38 ST O SWA LD S HOUSE

It was in 1920 that Fr Edmund Matthews, Headmaster at the time and later Abbot, spoke about the need for some form of house structure at Ampleforth. At the Chapter of 1920, a proposal to build a house for forty boys was passed unanimously. In 1926 the first new house was ready and was dedicated to St Cuthbert. The remainder of the Upper School was divided into three houses: St Aidan's, St Bede's and St Oswalds. Fr Stephen Marwood was asked to oversee St Oswald's and so became its first Housemaster. Since they were all located in the main school building, these three houses took longer to acquire separate identities. It was not until 1933 that St Oswalds acquired its first permanent home in the Old House.

St Oswalds House
by Patrick McBeth

Fr Stephen Marwood (pictured left), or Steeny as he was known to generations of Amplefordians, was by all accounts a remarkable man. Fr Paul Nevill, Headmaster of Ampleforth 1924-1954, said: He was the greatest of Ampleforth schoolmasters. He had a marvellous mixture of strength and uprightness. It was said that he was a power of good wherever he went and if one single word could sum up his presence, it would be the Latin gravitas. He was never seen to hurry. He was a splendid teacher, actor and mimic, with a fine tenor voice, which he used to great effect in the choir, on stage and on the touch line. In 1949 Fr Bernard Boyan succeeded Fr Stephen. He was a stalwart officer in the OTC, known affectionately by his boys as Bunsen Burner. Fr Bernard remained Housemaster for 15 years, and it was said that he missed the House dearly, when successive appointments eventually led him to being placed in charge of over 1,000 nuns in the Archdiocese of Liverpool!

Housemasters
1926-1949 1949-1964 1964-1981 1981-1992 1992-1998 1998-2003 2003-2011 2011 Fr Stephen Marwood Fr Bernard Boyan Fr Adrian Convery Fr Justin Price Fr Christopher Gorst Fr Gabriel Everitt Fr Chad Boulton Mr Patrick McBeth

Fr Adrian Convery became Housemaster in 1964, having been a boy in St Oswalds himself. It was during his time as Housemaster that the Old House (pictured right) was abandoned and St Oswalds moved to its current home, Nevill House, in 1973. To many this was no surprise for as early as 1846, apparently, the building had been in danger of collapse. A surveyor, called in to advise at that time, remarked: It is in a most dangerous state. I would not allow a child of mine to sleep one night in it! Fr Chad was the last monastic Housemaster of St Oswalds. Known for his competitive nature, capacity for friendship and his inspirational Jaws, he was loved by all the boys. Like Fr Gabriel before him, in his new position as School Chaplain, Fr Chad remains a strong presence in the lives of all the students at Ampleforth.

39 SY O SWA LD S HOUSE

Patrick & Frances McBeth

Over the years many Old Boys of the house have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields. Sir David Stirling (O34) founded the SAS and John Ryan (O40) was the animator and cartoonist who created Captain Pugwash. Seventeen members of the House, including Fr Adrian and Fr Christopher (who was also a Housemaster of St Oswalds) joined the community here at Ampleforth, two became Dominicans and two became secular priests.

I think St Oswalds strength lies in the fact that its boys are involved in every aspect of school life. A First Team cannot be found without a member of our House in it; nor can a theatrical production; nor the leading lights of the CCF. We are also involved in the musical side of Ampleforth, with numerous boys involved in the various school ensembles, along with the Pipe Major of the Highland Band. There are boys in the House who are integral to the spiritual side of SHAC, lending their hand to serve at Community Mass and being instrumental in the running of Lectio groups. I am very proud to be the Head of a House where boys throw themselves into all the school has to offer.

With the arrival of Patrick McBeth and his wife Frances, in September 2011, St Oswalds, for the first time in its history, does not have a monastic Housemaster. However, the Benedictine ethos of the house remains strong, and one would be forgiven for thinking that little has changed, given the large role that Fr Henry Wansbrough, the current Chaplain of St Oswalds, plays. Fr Henry leads prayers morning and evening in the House, and has taught the House to sing Compline, which takes place each Monday night. St Oswalds has always had a strong family atmosphere, and the boys are known for their warmth, kindness and good humour. These qualities remain strong in the House. A message from Josh Reid, our current Head of House describes the house fittingly: