The Hardyeans' Club
TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FRIENDS                                                          

Hardye's School, Dorchester, Dorset
President: Gordon CROCKER
Chairman: A. R. (Bob) RENCH
Hon Secretary: Colin LUCAS (tel. 01305 265446)
Hon Membership Secretary: Peter POWELL, 3 Durngate St., Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 1J P (tel. 01305 264420)
Hon. Treasurer: Lt. Cdr. Ken PEARCE (RN retd.)

Newsletter

Spring 2001 : Issue 84       *Published January, May and September
*copy deadline for Issue 85: 15th. August  2001                                 

Editor: Peter FOSTER.
Editorial Address: Holmecroft, 12, South Court Ave., Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 2BX (tel 01305 262121)
Design, Typing and Preparation: Heather FOSTER.

*Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor

A REMINDER THAT WIVES & PARTNERS ARE MOST WELCOME AT SOCIAL EVENTS!

MONTHLY LUNCHEONS: Last Thursday of the month, except December, 12.30pm for 1pm at the Conservative Club, South Walks, Dorchester. It helps if you let Peter LEWENDON know if you intend to come; he can be contacted at Higher Folly Farm Cottage, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8PN (Tel 01460 73927) NB April and October luncheons feature a Gourmet Menu at £15 per head. ALWAYS EXCELLENT VALUE !!

CRICKET MATCH at the School, 4th July 2001, 2.00pm. Please contact Peter LEWENDEN.

LONDON DINNER at University College, Tuesday 6th November 2001, 7.00pm for 7.30pm, contact Hugh GRIFFITHS see Booking Form at end of this issue.

2002 ANNUAL DINNER and AGMs for both Club and Charitable Association: Saturday 16th March 2002 [Please see Minutes of the 2000 AGM later in this issue].

Michel HOOPER‑IMMINS (1958-65) to 2, Waverley Court, Radipole, Weymouth, DT3 5EE (Tel: 01305-779705) [in December 2000] Welcome back to Weymouth and Dorset after a long period in Leicester.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Brigadier Christopher STEIRN (1964-71), who has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List. Thanks to Peter LEWENDON for advising of same.

FROM THE SECRETARY, COLIN LUCAS
Report on the Annual Dinner and AGM 2000

The Annual Dinner followed the AGM of the Hardyeans Club Charitable Association and the Club AGM. The Toastmaster for the evening was Yours Truly. Guests included the Headteacher Dr lain Melvin and Mrs Jan Melvin, 2 Deputy Headteachers, Tony Moore and Mrs J Moore, Mrs J Taylor, and 12 Sixth Form representatives.

The Guest Speaker was Mr Peter Barrett. The three-course menu was interspersed with the taking of wine by our President with the representatives of former students from Franciscans to Melvinians. The Toastmaster took the opportunity to introduce a new assortment of collective nouns which could now be brought into common usage !!!

Our Speaker, Peter, brought us up-to-date with his very interesting career both as a teacher and local politician/personality/celebrity. Having been Mayor then Sheriff of Lichfield, this was very well presented. Well done, Peter, and thank you for being our special guest on this occasion.

The President gave a report on the health of the Club which was in very good fettle. He thanked the Officers and members for their continued interest and particularly the Officers for carrying out their respective duties. He also took the opportunity to thank the members of the Club for the support given to The Charitable Association and in particular thanked John Stephenson for the effort he had made to bring about such a good response. More events were being planned to give the Charitable Trust Fund further boosts.

The Headteacher, Dr Melvin, in proposing the Toast to The Club also thanked the Club and John Stephenson for the implementation of the Charitable Trust and supporting the School, and he assured members that we had students passing through the School who would achieve Oxbridge places and many more who would make significant contributions to both the Community, Commerce and Industry.

Attendance was a little down on the previous year but did not affect the pleasure enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough to attend

As at 31st December 2000, the Charitable Association had received generous donations from Club members valued at just over £14,000. Three months later, the Trust's funds stand at £19,000, thanks to more generous donations from members and the unanimous decision of The Club at the AGM last month to transfer a substantial part of its reserves to the Trust for the benefit of today's students at our School. This is a wonderful response six months after the launch of the appeal ‑ Thank you very much indeed. Although the initial target of £20,000 has not been reached yet, the Trustees have decided to make at least one grant of about £500 before the next academic year. On the advice of the Headteacher, this will be made in the form of a Scholarship or grant to a student needing financial assistance in order to embark on his/her higher education at university. From 2002 onwards, when the Trust has assets of over £20,000, it is intended to make grants of at least £1000 each year. We shall keep you informed. Finally I would draw your attention to a separate notice in the Newsletter [see below] regarding the importance of remembering the very real needs of some of our School's students when making (or re-writing) a Will. A bequest to the Trust is an excellent way of saving Inheritance Tax whilst providing much needed financial assistance for the education of some disadvantaged students deserving university education or for educational visits whilst still at our School

John Stephenson, Chairman.

