, a splendid rabble of OCs from the 1970s and 1980s gathered back at Clayesmore for a day of food, hockey and reminiscing.

There was a good turn out and it was great to see old friends greeting each other and immediately sharing stories and memories from their school days here.

The catering department fed them all a very fine roast and crumble (general consensus: infinitely better than in previous decades) but only after the brave souls of the OC Hockey team had tackled some of our rather younger current players on the astro. Under a bleak sky and in a freezing gale, they did a superb job to come, erm, second. But with a healthy score of 2-4 in favour of the home team!

The library was filled with photos and albums and all sorts of dusty archive material, which the former pupils pored over with great enthusiasm. Then, a wonderful spread of home made cakes and scones appeared and everybody enjoyed tea in front of a roaring fire in the drawing room.

We were so pleased to see everyone and glad so many could make it. Don’t forget to keep us informed of your news!

We are sad to report the passing of Graham Fry on 15 February 2016 following a battle with dementia. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Our congratulations to Robert Mulliner who was selected to represent Great Britain in the 3 man senior Helice Clay Pigeon Shooting team at the World Championships in Venice last year. The competition took place over 3 days in August 2015, with the mens team finishing a very creditable 4th, missing out on Bronze by just 3 targets.

Being selected for the Great Britain team is a huge achievement and one Robert is, rightly, very proud of.

The annual OC AGM & Dinner was held at Clayesmore last Saturday. There was a splendid turn out and it was particularly lovely to see so many recent leavers there. Following the official business of the AGM, prosecco was served in the hall and animated greetings echoed up the main staircase before the throng descended to the dining hall for a marvellous dinner.

Chair of the Society, Louise Salmond Smith, opened proceedings with a warm welcome then Head Boy, Alex Clarke, said grace. Further toasts were made before Martin, at his last OC Dinner as Headmaster, took to the stage and made a very witty and moving speech. Tears were brought to many an eye and impromptu chorus of 'for they are jolly good fellows'

Next, it was the turn of Lucinda Sandon-Allum (2010–2012), currently (among other things) President of the Imperial College Union in London, leading and representing all 17,000 students (rather more, as she pointed out, than the 85 when she was Head of Wolverton).

Lucinda paid tribute to Clayesmore and especially to Martin and Eleanor.

“You are both kind, fair, compassionate and enthusiastic people, with selfless hopes and dreams for all who pass through these walls,” she said. And, raising her glass, she heralded a toast, thanking them “for making Clayesmore feel like a home where everyone is given an equal chance to shine.”

The meal was closed by grace, said by Head Girl, Maddie Noll, and guests moved on to The Capital, where Max Milner and his band were playing. For those with more sensitive ears, coffee was also served in the Drawing Room.

It was a wonderful evening and clearly everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Approaching midnight, as carriages left, there was no doubting that Martin and Eleanor had presided over yet another great Clayesmore event; we just wish it wasn’t approaching their last.

Alice Watts (1996-2001), second album, BLUE GOLD is now on iTunes and Spotify. Click here to download a copy. ​ "Alice Watts Album 'Your World' is truly scrumptious!" (Lynn Parsons, Radio 2)

We are sorry to report the passing of David Robert Thomas on 26 January 2016. Loving husband of Janet, father of Ann, Mark and Robert, grandfather of Harry, Rosie and Neil. All enquiries to Cooperative Funeralcare ,Oakham. Tel 01572 757415.

Andrew Nurcombe writes: ' I knew David slightly as he was a year behind me. I can remember that he went to CCF Camp at Le Marchant Barracks (now demolished), in 1954 when it was the depot of the Wiltshire regiment(now long gone and part of the Rifles) and a good programme of events was put on for us.Some 20 cadets attended plus our 3 officers viz Capt (later major) Bill(Flabby) Aldworth, Capt David Reid, and lieut Stuart Williams.'

Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

We are sorry to report the passing of Colin Jones, a former prefect, on 20 January. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

We are very sorry to report the passing of Bill Beesley on 8 July 2014 peacefully after a short illness. A retired doctor and former head prefect.

We are delighted to announce that after-dinner entertainment at this year's OC AGM & Annual Dinner will be provided by singer-songwriter Max Milner. Booking closes on Wednesday 20 January and tickets are available via the events page of the OC Society website.

Cost for three courses (excluding wine), £40 a head. Special rate of £10 a head applies to those who have left the school since July 2011.

To read more about Max - visit his website.

