THEHARROVIAN - Harrow Association

THE HARROVIAN
Vol. CXXVII No. 8
November 9, 2013
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK(B)
NOVEMBER
S 10 The Third Sunday before Advent
Remembrance Sunday
Roman Catholic Mass 8.30am
Eucharist in the Crypt 8.30am
Whole School Service of Remembrance: 10.30am
Eton Fives v Jesters (home)
Eton Fives: REFCA U14 Tournament (home)
Yearlings and Removes Inter-House Soccer
Evening of Performances for Armistice Day, War Memorial 7.30pm
M 11 Armistice Day
TRIALS
Essay Club: Vaughan Library 9.10pm
T 12 TRIALS
Lunchtime Music: Jonathan Lee, St Mary's Church, 1.30pm
Judo: Neil Adams MBE, Master class dojo, 4.30-6.30pm
Soccer: ISFA Boodles Cup 3rd Round
Rackets v Cheltenham (home)
Rugby v Mill Hill
W 13 TRIALS
Way of Life Lecture, Ryan Theatre 11.25am
Rugby: Natwest Cup U18 and U15 Round 4
Shell Inter-House Cross Country Round 3
Soccer: ISFA Boodles Cup 3rd Round
Flambards: James Righetti, Hill Café, 9.10pm
T 14 TRIALS
OSRG Arts Society: The Young Dṻrer (depart 1.30pm)
Eton Fives: Southern Schools Competition (home)
Squash v Charterhouse (away)
Sheridan Society: George Ellis, OSRG 9.00pm
F 15 No Morning Prayer
Lessons and TRIALS begin at 8.30am
U6 Parents Meeting, SCH 12 noon
Exeat begins 12 noon
Harrow Football: Northern Tour, Durham
S 16 Skiing: British Finals, Gloucester (depart 1.00pm)
Exeat
Long Ducker
3 November, in aid of The Mo Farrah Foundation
20 Mile Cup
First, Fergus Blount, Elmfield
02:11:30
Second, William Blount, Elmfield 02:13:43
Third, Rupert Stonehill, Elmfield 02:21:58
10 Mile Cup
First, Louis Clarke, Bradbys
00:58:32
Second, Lascelles Hussey, Elmfield 01:01:06
Third, James Millett, Newlands
01:02:48
The 2012 Long Ducker was a wet one, and everyone hoped
for a more clement day this year. Sunday 3 November 2013
was certainly a more uplifting morning. It was sunny, clear,
cool and crisp – great running weather as boys, beaks, OHs,
parents and friends of the School gathered in Bill Yard just after
7.00am for the start of the 20 miler. JAPB and ELW were now
fully in charge as Masters of the event and the organisation
was seamless. The key innovation was automatic chip timing
which gave accurate and complete results for all participants
in both the 20 mile and 10 mile event.
The number of 20 milers continues to rise, and this year
broke all records: 615 boys completed the 10 mile Long Ducker
and 66 boys completed the 20. There was a combined total of
63 finishers of the event in 2012 (including OHs, beaks and
parents), and this increased to a remarkable 95 finishers this
year. In 2012, 33 boys finished under three hours, and this
was seen as a benchmark that might never be matched – that
is, until this year, when an astonishing 58 finished in under
three hours to earn their ties.
This year also showed some very fast times, including new
best times for boys in both the 10 and 20 mile events. The
10 mile record of 00:59:47, previously set by C.R. Lambert,
Newlands, 20053 in 2009 was convincingly beaten by a rapid
Louis Clarke, Bradbys, who ran 00:58:32. The best previous
time for a boy in the 20 mile event was 02:12, set in 1991 by
G.J.E. Adda, Rendalls, 19883. This was bettered by Fergus
Blount, Elmfield, this year with a scorching 02:11:30. Fergus
didn’t even look tired as he crossed the finish line, but was all
smiles with the fastest boy time in the history of the 20 miles
– by 30 seconds. Only once was the 20 miler completed in a
faster time, and this was by J. C. Stephenson, Elmfield 20033,
an OH who ran it in 02:05. William Blount, Elmfield, finished
in 02:13, which would have equalled the third fastest boy time
in the history of the event had it not been for Fergus. Guy
Blount, Elmfield, came in at 02:27. A proud set of parents were
looking on at the finish to see three of their sons in the top
ten. Perhaps most proud on the day was MJT, who finished in
02:27:50. He was beaten by six boys, and five of them from
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his own House. In total 12 Elmfield boys finished under three
hours and earned a tie.
This was the second year of the new route and cynics might
say the fast times could be partly attributed to the new course
(the turnaround for the 20 miler and the start for the 10 miler
is now the Albert Memorial instead of Marble Arch). It may
be the case that this shortens the course by approximately 0.1
of a mile. By all measurements the 20 miler is still 20 miles
(or at least between 20.1 and 20.4 depending on whose GPS
watch you trust). It must be said that running down the Broad
Walk of Hyde Park and turning around at the Albert Memorial is
wonderfully civilised, and remains a safer option than skipping
across lanes of traffic in order to touch Marble Arch.
On the day, a leading pack of five, AKM, JRE, Ben Horgan,
Will and Fergus Blount went out quickly and stayed together
for over 15 miles. They spent the first half marathon chasing
down JNK, who went out in a blistering pace and led for the
first 13 miles. JNK was a hare that led to a fast time for the
first half of the event, and the miles then just kept getting
quicker. But it always looked like a fast field. AKM, the
previous winner of the 20 miler, was known for pacing the
lead 10 miler the past few years. He decided to join the 20
miler field, along with the winner from the past two years, JRE.
