Page 25 - LION YEAR MAG 2017_FS_R_Neat

More and more happens each year. As usual, the start on Saturday involved coffee and biscuits in the Minstrel Hall. Patrick
Rohde, proudly wearing a Snowdon House tie - history teacher, Old Post Office housemaster, cricket maestro and goodness
knows what else from 1976 to 1994 - attended, and was delighted to meet former pupils, as they clearly were to see him. It
was the same with Judith Gauge, stalwart of the Cadogan Centre and English department for many years (and still reading
and writing for exams). It is extremely pleasing to see the obvious affection that exists between former pupils and their
teachers.
There were ‘old’ house competitions. Cader won the tug of war and Snowdon the rugby. There was a 2.8 km cross country
race between current pupils and Old Davideans. It was won by Max Dunford, Year 11 (nephew of Old Davidean Luke
Toulson), in 12 minutes 27 seconds, with Gavin Mart the first Old Davidean home in a time of 14 minutes 27 seconds. The
netball was won by the school by a narrow 20:18 and the .22 rifle shooting trophy was shared between Claire Morris and
Danni Askew, with scores of 90/100. Also, the redoubtable Chris Jowett put on a falconry display. Winners were announced
and presentations made during afternoon tea in the Dining Hall.
In the evening, after a prosecco reception in the old library, there was the annual dinner in the Minstrel Hall, full to busting,
as usual. It was particularly poignant because of the recent tragic death of John Ellis (Cockell), former Head Boy and
Chairman of the ODA. John’s year group is one of the most loyal and many of his friends attended, as did his wife Deanna.
During November 2017 there will be a dedication and memorial to John in the garden outside the Medical Centre. During
the reception in the Old Library, Will Seymour gave a short
address about and a fond reminiscence of John.
After the sumptuous meal, provided in house by
Will Jones, catering manager, aided by
housekeeper Sue Davies and with the 6th
Form waiting on tables, there were
addresses by Dan Lycett, now in
charge of sports at school, explaining
his vision for the future, followed by
James Roobottom describing how
ideas for the proposed new
Old Davideans’ Weekend November 2016
pavilion are developing. Then
Richard Day, contemporary of
John Ellis, talked about
relationships, and how important
these are to his year group,
particularly at this time. In the
100 Club raffle, organised by
Andy Russell, monetary prizes
were won by James Austin, Stuart
Bargery and Robert Charles. The
auction, another Andy Russell event,
raised £1800 towards the cost of the new
pavilion. Ray and Jane Beech are to be
thanked for providing the prosecco, as are the
Seldons for the wine, not forgetting Kate Russell,
who organised the whole event.
On Sunday morning there was the service of remembrance in
the Minstrel Hall, led by Chaplain Tim Hall. The room has
excellent acoustics and the hymn singing sounded wonderful.
There were talks by Tim, also by Russell White, another of John
Ellis’ year group. The lead speaker, however, was Ed Gray, who is
the husband of Beki, née Bayliss.
oldd av i d ea n s
24
The Lancaster Gate tube station would be closed, wouldn’t it? Of
Old Davideans’ Weekend March 2017
course we didn’t know that until we went to confirm the buffet menu
the day before. Nevertheless, there was a good turn out. This time our
venue was downstairs in The Scullery; there was the aforementioned
buffet, followed by varied drinks, alcoholic and otherwise. The guest of
honour was Judith Gauge, still nobly reading and writing for exams,
having spent many years in both the English and Cadogan departments
at St David’s.
The most surprising visitor was Bongo Woodley - he left St David’s in
1980 and HITCHHIKED all the way back home to ‘Tree Tops’, in Kenya -
can you imagine that? He looked appropriately rugged and has recently
been a security expert in Afghanistan. Another ‘older citizen’ was Brent
Jackson - in property. Brent was the first pupil at St David’s, in 1980, to
be allowed to DRIVE his own car to and from his off-site boarding
house.
Financier Nick Ward, the most loyal and long serving
member of the ODA committee reminisced with
Jim Austin, who manufactures carbon fibre,
some of which ends up in Formula 1 cars.
Ed Newman looked as youthful and lively
as ever, while James Williams, having
spent much time chatting with his
contemporary, Andrew Emm who is a
computer wizard, introduced us to his
girlfriend Kinga, from Poland. The
Seldon twins, Jonny and Ollie, the
youthful double backbone of the
ODA, but without Alice this time,
were there, having made the journey
from Llandudno. Jake Roden is ‘doing’
his PGCE in London, having been both
Head Boy and Student Teacher at St
David’s - let’s hope he ends up back there;
his friend Tom Murray, cheerful as ever,
spends half the year coaching sailing at
Summer Camps in the USA. Henry Morris is now
on the ladder to becoming a head chef, and he enjoyed
chatting with his former 1:1 teacher, Judith Gauge. Emma Wright
designs jewellery both for her own customers and also commercially.
She and Nic Connor are together, and he is no longer involved in
politics. Joe Faulkner operates a printing business and it was a pleasure
to see former Head Girl Esme Cole again; her family run the Red Lion at
Llanelian, near Colwyn Bay - well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Esme is working in environmental disaster management. Nick Roques is
studying photography, and Fraser (Jay) Blake, a brand ambassador,
hunkered down with his guru, Tim Hall.
Extreme youth was represented by Jemima Thompson-Vidal, who
recently attended St David’s 6th Form, and is now a student in London.
Staff and former staff, in addition to those already mentioned, who
came to see how their former protegés were progressing were
Headmaster Stuart Hay, Deputy Head Andy Russell with his wife Kate,
and Judy Buckley former Head of the Cadogan Centre. Ray and Jane
Beech sent their apologies, but had a prior commitment. I am sure they
will be back next year.
Simon Buckley