The Bugle - Autumn 2022

THE BUGLE

STAY IN TOUCH CONTENTS

Stay in Touch 2

Stay Connected 2

Bolton School Merchandise 2 Welcome Messages

Roy Battersby, President of the Old Boltonians’ Association 3 Nic Ford, Head of Boys’ Division 3 Foundation News

Welcome from the Head of Foundation 4 Welcome to New Governors 4 The Mail Bag 5

Equality and Diversity Report 5 School News

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 6

New Head of Park Road: Steve King 6 Boys’ Division Teachers are Tops: Teacher Awards 6

New Head of Beech House: Jo Field 6 New Recruit to the Development Office 7 Ironman 7

Leavers’ Celebrations for Year 13 7

LGBT+ History Month 7 Results Day Celebrations 8

Chapeau! French Spelling Bee 8

Local Firm Sponsors School Football Shirts 8

Founders and Benefactors Assembly 8 Skate to School Day 8 Teachers’ Charity Walk 8 Continuing Support 9 School Celebrates Record Donation to the Bursary Fund 9

Old Boy Features

Inspiring the Next Generation 10 Marching in the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II 12

Prizegiving: Guest Speaker Iain Ross 13 Stage-Struck: Old Boys in the Performing Arts 14

Old Boys Go Global 16 Alumni Authors 17

Farewell to Caspar Joseph 19 Spotlight on Richard Catterall, Jen Brewer and Helen Thomson 20 Find Your Path Mentoring Scheme 22 Events 23

Sports

OBAFC Report 27

Old Boltonians’ Golf Society Report 27 24-Hour Five-a-Side Memorial Football Match 28

Mervyn Brooker Memorial Cricket Match 28

OBAFC Centenary Dinner 28

Old Boys Mark Water Polo Anniversary 28

MCC Cricket Match 28

Old Boys’ News News of Old Boys and Former Staff 29 Alumni of the Year Awards 33

Graduations 34

The Boltonian 35 Mini Reunions 36

Freemasonry 36 Archives

Ask the Archivist: How Did the Second Viscount Leverhulme Support Bolton School? 37

Looking Back 38

Scout Camp Wiltz, 1951 39 Lives Remembered 40 In Memoriam 43

Connect with Old Boys and Old Girls on the Bolton Alumni Network: www.boltonalumninetwork.com

‘Like’ our Facebook page for event invitations, School news and memories: search Bolton School – Old Boys and Old Girls (Official)

Connect with fellow Old Boys on LinkedIn: connect with Bolton School Alumni and join the Bolton School Group

Follow School and Alumni news via Twitter: @BoltonSchool/@BoltonSchAlumni

Follow boltonschoolalumni to keep up with news, events and memories on Instagram. You can also follow bolton_school_foundation for the latest news and photographs from School and use #BSAlumni to share your own memories and photos.

Watch short films posted on the School’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/ boltonschoolmedia

Read regular blogs from pupils and staff from across the campus: boltonschool.me/

View photos of Alumni events on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/bsalumni/albums

CONTACT US

Development Office Bolton School

Chorley New Road Bolton BL1 4PA

T: 01204 434718

E: development@boltonschool.org

THE TEAM

Rebecca Brayshaw Development Manager

Laura Firth

Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Frances Johnson Development Officer

Rebecca Kendrick Development Assistant Emma Metcalfe Alumni Engagement Officer

Visit the ‘Former Pupils’ section of the School website at www.boltonschool.org to see event photos, read Alumni career profiles, find news of Old Boys, view an up-to-date events calendar, update your contact details and more.

Stay Connected

We hope you enjoy being kept up-to-date with what is happening at School and within the Old Boy community as much as we value the opportunity to stay connected to you. If your contact details have changed, or if you have not yet let us know your communication preferences and wish to continue hearing from School, then please contact the Development Office as soon as possible, or complete the Former Pupil Registration form found in the ‘Former Pupils’ section of the School website, www.boltonschool.org

Bolton School Merchandise

A variety of merchandise, including our new style hoodies, priced at £25 each and available in black or burgundy, is available from the store on the School’s website. Please visit www.boltonschool.org to see the full range and find details of how to order.

All profits made from the sale of merchandise go directly to the School’s Bursary Fund which helps to make a Bolton School education open to all academically gifted pupils, irrespective of their families’ financial situations.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to the Autumn 2022 edition of The Bugle. I am sure you will find the contents in part informative and also in part unashamedly nostalgic.

On 8th September we were devastated to learn of the passing of our longest serving monarch, HM Queen Elizabeth II. Few can recall a time when she was not Queen. I can (just), as she became Queen in 1952, the year before I became a pupil at Bolton School. It is appropriate that in this edition we honour the late Queen’s memory. We will always treasure her life of service to the nation and the Commonwealth carrying out her duties with dedication, wisdom, and a sense of public service which sets an example to us all.

It pleases me to be able to say that during this calendar year the Association has been able to undertake its various activities following our emergence from the Covid restrictions. I thoroughly enjoyed the Scottish Dinner at the University of Edinburgh where I was able to meet and catch up with a number of old friends. The Cumbria Lunch enjoyed marvellous hospitality at the Lindeth Howe Hotel and was very well attended. The football dinner in belated celebration of the Club’s centenary was a huge success with the highest numbers for some time. Those attending

included many former players, friends of the OBA Football Club and current players from men’s, ladies’ and veterans’ teams. I am informed that there was also a sizeable donation from the proceeds of a raffle and auction to the charity “Young Lives vs Cancer”.

At the end of April there was a memorable Reunion for those who left in the ‘1’ classes, again with high numbers attending, who assisted me in celebrating a significant birthday – many thanks for that.

I have had the good fortune to read the School’s GCSE and A Level results. GCSE students have been celebrating an excellent set of exam results despite the two-year Covid disruption. Celebrations are also the order of the day for Sixth Form students receiving their A Level results. I understand the same applies to the Girls’ Division. Congratulations to everyone for these outstanding achievements which, I am sure, are due to the hard work and perseverance of the students and their teachers.

The Association’s calendar of events has its own familiar rhythms, which we shall be continuing during the course of this academic year, and I look forward to welcoming you to as many of those events as possible.

Roy Battersby (Class of 1961) Old Boltonians’ Association President, 2019-22

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF BOYS’ DIVISION

2022 will be remembered by many as the year Queen Elizabeth II died and the reign of King Charles III began. In the Boys’ Division we gathered in the Great Hall to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II just as boys will have done in 1952 following the death of King George VI. We celebrated together her life of service, her dedication to this country and the example she set to us all. Her leadership showed great strength, dignity, kindness and compassion; qualities we hope to instil in the boys.

This year will also be remembered in education for the return of public examinations following a two year hiatus. It is quite remarkable that for some of our Year 13 boys their A Levels were the first ever external examinations that they have sat and for the others the first ones since they took their Year 6 SATs at the age of 11. Understandably, for many Year 11 and Year 13 boys, there was a lot of nervousness ahead of the results days, but they soon became full of joy and celebration as the School’s results were once again excellent. Those important character traits of resilience, determination and hard work, combined with the creativity and persistence of teaching staff over the past two years, have once again ensured boys have excelled in their examinations. It is therefore really pleasing to see the efforts of teaching staff recognised at local and national level and I know you will enjoy reading about some of these in this edition of The Bugle. I also know that, for many

readers, the retirement of Caspar Joseph after 36 years of service to the School will be of particular note.

Looking back to the final weeks of the Summer term, I was delighted to be able to lead my first Prizegiving celebration and to be able to welcome Old Boy Iain Ross to award the prizes and deliver the keynote speech. After two failed attempts to get Iain to Prizegiving due to Covid, he demonstrated that he was worth waiting for, delivering a truly inspirational address that resonated with everyone in the audience. The wealth of talent and expertise amongst the Old Boys is clearly evident in this edition and I know you will enjoy reading about how they have continued to inspire the current generation of boys in School through their involvement in a variety of programmes and initiatives.

As I sit in the Study at the start of a new academic year, I am full of excitement for what the new year will bring. I know the boys will continue to show great resilience, creativity and determination; drawing on the inspiration and guidance of their teachers and Old Boys. As we embark on what we all hope will be a ‘normal’ year, I am immensely grateful to all members of this School community as I know that we will continue to thrive, by working closely together, regardless of whatever else may happen.

Nic Ford Head of Boys’ Division

FOUNDATION NEWS

A

Message from the Head of Foundation

Our ‘new’ Foundation arrangements are now a year old and I am pleased to report that all we hoped would be achieved has been so far: a sense of collective and purposeful endeavour, whilst celebrating the distinctive identity of our various schools, each with their long and important traditions.

Those traditions helped us to process the shocking news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Just as had been the case in 1952, there were special assemblies in both Divisions to share our thoughts and feelings. The Presentation Evening in Girls’ Division took place in the week of national mourning and it was a pleasure to lead our thoughts on using Her Majesty as the example of a life well lived.

It has been a pleasure for me to be part of the yearly round of Girls’ Division events, from a passing mention (albeit for my predilection for Twitter) in the famous Prefects Panto to feeling very much part of the end of term commemoration for Dr Spurr, Reverend Plant and Miss Dickinson. The real spirit of Girls’ Division for me was shown in two successive days in the Great Hall. One morning we had the Founders’

Welcome and Farewell

The Bolton School Foundation has recently appointed three new Governors, all of whom are Alumni, and all of whom bring a wealth of expertise to the Governing Body.

Suve Banerjee (Class of 1999) is a compliance lawyer focusing on bribery, corruption and serious fraud risks. Suve was generous with his time during lockdown, helping current members of the School prepare for their law degrees, and his legal background and experience will be invaluable as the Foundation maintains its compliance in an ever more complex world.

Dr Victoria Gibson (Class of 1993) is a Senior Social Researcher. Having worked for a wide range of local Safeguarding Boards, for adults and children, she is well-placed to support the Foundation in fulfilling its safeguarding responsibilities, as well as more general Governance roles. She is also a keen campanologist.

Janet Woods CBE (née Aldred, Class of 1965) is an education and school improvement adviser and consultant; following a successful teaching career, she has held a number of senior positions in education in the North West and has extensive experience of both the independent and state sectors. Janet will add huge

Day assembly, the first in Girls’ Division and a solemn and important occasion, with the School Song, prayer, readings and Jerusalem. The next morning was the Sixth Form leavers’ assembly, with the same Great Hall filled with noise, laughter, joy, quizzes and sketches. We really can do everything. As well as that I have been able to enjoy Boys’ Division events and to begin to define the Primary Division, which will doubtless have its own traditions, as well as retaining those unique to Beech House, Hesketh House and Park Road.

An overarching theme for Foundation life as we embark on a new academic year will be friendship. I am sure that for many of you the friends you still have from your School days are one of the most enduring benefits of being at School. The word ‘friends’ may have been trivialised by social media, where it is possible to have many thousands. But real friends, who help shape the expectations of the world you live in, how you think about yourself, who buoy up and also who moderate excesses, are an astonishing gift. As the young people grow up past the Covid years, we will focus very much on how having good friends and being a good friend can make all the difference to so much in life.

Philip Britton, MBE Head of Foundation

experience and value to the educational work of the Governing Body. She is without doubt well connected at School – she is an Old Girl, as was her daughter, and now her granddaughter is at Hesketh House.

At the same time as the arrivals, we have said farewell to two Governors who are also Alumni of the School.

Charles Cowling (Class of 1981) joined the Governing Body in 2007 and brought his professional financial expertise to roles as Chair of the Finance Committee and the Investments Committee at various times during his time as a Governor. Charles was also a parent to three boys and one girl at School, through which he gained useful insight into everyday life and, amongst other things, became a great advocate for the excellence of Music at School. His early education was also at Bolton and perhaps from that early start absorbing the ethos, his passion for charitable work has grown, amongst other things having run several marathons for good causes over the years.

Louise Relph (née Collins, Class of 1976) joined the Governing Body in 2009 and brought her experience as a District Judge in the family courts to our safeguarding work. Louise was Head Girl when she was at School and later was a parent in Boys’ Division, so was able to use her own sense of the School’s ethos and her experience as a parent, as well as her professional expertise, to make wise Governance decisions.

Suve Banerjee

Victoria Gibson

Janet Woods

Charles Cowling

Louise Relph

THE MAIL BAG

A selection of emails and letters received since the last edition of The Bugle was published.

STAR LETTER

Boxing in the Boys’ Division

David Grime (1943-1948) read with interest about the success in the boxing ring of Old Boy Ike Ogbo (Class of 2011) in the Spring edition of The Bugle and it took him back to his own record in the ring.

“In 1943 in my first term at School we were in the gym with Mr Sayer (ex-army school of physical training) and he gave me a pair of boxing gloves and told me to put them on. They came up to my elbows, and he told me to hit him. I did, but I missed him and he hit me. As a result, I was selected to box for Chorley House in the annual contest in the Under 5 Stone class. I boxed Alan Clarke and lost.

“The following year, 1944, I was again selected in the Under 5 Stone class. I boxed Keith Simm and lost. It did not help that I had on someone else’s shorts which were too big; every time my shorts started to slip down, I dropped my guard to preserve my modesty and Keith hit me. He went on to captain his University boxing team.

“In 1945 I was again selected in the Under 5 Stone class. However, I was not allowed to compete as I was so much older than any other midget. I retired from the ring unvictorious.

“When I left School in 1948 I had at last passed under 5 stone, but not by a lot. Now, at the age of 90, I have never reached 10 stone, although I am a reasonable height, and my friends call me Napoleon because you can see my boney parts.”

School releases new Equality and Diversity Report

After the death of George Floyd in May 2020 and the subsequent international awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement, many institutions were catalysed to examine their approach to diversity and inclusion. At Bolton School, this was encouraged by Alumni, who wrote to the School and then helpfully and constructively engaged with us in examining the past, assessing the present and making sustainable changes for the future to School life.

First Impressions

Joe Eden (1944-1952) has recently been occupying himself with writing his memoirs, each week answering a different question about his past. In answer to ‘What are your impressions of Bolton School, past and present?’ he found he had plenty to write about!

He begins: “My first impression of Bolton School was when I went for an interview with Mr Poskitt, the Headmaster. It seemed to be enormous, even though, at that time, the building was only half completed. Furthermore, I didn’t realise that only half of it was the Boys’ Division!

“When I was sitting at my desk, I realised how fortunate I was to have been awarded a Foundation Scholarship. The other thing I soon realised was that I could not tell which of the boys were from richer families, or, like myself, from a working-class background. I never saw any bullying. We were separated only by our Houses, of which there were four, which were really for sports. I also realised that neither I nor others were developing a Bolton School accent. In other words, I felt at home.”

Joe’s memories of School, including his sporting achievements and how Mr Poskitt saved his future, can be read in full on the School’s website at bit.ly/2B7eVVj

This year’s report summarises the activity and change in School since our last report in June 2021. Similar reports will be produced in the summer of every year for five years to ensure a sustained approach to the issues and in order to systematically change habits within School life. For those interested, links to both this year’s and last year’s reports can be found at bit.ly/3BuEsVo

Head of Foundation Philip Britton said: “May I thank all colleagues who have been involved in all the activity recorded in the report. It really is impressive as a summary of our work on an issue that will continue to remain a focus of activity for some time to come. My thanks especially to Mrs Waller and Ms Bradford-Keegan for drawing the report together this year.”

SCHOOL NEWS

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: 1926-2022

Flags flew at half-mast on our Chorley New Road campus as the Bolton School community commemorated the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

Assemblies were held in each of the Foundation’s individual schools to remember the Queen’s distinguished 70-year reign. Staff and pupils joined together to mourn and to reflect on her life of service to this country and its people. Throughout her reign, she led with strength, kindness, dignity and compassion – traits familiar to everyone in the Bolton School family.

New Head of Park Road

Mr Steven King is the new Head of the Junior Boys’ School. He joins Park Road from Garden International School, Kuala Lumpur, where he led Key Stage 2 for seven years. Prior to that, he spent nine years at The British International School, Shanghai.

Reflecting on his first weeks at Park Road, Mr King said: “The School has been what I expected … it is a really

Boys’ Division Teachers are Tops

National Thank a Teacher Day celebrates schools, colleges, teachers and support staff across the country, so it was a fitting date for the announcement of the results of this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards. Congratulations to those Boys’ Division teachers who received special recognition:

Old Girl Naomi Lord (1991-1998), Director of Creative Learning and Partnerships, was Highly Commended in the ‘Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School’ category.

Jess Sigrist, Head of English, received a Certificate of Excellence in Teacher of the Year Digital Innovator category.

Old Boy Aaron Winstanley (20082015), who teaches ADT at Park Road, was a Bronze winner in the ‘Teacher of the Year in a Primary School’ category.

vibrant and busy environment with quality teaching and high standards of student behaviour and conduct.

“I have been most impressed by how articulate the boys are … my favourite part of the day is having lunch with them and finding out more about them as individuals. They are incredibly inquisitive and enthusiastic in conversation.

“In the weeks ahead I aim to find out more about what we do well and how we can continually improve on what is clearly already a fantastic school.”

New Head of Beech House

Mrs Jo Field has been appointed as the new Head of Beech House.

Mrs Field took up her new position at the start of the Summer Term, having previously taught at Eagley Infant School in Bolton where she held roles as Deputy Head and Acting Head Teacher. Throughout her teaching career she has worked predominantly with Key Stage 1 and EYFS children.

Mrs Field said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Bolton School as its new Primary Division begins to take shape. For me, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is where all the magic begins. I firmly believe that by starting correctly, we can guide children from an early age, ensuring the right foundations are laid.”

Mrs Field gets to know the Beech House children

The Development Office says Goodbye (and Hello!)

The Development Office has said goodbye to two members of staff in recent months.

In June, Hannah Fox left her post as Development Officer to take up the position of Major Gifts Officer at Salford University, after three years working in the team. In September, Kathryn O’Brien left her role as Alumni and Development Assistant to take up a new challenge a little closer to home, after 15 years’ service to the School. Both

Hannah and Kathryn will be missed tremendously by their colleagues and by the Alumni and donors who got to know them through their work in the Development Office, and we wish them the very best for the future.

In July, the Development Office welcomed a new team member, Rebecca Kendrick, following her appointment as Development Assistant. Rebecca originally worked as a teacher and has in recent years co-managed (with her husband) a bar and exhibition space in Prestwich. She will be responsible for the department’s gift administration and record keeping.

Ironman

Congratulations to three members of the Boys’ Division Common Room, Mr Pete Jackson, Mr Liam Watkinson (Class of 2009) and Mrs Jenny Cotton, who completed the Ironman UK in July.

Leavers’ Celebrations for Year 13

The trio completed a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike race and finished off with a 26-mile marathon run, and were cheered on by a fantastic crowd including many members of the School community.

Year 13 students enjoyed a celebratory send-off during their last week in School. For the first time, both Divisions came together for a fancy-dress fun run in aid of a charity raising money for the Ukraine appeal.

