Concordia 25_cover section.indd

Concordia Winter 2022

19

And finally A few thoughts about my own time at school. As I lived nearby in Northwood, I cycled to school and was thus spared that long walk up the drive which many boys found so tiring. I have been fortunate to be regularly in touch with three fellow pupils from my time, and together we were delighted to attend the Afternoon Tea event at the school in March this year. I was not academically successful, so did not sit A Levels, but I was awarded my 1st XV colours. Sadly, no success there either as our team lost all our matches! However, in 1971, I was awarded an MSc in Engineering by Salford University, a qualification which enabled me to follow a rewarding and interesting career as a civil engineer, working in UK and abroad in many challenging locations. One highlight of my time at school was witnessing what is now considered perhaps the most audacious prank in school history dreamt up by a group from Classical Sixth who included none other than Martin Biddle. A device was installed above the ceiling in the Great Hall so that a roll of toilet paper streamed down at the end of assembly to the consternation of the Head Master, Hugh Elder. In 2012, the group who called themselves “The Rollers”, met for a reunion at the school, an occasion described in the Winter 2012 edition of Concordia, and still meet each year. I would like to record my thanks to two fellow guides: Anna Withers for researching and writing the section on Lancelot Andrewes, and Stephen O’Connell, also an OMT (1959-1967), for contributing further information and for editing the entire article. If any of you happen to be in Winchester, do please contact me and I will be only too happy to arrange a tour of the Cathedral.

Above: Lancelot Andrewes statue on Great Screen