JNK is now a regular sub-three hour marathoner, and he joined
the elite group. And those were just the beaks. The cohort of
fast long-distance running boys is something unprecedented
at the School, and obvious from the fantastic results at middle
distance in athletics the past few years.
A special mention should be made of the House Masters: five
finished the 20 miler and another five finished the 10 miler. It
is notable that one of the House Masters finished barefoot so
he did not have an official time. Award for best practice goes
to the House Master who finished with his matron – the type
of civilised behaviour one might expect in The Grove. One of
the organisers, ELW, came in at 02:51, and LWH, along with
three boys, finished in exactly three hours, earning the tie.
Diana Nell, Mo Farah’s sister-in-law, and representing the
Mo Farah Foundation, stood at the finishing, cheering for the
boys. Runners this year ran in support of this Foundation, and
whilst, of course, the Long Ducker is primarily about charity,
there were also ripples of excitement about whether or not
Mo himself would make an appearance. In the end he did not
appear – he is busy training for his debut in the marathon in
London in April. He has promised to visit the school when
he is back in the UK and he has sent a special video to thank
the boys and the School.
Notable achievements
Shells:
First, George Grassly, The Knoll
Second, Angus Denison-Smith, Elmfield
Third, Albie Tremlett, The Park Removes:
First, James Millett, Newlands
Second, Fabian Dobree, The Knoll
Third, Ga Kitada, Lyon’s Fifth Form:
First, Louis Clarke, Bradbys
Second, James Bird, West Acre
Third, George Gould, Lyon’s
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01:07:41
01:07:45
01:15:41
01:02:48
01:10:40
01:13:18
00:58:32
01:04:17
01:06:52
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Sixth Form:
First, Lascelles Hussey, Elmfield
Second, Robbie White, Moretons
Third, Max Gairard, Druries
01:01:06
01:07:09
01:07:22
This is CJFB’s sixteenth 20 mile event under three hours.
Will Seex, The Knoll, completed a 400 length swim for
Long Ducker in 2 hours 30 approx. He has now completed the
400 lengths swim in less than 3 hours for five years running,
i.e. he has successfully completed this swim every year since
he arrived in the Shells. It is hard to believe that anyone has
achieved this feat before or will do so again.
James Wright, Elmfield, rowed 32 kms (20 miles) on the
rowing machine for Long Ducker in 02:41:11.
Shaftesbury Lecture
Camilla Batmanghelidjh, CBE, of Kids Company
31 October
This year has seen increasing emphasis placed on the Community
Service aspect of Harrow life, as shown by the new Shaftesbury
Enterprise. It was fitting therefore that a key figure from the
charity sector delivered this year’s Shaftesbury Lecture. Camilla
Batmanghelidjh certainly caused a stir amongst Harrovians with
her colourful Persian attire (in the words of Father Power, “she
has been called Britain’s most colourful charity leader for more
than one reason”) but throughout the lecture it was her vibrant
personality and genuine passion for her chosen occupation that
dominated the stage.
Camilla Batmanghelidjh first rose to prominence as the head
of Kids Company helping underprivileged children in innercity London. Since then she has continued to run the charity
successfully (in 2007 Kids Company was awarded the Liberty
and JUSTICE Human Rights Award) whilst also acting in the
political sphere, lobbying for successive governments to take
action on the serious issue of child abuse. The opening statistics
we audience members were hit with were shocking: one in five
of the children they help have been shot at or stabbed, while
more than half have seen a shooting or stabbing.
Shaftesbury Lectures are often criticised as being a bit too
general, but not in this case. In the first slide we were shown a
diagram of the brain which set a detailed tone for the afternoon.
Based on the latest scientific research into youth behaviour and
the brain, Ms Batmanghelidjh explained the foundation blocks
that Kids Company use to help its young charges. Put simply,
our brain has two key decision making parts, your limbic system,
which controls your pure emotions, and your frontal lobe,
which is its rational antithesis. As Ms Batmanghelidjh carefully
elaborated, when children are reared in caring circumstances,
their frontal lobe is built up, while in instances of neglect and
abuse, it is greatly underdeveloped and reduced, fear hormones
are more prominent in the body, and therefore images of abuse
are more likely to freeze in the mind, which in turn promote
violent action when certain circumstances are encountered. All
of this information was received by the audience in rapt silence.
She went on to explain the how much impact our environment
has on our development as children and young adults, and that
the physical deformities in the brain that result from abuse and
neglect can result in habitual, almost physically ingrained anger,
violence, and antisocial behaviour which can take more than
six months to even begin to reverse the effects. Kids Company
offers a place of support and security for abused and neglected
children and teens, which is so incredibly important in rescuing
them from their past.
Ms Batmanghelidjh showed us some truly shocking pictures
of some of the homes from which Kids Company had rescued
children: their beds in a squalid condition, filth everywhere,
the walls of their rooms rotting with mould – this not in a third
world country, but our very own. But she followed this with
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some heartwarming stories of how children, given the love
and support they so desperately needed, had turned their lives
around, some even graduating with good degrees from top
universities. At the end of the lecture, Tom Ward, Newlands
(Head of School) thanked Ms Batmanghelidjh on behalf of all
the Harrovians who showed their gratitude with a few minutes
of continuous applause. Also present was the chief executive
of Livability, Dave Webber, who also came to thank Ms
Batmanghelidjh for her work, and to express his gratitude for
the money raised by Harrovians in last year’s Long Ducker,
which allows Livability to continue its own charitable work.
We all left speech room with, I think, a greater understanding
of how lucky we really are.
