Latest updates

January 13, 2020

From: Cyril Kavanagh <cypic186@hotmail.com>
Subject: Family Finding

Hello
I am researching my family history and have discovered that I had relatives in Yapton, Sussex. They had two sons John and Stephen Moriarty who attend the School 1972-1976. I was wondering if anybody had any school photographs or recollections of either John or Stephen that they could share with me as I have come to a dead-end in my research.

Thanks

Cyril Kavanagh

December 13, 2019

The Annual General Meeting took place prior to the Christmas Dinner which was much enjoyed by all.

Professor Inigo Everson OBE (1954-1961) was our guest speaker and he amused and enthralled us with his life in the Antarctic and latterly in Tanzania. He has used the scientific knowledge gained at School to good effect by studying fish throughout his working life and he continues that today from his base in Norfolk.

The annual accounts were presented and approved and can be found under Events at

https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/annual-report-and-accounts-2019/

 

November 2019

Colin Rocco Walters died recently. He was a popular boy at School except with KD when he and I (RDWK) organized a “March for the Bomb” which attracted a lot of national press publicity.

When commercial radio started in 1973, he famously wrote to all his staff warning of the dire consequences should anyone be as foolish as to apply for a position at the likes of Radio Clyde or Capital Radio. Shortly afterwards in 1974, he was appointed to the job of Programme Controller at Piccadilly Radio in Manchester – where he remained till the station was bought-out in 1989.

Please take time to read the full obituary here: https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/colin-st-john-walters-chsb-1954-1961-died-october-2019/?preview_id=7695&preview_nonce=8c8c419b79&post_format=standard&_thumbnail_id=-1&preview=true

April 29, 2019

Colin Snook’s monumental book “The Fallen” is now available to buy. The reaction from those who were kind enough to sponsor the book and those who have also now read it having ordered a copy in advance of publication is unanimously favourable.

Now is your chance to buy and read the fascinating, if sad, tales of those chaps who died that we might know freedom from tyranny. Please see https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/the-fallen/  for full details.

 

April 4, 2019

Today we publish a major update on David Horlock in the form of an erratum kindly provided by Ian Andrew.

March 9, 2019

Full details of our Summer Outing 2019 to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway are published today on the Events page. Please book early!

February 19, 2019

Please see reactions to Alan Green’s excellent work as our archivist and in particular for his history of how we managed to acquire and maintain such a magnificent collection at the West Sussex Record Office.

February 15, 2019

The Golf Day 2018 report is to be found here:

Golf Day 2018 Report

January 29, 2019

Harold Taylor, a former member of the Old Cicestrians, has died aged 92. He was one of the few Lancastrian students who joined our group.

Laurie Lillywhite, an old boy, has died aged 85. He was a contemporary of Geoff Wills and Norman Reynolds.

Tony Wheatley

January 10, 2019

This invitation is from Geoff Longlands’ family about his funeral:

At 2 pm on Friday 25th January 2019 at Chichester Crematorium (Westhampnet Rd, Chichester, PO19 7UH). Tea and cake afterwards at

Bognor Golf Club (Downview Rd, Felpham, PO22 8JD).

It would help with planning if you could indicate if you are coming. ( hglonglands@tiscali.co.uk or 07786891463 )

Donations to Frimley Park Hospital Stroke Appeal welcomed, via Kevin Holland Funeral Service (www.kevinholland.co.uk).

 

Thank you.

 

December 11, 2018

Please look at the new Galleries that have been provided by Peter Ansell of his many School Play appearances and John Lloyd (CHSB 1946-1954) has kindly sent pictures from his era; both have promised more to come.

December 10, 2018

From Captain R Ubsdell <rrobertmsd2@aol.com

I am trying to contact other chaps who attended Chichester Boys High School. I was there from 1951 until the summer of 1956. Mr Anderson was the headmaster.

I am a retired Merchant Navy Captain, now living in Swansea but I have family in West Sussex.

December 7, 2018

The first part of our 2018 Annual General Meeting can be viewed by clicking the left-hand picture above. Whilst filming this, I was inadvertently elected to the post of Hon. Treasurer!

November 20, 2018

As we arrive at yet another AGM and Christmas Luncheon on December 5, 2018, how appropriate it is that our President has written the story of how the Old Cicestrians Association was resuscitated on the occasion of Frank Haill’s 90th birthday.

November 13, 2018

Please click below to read the sad story of two of our old boys who disappeared from the face of the earth in 1968.

Two new Galleries are now available. Marcus Rumpus kindly sent his personal photographs and Clive Sayer provided several that illustrate our successful CHSB90 celebration.

November 6, 2018

Please note that the AGM final agenda is published today under “Events”. You will also find a copy of our Chairman’s Report by Bill Allen that will be presented to members at the AGM. Please make every effort to attend and join in the debates and voting before the Christmas Dinner that follows.

November 3, 2018

We are pleased to publish today a piece by Hugh Allman who is ninety-one and blind. He lives alone but is still interested in the world around him and enjoys talking to Old Cicestrians at length about his long life and how much he owes our old School. His older brother also went to the School. He joined the Royal Airforce but was killed flying a Hawker Hurricane after the war.

