Welcome
The Old Berkhamstedians
As the alumni organisation of Berkhamsted School, we have a history of over 100 years, although The Old Berkhamstedians in its current form was established in 1998 by the amalgmation of The Old Berkhamstedians' Association and the Old Girls' Guild.
Our purpose is two-fold : to encourage and facilitate contact between former pupils and to support Berkhamsted School and its activities through our Charitable Trust.
We invite you to participate in this vibrant and growing community of over 5,000 Old Berkhamstedians and to have a look at the work and activity that takes place, a snap shot of which can be seen below.
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23rd January 2012
Curry Evening raises £6000 for Joshua Playing Project
Over 200 guests arrived at the New Nash - Harris dining room on Saturday 21st January for an evening of great food, great company and a great cause.
The evening culminated in an auction and raffle and overall the evening raised £6000, which will allow sufficient funds for the school to operate for the next 18 months.
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6th January 2012
Joshua Playing Project - Curry Evening
There are still a few seats available for the charity curry evening in aid of the Joshua Playing Project, set up by Edd Ferneyhough and Harry Hurd (2010).
Tickets cost £10 each and the evening will be held in Nash Harris dining Hall.
For further details email Lynne at loppenheimer@berkhamstedschool.org
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5th December
James Rodwell (Fry's 2002) - Dubai Sevens
James Rodwell (Fry's 2002) was part of the England Team who beat France 29 - 12 in the Cup Final to defend the Dubai Sevens title that they won last year.
England now climb to second inthe HSBC Sevens World Series standings.
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28th November
Gerald Laing (St.John's 1954)
It is with sadness that we learnt of the death on 23 November 2011 of pop artist, sculptor and Old Berkhamstedian Gerald Laing (St John's 1954) at the age of 75. His latest work included pop art featuring the late singer Amy Winehouse, and it was during an exhibition of this work in London in October that he paid his last visit to his old school (pictured above at Castle with Principal Mark Steed).
Gerald was one of Britain's best known pop artists in the 1960s and his most famous works of that era included images of actresses Brigitte Bardot and Anna Karina. He was also a renowned sculptor and created the Four Rugby Players at Twickenham Stadium, Ten Dragons at London's Bank Underground Station and a statue of Sherlock Holmes that stands in Edinburgh.
The Old Berkhamstedians & Berkhamsted School extends sincere condolences to Gerald Laing's family.
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24th October
Song for Sandeep
Johny Rhys-Davies has written a song in memory of Sandeep
(Sandeep Shetty, Swift 1997).
CLICK HERE to listen to his song 'Blazing Smiles'
Sandeep's name means 'blazing' in sanskrit
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19th October
Projects Abroad Trip to India
This Summer Nicky Peck (Year 12) was sponsored by OB Preetham Radhakrishnan to take part in a Projects Abroad trip to India, to work and live within Indian culture for a four week period.
Click here to hear from Nicky on her experience.
This is the first year that this new award has been donated and we are looking forward to this developing over the forthcoming years.
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12th October
Memorial Service for Sandeep Shetty
It is with great sadness that we announce that Sandeep Shetty (Swifts 1997) passed away on Monday 10th October after a three year battle with cancer.
A service will be held on Monday 17th October at Chilterns Crematorium at 2.30pm followed by a reception at Deans' Hall at 4.15pm.
All those who knew Sandeep are welcome to attend.
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19th September
OBs Set up School in India
Harry Hurd (Bees 2010) and Edd Ferneyhough (Ashby 2010) set up a school in India during their gap year in October 2010.
The Joshua Playing Project (JPP) aims to give street children on Pushkar, Northern India an alternative to life on the streets
In India it is very common for children to be sent out by their parents or by their own accord to beg from both tourists and locals. Many are subject to abuse, violence and nearly all of them experience situations which no children should.
JPP has the aim of showing these children, care and respect, providing them with and education so that they can escape a life of begging and to allow them to enjoy their childhood.