On their last full day in School together, the Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions enjoyed separate year group celebrations before coming together for a special lunch in the Boys’ Division Dining Hall.

Learning to be Allies in LGBT+ History Month

Back in February the Boys’ Division celebrated LGBT+ History Month.

During assemblies and pastoral sessions pupils learned about what it means to be an ally to others and the importance of creating an accepting and supportive school community where all pupils feel embraced and able to be themselves.

Money raised from sale of rainbow ribbons for boys to wear on their blazers as a symbol of diversity and fellowship was donated to The Proud Trust, an LGBT+

Boys’ Division staff Charlotte Dean and Rob Humphreys led sessions during LGBT+ History Month

organisation which supports LGBT+ young people through youth groups, peer support, mentoring programmes and the Proud Connections chat service.

Jenny, Liam and Pete were all smiles as they tackled the Ironman challenge

Results Day Celebrations

The Class of 2022 celebrated an outstanding set of A Level results this Summer. They were part of the first cohort to sit public exams in the past three years, having suffered two and a half years of disruption to their studies.

As the boys and girls received their grades, Head of Foundation Philip Britton said: “Their achievements should be celebrated all the more when we take into consideration that we are still in a pandemic recovery period. I am delighted for the students, whose outstanding achievements are down to hard work and perseverance, and thank their teachers who have supported and guided them through some difficult times.”

Chapeau!

Alex (left) and Miss Sullivan (right) with the successful team

Alex Gao (2013-2020), who is studying Engineering at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, met up with Miss Sullivan and this year’s MFL French Spelling Bee team.

Alex, himself a former Spelling Bee winner, gave the team a tour of Cambridge before wishing them good luck in the final of the competition at Lady Mitchell Hall.

Family Business Sponsors Football Shirts

Regency Estates, a Bolton family-run estates agent based in Horwich, are the new sponsors of the football shirts at Bolton School Boys’ Division.

The deal was arranged by Old Boy Nick Holt (Class of 2008) who said: “I am still heavily involved with Bolton School, playing regularly for the Old Boltonians for over ten years, and acting as Secretary of the Club for over five years! So when the opportunity arose to sponsor the kit I felt it was the ideal platform as a local business to benefit the School and at the same time to raise our profile.”

Skate to School Day

As part of a daring fundraising initiative, boys in Wigan House were encouraged to take alternative modes of transport to School on 27th April, with some cycling, walking, rollerblading and jogging etc.

They raised an impressive £1,600 for Bolton Green Umbrella, an organisation promoting sustainability and environmentalism. They were given inspiration by their teacher, Mr Wyatt (Class of 2003), who skateboarded the 12 miles from his home on the morning – despite sustaining a sore hip, he declared it was worth it just to slide down B Corridor when he arrived!

Founders and Benefactors Assembly

The Boys’ Division has celebrated its founders and benefactors annually since the School’s 100 and 500 anniversary celebrations in 2016. This year’s Founders Assembly focused on 1644, during the first Civil War, when Robert Lever reendowed the School with a gift in his will.

Mr Britton noted the long and distinguished history of the Foundation, which stretches back to the founding of a school for boys in Bolton in 1516. Since then, the schools that became the Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions have been refounded on a number of occasions.

Mr Ford acknowledged the enormous contribution that teachers at Bolton School have made to its pupils. The School Captain then gave thanks on behalf of the pupils for those who contributed to the School: John Barton, the benefactor who first founded the school for boys in Bolton; Robert Lever (see above); William Hesketh Lever, Lord Leverhulme, who is largely responsible for the current 1915 Foundation and buildings of the School, and many others through the years.

Finally, the audience was invited to join in with singing Jerusalem and the School song, Forty Years On

Teachers’ Charity Walk

Clockwise from top: Greg, Luke, Steve, George and Charlotte

Four members of the Boys’ Division –Maths Teacher Luke Jones, Geography Teacher Charlotte Dean, Head of Outdoor Learning Steve Bradley and Maths Teacher Greg Bradley, along with his son George – walked the Welsh Three Peaks overnight to raise funds for two charities: Pilgrim Bandits, which supports injured veterans and MIND, which raises awareness of and supports mental health issues.

The group started at Pen y Pass at 6.15pm, summited Yr Wyddfa (otherwise known as Snowdon), then drove to Cader Idris and summited there, before driving onto Pen y Fan and reaching the summit for a 6.30am sunrise. They raised over £1,000, with School donating a further £1,500 from the proceeds of a non-uniform day.

Some of the intrepid travellers with representatives from Bolton Green Umbrella

School Captain Ali Ahmed

CONTINUING SUPPORT

Thanks to the exceptional generosity of our supporters, Bolton School is proud to offer one of the most generous bursary schemes in the country. Currently, one in five pupils across the two Senior Schools receives bursarial support for their place at the School, many of whom attend on a fully-funded place.

A Bolton School bursary can have a transformational impact on a child’s life and ambitions, as this young Old Boy, who left School this summer having received a bursary place, attests:

“Coming from one of the worst schools in one of the worst areas of Bolton, and from a lower income family where no one had completed college or sixth form before, I cannot put into words the joy I felt on being accepted into such a prestigious school. Without the bursary, none of this would be possible. I cannot thank the School, and the donors that make this possible, enough for their continued support.” It is the Governors’ long-held ambition to return the School to the open-access access of the Direct Grant era – when the

proportion of pupils receiving a funded place stood at one in three – by 2030.

If you feel that your time at the School benefited you, and would like to ensure that the ladder of social mobility remains in good condition for the next generation of Boltonians, then we would value your support in our work towards that goal. Whether you make a one-off donation, establish a regular gift or decide to remember the School in your will, your generosity will make a real difference to the futures of the bright, talented pupils who are following in your footsteps here at School.

To find out more about how you might support the School’s bursary scheme, simply scan the QR code on the right. Should you wish to discuss your intentions in more detail, please contact Laura Firth, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, by calling 01204 434718 or by emailing development@boltonschool.org

School Celebrates Record Donation to the Bursary Fund

Earlier this year, the School was honoured to celebrate a record donation to the Bursary Fund from Old Boy John Roberts (Class of 1992) and his wife, Sally. John and Sally’s donation has facilitated a new outreach partnership – Flourish – between Bolton School and the youth charity OnSide, which aims to promote social mobility by encouraging a wider range of applications to the School’s bursary scheme, from young people who might otherwise never even have heard of Bolton School, nor understood that they might thrive here.

The donation is part of John and Sally’s ongoing commitment to support more young people to achieve their full potential, and will support 14 pupils with meanstested bursaries, funding two Year 7 pupils a year for seven years through to completion of their A Level studies at the School. These bursaries are available for young people that are members of OnSide Youth Zones to support their education and cover additional expenses to ensure they benefit from all the opportunities the school has to offer.

Through the Flourish programme, during the 2021 Autumn Term Year 6 members of Youth Zones in Blackburn, Chorley and Wigan took part in activities including science experiments, performing arts workshops and graphic design sessions at the School whilst receiving academic support ahead of taking the entrance exam, leading to eight young people taking the exam in January 2022. Three pupils from the cohort were successful, with two bursaries being provided by John and Sally and one provided by Bolton School. Those three pupils all joined Year 7 of the Girls’ Division in September, and are already throwing themselves into School life with great success.

Reflecting on why he chose to support the Bursary Fund, John writes: “Sally and I know that talent is evenly distributed but opportunity is not. Bursaries are a brilliant way to level this up.

Bolton School is an amazing place and we want young people from OnSide to have the same fantastic experience there as I did. It’s been brilliant seeing the two charities work together to make this happen. We’re extremely proud of the new pupils and look forward to following their progress.”

When the gift was announced, Philip Britton, Head of Foundation, commented: “We are exceptionally grateful that John and Sally have chosen to make such a transformational gift to our Bursary Fund. The Flourish outreach programme will ensure we can find bursary candidates with real potential, and support them to apply to the School, safe in the knowledge that there need be no barriers – financial or otherwise – to their future success. Our bursary pupils take the opportunities their education here provides and then go out into the world to make a difference for good, and we are delighted that John wishes to pass on the gift of a Bolton School education to the next generation of Bolton School pupils.”

The next cohort of Youth Zone members have now joined the Flourish programme, and have enjoyed activities throughout the Summer and Autumn Terms whilst preparing for the entrance examination in January 2023.

OLD BOYS’ FEATURES

Inspiring the Next Generation

Duke of Edinburgh

Awards

Old Boy Mathew Wilkinson (Class of 2007), Marketing Manager for Pyranha Kayaks, was the guest speaker at a celebration of this year’s crop of Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards.

Mathew himself achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE awards, having embraced outdoor pursuits, particularly paddle-sports, while at School. He recalled skiing in the Swiss Alps, sea kayaking in Vancouver and further excursions to Slovenia, Nepal and Menorca, explaining how outdoor adventure helped him to build leadership and tenacity skills.

A Career in Mental Health

Fresh from his night shift, Harry Moulton (Class of 2006) gave Year 12 students a ‘World of Work’ insight into a career as a Mental Health Nurse. Harry works in an inpatient unit in Staffordshire, helping young people presenting with a range of selfharming behaviours and emotional issues.

After graduating, Harry initially took up a management position in Higher Education. However, realising he wanted a career where he could help people in the most challenging moments of their lives, he decided to re-train as a Mental Health Nurse.

Interview Inspiration

Thank you to all those Old Boys who kindly volunteered to take part in the Interview Skills evenings, held in the Summer term to help Year 12 pupils hone their soft skills as they prepare to enter higher education or the world of work:

Afzal Ginwalla (Class of 2007), Paul Greenhalgh (Class of 2015), Chris Harbour (Class of 1979), Robert Haworth (Class of 1970), Sameer Khan (Class of 2019), Yusuf Limbada (Class of 2011), Stephen Lintott (Class of 1989), Harry Moulton (Class of 2006), Waqqas Patel (Class of 2014), Mark Ramsey (Class of 1979), Adam Razak (Class of 2002), Alex Shaw (Class of 2006), Patrick Sheppard (Class of 2009)

Evening

Mathew congratulated all those receiving awards – this year’s achievements were particularly noteworthy as the Covid pandemic had not only affected many of the expeditions, but also required the girls and boys to be very imaginative in completing their service, physical and skills sections of the awards.

L-R: Iman Javid (Silver), Celia Logan (Gold), Mathew Wilkinson, Ellis Matthews (Silver) and James Hopkinson (Gold)

Harry described his main responsibilities, noting the importance of building a good rapport with his patients, where the communication skills he learned at School have been indispensable. He also credits the School with instilling in him resilience and perseverance – qualities essential to his role.

Remembering his time at School, Harry has fond memories of the Christmas Festivals, expeditions around Ullswater whilst working towards completion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and creating outdoor art installations inspired by Andy Goldsworthy. He recalls a number of particularly inspirational teachers: Mrs Green, who treated the boys like adults during her A Level French lessons, Mr Pownall, whose Russian lessons were great fun, and Dr Holland with his enthralling English lessons.

The Challenges of Student Life

In preparation for their higher education applications, Year 12 boys spent a day considering the impact and challenges of making the right choices.

A number of external speakers gave advice on the academic side of university life, before Old Boy Ryan Hibbert (Class of 2018), who has just completed his degree in Natural Sciences degree at Lancaster University, gave a candid view of his experience of student life.

Junior Careers Carousel

The annual Junior Careers Carousel aims to get Year 6 boys and girls thinking about career opportunities through fun, interactive sessions showcasing a variety of different options.

Personal Finance Pointers

Rob addresses a room full of would-be helicopter pilots!

Rob De Maine (Class of 2002) hosted an engaging session about his career as a military helicopter pilot. After studying physics at Lancaster University, Rob joined the Royal Navy as a pilot in 2005. After almost five years of training he was awarded his wings and joined his first front line squadron. He talked about the work he does, including humanitarian relief and counterpiracy operations.

The Junior pupils also heard from Old Girls architect Emma Roden (née Platt, Class of 1990) and Alisha Patel (Class of 2011) who manages the Brain Research Centre at Salford Royal Hospital.

Neurodiversity Week

Back in March Bolton School celebrated Neurodiversity Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

Assemblies in both Divisions introduced pupils to terminology and famous neurodiverse figures around the world and neurodiverse author Aoife O’Dooley came to speak in the Library.

Old Boy Jonathan Thomason (Class of 1982) was pleased to contribute to the project by answering a series of questions about the gift of neurodiversity, designed to promote discussion and debate among pupils.

Ross Taylor (Class of 2004) trained as a Chartered Accountant in tax at EY and works for the family business, Taylor & Taylor Financial Planning, in Bolton. Ross delivered a talk to Year 11 girls about personal finance during one of their PSHEE (Personal Social Health and Economic Education) sessions. After speaking about careers in finance and financial planning, he offered some advice to the students on what to do – and what not to do – with their money.

Ross quizzed his audience on how they would budget £100k!

Nathan Utley (Class of 2013) gained a BA in European Studies from King’s College London. He is now a Financial Planner at LFP Consultants Ltd.

Nathan advised Year 13 students in the Girls’ Division as part of their ‘preparing for university’ carousel. He discussed with the groups house deposits and pensions, the power of compounding and the psychology of money before a quick-fire quiz about the cost of living.

Alcohol Awareness

Julian Butterworth (Class of 1990), a Public Information Officer for Manchester Intergroup for Alcoholics Anonymous, gave what has become an annual talk to Sixth Formers about the dangers of alcohol and addiction. He candidly shared his personal experiences as he delivered some important messages to the boys about the growing problem of alcoholism.

Fascinating Insight into Compliance Law

Year 9 boys learnt all about life as a Compliance Lawyer from Suve Banerjee (Class of 1999). Speaking to the pupils remotely from his home in York, he recapped his days at School, studying Neuroscience at university, undertaking a Law conversion course and his subsequent career in university teaching and with Walmart, J P Morgan and his current employer, SAP, a global software company, where his work focuses on bribery, corruption and serious risk frauds.

Nat Zooms in From Hong Kong

Nat Roohan (Class of 2017) joined Year 8 boys from Hong Kong where his is doing a six-month placement as a Securities Finance Trader. Rather than following the traditional path of university, Nat opted to join the JP Morgan Apprenticeship programme in London to obtain a degree in Finance from the University of Exeter. He explained the pros and cons of taking this route: he enjoyed earning a salary and not being constrained by a student budget, the company paid for his degree, and he was able to gain valuable work experience

while studying. JP Morgan offers benefits such as healthcare, pensions, clubs and societies and sports teams, but also the opportunity to work in another country, learn new languages, and take financial exams. However, moving into a corporate environment at the age of 18 meant that he did not experience the ‘university lifestyle’. Advising the boys in the audience, Nat noted that, contrary to popular belief, A Levels in subjects such as Maths, Further Maths and Economics are not essential, meaning a career in banking is open to a wide range of people. He recommended doing as much work experience as possible and taking advantage of opportunities both in and out of School.

Nathan enjoyed returning to School to offer advice to current pupils

Marching in the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Alexander Waudby (Class of 2012) is a civil servant in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, but has been a member of the Army Reserve since 2019. HIs unit, the Honourable Artillery Company, based in the City of London, has the privilege of being the only Reserve Regiment to conduct ceremonial duties, including guards of honour and gun salutes at the Tower of London to mark Coronation Day and the death of Prince Philip. The HAC is the oldest regiment in the British Army, traditionally dating back to 1537 during the reign of Henry VIII. Throughout its history it has had strong connections with the City of London and the Royal Family.

“On 19th September I had the privilege of taking part in the procession of the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II, through my role as a Reservist in the Honourable Artillery Company. Here follows my account of the experience.

“Not long after the news of the Queen’s death broke, the order to report to barracks came. Within the hour, word was passed down that a marching party would be required for the State Funeral. I put my name into the hat, and just after midnight I found out that I was one of 24 who had been chosen.

“While the rest of the nation quietly paid its respects, we decamped to the Surrey countryside to begin our training. Alongside Regular units from across the Commonwealth, we underwent a week of intense drill in slow marching and reversing arms, including a rehearsal in London in the dead of night. It was surreal to be both in a crucial and privileged role for the funeral, yet so far removed from the capital and everyday life, as we were focussed on one goal and had little awareness of the broader reception to the news.

“We amassed at Wellington Barracks where thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen from across the Commonwealth were quietly making final preparations to their ceremonial dress. The first sign of life the following morning was the haunting sound of the massed pipes

and drums of the Scottish and Irish regiments reverberating through the courtyards. As they marched off and the sound faded away, it was our turn to form up on the parade square.

“Shortly before 11am, the order to step-off was given. There was no sound but the solitary drumbeat and crunching of hobnails on tarmac as we marched onto Whitehall and sloped arms.

“The city was still, the world was watching. After the last post echoed through the loudspeakers, the bands to our rear stirred and the procession began the slow march that would lead Her Majesty through the capital for the final time. The thoroughfares were lined with crowds wanting to pay their respects and bear witness to a moment in history many of us thought simply would never come to pass.

“At Wellington Arch the procession came to a halt, awaiting the final act. For almost an hour we were to attention, until the rest of the cortège arrived. Mere metres from our ranks the coffin was transferred from gun carriage to hearse, and, as the National Anthem played, a wave of pride and sadness came over me.

“The faultless delivery of the event at such short notice is a testament to the dedication of people from all walks of life who came together in a final act of service for the country’s longest-serving monarch. Through something as simple as marching in a procession, it is astounding the degree of both honour and sadness that it instilled in me, bidding a solemn farewell on behalf of the nation in the most sensitive and dignified of ceremonies.

“While it’s difficult for me to put into words exactly what the experience means – the history is less clear when you are living through it – I wonder what I will think when I look back on the moment in years to come. We often struggle to quantify the impact we have as public servants, but in this instance, understanding your purpose as the main effort of state in such a poignant and momentous national event, and then seeing the immediate effect and reception of what you have done, is one of the most privileged acts I will ever undertake.”

The Mall

Wellington Arch

Alex’ Regiment leading the Army down the Mall (Alex is just visible in the middle column, third rank)

Alex at Wellington Barracks before stepping off

“Keep your Options Open”

The Boys’ Division’s annual Prizegiving event was held on Thursday 30th June in the Great Hall, and was the first conducted by Nic Ford following his appointment as Head of Boys’ Division earlier in the Spring.

Guest Speaker at the event was Old Boy Iain Ross (Class of 1972). After leaving Bolton School, Iain studied Biochemistry at Royal Holloway, University of London, and has since enjoyed a 40-year career in the international life sciences and technology sectors, holding significant roles in a variety of multi-national companies. He is currently the Chairman of Silence Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ); Reneuron Group plc (LSE); BiVictriX plc (LSE) and Kazia Therapeutics Limited (ASX and NASDAQ); a qualified Chartered Director, fellow of the Institute of Directors, a former Vice Chairman of the Council of Royal Holloway, University of London and an Honorary Fellow of the same university.

