Welcome To The Old Chelmsfordians Association Website



The Journal of The Old Chelmsfordians Association.

Memorial Sports Field, Lawford Lane, Roxwell Road, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 2NS

Phone: 01245 420442 : Website:

Secretary and Newsletter Editor: George Heseltine : 01245 265962 : heseltineuk@

CHRISTMAS DRAW - HAVE TICKETS, WILL TRAVEL!

We will again be holding a Christmas Draw this year to raise funds for ongoing improvements around the Clubhouse and enclosed you will find 10 tickets at £1.00 each.

Following the success last year in giving main prizes of Travel Vouchers we have decided to repeat this and are giving 4 prizes totalling £1000 as a thank you for your ongoing support of the Association.

For those who receive the newsletter electronically you will not miss out as the tickets will be sent to you by post!! Roger Gaffney will again be organising the draw and has asked that every counterfoil be completed as the books are split with the individual counterfoils being entered into the draw.

If anyone would like extra tickets or wish to make a donation towards the prizes they should contact Roger on 01245 269388. Please do make every effort to support the draw as this is now the only fundraiser we ‘impose’ upon you during the year and the revenue from this really does make a difference to what we can continue to do at Lawford Lane. The Draw will take place in the Clubhouse on Sunday, December 8th at 1.00pm and we would be delighted to see you there!

KEGS SCHOOL NEWS - JOSEPH STRUTT

Hugh Piper (1942-1949) came across this article about Joseph Strutt in a volume of ‘Old London’ during his perusing of information regarding St Andrew’s Church, Holborn.

“Another burial we must notice is that, in 1802, of Joseph Strutt, the author of ‘Sports and Pastimes of the People of England’ and several other works of an antiquarian character. Strutt was born at Springfield, in Essex, on the 27th of October 1749 and was educated as an artist. In 1770 he became a student of the Royal Academy and was successful in winning both the gold and silver medals here. He served an apprenticeship to the unfortunate Ryland, and when his term expired, began to unite literary labours of an antiquarian character with those of his artistic profession. In 1773 he published his first book, ‘The Regal and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of England’ and subsequently a ‘Complete View of the Manners and Customs, Arms, Habits, &c., of the Inhabitants of England’; a ‘Chronicle of England’ (a “heavy book”, Chalmers says); a ‘Dictionary of Engravers’; ‘The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England’; ‘Queen Hoo Hall, a Romance’ and several other works. He died on the 16th of October 1802 in Charles Street, Hatton Garden. His biographer sums up his character in these words:- ‘The calamities incident to man were indeed his portion on this earth, and these greatly augmented by unkindnesses where he least deserved to have met with them. He was charitable without ostentation; a sincere friend, without intentional guile; a dutiful son; a faithful and affectionate husband; a good father; a worthy man; and above all, it is humbly hoped, a sincere Christian. His natural talents were great, but little cultivated by early education. The numerous works which he gave to the world as an author and as an artist prove that he employed his time to the best advantage.”

Not surprisingly perhaps, Strutt, who had attended the School himself (by which time hopefully his talents were being cultivated by education) subsequently gave his name to one of the School Houses. Reference to the ‘unfortunate Ryland’ is to William Wynne Ryland, a talented engineer to whom Strutt was apprenticed at the age of 14 and who ‘on very slight evidence as we should consider now-a-days’ was executed for forgery in 1783!. As an author, artist, engraver and antiquary Joseph Strutt earned for himself no small measure of immortality and the School is proud to remember him as one of its most famous Old Boys. An early copy of ‘The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England’, the best known and popular of his works, was purchased in the mid 1970s for the Duffield Library at the School.

It is interesting that very recently a blue plaque has been fitted to the Springfield Mill House in Victoria Road, Chelmsford where Strutt lived and which suggests that his book ‘The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England’ influenced the revival of the modern Olympic Games.

Old Boys of a more recent era will recall that John Bradridge (1942-1945) lived with his family in the same house until his death in 2010 and whilst many might believe him worthy of a blue plaque we are unaware at this time of any campaign to have one erected in his memory!.

KEGS PA NEWS

Saturday, 16th November is our popular Family Quiz Night, it would be wonderful to see some Old Chelmsfordians there; can anyone beat last years’ winners I wonder? The cost of the evening is £5 a head, the maximum table size is 12 people and we would invite you to bring your own refreshments. If you would like to put a team together please get in touch.

Our Christmas Fayre is on Saturday, 7th December, a seasonal event with gifts, games and a wonderful festive atmosphere. If you would like a stall or even to place an advert in the Fayre Programme (we have a circulation of about 500) then please contact me for further details.

 

Hazel Drain, KEGS PA President, pa@.uk.

NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome to James Shaddock who has recently joined as a Life Member having left the School in the summer.

THIS AND THAT

We have heard from Nick Bourne that he has been appointed to the House of Lords and will be a working Peer there for the Conservative Party.

Nicks adds “I was a pupil at KEGS from 1963 until 1970. From there I went on to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth where I gained First Class Honours in Law. I then went to Trinity College Cambridge where I was active in politics and the Law Society. I was there for two years reading for the LLM degree which I obtained in 1975. I then qualified at the Bar.

Later I went to become Professor of Law at Swansea Law School. This is now part of Trinity St David’s University in Wales.

During my period in Wales I have been active in politics and was an Assembly Member in the National Assembly for Wales for twelve years.

I have very fond memories of the School. I was taught by some inspirational teachers like Ken Booth who succeeded in persuading me that Latin was a good thing. I have also very good memories of Hazel Wengrove who taught French.

Of course the School was blessed by a team of excellent teachers and an excellent Head in Nigel Fanshawe. It is good to see the School continuing to prosper”

In offering Nick our congratulations on this appointment and our very best wishes for his time in the Lords we are sure he will also be offered every assistance in finding his way around the House by fellow Old Boy, Norman Fowler.

It is interesting that Nick refers to Nigel Fanshawe simply as ‘The Head’ as following the last newsletter we heard from Nigel:- “Many thanks for your last newsletter which I read with great interest - full of references to Old Boys that I knew well. One small thing, Tom Sherrington refers to himself as Head Teacher. This amused me as when I was there I was Head Master not Teacher. The difference goes back to pre-war days when the Heads of Grammar Schools were Headmasters because they administered things in their Schools whilst in the primary schools the Heads were full time teachers. The headmasters used to only teach if they wanted to. My staff were masters not teachers - I hope they keep that distinction. The pre-war schools were taught by people without degrees, a two year course to become a teacher, whilst the grammar schools were taught by graduates with degrees and there was also a difference in salary scales, obviously better for a master than a teacher”. Nigel has recently been in touch with both Pat Ager and Peter Bullock, both living in America, and is always keen to hear from Old Boys. He can be reached at Frintondene, 4 Third Avenue, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, CO13 9EG.

The name of Old Boy, Geoff Marsh, who was at School from 1961-1968 is one of the 43 appearing on the memorial to the victims of the Moorgate Tube crash which was unveiled in Finsbury Square on July 28th. Campaigners had fought for this memorial for almost forty years since the accident on February 28th 1975Bottom of Form when a packed commuter train ploughed through buffers and into the end wall at Moorgate station.

