The Old Almondburians' Society

Sadly, because of the continuing uncertainty around the Covid-19 situation, the Executive Committee took the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Dinner this year. The likely requirement to ‘social distance’ with over one hundred people from different households meant that we may have had to set out the tables in exam format, with everyone sitting at their own small table! This wouldn’t really have made for a convivial dinner, even assuming that everyone would have been able to travel to the event.

Of course, this year’s Dinner was intended to be a celebration of the centenary of the Society and so the ‘Centenary Dinner’ has now been postponed until 2021. The good news is that the addresses by our principal speakers David Morphet and Bob Field are not lost: both have kindly agreed to hold them over until next year’s Dinner.

Please put Saturday, 20th November, 2021 in your diary now and surely, by then, we can all look forward to a great evening! For the early birds who have already booked their ticket this year, your ticket will be valid for next year. Alternatively, if this is not convenient, you can request a refund.

Founders’ Day

The traditional Founders’ Day Service was due to be held at All Hallows’ Church, Almondbury, at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, 22nd November. Sadly, along with the Annual Dinner, this event has also been cancelled this year.

There cannot be many Old Almondburians with as many successful disparate careers as David Morphet.

He left KJGS to gain a Double First in English at Cambridge. He entered the Diplomatic Service in 1961 and in due course became a private secretary to Michael Stewart and George Brown. Later he moved to the Department of Energy, working in Paris and Vienna, and he was in due course seconded to Midlands Electricity Board as deputy chairman.

Joining the private sector in 1989 he held senior positions in Balfour Beatty and BICC. In 1989, following the privatisation of British Rail he led the Railway Forum.

Today, David is best known as one of the UK’s most highly respected poets. He has published 16 collections of poetry under his own imprint Notion Books.

A graduate of Hull University, Bob Field gained a degree in French and German in 1972.

He came to KJGS in 1973 to teach French with Dave Gregson and in 1976 he introduced German. When King James’s lost its Sixth form in 1989 he moved to Greenhead to teach French and German and, recently, beginners’ Italian. Bob still teaches on a part-time basis.

He is a keen sportsman who played to a high standard of non-league football with Bradley Rangers in Huddersfield.

He was fully involved with football at KJGS taking over the coaching responsibilities of the First XI and generally assisting sports master Ken Ireland. Bob organised the staff football and cricket teams and was instrumental in the formation of the OAS cricket section.


	Annual Dinner

	Sadly, because of the continuing uncertainty around the Covid-19 situation, the Executive Committee took the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Dinner this year. The likely requirement to ‘social distance’ with over one hundred people from different households meant that we may have had to set out the tables in exam format, with everyone sitting at their own small table! This wouldn’t really have made for a convivial dinner, even assuming that everyone would have been able to travel to the event. Of course, this year’s Dinner was intended to be a celebration of the centenary of the Society and so the ‘Centenary Dinner’ has now been postponed until 2021. The good news is that the addresses by our principal speakers David Morphet and Bob Field are not lost: both have kindly agreed to hold them over until next year’s Dinner. Please put Saturday, 20th November, 2021 in your diary now and surely, by then, we can all look forward to a great evening! For the early birds who have already booked their ticket this year, your ticket will be valid for next year. Alternatively, if this is not convenient, you can request a refund. Founders’ Day The traditional Founders’ Day Service was due to be held at All Hallows’ Church, Almondbury, at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, 22nd November. Sadly, along with the Annual Dinner, this event has also been cancelled this year.

David Morphet


		There cannot be many Old Almondburians with as many successful disparate careers as David Morphet. He left KJGS to gain a Double First in English at Cambridge. He entered the Diplomatic Service in 1961 and in due course became a private secretary to Michael Stewart and George Brown. Later he moved to the Department of Energy, working in Paris and Vienna, and he was in due course seconded to Midlands Electricity Board as deputy chairman. Joining the private sector in 1989 he held senior positions in Balfour Beatty and BICC. In 1989, following the privatisation of British Rail he led the Railway Forum. Today, David is best known as one of the UK’s most highly respected poets. He has published 16 collections of poetry under his own imprint Notion Books.


	Bob Field


		A graduate of Hull University, Bob Field gained a degree in French and German in 1972. He came to KJGS in 1973 to teach French with Dave Gregson and in 1976 he introduced German. When King James’s lost its Sixth form in 1989 he moved to Greenhead to teach French and German and, recently, beginners’ Italian. Bob still teaches on a part-time basis. He is a keen sportsman who played to a high standard of non-league football with Bradley Rangers in Huddersfield. He was fully involved with football at KJGS taking over the coaching responsibilities of the First XI and generally assisting sports master Ken Ireland. Bob organised the staff football and cricket teams and was instrumental in the formation of the OAS cricket section.