Old Eastbournian 2024
Up, up and away!
The Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal is launched
The Journal of The Eastbournian Society www.eastbourniansociety.org
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DISCOVER
A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES
UNLOCK THEIR EXTRAORDINARY standrewsprep.co.uk
Monday 28 April 2025 12 noon St George's Hill Lawn Tennis Club, Warreners Lane, Weybridge KT13 0LL lunch the Over-60s
The lunch is an opportunity for all senior OEs (who are encouraged also to bring partners) to meet for a convivial meal which has become firmly established as a popular annual event.
• Before indulging in the culinary delights, seize the opportunity to engage in leisure activities with access to the club’s swimming and tennis facilities. • The meal costs £60 per person and includes a drink on arrival, three-course lunch with wine, followed by coffee.
Please book your place(s) online at www.eastbourniansociety.org/events Phone: 01323 451911 Email: es@eastbourne-college.co.uk
Guest speaker: John Ryley OBE (Blackwater 1975–80), former head of Sky News, who in 2021 was given the Royal Television Society Outstanding Contribution Award.
It’s been 40 years (or more) since you left the College – what a milestone! We think that definitely calls for a celebration Calling all College Leavers from 1982 to 1986
2025
Saturday 31 May
Join us for a special reunion event where we’ll take you on a tour of the College from 5.30–6.30pm. We’ll walk you down memory lane, showcasing both familiar, unchanging parts of the College and plenty of exciting new developments that show just how much has evolved over the years. We’ll also be digging out some old photos and memorabilia that we hope will bring back fond memories. At 6.30pm there will be a drinks reception, followed by a two-course dinner. This event is generously sponsored by The Long Man Brewery, and there will be plenty of beers available to enjoy throughout the evening.
£35 per person
Please book your place(s) online at www.eastbourniansociety.org/events Or call us on 01323 451911 Email: es@eastbourne-college.co.uk
Details of discounted hotel rooms are available on the website
Eastbournian Society merchandise
OUR ONLINE SHOP IS NOW OPEN AT www.eastbourniansociety.org/shop Place your order online, call us on 01323 452316 or email es@eastbourne-college.co.uk
Sweatshirts and hoodies Navy cotton with embroidered College crest Sweatshirt £35 Regular hoodie £35
OE lapel pin Enamelled round (18mm) in OE colours £4
Stag tie Navy blue with Stag’s head motif Silk £25
OE striped tie In OEA colours with maroon, white and crimson stripes Silk £25
Scarf Pure wool backed with soft fleece, in OE colours £35
Bow tie Silk, in OE colours £23
Belt Elasticated belt in OE colours £20
Panama hatband In OE colours with Velcro fastening £15
Cummerbund Pure silk in OE colours £15
Cap Cotton cap with College crest. Available in white or navy blue £15
College key ring with College crest £5
Bobble hat Navy, white
and blue stripes with Eastbourne College lettering £10
St Andrew’s key ring with St Andrew’s crest £5
Eastbournian Society notebook Hard cover with
College crest. 80 lined pages (160 sides). With Eastbournian Society branded pen in elastic pen holder, elastic closing band, ribbon bookmark and pocket inside back cover £10
Water bottle Dark blue metal water bottle with College logo, 1 litre capacity £10
Leather journal/sketchbook Hand-bound with leather cover, embossed
with College crest. 60 pages (120 sides) of high- quality paper. A5 size, available as portrait or landscape in black, brown or navy blue £35
Notelets Pack of eight notelets with envelopes in four designs showing the College in spring, summer, autumn and winter £8. These designs are also available as A4 and A3 prints
Cool bag Insulated dark blue cool bag with College logo.
Tote bag Thick cotton tote bag with St Andrew’s logo on one side and College logo on the other £10
Two compartments and shoulder strap. 30x20x25cm £25
The Old Eastbournian 2024
Welcome to the latest edition of our magazine, the journal of the Eastbournian Society.
