THE NEWSLETTER OF THE OLD GROVIAN ASSOCIATION ISSUE 20 SPRING 2012

Old Grovian Association, Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Bridge, West Yorkshire, BD10 0NR Tel: 0113 250 2477 www.oldgrovians.co.uk

On 8 January 1812 the WesleyanAcademy, Woodhouse Grove,welcomed nine boys. 200 years lateron Sunday 8 January, nearly 300people, including former and currentGovernors, Headmasters, Staff, Pupilsand parents, gathered in the Chapeleagerly awaiting the official start of theBicentenary of the School.

The sermon, delivered by Old GrovianJeremy Fletcher, Vicar of Beverley Minster,hit all the right notes. Recalling his time atschool – his generation being the lastbefore girls and computers – he stressedthe importance of regeneration whilstbuilding upon the best traditions of aschool. Woodhouse Grove’s mission wasto recognise the potential of each pupilwhile fostering mature and caringbehaviour: not only nurturing the mind andheart, but the soul too.

At the close of the service of dedicationthe singing of Xaipete, sung loudly and

with great feeling, must have caused manyof the congregation to reflect on all that theSchool had meant to them and the value of‘The Bond Unbroken’.

Friendships were renewed, stories retoldand news exchanged as people made theirway to the Dining Hall for afternoon tea. Allthe guests passed along the Headmaster’scorridor lined with the Bicentenary ExhibitionDisplay illustrating the history of the Schooland evoking even more memories.

Eventually when everyone had managedto get into the packed Dining Hall, theHeadmaster spoke briefly to welcome andthank all who had come to celebrate theday. OGA Chairman, Lord Walker, presentedthe Stamp Rose Bowl to the Head Prefects,Jack Baker and Eleanor Brennan. The Bowlwas kindly donated by the descendants ofthe Rev. John Stamp, Governor (1824-31).The celebrations of the day finished witheveryone present raising an imaginary glassto the toast of ‘Woodhouse Grove School’.

The Celebrations Begin

Lord Walker, the Headmaster and Head Prefects withthe Rose Bowl.

David Wood, David Welsh, David Wilberforce, Alan Wintersgill,David Miller, David McCarthy, David Humphreys

FOUNDED 1812

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On Saturday evening, an informal get-together in theHastings-Long Gallery was attended by over 60 Old Groviansand staff. A supper and disco were provided, the bar wasopen until late and the jollifications continued well into thesmall hours.

Sunday started with the traditional Remembrance Service inChapel which included the Laying of Wreaths, the Roll of Honourremembering those Old Grovians who had died in the previoustwelve months, a thought-inspiring sermon given by the SchoolChaplain, David Boddy, and rousing renditions of well-loved hymnsand the School Song.

After a welcome cup of coffee it was time for tours of the Schooland for stalwart Old Grovians to attend the AGM. Retiring Chairman,Mathew Gullick, thanked the Association for the honour bestowedon him and said that he had thoroughly enjoyed attending all theyear’s events including the July Reunion which marked his firstreturn to the cricket square after a long absence. He stressed that2012 would be an important year in the history of the School and hoped all OGs would try to come back at some stage to visit The Grove.

Kath Dawson, speaking on behalf of the Southerns Trustees,

wished to put on record sincere thanks to all those scholars whohad responded so generously to their appeal which had boostedScholarship Funds to well over £43,000.

On inducting Lord Walker as Chairman for 2011/2012, Mathewwished him well in his year of office. Lord Walker then gave a briefrésumé of his time at the Grove where he had felt very much part ofa big family – one to which he owed intense loyalty. His aspirationwas to continue the good work of his predecessors and said weshould all do our best to make the Bicentenary a success and enjoyit to the full.

The Headmaster spoke of his hope that the Archives would beaccessible from a live link in 2012. He reported that plans were inplace for an all-weather floodlit rugby and football pitch. Thepartnership between the Grove and Bradford City FC was up andrunning and would pay for the new pitch as well as funding a youthdevelopment programme.

Everyone then met up for a splendid lunch in the dining hall,which was followed by the Rugby and Netball Matches. After adelicious tea in the Hastings-Long Gallery, Lord Walker presentedthe sports trophies and OGs from many decades were able to relax,reminisce and enjoy a coffee or a pint from the bar.

Above: Mathew with Lord Walker

Left: Lord Walker presentsthe Netball Trophy to winningcaptain Laura Myers.

Bottom left: OGs gettogether after the matches

Enjoying a Saturday evening drink in the bar

Old Grovians’ Weekend 12-13 November 2011

Lord Walker said his aspirationwas to continue the good work ofhis predecessors and that weshould all do our best to make theBicentenary a success

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The Chairman’s XV v The President’s XVrugby match kicked off at 2.30pm andproved to be a rather one-sided affair. Theteams were picked by age and despite theyounger ones looking better on paper, theolder side made their experience tell,winning the match by 67 points to 27 – orwas it the fact that the younger ones hadbeen out until the small hours!

OGA Chairman, Lord Walker, haddecided by half time which was his team.There is no truth in the rumour that he wasinfluenced by the score line of 38-12 at thatjuncture. His Captain, Anthony Cadman,was awarded the WEH Windle trophy. Manof the Match Award went to Tom Goughand the new Eastwood-Smith Trophy for‘Spirit of the Game’ was given to DanGullick, a worthy recipient who always

gives 100% whatever the situation. Thisnew award was given by the Eastwood-Smith family in memory of Scott whotragically died last year.

Those taking part in the game were: JoelBradley: Harry Cody-Owen:Ndu Takavarasha: Tim Jones: Matthew Worrall: Luke Bradley: Alex Hewitt: Gareth Phillips: Ben Brown:

Dean Hogg: Jaskeran Deu: ChrisBlackhall: Anthony Griffin: JamesTrenholme: Matthew Williams: Adam Weaving: John Oakes: OliverSzymanski: Ben Fear: Dan Gullick: MikeAllewell: Martyn Bray: Stuart Vincent: TimRawlins: Ross Knight: Dan Nulty: AnthonyCadman: John Hinchcliffe: Raj Basra:Kevin Eaglestone.

