Welcome to the Old Aldenhamian Society

OAGS European Tour 2015

12 October 2015

The OAGS European Tour was the brainchild of Bob Coombes (SHE1944-47)and the first Tour was to Le Touquet in 1995. Bob organised the Tours every year until 2009 when he passed over the onerous task to Tim Stranack (SHE1952-56). Tim sadly passed away in 2012 and although he had made all the arrangements, the Tour that year had to be cancelled because Brittany Ferries sailings were suspended due to a strike. Since then, John Yule (SHE1966-71) has taken over the reins and is probably the most competent, charming, efficient and unflappable organiser you could ever hope to meet.
This year, it was a wet Monday afternoon on 5th October that a sturdy group of 9 OA golfers set off in 4 cars from Liphook Golf Club in torrential rain (no golf there then!) for the night ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo. The intrepid explorers were:
Robert Aram (P1950-55)
Robert Buckley (P1946-50)
Ian Eggleden (SHE1958-63)
Neil Melvill (K1965-70)
Peter Mobsby (SHE1952-57)
Richard Morris (SHE1962-67)
Nigel Prevost (SHO1949-54)
Clive Simeons (SHO1952-56)
John Yule (SHE1966-71)
After a very good dinner and a short sleep, we drove to Dinan, a delightful medieval Breton market town where we would spend two nights in the Hotel D’Avagour on the top of the ramparts – well, we did actually have rooms. It was only 11 o’clock so we left our overnight bags and drove to Golf des Ormes for a (dry) round of golf, then back to Dinan for dinner at La Fleur de Sel. On Wednesday, we competed for the Prevost Salver, a beautiful piece of silver presented in 1998 by Nigel Prevost (SHO1949-54). It was a foursomes format played at Pleneuf Val Andre, a seaside course with stunning views. The quality of golf this year was astonishing with two pairs scoring 36 points and the other two amassing an impressive 39 points. After a countback, rookie tourer Richard Morris (SHE1962-67) and 83 years young Robert Buckley (P1946-50) emerged the winners from Neil Melvill and Ian Eggleden. The Salver was presented to the winners by Nigel Prevost (SHO1949-54) after dinner at the appropriately named Monsieur Robert restaurant.
After checking out on Thursday morning, we drove to Dinard to play another beautiful seaside course and then on to Ouistreham for dinner before boarding the night ferry. We arrived at Portsmouth the next morning at 6.45, weary but satisfied that another OAGS Tour had been successfully completed.
Thanks again to John Yule.

Aldenham Fives - Ladder Competition v School

07 October 2015

Aldenham Fives Club (AFC) staged its first ladder competition with boys from the School on Tuesday 6th October 2015. Six schoolboys joined 14 AFC players to fill five courts for 80 minutes of continuous competitive fives. A tremendous rainstorm added to the excitement of the evening!
The event was won by Berkhamsteadian Mark Blundell, who won all his games and was awarded the Phil Marsh Trophy. In joint second place came Carl Rennie (M2003-10) and George Reynolds (M2011-Present).
Aldenham School Director of Sport, Andy Stephenson (CR1999-Present), said: “The boys really enjoyed the night as it was a great learning experience.”
The boys were treated to a post-match pizza. The stand out performance was from George Reynolds who managed joint second place and remained on the first court throughout the whole competition.

Aldenham Fives - Ladder Competition v School

07 October 2015

Aldenham Fives Club (AFC) staged its first ladder competition with boys from the School on Tuesday 6th October 2015. Six schoolboys joined 14 AFC players to fill five courts for 80 minutes of continuous competitive fives. A tremendous rainstorm added to the excitement of the evening!
The event was won by Berkhamsteadian Mark Blundell, who won all his games and was awarded the Phil Marsh Trophy. In joint second place came Carl Rennie (M2003-10) and George Reynolds (M2011-Present).
Aldenham School Director of Sport, Andy Stephenson (CR1999-Present), said: “The boys really enjoyed the night as it was a great learning experience.”
The boys were treated to a post-match pizza. The stand out performance was from George Reynolds who managed joint second place and remained on the first court throughout the whole competition.