A s we go to print our first ever Giving Day will be over – I hope you have enjoyed the pictures on the wrap around of this magazine and that you joined in with the spirit of the day, which was all about celebrating our schools and giving something back. If you feel you missed out on the fun, it’s not too late! Please do head to our website www.eastbourniansociety. org and click the donate button, or head to the Blue Sky Bursaries page www. blueskybursaries.org to see how you can make a difference. As is usual in this publication you can find reviews of the events that have taken place over the past year, articles that look back in time with our popular archives features, a celebration of the schools’ achievements, news from our alumni and tributes to those who sadly are no longer with us. Our merchandise is now sold online through our web shop – the page opposite shows everything currently available to purchase. Indeed, some of you will be reading this magazine online and will know that our website is a great resource for all things Eastbournian – new to the site are Ascham photographs and Old Androvian newsletters which you can browse via the index, and the new clubs feature might also be of interest. Our alumni sports clubs including hockey, fives, cricket, rugby and football seem to be growing and we are grateful to all those individuals who bring such energy and enthusiasm to these. If you’d like to run a tennis or netball club, please do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. You will need to register in order to take a good look around the site and ‘access all areas’ and we’re on Instagram too @eastbourniansociety, so please do follow us there. I continue to be inspired and supported by a brilliant team, pictured below. A warm welcome to Jayne Hopton our Appeal Administrator and St Andrew’s Liaison Officer. The Eastbournian Society Committee of volunteers has achieved a new lease of life under Chair Ian Henley, you can read all about this on page 3. As always, many thanks to all of you who send in your news and photos, we love to hear from you! Congratulations on your many wonderful achievements from graduations to engagements to weddings, babies, promotions, charity fundraisers and everything in between! We continue to welcome all contributions to the magazine including advertisements – please do get in touch via email es@eastbourne-college.co.uk if you have something you would like to share with us. Emma Garrett
Contents Contents and Editorial Dates for Your Diary
1 2 2 3 3 4 7 9
The Eastbournian Society Annual Dinner Report by The Chair of The Eastbournian Society Eastbournian Society Committee and AGM
Social Events in 2024
Report by The Chairman of Governors A Message from The Headmaster Foundation and Development Focus
10 13 14 16 19 20 23 24 31 33 34 35 36 37
Connections for the Future
The CCF 75th Anniversary Dinner
Forbes Wastie
The Arnold Embellishers
150 Years of the College Chapel
The Over-60s Lunch
Notes from The Archives Memories of Rannie’s The Devonshire Society
Giving Hope to Refugee Children Old Eastbournian Lodge No. 4946 Speed King – Theodore Clarke Farewell to the Old Dining Hall
Reunion Weekend 38 The Inaugural Devonshire Society Ladies Lunch 41 Prep School Memories – Nevill House and Knockmaroon 42 ES and OE Get-togethers 44 2023–24 College Highlights 47 Scholarships and Awards 86 Prize Winners 2024 86 The Class of 2024 88 News from Our Members 92 Cricket: Lashings World XI 105 OE Fives 106 OE Golf Society 106 The Foundation Golf Challenge 2024 108 OE Hockey 109 OE Rugby 110 70 Years On: A Historic Win At Marlow Regatta 111 Obituaries 112 Eastbournian Society Contacts 128 OE Representatives Worldwide 128 Giving Day Raises Over £340,000 130 The Eastbournian Society Sports Club 130
The ES team, left to right: Jayne Hopton, John Thornley, Helen Medlycott, Emma Garrett, Liz Silvester, Kim Richardson and David Blake
The Old Eastbournian 2024 was compiled and edited by David Blake. Editorial contributions are credited in the magazine. It was designed by Martin Bannon (martinbannon.design@hotmail.co.uk) and printed and distributed by Lavenham Press (https://www.lavenhampress.com). Cover photo by Martin Lulham.
The film wrap uses natural biopolymers, consisting mainly of potato and maize starch which is fully sustainable. There is no polythene in this product so when it degrades there are NO microplastics left in the soil/watercourse. It conforms to EN13432 so it’s fully compostable in your household compost heap. In theory it could be put in your council garden waste or food waste bin but not all councils will accept it so you would need to check with your local council.
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Old Eastbournian
Dates for your diary
New Eastbournian Society events are regularly added to our events list at www.eastbourniansociety.org/events. Below is a list of events that are planned at the time of
Sat 28 Jun–Wed 2 Jul OE Cricket Week See details on page 105 Sat 28 Jun College Speech Day Sat 12 Jul Theatre trip: Nye National Theatre Fri 5 Sep ES annual dinner House of Commons Sat 20 Sep London guided walk Venue tbc
publication, but please check the website for the latest details or call us on 01323 451911. Events are at the College unless otherwise indicated .
Fri 11 Apr Ladies Lunch The Star, Alfriston
Thu 22 May Big School Band Night for Blue Sky Bursaries
Sat 31 May 40-year reunion
Sat 12 Apr OE hockey tournament Beresford Astroturf
Sun 1 Jun OE hockey festival Beresford Astroturf
Mon 28 Apr Over-60s lunch St George’s Hill Club, Weybridge Thu 15 May Theatre trip: The Great Gatsby London Coliseum Fri 16 May Reception for U6 leavers and parents
Sat 7 Jun Foundation Day
Sun 9 Nov Act of Remembrance reception Thu 11 Dec Carol service All Saints’ Church, Eastbourne
Sun 8 Jun Cricketer Cup: Old Hurst Johnians v OECC Hurstpierpoint College
Thu 25 Dec Christmas Day service College Chapel
Mon 16 Jun Piltdown Golf Open Piltdown Golf Club, Uckfield
Sat 17 May Grandparents morning
The Eastbournian Society annual dinner This year, we are dedicating our annual dinner to the memory of Forbes Wastie
It will be an opportunity to celebrate his remarkable life, to remember his distinguished service to the College, and to enjoy excerpts from his memoirs.
Friday 5 September, 6.30pm The House of Commons, Churchill Room
• Champagne reception on arrival • Three-course banquet dinner • Half a bottle of wine per person • Tea or coffee served with petits fours
• Spouses and partners are welcome to attend • Dress code: formal evening wear (black tie)
£150 per person Places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment
All proceeds from the evening will support the Bursary Appeal for the Forbes Wastie Award which aims to provide unique opportunities for talented young individuals who demonstrate exceptional all-round skills.
Please book your place(s) online at www.eastbourniansociety.org/events Phone: 01323 451911 Email: es@eastbourne-college.co.uk
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Report by the Chair of the Eastbournian Society
and proximity I can serve members of the ES community well. The College has given me and my family much over the years and I am keen to give back. Since being appointed, I have been working closely with Emma Garrett (Development Director), Darren Meek (ES Vice-chair and governor), the headmaster and the COO to take stock of the Eastbour- nian Society’s role and purpose, discussing in particular how it has worked with the Eastbourne College Development Office and how it should in the future – particularly given the challenging external environment which Eastbourne College and St Andrew’s face over the next few years. As a result of these deliberations, we have agreed a new Terms of Reference (ToR) for the committee, which can be viewed on the ES website www.eastbour- niansociety.org. We hope that this will provide a clear explanation of how the ES and its committee fit into the wider context of the charity which runs both schools (Eastbourne College Incorporated) and to the Eastbourne community and of how it links to the OA communities (alumni from Ascham and St Andrew’s) and what was the Old Eastbournian Association or OEA (an issue which I know has caused confusion for some OEs).
