www.oldyorkist.com
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The Duke of York School in Nairobi, Kenya (in more recent times known as Lenana School) was founded in January 1949. This page will be of interest to Old Yorkists and Maroons - the term used to describe former students after the name changed ( I'm grateful to John Kariuki for putting me right about the term "changerians" which is , he says, a slang term coined by Kenya High girls!!)
The Where Are They Now sections of the site are updated at least fortnightly (the date at the bottom of this first page does not always reflect this). In an effort to counteract the spam web crawlers which seek out email addresses and send info automatically I have included the words ANTISPAM in all email addresses after the @ symbol. Please remove this word in order to obtain the correct email address.
This page was first developed in 1995 and from feedback received it is serving its main purpose- to put old boys and staff in touch with former students they have lost track of over the intervening years. Dave Lichtenstein, who assists me in compilation, and I have two major policies: 1. we regard our efforts as a service to past students and staff- no fee or subscription will be charged, so that access is always open to all and 2. no copyright policy is in place- you are free to download/ copy material as required. In return we would appreciate it if readers would refrain from putting to us commercial proposals involving the site.
Forthcoming Events:
There have been several requests for another reunion in the UK. John Tucker, together with Ken Doig, who did such a magnificent job in organising the Taunton reunion in 1999, have bravely undertaken the task of organising the 2009 reunion. Two letters follow at the foot of this page, the first giving details of the reunion, together with an accommodation guide and a "reply sheet". The second letter was sent to me on April 9 2009 and also contains very important information. You can copy all these documents from this web page and paste it into a Word document to fill it in. If you're having problems it is available from me or from John at pukkatuck@ANTISPAMgmail.com
Hill School (Eldoret) Global Reunion - Sunday 12 July 2009 - Shrivenham, UK
All former Hill School staff and students and their spouses are cordially invited to attend an informal sit down buffet-style luncheon in a delightful English village setting (the scene of our successful initial UK Hill School reunion in 2001). This invitation is extended to surviving spouses or immediate offspring who "still fly the flag" for deceased members. Nan Pratt (nee Brindley) has kindly agreed to organise this reunion at her local village hall - the Shrivenham Memorial Hall - which has been booked for the day. Note for Old Yorkists this is a double incentive to attend as the Diamond Jubilee Global Old Yorkist reunion occurs down the road in Taunton on 4 July 2009 - a week earlier. For further details please contact Dave Lichtenstein lichtend@ozemail.com.au
Highlands School, Eldoret. Reunion 23 -25 April 2010 (with Reunion lunch on the 24th) at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, UK. Please pass this information on to any old Highlanders you know! ” Web page is www.highlandseldoret.org
General Announcements
Frank Musyimi writes on 20
June 2008: Just wanted to advise Old Yorkists and Changerians about an
intitative by several Old Boys that has established The Kenya Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship fund was established to promote academic advancement for at risk
(due to financial difficulties) high school students. The mission for the Kenya
Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships for needy students.
The Founders and Directors involved with the intiative are from Lenana
School Frank Kinama Musyimi (TM 1976 - 1981) Solomon Makau Musyimi (TM 1981 -
1986) and from Nairobi School Charles Mutua Kasing'a (1972 - 1975) all based in
the USA. In Kenya the organization is represented by Mr. Emmanuel Owour, the
headmaster of Ofafa Jericho High School, at one time was at Lenana School, Mr.
George Njenga who attended Lenana from 1981 to 1986. Mr. Patrick Kiloo who
attended Lenana School between 1981 and 1986 and Mr. Eric Mwandia who attended
Lenana School from 1973 to 1978.
To obtain more information on the organisation kindly visit
www.kenyascholarship.org
This sounds like a very worthwhile venture,
deserving of wide support (ed.)
An exciting
project just completed was the task of converting all available Old Yorkist
magazines to electronic format (CD or DVD if necessary). As with many OY
projects it was originally the brainchild of Dave Lichtenstein (I note that I
have an email from him in 2000 proposing it!). The Diamond Jubilee activities
had given further impetus to the idea and then Mike Garratt agreed to use
his expertise to undertake the massive task. The first copies were distributed
at an East African Schools reunion in Perth in March and they will be available
at the
UK OY reunion in 2009. For this we are extremely grateful and Mike's labours
will leave a lasting legacy for the benefit of all old boys.
