Aberdeen Grammar School 2015

Vol 118

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

131st year No. 253 (New Series 120th year No. 244)

September 2015

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 John C.A. Michie, CA FP Club 387 Union Street

Aberdeen AB11 6BX

Membership John C.A. Michie, CA

Secretary 387 Union Street

Aberdeen AB11 6BX

The General Editor is happy to receive contributions for the next issue of the Magazine at any time before 31 May 2016

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

Anderson, Anderson & Brown

North East Scotland College

Atholl Hotel Bain Henry Reid

Blackadders Bower & Smith

Brewin Dolphin F.G. Burnett

Campbell Connon Country Ways

D.M. Hall Inchmarlo Retirement Homes

Jamieson & Carry Kenway Tyres

Langstane Press MTM Construction

Marcliffe at Pitfodels Menstyle

Michies the Chemist Prestige Carpets

Sainsbury’s

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Editorial

Traditionally this Magazine seldom contains an Editorial, but members of the Club are entitled to an explanation of the circumstances which have led to the delayed publication of this issue.

I have been Editor of the Magazine since 1997 which makes this the eighteenth to flow from my pen or, more accurately, to emerge from my computer. Having had earlier experience as Notes Editor sixty years ago I have to say that I have enjoyed the task, demanding although it is, and I have derived much personal satisfaction from it.

I first advised the Executive Committee of my wish to stand down some three years ago but, after a number of approaches, no-one has been identified as willing to take over. After last year’s issue was dispatched I confirmed that the time was now overdue to find a new Editor or editorial team. There was still a stunning silence and at the time of the Annual General Meeting I agreed to put material together for one last time.

My already waning enthusiasm for the task waned still further a few weeks later when I suffered a sudden and totally unexpected personal blow. Publication was put on indefinite hold. I hope that members will understand. The future of the Magazine is now for the Executive to decide, and if any member reading this feels inspired to volunteer to occupy the vacant Editor’s chair they should not delay in making their interest known.

School Section

Graham Legge A School Appreciation

Graham Legge has retired from Aberdeen Grammar School after 11 years as Rector. He arrived in August 2004 from Kemnay Academy, where he had been Rector for six years. He had previously worked in six other schools in Grampian Region.

Under his leadership, the School has maintained its excellent academic results at a time of considerable curricular and management change. The School remains one of the highest performing state schools in Scotland and is recognised locally for its academic attainment and strong ethos.

In these last eleven years, Mr Legge has overseen an improvement in the School’s sports facilities. The all-weather hockey pitch at Rubislaw was opened in October 2004 and he was involved in the planning of the new pavilion, including the refurbishment of the Memorial Hall. He liaised with Aberdeen City Council in planning the new Sports Hall at the School which opened in November 2007. These new facilities have been utilised to improve the delivery of Physical Education and extra-curriculum sports. In 2012 the School re-introduced a Sports Day, The Grammar Games, which now attracts over 500 competitors each year.

His time in office was one of considerable curricular change nationally and Mr Legge successfully managed the implementation of the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence programme. Additionally, he oversaw the introduction of the new Faculty Management structure in the School.

One notable development has been the creation of a new pupil support structure based upon three Houses. The creation of the new three-House structure has created a very strong House identity and inter-House competitiveness. To support this programme of activities, posts of House Captain, Vice-Captain and Junior House Captains were created. During the refurbishment of the Rubislaw Pavilion, ancient House flags were discovered. The original designs of these were used to make new flags which are now in regular use for ceremonial occasions.

Mr Legge led a review of the School’s system for recognising pupils’ achievements. Merit and Commendation certificates are now awarded to pupils in S1-S5. A wide range of subject and all-round prizes are awarded along with an extensive range of interHouse trophies. The award of the Dux medal was re-introduced in 2006 after a gap of thirty-four years. For the last ten years, the widely acclaimed Prize Giving Ceremony has taken place in the Music Hall with the whole school and over 500 parents in attendance.

Mr Legge spent one year seconded as a Development Officer with Aberdeen City Council to support the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence, including The Senior Phase. He planned and implemented the “City Campus” initiative, whereby pupils from all twelve city secondary schools access Advanced Higher, Higher and vocational courses in central locations, one of which is Aberdeen Grammar. The City Campus has greatly expanded the range of courses available to pupils in the School.

Mr Legge plans to spend time hillwalking, travelling and gardening in his retirement. We wish him a long and happy retirement.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Helen Innes, Depute Rector A School Appreciation

Helen Innes joined the staff of Aberdeen Grammar School in November 1994, taking over the position of Assistant Rector from Stanley Allan. She was previously Acting Assistant Head Teacher at Hazlehead Academy and Principal Teacher of Business Studies and Economics at the same school.

After 22 months in that post, she succeeded Athol Garden as Depute Rector. During her twenty-one years at the Grammar she has been involved in almost all aspects of senior management, including Primary/Secondary liaison, curriculum change, including the introduction of Standard Grades, new Higher Still courses and Curriculum for Excellence. For a number of years Miss Innes was responsible for creating the School timetable. In her present role as Senior Depute she oversaw the introduction and management of the new Pupil Support arrangements.

Helen also stepped into the Rector’s job during Graham Legge’s secondment to Aberdeen City Council to develop a City Campus for pupils to have equal opportunities to undertake Advanced Highers. Helen then led this development within the Grammar, which was one of the two host schools for these subjects.

Over the years, Helen has been heavily involved in the wider life of the school and could often be found at the touchline at football, rugby or hockey matches. She organised all the golf matches for pupils and over the years her team won the School League on four occasions, as well as having many individual successes.

She was passionate about debating and took over running the School Debating Society along with a former depute, Noelle Straiton. Over her twenty-one years the debating teams had considerable success, winning many local, national and international competitions, including both Oxford and Cambridge Schools. Such was their success that several of them represented Scotland at the World Schools Debating Championships which took them to various parts of the world.

Miss Innes was also instrumental in organising a Ball for S6 pupils prior to them leaving school. Held at the Marcliffe for the last few years, the Ball is always a wonderful occasion for staff and pupils to enjoy.

Helen is very well respected by her colleagues in the School and across the city. She was always available to offer personal and professional support. She has always been highly respected also by the pupils, who have appreciated her personal support and encouragement.

In her last weeks at the Grammar, Helen was inundated with cards and gifts from colleagues, pupils and parents, past and present, to show their appreciation of the hard work and dedication she has given to the School. She will be greatly missed.

Having given over forty years to the profession, Helen now wants some time to meet other challenges, not least to lower her golf handicap!

We wish her a long and happy retirement.

School Section

Head Girl & Head Boy 2014-15

Christopher Levitt & Ailsa Johnston

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Rector’s Report

The School opened in August 2014 with a roll of 1110 pupils and a teaching staff of 79. Schools in Aberdeen continue to have problems recruiting teachers to fill vacant posts and ours is no exception. We had difficulty finding teachers for Home Economics, Business Studies, Craft, Design and Technology, Physics, English and Mathematics. The high cost of living, especially accommodation, is a barrier to recruiting teachers.

This session we have benefited from further improvements to the School’s ICT equipment with the emphasis now on mobile devices. We purchased 150 laptop computers, 94 tablets, 48 iPad Minis and 48 iPad Airs. All of these “gadgets” have helped improve learning and teaching.

“Grammar” pupils continue to perform well in national examinations with the School in the top 10% of the 360 state schools in Scotland in a range of measures of performance. The Sunday Times newspaper placed the school 14th in its “league table” of schools. In 2014 96% of our school learners entered a “positive destination” moving into courses at university, college, job-related training or employment. University was the destination for 64% of our leavers with another 19% beginning courses at Further Education colleges.

