Senior OD Golf vs. the Old Cranleighans

On Thursday 12th May, a beautifully warm and clear day, our Senior OD Golfers under Richard Duck (G, 1964) took on the Old Cranleighan (OC) golfers at the iconic Walton Heath Golf Club. Just the day before, the rain had bucketed down causing our players to readjust their game to the slower greens. This, in any event, was their story, going down to our worthy opposition 2 and a half to a half in a four ball-better ball competition. Lunch afterwards gave the ODs the opportunity to cement their relationships with the OCs and indulge with them in some fine Backsberg Sauvignon Blanc. We look forward to a return match against this most gentlemanly of teams in the not too distant future. Playing for the Senior OD team were Richard Duck, Mike Taylor (G, 1959), Rob White-Cooper (W, 1961), John Wyatt (W, 1961), Bobby Trew (F, 1952) and Peter Arthur (W, 1965).

Click on the pictures to enlarge:

Pre-match coffee: Mike Taylor, Graeme Williams (OC captain), Rob White-Cooper, John Wyatt and Peter Whylie-Harris (OC)

Pre-match-coffee (1): Peter Whylie-Harris (OC), Richard Duck, David Willis (OC) and Mike Taylor
(2) Graeme Williams (OC) and Rob White-Cooper

Changed and ready (1): John Wyatt, Peter Arthur and Bobby Trew

Changed and ready (2): John Wyatt, Richard Duck and Steve Richardson (OC)

The team discussing tactics before the start. Mike Taylor, Rob White-Cooper, Richard Duck, John Wyatt, Bobby Trew, with Peter Arthur eavesdropping

The ODs and OCs still speaking to each other, just before tee-off. l-r: Tony Whitty (OC), Mike Taylor, Graham Williams (OC captain), Rob White-Cooper, Martin Riddiford, Richard Duck (OD captain), Steve Richardson (OC), John Wyatt, Bobby Trew, Peter Whylie-Harris (OC). Inset Peter Arthur (missing: David Willis (OC))

Our boys, up close (clockwise from top left): John Wyatt, Mike Taylor, Peter Arthur, Richard Duck, Rob White-Cooper and Bobby Trew

Discussing the first drive, Martin Riddiford (OC) and John Wyatt

Also discussing the first drive: Bobby Trew, Mike Taylor, David Willis (OC) and Steve Richardson (OC)

Not sure at all about the first drive, Rob White-Cooper and Richard Duck

John Wyatt teeing off

The previous day's rain created some problems for Peter Arthur

This sort of hunt didn't happen very often: Rob White-Cooper and Richard Duck in the rough

John Wyatt and Martin Riddiford (OC)

Mike Taylor and Bobby Trew still ahead

Heading for their second shot

Peter Arthur and John Wyatt

Post-match drinks (1): Graeme Williams (OC), John Wyatt, Peter Arthur and Peter Whylie-Harris (OC)

Post-match drinks (2): Rob White-Coper and Bobby Trew

Lunch (1)

Lunch (2): Martin Riddiford (OC), Peter Arthur, and Graeme Williams (OC)
Lunch (3): John Wyatt, Martin Riddiford (OC), Rob White-Cooper and Tony Tony Whitty (OC)

Our captain, Richard Duck, reflecting on a very successful and enjoyable day

ODs out and about

These are a collection of photographs taken of ODs around the UK which don't appear on the other pages of this blog.

Click on a picture to enlarge

2016

At the Hollywood Arms in Chelsea: Chris Olds (O, 1999), Mike Olds (O, 1970), Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) and Nicholas Olds (O, 2009)

At the Ivy in Covent Garden: Caelim Parkes (O, 1990), Gordon Robinson (F, 1990), James Deane (B, 1990), Haydn Hammond (B, 1990), Craig Tedder (K, 1990) and Glen Jensen

From left: Chris Molteno (G, 2010), Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) Steve Larkin (F, 1990) and Michael Crosland (K, 2011) met for lunch in London. Chris and Michael (both engineers) are interning in Steve's company based in the UK, Africa New Energies 

