The
PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
WELCOME
Dear Fellow Old Pocklingtonians ,
Welcome to this year ’ s OP magazine . As I write , a new government is in place and another school year is underway however the same old wet British weather is falling from the sky – at least in Yorkshire ! For me the last year has been exciting having taken over the role of OP President from Joan in November 2023 and I would like to say a huge thank you to her for all the excellent hard work that she has done over the previous three years . Joan has done a superb job at moving the OP Association forward and she leaves the role with some big shoes to fill .
In addition to a change on the OP committee , I wish to congratulate the Headmaster Toby Seth on his appointment as Headmaster at Whitgift School and whilst he is still here for this academic year he will be a loss to the school when he does move back down south . We also congratulate and look forward to welcoming Toby ’ s successor , Becky Lovelock and her family in September , as they join the Pocklington School community . Further details about Becky ’ s appointment are on page 13 of the magazine .
The OP network has continued to grow with recent leavers signing up to the database as they leave , and as usual joining the Old Pocklingtonian Association enables every leaver to receive the benefits on offer to them . Leaving school is almost always as daunting as that very first day when you walk through the gates for the first time , however , like that day in early September I am sure that all those new Old Pocklingtonians will embrace all the opportunities ahead of them and continue to build on the education they have received at Pocklington .
The last year has once again been filled with events , sport and networking opportunities . A personal highlight for me was to attend the Pock Connects event in London . The chance to meet OPs from a wide variety of jobs and careers was not only interesting but beneficial to some of those younger Old Pocklingtonians who were searching for some advice and support . I am looking forward to the next event and would love to see even more in attendance as we look to grow this event .
Perhaps the main highlight of the last year was the
Summer Reunion , it was amazing to see so many people return to school and for some enjoy a tour round the much-changed interior of the senior school ! The sport on show was brilliant with some hard-fought fixtures played , but for me the opportunity to catch up with friends old and new shone through and thanks must go to Rachel for organising the event . To host the summer reunion alongside the “ Pockfest ” held by the Friends of Pocklington School was a real delight and I am glad that we managed to arrange for a sunny day to be enjoyed by all ! As we look forward to the upcoming year the events have certainly not slowed down and I look forward to seeing many of you in the months to come .
Charlie Lambert ( 01-08 ) President , Old Pocklingtonian Association
Printed on paper from responsible sources .
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OPA COMMITTEE
OP ELECTED
President : Charlie Lambert ( 01-08 ) Vice President : Matt Atkinson ( 85-93 ) Treasurer : Eszti Pontone ( née Gyarmati , 95-97 ) Jess Atkinson ( 97-08 ) Zoe Hughes ( née Backhouse , 01-03 ) Steven Kyffin ( 70-77 ) Trevor Loten ( 70-80 ) Michael McKinstry ( 00-11 ) Simon Spence ( 74-81 )
SCHOOL APPOINTED
Toby Seth ( Headmaster ) Rachel Dare ( OP Liaison Officer , OPA Secretary ) Lucy Hornby ( Teaching staff and OP 02-04 ) Steve Spruyt ( Teaching staff )
EX OFFICIO
Joan Gough ( née Sawyer , 75-77 , immediate Past President )
AGM 2024-25
ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE
The Annual General Meeting of the Old Pocklingtonian Association took place on Thursday 7 November 2024 , and the new committee was elected . It was agreed to move the AGM from November to February in future years to accommodate the new OP financial year which runs from1 September to 31 August in line with Pocklington School Foundation .
The next AGM will be held on Thursday 5 February 2026 at 7.00pm . During the meeting , the Committee will be elected for the forthcoming year . All OPs are welcome to attend the AGM and / or stand for election . Please make your intentions known in advance of the meeting if possible , by contacting Rachel in the OP office . Nominations for election to the Committee should be sent to Rachel as soon as possible .
The agenda is as follows :
• Apologies
• Minutes of last AGM
• President ’ s Report
• Secretary ’ s Report
• Treasurer ’ s Report and approval of accounts
• Nomination and election of committee
• AOB ( A copy of the OP annual accounts is available upon request ).
COVER STORY
This year ’ s cover image features OP Tiggy Elwes ( 09-18 ) receiving the Freedom to the City of London from the Clerk of the Chamberlain ’ s Court in the Guildhall . The current Chamberlain is Caroline Louise Al- Beyerty , the 81st Chamberlain and the first woman to hold office . It is the Chamberlain who granted Tiggy ’ s admittance and Freedom to the City . Tiggy recently became a Liveryman at the Worshipful Company of Bakers , one of the oldest livery companies in London . See page 37 for the full update .
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