We are sorry to report the passing away of Adrian Frost, a pupil at the school from 1949-1954 at the age of 79 on 31 December 2015. The funeral will take place on Thursday 21 January at St Mary Magdalene Church, Milton Keynes at 11am. Please send all queries to:- H.W.Mason, 97 Victoria Rd, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2FD.

Andrew Nurcombe writes:

'Adrian was at the school between 1949 and 1954. He was musical and played the piano and the clarinet or oboe I last saw him at an OC Dinner at Simpson's in the 1990s. He was by profession a market gardener but also, I believe, liked a punt on horses. He did National Service in the Royal Tank Regiment and, because he could read music, was put into the band as a clarinetist. Like myself, he wasn't one for games!

Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

We are sorry to report the passing of Alan Warren, in 2015. Mr Warren was a retired artist and teacher, and was resident in London.

We are sorry to report the passing of Geoffrey Gaskell-Blackburn, a pupil at the school from 1947-1952, on 15 November 2015, at the age of 81. He is sadly missed by his children and by Peta, his devoted companion for the past eight years. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Our congratulations to Amy Humpherson (1995-2005), who married Doctor Paul Scully on July 10th 2015.

Our congratulations to OC Shannon Falcone on his recent success as part of the Comanche crew who won the 2015 Sydney-Hobart race, taking line honours in a time of 2 days, eight hours, 58 minutes and 30 seconds.

We are sorry to report the passing of Digby Golding on 12 August 2015.

For those interested in art I attach three recent pictures I've painted. The first one is a large watercolour (70x50cm) titled Sunny Morning Road to Bobbin Head. This was awarded the Bradfield Prize, which licences the Federal Member of the Bradfield electorate to use the image for his Christmas card to all his constituents. The painting sold for $900.

The next painting is a typical view of rocks in the national park in the Sydney region. An acrylic (90x 70cm), recently sold for$1,600. We have made our own Christmas card of this one.

The other one is a dusk landscape on a farm on the north west plains in New South Wales (120x60cm) also acrylic, which has not been offered for sale.

Wishing all at Clayesmore happy Christmas from sunny Sydney. David and Helen Hammersley

We are sad to report the news that Mrs Betty Greenway died on 28 November. She was manageress of the school tuck shop form the early 1960s until she retired in 1980. Tim Trenchard writes:

'I remember Mrs Greenway well - she ruled the tuck shop with a steely gaze and a firm tone in her voice. Her morning break time jugs of piping hot coffee and her liver sausage finger rolls were a legend in her lifetime! Also I well remember on sports/speech days she used to make superb Marmite and lettuce sandwiches (I used to ask for the ones made with the crust - you got more then!).

Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.

We are sorry to report the passing of Neville Jason (known as Jacobson at Clayesmore) on 16 October this year. He was an actor, who trained at RADA. He was a member of the Old Vic Company, the English Stage Company, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Birmingham Repertory Company. He was also with the BBC Radio Drama Company on three occasions as well as performing in radio plays, documentaries and arts programmes. Jason was perhaps best known on screen for his portrayal of Prince Reynart in the Doctor Who installment "The Androids of Tara" and From Russia with Love (1963), The Message (1977) and The Duellists (1977).

We are sorry to report the passing of Thomas Linthorn Bradbeer on 6 November at the age of 90. Thomas was the eldest of three brothers who attended the school. On leaving Clayesmore he went on to study medicine, and specialised in Ear, Nose and Throat surgery at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. Much loved husband of Vivyen, father of Caroline, Nicholas and Harry. His funeral will be held at Worthing Crematorium at 1.20pm on Friday, November 13th. No flowers please, but donations, if desired, to Save the Children.

We are very sorry to report the passing of Mike Foot on 1 November 2015 following a struggle with cancer. Mike taught PE, Games, Mathematics and CCF at Clayesmore from 1966 to 1990. Our thoughts are with his children at this sad time. His funeral will take place at Yeovil Crematorium on Thursday 12th November at Midday. Old friends from Clayesmore are most welcome.

We are sorry to report the sad news of the death this week, at the age of 94, of Miss Joy Boultbee, matron at Clayesmore Prep for 20 years from 1961-1981. Our condolences and thoughts are with her family at this sad time.

We have received the following information from Simon about his father's Memorial Service:

"A thanksgiving service will be held at Kings College School Chapel, South Rd, Taunton TA1 3LA on Friday 6th November at 2pm. The plan is for it to be a celebration of his life and to give folk the opportunity to pay their respects."

