Author: dean
One of the memorable aspects of our world tour of the USA is the wonderful people Ben and I met on our travels before returning to New York. Here are some that made our trip such a great experience.
Ed and Katie Holme (H70-75)
One is always a bit jetlagged after flying across the Atlantic. In my case it was followed by a second flight down to Charlotte to meet Ed Holme and his wife Katie (photo above).
As with most people on my trip, I hadn’t met them before. I didn’t know what to expect, which is part of the fun of travelling. At the agreed hour Ed turned up in his pick-up to collect me. I was met with a broad smile and a big handshake. ‘Jump in’ he said, gave me a bottle of water, and off we went into the countryside to his smallholding which he shares with his wife, Katie. On the way Ed casually noticed a copperhead snake by the side of the road. I looked about my feet in the well of the car to make sure one hadn’t hitched a ride.
Ed and Katie’s house is like something out of the movies, designed in the style of French Creole architecture. We sat on the veranda, fans blowing to keep us cool. And then we just talked. It is an interesting thing that while, prior to arriving, I had no idea what to say to Ed and Katie, however we actually had so much to say that we eventually ran out of time.
Ed and Katie have had a fascinating life. They have had their successes. Yet they have also had their share of dark clouds, of contrast, and at times the weight of the world was such that their keel sank low in the water. But here’s the remarkable thing. They found strength through each other and through the purchase of a smallholding. There they created a refuge for mistreated horses. By healing them, Katie, a nurse from Nottingham, found her own healing process. Her connection with the horses is spiritual. They seem to understand each other and to recognise the good that each can do. Katie and Ed now help others, on a voluntary basis, to find peace in their lives through this process.
They are a tremendous couple, and very much in love. They live in a beautiful part of the world, away from the hustle and bustle of life. Theirs is the serenity that we all wish for, and which they have fought so hard to find.
Thank you Ed and Katie, for your hospitality, for your insights, and your friendship. At times my thoughts wander back to your veranda, and the horses wandering by.
Adrian and Ruth Harvey (L53-58)
My next stop was in Greenville. Arriving at the airport I was greeted by Adrian Harvey with a broad grin. There was no mistaking him. Over his t-shirt he wore an OS tie. In the 40 degree heat he was quite conspicuous and he seemed to revel in the eccentricity of the moment.
We shook hands, and he and I, together with my 24kg case, went to find his wife, Ruth, who was waiting outside in the car. I soon decided she was the sensible one. Both were ever so charming and by the time we reached their house I felt I had known them all my life.
Again, just as with Ed and Katie, we talked for hours until, having been asked what I’d like to do, I said I wanted to learn a little about their lives. We therefore decided to visit their church, which they had helped to build.
The Holy Cross Episcopal Church is an impressive place. Grand in every way with classrooms, a large meeting room, and of course the Chapel itself. There is no central funding for this church. All comes from the congregation. I admire that they have a shared sense of value and purpose, that their collective faith has been transformed into such a place of worship, and that they are so invested in its success.
We had a marvelous day, at the end of which, and after dinner, Adrian rummaged through his bottles of wine. Holding a bottle of port proudly in his hand he said ‘I have been waiting to drink this for years but have never found the right occasion’. I can’t quite remember how old the bottle was, in fact I can’t remember much after that night, but I think it could have been 50 years old. In any case it was a very fine bottle and I felt privileged, very much so, to be sat with Adrian and Ruth, drinking this rare bottle of port and chatting the night away.
The next morning, as they were about to take me to the airport, I asked Adrian if he kept in touch with his old mates. We were very close he said but I haven’t spoken to them for years. Well, it has to be said, that I do have quite a collection of phone numbers. I rang one of Adrian’s old chums, Tim Vignoles (L53-58), and the two chatted while the years rolled away. ‘That’s what the OS Club is all about’ I thought to myself.
Thank you Adrian and Ruth for your hospitality and friendship, and for ‘slaughtering the fatted calf’ in the form of a very old bottle of port. Very much appreciated and I hope to see you next year in the UK.
