Fwd: Latest News

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2025 at 11:58
Subject: Latest News
To: All 

Hello all,

Firstly a message to all our antipodean Old Wyvernians. John O'Grady, who lives in Victoria, Australia would like to contact all the other Old Wyves who are resident 'down under' with a view to setting up perhaps a whatsapp group or a Facebook page for 'Old Wyves in Australia'. John's email address is wattlegully@gmail.com

Turning to more local matters, don't forget to contact me if you would like to come to the Special Viewing of Peter Robinson's sports photos, hosted by Peter, at De Montfort University. Quite a few of you at the Lunch indicated your interest but I didn't take any names, so please just drop me an email to confirm your interest asap.

Talking of the Lunches, Tony Baxter emailed me to note the success of the Lunches and said 'I found there wasn't time to chat to everyone and again these lunches are an excellent way for stirring up old  memories and old friendships'. Maybe we ought to combine the Lunch with an Afternoon Tea next time! Anyway, many thanks Tony, it's always good to see you at the Lunches.

Kind regards,

Brian

Fwd: Lunch and a Special Viewing

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2025 at 12:23
Subject: Lunch and a Special Viewing

Hello Everyone,

I hope this email finds you well. The Old Wyves Lunch on Wednesday was excellent, with twenty-seven present and a great buzz of conversations and laughter. We even had an Old Wyve all the way from Australia present - that's dedication for you! No seriously, he happened to be on an extended holiday in the UK. The next Lunch will be in March 2026. I'll let you know the date soon.

Some of you may know Peter Robinson, an Old Wyvernian who went on to find great fame as a sports photographer. If you don't then just google his name and 'sports photographer'. He specialised in football photos, and was described by the New York Times as 'The world's greatest living soccer photographer'. He was also an official FIFA photographer for 24 years, and was at 13 World Cups and 9 Olympic Games. Peter currently has an exhibition of his work, called 'Keep off the Grass',  on display at De Montfort University in Leicester and has kindly offered to host a Special Viewing for the Old Wyvernians, at a date to be agreed.

If you are interested in going to the Special Viewing of Peter's work, then please let me know in the next week or so and we will make the necessary arrangements. If you prefer to go under your own steam then the exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 12 noon to 5 pm on Saturdays. It is in the Leicester Gallery of the Vijay Patel Building at DMU. 

I realise that those of you in far-flung places will not be able to go, but hopefully we will put some photos on the website and our facebook page.

Best wishes,

Brian

PS examples of Peter Robinson's work can be found at https://www.thesaturdayman.com

Fwd: Bunny

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2025 at 13:06
Subject: Mr Hutchinson RIP
To: Frank Smith 

Brian Screaton attended the Memorial Service for former woodwork teacher Frank Hutchinson. Here's his feedback:-

"Four Old Wyvernians attended the Thanksgiving for the Life of Frank Hutchinson at St John the Baptist Church in Cold Overton on Wednesday 1st October. They were John Williams, David Billsdon, Stephen Thompson and myself. The church was absolutely full with extra seating filling every possible space. The service was conducted by the Reverend Canon Philip Norwood, and the tributes to Frank (or Fred or Bunny, as we knew him) were led by Sir Mark Prescot Bt, a long time friend of Frank's and a horse trainer with over 2,000 wins to his credit. We learnt much about Frank's 'other life' as a jockey and a poem read by Frank's wife, Jane, called 'When the Riding's done' was particularly poignant.  The wake was held in the Tea Rooms at Gates Garden Centre in the village and was very well catered. A toast was drunk to the life of dear old Fred."

Bob Fionda also attended the funeral. Here's his feedback:-

Fred's Funeral - Summary

The funeral service went very well with about 165 people attending. He had many friends with varying backgrounds, including many from the horse racing world with a personal tribute delivered from the lectern from Sir Mark Prescott the famous trainer who won the Prix De L'Arc du Triomphe ( probably the most prestigious race in the world)  a couple of years ago. He also received an e-mail from Gary Lineker offering his condolences and explaining he would be unable to attend because of filming commitments in Europe.

I had five replies from former members of staff and one from a grateful PGCE student of Fred's, who came to the service.

Bob Fionda