"WHS "Janus"  - November 1997 -   Editor Roger Friend (Johnstons 58-63)   

The Newsletter of the Woolverstone Hall Old Boys Association


EDITORIAL

I am grateful to those of you that have contributed, but this is the shortest newsletter produced during my stewardship. It is also the longest gap between two editions. The reason for this is that I have received little material for inclusion. Is it an indication that it is time to change the format of Janus and/or the editor? Your views and suggestions on how we can keep the spirit of Wooverstone alive and then communicate it to others would be welcome.


LESLIE JOHNSTON

Leslie Johnston, housemaster, history teacher, deputy head and acting head during his time at Woolverstone from 1951 to 1959, passed away peacefully, aged 82, on Friday 10 October. His younger daughter Meroe Wilson wrote that he had been resident in a nursing home for a year. She said that it was tough on Leslie because he wasn't able to be in his own home with his wife Valerie. However, those that looked after him were extremely compassionate and caring in their work and they did a marvellous job. His older daughter Erica had arrived from California, where she now lives, and with Meroe saw him in the morning. The family are members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and they held a small gathering at home on Sunday 19 October when they had a quiet celebration of Leslie's life. Some of you may have seen the notice in the Times.

The house he founded carried his name until the closure of the school. All OWs, colleagues on the teaching staff, support staff and pupils, that knew him will have their own memories, particularly those old Johnstonians who were there during his stewardship. Please send your memories for publication in the next edition of Janus.


INTERNET

Using the wonders of the worldwide super highway, Eric Coates (Corners 58/64)(E-mail address eric.coates@which.net), living in Hampton, Middlesex, and Tony Boys (E-mail address aboys@po.net-ibaraki.ne.jp), living in Japan have been busy organising a Woolverstone Hall Old Boys Association website on the internet, which is now operational. It can be accessed at http://www.net-ibaraki.ne.jp/aboys/, where among other Woolverstone information there are back copies of Janus. Anyone with access to the internet will find the visit worthwhile. Tony is keen to add more photos of Woolverstone, so if you have any digital images or standard photos please contact him.

Tony received an E-mail from Claudia Cragg, living near Chicago who wrote "I am a very old friend of Arni Halling (read the vs Silvey piece with amusement). I am trying to contact Stan (John) Nolloth and Marc Haig. Stan is in the music business. His mother is no longer in London and his sister Christine cannot be found. Siggi Halling has no idea where they are. What also of Peter Paul Cutler, aka Cabbage?" Claudia is trying to find them not just for nostalgia's sake, but because she is writing a novel that is centred on "my extraordinary friendship, in my most formative years, with a group of lads from Woolverstone during 1972/74."

Tony sent a reply which bounced back with a "user unknown" error message. Does Claudia Cragg exist? If she does, what is her E-mail address? Does anyone know where Stan and Marc are? Did they attend Woolverstone?


GENERAL ELECTION

Bill Salisbury spotted an article in the Times of 15 April entitled "Pastor pens hymn of praise to the Goldsmith gospel". It featured the Rev George Hargreaves, formerly known as George Jackman (Orwell 69/75). George, a Pentecostal minister and one time pop composer, stood as candidate for the Referendum Party in Walthamstow and wrote the unofficial party anthem, "Let the People Decide" by the Rabble Army. George has a good song writing pedigree, having already composed the hit songs "So Macho" for Sinitta and "Problematic" for Five Star, as well as the Pebble Mill at One theme tune. He said "I'm a song writer. I suggested to the party managers that a song would be a good way to get a message across. If you remember Sir James' speech about a rabble army, that struck a chord with me. I expect it to be in the charts this time next week."

George did not make it to Westminster and the song did not crack the charts, despite the possibility, which the party HQ did not rule out, of Sir James Goldsmith appearing on Top of the Pops. George continues to run the Hephzibah Christian Centre in Hackney with his wife, Maxine.

