is giving me the opportunity, kindly provided by the Board of spending my time, wlien fit, in eompiling the material for a Kearsney History; my other hobby, a most delightful one, is my eontaet with Old Boys, whose interest and affection is something I would never have dreamed of 50 years ago. If you write to me I shall always try to reply, and if you visit me, my wife will comfort you with tea and cakes." H.L.(Hayden) Albertyn (41-46)has left the ministry of the Methodist Church and is now engaged in.personnel work. He writes most appreciatively of the choir work grounding he had at Kearsney, having taken part in a great deal of choral work even to conducting combined choirs in Cantata work. During his ministry he was especially grateful for the thorough grounding in the Methodist Hymn Book. Rev. C.M.(Murray) Albertyn (40-42) paid a most wel come visit in May with his mother, American-born wife, and two daughters, and provided much nostalgic reminiscence. Years ago he held a pastorate in USA,but has now built up a new large Presbyterian church (900 members) in Bulawayo. Occasionally he conducts services for the Methodists and took scripture lessons in Hamilton Boys' High School, the Headmaster's old school. He had many interesting tales to tell of the early days at Botha's Hill. J.D.(John)AUsopp(3942)has three large farms on our doorstep at Cato Ridge, and has done very well for himself. His main fault is that he doesn't visit the School, where he would be very welcome. D.W. (Digby) Benporath (51-56) is Managing Director for the Huskies Group,Pinetown,specialising in furniture and tubular steel products. He is a most active member of the Kloof Methodist Church. R.A. (Rory) Birkby (57-60) has been in photography most of his post-school life, but after taking a second degree in Planning, from UCT, is now a city planner. The camera is an essential part of his equipment. His work covers the periphery of Cape Town from Cape Point to 70Km north of the City, and he finds it fascinating. If any of his friends would like to write to him he would be glad to hear from them at Box 11065, Cape Town 8000. D. (Derek) Beatty (51-54) has long been a tower of strength to the Old Boys Club, by his own personal enthusiasm and by the lead he has taken in printing the Kearsney Chronicle, and Old Boys' Registers. His latest work has been to prepare a Johannesburg Directory of Old Boys which still has, however, many gaps. He has been worthily honoured by being appointed VicePresident of the Old Boys' Club. He is incidentally a most enthusiastic Elder in the Presbyterian Church, Benoni. D.W.G.(Glen) Barker (67-72) has completed his fourth year in optometry at Wits. I.(Ian) Bruton-Simmonds(4344) paid a most welcome and unexpected call in July in his Aston Martin. We have not seen him for over 30 years. He commutes regularly from S.A. to U.K.on family business, which is connected with home security guards, and was in fact on the way to the airport in July. He has shown linguisI. Bruton-Simmonds tic versatility by teaching Greek to his son, keeping one lesson ahead. He was due to broadcast from the S.A.B.C. on August 13th and 20th on the speaking of English, but his talks were withdrawn because he refused to withdraw certain demands as regards the English qualifications of people who are accepted as producers, script-writers or announcers for broadcasting in English. He deplored the frequency of the most elementary mi.stakes in grammar and vocabulary. D. (Denis) Bovey (Staff 65-70) has been lecturing in Education at Natal University since 1971. His academic qualifications are very impressive: B.A., B.A.Hons, M.A., B.tid. with distinction, U.E.D., and now produc ing a thesis on Henry James for a Ph.D. Not bad for a man who was in Commerce until 1959. W.J.(Bill) Badsey(52-55), one of the co-founders of the Kearsney Yacht Club, is well known to TV viewers as South Africa's leading speed-boat racer. We have quite lost touch with him and have no address. He recently won an international race in Berlin. G.F.(Graham) Balcomb (3040) who, supported by his wife Judy, is a fishing enthusiast and ski-boat authority, has sold part of his farm at Mtunzini, and is anxious to sell the rest plus his beautiful home (has anyone half a million'?). With a family of five adult daughters, his home is a social centre, and I can speak with experience of the extreme kindness and hospitality he and his wife show. One of his married daughters, when last we heard, was buying a house in Chapel Rd, Botha's Hill. O.W.K.(Ken)Balcomb (24-31, staff65-75)now spends his time entirely on evangelical work and is having a strong impact. Every week, I understand, he makes the return journey of 300Km from Botha's Hill to Mtunzini, to hold a Bible Study session at the home of G.R. (Garnett) Groom (50-56). Garnett's wife, an ex-Natal Bride of the Year winner, is daughter of the late P.H. (Philip) Hind (25-30) who was killed in an air crash in 1965. M.H. (Mike) Beckett (25-28), once Head Prefect and vigorous Rugby captain is feeling the passing of the years, and suffers from a dizziness which cramps his style. His son owns a chemist shop, a useful as.set if one is not feeling well. W.T.(Wally) Balcomb (25-32) was persuaded to attend the Old Crocks Rugger Match, which Kearsney won 54-32, anS found himself unexpectedly called upon to present the Bill Payne Trophy to the winning side. Had he had time to think, he could have told the large crowd that he was scrum half in the first Old Crocks match ever, in 1931, and found himself being picked up, together with the ball, and carried 25 yards along the touch-line under Bill Payne's arm. A.J.(Tim) Boorman (4043) some years ago started a factory producing sailing-boat kits, and boats in marine plywood, dinghies which have to conform to very rigid measurements. His wife helps with office work, his eldest son works in the factory,and a younger boy is at Kearsney. J.A. (John) Bester (59-63) has put in some interesting years since leaving school. He served his articles with a Durban firm, Douglas Eow and Co., and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. In 1970 he moved out of auditing into Film Fun Holdings, and worked with them for some years. At the end of 1976 he joined Toyota South Africa Etd., Joburg, and is now gaining useful experience in the motor business. D.W. (Denis) Barker (4046) a member of the Board, keeps exceedingly fit in every way. He maintains his wide farming interests in Natal and also, nearing 50, continues as Captain of the Umzinto Cricket Club. He remembers with relish the years he spent in the Kearsney choir, and the many concerts he participated in, especially at Epworth! Dr W.P. (Wilfred) Bromiley (22-25), the school's first Dux (and he says it is time his name was spelt correctly on the Dux board) has a fantastic and helpful memory 76
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