Newsletter of the Old Newportonian Society December 2012

Please click here to download printable newsletter December 2012 (pdf)

President 2012/2013 Geoff White [1961-69]
Honorary Life Vice-Presidents Fred Thompson [1937-75]; Eric Este I.S.O. [1933-39]
Keith Huddlestone [1964-02]; Eric Gentry [1944-50]
All correspondence to:
The Hon. Secretary Mr. C.K.Huddlestone
Newport Free Grammar School
Newport, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3TR
Telephone: 01799 540237 Fax: 01799 542189
Email: admin@nfgs.org.uk
________________________________________________________________________________

This Year’s President: Geoff White [1961-1969]
Geoff White who is the twin brother of Malcolm White [1961 to 1968- President 97/98] entered the school in 1961 from All Saints Primary School in Bishop’s Stortford.  After leaving Newport he became a Chartered Surveyor and pursued a career in Estate Agency and Surveying.  He writes the following about himself.

At the time I passed my 11-Plus I lived in Bishops Stortford, and Newport, although in Essex, was effectively Bishops Stortford’s Grammar School. Unlike today, there was little or no introduction to the new Grammar School, and we had no visits to the school or any contact with our new form teachers. Through the older brother of one of my school friends I had heard stories of “Jim”, “ Harry” and of course “Spud”, but apart from that , and driving past the school I knew nothing of what I was about to get into.
I can remember that first day vividly, the long crocodile walk down from the station in our new blazers and caps, and then being told to line up in front of what is now A Block, before our surnames (no longer first names as was the case at my Primary School!) were called out and we were escorted to our new classrooms. Our form teacher was to be a Mr Saggers and I was relieved to see that unlike some other teachers he was not wearing a gown or mortar board and actually smiled.
Shortly afterwards we had to parade to the school hall for the years first assembly. I was aware that the school had a new Headmaster, Dr Elcoat, and in retrospect he clearly intended to make his position very clear to all of the school. To a very nervous 11 year-old however his opening speech appeared to be directed at all of us new boys and I resolved (unsuccessfully!) not to have to pay a visit to his study whilst I was at the school.
The rest of that first day passed in a whirl of new timetables, lessons and finding our way around, but quickly it all passed into a routine, and life settled down.  We got to know our teachers, the buildings and the Rider and were absorbed into the Newport “family”. I use that last phrase as in those days the school was considerably smaller than it is now, and it was possible to feel that you were part of a larger group with a common purpose.  Even now some 44 years later my closest group of friends were first met at Newport
The teaching staff had a permanence which now days would seem unusual, as greater opportunities are available for teachers to move on. Fortunately we were served by some exceptional individuals, many of whom left lasting impressions. Alan Saggers and Ken Yates were doubtless well aware of my lack of any serious sporting talent, but encouraged my efforts and instilled a lifelong enjoyment of sport. For many years after I left school I would regularly bump into Ken at local football matches where he was held in affection by a generation of footballers.  Most of my predecessors have written of H W F (Spud) Taylor, and I was pleased that on my last day at school, he sought me out to say “Boy.. I know you’re no good at Cricket, but you love the game so I’m going to nominate you for membership of the ON’s” a non-sequiter that I still don’t understand!
When I left Newport in July 1969, I had no clear idea as to what I wanted to do. I had applied to read physics at University, but in spite of Keith Huddlestones best efforts it was plain that my E grade was not going to be good enough. I knew I did not want to sit in an office all day, and that my practical skills (senior bodger at Alex Selby’s woodwork club not withstanding) precluded any manual vocation.
My mother at that time worked part time for an estate agent, and suggested that this might be a route I could pursue, and so with no great enthusiasm I applied to several companies, and received an invitation to an interview with a Cambridge firm. The interview did not go well, I was offered a position, but…..“as you will be no use to me for at least 6 months I won’t be able to pay you a salary”!
I declined, and obviously made my views clear as I shortly afterwards received a phone call to say that he would pay me £5 a week as I had not been afraid to tell him in forthright, but polite terms  my views on working for nothing!
In those days Estate agency encompassed more than just selling houses. The company I worked for carried out Auctions, surveys, commercial, residential and farm management, and valuation work, and I was able to get a good grounding in all of these elements. After I had been there for a couple of years and started to gain an understanding of the business, I was encouraged to obtain a professional qualification by taking the exams of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. I undertook this through a combination of correspondence courses and evening classes and was grateful that the advice and help I had received at Newport meant that I could use a systematic approach to preparing and eventually passing these exams.
My professional career thereafter moved from Estate agency via auctioneering to surveying which I have been practicing for the last 20 years, as I slowly move towards retirement. 
Looking back what have I gained from those years at Newport?  Certainly a sound education, but perhaps more importantly an independence of spirit, nurtured by the example of a varied and eclectic mix of teachers, steered by an exceptional head. It would be too easy to talk about the “good old days”, but equally that should not blind us to the lucky circumstances in which we found ourselves. It is for this reason that I was so pleased to be asked to become President of the Old Newportonian Society this year and I would encourage you all to support the the Society and the School by trying to attend at least one of the events scheduled below during the coming year.

