Past Presidents of The Society
| 1899-1908 | The Rev. Canon William Quennell, M.A. (Circa 1849-56) (Second Master 1862-7) (Headmaster 1870-80) (Chmn. Of Govs 1892-1907) | |
| 1909 | D.J.C. Quennell (1848-53) | |
| 1910 | Sir Henry Austin Lee, K.C.M.G. (1860-61) | |
| 1911 | The Rev. Prebendary Robert Linklater, D.D. (1852-3) | |
| 1912-1913 | Sir John Jervis-White-Jervis, Bart. (1871-4) | |
| 1914 | Surgeon Gen. Sir A.M. Branfoot, K.C.I.E. (1858-9) | |
| 1921 | R.T.D. Stoneham, C.B.E., D.L., (Chmn of Govs 1955-62), (1895-1900) | |
| 1922-1923 | Graham Wallis, J.P. (1894-1900) | |
| 1924 | Herbert Jervis-White-Jervis, J.P. (1871-3) | |
| 1925 | Col. Sir Neville Chamberlain, K.C.B., K.C.V.O. (1871-3) | |
| 1926 | James F. Hough, O.B.E., M.A. (Headmaster 1914-45) | |
| 1927 | Lieut.-Col. P.T. Westmorland, C.M.G.,D.S.O., (1873-77) | |
| 1928 | Graham Wallis, J.P. (1894-1900) | |
| 1929-1931 | Capt. F. Parmenter (1908-15) | |
| 1932 | Lieut.-Col. W.P. Drury, C.B.E. (1871-2) | |
| 1933 | Orlando Wagner, M.A. (1885-6) | |
| 1934 | C.W. Wright (1884-7) | |
| 1935 | The Rev. W.J. Ferrar, M.A. (1876-83) | |
| 1936-1937 | The Rev. E. Hugh Wright, M.A. (1884-91) | |
| 1938-1939 | H.M. Gowar (1883-87) | |
| 1940-1945 | Ernest L. Heatley (1869-72) | |
| 1946 | Col. G. Ames, O.B.E., M.C., D.L., T.D.(Late R.A.) (1902-6) | |
| 1947 | Capt. (S) C.H. Rae, O.B.E. (R.N.Ret.) (1908-13) | |
| 1948 | L.H. Duniam Jones (1895-7) | |
| 1949 | H.R. Wilkins (1914-19) | |
| 1950 | Col.C.E. Thompson, D.S.O.,M.C. (1893-6) | |
| 1951 | C.S. Dunlop (1912-15) | |
| 1952 | Lewis A. Bayman (1916-23) | |
| 1953 | R.G. Tanner-Smith (1916-25) | |
| 1954 | W.S. Macfarlane (1917-20) | |
| 1955 | Laurence King, F.R.I.B.A. (1916-24) | |
| 1956 | Harold Parrish, LL.B. (1911-17) | |
| 1957 | R.T.D. Stoneham,C.B.E., D.L.,(1895-1900) (Chmn of Govs 1955-62) | |
| 1958 | Guy Edsall (1917-19) | |
| 1959 | C. Ralph Allison, M.A. (Headmaster 1945-65) | |
| 1960 | W.J. Hooton, M.I.CHEM.E.,A.M.I.MECH.E. (1916-23) | |
| 1961 | W.J. Dymott, M.B.E., F.C.A. (1920-23) | |
| 1962 | B.W. Vincent, M.A., J.P. (1919-25) | |
| 1963 | H.V. Higgs, B.A. (Asst. Master 1910, Second Master 1914-57) | |
| 1964 | J.E.C. Bailey, C.B.E. (1916-21) | |
| 1965 | R.H. Clements (1924-30) | |
| 1966 | D.R.T. Greaves (1914-22) | |
| 1967 | N.S.J. Burrell, E.D. (1912-16) | |
| 1968 | A.S. Page (1928-31) | |
| 1969 | S.R. Vincent, M.A., LL.B. (1919-28) | |
| 1970 | A.H. Thurner (1921-25) | |
| 1971 | S.R. Pailthorpe (1917-19) | |
| 1972 | Sir Denis Wright, G.C.M.G. (1921-29) | |
| 1973 | Sir Hubert Ashton, K.B.E.,M.C., M.A., D.L. (Chmn of Govs. 1962-76) | |
| 1974 | R.H. Tubbs (1919-26) | |
| 1975 | A.G. Parker (1928-34) | |
| 1976 | C.H. Maynard (1940-44) | |
| 1977 | J.W. Small (1918-26) | |
| 1978 | K.H. Boon (1941-48) | |
| 1979 | J. Hodgson, B.A. (Master 1934-1974) | |
| 1980 | R.Sale, M.A. (Headmaster 1965-81) | |
| 1981 | John M. Will (1920-30) | |
| 1982 | Peter A. Griffiths (1938-47) | |
| 1983 | Charles E. Pritchard (1925-35) | |
| 1984 | Neil J. Loader (1940-46) | |
| 1985 | Colin J. Finch (1947-1953) (Chmn of Govs.1997-) | |
| 1986 | Michael J. Pepper (1944-49) | |
| 1987 | Reg. C. Vowels (1938-47) | |
| 1988 | John E. Stratford (1946-53) | |
| 1989 | G. John Pluckrose (1936-44) | |
| 1990 | John Barnes (1949-55) | |
| 1991 | John Barber (1944-55) | |
| 1992 | David B. Coull (1944-54) | |
| 1993 | John Evans, M.A. (Headmaster 1981-1993) | |
| 1994 | Brian Davies (1946-54) | |
| 1995 | Malcolm Stephenson (1948-53) | |
| 1996 | Michael King (1949-56) | |
| 1997 | Denis Fisk (1941-50) | |
| 1998 | Michael Bradford (1950-59) | |
| 1999 | Michael Snyder (1961-68) | |
| 2000 | Peter R. Clements (1949-61) | |
| 2001 | Graham Born (1948-1957) | |
| 2002 | John Kelsall (Headmaster) | |
| 2003 | Tony Witney (1954-1961) | |
| 2004 | John Norris (1936-1946) | |
| 2005 | Tim Pailthorpe (1945-1957) | |
| 2006 | Stuart Mathieson (1956-1964) | |
| 2007 | Sir Rodger Bell (1951-1958) | |
| 2008 | Tim Faiers (1956-1967) | |
| 2009 | David Tee (1948-1956) |
