MEET THE AREA REPRESENTATIVES

In a year where we have all learnt the value of a local community, we are keen to make sure you know more about the Guild Area network. We have invited our Guild Area Representatives to answer a few questions to tell us about themselves so members living in each area can get to know a bit about them, the events (real life and virtual) they are planning, and perhaps get in touch. We hope you will enjoy reading about them. Following on from Kirsty Noel (née Peart), Natalia Desselberger, Carole Jones, Hollye Kirkcaldy (née Blades), Kysara Haque (Popy Karim), Caroline Roberts (née Cocks), Angie Emler (née James), Carolyn Dodwell (née Roberson), Sarah Hewett (née Simon), Julia Shirley (née Bryson), Allie Gillams and Rosie Eldridge (née Granger) is Diane Cothey who is the Area Rep for Yorkshire.

YORKSHIRE

Name: Diane Cothey
Years in College: 1973 - 1999 (Guild Honorary member - Teacher of Mathematics and HM of St Clare)
Area: Yorkshire
Years as Area Rep: 9 years
Contact details: dmcsummer@gmail.com

Favourite CLC memory:

Undoubtedly this has to be the years as Housemistress of St Clare. Being able to influence and participate in the overall growth – academic and pastoral – of a young person whilst being very accountable was also immensely rewarding. My extended family!

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):

I have two sons and three grandchildren. My elder son lives in the US and my younger son lives near Newcastle. As far as interests are concerned I am very involved with various volunteering activities supporting young people and, at the other end of the spectrum, the elderly.

I love being outside! Very passionate about scuba diving but have neglected that in latter years. However I have picked up golf and started skiing. I adore tennis. The next challenge is horse riding - then onto sailing and maybe paragliding. Travelling is massively important to me and when restrictions are lifted the Silk Road will be an adventure. Inside activities involve reading, music of all genres, crafts and art – Art galleries, Art and Architecture across the world draw me like magnetism.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):

I am hoping to hear from Guild members in Yorkshire – or maybe have permission to contact people. Obviously there are diverse age groups and interests so I am very happy to research events which are pertinent to different groups. Ascot Days, Wimbledon Days, Gold Cup Days, walks... reunions involving children... just ideas. After organising numerous Junior Club and House events I would like to think that I still have the skill to pick up a suggestion and bring it to fruition. I may live to regret that boast, but I’m pretty sure there will be many offers of support should I need it!

Please get in touch if you are new to the area - you don’t have to wait for our annual lunch/event. Although some of us may be quite mature, we are all very young at heart so if you are young please don’t be put off.

PLEASE just get in touch - about anything!

NORFOLK

Name: Rosie Eldridge (née Granger)
CLC years and house(s): 1967-1973, Roderic/St Bridget's
Area: Norfolk
Years as Area Rep: New area rep started Feb 2021
Contact details: manorathappisburgh@hotmail.com

Favourite CLC teacher:

Both my Italian teachers - one in SFC1 and one in SFC2 - who gave me a lifelong love of the language and the country.

Favourite CLC memory:

Giving up maths after O Levels despite Captain Mannering’s best efforts to make me a mathematician! Also Cornelius March at the end of every leaving prayers. I almost chose it for our wedding March, but opted for The Grand March from Aida instead.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):

I was third generation to attend College. My mother Diana Dawson (1930-1934, Roderic) and my grandmother Naomi Visick was in St Helen’s and also taught briefly at Coll.

I have been married to David Eldridge for nearly 37 years and we moved from London to Norfolk in 1997. Our children Gus and Georgina are now 33 and 30 and they currently work in London and Sydney. I have a tiny mail order company I started in our London dining room in 1994. We have an ancient, greatly loved Black Labrador. We love travelling (especially Italy, India and Ireland) - good architecture is important.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):

Hoping very much to have a lunch for Guild members at our home in Norfolk next year.

SUFFOLK

Name: Allie Gillams
CLC years and house(s): 1969-1975, Glenlee/Eversleigh
Area: Suffolk
Years as Area Rep: 4 years
Contact details: alliesorting@gmail.com

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):

After College, I qualified from Bristol medical school and then specialised in interventional radiology where my major research focus was tumour ablation. This involved long years of dedicated work researching, publishing, lecturing but was amply rewarded both by amazing patient gratitude and the fact that tumour ablation is now a main stream NICE-approved therapy. To relax I got a private pilot's licence and clocked up over 600 hours flitting around the UK, France, Belgium and some parts of the USA mostly in single engine planes. Pre-Covid my husband and I split our time between our homes in Suffolk, Marylebone and the gulf coast of Florida, but in the new era my life is more dominated by cycling Suffolk's beautiful countryside, chairing the committee that manages our 200-year-old communal gardens in London, online bridge and music.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):

Our scheduled lunch at the Jockey Club in Newmarket in 2020 was postponed by the pandemic, but we hope to reschedule. We are also planning a trip to the Alfred Munnings Art Museum with lunch – as and when.