ODs studying at Oxford. Taking a break from end-of-year exam prep, from left to right: Cosimo Paulucci K, 2010), Matthew Golesworthy (K, 2011), Chris Sharwood (S, 2011), Rowan Nicholls (O, 2010) and Mike Day (F, 2009)

ODs were invited to the annual Haileybury Music concert in London. Attending were, from left: Doug and Jane Everard (Old Haileyburians), Virgil Parenzee (O, 1996), Michael Starke (K, 1996) and Nicky Bicket (F, 1973)

The Old Haileyburians hold an annual get together for OHs in Dubai and for the past two years, have been kind enough to invite local ODs. In the picture above are, from left: Ivone van Doorn, Jane Everard (OH Secretary), Iain McKellar (F, 1998), Dirk van Doorn (W, 1988) and Kurt Reinholz (S, 1984)

2015

Robert Slingsby (F, 1973) opened his London exhibition to critical acclaim at the Royal College of Art in South Kensington. At the exhibition were, from left to right: Robert Slingsby, Peter Arthur (W, 1965), Helen Casey, Nicky Bicket (F, 1973), Jeremy Friedlander (F, 1972) and Gigi Friedlander

The annual Henley Royal Regatta is something of a hot ticket in the English (summer) social calendar. Rob Johnston (G, 2010) rows for The Leander Club, the rowing club in the UK and invited some ODs to the first day of the competition. Seen in the photo are James Johnston (G, 2012), Richard Montgomery (G, 1976), Rob Johnston and Nicky Bicket (F, 1973)

The Rugby World Cup provided the ideal opportunity for  several 1976 ODs to get together for a pub crawl across the UK. Apparently, they did get to a few games. L-R: Paul Robins (G), Dave Steward (O), Trevor Reid (G), Dave Stuart, Mark Westcott (F), Andrew Higgo (O) and Stuart MacSymon (F)

Richard Duck (G, 1965) has started the Senior OD Golf Circuit for all "senior" ODs  keen to play midweek golf both socially and competitively. The first game, almost washed out, included above: Mike Taylor G, 1959), Peter Arthur (W, 1965), Robert Simpson (S, 1968), Bobby Trew (F, 1952), Richard Duck and, seated, John Wyatt (S, 1961).

Simply Blue, Bishops' a capella choir wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Festival. We were very fortunate to be able to host them at a concert in London on their way home. The London audience (over 100 guests) comprised parents of the boys, friends and ODs. The concert took place in the historic Museum of the Order of St John where before and after the superb concert, we were able to meet the boys and the touring party over drinks.

Jeremy Ouvry (F, 1953) wrapped up the Simply Blue Concert with a very pithy and witty thank you.

UCT launched their fundraising in the UK at a function at the House of Lords. Many OD UCT alumni were present: from left: Craig Eriksen (F, 1971), Hugh Corder (S, 1971) and Nicky Bicket (F, 1973)

Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) back left, was the guest speaker at the UK RBHS annual dinner in London

Ian Michler (W, 1977), left and James Gardener (W, 1974) enjoy a drink together after the successful screening of Ian's film Blood Lions which campaigns against the cruelty of canned lion hunting in South Africa. The screening, at the royal Geographical Society, was extremely well-received by a capacity audience.

2014

Since 1976, Bishops have been sending exchange pupils to Haileybury (where Anthony Mallett was a housemaster). On a very cold November day, the Old Haileyburians invited us to their annual meeting at Haileybury where we met up with Seb Prentice, on exchange from Bishops. Between him in the photo is, left, Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) and right, Greg Baldwin (O, 1975).

At the annual Varsity Match (Oxford v Cambridge), Steve Hofmeyr (O, 1973) prepares to lay a wreath to commemorate the three OD Rugby Blues who gave their lives in WW1. Bishops was one of 25 schools who lost Rugby Blues and only one of only two non-British schools. Steve himself was an Oxford Rugby Blue.

This was the first of the local events to get the ODU into the regions other than London. Matthew Golesworthy (K, 2011), Tim Bravington (S, 1951) and Chris Winearls (W, 1967) joined me for lunch on the banks of the River Cherwell.