Month: October 2023

A cope of the minutes is available to read here:

Once again, at the end of September, the members of our Northern Tribe returned to their roots in the shadow of the Howgill hills.

This year we celebrated the life of Michael Raw, former history master and director of rugby, who had an enormous influence upon the School, its staff, and pupils. It was not surprising therefore, that the memorial service was well attended, and by people from all walks of life, including many former staff and those he taught. It was a very moving service, with a great number of reflections and anecdotes about this larger than life individual. There is a full recording of the service which will be released soon.

In Michael’s final years he was charged with writing the History of Sedbergh School in preparation for the quincentenary. It was a fitting legacy to this man’s life achievements that we were able to launch the book on presale at the OS dinner.

The annual OS Dinner is always a grand affair. Held in Powell Hall, we met up with old friends and new under the watchful gaze of the Old Headmasters hanging above us on the walls. This year the evening was brought to life by the singing of Kate Telfer (L 03-08), who mixed songs with drama in memory of Michael. He would have been sorry to have missed it because it was a very fine performance indeed and had many asking if she was a famous singer. I cannot answer for her fame, but she is undoubtedly talented. Thank you, Kate, for coming all the way from London to sing for us.

Duncan Berry, who officially took over from me as Chair of the OS Club, spoke well and delivered his words of wisdom with great charisma and charm. Thank you, Duncan, for your kind words. The last 14 years have gone by quickly. I wish you every success in your role and hope you have as much enjoyment as I did in representing the alumni of Sedbergh.

People stayed until gone midnight, such was the jovial mood of the evening. The fine rendition of ‘Winder’, with John Seymour on the organ, had put everyone in high spirits. Drinks and conversation flowed.

In the morning, we headed for Chapel for the annual Benefactors Service where the great names of the past were read out. I have heard their names year after year, and I am hoping that Michael’s book on the history of Sedbergh will give me some insight as to who they were and what they did for the School.

One of the final acts of the weekend was to officially open the new all-weather sports pitches on Newfield. Dan Harrison explained the vision where the School had gathered the various disciplines into an epicentre for sport around the Hirst Centre.

Thank you, as always, to the Headmaster and staff of Sedbergh School who allowed us to use their facilities and made us feel so welcome with their hospitality and fine food. It was another very enjoyable weekend.

The day concluded with OS netball, hockey and rugby matches. Unfortunately, the Anti-Assassins, who for so many years have challenged the OS to a fiercely contested game of rugby on OS weekend, were unable to make it, so the match was played using a mixture of OS and staff. We don’t record who won.

Jan van der Velde,

Director of Alumni Development

The OS Club offices were delighted to welcome Richard Rees (E 63-67) who had made the long journey from Perth, Australia, to sample our fine tea and buns for which we are famous. Accompanied by his wife, Jen, it was the first visit to Sedbergh for over 20 years.

Other than sample our fine refreshments Richard had also come to see his old friends, Nick Barker (E 63-68 and President of the OS Club) and Philip Baddeley (E 63-67).  Together they reminisced about old times and we found out much about the early lives of all three over lunch at the Dalesman.

Richard has been writing his memoirs and has been kind enough to allow us to publish his experiences when shipwrecked. You can read the articles here:

We wish Richard and Jen a safe journey home. It was a great pleasure to meet you both. Fresh buns and tea will be waiting when you return.

OS Maddy (L 09-22) ran the York marathon on 20th October with her mum in 4 hours and 29 minutes to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance in memory of her grandfather.

You can read more and help her to fundraise HERE.

The late Eric Arne Melling (SH 1933-36) has been awarded a posthumous International Cap for his contributions to Scottish Rugby. The award is one of several by the Scottish Rugby Union Custodian Board to honour players who represented their country in matches that, at the time, did not carry Test Cap status.

Scottish Rugby Union Custodian Board President Colin Rigby said: “Those individuals who wore the thistle with pride and distinction, whether in Services or Victory internationals during and after the Second World War, or who played under the label of a ‘Scotland XV’ against other nations, will now join the fabled ranks of the 1,140 other men to have been capped by Scotland since 1871.’

Read more about the awards here.

The annual southern OS golf day at Hankley Common was held on 12 September, playing for the Hardwick Cup in memory of OS Richard Hardwick. 

There were 15 OS golfers who all enjoyed playing Hankley, one of the UK top courses. Neila Hardwick attended the lunch and presented the Cup to the winner, Ian Durrans. 

Anyone interested in OS golf please contact Alastair Smith on Alastair.Smith@frostrow.com.

In addition to the annual OS day at Hankley Common we have matches in the South against Glenalmond, Loretto/Dulwich, Ampleforth, Uppingham and Wellington.

In the North there are also fixtures against Ampleforth, Giggleswick, Oundle, Uppingham, contact George Page at georgepage@stearsbyhaggfarm.co.uk.

There is also the annual Map competition (just for OS golfers) at Ilkley contact Robert Downs at robert@westlane.co.uk

This year’s winner was Nick Wood.

There are also two matches in Scotland against Merchiston and Loretto/Glenalmond contact Ian Mckerrow at ian@edinburghwhiskyacademy.com

There is also an OS scratch team that plays in the Grafton Morrish each year, contact Will Jeffries at jeffries.will@gmail.com or Henry Flather at  Henry.Flather@quiltercheviot.com

Tom (S14-18) has just completed his challenge of cycling 1850km from London to Rome over the course of 18 days, all to raise money for Cancer Research. 

You can read more about his ride and donate if you wish HERE.

Tom (H 92-97) has just completed walking the length of England for the Stop MS Appeal, from Berwick to Land’s End.

Tom is fundraising here and if you would like to support MS research he would be very grateful.

The Alumni cross country race took place again in September with a good field of around 200 entrants. The weather was however not typical cross country, with very warm temperatures, dry and dusty trails across the Common. ‘The dust, the heat, the glare’ perhaps not what Sedberghians are used to!  The Sedbergh squad had 8 entrants on the start line, Charles Sykes, Richard Wells, Peter Lehmann, Henry Bolton, Robert Buchanan, Ben Collins, Benedict Nowak and Geoff Watson. The team rules now allow for a current member of staff to compete in a team and Richard’s inclusion was a great asset to the teams. 

Charles Sykes led the Sedbergh team home in 7th place overall in a time 29:39 with Richard 14th (31:05). Peter Lehmann 21st (32:08) and Henry Bolton 37th (33:25) were 3rd and 4th counters for the open race (King Henry VIII Trophy). Robert Buchanan was close behind in 40th (33:37). The team sealed an initial 3rd equal place with Bishop’s Capetown, but on revision were later elevated to 2nd by 1 point! Interestingly in the last 28 years since a team 2nd in 1995 we have been first or second team 17 times. A consistent team! 

Further to the 2nd place in the main event, the team counters brought a fair haul of silverware back in veteran 40 / 50 and age graded categories. 

In the V40 category Charles Sykes came home first V40 with Richard Wells in 3rd. Richard also claimed 1st V50. These great performances coupled with Henry Bolton as 3rd V40 team counter sealed a team win in the Brentwood trophy. Again in the age graded team Shrewsbury trophy the top place veterans shone through. Charles and Richard’s category wins plus Henry Bolton and Peter Lehman’s good age grade efforts sealed a win on that trophy. Charles took 1st place individually in the age graded event winning the Wyndham Halswelle with Richard in 2nd. 

It was a very successful day at Wimbledon with a string of trophies for the team. Many thanks to all who made the effort to come and run and support the team.

Thanks also to Bill Sykes for taking photos of the team and the race. Next OS team event will be the Morgan Run in January 2024.

Geoff Watson (E 89-94)

TH&H 71st  ALUMNI RACE – 2023
TEAMS
OPEN	The Henry VIII Trophy		Points
First	Shrewsbury		56
Second	Sedbergh		78
Third	Bishops Capetown		79
Ladies	Old Johnian Cup		Points
First	St John’s		61
Second	Shrewsbury		49
Third	Wellington		51
At least three to finish
Age-graded	Shrewsbury Cup		Points
First	Sedbergh		7381
Second	Shrewsbury		7136
Third	Winchester		7050
V40	The Old Brentwood Trophy		Points
First	Sedbergh		12
Second	Rochester Maths		27
Third	Wellington		44
V50	The Chataway Trophy		Points
First	Eton		25
Second	Bradfield		48
Third	Epsom College		60
V60	Old Denstonian Cup		Points
First	Sherborne		29
Second	Winchester		34
Third	Epsom College		34
V65	Jane Bubear Cup		Points
First	Kent College		7
Second	Eton		11
Third	Warwick		12

INDIVIDUALS
Open	Norman Berry Cup	Team	Time
First	Edward Chuck	Kings Canterbury	26.57
Second	Ed Mallett	Shrewsbury	27.27
Third	Tom Hole	Sherborne	27.39
Ladies	Old Coventrian Cup	Team	Time
First	Deirdre McDermott	Wellington	33.33
Second	Gina Galbraith	Roedean	34.35
Third	Sophie Kirk	King Henry VIII	34.59
Age Graded	Wyndham Halswelle Cup	Team	Points
First	Charles Sykes	Sedbergh	7983
Second	Richard Wells	Sedbergh	7933
Third	Ed Mallett	Shrewsbury	7764
V40	Name	Team	Time
First	Charles Sykes	Sedbergh	29.39
Second	Jonathan Potts	Oundle	30.53
Third	Richard Wells	Sedbergh	31.06
V50	Name	Team	Time
First	Richard Wells	Sedbergh	31.06
Second	Barnaby Gray	Milton Abbey	33.14
Third	Stefan Massingham	Rochester Maths	33.58
V60	Name	Team	Time
First	John Shaw	Winchester	34.53
Second	Chris Finill	Harrow County	34.54
Third	John Bennet	Epsom College	39.07
V65	Name	Team	Time
First	Peter Kennedy	Kent College	41.15
Second	Shane MacKean	Eton	42.53
Third	Martin Garrett	Warwick	47.52
V70	Name	Team	Time
First	Peter Kennedy	Kent College	41.15
Second	Paul Newby	Epsom College	48.39
Third	David Jenkins	Winchester	51.56

OS Storm (L 14-16) competed at the Military Boekelo-Enschede earlier this month, one of the largest outdoor sporting events in the Netherlands. Storm finished 20th individually for Great Britain and has qualified for Badminton next year. Huge well done Storm.