No. 124
The Trusty Servant
WDM Lutyens( in office when I arrived- 1957) to an impressionable Junior was a slightly shocking figure, arty and effete( the most popular imitâ of him was‘ Aww, Scott-Plummer’ s singing brought tears into my eyes’), and he was sometimes known as Slippery Bill. He had the new men to tea and was an agreeable host. He was probably more at home when he abandoned schoolmastering and became( briefly) a television newsreader. Later of course he went to the US. I shall remember him for his excellent if quirky hymn tune Rogate, which has scandalously been omitted from the latest edition of the Win Coll Hymn Book.
GHG Doggart( 1957-1959), known as Hubie, was welcomed on arrival owing to likely beneficial effect on College sport, and indeed Coll won a game of X or was it VI( or even both) in Hubie’ s first half as Tutor. He was respected and generally liked. If there was a football match on the telly( quite rare at the time) he had the much appreciated habit of inviting interested parties to watch on his set. I recall a Cup semi-final in 1958, the finals in 1958 and 1959, and an international or two. However, though he was not stupid I am not sure he was entirely at home with the intellectual life of College; he was probably more at home when he became Housedon of Trant’ s. In Cloister Time 1959 Tom Howarth( Second Master) was on sabbatical and Hubie acted as housemaster- I won’ t say everyone ran riot but some things went on which would not have occurred had Howarth been there. Hubie left the post to get married but remained as coach of Coll VI. I was then reduced to inviting myself to watch football on the excellent Mrs Ward’ s set in College Sick House.
RMN Montgomery( 1960, still in office when I left) was a rather dry mathematician without much of a human touch: he was not good at concealing his dislike of some men( e. g. me!).
Richard also contributed several songs and Notions Examination questions, which the Editor enjoyed but deemed too scurrilous to print. A copy of them has been deposited with the Archivist.
Old Wykehamist Lodge no. 3548
Miles Barrington-Ward( H, 69-74) reports:
On Saturday 27 th May, the Lodge met at the Winchester Masonic Centre on Alresford Road: there were approximately 40 brethren present, mostly members of OW Lodge. This year’ s Worshipful Master initiated a new brother into the‘ ancient mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry’ with great panache, and was very ably supported by the Junior Deacon and other officers of the Lodge. The other business of the meeting focused on charity. Donations proposed by the Charity Steward totalling £ 1,500 were approved, to be shared equally amongst the Crown and Manor Club in Hoxton, the Trinity Homeless Centre in Winchester, and the Vacation Chamber Orchestra, which supports student musicians with bursaries. In 2012, the Lodge’ s centenary year, £ 35,000 was raised by members of the Lodge towards the College’ s new Treasury.
The picture shows the Lodge’ s Election Cup beside that of the College, which is on permanent display in Treasury: the
Lodge is blessed with many fine pieces of silver gifted it by present and past members, and which are often displayed at its dinners.
Meeting over, the brethren, full of bonhomie, made their way down the hill to the College to join partners and other non-Masonic friends in the Warden’ s Garden.
Dinner for 80 in College Hall was truly memorable, all thanks to the College caterers and Winchester College Society for all their help arranging the dinner and other hospitality. Grace was sung by‘ The Wykeham Six’( comprising members of the College’ s music staff), who entertained us with more close harmony songs through the evening. The Lodge abandoned after-dinner speeches in the 1930s, so by custom the Loyal toast and the toast to the school were followed by a hearty rendition of Domum and six more traditional folk songs sung by all.
2017 is a special year for Freemasonry, as the United Grand Lodge of England celebrates its tercentenary and featured in a recent Sky TV documentary Inside the Freemasons. The Old Wykehamist Lodge No. 3548 is one of 32 public school lodges who reciprocate visits throughout the year and enjoys close associations with the Old Etonian and Old Carthusian lodges in particular.
The OW Lodge meets three times a year: twice in St James’ s and once in Winchester in late May, when nonmasons are welcome to dinner in College Hall. Membership is open to OWs, Old Quiristers and present and past members of Common Room. If you would like to find out more about the Lodge, contact the Secretary by email: owl3548 @ gmail. com website: ow3548. wordpress. com
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