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The Westminster Society London & Oxford alumni & former staff
CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2022
Welcome to a Christmas newsletter we decided to slip in as light relief in the pre-festivities build-up. This is another mixed bag looking both backward and forward as we remember old friends, celebrate the season, and look to the future. This is what we have lined up for you:
• Dr Howdle's Speech (video incl College Song & Shout)
• East Anglia Region's October Get-together
• Memories of Alan Mack, Laurie Cook
• General Committee
• The Westminsterian
• Musical Nightmare
♥ Peter Steadman's seasonal pick of music videos
(three of them from our Chapel)
Dr Howdle's Speech (at the 2021 & 2022 Graduation Events)
A number of requests have come in asking whether Dr Susan Howdle's speech to the Graduation Celebrations was recorded. Mary Lines has uploaded the video below to youtube. This can only be reached using the link here. It does not appear in searches through you tube or any public search engine.
We are grateful once again to Oxford Circuit Superintendent Rev Peter Powers for recording September's Graduation Celebration in the College Theatre (sorry, there's no way we are calling it Brookes Lecture Rm 1 !) Thanks also to Mary's husband John Lines who edited the video.
Whether you were there this year, last year, or just have not yet heard it yet, please click through to listen to Dr Susan Howdle's Speech (so good last year that we asked her to come back and deliver it again), followed by the Westminster College Song, the College Shout, and Rev Will Bissett, the Society's Official Piper.
East Anglia Region October Get-Together
Margaret Baldry writes: Twelve members came to our house in Manningtree for our first get-together for 3½ years. We were blessed with beautiful Autumn weather, the undimmed warmth of friendship, and the generous provision of a 'bring and share' lunch.
After-lunch options of exploring Manningtree or visiting a museum became superfluous as the conversation flowed with memories of friends and earlier gatherings, as well as of our own experiences since we last met. We remembered particularly those who had died since March 2019, our last time together: Jack Baxter 51, Maurice Page 51, Willis Johnson 51, Roger Fern 65, Anne Dean (Beck) 65, and we shared news of those who were unable to join us on this occasion.
We all agreed we should meet up every so often. We hope to arrange something for Spring 2023. If you have ideas about suitable venues please do let me (Margaret Baldry) know. We'd like to extend the invitation to other Ws across East Anglia.
Those who came are listed for the photo below, taken by Sandra Watson's non-W husband, Rob.
Apologies came in from:
• David Dean 65
• Jo Dudley (Davey) 67
• Judith (Tayler) 63 and Trevor Dye 61
• Maddy (Ford) and Abe Ford, both 64
• Judith (Williams) 68 and John Hyde 69
• Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Megahey 67
• Beryl Page (Maurice 51 RIP)
• Jill (Stephens) and David Playford, both 67
The Shearmur's had been in touch with a friend of Sylvia Purton (widow of Rowland), who now lives in a care home in Westcliff-on-Sea. She is happy and well.
In the photo below we see:
standing L-R: Denis Baldry 67, David Shearmur 57, John Eccles 64, Mike Woods 61, John Webber 61, Kenneth Tickle, John Hull 71;
seated L-R: Sandra Watson (Mutimer, 67), Nancy Shearmur 57, Ruth Eccles (Hayes, 64), Wendy Hull (Tomlin, 70), Enid Tickles (Watson, 63), and Margaret Baldry 67.
Drop us a line if you'd like to join them in the Spring, or to make contact with any of those present or who sent apologies. Usual address: WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
Memories of Alan Mack '67
Brigadier General Alfons Wiktor Maćkowiak (1916-2017)
The distinguished life and career of Alfons Maćkowiak, known to his Westminster contemporaries as Alan Mack, deserves greater coverage than we can give in this newsletter.
Alan's niece has asked The Society for two types of help. First, she would love to receive your memories of Alan's time at Westminster.
He must have stood out among National Service returners and students joining straight from school as he already had a hero's war record. He remained a stalwart of Oxford University Athletics Club where a plaque has been placed in "Alan's" memory. Click here for photos of OUAC plaque event.
