February 2014

Links

The Association www.theora.co.uk

Cricket www.oldrutscricket.org.uk

Football www.oldruts.co.uk

Rugby www.oldrutsrugby.com

Dates for your Diary

Old Rutlishians’ Association

Orbit Newsletter

Our President Writes

Presidential Diary:

Two more Christmas Cards emerged through the January office filing system which I need to acknowledge – Peter Jerden (40-48) Washington, U.S.A. and Geoff Jones (44-51)

Queensland, Australia.

Places for the Annual Dinner are going fast so don’t miss out on our visit to the West End – Phoenix Artists Club with entertainment from the Haywood Sisters. Look for booking details on the advertisement

elsewhere in this copy.

24 January and again the cricket section is active with a Cricket Evening to thank all the coaches for their hard work last season and their continuing support in the

forthcoming 2014 season.

Ken Hau’s Celebration of a Life took place on 1 February and despite the horrific weather we’ve been having the rugby pitch staged a Junior warm up match – Rutlish School U14 v U14 Local Schools Barbarians XV resulting

in a narrow win for Rutlish.

Then the Big Match took centre stage with O.R.1st XV v Ken Hau’s All Star XV striding onto the pitch amidst flames and music. A huge crowd enjoyed a match involving rolling substitutions, mauls and rucks with no little skill where youth triumphed over experience. The 1st XV emerging victorious 33-12. Match report and details elsewhere but over £11,000 was raised for the British Heart Foundation – Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome. BHF is my own charity so I’m especially pleased. Well done to Jason Court, Adam Perrin & Darren Ramen and to the huge number of people especially Ken’s parents and family - who helped to make the day such a

massive success.

Saturday 8 February was the Rugby Section’s Past Players and Presidential Match v Old Emanuel day. Unfortunately the rain did win this time but that didn’t stop large numbers of O.E.s and O.R.s enjoying a superb luncheon provided by Pat Keene & Co. followed by the two international matches and drinking

into the evening in time honoured

fashion.

Many at the Past Players asked what production I am currently involved in so I am unashamedly advertising Dario Fo’s – Accidental Death of an Anarchist at the Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton 19th – 22nd March. A comedy involving Italian

police corruption in the late 60s.

I have to notify you of the very sad news that John Field passed away on Wednesday 5 February at St.Helier after suffering a stroke. John was a very fine Surrey scrum half in his day and often turned out for my Vets team in the 90s. John would always have an anecdote to tell and recently he used to regale all who listen about a particular one that involved me, a memorial roundabout and some corgis and I’ll leave it there. An Old Rutlishian ‘character’ who will be missed. An obituary composed of anecdotes is on the

sports page.

Another reminder that if you want the link to the O.R.A. & School Archive Dropbox folder e-mail me at ilambert49@talktalk.net – all the year books from 1921- 1959 plus all the AURAs ORBITs, Quarterlys are now scanned in. Any missing memorabilia you may have and want

to add please e-mail to me – thanks.

DON’T FORGET TO BOOK YOUR

DINNER TICKET!

I. Lambert

Sat 1 Mar

Save the Children benefit evening

7.30pm

Sat 8 Mar

Rob Lever’s Quiz and Curry Night

7pm

Sat 15 Mar

Annual Dinner Phoenix Artistes

Club

6.30pm

Easter Music Quiz Night TBC

Sat 26 Apr

St George’s Day Pie ‘n’ Mash

TBC

Fri 9 May

Rugby Awards evening

7pm

Fri 16 May

Football AGM 7.30pm

Sat 17 May

Football Presentation Disco

7.30pm

Sun 25 May RUTSFEST All day

Winter Opening Hours

Monday 7pm -11pm

Tuesday 7pm-11pm

Wednesday 7pm-11pm

Thursday 7pm-11pm

Friday 7pm-11pm

Saturday 12pm-11pm

Sunday 11am-10.30pm

Next Edition

w/c Monday 17 March Queries should be sent to the author of item concerned. Send contributions to oraorbit@hotmail.com by Tuesday 11 March.

Phoenix Artists Club

Our Chairman writes first class management information that we sorely need in order to run

the Club.

Finally, I was saddened to learn of the death of John Field. John was one of the rugby club’s stalwarts who would always support the Old Ruts and was often to be seen at player reunions. Not much of him, it was hard to believe that in his prime he was probably among the top 6 scrum halves in the country. On a personal note, the last time I played in the same team as John was on a rugby tour to Cheltenham with the top of a Belisha Beacon as a ball. It was not an official match you will

understand. He will be missed.

