Author: Helen Seabridge
Northampton Saints emerged victorious in a ‘proper final’ as they overcame Exeter Chiefs to secure the Gallagher PREM title for the second time in three years, according to winning Director of Rugby, OS Phil Dowson (H 93-00).
The men in Black, Green and Gold crossed the whitewash four times in Saturday’s clash at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, overcoming a resolute Chiefs side to secure a third PREM title in the club’s history.
“We were outstanding throughout the season,” said Dowson. “It’s nice now to be able to put a full stop on it with a big tin cup and say. ‘we were the best side in the league’.
Read full article on Northampton Saint’s website HERE.
The OS Club and the School were lucky enough to catch up with Phil at the OS SSFC Rugby Dinner in March – watch the interview HERE.
Two Old Sedberghians were also on the bench for Exeter – Kane James (S 21-23) and Will Haydon-Wood (P 12-19). At the Exeter Chiefs awards night recently, Will was named Club Man of the Year and Kane won Community Player of the Year.
Kane has also been named in the Wales squad for the upcoming Nations Championship finals which involve 3 fixtures in July (Fiji, Argentina and South Africa). If Kane plays, he’ll be Sedbergh’s latest full international and our first in over 5 years since Cameron Redpath in February 2021 for Scotland v England.OS John Fisher (P 65–69) has recently published a new book: What Makes Civilisation? An Overview of the History of Law and Western Civilisation.
Drawing on a distinguished legal career spanning more than five decades, John examines over 3,000 years of history, from the Mycenaeans of ancient Greece to the modern world. The book explores a subject that he believes is too often overlooked by historians, economists and politicians alike: the crucial role that law has played in the development of civilisation.
John dedicates a few words to Sedbergh School in his book, thanking it for “giving me the mental strength to carry on, despite all obstacles, when lost on the fells in the pouring rain.”
After leaving Sedbergh, John studied law at Leeds University before joining the international law firm Allen & Overy. He later moved to Hong Kong, where he became a litigation partner in an international practice and represented Hong Kong at rugby. In 2003, he established his own legal firm and continues to practice as a notary public.
In What Makes Civilisation? John argues that the contribution of legal systems to the growth and stability of societies has frequently been underestimated. Through a concise and accessible overview of history, he traces the development of law and its influence on Western civilisation, while also comparing Western society with other great civilisations and reflecting on contemporary issues such as postmodernism and the rule of law.
Published in March 2026, the book offers a thought-provoking perspective on the forces that have shaped human society and the enduring importance of legal institutions.
We congratulate John on this latest achievement and wish him every success with the book.
If you wish to purchase a copy, please visit these websites:
Waterstones – https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-makes-civilisation/john-fisher/9781919414300
Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Makes-Civilisation-Overview-History/dp/1919414304
The 1525 Society enjoyed two memorable lunches recently, bringing together OS, parents and friends of the School in both Sedbergh and London. These occasions also marked the first official lunches hosted by the Society’s new President, Major General Jonathan David Shaw CB CBE (S 1970–75).
The first gathering took place on Saturday 9th May at the Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh, where guests enjoyed a warm atmosphere alongside a menu created by Head Chef Nina Matsunaga. Celebrated for its hyper-local, foraged and ethically sourced produce, the dining experience provided the perfect setting for old friends to reconnect and share memories.
The second lunch was held on Friday 5th June at Browns Covent Garden in London. Guests were treated to an elevated British brasserie experience, where timeless favourites and seasonally inspired dishes were served in elegant yet relaxed surroundings. Joining the event was Robin Pyper, the newly appointed Headmaster of Sedbergh School, who spoke warmly about the welcoming spirit of Sedbergh and the strong sense of community that continues to define the School today.
At both events, Jonathan shared his reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing younger generations. He emphasised that, in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the importance of integrity and strong personal values has never been greater. Young people must develop the ability to communicate effectively, lead with authenticity, and uphold strong principles, qualities that no technology can replicate.