Polish schools have a "standard". Alan's niece also asks whether we would allow the College shield to be incorporated into the standard for Oxford's Polish Saturday School. The Westminster College Oxford Trust owns the coat of arms so we have asked them to consider the request.
If you copy his full name into google you will find Alan's Polish wikipedia entry. Click there, and when you opt for "Translate" you will be able to read about this remarkable man.
It is also worth reading a pupil view of their sports master - here.
Please send your own memories of Alan Mack to: WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
Laurie Cook '52 (1930-2022)
We were sad to hear of the recent loss of Laurie Cook whose article appeared in this year's The Westminsterian. A lifelong Methodist Local Preacher and an all-round thoroughly nice man, Laurie was an inspiration to several committee members.
We will be pleased to pass on to his son Steven any memories or messages you wish us to forward via the usual WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
General Committee & the Executive
This term the Executive and the General Committee members have been reviewing aspects of the September Reunion - what worked, and what could have been done better. We have started to think about next September's Reunion Day too.
The invitation from Chaplain Miriam to attend the University's Carol Service in "our own" chapel is rather nice. It was a treacherous foggy day for driving so, in the end, only nine of us made it to Chapel. With jmore notice and better weather we are sure more will be there next year.
We are beginning to think about the longer term and are weighing up options regarding the College's legacy. There will be more on that in the New Year.
To share the Society's work a little more broadly we co-opted two new committee members to vacant positions. Honor Hollis (Goodall, 64-67) takes up the General Committee position of Communications Team Rep, and Mike Cooper (73-77) joins Will Bissett as a member of the General Committee.
We wish them every success in their new roles. Despite considerable encouragement, Mike Cooper turned down the position of Deputy Piper. Applications welcome.
Local links will be part of our focus too. We already have a suggestion from one area for an afternoon that puts together a concert, an art show, and an early evening meal. It needs fleshing out, but it does sound interesting in principle.
If you have ideas for an event that you create, or if you would like to suggest a group of Ws attend an existing event, please get in touch.
Can we help you put together an event? Do you know of an interesting regional or national speaker? A fascinating museum or country house that tells its story well? A sporting event ? Over to you to show off the best of where you live, to encourage a few of us to help and the rest of us to come along.
Ideas please to: WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
The Westminsterian
The magazine's February 2023 edition is progressing well thanks to contributions from a number of members, including a couple of Royal reminiscences. We won't say more yet. Let's hold that for the New Year.
Oh, and the good news is, you are on the list to receive a copy. Certain other recipients of this email will see a bold reminder to pay their subs at this point!
Thank you for subscribing.
A Head of Music's Nightmare
The venue people said you could practice the evening before, and the instruments will be safe if you leave them overnight. Do you do it, or does it sound too risky? Follow the link to classicfm for a story where they didn't even leave the Hall. It still went catastrophically wrong though! click here for classicfm story (We believe it is safe to accept their cookie)
Music at Christmas
A personal selection this, put together by our Membership Sec, Peter Steadman.
As many of you know, Peter's other job is running a lunchtime concert series in Leatherhead Methodist Church.
As well as preparing a programme webpage for each of the weekly concerts, Peter adds youtube recordings to those pages.
Occasionally he selects music for special events - such as Christmas.
We invite you to share in his latest Christmas selection of music videos, sharing with fellow Ws, with the people of Leatherhead, and with your own friends and family.
Peter offers us three items from the Westminster Chapel, two of those from the recent Carol Service there. He has found a beautiful setting of the Coventry Carol, Lully, Lulla, and the familiar melody of Sleigh Ride fair zips along. Even Handel gets a look-in. We are sure you will enjoy this 40-minute selection of music videos.
Click on the Christmas tree or the musiconthursdays logo above, or copy and paste this link:
https://www.musiconthursdays.org/20-december-2022-christmas-selection.html
We promised you a mixed bag of a newsletter. We hope you have enjoyed this general catch-up and that something here has struck a chord with you.
Very best wishes for Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
Peter R • Mary
David • Peter S
You are welcome to forward this email to other Ws,
and to friends and family who might enjoy some of our content.
Wesley Mem & Refugee Welcome
Keep up to speed with the project by clicking on the information above.
