The Newsletter of the Woolverstone Hall Old Boys Association

EDITORIAL: It is about 9 years ago that I took on the editorship of the WHOBA newsletter. Naively, I thought that it was just a matter of waiting for news to arrive, putting it on a word processor and printing it. I have since found out that it is somewhat more complex than that! It was a task that I accepted because I was keen to continue my association with Woolverstone Hall. It certainly made that possible and it has put me in touch with many OWs that were there at the same time as me and some that had left before I started and several that had not been born when I left. Although, in many cases, we do not share common interests, our views on life differ and our physical locations are remote, we all have Woolverstone in common.

When I received the address list from John Percival (Halls 56/62) there were just about 250 members of the OBA. I was determined to extend the membership list. The formal membership count at the time of writing is 523. This includes staff, pupils and a few parents. In addition to this, on the two websites, there are hundreds of virtual members, who are in contact through e-mail. The internet presence, introduced initially by Eric Coates, taken on by the ever industrious Tony Boys and later by Peter Rooney, who developed the second site, has been the biggest change in the fortunes of WHOBA. Many OWs have found the websites and made contact after many years.

The cost of membership was £12.50 per year, which with the careful use of other people's photocopying, stationery and, occasionally, postage resources, has been reduced to £5.00 per annum. There are still many that do not pay, but WHOBA manages to meet its outgoing commitments from income and reserves. However, anybody that has overlooked payment can send their subs, which I will forward on to our Treasurer, Fred Moughton. An annual standing order arrangement is favoured by many, and Fred would be pleased to organise one for you.

I retired at the end of 1997 and now intend to spend much of my time abroad, something I have been doing with increased regularity. I will, therefore, be giving up the editorship of "Janus". WHOBA needs a successor. I won't pretend that it is an easy job, but it is an enjoyable one. Over the years I have suffered much frustration trying to get OWs to send me Woolverstone related news, memories and sightings of other OWs. Many have responded magnificently but there have been times that "Janus" was distributed a little light on reading matter.

The internet has solved much of that problem and the web sites are brimming with interesting items, including photographs. However as not all OWs have access to the internet, "Janus" remains an important means of communication and one that must be maintained.

There are a great many OWs with the ability to edit and manage the communications for WHOBA. It is an enjoyable task and will require a few hours each week to answer letters and send membership forms to OWs, that have recently discovered the Association. You will also need access to a computer and telephone. If you would like the opportunity to create a new look newsletter, and with the publishing software packages available it should not prove difficult to give Janus a much needed facelift, please contact me.

IN MEMORIAM: On 3 June "The Daily Telegraph" carried an obituary for Major David Cleary (Corners 56/63), who passed away aged 54. After leaving Woolverstone, David went to Sandhurst before getting a commission in the Lancashire Regiment in 1965. He was awarded the MC while serving with the regiment in Aden in September 1967. David's battalion had been in action against rioters, encountering constant attacks from mortars, rockets and machine guns, as well as small arms fire. David was briefed to carry out a patrol to counter the sniping that was threatening all movements in the area. Spotting a terrorist look-out on the roof of a building, his patrol put a cordon round the area and started a search, which prompted the terrorists to open fire resulting in two soldiers being wounded and the radio being rendered unusable. David used smoke cover to get the wounded men out.

After Aden he served in Malta, where he played rugby for the Army team. In 1969 he was sent to Lybia to instruct king Idris' National Guard in mortaring. One morning he woke up to discover that his students had been arrested and his mortar stores impounded by Colonel Gadaffi, who had staged a coup. On retiring from the Army, David pursued a management career in various Middle Eastern countries.

"The Daily Telegraph" described him as a quiet man socially, a good all round sportsman and the possessor of a dry sense of humour. His humour was illustrated by the story of him being detailed to command the Colour Party in church. When he pointed out that he was a Roman Catholic his Adjutant asked him whether he would mind performing the duty. David replied that "God will be equally surprised to see me in an Anglican church as in a Catholic church".

MILLENIUM GATHERING: There was an excellent turnout at Woolverstone on 2 October 1999 when Ipswich High School allowed WHOBA in for the day. The staff at IHS were very helpful and allowed us the run of the school throughout the day. The relationship that WHOBA has with the current occupiers is very good and it is pleasing to note that the goodwill was not damaged by the hordes of OWs roaming the grounds and buildings. When the cleaners arrived on Monday, they found little evidence of 175 people having consumed a buffet lunch in the orangery.