OH Room Concert
31 October
Anthony Chater, The Park played on piano Shostakovich’s
Preludes 14 & 15, Op 34. The first dark, mysterious chord
immediately grabbed the audience’s attention, as Chater skilfully
worked through this intriguing piece, the first Prelude increasing
in intensity and drama, leading into the lively and joyful Prelude
15, itself the theme tune to the TV series Ever Decreasing
Circle. This was an impressive start from a talented musician,
and set the standard for the rest of the evening. Cameron White,
The Head Master’s, performed Someone to watch over me by
Gershwin on saxophone. This smoozy, well-known tune was
played with charm and confidence and had a relaxing and
enjoyable performance. Cameron interacted well with the
piece, entrancing the audience with his smooth saxophone
playing, and his enjoyment of the music was clear to see. Alex
Du Sautoy, The Grove, also on saxophone played Rachel and
the boys by Rae. This fun, lively piece was performed with
ease, and whilst, perhaps, a little nervous in his stance, the
music he played was rewarding and well-controlled. Keisuke
Sano, The Knoll, was on the violin to play Presto by Aubert.
The fast-paced runs of this fiddly piece immediately grabbed
our attention, as the first Shell performer played this exciting
piece with elegance, making good use of the dynamic contrast.
For a Shell, this was an exceedingly sophisticated and mature
performance, and Keisuke’s skill promises exciting things for the
future. Charles Vivian, The Knoll, played Fauré’s Sicilienne on
the flute. This soft piece was played well, with the lilting tones
of the flute floating over the piano accompaniment, creating a
restful, captivating sound. Whilst at times the dynamics meant
that the sound of the flute was lost, it was a solid performance
from another young performer. Zac Ali, West Acre, played
Danse bohémienne by Maurice on saxophone. The striking,
arresting start over the insistent piano undertone made for a
strong start, with the soaring and falling dynamics creating a
fluid and malleable atmosphere. The strength and determination
from this skilfully handled performance made this an exciting
piece for the audience. Ed Rowe, The Head Master’s, performed
Ravel’s Pièce en forme de Habanera on saxophone. The first
of this evening’s saxophone performances to play classical
repertoire, the masterful technique and absolute control over
this performance created a scintillating and bewitching sound,
as the audience became lost in the ringing and provocative
music. George Liu, West Acre, played Mozart’s Allegro in
C Major on piano. This piece was played with the skill and
fluency required of all of Mozart’s music, and as George built
up the layers and explored the various motifs, he showed great
musicianship in his performance by continuing to hold the
audience’s attention through his recovery from a minor slip.
Max Prasad, The Park, also on the piano, played the Allegro
from Sonata in F major, Op 10 No. 2. This experienced musician
seemed at home at the piano as he played this invigorating and
dynamic piece with surety and poise, immersing the audience
with the swirling, forming music, changing and shifting, and
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implementing stillness to create an enraptured and delicate
atmosphere. It was a masterful and effective performance. The
evening was rounded off with the first of two Chamber Music
groups. The first was a string quartet, Ryan Chung, Rendalls,
Michael Yeung, The Grove, Christopher Willoughby, Elmfield,
and Justin Wong, Moretons who played Beethoven’s Allegra
ma non tanto from Sting Quartet Op. 18, No 4 in E Minor.
The violin melody soared and twirled among the rhythmic,
warm, round sound of the pulsing cello line and the beating,
responsive middle harmony. The lilting, gradual insistency as
the music slowly pressed forward created a suppressed promise
of release, occasionally dropping to an intriguing, gentle piano
melody. The final performance of the evening was a piano trio
by Haden Kwan, Bradbys, Chris Hedges, Druries, and Sanha
Lee, The Park, who played Fauré’s Allegro ma non troppo
from Piano Trion Op. 120 in D minor. The fluttering piano and
graceful cello intro soon gave way to a strong violin, resounding
to impassioned heights and creating a sense of yearning. The
violin, piano and cello entwined and weaved with a melodious
and positive strength, such that the audience became lost and
transported by the strength and power of the music created by
these three highly experienced and engaging musicians. It was
a remarkable way to finish an enjoyable evening.
Mozart’s Requiem
2 November, All Soul's
Eucharist was held in Chapel on the evening of All Souls’ Day
for the commemoration for the faithful departed in which the
Chapel Choir sang Mozart’s Requiem. The stirring and august
Introit and Kyrie filled our beautiful chapel with solemn music
and many were in attendance from the congregations of St
Mary's and of St John Greenhill, Harrow. The reading was from
the third chapter of the book of Wisdom, “But the souls of the
righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment
touch them.” The Choir then sang the fearful Dies Irae with
great depth of feeling, while the Tuba Mirum and Rex Tremendae
which followed were delicately sung by the soloists Freddy
Wickham, The Head Master’s, Alexander Halksworth, The Park,
Fabian Eccles-Williams, West Acre and Mary Nelson. A quartet
of Anthony Chater, The Park, Hugo Morrell-Roberts, Rendalls,
Halksworth and Nelson sang Recordare with fascinating and
almost hallowed sensitivity. Mozart’s celebrated passages of
Confutatis and Lacrymosa were profoundly sung by the choir
and after these, the commemoration of the names of the departed
were read out with the mournful understanding of how many
our small community has lost over the years. The Domine
Iesu followed and was sung with solos by Nelson, EcclesWilliams, Christopher Willoughby, Elmfield and Christopher
Short, Rendalls. The Choir admirably performed the Sanctus
and after the eucharist, the Benedictus heard some notable
solos again from Nelson, Chater, Morrell-Roberts, as well as
Robin Randall, Moretons. The Choir restored the spirits of the
parishioners with the Angus Dei and Lux Aeterna. The Chapel
Choir and DNW richly deserve commendation for performing
so well such a famous and difficult work as the Requiem for
the celebration of All Souls’.
