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September 2002

Lorraine Woodley (Left mid 1990s) has played ‘Lady Anne’ in an adapted version of Richard III. An independent film company produced a short version of the play, setting it in Brighton in the present time, using the Shakespearean language. She has also taken part in a ‘Sprite’ advert on TV. She is also dancing, recently performing at the Lucin Bayliss Theatre as part of the Islington Dance Festival. In between her theatrical activities, she is doing freelance teaching.

A W Higgs 1929-34 was clerk to the School Governors & Lord Williams’s Almshouses Trust 1951-78, has moved from Suffolk to Fleet in Hants.

Andrew Skinner 1972-1977. After initially working for King Harry Foods in Thame, I moved to Bristol (in 1985), I got married (one son) then divorced, and worked in the Meat industry. I then did a couple of years each with Safeway and Tesco travelling all over Europe as a Food Technical Manager for Meat and Dairy products. During my time with Tesco, I was also part of a team that managed GM foods out of the business and got to spend a short time in Canada looking at Non GM products. In early 2000, I returned to manufacturing Industry as Technical Director for a meat products company. Along the way I have also served as Chairman for 'The Society of Food Hygiene Technology' (SOFHT) through which I met another OT wearing his lapel pin at one meeting, Mike Barrett (1956-63) who now assists in the SOFHT work as Examiner for the Food Hygiene training arm !! During 2001 I realised that the calling to work for myself was finally too strong to resist any longer and so decided to leave the 'corporate rat race' and set up my own Food Safety and Hygiene, Advisory and Training company (checkout www.t-q-s.co.uk for more info). Life is good here in the South West of England but I do still return to my roots as often as possible to see the rest of the family who stayed in the Thame area (Brother Stuart left LWS 1979, Sister Anita left LWS 1982). If there are any of my year in the South West feel free to get in touch.(andrew@t-q-s.co.uk)

John Russell 1941-48. My years at LWGS were 'Dyer years' 1941 to 1948- as a wartime evacuee day boy for most of that period, -aged 10 to 17 years old,- I am particularly appreciative of both the education and the shelter received at Thame. Like Desmond Slay, I have some understanding of the enormous task Dyer had: both masters and pupils arriving and leaving overnight... and with little or no warning ! -the former having their 'weaknesses': -the latter, having God-alone-knew what recent memories of the German-occupied Europe that had been their homeland. A wartime history of life at LWGS would make interesting reading.... there was even a little 'Black Market' trading going on in such goodies as eggs and chocolate !... and that's only the pupils! And the Thame milkman who very occasionally stepped over the threshold to deliver the midday milk: then we had super farm fresh butter!

Clare Pearson[nee Markus]1978-1980. I left Lord Bills in 1980 and went on to train as a Physiotherapist at Kings College London. After qualifying in 1983 I worked in Oxford, London and Berkshire until 1998 when we moved to Ottawa Canada where we still live. I married Neil in 1989 and now we have 2 children Ben and Anna[11 and 8]. I would love to get in touch with anyone who remembers me particularly Helen Johnson and Kate Baker. I have been in sporadic contact with Carmel Tildesley who is in New York and Ali Shaw who when last heard from was in Bristol and has 2 boys.

Peter Clarke 1977-84. You might like to know that I'm currently working as a shift manager at Pharmacia (a multinational pharmaceuticals manufacturer, in process of being bought by Pfizer, the world's largest) in Morpeth, Northumberland.

Peter Torrs 1940-45. I was at the school for your records from the beginning of 1940 to the end of 1945 when the war was on it must be history to you. I didn't go to the last gathering as I was away, and do not remember many of the pupils I was at school with, only the ones I used to travel with on the train from Princess Risborough. I have been retired now for 7 years now and find I don't have much time to sit as the family always find things that need to be made or repaired, that’s enough for now.

Rebecca Ireland 1992-1999. Has moved from Chinnor to Nottingham.