Click here to view their website www.joshuaplayingproject.com
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16th September
Will Fraser debut for Saracens
Will Fraser (Loxwood 2008) made his debut for Saracens against Bath in their 28 - 26 victory at The Rec, replacing Justin Melck in the 71st minute.
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10th September
Old Girls V School Lacrosse Match
Congratulations to the Old Girls Lacrosse team who beat the School team on Saturday 10th September with a score of 15 - 7.
A great crowd gathered for this annual match including current pupils, parents, Old Berkhamstedians and current staff and the Old Girls were victorious for the second year in a row.
Our thanks go out to all the players, in particular Amy Phillips for captaining the team and Caroline Spooner for her continued support in arranging the fixture with the school. Also, mention must be made to the four old girls who were all prepared to do a stint in goal when no goalie could be found for the match.
We look forward to the next fixture which we hope will be held in February to assist the school team with their preparations for Nationals.
A full report and pictures from the match can be found on the OB New 2011 section of the website.
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3rd September
The Old Berkhamstedians are now on Twitter !
The Old Berkhamstedians have now set up a Twitter account for all members to join.
Catch up on regular updates about the Old Berkhamstedians and Berkhamsted School.
Follow us @Berkhamstedians
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29th August
Under 21 OB Rugby Team make final of Cronk - Cunis Tournament
Congratulations to the Under 21 OB Rugby Team who narrowly lost 7 - 5 to Dulwich College in the final of the Shield Competition at the Cronk - Cunis Rugby Tournament on Monday 29th August.
Results of the Tournament:
Cup Round 1: Berkhamsted 22 Hampton 0
Cup Round 2: Berkhamsted 5 Kings College, Taunton 10
Shield Quarter Final: Berkhamsted 17 Bedford 7
Shield Semi Final: Berkhamsted 22 Merchant Taylors 0
Shield Final: Berkhamsted 5 Dulwich College 7
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16th August
Alex Laybourne - 2012 Marathon Des Sables
Alex Laybourne (Churchill 2006) has just been offered a place in the 2012 Marathon Des Sables, a 150+ mile race across the Sahara desert over 6 days and is renowned as the toughest footrace on earth.
Alex is running on behalf of Mencap and his target is to raise £10,000.00.
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15th August
OB Sets new World Record for playing non stop darts!
Oliver Matthews (Churchill 1998) has just set a new world record for playing darts non stop for 50 hours. They started playing at 10am on didnt stop until 12.00pm on Sunday - no sleep at all.
He raised $3000 for Multiple Sclerosis Australia
CLICK HERE for the wrap video
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27th July 2011
John Bale (Incents 1956)
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of John Bale (Incents 1956). John was a former President of the Old Berkhamstedians and an active member of the Committee throughout his life. Our thoughts go to his family and friends at this difficult time.
The funeral is to be held at 11am on 15th August at St.Nicolas Church in Cranleigh.
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18th July
Jim Watkins (Cox's 1991) Directing next Daniel Radcliffe Film
Jim Watkins (Cox's, 1991) is currently directing Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) in a remake of the chilling ghost story 'Woman in Black', due for release in 2012.
CLICK HERE to see the trailer for the film so far.
Young lawyer Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe) leaves his son in London to settle the legal affairs of the recently deceased Alice Drablow. He discovers a series of inexplicable accidents and suicides have forced the parents of her village to barricade their children indoors, as if protecting them from an unseen foe. When Arthur stays the night all alone at the Drablow's foreboding house, he hears the screams of a drowning child and sees decaying children listlessly wandering the marshes. He will soon discover these haunting figures share the same date of death, and the same killer.
The ghost of a scorned woman, who was unable to save her beloved son Nathaniel from drowning, The Woman In Black takes on a horrifying form. Set on vengeance, her veil hides gaping sockets eaten away by scavengers and her curse hides an even darker secret ... whenever she is seen, a child dies.
In the face of hostility from the local residents, Arthur dredges up Nathaniel's skeleton and buries it with his mother, hoping the evil spectre will finally rest in peace. In a cruel twist of fate, the Woman In Black turns her claws towards Arthur's young son. To avoid a fate worse than death, Arthur must now sacrifice everything he holds dear and save his child.