Frank Easton, 1949-1954, has enquired if members might be interested in this photograph which was one of two sent to him by Eric Withams. The band was playing at Crompton’s Social Centre in March 1955 and features an un-named conductor and Joe Clark, Ian Middleton, Frank himself on piano, Roger Bome, ‘Spike’ Godden and Jim Foulkes playing guitar.

Apparently the ‘unknown’ conductor was an actor and his involvement was part of a play viewed by Peter Kistruck, Nigel Fanshawe and, no doubt, many others.

Frank also asked “Do you know anything about publications, presumably by the boys, entitled the Westfield Weekly and The Torch? Both flourished around November 1954 and it might be interesting to see if anyone has any issues. The school could have them but I think they would have been considered too ephemeral to add to their archives”.

Edward Mills, (1974-1981), edward-pam@woodisgood.fsnet.co.uk.

“Thanks for sending the newsletters.  I can’t remember the last time I gave any kind of update.  I’m afraid I’m not really in touch with any Old Chelmsfordians now.  I’m still working in forestry up here in Cumbria and the Lake District and consider myself to be lucky to be in a career which is endlessly rewarding.  I’ve recently published my second book (co-authored by my colleague Rebecca Oaks).  “Coppicing and Coppice Crafts” came out in 2010 and “The Greenwood Crafts” late in 2012, both published by The Crowood Press.  I can’t imagine that my English masters ever thought I might end up having a couple of books published – and neither did I!

 

Please pass on my very best wishes to past pupils and teachers who may remember me”.

A recent visitor to the clubhouse was David Stansbridge (1940-1949) who was attending the after-funeral gathering there for his sister-in-law Joy, wife of his brother Philip (Pip). David had not visited the School or Clubhouse in sixty years and was delighted to find references to himself, and rekindle memories of former classmates, in our collection of Chelmsfordian magazines. He took away several back copies of our own newsletter to read at his leisure and would be pleased to hear from any of his old contemporaries. His current address is 9 Wolverton Close, Ipsley, Redditch, Worcs, B98 0AR.

With regard our growing archive we were recently donated a copy of ‘Ye “Olde Chelmsforde” Cookerie Booke’ by Ted Caton who had himself rescued this from being dumped in a skip. The preface of the KEGs School publication dated April 1913 reads “The compilers of this “Cookerie Booke” desire to thank all friends who have helped them with the recipes and sixpences. They would also remind all visitors to the Fete that “new dishes beget new appetites” and that this book “seasons its dishes cunningly and elegantly”. Such was the success of the book that this was reprinted in December 1913 and again in December 1915. Those present at the coffee morning when Ted produced the booklet enjoyed reading the various recipes and household hints and took particular interest in the section on ‘Invalid Cookery’ which explained how to strengthen blancmange and jelly for invalids and how to prepare Meat Juice which could be served to the patient a wine glassful at a time.

We have also recently heard from Anthony Baird (1931-1937) who is always very complimentary about the newsletter and very kindly sends us regular donations towards their cost. At 92 he apologises for his writing which he suggests is ‘becoming somewhat erratic’ though still far more legible than mine!. Anthony now lives at Lindfield, near Haywards Heath.

CLUB MEMBER ‘CLICKING’ FOR CHARITY

Chris Jullings, an active Club member recently introduced himself to the Committee with a view to offering his photographic services to the Association and its members and in so doing raise money for his chosen charity. We invited Chris to write a few words to reach the wider newsletter audience with the thought that members might be keen to follow this up and take advantage of his offer.

“I am a regular tennis player at the Old Chelmsfordians club and also raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. As I'm sure you know Marie Curie Cancer Care provides nursing care for terminally ill people and their families at a very difficult time.

I am one of 8 members of the Chelmsford Marie Curie fund raising group who raised £20k last year and this paid for 1000 hours of nursing care for local people. The fund raising takes many forms, perhaps the best known is the Great Daffodil Appeal that takes places every spring, and there are others that arrange coffee mornings, run quizzes and give talks to folks prepared to part with their cash!

However, I decided to set up 'clicking for charity' and put my photographic skills to good use.

The simplicity is that people contact me about a family photo shoot, some photos for a business website or an event (wedding, school prom, 50th birthday, sports presentation evening); we agree a reasonable donation and all the money goes to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

If you have a team evening coming up (or have a personal celebration of some kind) and would like me to take a few photos and help support Marie Curie Cancer Care at the same time please contact me on 07850 725691. You might also like to have a look on my website  to see some of my work.

On a final note of reassurance (particularly for my fellow tennis players), my photography is better than my tennis!!”

COFFEE MORNINGS

 

Colin Beeton, assisted by his daughter and grandson, was in charge of the July coffee morning and he reports “Members and guests enjoyed a morning in the middle of the heat wave. Outside our field was slowly turning brown as conversation flowed inside. It was good to see Ralph Archer and Chris Pain and also the ever youthful looking John Day now in his 93rd year.

Our Secretary George noted a saving on postage costs as he handed out his latest newsletter for those not integrated to this electronic age. It does make good reading. We noted in the previous newsletter a list of new young members all of whom would be very welcome as would past and present teachers at the school. Just a reminder that proceeds from our mornings go to our yearly chosen charity”.

 

The August Coffee Morning was under the tender loving care of Hugh and Pat Piper.  “17 participants - the small number perhaps indicating holidays.  Nonetheless a good gossip was had - and far more intimate! The obligatory quiz was propounded, but the total correct answers was zero - perhaps no one could explain the opposite of antirrhinum or how to spell it!

 

We know there are a number of OCs in the area  -  why not give us a look - just once a month (third Thursday 10 a.m.).  Just announce name and number, years at School plus house and if applicable year expelled  -  and don't be too alarmed at the numbers waiting to pounce with coffee and biscuits and raffle tickets”.

Ted Caton has reported on the latest gathering “On a forecast wet but in fact dry day (dry at least until we had all set off for home) the September coffee morning, organised by 1950's VA, attracted 22 cheerful imbibers. The few absences for health reasons were partially offset by the presence of one newcomer, namely Reg Richardson who had left the school in 1944. We were pleased also to see Margaret Barnes again, giving Dud Courtman the opportunity to turn the tables by selling her some raffle tickets!

The next coffee morning will be on Thursday 17 October when Brian and Margaret Churcher will be in charge. They will be pleased to welcome any newcomers”.

Murray Brazier has suggested “It may not be too early to add to the Coffee Morning section in the next Newsletter an item regarding the Christmas gathering when I have been asked to do the Fish & Chips meal again.  Therefore, it would be well worth reminding those who come along that I will be collecting names at the October coffee morning.  Price yet to be determined - proceeds to this year’s charity”.

 

Coffee Mornings are held on the third Thursday of the month and future dates for your diary are:-

17 October, 21 November and 19 December 2013. 16 January, 20 February, 20 March, 17 April, 15 May, 19 June and 17 July 2014. Further information is available from:-

 

Lloyd Hardy on 01245 251187, Ted Caton on 01245 256790 and Murray Brazier on 01245 441014.

