2005 Reunions

This year as well as the traditional annual reunion at King Edward's School there will be a reunion for Northern members at York (last held in 1995) and reunions in New York and San Francisco for our transatlantic members.

Reunion at KESW Saturday 8 October 2005

The Annual Reunion of the Old Witleians' Association was held at the School on Saturday 8 October 2005, and as hoped was a happy and worthwhile occasion. The OW's who were present thoroughly enjoyed visiting their old haunts and talking with the students they encountered whilst touring around the campus. OW's always express their appreciation of the opportunity of viewing all the artwork on display during Vivartis, and also having a relaxed and chatty get together over a delicious lunch served with wine in the School Dining Room. The AGM was well attended in the Music School and this was followed by tea. The following OW's attended the Reunion

START DECADE	NAME
1930s	Clifford Hertzell; Eric McKain; John Urwin
1940s	Bernard Corrie; William Lovell; Peter Smith;
1950s	Eileen Carter (Bradshaw); Jane Joslin (Harding); Brian Hawkins; Brian Hudson; Chris Hudson; Chris Lack; Brian Moore; John Perry; John Stead; Chris Swain; Pam Lorraine (Waters); Philip Watts; Peter Weller
1960s	Peter Clayton; Richard Dodds; Jan Weston (King); Margaret Melrose; Patricia Woodfine
1970s	Peter Estlin; Peter Millington; Simon Hunt; Sue Burdess (Main); Karen Jones (Moss); Susie Harrington (Padgett); Leslie Udvarhelyi; Karen Walmsley (Wellbeloved); Kacey Young
1980s	Naomi Livings (Cherrett); Mark Hunter
STAFF	Ann Fitchett; Bertie Mawer

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Old Witleians in the North Reunion

On Saturday, 5 November 2005 the third reunion for Old Witleians in the North took place at the Dean Court Hotel, York. The late Don Morphew had inspired the first two reunions in 1993 and 1994 and so, after a long gap it was a pleasure to organise another gathering, albeit on a smaller scale. Fifteen Old Witleians and their guests assembled in the bar at the Dean Court Hotel, York for pre-lunch drinks. At 1pm a jolly group of 25 sat down for lunch in the McLeod Suite and enjoyed a delicious three course meal with wine and were most appreciative of the first class service provided by the Hotel staff. A speech was given by Richard Abbott, Treasurer of Bridewell Royal Hospital, and the Headmaster, Kerr Fulton-Peebles was delighted to have the opportunity to meet and chat with so many more OWs. Richard Bird, Development Director provided a slide show which ran during the meal, giving those present the chance to see the many changes that had taken place at the School since their leaving. The lady OWs present matched the men in number, and between them they covered a span of years from 1938 to 1978. However, this was of course almost equalled by one member on his own, namely Bertie Mawer (1949-1986). Bertie's commitment to the School continues today, actively promoting the School and fundraising on its behalf. Bertie was accompanied by his wife Rosemary. A number of those present took the opportunity to purchase a copy of 'Bridewell to Witley 1553-2000' signed by the author in their presence! Everyone agreed the York Reunion had been thoroughly enjoyable and a great success, and so it has been decided to arrange another one next year in early November. Attendees: Tom McGovern 1938, John Urwin 1940, Alf Adcook 1941, Robert Dagg 1945, David Richards 1955, Nigel Cooper 1959, Elizabeth Flatters (Rhodes) 1960, Gillian Al-Bahrani (Hunter) 1961, Peter Yeeles 1964, John Stead 1965, Angela Thomas (Linney) 1966, Sue Corlett (Smethurst) 1967, Chris Macpherson (Anderson) 1967, Sarah Atkin (McConway) 1974, Sue Wilson 1978.

OLD WITLEIAN REUNIONS IN NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO
Friday, 16 and Saturday, 17 September 2005

With over 80 OWs living in the USA and Canada, it has been a long-standing wish of the Headmaster, Kerr Fulton-Peebles to hold a Reunion in North America. Two dinners were arranged for the 16th and 17th September 2005 firstly in New York at The New Yorker Hotel (Ramada Plaza) and then in San Francisco at The Stanford Court Hotel (Marriott Renaissance). The Headmaster and Development Director, Richard Bird flew out to New York and joined up with OW Peter Estlin who lives in the UK, but makes many business trips to the States. All three attended both Reunions. It was especially appreciated that Michael Harrison, who lives in Montreal Canada, flew down to join the group dining in New York, along with Yvonne Franklin (Duff) who came up from Florida. Bill Wilson, who left KESW in 1936 was so determined to join in the fun and have the opportunity to meet up with fellow Old Witleians, that he travelled with his wife and grandson from Nevada to San Francisco. Hans Marsen met the Headmaster, Richard Bird and Peter Estlin when they arrived at San Francisco Airport from New York. Hans then acted as a wonderful chauffeur and tour guide of the sights of San Francisco, before the Reunion gathering in the evening. Both occasions were well attended and the School party were overwhelmed with the welcome they received and the expressions of appreciation from those present for having made the effort to travel to the US and arrange the two dinners. Chris Swain, Yvonne Franklin (Duff) and Averil Nicewarner (Malcolmson) have volunteered to be US/Canada OW representatives and so it is hoped that through them, more events will be arranged. Kerr and Richard were very interested to hear that Michael Hillman, who had travelled from Wisconsin to San Francisco, had been a senior executive with the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company. It may not be well known, but Kerr and Richard are enthusiastic 'bikers' and both felt that they could not return to the UK without a quick expedition to Yosemite National Park. So, for 48 hours, amidst much excitement and glee, both men became the proud owners of two, hired Harley Davidson's. With Peter Estlin as pillion, the three men set off into the unknown to commune with the wild outdoors and eventually returned home much refreshed, if not a little saddle-sore, after their adventure. For database information security, we ask each OW in the USA and Canada to sign a form giving permission for their contact details, held on the Old Witleians' Association database at King Edward's School Witley, to be passed to the OWA Representatives, so that they may act as US/Canada liaison link for the Association. If you have not already signed a Database Permission To Release Form, please fill in the online form and send it through to the Development Office. Thank you. The following OWs attended the Reunions: New York
Mr Michael Harrison 1958, Mrs Averil Nicewarner (Malcolmson) 1961, Mr Chris Swain 1963, Mrs Yvonne Franklin (Duff) 1971, Mr Oliver White 1978, Peter Estlin 1979, Katie Feeley (Ross) 1987. San Francisco
Mr Bill Wilson 1936, Mr Michael Hillman 1958, Mr Hans Marsen 1958, Mr Christopher Dabner 1961, Mrs Linda Bourgouin (Herman) 1964, Peter Estlin 1979, Mr Nick Thompson 1981, Mr Richard Whitehead 1981, Mr Juan-Manual Castro-Zumaeta 1994, Mr Diego Castro-Zumaeta 1996.