You will see from the ToR that we have refreshed the membership of the commit- tee; previous members had provided many years of service and were ready to pass on the baton. I am delighted that we have been able to attract such high-quality new members and am very grateful for their will- ingness to provide their energy, time and ideas on a voluntary basis (all committee members are shown below). They will be focused on very specific ‘briefs’, all designed to serve the interests of the ES community and to support the activity of the Devel- opment Office. The Development Office’s work is crucially important for the future of the schools and the Committee knows how important it is for us to align closely with its objectives. Finally, you will note there are a few gaps on our committee – please reach out to me or the Development Office team if you would like to fill any of them! I am very happy to talk through in more detail what is involved, either in person, virtually or on the phone. If any OEs or OAs (from Ascham or St Andrew’s) have ideas about what we should be doing, please send them to the ES mailbox es@eastbourne-colllege. co.uk or come to our AGM, details of which will be posted every year on the ES website. Ian Henley (Gonville 1970–75)
I was delighted to be invited to take over the chairmanship of the Eastbournian Society (ES) last year from Hugh Price and I would like to open my report by thanking Hugh for his service to the society and wish him and his family well. I started at Bishop Carey House (part of Ascham) as a rather overawed and tearful eight-year-old boarder in September 1966, little knowing that I would still be closely involved with the school almost 60 years later. My roots are closely entwined with Eastbourne College: I was married, in the College Chapel, to an OE (Vicky, née Crawshaw), who has served as a governor for many years (as did her father before her); and two brothers, two children and a brother-in-law have also been educated here. I am in Eastbourne almost every week, so I hope with all these connections
The Eastbournian Society committee Position Activity
Incumbent Ian Henley Darren Meek
The Eastbournian Society AGM The AGM was held on Saturday 8 March 2025. The agenda was: 1. To receive and, if thought fit, to approve the hon treasurer’s report and accounts for the years ending 31 July 2023 and 31 July 2024 2. To elect members and to fill any vacancies on the committee 3. To consider any other business 4. Date of next meeting The printing deadline for this magazine means we are unable to include a full report on the AGM this year.
Chair
Leads the committee
Vice-Chair & Treasurer
Deputises for Chair; coordinates finances with the Development Director
Arnold Embellishers Chair
Chairs Arnold Embellishers
Vicky Henley
Community lead
Works with Eastbourne communities to foster engagement/new membership Leads the ES Executive Team Engages and recruits Devonshire fundraising events for parents of Eastbourne College Provides advice and continuity to Leads the organisation of leisure and fundraising events for parents of St Andrew’s Works with ES members to help pupils identify career opportunities committee Develops initiatives to memorialise lost children/partners/friends Liaises with OAs and helps facilitate
Chris Neighbour
Development Director Devonshire Society lead
Emma Garrett
James Fok
Society members Eastbourne College Parent Connect (ECPC) Chair Leads the organisation of leisure and
Mike Lawrence
Emeritus member
Eric Koops
Friends of St Andrew’s (FoSA) Chair
Zoe Harris
Futures
Sarah Gordon, Head of Futures ECI
In Memoriam Giving lead
TBD
Old Androvian rep
Chris Meikle
events/gatherings
Old Aschamian rep
Liaises with OAs and helps facilitate
Jon Seymour
events/gatherings
Old Eastbournian rep
Liaises with OEs and helps facilitate
Alex Vanotti
events/gatherings
Secretary
Co-ordinates meeting and minutes Champion and promote alumni sport coordinating with the ECI Heads of Sport
John Thornley Joe Pocklington Ben Twine +1 TBD
Sport leads
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Old Eastbournian
A round-up of Eastbournian Society events Social events in 2024 Peter Pan The first theatre trip of the year was on Wednesday 3 January, when some 20 ES members, some of whom are
Choir of Man Another trip to the West End took place on Friday 26 January, when an ES group visited the Arts Theatre to see The Choir of Man , described as ‘90 minutes of uplifting, joyous fun led by nine men jamming through songs by artists such as Katy Perry, Sia, Guns N’ Roses, and many more.’ Cryptocurrency talk College debater-in-residence Sesh Govender chaired a discussion on cryptocurrency on Wednesday 21 February, which turned into an informed debate with a diverse group of members of the ES.
pictured here, went along to the London Palladium to see the star- studded pantomime Peter Pan.
The Eastbournian Society organises a programme of social and cultural trips, talks and walks. All ES members are welcome to come along to these events, which are advertised on the ES website and in our regular email newsletters.
Quiz night The annual quiz night and dinner was held at the College on Saturday
The Motive and the Cue On Thursday 22 February, the Noel Coward Theatre was the venue for The Motive and the Cue , which explored the relationship between Richard Burton (Johnny Flynn) and John Gielgud (Mark Gatiss) as Burton is directed by Gielgud in an experimental new production of Hamlet . Some 24 ES members braved the rain to go along.
16 March, with quizmaster John Thornley asking 200 questions during the evening, although at the end he wasn’t too sure which team had won… so everybody got a prize of a mini Mars bar.
Opening Night The new musical Opening Night starring Sheridan Smith had divided the critics, but a group of OEs and parents (some of whom are pictured here) nevertheless went to the Gielgud Theatre for a matinee on Thursday 28 March.