The family have requested that if you plan to attend you [email them] (mailto:[email protected])

Thank you.

We are sorry to report the passing of John Wheeler, a retired architect, on 2 March 2014 at the age of 90.

Congratulations to OC Hugo Scott (2006-2015) who won the bronze medal in the KI Junior Men Class at the ICF World Freestyle Kayak Championships in Ottowa. Hugo, who left the school this summer, was introduced to the sport at Clayesmore by a member of staff and hasn't looked back since and has been sponsored by the Spinney Memorial Trust to enable him to attend the World Championships.

Congratulations to Mark Stiven (2001-2007) who has completed his cycle ride from Land's End to John O'Groats as part of the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, a distance of 960 miles in 9 days.

Mark is riding to raise funds and awareness for Help for Heroes and you can sponsor him online via his Just Giving Page.

We are sad to report the passing of David Naylor on 13 August 2015.

We are sad to report the passing of Tristram Blissard-Barnes on 7 May 2015. A former Company Director and Importer of Herbs and Spices. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

We are sad to report the passing of Edward Hill, a former pupil and retired farmer.

The Society is sad to report the passing of John F Storrs, a pupil at the school in the 1940s on 3 August 2015. Our thoughts are with this family at this sad time.

The Society is very sorry to report the passing of Jim Tilden, Honorary OC and former master on 5 August 2015. Jim taught at Clayesmore from 1962 - 1984, from where he went to King's College Prep School as Headmaster until his retirement. He had been suffering with vascular dementia for the last few years and had spent the last 16 months in a nursing home near Wellington in Somerset. The funeral will be a private, family affair but there are plans for a subsequent memorial service. No flowers please but donations to Dementia UK would be hugely appreciated.

OC Tim Saunders paid tribute to Cilla Black who he met on the set of Blind Date some years ago in local publication, the Blackmore Value Magazine. The article also makes reference to the fact that Cilla's manager, Brian Epstein, was briefly a pupil at Iwerne Minster. Read it here.

We are sorry to report the passing of Clive Wilkinson on 19 July. Clive was a former hotel owner and founder member of the Clayesmore Cormorants Cricket Club. His funeral will be held on Monday 3rd August at Treswithen Downs Crematorium in Camborne at 11am. There will be a "cricket tea" style lunch afterwards at Mullion Cricket Club. Donations are for the Cinnamon Trust, a charity that offers help to the elderly in order that they can keep their pets with them. They provided dog walkers so that when Clive was unable to exercise his bouncy Labrador Vespa, they did it for him.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of former Prep School Headmaster David Watson on October 3rd at 3pm at Magdalen College, Oxford. Please aim to be seated by 2.50pm. There will be afternoon tea in the College after the service.

Our thanks to Hugh Thompson for bringing to our attention an excellent article about OC theatre director Stephen Joseph in the Guardian Review on 11 July - read it here.

A few late cry offs and end of term commitments from the school meant numbers for the City Lunch were down this year. Moving the event from June to July 2, because of the organiser’s trip to Umbria, had an effect. Some suggest since the event is held in Soho it would be more attractive if it was called the West End lunch. Others argue that the charm of the affair at the classy and extremely good value, five star rated Beaujolais restaurant club is kept by keeping the numbers down.

A highlight was UKIP spinmiester Gawain Towler showing off the picture from the day before of him chatting to David Cameron wearing the OC tie. Apparently the PM asked for Gawain’s autograph. Whatever, once again a great day and the organiser among others fell asleep on the bus going home. It is a sign of good lunch that you do not get home till around 9pm!

Attending-Bob Mash, Emma Morris, David Fangen, Phillip Hamilton, Chris Johnston, Hamish Dow, Rodney Spokes, John Van Dijk, Stephen Dover, Hugh Thompson, Gawain Towler, Roy Oakshott, Piers Sabine, John Dukes.

HGT.

We are sorry to report the passing of OC Brian Henson, an accountant from Norfolk, following a short illness, on 18 April this year. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

A good number of OCs returned for the Summer Term OC weekend on 9 and 10 May 2015. The weekend kicked off with the Upper Sixth Induction on the Friday night, with members of the committee introduced to the newest crop of OCs. There was a beer tasting (with the Upper Sixth being presented with an OC Society glass for the event) and pizza - both of which were enjoyed by all - even if the Chair's chocolate flavoured lager from the Hogs Back Brewery was definitely not a favourite!

