NO.121
Lords; Southampton FC pre-season
training; and the testing ground for
Hawkeye (now used in almost all Test
Match venues).
The majority of men in the School
would hardly have known of his existence
and assumed that cricket squares or
canvasses were automatically available in
all weathers. Only those who played
representative sports would have been
aware of the quiet diligence that made a
canvas playable after two inches of
overnight rain. The same sportsmen fully
T H E T R U S T Y S E RVA N T
appreciated Stuart when they played at
home for OW teams (often on holiday
weekends). This was demonstrated by
their warmth and generosity with a 40years presentation to Stuart at an OW
Sporting Reception in London in 2010.
If Stuart had a fault, it was the
inability to say ‘No’ to requests for various
sports at Win Coll. He was always being
asked for a practice goal, a one-off hockey
pitch, a golf driving-range or an instant
grass tennis court – all of which were
produced. He inculcated his practical
knowledge into his team and is being
succeeded by his number two, Kim
Larcombe, who was the first groundsman I
interviewed in 1982!
After a short break, Stuart will
continue at Win Coll helping to maintain
the minibus fleet part time. On a cold day
he will no doubt be found in PE Centre
where his wife Sue also works. So he will
not yet be walking into the sunset
pushing a wheelbarrow and collecting
boundary markers after a good day’s
cricket on Lords.
■
Laying up of a Union Standard of
The Life Guards Sunday 13th March 2016
The School received a great honour
on Sunday 13th March when a Life
Guards Standard was laid up on the altar
in Chapel. A brief parade was held in War
Cloister, with a CCF Guard of 24 boys,
immaculately drilled by WO1 John
Snoddon, being inspected by Maj Gen Sir
Simon Cooper GCVO (B, 49-54), and in
the presence of Field Marshal the Lord
Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB LVO OBE
DL, Colonel of The Life Guards, and the
Warden. The Standard was then marched
to Chapel, where it was received on behalf
of the School by the Dean of Chapel,
Revd Dr Simon Thorn, from the
Commanding Officer, Lt Col James
Gaselee. Eight bandsmen in the organ loft
then lifted the Choir’s rendition of Parry’s
‘I was glad’ to ethereal heights.
Maj Sam Hart, WO1 John Snoddon
Win Coll looked at its best in the
spring sunshine; and splendid hospitality
for Life Guard guests and a collection of
senior OW soldiers was provided with
drinks and lunch in School. The
Standard’s final resting place will be
hanging from the ceiling in Crimea
alongside the retired School Colours. ■
Maj Gen Sir Simon Cooper inspects
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