IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Click on a topic to go directly to it
 
  Welcome ODs on the Move
  2019 Annual Dinner Invitation Sport
  Music Duncan Bull & The Rijksmuseum
  Tim Bravington Harrow
  March 2019 ODU Magazine OD Beanies
  News from Bishops SA Chamber of Commerce Reception
  Investments Laurence Hull (OD) DFC
    Dates for the Diary
Dear OD

The 2019 Annual Dinner is upon us. The invitation has been emailed separately and is also at the top of this newsletter.

Please make every effort to attend the dinner - and book quickly - for what will be as it always is a most enjoyable and interesting occasion. RSVP HERE or by clicking the invitation above.

If you feel that the price is a little out of reach, please don't hesitate to speak to me. Don't not come because of the cost!!


The ODU Secretary, WP van Zyl (K, 1997) has, as we already know, has moved on and we as the UK branch thank him for all he did for the ODU in his just-over two year tenure. Sadly, we didn't see  him up here, but his cheerful presence at The Mitre was something visiting ODs appreciated very much. We wish him well for whatever his next adventure brings him.

There has been a flurry of involvement from ODs, largely in Cape Town, who are in discussions with the Chairman and the Committee over the process that was followed and I'm sure that we will hear soon about the plans to resolve any outstanding issues and the way forward.

The ODU's sincerest and heartfelt condolences go to Mike Taylor (G, 1959) on the passing of his wife, Annie on the 11th May, after a stoic battle against cancer. Some of us were fortunate to have met Annie when she joined the ODU tour of the Western Front at the end of 2017 and will remember her for her curiosity in things new and her lively sense of humour. To Mike, Katy and Vicky, you are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Once again, it was a great pleasure to catch up in person with several ODs. Matthew Golesworthy (K, 2011) was kind enough to invite me to dinner, preceded by Choral Evensong, at his Oxford college (New). It is always interesting to get together with Tim Loughton (F, 1992). And a drink with Francis Eliot (F, 1996) can (and almost did) turn into something bordering on irresponsible. Lunch with David Jordan (W, 1962) was amusing and irreverent and supper with Anthony Gibson (S, 1973) and his wife Fiona insightful. A drink with Trevor Torrington F, 1978) is always a good way to understand the challenges of the UK mental health care services, Trevor being the CEO of The Priory Group, the UK's largest mental health care service provider.

Earlier this month, Peter Elliott (W, 1965) talked about his new book, Constance: One Road to Take  which is about the life and work of Constance Larrabee at a reception attended attended by some 25 ODs and friends. The book has been very favourably reviewed. Constance Larrabee, despite struggling against the prejudices of the time yet working side-by-side with men in what was very much a man's world and a dangerous one at that, never attracted the recognition she deserved. Peter Elliott has changed this with his book on her and held us spellbound in his illustrated talk on her. The guest list is HERE.

As always, we are always extremely grateful to Hamish Sinclair (S, 1992) partner at Stonehage Fleming for his generosity in making their lovely offices available to us and for their hospitality which is always excellent.


Mark Charnock (O, 1962) and his wife Margie had me round to their lovely home just outside Oxford where we were joined by Graham Viney (G, 1971) and Deborah Honoré, wife of Tony Honoré (F, 1939) who passed away in February. Graham's new book, The Last Hurrah (cover shown below) has just been release to critical acclaim and he will be talking to UK ODs about it later this year.

Lunch with Rob White-Cooper (W, 1961) and his delightful son John almost closed off the month's (OD) socialising, but for a quick trip to Amsterdam to meet up with Duncan Bull (O, 1971) who has achieved stratospheric heights in the world of Fine Art (more in the box below).

All of this is not to put into the public domain my monthly calorie intake or explain why buttons, clasps and zips have all had to be replace by a more flexible velcro, but to demonstrate how active the UK (and Netherlands) branch is and how interesting each and all of our ODs are an what a strong network it can be.

So thank you from me at least for making the UK branch of the ODU so interesting, enjoyable an personally, very supportive an helpful.


Lastly, some reminders of next month's events/functions:

If you haven't spoken to
Alex Price (M, 2008) about playing golf against the Old Tonbridgians on 8th June, please do get hold of him by clicking HERE. This is our fifth match against the OTs and we have scores to settle. We need you.