OA Golf Society Autumn Meeting

24 September 2015

Members of the OA Golf Society (OAGS) met at Porters Park Golf Course in Radlett on Wednesday 23rd September '15. The Society kindly invited the School to send representatives to join the meeting. Two most promising golfing students and two teachers were lucky enough to enjoy the day's play as guests.
After an early morning start, with delicious bacon rolls, the first couple, Martin Jeens (SHE1956-61) and David Hayes (1963-68) teed off in the autumn sunshine. It was a glorious morning followed by a tasty and substantial 3 course lunch, with wine supplied by Ian Eggleden (SHE1958-63,) as he celebrated his birthday the previous day.
Two senior members and Past Presidents of OAGS, Bob Aram (P1950-55) and Michael Capon (SHE1948-51) played in the 13 hole, foursome game in the afternoon.
Richard Morris (SHE1962-67), Captain, organised the event and should be congratulated particularly for arranging the perfect weather conditions.
The OA Golf Society would like to encourage more members to join and enjoy a variety of meetings including the annual Halford Hewitt competition and a popular European tour.
Contact Ian Eggleden, Honorary Secretary, for further details.

OA Golf Society Autumn Meeting

24 September 2015

Members of the OA Golf Society (OAGS) met at Porters Park Golf Course in Radlett on Wednesday 23rd September '15. The Society kindly invited the School to send representatives to join the meeting. Two most promising golfing students and two teachers were lucky enough to enjoy the day's play as guests.
After an early morning start, with delicious bacon rolls, the first couple, Martin Jeens (SHE1956-61) and David Hayes (1963-68) teed off in the autumn sunshine. It was a glorious morning followed by a tasty and substantial 3 course lunch, with wine supplied by Ian Eggleden (SHE1958-63,) as he celebrated his birthday the previous day.
Two senior members and Past Presidents of OAGS, Bob Aram (P1050-55) and Michael Capon (SHE1948-51) played in the 13 hole, foursome game in the afternoon.
Richard Morris (SHE1962-67), Captain, organised the event and should be congratulated particularly for arranging the perfect weather conditions.
The OA Golf Society would like to encourage more members to join and enjoy a variety of meetings including the annual Halford Hewitt competition and a popular European tour.
Contact Ian Eggleden, Honorary Secretary, for further details.

The Mellin Salver, The Peter Burles Salver & The Bunny Millard Salver 2015

13 July 2015

The Mellin is similar to the Halford Hewitt except that it is for players over age 55. It is played at West Hill with 16 schools competing (instead of 64 in the Hewitt) and there are only 3 pairs instead of 5 playing scratch foursomes. At the same time as the Mellin, there is the Peter Burles Salver for 2 pairs over 65 (Peter Burles (P1930-34) was a great sportsman) and the Bunny Millard Salver for one pair with both players being over 75.
This year, we had great weather for the Mellin and we beat Cranleigh 2-1 in the 1st Round on Friday morning. Richard Hall (K1969-74) and Steve Lewis (B1970-75) had a good win and Peter Easby (SHE1962-66) and Guy Green (SHO1971-73) battled well for a win on the 17th hole. Easby played extremely well and hit a wonderful drive at the 16th followed by a brilliant wedge to the green by Green (if you see what I mean) which won the hole. Green also played a superb 8-iron to no more than 8 feet from the 17th hole and that was enough to win their match.
In the afternoon, we played Sherborne who were a very good team and we lost 1/2 - 1 1/2. Ian Wilson-Soppitt (P1958-61) and John Yule (SHE1966-71) played brilliantly and were 2 up after 10 holes against the Sherborne top pair who then staged a comeback to win their match. Hall and Lewis were 2 down after 16 so could only have got a half but when Easby and Green lost and we were 2-0 down in the overall match, the half was duly agreed!
In the Peter Burles Salver, we lost to Cranleigh in the morning. We then played Cranleigh in the Plate (for the 8 teams who lose in the 1st Round) but sadly couldn’t find the winning formula. In the Bunny Millard Salver, there is a stableford round to decide which 4 teams play in the semi-final and to cap our disappointment, we fell short of the qualifying score.
We all had a lot of fun and it was a good feeling to win in the first round of the Mellin. We look forward to getting another chance next year!