This year 14 Old Girls came back toSchool to take part in the Annual Netballmatch. This allowed them to play twogames, firstly against the School for theKnowles Trophy. This proved to be a verytough match with the Old Grovians takingan early lead. The School team foughthard to pull it back in the second half.However, despite this determination, theexperience and skill of the OGs was justtoo strong, resulting in a 17-14 win.

The second match, Older Old

Grovians v Younger Old Grovians, wasanother close game with fantastic netballbeing played. The legacy of Netball atthe Grove continues to grow as moregirls leave and play at University or clublevel. The older team who seem to begetting younger each year! – werevictorious with a final score of 21-13 intheir favour.

Great support was shown by the manyOld Grovians, including Eileen Mollardand Janet Knowles, who watched. A big

thank you must go to Kerren Jenningsand Caroline Pearce for umpiring.

OGs taking part were: Emma Ambler:Rebecca Worrall: Annie Isles: JennyO’Brien: Libby Perry: Laura Myers: BrookeDonkersley: Jenny Best: Kate O’Brien:Helen Varley: Naomi Littlefair: EmmaHumphreys: Laura Nulty: Sam Cadman.

Anyone interested in playing nextNovember or in the Old Grovian NetballLeague please get in touch atmyers.lj@woodhousegrove.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2011

NETBALL

NOVEMBER 2011

RUGBY

The Old Grovians along with Janet Knowles,Eileen Mollard and the School Team

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Forty Old Grovians, partners and guestsbraved the Scottish weather to enjoyanother informal, entertaining andmeticulously planned reunion atCulcreuch Castle.

On Saturday morning the weather wascrisp and still. After breakfast, once againserved in the Laird’s Hall, everyone met up inthe car park at Balmaha to enjoy walks alongthe scenic shores of Loch Lomond. A smallgroup of intrepid and more adventurous OGsattempted the challenging heights of ConicHill, with Richard Emsley despite the icyconditions underfoot actually reaching thesummit. Everybody, including Jeffrey,

managed to meet up for lunch on time at the Clachan Inn in the centre of Drymen.

Saturday evening followed the usualformat: the skirl of the pipes, the addressingof the haggis, and enthusiastic rendering ofthe School Song, followed by a fine meal.Scottish secretary, David Littlefair, welcomedall present and poignantly rememberedJackie Eckersall who sadly passed away lastyear. Along with her husband Richard, shewas a staunch supporter of the Culcreuchgathering for many years. Mrs Liz Enthoven,Assistant Head of School, responded to thetoast of Woodhouse Grove and spoke with

passion about her time there. She updatedeveryone with news of the Bicentenary andproved to be an excellent saleslady of 2012memorabilia. The ceilidh, as always, was agreat success, with Charlie Kirkpatrick in hisusual good form trying to teach theSassenachs the intricacies of Scottishdancing – will we ever manage ‘Strip theWillow’ without the usual chaotic muddle?

The lucky people who were able to stay onfor a further day were privileged to have a tour of the estate on Sunday morningunder the expert leadership of that greatcharacter actor and Yorkshire’s answer toGeorge Clooney.

Sunset at Culcreuch

The atmospheric Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

The Sunday walkers before the off!

At the Craigie Fort viewpoint

Scottish Reunion Janu

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Stronend, nearly a Munro!

NEWS OF MORE REUNIONSDown UnderAfter a most enjoyable Hawke’s Bay gathering in May last year, Brian Robson reckonstwo years is too long to wait for the next one. Gordon Fox is considering a reunion inNovember or early December this year at Taupo, a central point on North Island (NZ).On the other hand, Ted Bell in Sydney suggests meeting up with Aussie OGs inAustralia. Both Ted and Gordon welcome any thoughts or comments.

1991/1992 LeaversOn Saturday, 9 June Shirley Gaston is organising a Reunion at Woodhouse Grove toinclude a buffet and live band. All 1991/1992 leavers are welcome. E-maildevelopment@woodhousegrove.co.uk for tickets or information.

1984 LeaversThis reunion will take place on the first weekend in September. At present 30 peoplehave said they will be there. It would be great if even more could make it. For furtherinformation please contact Chris North or Sally Fox on Facebook or e-mail:c.north1@sky.com or sal65@live.co.uk

Isle of ManThe second Isle of Man Reunion based at the Welbeck Hotel in Douglas(www.welbeckhotel.com) will be held from 14-16 September 2012. There will be adinner on the Saturday evening with excursion(s) during the day. Headmaster, DavidHumphreys, is planning to attend. Several members have already bookedaccommodation direct with the hotel. Please contact Robert Udy for more details andtravel advice either by e-mail: j.robert.udy@manx.net or by mobile: 07624 432 292.

20th Scottish ReunionThis will be the final event of the Bicentenary Celebrations and will be held atCulcreuch Castle. The Reunion will begin with a welcome drinks reception on theevening of Wednesday, 23 January.

Thursday sees a planned train journey across Rannoch Moor and GlenfinnanViaduct, ending at Mallaig. Those wishing for a shorter ride can alight at Spean Bridgefor an almost immediate return or continue on to Fort William. In the evening at theend of the excursion, bar meals will be arranged at the Inverbeg Inn, Loch Lomond.

On Friday, lunch and an Indoor Bowls Knockout Competition will take place atFintry Sports Centre. In the evening after a drinks reception in the Castle theBicentenary Dinner will be held in the Laird’s Hall with speeches from Lord Walker, theOGA President and OGA Chairman.

A return boat trip around Loch Lomond starting from Rowardennan Quay andincluding lunch at Inversnaid Hotel is planned for Saturday. The Twentieth OGA Burns’Night Dinner plus Ceilidh will be held in the evening.

For those Old Grovians still in a fit condition on Sunday and weather permitting, there will be an opportunity to re-enact the OGA Millennium Walk to the summit ofStronend and back!

For more information please e-mail David Littlefair at david@culcreuch.com ortelephone: 01803 782003.

ary 2012Thanks are due to David for all his hard work for

yet another memorable Scottish weekend, toAndrew Haslam for his support and to the friendlystaff at the Castle.

Old Grovians attending were: David Dickinson47-57: Richard Eckersall 48-57: John Tunstall48-57: Jeffrey Stansfield 49-58: RichardThornton 51-59: Tony Bramwell 52-59: TrevorConstantine 54-61: Peter Heyes 55-61: PeterWood 55-62: David Littlefair 59-67: NigelWebber 62-65: Philip Wornsnop 69-76: RichardEmsley 73-83: Bill Davis st74-11: Fiona Emsley82-83: Stuart Nesbit 82-93: Kath Dawson st82-99: Caroline Wallace 86-96: Carol Davis st92- :Heather Garner st92: Liz Enthoven st96-.

2011 LEAVERSREUNIONLast December over 50 leavers from2011 returned to School for a drinksreception in the Hastings-Long Gallery.This was such a successful event it hasbeen decided to hold it annually, invitingall those Old Grovians who have left theschool over the past three years.

A small group ofintrepid and moreadventurous OGsattempted thechallenging heights ofConic Hill, despite theicy conditions

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Old Grovians news in brief

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PRE-1950Tony Cheeseright (42-49) on leavingschool went to work as a LaboratoryTechnician in a Textile Printing, Dyeingand Finishing Works. After successfullycompleting several courses at a TechnicalCollege in Salford he became anAssociate of the Royal Institute ofChemistry and moved into furthereducation as the first lecturer inChemistry at a new college in Bromley. In1967 he married Janet and wasappointed in charge of the Chemistrywork in the Science Department ofSalford College of Technology. Nowretired he plays a bit of golf, pursues hislife-long passion for classical music andcultivates a good sized allotment.

Geoffrey Newton (38-47) is a retiredSolicitor living in Cambridge with his wifeMaureen and enjoys choir singing andswimming. He keeps in touch with A H Bellin Kirkby Stephen and J M Sunderland wholives in Brisbane, Australia.

Peter Oglesby CB (32-39) who sadlylost his wife of 59 years in 2007 was re-married in March. The wedding was aquiet affair followed by a large party tocelebrate his 90th birthday. The bride andgroom then embarked on a cruise. Hehas written a small book entitled ‘My Lifeso Far’ and hopes to present a copy tothe School Archives.

1950-1959Martin Cowling (50-55) practisedAccountancy in the Civil Service, LocalGovernment and Banking. He nowspends his retirement on a Finca inMalaga and is a member of both theRoyal British Legion and AndalucianGarden Group.

Darrell Anthony Dawson (50-54) retiredat 70 after a career as Technical SalesManager with CD Nova-Tech Limited.During his National Service in the RoyalNavy he took part in the Hydrogen BombTests at Christmas Island. He now lives inMahone Bay, Nova Scotia. For 23 years,without knowing it, his home was inOntario 20 miles from that of Don Bowder.His interests include tennis, travel andbeing a condominium president.

1960-1969Philip Bell (61-68) is adjusting toretirement after being a Head of Englishand a professional mentor to newlyqualified and training teachers with theRochdale Local Education Authority. Heremembers John Hagan, former Head ofEnglish at the Grove, with his piercinggaze and charismatic presence, whoseteaching had a profound influence on hischoice of career. His interests includeliterature, theatre, volleyball and cars. IanBeveridge (60-67), who was the bestman at his wedding, is now retired andliving in Somerset.

Nigel Cameron (63) spent one term atthe Grove before moving to BGS forreasons that are lost to memory. He livesin Chicago and Washington DC but isoften in London working as Presidentand Chief Executive Officer at the Centrefor Policy on Emerging Technologies.

John Foster (58-66) is a District Judgeassigned to Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.

Peter Gooder (54-62) is a leadingconsultant in the Manchester ClinicalAssessment and Treatment Service andwas a Demonstrator in Human Anatomyat Manchester University (2008-09). He ison the UK Register of Expert Witnessesdoing Medico-Legal work, includingpersonal injury such as noise inducedhearing loss as well as alleged medicalnegligence in otolaryngology.

Henry Kai Kwong Lung (65-68) hasmoved to a new home but still resides inEdmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Andrew Marsden (60-67) rememberstaking part in the pageant celebrating150 years of Woodhouse Grove School.Although he has had little contact withthe School since, he is hoping to returnduring the Bicentenary year.

Richard Ovenden (54-62) is now livingin the Philippines and hopes to return toEngland this year. His time at the Grovestood him in good stead and took himthrough a period of high tension in Iraqbefore the Gulf wars and through a majorfire-fight in the far north east. He was acivilian expert (Site Manager) who had to

be protected and became on first nameterms with both the Military Governor andthe Civil Governor of Rawandus. It alsohelped him in Croatia and Kosovo duringthe NATO involvement, again as a civilianexpert.

1970-1979David Chapman (BH69-74) wasordained as an Anglican Priest in theDiocese of Nova Scotia and PrinceEdward Island last December.

Martin Dransfield (70-77) is now in hissecond year as Chief Military LiaisonOfficer and Advisor to the UN in Timor Leste.

Jonathan Newell (72-77) was aGovernors’ Scholar Organist in chapel.Since 2009 he has been a ChiefExaminer for Music in the InternationalBaccalaureate and has recently beenappointed as Director of Music atBrasenose College, Oxford University.

Andrew Owen (70-77) teaches RE atRipley St Thomas School, Lancaster. Hemarried in 2010 and lives in Morecambewith his wife Linda and baby son Darcy.

1980-1989Harry Blinston (79-84) was known byhis first name of ‘Wayne’ at School. Aftera long time of military service he is nowout of the Army, settled and living inWeston-Super-Mare where he works asan Intermediary Sales Support Manager.