Very happy to hear from anyone who wishes to get in touch for a chat, to discuss ideas or possible events, or just to reminisce.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Name: Julia Shirley (née Bryson)
CLC years and house(s): 1974-1978, Roderic House
Area: Northern Ireland
Years as Area Rep: 15 years
Contact details: julia.shirley@hotmail.co.uk

Favourite CLC teacher:

Miss Davson - she was always strict while at the same time fair with either praise or when reprimanding

Favourite CLC memory:

There are many. I think my fondest memories from College are of the lasting friendships made there. After forty plus years I am still in regular touch with at least 12 past pupils. Sport was a large part of College life for me. I loved being ‘on field’ for lacrosse and tennis matches – not to mention the excitement of team teas!

I know too that I came away from CLC with a great appreciation of the potential opportunities available to us.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):

After leaving College, and spending three months in France, I decided I wanted to become a chef.

After spending over two years getting qualifications, I went straight to work, and have been in the industry ever since. 10 years ago I set up my own business back in Northern Ireland where I have been living since 2001.

The pandemic has been a challenge, but I have been producing and delivering food throughout.

I have three children in Hong Kong, London and Edinburgh.

For 12 years - until Covid-19 hit - I have guided Americans on walking holidays around the Province.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):

I will wait and see how and when restrictions are eased before making any plans.

OXFORDSHIRE, BERKSHIRE

Name: Sarah Hewett (née Simon)
CLC years and house(s): 1982-1989, Farnley Lodge/Cambray
Area: Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Years as Area Rep: Six months
Contact details: sarah@hewettfamily.net

Favourite CLC teacher:

Mr Fotheringham – I think we all had a mild crush on him as he was one of the only male teachers who didn’t have weird shoes or facial hair… and I loved Latin (I went onto read Classics at Oxford). I also had a soft spot for Trevor Evans, our maths teacher, who we teased mercilessly.

Favourite CLC memory:

So many! My year group in Farnley was huge as we combined with Roderic, which was a house that closed down. We were like a wolf pack, and we absolutely ruled the roost. Strong memories of dancing on tables in the common room, watching Neighbours after lunch, and speaking our own language (Farnley comrades, you know what I mean). I also have very fond memories of going camping in the Herefordshire garden of our first housemistress, Mrs Bristow, and burning the sausages.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):

I’m still working full time in banking, but obviously that has been from home rather than from the City, which has been a fantastic change. Having lived in London pretty much since leaving Oxford, we bought a house in the Cotswolds with a plan to spend more and more time here. Its now full-time because of COVID, and I’ve gone a bit overboard embracing the country life. So we now have two dogs, two horses, and I’m obsessed by my vegetable garden. I play lots of tennis and enjoy sport in general. My clarinet has been confined to its box since the last day of term in 1989, but my piano playing has persisted, after a fashion. I’m still in touch with quite a lot of my CLC friends: at our 30-year reunion in 2019 my daughter took us on a tour. She said afterwards how wonderful it was to see those friendships persisting for so many years, which I thought was a good reflection of what CLC has given us.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):

I’d love to do a pub walk if people are keen on doing that! Do please get in touch.

CUMBRIA

Name: Carolyn Dodwell (née Roberson)
CLC years and house(s): 1975-1977, St Hilda's/Fauconberg
Area: Cumbria
Years as Area Rep: 11 years overall, four for Cumbria
Contact details: carolyn@carolynrobersonconsulting.co.uk

Favourite CLC teacher:

Mrs Heavens

Favourite CLC memory:

Occasions in the PH and the beautiful surroundings; working in the Library at ‘my’ table with two close friends. Since leaving College, meeting up with friends and many, many happy shared times at Guild reunions, meetings and special occasions.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):

After a business career in professional services, I now focus on community and charitable activities as well as being a Magistrate in the Family Court. I married (very late in life!) 4½ years ago, meeting my husband when I took my dog to the vet. He was the vet! Needless to say, pets (mostly Golden Retrievers which have been in the Roberson family since the 1950s) have formed an important part of my life and I am currently ‘mum’ to a one-year old energetic and adventurous 'Ellie' (pictured below at 8 weeks of age.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):

My aim is to organise a relaxed get-together in the summer or autumn now that the UK's plans to come out of lockdown are moving ahead. In the meantime, if any Guild members who live in or near Cumbria or surrounding areas would like to meet up informally, I would love to do so.

Any messages for Guild Members?

I welcome hearing from Guild members living in/near Cumbria or visiting on holiday. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful part of the UK which is a World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding National Beauty.