The memorial service for Tony Honoré is being held in the the Codrington Library of All Souls College, Oxford on 8th June, starting at 2pm. Everyone is welcome (OD ties if you can) and there will be a tea afterwards. No RSVP is necessary.


Also on the 8th June is the annual pub gathering for young (or any) ODs in Oxford. The event will start at 4.30pm (after Tony Honoré's Memorial Service) with a tour of some of the colleges, punting and then drinks and supper at a local pub. The ODU pays for the drinks! We'd love you to come and if you haven't already, please contact Matthew Golesworthy (K, 2011). We're hoping that Ashley Pople and Emily van Heerden, both recent recipients of the Bishops Rhodes Scholarships will be joining us as well.

And - of course, the Dinner on 14th June. RSVP
HERE.

The Bishops Tennis Team are in England to play seven matches. See News from Bishops a little later in this letter for more details.

Kind regards

Nicky
DUNCAN BULL and THE RIJKSMUSEUM


If by now you've not picked up that I'm on something of a mission to uncover and celebrate northern hemisphere ODs whose achievements seem to have bypassed the ODU, you haven't been reading these newsletters.


One such OD, who has made a considerable name for himself in the world of Fine Arts, is Duncan Bull (O, 1971) who for the past eighteen years been at The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where he is currently Curator of International Painting, specialising in 17th- and 18th-century Italian, Spanish and English pictures.

After being something of a whizz at maths and physics at School, his academic career turned to Art History and in this field he earned degrees from the universities of Cambridge, St Andrews and Yale. Previously he was: Curator of Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Scotland, 1982-87; Deputy Editor of The Burlington Magazine, 1987-2000. Craig Hugh Smyth Visiting Fellow, Harvard Center for Italian Renaissance Studies, 2010.Responsible for European paintings by artists outside the Netherlands; editor of the website about Robert Jacob Gordon the 18th-century Dutch explorer in South Africa and most recently, contributor to the book Good Hope: South Africa and the Netherlands since 1600  which explores the relationship and influence of the Dutch on South Africa since van Riebeeck's arrival in 1562

I was thrilled to be able to catch up with him at the Museum where after a personal guided tour, enjoyed lunch together, "gossiping" about  Bishops and life, covering the period from 1971-2019. Two years ahead of me at School, he is now, I would estimate, a century ahead in accomplishment.

Happily, he has agreed that if we can find a suitable date, he would be very pleased to speak to UK ODs about his work, the paintings and the Rijksmuseum in general. We're looking at October/November.
 
MUSIC


More than one OD has remarked that I seem to favour
John Joubert (O, 1944) above all other musical ODs so much coverage does he receive in these newsletters. 

I can't argue. He was an OD at the very top of his craft. He filled the world, through his compositions, with his music and, through his teaching, with musicians. It would seem strange to me to ignore just how great he was. He is, an OD who we should all know about, be proud of and celebrate.

On Easter Saturday, I was thrilled to have been at a concert in his honour in the iconic King's College Chapel, Cambridge. There, the King's College Choir, directed by the legendary Stephen Cleobury, performed John's St Mark Passion. And what a beautiful, well-crafted piece it is. The Chapel was packed, the piece sublime and the singing perfect. It was fitting that Stephen Cleobury who retired at the end of April after 37 years a Director of Music at King's College, chose John Joubert's St Mark for the last passion of his conducting career.

On the Tuesday after Easter, I was at the service marking the inscription of the names of celebrated musicians into the Book of Remembrance for musicians (ee picture above) . This take place annually at St Sepulchre's-without-Newgate in London and the book is held in the church's Musicians' Chapel. The packed and very musical Service of Thanksgiving was led by the choir of Gonville & Caius, Cambridge. 

uc celebration of Jon both as a man and a musician makes me wonder why Bishops, John's school which he so loved and talked so fondly of all through his life have not yet honoured the life and passing of this great OD, while all over the world and especially in the UK, not a week goes by without one of his pieces is being performed in his memory.

I for one am very proud to be able to claim John Joubert as a fellow-OD.


