“Jeeves, everything in life that is any fun, complained Bertie, is either immoral, illegal or fattening.” P G Wodehouse
Endearing as Bertie Wooster may have been, it seems clear that he never played any of our games, as otherwise he would have discovered the fun that is derived from them. That sense of fun is exemplified in the splendid reports set out below from both home and abroad across the spectrum of our sports. It is true that some of our post-match activities may be fattening for some of us but sitting down to eat, drink and chew the cud with our opponents after a game is part and parcel of what the Jesters is about.
The writer feels that these detailed reports speak for themselves so there is little more for him to say. Happily, your club remains in good heart, our branches are flourishing and the international connections between us all expand and grow stronger. Basically we remain an amateur club of fellow spirits contentedly playing our games, whilst hopefully promoting our various sports and involving the young in them. A complaint may be that little changes and we lack ambition; if you feel this, do please let us know but generally the writer perceives that most of us are content with “more of the same”. We have not thought it necessary or appropriate to have a marketing strategy or a mission statement, provided we continue to attract and recruit the young but you must tell us if we are wrong. Our founder Jock Burnet never wanted the Jesters to be important (nor hopefully has it become so ) but rather a badge of sportsmanship to be worn proudly but lightly. In these days of sportswashing and the commercialisation of sport, we hope that there is still a place for a club like ours to flourish; unsurprisingly we have not yet received a takeover offer from the Saudis!
We recognise that technology can assist in our efforts to communicate between ourselves and you will be pleased ( perhaps even amazed !) to hear that steps are in progress to improve our website and mutual communications with a view eventually to linking us all up internationally and interactively. Those kindly involved will be in touch later on this but one small aspect of it is whether this kind of report is still an appropriate format. Some may feel it should be shorter, punchier and with lots of photos. I am told that, unless you capture your reader’s attention in the first few lines, they are unlikely to read on so I quite understand if you have already given up ! The writer wondered whether AI might solve this problem by writing the report for him but either he has not yet mastered the operation of ChatGPT or, in his view, it still lacks that essential Jesterly ingredient, namely a sense of humour; so we may well be saved from AI taking over yet awhile.
Activities abound. We in the UK are much looking forward to hosting our friends from South Africa in early September (starting with a weekend in Cambridge to which all are welcome) whilst we are sending a team to Canada later in the month. All our sports will participate in the Strawson-Vaughan evening at Queen’s on 8th October, with our annual dinner at the RAC being on 11th March next year. In 2025 the South Africans are due to go to the US, the UK are due to tour South Africa and the Americans are going to Australia so quite a Jesters year coming up. Further activities thereafter but please remember you must all come to the UK in 2028 (probably in late June/early July) to celebrate our centenary. Please put it in your diary now!
Finally and sadly, a moment of reflection for all those members whose deaths are listed below; so many old friends. They are greatly missed but not forgotten.
Richard Johnson reports for UK Squash Another summer comes by, another Jesters squash report written. At the time of writing this report, our dubious ‘summer’ has already seen a large amount of cricket, albeit a shorter format, some tepid football from England at the Euros and the upcoming Paris Olympics alongside immovable staples like Wimbledon. Rarely have I looked at a summer of sport and been so pleased that squash doesn’t face the weather challenges that other sports do. The triathletes topping the list I do not envy, as they make history in late August. Sporting challenges have often included historic and memorable feats although few of these challenges have looked as questionable as breaking a 100-year ban on swimming in the Seine for health reasons. Rarely has the Thames appeared a healthier alternative.
The Strawson-Vaughan match at The Queen’s Club was once again held in October, where the selected Jesters rather reverted to type. We can claim to be successful diners in any location, whether across London, wider British counties or during international tours. Thankfully, in this area of the evening, we continue to excel. Following a rare loss in 2022, England’s coach brought along a strong ‘England select’ team. My main takeaway was the positive impact that being below the legal drinking age can have on sportsmen and sportswomen. While there were a few close matches, notably an incredible 5-set battle featuring Stevie Richardson, the Jesters were swept aside rather convincingly.
The Annual Jester’s tournament was held in January at The Royal Automobile Club and The Queen’s Club. The men’s draw, held at RAC, was incredibly strong. James Snell, returning for the first time since a defeat by Stevie Richardson in 2016, sped through the draw to face Dec Christie in the final. James proved too strong and took his first title. Emily Peach took the Ladies Amateur title in style. Her triumph maintains the pattern of a different winner each year since the inception of the Ladies competition in 2019.