The performing arts continue to be a significant feature of School life. In November an enthusiastic and talented cast and crew staged three performances of the musical “Rent”. The Senior Drama Group, known as Pied Piper, performed the Tom Stoppard play “The Real Inspector Hound”. The concert band continues to be amongst the best school bands in Scotland and achieved a Gold award at the Scottish Concert Band Festival and a Platinum at the National Festival.

The School continues to be successful in a wide range of sports with Pupils regularly participating in over twenty different activities. Notable successes this year have been in volleyball, where the teams performed highly in East of Scotland competitions with individuals representing the Region in UK school games. Our football teams had a very good season with teams from S1 to Seniors winning numerous cups and league titles.

Large numbers of girls and boys continue to play hockey and achieve success in competitions. The school sports, The Grammar Games, continues to grow and develop each year. This year over 500 pupils competed in the heats and finals.

In July 2014, 36 pupils and teachers embarked on a “World Challenge” expedition to Peru. The pupils were involved in some community work, trekking and seeing the sights, including Machu Picchu.

This is my last Rector’s Report on the School. After eleven years as Rector I retire at the end of the session in July. It has been a privilege to lead the School and to work with its many talented pupils and dedicated staff. I know I will miss the daily “buzz” of being with over 1200 people every working day, but after 37 years working in schools it

Schoool Section

is time for me to move to the next phase of my life. It is satisfying to know that in August the school will be led by an experienced and well-respected Headteacher. Miss Alison Murison, who is currently Headteacher of Hazlehead Academy, will begin her time as Rector on 17th August. She will be the first ever lady to hold the position of Rector in the School’s 750 year history. I wish Miss Murison and the School every success in the future.

Aberdeen Grammar School, GRAHAM LEGGE June, 2015 Rector

School Office-Bearers - Session 2014-201

Head Boy: CHRISTOPHER LEVITT Head Girl: AILSA JOHNSTSON

Deputes: ALEX MORRISON Deputes: EILIDH McCREATH REDHA NACEF HANNAH RENTON

S6 Prefects:

Zaryab Afzal, Emma Alderson, Mosa Al-Mahtot, Jennifer Bell, Ellie Biggs, Michael Brown, Jamie Buglass, Rebecca Burney, Suleman Butt, Joseph Cairns, David Cumming, Stephen Couttus, David Cumming, Anna Duguid, Sarah Ejidrian, Ross Findlay, Grace Flett, Kirsten Fraser, Matthew Fraser, Jodie Garret, Kinhgshuk Ghosh, Anna Harrier, Emily Harrier, Neil Innes, Abbi Kane, Kiera Keesing, Julia Lamont, Christian Lihou, Eilidh MacGregor, Katie MacGregor, Craig Mackie, Thomas Manclark, Eilidh Matheson, Finlay McRobert, Cerys Milne, Lauren Milsted, Deborah Nicol, Felicia Oyewusi, Sam Pirie, Irina Rotario, Zoe Rotario, Carmen Sands, Ewan Shand, Lachlan Smith, Lauren Spence, Julia Stenhouse, Lucy Sutherland, Sofia Tagor, Priya Thavam, Cledwyn Viegas, Calum Webb, Heather West, Jasmine Yule

S5 Prefects:

Joanna Anderson, Katya Anderson, Emily Barclay, Gemma Black, Gloria Brown, Neil Cumming, Katie Davie, Grant Davis, Rachael Dixon, Fraser Elder, Gavin Elliot, Mark Gilmour, Sinead Gilmour, Rachael Grant, Abby Griffin, Samuel Harrison, Sofie Hayward, Jonathan Henderson, Rebecca Hughes, Daniel Hume, Carys Jessamine, Emma Lambert, Lachie MacLeod, Tony Marshall, Denzil Mathews, Carly McCready, Lucy McLeod, Yousif Mohamed, Alice Morrice, Alix Morrison, Kirsten Morrison, Ethan Murray, Sarah Newton, Amanda Paterson, Rowan Quinn, Kate Riddoch, Aaron Ritchie, Naomi Roberts, Christian Sharp, Catriona Stewart, Libby Taylor 11

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

School Prizes 2014-2015

The Joyce Tease Award for excellence in Modern Languages Carmen Sands

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Modern Studies Kate Riddoch

Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Physical Education Kirsten Fraser

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Administration Caitlin Murphy

The Hamish Adams Greig Prize in Biology Joint Marie-Anne Durham Award

Daniel Hume

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Spanish Martyna Proczek

The Former Pupils’ Prize in Drama Amanda Paterson

The Former Pupils’ Prize in Home Economics Kirsty McKay

The Samuel Pope Prize & Donald Paton Prizes for Art & Design Vicky Chin

The John Muir Robertson Prize in Accounting & Finance Andrew Li

The ALBA Trophy for Business Management Murray Whyte

The Gordon McMinn Prize in Computing Studies Jonathan Henderson

The Sandy McIlwain Prize in Religious & Moral Studies Rebecca Burney

The Masson Bain Prize in English Joint Kate Riddoch Award Catriona Stewart

The William Brebner Prize in French Irina Rotariu

The Charles Alexander Walker Prize in History

Libby Taylor

The Campbell Connon Prize for Geography Sara Skatun

The J. Mortimer McBain & George G. Whyte Prizes in Mathematics & The Alexander Thomson Prize in Mathematics Samuel Steed

