The AGM will start at 5 pm - Reading School · Tel : 01491 599 137 E-mail: [email protected] The Bar will open at 6 pm in the Refectory (table wine can also be ordered in the Refectory

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Old Redingensians Association Ltd

The Annual General Meeting Package for 2014 Welcome to this year’s package of documents, the contents of which are listed on page 2. The AGM 2014 will be held on Saturday, 29 November 2014 in The Lecture Theatre, Reading School, Erleigh Road, Reading, RG1 5LW

The AGM will start at 5 pm Only the Income & Expenditure Statement and Balance Sheet of the Trustees Report and Audited Accounts are shown but the complete document can be accessed by following this link:

www.oldredingensians.org.uk/design/pdfs/ORAAccounts2014.pdf Hard copies of this document and the Trustees Report and Audited Accounts may be obtained on application to the Hon. Secretary: Peter Chadwick Wellington Manchester Road Sway

LYMINGTON

SO 41 6AP

Email: [email protected] Home Tel: 01590 683505

http://www.oldredingensians.org.uk/design/pdfs/ORAAccounts2014.pdf

mailto:[email protected]

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CONTENTS

PAPER TITLE PAGE

1 Frontispiece and Introduction 1

2 Contents Page 2

3 Invitation from the President 3

4 Notice of AGM and Annual Dinner 4

5 Annual Dinner Application Form 5

6 AGM Agenda 6-8

7 Minutes of 125th AGM (30 Nov 2013) 9-11

8 Annual Report - President 12

9 Income and Expenditure Statement and Balance Sheet (year ended 30/06/14).

13-14

10 Annual Report - Archivist 15

11 Annual Report - Social Secretary 16

12 Annual Report - Enterprise Awards 17

13 Reading Foundation and Development Board Report 18

14 Rugby - OR 7s Report 19

15 Rowing - ORs v RSBC Report 20

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October 2014

Dear Member

Remembrance Sunday Service, AGM and Annual Dinner

The ORA Remembrance Service this year will be held at 10.45am on Sunday, 9 November in the School Chapel. It will be conducted by the Rev Clive Windebank OR (1952-59) who will also give the address. Following the Service, refreshments, (for which there will be no charge), will be provided in the Refectory.

This year’s AGM will take place in the Lecture Theatre and will give attendees the opportunity to

question and discuss the business which has occupied Council’s time and attention during the year. The Meeting will also afford the opportunity to accept the audited Annual Financial Statement of Accounts; agree the appointment of the various Officers; and to vote for the other Members of Council for 2014/15.

The Annual Dinner will follow the conclusion of the AGM and will, this year, be held in the Refectory. This will be a great chance to meet and catch up with old friends and colleagues – and maybe make some new ones! For full details on how to book, please see page 4.

You are warmly invited to attend all of these events and I hope that as many of you as possible will be

able to be with us for these ‘once a year’ occasions. Floreat Redingensis! David B Cox ORA President

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ANNUAL DINNER TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2014 AT READING SCHOOL

PRESIDENT ELECT 2014/15 MIKE EVANS (Staff 1968-2005) This year the Association is again holding its AGM and Annual Dinner at Reading School by kind invitation of the Headmaster, Mr A M Robson. The cost of the Annual Dinner is £36 (or £30 if you are a student in full time education). If you have not already booked, there are two ways you can do so:

1. By completing the application form on page 5 2. By booking and paying for tickets on line at

http://www.oldredingensians.org.uk/page/annual_dinner 3. By contacting the Social Secretary, Barrie Shelton, direct at:

Clisby Villas Fairmile HENLEY- ON--THAMES RG9 2LB Tel : 01491 599 137 E-mail: [email protected]

The Bar will open at 6 pm in the Refectory (table wine can also be ordered in the Refectory for the Dinner.) Diners are requested to be at the table promptly at 7pm. As in recent years The Kirkwood Room will be open, courtesy of Ken Brown, ORA Archivist. There will not be a guest speaker because the President elect will be speaking briefly about cricket and has asked ORs with cricketing links to contribute some memories to the forum. However, The Headmaster, Mr Ashley Robson will address the Dinner, as usual. The occasion may be augmented by contributions from the School’s Dramatic and Art Departments. Tables of eight will be arranged by dates of attendance at School so friends and contemporaries will be seated together. Dress is lounge suits. The bar will remain open until midnight when the School gates will be closed to incoming vehicles. The event this year is restricted to ORs (who need not be members of the Association), Reading School staff and former staff. Your Council looks forward to greeting you.

