THE MAGAZINE FOR THE OLD ALLEYNIAN ASSOCIATION, DULWICH COLLEGE ALUMNI
“LOOKING SIDEWAYS” Sir Gabriele Finaldi: A Life In Paintings
ALSO FEATURING OA Clubs & Societies, a conversation with new Master Rob Milne, and Luke Cianfarani's life shaped by wine.
CONTENTS
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From the Editor Meet the OAA Committee Sir Gabriele Finaldi: A Life in Paintings OAA Photo Competition Meet your President: Simon Brown A Brief History of Dulwich in 10 Objects Michael Powell: Film Director Message from The Master OA Association Football OA Cross Country OA Badminton OA Rugby Football Club OA Lodge OA Golfing Society Alleynian Sailing Society OA Cricket The Many Faces of Hamish Lloyd Barnes Dr Adam Abdelnoor: AI in the Legal Profession The Class of 2019 Reflect The Inspirational Wilson Luke Cianfarani: A Life Shaped by Wine and the World Sumit Rai: Going Nowhere Fast OA News Legacy Giving The Old Alleynian Association Bursary Old Alleynian Association Alumni Award Winners 2025 Reuben Gokah: From Dulwich to the Premier League OAs in Print International Community Matt Wilcock: Blooming in a Community Garden Near You Sustainability at Dulwich College Valet for Hon OA Staff David Smith: 34, Not Out Boxing at Dulwich College: A Brief History The Power of Theatre In Memoriam Meet the Team Josh Lawrence RIP
WELCOME TO THE MAGAZINE FOR DULWICH COLLEGE ALUMNI
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2025 was a stellar year for Gabriele Finaldi (82-84) during which time he celebrated his tenth year as Director of the National Gallery and gained a knighthood in the New Years Honours List. He celebrated the conclusion of the Gallery’s bicentenary year, during which there was a hugely successful Van Gogh exhibition as well a complete rehang of the permanent collection. To top things off there was the reopening of the revamped Sainsbury’s Wing entrance. Sir Gabriele, who features on our cover, kindly took time out from his busy schedule to talk to us about his time at Dulwich and subsequent long career in the world of fine art. OAs have entered careers across a huge range of sectors. Adam Abdelnoor (61-70) talks about using AI in his expert witness work while Luke Cianfarani (88-95) reflects on his experiences of working in the wine industry. Hamish Lloyd Barnes (09-16) has spent time at clown school before turning his hand to comedy and Matt Wilcock (06-13) gave up working in politics to establish Leaves Breathe, a social enterprise that is based on the simple premise that everyone living in urban areas should have access to high quality green spaces right on their doorstep. Sumit Rai (93-99), who was a standout basketball player and athlete while he was at the College took a ‘mid career break’ of some thirty years before discovering that he has genuine aptitude for indoor rowing. His fourth place at the recent World Championships is truly impressive. Equally impressive is the story of our youngest contributor, Ruben Gokeh (16-25) who has recently signed a professional contract with Everton FC. With careers developing, life really starts to get interesting for the Class of 2019; we reflect too on what Dulwich was like at the start of the 1960’s through a portrait of English teacher extraordinaire Ray Wilson . 2025 saw the first recipients of the newly created OA Association Bursary enter the Upper School. Our gift will cover 25% of the net fees which will support two pupils a year from each of Year 12 and 13 for the next five years. Each bursary will offer a talented young man the chance to benefit from a Dulwich education that might otherwise have been out of reach. In 2024 we launched our Alumni Awards programme and in 2025 the medals went to actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (90-95) and ‘drone’ entrepreneurs Chris Law (11-16) and Hammad Jeilani (09-16). Our clubs and societies continue to flourish with all offering a wide range of sporting and social activities for their members. During the 2024-25 season our soccer teams continued to surpass expectations in both cup and league competitions. They did though have to recover from the huge loss of Josh Lawrence (02-07); one time 1 st XI Captain, Secretary, Chairman…the list goes on. A successful year too for our cross country runners, golfers, sailors and the newly formed Wine Society. Also encouraging are the increasing numbers of fixtures between the College and the Association. 2026 should see competitions in golf, hockey, badminton, basketball, soccer, cricket and squash. This summer our Summer Social returns to a Thursday evening; 25 June. Please put the date in your diary and sign up when the next eBulletin hits your in box. We will be joined by Rob Milne and here he reflects on the first few very busy months of his time as Master of the College. 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, Joanne Whaley, Joanne Binka and graphic designer Lucy Baragwanath.
Trevor Llewelyn (72–79) Secretary of the Old Alleynian Association
MEET THE OAA COMMITTEE Introducing and thank you to the following OAs who volunteer their time to support the activities of the Old Alleynian Association
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Kayan Dave (10-17)
Simon Brown (69-79), President
Nick Howe (71-80), Chair
Trevor Llewelyn (72-79), Secretary
Nick Robinson (62-71)
Peter Foord (72-81)
Michael Wade (67-72), Treasurer
Anthony Frankford (62-69), Vice President
Shams Rahman (84-91)
Keith Munyama (81-87)
Siva Pillay (73-81)
Chris Jeffers (86-93)
Sub-committee Members
Trustees
Mark Hutchings (77-84)
Ben Turnbull (90-95)
Ed Walsh (73- 81)
Nick Rundle (69-76)
John Beck (73-82)
all images © National Gallery, London.
