TheGossip Bowl - PRIOR PARK ALUMNI A Community for Life
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Issue 18, 2017
Gossip
The
Bowl
The Alumni Magazine
P R I O R PA R K A L U M N I
‘And sometimes lurk I in a gossip’s bowl’ * A Community for Life
President’s Letter From The Headmaster
IN THIS ISSUE: Credit where it’s due
2 President’s Letter Most of my professional life has been devoted to the
film industry, where the success that reconciles the
competing claims of talent, investors and audiences is a
3 From The Headmaster rare occurrence. Mostly we deal in failure.
Prosper
The brave schools will
This throws up interesting challenges for management,
4-5 School News whose task is not made easier by the intricate equations
of film financing and distribution. But since taking on the
6-7 Prior Park Alumni Update role of president of the PPA and thereby getting somewhat
TERRY ILOTT closer to the machinery of Prior, I have been impressed
by just how much more complicated is the business of
8-9 Development Focus Class of 1968
running a school, where the customers are the product;
where the investors are looking for a manifold return that
10 From The Archives even they would find hard to define (they know it when they see it and complain when
they don’t); and where the bottom line isn’t just the surplus of income over expenditure
but of performance over expectation.
11 Weddings At Prior
What expectation? That the customers (the students) will not just do well but will excel,
and not just in one aspect of their school lives but in every aspect to which they have
12 - 13 Staff Farewells chosen to make a serious commitment. Moreover, that every impediment to their progress
will be addressed and if possible removed. The more the school is able to deliver this
“
14 - 16 People level of performance, the higher the expectation of the investors (the parents) will be: it
is an upwards-only ratchet. On top of all this, there is a belief – shared, I think, by staff,
students and parents alike – that the school should be some kind of ideal community, It is possible to provide As the cold economic winds swirl around
“
17 - 18 Headmaster’s Academic Society the independent education sector, I believe
judged by higher standards than life outside. With 600 students from a wide range of
more choice without it will be the brave schools that prosper. Even more pathways
backgrounds at what is arguably the most challenging time of their lives, delivering on
19 - 21 Alumni Sports/Gap Year Report that promise is a tall order.
increasing costs.
We are certainly one of them. An important,
for our students
if initially relatively low-key, initiative reflects
Sometimes it is achieved with seeming ease: at Speech Day perhaps or the Christmas our desire to engage even more closely with
22 - 24 Reunions Carol Concert. But most of the time, the complexity of expectation can only be met by At Speech Day this year, I introduced Vision local schools and other Bath educational
an at least equal complexity of effort, by the students, the teaching staff, the admin and providers, especially in fulfilment of aims The new A-level courses are more content-
2025 to current parents. Vision 2025, like
domestic staff, the management team, the parents and the other stakeholders, including 3 and 5. We have always maintained positive heavy and more demanding than they were,
its predecessor Vision 2020, has been
25 Veterans’ Lunch alumni. The miracle is that, most of the time, that’s exactly how it relationships with our local schools and as they will be linear courses with end
crafted by the headmasters of the Prior Park
plays out. It is both an astonishingly complicated operation and, colleges but now we plan to formalise these exams. Some Prior students, including those,
schools and sets out our vision and purpose
while not perfect, an astonishingly successful one. By comparison, with real educational partnerships. for example, who might make important
26 - 34 All The Gossip for the future. In particular, it challenges us
making and distributing films is a walk in the park. Hat’s off, I say. contributions to our music, drama and
to achieve five key aims: In September 2017, we will share some sport, might be better served by taking
35 - 37 Obituaries A-Level choices with the local Roman Catholic fewer A-level options with us and blending
Terry Ilott 1 To preserve and to enhance our values
state school, St Gregory’s. This will enable these with a vocational qualification at Bath
as individuals and as a community;
Prior Park Alumni President both schools to preserve and protect some College, which has an outstanding reputation.
38 Prior Park Alumni Notice Board vital yet marginal subjects. For example, we
2 To safeguard and develop our pastoral
will offer music whilst St Gregory’s will offer This is an arrangement I established in
systems and education;
politics. We expect students to go between my previous headship in Hampshire and it
39 Calendar worked very well. These arrangements truly
Staff Alumni All the
3 To offer the most creative and innovative our schools for lessons; obviously, we hope
teaching and learning curriculum and that each side will make a positive impact confirm our involvement in, and contribution
Farewells Sports Gossip
Cover image: Darren Crawford (1988) purchased this environment; and contribution to the other. A reciprocal to, Bath education. As importantly, they open
medal on eBay. 51mm in diameter, in copper and white fee arrangement has been put in place. I am up even more pathways for our students.
metal, it was made in 1839 by F. Halliday (c.1780 - c.1854),
4 To continue to invest in our facilities;
particularly pleased that Catholic education
an English coin and medal engraver associated with the Pages 12 - 13 Pages 19 - 21 Pages 26 - 34 and,
in Bath can be enhanced in this way. We
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. The face shows the
front elevation of the college and the reverse shows SS 5 To continue to scan the horizon for new are also in early negotiations to agree a James Murphy-O’Connor
Peter and Paul flanking a coat of arms, with the inscription opportunities for our schools and for partnership with Bath College, starting in Prior Park College Headmaster
Sicut cervus desiderat ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat our students. September 2018.
anima mea ad te Deus (As the deer longs for springs
of water, so my soul longs for thee, O God). The text
is adapted from Psalm 41:2, from the Clementine Latin For more details of Vision 2025 go to: www.priorparkcollege.com/about/our-mission-vision-and-values
Vulgate Bible. The medal was awarded to students at Prior
Park for industry, courtesy and integrity.
2 www.priorparkalumni.com The Gossip Bowl 3
School News
COLLEGE GIBRALTAR
Changes at the top
Confident, happy Upon This Rock
Finance and Business Director, Tony McNiff,
who has made a major impact on the
operations of the Prior schools in the last five
and distinctive
years, has taken a post at the Royal Hospital
School, Ipswich. He is replaced by Gerard Opening a new school is not something you It seemed an impossible task.” Third, the surpluses we generate in Gibraltar,
Hickie, who will be chief operating officer. do every day. In 2012, a small delegation together with the surpluses we make in the
At the same time, James Murphy-O’Connor A major component of the funding came
from Prior visited Gibraltar to find out why other schools in our group, will make us more
will combine his duties as headmaster of from the parents, led by Julian Jarvis, founder
the school wasn’t getting boarders as it used financially secure.”