If you would like to read more about, or to contribute to, Wesley Memorial Church's Refugee Welcome project please click on the JustGiving logo below. They will take care of Gift Aid too.
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2022
We cannot put out a newsletter at this time without taking note of recent events.
There may be very few among us now who remember that precious day in the life of Westminster College, Horseferry Road, when a delightful, young Princess Elizabeth joined the students and staff to celebrate 100 years since the founding of our College.
Have you ever met the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, or our new King ?
The Westminsterian has an important role as a journal of record. In the next edition we would like to include your recollections of moments with those three key members of the Royal family. Was it a dinner, an award ceremony, a sporting event, a school visit? Whatever the circumstances let's share our stories of those encounters, fun or serious, sombre even.
Please send your recollections to: WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2022
Welcome to a Christmas newsletter we decided to slip in as light relief in the pre-festivities build-up. This is another mixed bag looking both backward and forward as we remember old friends, celebrate the season, and look to the future. This is what we have lined up for you:
• Dr Howdle's Speech (video incl College Song & Shout)
• East Anglia Region's October Get-together
• Memories of Alan Mack, Laurie Cook
• General Committee
• The Westminsterian
• Musical Nightmare
♥ Peter Steadman's seasonal pick of music videos
(three of them from our Chapel)
Dr Howdle's Speech (at the 2021 & 2022 Graduation Events)
A number of requests have come in asking whether Dr Susan Howdle's speech to the Graduation Celebrations was recorded. Mary Lines has uploaded the video below to youtube. This can only be reached using the link here. It does not appear in searches through you tube or any public search engine.
We are grateful once again to Oxford Circuit Superintendent Rev Peter Powers for recording September's Graduation Celebration in the College Theatre (sorry, there's no way we are calling it Brookes Lecture Rm 1 !) Thanks also to Mary's husband John Lines who edited the video.
Whether you were there this year, last year, or just have not yet heard it yet, please click through to listen to Dr Susan Howdle's Speech (so good last year that we asked her to come back and deliver it again), followed by the Westminster College Song, the College Shout, and Rev Will Bissett, the Society's Official Piper.
East Anglia Region October Get-Together
Margaret Baldry writes: Twelve members came to our house in Manningtree for our first get-together for 3½ years. We were blessed with beautiful Autumn weather, the undimmed warmth of friendship, and the generous provision of a 'bring and share' lunch.
After-lunch options of exploring Manningtree or visiting a museum became superfluous as the conversation flowed with memories of friends and earlier gatherings, as well as of our own experiences since we last met. We remembered particularly those who had died since March 2019, our last time together: Jack Baxter 51, Maurice Page 51, Willis Johnson 51, Roger Fern 65, Anne Dean (Beck) 65, and we shared news of those who were unable to join us on this occasion.
We all agreed we should meet up every so often. We hope to arrange something for Spring 2023. If you have ideas about suitable venues please do let me (Margaret Baldry) know. We'd like to extend the invitation to other Ws across East Anglia.
Those who came are listed for the photo below, taken by Sandra Watson's non-W husband, Rob.
Apologies came in from:
• David Dean 65
• Jo Dudley (Davey) 67
• Judith (Tayler) 63 and Trevor Dye 61
• Maddy (Ford) and Abe Ford, both 64
• Judith (Williams) 68 and John Hyde 69
• Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Megahey 67
• Beryl Page (Maurice 51 RIP)
• Jill (Stephens) and David Playford, both 67
The Shearmur's had been in touch with a friend of Sylvia Purton (widow of Rowland), who now lives in a care home in Westcliff-on-Sea. She is happy and well.
In the photo below we see:
standing L-R: Denis Baldry 67, David Shearmur 57, John Eccles 64, Mike Woods 61, John Webber 61, Kenneth Tickle, John Hull 71;
seated L-R: Sandra Watson (Mutimer, 67), Nancy Shearmur 57, Ruth Eccles (Hayes, 64), Wendy Hull (Tomlin, 70), Enid Tickles (Watson, 63), and Margaret Baldry 67.