Royal Opera House tour A group of 20 ES
members enjoyed a fascinating behind-
the-scenes tour of the Royal Opera House on Friday 19 April, taking in the rehearsal studios, costume department, production workshops and auditorium.
Verdi Requiem The Eastbournian Society was well represented among the 180 players and singers, as well as in the 350-strong audience, for the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra’s performance under the baton of conductor Graham Jones (College Music Department and organist from 1976 and director of music from 1991 to 2012) at St Saviour’s Church on Saturday 11 May.
South African wine tasting The wine tasting evening at the College on Saturday 27 April proved particularly popular, with 40 people attending. Wine merchant Nigel Strofton (Gonville 1955-59) regaled the group with tales of his annual escapades through South Africa, enriching their knowledge of wine along the way.
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London walk: Mayfair Our London guided walks are always popular and this tour around Mayfair, St James’s and Piccadilly on Saturday 18 May was no exception. After the photo in Berkeley Square some of the group had a convivial lunch in Shepherd Market.
Grandparents morning A really enjoyable annual event in the ES calendar is when we invite grandparents of current pupils to look round the school, guided by their grandchildren, and this year, on Saturday 8 June, we saw as big a group of any we have had in the last 15 years. They are pictured here in the Warren Atrium in the Nugee building.
Cavendish Debating Society dinner On Wednesday 19 June a dinner was held to celebrate 100 years of the Cavendish Debating Society. Special guest
Speech Day On Speech Day on Saturday 29 June, as well as our usual stall serving Prosecco and selling ES merchandise, the ES also laid on trips in a tethered hot air balloon (see our cover picture!) to celebrate the launch of the Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal video.
was distinguished Hong Kong High
Court Judge Andrew Macrae (School 1969–74), who reminisced about his time in the society and the effect this had on his life and career. He later presented the inaugural Andrew Macrae Debater of the Year award to Debate Captain Kitty Hill (Watt, Year 12).
Fawlty Towers A select group of theatre-goers gathered for a thoroughly entertaining afternoon reliving some of the favourite moments from what has been described as the ‘greatest British sitcom of all time’ when they saw Fawlty Towers at the Apollo Theatre on Thursday 6 June. Hello, Dolly! A trip to the London Palladium on Wednes- day 10 July to see the classic musical Hello, Dolly! was greatly appreciated by some 30 ES members, who saw Imelda Staunton’s fantastic performance as Dolly Levi.
London walk: King’s Cross to Camden Lock Saturday 21 September was a glorious day for a stroll along Regent’s Canal with an expert guide, a tour packed with facts about the architecture, the various buildings, new and old, canals, railways, and the social history of what is a vibrant part of the capital.
Kiss Me, Kate Another Openin’, Another Show… and this time it was Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Theatre on Thursday 22 August, which entertained a 20-strong ES group with its exuberant energy, stunning choreography, scintillating Cole Porter songs and perfect comic timing.
Wish You Were Here College Archivist Paul Jordan gave a talk to ES members on Thursday 3 October, entitled Wish You Were Here . Paul spoke about his fascination with collecting old postcards, the stories that they tell, the changes in fashion and society that they show and the intriguing messages that are sometimes written on the back!
ABF curry lunch The College hosted a curry lunch to support the Army
Benevolent Fund (The Soldiers’ Charity) on Sunday 20 October. This was the third year the ES has helped organise this event and we are delighted to report that over £2,000 was raised on the day, with further contributions following afterwards.
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Old Eastbournian
Banoffi Pie A talk about banoffi pie – and a chance to sample it – were on the menu when Ian
Operation Mincemeat
Inns of Court walk A group of over 30 joined a walk through Legal London on Saturday 8 November, meeting at Temple underground for a tour round the Inns of Court. With so many there, they were split into two smaller groups, each with a knowledgeable Blue Badge guide.
Dowding spoke to ES members at the College on Wednesday 13 November. Ian was the head chef at the Hungry Monk in Jevington and explained how the pie came about and how it got its name in the early 1970s. We were also grateful to another Ian, head chef of College caterers Holroyd Howe, Ian Wright, who produced the delicious samples for the attendees to eat.
The Fortune Theatre was the venue on Tuesday 12 November for a matinee performance of Operation Mincemeat , the hit musical about the true story of an audacious wartime plan by British intelligence. One of the 30 ES members who went commented: ‘a captivating musical; a delight from beginning to end’.
Dr StrangelovE Dr Strangelove, ‘an explosively funny satire of mutually assured destruction’ starring Steve
The Importance of Being Earnest We were lucky to get tickets for the sell-out production of The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre on Saturday 7 December. OE Hugh Skinner (Pennell 1998–2003) was on stage playing
Jack Worthing who, as an infant, was left in a bag at Victoria Station. Hugh was able to meet Emma Garrett and John Thornley for a quick catch-up between the matinee and the evening performance.
Coogan at the Noel Coward Theatre was the latest of our London theatre trips on Thursday 28 November. Some of the group met for a drink after the show.
Masterpieces Transforming lives, one picture at a time W e invite you to participate in our special art auction, Please hand-deliver your artwork to the College or St Andrew’s reception, or post it back to us at: Art Auction – Mrs K Richardson,
where each piece is more than just a creation – it’s a unique opportunity to help change a life. Join an array of artists and pupils from across our community and create your very own ‘masterpiece’, which will be auctioned to raise funds for bursaries. We’re reaching out to all budding artists, as well as anyone who may have connections to well-known artists or celebrities. If you’d like to ask them to contribute an A5 piece of artwork, we’d love to hear from you. Simply contact us, and we’ll send you an A5 card to complete your work on. Alternatively, you may attach your completed artwork to the card (please ensure it is no larger than A5). Any theme and medium are welcome.