Geoff White  
President  2012-13

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
1. Friday 15th February 2013:  20.00 onwards; Gathering of ONs at the Coach and Horses, Newport
The committee hope that all ONs who are in the Newport/Saffron Walden area on the evening of 15th February 2013 will make every effort to come to the Coach and Horses for this annual gathering.  This event has now been taking place for over 30 years and is always a thoroughly enjoyable occasion.  It is always held on a Friday in February as close as possible to Foundress Day which is the 20th February [the date of Dame Joyce Frankland’s will].  Please try to attend at some time during the evening and support the President, Geoff White.  

2. Sunday 24th February 2013:  Church Service at Newport Church to Commemorate Foundress Day
This will be the fourth such service to be held at St. Mary’s Church, Newport to commemorate Foundress Day.  The previous  services have been a great success and very well supported by Old Newportonians.
As usual the service will be part of the Newport Parish Church’s normal 10.00am service of Morning Worship.  Malcolm White [61-68], twin brother of the President, Geoff White will give the address. This service is being advertised to everyone connected with the School [Pupils, Parents, Staff, Governors as well as Members of the Society]. There will be some refreshments after the service. The Vicar of Newport, the Rev. Neil Macleod and the PCC are very much in favour of this service and of supporting links between the School and St. Mary’s Church so the committee hope that as many members of the Society who are able to attend will do so.  It will only be a success provided that members of the Society come in good numbers to support it. Please make a note of the date and do try to attend.   

2. Saturday 27th April 2013:  Annual Football, Hockey & Cross Country Matches v the School 
As in previous years there will be two Hockey Matches.  The Woman's Hockey Match will start at 9.30am and the Men's Hockey Match will start about 10.45am. The Football Match will start at 10.15am and the Cross Country Match is at 11.00am.  If you wish to take part in any of these matches please email the ON Secretary [ckh1941@hotmail.com] or telephone the school [01799 540237] and leave a message.  As usual Di Reed will organise the ON Society Hockey Teams.  If you wish to play in any of the hockey matches please contact her by email [muffin51@ntlworld.com] or telephone her on 01799 502360.  This occasion has now become a major event in the Society’s and the School’s calendar.  Apart from the players many other ONs [as well as Parents of students who are playing for the school] also come along and support the matches. Refreshments will be served in the Club House [next to the pavilion] after the matches. 

3.  Sunday 7th July 2013: Annual Mixed Hockey and Cricket Matches against the School
The Mixed Hockey match will start at 11.30am and the Cricket Match at 2.00pm.  If you wish to take part in either or both of these matches please contact the ON Society secretary by email ckh@hotmail.com or by telephoning the school [01799 525275] and leaving a message.  Arranging for the mixed hockey match to be played in the morning and the cricket match in the afternoon makes it possible for ONs to take part in both matches if they so wish. Tea, to which everyone is invited, will be taken between the two innings of the cricket match at about 4.30pm in the Club House next to the Pavilion. Di Read will organise the ON Society Hockey team.  If you wish to play in the mixed hockey match, please contact Di Reed by email [muffin51@ntlworld.com], or by telephoning her on, 01799 502360.
The PE and Games Department at the School is very supportive of both the above events for which the Society is extremely grateful. 
Please make a note of the two above dates and try to support the occasions either by taking part in one of the ON Society teams or by being a spectator.
 
5.  Saturday 5th October 2013:  AGM at 6.00pm: Annual Dinner at 7.00 for 7.30pm.
Please make a note in your 2013 diary of these two most important events.  Further details will be given in the next newsletter which will be sent out in July 2013.   

REPORTS AND RESULTS
1.  Annual Mixed Hockey Match, Sunday 1st July 2012.  This match was played in an excellent spirit by both sides.  The school played very good hockey throughout the whole game and deservedly won by five goals to one.  The following [including substitutes] played for the ON Society:- R. Hollidge [96-03];
 M. Roberson [02-09]; P. Bray [03-10]; C. Williams [2000-07]; C. Whalich [99-06]; J. Whickham [04-11];
N. Evans [93-2000]; L. Chandler [01-08]; L. Ogilvie [05-12]; B. Taplin [03-10]; G. Toynton [[05-10];
K. Chandler [05-10]; N. Cox [04-11].

