OHs will, of course, be well aware of the seriousness of the current situation with regard to the spread of the COVID 19 virus. The Club's Committee has been monitoring developments and, in line with Government guidance and common sense, it sadly had to make the decision to cancel the West Country Lunch scheduled to be held at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth on Saturday, 16th May, 2020.

 

OHs who had reserved places for this event were informed of the cancellation and have been be refunded in full. If you have not yet received your refund then please email David Richardson (davidrichardson652@gmail.com)

 

The Club's Committee recently met via Zoom and in light of the continuing situation and uncertainty has decided, with regret, that the Drinks Party that was scheduled to take place again on HQS Wellington in London on 10th September, 2020 should be postponed until Spring 2021.  As for the Club's AGM, this will now take place on 31st October, 2020 at the Hare and Hounds, Putts Corner, Sidbury prior to the lunch that precedes the Allhallows Day Memorial Service.

 

With the Wellington event being moved to Spring 2021, the West Country Lunch will be moved to July or September 2021 prior to which the Club will hold its AGM for 2021 .  These decisions are being kept under constant review and OHs are advised to  check this page regularly for updates and for a final decision on the actual dates for both the Drinks Party and the West Country Lunch being held in 2021.

 

At the present time, the Allhallows Day Memorial Service scheduled for 31st October, 2020 remains in the diary with no cancellation anticipated.

 

Regretfully many of the Club's golfing fixtures have already had to be cancelled. For an update on the current position regarding fixtures planned for later in the year members should email John Pagliero (johnpagliero@googlemail.com.)

It is with great sadness that the Club announces the death of Graham Jones (G.B. Jones) who died peacefully in his sleep on 6th May, 2020.

 

Graham, his wife, Mary, and young family came to Allhallows in 1966. He had taught at Sir William Borlase's School in Marlow, worked briefly in industry and read Mathematics at Cambridge. He was appointed Head of Mathematics by Gethyn Hewan.  OHs will remember that he was an enthusiastic exponent of the new school mathematics and established S.M.P. in the curriculum.

 

In 1971 he became Housemaster of Baker and very early on earned the respect of the boys in his house and their parents for the high standard he expected and the tireless efforts he made for Baker boys to use their talents and opportunities to the full.

 

A fine medium-pace bowler Graham was a natural games player and was master-in-charge of cricket throughout his time at Allhallows.  He was an equally enthusiastic coach of hockey and referee of junior rugger and, as one of the few members of staff with real military experience in Korea, he gave invaluable service as an officer in the C.C.F. in training, at camps and on field days.

 

Graham and Mary also contributed to the Rousdon community as a whole. Together they participated in parish affairs, Mary serving as a Parish Councillor, and supported fetes, village suppers and flower shows just as much as they did chapel services, special lectures, concerts, plays and festive occasions at the school.

 

Graham retired from the school in 1992 but he and Mary did not move far, buying a property in Combpyne where they lived until just a few years ago when they moved to Colyton.

 

The Club sends its condolences to Mary and the family.

It is with sadness that the Club reports the death of Jim Bennett (Baker 1944-48) on 9th April, 2020. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. The funeral took place on 23rd April.

 

Born in Australia in December 1931 Jim travelled to England by ship as a small boy. His family settled in Falmouth. Jim was 12 when he came to Allhallows where he spent the remaining years of the war. He spent many a cold night at the top of the East Tower on air raid watch. He left Allhallows at the age of 16 and joined Lloyds Bank, working his way up through the ranks.

 

Jim was a very enthusiastic sailor  and was a member of the Axe Yacht Club. There is a full tribute to him on the Axe Yacht Club website https://www.axeyachtclub.co.uk/club/jim-bennett-1931-2020

 

The Club extends its sincere condolences to his wife Anne, family and friends. 

Subject to the easing or lifting of the COVID 19 restrictions four OHs, going by the name of The Humble Pointers will be attempting a 26 mile walk from Weymouth along the Jurassic Coast to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support on Saturday, 5th September, 2020.  

 

The Humble Pointers - Myf Adams (M.69/71), John Campbell Clause (St.66/71), Nigel Clist (C. 67/72) and Peter Sloan (B. 66/71) - will welcome OH support in person on the day and/or by way of donations to MacMillan. A Just Giving page will be opened shortly and details will be shown on this website.

 

The Club is delighted to announce that a new Editor to replace George Hayter, who retired from the post at the end of 2019, has now been found!

 

Emily Banting, who is married to Tim Banting OH (Lillies 92 - 97) and whose father, Gareth Banting taught at Allhallows has very kindly agreed to take on this very important role. Emily has worked in design and print for the last 12 years. She is very familiar with the Rousdon Estate and in her spare time writes fiction. She is currently writing a trilogy that dates over 100 years at Rousdon. She already has an extensive archive of pre-1938 and post 1938 material, mainly postcards, OH memorabilia, books, magazines and history of the school. Her husband Tim is a Heritage Photographer at the House of Lords and we are indebted to him for a number of the photographs that are shown on this website.

 

The hope is that the Club will, after a year's absence, be able to once again produce an annual Magazine starting during the course of 2021.

 

If you have ideas for any articles or features for the magazine then please do make contact with Emily at Editor@Rousdonarchive.co.uk. Let's bring the magazine back to life!