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“LOOKING SIDEWAYS” Sir Gabriele Finaldi: A Life In Paintings. Interviewed by Trevor Llewelyn (72–79)
Dulwich Beginnings: A Turning Point Gabriele Finaldi’s first day at the College was not as a ‘new bug’ in JA or JB or even in the Lower School. His first day in September 1982 was as a ‘Remove’ student in the Upper School. “When you join a school in the Sixth Form,” he says, “a lot of the friendships have been established. It took time to settle”. Gabriele had been through “various schools” and had for a while, lived abroad: “I’d been to Italy as a 15-year-old… in Piacenza.” Returning to England, he found himself at a Catholic comprehensive in Blackheath but quickly felt that it was not for him. He therefore asked his parents for a change, and they found a route via the assisted places scheme for him to attend Dulwich College. Once here, he says, the standard was “immensely stimulating intellectually… the standard of learning… very high.” He remembers one teacher in particular, a historian who treated boys like undergraduates. “John Saxon… really taught us as though we were university students,” he says, and something in that seriousness lifted the room. “I worked very, very hard when I was at Dulwich College. I was only there for two years,” he says. He began with five A-levels, then accepted reality with Music being the casualty of his choices leaving him to study History, Italian, History of Art and English. Looking back now he is aware of the possible missed opportunities because of his academic singlemindedness and wishes he might have taken fuller advantage of the co-curricular opportunities that the College offered. Dulwich, for him, was formative, though not uncomplicated. “Was it the happiest period of my life? Probably not,” he says, but it did “steer me towards my future career.” The Pauline Conversion: Discovering History Of Art Sir Gabriele Finaldi’s relationship with art started not in a grand museum but two hundred metres down the road from the College gates. For most College students the Dulwich Picture Gallery was a place either avoided or visited briefly with works of art quickly sketched and possibly just as quickly discarded. For Gabriele, his first visit hit him like revelation. He calls it his “Pauline conversion” – sudden, decisive and, as it proved, life‑altering. His first class was with Giles Waterfield, then director of Dulwich Picture Gallery. The lesson was on Rembrandt. Students were asked to talk about a painting in the gallery. Finaldi chose ‘Girl at a Window’. “I was immediately attracted to the closeness that you feel to the creative talent of these artists by looking closely at their works – and not in reproduction, the works themselves,” he says, “and I felt that that’s where I wanted to be”.
There is a subtle principle here that will recur throughout his career: the insistence on the object itself – not the idea of it, not the online image, not the slide in a lecture – but the physical painting, with its scale and textured surface. The Courtauld Gamble: Choosing The Path Finaldi was, by his own account, regarded as a strong student. The expectation, as he remembers it, was Oxbridge. But he chose the Courtauld Institute of Art. “I was single-mindedly aiming to go to the Courtauld,” he says. “In fact, I only put the Courtauld on my university application form … I suppose it was quite a gamble.” Why such commitment? Partly, he says, because he didn’t want to leave home. He is the eldest of many siblings, and he wanted to remain near them. Partly because the Courtauld was in London — accessible, concentrated, intense. At that time, the Courtauld was based in a small 18th century house in Portman Square and was where he had his first taste of curating an exhibition. As an undergraduate, he was, he says, “very lucky” to help create a small display about Rubens with renowned restorer, Noni Tasca. The appeal was immediate “I got a real a sense of achievement from it,” he says. Postgraduate Hustle: The Christmas Postman Years Finaldi married in his last year at the Courtauld. “All of a sudden,” he says, “it became rather essential to earn some money.” He did what he could. He was a musician, playing with a dance band around London hotels and did seasonal work: “I was a Christmas postman.” He also taught History of Art at Blackheath High School for Girls. “My intention was to get back quickly to doing an MA,” he says. He did the MA at the Courtauld, then “went straight on for PhD.” And then, he arrived at the National Gallery. Age 26: A Curator Walks Into Trafalgar Square “Age 26 I got the job at the National Gallery,” he says, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He arrived in what he describes as “a senior curatorial position,” with responsibility for the later Italian collection – “Caravaggio through to Tiepolo” – and “the entire Spanish collection.” He doesn’t pretend that such doors would open so readily these days. “I think that wouldn’t happen nowadays,” he says. The field has expanded; credentials have multiplied; people do stints at major American museums; competition is fiercer. History of Art became fashionable; courses proliferated; the ladder lengthened. Finaldi believes he was “very fortunate to be there early on: “fortune, of course, only carries you to the door. Once inside, you must justify the trust.”
2025 was a stellar year for Gabriele Finaldi (82-84). He celebrated a decade as Director of the National Gallery and was awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours List. The Gallery’s bicentenary year concluded in the spring with an award-winning exhibition of Van Gogh, a full rehang of the permanent collection and the opening of the revamped Sainsbury Wing entrance.
A Pair Of Rembrandts: What He Would Show Dulwich College Students First When asked where he would take Dulwich College students on a tour of the National Gallery, Gabriele hesitated for a moment and then replied, “Probably something that connects with the Dulwich Picture Gallery, so I would say the Rembrandt self-portrait age 34, one of the two Rembrandt portraits that we have here at the Gallery. The painting shows the artist on the ascendency, someone with lots of ambition and who wants to associate himself with the great tradition of painting. The composition is based on a very famous Titian, ‘Man with a Quilted Sleeve’, that also happens to be in our collection. I would want to show them the self-portrait and then link it to the four works of Rembrandt displayed at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Finally, I would connect it (the Rembrandt) with Titian’s piece and talk about the way in which artists always want to be innovative and original while also wanting to be part of a tradition.
