This September, Sarah Simms and I paid a visit to our new incoming President for 2023, Sarah Fulcher. A familiar face and family at Sidcot School, it was lovely to catch up with Sarah on home turf.

Sarah Fulcher, Vice-President 2022, Incoming President 2023 (S. 1974-79)

“Sidcot has been enormous in our family. I first went to Easter at Sidcot in 1962 when I was nine months old, and I’ve been every year since (except for 1980, when I was on my gap year). So I’m a familiar face for those of you who come to the Easter Gathering.

“My grandmother and mother are both Old Scholars and Past Presidents – you may well know Bridget Marriott (!). It’s an honour to be following in their illustrious footsteps. I hope to do them proud.

“Arguably my favourite teacher was Grace Hopes, who blessed my marriage to Jonathan at Sidcot. Jonathan was at Shenfield – we met at an amateur dramatics society and married in 2003 in the Large Meeting House. We had our wedding reception at Yeo Valley (where Angela Cary-Brown was working at the time).”

What are your most memorable moments from your time as a student at Sidcot?

An important and certainly memorable moment for me was when I was selected as soloist, Angelina in Trial by Jury – outgoing Headmaster Mr Brayshaw’s swan song production before retirement. Chris and Jenny Latham were my Houseparents at Newcombe and Chris was also Head of Music. They took us through auditions and one night, after lights out, Jenny came in and quietly ushered to me to get my slippers and dressing gown on and come downstairs. I was convinced something awful had happened to my brother or my mother.

“Now Sarah, we would like you to take the role of Angelina. But the thing is, you have to kiss the Headmaster as part of the production” she said. (Safeguarding was not quite what it is today.)

The next morning, I came down to breakfast in the Old Dining Room (now the Hub), and was summoned over by Mr Brayshaw. “I hear you’ve been asked to be Angelina”, he said, and winked.

On the night (of one of seven shows, as so many wanted to come to see it), my proud grandparents filmed the whole thing. When our ‘kiss’ (show-staged behind a newspaper, don’t worry!) happened, you could hear my Grandmother gasp, and my Grandfather giggle away.

The part began a true love of Gilbert & Sullivan for me. I’ve since been part of all 13 of their shows as part of the Operatic Society, and have also directed The Mikado.

Any highlights since?

The Entertainments at Easter are always wonderful. I have fantastic memories of my father and Johnny Brookes and Morgan Johnson writing skits all weekend to put on as a record on Monday.

Are you looking forward to taking over the reins of Presidency?

I am! I’d also like to add my thanks to Jenny and Adrian Sisman for their term in office – they’re a hard act to follow. I look forward to seeing as many Old Scholars as possible for next year’s Easter Reunion.

To register your interest in a place at the Easter Gathering 2023, please email the alumni office alumni@sidcot.org.uk 

Thank you to Sarah for also joining us at the Northern Reunion in October.  What a lovely sunny day we had in York.