old barnardians newsletter - 2009

www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk 1

Old Barnardians NewsletterPresident: David Ewart, Vice Presidents: Kenneth King and Alan Wilkinson. February 2009

Headmaster’s Message

A very warm welcome awaits you!

It has been a great pleasure to welcome many Old Barnardian visitors to the School over thelast 12 months. A good number attended Barnardian Day; the chapel service, followed by theClub Annual General Meeting and a programme of sporting activities, occupied people fully.It was a pity about the inclement weather but it did not adversely affect the warmth of renewingfriendships.

In the weeks before Barnardian Day, the 1st X1 cricket played an Old Barnardians’ team, led byWilliam Hutchinson. We also had several impromptu soccer matches against the School 1st XI.

A good number of OBs have also returned for chapel services, Speech Day and Prize Giving,the pupils’ art and design display at the end of the summer term, as well as plays and concertsin School.

We have welcomed OBs from Australia and Canada, as well as all parts of the UK, who call inwhen they are passing. If you are able to stay long enough, with family and friends if they arewith you, to chat and meet again members of staff you remember. Whilst there have been

many changes in terms of buildings and fittings in the last decade, as you will see as you wander, the character of the place isstill the same and many of the ‘old school’ traditions remain!

David Ewart, Headmaster

Message from the Club ChairmanIt is pleasing for me to be able to report that two very positive and constructive meetings have recentlytaken place with the Headmaster and a representative of the School Governors, Clive Dennis.

These meetings were arranged to reinforce and enhance future relationships between Club and Schoolwith the objective of re-establishing the close bond enjoyed historically for mutual benefit.

I was joined by O.B.C Committee Members, Peter Hodges and Stuart Walker to debate how we mightmove forward in a manner that would secure both the future prosperity of the Club and identify clearbenefits for current and future members. These benefits will be used to encourage new members tojoin the Club and lead to the re-establishment of a sustainable regime supported by the School.

I am grateful to the Headmaster for working on our behalf to achieve our objectives and helping usback to the strong relationships, which are so important to the ongoing well-being of Club and School.

In addition I must pay tribute to our Secretary, Dorothy Jones who has worked tirelessly for the Club by arranging events, keeping intouch with OB’s and ongoing committee members, and prioritising ideas for a meaningful future of our Club. I look forward, withthanks, to her continuing support.

I believe we have now turned a corner and we are well placed to move forward positively into a bright new era of ‘partnership’ with theSchool for the benefit of Old Barnardians, current pupils and the School establishment – in short the whole community of BarnardCastle School. We are grateful, too, to the Headmaster, the Bursar and the Governors for the sponsorship of this newsletter, BarnardiansReconnected and our very able Secretary.

Your support is essential and I urge you all to take an active interest in Club and School events and help us to continually strengthen thevalue of club membership for future generations.

Gerry Camozzi.

Barnardians Reconnected2

Our congratulations go to the following Old Barnardians

2007 Graduands

Jack White, BSc Hons., Financial Economics ( Leicester)Richard Lumb, MSCI Hons., Geoscience (Durham)Adam Ingram, MSCI Hons., Theoretical Physics (Durham)Joanna MacDonald, MA (Glasgow)Stuart Walker BA Hons.,Combined Honours in Art (Durham)Lorna Noble BA Hons., Combined Honours in Art (Durham)WC Wilfred Yuen BSc Hons., Biochemistry (Warwick)

2008 Graduands

Libby Young, BA Hons., Management (Lancaster)Caroline Burgess, BA Hons., Spanish Portuguese + Latin American Studies (Newcastle)George Carpenter, BA Hons., Economics+ Business Management (Newcastle)JJR Metcalfe, BA Hons., Business + Economic Studies (Newcastle)Cameron Ruckley, BSc., Chemical Studies (St Andrews)Richard J Thurlow-Begg, BDS., ( Glasgow)Thomas-Dieter White, MA., Mental Philosophy (Aberdeen)Amy Vernon, BSc Hons., Chemistry ( Newcastle)Jennifer Ruth Wilson, BA Hons., Modern Languages (Newcastle)

Please can Old Barnardians inform the Club Secretary of Degrees awarded in 2008, or when they are attained in 2009,so they may be congratulated on in our subsequent Newsletters.This also has the added advantage of keeping your old friends up to date with your progress.

Chairman of the Governors

I have just received my copy of ‘The Barnardian’. It is a quality record of life at Barney over the last twelve months whichshows the amazing changes which have been made since my first connection with the School in the 1970s when I used tovisit my young brother, whom some may remember as a boarder in York House, and the 1980s when my own sons wereat the School. My late father, who was at the School in the 1920s, would think he was on a different planet!

I can state that I did help with some of these changes because for many years during the 1980s and 1990s I was theSchool’s Bank Manager. Being asked to become a Governor of the School on my retirement was indeed a privilege, andhas enabled me to continue to play a part in the School’s expansion.

Many of the physical changes can be seen on the web site. What the web is unable to capture is the ‘buzz’ which goesaround the School created by all who work and study here and which has resulted in some very impressive exam results,successful sports teams, excellent music and drama productions and a never ending list of extra curricular activities; allleading to record numbers and a waiting list for places.

Over the last twenty years, my predecessor as Chairman of Governors, Euan Macfarlane, has overseen some substantialchanges, which have enabled the School to grow and meet the ambitions of our Headmaster and his Staff, and I know thatEuan is delighted with the way the School has evolved during his chairmanship.

An ambitious development programme is in place for further enhancements to the School’s facilities and I am delightedthat, as the School passes its 125th birthday, the dialogue recently opened between the Governors and the Old Barnardians’Club is returning us both to the days when there was such a good understanding between us.

My hope is that the Old Barnardians can continue to support the Governors, the Headmaster, his staff, and all parents, aswe endeavour to improve our facilities and aim to meet the needs of today’s generation and those who will be following.

Malcolm McCallum

Chairman of the Governors


Headmaster’s Review of the Academic Year, 2007-8

Speech Day and Prize Giving 2008 saw over 1,100 people in the sports hall; 140 prizeswere presented by Mr JC Macfarlane, CBE. Our new Chairman of Governors, MrMcCallum, paid a fitting tribute to the work of Mr Macfarlane over his 20 years as Chairman.The same evening, 240 new Old Barnardians and their parents, Governors, staff andfriends of the School enjoyed the Summer Ball. As I walked home, I realised the summerholidays had begun! Hurray!

Following the end of year Chapel service, at ‘Nailing Up’, in Chapel, I presented certificates,prizes and cups to large numbers of boys and girls. This followed a term in which 130Headmaster’s Certificates for excellent assessments and 110 Merits and DistinctionCertificates were presented. In addition, Academic Honours Award ties, School Coloursties, and Arts ties, and trophies, shields and cups, were also presented.In January, the Macfarlane building was officially opened, housing Physics and ICTdepartments. The Music Department now has an extension to its north for MusicTechnology, and a new Prep School Hall, with library and changing rooms, has just beenopened. We have record numbers of boys and girls; with a total of 750 pupils aged 4 to18 years, we need these facilities! There are 200 boys and girls in the Prep School and200 boarders in the whole school.

At the end of the year, Mr Charlesworth retired; fortunately we persuaded him to continueteaching Chemistry part-time, such is the demand for the subject at A level. Mr Hughes,Housemaster of Northumberland, moved to pastures new in December; Mrs Hallam andMrs Kerridge left the senior school teaching staff, and Mrs Honess and Mrs Todd left thePrep School. Dr White retired after 18 years of distinguished service; the School, itspupils and staff have been very fortunate to receive medical care and advice from such adedicated doctor.The 2008 GCSE results were judged ‘the best ever’. Our A-level results in 2008 equalledour record year of 2002 although the percentage of A grades was not as high as weshould have liked. The Upper Sixth destination of leavers’ list was impressive.

The CCF continues to be very successful; SSI Mr MG Lewis and CO Col. S. Kean run ahighly efficient organisation with 165 cadets. I was very pleased that three pupils werepresented with Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards at St James’s Palace during their finalacademic year and six others during the summer holidays.

Achievements of particular sports’ groups continue to impress. The squash team reachedthe last 32 of the National Schools’ Squash Championships and the 1st X1 cricket wassuccessful in beating the majority of its rival schools, at one stage eight schools in a row,and also producing a most exciting win against the MCC. Cross-country and swimmingresults have also been good. Hockey continues to be popular with an increasing numberof pupils representing the County; 4 girls have been selected to play for the Northernregion. The boys’ tennis teams won 36 of their 38 games against Ampleforth and wonthe County Durham U19 championships. We have a large number of girls playing netballand, for the first time, won over two-thirds of their matches this season. The boys andgirls’ soccer teams have been winning matches and raising cheers for Barnard CastleSchool from Central Hall table. Rugby football continues as our leading sport. I wasdelighted to see the School XV, once again, reach the semi-finals of the Daily Mail Cup,putting us third equal in this national competition of some 540 schools; an amazingachievement! We had 5 schoolboy internationals in the sport last year and I know SeanDougall (U19 Ireland), Rory Clegg, Tom Catterick and Alex Gray (U18 England) andSamuel Castledine (U18 Germany), and other rugby players would wish to acknowledgethe contribution of Mr Pepper and his coaching colleagues to their successes. The Schooldesperately, desperately needs a weight training and fitness centre commensurate withthe elite performance standards of our athletes and the growing number of enthusiastic


sports participants; such a new building would ideally have a dance facility and a 1st XIcricket square aspect.