Michael King joined Brentwood as a foundation scholar in 1949. After a period of National Service he embarked on a career in banking. He spent six years in branches and then took a number of Head Office appointments, including 7 years in the Economic Intelligence Department – Marketing and Planning. He took early retirement to pursue other interests and has been a keen Rotarian since 1983. He is married to Pat and they have a son, James. He began his involvement with the Old Brentwoods in the Cricket Club as Fixtures and Team Secretary. He was invited to represent the club on the General Committee and later became Secretary and then Editor of the Chronicle.
Denis joined the Prep School in 1941 and left school in 1950 to join Hays Wharf. After National Service in the RAF he returned to civilian life and joined Harris and Dixon Shipbrokers before transferring to broking. He gained entry to the Baltic and spent 20 years at the Anglo Yugoslav Shipping Company and the final 12 years of his career at Killick Martin where he travelled extensively in the Middle East. Denis has been married to Mavis for over 20 years and they have a son, Ian. He also has three children from his previous marriage, Michel, Valerie and Christine. A keen tennis and squash player, he ran the Old Brentwoods Tennis Club for 10 years.
Michael Bradford entered Brentwood in 1950, where he was an enthusiastic participant in most sports. On leaving he chose a career in stock broking and joined Levett Betts before moving to Hall Graham Bradford where he worked with his father. He became Senior Partner and the firm was merged into Greig Middleton & Co. Ltd., where Michael worked as Private Client Director. He married Carole and together they have three children. He was a member of the Old Brentwoods’ General Committee and has also held the post of Deputy Chairman.
Michael Snyder, a skilful fencer, joined Brentwood in 1961 and represented the school frequently. After leaving, he attended college in the City of London and gained his accountancy foundation qualification. Joining the city firm, Kingston Smith, he had a successful career and was appointed Senior Partner and also the Chairman of the firm’s international association, Kingston Smith International. He is involved in numerous city activities including being Hon. Treasurer City Livery Club and a member of the City Pickwick Club.
Peter Clements joined the Prep School in 1949, continuing on to the main school in 1952. Known as an outstanding athlete, he was made Head of Weald and Deputy Head of School. After qualifying as an accountant, he joined Maurice J. Bushell and Co. Chartered Accountants as a partner running the Brentwood office. He played football for the Old Brentwoods for 30 years and was formerly a member of the General Committee and President of the Football Club.
Graham Born left Brentwood School in 1957 with two A-levels. He was articled to his father’s accountants, in Bishopsgate, and joined a West End practice before moving to Maurice J Bushell and Co. where he worked for 35 years rising to the position of Senior Partner. He met his wife Shirley in 1968 and they have two sons, Andrew and Simon, who are also Old Brentwoods. He has held various positions on the Society Committee including, Editor of the Chronicle and Honourable Registrar. He was also Secretary of the Old Brentwoods’ Lodge for 14 years and a Past Master.
Born in Lancaster in 1943, John Kelsall attended the Royal Grammar School Lancaster where he was a keen sportsman. He progressed to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He is married to Dianne and they have two children. After headships at Bournemouth School and Arnold School, Blackpool he became Headmaster of Brentwood School in 1993. Much has happened since then, including the construction of the Pre-Preparatory School and indoor swimming pool and the full integration of girls into the school. These have been achieved through his careful planning and have been aided by support from many of the Old Brentwoods.