The Gavin Falconer Memorial Prize in Music

Eve Flett

The Andrew Middleton McLaren Prize for Enterprise Joint Murray Hunter Award

Tommy Forrest

Lewis McIver

Charlotte Hume

Rachel Jappy

Melanie Grant

The CNR International Prize for Physics Samuel Steed

The CNR International Prize for Graphic Communication

Deborah Nicol

The CNR International Prize for Chemistry Peter Dijkhuizen

The Caritas Cup for Contribution to Charities Group Activities

The AGS Dramatic Society Award for Drama

Catherine Smith

Sam Pirie

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

The Concert Band Player of the Year Rachael Watson

The Concert Band Award for Outstanding Contribution David Cumming

Prefect of the Year Stephen Coutts

The Rector’s Shield for outstanding contribution to Joint Eilidh McCreath

Debating Award Emma Alderson

The Montgomery Trophy Eilidh Matheson

The Philip Love Trophy Joint Hannah Renton Award Suleman Butt

The Jamie Blair Fiddes Award David Urquhart

The Pied Piper 2000 Award Ailsa Johnston

Sports Awards

The S5/S6 Former Pupils’ Rugby Football Section Trophy James Maddox

The Arthur McCombie Senior Golf Trophy Jack Pirie

The David Swanson Junior Golf Trophy Greg Pirie

Isobel O Anderson Medal for Swimming Joint Alice Alcaras

Schoool Section

Award Giorgia Alcaras

The Fowlie Cup for Swimming Gaia Alcaras

The Rector’s Medal for Swimming Suleman Butt

The Dr Morland Simpson Cup for Swimming Jack Watson

The Damien Reidy Rugby Trophy Ben Renton

The Ken Peters Memorial Trophy for Cricket Rutwik Hegde

The Ronald MacKinnon Trophy for Athletics Naomi Lang

The W.J. Johnston Quaich Deirdre O’Riordan

Volleyball Player of the Year Joint Jodie Garrett Award Peter Dijkhuizen

Inter-House Competition Awards

The Junior Inter-House Debating Trophy Byron

The Inter-House Hockey Cup for Girls (Senior) Byron

The S4-S6 Inter-House Netball Trophy (Girls) Byron

The Junior Inter-House Netball Trophy for Girls Byron

The Junior Inter-House Basketball Cup (Boys) Melvin

The Girls’ Basketball Cup Byron

The S4/S6 Inter-House Basketball

Keith & Dun

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

The Junior Inter-House Cricket Trophy Keith & Dun

The Inter-House Challenge Cup

Byron

The Inter-House Badminton Shield for Boys Byron

The Inter-House Badminton Trophy for Girls Keith & Dun

The Senior Inter-House Table Tennis Trophy Melvin

The Junior Inter-House Table Tennis Trophy Melvin

The Inter-House Football Trophy Keith & Dun

The Iain Wolstenholme Inter-House Swimming Cup Melvin

The Inter-House Swimming Cup (Girls) Keith & Dun

The Inter-House Ultimate Frisbee Trophy Keith & Dun

The Inter-House Chess Shield Melvin

The Rubislaw Jubilee Cup Grammar Games Keith & Dun

The AGS Inter-House Quiz Cup Byron

The Inter-House Cookery Trophy Melvin

The Junior Inter-House Debating Trophy Byron

The Senior Inter-House Debating trophy Melvin

All-Round Awards

The Dr Alexander Cormack Prize to the best All-round Pupil in S1 Kate Renforth

The David Alexander Irvine-Fortescue Prize – S2 Catherine Denison

The Norman Mackie Memorial Award in S3 Malik Salloum

The Edith & David Ritchie Bishop Prize Joint Conor O’Riordan Award Eve Flett

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Award in S5 Libby Taylor

The Former Pupils’ Club “1965” Award Sarah Ejidiran

The Runner-up to the Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy Eilidh McCreath

The Agnes Durward McDonald Prize (Runner-up) Cledwyn Viegas

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy for Girls Julia Stenhouse

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy & the John Ivo Dawson Prize Kingshuk Ghosh

School Cap for Football

Swimming

Table Tennis

Hockey

Music

Dux Award

Sport

Athletics Half Colours

Junior Colours

Basketball Full Colours

Jamie Buglass

Suleman Butt

Neil Innes

Alex Morrison

Hannah Renton

Andrew Kenyon-Roberts

Colours Awards

Lucy McLeod

Naomi Lang

Sarah Ejidiran

Half Colours Rtaj Bensalah, Zoe Buyers, Fraser Elder

Cricket Junior Colours

Cross

Country Junior Colours

Fencing Junior Colours

Football School Cap

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Golf Half Colours

Gymnastic

Hockey

Half Colours

Junior Colours

School Cap

Full Colours

Half Colours

Rutwik Hegde

Naomi Lang, Conor O’Riodan

Joss Horn, Tara Horn

Jamie Buglass

Ben Garrett, Craig Mackie, Redha Nacef, Cledwyn Viegas

Neil Cumming, Mark Gilmour, Steven Innes, Lachie Macleod, Cameron Tough, Mathew Wallace

Jack Pirie, Cameron Stephen

Matthew Fraser, Megan Robb

Katya Anderson, Emily Barclay, Katie Davie, Erin FyfeMcWilliam, Kirsten Morrison

Heather Gault

Alex Morrison

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

Stuart Adams, Jennifer Bell, Carter Correa, Rachael

Grant, Abigail Griffin, Joseph Herrera, Emma Lambert, Eilidh MacGregor, Katie MacGregor, Sasha McKenzieSmith, Ciaran Mackland, Alix Morrison, Naomi Roberts, Sam Stead, Brodie West, Heather West

Junior Colours Katie Charles, Shona Fraser, Maria Levitt, Cameron Mackintosh, Clara Oxley, Kirsty Webb

Netball Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Rowing Half Colours

Junior Colours

Rugby Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Squash Full Colours

Swimming School Cap

Half Colours

Anna Duguid, Sarah Ejidiran

Sarah Ejidiran, Grace Flett, Lauren Milsted

Kirsty Webb

Hamish Dunnet

Alex Brown, Michael McCrory

Michael Brown, Calum Lewis, James Maddox, Alex Morrison

Duncan Crawford, Grant Davis, Lachie Macleod, Ruari McMillan, George Mitchell, Ethan Murray, Ben Renton, Calum Armstrong, Alex Brown, Guy David, Callum Morrison, Cameron Robbie

Richard Hollins

Suleman Butt

Kieran Ogg

Junior Colours

T/Tennis School Cap

Full Colours

T’kwondo Junior Colours

Tennis Half Colours

Volleyball WaterPolo

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours Half Colours

Arts & Culture

Schoool Section

Jack Watson

Neil Innes

Gavin Elliot

Stuart Adams, Sam Stead

Jason Alexander

Jodie Garrett

Louise Bruce, Rachael Dixon, Jillian Grant, Samuel Harrison, Ethan Murray

Sophie Dryden, Kirsty MacIver, Innes Pottinger, Matthew Smith

Megan Wilson

Debating Full Colours Emma Alderson

Face the Music

Full Colours

Face the Music

Band

Music

Half Colours

Music (Choir)

Junior Colours

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Emma Alderson, Sam Garioch, Neil Innes, Ailsa Johnston, Abbi Kane, Eilidh McCreath, Finlay McRobert, Sam Pirie, Ewan Shand, Julia Stenhouse, Jasmine Yule

Gemma Black, Katie Davie, Jillian Grant, Abigail Griffin, Rebecca Hughes, Alice Morrice, Amanda Paterson, Kate Riddoch, Libby Taylor

Chloe Davidson, Sean Farmerey, Ruth Iredje, Robbie Scott, Sophie Smith

Anna Morrison

Joseph Cairns, David Cumming, Anna Duguid, Grace Flett, Eilidh MacGregor, Katie MacGregor, Eilidh Matheson, Finlay McRobert, Sofia Tagor, Arun Wardley

Half Colours

Choir & Show Choir

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Stuart Adams, Gloria Brown, Findlay Dylan, Daniel Hume, Carys Jessamine, Sam McDougall, Carly McCready, Lucy McLeod, Alice Morrice, Sarah Newton, Eilidh Player, Kieran Smith, Lachlan Smith

Alex Brown, Finley Campbell, Gregor Curtis, Andrew Davidson, Eve Flett, Freya Martin, Clara-Jane Maunder, Amie McKay, Tom McLeod, Sophie Morrice, Katherine Morris, Beth Morrison, Callum Morrison, Clara Oxley, Laurel Renton, Rachael Watson, Kirsty Webb

Emma Alderson, Ellie Biggs, Neil Innes

Lucy McLeod, Denzil Mathews, Sarah Newton

Clara-Jane Maunder, Katherine Morris, Sophie Morrice

Ailsa Johnston, Abbi Kane, Eilidh McCreath,

Choir/Show

Choir & Band

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Sam Pirie, Ewan Shand

Gemma Black, Katie Davie, Kate Riddoch, Aurora Robertson-Smith, Libby Taylor

Chloe Davidson, Chloe Johnston

Tom Manclark

Ewan Cahill, Jack Lovie

Extra-Curricular Activities School Sports Clubs

U-18 Football

This has been yet another successful season for the senior football team this year. The boys have gone through the entire season undefeated in the local competitions – with one more match to play as this is written. After a tense 0-0 draw vs Portlethen we won the President’s Trophy on penalties, with Redha Nacef making three saves to ultimately win the match.

On Tuesday 31st March we face Cults Academy in the JM Low Cup to see if we can do the double.

We were again well represented in the Senior Aberdeen City Select, with Lachie MacLeod, Ben Garrett, Mathew Wallace and Craig Mackie making the team and reaching the Quarter Finals.

We also had a very good Scottish Cup run – reaching the last 32. Despite Grammar being the better team for ninety minutes, Beath High School beat us 3-2 to knock us out of the Cup. The boys were left rueing missed opportunities and defensive errors which cost us in the end.

Schoool Section

Girls’ Hockey

We have had a very strong squad over the season 2014/15, with a total of twenty-three girls playing for the 1st XI at some point during the season. Our core twelve players have been enthusiastic and determined and maintain the Grammar team morale.

Our games this year have been close matches, with the team showing improvement over the whole season. The 1st XI finished third in the Schools Senior Girls Tournament, and with two wins, two draws and one loss, it was a good performance from all the girls.

