The '42 Club
The '42 Club exists to foster association and co-operation amongst Old Boys of the School throughout their lives by:
- Organising Social Activities - the Club arranges an annual dinner in London as well as other social events and activities during the year, some in conjunction with the School (please see below for details).
- Providing Networking Opportunities - the Club can help to generate contacts for members seeking to establish new links with other Old Boys in their neighbourhood, work, academic discipline or other areas of interest.
- Assisting with Career Decisions - Old Boys can provide career advice to fellow club members when deciding on areas of study, further vocational training, short-term job placements or career development and planning.
Supporting the School - Old Boys are often in a position to help the School in its development, by providing financial assistance, specialist advice or practical support. I urge you to participate fully in the Club's activities which are most enjoyable and can be personally beneficial throughout your life.
Please visit our website at www.the42club.com
Colin Winser
The '42 Club Chairman
'42 Club History
At a celebratory lunch held in 1956 to mark the occasion of the school's golden jubilee, the idea was floated for the forming of an old boys' association. This was encouraged by George Smart, the then owner and headmaster of the school, and a small committee was created for the purpose.
What resulted was The '42 Club, formed to enable old boys to attend social gatherings and maintain contact with other old boys and with the school and its staff. It was felt at the time that the membership would essentially comprise pupils who had been at the school since its return to London in 1942 - hence the name by which the Club has always been known.
The Club has held an annual dinner since its foundation in 1957. Various other social and sporting events have been arranged, both at the school and elsewhere. In addition the Club has made presentations to the school and more recently has provided prizes gifts and ties to boys on their leaving.
Upon payment of the subscription, life membership of the Club is automatic on leaving the school, but attendance at dinners is restricted to those who are 18 or over and have left school.
The Club is run by a committee which tries to encourage involvement in all its activities and is always keen to recruit young blood. The Club looks forward to furthering its aims in the 21st century especially through its website www.the42club.com.
'42 Club Committee 2007
Chairman: Colin Winser (1936-39 and 1942-44)
Vice-Chairman: Richard Roney (1951 -1956)
Hon. Secretary: David Burr (1978-1986)
Hon. Treasurer: Edward Sanders (1980-1986)
Justin Evershed-Martin (1983-1991)
Charles Falk (1975-1982)
Daniel Hahn (1980-1987)
Tim Piper (1945-1953)
Colin Winser - Chairman
Born in 1931, I am married with 2 grown up children and attended AHS in 1936-39 and 1942-44. I was Head of Wellington and also head boy. Having failed to get into Dartmouth, I went to Charterhouse 1945-49 and then did National Service 1950-51 (being commissioned into the Royal Fusiliers and serving in the TA until 1966). I went up to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge 1951-54, where I rowed for the college and read history and law. I was articled to a firm of City solicitors before being admitted in 1957. I became a partner in Sherwood & Co. 1959-90, then Winckworth & Pemberton (now Winckworth Sherwood) 1991-94 and have been on the Roll of Parliamentary Agents since 1970. I was a governor of Arnold House from the time of its establishment as an educational charity in 1966, serving as chairman and, more recently, vice-chairman for several years, and am the founding chairman of the '42 Club. I am retired, live in West Sussex and try to keep active with various interests.
Richard Roney - Vice-Chairman
I was born in 1943. I was head boy and also head of Pitt. I represented the First X1 for both Cricket and Football. I appeared in the Spring Term Reviews, on one occasion as a member of that well-known singing trio the 3 Ahs. I went on to St Paul's in 1956 and qualified as a solicitor in 1969. I served as a governor of the School for several years and was chairman for six years. In July 1974 I joined the '42 Club Committee and took over as treasurer from the Club's first treasurer, Graeme Gilchrist. Having tried for years to find someone who knows something about figures to take over I finally succeeded at the first AGM held on 29 March 2004. I haven't managed to escape a role in management completely though as on ceasing to be treasurer I was elected vice-chairman instead.