I recently took on the role of Bellis Society Chairman and am always happy to chat with Guild members if they have any questions relating to College’s legacy programme.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Name: Caroline Roberts (née Cocks)
CLC years and house(s): 1962-1969, Sidney Lodge/Fauconberg
Area: Gloucestershire
Years as Area Rep: Three years
Contact details: glosguild@blackstable.co.uk

Favourite CLC teacher:

Miss Fanthorpe, one of the more gentle and inspiring.

Favourite CLC memory:

The large size of Sidney Lodge's garden and long summer evenings to enjoy it.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):

I am a retired solicitor. Now I do reception work for Citizens' Advice. I have two daughters, the fourth generation of our family to go to CLC.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):

Kiftsgate Court Gardens, Rodmarton Manor, Aston pottery, Javelin Park Energy from Waste Facility

Any messages for Guild Members?

Please do get in touch with ideas for future plans. I would love to hear from those in the local area or my year group.

MIDDLESEX

Name: Kysara Haque (Popy Karim)
CLC years and house(s): 1962-1969, St Helen's/Fauconberg
Area: Middlesex
Years as Area Rep: Two years
Contact details: kysara@btinternet.com

Favourite CLC teacher:

Ms Kirk (Chemistry) and Mrs Baynham (Latin). I seem to have done better in these subjects than in other subjects. Ms Kirk was also my form tutor and made me read in Assembly in the PH a few times!

Favourite CLC memory:
Playing tennis for the College team (3^rd team)! Having a midnight feast in the dorm at St. Helen’s and feeling quite sick afterwards. Chasing the sun on St. Helen’s rooftop after summer exams.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):
I’ve had a couple of careers which include being a newsreader abroad, an accountant and a lecturer in Communications to international students. I am involved in voluntary work and have enjoyed helping in stroke awareness camps in Bangladesh.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):
Tentative plans for a cream tea at Grim’s Dyke hotel in late summer, pandemic permitting.

Any messages for Guild Members?
I would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions.

BRISTOL

Name: Hollye Kirkcaldy (Blades)
CLC years and house(s): 1994-2001, St Clare/Bayshill
Area: Bristol
Years as Area Rep: Just a few months
Contact details: hollye.kirkcaldy@gmail.com

Favourite CLC teacher:
I had so many brilliant teachers that it’s hard to pick just one. Miss Silk was inspirational and singlehandedly sparked my love of language and writing. There was also Mr Hepburn and his wonderful enthusiasm for Latin, Miss Palmer for Spanish and Miss Tudge, who just never seemed to run out of energy, for all things hockey.

Favourite CLC memory:
Faking a brace with a paperclip to avoid an apple for break on a Tuesday, Prefect’s Entertainment and the unforgettable wave of thunderous noise that comes from hundreds of girls stamping their feet in appreciation in the PH, touring Australia and New Zealand with the hockey team.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):
After a fun decade in London working in sports PR, I moved back to Bristol six years ago with my husband to be closer to family. I now juggle my work as a copywriter and comms consultant with family life with two young children, and am about to make my life infinitely more challenging by starting an MSc in Psychology in the autumn.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):
No current plans as yet, although my aim is to organise a relaxed drinks get-together at one of Bristol’s many lovely bars as soon as we get the green light to leave lockdown.

Any messages for Guild Members?
Covid-dependent, I’d be delighted to meet up with any old CLC girls who currently live in or are new to the Bristol or North Somerset area. I’m also more than happy to show around anyone who is considering moving to the city – moving back here was the best decision we made, so I’d love to persuade anyone else to do the same!

SOUTH WALES

Name: Carole Anne Jones
CLC years and house(s): 1966-1972, St Helen's/Fauconberg
Area: South Wales
Years as Area Rep: 1 year (all of which has been spent in lock-down)
Contact details: ophthcaj@aol.com

Favourite CLC teacher: Apologies, I have cheated with two:

Captain D E Mannering RN (Rtd) - Captain Mannering taught me maths in my first year. As a very insecure '6', newly appeared from a Welsh primary school, his gentle enthusiasm for mathematics gave me a lifelong love of figures.

Miss J Lloyd- Davies - Miss Lloyd-Davies, who taught Speech and Drama, advised me against a career in acting. I followed her advice (rather begrudgingly) but as a consequence I had a long, and rewarding, career in medicine. It was only in my 50s, after I had taken a career break and spent a year completing an MA in Acting (at Arts Ed in London), that I realised the wisdom of her advice. For me, at least, drama was great fun but a very difficult way of life. I smugly returned to work as an Ophthalmologist.