In his highly entertaining keynote address, Iain shared stories and anecdotes from his career. Reflecting on the lessons he has learned throughout life, he advised the boys in the audience always to keep their options open and to remember that, “whilst timing is everything, sometimes it’s the wrong time”. He encouraged them to “embrace failure and move on” as “sometimes you can learn from your mistakes better than you can learn from your successes”. He exhorted them to “stick their necks out” and to be bold in their decisions, remembering that “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”. Finally, he suggested that rather than go out and do what they love, they should love whatever they eventually choose to do.

A few weeks before Prizegiving, we caught up with Iain via Zoom, as he reminisced about his School days and their impact on his later life:

“In 1966, my family moved down to Bolton from Scotland for my father’s work – I joined the Third Form and my sister went into the Sixth Form of the Girls’ Division. My first year was fantastic; I was a novelty from Scotland, so I made lots of friends. I remember Mr Kirk teaching me Physics; through him I learned to love science. I also remember Mr Coghill, who was my first Form Master and taught me French, Mr Eames who took us for History, and Mr Sharples, who taught me English – he always said it was a great challenge teaching English to a Scot!

“In the Fourth Form, I was badly bullied. I didn’t confide in anyone, until one day Alan Mitchell, then the Lower School Master, took me to one side and asked me what was going on – he had noticed I wasn’t myself. After that, my whole life at School changed for the better. I was very grateful for that intervention; Mr Mitchell was an amazing man, a

real inspiration. I learned from that incident not to hide from problems, but always to face up to them. I also realised that you should not let one bad incident or experience define your view of the present or the future. “Highlights of Bolton School have to include the camps. I went to the Third Form and Fourth Form camps in Wales and Devon, where Roger Kirk discovered my knack for cooking on an open fire (honed through Scouting in Scotland before I moved to Bolton). I was then invited to go as the Senior Boy on School camps to Italy and to the Outer Hebrides. I also played tennis for School, which I loved.

“I applied to study Medicine at the University of St Andrews, but my A Level results were not what I had hoped. I considered resitting them, but my parents were moving back up to Scotland. David Baggley, the Headmaster at that time, advised me: ‘Look, perhaps things didn’t work out academically, but you’ve had a great School career; if you come back you’re going to be bored out of your mind – so don’t. Look forward and keep all your options open.’ I took his advice and went to study Biochemistry at Royal Holloway, which was probably the best career move I ever made. When I moved down from Scotland I was quite a nervous chap, but Bolton School gave me self-belief and a willingness to seek new challenges, to try things without being afraid of change, and Mr Baggley’s advice set me off on the right path.

“At Royal Holloway, I became involved in student politics and took a sabbatical as Vice President Services of the Students’ Union, running the student bars and all social events on campus. After university, I took a graduate trainee job with Bass, the brewery, and subsequently ran a pub in Brixton for four months. That was an amazing learning experience, seeing the human condition in all its forms and how to manage it. I then moved from booze to drugs, starting in pharmaceutical sales and marketing and working my way up at various firms including Hoffmann La Roche. In 1991, I joined the board of Celltech, one of the UK’s first biotech companies, following which I have been Chairman and CEO of numerous biotech companies ever since.

“Ironically, I suppose Mr Kirk and Mr Prince must take some of the credit for my career path, as their enthusiasm and excitement for science really stuck with me. I love the fact that there is so much still to achieve in science and so many conditions and diseases to be treated. The science behind the drugs my companies are developing is endlessly fascinating, and these drugs have the potential to do enormous good and improve patients’ lives. I’ve had a great time and I hope I am still making a difference.”

Iain with Nic Ford, Head of Boys’ Division

Stage-Struck

“When I got the email asking to contribute to this article, I was on an airfield in Norfolk having tractor driving lessons for some scenes I was shooting the following week. That’s the kind of thing I do for a living these days. It’s utterly ridiculous and part of me does wonder when I will get a ‘proper’ job like most people I was at School with.

“I was in most of the plays at School and, although I realise now that the experience of working on shows was an extremely valuable opportunity and planted the seed for my future career, being an actor was never something that was suggested as an option. Not that it was discouraged; it just wasn’t an option. It wasn’t until after university that I met someone who had been to Drama School and, on their advice, applied and got into the Royal Central School in London. I did a two-year post graduate diploma there, got an agent, and have been working professionally ever since.

“Sadly, the Performing Arts, both as a career and an experience, is one where access is denied to many people which is why that earlier experience at School was so valuable. Many Drama School courses will not attract a grant and most that do will be in London where the cost of living while you train is pricing most people out of even applying. As an actor,

Andrew Pepper (1991-1998) works in theatre where he’s played Shakespeare clowns, assassinated a US president, danced with Mary Poppins, and been to Wonderland – twice. He has a residency at London’s premiere cabaret venue, The Crazy Coqs.

“I’m on a train leaving Edinburgh after two days watching shows at the Fringe Festival. Fingers crossed, I’ll be back next year with my own show.

“Ah, the Festival. The best of humanity: a smorgasbord of creativity and hope. And yet …

“American artist Taylor Mac once said, ‘comparison is violence.’ There are no winners in art, unless you actually win an award; or a 5-star review; or those two most delicious of words: ‘sold out’.

“This morning, I sat in a small room with an audience of sixteen, weeping as a man spun magic with nothing but words placed in the most beautiful order. Last night, I saw one of the biggest stars of the Festival: big venue, big audience, big show. Deserving of all the acclaim. For me, both performers are winners. As I think about my own prospective offering, I can feel my train has come off the tracks somewhere … I can’t stop

you live an uncertain, hand-to-mouth existence where you often don’t know where the next job is coming from. Wages for TV are less now than when I started 30 years ago. Theatre wages are not much more than minimum wage. Most of us have other jobs doing other things to pay the bills: which is why we survived the pandemic – we are used to being flexible. You live with constant rejection – in the last year before the pandemic, I didn’t get 21 jobs, but I did get six which saw me through.

“The Performing Arts world promotes the glamour, the money and the high life, and for a tiny minority that is the reality. For the rest of us it makes no sense to work in this world. It’s hard, brutal, uncompromising and exploitative, but I have met some amazing people, travelled all over the world, seen myself at the cinema, and, to top it all, recently had tractor driving lessons in Norfolk. You work in this world because you love it, because it’s your craft and because there is no experience to match being on stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company, on your own, holding twelve hundred people in the palm of your hand and knowing that, at that moment, you are at the top of your game. It’s not a ‘proper’ job, it’s not for everyone, and there were easier options, but I’m hugely proud of what I’ve achieved and I wouldn’t change my life for anything”.

thinking about how to win.

“At School I wasn’t into sports. I can’t feign excitement at a team winning … anything. Competition just isn’t my vibe. Making stuff and sharing it with people: that’s my vibe. If people then want to applaud or ‘like’ it, well, that’s lovely, but I don’t need it to be graded, or placed in a hierarchy. At least I didn’t at School. For me, School was a cocoon, very much of this world and yet separate. All I had to do was focus on my love: performing. Yeah, there were those pesky GCSEs and A Levels to contemplate, but let’s not focus on that. At School, I crammed in as many shows as I could (fourteen!). Two of those were my first ever solo cabarets. While I created them, my focus was squarely on that: creating. Bliss!

“It’s been suggested I end this with advice (to any students interested in my line of work). I think I need the advice. Show business is, yes, a business, so inherently there’s competition; but that’s (as much as is possible) not our concern. Our job is to find our cocoon and create; to share that thing we want to share. It’s needed. So needed. So, focus on that. Practise that. Enjoy that. And then … do it again.”

Bolton School has a long history of drama and over the years many boys have been encouraged to take part in a widerange of theatrical productions. For some, treading the boards in the School’s Little Theatre, in the Girls’ Division Theatre,

Roger Morlidge (1981-1988) is a self-employed actor.

Roger as Launce in Two Gentleman of Verona at the RSC

Roger as Stephano threatening Trinculo (played by Chris Ensor) in the School’s 1987 production of The Tempest

Andrew as Oberon in the School’s 1998 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

in the McKellen Studio and on stage in the Arts Centre has inspired them to pursue a career in the performing arts, with some, of course, becoming household names. Here we meet four Old Boys who describe the highs and lows of their professions.

“When I was asked to contribute this piece to The Bugle, I was reminded of the sobering fact that it’s been 22 years since I left Bolton School. At 40 years old, I’ve become somewhat of a nostalgic person and as I thought about what I’d like to write, I’ve reminisced, and I’ve rejuvenated my gratitude for my years spent on Chorley New Road. Whether I was competing on the rugby field or in the swimming pool, taking part in School exchanges to Bonn and Clermont-Ferrand or taking advantage of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award schemes, I relished every opportunity to live my School life to the fullest.

“In terms of the teachers, I always had my favourites back then – Christine Southworth (Art, exquisite!), Karsten Hiepko (German, wunderbar!), Ann Green (French, magnifique!) and Mel Shewan (English, brilliant and terrifying in equal measure!) to name just a few – and a special mention goes to Phoebe Pownall, who always encouraged and nurtured my interest in the Performing Arts. From Tom Sawyer to Cabaret to Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, performing in the School’s productions were consistently a highlight of the year. Without them, I believe my career trajectory may well have panned out differently.

“In 2000, I ventured down to the Southwest to study Drama: Theatre, Film and Television and German at the University of Bristol, which – following a year abroad in Munich – led to a relocation to Berlin for the four years following graduation. There I was fortunate enough to begin a career in television production, learning my craft at MTV Germany (producing

music-themed documentaries and interviewing everyone from Janet Jackson and Rhianna to Dave Grohl in the process, if you’ll allow a little shameless name-dropping). Towards the latter end of my time in Berlin, I reignited my passion for the theatre and decided to move to London to immerse myself in its world-class stages, managing to carve out a niche career for myself in theatre journalism along the way. Over the years, I’ve served in the editorial teams of the London Theatre Guide, the New York Theatre Guide (as the bright lights of Broadway and working in New York City beckoned), Official London Theatre, BroadwayWorld and now at WhatsOnStage, the UK’s leading theatre website, where I’ve been able to marry my two career paths by producing stage-related video content.

“Not everyone gets to turn their passion into their living and recently I’ve been reminded how fortunate I am to be in this position. When the theatre industry was devastated and temporarily forced to shut down due to the pandemic, I’d be lying if I told you that I hadn’t had worrying concerns about my future. But I stuck to my guns and, as has always been the way, I followed my heart rather than my head. Hey, it’s worked out for me so far …

Tom recently interviewed fellow Old Boy Sir Ian McKellen (1951-1958) and fellow Northerner John Bishop who are appearing in panto together

“Bolton School was that stage of my life where the seeds of a life and career with the stage were planted and for that, I’ll forever be grateful. To be, or not to be an Old Boltonian? Always to be.”

“I got the theatre bug at School in my one and only appearance on stage ever in My Fair Lady in 1988 and, before that, as the front-of-house manager for Mr Shaw’s production of The Tempest. So Bolton School can take the credit/blame for getting me into pretty much everything I’ve done since. The attraction of theatre for me was the people that I got to spend time with, and the feelings that making a show happen and an audience experiencing your work can create. It’s still the same today now that I’m producing internationally and in London and I can see the young people I sometimes work with at my wife’s theatre school in Sussex finding their ‘tribe’ just as I did.

“In my career, I’ve actually worked across the creative industries, not just theatre, as I have specialised in the creative use of digital technology. That’s meant I’ve learned pretty much everything on the job (my degree is in Law), but most of my early theatre experience came at University, the Edinburgh Fringe and then founding a small company of my own.

“In the years since, and with my theatre producing business, Scenario Two, the challenges have remained the same, the

shows have mostly got bigger and more expensive. I’ve always forged my own path by building companies or working with partners – and I’ve had more than my fair share of mentors from producers like David Puttnam to long-standing investors and true believers too many to name.

Anthony (left) with Mr Mitchell in the School’s 1988 production of My Fair Lady

“Being a producer is a tricky thing to define. It’s where the buck stops –and starts. You may have an idea for a show, need to secure the rights and financing, the creative team (director etc), you’ll need to find a venue and a cast and then sell all those tickets. It’s a real generalist’s role – at least the way I understand it. I suppose the main quality I’ve nurtured over the years is resilience. You get a lot of knockbacks in my line of work, things can be unpredictable (and therefore exciting too) and there is a lot of risk involved. But the rewards – both personal and financial – can be really considerable. I often tell parents that there are plenty of ‘proper jobs’ in the creative sector for people with all manner of skills – not just on the creative side – so if you think it’s interesting you should give it a look.”

Tom Millward (1993-2000) is an experienced theatre journalist, videographer, reporter and on-screen presenter.

Anthony Lilley OBE (1981-1988) is a theatre and media producer and occasional academic.

Old Boys Go Global

Eric Stones (Class of 1968)

For the past 44 years I’ve been living near Danbury, Connecticut, USA. This is 1¼ hours’ drive northeast from New York City and 45 minutes from Yale University. It’s a fairly rural area with much forest and plenty of preserved land for walking, but also close enough to many musical and cultural events.

I moved in 1974, during a time of high inflation, wage freezes, power cuts and much labour unrest (prior to North Sea Oil and the Thatcher years). I had married an American and was working for a large American company and though they wouldn’t transfer me, I was pretty sure I’d get rehired in the US, which I did in South Carolina. Being married to an American allowed me to get a visa/work permit. It’s a very large country and people here are used to driving long distances. The weather has greater extremes: much colder and more snow in winter and hotter in summer. There is still much undeveloped

land, mainly state and federal forests, and parks. I have found that there’s less of any class system here; people are judged by what they have done with themselves, though the politics is quite mixed up and, of course, there’s the crazy firearm issues (many people still hunt the wild deer and wild turkeys and are very attached to their guns).

It’s good for outdoor activities: hiking, trail running, biking (mountain and road), white water rivers for kayaking and several ski areas close enough for day trips. There are several choral groups in the area, with whom I sing, and there’s a good music scene for jazz and classical concerts.

My family is still in the UK and my favourite place to be is the Lake District. I’m only in touch with two School friends and obviously don’t see them much. The hardest thing to leave when I came over was not being able to play field hockey; I really missed not playing for Bury Hockey Club.

Steven Foulkes (Class of 1970)

In 1978 I was tired of the humdrum life in the UK. I wanted an adventure and was seeking a job in the Middle East as a computer programmer. I saw an ad in the paper for jobs in the USA, so I decided to apply, for interview practice. I was offered a position and decided to accept it, with the idea that I would just go over there for a couple of years or so. Little did I know that I would love life in the USA and have been here ever since.

Life in the USA was so much more exciting than England. I lived near Chicago when I first came over and would go there on the weekends to enjoy the nightlife. Now, post retirement, I live in northern Illinois and my wife Linda – she and I dated when we were 16 and married each other at 50 when we met up again at a Christmas dinner in 2000.

All I missed in the USA was Boddingtons beer, but after a few years it was available here too!

Peter Richards (Class of 1975)

We moved to New Jersey 24 years ago –close enough to Manhattan to be able to commute, but far enough out that there is countryside – about 15 miles inland from the Jersey Shore – so also within striking distance of the beach and coastline. I was working for Goldman Sachs, and the next role was based in Manhattan, so we moved from Guildford in Surrey to the US. After Goldman, we stayed, as our children were growing up here. The US is a very young country compared to the UK, and there is a very broad mix of people; that can create tension, but also opportunity. It is also much, much bigger – until we lived here we did not really appreciate the size of the US and this seems to be the driver behind the biggest differences between here and the UK. Other than being close to family, which makes anywhere good to live, the range of activities/food/places make this a good place to be.

I do miss British sausages … there is a place in Manhattan that produces them (Myers of Keswick), but so far we have found no local substitute, so they are always a favourite when we come back to the UK.

To mark the recent Bolton School Alumni dinner in New York, here we find out what motivated these US-based Old Boys

Steve (left) with Geoff Marsh (Class of 1969), aged 16

ALUMNI AUTHORS

Aiming to Save

by Larry Patterson (Class of 1965) Published by The Book Guild Ltd ISBN: 978-1914471469

On 27th September 1962 Rachel Carson’s seminal book Silent Spring – stimulated by concerns about the impact of pesticides in the United States of America – was published. Controversial at the time, it is celebrated as one of the most important books to influence the subsequent development of the global awareness of ecology, environment and biodiversity over the last 60 years.

In 1971, ‘seduced by the adventures of a young David Attenborough in Zoo Quest’, Larry Patterson, a recently graduated vet, set off on his own adventure in Africa. Larry’s entertaining and thought-provoking Aiming to Save: A Vet’s Life in Conservation is a fascinating 50-year record of a full life as a practising wildlife vet, scientist, pioneer and business entrepreneur in his adopted home, Botswana.

The book begins and ends in the Prologue and Epilogue with the individual and collective fate of the elephant as an icon of the African ecosystem, but Patterson addresses a wider and deeper range of issues. He demonstrates throughout the book how his deep immersion in, and awareness of, the ecological, economic, political, social and cultural changes

OMG Emails from Tom

by Malcolm Rothwell (1955-1962)

Published by AuthorHouse UK

ISBN: 978-1665590877

If you liked CS Lewis’s Screwtape Letters you might like this. Malcolm Rothwell’s OMG Emails from Tom is a contemporary exploration of belief in Christianity and God from rational and faith perspectives. A series of email exchanges provides the framework for the dialogue between Tom, a young man exploring the role of faith in his life, and Malcolm, writing from the perspective of a practising Christian and chaplain, whose faith has developed over his life. Together they consider the idea of God, the meaning and credibility of key events as described in the Bible, and the arguments for living a Christian life in the 21st century, taking into account all its scientific, technological, social and cultural complexity. The book encourages all to bring their questions and doubts in a spirit of open inquiry.

Twenty-one email exchanges consider the broad sweep of questions on the relationship between belief in the scientific method and personal faith in God. The middle section of the book discusses the Bible as a historical and factual record and the importance of metaphor and symbolism to a fuller understanding of the meaning of the Bible narrative including discussion of key pillars of the Christian faith, including the creation, the birth of Christ, his crucifixion and

of the last 50 years has shaped his views on the problematic relationship between the full range of Botswana’s wildlife and humanity and how these might be addressed. Unlike the searing summers of Botswana, this is not a dry book. It is littered with anecdotes which drive the authentic storytelling style which pervades the book. ‘Copious amounts of alcohol and red meat’, dozens of vehicle accidents, hair-raising plane and helicopter flights, detailed descriptions of the aerial survey, darting and capture techniques and several brushes with the ever-changing legal boundaries which shape the practice of wildlife management in Africa pepper the narrative. This is a Bolton School Old Boys’ trek on steroids.

The personal and professional motivation for Larry’s emerging career, one driven by a love of the animals, landscape and people he lives and works with, is evident. He is not afraid to express an opinion on the issues at a personal, local and a wider organisational and national level if needed. He is passionate, but doesn’t preach. Drawing on a life which ranged from the spaying of cats in Ramsbottom to rubbing shoulders with Presidents, billionaires and royalty, his plea is for a pragmatic and balanced approach to wildlife management based on scientific investigation without sentimentalism.