The year began with a record school roll neighbouring universities and industrial College with the new role of principal of the of the Gibraltar School Parents’ Group and
to back in the 1960s and 1970s.
of just over 600 students. Given the workplaces. The language department is Prior Park Schools. now a governor of both Prior Park Gibraltar Bury recognises that Prior alumni will have
excellence of local competition, this is also introducing changes, with German They discovered that the two state schools and the Prior Park Schools. affection for Bath but he hopes they will take
testament to the first-class reputation of being replaced by Mandarin as a time- in Gibraltar had improved markedly over real interest in the new school in Gibraltar.
“We devised a very attractive fee structure, to
College. The visiting inspector from The tabled subject. Entrepreneurship is the years and local parents were mostly
ensure the new school was affordable,” says “We want local alumni to offer internships
Good Schools Guide agreed: “Confident now part of the curriculum with the happy with the choice they had. That might
Bury. “It was refreshing to start with a market and careers advice, attend school events and
have been the end of the matter had James
Open events
in its Catholic values, happy in its own inaugural Enterprise Challenge Day price and work backwards from that, rather provide bursarial support,” he says.
skin and distinctive in its commitment (a cross between Dragons Den and The Murphy-O’Connor, PPC headmaster, not
than, as is usually the case, inheriting a given
to a genuinely all-round education, this Apprentice) held last November. gone to visit the head of Loreto School, which “We want them to be involved in our journey.
level of costs and worrying about the level of
is a school which inspires esteem and Tuesday 19 September caters for children up to the age of eleven, Gibraltar is a small place, word gets around.
A number of staff departed at the end of fees needed to cover them.”
affection in equal measure.” Prior Park School Gibraltar Open Day including children of Prior alumni. I would also invite other alumni to get behind
the year, including Tom Simons after 25 Despite the scepticism of some prospective the new school and to support it in whatever
St Paul’s and St Mary’s are undergoing years (see page 13). The departures have Saturday 23 September, 9.30am The head of Loreto mentioned her sometime
parents (they didn’t believe the school could way they can: it is now a crucial piece in the
renovation work to reintroduce junior enabled the recruitment of a fresh roster Prior Park College Open Morning desire to open a senior school and this got
open in September and so sent their children jig-saw of the Prior Park schools.”
boarding. The sports department has of teachers in maths, geography, business James thinking. He returned to Gibraltar
Friday 13 October, 9.30 - 11.30am elsewhere) Prior Gibraltar hit its target
acquired new cricket nets and an artificial & economics, PE and other subjects. It some weeks later, looked into the matter
The Paragon Open Morning numbers for 2016 and is ahead of forecast
pitch and, in response to the success has also enabled a reorganisation of further and found a suitable property: the
for 2017/18.
of design technology, a new senior DT the senior team, with Laura Stotesbury, Friday 13 October, 9.30 - 11.30am old Sacred Heart School. He also met a
workshop has been established in the Old head of business & economics since 2015, Prior Park Prep School Open Morning group of interested parents who wanted “We have introduced 40 co-curricular
Ball Court, providing facilities on a par with replacing Tom as deputy head, academic. to be their own founders, or co-founders, subjects for our students and brought with
of the proposed school. Anxious to secure us a very high level of pastoral care,” Bury
the best possible educational provider, they continues. “The Gibraltar government and
To see the Good Schools Guide report on Prior Park College go to
invited tenders from other interested parties. other schools have taken notice and we
www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/schools/101771/prior-park-college-bath/2139022
Prior was selected out of a group of eight are already sharing with them some of our
bidders. Prior recruited a great head teacher, resources and expertise.”
Peter Watts from Sherborne, and it was
The new sixth-form opens in September and
The Paragon
announced that the new school would open
Watts and his team are now working on a
in September 2016.
Cricklade
Mind and Motion Centre, combining sports
“The Sacred Heart property is owned by facilities, performing arts and a creative pod.
The Paragon continues to develop.
the Catholic Church, which leases it to the It’s a £2.5million project and the school is
It has an excellent reputation as a
Gibraltar Government which, in turn, leases talking to people in Gibraltar to fund it.
forward-thinking, co-educational
it to us,” explains PPC governor, Tony Bury. Prior alumni might ask: why open a school
2017 has been a year of announcements for curricular activities, as well as trips, visits Simon Cane-Hardy, deputy head pastoral at school for 3-11 year olds.
“But no sooner had we worked up our plans for in Gibraltar at all? Isn’t it difficult enough
Prior Park Prep. and special days. In order to attract more College since 2016 and previously head of the building - the fabric was basically sound running schools in Bath and Cricklade? Pupils enjoy an exciting curriculum
local families, especially from the Swindon boarding at Pangbourne College, has been but we had to gut the whole place - then According to Bury, there are three answers: and a school life that is broad-based,
In January, the governors and leadership
area, the governors took the bold decision to appointed to replace him on an interim we encountered difficulties on the terms of “First, it is part of our mission, to provide giving them the opportunity to
team decided that, with national demand for
reduce school fees by as much as 15%. At the basis. the lease. Negotiations went back and forth. education. Second, it gives us a chance to develop their skills and talents and
junior boarding in decline, Cricklade would
same time, they have committed to invest The result was that we weren’t able to start re-think how we deliver education that is to experience the joy of discovery
convert to a day-only school. Henceforth, This summer, the school also bade farewell
more than £500,000 in facilities. work until February 2016. Yet we were still affordable. With luck, we’ll be able to bring and creativity. The Paragon enriches
boarding for children aged 11-18 years will to Vaughan Jelley, deputy head, who retired
be located at College in Bath. As a day school, In April, headmaster Mark Pearce announced after 34 years of service (see interview page committed to an opening date of September. the lessons we have learned back to the UK. everyday teaching with a packed
Cricklade’s core operation will be Monday to that he had accepted the position of vice- 12). Known for his wisdom and wit, he will be programme of school trips, visiting
Friday, providing high quality academic work principal at the GEMS Wellington Academy much missed. As was said at his retirement speakers, workshops and special
For a short film on the opening of Prior Park Gibraltar,
with an enriching programme of sport, music, in Dubai. He left Cricklade having served the party: “When they made this particular Jelley, days.
go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFseaAWttAk
drama, art, outdoor learning and extra- school with distinction for the last six years. they broke the mould”.
