OWA - Wellington School

A fabulous reunion of former Lights and Willows House Captains this afternoon for the unveiling of the house boards. If you are passing do pop in to see them. We believe Graham and James are the only father and son combination.

Do join us on Bulford this Friday at 5.30 for the Warren Cup. OW team vs the school 1st XI- everyone welcome Wellington School

A few more OWs spotted in Wellington. Tina Thorburn Beech 06 Lissie Fuller Beech 05 and Lucy Bull Foxes 98 and Mr T of course!

Some of our OWs enjoying a fabulous game of cricket Somerset County Cricket Club this afternoon

Class of 89 accidental reunion 🥂

A former England back-row forward and occasional prop, who is perhaps best remembered for his part in the successful delivery of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.

Appointed chairman of the organising committee, it was John Kendall-Carpenter who personally chose and named the Webb Ellis Cup, now the most cherished prize in world rugby. Having shown great leadership as rugby entered unknown territory, Kendall-Carpenter was set to perform the same role at RWC 1991 but sadly passed away a year before the tournament kicked off.

A pilot with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War, Kendall-Carpenter enjoyed a distinguished playing career. Born in Wales but raised in Cornwall, he won 23 caps for England from 1949-54, captaining the side three times. He also captained his county and Oxford University, where he was on the winning side in all three of his Varsity match appearances.

Kendall-Carpenter was elected president of the RFU in 1980-81 and Chairman of the International Rugby Football Board in 1988-89.

Source : world.rugby

Bob left Wellington in 1970 and Mun Yong left in 1971 they recently had the chance to meet up for dinner again in HK. Have you met up with any OWs recently?

As part of our annual reunion dinner, this year we are celebrating our fabulous tradition of drama at Wellington School. If you were involved in any plays, musicals, productions or music events, join us for a theatrical dinner on Saturday 9th November.

Click here to book your tickets now. https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/58346 or call us on 01823 668858 for more details.

A few OWs who graduated in 2017 and are based in London met up the other day for some 5-aside football in Shepherd's Bush.. From left to right is George Mallinson, Daniel Chilcott, Daniel Broom, Charlie Cooper, Harry Mear and Sam Jarvis.

Lots of mini reunions happening this week….

Earlier today you may have spotted OW Dave Bishop in action lighting the D-Day tribute attended by the King and Queen. The write up is below:

Eighty years after the order was given for the Normandy landings, TM the King and Queen and HRH the Prince of Wales will welcome our D-Day veterans and pay tribute to all those involved in this enormous endeavour. From an iconic setting overlooking the coastline of Portsmouth, we will tell the story of the build-up and preparations for D-Day. Hosted by Dame Helen Mirren, this specially curated programme capturing the spirit of a pivotal moment in history will feature powerful spoken word testimony, live music and performance.

This unique event will reveal how the Allies came together to launch the largest ever naval, air and land operation, changing the course of World War II. Breathtaking in scale and overwhelming in complexity, it led to the liberation of Europe and the eventual fall of Hitler’s N**i regime.

This national commemoration will pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery and achievements of our D-Day veterans, honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and recognise the invaluable work of those on the home front who helped make the Normandy landings possible. Hearing from the men and women who took part in the campaign, we will reflect on the great challenges that had to be overcome and how a commitment to serving their country, and those they fought alongside, sustained our veterans through battle.

This document was sent to me just now by Asher Pirt (Willows, 1999) It is the war diary for 418 Squadron (a very mysterious and secretive unit, look them up) from the Normandy campaign immediately after D-Day.

If you look at the bottom line, you will see W/O James. Guy Boxall James’ name is inscribed in the Wellington School Chapel.

On the 80th Anniversary of D-Day we remember OW Frank Gillard who reported from the beaches of Normandy alongside General Montgomery.

What a great achievement- well done Ed.

Wellington teen circumnavigates the globe on a unicycle Former Wellington School student Ed, then 19, was hoping to raise £7,500 for the Somerset-based School in a Bag charity. By the time he’d…

Another OW spotted in the Telegraph today. Congratulations on your promotion Toria.

Congratulations to OW Ryan Cozens on his International selection for Canada u20’s

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Sarah Hubbard (nee Shapland) came to the memorial service on Sunday and donated her Grandfather’s blazer - Thomas (Jack) Shapland 1908 - 1915 on behalf of all his grandchildren. The second photo is him on the beach in his 50’s still wearing his blazer with pride. If you have any memorabilia you would like to share with us do get in touch.

It was the turn of the class of ‘84 tonight. It was wonderful to hear the tales of mischief. Thank you for joining us from near and as far as Australia.

Do join us for a Memorial Service in the Chapel to remember those OWs and members of the School community who passed away in 2023. The Service starts at 5.15pm and there will be light refreshments served at 4.15pm in Cafe '37.

This will be a fabulous sung Evensong led by the stunning Chapel Choir.

Congratulations to a group of 2023 leavers who received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards at Buckingham Palace. Fabulous to see so many of them there. Well done Amelia Bower-Tolley, Lucy Bussell, Lily Coate, Lowri Harrod Booth, Sam Hines, Barney Kerr, Anna Price, Alice Thomas, Abi Toohey, Imogen Venner, Rebecca Wynn

We had a fabulous reunion to celebrate the Class of 1974's 50th Anniversary on Saturday. The sun shone as we took a tour of the School and enjoyed drinks on sunken garden. In the evening we had a wonderful dinner and throughout the day the stories and memories flowed.

Matt Williams (Lights, 2015) on the far left, officiating at the Army vs RAF rugby game over the weekend. “I think for me this is a culmination of my determination to succeed in the sport I love. I wasn't the best player at school, but I always tried hard and eventually found my niche”.

Three athletic OW's from the Class of 1974, brushing up on their old skills in Willows during a visit on Saturday. After 50 years, there was still plenty of the old magic still left in them.

Jack Mercer winner of the 1956 monument run popped back to share stories with this year’s winner Patrick- they recreated one of the photos from the archives. We are pleased to report Jack had both shoes on - unlike in 1956 when he only had one!

A group of OW friends met up for a lovely lunch at Sheppy's yesterday.

More exciting OW news… Will Jeanes selected for England Rugby University team - good luck Will