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In January, Holmewood became an Educational Trust registered with Charity Commissioners. Many ideas were put forward to improve the facilities including an all-weather pitch, more squash courts, a new library and a new swimming pool.
David Ives took over as Headmaster in the Spring. A mixed generation team tournament took place with M. Hodgson and David Ives victorious.
For the third year running the U13’s won the 8 a-side cricket competition and the U12’s rugby team won the Dudley le May Tournament.
It was a successful golf season winning the Stowe Putter Team Shield. The Holmewood Golf Society was also formed with 50 – 60 members including Old Boys, staff, parents and Governors.
Many trips went on this year including surfing in Cornwall, a visit to Dover Castle, a trip abroad to Italy and a trip to the Norfolk Broads to sail, fish and bird watch.
Arts Week was held at the end of the summer term for the first time. An exhibition was set up displaying the school’s history including old school papers, photographs and school magazines.
Computing, as well as being a club, became part of the timetable for boys in their penultimate year.
During the summer holidays, a full-size all-weather pitch was constructed which could be used for hockey, athletics and tennis. The school could now host five matches at the same time.
An essay extract in the The Holmewoodian read: “… and we had rabbit stew for supper. Afterwards I went to my tent to read Watership Down".
The Surlies band were finally able to tour the USA and Canada acting as great ambassadors of the school. Money for the trip was raised through a celebrity Academic Challenge including Patrick Moore.
The Pre-Prep Sports Day was a success in the sun despite some pupils missing due to measles. The obstacle course organised by Mr. Kennedy caused many laughs.
There was a surfing trip to Bodmin, a skiing trip to Italy and an expedition along the Pennine Way.
After a short and sudden illness, Guy Leadbeater passed away. This shocked the school and Beech House, in which he was a prefect. A squash court was to be built in his memory and a memorial scholarship awarded annually to a child from a Primary School.
Musician and broadcaster Anthony Hopkins opened the Holmewood Week of Arts and Music with a speech on “How to be a Successful Failure”.
The cubs had a successful year visiting the Fire Station, participating in a swimming gala and attending Parade Services.
Tony Pigott, the first Old Boy to play cricket internationally, was selected to play for England against New Zealand.
The Surlies played in front of Princess Anne.
Tom Simpson retired as Editor of The Holmewoodian and recommended a new look.
The new squash courts were opened on the 21st of June by school governor Chief Matthew Mbu. The Leadbeater family sponsored the other court in memory of their son Guy.
The autumn of 1985 saw the new look The Holmewoodian magazine, which was larger and more colourful.
A junior boarding house was created for 7 to 8 year olds with Sally Illingworth in charge.
Pam Shelley retired after twenty-six years as school secretary.
Craft, Design & Technology was introduced into the timetable alongside more computing for the younger pupils.
Diarmid Harrison-Murray won the 9 to 11 section of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
The historians won the Batsford Townsend-Warner shield.
An invitation was issued to all boys and their parents to produce a new school song. A. J. Gerdes were the winners.
There were trips to Leeds Castle, a boat trip on the Thames and a ski trip.
The school production of Peter Pan was a huge success including elaborate stage design, wardrobe and lighting.
The Fathers’ cricket match resulted in an 87 run victory for Holmewood.
The first four days of the Spring term were cancelled due to heavy snow.
Two new geography rooms were completed and building on the sports’ hall finally began.
The swimmers raised £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation – the highest amount collected in the district.
On the 15th of October a huge storm caused widespread damage including leaving people without electricity, water and telephone signal.
After 42 years at the school Sandy and Paddy Helm decided to retire.
The Governors announced that girls were to be admitted to the school. The school numbers would rise by two extra classes bringing the total number of pupils to 420. The initial number of girls would be 40 between the ages of 4 and 9.
The new sports hall was opened by Colin Moynihan MP., Minister for Sport. Lee Hutton, his son Richard and his grandsons Ben and Oliver, who were Holmewood pupils. Old Boys, Tony Pigott and Andrew Townsend, gave an exhibition of cricket.
There were trips to Hollanden Farm Park, the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum as well as skiing in Austria and an Outward Bound trip in Wales.
This was the last year as an all boys school.
Tony Singleton and his team won the Gordonstoun Challenge. The pupils flew from Heathrow to Aberdeen and then onto Gordonstoun to compete in a series of mental and physical competitions.
The fifth summer fête was a huge success raising £1,200.
With the opening of the new Sports Hall and a special piste marked up in the Gallery, fencing was at last established as a competitive sport at Holmewood.
Paul Fowling played Young MacDuff for the Royal Shakespeare Company in a production of Macbeth at the Barbican Centre in London.