4 www.priorparkalumni.com The Gossip Bowl 5
Prior Park Alumni Update
A good year
In the last year:
AROPS Annual
This has been a good
1,612 Conference
year for your alumni alumni have been
contacted via In May 2017, the PPA hosted the annual
Rory Dinwoodie
association. social media conference for AROPS (Association of
Prizes and Awards
Representatives of Old Pupils’ Societies) at
College and welcomed 100 representatives
246
We have clarified our legal status,
from 60 schools. The day was filled with
revamped our constitution and redefined
activities and seminars.
our purpose so as, we hope, to make our William Genders Art Prize
work more relevant in the era of social have signed up The keynote speaker, Mark Coote from
The William Genders Art Prize was awarded to Wells Cathedral School, talked about the
media. for the digital
Jemima Adams and Mary Kelley, both of whom have symbiotic relationship between alumni and
archive Photo courtesy of Anthony O’Callaghan
At the same time, we have negotiated “demonstrated technical aptitude and understanding development, showing how they can work
a memorandum of understanding with towards their work which has resulted in dynamic and together to make both the school and the
116
the school that recognises our mutual highly mature outcomes”. alumni association more successful.
interdependence while preserving the
South Africa 2016
PPA’s freedom of action. We are now Prior Park Alumni Music Prize The breakout sessions were buzzing with the
drafting a rolling, five-year action plan, hot topic of the conference: the change in
The PPA Music Prize was awarded to Rory Dinwoodie, sets of alumni
with key performance indicators by which the data protection laws. It would be fair to
described as “a fine clarinettist and sax player, an visitors have
to measure our performance. We have say that nobody felt they really had a good
excellent drummer, a leading choral, rock and pop returned to
again finished the year within budget. grasp not just of the law but of how best to The 2016 South Africa sports tour provided the PPA with a fabulous opportunity
singer, a talented composer and a successful academic College
live with it. to connect with some of the alumni community in Cape Town, Johannesburg
One conundrum has long needed to be musician”.
There were also sessions on living archives, and Durban.
settled: what do we call ourselves?
Prior Park Alumni Gap Year Awards
90+
alumni contributions to current and recent There was a reception in Cape Town and we had a great evening with Alan Hall,
Old Prior Parkians is too much of a mouthful
students, social media and networking. PPA John Mason (1982), Martin Pike (1986) and David Grant (1980). David also came
and Priorians has already been bagged by This year, the PPA Gap Year Awards went to Esme Ivory- president Terry Ilott and College headmaster to watch us “get a whooping” at his daughter’s school – but we actually played
St Benedicts, Ealing. We asked the school Peters (2017) and Sam Quick (2017), who were awarded participated at James Murphy-O’Connor addressed the rather well and won. Later, the boys on the tour met up with Roland Mazery (1960).
to help and the students participated in £1000 and £500 respectively. Esme will be working and the Veterans’ plenary session of the conference during the Sadly, in the vastness of South Africa it was difficult to see everyone, but it was
the exercise with enthusiasm, coming up living for five weeks on a Guatemalan rubbish dump Lunch day and Terry spoke again at the conference a privilege to meet up with those past pupils who are living in that beautiful but
with, among other suggestions, Paladins, helping recycle waste and create something new that dinner in the evening, on the theme of still troubled land.
Palladians, Cardinals, Psalters, Papists, can be sold. Sam is going to work for Bolivia Digna. This “keeping the door open, offering a warm
30+
Phoenixes, Penny Blacks, Bretheren, grassroots charity has been set up with the objective welcome and being inclusive”.
Abbots, Priors, Priorquarians, Ralphonians to promote and defend the rights of vulnerable social
and Combe Downians. groups living in exclusion and poverty in some of the
poorest communities in Latin America. (See Gap Year have spoken at
Alas, none seemed to fit the bill. We
Report, page 21) school events
decided instead to go for PPA (Prior Park
Alumnus/Alumni/Alumna/Alumnae).
7
There are plenty of examples of the use
of initials - OE (Eton), OM (Malborough)
and OS (Stonyhurst) – and there is nothing
to stop alumni using other nomenclature
Sign up for the digital archive year groups have
should they wish. Initials have the virtue The online digital archive is a great resource that makes held reunions
of simplicity. Moreover, we already use photos and documents, including school magazines,
PPA as the name of the association. So easily and freely accessible. It can be searched by
5
PPA it is, or you are. name, year, subject or key word and you can browse
at random. But to get access you first have to sign up, James Murphy-O’Connor at AROPS Jason Mason, Alan Hall, Martin Pike and David Grant
Next year will see the centenary of the
end of World War I. We will be planning as nearly 250 PPAs have done so far. Once you’re on
board, you can help us fill gaps in the record. Go to alumni sporting
a service in the college chapel to which all
www.priorparkcollege-heritage.daisy.websds.net fixtures have If you would like to see the revised constitution or get involved in the work of the PPA
alumni and relatives of alumni servicemen
been contested contact Carole Laverick at ppa@thepriorfoundation.com
are invited. We hope you can come.
6 www.priorparkalumni.com The Gossip Bowl 7
Development Focus
CHAPEL APPEAL
Bursaries are a social investment Alumni support
changed Sam’s life
The need to create
And while schools such as Prior are
charities, they are still subject to the
14% (£2.3million) in respect of bursaries,
scholarships, and staff and sibling discounts.
We sing together
a bursary fund. increased “costs of doing business”. King
cites the apprenticeship levy as the most
The bursary portion, 4% of gross income,
needs to grow, according to King.
Isobel Burton (2005) was a pupil at I daren’t open my mouth. I shuffled and
Prior, is married to a fellow alumnus, kept my head down. Quickly realising
recent addition to the cost base.
He would love to see either a £25million sends her children to the Paragon and that this would not do, I successfully
Ensuring pupil numbers is always a concern,
Fees at two of the Prior Park schools are fund, returning sufficient annual income to now teaches at College. The chapel, for managed to mime for a while. This
even if this year College has waiting lists at
going up in September, by about 2.5%. King meet a portion of the current level of which funds are currently being raised worked only as long as I didn’t sit next
every entry level. However, to be true to its
says it is important to keep within the limits remissions, or a £2.5million pot that is for much-needed refurbishment, is to a teacher. I don’t remember when I
social mission, Prior does need to reach out
of the Consumer Price Index. The financial spent each year and continually refreshed. close to her heart: started to sing. I suppose it was organic,
further to those for whom, in the words of
projections for next year anticipate better but at some point over those four years Sam Quick with Olivia Matthews
chairman Michael King, the school can really “If the school is able to share the burden Our Lady of the Snows means a great
“
than break even (but only just) on a gross I grew in confidence and started to enjoy
“add value”. (of the current level of remissions),” he says. deal to our family. Michael, my husband,
turnover of about £17million. Except in the singing in the chapel. Sam Quick joined Prior in 2010. He and his
“It will significantly help us in our aim of left Prior in 2001 and I left in 2005 but
“As a charity, we should try to do it at less than Gibraltar, Prior owns its own properties but sister were part of a one-parent family and
keeping fees lower for all our children: we both distinctly remember the feel of
full cost,” he says. “There are many children it has no substantial endowments and can their life was not easy.