July 2002

Bridget C. Trueman (nee Thompson) 1971-72. Lives in Thame with her husband and two boys, James (16) (year 12) and Mark (14) (year 10). They both attend Lord Williams’s School, studying for their A2 and GCSE exams respectively. Bridget teaches at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow. She teaches A and AS levels in Computing and Biology, GCSEs in ICT, Biology, Physics and Chemistry and is Key Stage Three co-ordinator for Year 8 Science. She also writes material for the School Intranet, specifically for learning skills. She has full responsibility for KS3 Science, and is about to take on full responsibility for Year Head for Year 9 and SENCO for KS3. www.waitrose.com/~bctrueman

Jane C. Vaucher (nee Thompson) left in 1974. Until recently lived in Fontainbleu near Paris, with her husband, boys David (17), Christopher (15) and daughter Sophie (11). Jane combined being a mother and a secretary at a language school near her house. The family is now living in Houston Texas where David has gained a place to study at Rice University.

Liz C. Reece (nee Thompson) 1976-78. Liz lives in Tackley with her husband and two small boys. She has one of these 'portfolio' working arrangements - self employed for the majority of time, providing careers consultancy in such things as guidance, training, writing materials, and assessing across a wide geographical area; and employed for a small amount of time, with the local careers service to provide training and curriculum development for schools. She would love to be contacted by anyone who remembers her (or even who wants careers help!)

Oliver Mott 1990- 97. I'm currently working in Nottingham trying to get a job in forensics something along the line of scenes of crime.

George Edwards Left the then LWGS in 1960 and retired at end 1999 after just over 39 years in banking. Married for 35 years with two children - son 32 and daughter just nudging 30. Now dedicating his life to visiting all those places and countries that have been on his/his wife's "must

see" list for many years. Achieving this, neatly coincides with the other ambition of spending the childrens’ inheritance!

Jonathan Archer 1966-1973. I travelled for a year with Martin Corrall to New Zealand and Australia before going to University. I then took a Business Studies degree and 20 years later took an MSc at Sheffield (part time). I have worked in Logistics (Distribution and Warehousing) since leaving University and I am currently employed with Exel as a Commercial General Manager within their Retail Sector. I have been married for 22 years with two children aged 19 and 17.

Alison Jefferey Left 1995. I graduated from Warwick University, with a first in a science degree with qualified teacher status, 18 months ago. Since then I have been the Year 4 teacher in a small primary school in a deprived area of Leamington Spa. I am now job hunting for teaching post number 2, which could, potentially, take me anywhere, but is likely to keep me round the Leamington or Coventry area, or take me to Sheffield or York!

Angus Crampton Smith. I left Lord Bill's in 1980, having enjoyed my sixth form far too much, and failed all my A-Levels. I wanted to join the Navy as an Officer, and this was only a minor set back in my career as I had to re-apply and joined in Jan 81 instead of Sep 80. I joined the Royal Navy as an Officer, conducting my Initial Training at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, HMS Britannia. My sea training was conducted on HMS Gavinton where I decided I wanted to be a clearance diver, and HMS Rothesay where I spent the Falklands War in the Caribbean.

I gained my Bridge Watch Keeping Certificate on HMS Abdiel (an exercise Minelayer), which I joined in 1983 as the Diving Officer. After two years on Abdiel I left the ship to carry out my Long Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving course. The course involved learning to dive to a depth of 54 metres using mixture gasses, learning how to de-fuse bombs and sea mines, and blow up anything that did or didn't move. Then we learnt how to lay mines, and to try and find those that others had laid. I joined HMS Cottesmore in late 1965 as Operations Officer for two years and then 18 months as Executive Officer (Second in Command) of HMS Ledbury.

