Newsletter - March 2020

[Rogernoble]

White Star Newsletter– March 2020 

Dear All. 
We are now at 113 members (31 December- 113).  The decision to add letters to the editor / memories of Hillside has certainly livened things up so keep them coming. I would welcome more contributions. I have in this newsletter gone to the British Genealogical site and picked up some old contributions from there. I also have numerous emails from the beginning and will see what I can find there in due course.Hopefully you are all surviving Corona Virus. As ever one is looking for the lighter moment. I had a chuckle at the recent Matt cartoon depicting a horse on a running machine saying “I know it is Cheltenham Week but I am working from home”. 

The Search.
As I explained last quarter we are now struggling to find the remaining people on the “wanted” list so any help you can provide in finding them would be very helpful.

 The Website and White Star Magazines.
Martin Koranka has revised the web site which should now be much easier to use. You can also pick up the White Stars there as well. I have added all the old newsletters.www.hillsideschool.org.ukPlease support Martin’s efforts by making use of the facility. Lunch.We had arranged the bi-annual lunch for Saturday 20th June 2020. It is difficult to see this going ahead as things stand. I have been in touch with the West Surrey Golf Club and suggested that if they get another function to let me know. They say they also have a problem with probably having to cancel functions anyway. They agreed to leave the booking in place pro temp but neither of us are hopeful.

 Memorable school matches.
The editor’s moment of glory!
The goal (not just any one!)
In the early days of the association Steve Ashforth sent me a copy of the 1961 White Star in which I saw for the first time RHRW’s report on the 1960 Football first eleven in which I played as left back.I was expecting his description of me to be something like, in view of the team’s extraordinary record, Alf Ramsey needs to keep an eye on this fellow. As Steve gleefully pointed out it started with “heavy and ponderous” before getting a bit more complimentary about my ability to give the ball a good whack with both feet. Anyway RHRW’s clear instructions were not to go wandering in the opponent’s half because I was not quick enough to get back to defend against an attack.In 1959 I was playing in the second eleven under Tiger on the top field while RHRW had the first eleven on the bottom field. After the match we were on the front drive saying goodbye to our opponents when RHRW came across to congratulate us on our win before discovering my name on the list of scorers. He was starting to berate me for disobeying team orders when his voice started to falter as he realised that the whole team including Tiger had big grins on their faces. I had to put him out of his misery and explained that the opposition goalkeeper had cleared the ball from the edge of his penalty area and it had come bouncing over the half way line towards me. I was waiting like a coiled spring (I had by this time had a couple of hours to suitably embellish the story!). Anyway as it bounced towards me I gave it a mighty thump towards our opponent’s goal. At first I was worried I have overcooked it but at the last moment it dipped and was inch perfect as it found the top corner of the net.My belated apologies to my pals at the time who probably got bored of my endless recounting of the story.Roger NobleI am sure there are others who can remember memorable matches so please let me hear about them.

Hillside Culinary delights.I am running out of copy here so contributions please for the next newsletter.