Drop us a line if you'd like to join them in the Spring, or to make contact with any of those present or who sent apologies. Usual address: WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
Memories of Alan Mack '67
Brigadier General Alfons Wiktor Maćkowiak (1916-2017)
The distinguished life and career of Alfons Maćkowiak, known to his Westminster contemporaries as Alan Mack, deserves greater coverage than we can give in this newsletter.
Alan's niece has asked The Society for two types of help. First, she would love to receive your memories of Alan's time at Westminster.
He must have stood out among National Service returners and students joining straight from school as he already had a hero's war record. He remained a stalwart of Oxford University Athletics Club where a plaque has been placed in "Alan's" memory. Click here for photos of OUAC plaque event.
Polish schools have a "standard". Alan's niece also asks whether we would allow the College shield to be incorporated into the standard for Oxford's Polish Saturday School. The Westminster College Oxford Trust owns the coat of arms so we have asked them to consider the request.
If you copy his full name into google you will find Alan's Polish wikipedia entry. Click there, and when you opt for "Translate" you will be able to read about this remarkable man.
It is also worth reading a pupil view of their sports master - here.
Please send your own memories of Alan Mack to: WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
Laurie Cook '52 (1930-2022)
We were sad to hear of the recent loss of Laurie Cook whose article appeared in this year's The Westminsterian. A lifelong Methodist Local Preacher and an all-round thoroughly nice man, Laurie was an inspiration to several committee members.
We will be pleased to pass on to his son Steven any memories or messages you wish us to forward via the usual WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
General Committee & the Executive
This term the Executive and the General Committee members have been reviewing aspects of the September Reunion - what worked, and what could have been done better. We have started to think about next September's Reunion Day too.
The invitation from Chaplain Miriam to attend the University's Carol Service in "our own" chapel is rather nice. It was a treacherous foggy day for driving so, in the end, only nine of us made it to Chapel. With jmore notice and better weather we are sure more will be there next year.
We are beginning to think about the longer term and are weighing up options regarding the College's legacy. There will be more on that in the New Year.
To share the Society's work a little more broadly we co-opted two new committee members to vacant positions. Honor Hollis (Goodall, 64-67) takes up the General Committee position of Communications Team Rep, and Mike Cooper (73-77) joins Will Bissett as a member of the General Committee.
We wish them every success in their new roles. Despite considerable encouragement, Mike Cooper turned down the position of Deputy Piper. Applications welcome.
Local links will be part of our focus too. We already have a suggestion from one area for an afternoon that puts together a concert, an art show, and an early evening meal. It needs fleshing out, but it does sound interesting in principle.
If you have ideas for an event that you create, or if you would like to suggest a group of Ws attend an existing event, please get in touch.
Can we help you put together an event? Do you know of an interesting regional or national speaker? A fascinating museum or country house that tells its story well? A sporting event ? Over to you to show off the best of where you live, to encourage a few of us to help and the rest of us to come along.
Ideas please to: WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
The Westminsterian
The magazine's February 2023 edition is progressing well thanks to contributions from a number of members, including a couple of Royal reminiscences. We won't say more yet. Let's hold that for the New Year.
Oh, and the good news is, you are on the list to receive a copy. Certain other recipients of this email will see a bold reminder to pay their subs at this point!
Thank you for subscribing.
A Head of Music's Nightmare
The venue people said you could practice the evening before, and the instruments will be safe if you leave them overnight. Do you do it, or does it sound too risky? Follow the link to classicfm for a story where they didn't even leave the Hall. It still went catastrophically wrong though! click here for classicfm story (We believe it is safe to accept their cookie)
Music at Christmas
A personal selection this, put together by our Membership Sec, Peter Steadman.
As many of you know, Peter's other job is running a lunchtime concert series in Leatherhead Methodist Church.
As well as preparing a programme webpage for each of the weekly concerts, Peter adds youtube recordings to those pages.
Occasionally he selects music for special events - such as Christmas.
We invite you to share in his latest Christmas selection of music videos, sharing with fellow Ws, with the people of Leatherhead, and with your own friends and family.