However, veteran politician Jonathon Sayeed (Johnstons 59/64) did make it back to Westminster by winning a Tory seat, enabling him sit on the opposition back benches. He was returned by the electorate of Mid Bedfordshire. Eric Coates believes that there is another OW in Westminster, who represents a London consitituency and he mentioned Wandsworth. Can anyone confirm this and put a name to the OW? Information on other OW politicians would also be welcome.


WHOBA TROPHY

Following correspondence last year Valerie McCuish, Headmistress of Ipswich High School, confirmed that the school was "absolutely delighted at the prospect of receiving a trophy from Woolverstone Hall Old Boys Association". She went on to say that "it is extremely kind of you to think of us and it is an ideal way of having a lasting memento of our predecessors." Valerie suggested that the trophy be awarded to a girl in the Sixth Form for an excellent contribution to extra-curricular activities. This suggestion has been adopted and the trophy, an engraved silver rose bowl sourced by Fred Moughton (Hansons 50/55), was awarded at the speech day ceremony on Friday 31 October.

Fred and your editor were in attendance to witness the occasion and the first recipient was Judith Reynolds, who passed 4 A levels at A grade. As well as the WHOBA prize she was awarded the Girls Public Day School Trust certificate for A Level German, the Esam prize for Mathematics and the Modern Languages Cup. She is now studying French and Japanese at the University of Leeds. The presentation of your award to a student of such high achievement has set an excellent standard for others to aspire to.


TRAVELS

John Dye (Hansons 53/60) is on a sabbatical and is currently residing in Victoria, Australia, where he went after after a six month stay in India, five and a half months of which he spent in Calcutta. He described it as a fascinating experience. In Calcutta most of John's time was occupied teaching English grammar and comprehension to "street children", who are now studying in English medium schools but who are at a disadvantage against other students. The reason is that although their spoken English is reasonable, they struggle with English text books written in stilted English. Their couses also include other subjects, such as very simple maths, history and life sciences.

John also involved himself in extra-curricular activities, by organising chess and table tennis competitions, which were well received. He went on to do a lot of cricket umpiring and said that some of the older OWs will remember his umpiring. John also played chess, something he had not done for several years. Other memorable occasions were visits to villages to meet the youngsters relatives, of which he wrote "They always overfeed you, spending a week's housekeeping money on meat, which is normally only served at times of religious festivals. All food is eaten with the right hand as the Hindus believe the four fingers each hold one of the taste senses, which improves the benefit of the food." During the festival of Holi, John was "painted" (Portrait or theatrical make up? - Ed) and he attended the Bengali new year's eve song and dance evening.

Tony Meager (50s) plans a visit the US next year and whilst there will stray into Canada to visit Charles Fisher, who like Tony was at both the London Nautical School and Woolverstone Hall. He went on to say that if anyone would like to buy him a drink in Singapore between 8 and 16 December and subsequently in Perth, Australia until 1 January or Sydney the following week, he will not refuse a genuine offer.


WHEELS AT WOOLVERSTONE

Chris Nial (Hansons 65/72) sent details of "a great day out" on Sunday 17 August at Woolverstone Hall. It featured a display of over three hundred vintage and classic cars, together with other attractions which included trade stalls, a fly past, helicopter flights, Bressingham Steam Museum and much more. It was held to raise funds for the Royal Air Force Wings Appeal and the Woolverstone Project, which is a charity that provides sailing facilities for the disabled. Chris was there with "the big red bus". He thought the show would be of interest to OWs with vintage vehicles (Are there any? Were you there? - Ed).


MUSIC

Ray Pereira (Orwell 70/77) wrote enclosing his subscription and a disc of some recently recorded music, which he is anxious to introduce to "any good contacts". He wants it "out and in the charts pronto". Ray has been waiting for a break since 1975, when he left his O level studies to make it in the big time with the group called Snapp. Snapp comprised Ray's younger brother Theo, George Jackman, Kyriakos Tsapparelli, Norbert Elumelu and Tony Agoape. However, Ray was back at school the next term when his dad returned from overseas and "put the record straight".