For those exercised by the increasingly apparent threats to the environment from climate change and wishing to shape a life engaging with the messy business of influencing change which realises individual potential and skills whilst fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of youth, this book will inspire.

Stephen Parry (Class of 1975)

resurrection.

The second half of the book considers aspects of living an abundant life, responding to suffering, the role of prayer, aspects of meditation, the value of retreats and the current relevance of church attendance and membership.

This is a readable and thought-provoking book which explores with humour and openness the questions which belief in Christianity, and modern interpretations of the Bible in particular, pose. The email exchanges are supported by interesting quotations and useful references for further investigation of the arguments for those wishing to explore more deeply. The book stands as a useful introductory instruction guide.

The email dialogue does not consider in any depth notions of belief or different notions of God from other faith traditions. There is, however, an acknowledgment of these in the emails which explore meditation and silent retreat approaches and how they have influenced the development of Christian practices. Some of the more detailed theological debates – for example those relating to the ideas of the Trinity – are discussed and signposts for more detailed consideration offered.

Malcolm Rothwell has provided us with an excellent introduction to the perennial questions raised about God and the lessons from the Bible within an explicitly Christian framework. For those wishing to explore or support others in considering a life shaped by Christian belief I think OMG Emails from Tom could be a good place to begin that journey.

Stephen Parry (Class of 1975)

Shakespeare on the Factory Floor

by Andrew Hilton (Class of 1967) Published by Nick Hern Books

ISBN: 9781848428935

Andrew Hilton is best known as the acclaimed director of Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, the theatre company he founded in Bristol in 1999 for which he directed 39 productions. The Times hailed the company ‘one of the most exciting in the land’ and The Guardian recognised Andrew as ‘one of the great tellers of Shakespeare’.

Andrew was born in Bolton in 1947 and attended Bolton School from where he went on to read English at Cambridge. His theatre career began in 1972 at the Mermaid Theatre in London after which he joined the National Theatre as an actor in 1975.

Andrew played many seasons at the Bristol Old Vic and has appeared extensively on television and radio. He went on to teach performing Shakespeare at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. In 2013 he was made an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Bristol for his services to theatre in the city.

His book Shakespeare on the Factory Floor was published earlier this year. It is an exploration of Shakespeare’s greatest characters and tales, written with the nuance and passion of a man who has spent a lifetime working to conjure those words to the stage.

Durham Microcomputer Project Report

by Duncan Sledge (Class of 1967)

Published by Sudden Glance ISBN 978-0-9929545-1-2

There is a limited run of copies available of this Report first published in 1980. It is accompanied by a retrospective commentary and has been distributed to interested organisations and individuals, including Bolton School.

Duncan Sledge was a pupil in the 1960s and, as an early graduate in Computer Science, was engaged to assist in an investigation, based in Durham, into the possible uses of computers in schools. Initially funding was a problem: “in those days computers were impossibly expensive ... how to teach computing without computers was therefore the conundrum of the day.” The proposal that the recently developing microcomputer be investigated was at first dismissed, “a passing American craze like hula hoops.” Following later agreement, the team, stimulated by the progress of enthusiasts recorded in specialist magazines, was

The book is a guide for actors, designers and directors – a potted history, including production notes, of practical expertise and theatre craft geared to ‘uncover’ and recover the potential of Shakespeare on the stage. It is also a scholarly dance with longstanding questions of literary interpretation.

Andrew encourages those who pick up his book to come to Shakespeare with fresh eyes and sensibilities. He takes us back to the text and travels through it with us as an experienced guide. The book explores all of the knotty issues of staging great plays. For instance, there is a section titled, ‘Is Ophelia Portable?’ Here, Andrew asks us to consider the implications of exporting Ophelia to a modern setting, taking up in the discussion whether we can find comparable contemporary drivers to the Early Modern ones that form her character.

We are asked to interrogate key moments, to lead interpretation through action and emotion, to consult with sources, to speculate about the wider world of the play, to play out unbelievable moments in the text with a historical pragmatism, to consider the position of listening well as a way into illuminating the dynamics of a scene and to play with the original text.

Shakespeare on the Factory Floor reengages us as explorative and critical readers, throws open our imaginations, insists on and asks us to hunt down detail; it handles Shakespeare with the reverence and rationality of an exhilarated explorer breaking new earth.

Naomi Lord (Girls’ Division Class of 1998; Boys’ Division Staff)

able slowly to construct machines to be installed in chosen schools. The evolution of BASPIC, a specific development by the Durham team from the BASIC programming language, was crucial. This enabled the creation of software beyond limits previously achieved and the team became a leader in the already crowded field.

There were innumerable requests for the Report when it was published. Together with the Preface, it records an important moment in the development of computer education. It is comprehensive in range with guidance for management and for teachers who think the novel processes “too baffling and time-consuming to justify the foreseen educational pay-off”. It illustrates the energy, persistence and ingenuity of the Durham team and the many assistants they recruited. One purpose of renewed publication is to reward their almost forgotten efforts.

The Preface is fluent and engaging in presentation, including quotations from significant thinkers from Socrates to Michelle Obama. I particularly liked the example from a popular mechanics magazine of 1949: “In the future, computers may weigh no more than 1.5 tonnes.”

Charles Winder (Boys’ Division Staff, 1964-1999)

Wings over the Channel

by Eric B Forsyth (1943-1950) Published by Yacht Fiona Books

ISBN 979-89853220-0-2

The 1928 Bentley shown on the cover of Wings over the Channel is a powerful presence in the novel. The driver is Squadron Leader Chadwick, whom we met as a junior officer in Wings over the Channel. It is distressing to read in the Epilogue that the Squadron Leader was posted Missing in Action after a bombing raid over Kiel in 1941. In the pre-war years, as an engineer with wide flying experience, he is involved in the development and testing of radar defences and his intellectual insight aids analysis of continuing technical problems.

The author, Eric Forsyth, trained as a fighter pilot after the war and met many senior to himself who knew at first hand the operations and routine dangers he describes. Through action, and particularly through dialogue, he convincingly presents developments and challenges in a way intelligible to the layman and the reader is additionally aided by a very useful glossary. The setting is political, foreign interest and espionage are inevitable and Chadwick becomes uncomfortably aware of clandestine surveillance. The Bentley, which has played its part in his closest relationship, commands the climax of this intricate and always intriguing novel. Wings over the Channel is an absorbing and exciting story.

Charles Winder (Boys’ Division Staff, 1964-1999)

Reviews have been written over a number of years by a small group of people and we are glad that authors and publishers have continued to send books to us, written by Old Boltonians. It would be useful now to extend the number of reviewers. If any Old Boltonian or former member of staff would be happy to write an occasional review, please contact the Development Office, indicating your areas of interest. The Office will give you further details.

Cheers to Caspar!

When Caspar Joseph (Boys’ Division Staff, 1986-2022) joined the History Department at Bolton School, Alan Wright, the Headmaster at the time, wrote in a reference that he was “an inspirational teacher, a man of great energy, thoughtful, relevant and always interesting in conversation.” Caspar has remained very much the same man that Alan Wright described.

From 1990, he managed the Sixth Form Common Room, before becoming a Year Head of the Lower Sixth, and then Head of Sixth Form until 2017, a role in which many Old Boys will remember him. More recently he took on the role of Director of Partnerships, where his engagement with Old Boys increased still further.

Caspar’s unprecedented commitment to School rugby over 30 years is a feat that is unlikely to be repeated. Caspar ran the First XV with style, with perhaps the highlight of his rugby career being his involvement in the tours to destinations such as South Africa (twice), Portugal, Italy and Ireland. These trips are recalled with great regularity whenever Old Boltonians and staff gather at any venue. At Caspar’s final end of season rugby presentation, no fewer than 14 former First XV captains attended at short notice, with many more sending their messages of appreciation.

Although pretending to be a bluff old traditionalist, Caspar has always had a furtively cutting-edge approach to his teaching. His celebrated Medieval Fayre was at the very forefront of the craze for historical re-enactment. He was

already filming his classes’ presentations long before we had iPads and iMovie. In election years he has masterminded the School General Election with absolute impartiality.

Caspar is an absolute one-off, and we hope to share his company at many Old Boys’ events in the future.

Following the announcement of Mr Joseph’s retirement, Greg Taylor (1980-1994) got in touch with this tribute:

“Six nil. Defeat in the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup, after the hitherto undefeated 1992-93 season for Bolton School 1st XV. At that moment the very worst feeling in rugby. But half an hour later, one of the very best. On the bus back to Bolton, after some wise and kind words from Caspar, we were singing, joking, celebrating our huge achievements that season. It’s moments like that when you learn what it’s all about. The camaraderie, the Corinthian Spirit, the pride, and the fire in your belly the next time you run out with your mates in the black and white hoops. Lessons in sport, but also lessons for life chaps, lessons for life.

“How a slightly timid, mal-coordinated, clumsy boy like me left Bolton at 18 being able to hold my own on a rugby pitch is a minor miracle, and simply wouldn’t have happened without Caspar Joseph. That was gift that gave me another 20 years of great times and great friends in rugby. I can never thank him enough, and I am certain I am one of many. So much more than a teacher, Caspar was the first grown-up to treat us as equals. He inspired, encouraged, and gently guided us in our first steps into adulthood and the world beyond School … ‘History in the making fellas, history in the making’.

“Thank you, Caspar. All the best for a well-deserved retirement!”

Staff in the Spotlight

Richard Catterall (1997-2022)

How long have you worked at Bolton School?

I joined the Boys’ Division on 1st September 1997, the day after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. I recall Headmaster Alan Wright leading the School in the first full assembly of the year and the way the lads conducted themselves in Great Hall was exemplary, given the circumstances. I knew there and then that I had joined a school with an enduring ethos.

Had you worked in other schools prior to working at Bolton School?

No. It was mid-June 1997. I was in my last week of Finals at university, when I saw an advert in the TES for a Teacher of German. I applied, expecting an instant rejection. I didn’t have a PGCE, after all. Days later the phone rang and it was Alan Wright suggesting that the Head of German, Dick Freem, come up to Edinburgh by train to interview me, as I wasn’t able to travel down to Bolton due to exam commitments. Meeting Dick off the train at Waverley Station, he quickly put me at ease, saying that the interview process would begin there and then: “Which restaurant are you taking me to for lunch?” (Café Royal, if my memory serves me correctly.) The second interview question: “What do you recommend from the menu?” (Caesar Salad I think). Dick clearly approved. He ordered the same and the rest is history.

What is the best part of working at Bolton School?

Over the course of 25 years I have got to know many quirky and sparky lads, and some equally quirky colleagues. It has been a privilege to have taught so many boys with character. Bolton School manages to teach character without too much effort: the opportunity for a boy to develop his personality and the nurturing of talent in diverse areas of extra-curricular life, year groups with many young men who throw themselves into their activities, the sense of ‘have a go’ and don’t worry about it if they fail, boys and girls who give of their time to support the School, and who know to do the right thing at the right time. And then, of course, so many inspirational colleagues with immense breadth of experience, and some absolute ‘legends’ who have guided me along the way. (If you accidentally write on a brand-new interactive whiteboard in permanent ink, use a non-permanent marker and it comes off immediately … just about!)

Do you have any stand out memories from your time here?

The stand-out memories for me are outside: kayaking the lochs of the Great Glen (the Caledonian Canal) in Scotland with Year 9 boys, cooking pizzas on upturned sea-kayaks on the shores of Loch Ness; skiing below the Eiger and descending the mogul field where On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was filmed; the beauty of the Rhein valley every Autumn with Year 8 Germanists in tow; low-flying fighter aircraft appearing out of nowhere whilst sitting becalmed in a safety boat on Lake Ullswater and later that day agreeing to go for a ‘short run’ with Pete Jackson up Place Fell. I am happiest outdoors and could happily spend much more time up at Patterdale. I will miss taking Year 12 on the Amatt

Challenge. The highlight of my career, however, was back in 1998 and bumping into a Biology teacher, Joanne Robertson.

How has School life changed over the years?

In 25 years, almost everything has changed. Advances in technology are probably the obvious drivers of change. I recall the first dial-up modem in the back of B13 and seeing how the School has embraced technology in transforming our teaching and the creation of vast resources of online learning materials which we never had at our disposal as children. There have been seismic shifts in safeguarding, too. Pupil wellbeing is (now) very much front and centre in our approach. Teachers have to possess a very clear appreciation of how to embed resilience and promote good mental health. What I have found irksome and unnecessary have been some of the examination specification changes, but I have always enjoyed the support of a department keen to adapt and overcome the interference from those in exam boards often removed from the reality of the modern-day classroom and its challenges.

What is your favourite Bolton School tradition?

The way the School Captain is appointed. Sergeant, dressed in his finery, arrives at a classroom, sombre-faced, to lead away the candidate to the Head’s office to be offered the post. Such is the seriousness of the occasion, the poor boy must think he is about to be permanently excluded! The impromptu humming amongst the lads at the end of the School assembly during the playing of a familiar organ voluntary always make me chuckle too.

Any other comments/facts/anecdotes?

I should like to take this opportunity to thank those with whom I have worked most closely over the years. Clearly my thanks to Dick Freem for appointing me and believing in me, aged only 22. To Karsten Hiepko, for his kindness, guidance and gentle encouragement over so many years. Kevin Brace and I go back to 1997, when he, too, joined the school. Kevin is quite simply a remarkable teacher. I still cannot fathom how he manages to remember all the birthdays of the boys in his form. To Olivia Sullivan, my best wishes and thanks for guiding me with insights and experience of SEND provision. The Head of German baton passes to Katharine Roddy with my best wishes for the future leadership of the Department. Jack Williams and Mark Chilton have both been of immense support in the work undertaken in Sixth Form life and my best wishes to Martin Prentki as he takes this area of School forward.

What are your plans for the future?

Jo remains a Biology Teacher here so I’ll still hear all the news! I am taking up the post of Head of Upper School at Rossall School, together with some teaching of MFL which will offer fresh challenges and opportunities, not least getting my head around delivering lessons in the International Baccalaureate and teaching native speaker pupils in German. There are exciting plans for Rossall School and I am looking forward to getting to know new colleagues there. My immediate plan is to purchase an electric car that will manage to get me to the Fylde and back each day.

Jen Brewer (2013-2022)

How long have you worked at Bolton School?

I have worked at Bolton School since September 2013 and before that I was at Essa Academy for two years. I started my career as a technician at Nailsea School in Bristol, then decided to do my PGCE where I worked at Cotham School and Oasis Academy Brighstowe Shirhampton (both in Bristol).

What is the best part of working at Bolton School?

The staff and the students, I still remember my first Year 11 class in my very first year, with legendary Brad Kelly! I have

Helen Thomson (2017-2022)

Five years

Had you worked in other schools prior to working at Bolton School?

Yes, Bolton is my fourth school. I’d previously worked at Bristol Cathedral School, Ampleforth College and Trinity College, South Australia. Arriving in Bolton after being overseas certainly felt odd; it took quite a while to remember it was ‘break’ not ‘recess’, ‘duty in the quad’ not ‘yard duty’, ‘pupils’ not ‘students’ and one looked forward to ‘holidays’ not ‘vacations’!

What is the best part of working at Bolton School? Definitely the boys: even when they are driving you crazy (a not infrequent experience), they are lively, thoughtful, perceptive and often very kind. I’ve predominantly taught boys during my career and the level of inclusion and tolerance never fails to impress and move me. It is also quite rare that I don’t end up laughing at some point during a day – in particular Mondays with the Junior Literary and Debating Society. As a huge cricket tragic, it’s great to be able to chew the fat about cricket with pupils, even if bribing my current Year 10 to work by promising to give them updates on the test score didn’t really work. Above all, being challenged about some of the texts I’ve taught has been wonderful too; I love my subject and am passionate about its intellectual, moral and emotional value, so being able to teach some extremely engaged students has been wonderful. This has been particularly in the Sixth Form – this year’s Year 13 Lit class had five boys applying to read English Literature at university – but not only there.

Do you have any stand out memories from your time here? There are a few lessons which jump out. My Year 10 Macbeth Song Contest lessons didn’t generate much musical genius,

really enjoyed the camaraderie between subjects, too; the link between Music, Drama, Art and Technology is something that you will not find in many schools. I was lucky enough to work with such brilliant colleagues who have supported me through various, shows, exhibitions and festivals during my nine years here at Bolton School.

Do you have any stand out memories from your time here?

I have lots of stand-out memories: the Berlin trip, the graffiti workshop and the bus tour, Patterdale with my Year 8 form, the nativity that we performed during one of our assemblies (also my Year 8 form), the one and only Saundersfoot, celebrating Bolton Pride with Sir Ian McKellen, the School’s incredible production of Romeo and Juliet - to name but a few!

but did produce a lot of laughter, as did a Year 9 improvised skit where All Quiet on the Western Front was reinterpreted as Squid Game. Playing Wordle, Heardle and Worldle with my tutor group this year cheered up every morning. I also felt very fortunate to be able to take an assembly commemorating the 25th anniversary of the massacre in Dunblane. The School’s music programme was a constant source of joy. Playing in the orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall in 2019 was an enormous privilege, while I’ve been enjoyed so many fantastic performances by very talented boys. Jamie Gregson’s stunning performance of Arutunian’s Trumpet Concerto to win Young Musician in 2020 particularly stands out.

It’s hard to look past the experience of the lockdowns though; the sheer weirdness of teaching online, Zoom meetings, wearing masks in the classroom, year group zones, hours spent agonising over the TAGs, twice weekly Covid testing … it still raises the odd shudder.

How has School life changed over the years?

I’m not sure I’m really qualified to say having only been here for a few, very strange, years!

What is your favourite Bolton School tradition?

The Christmas Festival. That was one time I always felt part of the wider community and history of Bolton School. It was fascinating hearing about the past from former students and catching up with the more recent leavers I knew.

What are your future plans?

After 22½ years at the front of the classroom, I am going to be at the back of one for a while! Next year I am going to do an MA in Education at the University of York. I am really looking forward to refreshing and broadening my knowledge, being exposed to new pedagogies and completing educational research. After that, who knows? I don’t think I will be away from a classroom for too long, though.

How long have you worked at Bolton School?

Last Summer the Boys’ Division bade a fond farewell to Mr Catterall (German), Mrs Brewer (Art) and Ms Thomson (English). Before they left Chorley New Road for pastures new, we caught up with them to find out about their plans for the future – and what they enjoyed about teaching at Bolton School!

Find Your Path

The ‘Find Your Path’ mentoring scheme was established in 2017 by a group of Old Boltonians keen to pass on their experience to recent leavers, enabling them to leverage the knowledge and contacts of the Old Boy network to their professional advantage.

The result of the pandemic has meant that, more than ever, young Alumni will need to stand out and differentiate themselves if they are to succeed in this task, and the Find Your Path scheme can offer them the personal support they will need to do so.

