THE MAGAZINE FOR THE OLD ALLEYNIAN ASSOCIATION, DULWICH COLLEGE ALUMNI
THE THRILL OF IT ALL MUSIC AND REVOLUTION AT DULWICH COLLEGE 1968-1978
ALSO FEATURING Freddie Maher completes the Marathon Des Sables Ben Kidson on his career in Music
WELCOME TO THE MAGAZINE FOR DULWICH COLLEGE ALUMNI
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You will have all recently received a copy of the inaugural Old Alleynian Annual Report for 2024 and have seen for yourself just how vibrant and active the global community of Old Alleynians has been over the last twelve months. Now this year’s OA Magazine gives me the opportunity to go behind the headlines; to look in detail at some of the initiatives undertaken by the Association, to tell
end of the 1960s, it is a delight to hear from Bill MacCormick (62-69) who recalls the early days of rock and roll at the College. Reflections too on the music industry from a much younger OA, Ben Kidson (04-13), an emerging artist and songwriter producing pop and indie music. Back In May it was a pleasure to join with Professor Ian Phillips (89-99) and guests in the newly named Evans Room, part of the College’s Old Library to rename the in honour of Gareth Evans (57-63). Here we profile Gareth’s all too short life and career; an academic of spectacular intellectual originality who in the 1970s and early 80s made a substantial contribution to the philosophy of language and the mind. We follow Freddie Maher (10-17) as he tackles the (in)famous Marathon Des Sables only two years after having collapsed during his first marathon and celebrate the work of walking cricket encyclopaedia, umpire and scorer Charles Fellows Smith (66-75) in a reprint of an article by that first appeared in the Cricketer magazine. It is now over five years since the Class of 2019 ‘graduated’ from the College. Their Covid affected university years are behind them and with life opening out in front of them their stories start to get really interesting. The purpose of the Old Alleynian Endowment Fund is to provide interest free loans to Old Alleynians embarking on a postgraduate course of study or other career-focussed qualification. This year they have been the beneficiary of a significant legacy from Charles Wales. Charles was at the College between 1889-93 and here we tell his fascinating story. This summer the annual reunion is moving to a Saturday, so please put 21 June in your diaries. The event will celebrate ‘All Things Dulwich’ with tours of the College to include the iconic Barry buildings as well as more modern additions including the newly opened library and IT extension to the Lower School. The College Union will be on show and there will be the opportunity to see current students work in the Art and Drama departments. The decade and half decade reunions will provide the opportunity to catch up with old friends and of course we shall be inviting back former members of staff. As always, my final paragraph is a big thank you to all in the Alumni and Development Office who have put in a huge effort to get this edition of the Magazine over the line. In particular Aimes Ward, Joanne Whaley, and graphic designer Lucy Baragwanath.
the stories of some remarkable OAs and to look in more detail at the activities of our clubs and societies. Mid-way through the year the Association launched its Alumni Awards programme, intended to recognise alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to society through their voluntary service, academic achievements or professional success, or whose behaviour and values inspire others. Raffy Marshall (10-15), Professor Baskaran Thilaganathan (77-82) and His Excellency Mr Anand Panyarachun (48-52) were worthy winners and have certainly set a high bar for future years; their pictures now adorn the walls of the College’s reception. Nominations for the 2025 award process will open at the beginning of May. Our clubs and societies continue to flourish with all offering a wide range of sporting and social activities for their members, ranging from formal dinners to summer BBQs (a great innovation by the Lodge). Some other highlights of the year include our soccer players who probably had the most successful season in their (relatively short) history with all three teams achieving top three positions in their respective Arthurian leagues. Over 50 members of the OA Muslim Community joined with OAs and members of the College staff to celebrate Iftar in mid-March. The Golfing Society is looking forward to its Centenary this year and the Sailing Society hosted another wonderful Boys Sail Training Week on and around the Solent in the summer. After the success of the pre-Christmas wine tasting evening at the College there are plans afoot to expand the as yet informal, gathering of wine aficionados into an OA Wine Society – watch this space. The Association’s support of TUSP (The Uganda School Project) as its charity of the year came to a most gratifying conclusion in December as OAs came together through the Big Give’s Christmas Challenge to help raise over £15,000 for the charity. While our formal support of TUSP has ended, we very much hope to continue working with founder Sean Richardson (02-07) to support the amazing work he c ontinues to do. After the continuing success of the Thrill of It All: Music and Revolution at Dulwich College (1968 – 1978), which reflects many of the social, political and cultural changes taking place across Britain at the
MEET THE TEAM
Standing left to right Trevor Llewelyn, Secretary of the OAA - Aimes Ward Alumni Relations and Events Officer Laura Jones , Philanthropy Manager - Kathi Palitz, Head of Philanthropy - Matt Jarrett Director of Development
Sitting left to right Joanne Whaley, Head of Engagement - Rebecca Runge, Donor Engagement Officer, Clare Durgan , Development Officer (Database) Not present - Taneisha Armstrong-Dalling Development Operations Officer
We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback, and welcome suggestions for future features. Should you like to get in touch then please write to us at:
ALUMNI AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Dulwich College, Dulwich Common London SE21 7LD
+44 (0) 20 8299 5335 oa@dulwich.org.uk
Trevor Llewelyn (72–79) Secretary of the Old Alleynian Association
www.dulwich.org.uk/old-alleynians-home www.oldalleynianconnect.org
Follow us:
@OA_Association
@oadulwichalumni
Old Alleynian Association
Old Alleynian Association
CONTENTS
All things Dulwich - You are invited to your Reunion We are excited to invite you to reconnect with old friends and fellow alumni at our Annual OA Reunion. Join us for a day of celebration, reflection, and camaraderie of all things Dulwich College. The event will feature a variety of activities, including guided tours, friendly tournaments, and a chance to reminisce with members of our community. For those of you who are celebrating your decade or half decade reunion, we would be delighted to work with you to get a group together. Please scan the QR code below to book.