Paul Cribb (71-80) has businesses inArgentina and Paraguay. He would liketo get in touch with any Old Grovianliving in that part of the world. Hespends three months of the year overthere, mostly in the slums of Paraguaysetting up feeding programmes for thestreet-kids through some of thechurches he is involved with. ThisNovember he is hoping to do 15marathons in 18 days to help raise one-million pounds for the Bradford Charity‘Christians against Poverty’. Themarathons include five in the UK, one ofthem starting outside 10 Downing Street,five in Australia and five in New Zealand.

Mike Fatkin (70-82) left GlamorganCricket Club in September 2008 afterseeing them to the edge of staging anAshes Test Match and having been withthe club since 1986 – from 1995 as ChiefExecutive. He now looks after Netball inWales for the Sports Council and is onyear three of a part-time MSc in StrategicHuman Resource Management atGlamorgan University. When this isfinished he refuses to do anythingremotely academic again! He still meetsup with Andrew Tomlinson, StefanCockerill and Steve Burnhill for golf. Last year they went to Prague and stayed with Andrew North: same stories,same quantity of alcohol, same sub-standard golf.

Richard Spilsbury (82-87) is marriedwith two sons aged 10 and 12 and lives inEdinburgh. He enjoys rugby, sailing, golfas well as cycling and is employed byPrice Waterhouse Cooper as anaccountant.

1990-1999Hannah Cummins (92-98) becameengaged last year and hopes to bemarried this August. She is a Sales andMarketing Manager for the family firmErnest Cummins Printers Ltd. Her interests include dancing, voluntary youth work along with being a HardenParish Councillor.

Sam Cummins (90-96) lives in Bingleyand works for Craft UK.

Christina Nesbitt (nee Connors 89-94) and her husband Sean became theproud parents of a second daughter,Lucy Elizabeth, a sister for Matilda, inSeptember 2010. She works forEducation Bradford as a Music Teacherand KS3 achievement and progressleader. In her spare time she plays withLeeds Symphony Orchestra.

Paul Sampson (84-96) attended the wedding of Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips.

2000-2009Christian Baines (97-06) is living inShipley. At School he played rugby forthe 1stXV gaining full colours.

Andrew Falls (00-07) has graduatedfrom Loughborough University with a 2:1degree in Chemistry and is now workingfor Ashland Specialty Ingredients inBradford, a worldwide chemicalcompany.

Charlotte O’Gorman (nee Davey 91-01) married Declan lastJune at St Faith’s Church, Overberry. Thereception was held at Lower SlaughterManor in the Cotswolds. Bridesmaidsincluded Faye Hutchinson and ClaireMoffat (nee Howard). Charlotte andDeclan met at Warwick University andare now living in London.

Danielle Istead (05-09) has completeda Btech National Diploma in Applied

Science and is now studying atNottingham Trent University for anHonours Degrees in Forensic Science.

Simon Midgley (96-03) is a self-employed Building Surveyor and owner ofSM Developments. Previously he workedfor seven years with NHS Estates, buildingand maintaining West Yorkshire hospitals.A number of Old Grovians were presentwhen he married Amy at Allerton Castlelast year.

Eliot Parry (03-07) went on toSouthampton Solent to do a BA injournalism but, after one successful year,left to join the Royal Marines.

Jake Parry (03-06) has just started a BA Politics course at Leeds MetropolitanUniversity.

Craig Shaw (92-01) was married lastsummer.

Elizabeth Smith (nee Berry 98-00) gavebirth to a daughter, Megan Elizabeth, lastSeptember, a welcome little sister forWilliam.

Lisa Speet (nee Bellhouse 94-01) wasmarried to Christopher last summer.

Kirsten Yule (04-09) is now at HullUniversity following a course on War andSecurity studies.

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Wedding of Charlotte Davey and Declan O’Gorman

Obituaries

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PLE Robert (Robin) Benson (47-51) after

leaving school was conscripted into thearmy in the Royal Corps of Signals. He wasvery proud of being posted to the WarOffice in London and even prouder ofgaining the rank of Acting Lance Corporal!After the death of his father, together with hisbrother David, he successfully ran the familybusiness Bensons Beltings until retirementin 2006. He loved Beagling, mainly for thecamaraderie in the pub afterwards, was alife member of Ilkley Rugby Club as well asa keen follower of horse racing, particularlyat Ascot, York, Wetherby and Pontefract.Over the years his generosity and his gift forfriendship cultivated a wide circle of friendswho held him in great affection and highregard. He died last September after aperiod of ill-health following a heart attack.

Notified by his brother Peter

John Clayton (48-53) died on 17 March2012 at the age of 75. He was a day boy inAtkinson, a keen rugby player, and a shortstocky first rate scrum half, who played forBaildon after leaving school. His working lifewas spent as a dyer in the textile tradeprobably led there after having excelled inChemistry. Promotions took him fromBradford to Wakefield, Northern Ireland,Darlington and back to Bradford. Married toMargaret for 55 years, with two sons, hewas essentially a family man and a loyalfriend.

Notified by Marcus Catling

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Charles Rodney Douglas (37-38) died inhospital on 21 August, aged 88. He wasborn in the Isle of Man and as the son of aMethodist Evangelist lived in many placesincluding the Shetland Islands beforesettling in Knutsford with his wife Avril.During the war he was an apprenticeengineer and later worked as a

draughtsman at Metro Vicks, AEI andEnglish Electric. He enjoyed cricket and wasthe booking secretary for the KnutsfordOrnithological Society. Old Grovians willremember Rodney mainly for the 57 yearshe spent as Secretary and Organiser of the Lancashire andCheshire Reunions. In 2004 he was made aLife Vice President of the OGA andpresented with a David Waddington paintingof the School.

Sadly the last few years of his life weredogged by ill-health but this did not preventhim from carrying out his secretarial duties.His funeral was held at Crosby MethodistChurch in the Isle of Man followed byinternment in the family grave in DouglasCemetery.

Notified by his wife Avril

Peter Kelsall (43-48) emigrated to NewZealand where he was commissioned intothe Royal NZ Air Force. He becamesecretary of the Rover Scout Round Tableand later Chairman of the Baden PowellScout Guild in Auckland. After a short illnesshe died in September last year and issurvived by his wife Mary and three children.He will be sadly missed.