He started at Brentwood in 1954 and was able to make full use of the sports facilities playing a number of sports for his house, South Town. Whilst captain of the South cricket team in 1961 he took them through to win the House Cricket Competition, a feat they had not managed for some 30 years. Tony represented South in many sports and received his House Colours for Cricket, Football, Rugby and Tennis. Through his years at Brentwood Tony represented the School at cricket ending with 2 years in the first XI and receiving his 'full colours'. He also played Rugby for the School 1st. VX and football for the School 2nd. XI.
On leaving School Tony took up articles with a local firm of accountants and joined the Society of Old Brentwoods. He played a number of times for the Essex CCC 2nd. XI until 1964 when he was asked to turn professional for the County. Unfortunately injury curtailed his career and he had to return to a 'normal' job. At this point he started working for Procter and Gamble and has continued working in the food manufacturing sector and kept the country fed ever since!!!
Whilst all this was happening Tony was playing cricket, football and squash for the Old Brentwoods' teams. Over the years he was captain of the football 3rd XI and Vets team and is now a vice president of the OB Football Club. He opened the bowling of the OBCC 1st. XI for 27 years and was their Equipment Secretary for some 20 years and captain of the CC for 3 years helping them keep their position in the early years of the Essex League. During this time Tony also played regularly for The Headmaster's XI at the School, under 4 different headmasters, which must be some kind of record!!! He was also instrumental in helping the CC raise funds / grants to pay for the installation of the artificial wicket at the club, where the 3rd XI play and improved the practice net facilities. Tony was elected President of the CC in 1999, at a time when it was suffering from poor support and managed, with help from a few other committee members at the CC, was able to encourage more members to support the teams and was able to pass on a more healthy club to the next President. He is still a member of the CC committee and is one of the longest serving members still taking an interest. Tony has represented the CC on the General Society's committee for many years and is now chairman of the Society Management Committee. He has been married to Diana for over 40 years and has three sons, two of which also played successfully for the School cricket 1st XI and the OBCC.
J.H.M. NORRIS CBE. DL. FRAgS. Hon FCIWEM (1936-1946)
John Norris is first and foremost a farmer and proud to be an Essex farmer at that, with his brother Roger and nephew Scott both Old Brentwoods as well. John s father the late William Hallam Norris founded the family partnership of WH Norris & Sons in 1929 with farms in the Brentwood area; arable farming with bacon pig production for Waitrose. The family farmhouse is the im¬posing Queen Anne Mountnessing Hall, which stands amongst working barns and implement sheds and next to the medieval church of St Giles, where his wife Joy is a churchwarden. Their elder daughter Claire and her family live nearby and his two grand¬sons are both at Brentwood School. Their younger daughter Sarah and her family live in North Scotland.
The writer's working lunch at Mountnessing Hall is confirmation that his success in life is founded on the background of a happy home provided by the love and support of his wife Joy. Married for 49 years, farmer John has been able to involve himself in so many aspects of public life.
John was born 74 years ago and lived his childhood at Little Warley Hall, South of Brentwood. He went to the Prep as a boarder in Roden House (now the Headmaster s house) in 1936. Jimmy Hough and his two sisters Edith and Ethel were very much involved with the Prep boys, although John remembers a very very old lady, Miss Shenton, who was the matron. She could not have been that old because a year later she left Roden to nurse her mother. Life was very spartan for the young prep school boy; freezing cold in the winter and much of life in the common room (Roden's entrance hall), lockers all round and one large table. There was bread and jam for tea at 5.30pm, a story from Edith Hough at bedtime and bed at 6.30pm. Aged 10 years, John progressed to the School House annexe (Barnards) under the direct control of the Headmaster. But a year later, at the end of summer term 1940, John's father withdrew him from school be¬cause of the bombing in the Brentwood area.
The Blitz on London in the autumn of 1940 made Little Warley Hall into Bomb Alley. The Luftwaffe unloaded many bombs on the land around their farm in Little Warley during that year. In January 1941, John returned to Brentwood and was directed by Jimmy Hough to report to Upper One whose form master was none other than the second master Victor Higgs, known to us all as Hector. When Hector told an eleven year old, "You're not in my class go to Lower One", you were supposed to jump; no one ever stood their ground with Hector. John did and survived which gave him respect and stature for quite some time. He thoroughly enjoyed his school days, especially remembering Jim Rennie who encouraged him to read for a penny a week and after 30 weeks he had saved enough to buy a book. When Jim Rennie returned after war service, John had progressed to the Lower Sixth and was taught by Rennie, more as an equal, Econom¬ics and History. John left Brentwood School in 1946 and continued his education at the London Regent Street Polytechnic for a year, before he returned to begin his life as a farmer.