The Annual Jock Burnet Founder’s Dinner was held at the Royal Automobile Club with many Jesters in attendance. Not long after his ‘vintage’ win of the Jarvis Cup, Richard Winter was a popular winner of the Jester of the Year. He has pushed Jesters squash forward, at home and abroad, by introducing many new members to the club and adding a number of brilliant weekend tours to the calendar. After reading their match report, I am certain the Madrid tour will become a popular fixture.
Thanks to Henry Prideaux’s continuing and tireless work, we continue to have a thriving fixture list. This has been augmented by a brilliant set of Young Jesters squash matches and dinners, bringing both men and lady players together for some rousing afternoons of squash and entertainment. Andrew Lindsay and Laura Neill are predominantly to blame for the increased revelry of Young Jesters across London, with others ably supporting them from other clubs. Thanks to both Andrew and Laura for the hours they have put in to get the Young Jesters group thriving. These matches have now gone national with tours to the Midlands and Bristol in the coming year. If you live in these areas, do look out for them in the future.
We also have a new regional representative in the South West in Jamie Shewbrook, who brings a revised set of fixtures managed alongside Adam Lings. We must say a huge thank you to Keith White for his years of dedication, often going over and above in his efforts for the Jesters of the South West.
Will Skjott reports for Eton Fives This season was another good showing for Jesters Fives with a busy match schedule helping make sure that people are getting their fill of matches. We are privileged to be able to continue to use the courts at Westminster and I encourage everyone to play there when they get the opportunity. The Christmas fixture was a highlight as always and thanks to Alex Illingworth for continuing to spearhead this most Jesterly outing.
The Eton Fives Association celebrates its centenary this year and kicked it off with an excellent drinks event showcasing a number of artefacts from its very beginning to the present day. The centenary will be celebrated properly at a dinner at Lords’ on 24th October 2024. In the meantime, I encourage you all to visit the EFA website and see the story behind the creation of the EFA, George Mallory’s fives gloves receipt that was recovered from Everest, and other interesting memorabilia.
It is with sadness that I report that we lost a great champion for all things Eton Fives and all things Jesters this year. Ronald Pattison, a friend since I started playing, was a larger than life character and it is partly thanks to his efforts (and those of Alex Illingworth) that the section remains in good shape and has always been such a presence at events despite its relatively diminutive size. Ronald did a lot behind the scenes for Fives and to the end was involved and worked to change things for the better. His attendance at matches, his recruitment, and his general bonhomie and help will be greatly missed.
Jesters members continue to play an important role in the preservation and promotion of Fives and the club itself continues to contribute to the EFA so as to assist its purposes. While there is deeply felt and understandable disagreement as to how we should preserve our game going forward, where it faces more and more threats from schools wishing to remove their courts, I hope all Jesters, both Fives and non-Fives playing, EFA and non-EFA members, will agree that preserving our game remains our top priority and thought should go into how to do that best.
Unfortunately Jesters Fives outside the capital is struggling to find attendees. Whether this is due to a surfeit of other matches or some other reason I am unsure. While I appreciate that a great many Jesters are in London or nearby it would be good to get some of our more “exotic” matches back in the calendar as they have been dropped due to lack of attendance. The match schedule has been pared down in response to this but I would like to get more matches back and if anyone has any ideas please get in touch. In general can I encourage everyone with an interest to email me at jestersfives@gmail.com so that I can add you to my list.
I would also like to hear from anyone who may be able to assist with running the Jesters Fives section with me or who would be willing to help manage a match or two now and then. Nothing too onerous I promise, and very good fun. I look forward to seeing many of you on court soon!
Ben Hale reports for Rugby Fives We once again took a touring party of more than fifty north of the border to Edinburgh in January 2024 for the traditional weekend of Rugby Fives, playing around thirty matches on the courts at Edinburgh Academy, Fettes College, Loretto School and Merchiston Castle School. Again we sent a four up the road to Strathallan for a game there too, a new match that I haven’t made it to but one that receives excellent reviews. Many thanks to Fettes for hosting the Friday night reception for staff, coaches, school players and parents, opposition and of course tourists, all of us enjoying an excellent curry. A great weekend of Fives for ages 13 to 70 with oppositions including all five schools boys and girls teams, the combined British Universities and Durham University and of course, the Caledonian Club and the Accies. It really is one of the highlights of the year.
