| Name | Attended | Profession(s) | Picture |
| Stephen Alambritis | 1968-1975? | Politician, Journalist and Referee |
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Known as Sooty at
school Stephen (Soterios) Alambritis is Head of Press and Parliamentary
Affairs to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) since 1988. Stephen
was a member of the Cabinet Office Better Regulation Task Force (1997
–2000) along with Chai Patel another former Elliott pupil. He is also a Labour Party Councillor in Merton (2006), and until May 2006 was the Cabinet Member in Merton for Diversity. He has been regularly interviewed on TV and radio including a session with the infamous John Humphreys! In his spare time, Stephen is a member of Merton Volunteer bureau and a Class I Football Association Referee. He enjoys real ale and is a member of CAMRA. |
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| Joe Armstrong | 1993-1997 | Actor |
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Joe Armstrong, who left the school 1997 is
now a successful actor in his own right, following in the footsteps of his father, the well known actor Alun Armstrong. They worked together in the successful TV Series Between the Sheets. Joe's promising career continues today (2006) with Robin Hood the TV series, where he plays the part of outlaw Allan Adale (pictured right). |
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| Geoff Arnold | 1955-1962? | England Bowler |
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Geoffrey Graham Arnold (b. 3
September 1944) is a cricketer who played 34 Tests and 14 one-day
internationals for England. His nickname of "Horse" is based on his
initials of GG. He was a seam and swing bowler, who finished his
first-class cricket career, which lasted from 1963 to 1982, with 1130
wickets at an average of 21.91.
He played for Surrey and Sussex, winning the County Championship with the former county in 1971. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1972. After his playing career, he became a bowling coach. He is currently (2006) assisting Surrey. |
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| Linda Barnett MBE | 1960-65 | Government Senior Executive Officer |
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Linda was Linda Batten when at
school. Her long career in health started at the Artificial Limb Service
at Roehampton, in 1969.
Linda progressed through a number of
Senior Managerial posts on the Department of Health and Social Security
and upon retirement, in 1999, was awarded by the Queen the MBE, for
Services Rendered (see picture right). She now lives in Spain. |
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| Re Bethe | 1963-1967 | Guitarist, Vocalist and Composer |
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"Gyspy" Re Bethe formerly known as "Barry Collier" at Elliott school, was already a rising gypsy flamenco player before arriving there. performing flamenco pieces in provincial UK theatres during intervals, from the age of nine. Finding success during the Nwobhm [New Wave Of British Heavy Metal] with his band Ritual. penning seminal Rock classics such as "Widow" and "Valley Of The Kings". Ritual gained cult status and are widely regarded as vastly influential to the genre. In 1994 he resumed his solo career as a flamenco player, and rapidly gained worldwide acclaim. Gypsy Re Bethe is now regarded by many as one of the finest exponents of gypsy flamenco guitar in the world today He continues to wow audiences all over the globe with his unique and powerful style of flamenco rock. |
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| Wendy Billingsley | 1969-1975 | Musician and Radio DJ |
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Wendy May became a singer for
"The Boothill Footappers" in the mid 80's. She was the only female
DJ on London's Capital Radio in 86-88, and was a presenter on Channel 4's
live music show "The Tube" with Paula Yates and Jools Holland. She went on to DJ for many bands in the 80's, as well as CND and Labour Party events, plus at Glastonbury Festival. She now runs a hugely successful club called "The Locomotion" in Kentish Town. She is proud of the fact she was asked to be the DJ at the wake of the late Ian Dury. |
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| Will Bevan | 1990-1995 | Musician |
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William Bevan is a well respected
dubstep producer who works under the name Burial. His debut album
Burial, was released in 2006 to critical acclaim, with Wire
magazine naming it, their album of the year. A second album Untrue
was released in November 2007 and has been nominated for the prestigious
Mercury Prize. Will preferred to be anonymous and "let the Music do the talking", but much press speculation forced him to reveal his identity in August 2008 |
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| Pierce Brosnan. | 1964 - 1969 | Actor |
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Arguably, the most famous 'Elliottonian'. Many,
many excellent films, the most famous being of course the 'Bond'
Series. Left school to work at the Ravenna Studios in Putney.