October 30, 2018

Normal service resumes after the glorious CHSB90 Event which so many Old and Current Cicestrians helped to make such a success. Special thanks have to go to Our Chairman, Bill Allen and his subcommittee members who worked so hard for so long on this celebration of a school with a wonderful past and an exciting future.

In this regard, we Old Cicestians have to thank: 

  • Yasmin Maskatiya, Executive Principal, Chichester High School
  • Past and present staff and pupils who provided the logistics without which an event of this magnitude could not have been held
  • Our sponsors who provided much need finance
  • Wendy Walker, County Archivist, and her staff at the West Sussex Record Office for allowing archive material to be used in our presentations, booklet and displays 
  • Dr John Mason, an old boy, now Director of the Planetarium for his enlightening presentation of Tim Peake’s extraordinary voyage into space
  • Darryl Wulff for the superb gymnastics display
  • Tim Peake for taking the time and trouble to send a heartfelt tribute to his old school for helping him on his way
  • and lastly the catering staff who made sure us oldies were fed and watered in such excellent fashion!

October 1, 2018

The Summer Cruise – Chichester Harbour

A party of twenty-nine members and partners joined our annual summer outing on Thursday 27th September 2018.   The dictum ‘thorough organisation’ soon took a knock when travellers found long hold-ups on the A286 Birdham Straight.  Yes, you guessed it, two men digging a hole in the middle of the road.   This meant that we eventually slipped away from the Itchenor Jetty half an hour late.

                       Summer Cruise 2018

In perfect late September sunshine and on calm waters the ‘Wingate III of Chichester’ chugged its way down Chichester Harbour. The geography of it can be explained by stretching the fingers of one hand out.  With so many inlets and channels, it is difficult to know where you are.  However, due to an excellent commentary from our skipper-of-the-day, we were able to absorb the history of this beautiful stretch of water.  

On time we disembarked and sauntered up the road to the nearby Ship Inn for luncheon.  There followed the standard kerfuffle by some trying to remember their menu choice followed by harassed waitresses frantically trying to deliver.  It was all good natured and everyone settled down to chat over an excellent meal.

To the lady who undertook a last-minute sprint down the jetty to catch her ‘cruise liner’ and all those who stoically negotiated the roadworks, I offer my thanks.  All in all, it was a great day out.

September 24, 2018

Please see Jack Tupper’s “Where are they now?” piece published today.

September 6, 2018

Please see the latest stop-press news by clicking on the navigation bar on the left. Dave Smith and other former staff members will be fully involved in the CHSB90 day and boys will be there from the War years up to the modern era!

August 27, 2018

“A history is for all and for all times”. https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/the-fallen-we-will-remember-them/

This account of those from Chichester High School for Boys (The School) recorded on the School War Memorial attempts to set their brief lives in the context of the time and to pay tribute to their sacrifice. It has been prepared by a post-war generation that did not actively participate in World War II nor was it destined to live through any global conflict”. (An extract from Tony Cook’s summary of Colin Snook’s chef-d’oeuvre “The Fallen”).

Please click on the link in the left-hand navigation column to read it in full. Highly recommended to all old boys.

August 7, 2018

Important Note:

General Data Regulation (GDPR). Please see our statement on data protection at the bottom of this page: https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/about/

July 19, 2018

            R J Ruffell 1953-1956 Scorer

 

 

 

Doctor R J Ruffell

Glynn Downton has added some interesting colour to Keith Upton’s praise for the boy cricket scorer as described in his Cricket Gallery (see the navigation bar on the left of the homepage).

July 13, 2018

Barringer and Marsh are published today. As Colin Snook nears the end of this important project, he and Tony Cook are working on a permanent bound version with an overview by Tony. 

July 8, 2018

Two more from The Fallen series are published today leaving only Messrs.  Marsh,  Barringer,  Brooke,  Hotham,  Salisbury and  Leppard to complete the boys named on our war memorial.

Scot Baston has now enabled your webmaster to create new style Galleries to shew off your photographic memories to best effect. The first one is ready viz Keith Upton’s sporting memories and Sean Irwin’s will follow shortly. Watch for an announcement soon, please.

June 22, 2018

In the Reminiscences section today you will find a conversation from 2012 between Keith Upton and Garry Allen who played rugby together in what was probably the best 1st XV in the School’s history.

June 2, 2018

Two more stories from The Fallen posted today and a Facebook piece by James Muckle (former master)

May 30, 2018

Today we publish a series of letters to the editor of a local newspaper we have called  “Popham stirs the Pot” after Gates hammers the comprehensive education takeover of the School.  Please feel free to address any comments to the webmaster by using the email facility on our Contacts page or through the closed Facebook group

May 26, 2018

Two more stories from The Fallen posted today

May 6, 2018

Several more in our series of tributes to The Fallen are published – please see “Latest News” to the left of this page.

April 21, 2018

We publish today the heroic deaths of two old boys namely Mundy and Burnand. 

April 7, 2018

We publish today the heroic deaths of two old boys namely Harris and Payne. The latter was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery and conduct under enemy fire.

April 2, 2018

These pictures have names attached and please make every effort to let them know about CHSB90

March 24, 2018

Two more old boy war casualties stories are published today.