His message resonated deeply with the values of a Sedbergh education. He stressed the importance of resilience, reminding guests that setbacks are part of life and can help people grow and improve.
Jonathan also reflected on becoming President of the 1525 Society. His father, Michael Shaw, Lord Shaw of Northstead JP DL (S 1934–38), served as the Society’s first President, making it a particular honour for Jonathan to follow in his footsteps and continue that family connection with Sedbergh.
Looking ahead, he spoke about the importance of supporting the School during changing times and ensuring that Sedbergh’s values continue for future generations.
Both lunches were a chance to reconnect, share experiences and celebrate the strong links within the Sedbergh community, and we look forward to welcoming members to future 1525 Society events.
If you would like more information about the 1525 Society or how to become a member, please contact the Foundation at foundation@sedberghschool.org, or visit our website HERE.Could you think of a better way to spend a summer’s day watching first-class cricket against the backdrop of the Howgill fells?
On Tuesday 21st July, Sedbergh School will once again host a day of county cricket as Lancashire Cricket take on Surrey CCC in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. With play beginning at 11.00am, cricket enthusiasts will be able to enjoy top-class sporting action in one of the most picturesque venues in the country.
Lancashire’s annual visits have become a highlight of the summer sporting calendar, showcasing both the county’s finest players and the exceptional facilities at Sedbergh School.
The Sedbergh School Association will be delighted to welcome OS, parents, friends of the School and members of the wider community to attend the fixture. Anyone interested in joining us for the occasion is invited to contact the Association at association@sedberghschool.org for further information.
Match day parking will be available at Lupton Field, with accessible parking provided onsite for blue badge holders.
We look forward to welcoming Lancashire Cricket, Surrey CCC and cricket fans from across the country to Sedbergh for a memorable day of summer cricket in a truly magnificent setting.There is a warmth and generosity about Lady Joyce Singleton-Booth that immediately puts people at ease. Seated in the family cottage in Wensleydale – the place where her late husband, the Old Sedberghian Sir Christopher Booth, spent part of his childhood – she reflects on a life shaped by love, hard work and a profound belief in giving back.
The charming Dales home holds deep significance for Joyce and her extended family. It is cherished not only as a place that Christopher loved, but also as the starting point of a lifelong connection with Sedbergh.
Joyce’s connection with Sedbergh School began through Christopher, who attended Powell House from 1937 to 1942. They first met at Hammersmith Hospital in 1963, where Christopher was establishing himself as a clinician and researcher, while Joyce worked ‘frontline’ as a nurse. Over the years, their shared commitment to healthcare saw their careers progress, and their professional paths crossed many times before a lunch meeting developed into romance in the 1980s, and they eventually married in 2001.
Together, they built a life that spanned medicine, academia, history, friendship, and philanthropy. “As soon as we became a couple, Christopher introduced me to Sedbergh,” Joyce recalls. “He was always involved with his old school, so it quickly became a very meaningful place for me too.”
For Joyce, who had arrived in Britain from British Guiana, the beauty of the Dales landscape was astonishing. “When I arrived here, this was a new world to me, such a beautiful world. I had to pinch myself. Is this for real?” It did not take long for Joyce to understand how Sedbergh had shaped the man that Christopher became.
Sir Christopher Booth led an extraordinary life as one of the great figures in modern British medicine: a distinguished gastroenterologist, researcher, professor, historian, and leader who served as President of the British Medical Association and President of the Royal Society of Medicine. “He was an amazing man because of all the things he did,” Joyce says. “He was a real doctor. And a real writer.”
His path into medicine began almost accidentally. While serving in the Navy during the war, he impressed a senior doctor by correctly diagnosing a patient with malaria. After the war ended, that doctor contacted the University of St Andrews on Christopher’s behalf, and a letter was waiting for him at home inviting him to study medicine – despite the astonishing fact that he had never applied. “His life was basically carved out, when you think about it,” Joyce reflects. “Many of the positions he held came through being headhunted or personally sought out for roles.”
