11 August 2008 - The Dixon Sisters Revisit Wycliffe

On 7th August Felicity, June and Sheila Dixon returned to Wycliffe to visit School House accompanied by June's husband Harold and Donald Clark and his wife, Annie.  They spent their early years there when their father, Revd TS Dixon, was Housemaster from 1931-1948.  A tour of the 'new' School House was much enjoyed by all, even climbing up to the attic room where Sheila was born, now a SEN classroom! 

After a cup of tea they were shown the Chapel where there is a plaque by the organ in memory of their father who was also Director of Music at Wycliffe from 1922-1958.

(Felicity, June and Sheila in the Chapel)

11 August 2008 - OW Society Honours Dave Smart

On 6th August, Honorary Life OW Dave Smart, Groundsman at Wycliffe for 36 years, was presented with a framed print of the Michael Aubrey watercolour of School House and grounds by Philip Pritchard (H 1970-1976) on behalf of the Old Wycliffian Society.  Philip was a pupil at Wycliffe when Dave started work at the College under the guidance of Percy Coleman.  When Dave became Head Groundsman he continued to keep the grounds in immaculate condition, preparing many rugby pitches and cricket wickets - one thing he would have liked to have done before he left was to re-lay the main cricket square.

Dave left the College in February to join the Turf and Landscape Centre as their Commercial Manager but his legacy remains - the design and planting of the garden in front of School House.

11 August 2008 - OWs Fundraising for CLIC Sargent

Philip Morris (J SH 1986-1995), Daniel Armitage (J SH 1986-1995) and Ryan Webb (J SH 1983-1995) AKA Team Bellissymo are taking part in an exciting and mysterious endurance challenge in the Forest of Dean in October 2008.  This will include covering the distance of a marathon on foot, cycle and canoe!

Aged 2, Phil's daughter was diagnosed with cancer.  She has been through an operation and is currently undergoing treatment at Bristol Children's Hospital.  Their aim is to raise money for CLIC Sargent which has helped provide much needed support to Phil and his family through this difficult period.

They need your help - the more money they raise, the more they will discover about the challenge!  To find out more please visit their sponsorship page at www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk/teambellissymo or email: ryandvwebb@gmail.com.

Ryan, Phil with Issy and Dan

11 August 2008 - Heather Leitch London Exhibition 22-27 September

Heather Leitch (J HE L 1992-1996) has an unmistakable style developed from a passion for cities, documenting their unique cultures and environments.  Her first solo show, at The Smithfield Gallery in London from 22-27 September, 10.00 am to 6.00 pm comprises a stunning series of large canvases depicting the cities of London, Venice and Paris.  She would be delighted to see any OWs for a drink at the opening party on Tuesday 23 September between 6.00 and 8.00 pm.

(Champs Elysees, oil on canvas)

21 July 2008 - Visit by OW David Newman (J S 1934-1941)

Steve Arman, Wycliffe Prep School History Teacher, came across a Windrush diary written by Enid Sibly in 1931-2 when the house was built.  One of the boys mentioned was David Newman and the Y6 class invited David and his daughter Alison to visit the Prep School on 25th June 2008. The pupils were able to ask him questions about his time at Wycliffe and show him Windrush as it is today.

(David and Alison Newman with Prep School pupils and Ginny Young outside Windrush)

There was a special school Assembly and they had lunch in the school dining room.  OW Registrar Ginny Young and Archivist Felicity Evans also showed them some photographs from the Archives and around the Chapel before they returned home to Hereford.

25 June 2008 - Visit by OW Mike Hamer-Smith (S 1958-1963)

We were very pleased to welcome Mike Hamer-Smith, visiting from Australia, on 11th June.  He had not been to Wycliffe for some years and was delighted to see all the new facilities and learn about the education available to current pupils.

(Mike with Host Robert Workman PJW 1946-1956)

25 June 2008 - Medal for former Headmaster Richard Roberts (1967-1980)

Robin Bacon (1969-1974) Director of the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency met his former Headmaster on OW Day and advised Richard that he was eligible for a Veterans badge for his National Service in the Gunners.  Robin learned that Richard had also served in Suez and after contacting the Medal Office Richard was delighted and surprised to receive his Canal Zone General Service Medal in the post.  He can wear both the medal and veterans badge with pride.

28 May 2008 - OW Golfing Society Spring Meeting Friday 23rd May

Report and AGM Here

28 April 2008 - Allan Mason

25 March 2008 - OW Soccer Match Saturday 15th March

Wycliffe College 1st XI      3        Old Wycliffian XI      5                                                                         Last year's 1st XI Captain, Alex Ward, now an OW, scored a hat-trick for the OW XI. Report Here

11 March 2008 - Scott Hewitt Gains Army Wings

Scott Hewitt (J H 1992-2001) did a gap year with the army, gained a degree in Computer Science at Cardiff followed by a year at Sandhurst before training as a helicopter pilot. He is a member of 662 Squadron in 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and gained his wings on 1st February 2008 when he was awarded The Blackwood Trophy for the best ground school examination results.  He is now learning to fly the Apache Helicopter at Wattisham, Suffolk and will deploy to Afghanistan in 2009.

11 March 2008 - Derek A Yardley Wright

Derek A Yardley Wright (Staff 1955-1991) died in Gloucester Royal Hospital on 26th February 2008, aged 81.  Derek will be remembered as Head of Physics and later Head of Science and Careers Master.  He was also a successful Senior Scout Leader and Wycliffe’s Group Scout Leader until becoming District Commissioner for Stroud.

11 March 2008 - OW Squash Players Excel in National Championships

The National senior squash championships took place in Manchester in February and three former Wycliffe squash scholars reached the last 16 of the country - an incredible feat for players from the same school. Jonny Harford (S R M 1996-2001) is currently ranked 25 in the England men’s rankings and 64 in the world. He made it to the last 16 where he lost in 4 tight games to world number 15, Adrian Grant.

Alex Stait (W 1993-1998) is currently ranked 16 in England and 77 in the world and caused the biggest upset in many years by beating world number 12 Peter Barker to reach the quarter finals. There he came up against another former Wycliffe squash scholar, Alister Walker (S R 1998-2002), currently ranked 7 in England and 32 in the world. The strain of beating such a high ranked player looked to have taken its toll and Alister came away with a 3 game victory.  Alister then met the top seed and former world junior champion, James Willstrop, ranked 6 in the world in the semi finals and lost narrowly in a very hard battle.

Dave Morrish (coach), Jonny Harford, Alister Walker and Alex Stait

10 January 2008 - Injury causes Vicky Brookes to change Fundraising Event

Unfortunately Vicky has been diagnosed with a fractured bone in her foot so is unable to continue training for the London Marathon in April.  However, the Meningitis Trust will still benefit from her fundraising efforts as she will now be taking part in the London to Paris Cycle Challenge (300km in 3 days) in July.  Please visit www.justgiving.com/vickybrookes if you wish to sponsor her and get up to date information.  The OW Society has donated the collection from the Old Wycliffian Carol Service held in the Chapel on 8th December to this worthwhile cause.

17 December 2007 - A Group of OWs at James Morris's Wedding - 12 August 2007

Jimmy Morris (J H 1992-1999) married his wife Lucy at All Saints Church in Marlow on 12th August.   Several OWs gave him a good sendoff including:  Rory Scott, Theo Fieldgrass, Julian Cocks, Oliver McIlvenna, Alex Gidman, Nicky Moore and Best Man Mark Turner....

The OW News Archive - 2007
The OW News Archive - 2006
The OW News Archive - 2005
The OW News Archive - 2004