OCA BLAZERS

Following our advertisement regarding OCA Blazers in the last issue Chris Reid, (1982-1989), C.Reid@, was the only member we heard from - “I would definitely want a blazer. Probably about 48-50 chest etc. so quite a lot of material!!!! Hope all well with you” - so we put him directly in touch with the tailors who hold the remaining lengths of our material.

The company, Collier & Robinson, was formed in 2002, by partners Mark Shemilt and Kristie Robinson, primarily to produce club blazers for visiting rowing crews to Henley-on-Thames, the undisputed home of British Rowing.  The rich pageantry of the Henley Royal Regatta means that not only the rowing crews themselves, but also the spectators and former oarsmen had a need for locally produced, hand-made blazers, ties and flannels. Since then their clientele has increased to include vintage car clubs, schools, traditional boating and gentlemen's clubs. For others interested, whilst our existing stocks last, Mark and Kristie can be contacted at info@collierandrobinson.co.uk.

MOVING ON

Bryan Richmond (1944-1949) and Janet have moved and can now be located at 166, Arbour Lane, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM1 7SD. Their phone number remains the same, 01245 250404. 

He recently received a phone call from one of his School contemporaries, Peter Finch, who Ricky suggests was very bright at School and a talented sportsman. However, as we have mentioned before, Peter is sadly now blind but still enjoys having the newsletter read to him by his daughter Sarah and would be delighted to hear from any others of his School colleagues. Peter was originally from Highwood and is now at Nutfield and any correspondence can be addressed c/o Sarah Finch, 3 Charman Road, Redhill, Surrey. RH1 6AG.

OCA WILDLIFE - SEPTEMBER 2013

Nick Green writes:-“Thanks once more to the Friday crowd for replacing the roses on the south side of the clubhouse with Lavender plants and in the car park border. On fine days this summer, there has been a literal hive of activity, very popular for bees - and butterflies such as: Small and Great Whites plus Gatekeepers and Small Tortoiseshells with 13 sighted on 25th August – a really good recovery year noted countrywide.

Dragonflies spotted by the stream on eastern perimeter: Brown Hawker and Migrant Hawker

2 new nest-boxes: still no activity seen as yet. Bird sightings, mainly on football Saturdays and occasional Sunday lunchtimes, include resident birds Grey Wagtail and Great Spotted Woodpecker, but also migrants in the form of Chiffchaff and Blackcap in the nearby hedgerows plus a fly-over Yellow Wagtail on 27th September.

OBITUARIES

Dennis Charles ‘Monty’ Mortlock 29/11/1925 - 26/08/2013

Unlike his brother Robert, ‘Monty’ did not attend the School himself but became something of a legend at Lawford Lane. In eight seasons playing football for the lst XI he scored over 400 goals. He was club captain between 1952 and 1957 and in season 52/53 scored 57 goals, 55 the next and in 54/55 netted 83 goals with a record 71 in the League. We reproduce below the eulogy given at the funeral which was attended by several members who enjoyed recounting many memories with Monty’s sister Eileen who had married into the Rison family which prompted much talk of Geoff and Peter.

“Dennis was born, educated and lived in Chelmsford all his life. There were three children in the Mortlock family, Catherine, Robert and Dennis, the youngest. Their father died when they were all under three years old. Dennis’s mother remarried eight years later and went on to have two more children, Eileen and Terry.

Dennis was a choir boy at Chelmsford Cathedral and his passion for classical and opera music continued throughout his life.

At seventeen and a half years old Dennis volunteered for the Royal Marines Parachute Regiment and was soon promoted to Officer. This was recorded in the London Gazette of the time. After military service he took a degree in business studies and went on to work in London on the early development of computers. He always said he would look after his mother so when she became unwell he took responsibility for her care.

He was a keen sportsman and played football and cricket for the Old Chelmsfordians. He was also an excellent swimmer and played water polo for Chelmsford Swimming Club. He took up golf seriously when he retired and was a member of the Chelmsford Golf Club.

When he could no longer participate in sport he would walk long distances each day to keep fit. He had a quick sense of humour and was well known and liked in Chelmsford. He will be fondly remembered by his family, friends and all who met him”.

Pat (Ginger) Freeman

As we go to print we have also learned of the death of Pat Freeman (1931-1936). He had been one of the original coffee morning members and had remained a regular visitor on the ‘Third Thursday’ until quite recently. He was well known for his love of ‘Steam’ and was an active member of the East Anglian Traction Engine Society. He had written several books on the subject which were published by the Society amongst them ‘Contractor and Factor’, ‘Three Counties Steam Tour’, ‘Threshing and Thatching’, ‘Steaming Down the Ages’ and on behalf of the EATES had also updated Steve Neville’s ‘The Heavy Gang’. Pat’s funeral is at St Mary’s Church, Great Baddow, on Tuesday October 8th at 1.30pm

REMINISCENCES - THE FINAL PART

Following ‘Part Three’ of Brian Saunders’ reminiscences we heard from Chris Pain (1951-1958),

chris_pain1940@, ‘If you are desperate for copy, would the following confessions be any use?’

“Brian Saunders’ articles have brought back many memories from fifty plus years ago! Our time at KEGS spanned the same period, but I was too thick to make it into Transitus, and went into the Science Sixth, where we were an undisciplined rabble. There were two main science sixth streams, maths/physics/ chemistry and double maths/physics. I had already decided that chemistry required too much remembering and maths only needed the application of a little knowledge and a few principles, so there was no doubt about which to choose. Nigel Fanshawe's teaching of co-ordinate geometry was brilliant. I can still

remember much of it, but sadly didn't manage to find many practical applications for it.

The lower sixth form room had four pendant lights which were frequent victims of our efforts. Thin cotton threads attached to the chains supporting them and carried over high level water pipes could make the lights hang at very strange angles to the vertical, or start swinging violently for no apparent reason. The

lights were controlled by individual switches, but fed from a common fuse. If one was left switched off but with a sixpence piece inserted behind the bulb an unsuspecting teacher entering the room and switching on the odd light would plunge the room into sepulchral gloom as the fuse blew.

Some of us spent many happy times with the rifle team. Originally we used to fire .22s at targets supported on a timber wall at the top of the playing field, beyond the canteen, but after a few near misses with rebounds a proper rifle range was built. However, Saturday morning expeditions to real rifle ranges at North Weald, or sometimes Rainham or Purfleet were much greater treats. These were always in the charge of Bob Lygo and Bruiser Findley (A great hero of mine whose bark was infinitely worse than his bite). We used standard .303 service rifles a few of which were designated as 'match rifles' and fitted with special (Parker Hale 5b) sights, and we alternated between five rounds application and snap. Sadly even here vandalism was not always absent. Ammunition control was not 100% and it was sometimes possible to load up with 10 rounds instead of the prescribed five. One member of the team was thought

(probably totally unjustly!) to be a bit thick and during five second snap exposures two or three of his

"friends" would fire one round for themselves and one for him, resulting in him getting scores of eight or nine out of five. It was also not uncommon for a miscreant to put one through the marker disc, used to indicate the location of the last shot. It wasn't only the boys who were guilty. We never fired the Bren Guns because of the rate at which they used ammunition, but one was taken to North Weald one Saturday and Bob Lygo practically cut a target in half with it. The annual Schools Competition at Bisley was a great event. There was a certain amount of competition between us and Brentwood. We were rather envious of their superior equipment which included very nice leather rifle cases, and the night before the competition some of our team helped theirs to consume large amounts of alcohol. The result was that we and they came very near the bottom of the competition, but at least we beat them - by one place! Happy days!”