G. Aldis

Finch & Co. ORA Sponsors Nestled amongst the John Innes designed Merton Park conservation area, Finch & Co enjoys a unique position. ‘Green flag’ awarded spaces, tree lined avenues and beautiful Edwardian houses occupy the surrounding roads. The area feels rural despite its proximity to London. In the late 19

th century, John Innes, of

compost fame, together with his brother James, turned one of London’s original garden suburbs into a semi rural suburb for the City businessmen of the time. Now in the 21

st century, we can fully appreciate

the quality and style of these 1920s and 1930s homes that were not destroyed during the war. The homes designed by Quartermain and Brocklesby remain highly sought after. The Finch office team are enthusiastic, exuberant and excited. They speak with great affection for the area, especially Beryl who has been with the company for 23 years. Her local knowledge is invaluable, thanks to her super memory. With Manager Katharine; Stefan, David and Beryl provide a service to the community which is unique. Sponsorship and links with Old Ruts sports club demonstrate that the ‘village’ spirit is alive and thriving. The area is now home to all combinations of housing stock, from flats and cottages to large detached homes, all carefully designed to complement the locality.

Paying by Card

The option of paying at the bar by credit

or debit card is part of our system. We

have set a minimum payment of £10,

and cashback is also available (with debit

card only) to help you buy that extra

round of drinks! Peter Day

It's NOT too late to join, this vital

scheme is ongoing and can be joined

quarterly. If you've made a verbal pledge

and wish to enter the draw then please

email oldruts@talktalk.net

Alternatively speak to Gavin Lennard or

Bill Tidey. See poster for more details

Quarterly bumper prize

£1275.00 Mark Hovell

December

1st Prize - £120.00 Patrick Sunderland

2nd Prize - £80 Peter Day

3rd Prize - £40 Karen Kremer

With the New Year only 6 weeks old, Poplar Road has seen no let up in

activities at the Club.

As reported elsewhere, after the tragic early death of Kendo Hau, a group of his friends decided to organise a memorial match in his memory and to raise money in aid of the British Heart Foundation’s research into Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome. What started as just a run-of-the-mill memorial match developed into a full scale Memorial Day and the small group of friends turned into a much larger group. There was even a team hand-forking the pitch at 8 o’clock in the morning to ensure the rugby side of things took place. The organising committee, far too numerous to mention here, can certainly be proud of their efforts which not only proved financially successful but testified how many people thought so highly of a popular young man. This is just another example of how Old Rutlishians can shine when they

put their minds to it.

We have recently commissioned an agronomist to report on the way that we look after our winter sports pitches. In a comprehensive report, several radical proposals have been recommended. While the quotes received so far to act upon these recommendations are quite frightening, we are still committed to providing first-class playing surfaces for all our sides. If anyone wishes to read the report please

contact me for a copy.

As many of you will know from the sterling work of our President Ian Lambert and others on the archives, both the grounds and clubhouse were originally designated as a war memorial to the number of Old Rutlishians who died in the Great War. There must be few schools in the country that can boast not one but two Victoria Crosses among their fallen. As this year sees the 100th anniversary of the start of hostilities I propose we should mark this occasion by some form of re-dedication of the grounds. If anyone

agrees with me, please get in touch.

Behind the bar, the financial team is busy installing a new till, stock control and accounting system that should go live within the next couple of weeks. Once we have input all the data this will provide us with some

If any of you were at all undecided about whether to go along to the Annual Dinner, this letter to my bulging postbag should help you

make up your mind.

‘Whoever chose the PHOENIX must have a wicked sense of humour. The Rugby Club will be thoroughly at home there with its mix of rum, bum and fun but I think the Cricket crowd will be somewhat overawed as it is “what you see is what you get" and as some of the sights, sounds and occupants are a bit outrageous you can expect some

shocks.

‘I used to frequent the place in the 50's when it had a different name and clientele. In those days it was jazz, gangsters and chefs. A very young Tubby Hayes was a favourite there as he used to bunk off from school and play in the afternoons with the great and the bad in the Jazz world. Also a very junior Raymond Blanc was one of the cooks aided and abetted by a Slade

student, one Terence Conran.’

If that isn’t throwing down the gauntlet to the cricketers to enjoy rum, bum and fun without being

overawed, I don’t know what is.