Literary Corner.
Patrick O’Brian: A very private life – Nikolai Tolstoy.
This is the story of Patrick O’Brian (born Richard Patrick Russ) Nikolai’s stepfather. Patrick was adamant that he did not want his life story written and Nikolai, who holds all his papers, was under instructions to destroy them after Patrick’s death. Nikolai’s motive in ignoring these instructions appears to be to lay to rest the untruths told in a previous unauthorised biography.Having previously read Victims of Yalta the extraordinary detail contained in the book was not such a surprise. I should explain that Nikolai’s father forbade any contact he might have with his mother throughout his school days at Hillside and Wellington. Despite this handicap Nikolai seems to have plenty to work with. I am, as an amateur family historian, green with envy as Mary’s and Patrick’s life stories are recorded in complete detail from diaries, letters and much else. The Times comes to a similar view: “Reading Tolstoy is like reading a fine, detailed detective story… To be treasured because it exposes and rebuts much falseness that has been written about O’Brian”.There is no doubt that Patrick was a very complex character. His childhood was marred by a tyrannical father which was followed by a disastrous first marriage. I found myself, almost from the first page wondering how this man became one of the great authors of the twentieth century. Fortunately the answer was plain to see. There was no doubt in my mind that without Mary, Patrick would have been lost. Any doubt I had on this score was put to rest reading William Waldegrave’s review in the Spectator. “There are two love stories in O’Brian’s life. The greatest was that of his second wife Mary. Without Mary there would been no Patrick O’Brian, the author of world renown, or indeed no enjoyment of Patrick or any kind of successful life at all. And he knew it. The second was love for Collioure , its people and its wildlife and his house Correch d’en Baus built largely with his own hands”.Certainly the path to success was a long and frustrating one. It started with several years in Wales before the move to Collioure. For many years Patrick was plagued with self-doubt, writer’s block and general depression, no doubt worsened by his unhappy childhood memories. His writing was barely keeping the couple in funds although things did start to improve marginally when Patrick exploited his considerable talents as a French / English translator. Certainly there were years of pretty abject poverty before success came. Patrick had been born on 12 December 1914 and he started to make his breakthrough in 1967-9 as the Master and Commander series of books started to hit the bookshelves as he reached fifty-three years of age. I had been expecting this to signal fame and fortune but things moved slowly and it was to be still some years before full recognition finally came. Financially things were slowly improving but once the couple had acquired reasonable security that seems to be all they wanted. They continued to live in their modest home in Collioure, with Patrick happily tending his vines, servicing his favourite clock, making wooden models for Nikolai’s children and trying to get a response from a TV well past its sell-by-date. Patrick continued writing to the very end and collapsed and died on 2 January 2000 a couple of minutes after putting his pen down for the last time.Patrick had always sought to keep his early life out of the public arena. Sadly his success had created a demand for details. Unfortunately Dean King in his unauthorised biography has gathered some of the facts and had drawn his own erroneous conclusions from them. This undoubtedly really upset Patrick and made Nikolai so anxious to write this book in defiance of Patrick’s wishes. Nikolai succeeds in putting the record straight.Nikolai’s final words from the book summarise it all perfectly; “It is unquestionable that he (Patrick) would have placed my mother at the forefront of his armoury of happiness. Again only those fully intimate with him could appreciate the extent of his passionate commitment to their house and garden in Collioure – to say nothing of mountain walking, ornithology, astronomy, English, Irish  and French literature, classical music (before Debussy) and regular exchanges with a handful of intimate friends living locally. This fruitful existence was preserved almost entirely separate from that of the literary world – one which he in any case largely eschewed. As I have said, after my mother’s death, writing provided only intermittent compensation from that irreparable loss. But now they are together again, safe where the arrows of posthumous envy cannot touch them”.Hillside makes it into the book when Nikolai gives Rolf Whicker an honourable mention: “My mother must somehow have learned of my devotion to the House of Stuart, following my enraptured introduction to Scott’s Waverley novels by the enlightened headmaster of my preparatory school”.I must admit that Nikolai’s study must be a place of wonder. His command of detail points to a treasure trove of books and other records which must be meticulously filed.Having finished writing this I wrote to Nikolai to try and obtain a picture and saying the project had made me anxious to read one of Patrick’s books.
Dear Roger,
I attach also a photo of me in my library.

Fortunately, I shouldn’t be short of reading matter during the coming weeks or months of quarantine!  Our son Dmitri and eldest daughter Alexandra, together with her three children, have come to share our temporary exile from the human race, so we won’t be lonely either.  You have a great treat ahead of you.  I should start with Master and Commander, but after that it’s not so important to read them in order.  I can still remember many of the books in the Hillside Library which gave me so much pleasure, as well as a lifelong love of books.  Mr Whicker let me take away my favourite, Cavaliers and Rogues.  On a hot summer’s afternoon I give myself a treat by rereading it in a deck chair.Best wishes,NikolaiP.S. I now have about  20,000 books!  

Letters to the editor.
I picked these gems up from the British Genealogical web site:

Martin KoronkaThere were some very funny times though with a particular highlight being an end of term midnight feast in Nelson Dorm where we tried to toast some marshmallows in the fire place which we lit for the purpose. Unfortunately some embers slipped down the vent holes in the floor and we watched in horror as the litter and detritus beneath caught fire. Nine little boys stood in a sweaty line and pee'd down the holes in an attempt to put the fire out. Eventually Mr Redman (I think) found us and we set up a human chain with buckets from the scullery but all to no avail and the fire brigade turned up and did it properly. Fortunately our parents collected us the next day and we were never reprimanded.