“LOOKING SIDEWAYS”
Sir Gabriele Finaldi: A Life In Paintings
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Building Shows, Building Arguments: Titian and the “Impossible Exhibition” One of Finaldi’s proudest achievements is a show that began improbably and ended in triumph. Entitled ‘Titian: Love, Desire Death’ it focused on the artist’s sensuous interpretation of classical myths of love, temptation and punishment. The six paintings were commissioned by Prince Philip of Spain, the future King Philip II. When they started planning, Finaldi says, they assumed they might borrow four of the artist’s works “if we were lucky.” Then circumstances shifted: a painting surfaced in the Duke of Wellington’s collection; the Wallace Collection changed its constitution to allow loans and suddenly, the impossible became real. It mattered, he says, not only for spectacle but for scholarship. Even Philip II himself saw those paintings together for “probably no more than 20 years” before they were dispersed. The Rehang: Tradition, “Looking Sideways,” and the Director’s Burden When Finaldi became director of the National Gallery, he inherited something far less tangible than paintings: public expectations. The Gallery housed not just a national collection but also a national habit. People don’t only visit; they return, and they carry in their heads a map of where everything ‘should’ be. He is “hugely respectful,” he says, of those who loved the Gallery “looking a certain way” and he certainly wanted to incorporate the “traditional itinerary” through the History of Art chronologically and regionally. However, he also saw opportunities “to cut through that” at moments by using a thematic approach to form what he calls “episodes across the gallery.” One of his examples is the still-life rooms, where you can see the genre’s development from early 17th century beginnings through to late Monet – a way of telling a story not simply by date but by subject. It is, he suggests, a means of making artistic decisions more visible. “I think there’s a lot to be said for looking sideways,” he says, “as well as looking forward or backwards.” Looking sideways means seeing contemporaries in different places, or artists working in the same genre across centuries, comparisons that reveal choice. Does he see it as his responsibility to reshape the relationship between observer and artwork? “Yes,” he says, simply. And then he adds the nuance: “you must carry the past with you – the Gallery’s history, the way it has told its story – but also keep creating new conversations between works”. He gives a vivid example in the Central Hall, which displays full-length portraits from Veronese to Sargent. Seen singly, they are portraits. Seen together, they
become an argument about format and power: “you only get the sense of that being a very important format for artists when you look at it across time.” The One Painting He’d Save: A Cup of Water and the End of the World At some point, every conversation with an art director inevitably turns to which picture would you save from a fire? Finaldi’s answer is revealing because it is not a trophy, not a masterpiece in the traditional sense. It is not the Rembrandt he would show the Dulwich College pupils, even though “it would be very nice to have.” He would take something smaller, something personal, something he helped bring into the collection. He chooses a painting by Zurbarán: “a still life of a cup of water on a silver plate with a rose is the simplest selection of objects but presented with the sharpness of vision that Zurbarán brings to the subject. And yet at the same time the objects, in their ordinariness, hint at metaphysical themes. It is a small painting that packs a great punch and has been tremendously influential since it entered the collection in the mid-1990s”.
Sometimes, he suggests, ‘making use of it’ means not asking people to come to the pictures but taking pictures to people. He cites a striking example of taking the Gallery’s Artemisia Gentileschi’s self-portrait as St Catherine ‘on tour’, travelling to unexpected places that included a school in the north of England, a women’s library, a women’s prison, even a doctor’s surgery. It is an approach that matches his belief in the object itself: if you want people to feel art is theirs, you must let it share their space. The Future: The Domani Project Finaldi is aware of the need to constantly think ahead, whether that is the collection, the audience, the buildings, or even the research and teaching opportunities. One long term plan, ‘Project Domini’ is to redevelop St Vincent’s House, an office space behind the National Gallery. Building work is due to start in around a year. The new wing will “enable us to tell the story of painting in a more complete way, from its origins in the 13th century right through to the present day”. Very much aware of the National’s informal agreement with its sister gallery, the Tate, he emphasises the proposed focus on painting in the Western tradition continuing from Van Gogh and late Monet to Picasso, Matisse and all the way through the 20th century. The Lesson He Wants Students to Take Away: Dissolving the Barrier If you return to that opening scene, Finaldi in front of Rembrandt with Dulwich College students, the question becomes: what does he want them to feel as they return to the College after their visit? First, he says, he wants to “dissolve the barriers” that arise when you face something from another time. The method is not through lecturing but to begin with what they already know. “I would want them to begin to feel familiar with the image, and then gradually through context, intention and craft, to draw attention to what
Pictures for “the Use of the Public”: Audience, Access, and Going Beyond the Building For a director, the paintings are only half the story. The other half is the audience — and the moral weight that comes with being the National Gallery rather than merely a famous one. “We want of course to attract everyone. Entry is free and the building is right in the heart of London”. He sees those as strengths – “easy to get here,” easy to pass the threshold.” Yet he is most interested in the harder task: building a relationship with people who live in the UK, who can return, who can make the visit habitual. And then beyond that – reaching those who tend not to visit art galleries at all. The Gallery’s founders, he notes, called it “a collection of pictures for the use of the public.” The phrasing is old-fashioned, but the purpose is never more relevant. The collection is here; it is “pretty amazing”, you really should make use of it.
all images © National Gallery, London.
