Old Wandsworthians Memorial Trust

News 2007

HRK Remembered

H. Raymond King was Headmaster at Wandsworth School from 1932 to 1963. He succeeded Dr H. Waite who had held the post since 1900. Two headmasters in 63 years suggests stability and a devotion to duty. To H. Raymond King duty, diligence and respect were extremely important. The son of a railwayman he attended King Edward VI School at East Retford; leaving at the age of eighteen to join the army and serve on the Western Front. He rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major and won the D.C.M, M.M and Croix de Guerre for bravery. In 1919 he went up to Cambridge and ended his time there at the University Training College for Teachers.

He had chosen his profession and after teaching at Westminster School and Portsmouth Grammar School he joined Scarborough High School as Headmaster where he developed and introduced the set system we all remember proudly from our days at Wandsworth. He entered the London County Council educational system as headmaster at Forest Hill in 1930 and accepted the post at Wandsworth two years later.

King was a visionary who not only introduced the tutorial system, diligence assessments, the Parents Association and a Careers Master, but was also instrumental in the building of the fives courts and swimming pool. He pioneered international student exchanges and the introduction of Technical Studies alongside the more academic grammar stream. King was a radical thinker and had a remarkable presence. He was at the forefront of Comprehensive Education and was appointed C.B.E. for his services as a teacher and innovative educationalist.

As a student at Wandsworth, I was somewhat in awe of his imposing stature but the over years, and as a teacher myself, I learned that his contribution was enormous on all fronts. It is with pride therefore that I can report that Geoffrey Risbridger, Headmaster of St Cecilia's School, has agreed to erect a fund in the name of H.R.K. and that the Trustees of the OW's Memorial Trust have agreed to a startup donation. Hopefully, the new fund will strengthen our future ties with both school and students. (Text is based on an article written by Horace Aubrey).

Presentation

On the 11th December 2007, Phil Hope the MP for Corby kindly presented a cheque on behalf of The Old Wandsworthians' Memorial Trust Fund to Jeffrey Risbridger (Headmaster) and William Dyson and Joanne Omidvaran of St Cecilia's School Sutherland Grove.

The donation will be used to initiate a fund in the name of H. Raymond King which will hopefully perpetuate the standards set by HRK throughout his lifetime.

On the social side Phil gave the group a guided tour of the House of Commons and the Lords, and explained what was meant by "in the bag" and why nervous MP's due to speak in the chamber ran their hand over the polished toe of Winston Churcill's statue before entering. He also explained why a deep red curtain had been hung around the balcony area of the Lords on the advent of the mini-skirt in the 1960's.

OW'S HALL OF FAME

Tony Watts - Wandsworth School 1949 - 1954

Born two years before WWII started. I spent the war years in Wandsworth. In between running to the shelters I watched German bombing raids, runaway barrage balloons, the sky alight with anti-aircraft shells, searchlights and incendiaries and listened to the drone of doodle bugs and to Lord Haw-Haw (on our accumulator powered radio) explaining that the factories at the end of our street were going to be bombed tomorrow. My hobbies at this time were collecting hot shrapnel, exploring bombed out buildings and training to be a hooligan. I also experienced life in the shelters when a V1 exploded 200 yards from where we lived and when the first V2 exploded a mile away in Summerstown.

Once peace arrived I saw my first bananas and oranges and ended my primary schooling by getting a scholarship to Wandsworth GS. At the interview with HRK I met Barrie Smith and Peter Pierce and we went through school together in the same forms and sets throughout, competing to be top of the class, going to dance lessons at Arthur Road and trying to get uppers in sports. The three of us eventually played for the first XV together and got our first introduction to the Old Boys. Pete and I both left at the end of the fifth year and continued our education through day release schemes. Barrie stayed on for two more years and I think he eventually got into the 6th Form. Peter and I started playing for the OWRFC when we were demobbed from Wandsworth School, and as we were only working for peanuts I had to cycle from Tooting and Wandsworth to the White Heart at Kingston, play for the extra 'A' and cycle home again. I became a keen cyclist and most Sundays throughout the year would pedal off with the Circle Racing Club to Brighton, Littlehampton, Portsmouth and other coastal towns. I also played right back for Armoury Way FC. All this led to clashes of interest and one weekend I played rugby on Saturday, rode in a 30 mile time trial over the Hogs Back course in the early morning on the Sunday and a football cup final in the afternoon.