Notified by his brother Ronald

Donald McLusky (40-41) spent his lifelecturing on Agriculture and Dairy Farmingin Asia, Africa and the UK. He was a quietsensitive and considerate man with a love ofbooks. At one stage he visited Cuba andwas offered a job by Fidel Castro which hedid not accept. Eventually he settled inKnaresborough and despite his declininghealth, took a small job at the farm atTemple Newsam, Leeds, where hecombined his love of animals and theenjoyment of working with children.

Taken from the Yorkshire Post Obituary.

Michael Pedder (96-03) passed away inhis sleep on 2 January whilst staying withfriends in Bristol. Friends were asked towear no black ties just something cheerfuland comfortable at his funeral at RawdonCrematorium.

Notified by his brother David

Thomas Jackson Penrith (25-31) diedpeacefully in hospital from pneumonia on 24February this year aged 98. He had many

stories about travelling to and from schoolon the Settle-Carlisle railway throughMallerstang and Dentdale. Until the end ofhis life he used his school pseudonym‘Steve’ which was allocated to him as therewere too many Thomases in his class. Heserved in the RAF during the Second WorldWar, was awarded the MBE and wasinvolved with the National Farmers’ Unionuntil he retired. For many years he had lostcontact with the school, but recently with thehelp of his son Paul and the School website,he was able to read about the WoodhouseGrove of today. He was impressed by themany developments which had taken placesince his time at school, only recognisingthe main building.

Notified by his son Paul

Lawrence Rickard (36-42) lived in the Isleof Man and was the oldest Old Grovianpresent at the inaugural IoM Reunion in2008, where he was full of reminiscencesfrom his time at the Grove, amusing allpresent with his singing of the Schoolsongs. After leaving school he enlisted inthe RAF, transferred to the Highland LightInfantry and then to the Black Watch servingin Holland and Germany where he waswounded by a sniper. He taught in bothRochdale and the Isle of Man and was aqualified rock climber and canoeist. He diedon 14 June last year.

Notified by his wife Maureen

Edward Timperley (34-40) attended theGrove along with his six brothers. Onleaving school he was conscripted into thearmy and served as a signalman in theGuards Armoured Division of the RoyalSignals for the duration of the Second WorldWar. In 1945 he took a Law Degree atManchester University and worked for 50years as a solicitor in the family firm wherehe was known as ‘Mr Edward’.With his wife Mary he was involved in theAlsagar Methodist Church. As a result oftheir hard work and fundraising for Actionfor Children, they received the StChristopher Award. He enjoyed manyseasons playing cricket and was a memberof several Associations including TheMasons and The Ancient Order of Druids.He died peacefully on 1 December atLeighton Hospital, Crewe.

Notified by his daughter Alison

We regret to record the following deaths:

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Gail Bruce (st2000-2010)Gail had asked me to speak at her funeral and I visited her to get her life story. In threehours, with a few tears but many laughs, I collected details of her life before WGS: livingon a boat in a Cornish boatyard (painting and paperwork), getting shipwrecked in aSpanish port, delivering yachts all over Europe and serving in the Merchant Navy withvisits to South America, Australia and Japan.

Family life was then based in Hull with her two sons, Alistair and Duncan. She juggledfamily life with studying for a language degree.

Her ten years at WGS saw her firmly establish Spanish on the timetable and her sixthformers benefited from holiday visits to her flat in Galicia. Fencing was introduced to theextra-curricular programme and she did a spell in boarding. She showed a particularinterest in the music and drama side of the school, singing with the Grove Singers andsupporting all productions and concerts.

The funeral was at Haltemprice Crematorium and the school was represented by past and present teachers, office and cleaning staff, a parent and her three children, plus past pupils. Our minibus group crossed the Humber Bridge on our way home, inhonour of Gail.

It was a privilege to lead the funeral and collate the tributes from WGS staff to add toGail’s own stories. We sang ‘Shine, Jesus, shine’ and her choice of music to leave theservice was ... ‘Always look on the bright side of life.’

In memory of Gail, a purple standard rose was planted in the school remembrancegarden this spring.

Philip Maud

Richard B MattocksAfter several months of ill-health followedby pneumonia, Richard (Dick) Mattocksdied peacefully in his sleep on 11 February aged 90.

A Civil Engineer, Dick served with theRoyal Engineers in Kenya during WW2.Post war he joined the Leeds CityEngineer’s Department becomingAssistant City Engineer then Chief Officerfor Mains Drainage. He was a Chairman ofthe Yorkshire District of the Institution ofMunicipal Engineers, becoming a Fellowof the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1984.

As a family we were ‘brought up’ onWoodhouse Grove. Dad loved nothingbetter than to recall his nine years at TheGrove – undoubtedly the happiest days ofhis life. He joined the school in 1930 agednine, as a boarder, becoming Head ofFindlay House in 1939. But perhaps hisfondest memories were as a member ofThe Grove’s scout group: weekend andsummer camps, and especially the 1937World Jamboree in Holland.

However, Dad might never had been atThe Grove if it wasn’t for a wedding wherea certain Mr Towlson was Best Man. Onlearning that the maid of honour had asmall son, Towlson promptly dispatched aprospectus to the Mattocks’ householdand Dad’s future schooling was sealed.

Dad was thrilled when his grandson,Ewan, started at The Grove in 2005. Sadlyhe never got to see Ewan join him as anOld Grovian. But Dad did manage tospend his final weeks thoroughly enjoyingthe new WGS school history book. Healmost completed it.

Bev Osborne

Gail with Alistair and Duncan

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Since leaving Woodhouse Grove in 1994, Ihave always maintained close links with theschool and it is a great honour to be asked totake on the role of OGA Chairman.

After working in local radio as a sports reporterfor 10 years, I have been with Sky Sports News forthe past eight and even had the opportunity to getthe cameras down to the school for stories onseveral occasions - I seem to remember Head ofCricket, Ian Frost, featuring quite heavily in one instance!