a genuine social investment.” the place, the crisp mornings, the balmy
The chapel is a “
“
who would benefit from the education we only spend what it earns in fees and, to a very
sense of quiet. Sam welcomed the stability he found at
provide but whose parents cannot afford our small extent, in commercial income. King is grateful that alumni have always
significant fees. been generous contributors, especially to Whatever their denominations, their place of alone and school. His mother was diagnosed with
Huntington’s disease and was soon unable
“Affordability is a clear worry for those whom
bursaries, and he hopes this will continue. results, their chosen pathways, all my
togetherness. to continue with her career. The family
we sometimes call our ‘bread and butter
parents’ – doctors, lawyers, accountants
and so on - particularly following the 2008
banking crisis. That is not going to change difference.
All contributions,
large or small, make a
“ The governors, having recently funded the
opening of the new school in Gibraltar in part
by using financial instruments supported
by parents and Prior alumni, are currently
friends from Prior comment that the
chapel is the absolute beating heart of
the school. It is where we come together,
it is where we laugh together and most
Michael’s parents were military. Moving
around the country whenever his father
downsized to make ends meet. Sam’s place
at Prior was in jeopardy. Alumni support
allowed him to complete his GCSEs, and
a further 100% bursary, partly sponsored
mulling various schemes that could appeal importantly it is where we sing. For ex-
any time soon.” was asked to re-locate, he had an in- by an external source, saw him not only
at every level: from small, monthly donations students, the unique and harmonious
depth knowledge of a good number of successfully complete the sixth form but
Among the problems all independent to big-ticket investments in an externally- nature of the college is reflected in our
“Ideally, all our education would be provided the country’s state and independent to serve as an outstanding head boy. At
schools have had to face in recent years managed fund where capital is preserved and singing. It is what we do.
free but that is not going to happen,” King primary schools by the time he turned 11. Speech Day this year he vowed that, in
are the increases in salaries, pension the income donated to the school.
says. How, then, can Prior help parents who I often wonder what visiting students years to come, he would return the favour
and NIC contributions, greatly enhanced Despite being initially convinced that
are seeking a quality Catholic-Christian Addressing alumni directly, King concludes: make of the “mash-ups”, the “beat- by supporting a needy student.
staff-student ratios to ensure pupils are the chapel was haunted, Michael soon
education but who can’t afford it? “You have gained in so many ways from your boxing”, the rhythms and the harmonies;
properly supported outside the classroom found the Friday assemblies offered him
education at Prior. Consider whether you but, in truth, the singing is a microcosm
as well as in, and the upgrade in facilities Of Prior’s projected £17million gross
Mel moves on
a similar sense of belonging. For ex-
can help future children receive the same for the cohesion of the college. We sing
needed to meet parental aspirations. turnover there is a remission of about students, the chapel is a special place
advantages that gave you your start in life. together because we are together. We
of ‘alone and togetherness’.
All contributions, large or small, make a are stronger and louder as one voice
Melanie Tiley (formerly Ball), Prior’s first
difference.” than we will ever be on our own. If you I remember in 2011 when re-visiting for a
director of development, has left after
look around in chapel you will see that wedding; after all the guests had left the
Michael King has been a board member five years to become director of external
all of Prior’s students - many of whom, building we snuck back in to the chapel,
at Prior Park Schools for nine years and relations at Badminton School.
as teenagers, have their own insecurities only to find half of our school friends had
chairman for the last three. Mel joined Prior from the Save the Children
and anxieties - feel supported and valued done the same thing. It was a strange
Now a consultant specialising in charities enough to form a chorus, to chant and moment. charity in December 2011 and did a great
and social enterprise at law firm Stone King, to croon along to Roland Robertson’s job in setting up the new development
Distinctly aware of the passage of time,
of which he was formerly the chairman, wonderful musical assemblies. department from scratch. We wish her
we all purposefully sat in the pews like
he is an alumnus of Stonyhurst and a every success in her new role.
This sense of familial security was schoolboys and girls. Perhaps, as adults,
keen advocate of independent Catholic
something that, without knowing it, fraught with the responsibilities and
schooling.
my husband and I both desperately concerns of work, family and business,
craved on arriving at Prior. When I first we all just wanted to feel that familial
For contributions to the bursary experienced the Friday assemblies, sense of cohesion, to be together again.
fund or the chapel appeal please
contact Kate Harris at For a short video on the school chapel appeal go to
Tony Bury and Michael King kateharris@thepriorfoundation.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiPfLlTZIrs
8 www.priorparkalumni.com The Gossip Bowl 9
From The Archives Weddings At Prior
Buried in Burma
Prompted by the research
that PPA rep Carole Laverick
has undertaken into Prior
Under the floor boards alumni lost in WW2, Simon
Beck (1969) travelled to
Burma earlier this year to
Letter sent from Guildford on 23 November 1963, to Richard Sharpe (1967) from his visit the Commonwealth
mother: “My darling Richard, I am still stunned by the terrible shock of President War Graves Cemetery at
Kennedy’s cruel death and I feel I must write to you about it. I know you thought Taukkyan, near Yangon.
him a great fellow and admired him so much, didn’t you? To think of him being
shot down like a mad dog is unbearable and shocking - one moment he is upright There he found the last resting place
and smiling and the next moment - gone. Do pray for him, as I do, although I am of Prior alumnus Major James Douglas
sure he was always as near as possible in a state of grace. I wonder if you are Williams (PPA 1935). The cemetery
down town today - I do hope so. Very much love and a big hug. From Mum xxx” contains the remains of 6,374 members of
the Commonwealth Land Forces who died
Mrs Sharpe sent the letter because Richard had already lost his father and, during WW2, a memorial of names to the
knowing how much he admired Kennedy, she didn’t want him to be upset. nearly 27,000 who died and have no known
Richard remembers the day and the letter vividly. Bro Keegan, housemaster of grave, a memorial to the 1,000 who were
St Pauls, came into Prep and informed the boys of the events and then led them cremated for religious reasons and the 46
straight through to the chapel to pray for the president’s soul.
