News from Home and Abroad
1940-1949
Neil Powell (Park Grange 66)
Colin Neilson (Johnsons 48)
I am a retired journalist and worked for the Rhodesia Herald. I am
now a grandfather and this summer I was sitting on the beach near
Worthing Pier when I spotted a strange pebble and thought I had
found a fossil sea urchin – an echinoderm. This was confirmed by
an archaeologist at the local museum and its age was set at 200 to
400 million years old. I was intrigued by the fact that this creature
had no blood, no bones and no brain, and it fed on algae clinging to
rocks. The Worthing Herald reported my story. Some of my friends
saw the cutting and wondered which was the fossil!
1950-1959
John Skinner (Hardinge 51)
My novel Tokolosi was published recently. Here is an excerpt from
a book review: ‘Compelling and entertaining, Tokolosi is also a
compassionate account of drought-stricken suffering and privation
in an imaginary underdeveloped African country. Descriptions
of relief and recovery activities offer the reader vivid insights
of so many challenges involved with mitigating, responding to
and combating such crises as severe prolonged drought. Peoples’
pleasures and their unexpected perils are highlighted, too.’
1960-1969
Richard Cowen (Johnsons 65)
We regret to let Old Sennockians know that Richard James Cowen
died in 2001. Richard’s family would love to hear from any friends
who might remember him. His daughter writes:
‘Richard attended Sevenoaks School between 1961 and 1965,
and was a member of Johnsons (where, I am told, he managed to
secretly keep a gerbil in his locker for a time!). After qualifying as
a chartered accountant, his life took an unexpected turn as he felt
called to ordained ministry in the Church of England. This new life
path began with his ordination in 1984 and took him to Kenilworth,
Dagenham and finally Reading, where he was licensed as Priest-
in-Charge of the parish. He left behind his wife, Deborah, and four
children, Ruth, Sarah, David and Thomas, who loved him for his
hilarious sense of humour (and very cheeky grin!), his incredible
giftedness on the piano, his love of cricket and fishing, and the
kind and gentle nature he had with people. He is greatly missed.’
Neil’s book Was and Is: Collected Poems, which draws on almost 50
years’ writing, was published by Carcanet in January 2017.
Steve Leniston (Johnsons/IC 67)
Now fully retired from flying/instructing, and living in Emsworth,
Hants. Two grandchildren born this year. Just had open-heart surgery
following a funny turn on the tennis court; replaced aortic valve and
coronary bypass. Looking forward to getting back to sailing (and
tennis!) when convalesced.
Ian Brinton (Fryth 68)
In 2016 Ian published four books: For the Future (Shearsman), a
festschrift for the Cambridge poet JH Prynne to celebrate his 80th
birthday, a translation of poems by Philippe Jaccottet (Oystercatcher
Press), a new edition of the Selected Poems and Prose of John Riley
(Shearsman) and Infinite Riches, a history of Dulwich College poets
since 1950 (published by the college). He also continued to co-edit
two literary magazines, Tears in the Fence and SNOW, and was active
in helping to set up the new archive of Contemporary Poetry at the
University Library in Cambridge.
Steve Olsen (Park Grange 68)
I have lived in a suburb of Houston, Texas for nearly 35 years and
recently retired as a Boeing 787 Captain for United Airlines. I am
now in a follow-up career as a Captain on a corporate business jet.
I also manage my father’s working ranch in central Texas which has
transformed from a relaxing diversion to an enormous workload.
My wife of 48 years, Peggy, and I travelled to London in November
to attend the Old Sennockians dinner at the House of Commons
and had an enormously good time. Our brief visit reinforced my
longstanding love affair with England and its people. However,
I must admit my disappointment to see that London had nearly
absorbed Sevenoaks as part of its urban web. To me, it has
damaged the country charm that was so much a part of my
memories of Sevenoaks. In addition to my 90-year-old father and
93-year-old mother-in-law, Peggy and I have a son and a daughter
and six beautiful grandchildren, all of whom live in the greater
Houston area.
Please do contact Richard’s family via the Development Office:
[email protected]
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ALUMNI REVIEW
Nicholas Ainley (Fenton 69)
After being a barrister for 28 years I became a Circuit Judge in 2003
and am still in post in London. Married to Sue since 1980, with three
children and now two grandchildren. I have only kept in regular
touch over the years with Adrian Crick (Wordsworth 69). Last year
Ronnie Bose (Park Grange 67) kindly sent me an email and I tried
to reply but my email kept being bounced back. I would be very
happy to get in contact with him or anyone else of our vintage.
1970-1979
Reserve and Island House Conservation Studies Centre. Recently
retired from his last position as an Assistant Commissioner in the
Hong Kong police force after 35 years’ service, Peter became CEO of
WWF-HK in July this year. Based in Bangkok, Tim h