I still enjoy playing golf, cricket and squash among other sports andalthough being absolutely hopeless at rugby, I have enjoyed beinginvolved with the Old Grovians’ Rugby Club, which since being reformedsix years ago, continues to go from strength to strength thanks in nosmall part to the number of recent leavers joining and playing for the side.

The school has changed a lot in the 18 years since I left with fantasticnew facilities such as the Sports Hall, the new Theatre and Drama centreand – soon to be completed – Swimming Pool, all being added. I wouldencourage any Old Grovians who have not been back in a while to comeand see the changing face of Woodhouse Grove for themselves. It isquite an eye-opener.

I am greatly looking forward to the year ahead and hope I can bring thesame distinction and credit to the role of Chairman, as those OldGrovians who have preceded me.

Past OGA Chairman John Tunstall, no mean artist himself, hasdiscovered a painting of our present Chairman. It wascommissioned by The Army Air Corps when Lord Walker wastheir Honorary Colonel and hangs in theOfficers’ Mess at Middle Wallop.

The artist Jane Allison has painted a widevariety of people from all walks of lifeincluding Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishopof York, and Henry Allingham aged 113,one of last veterans from the First WorldWar. Her most recent portrait was of theDuchess of Cornwall as Honorary Colonelof the 4th Wiltshire Rifles.

Old Grovian Sajid Hussain Raza (85-91) is currently thePrincipal and Founder of Kings Science Academy inBradford. He was introduced to the Grove by HeadmasterDavid Miller, who had the foresight to identify Sajid’sacademic strengths despite the fact that on entry he wasstruggling with basic literacy skills. He became SchoolCaptain for Athletics and Cross-Country, achieving fullSchool Colours three times, was given a prefect role andsecured a place to study at Keble College, Oxford.

After graduating in 1994 with a science degree he studied lawin London before returning to Bradford to embark on a career inteaching. Several outstanding Ofsted commendations resulted inhim being seconded to the Department of Education. Hedeveloped and wrote resources for a national citizen projectwhich brought praise from former Prime Minister Tony Blair andcontributed to both the Social Mobility and the 21st CenturySchool White Papers.

In 2009 Sajid was selected to be part of a National FutureLeader programme to become a Head Teacher. He worked as asenior leader in the Dixons Academies and travelled to the US tolearn about Charter Schools which achieve high results with acohort of students from socially deprived backgrounds.

Then in 2010 Sajid proposed the Kings Science Academyproject to the Secretary of State for Education: a distinctlyacademic curriculum, a long day, compulsory daily homeworkwith support and having an outstanding school leadership andteaching team.

The Academy opened in 2011 with a 56% free school mealcohort and is more than three times oversubscribed for the nextschool year. Kings will be opening a second branch in Darnall,Sheffield in 2013 and aims to develop a collaborative relationshipwith the Grove.

In March, Rae Lonsdale (58-65) received an MBE from The Queen inrecognition of his contributions to voluntary work.

For over 36 years he worked for the Yorkshire Dales National ParkAuthority involved first in information services, then in rights of waymanagement and recreation. His last 12 years, until his retirement in2011, were the most rewarding: working with Dales Volunteers todevelop their structure roles and opportunities. During this time thenumber of volunteers increased from around 100 to almost 250.

He has been an active member of the Cave Rescue Organisationsince 1975 and an accredited assessor for Duke of Edinburgh’s AwardGold Expeditions for over 15 years. In retirement he continues, throughthe John Muir Award, to encourage young people to discover, explore,conserve the wild countryside and share their enjoyment with others.

Not bad for someone who says his school career wasundistinguished, partly because he put more effort into out of schoolinterests rather than into academic studies!

Enjoying being out there – in the Dales

Changingthe Lives ofBradford’sPoorestPupils

Richard GravesChairman – Elect

A Portrait of the Chairman

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The 2nd Annual OG Golf Day organised by Stuart Nesbit was held at OtleyGolf Club on 2 September. The sun shone and with conditions ideal for golfthe day was once again an enjoyable and successful occasion. One‘highlight’ of the event occurred at the 6th hole as a very enthusiastic playermisjudged his approach to the green. Not only did his ball overshoot thegreen, it also cleared a six foot hedge behind, crossed a road, struck thehouse beyond and, to relief of all watching, it just missed an upstairs window.

Re-established in 2007, the Old Grovians’ Rugby Club is continuingto go from strength to strength both on and off the field. This hasbeen down to commitment, hard work and dedicated support notonly from its players, coaches, committee and supporters, but alsofrom local businesses and, of course, the School.

With the season rapidly drawing to a close and with just one gameleft, we have scored over 500 points and are lying 3rd in YorkshireDivision 4; having won 16 games, drawn 1 and lost 4. This showshow much the team has improved since its re-formation.

Our player numbers have grown significantly during the past twoseasons with recent leavers adding to our squad, resulting in theaverage age of the team dropping considerably! In the very nearfuture we hope to run two teams on a regular basis and wouldwelcome anyone from whatever playing background, whether it be

the peak of your career, wanting an introduction to men’s rugby orjust fancying a run out with your mates and a few drinks afterwards.Although we have a large number of OGs who span the yearsplaying for us, we also have a few players who have just come downwithout any direct link to the School.

We are very proud of our short history and wish to build on it. Ifyou would like to get involved in any way, be it playing, supporting orhelping out behind the scenes, you will be guaranteed a warmwelcome. Come down on a match day or alternatively visit ourwebsite www.oldgroviansrugby.com and use the contact form toregister your interest.

Our end-of-season dinner is on 5 May in the Hastings-LongGallery with guest speaker Mr J K Jones. Tickets £30.

Nick Fawcett

A more sedate approach to the 6th hole!

Some of the OG Netball SquadThe Old Grovians are into their third season playing in theNetball League based at the Grove on Tuesday nights. Althoughthis has not been their most successful year – finishing 8th inthe League – they now have a large number of players includingsome who have just left school. This can only benefit futureperformances. The social side of the club is also growing withweekly trips to The Stansfield, after matches, at Christmas andon end-of-season nights out when both playing and socialmembers join in the fun. We are also entering the summerleague this year. New members, whether playing or social, willbe welcome to join us.

