not seem to be able to pass on his skills. Stan provided encouragement and others coached the team. In the later years,'62-64,Stanley wasso caughtup with National Education that wesaw less and less ofhim,but others benefitted from his enthusiasm and breadth of vision. He was away from Kearsney for the whole of '64 so Jimmy Hopkins took over. In my mind I can see Stanley standing in front of the Dining Room,looking down over the building going on in the class room block and saying to himself: "I see a dream,I have a vision..." Stanley has a little wooden board saying,"Osier Field", and a painting in the Henderson Hall,poorly done!Ican see him standing by me,with a quiet smile on his lips, saying "Well,at least I wasn't forgotten!" NEWSFROM VERNON CLEGG (Gillingham Housemaster from 1947 to 1962) As 1994 rapidly draws to a close, our thoughts turn in particular to Kearsney.This year has been a momentous one for us both. It was in January 1944,that Headmas ter, Robert Matterson, welcomed me at a Staff Meeting at Botha's Hill,to an educational'set-up'thatcontinued to play a remarkable part in my life. It was in that year that I served under Jack Reece as an Assistant-House master in Finningley and on 'D-Day' Judy arrived, a sister for Peter who was then 18 months old. Undoubt edly,I must have learned a great deal from experienced men like Max Oram,Jack Reece and C.O. Medworth, forin 19451 wasappointed HousemasterofJunior House (now Haley).It wasin that year thatoneofthe six Matric boys to live in an adjacent cottage was Peter Metcalf. What a privilege it was to succeed that great character, G.M.Oram,as Housemaster of Gillingham in 1947, a position I was to occupy for the next 12 years. In the previous year, I had met my wife who for almost 48 years has been my constant loyal and loving compan ion. She has shared my great love for Kearsney and its Old Boys.It wasin 1962that we reluctantly left Botha's Hill where our four children had been bom and where they grew up in an environment that few had the privi lege to enjoy.On reflection,those 181/2 years were cer tainly the happiest of our long lives together. 1962 saw me start a new career as Deputy Headmaster of St Stithians, a position I held until the end of 1981. The friendships made with Old Boys of both schools have played a remarkable part in the 13 years of our retire ment.We have travelled widely and have had warm re ceptions wherever we have been.These have heightened the nostalgia we both have for Kearsney,its staff mem bers who served with us and its Old Boys. In my opening remarks 1994 was referred to as a mo mentous year.Afew days ago weretumedfrom5 months spent overseas.We visited friends in Holland,a nephew and his wife in Germany and hadfour memorable months with our elder daughter Sheena (an old Epworth girl) and her family in a lovely old colonial town ofOakville about 50 kms along lake-shore Ontario. On a previous visit we linked up with John Lacey and his charming wife Ebby.We had ajolly evening together.This trip we left Canada in early October and spent a fortnight in England. We stayed with Margaret and Roger Simpson and theirtwo children in Maidenhead.1 had taught arith metic and geography to Roger in 1952 when he was a lad of 11 or 12,in the old stone building(now demol ished)below the Admin Block.He later became a pre fect under me in Gillingham and still laterjoined the St Stithians staff where he became Head of Physics and we shared a very close friendship during the time that the school wentthrough a difficult period.Helater went to England and married his lovely wife. Both were at Hayes Grammar School.He later gave up teaching and now runs acomputerbusinessin Maidenhead,Berkshire. Here 1 must pay tribute to Roger.No Old Boy could be as ardent a supporter of Kearsney. He holds the Old Boys'Club in England together and keepsin touch with so many of them scattered through the densely popu lated UK.At relatively short notice a few Old Boys in the vicinity ofMaidenhead gave Margaret and myselfa remarkable reception at a drinks and lunch party organ ized by Margaretand Roger at their home.Margaretis a wonderful caterer. The meal she provided was enjoyed as much as the love and friendship shared amongst friends one hadn't seen in years. Those present on that memorable day were Ian and Audrey Macleod (Sir and Lady), John and Anthea Barnes, Vemon and Sue(and Rebecca) Daws and John Goodricke. Thank you Margaretand Roger,for the opportunity ofrenewing old friendships and for all the hard work you putinto main taining contact with friends ofKearsney.Wephoned Ray Rutherford-Smith in Stirling where he is still lecturing at the University. He will soon be 71.1 shall leave it to your sound mathematical tuition at Kearsney to work outjust how old 1 shall be next year.Fortunately,we are both 100% fit and are indeed proud to have two sons, Colin and Deighton,members of your Club. With greetings to our many Kearsney associates, for a splendid Festive Season and an outstanding 1995,both for the Old Boys' Club and for the College. Remembrance Sunday, November 1994 w. mz mm m A mit■if ■>; 134 Kearsney Chronicle 1994
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