Page 91 - OO_2018

My eldest son, Benedict Payne (St A 18), left the School in June having really enjoyed and made the best of Oundle, and has Medieval History as his chosen field of further study. His younger brother continues this term in the Lower Sixth. We regulary see OOs in one way or another, there being too many in Norfolk to mention here – but always on form. Aside from this, as some of you will know, Colin Pendrill has written a wonderful book (And We Were Young - Oundle School and the Great War) and I will be in touch soon to organise an East Anglian dinner at which Colin will be guest speaker.
Tom Goodley (G 99) keeps himself busy working in Norfolk, running the farm, land and estate agency side of Strutt & Parker, along with his family’s farming company. He regularly sees plenty of OOs around the country and further afield. This includes a healthy number at Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, including Henry Rudkin (St A 07), Rupert Rudkin (St 09), Greg Smith (St A 07), Rob Carter (Lx 00) and Jamie Carter (St A 03), Jimmy Nicholls (Lx 00) and occasionally James Hay (F 03) when he is not on the World Poker Tour. In addition, he met up with plenty of OO cricketing friends at Lord’s this past summer and thoroughly enjoyed playing in the Halford Hewitt for Oundle in the spring with a very high-spirited team, ably led by Steve Carr (S 84). Tom’s wife is expecting their first child in early October, which unfortunately clashes with the Grafton Morrish, so he has had to “let the side down”. It was a close- run thing!
Dominic Brady (Sc 87) moved to ‘Nelson’s county’ a few years back with his four children and wife, and had a good session with the ‘Wildboy’, McAlpine, Spragg, Chatterton and Baldock families this summer for their annual cricket bash. He writes: “I’m pretty sure I nailed man-of-the-match, but they must have gone upstairs to the TMO as I have had nothing official.” He has seen Tom Barnes (Sc 91) and a few other ‘ne’er-do-wells’ from School House.
East Anglia
By Matt Payne (St A 82)
Richard Peaver (G 67) writes that he “acquired” his first grandchild this year - a lovely girl. However, he confesses that he hasn’t yet offered to bring his “dormant” nappy-changing skills back into use, being content to watch in admiration as his daughter deftly changes them with impressive frequency. I understand.
Tim Piper (B 57) has also been busy, having seen the other members of the ‘Famous Five’, namely fellow Old Bramstonians Peter Tett (B 58) and Peter Hayward (B 58) along with Old Laundimerians Tony Hollingworth (Ldr 57) and Peter Williams (Ldr 57), who meet regularly throughout the year, with members taking it in turn to host what is always a most enjoyable lunch. These are tinged, of course, not only with Oundelian nostalgia (what really happened during that epic encounter between the 3rd and 4th XVs following the Governors' cocktail party!), but also with intellectual discussion on the more important topics of the day, such as who will win the 2.30 at Newmarket. Glad there’s been no talk of Brexit, Tim!
Alan Oates (St A 52) is still living in Braintree, Essex, as he has been for
nearly 60 years now. He is living on his own - apart from his Springer Spaniel – as he has been for over three years, since his wife, Janet, died in March 2015, sorry to say. How much longer he will stay there he doesn’t know, but he says: “I won't carry on here for ever!” St Anthony House seems “a very long time back” and he hasn’t seen an OO for many years, so if anyone would care to get in touch, feel free to give him a call!
Andrew Walker (C 60) says his son, Matthew Walker (St A 90), continues to live in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire, with his family. It is very nice to have them close by, which I hope cuts both ways. Matthew continues to lead a busy life with CUP (Cambridge University Press) and to enjoy as much sporting activity (running and on his bike) as time permits. His two children grow apace and provide entertainment and interest for the grandparents. The whole family went to a magnificent ancient barn in North Wales in June, when all 10 of them happily fitted into a splendid building which also boasted a covered, outdoor heated pool. The four cousins made the most of this and the spacious grounds.
David Cairns (Ldr 87) – a regular contributor, and thanks for that – reports that he has just been to his second School Leavers’ Ball, that of daughter Lucy, who finished at New House this summer, along with Sam Ginns, son of James Ginns (Sc 87). The ball is now a very glamorous affair, fireworks and the rest, and was a great bash. David's son, Thomas, is in Bramston. David is the British Ambassador in Sweden and due to return to the UK in summer 2019. Visitors to Sweden this year included Ed Thomas (Ldr 87) and family, and last year's Laundimer reunion has led to a virtual one for some of the class of '87, including Julian Priest (Ldr 87) (New Zealand) and Sean Mackaoui (Ldr 87) (Madrid).
Geoff Woolsey-Brown (Lx 66) has just taken up the sport of 'old men' – bowls! – which he is thoroughly enjoying. He is one of the younger
NEWS FROM HOME
THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2017 –2018
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