David Burr - Hon. Secretary
I was at AHS from 1978 to 1986 and enjoyed 'almost' every moment of it. I was neither sporty nor musical and never achieved academically but my time at AHS set me up for life. In eight years the only prize I won was for holiday handy work, but I gained much more than that from the School. AHS gave me lifelong friends and confidence in myself and who I was. From AHS I went to Highgate and then to the University of Westminster where I studied Economics. Having been just about "OK" at schoolwork, I fell in love with the subject and gained their highest first for 3 decades. My career has been varied and exciting since; I've written shows for radio, worked in sound production for theatre, and now I am still creative whilst working in investment management. In 2003 I completed a part time MSc (Software Engineering) and I now work for a global investment management company designing their computer systems.
Ed Sanders - Hon. Treasurer
After leaving Arnold House, I spent five years at Harrow where I was heavily involved in the music scene (various orchestras, choirs and bands) and with the school's community service program. I took a year out to learn Italian at a language school in Florence, and do courses in Italian literature and history of art. I gained a place at Balliol College (Oxford) to study Chemistry, but while I loved my college and university life in general, I lost interest in my subject. On qualifying I trained and then practiced as a Chartered Accountant for seven years to January 2004, simultaneously doing a part-time BA in Classics at Birkbeck College (London), focusing my studies on ancient Greek history and literature. I enjoyed this so much I left the City in 2004, and (following an MPhil at Cambridge) I am currently doing a Classics PhD at UCL with the eventual intention of becoming an academic. I continue to play the piano, though now just for pleasure.
Justin Evershed-Martin
I was at AHS from 1983 to 1991 and am the token Brunel member of the '42 Club committee. I was mostly more of an enthusiastic participant than a leading light of the school teams. However I did learn to play Hockey, swim and play Chess all of which I did throughout my five years at Charterhouse, and continue to do today. Arnold House always emphasised the camaraderie of playing in a team, as opposed to a narrow focus on winning to the exclusion of all else. It is probably the greatest lesson the school taught me. I studied History at university because I loved the subject, and had two vitally important gap years either side. I have since settled down to work for an art dealer and enjoy my work hugely. Old boys come to the '42 Club Dinner 'just for once' and often come back year after year. Nobody stays the same, once they've left, and the fun is to share memories, see old friends and how they've changed.
Charles Falk
Born in 1969. I was at AHS from 1975-1982 in Pitt. I am married with one daughter and a son on the way. I went to Harrow School and then Keele University. I am now a criminal barrister where I defend all the innocent criminals that the police wrongly try to send to prison. I have very fond memories of Arnold House. I was nearly expelled for climbing on the school roof and shouting "I am the king". I suppose this was compensation for not being a prefect. People I have met at Arnold House have remained good friends and the camaraderie never leaves. My advice to present pupils is make the most of your time at this school, be it at work, sport, art, music or having fun because in ten, twenty or even thirty+ years down the line nothing beats an evening of having a drink with old school friends and reminiscing about the old Arnold House days.
Daniel Hahn
Leaving Arnold House in 1987 I went on to five years at Westminster, then to degrees at Cambridge and UCL. Since graduating I've worked mainly with books - writing them, editing them, translating them. They've ranged from writing a history of a royal zoo and of a north London venue, to editing a series of reading guides for children (with Leonie Flynn, who happens also to be librarian at AH), translating Angolan novels and footballing memoirs, and many other equally odd things. Since 1996 I've also done a lot of work with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (exhibitions and books), and with the international human rights organisation Human Rights Watch, and have lately been editorial director of a website commissioned by the Department of Culture, called ICONS.
Tim Piper
Born in 1940. Like Richard Roney I was also head of Pitt - although this is not an obligatory requirement for membership of the '42 Club Committee. I played in the First XI for Cricket and Football - as wicket keeper and goalkeeper, running was not my forte! I went to Oundle in 1953 and then to Lincoln College Oxford in 1958, where I read law. I qualified as a solicitor in 1964 and have continued in practice as a company and commercial lawyer ever since. I was president of the City of Westminster Law Society in 1998/9 and on the council of the Law Society for nine years from 1989. I was elected Master of a City Livery Company - The Tallow Chandlers in July 2006. For some twenty years I organised the annual '42 Club cricket match against the School and my son Angus and step-sons Nicholas, Christopher and Mark Williamson also all went to the School and then on to Oundle. Outside the law my interests include Horse Racing, Rugby Football and antiques.