Victoria Hill & Sam Crudge
who are buried elsewhere in Burma but
We are hoping to welcome Richard back to College for the Veterans’ Lunch and to whose graves cannot be maintained. Simon
see the refurbishments of the junior boarding, which is where this letter, recently reports that the cemetery is a “haven of
discovered, had lain undisturbed for 50 years. peace and tranquility well used by locals
It was a real Prior Park family affair as Victoria Hill (2008) married Sam
as somewhere to sit, read and talk. The
Crudge on 27 August 2016. Victoria and Sam met at Prior while she was
gardeners keep the place to a standard even
Prior’s saviour
working on reception for a few months. Sam is on the grounds team. His father,
Lucy Whittington &
the most fussy Sgt. Major would approve”.
Mike, is estates manager and Victoria’s mother, Margaret, has been a school
From The Gossip Bowl 1945: In January receptionist for 16 years, having started on the same day as Victoria entered
Henry Winckworth
1928 James Douglas Williams entered L3. The four bridesmaids were all Prior Park alumni: Stephanie Barclay, Emily
In January, Dr Giles Mercer, former headmaster of Prior and
Prior Park. He was son of Major C S Forrester (nee Jackson), Naomi Hawes and Lucy Harding.
Stonyhurst, launched his new book, William Brownlow: Convert,
Williams, head of the brakes department of
Scholar, Bishop (1830-1901), writes Gerald Walker (1948). Other alumni present included Victoria’s brother Benjamin (2003), Natalie
Westinghouse Works, Chippenham. “Jim” Lucy Whittington (2006) married Henry Winckworth Cordon, Neyna Bartlett and Ada Ventzke. The bride made her own pink silk
In recent years Brownlow, Bishop of Clifton, has been little more had a distinguished course at school. He (2006) on 17 December 2016 in the Chapel of Our Lady dress and prepared all the food (with a bit of help from Margaret) including a
than a name, but he has been retrieved from the shadows of time was Captain of the School in his last year, of the Snows. Father Malcolm Smeaton officiated. Many stunning naked wedding cake. Victoria and Sam “tied the knot” in the Mansion
by Mercer’s scholarship in a lavish biography running to more a member of the Sodality, Captain of the Prior Park alumni attended, including Lucy’s two sisters, Hall, wined and dined in the Academy Hall and played giant twister in the
than 600 pages. The volume itself exudes quality, which is fitting Rugby XV in 1934 and of Hockey XI in 1935. Catherine (1998) and Sarah (2000), who both acted as John Wood Chapel. It was an utterly joyful, colourful and emotional occasion.
for the story it has to tell: of the conversion of this gentle but bridesmaids, and Henry’s sister Lucinda (1998).
He passed into Woolwich in 1935 and was
formidable man from the dedicated life of an Anglican clergyman
commissioned in the Royal Artillery, went
Looking for a wedding venue?
Another bridesmaid was Lucy Howe (2006), who also
to a Catholic bishop, embracing a newly nuanced faith and coping
to France on the outbreak of the war, and sang. Harvey McGivern (2006) was the best man. Eight
with accusations of betrayal. Brownlow’s life was essentially one of scholarship,
was evacuated from Dunkirk. He was made of the couple’s nephews and nieces were page boys and
service and decisive action. His links with Prior Park once he became Bishop of
Captain and in about June 1943 he went flower girls. The organist was Andrew Johnson (2005)
Clifton were relatively short-lived but they were crucial. He put an end to its role
overseas to Burma and then was appointed with Zoe Bristow (2006) and Jamie Bird (2006) as If you would like more information on holding weddings at
as a seminary, reduced in 1895 to a mere six theological students, and introduced
Major. Just a few weeks before his 28th singers. Lucy and Henry live in London with their two Prior contact Gill Mead at gmead@priorparkschools.com
the Christian Brothers.
birthday he was killed. He was married black Labradors.
By this act alone he turned Prior from a failing diocesan school into a thriving but left no family. To his parents, wife and
boarding school. Prior figures only on the fringe of the biography, but in this respect brother we tender our very sincere sympathy.
it is a blessing that Dr Mercer opted for Brownlow rather than the probably more
distinguished Baines, Clifford or Iron George Errington.
Published by the Downside Abbey Press at £30, the book is an engrossing work
of pure scholarship with excellent illustrations. William Brownlow and his more
leisurely but challenging age come back to life. Without his intervention Prior
might well have failed to survive. Dr Mercer has now ensured that the role of For the booklet on alumni who died in WW2,
Bishop Brownlow will survive also. go to www.priorparkalumni.com/publications
We will be adding more material to the online digital archive this autumn.
To sign up, go to priorparkcollege-heritage.daisy.websds.net. If you would like to make a financial contribution
to the digitisation of more material contact Carole Laverick at ppa@thepriorfoundation.com
10 www.priorparkalumni.com The Gossip Bowl 11
Staff Farewells Former staff
- Rory Fox reports that, having started in 2015,
he and his colleagues in Edlumino Education
Aid provided education to refugee children in
Calais and Dunkirk. In 2016, they moved to
Dusting off the clubs No regrets
support children in Greece. They are currently
setting up in Kurdistan. They combine the
teaching of children with the training of
local teachers, so that they can try to bring
about a long-term sustainable improvement
to the educational situation in the country.
Deputy head Vaughan
Vaughan thinks that, as well as the obvious Tom Simons has been a hugely valued that “Tom is the best negotiator I have
Visit www.edlumino.org for more details.
challenge of transitioning to a day-only - Having been a visiting colleague and we will all miss him, writes ever seen”. In short, Tom is respected, liked
Jelley has retired after school, Cricklade, even though it is a prep
rather than secondary school, has to play
professor at University
College London since
James Murphy-O’Connor. and seen as a man of integrity and gravitas.
He has had a significant career at
34 years at Cricklade 2009, Gerard Kilroy Tom has been a long-standing member of
its part in equipping the new generation for PPC, marked by exemplary service and
(pictured right) has now PPC with 26 years of service, 17 of those
adult life. commitment. He has made a profound
and a total of 43 “Too many students are pessimistic rather
been appointed a professor
in the department of
as academic deputy head. Born in 1960,
his ancestors were Polish immigrants who
difference to the students and to the lives
years in education. English philology in the of his colleagues. He has experienced times
than optimistic, because of the uncertain moved to the UK at the turn of the 20th
Jesuit University Krakow and made a senior of great sadness with the loss of his wife
future they face regarding employment, research fellow at Campion Hall, Oxford. His Century. They brought with them the desire
and his son Joseph (2012) but he would be
pensions and particularly housing,” he says. third book, a biography of the Jesuit martyr, to work and to contribute, and plenty of
He jokes that, since he first went to school “Some will have careers but a lot don’t know the first to say that the strength of our PPC
Edmund Campion: A Scholarly Life, will soon strong Eastern European intellect. Tom’s
at the age of five, he has actually never what they are going to go into or how long be in paperback published by Routledge. community has helped him through the
father was a professor at Oxford and his
left. He started at Cricklade as head of they’ll be in it.” - David Wood saw his daughter get married dark days.
brother is a professor at Cambridge.
geography in September 1983, along with at College last August.
- Below, Thomas Hansen and his wife Mary
the first five girls as the school became The best thing about his time at Cricklade, he Tom grew up in the Midlands,
visited last summer. Tom now teaches at St.
co-ed. This was only his second teaching says, was “being part of a caring community, Croix, a private Lutheran school in the twin
attended Warwick School, studied
position, following nine years at a boys’ prep being able to work with inspirational students cities (Minneapolis-St.Paul). He visited former
at Birmingham, took a PGCE at
school in Worcestershire. (they keep you young and motivated) and deputy head Wilf Hammond and stayed with Loughborough and took a further
Vaughan Jelley
see their personalities develop, and the Denis and Jennie Clarke in Bath. He cruised first-class honours at the Open
“My expectation was that this would be a reward of gratitude from all the staff (of all back home on the Queen Mary. University.
step in my career. After three years I was ages and times of career) that I have been
appointed deputy head and then, after seven able to mentor, support and see develop.” He served first at King Edward’s
Bath, followed by five years at
Departing staff
or eight more years, I did apply for some
headships.” Family commitments, however, Peak experiences have included the great Abingdon. At both schools he
meant he had to stay close to Swindon. rugby sevens tournament wins in the 1980s taught maths, ran ‘Ten Tors’, took
and 1990s (National Champions at Rosslyn - Joanne Devine (nee Edgell) is leaving teams in cricket, golf, football and
What has changed most over the years? Park in 1991), the cricket tour to Hong Kong College, having accepted a position as
rugby and set up computer systems.
housemistress at Wycombe Abbey.
“The school resources are vastly superior to and Australia in 1990 and the mixed sports Having joined Prior in September 2009 At Abingdon, he was also the master
the 1980s and the whole approach is more tour of South Africa in 2004. But, a keen as a music teacher, Jo assumed the role of - Below, Peggy Mahon visited College with in charge of stationery!
professional,” he says. cricket fan, his favourite memories are of the housemistress of St Mary’s in September her daughter Eileen in October 2016. Peggy
2011. She married Dominic Devine (teacher was one of Prior’s many Irish maids. She In 1991 he arrived at PPC as head
cricket tours of Barbados in 2006, 2009 and
“In education in general, however, there is 2012. As to the worst experiences, he claims of history at PPC). They have a beautiful arrived in 1953 at the tender age of 17 with of maths. He came with his wife
now far too much paperwork. Staff have far to have blocked them from his memory, but daughter, Ella, and they will all be greatly her two sisters. In the course of an hilarious Brenda and young son Robbie. Two Tom Simons with James Murphy-O’Connor
missed by the school community. tour of College, Peggy emphatically denied the further children were to come along,
less time to sit and talk with pupils during then notes that many parents today have
- Mark Pearce, headmaster of Cricklade, rumour that there was ever any fraternisation
break times: everyone has to input on their unrealistic expectations of their offspring and Joseph (2012) and Laura (2017).
left at the end of the summer term to work between the maids and the boys. He wrote in an appraisal a few years ago
laptops or answer emails. This has eroded blame teachers when their children fall short. in Dubai. At Prior, Tom set about rebuilding the “I always thought that I would move on from
pastoral care. We just don’t get to spend time That is one of the things he will not miss. - Patricia Vowles, teacher of modern
maths department whilst also holding Prior but the opportunities kept coming
with the children: sitting on a bench watching languages, retired this summer.
- Naomi Gay, who has been head of
down the position of second master with thick and fast…so I stayed to serve the
them play, or joining in.” The plan now is to have a two-month
girls’ hockey since 2015, is off to work at responsibility for the timetable, rooming, community…and I have no regrets”. Well,
holiday in Australia (“my tickets for the first
“On the other hand,” he adds, “much of the two days of the Brisbane test have already the British School of Bahrain starting this reports and special projects. By 2000, he neither do we. Denis Clarke, a long-time
September. was deputy head academic. colleague and friend, once told me that
education is better now. Pupils do not waste arrived and I’m hoping to take in some of the
- Elizabeth Hjelm left this summer to go to
time laboriously copying notes. The emphasis third test in Perth as well”) and re-locate to Tom is a man of many talents and interests, Tom is “just a thoroughly good person”.
Corsham School.
is on the acquisition of skills – including the Devon. But he is not severing his ties with - Cath Giles, teacher of English as additional including golf, hiking, camping, swimming, No one could say it any better.
soft skills of communication and teamwork. education completely. He will continue to language, leaves this summer for new cycling, computing, house renovations and
- Jeremy Goulding, his wife, son and We wish Tom, Fiona, Robbie and Laura
Sports coaching has hugely improved. adventures.
work as a lead (reporting) inspector for the - Vicki McConaghie, who has been in
daughter-in-law toured the Mansion and gardening. To the staff here he is known every success in the future.
Chapel in July 2016. to be reliable, approachable, professional,
“In the 1980s the school invested time and Independent Schools Inspectorate. the college geography department for five
- Steve Capon has a new job at King Henry
effort in a handful of outstanding athletes. “The diary for 2018 is nice and empty at the years and who has thrown herself fully into hard-working and wise.
VIII College, Cyberjaya, Malaysia. It’s a new
These days, all pupils reap the benefits of moment but I am sure there will be a number the Prior life with CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, Alumni wishing to contact Vaughan
school, opening in September 2018 and is a He is an excellent listener, superb creative
quality coaching; all represent the school in of projects to keep me busy,” he says. “And
New York Trip organiser etc, is leaving to
sister school of Christ’s College, Brecon, which Jelley or Tom Simons should
get married and start a new life with her thinker, solution-seeker and innovator. email Carole Laverick at
teams; and all have access to the marvellous I am looking forward to dusting off the golf was founded in 1541. Like its Welsh sibling,
husband in Nottingham.
it will be a co-educational boarding and day He is also a brilliant interviewer. One ppa@thepriorfoundation.com
facilities. The emphasis is on inclusion.” clubs.” headmaster noted (and I would agree)
school with pupils from 7-18 years of age.
