Maritime Mix

Maritime Mix – London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea, the largest creative celebration planned for Dorset and the Jurassic Coast to date, is weeks away. Animating Weymouth, Portland and the Jurassic Coast this unique creative celebration will celebrate the area’s status as the 2nd largest Olympic venue after the capital and host to the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic sailing events. It is the most ambitious creative programme to date with over 80 events across six months (9th March – 9th September 2012). With over 95% of the events free to access there will be something for everyone: visual arts, music, choral performances, outdoor theatre & circus, earth sciences, sound installations, video projection, dance and participative street celebrations. The funding is provided by: Arts Council England, Legacy Trust UK, WPBC, Dorset County Council, local tourism partners and trusts & foundations .The programme will help promote the area as a cultural destination and encourage future investment. It will also bring the arts to new audiences and inspire more people to get involved putting local artists on an international stage and generating new partnerships and collaborations, leaving a valuable legacy for the whole cultural sector. Many local residents will be participating in events such as Coastal Voices, b-side, Inside Out, Battle for the Winds, Chalk Legends, The Giant Wall, Dinosaurs Not Allowed and Moving Tides.

Maritime Mix – London Cultural Olympiad by the Sea programme kicks off with Coastal Voices performance (rearrangements of Nick Cave songs by Sonia Slaney) in Poole at the opening of the Twin Sails Bridge, 9th March and continues with events taking place each month until the end of the Paralympic Games.

The opening of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic sailing will be celebrated with a three day mass celebration on Weymouth Beach. This will include; Battle for the Winds (26th July – 28th July) an epic outdoor, theatrical performance from Cirque Bijou and Desperate Men; Coastal Voices (27th July), community choirs present new musical compositions from John Surman, Sonia Slaney, John.K.Miles, Billy Bragg and Marc Yeats, Welcome Songs (27th July) choirs sing Eliza Carthy’s new musical composition and Breathe (28th July), international and national disabled and non-disabled artists presentation of the concluding part of Battle for the Winds.

For the full programme visit www.maritimemix2012.co.uk

Guest Speaker

DORCHESTER-BORN LORD BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER TO BE OLD HARDYEANS GUEST SPEAKER

Dorchester-born Rt. Rev. Michael Perham MA Hon. DPhil, Lord Bishop of Gloucester, is to be the guest speaker at the Old Hardyeans Annual Reunion Dinner on Saturday 17 March.

“I am delighted that my near contemporary Michael Perham, now Lord Bishop of Gloucester, has been able to accept my invitation to our annual reunion on the evening of Saturday 17 March,” says Old Hardyeans President Michel Hooper-Immins. “Michael was at Hardye’s School from 1959 to 1964- a year below me and our Newsletter Editor Peter Foster. We look forward to welcoming him back to Dorchester, where he will be reunited with many Old Hardyeans who knew him when he was at school here 47 years ago.”

Enthroned as the 40th. Bishop of Gloucester in Gloucester Cathedral in May 2004, Bishop Michael became a member of the House of Lords in 2009, one of only 26 Church of England Archbishops and senior Bishops in the Upper House.

He went to Keble College, Oxford in 1971 to study theology, as he did at Cuddesdon College, now Ripon College Cuddesdon- where he today serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors.

Having been Chaplain to the Bishop of Winchester, Michael Perham returned to Dorset as Rector of the Oakdale Team Ministry in Poole in 1984, moving on in 1992 to become a Residentiary Canon and Precentor at Norwich Cathedral. He became the Provost of Derby in 1998, before being appointed Dean of Derby Cathedral in 2000. In January 2004, he was named by The Queen as the next Bishop of Gloucester.

The Lord Bishop is married to Alison, a palliative care specialist. They have four daughters- Rachel, Anna, Sarah and Mary. He says: “I shall be delighted to make a return visit to Dorchester and to the Old Hardyeans. I have happy memories of my school days and some friendships that date back to those days, 50 years ago. I’ll enjoy recounting a tale or two after dinner on 17 March.”

Michael Foley, appointed Headmaster of The Thomas Hardye School last September, will be making his first speech to the annual Old Hardyeans reunion. He will reply to the traditional toast to the new school, which will be proposed by Old Hardyeans President Michel Hooper-Immins.

The Annual Reunion Dinner menu begins with cream of asparagus soup, followed by braised beef in red wine sauce or Vegetable Lasagne. Peach and Sherry trifle completes the dinner. All Old Hardyeans and their wives are welcome to this annual reunion, which takes place in the Sixth Form Centre of The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. Book with Treasurer Alan Brown at 40 Valette Road, Moordown, Bournemouth BH9 3JD. Telephone 01202 535034 or email: alan@ajbrown1946.plus.com

Founded in 1905 as the Old Grammarians, the Old Hardyeans- alternatively known as the Hardyeans Club- is one of the most successful old school associations in the county, bringing together old boys of Dorchester Grammar School and Hardye’s School, plus ex-students of the modern Thomas Hardye School. In the times of Queen Elizabeth I, it was Thomas Hardye [with a final "e"] described as an yeoman of Frampton, who endowed Dorchester Grammar School in 1569. Hardye’s [shopping] Arcade today stands on the site. The Grammar School moved to Culliford Road in 1928- renamed Hardye’s School from 1954. The modern Thomas Hardye School in Queens Avenue opened in 1992, encompassing the best traditions of the two previous schools- but admitting girls for the first time since 1569! Writer Thomas Hardy OM, who lived at nearby Max Gate, laid the foundation stone of Hardye’s School in 1927. He was no relation to Thomas Hardye, founder of the school, nor of Admiral Thomas Masterman Hardy!

Dorchester News

OLD HARDYEANS MOVE MONTHLY LUNCH VENUE TO THE KING’S ARMS HOTEL

For some decades, Old Grammarians and Old Hardyeans have met for lunch every last Thursday of the month. From this month, the venue moves to the King’s Arms Hotel, at the top of High East Street, Dorchester.

Next Thursday [26 January,] at 12.30pm for 1pm they will meet for the first time at the new venue, in the front bar overlooking the street. In subsequent months, they will gather in the Conservatory Room, again always on the last Thursday of the month, on 23 February, 29 March, 26 April and so on. The date of the 2012 Christmas Lunch will be advised in due course.

For eleven years, the Old Hardyeans met at Dorchester Conservative Club. “We are very sad not to be meeting at the Conservative Club, where we always received a great welcome,” says Old Hardyeans President Michel Hooper-Immins. “At our last lunch there, last August, Conservative Club Chairman Les Cuff warmly thanked the Old Hardyeans for their loyal support of the club over a decade or more. I said the standard of the food, real ale and the welcome had all been outstanding- expressing our sadness that the club was closing.”

The monthly lunch then moved to the Sun Inn at Lower Burton for three months, but moves again this month to the King’s Arms Hotel in Dorchester.

“It is interesting that early Old Grammarians- founded in 1905- held their celebration dinners in the Casterbridge Room of the King’s Arms Hotel,” comments Michel Hooper-Immins, “so we are returning to our roots. We invite all Old Grammarians and Old Hardyeans, whether resident in Dorset or passing through, to join us at the monthly lunch. We’ve welcomed old boys from all over the globe, from Canada and the USA as well as from within the UK. We are all looking forward to meeting at the King’s Arms and carrying on the comradeship of the old boys association.”

Enquiries to Chairman Colin Lucas at 01305 265446.

Founded in 1905 as the Old Grammarians, the Old Hardyeans- alternatively known as the Hardyeans Club- is one of the most successful old school associations in the county, bringing together old boys of Dorchester Grammar School and Hardye’s School, plus ex-students of the modern Thomas Hardye School. In the times of Queen Elizabeth I, it was Thomas Hardye [with a final "e"] described as an yeoman of Frampton, who endowed Dorchester Grammar School in 1569. Hardye’s [shopping] Arcade today stands on the site. The Grammar School moved to Culliford Road in 1928- renamed Hardye’s School from 1954. The modern Thomas Hardye School in Queens Avenue opened in 1992, encompassing the best traditions of the two previous schools- but admitting girls for the first time since 1569! Writer Thomas Hardy OM, who lived at nearby Max Gate, laid the foundation stone of Hardye’s School in 1927. He was no relation to Thomas Hardye, founder of the school, nor of Admiral Thomas Masterman Hardy!

FURTHER INFORMATION FROM MICHEL HOOPER-IMMINS,

PRESIDENT OF THE OLD HARDYEANS

AT 01305 779705
OR 0785 012 6349.

SIR ROGER GALE MP

ARISE SIR ROGER GALE MP;

OLD HARDYEANS CONGRATULATE NEW KNIGHT, EDUCATED AT HARDYE’S DORCHESTER

The Old Hardyeans have congratulated Sir Roger Gale MP on being knighted in the New Years honours list.

Roger Gale was educated at Hardye’s School, Dorchester, from 1955 and 1962, having been born in Poole. He became a pirate disc jockey on Radio Caroline, before being elected to Parliament as the MP for Thanet North 28 years ago.

