ONA AGM and Lunch Sun 22nd Nov 2015
Jack Williams

Congratulations to Jack Williams who was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community in Hungerford in the recent New Year’s Honours List

Jack has always been a fantastic supporter of the ONA and was President in 1983.

Jack was a town councillor for 45 years, Mayor for five years, trustee of Town and Manor for 30 years, and a governor of John O’Gaunt School for 20 years, 15 of them as chairman.

His voluntary worked extended to Methodist Church deacon and stalwart, president of Hungerford branch of the Royal British Legion since 2004, founder of Hungerford Twinning Association, and in the past represented Hungerford Town Football Club and was President of Hungerford Cricket Club.


The report below was recently published in the Newbury Weekly News.


Simon Stevens

News of ex St Bart's student, now Chief Executive of NHS England, visiting Newbury was recently published in the Newbury Weekly News.

In the article below Simon recalls his happy time at St Bart's.


Professor Peter Sonksen OBE New Year Honours 2014

Spring Ball - Sat 28th March 2015

Clive Grant, Val Pollitt and Cheryl Nichol Retirement

More than 75 years teaching has been clocked up by three long-serving members of staff at St Bartholomew’s School who retired at the end of the summer term.

The school said a fond farewell to Clive Grant, Val Pollitt and Cheryl Nichol at an end of term tea party held on Monday.

Mrs Pollitt has been associated with the Newbury school for 54 years, joining Newbury County Girls’ Grammar School as a pupil from 1961 to 1968, before returning to teach history in 1972 for three years, and again in 1991.

She said: “I have loved teaching at St Bart’s, working with wonderful colleagues and enthusiastic students. I have enjoyed seeing the second generation in families coming to my classes.

“I have a particular interest in the history of the school and it has been a privilege to write two books commemorating key events at St Bart’s.”

Mr Grant joined the school in 1980 as a music teacher and was promoted to head of expressive arts in 2006.

He said: “Teaching music really does equip students in so many different ways to lead a fulfilled and enjoyable future.

“Every year students at St Bart’s have so many opportunities to get involved in concerts, house music competitions and performances.

“I will miss the real buzz of making high-quality music with students who have worked tirelessly to achieve their success. I plan to continue to be involved in music education by taking up a part-time lectureship in secondary music education at the University of Reading.

“Getting more exercise by walking the dogs and visiting France more often are also on the agenda.”

Mrs Nichol is the head of the English faculty and is retiring after 14 years, which started memorably, coinciding with an Ofsted inspection in her very first weeks.

Talking about her career highlights she said: “I have worked with fantastic colleagues and students and seen the faculty develop and grow in both size and success.

“Exam results have improved year on year while new subjects in media and film studies have been introduced and become extremely popular. Working with young people has been stimulating and energising and this was particularly evident when we took a group of media students to LA.

“My plans now are to indulge in my hobby of sewing, patchwork and quilting, and I also intend to travel.”

Headteacher Julia Mortimore said of the trio: “Clive, Val and Cheryl have all contributed so much to St Bart’s, in so many different ways.

“We will miss their expertise and wish them well for the future.”


Reprinted from the Newbury Weekly News

Proposal to Change the Constitution

Our President, Janet Calloway took part in the Remembrance Day Parade and laid a wreath on behalf of the Association at the Cenotaph in Newbury on Sunday 8th November.