THE ASHCOMBE DORKINIAN ASSOCIATION
INTERIM
NEWSHEET
Winter Interim Edition
November 1998
Once Again we are producing this Newsheet, or interim edition of
the Newsletter, to bring you up-to‑date with current and proposed
happenings of the ADA, as well as letting you all know this year's Committee Members.
Welcome to the New 6th Form!
This is also by way of an
introduction to the new Upper and Lower 6th Forms of the School to whom it is
also being distributed.
We on the Committee would sincerely
like to forge even stronger links than we have in past years with (hopefully)
future younger members of the Association.
We shall be addressing the 6th Form
during their Assembly on November 23rd, explaining to them the advantages of
the Association, what the Association means to the School and what the School
means to the Association. It is our intention to make the Association more
meaningful to present pupils, in an attempt to ensure its longevity, and to
attract pupils from the Ashcombe School.
The Ashcombe School is now in its
24th year although the same bricks and mortar are still there as they were in
the original Dorking County School in 1931, only added to to accommodate the
additional 800 pupils which it now holds.
Dominic Jewel
Well done, Dominic! We are very
pleased to report that Dominic Jewel, an earlier recipient of our Bursary as
well as our ADA Prize, will be performing at the Dorking Halls on 16th January.
The concert by the London Philharmonic Orchestra will include Dominic as
soloist performing the Sibelius Violin Concerto. Tickets available from the box
office, Tel.: 01306‑881717.
Name Changes
Although the Association now
includes the Ashcombe School in its name the Association's biannual Newsletter,
'The Dorkinian' still retains its
original name, as is so often the case, to reflect its roots, its traditions,
and its past history. However, it is not cast in stone, and if anyone has any suggestions ... ?
Summary of School Diary Dates
School Production: Oh What a Lovely
War! : 10th, 11th, 13th
& 14th Nov. '98
Christmas Service (St. Paul's Church) : Wed. 9th Dec. '98 (7.30pm)
Autumn Term Ends : Fri.
18th Dec. '98
Spring Term Starts : Tues.
5th Jan. '99
Dominic Jewel
Concert: Sat. 16th Jan. 99
Spring Half Term : w/c
Mon. 15th Feb. '99
Spring Term Ends : Thurs.
1st April '99
The Annual Reunion / AGM (1998)
This year, as last, we put the
emphasis on an Annual Reunion rather than the Annual General Meeting of the
Association, although both of course were held on the same day. The AGM was
held in the old School Hall, now called The Study
Centre, followed by a splendid meal at the White Horse Hotel in Dorking.
Mr Norman 'Brute'
Bradshaw, now 93 years young, who was the 2nd Master to be appointed to the
School in 1931 (after the Headmaster, Mr Rivett) and who retired in 1968, was
again able to attend. Other former staff members who also attended were Miss
Rosa Baigent (1937‑80), Miss Dorothy Keenor (1958‑92), Mrs Felicia Taylerson (1965‑90), and Mrs. Jo Taylor (nee Secretan)
(1949‑66) and her husband.
The lunch was held in a semi‑formal
manner, also as last year. In the Chair was the new Chairman of the Association
Mr Mike Dobson. The event is proving so popular that if we get too many people
next year we may have to ask the Hotel for a larger room!
The Loyal Toast was proposed by Mr
John Gent, the outgoing Chairman, now appointed Treasurer. The Toast to the
School was proposed by Mr Robert Miller who gave a short but interesting resume
of the School's history.
Mr Mike Dobson then proposed the
Toast to the Association, welcoming everybody and also the increased
attendance. The Association, he said, was in a steady, stable and not unhealthy
position as regards membership. He emphasised its continuing advantages and
stated that we have found the best way of recruiting new members is by word of
mouth from existing members. In this regard all members could and should
consider themselves ambassadors.
Your Committee For 1998/99
It is pleasing to note that
virtually all of your Committee has agreed to stand again for the coming year,
albeit sometimes wearing different hats.
We Say Goodbye to: ...
Peter Rogers who has done sterling work as Treasurer over the past 3
years during which time we have seen a continuing healthy balance to our finances.
... and 'Hello' to:
Peter Weller who attended the School from 1943 to
'48. After a period in Africa where he forged a career in
agriculture and forestry, Peter returned to this country to take up a position
in insurance. Welcome aboard, Peter!
Strawberry Tea
Last June
(1998) we were unable to hold the Strawberry Tea owing to lack of support. Hopefully it
can be put back as a fixture on our calendar.
Next year we propose holding it
again if we have sufficient numbers. Dates are flexible, so for those
interested please complete the form below and return as soon as possible to
enable us to finalise a suitable date
Careers Database
We are still adding to our Careers
Database to enable advice and information on particular careers (not
employment!) to be available to students at the School's Careers Evenings.
Anyone interested in helping please contact us.
Association Ties and Badges
There are still a few Ties and
Badges of the Dorkinian Association available. For those interested the price
is still £5.00 each, contact the Treasurer, John Gent.
Colour montage photos of the
original Old Chemistry Laboratory (sadly no longer with us, having been
'refurbished and upgraded') are still available. Price £2.00 for the A4 size
and £4.00 for the A3.
JPG
Committee 1998 ‑ 99
Chairman Mike D
Dobson, Trescott, Church End, Ravensden,
Bedford, MK44 2RP (Tel./Fax: 01234 ‑ 771 685)
Treasurer : John P Gent, 19 Chesters,
Horley, RH6 8BP (Tel./Fax:
01293 ‑ 821411)
Secretary : Lionel Rose,
68 The Ridgeway, Stanmore, Middx. HA7 4BD (Tel.: 0181 ‑954‑4321
Membership Secretary Rev. Rosemary Dale, 5 Water Lane, Wirksworth, Matlock, Derbs., DE4
4DZ (Tel.: 01629 ‑ 824 169)
Newsletter Editor: David H Mountain, 65 Broadhurst, Ashtead,
KT21 1QD (Tel : 01372 ‑
273 227)
Committee: Anthony Lockwood, Maureen Meier, Robert
Miller, Sheila Sandford, Peter Weller
Subscriptions for the current year commencing 1st September
fall due on that date, although if you are paying by Standing Order or Direct
Debit your Bank Account will not be debited until 1st December. If you have not
yet paid this year's subscription, please could you complete the form below,
detach, and return to Membership Secretary as soon as possible. For those of
you who want to pay by Direct Debit or Standing Order, the appropriate form was
included with the Autumn Newsletter. (Don't forget your membership number).
Please also enclose any unpaid Subscriptions.
Use this Form
also if you wish to attend the Strawberry Tea in June.
Please Renew
my Membership to the Ashcombe Dorkinian Association for the current year
commencing 1st September. I enclose
Cheque made out to the Ashcombe Dorkinian Association
: £5.00 (Single); £8.00 (Joint), £2.00 (Students), (School Leavers
Free).
Name
.
Address
.
Post Code: ............................ Tel. No.:
.
Date:
Member Number (if known):
..
Please tick if wishing to attend
Strawberry Tea: .............
Date(s) Preferred :
..
Date(s)
Unavailable. : .....................................
Please tick if available for Careers' Database
:
.
Career Field or Expertise : .............................................................