Gabriella Holland (EG 2005-2013) I was a student at Edge Grove until 2013, when I left for secondary school. Having started playing hockey at Edge Grove, it has now become my passion. I continued to play at school and club, and in Sixth Form I captained my secondary schools' team to the U18 Girls England Hockey National finals. I am now studying at the University of Cambridge, where I have been selected to play for the University 1st XI Blues.
Will Lemay (EG 1995-2001) My wife (Lucie) and I are enjoying life in Portland, Oregon having moved here with Nike Inc. from London. We have a 16 month old son called Noah who is keeping us busy along with trying to make the most of living in the Pacific North West. Joba Thomas (EG 2011-2017) I left Edge Grove in 2017 and I am now at Bedford School and have really enjoyed myself here. I am preparing for my A-levels in Geography, Economics and Politics and also Core Maths. I hope to go to Warwick University to study management.
Gary Bokobza (EG 1986-1990) Has been married for 19 years to his beautiful wife Susi. They have two sons, Gary (15) and Marco (12) who play rugby in Elche (Spain). I also play in Elche’s first 15 and in the “Veterans’ 15”. The club had a good laugh when I showed them my 1st 15 Rugby photo from Edge Grove with “1990” printed on the ball. God bless everyone.
Irwing Bokobza ( EG 1987-1991) I'm living in Spain in Madrid, I have a son of 11 years old called Lucas. I bought a flat 5 years ago and I'm working as an IT Support in an International Lawyer office since almost 3 Years called Bird & Bird. I hope to do a visit in Edge Grove one day with the family. Peter Fielding (EG 1951 to 1958) I have been retired for the past 20 years and moved from Johannesburg to the Kwazulu-Natal coast in 2005. My wife and I now enjoy a relaxed life next to the Indian Ocean, far from the city of Durban. I had been running my annual charity Scottburgh Classic Car Show for ten years and I fortuitously terminated it in 2019 just before the Covid lockdown which has brought an end to many gatherings. However, I still run the Scottburgh Classic Car Club which I founded fifteen years ago. My dance band ended due to Covid but I still donate reconditioned wheelchairs to the disabled. Etienne Hathaway (EG 2014-2020) Has been raising money for a charity called BIFT (Bright Ideas for Tennis), which works to enable children and adults with disabilities to be involved in playing tennis. In February he played in a tennis marathon at his school, Mill Hill School, then he was invited to take part in a tennis marathon at the National Tennis Centre in March, playing with Davis Cup and Fed Cup pros, from 8pm to midnight. Both were to raise funds for BIFT. He also volunteered to be trained by BIFT to deliver tennis lessons to children and adults with disabilities and attended his first day of training a few weeks ago, with more to follow. He is very much looking forward to his first opportunity to deliver coaching to the children and adults supported by the charity at the end of April.
Finlay MacDonald (EG 2009-2018) Finlay went on to Berkhamsted from Edge Grove and is now in Lower 6th studying for his A levels. Recently his First XV rugby team were awarded the Daily Mail Merit Cup.
Chris Evans (EG 1980-1985) "Have you ever wondered what dogs are thinking when you look at them? Now you can find out as Princess, Buster and Snowy share their adventures as stray dogs. You’ll soon realise being a stray dog is much more fun than you thought as you meet their friends, both doggy and human, and spend some time living their lives. You never know you might make three new friends along the way."
Chris (1980-1985) has seen his first children's book under the pseudonym Maximilian Sam published in recent weeks. "It's A Stray Dog's Life" tells of the life of three stray dogs in Turkey through their own eyes. Chris told us, "It's been a long journey finally fulfilling the dream of having a book published. My first attempt at writing anything was done one Sunday morning when Edge Grove had purchased a new video camera. A fake news script was penned and myself and a few friends filmed it over the course of the day in the grounds. Thankfully I don't think a copy still exists! It does show how much support we had from everyone at the school to be creative even at a young age. The dream from that day may have taken many years to come to fruition, but I got there in the end." You can find out more about the books and any further releases by following @authormaximiliansam on Facebook.
Trevor Barton (EG 1967-1971) After a happy few years at Aldenham and then a couple of terms at High School in the USA, I went to Exeter University to read Law. My mother Dina Barton (Assistant Matron at Edge Grove for some 30 years), whom many alumni of the 1960s, 70s and 80s will remember, was then somewhat surprised when I joined the Royal Navy, but becoming a solicitor at 21 was not for me ... I spent 10 very enjoyable years in the RN, mainly in submarines but also learning Russian, and followed that with five years in the RNR while I qualified and began a second career as a solicitor. I was fortunate to join the law firm Clyde & Co, who not only did a lot of shipping-related work but also wanted to develop business in Russia, so in 1994 my wife Molly and I , accompanied by our two young daughters, moved to St Petersburg, where we stayed for six years. I was with Clyde & Co for another four years after returning to the UK , and then had another career change to Public Relations, where I worked in a variety of different roles for some years before becoming the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce between the UK and Russia. That was another interesting and exciting job, which I did for five years before taking on my present role with the law firm CMS. I was also a Governor at Aldenham for many years, and Chair of Governors for six years until retiring in the summer of 2021. Molly and I live in Radlett, one of our daughters is a teacher, the other works at Marks & Spencer's HQ offices in London, and so far we have one grandchild. Greetings to all my contemporaries at Edge Grove in the late 1960s / early 1970s!