Peter offers us three items from the Westminster Chapel, two of those from the recent Carol Service there. He has found a beautiful setting of the Coventry Carol, Lully, Lulla, and the familiar melody of Sleigh Ride fair zips along. Even Handel gets a look-in. We are sure you will enjoy this 40-minute selection of music videos.
Click on the Christmas tree or the musiconthursdays logo above, or copy and paste this link:
https://www.musiconthursdays.org/20-december-2022-christmas-selection.html
We promised you a mixed bag of a newsletter. We hope you have enjoyed this general catch-up and that something here has struck a chord with you.
Very best wishes for Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
Peter R • Mary
David • Peter S
You are welcome to forward this email to other Ws,
and to friends and family who might enjoy some of our content.
Wesley Mem & Refugee Welcome
Keep up to speed with the project by clicking on the information above.
If you would like to read more about, or to contribute to, Wesley Memorial Church's Refugee Welcome project please click on the JustGiving logo below. They will take care of Gift Aid too.
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2022
We cannot put out a newsletter at this time without taking note of recent events.
There may be very few among us now who remember that precious day in the life of Westminster College, Horseferry Road, when a delightful, young Princess Elizabeth joined the students and staff to celebrate 100 years since the founding of our College.
Have you ever met the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, or our new King ?
The Westminsterian has an important role as a journal of record. In the next edition we would like to include your recollections of moments with those three key members of the Royal family. Was it a dinner, an award ceremony, a sporting event, a school visit? Whatever the circumstances let's share our stories of those encounters, fun or serious, sombre even.
Please send your recollections to: WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com
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For an example of what we don't have in mind, here's a story and photo from 1977 sent in by Peter Relf (chair of the Society). 'I had been under the floorboards rewiring the house in Mansfield we'd bought the previous autumn, and briefly went to Nottingham Road withy wife and 2yr-old son for the Jubilee drive-past. There I took a remarkably unsuccessful photo of the Queen (see below) and then went back indoors under the floorboards again. The rewiring was more successful than the photo!
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Let us move on to talk of Westminster business.
Our recent Reunion Day, with its last ever graduate celebration, was a tremendous success. The organising team made sure it was a day packed with activity, and even the Catering Department came up to scratch this year, demonstrating a clearer understanding of our requirements. Just as at last year's Reunion, people who had not attended before commented on the ease with which Westminsterians of different eras could chat about shared experiences. They remarked how being in the place again brought it all back. So far, Brookes, and the changes they have made, have not erased Westminster College from the Hill. As ever, at the heart of it all stands the Chapel. Just one regret, that past Chair Sylvia Clift and Roger were unable to join us due to a change in personal circumstances. We wish them both well and hope to see them in September 2023 (and by zoom, before then, of course.)
Peter Relf added the morning's Sportskhana, culminating in the Egg Drop from the balcony in Chapel Quad. We can report that no eggs were broken this year. We shall have to find a higher point from which to drop them, or a harder lnding surface (is there a harder surface than the sun-baked yellow-brown grass/straw on Harcourt Hill?)
Ah yes, the greeting cards. They proved a great success with some packs selling out on the day. We realise more of you would like to buy the card packs, so the next newsletter will include details of how to order, well in time for Christmas.
