Page 26 - 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 The Lancaster Gate tube station would be closed, wouldn’t it? Of
Rohde, proudly wearing a Snowdon House tie - history teacher, Old Post Office housemaster, cricket maestro and goodness course we didn’t know that until we went to confirm the buffet menu
knows what else from 1976 to 1994 - attended, and was delighted to meet former pupils, as they clearly were to see him. It the day before. Nevertheless, there was a good turn out. This time our
was the same with Judith Gauge, stalwart of the Cadogan Centre and English department for many years (and still reading venue was downstairs in The Scullery; there was the aforementioned
and writing for exams). It is extremely pleasing to see the obvious affection that exists between former pupils and their buffet, followed by varied drinks, alcoholic and otherwise. The guest of
teachers. honour was Judith Gauge, still nobly reading and writing for exams,
having spent many years in both the English and Cadogan departments
There were ‘old’ house competitions. Cader won the tug of war and Snowdon the rugby. There was a 2.8 km cross country at St David’s.
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 The most surprising visitor was Bongo Woodley - he left St David’s in
netball was won by the school by a narrow 20:18 and the .22 rifle shooting trophy was shared between Claire Morris and 1980 and HITCHHIKED all the way back home to ‘Tree Tops’, in Kenya -
Danni Askew, with scores of 90/100. Also, the redoubtable Chris Jowett put on a falconry display. Winners were announced can you imagine that? He looked appropriately rugged and has recently
and presentations made during afternoon tea in the Dining Hall. 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
In the evening, after a prosecco reception in the old library, there was the annual dinner in the Minstrel Hall, full to busting, be allowed to DRIVE his own car to and from his off-site boarding
as usual. It was particularly poignant because of the recent tragic death of John Ellis (Cockell), former Head Boy and house.
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 Financier Nick Ward, the most loyal and long serving
the reception in the Old Library, Will Seymour gave a short member of the ODA committee reminisced with
address about and a fond reminiscence of John. Jim Austin, who manufactures carbon fibre,
some of which ends up in Formula 1 cars.
After the sumptuous meal, provided in house by Ed Newman looked as youthful and lively
Will Jones, catering manager, aided by as ever, while James Williams, having
housekeeper Sue Davies and with the 6th spent much time chatting with his
Form waiting on tables, there were contemporary, Andrew Emm who is a
addresses by Dan Lycett, now in computer wizard, introduced us to his
charge of sports at school, explaining girlfriend Kinga, from Poland. The
his vision for the future, followed by Seldon twins, Jonny and Ollie, the
James Roobottom describing how youthful double backbone of the
ideas for the proposed new ODA, but without Alice this time,
Old Davideans’ Weekend November 2016
pavilion are developing. Then were there, having made the journey
Richard Day, contemporary of from Llandudno. Jake Roden is ‘doing’
John Ellis, talked about his PGCE in London, having been both
relationships, and how important Head Boy and Student Teacher at St
these are to his year group, David’s - let’s hope he ends up back there;
particularly at this time. In the his friend Tom Murray, cheerful as ever,
100 Club raffle, organised by spends half the year coaching sailing at
Andy Russell, monetary prizes Summer Camps in the USA. Henry Morris is now
were won by James Austin, Stuart on the ladder to becoming a head chef, and he enjoyed
Bargery and Robert Charles. The chatting with his former 1:1 teacher, Judith Gauge. Emma Wright
auction, another Andy Russell event, designs jewellery both for her own customers and also commercially.
raised £1800 towards the cost of the new She and Nic Connor are together, and he is no longer involved in
pavilion. Ray and Jane Beech are to be politics. Joe Faulkner operates a printing business and it was a pleasure
thanked for providing the prosecco, as are the Old Davideans’ Weekend March 2017 to see former Head Girl Esme Cole again; her family run the Red Lion at
Seldons for the wine, not forgetting Kate Russell, Llanelian, near Colwyn Bay - well worth a visit if you are in the area.
who organised the whole event. Esme is working in environmental disaster management. Nick Roques is

studying photography, and Fraser (Jay) Blake, a brand ambassador,
On Sunday morning there was the service of remembrance in
the Minstrel Hall, led by Chaplain Tim Hall. The room has hunkered down with his guru, Tim Hall.
excellent acoustics and the hymn singing sounded wonderful. Extreme youth was represented by Jemima Thompson-Vidal, who
There were talks by Tim, also by Russell White, another of John recently attended St David’s 6th Form, and is now a student in London.
Ellis’ year group. The lead speaker, however, was Ed Gray, who is Staff and former staff, in addition to those already mentioned, who
the husband of Beki, née Bayliss. 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.
oldd av i d ea ns

Simon Buckley
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