Palmerston Society
Charles Moore
29 October
On Tuesday the Society was addressed by Charles Moore,
former editor of both The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph,
and author of the official Thatcher biography, the first volume
released just after her death earlier this year. He also happens
to be an old Etonian, describing it to as “mythological” to be
addressing the large crowd of Harrovians gathered in the OH
room. He started by explaining that the book was written at
Thatcher’s request, and he had no idea why she chose him,
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considering the vast number of influential people she knew that
would be up to the task. Upon receiving the offer, he deliberated
over whether to take it up considering his editorial duties at
The Telegraph, however he felt the offer was simply too good
to pass up on. Upon confirmation of his commitment, he was
given complete access to Lady Thatcher herself, her family
and close associates. Consequently, he was also allowed access
to government papers, including those up to the status of ‘top
secret’, and was thereby excused from the 30 year secrecy
rule usually placed on such information. Mrs Thatcher’s main
requests concerning the book were that she should not be
allowed to read it and that it should not appear in her lifetime
so that people would not think she was trying to control it in
any way. Mr Moore explained that, to his surprise, it was quite
the opposite and she was “fascinatingly uninterested” in the
book, compared to others undergoing the same experience.
He also explained that it was difficult when interviewing her
because she didn’t particularly enjoy talking about herself,
often preferring to change the subject, and because her mindset
was, after so many years in politics, naturally adversarial. He
recalled, much to the amusement of the Harrovian audience,
that when pressed with some questions about her political
life she would often resort to drastic measures, at one point
retorting “you’d only say that because you’re a Socialist!” –
those listening in Speech Room knew that for Mr Moore, this
is far from the truth. He also found that it was also difficult
to find information about her earlier life due to her family’s
previous lack of connections and because she did grow up
in circles which cultivated historical literature. However, he
spoke a great deal to her sister, Muriel, to fill in these gaps.
She produced 150 letters between herself and Margaret which
provided great insight into the young Thatcher, documenting
her views on everything from exams to clothing. These letters
revealed that Thatcher spent a great deal of time contemplating
her fashion; Moore explained that she felt her clothing choice
was similar to that of a medieval knight and that she would
need to wear it in order to have the ability to fight, and thus
the significance of her various handbags throughout her term
at No. 10. He went on to describe the Falklands crisis as “her
greatest test”. This was due to, as he frankly put it, her lack
of knowledge of military affairs. It turned out that her cabinet
were either fairly unhelpful or absent, when on 30 March 1982,
the Argentineans invaded the Falklands. It was saved only
for the luck of the passing 1st Sea Lord Admiral Sir Henry
Leach, who forced his way in to the meeting, and suggested
sending a task force to South America. Moore spoke of the
guilt Thatcher felt throughout the campaign from the fact that
she was safe in No. 10 whilst “her young men” were giving
up their lives. It was only Denis, her loyal husband, who could
comfort her through these periods. She chose her husband very
carefully, as Mr Moore explained, in a time when her status
would derive therefrom. Therefore she made very much the
right choice in this respect; “a perfect gentleman with plenty
of money.” Throughout the talk, Mr Moore’s great respect for
the former Prime Minister was clear, often referring to her as
“Mrs Thatcher”. He described her as “honest” and that she
“told you what she thought was the truth”. He further summed
her up by saying “though she believed women were superior
to men, she preferred the company of men”. A fascinatingly
detailed insight to the life of one of Britain’s most outspoken
and successful Prime Ministers was given by one of the most
qualified people to do so and so it comes as no surprise to
be able to say that Mr Moore gave an extremely interesting,
inspiring and thought provoking talk.
(translator, traitor). After some slight technical difficulties
(trying to watch the combined forces of the English and
Classics departments get a computer to work is a curious thing)
we relocated to SLM’s form room. With the majority of the
audience having just sat through eight lessons, a substantial
effort was required on McBarnet’s part to prevent his listeners
from succumbing to their natural urge to curl up in a ball
and wait for the weekend to arrive. Initially, he proved to be
successful in this regard, however the subject matter soon
took a turn for the worse with the familiar English being
replaced by seemingly endless paragraphs of Latin. He began
to analyse at length what makes a good poetry translation:
the precision, meter and rhyme scheme were all discussed in
detail. Eventually, he revealed that it was in fact the author of
the translation that should receive all the credit for any great
works he translates. The translator, when doing his job, is in
fact creating an entirely new poem out of the ideas and stories
of someone else. The listing of the original author’s name on
the spine of the book is perhaps misleading, as the quality of
what you are about to read is really down to the translator.
Drawing from a deep reserve of knowledge, McBarnet went
on to give examples of great translators, including himself, and
comparing their works to illustrate his points on the true aims of
translation. At this point there followed further debate between
both boys and beaks, perhaps leading to the most entertaining
moment of the night as the Masters of English and Classics
engaged in a complex and increasingly abstract debate on the
nature of poetry in translation. McBarnet’s was one of the most
engaging and interesting boy-given talks you are likely to see,
but unfortunately captivating his audience was a near-impossible
task given the circumstances of the late evening.
Sheridan Society
1 November
Theatre Trip
31 October
On Friday Ed McBarnet, Bradby’s, spoke at a joint Sheridan
and Jones society meeting on the subject of translation, naming
his talk after the Jones society motto: ‘traduttore, traditore’
On All Hallows' Eve, the Rattigan Society assembled in great
numbers to travel to the Harold Pinter Theatre to see Mojo.
The large cohort of Harrovians who attended and the packed
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Geopolitics Society
29 October
The Geopolitics Society met again last week ready to go for
the next debate. The feedback from last session was positive,
but it was felt that more could have been made of the debate
section at the end of the session, especially with audience input.