March 17, 2018

Today we celebrate the life of Richard Trevor Ridings (aka Shakoor) who fell attempting to hold back the German Panzers as they poured through France in 1940.

Enormous interest has been evident round the world for our forthcoming CHSB90 celebration on 20 October 2018. Please check your diary now to make sure you are there to meet and greet old classmates and meet the younger ones who will (soon) replace us oldies!

March 3, 2018

Two more old boy war casualties stories are published today. Bull was one of the many killed by “friendly fire”.

February 21, 2018

From classmate Colin Snook:
Lieutenant-Commander Brian Davies Air Force Cross, RN

I am delighted to see that the story of Brian Davies has surfaced. First, may I draw the attention of Members to an introductory article on Brian which can be found in the ‘Notable Old Boys’ columns of our website? (https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/brian-davies-afc-rn/)

Prior to his glory days in The Fleet Air Arm, Brian was a fine athlete. Before leaving the School he broke the Athletic Records for the quarter, half and mile distances at Sports Day. Within the Bognor Regis Athletic Club, he was a member (with Roger Wardale) of its one-mile medley relay team which broke the Sussex County junior record. ‘Killer Colgan’ often vented his spleen at the Chi Boys who joined the Club, but his outbursts did not stop the trickle of talented athletes turning up round the County for regular Summer meets. But that is another story!

The story of ‘The Transatlantic Air Race’ is riveting. In 1960 he was trained at the Empire Test Pilots School at Farnborough. Subsequently, he was seconded for two years to Patuxent River air base in Maryland, USA to test the Rolls-Royce powered Phantom jet fighter. It was for his outstanding contribution to the development of this new model for which he was awarded the Air Force Cross.

If anyone is interested I have a Power-Point fifty image presentation detailing the Race as it progressed.

I am lucky to have a copy of his autobiography. When Brian passed away I attended his funeral at Storrington; several surviving members of the three Fleet Air Arm Phantom teams entered in the race were in attendance.

February 16, 2018

Only one master fell in the war but Kenneth Quick was a much-loved teacher and man. Colin Snook’s piece on him under our “The Fallen” heading today is moving.

Maurice Cowell passed away on 14th February 2018 peacefully at home. He taught English at School and was a great friend of Martin McGranaghan’s family in Bognor.

The date and time of the funeral will be announced shortly.

February 5, 2018

Today please find the “Where are they now?” article by Chris Moorey. You will not be disappointed.

January 23, 2018

HMS Hood

HMS Hood

Many old boys gave their lives for King and Country in the War at home, abroad, in the air and at sea. Sanderson was a young sailor on HMS Hood and her sinking not only cost him his life but dealt the Empire a blow which is still felt to this day. Please take the time and trouble to read his story in “The Fallen” today.

January 23, 2018

Please read the information in the link below relating to our 90th Anniversary Celebration on 20 October 2018. We need as much information as possible from all Old Boys, please.

Old Cicestrians 90th Anniversary

January 22, 2018

Golf Day 2018:

We started our golf days in 2006, so this year is our 10th anniversary. We have had good support throughout the years with quite some efforts to make the event. We have had Old Cicestrians from Suffolk, the Midlands, Wales, and of course locally from Chichester, Bognor and Rustington;however the prize for the greatest commute goes to Jim Tomkins who came over from Canada and graced us with his wit and humour and not inconsiderable skill. In the main we have been lucky with the weather which always helps the enjoyment of the day.

Maurice Hall kindly created with his considerable craftsmanship a trophy for the event being a golf club mounted on a plaque with a brass plate so winners names could be inscribed. This of course added to the enjoyment. Last year we had the unusual occurrence whereby the holder, the elder brother, handed the trophy to his younger brother. David Hampton presenting it to Eric In 2006 we started the event at the Cathedral course at Hunston which is a demanding course. In succeeding years we moved to the more forgiving Tower course at  Hunston. In the last few years, we have taken up residence at Bognor Golf Club which has the benefit of having a number of old boys as members.

This year’s event will take place at Bognor Golf Club on Thursday 5th July tee off high noon costing about £20 for non Bognor Golf Club members. Let us hope for good weather again.

Please let me know if you can make it so we can reserve the right number of tee slots.

Martin McGranaghan
Email martinandjan@ntlworld.com
Telephone 07900836916

The Basra Update 2017

Please see the fascinating addendum to George Stedman’s “Where are they now?” piece.

January 15, 2018

Please contact Robert if you can help in any way.

From: Captain Robert Kirk Ubsdell rrobertmsd2@aol.com

Subject: Contacts

I attended from 1950 until August 1956. The leaving head was Mr Anderson.

I am trying to contact other guys from that period.

I do remember Robin Willard and Robert Rodney-Hudson, both lived in Bognor and Keith Vigers lived close to me in Bracklesham.

I would welcome any pictures of those years and any possible contacts. Until I retired I was a Merchant Navy Captain and then Maritime safety consultant to the EU.

Regards

January 13, 2018

Today please find two more in our series “The Fallen” commemorating old boys who gave their lives for King and country in World War Two.

January 10, 2018

Please see the picture of the boys who gained exhibitions at Oxbridge in 1967 here.

