Retirement Presentation to Martyn Ofield

Paul Hayler - May 2010

he Chapel Trustees gathered at Lewes Priory School on Monday May 17th to say farewell to Martyn Ofield, the retiring Headmaster, and to greet his replacement, Tony Smith. Martyn was presented with a gift of six splendid wine glasses, and the wines to fill them, by Ivor Wycherly (see photo). Ivor and John Davey took the opportunity to thank Martyn Ofield for the way in which the Chapel had been so well cared for during his period of headmastership and for willingly giving of his time to meet us every year to review the upkeep of the Chapel. Martyn generously responded by thanking the Trustees for keeping the Chapel high on the school's agenda and urged us to work hard to ensure its safe future, possibly by seeking listed status to add to its existing status as a War Memorial.

The Chapel Trustees also met the new Headmaster, Mr Tony Smith. Tony is a local man, having lived in Lewes and Ringmer over the past 17 years. He is married with three children. Having graduated in Geography at the University of East Anglia he completed his teacher training at Sussex University and went on to teach Geography and Economics at Hastings and Heathfield before taking the Deputy Headship of Eastbourne Technical College. He described as himself as feeling very pleased and very proud to be appointed to be Head of such a good school, especially in the area in which he already lives.

John Davey shared a little of the Chapel history with Tony, from its first concept to its ultimate fruition, and said on behalf of all of us how pleased we were that it was still being used for worship and in other aspects of school and community life, most recently at a concert in aid of the Sussex Air Ambulance. Tony has accepted our invitation to join us at our Reunion on Saturday 4th September when he looks forward to meeting as many Old Lewesians as possible

Thanks to OLO Chairman, John Davey, for organizing this opportunity for us to bid farewell to a Headmaster who has been very benevolent towards the Old Lewesians and for providing us with an opportunity to meet the incoming Headmaster so early in his reign.
Paul Hayler

Letter of thanks from Mr Ofield