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Another twelve prep schools had closed. Numbers threatened to reach over 350 at Holmewood House.
J. Mbu was the first Holmewoodian to go to Eton via the Common Entrance exam.
The squash team was very successful winning both the singles and doubles again.
Tom Simpson took over as Editor of the School magazine (1967 – 1984) and was later helped by Shane MacGowan who would become the lead singer with The Pogues.
The senior boys went on a trip to the Twenty-four Hour race at Le Mans.
The Assembly Hall was opened.
The production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was so good it was given a public performance in Tunbridge Wells in aid of cancer research.
Tony Pigott became the youngest ever singles winner of the Prep School Squash Championships. Pigott also helped ensure the first XI hockey team went unbeaten.
There were multiple trips abroad including skiing in Austria and a trip to the South of France.
Another house was formed in the Summer. This was a ‘holding’ house, soon re-named as Ash with Roy and Kay Flitton in charge. By September 404 boys were enrolled at the school.
A concert choir of twenty boys was formed and they gave a carol concert at The King’s School Canterbury and at Rye Parish Church.
Robert Burdon’s production of My Fair Lady was a huge success. The Holmewoodian asked: “when is it opening in the West End?” Charles Steel played Elisa Doolittle and revied an award for outstanding actor of year from TV actor Jeremy Kemp.
The Natural History Society was formed and members visited parts of the Kent and Sussex countryside.
The production of Oliver included ‘Bill Skyes’ parading around with a Great Dane. The Kent & Sussex Courier said “it was a remarkably enterprising production for which the school found a seemingly unending string of talent.”
The format for Speech Day was changed with the athletics in the morning and the prize giving in the afternoon – there was even a helicopter to bring the guests of honour, Lord and Lady Wakefield.
A school ‘pop’ group called ‘Tinned Heat’ was formed and a long playing record was made. A ‘Boarder’s Band’ was also formed.
The 1st XI soccer team was hugely successful, the U10 and U12 cricket teams were undefeated and the swimming team raised £900 for the British Heart Foundation. For the first time centuries were scored at four different levels.
Robert Bairamian left the school as did Robin Williams, who had been one of the school’s first boarders and was appointed Cedar Housemaster on his return.
Andy Trotter passed away. He has been one of the founders of school and was always keen to foster the individual. He encouraged music and art successes as well as academic and sporting prowess.
Author of Watership Down Richard Adams visited the school.
John Liversedge took over as headmaster in the Spring.
Roy and Kay Flitton left to go to France.
For the second year running the school sang Choral Evensong at Guildford Cathedral on Shrove Tuesday and there was a concert trip to Spain.
Tony Wade, the bursar, and his wife Gill left for Saudi Arabia. They had brought order to the school’s finances.
Tim Tracey took over Yew House from Jonathan Quick.
After the departure of Roy Flitton, John Hicks took over the running of the 1st XV and, with the arrival of Ian Soutar, the U12’s became a permanent fixture.
Nine-year-old Andrew Townsend won the cross country for Cob.
Holmewood’s cast of Smike appeared on ITV’s Opportunity Knocks.
Ian Soutar introduced the javelin so there was now a full complement of school athletic events. A new set of twenty-four hurdles and new crash mats meant high jumpers could practice the ‘Fosbury Flop’.
Paddy Helm celebrated 25 years teaching art at Holmewood. In The Holmewoodian she wrote: “it is indeed rewarding to see Art become increasingly important in Prep and Public Schools”.
The 1st XI soccer team won all of their games.
A group of boys went on a narrowboat trip on the Thames starting at Hampton Court and including trips to Windsor and Marlow.
The first five year olds joined the school in the autumn.
For the first time, the school had three matches at different levels against the Kent Schools Cricket Association.
The U11 chess team won the Tunbridge Wells League for the third year running.
S. Ahmadu-Suka won the 1500 metres at the National I. A. P. S. meeting in July.
Oliver was successfully performed at the school again. Robert Burdon announced this would be his final production (his 50th).
John and Margo Liversedge left to go to the English School in Rome. Sandy Helm took over as acting Headmaster.
John MacIldowie retired after more than twenty years at the school. He was a fine cricketer and umpire and taught Geography as well as being the archivist and historian for the school.
The 1st XI cricket team were undefeated and Andrew Townsend was “Cricketer of the Year”.
The first Pre-Prep Sports occurred. Michael Warriner won both the Under Seven Egg and Spoon Race and the Obstacle Race marking the first pre-prep double.