January 1, 2018

I draw your attention to a current Facebook erudite discussion:

December 31, 2017

Another year has sped by for Old Cicestrians and we have lost a few on the way. I hope you enjoy the many fascinating stories that pop up all the time and that they mostly remind you of happy days. Please consider joining the Association for a measly £5 a year and also our Facebook Closed Group. Some of our discussions there make one wonder why Graylingwell was closed so early.

I personally want to thank the Committee for putting up with me and Scot Baston for his masochism in dealing with my bizarre requests.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

RDWK Webmaster

 

December 29, 2017

From Charlie Tunnadine:

I thought you ought to know that my uncle and founder member of the Grasshoppers, Lt Col. Robin Bellam, died after a short illness on 23rd December 2017 in Canterbury.

Please feeel free to contact me if you require any further information, although I’ll probably forward your message to one of his daughters.

I have the email address. RDWK

December 28, 2017

A fascinating discussion recently took place on our Facebook page about a master who left a lasting impression, namely Tom “Jacko” Jackson.

Click here please to read about him and some of the boys he taught in the 1960s.

December 20, 2017

I have just spoken to Bob Saxby (1954-1961) on the telephone in Okehampton. Like me, he is a bit fed up with the weather which has meant no golf for two weeks. He is fit and well and looking forward to spending Christmas with his family as are most of us. He sends his warmest greetings to all his old pals from those many years ago when we were privileged to attend a great school. He added that he particularly remembers struggling with Chemistry but he must have made a good hash at it as he had a successful career as an industrial chemist.

December 19, 2017

Our Facebook closed group:

https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/FB-OCs-Dec-2017.pdf

December 9,  2017, ter

School Photograph September 1956

Please click the hyperlink below to open the photograph but also to see its component parts before  Steve Holland used Photoshop to correct them and then stick them back together (original kindly lent by Bill Allen).

Caveat: The “07panorama” picture will suffice for those boys with modest broadband speeds whilst the “Chichester School Final” one is much larger and will only work for the lucky chaps with decent broadband, preferably Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC).

It would be appreciated if anyone can fill in the missing Masters’ names, please.

From Left to right: Uzzell, Smart, Collins, Ward, Smith, Haill, Dyer, Bop Riley, Murch, Lawton, Smedley, Morris, Lambert, Thomas, Dobson, “Tor”?, Ashton, Holland, Pelham, Reeves, Scales, Anderson, O’Brien, Stables, Pasquill, Buxton, Marwood, Siviter, Bassett, Wake, Hulbert, Powicke, Gahan, Language Assistant, Elliott, Taylor, ?, Wright, Wishart, Miss Lewis, Ayling, Cox.

Special mention for a special Lady – Miss Jean Pestell sitting before Mr Uzzell

School Photograph September 1956 Dropbox Link

December 9, 2017

Two more tributes to the Fallen are published today as well as some news about our really successful Christmas Dinner. It was particularly moving to see Nick Carver there albeit in his wheelchair and fed by his wife as he became a tetraplegic three years ago after an accident. He is always pleased to see or hear form old pals from School.

Peter Ansell who is still treading the boards has kindly posted a picture of the cast of The Scarlet Pimpernel School Play.

December 7, 2017

Some boys seem reluctant to open a Facebook account and join our closed group. If they were to read in full today’s discussion I am sure there would be a flood of applications. I append just a short extract to illustrate my point:

It is not always apparent from modern accounts that the terms ‘mumpsimus’ and ‘sumpsimus’ did not represent the king’s own assay at faux-bucolic neologism, but were an established (though not long-established) literary trope. In the following short discussion, I hope to demonstrate how an investigation of the derivation and precedents of the phraseology employed by Henry in his Christmas speech can throw some revealing light on the processes by which religious typologies were constructed and utilised in the course of the Henrician Reformation, as well as providing some points of orientation in that most formidable of terrae incognitae, the mind of Henry VIII himself. (Mick Reed, formerly of 2B).

December 4, 2017

Please click this link to read more of the sad but fascinating saga of Sergeant Anthony Catton (RAF) who died in April 1940. Our Archivist has today published further important information which came to light recently.

https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/wp-admin/post.php?post=4197&action=edit

Please also note my Facebook entry re Colin Snook at

https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/colin-snook-outgoing-chairman-2014-2017/

December 3, 2017

Yesterday we attended an active and informative Annual General Meeting and then partook of a truly excellent Christmas Dinner. After “Benedictus, benedicat per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum” we settled down to eat the usual Christmas fare. Our new Chairman, Bill Allen, gave the after-dinner speech which was full of humour and wit. We were then treated to a supplementary address by Dr Mike J Tyrrell.

Mike is a retired cardiologist and told me that he follows our news on the website which is partly the reason that he made the long journey across Canada and the Pond to be with us. He related many stories from his long career in medicine both here, at Harvard and then in Canada. He was not alone in paying tribute for his success to the masters who taught him and encouraged him. Geoff Wills our new President thanked and congratulated our speakers before closing the proceedings at 15.00 hours.

December 1, 2017

Another obituary of one of our  Fallen, namely Frederick Edwin Woolven, is included today

November 25, 2017

Today we publish another in our series commemorating the boys who fell for King and Country in World War Two – The Fallen – Victor Donald MacMillan RIP

November 24, 2017

We publish today one of the less intellectual of our Facebook debates for your amusement and response:

November 20, 2017

We are delighted to add Michael Bootle, yet another prestigious writer, to our “Where are they now?” series.