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From the Editor
Meet the Team
Meet your President: Rt Hon Sir Peter Riddell CBE
Message from The Acting Master
Old Alleyian Association Alumni Awards Freddie Maher: The Marathon Des Sables
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OA Association Football
OA Shooting Club
OA Badminton
Alleynian Sailing Society
Saturday 21 June 2025 Dulwich College From 12pm
OA Cricket
OA Rugby Football Club
OA Cross Country
Old Alleynian Golfing Society Peter Oosterhuis 1948-2024
Event Programme 12.00 Memorial service
OA Boat Club
OA Muslim Community
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Old Alleynian Lodge
Incredible Legacy From Charles Walter Wales
12:30 - 2:30 pm Lunch Enjoy a delicious lunch and catch up with friends and your former teachers – why not get a table together? Please book in advance ◊ 2:00pm onwards Tours Explore old haunts and our new buildings and facilities, on your own or as part of a guided tour. ◊ Wild Flower Self-Guided Tour, Shackleton Tour, Hidden Dulwich Tour, The Best of Dulwich Tour Union Fair – Browse the stalls and enjoy demonstrations from the Colleges vibrant community of clubs and societies. The Commissariat will be open for you to purchase OA and school memorabilia. Sports – we will have a selection of Scheduled competitions and matches for you to watch and take part in throughout the day: 5 A Side Football Water Polo Tennis Championship Cricket ◊ 2:30pm Afternoon Tea will be served Relax and enjoy a Dulwich College afternoon tea whilst watching the cricket.
Ben Kidson Chasing The Transcendent: A Modern Career In Music
OA Poems
The Class Of 2019 Reflect
The Uganda School Project Old Alleyians at The College
Old Alleynian Service Leadership 2024
Gareth Evans
Charles Fellows-Smith
OA News
Strategy 30
Looking After The The Grounds At Dulwich College
Herbal Healing Michael Burton
Union Of Clubs And Societies
Valet For Hon OA Staff
Meet Liza Neudegg, Head Of Careers At Dulwich College
Dulwich, Music And The Sixties
The True Story of the Ultramarine Lightshow,
OAs In Print OA Podcasts Partnerships
International Community
We look forward to welcoming you back!
The Impact Of Your Support
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one A level but I spent two terms largely doing non-academic things as a prefect and helping with various extra-curricular activities. I was one of the Dulwich College team, which featured in a one-off Sixth Form Challenge, like University Challenge, on television. Did you have any particular memories that stand out? A mixture: cold late autumn evenings playing Rugby on the ‘tank’ fields and getting very muddy; the poor stodgy quality of school meals (infinitely better now); playing conkers each autumn in my early years; later, the quality of the History teaching (up to undergraduate level); in my first year having to learn a chapter of the Bible each week for a Monday lesson ( taught by the stern Head of the Lower School, who I later learnt was human); always being uplifted when walking from West Dulwich station, seeing the Barry Buildings and looking across at the pavilion. What did you do after leaving Dulwich College? Immediately, I went to the then West Germany to work on a vineyard to learn German (a failure) but that coincided with the 1966 World Cup, so I was the only Englishman in a bar of 80 Germans when England won. Not many boys did gap years then and we couldn’t afford it anyway, so I went straight to Cambridge for four years- reading History and Economics— before starting my journalism career at the Financial Times after graduating in 1970. What was your experience of returning as Chair of the College’s governing body? I first became a Governor in autumn 2009 as Joe Spence arrived as Master. My first reaction – after several decades of little involvement with the College – was ‘it’s very different from my day’. My second reaction was that most things were much better – the range of pastoral care and support for the boys and the quality of teaching (governors occasionally sit in on lessons). I also welcomed the efforts to give opportunities to all boys and not just to focus on the elite. I have sometimes felt, however, that the range of options can be too wide. Throughout my twelve years as a Governor, six as Chair, I appreciated the high quality of my fellow governors, all volunteers giving their time, and the College’s committed and hard-working staff. What are you currently reading, watching or listening to? I am a keen follower of cricket and rugby on television – and I remain a political obsessive, watching news and current affairs programmes and reading several papers, both print and online. I normally read at least a couple of books at a time – something historical or political – recently Ian Johnson’s Sparks on China’s underground historians. I have finished the latest Ian Rankin novel and am reading Nick Harkaway’s continuation of his father John Le Carre’s Smiley series. If you are not at home… My wife and I like the theatre, concerts and occasionally opera – plus talks (most recently by Michael Palin on his diaries). In the summer, I love going both to the Oval, my favourite cricket ground since my schooldays, or to Lords. At my age I try to keep up with old friends and go to my Club, the Garrick.
