Issue
No.1 Autumn 1992
"THE
DORKINIAN” 
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CONTENTS
Dear 'Dorkinians'
Greetings to
all of our old School friends. You will be pleased to hear that
the Association representing ex‑pupils and staff from all of the Schools
that have occupied the Ashcombe Road sites has now been formed.
We were pleased to meet those of you
who attended the open meeting and it was good to hear from those of you who
were unable to come. We met on the new mezzanine floor which has now been built
in the old school hall. The present headteacher, Arthur Webster, attended the
meeting and offered his encouragement and support to the Committee.
After discussion, the draft
constitution was approved with amendments to paragraph 8 & 9, putting
twenty‑one days in place of fourteen days.
I was delighted to be elected as the
first Chairman of the Dorkinian Association which we hope will bring together
many old friends from the first years of the school up to the present. Officers and Committee were elected and
"potted histories" are offered for information ‑ their years at
school span most of our sixty years' history.
With best wishes,
David Mountain
(0372) 273227
A Note from your Membership
Secretary
It is hoped that as the membership of this new organisation
increases we will be able to assist
in 'local reunions' by enabling you to contact 'lost friends' where possible.
It is hoped to complete a 'roll' of names, which, with the permission of the member, we can make available to personal
requests.
Yours,
Chris Tottman
(0306)
885253
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscription is £5 for a single member or £8 for a
joint subscription at one address. For school leavers, their first year's subscription is £2 and it will remain
at this rate whilst students are in full time education.
A spare copy of the subscription form is enclosed. Please pass
it on to one of your old school friends and feel free to photocopy it. Please
inform us if we have an incorrect address or if you have recently moved to a
new pasture. Our own records are out of the 'ark’!
Hilda Burden (Dudley) (Secretary : 0737 842516)
DCGS 1949‑53,
has 2 sons, David and Adrian, who were educated at DCGS and The Ashcombe
School. A Governor for the past 17 years, first of DCGS and Mowbray School as
the parents’ representative ‑and then as a County Council Appointee of
The Ashcombe School. Chairman of Governors for last 7 years.
Harold "Harry" Child
DCGS 1945‑50. Living locally for most of the ensuing years. Served with Royal Engineers in Egypt 1954‑56. A Quantity Surveyor with both professional practices and building
contractors. Currently self‑employed consultant
to sub‑contractors.
Maureen Farley
Taught Music at DCGS from 1974
became Head of Department in 1978. Left The Ashcombe
School in 1983 to do an M.A. in Music Education at The University of London.
She gave up teaching in 1991 but continues
singing and playing music. A lot of time is now taken up with travelling and
enjoying life.
Colin Grundy (Staff Representative)
Remembered
as that keen Biology teacher and hero of the fieldwork week. Has taught at the Grammar School from 1963 becoming Head of Science
at The Ashcombe School.
David Mountain (Chairman)
DCGS 1943‑57. Still remembered by all as a friendly prefect and enthusiastic
sportsman. Went up to Oxford before national service
with the 'Gunners'. Later became an insurance actuary/underwriter. In
1960 joined Friends Provident, Dorking. Married Valerie in 1963 and has four
daughters (Great!).
Julie Renton
Left the Ashcombe in September 1992
and is studying Hotel Management and Catering at Leeds University.
Libby Stone (Carpenter)
DCGS, 1943‑48,
Old Dorkinian Association Committee Member. Talented hockey player. Still very close to school, living
and teaching locally. 2 sons, Matthew and Nicholas, both old
boys of DCGS.
Christopher Tottman (Membership
Secretary)
Joined the Grammar School in 1972 in class 1B with
Mr Ainge as form tutor. Remained at the School through the reorganisation to The
Ashcombe School and achieved fame as the Sergeant of Police in the
first Ashcombe G + S production (1989). Has remained in
contact with the School by virtue of a Dorking address.