Richard Teo (EG 1977-1983) After graduating from Swinburne University in Melbourne Australia in 1992, I have worked globally designing and installing control and automation systems for the industrial sector including wood, food and beverage, power plants, green energy sector, pharmaceuticals and many other industries. In the past 5 years I've upgraded and trained to become a data scientist combining the decades of industrial experience with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to bring Industrial 4.0 solutions to the industrial sector. Since the covid pandemic restricted travel I have done much more remote work supporting AI, industrial and software companies in US, Europe and Asia. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardteo/). No plans to retire ! Enjoy learning, improving, achieving and teaching the next generation too much to start fishing yet.
Having worked with European, American and Asian companies I finally settled and worked for a Belgium company as Regional Manager of their Thailand operations and Global Manager of all their Joint Ventures and Licensees globally from Brazil to China. Even though travelling a lot I continued to call Thailand home. Finally I took the plunge and started my own company in Thailand and provide services to an International set of clients.
Edge Grove has always been a fundamental and happy memory with Mr Pratt and Mr Waterfield at the helm at that time. It was a place where the Headmaster and Teachers cared about you and pushed you to achieve your limits - whether that was academically, artistically or athletically. I even took my daughter there for a walk down memory lane a few years ago before the pandemic. I still enjoy playing the piano which I learnt all those years ago at Edge Grove and have a passion for pencil drawing, painting and photography in my free time. You can see some of my works at https://www.deviantart.com/richardteo/gallery
I welcome anyone who remembers me to get in touch.
Dante Doros (EG 2015-2018) Moved to Harrow from Edge Grove and in Feb 2022 played a leading role in Harrow’s School production of Chariots of Fire
Dominic Selwood (EG 1979-1984) Dominic's latest book is now available to purchase on Amazon
“Anatomy of a nation - in 50 documents”
In a ground-breaking new take on British identity, historian and barrister Dominic Selwood explores over 950,000 years of British history by examining 50 documents that tell the story of what makes Britain unique.
Lewis Wilkie (EG 2016-2021) Lewis is now getting settled into life as a probationary chorister at King’s College, Cambridge. Getting settled in after a first term getting used to the gap which Edge Grove left in all of our lives!
Tim Sapte (EG 1972-1976) For the past two years, I have been recovering from a Type V Tibia Plateau Fracture and fractured radius. I am now pinned, plated and screwed together and preparing for the biggest challenge of my life. My brother, Matthew (1980) and I (1976) have decided to Ride across Britain this coming September, cycling 970 miles in 8 days in support of my father, Peter (1946) left, who has been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia during the first lockdown.
We are looking to raise funds for The Alzheimer’s trust and therefore are appealing to society members to sponsor us via my ‘Just Giving’ page or scanning the QR Code.
James Stewart (EG 1972-1977) It has been 45 plus years since I left EG. I have of course represented the EG golf society on a couple of occasions in recent years but with much persuasion from a great stalwart in Alex Henchley! I am close to retirement but as I have alluded to attend society events - I had a enjoyable time at EG - not particularly academic and by default ended up as Head Boy for one term before moving on to Haileybury College. My time at EG was a joyous period in my life and have many fond memories - particularly on the sports fields! I have had a reasonable career in banking industry and I am married with 3 lovely adult children and my wife Lorraine of 30 years marriage. I have only but fond memories of the school and I hope that I can attend future golf society events in the future. Best wishes James
Glenn Hickman (EG 1957-1962) I have been living happily in ‘near-retirement’ in Wiltshire. Near–retirement, as I have spent 50 years in advertising and nobody wants ‘old-fashioned’ advertising any more! It’s all gone digital, on the internet and via social media! Enough is enough for me! Enjoying our two grandsons, Hugh and Doug, via son, Charlie (’91 - ’96). Not sure if they have been put down for EG yet!
Chengzhi Xu (EG 2011-2014) Chengzhi has been serving in the army in Singapore after having done IB in 2020 at Haileybury College. He will be heading off to uni this year!
David Swan ( EG 1977-1982) Living in north Oxfordshire (fellow OEG Tim Catton lives in the same village). Married with 3 children (Ottilie 18, Ophelia 17, Toby 14). Partner in a couple of property businesses, which keeps me busy. Keep in touch with Patrick Kirwan (who I have known for over 50 years!). Jol Waterfield gave the address at my father’s (Peter Swan – governor of EG 1982 – 1989) memorial service in May 2019.