http://www.oldredingensians.org.uk/page/annual_dinner

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Re:OR%20Annual%20DSinner%202014

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ANNUAL DINNER

SATURDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2014 AT READING SCHOOL

APPLICATION FORM

I wish to book ………tickets for the Annual Dinner @ £36 / £30 each. Please advise if you require a vegetarian meal:………………………………………….. Please indicate if you have any food allergies that need to be taken into consideration. ……………………………………………………………………………………………… If you are also booking for other members please provide their details/requirements on a separate sheet. If possible I would like to sit on the same table as: ………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………. I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE FOR £………….MADE PAYABLE TO THE OR ASSOCIATION LTD NAME (block capitals) ……………………………………………………. Years at School…………….…… ADDRESS ………………………………………………………………….. House: ……………….………….

…………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………. Postcode: ………………………… Telephone: ……………………………………..Email: …………………………………………...…….……. Please return the completed form, with your cheque, by Monday, 17 November 2014 to:-

Barrie Shelton 4 Clisby Villas Fairmile HENLEY-ON-THAMES RG9 2LB Tel 01491 599 137

E-mail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Re:OR%20Annual%20DSinner%202014

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NOTICE OF 126TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2014

AT 5PM IN THE LECTURE THEATRE, READING SCHOOL, ERLEIGH ROAD, READING.

RG1 5LW

PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN - DAVID COX

AGENDA 1. Apologies for Absence.

2. In Memoriam. Members attending are asked to stand in respect of those ORs who have passed away during the last 12 months.

3. Minutes of the 125th AGM (held on 30th November 2013)

4. Matters Arising out of the Minutes (and not otherwise covered by this Agenda).

5. Annual Reports. 5.1 Officers Written Reports:- 5.1.1 President David Cox 5.1.2 Treasurer Ian Moore *

5.1.3 Archivist Ken Brown 5.1.4 Social Secretary Barrie Shelton

* (NB. Re 5.1.2. The report consists of the Income and Expenditure and Balance Sheet details for the year ending 30/06/14). Please also refer to the note on page 8 regarding the time-scale for questions relating to the Financial Statement.

5.2 Other Written Reports. 5.2.1 Enterprise Awards (2014) Martin Parsons

5.2.2 Reading Foundation and Development Board Rodney Huggins 5.2.3 Rugby Alistair Wrenn 5.2.4 Rowing Ant Butler

5.3 Sports Representatives Oral Reports. 5.3.1 Athletics Mike Evans 5.3.2 Cricket Mike Evans 5.3.3 Football Alex Beckey 5.3.4 Golf Will Lunn 5.3.5 Lacrosse Alex Beckey

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6 Election of President and Vice-President for 2014/15. At this point in the proceedings, the retiring President David Cox will invite the Meeting to vote for Mike Evans as his successor. Any other nomination for the honour should be communicated to the President before the Meeting so that he can then conduct a vote. Depending on the need for, and the result of a vote, the new President is to be invested with the Association’s Insignia of Office. Before taking the Chair, the newly elected President will thank the retiring President for his contribution to the Association during his period of office and invite the Meeting to vote for Ned Holt as his Vice-President.

7 Appointment of Office Holders and Election of Members of Council 2014/15.

The objectives of the Appointments and the Election will be to:- 1. Appoint (or re-appoint) the Office Holders 2. Replace those Councillors who are retiring and who are not seeking re-election, and to fill

vacancies caused by Councillors who have been appointed as Office holders of the Association.

