The Wonderful People of the United States
One of the memorable aspects of our world tour of the USA is the wonderful people Ben and I met on our travels before returning to New York. Here are some that made our trip such a great experience.
Ed and Katie Holme (H70-75)
One is always a bit jetlagged after flying across the Atlantic. In my case it was followed by a second flight down to Charlotte to meet Ed Holme and his wife Katie (photo above).
As with most people on my trip, I hadn’t met them before. I didn’t know what to expect, which is part of the fun of travelling. At the agreed hour Ed turned up in his pick-up to collect me. I was met with a broad smile and a big handshake. ‘Jump in’ he said, gave me a bottle of water, and off we went into the countryside to his smallholding which he shares with his wife, Katie. On the way Ed casually noticed a copperhead snake by the side of the road. I looked about my feet in the well of the car to make sure one hadn’t hitched a ride.
Ed and Katie’s house is like something out of the movies, designed in the style of French Creole architecture. We sat on the veranda, fans blowing to keep us cool. And then we just talked. It is an interesting thing that while, prior to arriving, I had no idea what to say to Ed and Katie, however we actually had so much to say that we eventually ran out of time.
Ed and Katie have had a fascinating life. They have had their successes. Yet they have also had their share of dark clouds, of contrast, and at times the weight of the world was such that their keel sank low in the water. But here’s the remarkable thing. They found strength through each other and through the purchase of a smallholding. There they created a refuge for mistreated horses. By healing them, Katie, a nurse from Nottingham, found her own healing process. Her connection with the horses is spiritual. They seem to understand each other and to recognise the good that each can do. Katie and Ed now help others, on a voluntary basis, to find peace in their lives through this process.
They are a tremendous couple, and very much in love. They live in a beautiful part of the world, away from the hustle and bustle of life. Theirs is the serenity that we all wish for, and which they have fought so hard to find.
Thank you Ed and Katie, for your hospitality, for your insights, and your friendship. At times my thoughts wander back to your veranda, and the horses wandering by.
Adrian and Ruth Harvey (L53-58)
My next stop was in Greenville. Arriving at the airport I was greeted by Adrian Harvey with a broad grin. There was no mistaking him. Over his t-shirt he wore an OS tie. In the 40 degree heat he was quite conspicuous and he seemed to revel in the eccentricity of the moment.
We shook hands, and he and I, together with my 24kg case, went to find his wife, Ruth, who was waiting outside in the car. I soon decided she was the sensible one. Both were ever so charming and by the time we reached their house I felt I had known them all my life.
Again, just as with Ed and Katie, we talked for hours until, having been asked what I’d like to do, I said I wanted to learn a little about their lives. We therefore decided to visit their church, which they had helped to build.
The Holy Cross Episcopal Church is an impressive place. Grand in every way with classrooms, a large meeting room, and of course the Chapel itself. There is no central funding for this church. All comes from the congregation. I admire that they have a shared sense of value and purpose, that their collective faith has been transformed into such a place of worship, and that they are so invested in its success.
We had a marvelous day, at the end of which, and after dinner, Adrian rummaged through his bottles of wine. Holding a bottle of port proudly in his hand he said ‘I have been waiting to drink this for years but have never found the right occasion’. I can’t quite remember how old the bottle was, in fact I can’t remember much after that night, but I think it could have been 50 years old. In any case it was a very fine bottle and I felt privileged, very much so, to be sat with Adrian and Ruth, drinking this rare bottle of port and chatting the night away.
The next morning, as they were about to take me to the airport, I asked Adrian if he kept in touch with his old mates. We were very close he said but I haven’t spoken to them for years. Well, it has to be said, that I do have quite a collection of phone numbers. I rang one of Adrian’s old chums, Tim Vignoles (L53-58), and the two chatted while the years rolled away. ‘That’s what the OS Club is all about’ I thought to myself.
Thank you Adrian and Ruth for your hospitality and friendship, and for ‘slaughtering the fatted calf’ in the form of a very old bottle of port. Very much appreciated and I hope to see you next year in the UK.
