A Report from Winchester College Society Patrick Walker( I, 1965-70)
Never did I imagine, having left Winchester 46 years ago, that my journey would take me back to what is now known as Donovan’ s in Kingsgate Street, where Vince Broderick used to run the sports shop. It recently became the bustling HQ of the Development Office team which I was invited to join in September for two days a week. After my first employment interview for 39 years, and six headmasters later, I was back on board! It has already been a very interesting experience. On the surface, the school looks and feels the same, as you would expect with its stunning buildings and grounds, and with the Quiristers still in place.
But much has changed – no straw hats, New Hall transformed, entirely new teaching staff( obviously), studying for Pre-U rather than A levels, and the atmosphere feels much more open and welcoming. Importantly, there is a recognition of the importance of Development in its broadest sense, if this special place is to be maintained and flourish along the lines foreseen by our Founder, William of Wykeham. As has been well flagged, Winchester College Society now represents all the constituent members of the Winchester community – OWs, past and present parents, dons, the Quirister Association, Friends and benefactors, some of whom have had no previous contact with the school. The team of nine, led by
48 The Wykeham Journal 2016