3. Appoint (or re-Appoint) the Auditors.

Proposed for 2015 1. Office Holders (Article 41)

President Mike Evans Vice President Ned Holt Immediate Past-President David Cox Honorary Secretary Peter Chadwick (Willing to be reappointed) Honorary Treasurer Ian Moore (Willing to be reappointed) Membership Secretary Chris Widdows (Willing to be reappointed) Social Secretary Barrie Shelton (Willing to be reappointed) Archivist Ken Brown (Willing to be reappointed)

Headmaster Ashley Robson

2. Nine other Councillors (Article 41): Alex Beckey to AGM 2016 Adam Carson to AGM 2017 (Willing to be elected) Rev David Hemsley to AGM 2015 Haris Hussain to AGM 2015 Martin Parsons to AGM 2017 (Willing to be re-elected) Francis Pocock to AGM 2015 Arthur Truslove to AGM 2015 Alistair Wrenn to AGM 2015 Vacancy to AGM 2015 (vice Ant Butler – resigned) (Article 56)

3. Auditors James Cowper to AGM 2015 (Willing to be reappointed)

NOTE: Rodney Huggins is willing to continue with his role as Honorary Solicitor. As previously announced, Ken Brown and Chris Widdows last edition of The Old Redingensian will be that for Autumn 2014 (due for publication at the beginning of 2015). The new School magazine, Floreat Redingensis!, will now contain OR information (collated by Arthur Truslove) as was the case when the Reading School Magazine existed and Council will be providing financial support to the new School publication.

8 Any Other Business.

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8.1 Votes of thanks. 8.2 Other. 8.3 Formal closure of AGM 2014.

Please Note

Tea and coffee will be available in the Refectory from 4.30pm and the Meeting is planned to end by 6pm thus allowing sufficient time to prepare for the Annual Dinner. Under the provisions of the Articles of Association, a Member who is unable to attend the Meeting may appoint a proxy, providing the details of the proxy nominee (who must be paid-up Member of the Association), are in writing and received by the President at least 48 hours before the appointed time of the Meeting. * NB. In order to allow the Treasurer to conduct any necessary research etc. Members are asked to give at least three days’ notice (to the President), of any questions they may wish to raise under Agenda Item 5.1.3. concerning the Trustees Report and Audited Accounts.

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Minutes of 125th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Held in the Refectory, Reading School at 5 pm

on Saturday, 30 November 2013

PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN – KEN BROWN

Twenty three Old Redingensians were present: Fred Barker, Alex Beckey, Ken Brown, Ant Butler, Michael Calvert, Peter Chadwick, David Cox, Brian Cullingford, David Downs, Mike Evans, David Hemsley, Ned Holt, Will Lunn, Ian Moore, Denis Moriarty, Martin Parsons, Francis Pocock, Cedric Scroggs, Ken Smith, John Tarry, Arthur Truslove, Chris Widdows, Alistair Wrenn.

The President opened the Meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking them for their attendance.

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Rev Dr Anthony Gelston , Peter Stevens and Frank Terry (former master).

2. In Memoriam

Members were asked to stand while the Membership Secretary read the names and details of 36 ORs who had died since last year’s AGM. (This list is appended to the Secretary’s file copy of these Minutes).

3. Minutes of the 124th AGM (held on 24 November 2012)

The President, Ken Brown asked whether any questions had arisen from the Minutes; he then asked if he could sign them as an accurate recording of last year’s Meeting which he duly did when nobody objected. The signed copy of the Minutes was passed to the Hon.Secretary.

4. Reports

Reports, written and oral, were delivered per the Agenda items 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3.

The President commended Michael Maule for 10 years diligent work on the Enterprise Awards and particularly drew attention to Rodney Huggins’ Reading Foundation and Development Board Report. He praised Rodney for his unstinted service.

Athetics: Mike Evans referred to the report of Sports Day on 10 May 2013 in the OR magazine. Cricket: At the Summer Festival, the Saturday OR match versus the 1st XI, the School just got home in a low scoring game. The Sunday was blessed with good weather and there was a strong turnout for the six-a-side competition with the usual marquee and barbeque available. The number of young cricketers was encouraging. Football. Due to bad weather the 9th Festival of Football had to be cancelled. Rugby. Alistair Wrenn once again oversaw a most successful tournament, organised by Alex Beckey. Rowing. Ant Butler, Steven Longstaff and Phillip Rothbart organised the 5th OR v RSBC boat race, a most enjoyable day with the OR crew triumphing.