November 17, 2017

Tribute to Thomas Herbert TARGETT aged 17 – School Notes – ‘The Martlet’ December 1939

  ‘It is with deep regret that we record the death of the first of our Old Boys in the War. Thomas Targett, a boy gunner in the Royal Navy, lost his life in the sinking of the Royal Oak, and our sincere condolences go out to his parents and to his brother in the School.  His lively personality and abundant energy made him conspicuous at School and the same qualities that made him popular with us gained for him the liking of his fellows in the Navy’.

A new series starts today on the President’s mission to complete a piece on every boy who died for us in the war.

November 11, 2017

Another famous Old Cicestrian passes away – John Wickham was at School with Geoff Wills and I am grateful to him for researching the Martlet and to the Times of London for the Obituary republished here today.

Please click here to read

A gem from our archives shewing how Geoff Wills started at the School in 1943. This website would not exist today if it were not for Geoff.

Please click here to read

The School’s 90th Anniversary – a note for your diary. This spectacular event is scheduled for 20 October 2018 so make sure you have it in your diary now. It will take place on the new school’s campus and in particular in the Planetarium, the biggest one outside of London.

November 8, 2017

A piece of nostalgia for the older Old Cicestrians – please visit the Events Page to watch a short film of the 1989 School Jubilee.

November 3, 2017

I am delighted to draw your attention to the “Fond memories of Old Boys” section where I have today added a piece on George Stedman. You will have a chance to meet and greet him again at the Christmas Dinner on Saturday 2 December 2017 at the Chichester Park Hotel near the Rolls Royce factory in Chichester.

We have our AGM at 11.00 and this is followed by drinks, a splendid meal and an address by our new Chairman, Bill Allen OBE. All are welcome and the price is a modest £19.00. Please contact John Child or any member of the committee using the Contacts page on this website.

 

October 16, 2017

Excellent news. Two old boys from the 1953 – 1961 era have resurfaced in the last week or so, namely Stedman and Saxby. Please keep looking – there are many more we need to find before the final whistle.

George Stedman is shewn here with Geoff Wills. Both played for Arundel FC and they even managed a few games together.

 

I have also uploaded some interesting pictures from Martin McGranaghan which you can find in Galleries: Various School Photographs.

October 11, 2017

Please note that the Fallen story of James Reginald Bryan MEAKER has been updated today

October 3, 2017

Please find under Where are they now a rare item these days from one of our Lancastrian friends – Andrew Cook (Lancastrian School 1961-1967)

Scot and Juliette are married.

Message from our web provider Scot Baston: The rumour is true, and I have now taken leave of my senses and getting married. I will be back in action on the 11th September 2017, assuming the world is still in existence after I enter wedded bliss.

Please join with me in wishing them a long and fruitful marriage. RDWK

(Edit: Many thanks from Juliette & I, we had an amazing wedding day! Best wishes Scot – If anyone is interested, there are a few photos here )

September 7, 2017

Please take some time to read Martin Everard’s fascinating piece published today as Martin Everard bis. I have also added a post scriptum to his first article. Martin McGranagan has kindly sent us a photograph of the School Prefects in 1964 which you will find in Galleries.

I have also added a Facebook picture and discussion started by Tony Cook about a 1963 Marine Biology Group.

September 1, 2017

Nigel Tomsett left the School in 1939 and was a classmate of Sir John Herbecq and Geoffrey Barnard (please use the search engine above to read about these old boys). The president recently visited him to find out if he remembered anything about “The Fallen” – our Old Cicestrians who gave their lives for King and Country in World War two. Today we publish his findings.

August 22, 2017

Yet another Old Boy who succeeded in the Media industry. Today we publish Martin Everard’s piece for our “Where are they now?” series. It is well worth a read and if anyone can add some names to the photographs Martin would be most glad.

August 20, 2017

I have today updated Geoff Wills excellent article on School cricket and cricket generally. Colin Grainger who played under Geoff at Lords kindly sent us the picture of Geoff leading the team out at the home of cricket. Please see at https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/geoff-wills-1943-1952-cricket-life-school/

August 18, 2018

Please see today’s rather sad Facebook entry of a recent picture of the School taken by Chris Dynes (click on the entry on the left navigation bar under Recent Facebook Posts)

August 17, 2017

Time passes quickly I am sure you all agree. Our Canal Cruise is just round the corner. It is tremendous value for money at just £17.50 with luncheon and a drink. Please click on the relevant link on the left to read more and make your reservation now.

August 8, 2017

Please see the piece by President Snook on his favourite “Doodlebug” in the Facebook section today.

August 5, 2017

For those who have been reading “The Fallen” entries, you may find this interesting:

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/233557

August 2, 2017

We are delighted to announce the return of a popular event organised by the Old Cicestrians Committee. It will be taking place from the Chichester Canal Basin on Friday 6th October 2017 from 12.30pm for a two-hour duration. We are particularly pleased to welcome our own Old Cicestrian guide Alan Green for this trip; he will be explaining the rich history of this section of the canal.