Charles Cory (E61-66)
I touched down in Atlanta an hour or so after leaving Greenville. Charles Cory met me at Arrivals. I had promised I would wear my scarf so he could recognise me but being so hot (the weather that is) I hadn’t put it on. However, one finds that Sedberghians hold themselves with a certain grace, and it wasn’t long before we recognised our common ancestry and were shaking hands.
Charles was keen to introduce me to his friends at his local sports bar. I took this as a great compliment and was delighted to meet so many of his chums. Americans are unreserved, at least this lot were, which was great fun. No one held back, and there in the southern state of Georgia I was told jokes, I learned that people could carry handguns (I felt distinctly underdressed) and that people have a simple choice between two candidates in the US elections where views are quite strong. I didn’t venture an opinion, it’s not my place to say anything, and I wasn’t wearing a bulletproof vest.
In the evening Charles’ family cooked a barbeque in my honour. I was welcomed into their home, American style, with his grandson (who is as bright as a button and probably a genius) giving me a perspective on the American youth and their aspirations for the future.
Later, when we went back to Charles’ house, we talked long into the night, over a glass or two of wine, about Sedbergh past and present while his dog Callie, who is a most affectionate companion, joined us in our trip down memory lane.
In the morning we rang John Walford (E61-66) and they spoke after a break of nearly 60 years.
Thank you Charles, and to your friends, family, and Callie your dog, for looking after me in Georgia. I have very fond memories indeed.
Jan van der Velde
Lupton House 1977-1982
Director of Development
Gerald Tyler (W 51-57)
Whilst Jan was flying to North Carolina I touched down in Dallas, Texas to meet Gerald Tyler, the oldest living double Wilson Run winner. Gerald and his wife, Rima, kindly hosted me for the weekend in their beautiful home and they couldn’t have been more welcoming. I had a fantastic weekend reminiscing about all things Sedbergh, but also got a real flavour of Texan life when I was taken to Fort Worth Stockyards.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are an historic district founded in 1890 known as ‘Cowtown’ due to the millions of cattle that have passed through it. I saw cowboys and cowgirls in action as I observed the Fort Worth Herd cattle drive which happens twice a day. I also had the privilege of meeting some of Gerald and Rima’s family for the best steak I have ever had at their local steakhouse. After which we visited their antique business which was full of wonderful items from Gerald’s love of books to Rima’s love of fashion.
Of course the real reason for visiting was to pay homage to this elderly gentleman who, in his day, conquered the ‘Strain and Struggle’ to be victorious twice in the Wilson Run. We may come from different eras but we were united by Sedbergh, and the run that defines us both.
It was a fabulous weekend full of fond memories. Thank you, Gerald and Rima, for your incredible hospitality. It really was a pleasure meeting you and your family. I will look forward to welcoming you both back to Sedbergh for the 2025 OS Wilson Run Dinner on Monday 24th March.
John Standring (E 79-84)
After visiting Gerald and Rima I hopped on a plane bound for Phoenix, Arizona to meet up with John Standring.
I arrived to blue skies overhead and 42 degrees of dry heat and was greeted by a landscape of cacti and giant rocks like something out of a John Wayne classic.
I met John for lunch in Scottsdale and it was a real privilege to spend a few hours with him. He is a fascinating man and I learnt all about his successful career with American Express and his life in Arizona, having left the UK for a role in the US back in 2001.
We shared fond memories of our time at Sedbergh, discussing teachers that we were both taught by during our different eras at the School. I presented John with our customary OS scarf and on this occasion due to the intense heat we decided to wrap it around part of the Pony Express statue, which commemorates the American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders between Missouri and California.
Many thanks for your time John and for making me feel so welcome. I am looking forward to running around the Wilson Run course with you on the morning of the 2025 Wilson Run.
Benjamin Collins (Powell 1996-2002)
Associate Director of Alumni Development
Sedbergh School
I often feel proud to be a Sedberghian but no more so than at our Gathering of the Young (2006-2020 OS Reunion) on the 13th June at Brown’s Restaurant in Covent Garden, London.
Despite the title (The OS Club’s Wild Party) it was a celebration of some very fine people who, while in celebratory mood, were most wonderfully erudite, charming, intelligent and fun. But don’t take my word for it, look at the video here. It is eight minutes long but well worth the investment in time. These people are the reason why Sedbergh exists.
There were 100 people there that night. More wanted to come but we had run out of space for which we are sorry as it was an evening not to be missed.
Ben Collins and I were accompanied by the Headmaster, Dan Harrison, who gave an impassioned speech about the School. He, and Chris Mahon (Winder Housemaster), thoroughly enjoyed catching up with old pupils, and hearing about their adventures. But it was all over too soon.
And as we were finally encouraged to leave at 12.30am, and walked into the cold air of the London streets, one of the ladies who had served that evening said to me, ‘do you know, and I hope you don’t mind me saying, but this has been the nicest crowd we have catered for in a long time’.
Well done my younger chums of the OS Club. You make me feel that the world may survive its present predicaments after all.
Jan van der Velde
Development Director
On 8th June Northampton Saints won their first Premiership title for 10 years, after overcoming a valiant Bath side at Twickenham Stadium.
After a hugely successful playing career, back-row OS Phil Dowson hung up his boots with Northampton Saints at the end of the 2016/17 season having won the Premiership title with the club in 2014 . He joined the coaching set-up at Northampton Saints and in January 2022 he was appointed Director of Rugby. Prior to the Premiership final Phil was named Director of Rugby of the Season at the Premiership Rugby Awards in May Premiership Rugby | Premiership Rugby Awards: Phil Dowson named Director of Rugby of the Season . Huge congratulations and very well deserved.
Alex Moon who has played lock for Northampton Saints since 2016, had a fairytale finish to his playing career at the club by lifting the title. He has signed for Top 14 side Bayonne for the 2024/2025 season and we wish him the best of luck with his new chapter in his career.
Cameron Redpath (S 16-18) was also in the final playing for Bath and was so close to lifting the title himself. It was an incredible performance by the Bath team who were reduced to 14 men early on in the game to come back and be so close to snatching victory in the last few minutes of the match.
Highlights here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQtA0FAVle8
The intrepid explorers Jan van der Velde and Ben Collins have returned from their world tour of the USA to report that our Sedbergh siblings across the pond are in fine form. They send their wishes, and respects, to those of us who remain in the British Isles.
We were accompanied by Dan and Cathy Harrison who flew high the flag of Sedbergh at the Harvard Club as we entertained OS and their guests from across the USA. More on this later.
The trip was a long time in the planning. The USA is big place! Not everyone was able to come to The Big Apple and so Ben and I took it upon ourselves to take a piece of Winder to them.
We therefore travelled far and wide. I headed to the Carolinas and to Georgia, while Ben went west to Texas and Arizona. We met the most charming, hospitable, caring, wonderful souls who entertained us handsomely while we exchanged stories of Sedbergh, past and present. We have written more about our personal experiences in other articles but just to say, in every instance, we were treated like family, but without the arguments and tantrums. Thank you to the fine people who looked after us, you were so welcoming.
On Thursday 30th May, Ben and I were reunited in New York.
We hugged, Ben had copious amounts of ice cream, while I ironed my shirts and pressed my trousers. We had to put on a good show for the grand finale of our trip, dinner at the Harvard Club just off Times Square.
Not having gone to Harvard myself, (one can’t do everything I find) we are indebted to Peter Akins, a former teacher at Sedbergh School and devoted Honorary OS who has done much to support our cause in his home country. Peter is an outstanding individual, who, having gone to Harvard and subsequently taking up a post at Sedbergh, spent time in military intelligence for the US navy before returning to a career in teaching at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. As I said when I was introducing him as a speaker, he is a man with such an impressive CV (such as Senior Briefer, Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon) that one’s own life seems quite worthless in comparison.
The Harvard Club is a magnificent place, a ‘not been? You really must go!’ kind of place, except you can’t because it is so ultra exclusive and you need an IQ exceeding the UK national debt to be allowed in. Unless you know Peter that is.