Those who remember Dennis Cooper, a much-admired PE teacher (1960- 1963) and top sportsman, will recall his passion for assault courses! His son Mark has posted some 8 mm film clips of some of us negotiating the course- I can still picture Dennis' broad grin behind the camera!! Search for "Doys Assault Course" or "Old Yorkist" on Youtube.
John Tucker's original letter re UK reunion:
Dear Old Yorkist,
Duke of York / Lenana School Diamond Jubilee Reunion
John Tucker
Buzon 2, 4 Bankside Close,
Aldea de las Cuevas No. 124 Carshalton Beeches,
03759 Benidoleig, Surrey SM5 3SB,
Alicante (Spain). U.K.
Tel: (0034) 96 640 4358 Tel: (0044)(0) 20 8773 0068
E-mail: pukkatuck@gmail.com
30 June 2008
Dear Old Yorkist
Following on from my letter which Andrew Hillier very kindly posted to his Old Yorkist website early this year I am pleased to confirm that Ken Doig and I have now finalised a date and venue for the above event.
Details are as follows:
Date: Saturday 4 July 2009.
Venue: The Holiday Inn Taunton,
Deane Gate Avenue,
Taunton,
Somerset,
TA1 2UA
Time: 7.00 p.m. for 8.00 p.m.
Dress: Jacket and tie (men)
Cocktail dress (ladies)
Cost: £20 per head. This includes the cost of a sit down fork buffet, and also admin costs in arranging the event. Drinks are not included, but will be obtainable at the hotel's bars.
It is the same venue as that of our 50th reunion in 1999, though then it was the Forte Posthouse Hotel.
As in 1999 OYs are responsible for making their own overnight accommodation arrangements. A list of accommodation suggestions is attached. As demand for hotel accommodation (weddings, etc.) is high during the summer season, the sooner you book accommodation the better
The date for the venue has been chosen to coincide as closely as possible with the Kenya Regiment Association's annual July curry luncheon at Winchester, hopefully an added incentive for Old Yorkists living overseas, who are also members of the Kenya Regiment Association, who might consider visiting the UK next year in order to attend both functions.
Any OYs who would like to attend the reunion, but feel they are too old, infirm or simply unable to drive themselves to the venue, should let me know well in advance so that I can try and arrange lifts.
As before, Ken and I feel it would be preferable for wives to be included, but much will depend on the scale of the response to this letter and the ability of the hotel to accommodate everyone for the dinner.
Depending on demand Old Yorkist ties, shields, and full sets of Yorkist magazines copied to CD (courtesy of Dave Lichtenstein and Mike Garratt) will be available for sale at the reunion. The larger the orders we can place for each item type, the cheaper each unit cost of the respective items will be. I will communicate costs once I know whether demand justifies our placing orders.
Also for sale at the reunion will be a Diamond Jubilee commemorative Old Yorkist magazine along the lines of that produced in 1999 for the school’s Golden Jubilee Year. Publication and its success will, of course, depend on demand and the number of contributions received by way of potted biographies and/or school-day recollections, amusing or otherwise. In 1999 many Old Yorkists sent me interesting potted biographies and/or anecdotes of life at school and I would appreciate it if these could be updated. If in 1999 you didn't get round to providing me with a potted biography, or current news of yourself, I shall be grateful if you could remedy this for the 2009 magazine so as to add interest and keep old friends and colleagues informed.
On the subject of personal contributions to the magazine, its amazing the number of OYs who express an interest in having a copy yet are not disposed to contribute any content matter apart from their personal information and contact details. They offer no news about themselves, which is a shame because we have each survived some 5 to 8 plus decades and must have a tale or two to share!
I shall be grateful if you will complete and return the attached reply sheet to register your interest in attending the reunion, etc.
P.S. Perhaps the DOY’s most internationally acclaimed artist was Simon Combes, ex Junior House and Delamere from 1953 – 1957. Sadly and tragically Simon lost his life whilst out for a walk with his wife and a friend on Lord Delamere’s estates in December 2004. The group met up with an enraged buffalo that made a beeline for Simon and savagely gored him to death.