Rob Spooner
Roger - I think you are probably right about 'Koby' being from the Hungarian uprising. He used to ride an ancient Lambretta and on one icy day took me on the pillion for a spin! No crash helmets then, just short grey flannels, no gloves but boy was it fun!
A distant uncle of mine drew up one Sunday on the drive in his open top E type bright red jag - drunk! He had a very early record player in his car which was blaring out 'itsy witsy yellow bikini' at full volume! I heard the racket, saw it was him and ran and hid in the wood.
After about an hour I went back to find Mrs Whicker waiting for me! Uh oh, I thought I'll get sacked. She was beaming! She told me only that I had missed my uncle and that Mr Whicker had 'seen him on his way'. They had phoned my parents to tell them that a 'tipsy gentleman was on the way to see them.....'!!Ed – Rob you win. My uncle could only manage an Austin pick-up!

Ian Pilcher
Dear RogerWhat a fantastic publication. Thank you so very much and to the contributors - especially all the content from Nikolai.Hopefully we will be reunited at the 2020 Lunch Party.I was interested to see comment from Michael Yalden, whom I recall so well, albeit he was more closely aligned with my brother, Keith. Perhaps and hopefully Michael will also be at the Lunch. Such a pity our mutual friend, Derek Pitt, will not be with us.I have never forgotten Michael White. His ability to get some French dialogue into my head has never been bettered. All those wonderful illustrations to clarify the understanding of words - my highlight being of a hot water boiler , suspended over a bath tub, which blows up and reminds of the word 'bain' for bath - never forgotten. I also readily recall MW being in business in the Record Corner, behind Lloyds Bank, off Godalming High Street, where he was in 'partnership' with his very good friend - perhaps a social and business relationship, but whatever, it made for a very popular business. Following Hillside, I was at Hurstpierpoint (as with others from Hillside) and on my last day of education was required to play the Hallelujah Chorus on my trumpet, with that difficult solo. I remember buying a 45 rpm record of the music, from Record Corner, as a memento.I recall purchase of many hit parade records, of some of which the 'artists' feature in many tribute bands today. I still attend 'tributes' regularly whenever I can and that rekindles memories. I used to wear thick crepe soled suede shoes with coloured laces! Then I was working in Liverpool in 1959/60, where it was all happening! When in Godalming recently, I was amazed and delighted to see a shop named Record Corner in just the same location. Regrettably, I cannot recall the 'camps' (too young perhaps) but the woods alongside the footpath between Grosvenor Road and the Drive, were popular play areas. Some things still remain as memories, chocolate frogspawn and slow cycle races!My Grandfather's and my Father's Dental Practice at Notley, in Ockford Road still remains in practice today. Perhaps some Hillside pupils will recall treatment in their hands! Not too painful memories, hopefully.Anyway, enough of my incidental memories. I look forward to hearing so many more from so many others at the Lunch in June.Kind regardsIan (Pilcher)

Harvey White
Wonderful! It will, from now on, be my alternative at this time of year to John Julius Norwich’s Christmas Crackers as a good read! Harvey.

Stuart Babbington
Many thanks for your email (and accompanying photos). The first two I have seen before or something very similar but the third is intriguing. It looks like  bamboo on the left so I assume it is in the woods behind the bamboo beside the bottom lawn. I am sure someone can help.Anyway we are always pleased to get photos so thanks again.

Babbington.jpg

Roger
Indeed it is the wooded area beside the lower lawn. We spent many happy hours there racing our bikes in relay teams in a 24 hr Le Mans style on a track that encircled the whole area. I can’t remember the total lap count raced, but it was certainly in the hundreds! Alternatively the bamboo and undergrowth provided perfect cover for ‘kick the can’! -as long as we stayed off the top lawn which was sacrosanct for RHW cricket fielding practice!Stuart

Pal’s corner
Jack Fuller has now located ten of the 1963 hockey team, but he is still anxious to locate Jonathan (?) Weale to get the full team. Can anyone help? A possible clue is that his father owned the bicycle shop in Godalming.Colin & Keith Parsons – I have had reports of their playing golf in Surrey. I think Jack played against them once. They went on to Kings Witley and their brother played cricket for Surrey. Can anyone help?We have also accounted for nine of the 1960 football team. Can anyone help on Tim Gibbs and P Sutton?This is a regular feature for those looking for old friends so please let me know if there is anyone you would particularly like to trace. 

Summary As I finish this newsletter facing this extraordinary crisis one cannot help feeling a sense of despondency, but suddenly my nose is assailed by the wonderful smell of Mrs Noble’s freshly baked bread emerging from the oven so perhaps things are not so bad. All I need now is to think up some excuses to avoid all those tasks which she has on her list which I have managed to endlessly avoid, saying I was too busy. Any keep safe.

Roger Noble
roger.noble@btopenworld.com