OV Tony Takes a Trip down Memory Lane

We were delighted to welcome OV Tony Stevens (Cl 53-61) back to School this month, who was visiting with his friend Olive Brady. En route to Cornwall from his home in Derbyshire, they took the opportunity to stop by King’s and enjoy a tour of some of Tony’s old haunts.

Tony’s great sporting love at King’s was rowing, although rugby came a very close second. He served as Captain of Boats for two consecutive years and was a member of the first King’s crew to compete at Henley Royal Regatta under the auspicious tutelage of coach Richard Knight, where they impressively won two of their three races. He was particularly keen to visit the Michael Baker Boathouse, which he hadn’t seen since its opening in 2012. There, both Tony and Olive were struck by the number of boats now housed in the garage, especially compared to the ‘new Boathouse’ when Tony was at King’s. They enjoyed chatting with Boatman and Hon OV Will Bird, and Tony recalled that in his day he and some friends came into the boathouse to do jobs, particularly painting blades ahead of the new season, with, he admitted, the occasional cheeky lunch at a local pub thrown in. Tony still rows occasionally with his daughter and granddaughter, both dedicated rowers themselves.

The tour continued through the School Gardens, which Tony found very familiar despite the drought-ridden grass, before heading to College Hall. Here, memories came flooding back. They had taken the longer route to approach College Hall from the Cathedral Cloisters which Tony remembered as being the place to take your partner for a break during the School Dance! Olive particularly enjoyed hearing about the history of College Hall, from its origins as a monastery to its role today.

Finally, the group headed to Edgar Tower, where Tony, as a Monitor, once had his study overlooking the back of Choir House. A wonderful opportunity to revisit old memories!