Photographs from The Falcon 1977
The new airstrip being cleared, with the Mulingwane Hills in the background and the College just visible to the right of the tractor cabin.
The airstrip in use after completion.
Founders Day
Staff officials: (left to right) Philip Lane, Frank Reed, Bill McQuade, Peter Philips.
Below, DET observes the band of the R.A.R. playing after they visited us for an athletics meeting with the Shaw Barracks Depot of the R.A.R.
Open days were an important part of the school year, and here we see parents and prospective Sixth Formers deciding on A level subjects.
Above, Gordon Macdonald explains the A level Geography syllabus and examinations, and in the background is Tony Gane. The parents Gordon is talking to are the Thurlows, and it's Barry Thurlow whose face appears top right as he looks on. Below, John Dakin seems to be concentrating on the M level English course, 1977, with Nico van Wyk looking on in the background, right. Peter Steyn in centre with his back to us taught at the College (1961 - 1970) and was visiting as a parent (of Andrew Steyn, Tredgold, not in the picture). The other two parents are the Matthews, whose three sons went through the College in Hervey House: Howard, Julian and Chris.
In the Biology Lab, playing with molecular models, A.J. Randell, Craig Dankwerts, Ian Woolley, Colin Mostert and Frank Bollen on the right.
Above Ted Marais (left) oversees mountaineering training for the CCF while Roy Brooks looks on from the fume cupboard; and below cadets watch a first aid demonstration by Sergeant Major John Graham. Amongst those observing we have Sergio De Filippo squatting in the athletics vest, to the right of the three little guys sitting on the left.
Woodsmoke Club was always a popular outdoor pursuit.
Above, making tea at Woodsmoke Club in the open rondavel on Swimming Bath Hill, with Johnny Dilmitis (left) and Richard Williams.
Below, kit is neatly lined up for distribution, after which the next photograph shows it all in action in the camp in the bush.
Beekeeping.
Exploration Society Expedition to Mosdene, 1976
Above, some fine tuning needed? Below, culinary expertise in making Apple Crumble, and keeping the fire under those kettles under control.
Enjoying recounting the day's adventures and preparing for tomorrow, followed by some abseiling skills at Hangklip.
Below, Alan Taylor, the Expedition Artist, at work in the camp, followed by some of his excellent work from this expedition.
Teddy Adlard (FOB Founders, 1965) sent in an account of his trip to Nepal along with two photographs: the first of Teddy resting at 16 000 ft in Upper Langtang; the second is a view from the col, Upper Langtang. Teddy says in his article that Langtang at 11 500 ft was "a disappointment", but higher up on the col where he is resting, he was surrounded by views like the one in the photograph.
Here might be an appropriate point to recall some of the Adlard family history at Falcon. Ted Adlard arrived at Falcon in 1964 as Head of the French Department and was Housemaster of Founders house from 1970 to 1973. Both his son Teddy and his daughter, Barbara (Founders, 1973) went on to successful careers in Mining Engineering and Pharmacy respectively. After his spell as Housemaster Ted and Joy retired to the house on the left of the main entrance to the College. It was in his final year there in 1980 that one evening he encountered an armed member of the Fifth Brigade in his lounge. This was shortly after Mugabe came to power, and members of the Fifth Brigade were at that time camped near the Upper Ncema Dam bridge. Ted asked the soldier what he wanted, upon which he opened fire on automatic, but the bullets all flew straight over Ted's head. Ted, in his most commanding schoolmasterly voice, shouted "GET OUT!" at the intruder, who fled. We suspect he must have thought Ted had supernatural powers to have survived! The bullet marks were still in the wall when Ann and I moved into that house when Ted retired shortly afterwards, but they were plastered over when the Bursar, Bryan Roff, sent the maintenance team up at our request.