ISSUE 07

TRINITY 2020

Magazine forBarnard Castle School

alumni and supporters

Inside6 BARNARDIAN NEWS8 NEWS IN BRIEF 12 MARRIAGES18 OB MERCHANDISE

STAY CONNECTED WITHTHE OB COMMUNITYVisit us online Page 5

B A R N E Y

CONNECT

Alumni & ArchiveMiss Dorothy Jones

+44 (0)1833 696025dj@barneyschool.org.uk

Published in partnership with

the Old Barnardians’ Club

All correspondence to be directedthrough the OB Club Secretary

PresidentMr Tony Jackson

ChairmanMr John Hunter

OB Representative GovernorMr Peter Hodges

OB Club SecretaryMiss Dorothy Jones

+44 (0)1833 696025dj@barneyschool.org.uk

Contact

2 ISSUE 07

Contents

Barnard Castle SchoolBarnard CastleCounty Durham DL12 8UNTel: +44 (0)1833 690222Email: genoffice@barneyschool.org.uk

BARNEY CONNECTISSUE 07TRINITY 2020

CHAIRMAN REFLECTSSuccessful OB Gathering and 1980s reunion

BARNARDIANNEWSRound up of news from the OB community

BARNARDIANNEWS IN BRIEFKeep up to date with news of individual OBs

OBITUARIESIn memoriam

4

6

8

14

OB MERCHANDISEOrder form and price list

18

TONYJACKSONHeadmaster

Barnard Castle School

3B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

Welcome

It is quite impossible to provide a full

flavour of the year’s highs and lows in

the 500 words that Dot has provided

me with, but I will give it a go! It really

has been a tale of two halves, and it is

hard to imagine that it was only nine

months ago that I had the absolute

privilege of attending the inaugural

American OB Dinner, hosted in New

York one balmy Saturday evening near

Central Park. We had OBs attend from

across North America, and hospitality

and entertainment went into the early

morning. Fast forward five months,

plans and capacity numbers were in

place to host the 125th Anniversary

Gala Ball back in School, but not

before we were kindly hosted by an

OB at their restaurant in London to

present the School’s Development

Masterplan to a group of 20 OBs.

Then the pandemic struck; the Gala Dinnerand 1990s Leavers’ Reunion were postponedindefinitely. Crisis management kicked in, as140 students preparing for their GCSEs andA Levels were told, with no warning, thattheir entire exam season was cancelled and,for 70 Upper Sixth formers, it was effectivelythe conclusion of their school journey, some

which have lasted 14 years. We had boardersdesperately trying to get home, with threeunable to get out and who have remained atSchool for the entire four months of lockdown. Teachers who have spent their entirecareer stood in a classroom with chalk/penin hand, had to develop immediately atechnological skill set and digital literacyto enable them to continue teaching andsupporting our children.

Once the initial shock subsided, clarity set in,and it quickly became apparent that this wasa defining moment in the School’s journey.How we collectively responded to this crisiswould, one way or another, determine theSchool’s short, medium and long termfutures. As professionals and individuals,it quickly dawned on the staff that this wasa once in a career experience, and how weresponded to it would have lastingconsequences. At the outset, just prior tostaff leaving for lock down, I quoted BobMarley, who once sang “You do not knowhow strong you are, until being strong isyour only choice.”

As I write this four months later, whilst weare not out of the woods by any measure ofimagination (who is yet?), it is humbling toknow that we are stronger than perhaps weever even realised. I could not be more proudof the way in which the entire Barneycommunity has rallied together in such anexceptional period in our history. From thestudents, to the staff, both teaching andancillary, to the parent body, there hasbeen nothing but wholehearted andcompassionate support from the entirecommunity. At the heart of this has been theinvolvement of the OB community. From theOBs who sit on the governing body and whohave helped navigate the ship throughchoppy waters, to NHS key worker OBs whosent in inspirational videos to the currentstudents, to recently departed OBs who have

given up their time to advise those UpperSixth formers, who weeks previously had hadthe rug pulled from under them, on how tosurvive at University, managing finances,cooking on a budget, and how to save moneyon a night out!

It is with a heavy heart that I write that wealso had to contend with the loss of a pupil.Fabio Litto was from Stuttgart and hadarrived this academic year. He was due tostay with us for the entire academic year, buthad curtailed his stay as a result of lockdown.He was, however, exploring how to return forhis A Levels, such was his love for the School.Whilst out celebrating his 16th birthday, hedied suddenly from a brain haemorrhage,leaving behind him a grieving family and aboarding and school community reeling inshock. Once more, the community ralliedaround, and the compassionate leadershipshown by his housemates and hisHousemaster illustrated everything aboutwhat makes this place so special.

We look to the future with high hopes andaspirations, and governors have just signedoff on a significant IT investment to ensurewe capitalise on the momentum generatedin recent months. What is lovely to share withyou is that this investment is as a direct resultof a significant legacy gift from an OB. Weaim to emerge from this an even strongerschool than we were when we entered, andwith the help of the entire community,including our alumni, and having beenprivileged to witness how we have respondedin recent months, I have no doubt we will.

Tony Jackson

Headmaster and President of the OldBarnardians’ Club

4 ISSUE 07

WELCOMEMESSAGES

Welcome to the latest edition of

Barney Connect. This time last year

we had recently concluded a

fantastically successful OB gathering

and 1980s reunion. These were

followed by a well attended New York

dinner in September and various

impromptu get togethers around the

country including several City drinks

evenings in London.

