Author: dean
As we build up to Sedbergh’s 500th year, the Old Sedberghian Club are delighted to announce that we will be hosting a dinner at the Harvard Club of New York City on Thursday 30th May 2024.
This is a ‘State Visit’. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister of Great Britain can’t make it due to other commitments, but the Headmaster, Dan Harrison and his wife, Cathy, will be leading our entourage from the Cumbrian fells to the Big Apple. Accompanying them will be representatives of the School and the OS Club.
We hope to meet up with as many of our old friends as possible and to this end we have arranged a formal dinner at the Harvard Club of New York City of which the details are below.
The Harvard Club of New York City
With its architectural beauty and long history, the Harvard Club of NYC was one of the first buildings to be named a New York City Landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
35 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036
Dinner in the Mahogany Room with pre dinner drinks in the ante chamber.
6.30pm: Pre-dinner drinks
7.15pm: Three course dinner served in the Mahogany Room
10:30pm: Carriages
During the dinner the Headmaster will take the opportunity to update you on the outstanding growth and success of Sedbergh School.
Dress Code
Business casual, (house rules – no jeans, trainers or sporting apparel).
Tickets
We are delighted to announce that a generous OS has agreed to sponsor the event and there is no cost to attend. Tickets are strictly limited to 50. We are expecting a high demand for this event so please book early. Partners are warmly invited.
Book tickets HERE.
We greatly look forward to meeting you all during our stay in the USA.
We may not have everyone’s address so please spread the word that the Brits are coming! If you have any questions please contact Ben Collins bpc@sedberghschool.org, +44 (0) 7531 469256 or myself, Jan van der Velde jcv@sedberghschool.org, +44 (0) 7714 677007.
Jan van der Velde
Director of Alumni Relations
As the School approaches its 500th anniversary many connected with our community have felt moved to research, write and create, inspired by the many stories connected to the history of our School. This summer, potters seated at the wheel of the Sedbergh School design centre will be ‘throwing’ 50 plates depicting stories from the history of the school, short plays are being written, art work is being painted, spun, woven, sewn and sketched, and stories of old are being retold.
Inspired by the Sedbergh values of HARK (humility, ambition, resilience and kindness), our very own Ben Crosland (Hart 1964 – 69) has composed The HARK Suite. The HARK Suite features on Ben’s new album, HARKEN which will be launched at the Buxton International Festival on 8th July. The album will be available to buy soon through JazzCat Records – watch this space.
Ben is well known in the UK Jazz scene and has performed and recorded with well-known jazz soloists throughout his career. Ben was a Founder member of the ‘OS Band’ who played at the Wilson Run concert earlier this year. He’d be delighted to see OS in the audience when he performs in July.
One of Ben’s tunes is called ‘Cairnbank’, inspired by Victor Brook, his music master. Victor created chord charts for Ben to accompany him on the guitar when they played Handel oboe and flute sonatas together.
For more information and to book tickets click: Threeway with Special Guest John Etheridge – Buxton International Festival (buxtonfestival.co.uk)
The Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year have been announced in the 2024 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, with Harry Brook, Mitchell Starc, Usman Khawaja, Ash Gardner and Mark Wood named as this year’s award winners.
Keighley-born Brook appears in the famous old almanack’s list on the back of scoring 363 runs at a shade over 40 in his maiden series against the Australians, capped by a fourth-innings turn of 75 in the pressure of a must-win home Test at Headingley.
Brook, who grew up in Burley-in-Wharfedale, also won a place in both limited-overs teams and hit the only men’s century in the third edition of The Hundred.
Read full article from Yorkshire CCC HERE.
4th Battalion 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Sedgwick 1895 – 1898
The School Archivist, Katy de la Rivière, was contacted earlier this month by the grandson of Rifleman George Windram. While researching George’s life his grandson had come across the Sedbergh School roll of honour online and was concerned to see that George did not feature in the document. George’s death was not recorded in contemporary Sedberghian magazines and sadly, the school had no knowledge of the sacrifice he made during WW1.
