You are reading the online edition of the Old Camdenians Newsletter, March 2022.

As we approach the end of term I will take the opportunity to thank our community once again for everything you do to support our school, our children and our teachers. Beacon High is a community school and we are very much at the heart of our community. By working together and supporting each other we can truly achieve great things for the young people of Islington and beyond.

It has of course been a difficult term at Beacon High with the ongoing pandemic but our students have coped admirably and our staff always go that extra mile to support them. Our resettled students have integrated well into the life of the school and have really been an asset. We were able to try some delicious Afghan food. Our year 11 showed our chefs how to make Afghani Bolani; these little flatbreads are out of this world. Homemade dough is stuffed with potatoes, onion, coriander and green pepper then shallow fried to crispy, golden brown perfection. We look forward to the next demonstration.

We have celebrated International Women’s Day. A special lunch for our young women was hosted by Mrs MacDonald, and Mr Gurd delivered assemblies to all of our year groups across the week. As a school it is important that we highlight our belief in equality for all.

We hosted a non-uniform day in aid of Ukrainian refugees. The fundraiser was not compulsory but it was a response to questions from children and adults in our school community about what we can do to help the people of Ukraine. The money raised was donated to the DEC Appeal. https://www.dec.org.uk/ . It was a good way to help raise money to support refugees, something that you are aware is very close to the heart of the school in our responses to the crisis in Syria and in Afghanistan. This is also part of the work we do as a beacon school for Holocaust education. We are looking to become a School of Sanctuary so that we can continue to support all refugees irrespective of where they come from. You can read more here: https://cityofsanctuary.org/

Consequently we have been discussing these issues with our young people so that they have a full understanding of what is happening in the world. Naturally our students are asking many questions about the situation in Ukraine and we are conscious that we must maintain a factual and balanced view. All we can try to do is help our students navigate a world where there are too many examples of injustice and prejudice and try to alleviate the suffering of others in whatever small ways we can.

Alan’s heartening, and sometimes mouthwatering, news from the school shows the extent to which it has supported everyone within its community, and beyond, in the face of continuing adversity caused by the pandemic and the worsening international situation. It’s a message reinforced below by Jill, who also makes an appeal for new school Governors. If any of you reading this has the ability and time to take on this responsibility, please consider doing so.

Recently the Club committee unanimously decided to invite George Ives to be an Honorary Life President of the Club, in recognition of the decades of service he has given us in organising our annual get-together as well as many other onerous duties. Congratulations, George! It seems scant reward for everything you have done for us.

Sadly, we have to record the passing of Ken Ranson, Ann Nutkins and Fred Averill, three valued stalwarts of the Club who will be greatly missed. Please read the tributes to them that appear below.

Spring has only just sprung but we already have a date for the next Annual Lunch: October 28th at the school. We are considering changing its format, so see Ray’s message below for how we might proceed, and if you have a view, please let us know.

Our newsletter is there for all past and present school pupils, while offering a glimpse into Club history for future pupils. But few current or former pupils ever come forward to update on their experiences. Our regular newsletter is not just to record the 50+ Club, our main revenue source, any Committee actions to help students or, with regret, obituaries of those no longer with us. It is a vehicle for all to contribute, enlightening fellow readers and will provide a new dimension to a long-established school interface.

Of course, with Covid still rampant, the Ukraine outrage and the current escalation in the cost of living, now is not a good time to promote contributions to our newsletter. All families have stories to tell about the impact of the past two years, all very personal, often traumatic, intimate and not for general publication. Readers may therefore wish to put their written contribution on the back burner for a future newsletter, but please consider offering a submission. Any Club depends on a robust, interactive membership. You can read your own words, not read or skip mine, and add your insight on life to enhance the newsletter, keeping it fresh, diverse, entertaining and informative.

50+ Club membership is £60 per year or a standing order of £5 per month. A number between 1 and 59 is selected and that is entered into a monthly draw which is determined by the first two numbers drawn in the National Lottery. Prizes are £100 (£200 in November) and £20 (£50 in November). For more information contact us here.

I am so pleased that George Ives has agreed to being an Honorary Life President of the Old Camdenians – much deserved and well done George!

You will be pleased to know that the Club will hold their 113th AGM, on Friday 28th October 2022, at the school. This will be followed by a meal provided by Ann Tennant and her team. We need your views on how you want to use your time to meet with friends; formal tables; carvery; buffet style; reception? We are keen to make your visit a memorable one and build on the success of George Ives’ annual lunches. Why not visit our Photo Gallery and view last year’s lunch – do you want us to keep things more or less the same? Please let us know what you want; book your place and get the date in your diary.

The Club Committee continues to use Zoom as a means of meeting and we all look forward to when we can attend the school once again. Also, we have represented all of you that could not attend the funerals of Fred Averill and Ken Ranson; their families and friends were pleased to hear the esteem in which they were held and the legacy they left for the Club. For more information please visit our website.

Have you visited the school’s website recently? Their weekly newsletter ‘The Beacon‘ always covers an entry for the Club – our thanks to Sarah MacDonald.

Lastly, I mentioned in a previous newsletter that I use my steam traction engine, Peggy, to raise awareness and much needed funds for Prostate Cancer Research and that the PCR awarded Peggy with a certificate in 2021 for raising £200. Well, so far this year Peggy has raised £365 with the help of our friends at Brookmans Park Golf Club – many thanks to all those concerned.