The 1st XI has been led by captain, Kirsten Fraser and vice-captain, Lauren Spence. Our top goal scorers this season have been Sasha McKenzie-Smith, Rachael Grant and Alix Morrison.

We ended the season on a high by winning a friendly tournament with Robert Gordon’s and Lomond. It was an excellent result for the team and a well deserved win.

Many of our players have reached a high level playing for club and district teams. Girls who played for District this season were:

U-18s North - Kirsten Fraser U-16s North - Maria Levitt

Emma Lambert

Alix Morrison

Julia Stenhouse

Thanks go to the coaches who volunteer their time and effort, and to the players for their hard work and brilliant team spirit.

Girls’ Hockey 1st XI

Schoool Section

All Round Trophy Winners

June 2015

L – R Cledwyn Viegas, Eilidh McCreath, Julia Stenhouse, Kingshuk Ghosh

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Senior Girls’ Volleyball

Senior Boys’ Volleyball

Pied Piper

Schoool Section

Girls’ Volleyball

It has been a hugely successful season again for volleyball. We continue to have high numbers of girls attending training and this season has seen improvement from all of our players and lots of hard work.

Pupils have represented the School in a number of competitions from S1 to U-18 level. We have two teams playing in the Aberdeenshire & South Grampian District league, where we have been holding our own against adult competition. We have also competed in the U-16 and U-18 Junior National League, as well as in some national festivals.

The highlights of the season so far have been finishing third in the U-16 Junior National League, our U-18 A team winning the National Festival in Huntly and our S1 A team winning the National Festival in Aberdeen.

A number of the girls are now part of the Scotland U-19 training squad and will be working hard to hopefully be part of the squad for the upcoming European Championship Qualifiers in December 2015. Many will also be trialling for the Scotland North & East team which will travel to Manchester in September to compete at the UK School Games – good luck to those who trial.

Boys’ Volleyball

Boys’ Volleyball is also going strong and this year has seen a lot of new and enthusiastic S1 players join the club. They have competed for the School versus a local club (Beacon VC) and also in the National Festival hosted in Aberdeen, where our A team came second and played some very impressive volleyball along the way.

Our U-18 team retained the trophy which they won last year at the National Festival in Huntly and our S2/3 boys will be hoping to do the same when they compete at their age group in April.

Peter Dijkhuizen in S5 is also now part of the Scotland Young Senior Men’s squad and has been playing regularly in Men’s National League Division 1. He will also be hoping to represent Scotland North & East at the UK School Games in September.

Golf

This year’s Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire Schools Golf Stroke play was held at the challenging venue of Craibstone Golf Course. Despite the good weather, the course was still playing difficult. Out of the 47 competitors, six of whom were from Grammar, Megan Robb came first in the Girls’ section with a score of 79 (net 70). Unfortunately, there were no other wins from Grammar but I am sure there will be in the future.

After having a good start to the season, I was not expecting to gain another win. However, after beginning the round with a lot of high scores, I managed to play the last nine holes in 2 over, which was good enough to win the Trophy.

The School golf team reached the semi-final of the Aberdeen Schools league after coming top of their division. However, they lost in the semi-final to Hazlehead Academy, who went on to win the league. Over the five matches played, the School

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

was represented by Greig Pirie (S2), Jonathon Bell (S3), Jack Pirie (S4), Angus Ferguson (S4), Cameron Spence (S4), Mitchell McPherson (S4), Joel Campbell (S4), Mark Gilmour (S5), Aaron Richie (S5), Sam Harrison (S5) and Matthew Fraser (S6).

The Arthur McCombie School Trophy, for senior pupils, was competed for by twelve of our senior pupils (S4-S6) and was won by Jack Pirie (S4).

The Dave Swanson Trophy, for junior pupils, was competed for by fourteen of our junior boys (S1-S3) and was won by Greig Pirie (S2).

Megan Robb S6

Swimming

Schoool Section

Eight of our swimmers made the finals of the Scottish Schools championships. This is the biggest contingent we have had qualify for a long time and several posted personal bests during qualifying. The swimmers were Joana Anderson, Innes McMillan, Rory Matheson, Heather Wallace, Gaia Alcaras, Alice Alcaras, Giorgia Alcaras and Jack Watson. All of them acquitted themselves very well on the day.

Gaia Alcaras won the 13/14 Girls’ 200 metre Individual Medley and was placed second in the 13/14 Girls’ 100 metre Butterfly

Jack Watson was placed second in the 15/16 Boys’ 100 metre Freestyle and third in the 200 metre Freestyle.

Table Tennis

At the Scottish Senior Schools Championships, held at Bathgate Academy, Gavin Elliot finished third overall in the Under-18 Boys’ Championship. As a result of this he has been selected to represent Scotland in the UK Senior Schools Home International, played at the end of June.

Cross Country Championships

It has been an eventful term for the athletes at Aberdeen Grammar School, with many pupils participating in various cross country events.

Congratulations to Conor O’Riordan who was placed second, Naomi Lang who was placed fourth and Lucy Mcleod who was placed twelfth at the Scottish Schools Cross Country Championship event, which took place in Irvine on 7th March.

On Friday 13th March over forty pupils ran to represent Aberdeen Grammar at the Aberdeen Schools Cross Country Championships. It was a great day out, with many medals being won by the Grammar pupils.

The S1 boys’ team won 1st team in addition to achieving individual placing medals with Adam Robertson in first place, Arthur Morgan third and Joseph Hartley fourth.

Congratulations to S2 boys who secured both first and second place in their race –with Greg Pirie first and Harry Hall second. The S3 boys’ teams, made up of Alex Cheyne, Fergus Kennedy and Rory Matheson, won second team prize. The senior boys’ team also achieved second team place. This team was made up of Conor O’Riordan, who achieved second place, Ben Renton who came eighth and Jack Pirie who was fourteenth.

Naomi Lang ran a fantastic race and finished comfortably in first place.

Congratulations to all athletes who ran and represented Aberdeen Grammar School.

Gymnastic Squad Giant Heptathlon

Over the past two months, fourteen S2 pupils have been training and competing in the Giant Heptathlon event. The event included seven different athletics stations – 60 metre hurdles, 30 metre sprint, endurance run, overhead shot put, step-up challenge, standing long jump, triple jump and a team 100 metre relay.

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It was a very close competition, but the S2 team worked hard and put up a good fight to win both regional events and qualified for the National Heptathlon finals in the Emirates Athletics Arena in Glasgow. There, they competed against five other teams who represented their regions. The atmosphere on the day was electric and the pupils performed amazingly in every event. The event culminated with a 7 x 100 metre relay and both the boys and girls flew round the track to secure a win for the Grammar team.

Huge congratulations to the team – Giant Heptathlon National Winners!

Music

Concert Band

Stephen Bulla

Aberdeen Grammar School Concert Band was privileged to have eminent American composer and conductor Stephen Bulla visiting the School this year after he adjudicated the Band at the Concert Band Festival in Perth.

During his visit he conducted the Band in two rehearsal/repertoire sessions. In the morning session they worked on Robert Russell Bennett’s “Suite of Old American Dances” and in the afternoon session on Stephen Bulla’s own arrangement of the “Symphonic Highlights from Frozen”.

Pupils and staff alike were thrilled at the opportunity to watch Stephen at work, and he was very inspiring.

Stephen has worked with many famous composers, including film score legend John Williams. In 1980 he won an audition for the position of Staff Arranger to “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and Chamber Orchestra in Washington DC. For the next thirty years he would provide musical scores for myriad White House events from the Reagan era until 2010

Drama at the Grammar Face The Music Presents: “BACK TO THE 80s”

Every winter, ‘Face the Music’ stage their annual musical production and this year was no different….actually you could argue this year’s show was very different. In November 2014 the group staged ‘Back To The 80s’ which was a comedy jukebox-style musical featuring some of the greatest hits of the 1980s as well as plenty references and ‘80s based jokes. However this year ‘Face The Music’ took a risk and moved in a new direction which challenged the performers, musicians and teachers not only in its content but in the staging as well. This year’s production was the School edition of Jonathan Larson’s award winning musical ‘RENT’.

