RAY ARGENT March, 2012

RAY ARGENT March, 2012

A note from Ray's daughter, Susan........'I am writing to inform you of the death of my father Raymond Argent. 

Ray passed away on 24th March, 2012 whilst on a break to the Isle of Wight;   the cause of death was acute and chronic heart failure.   Ray became ill one evening and passed away early the following morning.   Although Ray had suffered a few health problems in the year or so prior to this his very sudden death was a complete shock to all of us and was totally unexpected

My father always looked forward to the Shene Old Boys reunions and was always so full of news and stories from these events.   After a reunion he was always eager to look at the website to view the photographs and reporting of the event.'

TED BURTON September, 2012

TED BURTON September, 2012

Ted Burton was head of Emmbrook for 14 years
Former colleagues, family and friends remembered a much-loved and respected headteacher of a Wokingham secondary school.
Sports enthusiast Edward Burton, known as Ted, was headteacher of The Emmbrook School for 14 years until he retired in 1997.
Mr Burton, 72, died on Thursday, September 27, after a long illness. He leaves his wife Hilary, two children and five grandchildren.

Paying tribute during his funeral at St John’s Church, in Crowthorne, on Thursday, Mr Burton’s former deputy head at The Emmbrook, Graham Dyer, said: “Emmbrook School grew into a very successful comprehensive school under his leadership.
“There can be no doubt that Ted loved his work. His colleagues in neighbouring Berkshire schools respected him. I once heard Ted described as a ‘truly professional human being’.
“He took pride, not just in the school as a whole, but the people who worked there.

“Ted firmly believed every child had a talent and the role of the school was to nurture that talent.”

Mr Burton was born in Essex and met his wife while studying at Queen Mary College in London.

He began his teaching career as a history and PE teacher in south-west London before moving to St Bartholomew’s School in Newbury and then to The Emmbrook, in Emmbrook Road.
The Reverend Lawrence Stevens, a colleague of Mr Burton’s at St Bartholomew’s School, where he joined as second master in 1975, said: “He had a very significant role shaping the new school.
“As a deputy head he brought order and a much-needed meticulous approach.

“Ted was a fantastic history teacher with detailed knowledge of his subject and a particular interest in Ireland in the 1920s.”
He continued: “I was so very grateful for his help when I joined St Barts as school chaplain and head of RE.

“In many ways those who served with him at that time regard them as the golden years and we are grateful for them and Ted’s part in our lives.”

Mr Burton was struck down by a near-fatal illness in 1988, which remained undiagnosed for four months, and he was off school for a term and a half.

His condition developed into rheumatoid arthritis.

Paying tribute, Mr Burton’s son Andrew said: “Dad loved sport until his dying day. First doing it, and then increasingly watching it.
“Dad loved people. As a headmaster he spent a lot of time dealing with people from all walks of life.”

He added: “He has not left us completely. He lives on in our memories and our hearts.

“My son said ‘Grandad was never able to make it along to cricket practice, but this Sunday he will be there to watch.”

Reading a eulogy Reverend Lisa Cornwell said: “Ted will be remembered as a proud father, affectionate father-in-law, grandfather and as a friend to many.”