I am currently at the SOAS, University of London, studying Business, Management, Economics and Law foundation, and I will be progressing into the degree course of Accounting and Finance. I feel extremely grateful to the Bill & Nora Wraight Old Camdenians Memorial Fund for supporting me in my desired education path. Dr Rowe has been brilliant throughout and so supportive towards us members of the Club. I could not thank him enough for having such a caring nature. I was very saddened to find out that the Old Camdenians has lost a few dear friends this year, may their souls rest in peace. Nevertheless, I feel encouraged to always treat people with kindness and generosity whenever possible, just like the Old Camdenians does to its members, and I wish to continue to be part of this very special group with whom we share similarities. Many thanks.

Alan and Bev have sent us an account of their move back to Lytham St Annes in the UK after their long sojourn in South Africa. Downsizing meant making difficult decisions about what to leave behind, but they just couldn’t let go of a goodly collection of Old Camdenians trophies and mementos, as Alan describes…

We have two glass cabinets and in the bottom of one sit some of the more memorable trophies that have been received. The little group shot above has four mementos and they are all connected to the OCs or the London Old Boys Football League.

It started with the historical double of 1961/62 when the team won the league and the cup. As this was the first time it had ever been achieved it was decided to present a cup to each team member. The presentation was given during the annual reunion dinner at the Connaught Rooms in London. I see that the dinner cost at £1 and 5 shillings.

The London Old Boys league had many divisions, with the OCs providing six teams plus three youth sides. The league had some 400 teams and thus to win the top events was no mean achievement.

The smaller trophy shown rotates and on the reverse is engraved the person’s name plus OCFC and dates. This reflects the results of 1963/64, the season when the club won the AFA Cup plus two other cup finals. Records show that five further league titles were gained. It was a most astonishing season for the club and it is no wonder that the AFA Record nominated the Old Camdenians for Club of the Year in England.

The mug at the back was given to the winner of the inaugural Single Wicket Knock-Out Cricket cup that yours truly won in 1969.

The small badge was given to those who had been capped enough times to receive the Old Boys Representative Badge. This opened the door to matches against sides such as Cambridge University and other representative sides.

You can appreciate why these relics of a sporting past are still on show, however faded.

Gordon Chase

While trying to tidy up my computer files, I discovered some photos taken by me on a Brownie box camera when on a school overseas holiday in, I think, summer 1938. We went from Newhaven to Dieppe on a boat, then by train to Paris, and then on an all-nighter train down to Grenoble. I have picked out a couple of photos that I think might stir some grey matter. In this photo

taken in the town is an accompanying teacher (wearing dark-coloured shorts). He was my history teacher whose name I think was King. I also found a picture taken on a two-week family summer holiday in Blackpool around 1936.

The party consisted of my parents, my grandfather, myself and one other, he being the one next to the punch-ball in the picture. I wanted a same-age companion for the holiday, and I persuaded my parents to take along a pupil from my class at school. His surname might have been Meehan and he lived in Tufnell Park Road, on the odd-numbered side. I wonder if he or anyone in his family would recognise him?

Ken Ranson

Ken Ranson, our Honorary Life President and former Chairman, died on 11th February, aged 89. Ken never fully recovered from breaking his hip and succumbed to cardiac failure in Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. Ken was born on 12th September 1932 and attended Holloway School from 1945-49. During the war he was evacuated to Towcester along with the rest of the school. He spoke fondly of his experiences and time there.

During his National Service Ken boxed for the Army and was scheduled to fight Henry Cooper – yes, the Henry Cooper; whose battalion were kept in quarantine for small pox and the fixture never took place. Ken was stationed at Windsor Castle, where he apparently lived a charmed life. While others were woken from their slumbers with shouting, our Ken was told that his eggs and bacon were ready!

As Chairman of the Old Camdenians Club from 2013 to 2020, Ken always looked forward to meeting the Year 11 students on their exam results day in August, welcoming them as “New Old Camdenians” and talking to them about their own aspirations in life. He was disappointed that he could not attend George and Pam Ives’s farewell Annual Lunch last year, but he did see all the photos on our website.

Ken was a big man with a big heart. He was always willing to listen and give sound advice and counsel. Ken was a true friend to me during his time as Chairman. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our condolences go to his family at this time. Ray Rowe

Ann Nutkins

Ann Nutkins died peacefully on 3rd December in Bedford hospital. She was 92.

While hers may not be a familiar name to some, she will be remembered by many within the Club for the invaluable support she gave to her husband, Ron, throughout his long stint as Football Club Secretary, and his deep involvement with the development of the ground and clubhouse at Burtonhole Lane. Indeed, she became the unofficial photographer for the OCFC at cup finals and other occasions, and a number of her action shots now reside in our archive records.

Like Ron, she enjoyed a busy academic life, while also taking a keen interest in the activities of both the school and the Old Camdenians Club, which she continued long after Ron died in 1988.

Ann will be greatly missed by all who knew her, and the Club is fortunate to have had the benefit of her support, as an Honorary Member, for so many years. Our condolences have gone out to her close family. Alan Meyer

Fred Averill

Fred Averill (below) died on 4th February this year, aged 86. Fred was born on 17th April 1935 and was at Holloway School from 1946 to 1951. He was a stalwart supporter of the OCC and he will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and condolences go to his wife Anne, daughter Beverley, son Paul and family. Ray Rowe

The 113th AGM, followed by our Annual Lunch under the stewardship of Ann Tennant and her team, will be held on Friday 28th October 2022, at Beacon High School, London N7 0JG. Please let us know if you would like to attend via ‘Contact Us’. Also, if you are interested in attending an evening event during the year, please let us know and we will see if we can organise something for you.