THE BUCKLAND BRIEF OLD WEST BUCKLAND ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

Issue 67| Easter 2014

In this issue:

University of Maine Marine Scientist Joins Elite AdventurersUpdate on Events ‘Lest We Forget’: Can you help with research of OWBs in World War One?

Contents

1 President’s Welcome

2 Alumni News

6 Sporting Achievements

9 Commemorating the Centenary since the Start of World War One

10 Events

12 Alumni Support for the School

OWBA - Old West Buckland Association Magazine

Thank you!We received a huge response to our call for articles and news for January’s Buckland Brief which was much appreciated. In fact we have had so much we’ve had to produce an additional Buckland Brief in April to ensure it all gets in!

But we always need more.

The summer edition of the Buckland Brief will be printed and we need your news and stories to make it the best one yet. Send your contributions of approximately 200 words, via email if possible, to owba@westbuckland.com or to the OWBA office at the school. Please include relevant pictures if you can. We will return them.

Copy may be carried over to a future issue

Office Contact Details

Ph: 01598 760164 (Valerie) 01598 760188 (Lucy)

Email: owba@westbuckland.com

OWBA/Foundation OfficeWest Buckland SchoolWest Buckland BarnstapleDevonEX32 0SX

www.owba.org.uk

We reserve the right to edit, alter or omit all submissions to the magazine.

Welcome to the latest edition of The Buckland Brief

No Buckland Brief for a year and now two e-briefs in six months. What is going on? Well, this is just a sign of a newly inspired OWBA office, ably led by Valerie Bishop and Lucy Lancaster. A call for news brought in so much copy that we had to put it into two offerings which is fantastic. Your association has also been busy raising its profile with current pupils. Giles Hursey (03-05 G), Adam Holder (90-99 B) and Jake Withecombe (06-11 F) all came back to talk to the current Year 12 students regarding possible careers. I had the pleasure of addressing a Year 12 and 13 assembly and also handing out leavers’ hoodies. I’ve just come back from a fantastic weekend in London, attending the London Dinner at the Royal Overseas League off St James’ and watching the England-Wales game. The cost of a weekend in London, however, is prohibitive for many so we may need to rethink as numbers were the lowest I can remember. However, particular thanks to all attendees for making the effort and we look forward to seeing more of you on 21st June for the summer gathering.Oh and by the way, if you enjoy the news being dropped into your inbox or onto your doormat (as it will again in June/July), please consider an annual donation of £5-£10 to help with costs by completing the enclosed donation form. If you don’t enjoy the news or want something different, please let us know.

The TeamThe OWBA CommitteeIan Blewett 72-77 GAdam Crispin 90 -97 GJamie Conchie 69 -76 GMark Popplewell 64 -72 GStuart Smith 73-80 GDavid Walker 75 -82 BPete Williams 79 -89 C

John Light, Chairman of the FoundationJohn Vick, Headmaster

The OfficeValerie Bishop, Foundation ManagerLucy Lancaster, Administration & Relationship Officer

PatronDavid Cummins 40 -50 G

OWBA - Old West Buckland Association Magazine Welcome 1

We know how important it is to many alumni to receive a paper publication of The Buckland Brief, but this does have financial implications for the OWBA.

In the future you will receive a smaller paper copy of the BB in July and at least one emailed copy in January which will include more text and information, There may be some overlap of a few articles as not everyone will see the E-Brief.

We would like to ensure the E-Brief reaches as many OWBs as possible.

Please can you help us?

Forward it to people who say they have not received it and ask them to give us their email address

Let us know if you are aware of an OWB who does not have an email address and would rather receive an in-house printed copy

Neil Kingdon 66-75 C

Check out our website www.owba.org.uk

What have you been doing? Let us know - email owba@westbuckland.com

Hester Berry 96 -05 F

“Since very early on, I knew the career path I would choose - I am lucky enough to have been living and working as an artist since I finished my MA four years ago. My art lessons at West Buckland gave me so much to take to University and beyond – I still find inspiration from memories and old sketchbooks born from trips to St. Ives, Berlin and Paris. Nigel Minard, Robert Cook and Nikki De Marco provided a huge wealth of experience and information on the subject and I felt fully prepared when I arrived at Aberystwyth University to study for a Fine Art degree.