Drama also flourishes. The junior play, ‘The Fwog Prince’, ‘Stepping Out’ the School playand the musical Copacabana, which played to five packed Houses and featured a largecast of boys and girls who danced sang and acted, delighted all those who watched. Iwas also impressed by the quality of Art and Technology work exhibited at the end of thesummer term; one girl sold all her ‘A’ level Art work to parents and friends of the Schoolon the first ‘Open Evening’. School music also flourishes and the choir’s repertoire atDurham Cathedral and York Minster solicited many very favourable comments at ChoralEvensong. The School organ is currently being renovated and the Chapel was decoratedand re-floored over the summer. The wind and jazz bands and orchestra have allimpressed us; the final concert of term was with Teesdale School and raised money forRotary charities.

One of the strongest features of School continues to be the high standard of care andwelfare provided by Housemasters and Housemistresses and we pay tribute to them all;as Old Barnardians, you will remember how important the contribution of pastoral staffwas to your success in the School.

Three new Old Barnardians undertook their gap placements in 2007/2008 at The Nest,an orphanage near Limuru, Kenya. We wish to acknowledge the excellence of their workduring the year and thank those parents and friends of School who supported theirambitious adventure. This sense of responsibility, recognised by the three youngmeninvolved, is common to many of our Upper Sixth leavers. This same spirit is also recognisedin the work of the Charity Committee and a magnificent £6,570 was sent to the PancreaticCancer Society charity following the Barney Bash sponsored Inter-House Cross-Country.An additional £5,000 was raised by the Charity Committee and School during the year;much fun was derived doing this. We recognise the important contribution the SchoolChaplain makes to this work and in addition to promoting Christian witness within ourSchool. The Chapel continues to be a very important building to us, not just for thisyear’s 23 Confirmands but also for those who seek a place for prayer and reflection.

We are a friendly, happy school. We have had a number of overseas’ visitors living in ourmidst during the year and one described us in a letter of thanks as, ‘warm and friendly,accommodating and interested, and a much better school than the French equivalent!’ Iam delighted this was the case. This happiness factor is critically important to the successof any school. There is little doubt, from the views detailed in the Centenary History, thatsome boys did not enjoy their time in the original North Eastern County School. Twelvemile House trogs on Sundays, compulsory digging in the Housemaster’s vegetableallotments, cold baths twice a week and a special dessert called ‘dead baby’, stewedrhubarb with a cold rice pudding centre, were their pet hates. I contend the overwhelmingmajority of our boys and girls, and I hope staff, enjoy being here today.

I hope you will return in the coming year to visit and support us as we move confidentlyforward in our 125th Foundation Anniversary year. If you cannot, do not hesitate to visitthe School’s web-site, and then follow the link to the Old Barnardians’ web-site to find outeven more about the Club’s work! If this is not enough, obtain a copy of this year’sBarnardian Magazine; it is a most exiting statement of School life, packed with photographsof the year’s achievements!

David Ewart


From the Secretary

I am enjoying my role as OB Secretary. I have met a number ofyou as you have re-visited your old school, have spoken to you byphone, corresponded with you by email and snail mail. I’ve heardtales of water fights and cycling around Central Hall table, of hidingplaces during the Barney run, winter snow slides and a skatingrink in the yard, how you waited in si lence outside yourHousemaster’s study to be caned and had punishment drill on aSat afternoon – running laps of the yard carrying weights. Howthings have changed! I’ve heard stories of Bentley Beetham,Norman Fender and Kenneth King; I’ve read a letter from an OBwho currently teaches English after gaining a love of the subjectfrom Alan Wilkinson. I’ve learned that our oldest old boy is 102.

I’ve discovered that at least 3 OBs have rowed the Atlantic, 2 haverun across deserts and 1 has climbed Everest, twice! We haveinternational sports stars, actors, a prize winning furniture designer,prize-winning fashion designer and a professional opera singer.You have followed all sorts of paths since leaving School – doctors,

dentists, nurses, engineers, soldiers, sailors, pilots and technicians, accountants, financiers,bankers, teachers, professors and lecturers, lawyers, photographers and artists, farmers,entrepreneurs and managing directors – what a talented and diverse bunch you are.

Of course, I have received sad news too, of OBs who have passed away. Many families havewritten to let us know how their loved ones remembered so fondly their time at Barney and howtheir years here shaped them as a person. I send condolences on your behalf and will makesure that they are remembered in our prayers on Barnardian Day.

The contact with you all has been exciting and interesting but disjointed - the threads of theentire OB network needed to be pulled together; to this end, earlier this year, the School purchasedfor you a software package from webAlumnus. It is my hope that this networking system willwork for the benefit of all and that those of you wanting to climb mountains, or row oceans, or runacross deserts will be able to contact each other for those important hints on survival. Those ofyou moving overseas will be able to contact OBs already there and, professionally, you will beable to support and encourage each other; those of you will be willing to share your experienceand expertise with those still at school will be able to do so. Of course, you can use it to organise‘get togethers’ but this site offers so much more than just social networking; webAlumnus isadministered here, within the school, by me; there is also a friendly voice at the end of yourphone.

Having said that it is more than just a social site, I do want to use the site to help advertiseschool reunions, dinners both at school and in the regions, sporting events and fund raisingevents; I also want to use it to keep you up to date with what is happening at Barney today.

I hope you will enjoy the site, visit it often and use it for your benefit. Please spread the word andplease contact me if I can help in any way.

I know that some Old Barnardians do not have access to the Web, nor do they wish to use it. Myhope is that the newsletter will continue to act as a means of keeping you in touch and again Iam more than happy to help in any way I can.To register on Barnardians Reconnected pleasefollow these easy steps

www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk > Barnardians Reconnected > Register

Good luck! With best wishes, Dorothy Jones.


In 2006 old boy Craig Hurst (York House, 1985– 95) completed the gruelling Marathon desSable, an ultra-marathon race across the Saharadesert. Earlier this year he was at it again, thistime as a competitor in the Atacama Crossing, a150-mile race across northern Chile in one ofthe most stunning but brutal landscapes on theplanet.

‘After the Sahara race in 2006 I was pretty surethat I would be hanging up my running shoes forgood,’ says Craig. ‘But after signing up for theAtacama and spending almost a year in trainingit was incredibly exciting to be back on thestarting line in another remote and awe inspiringlocation.’

The Atacama Desert is a 15 million year oldlandscape of mountains, salt flats, volcanoes andsand, with its most mountainous peaks reachingan altitude of almost 7,000 metres. It is also thedriest place on Earth, 100 times more arid thanCalifornia’s Death Valley and with average rainfallin many areas of just 1mm per year.

‘The terrain was incredibly tough,’ says Craig.‘In the Sahara we had the sand dunes but in theAtacama the real challenge was crossing mileafter mile of salt flats. It’s like running across abadly ploughed field that has been baked in thesun for several hundred years. Add to that thehigh altitude and day time temperatures in themid forties and you’ve got a pretty unforgivingenvironment.’

To make things even more difficult, Craig had tocarry all his food and equipment for the wholeweek, with the race organisers providing just thebasic luxuries of tents, water and medical aid.

Things started reasonably well for the 31-year-old former pupil but by the third day conditionswere starting to take their toll. ‘At the end of theday I’m just a pasty ginger bloke from Surrey, soI don’t suffer the heat well,’ says Craig. ‘Duringthe longest 50 mile stage I was pretty nauseousand getting badly dehydrated, so the medicalteam decided to sit me down on the desert floorand give me an IV drip. It’s not something youwant to have to do but it definitely helped me getback on my feet and finish the race.’

‘My feet also took a bit of a beating. At one stageI had to drill through a toenail with a syringe to

release a build up of pressure below the nail. Butapart from that and a few other blisters I got off lightly.One guy in my tent had lost nine of his toenails andhalf the skin on his feet by the end of the race.’

But Craig says, ‘any hardships were easilycompensated for by stunning scenery, excellentcomradeship and the humour shared betweencompetitors. Half the fun of these events is meetingdifferent people from around the world and makingnew friendships. Everyone has their own story andwatching them succeed is just as satisfying ascrossing the finishing line yourself.

Craig finished the race in the middle of an 80 strongfield and has fond memories of the ensuingcelebration. ‘The whole week was one big physicaland emotional rollercoaster. Making it to the finishline you are overwhelmed with joy, relief and also atwinge of sadness that the whole adventure is over.Most people then head for the shower, but for me itwas a trip to the local restaurant for steak, chips andlots of cold beer.

Craig hasn’t ruled out another desert adventure butfor now is enjoying some time out from training –‘they do another of these in the Gobi desert in Chinaso you never know’!


The Bentley Beetham 1924 Everest Trust - Charity Commission Registration Number 1085273

In the spring of 2008 the following report was submitted to the SchoolGovernors and to the Old Barnardians’ Club. It signalled the end ofseveral years’ work/negotiations to protect this important historicalarchive and a new beginning. Within weeks of the launch the Trust’sweb site won an award for its excellence from the digital media judgesin the northeast. A web-site that we are delighted to say can now beaccessed directly at www.bentleybeetham.org or through the School’sweb-site www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk under the Old Barnardians’section.

Virtually the whole collection can be seen and researched in detail online.An educational resource for both the School and a wider audience toenjoy, one that brings much deserved credit to Barnard Castle School,Barnard Castle itself and the surrounding area of Teesdale.

Bentley Beetham 1924

Ice-skating on a frozen river Tees in the winter of 1936.

High Force, frozen in the winter of 1929.

School Corps preparing to be on parade.


Report to the Governors of Barnard Castle School and the Old Barnardians’ Club

Since its formation seven years ago the Trust has been involved in ongoing negotiations to secure the most appropriatelocation and archival conditions in which this important collection could be placed long-term. Approaches were made tothe Trust from an internationally recognised body in London with a view to them housing the collection. However, theTrustees, aware of the very important photographic collections already held by Durham University in their Archives at thePalace Green Library, entered into discussions with the University.

Under strict conditions of controlled humidity, light and temperature the University Conservators agreed to undertake a fullappraisal of the collection’s condition; to advise on the necessary conservation work to stop any further deterioration andto identifying such problems as the acid paper of the photograph albums slowly destroying the images, (these wereimmediately separated to halt further damage). The glass slides were removed from the wooden boxes and placed intoindividual conservation sleeves. Because of the fragile nature of the collection the considered opinion was that an archivalcopy should be made in digital format so that any future access for educational or research purposes could be made usingthe digital copy rather than risking further damage to the originals.

With considerable assistance from Durham University, the Trust made an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)for funding to undertake the pains taking process of digitising the whole collection. The application was successful andapproximately £20,000 was granted by HLF for Durham to undertake this important work on behalf of the Trust, a task thattook several months to complete. Both the original collection and the digital copy are to be housed long-term, under strictarchival conditions, at Durham University’s archives at Palace Green adjacent to Durham Cathedral. The National Archivehas requested a copy, which is a significant recognition of the collection’s importance as this is by invitation only.

Durham is placing a computer terminal dedicated to the collection at the Oriental Museum in Durham; access will also beavailable at the Palace Green Library as well as the Trust’s web site, www.bentleybeetham.org

The association between the Trust and Durham University is such that the University is placing its insignia onto theopening page of the Trust’s web site. This home page also acknowledges Bentley Beetham’s strong connection withBarnard Castle School and because of this makes a direct link to the School’s web site.

The Trust’s web site is currently password protected but will be going ‘live’ this spring (2008). The launch will not berestricted to a national level as notification is to be sent to appropriate publications, historians and Alpine clubs around theglobe. We envisage significant interest in the collection; an interest we hope is reflected by increased numbers visitingBarnard Castle School’s web site and Beetham’s lifetime connection with the Barnard Castle area. Notification will be sentby the Trust to the District and County Councils to enable them to promote the collection as an educational resource, forvisitor information and to take pride from the local connection.

We genuinely hope that Barnard Castle School and the Old Barnardians’ Club take great pleasure from their uniqueconnection with Bentley Beetham that now links directly to one of the country’s leading Universities situated little more thanhalf an hour from Barnard Castle itself. A University that this year won the National Award from the British Museum fortheir archival work with important photographic collections.

Mr G. G. Ratcliffe, MBE

Chairman: The Bentley Beetham 1924 Everest Trust

View of Mount Everest from Base Camp 1924 Tibetan town of Phari 1924


Prep School Report

Schools should keep the best of the old and improve and transform by adding the best of the new. This has beenthe case with the Prep School where Old Barnardians would recognise some of the buildings and traditions ofthe school, but would also, I think, be amazed by the changes that have taken place. A development plan wascompleted in September, which has provided the school with a new Assembly Hall, a library, changing roomsand other amenities. The scheme has also radically converted the old Assembly Room or “Playroom” as somereaders will remember it, into a stunning Art/Technology Room. The result of this major project is that the PrepSchool has fine facilities for the 200 pupils who currently attend the school.

One of the features of our school that has not changed over the years is the House system. Drake, Gilbert,Grenville and Raleigh are all flourishing. They provide a host of participation opportunities for the children whoare all extremely proud of belonging to their own particular house. An increasing number of our pupils arechildren of former pupils and they follow their parents into the traditional house. House competitions are keenlycontested with the House Music Competition widely considered to be the “jewel in the crown”.

Another feature of Prep School life that has developed in recent times is our school excursion programme. Thisyear we have three major residential trips available to the children. Mr. Seddon organises a four-day trip toLondon for the children in Year Six. There are also visits to France and an outdoor adventure trip on offer. Theseoutings are supplemented by a full range of day trips for children of all ages.

Our student population includes 25 boarders who reside in “Old Courts” and 47 children in the Pre-PrepDepartment. Our youngest pupils are in the Reception Class under the care of Miss Bland. Of the 16 children inthat class it is interesting to note that this year there are 12 girls and 4 boys. Currently there is considerabledemand for places in the school and we have not been able to offer places to all the children whose parentsrequest it. I would advise parents wishing to register their children to do so as soon as possible. I would also bedelighted to meet anyone who would like to visit the school and see what we have on offer. Please phone theschool for an appointment.

A long serving and highly respected member of the Prep School staff will be retiring at the end of this academicyear. Miss Christine Lane has taught at BCPS for 18 years. Her maths lessons have been inspirational and herpastoral care outstanding. I am sure that Old Barnardians will join me in wishing her well in the future.

Ted Haslam

Headmaster, Barnard Castle Prep School

The Piano Playing of David LundA compact disc produced in 2006 features the pianoplaying of David Lund (Durham House 1950 –1959).As a schoolboy David was already a brilliant pianist,playing popular tunes with his own jazz improvisations,and on one occasion in a Monitors’ Concert playing‘Three Blind Mice’ in the style of half-a-dozen differentfamous composers.

While gaining his teaching qualifications at Cambridge,he was Musical Director of the University FootlightsReview, and eventually became Head of English atUniversity College School, Hampstead, where theschool theatre has been named ‘The Lund Theatre’.

At Hampstead, David co-operated with his brotherPeter (also in Durham House, from 1943 to 1955) inmaking contributions to comedy scripts for radio andT.V. including the series ‘Dave Allen at Large’.

David became well known on the London jazz scene,broadcasting frequently on radio, and in 1955 received

a BBC award for his outstanding contribution to thepromotion of jazz in the UK. For many years his pianoplaying was accompanied on double-bass by the jazzmusician Brian Brocklehurst, and their C.D. entitled‘The Badger’ presents them at the height of theirpowers.

It is available (at a special price of £10 for OldBarnardians) from Brock Music, 8 Claire Court, 144Sussex Gardens, London, W2 1UE, Telephone 02072629099.

Sadly, David has suffered from ill-health for a numberof years and is now in a nursing home.

(Other jazz musicians who were at Barnard CastleSchool at the same time as David and Peter Lund,were Ian and Michael Carr, 1945 to 1952, and 1949 to1954.

Alan Wilkinson


Dr John Welford (1947-54),Durham House, has been indental practice in Scarboroughsince 1964 and still works - albeitoccasionally now - with some charming Polishdentists. Recently he has beenresearching the application ofArtificial Intelligence techniques tothe diagnosis of oral soft tissuelesions using intra-oral endoscopeimages which has led to the awardof the PhD degree of the OpenUniversity. His research isongoing.

Claire Robson when leavingBarney in 2002 went to study sportand exercise science at theUniversity of Bath. Three yearslater she was fortunate enough tobe offered a sports scholarship foran NCAA Division I university.Whilst running for BostonUniversity she completed her MAin mental health and behaviouralmedicine at Boston UniversitySchool of Medicine. Being able totrain and compete at a high levelwith a quality group of trainingpartners, and experience a totallydifferent culture, made theexperience probably her mostenjoyable 2 years to date. On afull scholarship she had access tofacilities and support for runningas well as attending a first rateuniversity. Their team alsotravelled throughout the US soshe was fortunate enough to visitand compete in places throughoutNew England as well as inCalifornia, Minnesota, Georgia,North Carolina and Puerto Rico.Now back in the UK she hasrecently started working as aproject and partnershipcoordinator with the InclusiveFitness Initiative, based inSheffield. Her role is to audit

News of Old Barnardiansfitness facilities to enable them tobe accessible for disabled andnon-disabled people in all areassuch as access, equipment,marketing and staff training. Clairealso develops partnership linksbetween the IFI and otherorganisations. Getting to travelthroughout England on thisnationwide project, while enjoyingthe challenge and variety that it isbringing.Her running is also continuing togo from strength to strength. Sincereturning to the UK she hasenjoyed success in road racesincluding winning the North East5km and 10km championships.