Many thanks to all the match managers that got fixtures played this season. We started with the now traditional draw with the RFA as part of the Strawson-Vaughan Memorial Match but picked up a victory against a second very strong RFA side later in the year at Alleyn’s School and also got a win against Rugby School in a match featuring Jesters and opponents of all ages! We didn’t quite beat Oxford University but did acquire a new Jester. We spent a fantastic afternoon at Cambridge University taking on a combined Rugby and Eton Fives team celebrating ten years of their courts with representation from past and present Varsity players, local players and Jesters from further afield.
It was a tough year of scheduling with my biggest disappointment being not making it to Tonbridge where we still haven’t managed to finish early enough for a Tuesday night curry before heading back to London. Maybe next year…
Alastair Gourlay reports for Rackets The 2023/2024 Jesters Rackets season was one to remember, producing some firsts for the club but was mainly about the ladies taking to the game. The Strawson-Vaughan Match, our kick-off for the season produced three pairs in which with great pride and for the first time, the Jesters fielded a female pairing, Isabel Hunt and Isabel Candy to take on the T&RA. And joyful to announce, in this inaugural match, the Jesters was able to beat the T&RA in a Jesterly manner and we look forward to future female pairings competing in this match and others.
Matches were subsequently played throughout the season but another major highlight was the Ladies World Championships which after several hard-fought knockout rounds came down to two lady Jesters, Claire Fahey challenging Lea van Der Zwalmen. Although the match wasn’t played in the most Jesterly manner (it was fiercely competitive), it highlighted the fast advancing nature of the ladies game. The game was a blockbuster with one of the Jesters eventually winning in five games having saved several match points. It was incredibly intense and really highlighted the progress of the ladies game. I would urge you to watch the match on YouTube (search: Ladies Rackets World Championship 2024) to see who won. It was an incredible match.
For the 2024-2025 season, we are proud to continue to support the Amateur game in rackets and it is with pleasure to announce that the Jesters will be sponsoring the British Amateur Singles and Doubles in both the men’s and ladies games. These championships will all be broadcast on YouTube and will hopefully provide a good opportunity of exposure for our club. Serve up and play 2024!
Adam Dolman reports for Real Tennis I wanted to start off by welcoming Minty Oldham to the Committee. Minty brings some much needed youth and drive to the Committee and has already been instrumental in finding not just the next generation of candidates but also the next wave of match managers, which has a been a huge help in resurrecting some fixtures that had fallen by the wayside and ensuring the future of many existing fixtures. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done thus far and your continued support.
The 2023-24 season kicked off as always with the Brigands Peripatetic Weekend at Hardwick where Nigel Sawrey-Cookson and Richard Oldham kindly represented the Jesters. This was shortly followed by the inaugural Strawson-Vaughan memorial match at The Queen’s Club in which 28 Jesters took part. Attention quickly turned to Bridport where Jamie Turner’s Jesters side took on the Hyde once again. Sadly the Jesters suffered a 3-1 defeat but I’m told all losses were received in typical Jesterly fashion and a fun day was had by all. A big thank you to Nick Pellew, John Burnett and Brian Sharp who successfully continue to run the Holyport, Cambridge and MCC fixtures respectively. 2023 witnessed a changing of the guard down at Canford as Richard White kindly managed the fixture after Mansell Jagger’s tenure came to an end. And Andrew Page has dutifully agreed to take over responsibilities going forward. It’s great to see that match continue to take place. January and February 2024 saw the Tomalins once again kick into gear, organising both the Army fixture at Hardwick and the Newmarket match. A huge thank you to Tim and Pam for their continued support and hard work in organising these matches. And thank you too to Simon Robert-Tissot for taking over the Brigands match at Hardwick. Sadly however, both the Oxford and Radley fixtures have come under threat in recent years but thanks to Minty, Chris Lintot has kindly agreed to take over the Oxford fixture and Minty herself is going to manage the Radley match going forward. We are thrilled to see both of those fixtures taking place next season.
Fiona Harrison yet again managed to corral the Moreton and Leamington fixtures into one weekend. The Jesters team was made up of Nick Thompson, Alastair Robson, Derrick Wells, Charlie Wells, Tony (her husband) and herself. They played Moreton on the Saturday and Leamington on Sunday, playing two matches each day. Both clubs were very hospitable and provided great marking, food, wine, coffee and company, making the Jesters very feel welcome as always. They also managed to watch the Tambour Tour final on the Sunday. All in all, a successful weekend of tennis enjoyed by all even though the Jesters sadly lost to Moreton 4-2 but got a hard fought 3-3 draw out of Leamington. I’m told it worked very well making a weekend of it and playing both clubs so we are very happy to be doing the same again next year.