The photos above are, left, John's name inscribed in the Book of Musicians and right, the programme entry for Easter Saturday, 2019 at King's College.



Concerts and recitals

The programme of concerts and recitals at 22 Mansfield Street - the best value classical music in London - can be read HERE


Bluthner Pianos also hold occasional recitals at the Lansdowne Club just off Berkeley Square and the next one is on the 11th June. These are short very piano recitals to show off their pianos and Bluthner artists and well-worth attending.
 
TIM BRAVINGTON
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD

 
Sixty years ago this year, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, a young Tim Bravington (S, 1951) armed with an English Literature and Divinity degree from Cambridge was ordained in St George's Cathedral Cape Town. So started a long and full life in the service of God and the Church which included: a stint as the assistant chaplain at St Andrew's in Grahamstown, Deacon of Holy Trinity where he served under the Rector, Foster van der Byl (O, 1945), Rector of Namaqualand (with Ali MacGregor (S, 1951) as his assistant), St Martins in the Field in Durban North, Rector of St Mary's, Stellenbosch and, before taking retirement, St Michaels and All Angels, Elgin.

Tim and his wide Rosemary, who he met and became engaged in Namaqualand are also trained Lifeline councillors.

In his time, Tim was involved, in those politically dark and dangerous days of the 1970s, brokering meetings between foreign politicians and members of the Anglican Church, including Desmond Tutu.

He and Rosemary now live in Oxford where he serves as a locum for several churches in the Diocese of Europe.


To celebrate Tim's 60 years in the priesthood, St Peter's, Wolvercote, Oxford will be holding a service on Sunday 4th August at 10am. Friends and ODs are invited to attend


For a life dedicated to Service and services, we congratulate Tim and wish him and Rosemary well in their retirement years.
 
INVESTMENTS

Jo Cockburn (F, 2008) writes:

I have joined a private equity outfit called Ethos Partners which focuses on making small PE investments (£3m-£10m of Ethos funds) into established, growing, cash generative businesses in the UK. We’re led by two industry veterans – Brian Phillips and Julian Carr – who have been operating in this segment of the market for 30 years at top funds and have generated market-leading returns. 

Both Brian and Julian invest substantial amounts into each deal, as do I and the rest of the team (smaller absolute amounts, but just as meaningful relatively!). The remainder of the funds come from our network of high net worth investors and family offices, who subscribe on a deal-by-deal basis and grant Ethos authority to manage the investment through to exit in 4-5 years. Investors subscribe to £25k units (i.e. £25k is the minimum subscription), but we have a few who commit £250k per deal (the average is around £60k). It is looking very likely that we will be fundraising for two deals in the coming couple of months. 

We currently have c. 170 investors and are looking to grow this to 250-300 in the next 12-18 months. It occurred to me that the OD Union in London likely has a number of members who fit the profile of potential investors and who may be interested in allocating a portion of their overall portfolios to private equity but may currently lack the access. I therefore wanted to see whether you had any suggestions as to how I might best gauge the interest of the OD network. I’ve attached our newsletter from earlier in the year to provide some further info on the team and our current portfolio (this can be shared freely). We’d be delighted to meet any potential investors to have a chat or, if there is sufficient interest, to host a drinks or dinner event one evening.

If you are interested in following this up with Jo, please email him at jo@ethospio.com
 
Please note that although the ODU is very happy to make other ODs aware of investment opportunities, it neither endorses nor warrants such investments and potential investors need perform their own due diligence before investing.
 
 
ODs ON THE MOVE

This month our congratulations go to:

Stephen Morrell (B, 1988, left) who has founded Thames Mammography, Stephen is a Deep Learning Specialist in Computer Vision for Medical Images (Mammography) and in transcription. Highest single-model performance (AUC and Specificity at Sensitivity by patient) in the worldwide Dreams Mammography Challenge.  Previously he was Head of Regulatory Capital Management for Rates Trading at CS. Before that Head of Institutional Equity Structuring for Europe.


Chad Cruickshank
(G, 2006) who passed his final CFA exam last year, has started as a Due Diligence Consultant at AON a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. They employ 50,000 people in 120 countries working with clients using proprietary data and analytics to deliver insights that reduce volatility and improve performance.