The show itself does not immediately spring to mind when thinking about a production for a school show. The story follows a group of young bohemians in New York in the early ‘90s trying to make a living. The show itself can be perceived as quite controversial but ultimately it is just a group of people with different lifestyles and issues trying to survive. One of the most notable things about the show is the music and 24

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the fact that the piece is sung through, which is a ‘Face The Music’ first. This provided a challenge for Miss Henderson and her band, as the sheer quantity of music is something that FTM has not dealt with before. To further complicate the situation Mr Peacock had decided to put the band on the stage for the performance, which meant a system of cameras and projectors had to be put in place so the cast could see Miss Henderson conducting and vice versa as well as wiring the band through the sound system so that the audience could hear the music. At this point a mention is needed for all those who helped back-stage. A small army of people was working on set and props and particular mention must be made of the lighting and sound team who had their work cut out for them.

All technical elements aside, the show could not have been put on without the talent and commitment of the cast. A show is only as good as the cast performing in it and with ‘RENT’ we had a very talented cast. The company as a whole worked very hard and provided a strong performance in their often challenging and complicated vocals. They created a really strong sound and really added to the atmosphere in some of the more poignant moments in the piece. Not only was there singing to a high standard, but the company also demonstrated their acting ability as they took on many roles from homeless people on the streets of New York to the Police who tried to keep them in check.

The principal line-up delivered the heart and emotion of the mature and complex piece. Sean Farmery put in a strong performance as the villain of the piece, Benny, a former friend of the group now turned landlord, who is now threatening to evict his old room-mates. Kate Riddoch played the role of Joanne the lawyer, part-time stage manager and long term suffering girl friend of Maureen the performance artist. Kate played the role with great confidence and an air of maturity, delivering some great vocals in the famous duet, ‘Take Me or Leave Me’. Aurora Robertson Smith played opposite Kate in the role of Maureen, the performance artist and Joanne’s highmaintenance girlfriend. Aurora surprised the audience with her powerful vocal skills and had them all mooing along with her in ‘Over the Moon’. Robbie Scott delivered one of the most emotional songs in the piece as he took on the role of teacher turned anarchist, Tom Collins. His song was a highlight of the second act and brought the audience to a stunned silence. Sam Pirie played opposite Robbie in the role of Angel Dumot Schuanrd, a cross-dressing musician with a heart of gold. This was perhaps one of the most controversial characters in the piece, as Sam was in Drag for most of the show. However his performance was excellent and he carried it off with dedication and commitment to the role, showing the fun-loving side of Angel but also showing the devastating effects the disease had on the character. Sam was not fazed at all and the relationship between Angel and Tom was portrayed with such maturity and confidence.

Jasmine Yule portrayed the role of Mimi, a dancer who is struggling to deal with her drug addiction. Jasmine put in a really strong performance with a believable portrayal. The relationship between Mimi and Roger added to the emotion of the piece and built towards an emotional climax as it looked like Mimi wasn’t going to survive to hear Roger’s song. Roger is an aspiring musician who is just getting over the death of his previous girlfriend when he gets involved with Mimi. His is a complex character who was struggling to come to terms with his emotions. Sam Garioch put in an exhausting and exhilarating performance as he portrayed the highs and lows of Roger, right up to the point where it looks as if he may have lost the love of his life. The passion and

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energy in both his acting and powerful vocals really pulled the audience into the story. During his final song to Mimi, as she lay dying on the table, the audience were totally immersed and again were brought to a stunned silence waiting to see what would happen. Finally, there was one character who was documenting the whole story and who acted as a narrator and guide through the piece – Mark may have been documenting real life but he, too, was trying to find a connection and a place to fit in. Ewen Shand played Mark and really had found the character and fully immersed himself in the role, so much so that Ewen was nowhere to be seen. He put in a flawless performance and kept the audience on side and informed as he too was taken through the rollercoaster of emotions within the production.

The principals were supported by a strong lead chorus who had various solos and portrayed various characters throughout the show. The level of performance in the show was exceptionally high across the board from the company to the principals. The cast were rewarded with a fitting standing ovation on the Thursday night performance; it really rounded off the months of hard work and dedication by those all involved.

This year ‘Face The Music’ say goodbye to a large cohort of pupils who have been with us since S2. Their time in past shows and in ‘RENT’ is hopefully something which they will take with them as they leave school. They will be much missed, but this year they did themselves and the School proud, a fitting send off for them. We wish them all the best and hope that musicals remain a part of their lives! Who knows what next year will bring, but with the talent and support in the School it will be a show not to be missed.

West End Weekend

On Thursday 19th September 38 Grammar pupils and four members of staff departed from Aberdeen Grammar School at 11pm and headed on the long drive down to London. After quite a quiet night on the coach, and with some sleep, we arrived in London at about 11am. The sun was shining and the group had time for a quick walk round Trafalgar Square for some photo opportunities as well as some time to explore Leicester Square.

Our first workshop was at noon at the Prince Of Wales Theatre. Over the hour the pupils worked on their performance skills and recreated their version of one of the iconic scenes from Les Miserables. They were put through their paces from the workshop leaders before finally getting some costume and props and performing their powerful piece once more. Once we had completed the workshop we headed for our hotel to freshen up and have dinner. We arrived at our hotel in a leafy area of Essex just as a thunderous downpour hit which meant a quick dash from the coach into reception, resulting in a lot of wet people and luggage. The hotel provided us with our evening meal before we boarded the coach and headed back in to London to see the evening’s performance of Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre. We learned a lesson that night about London traffic and arrived slightly late to the performance which meant we were seated in the dark, luckily without too much disruption. After the show it was straight back to the hotel which took about an hour or so on the coach. It was certainly a quiet night in the hotel as the group were happy to finally be in beds.

Saturday was an early start and after breakfast we headed back into the heart of Theatre Land for a dance workshop at the world famous Pineapple Dance Studios. The group were given a workshop by one of the actors from the musical Matilda. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this workshop as our leader taught us one of the routines which the cast perform in the show. The pupils left ‘buzzing’ and looking forward to seeing our workshop leader on stage that night.

However, there was no time to think too far ahead as we were then transported to BBC Broadcasting House where the group quickly grabbed something to eat and then proceeded on our tour of the new home of the BBC. One of our tour groups was lucky enough to see Stephen Fry making his way out of Broadcasting House. A good time was had by all and some of our pupils put in a good performance in their own version of the News, as well as a Radio Drama. We were running ahead of schedule so there was a bit of time to explore the Carnaby Street area before heading to our dinner reservation.

Dinner was at the Hard Rock Café where our host had the group singing along to some well-known tunes being played through the restaurant. The meal was great and the rest was welcome after our busy day. Nevertheless there was still more to come! After dinner we boarded the coach and headed to the Cambridge Theatre for the evening performance of Matilda. The show was fantastic and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it as was shown by the laughter and applause throughout the performance. Once the performance ended we were taken back to our hotel to rest after a hectic but thoroughly enjoyable day.

On Sunday morning there was an air of excitement as we were heading to the Mecca of Harry Potter fans. There were a few Potter t-shirts spotted and some of the pupils had decided to draw a lightning bolt scar on their heads to show their love of all things Potter. Even the staff joined in the fun and were marked with the scar. We arrived at the Warner Brothers Studios around 11.30 and spent the majority of the day there. The groups spent time exploring the sets and props from the movies. Like all good tourist attractions there was a gift shop where the pupils spent a considerable amount of time and money.

