Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 2013

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

129th year No. 251 (New Series 118th year No. 242)

Vol 116 September 2013

The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils’ Club each year

General Editor Brian K. Crookshanks, TD, MA, LL.B & Editor of 99 Fountainhall Road Notes etc. Aberdeen AB15 4EB

Secretary of the John F. Hendry, LL.B FP Club 36 Albyn Place Aberdeen AB10 1YF

Treasurer of the Mrs Lindsey A. Caldwell, MA, CA FP Club 3 Hillside View Westhill, Skene AB32 6PD

Membership

Douglas McAllister Secretary Gowanwell Cottage, Methlick, Ellon Aberdeenshire AB41 7JL

The General Editor is happy to receive contributions for the next issue of the Magazine at any time before 31 May 2014

Former Pupils are encouraged to provide details about themselves or others for inclusion in the Notes Section of the Magazine Information may be sent by E-mail to editor@agsfp.com

In order to assist in the distribution of the Magazine, members of the Former Pupils’ Club are requested to advise the Membership Secretary promptly of any changes of address

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

OUR ADVERTISERS

As a Club we are most grateful to all our under-noted advertisers who have supported the production of this Magazine by taking advertising space. Club members are encouraged, in turn, please to patronise our advertisers who would value our members’ custom every bit as much as we value theirs.

Aberdeen Asset Management Aberdeen Property Leasing

Aberdeen Solicitors’ Property Centre

Adam Cochran

Atholl Hotel

Anderson, Anderson & Brown

Bain Henry Reid

Bower & Smith F.G. Burnett

Campbell Connon Country Ways

D.M. Hall

Inchmarlo Retirement Homes

H & R Insurance Jamieson & Carry

Kenway Tyres Langstane Press

MTM Construction Marcliffe at Pitfodels

Menstyle

Prestige Carpets

Michies the Chemist

Williamson & Dunn

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Head Girl & Head Boy 2012-13

Georgia Smith and Euan Christie

School Section

School Section Rector’s Report

The national Curriculum for Excellence programme continues to be the main focus for development across the School. The pupils in year Secondary 3 in session 2012-13 are the first to fully experience the new curriculum. The School now has two phases: the Junior Phase S1 to S3 and the Senior Phase S4 to S6. In the Junior Phase in Aberdeen Grammar School S1 pupils have a broad experience studying fourteen different subjects building upon their primary school achievements. In S2 and S3 pupils have the opportunity for some personalisation and choice within their curriculum, and study eleven courses. In May/June this year S4 pupils were the last group to sit Standard Grade qualifications, which have existed for around 25 years. New qualifications, known as National 3, National 4 and National 5 will be taught from June 2013, with the first qualifications being awarded in August 2014. As you will appreciate these changes have been the focus for our teachers this session.

Our pupils continue to perform well in the national examinations. The Sunday Times placed the School 14th equal in their table of performance of state secondary schools. In some measures of attainment the School performed at its highest level for eleven years. The percentage of pupils achieving Advanced Higher qualifications was the highest ever achieved. As ever, this level of achievement is due to the hard work and dedication of pupils and staff and the continuing support of parents.

Performing arts are a significant feature of School life. Our Autumn and Spring music concerts drew full houses who appreciated the high standard of our musicians. The concert band continues to be amongst the best school bands in Scotland and achieved a Gold Plus award at the Scottish Concert Band Competition in Perth in March. A large talented cast staged the musical “Our House”, based on the music of the rock band “Madness”, for three nights in November. The enthusiasm and energy of the pupils was greatly appreciated by the audiences.

The Schools F1 Challenge teams have been very successful. In October the team from session 2011-12 travelled to Abu Dhabi to represent the UK in the World Finals of the competition. The 2012-13 team performed very well in the Scottish round of the competition and represented Scotland in the UK final in London in March.

In July 2012 a group of forty pupils and teachers participated in a World Challenge expedition to Tanzania where they contributed to community and environmental projects. A new group have started planning and fundraising for a one-month expedition to Peru in 2014.

Due to the popularity of the School with pupils and parents the school roll has remained high and stable. We opened the session with 1070 pupils. Aberdeen City Council continues to invest in the school building. Improvement projects this session have included the installation of double-glazed windows in the science block, and the redecoration of four laboratories, stairwells and corridors. The oil-fired central heating boilers were replaced by new gas boilers and a school wi-fi system will give pupils and staff wireless access to the internet.

Pupils have been enthusiastic in participating in the extensive programme of interhouse competitions. The House Captains, Vice-Captains and Depute Headteachers in charge of each House have been instrumental in organising events and engaging pupils. For the first time in many years a whole School sports afternoon, known as “The Grammar Games” were held at Rubislaw Field under blue skies and brilliant sunshine. The “Games” will now be a regular feature of the School’s sporting calendar.

Aberdeen Grammar School GRAHAM LEGGE

June, 2013 Rector

School Office-Bearers - Session 2012-2013

Head Boy: EUAN CHRISTIE

Depute Head Boys: MORAY FRASER

S6 Prefects:

Head Girl: GEORGIA SMITH

Depute Head Girls: GILLIAN BAIN

TOM RIDDOCH REBECCA DOUGLAS

Lewis Allan, Maryam Al-Mahtot, Abigail Barclay, Jessica Black, David Blues, Johanna Bokedal, Darcy Buyers, Laura Cowie, Hannah Crawford, Lauren Crawford, Scott Davie, Jan Dijkhuizen, Owen Fisher, Alice Goldie, Anna Hadjitofi, Lauren Henderson, Maria Humphries, Kathryn Inkster, Karra Kennedy, Emily Kenyon Roberts, Gavin Kinnear, Nitai Levi, Ellen Lynch, David McKinlay, Hannah McManus, Joshua Martin, Gavin Mitchell, Hannah Mitchell, Ronan Molloy, Stephanie Morrison, Caroline Mudie, Michael Newton, Rebeckah Page, Emily Pirie, Jack Reynolds, Nadia Salloum, Joanna Samuel, Kirsty Sharples, Bailey Shaw, Andrew Smith, Garrin Thomas, Johannes

Van Wachen

S5 Prefects:

Cameron Angus, Nicole Anderson, Kate Boland, Jhovelle Buhat, Andrew Burse, Eleanor Butler, Jordan Cheyne, Lewis Collie, Emma Collins, Jane Cruickshank, Glen Davis, Jeston D’Costa,, Morven Duff, Gordon Fraser, Neil Gauld, Alex Griffin, Anthony Harkin, Saskia Harper, Claire Henderson, Robbie Howe, Emily Hughes, Fraser McIntosh, Finlay McMillan, Fiona Macpherson, Chelsea Mullen, Jordon Murray, Honor Nicol, Craig Nicholson, Louis Pierre-Girard, Glen Smith, Chris Spence, Shannon Street, Marc Walton, Charles Wilson, James Witrick, Veronicka Zickay

School Section

School Prizes 2012-2013

The Joyce Tease Award for excellence in Post 16 Modern Languages Agata Nawrocka

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Modern Studies Joint Nicole Anderson Award

Claire Henderson

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Physical Education Glen Smith

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Administration Ayesha Ahmed

The Hamish Adams Greig Prize in Biology Shannon Street

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Spanish Maria Alvarado

The Former Pupils’ Prize in Drama Nicole Anderson

The Former Pupils’ Prize in Home Economics Hayley Jamieson

The Jenny C. Archibald Quaich for Excellence in S4 Home Economics Crystal Stewart

The Samuel Pope Prize & Donald Paton Prizes for Art & Design Maria Alvarado

The Sandy McIlwain Prize in Religious & Moral Studies Caroline Duff

The John Muir Robertson Prize in Accounting & Finance Kevin Woo

The ALBA Trophy for Business Management Josephine Li

The Gordon McMinn Prize in Computing Studies

Kate Boland

The Masson Bain Prize in English Marc Walton

The William Brebner Prize in French Maryam Al-Mahtot

The German Consulate Prize in German Agata Nawrocka

The Charles Alexander Walker Prize in History Maria Alvarado

The Campbell Connon Prize for Geography Katie Olson

The J. Mortimer McBain & George G. Whyte Prizes in Mathematics Jeston D’Costa

The Alexander Thomson Prize in Mathematics Andrew Kenyon-Roberts

The Gavin Falconer Memorial Prize in Music

Julia Morgan

The Basil Emslie Memorial Prize in Technical Studies Calum Tulloch

The CNR International Prize for Physics Jeston D’Costa

The CNR International Prize for Graphic Communication Alix Taylor

The CNR International Prize for Chemistry Marc Walton

The University of Aberdeen Prize for Human Biology Marc Walton

The Caritas Cup for Contribution to Charities Group Activities Maryam Al-Mahtot

The AGS Dramatic Society Award for Drama Nitai Levi

The AGS “Face the Music” Award for an outstanding Performance in the School’s Musical Production Jake Shepherd

The Concert Band Player of the Year Callum Reid

The Concert Band Award for Outstanding Contribution Joint Gillian Bain Award Niall Ford

The AGS Junior Literary & Debating Shield Denzil Mathews

The Rector’s Shield for outstanding contribution to the running of the Literary & Debating Society Maryam Al-Mahtot

The Edith & David Bishop Prize for Public Speaking Eilidh McCreath

The Andrew Middleton McLaren Prize for Enterprise Siobhan Menemy

The Montgomery Trophy Maryam Al-Mahtot

The Philip Love Trophy Euan Christie

The Jamie Blair Fiddes Award Matthew Douglas

Sports Awards

The S5/S6 Former Pupils’ Rugby Football Section Trophy Lickson Munjoma

The Arthur McCombie Senior Golf Trophy Matthew Fraser

The David Swanson Junior Golf Trophy Mark Gilmour

The Isobel O Anderson Medal for Swimming Joanna Anderson

The Fowlie Cup for Swimming (Girls) Ailish Crombie

The Rector’s Medal for Swimming Suleman Butt

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The Dr Morland Simpson Cup for Swimming Jack Watson

The Damien Reidy Rugby Trophy Ethan Murray

The Ken Peters Memorial Trophy for Cricket Rutwik Hegde

The Ronald MacKinnon Trophy for Athletics Lucy McLeod

The W.J. Johnston Quaich Johannes Van Wachem

The Ashes Jeston D’Costa

Inter-House Competition Awards

Junior Inter-House Debating Trophy Keith & Dun

Senior Inter-House Debating Trophy Byron

The Inter-House Hockey Cup for Girls (Junior) Keith & Dun

The Inter-House Hockey Cup for Girls (Senior) Keith & Dun

The AGS Inter-House Basketball Cup (Boys) Melvin

The AGS Inter-House Basketball Cup (Girls) Melvin

The Patrick Scott Senior Inter-House Boys’ Cricket Shield Byron

The Inter-House Challenge Cup Melvin

S4 Inter-House Football Cup Keith & Dun

Inter-House Badminton Shield Melvin

Inter-House Table Tennis Trophy Melvin

Inter-House Football Trophy Byron

Inter-House Ultimate Frisbee Trophy Melvin

The Rubislaw Jubilee Cup Grammar Games Keith & Dun

The AGS Inter-House Quiz Cup Keith & Dun

The Inter-House Cookery Competition Trophy Melvin

All-Round Awards

The Dr Alexander Cormack Prize to the best All-round Pupil in S1 Ella Freeman

The David Alexander Irvine-Fortescue Prize – S2 Eve Flett

The Norman Mackie Memorial Award in S3 Libby Taylor

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Award in S4 Irina Rotariu

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Award in S5 Jack Moffat

The Former Pupils’ Club “1965” Award Jack Reynolds

The Runner-up to the Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy & the Agnes Durward McDonald Prize Johannes Van Wachem

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy for Girls Georgia Smith

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy & the John Ivo Dawson Prize Euan Christie

School Cap for Hockey Euan Christie

Dux Awards

Nadia Salloum

Maryam Al-Mahtot

Sport

Colours Awards

Basketball Half Colours Kim Johnson, Daniel Li, Ronan Molloy, Gamuchiari Mukeredzi, Roy Patindol, Alwis Rajendran, Callum Tulloch, Kevin Woo

Cricket Full Colours David Blues, Jeston D’Costa

Football Full Colours Scott Davie

Half Colours

U-16 Football Junior Colours

Golf Full Colours

Gymnastic Hockey Half Colours

School Cap

Full Colours

Half Colours

School Section

Maya Hay

Matthew Fraser, Chris Levitt, Craig Mackie, James Maddox, Alex Morrison, Redha Nacif, Jason Ritchie, Sam Robertson, Cledwyn Viegas

Gavin Kinnear,

Nicole Anderson

Euan Christie

Alice Goldie, Hannah McManus, Hannah Mitchell, Prasanth Thangaraj,

Lauren Crawford, Rebecca Douglas, Morven Duff, Anna Hadjitofi, Ellen Lynch, Alex Morrison, Caroline Mudie, Emily Pirie, Joanna Samuel, Georgia Smith, Julia Stenhouse

Junior Colours

Rowing Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Kirsten Fraser, Kingshuk Ghosh, Chris Levitt, Hamish Robson, Julia Stenhouse, Callum Webb

Jacob Vyse

Eilidh Thomson

Michael Brown

Rugby Full Colours Michael McLean, Michael Newton, Lewis Reid, Jack Witter

Half Colours Junior Colours

Michael Brown, Steven Burrell, Joseph Davie, Glen Davis, Matthew Johnston, Finlay McMillan, Lickson Munjoma, Jordan Murray, Christpher Spence, Charles

Wilson, James Wittrick

Tayler Duthie-Johnston, David Finlayson, Callum

Lewis, James Maddox, Alex Morrison, Kieran Reilly, Squash Junior Colours

T/Tennis Junior Colours

Arts & Culture

Richard Hollins

Neil Innes

Craft Club Junior Colours Precious Otor, Catherine Smith, Sofia Tagor

Dance Half Colours Ellen Lynch

Debating Junior Colours

Face the Music Half Colours Junior Colours

Face the Music/ Pied Piper Half Colours

Music Full Colours

Emma Alderson, Eilidh McCreath

Gillian Bain, Forbes Beedie, Jhovelle Buhat, Eleanor Butler, Sam Garioch, Alexander Griffin, Saskia Harper, Nitai Levi, Honor Nicol, Rebekah Page, Emily Pirie, Bailey Shaw, Jake Shepherd, Sam Garioch, Ailsa Johnston, Eilidh McCreath, Finlay McRobert, Sam Pirie, Ewan Shand, Julia Stenhouse

Daniel Ruth

Gillan Bain, Abigail Barclay, Owen Fisher, Niall Ford, Kieran Hutcheon, Karra Kennedy, Gavin Kinnear, Callum Reid, Jack Reynolds, Nadia Salloum, Timothy Tagor, Half Colours

Johanna Bokedal, Kate Boland, Eleanor Butler, Lewis Collie, Morven Duff, Alexander Griffin, Caitlin Hammond, Emily Hughes, Rosie Mason, Julia Morgan, Finlay McMillan, Chelsea Mullen, Lewis Reid, Hannah Renton, Emily Stubbins, Cameron West, Veronika

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Zickaja

Junior Colours Joseph Cairns, David Cumming, Grace Flett, Kiera Keesing, Katie MacGregor, Eilidh MacGregor, Eilidh Matheson, Finlay McRobert, Sofia Tagor, Arun Wardley, Sarah

Whyte,

Music (Choir) Half Colours Jhovelle Buhat, Eleanor Butler, Saskia Harper, Julia Morgan, Emma Muldoon, Honor Nicol, Sharon Street

Junior Colours Emma Alderson, Ailsa Johnston, Abbie Kane, Eilidh McCreath, Finlay McRobert, Sam Pirie, Ewan Shand, Young Amnesty Half Colours Ashwitha Baretto

Extra-Curricular Activities

School Sports Clubs

Cricket

As a miserable and gloomy cricket season of 2012 drew to a close – partly due to the unpredictable Aberdonian weather disrupting cricketing fixtures – the School cricket team were plunged into further turmoil by the retirement of the much-loved and inspirational school cricket coach, Alan Smith of the Religious Education Department.

The vacant post however, was soon occupied by Keith Milne of the PE Department and the donation received from the Former Pupils’ Club was very useful and effectively put into use, partly to replace equipment lost in the fire at Rubislaw Playing Fields.

One of the major and beneficial purchases has been the bowling machine. This machine has helped develop the abilities of the pupils in many aspects of the game, such as batting, fielding and wicket-keeping and has, at the same time, provided the coach with the opportunity to focus more on certain areas of bowling, allowing pupils to collectively develop their cricketing abilities. The pupils have greatly benefited from the new equipment and two of the senior cricket players, Jeston D’Costa (S6) and Kingshuk Ghosh (S5), have also been regularly selected to play for the FP Cricket team.

This season, Keith Milne and senior team captain Jeston D’Costa have chosen to focus more collaboratively on promoting the sport within the School and integrating both teachers and pupils in order to increase the enjoyment of the game. This began with the highly spirited Staff versus Seniors Cricket match which again, unfortunately, due to the reccurring miserable Aberdeen weather, was disrupted and is yet to be re-scheduled. However, the little time that was spent playing had highly motivated the Staff and due to the increasing participation and enjoyment from Staff members, there are now weekly training sessions for both Staff and the Senior Team. The junior team have also had regular training sessions and these have been collaborated with fun cricket tournaments in order to enhance participation, enjoyment and develop valuable team-work and social skills.

There will now be more of a focus to allow both senior and junior pupils to display their talents, and opportunities will be provided to do so at traditional fixtures against Robert Gordon’s College, Gordon’s School Huntly, Gordonstoun School and Fettes College, Edinburgh.

School Section

The Under-14 Football team started the New Year and the new league with added vigour and were going from strength to strength with each match played. Having just managed to scrape into top tier football last year after playing more games than their close rivals Robert Gordon’s College, they have now won four matches back to back and have scored 13 goals with a loss of only 5.

The first part of the season 2012-13 was a mixed affair with wins against Westhill and Albyn in the League and a win against Gordon’s in the Sportsman’s Trophy. Losing to Kincorth, Gordon’s and Cults in the League meant that Grammar would have to rely on other scores to move them into the top division, and these were thankfully granted to them. A loss against Gordon’s and also against Mintlaw at home meant that they were put out of the AFC Cup and the Scottish Cup respectively.

The start of the new season has breathed new life into the team with four wins from four in three different competitions. A 6 - 2 win against Hazlehead in the League and a 3 –1 win against Westhill in the Sportsman’s Trophy have ensured a good start to the new league and a place in the final of the Sportsman’s Cup. The match against Kincorth can only to be counted as a friendly as they have now pulled out of all competitions, but the 3 – 1 win was nevertheless impressive as Kincorth had beaten Grammar 9 – 2 at the start of the season in early October 2012.

The fourth win saw the U-14 team go through to the 3rd Round of the Scottish Plate competition, a secondary competition to the Scottish Cup, after a trip south to a sunny St Andrews where they beat Madras College 4 – 3 on penalties. The trip was well worth the day off school, as I am sure the boys will agree, to play in an eventful and good-natured match against a determined and committed Madras side. The match went straight to penalties after a 1 - 1 draw, even although both sides had ample opportunities to seal the win within regulation time. Grammar were first to score but also the first to miss in the impending penalty shoot-out when, as usual, the Grammar heads went down. Fortunately they were buoyed back up again by the capable number 8 winger from Madras College placing his effort high over Rutwick Hegde’s goal. Grammar then scored their remaining penalty leaving the outcome precariously balanced at 4 penalties to 3 with Madras yet to take their final shot. A low shot to Rutwick’s left saw him guess correctly, which he was unable to do with the previous four shots due to the high quality of penalty taking; his guess allowed him to make the perfect save and put Grammar through to the next round.

The final of the Sportsman’s Trophy took place on Wednesday 8th May at Longside Football Club, near Peterhead and was well attended by parents and supporters alike. An overcast evening with the prospect of a rain-lashed match looked to hamper both sides, but the rain held off and allowed the match to be played at a fast pace which would suit both sides. It was a little too fast for Grammar’s Jamie McAllister as he was substituted after only three minutes, going off with a suspected broken nose. We managed to hold off Mintlaw at nil-nil until half-time, and came off buoyed by the fact that we had managed to keep a clean sheet against them so far, something which we had not achieved in our three previous meetings. To be honest, both sides had missed chances in the first half but we, who don’t normally need many chances to score, were unable to convert any of the solid first half chances which came our way.

With the wind and the slope of the pitch going for Mintlaw in the second half it was only a matter of time before they scored. Once the first goal was scored Grammar tried to push forward but left too many gaps at the back and the final whistle came as a relief. We were able to hold our heads high even having lost 4-0 as we can use these defeats to help us to focus on our own strengths and improve on any weaknesses which we may have.

Well done to everyone in the team for showing true grit and determination against some tough opposition this season. I look forward to carrying on our success into next season. The team wish to thank the Former Pupils’ Club very much for their donations each year which greatly assist with running costs and kit replacement.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Under -15 Football

Mr Barry Gibson

The Under-15s football team has had another very successful year. In the league, Grammar won every match they played. When it came to the league decider versus Westhill Academy on the final day of the season, we were hoping for a better start. The boys had other ideas and looked completely outclassed by Westhill, trailing 2-0 at half time. Thankfully they got their act together and won comfortably 5-2 to win the league.

The road to the final of the Gerard trophy was an eventful one with Grammar having a difficult draw. We also made life difficult for ourselves throughout the cup run, showing that we were particularly slow starters. Cup success looked unlikely in the Quarter Final when we were 3-0 down to Portlethen Academy at half time. Grammar eventually rallied to win 5-3 and progress to the Semi -final versus Cults Academy. This proved to be quite an eventful game. The School were again 2-0 down at half time. They got it back to 2-1 and eventually, after a final ten minutes of pressing for the equaliser, Aiden Hodgins managed to score with the last kick of the game to take it to penalties which we won 4-3.

The final of the Gerard trophy was played against Westhill Academy at Spain Park. The boys produced a fantastic performance to secure the trophy, winning 1-0. The game wasn’t as close as the score-line suggests and Grammar dominated throughout. We pressed Westhill from the opening minutes and got our reward through a powerful Steven Innes header. Despite our dominance, the team have Goalie George Mitchell to thank for maintaining the lead after he produced an excellent save from a well struck free kick when everyone thought it was destined for the net.

The only blemish from this season was going out in the second round of the Scottish Cup to Turriff Academy after reaching the semi finals the previous year. All credit to the boys for putting that behind them and winning two trophies. Next year they can hopefully do a bit better in the Scottish Cup!

Also congratulations go to Grammar players Neil Cumming and Lachie MacLeod for making it into the Aberdeen Schools U-15 select team.

Under-16 Football

The Under-16 Football Team started off this season with a great result against Albyn in the League, beating them by 6 goals to nil. They then went on to beat Hazlehead 3 – 2 and Torry 6 – 4. Both of these teams have beaten Grammar in previous years so they were made even more satisfying and enjoyable. The last game in their very short season was a tense thriller against Westhill at Spain Park, Banks o’ Dee, where they lost narrowly by 5 goals to 4. On this freezing cold evening in early October, and even though the referee reduced Westhill’s compliment of players to 10, Grammar still couldn’t find a way through the Westhill defence to score the elusive equaliser. Thankfully the points were not required from this match for Grammar to win the League. Grammar having played and won three out of four matches meant that we won the League by three points over Hazlehead and Westhill who shared second spot with 6 points each.

School Section

Under-15 Boys’ Football Squad

Under -18 Boys’ Football Squad

School Section

Under-16 Football League Cup

Captain – Craig Mackie & Coach – Mr. Barry Gibson

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

No domestic cups were being contested this season as there was a lack of interest from other local school teams in the under-16 category so we had to be content with the League Trophy which has now been presented to the team.

As no domestic cup matches were available to the U-16 team the Scottish Cup was the only other hope left of playing more matches and gaining more success. Unfortunately we had a fairly speedy exit from that competition, delivered by Aboyne Academy who beat us by 5 goals to nil.

Well done to all players who gave 100% commitment in every game and put in the maximum amount of effort and co-operation to ensure their season was as successful as it could be. School Colours were awarded to those players showing outstanding commitment and effort throughout their entire Aberdeen Grammar School football career. Many thanks to the boys who made it a pleasure to coach this team. Some of the Under-16 team will go on to play in the senior team next year with Senior Coach Mr Michael McLeod, so I wish them every success in their continuing school football career.

The team wish to thank the Former Pupils’ Club very much for their kind donations each year which help a lot with running costs and kit replacement.

Mr Barry Gibson Senior Football Team

The School’s senior football team had a successful year along with their inspirational coach, Mike McLeod. Despite an early exit in the Scottish Cup, the team reached two local cup finals and went on to win one of them, The JM Low Trophy.

In the President’s Cup, the team scraped through the group stage to set up a tough semi-final against Portlethen Academy. 1-0 down with five minutes to go, a dramatic equaliser took us into extra time, and at 2-1 down, two late goals from Davie and Angus sent the team through to the final! Unfortunately, we lost that to Harlaw Academy by 5 goals to 1.

But revenge was to be had in the JM Low Trophy…

Comfortable victories against Mackie and Cults saw the team through to the semifinal to face Harlaw Academy again. The team battled hard and were rewarded with a 2-0 win which booked our place in the final against Inverurie Academy.

In that match, with goals from Davie and Mbarki, Grammar were up 2-0 at half-time, and a superb performance was rewarded with further goals in the second half from Murtagh (2), Mbarki and Smith. With the score at the final whistle 6-2, Aberdeen Grammar had secured a well-deserved victory and were champions of the JM Low Trophy tournament.

Swimming

In January Rory Matheson (S1), Jack Watson (S2) and Suleman Butt (S4) competed at the Scottish Schools’ Swimming Championships in East Kilbride. Each of the boys produced outstanding performances in their events, leading to five medals being won by the Grammar contingent. In the 12-and-under category Rory took Bronze in the 50m Breaststroke, which was a very tight race. Jack Watson produced a great swim in his 200m Freestyle to take the Gold in the 13/14 year-old age group and followed this with a Bronze in the 100m Freestyle. In the 15/16 age group Suleman produced Gold medal performances in both the 400 and 200m Freestyle events.

Suleman was also recently competing at the British International in Leeds where he broke four Scottish Junior Records and one British Age-Group Record. He has also received notice that he has been identified for the Podium Potential Programme for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and he has been invited to be part of the Scottish relay squad for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

School Section

Boys’ Hockey

The past year has heralded mixed success for the Boys’ hockey club. With the 1st Xl losing so many experienced players at the end of last term, this year was a building year, with only two senior players left. With a relatively low number of fixtures for the 1st X1, the first two matches against Douglas Academy and Strathallan (old rivals of the team in past years) brought defeat for the young Grammar side who, compared to the opposition, were very inexperienced. However, the boys’ hard work and commitment paid off when they beat Gordonstoun 1-0 in the final match of the season.

The U-16 squad, however, had a fantastic season. With many of the lads playing 1st X1 hockey, the team, under the guidance of the S6 coaches, won the U-16 national league and beat Gordon’s College twice in the local league. The U-14 team also enjoyed a successful season, with wins over Gordon’s College and Cults.

Individuals have also done the school proud over the season. Euan Christie captained the North District U-18 team, and Alex Morrison captained an U-16 side which also included Kingshuk Gosh and Chris Levitt. Euan and Alex were both also selected for their respective national squads. At the younger age groups, goalkeeper Cameron Mackintosh was selected for the U-15 side, whilst Sam Knudson and Kieran Christie both played for the district at U-14 level.

Girls’ Hockey

There Is much enthusiasm for hockey at Aberdeen Grammar School at the moment. During the 2012-13 season around 100 girls across all the year groups were involved in the game. Fixtures were affected by the terrible weather, which meant that not as many games as planned could be played. The S1 teams enjoyed friendlies and tournaments. S2s played in eight games and two tournaments and showed steady improvement throughout the year, culminating in wins over St Margaret’s and Albyn on successive Saturdays towards the end of the season. The 3rd Year team also had some good results. Two players, Alex Morrison and keeper Kate Riddoch, have been selected for the U-15 North District squad. Others from the 3rd year team were also called up to play for the 1st X1 and for FPs.