The season came to a close with fixtures at Royal Tennis Court, Hampton, The Queen’s Club, Middlesex and Prested Hall. A special thank you to Corin Jenkins and Simon Talbot-Williams for juggling so many matches and players and to Tim Edwards, who not only organises all the Padel but also manages the Prested fixture for us. And last but not least, Tony Friend who oversees the Dedanist match at the end of May at The Queen’s Club (I believe there was some underspend, so any takers for that match next year might get a free drink!)
Tim Edwards reports for Padel The Jesters padel fixtures continue to evolve with the fast paced growth of the sport. There are now more than 350 padel courts in the UK with new clubs opening almost every week. Highlights of this season included the first fixture in Dublin vs. the Fitzwilliam Club, with the usual high standard of Irish hospitality, a close-fought match and dinner at the club. Some of the visiting Jesters managed to see inside the Dublin real tennis court, a beautiful listed building which is ready and waiting for a suitable investor.
Many thanks to The Queen’s Club for kindly allowing the Strawson-Vaughan Memorial padel match to be held at the club for the first time which meant that four Jesters sports could be played there on one day.
The North of England Jesters held a very enjoyable inaugural fixture vs. Surge Padel in Harrogate and will be entertaining the visiting South African Jesters in September 2024. Yorkshire seems to be a hotbed of padel at the moment with a strong showing in the County Championships and new clubs opening in Leeds and Sheffield.
The combined real tennis and padel fixture at Prested Hall was great fun as was a new fixture against UK Padel at their second site at South Buckinghamshire Golf Club. The fixture there next year will include a round of golf following the padel.
Many thanks to all the padel match managers, all the clubs who hosted us and to the players involved. It is fantastic to now hear of impromptu Jesters padel matches being played at many different clubs in the UK and abroad.
Robert Burton (President of the US Jesters) reports for the United States The US Jesters undertook a survey of our 500 members in April, touching on questions of games (and the possible inclusion of padel), incoming and outgoing tours, membership qualifications, dues levels, communications, haberdashery, and overall satisfaction. The membership is clearly pleased with the club overall and added a variety of helpful suggestions and focus. In particular, over the next year or two the club will look to provide shorter and more accessible events involving our games in addition to the great tradition of two-week touring
Chicago, The Second City, proved to be second to none for hosting another Jesters annual weekend. A record 103 Jesters walked, drove, bussed, trained and flew into town for singles and doubles squash, court tennis, rackets, and padel at the Racquet Club of Chicago, the University Club and the Onwentsia Club.
The club’s most prestigious annual award, the Jesters Cup, was presented to Peter Dunne. Peter has embodied the Jester spirit since getting elected in 2008. He served as president of the US Jesters from 2014 to 2017 and led the way in establishing women members. He was on the 2016 and 2023 US tennis tours in Europe and on the 2017 tennis tour of Australia. He was central in recently creating the Jesters Foundation and is an active leader of the game in squash, real tennis and rackets.
Local gatherings of Jesters took place at a high rate as the club has initiated a structure of regional captains providing structure and energy. Jesters gathered in New York, Denver, Detroit, Charleston, Atlanta, Santa Fe, Baltimore and Southern California throughout the year.
The second Australian Jesters tour of the US was a dazzling success. The Australian Jesters descended on nearly all US tennis courts, including the T&RC in Boston, International Tennis Center in Newport, Tuxedo Park, the R&TC in New York, Westwood, the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, the Georgian Court in New Jersey, the Racquet Club of Chicago, and an early preview of a new court at Sand Valley Golf in Northern Wisconsin. Many thanks to all hosts over the two-week period. The US is planning to return the favour and tour Australia in 2025.
With many thanks to Christina Brownell as US Jesters Fixtures Chair, the 2023/2024 college squash season was a terrific success. A total of 27 teams participated in five round-robins, which meant 250 collegiate squash players outside of varsity programs were able to get competitive matches because of US Jester support. In addition, The Jesters Foundation has extended the reach of the club by providing coaching support. The Foundation gifted coaching stipends to University of Michigan, University of Illinois, Northeastern University, Drexel University, Georgetown University, Arizona State University, and Yale University.
Among the US Jesters we lost during the year were a number of very significant contributors to the club and our games during their lifetimes, and people who would be well known to this audience. We will miss: Lenny Bernheimer, a great player who filled nearly every role possible in US squash for the Jesters and for what was, in his era, the USSRA; Alan Fox, an architect of the game on the West Coast from the beginning and who, together with Purdy Jordan, built our relationship with Mexico and the doubles players there. We also will miss long time and active Jesters Ed Johnson and David Body.
