Department in the Bradley Building, whilst the podium is safely behind his office door. He had received a letter from Hebe Morgan, together with a couple of her novels and some CDs. We live in a very secular society these days and the lack of children in church choirs affects the tradition of Church music. Mr. Webster went on to say that Ashcombe is larger this year with 1600 on the roll. Academically the school is doing well but he will not give their results to the National Press because they have done nothing to help education (unlike the local press with which the School has excellent relations). The A level results have been excellent with six students going to Oxbridge. At the other end of the scale, he spoke of an ESN student who was desperate to do her A levels and, with encouragement, she gained 3 Ds, to everyone's delight.. The School was proud that one of its Governors was the first non‑American to be appointed to a post at Harvard, whilst Gill Godswell, Head of Drama, had been distinguished in the national Teacher of the Year awards. This had been noticed by another former student, Evan Davies (1977‑81), now a journalist with the BBC, who had sent an appreciative message. The Arts are vitally important, said Mr. Webster, and he had been able to obtain funding to help establish an Arts Centre in a redundant gymnasium in the Bradley Building. In conclusion he thanked the Association for its generosity in awarding two bursaries this year, each of £250.

 

Newsletter Editor's Report ‑ in effect Archivist's Report!

Mike Dobson, in Australia, wrote to say that, having started his 'action' on the Memorial Book, he had decided he would prefer to compile an 'Old Dorkinian Companion', a much more comprehensive document of which the Memorial would form part. He envisaged a living, loose leaf, document containing either copied or original material relating to as many aspects of School history as possible ‑ Speech Day programmes, photographs of teams and prefects, play and concert programmes, newspaper cuttings, and a list of artefacts such as school ties and caps, hatbands, and badges, and other miscellaneous items. It would be advisable for donors to check with him first before incurring postal expense, in case he already any particular item

 

(Acting) Membership Secretary's Report

Sheila Sandford reported that in the Spring there were still almost 100 people who had forgotten to pay their subscriptions. Much time had been spent on sending personal letters imploring these folk to pay by Standing Order in future to save us all a lot of time and effort. The mammoth "recovery" job continues and she hoped that accurate figures would be provided by the next AGM‑currently membership stood at around 380, having lost 22 members and gained 26 new ones, this latter being in no small measure due to the efforts of Ted Hazelden through the Friends Reunited website.

 

Treasurer's Report

Maureen Meier presented accounts showing a healthy balance of some £2400 compared with £1500 a year ago, but pointed out that the financial future of the Association depended on retaining stable membership numbers, and was subject to careful control of the costs of the Newsletters ‑ at present we had a remarkably good deal with our printers, which could not be guaranteed to continue (even so the total cost of Newsletters in the past year was over £1700!). Golf Days were administered within the main account, and had contributed some £400 over the past few years‑thanks were expressed to Harold Child and fellow golfers. Following the presentations to the School last year, the Doc Morgan Award Fund now stood at some £550 held separately from the main account. A decision on how to utilise this money would need to be made.

 

The New 2004 Committee shown on the front page, is the same as the previous one apart from Anna Cooper who has retired, and the very welcome addition of Ted Hazelden and Keith Verran.

 

Photographs and other items lent to the Association

We were glad to report that these had been located, and were about to be returned to their owners.

 

CDs

Maureen Meier reported that the CDs were almost ready for distribution (approx. £2.50 each) and she will contact all those who had ordered them on her return from holiday at the end of October. They would be distributed in time for Christmas.

 

Lunch at Denbies

A very good lunch at Denbies was enjoyed by 70 Members, with Paul Mills as MC, Grace by Rosemary Dale, and Toasts by Wendy Ozamiz (Absent Friends). Bert Randall (The School), and David Sheppard (The Association).

 

Overdue Subscriptions

If you find a note with this reminding you about an overdue subscription, do please respond without delay and make Sheila

Sandford’s day! The Year runs from Ist September to 31st August, with Individual Membership at £10 p.a., and Joint Membership at £15 p.a. Details of Bank Standing Order arrangements from Sheila Sandford.

 

Coming Events

Following this year's pilot scheme, we would like to try some more early Summer Events in 2004. We already have an offer of ,something" in the Banstead area but if you have any ideas and are willing to 'have a go', please contact Sheila Sandford in the first place.

 

Sad news

We are very sorry to report the recent deaths of Peter Redwood and Ron Peters, and have already conveyed our sympathy to Barbara and Pat. Tributes will appear in the Spring Newsletter

 

Copy for the next Newsletter: by Ist March 2004, please.

Reunion Day 2004 will be on Saturday 9th October 2004 -- please put this date in your new diary!

 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR:

David H Mountain, 65 Broadhurst, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 1QD

 

Tel: 01372 ‑ 273 227 e‑mail. David.H.Mountain@btinternet.com