12 www.priorparkalumni.com The Gossip Bowl 13
People Mental health
fundraiser
Documenting development International co-operation FOOD
Adam Dearling (2014)
In June, Adam undertook a challenge for
Rachael Canter (2001) the charity PAPYRUS in memory of one Geoff Cardozo (1968)
of his closest childhood friends, Brodie FLASHBACKS
Eaton.
move, so the men had migrated to
work in brick-making fields, leaving the “Brodie was and will always be remembered I rather looked forward to the
women and children behind. “We saw as one of the kindest and most fun-loving porridge with added golden
women wading, waist-deep through souls ever to walk this earth,” wrote Adam. syrup.
filthy water everyday carrying their “But on Friday 11 November 2016 he took Martin Fowler (1983)
children on their shoulders to take them his own life.”
to a makeshift school on higher land,” PAPYRUS seeks to provide support, raise Sunday dinners were terrible,
Rachael told us. awareness, and campaign on the leading so I took five or six orders,
“They were forced to tie their babies and cause of death among young people in sneaked out of St Paul’s and
toddlers into bed at night to prevent Britain today. Adam divided the money he jogged down town to the
them from falling out into the water raised between PAPYRUS and Brodie’s Bike Chinese take-away - a round
below.” Project at the University of West Scotland. trip of an hour. Word soon
got out and orders grew to
Rachael and her team lived in the village Adam rode from the University of West
15 or 20. I had to book a taxi
while filming the episode, which also saw Scotland (Brodie’s university) to the
for the round trip. The driver
members of the national cricket team - University of Bath (Adam’s university)
would drop me at the lower
Rachel Canter and family superstars in Bangladesh - working and from there to Luxembourg, the place
gate. I was negotiating the
alongside the community to build a series where they both grew up and where they
steep bank up to St Paul’s
of bamboo bridges and a large communal first met 16 years ago. Adam completed
Rachael Canter fish pond. the challenge within the target of ten days.
one evening only to find Dr
Walsh, our fantastic house
has not chosen the Geoff left London and his work with Veterans Aid
At the end, he met with Brodie’s father in
The already hard life in Bangladesh was master, looking down at me.
Luxembourg. Adam admits that planning
made considerably harder following a The following Sunday, he
easiest path in life. terrorist explosion last year.
the journey had been as much a way of
coping with the loss of his best friend as it
a couple of years ago to become the Paris-based accompanied me to dinner
and agreed the Chinese
“Twenty-two people were murdered in an was an appeal to stop the stigma and raise boss of the Franco-British Foundation (FFBS). takeaway was the better
Rachael leads an all-Cambodian attack claimed by IS,” Rachael explained. awareness of such tragic events.
option.
production team currently making “It was in a restaurant that we went to
“Life’s crap sometimes,” noted Adam. With a turnover of £26million, the foundation Argentina last year to visit the soldiers’ families. Adewale Onabanjo (1984)
a reality TV series to help young frequently. It had a huge impact on our
“Mental health is complicated, and I would employs 300 qualified staff to look after He described it as “a low profile affair, just to
Cambodians, particularly women, lives. Our movements were heavily
be here forever if I was just trying to list 800 people with various disabilities in eleven reassure their parents and families, particularly, The first Friday: stew and
improve their chances of gaining restricted because of increased security.
every way it can manifest itself so I won’t. training/care centres. but also those who had survived the conflict, some awful rice pudding with
employment (think The Apprentice
Instead I’ll just say don’t leave it, talk to
meets Dragon’s Den for a Cambodian “Our daughter Sylvie could no longer go Its aim is to help psychologically and
that Britain at the time had looked after their jam. The saved money went to
to nursery and it wasn’t safe to travel someone (close or who you’ve never met, boys properly”. feed the starving.
audience). physically challenged youngsters through their
anywhere on foot. It’s been such a sad whichever works) and you’ll feel better for it,
apprenticeships and into gainful employment. His trip has given impetus to a plan of the Martin Pike (1986)
Executive producer for the international time for the country and for all of the or at least figure out where to start. There’s
development charity of the BBC, Rachael local friends we made there.” The move nothing wrong with struggling or needing International Committee of the Red Cross
Some - the more serious cases - will remain in
moved with her husband James and to Cambodia came as something of a (ICRC) to identify all the Argentine soldiers Boiled mince replete with little
help. It’s leaving it that’s the problem.” care permanently, working in the foundation’s
their two-year-old daughter, Sylvie, to relief. buried in the Falklands. bone fragments, served with
workshops and its food-packaging, laundry, and
Cambodia last year. lumpy mashed potato three
horticultural/landscaping training hubs. He has also been asked to help out the ICRC in
“It’s a really exciting time in Cambodia Adam Dearling and Brodie Eaton days in a row. It was “food”
Before that they were in Bangladesh, right now because we’re just about to Geneva when they run their “Management of
Founded in Knightsbridge during WW1, the but it was seriously revolting.
where she spent 18 months producing go into production of the new show,” she casualties in Armed Conflicts and Catastrophes”
foundation has a board drawn from both sides Christopher James
a TV show and digital content that said. programme, briefing international teams on
of the Channel, thereby providing an example, Coelho (1986)
looked at the effects of climate change aspects to be considered post-earthquake,
at a particularly stressful time between the UK
and encouraged communities to work “By far the most rewarding part of my and its European partners, of Franco-British co-
tsunami, natural disasters and conflicts.
job is spending time travelling around Sunday dinner was always
together to find solutions. operation at the human level. Multi-lingual Geoff, a former defence attaché
these extraordinary countries, meeting terrible. Didn’t matter what
One of the programmes focused on a remarkable people and hearing their in Paris and intelligence officer in Brussels, has was on the menu, nobody ate
Geoff, a retired Colonel who was awarded the
village that was completely flooded stories - and it’s great to be able to share moved to Tours to be closer to Paris and Geneva it. We did a roaring trade in
MBE for his work in planning and supervising
for up to nine months of the year. The these adventures with James and Sylvie for his work. He will keep his place in Brittany pizza and Chinese takeaway.
the burial of Argentine soldiers killed in
families living there were too poor to too.” for summer holidays.
the Falklands war, took a brief sabbatical in Andrew Clinick (1986)
14 www.priorparkalumni.com The Gossip Bowl 15
People Headmaster’s Academic Society
Catalytic capital Lampreys are a good sign FOOD
Christine “Tine” Ward (1985) cabbage. Years of painstaking
eradication, much of it by hand, has FLASHBACKS
brought the problem more or less
The organisation works in Pakistan, South surprises - the answer was most definitely
under control. Even more successful Kippers and grapefruit for
Africa, Sri Lanka, Chad, Sudan and Haiti. no: I was not in my integrity and I didn’t really
has been the elimination of rats on breakfast. I couldn’t bear
Asked what she gained most from her time know why yet.”
the island, leading to a ten-fold either. I used to trade for
at Prior, she said “the moral obligation to live
When she got home she realized that increase in the bird population.
a life with purpose.” cereal or porridge.
integrity was all that mattered.
