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.
The Club is grateful to Graham Russell for bringing to our attention the sad passing of David Lane on October 6th.
David was a Queens Counsel and Recorder of Crown Court (Rtd.) who after Crypt had studied law at Kings College London & was awarded its Gold Medal.
Dearest husband of Jacky, Father to Antonia and Julian, Beloved Grandpa of Joel.
His service was held at Cheltenham Crematorium (Oak Chapel), on Monday, 25th October 2021 at 2.00 p.m.
We send our condolences to his family and friends.
Howard Allen writes to inform us of the sad news that Richard Evans (1948-1954) has died on 10th September 2021.
I regret to inform you of the death of a very dear friend – Richard Evans. We came together in 1947 when Richard arrived in The Oval from Anglo Egyptian Sudan where his father was a railway engineer.
Richard was a member of 1st XV and 1st XI (1954) also a superb swimmer for Whitefield House. He played for many years for OCRFC prior to his move to Chelmsford in mid 1970s.
He served for 4 years in RAF-technical branch. (1954-1958) before embarking on a career in electronic marketing.
I have conveyed to Sandra and family condolences of OCC. Richard was a stalwart member for many years, but had been resident in a care home in the latter part of his life.
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
We are saddened to learn of the death in January of John Morehen. John spoke at the school Prizegiving in 2008.
Professor John Morehen was born in Gloucester, and attended the Crypt School from 1953-56 before completing his schooling in Bristol. After three years as Organ Scholar at New College, Oxford, he moved to King’s College, Cambridge, where he took a Doctorate of Philosophy. He then worked in Washington DC on the staff of Washington National Cathedral and of The American University. He returned to England in 1968 to become Sub-Organist at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, where he played the organ for many Royal and state occasions. In 1972 he joined the music staff of Nottingham University, where he is now Emeritus Professor of Music.
As a lecturer/recitalist/adjudicator John Morehen has toured the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia, and he was a regular BBC Radio 3 recitalist for over thirty years. He has given more than 100 radio and television broadcasts in the UK and abroad, and, as a musical scholar, has written extensively about Renaissance music. In 2003 he received the Degree of Doctor of Letters from Nottingham University for his published work.
Much more information on John’s fascinating and successful life is available from his website. Our condolences go to his family and friends.
We are saddened to learn of the death last month of Peter Hendy.
Pete was a fine sportsman, captaining the Henley and school 1st XV and represented the county at U19 level.
He taught Chemistry at Marling School and is fondly remembered as a teacher and leader of expeditions as well as for his sports coaching.
Ian Bucknell has written an obituary in the Bisley News which gives a lot of information about this “big man with a big heart”. Our condolences to his family and friends.
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 learn that former Cryptian and stunt driver Dick Sheppard, who once held the record for having the most entries in the Guinness Book of Records, has died aged 90. The following is extracted from his obituary published in Punchline Gloucester.
After attending Calton Road Junior and Crypt Grammar School, he earned a place at Cambridge University but opted for a job in a motorcycle shop instead.
He said: “At school I was caned quite frequently and threatened with expulsion more than once for being a rebel. I accepted that because it was usually quite true.
“The few masters who owned cars used to hand me the keys during the morning so that I spent the lunch hour cleaning the plugs and points and generally tuning their cars at the out of bounds area in front of the school, while my pals played football in the playground.
“This I did more for the love of engines than any fondness I felt for the teachers. The happiness this gave me continued throughout my life whenever I got the maximum performance out of an engine, whether it was to win a stock car race or achieve a new world record.”