Public life and leadership began with the Young Farmers' Club: four years County Chairman and then National Federation President. This led to 30 years in the Country Landowners' Association working on various committees at county and national level, culminating as National President of the C.L.A. The list of honours, achievements, citations and appointments are too numerous to record in this profile. The following I recorded during my visit to the downstairs loo at Mountnessing Hall. Yes, it is true, that several of John's awards are framed and hang in the loo.
The most prestigiously framed is the Latin speech delivered to John when he distributed the prizes on Speech Day 1999. He smiled when he told me he had replaced the first choice guest of honour who was a top university academic. The next frame was signed by Prince Philip as Grand Master and Elizabeth as Sovereign, dated 1987, for his CBE; then Deputy Lord Lieuten¬ant of Essex 1989, Vice Lord-Lieutenant 1992-2003, serving both Lord Braybrooke and Lord Petre; a warrant appointing him a Crown Estate Commissioner in 1991 and a more recent ap¬pointment as Chairman of the Chelmsford Cathedral Council. Other appointments include Chairman of Essex River Authority, Anglian Water Authority, Environmental Agency Board, Essex Land Drainage Committee, Crouch Harbour Authority and much more.
He took great pride that he was part of a successful Strategy Group that really did succeed in the elimination of the Coypu in East Anglia in the 1970s.
If ever he finds time for recreation it is sailing the family yacht "Kulu", which he shares with brother Roger, as well as a little time fishing and eating in good restaurants.
One last reference to John's interesting loo; a poster with a young John Norris advertising the work of the Essex River Authority and the fight against coastal erosion - "So it took 10 years - Canute never did manage it".
John is a governor of the School, has given away Speech Day prizes, inspected the CCF for their annual inspection and rarely misses the Old Boy's annual dinner. He is a worthy successor to Tony Witney as our next President.
Tim was born in November 1938 and with his parents Roy Pailthorpe (1917-19) and his mother Margaret lived in Hornchurch; his early formative years were spent at Ardleigh Green Primary School, which coincided with the latter part of the Second World War. In September 1947 Tim joined the Prep School, when it was housed in the Hermitage and Old House, under the watchful eye of the Headmaster Mr Robertson, Miss Boardman, Miss Haynes and not forgetting Mr Gilbert. At the age of eleven he progressed into the Main School and had (as did the other new boys) his first introduction to `serious' discipline under the hands of `slipper' Kershaw and `Cockles' Cockell. The antidote to this shock to the system was to be located across the road from the Hermitage into the delightful Roden House.
Tim was in South when the House was enjoying a degree of success in the various school activities. Under initially Mr Meek, and then the Colonel (Col D J Jones) in the senior house, Tim enjoyed taking part in, and representing the house in all the various sports available. It was then that Tim developed his abilities at cross-country and the middle distances on the track to such an extent that he was awarded full colours for both. He led both the House and School Cross Country Teams to success through example and by encouraging the art of `packing'. With Sir Rodger Bell (1951¬58) they jointly won the Essex Schools Cross Country Championship in 1957.
Whilst enjoying his sporting successes he had the benefit of the guidance and tuition in L/U V1 Modern of Joe Hodgson, Ikey Stone, Jim Rennie and Wally Waldram to such an extent that he achieved 3 A Levels, and, as Tim will tell you, this was not done without a lot of hard work. Whilst at Brentwood he was joined by his cousins Michael (1942-49) and David Andrews (1949-1955).
On leaving School in 1957 he joined Wm Mallinson and Son, Timber Importers and Merchants of Shoreditch (specialising in Hardwoods and Veneers as well as home grown timbers and plywood) as a trainee. During this phase Tim was seconded to Bury St Edmunds to oversee the preparation of the timber to be used in the restoration of York Minster. Although interested in history since schooldays this experience kindled his interest in Archaeology and Buildings.
To further his career in 1962 he moved from Wm. Mallinson and Son to CTS, a firm of Metal Dealers in the city. During this period he met Elizabeth and they married in 1964. Elizabeth's claim to fame is that her father was an Old Libertian when the Royal Liberty School was a grammar school which enjoyed regular sporting contact with Brentwood School.
In 1965 Tim moved to the Registration Department of Hambros Bank (taking over from Ken Emery 1947- 53) at Shenfield, then onto Bishopsgate, Tower Hill and finally to Ingrave Road opposite Barnards and School House; almost full circle from the day that Tim joined the Prep in the Hermitage back in 1947. It was during the early part of his career with Hambros that his sons Simon and Andrew and daughter Alexandra were born. In 1993 he took early retirement.
Immediately on leaving school Tim joined the OB's Cross Country and Athletics activities (in those days the associated clubs had not been formed) and Hornchurch Harriers, a premier athletics club in Essex and the South of England. At that time the OB's competitive fixture list consisted of matches against the school which occurred at most twice a year!! In no time at all Tim took over from Gordon Parker (1928-34) the management of the OB's Cross Country and in 1973 Tim became the Cross Country representative on the General Committee and served in that capacity until recently when he handed over the reigns of the Athletics and Cross Country Clubs to Chris Lewis (1985-1992).