However, as I write this I’m sat in my homeoffice where I have been working sinceMarch. The Gala Dinner, to celebrate the125th Anniversary of the Old Barnardians’Club, has been postponed along with thisyear’s summer gathering and reunion ofattendees from the 1990s. Nevertheless, inthis time of adversity, both the School and theOld Barnardians’ Club have never seemedmore vibrant. The efforts the school hastaken to react to events and embrace changehas been tremendous. Under the leadershipof Tony and his team, Barney has successfullyrepositioned itself and adapted to a digitalfuture with virtual lessons and sociallydistanced teaching swiftly enabled. As aparent of a child entering the Upper Sixthin September I am both impressed by andgrateful for everything that has beenundertaken in such a short space of time.

As to the Club, Facebook has been aparticularly active source of interaction inthis time of lockdown. With over 1,700members in the OB Facebook Group, thereare daily updates and reminiscences. As everDot has been very diligent in managing andoverseeing all matters OB related – she is thebeating heart of the Club and for that I’m surewe can all agree that we are very grateful toher. Particularly impressive was all the newmerchandise that she has managed to get offthe ground, though I don’t think she canclaim responsibility for the DominicCummings inspired ‘Barnard Castle Eye Test’beer! If you are interested in purchasinganything, please do see the merchandise pagefor further details. I would also like to thankmy fellow committee members for their timeand effort – the 15 of us are made up of OBsranging from as far back as the 1950s to morerecent leavers plus several current andretired members of staff. Whilst we have notyet met in person since this all started, we

have at least managed to hold a successfulvirtual meeting on Teams. Once mattersstart to return to normal, we are hopeful that2021 will allow us to start to reschedule thevarious events that have been postponed.From an administrative perspective, wehave chosen to retire the OB website‘Barnardians Reconnected’. It was quiteexpensive and the functionality was poor butonce the world returns to normal we will lookat alternative offerings.

Looking ahead, I do apologise for banging thedrum, but in this time of uncertainty andadversity, now more than ever it is importantto shore up the School for the future. This hasbeen a very testing time and if you feel willingor able to contribute to the growth andstability of Barney going forwards, either byway of a donation or legacy, then we would bemost grateful. The ambitious plans that havebeen mentioned in the past have merely beendelayed and we hope to move forward withthese in the near future with the help of theBarnardian community.

Finally, we are moving to sending this outdigitally where we can. We appreciate thiswill not suit everyone and some OBs are noton email, so a number of you will be receivingthis in the post.

Wishing you all well.

John Hunter

Chairman of the Old Barnardians’ Club

Message from theChairman

5B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

Message from the Heads of School

‘STAY CONNECTED’

There are a number of ways you can keep up-to-date with Schooland OB news and events

School

Twitter: @barney_school

Facebook: Barnard Castle School

Instagram: Barnardcastleschool

Website: www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk

Old Barnardians

Twitter: @barney_ob

Facebook:

Old Barnardians ClubOld Barnardians Womens Sports TeamsOld Barnardians Rugby

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/barnard-castle-school

Instagram: barneyob1883

YouTube: We are pleased to announce that thereis now an OB YouTube Channel showing clips ofindividual OBs and the School film from the late1940s with an ‘update’ from the 1990s.https://bit.ly/3ht7RCf

Reflecting on our Barney journey we would never have thought this is

how it would end… sitting in our bedrooms, isolating, during a global

pandemic, our exams cancelled and with Brexit still on going. Yet

despite this we have never felt more involved with the Barney

community; whether that is virtual school council meetings,

assemblies or House activities, and we even managed to see the

Barney Run go ahead amidst all of the uncertainty.

This seamless transition onto the online world of not only the academic, butthe pastoral and extracurricular elements of school, along with the Barney ethosof compassion, bravery and the art of being grateful, is down to the students andstaff alike embracing their new environment.

Having both started in Prep School, we have both grown and developedalongside Barney. We have seen the construction of the sixth form centre, therefurbishment of main school and the creation of the ‘Barney Masterplan’ but wehave also seen the School embrace new ideas, always with the intention to betterthe Barney experience for staff and students, driven by Mr Jackson. The Schoolhas not only improved structurally and academically, but we have also seen animmense change in the culture at Barney, inclusion and kindness being at thecentre of this.

Barney has allowed both of us to flourish in a safe and supported environment.It has helped us to develop independence, allowing us to form our own opinionson subjects that are prevalent in today’s society. It has given us the confidence tovoice these opinions in public speaking forums such as student lead Chapelservices, Lectern Club and the House Debating competition, and has taught us thehumility to be open to accepting new opinions and perspectives, whilst alsoattempting to burst the ‘Barney Bubble’.

We are both very fortunate to leave Barney having learned many life lessonsand skills. We have obtained a strong moral compass and have learned toovercome adversity. To be given this opportunity and responsibility to be leadersat a young age was both daunting and exhilarating for us. It has allowed us toembrace being role models, and to instil Barney values throughout the schoolcommunity, whilst always staying true to ourselves.

As we move on to pastures new, so does Mr Cresswell. We would like to thankhim for his support throughout the sixth form journey, as he has always beenthere for us, regardless of the situation and he has shaped all of us into being theBarnardians we are today. We would like to wish him and Mrs Beadnell, who willbe taking over as Head of Sixth form, success and happiness for the future ahead.As we transition from Barnardians to OBs, we look back at our time with fondnessbut look ahead to the future with eagerness, ready to make new memories.

Amy Bagi

Head Girl Head Boy

6 ISSUE 07

BARNARDIANNEWSBARNARDIANNEWS

NEWYORK DINNER The New York Dinner in the autumn of 2019 was one of the fewOB events to take place since the last Barney Connect. As theHeadmaster has mentioned a group of 20 or so OBs, some withtheir partners met at Bice Cucina, 62 W 55th Street. There was amix of age groups from the 1960s to the 1990s and by all accountsa great night was had by all. Hopefully this will be the start ofregular reunions.