Ian Eggleden (SHE1958-63)
OAGS Hon Secretary

Mellin Report 2015.pdf

OA Day & McGill's Gaudy reunion

10 June 2015

Sunday 7th June 2015 was a glorious day in several ways, it was OA Day and over 130 Old Aldenhamians (OAs) returned to School to meet friends, share lunch and give thanks in a special Chapel service. The sun shone brightly making it the perfect day to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The food was excellent and stories of past and present flowed freely. For some OAs it was their first time back at Aldenham since leaving 30 years ago or more, many enjoyed a few laughs with their former teachers and two former Housemasters were able to compare notes with the current Housemaster of McGill's.
The focus this year was on McGill's House and most of those who attended the celebration were Old McGillians from every decade since the 1930s right up to 2014, ages ranged from 18 to 92.
The oldest McGillian present was 87 year old, Doctor John Moxon (M1942-45) MBE, he had travelled from his home in Somerset taking the opportunity to stay with his daughter, who lives in Harpenden and kindly acted as his chauffeur on the day.
The Rennie family was out in force, with Andrew Rennie (M2006-13) who had just celebrated his 20th birthday the day before, joined by his brother Carl (M2003-10) and his father Simon (SHO1970-74). Other ‘OA’ brothers present included James (M1968-72) and Neal (M1970-75) James-Crook, David (M1956-61) and Nicolas (M1959-64) Leigh-Hunt, Henry (M1968-73) and Jeremy (M1969-74) Llewellyn-Jones, Nick (M1979-83) and Jonothan (M1982-87) Moss. Clare Yeabsley’s brother, Paul McCarty (M1987-92) also came to support the event.
After meeting for coffee in The Wells Centre, Sixth Form Common Room, which many remembered as the School Shop and Tuck Shop, there was an opportunity to look around McGill's House, where a very warm welcome awaited from the Housemaster, Mike Yeabsley (CR2008-Present), his wife Clare, (nee McCarty K1988-90) and their family. A group of current pupils had also given up their Sunday lie-in to act as Ambassadors and talk about their experiences at Aldenham today.
During a Service of Thanksgiving in the Chapel, the newly installed memorial listing the names of OAs killed in World War Two was dedicated. Martin Stephen (SHE1949-53), whose father, Alfred Bodger Grant Stephen (SH1913-19) is commemorated, laid a wreath at the foot of the memorial as a sign of respect and gratitude for the price paid. Martin travelled from Bristol with his close School friend and Best Man, Robin Geldard (M1949-52), who lives in Devon.
Those who visited the House were delighted to see that the Honours boards, destroyed by fire in 1991, are being replaced – a lot of work has been done to make this happen by the previous Housemaster Paul Dunstan, his wife Jo and Mike Yeabsley who is now seeing the job through to completion.
The Headmaster, James Fowler, and the President of the OA Society, Neil Sutherland addressed the guests during a drinks reception before everyone headed off to the Dining Hall for a splendid lunch.
The afternoon was spent reminiscing and taking in the familiar surroundings. There was a lot to see, with a Junior Fives tournament in play, an art exhibition set up and a 20/20 cricket match to watch on Top Field.
Tea and cakes were served to round off the day at the Cricket Pavilion before bidding farewell to friends, old and new.

OA Day & McGills Reunion 2015

10 June 2015

Sunday 7th June 2015 was a glorious day in several ways, it was OA Day and over 130 Old Aldenhamians (OAs) returned to School to meet friends, share lunch and give thanks in a special Chapel service. The sun shone brightly making it the perfect day to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The food was excellent and stories of past and present flowed freely. For some OAs it was their first time back at Aldenham since leaving 30 years ago or more, many enjoyed a few laughs with their former teachers and two former Housemasters were able to compare notes with the current Housemaster of McGill's.
The focus this year was on McGill's House and most of those who attended the celebration were Old McGillians from every decade since the 1930s right up to 2014, ages ranged from 18 to 92.
The oldest McGillian present was 87 year old, Doctor John Moxon (M1942-45) MBE, he had travelled from his home in Somerset taking the opportunity to stay with his daughter, who lives in Harpenden and kindly acted as his chauffeur on the day.
The Rennie family was out in force, with Andrew Rennie (M2006-13) who had just celebrated his 20th birthday the day before, joined by his brother Carl (M2003-10) and his father Simon (SHO1970-74). Other ‘OA’ brothers present included James (M1968-72) and Neal (M1970-75) James-Crook, David (M1956-61) and Nicolas (M1959-64) Leigh-Hunt, Henry (M1968-73) and Jeremy (M1969-74) Llewellyn-Jones, Nick (M1979-83) and Jonothan (M1982-87) Moss. Clare Yeabsley’s brother, Paul McCarty (M1987-92) also came to support the event.
After meeting for coffee in The Wells Centre, Sixth Form Common Room, which many remembered as the School Shop and Tuck Shop, there was an opportunity to look around McGill's House, where a very warm welcome awaited from the Housemaster, Mike Yeabsley (CR2008-Present), his wife Clare, (nee McCarty K1988-90) and their family. A group of current pupils had also given up their Sunday lie-in to act as Ambassadors and talk about their experiences at Aldenham today.
During a Service of Thanksgiving in the Chapel, the newly installed memorial listing the names of OAs killed in World War Two was dedicated. Martin Stephen (SHE1949-53), whose father, Alfred Bodger Grant Stephen (SH1913-19) is commemorated, laid a wreath at the foot of the memorial as a sign of respect and gratitude for the price paid. Martin travelled from Bristol with his close School friend and Best Man, Robin Geldard (M1949-52), who lives in Devon.
Those who visited the House were delighted to see that the Honours boards, destroyed by fire in 1991, are being replaced – a lot of work has been done to make this happen by the previous Housemaster Paul Dunstan, his wife Jo and Mike Yeabsley who is now seeing the job through to completion.
The Headmaster, James Fowler, and the President of the OA Society, Neil Sutherland addressed the guests during a drinks reception before everyone headed off to the Dining Hall for a splendid lunch.
The afternoon was spent reminiscing and taking in the familiar surroundings. There was a lot to see, with a Junior Fives tournament in play, an art exhibition set up and a 20/20 cricket match to watch on Top Field.
Tea and cakes were served to round off the day at the Cricket Pavilion before bidding farewell to friends, old and new.