It was well publicised as many of those attending travelled considerable distances. John Pirtle and his wife were over from New Zealand. Fred Walmsly, who was described by Tom Newsham as "our Alf Tupper", and Colin Burton put in appearances from Australia. Brian Law came from the Far East and several more travelled shorter distances; Bill Bauer came from Denmark, Trevor Head from Germany, Philip Bennett from Belgium and Gabriel Barta from Switzerland. There was also a good turn out from those domiciled in England. The vast majority live in the south east but some did travel from further afield. It was also good to see old boys representating just about year of the school's existence, together with a cross section of staff, who had done so much to achieve the high standards of Woolverstone Hall.

Stephen Halliday took the opportunity to arrange his wedding at Woolverstone. It is a good choice of venue with superb surroundings and a lot of nostalgia. (Will this go down in the punishment book? - Ed)

Merlin Channon, music master during the 50s and early 60s, gave a riveting account of the school's participation in the Aldeburgh Festival production of "Noye's Fludde" (1958) and of Benjamin Britten's involvement with the school's production of "Let's Make an Opera". Geoff Brown observed that the talk was an excellent focal point. Philip Bennett wrote that it was good to see Michael Bauer, now a professional performer, who took part in "Noye's Fludde" and starred as Queen of the Night in "The Magic Flute" (1960). Philip said "To this day I still don't know how he managed the top C in his main aria". Also present was John Pirtle, the deep-voiced Hermit in "Der Freischutz". Among several other stage and orchestra pit veterans present were Dennis Lingard, Ted Gentry, Philip Mann, Trevor Head and Alan Baguste.

In his research Philip discovered that Leslie Johnston wrote in 1962 that almost a quarter of the school took part in "The Magic Flute". Leslie went on to say that those boys hearing or taking part in the school's musical productions "may be led to a delight that will stay with them throughout their lives." Philip observed: "That this has happened to so many of you is a fitting tribute to him, Merlin Channon, Derek Thornbery and all the other staff who contributed so much to school music in general and to the "golden era" of 1958-62 in particular."

Thanks are due to Eric Coates, who did a superb job on the administration and organisation. Thanks must also go to Derek Thornbery and Geoff Brown, whose input also helped in the smooth running of the event. However, without the support of those that attended, it would not have been such a success. Malcolm Poole, prior to parting remarked what a good day he had had and wondered how can it be eclipsed next time.

Many have asked when the next reunion is planned, but only one has put forward a suggestion. Geoff Brown recalled that 17 September 2001 will be the 50th anniversay of the opening of Woolverstone Hall School and that it would be a landmark worth celebrating. The anniversary falls on a Monday but the weekend before or after should be acceptable to most OWs. Is there an OW out there that would like to take on the task of organising it? There is plenty of time to arrange a spectacular day.

MEMORIES: Peter Silvey wrote, following the announcement, that he was sad to hear about Bob Cromarty. He went on to write, "He was essentially a kind and thoughtful man, as evidenced by his great patience in teaching me RSA Russian as part of my 6th Form General Studies when I was the only one in the class, driving me to the exam at a college in Ipswich and then loaning me the money to pay for a short holiday in Moscow, which took place after I had left the school, on no more than a promise from a then unemployed, unqualified and insolvent 18 year old that I would pay him back." Amongst the many stories which have emanated from his classroom (was it N2 or N3?), Peter recalls one that involved the coconut mat at the entrance to his hut and a piece of magnesium tape, smuggled from the chemistry lab. Whilst Bob's back was turned, writing another piece of unfathomable Latin on the board, a piece of lit magnesium tape was deposited into the said mat with the expected result of bright light and smoke as the matting burst into life! Bereft of any sort of fire-fighting equipment, Bob resorted to a little-known tactic which was to proceed to stamp and jump on the offending conflagration in some sort of "Promethean Highland Fling!" Woolverstone would certainly have been a poorer place without him around.

Hugh Hawkins (Orwell 59/66) echoed the sentiment and desribed him as a delightful man and a good teacher, from whom he learned a surprising amount of Latin. He also recalls a third form saying, which he believes was brought into use by John Baxter (Orwell 58/64), "ban the Crom Bomb". Hugh described it as "nonsense but never forotten by me at least".