What do you hope to achieve in your year as President? Generally, to encourage and support the change in approach of the OAA in the last few years. I want to highlight and celebrate the achievements of OAs in all fields, as in the new alumni awards. Specifically, in a year of transitions for Dulwich – with the retirement of a long-serving and very successful Master and the arrival of a new Master, and the big changes in taxation –I want to act as a bridge between OAs and the College. What was your time like at the College? Dulwich was the key building block in my life and career, developing my academic skills and enabling me to go on to Cambridge. There is a tendency to look at the first half of the 1960s as a golden age for Dulwich with outstanding academic and sporting success. But it could also be a harsh, rather cold place – fine if you were in the academic or sporting elite but tougher for the majority. Some of the teachers, damaged by their wartime experiences, certainly wouldn’t be employed now. Moreover, personally, it was a tough since my father was very ill for quite a lot of time and died when I was 15. Because of my father’s illness and the associated collapse of his single practitioner business as a solicitor, my family certainly couldn’t have afforded to send me to Dulwich. So I was, and am, a grateful beneficiary of the Dulwich Experiment era where, after passing the 11-plus exam, my place was paid for by the old London County Council. There was more of a social mix than subsequently, though boys were still predominantly middle class in background. However, social distinctions hardly feature in my memories. That is one reason why I am so keen on expanding bursaries and a needs blind approach to admissions. Overall, though, I look back on my time with pride and affection. I enjoyed my work and made some lifelong friends. What subjects did you particularly enjoy and why? History was my prime interest and speciality. There was an astounding History Department at the College then, a tradition which has been maintained since. That ties in with my fascination with politics and government, which dominated my career as a journalist. By contrast I was hopeless at languages and merely adequate at the sciences. What were your main interests outside the classroom? I enjoyed Cricket and Rugby—and still keenly watch them now- but I was a mediocre performer, banished to the remote pitches across the road. I was rejected for the choir in less than 10 seconds (several seconds too long my wife and daughter say) in contrast to the much more extensive involvement of boys in music and the arts generally now. I got involved with non-sporting societies: Debating (rather awkwardly and unsuccessfully) History and The Union (more productively). Did you have any positions of responsibility? I became a Senior Prefect in my last two terms which were in many ways my happiest time at the College. My birthday is in October and I was always among the youngest in my year. I was allowed to compete for the Cambridge entrance exams in December 1965 at just 17 on condition that, if successful, I would stay on until the summer. Those were the days when O and A levels were staggered so I already had History A level. I won an Open Exhibition and was told by my Cambridge College that I didn’t need to complete my other A levels since I had satisfied the entry requirements. So not only do I have just
MEET YOUR OLD ALLEYNIAN ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
Bridging the gap, Sir Peter, one of our oldest alumni was interviewed by one of our youngest students, Bram in year 3.
Peter Riddell is a British journalist and author. He worked for the Financial Times from 1970-91. From 2016-21 he served as the British government's Commissioner for Public Appointments and is the former director of the Institute for Government. Born in Torquay, Peter’s father was a solicitor who served in the RAF during the Second World War. Peter lived in Streatham, London during his early life attending Dulwich College, becoming a Senior Prefect in 1966. He then graduated from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge with a BA in History and Economics and an MA. Peter served as a Governor of Dulwich College from 2009, initially on the Education Committee, before stepping down in 2020 after five years. Peter was made a Fellow of Dulwich College in 2021. RT HON SIR PETER RIDDELL CBE 1959-1966
MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER
Inspiring the next generation of pupils at Dulwich College
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In 2024 the Old Alleynian Association launched its alumni award programme to recognise alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to society through their voluntary service, academic achievements or professional success, or whose behavior and values inspire others. Nominations took place early in 2024, featuring a diverse range of contributions and professions including lawyers, medics, authors, campaigners and musicians many of whom are leaders in their respective fields. The judges were faced with a very difficult choice indeed, but the final awards were, it was unanimously agreed, given to truly worthy recipients.