Chris was subsequently a welcome visitor at the July coffee morning and discussion with him there that the provision of the new Art Block at the School would be at the expense of demolishing our Form 3 classrooms and Mr. Danvers’s woodblock block prompted these further thoughts from him. (However our memories of Dan’s 'one match to light the gluepot' and 'not kicking the shavings out of the door' routines would happily not be so easily destroyed):-   

“In my time the woodwork room was at the far end of the corridor from the Hall (now the Library) and woodwork was one of the many things I was no good at. In the second year ‘Dan’ was after my blood and I contrived to miss woodwork every week for a whole term. I remember the check list he recited at the end of each lesson for the cupboard contents which always ended “and lastly either a hammer or a brush”.

I have had a couple of further thoughts after re-reading Brian Saunders’ article. I was told, I think by Nigel Fanshawe, some years after I left school that Pussy's nickname derived from an American law officer of the prohibition period, Pussyfoot Johnson, who was famed for his stealthy pursuit of his prey. Also not much has been said about Lionel Kettle, who seemed to be drafted in to teach various subjects, including history, I think geography, and maths. He certainly persuaded me in the third year that maths was a good thing and gave my subsequent academic career a boost. I remember him as being relatively small with a regional accent that I couldn't place, very keen on football, and described as "totally left-footed".

Prior to the morning assembly in the hall, which seemed so much bigger 60 years ago, Bruiser used to keep order before NHF arrived. I remember the time when on an unusually noisy morning he shouted in exasperation "Be quiet! You're just making arses of yourselves!" to the great delight of the whole school!”

Anthony Hasler, (1942-1949), a7hasler@, has also responded to Part Three:-

“Another interesting contribution from Brian Saunders. My only query this time concerned the origin of Pussy Johnson's nickname. I always thought that I and my contemporaries believed he was named after an American Civil War general (on one side or the other!) named Pussyfoot Johnson. However an admittedly casual look at Google refers only to a Pussyfoot Johnson who was a strong contender on the temperance side during the years of Prohibition. This is so unromantic I think that either we were mistaken at the time or I am mistaken now; my short term memory is hopeless but perhaps the long term version has let me down here. Certainly our beloved form master in 5A did have a somewhat feline appearance and the nickname did seem to suit. During election year we asked him who he would be voting for. He assured us he was one of those who made our electoral system work by voting differently every time! One Christmas time we had a balloon suspended from above at his head height. Undeterred he was able to high kick well enough to reach the balloon. It was he who masterminded the annual sports day until a full-time PE teacher was appointed (named Pike I believe)”.

We now conclude Brian’s reminiscences and thank him for allowing us to serialise these for our members’ delectation.

“In my last year at School, “Aggie” Dowd who was a Tenor Drummer in the Band, persuaded me that I would be doing the Band a great service if I would fill the vacancy for the other Tenor Drummer. I had tried to join the Band much earlier as a side drummer but discovered that (just as with my efforts with the trombone) I had no talent whatsoever. “Never mind” said Dowd “no talent is required for playing the Tenor Drum and you get to wear a leopard skin with your red tunic and striped trousers”. He omitted to tell me that I would get blisters between my fingers through spinning the sticks and that the leopard skin made you perspire so much that your underwear was dyed a permanent red. On top of this the second (or third or fourth) hand uniforms were fragile and not really fit for my somewhat large girth. On several parades I suffered the indignity of split trousers.

Earlier, “Scabby” Stewart was Drum Major. He was hugely flamboyant, tossing the mace high in the air and usually catching it with a flourish. Unfortunately, the staff of the mace was connected to the silver head by a cylinder of either bone or plastic at just the point where Scabby caught it, with the inevitable result that on several occasions it broke in half (luckily when he was rehearsing particularly daring throws on Westfields rather than on parade). I think it was Spilsbury who was his successor and when I joined the Band it was “Peck” Angel. They were far more conservative with their swaggers or they had been warned off. I think a chap called Gunning was the Solo Drummer.

The highlight for me of every parade in the town was marching under the Railway Bridge belting out our loudest tune – “The Army, the Navy and the Air Force” with the echoes reverberating all around and sending any unwary pedestrians scurrying into the open air.

Our main objective was the Annual Hornchurch Band Competition where we competed against Bands from all over the surrounding area. As was normal we marched and counter-marched in intricate patterns playing our martial music and won the Competition yet again. I still have my medal (with my name inscribed on the reverse - incorrectly). I discovered it, tarnished and dull at the back of a drawer, and was foolish enough to display it proudly to my daughters - much to their amusement and derision.

I can recall little of my time in the Fifth Form which seems to have been entirely spent studying for “O” Level GCEs. Life improved dramatically when we moved into Lower Sixth Arts. The whole approach to learning and discipline was far more relaxed. Our role models were the trio of “Spike” Godden, “Scabby” Stewart and “Froggy” Fromant. They were the unofficial leaders of the School. Spike was a body building fanatic who excelled at Field Sports – Javelin, Shot and Discus. Scabby was (I think) a long distance runner as well as Drum Major. All three were Prefects and were senior NCOs in the Cadet Corps. The Head Boy was Roger Leigh who, though he appeared less charismatic, was probably a far better role model but because he was from Sixth Science he was not really recognized by us. I understand that he went on to a distinguished career at the new Comprehensive School in Chelmsford.

In all my time in Sixth Arts we were fortunate enough to be housed in “Westfields” - sadly no longer with us. It was a substantial grey brick double fronted house, with double doors in the centre and bow windows on either side, situated near Broomfield Road at the opposite side of Westfields from the School. On the lawn between the House and the road stood a magnificent Copper Beech which was taller than the House and beneath whose spreading branches we studied in the Summer Term for our exams. (Summer weather seemed so much better then!). None of the Masters were based at Westfields and we were left pretty much to our own devices except for the relatively few periods when we had lessons.

Through the double doors in the front of the house was a large hallway with a classroom on each side and a wide staircase ahead. Both the downstairs classrooms looked out through the bow windows onto Westfields itself. On the first floor were the Library and the Sixth Arts Form Common Room.

The classrooms did not have desks. Instead there were large tables with chairs facing the windows so that we were easily distracted by the various activities outside. The tables were ideal for halfpenny football played with combs and bags of enthusiasm. They also stood in for our games of three card brag where we learnt about runs, flushes and prials. These activities were led with great elan by Martin Gentry (Marty the Gimp) a really charismatic character who sadly committed suicide shortly after leaving School.