Saturday was Choral Day, members of the OC Society joined with the school's Choral Society to put on a wonderful 'from scratch' concert in the Chapel that evening, featuring such favourites as Blessed be the God and Father and Zadok the Priest, before the choir, audience and organ went into battle for a rousing rendition of Jerusalem. This was followed by a supper party in the main house, with those present treated to a wonderful three course meal, all prepared by the school's catering team.

Sunday dawned cloudy and overcast and the OCs limbered up for their annual clash against the school. The school won the toss and put the OCs in to bat. Ned Lack was steadfast, almost reaching a century before the OCs declared on 180. The weather improved throughout the day and in the late afternoon sunshine the school began their innings. Staff members Chris Middle and Rich Miller felt the pressure from a tight slip cordon for their innings while Charlie Martin batted well for the school, however the school team ran out of players, finishing on 116 and ceding victory to the Cormorants.

For photographs of the weekend, please click here

The society is sad to announce the passing of Dr Derek Stanley Bendall on 4 December last year. A former pupil of both the prep and senior schools, Dr Bendall was a biologist, and Emeritus Fellow of Darwin College Cambridge. More details can be found on the College Website. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

The details have now been confirmed for Harriet Barber's Memorial Service which will be held at the school on Saturday 16 May. Please see photograph for further information.

Hot on the heels of the inaugural North American reunion, last weekend Stuart Henley (1960-1963) and his wife, Bridget, hosted a reunion for OCs from the Channel Islands. Our thanks to them both for their hospitality. More photographs can be viewed on the Photo Gallery.

We are sorry to report the passing of Alec Grierson earlier this year. A retired electrical engineer, Mr Grierson was living in Ruislip at the time of his passing. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

A reunion was held on the weekend of 17/18 April for OCs resident in North America and provided lots of opportunities to catch up and reminisce. Thanks to Tony Annan (1985-1986) for his generous sponsorship and to Bill Hawkins (1959-1964) for his excellent organisation and for hosting the party on the Saturday evening. Watch this space for news of future events. For a selection of photographs, please click here.

We are sad to report the passing of Anthony Wise on 1st April following a battle with Motor Neurone Disease. A funeral Mass will be held at 3.30pm on Wednesday 22 April at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street London.

We have received an appeal for any photographs of Ian Somerled Macdonald that may be in existence from 1950/51. In particular sports photographs.

Please email any photographs to so that they can be forwarded to his daughter.

Many thanks for your help in this matter.

We are sorry to announce the passing of David Watson, a former Prep School Headmaster who joined CPS in 1988 from being Master of the Choristers' House at Canterbury, and left in 1994 to become Head of History at Dragon School, Oxford, before he and Gwyneth retired to their beloved Norfolk.

His funeral will take place on Saturday 4 April at 1pm in the parish church in Brooke, Norfolk.

We are sad to announce the passing of Christopher (known as Henry) John Roe Sheward on 22 March. Henry left the school in July 1952 and was living in Auckland, New Zealand at the time of his passing.

Andrew Nurcome writes, 'As someone 2 years behind him, I remember he was in the choir, played the clarinet, and was a member of the Dramatic Society.' our condolences are with his family at this sad time.

Sir David Attenborough has opened a new John Craxton exhibition at the Dorset County Museum. Entitled A Poetic Eye: John Craxton on Cranbourne Chase and Crete, the exhibition will run until September before transferring to Salisbury in 2016 and brings together many pictures never before exhibited.

Click here to read the full article on the Dorset Echo webpage.

On Sunday 22 March the school played host to a contingent of former pupils at the 1960s decade reunion, part of the Spring Term OC Day. While many OCs from the 60s are in regular contact with the school, a number had not been back for decades, and it was wonderful to welcome them back and show them modern Clayesmore. Morning Chapel was followed by tours of the school and roast lunch in the school dining hall, before the culmination of a silent auction which raised over £1,4000 for the Spinney Memorial Trust which celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. Many thanks to Ian Smith and Clive Smith for their efforts in recruiting their former classmates to come along.

An auction of 9 lots held at the Spring Term OC Day has raised £1,410 for the Spinney Memorial Trust. With lots donated ranging from tickets for Glorious Goodwood, Bed & Breakfast Breaks and a framed Scadding Print all donated by OCs, the event will enable the trust to support current Clayesmorians in a number of projects.