The scheme pairs young Old Bolts with a fellow Old Boy mentor, who can offer a wealth of experience, contacts and advice across a variety of sectors and industries. Here two Old Boys share their experience as mentors:

Mike Shaw (Class of 1988)

“I have spent my professional career as a solicitor in the City of London, working in very large international firms until setting up my own practice within the firm GunnerCooke in 2020. I specialise in commercial real estate matters, covering a wide range from leases of offices and buying shopping centres to football club takeovers and defence projects.

“I was graduate recruitment partner for one of my firms and have always had a great interest in the process of bringing on new talent so I was keen to become a mentor in the Find Your Path scheme. My experience in how graduate recruitment works in professional services can help mentees to understand what potential employers are looking for, and to prepare themselves from an early stage to stand out. As an adviser of businesses, I have also been able to help mentees think about how they might start their own and some of the pitfalls to avoid”.

Richard Washington (Class of 1993)

“Since leaving School I have obtained a Geography degree from the University of Oxford and an MBA from INSEAD and have since worked for large financial service companies, starting out as a management consultant and working my way up to Director level. Currently I work at Bupa as the General Manager of their UK consumer health insurance business, leading a team of c 350 colleagues.

“Coaching and mentoring are core to business leadership, and it is rewarding to use those skills to support the boys as they start out in their careers. Frankly, it is easy to forget how bewildering the world of work can be when you emerge from university: the world of work changes ever more rapidly, with roles appearing that didn’t exist a few years ago. I generally find that I can help in some way: sometimes connecting mentees to friends or colleagues in my own network where there is a specific interest or expertise needed. I am hugely grateful for what Bolton School has given to me, and being a mentor is an ideal opportunity to ‘give something back’ ”.

So far, the Find Your Path scheme has supported over 70 young Old Boys with:

• Personal introductions to experts able to provide insights into numerous professions;

• Bespoke support with interview technique and preparation to help make a strong first impression;

• Tailored guidance with CV development.

One mentee who has benefited from the scheme is Thomas Chia (Class of 2015), who was initially put in contact with David Seddon back in 2019 when exploring new career options after a few years as an accountant. He recently sought further advice as his role within Deloitte’s audit department was providing little opportunity to develop his client skills. David agreed that getting external exposure, being involved in the process of winning new clients, and working on developing relationships would be key to Thomas’ career development and he suggested looking at the Consulting department within Deloitte. With David’s help, Thomas managed to make a smooth transition to the new department. Thomas highly recommends the Find Your Path scheme; he found having an extra opinion from an experienced mentor invaluable in progressing his career.

George Morgan (Class of 2018) has also been helped by the scheme. He says: “I have been extremely fortunate to be the mentee of Professor Nigel Slater for the last 18 months.

“I was introduced to Nigel during my third year of university, at a point in my life where I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do after completing my degree in Materials Science. At my first meeting with Nigel, I told him that I was interested in consulting, industry (engineering), and further study (PhD) – a wide range of things! Nigel then helped me consider each option in detail, and think about which would be most suited to my skills and interests, and which I’d enjoy most.

“As a result, I am very much looking forward to beginning my PhD at the University of Oxford in October 2022, investigating perovskite materials for next-generation solar cells, and I am extremely grateful to Nigel for his invaluable advice and guidance which helped me to get there.”

If you would be interested in joining the Find Your Path scheme, please contact the Development Office.

‘1’ Class Reunion 30th April 2022

Alumni Scotland Dinner

University of Edinburgh, Friday 5th May 2022

The

A year later than planned (thanks to the dreaded pandemic), Old Boys and Old Girls from the classes of 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 returned to School for a hugely enjoyable day of catching up and reminiscing.

Simon Hodson, Scott Hamer, Neil Handley, Steven Furlong, Andrew Dunn, Michael Potter, Greg Matthews, Phil Owen, Simon Ellam (all Class of 1991)

Peter Nightingale (Class of 1961; Former Boys’ Division Staff), David Seddon (Class of 1971)

Mike Aldington (Class of 1971), Paul Shannon (Former Boys’ Division Staff)

Marcus Taylor, Claire Keat, NinaJayne Birley, Annabel Gratton (all Class of 2001)

Zia Ullah, Daniel Norris, Michael Potter, Steven Furlong, Simon Ellam, William Nuttall, Philip Owen, Mark Conn (all Class of 1991)

Saleem Hafizullah, Nigel Clarke, David Dance, Simon Marsden, Martin Bishop, Duncan Cameron, Paul Watson, Andrew Mangham, John Barben (all Class of 1981)

Class of 1991

Stephen Spielmann, Anthony Smith, Marcus Taylor, Alex Wotherspoon, James Brodie, Gareth Shires, Sarfaraz Munshi (all Class of 2001)

Michael Potter, Scott Hamer, Kulwant Singh, William Nuttall (all Class of 1991)

first dinner to be held in Edinburgh since lockdown provided a marvellous opportunity for Old Boys and Old Girls based in Scotland to get together and reminisce about their time at School.

Mark Brown, Nick Collins, John Hardwick, Nick Sharrock, Andrew Roe, David Seddon, Henry Jones, David Aldington, Peter Walker, Bob Higson (all Class of 1971)

Benjamin Fletcher (Class of 2020), Thom Noneley (Class of 2016)

Roy Battersby, Malcolm Horner (Class of 1960), Beverley Horner, Peter Nightingale (Class of 1961), David Jenner (Class of 1960), Peter Raine (Class of 1960), Rob Blagg (Class of 1961)

John Markland (Class of 1966), Stefan Horsman (1988-1995), Roy Battersby (Class of 1961), Brian Darbyshire (Class of 1965)

Brian Darbyshire (Class of 1965), Rob Dobson (Class of 1982)

Brian Darbyshire, Stuart Brooks (Class of 1966)

Cumbria Lunch

Leavers’ Farewell

Wednesday 29th June 2022

Year 13 pupils and their parents gathered to bid a fond farewell to Bolton School and to wish each other well as they embark on university life.

Recent Leavers’ Reunion

The Class of 2021

Thursday 7th July 2022

Christian Stapleton and Alastair Harris

Tom Nally with his brother, Matt (Class of 2020)

returned to School to give Year 12 pupils first-hand advice about university and work life before enjoying a good catch-up with former classmates and teachers.

Zayd Ascroft

Shaon Sen

Thomas Britton

Anthony Johnson

Hamzah Chariwala

David Jenner (Class of 1960), Roy Battersby (Class of 1961)

Peter (Class of 1971) and Lesley Acton, Laura Henthorn (née Carless, Class of 1977)

David Jenner (Class of 1960), Mary Harper (née Monks, Class of 1954), Janet Ward (née Mitchell, Class of 1964)

The Lindeth Howe Hotel, Windermere, Friday 24th June 2022

The annual Alumni Cumbria Lunch took place once again at the beautiful Lindeth Howe Hotel in Windermere. Old Boys and Old Girls enjoyed a delicious lunch in stunning surroundings, with chatting and reminiscing carrying on throughout the afternoon.

Head of Boys’ Division Nic Ford, Stephen Broughton (Class of 1970)

Rik (Class of 1977) Deborah Thwaites

Peter Nightingale (Class of 1961), Laura Henthorn (née Carless, Class of 1977), Roy Battersby (Class of 1961)

New York Dinner

‘2’ Class Reunion

Saturday 1st October 2022

Sheila Riley (Class of 1955) and Rob Bewick (Class of 1978)

Jerry Federlein, Jan Slimming, Nancy Federlein (née Smith, Class of 1962), Allan Slimming (Class of 1974)

Tom Simpson, Thea Simpson, Paul Pennington, Natalie Pennington, Robert Bewick, Philip Britton, Michael Faulkner, Allan Slimming, Jan Slimming, Viral Kapdia, Angeli Kapadia, Steven Foulkes, Linda Foulkes, Jerry Federlein, Nancy Federlein, Sheila Riley, Laura Firth

Philip Britton (Head of Foundation), Steven Foulkes (Class of 1970) and Linda Foulkes

Viral Kapadia, Angeli Kapadia (née Vadera, Class of 2007), Paul Pennington (Class of 1997) and Mike Faulkner (Class of 2001)

Harvard Club of New York City, Thursday 22nd September

Old Boys and Old Girls from the classes of 1952, 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012 enjoyed a trip down memory down when they returned to School in October.

Peter Tonge (Class of 1952) and Ernie Marsh (former Boys’ Division Staff)

Mike Worsley, Jonathan Battersby, Nigel Mayers, Carron Paige (née Bland), Marcus Smith, David Sharples (all Class of 1982)

Pretesh Mistry, Alistair Henderson, Nicholas Lawley, Richard Thatcher (Class of 2002)

Mohammed Patel, Zeyed Limbada, Haroon Akhtar, Adil Bhutawala (all Class of 2012)

Colin Chambers (Former Boys’ Division Staff) and Rob Dobson (Class of 1982)

Andrew Smith, Chris Thorpe, Nick Livesey (Class of 1992)

Andy Bispham, Jonny Lea, Rick Harper (Class of 1982)

William Jones, Jack Shaw, Joshua Polding, Mohammed Patel, Haroon Akhtar (Class of 2012)

Antony Fisher, Mike Roberts, Paul Greenwood, Chris Pendlebury, Mike Ratcliffe, Tom Rigby, Mike Haslam (Class of 1972)

Dean Gormley, Mark Todd, Raj Apte (Class of 1992)

Mike Ratcliffe, Antony Fisher, Tom Rigby, Chris Pendlebury (Class of 1972)

Old Boys and Old Girls of every vintage – from 1950s leavers to a member of the Class of 2021 - travelled from across the United States to join Philip Britton and Laura Firth at the Alumni New York Dinner at the Harvard Club in September.

For the Love of the Game

Old Boltonians’ AFC Centenary Reunion, Saturday 9th July 2022

There had to be a celebration – a hundred years (plus two); several thousand players; innumerable matches on innumerable pitches across Lancashire and the North-West and beyond – all under the aegis of the Old Boltonians Football Club.

Doubly delayed through Covid, a myriad of commemorative memorial ideas were eventually distilled down to just one day back at the alma mater and what a triumph this proved to be.

Four matches, embodying the current range of OBAFC activity blended with alumnae reliving times past, were played on what some present still called the New Level. The sun shone from a perfect blue sky – this seemed somehow appropriate and made spectating through rose-coloured glasses all the better. Winter days in the winds of Turton, the Mancunian mud, the Blackburnian blizzards were banished from memory in favour of glorious goals, terrific and terrifying tackles, spectacular saves and perfect penalties.

The newest aspect of the club, Boltonian Ladies, started proceedings alongside the in-house team of current players. The First team played Bolton Borough, a recently formed team emanating from BWFC’s work in the community – to highlight a possible strand going forward for the School and club linked to the university and Wanderers. For many, the playing highlight was the Legends match. Kev Taylor brought together Phil Riding to manage the Raiders versus Neil Thomasson’s Tornados, in which some three dozen past players across the decades played at a quite wonderful standard. Mike Hancock and Dave Lee in their seventies were the doyens, Dave topping his performance with only the second-ever penalty of his career which started on the self-same Levels for School in the

ALUMNI EVENTS CALENDAR

2022

Wednesday 30th November Tillotson Lecture

Sixties. Dave Freeborn, Matt Dewhurst, Tim Entwistle, Andy Beardsworth and Tom Whittaker scored in the Raiders’ 5-2 win. but that is almost not The Point.

Teams from glories past, present and future

Well over a hundred players and spectators enjoyed the superb sunny weather, the beers, iconic Carrs Pasties, but mostly the memories, the reminiscences, the banter. We had mums and dads, sons and daughters, former players sadly no longer able to venture forth onto the pitch, but talking a great game, former School and Bolts managers still able to spin subtleties of strategy (still beyond many of us). We had new connections and old acquaintances, alarming levels of skill, crunching tackles, memories, some clear as a bell, some embellished through the fogs of time, but above all, from ladies through current male players to alumnae from at least 50 of the club’s 100 years, the evidence of the strong links of friendship that the game generates. Those forged at School and the club showed themselves to be so wonderfully deep and well nigh eternal.

We all variously toasted OBAFC as the afternoon became the evening and, indeed, in the case of certain casino visitors, the early hours, and looked forward to the next celebration – perhaps a decade rather than a century hence!

Martin Wadsworth (Boys’ Division Staff, 1974-2006; OBAFC 1978-present)

Bolton School, 7pm

Friday 2nd December Old Boys’ Association Annual Dinner

Arts Centre, Bolton School, 6.45pm

Wednesday 14th December Christmas Festival Bolton School/Online, 7.30pm 2023

Friday 3rd February

Alumni Cambridge Dinner

Friday 10th February Joint Old Boys’ and Old Girls’ Lunch

Friday 3rd March London Dinner

Saturday 22nd April ‘3’ Class Reunion

Friday 28th April Alumni Scotland Dinner

Monday 15th May Old Boys’ Lunch and AGM

Sidney Sussex College, 7pm

Bolton School, 12 noon

Armourers’ Hall, 7pm

Bolton School, 11.30am-4.30pm

St Leonard’s Hall, Edinburgh, 7pm

Bolton School, 12 noon

Wednesday 7th June Former Staff (Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions) Lunch Bolton School, 12 noon

Friday 16th June Cumbria Lunch

Monday 26th June Recent Leavers’ (Class of 2022) Reunion

Lindeth Howe Hotel, 12 noon

Bolton School, 3pm-5pm

Great Hall/Online, time TBC June TBC MCC Match Bolton School, time TBC

Thursday 29th June Boys’ Division Prizegiving

To reserve your ticket for any of our Alumni events, please call the Development Office on 01204 434718, email development@boltonschool.org or visit the ‘Former Pupils’ section of the School website (www.boltonschool.org) where you can book online.

The Centurion Continues …

Hard to say who was the winner in the Old Bolts’ 2021-22 season … Covid certainly would remain on the shortlist but, whilst several other teams dropped out and did not finish the season, and the LAL decided against any cup competitions, all our six teams completed their seasons despite a number of players succumbing in later season to restrict any late runs for success.

In terms of potential playing victors, it was the Youth team’s season – ended in their league’s second regional round, having led their league for long spells of the year – that might claim bragging rights within the club. The Ladies often struggled with numbers in their premier division, but reached their cup final losing by just one goal to the league runners-up. Perversely, the Ladies, the Vets, the Reserves and the First Team all finished fifth in their divisions, with hopes of promotion and silverware that flickered and blazed on occasions being finally extinguished when such as goalscoring (that oh so vital skill!) dried up. The A Team realised early that they were in a dogfight being left in a division higher than ideal – three sides battled for survival; we were not successful.

The extras of the club often were as highly successful – the

new social of a curry night, two great days at Liverpool Ramblers Easter festival, the Legends trip to Jersey, and the resurrected Annual Dinner make for a fearsome foursome fighting for ‘top spot’.

However, your correspondent votes for the centenary celebration at School in July! Twice Covid delayed, and somewhat lower-key than grandiose ideas from three or four years ago, but in many ways, all the better for it! The report and photos of the day appear on page 23, but it was a sundrenched memory-filled day, with active participation from such as First Eleven, Ladies and Legends, plus conversations and reminiscences from so many matches, seasons and incidents past. Spectators and players who played in the club’s first half century mixed with the most recent of Old Boys ... a joy epitomising all that is strong and right about the unique club that is OBAFC.

It goes almost without saying that, as your correspondent writes on the day after Football Came Home, the pre-season is in full flow, our club remains determined to grow into its next decade and century and it feels like our football’s never been away!

Martin Wadsworth (Boys’ Division Staff, 1974-2006)

OLD BOLTONIANS’ GOLF SOCIETY

As I write we are nearing the end of another season and I hope everyone has enjoyed some success or, failing that, the good weather we have had for the last month.

As ever, we were able to muster a six-man team to travel over the Pennines to Huddersfield Golf Club for the Grafton Morrish Qualifying and I am delighted to report that a team of David Johnson (Class of 1976), Guy Haynes (Class of 1995), David Cramant (Park Road, 1994-95), Nick Baxter (1996-2000), Norman Fletcher (Class of 1968) and Mark Worsley (Class of 1981) were able to qualify. It is getting harder and harder to qualify these days with an everimproving standard and our ever-aging team, so this was a fantastic effort and the team will be travelling to Hunstanton and Royal West Norfolk for the finals on the weekend of 8th October. I look forward to reporting back in the Spring edition.

We also had a historic day at Royal St David’s Golf Club (Harlech) on Sunday 28th August where three generations of the Millhouse Family competed in the Eonon Pierce Foursomes Trophy. Joshua Millhouse (current Year 7) partnered his Grandad, Frank Millhouse (Class of 1961; President 2006), whilst I partnered the evergreen Norman Fletcher. Under sunny skies Josh and his grandad played some excellent golf and finished with a very creditable

REPORT: Autumn 2022

score, despite Josh having to play from the championship tees at only 11 years old! The Club Secretary said it was extremely unusual to have three generations competing in the same competition, let alone from the same school. Later in the afternoon Norman excelled himself by going into the final of the Edward VII Bowl and winning 3 and 2 against a much younger man! Well played Norman and congratulations on winning this trophy for a third time.

The Taylor Trophy was held at Bolton Golf Club on Sunday 2nd October and I enjoyed catching up with a number of Old Boys on the day.

As ever, if you know of any Old Boys that would like to join the society, then please let me know.

Mark Millhouse (1989-1994) Golf Secretary

Old Boys Frank Millhouse, Mark Millhouse and Norman Fletcher, along with current Year 7 pupil Joshua Millhouse, prepare to tee off at Royal St David’s Golf Club

24-Hour Five-a-Side Memorial Football Match

On Saturday 25th June a group of Old Boys hosted a 24-hour five-a-side memorial match in memory of Jonny Sharples, a pupil at Bolton School who tragically passed away aged 15 years ago aged just 17. The group of friends have staged other large fundraising events, including cycling to West Ham’s London Stadium back in 2017 for the tenth anniversary.

The idea of a memorial match was close to the lads’ hearts, as Jonny loved football, and the event was a huge success. The weather held out for the whole 24 hours and over 150 players turned up, including former Bolton Wanderers players, walking football groups, a ladies’ team and many Bolton School alumni. There was plenty of help throughout the day from Jonny’s family and a host of volunteers.

The match was between Jonny’s former team, AC Milads, and West Ham, the latter represented by Jonny’s family.

Memorial Match for Mervyn

There was a representative from one of the lads in every game throughout the day, with them all playing throughout the night. Some of the players clocked up over 40 miles of running and 28 hours awake, so it was no mean feat! The final score was 331-300 to AC Milads.