During this period, I also spent a couple of months as XO of HMS Shepparton for an exercise in the Mediterranean. I had in eight years done a lot of diving, seen many places around Europe, and had an enormous amount of fun. I was then appointed as the senior instructor of the Royal Australian Navy's Mine Warfare School, and this is where my downfall began. I was stationed in Sydney, but in my two and a half year posting managed to see a lot of Australia. I also met my future wife. I resigned from the RN in 1982, and joined the RAN. I got married after I returned to Sydney, and got a shore posting. In 1993 I was posted back to sea, and was at sea for the birth of my first daughter in 1994. Later in 1994, I joined a Defence acquisition project as the Operations Manager, and was able to spend some time at home with the family. I stayed with this project until 1999 when I resigned from the RAN and joined the big wide world as an IT consultant. I am now working for Spherion as senior consultant where I am managing the installation of a secure Wide Area Network using UNIX and Windows NT systems for Defence. This system is deployed worldwide and uses satellite and ISDN comms bearers as required. I now have three children, 8, 6 and 4 and we can all be seen at www.crampton-smith.com (mustn't forget the dog).

Neil Yates 1984 – 89. Married Vicki Schofield (85 – 92) in Carlisle April 14th 2001.

Helen Ferris (Nee Radwell) 1985 – 91. Married Phil Newport on 18th December 1999. Helen trained as a nurse at Addenbrookes in Cambridge after completing her degree at Hull.

Andrew Goldsmith 1982 – 89. Married Nicola Colley June 2nd 2001.

Sarah Rothwell (Nee Ross) 1984 –1991. Spent 2 years as an administrator at Thame Community Hospital then went on to Tring as Senior Administrator for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home www.irhh.org .

Dr Claire Sheppard 1984 – 1991. Married Squadron Leader Matthew Lewis in Shabbington on 11th March 2001.

James Sheppard 1983 – 1990 and his wife Polly have one daughter Mollie, and her sibling.

Mark & Carolyn (Nee Chaplin) Warner 1982 – 1989. Had Jacob in February 2000, a brother for the elder child Benjamin.

Michael S Collinson 1956 – 61 is interested to know whether there is a reunion for his year group. He lives in Gloucesteshire.

Eddie Bishop 1959-1966. And still alive ! he says.

Martin Corrall Managing Director BIGwebshed Limited trading as imediat Unit 1 George Street Industrial Estate Huntingdon PE29 3BD tel 01480 411176 fax 01480 413789 mobile 07785 760182 email corrall@BIGwebshed.com

Norman S. Good. At Lord Williams’s as a pupil: Entry date - Sept.1937. Leaving date - July 1944. As teacher: Entry date - Sept.1959. Leaving date: July 1983 Semi-retirement-Sept. 1983 to July 1997. Total teaching period - 50 years!

Adam Lazaruk is working in his parent's newsagents, the Chocolate Box in North Street, Thame.

Lynne Trasler is now Lynne Heard, living in Bicester, with husband Phil, expecting their first baby in August.

Sarah Minchin (nee Harvey) 1988 – 1995. My news is that I'm living and working as a teacher in Milton Keynes with my husband, Mike (we were married August 1999 at St Mary's, Thame) and our 17 month old son, Rhys. I can be contacted through the Friends Reunited website.

Rachel Paton (nee Hussey) 1986. Living in Haversham.

Dan Wooley “I taught with Mr Bevan and was Mr Mullens’s first teaching appointment, your report brought back many happy memories.

Andrew Skinner 1977. Has moved to Stoke Park in Bristol.

Chris Hargreaves is living in Booragoon Australia. (A few other OTs are in Australia too including Paul Glenny & Stephen Castle; Angus Crampton-Smith, Roger Allen).

Lynne Trasler (nee Heard) Is living in Bicester with husband Phil, expecting their first baby in August.

Mike Barrett. I was most excited to see on the OTA newsletter that we have a website, but alas I cannot find it on www.OTA.info I have even asked Jeeves. He found the school site for me which I found of much interest, but no link to OTA. Maybe the announcement was premature, as I see you are working on a database (for which I have posted my details). Good luck with the site, and I hope it will facilitate contact between "older" members. I have lost touch with the 56-63 year group to which I belong.

