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"The manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the thing that must be endured"
US Secretary of State Dean Acheson (who was Guest of Honour at the College's first Speech Day in 1958)

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A light-hearted look back over the past 70 years

Latest Updates 100 Club College History Our Memories The Gallery Old College Magazines Regaining Contact Past Reunions Morley Mall Contributors Useful Links About the Site
 

The Old Wymondhamians now have Facebook and Twitter pages. Follow us here


 

Last update: 25th June 2024       
For details see: What's New

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100 Club

The May OW 100 Club draw was carried out on 29th May 2024 at The King's Head in Norwich and this month's winners were:                                                                           

James Roberts  - resident of Norwich - £60

Bob Rowell - resident of Matlock - £60

&

Alison Counsell (Birchall) - resident of Empingham, Rutland - £30  

Steve and I were joined by Tony Lake - and that was it! So having had an almost record turnout in April, Tony was our only attendee this month .....

No matter, we found plenty to chat about as Tony has been a staunch supporter of the OWs for many years and is a regular attendee at the OW Golf Day.

Naturally, Tony carried out the draw for us.

The June STAR DRAW will take place on Friday 28th June 2024 at Dunston Hall Hotel on the outskirts of Norwich as part of the OW Golf Dinner. If you wish to play or just join us for supper, please contact Bob Rowell - bob.e.rowell@outlook.com. Our meal is served at 7pm and the draw takes place at the end of supper.

Hope to see some of you there.

Phil Robinson

OW 100 club administrator - Philrobinson55@btinternet.com

 

 

I have been made aware of a revitalised Facebook page recently renamed Wymondham College Alumni which has lots of interesting comments and reminicences:- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1532014457127574

It's a Private Group so you might need to be approved by a current member.

 

Just a reminder that the The Chapel Project appeal was launched with the aim of preserving the last remaining Nissen hut at the college. The Old Wymondhamians have made a substantial donation to this cause although it doesn't show up on this running total page.

https://donatemyschool.com/project/page/wymondhamcollege?page=1&per-page=10 

More details can be seen at here:- https://www.wymondhamcollege.org/404/news/post/41/the-chapel-project

 

If any of the above links do not work, please copy and paste into your browser.  Ed.

 
 

 

100 Club 2018 appeal

Blank Mandate

 

 
     

 

 

Would you like to buy a Wymondham College bespoke branded belt?

Please click on the image left to https://www.mybelt.co.uk/wyc

They have interchangeable buckles which can be custom made individually at no extra cost.

£5 to the College for every one sold.

 

 

 

Early July Update   

 

Early Update

Due to my holiday I have to do an early update this month so will not be able to include the results of the June 100 Club Draw until later in the month - apologies. However, the results should be available on the Wymondham College Alumni Facebook page.

 

Royal Norfolk Show - 26/27 June

Lifted from the Wymondham College Facebook page:-

 

"We are delighted to be hosting a stand once again at the Royal Norfolk Show this year.

The weather is looking good for next week and we would love you to come to our stand to meet our wonderful staff and Principal’s Council.

We have talented musicians lined up to play and numerous activities for your children to get involved with.

We can’t wait to meet you all!"  Located at Stand 270, 3rd Drive.

 

Representatives from The Old Wymondhamians will also be on the stand, so please swing by and come have a chat.

 

Sad News - Richard Watton

We have had a message from Caroline Harrison, who is in contact with Kris Watton (Richard's wife) to advise the following.


I think some of you already know that Richard has been really ill recently and passed away yesterday early morning (18th June).  There will be a small service at our local church and any of his friends from school would be very welcome to come, there is a big hotel near to the church in our village if anyone would like to stay, please let us know.  The date is 16th July at 2 pm.

Richard was in York from 1965-72, following which he had a long career in the RAF. On retirement, he went to work for Panavia in Germany and settled near Munich. He did attend a couple of small get togethers in North Norfolk a few years ago, and then sadly his health deteriorated.

If anyone wants to send a card or get in touch with Kris, contact details can be provided. Email julie@wcremembered.co.uk.

 

 

'Hell in Paradise' by John Head

Some of our Alumni may be interested in military matters and a book has recently been co-authored by John Head and covers the massacre at Le Paradis in May 1940 during the evacuation at Dunkirk and is titled “Hell in Paradise”.

This article recently appeared in the Eastern Daily Press:-

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24296261.new-book-tells-story-massace-norfolk-soldiers/

John was at Wymondham College from 1964-1969 [Salisbury] and studied English, History and Geography at A Level.