We are sorry to report the passing of Roger Hammond, a long time teacher of Chemistry and Examinations Officer at the school on 12 March 2014 in Salisbury District Hospital. His Funeral Service will take place at St Mary's Church in Gillingham at 11am on Friday 27 March, followed by a private cremation.

Huge congratulations to OC Lucinda Sandon-Allen on her election as President of the Imperial College Student Union. Lucinda is in her final year of a Biology Degree and was previously Vice President of the Imperial Royal College of Science Union.

We are sad to report the passing of Christopher Ing on 14 February 2015. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

This term's OC Day falls on Sunday 22 March and will include a hockey match between the OCs and the school. Please contact if you are interested in playing.

The Spinney Memorial Trust is pleased to announce a Silent Auction, to finish at the school on Spring OC Day, Sunday 22 March. Lots are currently in the process of being finalised, but so far include 2 x debenture tickets for the ODI of England v Australia at Lord's on 5 September, 2 x tickets for Ladies Day at Goodwood on Thursday 30 July, and a Scadding original. Full lot details will be announced shortly.

Don't forget that OCs can take advantage of some great offers using their Clayesmore Society Membership Card - including 10% off everything at No8 Wine Company, based in Tarrant Gunville. Click here to read more.

We are very sorry to report that Eleanor Verrinder died on Friday 23rd January at her nursing home in Sherborne. She had been declining over the last few months and mercifully she was at peace, very sleepy and not in any pain or discomfort at the end. She was cremated at Yeovil Crematorium (BA20 2EJ) at 2.40pm on Friday 13th February.

Many OCs will no doubt remember Mrs Verrinder in her capacity as Headmaster's secretary for many years, and latterly as science department assistant.

Mr & Mrs Burchall's daughter, Sarah, has been in touch with the Society recently. She is putting together a 'this is your life' book for her mother's birthday this year and is looking for anecdotes and photographs from their time as houseparents in Manor. Please send any information to for forwarding on to her.

We are always pleased to learn about charitable endeavours by Old Clayesmorians and the school has received an email from Philip Dean (1976-1981) who is working to help the plight of Ebola orphans in Sierra Leone. He is the Co Founder of the charity St George Foundation and their work was featured on a recent BBC News article - to view it please click here.

We are sorry to report the passing of Philip Hawkins on 1 December 2014. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Volunteers Needed

We are looking for individuals interested in helping OCs and other members of the Clayesmore Society to keep in touch around the world - would you be interested in acting as a point of contact for members looking to network, considering moving to the area, or just visiting your country? A list of those who have volunteered so far is available to view here. If you would be interested in acting as an ambassador for your country, please contact .

We are sad to announce the passing of Roy Adams on 31 December 2014. An Honorary Old Clayesmorian, Roy was known to many OC as the landlord of the Farquharson Arms - a first stop for many on an OC weekend, and also as chairman of the Society of Dorset Men.

A tribute in the Blackmore Vale Magazine can be read by clicking here.

We were pleased to receive the following communication from Lynette O’Rourke (neé Law):

'Receiving the invitation to the OCS reunion in Sydney reminded me that I cam across a couple of photos a while back from when attended Clayesmore Prep at Charlton Marshall.

1) Whole School Picture: I am sat in the front row next to Colonel Edward Stuarts. I was one of only three girls that started at the school in 1969.

2) School play: (Jane Davis??, Rosemary Farwell and myself, Lynette Law) as part of the play we came on at the interval and had a mini demo that girls should be allowed in this school. As you can imagine there was a lot of resistance at having girls attend what had traditionally been an all boys school!

3) By the second/third year of girls attending the school our numbers had grown to 5 (Louise Story and ???) Sadly for me I had taken my 11+ and passed but Clayesmore had not quite decided if they would take girls into the next school or not and so I had to go to Shaftesbury Grammar.'

We are sorry to report that we have learnt of the passing of Lee Miller - a former CPS pupil from 1948-1952 in November. Leo went on to Fettes and we send our condolences to his family at this sad time.

We are sorry to report that our Dining Room Manager, David Davidson, died, yesterday, after a short illness. David - known, of course, as 'Dave' - will be remembered by thirty years' worth of OCs as he has been serving our meals here all this time. His death has come as a great shock to the whole Clayesmore community and his loss will be keenly felt by us all, nowhere more so than amongst his friends and colleagues on the catering team. Dave joined Clayesmore straight from school and his knowledge of all that we do at special events such as Speech Day, was hugely valuable. He cared enormously about our girls and boys and always wanted to give of his best. He loved his work here where we was among friends but he also played a great part too in caring for his elderly mother with whom he lived. His sister, Kerry, is also a member of the catering team and to her and to Dave's mother and other family members we extend our sincerest sympathy at their sad loss.