The Senior teams are represented in the U-18 District squad by 1st XI captain Alice Goldie and Hannah Mitchell. 1st XI vice-captain Morven Duff, Kirsten Fraser and keeper Julia Stenhouse play in the U-16 District squad. We are delighted that Morven has been capped for Scotland in the home internationals and Julia has also represented Scotland U16s in Dublin. The School 1st XI took a while to get into their rhythm but their terrific team spirit paid dividends towards the end of the season when victories were secured against St Margaret’s and Albyn in League and Tournament events. Robert Gordon’s College remain unconquered!

The 2nd XI team had a pool of 18 players consisting of a mix of S4, S5 and S6 girls. This meant that some players had to move to different playing positions so that all could be accommodated, but they settled in quickly to the new set up. Unfortunately the 2nd XI had no dedicated coach from September to the beginning of January but the team overcame this adversity. Their proudest win was beating Robert Gordon’s College at Countesswells in the semi-final, to then go through to the final.

In January-March very few matches went ahead due to bad weather. It was increasingly difficult to find fixtures for the 3rd XI so any games played tended to have 2nd and 3rd XI girls joining as a team.

Many of the girls have benefited from training with and playing for Grammar FPs and we look forward to continuing that connection. Active Schools have, as ever, been fabulously supportive of Aberdeen Grammar hockey. We will miss the unfailing enthusiasm of Rebecca Lovie, who has moved on to a new career.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Chants of “Red Hot” will soon be resonating again as the new season gets off to a quick start at the end of August. Bring it on!

Golf

For the fifth consecutive year the School’s golf team won through to the semi-finals of the Schools League. In the semi-final, however, they were beaten by Hazlehead Academy who eventually went on to lose the final to Robert Gordon’s College resulting in the Grammar team handing over the trophy they had won the previous year. The Grammar team comprised Gavin Kinnear S6, Anthony Harkin S5, Ross McKendrick S5, Ben Cassie S4, Matthew Fraser S4, Aaron Ritchie S3 and Jonathon Bell S1 who all acquitted themselves well in their own individual matches.

The school championships, both Junior and Senior, were keenly fought for. Matthew Fraser S4 won the Arthur McCombie Senior trophy after a 2-hole play off, whilst Mark Gilmour S3 was junior champion and recipient of the David Swanson trophy. In what is always a very short season, there is only one further competition to be played in late August and is a team event sponsored by the Paul Lawrie Foundation in which Grammar has an outstanding record.

Gymnastics

The gymnastic squad had a quiet start to the year due to the cancellation of regional heats; however they continued to train hard. The first inter-House gymnastic competition took place in December, with a high turn out across three different ability levels and a pairs competition from all three Houses. Keith & Dun took home the big points. Katy Davie, Iona Annand and Heather Gault represented the School and North-East Scotland at the Scottish Gymnastic Championships on 17th March, making the Grammar School’s début at Advanced Level 3, a fantastic performance, finishing in the top half of competitors. The squad took part in the Scottish Schools Gymfest in May and their display was highly commended.

Volleyball

The School is now offering volleyball as an extra-curricular opportunity for all pupils. The popularity of the sport has gone through the roof and the success of the club has led to several promising young pupils attending the Scottish Volleyball Fast-Track sessions. As the session passes, some huge improvements have been noted and each age group has been well represented in several tournaments.

All teams have now competed in either national schools festivals or local competitions. The Senior Boys finished a respectable 8th place in their festival.

The North of Scotland S2/3 Schools’ Cup was the first competitive volleyball experience for our Junior players. We took an S2 boys’ team, an S2 girls’ team and an S3 boys’ team to compete in Huntly. Each team played very well and everyone showed how much their volleyball playing has improved. Our S2 boys’ team, consisting of Matthew Smith, Luke Byrne, Jack Pirie, Nathan Donald and Rutwick Hedge, managed to win the boys’ tournament and Luke Byrne was awarded player of the match.

The Girls’ teams attended a tournament at Banchory Academy. This was extremely successful and gave them a taster of what competitive volleyball is like. They had lots of fun and played some awesome volleyball too. The S4 girls did very well against older and more experienced opposition, with one of the teams managing to grind out a victory against the Banchory Girls. The Junior girls managed to win all their games, showing some very strong attacking skills with which Banchory couldn’t cope.

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Our senior boys and senior girls teams travelled to Huntly to participate in the Aberdeenshire Senior Schools Competition. Both teams played very well, each finishing in third place. This was an excellent opportunity for some younger players to play in a senior tournament and they did very well, playing some very good volleyball throughout.

Clubs and Societies

Book Club

World Book Day

Thursday 7th March was World Book Day – a day dedicated to celebrating books and reading. To mark the occasion, the whole School took part in an 11am ‘Big Read’, with all classes in all subjects taking fifteen minutes out of their regular work to enjoy some reading.

Tutor classes were also involved in the Aberdeen City Wide ‘Decorate a Door’ competition. The winning door was Lemony Snicket’s ‘Series of Unfortunate Events’, decorated by KD9 and Mr McKenzie-Smith, which has been put forward to the City Wide final.

Additionally the English Department ran a diorama competition in which pupils entered 3D models of their favourite texts. Although all of the dioramas entered were excellent, the winners were for S1 to S3 Tony Marshall and for S4 to S6 Gillian Bain and Hannah McManus.

Chess Club

Thanks to the continued co-operation of certain teachers and the consistent attendance of pupils, the School’s Chess Club has continued to be busy and vibrant.

Following the eagerly-competed inter-house tournament of last term, the club has offered pupils the opportunity to further nourish their competitive appetites by entering the Delancey Schools’ Chess Challenge. The tournament has started on an intra-school basis from which the most successful competitors will progress to a regional stage from which they may further progress to a national or even UK-wide final.

Music

Concert Band

The Concert Band has done it again, thoroughly impressing judges with their high quality performances in both local and national competitions of the Scottish Concert Band Festival. Their local heats took place in Cults Academy where they were awarded the highest and rarest award of PLATINUM for their efforts. On the Festival website it states that, ‘The performance which drew most comment on the day was Aberdeen Grammar School’s performance of Andrew Boysen’s “I AM”, which was so convincingly performed that many of the listeners were acutely aware of the significant emotional impact this piece can have.’ As well as this, Callum Reid managed to achieve the SCBF Outstanding Young Soloist award for his performance of the Edward Gregson Tuba Concerto. Huge congratulations to him.

As a result of these achievements the Band competed in the Scottish Concert Band Festival Final in Perth on 23rd March. They managed to gain a Gold Plus, the top award presented in their category. This was an amazing achievement as

they were competing alongside many strong bands from throughout the country. Well done!!!

The biggest accomplishment was that of Callum Reid who was awarded SCBF 2012 Most Outstanding Young Soloist Award for his Tuba solo. The adjudicators were particularly impressed with him. Well done Callum. Additionally, we would like to extend our congratulations to the Junior Concert Wind band who achieved a Silver Plus at the same event. This was an amazing achievement as this was the band’s first competition. Not only that, but

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Callum Reid with the Scottish Concert Band Festival Platinum Award

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they won the Best Entertainment award for their rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean where they had some real pirates fighting it out during the playing of their piece. A fabulous start for the young up-and-coming band.

Autumn & Spring Concerts

This year’s concerts demonstrated the number of talented musicians we possess at Aberdeen Grammar School. There was a wide range of musical acts in both concerts, including the award-winning Concert Band who played their 20minute programme for the Scottish Concert Band Festival.

The Spring concert included the choir, who demonstrated that they are going from strength to strength with a sweet number called “Ordinary Miracle”; the Show Choir, who sang their powerful rendition of Queen’s, “Who Wants to Live Forever”; the Percussion Group who blew people away with their quirky yet fun piece which comprised no instruments but clapping rhythms; and the ever so funky Jazz Band with their rendition of Blues Brothers, “Gimme Some Lovin'”. The audience was also treated to some excellent soloists like Hannah Renton, who played alongside Nicola Benedetti on Thursday 28th March in the Music Hall. Finally, no concert is a concert without the fabulous compering of Miss Adams, who kept the audiences entertained with little stories about all the pupils. A huge ‘well done and thank you’ to all the pupils and staff who were involved in both concerts.

Drama at the Grammar

S1 Drama Club Transition Play

S1 Drama Club started in 2008 as part of a Link project with English. The focus of the project was to develop literacy skills through an interdisciplinary link with English. It was essentially to give P7 pupils a ‘feel’ for the work they will do in S1, to address their worries and concerns about the move to secondary school, and to give them an opportunity to experience the English and Drama departments.

This project has grown arms and legs. Not only did the S1 Drama Club perform to the P7s during transition week, where the P7s get to experience a week at Aberdeen Grammar School before the Summer holidays, but they also took part in a Drama festival created by Mrs Smith, the visiting primary drama specialist, and Mr Peacock, a drama teacher at the School.

The Primary 7 pupils had an opportunity to watch the S1 Drama Club play during a lunch break within their transition week. Mr Peacock and the current S1s compiled a series of sketches about the fears and realities of coming up to the Grammar School, with commercials and public information skits inserted in between about the things P7s may need to know about the Grammar.

After the play the Primary 7 pupils are asked to discuss the content of the play and write a problem page letter (based on any fear relating to their move from primary into secondary). They then discuss a chosen problem in groups and decide on advice they would give to the writer.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The S1 drama club performed the same play to P6s as part of a festival of sharing where all the P6s from every associated primary school had a chance to showcase their drama work. This was a lovely opportunity for the P6 pupils to visit Aberdeen Grammar School and perform on a large stage in front of their soon-to-be peers. It also allowed them to mingle with other P6 pupils from other schools, which will hopefully ease the fear of coming up to the Grammar in just over a year’s time. Well done S1 Drama club, you worked extremely hard.

“Our House” – Face the Music

‘It’s not hard to make the right choices, there’s a wrong way and a right way. It’s a pretty simple equation.’

‘Our House’ was definitely the right decision for this year’s musical which pupils and staff decided to tackle. Over 180 pupils auditioned to be a part of the show in June 2012 which demonstrated the amazing amount of talent and enthusiasm in the School. After the gruelling auditions, a very strong cast and chorus of 50 pupils proceeded to undertake a 16-week intensive rehearsal process. The dedication and motivation of all those involved in the show surpassed all expectations.

This included making a wee cheeky promotional video, which seems to be becoming a tradition of Face the Music productions. The video starred cast and teachers involved in the show (including a cameo from Miss Innes) bursting into all the different extra-curricular activities around the School after ‘School’s Out’.

The main challenge of the musical was that it is essentially two musicals. The story splits early on to follow the two paths which Joe Casey’s life could have followed depending on a fateful decision he makes on the night of his 16th birthday. There is Good Joe, who is presented to the audience in white, and Bad Joe who is always in black. We essentially see where fate and consequence lead them. The story has so many twists and turns it puts a contemporary spin on the old morality tale formula.

Jake Shepherd took on the complex role of Joe Casey with a natural flare. One of his biggest challenges was his extremely quick costume changes, one of which happened on stage behind umbrellas which awed audiences. Nitai Levi took on the role of Joe’s dead dad who remains on stage for the majority of the musical, watching over his son’s actions. Nitai had an amazing presence on stage and brought a great maturity to the role. This was juxtaposed with Gillian Bain’s mothering and full-of-love representation of Joe’s Mum, Kath. Emily Pirie demonstrated her amazing singing voice by playing Sarah, the girl Joe wished to impress. To add humour to the play we had Joe’s gormless mates, Emmo and Lewis, brilliantly played by Peter Fraser and Sam Garioch who had perfect comic timing. Alongside them we had Sarah’s sassy friends, Billie and Angie, played confidently by Precious Otor and Abbi Kane. Finally, the baddies of the play were played by Finlay McRobert and Forbes Beedie, both of whom excelled in playing both roles ‘appearing more friendly than they seem’.

This is just a small insight into the principles of the play; we have not yet begun to mention the chorus and band, all of whom acted and played their little

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hearts out. The result of the pupils’ hard work was three amazing shows performed in mid-December, the last of which sold out! The cast’s amazing energy and talent highlighted all comical and sensitive aspects of this difficult script beautifully. On behalf of all the cast and crew we would like to thank all who came along and supported this production. Keep your eyes open and ears peeled for Face the Music’s next production of ‘Back to the 80’s’ on 19th – 21st November 2013.

A Wonderful Night for a ‘Wonderful Guy’

On Sunday 21st April 2013 a capacity audience filled His Majesty’s Theatre to share in the tribute to a ‘Wonderful Guy’ – Steve Robertson. It was a truly magnificent evening of entertainment provided by many of Steve’s friends and family and thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by all present.

Given the long-standing connection which Steve had with Aberdeen Grammar School it was very appropriate that the School should be involved in the show, something which they were delighted to do. On the night, the school choir, accompanied by Laura Pike, herself a Former Pupil, opened the show. This was followed by the school Show Choir, with soloists Nitai Levi and Jake Shepherd. Both choirs were conducted by Charlotte Henderson, who teaches in the Music Department, and accompaniment was provided by Callum Reid and the Choir Band.

In the second half of the show, the school Concert Band played three numbers, one of which featured a solo performance on the tuba by Callum Reid. The band was under the direction of their conductor, Alan McDonald, who is a visiting specialist with the Music Department and who has led them with great success to the highest level of award, both locally and nationally, for the last seven years.

Janet Adams, Depute Rector of the School, was the Stage Manager.

In 2006 Steve starred in the stage show in His Majesty’s called “Bon Record” to mark the School’s 750th Anniversary. To be able to recognise and repay him for his huge contribution to the success of that show by being part of this tribute show was something which was not only a pleasure for the School to do, but to be involved in it was also a great honour for them.

Charities / Young Amnesty Group

We have had a very active and productive year this year in the Charities and Young Amnesty Group, holding events, raising money and promoting awareness for many charities and causes.

Charities Group

Throughout this year we have raised money for a number of charities, local, national and international, by organising a variety of days and events for the causes. We are so pleased to have had such a great success which will hopefully be continued!

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Some of our members, and even a few teachers, got involved in sponsored activities to raise money for Aberdeen Royal Blind’s Annual Light Relief Week. Activities included a knitting workshop organised by Mrs Durden and Mrs Stallard doing some Reiki. In total we raised over £200!

This year we decided to organise a ‘Wear it Pink’ day on 12th October for Breast Cancer Awareness which was a fantastic success and gained lots of support from school students. With the help of the craft club, we also made pink ribbons which we sold to support the cause.

For Children in Need on Friday 16th November, the Charities Group also organised various fundraising events throughout the school, such as a Disney music quiz, ‘Pie the Teacher’ and ‘Guess How Many Sweets are in the Jar’. Thank you to all who participated in the day’s activities, especially to Mr Gibson, Mr Stanger and Mr Milne for agreeing to take part in the ‘Pie the Teacher’ event!

Red Nose Day was another event in which we became involved. We held a ‘Beat the Goalie’, ‘Guess the Number of Sweets in the Jar’, Tights and Ties Day and sold Red Noses in support of Comic Relief. Everyone had lots of fun wearing their crazy tights and ties with their red noses!

Our final event this year was ‘Purple Day’ for Epilepsy Awareness Scotland, which saw a wonderful turnout with many pupils guessing the Number of Sweets in the Jar and guessing the Easter Bunny’s Age as well as wearing purple. In total, the Charities Group was able to donate over £900 to Epilepsy Awareness Scotland.

Young Amnesty Group

The Young Amnesty group have been active this year too. Our group members participated in 'Write for Rights’, a human rights campaign organised by Amnesty International which asks Amnesty supporters each year to send encouraging messages of hope to victims across the world, whose human rights have been ignored by their governments. The group members got busy writing letters to political prisoners, governments and human rights activists, showing our support, condemning the violation of human rights across the globe and demanding justice for many prisoners imprisoned for political reasons. This year, we sent cards and letters around the world, from Egypt and Afghanistan to Syria and China. We hope to continue our involvement in this worthy campaign when it returns in November, as we have done for a number of years now.

This year we also hosted a large multicultural event in the school to promote and celebrate the cultural and racial diversity in our extremely diverse school! With pupils representing over 170 different nationalities, the Group decided it was time we celebrated this diversity in the Aberdeen Grammar School community! We gained a great deal of support from pupils and teachers alike and overall the event was an immense success! Snapshots from the day were compiled into a video which the School submitted to the ‘Anne Frank Award’ which is an annual schools competition organised by GREC and provides a chance for young people to express their own views on the problem of prejudice and discrimination.

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We ended our busy year with an AmnesTea, at which we thanked everyone for all their support this year and shared a lunch while raising vital funds for the work of Amnesty International!

Aberdeen Grammar School has proven, yet again, how successful it is as a school in raising funds, a total of £3,440.35 this year, for a great number of charities! The Charities & Young Amnesty Group would like to thank all the pupils and staff alike for their extreme generosity. These are just some of the many activities which pupils who attend our meetings have helped to organise. No praise is too high for them!

Anne Frank Awards

The Anne Frank Awards is a competition open to all schools in the Grampian area, hosted by the Aberdeen-based charity Grampian Regional and Equality Council (GREC) since 1998. This competition offers a chance for young people to express their own views on the problem of prejudice and discrimination and is also a great opportunity to show schools’ active involvement in the promotion of equality and diversity. As every year, GREC awards schools and individual students involved in the promotion of social justice, equality, positive relations and human rights. With pupils representing over 170 different nationalities, the Charities Group decided it was time that we celebrated this diversity in the Aberdeen Grammar School community!

The School participated last year in this event however, since it was the first time we had participated, only a few creative pieces were handed in. Since then, the Young Amnesty group has been planning a big scale event. Following a long discussion with the group, it was decided to hold a multi-cultural exhibition where pupils from different countries came together to present various different cultures in the form of artefacts and food from their respective countries.

To promote the event posters were displayed around the School. An advertising video, which was produced a week prior to the event, was presented to tutor classes during registration. The video included pupils from different countries introducing themselves in their respective languages.

On the day of the event, some of the organisers dressed in their native clothes and went round the School to attract students and teachers to come to the event. This, in turn, was filmed by one the organisers. Around the School, interest was sparked by both pupils and teachers who wanted to experience for themselves the traditions of each of the countries.

The stands had samples of traditional food unique to that country, information and fact-files, cultural exhibits and traditional clothes. In addition, some of our pupils were dressed in their traditional costumes and there were some traditional music and presentations at certain stands. For the duration of the occasion, each stall was filmed with pupils giving a small talk about their countries. Snapshots from the day were compiled into a video which the School submitted to the competition.

The event was a great success, especially as it was the first time that the Young Amnesty Group had organised such a large-scale event. The occasion has definitely changed the School for the better as students and teachers embraced

the traditions and enjoyed every moment of it. We gained lots of support from pupils and teachers alike, and overall the event was an immense success!

World Challenge – Tanzania Summer 2012

During June and July of 2012, two groups of seventeen pupils, two teachers and an expedition leader embarked on a World Challenge expedition to Southern Tanzania.

World Challenge is an organisation which works through schools to send pupils to developing countries, so that they may face new challenges, learn new skills, and gain a new appreciation for different cultures, customs and the natural environment itself. In the past, Aberdeen Grammar School teams have been to Uganda and to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Fundraising

The first challenge which the students faced was raising the necessary £3650 to go on the trip. In the eighteen months before departure many different fundraising events were held, including bag-packing in stores, a rock-climbing challenge outside the St Nicholas Centre, a fashion show, and numerous race and quiz nights.

The Expedition

The groups left Aberdeen airport on 23rd June and the real journey began. The expedition focused on three main phases: acclimatisation, trek and project. The first week was spent acclimatising to the heat and humidity through a number of shorter treks, passing through small villages and witnessing spectacular scenery. This set the teams up well for the main trek up the 2,960m high Mt Rungwe. While this was exhausting, especially as they were carrying full rucksacks, the groups persevered and completed the trek in one piece, which was highly rewarding.

The challengers then spent a week working in rural primary schools, doing a mixture of school lessons and renovating dilapidated classrooms. While the language barrier made teaching difficult, the teams never gave up and consistently tried to interact with the children, who were friendly and welcoming. This project phase was the favourite phase among the majority of the challengers, as it was the phase which best conveyed what life was really like in Tanzania, and also involved the most interaction with the locals.

At the end of the three demanding phases, the groups were rewarded with a week of rest and relaxation. This included a two-day safari, where the students saw many different animals, such as elephants, giraffes and lions. The groups also participated in a number of other activities, such as snorkelling, visiting a Masai village and going on a spice tour, before spending some time on the sandy Swahili coast and the beautiful island of Zanzibar.

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World Challenge

A happy group in Tanzania

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The four-week expedition was enjoyed by all, and many challengers took away valuable life skills from the experience. The regular opportunity for the pupils to lead their respective groups proved challenging yet rewarding, and each student learned something about themselves because of this. The expedition itself was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and the challengers all agree that any World Challenge expedition should be regarded as an invaluable experience.

Future plans

The next World Challenge will be to Southern Peru. Planning for this expedition is now well underway, with teams hard at work fundraising and planning their expedition itineraries prior to departure in July 2014.

The F1 Challenge

F1 in Schools – Synergy Alpha

In November 2012, six members of Aberdeen Grammar School, under the team title “Aeroflux 2.0”, travelled to Abu Dhabi to represent Scotland at the “F1 in Schools Challenge” World Finals. Exotic food, sun, planes and all the wonders that Abu Dhabi brings were experienced by these lucky young men. They did Scotland proud – reaching the semi- finals of the knockout stage in a fierce competition. Inspired by Aeroflux’s performance, this year’s team look to emulate that success – and they are well on their way.

“Synergy Alpha” is what this year’s team – Owen Fisher, Gavin Kinnear, David Blues, Jack Reynolds, Alwis Rajendran and Timothy Tagor – from the School have taken to calling themselves. Unsurprisingly, there are heavy expectations for this team to try and replicate the success of last year and they have started in a fashion which shows that they mean business.

February’s Scottish Regional finals, which took place in Dundee, were a resounding success for the team. With their miniature twenty-centimetre balsa wood car, which is fired down a twenty metre track by a CO2 canister, the team won numerous prizes, including the “Fastest Car” in Scotland, but most importantly they earned qualification to the national finals. The team now looks forward to the next challenge – these National Finals in London.

On 15th and 16th March, Synergy Alpha will be competing against the very best that Britain has to offer. They will be competing against teams which have an unimaginable advantage in terms of resources and finance, and trying to earn one of three invitations to the world finals, this year to be held in Austin, Texas.

The team will be judged on a wide variety of criteria – the speed of the car, a verbal presentation, a portfolio and a “pit display”, which is a stall which each team has to put on. The team will hope to do Aberdeen Grammar School proudly by emulating the success of Aeroflux.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Toyota STEM Challenge 2013

‘We are the Trailblazers from Aberdeen Grammar School, we are pioneers and we are innovative.’ This was our first sentence as we made our oral presentation at the national finals to the judges of the Toyota Stem Challenge.

The Challenge was an initiative to encourage young people to make use of skills from a wide range of subjects in the engineering and technical sector. For the Challenge we were required to design, create and test a model environmentally friendly vehicle. In addition, we had to prepare an oral presentation, a folio and also develop our team identity. After submitting our folio, we were successfully selected to go on to the next round, the Scottish Regional final.

In this we were up against teams such as George Watson’s College but managed to attain first place. We then progressed to the National finals which were held at the Donnington race-track in Derby where we were placed third and met ‘The Stig’ from Top Gear. We were proud to represent the School and our main sponsor Tunnocks at such a prestigious event.

At the Big Bang Fair in Glasgow on 14th June the Trailblazers won the BT Best Club Presentation Award with over forty clubs participating. The team have also received letters of congratulation from an Aberdeen MSP. We all learned a great deal from the experience and are hoping to encourage other teams to enter next year. Raysa Darmen also went on to win the Toyota Stem Challenge competition. Her logo will be used on a number of places such as their website, letters and documents. We are hoping for further success next year, as we are competing in the F1 in Schools challenge.

All Round Trophy Winners Session 2012-13

Maryam Al-Mahtot, Georgia Smith, Euan Christie, Johannes Van Wachem

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Mr Wilfred J. Norris

An article by Michael Raeside Auld in last year’s issue of the Magazine erroneously stated at page 43 that Wilfred Norris, who was Head of the Music Department at the School in the 1950s, went on to be head of music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow whereas the post to which he was appointed in 1957 was that of Senior Lecturer in Music at Jordanhill College in Glasgow.

More seriously, Auld further stated that Mr Norris “took a great interest in his students – so much so that he divorced his wife in favour of one of them”. This statement is entirely without foundation, Wilfred Norris having had a long and happy marriage which lasted until his death in 1999.

When faced with the complaint which the Editor received from Mr Norris’ family, Auld claims to have been given the information many years ago by someone whom he believed to be reliable, but he accepts that this part of his article contains gross errors. He has written to Mr Norris’ family apologising unreservedly for the distress which was caused to them when they learned of his article.

The Magazine Editor accepted the article from Auld in good faith, and had no reason to question its accuracy. The Former Pupils’ Club, as publishers of the Magazine, has joined the Editor in apologising to Mr Norris’ son and daughter.

In 1957. when Mr Norris left the School, the Magazine recorded that his dynamic direction had seen the Music Department go from strength to strength. Both Orchestra and Choir had achieved the highest standards and it was he who had composed the overture ‘Bon Record’.

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The Rescue of Fox

Many people freely admit that they get on better with animals, particularly dogs and cats, than they do with other people. I am well established in that group, three marriages and three divorces saying a lot, but have been very fortunate to have had contact with a wide range of animals and birds. Dogs and cats from early years; a "Good Life" adventure with a Jersey house cow, Gloucester Old Spot pigs, goats, chickens, ducks and geese; then there have been some exotic encounters, working with lion cubs, horses, foals and elephants in Zimbabwe, touching Grey Whales in Baja, California and holding bats in my bare hands in Hungary. Gloves must be worn in the U.K. when handling bats, but for me direct touching is everything and my anti-rabies regime was up-to-date.

However, one of my most enthralling animal experiences was an amazing encounter with a fox in Fife. At the time, I had my best ever dog. Tatum was a collie/lab cross, incredibly intelligent, tuned in to my emotions and very obedient; the perfect companion. Every day we went for a long walk in woods or open country and, because my piercing whistle could bring her to heel in an instant, she could be allowed, mostly, to be "off lead". On the day in question I was following a footpath between a mature beech wood to my left and a pine wood behind deer fencing to my right. Well away from roads, it was very peaceful and very relaxing, the gentle whispering of the trees in a light breeze a grand antidote to the stresses of my job.

Unusually, Tatum was not in front but well behind me, doing her own thing, when I saw strange movement ahead of me – indeed, astoundingly strange movement. A frenzied brown blur following a high speed figure-of-eight pattern was wind-milling from the ground to about six feet in the air. It was indeed astounding and I was completely baffled until, as I got nearer, I remembered that there was a fox snare where the blur was racketing round. I stopped, summoned Tatum to heel and approached very slowly.

Realizing it could not escape, the snared fox now lay, chin on paws, as distant from us as the snare wire allowed. The heavy log anchor had been pulled several feet from its normal position and having no experience of such a situation, but a considerable respect for the fox's teeth, I told Tatum to sit and I stood far some moments trying to work out what I might do.

I looked intently at the fox and he stared at me. His dark eyes and stillness revealed neither fear nor aggression, more a dignified capacity to wait patiently to see what would happen – no doubt hoping for a chance to escape to freedom! Despite the controlling snare noose around his neck, his eyes and demeanour contained nobility well worthy of respect. His personality having thus been established I knew I was committed, and that I could not leave Fox to his fate as there now existed a significant sense of responsibility that bonded me to him. By simply walking on I would condemn Fox to death and that would be an unbearable outcome.

Fox had to be released! But how? Ordering Tatum to "Sit and stay", some twelve or fifteen yards from Fox, I began talking to him, soft words, slowly and gently spoken.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

"Hello Mr. Fox. Are you the fantastic Mr. Fox? But you are in trouble now ".

The words, unhurriedly and so softly spoken, seemed to establish some sort of contact with Fox. I also sang bits of songs as if they were gentle lullabies. I crept closer, slowly, steadily and calmly, knowing it would take much time, much patience and many gentle assurances to establish that I meant him no harm.

"McGinty's Meal and Ale", a bothy ballad from Aberdeenshire, is raucous when I regale my old school chums at class reunions, but on slowing and softening the gentle Doric word tones they become tranquil and soothing with a calming effect on animals – traumatized lion cubs as well as foxes. It certainly can't be the purity of my singing! I was now close to a still immobile Fox, and it was time to take off my waxed jacket.

