Arthur Andrews has died, full of years, at the age of 92.

Shebbear College was always close to his heart and benefitted from his lifetime of dedication to it.

His school days coincided with the Second World War and the beginning of the headship of Jack Morris. Despite hostilities, the school sought to give the young Arthur a rounded education including sport. Arthur became captain of the first team at cricket. In later years, at OSA dinners, he shared his memories of life in North Devon during a world conflict and of the transition from Leslie Johnson to the unique Jack Morris.

Most of us will have met him for the first time during his quarter of a century of service as Secretary of the Old Shebbearians Association from 1969-94. Throughout this long period, he conducted the affairs of the OSA with charm and efficiency. He set up the OSA Careers Panel to offer practical advice to senior boys facing the tough task of choosing a career. I am indebted to a Shebbearian article of John Page penned at the time of Arthur’s retirement. He writes, “Never testy or ill humoured, Arthur’s committees were civilised occasions. Jack Morris and his forebears would murmur in warm approval of all that he did.”

The Secretary is an important link between the alumni and the college and Arthur’s strong diplomatic skills were put to the test towards the end of his tenure when the whole future of the school was in the balance.

His wife Beryl provided outstanding support to Arthur during his years as secretary of the OSA and even in retirement they maintained their connections with the college. During a holiday visit to Australia great efforts were made to meet up with Old Shebbearians who were now living Down Under.

He was a distinguished President of the OSA in 1985 and lived to see the major transformation of the college in the 21^st century.

The funeral for Arthur Andrews will be held at Woking Crematorium on 24th June 2020 at 11am.

This service will be for very close family only, but we ask that you raise a glass to Arthur at this time.

If you would like to make a donation in Arthur’s memory, then gifts are gratefully received for Woking and Sam Beare Hospice and can be made via Lodge Brothers Funeral Directors website.

With grateful thanks from David, Michael and Helen.”

bestfamily33@btinternet.com

The 112^th OSA Reunion Dinner, held on Saturday 1st February 2020, was a well-attended event and President, Philip Daniel, was pleased to give a warm welcome to the new head, Caroline Kirby, and her husband Robert, as well as the other guests, Ashley Barlow (Head of Art), Ben Hilton (Head of St Petroc’s) and head boy and head girl, Robin Dalton and Jess Biggs.

He went on to speak fondly of the recently passed Dick Birch, who was head of history and deputy head in Philip’s time at the school. He also thanked Simon Weale for all his hard work and wished him well in his new post in India. He said how much he had enjoyed the opportunity to visit the College and was grateful for the support of Paul Lockyer (Chairman) and the rest of the committee throughout his time in office.

He had learnt much about how the OSA supports the school and had particularly enjoyed the events he had attended, including the visit of artist Jeremy Annear, the production of Fiddler on the Roof, the Leavers’ Service, the 6^th Form Dinner, various sporting events and, of course, Speech Day.

He closed by appealing to those present at the Dinner to consider attending the regularly held committee meetings and to offer ideas of fund raising to ensure ongoing support for the College going forward.

Mrs Kirby then responded, concentrating on giving her early impressions of the school, and in particular of the Shebbear weather, which was at its worst when she came for interview. She continued with some amusing anecdotes about several of the staff, Mr Barlow and Mr Butler in particular, before reminding Mike Tucker (who taught for many years at our rival school) that the 1^st XV had defeated West Buckland for the fourth consecutive year in 2019.

She closed by giving huge thanks for the support of the OSA and assured all present that she would be dedicated to ensuring that the interests of the College and the OSA would be at the heart of every decision she made in her time Shebbear.

Then Robin Dalton and Jess Biggs gave a glowing report of the school year with its range of social, sporting and academic successes, before Dick Corbett-Winder was confirmed as President and Oliver Sinden as Vice President for 2020.

The 112th OSA Reunion Dinner is now only one month away, on Saturday 1st February 2020. Buy your ticket now from the event page to reserve your place.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2020 Dinner, to be held on Saturday 1st February 2020. Please go to the 112th OSA Reunion Dinner event page to see full details and to buy your ticket. Online credit card payment is available.

This year’s match between the College 1^st XI and the OSA proved to be another thrilling encounter with the result in the balance until the final ball.

Captain, Eddie Jones, won the toss and decided that, with a wealth of overseas talent in the 1^st XI side, he would bat first on an unpredictable wicket.

The OSA attack led by recent leavers, Jed Foster and James Edge, made scoring difficult, but after losing two early wickets, a stand of more than 50 between man of the match Yamkela Mafange (61) and Alec Scullard (32*) saw the College reach a very respectable 155-7 in their 30 overs.