However, the influence of the OW fraternity pulled me away from such diversions and under the tutelage of Bob Hammond, Derek Finch, Tom Boucher, Murray Deards and Fullers Ale I immersed myself in the OWs. Rugby and table tennis in the winter and rugby netball and cricket in the summer. Then came the momentous decision to buy the ground at Claygate in 1957 and for most OW’s the ground became our way of life, a community and a second home and still provides great memories; including begging and borrowing materials to build the clubhouse and refurbishing a BMW petrol driven generator in Jimmy Lyon's shed in Twilley Street. The generator had been the standby generator on the roof of the Lancaster Hotel in Bayswater throughout the war and rebuilding it took Peter Shillingford, Reg and Ted Sparkes and me many evenings, over six long winter months and it was a sight to behold when after so much effort and hard work we manage to get it to light up a 50 watt bulb. The generator went on to light and heat the clubhouse for some years and added much to the evenings when it would put us all in the dark. Building the clubhouse was rewarding and cemented lifelong friendships through our combined efforts - digging the septic tank, drainage and footings, erecting the second hand building, carpentry, laying concrete slabs, laying the cricket square, mowing and rolling were all par for the course. Great characters and families - the Muntons, Dickers, Haywoods, Finches, Bouchers, Hammonds, Forresters, Normans, Macleans and more all working towards a common goal.

Then in 1958 everthing we had worked for came to fruition the ground was officially opened in the presence of the assembled dignatories which included HRK. By this time I was vice captain of the club under Tom Boucher and in 1959 became club captain. Our efforts in building the clubhouse were matched by our team efforts on the playing field. The OWRFC became very successful and at one stage fielded six teams each week. The first XV lost very few games in the years through to 1966 and claimed the scalps of many of the leading London Old Boy Teams of the day - Surbitonians, Wimbledonians, Barking Park, Reigatians, Raynes Park, Hertfordians, Bec etc. We ran our own sevens competition with teams from all around taking part and won the first tournament by defeating Bec Old Boys in the final - I scored the winning try!

The 1960s were golden years for old boys sides around the country and during that time our 1st XV had some great matches and our teams were a blend of experience, youth and toughness; playing hard and for the most part training hard. During this period I played for the 1st XV mostly at open side wing forward by preference although I often played centre when called upon. In my best season I scored 22 tries - when a try was 3 points. The club regularly fielded a Sunday XV with many of us playing two games over the weekend. Sunday rugby was much more enjoyable - not taking penalty kicks at goal and throwing the balls around in the 25 - not worrying if we lost - he lied.

In 1965 I moved to Birmingham to read for a MSc and while I was there I played for one of the Mosley teams. When I returned to London I again played for the 1st XV and then skippered the A team. In 1971 I moved to Newbury and played for their 1st XV for a season and then the lower sides. In 1973 I tired of the travel involved in playing there and opted to travel from Newbury each week and once again play for the Old Boys in Ian Macleans' magnificent vets side. It was great to be back!

Eventually I retired from playing in my forties. I am currently custodian of OW photographic archive. My current website has a 150 or so photographs and in recent years I have scrounged more images from many OW's and I am tasked with putting them all on a new website and CDs to make them available to all OW's. It is a real privilege to have known and still be in contact with the OW's I have known since 1949 and to regularly meet up with them to rekindle memories and relive our youth.

Favourite stories: remaining unbeaten by county chess player Peter Eastwood since I checkmated him in the 1960s; Dick Moody and the coal scuttle and his broken leg; Bernard Munton and his lost teeth; feather plucking at the Webbington Country Club; Mickey Stemp and the Tank; and many more.