My time there included very traditional studies in painting and drawing techniques, as well as more contemporary approaches to making art. We also had a good solid foundation in Art History, which I have found to be invaluable in informing my subsequent work, and in understanding modern and contemporary artists. I had a fabulous three years, indulging in the student lifestyle, as well as throwing myself into my art and studies. I loved learning about and painting the Welsh landscape, and the lectures and seminars on 19th Century European art have remained with me and played a huge part in my life since. After enjoying an art school environment so thoroughly, I decided to continue my studies on an MA course at UAL’s Wimbledon College of Art. This was a huge culture shock! For a start it was alarming having to find my way around London, and get acquainted with all the most important galleries and cultural districts while keeping up with the pace of a big city. The course itself was very different. I was relieved to have had such comprehensive instruction in actual practice, as well as history, because there was none of that here. However, Wimbledon taught me a whole new set of skills essential to surviving and being taken seriously as an artist. I learnt how to engage with the art world of today and how to look critically at my own work. It was quite an intimidating experience, but like all difficult situations, it made me and my work stronger, and

it truly opened my mind. At this time, I was living with music students – I learnt a lot about the music world and I think this had an impact on my work. I married one of these musicians and we moved to Brighton, attracted by the colour and bohemian eccentricity of the place. Brighton is superb in its abundance and variety of outlets for the creative arts – we’ve been to some inspiring talks, concerts, poetry readings, festivals, etc. The visual arts are everywhere and accessible to everyone. I joined a life drawing class, and quickly started teaching there. Over the past three years, I’ve enjoyed one of the biggest and most colourful communities of drawing/painting enthusiasts in the South East. The studio, Draw, is small but wonderfully run. I teach drawing and painting there, as well as having set up a regular Art History/Theory discussion group. I also help with Draw’s lively and popular events, which include elaborate sets and themed life drawing.

Alongside my teaching, I continue to paint for commissions and exhibitions all over the UK. As well as portraits and landscapes, I have produced work documenting environmental/social issues, including pollution problems, the proposed third runway at Heathrow and various windfarms around North Devon. I’ve also done a lot of research into responsible and sustainable practice. Having such a wide and diverse network of creative friends has helped me in my ongoing career as an exhibiting artist. Teaching helps me review my own techniques and approaches, as well as giving me a break from my own paintings. At times life and work is challenging - it is certainly not a stable career path, and the future is even less certain than in other jobs.

The art world is not a sensible or lucrative one, but if you are in love with it, there is no other place to be!”

www.hesterberry.co.uk www.draw-brighton.co.uk

Alumni News 3

Candice Reed 06-13 B

“Choosing your career path can be a daunting experience. I felt I would like to do an apprenticeship rather than study for A levels. The summer before my exams I did a weeks work experience with Perrin & Co accountancy firm and from here on in I knew I wanted to be an accountant. I now had to make the decision whether to continue my studies at West Buckland, where I would be provided with a wealth of opportunities such as being a part of the sports teams, Senior Choir, Senior play and of course achieve A levels. Having been a part of the school community for so long this was not a decision I took lightly.

I gained 6 A’s at GCSE and felt I would like to do an apprenticeship alongside an AAT course. However with one million students currently out of work, I knew finding an accountancy firm to offer me an apprenticeship would prove difficult! Eventually Davison’s accountancy firm of South Molton offered me two weeks work experience during the summer following my results. This was my chance to prove myself, work with a dedicated approach, show willingness to learn and become a committed member of the team. Luckily, this in turn led to me being offered an apprenticeship alongside an AAT course, which is one day a week at the A Plus training centre in Exeter.

I have now been at Davisons for seven months and in this time I have learnt a great deal. I have found my literacy skills and knowledge of excel which I had learned at school to be of a huge advantage for this role. I am currently working on client’s accounts, experiencing the role of a financial advisor and communicating with large investment companies. This is of course just a small insight into what there is yet to learn and I am sure that my aim to become a qualified accountant will take several years of hard work!”

The Quest for the Yellow Pencil

Callum Prior 97-10 G

Callum left with A-Levels in psychology, product design and biology. Within just a short time of arriving at Sunderland University to study advertising, he teamed up with a fellow undergraduate Marc Rayson, as a ‘creative team’. The two of them really hit it off and it seemed no time at all before they were being offered internships with agencies as far afield as Edinburgh, London and Manchester.

Callum and Marc would leave their course for weeks at a time, work on an advertising campaign and then return to university to catch up on all they had missed. Before long, they had attracted the attention of an advertising agency, BBH, a big name in the industry. The pair have won several competitions for young creatives, but their eyes were on the prize of winning the ‘Yellow Pencil’ which is the equivalent of an Oscar in the advertising industry. Tens of thousands of hopefuls enter their portfolios every year, and although Callum and Marc were very busy at the time, they decided to enter the competition. However, they only allowed themselves the bus journey to London to come up with a concept. They not only succeeded in achieving this, but they also won the prize, not only a Yellow Pencil but six nights in a luxury hotel in New York City.

The pair, were then ‘auctioned off ’ for placements at some of the nation’s biggest agencies. “It was all mental. It still hasn’t sunk in yet. Throughout the night and the next day we received six placement offers, one of them by Matt Gooden, ECD at CP+B, who went on to win the President’s award. This sort of thing just doesn’t happen. Ever.”Now Callum and Marc are working in internships in London and hoping for ‘proper’ contracts soon!

Where has life taken you after WBS? email owba@westbuckland.com

Alumni News

Your magazine needs you.... and your news email owba@westbuckland.com

University of Maine Marine Scientist Joins Elite International Group of Adventurers

University of Maine marine scientist Rhian Waller (89-96 G) has been named a Fellow in an elite international group of adventurers who encourage scientific discovery while exploring land, sea and space.

Founded in 1904, Explorers Club members attempt to attain new heights and depths; they’ve been the first to reach the moon, North Pole, South Pole, the Mount Everest summit and the deepest part of the ocean.In 2013, National Geographic Magazine celebrated Rhian Waller as a 21st-century risk taker who presses the limits in this “New Age of Exploration.”

Based at the Darling Marine Center (DMC) in Walpole, Maine, Waller has pushed the limits of diving during more than 40 expeditions around the planet. In a submersible, she has plunged to a depth of 3,600 meters to examine corals on the New England Seamount chain.

“There are so many conservation issues surrounding the deep ocean, I hope I can use this opportunity to spread the word more widely that the deep sea is important to our whole planet, and does need our protection.”

As a Fellow, Waller has access to the Explorer’s Club research collections, including a library and map room, and she’s connected with a global network of expertise, experience, technology, industry and support. its members — including archaeologists, astronomers, entomologists, mountaineers, zoologists and now a new deep-sea researcher — conduct explorations and research in more than 60 countries around the globe, and beyond.

For her research, Waller routinely scuba dives in temperatures 35°F (1.5°C) and colder. She studies how environmental factors such as climate change, fishing and oil exploration affect deep-sea coral ecology and reproduction, as well as what effect that altered life cycle could have on the rest of the marine ecosystem.

Last summer, Waller was part of a research team that discovered two deep-sea coral communities in the western Jordan Basin and Schoodic Ridge regions of the Gulf of Maine.

Last month, Waller returned from an expedition to Chile. She had traveled to Huinay Scientific Field Station near the northern Patagonian fjords to collect final samples from a yearlong deep-sea coral monitoring program.

Next year, Waller will utilize a $381,384 National Science Foundation grant to investigate how Antarctic corals, which provide habitat for thousands of connected species, are coping with warming ocean water.

4 OWBA - Old West Buckland Association Magazine

Rhian Waller 89 -96 G

OWBA - Old West Buckland Association Magazine 5

Kate Bowman-Openshaw 04-13 B

People often ask me to describe the Mahindra United World College of India in one word, and my answer is always just silence. After many hours of thinking about the right way to respond, the best I can come up with are ‘intense’, ‘rewarding’, and ‘liberal’.

I got accepted to UWC, first to Atlantic College, and then to MUWCI and so I made the life-changing decision to move to India. Looking back on it, I cannot be happier about the fact that I chose to step out of my comfort zone to come here.

The UWC movement offers life-defining experiences for teenagers who want to broaden their horizons by learning to live in an international context where thought and consideration for others is essential to survive an intensely multi-cultural experience. I love living in the extremely close community of 250 students and 50 faculty members from 57 different countries because the experience and understanding of the world that you gain is overwhelming at times.

The number of opportunities that have arisen since I came here is vast. Between studying for my International Baccalaureate Diploma and getting enough sleep, I’m part of six extracurricular activities called Triveni’s. The most exciting of these is on-campus fire service, a group of 30 people who are always on call to extinguish fires (without the use of water or sand) in order to protect the parched land from bush fires during summer months. I have also been hiking to the Himalayas and travelled around India during Exeat weekends, and every week, I visit a children’s home in the local village.

A large part of the culture here isn’t all of the formalities; all the tests, the projects and the organized events; it’s more about the people you are blessed to meet and the everyday conversations that give you a new perspective on the world and the potential you have as an individual. There is always something going on, whether it is an informal game of football or just chilling and chatting with some music. Because of the close-knit community, these situations are not exclusive and you always feel welcomed and at home wherever you are.