EVENTSAt the time of printing we are understandably not

able to publicise dates for forthcoming events. We

will be in touch as soon as we are able to make plans.

So please make sure Dot Jones has your contact

details – email is best.

OBs v 1st XI HOCKEY MATCH The OBs vs 1st XI hockey match took place on the firstSunday of the School year. We are grateful to all whocame to play. As ever the match was fiercely competitivehowever, this year the winners were the 1st XI but theOBs are looking forward to challenging them again assoon as they are able.

7B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

OLD BARNARDIANS’ CLUBNEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Julian Odulate (Y,’73)

I joined Barnard Castle School in 1966 asa preppie in Westwick Lodge with Mr &Mrs Verow and Ms Willet and Mr Haywho taught the two year groups. It wasduring this time that I learned to playsquash, and such was my enthusiasm thatI went into York House with Kenneth Kingand John Lee. I felt about squash the waySteve McQueen felt about motorsport‘Life is about racing. The bit in betweenraces, is just waiting...’. By the time I wasin second form I was the youngest personon the School squash ladder at the timewhen Peter Verow, who was in U6, beingnumber one.

My days at Barnard Castle School endedin 1973 due to a huge upset in my family,which included my name being changedto Julian Hazeldine, but didn’t give upon squash, infact, in some ways mycommitment to the sport increased.I played at Gateshead Squash Club in theopening exhibition matches with myEgyptian coach, the then world champion,

Jonah Barrington (JB) and the NewcastleUnited Captain, Bobby Moncur. I trainedhard and was very successful as a juniorand was runner up in the Junior EvansCup. This led to an invitation to trainingcamps with the England U18s (not bad fora 14-year-old) and selection to theEngland U18 squad, eventually playingfor England B vs Belgium. Sadly, due tofamily commitments I had to put squashon the back burner.

I went on to study Physics at King’sCollege, London graduating in 1987 afterwhich I set up my first business, CGMarketing which I sold 4 years later…retreating to the Alps for a ski season formy newfound love. I then became a serialstart-up entrepreneur trying to developcrowdfunding in the early 90s before ithad become recognised. I set up aFormula First Team and built the largestindoor kart track in Gateshead, not farfrom where I grew up. Motorsport provedto burn big holes in my pocket so I neededto become sensible again. I went to OxfordUniversity, Wolfson College, graduatingwith a PGCE. I taught physics inOxfordshire and then overseas, but I’mnow back in Oxfordshire still teachingphysics but also developing new conceptsand projects.

I have a son Keanan who I think is 35 (lostcount!). I have been married to Karen for12 years. She has two children, Jessica andMatthew, who are both at university.

Barney is still a big part of my life andI’m glad I was a student there, which iswhy I have kept in touch with the schoolsince 1980.

Nick Seddon (Staff 1983 – 2017)

After graduating from Durham, I joined thestaff of Prep School as a Middle Divisionteacher. In 1989 I was appointed as DeputyHead, a position I held until retirement.

During my career I have had many roles:class teacher responsible for overseeingpupils transferring to Senior School, headof Games, head of extra-curricular activitiesand, as Deputy, ensuring the smooth day today running of the Prep School. With mywife Sue as Housemistress, I also helpedrun Longfield House, at that time a Housefor sixth form girls, from when it firstopened in 1987 until 1994.

I oversaw many changes during my 34 yearsat Barney and have taught literally hundredsof children, if not thousands, as theycompleted their primary education. For thePrep School centenary in 2014, I wrote abook about Prep School and WestwickLodge which included both present and pastpupils’ recollections of their time at school.I also had the honour of opening theCentenary Building in Prep School duringmy 100th term.

8 ISSUE 07

BARNARDIANNEWS IN BRIEF

Bryan Patterson (N,’64) has lived in theBronx, New York since 1993. He is Directorof Squash at CitySquash, a programme for‘at risk’ inner city kids. Having learned toplay squash here at School Bryan becamean England squash player with six caps,ranked 2nd in England and 16th in theopen rankings. He was recently involved

in a documentary film, A Bronx Tale,showing the power of sport and the impactCitySquash can have on the lives of thechildren involved in it. The passion Bryanhas for this project can certainly be seenand he is obviously held in very highesteem. You can watch the film herehttps://bit.ly/2P8zMeK

Sadly, the exhibition of Douglas Pittuck’s artworks due to be held at the Witham in Aprilhad to be postponed, but it is hoped it will goahead in 2021. The exhibition was to be heldto raise money to restore the mural in StMary’s Church Hall (left) which has beenbadly damaged by damp. However, fund-raising is still on-going. Please contact DotJones if you would like to donate.

Christopher Cook (Y,’77) won the SunnyArt Prize 2019. The prize includes a soloshow in London, opening in late August(hopefully) and a residency and group showin Shanghai in spring 2021 (again,hopefully). Earlier this year Christopheralso won the Jackson’s painting prize in thestill life category.

Martin Burgess (Da,’95) and Sam

Forsyth (T,’89) ran this year’s BarnardRun. Here they are at the beginning –I don’t think you’ll want to see them atthe end!

9B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

Barney welcomes all financial support throughdonations, regular giving

and legacy pledges.

Please visitwww.barnardcastleschool.org.uk

for details or contact the Development Office in confidence

Alex Tait (T,’06) was awarded atestimonial season by the NewcastleFalcons after ten years with the Club.Alex aims to support three charities closeto his heart, Alzheimer’s Society, RestartRugby and Children North East. Severalevents have taken place not least a BurnsNight Dinner. Alex was particularly keenfor this to take here in a place that meansso much to him and to be surroundedwith his friends, family and guestsamongst the names of all those sportingOBs whose names are on the panels andwho helped to inspire Alex on and off thepitch. It was an excellent night of funnyspeeches, the traditions of Burns Nightand some fund raising games.

Hannah Robertson (L,’11) has recentlylaunched her new business, Whillows,which is a fresh flower delivery company inthe areas of central and south Manchester.Have a look at her website www.whillows.comto discover her collections.

Sam Leeming (Du,’15) has recentlysigned for Jersey Reds RFC. Duringlockdown he and good friend Mark Moss

(Da,’13) set up a podcast Ruck Off Rugby.You can find them on YouTube:http://youtube.com/channel/UCT7zcZ iTunesand Spotify @ RuckOffRugby

10 ISSUE 07

BARNARDIANNEWS IN BRIEF

Patrick Grant (Y,’90) launched the ‘BigCommunity Sew’ campaign in May. Theobjective was to encourage home sewers tomake face coverings, at that time for healthand social care workers, but of course nowwe all need them. Patterns and videos canbe found at www.bigcommunitysew.co.uk.Throughout the pandemic Patrick’s team atCookson and Clegg in Blackburn has beenmaking scrubs, gowns and face coveringsfor the NHS and they recently became oneof the first two companies to be awarded theBSI Kitemark standard for face coverings.

Well done and a huge thank you to staffmembers, Alan Beaty, Rebecca

Cruxton and Nick Connor who produced1,000 visors in the DT department whichwere then distributed to care homes and GPsurgeries in the local area.

Freddie Marlow (Du,’10) and Seb

Marlow (Du,’10) are members of a bandcalled Elephant Radio which is analternative indie rock band based inEastbourne, East Sussex, with a distinctlyUS-indie sound. Formed in 2016 by lead-singer Freddie, they released their first EP,California FM, the following year. Hisbrother Seb joined in 2018. All four trackson the EP, and all four singles released sincethen, have since been featured on BBCIntroducing and BBC Sussex. One single,Makes No Sense, was featured on BBCRadio 6. The band have also played two livesets on BBC’s Live Lounge (Sussex and

Kent), and have supported the likes ofScouting for Girls and Mallory Knox.The band spent the first three months oflockdown experimenting with “remote-recording”, performing a series of liveonline gigs from their bedrooms. These canall be found on the band’s YouTube channeland Facebook page. They also released avlog mini-series, ‘IrrElephant Radio’. Theyhave just finished recording 4 new tracks(socially distanced), and are currently in thefinal stages of production and will bereleased soon. They have also very recentlysigned with the London-based managementfirm Nick Stewart & Associates.

Nicholas Thexton (T,’94) is the owner ofStable Hearth in Darlington (moved fromGainford). In April he and his teamprepared 100 pizzas which they sent toDarlington Memorial Hospital which werevery much appreciated by the staff there.

11B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

David Moss (Da,’92) is the owner andchef at the Wensleydale Heifer in WestWitton, near Leyburn which recently camein at number six in the top ten of the TripAdvisor’s prestigious Traveller’s Choice‘Best of the Best’ Awards 2020, in the BestFine Dining Restaurant category. Davidsaid that he was thrilled to receive theaward which is due to the wonderfulreviews of their guests which he was verygrateful for. The Wensleydale Heifer hasalso been names as a finalist in the WhiteRose Awards.

Lia Spark (L,’07) is a sergeant in thePrincess Mary’s Royal Air Force NursingService and was posted to the NightingaleHospital in London during the pandemic.

Joe Faulkner (Du,’04) is the ClinicalOperations Manager for CommunityMental Health Service, Leeds and YorkPartnership NHS Foundation Trust andwas instrumental in setting up mentalhealth services for staff at the NightingaleHospital, Harrogate.

Tom Honeyman (T,’03) is the ManagingDirector of the medical company,Honeyman Group. From the verybeginning of the pandemic Tom joined inwith the national effort to provide a testingservice. In April the company set up swabtesting for Covid-19 and in addition to thisthey are now able to process up to 3,000antibody detection tests daily with resultsin 24 hours.

Lewis Sowerby (Da,’14) has recentlytaken over the lease of the Spotted Dog inHigh Coniscliffe – many years ago it was theChristmas meeting place of OBs. Both thepub and the menu have had a face lift so popin and say ‘hi’ if you are in the area, or if youare in Darlington then pop in to the JuniperTree on Grange Road.

being the company’s technical guru forCloud computing in the sales supportdepartment. He took early retirement in2019 and now spends his time volunteeringat the local foodbank every week, driving aminibus for older people, and buildingmodel railway layouts. He is married withtwo sons.

Ed Williamson (T,’02) was the winnerof the Nova Fine Arts #couragetocreateExhibition. The judges said ‘we chose Ed’swork, from over 600 entries, because wefelt it encompassed everything aboutcourage in art and the collection hadamazing detail’. Ed’s work will be on salefrom the gallery from the first weekend inSeptember. https://www.novafineart.co.ukor you can see Ed’s work on his own websitehttps://www.edwilliamsonart.com

Andrew Bartlett (Da,’13) has developedan app for which he received the ‘BestMarketing Initiative’ at the TeesdaleBusiness Awards. The app, which took overfour years to develop, is aimed at helpinghigh street businesses grow. You can readmore about it at www.roam-local.co.uk

Alistair Pollard (T,’79) has recently beenin touch to bring us up to date with life afterBarney. Having studied Computer Scienceat St Andrews University his first job wasworking for a software house Scicon Ltd,developing and supporting a maintenancemanagement system used in the oil and gasindustry. After six years in London,Aberdeen and Milton Keynes he movedback to the north of England and settled inHarrogate and where he worked for the next30 years for a financial software companyknown variously as Coda, Science Systems,Baan, Unit4. His roles involved support,integration and training, but culminated in

BARNARDIANNEWS IN BRIEF

12 ISSUE 07

Alistair Stewart (T,’91) and ElizabethChapman were married at St Mary’sChurch, Barnard Castle in January 2020.