Dr Peter Forsaith led the afternoon city walk seeing places of significance in the history of Methodism. All who went were impressed by his extensive knowledge of the subject. We don't think that is how he was dressed. Peter Forsaith is a member of the OCMCH team along with Prof Bill Gibson, who led proceedings at the BA Celebration, and Tom Dobson who we tend to view as our 'College Archivist'. Bill and Tom have put in a lot of effort over the BA awards and in supporting our continuing access for Reunion Days. Tom prepared a Treasure Hunt across the Westminster campus (OK, Harcourt Hill campus, if we must!) We were so busy elsewhere that few people tried it. We will bring it out again in a future year and have a serious go. Tom represents OCMCH at meetings of The Westminster Society General Committee and of the Reunion Team. Listing all the other ways he supports us would take columns of this newsletter, so let's heartily thank him and his colleagues for what they do. [ OCMCH = Oxford Centre for Methodism & Church History. ]
It is surprising, is it not, how few English alumni societies have their own Official Piper. The Westminster Society General Committee is extremely fortunate to include Rev Will Bissett (86-90). Not only does he have a head full of ideas for our future but, through his piping, Will adds gravitas to events like the BA Celebrations of the past two Reunions. During the afternoon's musical promenade concert, Will gave a performance of Amazing Grace. We have a complete video of it on our Reunion Photos webpage, where you will find more videos and photos from the day - and where your own photos might also appear. (click on Will's picture to access the webpage)With the grand piano now in the Chapel rather than the Theatre, we were also able to enjoy performances by Peter Relf, by Peter and David Gibbs together (piano with organ and piano duets), and bagpipes with organ.Barry Carpenter (73-76) gave us a reprise of his Tevye (adding a little more weight to his singing of If I were a Rich Man than he was able in 1976). Jane Horne (Callow, 74-77) brought her own music-machine and gave us two songs with her voice as strong as ever. She and David (73-76) told us they had had a marvellous day. Liz Stock (Bullock, 72-75, Union Vice President 74-5) produced a box of recorders, as if we were in some 17th century withdrawing room! It turned out that several of us felt confident (ie, were blagged into) giving it a go. We take it as a compliment that the Chapel did not completely empty over the ensuing ten minutes or so.
Next came Choir Practice, with David Gibbs at the organ and piano, and Liz Stock licking us into shape. We were mostly Ws, supplemented by partners, and by a couple of Liz's local contacts. It was soon 5pm, and the walkers were returning with Peter Forsaith (on the 400/U1 bus, displaying both our green credentials and our "persons of a certain age" bus passes).
Time for the AGM, which Peter Relf promised would be over in 7 minutes (a side bet he seemed to be having with Tom Dobson whose recent scout AGM had run a little over that limit.) Was it cheating to begin with a quiz whose timing was outside the meeting? Well, that's what Peter did. You might like to have a go at this yourselves, and then take it along to U3A, Harvest Supper, or some other social occasion.Peter gave us exactly 132 seconds to write down as many English & Welsh county names as we could that include the letter "w". We would have been concerned had Peter Steadman not won this challenge. After all, he is supposed to know about geography and addressing. Another time we might invite him to be the umpire rather than the obvious victor.
Once the meeting opened Peter Relf reminded us that his speech was in the info pack for the day - how did he get away with that? He called on David Gibbs to tell us about finances. They are in good shape, although we still have over 300 Members who have not switched out of HSBC. If that includes you, please see on the Join page the instructions for subscribing through our NatWest account.
Next Peter S reminded us about the time-consuming distraction of the lost magazines. He used that as his excuse for doing very little else all year. Membership's aims for 2022-23 are to keep on encouraging us to switch banks, and to trace new email addresses for those that have been bouncing lately. Christine Crowther (Gollins, 62-65) will be phoning around on that project, and another volunteer would be very welcome. Meanwhile, Ann Darley Cook (Darley, 68-71) will be keeping in touch with our Horseferry Road contingent, and some of the early years leavers after College moved to Oxford. Both of these activities generate stories for the magazine and members are always pleased to find we actually make calls, rather than wait to be contacted.
6 o'clock. Where's that bell-ringing coming from? Look in the Reunion webpage photos! It's another committee member, the Reverend Miriam Moul. Miriam is the Methodist Chaplain to Oxford Brookes University. We had been taking it that she was also our Chaplain. Then the question came up, had we ever asked her? Miriam was asked and agreed to be honorary Chaplain to The Westminster Society. In the photo (below) Miriam is ringing the chapel bell. We didn't ring it last year, and there are no regular services in the chapel to cause it to be rung. So when exactly was it last rung? We had visions of Miriam being surrounded by a coil of frayed rope after her first pull. But no! Everything worked and Ws began to head for the chapel steps. Miriam was asked and, after some thought, she agreed to be Honorary Chaplain to The Westminster Society. Our Chaplain led a lovely service, a few videos of which are on the photos page (linked below). The College Hymn, sung to Wilton, the correct tune with the "walking bass" line, was included. Norma Perry was in the congregation as she had been at the Chapel's inaugural service in 1959, then with the Rev Tony, of course. Our Chapel Collection was in aid of a brilliant project Wesley Mem are running. They plan to support a migrant family who will come to Oxford under the government's scheme. Please add your support to the project as this is no simple gesture. It will help a family to move into UK life over a sustained period.