Eastbournian Society, Eastbourne College, Old Wish Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4JX Deadline for artwork submission: 30 April 2025
The auction will run for several days, with the final day to be held on Tuesday 1 July. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Richardson at KJRichardson@eastbourne- college.co.uk or 01323 451911. Full terms and conditions will be available on our website: www. eastbourniansociety.org.
Join us in making a difference, one masterpiece at a time
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Report by the Chair of Governors
I am pleased to introduce the Charity’s Annual Report describing the activities of our two schools, Eastbourne College and St Andrew’s Prep, over the year. Everything we do as a charity is for the benefit of those we educate. We proudly devote much of the Annual Report to setting out the achievements of the 1,000 pupils from nursery to A-levels. At St Andrew’s Prep, the Scholarship Set collected 17 awards, all but one to the College. CAT scores show 85% of pupils are working at or above expected levels in English, Maths and Science, and the scores are even higher in other humanities and language subjects. I congratulate the pupils in Years 11 and 13 at the College for their hard work and excellent results. At GCSE more than half the grades were 9 to 7 (A* or A) and 21 pupils achieved a clean sweep of grades 7, 8 or 9 which appears to be a record high since GCSEs were reformed. At A-level, almost one in every four pupils (22.5%) achieved a clean sweep of A* or A grades, including in the Extended Project Qualification. There remains a wide range of co-curricular opportunities that demonstrate the full depth of education and community that we achieve. At St Andrew’s Prep highlights include Madagascar (per- formed by Years 5 and 6), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (performed by Years 7 and 8), the Summer Serenade and the Dance and Drama Showcase. The U13 girls are national IAPS tennis champions, while the hockey and cricket remain the very strongest on the circuit for both boys and girls. At the College, 90% of pupils have taken part in about 750 fixtures and more than 30 are playing or training with professional clubs or on national pathways. The choir is larger than ever (55 pupils), and many participate in the orchestra, Jazz Leap, Singer-songwriter and house singing and drama competitions. We had a fifty-strong cast for the complex College play, Sweeney Todd. There are nearly 300 members of our CCF continuing the strong tradition of military success, more than 150 pupils took part in Duke of Edinburgh awards; 135 Year 12s volunteered for service work such as Roy’s Homework Club and the Chaseley Trust. The Charity’s fee income continued to grow with pupil numbers holding approximately at 2022–23 levels and our external lettings programme continuing to make a valuable and increased contribu- tion. We have experienced inflationary pressures across the cost base but striven to maintain a strong control of costs. Overall, the Charity made an operating surplus (surplus before interest and depreciation and excluding donations) of £2,122k, a slight reduction on the previous year, but still well ahead of 2021–22 and a pleasing outcome that meets our target for surplus generation. All of the E ach year the governors approve the Charity’s annual report when they meet in December. The report sets out the Charity’s financial performance and the many achievements of the College and St Andrew’s Prep pupils. My introduction as chair follows and the full report is available on the College’s website at https://www.eastbourne- college.co.uk/about-us/structure-of-the-school. Most importantly, our pupils are thriving in all areas of College life. However, as you will read in my introduction, and in more detail within the annual report, the effects of the new government, in common with other independent schools, are starting to be felt. Senior management and the governing body have been working on organisational changes to ensure the Charity’s continued financial viability while preserving the excellence of education provided by our two schools. Fundraising to support our bursary provision has never been more important, and with the help of the Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal (www.blueskybursaries.org) we can continue to provide a transformative education for those who would not otherwise be able to afford it. If you would like to find out more, or how you might be able to help, please do contact the Eastbournian Society office at es@eastbourne-college.co.uk.
Nicky Eckert
surplus is reinvested in the Charity for the benefit of our pupils. Following the Labour Party election victory, the imposition of tax on independent school fees from January 2025, and the removal of mandatory business rates relief from April 2025, we now face an environment that will present financial challenges as adjustments are made. VAT on inputs that were irrecover- able can now be, at least partially, reclaimed. The Charity must maintain its financial resilience whilst continuing its commitment to maintaining educational excellence, but we are very much aware of the pressures that are also faced by our parents. The College was established in 1867 ‘to provide a general education of the highest class’. Both schools strive to live up to that founding principle. We want to increase our ability to provide support to those pupils whose parents cannot afford our full fees. Our long-term target is to increase our restricted and endowed funds supporting bursaries from £10m currently to £30m. The Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal, launched with a showing of the Caffè Sospeso film at the St Andrew’s and College Speech Days, aims to fund 40 places a year. The appeal offers a variety of ways to become involved, including a weekly donation of £3.50 a week, the price of a cup of coffee. The need for bursary support in the current climate is vital, to ensure that as many pupils as possible can benefit from all that the Eastbourne College Incor - porated schools have to offer. During the year 151 pupils, 16% of the total, received some assistance with their fees through means-tested bursaries. The Governors greatly appreciate the support of a number of trusts and individuals who, in addition, contribute to the fees of seven current pupils. We also value the commitment of our Devonshire Society members who have promised to support the Charity in their wills. On behalf of the Governors, I thank Tom Lawson and Tom Gregory, our two Heads, Abbey Gough, our Chief Operating Officer, as well as the over four hundred staff who teach at and support the two schools. I cannot write my first Chair’s report without thanking Philip Broadley, who retired this year after 24 years as Governor and seven years as Chair, for his outstanding service. Eastbourne College Incorporated has thrived during his tenure which included the extreme stress of the pandemic. Finally, I thank our parents for supporting the Charity and entrusting the education of their children to us. Nicky Eckert 9 December 2024