The Library was a treasure trove with bookshelves lining the walls of this long room and tables down the centre where we could escape to read Punch and the Economist and view the smutty photographs in National Geographic. It was here that the Fleur de Lys Society held its debates with many a budding politician being laughed at in scorn. The Historical Society also met there.

The Common Room, to which we were promoted in our Second year in the Sixth Form was an untidy room furnished with greasy dilapidated armchairs into which we fell and from which we had difficulty in escaping. It also possessed a coffee percolator and an electric toaster and the first floor usually carried the twin odours of coffee and burnt toast. The coffee was particularly foul being sweetened with thick sugary condensed milk which was always congealed on the can. It was always a relief to congregate in the greasy spoon opposite the Bus Station and drink (only) slightly better coffee after school.

Amongst my colleagues in the Common Room was Foster who was Holland House Captain and owned an ancient but reliable Austin Seven and thus was the envy of us all. His ambition was to go to Nottingham University where we were assured that the ratio of females to males was something like fifteen to one. Then there was Harvey whose father owned the local Driving School and also was envied for his free use of a car. There was also a chap called Patterson (I think) who played the French Horn in the Essex Youth Orchestra and whose affliction in life was to carry his instrument with him everywhere he went. Still it could have been the Tuba or the Double Bass. Then there was Aggie Dowd who went on to Sandhurst in spite of the visit to Caterham previously mentioned. I wonder how he got on in the Army. “Basil” Bradshaw was always kind enough to provide me with overnight accommodation when we went to events like the Sixth Form Dinner or Dance or sometimes Mick Poole who was in the year above me helped out.

By this time most of us were Prefects with power over our luckless juniors. It gives me little satisfaction to remember handing out detentions to young Dannatt and Gaffney who were cheeky blighters at the best of times. Still sometimes the younger chaps were able to get their revenge. One particularly forlorn Prefect was chased across Westfields by a horde of youngsters chanting “Horse faced Albert needs a halter round his neck”.

As House Captain, Foster persuaded me to become House Boxing Captain. You will have noted my prowess in the Sports arena from earlier comments, so I was the obvious choice. The competition was made up from competitors in a series of weights in every year of the school. In each year in each weight the scoring was four points for the winner; three for the runner up and so on. Thus even the worst boxer in any category would score at least one point, I watched the other Boxing Captains hard at it – running, skipping, punching punch bags and taking the whole thing very seriously, but I worked out that provided I managed to enter someone in every category we would score as a minimum the single point for each of the full number of categories in the competition. It was hard work persuading people in every category and one weight in one year I found impossible to fill. In the end I induced a young lad called Pearce, who had the misfortune to travel on the same bus, to fill the gap “for the honour of the House”. He was knocked out cold almost as soon as he entered the ring and I’ve always felt guilty. I even entered myself but fortunately there was no-one else who could match my weight in my year. Holland won the contest by a huge margin, and as a result (I firmly believe) went on to win the House Competition.

All the smart chaps in my year had gone into Sixth Science (Choppin, Coombes, Daniels, Beanland etc.) but, by comparison with us, they lived a somewhat forlorn existence in a spartan Form Room next to Bruiser’s Physics Lab and overlooked by the Staff Room. I think they may have had Bruiser as Form Master. Their extra-curricular activities must have been sadly curtailed.

I don’t recall any Sixth Scientists joining our unofficial Drinking Club which met irregularly in the back room of a dingy (in those days) pub in Moulsham Street.

They did join us in several common Sixth Form Activities such as the School Dance which was an excuse to fraternise with the girls from the High School. Then there was the Sixth Form Dinner when we performed sketches to entertain (and caricature) the Staff. “………..and don’t slam those cupboard doors” and “Bayteljoose” were catchphrases which always featured in these skits. (According to our Headmaster who attempted to instruct an ignorant set of Arts Sixth Formers in Astronomy “Bayteljoose” was a Planet (or was it a Star) somewhere in the Solar System). I seem to remember, with shame, that at one of these affairs together with three others I “danced” to “The Sugar Plum Fairy” attired in a pink tutu and football boots. After the Dinners we all signed each other’s menus so that we would for ever remember our Salad Days but I promptly lost mine. Then we were supposed to indulge in a ‘Memorable Stunt’ but no-one could match the legendary feat of our predecessors who, as legend would have it, painted footprints from Judge Tindal’s statue to the Public Toilets at the side of Tindal Square. The best we could manage was placing a “gazunder” on his head – hardly original.

Every year, on Speech Day, some dignitary or other gave us a pep talk after the distribution of prizes. We were told that we were part of the top 2% in the country (I still find that hard to believe or perhaps my memory is at fault) and that we were destined to administer some far-flung post of Empire or become Captains of Industry. Regrettably, by the time we were ready to join the working class, huge swathes of the Empire had gained independence and much of British Industry had disappeared. Nonetheless, we were lucky to have been given a Grammar School education and even luckier to have received that education at KEGS. It gave us a firm basis for our futures and a much broader education than mere text book learning. We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to R A Butler and the 1944 Education Act which established Direct Grant Schools. It is tragic that so many Grammar Schools have been destroyed but gratifying that KEGS continues to succeed in a world of sadly depreciated educational standards. It is futile to believe that we all inherit the same level of intelligence or that competition in Education should be suppressed. In the world of work competition is fierce and the intelligent are frequently overtaken by the confident and ambitious. Confidence, ambition and competitiveness were intrinsic elements of our education and it is to be hoped that KEGS continues to implant these essential attributes into today’s students”.

Brian’s reference to ‘Marching under the Railway Bridge’ coincides with receipt of a photograph from Bob Parsons to which is added the caption “Picture attached (Founders Day, October 1957, I think) shows ‘Sam’ Saunders as the tall tenor drummer in Doug Hutson's file to the far left (followed by the small bugler - Barry Barnes I think)”.  However, I think he is a bit adrift in his memory of Ralph Steadman, - surely he is the well known cartoonist?  My own recall comes up with Richard Stedman which I think is the right spelling. Dick Stedman played centre forward for Witham Town and I remember a local newspaper report which referred to him as "Craggy Dick Stedman" and he was subsequently known for a while as 'Craggy'.  That is the only mistake, if indeed it was a mistake, I have seen in Brian's story, which brought back many happy memories of characters I've not thought about for years.

[pic]

Bob also responded to our call for names of the Running Team 1939 - “The picture was taken four years before I was born but my Mum (Mary McClelland) was at the High School and was 18 in 1939 so I am sure she would have been able to tell us some of the names but sadly her memory isn't up to the job any more.  However, if it helps I think R W Mortlock was known as 'Monty' who played centre-forward for the OCs and (I think) had a handlebar moustache”.

Colin Beeton and Len Menhinick have combined to advise us that R.W Mortlock was in fact Monty’s brother Robert and that K W M Mann was Ken, known as ‘Josser’ who sadly died in the war whilst M B Ranson was Michael although known at School as ‘Bolshy’ and that L A Rust and O S Evans were Lindsay and Oscar. G.V Madder Smith had already been named as Gerry and J R Urquhart as John to which Minny added that John, like his brother David, was one of those who excelled at everything returning to Cambridge University after serving as a Captain in the Army. Interestingly he was awarded his Cricket Blue although he never actually played in a game as having been selected he was injured whilst preparing to bat with the game already started and so never took the field! So far we have received no news or names for J G Forrester or D W Perry.