Charles Cory (E61-66)
I touched down in Atlanta an hour or so after leaving Greenville. Charles Cory met me at Arrivals. I had promised I would wear my scarf so he could recognise me but being so hot (the weather that is) I hadn’t put it on. However, one finds that Sedberghians hold themselves with a certain grace, and it wasn’t long before we recognised our common ancestry and were shaking hands.
Charles was keen to introduce me to his friends at his local sports bar. I took this as a great compliment and was delighted to meet so many of his chums. Americans are unreserved, at least this lot were, which was great fun. No one held back, and there in the southern state of Georgia I was told jokes, I learned that people could carry handguns (I felt distinctly underdressed) and that people have a simple choice between two candidates in the US elections where views are quite strong. I didn’t venture an opinion, it’s not my place to say anything, and I wasn’t wearing a bulletproof vest.
In the evening Charles’ family cooked a barbeque in my honour. I was welcomed into their home, American style, with his grandson (who is as bright as a button and probably a genius) giving me a perspective on the American youth and their aspirations for the future.
Later, when we went back to Charles’ house, we talked long into the night, over a glass or two of wine, about Sedbergh past and present while his dog Callie, who is a most affectionate companion, joined us in our trip down memory lane.
In the morning we rang John Walford (E61-66) and they spoke after a break of nearly 60 years.
Thank you Charles, and to your friends, family, and Callie your dog, for looking after me in Georgia. I have very fond memories indeed.
Jan van der Velde
Lupton House 1977-1982
Director of Development
Gerald Tyler (W 51-57)
Whilst Jan was flying to North Carolina I touched down in Dallas, Texas to meet Gerald Tyler, the oldest living double Wilson Run winner. Gerald and his wife, Rima, kindly hosted me for the weekend in their beautiful home and they couldn’t have been more welcoming. I had a fantastic weekend reminiscing about all things Sedbergh, but also got a real flavour of Texan life when I was taken to Fort Worth Stockyards.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are an historic district founded in 1890 known as ‘Cowtown’ due to the millions of cattle that have passed through it. I saw cowboys and cowgirls in action as I observed the Fort Worth Herd cattle drive which happens twice a day. I also had the privilege of meeting some of Gerald and Rima’s family for the best steak I have ever had at their local steakhouse. After which we visited their antique business which was full of wonderful items from Gerald’s love of books to Rima’s love of fashion.
Of course the real reason for visiting was to pay homage to this elderly gentleman who, in his day, conquered the ‘Strain and Struggle’ to be victorious twice in the Wilson Run. We may come from different eras but we were united by Sedbergh, and the run that defines us both.
It was a fabulous weekend full of fond memories. Thank you, Gerald and Rima, for your incredible hospitality. It really was a pleasure meeting you and your family. I will look forward to welcoming you both back to Sedbergh for the 2025 OS Wilson Run Dinner on Monday 24th March.
John Standring (E 79-84)
After visiting Gerald and Rima I hopped on a plane bound for Phoenix, Arizona to meet up with John Standring.
I arrived to blue skies overhead and 42 degrees of dry heat and was greeted by a landscape of cacti and giant rocks like something out of a John Wayne classic.
I met John for lunch in Scottsdale and it was a real privilege to spend a few hours with him. He is a fascinating man and I learnt all about his successful career with American Express and his life in Arizona, having left the UK for a role in the US back in 2001.
We shared fond memories of our time at Sedbergh, discussing teachers that we were both taught by during our different eras at the School. I presented John with our customary OS scarf and on this occasion due to the intense heat we decided to wrap it around part of the Pony Express statue, which commemorates the American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders between Missouri and California.
Many thanks for your time John and for making me feel so welcome. I am looking forward to running around the Wilson Run course with you on the morning of the 2025 Wilson Run.
Benjamin Collins (Powell 1996-2002)
Associate Director of Alumni Development
Sedbergh School