The evening started with drinks and the flurry of guests looking slightly lost and bemused. But soon, introductions completed and martini in hand, the room was abuzz with chitchat and laughter.
As the proceedings progressed Dan took his place at the lectern to deliver his address. He spoke with great confidence about the School, and I dare say a great deal of pride. It was his story to deliver and he told it well.
It was followed by an address from Peter Akins who, conscious of the fact that it was memorial week, spoke of the Sedberghians who died during the world wars and who are buried in the USA. These being DJF Watson, CF Russell, AS Jackson, and EL Overton. It was a moving tribute and, given the perils that now exist around the world, a reminder of how freedom and democracy are bought through great sacrifice and in which our two great countries have played such a prominent role.
We concluded the evening with a rendition of ‘Winder’. I hate to be critical of my fellow Sedberghians but there were one or two over enthusiastic fellows who came in far too early and who then led the rest of us astray. The recorded music lagged behind by two bars but to be honest we sung with such gusto that we couldn’t really hear it anyway. Those in the Harvard Club library didn’t get much work done, such was the cacophony of sound that resounded about the halls and down the stairs. I wish I had recorded it to play as my car alarm.
Thank you America. You were fine hosts. We came as guests but we left as friends. Good friends at that, and lifelong.
Jan van der Velde
Thursday 6th June 2024 marked 80 years since the D-Day landings. D-Day, or Operation Overlord, played a pivotal role in liberating northern France and moving towards the eventual defeat of Germany.
The School community came together on the morning of 6th June 2024 to commemorate the fallen and honour their sacrifice. At 6.30am a piper played a lament to a small gathering at the Cloisters. Later in the morning, the full School community came together at the Cloisters in a special assembly led by history master Rupert Follett, formerly a Major in HM Armed Forces, to mark the poignant anniversary.
Many Old Sedberghians were involved in the Normandy campaign both on D-Day itself and in the weeks that followed. This article features some of the OS who are known to have given their lives during those challenging weeks.
Lance Corporal Edward A H Jobes (P 1939 – 41) of the East Yorkshire Regiment died on 6th June 1944 during the D-Day landings aged 21. The East Yorkshire Regiment had previously been involved in action in France in 1940 before being evacuated from the beaches of La Panne. His Battalion spent time working on defences on the south coast of England in preparation for the anticipated invasion. Having been chosen to take part in an “Assault Operation” the Battalion went to Scotland to undergo intense training for a beach invasion and battle. The men did not know at the time, but they were preparing to take part in the largest seaborne invasion in history. The exact details of Jobes’ death on D-Day are not known. The East Yorks lost 5 officers and 60 men that day, with a further 4 officers and 137 men wounded.
Lieutenant Sydney Evelyn Frost (SH 1936 – 41) was killed in action, aged 21, while serving with the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Ulster Rifles on the 27th June 1944; he was killed by an anti-personnel mine in Cambes Wood, Normandy. His regimental history records: ‘Sydney (sic) Frost joined the Battalion when we were at Hythe, and in the arduous training that followed at Rushven and Inverary soon infected 10 Platoon with his own enthusiasm and keenness. When the Battalion moved back to Hawick, he took part in all the sports, and in particular I remember him in “B” Company’s cricket team and his regular appearance every week as wing forward in the Battalion Rugby team, where his speed and initiative were of great value. Both in the arduous training exercises that took place in bitter weather in Scotland, and under the more serious strain of active service he was always able to pull out the extra bit of physical endurance and determination of spirit that brought him and his men through many tough times. He landed with the Battalion in Normandy on D-Day, took part in the assault on Cambes Wood. His cheerfulness, leadership and courage were outstanding, even among the fine examples of such that were seen during those trying days. It was a great shock and a grievous loss when the news that he had been killed by a mine was announced; but the spirit of cheerful comradeship, determination and disciplined initiative that he had passed from himself to 10 Platoon, during the 16 months he was their leader, survived his death and has been the finest tribute to his memory his men were able to pay.’