2. Annual Cricket Match, Sunday 1st July 2012.   As has been the case in the last few years this was a forty overs per side match.  A limited overs match always produces a result [unless the weather intervenes] and so makes for a much more interesting game.  This year was no exception.  The School won a thrilling match in the 39th over of their innings. The ONs batted first and made 197 for 6 in their 40 overs.  Billy Powell [02-09] scored a magnificent 106 before being run out.  Initially the school were well behind the run rate but a fifth wicket partnership of over 100 runs ensured a total of 201 for 4 after 39 overs.  The following played for the ON Society:  Alex Yeldham [04-11];  Andrew Yeldham [04-11]; Billy Powell [02-09]; Billy Philips [05-11]; Ben Barker [04-11]; Graeme Winn [Staff]; Nathan Williamson 2000-05]; Matt Gibson [Staff]; Josh Beaumont [04-11]; Keith Clarke [staff]; Jake Noble [04-11].

As the school won the mixed hockey match, the football match and the cricket match [all the other matches were tied] the school retain the Burgess Cup.

3. Golf Match between the Society and the Saffron Walden Golf Club: Friday 21st September 2012
Unfortunately this match did not take place because the ONs were not able to get a team together
 
 
4. AGM:  Saturday 6th October 2012 at 6.00pm 
This took place at the school and was attended by 25 members of the Society.   Minutes of the 2011 AGM and the secretary’s report for 2011/12 were distributed shortly before the meeting. A statement of the audited accounts for 2011/12 was also distributed to all those present.   The Treasurer, Graham Harding explained the salient points and informed the meeting that the statement of accounts clearly showed the Society’s finances to be in a very healthy position mainly due to the continued great success of the 100-Club.  Graham Harding then informed the meeting that due to personal commitments he would not be able to continue as Treasurer of the Society. The meeting expressed its sincere thanks to Graham Harding for all the work he had done as Treasurer over the last 6 years.  Graham Harding thanked everyone present for their kind words and said that he would continue to support the Society as best he could in the future.
The following elections were made for 2012/13:
President:  Geoff White [1962-66]; Treasurer:  Chris Szaj [64-70]; Secretary:  Keith Huddlestone [64-02] Assistant. Secretaries:  Di Reed [69-2012] and Rick Reynolds [1993-2011];  Committee Members:  David Morris[61-68]  Matt Gibson[Acting Head]; Lee Gamble [2005-]; Ian Tweed [1961-68]; Martin Szaj [1963-68];  John Dudley [61-18]; Simon Price-Whittle [62-66]; President Designate; Martin Tomlinson [64-68];
Auditor Richard King [70-77].  
Having served for five years consecutively on the committee Kevin Dalley [53-60] and Roger Bedford [58-65] were not eligible for re-election.  The meeting thanked them both for all their efforts as committee members over the last five years.  Roger Bedford said he would be happy to continue on the committee as a co-opted member if the new committee so wished. Accordingly under Any Other Business Keith Huddlestone proposed and David Morris seconded the motion that Roger Bedford be co-opted onto the 2012/13 committee.  This proposition was passed unanimously.

3.  Annual Dinner:  Saturday 6th October 2012
This was held in the main School Hall.  74 people attended. There were a number of ONs who were attending for the first time.  The Head Boy, Ashley Layer proposed the toast to the Pious Memory of Dame Joyce Frankland.  David Morris [61-68] proposed the toast to the School. In his reply to this toast the Acting Headmaster, Matt Gibson gave details of the school’s GCSE and A Level results in 2012 which were very good. He also outlined the wide variety of extra-curricular activities in which a great many pupils are involved. The Head Girl, Lucy Oliva, gave a very good and confident speech in proposing the toast to the Society to which the President, Simon Price-Whittle gave an entertaining reply.  There was a short musical item provided by two of the Sixth Form Students.
During the dinner a presentation was made to Di Reed [1969-20012] by the outgoing President Simon Price-Whittle.  Di Reed came to work at the school as an assistant laboratory technician in the Physics Department in September 1969.  In 1980 she was promoted to Senior Laboratory Technician for the whole of the Science Department a position she held until her retirement in August this year [2012].  She has been a member of the Society for over 25 years.  She became a member of the committee in 1995 was President in 2000/01.  She has been a member of the committee as an Assistant Secretary since 2002. She has been the driving force behind all the ONs v School Hockey matches of which there are now three [men’s match; women’s match and mixed match].  Di Reed worked very hard to get the all-women’s hockey match up and running and this is now a permanent fixture on the ONs v School sporting calendar.  She has been very much involved with all aspects of hockey at the school for the last 20 years.  She has also been very much involved with helping to run the ON Society during that time.  The committee agreed that to mark her retirement after 43 years at the school members of the ON Society should be asked to contribute towards a retirement present for her. This request for contributions was made in the July newsletter and many ONs did respond generously to the request.  It was ascertained that Di Reed wanted a iPod Touch with a loudspeaker docking station and so this was purchased and presented to her at the Annual Dinner together with a cheque and a large bouquet.  Di Reed was overwhelmed by this presentation and thanked everyone for contributing to such a lovely retirement present.  Di Reed is thoroughly enjoying her retirement. She will continue as Assistant Secretary to the ON Society and continue to organise the ON Society hockey teams.