In The Footsteps of Old Wandsworthians

The steps to the old school figured in dozens of black and white photographs of the staff and prefects over several decades. They were the perfect backdrop and also simplified the need for a complex seating plan. Invariably the Head sat in the middle of the front row with senior staff to the right and left of him. The same was true for the prefects with the lower order struggling to be seen at the back or round the edges. Once the School had become a Comprehensive the stage was changed and a cast of hundreds were arranged somewhat akwardly outside the great hall.

The steps now lead up to the entrance of a number of luxury appartments. They are walled on both sides and stone slabs cover the old red bricks. Those of us who visited St Cecilia's on the 3rd of July, 2007 could not resist the final snap.

Choir boys enjoy "romantic" reunion!

44 ex-choir members gathered for their sixth reunion on Saturday 6th October 2007 at the now regular venue of St. Paul's Community Centre in Southfields. The evening was well under way, with everyone catching up with old friends and exchanging stories since they all last met, when suddenly the hall was plunged into darkness. Quick checks were made outside to see if it was a general cut, but alas, it was just us!

The caterers had everything prepared and were just about to start serving, but the major power failure in the hall suddenly stopped them in their tracks. Despite the disruption, everyone carried on chatting to each other as if nothing had happened, even if they had no idea who they were talking to in the darkness! It's amazing how, without light, your eyes magically begin to adjust to the unnatural surroundings.

The electricity board was quickly informed and thanks to Sam, the ever reliable and conscientious caretaker, making a couple of polite but persistent telephone calls to EDF Energy, normality was restored within about two hours. During that time, full advantage was taken of being in a church hall and hundreds of small, but very effective candles were lit and our "romantic" dinner got under way. Our caterers worked a miracle in the semi-darkness and managed to serve us all the hot meal as planned, without a hitch.

October 6th was of course the day that England's rugby team beat Australia and got through to the World Cup semi-finals. That afternoon result had us all focused on the evening match between New Zealand and France, the winners being our next opponents.

But there was even more interest in the outcome as our caterer, Mark Thompson, was from New Zealand and he had high hopes of stopping us reaching the final. But alas, his World Cup hopes came crashing down when the result came through that France had won! Fortunately, the meal had been served by the time New Zealand had lost, so it was too late to take it out on the English supporters by depriving them of their dinner!

During the notices and announcements, thanks were again expressed to the Trustees of the Old Wandsworthians' Memorial Trust for their continued support, and for the grant that we receive. The evening was a great success and everyone is now looking forward to the next reunion, which has already been booked for Saturday 4th October 2008.

Those Present: Iain Coombes, Graham Day, Wilf Finbow, David Gibson, Ron Hollis, John Jewkes,Trevor Johnson,Brian Johnston, Chris Jolly, Chris Lacey, John Lally, Martin Lince, Mary Lince, Peter Love, Pat Morgan, John Munden, Michael Nicholls, Barry O'Shea, Mark Painter, Anne Painter, Geoff Park, Graham Preston, Ray Pritchard, Pat Read, Nelson Robetts, Brian Sawyer, Fred Shaub, Andy Smetham, Rob Smith, Nigel Spearing, Mark Stevens, Paul Stevens, Phil Stoneham, Ken Taylor, Adrian Thompson, Judy Thampson, George Willis, Alan Woods, Ian York.

Wandsworthians RFC 2007-2008

We're working hard both on the field and off it to build the club and keep it going. And we'd like to say firstly how much we appreciate your support in that regard - come on the Dubs!

Committee Election & Activity

Following the successful introduction of an annual planning process last season, the new committee has agreed a new Development Plan for the 2007/8 season setting out our goals, budget and planned activity to achieve these goals. Copies of the plan are available to any paid-up club member on request.

We're working hard both on the field and off it to build the club and keep it going. And we'd like to say firstly how much we appreciate your support in that regard - come on the Dubs!

