We have now heard from Derek’s brother, Michael, who has kindly asked us to let OHs know that they are very welcome to attend Derek’s funeral.

The funeral will take place at 3:00pm on 18th May at East Devon Crematorium.

The service will also be live-streamed, and we will share the details as soon as they are available.

Our thoughts are very much with Derek’s family and friends at this time.

Mr Derek Blooman

1935 - 2026
 
When James Hilton wrote Goodbye Mr Chips in 1934, just before Derek was born, he could have been forgiven for not knowing that Derek would emulate Mr Chips and more, in his long tenure and affiliation with Allhallows. It was always difficult to judge what Derek saw as his priorities: his Pupils, the School, Chudleigh House, the Faculty, the OH Club, History or Cricket. In truth, they all were, and his warmth, kindness and professionalism shone on them all equally. 
 
Derek arrived at Allhallows in 1959 via Oundle School and Oxford University, aged 24 when those of us in the sixth form were only 6 years younger than him. He was very shy and initially completely immersed in his beloved subject of history. Those of us in that sixth form were merciless in our treatment of this lovely man, with bets on just how far we could push the envelope ( cooking a meal in one class won the major bet), but then common sense prevailed as we saw just how devoted he was to us boys, his subject and the school.  He was the polar opposite of Jack Jarchow and others in the faculty who were stern, unforgiving and “Old School “in their discipline. 
 
One by one, we all fell under Derek's spell and became history buffs to the extent that years later Derek had adversely diminished our bank balances, thanks to the numerous books we had all bought on historical subjects he had introduced. The rate of A-level passes in his subject soared, as did the number of students wishing to pursue the subject within the school. 
 
As Derek's confidence grew and his shyness dissipated, he broadened his involvement within Allhallows.  His passion for cricket led him to take over the coaching of the second XI, having happy memories of plotting tactics against stronger opponents to keep the runs down and occupy the crease. Those of us who played against him in the OH cricket week, when he played for Seaton, dreaded fielding in the covers when his strong forearms and large wrists cut the ball with huge ferocity. 
 
He became housemaster of Chudleigh and took the role to a new standard of warmth, enthusiasm and encouragement. His boys in the house still wax lyrical about how happy and proud they were under his leadership. 
 
Derek served for 39 years under five headmasters as a master, housemaster and deputy headmaster. 
 
In 1999, Derek became only the fifth Honorary Secretary of the OH Club since its foundation in 1905, and, until retiring in November 2010, he worked tirelessly to keep members in touch with one another and to strengthen the sporting and social activities of the club.  He edited the Aunt Agatha column in the OH Magazine, cajoling us old boys and girls to submit news of what we were doing in life. 
 
With an encyclopaedic knowledge of generations of Old Honitonians, Derek was elected an Honorary Life Vice President of the OH Club and still enjoyed contact with many of his former pupils as well as older and younger OHs. Many of us visited him in retirement when he entered the Pinhay Nursing home and had a room with an identical view to that from his study in Chudleigh House down through the cliffs to the sea. He may have aged, but his mind was as sharp as ever, and his memory quite staggering at times. His 90th birthday lunch was oversubscribed and a testimony to the affection in which the OH’s held him. 
 

We have also opened a digital Book of Remembrance, where Old Honitonians and friends are invited to share their memories and reflections of Derek:

https://forms.gle/cxy7WDbByKX3SeKV9

We are also able to include a fascinating look at Derek's incredible CV over the years, collated through an interview with OH Alec Crawford (Headmaster's House, 1955, Venning 1956 - 60).

DEREK BLOOMAN - CV

Provided by Derek in December 2004.

Text as per his handwritten text.

Educated: Oundle, where, aged 15, I acquired Type 1 diabetes, which knocked my sporting career about a bit, but I had other interests, History and Art.

Won Open Scholarship to Lincoln College, Oxford, where I read Modern History. 

Taught at Clayesmore for a year, then took PGCE at Leeds University.

1959: Appointed as a very young Senior History Master by V.A.L.Hill, for whom I had the greatest respect. I think that we all did.

1959: Became House Tutor to Leslie Barr in Baker.

Roddy Long, Dudley Hopkins, Colin Pape and Nick Warner were in the House!

