Our second informal gathering of the year took place at The George Inn, Southwark on Friday 5th July from 3pm onwards. Sadly there were only eight of us present, but we added two new members to our Association! It was the first Friday of Wimbledon and the weather earlier in the day had been somewhat inclement – tropical thunderstorms occurred in some places. So the lack of numbers was not surprising. Indeed those of there did our utmost to make up for lack of numbers by the number of beers consumed.
All in all a great time was had by those of us there. Sadly we forgot to take many photos and the one that I took is below – must try harder as my old school reports used to say!
Roger was at Haberdasher Aske’s school in Hatcham from 1949 to 1954. I had commenced two years before that so we did not have close association at School – rather like the Clease/Corbett sketch I looked down on them, I looked up to the Prefects. Roger was not keen on school sports but otherwise was always a participator, a characteristic he carried into adult life. I recall he was active in school Clubs such as the Lit and Deb and the Natural History societies, there were probably others.
It was after leaving school that our paths came together, we were both members of the Old Askean Association Field Club. This club had only started a couple of years earlier, founded by Donald LeJeune and Dermot Poston. They remained our friends throughout their lives.
The Field Club had a variety of activities such as walking, pot-holing, theatre visits and dining. It thrived for a few years but then joined with the Old Askean Rambling Club which had a longer history, being founded in 1889. Roger walked with that Club for the rest of his life, he was Captain from 1989 until 2022 when ill health meant he had to stop.
He and Hazel were stalwarts of the Rambling Club keeping it active in lean times. I had very many walks with him, both locally and long-distance. The highlight is probably our walk from Coast to Coast. We undertook Wainwright’s walk of around 200 miles from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hoods Bay in North Yorkshire. On a stopover at a farm in Shap we were complimented as being the smartest dressed walkers that the host had seen! We did it in 4 visits of 4 days. He was a competent map reader, bolstered by his binoculars which he usually carried to identify birds and animals as well as routes. He was calm in a crisis which made him an excellent companion. Roger had a great interest and knowledge of nature, sharing such knowledge on many Rambles with the OARC. If the route crossed a ploughed field then Roger was on watch, hoping to find a Roman remain. After our weekend walks we regularly were treated to tea, coffee, biscuits or cake, all from the boot of Roger and Hazel’s car and served on a table. From around Year 2000 the Club had short breaks of 5 nights at a suitable hotel in a good walking region. In the early days over 30 members were present. Two walks a day were offered and Roger could be relied upon to do them all with appropriate local maps or books. On the final night the other guests at dinner were treated to a hearty rendition of the School song, “The Sandbin,” Roger having previously sought permission from the Management.
Roger was a gentleman, he cared for those around him and was always ready to assist in any way he could. He is remembered as sociable and generous in his hospitality. Around Christmas each year after a short walk the ramblers were invited by Roger and Hazel to return to their home “The Captain’s Cabin”. Members were given a sumptuous cold platter and appropriate beverage.
Roger can be regarded as a model Old Askean. He was a Life Member of the OAA and President in 2005. He was a member of the Committee a number of times and took responsibility as Social Secretary for many events, including the introduction of the RAF Club for the Annual Dinner. He was a traditionalist – he resisted the movement of the Annual Dinner away from Haberdashers Hall, and also the cessation of it being a “black tie” event. He was a true supporter and could be relied upon to attend the various events organised by the Old Askean Association.
I am grateful to have known him and will remember him as a good friend. He is sorely missed by me and many others. May he rest in peace.
Roger Pawley’s funeral will be on Friday 24th May at 10.00 a.m. at Beckenham Crematorium, Elmers End Road, Beckenham, BR3 4TD. The wake after to be held at Dulwich And Sydenham Golf Club, Grange Lane, College Road, London SE21 7LH. Hazel has asked for no black ties, striped blazers and OA ties welcome. Family flowers only.
If you are unable to attend the service at Beckenham, you are very welcome to come to the Golf Club after 11.30 a.m. To help with catering please let Hazel know if you are attending the Golf Club. Hazel’s details are as follows:- 0208 693 5660 or email handrpaw583@gmail.com.
It is my sad task to tell you that a former President of the Association, Roger Pawley died on Sunday 28 April 2024. His good friend Dennis Johnson writes:
Thank you. Sad news indeed; Roger will be sorely missed by Hazel and his many friends. He was a Life Member of the OAA and President in 2005. He had a great interest and knowledge of nature too sharing such knowledge on many Rambles with the OARC, being Captain for many years and only ceasing that when hit by ill health. I had very many walks with him, both locally and long distance. He was a competent map reader, bolstered by his binoculars which he usually carried, used to identify birds and animals as well as routes. He and Hazel were stalwarts of the Rambling Club keeping it active in lean times.
He is remembered as sociable and generous in his hospitality. I am grateful to have known him and will remember him as a good friend.
I attach a photo, a portrait that I think encapsulates the man.
I’m writing to inform you that MC Black’s body has been released by the Hertfordshire Coroner, and we have permission to bury him. The burial service will take place on Thursday, 8th February at Waltham Abbey Jewish Cemetery at 11:45am More details will be forthcoming when we have them.
I know that many of you are not Jewish, so though that I would add a few words about what to expect. The body will be in a simple casket that is completely bio-degradable. The (closed) casket, covered by a cloth, is displayed in the prayer hall at the cemetery. There is a short prayer service (in Hebrew) in the prayer hall, followed by a eulogy. Then the family and the casket process to the gravesite. There, more prayers are recited, and the casket is lowered into the grave. After some more prayers, the mourners shovel dirt onto the casket and fill the excavation.
Be warned that cemeteries can be quite muddy at this time of year.
Flowers are not appropriate. If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, I’m sure the MC would approve of a gift to Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, the home operated by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution that took such good care of our mother during her final years.
Those of you who are Jewish may wish to know that we are planning a shiva minyan at Welwyn Garden City Synagogue on Thursday evening — time to be announced. Rabbi Tatz will officiate at the burial service.
MC Black, a Past President of the Association, and a stalwart of the committee holding numerous offices over the years, died suddenly and unexpectedly a few days ago, The exact cause of his death is being investigated, the coroner has said that there are no suspicious circumstances.
Our first social occasion of 2024 took place on Friday 26th January from 13.00 at the Barrow Boy and Banker pub located on the south side of London Bridge. It was a very informal get together and large numbers (forty plus??) turned up The aim was to encourage as many Old Askeans, both male and female, to meet and enjoy each other’s company. A number of the Hatcham Association (Aske’s old girls), swelled the numbers and a good time was had by all (well at least I enjoyed myself!)