George Windram lived in Cheshire during his childhood and attended Birkenhead School before arriving at Sedbergh in 1895. George threw himself into Sedbergh life representing Sedgwick House in the Gymnasium House Eight competition and playing house cricket. He featured in an invitational rugby team formed by former pupil D. Rowley in 1899 and served the team well. The Sedberghian recorded that ‘Windram saved well’ and that ‘from the kick off the Browns pressed, and Bleased dribbled well until Windram come to the rescue.’ He remained a loyal friend to Sedbergh after finishing his education. In 1904 when a collection was made for ‘The Great Hall’, later named Powell Hall, both George and his father of the same name gave £1 1s each to the subscription fund.
After leaving school George held a commission in the British Army for a short time with the Scottish Battalion of the King’s Liverpool Regiment. As a civilian he embarked on a trip around the globe taking in South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. He settled in New Zealand and purchased a sheep and beef farm near Whangarei in the northern part of the North Island. While resident in New Zealand George enlisted to fight in the First World War. George joined the 4th Battalion 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade towards the end of the war. On 31st December 1917 he set sail from Wellington on the vessel ‘Athenic’ bound for Glasgow, and then on to the front. Little is known of his military career but his death is recorded by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission as 12th September 1918, tantalizingly close to the cessation of fighting. George was killed by a sniper. He left behind a wife and young son in Onerahi, Whangarei, Auckland, New Zealand.
He is buried at Metz-En-Couture communal cemetery British Extension in France. Plot III D. 3.
During the 100 year commemorations of WW1 the Old Sedberghian Club sought to visit the grave of every known Sedberghian casualty. As news of George’s involvement in, and subsequent death during WW1 has only just recently reached the School, George was not included in the Old Sedberghian Club ‘Pilgrimage’. If any OS find that they are visiting the area near Metz-En-Couture and would be willing to visit George’s grave the OS Club would be delighted to send a pilgrimage pack with a Sedbergh cross to lay on the grave and the pilgrimage prayer to be read by the graveside.
Katy de la Riviere
A Bump in the Road chronicles the remarkable journey of an England rugby player as she battles back to the professional game just 17 weeks after the birth of her baby in July 2023 – and then to secure her place back in England’s Six Nations squad for 2024.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue, the ultimate decision-maker for her return to play at Bristol Bears is the women’s head coach, Dave Ward . . . who is also Abbie’s husband.
The beautiful film showcases the remarkable spirit of a mother driven by an extraordinary dream: to inspire her daughter and leave an enduring legacy in sport. The film also tackles long-held myths that prevent many women from remaining active during and after their pregnancies.
This visually stunning documentary, directed and produced by Sue Anstiss and Jack Tompkins, is incredibly timely, with the Women’s Six Nations Championship taking place this month and the Rugby World Cup coming to England in 2025.
Abbie is the first player to benefit from a new RFU maternity policy, as the media spotlights the challenges and triumphs of elite sportswomen returning to professional sport as mothers.
Read more and watch the trailer HERE.
As Sedbergh School prepares to mark its illustrious 500-year history, it is with great excitement that we announce the launch of our Quincentenary Events, a year-long celebration of academic excellence, community spirit, and enduring values.
Throughout 2025, Sedbergh will play host to a series of captivating events designed to honour our shared legacy and bring together generations of Sedberghians. Each event will serve as a testament to the strength and resilience of the Sedbergh community.
The festivities will kick off with a grand concert at the prestigious Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, setting the tone for a year of jubilation and reflection. Tickets for this unforgettable evening are now available for purchase via the Bridgewater Hall website: https://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/sedbergh-school-bridgewater-hall-concert/
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey of celebration and remembrance as we commemorate 500 years of Sedbergh School,” said Dan Harrison, Headmaster of Sedbergh School. “The Quincentenary Events are a testament to the enduring legacy of our institution and the remarkable individuals who have passed through our doors. We look forward to welcoming the entire Sedbergh community as we honour our past, celebrate our present, and embrace our future.”