In 1993 Tim became Hon Registrar to the Society and for a time had a dual role on the General Committee. At that time all the Society's records were held on the School's computer in the Bursary. Tim was instrumental, with the invaluable help of Ian Pitwood (1949-60), in the development of the Society's own Stand Alone Members Register which has proved extremely beneficial in the running of the Society's affairs. Tim stood down as Hon Registrar in 2003 and passed on his records to Neil Pearson (1964-71).
Tim has a long and extensive experience of the affairs of the Society, not only through his membership of the General Committee but by watching his father Roy attend to the affairs of the Society during his Presidency in 1971.
Tim's career with Hornchurch Harriers was extensive and full. At the time of joining the Harriers in 1957 the club was full of exciting talent that performed to a high degree of success in competitions in Southern England. Tim was training with, and competing with athletes of the calibre of Fred Alsop (not an OB) who competed in the Rome Olympics in 1960 as well as many other near contenders.
Tim represented the Hornchurch Harriers and Essex in National competitions over 20 miles, always finishing in the top order and occasionally on the podium in 1st place. He became Club Captain in the 60's, on the General Committee and then Secretary. He continued with competitive running until the mid/late seventies when it became apparent that at 40 he was no match for the `youngsters' coming through. So in 1978 he joined the ranks of Vet competition. However, during his `young' period there are one or two successes which stand out; in 1965 he competed in the Poly Marathon (From Windsor Castle to Chiswick) in a time of 2hours 36minutes which earned him the `La Lande Trophy' for the fastest first Marathon - he subsequently ran 2hours 31 minutes; on several occasions ran for Essex in the Inter Counties 20 mile championship with a PB of 1 hr 46min 57secs when the National top runners were doing 1 hr 41 mins; numerous half marathons over courses of varying difficulty with a PB of 1 hr 10min 02secs.; and, the Essex County 10 mile championship finishing 2nd in a time 49mins 33secs.
Immediately after School he met up with Sir Rodger Bell at various cross country/road running meetings whilst Rodger was at Oxford University and representing Chelmsford AC. Their most recent athletic get together was in the early 90's when the OB Cross Country Club was invited to run in the Thames Hare and Hounds Invitation Inter OB's event where Rodger is a member of Thames (They have since met without their running shoes!!).
As a veteran Tim has won the Essex Cross Country Championship at the over 40, 50 and 60 age groups and was the Southern Counties Champion for the over 60's.The most satisfying successes as a Veteran were finishing 4th in the National Cross Country Event and running the last leg for Havering AC to win the National over 50's Road Relay Championship.
Tim still manages to find time to enjoy some of the more leisurely pursuits, his enjoyment of History, which was nurtured by Joe and Jim, is maintained through reading and visiting Historical Buildings and taking an interest in the Brentwood Museum, the Kelvedon and Feering Heritage Society and the Countryside in general. He enjoys additional relaxation through country walks of up to 6 miles with Elizabeth and some friends on a weekly basis.
Since 1988, with John Smith (1946-57), he has arranged four Reunions for those at school between 1946-57 at Ashwells and having celebrated their 50th and 60th birthdays the reunions are now held on a bi-annual basis in order to maximise contact whilst body and mind are still inclined!
He is very proud and honoured to have been nominated to follow in his father Roy's footsteps as President of the Society and is looking forward to meeting all old friends as he represents the Society at the various functions he will be attending. We wish him well in his year of Office.
Stuart joined the school in September 1956 in the Arts stream and South Town. His scholastic career was, by his own admission, modest and finished in that home of academia Econ VI. But he made his mark in Virtue, Learning & Manners by becoming a House Praepostor. The sports field saw his principal achievements and he was awarded 1st team half colours for soccer, was a regular for the 2nd XI cricket team with occasional appearances for the 1st XI. He was captain of the house soccer team and received his house colours for cricket and squash. He also played house rugby. In spite of the curse of Econ VI, he achieved an HND Business Studies diploma a South East Essex Tech (now grandly renamed University of East London!).
Leaving school he took up articles with accountants Baker Sutton and qualified in 1970. After one not very enlightening year with the Ford Motor Company, he joined Save & Prosper as Group Accountant in 1972 which was the beginning of a very successful career in the investment fund industry. 1985 saw him move to SunLife Trust Management as Finance and Admin Director and where he helped set up the unit trust operation. In 1994, he moved again within the industry to become Deputy Managing Director of IFM UK Ltd, part of Baring Asset Management. This shortly became a move to hell as by the spring of 1995 the House of Baring had been bankrupted by rogue trader Nick Leeson requiring to be bailed out for £1 by Dutch banking & insurance group ING. At that time, with a young family, Stuart showed his true ability and stuck with the business to expand its Fund Administration services until its sale in 2005 to Northern Trust.