Aldenham Fives Annual report 2014/15

22 May 2015

The Aldenham Fives Club had another busy and successful year with a ladder competition run every six weeks whilst the highlight of our season was victory in the EFA Trophy.
EFA Trophy Final
Aldenhamians 2 Salopians 1
The Salopians have been the dominant force in this competition for the last couple of years and were heavy favourites to win again. But the match was much closer than anyone could have predicted!
In the second pair the Salopians recovered superbly from the loss of the first game to beat Andrew Rennie and James Cobb 3-1. First blood to the Old Salopians. The Aldenham third pair of Graham Pulsford and Darshan Patel offered a similar blend of youth and experience and having been the Aldenham banker pair in the semi-final they managed to reproduce the same magic to see off the Salopian pair in four games.
With the match poised at 1-1, all came down to the first pair match, which was incredibly tight and fiercely contested right from the start. Carl Rennie & Tommy Welt made the brighter start, winning the first game to 6, but a strong fight back and the Salopians took the next two games to 9 and 6 to go 2-1 ahead. The Aldenham pair had it all to do at this point and it is greatly to their credit that they kept fighting and began to turn the tide in the fourth game, always keeping their noses ahead to take it 12-10 and force a deciding fifth game.
At this stage, one pair each and the decider at 2 games apiece, the weather went temporarily apocalyptic - a sudden deluge even forcing a change of court due to rain coming in – and the drama on court just kept on coming. The fives was of a very high standard with the fast reflexes and volleying of Tommy and the precision and coolness under pressure of Carl ‘the Elder’ produced some scintillating rallies. In the end, the Aldenham pair - as in the fourth - got ahead and then just about managed to stay there, moving quickly from 9-7 to 12-7 to clinch the EFA Trophy.
Veterans Trophy
In the Veterans we have players in two national winning pairs – in the over 50s Richard Dennis and Graham Pulsford and in the over 60s sections Joseph Seelig.
Ladder and Other Fixtures
The ladder is played every six weeks and is particularly popular with four courts regularly filled. Each winner is awarded the Phil Marsh Trophy which they retain until the next ladder competition.
With fixtures against the Brigands, Westminster, North Oxford, Eton and the Jesters, there was plenty to keep Aldenham’s players busy.
“Our enthusiastic players will continue to turn out every Tuesday evening over the summer. Players from other clubs are very welcome to join us,” says club secretary Phil Lyndon.

aldenham.net - London 2015

22 May 2015

The president of the OA Society, Neil Sutherland (B1966-70) and the Headmaster, James Fowler (CR2006-present), met a lively group of OAs for a networking evening in London on the Wednesday 20th May '15. The after work drinks format for aldenham.net meetings seems to be popular, attracting a group of around 20 OAs on each occasion. These events offer OAs a chance to get together for personal news updates and to exchange contact details. Neil Sutherland took to opportunity to raise awareness of recent and forthcoming OA events and the successful development of the OA Mentoring programme. James Fowler enjoyed meeting members of the networking group and hearing their experiences since leaving Aldenham.