The George Bailey Trust Bike Ride & Rubber Legs Challenge will take place this year on Sunday 1st July from 10am. We hope as many recent Old Pinewoodians as possible will take part in the Ridgeway 20 mile bike ride.

The event is held in support of the George Bailey Trust, which helps to offer holistic therapy and support to children and their parents affected by childhood cancer. The event is now in its third year and has something to offer everyone regardless of their age or fitness level.

The event starts and finishes at Pinewood at 10am.  Hot dogs and other refreshments will be for sale on your return to school.

To raise money for the George Bailey Trust we charge an entrance fee of £5 per individual or £12 per family.

Give it a go and have some good fun together as a family!

For more information, please contact James Siebert on jamessiebert@pinewoodschool.co.uk

Congratulations to the Dean Close Equestrian team of Old Pinewoodians Ollie, Greg and Phillippa Hall and James Norris, who won the NSEA Cross Country Championships at the weekend, making them National Schools Cross Country Champions.

Congratulations to Old Pinewoodian Harriet Folland, who has been made Head Girl at Millfield.

The East India Club in London was the venue for a drinks party on Thursday 8th March which saw around 70 leavers from the 1980s and 90s gather for the first event of this kind since they had left.  A few sported old school ties, amongst them Guests of honour, former Headmaster (and Old Pinewoodian 1952) Henry Boddington, and former Deputy Head, Patrick Mackie who were delighted to see so many of their former charges in good form.  Jim Bischoff and Chris Field (both still on the staff at Pinewood) were also there and as people started to reminisce with them about Athletic records and Music lessons, the memories flowed freely!

Current Head Philip Hoyland talked about recent developments at Pinewood, and was followed by Henry Boddington who after a rousing speech (during which he and Patrick exchanged Latin quips) toasted Pinewood’s good health.  It was wonderful to hear so many recollections about Pinewood, and a cheer went up when it was announced that Boiler Suits are still going strong.  The evening ended with some drifting over to the Red Lion pub to carry on the reunion, and with lots of calls for similar events in the future.

The following attended:

1980-1985

Fiona Hill (1980), Phil Roberts (1981), Sarah Allen (1982), Anna Byworth (née Roberts) (1982), Vanessa Maydon (née Anderson) (1983), James Bull (1983), Nigel Radbourne (1983), Mike Butler (1984), Jason Merron (1984), Sophie Negus (née Boddington) (1984), Charles Thompson (1984),  Pippa Webb-Carter (née Kidson-Trigg) (1984), Andrew Churchill (1985), Morella De Reuver (née Claire Heanley) (1985).

1986 - 1990

Adam Anderson (1986), Matthew Bradley (1986), Matthew Grist (1986), Ed Mawle (1986), Rob Wightman (1986), Ross Wightman (1986), Charles Boddington (1987), Thomas Jenkinson (1987), Seta White (1987), Michael Baker (1988), Oliver Cass (1988), Mark Hastings (1988), James Hewer (1988), Jeremy Iles (1988), Tom Maurice (1988), Tamar White (1988), Mark Evans (1989), Tim Triptree (1989), Will Bolsover (1990), Neil Bromley (1990), Omar Mograby (1990).

1991 - 1995

Fergus Glenapp (1992), Oliver Iliffe (1992), Tiffany Anderson (1993), Mark Anderson (1993), Annabel Fraser (1993), Richard Halford (1993), Roger Mawle (1993), Alex Milner (1993), Holly Shaw (1993), Gemma Hill (1994), Andrew McKinnon (1994), William Scott-Gall (1994), Mark Titcombe (1994).

1996 - 1999

Guy Alcock (1996), Clementine Angus (1996), Thomas Crockett (1996), Anna Fogg (1996), Lucinda Greasely (1996), Michael Harverson (1996),Georgina Angus (1997), Will Stebbing (1997), Richard Wilkins (1997), Tom Bischoff (1998), Alicia Greasely (1998), James Rawdon Mogg (1998), Harriet Taylor (1998).

To view photos from the evening, please go to the Old Pinewoodian Gallery.