The main aim of the event was, of course, to raise money, with an amazing £9,000 going to ‘Wish Upon A Star’ and The Salvation Army. Thank you to everyone who turned up to support and also to Bolton Arena, Regency Estates and Nam Ploy Restaurant for all their help, support and sponsorship. Keep your eyes peeled for 2027! Nick Holt (2001-2008)

The annual Mervyn Brooker Memorial Trophy played in memory of the former Headmaster took place on 2nd May.

The sun shone as the Bolton School XI took on the Edgworth XI. Edgworth won the match, but just as important as the score was the coming together of players and spectators, including many members of the Brooker family, to remember Mervyn, himself a first-class cricketer.

OBAFC Centenary Dinner

On 6th May 2022 the Old Bolts Football Club belatedly celebrated its centenary with an Awards Dinner at the Arts Centre. Guests included past and present players, league officials, School sports teachers, sponsors and supporters. Guest speaker was Dr Kevin Jones and further entertainment was provided by magician Jason Rea. Raffle proceeds of £1,320 were donated to the charity Young Lives Versus Cancer.

MCC Match

Old Boys Mark Water Polo Anniversary

On 9th July 2022 Lewis Daly and Aaron Winstanley (both Class of 2015) and Ed Scott (Class of 2006) represented GB in a series of exhibition matches at Parliament Hill Lido, London, to mark the 60th anniversary of the launch of the first men’s national league water polo competition in Great Britain and the 35th anniversary of the start of the women’s national league.

L-R: Lewis, Aaron and Ed

A great day was had when Bolton School hosted the MCC on Thursday 30th June. Alistair Reed in Year 12 was chosen as player of the match by MCC Captain and Old Boy, Tom Liversedge (Class of 2005). Alistair and Tom

OBAFC Chairman Richard Morris (Class of 1986) addresses the assembled guests

OLD BOYS’ NEWS

If you would like to get in touch with any of the Old Boys featured – or any other Old Boltonian – please contact the Development Office.

Class of 1940-1949

David Hart (Class of 1949)

David has been a fan of Bolton Wanderers all his life – and is one of the survivors of the Burnden Park disaster in 1946 – and so it was only fitting that he celebrated his 90th birthday with a trip to the University of Bolton Stadium to watch his team play. His family booked a hospitality box in the West Stand for the occasion and they all enjoyed seeing the mighty Wanderers beat Lincoln City. David also got a mention in the match programme – a fantastic souvenir of a wonderful day!

Class of 1950-1959

Norman Longworth (Class of 1953)

Norman has just published two new poetry books, one in English, Poems in a Crazy World, and the other in French Apprendre ou Mourir. Both are available on Amazon. He and his wife are also supporting a local Ukrainian family. During the Summer they met up with Peter Greenhalgh (19541963) in St Cyprien where Peter has a second home. Peter had read Norman’s autobiography, The Boy from the Back Streets of Bolton (which was reviewed in the Autumn 2021 edition of The Bugle), and got in touch. Poskitt, Booth, Ingham, Howard and others were among the items for discussion, not to mention comparing their respective journeyings around the world.

Class of 1960-1969

Malcolm Walker (Class of 1961)

In 1960/61 Malcolm was a student in the Biology Sixth Form and most of his fellow students were very keen on cutting up dead rats and not too keen on the wonders of botany. This led to him being assigned the task of helping to maintain the plants in the School greenhouse on the roof of the recently opened School wing. This wonderful building effectively became his private study. He brought a few cuttings from his home garden to propagate and one such plant – if he remembers correctly – was Lophophora Williamsii, a cactus.

The original was probably bought from Bolton market or from a fellow collector in the Bolton Cactus Society. However, although perfectly legal, Malcolm believes, at the time, it is now listed as a dangerous drug owing to the plant producing mescaline, a powerful hallucinogen.

Malcolm now lives in New Zealand so hopefully well away from any prosecution for supplying dangerous drugs 60 years ago. He has often wondered if the plant has survived.

Class of 1970-1979

Simon Relph (Class of 1974)

Simon has been living in Majorca for a number of years. He has had a distinguished sailing career: he was the GP14 World Champion from 1985 to 1991, and Scorpion European Champion in 1986, as well as having won the GP14 Irish Championships a record seven times in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1992 – a record which still stands today.

Simon is currently the owner, editor and publisher of The Islander magazine, a monthly professional yachting publication which provides news and information for the global yachting industry.

Simon remembers his School years fondly, especially trips abroad with Clifford Ingham, camps at Instow and Saundersfoot and football on the Levels. He remains in close contact with fellow Old Boy Chris Taylor (Class of 1973) and maintains his home connections by following the fortunes of Bolton Wanderers.

Nicholas Ogden (Class of 1977)

Hearty congratulations are due to Dr Nicholas Ogden on his election on 1st September as a Fellow in the Canadian

Academy of Health Sciences. After training as a vet at the University of Liverpool, Nick completed a doctorate in Zoology at the University of Oxford. He trained in disease modelling at the Université de Montréal before joining the Public Health Agency of Canada, where among other things, he led the Covid-19 modelling teams in response to the pandemic.

Class of 1980-1989

Peter Leather (Class of 1980)

Peter retired in April 2022, shortly before his 60th birthday in May – just enough time to train furiously for the ultimate test of his resilience: participation in a 7-day Ultra Cycling Challenge with Team Tactic-UK, an Amateur Racing Team.

The Epic Challenge started on 30th July from Zurich Airport, riding over the Swiss Alps, Italian Alps, and Italian Dolomites to Belluno, Italy. Every day involved riding several colossal mountain passes in 35°C heat – village water fountains were an absolute life saver. It was the equivalent of riding the toughest UK Cycling Sportive – The Fred Whitton – not once, but repeatedly over consecutive days. The team rode 600 miles, involving an epic 69,000 feet of climbing.

The scenery was spectacular from start to finish, but the absolute pinnacle was the Sella Ronda route in the Italian Dolomites. If you have one ride left in life, then it has to be the Sella Ronda: a stupendous lap over four colossal passes surrounded by a cathedral massif of jagged limestone.

Peter’s daily routes were recorded on Strava with his usual Old Bolts reference. He was fortunate to be supported and inspired by a group of very talented and determined riders with an astonishing age range from 22 years to 69 years old.

Charles recently reached the landmark age of 60 and celebrated acquiring his senior citizen’s railcard with one last fundraising marathon before retiring from such exertions. On his 60th birthday in early October he and his three sons, Tom (Class of 2011), Toby (Class of 2013) and Hal (Class of 2017), ran the Munich Marathon to raise funds for two very worthwhile causes. The quartet of Old Boys took up the challenge to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society, in memory of a wonderful lady, Amanda Anderson, who recently died of this dreadful disease and for many other friends who suffer from its awful debilitating impact.

They also raised funds for Manna House, a wonderful charity in Kendal which looks after the homeless and the vulnerable of South Lakeland. Manna House does vital work, which is particularly important at this time of a cost of living crisis when the most vulnerable in our society are often the hardest hit.

If either of these important causes resonates with you and you would like to donate, you can do so at lnkd.in/ eSsGY9v3 (Multiple Sclerosis) and at lnkd.in/eqYESFCx (Manna House).

Paul Johnson (Class of 1985)

Paul was honoured to celebrate the Opening of the Legal Year not once, but twice, in his capacity as President of the Manchester Law Society. The first event took place at the Palace of Westminster and was especially poignant, given it was the venue for the recent Lying-in-State of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Paul then led the procession of dignitaries into Manchester Cathedral for a further service which

acknowledged and celebrated all those associated with the law and the upholding of justice in Greater Manchester.

Richard Morris (Class of 1986)

During the Summer Richard set himself the challenge of running five events over nine days to raise money for Cancer Research UK, having witnessed amazing bravery and resilience in the face of this horrible disease.

Richard covered 503km (313 miles), taking in the Ultra Trail of Snowdonia, a solo loop round Darwen, Peel and Turton Towers, Great and Winter Hills and Rivington Pike, the Cheddar Gorge Circular, the Lakeland 50 and the Ultra X Wales and raised an amazing sum. Anyone who would like to contribute may do so at www. justgiving.com/fundraising/richardmorris500

Class of 1990-1999 Scott Hamer (Class of 1991)

Scott recalls having his photograph taken with Geoff Thompson MBE when Geoff visited

School in 1986. Scott never forgot his name, so he clearly had an impact on him all those years ago!

36 years later, Scott has been working as Venue Security Manager at the Alexander Stadium following his retirement from the police and he was thrilled to bump into former five times world karate champion and sports administrator Geoff, Deputy Chair for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. It’s a small world and just proves that little interactions at School can last for decades!

Mike Waring (Class of 1993)

Professor Mike Waring (1986-1993), Chair of Medicinal Chemistry at Newcastle University, has been awarded the prestigious UCB Ehrlich Prize for excellence in medicinal chemistry by the European Federation of Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC). It was awarded for various aspects of his work in medicinal chemistry at AstraZeneca and at Newcastle. His conceptual work on controlling lipophilicity, which is a property that determines how drugs distribute within the body and bind to proteins, has shown ways to better and more quickly design drug candidates.

He pioneered the discovery of covalent inhibitors of a mutated protein called EGFR, which is a critical driver for the growth of some lung cancers, leading to the discovery of osimertinib. Osimertinib is now widely used as a treatment for lung cancer and is one of the world’s current best-selling drugs. Finally, his work on fragments and DNA-encoded chemical libraries, two important techniques in modern drug discovery, can be used in the vital early phase to find chemical start points for the development of new medicines. Mike gave a plenary lecture at the EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry in Nice in September of this year.

James has been taking his football coaching badges since 2017, having started coaching in Grassroots. There are five levels to football badges (UEFA Pro Licence being Level 5). James’ badges are through the FA of Wales (FAW), whose coaching education system is said to be the best in Europe (Thierry Henry, Roberto Martinez, Patrick Vieira, Chris Wilder have all been past pupils). In July 2020 he qualified as

Charles Cowling (Class of 1981)

James Duckworth (Class of 1996)

Scott and Geoff in 1986

Scott and Geoff at the Commonwealth Games this year

James (back row, far right) and his squad

a UEFA B Licence coach, which allows him to coach anywhere in Europe, including the EFL and Premier League.

In April of 2022 James was approached by Cheltenham Town FC and asked to pull together a brand new age group for them. The age group was a mix of U14s and U13s and is now a year into its formation, having formed last May. A close-knit bunch, the group endured a tough start to last season in the JPL, which is a big step up from Grassroots. Slowly but surely, they began to find their feet and enjoyed a good second half to the season, finishing a respectable mid-table in the SW Championship, alongside the likes of Yeovil Town, Southampton and Gloucester City. They also reached the second round of the JPL Plate. The development amongst the lads was huge over the course of the season, both on and away from the grass, earning them the hashtag #BandOfBrothers and is now considered a strong age group to watch, with a clear and proven pathway to senior football and the EFL (they are targeted with providing three first team players by the time they reach 18 years of age).

Having recently had his appraisal, James’ aim is to kick on professionally and begin studying for his UEFA A Licence within the next two seasons. He is also in talks to be named Lead Youth Phase Coach, which will give him responsibility to oversee the development of the U13s, U14s, U15s and U16s.

Anyone interested can follow the club on Twitter (@CTFCDCHfd), and James is on Facebook and Twitter too.

James Fairman (Class of 1997)

James lives in Newcastle upon Tyne where there is a wonderful charity called Action Foundation which supports and empowers seekers of asylum and refugees in the North East. James did a short stint as a teaching assistant with them during lockdown on their Action Language programme. Having spotted that Action

Foundation was starting a fundraising scheme called the Step up for Refugees Challenge, he pledged to walk 20,000 steps per day in August, about 300 miles, sharing his progress and thoughts with pictures and VLOGs on Instagram and YouTube. He was also interviewed about the Challenge on BBC Radio Newcastle. More details on James’s Challenge are available at bit.ly/3JZgfZL

After leaving the RAF in 2011 James retrained as a solicitor in Newcastle, and qualified into a Healthcare team doing work for NHS Resolution and northern NHS Trusts. He was subsequently diagnosed with late onset PTSD in 2018 due to his military service. Finding the process of claiming what was previously called a War Pension, now the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, to be a bit of a nightmare, he has since used his healthcare law experience to set up a website (afcshelp.co.uk) to help others going through a process that is widely regarded as substandard and often additionally harmful.

Earlier this year James was interviewed by bestselling author Geraint Jones on his podcast, Veteran State of Mind, which is supported by the Royal British Legion. The podcast is not to everyone’s taste, especially as the language can be at the salty end of even military discourse, but has received a lot of positive comments – it can be listened to here: spoti.fi/3JTqJd8

Andrew Gray (Class of 1998)

Andrew, who founded the law firm Truth Legal solicitors, has set-up a new nonprofit political organisation: the Crowd Wisdom Project. At School, Andrew’s fascination in politics was encouraged by teachers: Mr Joseph, Mr Whitten, Mr Wardle, Mr Wadsworth and many others.

The Crowd Wisdom Project uses an advanced and altruistic political tech tool called Polis to survey thousands of people in their own words. Polis uses an algorithm to find consensus in areas of extreme polarity. Polis, created in Seattle (not by Andrew), famously has

been used by the Government in Taiwan to solve national disputes.

Andrew’s instance of Polis is being used in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Wigan – helping local people to understand their issues and to find common ground. Unlike on social media, Polis is used anonymously, meaning that debate is gentle – but rigorous – uncovering previously unknown consensus.

Businesses and campaigning groups have been the Crowd Wisdom Project’s first customers, with the tech free to use for any environmentally focused organisation. Andrew is particularly interested in speaking to business owners who want to use the very best technology to survey their teams, in order to unearth the best ideas and build consensus.

Peter Taylor (Class of 1998)

Team Marauders: Peter (right) and Tim

Peter was a competitor in last year’s Swimrun World Championship held at Sandhamn, Sweden, in September 2021. Competitors work in teams of two and Peter was partnered by Tim Calver who is an Australian Youth Triathlon international. The course for the final at the legendary venue of Otillo was a continuous run of 65.13 kilometres and a swim of 9.45 kilometres over and between 24 islands. The pair, competing under the name of Team Marauders, had to carry all the equipment that they needed to use and had to remain within 10m of each other at all times!

Class of 2000-2009

David Griffiths (Class of 2009)

David, now working as a capital markets and corporate insurance lawyer for Willkie Farr & Gallagher in London, was named

“Young ILS Professional of the Year” at the 2022 Trading Risk Awards. The award recognised his leadership and accomplishments advising prominent brokers, cedents and investors on an array of sophisticated insurance-linked securities (ILS) transactions, including major collateralised reinsurance deals, sidecars and catastrophe bonds.

Peter Lucas (Class of 2009) Congratulations to Pete and Emily (née Harper, 19992009) on the arrival of Daniel James Lucas on 17th June 2022, a little brother for Evie.

Class of 2010-2019

Jordan Harrison-Twist (Class of 2010)

Congratulations to Jordan who tied the knot with Claire Manley (2003-2012) on Saturday 21st May 2022 at Scarlet Hall in Cheshire. They were joined in their celebrations by several Old Girls and Old Boys: Alex Fletcher (Best Man; 2003-2010), Michael Hilton (2003-2010), Shivam Sukha (2003-2010), Zakary HarrisonTwist (2008-2015), Samara Mohtasham (Maid of Honour; 2005-2012), Olivia Heald (Class of 2012), Ben Smith (20032010), Josh Smith (2003-2010), James Samuel (Class of 2017); Sophie Bentley (Class of 2011), Hannah Bentley (20032014) and Serena Mohtasham (20052016).

Hadley Stewart (Class of 2014)

Hadley was very fortunate to have the opportunity to speak at the Festival of Education at Wellington College in July, alongside Naomi Lord (Class of 1998; Boys’ Division Staff).

Their session, ‘A Decade of Lessons: in conversation with a gay student and his former teacher’, explored Hadley’s experiences of being gay at School, the role that Naomi played as an ally and positive role model during that time, and the lessons they would like to pass on to teachers of LGBTQ+ students today. The pair were invited to speak at the festival by LGBTed, an organisation that empowers LGBTQ+ educators to be visible and authentic in schools for the benefit of young people.

Hadley was nominated for the Positive Role Model Award for the LGBT category at The National Diversity Awards 2022.

Christian Sharrock (Class of 2015)

Christian is currently working towards his PhD at the University of Bristol and recently took some time out from his busy days in the lab to propose to his girlfriend,

Becca McCallum from Brighton; happily she said “Yes”! The couple met when they were both studying at the University of York and will be getting married in the late summer of 2023.

Rishi

Datta

(Class of 2016)

Reflecting on an incredible summer of sport, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was the stage for the first-ever cricket T20 competition in multisports history, with eight of the best international women’s teams competing for Gold.

Rishi has spent the last year in Birmingham as the Assistant Manager of the cricket competition which sold a record 173,000 tickets at Edgbaston Stadium across the 16 matches – the most for any international women’s T20 tournament. The success of cricket at Birmingham 2022 has attracted interest from Olympic Committees as Rishi met with the intrigued organisers of Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 who paid a visit to Edgbaston during the Games.

A moment Rishi won’t forget was when he was asked by Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai to be introduced to the Pakistan team on the opening day. After losing their first match, Rishi was not sure how the players would react but said the whole team were more than happy to oblige in a nice ceremony on the pitch.

Rishi puts the success of the competition down to the months of preparation by the whole Edgbaston venue team, practising and refining procedures during several pre-event simulation exercises. Although he has learnt that not everything goes according to plan in the events world, and leaving room to improvise when the unexpected occurs is absolutely imperative!

This was Rishi’s first experience of organising sporting events and highly recommends opportunities in the Games world, especially as a volunteer, for anyone looking to break into a highly competitive sports industry.

Matthew Schaffel (Class of 2019)

Former Senior School goalkeeper Matthew Schaffel joined the Years 8 and 9 water polo team for a training session. Matthew, who continues to play water polo at the University of Oxford whilst studying, passed on some top tips to aspiring players.

The Lucas family

Claire and Jordan on their special day

Naomi and Hadley in conversation

Happy couple Becca and Christian

Class of 2020

Robert Harris (Class of 2020)

On 2nd October, Rob ran the London Marathon for the life-saving blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan. He became involved with Anthony Nolan when he signed up to the register one lunchtime at School. As often happens with these things, he forgot all about it until six months later when he got a phone call suggesting he was a match for a patient with blood cancer.

Fast forward a year and Rob had donated 4.72 million stem cells over two occasions and donated further white blood cells to the same poorly patient, all during Covid-19. Throughout the process he was very well supported by everybody at Anthony Nolan. In addition, his train and hotel costs were reimbursed, leading him to wonder whether it would be possible to try to make his donation as cost neutral as possible.

At the time of writing, Rob has raised over £2,500 for Anthony Nolan and completed his first marathon in a time of 3:28:25. Although he was shattered, it was an amazing experience – the crowds were so loud and the atmosphere was brilliant.

