OC legend Viv Cox dies aged 93

We are very sorry to have to report that Viv Cox died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, April 27, 2009. He was 93.

There are few individuals so inexorably linked to Cranleigh and Old Cranleighans. Viv was one of a rare breed who both went to the school and returned to teach there, and in retirement built his home in Edgefield Close so he was able to keep on top of daily life at Cranleigh. Quietly and without fuss, he helped many past and present Cranleighans, his pleasure coming from seeing them thrive in an environment which had given him so much pleasure.

As a sportsman, Viv was a one of those multitalented games players which seemed to be so common in the inter-war years. At Cranleigh he was a colour in all three major sports, and also boxed and played fives. He went on to represent English Public Schools at rugby, and but for a serious knee injury playing for the Old Cranleighans against the School, would in all likelihood have won a Blue at Cambridge. As it was, he became the first OC to be capped by England at hockey.

His war was remarkable, and those of us fortunate enough to sit down and chat with Viv about his exploits were entertained for hours with stories of Churchill, Roosevelt and many A-list celebrities. Undoubtedly many of these stories will come out in the coming weeks.

A thespian at heart, he went on to become a leading British film producer and then assisted Bernard Miles at the Mermaid Theatre, before returning to Cranleigh to teach. His lasting memorial at Cranleigh is the Viv Cox theatre.

He played a little cricket for the OCs but kept abreast of the comings and goings, and in 2001, aged 85, accompanied the OCCC on their Kenya tour, a trek which left many half his age wilting. Viv remained cheerful and energetic throughout. He was also a regular player for the OCHC in the two decades after the war.

"Vivian was my valued and special friend for 42 years, since we were new boys in the Common Room together in 1967,” Mike Payne said. “No friend has shared with me such a fund of reminiscence, so much of it connected to Cranleigh. His wit was legendary, all with a sense of timing honed in the theatre and film world he treasured. I have printed before a 2005 example, when I was driving him to Thames Ditton. Knowing that he was tired, I said: 'Vivian, if you want to have a sleep I'll shut up talking.' 'No,' said Vivian, 'I think the best way is for you to carry on.' "

Viv’s funeral will be private, but there will be an opportunity for us to celebrate his remarkable life and major contribution to the School and the OC community at a Memorial Service, to be held in the School Chapel early next year when it re-opens after its refurbishment.

OCRFC in Spain

Needless to say we had fun in Valencia. Captained splendidly by Steero we played a 3-way tournament with two Spanish sides; spanked the first one, Tamati RC, but rather shot our bolt a tad early and faded against the better second one, the hosts and the oldest club in Spain, Tavernes RC. Still we won on aggregate over the two games! Other than that well, ‘what goes on tour ...’. We saw rather more of the Spanish health service than we would have liked, but fortunately to no lasting effect. ‘Morrisey’ (Ollie Smith) was King of Tour for translation services and all-round good touring.

I don’t think that the Hotel Melia Plaza are going to host another rugby tour though, not for any outrageous behaviour of course on our behalf, more for cultural differences; as an example they were rather fazed by Bradders and ‘Tragedy’ (Ben Gillen) appearing dressed as Smurfs for the day on Saturday; the manager said that it was “not normal” (Rolesy begged to differ). Ben would like to retain his tour name please for general usage.

Thanks as ever to Simon Laws for his efforts, which included a return to the pitch only a year after his quadruple heart bypass; a typical prop he dropped a scoring pass over the line!

OCRFC triumph in Under-21 shield

The Old Cranleighans won the Shield at the Cronk-Cunis Under-21 Public Schools tournament. After beating Eton in the first round they narrowly and unluckily lost to Wellington College in the 2nd, going on to beat Gordonstoun, Eastbourne and Chislehurst & Sidcup in the Shield competition.

Having kicked-off at 10.30, their last match finished at 7.15 - a marathon 5 half games or 200 minutes of rugby!

Awesome 1st XV secure promotion

A magnificent season for the OCRFC finished with the 1st XV unbeaten league champions. They were the only team in Surrey with a 100% league record. Of course they didn't always make it easy for themselves; 9-0 down in the final game at Mitcham with 10 minutes left, they just squeezed ahead on the line 10-9.

Captain Graeme Brown, who will continue next season, awarded the 1st XV tankard to Sam Langmead, who fought off a strong challenge from top try-scorer Tim Roles. Player/coach Andy Houston will also be back next year, although top OC Kiwi David Shaw (recipient of Tony Price's Chairman's award) will be heading back South.

The club finished the season with a fine tour to Zagreb, capital of Croatia, beating the oldest club in the Balkans, Mladost, 45-32.

OC rugby looks forward to continuing its rich vein of form in 2008-09, running three sides with enjoyable rugby for all. New playing members are always most welcome.

The Cronk-Cunis U-21 tournament is on Sunday 31 August. Simon Steer (simon_steer@hotmail.co.uk 07720 078530) is captain again. Contact him if you would like to play.

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