Marriages

Congratulations to you all. We wish you have a long and happy life together.

Nicholas Gaven (Du,’10) married Sian Fox at Camp Katur, Camp Hill near Bedale inAugust 2019. The wedding party consisted of a number of OBs including Will Trewbyand Alistair Brown, who were the best men, as well as Jaime Groenig and Kate Mothersill.

Jack White (T,’03) and Vicky Barwood

(L,’05) were married in August 2019 inRothbury, Northumberland. MatthewBrown was best man, Rob White wasmaster of ceremonies and Jim Carver wasan usher. Katherine Williams (néeBarwood) was Maid of Honour and LucyWray was a bridesmaid. There was a largecontingent of OBs there to witness thisspecial day including Alice White, Johnand David Peat, Stuart and LornaWalker,Graham Peat, Nick Charlesworth,Eammon King, Carrie Riley (née Burgess),Sue Johnson, Abbie Felt (née Wood) andBecci McKenzie.

Graeme Seddon (Du,’07) married RosieManby in the Chapel at Christ’s Hospitalin July 2019. His twin brother Andrew wasbestman and Ian Hodgson was an usher.Many other OBs were in attendanceincluding Alex Smith (née Thomas),Jonny Cuthbertson, Andrew Mason,Adam McKenzie, Ricky Hopwood, Steveand Marion Kean, Stuart and DianaEverall and Gary and Hilary Bishop.

Rob Oakes (Y,’98) married MonikaKelemen in Bavaria on Friday 5 July 2019.Rob and Lisa Woods, Simon and JulieHodges, Neil Rutter and Rob’s sisterHazel were also present to provide someOB support for the traditional SouthernGerman celebration on a beautiful dayin the mountains.

13B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

We welcome your latest news and photographs. Submit via at email development@barneyschool.org.uk

Andrew Walker (T,’07) married Olivia Steventon at St Michael and All Angels, Middleton Tyas with thereception held at Middleton Lodge. Andrew’s brotherSimon played the organ for the church ceremony.

Ben Charlton married Beth in 2019.

Becky Wade (Ma,’09) married Alex Burkill at Le PetitChateau, Otterburn on 19 April 2019. Lots of OBs attendedincluding bridesmaids, Oriana Bezzina and Alex Brown,the Bride’s brother Lewis Wade, Richard Lockey, HeatherTosley, Richard Duncan and Oliver Short.

Births

Our very best wishes go to the following OBs who have

welcomed a new little bundle of joy to their family in the

last year:

Susannah Handley (néeCarroll, M,’99), in May, a son,Albie Brendan little brother forMary (8) and Edward (6).

Andrew (Da,’02) and Nicola

(née Hodgson, M,’05) Darling,a son, Oliver, little brother forArchie.

Rory Wood (Da,’02), in May,a daughter, Gracie Louise.

Jack White (T,’03) and Vicky(née Barwood, L,’05), in May,a daughter, Rose Dulcie.

Scott Carpenter (Da,’06),in January, a daughter, IsabelGrace, little sister for Lexi.

Ian Hodgson (T,’07),in March, a son, Joss.

Ricky Hopwood (Da,’07),a son, in May, Finlay Jasper.

Alex Smith, (née Thomas,B,’07) in June, a son, LouisOliver.

Graeme Seddon (Du,’07),in June, a son, BenjaminChristopher.

Sarah Blanshard, (née Moss,L,’04), in July 2019, a son,Oliver Raimes.

Alex Tait (T,’06) married Catherine at Villa Eva, Ravello, Italy.His brothers Mathew and Finlay, sister Niamh and friends HenryCarver and Scott Carpenter made up the OB contingent.

14 ISSUE 07

OBITUARIESIN MEMORIAM

Gerry Camozzi (Y,’57) On 7 September2019 we lost a very special friend and one ofthe most loyal Old Barnardians in the Club’shistory. I had the pleasure of meeting Gerryin 1987 and immediately experienced hiswarmth and friendliness. His passion forBarnard Castle School and desire to playan active part in its’ development was veryclear. I have held him in very high regardever since and feel privileged to have thisopportunity to pay tribute to his immensecontribution to the wellbeing of both ourClub and our School.

Gerry was born in Newcastle and grew upjust across the Durham border in Low Fell.After school his early career in accountancytook him to Zambia with his wife Ann fromwhere they travelled widely throughoutAfrica. He worked across the Congo andwas very proud to be on the first jet planeto land at Lobeto Bay in Angola. After fiveyears they returned and settled inNewcastle continuing to enjoy a long andhappy life together spanning some 56 years!

Gerry’s ‘Barney’ days commenced in 1949 atthe age of 11 as a York House boarder. Hetold many anecdotes from his schooldaysbut his favourite involved the regular dutyof manually pumping the organ bellows inthe Chapel basement during assemblies. Inthose days smoking was considered a grownup and sophisticated pastime so it seemedfair game to use this enforced isolation,while the whole School was captive inChapel, to enjoy an illegal cigarette with hisfellow calcant. The appearance of smokefrom the tops of the organ pipes gave thegame away with inevitable consequence!

