KES OLD BOY JOHN STRICKLAND, CLASS OF 1957 TAKES US DOWN MEMORY LANE ON THE KES PIPE BAND

A few notes on the KES School Pipe Band – 1952 to 1957

I was a ‘drummer boy’ until my Matric year when I became Drum-Major, and was privileged to lead the band in what I think was its biggest and best year ever. 1957. I salute those who were with me in the Band for the Journey we enjoyed. Thank you.
The School’s affiliation to the Transvaal Scottish with their wonderful Prize-winning Band offered no assistance whatsoever. Our uniforms were ‘hand-me-downs’, with ill fitting kilts and tunics, broken sporrans, hose and spats all needing darning, buttons or dry cleaning. No attempt to upgrade or replace uniforms was forth coming. We were left to ‘get on with it’.

Our side-drums were the old fashioned type with ropes and were braced for use with leather frogs. They seemed like Tom-toms next to the new nylon-screw tension drums used by senior and other school bugle-bands. The drum settings were also ‘hand-downs’ which we ‘modified’ here and there.
Back in 1955 it became apparent that unless we (the Students) did something about it, with the Matrics about to leave School, we (who were in the Band), would have no Pipers. I had met a Scottish gentleman who was helping me with my hobby of philately, and he could play the pipes. I introduced my school friend John farmer to him, and John started to learn to play the pipes, and soon had gathered several students keen to learn to play, and Mr. Mac Burnie became our (unpaid) band master.

But, now we had the makings of a band to take into the future. When the School had Cadets on a Monday morning, ‘Mr. Mac’ was also ‘on parade’ with us, and quickly knocked us into shape as a really good pipe band, even if we had a very limited repertoire of tunes.
1957 was a very good year. It was the first ever that the School had ever entered a pipe band competition. We entered Under the Title of School Pipe Bands at the Royal Scottish Gathering held at the Wanderers Sports Club held in Johannesburg. With much practice and a lot of enthusiasm, our band received a ‘third place’ in the playing of the Strathspey, Reel and Marches competition. We were also thrilled to be part of the Massed Bands parade and March past.
John Farmer, once he had left school continued playing the pipes, and became the South African Champion at playing the very difficult range of PIBROCH tunes. Sadly he died some twenty years ago. I salute him for his contribution to the School Band, and feel he ought to been awarded School Colours for his endeavours. (Even Posthumously).

We also introduced playing to the crowd outside, once the Armistice Ceremony was over. We played the tune – our favourite – Scotland the Brave as our farewell to 1957 year, and that was the last time I wore a kilt. Those were good years and the fond memories are still with me today. 

Part of the School Band were the Buglers. They were a small group who kept to themselves and came on parade specifically for the Armistice Service, at which time they were asked to play The Revellie, and The Last Post.

Members of the 1957 KES School Pipe Band as best I can remember:
Drum major: John Strickland
Pipers: John Farmer- Pipe major, David Bain, Rob Wodley-Smith, Richard Pott, Ron van Til, David Meyer, John Fitz-Henry, David Snowdowne, Simon Hodge
Base Drums: Christopher Cook, David Cole and Alan Kemp
Side Drummers: Trevor Scholtz, ‘Jazz’ Gardener, John Duval and Robbie Gien.
Buglers: Gregory, Michael Clingman

I would be delighted to hear from any of the band members. jstrix@telkomsa.net or 021 782 7337.With sincere best wishes – John Strickland.

STEVE JASPAN (CLASS OF 1967) RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY’S HIGHEST HONOUR

KES Old Boy, Steve Jaspan, former South African National Player and former President of the South African Hockey Association has received the FIH (International Hockey Federation) highest honour- becoming a ‘Member of Honour’ for his outstanding contribution and services to World Hockey over the past 25 years. During this time he served on the FIH Council, Executive Board, Chaired and served on numerous committees and working groups.

He is the first South African to win this award of which there are only 6 living recipients.
This follows his 2002 award of the FIH Order of Merit for more than 10 years of ‘distinguished and exceptional service to hockey’ and his 2015 Award as Member of Honour from the African Hockey Federation for his exceptional contribution and service over 25 years to African Hockey.

Congratulations Steve, your School applauds your fine achievement and recognition of all your hard work.

Red Boxing: King Edward VII School Old Boy Kevin Lerena- Class of 2010

Congratulations to Kevin Lerena on a majority decision beating Micki Nielsen at the Southpaw Showdown last night at Emperors Palace.
New Cruiserweight Super Four Champion- the KO Kid!!

Red Army applauds.