Since the publication of the last Newsletter No 83 in January, 2001, the following members have made donations to the Charity:-

R.D.AMES, T. BLAGROVE, G.L.C.BROWNE, P.CHAPLIN, C.G.CROCKER, S.J.CUTLER, A.J.DEAN, KGRIFFITHS, A.R.HAWKES, P.R.HARRIS, R.W.HATCHER, M.C.HYDE, H.C.KEEPING, B.MATTHEWS, R.B.MEYERS, R.J.PARKER, G.PAXMAN, K.N.PEARCE, C.N.PEARSON, H.REDWOOD, R.B.SHUTLER, J.A.STEPHENSON, H.E.TOWNSEND, J.A.TURNER, K.M.VLASTO, G.H.WHITE, D.R.D.WILLIS, R.K.WOOD, K.E.WOODWARD

This list is always open -  It's never too late to donate!

The subject of writing one's Will is always a delicate one, but if you are contemplating making a Will (or revising your present one) the following information could be of interest to you. At present, the first £234,000 of any estate is free of Inheritance Tax. Anything you leave above this amount is subject to tax at the rate of 40 pence in the pound. The combined value of a house, its contents, personal savings and other investments means that many of us have possessions exceeding the tax threshold. A gift to the Charitable Association, because it is a charity (registered No. 1082237) is completely free of Inheritance Tax. If your estate is worth £244,000 and you leave £10,000 to the Charitable Association, no tax is payable. If you leave £10,000 instead to a friend or non‑charitable association, tax of £4,000 would be payable. Married benefactors who wish to benefit the Charitable Association after their own and their spouse's deaths can leave their estate to their spouse for life, and thereafter to the Charitable Association. No Inheritance Tax will be payable on either death in such circumstances. If you choose to leave the Charitable Association a specific sum of money, a suitable form of wording in your Will would be:-

"I bequeath to the Hardyeans Club Charitable Association of the Thomas Hardye School, Queens Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2ET, Registered No. 1082237, the sum of £ ....................... for the general purposes of the said Association."

While this information is believed to be correct in every detail on 9th April 2001, it is recommended that professional advice should be taken when preparing your Will

The Secretary has received a further contribution concerning the sporting career of Dorchester Girl, Emma MITCHELL, (copy of a press report sent in by Mrs S M Mitchell)

Dorchester born and educated Emma Mitchell returns to the international rugby field after a long absence through injury. She was selected to the bench for England's Six Nations game against France on 8th April and played scrum half for the latter part of the game, England scoring their highest ever points against France - 50-6. She recently returned from playing in the Hong Kong Sevens when England took 3rd place to New Zealand's 1st and the USA 2nd. Emma now joins the squad to play in the European Championships in France early next month and on 19th May will be a member of the 28-strong squad to tour Australia and New Zealand when England will play 4 Test Matches. This will be a build up to the 4th World Cup which takes place in Barcelona in 2002 - Emma having played in all three previous World Cups.

Both Emma and her sister Jane were educated at Castlefield School, Dorchester before graduating from Loughborough University. Emma has over 50 international caps to her credit and Jane won 21 before deciding to settle in America seven years ago, where she has since won 7 caps playing Rugby Sevens for the USA.

Grahame WHITE (1963) writes from 6, The Ryde, Laleham, Staines, Middlesex TW18 2SL ......I am grateful in many ways for the fact that I attended Hardye's School. Firsly the fact that the Headmaster, A N HAMILTON, persuaded me to remain in the Sixth Form when the work for 'A' Levels suddenly seemed to get so much more difficult than it had been for 'O' Levels (I eventually passed 3 'A' Levels ‑ possibly Hardye's first 'A' Level Botany student). Secondly to the late 'JO' ROBERTS, who, in addition to instilling sufficient knowledge of Greek to get me an 'O' Level, allowed me to join the RAF Section of the CCF, which I enjoyed on Tuesday afternoons, plus Field Days and Annual Camps, for 4 years. The experiences gained may well have helped me to obtain an  Air Traffic Control Officer Cadetship in 1965 (I initially joined HM Customs and Excise on leaving the Upper Sixth in 1963) and I have worked in Air Traffic Control since 1965. I am now edging towards retirement - although as one may see from the national press there is no let up in the workload for anyone until they actually leave. However I have enjoyed most of those 36 years, which is a good thing to be able to say. My days at Hardye's seem a long time ago. Nevertheless, rarely does a day go by when, at some point or other, I don't think about some aspect of my time at school; when I go to meetings in Brussels I remember (and thank) Bertie CRUSE for the start he gave to my French (still not fluent, but it gets me by). When I watch the '6 Nations' rugby I think of Peter LEWENDON, Dai JOHN and muddy winter afternoons on the playing fields. The only sporting trophy I ever won was the RAF Section Douglas Matheson Shooting Cup (my friends said the only reason I was so good at shooting was that I could do it lying down!). I consider myself fortunate to have been taught chemistry by Ken BARRASS. It was my favourite subject, so I was keen, but I can still remember the patience he showed to those who were more aligned to Modem Studies than science when they were having difficulties. It was a superb example of teaching at its best. Coupled with the fact that he had, I believe, a Double First (from Cambridge if I remember correctly), a DFC complimenting his Army Air Corps wings and I think - service with the SAS, he really was one of the best examples a young person could have as a teacher. I know he went back to the north of England to head a college department some while after I left school, but I heard no more of him after that. The Hardyeans' Newsletter is always read with great interest. Perhaps when I retire I shall have a chance to come to some of the functions. I hope I haven't bored you with my reminiscences, and I'm sorry my donation [to the Charitable Association] is no larger. Two children getting married in two years has dented the coffers - hopefully only temporarily!