“LOOKING SIDEWAYS”
Sir Gabriele Finaldi: A Life In Paintings
OAA PHOTO COMPETITION
The inaugural OAA Photographic Competition on the theme of Community was judged by Patrick Whibley, a member of the teaching staff at the College. Apart from being an enthusiastic photographer himself he also runs our Liberal Studies photography programme. He was joined by Ed Brilliant (14-21) who is currently the College’s artist in residence, teaching photography to students. From the Judges A wonderful array of photographic styles and subjects comprise this inaugural alumni competition. We aimed to be open-minded, rather than technically obsessive. Still, there are technical commonalities between the shortlisted images, including a range of effective compositions that emphasise the representation of community. Interestingly, between the three winning entries, we see environment playing very different supporting roles to the community of subjects: it might be an integral part of the story (how did they get there?); a feature of scale and context; or it can be very much secondary to the composition and character of the group. What the six shortlisted images all do successfully is invite the viewer to ask questions about the featured group – what have they been up to? what is about to happen? do we want to be part of the action? Thank you to all those who shared their images – a wide representation of vibrant life, captured by the lens and together making up a unique visual tapestry that belongs uniquely to this OA community.s uniquely to this OA community.
Rembrandt himself was trying to achieve. The goal is not merely information. It is a hook that will engage people’s enthusiasm or their imagination so that they leave enriched or changed by what they’ve seen”. He is candid that art is not always comforting. Some works are challenging; they ask for “serious engagement,” emotional or intellectual. Museums are not only about wellbeing; they are also about paying attention. Home Life: Seventeen Grandchildren and a Piano That Moved Office What does a man responsible for one of the world’s great painting collections do when he’s not among the paintings? Family, first. “I’ve got six children,” Finaldi says, “I’ve got 17 grandchildren and fortunately they don't all live with me at home!" His life has long been international: London, Madrid (a long period there) and Italy, where his family is from. And then there is music which he admits is an important part of his life. He once had a grand piano in his office, but with so little time to play “I had to take it home”. “I did though acquire a grand piano for the Gallery and a harpsichord, so there is plenty of music in the Gallery, which is wonderful and without a doubt belongs in such a place.” A Final Allegiance: Italy, England, Spain The interview ends with a question designed to tease out identity. If Italy don’t make the World Cup, who does he support, given his tangled loyalties? “Emotionally,” he says, he has always felt attached to the Italian team. “They’ve done us proud in the past, although not so much in the last few years.” But he also feels attached to England: that is the reality of growing up in a culturally Italian family “based in Britain.” Then he admits the Spanish factor: his wife is Spanish and has “probably been more successful” at making their children feel Spanish than either Italian or British. So, the order, he says, is: “Italy, England, Spain.” It is a playful ending, but it also quietly mirrors the whole shape of his life: rooted in one tradition, formed in another and enriched by a third.
WINNER Amongst a Greater Hall Ben Schlossman (09-16)
The photo depicts six Old Alleynians (Hugh Skepper, Johnny Vineall, Finn Lanchester, Alex Gorvett, Milo Jackson- Brown, and Alfred Curry) pitching their tents in Snowdonia this past summer's solstice - almost a decade since leaving the college, but still very much together. It was shot on an Olympus XA that was my great-grandfather's (an architect from Chicago) with Portra 400 film. Judges' Remarks While we aren’t in the thick of the action, the balanced composition (a rare portrait orientation among a mainly landscape group of submitted images) gives us a strong sense that the group has reached this peninsular after some sort of adventure and is setting up camp ahead of what promises to be a special night beneath the stars.
all images © National Gallery, London.
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OA PHOTO COMPETITION
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Post-wedding sprint Filip Twarowski (11-13) Judges' Remarks
SECOND PLACE Deep in thought in Amman Paul Formanko (08-15) Judges' Remarks It isn’t easy to give prominence to a subject that is potentially overwhelmed by its environment – this image achieves the feat by exploiting the curved benches of an empty amphitheatre. It could be a lunchbreak or a gladiatorial battle taking place – more importantly, the group has space to disperse but chooses to sit together.
A more subtle sense of community in Filip’s moving image – we have to work more out a little more for ourselves here: is the child being consoled, entertained, kidnapped?! It is, of course, a warm and fleeting interaction that has been sensitively captured. About the image My naughty brother making a getaway after my wedding (baby in hand) Location: near Warsaw, Poland My brother was playing with his 2 year old son the day after my wedding. The kiddo really loves getting tossed up, and down, and being upside down, so I was taking photos until my fingers hurt from winding.
Progressive Kids Charles Harris (61-70) Judges' Remarks The silhouetted character in the
THIRD PLACE
foreground makes this unique image all the more intriguing. Why has this child been excluded from the conga and is (s) he happy about it? About the image Children head for lunch in a very typical
Preparing for the Village show Clive Quick (52-59) Preparing for the village show - for more than 7 years, a group of people from our village gave annual sell-out variety shows in our village hall. Rehearsals and preparing for the show - with costumes, make-up and props - was just as much fun as doing the shows. Judges' Remarks In Clive’s image, we have a more intimate sense of characters and facial expressions. They are clearly having fun preparing for a theatrical performance, but they also take the craft seriously – adjusting costumes, checking scripts. The togetherness is subtle – the four supporting subjects angled in towards our main character.