On leaving school in 1963, he played soccer for the 1st XI then more regularly for the 2nd XI where he was captain during the 1978/9 season when they did the League & Cup double. All the time he modelled himself on his idol Bobby Moore, captain of his favourite team, the "Hammers". His post school cricket was played at Shenfield with a later move to the OBs where he also participated in squash and rugby when it was first founded by George Lintner and friends. Keeping busy off the playing fields he served as treasurer to both the soccer and cricket clubs earning the following tribute from the soccer club when he retired to concentrate on the Society's affairs. "The club's finances are now in a healthy position and many thanks go to Stuart for the way in which he looked after them." I suspect a similar comment will be forthcoming when he eventually hangs up his hat as Society Treasurer. He was appointed to the General Committee in November 1975 and succeeded Michael Snyder as Treasurer in November 1980.
There were two important introductions during Stuart's stewardship, firstly Joe Hodgson's bequest which gave a comfort factor against unforeseen capital items that might otherwise have had to be deferred and secondly the cash flow that came from the School collecting Society subscriptions during a pupil's time at school and passing them over when they left. Over and above these pluses he has excelled at coping with the trials and tribulations of VAT officers, local rating and the waxing & waning of the principal affiliated clubs. A solid family man, his first marriage produced two sons Paul and Daniel, who followed him into South Town and became an even more accomplished soccer player. His subsequent marriage to Sharon has given them a son John, currently about to move from Prep to Main school and potentially a very good all round sportsman, and a daughter Sarah who is also at the Prep. Stuart has therefore been not only a stalwart of the OB's but a significant benefactor to the School! We wish him a very happy and successful Presidential Year.
Presiding judge to preside over the Society
"My days at Brentwood gave me as good a chance of future contentment in the wider world as any boy ever got from his school. Put with my family life, that's saying something."
This was the verdict of a High Court judge, expressed in the book Best of Days more than 40 years after leaving school. It helps to explain why Sir Rodger BELL, 67, has accepted the Society of Old Brentwoods' invitation to become the next President.
His family moved to Chelmsford in 1948 and he attended Moulsham Primary School until 1951. Having passed the 11-plus and the entrance exam, he came to Brentwood "as a day boy at the County's expense" from 1951 to 1958.
Rodger admits to struggling at the outset, weighed down by the mistaken impression that he was the only one who could not understand the Latin homework. He refers to "a miserable start due to my own diffidence.
Yet things soon picked up, due in part to an encouraging Weald Junior housemaster in Charles Edgson. He found himself in the Classics stream with mentors such as Hector Higgs and `Bubbles' Riddiford, nicknamed thus because of his frothy enthusiasm. The Classics Sixth was warm and friendly: Graham Hart, Richard Marshall, David Smith and David Wells were his contemporaries.
In Best of Days, Rodger recalls: "We all got places at excellent universities and classics was a good training ground for studying law which turned out to suit me as a practical rather than an academic subject. But if you went into the classics or arts streams in those days, you effectively gave up science and I have always regretted it."
He was head of Weald and of the School in 1957-1958 when the Queen opened the new science block, now the Queen's Building, as part of the School's 400th anniversary celebrations.
School record holder
Rodger played football for the Under 13, Under 15 and First and Second XIs but was better at running, holding the School records for the mile and half mile. He was first equal with former Society President Tim Pailthorpe in the Essex Schools' Cross Country Championship in 1956-1957, enabling Brentwood to win the team trophy. In later years, the pair regularly competed against each other for Hornchurch Harriers (Pailthorpe) and Chelmsford AC. Rodger became Essex Junior Half Mile Champion in 1958 while still at school. "If kicking or hitting a ball or running or vaulting or swimming like mad was your real interest in life, you could not have been at a better school."
After teaching for a year at St. Martin's Secondary Modern School in Hutton, he read law at Brasenose College, Oxford from 1959 to 1962. He gained blues for cross country and athletics, winning the mile in the Oxford/Cambridge match in a personal best time of 4 minutes 7.2 seconds - only a few years after the four-minute barrier had been breached - and became Essex County Mile Champion. He ran competitively for two or three years after university for Chelmsford AC and Thames Hare and Hounds but was never quite as fast.
He feels the decline set in while working for Bar Finals, earning a living teaching law at Essex technical colleges and starting practice. "After that, it was a case of running for pleasure only, and running ever more slowly, and very, very slowly still today. I rowed very gently and non-competitively for a few years in my mid to late forties, as an additional form of exercise to the gentle running."
Sir Rodger was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1963 and became a Bencher in 1989. He enjoyed a mixed practice in crime, civil and family law (mostly contested trial work) until taking Silk in 1982. Thereafter, he specialised in medical negligence, personal injury and criminal cases, until appointed a High Court judge in 1993. While still in practice, he held a number of judicial posts: Crown Court Recorder from 1980 to 1993, a member of mental health tribunals (1983-1993), a member of the Parole Board (1990¬1993) and Chairman of the National Health Service Tribunal (1991-1993).
