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mate, Digby Morse (F 11), to be one of the joint best men. Harry has seen lots of Digby over the last year, as he has been a very attentive godparent to Mila, and they have also seen Henry Morris (G 11) and Greg Wilkinson (St A 11) from time to time.
Will has had a very frustrating year in terms of work prospects. Despite his degree from Newcastle and some work experience in London, courtesy of Ashley Cuthbert’s (S 14) stepfather, Will has not yet secured full-time employment. However, that has meant that he has had time to play cricket for the Kent-based travelling side, Band of Brothers, and has also turned out for a couple of other teams. He bowls off a rather shorter run-up now, but still releases the ball off the back foot and this saw him recently get a 6-for when playing for local side Wrotham – nothing to do with his father’s umpiring, one might add! Will and Ashley spent a week surfing in Morocco in July, and he has also been able to keep up with school and university contemporaries, including Alexander (AJ) Johnsen (F 14), who went to Sandhurst in September, and James Campbell (F 14), who is now working in London. Additionally, he has visited Ben Richmond (G 14), who is also working in London, and Jake Walker (F 14), who is in the process of applying to join a firm of barristers. Indeed, he has kept up with many other OOs, including Miles Beney (S 14) and Will Barrell (F 14) among others. The latter is just about to graduate from Sandhurst.
David reports that his cousin, Col
(Retd) William English CBE (Lx 80) is working full time back in Kent, living with wife Frances and their three children when they are home from work and/or university. During the last year William has achieved chartered manager status with the Chartered Management Institute and is now a chartered director with the Institute of Directors, which is all part of his self-education programme, helping him make the transition from 'tank man’ to businessman. In addition, he is transitioning his family business. This is therefore a time of change for him and he looks forward to reporting progress over the years to come.
David has also seen Andrew Pincott (Lx 78), both socially and in a work context. Andrew is Business Development Director for regional accountants and business advisers Kreston Reeves. Outside of work, he has continued to be heavily involved in the international charity, Riders for Health, who provide transport and training for healthcare workers in Sub-Saharan rural Africa. Andrew went on his third trip to the region last autumn, helping to deliver new off-road motorcycles to key healthworkers in the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. In the process, he and his colleagues raised a substantial sum for the charity.
David and Andrew have also been in touch with Philip Yarrow (Lx 79), who has now retired from running a bed and breakfast business with wife Julie. Instead, they have reopened their Reiki business, with Julie treating clients from home, and Phil
will join her in doing the same later this year. In the meantime, Phil’s Oundle O-level Art is being put to good use in producing some works for sale.
David has heard from Paul Barrett (Lx 78), who had had a busy year, starting in January, when he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for charitable fundraising. Then, in April, he started his year in office as High Sheriff of Kent and has been all over the county carrying out his duties. He has still managed to find a bit of time to run the Barrett’s motor dealerships, though. His eldest daughter, Kathryn (26), is now in the business and younger daughter Alicia (24) is working in HR for a large advertising firm in London. Paul and Patsy also celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in July. Paul’s OO contemporaries rather felt that she deserved the MBE for putting up with Paul for so long!
Richard Kemsley (C 78) has been in email contact with David and he has had a bit of a year so far, starting off in January with a health scare, which ultimately resulted in an operation in June. He is steadily getting stronger, but it has rather restricted his recent activities. However, his daughter, Julia, moved schools last year and can now walk to school in 10 minutes – such a saving in time, petrol etc. She is still mad-keen on drumming and in a recent gig performed Music by John Miles. Richard remembered that this was a favourite of David’s and prompted David to dig it out and play it again. Otherwise, Richard’s father (who is 93 now) is still going strong with the help of 24/7 carers. Richard normally visits him once a fortnight to give them a day off, but wishes that the powers-that-be would get on and build the new Thames crossing! Professionally, he has had a good year, buying and selling land for clients, and he is sometimes kept busy with other professional surveying work, but invariably it is feast or famine.
David has also heard from Jes
Sankey (Lx 78). This year was a gap
year for Jes – as in gap between
visits to the UK! There was some talk www
Roger Walkinton (Sc 76) with his late father, Guy Walkinton (S 42)
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