Farfield
Encyclopedia
House system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
at Gresham's
Gresham's School
Gresham’s School is an independent coeducational boarding school in Holt in North Norfolk, England, a member of the HMC.The school was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham as a free grammar school for forty boys, following King Henry VIII's dissolution of the Augustinian priory at Beeston Regis...
, an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
public school
Public School (UK)
A public school, in common British usage, is a school that is neither administered nor financed by the state or from taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees and charitable contributions, usually existing as a non profit-making charitable trust...
at Holt, Norfolk
Holt, Norfolk
Holt is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The town is north of the city of Norwich, west of Cromer and east of King's Lynn. The town is on the route of the A148 King's Lynn to Cromer road. The nearest railway station is in the town of Sheringham where access to the...
. It was opened in 1911, as part of a surge of renewal and expansion at Gresham's led by George Howson
George Howson
George William Saul Howson MA was an English educationalist and writer, reforming headmaster of Gresham's School from 1900 to 1919.-Early life:...
, and the first housemaster (Major JC Miller) and boys were transferred there from a smaller house called Bengal Lodge. Farfield is currently home to approximately fifty boys. Many former residents have achieved success or notoriety in a number of different fields.
Traditions
An Entertainment is held every March featuring music, sketches and dramatic excerpts.The ritual of House Prayers is maintained in Farfield on three evenings per week. This is a short evening service, organised by the prefects (senior pupils), which consists of a hymn, a reading and a prayer, and concludes with the familiar mantra "Goodnight Boys".
The symbol of Farfield is an owl.
Housemasters
| Major J. C. Miller1 | 1904–1920 |
| E. A. Robertson | 1920-1928 |
| G. R. Thompson | 1929–1936 |
| A. B. Douglas2 | 1936–1957 |
| B. W. Sankey | 1957–1965 |
| W. O. Thomas | 1965–1980 |
| R. W. Coleman | 1980–1988 |
| G. B. Worrall | 1988–1998 |
| A. A. Edwards | 1998–2003 |
| J. R. P. Thomson | 2003–present |
1 In Bengal Lodge until 1911
2 The school was evacuated to Newquay during the years 1940-1945
Residential House Tutors
| David Beaney | 1984–1998 |
| Spencer Coates | 1998–2000 |
| John Seaman | 2000–2002 |
| Adam Stanworth | 2002–2008 |
| Andrew Grounds | 2008-2011 |
| David Saker | 2011- |
Notable old boys
Names are in chronological order. The years at Farfield (or its predecessor Bengal Lodge) are given in round brackets.- Dr Hildebrand HerveyH. W. HarveyDr Hildebrand Wolfe Harvey CBE FRS was an English marine biologist.-Background:...
FRS (1902–1906) - marine biologistMarine biologyMarine biology is the scientific study of organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather... - Lord ReithJohn Reith, 1st Baron ReithJohn Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith, KT, GCVO, GBE, CB, TD, PC was a Scottish broadcasting executive who established the tradition of independent public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom...
(1904–1906) - first Director General of the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, later politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making... - Donald CunnellDonald CunnellDonald Charles Cunnell was a British World War I flying ace who was killed in action over Belgium. He is known for having shot down and wounded the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen.-Early life:...
(1909–1910) - World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying aceFlying aceA flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
who shot down and injured the Red Baron - Tom WintringhamTom WintringhamThomas Henry Wintringham was a British soldier, military historian, journalist, poet, Marxist, politician and author. He was an important figure in the formation of the Home Guard during World War II and was one of the founders of the Common Wealth Party.-Early life:Tom Wintringham was born 1898...
(1912–1915) General StrikeUK General Strike of 1926The 1926 general strike in the United Kingdom was a general strike that lasted nine days, from 4 May 1926 to 13 May 1926. It was called by the general council of the Trades Union Congress in an unsuccessful attempt to force the British government to act to prevent wage reduction and worsening...
planner, commander of the British contingent of the International BrigadesInternational BrigadesThe International Brigades were military units made up of volunteers from different countries, who traveled to Spain to defend the Second Spanish Republic in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939....
in the Spanish Civil WarSpanish Civil WarThe Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, founder of The Daily Worker (subsequently The Morning StarThe Morning StarThe Morning Star is a left wing British daily tabloid newspaper with a focus on social and trade union issues. Articles and comment columns are contributed by writers from socialist, social democratic, green and religious perspectives....
) - W. H. AudenW. H. AudenWystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
(1920–1925) - poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary... - Benjamin BrittenBenjamin BrittenEdward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He showed talent from an early age, and first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to...
(1928–1930) - composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and conductor - Norman CohnNorman CohnNorman Rufus Colin Cohn FBA was a British academic, historian and writer who spent fourteen years as a professorial fellow and as Astor-Wolfson Professor at the University of Sussex.-Life:...
(1929–1933) - historianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and Fellow of the British AcademyBritish AcademyThe British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual... - Bill MasonBill Mason (director)Rowland Hill Berkeley Mason , known as Bill Mason, was an English documentary film maker and scriptwriter.-Life:...
(1929–1934) - film director and father of Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
drummer Nick MasonNick MasonNicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965... - David HandDavid HandGrand Chief the Most Reverend Geoffrey David Hand KBE GCL was the first Anglican Archbishop of Papua New Guinea.-Childhood and education:...
