Author: dean

The Royal Yacht Britannia was a particularly special venue on which to host the recent Old Sedberghian Scottish dinner as two Sedberghians launched their careers on the ship.

During the 1950’s and 60’s Admiral Sir Jock Slater GCB LVO SH 51-56 (below) and Captain William Canning MBE DSO S 44-48 (above) both served on The Royal Yacht Britannia. At that time, they were both young and fairly inexperienced ‘yotties’. Bill Canning went on to Captain HMS Broadsword, leading the ship safely through operations in the Falklands war. Sir Jock was the first Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier HMS Illustrious, he was the Queen’s Equerry for six years and was proud to have been able to serve Her Majesty so closely, and he served as the First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy from 1995 to 98. Photographs of both the men as boys at Sedbergh and during their naval careers were on display for guests to view. A toast of dedication was made to Bill and Jock to recognise the contribution they made serving their country during their long and eminent careers.  

Sadly, we do not have a photograph of Jock Slater during his time at school. It would be wonderful to compile a full set of school photographs in the archive. If any Sedberghians have House or team photographs that may fill gaps in the collection please get in touch with the Archivist, Katy de la Rivière, who will check whether the archive holds copies. The archivist can scan loaned photographs and return the original to the owner.

Early November is always a poignant time at Sedbergh. Pupils return from their half term holiday and suddenly the weather and the scenery have changed. Instead of vibrant greens on the hills and fells, the landscape is more sombre with browning bracken and amber leaves.

Against this backdrop the School turns its attention en masse to commemorating the nearly 500 men and boys from Sedbergh who lost their lives in the two world wars. Throughout the week running up to Remembrance Sunday a series of commemorative events and informative talks are held, giving both pupils and staff the time and opportunity to consider the sacrifice made by Sedbergh’s fallen.

The Prep School hosts events each day of the week. In Cressbrook House war poems are read each day. This year the programme of readings included The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke, Margaret Postgate Cole’s, The Falling Leaves, Laurence Binyon’s For the Fallen, Isaac Rosenberg’s, Break of Day in the Trenches, and a new poem, Michael written and read by Cressbrook’s Resident Poet, Adam. The full Cressbrook roll of honour was read within the house on the eve of Armistice Day.

Prep School teacher Charles Vereker visited boarders to share his experience as an Officer in the British Army. His personal account of the importance of Armistice Day was most moving. Earlier in the week visiting staff from the Senior School had spoken to the full Prep School. During the mid week assembly, School Archivist Katy de la Rivière discussed the youngest and oldest Sedberghian casualties from the First World War and described the early fundraising work of the Royal British Legion.

The archive is privileged to hold several fundraising lapel pins that that were used prior to the introduction the now ubiquitous poppy. One features an injured soldier with his arm in a sling and a patch over his eye, another takes the shape of a medal and ribbon with the text ‘In honour of our wounded 1915’. These artefacts and others including original propaganda magazines and posters were shared with pupils. Senior school Head of History and former Army Officer Rupert Follett, travelled down to the Prep School to share his personal experience in the field of battle and the importance of remembrance. After the Prep School Armistice Day service pupils placed their poppy in the bark of the tree outside the front door of School. This tradition was begun by the girls of Casterton School and reinstated by Prep School Headmaster, Will Newman.

At the Senior School a week of events culminated in a varied programme of events on Remembrance Sunday. Boarding houses marked the fallen from their houses, displaying biographies and photographs of the fallen, sharing obituaries of the casualties and reading the roll of honour for the house in particularly poignant evening services.

The Brantwood Society, the academic English society, met in the scholars’ room of the school library to share war poetry. This annual event is always moving and includes readings from poems of international renown, as well as Sedbergh’s own war poet, Robert Sterling.

Remembrance Sunday began with Hartonian Alex C. playing the bagpipes at 7.30am to mark the opening of this important day in the Sedbergh calendar. Shortly afterwards, the housemasters, prefects, senior staff and Old Sedberghian guests met at the Boer War memorial below chapel to remember the fallen of the African War in an intimate service. Over 1000 pupils, staff, Old Sedberghians and friends gathered on the Cloisters for the main Remembrance service on Sunday morning. This service led by the Headmaster and School Chaplain included a moving reading from the Head of School. The day of commemoration closed with a performance of Faure’s Requiem in the school chapel. The chapel choir numbers were swelled by invited OS singers who joined the performance.

Remembrance Sunday is a lynch pin of the Sedbergh calendar. The sacrifice made by both the Sedberghian men lost and their families will always be respected and remembered. Sedbergh master Second Lieutenant Frank Cooper of the Royal Fusiliers was killed in the Battle of Arras. He wrote to a friend 24 hours before he died.

‘The scene of devastation around us passes all description. Try to imagine shells being fired at the rate of dozens every minute … Big explosions shake my little hut as I write … About five big guns have gone off close by during the last sentence … One may be dirty but one does see life and death.’ 

It is difficult to fully comprehend the horrors of war from the safety of the Howgill fells. Many within our community have seen active service in the armed forces. Their role in Armistice Day events is vital to inform our understanding of the act of Remembrance. We are grateful for their contribution and hold them in our thoughts on this poignant day.

As for the 459 Sedberghians who are known to have given their lives in during the First and Second World Wars, we will never forget.

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.