With this in mind, audiences to the next session can rest assured
that there will be some format changes to help liven things up
a bit. It was decided that the Society would look into the US
spying scandal as its next topic for debate which would offer an
interesting analytical edge. It came out last week that the USA
has been spying on citizens of many of its allies (notably Angela
Merkel) for a number of years – and this has understandably
caused international outcry. The Society agreed that this would
be an poignant topic to research, and decided that the research
question would be “Governmental Espionage: Is the practice
of spying on the citizens of your allies a justifiable act?” It
was felt that this would present a fascinating and slightly
different scenario and would allow members to take a more
lateral and broad minded approach to their research. This topic
takes a curious slant on the geopolitics as it investigates how
international borders become almost irrelevant in the frame of
geopolitics once the borders which influence political decisions
have become bypassed covertly. We look forward to seeing
what the groups come up with. As usual, the debate is open to
all and it was great to see an active audience there last time.
The next debate will be held on Tuesday 26 November in the
OH room at an earlier time of 5.15pm.
Rattigan Society
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theatre probably was the result of its star-studded cast. The play
boasted Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey, The Weir), Rupert
Grint (Harry Potter, Driving Lessons), Daniel Mays (Made in
Dagenham, Mrs Biggs, The Winterling), Colin Morgan (Merlin,
Doctor Who), Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, The Hour, Peter and Alice)
and Tom Rhys Harries as its cast. The audience were therefore
treated to a truly wonderful evening of theatre as the actors
portrayed the corrupt, drug fuelled world of the gangsters of
1950s Soho. Naturally, the famous cast provoked much excitement
from all the boys, particularly Rupert Stonehill, Elmfield, and
Ed McGovern, The Knoll, who, as Downton Abbey fanatics,
were in girlish excitement upon Brendan Coyle’s entrance
(or as they referred to him, Mr Bates). However, perhaps the
greatest excitement of the evening was to spot the actor Tom
Felton or, as most will know him, Draco Malfoy from the Harry
Potter films, enjoying the play, undoubtedly supporting fellow
Harry Potter cast member, Rupert Grint. Indeed, the likes of
Christopher Short and Daniel Firoozan, Rendalls, ensured that
Felton did not forget his breakthrough part, muttering “You’ll
never catch me Potter!” and “Filthy mud-blood” throughout
the interval. Such revelries continued as we left the theatre
and were treated to the luxuries of a bus waiting to shuttle us
home, ensuring we remained safe from downtown Harrow on
Halloween evening, which indeed proved a stark difference
to Downton. Thanks to SLM and Mrs Bieneman for leading
the trip, and managing to get tickets to such a remarkable and
enjoyable production.
Cross Curricular Lecture
The Razor’s Edge
30 October, OSRG
Last Wednesday, an unusually packed OSRG bore witness the
fifth instalment of this year’s Cross Curricular Lecture series
on “Luck.” Presented by BJDS, this lecture was to focus on
The Battle of Salamis (not, as ADT pointed out, the sausage),
and its impact on human history and the shaping of Western
civilisation. Indeed one source, conveniently left on the audience’s
chairs, suggested that it was potentially the most important
battle in human history. The title of the talk The Razor’s Edge
originates from a Corinthian cenotaph which claimed that, “With
all Greece balanced on a razor’s edge, [the Corinthians], at the
cost of our own lives, preserved her free, and free we lie.” But
was Greece really so precariously balanced? How much of a
part did luck really play in the battle? And was it really this
single event that made Western society what it is today? These
were the questions BJDS set out to answer, and in doing so he
aimed to challenge conventional narrative of history, in which
history relies on long chains of chance events each of which ithe
world as we know it. Before turning to the battle itself however,
BJDS drew two other examples of supposedly fortuitous events
history, first skipping forward two and a half odd centuries to
the assassination of JFK, and then back to (perhaps his more
familiar ground) the regicide of Hipparchus – supposedly a
tyrant slain in a bid for freedom by the people. Through these
he illustrated how the facts of cases can be wilfully distorted to
make the better story, and how these falsehoods can eventually
come to contest the true account. With this in mind, BJDS
went on to introduce the narrative framework surrounding the
battle itself; it was plain to the audience that he could talk
for days on the topic, but with characteristic gesticulation,
BJDS pressed on and he reached Herodotus’ account of the
battle. This particular reading somewhat brought out the
thespian inside our speaker, and was delivered with laudable
melodrama. Written over half a century after the battle, it was
this account that first seeded the idea that the Battle of Salamis
was fought by the Greeks on a whim of fate; that sheer luck
alone allowed them to win – a story that truly milked the idea
of the razor’s edge. However, as was soon illustrated to the
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captivated audience, this was far from the case. Indeed, it was
always part of the Greek plan to fight at Salamis, and it was
this cold, calculated preparation that allowed them to win that
fateful day. The problem with Herodotus’ narrative was that
his, like any narrative that attributes vast swathes of historical
truth to a single pressure point, arbitrarily combined perceived
luck with cold calculation, but, as the naturally more exciting
and interesting narrative, it was the one that succeeded above
the rest – perhaps a thought to bear in mind when looking at
any great historical tale. We thank BJDS for a very interesting
and insightful evening
Pen Portrait
JRE’s reflections on why Long Ducker is special
I think Sudbury Hill is what makes Long Ducker special. It
would hardly be a challenge if it were all downhill. The fact
that the last two miles veers up is why we have so much
reverence for the course. You may be 90% of the way there,
but the last 10% is always the most difficult. Long Ducker
teaches us simple life lessons: you must prepare, you must pace
yourself, you must look out for others, and sometimes, even
if you do everything right, you can have a rough day. Long
Ducker is about a personal challenge for so many of us, and
we all remember different moments out there. But Long Ducker
is mainly about raising money for charity. Last week many of
you attended the Shaftesbury Lecture and heard about the good
work that Livability does, and we made a great contribution
to their charity last year.