E-MAIL CONVERSIONS

We are delighted to be able to report that with these latest ‘conversions’ we have now passed the ‘500’ mark on our electronic database of members and details for adding yourself to this are shown on Page 18.

“We have at last accepted the necessity to join the modern age and now have a laptop and email address as follows:- roy149@ and we will be happy to receive the newsletter on line. Hope you and all at OC's are ok, best wishes. Roy & Evelyn Rendall, Downham Market”.

Andrew Salman, (1963-1967),andrew@citimage.co.uk. “Please put me on the email list for OC Newsletter distribution; it’ll save all that postage (or your legs!) and cutting down trees for the paper! Kind regards”.

Chris Schnurr (1983-1988) "Please add my name to the ever growing list of people no longer in need of the OC newsletter in paper form. You can email it to me at the appropriate address of  kegs@. Many thanks from over here on the Derry/Donegal border of the Emerald Isle”.

Richard Smith (1976-1983) “I don't appear to have received the newsletter by email for a long time , but I have also changed my email address Could you update my records please and include me in the next mailing : rsmith.almondbeach@ : thanks very much - I hope you and all at the Club are keeping well”.

Ray Stannard (1969-1976), rayastannard@. “I'm happy to receive future newsletters, etc, via e-mail - can you send to this address, please? Thanks and regards”.

FOOTBALL

We are delighted to report that Graham King is now restored to good health and able once more to take on the role of Football correspondent for our newsletter. He is also producing a full colour weekly match-day programme which is available at Lawford Lane every weekend and which is receiving the most complimentary of reviews for its comprehensive coverage of the week’s games.

REVIEW OF THE EARLY SEASON

All the teams managed ‘friendlies’ before their seasons got under way and with mixed results. As usual it is a difficult task for managers to get their squads together pre-season, with family holidays taking preference, especially with the senior players. It looks like OCs senior teams this season will be a mix of older and younger players which can only help in the younger players development. Results in the competitions have on the whole been good with perhaps the Saturday 1st XI being the most disappointing but it is still early days. Manager Peter Gillott will hope he and his new coach Tony Adams can turn things around sooner rather than later - the good result at Benfleet in September will hopefully start things rolling. The second eleven, a good mix of established and young players, have had a really impressive start and if they can maintain their early season form could be up for some honours in 2014. New managers of the third eleven, Steve Cooke and Darren Riches have got together a squad of some of their former playing mates and mixed them with another group of youngsters to create an exciting looking strong squad to take on the rest in Mid-Essex League Division Two. Both Vets XIs always look forward to the new season; Mark Allison`s first eleven have their established players and Mark has again added some new strong looking players to his squad with a view to moving up the league again this year. Eddie O’Neill’s second string hope they can enjoy another successful campaign following their promotion to Division Three East last term. On Sundays both teams will hope to build again, especially the second eleven following their treble success last season, while the first eleven are off to a cracking start with some high scoring wins already and progress in the Coward Cup with a 5-0 victory. What a welcome sign for the future, to see youth football return to Lawford Lane on Sunday mornings, thanks to David Grainger and David Landers. The Under 15`s and Under 12`s will play in the Blackwater and Dengie League this season. We extend the OCs best wishes to them and welcome both squads of players to Lawford Lane for this season and hopefully for many more seasons in the future.

Pre-season friendly results were:-

Sat 20th July 2013 versus Haringay and Waltham Dev. FC Lost 5-1

Sat 27th July 2013 versus Kelvedon Hatch. Lost 4-2 Sat 10th August 2013 versus Writtle Manor Lost 3-1

Sat 17th August 2013 OCs Vets XI v Horndon Vets Won 4-1 Hooper, Mott, Bushell, Scarfe

Sat 31st August 2013 OCs Vets 2nd XI v Hale Vets Won 1-0 Matt Mott

Tuesday 3rd September 2013 OCs Vets 1st XI v Springfield Vets Won 7-1

Sat 7th September 2013 OCs Vets 1st XI v Manford Way Vets Draw 1-1 Jimmy Bushell

Sat 7th September 2013 OCs Vets 2nd XI v Springfield Vets Reserves Lost 4-1

Sat 14th September 2013 OCs Vets 2nd XI v White Roding Vets Reserves Won 4-0

Martin Hooper, Matthew Mott, Kevin Neal, Greg Maile

SATURDAY FIRST TEAM OLYMPIAN LEAGUE DIVISION 1

27/08 (H) GALLEYWOOD Lost 4-1 Joseph Wright

31/08 (A) SPRINGFIELD Lost 3-0

07/09 (H) SUNGATE (Senior Div Cup R1) Won 2-0 Jamie Gray, Ryan Fleming

14/09 (A) NEWHAM UNITED Lost 3-1 Will King

21/09 (A) BENFLEET Won 5-2 Marti Cullum 3, Damian Lee, Dan Pettit

28/09 (H) HERONGATE ATHLETIC Lost 2-1 Ryan Sutton

SATURDAY SECOND TEAM OLYMPIAN LEAGUE RESERVE DIVISION 1

17/08 (A) DEBDEN RESERVES Lost 4-3 Dan Griffin, Liam Hopkins, Dan Pettit

07/09 (A) KELVEDON HATCH Won 3-2 Callum Fletcher, Dan Pettit, Ben Bailey

14/09 (H) DEBDEN SPORTS (Res Div Cup R2) Won 4-1 Dan Pettit 3, Jamie Adams

21/09 (H) SOUTHMINSTER ST LEONARDS Won 1-0 Mike Farnworth

28/09 (A) MANFORD WAY Lost 2-0

SATURDAY THIRD TEAM  MID ESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION 2

07/09 (H) HAVER TOWN FC Won 5-4 Ben Sanders 3, Dean Murfet, OG

14/09 (H) PARKWAY SPORTS (Dave Strachan Cup R1) Won 4-1 Damian Lee 2, Darren Riches, Harley Yavuz

21/09 (A) SANDON ROYALS Lost 2-0

28/09 (H) BOREHAM Lost 2-0

VETS 1 ESSEX VETERANS LEAGUE DIVISION 1

07/09 NO LEAGUE FIXTURE

14/09 (H) BEACON HILL ROVERS Won 6-0 Pat Fairman 2, Brett Lattimore, Nick Wright, Steve Parry, OG

21/09 (H) HANNAKINS FARM Won 3-1 Steve Parry, Tim Bruce (Pen), OG

28/09 (A) COLLIER ROW Lost 3-2 Steve Parry, Jez Riches

VETS RESERVES ESSEX VETERANS LEAGUE DIVISION 3 (EAST)