Martin Cooke, Headmaster

We are sad to report the passing of Brian Gerald Wallis, a retired farmer and industrial landlord on 20 September of this year. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

We are sorry to report the passing away of Vincent Hughes on 21 September this year at the age of 83. Mr Hughes was a retired architect who had been registered blind for over 20 years and suffered from Parkinson's Disease. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Eagle-eyed Andrew Nurcombe has been in touch to tell us that he had spotted OC Christopher Bland on BBC2 on 21 October on the programme 'Holiday of my lifetime'. The programme featured Esther Rantzen revisiting the Isle of Wight where she went on her first family holiday in 1946 and Christopher (Lord Lieutenant of the IOW up to a few years ago) was filling her in on the island today.

The Society is sad to report the passing of Henry Goodeve, who passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday 21 October 2014. Adored husband of Erika and dearly loved father of Christina, Greta and of the late Peter. Our sympathy is with his family at this sad time. Mr Goodeve received the MBE in 2002 in recognition of his services to the community in Guernsey.

Anthony Prewett (1948-1953) writes:

"This year, the family clubbed together to buy my birthday present. The day started with a surprise “taxi”! One of our sons had borrowed a semi-automatic Aston Martin DB9 coupé to drive me down to Donington Park. It really impressed us how the car drove so easily at in-town speeds, yet swept away with a throaty roar and a tightening up of the suspension when speed was possible. The early mist/fog cleared late morning, so the weather was kind with warm sunshine for the afternoon. After a safety briefing, an instructor took three “drivers” on two familiarisation laps of the circuit in an Alfa Giulietta – quite an experience in itself!

The first supercar I drove was the Aston Martin Vantage with a six-speed manual gearbox. The first corners were a little tentative, but the instructor soon got me braking and cornering at a decent speed and the in-car video shows that we reached over 160 kph (100 mph) on two of the three straights. On one of these, I braked too early and was passed by a Nissan GTR, but on another we swept past a Ferrari 360 and followed a Lamborghini until we had to re-enter the pit-lane after my three laps.

After a bit of a wait, the Audi R8 became available and I set off with a different instructor. Although the car had a “flappy paddle”/fully automatic gear change, the instructor explained that he would control the gear shifts as the car tended to change down when it was not necessary and I could concentrate on driving the racing-line. This was a little disconcerting and I felt less in control when accelerating out of corners. At the speeds we were doing, the cars felt no different in handling, but this time I was not overtaken on the three laps we completed!

Which car? The Aston Martin every time for poise, comfort, handling, exhaust sound and sheer quality. The family must save up for my 90th – surely they can’t tempt me and then dash my expectations to the ground! Dream on!"

Happy Birthday from the OC Society.

Our congratulations to Michael Peters, who writes:

On the 5th September 1964 Judy and I were married at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in Knightsbridge, followed by a reception at the Hyde Park Hotel. A pony and trap - a surrey with a fringe on top - took us from the church to the reception.

On 5th September 2014 we returned to the Hyde Park (now called the Mandarin Oriental) for a magnificent champagne tea - thoroughly recommended! This was followed in the evening by a 1950’s show - The Pajama Game! The following day, Saturday 6th, we cruised the Thames with our family from Water Oakley to Windsor and back, being served with a delicious lunchtime picnic. We also had a special dinner that evening.

On Sunday 7th September we returned to HTB for a morning service and wonderful recognition and a renewed blessing on our marriage (our two daughters had both been married there in recent years). After the service a pair of Friesian horses and a wagonette took us and our family to Chutney Mary’s in the King’s Road, Chelsea for our celebration lunch. And they waited for us and took us back to HTB afterwards - then back to reality! A fabulous weekend.

Mark Stiven has been in touch to inform us that he has recently completed a mammoth cycle challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support. He completed the 310 mile distance from London to Newcastle in a riding time of 21.5 hours and a journey time (including rest stops) of 25.5 hours. Congratulations Mark in your endeavours.

Mark also writes that he will be in Southampton from mid September for about a month with Wicked the Musical UK Tour and he'd love to meet up with any OCs who remember him during that time.