Ted Burton was head of Emmbrook for 14 years

JOHN COWARD, November, 2013

John Coward , who has died aged 88, was chief executive of the Notting Hill Housing Trust and a pioneer of shared ownership — a form of housing tenure in which a person buys a share in their home even if they cannot afford a mortgage on the whole value.
Coward joined the Trust in 1965, two years after its foundation by the Reverend Bruce Kenrick, a Presbyterian minister who would later found the homelessness charity Shelter.
The Notting Hill of the 1960s was not the location of second-hand bookshops, smart delicatessens, hip restaurants and seven- (or even eight-) figure house prices that it has become, but a mostly rundown corner of west London, notorious for race riots and the activities of the slum landlordPeterRachman.
Much of the area was populated by people — including many poor immigrants from the Caribbean — who were forced to live in crumbling, overcrowded accommodation. A survey in 1967 found that population density in the area was twice that of the borough of Kensington as a whole, and one of the highest in London; nearly half of all children lived in overcrowded conditions and 70 per cent of households shared, or had no access to, a bath or shower.
The Trust raised funds from the public to buy dilapidated properties at auction. By renovating these houses to provide decent, affordable rented housing, it was pivotal in preventing poor residents being pushed out of the area. When Coward joined as the Trust’s first paid executive it had five properties. When he retired 21 years later as chief executive, it was managing almost 8,000.
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19 Jan 2007
Nine hundred of these were purchased under shared ownership arrangements, and it was Coward who pioneered the concept. Working with government and building societies, he launched the first “shared equity” or “community leasehold” schemes in the country. The first property to be sold in this way was at 88 Ladbroke Grove, and a team at the Housing Trust was established to develop the idea further. There are now an estimated 145,000 shared ownership properties in England alone.
John Coward was born on December 20 1924 in Cardiff. After education at Sheen Grammar School he served in the Signals Corps in India during the war, maintaining military communications from forts on the North-West Frontier, where he learned Urdu from Indian comrades.
He returned to England in 1947, just before Partition, and joined Hammersmith Council as General Assistant. After studying for housing exams he joined Richmond Council, where he remained until he moved to the Notting Hill Housing Trust.
Coward built strong relationships with people at all levels . As well as his work in Notting Hill, he served in the 1960s as a member of the Shelter board of trustees, and as a member of the National Federation of Housing Associations’ council and as chairman of its housing improvement committee, where he pressed for improved subsidy arrangements which were eventually incorporated in the 1974 Housing Act.
He was also a founder member of the London Housing Associations Committee and founding chairman of the United Housing Trust.
In the 1970s he became a founder member of the Family Housing Association, a member of the government’s Central Housing Policy Review Advisory Group and was appointed to the board of the Housing Corporation.
He was appointed OBE for services to housing in 1974.
After his retirement he took up flying and got a pilot’s licence; he enjoyed gardening and tending his allotment. In later life he moved to north Norfolk, but he remained interested and involved in housing through the Housing Corporation and the Sutton Trust, which he chaired from 1980 to 1984 and then again from 1994 to 1996.
John Coward married, in 1949, Helen Heal, who survives him with their two sons.
John Coward, born December 20 1924, died November 20 2013

DEREK CARR, June 2016

DEREK CARR, June 2016

Derek sadly passed away on Friday 10th June, 2016.  His three sons, Julian, Andy and Adrian, were with him and he was very peaceful throughout his short stay in Kingston Hospital.

Derek's funeral is arranged for 2.40pm on Friday 24th June at Mortlake Crematorium, Kew Meadow Path, Townmead Road, Richmond, TW9 4EN.

Afterwards his family will be hosting a celebration of Derek's life at The Plough, 42 Christchurch Road, East Sheen, SW14 7AF.

Messages may be sent to Derek's family via
Adriancarr99@outlook.com or Mobile 07739 978756.

Derek's family would very much look forward to seeing any of the Shene Old Boys on the 24th and celebrating his great life.

They would very much appreciate it if you could advise them if you are able to attend, so that they can plan accordingly.

They are planning family flowers only, but please do feel free to get in touch with Julian, Andy or Adrian directly. less