From 1993 to retirement in January 2006, Sir Rodger was a judge in civil and criminal trials and appeals and served briefly on the Employment Appeals Tribunal. I was a Presiding Judge of the South Eastern Circuit from July 2001 to December 2005. Presiding judges are the interface between the judiciary and the Courts Service. The post is not as grand as it may sound but provides interesting work on top of normal judging."
He has been married to Claire since 1969, with a son and three daughters, all of whom went to state primary schools and then to independent day schools in west London.
As a concluding reflection, he feels that an essential feature of Brentwood School in the 1950s was Charles Allison's "strong sense of religious and public duty which he did his best to impress on everyone. I would like to think that the sense of public duty stuck, to some extent at least, with many of those who were at Brentwood during his time."
Tim Faiers - A pretty Faier contribution to the Society from an acclaimed top teacher
There can be no more deserving candidate to become President of the Old Brentwoods than Tim FAIERS. His contribution to the Society has been outstanding ever since he left school over 40 years ago. It is particularly fitting that it coincides with the 450th anniversary of the School's foundation.
He is currently a member of the Society committee, secretary to the rugby and 200 clubs and the Masonic Lodge, archivist and dinner secretary.
Space will not permit full recital of his contributions since he left school in 1967. The Rugby Club was then in its infancy and ever since he has dedicated himself to it. He has played every position on the field and undertaken many off the field tasks. He has served on the Society's social and management committees, sorted out the annual Christmas dinner for children (still wrapping the presents until recently) and beavered away on summer balls, New Year's Eve parties, fireworks nights and selling Society blazers. He has involved himself in the Squash Club and turned out for the Cricket Club. He is a past master of the Old Brentwood's Lodge, achieving London Grand Rank.
Tim was born in Queens Road, Brentwood, raised in The Feathers pub in Railway Square and has remained in the town. In 1956, he entered the Prep and fell under the spells of Miss Cadman, Miss Roberts and Miss Thornton. In the choir, he was taught to sing by Miss Greaves and has been singing in various clubs and trains back from Twickenham ever since. Although no evidence has been produced, Jack Higgs reported that he was a "surprisingly good goalkeeper."
Having passed the 11-plus, Tim entered the main school, Upper Two and South in 1960. With Noel Edmonds, he was dinner monitor to Head of House Tony Witney, a former Society president.
By the fifth form, he had developed his first love - rugby. Encouraged by housemaster Colonel Jones, he was part of the official School 1st XV then being formed. He played cricket for the School 2nd XI in the sixth form and was (apparently) an ace thrower of the javelin. This was a nexus with his ability to throw good darts in the Queen Inn during the lunch hour.
He enjoyed the teaching of Messrs Rance, Whitcombe and Brooks. In the sixth form, he went through the arts stream (although he did maths at 'A' level which is hard to explain). He stayed on for a third year in Economics VI, and, like many, fell under the influence of Jim Rennie. He continued playing rugby and became a School praepostor and Head of South.
In 1967, he went to Essex University, it being one of only five universities which would accept French 'O' level failures. Throughout his university career, he would return weekly to Brentwood to turn out for the new Sunday XV, formed under the keen eye of Joe Hodgson.
He left university in 1970. What was he going to do with his BA in Government degree? Usefully, the father of OB Rugby Club member Tom Kerrigan was Headmaster of Eastbrook Comprehensive School in Dagenham and was desperately looking for staff. Maths was Tim's forte. (There was not much call for government in Dagenham). He rose to become deputy headmaster and acting headmaster for a short period. Having spent his working life with that one school, he retired in 2006. He was acclaimed a top teacher by all who worked with him.
Since retirement, he spends even more time on the Society and its offshoots and with his delightful family. Maggie, his wife, teaches at the Prep. Son James played for the Rugby Club's promotion winning side before completing his maths degree at Loughborough University. Daughter Emma has graduated and is in fashion.
Tim will, as always, throw himself into being an ambassador for the Society. He may not be able to be in two places at once in his presidential year but he will be heard in at least three with his natural gravitas.
David Oldham
David Tee - Councillor, publisher and lay reader roles suit David to a Tee
As the son of an Old Brentwood, with three brothers, a brother-in-law and a nephew also former pupils and, except for the nephew, all boarders in School House, David Tee (1948-56) is steeped in School and Society. The Brentwood connection began with his father, W.J. 'Baggy' Tee (1916-22), who arrived in the middle of the First World War when Harold Parish (1913-17) was head of house.
Two older brothers, Michael (1944-48) and Geoffrey (1944-51), arrived towards the end of the Second World War when Jimmy Hough was both headmaster and head of School House. Younger brother Ian (1956-63) rounded off an unbroken 19-year sequence of Tees at Brentwood. David's sister Mary married F A M (Tony) Buckland (1942-52) who was head of School House and head of school.