Ryan du Toit (F, 2008) is now working in Business Intelligence at Bloombergs in London where his job entails maintaining the coverage data and analytics for the South African, Irish and UK mutual funds market. He is also in charge of the Bloomberg data for African electronic traded funds and editor of the Bloomberg South Africa Funds monthly newsletter that encapsulates all the market moving news, fund analytics and interviews with managers in the industry.

Byrne Baister (K, 2004) has started with
Prodigy Finance, a company who provides students, local and international with alternate ways of funding their UK studies.

Previous to this, Byrne was with R&M Derivatives and before that Credit Suisse. Although based now, for the time beng, in Cape Town, Prodigy is a UK organisation.


Congratulations to Chris Olds (O, 1999) who has just graduated from the Oxford University Business School with an Executive MBA. How, on top of his day job and all the travel it entails, moving cities and helping with the Diocesan College UK Trust he found the time to do this we'll probably never know. But well done to him.
 
SPORT

Rowing:

Little did I know when in one short sentence in last month's newsletter in
News From Bishops I reported on the School's fantastic rowing achievement at the 2019 South African Rowing Championships (VIIIs) - silver medallists, first time ever - that I would unleash among some ODs the thrill and pride in exactly what it was that the School had achieved and why this achievement is so significant.

Rowing, while growing in popularity, is still the runt in the Bishops sporting pack with cricket, rugby and athletics dominating. Rowing is a tough person's sport. But the training (5am) and discipline, teamwork and emotional resilience is what makes it the sport of choice at top UK and US schools and universities and the ultimate test of character. In South Africa, it is still growing into that. 

Choppy Bands (K, 1990) was a rower back in the day and wrote in response to Bishops coming second in the 2019 SA Champs to St Benedicts (who - for the moment - own the sport):

"Please allow me to give some context on how remarkable this achievement is: when I was rowing at Bishops (1987 to 1990) the highest placing that Bishops achieved was fourth in the 3rd VIII category. Yes, the Bishops 1st VIII was only at the same level as the 3rd VIIIs of St Stithian’s, Jeppe, Parktown, KES. In those days St Stithian’s ruled the roost with KES and Parktown battling out for 2nd.
 
"The first medal I recall a Bishops crew winning at the SA Champs was the U16 coxed IV which won the 3rd IV category in 1993.

"[Now, in 2019, the 1st VIII results are]:
 
1 St Benedicts College (RSA)6:04.80
2 Diocesan College (Bishops) (RSA)6:10.22
3 St Andrews College Grahamstown (RSA)6:12.79
4 St Johns College for Boys (RSA)6:14.63
5 Parktown Boys High School (RSA)6:18.75
6 King Edward VII High School (RSA)6:26.95
7 St Stithians Boys College (RSA)6:27.44
8 Rondebosch Boys High School (RSA)6:30.45
 
"Brad (Smith, Bishops rowing coach), I would like to add my congratulations to those of Nick Heesom (W, 1961 and a generous benefactor to Bishops rowing). Knowing how difficult it is to do any sort of meaningful training on Zeekoevlei, and then to compete at altitude, is no mean feat. It really makes my heart burst with pride to see Bishops battling it out on equal footing with schools that have always enjoyed greater support, better facilities and equipment, and Roodepoort dam on their doorstep.
 
"I share Nick’s desire to see some sort of live-action footage of this incredible achievement. And please convey the heartfelt congratulations of this OD to your crew. I know how hard they’ve worked to earn this.

"And the coxless IV took gold at SA Champs, Jeppe, Buffalo (which is a fiendish stretch of the Buffalo river in East London, usually into the wind) and WC Champs. That is a phenomenal achievement.

The coxless IV is, to my mind, the purest example of the art of rowing. All of the attributes required to win: timing, technique, coordination, discipline are amplified by the absence of a cox. (I managed to steer the UCT coxless pair into the side of the course at Intervarsity in Maritzburg. But then I’ve never really had a good notion of where I’m going!)

