The Stonar Way 26.06.26

As I write my final Stonar Matters piece, I find myself reflecting on the unexpected paths that shape our lives and careers.

In the summer of 2000, I was in my first teaching post following the Army and my PGCE, working at a school in the New Forest. One June Friday afternoon, I realised, rather too late, that the RMA Sandhurst Ball to which I had been invited that Saturday evening was a medieval-themed event. With a school cricket match the following morning, there was no chance of sourcing an appropriate costume. I mentioned my predicament in the staff room, where a wonderfully kind Year 2 teacher, Mrs Hooley, quietly offered to help.

The next morning, she appeared with a handmade tabard and matching medieval-style hat. She apologised for the fabric, pale blue Laura Ashley (it was all she had!), but to me it was a lifesaver. Armed with that outfit, my mess wellies, and a sword, I set off feeling slightly self-conscious. Yet that was the evening I met Kate, looking every bit the medieval damsel!

At the time, Kate was an intensive care nurse in Plymouth. A year later, I moved to Kelly College (now Mount Kelly) in Tavistock, and before long we were Houseparents at the school and James and Olivia were born (Rosie was born in Oxford at our next job). We spent several very happy years in Tavistock before the pull of professional progression took us elsewhere.

And now, as our full-time professional journeys draw to a close, we find ourselves returning, this time to Bere Ferrers, just outside Tavistock (if anyone is down that way, please do get in touch - the school will have my contact details).

However, I am not going to spend all my time at the County Ground in Taunton watching Somerset (although definitely some of it!). I look forward to supporting military families as they navigate boarding school choices, and I suspect Kate will remain closely involved with Stonar’s Ten Tors programme. I am also delighted to be returning to Mount Kelly in a part-time capacity to lead their Ten Tors teams and to support the CCF - the very same contingent I commanded some 25 years ago.

So, the circle closes.

It has been a privilege to write these pieces over the years, and I am grateful to all who have read them and shared their thoughts. Thank you for being part of the journey.