A month or so later David Shepherd, also of great international artistic fame and a close personal friend, paid Simon a moving tribute at the latter’s memorial service in Tewkesbury.
Simon was a very generous contributor to good causes, and for our 1999 reunion donated free of any consideration whatsoever a signed limited edition print of cheetahs that we auctioned to very good effect.Simon devoted a lot of his life to aiding wildlife conservation, something very close to his heart, and it seems totally appropriate in the circumstances, particularly since most if not all OYs will have grown up with a love of Africa’s wide open spaces and the wild beasts that inhabit them, to use the reunion to raise funds for David Shepherd’s Wildlife Foundation.
Yours sincerely,
John Tucker
ACCOMMODATION
Holiday Inn Taunton J25 M5
Deane Gate Avenue
Taunton
Somerset TA1 2UA
Daily Tariff: £115.00 per room
No additional supplement for 2 adults
Tel No: 01823 281600
0870 4009080 (Front Desk)
900 983 177 (Central Reservations)
Fax: 01823 332266
e-mail: TauntonHI@ichotelsgroup.com
website: www.hiexpress.co.uk
Holiday Inn Express
Blackbrook Park Avenue
Blackbrook Business Park
Taunton
Somerset TA1 2RW
Tel No: 01823 624000
0800 897121 (Reservation)
900 983 177 (Central Reservations)
Fax: 01823 624024
e-mail: managertaunton@expressholidayinn.co.uk
website: www.hiexpress.co.uk
Premier Travel Inn Taunton East
81 Bridgwater Road
Taunton
Somerset TA1 2DU
Tel No: 01823 321112
0870 1977249
Fax: 01823 322054
Reservations: 10582 414341
website: www.premierinn.com
The first two hotels share the same access road on the Taunton side of the roundabout serving Junction 25 of the M5. The Holiday Inn is just off the roundabout whilst the Holiday Inn Express is almost adjacent to the Holiday Inn. There are plenty of car parking spaces available at both Holiday Inn Taunton and Holiday Inn Express. These are free of charge for residents. The Travel Inn is slightly further away and can be reached from the roundabout by following the signs to Taunton, flowing left at Creech Castle traffic lights and following the signs to Corfe. It is 200 yards on the right after the Creech Castle traffic lights.
For those who prefer not to stay in a large hotel, there are a number of private residences and small hotels in the area that offer B&B facilities. Details of these can be obtained via Google on the internet (hotels in Taunton, Somerset) or from:
Taunton Tourist Information Centre
Paul Street
Taunton
Somerset TA1 3XZ
Tel No: 01823 336344
Fax: 01823 304308
Somerset is a popular county, particularly in summer, so it is advisable to book your accommodation early.
____ ___ ______ __________ ________ ______ _______ __________ _____________ ______________ _____________ _________
THE DUKE OF YORK/LENANA SCHOOL, NAIROBI
DIAMOND JUBILEE UK REUNION
2009
Surname: Title (Mr./Mrs./Miss/other)*:
First Name: Initials (other names): Honours:
House(s): Years attended:
Pupil/Staff* If staff, position filled:
Current address (including Post Code):
Telephone No: (home) (office)
Fax No: (home) (office)
E-mail address: (home) (office)
I would like/do not wish/will be unable* to attend the reunion.
I will/will not* be accompanied by my wife/husband/partner.*
I would/would not* be interested in receiving a copy of the magazine.
My contribution to the magazine (potted biography, current news, memories of school, etc.) and also the name(s) and house(s) of any Old Yorkists with whom I would like to renew contact are recorded overleaf/appended.*
I agree/do not agree* to the inclusion of my above personal details in the magazine.
I would/would not* be interested in buying an Old Yorkist tie.
I am/am not* in favour of a raffle in aid of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
I am willing/unable* to donate a prize (preferably something to do with East Africa).
The names and contact details of Old Yorkists I am still in contact with are recorded overleaf/appended.*
* Delete as appropriate
John's information dated 9 April 2009 (for John's contact details see letter above)
Dear Old Yorkist,
Arrangements for the OY Diamond Jubilee reunion at the Holiday Inn Taunton on 4 July are going well and, judging by the response to date, the gathering should be as good if not better than in 1999.