07/09 NO LEAGUE FIXTURE

14/09 NO LEAGUE FIXTURE

21/09 (A) FOBS Won 4-1 James Hall 2, Martin Hooper, Dave Chandler

28/09 (H) LITTLE WALTHAM Lost 4-0

SUNDAY FIRST POPE AND SMITH  LEAGUE DIV 2

08/09 (A) SPRINGFIELD Lost 4-3 Matt Crick, Ryan Fleming, Stuart Lockwood

15/09 (A) ONGAR UNITED Won 2-1 Ryan Fleming, Dan Belcher

22/09 (H) BROOKHOUSE Won 9-0 Shane Bone 2, Matt Crick, Ryan Fleming, Jack Munday, Mark Rayner, Luke Anderson 2, Stuart Lockwood

29/09 (H) LITTLE BADDOW Won 5-0 Stuart Lockwood 3, Shane Bone, Matt Crick (R1 COWARD CUP)

SUNDAY SECONDS     POPE AND SMITH LEAGUE DIV 3

 

01/09 (A) EAST HANNINGFIELD Won 7-4

08/09 (A) WRITTLE MANOR RES Lost 3-2 Harley Yavuz, James Moss

15/09 (H) WILLIAM DE FERRERS RES Won 5-2 Elliott Armstrong, Mike Farnworth, Ross Lamb, Sam Yavuz

22/09 (A) MARGARETTING S&S Won 3-1 Elliot Armstrong, Mike Farnworth,

Ross Lamb

29/09 (A) HOWBRIDGE SWIFT RES Postponed

OCs U15s BLACKWATER AND DENGIE YOUTH LEAGUE DIV 1

08/09 (H) HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS YOUTH Lost 5-0

15/09 (H) WITHAM TOWN YOUTH Drew 1-1

22/09 (H) FLITCH YOUTH Lost 4-3 (League Cup)

29/09 (A) VIPERS YOUTH Postponed (League Cup)

OCs U12s BLACKWATER AND DENGIE YOUTH LEAGUE DIV 3

08/09 (H) VALLEY GREEN UNITED Won 2-0

15/09 NO LEAGUE FIXTURE

22/09 (H) BROOMFIELD THUNDER Won 4-1 29/09 (H) GALLEYWOOD FALCONS Lost 2-1

CRICKET

Back in July, in my mid-season update for the newsletter I stated that our report card would have read ‘could do better’. I’m pleased to say that, in most cases, we did exactly that in the second half of the season, writes Baz Bowerman.

After ten games the first eleven were bottom of the Premier League and three subsequent defeats on the trot to High Roding, Springfield and Bentley did little to help their cause. However, the teams above them were not winning either which meant that their games against Rayleigh and Stock became ‘must-win’ affairs – and win them they did. With rain wiping out fixtures across all divisions on the penultimate Saturday, it meant that the firsts were all but safe, and they made sure with a seven-wicket win over Hatfield Peverel on the final Saturday, securing their premier league status for another year.

The second eleven were in eighth place at the midway point of the season and although relegation was unlikely because of two very weak teams in the division, wins had been hard to come by. This all changed in July and August. Nine games: seven wins, one defeat and one game rained off. Such was the improvement that in a ‘second half of the season’ table the seconds would have easily finished top. We even saw a flurry of centuries: Dom Norman, Alec McNeill, Clive Barnstone, Richard Paton and Baz Bailey all racked up three-figure totals. Three years without a second team ton and then five come along on four consecutive Saturdays! All in all it resulted in a very respectable fifth place finish.

The third eleven season was something of a reverse of the one experienced by the seconds. At the halfway point the threes were pushing for promotion. However, five defeats on the trot followed by the ubiquitous rained off weekend meant that a potential loss in the last game, coupled with other results going against them, could mean relegation. However, the bowlers laid the platform for victory and big knocks from Jon Ball and Alec McNeill enabled the OCs to post a six-wicket win and safeguard their division eight status. (And we have to record here our congratulations to the Rayleigh fourth eleven female batter who hit Hadji – left-arm first eleven bowler – for a big six during this game!)

The fourths enjoyed a better second half of the season too, winning two matches on top of the victory secured earlier in the season. Three wins in total, but not enough to take them off the bottom of the league. What it did mean though was that on the final day of the season all of our league teams won their respective matches. All our teams stayed in their respective divisions (our fourths are in the bottom league so they can’t be relegated) so there was much joy, jubilation, beer and pizza at Lawford Lane in the evening. Roll on May, 2014!

The second half of the season results as well as the performances of our occasional fifth eleven, Sunday side, Twenty20 team and our under-11s, with individual performances of note in brackets, are:

First XI

13 July - OCA 177 all out (Damian Westwood 73) beat Chignal 151 all out (Rob Wickham 5-30)

20 July – OCA 274-8 (Tom Lee 64*) lost to High Roding 277-7 by 3 runs

27 July – OCA 204-9 lost to Springfield 205-6

3 August – OCA 175-9 lost to Bentley 178-3

10 August – OCA 237-8 (Damian Westwood 97) beat Rayleigh 236-8 by 2 wkts

17 August – OCA 263-8 (Chris Meer 100) beat Stock 171 all out

24 August – rained off

31 August – OCA 154-3 beat Hatfield Peverel 152-8 by 7 wkts

Second XI

13 July - OCA 364-3 (Dom Norman 146*, Alec McNeill 131*) beat Ongar 56 all out

20 July – OCA 323-4 (Clive Barnstone 130*, Adam Joy 98) beat Rayne I 322-7 by 6 wkts

27 July – OCA 236-6 (Richard Paton 100) beat Purleigh I 235-7 (Euan Spence 5-32) by 4 wkts

3 August – OCA 281-3 (Baz Bailey 106) beat Lt Baddow II 230-9 (Adam Wallis 5-72)

10 August – OCA 238-4 (Andy Cook 86*) lost to Terling I 240-4

17 August – OCA 141-7 beat Willow Herbs 140 all out

24 August – rained off

31 August – OCA 263-8 beat Boreham 233-5

Third XI

13 July - OCA 229-7 (Jon Ball 87*) beat Stock III 205 all out (Jon Ball 4-36)

20 July – OCA 149-8 (Jon Ball 76*) lost to E Hanningfield II 150-3

27 July – OCA 193-9 (Jon Ball 56) lost to Gt Wakering 274-3

3 August – OCA 125-9 lost to Southend EMT II 194 all out (Jonathan Hrusa 4-66)

10 August – OCA 170-6 (Matt Cranfield 76) lost to W Mortimer II 171-0

17 August – OCA 164 all out lost to Tllingham II 232-8

24 August – rained off

31 August – OCA 214-4 (Jon Ball 86*, Alec McNeill 81) beat Rayleigh IV 212-8 by 6 wkts

Fourth XI

13 July - OCA 200-6 (Les Gray 86) lost to Hornchurch III 288 all out (Dave Landers 5-66, Daniel Cranmer 4-38)

20 July – OCA 198 all out (Dave Grainger 95) lost to Rayne II 299-6

27 July – OCA 243-8 (Duncan Robertson 63, Les Gray 51) beat Wickham II 212 all out

(Dave Grainger 5-12)

3 August – OCA 130 all out lost to Bentley IV 228-8

10 August – OCA 173-8 lost to Thurrock IV 211-6

17 August – OCA 125 all out lost to Eastwood IV 258-4

24 August – rained off

31 August – OCA 200-5 (Elliot Cranmer 72) beat Rayleigh VI 78 all out

Fifth XI

13 July - OCA 194-9 (Oliver Rowe 53*) tied with City Temperance 194-8

20 July – OCA 86-8 lost to Chelmsford 303-4

Sunday XI

4 August – OCA 242-6 (Jake Wickham 69) beat Belhus 231-5

18 August – OCA 307-7 (Jake Wickham 120) beat Mountnessing 263-8

1 September – OCA 243-8 (Rob Wickham 90*) lost to Billericay 273-5

Twenty20 XI

Semi-final – OCA 136-7 lost to Rayleigh 152-6

Under-11s

14 July – OCA 47-3 (Jack Landers 11*) lost to Stock 273-2

TENNIS

Teams: The summer season has now concluded and the highlights are that Men’s 2 won Division 3 and Mixed 1 and Men’s 1 both retained their status in their respective top flights. As mentioned in earlier reports, there is a growing presence of junior players in the adult teams as well as significant success by the junior teams in local and county competitions.