"Please be calm Mr. Fox, be fantastic, Mr. Fox, I will do you no harm ". Tatum sat where instructed. Then, with Fox seeming as settled as he was ever likely to be and as I was near enough to do so, I warned him, still softly and ever more gently, "I'm going to throw my jacket over you but don't worry, don't he afraid ", and then I cast my jacket on top of him. Fox immediately lay over on his side. What a relief! Talking and singing gently and slowly to animals does work wonders, provided the body language replicates the sounds. ‘So far, so good’, I thought, as I knelt down beside him, but what, I wondered, would Fox do when I touched him as I certainly had to?

"Be still my friendly Mr. Fox. Now I can really help you. But you must be still ". And he was lying very still indeed so, just being my usual obstinate and determined self, I got on with things. I started another slow song,

"Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye, I will not hurt you Mr. Fox, I will not even try ".

Constrained by the snare wire, Fox remained completely static, he seemed rigid even, while I dragged the log closer to provide some slack to work with. With concentration at maximum I reached, unseeing, under the jacket for Fox and noose. Was he "playing dead" I wondered as, still singing softly, I felt my way slowly up his legs to his neck, my fingers then delicately parting his soft fur searching for the wire. Finding it, I began to slacken the noose very, very gently. Fox remained as rigid as ever, "Easy now Mr. Fox", then I slackened some more.

"Easy now Mr. Fox ", and slackened until the noose was big enough to slip over his head.

Then, just as I was about to move the noose past his nose, I had a very unusual attack of common sense! I realized that my hands would have to move very close indeed to Fox's teeth, teeth I not only respected but feared as well. Tatum still sat where ordered and Fox was still in his rigid state. The only thing I could think of doing was to remove the jacket, make the noose as large as possible, set it firmly, and hope that Fox would remain rigid while I lifted him backwards out of it.

I have often wondered if some "Power" controls situations like these as everything Fox did and Tatum did and I did seemed to be the natural order of things, indeed, almost as if we were programmed. "Almost there Mr. Fox, almost there ", I said as I carefully removed the jacket then enlarged the noose and set it in tufts of grass before slipping my hands under a still rigid Fox. How

General Section

wondrously soft was his fur and how surprisingly light his weight; there seemed nothing of him at all.

"Please trust me, really trust me Mr. Fox ", I begged as I lifted him and moved him backwards as he maintained his rigidity till his head was through the snare and he was lying again on the ground. Sliding my hands from under him, I knelt back, Fox sat up and, with our heads level, we stared at each other, eyeball to eyeball for some seconds. The connection between us was so solid that I have always thought that Fox should have winked at me, as foxes do in Disney films. But this was no film and Tatum's patience was exhausted. She rushed at Fox who turned in a twinkling and sprinted into the wood with Tatum in hot but hopeless pursuit, my whistle not really being necessary.

Had Tatum felt I was safe while Fox was snared but in danger and requiring her protection when he was free? An interesting notion to consider but, sadly, there is no hope of ever knowing the truth. I like to believe, however, that that was her motivation.

After completing our walk through the wood Tatum and I were wandering past the end of the "snare path" when I saw the farmer or gamekeeper, in the distance, walking towards the snare. What would he make of the situation I wondered but hurried off in our different direction with a happy glow in my heart, a glow I still feel every time I think of Fox and his links to Tatum and me. To be trusted by a wild animal to that massive extent is indeed a glorious experience. Or was Fox merely using me?

Neil M. Munro (1942-56)

World Challenge Expedition

Tanzania 2012

It is hard to believe that a full year has passed since we took off for our World Challenge trip to Southern Tanzania. With some pupils still in school, others spread around the country in further education, and some freshly home from gap year travels, it is safe to say that each and every one of us learned valuable skills and lessons on the month-long expedition.

For the majority of us in each team it was our first experience of Africa, as well as our longest period away from home and our families. This meant that culture shock and homesickness were inevitably part of the trip. However, being at some points out of our comfort zone definitely helped us to mature into more independent individuals, and the many opportunities to chat to locals and work alongside them certainly helped us to settle in as we learned about their lives and experienced their infectious happiness. We became aware of how fortunate we really are, particularly after a week of trekking during which shower facilities, and even running water, were not at our disposal... resulting in a queue of eager teenagers, and teachers alike, keenly waiting for the (freezing cold) showers at our final campsite.

On a practical level, we overcame the challenges of travelling as part of a large group in a new culture and climate. From dealing with setting up a campsite after a day of trekking in 30 degree heat, to devising a simple system of

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

numbering everyone to ensure that no one went wandering off into the wilderness, we learned how to live with one another in this new environment. Looking out for each other was an important aspect of the trip and certainly made us more aware of others around us, whilst also teaching us the importance of being a reliable contributor to the team. Furthermore, dealing with money, from fundraising the entire cost of the trip to budgeting a week of food for a team of twenty, was a valuable lesson to learn, particularly for those of us who left for university just weeks later.

Each team member also had the opportunity to become the team leader, a role which was handed over each day, involving organising transport, arranging for our stay in campsites, and delegating responsibilities come dinner time. Most evenings ended with reviews of the day, with games like the ‘rose and thorn’ in which each team member would name a highlight and low point of the day to discuss and learn from. This was obviously important in helping the team bond and grow together to have the best month we could have hoped for.

We clearly gained a lot from the World Challenge Expedition, and are excited for those going on the Peru trip in 2014 (we would happily take their places if we could...). We wish them the best of luck with their fundraising and the expedition itself. Southern Tanzania 2012 was a huge challenge for us all, but an extremely rewarding one which we will never forget.

Hannah Whitcombe Eilidh McRobert

Memories of F.P. Hockey

Prequel

My association with the Former Pupils’ Hockey Section spanned over twenty years in three relatively short spells. When I left School in 1955 with the words of the legendary Bob McNay (“for goodness’ sake, Fraser!”) ringing in my ears, my contemporaries Willie Buyers, Jim Wright and I joined FPs, with Jim (a Scottish schoolboy international) going straight into the 1st XI. I made my debut for the 1st XI in a 2-1 victory over Gordonians at Rubislaw as left half when one of the Cromar twins (I never could tell them apart) was unavailable; I recall being greatly impressed by the skill and pace of Ian Middleton on the left wing.

At the beginning of season 1956-57 Willie and I decided to move to the University Hockey Club, attracted by the prospect of inter-University competition and Wednesday afternoon practices at King’s College under the guidance of 1st XI captain Les Forbes.

The problem of divided loyalty between old school and University (then much more locally based in population) bedevilled relations between the two leading clubs in Aberdeen. In my six years at University, the North District league title was won three times by each club. In the University side, which I captained to victory in the Scottish Universities Championships in 1960-61, there were six Gordonians and five Grammar FPs, viz . Neil Buxton, David Parkinson, John Drummond, Irving Garden and myself, with Willie Buyers and

General Section

Pete Walker challenging strongly. Ironically, the only team to defeat University in that season was Grammar FPs!

I left Aberdeen in 1962 to work in St Andrews and became a founder member of Madras College FP Hockey Club in the following year. After moving to Edinburgh in 1965 I turned out occasionally for Ruthrieston, under the influence of Sandy Innes, for whose Scottish touring side, Thistles, I played between 1962 and 1967. Then, when I returned to Aberdeen in 1967 I felt indebted to Ruthrieston and played for them for a couple of seasons before returning to FPs in 1969 where I enjoyed turning out for an excellent 2nd XI in 1969-70.

Nightmare at the North Inch: The Scottish Cup Final 1971

Eric Watt’s retirement in 1970 gave me the opportunity to step up to the 1st XI as a regular left-back. That team, in 2-3-5 formation, comprised Jim Lyon, Keith Campbell, John Fraser, John Drummond, Geoff Smith, Jimmy Gauld, Les Forbes, Alex Hampton, Fred Lawson, Joe Leiper and Billy Urquhart. Statistically, season 1970-71 must surely have been FPs’ best ever, with a record of Played 34, Won 30, Drawn 3, Lost 1; Goals for 109, Goals against 14.

The Dix Perkin Trophy, competed for by the winners of the previous season’s six District League Championships, was won over a weekend in September 1970; Midlands champions, Morgan Academy FPs had had been defeated in advance, then victories were achieved over East champions Inverleith (1-0) and, in the final, over West champions Stepps (1-1, decided on corners awarded). The only change in the side quoted above was Ernie Lorimer taking the place of Jimmy Gauld at left-half.

As the final game of the season approached, the Scottish Cup Final against Harris Academy FPs, to be played at the North Inch in Perth, confidence was high. Old rivals, Inverleith, whose team included several FPs, including Neil Buxton, Dennis Hay, Ally Philip and Jim Wight, were defeated 3-2 (after extra time) in the semi-final played at the Links, thanks mainly to two marvellous individual goals scored by Les Forbes, the oldest yet possibly the fittest member of the side. We had also beaten Harris 3-0 in Dundee earlier in the season, so confidence was high and victory expected to be a formality.

FPs dominated the Final, yet a goal refused to come. Our well-rehearsed short corner routine – John Drummond push, myself hand stop and Fred Lawson shot – somehow mis-fired, the woodwork was struck then, midway through the second half we were awarded a penalty stroke. Alas, instead of taking the responsibility himself or entrusting the task to the ever-reliable John Drummond, captain Fred Lawson asked our youngest and least experienced player, Geoff Smith, to take the penalty, which was saved.

As extra time approached, Harris mounted a rare attack and a short corner was unjustifiably awarded against myself for alleged use of the foot (in fact stick!). My protests were in vain. A perfectly taken short corner resulted in a fierce shot which struck my knee on the goal line; before a penalty stroke could be awarded (which Jim Lyon would surely have saved) the rebound was swept into the net by a Harris forward. The fulltime whistle sounded immediately. Catastrophe!

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The team bus was scheduled to depart from Perth at 7 p.m. to allow for postmatch celebration. However, rather than drowning our sorrows, Jimmy Gauld and I tramped the streets of Perth for a couple of hours, morosely discussing the meaning of life, before enduring a subdued journey home. A sad end to a successful season!

Sequel

I think that the 1st XI suffered from a collective hangover for the whole of the following season. I served as Vice-Captain under Jim Lyon’s inspirational captaincy, and results were generally very good, but our Cup dreams were ended at the Quarter-final stage by our old rivals, Inverleith (0-1), in Edinburgh. Jim was continually, and rightly, reminding us of the need to encourage younger talent in the Club, pointing out the ever-increasing average of the 1st XI. At the end of 1971-72 I decided to sulk for a couple pf years as my contribution to the youth policy.

However, a couple of years later, I returned to the Section for a third incarnation and spent a few enjoyable seasons with the 2nd and 3rd XIs. I even managed a couple of 1st XI appearances, firstly in a Scottish Cup tie against Eastbank FPs in the less than salubrious surroundings of Glasgow’s East End on their ghastly blaize pitch; our 1-2 defeat was made no less palatable by Fred Lawson’s shout of “Hard luck, John!” as the winning goal was scored, a clear indication of blame! Finally in 1975, at the start of the National Leagues, I played in a 4-3 victory at Rubislaw over our old nemesis Harris Academy FPs.

Two or three seasons thereafter I decided that it was time to hang up my stick when my 2nd XI team-mate, schoolboy Murray Carnie, whose family lived three doors away from us in Cults, insisted on addressing me as “Mr Fraser” during games – reminiscent of the calls of “pass it to me, sir” which I used to hear when playing for the Thistles against military sides at Catterick Garrison in the 1960s.

I then devoted my hockey career to organising the annual tours of the Argonauts who participated in the Scarborough Easter Hockey Festival wth considerable success (six times victors) between 1968 and 1986. Argonauts had a strong FP connection, notably expatriate Dr Terry Ryan (68 appearances), Gavin Gray (16 goals in 35 appearances), Alan Christie and Jimmy Gauld. Other FPs who turned out for Argonauts included John Blacklaws, Denis C. Hay, Tony Miller, Alan Pirie, Geoff Smith and Billy Urquhart. The most outstanding Argonaut was probably Peter Gordon of Harris Academy FPs who had been affiliated to Aberdeen University at the time of the 1971 Cup Final, with an amazing 87 goals in 86 appearances.

More than thirty-five years after the event, another FP connection came to light when President Ben Johnson confessed to me that he had been a member of the Aberystwyth University side which had been beaten by Argonauts on Easter Sunday 1969. It’s a small world!

Post Argonauts, it only remained for me break a couple of ribs at the Madras College FPs Silver Jubilee celebrations in March 1988 while playing for Madras Veterans. Definitely time to call it a day!

John G.N. Fraser (1942-55)

Former Pupils’ Section

Former Pupils’ Club

Founded 11 September 1893

Club Office-Bearers, 2013-2014

Honorary President:

GRAHAM LEGGE, BEd, MEd (Rector)

Honorary Vice-Presidents:

T. GORDON COUTTS (1938-49), QC, MA, LL.B (President, 1980-81)

BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46), TD, MA, LL.B (President, 1983-84)

ERIC D. WATT (1937-50), BEd. (President, 1984-85)

Prof. PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58), CBE, DL, MA, LL.B, LL.D (President, 1987-88)

W. MORRISON BROWN (1933-46) (President, 1988-89)

A. KEITH CAMPBELL (1944-53), TEng (CEI), FInst AEA (President, 1992-93)

IAN M. DUGUID (1938-43), OduM, MD, PhD, FRCS, FCOpth, LL.D, DO (President, 1993-94)

JAMES C. LYON (1953-59), RIBA, FRIAS (President, 1996-97)

J. EDWARD FRASER (1936-49), CB, MA, BA, FSA(Scot) (President, 1997-98)

RICHARD H. CRADOCK (1940-51) (President, 1998-99)

RICHARD F. TYSON (1944-49) (President, 2000-01)

DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE (1950-64) MB,ChB, FRCPsych. (President, 2002-03))

IAN H. McLEOD (1951-55) (President, 2004-05)

GORDON G. MILNE (1950-61) MB.ChB (President, 2005-06)

DAVID L. ALLAN (1945-58) QPM, LL.B, MPhil, FCMI (President 2006-07)

GARY J.G. ALLAN (1963-76) QC, LL.B (President 2007-08)

JAMES M. CLARK (1947-59) (President 2008-09)

NEIL BORTHWICK (1952-65) BSc, PhD (President 2009-10)

DONALD A. LAMONT (1952-65) MA (President 2010-11)

TRACEY J.H. MENZIES (1981-87) MBE, DCH, LL.B (President 2011-12)

NIGEL G.M. WATT (1963-69) LL.B, WS (President 2012-13) (Specially Elected)

ARTHUR L. McCOMBIE, MA, FSA(Scot) (Deputy Rector, 1973-90) (Elected 1991)

ALISTAIR M. NORTH (1937-50) OBE, BSc, DSc, PhD, FRSE, FRIC (Elected 2004)

J. PETER JEFFREY (1944-59) MSc (Eng) (Elected 2010)

H. ALAN S. HAMILTON (1943-56) (Elected 2012)

President:

J. MARTIN JEFFREY (1942-57) BSc

Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: DOUGLAS McALLISTER (1962-68)

Secretary:

JOHN F. HENDRY (1951-65) LL.B

Treasurer:

LINDSEY A. CALDWELL (1977 -83 ) MA, CA

General & Notes Editor of Magazine: BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46) TD, MA, LL.B

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Regional Centres

Edinburgh: President – W. MORRISON BROWN(1933-46)

Secretary – JAMES H. RUST (1963-71) james.rust@btconnect.com

Glasgow: President – MALCOLM GAULD (1947-61)

Secretary – MARGERY TAYLOR (1975-81) marg7ery@ntlworld.com

London: President – DONALD A. LAMONT (1952-65)

Secretary – SANDY NICOL (1962-71) anicol@lineone.net

Yorkshire: President – DOUGLAS SKENE (1959-64)

Secretary – DAVID GALLOWAY (1976-82) davegalloway1964@hotmail.com

Canada: President – DAVID J. THOMSON (1952-58)

Secretary – GILLIAN A. THOMAS (1975-80) gillianthomas@shaw.ca

Secretaries of Sections

Cricket – RICHARD S.T. FERRO theferrofamily@lineone.net

Curling – IAN P. SOUTER (1947-61) ianpsouter@aol.com

Football – KENNETH MACPHERSON kenneth.macpherson@ryden.co.uk

Golf – PETER M. ROBERTSON (1967-73) pmrobertson@adamcochran.co.uk

Men’s Hockey – DUNCAN HARRIS (1985-91) dharris@technip.com

Women’s Hockey – EMMA WILLIAMS emmamcara@hotmail.co.uk

Pétanque – KAREN VASS kaz.vass.15@hotmail.co.uk

Rugby – GORDON THOMSON g.thomson@talk21.com

Executive Committee

DOUGLAS McALLISTER (1961-74) Chairman

Vice-Chairman

The Secretary, the Treasurer and the General Editor of the Magazine, ex officiis

The Rector of the School, ex officio

RICHARD L.C. DARGIE (1964-73) NORMAN K.B. EDWARDS (1959-64)

GILLIAN M.E. GRAHAM (1991-97) RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65)

H. ALAN S. HAMILTON (1943-56) GRANT A. HAMILTON (1988-94

NEIL J.G. LAWRIE (1961-74)

BRIAN R. MORGAN (1952-65)

EMMA A. MAIR (1985-91)

GEOFFREY E. MORRISON (1992-98)

HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65) BARRY J. SHEPHERD (1988-94)

ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75)

Section Representatives

Club Centre – DALLAS G. MOIR (1969-75)

Cricket – JEREMY D. MOIR (1969-75)

Curling – COLIN R. SUTHERLAND (1947-60)

Football – RICHARD NICHOLSON (1975-81)

Golf – DALLAS G. MOIR (1969-75)

Hockey –Pétanque –

Rugby – JAMES M. RAE (1963-71)

Women’s Hockey – FIONA CAMERON (1991-97)

Staff – JANET C. ADAMS (1980-86)

Auditors

Messrs. BOWER & SMITH, C.A.

Former Pupils’ Section

Club Centre Committee

DALLAS G. MOIR* – Chairman

RICHARD DARGIE* – Secretary

LYNN ROSS – Treasurer

MARTIN CALLAN* – House Convener

K. BARNETT, K. DOUGLAS*, M. EWEN, A. HAMILTON, J.F. HENDRY, I.S. HOPKIN*, H.E. MORRISON, K. PRITCHARD, J.M. RAE, K. VASS, D.YOUNG* (* Denotes member of Management Board)

Club Consuls

Australia – JIM W. HOWISON (1937-50), 98A Hull Road, West Pennant Hills, New South Wales 2125, Australia, E-mail: howison@tech2u.com.au Tel. 00 61-2-9875-1296

Australia – Dr. FORBES J. SMITH (1945-57), 242 Main Creek Road, Main Ridge, Victoria, 3928, Australia E-mail: forbessmith@alphalink.com.au

Tel. 0061-3-5989-6234

Canada – GORDON B. SINGER (1949-50), 2421 Erlton Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2S 2V9 E-mail: singsing@shaw.ca ; Tel. 00 1-403-266-6448

Canada – PETER J. GREEN (1946-57), 157 Dibble Street, PO Box 2407, Prescott, Ontario, Canada, K0E 1TO E-mail: chantagrie@bell.net Tel. 00 1-613-925-9037

Canada – DAVID R. AULD (1947-61), 2187 Lafayette Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V8S 2P2 E-mail: davidauld@shaw.ca ; Tel. 001-250-595-0616

Corsica – IAIN WARES (1941-52), Via G.M. Angioy 34, Cagliari 09124, Sardinia, Italy. Tel. 0039-070-652508

Hong Kong – MARSHALL H. BYRES (1960-69), 2A Hatton House, 15 Kotewall Road, Hong Kong E-mail: marshall.byres@hk.ev.com ; Tel. 00852-2846-9878

Ireland – ANDREW M.M. STEVEN (1936-50), 5 Beechhill Avenue, Saintfield Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT8 6NS. Tel. 028-9070-2315.

New Zealand – MICHAEL B. THOMSON (1938-51), 39 Jubilee Road, Khandallah, Wellington 4, New Zealand E-mail: Thomson.wgtn@xtra.co.nz ; Tel. 0064-4-479-5678

Thailand – Prof. ALASTAIR M. NORTH (1937-50), 79/78 Soi 7/1 Mooban Tararom, Ramkhamhaeng Road Soi 150, Saphan Soong, Bangkok 10240, Thailand E-mail: amnorth@ksc.th.com ; Tel. 0066-2-373-2818

United States – Michael G. King (1951-60), 806 Northpointe Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103-3346 USA E-mail: michaelking806@comcast.net Tel. 1-801-363-3097

Annual General Meeting

The One-hundred and tenth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Club Centre in Aberdeen on Monday 25 March 2013, with Dr Douglas McAllister, the Vice-President, in the Chair. The Chairman reported as follows: As I come to the end of my second year as Chairman of the Executive, I reflect on a very mixed time in office. The year has seen some very positive developments but at the same time the resource problems which the committee is facing have continued right up to the wire. Again this has meant that progress

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

in a number of areas in which the Executive had hoped to move forward has simply not been possible.

Club Centre

The Club Centre position, which will be more fully covered later, continues to be a concern. In practice there continues to be insufficient income/footfall despite considerable effort from the committee. Certain initiatives have helped to arrest the losses, but these seem to be driving the Centre further and further from its primary purpose.

Finance

Alan Marr has valiantly continued to serve as Treasurer through the year and I am relieved to report that a successor has at last been found. I would welcome Lindsey Caldwell whose appointment we will be seeking to ratify later in the meeting. Overall the Club’s finances are in good heart which has allowed us to continue to support the School through the Amenities Fund and in other ways.

Membership

Membership over the year has remained relatively static. Although a significant number of school leavers (36) have taken up the ‘leaver package’ the numbers do no more than offset the attrition due to the inevitable march of time. I am afraid that, as has so often been reported in the past, the package which membership represents seems to be increasingly missing the mark with school leavers and younger FPs. The low recruitment figures over many years now have resulted in a demographic gap opening up which ranges from school leavers to 40 somethings.

Rubislaw Field

There has been much effort devoted to the revision of the Rubislaw Field Agreement over the past year. Aberdeen City Council are keen to see a new agreement in place to regularise current use and bring the new uses of the Field into the formal arrangements. Whilst a great deal of progress has been made we are now in a form of impasse with the Council, whose members seem unable or unwilling to continue with the ‘rights in perpetuity’ enjoyed by the School and the Club as enshrined in the original agreement. We are currently engaged in an exercise to identify the patterns of use of the Field and the FP contribution to sport overall which we wish to have recognised in these discussions and which at the moment are being ignored by the Rubislaw Field Committee.

Communications

As ever our Magazine, under the editorship of Brian Crookshanks, continues to receive very positive comments from FPs around the globe who look forward to receiving the news it brings them each year. This year we arranged for all our communications material to go out in one posting with the Magazine which saved a great deal in postage (notwithstanding the vast increase in charges) and simplified the logistics and eliminated the need for a newsletter. Reminders have

Former Pupils’ Section

now focussed more on e-mails which, although giving incomplete coverage, are increasingly the only economic option we have available to us.

Grant Hamilton has continued to act as webmaster for our website www.agsfp.com. The site has seen a steady flow of news – mainly from the Centre and some of the Sections. Keeping the site fresh and current is a considerable task and I am sure Grant will always welcome materials to achieve this.

Annual Dinner

For a second year we held the Annual Dinner at the Treetops on 22nd March. The event was a great success with Nigel Watt in the chair – supported by a claque of ’69-ers. The principal speaker, George Yule, proposed an excellent toast to the School and the Club well laced with his characteristic dry humour. The now well established principle of asking the Head Boy and Head Girl to support the Rector in replying on behalf of the School proved yet again to be very popular. Whilst the picture they painted of the School today was very different to the memories of most people in the room, the concepts of success both academically and on the sports field, and the contribution which the School makes to helping the young people attending it to develop in a truly rounded way would be very familiar to every generation of FP. Numbers attending the Dinner, although slightly better than last year, were still well short of what we would have hoped for.

Bon Record

November saw the launch of the book, Bon Record, written by Arthur McCombie and Brian Lockhart. The launch, organised largely by Jock Hendry, was a great success with the humorous support of Buff Hardie to help it along. The initial surge in sales has slowed, as one would expect, but demand continues and through the coming year we will be refreshing the marketing of the book to tap into other outlets.

In conclusion …

Last year I concluded with thanks to those who have helped make the Club successful through their efforts – this year the message remains exactly the same. I would like to thank the members of the Executive Committee and all those others who have given their time to support the many activities of the Club.

General Business Section Reports

Reports were submitted by representatives of the various Sections and of the Club Centre, and similar Reports appear elsewhere in this Magazine

Accounts and Treasurer’s Report

The 2012 Accounts (reproduced at the end of this Magazine) showing a surplus of £11,397 were submitted and approved. The Treasurer commented that the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

healthier surplus arose from the absence of property expenses for 1 Bayview Road, lower outlays than previously In certain areas, and the fact that the income included the sales of the new Bon Record. The Balance Sheet confirmed, as before, that the Club is in a healthy state financially.

Election of Office-Bearers

Officials of the Club were elected in accordance with the list published elsewhere in this Magazine

Auditors

Messrs. Bower & Smith, CA, were unanimously re-appointed Auditors of the Club and Section Accounts for the coming year.

Former Pupils’ Club A.G.M.

In terms of the Constitution, the Annual General Meeting is held on the last Monday in March.

The 2014 A.G.M. will therefore be held on Monday, 24 March at 7.30 p.m. in the Club Centre, 86 Queen’s Road, Aberdeen

Club Treasurer

Alan Watt Marr (1969-75) CA, who has been Treasurer of the FP Club since 1998, informed the Executive Committee three years ago that he wished to demit office. Efforts to identify a successor drew blank and in the end Alan, not unreasonably, declared himself unavailable for re-election at the 2012 Annual General Meeting. He agreed to hold the fort pending the appointment of a new Treasurer, and in practice this took yet another year. Alan, in the best traditions of the Club, in doing so has gone well beyond the call of duty. The Club owes him a debt of gratitude for his fifteen years of sterling service.

We now welcome Lindsey Anne Caldwell (née Steele) (1977-83) to this important role in the Club’s administration. Lindsay, whose father was the partner in Bowser & Smith who handled the examination of the Club’s books for many years, is a graduate of Aberdeen University and a Chartered Accountant.

President’s Report

It was a great honour for me to be elected as the Parent Club President and I was very proud to follow in the illustrious footsteps of my grandfather, Theodore, and my father, Alan, to become the first third generation President. The family has accumulated close on one hundred years’ service to the Club.

I had a very gentle debut on home ground at the Edinburgh Centre Dinner in April, held in the splendid clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society (founded 1761) which affords wonderful panoramic views to the Firth of Forth

Former Pupils’ Section

and beyond. One of my most distinguished predecessors, Professor Philip Love – who is responsible for all I know about the Law of Evidence and Procedure –gave an outstanding toast to The School and the Club with replies from Rector, Graham Legge , Head Girl, Rachael Matson and Head Boy, Matthew Henderson on behalf of the School and myself on behalf of the Club. The proceedings were ably chaired by Centre President, Morr Brown, in his own inimitable style and the evening was expertly organised by Centre Secretary, James Rust.

In mid-May I was a guest at the Aberdeen Watsonian Dinner in the Royal Northern and University Club, where the highlight of the evening was an inspirational address by their Parent Club President, John Spence, who is blind. Since moving to Edinburgh in the early 1970s I have befriended many Watsonians and I must say that without exception they have always been good company and a pleasure to know. My Vote of Thanks was an opportunity to convey my gratitude for lasting friendships.

My sister, Alison, had attended St Margaret’s School but I had never set foot in the School until being invited to attend its FP Club Quiz Night with the quizmaster being our very own Dallas Moir! A most convivial evening in the company of a team of fellow Parent Club Presidents, which failed miserably to match the score of the perennial winning “professional” quiz team!

Undoubtedly one of the major highlights of my presidential year was when I represented the Club at the School Prize Giving which was a very splendid affair held in the Music Hall at the end of June with 100% attendance of both pupils and staff. The School Orchestra performed admirably including an outstanding trumpet solo from Mark James, who was awarded a School Cap for Music. I presented the various All Round Trophy prizes.