Jon Roots read on the website about Sean Collins and was shocked and saddened by his death. He remembers drinking many a pint with him as they discussed the merits of moving to New Zealand in the years after they left school. Sean went and, although they lost touch, Jon was glad to see he had made go of it. They were contemporaries at Woolverstone (67/74) and it was in the fifth and sixth forms that they got to know each other better as they joined the general exodus to the watering holes of Ipswich - the Bandbox, the Black Horse and the Cock and 'Ollocks. (Is this a Woolvoism? - Ed) His dry sense of humour and the generally off the wall characters he associated with always made it an entertaining evening. I'm sure that others like Robin Skinner and Ed Kentish would have better memories of him. Jon asked for his condolences to be passed on to the family.

John Dawlings, in a missive titled "Miscellaneous Ramblings Inspired by Alcohol and Janus", wrote that it was good to hear about Phil Pullin and hopes that in Norway his idiosyncratic versions of Purple Haze are appreciated more than they were in rural Suffolk. He continued "I lived in Orwell when he played guitar in Hansons and if he is still performing Purple Haze I'm glad that we now live in Australia and Norway respectively." The irony of Philip having to change his name from Pullin because of the sexual meaning in Norway is wonderful for a guy who went through school with the nickname of 'Errol'. This is perhaps why he continues the Mick Jagger impersonations!

Another memory that came to his mind totally unprompted by Janus was the Bridge Club that Bob Skailes organised. This instilled in John a love for the game of bridge "such that I became totally hooked throughout my fifth form. A foursome evolved of Graham Broadbent (Bean), Phillip Lancaster (Elad), Jack Melville (Happy) and myself that played bridge at almost any hour we weren't directed to do something else. Jeremy (JAG) Dowle was also periodically involved. It ruined their 'A' levels and certainly didn't help my 'O' levels. I believe the other three were sailing on a boat on the Norfolk Broads with John Burd when their results came through. The results were reported to the boat as 'We got 5 'A' levels between us and John Burd got 4 of them'. I'm bloody glad that they left before I had to sit my 'A' levels but I would love to know what they are doing now. Graham Broadbent I believe followed his old man to become a publican on Hayling Island. Elad and Jack Melville just disappeared." (Any sightings? - Ed)

"Jag Dowle I remember lived in the UK embassy in Burma and held a Burmese driving licence. He used to claim that he was licenced to drive a grade A elephant and also made us believe that he had once been booked for speeding in reverse through the embassy compounds. Outrageous lies both of them but good stories nevertheless." On another tack, John wrote that "Derek Thornbery's memory of Rosa Weekes confirms my belief that some of the most extraordinary people at Woolverstone were not the pupils or teachers but the ancilliary staff. Algy Crack and Arthur Podd have already been mentioned in "Janus" but Rosa was something else again. She was built along Arthur Podd dimensions but with a God-fearing heart that filled 90% of her body. I remember being taken out by my parents one day in the first form and being put on the 202 back from Ipswich at the end of the day. Rosa was also on the bus and not only reassured me that I was on the right bus (I was far too proud to admit to my parents that I wasn't sure that the 202 went to Woolverstone) but also left my parents happy that no-one would dare kidnap their son whilst under such awesome protection."

WHOBA ROSE BOWL: Fred Moughton and your editor attended the Ipswich High School Prize Giving Ceremony on 5 November. The WHOBA Rose Bowl, a silver trophy, is presented each year to a girl, who has made a significant contribution to extra curricular activities. This year's winner is Emma Hindes, who is now studying at St Anne's College, Oxford after achieving three A grades in A level English, French and Geography. As well as an academic, during her leisure time she was Little Owl in an Ipswich Brownie pack and represented the UK at an international camp in Austria. She was also involved in Young Enterprise with a project producing receipe books, she was the editor of the Linguist, an IHS magazine for language students and helped with the production of the school magazine. When she was not involved with these activities she helped with year 2 reading, she achieved her Duke of Edinburgh's silver award and found time to play the cello, clarinet and piano.

The prospect of taking a geography degree has not affected her appetite for outside activities. Since arriving at Oxford she plays football and hockey, has taken up rock climbing, plays cello in the orchestra and sings in the choir. She has also joined the Cuppers drama group, in which in three weeks the group had to put on a thirty minute play with a budget of only 50.00p.

SNIPPETS: David Windle wrote that he had a family lunch with brother Vaughan (Johnstons 59/66) and sister Glynis, who had seen the reference to Tom Carter (Johnstons 57/62) going to Hong Kong in March 1996 for a three-month fill-in as Planning Director for his company Llewelyn-Davies, architects & town planners. Until Glynis set up her own consultancy she was an Associate at LDW and knew Tom but never knew that he had also been educated at Woolverstone.

