A Report from Winchester College Society Patrick Walker ( I , 1965-70 )
Never did I imagine , having left Winchester 46 years ago , that my journey would take me back to what is now known as Donovan ’ s in Kingsgate Street , where Vince Broderick used to run the sports shop . It recently became the bustling HQ of the Development Office team which I was invited to join in September for two days a week . After my first employment interview for 39 years , and six headmasters later , I was back on board ! It has already been a very interesting experience . On the surface , the school looks and feels the same , as you would expect with its stunning buildings and grounds , and with the Quiristers still in place .
But much has changed – no straw hats , New Hall transformed , entirely new teaching staff ( obviously ), studying for Pre-U rather than A levels , and the atmosphere feels much more open and welcoming . Importantly , there is a recognition of the importance of Development in its broadest sense , if this special place is to be maintained and flourish along the lines foreseen by our Founder , William of Wykeham . As has been well flagged , Winchester College Society now represents all the constituent members of the Winchester community – OWs , past and present parents , dons , the Quirister Association , Friends and benefactors , some of whom have had no previous contact with the school . The team of nine , led by
48 The Wykeham Journal 2016