Alleyn Club News
From the Secretary’s Desk ..........................................................................................................
Definitions
Alleynian n. member of Dulwich College [E Alleyn, founder] benefactor n. patron of or donor to a cause or charitable institution philanthropist n. lover of mankind; one who exerts himself for the well-being of his fellow men philanthropy n. love, practical benevolence towards mankind [ Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English ; 4th edition] Whether or not there was any truth in the Puritan legend that, while portraying the character of Faustus in Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, Edward Alleyn had a vision of the Devil which drove him to repent and resolve to found a College of God’s Gift, there is no denying that his establishing of the College was an act of outstanding philanthropy. I would like to suggest that a silver thread of philanthropic endeavour has been and continues to be woven into the tapestry that is the near-400-year history of Alleyn’s College. One has only to think of the inspirational leadership and example set by Arthur Herman Gilkes, Master of Dulwich College from 1885 to 1914, who founded the College Mission in Camberwell in 1886 and encouraged boys and staff to become involved in the enterprise. OAs of a ‘certain age’, like me, will doubtless remember the regular form collections for the Mission to which we subscribed (more or less willingly) throughout our schooldays. A number of circumstances, not least the remarkable generosity of Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) in funding the salaries of the youth workers at the Hollington Club, led to the breaking of the quasi-umbilical link between young Alleynians and the Mission about 45 years ago. Charitable fundraising by boys at the College assumed a much wider focus. However, times and circumstances change. ILEA ceased to exist in 1988, since when the cost of running the Hollington Club for Young People (HCYP) has increasingly been met by grants from DCM Hollington Trust, whose investment portfolio is founded on those schoolboy Mission collections of yesteryear and current donations by OAs.
I am most happy to record that, encouraged by the Master and the College Chaplain, the Revd Stephen Padfield, the link between the current generation of Alleynians and HCYP has been re-forged and that boys in the Middle and Upper Schools raised in excess of £5,000 for the club during the course of Michaelmas term 2012 and Lent term 2013. HCYP also benefited from the retiring collection taken at the College Christmas carol service in Southwark Cathedral and part proceeds from the Friends of Dulwich College 2013 Winter Fair. Conscientious readers of this annual publication (and aren’t we all?) will find reference in these pages to other examples of Alleynian and Old Alleynian benevolence. Yet more evidence will be found in the College’s first Donors’ Report for 2012-13, an impressive document recording the thanks of the College to the many OAs, current and former members of staff, parents and others who had supported the College during the year. I was particularly struck by page 36 of the report which is headed Pupil Benefactors and lists the 24 forms and 63 individual pupils who had made donations to the College. The philanthropy of these young Alleynians should be applauded loud and clear. I must also draw to your attention the fact that the Alleyn Club committee, guided by the Club trustees, decided to donate £40,000 from Club funds to the appeal for The Laboratory for the rebuilding of the Science Block.
5
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker