Page 86 - Bloxhamist 2017-2018

THE OLD BLOXHAMISTS

oLd bLoxHamist

news

In May, a group of Old Bloxhamists Sarah Callcott (SH/Cr 86-88) writes
travelled to Buckingham Palace with news that she has celebrated over
Gardens to be presented with their 25 years of marriage with Max and they
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Our have three sons.
congratulations go to Oliver Brown
(Wn 12-17), Hannah Caudwell (Wf 10- Aaron Chin (Eg 80-82) wrote to us with
17), Ben Cook (Wn 10-17), Samantha news that he is married to Carol and
Hawkins (Wf 12-17), Toby Steele (Wn they have a son, Ryan, and a daughter,
12-17) and Arthur Urquhart (Sy 10-17). Ashlyn.

During the Lent Term, we were delighted Francis de Marneffe (Wf 40-41) has
to welcome back several OBs who gave been awarded the L’ordre national de
inspiring talks on their journey after OB Isaac Spring with Paul Sanderson la Légion d’honneur by the President
Bloxham. Thank you to Isaac Spring (Eg of France. At a formal ceremony in
03-10), Max Langer (Eg 10-16), Ellie Westwood, Massachusetts on 11th June
White (Ry 03-10), Matthew Wheelock 2018, he received the prestigious medal,
(Eg 85-89), Clare Brodey (Wf 02-09) and the highest decoration given by the
Jordan Cook (Wn 08-15). French government, from the Consul
General of France, Valéry Freland.
It’s always great to hear of OB reunions Instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte
and in June, Charlie Phillips (Wf 84-88) in May 1802, the Legion of Honour
rallied a large group of OBs to meet up recognises services rendered to France
in Hammersmith for a get together 30 by persons of exceptional merit.
years after leaving school. 30 year reunion in London Asked by Dr. de Marneffe why he had
been chosen to receive the Legion of
Ed Allsopp (Eg 03-05) has been training Honour, M. Freland responded: “My
for the Austria Ironman Championships. answer was evident. Because of you.
He has completed over 330 hours Because you are a man of honour. Your
of swimming, cycling and running honourable and courageous story never
training, which included running the stops touching us and reflects all the
London Marathon (time 3hrs 24mins). qualities of a man of honour and courage.
He is fundraising for BLESMA, a charity In fact, you have always displayed
which supports limbless veterans by these qualities throughout your life,
providing rehabilitative activities, especially with your prestigious medical
support and financial aid for the career as a psychiatrist, reflecting your
duration of their lives. humanist values.” Dr. de Marneffe has
OB Ed Allsopp also been instrumental in raising funds
Aref Al-Aref (Ry 72-74) writes with for the restoration of several American
news: “As far as I can remember I was monuments with French connections
one of two first Jordanian nationals as well as chateaux and monuments in
ever at Bloxham. We lived at Raymond France. Aged 16, Francis de Marneffe
House, when Frank Willy was the house said goodbye to his parents five days
master. After Bloxham I went to the after the Nazis invaded his homeland,
University of Surrey where I got my Belgium. He fled Brussels on a bicycle,
Electrical Engineering degree and from got out of Bordeaux on the last ship
there I moved to Cardiff where I worked before the French surrendered, and
on a Post Grad Diploma in Electronics ended up in Bloxham before joining the
at UWIST. Back to Jordan, I worked for RAF for the last two years of the war. He
a couple of years at the Civil Aviation was part of a winning coxless four at the
Directorate and then moved to Kuwait. Above is Richard Barnden (Eg 77-81) Henley Regatta in 1946 and returned 70
I worked there for six years before I with his son, current student Harri years later to row at Henley once more,
returned to Jordan and started my own and students from Stonehill. He has at the age of 92. He studied medicine
business. I am now CEO, United generously sponsored the first Stonehill at King’s College, London and enjoyed
Lighting Systems, Unilight.” House rugby shirt. a distinguished career in the United
States, serving as Director of McLean
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