In November, he hosted the Old Hardyeans’ annual London Dinner- “a splendid meal in the splendid surroundings of the Palace of Westminster,” said Old Hardyeans President Michel Hooper-Immins, addressing 53 Old Hardyeans and their wives in the palatial Dining Room of the House of Commons.

Observing that Roger Gale has posted many pictures on his website, the President of the Old Hardyeans noted that none included the club’s distinctive blue and gold tie. The President went on to present Roger Gale with an Old Hardyeans tie, as thanks for his hospitality at the House of Commons.

Writing to the new knight, President Michel Hooper-Immins says: “On behalf of Old Hardyeans everywhere, I congratulate you on being knighted in the New Year’s Honours List. Richly deserved for 28 years service to the House of Commons, I know you have achieved a great deal for the people of East Kent over almost three decades. However, your education in Dorchester, at Hardye’s School- three years ahead of me- will have been a fine foundation to life and we all have benefited from the superb teaching at Hardye’s. I believe you may be the first Old Hardyean to be knighted.

Thank you again for making Old Hardyeans and their wives so welcome on our recent visit to the House of Commons. Everyone in the party enjoyed the splendid dinner in splendid surroundings, then the visit to the crypt later. On our third visit to the House of Commons, your hospitality and kindness were much appreciated. I hope we will see you wearing the Old Hardyeans tie, with which you were presented, on future occasions!”

Sir Roger Gale MP is quoted as saying: “I feel that this is, first and foremost, not a political but a public service award. My wife Suzy and I have been engaged in community work since long before I became a Member of Parliament in 1983. When I was elected we decided together how we were going to work and we have just gone on doing it ever since. I regard this as an enormous honour, particularly granted as it is, at the start of Her Majesty`s Diamond Jubilee year. It is, though, an honour that belongs to my wife, Suzy, who has worked alongside me and supported me throughout every day that I have been a Member of Parliament and who, together with three long-suffering and wonderful children, continues to do so.” [www.kentnews.co.uk]

At the House of Commons Dinner, on 14 November, there was a special welcome for Michael Foley, newly appointed Headmaster of The Thomas Hardye School, to his first Old Hardyeans event. “He has made a splendid start and I am confident Michael Foley will lead the Thomas Hardye School to ever greater successes,” said the President. “I have reassured him that the Old Hardyeans have pledged their support to the school. I am delighted to hear Michael intends to create an archive of the new and the old schools. My old friend Peter Foster has already promised not only his help, but his considerable personal archive to start this excellent project.”

“I can now say I made my maiden speech in the House of Commons,” joked Michael Foley,” who went on to stress the importance of leadership and the high expectations of students in these modern times.

Michel Hooper-Immins acclaimed Tony and Julia Moore, recently retired from Thomas Hardye School and newly elected Honorary Members of the Hardyeans Club. “We thank them for their good and long service to the school and for their consistent support of the Old Hardyeans.”

The President then welcomed Jean Lang, Chairman of Thomas Hardye School Governors, to the House of Commons dinner. “I did say about five annual general meetings ago that I hoped more Old Hardyeans would become Governors,” Michel Hooper-Immins told diners. “Since then the governing body has acquired my illustrious predecessor Professor Hugh Griffiths and Tony Foot, but I should still like to see a few more Old Hardyeans as School Governors. Certainly some will have the interest, the commitment and the experience to fit that vital role in developing our school.”

“We meet in the House of Commons, the mother of Parliaments,” continued Michel Hooper-Immins. “Tradition is important here and so it is to the Old Hardyeans. The London Dinner is one of our most enduring traditions, so I’m delighted it is continuing. Our Secretary Tony Day has organised much of tonight’s landmark dinner. Thank you Tony for your good work for the Old Hardyeans. I am also grateful to Treasurer Alan Brown, who successfully collected all the money- not an easy job!”

Old Hardyeans Chairman Colin Lucas was unable to attend- “I bring apologies and good wishes from Colin, often described as the engine room of the Old Hardyeans,” concluded the President. “I can tell you his recent operation was completely successful and Colin is recovering, but misses this London Dinner for the first time in decades. Can I ask you to stand and raise your glasses to Colin Lucas and his continued recovery.” The company then stood to toast Colin Lucas.

Old Hardyeans attended from London, Kent, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Somerset, Devon and Dorset, as well as two visiting members from Recife in Brazil and Connecticut USA.