We then started our long journey home, arriving in Aberdeen early on the Monday morning. The weekend was a great success; everyone had a wonderful time and some

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great experiences and to top it all off the pupils were excellent – they were a credit to the School.

A Break from work at Gray’s School of Art

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Gray’s School Of Art Lino Cutting Trip

In November 2014 the Advanced Higher Art class (and Rebecca Burney from Higher Art) got the opportunity to spend the day as art students. We all took part in a one-day printmaking (lino cutting) workshop at Gray’s School of Art which lasted from 9am until 4pm, and we were accompanied by our teacher, Miss Pollock. The workshop was open to all schools in Aberdeen with limited spaces, but we were particularly lucky to have the opportunity to go as a class set and work together.

The workshop was led by one of the Art School’s senior printmaking tutors. We were welcomed with open arms and the School had a positive, relaxed atmosphere. This made it easier to settle down and get to work quickly. Prior to our arrival we were asked to bring a drawing from our current Advanced Higher portfolio to work from and which we could turn into a lino cut print. This is an image-making technique which uses the act of cutting away parts of a sheet of linoleum by either cutting on the line of your drawing to create a positive print, or cutting around the line to create a negative print. Of course, there was the opportunity to create both a positive and negative print, which a few pupils opted to do. In addition to the tutor’s instruction and demonstration, there were two 4th year printmaking students from the Art School there to help out as technical assistants. Speaking to them gave the pupils who were intending to apply to Art School an insight into what life as an art student was like.

With the opportunity to use the great equipment at the Art School, such as the Victorian Gutenberg press, which is operated by a pressurised hand lever, and gel rollers, our prints came out at a much higher standard than we had previously been used to. The advantage of working within the Art School rather than in our own department at school was not only the impressive facilities but also the freedom we had within the working day, due to the art school having no period bells or a set lunch hour, so the day flew past. We had the opportunity to have a walk around the School, noticing some recognisable faces. Two of the sixth year pupils, Gaia and Kate, did a walk about to see the art students at work. They saw the fine art (painting) students at work, doing contemporary figurative work and landscapes.

The day passsed quickly, racing to a finish. As our session came to a close, the tutor demonstrated chine collé. This is a technique in which you can introduce additional colour to the print without having to prepare additional imagery. The method of chine collé we used was a collage technique of cutting and sticking coloured paper and placing it glue side up before printing, this meant that when the print came out of the press, our images had coloured paper shapes which fitted exactly into the imagery within each print. This approach meant we could create many different outcomes of the same print. The tutor showed us some examples by the artist Bob Bain and examples by students at the Art School also. These were interesting to see as they provided great inspiration for what you can achieve when you master the technique of printmaking lino cutting.

Overall our visit to Gray’s School of Art was a highly enjoyable day, in which we all learned more about the art of printmaking and were given the opportunity to develop and improve our skills when it came to lino cutting and learning new processes such as chine collé. Throughout the day we took different prints as our cuts advanced, resulting in a clear flow of our work as it developed through the different stages on paper. The prints we took away from the day will be used within our Advanced Higher folios,

adding to both our development sheets and providing inspiration for our final outcomes. All in all the day was AMAZEBALLS!!

F1 in Schools

A tale of five pupils and some chunks of balsa wood.

Over the past year I have been one of the five S6 pupils who make up Team Atalanta, Aberdeen Grammar School’s most recent entrants in the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge. This is a global, interscholastic competition in which teams of school and college pupils, aged from 11 to 19 across forty countries design, manufacture, market and race miniature balsa wood cars propelled by CO2 canisters at speeds exceeding 70 mph. Teams compete in regional, then national finals, with an aim to represent their country at the world finals and ultimately to win the Bernie Ecclestone F1 in Schools World Championship Trophy.

The members of Team Atalanta were Cledwyn Veigas, team leader; Oliver Smith, design engineer; Zoe Buyers, graphic designer; Tom McDonald, Finances manager; and myself, the resources manager.

When we arrived at the Scottish Regional Finals at Fife College, Kirkcaldy, we all agreed that we had already conquered a significant hurdle. Preparations since forming the team had crescendoed from being a several-month-long design process, and often unsuccessful sponsorship hunt, to a frenetic, eleventh-hour week of manufacturing, testing and last-minute alterations in what felt like a matter of seconds. We got off the minibus at the event with our fingers crossed that everything would work out alright and a haze of tiredness hanging over us. Some teams don’t even make it to regionals. Now we knew why.

Our concerns were diminished upon meeting our opposition, who assured us that this experience was shared by all. That’s not to say that the competition was poor. It was extremely contentious and we were amazed and gratified to come home with two trophies – the Fastest Car Award and the Award for Best Overall Team. This meant we and two other Scottish teams would proceed to the national finals in a month’s time. Naturally, to avoid another similarly stressful experience, we began planning for this on the bus-ride home.

In the little time between events we made a lot of progress, securing major sponsorships from businesses prominent in Aberdeen like Balmoral and making major improvements to our car design. Then the day was upon us and after a not quite bearable two hour flight by propeller plane we arrived, teacherless, in Birmingham. Our lack of teacher did not come as a shock as we hadn’t taken one with us, having spent a lot on baggage transport already and trying to maintain our funds. Still, we managed to survive for three days unsupervised!

The UK National Finals took place at the NEC as an extension of the Big Bang Fair and were spread over two days. There were only a couple of high pressure moments –the time trials and verbal presentation – and these were spread out over the first day so for the most part the experience was very relaxed. Teams had travelled from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales and a real sense of community developed among us. Some teams knew each other to an extent already from interaction over social media or having competed for as many as three years previously. The competition was

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extremely strong, especially on the part of the English teams whose education system seems to be much more conducive to this kind of initiative.

Unfortunately our car performed less well than was expected, despite still having an excellent speed, and we did not proceed to the next stage of the competition. In spite of this, the whole team is agreed that we are glad of having had, overall, a positive experience. We have all broadened our skill set significantly with experience of marketing, communication and design (particularly using CAD software) and we see this competition as an excellent opportunity for young people throughout the UK and Grammar pupils in particular. It is a great initiative for anyone looking for a career in science and engineering, management, marketing or design irrespective of whether or not you have any interest in the original Formula 1, and will provide many employment and networking opportunities. A highly rewarding, if time consuming, enterprise.

The Grammar has sent a team to world finals before now. Team Aeroflux in 2012 travelled to the World Finals in Abu Dhabi, and with the groundwork that has been laid this year, we are confident that later generations of Grammar pupils can attain the same level of success in the years to come.

Finlay McRobert

Scottish Space School 2015

‘The Sky is not the Limit!’

It is not only NASA astronauts and engineers who have the opportunity to control multimillion dollar robots, build rockets and research orbital mechanics; space exploration is closer to home! We discovered this during our week at Scottish Space School 2015 at Strathclyde University, Glasgow. One hundred fifth year students from across Scotland were selected to take part in an exciting variety of space-themed workshops from 14th to 19th June. We were joined by NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn and NASA engineer Heather Paul who encouraged and mentored us throughout the week. Both gave inspiring talks about how young people of our age will be the astronauts and engineers of future space exploration, as well as explaining the challenges of micro-gravity on board the International Space Station.

We both enjoyed every activity, but the ‘Mars Rover Challenge’ really stood out as we got the chance to experience an authentic simulated mission similar to the ones carried out by NASA. Throughout the week we also established new friendships with fantastic people and learned how important teamwork is both in space missions and in everyday tasks. We recommend aspiring astronauts, or anyone interested in STEM, to apply for Scottish Space School 2016!

