OV Anthony’s Visit – News

In October 2024, OV Anthony Cross (Os 90-96) was browsing a house clearance shop near his home in Hampshire and was surprised to come across a King’s whole school photo from 1952 – an unexpected find when there was no other King’s memorabilia! Anthony purchased the framed photo and got in touch with the Alumni Office to generously offer to donate it to the School Archives.

Due to the size and fragility of the photo, this meant Royal Mail was not an option, so Anthony arranged a visit – his first proper return to King’s since leaving in 1996.

Joined by King’s Head of Alumni and Business Development, Hannah Sparrey, they took the opportunity for Anthony to have a walk around the full site to see King’s as it is today.

In No 12 College Green, Anthony was pleased to find his old English classroom – one of four he had during his English A-Level. The others were in School House (part of what is now the Matthew Armstrong Library), the Annett Building, which some will know as the New Block, and the Green Room in the John Moore Theatre. The hunt for his former classrooms was on!

In School House he was impressed by the new Café and the space this gives Sixth formers. Anthony reflected on how much nicer it the new Sixth Form space is from his recollection of his own Sixth Form House rooms with their one kettle.

A member of Oswald, Anthony’s House had been based in Fishermen’s Cottages. This is now where the King’s Estates Team is based, but Anthony was still able to see some of the rooms, including where the Sixth Form Common Room had been.

Heading to the John Moore Theatre, Anthony spent some time with Theatre Manager Paul Haynes (Hon OV), chatting about some of the productions Anthony had been in. Interestingly, when Anthony was at King’s, pupils could only study Drama GCSE as an additional option alongside A-levels – it wasn’t available as a subject at GCSE age. Anthony and Hannah found photos from Guys & Dolls on the wall featuring Anthony! In addition to being on stage, Anthony also used to help in the Tech Crew.

As they visited each area, Anthony enjoyed reminiscing about pupils, teachers, and support staff who he remembered from his time at School – including Hon OVs Bob Stone, the Diamonds, and the Le Marchands, who had both taught him English.

Anthony is currently studying to be a priest. He will finish college next year and then go into a curacy in his local area.