It has been my pleasure to meet so many OAs over the past few months. Your warmth and support as I lead the College during this academic year have been truly appreciated. I am delighted to report that the College remains as vibrant and busy as ever. The Michaelmas term was packed with enthusiasm and purpose. The Union remains one of the jewels in our co- curricular crown and over the last few months we have welcomed some 90 visiting speakers, many of them OAs, to the College. Each has generously shared their expertise with our students in assemblies and in clubs and societies allowing pupils to explore new ideas and develop lifelong passions. This really shines through in our new short film asking our pupils about their Clubs and Societies. Ten years ago, two OAs Hammad Jeilani and Chris Law founded the Rocketry Society; today, they are leading an innovative drone delivery service, now used by the NHS to transport blood. It goes without saying that the generosity of OAs in supporting the co-curricular programme is invaluable. We are truly grateful, and you will always be guaranteed a warm welcome here at the College. Just before Christmas we welcomed many of you to both the Winter Concert and then Carols by Candlelight at Southwark Cathedral. At both, the conductor was Gareth Hemmings, who in September had joined the College as the new Director of Music. Gareth has quickly established an innovative new programme of music around the school – a morning break where pop-up bands appeared across the campus was a real highlight. It was a huge honour for me to be able to present His Excellency Mr Anand Panyarachun Hon KBE MA with his Old Alleynian Association Lifetime Achievement Award during a visit to Bangkok. Anand along with all this year’s award winners, Raffy Marshall and Basky Thilaganathan, are an inspiration to Alleynians and Old Alleynians alike, and I am honoured to be part of this initiative. If you haven’t seen Anand's film on receiving the award yet, it really is a must-watch. You can access it by scanning the QR code on the opposite page. We are delighted to report the College is enjoying a very successful university applications season. We have had particular success with Oxbridge offers this year, receiving 26 (the highest total since 2010). Excellent offers have also been received from top UK universities such as Bath, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, King’s, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, UCL, Warwick and York. Internationally, we also have students with pleasing offers for American universities including Arizona, Brown, Indiana, Miami, NYU, Pittsburgh, Stanford and the University of Texas, and from the Canadian universities of UBC, McGill and Toronto, from the University of Sydney in Australia, and HKU and HKUST in Hong Kong. Looking forward, I am particularly looking forward to the OA Reunion, which this year will be on Saturday 21 June. I hope to see some of you there. On behalf of colleagues and the Governors, thank you for your continued support – whether through reading our publications, attending events, or volunteering your time. I look forward to seeing you on campus in the coming months.
The Young Alumni Achievement Award (Under 40)
Raffy Marshall (10-15) Raffy has received his award in recognition of his remarkable fortitude, resilience and composure shown during the evacuation of UK friendly Afghans from Afghanistan in 2021 and then afterwards the courage shown in his dealings with the Foreign Office. After leaving Dulwich, Raffy read Ancient and Modern History at Queen's College, Oxford. While at Oxford he was awarded the 'Best in the World at Debating' at the World Universities Debating Competition 2017. Raffy then served for three years as a junior diplomat at the Foreign Office, 2018-21. In September 2021 he resigned from the Foreign Office to give evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee about the UK response to the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. In September 2024, he started as a pupil barrister at Brick Court Chambers.
Lifetime Achievement Award (Over 40)
Professor Baskaran Thilaganathan (77-82) Basky Thilaganathan has received his award in recognition of the remarkable work he has done over many years in the world of fetal medicine. HeisClinicalDirectoroftheFetalMedicineUnitandalsotheClinicalLeadfortheSAFEtest NIPTlaboratoryatStGeorge’sHospital,London.Basky'sresearchinterestsarefocusedon Materno-Fetal medicine, with a particular interest on maternal cardiac function, placental function, fetal growth and pre-eclampsia. As Clinical Director for Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Basky has pioneered the development of a software medical device for providing effective and equitable maternity care. This software is now in trials in 86 hospitals in three continents supported by the Gates Foundation. His Excellency Mr Anand Panyarachun Hon KBE MA (48-52) His Excellency Anand Panyarachun has received his award in recognition of a lifetime spent in public service, particularly in bringing economic reform and political stability to Thailand. Anand led a distinguished career as one of Thailand's leading diplomats in the 1960s and 1970s, before spending time in the business world. In 1991, he became Thailand’s Prime Minister, winning widespread respect for his leadership during a challenging time in Thailand’s history. As Head of Government, he was successful in reforming key sectors of the Thai economy as well as in promoting social development and environmental protection. Anand has continued with a career dedicated to humanitarian causes, political engagement and business development. Notably, he has served as UNICEF’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Thailand since 1996, and has been instrumental in promoting children's rights, education and health care in Thailand. Anand has remained a dedicated supporter of the College since leaving in 1952, notably serving as Honorary International Advisor to the Governors. He was made a Fellow of the College in 2003. Anand, has created an incredibly moving and poignant reflection on his life and career, access to which can be found by scanning the QR code.