John Dawlings wrote of the 202, "I remember someone doing a school project on the punctuality of the bus service. It failed miserably on every score. It left early once (probably the only time) leaving my parents stranded after a house concert needing to get to Ipswich for the train. I was still dressed in Tudor uniform and had the job of trying to thumb a lift dressed in what looked like a mini-skirt and a sabre. Needless to stay, no-one would stop until one of the masters drove up to save the day. Bob Skailes was the master and he was a guy you could write an essay and a half about."

Peter Almond, former defence correspondence on "The Daily Telegraph", got a mention in "Private Eye". Peter had to put Ian Hislop right on what he was currently engaged in. He still takes on commissions for the Telegraph as well as being a regular contributor on defense issues to "The Daily Mail".

Donald Crowter (Johnstons 59-66) has recently secured a commission to illustrate a series of children's stories. He did say that "They don't know that I never finish anything", but presumably it can't be true because he did sign the letter! He wrote that his brother Eric (Johnstons 55/61), domiciled in Hong Kong, was over for a visit. In London, he had a reunion with Tom Carter, John Dracass (both Johnstons 55/62) and Michael Chapman. Michael is about to marry Tom Carter's niece.

John Dawlings responded to Graham Hoad's letter by saying it sets a few brain cells rattling. He believes that as a school prefect Graham once lost a jacket that contained a packet of cigarettes. When the jacket was found, he had the choice of admitting it was his or remaining a school prefect. He looked very smart for the rest of the year in his jacket and plain sixth form tie. (This may not be quite true, but the bugger made me write out 100 lines saying "I must constantly endeavour at all times to do something or other" and then made me do it again as they weren't neat enough!).

RECENTLY REUNITED: Gabriel Barta found the website and gave an update of his life since Woolverstone. After doing French, German and History (with Mr Watts), he did philosophy at Cambridge, where he knew Mark Wing-Davey, and tried to start a career as a film editor. Unfortunately, a union card is needed to get a job, which needed a job to get a union card (classic Catch 22). So to keep body and soul together he went to IBM and trained in computing. He found a job with CERN in Geneva, a town he found so congenial after the first few months of loneliness that he has tried to live there ever since. Whenever he had to leave he felt "horribly homesick". One of his absences was to take a graduate course at the University of Illinois. He returned to Geneva, without his doctorate via the University of Copenhagen and the University of New Hampshire.

He has achieved his wish to reside in Geneva and lives there with wife Mari, 12-year-old boy-girl twins and a ten-year-old daughter. He says: "They are Geneva kids whose mother tongue is French. They are all fluent in Hungarian, our family language, and understand English perfectly, since I always speak English to them. They answer me in Hungarian."

UTOPIAN JAZZ CLUB: Robin "Brooks" Linklater responded to the question of whether anyone can remember the Utopian Jazz Club, which he could through rose coloured spectacles. He wrote: "It was a spoof fan club of the Utopian Jazz Trio which comprised Jack Lonegan on trombone, Roger "Pod" Stone on flute and me on drums. In the best Woolverstone tradition, the incompetence of the trio (which only had one decent number, "Lullaby in Birdland") was matched by the wild success of the Club which had over a hundred members including several masters including both Messrs Bailey and Johnston who were both induced to join by the simple expedient of us telling each that the other was already a member."

Membership was one old penny (I cannot help on the 2s 6d's) and Robin recalls at least two benefits of joining; a "gift" of a montage photograph of the Trio and another was a beatnik jazz party held in the cellars below the courtyard behind the Assistant Headmaster's house. The group grew into a trad jazz band (which wasn't completely hopeless) where I moved to clarinet, Club secretary Peter "Dan" Mathews was on drums, Tom "Hodges" Carter on Trumpet and "Rash" Rashid on piano and no doubt others I cannot recall. Gigs included a jive and a rock/jazz concert, both held in the hall. Robin would give £20 to get hold of one of the montage photos!

SPORT: John Dawlings wrote to confirm that the huge prop that Phillip Pullen remembers in his year would have been Michael Wenlock. He doesn't remember his rugby prowess but he was perhaps one of the few old boys to join the Hells Angels. He says that he'll never forget the look on his parents' faces when he came to stay for a weekend once. He also recalled that Nick Lovell was an extraordinary athlete and academic (but much too nice to be a great rugby player). He won the 100 metres on sports day in the first form comfortably beating all the second formers. He's now married to Chris Redpath's sister (Anne, he thinks her name is) who chased him relentlessly (and succesfully) from the age of about 13.