Although School House closed in 1992, its alumni remain in touch with each other, not least through their annual reunion. No prizes for guessing the identity of the Association secretary. David Tee.
Four masters had a lasting influence on his life. W E 'Spud' Barron was his housemaster for his first three years. So, most of the house were either actors in his winter theatricals or members of the stage gang. David describes himself as an "actress" rather than an actor because "I always seemed to be a nymph or a harlot. Spud taught me to act and be heard clearly at the back of the Memorial Hall."
The Tees made their mark in tennis, squash and gymnastics. David was in the Junior School gym team in 1948 and in the School gym team for eight years. Cue the second pedagogic influence. B T Shortland taught him "the important lesson of being part of a team and proved to me that I had the guts and faith in myself to do a backwards somersault - for which I gained full colours."
Mike Parker was his form master in Lower and Upper Six Medical. Each year, on the first Sunday in May at about 3.30 am, he would take a group into Hartswood Road woods to record the dawn chorus. David's love of the countryside and country pursuits stems from Mike Parker's enthusiasm and his own successful pursuit of A level zoology and botany.
Joe Hodgson was another formative influence. He never taught David but selected him to play in the School rugby XV in his final year. "Joe treated me with respect and dignity and taught me the great lesson of life that however wide the gap in age or intellect, friendship can bridge it - even between schoolmaster and scholar."
Having failed A level physics, David decided not to defer National Service. With high hopes of a two-year flying commission, he joined the RAF but had to settle for 18 months as an air traffic controller at RAF Tangmere, West Sussex. It was a busy station in 1957 with five fully operational fighter squadrons of about 80 Hunters, Javelins and Meteors. When he left in 1958, all that was left was one 1940 Spitfire and one 1930s Anson. David concedes that "it was not all my fault but rather a consequence of the Macmillan Government's defence cuts.
"There was something very sad about my last two months at Tangmere, witnessing the death of this great airfield that had been in the front line in the Battle of Britain - with Douglas Bader one of its commanding officers."
However, Tangmere was close to Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit where he could indulge his passion for the sport - as a spectator - and meet up with brother Michael who was already working on his famous photographic library of motor sport from 1948 to 1984.
It was time to focus on a career. In September 1958, David was accepted by the London College of Printing for a two-year full-time economics and print management course. He remembers the faculty principal assuring him at the end of his final term in 1960 that letterpress and moveable type printing would see him out - an optimistic and unfounded assumption, as those in the trade know.
He entered the family business of Tee & Whiten and J. Mead Ltd, general and magazine printers, and Teesdale Publishing Company, publishers of Motor Sport and Motoring News. The business was founded in 1892 by David's grandfather and by 1911 employed 500. His father acquired Motor Sport magazine in 1936 and founded Motoring News while David was at Brentwood.
It stayed very much a family business with an autocratic father at the head, brother Michael in photography and production, brother Ian in distribution and advertising, and David as the printer. In 1968, Motor Sport's circulation reached 168,000 monthly and Motoring News 80,000 weekly. "These were the great days of Motor Sport before television and commercial billionaires spoiled things."
In 1996, they sold the business to Haymarket Publishing. David remained as a director and then consultant at Haymarket from 1996 to 2001, when he retired. During those years, he worked closely with his son Jonathan - "a pretty good motor racing driver but not good enough for the big time."
With full retirement, David could pursue his hobbies and community work. After 30 years with the Herts & Essex Flying Club at the Stapleford Flying Centre, he now had time for a few more hours flying Cessnas.
Since 1972, he has been trust treasurer of Wesley's Chapel, City Road, London. The chapel, built in 1778 by John Wesley, is regarded as the mother church for 60 million Methodists worldwide. After its restoration in 1978, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh reopened it. A year later, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opened John Wesley's house and museum.
In 1990, David was licensed as a lay reader at Little Warley and Childerditch parish churches. Ten years ago, he was elected lay chairman for the Brentwood deanery, working closely with the Rural Dean, Canon Bob White, and with several Old Brentwoods, including treasurer Bryan Shedel (Newnum 1944-52). He is churchwarden, secretary and clerk to local almshouses and on the management committee of the village hall.
In 2004, he was elected as a Conservative member of Brentwood Borough Council, representing Warley Ward. In May 2008, David was re-elected with a hugely increased majority. "This means more demands on my time but if I did not enjoy it, I would not do all these jobs.
"I look forward to my presidential year which will have priority over my other activities. I am very fortunate to have such a supportive wife. Pamela still teaches in Great Warley. My greatest delight and good fortune is the Tee family, especially our daughter, son-in-law, two sons and two granddaughters."
In his preface to Godfrey Thomas' forthcoming book Everyone a Hero (see below), David refers to "the privilege of commending it to every Old Brentwood as the first act of my presidential year."