“Globally there are about 8.7 million Darren Crawford (1988)
Working with the Duchess of York (“Fergie”),
“No matter how much aid was being delivered, species,” Max told his audience.
she spent time in Bosnian refugee camps
or how many people were being helped, “Many are not yet categorized. Some I reckon I survived on tuck
with children “whose parents had been
money raised, good I was supposedly doing, are becoming extinct even before shop chocolate.
murdered in front of them”.
if I wasn’t being true to myself and my they are properly identified.”
Zuzka Herrero (1989)
“Over the years I’ve been to many camps, held purpose in my life, none of it would matter
The UK ranks a lowly 189 out of
the hands of women whose children had in the end.”
218 nations in the bio-diversity Pot Noodles from the Chinese
died and yet they still had the resilience that
This, she told her audience, “is where true lists. 50% of our native species and steak and kidney pies
allowed them to smile at me and thank me for
happiness and fulfilment lies”. Lampreys are making a comeback have shown marked decline in from the little shop in the
coming. You know you cannot do everything
recent years and 15% are at risk village.
but certainly you can do something.” “In the absence of fear there is strength and
indeed there is gentleness. Strength and In February, Max Hemmings (2008) addressed of disappearing forever. Hunting, shooting, Dean Ammon (1989)
The “what to do” is the key. How do you the Headmaster’s Academic Society on the environmental pollution, urbanisation, changes
gentleness are one, and this came to me
Tine Ward discover your purpose? Tine went to New subject of conservation and the environment. in land use, climate change: these are all
in the symbol of Rockflower - a real flower In those snowy winters there
York in 1994 to start Chances for Children, contributing to the decline.
that grew out of a rock in my home in Pound Max described the different pathways into weren’t many trays left to
a not-for-profit that would assist children in
Tine recently addressed the Lower Sixth and Ridge NY.” careers in microbiology, ecology, genetics A big problem is agriculture, which occupies serve food on, as they made
America. Then came her first-born, Francesca,
held them spellbound. Her two messages and botany, and talked about the wide variety 75% of the UK land mass. This land is not great sledges down the valley.
followed by Lulu, Isabella and Rex. Sitting in a session of the Clinton Global
came across loud and clear. First, it will all Initiative - the only woman at a table of nine of specialisms on offer: from the study of retaining its nutrients and, in a constant effort Kristian Price (1990)
work out, even if not in the ways you expect. “Four children under six! I had my hands full, ancient woodlands; through focusing on to make agricultural production more efficient,
men – it came to her that she would start a
Second, you must be whole and at peace but the voice within was not quiet. I began individual species such as pine martens; to marginal habitats, like ponds and hedgerows, Giant Yorkshire puddings
fund for women and girls.
with yourself. “Are you in your integrity?” to realize how much more there was to issues associated with introduced species like are disappearing. filled with beans and sausages
she asked. do. I also saw how large-scale operations “I knew this would be my life’s work.” peacocks, which could not survive without or chilli!
The subsidies for farmers need to be reviewed
can sometimes be fraught with red tape, human intervention, and American mink, which
One of the second cohort of girls at Prior Rockflower addresses women’s inequality so as to reward them not just for owning land Sarah Rowland (1998)
bureaucracy and inefficiency. I really wanted survive all too well on their own.
and first-ever winner of the Rose Bowl through the “five keys”: education, financial but for farming in a way that preserves nature.
to find a better way, where targeted solutions
Award, Tine went on to study English at independence, access to water and food, “When fur coats went out of fashion,” Max The NFU and National Trust are struggling to At Cricklade, the time when
and radical idealism could be practically
Loughborough. She worked in the Royal peace and security, and health. She quoted noted, “animal rights activists released mink come to agreement about this. But not all the the cook and was replaced by
realized. But it would take a lot more work
Household, became executive director then Khalid Malik, lead author of the 2014 UNDP into the wild and that has caused destruction portents are bad, he added. the matron. She was very kind
and much more time.”
president of Chances for Children in New Human Development Report: “The closest to the ecosystem, notably to the population of but seemed to be on a quest
Lampreys - a good indicator of the quality of the
York, founded The Darfur Project, which has The solution, she eventually realized, was to to a silver bullet in human development is water voles.” to break the record for how
fresh water habitat - are making a comeback.
so far raised $17million for medical relief, have much more targeted and direct delivery educating women, and particularly mothers.” many recipes could involve
“
After Prior, Max studied biochemistry at Also, DDT usage was eventually stopped and,
and, in 2012, founded Rockflower. of aid on the ground. She then described “a sugar puffs!
Tine concluded by telling her audience to “be Leeds followed by a masters in biodiversity although it has taken decades, there has been a
life-changing experience”. Andrew Clinick (1986)
confident in where you are led, be gentle with and conservation. He is now working at marked recovery in the affected species.
I knew this would be
my life’s work
“ “I was in the back of a Toyota land cruiser, your fellow men and women” and “be in your
in 106-degree heat, having just landed in integrity”.
a small plane deep inside the conflict zone
on the Chad/Darfur border. We had been
Mott MacDonald in Bristol, a job he found
via alumna Kath Thorne (2009). There
his task is “to offer advice to construction
projects on their environmental impact”. He
In conclusion, he
advised his listeners
to volunteer for
Flat croissants, served with
maple syrup, and eaten with
a knife and fork. Very weird.
conservation groups,
under rocket fire from the ground. I closed my cited the environmental damage done by Nicola Munro (2002)
sign campaigns to
eyes and started to pray. I heard a loud voice the rhododendron. He quoted the example
preserve wildlife, take
Rockflower connects global capital to in my right ear, “Are you in your integrity?” of Lundy Island, to which the rhododendron I remember the weekly curries.
a gap year working
community-based social enterprises and I looked at the driver and the colleague next was introduced in the 19th Century as an It’s only now that I’ve had
on environmental
relief projects, including water and sanitation to me, checking to see if they had spoken. ornamental plant. proper curry that I realise how
projects and keep
programmes, public health initiatives, They had not. The voice was coming from bad they actually were.
www.rockflower.org It quickly took over the east side of the island up to date with
housing, education and humanitarian relief. the deep recesses of my soul. And so - no Max Hemmings
and threatened to eliminate the rare Lundy environmental news. Amina Jane Ishaq (2003)
16 www.priorparkalumni.com The Gossip Bowl 17
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