(1932–1937) - ArchbishopArchbishopAn archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Papua New GuineaPapua New GuineaPapua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands... - Major General A. E. YoungerElton YoungerMajor-General Allan Elton Younger DSO OBE, was a British soldier and author, Colonel Commandant of the Royal Engineers from 1974 to 1979.-Background:Younger's family has a long military tradition...
(1933–1937) - soldier - John BradburneJohn BradburneJohn Randal Bradburne MC was a lay member of the Order of St Francis, a poet, warden of the Mutemwa leper colony at Mutoko. He was killed by guerrillas and is a candidate for canonization.-Background:Bradburne's father was an Anglican clergyman and he had two brothers and two sisters...
(1934–1939) - soldierSoldierA soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
, missionaryMissionaryA missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and potential Saint - Peter Wilkinson MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1936–1940) - soldierSoldierA soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
and authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:... - Sir Philip DowsonPhilip DowsonSir Philip Henry Manning Dowson CBE, PRA is a leading British architect. From 1993 to 1999 he served as President of the Royal Academy.-Career:...
(1938–1942) - architect and President of the Royal AcademyRoyal AcademyThe Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and... - Robert AagaardRobert AagaardRobert Aagaard OBE JP was an English furniture maker and conservator, magistrate, and founder of the youth movement Cathedral Camps.-Early life:...
(1944–1949), furniture maker and founder of the youth movement Cathedral Camps - Martin BurgessMartin BurgessEdward Martin Burgess FSA FBHI, born 21 November 1931, known as Martin Burgess, is an English horologist and master clockmaker.-Early life:Burgess was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, between 1944 and 1949, where he was a member of Farfield...
(1944–1949) - master clockmakerClockmakerA clockmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to repairing clocks and watches... - Dr Anthony YatesAnthony YatesDavid Anthony Hilton Yates, FRCP , known as Anthony Yates, was an English rheumatologist and consultant, president of the British Association for Rheumatology and of the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Section of the Royal Society of Medicine.- Education :Yates was educated at Gresham's School,...
(1946–1948) - rheumatologist - Dr Colin LeakeyColin LeakeyColin Louis Avern Leakey is a leading plant scientist in the United Kingdom, a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge and of the Institute of Biology, and a world authority on beans.-Background:...
(1947–1952) - botanist - Sir John TusaJohn TusaSir John Tusa is a British arts administrator, and radio and television journalist. From 1980 to 1986 he was a main presenter of BBC 2's Newsnight programme. From 1995 until 2007 he was managing director of the City of London's Barbican Arts Centre...
(1949–1954) - TV presenter and managing director of the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
World Service - Stephen FrearsStephen FrearsStephen Arthur Frears is an English film director.-Early life:Frears was born in Leicester, England to Ruth M., a social worker, and Dr Russell E. Frears, a general practitioner and accountant. He did not find out that his mother was Jewish until he was in his late 20s...
(1954–1959) - Oscar-nominated film director - Robert Eagle (1961–1965) - writer and director
- Roger CarpenterRoger CarpenterProfessor Roger Hugh Stephen Carpenter is an English neurophysiologist, Professor of Oculomotor Physiology at the University of Cambridge.-Early life:...
(1958–1963) - neurophysiologist - Nigel DickNigel DickNigel Dick is an English music video and film director, writer and musician based in Los Angeles, California. He directed the Band Aid video "Do They Know It's Christmas?", as well as over 300 other music videos.Nigel Dick should not be confused with the Australian Dr...
(1966–1971) - music video director - Jeremy BamberJeremy BamberJeremy Nevill Bamber was convicted in England in 1986 of murdering five members of his adoptive family—his father, mother, sister, and her six-year-old twin sons—at his parents' home at White House Farm, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, in the early hours of 7 August 1985...
(1974–1979) - convicted for five murders - Matt ArnoldMatt ArnoldMatthew Arnold is a TV reporter based in London, England.Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, Arnold was educated at Gresham's School in Norfolk from 1975 to 1980. He then backpacked around the world before joining the Royal Navy in 1986 as an Aircrew Officer, flying in Lynx helicopters...
(1975–1980) - television presenter - Nick YoungsNick YoungsNicholas Gerald Youngs is a former English rugby union footballer who played for Leicester Tigers and England, at scrum-half, gaining six England caps in 1983-1984...
(1976–1978) - EnglandEngland national rugby union teamThe England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
rugby union footballer - Paddy O'ConnellPaddy O'ConnellGuy Patrick Bennett O'Connell , known as Paddy O'Connell, is an English television and radio presenter, working mainly for the BBC....
(1978–1983) - BBC radio and television presenter - Ralph FirmanRalph FirmanRalph David Firman Jr. is an English-born racing driver who races under Irish citizenship and an Irish-issued racing licence. Earlier in his career he raced under a British licence...
(1988–1993) - Formula OneFormula OneFormula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
racing driver
Roll of honour
The Following Old Boys of Bengal Lodge and Farfield gave their lives during the Great War of 1914-1918:Armitage SW, Aveling LN, Barratt GR, Beeton RH, Biden LTGV, Brownsword DA, Cole AH, Crosse ECM, Crosse MEB, Cunnell DC
Donald Cunnell
Donald Charles Cunnell was a British World War I flying ace who was killed in action over Belgium. He is known for having shot down and wounded the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen.-Early life:...
, Davies LFStJ, Ellis JC, Frost GK, Johnson GB, Kirch C, Robinson HHK, Rumsby RW, Shepherd CA, Simpson JH, Thorn H, Wilson IM & Wright JMS
External links
- Gresham's photo from the Britten-Pears library
- Newsletter of the Auden Society at audensociety.org