David WILLIS (1944-52) writes from Isle Bank, Church Street, Donyatt, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 ORJ (tel 01460 53297) …….Anyway I think the Charitable Association sounds an excellent idea and the fact that nearly half the 47 donors you list are contemporaries of mine encourages me to join in. It is good to read in the Head's letter of this year's successful entries to Oxbridge ‑ curiously about the same number as were resident there when we set up an Oxford & Cambridge combined Old Boys Club in the 50's. I believe we called it "The Honourable Company of Mite Nappers", a name that makes me cringe now! 

[Thanks to both the above for their kind donations to the Association]

Following the request for updates from the members published in issue 82 of the Newsletter another member has been kind enough to forward more details, as follows:-

Revd Canon Peter BUGG (1945-52) Tel/Fax: 01844 238204; E‑Mail : bugg.home@care4free.net

Peter writes with apologies for the AGM and Annual Dinner, and sends greetings to Peter LEWENDON. He does not play rugby now but still runs two or three times a week and does two days a week conservation work. He is also privileged to take services each Sunday in parishes round about. He congratulates the School on the GCE results. (Glad you enjoy reading the Newsletters, Peter, and are able to receive further editions via E-mail - Ed.)

[Thanks for responding to the Membership Update form. The method by which you would prefer to receive the Newsletter has been noted by the Secretary. The Update form will be repeated at intervals in future editions of the Newsletter.]         

A REMINDER there may be many more club members who have Internet connections and could receive the newsletter by e-mail. If you know of anyone please pass the word and ask them to let Colin Lucas know by e-mail at: secretary@hardyeansclub.com.

AGM MINUTES

THE HARDYEANS' CLUB

THE DORCHESTER THOMAS HARDYE SCHOOL
QUEEN'S AVENUE
DORCHESTER
DTI 2ET

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Hardyeans' Club held on Saturday, 17 March 2001 at 6.15 pm at the Hardy Hall, Dorchester.

There were approximately 20 members present.

1. The President, Gordon Crocker, welcomed members to the meeting and asked everyone to stand in remembrance of Les Frisby who had died the previous week. The President paid tribute to Les who had been an Old Hardyean and a long-serving Governor of the School.
   
   

2. Apologies for absence were received from John Pearson, Peter and Heather Foster, Leigh Meyers, David Lacey, R Taunton-Rigby and Jack Westlake.
   
   

3. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 18 March 2000 (Subject to an amendment changing all references to Donald Culver (who was not at the meeting) to David Culver). The minutes were agreed and signed by Gordon Crocker.
   
   

4. Matters Arising - None.
   
   

5. President's Remarks

   The President thanked the Past President, John Stephenson, for his work on the Trust. He will be seeing the Head Teacher about a proposed concert to raise money for the Trust in 2002, either in or around the School. The first committee meeting is to be set up with the Head Boy, Head Girl, Head of Music and Mrs. Margaret Powell (who has professional experience of this type of event). He also thanked Colin Lucas as secretary of the Club, Peter Foster as editor of the Newsletter and Felicity Murray for taking the minutes at meetings.
   
   

6. Chairman's Report

   The Chairman, Bob Rench, said that the highlight of the year has been the setting up of the. Charitable Trust, due to John Stephenson. We have already received over £16,000 of the £20,000 goal, which means it should soon be possible to start making grants.

   The Oak Screen has now been put up in the School, above the stage. The Presidents' Board is also in place and the two badges (new and old) and other artifacts are in the School.

   The last Leavers' Day produced ninety new members and it is hoped this trend continues. Since then a few have renewed their membership, with the possibility of more coming forward. This year sixteen-year-olds will also be targeted. 

   Over ninety members now receive their Newsletters electronically, which helps on postage, especially overseas. A cricket match has been arranged this year for 4 July, but no hockey. Last year's cricket match was abandoned due to rain.

   The Chairman thanked all members of the Council, especially Colin Lucas, John Stephenson, Gordon Crocker and Peter Lewendon, and also his wife for organising the raffle for tonight.
   
   

7. Treasurer's Report

   A copy of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000 was handed to everyone present and the Treasurer went through them. The excess of expenditure over income is largely due to the high cost of postage. This year the Club has had an anonymous donation of £200 and we have £4,000 of Treasury Stock which produced £250 interest. Since the end of the accounting period we have had a £50 win from the Premium Bonds. The President verified the bank balance.

   The adoption of the accounts was proposed by Cohn Lucas, seconded by John Stephenson and carried unanimously.

   Following a query regarding the actual value of the £4,000 Treasury Stock, it was proposed that the Club retains £2,000 and donates the rest of the Stock (possibly more than £3,000) to the Charitable Trust.

   This was proposed by David Culver, seconded by Cohn Lucas and carried.
   
   

8. Election of Officers

   Chairman:                                             Bob Rench

   Proposed by Colin Lucas, seconded by Alf Barrett and carried unanimously.

   Hon Secretary:                                     Colin Lucas

   Proposed by Norman Baker, seconded by Peter Powell and carried unanimously.

   Hon Membership Secretary:                  Peter Powell

   Proposed by Colin Lucas, seconded by Bob Rench and carried unanimously.

   Hon Treasurer:                                     Ken Pearce

   Proposed by Ron Meyers, seconded by John Stephenson and carried unanimously, together with a vote of thanks.

   Council members:                              

   Jack Westlake
   Clinton Grassby
   John Pearson
   Peter Lewendon
   Alf Barrett
   + two students from the School

   The above were proposed by Colin Lucas, seconded by Nigel Digby and carried unanimously.

   Colin Lucas said that the Council members have met regularly and helped fold the Newsletters ready for distribution.
   
   

9. Charitable Trust

   John Stephenson gave a brief update on the Trust. Due to the proposal at item 6 above, the Trust should now have over £19,000, and he thanked everyone for their generosity. The Trustees will be holding their next meeting in May when they hope to look at the possibility of making the first grant(s).
   
   

10. Membership

    Colin Lucas reported that this year, as well as attending the Sixth Form Leavers' Day (last year ninety-one new members were recruited), members of the Council are hoping to meet those who leave at sixteen to encourage them to join the Club.
    
    
11. Any Other Business

    Gordon Crocker has been in touch with Judge Roger Smith, in Alberta, to ask him to be the speaker at a future annual dinner. Unfortunately, March is a bad time for him, but when he visits the UK, possibly in 2002 or 2003, he hopes to attend a monthly lunch. A speaker is still needed for next year's Annual Dinner.

    Colin Lucas emphasised the advantages of members receiving Newsletters by e-mail. Now over one hundred members are on‑line. He had recently received an e-mail from R Taunton‑Rigby in Boston who hopes to meet Peter Lewendon when he visits Dorchester in April. Also he has been able to put two Hardyeans in touch, one in Chicago and one in Mauritius.

    Gordon Crocker thought the AGM is a good time to exchange views and make comments.

    After a request by a member present, Peter Powell agreed to produce a list of members by years. Although it would be expensive to send this to all members (747) it was agreed that, if not too many members requested it, the cost would not be too much.

    Norman Baker was pleased that quite a few school-leavers were joining the Club, but he was told that none were here tonight. Although some recent leavers had joined after their free year, most members join after a lapse of ten years or so.

    There being no further business, the President thanked everyone for attending and the meeting closed at 7.00 pm.

    * Editors Comment: Re Newsletter - Don't forget Heather - she does the lion's share ! - PF

Hugh GRIFFITHS has made arrangements for the London Dinner on 6th November 2001 to be held at:

University College London
Gower Street
London
WC1 E 6BT

Time :                             7.OOpm for 7.30pm
Dress :                            Lounge Suits
Tickets :                          £30.00 per head, including wine

Transport from Dorchester can be arranged. Please contact Colin LUCAS in good time. Telephone : (Home) 01305 265446. If writing to Colin, the address is 4, Fir Tree Close, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2PY

Hugh organises an excellent event and we hope it will grow, PLEASE REMEMBER that ladies are MORE THAN WELCOME TO ATTEND.

LONDON DINNER BOOKING FORM

To:       Prof. H. Griffiths
            5a Fellows Road
            Hampstead
            London
            NW3 3LR
            Telephone: (Home)      020 7483 0667
                             (Office)      020 7679 7310

Please send ………………ticket(s) for the Hardyeans' London Dinner on 6th November 2001, for which I enclose £ ……….. by cheque, payable to H. D. Griffiths (£30.00 per head)

Please help Hugh by sending a stamped, addressed envelope.