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5. Election of President for 2013/14

The retiring President made the formal proposal that David Cox be appointed as President for 2013/14. It was seconded and carried unanimously. David Cox told AGM that he very much appreciated being elected as President and said that he would do his very best to live up to the expectations of this great Office, and would endeavour not disappoint Members: with their help he would succeed. He then invited members to elect Mike Evans as Vice President. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

6. Appointment of Office Holders and Election of Members of Council 2014

Office Holders (Article 41): President David Cox Vice President Mike Evans Immediate Past-President Ken Brown Honorary Secretary Peter Chadwick Honorary Treasurer Ian Moore Membership Secretary Chris Widdows Social Secretary Barrie Shelton Archivist Ken Brown Headmaster Ashley Robson

Office holders were proposed by Cedric Scroggs and seconded by John Tarry.

Appointment and re-appointment of Councillors: Ant Butler to AGM 2015 Alex Beckey to AGM 2016 Rev David Hemsley to AGM 2015 Martin Parsons to AGM 2014 Ned Holt to AGM 2015 Haris Hussain to AGM 2015 Francis Pocock to AGM 2015 Arthur Truslove to AGM 2015 Alistair Wrenn to AGM 2015

Appointment of officers was proposed by John Tarry and seconded John Perry.

Appointment of Chairman of ORA Council until 2014 David Cox advised that Council had agreed to nominate Martin Parsons as Chairman at the first Council meeting in 2014. He asked if there were any comments about this. Martin Parsons would therefore be Chairman.

Confirmed Appointments for the year 2013-2014 Rodney Huggins Honorary Solicitor Ken Brown & Chris Widdows Co-editors of The Old Redingensian James Cowper Auditors

8. Any Other Business

Vote of thanks.

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The new President thanked the outgoing President for his wealth of knowledge and gentle steering. He had given personal help to him as Vice President and he had provided ‘a gentle touch on the tiller’. Other Francis Pocock was saddened by the absence of Frank Terry at the AGM and Dinner. Formal closure of AGM 2013 There being no other business the President drew the meeting to a close at 6:10 pm and wished everyone a pleasant evening at the Dinner.

Peter Chadwick Hon Sec

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT In looking back at my year as ORA President, I reflect how quickly the time has passed, but in retrospect, am

pleased to report that the year has been one in which the usual pattern of activity has been maintained, whilst at the same time, being augmented by two very memorable occasions (these being the Organ Recital and the Frank Terry Memorial Service).

The year started effortlessly, (Ken Brown having left the Presidency in such good condition), with the Annual Dinner in Big School, where some of you were subjected to my singing a version of ‘When I was a Lad’ from G&S’s ‘HMS Pinafore’). This version having been specially written for me by my life-long friend and talented fellow OR Gordon Wyard. The singing continued a few days later with the School Carol Service at St. Luke’s Church where, I am pleased to recall, the Music Department acquitted itself with honours. The Carol Service was soon followed by my attendance at the Senior Prize Giving ceremony where I presented the ORA Prizes.

February marked another musical occasion with the Friends of the Music Department presenting their ‘Big Band Ball’. This was a really excellent and enjoyable evening and one which should become a regular fixture in the School’s calendar.

2014 is a particularly special centenary year and in March, Chairman Martin Parsons marked the centenary with a lecture on the School’s participation in the Great War. The lecture, given in the School Chapel was well-attended and provided much food for thought. April saw the completion of a long planned event viz. our Organ Recital (given in support of the Royal College of Organists 150th anniversary). The Chapel was about three quarters full and we were pleased that the Mayor of Reading and Catherine Ennis (President of the RCO), were able to accept our invitations to attend. Unfortunately Lady Shirley Beecham was unable to be with us but sent her good wishes. ORs Huw Jones and Ben Morris played and both gave outstanding performances.

March brought us the sad news of the passing of a dear friend, colleague, loyal ORA supporter and ORA past-President (Frank Terry) - for whom a Memorial and Thanksgiving Service was held in the Chapel on 5th April. I was honoured to be included among those invited to speak. The Service was followed by a Wake and yet more G&S singing in Big School. Past members of the Operatic Society did their best to pay tribute to FHT and to overcome insensitive and tenaciously noisy opposition!

The usual ORA-supported sporting events (including Athletics, Cricket, Football, Golf, Rowing, and Rugby) continue with about the same level of support as heretofore – (most of which are faithfully recorded photographically by Chris Widdows – to whom much thanks). Football, Rowing and Rugby are enjoying increasing support, whereas Cricket is becoming a ‘poor relation’. Thought is being given as to how we might best attract greater participation in Cricket - both on and off the pitch. A new event, Lacrosse, (to replace hockey maybe) was successfully introduced in July and it will be interesting to see how this develops.

Financially, the main area supported by the Association continues to be the annual Enterprise Awards Scheme (please see separate Report). This is now being managed by a new team. Recent significant expenditure has been incurred by the replacement of the School Hymn Book (another excellent ORA investment). The very important development of our main asset - the Redingensians Sports Ground and extension of the lease has been completed and will be reported on separately by Rodney Huggins. This particular topic has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion and Rodney is due a special vote of thanks for his negotiating skills and expert guidance.

To conclude; this has in all respects been a successful year. We are financially secure (as our Treasurer will report); our activities continue to thrive; and Council is in good health. The establishment of a Chairman has worked well, and our new Hon. Sec. continues to settle-in. Council comprises a good cross-section of ages and skills and, importantly, there is an increasing representation of younger years.

Finally, I thank Council and all ORA Members for their unfailing support and friendship during the past year. School Staff (particularly Ashley Robson and Frances Greaney), have all been excellent colleagues and I thank you all for fetching and carrying for me. It has been a great experience and one for which I am extremely proud and grateful to have had the privilege.

Floreat Redingensis! David B Cox 09/10/14

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(Trustees Report and Audited Accounts see note on page 1)

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(Trustees Report and Audited Accounts see note on page 1)

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ARCHIVIST’S REPORT Progress on the Kirkwood Room has been disappointing this year, other activities having taken precedence, but the prospect of a clearer year ahead should enable completion of those items referred to in my report last year. Gifts to the Archive continue to be made regularly and for these I am most grateful to members. A particular highlight this year, from a personal point of view, was the acquisition of Major General Fullbrook-Leggat’s (1897-05) dress uniform, courtesy of DEH Moriarty (1943-54), but to all who donated the varied range of items added to our holdings, many thanks indeed. Keep them coming! Progress has continued, apace, on the Electronic Archive and I again pay tribute to the efforts of Bob Coombs, particularly, and Chris Widdows in this respect. School Lists have now been scanned and a definitive index of the Archive is well underway. When this is posted online it will provide a comprehensive guide to the various aspects of the Archive. Archival enquiries, many requiring considerable research, continue to arrive regularly and often add to our store of knowledge. Much goodwill towards the School can be generated by the provision of this service and I believe it to be an important contribution to achieving the stated aims of our Association. Next year will see those few remaining spaces filled in the tiers of “Tea Trays” in Big School. From there we should move to being equipped to vary the display occasionally – there are more candidates for this distinction than spaces permit! Long term aims reported in the final paragraph of my report last year remain; the Archivist’s policy in this, as in most things, is “slowly, slowly catchee monkey”…… Ken Brown October 2014

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SOCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT

Annual Dinner: 30 November 2013

Although attendance of 70 was low compared with 2012 (89), the evening was nevertheless the usual enjoyable occasion.

The noticeable difference with 2012 was the number of recent leavers/students attending. 4 as opposed to 17, as can be seen in the following chart. There was no apparent reason for this (perhaps the cost to the student pocket) but seems to fluctuate with the years.