Joyce is of the firm belief that the foundations for Christopher’s success were laid much earlier, during his formative years at Sedbergh School. “I always felt that it was the education he had at Sedbergh that gave him a kind of standing in life,” she says. “He was so comfortable with everything. He had confidence in everything he did, whether it was gardening, medical research, history, or leadership.”
Through Christopher’s enduring connection with the School, visits to Sedbergh became a regular part of their lives. Joyce recalls spending time in the library with staff who supported his extensive historical writing and research. Over the years, those visits led to friendships, and Sedbergh became an extended family for them both.
Supporting young people has long been central to Joyce’s life. Although she never had children of her own, she has always taken great pleasure in encouraging and caring for younger generations, particularly her stepchildren and wider family. It is this affection for young people, combined with her gratitude for the role Sedbergh played in Christopher’s life, that motivates her philanthropy today. “I want children who can’t afford Sedbergh to be able to go there, because it did my husband so well,” she explains. “And having seen the difference Sedbergh can make in young people’s lives, I feel very strongly that my money should help children who otherwise couldn’t come here.”
For Joyce, philanthropy is a principle she has lived by throughout her life. “I’ve always believed in giving,” she says. “The more you give, the more you get. That’s how I was brought up. Our house was always an open house, and it’s inborn in me, really, to be a giver.”
Today, she considers herself fortunate to be in a position to share what she has with others. “I don’t want to be selfish and keep it all to myself. That’s not what life is about,” she says. “I want to share what I’ve got, and to share it with good people – like the children at Sedbergh School!” she adds with a warm laugh.
One of the greatest attractions of Sedbergh, she says, is its sense of community. “Everything about Sedbergh inspires me. They never leave you out. They keep in touch, they make you feel involved, and every event I’ve ever gone to has been happy.
“I feel part of the place,” Joyce adds. “It’s home from home. Sedbergh School is a real family now.”
Her support, then, is rooted in the memory of her late husband, but also in hope that future generations of Sedbergh pupils might discover the same confidence, purpose, and opportunity that Christopher did all those years ago. “I’d hope that whatever happened to my husband could happen for them too,” she says emphatically. “Because he had an exciting life and a good life. Sedbergh was his sounding board, his background, his everything. And I suppose in my head, I feel that most children would benefit from it just like he did.”Old Sedberghians enjoyed success across two major shooting weekends, representing both Scotland and England in the prestigious inter-country competitions at Bisley and Blair Atholl.
The annual Home Countries shooting matches hosted by the RAF took place at Bisley over the weekend of 16th and 17th May. For the Scotland squad, the event was approached as both a competitive fixture and an important development opportunity, with younger and less experienced shooters encouraged to participate alongside established competitors.
The weekend programme combined team drills and morning practice sessions with competition shooting, including a short-range match (300x, 500x and 600x) on Saturday and a long-range match (900x and 1000x) on Sunday.
Scotland fielded a squad of more than 20 shooters, from which 12 were selected to compete. Among those selected for the long-range match on Sunday were OS Ollie Christy (H 08-22) (97.8), Charlie Cowen (H 12-17) (95.8) and Mark Wrigley (SH 71-75) (91.8). Delivering an excellent team performance, Scotland secured victory over the RAF and the other Home Countries teams of England, Ireland and Wales.
Attention then turned north to Blair Atholl for the Lawrence Match over the weekend of 13th and 14th June. OS George Wood (P 18-23) and Ollie Christy were selected to represent Scotland in the fixture against England. On this occasion, England emerged victorious under the captaincy of fellow OS John Warburton (L 75-80).
These two weekends highlighted both the strength of OS representation in competitive target shooting and the continued development of emerging talent within the sport.
George Wood and Ollie Christy