Wandsworthians RFC - Committee Positions 2007/8

Club President: Ian Plummer theplumms@blueyonder.co.uk 07956 324080

Club Chairman: Dominic Brockes dominic_brockes@standardlife.com 07712 485985

Club Captain: Mark Callis mark@markcallis.orangehome.co.uk 07860 254685

Team Secretary: Andy Archer andyarcher@eaglemoss.co.uk 07947 823377

Press/Recruitment Officer: Mark Lucy mark@mlucy.freeserve.co.uk 07876 686324

1st Team Captain: Paul Cooper paul.cooper@blaketurner.com 07967 014788

Social Events:

Club Dinner Dance - 26th April 2008 - venue now confirmed as Imber Court.

Make a diary date now for our main social event of the year - we are looking for a big attendance this year from Dubs new and old!

Tour Dates announced - 16th to 18th May 2008

Be afraid - the Dubs are going on tour. No idea where we are going but does it matter?

If you would like more information on the club or are interested in becoming a member please contact Mark Lucy on 07960 868392 or at mark@mlucy.freeserve.co.uk.

The club website is very professionally set up and managed and every point seems to covered with great care to detail. Club members and Old Dubs can access up to date facts on games, social events and club policy for the coming years. Particularly good is the library of images for past and present seasons. The club continues to put out the message of a friendly group of people who thoroughly enjoy the game and the social life associated with playing rugby! All the images of the games are supplied courtesy of: Tanya Hughes, Freelance Sports Photographer.

Kilimanjaro Climb

After training walks on the North and South downs, many of which gravitated to the Harvey's brewery in Lewes (well you have to have a target) Mick White and myself Steve Murray found ourselves at the Ethiopian airlines check in desk Heathrow. We were bound for Addis Abbaba, and then Tanzania, to take on the highest free standing mountain in the world Kilimanjaro; standing nearly 20,000 feet or 6km above sea level. Why? mid-life crisis! pure adventure, because its there, who knows, who cares? Plonking down in equatorial Africa, we met 10 other like minded souls, all of whom suddenly realised it was too late to change their mind.

After a night in a ropy hotel (discovered why its called the dark continent, they only have 40watt bulbs) we pulled out in an over-loaded truck for a 5 hour drive on corrugated dirt track around the base of Kilimanjaro. We arrived at a timber shanty town, inhabited by the blokes who were to become our porters. The actual trek began at the Rongai Gate at 1600m, and en route we passed through the farmland of the lower slopes, dense rain forest, and alpine moorland around 2600m - after 5 hours walking we made camp. Behind was a breathtaking view of the Masai plain.

With the morning came a gin clear sight of the snow covered beast we had dared to challenge, it had shown itself appearing from the clouds of the previous day an awe inspiring monster which filled you full of wonderment. How the hell are we going to get up that?

Back to reality (bloody camping , should be reserved for cub scouts and halfwits) breakfast was eaten in the chill of the morning air. We then set out on the second days walk a 1100m accent, taking us up to the rarified air of the high desert and a camp at 3700m; managing to ignore the strength of the sun at this altitude we both got severely burnt legs. The first effects of altitude occurred during the night with people unable to sleep waking gasping for air and panic attacks (Strangely Mick organised a game of touch rugby in the morning). The third day was acclimatisation day, so we poodled up 400m received a team talk from Ramsun the head guide on what to expect on the next couple of days. Then we returned the same camp. It worked with a good nights sleep experienced by most of us inspite of the now arctic temperature at night.

Game on! and up and ready for action, well after warming up a bit with a few cups of tea and some porridge. We undertook sharp 1000m climb over a volcanic moonscape until we were at the base camp of Kibo 4700m - a strange junction of ascenders and descenders - mingling in the wafting clouds and dawdling about slowly due to lack of oxygen. 5 o'clock in the afternoon water bottles were handed in to be filled, and after all the preparation was done, we rested until 10.00 0'clock; emerging from our tents like a platoon of Michelin men, head torches glaring in the freezing air. A serious mood had taken over, Ramsun was doing the rounds checking then double checking people for signs of fatigue or mountain sickness nobody at this stage wanted to be denied the opportunity of having a go at the summit.