43 Old Pinewoodians who had left Pinewood in the 1960s and 1970s, together with some of their wives and current Pinewood staff enjoyed a reunion at the school on Saturday 3rd March 2012. Many of those who attended stepped back through the doors of Pinewood for the first time since they had left over 40 years ago.

Memories were shared, the prevailing one being of sitting on the bottom step of the front stairs waiting to see the Headmaster, as well as uninspiring food, “flying” butterflies from the display cabinets in what was then the library, and shinning down the fire escape to fetch lumps of coal and up again without being caught.

Old Pinewoodians enjoyed lunch together, which was voted better than the last Pinewood meal experienced, and current Headmaster Philip Hoyland gave a short speech outlining how the school has developed and changed in recent years.  He read out letters from several Old Boys who were unable to join the event and one from Patrick Mackie, a former Pinewood teacher, who sadly had a prior engagement.

After lunch there was a chance to look at photographs from the archive over coffee and then to tour the school, from the woods where camps were built, to the loft above the current Pre-Prep which previously held Mr Knapp’s woodwork classes and still has the names of lots of boys painted on the ceiling.  It was wonderful to see former pupils back again, and clearly demonstrated the happy times that had been enjoyed at Pinewood by so many.

Those who attended were: Andrew James (1961), Geoffrey Phillips (1962) Anthony Wells, (1963), Richard Butler (1963), Dick Ford (1963), Ian Campbell (1964), Angus Gribbon (1964), Stephen Maynard (1964), Anthony Anson (1965), Adam Naylor (1967), Greville Seddon (1967), Julian Cooper (1968), Willie Manners (1969), Charles Allen (1970), Nicholas Walters (1970), David Bennett (1971), Douglas Shanks (1971), Andrew Le Coyte (1972), Nick Charles (1973), Alex Norman (1973), James Clarke (1974), Alistair Cook (1975), Ayhan Dawood (1975), Huw James (1975) Dominic Charles (1976), John Warburton-Lee (1976), James Johnstone (1977), John Benstead (1978), David Maundrell (1978), Alex Sykes (1979).

To view photos from the day, please click here.

Just before Christmas around thirty to forty Old Pinewoodians travelled to St Hugh’s to play in the annual rugby match and the first ever girls’ hockey match. It was a lovely afternoon and there were a huge number of supporters for both matches. St Hugh’s were excellent hosts and provided top class facilities and an excellent tea for players and supporters. Supporters included: Grace Walker, Lucy Acheson-Gray, Flossy Freeman-Inglis, Georgie Bethwaite and George Dyke.

I hope that the matches will take place at Pinewood in 2012. It is never too early to sign up to play or support. If for some reason you did not receive details I would be grateful if you could make contact with me so that I can make sure you are contacted before the next event. Full details will be put on the website.

If anybody has any good photographs of the afternoon I would love to have copies.

Rugby

St Hugh’s 34 – Pinewood 21

It was the first time for a couple of years that we had managed to stage this match and both teams were really up for it. The Old Pinewoodian team warmed up well and as this was a combined U16 and U15 team many of the players had to learn support play for the line-outs. The match started badly for Pinewood when the St Hugh’s kick, which went deep into our 22m, was gathered by Pinewood who tried to run it from defence and a sloppy pass went straight into the hands of the St Hugh’s captain who went over for an easy try, within the next passage of play he snatched up a loose ball and ran in for his second try. Five minutes down and St Hugh’s were leading by 14-0; the outcome could have been disastrous but Jamie Cresswell rose to the challenge and led the forwards in a savage assault on the St Hugh’s pack. They were unable to withstand the pressure and by late in the second half we had scored two tries and we were trailing by only 2 points. Once again we pressurized the St Hugh’s line and the resulting penalty allowed us to turn it round with a 15-14 lead. There had been some superb play from Lee Cowan and Harry Fox Edwards, while Freddie Martin displayed a pleasing skill level.