The campus itself is remarkable. It sits on the top of a hill, with a stunning view over the whole of Mulshi Valley. We have a swimming pool, football field, gym, coffee shop, bike track, obstacle course, social center and many other facilities that give social and sporting opportunities. At times, I almost think we have too many opportunities – you have to prioritize what you can and can’t afford to do.

Some people say MUWCI is a utopia; a perfect society as a bubble on a hill in the middle of an intensely fascinating country; however, this is not strictly true; it is often hard living 5,000 miles away from home and having to be able to argue your opinion and represent your country well

whenever required. It’s also challenging to share a room with three other people from three different continents who don’t necessarily share the same habits. One thing I have noticed, however, is that even though individuals may come from different corners of the world, with different social backgrounds, you will always be able to find common interests.

The culture of India is so rich and colourful that it’s entertaining to explore further into the cities and villages of Maharashtra. I did not know what to expect before coming here, as I had never been to India before, but the vibrant and welcoming nature of the people here now allows me to say I honestly feel 100% at home. Imagine living on a hill, isolated from urban life, where the only sounds at night are the rustling of the leaves and, sometimes, the storming voices of drunken Scandinavians. And yet, without travelling, I have managed to live with two hundred students from every conceivable edge of this planet.

Not only are these people breath-taking in their diversity, but also in their spontaneity, curiosity and intellect. With such a wealth of options, decision-making and prioritizing have acquired a whole new meaning. None of my past life experiences sufficiently prepared me for the intensity of MUWCI. Throughout my time here, my notions and thought processes have been scrutinized and challenged. Some of my longstanding beliefs have been exposed as ill conceived and immature. What has taken their place is an openness to new cultures, new backgrounds, and new ideas; a willingness to fail; and an appreciation for life and education as a process and not a result. More than any other time in my life, I am eager to explore.

Kate made the decision to try some-thing different for the final two years of her schooling.

‘More than any time in my life, I am eager to explore’

OWBA - Old West Buckland Association Magazine 7

Craig and Jamie Overton 05 -12 G Even while still at school grappling with their A levels, Jamie and Craig were juggling first class cricket commitments with their studies. In January 2012, both boys were selected for England U19 V Bangladesh, in Bangladesh. By February, they were both awarded two year contracts with Somerset and in April, they toured Australia with England U19’s and Craig made his debut Somerset appearance against Lancashire. By May, he was joined by his brother Jamie who made his debut for Somerset against Surrey. During the summer of 2012, both twins played for England in the U19’s World Cup in Australia and following this, they were both selected for PEPP (Potential England Player Programme) and spent three months racing up and down to the National Academy in Loughborough.

In January 2013, Jamie was selected for the England U19 tour to South Africa whilst brother Craig was selected for the England Lions and headed for Australia. By April of this year, the twins were playing regularly in the Somerset matches and were selected for the 1st team. In May, they appeared on live television for the Somerset v Warwickshire four day match. Unfortunately, soon afterwards, Craig sustained a back injury which kept him out of the game until late in the summer when he returned to the crease for the Somerset 2nd team alongside Marcus Trescothick. He has now recovered from that injury and is

thought to be back fitter and stronger than ever. In June, much to the delight of the Prep School pupils, both boys showed up at school to help with the Prep School Sports Day, and clearly much less importantly, Jamie took his first five wicket haul against Middlesex. He carried on playing for the Somerset first team for the rest of the season. Reputed to be bowling at 90+ mph, not surprisingly, he was selected for the England Lions against Bangladesh and was subsequently selected for the full England One Day Squad. He has recently been included in the EPP (England Performance Programme) made up of 16 players, while Craig has been re-selected for the PEPP programme and new contracts have been signed by the twins with Somerset for the next three years.

Photos courtesy of Mike Overton

A year in the life of......

6 Sporting Achivements

Second in the World Tabby Fox has become the second best bellyboarder in the world, despite only trying the sport a handful of times in the past.

It is the 23-year-old body board instructor’s father who has more experience at bellyboarding, and Tabby says she entered the World Championships at Chapel Porth in North Cornwall as ‘a great excuse to have a father-daughter day out.’

But despite having become British bodyboarding champion as a teenager in 2010, not even she could have been prepared for what followed.Bellyboarding for the first time without flippers in the swimsuit only event,

Tabby hit the waves for a ten-minute session in the female junior category, catching some good waves before an absolute stormer, which had the judges cheering.

After watching her dad, who went well but didn’t place in the junior mens the top performers were announced from the 700 entrants across all categories.Of the 140 junior females, Tabby had come second.