John went to say that he was feeling rather pleased with himself having won the Australian Veterans (45 -49 years) 5,000 and 10,000 metres athletic championships in Canberra last Easter. The 10,000 was quite fast in 34.30 but the 5,000 was only two days later with a much slower time of 16.40. At the New South Wales Veterans he ran the 1,500 metres in 4.26. His memory tells him that the school A* standard was 5.00 minutes for the mile and that this probably became about 4.40 for the 1,500. He said "Its nice to think that I'm considerably fitter as a 45 year old then I ever was as an 18 year old!"

Peter Rooney, who does an excellent job managing one of the web sites, reported that he was reading "Janus" when he came upon the Rugby article, "suddenly there it was a typo, and somebody had mis-spelt my name as Steve Jones? Actually Steve, due to his above average body structure, was taken from our year around the 2nd year and placed with the 6th form because in the other fixtures we had thought it unfair to have him in our team; don't know why, from what I remember he was only 15 stone at the age of 12. Hence it was left to myself and Cyril Offiah to run the tries in for the remaining years. Cyril and I were pretty much matched in the speed department although I'm sure I had a few more hat tricks" (Will you let that go unchallenged, Cyril? - Ed)

Peter sent a fax through to the London Broncos Rugby Club marked for Martin Offiah's attention asking him to get Cyril to phone. He did receive a call from Cyril. Martin couldn't remember Peter but Cyril remembered him instantly as the only one that ever gave him any competition on the field. Peter wondered why Cyril never followed up a career in Rugby as his talent was second to none (Anyone care to offer an alternative opinion? - Ed) and at last after 20 years he got to ask him. He felt the pressure the school put on him with regards the game was so great that he didn't know if he played because he had to or if because he enjoyed it! He now enjoys a career in music. Peter went on "when you see Martin Offiah, just remember that the infamous stride and even that cheeky smile whenever he scores are the traits of Cyril. Peter believes that English rugby missed Cyril, who could have been a legendary player.

Peter concluded with: "I can't remember when it was exactly, but to show the achievements of Woolverstone's dedication to rugby, Suffolk wanted a representative team to play Cambridge, which involved 15 schools involved in trials. The end result was 14 of the team consisted of our year's 1st team and we went on to win 27-0. Like Cyril said to me, anybody who made it to the 1st team in any of the years' teams could have been England quality."

MUSIC: Hugh Hawkins (Orwell 59/66) recalls Graham Hoad, probably in 1960, singing the Agnus Dei, which he subsequently discovered to be Schubert's Mass in G, and he says that Graham had an exquisite treble voice which he can still remember almost 40 years on. Hugh went on to say that the Footwarmers jazz band was started by a German language assistant (anyone remember his name? - Ed), who played the piano. Jean Van Vliet played trumpet with Chris Snuggs on clarinet and Hugh on trombone. He continued in its second incarnation with a new trumpeter, Read (did he have a first name? - Ed), and David "Rivets" Harris on clarinet. Steven Johnson "worked up a terrific banjo solo", his elder brother, David, having been the original double bassist. There was also a drummer and bass guitarist and Peter King on piano. Hugh described Peter as a very talented light musician, who went on to greater things. Hugh also played trombone in a blues band led by Jean-Alain Roussel, who "was a great character" and who went on to play with Cat Stevens.

Hugh has a vivid memory of Derek Thornbery's huge talent for eliciting performances from the most unlikely musicians, such as Roger Linden, a bass singer, who sang much of the bass line in the Orwell House choir an octave below the others. Another example is the cymballist in the Orwell House orchestra, who Derek cued in to play one clash in a piece.

John Dawlings also recalled the Orwell House concerts saying that "They were an institution and of an exrtaordinarily high standard. I well remember that there were 60 boys in Orwell and that 59 boys were in the choir one year. I was more suited to clapping the others. Graham Hoad however was the lead singer along with Richard Davis and Neil Cloake was on the piano. Neil once turned to Richard and commented that he should be singing A sharp and not B flat (I believe there is about one vibration in a million between the two). Personally I would have been happy to have got within an octave or two of the note in question but Richard calmly thanked him for pointing out the error!"

PERMANENT DISPLAY: Following the appeal for a successor to Fred Moughton the first curator of the display, Vaughan Windle and Roy Clouter have both offered their services. They will be delighted to receive contributions of "Woolverstoniana", to add to the collection. There must be thousands of photographs in existence, taken by members of the photographic club or parents on visits to the school. Can any of the serial hoarders out there bear to part with some of those stored in their attics?