Chaplain Cyril Minton-Stenhouse (SH 1923 – 28) died of wounds aged 35. He was injured near Grainville, Odon Bridgehead, Cheux while serving as Chaplain with the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department attached to the 151st (the Ayrshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment Royal Artillery on 30th June 1944. The regimental history includes the following account of his death: ‘The Regiment’s first fatal casualty in action was sustained, the Padre, the Rev. C. Minton-Senhouse. He was walking round on a visit to the guns when a shell fell close, wounding him in the head. He died two days later. Although he had been with the Yeomanry for only four months, he was much respected and well liked, and his death was deeply felt.’ The history goes on to say, ‘The quiet courage of many Padres who served with units on active service perhaps receives too little attention in regimental histories and other works whose aim is to deal principally with the progress of battles and the deeds of the participants.’
In total 14 OS are known to have died following their involvement in the Normandy campaign. Sadly, due to paper shortages during the war the School magazines were much more brief than had been the case immediately before the war. As a result, the rich obituaries featured for WW1 casualties were not repeated when lives were lost during WW2.
The School seeks to commemorate every OS casualty and hopes to build on the School records to give a full and vivid account of the lives of each of our casualties. If you can contribute information about these men, relating to their School or military careers, or their home life then please get in touch with the School Archivist Katy de la Rivière kdlr@sedberghschool.org who would be delighted to hear from you.
Follow the archive on Twitter/X @SedberghArchive
Congratulations to OS Gary Mitchinson (W03-08) who, along with the cast of “Dinosaur World Live”, was very recently awarded an Olivier Award (2024) for “The Best Family Show”. Gary’s role is Chief Technician and Puppeteer for the musical.
Gary’s theatrical credits include Daniel/Danny La Rue in Cilla – The Musical; Mole in The Wind in the Willows at the Rose Theatre, Kingston and Joey/Topthorn Hind in the National Theatre’s production of War Horse.
OS Alice Kerr (R 03-12) started her school career at Sedbergh when she joined the Junior School at Bentham in 2003. Alice quickly established herself as a brilliant sports woman. As she progressed to Robertson House she continued to represent the School in all sports, but had a special interest in hockey and running. In her School sporting career she represented the North, was made Hockey Captain and gained 2nd place in the Wilson Run. She was awarded a place at Durham University where she played 1st Team hockey as she studied Human Geography, and subsequently gained a First Class Honours degree. It was at Durham that Alice started veering away from mainstream team games, starting with the challenge of triathlons and finally finding her true love of the outdoors with fell running and mountaineering.
In March 2024 Alice passed her Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Award, which is the final and highest qualification that you can gain in the mountains in the UK. In order to get to this stage Alice had to undergo years of training and instruction, passing numerous prerequisite qualifications, before finally becoming accepted as a trainee WMCI. She passed her final award this year after a grueling three day assessment covering both theory of climbing and practical instruction, making her one of only 45 women to have gained this award. In an industry where men have led the way in the past, with around a thousand men having this qualification and only 3% of the WMCI being women, Alice is clearly a leading light in her field.
It appears that it really is “the hills that are all around us” that were the starting point for Alice to become a truly inspirational Old Sedberghian!
Julia Rollings
Retired Head of Girls’ Games at the Prep School
The Development Office was delighted to welcome Trevor and Janet Kidd to Sedbergh School. Trevor and Janet had come to Sedbergh in honour of Heather Hardy, and her father John Bannister Buckle (H 1913-1917).
Heather passed away in 2020 but was a great supporter of the School. In 2012, Heather visited Sedbergh in celebration of her father and to take part in the unveiling of his plaque and the planting of a tree in the Avenue of Remembrance.
John Buckle’s family were in the textiles trade and owned a firm of finishers and dyers, called Buckle Crossley and Co Ltd. Trevor and Janet, close friends of Heather’s for many years, were able to give us some insight into John Buckle.
John had an entrepreneurial mind and travelled the world in search of the latest processing techniques and machinery. As such, when world trade opened up after World War II, John was in a position to expand his business when so many others in the UK textiles industry found themselves unable to compete.