Favourite CLC memory:
The visit of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, to open the new Sixth Form Centre in 1971. We were all so proud of our wonderful new building, and I had the delight of acting as her waitress at lunch. I was mortified that she ate hardly anything, and, given the delicious menu, it seemed inconceivable to a 16-year-old with a very healthy appetite.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (interests, family, work, pets, anything!):
I am a recently-retired ophthalmic surgeon who, despite best efforts, has yet to persuade NHS professionals that they want to use my skills as a vaccinator. My medical work at present is confined to writing, editing and reviewing for scientific journals.

With more free time, I have been indulging my passion for 'getting involved'. Over the past two years I have become a School Governor, Trustee of the Penarth Sea Cadets, and Secretary of the Arts Society in Cardiff. I have recently qualified as a Pilates Instructor and occasionally record audio books.

Upcoming area plans (if any, don't worry if not!):
When we are able to walk in groups, I hope to organise a tour of Penarth focussing on an architectural heritage that was influenced by the growth of coal and shipping during the 19^th century, and its recent development as a haven for artisan shops and bars. The 'Buildings with Benefits' tour.

Any messages for Guild Members?
I would love to hear from Guild members living in the Vale of Glamorgan, particularly those who enjoy walking, eating and drinking, and not necessarily in that order. Equally do contact me for a talk, to moan, reminisce, or to exchange CLC memories and memorabilia.

BEDFORDSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE

Name: Natalia Desselberger
CLC years and house(s): 2017-2019 St Hilda’s
Area: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
Years as Area Rep: 9 months
Contact details: nataliadesselberger@outlook.com

Favourite CLC Teacher:
I am very grateful to all my teachers and the staff at CLC who inspired and supported me, so it’s difficult to rank individuals. If there is one class I will never forget, it’s my English Literature A Level class. We had such a great time despite the trauma we all went through studying Hamlet, Dracula and everything in between.

Favourite College memory:
My time at CLC may have been relatively short, but there are plenty of great memories. Some of the fondest have to be the Christmas celebrations in St. Hilda’s; eating mince pies together whilst unwrapping Secret Santa presents in the front room, singing Christmas carols together round the piano, Christmas dinner, our production of The Picture of Dorian Gray at Christmas time in SFC1. I really could go on forever. I am also eternally grateful to the St. Hilda’s library gang who helped me get through many a painful prep time. I must also thank all the wonderful friends I made at CLC who took me in and let me have these memories.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am a full-time student at the moment studying Modern Languages in London. Although Cheltenham will always be a second home, I have lived in the Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire area for most of my life. I love to walk my dogs (a 2-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog and 6-year-old Leonberger), read and explore. I took a gap year in which I mostly worked but I managed to travel a little in Eastern Europe. My next dream destination is Spain.

Upcoming area plans:
I would like to arrange a Zoom call with CLC members in the Beds, Bucks and Herts area in the upcoming months. If you are currently in these areas, please do get in touch! I would really love to hear from you.

YORKSHIRE (South), DERBYSHIRE

Name: Kirsty Peart
CLC years and house(s): 1981-1988, Glenlee/St Hilda’s
Area: Yorkshire (South), Derbyshire (High Peak)
Years as Area Rep: 1 year
Contact details: kirstinhunterpeart@gmail.com

Favourite CLC teacher:
Mr Fotheringham – for making Latin fun; for his commitment to his pupils; for believing in me even after I left the school (he encouraged me to apply to Cambridge for Classics after I had received my A Level results. On his advice I did and never looked back! Thank you!).

Favourite College memory:
Where do I even begin?! Kicking off in LC1 with Miss Ward’s Sunday nights of hot chocolate and ice-cream before bedtime in Glenlee to Mr Galloway’s inspirational art lessons, his unconventional and nonconformist approach to creativity, and for buying my first painting off me for 75p! (Note to Self: Leonard Cohen’s ‘So Long Marianne’ belting through a Sony Walkman – yes, I am THAT old – makes for a fairly depressing painting!); to biology and creepy pickled things in jars; to house plays and school plays; father and daughter tennis tournaments and hockey tours – Barcelona and Amsterdam legendary; but above all, the friendships made at CLC. But they aren’t memories: rather fabulous, lifelong friends I am so grateful to have today.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am a full-time tv/film writer for children and young adults, currently head-writing on a new animated series for Disney. I LOVE what I do – and, given the year we’ve all had, am so grateful to be able to escape off to fantasy worlds! We moved our family out of London up to a sheep farm at the start of the Pennine Way and have diversified into agro-tourism with a glampsite and wedding venue. We have two girls, aged 11 and 10, and a boy aged 4.

Upcoming area plans:
Planning for a September walk up Kinder Scout from Edale (approx. 4 hours but with a shorter, flatter route on offer too!) followed by a late lunch or dinner back in Edale at The Gathering.

I’m based in Edale at the start of the Pennine Way just between Manchester and Sheffield (both cities are just over half an hour by train/car). Always up for a yomp across the moors with any Guild member visiting the area so do get in touch!

21 June 2021