July 31, 2017

Please take some time to read the stories about “The Fallen”,  our brave Old Boys who died for King and Country in the Second World War. Our President took up a plea from Ian Walters that proper consideration should be given to them. He is still engaged on this noble task.

July 20, 2017

Please read Marcus Rumpus’ piece on the canals connecting Chichester to London and his part in restoring them.

June 27, 2017

I am back from this year’s cross-channel sailing lark. I am pleased to say the worst experience this year was listening to a lone Scottish piper as he walked up and down the Calais Marina wall. On the other hand, we were treated to a Spitfire fly-past for us as we left Ramsgate for the last leg home.

I have updated Bruce Morton’s “Where are they now” piece and see some similarities with my own Prep School and KD experiences.

June 20, 2017

Baking in the heat on our small yacht in Calais Marina and hoping for favourable winds for a return to Blighty tomorrow.

June 6, 2017

Bruce Morton has provided some reminisces of his time at the School and has promised more to come.

I received this important message from Alan Green today and hasten to let everyone know as soon as possible. Please spread the word as safeguarding our archive material for the long term is all the more important as each generation passes.

 From the Hon. Archivist, Alan Green.    

      Since volunteering to be the OCs archivist earlier this year I have taken delivery of piles of material from Martin Dawes-Chew, who was the previous custodian and have catalogued it all. The catalogue is to be found here and it will be updated as new material is added. You will see that it comprises photographs, newspaper articles, items relating to members of staff, items of school uniform etc. as well as documents and photographs relating to the Old Cicestrians as a body.

       It is intended that our archive will be gifted to West Sussex Record Office (WSRO), who already hold the official CHSB archive, where it will be cared for professionally in perpetuity, and be readily accessible to the public. This does not apply to the uniform items as they do not fall within the WSRO collecting policy so  I will store them.

      If the catalogue inspires you to look out some of your own CHSB memorabilia and feel you would like to donate it to our archive please get in touch with me –  email – agreenzone@aol.com, tel 01243 784915, address 10, Stockbridge Road, Chichester, Sussex PO19 8DP. If you are donating photographs it would be helpful if you could identify those who appear in them, the dates and, if not obvious, the occasion.

Regards,

Alan

June 5, 2017

This year’s Old Cicestrians’ golf day will take place at Bognor Golf Club on Thursday 29th June. The event is an individual Stableford with tee off at 1 pm. The cost for non-Bognor members is £20.
Please let Martin McGranaghan know if you can attend by email: martinandjan@ntlworld.com or telephone 07900836916

May 16, 2017

The obituary of Martyn Ives Vesey 1959-1965 is published today.

For those of you who have not yet seen the remarkable adventures of Marcus Rumpus (1956-1962) playing Lawrence of Arabia please see here: https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/facebook-2016/

May 12, 2017

Thanks to support from Benenden Health and the A&E at Broomfield I am fully recovered and “Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible (BBC TV in the old days when the service was on the blink as was often the case”).

May 5, 2017

I regret to say that I suffered a minor heart problem recently and consequently have a backlog of work. I apologise in advance if updates are less frequent than I would like.

RDWK – webmaster

May 1, 2017

It has been our aim in the pages that follow to try to indicate the essential continuity of the School. Readers may at first wonder at some of the contents. But it is hoped that they will acquire from them a sense of perspective, and will learn to see themselves if they do not see themselves as such already, as part of a community with a tradition, honourable if short and with achievements to its credit of which they may well be proud.

For our past members, we have tried to produce from our records such summaries as will remind every Old Boy of the School as it was in his day. This is our sole excuse for the homeliness of some of the details given. Lists by themselves cannot call up an adequate picture of the seething life which has always existed here. But with the aid of personal memories, warmed we hope with affection, they should enable us all to recapture something of the feeling of earlier days.

Every effort has been made to secure accuracy in the summaries. We cannot hope to have escaped errors and omissions, for many of our lists have been compiled by little groups of masters and old boys “revolving many memories.” We appeal to our readers to let us know our mistakes that we may correct them.

(Plagiarised by your webmaster  from the preface to the special 1949 edition of the Martlet)

April 26, 2017

Please read about Geoff Wills’ life at School and in cricket. Please click here.

April 17, 2017

Please see here a short obituary of another Old Boy with an artistic bent. Ken Woodfield lived in a house in Leicester he named “Martlet”, as I once lived in a Normandy cottage which I named “Martlets” (RDWK). His widow has been kind enough to write to us with a short piece on his life and love of painting and I have added a piece by the Leicestershire Sketch Club with some of his paintings.

April 12, 2017

Read how Prefects nearly wore Boaters in the Summer instead of Caps! Please see Barry Capon’s reminisces of his School days. Please click here.

April 8, 2017

Please read Martin Fagg’s Obituary and let the webmaster know any further details of this extraordinary man’s life at the School. Please click here.

March 25, 2017

More memories of a Chichester evacuee by Monty Clarkson, Old Thorntonian (1935 -1942). Please click here.

March 25, 2017

There has been a lively discussion about The South Country, by Hilaire Belloc (1870 – 1953) on our Facebook page recently. Chris Moorey suggests that it could be an anthem for the Old Cicestrians. Old Boys are encouraged to re-read Brian Cudmore’s obituary where this wonderful word picture of our beloved (West) Sussex will be found. Please click here.