Boxing Day Icy Dip Trevor Llewelyn (72-79) Judges' Remarks
Among a group of images submitted under the theme of ‘a cold dip’ this one very much captures the excitement and anticipation of the icy water. They are certainly in it together, and we’re invited to join in. About the image The shot is part of a small portfolio of images taken on Boxing Day 2025. The annual sea swim (for many less a swim more the fleetest of dips) takes place in Swanage Bay with participants, many of whom are wearing festive costumes, set off from the beach by a klaxon sounded by the Mayor of Swanage.
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MEET YOUR OLD ALLEYNIAN ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
tough, cold, and unforgettable, and it forged strong friendships and tremendous resilience.
One of the greatest joys of attending Dulwich was the extraordinary variety of activities on offer. I was always enthusiastic about joining things, especially anything involving the outdoors. I started with the Scouts and the camping trips around Lake Windermere remain some of my fondest memories. After that came the CCF Naval Section, which opened up entirely new experiences: sailing courses in the Solent, overnight exercises on Bodmin Moor, and my first real taste of independence and responsibility. The CCF was where I first learned the basics of leadership and discipline – skills that proved invaluable later in life. I also joined the Bridge team and competed in several inter‑school tournaments. Bridge may not have been the most athletic pursuit, but it offered an early introduction to strategy and concentration, qualities that would eventually become central to my professional career.
What did you do after leaving Dulwich?
Like many boys leaving school, I didn’t have an immediate sense of where my career should go. I had always been interested in business and finance, so after completing my Economics degree, I joined Deloitte Haskins & Sells in the City. My intention was to give myself time to think while acquiring a solid professional grounding. As it turned out, that decision led me towards institutional fund management, and I joined Henderson Investors soon afterwards. My career later took me to Shell, including a period in Bermuda, and I have spent the rest of my working life in the investment world. I have worked across a broad range of roles and even spent time in a hedge fund. It has been a fascinating and rewarding career, and I consider myself very fortunate to have found a profession that I am truly passionate about.
SIMON CZ BROWN
What do you hope to achieve in your year as President?
What subjects did you enjoy most, and why?
Over recent years, the Old Alleynian Association has worked hard to strengthen its structure and ensure that the main committee can focus on delivering meaningful goals and outcomes. The creation of dedicated sub‑committees, along with the recent appointment of a Chairman has brought welcome continuity and strategic clarity. This framework now enables us to think more confidently about long‑term goals and how best to support OAs across the globe. One initiative that has already made a significant impact is the Strategy 30 programme. It was established to engage and support younger OAs by offering a broad range of social, sporting, and professional opportunities. Encouraging the next generation to feel connected to Dulwich College and its alumni community is essential for the Association’s future, and I look forward to championing this programme throughout my presidency. Another area of real promise is the Alumni Awards. This scheme celebrates the achievements of OAs across a wide spectrum of fields and helps maintain a sense of global community. Whether recognising early‑career success or long‑established distinction, the awards remind us of the extraordinary breadth of the College’s network. I see both Strategy 30 and the Alumni Awards as vital elements of our future, and it will be a privilege to help nurture them during my year in office.
History was a favourite throughout my time at the College, but everything changed when I reached the Upper School and encountered Economics for the first time. The subject seemed to click with me straightaway, and I found myself genuinely excited by it. It helped that our teacher was Phil Keith‑Roach, captain of Rosslyn Park RFC, whose lessons often wove together Economics and rugby. That unusual combination made the classes lively, memorable, and great fun.
How have you remained connected with OAs and the OAA?
In my day, anyone who played a major sport tended to flow naturally into Old Alleynian sport after leaving school. I played rugby and cricket, as well as taking part in the Cricketer Cup. My proudest moment came when I scored a century on Founders’ Day on the 1st XI square—still one of my happiest sporting memories. OA sport was where lifelong friendships were formed, including with OAs who were older or younger, something that rarely happened while at the College. Since then, I have played in OA Golf Society matches and spent more than 10 years as Treasurer of the Alleynian Sailing Society, which organises the Dulwich Boys Sail Training Week each summer. I have served as Chairman of Trustees for over five years and on the OAA Committee for seven. I believe we have made real progress in strengthening our governance and preparing the Association for the future, with many creative initiatives now underway.
What were your main interests outside the classroom?
Sport was probably my greatest passion, and I played at every possible opportunity. Cricket was already familiar from primary school, but rugby was completely new. I quickly discovered what a wonderful game it is – not just for the sport itself, but for the camaraderie and lifelong friendships it fosters. Our unbeaten Colts XV still meets annually, a testament to the bonds formed in those early years. In my final year, we made a small piece of Dulwich College history by becoming the first football (rather than rugby football) team to officially represent the College. It took considerable persuasion to secure a marked pitch and fixtures, and the pitch was discreetly placed behind the Sanatorium, safely out of sight from the South Circular! Cricket, though, remained my first sporting love. Playing for the 1st XI for two years on the magnificent Dulwich square was a huge privilege. Beyond these sports, I enjoyed squash, joined the Photographic Society, and took part in the Film Society, each offering a different window into life beyond the classroom. Do you have any particular memories from your time at the College? Several memories stand out clearly, even now. One is the unheated swimming pool, with icy temperatures matched only by the freezing showers after sport – a rite of passage for generations of boys. Another is the CCF’s annual Easter pilgrimage to Loch Ewe, a remote sea loch in the Northwest Highlands. We stayed in old Second World War Nissen huts with snow on the ground and limited heating, and spent our days sailing, canoeing, rock climbing, hiking, and abseiling. It was
How do you spend your leisure time?