Snapp tried to escape one weekend to do some recording in London. They managed to get permission from the Headmaster, Mr Richardson, and as they waited for the bus to Ipswich they saw the dreaded "one light" heading towards them. It was dark. Was it a low flying UFO? It couldn't be because it was following the road between the farmhouse and "cowpat field". (Was it really known by that name? - Ed) It honed in on them at the bus stop and stopped. It turned out to be Bob Scailes, whose car had only one of the headlights working. He then "dragged" Ray and Theo back to Orwell House for not getting his permission.


SECOND CHANCE OF A LIFETIME

The BBC Radio 4 programme "Once in a Lifetime" broadcast last November will get a second airing on Saturday 29 November at 3.30pm. If you want a permanent record of the programme for posterity, make sure that you have a blank tape ready. (I assume that it will not infringe copyright - Ed) The producer Julia Shaw said that she had several requests for tapes after the first broadcast, which she endeavoured to supply, but she will not be able to meet future requests from OWs.


SNIPPETS

Bill Coutts (Johnstons 52/59), living in Hannover, was recently in England with a group of German students, although he was not specific about the purpose of their visit. Did you manage to show them the delights of Woolverstone?

John (Fred) Walmesley (Johnstons 52/59) has returned to Australia, after his sabbatical from McQuarrie University. He spent most of the time in Normandy with stops before and after in London. During his time he managed to meet up with some old colleagues and dined at the restaurant operated by his peer from Johnstons, Andy Hunton.

Coronation Street actress Sally Whittaker, who plays Sally Webster in the popular soap, was pictured in a Sunday tabloid with her child and husband, Jonathon Dynevor. Could it be our own Josh (Hansons 70s)?

The Brockwell Lido, which those of you that attended the reunion organised by David McAdam and Richard York will recall, featured on Newsroom South East recently. The manager, Casey McGlue explained how the complex could be developed with the aid of cash grants from the National Lottery and similar agencies.

A photograph of Ian McEwan (Johnstons 59/65) recently appeared in the Diary column of the Times, with details of his latest book, Enduring Love. It is the story of a young man's homoerotic and quasi-religious yearnings for another man, a manifestation of the psychological condition, de Clerambault's Syndrome. To lend authenticity to the hypothesis in the novel, Ian has added an appendix, a paper by Drs Wenn and Camia. The Diary warns editors of pschology journals, who are considering publishing the Wenn-Camia paper, "take the surnames, shuffle them round and see if you can find the name of a certain well known novelist"!

After retiring from Woolverstone, Michael Coulter, art teacher from 66 to 87, became a full time artist to meet the demand for his pictures. He has a "light-hearted quirky style, with movement, pattern and colour" according to the brochure for his forthcoming exhibition of watercolours due to take place from 27th to 30th November in Chiswick. Michael is no stranger to showing his work, having exhibited at the RA and in several London galleries, as well as in Holland and Washington, where he is building a following. If anyone would like more details on his latest collection, Michael can be contacted on 01394 380228.

Graham Lassiter won first and second prize in the Mount Tamborine Wildlife Photography competition. Meanwhile on this side of the globe, Wendy Winter sent a cutting from the Essex County Standard of 20 June, with a picture taken at the Essex Show. It was of Davina, a British Alpine goat, the winner of the the first prize in the milking class, a prize she also picked up at the Suffolk Show. She is owned by Peter and Janet Cox, who have been showing goats for 30 years. Wendy asked whether anyone remembered getting a "free day at the Suffolk Show because you volunteered to walk the Cox goats".


NICKNAMES

Jim Allgrove's sporting memories (Janus April 1997) struck a chord with Alan Gould and he wrote to say that Jim gave him the nickname, Hercules, which stuck with him during the six years he spent at the school. The soubriquet was bestowed one summer evening in 1960 during a melee of acorn throwing between first and fourth formers near the Nissen huts on Orwell side. Something in the name caught on and remained with Alan long after Jim had left. However Hercules over time modified through "Heracles", "Hercles", "Hercs" to a stump-like "Erx". Alan went on to say that "while the nickname was not ill-meant, I was relieved to leave it behind me when I came to Australia."