“We saw they announced my name as second place, dad was so flabbergasted he kept hitting me saying ‘that’s you, that’s you!’” she said. “Bemused, I wandered up in disbelief and as they congratulated me, I realised I was suddenly second in the world for female bellyboarding – never saw that coming!”“I was gutted that dad didn’t get placed in the junior mens, but I couldn’t have been prouder of him – I thought he ripped!”

“Without his passion for the waves and driftwood, I wouldn’t have even entered or have become a bodyboarder, so I couldn’t have been happier to have shared a very fun, special day with my dad.”Since the event, Tabby has found out that she not only placed second in her category, but that she also placed above the best in the men’s event and came second in the world overall.

“Winning the British Championships for bodyboarding and going to the European Championships with the England team was the best achievement I’ve had, but it’s a pretty cool thing to say that I’m second in the world now.”

Tabby Fox 96 -09 F

What are your sporting triumphs? Share them- owba@westbuckland.com

Births, Marriages & DeathsDaniel Hadley 91-96 B, married Bryony-Jane Hadley with two boys, William 5, Toby 3 and another baby on the way in June 14

Simon Willis 01-08 B married Lauren McGill 24th March 2014

Edward ‘Alan’ Ashby died 13th January 2014. Full obituary in July issue.

Alfred Hunt 37-42 F died 28th December 2013. Full obituary in July issue

Ned How 89-97 F died 18th February 2014. Full obituary in July issue

Cicely Richards, 93, wife of Denys Richards, 56-70 S who taught history at West Buckland during the late 50s and 60s died February 2014. Simon Willis 01-08 B

8 OWBA - Old West Buckland Association Magazine

James Appleby 01-07 G

David Appleby Engineering will become the first Bentley Continental GT3 customer team when it takes delivery of the new race car in January and James will take the wheel.

James began his racing career in the SEAT Cupra Championship in 2008. He has since competed regularly in the Aston Martin GT4 at a European level as a Junior Aston Martin Racing team driver and was presented the star of the future award by Aston Martin Racing in 2010.

Launched at Goodwood in July last year, the new 1300 kg Bentley Continental GT3 race car features a 4.0 litre V8 twin turbo V8 developing an unrestricted 600 bhp. The new race car is based on the road-going Continental and has received an aerodynamic package of enhancements while retaining its iconic and recognisable form.

Generation Bentley Racing will make their debut at the opening round of the British GT Championship taking place at Oulton Park on 19 April 2014.

Pip Ash, Churchill College, Cambridge University, Law

Tim Attenburrow, Bournemouth Univer-sity, TV Production

Bethany Bellis, Birmingham Conserva-toire, Music

James Bentley, University of Birmingham, Sport & Exercise Science

Ben Blackmore, Keele University, History & Politics

Felix Cairns, University of Birmingham, International Relations

Megan Clarke, Southampton University, Occupational Therapy

Emily Collyer, Coultard Institute of Art, London, History of Art

Olivia Dehnavi, University College Lon-don, English Literature & Language

Rob Draper, Swansea Metropolitan Uni-versity, Motorsport Management

Anna Duckett, University of Sheffield, Geography

Laura Evans, University of Kent, Criminology & Social Policy

Amelia Evans, University of Leeds, Geog-raphy

Bill Feng, University College London, Mathematics and Statistics

Tabitha Fox, University of Gloucester, Events Management

Emma Friend, University of Leeds, Eng-lish

Harriet Friend, University of Birming-ham, English

Amy Groome, University of Bath, Chemistry

Nicola Hall, University of Manchester, Chinese and Spanish

Tom Harris, Royal Holloway, University of London, English Literature & Philos-ophy

Amelie Karlsson, University of Cam-bridge, Natural Sciences

Catherine Lane, University of the West of England, Equine Veterinary Nursing

Rolf Merchant, Worcester College, Uni-versity of Oxford, History

Robbie Miekle, Oxford Brooks University, Law & Politics

Jeremy Moore, Bath Spa UniversityEducation/Biology

William Moore, University of Bath, Busi-ness Management

Luke Openshaw, University of Notting-ham, History

Tom Pearce, University of the West of England, Sports Performance

Callum Prior, University of SunderlandAdvertising & Design

Tom Smalley, Swansea University, Geog-raphy

William Treanor, University of Bristol, Geography

Andrew Webber, University of Reading, Agriculture

Katie White, University of Chester, Span-ish Studies

Alex Willmott, University of West Of England, Philosophy

Freya Womersley, University of Exeter, Biological Sciences

Panda Zhang, University College London, Mathematics and Statistical Science

2013 Graduates

If you have graduated and are not on this list, please let us know! owba@westbuckland.com

Lest We Forget

2014 marks the Centenary of the beginning of World War One. WBS is doing a number of things to mark this, led by the History department, and have requested OWBA support in compiling information on those 57 men who died between 1914-18.