In winter, I enjoy watching rugby – both Harlequins and England – and in summer I attend Test matches as a member of the MCC and the Oval. I try to go skiing twice a year and would love to play more golf and hope to do so with greater competence in the future! I also enjoy sailing, films, opera, and am a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Bakers. Travel remains a constant source of enjoyment and learning, especially our visits to our home in Puglia, where I continue, slowly, to learn Italian.
What was your time like at the College?
I was at the College between 1969-1976 and really loved my time there. I was lucky enough to attend through a local authority scholarship, becoming part of what is known as ‘the Dulwich Experiment’. Coming from a small primary school, the College felt like a wonderfully inspiring environment, full of energy, opportunity, and expectation. The campus, the atmosphere, the sense of possibility – everything made a deep impression on me from the very beginning.
Any final thoughts?
Serving as President of the Old Alleynian Association is a great honour. I look forward to the year ahead and to working closely with both the College and the Committee to support our vibrant and evolving community.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF DULWICH IN 10 OBJECTS This adapted piece was originally written for the Alleynian in the summer of 2025 when William was in Y13 at the College. “When I was asked to write this piece I was initially interested in how I could contrast the image of today’s Dulwich College with that of the one Edward Alleyn founded all those years ago in 1619. However, in the process of researching and selecting the objects for this article, I realised that there is very little difference behaviourally between us and the boys who have walked the College grounds for hundreds of years. I have tried my best to show this in this article. I also hope to show that even the most seemingly irrelevant objects can tell us so much about history, and even ourselves. To quote the brilliant movie, The Holdovers: “if you truly want to truly understand the present, or yourself, you must begin in the past. You see, history is not simply the study of the past; it is the explanation of the present.” William Bradley (20-25)”
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Donation of James Caird - Date: 1922 After completing his heroics in the James Caird on the Imperial Trans-Arctic expedition, Sir Ernest Shackleton still wanted to return to the frozen south. Sadly, Shackleton passed away during the Quest expedition due to a heart attack and as a fitting tribute, his friend, John Quiller Rowett offered the James Caird to their old school, Dulwich. This letter shows the receipt of the offer which was accepted, although the boat did not arrive until 1924, when the Shackleton memorial building was created, and it is now in the Science block.
The Cornflower Said to be Edward Alleyn’s favourite flower (a wreath of blue cornflowers was laid on his tomb in 1907) it was adopted by the school at some point during the 19th Century for its blue hue. It was traditionally worn on Founder’s Day and occasionally by OAs at dinners. Perhaps one day the cornflower will make a return to the official school uniform?
Foundation site document Alleyn had no children of his own and amassed a great fortune. He wanted to found a school. When he asked permission, he was initially turned down because the government wanted his wealth to go to them. We know from Alleyn’s diary that he was not discouraged after this, so he wined and dined Sir Francis Bacon (the Lord Chancellor) in an effort to achieve his wish. Finally, permission was granted and so this document was the original foundation deed of Alleyn’s establishment. Date: 13 September 1619.
1st edition of the Alleynian Technically the very first Dulwich College school magazine was a short-lived publication unimaginatively called ‘Dulwich College Magazine’, which ran for 12 editions between 1864– 1865. Then, after a hiatus, a new magazine, The Alleynian was launched in February 1873 and has been published ever since, coming in many formats. The one you are reading is the 713th edition. Date: February 1873.
The First Folio Published seven years after Shakespeare’s death, this is the reason why we all have to study Shakespeare in school (thanks a lot, First Folio!). The Folio was the first full official collection of William Shakespeare’s plays which included such hits as The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Macbeth and Julius Caesar. The book was incredibly important in securing Shakespeare’s legacy and therefore makes it a beloved book. Although there are still 200 copies of the Folio that still exist, this one is incredibly important (according to Mr Witts) as it is only 58% completed. The pages ripped out indicate the popularity of each play at the time, tragedies were the most the popular plays in the Restoration period and the comedies and histories, which the college were left with, were not as entertaining. Date: 1623
Upper School House Cup After the standard of participation in sport had declined during wartime, the Master, George Smith devised a new “House system” which was announced in the March 1920 edition of the Alleynian. The whole College was divided into six Houses: Drake, Grenville, Marlowe, Raleigh, Sidney and Spenser (Howard and Jonson were added in the 1980s). Approximately 100 boys were in each house. At the end of the year, the Cock House Cup (a rather unfortunate name) was awarded to the house with the highest number of points across the year. In 2011, this was changed, and the Steve Hoyle Shield was commissioned. It was named after Steve Hoyle, who was Master of the House system for many years at the College. The shield is awarded, each year, in the final joint assembly of Years 12 and13, to the House which has accumulated the most points over the course of the academic year, over 46 separate competitions.
First All-School Photo The first all-school picture was taken in 1919, only a couple of months after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Many of the teachers still wore their military uniforms. In total there are 691 boys in the picture. Date: October 1919.