Peter Douch I left Lord Bill's in 1968 and have long been settled in Colchester, Essex. Nowadays I am employed to help Essex County Council and Essex people win more bids from the lottery good causes and from other sources of external funding. My brother Mike, the leading sportsman of his era at school, continues his successful PE teaching career by running the school-based PE teacher training course at Thomas Telford School in Shropshire.

Helen Dutton (nee Moss) 1972 – 1978. Married in April 2001. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in April 2002.

Christine Moss 1975 – 1980 has just had her second child, a son called Jack. Christine & her partner live on the edge of Dartmoor, in Mary Tavy.

Laura Moss 1980 – 1985 lives in Cardiff where she went to university. She is a consultant specialising in cancer.

David Hayter 1967-1969. I have just come across Lord Williams’s website. Very interesting and extremely well presented. Since leaving Lord Bill's, I have spent most of my time overseas (Thailand, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh), working in various non-government development organisations (VSO, OXFAM, Terre des Hommes, Stiftung Kinderdorf Pestalozzi). I currently run the Mines Advisory Group (Manchester based) landmine action organisation in Cambodia (www.magclearsmines.org) and was formerly in Laos. We have about 500 Cambodian personnel working on clearing land-mines in four provinces. Wishing the school continued success.

Roger Allen 1953—58. Lives in Western Australia. “I have lived in Australia for almost 30 years. From the Lord Williams’s School internet site, the school has radically changed from my days when it was boys only. I would love to hear from any of my contemporaries if they are available. I was in the same class as Peter Jordan who last time I talked to him about 4 years ago was the Butcher of Thame.”

Stuart Earley 1984 – 91. Now living in Reading with wife Jo, nee Withey (84 – 89) and daughter Olivia.

Christopher North 1951—1956. I am married to Elizabeth and we have two grown up daughters. I have been retired for 10 years and spent most of my working years with IBM. We currently live in Milton Keynes.

Jane Lucas (nee Good) left '77. I would like to catch up on some old friends. At the moment you have 2 of my nieces at your Lower School (Hannah and Kelly Good) where Mr Harding is. (He used to teach one of my brothers but not me, and apparently he hasn't changed).

Greg Dickinson 1986-1990. After doing a Law Degree and Legal Practice Course I've worked in IT (who hasn't!), practised law for a while, and am now in Legal Publishing. I'm married to Vicky and we have a lovely (if noisy) 7 month old baby boy called Henry! I am now Platinum Account Manager, Lexis Nexis Butterworths Tolley USA.

Pete and Jan Merrow-Smith. At the end of this year we are considering a move. I wouldn't mind coming back to the UK if I could take up a teaching role at Lord Bill's but otherwise I think we may travel to some other remote part of the globe instead and so continue with our adventures. We hope Jan can finish her BMus in Music Education from the University of Pretoria first. Then perhaps we can get jobs in the same school. Presently she teaches in a private primary school while I teach in the government secondary school. If we do decide to stay I will have to be working for someone other than the government. It has been a real eye-opener working in a developing country!

We do enjoy life here and have had a few OTs out to stay. Eddy Young came out for his honeymoon and Kev Laxton has been a couple of times. My brother Nic came over a few years back too. They've all enjoyed the bush travel and fine weather, the wildlife and the wide open spaces. I think if we do move on it may have to be to Oz or NZ, just so we can find a similar climate and the open space. Of course, we won't be employing a maid there like we do here, so it would be back to the graft of washing, ironing, washing up the dishes and emptying our own garbage! But then perhaps we won't be walking in to find a spitting cobra on the lounge floor either.

Joanne Heydon. I left Lord Williams in June 1998 and went straight on to do a 3 year degree at Bristol University. I now hold an unconditional offer to study for an Msci in Management Science at Warwick University.

Derek Stoakes 1966-1973. Has a vet’s practice in Ledbury.

Richard Smith 1966-1973. Runs his own very succesful hi-tech engineering business in Worcestershire.