If you or your family know anything about those soldiers listed please do get in touch with Valerie Bishop.E: vb@westbuckland.comPh: 01598 760164

Henry ElliotHenry Elliot was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment as an officer. He was killed by a sniper during the Battle of Aisne; it is likely that he was involved in a British assault against a German position, or was holding a position, when he died on 20th September 1914, aged 33. He is buried at the Vailly British Cemetery, in the small town of Vailly-sur-Aisne.

Henry was not recorded on West Buckland School’s Roll of Honour originally, when it was compiled by the Headmaster, E Harries in 1926. He therefore does not appear either on the plaques at the back of the School’s Memorial Hall. The reasons for his omission are unknown but the school feel that it is appropriate that he is added in 2014 on the one hundredth anniversary of his death and the outbreak of World War One.

Reginald Stuart Handford

Reginald attended West Buckland School from April 1908 to 1913. He was a member of the Brereton and was strong in drama and debating.Reginald was made a Second Lieutenant within the 6th and 1st Battalions of the Rifle Brigade upon enlisting. He was somewhere between Essex Farm and Boesinge (north of Ypres) along the allied frontline, on the eastern banks of the Yser Canal, when he was killed. His Section was in the process of relieving another when they were subject to a German gas attack. He died on the evening of the 8th-9th August 1916 from the effects of the phosgene gas; he was 20.His family paid to have ‘West Buckland School’ engraved at the foot of his gravestone as recognition of his time here.

Frederick Thomas Miller

Son of Thomas and Mary Miller, of ‘Stoodleigh’, West Buckland. The farm house is still inhabited by the Miller family and was also the first site of West Buckland School when it was established in 1858. Frederick attended West Buckland School as a boarder between 1904 and 1906.

He had joined the North Devon Hussars prior to the outbreak of the war. The School’s Register of June 1916 reported that he had been promoted to Sergeant with the Royal Devon and Royal North Devon Yeomanry (full title) by this date, serving with them in Gallipoli. He was still a Sergeant with the 16th Battalion of this regiment at the time of his death on the 3rd December 1917, aged 27 during General Allenby’s advance upon Jerusalem. He died on the same day as another Old Boy of West Buckland School, Edgar Winzer, and they are also buried in the same cemetery (Jerusalem War Cemetery), just 17 graves apartFrederick’s parents lost all three sons within nine months of each other. All three boys are remembered in the graveyard of West Buckland Church.

Roll of Honour 1914-18

Albert R AbellJohn P AdamsSydney C AmyEdward K V AshtonSydney J AyreLeonard F A BakerWilliam H P BennettAlfred J Carter William D Chope Harold J DixonHarold H DunnHenry G ElliottArchibald M FarrierVernon H W GilbertJohn C GoadbyCharles A HallettReginald S HandfordDennis R HarrisonGeorge N HearsonErnest J HobbsRichard W JacksonJohn C JohnsonRobert J Joint Charles LewisStanley A Loram Malcolm McFarlandCyril A Mecrate-ButcherJohn G MellishFrederick T MillerReginald J MillerStanley MiltonGeorge MortimerHugh C NoelHenry G NorthcottHugh W PenhaleCharles A PerrinWilliam E H PerryJohn E PidsleyEdward M ReidHerbert E RichardsThomas H RichardsClement SaundersEric SmithEdward H SouthcombEdward C StockerErnest G SymonsCharles P TrudgianSydney TrullFrank T WakemanTalbot H WattsGeorge H D WhiteEdward V WhitewayEdgar WinzerHarold G WoolawayWilliam J WyattSchool servants William H CounterJohn Osmond

Commemorating the Centenary since the Start of World War One 9

Events

10 Events Update on Events 11

Stay connected with us and learn about events on Facebook, Twitter or our website Make sure you receive our events calendar - have you given us your most up to date address?

Attended by over 40 former and current members of staff, together with alumni from across the years, the evening was a chance to mingle with a glass of wine and catch up with old friends in the relaxed surroundings of a private room. The former members of staff certainly created a magnet for many who had been either taught or ‘looked after’ by them in their time at school. Roger Smith (86-92 G) referred to John Avens as “being the housemaster who handed out my pocket money” and Chris Chugg (95-00 B) described the evening “Excellent OWBA event in Bristol tonight. Nice to catch up with Hooper, Ponder and the one and only Mr Tucker!”The evening was considered a great success and we look forward to the ‘Regional Reunion Roadshow’ rolling out to a destination near you in the future.