A lasting memory for me was the astonishing number of different nationalities among the prize winners – over forty. Quite different from my day and wonderful to witness. The organisation was positively military in precision and a great credit to everyone at the School. An exhilarating enjoyable experience.

The Canadian Centre had a very successful Annual Reunion in early September in Ottawa which unfortunately I could not attend due to work commitments. The only other invitation which I had to decline was the Albyn School FP Club Cabaret Evening.

I greatly enjoyed the Yorkshire Centre Dinner held in York with its secondbest attendance ever of thirty one and very efficiently chaired and organised by Centre President, Doug Skene. The excellent Principal Speaker was Kate Illingworth, a feisty Barnsley lass, who turned out to be the niece of Harry Worth of shop window fame!

The Glasgow Centre Dinner in late October was held in an hotel on the banks of the Clyde. President Malcolm Gauld , Centre Secretary Margery Coutts and the members of the Centre, including brother Graham (Head Boy 1969-70), made me most welcome. The principal speaker was Jack Webster, the well known Gordonian journalist and author, who advised us that much to his embarrassment he was asked to leave RGC at the age of fourteen due to nonperformance and then over fifty years later was invited to return to give the speech at Founders Day! I have heard Jack speak at several FP Dinners and he

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

is always hugely entertaining and speaks so fondly of his upbringing in the North East.

In late November I presided over the Book Launch of ‘BON RECORD – a History of Aberdeen Grammar School by Brian Lockhart and Arthur “Jeb” McCombie, - who taught me all the history I know! – in the Club Centre. This book is a ‘must-have’ for all FPs. Douglas Simpson, son of founder of the Club, Morland Simpson, had been asked and agreed to write the history for the 700th Anniversary Celebrations in 1956 but it was never done. Now we have it thanks to these two Gordonians!! Buff Hardie gave a most amusing introduction to the authors, who then advised the large company as to how they had gone about their not inconsiderable task.

The Aberdeen Academy/Hazlehead Academy/Central School FP Club held its Annual Dinner in the Palm Court Hotel and Helen Plumb of Just Gems in Cults gave a most entertaining and informative talk.

In early January I returned to the Royal Northern & University Club for the Aberdeen Stewarts Melville FP Club Dinner. I very much enjoyed the inspirational address of headmaster, David Gray.

The Gordonian Dinner in early March was a very well organised and successful evening with a record attendance of two hundred and fifty under the masterly chairmanship of Parent Club President, Howard Smith. Throughout my presidential year I came across Howard on many occasions and found him most convivial company. He has been involved with both the College and the Gordonian Association almost all of his life and is a wonderful servant to both, not to mention his devotion to his beloved Aberdeenshire Cricket Club which he has served in similar vein. The Guest of Honour was Olympic swimmer David Carry, following in the footsteps of his mentor Ian Black (Sports Personality of the Year 1958!). David’s grandfather, Joe, was President of our Club in 1967-68 and father Peter was in the same year as my brother, Graham. In a highly entertaining speech David confirmed that Ian Thorpe does have big feet, having followed them up the pool! Head of College, Hugh Ouston, also spoke well.

The following week the High School/Harlaw Academy FP Club held a Buffet and Quiz Night in Rubislaw Church Centre and past Presidents Brian Crookshanks, Jim Lyon and Keith Campbell all acted as barmen in a most efficient manner!

Regrettably there is still no sign of a return of the London Centre Dinner. The Centre requires the modern day equivalent of Emslie and McLaren who resuscitated the Glasgow Centre.

The main FP Club dinner was held in the Hilton Treetops Hotel – always will be the Treetops to me – where fifty-five FPs and guests enjoyed an excellent meal. At relatively short notice my classmate George Yule agreed to propose the principal toast of “The School and the Club” and this he did with great aplomb, highlighting how a somewhat indifferent School Report in his early years at the School had acted as a great motivator in his working life in which he has enjoyed outstanding success in everything he has done, primarily in the oil and gas industry. He was recognised as the Grampian Industrialist of the Year in 2009 for his business leadership and entrepreneurial skills. George is President of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of

Former Pupils’ Section

Aberdeen Sports Village and Corporate Patron of Befriend a Child, an Aberdeen based charity for local disadvantaged children. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the University of Aberdeen in 2011. George is now also full time vice-chairman of Aberdeen Football Club. Not bad for a no hoper in the first year! He also highlighted the lifelong friendships he had made while at the School.

It was particularly pleasing for me to have two full tables of my contemporaries in attendance, due in no small way to the initiative and enthusiasm of my great friend Stuart Cummings, who has also been instrumental in organising two very successful Class Reunions in recent years – all from his base in Brussels, where he has lived for over thirty years.

The Rector, Head Boy, Euan Christie and Head Girl, Georgia Smith replied to the toast updating the company on the life of the School in a most informative and positive fashion. Euan and Georgia spoke most eloquently of their experiences at the School and I very much enjoyed the company of Graham, Euan and Georgia at the various Club Centre Dinners throughout the year. I replied on behalf of the Club.

The Club is in relatively good heart with the various sporting sections all operating successfully and giving great pleasure to all those who participate, as has always been the case. Two areas of concern are the ageing membership profile and the sustainability of the Club Centre. We have 1016 active members, 84% of whom are over 50 and only 3.5% are under 30. This is not a new problem, nor one that is easy to solve. A small working group, including some younger FPs, has been meeting to come up with an action plan to tackle the issue.

With regard to the Club Centre the current situation is stated starkly in the Magazine. A dramatic fall in turnover and ever rising costs has led to substantial losses over the last two years. If matters do not improve hard decisions may have to be made. Quite simply, FPs are not using the facility.

I should like to put on record my sincere appreciation to three very important individuals in the life of our great Club who have all helped me enormously throughout the year. Douglas McAllister, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Parent Club Dinner Organiser, Brian Crookshanks, Editor of the Magazine, and our long-time hard working Secretary, Jock Hendry.

Unfortunately due to working commitments I was unable to attend the Annual General Meeting and hand over the Badge of Office to my successor Martin Jeffrey, who has been an outstanding servant to the Club over many years. I wish Martin an enjoyable year and the Club every success for the future.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Presidential Profile

James Martin Jeffrey BSc (1942- 57)

Traditionally, the task of writing the “Presidential Profile” has been delegated to one or two trusted friends. Although I do have such friends, this is proving to be a difficult time to pin them down so I have decided to tackle the job myself. Let’s hope I make a decent fist of it!

Let me start by saying how delighted and grateful I am to be appointed your President. I feel deeply honoured, especially when I see my name on the new Board in the Club Centre which bears the names of so many distinguished predecessors. I am looking forward immensely to the year ahead and especially to visiting the various outposts of our great Club. These visits will provide a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet with many other FPs, young and old, and get their views. My wife, Whilma, who did marvellous work as Membership Secretary for several years, is going to accompany me on all of these trips and I hope that a great many of you will also bring your spouse or partner and former class-mates to the various Reunions.

My family has had a long connection with both the Grammar School and the FP Club. I attended the Grammar (1942–57) as did my brother Peter (1944–59). My father was a pupil (1906-18) as were my four uncles (the Bain brothers). In addition, I have traced various other members of the family who were pupils at the School going back to at least the mid 1800’s.

On the FP Club side, my father served on the Executive for about ten years before becoming Chairman in 1936, but had to stand down when he joined up immediately prior to the outbreak of war (he had already served in the Territorial Army for about twelve years). In the normal course of events my father could reasonably have expected to become President in the early to mid ‘40s, but when he was demobbed in 1946 he had to focus all his efforts on the family firm –James A Jeffrey & Co, Chartered Accountants. My brother Peter was deservedly appointed an Honorary Vice-President last year in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the founding and development of the Canadian Centre over the past twenty years. And now I follow in their footsteps. Incidentally, my mother was an external member of the Education Committee in the ‘50s with a special interest in the Grammar. All in all, a strong and enduring family interest in the School and the FP Club, but it doesn’t come close to the quite remarkable record of the Watt family – three Presidents and decades of outstanding contribution –and also that of a small number of very long serving Executive Members, some of whom are still in harness today!

I started at the Grammar in 1942 when I attended the Nursery School as a somewhat quiet and shy three-year-old. I don’t have any clear memories of those days apart from the formidable, but very supportive, Winifred Robertson. Then it was on to Kindergarten followed by Lower School where my teachers were Mrs Angus, Miss Gracie and Miss Pirie – all excellent, but very firm, teachers. Then in 1949 I was given the chance to go to Drumtochty Castle Preparatory School. I don’t think I really understood what this would involve, but off I went. The first term was pretty challenging as I got used to totally new routines and

Former Pupils’ Section

J. Martin Jeffrey (1942 - 1957)

President 2013-2014

made a few friends. However, after that it turned out to be a great experience and definitely character forming!

I returned to the Grammar in August 1952 and found myself in Class IIB along with a few familiar faces from Lower School days. Ronnie McLeod (“Tarzan”) was my Class Teacher and was very supportive as I grappled with the differences between Prep. School and Grammar School curriculums and standards – basically I was at least a year behind in almost every subject! However, once I had settled in there followed five very happy years. I enjoyed the academic work, particularly Maths and Science, but a double period of Art with the “Bush” filled me with dread. I had reason to be very grateful to many teachers for their support and encouragement – particularly Peter Cook, “Jesse” Lynch, Ian Park, Eric Morrison, Archie Baxter, Bob McNay and all the PE Staff – J C Hunter, Dally Allardice and “Dicey” Paterson. How fortunate we were to have such outstanding members of staff. Outside of the classroom, my main interests were Scouts (1st Troop), the Army Section of the CCF (grateful thanks to Ernie Robertson and “Butch” Nisbet who put in so much time and effort) and sport – mainly rugby and athletics (hurdles, pole vault). I just wish that I had been much more talented! My final year at the Grammar was particularly busy with some additional Highers, Advanced Maths papers and the Bursary Competition (a modest success). Then it was off to Aberdeen University to study for a BSc in Pure Science.

Although School was good, University was even better! There were so many activities that at times it was difficult to fit lectures and practicals into your schedule. Almost before I was in through the door I found myself elected to the SRC for three years, and then I became involved in the annual Charities Campaign. That first year I remember organising a produce stall with Alastair Mathieson (1943-57) outside the Church in Union Street (opposite Collies). My interest continued for the next two years when I became Chairman – that was challenging and hugely time-consuming, but great fun and very rewarding. I also played some rugby and started to develop an interest in Motor Sport, mainly with Barton Brown in his Dad’s Zephyr – this interest was to continue for the next twenty years, but the cars became a bit more specialised and high performance! Then, if that was not enough, I was persuaded by a good friend from School days, Sandy Hunter (1943-57) – later to become Air Vice-Marshal – to apply to the University Air Squadron (Sandy had been the WO of the RAF Section at School and I had been the CSM of the Army Section, so there were a few accusations of desertion flying around). I was accepted and the decision to join was surely one of the best I have made. The Squadron was fantastic – I really enjoyed the flying (Chipmunks) and the camaraderie and social life at the Mess in the huts at Bedford Road was tremendous……and on top of that you got paid for it all.

The Squadron became a powerful interest and together with two other FPs, David Parkinson and Peter Elder, we won the Scone Trophy – an annual flying competition between the four Scottish University Air Squadrons – for the first time for ten years. At this stage I began to give serious thought to a career in the RAF. I was invited to attend an Officer and Aircrew Selection Board at RAF Hornchurch and at the end of the 3-day exercise I was offered a Permanent

Former Pupils’ Section

Commission as a Pilot. I asked about a 5-year option which I knew had existed, but was told that this had been scrapped very recently. A pity, as that would have been absolutely ideal. So now it was a straight decision between a career in the RAF or in business with a strong accountancy element. It was a tough call, but I selected the business option and went off to London in 1961 to join the Ford Motor Company as a Finance Trainee.

I really enjoyed life in London, although with my salary working out at £17 net a fortnight and my digs costing £4 a week, money was always in short supply! I joined London Scottish and in my first game I played alongside the great D.W.C. Smith, former Scottish International and British Lion. Although he was in his late 30s by then, Doug remained a formidable player, still quite fast and powerful. Sadly, in March 1962, my father died suddenly without any warning. Later that year, Ford granted me leave of absence for a few months so that I could return to Aberdeen and tidy up my father’s business affairs. During this time I was studying for the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants exams and also doing some temporary teaching. Then I bumped into someone whom I had met when IBM were doing their recruitment rounds of the Universities. He had joined IBM in London and was enjoying himself hugely. I had had some contact with IT at Ford so I decided to contact IBM in Glasgow and joined them in 1964. There followed twenty very exciting and challenging years in a variety of sales, training and general management positions based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Manchester.

The early ‘80s saw the emergence of the Personal Computer and in 1984 I left IBM with two former colleagues to set up a business in Scotland –Computers for Business (Scotland) Ltd – to take advantage of the new opportunities. I was appointed Managing Director two years later and we successfully expanded the business to incorporate branches in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. We were still growing rapidly when we were approached in the mid ‘90s by a FTSE 100 company with a view to a takeover. This went ahead in due course and I stayed on for a further two years before leaving to explore some personal investments in the computer business. I have now exited from these with the exception of one in Australia.

While I was based in Scotland with IBM from 1964 to 1976 my main interests away from work largely revolved round rugby and motor sport. However, in 1973 I married Whilma, whom I met at IBM in Edinburgh, and we started a family who appeared at regular intervals, much to our delight – Grant, Nicola and then Duncan.

I played rugby for FPs from late 1962, during which time I clocked up more than 200 matches for the 1st XV and about 100 tries – not bad for a winger not exactly renowned for his blinding pace! Even more surprising, I was in a team which won two Seven’s tournaments! I also served on the Rugby Club Committee and was Treasurer for three years. My final game of rugby was for Exiles in their annual Boxing Day match against an Aberdeen Select in 1970. Then the body cried enough!

During this time Motor Sport also absorbed a lot of time. I joined Aberdeen & District Motor Club and Rallying was my prime interest. I started by navigating for two FPs – Stan Howard and Alan Hamilton – who were both

extremely fast, safe drivers. Later on I navigated/co-drove for Charlie Miller – I have to confess that Charlie is a Gordonian, but he is married to my cousin Midge Miller (née Bain) whose dad was Robin Bain, a stalwart FP and a former Captain of the FP Rugby 1st XV, so that made it all OK! Charlie was a very quick, safe and successful driver on the Special Stage events in which we competed right across Scotland, including the Scottish International Rally which in those days was a 5-day event. After taking a three year break from competing in 1969 in order to focus on organising events, including the National Granite City Rally, I bought my own Rally Car in 1972. I started with a Mini Cooper 1293 S and later acquired an Escort. Driving was great fun and I enjoyed some success, but that all came to an end when the family moved south in 1976 to live in Maidenhead.

When I first returned to Aberdeen, running a rapidly growing business and bringing up the family left little time for other interests. However, in the early ‘90s I began to get involved with MBC Hockey Club – a very successful Youth Hockey Club. I started as a supportive parent (younger son Duncan had started to play for them) giving lifts to all and sundry. Things simply developed from there and for the next ten years I became increasingly involved with various finance, business and membership activities. Then we made a case to the SHU to add a Senior Club. This was accepted and the Club successfully pushed up from the Regional League to National 2 (Outdoor) and National 2 (Indoor). Whilma also became involved with much of the administration and even learned to drive the Minibus! Other interests included watching rugby locally and also at Murrayfield and beyond (the first match I saw at Murrayfield was in 1951 –Scotland 0 South Africa 44 – and a try counted for only three points in those days); walking (including some gentle hills); a threat to take up golf; and possibly flying again……

Then in 1998, Ian McLeod, then Chairman of the FP Executive Committee, persuaded me to come aboard as Vice-Chairman…….I would find it interesting and rewarding, he said, and it wouldn’t be too demanding! He was absolutely right about the first two points, but utterly wrong about the time required! I was Vice-Chairman for two years and then was appointed Chairman in 2000. There followed seven challenging, but exciting years. There was a strong and experienced Committee and together we were able to cover a lot of ground. There were many highlights which included a new Membership Database; the renovation of 1 Bayview Road so that it could bring in a vital rental income stream; the Club’s first Website; the restructuring of the Club’s Finances; the redevelopment of Rubislaw – the Astroturf pitch for hockey, new changing facilities and the renovation of the original Pavilion; the various 1256 activities including the 1256 Appeal (£30,000 raised), David Yule’s marvellous book, the amazing School/FP Show at HM Theatre organised by the late great Steve Robertson and Janet Adams…………… and more. I had a wonderful time.

By tradition, the role of President is largely ambassadorial, but my interest in the wellbeing and sustainability of the Club remains as strong as ever and I hope it will be possible to find a way to contribute on a wider front.

Former Pupils’ Section

800 years in the making, but worth waiting for

Bon Record – A History of Aberdeen Grammar School

by Brian R W Lockhart and Arthur L McCombie

published by Birlinn £25

It is sometimes said (usually by ourselves) that Grammarians are a modest and self- effacing lot. That may be the reason why it has taken the best part of eight centuries to produce a full and authoritative history of Aberdeen Grammar School. It may also explain why it has required a Gordonian, Arthur McCombie, and a former headmaster of Robert Gordon’s College, Brian Lockhart, to do the job for us. Despite their lineage, McCombie and Lockhart have proved themselves to be the dream team to undertake a task that has daunted many would-be chroniclers through the years.

Arthur McCombie is a modern legend of the Grammar, having joined the staff as principal teacher of history in 1961 and then serving for many years as depute rector until his retirement in 1990. In that time he acquired unrivalled knowledge of the School’s history, particularly that of the mid-18th century onwards. Brian Lockhart, although a relative newcomer to the north-east, brought immense experience to the task, having previously produced histories of George Heriot’s College, The High School of Glasgow and, most recently, Robert Gordon’s College. Lockhart’s training as an historian has enabled him to produce an account of the Grammar’s earliest years together with a convincing moral claim that the School’s origins indeed lie in the 13th century.

The ambition and scale of Bon Record: A History of Aberdeen Grammar School is impressive. The authors have successfully combined research, published materials and personal knowledge to produce a volume that does justice to nearly eight hundred years of educational history in Aberdeen and beyond. In particular, they have mined the rich seams of information lying in the earlier works of Morland Simpson, Theodore Watt and, more recently, David Yule. It is a pity that Yule’s 1256 and All That has inadvertently been omitted from the bibliography.

In the main, the volume is arranged chronologically interspersed with inserts on specific themes. To make sense of the mass of data at their disposal, the authors have imposed a common structure on the chapters. The events of a particular period are examined and then followed by biographical notes on staff and notable pupils of the period. The result is eminently readable and is enriched by the contemporary accounts of life in the Grammar School down through the centuries. Inevitably there is a strong focus on the Rectors, some successful others less so. The authors ably illustrate how the character of the modern school was defined by the personalities and abilities of Rectors such as Melvin and Simpson. The latter was instrumental in establishing both the Former Pupils’ Club and the Magazine, leading to the possibly unique intermingling of school and club that has done so much to enrich the lives of past and present Grammarians.

The authors have been equally successful in placing the School in its local and national contexts at various points in its history. The reader is frequently

Launch of “Bon Record”

Former Pupils’ Section

left with the impression of an establishment in constant turmoil and often at odds with the town council. Financial irregularity was commonplace, with funds intended to endow the school loaned “without adequate security”. Anything sound familiar?

One of the features of the book is the way in which the Grammar School is described as being central not just to education in Aberdeen but also to the political, religious and social life of the city. For example, the description of the Fearon Inquiry of 1866 highlights the social mix of those attending the school at the time, something that continued to lie at the heart of the Grammar and benefited many of us, including the present writer, in later years.

The book also demonstrates that many present day educational issues are but echoes of earlier concerns and complaints. Nineteenth century parents and citizens of Aberdeen regularly complained about “want of order”, truancy, bullying and smoking. Concerns about “declining standards” were regularly expressed. The curriculum was a bone of contention between traditional classicists and modernisers.

It is likely that readers will turn firstly to the index to see if “they are in it” and secondly to the section of the book that deals with their years at the Grammar. The authors have included biographical details of more than eight hundred former pupils but recognise that there may well be some notable omissions. Indeed, it is rumoured that Messrs Lockhart and McCombie did not leave their respective houses for several weeks after publication for fear of coming face to face with irate Grammarians whose eminence they had failed to recognise. Interestingly, the biographies of those who are included are of similar length. This led Buff Hardie (another Gordonian) to note wryly that the space given over to the joint discoverer of insulin and the founder of the Golden Oldies rugby club is roughly the same.

It is perhaps inevitable that, towards the end of the book, narrative prevails and it will be for future writers to reflect on and assess life in the Grammar School in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. There is little doubt that this book lays a firm foundation for future research and publication. As McCombie himself has pointed out, it is strange that the School’s greatest rector, Morland Simpson, and his family have yet to find a biographer.

This was a labour of love for McCombie and Lockhart. They have done both themselves and the School justice, combining scholarship, rigour and readability. It is a volume that will grace the shelves of former pupils and others with an interest in the history of Aberdeen and Scotland

Douglas Marr (1959-65)

Copies of Bon Record may still be obtained, price £25, from the Club Secretary at 36 Albyn Place, Aberdeen

An Appreciative Audience at the Book Launch

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Former Pupils’ Section

The Grammar at War 1914-18

by Richard Lewis Campbell Dargie

To be published in Autumn 2013

From heroic kilties in Flanders dugouts to strategists and technologists who shaped the 1914-18 conflict, Grammar FPs made an astonishing contribution to the Imperial war effort. The Grammar at War 1914-18 traces that effort and the sacrifice made by hundreds of FPs not just on the Western Front, but also in theatres of war as different as the Mesopotamian deserts, the treacherous coves of Gallipoli and the frozen wastes of northern Russia.

FPs fought new kinds of war against deadly U-boats in the Atlantic and German bombers in the air, while some played their part exercising the dark arts of intelligence and propaganda. None were braver than the legion of FP medics and chaplains who tended their damaged comrades, often at the very heart of the killing fields. This book tells their tales.

The Grammar at War 1914-18 also examines the impact of four long years of war on the life of the School, and how attitudes to the war and the enemy amongst the School and FP community changed over time. It also remembers the extraordinary effort made to honour the Grammar Fallen.

The author of this new book, Richard Lewis Campbell Dargie (1964-73), taught History in several North-East schools before enjoying spells as Senior Lecturer in Social and Environmental Studies and Head of the Faculty of Humanities at Moray House Institute of Education in Edinburgh. He latterly lectured in History Education at the University of Edinburgh. Over more than two decades he has been a consultant for a range of national and international bodies including the BBC, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and Euroclio in The Hague. He was particularly involved in post-Soviet Eastern Europe, working with governments in states seeking to reform and democratise their approach to history education. Author of more than forty books, many for children, Richard has also written over fifty television and radio programmes, and several websites, for the BBC.

All proceeds from this publication to the AGSFP Club

The School Amenities Fund

As older members of the Club will remember well, the Amenities Fund was established in 1956 following the hugely successful Grammar School Fair held in the Music Hall that year. The Fair was supported enthusiastically by School, Club and parents and raised almost £5,400 which, by the standards of that time, was a remarkable sum of money. A Trust was set up to administer the Fund, the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

monies were invested, and grants have ever since been made to the School to help support clubs and societies and extra-mural activities in general. As Rector Sir James Robertson said at the time, the Fund can give help to the School which even the most generously-minded local authority cannot possibly give.

The Amenities Fund is administered by a Committee comprising four members of the FP Executive Committee, the Rector, a nominee of the School staff and a parent representative. The Committee meets once each year and considers requests from the School for grants along with details of the purpose for which funding is sought. This year, for instance, the Concert Band sought help to purchase folding metal music stands needed because of their having to travel across the country for competitions and the School having only a very limited supply of such stands.

So that FPs may be aware of the nature of the funding provided there follows a list of the grants made by the Committee at its meeting in December 2012.

Centre Reports

Club Centre

Last year’s report concluded with the warning that for the Club Centre to continue to exist we would need to ‘explore every opportunity for increasing the usage of the Centre, both through footfall through the door by its members, and by maximising our non-bar related income streams’. It was suggested that if we could not fulfil these two objectives, hard decisions would have to be made. As is clear from the Accounts for the year, we have not been able to reverse the loss-making position that the Club Centre has experienced over the last several years. We have, in fact, recorded our worst ever loss.

Last year’s bar turnover was the second lowest recorded in the last eight years, which was slightly mitigated by the fact that our non-bar related income increased by some 41% year on year. Our Gross Profit percentage for the year fell by some 6 percentage points compared with 2011, a situation which is partially explained by the fact that we had held

Former Pupils’ Section

back any increase on our bar prices for some year and a half. It should be stressed that even if we had maintained our Gross Profit percentage of last year the resultant effect on the 2012 figures would have been merely to reduce the loss from £14.7k to £5.7k!

Yet again, this year we have suffered from the resignation of a Bar Manager, with the departure of Andy Seaton in September, but we have managed to find a worthy replacement in Mrs June Mackie, who came on board in November and has, by all accounts, been extremely successful in introducing herself to the Club Centre, and creating a positive working relationship with the membership and the staff. A reappraisal of our bar prices was undertaken late in the year, and an independent stock-taker has been hired to help us come to terms with, and understand, our diminishing gross profit percentage. It is pleasing to report that these two actions, along with the hard work of our new Bar Manager, have seen the Gross Profit percentage for the first 2 and a half months of 2013 return to 52%+. Obviously, it is vitally important that while we continue to suffer from a diminishing bar turnover we ensure that the profit we make on it should be at least maintained at this current level. This will mean that we continue to source our stock at the most beneficial cost available to us, and that as and when increases in price are imposed on us we must, in turn, reflect these increases in our bar prices. To this end the committee is currently considering a supply proposal from Tennents which, though tying us to Tennents for two years, would ensure a more favourable cost outcome.

Whilst one of our main priorities is to increase the overall individual membership of the Club Centre, we must recognise the extent to which the Club Centre is utilised by commercial lets, Club Centre events, and various ad hoc non-FP meetings. An extraordinarily diverse number of organisations have utilised the Club Centre in the last year.

The Club Centre came into existence in 1969, through the good offices of a few visionary FPs, when the purpose of creating such a magnificent facility was rooted in providing the local FP family with a place to meet and enjoy each other’s company. Over the following years the ‘raison d’etre’ for the Club Centre has changed considerably. The main changes have been the ‘opening’ of the Club Centre to allow non-FPs to join, and the need to become a far more commercially open organisation to enable the Centre to generate non-bar related income to ensure its continued existence. We now have to appreciate what purpose the Club Centre fulfils, and consider the need for ‘hard decisions’ which have featured in all these reports over the last four years.

Financially we are staring at the abyss, and realistically have to recognise that we cannot continue to operate as we have in the last decade. At some point one of three things is likely to push us to the brink of not being able to continue: (1) We will run out of cash, at which point the likelihood is that any decision to continue will be taken away from us and be decided by a third party. We are perilously close to exhausting our line of credit (provided through the FP Club). (2) The FP Club, as our parent organisation, will decide that the Club Centre is no longer a viable entity, and decide to wind us up. (3) The few extremely hard-working members of the Club Centre committee will find it impossible to carry on, demit office, and the FP Club is unable to replace them. This, although it sounds an unlikely reason for the Club Centre to go under, is a distinct possibility, since both the Chairman and the Secretary wish to demit office, and in terms of the constitution the Chairman can only be replaced by an FP - with currently no potential candidates.

This may seem to be an overly dark scenario, but it is considered that it would be remiss not make Club members in general fully aware of our current position, and the implications of not being able to reverse previous years’ loss making trends. The Centre committee will endeavour to continue to do all that it can to rectify the current position, but the ‘call to arms’ delivered in the last four years is again repeated. If the Club Centre is to continue we, as the current members, have to re-double our efforts to utilise the facilities available to us, so that the Centre, so magnificently created some forty-four years ago, remains available for use by future members. We must surely not let this chance of

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

saving the Club Centre slip through our fingers, and only discover how great a loss it is once it is too late to do anything about it.

Canada

Canadian Centre FPs reached a notable milestone during the weekend of September 7-9 when their Annual Reunion, following a well-established script, took place in Ottawa and environs – the eighth occasion on which the nation's capital has welcomed our much travelled FPs.