Attendees: (94) John Abbett, Roger Allingham-Mills, Brian Backers, Mike Bailey, Bob (Ted) Bates, Roy Bayliss, Graham Bishop, Geoffrey Bowyer, Peter Buckerfield, John Bundy, Kevin Burge, Derek Carr, Jim Carthew, Alex Catto, Gary Chamberlin, Jeremy Chapman, Christa Chapman, Graham Clifton, Brian Clymer, Anthony Corbett, Peter Cox, Nick Crisp, Jim Cross, Robert Currie, David Cushen, Lawrie Dale, Trevor Day, Danny Eales, Nigel Eastman, John Ellis, Rick Emptage, John Free, Terry Gazzard, Denis Geeson, Tim George, Don Gregory, Andrew Griffiths, Trevor Griffiths, Graham Hale, Colin Head, Paul Head, Tony Hodgson, Peter Jeffs, Andy Jewers, Tim Jewers, Mike Kefford, Ken Kendrick, Barry Kenna, Pat Langley, Bob Lawson, Paul Luzio, Ian MacGregor, Don MacIntyre, Alan Marchbanks, David Mann, John Masters, John Mudd, Keith Mulberry, Russell Nimmo, Peter Nockolds, John Olrog, David Osborne (Kingston), Ants Peters, Ron Piper, Graham Ray, Morgan Reynolds, David Richardson (host), Kate Roberts Richardson (co-host), John Richardson, Eddie Roberts, David Sarna, Rod Saward, Bob Seares, John (Robin) Sheen, Howard Shrimpton, Phil Shuttleworth, Graham Smith, Brian Stamp, Colin Sullivan, Terry Tomlinson, Len Timms, Mike Turner, Gordon Volke, Richard Walton, John Webster (co-host), Brian Weeden, Ian White, Max White, Anthony Williams, Mike Wilsdon, Mike Wise, Robert Wise, David Woods and Paul Wymer.

David paid tribute to Derek Carr, a stalwart of our Reunions for many years and to the late John Towers also a stalwart who had asked his daughters Laura and Jill to place a large tab behind the bar on his behalf. Alan Bloxham was unable to attend due to ill health and David wished him well and also all other Shene Old Boys who were not in the best of health.

David advised attendees of those who had passed on since our last Reunion and they were remembered with a round of applause.

Trevor Day (Trev the Rev) led Happy Birthday and nobody was missed out as David Richardson encouraged the assembly to a special rendition for anybody who was anticipating a Birthday in the next 12 months...............

Thanks were due to Kate Roberts Richardson (David's daughter) and co-host for the day and also Dennis O'Shea the club steward and his team who looked after us admirably. David also mentioned Laurie Kennison, our guide at the School that morning and on many previous occasions. He had taken our groups around the School for many years and had much enjoyed hearing from the Old Boys of days gone by.

Importantly, David introduced John Webster j.webster@mac.com who will be taking over from David when familiar with the routines.

In response John made a presentation of a silver picture frame to David which was much appreciated.

Attendees: (78) Colin Barrell, Bob (Ted) Bates, Richard Battey, Roy Bayliss, Stephen Bell, Graham Bishop, Alan Bloxham, Alan Bloxham's guest, Mel, John Bundy, Kevin Burge, Derek Carr, Jim Carthew, Gary Chamberlin, John Chapman, Jeremy Chapman, Christa Chapman, Derek Cleveland, Graham Clifton, Peter Cox, Nick Crisp, Jim Cross, David Cushen, Mike Day, Trevor Day, Brian Deller, Geoff Dixon, John Ellis, Rick Emptage, Colin Enderby, John Free, Terry Gazzard, Don Gregory, Andrew Griffiths, Trevor Griffiths, Rob Harper, Colin Head, Paul Heatley, Geoff Hellings, Tony Hodgson, John Hopkins, Derek Huff, Peter Jeffs, Ken Kendrick, Ian MacGregor, Alan Marchbanks, David Mann, David Manson, Gareth Manson, John Masters, John Mudd, Keith Mulberry, Peter Nockolds, Paddy O'Sullivan, Ants Peters, Peter Penney, Graham Ray, Graham Reynolds, Morgan Reynolds, David Richardson (host), Grant Richardson (co-host), John Richardson, Rod Saward, Graham Smith, Brian Stamp, Des Stuckey, Terry Thomlinson,Len Timms, John Towers and his two daughters, Mike Turner, Richard Walton, Michael Webb, Brian Weeden, Walter Weg, Sylvia Weg, Mike Wilsdon, David Woods