1964 – 81: Appointed Housemaster of Chudleigh in succession to Jimmy Bliss, where I again had many happy and demanding days and was lucky to have a wonderful House Matron, Barbara Clark, who ‘mummed the boys.

Guide, Philosopher and Friend, as any Housemaster should be.

Coached 2nd XI cricket for years. Took over from Jack Jarchow, also coached Junior Colts when Ted Sandbach and Malcolm Maculloch were in the XI, and we beat Blundells.

Also coached Junior Colts and Foals Rugger – even played for the Ohs v Old Bloxhamites at Richmond

Also umpired 2^nd XI Hockey and learnt on the job when Bill Preston wasi/c, a game I knew nothing about – strange I am now organising OH Hockey matches.

Helped Peter Spencer organise the Mayflies, who provided holiday cricket for East Devon Public School boys

Edited School magazines, newsletters, and OH Newsletters galore.

1986 – 95: Second Master after Bill Preston and then Hon. Senior Master to 1998,

Although I had taken early retirement with David Christian in 1993 but continued to teach History, English and History of Art part-time.

As Second Master, modernised School Rules, produced the Staff Guidance Manual, and undertook multifarious activities.

1995:Became Chairman of the Friends of Allhallows after Geoffrey Blackburne -Kane when Allhallows College took over. Had wonderful support from the Committee, Parents ans staff, and particularly Dick and Rosemary Sidwell.

1995: Asked by Phil Tuck to become Hon Sec of the OH Club when Allhallows went into receivership. Attended Committee meeting Phiul summoned to keep the OH Club going.

Organised a rescue mission with the help of Rev Robin Spaight OH, Chris Lambert OH, Rev James Trevelyan, Robin Butler OH and his craftsmen and many friends in Honiton of the War Memorial Chapel at Rousdon, which found a new home in St Michael’s, Honiton.

“Like all OHs, it saddens me to think of the demise of Allhallows, but, as Peggy Hewan said to me, ‘For all its faults it served many boys, girls and their parents well’ 

Became Director of Jubilee Appeal with Colonel Dick Sidwell as Treasurer

Dear members of the Old Honitonians Club,

It is with great sadness that we write to inform you that Mr Derek Blooman passed away yesterday morning, 17th April 2026.

Derek was a foundation stone of both our experiences at Allhallows School and a true bastion of the Old Honitonians Club itself. He gave his heart and soul to his years at Allhallows, and his remarkable memory of pupils and their lives beyond school left a lasting impression on so many.

At this time, we send our deepest thoughts and condolences to Derek’s brother, Michael, and to his wider family.

We are only just taking this information in ourselves, but we will be sharing a fuller tribute to Derek’s life and legacy in due course. We wanted to ensure that members heard this news first.

With sincere sympathy,

Old Honitonians Club Committee.

OH Nigel French (Headmaster’s House, 1955; Chudleigh, 1956–1960) is truly one of life’s most remarkable individuals, and his story is woven through some extraordinary moments in history. Former Allhallows pupil, Governor and parent with a distinguished global career (we look forward to sharing more through upcoming interviews), Nigel travelled extensively, witnessing firsthand pivotal developments in aviation. Following the landmark collaboration between British Airways and France’s Aérospatiale to create the world’s first supersonic passenger aircraft, Concorde, Nigel was among those on board its very first commercial flight from London to Washington on 29 May 1976, an iconic milestone in aviation history.

In a rare full-circle moment, Nigel was also present on Concorde’s final flight on 23 October 2003, travelling from New York's JFK Airport to Heathrow, marking the end of an era for this extraordinary aircraft.

What follows is a very special interview with Nigel, as he reflects on his unforgettable experiences and shares personal memories of Concorde, an aircraft that captured the imagination of the world.

Our sincere thanks to Nigel for sharing this video with us.

Rights reserved to SKY News and Nigel French. Video used under fair use policy.

Introducing the OH Magazine 2025

We are delighted to share the latest edition of the OH Magazine 2025, a wonderful celebration of the people, stories, memories, and friendships that continue to keep the Allhallows spirit alive.

