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(South) of the charity Fairbridge, helping to change the lives of disaffected young inner-city people. Having spent 36 years in East Knoyle, he and his wife, Jill, downsized last year to a house in Shaftesbury, where he still shoots and keeps a yacht in Poole. The family now numbers three adult children and four grandchildren.
Quentin Haigh (N 73) is a regular contributor and supporter of OO reunions. He attended the London Dinner last November and, in spite of the ‘Beast from the East’ cutting him off in Mullion for two days, he attended the South-West Lunch in March at Taunton Racecourse, where he enjoyed meeting up with another Cornwall inhabitant, Neil Campbell (N 71), and his wife, Jill. He also caught up with Honorary OOs and retired members of staff Michael and Elizabeth Bloxham, who both taught him at Oundle. Later in March, he also attended the Over-60s’ Lunch at the RAF Club, where he met contemporaries George Duncan (D 72) and J.J. Hill (St A 72). He also visited the 25th English Haydn Festival at Bridgnorth, which he recommends to those who like classical music. After 42 years’ enjoyable service supporting the Severn Valley Railway, he intends to retire from regular duties on 31st October, but will keep his hand in with occasional assistance on the Venturer restaurant car.
After the above-mentioned Taunton lunch, Neil Campbell asked me if I knew of any enthusiastic (large handicap!) golfers interested in joining him for a round at Bowood Park in Camelford. His email address can be obtained from the OO office or myself.
Reg Andlaw (N 51) attended the funeral in Tetbury of Alick Whittle (N 52), who died on 15th September 2017, soon after the death of his wife, Peggie. It was a very sad day, as Reg and Alick were friends from their first days in New House in 1948 and had kept in touch ever since. Reg attributes his love of jazz to Alick, who introduced him to his collection of Fats Waller records, which they played in their study, much to the presumed displeasure of Housemaster ‘Cabby’ Marshall. More recently, Alick came to hear Reg play trumpet with The Muskrats Jazz Band in Bristol!
Bruno Poet (N 90) continues to run his successful lighting design business from Cornwall. Recent productions
include Tina the Musical in the West End, Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre in London, Carmen at the Bregenz Festival in Austria, Don Giovanni at the Royal Opera House, Oklahoma at Grange Park Opera, the Miss Saigon UK tour and the recent world tour of the band Sigur Ros. His wife, Annabel, works at the Byre Gallery, daughter Emilia thrives at Devonport High School for Girls and he still finds time to race at Cawsand Bay Sailing Club.
Brian Whitaker (Sn 58) makes his debut in the South-West report, having relocated to St Mawes last year from Yorkshire. He reports meeting our President, Richard Ellis (Sn 86), and his wife, Suzi, whilst sourcing a new kitchen, and Richard Waters (Sc 59) and his wife, Sue. He has four grandchildren: Greg Whitaker (Sc 10), a solicitor with Oldswangs; Bryony Whitaker (Sn 12) with a first in Veterinary and about to join the Army; Rory Whitaker (Sc 14) graduated from Exeter; and Stan Billington (F 14) has just completed three years at Jesus College, Oxford, where he discovered a love for rowing. Also on the river, Brian enjoyed a Henley meeting with Mike Hamilton (G 59), who coxed the ‘57, ‘58 and ‘59 VIIIs, an era when Oundle had great success at Henley, and subsequently had a successful career in the US manufacturing industry. Their paths hadn’t crossed since 1958! Also, there was Hugh Fitzwilliams (N 57), who told of recent expeditions to North-West China and North-West Australia. Jim Willetts (Sn 57) stayed with the Whitakers recently on a visit from Sacramento USA, but Brian just learned as we went to press that Jim had died in late July whilst staying with his daughter.
Peter Dickinson (Ldr 59) has nothing new to report this year but remains on a high since last year’s Laundimer 100th anniversary!
Rod Alexander (Sc 61) sadly lost his wife, Sheila, who died of cancer in March after 50 years together, but not before an inspirational thanksgiving service in January, when she thanked God and all her friends in a packed church, and then partied with all afterwards. On a happier note, he was delighted to attend the April wedding outside York of Edward Bland (LS 97) and Moira Johnston (LS 97). Guests included Ed’s brother,
Nathan Bland (LS 94), Charlie Harlow (LS 97), Ben Cheeseman (LS 97), Emma Du Croz (LS 97), Louise Singlehurst (LS 97) and Philippa Arnold (LS 97). As ever, on a number of occasions, he has seen Paul Horrell (S 51), who still travels widely with his wife, Gaye, and is rarely far from a golf course. He also visited his old study- mate and best man, Bill Howson (Sc 61), and his wife, Gill, in Burley-in- Wharfedale in July and reports Bill to be coping brilliantly with his illness. The year once again included visits to Oundle for the donor event and the Amps Wine Festival. The battlefield trip to Normandy in September, brilliantly organised by Nigel Sudborough (N 65),
NEWS FROM HOME
THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2017 –2018
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Piers Pepperell (Lx 90) raising money for the Beacon Centre