50/50 prize draw

RUTLISH SCHOOL TRI-REUNION +1

1958, 1959 & 1960

plus 1954 On Saturday 13 September 2014 there is to be a tri-reunion of the classes of 1954, 1958, 1959 & 1960 at the Old Boys. It is hoped to include a visit to the school on the day. There will be a buffet lunch (approx cost £16) and a chance to catch up with school friends. If you are interested in attending please contact Malcolm Griffin (malcolm.griffin@sky.com 01903 784522 or 07867 605816)

Rutlish PTA is very excited to hold its first ever Comedy Night at the school and hope that you will support us. There will be a licensed bar selling soft drinks, snacks, cakes etc. Table snacks included in the ticket price. No meal provided at this event. Tickets now on sale at £10 each in advance. Sales are limited to 200 so please book now to avoid disappointment. This is a family event and the comedians will be aware of that. However, it may not be suitable for children under Rutlish school age so parents must use their discretion. Please support this fantastic evening, especially if you have never attended

an event before.

Please use our usual 2 stage process to

buy tickets:

1) email janetmonks@hotmail.com giving your name, preferred payment method and how many tickets. We use these to draw up the attendee list once we have payments. We will send you a confirmation email rather than tickets.

You do not need to bring a copy of the email with you. 2) You can pay either by internet bank transfer to the PTA account 90777439, sort code 20-96-89 quoting PTA Comedy Night, or by cheque payable to Rutlish PTA with details of tickets required and name on the back. You can send this cheque to the school finance office in the Manor House in an envelope marked

'Comedy Night'.

It is important the PTA gets paid in advance. Please contact Janet Monks on 07584 292450 if there is a problem with either methods or any other queries. Many thanks

Janet Monks, Rutlish School PTA

Minis & Juniors

Making news - our own Stacia Long and her U15 Graveney School team, who play for Old Ruts on Sundays, in the Telegraph and on the RFU website. You can see Old

Ruts kit evident in the picture below.

Semis on 16 March at Allianz Park.

Old Ruts Sunday rugby at the club

Bar Opening Times

Mon - Fri 7.00 pm - 11.00 pm

Sat 12.00 noon - 11.00 pm

Sun 11.00 am - 10.30 pm

CRICKET As soon as I heard someone mention John's name I would think "Oh Christ, now what has he done?". You either liked him or loathed him. No middle ground. I liked him - very much - for over 50 years. The only way I can give an idea of what

he was like is anecdotally.

He was the best rugby player I ever played with. As a schoolboy scrum half he practised dive passing by throwing a

medicine ball against the flagpole.

His first job was with a bank and he was soon selected for the first team. At the first scrum in his first match he signalled the captain, who was fly half and a

senior player, to get back.

"No" thought the captain "I'm not having some teenage whippersnapper telling me what to do" and did not move. John threw out his pass so fast, so hard and so accurately it hit the fly half on his chest, bounced off, straight into the arms of an oncoming wing forward who caught it

and gratefully went over for a try.

"Next effin time I tell you to effin get back, you effin get back, effin got it?!!!"

said John to his skipper - politely.

He was picked to play for Surrey over the then England scrum half and played, as was his wont, a blinder. At the after match meal a stocky gentleman came up to John. "Steele-Bodger, England selector" "Field, Midland Bank clerk" was John's riposte and with it went his

chance of an international career.

He later worked in The Who’s Carnaby Street office. I was at college in Oxford and one day passed the theatre to see The Who was a forthcoming attraction. I phoned John and told him. "They aren't" said he. "Well there’s a ton of advertising saying they are." "I'll get back to you". "There’ll be 4 comps in your name with back stage access after the show. The price is you have to provide a curry house and a bar that stays open late for the group." "No problem. One of the best curry houses in Oxford is opposite the college, our bar doesn’t open till closing time and shuts when the last punter

goes." A great time was had by all.

Dining out with John was always going to be a disaster. At a quite posh Italian restaurant, the girls were discussing an article that said men get an average of 10 erections a day. John in his usual tactful fashion said “that’s bollocks”. The girls protested, it must be true, the Daily Mail said so. He stood up and very loudly asked the other diners who was having his erections, because he sure as

hell wasn’t having them.

John was loud, brash, talented, erratic, hard-working, hard-drinking, helpful, straight and true to his friends. I along with many others will miss him badly for

all the right reasons. John’s funeral will take place at 1.30pm on 24 February 2014 at St Mary’s Church,

Merton Park and afterwards at the club.

Mick Spacey and Ken Bovington

FOOTBALL

RUGBY

Not a lot to report this month as the weather has meant most fixtures have been off. The first XI is still 4th in Intermediate League 1st Division. See

page 1 for forthcoming events.

An early reminder for your diary - 20 April - we play Bromley in the Trust League Southern Final. All support welcome, 1.00 pm start at Bromley.

Colts Cricket

Members should receive registration

forms for 2014 in the next month.

First registration night is 21 March. You

can also return forms by post.

Net practices for older age groups begin

in mid-April (weather permitting!)

Winter programme

We still have places on the winter

programme for primary school years:

2-4, 6pm Tuesdays (indoor cricket)

4-6, 7pm Tuesdays (indoor cricket/nets)

Year 4s can join either group depending

on ability.