If anyone reading is interested in signing up to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register or has any questions, Rob can be contacted via the Development Office. Readers wishing to support his marathon efforts can do so here: justgiving.com/fundraising/ robertharris19

Jordon Lambert (Class of 2009)

After learning that fellow Old Boy (and current staff member) Liam Watkinson (Class of 2009) had signed up for Ironman 2022, Jordon toyed with the idea of entering himself. On discovering that another former Boltonian from their year, Antonia Heap

Alumni of the Year Awards

In Spring 2022, Bolton School launched its inaugural Alumni of the Year Awards, initiated to celebrate the myriad contributions of the Old Boys and Old Girls to society and, through their example, to inspire the next generation of pupils currently studying at the School.

The Awards seek to recognise Alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to society through their voluntary service, academic achievements or professional success, or whose behaviour and values inspire others – in short, those Alumni who embody the School’s ethos of producing people who go out into the world and make a difference for good.

In May, members of the School community were asked to nominate Alumni whom they felt were deserving of the awards for Old Boy and Old Girl of the Year. Four Alumni were subsequently shortlisted for the Old Boy of the Year award: Sir Philip Craven MBE (Class of 1968), Max Griffiths and Sam Yates (both Class of 2001), Richard Morris (Class of 1986) and Philip Worthington (Class of 2003).

Pupils from across the Junior and Senior Schools in both Divisions were invited to choose the nominee they felt was the most deserving winner of each of the two Awards in a vote conducted at the end of the Summer Term. The close nature of this pupil vote, combined with the strength of Alumni support for the nominees and their achievements, led the School to present two further awards, for Outstanding Achievement, in addition to the two Alumni of the Year Awards.

(Class of 2009), was also taking part, he eventually succumbed to peer pressure and registered. Eight months of training and 13.52 hours of pain and suffering later, Jordon crossed the finish line. He recalls that it was an incredible day, with amazing support, including many Bolton School alumni and staff, and made all the more sweeter knowing that Liam and Antonia had completed the race too.

Jensen

Myerscough and

Daniel

Bentham (both Class of 2021)

Congratulations to Jensen and Daniel who returned to School to receive their water polo commemorative caps, having represented the School for the seven years they were in the Senior School. Daniel also represented GB Juniors earlier this year. The pair were presented with their awards by Colin Walsh, President of the English Schools Swimming Association.

Sir Philip Craven was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Old Boy of the Year Award, in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements and his lifelong dedication to the development of Paralympic sports. Max Griffiths and Sam Yates (both Class of 2001) were the joint winners of the Old Boys’ Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of the impact of LivLife, the charity they founded 16 years ago to enrich the lives of economically disadvantaged people in North Tanzania.

Sir Philip, Max and Sam will be presented with their Awards at a special assembly for pupils from both Divisions to be held in the Spring Term. They will be joined at that assembly by Dr Sheila Fisher (née Platt, Class of 1970) – winner of the Old Girl of the Year Award 2022, and by Rebecca Turner (née Maudsley, Class of 2006) – winner of the Old Girls’ Outstanding Achievement Award 2022.

Old Boy of the Year, Sir Philip Craven

We offer all four recipients our heartfelt congratulations on their well-deserved awards.

Nominations for the 2023 Alumni of the Year Awards will open in Spring 2023.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Liam and Jordon

Jensen (left) and Daniel receive their awards from ESSA President Colin Walsh

Max and Sam, winners of the Old Boys’

Graduations Galore

As well as those graduating this Summer, Old Boys whose graduations were postponed due to the Covid pandemic were at last able to celebrate their successes – congratulations to all of them!

Alex Quayle (Class of 2009)

Alex has graduated from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), University of London, with an MSc in Public Health.

an MSc in 2021, having completed his undergraduate studies a year prior. This summer he has been honoured to attend his second physical graduation ceremony which had been delayed due to the pandemic. Now in employment at the University in his role as Graduate Ambassador, Will looks forward to meeting current pupils at a Hull Uni open day or UCAS exhibition.

Benjamin Ray (Class of 2017)

Ben has graduated from Loughborough University with First Class Honours in International Business (BSc). He plans to travel for a year, starting in Australia, before seeking a graduate position in the banking and finance industry.

Going forward, Alex plans to study for a PhD; given his professional background as a pharmacist in the NHS and the military, his main areas of interest include provision of healthcare in conflict zones, including access to treatment for HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis and, now, Covid-19.

Thomas Heatherington (Class of 2017)

(Corps: Royal Army Medical Corps; Rank: Captain)

Elliot Turnbull (Class of 2016)

Elliot got a 2:1 in Modern Languages and Foreign Cultures (German and Spanish) from Durham University. He played football for the university (Second XI captain and goalkeeper) and was heavily involved in college life (University College).

After graduating, Elliot spent time in Thailand and Manchester working in textile printing. He has recently completed a Master’s in Broadcast Journalism at City University, London, and does parttime work for talkSPORT and ITV. During the Summer he worked at the Commonwealth Games and has recently joined ITV Granada, working as a digital journalist.

William Bailey (Class of 2017)

Will embarked on his studies in Business Management at the University of Hull in 2017 and graduated with

After graduating from the university of Glasgow with a BSc in Anatomy in 2021, Tom has started a three-year PHD at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, where he will join their Tissue Engineering Research Group to investigate stem cell therapies for wound healing in diabetics.

Imran Niaz-Jones (Class of 2017)

Imran has graduated from Keele University with a 2:1 in Accountancy and Finance. He enjoyed a fantastic few years studying whilst also being an active committee member for the Men’s Basketball Team. Imran is currently in the search for audit-based study-supported roles with the aim of reaching his end goal of becoming a Chartered Accountant.

Alexander O’Loughlin (Class of 2017)

Alex graduated with First Class Honours in Drama from the University of Exeter. Since completing his studies in 2020 he has begun working for the Financial Times as part of the global events department, notably travelling to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum in May 2022.

Luke Cavanaugh (Class of 2018)

Luke recently graduated with a Master’s in Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University, China. Marketed as a Rhodes Scholarship for Asia, Schwarzman Scholars aims to build a community of future leaders who will serve to deepen understanding between China and the rest of the world.

Dylan Feingold (Class of 2018)

Dylan has completed his degree in Translation Studies with German at Aston University with a 2:1. He is now looking forward to starting the next chapter at Fragomen LLC as Immigration Coordinator at their office in Sheffield.

George Morgan (Class of 2018)

George has graduated with a First Class degree (MEng) in Materials Science and Engineering from Imperial College London. His degree has focused on a range of materials challenges; however his interests lie primarily in materials for energy applications. George is looking forward to starting a DPhil in the Department of Physics at the

Alex at his ‘Passing Out’ Ceremony at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, October 2021

University of Oxford in October, where he will be investigating materials for next generation solar cells.

Henry Xiao (Class of 2018)

Henry has graduated from The University of Manchester with a 2:1 BA (Hons) in German and Business & Management. In August he joined LHi Group as a German-Speaking Contracts and Compliance Administrator.

Lee Glover (Class of 2019)

Lee has graduated with a 2:1 in History from Lancaster. Although nervous about what was to lie ahead at university, his experience at Lancaster was overwhelmingly joyful. Despite a large chunk of his time at university being clouded with Covid restrictions and concerns, he made many dear friends and learnt many lessons that helped him through the three years.

Lee has secured a graduate role as a recruiter for TEKSytems, a global company which specialises in IT solutions recruitment. The skills learnt at Bolton School and subsequently sharpened at university will undoubtedly stand him in good stead!

Luke James (Class of 2019)

Luke graduated with First Class Honours in Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. In his final year, Luke completed two ambitious self-initiated projects: one focusing on sports illustration, promoting rugby league, and another creating an original skate brand intended to introduce kids to the sport.

Whilst at university, Luke gained work experience at a digital marketing agency as well as an animation studio, and is now returning to the North

of England to pursue a career in the creative industry.

Luke O’Donoughue (Class of 2019

Luke has recently graduated from the University of Warwick with a 2.1 in Politics and Sociology. As much as it wasn’t the University experience he expected, he made the most of it and met some wonderful people.

Having started as an Executive Assistant at public affairs agency DevoConnect, Luke is working with central government and the combined authorities to help Level Up and transition to Net Zero, shaping policy thinking and decision making locally, regionally and nationally.

Outside of this, Luke will be growing his Podcast LukeODiscusses with help from the Made in Bury Business Academy. If there is anyone who would like to discuss things with him, be sure to reach out @LukeODiscusses.

Christopher Smith (Class of 2019)

After leaving Bolton School in 2019, Chris went on to study for a BSc in Chemistry at the University of Warwick, where he recently graduated with First Class Honours. In September, he will be joining the audit division of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Manchester, and for the next three years will be studying towards the ACA chartered accountant qualification. He intends to stay in the world of finance and has ambitions of working in Asia upon qualification.

Chris is especially thankful for the assistance provided by the Old Boltonians’ Mentoring Scheme and his assigned mentor, Old Boy Graham Ashurst (Class of 1968). The career advice and connections provided by this network were invaluable to him when exploring graduate opportunities.

(Class of 2019)

Jos has graduated with a First in Politics and International Business from the University of Liverpool. He is continuing his studies with a Master’s in Law at the University of Law.

The School Magazine

The Boltonian remains the premium magazine for the Boys’ Division. As an Old Boy it is possible to become a subscriber to The Boltonian and have a copy mailed directly to you each year.

The magazine costs £15 per annum for UK subscribers and £20 per annum for non-UK subscribers. All prices include postage and packaging. Single editions (including some earlier editions – subject to availability) are also available. Any profits made from the sale of the magazine will go towards the running of the Old Boltonians’ Association.

For details of how to subscribe, please contact the Development Office.

Jos Winstanley

Mini Reunions

Boating Buddies

A group of 1964 leavers met up in the Spring. Nick Taylor, Ned Ashton, Brent Curless, Brian Willman and Dave Berry are all still best of mates, and in regular contact with one another.

Wigan Bus Group Reconvenes

A group from the Class of 1990 (heavily weighted towards the ‘Wigan bus group’) meet up at least once a year. In June 2022, they enjoyed a weekend trying to hit baseballs at BaseBar, visiting the Blackjack Brewery tap, enjoying Mackie Mayor market and then partying at Albert’s Schloss in the evening. Although not in the photo, Martin Ashton and Richard Bishop also joined this year’s get-together..

L-R: Dave Walmsley, Ben Williams, Akshay Bhatnagar, Richard Williams, Justin Steed (who flew in from his home in Paris for the meetup), Ivan Le Jeune, Gareth Mawdesley

2020 Leavers Link Up

A group of 2020 leavers took up the Development Office’s offer to contribute to a mini-reunion and enjoyed a bowling trip followed by dinner. All are progressing well with their studies and engaging in many activities they had never even heard of at School – for example, three of them play the sport Ultimate Frisbee at different universities!

Catch-Ups Resume after

Covid

Roger Johnson (Class of 1966) writes “Our regular, if infrequent, lunchtime get-togethers of 1966 and 1967 Alumni at a Manchester hostelry have now resumed post Covid. Conversations have picked up from where we left them: the Wanderers, City, United, Lancashire, the rock music of our youth and the weird and wonderful characters who inhabited our schooldays tend to dominate!

“Recently, we were really pleased to meet up with our old classmate, Ron Litherland, who was here on a visit from his home in Australia and whom we hadn’t seen for many years, although Peter Taylor, our other regular, was unable to meet up this time.”

Freemasonry

The Old Boltonians’ Masonic Lodge, No 5814, meets regularly in the Senior Library at School throughout the year. In line with the charitable intentions of the society, each year the Lodge provides support to both Divisions of Bolton School, in the form of pupil Bursaries and Scholarships.

Whilst membership of the Lodge has been opened up to other Freemasons, the majority of its members are Old Boltonians, providing a unique way of keeping in touch with fellow Old Boys. Members range in age from their 20s to their 80s, providing friendship to fellow Masons of all generations.

If you would like to hear more, please contact: David Poppitt – The Lodge Secretary E-mail: DPoppitt@aol.com Tel: 07785 728700

L-R: Nick, Ned, Brent and Brian, with Dave in the foreground, on Nick’s yacht leaving Scarborough Harbour in March 2022

L-R: Chris Williams, Harry Richbell, Roger Johnson, Ron Litherland and Ian Nuttall

Back, L-R: Ben Chowdhury, Meer Al-Talabani, Adam Vahed, Krishnan Ajit, Jei Makino, Daisy (Jei’s girlfriend)

Front: Hassan Sapra, Yusuf Adia

How Did the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme Support Bolton School? ARCHIVES

Mention the name Leverhulme at Bolton School and the immediate reaction is invariably to think back to the 1st Viscount Leverhulme, whose extremely generous endowment led to the formation of the current Bolton School Foundation in 1915.

Whilst this is perhaps understandable, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the significant contributions made by subsequent generations of the Leverhulme family. This article will focus on the significant support given by his only son, William Hulme Lever, who became the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme after his father’s death in 1925.

William Hulme Lever was born on Palm Sunday, 25th March 1888 and, like his father before him, was given his mother’s maiden name as a second name. He was educated at Eton College and graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1913 with a Master of Arts Degree. His first marriage was to Marion Beatrice Smith on 24th April 1912 and they had two daughters and one son. The son was Philip William Bryce Lever, who later became the 3rd Viscount Leverhulme. His second wife was Winifred Agnes Lee-Morris whom he married on 20th January 1937.

He was appointed a Governor of Bolton School after his father’s death on 7th May 1925 and remained a Governor until his own death in 1949, being Chairman for the last nine years of his life. When he joined the Governing Body the School finances had been under pressure for some years. War time had proved difficult for the School and this had resulted in operating deficits being reported, which had in turn prevented building work starting. Such was the problem that, in 1916, the Trustees decided to use the income arising from the original Leverhulme endowment to help meet the School’s day-to-day operating costs until 1922. The deficits continued after the War and in 1921 the hard decision was taken to increase fees. For his part, Lord Leverhulme doubled his endowment so that it would henceforth generate £20,000 per year. The original building costs had been estimated as being between £135,000 and £150,000, but had now increased to £180,000. Lord Leverhulme then signed a contract in 1923 whereby he would contribute £2 for every £1 spent on the new buildings by the Trustees up to a maximum of £125,000. This was an extraordinarily generous action, given the financial pressures Lever Brothers were experiencing at the time, not least because of the ill-advised purchase of the Niger Company in Nigeria.

Building work therefore began at last and by the time the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme became a Governor in 1925, the Great Halls and Libraries of both Divisions were under construction, as was a classroom wing – the South Wing –for the Girls’ Division.

There was then a potential impasse because the Executors of Lord Leverhulme’s Will tried to disassociate themselves from his commitment to fund two thirds of the ongoing building costs because of the severe financial pressure still being faced by Lever Brothers. The situation was only resolved when the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme donated £50,000 of his own money to keep his father’s vision moving forward. It can thus be argued that, but for the largesse of the 2nd Viscount, the building programme may well have ground to a halt.

The 2nd Viscount’s donation enabled building to continue at a controlled pace, with the Girls’ Division being the first to benefit from new buildings when their South Wing was competed together with their Great Hall, Gymnasium and Library. It was officially opened by the wife of the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme on 25th September 1928. The Boys took possession of their new Great Hall and Library in 1929 at a special Prize Distribution attended by the 2nd Viscount. Their Gymnasium came into use shortly afterwards, but it was not until January 1932 when the Boys’ Division South Wing was opened that they had new classrooms. Until this time the boys continued to be housed in Westbourne, although part of that building had to be demolished to allow the Great Hall section to be built.

More operating deficits were recorded in the depression of the 1930s and the next step forward came with the building of the Girls’ Division West Wing which opened in September 1934, with its science and domestic science rooms, form rooms, dining room and kitchen.

There would then be a gap of almost 20 years before more buildings were completed, by which time the 3rd Viscount Leverhulme had become Chairman of Governors.

The 2nd Viscount was taken ill on a train in Banff, Alberta, in 1949 during the latter stages of a world tour and died on 27th May 1949. He had shared and continued his father’s commitment to the School and, like his father, deserves our immense gratitude.

Meet the Archivist

If you have a question about the School’s history or would like to donate to the Archive any photographs or artefacts from your time at School, Eric would love to hear from you.

E: development@boltonschool.org

Eric Fairweather

The Right Hon William Hulme, 2nd Viscount Leverhulme

The 2nd Viscount Leverhulme in Library with Miss Varley and guests

The 2nd Viscount with Mrs Atherton, School Governor, 1937

Looking Back

Bill is sitting cross legged at far left of the front row; Martyn Roper, whose obituary appears on page 41, is third from right on the front row.

Economics 6B2 1973/74

Back, L-R: MD Taylor, Ste Tatlock, Bob Gibbins, Pete Wane, Paul Battersby Middle, L-R: Dave Thorneycroft (Form Teacher), David E Berry, Ned (AJ) Ashton, Nick Taylor, Brian Willman Front, L-R: Pete Whitaker, Brent Curless, Dick Timmis, Mick Davis

Thank you to David Berry (1964-1974) for this photo of some fabulous hairstyles!

L-R:

This picture of the Great Hall set up for exams is certain to bring back memories!

Don’t forget to take a look at the ‘Scenes from the Past’ page of the School website, which we regularly update with new Archive photos: www.boltonschool.org. You can also share your own archive photos on the Bolton Alumni Network: www.boltonalumninetwork.com.

Thank you to Bill Dick (Class of 1960) for sending in this photo of the Monitors and Deputy Monitors 1959-60

Bill Dick also sent in this picture of the Swimming Team outside Bootham School, York, in June 1960

David Brookes, Barry Morris, Bill Dick, Roger Barnes

The swimming pool, 1974

Roy Battersby (1953-1961) sent in this picture of the Tennis VI in 1961

Scout Camp Wiltz, 1951

Roy Battersby’s recent Bugle “Welcome” prompted a deep-dive into Robin Howarth’s (1951-1962) recollections of the 19th Bolton’s Luxembourg venture.

To begin at the beginning. July1955. Under the sootencrusted roof of Trinity Street Station “Pip-of-the-pipe” Porter, “Bill” Brookes, “FR” Poskitt et alia are leading the exodus of 120 Scouts plus tents, equipment, cooking paraphernalia and trek-cart, all to be hauled on and off buses, lorries, channel ferries and trains en-route to the sleepy town of Wiltz (with a “V”). In retrospect the mind boggles at the bravura of “Pip” et alia for acting in loco parentis to this motley mélange of treble-pitched prepubescents, basso-profundo emerging adults and all hormonal points between.

Camp is pitched amidst rolling fields of the Ardennes with its ghosts of the Battle of the Bulge. We “tenderfoots” are initiated into “Long Camp” traditions of leaky tents, damp sleeping bags and nights on hard ground; of deciphering latitude, longitude and contours on maps; of collecting dry wood for morninglit fires; of adjusting guys and hammering of pegs; of burned porridge and scrubbing black pans; of First Aid, bandages and stemming of blood: of sheep-shanks and bowlines and lashing of ropes; of earth-dug latrines and washing in streams; of inspections of kit and morning parade; of “Doctor Pip’s” pills for camp constipation; of camp-fires in moonlight with singing of songs; of promises of duty to God and the Queen. Eventually “sleepy” Wiltz awakes to our presence. The bush-telegraph buzzes and Luxembourg TV launches cameras and crew to film the Troop in action. A football “friendly” with locals was played on an improvised pitch suffused with Friesian “residue”. FA rules got “lost in translation” and entente somehow lost its cordiale.