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2025 was the 125th anniversary of the birth of Michael Powell, one of the greatest of British Film directors. Michael who often worked in partnership with Emeric Pressburger, enjoyed the three years that he was at the College (1919-22). At fourteen Michael Powell wrote home from Blew House that Founder’s Day “went with a whizz”. A keen member of the Combined Cadet Force, his films show a lifelong interest in the Armed Forces. He wrote to his mother describing the dedication of the War Memorial, saying, “I will always try to be your true and pure knight”. He was well known for his dormitory ghost stories and for spending much time up trees reading. His love of France and its literature, it’s said, derived from the Joerg brothers. He wrote a poem for the Alleynian (atypical for the then sporty magazine) poking fun at rugby players “wallowing like pigs in mire”. Powell’s father suddenly ran off with his mistress to France, and Powell was forced to leave and work in a bank, though he longed to become a ‘blood’, and go on to university. A holiday job at Studio Victorine in Nice defined his future and A Matter of Life and Death was the First Royal Command Film in 1946. Michael’s great devotion to the Dulwich College OTC led to a lifelong affection for the British Armed Forces which we can see in his films. Michael won the John Miles Powell prize for English, which was awarded in memory of his late brother John who died suddenly at the age of 15 (1918) from peritonitis following appendicitis. Jan R Piggott MICHAEL POWELL Film director and self-confessed movie addict.
PG Wodehouse Book This book records the money that PG Woodhouse, the legendary writer and OA, earned from his various literary pursuits that were started at his final years at the college. It was noted that he earnted10 shillings and 6 pence for a contribution to the ‘Public School’ magazine with an article on “some aspects of game captaincy”. Subsequent entries record his ongoing career including the moment in September 1902 when he “chucked” his banking job and “started out on his wild lone as a freelance”.
The Dulwich Experiment This newspaper reports the success of The Dulwich Experiment. This was a successful pioneering scheme that took place after the Second World War. Under the Mastership of AH Gilkes’ son, Christopher, a great majority of boys at the College were on scholarships from neighbouring councils. Their fees were paid from local taxes. This scheme lasted from1945–1970, and subsidised pupils at private schools whose parents could not afford the fees. In the latter half of the 20th century the Dulwich Experiment was heavily associated with the academic renaissance of the College. Date: 1945–1970
A Matter of Life and Death (1946) Film made with Emeric Pressburger Starred David Niven and Kim Hunter Filmography Two Crowded Hours (1931) Red Ensign (1934) The Phantom Light (1935) The Edge of the World (1937) The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) A Canterbury Tale (1944)
I Know Where I’m Going! (1945) A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
Black Narcissus (1947) The Red Shoes (1948) The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) Peeping Tom (1960) Awards 1981 - BAFTA Fellowship 5 films featured in the 100 Greatest British Films
Historic Graffiti Behind the Old Library, there’s a collection of names of old students scraped into the walls of the Library. The clay brick makes it easy to sculp into. The tradition seems to have started with MA Staniforth who has the earliest date scratched into the wall (1925-1931) and seems to have been a rite of passage for those leaving the College. Many boys have scratched their names into the wall over the years. Date 1925
Theatre
1944: Directed Ernest Hemingway's The Fifth Column at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow 1944: Directed Jan de Hartog's Skipper Next To God at the Theatre Royal, Windsor 1951: Directed James Forsyth's Heloise at the Golders Green Hippodrome, London 1952: Directed Raymond Massey's Hanging Judge at the New Theatre, London
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MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER Rob Milne joined the College in August of last year following eight years as Headmaster at Emanuel School. Before that he was, for six years, Deputy Head at King's College, Wimbledon having previously been Head of English at Magdalen College School, Oxford. At the end of his first term at the College, Rob looked back at his motivation for applying for the role of Master, what he has learned about the students and his colleagues from his brief time in charge and provides a few insights into Rob Milne the person. Finally, he shares a message for all Old Alleynians.
Which teacher inspired you at school and why? Two - if that's okay!
Why did you feel that applying for the role of Master here at Dulwich College was the right thing to do? I had come to know Dulwich through sports fixtures, colleagues and families over the years; it made me feel positive about the school. I also felt that the time might be right, having completed almost a decade at Emanuel. I was attracted to the diversity of the pupil population at Dulwich, the breadth of the offering and sense of ambition for local and international education. I was also struck by the genuine commitment to local partnerships and funded places. What has pleasantly surprised you most in your first months here at the College? Put simply, this is a very welcoming, authentic and ambitious school. The pupils, parents and staff have a confident humility, with a real focus on everyone doing their best for the boys, and those connected to the College in other ways. It is a true community, with Old Alleynians connected across the globe, partnerships thriving and a social mission underpinned by a genuine care for others. You have said that Dulwich students have an energy about them. What do you mean by that? This is tricky to easily define, however, having met pupils and ex pupils, aged four to 94, I have been struck by a sense of spirit common to many of them. They seem united by a desire to personally develop, to contribute, question and make things better- all qualities I admire. There is also a sense of fun, and humour in school life - a sense of not taking ourselves too seriously, which is lovely to see, whilst also making the most of talents and abilities.
