Its been an interesting year, to say the least, in terms of the future of the Old Cryptians’ Club. We are still working through the implications of the 1539 Foundation for us and how that shapes the future of the club. Myself and Simon Smith, the Vice-President, had a good meeting with the head and the administrator of the foundation recently. It will help us look at how we can take the OCC forward and I hope to share those plans once we have an agreed position with the committee.
OCC eNews December 2021
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Our very own Matthew Cass (future president) and Paul James (past president) have published the ideal stocking filler just in time for Christmas.
Buy through Amazon Smile and a teeny percentage goes to the OC Centenary Bursary Fund.
Sponsorship opportunities.
1) The club are looking for a business (or businesses) to sponsor the £500 cost for the 2022 Leavers’ Ties.
If you feel you can help or would like more information please email president@oldcryptians.org
Julian Whittaker, Director of Music writes:
Please join us at 7.00pm tonight on the school’s youtube channel for our virtual Senior Concert.
Here is the link: https://youtu.be/cdrvLJga8k8
It features some amazing performances from students from Y10-13, mostly recorded under lockdown!
You will be impressed by their enthusiasm, musical skill and determination.
I gave the students the challenge to learn a new piece for this concert and some of them have certainly taken themselves out of their comfort zones!
If you are unable to join us, the concert will remain on our youtube channel for you to enjoy when you are able.
We are saddened to hear news from America of the passing of Barrie Sims, a longstanding member of the OCC.
Barrie Gordon Sims, 78, a resident of Columbia, Maryland, died of Covid 19 on Friday, November 27, 2020 at Gilchrist Hospice in Towson, Maryland.
Barrie was born in Gloucester, on May 16, 1942, to Gordon and Lillian Sims. He grew up with his sisters Julie and Heather and attended the Crypt Grammar School.
After graduating, he began a long career with GCHQ as a computer scientist. While working, he achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Maths.
Barrie’s family was his source of pride and joy. He married Patricia Murrin of Gloucester in 1963 and their marriage was blessed with three children, Colin, Philip, and Jennifer. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1986, he married Tracey Taaffe Manning of Columbia.
In 1983, Barrie moved to Columbia, Maryland, to coordinate intelligence work with his U.S. counterparts. Later he worked as a program director for Computer Sciences Corporation and subsequently, Eagle Alliance, both in service to the National Security Agency. He always took satisfaction in his contribution towards making the world safer for his two beloved countries.
Barrie’s faith was important to him and he was very committed to his Baptist churches, both in Gloucester and in Columbia. As its treasurer, he helped to shepherd Brunswick Baptist Church in Gloucester through growth and the building of a new facility. He later served as treasurer for over 20 years to the Columbia Baptist Fellowship (CBF) in Maryland. For many years, he represented CBF on the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center (OMI) board of directors where, during his term as president of the board, he oversaw a major building expansion and renovation.
He is survived by his wife Tracey Manning Sims, his three children, Colin Sims (Annette Beattie) of Hampshire, Philip Sims (Michelle Sullivan) and Jennifer Sims (Graham Wollington) of Essex, his two stepchildren, Laura Manning Attridge (Andrew Attridge) and Elizabeth Manning, and his grandchildren, Matthew Sims, George Sims, Margaret Attridge, and Sean Attridge. He is also survived by his sisters Julie Briffett (Gerald Briffett) of Hereford, Heather Harvey (Robert Harvey) of Gloucester, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Lillian Sims.
Donations may be made in his memory to Parkinson’s UK (www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate).
The School are delighted to announce the Department for Education’s approval of a new and innovative free school for the children in Gloucester.
The Wheatridge Primary School aims to work closely with the community providing local children access to a world class, academically focused education to prepare them for the demands of a secondary school curriculum and help them aspire to achieve highly in all that they do.
There is more detail on the School’s website about this important and exciting announcement.
The only requirement is a willingness to continue the work of the committee in maintaining the links with the School, identifying areas where the Club and the School can work together and generally being interested in the School.
Of particular interest we are looking for someone to engage with younger members (and potential members) and to improve the use of communication channels available to us.
email president@oldcryptians.org or admin@oldcryptians.org to register interest and more details.
(while stocks last!).
Enter discount code OCC2021 at the checkout stage and the discounted cost will be applied. This code can be used as many times as you like until 28th February 2021.
The book gives a fascinating insight into the daily life of our ambitious and intrepid Old Cryptian as he negotiates the daily grind of lockdown living and disappearing children.
Unfortunately he has already started posting Lockdown #2 updates which may portend a second volume.
Proceeds from the sale of the book (should there be any) will be donated to NHS charities.
*No money changed hands in return for this description.