Hilaire Belloc, who has been described as “a Frenchman, an Englishman, an Oxford man, a country gentleman, a soldier, a satirist, a democrat, a novelist, and a practical journalist,” was born July 27, 1870. After leaving school he served as a driver in the 8th Regiment of French Artillery at Toul Meurthe-et-Moselle, being at that time a French citizen. He was naturalised as a British subject somewhat later, and in 1906 he entered the House of Commons as Liberal Member for South Salford.

As an author, he has engaged in multiple activities. He has written three satirical novels, one of which, Mr Clutterbuck’s Election, sharply exposes British newspapers and underground politics. His Path to Rome (1902) is a high-spirited and ever-delightful travel book which has passed through many editions. His historical studies and biographies of Robespierre and Marie Antoinette (1909) are classics of their kind. As a poet, he is only somewhat less engaging. His Verses (1910) is a rather brief collection of poems on a wide variety of themes. Although his humorous and burlesque stanzas are refreshing, Belloc is most himself when he writes either of malt liquor or his beloved Sussex. Though his religious poems are full of a fine romanticism, “The South Country” is the most pictorial and persuasive of his serious poems. His poetic, as well as his spiritual kinship with G. K. Chesterton, is obvious.

“And we have decided to leave Europe – Oh dear!” (RDWK)

March 24, 2017

Please see recent correspondence with the Weald and Downland Museum. Cream Teas are mentioned!

March 23, 2017

Please click here to see the first instalment of the film of our Silver Jubilee Reunion in 1989.

March 22, 2017

Please read Bert Fallowfield’s memories of School as an evacuee

March 17, 2017

“How lucky we were to live as Englishmen in England” Please visit the “From our Archives” section to see a video posted by Ian Walters some time ago.

March 16, 2017

I have rearranged our Archives section and trust it meets with your approval. There remains a large amount of work to upload the entire Martlet library. Please keep your eyes on the “Latest News” and “Facebook Posts” on the left-hand side of this page. Here you will see and be able to read at the click of your mouse the latest articles and pictures etc.  I encourage you all to try the search function found at the top right of this page as a magnifying glass. This is powerful and will lead you to any item you believe may be on the site somewhere.

March 11, 2017

Today is a doubleheader! (Pun intended).

We share some memories of another Old Thorntonian’s time at School and a learned piece by one of the most enthusiastic train spotters ever to attend the School, namely Bill Allen.

This article is reprinted from the Southern Way No17.

March 8, 2017

Much discussion recently on Facebook about a picture of St. Andrew’s House in 1961. Please click on the Facebook menu above.

February 25, 2017

Ron Thurston
An Old Thorntonian at our School 1940-1946

I am delighted to publish today Ron Thurston’s memories of his time at our School as a Henry Thornton pupil from 1940 through 1946.

February 18, 2017

Glynn Downton (1956-1963)
The School’s punishment system- suite

Glynn Downton (1956-1963) (glynn.downton@hotmail.co.uk) has started a conversation about the School’s punishment system in former times on our Facebook Wall. When compared with today, the words “Sublime” and “Ridiculous” spring to mind, n’est ce pas? Please read it and the numerous comments on our Facebook page above.

February 11, 2017

Nigel Smith (1963 - 1967)
Teacher and local councillor

I am delighted to post today Nigel Smith’s “Where are they now” piece and thank him for his contribution. I am sure we have had one or two famous wives of Old Cicestrians before but probably not as well known as his wife, Angela.

 

 February 6, 2017

School caps

Please visit this page to read about these School caps and their meaning:

https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/school-caps/

New Item

Please see John Child’s update on our Committee membership and rôles here:

https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/update-old-cicestrians-committee/

February 4, 2017

I am personally pleased to publish Barry Capon’s piece under our “Where are they now” section. He is a distinguished Old Boy and was School Captain when I started at the School. RDWK

February 2, 2017

Yet another story about our much loved Tich Morris. Please see this and a period photograph kindly submitted by Baz Taylor under Facebook.

February 1, 2017

As you can see we have made a few changes to the site. The principal one is to allow the webmaster to communicate news, changes, events etc. to the reader on the front or home page. The one that describes what we are “About” is now a separate heading. There are some other adjustments which have been made to simplify matters. Please let the webmaster know if you feel the alterations are worthwhile.

I draw your attention to the article on Grierson-Rickford under Obituaries and Facebook.

You should also note that I have started adding minutes of annual and committee meeting minutes under Archives. Please note that committee minutes are only accessible with a password. Any committee member wishing to use this facility should contact the webmaster, please.

 

November 2, 2016

I am greatly saddened to tell you that I have just received an email from Tony Deacock’s daughter-in-law to inform me that Tony passed away on Monday.

I have replied to her sending our very best wishes and telling her of the very high regard we all had for Tony and his contribution to the committee.

John Child

October 31, 2016

Please see the News section for some more insight into the courage shewn by Jez Parry after he left School. Our thanks go to Paul Taylor, another of the Bognor Boys, for having provided the information.

October 9, 2016

Please note the death of John Cutler on the News page.