Matt Selby ( left 2002) FromSeptember 02 to August 03 heworked at QinetiQ in Haslar,Gosport in ExperimentalHydrodynamics on variousengineering projects, includingtorpedos, nuclear submarines andan experimental trimaranresearch vessel. This was donethrough the Year in Industryorganisation, which aims to letprospective engineeringundergraduates gain a year’sworth of work experience inleading engineering firms andgenerally give them a taste of whata career in engineering can belike.In October 2003 Matt started hisdegree at the University of Bristol,reading a Masters in AeronauticalEngineering. While a lot of his timewas spent on academics,including a third year project thatinvolved designing an entireaircraft as part of an Airbus-sponsored project in a team offourteen other undergraduates,and carrying out his final yearresearch project on novelcomposite materials for aero gas

turbine engines which was takenup by Rolls Royce and thedepartment’s advancedcomposites department, althoughhe tried not to let work get in theway of actually being a student.The Army sponsored him throughuniversity in return for a minimumof 3 years service as an officer,once he’d commission from RMASandhurst as a second lieutenant.He was a member of the universityOTC and took part in exercises allover the country, and in Cyprus.The high point of OTC was beingselected to compete in the BritishArmy’s Cambrian Patrolcompetition (involving a 60 miletab with 100lb of kit in 24 hoursover the most horrible bits ofWales) where his team achieveda Silver medal, beating most of theother OTCs and a lot of RegularArmy units, and even a ParachuteRegiment team.He also represented his universityat ski racing, and competed in theBritish University Dry-slopeChampionships held atEdinburgh, and at the BUSCRacing Championships held onsnow in Europe each Easter. Heis looking into getting his skiinstructor qualification with theArmed Forces, so he can organiseand run his own skiing and racingtrips. Matt also took up seriouscycling at university, and wouldlike to tour Alpe d’Huez in Francesometime soon.When not in Bristol, he went onsafari in Tanzania and spent timein Zanzibar, Nepal, a month in Italymountain biking andmountaineering in the Dolomitesand went skiing six times withfriends, competing and with theArmy.In July 2007 he graduated fromBristol with a First Class Masters


degree with Honours. Althoughtempted to stay on and continuehis research project to PhDlevel, he decided not to, so thathe could pursue an Army careersooner rather than later.He entered Sandhurst as anOfficer Cadet in January 2008,with a view to commissioninginto the Army Air Corps as apilot, although he has alsolooked at the Duke ofWellington’s and the RoyalDragoon Guards, who areArmoured Infantry and HeavyCavalry (tanks) respectively.Whoever he eventuallycommissions into, he is awarethat he’ll have served at leastone tour of operations inAfghanistan by early 2010.

Rosalind C.W. Morgan (left2002), graduated in 2005 fromSt. Peter ’s College, Oxford.Having had a fabulous time asJCR President, learning to row(beating Cambridge andearning a ‘blue’), meeting someamazing people and enjoyingthe academic and musical life ofthe city. After a few monthstravelling she entered the Royalmilitary Academy at Sandhurst(with Prince William) and wascommissioned into the RoyalArtillery.

James Armstong (left 2002)After leaving school, he spentfour years at the University ofNottingham and ended up witha MSc degree in Chemistry. Inhis spare time he played for thehighly respected physicalchemistry 5-a-side footballteam. Over the last five yearshe’s had a wide variety ofsummer jobs. Spending thesummer of 2006 on a children’scamp in Charlottesville USA wasa particularly enjoyable

experience. Currently he findshimself driving back to Barneyeach morning working forGlaxoSmithKline.

Nick Brown (85-92, DaleHouse) Nick is currently residingin New Zealand where he hasbeen for the last two years,although he intends to return tothe UK semi-permanently in2008.After completing a law degreeat Cambridge, Nick had boutsas a legal secretary, kitchen andbedroom salesman, holiday repin Ibiza, globe-trotting ITconsultant, semi-professionalpoker player and an owner of hisown IT consultancy. He currentlyprovides business advice andaccess to funds for businesseslooking to move to the next level.

James Millward (79-84) Livingin Somerset, but has hung uphis cricket boots as the kneeswill no longer take the strain.Sales Director for McCormick(UK) since 2005 following stintsat RHM managing the HovisBread business, and 3 years atSt Ivel managing a Europeansandwich strategy.Married to Lucy with threegrowing children (Oliver,Harrison and Bethany).Neighbour to OB AndrewCrompton (90-99), the first OBhe’s met in Somerset!

Craig Brown (89-92,Northumberland House). Left tolive in Cyprus. Working as aPhysical Training Instructor forthe Home Office. Married toAmanda with two children Macyand Zak. Currently living inBourne, South Lincolnshire.

Paul Bennett (left 2003). Paulgraduated in 2007 from

Sheffield University with an M.Eng in Civil Engineeringachieving a 2.1, he alsoobtained a place and funding fora PhD at the same University.He is a very accomplished rockclimber and well respectedamongst the climbingcommunity in Sheffield and thePeak District. He has had arecent setback when fracturinghis leg in five places in aclimbing accident during 2007,but is making good progressand hopes to be out again fairlysoon.

Dr. Colin P. Crosby the Directorof the Department of SportMedicine in North London hasbeen appointed a FoundationFellow of the new Faculty ofSport and Exercise Medicine(UK). The Faculty has been setup to develop the training andqualification of doctors in Sportand Exercise Medicine whichthe Department of Health hasrecently designated the newestspeciality within the NHS.The Faculty will set thecurriculum and examinations fortrainees in the new specialitywith emphasis being placed onearly diagnosis, investigationand rehabilitation of all sport andexercise related injuries, as wellas training doctors inemergency pitch side medicineand on the use of specificExercise Prescriptionprogrammes to help treat andprevent obesity, high bloodpressure, high cholesterol,diabetes, heart disease, strokeand arthritis.Under the aegis of the newFaculty, the UK will be able tofield a world-class team of fullyqualified Sports Physicians bothfor the 2012 Olympics and forthe future health of the nation.


Dr. Crosby, aged 54, is one ofthe very few full time Specialistsin Sports and Exercise Medicinein the UK, a University Lecturerin Sports Medicine and hasrecently been appointed as thePresident of the SportsMedicine Section of the RoyalSociety of Medicine, which holdsa regular programme ofacademic lectures within the field.

Michael Harvey (1979-80) is livingin Brisbane, Australia where he isworking for Rio Tinto as the miningexecutive responsible for businessdevelopment in energycommodities. Michael has offeredto be the contact in Australia forOBs. His email address is availablefrom the webAlumnus site.

Dr David Windsor (1949-56)wrote he is now enjoying (if thatis the right expression) enforcedinvoluntary retirement after a carcrash where he sustainedtraumatic brain injury and couldno longer function in his role as apsychiatrist. However, he is notmissing work and now has timeto enjoy outdoor hobbies such asgardening, fishing, horses andrural living. He lives in Missouriand last visited the UK andBarnard Castle in 2003.

Bryan Patterson (1957-64) hasbeen living and working in the USfor the past 15yrs as aprofessional Squash Coach. Hespent 7 years in Brooklyn Heightsat the Height Casino - a squash,tennis and fitness club followedby 7 years in Philadelphia at theSquash Club @CHASS. He isnow the Director of Squash forCitySquash an Inner City UrbanProgramme for disadvantagedkids in the Bronx. The aim of theprogramme is to encourage localkids both academically and in

squash and to send them toprivate schools. The organisationwas formed in 2002 by Tim Wyantand Sandy Schwartz. There arenow 15 children in private schoolsand another 8 starting in Sept.

Ed Bartlett recently moved backto the NE after 11yrs in Londonand beyond. He is working forBalfour Beatty in Newcastle. In2006 he married Samantha, hischildhood sweetheart. Ed hasnow joined the OB Committee.

Christopher M Briggs (1979-86,North House) is Head ofEngineering at Seimens PowerGeneration, Newcastle.

Duncan An Engineering Officerwith the Royal Fleet Auxillary. Hehas a property in Mukinbudin,Western Australia where he is thetown champion at squash, tabletennis and 5’s and 3’s. Any OBspassing through would be mostwelcome.

Bruce Wilkinson (1981-88) iscurrently working for a landscapescale environmental restorationproject in the Peak District. Oneday he may be up to his knees inwet peat collecting soil samplesand the next running an airlift.The pioneering nature of theproject makes up for the hardgraft. Before getting intolandscape restoration Bruce tookthe scenic route on the careerpath - he has experiencedeverything from managing aclimbing shop to campaigning fornew access legislation viamarketing, PR and journalism.

John Hunter (1980-87, DaleHouse) was recently appointedDirector of NM Rothschild & SonsLtd. in the City but lives in a smallvillage outside Barney at

weekends with his wife Helen and3 children. Steven Bacon (1979-86, he thinks, North House)contacted him in May.

Dominic Heald (1984-91, DurhamHouse) lives in Lesmurdie,Western Australia and works forthe WA State Government in thearea of aquatic ecology andecosystem protection. He islooking for Paul Smith who was atthe school from 1981-91.

Peter Stevens (1985-89, TeesHouse) Peter joined the RoyalSignals a few years after leavingschool and served for eight years.He left in 2005 and is nowpursuing a career intelecommunications as a projectmanager. He lives with his wife inStartforth. Peter also passed onsome news of his sister Julia andbrother Ian. Julia is married to aKiwi and has two children. She iscurrently serving in the AdjutantGenerals Corps in Germany. Ianis living in Middleton-in-Teesdale,still running and is currently tryingto set up a business as an artist.

John Carver (1962-69) wrote tosay how glad he was to receivethe newsletter again this year.

