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www risky to mention the subject of Brexit, but Hugh reports hanging on to the Swiss bolthole, just in case. He enjoyed seeing several familiar faces at the Henley Drinks, including Steve Brown (D 63) for the first time in 56 years (he was over from Boston), and at the Over-60s’ and Sports Lunches, all of which he highly recommends.
Rab Peck (S 53) was one of the first to submit a report this year, reminding us he is the middle of the three Peck brothers to attend Sidney House, although both his brothers are sadly deceased. In spite of 50 years living in Cornwall, Rab and his wife, Cynthia, still head north twice a year to her homeland of Southport, where they usually meet Clive Boddington (S 53), Rab’s Sidney study-mate, and his wife, Sheena. They have also enjoyed holidays in California, Prince Edward Island and Scotland. Rab expresses an interest in visiting other OOs in Cornwall, a project I have undertaken to assist with, although current data protection laws are a hindrance.
Jonathan Duckworth (Sc 75) admits it is a long time since he made a contribution to the magazine, so his news is welcome. He is still living in Nailsworth, where he is currently Mayor, and he keeps busy with family, town activities and his business, supplying software for shopping centres. His wife, Caroline, works in Bristol, his son works in
David Meredith (Lx 78) writes again with news from Kent, where he and wife Kirstie have been gradually acclimatising into the role of grandparents. As reported last year, Harry Meredith (F 11) and his fiancée, Megan Sapseid, had a daughter, Mila, and she is growing up fast, and was two in September. They continue to live in Farncombe, just south of Guildford, and Harry has recently changed job again, moving from a company in Godalming back
Exeter and his daughter is finishing a History degree at Edinburgh. He is also assisting preparations for the 20th anniversary memorial marking the Paddington train crash in October. They see Nick Stuart (D 76) regularly and two years ago stayed with Chris Rudolph (Sn 75) on their trip to see the 2017 total solar eclipse.
William Wykes (Lx 71) and his wife, Rachel, are happily settled in North Bristol, having arrived two years ago, after 38 years working as a consultant eye surgeon in Glasgow. He has taken up art classes (water colour) and guitar lessons, two interests he never had time for while working. Otherwise, the only OO William sees is his brother, Anthony Wykes (Lx 68), who is retired in Wellesbourne, but he hopes to find some Bristol area OOs in future.
I can record that one of our most senior OOs, my father, Derek Parsons (S 38), remains in relatively good fettle at 99, well looked after in a Dorchester care home. Highlights of his year were a visit to the Royal Signals Museum in Blandford for another look at the World War One medals of his father, J.S. Parsons (S 1911), and a ride on the Flying Scotsman during its visit to the Swanage Railway in April.
Finally, for my part, I enjoyed the Over-60s’ Lunch in London with, amongst others, Sam Markillie (St A 66), Ben Legget (D 65) and Malcolm Watson (D 66), who reminded me
The Weald
By Peter Owen (Lx 63)
that we used to debate the merits of Surrey and Yorkshire cricket after Dick Oldfield’s Physics class! In November last year my wife, Hilary, and I visited the Yarrow, where Elspeth Langsdale, our archivist, had curated a moving exhibition commemorating all OOs who lost their lives in World War One. She suggested the last exhibit would offer hope by including some artefacts of my grandfather, who survived the war. I was in Oundle again in June and enjoyed lunch with Edward Waterson (S 69) prior to our Housemaster Ioan Thomas’ memorial service in St Peter’s Church. A very full church witnessed a fitting service and afterwards we gathered in the Great Hall, where I met Quentin Haigh and reminisced with two Sidney contemporaries, Simon White (S 69) and Michael Mitchell (S 68), whom I hadn’t seen since leaving.
My thanks to all those who responded with their news, be it a little or a lot, which all contributes to keeping OOs in contact. By the time this goes to print, I hope to have seen several others afflicted with the cricket bug at Lord’s for the Ashes Test and, more importantly, look forward to seeing many of you at our next Taunton Lunch, overlooking the racecourse, on Wednesday 18th March 2020, when we will be joined by the OO President and School Head Sarah Kerr-Dineen.
up to London, where he joined uSwitch (part of the Zoopla group of companies) in July and Harry is now a revenue and commercial analyst. Wedding plans for Harry and Megan’s nuptials in Cape Town are now well advanced, and they will be getting married on 15th February 2020. David and Kirstie have booked a two-week trip, and will be joined by Will Meredith (F 14), who will be master of ceremonies for his brother. Harry has asked his old Fisher room-
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THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2018 –2019