Alan expanded saying "there is music and inventiveness in nicknames" and "wondered whether some of those which were the currency at Woolverstone over the years might be worth salvaging on the pages of Janus." He mentioned the obvious in derivation such as Simpopo (Kevin Simpson), Jonah (Peter Jones), Hairs (David Harris), Pip (Philip Neighbour) and Draks (John Drakass). Doubtless all OWs recall several nicknames of this type. Other names were visually inspired and Alan's favourite is "Penny" Farthing, the Corners House gardener, "whose rotund figure and massive head once burst in on my after rugby shower, bawling what I took to be a curse on my waste of hot water."

On the same tack, Peter Whittaker wrote to say that he was not previously aware that he had been captioned "Wheels". He found it quite complimentary bearing in mind some of the nicknames OWs had to endure. If you have nickname memories why not share them, assuming they can be put into print?


MEMBERSHIP

Bill Salisbury, who with Peter Carlile has set up the successful "first Thursday of the month" meetings at the Victoria public house on the corner of Sussex Place and Strathearn Place, W2, reported that a lot of discussion had taken place about the need to improve the database. At the August gathering Nick Collins was emphatic that "we need to work on the database, not only bringing it up to date but extending it." Nick is in touch with around 20 OWs not on the list. Bill went on to suggest that OWs not on the list should be "shopped" by the readership. (Nick, and anyone else, send me details of OWs not on the mailing list and I will contact them - Ed)

Whenever information of the whereabouts of OWs is passed on they are written to and back copies, forms asking for background details and standing order mandates are enclosed. Sadly very few responses are received, although the names are left on the mailing list. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve the situation?

Andrew York moved from Spring Wood, Kings Lynn 5 years ago according to the envelope returned by the current occupier of his former home. Does anyone know his present whereabouts? If so please send details of his new address.


RECENTLY REUNITED

Richard Stokes ( Halls 71/79) contacted the Association through the Internet. He lives in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he is the manager of an industrial supply store. His brother (Halls 70/74), whose name I do not have as he signs himself only as "R Stokes", is a delivery office manager with Royal Mail. He lists his interests as golf, soccer (West Ham), music and rugby (Blackheath) and he would like to contact OBs from the same vintage as himself. Graham Davies (Orwell 68/75) found WHOBA through Tony Boys' home page. Graham lives in Princeton, New Jersey and it is hoped that the next edition will have more information on what he is doing in the USA and what he has done since leaving Woolverstone.


RUGBY NETBALL

Tony Meager (50s) wrote in response to Jim Allgrove's memories of summer rugby training on Clapham Common. Tony confirmed that he did introduce rugby netball to the summer training regime of the OW rugby team, which at that time constituted just about the total WHOBA membership. He went on to say that it proved very useful, as can be seen from the results during the season. Rugby netball was not a Meager invention, however. It had been played on Clapham Common for several years previously and the practice continues. In view of its success, Tony introduced it to a junior side in Gloucestershire and the following season was their best ever, recording only one loss.


MEMORIES

Eric Coates (Corners 58/64) recalls being deceptively attentive during French lessons, that he found unutterably boring, and Michael Shakeshaft was correct in suggesting that Eric's mind was nowhere near the classroom proceedings. His test to prove his assertion was to ask Eric to spell a word, usually a long compound adverb, from the text just studied. Eric had an unusual ability to spell words aloud that he had not recently seen in print. He could also spell at such a speed that Michael could neither follow nor, for fear of appearing slow witted, ask him to repeat. According to Eric "this would produce that characteristic Shakeshaftian look of quasi Gallic bewiderment and could not fail to produce an uproar of mirth." Eric wonders if Michael remembers these incidents.


EPILOGUE

Any sightings or news of OWs, memories from your time at Woolverstone that you would like to share, requests for information on old friends would be gratefully received. Janus is your publication and it needs your contributions to survive.