With a few changes at half-time we continued to attack the St Hugh’s forwards and there were a number of tremendous driving mauls which put pressure on the St Hugh’s line. Their defensive line held, and every attack was repelled. Both teams suffered in the hands of the referee who had one or two very unusual interpretations of the laws regarding the tackle area and line-outs. Play went from end to end but suddenly the St Hugh’s backs took command; they kept the ball away from Seb Cecil, Jamie Cresswell, George Murrin and the other power players in the Old Pinewoodian pack. The open play found gaps in our defence and suddenly St Hugh’s had notched up a further 20 points, injury struck Pinewood and we lost a number of key players and scrums had to become uncontested. I have to mention that Pinewood had really struggled for a front row and Aman Patel had been ‘persuaded’ to play prop, he coped remarkably well against players who regularly played in the ‘dark area’ of the scrum. In the dying moments of the match we snatched a final try, but the earlier four tries in less than five minutes by the St Hugh’s backs meant that the Old Pinewoodians lost the cup for the first time ever.

The following were available to represent the Old Pinewoodians: Freddie Martin (Captain), Lee Cowan, Harry F-E, Jamie Cresswell, George Murrin, Christian Hollingworth, Seb Cecil, Kyle Beckett, Iain Haslam, Thomas Padfield, Howard Auster, Sam Baker, Jacob Brandi, Fraser Hand, Aman Patel, Harry Pratt, Felix O’Keeffe, William Rupp, Tom von Simson, Howard Auster and Henry Alexander.

St Hugh’s: Saul Garrett, Toby Baring, Nick James, Rufus Kinsey, Charlie Rolls, Henry Nott, Dan Hamill, Sam Adamson, Thomas Simmons, Emile Rowe, Harry Keen, Patrick Main, Harry Farrant, Michael Smith, George Lewis (Captain), Edward Sayer, Felix De Vere Hunt

Hockey

This is a report written on what got fed back to me, I would be delighted if a player could contact me and write a more accurate and detailed report!

For some reason neither squad of girls seemed to take this match as seriously as the boys. There was an enormous amount of screeching and hugging as friends from the past were spotted and the hockey seemed to be immaterial. The first match was arranged at the last minute and the B team match was a fun event with a lot of chatter and laughter. Pinewood never seemed to really take it seriously and St Hugh’s ended up victorious by three goals to one. The ‘A’ team match was a rather more serious affair as the Teams were playing for the Elias Cup which had been presented by The Elias family for this annual event. It was a nail biting affair and both teams scored some good goals, but in the dying moments the Old Pinewoodians snatched victory to win by two goals to one.

The following offered to play for the Old Pinewoodians: Philly Hall, Lauren Elias, Amy Cooper, Poppy Webster, Rebecca Hussey, Anna Horton, Ella Upton, Lucy Shackell, Chessie Peake, Lottie Hodson, Emma James, Issy Hills, Hatty Hipwell and Olympia Olympitis.

St Hugh’s: Chloe Edwards, Freya Granger, Kate Simmons, Holly Harvey, Cicely Thomasson, Charley French, Jessica Henderson, Alice Ward, Lucy Leigh, Katy Law, Meg Johnson, Jemima Johnson. 

Jim Bischoff

jimbischoff@pinewoodschool.co.uk

Congratulations to the following on being awarded 6th Form Scholarships at St Mary's, Calne:

Jessica O'Grady - Art Scholarship

Jessica Mendoza - Sports Exhibition

Old Pinewoodians who left in 1980-1999 are invited to a drinks party in London on Thursday 8th March.

7pm – 9pm 

At the Clive Room, East India Club, London SW1.   

Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. 

Dress Code: Lounge Suits

Please R.S.V.P to Mrs Emily Morley-Fletcher

opa@pinewoodschool.co.uk   +44(0)1793 782205

Old Pinewoodians who left in 1960-1979 are invited to a lunch at Pinewood on Saturday 3rd March.

Timings for the day are as follows:

12.30 Drinks

1pm Lunch

2.30 Tour of School

4pm Tea

Please R.S.V.P to Mrs Emily Morley-Fletcher

opa@pinewoodschool.co.uk   +44(0)1793 782205

Please indicate in your reply any dietary requirements, if your spouse or partner will be attending, and your year of leaving so that we can seat you with your closest contemporaries.

The latest edition of the Blue & Grey is now available.  If you do not normally receive a copy and would still like to read the school magazine, please go to the Blue & Grey Magazine page on this website for an interactive version.