The reunion was notable in that it was the twentieth consecutive such gathering and witnessed the installation of the twentieth individual to serve as President of the Centre. Our Annual Reunions have frequently been honoured by the presence of the President of the Parent Club, but unfortunately on this occasion Nigel Watt, the first third-generation Club President, was unable to join us but had sent his speech to the Secretary.

Thirteen FPs and their partners, 23 persons in all, most from Ontario with a sprinkling from Alberta, Scotland and the United States, enjoyed fine weather on two days, but ran the gauntlet of horrendous rainfall on Saturday, the day of the Annual Dinner in Gatineau, Quebec,

On Friday evening an informal get-together to welcome FPs took place at the Army Officers’ Mess in Ottawa. Those attending strolled along downtown streets to enjoy the informal ambience of the Mess, complete with canapes and the usual assorted beverages. The "Friday welcome" as always, was an occasion to refresh faces with names (although for most of those present the other FPs were "weel kent"), and to catch up on current goings-an and past misdemeanours.

On Saturday evening the Annual Dinner took place at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club, across the Ottawa River. Peter Green, whose enthusiastic endeavours to organise this year's reunion and accompanying humour were appreciated by all, extended a welcome to the company. He referenced the Royal Ottawa as something of an "old home" for FP reunions and assured all that they should not allow the dreich weather to dampen the evening's spirits.

The first order of the evening's business was the installation of the new President, David J. Thomson, by Immediate Past President Robert Scace. Bob noted that the installation was taking place before no less than a half-dozen Past Presidents, admirable testimony to the magnet that is the Annual Reunion. Also noted was a change to the symbols of office about to be transferred to the new President – the badge of office, the Ian Duguid decanter (filled on this occasion with The Macallan) and the Presentation Box for both, atop which sits an inscription plate with the names of all the Centre's presidents and secretaries. Such has been the durability of the Canadian Centre that the original inscription plate could no longer accommodate the names of future officials. A larger plate was prepared, carrying all information to date, and of sufficient size that space remains for the names of at least the next twenty Presidents. Surely there could be no better expression of optimism about the future wellbeing of the Centre.

David Thomson epitomises FPs who left the native hearth to go about the globe, adding to the Grammar diaspora. First testing international waters through the Merchant Navy, David pursued an engineering career, first in South Africa, then on to Seattle, Australia, back to Seattle and eventually to Sudbury, Ontario. Along the way his technical specialism in rock drilling techniques took him to Sweden, Ghana and Honduras. He was President of the World Rock Drilling Association, 1986-88. Some present remembered that David's father, ‘Tiger' Thomson, had been their languages teacher at the Grammar, yet another link in that web of associations that repeatedly infiltrates these reunions.

Former Pupils’ Section

Canadian Centre Reunion, Ottawa 2012

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Bill Buyers said Grace and the company proceeded to enjoy dinner. The President's Address and Toast to the School and the FP Club followed. David Thomson recounted with pride his entry to the Junior School following a family transfer to Aberdeen from Kintore and his father's engagement as a languages teacher at the School. (Thomson Senior would later become Head of Languages at lnverurie Academy). “The one thing that has always stayed with me," he observed, "has been the pride of attending the Grammar School and the experiences and friends made there,"

The President recalled episodes from his years at the Grammar; memories included "a flying blackboard duster" that attached itself to the corkboard in Jim Michie's French class, Phil Barron's acrobatics during rugby, his aunt sharing Crabbies Green Ginger wine with him after practice in the cold, his enthusiastic support of Keith House sports, and fond memories of favourite haunts, not least the Holburn Cafe and Madame Murray's on a Saturday night.

Most poignant perhaps of David's remarks were those related to the role of the School during World War II. Noting that the information provided had come from an older lady friend in Sudbury (Hylda Ritchie, 85 years young) who had "attended" the Grammar during the war, he recounted that in September 1939 the Central Secondary School was taken over by the Military for use as a hospital. It was decided that the Central and Grammar schools would have to share space and time at the Grammar School. Each school went half-days, Monday to Saturday with Grammar in the mornings, Central in the afternoons, alternating each month. The system did not work very well and was changed to Grammar pupils going for full days on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Central on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Again, the days were switched monthly – and they were long days from 8.30 to 5.00.

Air raid shelters were built under part of the playground where there had been trees, grass and flowers. When air raid sirens sounded teachers and pupils trooped out to the shelters which were basic – concrete walls, hard wooden benches, naked light bulbs, water constantly underfoot and no toilets. Apparently some teachers attempted to continue lessons, surroundings notwithstanding!

David then touched on one of those curious coincidences that happen in our lives. In Sudbury in 1999 two FPs resident in the city were introduced to each other – David and Mike King! Mike encouraged David to attend Canada Centre functions and David remains grateful for this advice.

The reply to the toast was given by Mike King, a stalwart of the Canadian Centre though now resident in Salt Lake City in the United States, and sharing something in common with the President in that he lived and worked for a time in Sudbury. Mike embarked on a most thoughtful presentation that speaks very much to a post-war world abroad that opened to FPs (very much reflected in the body of the Canada Centre) the realities of today that witness both continuing evolution of the School itself, even as the world itself continues to change, and their joint consequences for the status of the FP organisation.

Mike had utilised a lengthy delay at Detroit on his way to Ottawa to read the recently received Magazine and caught up on all the goings-on at the School and the comments of Edward Ross and Michael Auld on their days at the Grammar in the 1950s, a few years ahead of himself. Looking at the School Section he was struck by the number and wide range of prizes awarded – prizes in Graphic Communication, Enterprise, Human Biology and so on – prizes which would have been inconceivable in his day. He was likewise impressed by the range of after-school activities now available to pupils, from the Book Club to the World Challenge group travelling to Tanzania. The educational opportunities afforded to present day pupils are so much greater than in his time.

The comments of Messrs. Ross and Auld reflect the restricted educational circumstances of the 1950s in that we all share the same memories of our teachers because of the uniformity of our academic selections. Also it is clear that Wednesday afternoons at

Former Pupils’ Section

Rubislaw were not especial highlights for those not athletically inclined. Those were times during which most of us were destined to continue our studies or pursue our careers in Aberdeen or its surrounds, so continued social interaction with fellow FPs was a natural occurrence, particularly on the playing fields of Rubislaw on a Saturday afternoon.

Gillian Thomas presented the Secretary's Report and delivered President Nigel Watt’s speech.

The Toast to ‘Absent Friends’ was offered by Ruaraidh Mclntyre, who spoke of the meaning of friendship, disappointment when friends cannot foregather, and of loss encountered when friends are no longer with us. In the latter vein he spoke of his personal sense of loss with the passing in 2011 of Stephen Robertson. Widely appreciated for his seminal participation in ‘Scotland the What’, Stephen's ties to School and University were close.

Other Business provided an opportunity for Bob Scace to speak to the Canada Chairs Project. First mooted at the Annual Reunion of 2011 in Calgary in response to communications with the School, endorsed at the reunion and conceptualised in the succeeding year as donations began to arrive, the Ottawa reunion provided a second opportunity to discuss the project at first hand, this time before primarily Central Canadian FPs. Some cautions notwithstanding, the consensus was that the project was worth supporting.

Gillian Thomas announced that the next Reunion is to take place in Vancouver and will be organised by John Hollifield and Sandy Shearer. Perhaps surprisingly this will be the first reunion to be held in Vancouver, and already there are signs that the weekend will have some special touches.

David Thomson concluded the evening by inviting all who wished to enjoy a dram from his Presidential Decanter to do so, but to leave enough in it to see him home to Sudbury.

The weekend concluded in fine style on Sunday with Brunch hosted by Peter Green and his spouse Anne Gregory. Yesterday's rain having departed in favour of a bright, sunny morning, FPs wound their way southwards from Ottawa on a one-hour drive that brought them to the amusingly titled "Canada's South Coast" at Prescott on the bank of the St. Lawrence River. Greeted by Peter, Anne and Nevis, "our black, exceedingly hospitable Labrador", forewarned FPs beat churchgoers to the vital parking spots and were delighted with the charming historic home which our hosts have lovingly renovated and accompanying backyard facilities suitably equipped to handle a flock of FPs (although noone partook of the swimming tank other than to admire its placid surface). The Brunch was truly spectacular, all the more so because of an untimely oven malfunction which was rapidly and heroically overcome. Set out before us was an incredible assortment of rowies, black buns and an array of other traditional dishes that elicited sounds of gastronomic satisfaction and fond memories of "fare frae hame." The Brunch also was an occasion to meet and reminisce with Roy Brown (1932-43) from Kingston, Ontario, who though long a resident of Canada was on this day attending his first gathering of Canadian FPs. This undoubtedly was a fitting and appropriate conclusion to another successful reunion weekend.

The following FPs were present at the Reunion (in the customary order of year of entry to the School): Roy Brown (1932-43), Kingston, Ontario; Bill Guthrie (1939-51), Brighton, Ontario; Bill Buyers (1942-55), Deep River, Ontario; Ruaraidh Macintyre (1945-52), Greely, Ontario; Peter Green (1946-57), Prescott, Ontario; Phil Barron (194856), Kanata, Ontario; Mike Hardy (1948-59), Almonte, Ontario; Michael King (1951-60), Salt Lake City, Utah; Alex Home (1952-58), Kitchener, Ontario; David Thomson (195258), Val Caron, Ontario; Ian Marr (1954-58), Kanata, Ontario; Bob Scace (1954-60), Calgary, Alberta; Roy Marr (1959-63), Aberdeen and Gillian Thomas (1975-80), Calgary, Alberta.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Centre held its Annual Dinner on Friday 19th April 2013 in the Clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society. President W. Morrison (Morr) Brown took the Chair. Morr welcomed the company of thirty-one members and guests, including Honorary Vice-President of the Parent Club, Arthur McCombie, who was the principal guest, the Rector, Graham Legge, the Head Girl, Georgia Smith, the Head Boy, Euan Christie, the recently installed President of the Parent Club, Martin Jeffrey and Malcolm Gauld, the President of the Glasgow Centre. A particular welcome was extended to Peter Jeffrey, representing the Canada Centre and a table of younger FPs, mustered by Robbie Samuel. Apologies were received from various locally based FPs, all of whom conveyed their best wishes for the evening.

Arthur McCombie took as his theme, “Bon Record – A History of Aberdeen Grammar School”, the recently published book produced by him in collaboration with Brian Lockhart, concluding his remarks by proposing the toast of “The School and the Club”. Replies were given by the Rector, Georgia Smith and Euan Christie on behalf of the School and Martin Jeffrey for the Club, in his first function as President.

The Centre AGM was held during the evening, when Morr Brown was re-elected as President and James Rust was re-elected as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer.

It was reported that the 2012 annual golf match with the Glasgow Centre had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers and there are no plans for 2013.

Next year’s Annual Dinner is scheduled to be held in the Clubhouse of Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society on Friday 4th April 2014

Any FP who has recently come to the Edinburgh area and who has not received a communication from the Edinburgh Centre is invited to contact James Rust, at his home address, 19 Denham Green Terrace, Edinburgh, EH5 3PE (Tel. 0131 552 6603) or by email to james.rust@btconnect.com.

The following FPs attended the Dinner (in order of entry into School): Peter Millar (193344), Morr Brown (1933-46), Stewart Fowlie (1935-42), Eddie Fraser (1936-49), Gordon Coutts (1938-51), Martin Jeffrey (1942-57), David Brittain (1943-49), Peter Jeffrey (194459), Bill Steele (1945-51), Gordon McAndrew (1946-51), Robin Rilley (1947-55), Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), Nigel Watt (1963-69), James Rust (1963-71), Robbie Samuel (2002-08), Lisa Souter (2002-08), Fion Jones (2002-08), Caitlin Taylor (2002-08) and Rebecca Graham (2002-08).

Glasgow

‘HULLAWRER PEEPUL’ was the traditional warm Glasgow welcome given by President Malcolm Gauld to thirty-five members and guests (including local representatives of Gordonians and High School FPs) at our annual dinner on Friday 26th October 2012 at the Hilton Garden Inn on the banks of the Clyde. After an excellent meal, the A.G.M. of the Centre was held, the accounts approved, and the committee, for their sins, unanimously reelected.

Mr. Jack Webster, M.Univ., journalist and author (of, amongst many others, arguably the best work to be published in the 21st Century, ‘The First 100 Years of The Dons’), enthralled us all with stories of places seen and people met during his long career. Jack then proposed a most appropriate toast to the School and the Club. Thanking Jack, Malcolm asked the question, ‘Why this Peasant (as Jack has described himself) has never been honoured by the Queen is, I am sure, a complete mystery to us all?’ Perhaps someone

Former Pupils’ Section

was listening, as John Barron Webster was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Journalism in the New Year Honours List.

The Depute Rector, Janet Adams, very ably assisted by Euan Christie (Head Boy) and Gillian Bain (Deputy Head Girl) replied to Jack’s Toast on behalf of the School and updated us on all that was happening within its hallowed grounds. Nigel Watt, President of the Parent Club, replied on their behalf with, inter alia, many facts and stories of the FPs who 'revived' the Glasgow Centre in 1981. Margery Taylor (née Coutts) proposed the Vote of Thanks and the assembled company gradually disappeared into the night, well fed and very well entertained.

This year’s dinner will be held on Friday 1st November 2013, again at the Hilton Garden Inn who have previously 'done us proud'. Will our existing membership please come along and support this event and any FPs new to the area or those interested in ascertaining more, please get in touch as indicated below.

This season, our curling team, with two wins, came 4th in the 6-team Wanderers League. Our squad of Stefan Colling, Malcolm Gauld, Alistair Fyall, Jim Leask, Margery Taylor and the occasional guest, continue to improve. Can we do even better next season? New players, even ‘ice virgins’, are always most welcome, so contact Malcolm on 01355 237039 or mwrg@hotmail.com

Unfortunately due to business pressures, the 2012 golf match against Edinburgh did not take place and so far we have been unable to find enough players for a match this year. Where are all our golfers?

We would be delighted to hear from any FPs interested in becoming involved in any of our activities or even just going on to our mailing list to be informed of future events. Please contact Margery Taylor on 0141-562-9638 or at marg7ery@ntlworld.com

Thanks, as always, to our local committee Gary Allan, Peter Cairns (Treasurer), Stefan Colling, Malcolm Gauld, Jim Leask, David McNay and Margery Taylor.

The following FPs attended the annual dinner (in order of entry into School): Peter Cairns (1945-57), Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), David McNay (1956-69), Graham Watt (1957-70), Jim Leask (1960-66), Nigel Watt (1963-69), Brian Davidson (1968-74), Alan Kinghorn (1974-79), Malcolm Daniel (1975-81), and Margery Taylor (1975-81).

London

After a number of false starts, matters are finally moving forward in the London Centre.

With assistance from the Parent Club, a new database of Former Pupils based in the London area is being created. Those with known email addresses have already been contacted and anyone who has not yet been contacted is asked to please forward their details to the Secretary, Sandy Nicol at anicol@lineone.net if they wish to be included on our database.

As a first event, our President Donald Lamont hosted a very successful informal lunch at the Lady Ottoline Gastropub in Bloomsbury on Sunday 30 June 2013 for a number of FPs, their wives and partners, with the Parent Club being represented by current President Martin Jeffrey. FPs present were Martin J. Wagrel (1943-49), Donald A. Lamont (195165), Erik A. S. Porter (1951-58), J. Martin Jeffrey (1952-57), Malcolm F. Rennie (195265), Richard B. Rae (1959-67) and Sandy Nicol (1962-71).

With the experience of this event, we are hopeful of devising a modest but interesting programme for the forthcoming year. The ongoing challenge is, of course, the recruitment of younger members to the London Centre and this will thus remain as a priority.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Thirty-one members and guests met for the Yorkshire Centre’s 54th Annual Dinner on Friday 27 September 2012 at the ever-enjoyable Grange Hotel, York. The President, Doug Skene, opened the ceremony by welcoming several new guests and presenting an entertaining review of the Centre’s history since its formation in 1948. Unfortunately the new Centre did not get its deserved publicity, being somewhat overshadowed by the 1948 London Olympic Games – but of course the media frequently get their priorities wrong.

Doug then introduced the principal guest, Kath Timberlake, a Yorkshire lass and a nationally respected senior commercial insurance figure. After an amusing, light-hearted address she enthusiastically proposed the toast, “The School and the Club”.

In response, the Rector, Graham Legge, emphasised the achievements of the School –recent surveys ranked it 10th out of 400 schools nationally. He then introduced Head Boy, Euan Christie and Head Girl, Georgia Smith, who quoted specific school successes in competitive sports, in academic fields, in music and drama and in exciting new projects – a Tanzanian school-building venture and designing a high-tech model F1 car to reach the World Final of a challenge competition. The Rector then summarised and acknowledged the continuing support which the school enjoys from the FP Club.

Our parent Club President, Nigel Watt, was then welcomed by Doug Skene, who reminded us that both Nigel’s father, Alan, and his grandfather, Theodore, had held the Club Presidency – a unique family achievement in the Club’s history. Before appraising us of the current position of the Club, Nigel reminded us of three recently deceased past Presidents, Tim Morrison, Donny Innes and Steve Robertson, all truly remarkable Grammarians. He also made us aware of the forthcoming launch of ‘Bon Record’ – a fascinating history of the Grammar. In conclusion Nigel recognised that, although there may be some areas of concern, essentially the Club continues to be in very good heart.

After a splendid formal programme the traditional Birse tea was, as always, thoroughly enjoyed.

The 2013 Centre Dinner will again be held in the Grange Hotel, York on Friday 27 September.

Former Pupils attending the Dinner (in order of entry into School) were:- Wilson McIntosh (1932-45), Alistair Miller (1942-55), Robert Cromar (1944-49), Dick Tyson (1944-49), David P. Smith (1945-47), Brian Bruce (1947-51), Michael Walker (1946-58), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), Ivor Douglas (1952-57), Douglas Skene (1959-64), Ian Fraser (1961-68), David Galloway (1976-82), Martin Coulter (1983-89) and Stefan Colling (1990-96).

Section Reports

Cricket 1st XI

The 2012 season was largely a disappointing one both due to results and the awful weather throughout the summer. The 1st XI finished second from the bottom in 8th place, well ahead of Crathie but were not relegated as Kintore had already scratched all their fixtures in Grade 1. The record read Played 11, Won 2, Lost 9, with five games lost to weather.

The wins came against Crathie by six wickets, as John Eagles collected 6 for 19 and versus Mannofield by three wickets, where a typically belligerent 56 from Tom Booth set FPs on course during the chase. We probably had the worse of the conditions in being well placed on a couple of occasions only for rain to intervene. Tom Booth was particularly unlucky against Inverurie as when on 110 not out with six sixes and seven fours, of the 164 for 4, the heavens opened and the game was deemed a draw with only 30 overs played.

Former Pupils’ Section

In the Cup we fell at the first hurdle in the three times replayed match against St. Ronald. It was perhaps the strangest game of the season, as FPs recovered from 68 for 9 to post 125 all-out, thanks to last man Sam Knudson with his still fractured hand making 37. This innings proved just how missed he was due to injury throughout the season. We then reduced St Ronald to 0 for 2 in 2 balls as Vijay Vijapur produced a magical opening spell. In the end, however, St Ronald sneaked home.

In terms of bowling, Vijay was top performer claiming 17 wickets at 20.6, and with a bit of luck may have claimed a few more as he regularly managed to beat the outside edge. He was a real asset to the 1st XI and showed a great attitude in always wanting to bowl, regardless of the circumstances. Roland Knudson claimed 14 @ 19.2 and John Eagles 12 @ 9.8. Six other bowlers claimed wickets, but overall we were probably lacking in real firepower. Harry Mapplebeck, at 19 years of age, looked as if he could be someone who could take more wickets in the coming years, and if Sam Knudson can stay fit he will certainly have a role to play in 2013.

In terms of batting, Tom Booth started to fulfil his potential, scoring 298 at an average of 27.1 and hopefully in 2013 he can add a little more patience to ensure that he makes the big scores of which his talents are capable. Paul McDonald played some strong innings, scoring 134 @ 13.4, but only Geoff Morrison with 133 @ 14.78, Roland Knudson with 117 @ 13.0 and John Davey with 128 @ 10.7 passed 100 runs. There is no doubt that conditions were not conducive to batting, with the Rubislaw outfield in a shocking state with the grass seldom cut, but overall we failed to get enough runs on the board.

In catching and fielding we had some good days, notably the win at Mannofield, but too often we let ourselves down by failing to take match-changing chances.

We enjoyed a friendly against Orkney, which was predictably halted by rain after we had made over 200 and we reached the finals of the Glasgow 6s, only to be defeated by a strong side in the final.

Importantly though, the players displayed great commitment and sportsmanship throughout the season and were easy to captain for new skipper Geoff Morrison, replacing Roland Knudson after nine years. In all, 29 players appeared for the 1st XI during 2012. John Davey was a great help as vice-captain and having Roland Knudson, Chris Clelland and Gary Stuart regularly in the team, Morrison was never short of helpful advice. Newcomer Matt Barker is also worthy of mention; having had to retire from rugby due to injury the former Grammar rugby player showed a fantastic attitude and his enthusiasm was infectious, always happy to help the team out regardless of the job he was asked to do and his attitude never changed despite often getting limited opportunity. He is certainly someone we should all try to follow.

Into 2013, it is imperative that we work as a club, and not as separate teams, to ensure that the best eleven players are playing in the 1st XI and it is hoped that players such as Arul, Pehlaj and Karthik amongst many others are pushing for 1st team inclusion as they deserve a chance to show what they can really do in Grade 1. In terms of Rubislaw, ideally we would like to get back to having a grass pitch and have been pushing this with the Council, and we will continue to pursue them to at least roll and cut the outfield. With the 3rd XI now launched, it is imperative that we continue to raise funds, and we have already managed to get a few sponsorship deals in place for 2013.

2nd XI

The 2nd XI were promoted to Grade 2 at the end of season 2012, but found the going hard during a rain interrupted season and were eventually relegated back down to Grade 3. However, a good run in the Bon Accord Cup saw them reach the final, which unfortunately Grade 2 winners, St Ronald 2nd XI also reached, and FPs were beaten in a hard fought match.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The first game of the season was washed out, but after the second game FPs were top of Grade 2, having beaten Cults/Artisans at a cold, damp Rubislaw. This was a very encouraging start, with previous season’s top wicket-taker Magesh taking 7 for 30 and Pehlaj scoring 52 not out.

The following week saw another home game and another wet week which found the bowlers run up from the Pavilion end adjudged too wet to use. A great suggestion by the Knightriders captain to only use the drier Cromwell Road end to bowl from, meant that a sunny Saturday would not be wasted. The match ended with a fighting draw by FPs, one of several as a lack of batting in depth meant that run chases were difficult.

The inclusion of Tom Booth from the 1st XI, drafted in as wicketkeeper, proved to be one of the batting highlights of the season. From the first over against Academy at Rubislaw he set about the unfortunate bowlers unleashing a dazzling array of attacking shots all around the wicket. He was eventually dismissed for 132 including three sixes and fourteen fours, reaching his century with a classic straight drive for four. (The number of boundaries is the more impressive given the length of the grass in the outfield). The match was duly won, with Magesh taking a further four wickets.

FPs then visited the new artificial wicket at Hazlehead, home of Knightriders, an outfield not built for cricket. The sight of two ducks (feathered variety) on the field of play indicated how boggy it was. The match report caused a bit of a storm in the Grades website when, in an attempt to highlight the poor state of the Council-maintained grounds, the report jokingly stated that the two captains had agreed that in an effort to give shots full value, boundaries would count as ‘8’, not ‘4’. Even this slight alteration to the rules would not have saved FPs, losing by 94 runs. The game ended with FPs upholding ‘The Spirit of the Game’ by sportingly agreeing to reverse an umpiring decision, despite being only four overs away from an unlikely draw.

An unscheduled mid-season break of five Saturdays due to weather was frustrating, much like the batting in several matches. One exception was the game at Kings, home of a rampant St Ronald 2nd XI. The match started in perfect sunny conditions and the St Ronald batsmen made hay, scoring 224 off 36 overs. This left FPs a mammoth 54 overs to score the runs or, as equally unlikely, bat out for a draw.

Despite losing top batsman Pehlaj in the first over, Rizwan sustaining a broken finger, followed by several teasing rain breaks and bad light, FPs batted with great determination and fought out a draw. Karthik batted with great restraint, scoring an epic 64 not out, with Johnston and Norwood providing determined support. This was the only game completed in Aberdeen due to the thunderstorms and was the batting performance of the season.

FPs lost the next game by one wicket and then were unable to finish off Caledonian in the next frustrating match. This, followed by defeat at Banchory, meant that the last game of the season left FPs requiring full points to avoid relegation. A sunny start at the Links against bottom placed Academy raised hopes, but a tropical thunderstorm ended the match after only 21 overs, which meant that FP 2nds were relegated to Grade 3.

Although FPs were unlucky on a couple of occasions, the league table does not lie. The batting was too inconsistent, although injuries and 1st XI call ups did not help. We did not play on a grass wicket until 11th August, but the hope is that a grass square can be reintroduced at Rubislaw in the near future, red tape allowing.

The Bon Accord Cup provided some welcome relief, the cup run beginning with 2nds beating Gordonians at Countesswells, scoring 286 for 4 off forty overs, John Davey and Vijay Vijapur scoring 89 and 67 respectively. In reply, Gordonians were 146 all out, James Lord taking 3 for 33. We beat Stoneywood-Dyce/Queens Cross in a thrilling semi-final by only three runs, scoring 150 all out, of which Karthik scored 51 and Pehlaj 43, with Stoneywood-Dyce/Queens Cross just falling short with 147 for 5 off their forty overs.

The Cup Final was against Grade 2 champions St Ronald 2nd XI at the picturesque Methlick ground. For the first time in this cup run FPs had twelve players to choose from,

Former Pupils’ Section

the XI selected being Johnston, Magesh, Rama, Pehlaj, Karthik, Vijay, Goodenough, Arul, R. Knudson, Morrison and Rahul.

FPs lost the toss and St Ronald decided as usual to bat, hoping to pile on the runs. Things were looking bleak when the score stood at 129 for 3 off twenty-four overs, but a great spell of bowling by Vijay saw St Ronald collapse to 139 for 8. The final total for St Ronald was 163 all out off 34.2 overs, with Vijay taking 5 for 22, four of which were LBW. The joys of a neutral umpire! Unfortunately this being a forty over cup match, FPs were unable to claim the balance of the allotted overs.

In reply, FPs’ openers batted carefully, the St Ronald bowlers being fast and accurate, and we were struggling at 19 for 3 off twelve overs. Not even a partnership of 97 between Pehlaj and Karthik was enough to keep us in the hunt, and St Ronald eventually won by 30 runs, FPs ending 130 for 5. Top scorers were Pehlaj with 62 runs and Karthik with 36.

The St Ronald bowling attack will give many Grade 1 teams a hard time next season, and FPs can be happy to have reached a final for the first time in several years and having given St Ronald a good game.

Although playing in Grade 2 against better bowling attacks, there was one centurion, Tom Booth, with 132. There were also more 50s scored in 2012 than the previous season in Grade 3 with nine in total; Pehlaj and Karthik each scored three, Kieran Whyte scored two fast 50s, with Vijay, Arul, John Davey each scoring one.

Top run scorer for FPs was Pehlaj with 348 runs @ 38.66, with Karthik 292 @ 29.2, and Whyte 198 @ 28.2. Other batting milestones were century partnerships between Davey and Vijay, 176 versus Gordonians, Whyte and Magesh added 114 (for seventh wicket) against Queens Cross/Stoneywood Dyce and Booth and Johnston added 103 against Academy.

FP’s Vice-captain Magesh was by far the leading bowler, taking a fantastic 31 wickets @16.58, but unluckily for him the Grade 2 Bowling Trophy is decided on average runs per wicket, not total wickets taken. Other leading wicket takers were newcomer Rahul 13 @ 16.53, Whyte 13 @ 21.23, Karthik 12 @ 35.08.

The fielding was again outstanding by FPs. The catching was excellent with Karthik top man taking seven catches and being instrumental in an amazing five run-outs. Wicketkeeper Pehlaj held three catches and benefited from the slow bowling of Magesh and Rahul by making five stumpings.