In reply, the OSA started well, before Phil Hatton was run out and former maths teacher, David Watkins was lbw to Romario Brathwaite and it was Jed Foster (31) and Peter Bowes (38) who led the recovery. However, when skipper Olly Wickett was dismissed the chance of victory was lost and with a six required off the last ball, retired head of cricket, Andy Bryan, could only sky a catch to mid off and leave the 1^st XI winners by five runs.

AB

Once again the OSA Dinner held at the RAF Club in London was well attended, with more than 80 Old Shebbearians and guests enjoying an evening of good company and excellent speeches.

Mark Saltmarsh, the outgoing President, opened his speech by saying how much he had enjoyed his year in office, highlighted by a number of events at the school including Speech Day, the Rounsefell Dinner, various sporting events and a 90s reunion which he had organised.

He then outlined how OSA funds had been used over the last few years to support the school in a wide variety of ways from bringing cricketers from Barbados to scholarships for 6^th Formers.

He recalled his own days at the College – memories which, he said, would remain with him and which he brings with him every day.

Simon Weale then responded in what was to be his last speech at the Dinner as headmaster. Once again, he made some very amusing references to the secretary – highlighting (as if it needed to be) his age in particular.

Moving on to more serious matters , Simon referred to the importance in this past year of the College remembering the Armistice of 1918 and the sacrifice made by so many Old Shebbearians. Academic achievements were then highlighted, sporting successes next and even reference to the extreme weather in Shebbear – snow for the first time in five years and thirty consecutive days in the summer with no rain!

Finally, Simon thanked the Shebbearians for their hospitality and friendship over the years and handed over to Will Bromell and Antonia Aliberti, both of whom spoke enthusiastically about the College.

Jim Hancock then responded making some amusing references to his days at College and after the incoming President, Philip Daniel had accepted his chain of office, everyone adjourned to the bar.

November 2018 marked the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Over one hundred years ago, almost three hundred Shebbearians enlisted to fight in the First World War. By the end of the war, forty eight Old Shebbearians had lost their lives and many more were to bear the physical and mental scars of the horrors of war for the rest of their days. Over ninety years ago, in 1924, Shebbearians came together to honour the memory of these sacrifices by founding a Scholarship Fund (“The Fund”).

The Scholarship Fund is a charitable trust, administered by five Old Shebbearians who act as trustees, which continues to uphold the memory of those who died in both World Wars. Recognising the huge difference that a Shebbear education can bring, the Fund’s purpose is now to provide substantial means-tested scholarships to talented and deserving young people who, because of their family circumstances, would not have the opportunity to attend or stay on at Shebbear College. The Headmaster makes an annual recommendation to the Trustees of which pupils, or prospective pupils, should receive the Fund’s support.

All recipients of scholarships in recent years have contributed greatly to school life, both academically and through their participation in the other activities the school offers – thus enhancing the strength, talent and diversity of the school.

To provide this financial support the Fund generates income from a portfolio of investments, and also relies on the ongoing generosity of many Old Shebbearians who make regular donations to the Fund. In order to increase the Fund’s ability to make a positive impact on the lives of deserving young people by enabling more of them to attend Shebbear in their 6th form years, the Trustees wish to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War by inviting more Old Shebbearians to make regular contributions to the Fund.

The majority of existing contributors make annual contributions of £60 to £200 per annum. Donors usually prefer to make payments by monthly or annual monthly standing order.

If you wish to contribute, please:

• Set up a monthly or annual standing order in favour of ‘The Old Shebbearians War Memorial Scholarship Fund’, Sort Code 30-92-32, Account number 00779213
• If you are a UK taxpayer download and print the attached Gift Aid form and return to Mark Creedy, Treasurer, OS Scholarship Fund c/o Elm Park, Broadhempston, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6BL.

Shebbearians gave generously back in 1924 in setting up the Fund and have continued to do so. The Trustees ask that, if you would like to make a real difference by giving a life changing opportunity to a young person and – importantly – to remember all those Old Shebbearians killed in both wars, you will consider making a contribution to the Fund.

The 111th OSA Reunion Dinner  is only four weeks away, on Saturday 19th January 2019. Buy your tickets online now from the event page to reserve your place.

You can also collect a silk OSA tie at the Dinner which can be purchased in the OSA Shop.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2019 Dinner, to be held on Saturday 19th January 2019. Please go to the 111th OSA Reunion Dinner event page to see full details and to buy your ticket. Online credit card payment is available, or you can pay by bank transfer or cheque.