Most of you have sent me a completed reply form to reserve a place at the reunion. These have been sent to me direct, or indirectly via Dave Lichtenstein. Whatever, I hope each of you has since received an acknowledgement from me.
To those of you who, either on the ‘phone or by e-mail, have expressed an interest in the reunion but have yet to send me a reply form either because you forgot or are undecided as to whether or not you can make the occasion, I shall be grateful if you will do so now. This applies also even if it was I who happened to initiate 'phone or e-mail contact either off my own bat or at the suggestion or request of another OY.
Meanwhile, provided you have not done so already and in view of the proximity of the event, it would be of great help to me if you will now confirm your reservations by sending me a cheque for £20 for each place reserved, since this will minimise the need to handle cash at the gate on 4 July. All reservation confirmations will be treated on a strictly first received, first confirmed basis, but with due consideration being given to OYs who have already made their hotel room reservations, or who are travelling to the UK from overseas.
The maximum number that the hotel’s function room can accommodate for the event is 250, so any cheques received after this limit is reached will not be banked unless a place can be allocated following a cancellation.
Attendance cancellations will be refunded in full, but only provided the vacancy created can be filled or the hotel is prepared to waive its relative cover charge.
Your cheque or bankers payment should be drawn on a bank in the UK and be payable to John P. Tucker ‘OY Account’. It should be crossed account payee only and be sent to me at 4 Bankside Close, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 3SB. International money orders drawn on the GPO and similarly restricted are also acceptable.
Please do not send me cheques or other payment instruments expressed in foreign currency since bank collection charges can totally erode their face value. I did receive one such cheque in 1999 and was unable to bank it for that reason, so stood the loss myself.
Should you need to ‘phone me for any reason, my number from now until after the reunion will be (0044) (0) 208 773 0068.
When forwarding your cheque, please advise your wife’s name or, if a partner, your partner’s first name and surname, since Ken and I will require this information when preparing name tags for the event.
As you will be aware from the letters I have e-mailed you and posted to Andrew Hillier’s OY website, our OY reunion has been timed to coincide as closely as possible to the Kenya Regiment Association’s annual curry lunch at Winchester. The KRA’s annual summer curry lunch will take place this year on Thursday 2 July, and I mention this so that those wishing to attend both functions can plan their itineraries accordingly.
I have e-mailed separately OYs who have said they would be interested in buying an OY tie, and/or a wall plaque, and/or a CD of all copies of ‘The Yorkist’. As I explained to them, I have now received quotations for the supply of these items which, based on the total number of each item provisionally ordered to date, will cost:
If delivery is required at the reunion:
Tie £8.50
Shield £18.00
CD £4.00
If the items are to be despatched, the following delivery and packaging charges will apply:
Delivery Delivery Delivery
UK Europe Rest of World
£ £ £
Tie 1.50 2.00 2.50
Shield 2.50 3.00 4.00
CD 2.25 2.50 3.00
Tie + Shield 3.00 3.50 4.75
Tie + CD 2.75 3.00 3.50 Shield + CD 3.00 3.75 5.00
Tie + Shield + CD 3.50 4.00 5.50
Unfortunately Ken and I are not in a position yet to advise what the unit cost of the commemorative magazine will be, and this is likely to be the case until the first week in June by when it will have been compiled ready for printing.
I would add that the ties, shields and CDs are quality products, and the prices for the first two items are in line with the cost of similar souvenir goods on sale by the Kenya Regiment Association, so if any of you have omitted to place an order due to doubts about quality, price and cost, and would like to place an order now, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me and at the same time arrange to send me a cheque, bankers payment or international money order to cover the cost of items ordered, including delivery and packaging if required
Delivery to me by my suppliers is between 6 to 8 weeks of my placing an order, so my cut off time and date for placing orders is midnight on 30 April. Any orders received after that will be accepted but, as the benefit of bulk ordering will be lost, the items could well cost a bit more than the prices indicated above.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Jon Tucker
My email address is hillier@ANTISPAMiinet.net.au (see note above re. antispam)
This page is maintained by Andrew (Bill) Hillier. It was last
up-dated on 30 June 2009