You will find a list of the Old Sedberghian Golfing Society fixtures for 2024 below:
If you are interested in taking part please contact Alastair Smith on alastair.smith@frostrow.com.
| Time/Date | Venue | Opponent |
| 11:00 Sun 14 Apr 24 | Home | Main School | Merchiston Castle School |
| 14:00 Wed 17 Apr 24 | Home | Main School | Myerscough OT |
| 14:00 Thu 18 Apr 24 | Home | Main School | Myerscough College |
| 11:00 Sat 20 Apr 24 | Away | QEGS Wakefield |
| 11:30 Thu 25 Apr 24 | Home | Main School | Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) |
| 17:00 Fri 26 Apr 24 | Home | Main School | Cumbria U18 |
| 11:30 Sat 27 Apr 24 | Home | St Peter’s School, York |
| 11:00 Sat 04 May 24 | Away | Durham School Playground | Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation |
| 11:00 Wed 08 May 24 | Home | Main School | Shrewsbury School |
| 17:00 Fri 10 May 24 | Home | Main School | Cumbria Academy |
| 13:00 Sat 11 May 24 | Away | St Peter’s School, York |
| 11:30 Sat 18 May 24 | Away | The Oval | Stonyhurst |
| 11:00 Sat 08 Jun 24 | Home | Lancaster Royal Grammar School |
| 11:00 Sat 15 Jun 24 | Away | The Manchester Grammar School |
| 11:00 Tue 18 Jun 24 | Home | Main School | ARCA Cape Town |
| 11:00 Wed 19 Jun 24 | Home | Myerscough OT |
| 11:00 Fri 21 Jun 24 | Home | Main School | Yorkshire U16’s |
| 11:00 Tue 25 Jun 24 | Home | Main School | Durham Academy |
| 11:00 Wed 26 Jun 24 | Home | Main School | Lancashire Academy |
| 11:00 Thu 27 Jun 24 | Away | Main School | Scarborough College |
| 11:00 Fri 28 Jun 24 | Away | Main School | Scarborough College |
| 11:00 Mon 01 Jul 24 | Home | Main School | Brighton College |
| 11:00 Tue 02 Jul 24 | Home | Main School | Oakham School |
| 10:30 Wed 03 Jul 24 | Home | Main School | Wellington College |
I have now been in my new role as Director of Development for just over a year. I have the great privilege of working with some wonderful people; Ben Collins, Helen Seabridge, Maria Gallego-Calderon, Katy de la Riviere (outside of her Archivist role), Emily Rowe Rawlence, and David Calvert. Together we make up the Development Team.
Our remit is broad and you may not realise all that goes on in the Old Squash Court that is now home to our happy band.
We organise events, that much is pretty clear. Nowadays most events are sell outs, and combined with the increase in the number of functions this year, we have entertained and engaged with double the number of people that we did the previous year.
Not everyone is able to travel to events. We therefore go out to visit those who, because of infirmity or otherwise, cannot join us. It is important to us that such people are not forgotten or are left isolated.
We continually search for ‘lost’ OS. Our new recruit, Emily Rowe Rawlence, is tasked with finding lost souls. So far, since January, she has found 300 or so Old Sedberghians.
We have also reached out to Old Casteronians. Many of us remember our friendships with Castertonians or had sisters there. We are trying to help them reform their own association because we know their heritage and friendships are as important to them as they are to us. So far 250 Old Castertonians have signed up to this phoenix association.
Friendships aside, we aim to help the young. We now have a program in place where we invite people to share their career experiences with pupils. This is either through a formally recorded interview or in person. We are building up a bank of insights which dovetails with ‘Sedbergh Connect’, an online portal hosted by the OS Club to put Sedberghians and Old Sedberghians in touch with those who can assist with their careers.
An essential part of helping the young is raising funds for Roger Lupton Scholarships. Such scholarships are 100% funded by the Sedbergh Community. Presently we have 12 full time scholars, 12 individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds whose lives have been changed by the generosity of our readers.
Raising funds is not limited to Scholarships. The campaign to raise funds for the Tech Centre has been a success. The Appeal isn’t closed yet but the response has been overwhelming. Around the School we also support smaller projects, such that the pupils can enjoy the benefits of modern teaching aids and equipment.
Ben and I, as Old Sedberghians, remember our time at Sedbergh with great fondness. We believe in the School and therefore we facilitate the decision process that OS go through when they are considering Sedbergh as an option for their children by entertaining their families for a weekend.
In fact, there is so much that happens in our office that I can only touch on a few things here. The reason for doing so is this; after my first year to say thank you to my team, thank you for all your support, hard work, loyalty, and devotion to duty. I am grateful for all that you do. The Sedbergh Community is most fortunate to have you.
Jan van der Velde
Director of Development