AttendeesJohn Avens (62-94 S), Angela Avens (63-95 S), Zak Barouh (01-12 B), Naomi Berry (98-05 F), Helen Berry (83- S), Tom Booth (78-86 C), Caroline Bromley (86-91 F), Chris Chugg (95-00 B), Bob Clarke (78- S), Iain Crombie (98-05 B), Peter Featherstone (93-05 F), Dominic Ford (08- S), Tony Hooper (62-70 C, 88-11 S), Daisy Hynes (00-07 G), Edward Kettle (92-00 F), Michael Kettle (92-02 F), Peter Kettle (92-05 F), Kathy Kettle (92- S), Alan Kettle (92- S) Emma Ladds (00-07 G), David Norfolk (60-67 G), Chris Ponder (73-12 S), Nick Ross-Brookbank (86-96 C), Elma Rushe (01- S), Roger Smith (86-92 G), Chris Stoate (94-99 G), Mike Tucker (75- S), Richard Westacott (75-84 B), John Whitfield (79-07 S), John Wilford (87-94 C), Abbie Wilford (87-94 C)

Bristol Reunion, 5th February 2014

This year was marked by quality rather than quantity at the Royal Overseas League Club. The evening had an international flavour as we were delighted to welcome Slava (97-06 F) and Ruslan Korovin (98-07 F) from Moscow and Simon Baldwin-Purry (52-58 C) who had flown in from Spain for the weekend. Unfortunately, our guest speaker, Alireza Ittihadieh had to pull out at the last minute due to business commitments, but Neil Kingdon (66-75 C), our reliable president more than lived up to expectations and entertained us with school boy tales.

London Dinner, 8th March 2014

AttendeesJohn Avens (62-94 S), Angela Avens (63-95 S), Simon Baldwin-Purry (52-58 C), Geoff Bayles (52-58 C), Valerie Bishop (Foundation Manager), Will Brockman (09-14 B), Mark Byford (05-11 C), Issy Cairns (05-14 C), Geor-gia Cope (04-14 G), David Cummins (40-50 G), Mary Cummins, George Fincher (06-14 G), Rachel Groome (05-14 C), Neil Kingdon (66-75 C), Julie Kingdon, Ruslan Korovin (98-07 F), Slava Korovin (97-06 F), Lucy Lancaster (06 – S), Daisy Lavington (07-14 C), Gerald Merrett (50-54 G), Anna Merrett, James Thatcher (00-07 G), Simon Tippet (71-78 C), Mike Tucker (73- S), Bob Van Dissel (49-56 C), John Vick (Headmaster), Lynne Vick

Thailand Reunion, Bangkok, 22nd March 2014I visited Thailand in March, to host a reunion of former students from that country. Extraordinarily, it was held in The Brereton Room of Kim Hoontrakul’s (97-03 B) Elysian Tea Rooms in Bangkok. Kim left this school in 2003, and many other Thai boys and girls have been at West Buckland over a period of well over half a century. It is a remarkable connection and I am pleased it is still valued. The alumni I met in The Brereton Room have a considerable affection and respect for this school, and that is exemplified by Kim’s wish to name part of her business after her West Buckland ‘house’. Being at West Buckland can seriously affect your life!

J F Vick – Headmaster 97-

Attendees:

Jedkamchorn Phromyothi (56-59 F), Manu Jotikabhukkana (62-65 C), Chitti Dansubutra (59-63 B), Skorn Lambasara (89-92 B), Arnon Hoontrakul (92-98 B), Thanakorn Hoontrakul (88-92 B), Kim Hoontrakul (97-03 B), Belle Chewprecha (01-06 B), Vasu Chewprecha (99-04 B)

Back to School, 26th March 2014Paul Walter (70-77 B) enjoyed or endured an exclusive day at West Buckland at the end of March, coupled with running The Exmoor. Chaperoned by Chris Ponder, they attended lessons in Economics and History and were joined for lunch by the President, Neil Kingdon. An extensive tour of the school led by Mike Tucker (73- S) was enough for Paul to see how the school had changed since his time. For Paul’s account of his day at WBS, please visit his blog www.liberalburblings.co.uk.

The Exmoor Experience & Run, 27th March 2014

A vintage bus full of 37 passengers, including a large contingent of old boys from the 1950s, together with 40 ‘extra’ runners resulted in Exmoor Day at West Buckland being quite an event this year. John Phillips (55-60 C) started the Senior Boys race and Phil Badcock (49-58 G), Michael Coe (52-59 B), Llew Courtenay (52-61 F) and Jack Harding (53-59 B) all returned to present cups to the winners. Heidi Burdett (96-03 B) and Andy Bell (88-95 C) won the senior races.