Allan Gurney also wrote to let usknow how much he’d enjoyed thenewsletter and to tell me a fewstories about the halcyon days ofsquash at Barney. He wondersabout the possibility of meeting upwith those who played squash inthe 60’s? Allan is a FinancialAdvisor and runs his own businessfrom home in Sunderland.

David Saker (1985-90). David isworking in Bermuda as anaccountant for Ernst & Young. Herecently married and his brotherMark, who attended the PrepSchool was his Best Man.


Martin Gash recently contactedthe school with an invitation to hisart exhibition in Edinburgh. Martinwas at school between 1963-71and studied Art under DouglasPittuck. After leaving Barney hespent 30 years in Australiareturning to the UK in 2003.

Andrew Baker recentlycontacted the Club after drivingpast Scotch Corner and realisedhe hadn’t been in touch for sometime. Andrew is living in Bath, hastwo children aged 4 and 3 andruns a company called ChildrenFirst which he set up in 2002. Hefeels his years at Barney werespecial and keeps an eye onBarney rugby. Andy is interestedin setting up a reunion of the 82/83 rugby team.

Andrew J Briggs (1975-82,North House) is the FinanceDirector of T&G Allan Ltd.

Martyn Baker (1968-73). Martynwas involved in a car accident in1997 where he sustained aserious head injury. Since then hehas been in long-term care.Martyn founded the OB rugbyclub in the 1990s.

W R Woodhams is, as far as weknow, our oldest OB, aged 102.His neighbour contacted theSchool last year and arranged tobring him for a visit. Unfortunatelyon the day Mr Woodhams wasunwell and has now decided thata visit would be too much for him.

CAR (Bob) Johnson (1978-85)has recently updated his contactdetails. He is living in Ross-shirewith his wife and 2 children.

Peter Smith (1957-60 PrepSchool, 1960-67 Main School)lives just outside Oxford where heruns a very busy outside catering

business, Touch of Taste,predominately for corporateclients but also private functionsand weddings. He would behappy to hear from any of hiscontemporaries. He is registeredon ‘Barnardians Reconnected’.

Mark Ludolf is living in the SW ofFrance with his wife and twodaughters. He works in computersoftware. Mark is hoping to visitthe School this year and would liketo be involved in the rugby reunionmentioned by Andy Baker.

Lt. Laura Walton Having leftLeeds University with a 2:1 inPhilosophy and Theology shedecided to see what the world hadto offer and took a year out totravel independently around Asiaand Australasia. On her returnshe attended the Army SelectionBoard and successfully earned aplace at Sandhurst MilitaryAcademy in Jan 2005. After ayear she commissioned into theRoyal Logistic Corps and took uppost as B Troop Commander in atransport Regiment in Germany.From there Laura will be postedback to the UK as a Captain. Asyet she still has to go onOperational Tour. However, shehopes to deploy in 2008 to one ofthe major conflict zones, so thatshe can eventually put all hertraining into practice.(Laura was able to update uson some of her peers).

Nick Moran (Tees House) alsocommissioned in December 2005and after completing the PlatoonCommander ’s Battle coursejoined the Royal Gurkha RiflesRegiment as a PlatoonCommander.

Robert Smith (North/York house)commissioned in 2004 into theArgyll and Sutherland

Highlanders, now part of theScottish Regiment. He was inCanada in 2007 with thepossibility of deploying toAfghanistan or Iraq in 2008.

Jacqui Crosby (MarwoodHouse) In 2007 she was workingfor BP on Canary Wharf andessentially trades/monitors thetrade of oil.

Liz Hopper (Marwood House)travelled around South Americahaving graduated from SheffieldUniversity. She then passed therigorous selection process for theNHS management scheme,where she was working in 2007.

Lisa Welford (Longfield House)worked in HSBC bank beforedeciding to up sticks and moveto Saudi Arabia, where she nowlives and works as a teacher.

Osla Henniker-Major (LongfieldHouse) Osla graduated fromLeeds University with a 2:2. Shenow lives and works in Berlin.

Andrew Petterson (Tees House)graduated from Oxford with a 2.1and completed his exams to be aBarrister at Nottingham Universityimmediately afterward. He wonpupilage at a firm/chambers inLeeds and was due to begin inSeptember 2007. Prior to that hewas working for the CrownProsecution in the North East.

Stuart McKinon (Dale House) isback at University studying for anM.A. in marketing. Ultimately, hewould like to pursue a career inthe advertisement of products.

Jane Wellington (LongfieldHouse) is currently working for aPR firm in Leeds and thoroughlyenjoys running in half and fullmarathons.


Douglas Hearnshaw (1935-1939)

We attended chapel twice on Sundays, andalso each morning. I enjoyed the rousinghymns like ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ and ‘Hewho would valiant be’. One of the studentsshowed marked proficiency as an organist andwas frequently employed up in the loft. Otherstudents were detailed off to ply the bellows inthe basement.

On Sundays we walked to the nearby woods,where we would create a ‘camp’ with branchesand leaves. I think that a campfire wassometimes arranged, although I am sure thismust have been against the rules. There wasan ‘in-group’ effect in operation, and suchclandestine activities were strictly limited toone’s close associates only.

I remember my mother visiting the school andtaking me into the town for a meal, giving mesome money (perhaps two shillings andsixpence) to put into a bank account held bymy housemaster, Bentley Beetham. He fed itback to me in small amounts (perhapsthreepence or sixpence) on Saturdaymornings, to be subsequently spent in the tuckshop.

This establishment was a separate little shednot far from the Gym. It sold sweets and hadlimited opening hours. My favourite snackingfood was Marmite, a kind of meaty paste tospread on bread, and Heinz baked beans,which were consumed cold. I also recall theice cream sandwiches with flaky chocolateenclosed which I have never encounteredanywhere else. Supplies from the tuck shopwere sometimes hoarded in the personallocker, along with slow-worms and othertreasures.

I recall the care and feeding of slow worms inmy locker (No. 138 – my school number).These harmless little reptiles were to be foundunder rocks in the surrounding countryside andbecame pets that could be carried about inone’s pockets and fed with materials collectedfrom the dining hall. They eventuallygenerated a rather musty smell reminiscentof well-used socks.

Memories of attending a Sunday night partyof five or six students in Bentley Beetham’sstudy. A feature of these occasions wasmaking toast over the hot coals, or watchingBentley’s home movies or slides. I recall hehad a Tibetan prayer wheel, no doubt amemento from his Everest trip, which hedemonstrated for us and taught us to say ‘OmMani padme hum’ as it twirled around. Onetime he mistakenly put the slide upside downinto the projector and for a joke picked me upand tipped me upside down so that I mightsee the picture better. After this episode I feltdizzy and sick and asked to be excused, nodoubt to Bentley’s deep disgust at such a showof weakness.

It was the practice at the time for perhaps asmany as 20 boys to share a dormitory. Ourlives were regulated by bells, and betweenfirst and second evening bells, the period forun-dressing, there was much shouting andhorseplay. Second bell meant ‘All in Bed’ anda monitor or teacher on duty would come intothe dorm and put the lights out. More bellssounded in the morning. First bell signified‘Wake Up’. At this point some boys would headfor the swimming pool, where it was possibleto have a short dip. The triangular swimgarments provided for students, designed tobe tied on with string, were mostly ignored onthese occasions. Others would retrieve a jugof warm water for washing from a hot watertap some distance from the dorm.

Once I made a pair of skis, shaping the stripsof timber and having one of the ‘bogglers’press it into shape using steam from the boiler-room. The shoe fittings were created out ofpieces of angled bed rail. I tried them out onesnowy day on an inclined field in front of theschool known as ‘the Demesnes’, but cannotrecall now if they were successful or what Iused for ski poles.

One time I ventured into town with acompanion. Barnard Castle was strictly out ofbounds unless one had special permission.We walked straight into the arms of SammyPhillips, who promptly reported us and we

RRRRRecollectionsecollectionsecollectionsecollectionsecollections


ended up getting six whacks on the behindfrom Kip, (the Headmaster, Mr Birkbeck).

After breakfast there was a mad dash to the‘bogs’ as we called the toilets, to collect asupply of toilet paper (called ‘bumph’), whichcame in separate sheets and took on thecharacter of currency since it was often usedfor trading purposes. This resulted in suppliesbeing frequently low or non-existent in the toiletarea and many needy souls were oftenreduced to pleading with the faster runners fora few sheets.

There was a small room for scientific materialslocated under the raised seating in the lecturehall. Bentley Beetham was in charge of thissanctum and kept his specimens and othergear in there. Many strange objects in bottlesof formaldehyde lined the wall.

Students who misbehaved in class orelsewhere were sent to collect ‘the book’ andan entry would be made by the offendedteacher. Punishment was meted out to thosewho earned three entries in the report book inone week. This was called ‘punny’ andconsisted of running around the Quadrangleyard, a space enclosed on four sides by themain school buildings, carrying dumb bells ofappropriate weight, under the stern andwatchful eye of the Gym instructor, SergeantMajor Davies.

Other activities in this quadrangle area werethe games of handball against a high brick wallthat Bentley Beetham would frequently indulgein.

I recall visiting the shoe and boot room wherethe ‘Batey Boggler’ performed shoe-polishingoperations using an array of revolving brushesdriven by belts. I do not recall how or whenshoes and boots were collected if at all, but Ido recall that from time to time dirty clotheshad to be put in baskets normally kept underthe dormitory bed. Clean linens miraculouslyappeared on one’s bed at regular intervals. Allour clothing had to be marked with thestudent’s name to ensure a fair redistribution.