For more details, contact Graham Mills graham.mills@btinternet.com or

Matt Webb webbsite69@googlemail.com

Date Time Host Opponents

2 Mar 12:30 U16 DORKING

9 Mar 12:30 U16 KCS

23 Mar 11:00 U15B GUILDFORDIANS

23 Mar 12:30 U15A OLD REIGATIANS

30 Mar 12:30 U17 CAMBERLEY

John Field

Rob & Wendy’s Ballroom Dancing

Monday and Friday evenings 20:00 — 22:30 At the Old Ruts

Private lessons by appointment Beginners very welcome

For more information please phone

0201 8287 0518

Rob Mobile 07979 345 184 Wendy Mobile 07747 704 718

Our Hon. Sec writes

Walking your way to Fitness!

A friendly local group

All welcome

Meet at ORA sports ground every

Tuesday - Thursday - Saturday

10:00 to 11:00

£5 per session

Contact: Anne de Silva

0208 540 0752

execfit1@btopenworld.com

Best Foot Forward

Rutlish Foundation

The Rutlish Foundation is a registered educational charity that has interest in all the Rutlish School land, other property and investments and provides grants to Rutlish School and former students and local residents attending higher education courses. Graham Mills, Clerk to the Trustees can provide more

information.

MONCC’s Measure

The Gaylord, London W1

Despite claiming to be the oldest and

most elegant Indian restaurant in London,

the current glitzy incarnation of the

Gaylord proved to be neither gay nor

particularly aristocratic.

There was something very inelegant

about the way the management contrived

to leave as much time as possible

between serving a traditional first course

of tandoori meats (which was OK) and

delivering the main course of rice with an

assortment of sloppy, lumpy sauces

(which wasn’t OK).

Clearly, this was a cunning ruse to

encourage the restaurant clientele to

drink as much alcohol as possible – which,

unlike the food, the waiters delivered

with un-canny efficiency. And in their

attempts to promote sales of booze, the

assembled group of 12 MONCC members

were more than happy to oblige.

At one stage, several MONCCs were even

seen to be sampling glasses of medium

dry sherry because one of the ‘more

enlightened’ MONCC members claimed

that it was supposed to go particularly

well with a curry. At £7 a glass the

Gaylord waiters weren’t going to

disagree. Unfortunately, nobody can

remember whether the Harvey’s Bristol

Cream did indeed complement the spicy

food or whether it would be better drunk

before Sunday lunch in the company of

some old people.

Either way, the whole experience was a

big disappointment. The Gaylord falls

well short of its lofty declaration that it

is a multi-award winning restaurant.

And the moral of this month’s MONCC

trip? Fancy West End prices rarely

equates to fancy food and good service.

MonCC’s Measure: 5 out of 10

Improvements to Poplar Road

While we are in the early stages of long term planning improvements for our Poplar Road site, we are making sure that we continue to improve the facilities and fabric of the building in

the meantime.

One large area of spend over the last 2 years for example has been the almost total rewiring of the club and the installation of brand new fire alarms. Work which passes mainly unnoticed, but is of course vital. Similarly, we have recently installed new heating into the squash reception area and changing room for the benefit of our members and visitors to the Backflips Gym in one

of the courts.

An increasingly important source of revenue is the hiring out of our Hall and bar for parties and with that in mind we have recently bought 10 round tables ideal for larger sit down events. We are also about to compliment that with 120 new banqueting chairs, which will be a major improvement on the slightly scruffy brown chairs in use for the

last couple of years.

It was noticeable that the furniture in the bar area was either stained of frayed so all the soft furnishings and carpet have been professionally steam cleaned and it has made a huge difference! We also recovered the high bar stools in a very smart new fabric and will look to do that to more of the furniture as the year

progresses.

The entrance hall is also looking dirty and scruffy so that will be redecorated this week with a more modern and contemporary feel to it we hope! Once that work is done, we will be looking to continue the redecorating into the Main Hall upstairs and then the bar area

downstairs.

Finally, you will now notice we are the proud possessors of a brand new covered BBQ area and commercial BBQ - this will allow us to offer BBQ all year round and cater in a bigger and better way for our major events. We have used some of the very generous bequest left to us by the family of Pat Molony to pay for this new area and our heartfelt thanks go

out to them.

Mike Stallard, Secretary

Class of 1974 reunion

It is proposed to hold a reunion of the Class of '74, on Saturday 20 September at the Clubhouse. There will be opportunities for catching up with old friends before, during and

after supper upstairs.

For further information please contact Simon Haste at

Simon_Haste@hotmail.com