After Chapel, we posed on the steps for a group photo (also showing on the photo page) and then had what we politely described as "sparkling social time" in Chapel Quad. Surely, it was all elderflower cordial? Who knows? Who remembers? Then it was time for the informal dinner in the Refectory. We had opted for self-service after the delays with the caterers trying to offer a timely table service last year. It was a wise decision and worked well. And the dinner was good too.
What a day! What a glorious, memorable, day! If you were there, please send your pictures and videos via email
WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com for us to add to the Reunion webpage.
We look forward to involving more of you in our next plan, for, like Christmas, Reunion planning starts straight after the Reunion.
Very best wishes.
Peter R • Mary • David • Peter S • Liz • Tom Your Reunion team
Our recent Reunion Day, with its last ever graduate celebration, was a tremendous success. The organising team made sure it was a day packed with activity, and even the Catering Department came up to scratch this year, demonstrating a clearer understanding of our requirements. Just as at last year's Reunion, people who had not attended before commented on the ease with which Westminsterians of different eras could chat about shared experiences. They remarked how being in the place again brought it all back. So far, Brookes, and the changes they have made, have not erased Westminster College from the Hill. As ever, at the heart of it all stands the Chapel. Just one regret, that past Chair Sylvia Clift and Roger were unable to join us due to a change in personal circumstances. We wish them both well and hope to see them in September 2023 (and by zoom, before then, of course.)
Peter Relf added the morning's Sportskhana, culminating in the Egg Drop from the balcony in Chapel Quad. We can report that no eggs were broken this year. We shall have to find a higher point from which to drop them, or a harder lnding surface (is there a harder surface than the sun-baked yellow-brown grass/straw on Harcourt Hill?)
Ah yes, the greeting cards. They proved a great success with some packs selling out on the day. We realise more of you would like to buy the card packs, so the next newsletter will include details of how to order, well in time for Christmas.
Dr Peter Forsaith led the afternoon city walk seeing places of significance in the history of Methodism. All who went were impressed by his extensive knowledge of the subject. We don't think that is how he was dressed. Peter Forsaith is a member of the OCMCH team along with Prof Bill Gibson, who led proceedings at the BA Celebration, and Tom Dobson who we tend to view as our 'College Archivist'. Bill and Tom have put in a lot of effort over the BA awards and in supporting our continuing access for Reunion Days. Tom prepared a Treasure Hunt across the Westminster campus (OK, Harcourt Hill campus, if we must!) We were so busy elsewhere that few people tried it. We will bring it out again in a future year and have a serious go. Tom represents OCMCH at meetings of The Westminster Society General Committee and of the Reunion Team. Listing all the other ways he supports us would take columns of this newsletter, so let's heartily thank him and his colleagues for what they do. [ OCMCH = Oxford Centre for Methodism & Church History. ]
It is surprising, is it not, how few English alumni societies have their own Official Piper. The Westminster Society General Committee is extremely fortunate to include Rev Will Bissett (86-90). Not only does he have a head full of ideas for our future but, through his piping, Will adds gravitas to events like the BA Celebrations of the past two Reunions. During the afternoon's musical promenade concert, Will gave a performance of Amazing Grace. We have a complete video of it on our Reunion Photos webpage, where you will find more videos and photos from the day - and where your own photos might also appear. (click on Will's picture to access the webpage)With the grand piano now in the Chapel rather than the Theatre, we were also able to enjoy performances by Peter Relf, by Peter and David Gibbs together (piano with organ and piano duets), and bagpipes with organ.Barry Carpenter (73-76) gave us a reprise of his Tevye (adding a little more weight to his singing of If I were a Rich Man than he was able in 1976). Jane Horne (Callow, 74-77) brought her own music-machine and gave us two songs with her voice as strong as ever. She and David (73-76) told us they had had a marvellous day. Liz Stock (Bullock, 72-75, Union Vice President 74-5) produced a box of recorders, as if we were in some 17th century withdrawing room! It turned out that several of us felt confident (ie, were blagged into) giving it a go. We take it as a compliment that the Chapel did not completely empty over the ensuing ten minutes or so.