We live in hope
that one day we will hear from 'Irish' (an alleged nick name at school) himself and
can then perhaps offer more background. |
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| Owen Clarke | 1991-1998 | Musician |
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Member of the Pop Band
Hot Chip The group was actually
formed while the members were still at the school and early performances
were given there. Owen is also an artist responsible for many cover designs for the records (Though he has given this over to his friend Darren of late as the chip have got busier) and studied at Chelsea and Bath Schools of Art. The group were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2006 One critic has described the London-based 5-piece band as "super cool computer nerds". |
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| Vic Cooper | 1956 - 1960 | Musician and Actor |
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Vic is an
accomplished Musician. His first success came playing with
some school chums, in The Pirates (Johnny Kidd's top sixties band). Later on (1970)
he became a member of the
group Toomorrow (English Monkeys) with Olivia Newton-John and stared
in the film of the same name. The Picture shows Vic (left) with Olivia and
Ben Thomas (the groups guitarist). Vic has also been a Pianist with Tom
Jones. If you want to enlarge the picture of the lovely lady (and of course Vic) click here |
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| Brenda Edwards | 1974-1980 | Dancer & Choreographer |
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Nominated twice for The Cosmopolitan
Woman of the Year, Brenda as well as
being a choreographer and professional dancer. holds the distinction of
being the first black woman to work in a British Ballet Company.
She was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours list 2005, for her outstanding achievement in Dancing. |
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| Frankie Farley | 1953 - 1958? | Musician |
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Drummer with John Kidd and The Pirates
along with fellow Elliottonian John Spencer. Before that, he was (along
with Spencer) part of Wayfaring Strangers, The Ramrods and then The
Redcaps. It was the core of the Redcaps that would replace John Kidd's
existing Pirates, as he moved into the big time.
In later life Frankie would play with the Dakotas and the Cliff Bennett Band, before reforming with his old mate Spencer and Mike Green The Pirates (a name they had been allowed to keep). They are still (2007) performing live gigs! |
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| Steven Fleming | 1969 - 1973 | Doctor and Scientist |
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Steven D. Fleming is currently a
senior lecturer in reproductive medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney and Scientific Director of Westmead Fertility Centre. From 1993 to 1997 he was appointed Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Nottingham, UK, where he established the world’s first master’s degree in assisted reproduction technology with Simon Fishel. He has acted as a consultant to assisted reproduction centres in Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Malaysia and Thailand. his extensive research activities have resulted in numerous publications in various books and peer-reviewed journals, as well as invitations to speak at and chair sessions at national and international conferences. |
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| Peter Green | 1958 -1962 | Musician |
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Peter left to become a trainee butcher, but soon found himself playing the guitar professionally. Firstly with John Mayalls Bluesbreakers where he replaced Eric Clapton and then with Mick Fleetwood and John McVie he formed Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac. They performed together until the seventies, when Peter 'retired from the scene', due in part to the effects of drugs. He reunited with the group on odd occasions and was with them when the were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He composed many great numbers including Fleetwood's first number one hit Albatross. In the last few years he formed Peter Green and the Splinter Group, and has recorded several new albums as well as performing live again. |
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| Joe Goddard | 1991-1998 | Musician |
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Member of the Pop Band
Hot Chip which was formed while
the members were still at the school and early performances were given
there.
The group were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2006. One critic has apparently described the London-based 5-piece band as "super cool computer nerds". Joe is also responsible for much of Hot Chip's home studio production. |
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| Brian Gwaspari | 1961 -1966 | Actor |
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| Having played 'Edmund' in the 1963 Elliott School Production of King Lear, Brian went on to small parts at the Royal Shakespeare in Stratford and later starring and guest star roles in the West End, in films and on TV. Including The Sweeney, The Gentle Touch, Yes Prime Minister, and Waiting for God. | |||
| John Hamell | 1958 -1962 ? | Body Builder, Actor |
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John had an
interest in body building and was successful involved in it during the sixties.