Emily Barclay and Marie-Anne Durham

The Big Debate

On Thursday 11th September last year the BBC gave us the opportunity to go to the SSE Hydro and see a Referendum Debate for young people. A group of us travelled down by coach, along with Ms Taylor (Modern Studies), and some fellow Harlaw pupils, to

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arrive in Glasgow with plenty of time to spare. This, of course, meant harassing the countless TV production teams present outside the Hydro, and getting as many campaign freebies as we could. Two of us, however, struck lucky. Kether Savage (S5) and myself were interviewed by CBBC's Newsround, and were on their segment about the debate the next morning – a claim to fame second only to that of being asked to write for the School newsletter.

We went on to watch a thrilling debate, with strong opinions and strong speakers, which, irrespective of your political persuasion, was thoroughly enjoyable. On the Yes Scotland side we heard from the then Depute First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP and from Patrick Harvie MSP (Joint Convener of the Scottish Green Party). Representing Better Together were Ruth Davidson MSP (leader of the Scottish Conservative Party) and George Galloway MP.There was also entertainment provided by comedian Des Clarke to round up the event. A quick stop for doughnuts on the way home was very much appreciated. This was a fantastic chance to take part in history, and a great day was had by all.

Christian Lihou (S6)

Media Interview after the Big Debate DOORS OPEN DAY

On 13 September 2014 Aberdeen Grammar School took part in the National Doors Open Day scheme for the second year running. This provided an opportunity for members of the public – including many former pupils – to come and visit our historic School.

During the day we conducted several guided tours in and around the school. Along with these tours, we had prefects stationed at various points giving brief talks on certain

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aspects of the School’s history. For example, there were talks about the Rector’s office, the Schoolhill doorway, and of course the Byron Statue. In addition to this, we had former Depute Rector and author of Bon Record, Mr Arthur McCombie in the school answering any questions which members of the public posed to him.

Furthermore, several of the School’s musicians played small interludes at certain points on the tour. Members of the School’s current Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme were selling refreshments and in the process giving visitors a greater flavour of current activities taking place in the School.

Overall, the day proved to be a huge success, with over 250 people attending the event. The School also received a letter of thanks from a Former Pupil, congratulating and complimenting the School on our organisation of the day plus the way in which the Prefects and Staff conducted themselves.

Despite this being a very busy day, it was most certainly an enjoyable one for all those involved.

Chris Levitt & Ailsa Johnston

Rwanda Trip

In July two teachers from the School, Ms Jennifer Cawdron (Biology) and Mr Adam Douglas (Physics) will be setting out with thirteen other teachers from primary, secondary and special needs schools in the north east of Scotland to travel to Rwanda as part of a global citizenship initiative.

We will spend one month in the country, exchanging ideas with teachers in schools there. We will be working with class teachers and assisting them in improving delivery of lessons, and we will also be presenting professional development sessions to teachers and other educationalists.

On our return to the UK we will hopefully be able to set up classroom links with Rwandan schools to improve understanding and communications between pupils in our two countries. This ideally will involve pupils while working in different facilities of the school.

The idea behind the initiative is to increase pupil (and staff) awareness of global citizenship issues.

Before we leave we must each raise £1000 towards the cost of our travel, accommodation, training, resources etc.

This is an exciting and scary prospect! We will be living as locals in towns and villages. The school day there starts at 7a.m. when the first shift of pupils arrives; they stay until mid-day when they leave and a second group of pupils arrives, to stay until 5p.m. There are too few schools and teachers in Rwanda to accommodate all the pupils at once, so pupils either come for the morning or the afternoon.

Other challenges are going to be dealing with power cuts and a lack of resources, but we will report on what it was like on our return.

Seafood in Schools Event

On 4th and 5th March almost 300 pupils from S2 and S3 undertaking Health & Food Technology and Hospitality Courses at Aberdeen Grammar School, along with pupils from our associated Primary Schools benefited from really well co-ordinated and 33

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presented workshops and demonstrations from Seafood Scotland. The events covered the entire supply chain and it was energising to have such knowledgeable and passionate participants.

Jimmy Buchan of Amity Fish Co Ltd, Peterhead, led the “Sea to plate and wet fish counter”, engaging really well with attendees, and took the time to answer everyone’s questions with good grace and humour, characteristics which made him so easy to watch in the BBC TV series ‘Trawlermen’.

We were fortunate too with John Milne, fish processor and fish smoker, who has retail outlets in Peterhead and Aberdeen, who attended the Community Event.

The preparation and cooking aspects of fish were well demonstrated by two chefs, Alexandria Hay, of Kildrummy Inn, who has participated in TV’s Masterchef and Sam Ritchie, Executive Head Chef at Raemoir House Hotel, Banchory. These demonstrations also helped convert a large number of pupils to eat fish.

Catriona Frankitti, Fish for Health, presented a fun “Come Dine with Me” workshop. Her knowledge and enthusiasm shone through and her advocacy of oily fish and Omega 3 registered with all who heard her.

Funding has been secured from Seafood Scotland to carry out projects related to the Seafood Industry next term.

World Challenge – Southern Peru Summer 2014

During June and July of 2014, two groups of seventeen pupils, two teachers and an expedition leader embarked on a World Challenge expedition to Southern Peru. 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, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and Tanzania.

Fundraising

Long before the teams even left for Peru they had to complete the first challenge of raising £4000 individually; this was tough but made the expedition even more rewarding. As well as individual fundraising, the two teams also raised group funds to spend while on the project phase of the trip. Events held to raise this included race nights, bake sales, quiz nights and bag packing in stores.

At play with Peruvian children

The Expedition

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Fashionably dressed and very happy

The real journey began on 30th June when the teams left Aberdeen Airport to begin the expedition. The trip focussed on three main areas: acclimatisation, trek, project and rest and relaxation. Acclimatisation was an essential part; both teams would be trekking to over 4000 metres above sea level, so it was important to get used to the altitude. This was done by completing a series of day treks around the city of Cusco, where the teams passsed ancient Incan sites, and in Colca Canyon – the second- deepest canyon in the world. After this, the teams were ready to begin the main trek. This was by far the most physically demanding part of the trip as the challengers had to trek for long days at high altitude. However, the scenery was breath-taking and the teams would wake up beside a glacier one day and in warm rainforest the next.

After the trek phase, it was time to start the project. This was the highlight of the trip for many challengers, as it involved the most interaction with the locals and was extremely rewarding. The challengers renovated school buildings while helping to teach lessons and playing with the local children, and both teams were surprised by the warm welcome and gratitude which they received from the community.

After a demanding three weeks, the group was rewarded with a week of rest and relaxation. This included going to see Machu Picchu, a trip to some hot springs after the trek, and exploring some of the exciting cities in Peru. The groups also travelled to the coast where they saw some of Peru’s best wildlife and visited a national park in the Atacama Desert.

The trip was not only enjoyable, it developed valuable life skills for all the challengers. It was an amazing experience for all involved and one which no one will forget. We would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported the fundraising – we are all very grateful.

AMOPA at Aberdeen Grammar School

Advanced Higher French pupils took part in the prestigious speaking competition sponsored by the Association des Membres de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (AMOPA) and were awarded certificates by Emeritus Professor Phillip Bennet. The event was sponsored by TOTAL. Professor Bennet and Virginie Jegat from TOTAL visited the School and met with the pupils, giving them individual feedback and presented the certificates. It is hoped that this will become an annual event on the Modern Languages calendar.

On trek in Mountainous Peru

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The Phil Love Trophy

This year the Trophy was awarded jointly to Hannah Renton and Suleman Butt. Suleman is a highly talented swimmer. He has just returned from Barcelona where he was taking part in the Mare Nostrum series, swimming against the likes of Robbie Renwick and Chad le Clos. He is currently training with the Scottish Squad for the British and Scottish summer meets. Suleman is aiming to take part in the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast in 2018. He will be continuing his swimming training while studying Biological Sciences at Edinburgh University.

Hannah’s musical talents have been recognised in School and across the country. She has played the violin with the Scottish National Youth Orchestra and is also the leader of violins with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Not only has she performed with Nicola Benedetti at the Music Hall, this summer she will be performing at the Proms in London. She leaves Aberdeen Grammar School to study music at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London.