Next came Choir Practice, with David Gibbs at the organ and piano, and Liz Stock licking us into shape. We were mostly Ws, supplemented by partners, and by a couple of Liz's local contacts. It was soon 5pm, and the walkers were returning with Peter Forsaith (on the 400/U1 bus, displaying both our green credentials and our "persons of a certain age" bus passes).
Time for the AGM, which Peter Relf promised would be over in 7 minutes (a side bet he seemed to be having with Tom Dobson whose recent scout AGM had run a little over that limit.) Was it cheating to begin with a quiz whose timing was outside the meeting? Well, that's what Peter did. You might like to have a go at this yourselves, and then take it along to U3A, Harvest Supper, or some other social occasion.Peter gave us exactly 132 seconds to write down as many English & Welsh county names as we could that include the letter "w". We would have been concerned had Peter Steadman not won this challenge. After all, he is supposed to know about geography and addressing. Another time we might invite him to be the umpire rather than the obvious victor.
Once the meeting opened Peter Relf reminded us that his speech was in the info pack for the day - how did he get away with that? He called on David Gibbs to tell us about finances. They are in good shape, although we still have over 300 Members who have not switched out of HSBC. If that includes you, please see on the Join page the instructions for subscribing through our NatWest account.
Next Peter S reminded us about the time-consuming distraction of the lost magazines. He used that as his excuse for doing very little else all year. Membership's aims for 2022-23 are to keep on encouraging us to switch banks, and to trace new email addresses for those that have been bouncing lately. Christine Crowther (Gollins, 62-65) will be phoning around on that project, and another volunteer would be very welcome. Meanwhile, Ann Darley Cook (Darley, 68-71) will be keeping in touch with our Horseferry Road contingent, and some of the early years leavers after College moved to Oxford. Both of these activities generate stories for the magazine and members are always pleased to find we actually make calls, rather than wait to be contacted.
6 o'clock. Where's that bell-ringing coming from? Look in the Reunion webpage photos! It's another committee member, the Reverend Miriam Moul. Miriam is the Methodist Chaplain to Oxford Brookes University. We had been taking it that she was also our Chaplain. Then the question came up, had we ever asked her? Miriam was asked and agreed to be honorary Chaplain to The Westminster Society. In the photo (below) Miriam is ringing the chapel bell. We didn't ring it last year, and there are no regular services in the chapel to cause it to be rung. So when exactly was it last rung? We had visions of Miriam being surrounded by a coil of frayed rope after her first pull. But no! Everything worked and Ws began to head for the chapel steps. Miriam was asked and, after some thought, she agreed to be Honorary Chaplain to The Westminster Society. Our Chaplain led a lovely service, a few videos of which are on the photos page (linked below). The College Hymn, sung to Wilton, the correct tune with the "walking bass" line, was included. Norma Perry was in the congregation as she had been at the Chapel's inaugural service in 1959, then with the Rev Tony, of course. Our Chapel Collection was in aid of a brilliant project Wesley Mem are running. They plan to support a migrant family who will come to Oxford under the government's scheme. Please add your support to the project as this is no simple gesture. It will help a family to move into UK life over a sustained period.
After Chapel, we posed on the steps for a group photo (also showing on the photo page) and then had what we politely described as "sparkling social time" in Chapel Quad. Surely, it was all elderflower cordial? Who knows? Who remembers? Then it was time for the informal dinner in the Refectory. We had opted for self-service after the delays with the caterers trying to offer a timely table service last year. It was a wise decision and worked well. And the dinner was good too.
What a day! What a glorious, memorable, day! If you were there, please send your pictures and videos via email
WestminsterOxfordAlumni@gmail.com for us to add to the Reunion webpage.
We look forward to involving more of you in our next plan, for, like Christmas, Reunion planning starts straight after the Reunion.
Very best wishes.
Peter R • Mary • David • Peter S • Liz • Tom Your Reunion team
