Allan Dodds Tribute

In his after lunch address at the 2008 AGM, our Honorary President John Furlonger said that it was time that Ottershaw Old Boys looked to make a suitable tribute to Allan Dodds.Allan Dodds In 2006/7 we had an appeal for a memorial to commemorate Arthur Foot our first Headmaster.

This was so successful and raised nearly £5000 and so in addition to funding an inscribed plinth and Greek urn in the formal gardens we were also able to finance the planting of a row of trees down to the tennis courts. Both events were marked with an “unveiling” at the Mansion, the Urn in October 2007 and the trees in June 2008.

On both occasions, and with the blessing of the Mansion’s management Committee, we were able to make these events where members and their partners were able to socialise in the formal Gardens with the use of the Mansion’s garden room.

It is now time that we look to mark the role of Allan Dodds, who was not only the second headmaster but also had the unenviable task of overseeing its closure.

One suggestion is that the tribute be in the form of an Otter. We are fortunate in that the modelling of such an Otter could be done by an old boy, Paul Eaton who has already produced a small model which is shown in these two photographs.

The final form of the Tribute or Presentation to be made has yet to be finalised. Ideally it should be something, such as the Otter, placed in the formal gardens of the Mansion to mark and record Allan Dodds role at Ottershaw. But failing this it could be a simple presentation made to Allan.

We hope that old boys will be generous in their donations, equalling or exceeding that for Arthur Foot. While old boys and masters of the Allan Dodds era are the ones expected to make the bulk of the donations it does not preclude others from doing so; old boys, masters, even parents who know Allan through the Old Boys’ Society, or elsewhere.

Donations

Donations for this tribute may be made either by cheque or on-line via PayPal, as follows:

Cheques should be made payable to “Ottershaw School Old Boys’ Society” and can be sent to the Freepost address -

Ottershaw School Old Boys’ Society, Freepost WQFP15, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 3BR.

On-line donations can be made using the PayPal button below: