The Old Askean Association
We have received the following from Brian’s son:
I’m sorry to inform you that Dad, Brian “Kipper” Keepax passed away Xmas Eve. Though he hasn’t been up to the Club for many years now due to suffering with dementia Askeans was a big part of his life.
He had a good life and reached the ripe old age of 90. It was his time.
Old Askean City Diners Lunch is back. We are meeting again on Friday 23rd January 2026 at The Mudlark by London Bridge and Southwark Cathedral. We will be meeting in the bar on the ground floor from Noon before heading up the stairs to our private dining area at 1:00 pm.
Please see below the menu options, vegetarian options are available. 2 Courses costs £41.95 and 3 Curses £48.95, both including wine.
STARTERS
Tomato & Basil Soup and toasted rustic ciabatta
Scottish Smoked Salmon with crispy capers and toasted rustic bread
MAINS
Garlic Chicken Schnitzel with skin-on fries & pickled red onion salad
Pan-Roasted Salmon Fillet with crushed baby potatoes, broccoli with a white wine butter sauce
DESSERTS
Double Chocolate Brownie with ice cream
Zesty Lemon Tart with berry coulis and whipped cream
If you wish to attend (you may invite male guests too), please drop me a line (homewood.steve@yahoo.co.uk) confirming your menu choice and send your payment to the OA City Diners bank account. I do hope you are able to join us and look forward to breaking bread with you once more.
May I take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you at The Mudlark
There will be another Informal Drinks session at the Market Porter, 9 Stoney Street,
London Bridge, SE1 9AA (at Borough Market). We will be gathering from about 3pm until ………………………!! Just turn up and bring friends.
Over 120 ‘Old Boys” and ‘Old Girls’ with honoured guests, gathered at Haberdashers’ Hall on the evening of Thursday 6th November to celebrate and mark the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the schools at the Hatcham site in New Cross.
It was a splendid affair enjoyed by all. The following photos give some idea of the splendour of the occasion.
The funeral took place today, Wednesday 8th October 2025, of Past President Dennis Johnson, 26th April 1936 – 25th August 2025. It was standing room only at Eltham Crematorium as Old Askean , Reverend Alan Bolton led a moving service. The Eulogies, prepared by his family showed the breadth and depth of this wonderful and gentle man.
After the service we retired to the Rectory Field, Dennis had been the Fixture Secretary for Blackheath RFC for many years and the ground is now the home of Askean RFC. There was much talk, plenty of food and drink as Dennis was fondly remembered.
A motley crew of Old Askeans led the singing of the Sandbin
His Old Askean blazer, funeral flowers and some of the many photos that were on display.
OLD ASKEAN ASSOCIATION
President STEVE HOMEWOOD
THE OLD ASKEAN ANNUAL LUNCH
The Clarendon, Montpelier Row, Blackheath Village, SE3 0RW
Thursday 23rd April 2026 gathering from noon, dining at 1pm.
Full details to follow.
1890 Aske’s Hatcham School 53mm Silver Award Medal
Aske’s Hatcham School, New Cross. Obverse with coat of arms, reverse engraved
‘Awarded by the Managers to John Harrison Wigner, Dux for Excellence in
Mathematics July 1890′.
Good Very Fine.
www.cooperscoins.com
There are at least two FaceBook pages/groups related to the Association. The “official” one can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554107793748
Then there is the “Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham (1960s)” group which is an “unofficial” group. This can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248952745141810
Anthony J. Sargeant who was at School from 1955 -1962 has a wonderful series of Blogposts that can be found at:
It is well worth following the links on these posts as they bring back memories and have a great wealth of detail about the school and life in those days. Imagine teenagers going to a party wearing jackets with a collar and tie!! It really happened and there are photos to proof it.
Sadly there are parts of school that were less than perfect to say the least. The account below happened in eighties; but I know of abuse (not to me) that happened in the sixties. You can find out about the less savoury parts here: