Chris Holmes
Chris Holmes accepted a job in the Music
Department at King's in 1980 from James
Batten. He had come via Christ's Hospital,
Horsham, where he was Head Boy, and
Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Chris became Director of Music in 1984, a
post which he held until 2003. During this
time he conducted 80 Wind Band concerts
and organised the Sunday Chapel Choir, in
the days of compulsory Sunday Chapel for
boarders. Others benefitted hugely from
his prowess as a conductor of the school
orchestra, with two concerts every year,
during the Lent and summer terms. Works
performed include Tchaikovsky's 4th, 5th
and 6th symphonies, Rachmaninov's 2nd
symphony and Elgar's 1st symphony.
Showing his versatility, in the 1980s Chris
also wrote two musicals for the school
- Tom Brown and Between the Devil
and the Deep Blue Sea. He was musical
director for Cabaret and other school
shows.
Particular triumphs include taking the
choir to perform evensong at St Paul's
Cathedral for eight years, followed by
St George's Chapel, Windsor. He has
since run the Parent/Staff evensong for
several years, and will continue to do so
in 'retirement.'
Chris was also a talented fives player and
cricketer (having played in the Cambridge
University 2nd XI), and he coached Junior
Colts A cricket for 19 years. He also
coached the 3rd XI rugby for 11 years,
followed by a career as a rugby referee -
when rumour has it that he once awarded
five penalties against King's in the first
three minutes of a match.
He edited the Aluredian and the
school website, among other things, and
was a great contributor to all of these
publications with his photography.
As a house tutor, Chris was attached to
Neate's for many years and then forged a
link with Taylor House, where he was a
Fifth Form tutor.
During a 'Sharing good practice' talk he
gave away some of his 'tricks of the trade.'
To be an effective teacher, he said, you
should: speak quietly, talk less, and let
pupils make mistakes.
His fund of experience, and good humour,
will be sorely missed.
Moving On
In 2014 King's said goodbye and thank you to four figures who have made
a huge contribution to the school community
Pete Belfield
Pete Belfield has a long association
with King's, despite his youth. He was a
member of staff at King's for 10 years,
but before that he was also a pupil here.
Indeed, while at school, he took part in
the Ten Tors and was an NCO in the Army
CCF section. He was also a 1st VI tennis
player. Pete's involvement at King's, as
man and boy, spans 17 years in all.
Pete was an invaluable member of the staff
at King's; wherever one turned he was to
be seen helping out in some capacity. He
helped to make the CCF, and in particular
the Royal Marines Section, the fantastic
outfit that it is today. The pinnacle of his
RM career is the outstanding achievement
of training the King's Section to four
Pringle trophy wins in five years.
Pete was an integral part of the team in
Bishop Fox, as the deputy Housemaster,
and also ran tennis at King's very
successfully for several years. Perhaps
not surprisingly, he was an important
part of each year's prefect training and
selection.
On most Sundays and, it seemed, for
most of the holidays, Pete was to be
found dragging groups of King's pupils
up rain-soaked mountainsides or through
the marshes of Dartmoor or through the
River Tone in the middle of town in full
combat kit - to the surprise of shoppers.
He is an exceptionally well qualified and
talented outdoor education expert, who,
despite the deadening grip of health and
safety legislation, always managed to
bring a sense of fun and adventure - and
even danger - to the activities he ran -
which is probably why he is held in such
great affection by so many pupils.
Pete will now be exploring the further
potential of his adventurous pursuits.
The King's Community
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