The excellent 2011 London Dinner at the House of Commons, began with lightly curried cauliflower veloute, with cauliflower pakora. The main course was grilled breast of Gressingham duck with creamed thyme potato, served with wood-smoked parsnips and pear sauce. Apple Tart Tatin, with honey and walnut ice cream was a superb dessert.

The Society of Dorset Men

THE SOCIETY OF DORSET MEN CELEBRATE THEIR NEW PRESIDENT AND A RECORD ATTENDANCE AT THE COUNTY DINNER

“Dorset grabs you by the soul- a beautiful place with a great history,” Councillor Angus Campbell, Leader of Dorset County Council, told the County Dinner of The Society of Dorset Men. “Some people come to Dorset to die, then forget what they came for,” he joked. “This county’s great character has been moulded by its long and distinguished history.”

Held for the first time at the George Albert Hotel on Wardon Hill, near Evershot, a record 280 members and their wives attended the annual County Dinner, the first to be presided over by Baron Fellowes of West Stafford DL, elected President of The Society of Dorset Men in April.

Following the loyal toast, the new President read the letter from Buckingham Palace- “The Queen was most pleased to receive your greetings and Her Majesty much appreciates your message to her. The Queen sends best wishes to all present for a most pleasant and memorable event.”

Sir Anthony Jolliffe GBE DL DSc DMus was President for an unparalleled 27 years, the longest serving President in the Society’s 107-year history. Chairman Stuart Adam paid fulsome tribute to Sir Anthony’s work for the Society. “It is widely thought that the fortunes and profile of the Society changed for the better when Sir Anthony became Lord Mayor of London in 1982 and we thank him most sincerely for all he has achieved for us.”

Lord Fellowes presented an inscribed Mont Blanc fountain pen and a framed citation to Sir Anthony to prolonged applause and cheering from the assembled members.

“I am proud to have been born a Dorset man, in Wyke Regis and now live half a mile from where I was born,” Sir Anthony Jolliffe told the County Dinner. “I will always support the county, our Society and the people of Dorset. I much enjoyed my 27 years as your President and delighted that Baron Fellowes of West Stafford agreed to take on this vital role.” Pat Russell then presented a bouquet to Lady Georgina Jolliffe.

Honoured guests of the new President included Alan Frost DL FIA [HM High Sheriff of Dorset,] Commander Mike Knott RN [Captain of HMS Portland,] Captain Michael Fulford-Dobson RN CVO OBE KStJ JP DL [Former Lord Lieutenant of Dorset] and Adrian Scott [Former High Sheriff of Dorset.]

Guest speaker and Deputy President James Weld said the Welds came to Dorset in 1641, three and as half centuries ago. He talked of the history of Lulworth and the Weld family. “Dorset has so much to commend it,” he declared.

Colonel David Hayes CBE, Colonel of the Gurkha Regiment, thanked Blandford Camp for being such a fantastic host to the Gurkha signalers. He outlined many links between the Gurkhas and Dorset. Finally, he congratulated screenwriter Lord Fellowes on the “triumph of his inspired ITV series Downton Abbey.”

The Bryan Challis Challenge Cup was presented to Chairman Stuart Adam, for recruiting the most new members in the past year. Ian Morton received the Hambro Golf Cup from the President, having won the Society’s summer golf tournament. Rev. Dr. John Travell FRSA said the Grace at the beginning of the dinner. David Read was Toastmaster.

As is the long custom of The Society of Dorset Men, members stood to welcome and acclaim the Dorset Blue Vinny cheese, which was carried through the Dining Room by chef John Newberry to Lord Fellowes, who pronounced it delicious and fit to eat! This venerable and annual tradition dates from the very early days of the Society, which was founded in 1904, when the Dorset Blue Vinny cheese would be honoured in the same way as Scots venerate the haggis. It is always served with Dorset watercress and Dorset Knobs as the final course.

Finally, Baron Fellowes of West Stafford praised Roy Adams, Chairman of the Society for many years, whose infectious enthusiasm for Dorset had been imparted to the new President. He thanked Sir Anthony Jolliffe for his leadership and warmth. “”I am proud to think of myself as a Dorset man,” he said in the closing minutes of the County Dinner.

The County Dinner has previously been held in Blandford and Sherborne. “Wardon Hill proved an ideal location for the 2011 County Dinner,” says The Society of Dorset Men spokesman Michel Hooper-Immins. “In past years we were close to our maximum of 200 and this year, in a bigger restaurant, we were able to seat 300. In the event, 280 attended, which is the biggest attendance for many decades. No doubt being closer to the centre of the county was helpful too.”