Fiona Angel Acting Master
Scan QR code to watch a message from Anand
FREDDIE MAHER
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The coach takes you to the camp for Stage 1 and we made our way to our tent, known locally as the ‘bivouac’ which was our base for two nights before the race started. The bivouac is a thick piece of carpet held up by wooden sticks, with a thin rug type material on the floor to offer some protection against the sand, rocks and thorns – but this (and water) is the only luxury provided by the race organisers. I was sharing a tent with my good friend from university and two other guys that I vaguely knew and there were four other complete strangers from the UK including John, a 51-year-old ultra runner from Scotland. He had been training for the race for over two years and could not have been more prepared. He revealed to us that he slept on his bedroom floor for the last two months leading up to the race to get use to the hard surface. Even more impressive, however, (or insane) was that John decided to go for a 10km race on the admin day before the race started. Little did we know at this point how strong a bond we strangers would form. The two days at the bivouac are spent with technical and kit checks. There was a real buzz of excitement along with the obvious nerves about what was ahead. We also had a camel spider in our tent on the first morning which quickly dissipated the machismo energy we were all so badly trying to portray. The kit check is taken very seriously with time penalties for any infringements; compulsory items include a whistle, signalling mirror, foil blanket and a GPS tracker for your safety (and for family and friends back home). Stage 1 On the morning of the first stage all 900 competitors started at 8am. We had a short briefing from the race directors before the massive speakers played ACDC’s ‘Highway to Hell’ and we set off into the unknown, a fitting song for the week to come. The day was a fairly straightforward 33km, albeit mostly across rolling sand dunes. I was quite conscious of not setting off too fast and using the day to get used to the terrain, particularly as the sand was a whole new experience. The closest sand training I had done was running around the horse track in Richmond and Hyde Parks, so I had little idea how my body would react! I had a compass and the road book, but the course is well marked every 500m or so by painted stones on rocky terrain or by poles in dune fields. There are checkpoints every 10 or 11 kilometres, which is where you refill your water bottles. I carried two 750ml bottles, which were strapped to the front of my bag for easy access; I also had a foldable 500ml bottle I carried in my waist pouch. I was pleased to reach the finish in around 90th position and it gave me a lot of confidence. Although I had my phone to take photos, the lack of signal (and power sockets) meant that there were no distractions from outside the race and I could focus on the stage ahead. It was very liberating and a treat not to rely on my phone every minute to get through the day. Stage 2 Stage 2 was a full marathon distance of 42km, and the terrain significantly ramped up in difficulty. It took us across jagged
What was the training like? From the moment I committed, I knew this would be a monumental challenge requiring meticulous preparation. I was fortunate to have a decent fitness foundation, having continued running after the London Marathon. However, training for a 250km+ ultra-marathon in the searing Saharan heat meant stepping into unknown territory. Initially, I immersed myself in every online resource imaginable, but quickly found the contradictory advice overwhelming. Eventually I stumbled upon a comprehensive nine-month training plan for ultra running novices to tackle the 250km+ race. It provided structure to my preparations and reassured my parents after my earlier marathon mishap. The plan, which included slow long runs, sprints, gym sessions, and weighted backpack runs, was demanding, especially alongside my long hours at PricewaterhouseCoopers . At the peak of training, I was clocking over 100km a week. I distinctly remember calling the owner of the training plan and asking him, “If I follow this plan, can you guarantee that I will both survive and finish the race…?”, he replied, nonchalantly, “You should be fine”. How did you decide what food to bring? The organisers state that you have to carry a minimum of 2000 calories a day and I decided on around 3,200 calories a day. Breakfast was always dehydrated porridge and something like dehydrated mac and cheese for supper (someone in the tent brought a bottle of Tabasco which improved it considerably!). I had spent ages scouring the internet for energy dense foods that were light to carry. I ended up taking loads of peanut butter sachets, ‘nakd’ bars and small packs of beef jerky, as well as ‘pick n mix’ bags with nuts and sweets. I took a few gels, but was advised against taking too many sweet foods, as the heat just makes it unpalatable to get anything down. This piece of advice certainly turned out to be true, as I struggled to get down the 5th cold blueberry porridge in as many mornings. I am yet to brave a bowl of porridge since returning… April 2024: The Race I flew to Ouarzazate. Everyone on the plane was taking part in the race so there were a lot of nervous people. I had received advice from a friend, who took part in the race a few years ago, that under no circumstances should you listen to any plane chatter or last-minute tips. Advice I singularly failed to heed as I nervously reeled off a list of kit I had not brought with me (including walking poles and a cooking stove) to the man next to me, a veteran of several Marathons Des Sables, a lover of ice climbing, and owner of multiple Ironman medals. His laughter in response was rather unhelpful and I wondered if I was massively out of my depth. On arrival at the small airport in Morocco, you are then picked up in a coach which takes you on a six-hour journey into the desert. On the coach, you are given your roadbook which outlines the course, and we finally got answers to our many questions. How many dunes, ridges, drops are there: how many jebels (mountains) have they put in: where is Jebel El Oftal (considered the toughest climb of all) and how terrifyingly long is the ‘long stage’ this year?
The Marathon Des Sables (MDS) is a seven-day, multi-stage ultra marathon in Southern Morocco. Despite taking place amongst the epic scenery of the Sahara Desert, it is coined by many as one of the toughest foot races on earth. The route varies each year but is usually over 252km (160miles) which is approximately the distance of six marathons. Competitors are completely self-sufficient, carrying all their own equipment (apart from water) on their back, which means their food, clothing, sleeping bag, mat and toiletries for the seven days. In April of 2024 Freddie Maher (11–17) was one of the 900 starters who took part in the 38th and longest MDS ever. He came 37th overall and 8th out of UK competitors, whilst raising over £13,000 for the charity Home-Start Wandsworth.
What is your sporting background?