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CREATED WITH RESPECT DELIVERED WITH SIMPLICITY WORN WITH PRIDE
AT EASTBOURNE COLLEGE AND OVER 250 OTHER LEADING INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
01832 280011 | info@schoolblazer.com
A message from the headmaster T he school year 2024–25 has come to be an ‘interest-
regiment and was invited to give a lecture (aged 16) at We Have Ways Fest, an event organised around a very popular podcast. We remain in the Wisden top 15 for cricket but we have slipped from 4th to 5th in the country (!) in girls’ tennis despite winning the Winter LTA title. The sporting prowess of our young women con- tinues after school, with OE Carina Graf (School 2010–11) winning the boat race with Cambridge for the second successive year and five leavers populating the national netball super league. The choir is in fine voice, the orchestra on top form, with leavers going on to Oxbridge choral scholar - ships and as instrumentalists to the Royal College. Success is widely spread, with a record 200 pupils enrolled at Silver or Gold level in the Duke of Edin- burgh award scheme. Our CCF has 285 cadets and yet again this year, our senior cadet was chosen as the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet. We have won a wellbeing award and retained our platinum
ing’ one, in the words of the apocryphal Chinese curse. We cannot ignore here the troublesome triple-whammy of taxa - tion imposed, with VAT on school fees as a New Year’s treat from 1 January 2025, the removal of Business Rates Relief and a rise in National Insurance intro- duced in the Halloween budget of October 2024. I am beginning to approach every feast day with trepidation. We will keep going, of course, and in due course thrive and grow again after a period of consolidation, as we work to manage the extra costs. I think it is sad that the politics of resent- ment and class jealousy has returned but I cannot say I am surprised. The envy of our privileged children is misplaced though, not just because they come from a wide range of backgrounds but crucially because they go on to be a force for good in the world. The money their parents spent on them
Tom Lawson and his wife Jess about to take off in the Blue Sky Bursaries balloon on Speech Day 2024
continues to contribute to public good with so many of our OEs working in charities, green technology, the NHS, uniformed ser- vices or creating jobs as entrepreneurs. We will not be compromising our standards as we look for ways to find efficiencies and savings and, indeed, as we ask your donations to help continue the life-changing opportunities we give through bursaries. It is from the futures of these worthy recipients that the government is effectively pilfering. I leave it to you to judge whether the money raised (if any, after all, many parents will now switch to the state sector, reducing the taxable base) will be spent wisely and effectively by the central government. The non-negotiables for us at the College are that we provide house-based pastoral care, that we provide and promote aca- demic progress to a very high standard for pupils across the range of ability, and we educate the whole person with the values of kindness, integrity, participation and pursuit of excellence. The good news, for you to spread widely to encourage more to sign up (despite the fees being now higher because our education is taxed), is that our formula works. Let me give you some examples from 2024… After the summer’s exams, 85% of our leavers went to their first-choice university. Many achieved medals in academic Olym - piads in mathematics, science and even linguistics. One pupil is such a history buff that he is writing his own book on the Sussex
grading ArtsMark. None of this impresses Bridget Phillipson much, I dare say. But in her brave new world, who’s going to provide the cricketers, the mountaineers, the army officers, the artists or the soloists? Not everyone can be a train driver Ms Phillipson! To stop me slipping into politics again, I will remind myself of our successes this term – the ‘champagne moments’ as the former chair Philip Broadley would have it. We had an ISI inspection in Novem- ber 2024 which went very well indeed. I was immensely touched by the overwhelming majority of positive and supportive responses given in the inspection survey by pupils and parents. The loyalty that OEs have for the College clearly develops early on and spreads to our wider Eastbournian Society family of parents. I found it moving too that the excellent school play this year, Jessica Swales’ Blue Stockings , was about the Cambridge College my wife Jessica attended. At the end of the play, the cast held up photographs of the alumnae of that college and included my wife’s graduation photograph next to her late mother. Thoughtful and interesting stuff from our dramatists, as well as an opportunity for Jessie’s old university friends to visit! Thank you for reading and I look forward to catching up with many of you at events over the coming year.
Tom Lawson, Headmaster
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Old Eastbournian
Foundation and Development Focus A year of ambition, generosity, and community
A s we close the chapter on 2024, I am delighted to report that the Foundation and Development office has had a remarkable year, one filled with ambitious targets, fresh ideas, continuing support and generosity, and a true sense of community. In a time of economic and political uncertainty, not only have we held firm, but we have continued to thrive, thanks to the resilience and commitment of you, our supporters. Your loyalty is essential in order for our schools to continue to grow and succeed in everything we do and we send you a heartfelt thank you.