Cricket:

On 30 April, wicketkeeper/batsman Chris Cooke (M, 2004, left, acknowledging his century) smashed a personal best of 161 (off 127 balls!) playing for Glamorgan  to help his side beat Gloucestershire by 74 runs. Chris captains Glamorgan, having played for Western Province in South Africa

 
HARROW AND THE OLD HARROVIANS


I accompanied my godson to Harrow at the end of last month where he was sitting his entrance exams. I used the opportunity to visit the Old Harrovian Association and explore how the UK ODU and they might join in certain events. Work-in-Progress, but watch this space.

Harrow have produced eight British Prime Ministers including the hapless Spencer Perceval remembered chiefly, if at all, as the only British Prime Minister ever to be assassinated (in 1812).

I also toured the school and its historic buildings and the collage above shows pictures of their absolutely gorgeous chapel.
 
WING COMMANDER LAURENCE HULL DFC

Out of the blue, from a group calling themselves the Field Detectives, we received a letter informing us of the commemoration of Wing Commander George Laurence Bazett Hull DFC (OD, 1930) who died in a flying accident on 17th May 1946. It turns out that not only was Laurence Hull something of an WW2 aviator celebrity who flew bravely and successfully in many sorties against the German Luftwaffe during the war, he was also an OD. Although in those days the School magazines did not record the houses of the boys, we do know that he was a house prefect, matriculating in 1930.

Laurence is yet another example of an OD devoted to service and protection of others and who, according to his cousin Caesar Hull (also an OD, spoke proudly and often of Bishops.

It you would like to read about Laurence Hull, click HERE.
 
ODU BEANIES




There are five of these pure New Zealand wool OD beanies left. To order yours, please click HERE

£17 each including postage

 
ODU MAGAZINE - MARCH 2109

The third edition of the new-format biannual ODU magazine was published in March. To download or read online, please click on the cover picture below.


 
SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUMMER DRINKS PARTY

Although not an ODU event, the SACC Summer Drinks Party on Wednesday 3rd July provides an opportunity to build your networks and have a good time among a familiar accent (or accents).

To reserve your place, with costs £24, please RSVP
HERE or click on the photo above. If you don't have an SACC account you will be asked to register (for free) before you can book a ticket.

 
Public Speaking:
Four Bishops boys, in a team of seventeen, were selected to represent South Africa in the International Debating and Public Speaking Competition last month.

Tennis:
Bishops had a boy selected for the South African U15 tennis team which competed against Zimbabwe last month.

The Bishops Tennis team will be touring England next month. Their itinerary can be seen HERE. ODs who are in the area of the schools are encouraged to lend their support for the boys.

Rugby 7s:
Sacha Mngomezulu was chosen to play for the South African Schools 7s team in Namibia and was part of the team which beat Germany 29-5 in the final.

 
2019 DATES FOR THE DIARY

To be added to during the year
As always, wives and partners most welcome to all events and functions

_________________________________________

Saturday 8th June

5th UK ODU vs Old Tonbridgians Golf Match
10.30am-6.30pm
RAC Surrey

Contact Alex Price (M, 2007)


Memorial Service for Tony Honoré
The Codrington Library, All Souls College Oxford
2.30pm
No RSVP necessary


Young ODs Supper
Oxford University
Tour from 4.30pm
Drinks 6.30pm and supper after
Contact
Matthew Golesworthy

_________________________________________

Friday 14th June
18h45-midnight

UK ODU Annual Black-tie dinner
The Carlton Club, 
69 St James's Street, SW1A 1PJ

_________________________________________

Saturday 10th August

UK ODU vs Old Haileyburians Golf Match
10.30am-6.30pm
RAC, Surrey

Contact Alex Price (M, 2007)

_________________________________________

Saturday 12th October
12h15-

Oxfordshire Pub lunch
The Bell at Hampton Poyle, OX5 2QD

_________________________________________

Friday 29th November
18h30-midnight

UK ODU Year-end Party
The Hollywood Arms
45 Hollywood Road, Chelsea, SW10 9HX

_________________________________________

14th December
14h00

Thames Hare and Hounds Alumni Cross Country Race
Wimbledon Common

Contact Rowan Nicholls (O, 2010)
Copyright © 2019 UK ODU, All rights reserved.


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