Sport was always a passion of mine at Dulwich College. The College’s excellent facilities gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in football, rugby, and tennis. Football was always my strongest sport, and I had the honour of captaining the 1st XI Football team to its first London Cup victory in my final year. I was also captain of the 2nd XV Rugby team, both of which remain highlights of my school years. Since leaving Dulwich College in 2017, I’ve continued to play for the OA football team when I can and, whilst I’ve always enjoyed running, it wasn’t until university that I started running more regularly to keep fit. When did you first hear about the Marathon De Sables? I remember vividly when I was in Year 8 at Dulwich College, a teacher put on James Cracknell’s ‘Toughest Race on Earth’ during a lunch break. This documented Cracknell’s extraordinary journey during the Marathon des Sables. I was mesmerised: the vast, breathtaking desert landscapes, the camaraderie among competitors, and most importantly the idea of pushing yourself to your absolute limits. From that day, I followed the race closely and promised myself I’d tackle it one day. So, when did you decide that you were going to enter for the 2024 race? There are two key reasons why I decided to enter the MDS. Firstly, I took part in the London Marathon in October 2022 and unfortunately collapsed at mile 22. This was my first attempt at a marathon, and I spent two hours in an ambulance before eventually finishing in 5 hours 51 minutes! I think bizarrely that experience made me even more determined to complete the MDS. Secondly, I wanted to raise money for the amazing charity, Home-Start Wandsworth, where my mum works. Home-Start work alongside vulnerable and isolated families to help them through hard times and prevent them from slipping further into crisis. I’m proud to have raised over £13,000 for the charity.
FREDDIE MAHER
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upon arriving at the hotel and washing properly for the first time in nine days. Although I still had sand in my ears and hair a week on... There were celebrations for all participants across 60 different countries that night and these went on into the following morning. How long did it take you to recover physically? Physically, I wasn't too bad – quite a few of the lads in the tent fell quite ill a week or so after, I think the malnutrition, extreme exhaustion and lack of water and sleep clearly crept up on us – but luckily, I felt okay all things considered. I spoke to my physio, and he told me not to run for two weeks after the race. However the day I got back, I decided to take the day off work. By lunchtime, I was going stir-crazy sitting at home and couldn’t resist the urge to get out. Before I knew it, I was running 5km, which in hindsight was utterly ridiculous. Mentally though it took longer; there was a real sense of post- race blues and adjusting back to ‘real life’. Everything about the race is stripped back to basics, and there is a wonderful sense of liberation when all you have to worry about is running, drinking, fuelling and sleeping! None of the stress of ‘real life’, no worries about work, and no phones or social media. Having had an opportunity to reflect over the summer, I think the race has given me a real resilience mentally. What are you planning to do next? I certainly want to have another go at the London Marathon and preferably get round without the pit stop in an ambulance! After that? I am definitely looking at running an ultra-marathon of 100 miles or so, and there is always the appeal of an Ironman at some point. I haven’t discounted rowing the Atlantic… That’s for the future, but for now, I'm just trying to enjoy having a few holidays without having running on my mind every second of the day!
handed out ice-cold cans of Coca-Cola for everyone to enjoy. I had been carrying two mini bottles of Johnny Walker whiskey throughout the race, and I shared them with my tent mates by mixing them into our Coke cans. It was a truly special moment that brought us all together. Stage 4 Stage 4 was another brutal day, testing our endurance over another marathon distance route. It began like every other stage – we would wake up at about 5am, eat our breakfast, which had been rehydrating overnight, and then treat our blisters and strap up our feet for the day ahead. I found this day incredibly tough (maybe it was the whiskey); the terrain made it anything but straightforward and because I was in a top 150 position I started an hour later, which meant it was even hotter when I was running. This stage featured a punishing climb over the rocky Jebel Tafeguenat, a steep mountain where the footing was slippery, and the wind whipped fiercely near the summit. It was a gruelling climb, but the sweeping desert views from the top were unforgettable. After the Jebel, the terrain transitioned into endless dunes, where every step felt like pushing against quicksand. By this point, the cumulative fatigue was evident in all the competitors. You meet some amazing people with incredible stories along the way, and this helps the time go slightly quicker and the pain dissipate At 31km, Stage 5 was another typical day in the Marathon des Sables. While it wasn’t the longest stage, it was still challenging due to its steep dunes and technical sections. The dunes were relentless, requiring bursts of power to climb each crest, followed by the exhilarating descent on the other side, where you could almost ‘ski’ down the shifting sand. I embraced the opportunity to push myself on, feeling stronger with each stage. My strategy of conserving energy early on seemed to be paying off, and I managed to finish in 39th place overall. Stage 6: The final stage Whatever everyone was feeling physically – the aches, blisters, and exhaustion – mentally they were in a happy place. The finishing line was within touching distance with a mere 21km to go. I ran it with John the Scotsman who was sharing my tent; he really pushed me on that day and I finished in just under two hours. Crossing the finishing line was an unbelievable experience. It was the culmination of months of hard work for everyone; there were a lot of tears and people were getting very emotional. In the end, I finished 37th out of the 900 starters. I was so pleased – after all it was an event I had at one point simply wanted to finish. The six-hour journey back to Ouarzazate was horrible and I mean horrible (we joked it was the 7th and hardest stage). Your body is already in pieces and then the coach throws you around like a rag doll. However, all is forgotten a little. Stage 5