The all-rounder trophy, needless to say, went to Karthik, whose 292 runs @ 29.2, twelve wickets @ 35.08, seven catches and five run-outs is quite an achievement!

Grammar schoolboys Liam Alexander, Lickson Manjumu, Kingshuk Ghosh, David Blues and Jesten D’Costa all played for FPs this season and all acquitted themselves well under, at times, difficult situations and conditions. Liam, on his debut, had to act as runner for an injured team mate, Lickson played an excellent, responsible innings at Banchory, helping to add 32 vital runs, Kingshuk made his debut against the promotion winning Methlick team and David Blues took his first wicket in his first match for FPs against old rivals Gordonians. Jesten D’Costa was chosen as Young Player of the Year following some excellent performances, including 2 for 21 against Caledonian and some brilliant fielding.

Although it was disappointing to be relegated after only one season in Grade 2, reaching the Bon Accord Cup Final was some consolation. There was not much between fifth position and ninth position in the league and with a couple of games going our way, we would have been safe. There were 34 players used during the season as holidays, exams and 1st XI call ups took their toll.

Next season we are fielding a new 3rd XI in Grade 3 with the promise of new players joining and the intention of playing as many schoolboys as possible in this new development team. Hopefully this will foster a new generation of cricket players coming through the School, which must be encouraged in order to keep the FPs cricket section as strong as possible.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Ken Peters Memorial Trophy

In deciding who had contributed most to the season’s junior cricket in order to qualify for the award of the Trophy this year, the master in charge of cricket, Alan Smith, and FP coaches Richard Ferro and Ian Johnston, took into account performance, potential, determination, enthusiasm and improvement displayed during the coaching sessions and also during School and House matches. They awarded the Trophy to David Blues. David performed outstandingly in all matches and immediately looked at home in the FP team. His all-round performances stood out and David looks a great prospect for FPs in Grades cricket.

This year also saw the retirement of Alan Smith as master in charge of the cricket team. Over many years he has been instrumental in promoting cricket at the School, coaching, encouraging, organising and driving the boys to the away matches all over Scotland. FPs are grateful to him for promoting cricket and there are many players over the years who, but for Alan’s enthusiasm, would have missed out on playing cricket at all levels.

Curling

We are continuing to enjoy our curling with Rubislaw. Despite the long winter, Curling was largely unaffected by the weather and our season completed on time.

As mentioned last year, we had a new trophy this year, the Lorraine Hay KO trophy and , fittingly, the first winners were a team skipped by Geddie Hay.

Numbers for the Section have remained static and we would welcome any new members. It is not necessary to have any experience of Curling as the Ice Rink Club runs beginners' sessions which are highly rated. Anyone interested should contact me.

ianpsouter@aol.com; Tel: 01224 867000

Golf

We had our usual outings last year, with two trips to Braemar in May and September, Ballater in June and mid-week outings to Alford and Kemnay.

Following the 2011 washout at Castle Stuart, we actually made it there this year, and over twenty of us enjoyed watching Saturday’s play (third round). The Golf Course has a spectacular location on the edge of the Moray Firth opposite the Black Isle and with impressive mountain scenery to the North and West. We held our AGM in the beer tent adjacent to the 18th Green and this was duly reported to the Professional Golf Association, who were organising the Tournament. Ever thoughtful of promoting the game at all levels, and recognising the presence of such a prestigious golfing society, the P.G.A. have relocated the Scottish Open to Royal Aberdeen in 2014, which will be much more convenient for our AGM and save our members a trip up the A96.

Men’s Hockey

Teams Performance:

The 2012-13 season was an excellent one for the Men’s Section, with the club in a stronger position now in terms of player talent, strength, character and depth than for over twenty years. For the club to qualify for two National Finals in the same season is a first for Grammar FPs in the modern era on Astroturf, and a great achievement.

After promotion from National League 3 last season the 1st XI achieved a solid fourth out of twelve teams in National League 2. They also reached the Scottish Plate Final but,

Former Pupils’ Section

unfortunately, lost 7-2 at Peffermill on Saturday 25th May against Hillhead from NL1. The score line was not a fair reflection of the players’ efforts as, trailing 3-0 at half-time, they rallied well early into the second half to pull the score back to 3-2 and had a great opportunity to level the match. All involved deserve congratulations

It was also a good season for the 2nd XI who came fourth out of nine teams in the Regional League North. They also got to the District Plate final at Peffermill against Hillhead 2nd XI on Saturday 4th May but, unfortunately, lost out 3-2 after a closely fought match which they really could have won. Well done to Dr Andrew Webster (coach) and Dave Murray (captain) and all the team.

The highlight of the season for our 3rd XI was the 0-1 defeat and 1-1 draw with the 2nd XI in the Regional League North. It just goes to show that experience can counter energy and enthusiasm!

Unfortunately this season was disappointing for the 4th XI and the 5th XI (Colts) as fixtures were continually disrupted by the appalling winter, with continual re-scheduling which was very frustrating for both captains and players.

Congratulations to the U-16 boys who made it through to the National League Finals too, only for Scottish Hockey to scupper their efforts by arranging the final the day before the Standard Grade English Exam! Sadly, the boys had to forfeit their right to play in the finals as their education comes first. A request has been made to Scottish Hockey to ensure that future finals do not clash with the National Exams timetable.

It is pleasing to see promising youth coming through the ranks, and players who have made a marked improvement are Stuart Adams, Matt Fraser, Kingshuk Ghosh, Harry Leggett, Chris Levitt, Calum Lewis, David McCallan, Alex Morrison, Hamish Robson, Calum Webb and Paul Weston.

Indoor:

The 1st XI reached the play-off final for promotion from National League 4A to National League 3 but unfortunately, after a great season and effort, many players were unavailable for the final and the team lost 4-3 to Edinburgh University. Congratulations to the 2nd XI who won all their games and retained the North District League title. The schoolboys won the U-16 North District and the U-18s qualified for the national finals.

Coaching:

At the end of the season Dr. Ben Johnson stepped down after over twenty years’ commitment to Youth Development. Thanks to Ben for his hard work and dedication over the years which is now paying dividends with Ewan Christie, Alex Morrison and Harry Leggett all progressing to the 1st XI, 2nd XI and District and Scottish Schoolboys level. Our thanks are due to the following members for their hard work throughout the season in organising and coaching the teams:

Seniors: Dr. Andrew Webster & Euan Christie

S3 – S6 boys: Stuart Christie, Greg Anderson & John Dargie

S1 – S2 boys: Fred Lawson & Ben Johnson

Indoor: Greg Anderson, Fred Lawson, Ben Johnson, Peter & Tony Duguid

Primary: Fred Lawson (Mile End) & Ben Johnson (Ashley Road)

Organiser: Ben Johnson

Other helpers: Geoff Weston & Colin Hannick

Umpiring:

Once again we have to thank the club’s National League Umpires, Dick Wallis, David Wallis, Bob Dickson, and Kevin Pope for their dedication. We also thank Dave Beattie, the new “Umpiring Co-ordinator”. who will also assist the club to encourage more players to achieve their umpiring badge.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Sponsors:

Our generous sponsors are Ixar, QuEnSH Specialist, Aberdeen Stratlab, Relocation Scotland and Shell UK to all of whom we are very grateful.

Fundraising:

We had a very successful Grammarians Cup and John Drummond weekend on 24/25 November, with over £1,200 raised from ticket sales, donations and the raffle, all towards Youth development. The Senior Grammarians (including Ron Fraser at 80 in goal!) won the Grammarians Cup 3-1 on the Saturday against the younger Colts, and the Grammarians won the John Drummond Trophy 2-0 on the Sunday against the School 1st XI. A race night was held in October which raised £900 towards club funds.

Website:

Andrew Fraser has resurrected the website and has also set up the new online kit shop. which can be accessed at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/aberdeengrammarfphockeyclub/

New Membership Secretary:

At the Annual General Meeting on 2nd May there was consensus to create a new post of Membership Secretary, and Andrew Fraser has kindly offered to take up this position.

Awards

At the Awards Barbecue on 29th June at the Club the following received awards for Season 2012/13:

Harry Leggett - Duncan Jeffrey Trophy – (Most improved young player U-21)

1st XI - Stronachs Cup (Best Club Team)

Howard Smith - Graham Fraser Trophy (Best Clubman)

Ally Saville - Williams Trophy (1st XI Player of season)

Ally Saville - QuEnSH Trophy (1st XI Team Players Player of the season)

Patrick Van Diggelen - North East Corrosion Engineering (1st XI Top Goalscorer)

2nd XI - Winners of North District Indoor League

Andrew Fraser - Club Colours

Petanque

The 2013 season started on Saturday 18th May for the Triples Trophy, on what turned out to be a very wet day. However, the weather never put anyone off and the competition went ahead, albeit under umbrellas.

The next competition was the Summer Solstice (Peter Tawse Trophy) on Saturday 22nd June, when the weather was kinder to us, and we had a lovely Barbecue provided by Tracey, the club caterer.

There are still three competitions to play for, Singles & Doubles on Sunday August 11th and then, last but not least, the Maurice Chevalier Trophy on Sunday September 22nd.

Last year our annual dinner did not go ahead due to lack of numbers, so instead we had a buffet and wine afternoon in December, with the cost borne by the Section, and it was a well attended day. This year at the pre-season meeting it was decided to do something similar and we have set a date for Sunday 27th October. We hope to have a dinner at the start of next year but no date has yet been confirmed.

The Petanque Section remains popular with the Club and this year so far we have 35 members. At the start of the season four tons of gravel sand/chips were laid onto the piste

Former Pupils’ Section

which has made a huge difference. The ropes separating the pistses have also been renewed and the piste seems to be in good condition. Roger continues to captain on match days, and Thomas Pinet and Richard Van Bueghn are there on match days to help smooth out the piste.

The following are the results of the 2012 competitions:

Singles Championship

Winner: Thomas Pinet

Runner-Up: Thierry

Doubles Championship

Winners: Thomas Pinet & Roger Bartlett

Runners-Up: Sheila Ritchie & David Earp

Triples Championship

Winners: Ian Esslemont, Mark Shewan & Jonny Lissiter

Runners-Up: Gail Tawse, Linda Pritchard & Ken Pritchard

Peter Tawse Memorial Trophy (Summer Solstice)

Winner: Thomas Pinet

Runner-Up: Thierry

Maurice Chevalier Trophy:

Winner: Thierry

Runner-Up: Richard Van Beughen

Office Bearers: Captain: Rodger Bartlett

Secretary/Treasurer: Karen Vass

Rugby

The season 2012-13 produced the highest quality rugby seen in the Premiership, with the point spread across the league the tightest possible. On the last day of the season seven clubs were still in contention for the British and Irish Cup and three for relegation. In the end we finished 5th, losing narrowly at Melrose who staged a strong fight-back to deprive us of a British and Irish Cup place in the last ten minutes of the season.

The season had been keenly anticipated but a string of very narrow defeats (three games lost by three points or less) saw us occupy the foot of the table until December. The players rallied with a string of fine performances, with a crushing defeat handed to the newly crowned champions, Ayr, being the best performance of the season. This game, in March at Rubislaw, thrilled the large crowd. The team won the Caledonia Cup against Howe of Fife and also the newly played-for Dally Allardyce Trophy against our normal nemesis, Dundee High School FP RFC, this being our first victory against Dundee in ten years.

The club had one player, Callum Anderson, selected for the club international team against Ireland and France. At Scottish U-20 level we were proud to provide Alex Hagart (10), Stuart Smith (4) and Andy Crammond (5) during the season. At Scotland U-18 level we had Luke Earl Wright (9) and Angus Rennie (14) selected for national honours.

The Second XV competed in National 1 against strong opposition and finished 7th in a league of twelve, having been in the top four for most of the season. The loss of the club captain, Colin McCaul, to work in Australia, some long term injuries plus cancelled fixtures saw them finish 7th. It was a very credible performance in a very tough league.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

We entered the Melrose 7’s and won praise from all corners of the globe for our run to the semi-final, which we lost in extra time to the English giants, Saracens. This is the second year in which we have excelled in front of a massive TV audience, and the players and coaches brought massive kudos to the club.

In respect of the Youth Section, our U-15 side won the Caledonia Cup and we put out age-grade teams from Primary 4 to Under 18 all season. This does great credit to the dozens of parents who assist in coaching, managing and supporting the 250 youth players. The Youth Section remains the largest north of the central belt.

The club continues to support Aberdeen Youth Rugby Association and through our Youth Development Officer, Stuart Corsar, we deliver rugby coaching within the Aberdeen Grammar School catchment area and elsewhere throughout the City. Without our input Rugby would cease to exist in state schools across the city.

We offer warm congratulations to our players, coaches and volunteers who worked tirelessly all season to produce very high quality rugby.

Women’s Hockey

Season 2012 -13 has been an enjoyable one for the Ladies hockey Section, with the final places in the leagues not at all reflective of the outstanding standard of hockey played and commitment shown by many members of the club.

The 1st XI had a good season and finished 4th in the league. Emma Adair enthusiastically captained a team of regular players including stalwarts, some new youth members and many helpers from the 2nd XI when required.

Results: Played 16 Won 6 Drawn 3 Lost 7

Goals For 22 Goals Against 24 Points 19

The 2nd XI were joined by some new youth members this season and fittingly captained by two of the sixth year girls, Hannah McManus and Caroline Mudie. Both keenly led encouraging newer members of the club.

Results: Played 14 Won 3 Drawn 1 Lost 10

Goals For 11 Goals Against 35 Points 10

Indoor League

The Indoor League did not produce as much success as in previous seasons but as usual much fun was had by all and new players were introduced to the sport.

1st XI Results: Played 10 Won 2 Drawn 3 Lost 5

Goals For 28 Goals Against 32 Points 9

2nd XI Results Played 6 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 5

Goals For 8 Goals Against 42 Points 3

Season 2012-13 seemed to be blighted with unfortunate injuries, untimely pregnancies and busy calendars leading to unavailability of players which resulted in fielding two teams with the same line up on some weekends The season did still manage to have its fill of well fought matches, excellent skills and many, many laughs.

More and more talented players are coming through the School’s youth squads and are proving to be committed and enthusiastic club members, some even taking up roles on the committee. We will miss the contributions of Alice Goldie, Hannah McManus and Caroline Mudie as they leave Aberdeen to go to University, but wish them well for the future. We do hope that we can tempt Hannah Mitchell to continue playing for us when possible.

The standard of the schoolgirls who have played for FPs this season can be seen from the accolades which they have achieved:

 Scotland Under 16s - Julia Stenhouse

 District Under 16s - Julia Stenhouse and Kirsten Fraser

Former Pupils’ Section

 District Under 18s - Alice Goldie and Hannah Mitchell

We offer our congratulations to all of them!

We have been very fortunate to have a dedicated coach in the form of head boy Euan Christie. Euan has provided structured, challenging and really enjoyable training for all levels as well as side-line support when he did not have his own playing commitments. We thank him for his endless patience with us and wish him every success at University,

As ever, huge thanks also go to all the umpires who have helped us out this season, in particular Martin Fraser, Bob Dickson and Andrew Wadsworth without whom our matches could not take place.

One highlight of the season was the Carrie Welsh Cup match which saw the School first XI versus a President’s select XI in April. The Schools 1st XI never fail to impress with their skill and fitness, however age and experience won again!

We look forward very much to season 2013-14. As ever, if you are keen to take up hockey again, or even have never played before but would like to give it a try, you are very welcome to join us. Training is on Tuesday evenings at Rubislaw from 6.00pm – 7.30pm and starts on the first Tuesday in August.

For further information contact:

Emma Williams, Secretary - agsfpwomen@live.co.uk

Annual Dinner

The Annual Dinner was again held in the Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel on Friday 22nd March 2013. The attendance was disappointingly low, but the enthusiasm of those who were present was obvious. There were, as usual, representatives from other Former Pupils’ Clubs both local and based elsewhere. The Rector, Graham Legge, was present and was accompanied by Head Boy, Euan Christie and Head Girl, Georgia Smith. In addition, five of the Honorary Vice-Presidents of the Club were in attendance.

The President of the Club, Nigel Watt, was in the chair and kept the proceedings under his control with the tact and skill which one would expect of a lawyer turned golf referee. An excellent meal was enjoyed by the company who then contributed generously to a raffle organised by Dallas Moir and the donated prizes went to no doubt deserving members and guests.

The principal toast, to “The School and the Club”, was proposed by George Yule, one of the President’s School contemporaries. He reflected on his own time as a Grammar pupil, readily confessing to not being in the top flight academically and regaling the company with the details of a Report Card comment on his abilities couched in terms which would never be countenanced in the present day. He reflected on his own interesting career as a football player, in the oil industry both offshore and as a planning engineer with Shell. As deputy chairman of Aberdeen Football Club, he mischievously led us to believe that he was about to reveal the name of the new manager about to be appointed at Pittodrie, only to tell us that he would be named soon.

Replying on behalf of the School the Rector reported his satisfaction that the School is currently rated within the top 10% of Scottish state schools and is fourteenth out of 400 in the Sunday Times list of Scottish state schools. He commented on the fact that over a hundred pupils are currently coming in to the School for courses not available in their own schools.

The Head Boy and Head Girl as customary shared their reply to the toast, speaking of the various sports activities available to pupils and the variety of extra-mural clubs catering for a wide variety of interests.

Replying for the Club, Nigel expressed his sense of gratitude for the honour done to him in his appointment as President and the pleasure he had derived in visiting the Club’s Centres coupled with regret at being prevented by refereeing commitments from attending the Canadian Centre Reunion.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Douglas McAllister, Chairman of the Executive expressed a vote of thanks to the President and to all, including the hotel staff, who had contributed to the success of the evening.

The following FPs attended the Dinner (in order of entering School): B.K. Crookshanks (1934-46), H.B. Paterson (1941-50), R.H. Cradock (1940-51), J.M. Jeffrey (1942-57), H.A.S. Hamilton (1943-56), A.K.Campbell (1944-53), D.B. Galloway (194458), D.R. Harper (1944-58), J.A.C. Michie (1944-58), A.D. Milne (1950-58), R. Gray (1951-65), J.F. Hendry (1951-65), I.H. McLeod (1951-55), I.W. Douglas (1952-57), J.C. Lyon (1953-59), D.F. McNay (1956-69), R.A.M. Mann (1956-69), F.I. Lloyd (1958-65), J.K. Robertson (1958-68), N.K.B. Edwards (1959-64), D.N. Yule (1960-66), D. McAllister (1961-74), I.A. Fraser (1961-68), M.L. Bowyer (1963-69), A. Clark (1963-69), J.W. Curran (1963-69), K. Smith (1963-69), G. Yule (1963-69), S.W. Cummings (196569), M.G. Baldwin (1967-69), R.J. Merson (1963-69), N.G.M. Watt (1963-69), P.M. Robertson (1967-73), D.G. Moir (1969-75), A.J. Thompson (1969-75), G.K. Crookshanks (1979-85).

The Rector, Mr Graeme Legge, was also present.

RE-UNIONS

1970 6th Year

Tentative plans are being made for a reunion of the 1970 Sixth Year Class to be held in Aberdeen sometime in 2014. Any member of that class wishing to be kept informed of the plans is welcome to note their interest with Rick Brown, currently retired and living in Nice, at r.r.brown@live.com or with Graham Watt, still working in Glasgow, who may be reached at graham.watt@glasgow.ac.uk

F.P. Club Membership Subscription Rates

The current policy of the Executive is to review Subscription rates annually, but in normal circumstances we would hope that it will only be necessary to amend them every 5 years. The Life Member “Top up” scheme – which has been hugely successful – involves a payment of £20 to cover a five-year period. Top-ups are now due for the 5-year period 2010 to 2014 inclusive. The Life Fund is stronger than it was, but still requires further “topping up”. The £20 “Top up” works out at just £4 per year for the 5-year period. We also draw down 5% of the Life Fund each year and this works out at roughly £1 per Life Member, so that, when this is added to the £4 from the “Top up”, the Club receives £5 per Life Member in total each year. This doesn’t yet match the £10 or so we receive from Annual Members, but we are moving in the right direction and we are certainly much better off than we were before the “Top up” scheme was introduced in 2000. We had a tremendous response to the introduction of the scheme, which is voluntary, and the vast majority of Life Members responded very positively. The response to the “Top up” appeal for 2005-09 went very well and it is hoped that the current period will be as successful. These payments are a vital part of the Club’s income.

Subscription rates for 2013 are as follows:-

Life Membership:

New Life Members: £100 plus a £20 “Top up” every 5 years, the first “Top up” being payable 5 years after Life Membership is taken out.

Existing Life members: £20 “Top up” every 5 years

Annual Membership:

Ordinary Members: £12.50 by cheque or £10 if paid by Standing Order

Former Pupils’ Section

Under-25 Members: £6 (Members must be aged under 25 on 1 January of Subscription Year)

School Leavers: £5 (covers remainder of year of leaving plus 1 year)

School Leavers –(Extended): £20 (covers remainder of year of leaving plus 5 years)

Note: School Leavers also become Members of the Club Centre when they reach the age of 18, for the same periods as defined above, at no extra cost.

Special Notes for Members over 75:

All members of the FP Club become “Long Service” Members from 1st January in the year following the year in which they reach the age of 75.

Life Members over 75 are no longer expected to make “Top up” Payments.

Ordinary (Annual) Members over 75 no longer have to pay any Annual Subscriptions.

Payment of Subscriptions:

Subscriptions should be sent to:

The Membership Secretary, Douglas McAllister, who will also deal with all queries about Membership, changes of address etc: His address is:

Gowanwell Cottage, Methlick, ELLON, Aberdeenshire AB41 7JL.

Tel: 07767 – 463121

Email: membership@agsfp.com

Donations and Bequests

The Second Century Fund was set up in 2000 to receive all Donations and Bequests. This Fund is used to finance specific School and Club projects, and is not used for normal ongoing Club expenses. As will be seen from the Accounts elsewhere in this Magazine, the total from this source in 2012 was £405 which was placed in the Second Century Fund. Our grateful thanks go to everyone who has contributed. It is hoped that this Fund will receive a significant boost from the current round of Top-up payments now being requested.

Life Members

Annual Members

Alan T. Cameron 1955-61 Fergus Kulasinghe 2002-08

Rachel P. Elliot 2006-12 Michael J. Raeburn 1949-63

Congratulations to the following members of the Club who will attain the age of 75 during 2013 and so will become Long Service Members on 1st January 2014.

Life Members

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

A. Hunter Cairns 1943-56

Neil M. Munro 1942-56

Gerald L. Crighton 1942-54 W. Michael Murray 1945-54

Kenneth M. Duthie 1943-56 Robin M.M. Nisbet 1943-52

Neil Edward 1948-55 I. Michael S. Park 1942-55

John G.N. Fraser 1942-55 Alistair E. Philip 1943-56

Peter J. Green 1946-57

George M. Phillips 1950-55

H. Alan S. Hamilton 1943-56 Robert S. Rilley 1946-55

Stanley A. Howard 1946-58 David P. Smith 1945-47

Harry K.S. Kinghorn 1943-56 David I. Sutherland 1951-55

Kenneth J. McLeod 1950-56 Malcolm S. Webster 1945-57

Alistair J.M. Miller 1942-55 William W. Wolkoff 1942-53

Annual Members

Philip T. Barron 1948-56 Iain C.S. Michie 1946-56

Douglas R. Kynoch 1948-56 Stephen A. Pacitti 1947-56

Gordon M. Lees 1948-55 Walter S. Robb 1946-56

Ronald I. Malcolm 1943-56

Long Service Members

For several years now we have published the names of our Nonagenarians Sadly, one of these has died in the last year, but he is replaced by four others who have attained the remarkable age of 90 or will do so later this year. We congratulate them all and thank them for their continuing interest and support. The full list, with their dates of birth, is as follows:-

Former Pupils’ Section NOTES about FORMER PUPILS

Honours and Awards

Member of the British Empire

Meldrum Barclay Edwards (1946-60) BSc(Eng), MSc was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June. The award is in recognition of his services to Athletics and Charity. More than fifty years of his life have been dedicated to coaching and competing in long distance running. The son of the former Lower School Master Freddie Edwards (1908-21), who gave him much support, his introduction began in the Lower School, where he ran on the grassed area on Esslemont Avenue at the front of the School. He found as time went on that he was better at running than at other sports.

As his University course was coming to an end he won the Scottish under-20 cross country title, beating Ian McCafferty and Lachie Stewart. In 1967 he broke the British six-mile record and won the Scottish Junior cross-country title. At this time Mel was training up to 5000 miles a year in an effort to become an Olympian. His debut marathon, at Harlow, Essex was completed in 2 hours 18 minutes which placed him fourth in the British rankings. He missed out on selection for the British team for the 1968 Mexico Olympics by two places. Following an injury problem he turned to hill running in which he enjoyed much success and he continued with his cross country running. As he continued to run he has turned to raising money for charity, notable Friends of Anchor in Aberdeen in whose aid he organised a charity run to mark his seventieth birthday last year. He is also a patron of the Aberdeen cancer charity CLAN.

He is the longest serving member of Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club and launched the Aberdeen Marathon several years ago, now succeeded by the Baker Hughes 10k annual run. He established the Lynx Pack twice-weekly lunch-time training session in 1988 and the Aberdeen Business Runners’ Club in 1997. One of his biggest rewards has been watching the people whom he has coached flourish. Two have competed for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games marathon and he coached Kenny Herriot, a local wheelchair athlete who broke the British marathon record.

In December he arranged a 70 minute run at Countesswells Forest to mark his 70th birthday and this was, as always with events which he arranges, a huge success.

Honorary Degrees

Jonathan Mahram Daube (1951-53) MA, EdD received a Doctorate honoris causa at the Summer graduation at Aberdeen University in 2012.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

After graduating from Aberdeen University in 1957 with honours in English Language and Literature with Mathematics, and training as a teacher at the University of London’s Institute of Education, he came to the United States in 1963. There he has been an English teacher, a school superintendent (the equivalent of a director of education/chief education officer), a graduate school director, and a community college president in Western Massachusetts. From 1987 to 2008 he was President of Manchester Community College in Central Connecticut. He retired in 2008 with the title of President Emeritus. A new building at Manchester Community College was named for him in 2009. He spent 2010-2011 as Interim President of Middlesex Community College, Connecticut. His doctorate is from Harvard University, and he spent 1968-1970 at the University of Malawi in Central Africa. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, has served as a visiting member of the editorial board of the Hartford Courant and, in the fall of 2002, spent ten weeks on sabbatical at the Institute of Education, University of London, where he had trained to be a teacher. Since 2007 he has been President of the University of Aberdeen Development Trust USA. He has been a visiting lecturer at the School of Education, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and has served as a consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education. In May, 2009, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) by Eastern Connecticut State University. He is coaching in an on-line doctoral program at the University of Maryland.

Robert James Carmichael Bain (1978-84) MA, CA has been appointed managing partner of Hall Morrice, chartered accountants with offices in Aberdeen and Fraserburgh. He joined the firm as a graduate trainee after leaving Aberdeen University in 1987 and qualified as a chartered accountant htree years later. He formed his own practice in 1994 but merged it with Hall Morrice in 1997, rejoining the business as a partner.

Gordon Grant Benton (1946-50) OBE, DDesign&Tech, RIBA, MSIA qualified as an architect from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and later as an urban planner. He has spent over half a century in Kenya, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, South Korea and Indonesia. He now resides in Newburgh but still travels to South-east Asia to audit developments with which he has been involved, including many industrial projects, largely for foreign investors, and the planning/development and being mayor of “edge towns” which have had international and national acclaim.

Michael Lewis Bowyer (1963-69) BSc has been appointed chairman of the Aberdeen branch of the Institute of Directors. He succeeds Kenneth James McEwen (1962-68). He is a director of Nexcor and a former board member of Oil & Gas UK.

Former Pupils’ Section

Leading Scottish Cricketer

Kyle James Coetzer (1996-02) captained Scotland’s cricket XI against Pakistan in May. After he signed for Durham County Cricket Club eight years ago he earned a reputation as a top-order batsman and was key to Durham winning the 2008 Friends Provident International at Lords when he scored 61 runs. He currently has a one-day international average of 49.4 from 12 matches. He currently plays for Northamptonshire. He made his name as a batsman in Scotland with Stoneywood-Dyce.

