President	-	Michel Hooper-Immins
Chairman	-	Colin Lucas
Hon. Membership Secretary	-	Bob Rench
Hon. Secretary	-	Tony Day
Hon. Treasurer	-	Alan Brown
Newsletter Editor	-	Peter Foster
Hon. Press Officer	-	Michel Hooper-Immins
Webmaster	-	Terry Stone

Sadly Chris Etherington passed away on 25 May 2010. A memorial sevice was held at St. Mary's Church, Beaminster at 11.30am on Monday 14 June.

THE OLD HARDYEANS’ ANNUAL DINNER 2010

"I have always been proud to be an Old Hardyean and to wear this distinctive gold and blue tie," Michel Hooper-Immins, newly elected President of the Hardyeans’, told around 70 Old Hardyeans and their wives at the annual dinner. "I often say Old Hardyeans are everywhere - because we have met old boys throughout the UK and occasionally abroad," continued the new President. "We are certainly one of the most active old school associations in the South of England - founded as the Old Grammarians in 1905 - and 105 years old this year." Born in Weymouth, Mr. Hooper-Immins spoke of travelling to Hardye’s School in Dorchester every schoolday from 1958 to 1965, "There was the diesel at 8.15am, but I much preferred the 8.25am because it was a steam train- always one of the great interests of my life. I am ever proud to be a Dorset man- surely one of the greatest strokes of luck is to be born in our great county."

"My old friend Peter Foster and I would sit in the library - an oasis of calm - and read the newspapers," continued Michel Hooper-Immins. "Peter read the Daily Telegraph - with the Times, this was the approved reading matter. I would bring in the Daily Express to great disapproval. But then I’ve always been different- something of a rebel - an attribute began at Hardye’s which has followed me throughout my life. In the library at Culliford Road was the oak screen, reputed to be from the Spanish ship Santa Maria, taken into Weymouth in 1588 after the armada was defeated. I spent a lot of time in the Library, so it is a source of immense pleasure to me that the oak screen is now in the theatre at the new Thomas Hardye School. The oak screen is an unbroken talisman over 422 years of history from the old Dorchester Grammar School, Hardyes School in Culliford Road and now here at the Thomas Hardye School."

The Old Hardyeans’ President went on to say: "OFSTED inspectors look for ever greater superlatives to describe Thomas Hardye School, describing it as 'exceptional' and say students make 'outstanding progress and achieve exceptionally high examination results.' Much of this praise is due to Dr. Iain Melvin, a giant of a man in teaching terms, who has guided this school to sustained excellence for 22 years. Two years ago, we bade him farewell and a happy retirement. However the Governors have been unable to find a replacement and that’s not surprising because Dr. Melvin is such an outstanding headmaster. I know all Old Hardyeans are delighted that he is still in command here and we thank him for the consideration he always shows to us."

Dr. Iain Melvin OBE, Headmaster of the Thomas Hardye School, thanked the Old Hardyeans for their constant support. "I’m so proud that Tom Hearing had been named UK Young Scientist of the Year," said Dr. Melvin, "it is a massive achievement to beat every school in the UK, now he goes on to St. Edward’s Hall at Oxford University." Tom Hearing was awarded the prestigious title on 12 March at "The Big Bang" Science Fair in Manchester, with his baseline study of Monmouth Beach’s ammonite pavement. He beat almost 200 other projects to win the top prize in the National Science & Engineering Competition.

DNA scientist Professor Terry Brown BSc PhD FSA, Professor of Bimolecular Archaeology at Manchester University spoke of his years at Hardye’s School, from 1964 to 1971. Born at Charminster, he had particularly enjoyed crosscountry running and gokarting. He had devised a technique to pass Latin exams while at school. He said one of the great benefits of university was the "ability to pursue your own interests and curiosities."

Past President Professor Hugh Griffiths FREng proposed the traditional toast to absent friends. Colin Lucas was again the excellent Master of Ceremonies. In the modern Sixth Form Centre of Thomas Hardye School and served by sixthformers, the annual Old Hardyeans dinner was again a great success. Beginning with asparagus soup, followed by braised beef and as always, Sherry trifle.

At the conclusion of the meal, Old Hardyeans’ President Michel Hooper-Immins rose to thank Colin Lucas - "the engine room of the Old Hardyeans - our most professional and enthusiastic organiser who has put so much effort into this evening. We all enjoy his quips and jokes. He always makes a superb master of ceremonies." The new President went on to thank Bob and Helen Rench, who had superbly organised the raffle and commended Bob Rench for his work as Membership Secretary. He thanked Secretary Tony Day, who as Clerk to the Governors, is a very valuable link between the School and the Hardyeans Club. Finally, he introduced Treasurer Alan Brown- "the new boy on the old boys committee." Thanks were expressed to Shirley Thompson and her team for the excellent meal and the good service by the students.

Earlier in the day, the Hardyeans Club held their Annual General Meeting with retiring President Professor Hugh Griffiths in the chair. He said the club was a unique organisation and what they did for Thomas Hardye School was much appreciated. A year ago, he and Tony Foot had been elected as Governors of the School. Chairman Bob Rench spoke of the club lunches every last Thursday of the month and thanked Colin Lucas for standing-in as Treasurer over many years. He reported the membership is steady at 1,217 and was thanked for his work on getting the records into good order.

Captain John Pearson RN, Chairman of the Hardyeans Club Charitable Association, said two new bursaries had been created, meaning eight students will benefit this year. A total of £23,900 in grants had been distributed since the Association began in 2000. The London Dinner will be at University College on 9 November. Colin Lucas was elected Chairman and Alan Brown became the new Treasurer. Bob Rench continues as Membership Secretary and Tony Day as Secretary. Godfrey Lancashire was elected to the Council, which was otherwise re-elected in full. At the end of the meeting, Professor Griffiths invested Michel Hooper-Immins with the President’s ribbon and medallion

Top Picture : Chairman Colin Lucas, retiring President Professor Hugh Griffiths and Secretary Tony Day at the Annual General Meeting of the Hardyeans Club.

Center Picture : Helen and Bob Rench and Joan Hooper-Immins preside over the raffle prizes- 32 in all.

Lower picture : [Left to right:] Professor Terry Brown, guest speaker; Professor Hugh Griffiths, retiring President of the Old Hardyeans; Michel Hooper-Immins, new President of the Old Hardyeans; Tom Hearing, UK Young Scientist of the Year.

THE LOST LEGION

Bob Rench has done a sterling job of reducing the Lost Legion, it has gone down from almost 120 members to 26 but there are still 26 people out there who are not receiving the Newsletter!

Please take a moment to follow this link where you can make sure you are not one of the lost legionnaires. If you are or if you have changed your e-mail address or you do not yet receive the Newsletter by E-Mail please drop an e-mail to Bob Rench.

MEMBERS WEBSITES

Nigel Newbery has set up a Website at:
www.schoolpanoramas.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
which has a copy of the 1957 Panoramic School Photo, well worth a visit for those who were at Hardyes in that year.

Graham Allen also has a Website at:
 http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/grahamallen/Old%20Hardyeans/index.html
which has a great selection of pictures of life at Hardyes in the Fifties, again well worth a visit.

Carambola Real Estate at:
http://www.ijustlovethisplace.com
Lists properties for sale and rent in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, the twin island Caribbean state