On Sunday we ran, and climbed, and swam for The Mo
Farah Foundation which supports work in East Africa to
ensure that humans have access to basic necessities. Now
unless one visits these countries, it is hard to imagine poverty
in the world when we live. We take for granted and spend little
time worrying about more simple concerns, like medical care,
food, water, shelter.
I have a particular connection to East Africa. My parents lived
in Kenya before I was born and my sister was born there. I
grew up in Michigan in a house full of Kenyan art, photographs
and memories. As a child, I remember my father telling me
stories about elephants, scorpions and droughts. My father fell
in love with Africa and he returns every year. He continues to
work there with aid organisations. The Mo Farah Foundation
supports work in East Africa, with a focus on Somalia. They
organise emergency response to famine, water and sanitation
programmes, health and medical programmes, and perhaps
most importantly, livelihood and educations. These latter are
particularly important because it is one thing to give basic food,
water and medical treatment to those in poverty. But the real
solution must be to help them get out of poverty.
In the spirit the Shaftesbury legacy and indeed the Christian
church, we all have a duty to think of those less fortunate than
us. So as you limped back to house after the Long Ducker,
you have also done something great for the good of others.
Like Mo, you ran partly for yourselves. But you also ran for
your House, for your family and for many people you will
never meet but who will benefit from your involvement. We
are proud of what you have achieved and encourage others
to support you by donating more money to your House page.
But this is more than a one-off event. I hope that many of you
will become leaders in industry, media, medicine, research,
politics, possibly even education. You will be in a position
to give back, and perhaps even in a position where you can
encourage others to give back.
The 7th Earl of Shaftesbury said that “God called me to
labour among the poor.” When he became an MP in 1826, his
first speech in Parliament urged improving treatment of the
insane. He continued this campaign until his death. He also
wrote parliamentary acts to control unjust institutionalisation,
to protect patients and improve facilities. He conducted
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similar campaigns against cruel employment, including the
use of small boys as chimney sweeps, the hours and working
conditions of children in English textile mills, and the use of
children in mines, the latter of which led to the Mines Act of
1842. He fought through two decades of deep social unrest to
limit working hours of women and children to 10 hours a day.
His victory is known as the Ten Hours Act of 1847. He then
adopted education as his cause, and adopted the Ragged School
movement, which involved provision of education to thousands of
homeless children in London. It was during his time, and partly
due to his work that a Board of Public Health was developed.
It is fitting that much of the charity work we do at Harrow is
now falling under the title of Shaftesbury Enterprise. And the
Long Ducker is arguably the most significant charity day. And
so please do be ambitious as you continue to fundraise in aid
of The Mo Farrah Foundation.
COLLEGAE NOVI
New Beaks on the Hill (Part Two)
Mr Alex Turner (ADJT) is a Londoner who was born and
raised only a short distance away in Stanmore. He went to
school at Merchant Taylor’s, and later read French and Spanish
at University College London before pursuing his MA at UCL
in Hispanic Studies, and his PGCE at the Institute of Education.
Before entering the teaching profession after university, Mr
Turner spent several years working part-time for The Sun as
an online editor and writer. He joins the Modern Languages
department this year and will also he helping to coach Rugby,
Cricket and Football, in which he will no doubt chime well
with the coaches in training the boys as a QPR fan himself. Mr
Turner joins Elmfield as a tutor. Mr Alastair Campbell (AJC)
hails from Fife, Scotland and was educated at Fettes College,
Edinburgh before reading Economics and Law at Edinburgh
University. He was a corporate lawyer for 8 years London
and specialised in private equity acquisitions (advising clients
in relation to the sale and purchase of businesses like Saga or
Foxtons) and worked as in-house counsel for Aggreko PLC, a
temporary power company, whose chief executive was Rupert
Soames, grandson of Winston Churchill. In 2009, he decided to
change career and completed a PGCE at the Institute of Education
and taught economics at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in
Elstree for 3 years before joining the Economics department
at Harrow this year. Mr Campbell is involved in coaching
Squash and the Colts B Rugby, helps run the Economics club
and the Law Society. He joins The Knoll as tutor and says he
has been hugely enjoying his time here. Ms Alexandra Hills
(AJH) grew up in Brussels where she attended the French Lycée
before going to Oxford to read Modern Languages. She later
completed an MA in German Studies and Comparative Literature
at University College London on an AHRC scholarship and is
currently finishing her PhD on Austrian and Italian literature
in the aftermath of the Holocaust and the Second World War.
Before joining the Modern Languages department, Ms Hills
worked as a tutor for literary translation at UCL, lectured in
Modern Italian Literature, and was an SAT tutor for ST Logic.