rocky plains, with sharp underfoot conditions testing every step. The midday sun was unforgiving, soaring above 40°C, and the heat radiating off the rocks made the atmosphere feel even more oppressive. The dunes we encountered were steeper and longer than in Stage 1, requiring both mental and physical endurance to conquer. Apart from the sheer difficulty of running on shifting sand, you learn to be pragmatic in how to approach each obstacle in the desert, you start to be able to ‘read the sand’, knowing which bits to run on and which bits might swallow your foot. By the time I crossed the finishing line after nearly six hours, I was exhausted but thrilled to have climbed up the leaderboard, sitting in 77th place overall. Stage 3: The Long Stage The third ‘long’ stage was a mighty 85km and while the better runners managed to finish in daylight there were many who were still running through the night. This stage was incredibly challenging; it took me 12 and a half hours, which I was delighted with. Although, to put my effort into context, the fastest man ran it in an incredible time of 7hrs 37min and the quickest woman was 10hrs 46min! These are elite Moroccan runners, who take part (and win!) almost every year. Most of them have grown up in the desert, so they are acclimatized to the heat and the way the sand feels under their feet. Watching them run up the dunes without a struggle was a remarkable thing to witness. I managed to run with two of the guys from my tent for the first 50km who were both in the top 50. They really helped push me on and although they pulled away later in the day, I was only half an hour behind them at the finish. Once they moved away, I soon realised that I couldn't see anyone or anything in front or behind me. I was completely on my own. At one point I was singing to myself and if I am honest going slightly mad! I had made a conscious decision not to use headphones because I wanted to take in everything around me, I had trained in London with no music too, but I found it easier to reach a meditative state in the desert, just focusing on my heart rate and breathing. Every stage’s finish is like a party – there is music playing and everyone has their name called out as they cross the line. For this long stage, people were finishing throughout the night so the bivouac ‘enjoyed’ cheesy hits all night. Our tent was right next to the finishing line, and I probably got about three hours of sleep (I think they turned the music down from about 3am to 5am!). Rest day While many found themselves still reaching the finishing line of the long stage deep into the second day, I effectively had an extra rest day before Stage 4 began. This gave me a good opportunity to give my legs a rest. The most memorable moment of the day was when the final competitor crossed the finishing line after approximately 30 hours. To celebrate, the organisers
CLUBS & SOCIETIES
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OA ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL 2024 was a landmark year for OAAFC, as we celebrated 10 years as a club. We opened the year with our annual set of fixtures versus the school with over 50 OAs involved and then continued our strong form in the 2023-24 season across our three regular sides. By the end of the football season in May, it was clear that this was our most successful year yet – the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XIs all recorded their highest ever league positions. The 1st XI, led for a final season by stalwart Andy Moss (04-11) are now firmly established as one of the Arthurian League’s powerhouses, finishing second in the Premier Division and only losing in the Arthur Dunn Cup semi-finals to the same opposition Old Reptonians. The 2nd XI, during club icon Shahin Rasti’s (00-07) first term as skipper, won the Division 2 title for the first time, all but wrapping up the title months before the end of the season, to rank them as the best 2nd team in the set-up, whilst also reaching the external London Old Boys Cup Final. Cole ‘the Dog’ Sullivan’s (04-09) 3rd XI also finished by some margin as the best team in Division 3 despite playing exclusively versus 1st and 2nd sides. They also narrowly missed out on silverware in their external cup final. The summer break included another successful interclub tournament, engaging more with those recent leavers, and a strong preseason on the wonderful pitches at Dulwich College. There was also a third foreign tour, this time to Lisbon, that reached new heights on and off the pitch: two big wins and an excellent set of memories for the players involved. The 2024-25 season, then, began with lots of promise and as we reached Christmas that was still very much the case. After a tricky start of three points from three games, the 1st XI preceded to win eight on the spin, meaning they start 2025 once again in a two-horse race with Repton. The 2nd XI are top of their league and remain in the game for all three trophies and more records. The 3rd XI has recovered from a tough start to be the form team in Division 3, with some canny additions to the squad, and now look well- placed to at least match last season’s efforts. New 1st XI captain Cameron Kelly (04-15) (who else?) is also the club’s top goal scorer and leads an attack where he is often joined by brothers Sam (10-17) and Jake (11- 18) Fetherston. The ‘Feths’ achieved something amazing in the summer of 2024, representing England at the UEFA Regions Cup in Helsinki. Having played for the Arthurian League representative team and won the national cup versus county leagues from across England, the Arthurian League team earned the right to represent the country at the finals – returning home unbeaten! This shows how high the standard of Old Boys football is, and we are very proud that Dulwich College now boasts the strongest all-round club in the Arthurian League. 2025 will be about continuing
OA SHOOTING CLUB The OA Shooting Club ran the annual Arnold Cup competition in October against the St Albans Old Boys’ team. While the OAs only managed to field a team of two, Roger Hiorns (71-78) and Peter Leggett (68-76), the Albanians raised a team of five so we chose ‘best two’ to win. And we won! The cup has been contested most years since 1936 and we are now on a pretty level pegging. Peter Leggett (68-76) Secretary OASC
OA BADMINTON In September a dozen OAs returned to Dulwich College for the now annual match against the College students. The quality of badminton at the school has continued to improve in leaps and bounds over the last few years and it was by the skin of their teeth that the OA team managed an overall win in the round robin competition. The large number of OAs who continue to play in clubs and universities around the country is impressive and it was a pleasure to welcome back Felix Wright (18-23) to the College. Felix is playing at the highest level and is gaining a very positive reputation on both the national and international playing circuit. Trevor Llewelyn
its growth and adding to the trophy cabinet! George Edmund (08-15), Secretary OAAFC
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ARROW TROPHY REGATTA
This two-day regatta brings together Independent School alumni teams to compete in the challenging waters of the Solent. Teams sail short fleet races on the first day in two fleets of one-design yachts. The top four teams move on to day two, where they compete in a match-racing series to determine the final rankings and the overall winner, whilst the remainder fight out the fleet positions. Dulwich College has a strong history in this competition, winning silverware many times in the past and finishing fourth in 2023, taking home the Radley Shaker trophy. This year, we welcomed some new faces to the Arrow Team. As older, more experienced crew make way, we can introduce recent OA leavers to the sport and open opportunities to them for life. Joining the 2024 crew were Ewan Plowden-Wardlaw (13-24), George Hill (18-23) and Will Moore (20-22).