I have little recollection about the actualacademic aspects of school life, other than thevery thorough treatment of the Shakespeareplay Macbeth laid on the fifth form students in

the Summer Term of 1939 by Mr. Hardy. I hadto learn by heart many of the speeches of anysignificance, and then having subsequently torecite them in class. These remain in mymemory to the present day. ‘Homework’ wasperformed in Big School after supper, seatedon wooden benches. My other recollection ofthis hall, used also for the end of term concertsand general assemblies, was the student’shabit on cold days of sitting on the steam pipesthat ranged around the walls.

We looked with awe on the boys in the sixthform. I recall these people seemed beyondapproach and had presumably all passed theschool leaving certificate examinations andwere awaiting entry into university.

All this represents a great experience at a greatschool, with untold benefits that haveinfluenced many aspects of my life andcontinue to do so to the present day.

Douglas Hearnshaw, Ottawa, Canada

DIARY DATES

Sat 10th Jan 2009 Committee meeting10.30am

Fri 13th Feb 2009 Barney Run EntryFee £2 in aid of ‘HelpFor Heroes’

Sat 28th March 2009 Annual Dinner. Seesep sheet for details

Sat 25th April 2009 Committee Meeting10.30am

Sun 28th June 2009 Barnardian Day incAGM and Ballot

Sat 4th July 2009 Speech Day andPrize Giving 11am

Sun 8th Nov 2009 RemembranceService in Chapelfollowed by civicCeremony atCenotaph

Weds 16th Dec 2009 Carol Service,Chapel, 7pm.

Thurs 24th Dec 2009 Informal meet at theSpotted Dog.


The second recently branded Barnardian Day ’08 wasagain a huge success. It was attended by nearly 200Old Barnardians, pupils, teachers and friends ofBarnard Castle School who renewed old acquaint-ances and were entertained by the feast of sportingaction on display. The School and Headmaster ex-tended a warm welcome to one and all. OldBarnardians enjoyed hearing news of how the Schoolhad been progressing, while admiring the impressivelatest additions to the educational facilities in both theMain and Prep School.The highlights of the day were clearly focussed on thesports field, with many Old Barnardians once againrelishing taking on the School,- trying to win back the‘Barnardian Day Challenge’ trophy. Whilst many ofthe Old Barnardians may not have been in the same

physical form as their younger counterparts, the competitive spirit was never lost. Indeed the cricket match saw muchcontroversy as the Old Barnardians’ XI thought they had made a marvellous come back to win the match with a catchin the last over, only for the umpire to call a no ball. With scores very tight, their batsman then managed to score thelast remaining runs to draw the match. Perhaps a fair result in the end.

Other keenly contested sports included football, with a matchbetween two Old Barnardian teams; before a final selection sawan Old Barnardian ‘elite’ XI take on the School in a tightly playedgame. Squash, tennis and swimming were all eagerly fought out,before a delicious lunch, courtesy of the School, was served inthe Dining Hall. During the afternoon, many spectators enjoyedcold refreshments from the beer tent. To complete a day ofhospitality the School had organised a very welcome afternoontea. Whilst children ran around with their faces brightly painted!

An enormous vote of thanks must go to the Governors, Headmaster,teachers, grounds men, catering and other staff of the School andnot least to Dot Jones, the Old Barnardian Secretary, for theirinvaluable help in organising the event and extending their kindhospitality on what has become a red letter day in any Old Barnardiandiary. The pupils must also be congratulated and thanked for theircompetitive edge – indeed they were once again too well preparedfor the Old Barnardians. Therefore it is hoped these opponents andtheir fellow pupils will soon be joining the ranks of the Old Barnardians’Club; to help us win back the ‘Barnardian Day Challenge’ trophy.

The oldest OB to visit on the day was Mr Robert Westhorp who was a boarder for nine terms from 1929-31.He was inYork House, G Dorm and his Housemaster was Bentley Beetham. Mr Westhorp, who is now 90, was accompanied byhis wife. He considers the appearance of the School to be much brighter than in his day and he enjoyed seeing theHouse flags hanging in Central Hall. What impressed him the most, however, was what he called the ‘free and easyatmosphere’ of the School. He was emphatic about that and enjoyed his visit very much.


125 Years Celebration

MORE than 750 pupils and staff turned out to sing happy birthday to their school as itcelebrated 125 years since its foundations were set in stone. Barnard Castle Schoolwas founded in November 1883 and since then has produced a succession of academicand sporting successes.

Head of School Guy Hartley helped the youngest pupil,Lucy Dalton, four, cut an enormous cake with aceremonial sword before it was shared out among staffand pupils. The cake was baked by catering managerLinda Metcalfe using 160 eggs, and 16lb each of flour,sugar and margarine.

The school was built at a cost of £28,000 by JosephKyle who later went on to construct Bowes Museumnext door. By 1900 it had just 116 boarders and12 day pupils serving the agricultural and miningcommunities. It accepted its first girls 25 yearsago and today has a roll of 750 pupils in its seniorand preparatory schools.

Barnard Castle School has always enjoyed close links with the armed forces and hashad a combined cadet force since its inception. Last year the school enjoyed its bestever academic results and continues to turn out outstanding sportsman particularly inthe fields of rugby, cricket, hockey, horse-riding and running.

For one old boy “Barney” has figured largely in the life of his family with threegenerations passing through the school gates. Stephen Riddell completed his educationtheir 17 years ago following in the footsteps of his cricketing father Neil, who captainedDurham for ten years. His five-year-old daughter Holly now takes up the family traditionby enrolling at the preparatory school.” I loved the place and boarded,” said the 35-year-old surveyor, of Manfield, who runs Dufell Roofing. “I was here with my sister Gilland enjoyed playing sport.” I was delighted when we managed to get Holly in and feelhappy leaving her here knowing there will always be someone watching out for her.”

School Chaplain Steve Ridley said: “Barnard Castle Schoolhas always stood at the heart of the community and isstill as accessible as it ever was.” The facilities may haveimproved, the school roll grown, but the welcoming, familyethos remains the same.”


Old Barnardians’ Golf DayVenue: Barnard Castle Golf Club, Sunday 21st September 2008

13 OBs - Peter Ashman, John Braithwaite, Tony Craig, Stuart Everall (master) Tom Hatfield, Tom Rixon,Stuart Melrose, Graydon Parkin (master retd.), Daniel Parkin, Barry Proctor, Neil Riddell, Steven Riddell,and Nick Seddon (master), attended the event which took place in ideal conditions

Results of the competition (stableford) were as follows:-Winner of the Graydon Cup - Stuart Melrose (6 hcp.) with 40 points, received 6 golf ballsRunner up - Stuart Everall with 39 points, 4 golf ballsThird - Tony Craig with 37 points, 2 golf ballsWinner of the Tony Parkinson Memorial Trophy (longest drive on 9th) - Stephen Riddell, 3 golf balls.Nearest the pin on the 18th hole - Stuart Everall, 3 golf balls

Last year’s winner Neil Riddell made presentation of prizes.

Currently we have a list of approximately 40 names of those who have shown an interest or have playedpreviously. We are actively looking to add further names of anyone interested in playing in the future (names,telephone and email addresses please).

Next years competition is again likely to be held in September.Details will be advertised on the OB section on the School web-site in good time. Please come and join us.

For further information please contact:

Peter AshmanPool Ratch Telephone No. 01833 637502High StartforthBarnard Castle email: [email protected] 9AH

Peter Ashman

Robert Dinwiddie secures European Tour spot.

As a former Walker Cup golfer Robert has completed a rare double by winning his second Challenge Tourevent in a row to confirm his card for the 2008 season’s European TourIn his rookie year as a professional he is the first man to achieve this feat since Frenchman Jose-Filipe Limadid so in 2004.

He won the Rolex Trophy in Geneva, scoring a final round of eight-under par to record a three-stroke winover England’s Ross McGowan.

Robert, aged 25, now joins McGowan, Dutchman Joost Luiten and Italy’s Edoardo Molinari as the only two-time winners among the current Challenge Tour players following his maiden success at the ScottishChallenge.

The year before, he left the amateur ranks by becoming the only man to have ever held the nationalchampionships of England, Scotland and Wales at the same time.

We wish Robert well in his very promising career.


