OV David’s Walk Down Memory Lane

Showing OVs around King’s as it is today is always a great pleasure for the Alumni Office, but a tour around the School is made even more special when the OV wishes to show off their alma mater to friends!

Such was the case when OV David Thomas (S 56-66 and King’s St Alban’s) returned for a walk through from King’s St Alban’s to College Green: David brought his wife, Annie, and some of his close friends while they were visiting the area, to show them where he had grown up.

David, like many OVs who joined the School in the ’50s, started his time in St Alban’s. However, life for him was slightly different, as his father, Wilfrid Thomas (HM 56-75), was the Headmaster. It was therefore great for David to bump into current Headmaster, Richard Chapman (Hon OV), for a lovely chat about King’s St Alban’s today, and compare notes on the Headmaster’s House. Following this, a particular highlight was seeing the Wilfrid Thomas Library: a bespoke extension in King’s St Alban’s, named in honour of David’s father.

While visiting the Chapel, David shared with the group how, when the altar was lowered to make it more accessible for the pupils, his mother had painstakingly replicated the intricate design on the wall behind the altar by hand, so there was no discernible difference in the backdrop. This was a wonderful insight into the history of King’s St Alban’s.

Despite David’s family living on site, when he progressed into the Senior School, David joined the other boarders in School House to immerse himself fully into life at King’s, under the auspices of Housemasters Dan McTurk and Alan Stacey (Hon OV). David and his friends enjoyed the walk around School House and the School Gardens, and David took great pride in reminiscing about his school days. The group also relished seeing how the site has evolved since David’s time. David added, “It is amazing how adaptable all those old buildings are, isn’t it? From the outside unchanging, but adapted inside for the time with great ingenuity.”

Popping into College Hall, David and his friends were delighted to chat with Foundation Director of Sport, Jonny Mason (Hon OV), comparing ‘old’ and ‘new’ times at King’s.

Although no longer physically close to King’s, David’s connection and bond with the School remains incredibly strong. This is reinforced by living near the Old Chapel, with many happy memories of his own time visiting, as well as seeing current pupils from the King’s Foundation family enjoying the site so well-loved by many OVs.