This year’s magazine brings together reflections from across our OH community and captures a remarkable year for the Club. From memorable gatherings and sporting events to services and tributes and fascinating historical discoveries, the magazine offers something for every OH.

The edition reflects on a year filled with successful events and renewed connections. Highlights include the hugely-popular West Country Lunch, the London Cocktail Party and AGM at the Royal Society, the OH Clay Pigeon Shoot, and the South West Golf Week, which saw the largest gathering of OHs staying on the Rousdon Estate since the school closed in 1998.

There are some wonderful stories that reconnect us with the shared history of Allhallows. There are personal recollections, including “The Story of a Family Relationship with Allhallows,” alongside features exploring the ongoing preservation of the school’s heritage, such as the growing Allhallows digital archive and a fascinating investigation into the discovery of the Astrolabe of Charton Bay.

It was the year that we celebrated Derek Blooman’s 90th birthday, remembered the life and legacy of Ralph Harding, affectionately known as the Father of the OH Club, and honoured the contribution of Howard Foss, a dedicated guardian of Allhallows’ heritage.

We hope you enjoy reading this year’s magazine as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Thank you to everyone who contributed stories, photographs, memories, and support.

The Allhallows story very much continues.

You can view the 2025 OH Magazine here - https://heyzine.com/flip-book/c3bfb81488.html

Or if you would like to see all the OH Magazines, including the latest 2025 edition, and scroll through, you can here - 

https://www.oldhonitonians.com/oh-magazines/

For all those OHs who have opted for a hard copy of the magazine, these will be printed and out for delivery soon, thank you from the OH Committee.

On Saturday, 7th February, we hosted the Salisbury OH Coffee and Catch-Up at Salisbury Cathedral, and what an incredible event it was.

Set within the beautiful Refectory restaurant, the venue provided a truly magnificent backdrop for the morning. Having reopened following refurbishment, the Refectory’s stunning see-through glass ceiling filled the space with light and added a real sense of occasion to our gathering.

The event brought together Old Honitonians from a wonderfully broad range of eras, spanning the 1950s through to the 1990s, with so many different stories and lots of laughter. It was especially lovely to have an OH attending for the very first time, who was visiting from Spain. As ever, the conversation flowed easily, fuelled by good coffee, shared memories, and the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and make new connections.

We were delighted to welcome the following attendees:

• Myf Adams

• Nigel Alers-Hankey

• Ros Colston

• Jenni Dixon

• Stephen Dixon

• Russell Frith

• Clare Hopkins

• Dudley Hopkins

• Anthony Lovell-Wood

• Andy Moore

• Will Parke

• Caro Plumptre (neé Wilson)

• Quentin Sandell

• Lesley Watson (née Britton)

• David Woollatt

Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the morning such a success.

Thanks must also go to the fabulous team at Salisbury Cathedral Refectory, who are always so welcoming and really help us make this such a special event.

We look forward to welcoming many more of you to future OH events.

Join us for our latest OH Salisbury Gathering.

We’re excited to invite you to our OH Salisbury gathering on Saturday, February 7th, 2026 — a fantastic opportunity for OHs from across the region to reconnect over coffee at the newly refurbished Refectory Restaurant at Salisbury Cathedral.

☕ Event starts: 10:00 AM
 📍 Location: The Refectory Restaurant, Salisbury Cathedral, SP1 2EJ. 

This event has quickly become a favourite among our community, and we look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible.

Attending?

Let us know you plan to attend by filling out this form here - https://forms.gle/2WyrNi5dXP1uZFc2A

We are absolutely delighted to share our next OH interview, featuring Richard Anderson (Middlemist 1966–71). Richard was Head Boy during his time at Allhallows and is a wonderfully engaging storyteller, with many family connections to our school and its rich history.

Many of you will remember Richard’s fascinating talk at our recent London Cocktail Party and AGM, where he spoke about his latest book, A History of Rousdon Mansion and Allhallows School. His deep knowledge, warmth, and sense of narrative made it a highlight of the evening.

In this upcoming feature, Richard shares a wealth of captivating Allhallows stories, including one remarkable tale that begins during his schooldays and unfolds more than 50 years later. It is a story of memory, continuity, and the enduring magic of Allhallows.