Congratulations to King Edward VII School Old Boy, Thabang Moroe, Class of 2001, on his new appointment as CSA Vice-President.

THE Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB) has commended the contribution that President of the GCB and Chairman of the bizhub Highveld Lions, Thabang Moroe, has made for cricket in Gauteng and the bizhub Highveld Lions franchise after his election as Vice-President of Cricket South Africa (CSA) during the CSA AGM over the past weekend.

Moroe’s deep love for cricket that started at KFC Mini-Cricket level and progressed through his high school cricket career at King Edward VII School (KES) as well as his involvement at Dobsonville Cricket Club, saw him pursue the best interests of cricket as Sport Administrator when the opportunity came.

After being elected to the Board in 2012, Moroe was elected as the GCB representative on the CSA Board after the CSA appointed Administrator, Ray Mali, had stepped down. In August of 2013, Moroe was elected to head up both the organisations at the young age of 31.

During his time as the Non-Executive Head of the two cricket bodies, Moroe’s leadership has been characterised as being fair and keeping the best interests of cricket, as a whole, at heart at all times. He took over the leadership of the Company after a turbulent time and together with Chief Executive Officer, Greg Fredericks, they led the GCB to stability and renewed confidence in the organisation.

Click on given link to read more on Moroe’s contribution to cricket so far:

GCB hails Moroe’s contribution to cricket

The King Edward Community, especially our Red Cricket Family will eagerly be following the career path of our Old Boy and wish him continued success, strength and happiness in his new role.

Go School.

King Edward VII School is extremely proud of the calibre of Old Boys representing our School and especially so of two of our Old Boys representing KES on the International stage over the past weekend, 27-29 August 2016.

Bryan Habana’s (Class of 2000), 65th Test try‚ scored against the Pumas in Salta last Saturday‚ almost went unnoticed in the fallout over another chastening Test loss for the Springboks on Saturday 27 August.

The great wing’s 45th minute strike was a typically predatory finish after a sublime behind-the-back pass from flank Francois Louw.

It was a score that also gave the Boks hope that they would escape with another narrow win. In the end they lost 26-24 but few players showed as much commitment and put in as much effort as the veteran 33-year-old wing. Coach Allister Coetzee recalled Habana for the Rugby Championship because he wanted the 119-Test cap player to guide and mentor inexperienced teammates.

Habana did more than that on Saturday‚ as he became the leading try-scorer in Test Rugby from a tier one nation. His try also marked his 20th touchdown in the Rugby Championship – another record.

His 65th try took him clear of Australia’s David Campese although Japan’s Daisuke Ohata is still the official Test try-scoring record holder with 68 in 59 ‘Tests’. Campese scored his tries in 101 Tests. Habana’s first try came on debut as a 21-year-old against England in 2004‚ when he came off the bench late in the game. He added two more the following weekend as the Boks beat Scotland 45-10 when he started as an inside centre. A week later Habana started at left wing for the first time – against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

He is now the joint leading World Cup try-scorer alongside Jonah Lomu with 15 after further tournaments in 2011 and 2015. In the opening game against Samoa in 2007 Habana scored four tries – the first time he’d scored more than two in a Test. He has subsequently scored hattricks against Australia (at Loftus in 2012) and the USA (at the Olympic Stadium in London in 2015). Habana equalled the Bok Test try-scoring record of 38 against Italy in June 2010 and had to wait over a year and 11 Tests before he broke Joost van der Westhuizen’s record against Namibia at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Read more on Bryan’s records at:
Habana’s Test Try Record

Also making records and reaching milestones, is KES Old Boy, Quinton De Kock, who not opened the batting for the Proteas with fellow Old Boy, Stephen Cook, but the pair made a 133 run opening partnership against the Black Caps in the 1st innings.

Quinton de Kock became the first South African wicket-keeper to score two half-centuries in the same test.

Following his 82 in the first innings, De Kock hit four boundaries racing to 27 runs in just 11 balls. Despite the left-handers speedy start, the openers, who did so well to break records in the first innings, all tumbled around him, not giving him the necessary support he needed. Stephen Cook (4), Hashim Amla (1), Duminy (0), Faf du Pleases (6) all struggled to get past single digits.

This did not stop the wicket-keeper from pushing to his half-century becoming the first South African wicket-keeper to score two 50’s in the same Test match. He managed to reach his half-century in just 42 balls (8 fours and a six) before falling to a good piece of bowling by Doug Bracewell.

Read more on Quinny at:
De Kock reaches another milestone

Well done and congratulations to our Old Boys, your School applauds your achievements and acknowledges all the hard work, dedication and commitment to your codes.