Leaving Decades Totals

Year 30's 40's 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's 00's 10's OR's + Guests & Staff

2005 TV University 1 11 21 10

9 3 11

66 81

2006 TV University

11 17 9 4 6

9

56 71

2007 Reading School 1 11 15 7 2 19

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69 80

2008 Sonning Golf Club 1 7 15 7 1 2

15

48 66

2009 Cav. Heath Golf Club 1 6 23 14 6 9

9

68 84

2010 Reading School 1 3 27 16

8

55 71

2011 Reading School 1 6 12 15 1 9 4 7 1 56 68

2012 Reading School

10 16 18 4 2 6 17

73 89

2013 Reading School 1 10 20 12 1 1 7 4 0 56 70

The formalities were somewhat longer than they should be, finishing very late at 10.40pm, giving members too little time for moving around and socialising. In order to improve this for 2014 it is proposed that there will be only one formal speech, which will be the Headmaster’s speech. This should create a proper amount of time for what is after all an occasion for catching up and reminiscing.

The formal part of the proceedings were presided over by Rodney Huggins as MC in his usual individual way and thanks are due also to Frances Greaney, the School Director of Development, who provides invaluable support behind the scenes and Ant Butler for running the Bar.

For 2014 there will be a change of venue and the Dinner will this year be held in the new Refectory and not Big School with the meal provided by the school caterer. This may be a disappointment to some but the space in East Wing that was used by outside caterer is no longer available and he is not allowed access to the school.

Cricket Weekend 28 - 29 June 2014

The Six-a side Knockout Competition on Sunday again provided more evidence that it is the now a well established event. Mike Evans ran it with his usual efficiency. It must be reported, however, that the lack of spectators was disappointing. This gradual reduction in numbers has been a recurring annual feature. Perhaps there are too many outside influences drawing possible spectators away and it is of course a limited number of people who want to watch cricket all day. The same problem is found with spectators on Saturday, School 1st XI versus an OR XI. It may be worth looking into an "X" year-on-reunion with cricket as the background.

Barrie Shelton Social Secretary

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tober 2014


ENTERPRISE AWARDS 2014

As always the Enterprise scheme was very popular this year and money was given to an eclectic mix of applications. These included building home computers, payments for extension music and drama courses, assisting with expenses to International Chess tournaments, and participation in social and welfare projects overseas. However, it would be good to see more of a variety in the bids as they have become a little predictable over the past two or three years. Although we rarely turn down any application, we have been more generous to those that demonstrate true enterprise. Some of the 2013 projects are described in The Old Redingensian. After a couple of organisational problems this past year Haris Hussein and I have decided to look at presenting the scheme to the pupils in a different way. This may mean that rather than do an assembly to each House Group we do one to all new pupils and have an e-version on-line. Martin Parsons Chairman October 2014

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THE READING FOUNDATION

The principal aim of the Reading Foundation is to advance the education of the public and, in particular, to endow Reading School which was founded in 1125 and which, on 1 February 2011 changed its status from a Foundation School to an Academy.

The Trustees appointed by you are Michael Maule, Patrick Szell and myself. We all take an active part in its work.

The School’s redesignation as an Academy has resulted in a formal legalisation of the Foundation being landlords of the Reading School site and leasing the majority to the Academy for a period of 125 years at a peppercorn rent. Those buildings wholly or partially used for residential accommodation are covered under a separate 20 year lease. In their capacity as landlords Trustees commissioned a full and complete survey of the buildings on the site in 2011. This was presented to the School in May 2011. The Report highlighted urgent repair work to be completed within 12 months with additional works to be completed within 5 years. The School used a Government Grant of £190,000 to affect some of the urgent repairs. In order to give further assistance to fund maintenance of the fabric of the School, Trustees funded the full cost (£45,350) for repair of part of the Physics Laboratories affected by dry rot and pledged to cover the full costs of repair to the Signals Loft roof estimated at £50,000. In addition in the previous financial year it agreed to fund the conversion of disused outbuildings adjacent to South ouse into a Medical Centre up to £45,000 and, in the current financial year, resurfacing the roadway from West Wing to the Page Building. It is anticipated that all of this work will be completed in the forthcoming financial year. Trustees reaffirmed their commitment to paying for future repairs to the boundary wall adjacent to the Chapel, estimated to cost £125,000.

In respect to the Award Fund the Foundation agreed last year to allocate £21,000 annually to provide for an entirely new basket of awards and grants to students to promote personal qualities of excellence, integrity and leadership. This initiative is in addition to meeting the cost of the annual prizes awarded to students.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The Foundation has met its charitable objectives in the year by continuing to support the work of Reading School.

