The School said its farewells to David Newsome (Headmaster since 1970) and his wife Joan. On Parents’ Day a surprise presentation on behalf of ‘grateful parents’ was made by Capt Michael Pearey (Ba B 42-51, Clerk 86-98). On Speech Day Senior Grecian John Granger hailed Dr Newsome as scholar, author, educationalist, creator of the Arts Centre, firm disciplinarian and preserver of the School’s Christian ethos. A ‘truly stupendous’ Headmaster’s Evening was staged at the Theatre.

At the start of term CH singers and musicians performed two-thirds of Handel’s Messiah at Chichester Cathedral. Soloists included Paul Arman (Th A 67-75) and Michael Savage (Mid A 69-76). Later Paul Smith was Horsham Young Musician of the Year and winner of the Brighton Festival piano competition, while Patrick Castledine gained the RSCM’s highest choral award; both were still Juniors.

The First XI lost only one game. Nick Konig notched up 662 runs, including two centuries. The Junior Colts did well in the Lords’ Taverners’ Trophy. Under a popular Captain of Athletics, Allan Maxwell, records tumbled; at the Horsham Festival CH won the trophy and Mark Fieldsend was Victor Ludorum. David Lawrence was Public Schools Champion Hurdler. Tennis had its best-ever season. Virtually the entire school ran the Short Mile in support of the Chris Burns appeal.

Louis Bardou (Staff 70-81) directed (in French) Molière’s Monsieur de Porceaugnac, with Jerome Turner in the title role. Maine A staged Lord of the Flies adapted by Peter Wright (Staff 75-92).

CH scientists won a competition run by the Institute of Electrical Engineers, where George Gainsborough (Mid A 26-33, Governor) was Secretary. Eminent Methodist Lord Soper paid a visit. The Computer Group gained a brand new system ‘which can support four users simultaneously.’ Boys toured the farm of Adrian Scripps (Mid A 47-55) and the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, proprietor Douglas Hughes (La B 27-34).

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Music teachers William Carlile Davis and Joan Gilman bowed out. Jack Page retired after 32 years on the Staff.

After term ended, Dr Newsome was appointed Master of Wellington, and Derek Baker (La A 43-50), Lecturer in History at Edinburgh University, was chosen as head of CH. Bill Avenell (Staff 77- ) married Judith Bromley.

The Wests’ Gifts Charity was 250 years old, while the Amicable Society of Blues was 350 - Elizabeth Tucker (Headmistress) was guest of honour at its celebratory dinner.

Allegations surfaced (still controversial today) that the psychologist Sir Cyril Burt (1’s/14’s/Ma B 1895-1902) had faked some of his findings.

Tony Morcom-Green (Ma A c. 1920) received the Queen’s Service Order, Bryan Magee MP (Ba A 41-48) the Royal Television Society’s Silver Medal. Dr Michael Griffiths (Mid B 38-46) was appointed Principal of the London Bible College. Ex Foreign Secretary Michael Stewart (La A 18-25) retired from the Commons after twenty-nine years. At the Albert Hall tenor Charles Corp (Ma B 47-56, Horsham singing teacher) gave his eightieth performance in Handel’s Messiah.

The OBRFC took the painful decision to sell its ground at Fairlop. In Hertford the Blue Coat Boy pub re-opened as The Sportsman.

Two deaths: Donald Green (La B 10-17), co-founder of the Old Blues’ Dramatic Society, and C J Edmonds (Th A 02-06), lexicographer of Kurdish and friend of the Kurds, who ‘made it his life’s work to do all he could for them.’

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