Myles Edwards (2000-06) is literally following in the running footsteps of his father Mel about whom there is a note above. Myles is currently training for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow in 2014. Like his father he has been running since an early age and is a member of both the Aberdeen Athletics Club and London’s Thames Valley Harriers. He has recently spent two separate periods of training in Kenya at altitudes as high as 2,400 feet above sea level to help his body reach maximum performance for the 800 and 1500 metre races in time for the Glasgow Games. On his first trip he spent ten weks at the Eldoret training camp in the Rift Valley; on the second trip he was to train with World Championship winner and long-distance runner Linet Masai.

Alan George Gibb (1926-36) MB,ChB, retired ear, nose and throat specialist still, at the age of 94, holds season tickets for The Lecht and Glenshee ski centres and is one of the oldest regulars on the slopes. He is also a threehandicap golfer and celebrated his 90th birthday with 90 holes on Balmoral’s 9hole course. He considers ski-ing and surfing to be two of the greatest thrills in life, but concedes that he has not surfed for the past four years.

Philip Hannaford (1973-76) MB,ChB, has, since 2011, been a Vice-Principal for Research & Knowledge Exchange at Aberdeen University, with particular responsibility for research strategy and the University’s preparations for the Research Excellence Framework 2014. An Aberdeen graduate, he trained for general practice in Sheffield after which he underwent research training and had a spell as a part-time research fellow before making research his full-time career in 1992. After three years as director of the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Manchester research unit he returned to Aberdeen in 1997 when he was appointed to the NHS Grampian Chair of Primary Care, with a remit to foster and develop research within the primary care community in Grampian.

Roger David Houghton (1959-63) LL.B retired from practice as a solicitor in Aberdeen in April. On leaving School he joined the Bank of Scotland and worked in Aberdeen. After studying for University entrance he embarked on a law course at Aberdeen University. He then went into private practice in Aberdeen in 1984 with John Melvin as Houghton Melvin & Co. Expansion over the following years led to the partnership of Houghton, Melvin, Smith & Co but with retirals the business was merged with another established Aberdeen practice in October 2012, Roger remaining as a consultant for six months.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Michael Alexander Inglis (1961-67) has marketed a new invention designed to prevent slugs and snails gaining access to garden plants and vegetables. He has spent eight years researching and has had advice from Business Gateway Aberdeen. The Molluskit barrier prevents these pests accessing plants both above and below ground, deterring them by a series of interlocking panels which not only form an efficient protective barrier but can also act as a raised bed. He was seeking a product which was non-toxic and long lasting, unlike slug pellets which are known to be harmful to both humans and wild life. A proto-type was made at Gray’s School of Art where Michael had studied as a design student.

Two Generations of Kelty Twins

Roger F. Kelty (1944-55) and J. Mitchell Kelty (1944-55) were born in Java, the twin sons of an Aberdeen tea and rubber planter. In 1942 they fled the Japanese invasion of Java and returned to the UK in 1944 via Australia and South Africa. After School, Roger graduated from Aberdeen University with an honours degree in English Language and Literature before teaching in Kirkton High School in Dundee and then in 1966 at Queen’s College, Nassau in the Bahamas. He went on to lecture for the University of the West Indies, later became headmaster of St Andrew’s School and finally was appointed Director of Educational Scholarship Programmes for the Lyford Cay Foundation in the Bahamas.

Mitchell served his apprenticeship as a chartered accountant in Aberdeen before appointment as Chief Accountant of the pharmaceutical division of Bydand Distillers & Chemicals. In 1971 he moved to Grampian Health Board as Area Financial Accountant and in 1984 became Secretary & Treasurer of the Rowett Research Institute at Bucksburn.

Mitchell’s twin sons, Ashley Keith Kelty and Clive Johnston Kelty (198389), followed in their father’s footsteps in completing their secondary education at the Grammar. Ashley graduated BSc. with honours followed by an MSc in Finance from Strathclyde University in 1994. He returned to Aberdeen to work for Anderson Consulting before moving to Enterprise Oil in London. In 2002 he moved to Edinburgh and is currently an Equity Research Analyst specialising in oil and gas with Cenkos. Clive read Medicine at Glasgow University and continued his surgical training at St James’ Hospital, Leeds and the University of Sheffield where he was the first person to be awarded a clinical PhD. Before taking up his present post as a consultant in upper gastro-intestinal and general surgery at Doncaster Royal Infirmary in 2007 he spent a year at Concord Hospital, Sydney learning new laparoscopic techniques.

Neil John George Lawrie (1961-74), recently elected to the Club Executive, continues his involvement with Scouting, and in particular with the 9th Troop. He was instrumental in saving another of the former School Troops, the 17th, when it was short of both leaders and members and in danger of folding. Neil and his wife recruited a number of youngsters and secured the help of parents to ensure the Troop’s future.

Former Pupils’ Section

Tracey Jane Menzies (née Robb) (1981-87) MBE, DCH, LL.B has joined the law firm Brodies as a partner in their Aberdeen office.

Niall Methven (1995-01) completed a Masters degree in Management at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh in 2006 and then ran a web design-internet consultancy, Granite Web Design, successfully for a few years. As technology moved on and became cheap it became easy for anyone to get a website up and running. He then made a major career change and joined the Royal Air Force in 2009. He is presently stationed at RAF Lossiemouth with 12(B) Squadron Engineering on the Tornado and will be posted to the Typhoon there at the beginning of next year.

Niall’s older brother Ross Methven (1988-94) left his post as Head of Consultancy at a marketing agency in London in December 2012 in order to cycle from Edinburgh to Cape Town to raise funds for UNICEF. He left Edinburgh in this year’s January snow and is cycling the route in two parts, from Edinburgh to Istanbul and from Nairobi to Cape Town. He is blogging as he cycles and can be followed at rossmethvensbigbikeride.co.uk

John Charles Alexander Michie (1944-58) CA, who is managing director of Michies the Chemists in Aberdeen, has now retired as chairman of Aberdeen Business Improvement District, a group focussing on identifying ways in which to revitalise the city centre. John has been a major driving force in the group for several years.

Ramsay Galloway Milne (1958-71) MA who has been a Labour member of Aberdeen City Council for many years, is convener of the Development Management Sub-Committee of the Council. He recently retired after many years’ service with Grampian Health Board.

Geoffrey Elmslie Morrison (1992-98) BA returned to the UK in 2008 after working for two years in the Middle East for Vetco Gray UK as financial controller there and in North Africa. He was then appointed Finance Manager for the Services business, a new business stream for Vetco Gray based at Montrose, where he was the finance lead in planning a new facility. He was also involved with the global field services and European services business providing direct finance and commercial support and overseeing the sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria and Middle East operations. In 2011 he joined Aberdeen International Airport as head of finance with responsibility for the finance and procurement functions. He also oversaw continuous financial growth, working closely with the managing director on initiatives to reduce costs and grow revenue.

In April this year he left to join Proserve as finance manager for their Birchmoss site with total responsibility for the whole site. He is currently working to integrate three businesses into one. A cricketer since 1993 he has been captain of the FP Cricket Section since 2012.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Hugh Murray Munro (1951-64) BA, MA, MLitt, PhD, CA graduated with a doctorate in International Relations from the University of Aberdeen in July 2012. On leaving School he attended the University of Strathclyde where he gained a BA in Accountancy with honours. He spent the next nineteen years with Arthur Andersen & Co. rising from being their first apprentice CA recruited in Scotland to becoming a partner and head of its audit practice in Glasgow. He left in 1987 to become managing partner of Arthur Young in Aberdeen, a position which he held until 2000. At that stage he transferred briefly to their London office to solve a staffing need for an experienced oil and gas audit partner.

His professional life was spent on primarily audit and business advisory work for multinational and owner-managed businesses in the energy, oil service and manufacturing industries. To support his involvement with manufacturing clients he gained, on an in-service basis, a MEng degree in Production Management from the University of Glasgow. He gained international professional experience working in South Africa, Turkey, Italy and Belgium and spent a year on secondment to the Department of Trade & Industry with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), in a long and varied career. He retired from active professional life in December 2001.

On a purely recreational basis he then spent three years at Dundee University on its MA course in American History and Politics, graduating in 2005 with 1st Class Honours. He was encouraged to continue his studies and in 2006 completed a Master of Letters degree, with distinction, in Middle East Security at Aberdeen University. Again encouraged to go further he completed his PhD degree in International Relations. His thesis assessed the Impact of National Oil Companies on the Energy Security of OECD Countries.

An active Rotarian and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Aberdeen, he is a member of the Cadre of Technical Advisers to the Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s worldwide charity, is one of three International Coordinators supporting its Peace and Conflict Resolution activities, and acts occasionally as an auditor for significant international projects funded by the Foundation.

David Thomas Graeme Reid (1975-80) who has for the past several years been a partner in Knight Frank, estate agents, covering three of their Scottish offices, has changed careers and has now purchased the Bridge of Dee bar in Holburn Street, Aberdeen

Former University Principal

Charles Duncan Rice (1949-60) KB, MA, PhD, FRSE, former Principal of Aberdeen University, has been further honoured by having the new University library named after him. The building, which was officially opened by the Queen last September, was a major part of his vision for the ongoing development of the University. The Library took two years and £57million to complete, and has been named to honour Sir Duncan’s vision, ambition and leadership.

Former Pupils’ Section

Logan Dow Steele (1970-76) is general manager of Age Scotland Enterprises, specialising in travel insurance for the over-50s. Emphasising the importance of such insurance he says that almost a third of its policies are for customers aged over 80. Logan was formerly with General Accident Insurance, serving in various parts of the country. An enthusiastic bird-watcher and supporter of the RSPB, he now lives in Auchterarder.

Arthur David Stewart (1963-76) BSc, PhD, Reader and Deputy Director of Robert Gordon University’s Centre for Obesity Research and Epidemiology is the leader of a new project using new technology to obtain records of the heights, weights and widths of North Sea employees. The project utilises 3D scanning technology, originally developed for making blockbuster films and the aim is to help designers to ensure that safety equipment, survival clothing and space on helicopters and installations are the correct size for the people using it. The project has been partly funded by member companies of Oil & Gas UK.

Innes Taylor (1974-80) came out of hockey coaching retirement to coach the U18 Boys Team which won the U18 Boys Scottish Plate in 2013. This is his fifth national medal for hockey coaching in the last seven seasons.

Thomas Scott Taylor (2002-07) completed his combat infantryman training course of the Highlanders Royal Regiment of Scotland at Catterick Camp in February. He was awarded the Best Recruit prize having proved himself, in the words of his Platoon Commander, to be an exemplary team player. He is now based in Germany with the 4th Battalion of the Regiment. Reflecting on his time on the North Yorkshire moors, which can be bleak and unforgiving in winter, he says “You experience the ultimate highs and lows at Catterick. After a few days in the field you feel at rock bottom and then you get showered and have a decent meal and it’s the greatest feeling in the world.”

Alexander Allan Templeton (1953-63) CBE, MD, FRCOG, FRCP, FMedSci. has retired after twenty-five years as professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aberdeen University. He was also an honorary consultant with Grampian University NHS Trust. With an honours degree in Medicine from Aberdeen University he spent ten years in Edinburgh before coming back to Aberdeen to take up his Chair. He put together a multi-disciplinary team to pioneer many techniques successfully through the Aberdeen Fertility Clinic and the Assisted Reproduction Unit. His imaginative approach to the extended role of nursing and midwifery staff in front-line delivery of tertiary-level services has been widely adopted in the UK. A pioneer in the fields of infertility, fertility control and reproductive health he was instrumental in having close-knit teams of clinical and non-clinical researchers translate research findings from the bench to the bedside. He was also involved with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists as a regional college adviser and chairman of many committees. He was honorary secretary of the College for seven years before serving for three years as President.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

George Innes Walker (1979-85) joined CAN, an energy service company providing industrial rope access in the North Sea, as an administrator in 1990 soon after leaving University. Within six years he was on the board of the company. He has recently been responsible for a re-branding of the company with the formation of Engteq to take over the asset integrity and engineering service work of the group. CAN will continue to provide the service for which it has earned its reputation but will further develop its expertise in lifting gear and electrical services to the offshore industry.

George Kynoch Yule (1963-67), who proposed the principal toast at the Annual Dinner of the FP Club in March, is a former oil industry executive. Having himself trained at the former Aberdeen Technical College he is now involved with both Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University. He is the executive vice-chairman of Aberdeen Football Club, is a corporate patron of the Befriend a Child charity and is chairman of Aberdeen Sports Village.

Marriages

Henderson (2000-06) and Roy (2000-06) – At Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen on 20 April 2013 Andrew John Henderson, son of George C.C. Henderson (1971-77) and of Dr Isabel M. Henderson, 7 Woodstock Road, Aberdeen to Katy Roy, daughter of Mrs Jan M. Roy, 14 Elm Place, Aberdeen and of the late Mr Neil D. Roy

Obituaries

George Gordon Allan (1939-51) died peacefully at his home in Carshalton, Surrey on 9 November 2012 having suffered from Parkinson’s disease for several years. He was aged 78. He was the son of George Joseph Allan (189702), one of the founders of Tawse & Allan.

Gordon began a career in journalism as a trainee with Aberdeen Journals before National Service with the Royal Army Service Corps, most of it spent in Germany. He returned to Broad Street as a sub-editor in the Features department of the Evening Express under the watchful eye of Kenneth Peters to whom he gave the credit for the grounding which he received in his chosen profession. Having a great love of music he reported in the local press on concerts in the Music Hall. He was next for a time a sub-editor with the Daily Telegraph in London, followed by spells with The Scotsman in Edinburgh, the North London Press and the PA News Association news agency in Fleet Street.

In 1967 he became a Sports Journalist with The Times in London, initially as a full-time sub-editor and from 1973 as freelance. He reported on mainly Rugby but contributed some articles on other sporting topics. He provided reports on London Scottish matches for The Scotsman. Having himself begun playing bowls in 1972 he turned to reporting on the sport frequently in The Times but also in World Bowls.

In 1994 the first of Gordon’s several books was published – Bowling Enchanted Woods. He followed this with a collection of his articles from The

Former Pupils’ Section

Times on a variety of sporting topics. An extended introduction to this book touched on his years at the Grammar and on some of the School’s sporting personalities. His third publication, Not All Mud and Scrums (Rugby Union before Professionalism) narrated his lifelong involvement in Rugby as player, spectator and journalist. In all he was the author of seven books, all on sports topics apart from the last which was an account of his exploration of nearly one hundred of England’s provincial second-hand bookshops from Northumberland to the Isles of Scilly.

After fifty years’ membership of the National Union of Journalists, he was elected a life member in 2001. He was by this time living in semi-retirement in Carshalton.

Probably Gordon’s greatest pleasure was listening to classical music; he was a frequent concert-goer to the Wigmore Hall and at the Royal Festival Hall. On his last visit to Aberdeen in 2009 he was able to visit the School, an experience which he much enjoyed. He is survived by his wife, Joy.

David Robert Beattie (1970-74) died on 20 April 2013 while climbing in the Fannichs area south of Ullapool. He was aged 54. He had planned to scale the 3586ft Sgurr Nan Each, a Munro on the south ridge of Sgurr nan Clach Geala. By the time it was realised that he was overdue the weather had deteriorated seriously, thus hampering searchers in their efforts to find him. His body was recovered close to the summit. He had been anxious to add this mountain to the list of Munros already conquered.

David grew up in the Skene Street area of Aberdeen but holidays were regularly spent near Braemar where his love of the hills developed. After leaving school he trained as a plumber, serving an apprenticeship with Barratt Homes. He worked off-shore for a time but then established his own business, Dave Beattie Plumbing, and earned a reputation as an excellent tradesman. His son followed him into the business and was named plumbing apprentice of the year while under his father’s direction.

David’s other great love was music and from quite a young age he played the guitar. In his 40s he joined with three friends to form the Sensational Swampsnakes, a rock band which played gigs around Aberdeen and the Shire and frequently raised money for charities such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

David’s two sisters also attended the School – Karen (1973-77) and Morgyn (1978-82).

Well-known Aberdeen Solicitor

Philip Dawson (1925-37) MA, LL.B died suddenly but peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 1 December 2012 aged 92. He graduated in Arts at Aberdeen University in 1940 and at once enlisted in the Royal Air Force. He served as a ground gunner at Croydon during the Battle of Britain before training as a Wellington bomber pilot. He completed two tours of duty, a total of thirty missions, at a time when the life expectancy of bomber pilots, with an average age of 22, was just six weeks. Twice he managed to bring his severely damaged

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

plane back to crash-land near his airfield. Later he flew specially converted Wellington bombers on minesweeping duties to keep the vital Suez Canal open to shipping.

On his return he served an apprenticeship with Alexander & Gillan while studying for a law degree at Aberdeen University. While doing this he used his flying expertise to help the Air Training Corps at Dyce and the University Air Squadron as a Gliding Instructor. He graduated in 1949 and shortly thereafter joined James & George Collie, advocates, as an assistant. He was assumed as a partner in 1951 and was admitted to membership of the Society of Advocates the following year. He served on the Aberdeen & North-east Legal Aid Committee from 1962. At the time of his retiral in 1986 he was the senior partner in Collie’s and continued as a consultant for several years. He was Treasurer of the Society of Advocates in 1986-87 and President in 1987-89.

A lifelong interest in curling led to Presidency of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club in 1980-81 and in turn to the Presidency of the International Curling Federation in 1985-88. During his term of office curling was accepted as a demonstration sport for the Winter Olympics at Calgary in 1988. Philip’s public service in the Aberdeen area included the chairmanship of the Aberdeen Association of Social Service and work with several city organisations including the Children’s Shelter, the Lads Club, the Scout Association and Linn Moor School, a residential facility for children with special needs. This last led to his helping to set up Easter Anguston Farm, near Culter, a venture supporting people with learning disabilities through training on a working farm. At the age of 90 he was made a Burgess of Guild of Aberdeen in recognition of his huge contribution to the affairs of the city.

In 2009 Philip accompanied the Lord Provost of Aberdeen as guest of honour when a memorial was unveiled commemorating the wartime history of Aberdeen Airport which was taken over by the RAF and became home to 612 Squadron.

Having been predeceased by his first wife, Iola, in 1976 Philip is survived by his second wife, Marlene, by two sons and two grandchildren.

John Andrew Melvin Doig (1930-36) died peacefully in hospital in Elgin on 18 July 2012 aged 93. His lifetime of service to Aberdeen Savings Bank began when he left School with an apprenticeship to the Bank. A pre-war Territorial, he is thought to be the last survivor of the Scottish Horse men embodied in Aberdeen at the beginning of September 1939. The unit was converted to Royal Artillery and by early 1940 he was a Lance/Sergeant. He went on to be a Warrant Officer in the Scottish Horse and, although his unit missed Alamein he was involved in the fighting throughout the next stage of the War from Sicily to the Austrian border. He was mentioned in dispatches in August 1945 for his service during the heavy fighting at Anzio. Post-war he was very active in the Italy Star Association and made several return visits to the scene of the army’s triumphs at Anzio.

Post-war he returned to the Savings Bank as agent at the Bucksburn branch, later moving to Woodside before transferring in 1970 to Elgin where he remained until retiring in the early ‘80s.

Former Pupils’ Section

In 1950 he had rejoined the Scottish Horse (TA) in Aberdeen eventually attaining the rank of Major as second-in-command of the regiment which in 1956 had become the Fife & Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1959 and finally retired in the mid-‘60s.

Pre-deceased by his wife, he is survived by his two daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Distinguished Artist

James Furneaux (1950-53) died peacefully in an Aberdeen care home on 11 February 2013. He had lived with diabetes for thirty years but latterly had become increasingly frail. He came to the Grammar as a bursar from Hilton Junior Secondary School and soon came to the attention of Charles Hemingway who went out of his way to nurture his talents. To the dismay of his teacher James turned to architecture, taking up an apprenticeship with Jenkins & Marr, but Hemingway kept in touch with him and tried to persuade him to switch to art. He eventually succeeded and the apprenticeship was abandoned for enrolment at Gray’s School of Art to study sculpture. After graduating he trained as a teacher at the former College of Education, becoming a peripatetic teacher in schools in Aberdeenshire.

His first full-time post was at Ellon Academy until, in the mid-60s, he joined the staff of the College of Commerce. There he earned a reputation for what one former student described as “intense, dynamic, perceptive, inspirational and crazy” teaching. He was known to patrol the art studio like a man possessed, dressed in the School of Paris style – artist’s smock, goatee beard, floppy hair and hush puppies. He was a force of nature. With the closure of the College in the 1980s he continued to teach students for a time before taking early retirement in order to concentrate on his art.

For several years he shared a studio in Guild Street with other artists under the auspices of Workshop & Artists’ Studio Provision Scotland. While much enjoying this he also worked from his home and was involved with Peacock Printmakers. He produced a vast number of drawings, prints, oils, watercolours and gouaches, also returning to his former interest in sculpture and ceramics, and his work regularly figured in the annual Aberdeen Artists’ Society exhibition.

Much of James’s work was of less well-known Aberdeen scenes which his artist’s eye identified as worthy of attention and which often reflected his early architect’s training. In 2009 he mounted an exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints of Aberdeen buildings and landmarks, the product of over fifty years spent in documenting aspects of the city and capturing its character.

James is survived by his wife, Mavis, to whom he had been married since 1958, by his four sons James (1971-77), Paul (1974-80), Mark (1975-79) and David (1977-83), and by one grand-daughter.

Hugh Alexander Barrie Harper (1950-57) MA, LL.B, CA died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 8 August 2012 following a long illness. He was aged 73. Born in Hillhead, Glasgow, his early education was at Glasgow Academy

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

and he entered the Grammar in the first year of the then Middle School. His love of sport was kindled then and he excelled as a swimmer and enjoyed rugby.

Barrie graduated from Aberdeen University in Arts in 1960 and in Law in 1962. He then went on to qualify as a chartered accountant in 1965, adding a Diploma in Management Studies with distinction in 1968. From 1965 he lectured at the former Robert Gordon’s Institute of Technology, rising to a senior lectureship. He was an apprentice solicitor with A.J.G. Taylor in Aberdeen and later with Clark & Wallace, before setting up in practice on his own account in 1974. He was for a time in the Harper & Smith partnership. He was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1975. He retired from law practice in 1984 to concentrate on his accountancy practice and on various other business interests, notably in the property market in which he had seen opportunities when the oil rush of the 1970s hit Aberdeen.

Barrie was captain of the FP Swimming Section in 1964 and represented the Section on the Executive committee for a number of years. He was one of six FPs who played in the 4th Golden Oldies Rugby Festival in London in 1985. He enjoyed golf and was a member of Deeside Golf Club for more than fifty years, also taking part in mixed foursomes across Scotland with his wife. His other passion was bridge and he was a member of no less than four bridge clubs. He and his wife won the Scottish Bridge Masters and the Autumn Pairs Championship in 2001.

Barrie is survived by his wife, Vivienne, and by a daughter and two sons, a third son having died aged five.

Michael Gordon Henderson (1948-60) LDS died peacefully at Roxburghe House, Aberdeen on 20 May 2013 aged 70. From School he attended Edinburgh University where he studied Dentistry, graduating in 1964. He set up in private practice in Aberdeen and was in partnership with Hugh Robertson (1959-60) for over forty years until both retired in 2006 to be succeeded by Michael’s son and daughter-in-law, Margaret née Wright (1982-88).

Michael’s father was Gordon Harvey Henderson (1921-34) who was Chairman of the Club Executive when the decision was taken to set up the Club Centre at 86 Queen’s Road. Michael is survived by his wife, Marguerite.

Distinguished Forensic Pathologist

William Thomson Hendry (1927-30, 1934-39) MB, ChB died peacefully in a hospital in Aberdeen on 13 August 2012 aged 89. Born in London, and proud of his Cockney roots, he was therefore justifiably proud of winning a prize for Doric at School. He graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in 1944. After registrar posts at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Maternity Hospital he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, attaining the rank of Captain. After leaving the Army he served in various posts in hospitals in Aberdeen before taking over his father’s medical practice in the city.

In 1957 he was appointed as an assistant in the Department of Pathology at the University and went on to be a lecturer in Forensic Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence, later rising to be senior lecturer. He had a reputation as a gifted

Former Pupils’ Section

lecturer who could readily enthuse his students. Also in 1957 he was appointed as Police Surgeon for Aberdeen. As such, he took a lead in the provision of forensic pathology services, readily embracing new techniques as they became available in his field of expertise.

He was noted for his meticulous and thorough post-mortem examinations and dissections and for the clarity of his analytical interpretations of these. As a frequent Crown witness in the High Court he was widely accepted as a confident and robust witness of total integrity. He was also noted for his ready adoption of new techniques in his field as scientific advances were achieved.

His work involved him in some of the most high-profile cases in Scotland and he investigated most of the murders and serious accidents in the Grampian area and most of the other sudden and unexplained deaths. With the arrival of the off-shore industry he went on to develop expertise in the medical problems relative to the effect of diving and other off-shore activities on the metabolism of the human body. This expertise was of particular assistance during the investigation of the Piper Alpha disaster in which he was the lead pathologist in the examination of the recovered bodies. He retired shortly thereafter.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, to whom he had been married for over 60 years, and by his sons Alan Leith Hendry (1963-69) and Douglas Thomson Hendry (1968-74). His eldest son William Gordon Hendry (1960-66) died in 2000. He also leaves nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

the examination of the recovered bodies. He retired shortly thereafter.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, to whom he had been married for over 60 years, and by his sons Alan Leith Hendry (1963-69) and Douglas Thomson Hendry (1968-74). His eldest son William Gordon Hendry (1960-66) died in 2000. He also leaves nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Kenneth John Hogg (1929-41) died peacefully in a care home in Edinburgh on 25 January 2013 aged 88. He joined Scottish Agricultural Industries at Dyce on leaving school initially as a laboratory assistant. He then volunteered for aircrew duties and was called up to the Royal Air Force in 1944. The war ended before his training as an air bomber could be completed and he was transferred to the Radar Section with which he was stationed in the south of France.

On demobilisation he returned to S.A.I. and trained as an industrial chemist, gaining his higher national certificate in Chemistry at Aberdeen Technical College in 1950. He worked in Ayr and latterly in Leith, initially as an industrial chemist and later as an X-ray analyst. After his retiral in 1985 he undertook a variety of volunteer duties in connection with St Columba’s Hospice in Edinburgh.

Twice married, he was predeceased by both his wives.

David Neville Howie (1961-62) MA, LL.B died in hospital in Glasgow on 6 July 2012 aged 69. He was the younger son of the Rev. Thomas Howie of St Peter’s at Peterculter and came to the Grammar in Upper V. From School he went up to Aberdeen University where he graduated in Arts in 1965 and in Law in 1967. He was apprenticed to John Laurie & Co in 1967-69, became a legal assistant to the firm in 1969 and was assumed as a partner in 1970. He retired a few years ago.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

He is survived by his wife, Aileen, to whom he had been married for over forty years, and by two sons and a daughter two of whom also attended the School –Jane Beverly Howie (1986-89) and Craig Henderson Howie (1989-95). His brother John Wilson Howie was also a former pupil (1941 and 1950-54).

David Kinghorn (1944-49) MBE died after a short illness on 24 January 2013 aged 80. He trained as an architect at the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology, graduating in 1955. He then undertook National Service with the Royal Engineers in Malaya. He returned to work in Aberdeen City Architect’s department. Seven years later he was appointed as a lecturer at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture where he spent the remainder of his career. He frequently took parties of students on expeditions, some of them abroad, in order to further their studies. He himself spent a year on exchange in Chicago, following which he instituted a highly successful staff/student exchange scheme with Illinois Institute of Technology.

On his return from Chicago he became deputy head of the School, later being promoted to acting head. He retired in 1987, being awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of the following year for his services to architecture.

Retirement was spent in Ballater where he was actively involved in the local community as a councillor and as an elder in the church where he was organist for the last two years of his life. His professional skills were put to good use in the refurbishment of the Ballater Village Hall complex.