ROUND THE ISLAND RACE (RTI) 2024 In June, we entered a yacht in the RTI after a few years away. It’s an ideal race to ‘blood’ crew members who haven’t raced before and is one of the biggest participant sporting events in the world, attracting sailors and crews of all experience levels. A mixed society crew of RTI ‘old hands’ and first timers set out for the weekend with high hopes. Race day dawned with very marginal, 30+ knots wind forecast. Unsurprisingly, after an hour of very tough, soaking wet and difficult racing, we retired, returning to Cowes in 45 knot gusts. Sailing on for seven or eight hours more in such severe conditions with a less experienced This year there were six yachts, skippered and crewed by a mix of older and younger Alleynians, along with twenty-two boys in total and two school staff, Raj Joshi and Victoria Goldsack. It was another successful week on the Solent with the English summer throwing a wide range of sailing conditions at us. We spent two nights in Yarmouth harbour and made the most of the Yarmouth Sailing Club facilities during a wet and windy afternoon spent by the boys’ learning seamanship and navigation. We were fortunate to enjoy a sunny but windy crossing to Beaulieu where our Admiral (Joe Spence) joined us; helming the Commodore’s boat on a short trip down to the Beaulieu entrance, flipping burgers at the BBQ and watching the England Euros game with the boys. I’m sure that many of the boys had to pinch themselves when they told their parents! It was a great sight to see. crew just wasn’t an option. BOYS SAIL TRAINING WEEK The BSTW week truly is a team effort, facilitated and conducted by the College, the Friends and the OA skippers and crews, so I’m very grateful for everyone’s contributions. ALLEYNIAN SAILING SOCIETY My first year as Commodore of the Society, succeeding Richard Sainsbury (63-72) has been an interesting and very busy one since our AGM and lunch held alongside the James Caird in early March. As one of the society’s original aims was to be open to members from across the whole Dulwich College community, it was immensely gratifying to welcome several parents to the AGM lunch: Robyn Asher (co-chair of the Friends) with husband Jon, along with Stephen Lock and Helen Dingwall (parents of pupil James Lock). Staying in contact and retaining active links with our few remaining founders is integral to our approach, so Honorary Secretary Anthony Frankford (62-69), my partner Michele and I, hosted a lunch for founding members Martin (42-48) and Bernie Godfrey, Alan (41-46) and Gabriella Pollard, and my mother Anne Capon at Chichester Yacht Club in March. Many of our current skippers and crew enjoyed their very earliest sailing experiences with those same founding members. It was a fun and laughter-filled lunch updating on society plans, remembering past rallies, old friends, the very first Boys’ Sail Training weeks and early Arrow Trophy regattas, with our guests still showing their same mischievous sparkle despite an average age of 86!
Day one conditions were ideal for racing with a steady breeze and sunshine. A strong start is crucial, and we jockeyed for position near the front of the fleet. This made for exhilarating close encounters crossing the starting line. Navigating the course requires careful strategy, balancing tide and wind direction, while smart tactics, smooth sail handling and flawless manoeuvres are key. We performed well, holding our own around the course. However, we couldn’t pull ahead of some of the competition and after one or two tactical calls that split the fleet, we missed out on a place in the top four. Day two was frustrating at best. Fluky winds and a strong tide challenged the fleet over two long races, which severely tested our light wind sailing ability and patience. We did well to finish both races (compared to several other boats who failed to do so), leaving us with a solid mid-table finish of seventh overall. We might not have won silverware this year, but it was a great outing for the team – especially those learning the ropes onboard. Add in the traditional shoreside hospitality in Cowes and a wonderful regatta dinner held at the Royal Ocean Race Club (RORC) and it made for a great weekend. Our thanks to Reg Kheraj for organising the crew, logistics and for skippering the boat. We also took a big step and somewhat of a gamble, by submitting a proposal to the OAA to enter the RORC Fastnet race for 2025. Whilst this hasn’t ultimately proved to be successful, we’re setting our sights higher and increasing our ambition to enter more racing events to give our members wider racing opportunities and to become better sailors. By publication, we’ll have enjoyed a Christmas lunch at the Little Ship Club in London, adding to a programme of social events and helping our drive to stay in touch with our members, young and old, active or less active and at different life stages. Where else could you enjoy a sport and pastime where the mix of members range from 18 to over 90? Alastair Capon (73-80) Commodore
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