As for Heather, she greatly valued Sedbergh and when she passed in 2020 she left a very significant sum to the School for the future education of others. It is important that we remember her, this quietly determined, graceful lady, for what she has done in helping the School, and indeed the individual lives that benefit from it. We are thankful to Trevor and Janet for giving their insight as to how we might do this.
Before they left, and in thanks for all they did in supporting Heather over the years, Trevor and Janet were made Friends of Sedbergh School. Thank you to you both. You will always be welcome back at Sedbergh.
Jan van der Velde
Development Director
Following the announcement of the new motto ‘Never shall you strive in vain’ David Sharples (E 75-78 ), who is part of a family dynasty who attended Sedbergh School over the years, contacted us to say that his mother, Sheila Sharples (nee Robinson), would have approved.
Sheila sadly passed away in February but as David explains:
My family were brought up in Sedbergh, unfortunately most of the family are in Sedbergh cemetery. My beloved mother being the latest. Her and her three brothers as well as ‘Great Great’, Great, and my grandparents as well. They were all born in Sedbergh and that is why I went to the School. My Great Uncles also attended. My mother died on the 16/2/2024 at the age of 91. What I thought was unbelievable was that the day before she died she was singing The Long Run to a friend of hers in the residential home. Her friend’s brother and nephew also attended the School. How appropriate for me to receive your email about changing the School motto. I just wanted to let you know about the coincidence. My dear Mother I know would wholeheartedly approve of what you are doing.
By the way, my grandmother owned the shop opposite Evans House which is now a hairdressers. It was a grocers and confectioners up until 1975 from about 1940 and used to supply all the houses. Obviously before large wholesalers were about. My grandmother‘s family were builders by trade and our ancestors built parts of the School including Powell Hall.
David, thank you for sharing this story about Sheila and we look forward to meeting you in July. I feel I need to brush up on my knowledge of School songs!
Jan van der Velde
Development Director
In his article before Christmas the Headmaster, Mr Dan Harrison, highlighted that as we come to celebrate 500 years of Sedbergh, we must ensure that the School retains Sedbergh’s distinctiveness while embracing its 21st century diversity and breadth. One area to reflect upon is the School motto, Dura Virum Nutrix, and the Headmaster invited comments during a consultation phase, which included OS, parents, staff, and other stakeholders. The Headmaster’s letter is reproduced below.
As a result of the consultation phase Dan Harrison has received a number of comments. Dan would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to express their views and for which he is most grateful.
The process is ongoing. Given the understandable sensitivity of this issue, while also preparing the School for the centuries ahead, Dan wants to make sure all views have been considered before bringing this matter to a conclusion.
One point to note, as there seems to be a misconception, Dura Virum Nutrix was the third functional motto for the School. The first motto did not appear until 1875.
The OS Club
Headmaster’s letter December 2023
With Sedbergh’s 500th anniversary only one year away, you will be aware that ambitious plans are in place to mark and celebrate this very special event. As we commemorate 500 years and look forward to Sedbergh’s future, our School motto is one of the aspects on which we must reflect at this significant moment in our history. The current motto, Dura virum nutrix, the stern nurse of men from Homer’s Odyssey, speaks to the resilience, endeavour and rugged kindliness for which Sedbergh has always been known, but as we move towards our quincentenary, it is important that we have a motto that retains Sedbergh’s distinctiveness while embracing its twenty-first century diversity and breadth. It must be a motto which is authentically Sedberghian, one which is relevant and familiar to our whole School community, past and present, and which not only captures what it means to be a Sedberghian, but also serves as a maxim to live by: a reminder of Sedbergh’s spirit and values which can travel with every Sedberghian on their pathway through life. As we work towards our motto for the next 500 years, we welcome the thoughts and suggestions of Old Sedberghians for what this might be, and would encourage you to share your ideas.
Please forward any comments to Helen Seabridge (hfs@sedberghschool.org) who will collate them and submit them to the Headmaster.