Being an all-round sportsman Gerryexcelled at rugby, squash, cricket and golf.This love of sport stayed with himthroughout his life becoming a foundermember of Newcastle Gosforth (nowFalcons) rugby club and an ardent followerof English cricket. Along with Ann he spenttime on the golf course at everyopportunity. He played off ten and was astalwart of Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Clubwhere he was both Captain and Chairman.

With the exception of his five years inAfrica, Gerry has never been far fromBarney. He dedicated himself to Club andSchool making many lifelong friends in theprocess. Ann affectionately refers to Cluband School as Gerry’s ‘love of his life’ (afterher of course!). He always considered bothas a single entity providing mutual support.He had a regularly expressed belief that OldBarnardians are the best ambassadors forthe School. Therefore, the stronger the Clubthe better enabled it is to connect with andassist the School. Much of his time andenergy has been spent supporting ourBarney community and the values weuphold. He was a Club committee memberfor 32 years and Chairman in both 1992/93

and 2008/09. He proudly held the post ofOld Barnardian Representative Governorfor ten years and latterly accepted thehonour of becoming Honorary VicePresident of the Club.

Gerry’s contribution to Club and School isimmense including initiatives to promotea school video (in which he features),assisting pupils in their career choices,proposing ideas for OB’s to support theSchool and ensuring surplus Club fundswere fed back to address specific schoolneeds. The list of individual contributionsis endless. In his quiet yet determined styleGerry had a very safe pair of hands to helpsteer us through mostly good but alsodifficult times. He has always been keento safeguard the Club to benefit futuregenerations of the whole Barnardiancommunity. We owe him a great deal butI know his modesty would not have allowedhim to recognise this as a debt.

Underpinning all this good work wasGerry’s ease in exuding genuine friendshipand goodwill. This was infectious. He hadtime for everyone and relished theopportunity to welcome new faces. Exceptfor health reasons he never missed socialevents and it was always a pleasure to be inhis company. His unassuming generosityand lively humour put everyone at ease inhis presence providing a lasting impressionof a thoroughly nice man. We are all verymuch richer for knowing him. Peter Hodges (Y,’72).

15B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

Adam Scott-Gray (N,’50) passed away inthe early hours of Easter Saturday, 11 April2020, aged 87. He had been unwell for awhile and spent the final two months of hislife at the Sunderland Royal Hospital,where his condition gradually declineddespite the excellent care he received.

A former Chairman of the Old Barnardians(1986/87) and a long-time member of thecommittee, Adam always maintained thathe had spent some of the best days of his lifeat Barney and he was always keen tosupport the school. He continued to playrugby for the Old Boys, as they were thenknown, well into his 40s (these were thedays when there were no qualms aboutpitting men against boys) and was a regularvisitor to school until very recently.

Both of his sons attended Barney. ChrisScott-Gray (N,’81) and Nik Scott-Gray(N,’85), as did his father and brother.Contemporaries of Chris and Nik willremember their father’s frequent visits tothe touchline for School and House rugbymatches and his admonishment of thesecond rows, neither son was mentionedby name but they knew who he meant!

Family circumstances meant Adam leftschool half way through his sixth form buthe had made the most of the facilities onoffer. He was an active Scout, was veryinvolved with the CCF and he made somelasting friendships. His involvement withScouting continued until his children wereborn. He remained a stalwart of SunderlandRugby Club for many years, as a player, clubsecretary and fixture secretary.

Adam’s primary passion was ships and afterleaving Barnard Castle he went on to studyNaval Architecture, eventually joiningDoxford’s shipyard in his home town ofSunderland. He stayed there, in its variousguises, until shipbuilding left the RiverWear in the late 1980s before joiningCammell-Laird’s ship repair business.He was a member of the World ShipsSociety and many a weekend was spentgoing to look at ships on the Tyne or theTees. And, of course, in later years he andhis wife Elizabeth would holiday on a cruise,where he could see more ships.

As a regular church-goer Adam attendedSt Nicholas Church in Sunderland, wherehe was at various times Treasurer andChurch Warden.

Adam is survived by his wife of 61 yearsElizabeth as well as Chris and Nik. As aresult of these strange times there was onlybe a very small funeral. The family hopethey will be able to arrange a memorialservice later in the year.

Russell Hopkins OBE BDS MRCS LR

(N,’50) died in February 2020. He had beenunwell for a number of years. Russell lastvisited Barney for his decade reunion andhe had a wonderful time catching up withold friends and reminiscing about timespast. Not always the most dedicated ofstudents when it came to academia heenjoyed all that the School had to offer,even in the 1940s. After school Russell leda very interesting and varied life within themedical profession. Firstly as a dentisthaving studied at the University ofNewcastle and then his interest in oralsurgery saw him head back to university forhis medical degree. Eventually he becamea consultant oro-maxillo facial surgeon atCardiff’s University Hospital, even beinga ship’s doctor along the way. The finalchapter of Russell’s working life saw himmove in to hospital management as GeneralManager of the University Hospital Cardiffand eventually the Trust Chairman. In 2014Russell’s autobiography ‘A JourneyThrough Life: from Dentistry to MedicineThrough the Dawn of Maxillofacial Surgeryto Hospital Management’ was published.Russell is survived by his wife of almost50 years, Jill, three children and threegrandchildren.