John has said that his enthusiasm for history literature and writing was inspired by the Wycol teachers.

Miss Bowles was one of these teachers and he hopes that she would have been proud of him for producing this book, as it was through her that he established his love for literature, especially the war poets.

If you would like a signed copy of the book, please contact John at johnhead1@btinternet.com

 

 

OW College Tour & BBQ 2024 - Reunion Update

 

A message from Geoff Lewis

I have finally got a price for the catering from the College so we can now move forward and start collecting payments. The cost this year is £20/head for the barbeque. Sadly the College have decreed that we can neither sell nor consume alcohol on the premises this year (shades of our schooldays then!) but soft drinks will be available.

The 100 Club draw will be held at the Kings Head in Bawburgh on Wednesday 17th July at 7.30pm which will give people the opportunity to catch up over a drink.

We will then meet at the College on Thursday 18th July at 11am for a College tour courtesy of John Mewse followed by the barbeque on Kett Lawn.

All OW's plus partners are welcome. Over the past couple of years we have had participants from a broad spectrum of years and be assured that whatever era you were at the College you will be made most welcome.

For payment details please initially contact me via email at wycol1965@gmail.com. Please note the bank account details are different to those for previous events. This is due to shortened timescales and we have had to streamline the payment process. So please do not make a payment using previously suuplied details!

We look forward to seeing you in July.

Geoff Lewis (1965-72)

 

 

                                                                           

OW Golf Day and Reunion Friday 28th June 2024

 

A message from Bob Rowell:

 

"As notified after our last Reunion we look forward to meeting again on Friday June 28th 2024 at Dunston Hall.

Hotel rooms are reserved for those that occupied them last year plus David Whyte.

Hopefully our friends will be joining us again and the golfers including our new friends who will be defending titles, we did enjoy meeting them.

Please confirm that you will be able to join us as soon as possible as I have to notify Q Hotels of numbers attending by the end of February.

As in previous years I will then request Menu selections and payment and then settle these arrangements with Q Hotels before the event.

Look forward to hearing from you, please email if you would like to attend: bob.e.rowell@outlook.com

Bob"

++++++++++

 

Sadly the start of the New Year doesn’t bring any better news…….

We have just received this from Kevin Ireland:-

It’s with great sadness that I write to report the death of my brother, Malcolm Ireland, on the last day of December 2023.

As those who knew him would testify, Malcolm was something of a force of nature. He attended Wymondham College from 1964-72. He was never much of an academic but had the distinction of playing rugby for the First 15 for four years, as well as gaining an England cap in his final year. The 1972 school annual report records:

“Ireland was, of course, an inspiration throughout; his skill, speed and aggression about the field were uncompromising and like all good captains he led his team from the front. His eventual award of an England Under 19s cap against Scotland was fully deserved…”.

Malcolm spent the majority of his working life in IT for a bank. After leaving Wymondham College he played rugby for Norwich, amongst other teams, and devoted considerable time to coaching. For many years after moving to London he volunteered as a scout master and enjoyed leading camping trips back to Norfolk.

His death was totally unexpected and followed a visit to the gym, indicating that he was feeling fine until his heart suddenly gave in. He was a loving family man and leaves his wife, Geraldine, and two children, now with their own families. He will be greatly missed by all of us.

Malcolm Ireland 1953 - 2023

There will be many from Salisbury house & the year groups above & below him that will be shocked & sadness by this news. 

As Kevin says, “Malcolm was a “one off””..

 

Sad News

Unfortunately we have had two lots of sad news in the last week:

We have just received the sad news of the passing of Anne Hoare. Her husband, Adrian, has written the following:-

I am very sorry and sad to let you know that my wife Anne Hoare, former teacher and deputy housemistress, and joint president with me of the Old Wymondhamians, passed away at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital on 23 December. 

Anne came with me to the college in 1974 when I took up an appointment as head of history. She served the college between the late 1970s and 1994, teaching French, English and History part time, and later was given responsibility for special educational needs. As well as being a teacher at the college, she also served as a matron in Peel and Cavell, later becoming Cavell’s deputy housemistress when I was housemaster.

Most importantly Anne researched the story of the American Hospital that existed on the site of Wymondham College during World War Two – a story about which little was known when we joined the school in 1974. She collected many photos of the hospital, and this led to our writing and publishing a book ‘Wartime on a Country Estate 1943-45’ in 2020. During her research Anne contacted a number of former hospital personnel and their families, some of whom became friends and made the journey from the United States to visit the site. 

She also provided text and photographs for the information boards which form part of the history trail around the college site, and for the chapel heritage centre.

A funeral notice will be posted in the Eastern Daily Press in due course. 

 

We have also learned of the passing of John Beales on 29th December. This from his wife Gesa:

My husband, John Beales, died early this morning. [Fri 29th Dec 2023].

He was a pupil at Wymondham College from 1952 until 1959 and learned to enjoy rugby and cricket under Mike Rees's tutelage.  

His success at A-levels enabled him to study geology at Nottingham University and to take up a post as biology teacher, later Head of Department at Wellingborough School.  

In later years he enjoyed many WC reunions, including annual golf games.  

 

& this tribute from Mike Herring:-

John was in my year and house (East) when we joined WC in 1952. He was a good athlete, rugby player and cricketer. He became a teacher and in 2003 he joined myself and a few of my family on an Aussie tour to the rugby World Cup. My grandson, who was 11 at the time, still remembers him fondly because of the time he spent with him investigating the flora and fauna of Australia. It was partly John's influence that made him choose a career in biology after Uni.

A really nice guy and someone it was a pleasure to spend time with. We will miss him.

John was also a former Old Wymondhamian Committee member [as well as serving as Chairman]. 

As Gesa says, he regularly attended the OW Golf Days and appended is a photo from the 2017 event:-

http://wcremembered.co.uk/jpegs6/golf145.jpg

David Bligh – John Beales – Mike Herring

 

 

 Sad News

 We have learned of the passing of Barrie Croxford  aged 82 years.  He died suddenly, on November 28th, at his home in Outwell.     He was the dearly loved husband of Maysel and a much loved dad of David and Anna. A respected sportsman and a friend to many. Barrie was a good all round sportsman but particularly excelled at cricket. He was a fast bowler and later he became a very good golfer. He was a prolific winner of the OW Golf Days which he had supported over the past few years.

 

                                                                     

OW Reunion at the College 20th July 2023

A successful reunion was held at the College and a few photos can be seen here.

 

                                                                                 

OW Golf Day and Reunion 30th June 2023

The OW Golf Day and Reunion Dinner were held at Dunston Hall and results and photos can be seen here.

 

 

New Old Wymondhamians Website has been launched

 

After an 18 month gestation and testing period, led by Chair and Vice Chair John Mewse and Nick Robinson, The Old Wymondhamians are pleased to advise all Wycol Alumni that the new dedicated OW website is now live¯. This is the formal announcement:- 

Announcing the launch of the brand new website for the Old Wymondhamians -  theoldwymondhamians.co.uk - A fabulous 'One Stop Shop' for you to reconnect with the College and everyone who has attended. Take a look at all the archive material on WC Remembered (can you find any photos you're in?) Join the 100 Club prize draw and help raise funds for College related causes and have a chance to win monthly cash prizes. Keep up to date with all the OW news and future events, and please add your details to the "Keep in Touch' page - we'll then add you to the OW database so we can keep you updated on all things Alumni related. Take a look - we'd love to hear your feedback!! 

This will be the focal point for all OW related news and we encourage you to register as soon as possible.  

This WCR front page will continue to add news items until the new site is well established.              

Please do continue to send in any items or photos which can be put onto WCRemembered as this website will continue to be updated so all heritage and archive material is held in one place.  

Take a look now and add your details to the database.  This is where you can find the new website: theoldwymondhamians.co.uk    

   

 

      100 Club Update

 Are you a 100 Club member?  Every month two prizes of £60 and one of £30 are awarded and twice a year, July and December, we have a STAR draw when three larger prizes are awarded, £500, £250 and £100.   

Phil has updated the information on the 100 Club, which can be found here.

To be in with a chance of winning why not join the OW 100 Club.  Please get in touch with Phil Robinson and he will guide you through the process or look at the new OW website above where you can join.                                    

 

 

              

 

 

 

 

    

For previous updates please click here.

   

College News

 

For the latest College news please visit their website - www.wymondhamcollege.org  

 

 

We would love to hear about any reunions being held, however small.  Let us know beforehand if you would like to encourage people to attend or send in a report afterwards so we are kept up to date about what's happening out there!  Photos always gratefully received too!

 

The WCRemembered web site is updated at the end of every month; see What's New for details.  If you use Internet Explorer (over 95% of you at the last count), there is a possibility that you may be seeing an old copy of this page from a previous visit.  Should you ever suspect this to be the case, press <CTRL> and <F5> together to force a 'refresh.'

 

If you attended Wymondham College as a student or member of staff, your membership of the Old Wymondhamians is automatic. 

 

 

   

 

 

 

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