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Gifted Film and Television Scholar

Elspeth Jane Kydd (1978-84) BA, MA, PhD died peacefully in Edinburgh on 9 April 2012 following a lengthy illness. She was aged 46. She graduated first with a BA degree from Warwick University and gained her other degrees from Northwestern University. She was a gifted film and documentary maker, film and television scholar and a gifted teacher. She taught for sixteen years in the Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Toledo, spent some time in the School of Cultural Studies at the University of the West of England and finally in the Film Programme of the University of the West Indies at St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago. In addition to making films of significant importance she wrote extensively on a variety of topics and her book The Critical Importance of Film published in 2011 will be widely used in teaching students of film studies.

Her last film, which was completed during her illness, was premiered at the 2012 Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival where it won the ACP Cultures prize. Elspeth is survived by her mother and by her sister, Angela Mary Moffat (1975-81) and her brother Robert Alexander (Sandy) Kydd (1977-82).

Leslie Gordon Laing (1937- 49) MB,ChB passed away in Brampton, Ontario on 3 October 2012 aged 81. He graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in 1955 and, after the usual house posts at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary,

Former Pupils’ Section

joined the RAF. From RAF Duxford he was posted to Germany and served at Gatow, Goch and Cologne as a medical officer. He enjoyed relating the story about the first sick parade he held: it was full of malingerers. He told them in no uncertain terms to come back the next day and threatened that if he found any of them not to be sick he would charge them. Only a handful turned up! He returned to RAF Duxford in 1959 and was discharged in July of that year.

Leslie then went into general practice in Loughborough until 1969 when he and his family emigrated to Canada. There he worked with Brampton East Medical Group until his retirement in 1999. He made house calls up until he stopped practising and became friendly with many of his patients. He cultivated vegetables on a plot of land belonging to one of them and was always happy in a garden. From an early age he loved fly fishing and recalled tickling salmon on the River Dee as a boy. One of his favourite memories was of catching salmon on Lake Ontario with his son Mike and colleagues. He also loved reading books and watching movies.

Leslie is survived by his wife Win to whom he was married for 56 years, their children Karen, Michael and Sheelagh and grandchildren Kali, Heather, Meg, Ross, Robbie, Craig and Shyla.

William Calder Macphail Lawrence (1940-43) MB.ChB, DPH, MFCM died peacefully at his home in Stirling on 20 June 2012 aged 87. His early education was at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh until the family moved to Aberdeen when his father, the late Rev Philip Douglas Lawrence (1909-16) was called to Rubislaw Parish Church. Bill was Senior Prefect in 1942-43, captain of Rugby, captain of Keith House, and winner of the All Round Trophy. He was called up for war service in the Royal Air Force at Easter 1943. On demobilisation he studied Medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1953. He was one of eleven FP members of the University Rugby Club to tour London in 1948, the first Aberdeen rugby club to play in England.

Bill was a house surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and later a house physician at Strathcathro Hospital before going into general practice in Buckie in 1954. He was deputy medical officer for Banffshire in 1966-74. He was awarded his Diploma in Public Health in 1969 and admitted as a member of the Faculty of Community Medicine in 1973. In the following year he took up a post as a community medicine specialist for Forth Valley Healthy Board.

Bill was one of three FP brothers – Albert Alexander Lawrence (Sandy) (1940-46) who was also Senior Prefect and All Round Trophy winner and who died in 1998, and Philip Douglas Guthrie Lawrence (1940-51). His grandfather Calder M. Lawrence was at one time a teacher at the School.

George Forbes Macdonald (1942-46) died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 11 October 2012 aged 82. He left the School at the age of sixteen following the death of his father. He served his apprenticeship as a marine engineer with John Lewis, shipbuilders in Aberdeen and after qualifying went off to further his career in the Merchant Navy. Most of that career was spent with the Ben Line of Edinburgh, where he became a Chartered Chief Engineer. He was for

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

fifty–six years a member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, served on its committee and was for many years its Treasurer.

George took early retirement in 1986 and made very good use of the next twenty-six years. He was active as an elder of Rubislaw Church, and a member of its Fabric committee to which his background enabled him to make a valuable contribution. He was a keen member of the Seafield Walking Group and much enjoyed walking in the hills. He was a member of the Granite City Speakers’ Club, of which he was a past President. He was a member of Probus and an enthusiastic bowler both outdoor with Probus and indoor with the church club, of which he was a founder member.

He is survived by his wife, Joy, and by his son Alastair who has followed his father into engineering with Subsea 7.

Robin Dewar Murray MacLeod (1945-54) MB.ChB, DObstRCOG, FRCPE died peacefully at his home in Elgin on 4 April 2013 aged 76. A prefect, member of the 1st XV and captain of athletics at the School, he took part in the Scottish Schools Athletics Championships in 1954, winning the Eric Liddell Trophy awarded to the schoolboy judged to have produced the best performance. He was the second Grammarian winner in four years, Kenneth Coutts having been the winner in 1950.

Robin went on to study Medicine at Aberdeen University and apart from a half-blue in Rugby his athletics prowess continued. He was awarded a half-blue in 1957 and received the Dean’s Quaich awarded to the student receiving the most points in pure athletics. He was one of six FPs serving on the Union Management Committee in 1958-59. Graduating in 1960 he was a surgical resident in Aberdeen in 1962-63, a registrar in Aberdeen hospitals for three years and then a senior registrar in Edinburgh hospitals for a year. He was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to visit Russia and Denmark for six weeks to carry out research into ageing and the elderly.

In 1971 he was appointed to the then newly created post of consultant in geriatrics and general medicine at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin. He singlehandedly established the hospital’s acute medicine and geriatric services. He was a founder member of the Moray Council on Addiction and was involved with it for twenty-five years from 1978. He retired in 2002 and was at once appointed to the board of Moray College, of which he later became chairman. He also joined the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Robin was a keen golfer in summer and an enthusiastic bridge player in the winter months. He is survived by his wife, with whom he celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2011, and by his two daughters and four grandchildren.

Former Colonial Civil Servant

John Richard Masson (1937-43) O.B.E., MA, FRGS died in Mbabane, Swaziland, where he had spent much of his life, on 29 August 2012 aged 87. He graduated in Arts from Aberdeen University in 1951 with First Class honours in Geography and being awarded the Royal Geographical Society’s Silver Medal. Later that summer he was one of four Former Pupils who were members of an

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expedition to Cyrenaica to carry out geographical, botanical and archaeological research. An article about the expedition by James Edward Fraser, another of the group, appeared in the December 1951 Magazine

John entered the Colonial Administrative Service and was posted initially to Swaziland. In 1961-63 he was assistant Financial Secretary in the office of the UK High Commissioner in South Africa. He was acting Secretary for Finance in Swaziland for the next four years followed by four years as Secretary for Finance. Having been awarded the MBE in 1962 he was elevated to the rank of Officer in 1970 and retired from public service in 1972.

He held various company directorships thereafter before being returned as a member of Parliament in 1979 and appointed Deputy Finance Minister. In 1981 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and stood down from Parliament in 1983. He finally retired in 1989 but continued to live in Swaziland.

John is survived by his married daughter who also lives in Mbabane.

John Alexander Barclay Milne (1927-37) MA died peacefully at St Andrews Community Hospital on 10 October 2012 aged 93. One of the last survivors of Classical V of 1937, he served as a bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force in the 1939-45 War, and had some rough experiences as documented in detail in Operation Millennium by Eric Taylor, published in 1987. He later studied at Aberdeen University, graduating in Arts in 1957. After teacher training he taught for two years at the then Powis Junior Secondary School before moving to Banchory where he taught for twenty years at Banchory Primary School. He retired in 1979.

Predeceased by his wife, he is survived by his son Douglas, a grandson and two great-grandchildren. His other son Derek Alexander Barclay Milne (194660), who also taught at Banchory Primary School, died a few years ago.

John Harold Mundie (1932-45) BSc, PhD, Dip.ICL died suddenly in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island on 5 June 2012 aged 84. At Aberdeen University he shared the Nicol Prize in Zoology in 1948 and went on to graduate with honours in Zoology the following year. He then studied at Imperial College, London, obtaining his doctorate in 1955 and a Diploma in Zoology in 1956. He was a zoologist with the British Freshwater Biology Association in 1959, moving seven years later to Nanaimo to join the staff of the Pacific Biological Station there as a scientist. His research work centered on the freshwater rearing of salmon and he earned a reputation as a dedicated and highly competent scientist.

John is survived by his wife Phyllis to whom he had been married for fortysix years.

Gordon Bruce Nicolson (1938-47) CA died peacefully in hospital in Dingwall on 4 May 2013. Senior Prefect in 1946-47 he was House Captain of Dun, one of the sports editors of the Magazine and played stand-off half for the 1st XV. In the closing weeks of his sixth year he was called up for National Service which he spent in the RAF at the time of the Berlin Airlift. On demobilisation he served his apprenticeship as a chartered accountant in Aberdeen and during this

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

time he played both Rugby and Cricket for FPs, serving as vice-captain of the Strathmore XI in 1951-52. He also acted as secretary of the Cricket Section.

On qualifying and being admitted to membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland in 1955 he moved north to Dingwall, where he became an assistant to Messrs. MacDowall & Co. He was assumed as a partner in 1958. In time he became the firm’s senior partner and he retired in 1991.

In retirement he kept busy as a volunteer for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau. He was treasurer of the local branch of Save the Children, auditing their books and donating his fee to other local charities. He became a very active member of both the indoor and outdoor bowling clubs, taking on different roles on each of their committees.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Enid, to whom he had been married for fifty-six years, by his three children and his five grandchildren.

John George Walker Philip (1946-51) MA, LL.B died peacefully in Aberdeen on 27 March 2013 aged 79. He graduated in Law at Aberdeen University in 1954, being awarded the Society of Advocates prize in Evidence and Pleading. He continued his academic studies, graduating in Arts in 1956 and upgrading his law degree to LL.B. Having served an apprenticeship with J.D. Mackie & Dewar, advocates, he became a partner in 1959 and was admitted to the Society of Advocates in the following year. With a fellow partner he then set up the firm of Philip & Wadsworth in Aberdeen in 1973. In 1988 he became a partner in Philip & Kemp, later Philip, Gauld & Co. John suffered a severe stroke which led to his retiral from practice several years ago.

He is survived by his wife, Frances, with whom he celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2008 and by a son, four daughters and by grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. His elder brother is Andrew Alexander Bain Philip (1944-50) who was in practice as a chartered accountant in Aberdeen.

University Development Trust Director

Edward Alistair Smith (1943-57) CBE, MA, PhD died in hospital in Colombo on 25 July 2012 following a short illness. He was aged 73. From School he went up to Aberdeen University, where he graduated MA with honours in Geography in 1961 and was awarded the Royal Geographical Society Silver Medal. He followed this with a doctorate. He then studied under a Swedish government scholarship at Uppsala University, where he carried out research into iron ore mining in the far North of Sweden.

He returned to Aberdeen as a lecturer in Geography in 1963 and, being an inspiring communicator, he proved very popular with his students. When the University’s Development Trust was established in 1982 he was appointed as its first director. The Trust was created with the twin purposes of raising funds for the University and raising its international profile. It is in no small measure due to Alistair’s efforts in building up the Trust that it has been so hugely successful in securing funds, both locally and internationally, and has achieved world-wide recognition.

Former Pupils’ Section

After leaving the Trust in 1990 Alistair was appointed as director of the University’s international office, and he devoted himself with characteristic energy to recruiting students from overseas to study at Aberdeen. He travelled extensively all over the world and in so doing established a strong link with the people and politicians of Sri Lanka. They had established a Dream Home Visa Programme aimed at senior foreign nationals who wanted an extended residence there. When he retired in 2002, Alistair, to the surprise of his many friends in Aberdeen, moved to Sri Lanka, where he made his home in the town of Bentota.

From the 1960s Alistair was heavily involved in politics, and by the age of 28 was chairman of the then West Aberdeenshire Conservative and Unionist party. Prior to the 1970 general election he had secured Lt Col Colin Mitchell, late of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders – ‘Mad Mitch’ of Aden fame – to fight, and win, what had been strong Liberal territory. In 1981 he began a twoyear term as President of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Association and he was awarded the CBE in the 1982 Birthday Honours for his political services.

He served for eight years as a member of Grampian Health Board and also worked for many years for the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland. His background of a degree in Geography led in 1979 to his co-authoring Europe - A Geographical Survey of the Continent.

Alistair was unmarried. He is survived by his brother Forbes Johnston Smith (1945-57).

James Sinclair Stewart (1941-44) MB, BS, FRCP died peacefully at Shiptonunder-Wychwood, Oxfordshire on 6 May 2012 following a short illness. He was aged 82. He belonged to a medical family, his father having been Donald Sinclair Stewart (1906-18) a general practitioner in London and his uncle James Smith Stewart (1901-08) who was a doctor in Aberdeen. He came to live with his grandparents in 1941, returning to London three years later. He completed his education at Mill Hill School, London, where he gained the Edward Sheffield Prize for Classics, making him the equivalent of what at that time in the Grammar would have been the Classical Dux.

He undertook National Service in the Royal Army Service Corps in 1948-49 seeing active service in Malaya. With a classics scholarship, later extended to include anatomy and physiology, he went on to study medicine at the Middlesex Hospital Medical School from which he graduated in 1955. Junior posts at Middlesex Hospital included that of deputy residential medical officer with, at times, responsibility for all emergency admissions except obstetrics, including during the Asian flu pandemic of 1957.

In 1961 he moved to the gastroenterology unit at Hammersmith Hospital where he was a medical registrar, research fellow for the Royal College of Physicians and then senior registrar. It was at this point in his career that he developed his interest in malabsorption and especially in coileac disease. In 1966 he was appointed as a consultant physician at the West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth, West London.

In the 1970s he and colleagues co-operated with researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in a community study of acute hepatitis in three London boroughs, the first to suggest that hepatitis B could be a

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

sexually transmitted disorder among male homosexuals. He was a dedicated and skilled teacher of undergraduates and of junior doctors who came on to his wards, always anxious that they should have the best guidance and training that would further their careers. He was involved in the transformation of the West Middlesex into the West Middlesex University Hospital which is now part of Imperil College School of Medicine.

He retired in 1989 and devoted himself to his twin interests of mountaineering and philosophy of religion. He was a life member of the Cairngorm Club. He also enjoyed travel. He and his first wife were married in 1955. Following their divorce he remarried in 1982. He is survived by his second wife and by the son and two daughters of his first marriage and their six children.

David Alan Cruden Walker (1950-55) BA, M.Phil, Grad.CE, PTE, AILB(SA), MIPM(Z) died in Budapest on 8 June 2012 aged 65. He left Aberdeen in 1955 to go to Canada when his father Ralph Spence Walker (1910-22) was appointed Molson Professor of English and chairman of the Department of English at McGill University, Montreal. He was Dux and Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medallist at Selwyn House Preparatory School, Montreal and winner of a top scholarship to Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh. He studied at McGill University, graduating in 1966 with first class honours in English and French. He then graduated in English from Lincoln College, Oxford before taking up a Research Fellowship in Fine Art at St. Andrews.

He next was appointed to an academic post at Witwatersrand, South Africa but was later expelled from the country for talking too freely with black students. He moved next to what was then Rhodesia where, after a spell as Education Officer at the National Gallery of Rhodesia, he devoted his life to training Africans to become school and university teachers. He joined the staff of Mkoba Teachers’ College near Gwelo, a residential college with 430 African students and a multi-racial staff. He trained and examined teachers and inspected schools. In 1983 he became senior lecturer and head of the English Department at Seke Teachers’ College near Harare.

In 2001 he was advised by former pupils that he was in danger from the Mugabe regime. He was at first reluctant to leave, but eventually moved to Hungary where he taught at the University of Miskole and later in Godollo, just outside Budapest. He was an elder and Session Clerk at St Columba’s Presbyterian Church in Budapest and was equally committed to St Margaret’s Episcopal Church there.

He is survived by his partner, Eszter Vass, and by his brother Ralph C.S. Walker (1949-55). His three uncles all attended the School - Charles Wheler Walker MC (1902-12), James Frederick Walker (1902-14), who was for many years History Master at the School, and Ronald Powlett Walker (191629).

Robert Lindsay Watson (1942-46) died peacefully in a care home in Crieff on 12 February 2013 aged 84. His home was in Montrose and while at School he lived in the Boarding House. A prefect and stalwart of the School 1st XV he

Former Pupils’ Section

joined the army and was accepted for the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He was commissioned in the Cheshire Regiment with whom he served for eighteen years in France, Cyprus, Korea, Malaya and Libya. While stationed in Malaya he met and married his wife who was then an officer in the W.R.A.C.

In 1965 Bob retired from the army and joined John Player & Sons in Nottingham with whom he worked for eighteen years, latterly in middle management. In 1983 he took early retirement and returned to Scotland, taking up residence in St Fillans. He taught sailing at the local sailing school and had his own boat on Loch Earn. He took an active interest in local affairs, was clerk to the Board of Dundurn Parish Church and served on various committees of the Parish Council. He was a member of his local Probus Club.

Latterly Bob’s health deteriorated and the last year of his life was spent in care. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sally, and by four children and ten grandchildren.

Alexander McKay Watt (1941-50) died peacefully in Summerland, British Columbia on 2 March 2013 having bravely confronted and fought pancreatic cancer. He was aged 80. Born at Logie Coldstone he entered the Lower School at the age of nine and lived in the Boarding House of which he had many fond memories.

After leaving School he spent four years in farming in Aberdeenshire before emigrating to Canada in 1954. There he worked with Shorthorn cattle at the famous Killearn Farm in Tofield, Alberta. The following year he joined Woodward’s Stores Ltd in Edmonton and held various posts in Edmonton and Calgary before promotion to the head buying office in Vancouver. At the time of his retirement in 1986 he was Divisional Merchandise Manager for British Columbia and Alberta for housewares, chinawares, giftwares and seasonal merchandise. He travelled extensively throughout the world, most often in South East Asia. Upon his retirement he was honoured by the the Housewares industry in Toronto. He always claimed that retailing was in his blood as his family were former owners of Watt & Grant’s department store in Aberdeen.

Sandy loved golf and was a member of several clubs, including the Vancouver Golf Club and the Summerland Golf & Country Club. He served as Club Captain at both and was a past director of the latter.

Sandy is survived by his wife Amanda, by three sons, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Former President

James Allan Newton Watt (1927-39) CA died peacefully in hospital in Swindon on 18 January 2013 after a short illness. He was aged 90. At School he was awarded class prizes but on sport, as he himself expressed it some years ago, “Duncan MacGregor gave me up as hopeless, preferring in the end to let me go swimming rather than get in the way on the rugger pitch”. Beginning as a Cub aged eight he was active in the 9th Scout Group and his affection for the Group continued throughout his life. Having left School just before the outbreak of war in 1939, he began a chartered accountancy apprenticeship in Glasgow but

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

was called up as a wireless operator in the Royal Air Force. Most of his active service was with ground staff in India but finished with six months in the force occupying Saigon after the Japanese surrender.

After qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1948 he went into the field of industry three years later. He spent thirty years (more than half of it as Secretary and Chief Accountant) with a large company concerned with non-ferrous metal production, firstly in Bristol and then in Yorkshire.

Jim retained a great affection for his old School and the masters who taught him and that affection translated into his enthusiasm for the FP Club. He was Secretary of the Glasgow Centre for a few years while living there. He was a member of the Yorkshire Centre for twenty five years and its secretary for several of these. His unobtrusive but scrupulous and rigorous efficiency held together the Centre members, scattered as they are by age and geography. On his retiral in the early ‘80s he moved to live in Selkirk, becoming a member of the Edinburgh Centre. He served as President of the Club in 1982-83 and was an enthusiastic and much appreciated visitor to the various Centres during his year of office. He moved to Swindon in 2006 in order to be near family.

Jim is survived by two daughters and a son, as well as by seven grandchildren. He was very proud when his first great-grandson was born just a week before his admission to hospital. His brother Ian Allan Watt (1931-43) died in 2010. An older brother Robert Allan Stewart Watt (1924-36) MB,ChB was in Diego Suarez waiting to join an RAMC unit in 1943, when he volunteered to act as temporary ship’s surgeon on a vessel on a voyage to Mauritius. On the return trip the ship was torpedoed in the Indian Ocean with the loss of all on board.

David Alexander West (1939-44) died at Corbridge, Tyne & Wear on 13 May 2013 aged 86. He came from Torry, where his father was a master carpenter, as a bursar to the School and proceeded to read Classics at Aberdeen University, graduating with first class honours in 1948. He was awarded a Fullerton Scholarship, the Black Prize in Latin, the Jenkins Prize in Classical Philology and the Seafield Gold Medal in Latin. His sporting prowess in hockey was recognised with a half Blue. He was then called up for national service in the Royal Air Force before taking up a major scholarship at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge where he graduated in 1951 with first class honours in the Classical Tripos. He was awarded a Craven Studentship for a year of advanced study and undertook doctoral work on the Greek comic poet Aristophanes. After a term at Cambridge and another at Oxford he spent several months examining manuscripts in Paris, and various cities in Italy which engendered a lifelong love of things Italian. Some of this time was spent at the British School in Rome, where he met his future wife whom he married in 1953.

David then commenced a career in University education which enabled him to devote his energies to the study of classical literature. In 1952 he was appointed as an assistant lecturer in Classics at Sheffield, moving to a lectureship in the Department of Humanity at Edinburgh four years later. In 1969 he was appointed to the Chair of Latin at Newcastle where he went on to transform the department, by his informality and by his readiness to listen to his

Former Pupils’ Section

colleagues’ ideas and discuss them, into what has been described as a ‘powerhouse of classical learning’. He was an outstanding teacher with an original approach to his task. He was active in supporting the Classics outside the University and readily talked to schools and assisted teachers. He was ProVice-Chancellor from 1976 to 1980.

David’s was a literary approach to the close examination of the ancient texts, concerned to bring out the richness and variety of the language. Among his many publications perhaps the most noteworthy are his translation of Virgil’s The Aeneid, which has brought this epic to sparkling life, and his three-volume edition of Horace’s Odes. Each ode was followed by a commentary describing how the Latin worked, with close attention to rhythm and sound. His aim was to read Latin texts and to bring the fruits of that reading to as wide an audience as possible. He felt strongly that, after generations of striving, scholars failed to understand what the great Latin poets had written because they simply did not pay enough attention to the actual words which each poet had used. David also had a great love of English, publishing articles on the 17th century poet George Herbert and in 2007 producing a full edition of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. He was working at the last on an edition of part of Gavin Douglas’s translation of The Aeneid into Scots, the quincentenary of which is approaching. He retired in 1992 but continued to teach for another ten years and continued to write and publish. He was President of the Classical Association in 1995 and a Vice-President of the Association for Latin Teaching.

David’s wife, Pamela, died in 1995 and ten years later his home was devastated by the Tyne floods and rendered uninhabitable. His love of all things Italian extended to strong red wine, and it was reported at the time that as he sat, unflustered, in an upper window he toasted the police rescuers in Chianti Classico.

He is survived by his two daughters and three sons.

Gordon Scott Williams (1933-46) died suddenly at his home in Farnham on 22 July 2012 aged 84.

His brother Michael James Williams (1936-45) writes: “At School Gordon was keen on sport and played cricket for the 1st XI. When hockey was introduced to the School in 1942 as an alternative to rugby he enthusiastically involved himself in the game and thus started a life-long interest in the sport. Soon after leaving School he was called up to the army for national service much of which was spent in Wales with the Education Corps teaching reading, writing and numeracy to the many poorly educated recruits then on compulsory military service.

“On his return to Aberdeen Gordon joined the paper-making company Wiggins Teape at their Stoneywood premises in Aberdeen, transferring in 1952 to their head office at Gateway House in London. Five years later he was appointed their representative for Scotland and the East of England and was based in Leeds. He later moved to Manchester where he met and married his wife, Christina.

“A return south followed after Wiggins Teape had moved their HQ from Gateway House to Basingstoke and Gordon became their senior representative,

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

promoting a very popular imitation leather which they made from paper. He travelled the world selling this and with his affable nature and gift of the gab he was very successful in this role and brought back many mementos from his travels which now adorn their home. On retirement in 1989 after nearly forty years’ service he retained a design consultancy for an Italian firm until 1996.

“Gordon was a member of the FP Hockey Section as soon as he left School, and acted for a few years as Match Secretary. He was Vice-Captain in season 1949-50. He kept up his friendships with members of the Section of which he was made an Honorary Vice-President. In the 1990s he donated the Williams Trophy, stipulating that it was to be awarded to the best 1st XI player of the season as nominated by his fellow team members. I am pleased to say that both my hockey-playing sons, James and Peter, have been privileged and proud to receive this award.

“In retirement Gordon became active in different aspects of local affairs, notably the local Crime Prevention Panel and the Residents’ Association. He played golf until an arthritic hip curtailed this. He was also keen on watching hockey, especially when his son Donald was playing, and he justifiably took great pride in Donald’s outstanding hockey career, gaining no fewer than 65 England international caps and 57 caps for the Great Britain team which involved both the Barcelona Olympics and the Sydney World Cup both of which Gordon and Christina attended as proud parents.

“Until into his 80s Gordon coached hockey at a local state school. I would have dearly liked to have seen a video of this activity, but picture him sitting on the touch line on his shooting stick wearing his favourite tweed fore and aft hat, shouting advice and commands at the young players and making generous use of his whistle, but I may be quite wrong. When these various activities had to be curtailed he was very content in his fancy reclining chair being waited upon hand and foot in front of his state of the art multi-channel TV set with the controls never far from his grasp.

“We kept in regular touch by telephone and Gordon had in fact called me just ten days before the end. Regardless of the occasion I was always regaled by his latest stories and jokes. Gordon had a long, happy, fulfilling life and will be sadly missed by all his family and many friends. It has been an honour to have given this tribute to him.”

Gordon is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. His youngest brother, Kenneth Brebner Williams (1938-46) died in June 1988.

Former Members of Staff

Jean Murray Downie BSc died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 14 May 2013 aged 82. After teaching in various Aberdeen schools she joined the Physics department in 1971, was briefly Principal Teacher and was promoted in 1973 to be Assistant Head-teacher One of her initial responsibilities was to manage the integration of girls into the School in 1973. The smooth transition to coeducational, and fully comprehensive status was in no small measure due to her patience and her positive approach to what was a major change in the history

Former Pupils’ Section

and running of the School. She guided the transition at every turn in the right direction, always with the best interests of her girls at heart. She was also involved in the operation of the pastoral curriculum and guidance system which was introduced into Scottish schools in the 1970s. Jean took a keen interest in several extra-curricular activities, not least in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme and school trips. Amongst her hobbies and interests she enjoyed outdoor activities including hill-walking and skiing. She is survived by her husband, George, who was a lecturer in the Geology Department of Aberdeen University, to whom she had been married for 55 years

James Niddrie MA died in Aberdeen in May 2012 after a short illness. He was aged 79. After graduating in Arts from Aberdeen University in 1954 and training as a teacher his career began at Tarves in 1955. He then moved to Stockethill Primary School in 1959 and to Cornhill and Fernielea before being appointed as Lower School Master at the Grammar in 1967 in succession to James Morrison. There he was tasked with leading the Primary department of the School in the run-down to its closure on the eve of the introduction of comprehensive education in the city. In 1970 he was appointed deputy head teacher at Westerton Primary School and was promoted to the headship of Craighill school in 1974.

Hamish B. Paterson (1941-50) writes: “A Gordonian, Jimmy Niddrie made his career in teaching after graduating from Aberdeen. He proved an admirable replacement for James Morrison in the Lower School. He oversaw the final years, ensuring that it was a happy, positive place”. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Andrew Lockhart Stevenson LL.B, M.Litt, DPA died peacefully in hospital in Kirkcaldy on 18 March 2013 aged 86. He was Games Master at the School in the 1960s before taking up a post as Senior Lecturer in Physical Education at Aberdeen College of Education. Already the holder of a degree in Law he went on while at the College to submit a thesis to Aberdeen University on “The development of Physical Education in the State Schools of Scotland 1900-1960” for which he was awarded the degree of Master of Literature. He was elected to Aberdeen City District Council as the Conservative member for Argyll ward and served for a time as convener of the Housing (Building) Committee.

After retiring from the College he studied divinity and was ordained as minister of the Church of Scotland charge of Balermino with Wormit in Fife in 1984. He retired some years ago.

Andrew is survived by his wife, two daughters, his son Andrew John Stevenson (1975-81) and by four grandchildren.

Former Pupils’ Section

Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2012

Former Pupils’ Section