Booked in but unable to attend: (6) David Ball, Trevor Leggett, Eddie Roberts, John Webster, Mike Wise, Colin Winger

David Richardson welcomed the assembled Shene Old Boys and their guests.   This was our 9thReunion since 2002 and just possibly our last.   Unfortunately time is catching up with us. He hoped that those  who had toured the school enjoyed their trip down Memory Lane.   In David's case he could still recall the sound of Brigden’s plimsoll.
Congratulations went to Trevor Griffiths. It was his birthday and David reflected on his possible age and considered that if he was anything like the rest of the assembly he was no youngster.    Hel also mentioned Alan Bloxham who celebrated on the 23rd and also included anyone who had had a birthday in the last 12 months to ensure that nobody felt left out of the celebrations.   Trevor Day had already raised the occasion by leading 'Happy Birthday'.
David's co-host again was his son Grant Richardson who had taken another day off from his duties with the British Army.  He had also helped David last year.   David thanked  Grant and  Dennis O’Shea and his team for looking after us so well.

The buffet lunch was excellent and a considerable amount of photos and memorabilia was on display and provided much discussion
David reminded Old Boys that they can stay informed via our Website www.sheneob.co.uk.    The address was suitably inscribed  on his sweater.   The more astute would have noticed the date discrepancy which he explained by saying that every eighteen months when the Reunion comes round he orders the updated version.   He now had about eight of them and his chums are getting heartily sick of seeing them and they are under no illusions as to his connection to Shene Old Boys.
He hoped that all present would enjoy a very pleasant interlude recalling the days that made us what we are today.

Attendees: (98) Mike Bailey, David Ball, Ted (Bob) Bates, Richard Battey, Roy Bayliss, David Belsham, Graham Bishop, Alan Bloxham, Geoffrey Bowyer, Wally Browett, John Bundy, John Cant, Jim Carthew (guest), Gary Chamberlin, Christa Chapman (guest), Jeremy Chapman, Graham Clifton, Peter Cox, David Cushen, Robert Dale, Brian Deller, Rick Emptage, Paul Flavin (guest), John Free, Terry Gazzard, Tim George, Graham Glockling (guest), Don Gregory, Andrew Griffiths, Graham Hale, Rob Harper, Peter Harrison, Ken Hollway, John Hopkins, Howard Hughes, John Ingleby, Peter Jeffs, Jill Johns (guest), Mike Kefford, Ken Kendrick, Brian Lane, Trevor Leggett, Sid Lines, Alan Lloyd, Richard Long, Iain Macgregor, David Manson, Gareth Manson (guest), Alan Marchbanks, David Mann, John Masters, John Mudd, Keith Mulberry, Peter Nockolds, Eric Ollington, John Olrog, David Osborne (Kingston), Mike O'Sullivan, Ian Pardington, Ants Peters, Graham Ray, Morgan Reynolds, David Richardson (host), Grant Richardson (co-host), John Richardson, Ian Ridley, Eddie Roberts, Ruth Roebuck (guest), Chris Scott, Barry Selwood, Howard Shrimpton, Andy Shuttleworth, Richard Simms, Graham B Smith, Graham P Smith, Brian Stamp, Howard Stapleton, Phil Stringer, Tony Swain, Richard Sykes, Terry Thomlinson, Len Timms, John Towers, Pat Towers (guest), Mike Turner, Paul Turner, Gordon Volke, Richard Walton, Allan Ward, Michael Webb, Brian Weeden, Sylvia Weg (guest), Walter Weg, Ian White, Max White, David Woods, Colin Winger, Mike Wise

24 Old Boys visited the School prior to the Reunion, as in previous years and were well looked after by Laurie Kennison.

David Richardson welcomed the assembly to the eighth Shene Old Boys Reunion since 2002 and extended a special welcome to the guests. To those who were at the School in the morning, he hoped that they enjoyed their trip down Memory Lane and had now dried away the tears.