Keith Flavell (Chair of the Canadian Jesters) reports for Canada British Columbia: The BC Jesters increased their financial support from two to three junior tournaments (Jesters PNW Juniors, Jesters BC Junior Open, Jesters Jericho Junior Open). The BC Jesters Doubles Tournament continues to raise a significant amount of money to support Squash BC programs targeting juniors and post-secondary grassroots programs. We launched the partnership with Squash BC resulting in the Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Squash Initiative and Travelling Jesters Programs. The PSI is now up and running at six post-secondary institutions across BC and the BC Jesters Doubles Calcutta tournament raised over $3K for the PSI program. We continue to provide human capital for both programs that are run under the Squash BC umbrella, with expanded participation in September. Vancouver was the host city for the 102nd Lapham Grant tournament (April 18-21, 2024), with an all-Jesters tournament committee, as well as many non-playing Jesters volunteering with tournament support at the clubs and social venues.
Alberta: In 2023-2024, the Prairie Jesters continued to be one of the main sponsors for the Alberta Jesters Junior Bronze Series, now in its 4th year of operations, focusing on introducing our new juniors to the sport in fun one day tournaments primarily held in Calgary and Edmonton. We also supported the 2024 Alberta Jesters Junior Open, which is now a Squash Canada National Junior Circuit Event hosting over 200 juniors from across the country. We introduced the first ever “Spirit of the Jesters” awards to ten amazing young people from across the country. The recipients were nominated by coaches and referees that were present all weekend. The award was very well received and will hopefully inspire these young people to continue to emulate the “Spirit of the Jesters” (written by South African Jester Rob Van Heerden) and one day inspire them to be become members of the Jesters club. We also were the main sponsor for the 2024 University of Calgary Championships held in March, the first championships held at the University since 2018. The hope is to grow this event at the post-secondary level and open up the event to all Alberta students over the next 2-3 years. We also hosted a couple of fundraisers this year, including the Christmas Calcutta Doubles at The Glencoe Club and a Christmas wine-tasting event. All the events were a great success.
Manitoba: With support from Squash Manitoba we were able to start a Jesters junior squash program in 2019. However, due to Covid and the loss of some key members the program was paused but we are working to get a new program started this coming year. We are anticipating that a project will be announced soon to build new international sized courts at the University of Manitoba thanks to a generous donation from a Manitoba Jester. Details to be released soon!
Ontario: 2023 was an active year for squash in Ontario with strong participation across the province. Full programming returned for all age groups and attendance is nearing pre-pandemic levels. Jesters social activities included a well-attended spring party where four new members were inducted to the Ontario nest and a Christmas gathering featuring some very competitive hardball doubles. The Jesters University League, run by the Ontario Jesters and Squash Ontario, continues to build involvement at institutions across the province with 22 teams now involved. The women’s trophy has been named after Canadian Hall of Fame member Anne Smith. Anne has spent a lifetime as a leader in squash both on and off the court. This joins the Bert Keene men’s trophy which was initiated in 2021.
Quebec: Jesters support for junior and university activities in Quebec continued wherever possible, including sponsoring the Quebec University league tournament at McGill and providing financial assistance for our men’s and women’s champions to travel and participate in the national finals as well as support promising junior players. We also observed that the “squash urbaine” program (to bring under-privileged school children into the sport) in Montreal continued and were happy to continue providing financial support for a new “squash urbaine” program in Quebec City.
Atlantic Provinces: Squash is thriving in the Atlantic Provinces. With the financial support of the National Jesters board, the Atlantic Provinces have implemented a Jesters annual junior program. This was held at the Moncton Squash Club with coaches and juniors from all regions except Newfoundland. It was a great success with plans already in the making for next year, trying to make it more feasible for Newfoundland to make the big trip. The organisers were very appreciative for the National Jesters support. Even though this is an annual event we are still promoting Junior squash on a regular basis and are looking forward to getting more involved in University Squash. We have been preparing for the UK Jesters tour this fall and are curious to see what the new schedule will bring. We have always been the first to host the tour when they are fresh and ready to go but are not sure what to expect this time round as we are receiving them at the end of their tour!