Facilities: Since the start of 2013, a number of major improvements to our facilities have been made. These comprised a wireless system to operate the floodlight controls from inside the tennis pavilion, the installation of a cold water supply and drainage and finally, a complete refurbishment of the interior of the pavilion with new units, purpose built storage cupboards and a sink.

Annual Club Tournaments: We held our Finals Day on Saturday 21/9/13 with the following results:

Men’s Veterans:

Nigel Guy bt Andy Wilshaw 6-1, 6-3

Mixed Doubles:

Jane Gray & Jack Hopkins bt Belinda Sturge & Richard Morley Jacob 7-5 2-0 (Retired)

Ladies Doubles:

Pam Page & Sue Johnston bt Alicia Page & Jo Stuckey 6-0, 6-1

Ladies Singles:

Annie Carrington bt Suzanne Biscoe 6-3, 6-4

Junior Singles:

Elliott Howell by Daniel Bacon 7-5, 6-4

Men’s Doubles:

Bill Drown & Paul Belcher by Andy Wilshaw & Chris Henshaw 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

Men’s Open Singles:

Rob Day bt Chris Burlton 6-1, 6-1

A presentation of small keepsake trophies was made by Andy Cook at the conclusion of proceedings along with the following junior awards:

Best Player:

Alicia Page

Most Improved Player:

Elliott Howell

Contribution to the Club:

Jack Hopkins

Annual Dinner: Our annual dinner is arranged for Thursday 17/10/13 at The Punchbowl, High Easter and is now sold out. This year, the presentation of the permanent annual tournament trophies will be part of the evening and we are pleased that Andy Cook will be able to attend and present them.

Membership: If you are not currently a member of the tennis section but have always fancied trying out the great courts, particularly with the new surface, contact Alan Coulthard on 07795 105328. If your tennis is a little rusty, Alan and Derek Rogers (Head Club Coach) can organise coaching sessions to individuals and small groups. Also, our website at chelmsfordianstennis.co.uk is a good source of information about the section.

TABLE TENNIS

Closed Tournament -2013 The 2013 Closed Tournament for OCA Table Tennis Section members was held at Lawford Lane on Monday 9 September. The initial stage of the tournament was held in round robin format and resulted in Nat Ravlic topping the standing and playing Charles Yeung (4th) in the semi-finals. The other semi-final was contested by Adrian North (2nd) and Frank Hodge, the 2012 Tournament Winner (3rd). The semi-finals went to form with Nat defeating Charles and Adrian defeating Frank, both by the score of 2 sets to 0. The final was a more fluctuating affair but eventually Nat came out on top 2-1 in what proved to be an excellent workout for the new season.

Nat Ravlic has now become the first person to win the closed tournament three times since it was first played for in 2005.

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League 2013/14 The new season started on 16 September, with the OCs entering 8 teams across the 6 divisions of the League (the same number as last year).

Early performances have been encouraging with the A Team winning their opening fixture in Division 1 by 7-3. The B Team, good bets for promotion from Division 3 if they can put out their strongest side every week (with Stephen Northcott, Robbie Burton, Nat Ravlic and John Watts amongst their ranks) also recorded an opening victory with an 8-2 win over Elmtree Excalibur C. Also in Division 3 the C Team, having been promoted the previous season have had a solid start with a 5-5 draw and 6-4 victory in their opening two fixtures. Particular mention should be made of Daniel Berry, playing up in Division 3 for the first time in the second of these matches who won 2 of his 3 singles and also won the doubles.

In Division 4 the experienced trio of Adrian North, Stuart Wintle and Charles Yeung, playing for the D Team, have started with two victories (6-4 and 8-2) and the more youthful E Team (Daniel Berry, Charlie Mariner and slightly older mentor Frank Hodge!) have also recorded two very impressive opening victories by 8-2 and 9-1. Hopes are high that both of these teams will be competing for honours in Division 4.

In Division 5 the F Team started with a narrow 4-6 defeat at Highwood despite Dave Newman remaining undefeated in all three of his singles matches. The G Team, who again should be looking to push for promotion started with a 6-4 victory with team captain Tom Barker leading the way with 3 singles victories.

In the Introductory Click League, the youngsters, with a squad made up mainly of KEGS pupils have started encouragingly with a narrow 2-3 defeat being followed by a 3-2 victory the following week. Joel Rowden has started the season particularly well by winning 3 out of the 4 singles matches played.

New Players We are always looking to recruit players to supplement all of our teams If you are interested in playing or know someone who may be then contact David Porter by emailing djpessex@ or phoning on 07885 467935

Practice sessions All those interested in playing table tennis are reminded that Tuesday evening sessions continue throughout the autumn and winter period from 6pm to 7.15pm (juniors and seniors) and from 7.15pm for senior members only (unless there are home League matches taking place).

AND FINALLY…

Following the success of the Summers Evening of Jazz held on Thursday July 4th the School are keen to hold a further concert in the Autumn on Thursday November 7th. This will again be held at the Old Chelmsfordians clubhouse, Lawford Lane and tickets will be available from the School.

Anyone interested in attending this should contact the Master in Charge, Andy Russell, 01245 353510 or ARussell@.uk

The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will take place in the Clubhouse on Monday November 25th at 8.00pm. All are welcome so do come along and support your Committee.

The CHRISTMAS DRAW will also be held in the Clubhouse on Sunday December 8th at 1.00pm. Please, don’t forget to buy or sell your tickets and return the counterfoils and cash to Roger Gaffney. Again we would be delighted to see you, share a drink and show you the facilities should this be a first visit to Lawford Lane.

Any members wishing and willing to receive the newsletter by email or wanting to advise us of any change to either their home or email address should contact George Heseltine at heseltineuk@ to arrange this.

Thank you to all contributors for this issue which we trust has again made enjoyable reading. We invite everyone to send their news and views for the next issue which should be available early in December.

George Heseltine : 30 Trinity Road : Chelmsford : Essex : CM2 6HS Phone : 01245 265962 or email : heseltineuk@ [pic][pic][pic]

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OCA NEWSLETTER NO 254

OCTOBER 2013

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