July 19, 2016

Please find the final printed newsletter here:

The final printed newsletter – July 2016

June 24, 2016

I have taken the liberty of posting an account of my crossing to France in a small sailing boat and some of the things that happened to a couple of old, and now wiser 70 something, men. It is under News and titled Rubicon.

June 10, 2016

Please note that the webmaster will be away for about the next week depending on the waves and the weather as he attempts to sail a small boat across the Channel (Not related to Brexit  rest assured!)

June 6, 2016

Please read Stewart Kempsell’s inside story of how our School was improved or destroyed according to your point of view:my visit to the Residence de France

May 29, 2016

Please read about my visit to the Residence de France https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/?s=Residence+de+France

May 16, 2016

Please read about Jeff Collier’s Life after School

Read more

May 14, 2016

A new era begins for the OCs website with two pictures sent in by Dick Francis (1963-1970):

See Gallery

Dear Richard

As an occasional visitor to the Old Cicestrians web site I am always struck by the lack of pictures from my era (1963-1970). I wonder if you might wish to upload the attached scanned images from my early years at Chi High.

I think they are both from 1963 or 1964 when I was in Mr Murch’s first form class (1X ??) and also a member of the famous Bug Club.

I know I have another picture of me in the football 2nd XI, but I can’t seem to find it at the moment.

I made contact with a few Old Boys from my generation via the Friends Reunited web site before it closed down and I’m always interested in keeping in touch with any OB’s from my time.

Kind regards,

Dick Francis

April 21, 2016

On Her Majesty’s 90th birthday, I am pleased to post Chris Parr’s exciting “Life since School” piece. Yet again we have to marvel at the number and quality of our boys who have made their careers in drama. Well done Chris; I am proud to say I was in 2A with you!

How lucky we were to have such educated, intellectual masters to form us whether it be in science, arts or, as in so many cases, drama.

April 12, 2016

I have today uploaded some excellent pictures from Jim Snelgrove at the bottom of the Sports Team Photographs in the Galleries section. Can anyone provide names for the 1963-1964 Rugby XV, please?

April 4, 2016

Just published Maurice Puttick’s piece under “Where are they now”.

Chris Parr has written his and it will surprise a lot of chaps! What a fascinating bunch of stories are coming in. Thank you again to all those who have responded so far. If you have not been asked, we still want to hear from you whatever your age or period at the School.

March 29, 2016

Please note the change in our School motto above.

Bruce Clark has been in touch from Australia.

Thank you

16 March, 2016

I would like to thank all the boys that have taken the trouble to write to me with their stories of “Life after School”. I have a few in the pipeline, but there will never be too many.

I have enjoyed reading them and I am sure you have.

RDWK

Canon Bartlett’s Sermon 18 September, 1989

I have only just read this wonderful sermon by Canon Bartlett and thought it worth publishing as a stand-alone piece here on the News page and on our Facebook Wall.

Martyn Watts (1954-1961)Sean Irwin reports that he received a note from Martyn Watts’  wife in Summer 2010 which said ” I felt I should write and tell you that Martyn died suddenly from a heart attack last December ”  i.e. 2009.

“Are you actually a doctor, Doctor Allen?” (HM the Queen)

If you have not read Bill Allen’s wonderful piece then I recommend you should!

Tuesday 1 March, 2016

I had the pleasure of talking to John Smale today. He is fit and well and has promised 500 words on “Life after School”.

Sunday 28 February, 2016

Sean Irwin reports that Martyn Watts died some five years ago. He served as a radio operator for many years in the Merchant Marine; I remember talking to him about this at Spike Glue’s 1993 reunion. RIP

From Ian Walters re the 1989 Diamond Anniversary booklet:

I read every word.

The greater than 10% mortality rate of School combatants in World War II is a quite shattering statistic. Could not our present Class of Old Cicestrians fund research aimed at compiling a replacement Honour Roll?

Maybe have a word with the Chichester Local History Society? Maybe it could be a University of Chichester student research project?

Let us thus leave a small mark of our own; or at least try.

RDWK: Hear Hear!

Friday 26 February, 2016

I have just spoken to Jim Porter (1954-1961) who is alive and well in Littlehampton.

RDWK

Chichester 1962The hyperlink below will take you to a silent film of Chichester in 1962 and will bring back many happy memories.

Ian Walters reports that it lasts seven minutes. It may freeze at four minutes; he clicked on the slider and moved it a little and all was well. No sound. All colour:

Chichester 1962

This was posted by Ian on our Facebook Wall today. I thought it so good that I have copied the hyperlink above and my commentary.

“Ian, this is an absolute gem! How lucky we were to live as Englishmen in England. Well dressed, well mannered people, no litter, no foreign motorcars to speak of; I only spotted a Renault and a couple of Volkswagens. There were no foreign restaurants and I remember the wide variety of English shops with cheerful, knowledgeable staff selling English food without spice in the baked beans. If we knew then what we know now it would have been wonderful to stop the clock and say “This is one of the best places to live in the world”. Some of us were able enough to obtain a grammar school education at a one nearby that competed with the still prestigious Manchester Grammar School; a statement that seems ludicrous today. One or two of you may care to voice a contrary opinion, but you will be hard pressed to convince me. Please do try though!”

RDWK