11.00 O'clock the night sky ablaze with a billion stars the whole crew had passed muster and we set off, at a snails pace, crunching up the frozen scree - 5 hours of relentless zig zagging. When a check was taken 3 of the crew had unfortunately been bashed on the head by the frying pan of altitude sickness and were forced to decend, after reaching 17000 feet - sadly Mick was one of them.

The scree finally gave way, but only to a sheer climb of rocks boulders and ice, at this point the savagery intensified, for an hour and half, I managed only 10 steps at a time then had to stop to gulp for 20 or 30 breathes of dry freezing useless air. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Ramsun for keeping me going (the bullying bastard). As if by magic after a few more boulders there were the rest of the team sitting at Gilman's Point 5685m the first peak on the crater. They were looking at the most amazing pink, yellow and blue sunrise wrapped around the curve of the earth, a pillow of clouds 1000's of feet below.

With the light came a few moments that can only be described as mountain madness, Jon was convinced his toes had dropped off with frostbite. Like an alien out of star trek Richard, a 50 year old Welshman seemed to have aged 100 years over night. Tooting Tim declared he was going for the summit NOW then promptly headed off back down the mountain and Bob started having a row with himself, which turned into a complete wobbler. I of course was completely sane, I just couldn't find the pub wobbly Bob had been to.

Uhura Peak the actual summit was another 200m ascent and at the far end of the crater along the ridge of snow and ice - a 3 hour round trip (Do I really need it?). I had no choice I had to get the photographwith only one thing higher than me in Africa, tied to the top of the post a Wandsworth badge. WE SERVE (I would like to have been served a pint and a bloody helicopter at this point). Ten hours of punishment for 5 minutes at the summit, taking in the grandeur and victory of the moment. Then Ramsun starts barking again about how dangerous it is up there in the sun, got to get down ASAP. Just can't win with the bloke!

Slipping and sliding along the snow and ice of the rim, managing not to fall the 100 meters down to the crater floor, we finally got back to Gilman's point, done it or so it seemed. As we turned the corner I looked down. Oh my god! how did I get up that? There below was full on scary 200m of sheer rocks snow and ice, then 1000m of 60 degree scree. Tired and dehydrated, I just wanted to rest, but forgot Ramsun was there to hurry us up. He was like a bouncer chucking me off the mountain, the last few hundred metres, the indignity was complete with the Tanzanian ambulance being summoned, two porters one either side, arms linked sliding me down the scree. Oh misery!

Mick was back at the Kibo base, camera in hand. It was good to see he had fully recovered from the previous night, after some fluids to rehydrate and a couple of hours rest the camp was struck in the early afternoon and the team headed down the 1000m to Horombo camp - back to a breathable 3700m. It had been a long time without food or a proper sleep. However, the mountain still had one last surprise up its sleeve, the reverse effects of altitude, which it is said "can turn your backside into a cat flap on the Aswan dam",I'm not saying it did but a jumbo pack of pampers might have been handy.

The last day on Kilimanjaro and another beautiful azure sky, and the snow topped peak behind us we walked down through the alpine moorland, on to the steeper paths of the jungle trails. We spotted a monkey, or squirrel, rat or something up a tree, (didn't impress me, I'm not nature boy?). After 7 odd hours we reached Marangu Gate the exit to the Kilimanjaro National Park and felt a bit sorry for the people just starting their journey, having to see the state of us, more to the point smell us 6 days without a shower. We loaded up the truck 3 hours later and soon we were in the hotel bar Arushia, necking Kilimanjaro, and Tusker lager at 70p a pint nice! Few of us had our priorities right so that long awaited shower had to wait another day.

Trust Fund Applications

Application forms for grants from the Memorial Trust Fund can be obtained by post from David Pollard (Secretary), 21 The Ridge, Worcester Park, Surrey. KT4 8UD. Further information on the Trust may be obtained from Bob Andrews (Chairman) Swiss Cottage, Nower Road, Dorking, Surrey. RH4 3BX.

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