Keith Pounder (Du,’58) died in hospitalon 14 May 2020 after a long illness lastingover two years. A private service was heldin Durham two weeks after his death. Keithwas born in West Hartlepool and joinedBarney as a boarder in Durham House in1951. He was a keen Scout, rugby playerand member of the choir. He performed inseveral Gilbert and Sullivan productions atschool, at university and later in Liverpool.After school he studied at King’s College,Newcastle where he took a degree inEconomics before taking up a post withBird’s Eye Limited in Liverpool, wherehe was also involved in the Chamber ofCommerce. He married Joy in 1973 andlater moved to Durham where he becamea director of a food company.

Once he moved back to Durham he becameinvolved in rugby coaching and singing,even joining the Durham Police Male VoiceChoir. His final move was to QuarringtonHill where he played a valuable role in locallife as a church warden and as a member ofthe Parish Council masterminding theraising of over £400,000 for repairs to theroof and tower. He served on a committeefor the maintenance and care of village hallsin the area as well as taking a keen interestin the preservation of a local nature reserve.Keith’s last connection with Barnard CastleSchool was in February 2020 when he wentto hear the choir sing Evensong in DurhamCathedral. Four days later he was taken into hospital. Keith was always positive inthinking and direct in expression and hefaced the final stages of his life bravely.He was a good and generous man, a trueChristian and a valued friend for 70 years.Sadly his wife predeceased him severalyears ago. He leaves a son, James, anda cousin, Nicky to whom we give oursympathy in their loss. There will be amemorial service for Keith at Kelloe Churchin the future and details will be forwardedto School when arrangements have beenmade. (DL Wilberforce Du,’59).

The thoughts and prayers of the whole Barnard Castle Schoolcommunity are extended to the family and friends of those Old Barnardians who are no longer with us. May they rest in peace.

16 ISSUE 07

OBITUARIESIN MEMORIAMIn March this year we were informed byRoger Bishop (Y,’59) that one of our mostdistinguished OBs, Professor Sir John

R Pattison (Y,’60) had died. A highperformer in the classroom and on thesports field John went on to Oxford to readmedicine. He was bitten by the researchbug whilst there and spent the whole of hiscareer in academic medicine. The list of hisachievements is long, from Professor ofMedical Microbiology at King’s CollegeHospital to NHS Head of Research andDevelopment with a specific responsibilityfor genetics. In 1995 the Governmentappointed John as the Chair of its AdvisoryCommittee on Bovine SpongiformEncephalopathy (BSE), such was hissuccess that he was knighted three yearslater. Sir John joined us at the Oxford lunchin 2016 and in 2019 provided the OBSecretary with his biography, from whichshe has produced this short obituary.

E. Bryan Hodgson (Du,’46) – we wereinformed by Bryan’s niece that he hadpassed away in April. Having trained asa dentist he spent his life as a communitydentist, working for the NHS and had beenmuch loved by his patients. He enjoyedgardening and spending time with friends.Bryan often spoke of his time at Barney andin particular his camping and climbingtrips with Bentley Beetham.

Rev Hugh Talbott RD, MA (Chaplain,1964-71) died in May after a heart attack athis retirement home in Wookey Hole,which had seen an air ambulance transporthim to Southmead Hospital in Bristol,sadly to no avail. Hugh’s lifelong vocationwas that of an ordained schoolmaster.He was our School Chaplain from 1964-1971, before being spirited away, to asimilar appointment at Bishop’s StortfordCollege for the next quarter of a century.His Headmaster there was none other thanthe ebullient Colin Greetham who had beenHead of History at Barney, and knew agood man when he saw one, even if itmeant poaching a former colleague froman HMC school!

I had the pleasure of following Colin asHead of History, with the additionalappointment as an Anglican Reader(Licensed Lay Minister) and so saw

Hugh in so many aspects of Barney’s life,which was then almost entirely boarding.He was an exemplar of Christian life anddiscipleship, serving his Lord (and ourSchool) in a quite remarkable way. Heconducted his Chapel services in a robustand understanding way both here and alsoat St Mary’s parish church in town.

Having completed his National Service inthe Royal Navy and on moving south Hughserved for many years in the Royal NavalReserve. Hugh always threw himself fullyinto whatever his Lord called him to dowhether that be with the Navy, in educationor as a clergyman. The Bishop ofBlackburn, Bishop Alan, on hearing ofHugh’s passing, writes ‘I was sorry to hearthat Hugh had passed away. As one getsolder, it is hard to say goodbye to thosewhose friendship has been a great support.I am sure that, as you commend him to ourrisen Lord, you will be giving thanks for hislife’. He surely rests in Peace. (PhilipJohnston left Barney in 1970 to becomeHeadmaster of Boston Grammar School,then later of QEGS, Blackburn).

Paul H Jarvis (Y,’57) died in peacefullyin May with his family around him. Paulwas very happy at Barney and came backwhenever possible. He was a talentedsportsman gaining colours for rugby andathletics and was awarded Victor Ludorumfor three consecutive years! A member ofthe CCF he was in the School shooting teamwhich he led in his final year. Paul alsoenjoyed singing in the Chapel choir andin fact his love of singing stayed with himthroughout his life and he continued tosing tenor with various choirs. He was achartered accountant and lived for manyyears in Norwich. Paul developedParkinson’s disease some years ago andlatterly suffered some nasty falls.

William Keith Lamb (Day, ’54) died on11 March 2020, aged 82 years. Keith livedand farmed at Doe Park, Cotherstonethroughout his life and became well knownby visitors to Teesdale staying at thefamily’s caravan site. He leaves behind hiswife Muriel and sons, Stephen and Philip,and their wives, Alison and Jennie, and hisgrandchildren, Emily and Harold.

David B Barker (N,’55) died suddenlyin October 2019. His daughter wrote thathe had enjoyed his visit to School a fewyears ago and was very impressed withthe facilities.

David Cammiss (Y,’57)

William P Craggs (N,’46)

David Deacon (Day,’58)

Roderick M Hunt (Day,’55)

Richard J Lightowlers (T,’71)

Roy Longstaff (Day,’57)

Andrew JD Mason (Du,’07)

Dr Desmond Walker (Y,’46) passedaway in April aged 91 years after ashort illness.

Alan S Whitfield (N,’61)

Eric Wilkinson (N,’52)

Peter C Williamson (N,’70) we recentlyheard from Peter’s wife that he passed awayin December 2016.

17B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

Andrew Mason (Du,’07) passed awaypeacefully on 13 Jan 2020 in the FreemanHospital, aged 30, after a tough and valiantthree-year fight with Multiple Myeloma –cancer of the bone marrow.

Andrew’s school years were filled withhappiness and laughter. Always at thecentre of where mischief-was-most,he was seen as a loveable rebel by teacherand pupil alike. As a student, his talentslay in Design Technology and PhysicalEducation. A keen sportsman, particularlyrugby and running, he was a key memberof the 1st XV that played at Twickenhamin the Daily Mail Cup Final in 2007.

After leaving school Andrew spent agap year in Kenya with fellow OBs JackFrater (N,’07) and Ian Hodgson (T,’07),building two playgrounds in a children’shome on the outskirts of Nairobi. Inorder to support this venture, Andrewand his friends raised over £20,000 andestablished a charity (Project Swallow)which endured for two years and extendedin to further building projects.

On his return from Africa in 2008,Andrew attended Harper AdamsUniversity where he read Rural Enterprise& Land Management. Following universityAndrew worked for Fisher German as aland agent before diversifying into buildingdesign and construction. Despite the self-imposed demands of his professional life,Andrew’s true passion lay in the outdoors,extreme challenges and helping othersby raising funds in support of charities.In 2014 Andrew ran 100 miles with a 50kgbeer keg on his back, raising in excess of£6,000 for the Natalie Kate Moss Trust.In spite of the physical toll that thisenormous feat took on his body, he carriedout the challenge with a smile on his faceand even managed to sink a pint at thefinish line, where he was greeted by over100 of his family and friends.

His thirst for adventure and extremechallenge was not restricted to land,however. In 2016, Andrew and fellowOB’s Kyle Booysens (N,’08) and FredMoore (N,’08) rowed around the UK allin the name of charity. Raising in excessof £82,000 for the Natalie Kate Moss Trust

and the RNLI, they battled rain, wind,shine and fatigue for 40 days and 40nights before successfully completingtheir challenge on the 14 July 2016.When reflecting on this challenge,Andrew would often refer to theexperience as ‘biblical’. Later thatsame year, Andrew was diagnosed.

Andrew showed great resilience in theface of this hardest and cruellest ofchallenges. His stubborn nature andrefusal to fail meant that he continued towork in the building industry throughouthis illness whilst pursuing his favouritepast times, shooting and fishing, wheneverthe opportunity presented itself. Known forhis consistently positive attitude andbeaming smile, Andrew was the life andsoul of any party; everyone who knew himwill be able to recount many-a-story abouttheir mate, ‘Mase’.

Andrew spent the last few years of his lifeliving between London and at his belovedfamily home in Middleton-in-Teesdale.Even with his daily struggles, Andrewnever stopped fighting. He pushedboundaries whilst inspiring many.Andrew was a man amongst men, a trueDalesman and a warrior until the very end.His funeral service, which was attendedby hundreds of friends and family, wastestament to the character of anexceptional young man who was loved byall that knew him. He will be sorely missed.

‘Don’t be normal!’

Ian Hodgson (T,’07)

18 ISSUE 07

OB MERCHANDISE2020

OB Club TieSilk

Hoodie (Embroidered front and reverse shown)

OB Club Bow TieSilk Self-tie

SocksCotton

ScarfWool/Fleece

Barnardian TieSilk

Barnardian Bow TieSilk

Rugby ShirtCotton

Lapel Badge (Top)Silver Charm Hallmarked

TankardEtched

Whiskey GlassEtched

Mug Full of HistoryChina

CufflinksEnamelled

Top Tree Coaster Top Tree Round Edge Top Tree Live Edge Top Tree Paddle (Large/Small)

19B A R N E Y C O N N E C T TRINITY 2 0 2 0

ORDER FORM& PRICE LIST

Item Description Cost Postage Quantity

per item cost required

OB Club Tie Silk £20 £2

OB Club Bow Tie Silk self-tie £15 £2

Barnardian Tie Silk £20 £2

Barnardian Bow Tie Silk £15 £2

Socks Cotton, Fit Size 7-11 £7.50 £2

Scarf Wool/Fleece £28 £3.50

Cufflinks Enamelled £15 £2

Lapel Badge Enamel £4 £2

Silver Charm Hallmarked £35 £2

Tankard Etched with School badge £15 £3.50

Whiskey Glass Etched with School badge £12 £3.50

Mug Full of History China £18 £3.50

100 Not Out Prep School history £5 £3.50

Chapel History £5 £3.50

Top Tree Coaster SOLD OUT – –

Top Tree Small Paddle LOW STOCK (11 remaining) £20 £5.50

Top Tree Large Paddle LOW STOCK (3 remaining) £30 £5.50

Top Tree Round Edge LOW STOCK (15 remaining) £40 £5.50

Top Tree Live Edge SOLD OUT – –

Size S M L XL 2XL 3XL(Chest) (40) (42) (44) (46) (48) (50)

Hoodie £30 £3.50

Rugby Shirt £40 £3.50

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