Laura Myers

Continuing to Play the Game

OG’s on and off the PitchOG Rugby Squad

OGA Golf Day 2011

Sixth Former, Preeti Bola has been successful ina Debating Competition run by the HistoricalAssociation, involving a five-minute balloondebate of ‘Why History Matters to You’.She spoke about the impact of Bloody Sundayand how this had resonance and meaning inher desire to fight for justice and in her interestin the profession of war. Preeti then fieldedquestions and was judged to be the overallwinner in the Leeds and West Yorkshire heat. InMarch she presented the same debate in theNational Final at Merton College, Oxford.

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The 1st XV has had one of its mostsuccessful seasons in many years andwas chosen as the Rugby World MagazineTeam of the Month for January. Fivecurrent players involved in the Daily MailRBS U15 quarter finals at Whitgift lastseason, shrugged off the disappointmentof defeat and propelled themselves intothe 1st XV with vigour.

The physical challenge and risk usuallydeters coaches from pushing youngplayers too early but Max Green, Danieland Michael Radigan, Jack Maplesdenand Rory Masterson rose to the occasion.In this year’s Daily Mail U18 Cup theGrove demolished local rivals BGS 46-Nil,then followed a 41-6 victory in the‘Unofficial Yorkshire Final’ game against

the Grammar School at Leeds. A win inlast minute against Barnard Castle tookthem through to the last eight of thecompetition where, hampered by injuries,they lost 3-15 after a brave performanceagainst Wilmslow High School, a muchbigger and more robust side. Watch thisspace next season!

An artist’s impression of the new station

WGS 1stXV Squad

NEWS FROM THE GROVE

Two upper sixth formers have beenaccepted to study at Oxbridge nextyear, Jack Baker to read Medicine atSt. John’s College, Cambridge andNatasha Cottingham to readGeography at Hertford College, Oxford.

School Rugby

Heading forOxbridge

At last the station gets the go-aheadThe plans for the reopening of the station at Apperley Bridge have been given the greenlight by the government. Work is expected to start this summer and the station could beoperational by the end of 2014, fifty years after the original station was closed. Thisshould prove to be an enormous benefit to the School, making access easier and removing many cars from the local roads.

THE GREAT DEBATE

Further Development at The GroveWork is expected to be completed on the new 25-metreswimming pool early this year.

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Leaving the basement underpass exitonto the cricket field, two trees can beseen on the left. These and another onesince felled, were planted by threedignitaries to celebrate the Centenary ofWoodhouse Grove. Mrs Vinter theHeadmaster’s wife planted the CopperBeech: Reverend Dr H Haigh, Presidentof the Wesleyan Conference planted theCommon Beech and Councillor Shaw,Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastlestanding in for Alderman Sir WilliamStephenson (Chairman of Governors)who was ill, planted the Chestnut.

There was disappointment that Earl

Grey, the Foreign Secretary andprincipal guest was unable to attend.The celebrations were held on theweekend of the 17/18 May 1912 and bycoincidence we look forward to theBicentenary Fair and Music Festival inMay this year.

In 1962 the 150th Anniversary SchoolCelebrations were held in perfectsummer weather on 16 June. OldGrovians who were pupils at the timestill remember the pageant – written byAlan Rowe a member of staff – whichwas performed on the terrace at thefront of the School, with spectators

filling three large grandstands.A commemorative tree was planted

by the Head Prefect, M J D Walker,better known today as General TheLord Walker of Aldringham, former Chiefof the Defence Staff and Chairman ofthe Old Grovian Association.

George Brown Macdonald came to theGrove in 1815 and left as pupil-master in1819. As with all Grove boys in those dayshe was the son of a Wesleyan Minister,hailing from Ballynamallard, NorthernIreland. George became a WesleyanMinister himself and in 1825 marriedHannah Jones in Manchester Cathedral.

They were blessed with seven children.Edith, the youngest, was unmarried andoutlived all her siblings. Of the two sons,Frederick attended the Grove for a year. Ashis father and grandfather before him hewas a Minister and later became President

of the Conference. Their other daughterswere Agnes, Alice, Georgiana and Louisa.

Agnes married Edward Poynter, a Painter, later knighted and President of theRoyal Academy.

Alice Married an Old Grovian, JohnLockwood Kipling, who 1864 joined theIndian Education Service serving as asculptor at the Bombay School of Art then asPrincipal of the Mayo School of Art, Lahore.He was a fellow of the Punjab and BombayUniversities, Curator of the Central MuseumLahore and illustrated children’s booksincluding those written by his son Rudyard.

Contemporary correspondence tells usRudyard was named after a lake (now areservoir) near Burslem, where the sistersand their families used to picnic.

Georgiana married Edward Burne-Jones,artist and co-founder, with William Morris, ofthe second Pre-Raphaelite group. He waslater knighted.

Louisa married Arthur Baldwin later an MPand Chairman of the Great Western RailwayCo. One of their children was Stanley, alsoan MP and Prime Minister at the time of theAbdication of King Edward VIII.

Hugh Knowles

1962 Pageant

The MacDonald Girls

Turningthe ClockBack

Old Grovians whowere pupils at thetime still rememberthe pageant

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The FlagA Bicentenary flag has been designed andcalled Wesley, in memory of John Wesleywho had always wished for a Methodistschool in the North of England but hadunfortunately died before WoodhouseGrove opened. This year Wesley will betaken to various events, occasions andactivities such as the opening of the newswimming pool, the Rugby Tour of SouthAfrica, Brontë and Ashdown ChristmasConcert, Old Grovian Reunions as well ascheering on the teams at sporting events.On each occasion a photograph will betaken marking Wesley’s presence and

these pictures will form the basis of a 2013 calendar which will be available to everyone.