Exmoor Experience attendees:Phil Badcock (49-58 G), Paul Berry (77-01 S), Valerie Bishop (Foundation Manager), Rod Boyce (52-60 G), Geoff Brokenbrow (52-56 C), Alison Comer, Marion Comer, Michael Cornish (52-59 C), Llew Courtenay (52-61 F), Shaun Courtenay, David Cummins (40-50 G), Mary Cummins, Olga Curtayne, Terry Curtayne (51-56 F), Annie Damms, Michael Elliot (49-54 F), John Farley (46-50 B), David Ford (52-58 G), Jack Harding (53-59 B), John Light (Chairman of Foundation), Lesley Light, Matson Family, Roger Mills (54-60 B), Jean Naylor, Lizzie Palmer, David Pennington (52-58 F), John Phillips (55-60 C), Chris Ponder (73-12 S), Sarah Roberts, Elizabeth Sansom, Robin Start (49-55 F), David Stretch, Graham Tucker (56-59 C), Chris U’Ren (51-57 C), John Whitfield (79-07 S)Exmoor Run:Andy Bell (88-95 C), Sian Barten, Mark Blagbrough, Morag Boydon (née Murphy 85-92 G), Heidi Burdett (96-03 B), Bob Carter, Matias Coombs (67-72 B), Virginia Crosbie, James Dennis, James Gould (82-89 G), Antonia Harker, Oliver Hassall, Ashley Jewell, Candy Jewell, Neil Kingdon (66-75 C OWBA President), Edward Martin, Donna McKellar (née Morant 90-98 B), Hugh Muirhead, Julia Rees-Doherty, Katie Simpkins, Charlie Sullivan, Claudia Wafai, Lucy Wakefield, Ian Waldron, Paul Walter (70-77 B), Robert Wheeler (80-86 F), Liz Wilton, Ruth Wood (née Wilford 90-98 C), Hugh Wormington

Upcoming Events

Your Association Needs You!

We greatly appreciate the time, ideas and experience which our OWBs give so freely. Yet running events and producing the Buckland Brief costs money and we are dependent on the goodwill of OWBA members to keep going.

An annual contribution, however small, will allow us to to build and develop the OWBA into a friendship organisation which will keep you, and your peers in touch with each other and the school for years to come.

If you are in the position to support us, a form is enclosed.

£3 a year will pay for one copy of this Buckland Brief to be printed for an OWB who does not use the internet

£5 a year will feed 5 people at our Speech Day BBQ

£25 a year will subsidise a student ticket at the London Dinner

12 Thank you! 13

An anonymous donation from an ex- pupil has been used to fund the purchase of a significant amount of much-needed equipment for the CCF and Jonathan Edwards Sports Centre. So far, the money has allowed the CCF to buy equipment for shooting, including target holders, slings and airgun charging equipment. Staff and pupils hope that this generous gesture will secure the future of the CCF at West Buckland, a part of the school community which has played an important role for many years – as shown by those old boys who continue to represent the school through the OWBA at Bisley each July.

Support for the Combined Cadet

Force

The generosity of alumni continues to support the next generation of West Bucklanders

THANK YOU from us all

School Announces Significant Upgrade to

Campus

West Buckland School has submitted exciting plans for a significant upgrade to its campus. The application details a new study centre which will house open plan learning spaces, library and IT resources over two floors. It will be used by all students across the senior school and will include a dedicated Sixth Form area.

The application also details plans for a state-of-the-art 70 study bedroom Sixth Form boarding house. If the plans are approved, work on the project will begin over the summer with the development completed and ready for students in September 2015.

I would like to make a regular gift to the Old West Buckland Association

Title Mr Mrs Miss Ms Other .......................................................

Forename...............................................................................Surname.........................................................................

Address............................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................Postcode......................................................

Telephone...............................................................................Mobile.............................................................................

Email................................................................................................................................................................................

Bankers Order

To the Manager of........................................................ at.............................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................Postcode.............................

I would like to make a regular gift of £......................... to The Old West Buckland Association

Monthly Quarterly Annually

Please debit my account number Sort Code

Starting on Ending on (optional)

Signature Date

Please send this form to the OWBA Office, West Buckland School, West Buckland, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0SX ` Phone: 01598 760164 Email:owba@westbuckland.com

Thank you for supporting the OWBA

Sort Code 55-50-29 Account No: 06112129