He went into acting and regularly
appeared in the long running soap Crossroads as Dave Cartwright He also had small parts in Doctor Who, Space 1999 and
The Professionals. Films included Tower of Evil, Hardcore and A Dandy in
Aspic. Plus the odd 'slightly hot' movie.
More here
The webmaster has special reason to remember John. I was at school at the same time and on one particular day, I was being picked on by one of the school bullies. John (who I only knew well enough to 'nod' good morning to) walked by and saw this. He 'had a word' with him and I was never troubled again. Thanks John! |
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| Kieran Hebden | 1994 - 1997? | Musician |
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Kieran Hebden began playing guitar in Fridge in his mid-teens, a trio formed with bassist Adem Ilhan and drummer Sam Jeffers. Fridge quickly became a spearhead of instrumental post-rock outfits, releasing three albums, Ceefax, Semaphore and Eph, between 1997 and 2000. By 2001, Kieran had started his own label, Text Records, to release the fourth Fridge album, Happiness. Their music has been used for various TV and film pieces, including the acclaimed Channel 4 documentary series This Is Modern Art. Kieran has now became a solo producer, releasing work under the name Four Tet |
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| Graham Holley | 1964-1972 | Notable Civil Servant |
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On leaving School, Graham became a
Civil Servant and worked in various Government Departments: Education;
Cabinet Office; Privy Council; Defence and Ofsted. He is now Chief Executive of the Training and Development Agency for Schools. |
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| Adem Ilhan | 1994 - 1997? | Musician |
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While still at
school Adem ran a series of events in the School's Drama Theatre, every
Friday lunchtime called The Performance Sessions. He then formed Fridge
along with school mates Sam Jeffers and Kieran Hebden (See Kieran's entry
for more details of Fridge). This was followed by a solo album Homesongs
in 2004.
Adem currently is also the curator of the Homefires Music Festival in London and has his own web site at http://www.adem.tv |
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| Sam Jeffers. | 1994 - 1997 ? | Musician |
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| While still at school Sam formed Fridge along with school mates Adem Ilhan and Kieran Hebden (See Kieran's entry for more details of Fridge). | |||
| Colin Mansfield | 1960 - 1967 | Musician, Composer and Producer |
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Played, composed and produced the bands Fine Art (1978-84) and Grey Area
(1988-91). Produced Husker Du's first single Statues / Amusement.
Colin also produced many recordings in the 'Minneapolis Scene' during the 80s. Composed all the music for the Gizmode radio show, broadcast world-wide during the '80s plus the incidental music for the play Crusoe, performed by Theatre de la Juene Lune. Released solo electronic albums Colinizations II, Black Box, White Table and Millions. |
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| Gary McDonald | 1973 - 1978 | Actor, Composer. |
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An up and coming Actor, Gary is currently breaking in to the USA Market.
Notable UK Performances include the Pilot of London's Burning (played Ethnic). Thief Takers (DC Oxford). Eastenders (Darren Roberts). With appearance in Casualty and the Bill. He has also appeared in several films and Stage Plays. Gary says he is "proud of his Elliott roots" |
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| Greg McKenzie | 1989 - 1995 | Journalist, Radio and TV presenter |
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Greg first UK TV appearance was with
LWT presenting the youth
show The Day In The Life Of A News
Presenter. He followed this by working for
IRN,
CBS (in LA) and the UK's
Channel 5.
He is currently reading and reporting for BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra News. He has a twin brother Michael who works for BBC TV News in New York |
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| Max Middleton | 1958 - 1963 | Musician and Composer |
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Max Middleton is a very accomplished musician, specialising in the
keyboard. Over the years he has been associated with many legendary groups and artists. Including Cat Stevens, The Bee Gees, Peter Frampton, Kate Bush and Chris Rea He joined Jeff Beck's Group in 1971 and their album "Rough and Ready" includes a track called Raynes Park Blues, or Max's Tune, composed by Max while he was living there. More recently released his first solo jazz album called Land of Secrets. |
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| Chris Miller | 1966 - 1972 | Musician and Author |
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Became drummer for the iconic punk
band "The Damned" Adopting the name Rat Scabies, the group
became famous during the seventies 'punk' era.