I vividly remember my senior-school English teacher – Dr Rowe. Over the four years from GCSE through to A Level his lessons opened up a world of literature; Hamlet, Hardy, George Eliot...Frost, Larkin. I loved his lessons and appreciated his care, talent, knowledge and ability to instil confidence and encourage us. I was also inspired by my deputy head, David Nuttall. He was a tough man and also ran the 1st team cricket - his nickname was 'Crunch.' He was a great French teacher, a genuinely decent man, and his passion for cricket, along with the incredible time he gave to so many of us across the years, was valued by us all. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you? Gosh - not sure - I played tennis at Wimbledon, as an 8 year old, not on the main courts, but as part of a young players exhibition. Which book would you go back and read and why? Another tough question: I told the boys in a Chapel assembly that this would be Middlemarch, by George Eliot, so I will stick with that! In the little time that you have to yourself, what do you do to relax? I like to run, be with the family, play sports, read... What message would you like to share specifically with Old Alleynians? I have met a huge number of Old Alleynians already and every time I have been struck by the sense of warmth, support and interest in their College. I know how much their value their old school and the people/pupils in it; they are also deeply ambitious for it, in all ways, and I hope that we will keep making great strides together.
CLUBS & SOCIETIES
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OA ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL It was another successful year for the Old Alleynian Association Football Club – the biggest sports club exclusively for Dulwich College alumni and amongst the biggest old boys’ football clubs in the country. Our three teams ended their 2024-25 seasons by matching the best-ever league finishes of the previous year, whilst breaking new ground in the cups too. With nearly 100 OAs, most of whom were under 30, we remained an inclusive space for all to connect through shared interests in football and Dulwich College. For the 1s, it was Cameron Kelly’s (04-15) first year as skipper, taking over from club stalwart Andy Moss (04-11). After a slow start of three points from three matches, the side took off – putting together a stunning 16-game winning run. Somehow, this was still only good enough to finish runners up again to Repton, but the 1s have already beaten them twice this season as we aim to go one better in 2025-26… The team also reached a first ever Arthur Dunn Cup Final – the most prestigious fixture in old boys’ football, first staged in 1903. Despite a narrow 1-0 loss to a wily Forest side, it was a brilliant achievement for such a relatively young club and demonstrated fantastic progress. The 2s made it back-to-back league titles under Shahin Rasti’s (00-07) leadership/ cult of personality, retaining their league title with a dramatic final day win at the College vs Eton, to clinch victory by a single point. However, the highlight was yet to come, as the 2s secured the double, winning the Junior League Cup with a professional win against Chigwell. With this success occurring on the same day as the Dunn final, it marked an historic occasion for the club, one that everyone who has played a part in the OAAFC’s progress can be incredibly proud of. As the only 3rd XI side playing so high in the divisions, the 3s are always up against 1st or 2nd XIs but continue to punch above their weight. Fuelled by captain Cole ‘the Dog’ Sullivan’s (04-09) goals, they stormed to third place in Division 3. As ever, they remain the source for the club’s future successes, with so many of the club’s best players having made their introductions and earned their stripes in the 3s. We celebrated the season – and indeed 10 years as a club – with the first, formal end of season awards dinner, held at the College in May. In addition to current regulars, it was brilliant to welcome back former players, teachers and various OAs who have played such pivotal roles in our journey. This is set to be a regular fixture in the calendar, in addition to our regular socials throughout the year. And these days, no year would be complete without a tour – our fourth excursion abroad in as many years. This time 14 lads took to Croatia for five days, playing two teams from the country’s 4th tier. A win (6-5 having been 4-0 down at half time and 5-3 with less than 10 minutes to go) and a defeat (on the fourth day, with only 11 fit players) marked a brilliant return on the pitch, and we played in some truly stunning venues along the Dalmatian coast and in Hvar. As many will know, in April 2025 the club devastatingly lost its lynchpin when our Chairman Josh Lawrence (02-07) passed away after a battle with cancer. It is impossible to adequately do justice to the impact Josh had on the College community and to his beloved football club. It was his enthusiasm, ambition and drive that transformed a small single football team of just 15 or so regulars, into this massive, yet incredibly close-knit club we have today. The OAAFC that Josh fostered, as Club Captain, 1st XI Captain, Secretary, Kitman, Chairman and everything in between, is more than a football club – he created a culture of incredible togetherness, where people socialise and make friends and memories
OA CROSS COUNTRY It rained heavily both to and from the 2025 Wimbledon Common alumni cross country race, but the event itself took place during a sunny break between showers. At least I didn’t have to juggle my camera and umbrella while taking photos! There was an excellent field of nearly 200 runners on the start line to tackle the undulating five-mile course that wends its way across the common. As has been the case in recent years it was dry underfoot (despite the earlier downpour) and the seven OAs, along with the rest of the pack, were soon out of sight. As has been the case for over three decades now, Team Captain Jerry Watson (71-78) once again travelled down from Leeds for the event, which he has supported for over thirty years. He was joined by Steve Georgiadis (74-81) who was the first runner home over the age of 60 in 70th place. They, along with Rob Rider (77-83) 97th and third in the over 60 category, were rewarded for their efforts by a second place overall in the Old Dunstonian Cup (for teams aged over 60). The youth section of the squad was accounted for by first timers Archie Jacob (11-18) in 159thand Jack McHaffie (11-18), 160th. Stalwart Dave Gibson (89-94) came home in 151st. If you want an excuse to get fit over the summer of 2026, do keep an eye on the OA e-bulletins for next year’s date. Trevor Llewelyn
OA BADMINTON The fixture between the College and the OAs is now in its fifth year and last September attracted a record number of OAs with 16 alumni returning to take on students from across a wide range of age groups. The standard of badminton at the College is most impressive, improving rapidly over the last few years, and it was only in the last few games of the round robin competition that the OAs snatched victory from the students.
Trevor Llewelyn
for life, and for that we are eternally lucky. George Edmund (08-15) Secretary OAAFC
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