Her experience will prove an invaluable resource for Harrow
boys who will be applying for US universities and in helping
AHMT co-ordination their applications. While at university, Ms
Hills was heavily involved in community service and enjoyed
working as an assistant speech and language therapist for a London
charity for children with Down’s Syndrome. She continues to
be involved in Harrow’s Community Serve programme. She
was also a team swimmer for her own school, and is delighted
to help run Harrow’s team now. She has been overwhelmed
by the kindness of the boys in her first year, and delighted to
have been assigned a fantastic group of Shells in Lyon’s where
she is tutor. Mr Steven Healy (SSJH) comes from Ballymena
in Northern Ireland where we went to grammar school before
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attending Queen’s University Belfast to study Pure and Applied
Mathematics. He remained at Queen’s to complete his PGCE
at the QUB School of Education and began his teaching career
here at Harrow in our Mathematics department. Mr Healy is a
talented singer and sportsman and has helped with Glees and
XIIs this year, and will be helping coach Rugby, Soccer and
Cricket squads in additional to lending a hand with the Duke
of Edinburgh programme. He joins Bradbys as tutor. Mr
Oliver Syrus (OS) is another Londoner, from New Malden
near Wimbledon and was educated at Tiffin Boys’ School,
Kingston-upon-Thames before reading German and French at St
John’s College, Oxford. He joins Harrow’s Modern Language
department as a very experienced beak, having taught for 11
years in Manchester at the Altrincham Girls’ Grammar School
and at Withington Girls’ School. Mr Syrus is an experienced
footballer and helps coach the CXI team this term, helps with
the School’s CCF, as well as plays the saxophone and hopes to
be involved with the Big Band. He has joined The Park as a
sixth-form tutor and has been impressed by the boys’ courteous
manner and how much they all benefit from the rich opportunities
here at Harrow. Mr Gary O’Brien (GLO) is from Norfolk and
joins Harrow as the new postgraduate assistant helping with
Sport around the School. He studied Sport Sciences at Brunel
University where he played a key role in the Student Union to
be later elected to the British Universities and Colleges Sport
as student officer where he was heavily involved in their work
for the 2012 Olympics, helping them earn a gold accreditation.
He is a keen sportsman and plays Squash, Football, Tennis,
and Cricket at senior levels. Always open to challenges, Mr
O’Brien has climbed Kilimanjaro twice and will be involved in
his second marathon next year. He joins Rendalls as tutor.
Then and Now
Recreating Harrow’s past in photos
Above, Winston S. Churchill visits Harrow in December, 1940
(R.H.Q. Harrow-on-the-Hill); below, a handsome modern beak
walks the same route 73 years later.
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
Obituary
We regret to report the death on 23 October 2013 of
Michael Vallance (MWV), Harrow Master 1961-72. Mr
Vallance was Headmaster of Durham School 1972-82 and
of Bloxham 1982-91. We extend our deepest sympathy to
his widow, Mary, and their family.
Here and There
Over Half Term, three Old Harrovian thespians brushed away
their dramatic cobwebs and took to the stage in a performance
of Alan Aykbourn’s Ten Times Table. Directed by old Harrow
beak Martin Amherst Lock, the OHs in the forms of Richard
Ritchie, Newlands, 19632, Christopher Stonehill Newlands,
19743 and Sholto Morgan, The Grove, 19963 acted alongside
Richard Curtis’ mother-in-law to put together this hilarious
farce. The play follows the increasingly rancorous attempts
of a committee to organise a festival celebrating the “Pendon
Twelve” rebellion, culminating in a re-enactment that mirrors
the original event all too closely. It was performed in the
Westminster School theatre (which has nothing on the Ryan,
it must be said) to sell-out crowds for a six night run. The
show was in aid of London based charity Age Unlimited and
in all raised £40,000.
Gaffe and Gown
Quips from around the Hill
On showing proper manners in Music, “Hello, sir.” “Are you
aristocratic enough to speak to me, boy?”
Lines are hard, “That gradient is meant to be twice the
gradient of that line, only I've drawn it like someone who's
dyslexic at art.”
“Boys, we will now be formulating some tablature. Tell me
your results and I will work it out in my head.” “Sir, wouldn’t
it be easier to put the results into Excel to work the answer?”
“What’s Excel?”
“Sir, what elective are you teaching?” “Cultural Diversity,
also known as Mega Banter.”
“Sir, was your wedding the best day of your life?” “No, the
day GTA 5 came out was way better.”
“Boy, why are you talking during my lesson?” “Sir, why are
you teaching during my conversation?”
"Boy, why are you late for lesson?" "Sir, I was listening to
Bohemian Rhapsody and you can't just leave a tune like that."
"Alright, sit down."
November 9, 2013
Correspondence
To The Editors of The Harrovian
Dear Editors,
I should begin by congratulating JRE on a rousing, topical
and appropriate address on the post-Long Ducker evening
Chapel Service last weekend. As many of the School will
remember during his address JRE suggested that during this,
the Autumn term, Harrow is at its “most Harrow”. However,
JRE listed Cross-Country, School Rugby, Inter-House Rugby,
Long Ducker and the Assault Course as his qualification for
this – he seemed to imply that it is all the physical activities
that make this the “most Harrow” of terms. I should like to
remind the Director of Studies that the equally noble, famous
and important Harrow traditions, Glees and XIIs, two House
plays, Churchill and House Songs also occur during this term
alongside a whole host of other artistic events which are
crowned with the Rattigan Society School play at the end of
the long term. I would quite agree that Harrow is most Harrow
this term, however the many sporting events are matched by
the artistic and are just as worthy of mention.
Yours ever,
Ed McGovern, The Knoll
Dear Editors,
For many months now, cars and sometimes even vans have
been parking daily on the Chapel terrace. This is bad for the
gravel, looks terrible, and is not what the terrace is supposed to
be used for. Security have been doing their best, but they have
a large estate to watch over and cannot be everywhere. It is
up to others to remember that the terrace is part of a beautiful
garden and not a car park. Now, I am aware that the School
car park is quite a distance from the main buildings and that
you have to climb up a hill to get from it, but since walking
is fantastically good for you, perhaps this could be regarded
as exercise which can only benefit, particularly as the fattening
festive season approaches!
Yours sincerely,
Anne Hall-Williams
Dear Editors,
First of all, I would like to thank all the stewards for their
contributions on Sunday. Not only do they prevent any accidents,
which are likely to occur otherwise when you are in the haze of
pain, anger and desperation that comes from trying to run ten
miles without any preparation or training, but they also provide
valuable support for the less able runners (myself included) with
their words of comfort and encouragement. However, could
someone please make sure that they have a correct understanding
of where they are in the course? Or, failing that (for it might be
impossible, given the twists and turns in the route), could they
at least make sure that their announcements of distances are at
least in the right order. A brief snap-shot of the encouragements
I received should explain the problem:
“2 miles in, well done!”
“Your approaching half-way now, keep it up!”
“You’ve done 3 miles now.”
“You’ve only got four miles or so to go”
“You’re just under half way, does that help?”
If this could be fixed by Long Ducker next year, I would
be very grateful.
Yours Sincerely,
Hugo Bromley, The Head Master ’s
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Fives
Rugby
The School v Eton (Away)
31 October
T.M. Nevile & T.M. Skinner, both Elmfield
Lost 11-13, 13-14, 6-12
S.W. Curtis Green & R. Dhaliwal, Elmfield & The Grove
Won 12-11, 15-14, 3-12, 12-0
P.F. Anson & O. Adeaga, Elmfield & The Grove
Lost 5-12, 8-12, 0-12
T.M. Jones & H.R. Newall, Bradbys & Druries
Lost 5-12, 3-12, 6-12
R.S. Wijeratne & O.J. Denby, The Head Master’s & The Park
Lost 12-8, 9-12, 10-12, 10-12
G.F. Reid & A.R. Huo, Moretons & The Head Master’s
Won 13-10, 12-1, 12-7
A.J. Taylor & R.A.F. Hembury-Stroud, both Bradbys
Won 14-11, 14-10, 11-12, 12-0
A.J. Nevile & J.P.E. Ayoub, Bradbys & The Head Master’s
Won 12-5, 12-2, 12-5
H. Elsom & E. Ashwell, both The Knoll
Lost 4-12, 8-12, 9-12
M. Prasad & E.C.C. Bayne, The Park & Bradbys
Won 12-3, 12-4, 12-0
The School v Sunningdale
31 October
A.A. Jaja & Q.Q. Gaba, Moretons & Lyon’s
Won 12-4, 12-7, 12-5
M.A.P. Tonkins & B.J. Menell, Moretons & West Acre
Won 12-2, 12-0
A.J. Tremlett & N.K. Shankar, The Park & Elmfield
Won 12-3, 12-2
A. Armon & E.J.C. Cartwright, The Head Master’s & The Grove
Won 12-6, 12-7
W.T. Downes & M.W. Ede, Elmfield
Won 12-0, 12-1
O.T. Brankin-Frisby & D.C. Billings, Newlands & Lyon’s
Won 12-5, 12-2
Squash
The School v Radley (away)
31 October
1st V Won 5-0
D Bernardi, Newlands, Won 3-1
JA Jordache, Moretons, Won 3-0
GD Ratnavel, The Knoll, Won 3-1
RG White, Moretons, Won 3-0
THW Stocker, The Knoll, Won 3-0
Junior Colts Won 4-1
HT Scott Lyon, Newlands, Won 3-0
HH Buxton, The Head Master’s, Won 3-1
OZ Gairard, Druries, Won 3-2
SI Mahal, The Grove, Lost 1-3
AJ Norris, Rendalls, Won 3-2
Yearlings Won 3-2
MN Sodi, West Acre, Won 3-0
A Guselnikov, Druries, Won 3-1
WJC Fenwick, The Park, Lost 1-3
AP Ferreira, The Grove, Lost 0-3
AR Stanley, Druries, Won 3-1
H A R R O V I A N
1st XV v Eton
2 November
Won 31-8
There was a genuine display of synergy between the XV’s
forwards and backs in the game against Eton. You will need
to forgive the cliché that “the forwards win the game and the
backs decide by how much”, but this was, in fact, the case.
Hard work at the breakdown paid off and was reflected by the
score line. As we expected, Eton played a dull form of rugby
involving only 8 of their players. They continuously picked
and went to the edge of the ruck only to be met by heart-filled
Harrovians. But we were eager to lay down a marker, not
only to our unfortunate counterparts in the Eton team, but to
the rest of the fixture list which seem to have dismissed this
talented Harrow team – let’s not forget, we went almost three
seasons without losing a single fixture. Scoring opportunities
were clinically taken in this match by Owain James, Newlands,
Shaquille Jack, Lyon’s, Alex Munday, West Acre, Sacha de
Gentile-Williams, Moretons, and finally James Thacker, Newlands.
Congratulations are due to the team for the performance and
for the spirit in which the game was played in, but additionally
for going five years without losing to an Eton side, a feat not
many Harrovian teams can say they have achieved. Momentum
must continue into this forthcoming week of training in order
to topple a confident Tonbridge side next Saturday.
2nd XV
3rd XV
4th XV
5th XV Colts A XV
Colts B XV
Colts C XV
Colts D XV
Junior Colts A XV
Junior Colts B XV
Junior Colts C XV
Junior Colts D XV
Yearlings A XV
Yearlings B XV
Yearlings C XV
Yearlings D XV
Yearlings E XV
Yearlings F XV
Lost 5-25
Won 14-12
Lost 10-48
Lost 0-17
Lost
Lost
Lost
Lost
16-17
5-19
12-17
0-27
Lost
Lost
Lost
Lost
19-42
17-39
7-48
0-52
Won 34-12
Lost 5-21
Lost 12-38
Lost 0-50
Lost 0-22
Won 10-5
A tremendous encounter with the Yearlings F team (Academy),
scoring in the dying seconds to win the game. A fantastic
squad effort!
The Harrovian is published weekly during term time by Harrow School as both an organ of record and a forum for comment, debate and the expression of
individual opinion within the School. Articles are submitted anonymously and any views expressed do not necessarily reflect official School policy.
Ways to contact The Harrovian
Articles, opinions and letters are always appreciated.
email the Master in Charge smk@harrowschool.org.uk
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