Still around the 'Music Scene'
and recently co wrote with friend Christopher Dawes
Rat Scabies and the Holy Grail
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| Jeff Mills | 1960 - 1964 | Missionary |
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Unlike so many of us who just moan
about the state of the world and wait for 'the governments' to sort it out,
Jeff has 'got of his backside' and gone out there to help.
He is currently running a Missionary in Guatemala. When you have time go to his website (link in his name above) and read about the Church building, in between Volcano Eruptions and the Murdering, which are common and regular events. |
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| Matt Monro | 1942 - 1944? | Musician and Singer |
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Matt Monro was known by his real name at
School - Terry Parsons. We believe that during some of the war years, he
attended the Emergency School in Southfields, which was vacant because the
Elliott Boys' School itself was evacuated to Woking. His stage name was invented by Winifred Atwell and (like many other UK Stars) he owes much of his early success to George Martin. His brother also attended the School a few year later. Editors note: |
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| Dr. Delyth Morgan | 1974 - 1979 | Former MP, now Baroness |
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A working Labour
Peer in the House of Lords. 1996-2004, was the Chief Executive of
'Breakthrough Breast Cancer'. Baroness Delyth Morgan of Drefelin. She is the daughter of late Julian Morgan and
Ann Morgan and married Jim Shepherd in 1991. Has been involved in and held posts in many 'good causes' including Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Shelter, National Cancer Taskforce and Working for Childcare. She is Parliamentary Under Secretary, Department for Children, Schools and Families. |
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| Martin Newell | 1967 - 1968 | Musician, Poet, Writer and Broadcaster |
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Martin is both a rock singer and a songwriter. In the eighties he joined 'Cleaners From Venus', who were the subjects of a best-selling book 'Lost In Music'. He was also co-writer for the punk-rocker Captain Sensible. By 1993 he had gone solo and released the 'The Greatest Living Englishman' album. He is a regular guest on BBC radio as well as a columnist for several national papers and is said to be country's most-published living poet. |
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| Dr. John Nunn | 1965 - 1970? | Chess Grand Master |
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Dr John Nunn, chess grandmaster,
joined Elliott in 1965, aged 10 (a year early). Appeared on the children's
TV programme Crackerjack with five other pupils in January 1966. London
under-12 Champion, 1964, 1965, 1966. London Under-14 Champion 1968. In
1969 passed two Maths A-levels, grade A in Pure Maths and what he
calls a 'miserable' grade B in Applied Maths, his worst ever maths result!
In October, 1970, aged 15, John went to Oxford University to study maths.
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| Chai Patel | 1968 - 1974 ? | Mental Health and Education Services |
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Chai Patel qualified as a Doctor in 1979.
After spending some years as an investment banker he has been
distinguished in the field of continuing health care, and healthcare
policy issues, being awarded a CBE in 1999 for his services to the
development of social care policies. He is Chief Executive of the Priory Group and a Trustee of the Windsor Leadership Trust; a Trustee of the IPPR; a Senior Associate of the King's Fund; a member of the NHS Confederation Affiliate Forum and a founder member of the New Health Network. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Society of Arts; a member of the Institute of Directors; a Companion of the Institute of Management and has received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University. |
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| Maxwell Reed | Pre 1938 | Actor |
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Successful Actor - including
Daybreak (1947) Blackout
(1950) Flame of Araby (1951).
Born 1919, died 31 October 1974.
First husband of Joan Collins, who lived for many years a few yards from the new Elliott's current site. |
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| Colin Petersen | 1957 - 58 | Actor and Musician |
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Star of a film called Smiley,
plus Cry from the Street and The Scamp. In 1967 he become the drummer with the Brothers Gibb who were then renamed the Bee Gee's hits included New York Mining Disaster and Massachusetts. 'Left' the group around 1969. |
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| Brenda Sawyer | 1948 - 1953? | Athlete |
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English Shot
Putt Champion. Became Brenda Bedford when she married. (Awaiting more info and hopefully a picture).
