Category: News

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Funeral of Dennis Charles Johnson

The funeral took place today, Wednesday 8th October 2025, of Past President Dennis Johnson, 26th April 1936 – 25th August 2025. It was standing room only at Eltham Crematorium as Old Askean , Reverend Alan Bolton led a moving service. The Eulogies, prepared by his family showed the breadth and depth of this wonderful and gentle man.

After the service we retired to the Rectory Field, Dennis had been the Fixture Secretary for Blackheath RFC for many years and the ground is now the home of Askean RFC. There was much talk, plenty of food and drink as Dennis was fondly remembered.

A motley crew of Old Askeans led the singing of the Sandbin

His Old Askean blazer, funeral flowers and some of the many photos that were on display.

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Celebration Dinner to mark 150 years of “The School”

This is a Formal Dinner to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the school. The event is being run in conjunction with the Hatcham Association. The date confirmed as Thursday 6 November 2025, venue Haberdashers’ Hall. This is a black tie/cocktail dress event. The cost is £97.50 per person. Processco reception on arrival, cash bar for wine and other drinks. Further details to follow.

November 2025 at Haberdashers Hall.

If interested please contact Roger Goodman to book a place at roger1.goodman@btinternet.com

Early booking essential as limited places

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Links to other sources of Old Askean Information

There are at least two FaceBook pages/groups related to the Association. The “official” one can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554107793748

Then there is the “Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham (1960s)” group which is an “unofficial” group. This can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/248952745141810

Anthony J. Sargeant who was at School from 1955 -1962 has a wonderful series of Blogposts that can be found at:

https://tonysargeantshropshire.wordpress.com/2017/03/31/haberdashers-askes-hatcham-boys-school-school-captains/

It is well worth following the links on these posts as they bring back memories and have a great wealth of detail about the school and life in those days. Imagine teenagers going to a party wearing jackets with a collar and tie!! It really happened and there are photos to proof it.

Sadly there are parts of school that were less than perfect to say the least. The account below happened in eighties; but I know of abuse (not to me) that happened in the sixties. You can find out about the less savoury parts here:

https://oldaskean.wordpress.com/