Cliff Weight
Following a sound, but rather
unremarkable school career (Cliff’s own words) in the late 40's, my connection
waned upon leaving. However, having hived in the locality all my life, I still
have contact with some ex‑pupils and staff. This fact, together with my
involvement with the Dorking Museum, resulted in my "being
volunteered" to organise the display at the recent reunion. This
culminated in assistance in the formation of the new Association.
Pupils' Representative
Two members of the present Sixth Form will be joining us on
the Committee.
REUNION WEEKEND
The reunion celebrating the 60th
Anniversary of the School's foundation held in April 1992 was a
great success. Some 1500 past students from the schools which spawned the
present Ashcombe School met together over three days,.
An exhibition of photographs and memorabilia was mounted in the Resources
Centre (the Old Hall). In "decade" rooms, displaying more photographs
and year lists, serious reminiscing got underway. The present Headteacher,
Arthur Webster, welcomed his predecessors together with several retired members
of staff, and a presentation was made to Rosa Baigent
who masterminded the administration for the event ‑ a formidable task.
Visitors came from as far as Brazil, Australia and South Africa and many
friendships have been revived ‑ surely the true measure of a successful
reunion.
CURRENT SCHOOL EVENTS
It has been suggested that members
may wish to attend events where they can meet each other over
coffee. It is hoped that these, and other School
events will become regular dates for your diary.
Forthcoming Events:
Carol Service: Still in St. Martin's Church on Thursday 17th December
at 7.30 p.m. Coffee will be served afterwards in the Church hall. This is a
great opportunity to meet present staff and pupils as we'll as old friends.
OPEN AFTERNOON AT SCHOOL
The Headteacher, Arthur Webster, has
suggested that members may enjoy visiting the School while it is at work. It is
hoped to arrange an 'open afternoon' early next year if members are interested.
Your comments on this and other matters are welcome.
FUTURE REUNIONS
We hope to arrange reunions which will target specific year
groups to offer you the opportunity of meeting up with old school friends
again. Your comments please! Plus any ideas for events you would like to see
the association co‑ordinate.
FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
It is hoped that we will produce two a year, but your own
contributions are needed to make them interesting – births, marriages and
deaths and any other interesting information you wish to share. Notices of any reunions, large or small and wherever the location.
Reminiscences maybe these excerpts from the Headmaster's reports to Governors will jog your
memories.
OLD SCHOOL MEMORIES
July 1947 The School Scout Troop
played a prominent part in the Surrey Rally
which was held at Ranmore during Whitsun weekend and the
troop, under
Mr
Bradshaw, will spend a fortnight in the New Forest in camp during the
first half of August.
November
1947 The School Dramatic
Society has begun rehearsals for the annual play
which is to be Shaw's 'Arms and the Man', to be performed at
the end of
February.
The
School Choir and the old Dorkinian Choir will combine in a
performance of Mendelssohn's 'Elijah' to be given at the end
of March,
with the well‑known baritone, Mr. Robert Irwin,
singing the title role.
June 1949 During
the next week we shall be sending teams, to compete in the
Dorking and
District Schools' Athletic Sports and in the Surrey Grammar
School Sports at Imber Court.
February
1950 A number of School
visits have taken place: Miss Moore has taken a
party to the theatre to see Moliere's 'L'Avare';
Miss, Rigby has taken a
large party to the Exhibition of French Landscapes; Mr Rowlatt and Mr.
Hayter have taken a party of senior boys to the Gas Works
at Fulham; and
Mr. Howard
has taken members of the Stamp Club to Faraday House.
October 1955 Five
pupils, four girls and a boy, spent three weeks in Hamburg as part of
an exchange arranged with a German School.
February
1957 The House Plays
Competition, a very popular feature of this term's
programme, will take place on Monday 2nd April.
And from the Dorking Grammar School
Magazine 1969/70 –
On the school notice board: "Will
anybody who wishes to enter the pram race, please contact Mr. Pentecost as soon as
possible!"
The 'Hush‑In' last term raised
£180 ‑ useful practice for some members of the school.
Overheard:
Doc. Morgan to sixth form, "Let's warm up with Dies Irae!"
Mr. Spiring has shaved
his beard off. You might have noticed .......
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