of friendship, achievement, and the values that unite us. We are grateful to Old Eastbournian General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux who was our host for the evening and Brigadier Anthony Lamb whose poignant reflections on the history of the CCF at Eastbourne College and inspiring words about its future, encapsulated the essence of our schools and the values we hold dear. A report is on page 14. The evening was a sell-out, but for those who missed out, we are returning to the engine room of British democracy on Friday 5 September when the Annual Dinner will be held at the House of Commons. Please book your tickets via the website: www.eastbourniansociety.org. Bursary recipients: The heart of what we do At the core of everything we do are the pupils whose lives are transformed by the generosity of our supporters. Our bursary recipients continue to impress, not just with their academic achievements but with the way they embrace a whole host of opportunities given to them. They are a
giving little and often, can have a profound impact, a message that has resonated deeply within our community, fuelling support for the Blue Sky Bursaries appeal. In particular, a network that was sometimes viewed perhaps as an out of touch ‘old boys club’ has become increasingly ‘co-ed’ and we are delighted that the entrepreneurial spirit of a younger crowd is flourishing across the globe (and across the genders!) and is showing their support through regular giving. The power of collective giving has never been stronger as alumni, parents and friends come together to change lives through education. Do watch the film by heading to www.blueskybursaries.org where you can also view some stories of the transformational support your contributions have funded for young people, and join the regular giving scheme. A night to remember: The House of Lords dinner There was a real sense of occasion at the House of Lords in February, as we marked 75 years of the CCF in the UK. The gathering was an inspirational celebration
Reaching for the skies – literally The unusual and inspiring sight of a hot air balloon rising over College Field on both the St Andrew’s and Eastbourne College Speech days (and featured on the cover of this magazine) was a fitting symbol of our shared aspirations, and served as a reminder of just how high we can soar when we work together. Through fundraising efforts, mentoring, networking, donating, volunteering and simply through staying connected with each other, we reach for the sky together, exploring new horizons, and we simply couldn’t do it without you. The power of small gestures: Caffè Sospeso and regular giving I hope by now, you will have all seen our Caffè Sospeso film. Inspired by the Italian tradition of paying it forward with a cup of coffee, this initiative is capturing hearts and has sparked an extraordinary response. The film illustrates how small, regular acts of generosity, like The Caffè Sospeso film
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St Andrew’s colour run organised by FoSA
the Eastbournian Society Sports Club (ESSC) has gone from strength to strength, allowing us to share our wonderful facilities with those connected to our schools. Looking forward While the world around us remains unpredictable, one thing is certain: the Eastbournian Society is here to stay. The resilience, generosity, and unwavering support of our community across the generations ensure that we continue to thrive, no matter what challenges are put in our way. Your dedication is what makes this society not just an institution, but a family, and as charity begins at home, we will continue to ask for your donations in order to help continue the life-changing opportunities we give through bursaries. Here’s to another year of ambition and shared success and I look forward to seeing you in 2025. Emma Garrett, Development Director
testament to what can be achieved when barriers are removed and potential is given the chance to shine. Old Eastbournian Josh Curryer spoke to us at our annual
predecessors in development, one of whom, Forbes Wastie sadly died in November. For many OEs, staff and parents, Forbes represented the best of Eastbourne College throughout his 44-year association with the school and will be greatly missed. He was passionate about fundraising for bursaries to ensure that children from all walks of life have access to an Eastbourne education and the transformational opportunities that this would bring. Many Eastbournians have much to thank him for. A tribute is on page 16. Forbes most certainly laid the foundations for the ES which continues to be a vibrant hub of opportunity; our regular networking events, the annual Futures Convention, and numerous gatherings across the globe continue to bring people together from all walks of life, helping to forge connections that extend far beyond Eastbourne. Partnerships with local businesses, the Friends of St Andrew’s (FoSA), and the newly formed Eastbourne College Parent Connect (ECPC) continue to enhance the experience for pupils and parents alike at both of our schools and
Foundation Day lunch in June about his personal journey and how the only thing that was a disappointment to him throughout his time as a day boy
Josh Curryer
in the sixth form was the fact that he had to leave at the end of every day! We are grateful to Josh for his support and for sharing his story with us with such honesty and candour: ‘the bursary awarded to me changed the trajectory of my life; giving me the best two years of my life so far. In particular it gave me self-belief, a new sense of confidence, stability, joy and a life-long love for learning.’ See the report on page 33. A growing network of opportunity Beyond fundraising for bursaries, we have continued the work started by our
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Connections for the future
The Eastbournian Society has helped organise a series of events to prepare current pupils for their future careers, while at the same time enabling Old Eastbournians and parents to meet and network with others in their profession.
The Futures Fair
The annual Futures Fair was held at
the College on Friday 1 March, made possible through the collaborative efforts of Head of Futures Sarah Gordon and the Eastbournian Society.
There was an impressive turnout with around 70 delegates from industries, professions, universities and gap year organisers, who generously shared their wealth of knowledge and expertise with our Year 11 and sixth form pupils. We also welcomed pupils and
teachers from local schools in the Coastal Schools Partnership. Our thanks to go to the OEs, parents and others who gave their time in offering their expertise and guid - ance to today’s young people planning their futures.
Legal networking
Banking, broking and asset management
Our guest speakers were Richard Liddell KC (Reeves 1989–94), who specialises in commercial disputes, liability claims, construction and engineering litigation, and sports law, and Jeremy Stone (Pennell 2000–02), legal director at Williams F1, focusing on sports and media law, with expertise across all aspects of the entertainment industry. It was a most informative evening, with a lot of connections made and knowledge gained. Those pupils present were able to pursue some ideas for their future plans and make steps to organising work experi - ence. One of the parents present remarked how lucky we are to have such strong connections with our former pupils.
Some 30 pupils and other guests gathered for our College-based legal networking
evening on Tuesday 19 November.
Our annual banking, broking and asset management networking evening took place at PwC’s offices in More London, close to London Bridge, on Tuesday 16 January.
It has always proved a popular event with current pupils, who were able to chat to OEs and parents who work in this sector, gaining valuable insights and contacts. It was a particular pleasure to welcome guest speaker Will Peters (School 1987–92) who talked about his own journey in the profession. Thanks as ever go to Darren Meek (Blackwater 1982–87) for hosting the event for the tenth year.
