The OSH Summer Term Report

A Summer at Shrewsbury School conjures up different memories for Salopians.

Remember the crack of leather on willow, echoing across Top Common, the rhythmic splashes of oars breaking the surface of the Severn, the unmistakeable thwack of racket against fluffed ball, next to Tudor Court, or perhaps the sounds of distant Shropshire countryside, where keen Gents and Hounds went to escape the confines of School for an hour or two. All activity gave the examined brain welcome relief from revision and tests that dominate the warm sunny months of term. But now, Bumps is over for another year and Speech Day has concluded with the ever lengthening Call-Over. Farewells are said to the Headmaster, some of the Staff and the Leavers, with a collection of happy memories of life at Shrewsbury.

It doesn’t seem long ago that I was spectating at some of the Hunt’s Lent events, such as the Spring Relays at Attingham and at the School Championships in Harrow and in Leeds. This summer term, I have managed to attend some athletic meetings, including the School’s Inter-House Sports Day, held at the London Road Track, where, on a very hot day, records and personal bests were still achieved. I was also privileged to run with the boys and girls of the Hunt on some of their Tuesday Shropshire Way Runs (below). Then there were Wednesday Benjys, which suddenly came to an abrupt end in June, when the course was rudely interrupted by a substantial landslip of the top part of Ridgemount Drive. Plans are in hand to adjust the course for next term. 

Back in April, I was able to witness ‘the changing of the guard’ at the Annual Hunt Presentations Evening, where Monty Hardcastle (I, U6) passed on The Whip and Horn to the next Huntsman, Charlie Ockleston (O, L6) and, after a two year Captaincy, Immie Evans (G, U6) saw Felicity Hayward (EDH, L6) take over the Girls Hunt as Huntswoman. I also welcomed 19 new members into The OSH that night and, in addition, since then, I also presented our Committee Member and previous Coach, Kait Weston (Housemistress, EDH), with her membership, before she leaves to take up her new post at Millfield School, in September.

On Sunday 17th June, I got up early to follow the 6th Shrewsbury Half-Marathon, on my bike, cycling frantically around town to cheer on the 60 or so Salopians who entered, running for the Andrew Grene Foundation, who work with children and women in Haiti, to help improve their lives after the devastating earthquake of 2010. Amongst Team Shrewsbury was Richard Hudson (M 1967-72) who was a 1st VIII Hunt Runner of 1971-72, and completed this, his first half-marathon, in 2 hours 20 minutes. Being the present Housemaster of Churchill’s, Richard encouraged many of his House to join him on the start line and also raise over £12,000 for the charity. 

Looking ahead to the new Michaelmas Term, the RSSH have been invited to Sedbergh School, in Cumbria (LA10 5HG ) on Saturday 15th September, to a mixed age competition, including a 6 Km cross-country race for senior students and Old Sedberghians, where the Old Salopian Hunt Members would be most welcome to join in. They are holding a Junior Race at 2.30 and then the Seniors start at 3 pm. They are expecting a mixed bag of their old boys and girls to show up and possibly some of their pre-university recent leavers, but all levels of competence are welcome at this match. I hope some of you will be able to join me, along with the RSSH teams, on the coach from Shrewsbury, or perhaps consider meeting at Sedbergh School. Like Shrewsbury School, Sedbergh have a notable history for their cross-country running, so this is going to be a very competitive event and it would make it very special if we can also provide a team of men and women to run with their Alumni. For those of you still running, do give it some thought and let me know if you are interested in coming along.

Also, next term, there is going to be a great deal of excitement on Friday 12th October, when the whole School runs ‘The Tucks’, over a new course at Attingham. I hope some of you may like to put on your OSH Vest and run it with me amongst 800 students, staff and friends. Let me know if you are coming. Since the 1800’s, the Tucks Run has kept evolving, to improve it by tweaking the course and staying one step ahead of problems. This new variation of this historic School Run keeps one of the oldest traditions of the Hunt alive for future generations to enjoy. The Master-in-Charge of The RSSH, Ian Haworth, has asked if there are any of our members who would consider contributing a few seconds of their memories of the Tucks to a new video about this run, which will be filmed in the next few weeks, ready to be shown in early October. Get in touch with me to arrange a mutually acceptable time when you can get to the School for a short interview. Have a look at previous films on the School website and also see Dave Clifford’s excellent film about steeplechases, while you’re there.

Now here’s an important date to put on your year planner … it’s the next OSH Day, which is Saturday 8th December 2018, when we all get together for the Annual Run with the RSSH, followed by tea, and later, in the evening, the Annual Dinner. Also note that the Thames Hare & Hounds Annual Alumni Race, in Roehampton, is to be held on the following Saturday, 15th December. I shall, of course, be in touch again about these events.

For more, don’t forget to keep an eye on the OSH Facebook page and also our new OSH Twitter page (@old_hunt ), as well as the RSSH Twitter page.

Peter Birch (DB 1966-71, Huntsman 70-71, OSH Chairman)

Email: [email protected]