The structure of the Foundation namely the Award Fund, a restricted fund and two unrestricted funds the School Charity and the BEM Young Bequest (an expendable endowment), has not changed during the year. All capital is invested in a basket of CCLA Funds which took over management of the total capital of some £3.5 million during the past 12 months.

THE READING SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT BOARD

The Board is a group set up by the Governors, comprising one member from each of the Board of Governors, the Foundation, the ORA together with a Development administrator, with the Headmaster and the Chairman of the Board of Governors ex officio, has met at monthly intervals during school term-time. Matters concerning proposed new buildings on the site together with issues relating to Fund-raising were discussed. The Reading Foundation representative, currently myself, reported decisions back to the Trustees.

The main project during the year was the renovation of the lecture theatre followed by a second phase of conversion of the old wood/metal work building. The cost was met mainly by a government grant and the John Haines Bequest.

Currently, plans are being drawn up for new science laboratories, government funding having been found. A bid is about to be made for a new sports hall.

As I said last year donations are still needed urgently to help pay for the costs of acquiring planning permission and providing a base from which to give support to government and outside sources funding. If any OR can help in this connection it will be much appreciated. The School building programme is in a transient stage and needs as much support as possible.

THE SONNING SPORTS GROUND

In my capacity as the Hon Legal Adviser, I have been involved in the development of the pavilion by the Redingensians Rugby Club who are now in National League 3. The cost of he major extension is in excess of £600,000 and it has just been opened for fixtures. It is worthy of a visit on a Saturday !

This major project necessitated the grant of a new lease for a term of 50 years as a large loan is being taken up with the Rugby Football Foundation. The annual rent has increased from £6,000 to £9,000 with rent reviews every five years. Provision has been made in the lease for a new ground and pavilion to be found for the rugby club in the event of the site being realised for a major development.

Rodney Huggins

Chairman of the Trustees of the Reading Foundation and School Governor.

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RUGBY 7S REPORT This years’ OR 7s Tournament was held on Saturday, 6 September 2014. Seven teams fought out the round robin group stage and then onto the semi-finals and Final. The winning team was ‘No Springer Required’, an amalgamation of ex pupils leaving School between 2004 and 2010. The player of the tournament was Luke Moran who received the John Vaughan tankard presented by Bob Lewis. We were grateful to Danny Pratt of Berkshire RFU and Reading RFC who presented a framed Berkshire shirt to the School in appreciation for John Vaughn's contribution to Berkshire Rugby over several decades. This is the first time that anyone has received such an award from Berkshire RFU. Thanks must go to Alex Beckey and Steve Matthews for refereeing the matches and the supporters who turned up to watch. During the course of the day over 100 former pupils either took part in the matches or came to support. Again with thanks to Alex Becky for maintaining the contacts to enable to raise the teams which make the day a success. Alistair Wrenn (aka Peanut)

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ROWING AT READING SCHOOL - ORS VS RSBC

Much of last academic year saw very poor weather meaning the river was off-limits for rowing training. The knock-on effect was, unfortunately, no competitive racing for RSBC. The end of the year saw the now regular OR vs. RSBC boat race. The ORs won the race but the School put up a good fight considering the crew had only managed to get on the river half a dozen times since Christmas. The news is more positive this year - approximately 15 boys from Years 12 & 13 have been managing regular river training sessions on Wednesday afternoons. There is interest from a further six new rowers as the rugby season draws to a close and they look to transfer their brawn into an VIII. Mr Dan Wheal is halfway through his Level 2 coaching qualification. Once complete, this qualification will allow him to run training sessions on his own. A new teacher, Miss Lizzie Ayres, has also expressed an interest in getting involved with rowing. These two additions will allow for more flexibility in coaching and open the possibility of expanding the sport to other year groups. Ant Butler November 2014

Documents

The AGM will start at 5 pm - Reading School · Tel : 01491 599 137 E-mail: [email protected] The Bar will open at 6 pm in the Refectory (table wine can also be ordered in the Refectory