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Old Eastbournian
The CCF
75th anniversary dinner
The Eastbournian Society was proud to host a dinner celebrating 75 years of the CCF, which was held at the Cholmondeley Room in the House of Lords on Friday 2 February.
Headmaster Tom Lawson with Lord Richards
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I t was a sell-out event with 120 guests, including OEs, current and former staff, parents and College cadets proudly rep- resenting all three services. One of the guests, Lucy Ritson (Nugent 2016–18), gave us her account of the evening: The evening saw a battalion of OEs gather at the House of Lords to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the CCF at the College. Kindly hosted by General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO DL (Wargrave 1965–70), we enjoyed
unparalleled views over the Thames, reun- ions, new friends and celebrations of all the achievements of the CCF. Our host of speakers did not disap- point, with Headmaster Tom Lawson highlighting the important charitable role of Eastbourne College and all it offers; Brigadier Anthony Lamb telling of the role of the CCF in College life and that of our wider community; and fellow OE Kieran Cheney (Powell 2013–18) speaking of his role as a member of the Household Cavalry over the last few years and his
grounding in what Eastbourne offers. The evening was a lovely reminder of my time at the College, an opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, meet new ones and be reminded of the proud history of the College with the CCF and the bonds it builds between all those con- nected by the Sunshine Coast. With the closing toasts given by our Chairman of Governors, Philip Broadley (Wargrave 1974–79), it was a highly enjoyable evening celebrating much of the College’s heritage and all that there is to come.
Lord Richards
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Old Eastbournian
1998, when he retired from teaching. A tribute to him in that year’s Eastbournian was headlined: ‘The one and only Forbes Wastie: What a hard act to follow.’ Head- master Charlie Bush said: ‘Forbes Wastie has probably done more than anyone else to promote the good that exists here at Eastbourne College. He has been a tower of strength and a guiding beacon through- out an outstanding career.’ But Forbes had not finished with Eastbourne College, and returned the following year to act as chairman for the fundraising appeal for the new science block which opened in 2002. From 2002 to 2005 he was the College’s first Foun - dation director and founded the College’s legacy club (the Devonshire Society) which has continued to flourish to this day. Forbes maintained his support for the College, taking part in the annual fun- draising Foundation Golf Day, and was a regular visitor to the Eastbournian Society office where his advice and wisdom were much appreciated. Forbes was passionate about fundrais- ing for bursaries to ensure that children from all walks of life have access to an Eastbourne College education and the transformational opportunities that this would bring.
the eulogy and his daughter Emily read Robert Burns’s Epitaph on My Own Friend . The College Choir, conducted by Direc- tor of Music Dan Jordan, led the singing of hymns and sang Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You before College Chaplain Revd Daniel Merceron gave the final blessing. Following a private cremation, the family joined the congregation at the Hydro Hotel where there was much reminiscing and friendships made and renewed, all with the common thread of how Forbes had touched their lives. Jeremy’s eulogy: Granville Forbes Wastie was born on Millwood Farm in Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire on 20 July 1938. He was the second son of Granville, a tenant farmer on the Blenheim estate and Alison, a school teacher in the village and a leading light in the WI. It is Alison’s family links back to Scotland that gave rise to his wonderful name. Charles, Dad’s older brother who, we are delighted to say, is with us today, talks of a happy, innocent childhood growing up on the farm. Dad could remember the two shire horses, Lightning and Mother, that pulled the ploughs before tractors took over. He also remembered the prisoners
Forbes Wastie For many OEs, staff and parents, Forbes Wastie represented the best of Eastbourne College. F orbes died on 7 November 2024, aged 86. As a teacher, head of department, housemaster, CCF commander, second master and Foundation director, Forbes’s association with the College spanned some 44 years. In retirement, he continued to be a firm supporter of the College. He joined the staff as a teacher of biology in 1961, becoming head of depart - ment in 1965, a position he held until 1983 and then again from 1985 to 1988. He was head of science 1971–73 and contingent commander of the CCF 1968–73. In 1991 he was awarded the MBE for his 30 years’ service with the CCF. Many Blackwater boys appreciated his guidance and leadership as their housemas- ter from 1972 to 1983. He then became second master, a position he held until
A biology lesson with Forbes in the 1980s
Forbes’s life was celebrated at his funeral service on Thursday 5 December at St Sav - iour’s Church in Eastbourne. Some 300 people attended the service, which was led by the Conduct of Eton College, Stephen Gray (Powell 1979–84) whose College contemporary Mark Le Brocq (Craig 1979–84) movingly sang Handel’s Where’er You Walk accompanied by organist David Force (College Music Department 1991–2015). Forbes’s three sons all contributed: William (Powell 1983–88) read from the Book of Revelation, and Jonathan (Powell 1978–83) played Chopin’s Nocturne in C sharp minor. Jeremy (Powell 1976–81) gave
of war working on the farm. I have found a hand-drawn Christmas card from 1945 from one particular German PoW thanking Granville and Alison for all the kindnesses they had shown him. You can already see where Dad’s love of the natural world, all things practical and helping others might have come from. Charles passed the entrance exam to Magdalen College School, but Forbes did not! Instead, Alison contrived to send him to Abingdon school and the next chapter began. Under the stewardship of James Cobban, the exalted headmaster and edu - cationalist of his time, who continued as a mentor and friend to Dad for many years,
A mocked-up front page of the Daily Mai l presented to Forbes on his retirement from teaching in 1998
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