David thanked Dennis O’Shea and Dipak Sharma and their teams who looked after us well and gave a special mention to his co-host...his son Grant who had taken a day away from his duties with the British Army.

David offered a few facts regarding the day:

645 invitations were sent out by land/air or e-mail

175 responses were received and those unable to attend conveyed their very best wishes for a good day.

One could only conjecture why 470 people didn’t feel the need to respond. Interestingly, those abroad largely did.

Whichever way one looked at it, our turnout was still impressive and some had travelled considerable distances. It was good to see them and David thanked them for their effort.

David advised the assembly of those who had passed on since our last Reunion.

LARRY ELLIOTT

JAMES MARLOW

KEITH BARWOOD

GEORGE HARTWRIGHT

CHRIS ROEBUCK

JOHN MOFFATT

TED BURTON

DENNIS ELLIOTT

RAY ARGENT

HARRY ABBETT

JOHN (ARCHIE) HARRIS

Ruth Roebuck was in attendance and David hoped that she was not distressed by the mentioning of Chris.

David had been asked by Radio London to talk about Shene school in a series called ‘My School’. The interviewer who was all of 38 years of age had little idea of what had gone before and it was David's job to inform him and his listeners.

The recording was played while the assembly took lunch.

Photographs of the event can be seen by double clicking this link: Unfortunately a glitch on the Photo site has prevented the Editor from describing the photos. This is being addressed..

Attendees: (86)  John Abbett, Ray Argent, Mike Bailey, David Ball, Barry Bannister, Bob Bates, Roy Bayliss, John Bean, Graham Bishop, Geoffrey Bowyer, Derek Carr, Gary Chamberlin, Jeremy Chapman, Christa Chapman, John Chapman, Tessa Cleveland, Graham Clifton, Tony Corbett, Hugh Coulston, Peter Cox, David Cushen, Lawrie Dale, Alan Deutsch, Brian Deller, Peter Donnison, Alan Ellis, Rick Emptage, Terry Gazzard, Denis Geeson, Don Gregory, Andrew Griffiths, Trevor Griffiths, Graham Hale, Rob Harper, Geoff Hellings, John Hopkins, Alan Jux, Ken Kendrick, Kevin Keown, Brian Lane, Pat Langley, Bob Lawson, Richard Leeson, Trevor Leggett, Ian MacGregor, John Muir, John Mudd, Keith Mulberry, Peter Nockolds, Betty O'Leary (hostess), Ron Oliver, Mike O'Sullivan, Ian Pardington, Jack Parker, Peter Penney, Ants Peters, Graham Ray, David Richardson (host), Ian Ridley, Eddie Roberts, Howard Robinson, Brian Roddis, Alan Rogers, Barry Selwood, Phil Shuttleworth, Graham Smith, Alan Stephens, Tony Swain, Richard Sykes, Gareth Thomas, Len Timms, Terry Thomlinson, Mike Turner, Paul Turner, Richard Walton, Michael Webb, Brian Weeden, Walter Weg, Sylvia Weg, David Williams, Mike Wilsdon, Colin Winger, Mike Wise, David Woods, Michael Woolfson, Paul Wymer

Apologies for absence received from: Colin Barrell, Tony Hodgson,Morgan Reynolds and John Webster

The event was preceded by a tour of the School  by a party of 15 who were well looked after by Laurie Kennison of the School Facilities team.

David Richardson hosted Reunion 2011 ably assisted by Betty O'Leary who acted as Receptionist and Photographer.   David ensured that the best wishes of Old Boys around the world were passed on to the assembly and also listed those who have left us since January, 2008. 

This Reunion's attendance was lower than previously.   Various people had indicated acceptance of the invitation that was not actually taken up.

Once again the venue proved to be a popular choice and David thanked Dennis O'Shea and his team for their excellent service and co-operation.

Attendees were encouraged to update their details on the Current listing and to advise David of other Old Boys in their circle to enable David to follow up and expand the listing.