4. The Old Newportonian Society 100-Club:  As reported in the July newsletter, 2012 has been another highly successful year for the 100-Club.   226 membership tickets were sold which is a record.  The committee are most grateful to all ONs who support the 100-Club which enables the Society to support the School in a number of different ways as well as ensuring that all the necessary administration costs are covered. One example of financial support for a school project was contributing to the charitable aspect of Newport’s trip to Nepal.  18 months of planning saw 22 students and 3 members of staff head to Nepal on 12th July with 2 groups of the students undertaking their gold Duke of Edinburgh scheme expeditions while they were there. The charitable aspect involved raising funds to refurbish an isolated village school in Katmandu.  The students who went out to Nepal were very much engaged in helping with this refurbishment spending their time building a boundary fence around the school’s land and working alongside the villages in the paddy fields.  Overall everyone concerned agreed that the 17 day trip had been a very great success.
Current membership of the 100-Club will end on 31st January 2013.  The committee very much hope that all those who purchased tickets this year will renew their membership in 2013.  The cost of one ticket is £12 and there is no limit to the number membership tickets anyone can purchase.  If you wish to join as a new member then please complete the pro-forma on page 7 and send it with your cheque to the ON Society Secretary at the School. Please make cheques payable to the ON Society 100-Club.  The closing date for entry into the first draw of the New Year is 28th February 2013. Those ONs who are already members of the 100-Club will, as usual receive a separate invitation by post to renew their existing membership.

100 Club Winners since the last Newsletter

New Members since the last Newsletter
The following have been elected to the Society:-  Katherine Clark; Molly Curran; Natalie Chandler; James Truett; Padraig Curran; Matthew Patmore; Reece McCabe; Jessica Burlinson; Benjamin White; Joe McNally; Sam Higginson; Sean Smith; Ben Burgess; Benjamin Baxter; Benjamin Stiles; Miles Hornsby [all 2005-12]; Heather Smith [2004-12]; Elen Wood [2010-12]; India Fiala [2006-12];  Martin Willcocks [53-57]; Peter Mayes [1966-73]; Mike Jackson [1960-65]; George Toynton [2006-11]

Deaths
The following death has been reported to the secretary since the last newsletter: L. Revell [42-46]
Leslie Revell died on 15th August 2012.  He entered the school in 1942 from Langley.  He took his School Certificate Exams in 1946.  At the time of his retirement he was the Area Distributor for Kleeneze.

New Head Teacher Appointed
Following the resignation of Mr Sean O’Hagan [effective from 31st August 2012] the Governors have appointed Mr Gordon Farquhar as the new Head Teacher.  Mr Farquhar, who is married with a young daughter, is currently Vice-Principal of the Grace Academy in Solihull.  It is hoped that Mr Farquhar will be able to take up his office at the beginning of the Summer Term 2013.  Mr Matt Gibson, one of the Deputy Heads at the school is currently the Acting Head Teacher. 

E Mail Addresses:
The secretary is most grateful to all those ONs [a considerable number] who have sent him their email address during the past few months. This means that we now have email addresses for just over 60% of the membership [about 1000].  However, it is certain there are ONs who still receive the newsletters by post but do now have an email address.  For those who have an email address but still receive the newsletters by post please send your email address to the school [admin@nfgs.org.uk] and ask for it be sent on to the ON Society Secretary.  As everyone must realise the more members who can be sent the newsletters by email the more financially beneficial it is to the Society, especially with the high cost of postage these days.  Please inform the Secretary if you change your email address and/or your postal address.  It is important for the secretary to have both an email address and a postal address.  If the email address fails then there is the postal address to fall back on. 

Application for membership to the O.N.Society 100-Club for 2012/13
The cost of annual membership is £12.00.  There are no restrictions on the number of tickets any member can hold.  Cheques should be made payable to the O.N.Society 100-Club. 

I wish to apply for [please print in words]_____________________ticket[s] for membership of the O.N.Society 100-Club.

I enclose a cheque for £______________

Name [Block Capitals]___________________________________________________________

Address [Block Capitals]_________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________Tel. No._____________________

Email Address__________________________________________________________________
 
 Please return the completed form with your cheque to the Secretary of the ON Society at the school
[Newport Free Grammar School, Newport, Saffron Walden, Essex   CB11 4AJ]