Jack Ormston - High flying sporting super-star of the 1930’s

Jack Ormston, who has died aged 97, was one of thepioneers of speedway – the sport that took Britain by stormin the decade before the Second World War – and wholater became a racehorse trainer.Although there had been speedway on dirt tracks inAustralia and parts of North America from the early 1920s,it was not until 1928 that the firstmeetings took place in Britain. Inthat year the meetings werespasmodic and individuallypromoted, but in 1929 properleagues and championships wereestablished.The big, successful clubs, weremainly in London, with StamfordBridge, Wembley, Wimbledon,Harringay and New Cross theleading protagonists, although allof them struggled to overcomeBelle Vue, Manchester, whichfrequently topped the nationalleague. Huge crowds flocked tocheer on their teams and theleading riders. Of the top dozenriders, around half were fromAustralia and the United States;most of the English competitors,Ormston among them, were fromthe North.Crowds of 50,000 or more turnedout for the big ties and thechampionships. The riders had a glamorous aura, and wereby some margin the best-paid sportsmen in the country.(In the 1930s the leading footballers were paid around £6a week, earning a £2 bonus for a win.)The entrepreneurs setting up the speedway clubs knewthey could prosper only by winning and that meant gettingthe best riders. The riders knew their value, and theirdemands were met. Top performers like Ormston rode fiveor six nights a week during the six-month season, and wouldget £100 appearance money at provincial meetings plusand prize money won in the match races. He would expectto earn as much as £15,000 in a season at a time when theaverage annual wage was £200. Ormston’s preferredresidence in London was the Park Lane Hotel.John Glaholme Ormston (always known as Jack) was bornon October 30th 1909 at West Cornforth, Co. Durham, theonly son of a prosperous farming family who also had abutchery business. He was a boarder at the North EasternCounty School (later re-named Barnard Castle School).From the age of 14 he was borrowing a friend’s motorcycleand driving the family’s Buick, posing a constant challengeto the school authorities and the local police.After leaving school in 1926 Jack bought his first motorcyclewith the help of his mother and launched himself into grasstrack racing in the Middlesbrough area. Soon he wasmaking a name for himself and being sponsored by Shellon the new Middlesborough dirt track, which opened in

1928. It was not long before he was signed by Wembley,one of the new professional speedway clubs in London.In 1930 Ormston won the inaugural London Riders’Championship, beating the leading Australian rider VicHuxley along the way. That same year Ormstonrepresented England in the first ever Test series against

Australia. In 1931 and 1932 hecaptained the Wembley team whichwon the National League and mostof the knockout championships.In the winter of 1932-33 he led aBritish team to Australia, winningthe individual unofficial world seriesin Sydney. As he paraded thetrophy around the track he wasroundly booed, a reflection not onlyof the traditional Aussie reaction tobeing beaten by a Pom, but also ofthe anti-English feeling whipped upthat winter by the “bodyline” cricketseriesOrmston missed the 1933 Englishseason, as he was involved inrevitalising the family’s butcherybusiness. He converted two vansinto mobile butcher’s shops, whichcovered all the local villages; andhe slaughtered all the cattle andsheep himself, whilst his mothermade 1,500 pies a week, plus blackpudding and sausages. That

achieved, he returned to speedway for the 1934 season.For a year Ormston rode for Tom Bradbury Pitt (owner ofthe Harringay and Hall Green tracks), having been signedfor a £2,000 fee. He then spent four years at Harringaywith Jack Parker, England’s captain for many years.Ormston got through to the World Finals four times – in1935 he was beaten by only one point. He representedEngland in six Test series against Australia, and in anotheragainst the Dominions. He also toured Australia with theofficial British team in 1936-37 and 1937-38. He retired inSeptember 1938.Throughout his speedway career Ormston had pursued hishobbies of flying and hunting. He owned a succession ofplanes, and twice competed in the King’s Cup air race,completing the course both times; he also came second inthe Grosvenor Cup.After retiring from speedway, Ormston took on Lane HeadFarm near Richmond, Yorkshire, and in 1940 married JeanManners, who hailed from a well-known Durham farmingfamily. He then established himself as a racehorse trainer.In 1983 Ormston and his wife passed the farm to their son,John, and went to live in Spain, where they remained for adecade before returning to live near Darlington.Jack Ormston is survived by his wife and by their son anddaughter.(Reproduced by kind permission of The Telegraphnewspaper.)


Norman S. Fender (Master 1944-1983)

Norman Fender died on 19th December 2007, at the age of 86. He had devoted the whole of his working life to ourSchool, from 1944 to 1983.

He was a member of the Modern Languages Department, and it was said of him that not only could he speak sevenlanguages, but that in the space of three weeks he had taught himself enough Icelandic to take a party of boys toenjoy a holiday in Iceland.

Norman was also a musician, playing the viola in concerts and in orchestras accompanying dramatic performancesin town and School. He also made a valued contribution to the make-up department and, despite his shyness, hesometimes appeared on stage as an actor, occasionally in leading roles.

A very remarkable and beneficial contribution to school life was the way in which Norman provided comfort andsupport to boys from the day they entered the school. His study was “open house” to anyone who wished to use it;he had a large supply of comics and magazines; the room was quiet and peaceful, though there was conversation forthose who wanted it. This was particularly valuable for new boarders entering a community of strangers. The roomwas so constantly available that some boys thought it was a facility officially provided by the school. (A new boy wasonce late for one of my classes at the beginning of afternoon school. “Where have you been?” I asked. “In the ComicRoom,” he replied.) Though the atmosphere was free and easy, however, Norman could be firm with anyone whoabused his hospitality. He taught high standards as well as demonstrating kindness.

Norman’s life was celebrated with a Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s R C Church at Barnard Castle on 28th December2007. The congregation included former pupils and colleagues, some of whom had travelled considerable distancesto be there.

Alan Wilkinson

Obituaries

Dudley Johns (Master 1953-1964)

When the Rev. J. D. Johns applied for the post of Chaplain at Barnard Castle School, his C.V. must have madecompulsive reading: he had been a curate in the East-end of London during the Blitz of World War II; this wasfollowed by, at different times, being Dean of Selwyn College, Cambridge, and Chaplain to a Butlins Holiday Camp.

During his years at our school he displayed, within a more limited orbit, similar versatility. In addition to Chapelservices and “parish work” (for he regarded the school as his parish) J.D.J. produced plays, both “straight” andmusical, helped to conduct boys on holidays abroad, was Durham Housemaster, umpired junior cricket matches – aswell as, of course, teaching Religious Knowledge throughout the school.

Dudley’s spirited contributions to the staff’s leisure activities were equally varied: he enjoyed croquet and tennis, buttwo moments demonstrated the extreme variety of his contribution. The first, while playing for the Staff Cricket XI,was his dismissal of a member of the opposition (who happened to be a Durham County opening batsman) by takinga full-length diving catch, two-handed, just above the turf; the second was, in a staff Play on Big School stage, hishilarious portrayal of the harassed suburban housewife and mother; it stopped the show.

In his more formal duties J.D.J. was very serious, sticking firmly to his principals; he could speak in a very forthrightmanner but he remained approachable and showed his understanding of other people. His conversation wasentertaining and he was very sociable.

After leaving Barnard Castle he became Chaplain at St. George’s School, Harpenden; on retirement from teachinghe became vicar of two attached parishes in Hertfordshire, with a third parish being added shortly afterwards. Hisfriends were delighted to learn that he had married, and former colleagues and O.B.s were among those who enjoyedDudley and Lorna’s hospitality.

His final years were spent in a nursing home in Saffron Walden, and Lorna died while he was there. He himself diedon 15th February 2008. If he had lived until his birthday in March he would have been 99 years old. He was amemorable and very kind man.

Alan Wilkinson


James Richard Stewardson 1946-2004

We are sorry to announce the early death, after a short illness, of Richard Stewardson at the age of 57 years.

Richard followed his father, John, to Barnard Castle, initially entering the Prep School. He travelled alone from Carlisleby bus and train, often telling the story of how he carried a trunk on one shoulder and a suitcase in the other hand. Howdifferent life was in the 1950s compared with today.

As a member of Northumberland House, Housemaster Mr. Hardisty and Tutor Mr. Emberton, Richard took full advantageof all the activities available at the School 50 years ago. He was there at the time of the great freeze, when he recalledthey were able to sledge for a full six weeks. An excellent swimmer, he also enjoyed being in the cadet corps, playingsquash, cross-country running, walking, rugby, golf and bridge. During various stages of his life squash, climbing,orienteering and hill walking would all become enduring passions.

A friend tells how, during a map reading exercise, he and Richard decided to use slide rules and co-ordinate geometryto solve the problem. They came up with the right answer to an unheard of degree of accuracy. Much to the surprise ofthe Corporal in charge who’d expected them to use compass bearings! A foretaste of his enquiring mind, his particularinterest in science and solving scientific problems, which would stand him in good stead for his future career.

Richard was lucky that the Browns and the Peats lived locally; in these he had the support of family on his father’s sidethat he could visit on days out from School.

After doing his “A” levels in 1964, he stayed on into the 3rd year sixth to take the Oxbridge entrance exam. He won anExhibition to Cambridge to read mechanical engineering (1965-1968). Here he found many new opportunities, he tookup rowing and became an avid climber. Climbing in the Alps occupied most of his long vacations and was an abidinginterest.

After university he joined W S Atkins in the autumn of 1968, initially in the design office as a civil engineer working onnew design. He remained with them throughout his working life, becoming one of their longest serving employees. Hehad a wide variety of work and opportunities, rising to become Chief Engineer in their midlands office, latterly inhighways and transportation.

Richard was a highly talented structural engineer who developed his skills early in his career on such landmark projectsas Drax Power Station and Scunthorpe Steelworks. He spent time in the 1980s in Dubai and Kuwait offices on a varietyof design projects. Back in England a project he found particularly interesting, was retaining the architectural façade ofan old building in Birmingham and incorporating modern offices behind. More recently, he focussed on bridge engineeringincluding the complex strengthening of box girder viaducts on the West Midlands motorways. For the last two years hehad made a major contribution to the repair of Thelwall Viaduct on the M6, a project critical to the Highways Agency andthe motorway network. He was one of only a small group of engineers capable of dealing with the complex technicalissues on such schemes. His knowledge of practical, as well as highly technical issues was immense, earning him therespect from his fellow engineers and clients alike. He was always interested in new technology such as ComputerAided Design and actively promoted the use of acoustic emission, in particular, for a number of projects.