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| Vincent Sipprell | 1991 - 1998 | Musician |
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Vincent
Sipprell began his musical education at the Centre for Young Musicians and
is a member of the innovative Elysian Quartet. While at College he
led the viola sections of all the College orchestras and was awarded the
Band-Kurtz viola prize. When Vincent isn't playing his viola he is usually recording and performing across the UK with his band Screamer on the Hill, in which he sings and plays a vast array of instruments (but not the viola) and sometimes wears a cowboy hat. |
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| Emma Smith | 1991 - 1998 | Musician |
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Emma Smith is a
member of the innovative Elysian Quartet, who make their living
performing crazy contemporary string quartet music across the world. She started playing the violin at the age of three. As well as performing extensively with the Elysian Quartet, she is also fortunate enough to currently play with Adem (Ilhan), Screamer On the Hill (also all ex-Elliott pupils) and a whole bunch of other wonderful musicians. |
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| John Spencer | 1953 - 1959 | Musician |
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| Turned professional musician in l960 with Frank Farley playing for Cuddly Dudley and the Redcaps. Joined Johnny Kidd and the Pirates in l961 - top 10 hits with 'I'll Never Get Over You' and 'Hungry for Love'. Johnny Kidd died in l966. Reformed The Pirates in l976. Had great success with a number of albums. Now in his sixties he is still touring worldwide and has just finished recording a new album. | |||
| Ed Spevock | 1958 - 1963 | Musician Drummer |
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| Ed was with various groups in the sixties as a drummer, until making it into Babe Ruth around 1973. He then joined Chicken Shack in 1977. Ed currently plays with a Steely Dan and Donald Fagen tribute band named Stealing Dan and Don Ed is also a teacher and founder of Baroque to Rock, a music school for children. | |||
| Colin Stagg | 1974 -1979 | Innocent Victim |
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Colin's name is probably as well
known as that of any former pupil, since he was set up by Police in a
"sugar trap" and wrongly accused of a 1992 knife murder on Wimbledon
Common of Rachel Nickell. He was remanded in custody until cleared by an Old Bailey Judge in 1994. After a fourteen year wait he has finally been financially compensated for the traumatic experience and the real murder jailed. Hopefully, he can now get on with his life. |
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| Alexis Taylor | 1991-1998 | Musician |
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Member of the Pop Band
Hot Chip which was formed while the
members were still at the school and early performances were given there.
The group were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2006 One critic
has apparently described the London-based 5-piece band as "super cool
computer nerds".
Alexis studied English at Jesus College, Cambridge from 1999-2002, during which time Hot Chip played a variety of gigs (with various line-ups) around Cambridge's live music venues. |
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| Alan Trengove | 1941-1946 | Journalist Author |
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Alan was born in London, the son of
an Australian World War 1 soldier and his English wife. They lived in
Fulham, and he was evacuated to Guildford as a 10-year-old at the outbreak
of World War II, attending the Elliott's temporary premises at Guildown
House until the war's end.
He moved to Melbourne a few years later, and became a journalist and foreign correspondent. He is the author of 16 books, ranging from sport to popular history. The photograph shows Alan as one of the torch-runners at the 2000 Olympic Games. |
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| Robert Watson | 1963 - 1970 | Musician, Songwriter and Producer. |
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Formed 1st band
in 1964 with fellow Elliottonian Roger Hall. First record deal with
New Wave band the Speedometors in 1978.(Picture right) Wrote songs
with Chris Thompson of Manfred Mann's Earthband 1979-81 - The Stripper
was featured in the Vincent Price film Monster Club (filmed at an
old theatre in Putney). "Love on the Airwaves" recorded by Chris
Thompson's own band Night was a billboard hit. |
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Regards -
Andy Lambert (Webmaster)
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