We are thrilled to share this short extract and to bring you more from this enthralling interview via our social media, Facebook and YouTube channels, and here on our website. Our sincere thanks to Richard for sharing his time, memories, and insights so generously.

You can purchase a copy of Richard’s fantastic book here:
👉 https://richardanderson.uk/work

Old Honitonians Annual AGM – Event Recording

Last Thursday evening, the Old Honitonians held the Annual General Meeting at the Royal Society in London. We were delighted to welcome members for an informative and reflective gathering, with updates shared from across the Club’s activities.

A full recording of the event is now available for members to watch.

During the AGM, we heard from:

• Seb Warner, Club President

• David Richardson, Honorary Treasurer

• David Danskin, OH Golf Society President

• Victoria Berry, Social Secretary

• David Woollatt, Honorary Secretary

Each provided updates on their respective areas, highlighting the ongoing work and continued momentum of the Club.

We were also privileged to hear from Jeremy Harding, who offered heartfelt words about his uncle, Ralph Harding, the Father of the Club, whose recent passing was marked with great respect and appreciation for his remarkable legacy.

Please note: the video recording experiences a brief visual drop-out towards the end of the session, but the audio remains fully intact.

We extend our thanks to all who attended.

Last night (20/11/25), Old Honitonians gathered at the prestigious Royal Society in London for one of the most anticipated events in our calendar—the Annual London Cocktail Party and AGM. From start to finish, the evening was filled with energy, good conversation, and a wonderful sense of community.

We opened with the AGM, where members received updates on all areas of club life, including finances, the West Country Lunch, the OH Golf Society, the Magazine, website developments, social media communications, and the evolving club structure. It was a productive and positive session that set the tone for the rest of the evening.

After the AGM, we were honoured to hear from Jeremy Harding, who delivered a heartfelt tribute to his uncle, Ralph Harding, the Father of the Club. Ralph, who passed away recently at the age of 99, played a central role in shaping the spirit and history of our community. Jeremy’s words painted a vivid picture of Ralph’s journey—from his days at the school in Honiton and the move to Rousdon, to his family’s farming heritage and his wartime service in the Home Guard. It was a beautifully delivered reflection on a truly remarkable life, and we look forward to sharing Jeremy’s full tribute soon.

We were then treated to a captivating talk by Richard Anderson (Middlemist 1966–71), Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire, who joined us to speak about his newly released book, A History of Rousdon Mansion and Allhallows School. Richard’s talk was filled with stories, memories, and fascinating details about a place many of us know so well. His book, enriched with unique anecdotes and photographs, is a treasure for anyone connected to Allhallows. It was a pleasure to welcome Richard and his wife, Angie, to the event.

For those wishing to explore the history further, copies are available at: https://richardanderson.uk/work

With the formalities complete, the evening flowed effortlessly into our legendary London Cocktail Party. The room soon filled with laughter, storytelling, and joyful reunions, reminding us once again why this event holds such a special place in the OH calendar. It was a night of warm connections and shared memories, enjoyed by all who attended.

We were delighted to be joined by:

Angie Anderson

Richard Anderson

Myfanwy Adams

Stephen Bath

Lucille Bath

Victoria Berry

Trevor Blevins

John Campbell Clause

Gerald Classey

Jon Crosse

David Danskin

Stephen Dixon

Tessa Everleigh

Nigel Fawcett

Patrick Groves

Charles Harding

Jeremy Harding

Richard Heard

George Hayter

Clare Hopkins

Dudley Hopkins

Andrew Hamilton

Tim Huxtable

Jamie Jemmeson

Richard Le Fleming

Nick Lerwill

Robert Morton

Tom Morgan

Andrew Poë

David Richardson

Michael Shaw

Chris Shallow

Tom Simpson

Peter Sloan

Seb Warner

Roddy Wakeford

Steve White

David Woollatt

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and made the evening so memorable. Special appreciation goes to Jeremy Harding for his moving tribute, Stephen Bath for his introduction to our guest speaker, Richard Anderson for his excellent talk, and to the Royal Society for once again providing a superb venue.

We look forward to sharing even more in the next edition of the OH Magazine and to seeing many of you again at future gatherings.