Richard was married to Patience for 34 years with two children Anne and John. They all enjoyed keeping in touch witha wide circle of family and friends who will all miss him for his intellect, energy and friendliness.

He revisited Barnard Castle and the Peat family only last spring, when there was no forewarning of the illness that wasto follow.

A tribute to Norman Fender by MAI Kurdi (1963-68) who wrote:

‘Thank you for your hospitality, generosity, honesty, kindness, understanding,modesty and sincerity. Thank you for speaking Arabic to me with great patience,tolerance and agony. Thank you for visiting and comforting my family in Ammanduring the summer of ’64. The Old City of Jerusalem, the Nabatian City of Petra,the Roman ruins of Philadelphia and Jerassa are weeping for you.

For the loss of Norman Fender, the French master, the violinist, the actor, thephotographer and the English Gentleman, my deepest condolences to allBarnardians who value brilliance and true grit.


Obituaries (cont)

A McCulloch July 2008

Ronald Carl Alan Pearson, M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon), B.M. B.Ch., M.R.C.G.P., F.R.C.Path.; born 1st June 1953,Middlesbrough; educated at Barnard Castle School, St Thomas’s Hospital Medical School (1st M.B.), Trinity CollegeOxford and Oxford University Medical School; Held the position of Professor of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield(1989-2001) and lately, General Practitioner in Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne; he died 8th July 2008,Newcastleupon Tyne, aged 55, from metastatic renal carcinoma; married Enid Michael in 1975; one daughter, Grace. TheTimes Obituary will appear in the next newsletter.

George Smith - Mr Smith’s son, Andrew, informed the Club that his father died on May 8th 2008. George Smith wasa pupil at BCS from 1937-41. Andrew wrote:‘He had very fond memories of his time at school, and I think he believed it went a long way to making him who hewas. He had particularly good memories of playing rugby for the school, going on to play for North Durham until his30’s. He never lost his love of the game, spurring me and his grandson to play. A flame was sparked by the likes ofBentley Beetham for climbing and walking, an activity he only really gave up in the last couple of years. He didhowever manage to complete the Coast to Coast walk a few years ago, a wonderful achievement’.

Jonathan Chenoweth - Jonathan’s brother Mark has recently informed us that Jonathan passed away on 30th April2007 aged 42.‘Having followed his brother Mark (1973-80) into York House Jonathan left after the fifth form to study for his A levelsat Fettes College, Edinburgh. He gained a 2:1 in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College, London before completinga ‘thick sandwich’ sponsorship with GEC Turbine Generators. After deciding electrical engineering wasn’t for him heentered a training contract with a firm of Chartered Accountants in Russell Square, London. Once his years in practicewere sufficient for him he moved into industry working for a listed company for a few years, then taking a contract toassist in setting up a soft drinks factory in Yekaterinburg, Russia. His wife and young daughter were unable to join himso he left after several months, becoming the Head of Credit and Finance at Honda Finance in Slough. He is survivedby his wife and two daughters.

Malcolm Childs. We recently heard from Peter Smith that Malcolm has passed away.

Anthony Graham Yuill York House (1960-67) passed away on June 10th 2007 aged 58 after a 3-year battle withLymphoma. He leaves behind his wife Kay and three daughters.

P D Lambton - suddenly in October 2007

Anthony Clarkson -in Oct 2007 we received news from his sister Elizabeth that Tony had died. He was at school inthe 60s.

Neville Colling Peat - attended Barney late 40s, died in Perth, Western Australia, on December 27th 2007.Neville’s brother wrote: ‘He lived most of his life in New Zealand, Brunei and Australia coming back to the UK fairlyinfrequently. He became Survey General for Brunei and was honoured by the Sultan for his work there. He retired toPerth where his son and daughter had been educated whilst he lived with his wife in Brunei. On his occasional visitsto the UK I know that he met up with fellow Barney school folk, especially Bill Watson!

John Edgar Dent.

B G Guy - Former Head of Science, who joined the staff in 1957, died in Wrexham November 2nd 2006.

George Barras Ogle (Barry) - passed away July 2004.

‘Rest in Peace’

FW Raper FRCO School Organist and Choirmaster 1881-1928

Mr Fredric (David) Raper (1949-56) visited the School from Sydney, Australia with his daughter Katherine.Mr Raper’s grandfather was the Schools’ first organist and choirmaster dating back to the Middleton-one-Row days. He moved to the present building and retired in 1928. FW Raper was also the organist andchoirmaster of St Marys Church. He built and lived in Park House, Park Terrace until he died in 1931.


Old Barnardians’ Club Dinner 2009at Barnard Castle School

Saturday 28th March 2009 7.00pm – MidnightTickets; £26 (£20 for University Students)

The Headmaster, David Ewart, will update us on life at ‘Barney’ and our Chairman will review the Club’s year to date.

Apart from the opportunity to refresh long standing friendships, network and generally have a good time, we use this event to generate fundsto support extra-curricular School activities. Funds raised on the night will also be used for the benefit of the School through the work of theOld Barnardians’ Club in promoting a vibrant and forward thinking network of Old Barnardians. The Club is moving forward in a bold andpositive way and your support is vital to ensure that this momentum is maintained and sustainable.

The Annual Dinner is open to all Old Barnardians whether members of the Club or not. If you are not currently a member and wish to becomeone, please contact Dorothy Jones, OB Club Secretary, by e-mail [email protected]

We urge you to bring along as many OB contacts as possible. Tables will be arranged in groups of up to 10 so please endeavour to fill a table.

Please note that tickets are non-transferable therefore OB’s and guests need to declare names. There is a no smoking policy within theSchool buildings.

Accommodation available in the area with contact telephone numbers

Jersey Farm Hotel, Darlington Rd(run by an OB) 01833 838223 Strathmore Lawn East, 81 Galgate 01833 637061 Baliol House, 60 Galgate 01833 637965Homelands, 85 Galgate 01833 638757 Montalbo Hotel, Montalbo Rd 01833 637342 34 The Bank 01833 631304Spring Lodge, Newgate 01833 628110 Old Wall Inn, 21 The Bank 01833 690130 33 Newgate 01833 690298Greta House, 89 Galgate 01833 631193 Marwood House, 98 Galgate 01833 637493 Buchanan House,Demesnes Mill 01833 637929 Red Well Inn, Harmire Rd. 01833 637002 132 Galgate 01833 637342

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Name …………………………………………Contact Tel No………………...........…… E-mail………………………………………………………

Dates at BCS ……………………………..... House………………………..................… No. of Tickets required ……………………………………

Return address for tickets ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Names of guests ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

No. of vegetarian meals ………….…………. I enclose a cheque payable to “The Old Barnardians Club” for £ ……………………………...

Closing date for applications is 14 March 2009. Tickets will only be issued once a booking form with cheque has been received.Send completed form and cheque to:Dorothy Jones, OB Club Secretary, Barnard Castle School, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8UN. Tel: 01833 696061.E-mail: [email protected] Note: All other communications with the Old Barnardians’ Club should be addressed to Dorothy at the above address.

www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk

Annual DinnerAnnual DinnerAnnual DinnerAnnual DinnerAnnual Dinner


Old Barnardians’ Club

COMMITTEE BALLOT 2009 – 2011

Ten members of the OB Committee are elected by ballot biennially. Listed below are the names of thosenominated for the Ballot 2009 - 2011. Members are urged to vote for up to 10 names by placing a tick inthe box beside the chosen names.

Please ensure that you act now and return the ballot sheet to:Dorothy Jones, OB Club Secretary, Barnard Castle School, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8UNor by E-mail: [email protected] By Friday, 19th June 2009.

Nominee Years at BCS Location

❏ Ed Bartlett 1984-91 Tynemouth

❏ Gary Brown 1946-53 York

❏ Les Dodds 1965-67 Retford

❏ Stuart Everall Master Barnard Castle

❏ Mike Goundry 1971-1978 Newcastle

❏ Tom Hatfield 1948-1954 Ingleby Cross

❏ Richard Parker 1991-2000 Bishop Auckland

❏ Graham Ratcliffe 1966-73 Tyne & Wear/France

❏ Ian (Sam) Taylor 1977-83 Boroughbridge

❏ Stuart Walker 1992-03 Darlington

❏ Alan Wilkinson Master Barnard Castle

Ex Officio Committee Members:David Ewart, PresidentGerry Camozzi, Immediate Past ChairmanPeter Hodges, Old Barnardian Representative Governor

If you can think of anyone you would like to propose to be co-opted please let us know (with their agreement).

Name: _______________________ Your years at School: ____________ Date: _______________………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

DINNER REPLY SLIP ON REVERSE SIDE

The Old Barnardians Club Committee wish to express their thanks toGraham + Catherine Ratcliffe for their hardwork as Editors of this Newsletter.

Design & Print: www.refprint.co.uk

old barnardians newsletter - 2009

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