The CharityProjectThe School will be supporting ‘SunarmaAction Ethiopia’, which is a charity workingwith rural communities throughout Ethiopiato develop a number of sustainableprojects particularly with young peopleand education in mind. The whole Schoolcommunity is committed to raising over£20,000 during the next two years. It is

hoped that in the summer of 2013 twenty-five pupils, currently in years 10, 11 and 12will go on an expedition to Ethiopia to helpwith some building and construction workof a school.

The ExhibitionTen Boards have been professionallydesigned and produced to show the keychanges at The Grove from 1812 to 2012 along with two more showing thefuture developments planned over thenext few years. The Exhibition will line the Headmaster’s corridor for the whole of 2012.

More Bicentenary News

Designed by members of the Upper Sixth, a garden in the styleof the School crest has been constructed in front of theTowlson Building. The groundwork was started by CraigWintersgill with the help of other Old Grovians and ablyassisted for a while by Chairman of Governors, AlanWintersgill. A competition to design something symbolising the

Mound has been launched and is open to everyone fromBrontë and The Grove. A time capsule containing items fromthe year 2012 will be buried somewhere underneath thegarden for pupils of the future to discover and a plaque isbeing produced to go on sleepers in front of the treecontaining all the names of the 2012 leavers.

The Garden

The Editor apologises for the omission of the following leavers’awards in the last edition of Xaipete: Imogen North now readingFrench and German Studies, Katherine Ormonroyd reading

Criminology – both at Lancaster University - Rebecca Worrallreading Psychology at Leeds University received Old GrovianAssociation Scholarships.

More Old Grovian Leavers Scholarships

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2012Sunday, 13 MayBicentenary Fair and Musical Festival

Friday, June (date tbc)OGA Clay Pigeon ShootYorkgate Gun Club

Sunday, 24 JuneBicentenary Open Golf MatchCookridge Hall Golf Club

Friday, 29 JuneOGA v School Cricket Match 11.30am

Saturday, 30 JuneBicentenary Leavers’ Masquerade BallAn evening for Leavers and their Families - tickets by invitation

Sunday, 1 JulySummer Old Grovians’ ReunionThe Annual Twenty/20 cricket tournament and OG v School Tennis

Match: Tree planting by the OGA, BBQ and family entertainment –all welcome

Friday, 14–16 September2nd Isle of Man Reunion

Saturday, 10 NovemberOld Grovians’ Bicentenary DinnerA black tie dinner in the Dining HallFull banquet menu including drinks, tickets £50 now on sale

Sunday, 11 NovemberOld Grovians’ Winter ReunionThe Remembrance Service 10.15am followed by Old Grovians’Day: AGM, Rugby and Netball matches

2013Wednesday, 23-27 January20th Scottish Reunion at Culcreuch CastleWe look forward to welcoming all Old Grovians, families andfriends throughout this Bicentennial Year.

Woodhouse Grove School celebrates its 200th Anniversary this year.The year will be full of events to celebrate this historic occasion including:

BICENTENARYDIARY

As I collect more information from a varietyof sources, this project continues steadily.In March, after spending a few hours in theArchive Room and delving through a fewboxes, I found a collection of 191postcard-sized copies of team photos

ranging from 1910-1950, many withidentifications on the back. Amongst themwas a photo of the 1945 Cricket 1st XI,which up to now had been the only firstteam photo missing from the 1940s. Aneven more surprising find was a large group

photo, almost the size of a panora, which isa copy of the long lost Autumn 1940Stephenson House photo. I look forward tohearing from anyone who can help inidentifying the people pictured on it.

Richard Thornton

Progress with Archive Identification

The Stephenson House 1940

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Item Description P&P Cost P&P Cost Sale PriceUK Other (excl. P&P)

TIE Polyester tie in grey with maroon, red and green diagonal stripes with bicentenary crest at the peak. £1.00 £2.50 £8.99

CUFFLINKS Round 21mm, metal cufflink depicting the bicentenary crest. £2.00 £2.50 £8.99

PINS Round 21mm, metal lapel pin depicting the bicentenary crest. £1.00 £2.50 £2.99

CUFFLINK AND PIN SET Round 21mm, metal cufflink and lapel pin set depicting the bicentenary crest. £2.50 £3.00 £10.00

BAG 10oz, cotton cloth bag with bicentenary crest in maroon. £2.50 £4.00 £3.99

BOOK: Soft back, square, illustrated book telling the story £3.50 £6.50 £14.99“Xaipete” Woodhouse Grove of Woodhouse Grove School from 1812-2012.– the First 200 years

OTHER MEMORABILIAItem Details Price inc p&p

NEW OLD GROVIANS’ TIE Lined silk tie with school crest and motto £25.00

NEW SCHOOL TIE House required £10.00

PRESENTATION TIEPIN AND CUFFLINKS Displaying the school crest in a presentation box £16.00

GROVIAN MAGAZINE Year required (eg 2006/2007) £12.50

SCHOOL CREST WALL PLAQUE Mounted on a 8” x 6” polished wood plinth £28.00

BRONTË HOUSE £5.00– THE FIRST 60 YEARS

Please make cheques payable to WG Enterprises Ltd and return to:The Development Officer, Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Bridge, West Yorkshire, BD10 0NR.E-mail: development@woodhousegrove.co.uk

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BICENTENARY MEMORABILIA

To help celebrate the Bicentenary a Fair and MusicalFestival will take place on the school fields startingat 2.00pm. Entry is free to all. Food and drink will beavailable.

It will include rides and stalls, bird displays, wellythrowing, tug of war and many other attractions.

The Musical Festival will be held on a stage on the 14-acre field and will showcase a variety of our in-housedrama and musical talent, with performances from theSchool Concert Band, the Swing Band and as well aspieces from the pupils of Brontë House.

A fitting climax to the day will be a performance fromthe Rothwell Temperance Band and as the sun sets afirework display will take place above the front of the school.

We want to invite all Old Grovians and their families toattend the Fair. This event should not be missed andshould prove to be a fantastic day. Everyone can come tovisit the school to join with us and celebrate 200 years ofWoodhouse Grove.

BICENTENARY FAIR AND MUSICAL FESTIVALSunday, 13 May at Woodhouse Grove School