Groups were dispatched on “initiative ventures” to the far corners of Luxembourg. No GPS or Satnav. This was the stone-age of crinkly maps, wobbly compasses and optimism for safe return. “Risk” and “assessment” had zero connectivity in “Pip’s” lexicon though, entrenching tools primed to excavate latrines, he was sufficiently risk-averse to warn of buried war-time explosives. I joined the “trekkers”, hauling the two-wheeled trek-cart on the less-travelled Ardennes roads – a low-tech trek. Sputnik, Gagarin, Glenn and eyes-in-the-sky had yet to appear. “Social media” was science-fiction. “Global access” was snail-mail retrieved from Poste-restante in sleepy Wiltz. “Real time” was line-of-sight semaphore from hill-tops or forays into morse-code for those with sufficient aural agility to distinguish a dot from a dash. The echoes of Panzer Divisions had long faded in those

muted forests of Ardennes. We youngsters re-lived the war vicariously via The Dam Busters and Escape from Colditz, but we faced reality in Bastogne as we came across a preserved Sherman tank – a respected symbol that memories live, though the brutal face of the war might fade.

As time-honoured Lancasters born in that war, we Wiltz generation have made our exits and our entrances on the changing world stage since our shining morning faces graced School. We lived with the chill of Cold War, the Iron Curtain, the Berlin Wall and segregated Europe. Spies and counter-spies danced in the new “Great Game”. Gratefully, we saw the growth of NATO, Western European integration and Solidarity’s rise in Poland – the thin-edge of the geopolitical wedge leading to perestroika and glasnost. Hope for global stability rose only to be dashed as those Towers fell and the ugly head of war re-surfaced. Trek-carting around those peaceful roads of Luxembourg the future acts of our young lives were as yet unscripted, so little could I foresee a scenario, long into the future, when I would be facing this “ugly head of war” as rivers of blood flowed around me in the dusty streets of Kabul – but that’s another story.

A stark reminder of the realities of war

So, to return to soot-encrusted Trinity Street Station. A train squeals to a stop amidst a vaporous cloud of smoke. There is a clatter of opening doors. A somewhat malodourous and motley mélange of travel-weary Scouts emerges through this vaporous cloud, passing the solitary figure of “Pip” Porter, shrouded in his own pipe-infused vaporous cloud. Having “counted them out” three weeks prior he is “counting them back in” before dispatch to expectant families. Mirabile dictu –one hundred and twenty!

Epilogue:

Evening light is fading in that Luxembourg field. The Union Jack flutters on the carefully fabricated flagpole. Arms rise respectfully in the Scout salute. A patrol leader advances. He reverently lowers the flag which is furled and stowed for the night. In the tranquility of that moment, the sound of 120 voices soars gently into that good night:

“Day is done: gone the sun; From the lakes; from the hills, from the sky. All is well safely rest. God is nigh” “Pip” et alia – I salute you.

This is an abridged version of Robin’s memories –the full version can be read at bit.ly/3CdpoMh

Luxembourg TV captures the Scouts in action

LIVES REMEMBERED

Derek Eccles (1940-1947)

Derek was born in 1929 and brought up in the Daubhill area of Bolton, where his parents had a Temperance Bar, selling drinks such as Sarsaparilla, Vimto and Horlicks. After attending Sunning Hill School, he won a scholarship to Bolton School. This was for him in many ways a life-changing event. He enjoyed his time at School and was a member of the Scout Group. He made life-long friendships whilst at Bolton School, including with Ray Heslop and George Buckley.

After School, Derek went to Bristol University to study French and German, funded under a scheme for prospective teachers. His degree included a spell at the Sorbonne, staying with a family in a well-to-do part of Paris. In exchange their son came in the holidays to Daubhill, which must have been a culture shock. His degree fixed his future career. Luckily teaching suited him, firstly at Wigan Grammar School (where he was a Scout leader) and then at Smithills School where he became Head of the Modern Languages Department and stayed until retirement.

In 1955 Derek married Stella (née Wolstencroft, 1943-1948) and together they had three children who also attended Bolton School: Jonathan (1965-1976), Nicholas (1969-1979) and Caroline (1975-1982).

Both before and after retirement, Derek had a wide range of interests, including history, cinema, theatre and language. He often took on volunteer and committee roles that contributed to the community in Bolton, for example with Bolton Newstalk, Smithills Hall and Bolton Choral Union. He was a committed member of the Old Boltonians, being a regular attendee at events and a supporter of the School. In recent years his health, in particular his memory, declined, but his sense of humour and good nature was with him to the end.

Caroline Eccles (1975-1982)

Rodger was born in Crumpsall, Manchester, and went to Crumpsall Lane Primary School (the primary school where he met Vivien to whom he was

married for over 50 years) and then to North Manchester Grammar.

After school he gained a place at Oxford to read Engineering Science after which he embarked on a short career in engineering before joining Bolton School in 1976.

As well as teaching Physics he undertook many and varied roles in the School; latterly he was Careers Master, but he was also involved in badminton, running the School teams for many years, and hockey. He, together with Vivien and his children, Daniel and Emily, were involved for several years in the Saundersfoot Camp.

As well as singing in the School choir, Rodger also performed the role of a policeman in the School production of Pirates of Penzance – he was the only member of the police force with a real moustache!

My wife and I have many happy memories from our times together, particularly of his tales of incidents that had happened to him and Vivien – for example, when their caravan set on fire one holiday in France. They were always amusing and often lengthy … “to cut a long story short” did not apply to Rodger. He was a real raconteur – truly an asset to any gathering.

I remember sitting next to him in the Physics staff room for many years at Bolton School and of him being so supportive and helpful when I joined the School, finding it reassuring that he had come from a similar work background to me. I truly valued our friendship and really missed him when he retired the year before I did.

Don Thompson (1957-1965; Boys’ Division Staff, 1983-2006)

Roger Haslam (1933 to 2022)

Roger attended Bolton School from September 1944 until July 1951. He represented his house at football, cricket, swimming, physical training, athletics and cross country. He was Captain of the 3rd XI cricket team and also Captain of the School Swimming Team, awarded School

Swimming Colours and Royal Life Saving Society awards. He was School Captain in 1951. He was an active supporter of school societies and acted in school plays, as well as in productions of the Miniature Theatre. In 1947 he was awarded a prize to boys who stood out because of their loyalty, trustworthiness and manners and who were likely to distinguish themselves in fields where personal qualities are of great significance.

After gaining a degree in Natural Philosophy at the University of St Andrews, he completed national service as an Instructor Lieutenant in the Royal Navy at HMS Collingwood.

His career was devoted to education and to leading and inspiring others. From Wellington College, where he taught physics, he went to the newly formed Atlantic College in South Wales; here he was active in theatre production - with his biggest claim to fame being an endorsement of one of his productions by Eric Porter who was starring in The Forsyte Saga, and in instructing and taking part in surf life-saving and beach rescue, where he once escorted Prince Phillip around the facilities of the college.

David Peters (Class of 1969)

Rodger Hannah (Boys’ Division Staff, 1976-2005)

He was most proud of introducing the International Baccalaureate into the college; possibly the first use of this educational programme and diploma in the country.

He then moved to Middlesbrough where he became Deputy Head of Middlesbrough High School and then on to Northampton as Headteacher, where he set up a new comprehensive Lings School, from scratch, and subsequently to Settle High School. He served as Convenor of the North Yorkshire Secondary Heads, Chairman of Yorkshire Secondary Heads and a member of the National Council and Executive of the SHA.

Living in Ingleton, Roger was able to indulge his passions of fell walking in the Lakes – he completed the three Peaks walk in 1977 raising money for a school bus - and boating, spending many happy days floating around Ullswater on his motor cruiser, Moley.

Roger was a lifelong support for Bolton Wanderers, despite their ongoing travails and kept in touch with many Bolton School colleagues, especially his great friend John Kohorn who sadly died last year.

Roger was supported throughout his career by his Bolton-born wife Brenda (née Holden). They had three children, Sue, Ian and Ann who gave him nine grandchildren and recently his first great grandchild. He was very proud of them all, instilling the values he held most dearly of duty, equality, fairness, inclusivity and education in each of them.

He loved telling anecdotes, especially after a rum – which he was eventually persuaded to write down; two were about Bolton School, one entitled ‘Batsmen’ and one intriguingly called ‘Miss Parker’!

He will be remembered by his colleagues and students for the great strides he made in education, on a personal level with individuals and on a school level with the places he worked in and on a national level with his SHA work and in forming the General Teachers Council.

Alan Knowles (1938-1943)

Born in Deane in 1927, Alan played football alongside Nat Lofthouse on the cinder playing fields of Brandwood Street School. He went on a scholarship to Bolton School, but left at 16, to earn his keep at the Bolton Evening News as

a junior reporter. His memories of School, nearly all in wartime, are recorded on the School’s website, where he also recalled the trials of wearing school uniform on his walk home through the back streets. His favourite teacher was Mrs Emma Saxelby, the renowned French teacher, who gave him the nickname Monty, which stuck.

Alan spent nearly three years in the army, serving in Berlin in 1946 and 1947, where he used his school German to guard prisoners of war, before returning to what was then known as ‘Tillotsons’ Newspapers’.

In 1957 Alan won an English-Speaking Union scholarship for three months to the United States, where he interviewed the actor James Cagney and presidential hopeful Hubert Humphrey.

He worked as a journalist at the BBC from the early days of television news in 1959 at Alexandra Palace in London, and then in the Manchester newsroom, until retirement in 1987. He was a leading figure in the trade union movement, taking local, regional and national roles with the NUJ, where he was made Member of Honour. In retirement he enjoyed WEA lecturing in history and attended Old Boys’ dinners and literary societies associated with School.

Alan married Mary Ashworth (Girls’ Division, 1939-1946) in 1953 and they had two children, Jean and Peter, who both attended School. They celebrated their Diamond Wedding in 2013.

Alan and Mary left Bolton and moved to Islay in the southern Hebrides in 2009, to live close to their daughter, Jean. His life story featured under ‘Other Lives’ in The Guardian. Alan died on 29th July 2022 at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife, two of his four siblings, son and daughter and two grandsons.

Peter Knowles (Class of 1979)

Brian Robinson (1958-1964)

Whilst Brian and I arrived at Bolton School in 1958 it wasn’t until around 1973-74 that we met up again and then became longterm friends. Brian was

born and grew up in Greenmount, near Radcliffe. He was a very keen Bury supporter and somewhat traumatised at their demise; he was not to know of their recent emergence.

At School he started in ShellA2 in the demountables in the playground, then moved on to 3A3 and upwards.

As he left School, Brian joined Williams Deacon’s Bank and worked in Manchester’s Water Street branch before moving on to Grimsby. By 1972 he was in at the start of Access Credit Cards in Southend with Williams & Glyn’s, as the bank was known, managing the Authorisation Unit situated in Brentwood. It was at the Access Department that he worked alongside my wife, Enid. His next move was to open the Staff Branch in the new London Head Office at the Angel Islington before taking over the branch at Ilford from where he took retirement. Whilst in London he was a busy committee member of the London Banks Football League.

In retirement, and now living in Brentwood, he took many holidays a year, cruising and travelling throughout America. He also sponsored and supported Bury, became a season ticket holder at Essex CCC and had some connection with Lancashire CCC.

When at home he developed a keen interest in books and had a huge collection at the time of his death – it was difficult not to believe that you were in Foyles, such was the size of his collection!

Brian never married and after heart surgery he did not enjoy the best of health; he passed away being cared for in a local care home, frequently visited by his Northern relatives.

Peter Chandler (Class of 1965)

Martyn E Roper (1952-1960)

Martyn’s story is a remarkable one: he left the UK for Peru in 1961 and I caught up with him in April 2021 – yes, 60 years later – when Geoff Ogden (1950-1960) obtained his email address. Martyn’s sister, Lois, has kindly filled in the 60 years for me which I have included.

Both Martyn and I started in the Shells (A2 and A1 respectively) and over the years became part of a group of friends, many of whom have maintained contact

over the last 60 (!) years. Martyn was a formidable sprinter who came first in the 100 and 220 yard Sports Day events from 1954 to 1960, with similar success in 440 yards, plus 120 yards hurdles in later years. The Boltonian report on the 19th May 1959 athletics match versus St Bede’s College and Manchester University Second Team notes that he ‘unofficially broke existing School records for 100 and 200 yards in 10.6 and 24.0 secs respectively’. The photograph of Martyn shows him winning the 220 House Athletics race in his usual style – with MJ ‘Mike’ McNeil (Class of 1961) (second) on the left and Peter Jarvis (Class of 1960) (third) on the right. He was Victor Ludorum for two successive years.

In 1957 Martyn joined the School rugby squad – unsurprisingly, on the wing – and scored his first try versus Preston Grammar School. The July 1960 Boltonian stated ‘he has an excellent swerve and side-step’. In July 1960

MH ‘Spesh’ Fielding (Class of 1959), M ‘Meech’ Green (Class of 1959) and Ray Entwistle, who did not attend Bolton School. We travelled and pitched our tent in France and North East Spain to the south of Barcelona for around three weeks in an open-top Austin Gypsy (similar to a Land Rover) before seat belts were introduced! The adventures were varied and sometimes dangerous but always fun. The photograph above shows Martyn (on the right) and me (middle) puzzling over the tent in Ray’s garden prior to leaving on our adventure.

Ian David Starkie (1967-1970)

Ian died suddenly and unexpectedly on 6th April 2022, aged 69.

Ian was born in Burnley where his lifelong passion for sport began.

He attended Turf Moor with his father, taking a box to stand on in order to see Burnley Football Club play. Despite being a season ticket holder at both Nottingham Forest and West Bromwich Albion, Burnley was always his first love.

In summer he both played and watched cricket and paid his first visit to Old Trafford to see Lancashire County Cricket Club when he was four.

In 1967, the family moved to Bolton and Ian gained a place in Bolton School. He loved his time at there and went with the School on several trips abroad, camping all over Europe and even into Russia, and that inspired his lifelong love of travel.

He attended Sheffield University, to study history, where he met his future wife, Vivienne, whom he married in 1976 and they had 49 happy years together.

he was awarded First Team Colours and the Boltonian Rugby ‘First Team Characters’ reported ‘ME Roper, Left Centre … his running and swerving have been brilliant’. In his final year (Biology VI), he was a Deputy Monitor, Blackburn House Captain and Athletics Captain. The black and white photo taken in the School ‘canteen’ (in the recently constructed wing) includes Martyn second left (next to Geoff Ogden, nearest) plus Fred Benson (standing) and Peter Jarvis to the right. He was a real character with a mischievous streak and in 1960 was part of a group of five friends: me,

Martyn’s father was an engineer and the family lived in Brazil from 1956 to 1958 whilst Martyn stayed with his aunt so he could continue at School; the family returned to Bolton in 1958 before departing for Peru in 1961. Initially they lived in Lima prior to moving to La Oroya, a mining town at 12,000 feet in the Andes, where Martyn lived and worked in HR for a mining company; he met his future wife, Carmen, at an event in the jungle and they eventually married in 1967. In 1970 they moved to Bolton and he worked in HR for Littlewoods Stores, studying Business Administration in his spare time and gaining an MA. In 1974 the family moved to Bahrain where Martyn was head of HR for Gulf Air.

Martyn and Carmen had two daughters: Adriana, born in Peru in 1969, and Katrina, born in the UK in 1971. In 1981 the decision was made to return to Peru both to complete the schooling for Adriana and to start Martyn’s own business in forestry; concurrently he also did translation work for pharmaceutical companies.

It was so rewarding to make contact last year when we exchanged long emails and had several happy telephone chats. (Thomas) ‘Bill’ Dick (1952-1960)

Ian applied for a trainee accountant’s post in Chichester with West Sussex County Council, and in 1973 he moved down to Sussex, where he became a qualified CIPFA accountant. During this period, the couple indulged their love of travel, visiting California, Florida, The Cayman Islands, Kenya and Hong Kong.

In 1984, their daughter, Rose, arrived, and shortly after Ian obtained a post as Finance Director with Staffordshire Polytechnic. The family moved to Weston, Staffordshire, in 1985, and in 1988 his second daughter, Holly, was born.

Ian’s career grew with him, as he became involved in applying for and gaining university status for the Polytechnic and was appointed the Finance Director for the new Staffordshire University.

He stayed in this job until 2005 when he left to start a consultancy business. However, he hated working from home, so took up a post as Finance Director with Rodbaston College.

Even after he retired from this job, he joined a Quango connected to Staffs University: Foundation Degree Forward. He finally retired from all paid employment but began a new chapter

of his life working with charities.

He became the treasurer of a small national charity, the Urostomy Association, until its Chief Executive moved away. He then became a Trustee for Katharine House Hospice in Stafford and eventually took on the role as its Treasurer.

He never stopped his association with sports. On moving to Staffordshire, he played hockey with Stone Hockey Club and became its Treasurer.

He followed his passion for football by joining the England Supporters club and attending matches all over Europe. He loved cycling and went on many cycling trips in England and France.

Anyone who knew Ian was always amazed at his encyclopaedic knowledge of many subjects, but especially of Sport, and he published a Book of Sports Quizzes with his friend David Jenkins.

Ian was nicely summed up by his first Vice Chancellor, Professor Keith Thompson, who said of Ian: “He was the most rounded human being I have ever met”.

Vivienne Starkie

James (Jim) Wood (1964-1974)

Jim started in Bolton School at Park Road and, after passing his A Levels, he studied Economics at the University of Bath.

He then joined Lloyds Bank, initially working in the Manchester area, but for much of his life he was based with them on the Isle of Man.

Jim took early retirement in 2006 and settled in East Lancashire. But, discovering that he had too much time on his hands, he decided to retrain as a school teaching assistant and became a highly committed mentor to his pupils.

In early 2021 he suffered a massive heart attack, from which he never

seemed to recover completely. However, he was driven to return to teaching, but then suffered a serious stroke at the end of December 2021, sadly dying on 1st January 2022.

Beneath his conventional exterior Jim had an alter-ego which enjoyed Led Zeppelin and was proud to have attended one of their final British shows, at Knebworth in August 1979 (along with fellow Boltonians Dave Anderton and Malcolm Henderson).

While in the Isle of Man, Jim became a committed conservationist and frequently contributed his time to tree planting on the island.

Jim was a conscientious, unflappable student and became a lifelong loyal friend to his close contacts.

David Anderton, Martyn Foster and Malcolm Henderson (all Class of 1974)