Paul Orchard - Lisle (EG 1946-1952) I have little news for you, but maybe- "virtual retirement has some attractions- like a visit to the Tap Room of The Sambrook Brewery in Wandsworth (part owned by Dan Marsh) and lots of time in the relatively secure homes that I own in France and South Africa". Mudge Hussey( EG 1949-54) I know from my OKS handbook that there have been many OEGs at King’s, Canterbury. In your next newsletter, you might mention the book I have edited-Fred’s Boys-the reminiscences of those who were there 1935-62. You would be amazed at what they got up during the war down in Cornwall where the school was evacuated to Carlyon Bay. And I can’t remember the name of the boy who kept a shot gun under the floorboards of his study……….I have not really got any other news. Best wishes, Mudge Hussey(1949-54).
Robin Stafford-Allen (EG 1958-1963) Having retired in 2015, I started work on a very occasional basis, and hourly paid, at Oxford Brookes University lecturing Engineering subjects. This has grown like topsy and this year they insisted it became a salaried position so I am now lecturing all three years of the BSc course in Stress Analysis and also other modules, and really enjoying it. I also lecture around the county on Nuclear Fusion, and Renewable Energy to U3A , Probus, and WI groups.
Richard Levin (EG 1968-1973) I attended Edge Grove between 1968 -1973 and then went onto Aldenham School. I studied accountancy and then went onto Agricultural college. I am a founding partner (1994) of Brown & Co, a firm of Chartered Surveyors and am still involved in the Farm Consultancy division. I am currently living on the family farm, which is based near Shrewsbury, with my wife Tina and two daughters. I work with Stephen Allen who was also at Edge Grove, a few years before me. I still enjoy all sports and am now looking to spend more time improving my golf!
Christopher Kenmore (EG 1970-1976) I have lived in Edinburgh since 2006, having previously lived and worked in London, Somerset, Moscow and Spain. I still ski regularly, although I tend to put on skins and ski uphill these days to go ski touring. Summers are spent playing cricket and golf, and I cycle quite a bit all year round, with the highlight last year - cycling the North Coast 500. Married to Hazel, and we have a son, Louis, now 20. And a dog. A big hello to my contemporaries!
Piers Chapman (EG 1978-1984) Equity Partner at Workman LLP, Property Managers & Building Consultants. Living in Harpenden with wife Nicola and three wonderful children Thomas 19, Izzy 17 & Amelie 13. Keen cyclist and with less covid restrictions also enjoying the opportunity for a little more travel. Enjoyed catching up with Gordon Kennedy and Michael Hall only last Friday 18 March 22.
Alexander and Athina Assimakopoulos (left 2021) We are now in Bratislava, Slovakia. We like our new school - British international school of Bratislava but we miss EG and all our friends and teachers. Covid has made meeting new friends here quite difficult- we are not allowed to mix with different classes, so we only know the children from our own class really well but with restrictions easing up we will soon have the school’s Afterschool clubs resume. Alexander picked up new sports- basketball and ice hockey. He made a huge progress in the past few months and just recently made it to the hockey team and will start playing matches soon. Athina started dancing and figure skating, very much enjoying both sports! With the recent war in Ukraine, There are more than 200 000 refugees in Slovakia and we see many Ukrainian people and cars in Bratislava. We donated blankets, mats and sleeping bags and our winter clothes to the charities helping refugees. We donated money and accommodation in our dad’s company’s hotel, so that mothers with children have a warm place to stay. We made up a school bag with lunch boxes and all the school supplies, so that the Ukrainian children can join our schools and have everything they need. We are also dedicating our time on the weekends organising entertainment for refugee children in our school BISB. We hope the war will be over soon, so that everyone can have a peaceful life back.
Lilia Howard (EG 2007 - 2015) Lilia is studying A levels at Berkhamsted and continues to dance ballroom and Latin competitively with her dance partner, both nationally and internationally. On 5th March 2022 she represented the United Kingdom for U21 ballroom in The Swedish Open International Championships, and came 5th.
Michaela Costi (EG 2004-2008) Michaela continues writing and recording songs, the latest of which has just been released called “Somebody new” which was written in Sweden last year. You can follow Michaela’s progress on her Instagram feed @michaelaofficial
Robin Bavington-Jones (EG 1946-54) At the age of 80 not far short of 81 I am still working full time because none of my clients want me to retire apart from which of course I need the income.
Anyhow to bring you up to date I am very happily married to a Portuguese lady much younger than myself who is hell bent on keeping me alive forever with herbal potions. It is not witchcraft just 3rd world knowledge of plants and herbs.
I’ve been living there for nearly two years and have built a house and office and we have some 7000 square meters of land. Sunshine 350 days of the year and a fabulous view of sunset every night.
From a blissful Algarve, Best regards, Robin
David Berliand (EG 1947-1949) My time at Edge Grove is many decades ago and I have now passed my 86th birthday. I am in a care home and am well looked after. My three children are now married and I have 9 grand children and 2 great grand children. I am in touch with James Tree and Simon Redman however Simon has never wanted to join the Old boys Society. My wife of 60 years passed away just a month ago.
Anke Zhao (left Edge Grove 2021)
The family have returned to China but very much treasured their time at Edge Grove.