Paul Barrow (Chair of the South African Jesters) reports for South Africa The SA Jesters have enjoyed a busy twelve months, the highlight being the visit by the Canadian Jesters in September last year. Their trip included a safari to neighbouring Botswana and then visits to our various regions including Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, St Francis Bay, Knysna and Cape Town. Much fun was had by all and it is always a pleasure to be able to open our doors to touring teams. Our good friends from Zimbabwe, headed up by the ever-enthusiastic Mike Burns, also joined us for the Johannesburg leg and are always most welcome.
Our side to tour the UK later this year has been selected, under the leadership of Trevor Fryer and have a special couple of weeks to look forward to. We are most grateful to Robert Dolman and his team for all the work that they are putting in behind the scenes.
Padel continues to grow in popularity over here and it is exciting to see the number of people that are now hooked by the sport. It is particularly encouraging to see how non-ball players are drawn to the game and we believe that there will be a positive spin-off to ball sports in general. We have introduced regular padel fixtures to run alongside our traditional squash fixtures. These have been well-supported and it is great to see players of varying standards having so much fun together. We have also started to bring in our first Padel Jesters and they have integrated well into the club. The introduction of the candidate Jester system is also working well and has enabled prospective Jesters to gain a better understanding of the movement before being formally elected.
Egoli Squash have done an incredible job in promoting the growth of squash amongst under-privileged communities. We applaud Glenn Lazarus and Dikana Mthombeni for the amazing work they do. We continue to support them wherever possible and are pleased to hear that they have also recently been working closely with the US Jesters. We encourage local Jesters to become involved in this worthy cause.
Jonathan Buckley (Australian Jesters Representative) reports for Australia Australian fixtures in 2023 featured matches at Ballarat in February, playing Ballarat Tennis Club and The Wanderers, Melbourne in March vs. Royal Melbourne Tennis Club and Melbourne Cricket Club, a Hobart weekend in June and the Sydney Jesters at RMTC in September.
The Australian Jesters toured the US in September 2023. The touring party (of six players and five spouses) visited most of the active real tennis courts in the US. It comprised Jonathan & Katie Buckley, Chris & Claire Cooper, Jason Gray & Jeeva, Rudi & Jennifer Michelson, Wayne Spring, Craig & Gill Williams. It was a non-stop tour requiring high levels of fitness and endurance to survive three weeks of tennis and non-stop partying across ten US cities and towns. Starting in Boston, the party moved to Newport Rhode Island, before a base at Tuxedo Park enabled trips to the R&TC in New York. The tour coincided with the World Championships, allowing us to watch days two and three at Westwood Country Club. Then on to Philadelphia, via Wilmington Country Club, for games, before a special treat at the Lakewood court. Chicago hosted the memorable Jesters Weekend, preceded by a visit to Sand Valley and a view of the newest real tennis court in the world. What a wonderful tour! The hospitality and camaraderie were outstanding. We are immensely grateful to overall tour organiser Jim Zug, as well as all the local managers and gracious hosts and hostesses who welcomed us so warmly, billeted us in their homes and treated us like family. It was the trip of a lifetime!
A collection of photographs from the tour may be seen at: https://photobook.onelink.me/QDvH/ephotobook?file=M6Zeb
Learning from the activities of the UK and US Jesters, we are looking at arranging a regular Australian Jesters weekend. The Australian Jesters will host a return tour by the US Jesters in April 2025.
The President has been informed of the sad loss of the following UK and Overseas Jesters:
Robert Ash (UK Jester, elected 2000), Charles Aylwin (UK, 1959), David Body (USA, 1980), Lenny Bernheimer (USA, 1977), Claude Brownlow (UK, 1967), M C Cadge (UK, 1964), G P W Cashell (UK, 1958), Michael Coulman (UK, 1955), Derek Drummond (Canada, AT, 1965), Oliver Everett (UK, 2018), Richard Foulkes (UK, 1969), James Freeland (UK, 1965), Robin Gowlland (UK, 1954), Grant Hamilton (SA, 2001), Tony Henman (UK, 1975), Ed Johnson (USA, 1977), David Kemp (UK, 1960), Lance Kinder (UK, 2009), Neil Lawson-Baker (UK, 1975), Sam Leigh (UK, 1992), Clifford Leuw (UK, 1964), Dr G C Metcalfe (UK, 1951), Robin Orr (UK, 1960), Ronald Pattison (UK, 1996), E. Victor Seixas, Jr. (USA, 1965), Group Capt. Colin Sexstone (UK, 1985), Raman Subba Row (UK, 1952), S M Swerling (UK, 1970), Rowland Thompson (SA, 1983), Irving (John) Thornycroft (SA, 1986), Alex Wilson (UK, 2014), Peter Wilson (UK, 1979).