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11th July
School Reunion - 50 year Reunion for Leavers of 1961 and those at School pre 1960
Sunday 10th July saw 74 former pupils of the school join together for a great afternoon, touring the school and enjoying good company and good food.
Those in attendance covered leavers from 1943 all the way through to 1963 and all could see the changes and developments that had occured since the time they had left the school.
Tours of the school were undertaken by current pupils and included a tour of the new Nash Harris building.
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10th July
Olney 7's - Old Berkhamstedian Rugby Team
Congratulations to the OB Rugby 7's Team - led by Tom Warren who lost in the Semi Finals of the Social Cup at last weekends Olney 7's.
In particular, to Sam Barnes (Churchill 2011) on his first offical turn out for the OBs since leaving last week for his amazing tally of 10 tries.
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28th June
J P Morgan Round The Island Race 2011.
Congratulations to the two Old Berkhamstedian boats that completed the J P Morgan Round the Island Race on Saturday 25th June.
With conditions aganst them, lumpy seas, gusts up to force seven and waves of 20ft, the two boats joined the 1900 entrants for an intense day of sailing.
With only 1302 boats completing the race and 438 retirements, the skippers and their crews completed the race and celebrated with a few well deserved drinks
Boat: Becky (Seacracker 33) Skipper: Gavin Rees (School House 1997).
Crew: Dan Skinner (Greenes 1997)
Time Completed: 9:08:26 Place: 492
Boat: Melbourne Star (Bavaria 36) Skipper: Matt Steele (School House 1994)
Crew: Stephen Piddington (Uppers 1975), Andrew Coles (St.Georges 2000), Andrew Gillet (Greenes 1997), Chris Broadway (Incents 1979), Robert Wells (Cox's 1977) Patrick Allen (Ashby 2006)
Time Completed: 10:02:20 Place: 635
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27th June
Dorset & Someset Luncheon
Friday 24th June saw 20 OBs gather for the annual Dorset & Somerset Luncheon held at Winyards Gap Inn, Beaminster.
Our thanks once again go to Richard Fullard for organising this event.
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20th June
OB Tennis Tournament & OB v School Cricket Match
OB Cricket
Sunday 19th June saw the skies clear and crowds arrive for the annual OB v School Cricket Match held at Chesham Road Playing fields.
The OBs fielded a strong young team, Captained by Chris Read and claimed victory by two wickets.
OB Tennis
Whilst the Cricket was taking place, we also held our first Old Girls Tennis Tournament organised by Alison Connell (Holme 1997) where 10 Old Girls joined together for some entertaining doubles.
Both teams then joined together for a BBQ lunch, which was attended by over 120 people before play resumed on the cricket.
Many thanks to all those who took part and helped organise the day.
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17th June
OB Rugby Team - Victorious at Beaconsfield 7's
Congratulations to the OB Rugby 7's Team, under the Captaincy of Sam Dines, who collected silverware at last weekends Beaconsfield Rugby 7's.
The team returned back to Berkhamsted as winners of the Plate Section of the Tournament.
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17th June
Wives of War - Edinburgh Fringe
Wives of War is a new play by former Berkhamsted Student Kat Smith.
It premieres at this years Edinburgh Fringe between 22nd - 27th August.
For further information, please see the following website: www.nutsandboltstheatre.com
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16th June
Paradise Point Play Islington O2
Cam Jones (St.Georges, 2010) and Roman Kemp (Incents 2011) will be joining the rest of their band Paradise Point on Wednesday 29th June at the Islington O2 Academy.
For more details of the band please see their facebook page: facebook.com/paradisepointuk
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12th June
Girls 1971 - 40 year Reunion
Saturday 11th June saw 29 Old Girls join together for lunch, a tour of the school and a trip down memory lane. They were joined by members of staff, both current and past as well as current pupils who showed them around the changes to the school.
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