New Head Teacher

At the start of the new session at the School in August the leadership reigns were picked up by Miss Alison Murison, following her appointment by the Education Committee to succeed Graham Legge. The President and the Executive Committee of the Former Pupils’ Club welcome her to the demanding role of leading the School and look forward to working with her in whatever way possible to continue to provide support and assistance to staff and pupils of the School.

Miss Murison will be nominated as Honorary President of the Club at the Annual General Meeting next March and she is ex officio a member of the Executive Committee.

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The Club Centre Classic Car Rally 2014

It is probably not widely known that in the early years of the Former Pupils’ Club there were a number of Sections catering for members’ interests which, with the passage of time and changing life-styles, have passed out of existence. One such is the Motor Section which was established in the Spring of 1913 with an initial membership of between forty and fifty members. The opening event was a Club Run to Ballater which unfortunately had a poor uptake on account of a sudden snowstorm, and a postponed run was almost as unfortunate.

The first serious event was a week-end run to Inverness, down the Caledonian Canal and home by Pitlochry and Braemar. A full account of this can be found in the Magazine of June 1913. This took place in the comparatively early days of the motor car – only a few people owned such vehicles, hence the keen interest of a number of FP enthusiasts. The Motor Section did not long survive the War of 1939/45 as car ownership became more widespread and cars themselves were being rapidly modernised.

It is interesting that a group of enthusiasts now, a century later, have revived an old tradition and there follows a graphic account of their outing last year.

Last year, we held our twelfth Classic Car Rally from 1st to 5th May 2014. The participants are all members of the Club Centre and include two past secretaries, Peter Robertson (Morgan 4/4), Brian Deighton (Triumph TR4), former Steward, George McKenzie (Austin Mini Cooper S), Keith Douglas (Alpha Romeo Junior), Roy Murray (Porsche Carrera), Angus MacCuish (Mercedes Benz 500SL) and Ken Matheson (Mercedes Benz 300SL).

The purpose of the Rally is to give the old cars a good run on a pre-determined route on some of the best roads in the country, amidst stunning scenery and stopping at good hostelries en route.

On 1st May we met at 86 Queen’s Road at 9am and headed westwards along the South Deeside Road to Ballater where we crossed over to the A93, passed through Braemar and then went over The Cairnwell (where it was snowing) and down through Glenshee. We then headed to Kirkmichael, Pitlochry, across to Aberfeldy, then Kenmore and along the north side of Loch Tay where the snow level was by the roadside underneath the Lawers Range. We stopped for lunch at the Salmon Lie beside the Falls of Dochart, Killin. This pub provided three important requirements – a log fire for those drivers who were roofless, heaterless (or both) and were now mildly hypothermic, Loch Fyne Ale on tap and Cullen (should be Killin) Skink. After lunch we joined the A85 at Lix Toll and continued through to Crianlarich and Tyndrum and then on the A82 up to Bridge of Orchy where we took the single track road which passes through Glen Orchy down to Dalmally. Now back on the A85 we passed along Loch Awe under Ben Cruachan to Connell Bridge where we headed northwards on the A828 to the Pier House, Port Appin which was our first night’s stop.

The following morning, after the standard Rally Driver’s breakfast of smoked haddock, Stornoway black pudding and soft poached eggs, which sets the driver up for the forthcoming day of double-de-clutching, we went back on to the A82, across Ballachulish Bridge and up to Fort William. We then had a slight detour to Neptune’s

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Staircase and a minor road from Banavie to Gairlochy, running parallel with the Caledonian Canal and which has marvellous views across the Great Glen towards Big Ben. At the Commando Monument at Spean Bridge we re-joined the A82 heading north up to Invergarry, then turned left on the A87 where the road rises from the Great Glen to about 1000 feet and gives fantastic views across Glen Garry and Loch Loyne to the peaks around Loch Quoich and beyond to Knoydart. We then went through Glen Shiel, between the South Cluanie Ridge and the Sororial Quintet, passing picture postcard Eilean Donan Castle at the confluence of Lochs Alsh, Long and Duich. We then headed northwards on the A890 over a high road which passes Strome Ferry (no ferry) to Lochcarron. The road then leads northwards to the spectacular Bealach Na Ba, the highest road in Britain at over 2000 feet. Even in May the road can be impassable in the early morning from over-night snow. The road then descends with a series of hairpins to Applecross where we stopped at the Inn for lunch. Our friend Judy, who has owned the Inn for over twenty years, runs a superb establishment and can cater for over 300 covers on a busy Saturday or Sunday. Fresh Langoustine, crab, scallops, mussels are all in abundance, caught locally in Applecross Bay. After lunch we continued round the scenic Applecross Peninsula which gives marvellous views west across Raasay, Rona, Quirang in northern Skye and across the Minch to the hills of Harris. At Shieldaig, the northernmost point of the rally, we headed back south to Lochcarron, passing Strome Ferry and on to Plockton and an overnight stay at the Plockton Inn.

Day 3 and we were all up be-times, which was surprising after the previous evening’s liquid consumption, and headed round the coast through Duirinish to Kyle of Lochalsh and over the impressive bridge on to Skye where, at Broadford, we took the superb A851 down through Sleat. This road has a wonderful surface, having been the beneficiary of European funding, and offers fantastic views eastwards across the Sound of Sleat to the rough bounds of Knoydart. At Armadale we caught the ferry to Mallaig and at Morar, on the A830, took the coastal road round to Arisaig, which is the writer’s favourite section of road, with views out to Muck, Eigg and Rhum. We passed Prince Charlie’s Cairn at Loch nan Uamh and then, at Lochailort, we turned off on to the A861 around Moidart to Salen and an early lunch at the Salen Hotel. After an excellent stop, with more Langoustine, mussels etc, we then headed west on the single track road towards Ardnamurchan Point to catch the ferry at Kilchoan and cross the Sound of Mull to Tobermory. We had an overnight stay at the Tobermory Hotel, preceded by some refreshments at the Mishnish Hotel and a superb dinner at Café Fish, which is situated within the former Calmac terminal and has been converted into a marvellously unpretentious restaurant.

Sunday dawned wet and it continued raining throughout the day, thus all the roofs were up. As we travelled on the spectacular road from Tobermory to Salen, low cloud base denied us the excellent views across the Sound of Mull. We caught the ferry from Fishnish to Lochaline from where we headed up through Morvern past Strontian and caught the Corran Ferry back to the mainland on the A82. We then drove south on the coastal road across Ballachulish Bridge and back on the A828, passing Port Appin, across the Connell Bridge and southwards through Oban. There we turned off to Seil Island and the famous bridge over the Atlantic. Beside the bridge is a splendid Inn, Tigh-an-Truish (House of the Trousers), which derives its name from the period after the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion when plaids were banned. Islanders heading for the mainland stopped here to swap their kilts for trousers. It is an excellent pub with Loch

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Fyne beer on tap and open fires. We then continued southwards to Lochgilphead where we joined the A83, crossing the Crinan Canal at Ardrishaig down to Tarbert, where we caught the ferry across Loch Fyne to Portavadie. Two ferries yesterday, three ferries today – not cheap, but essential for travelling round these parts.

The good Lord owns the world and all that it contains.

Except for the Western Isles, which belong to Caledonian McBraynes.

Now on the Cowal Peninsula, through Tighnabruaich, this is proper Para Handy country – if Dougie was here himsel’, he would tell you – then up to Glendaruel and over the High Road down to the Oyster Catcher Inn at Otterferry for a little refreshment before an overnight stop at Kilfinan. The County of Argyll has more coastline than France.

Yesterday’s rain had passed through and we re-started the final day in good conditions, along the single track road on the east side of Loch Fyne, passing Strachur, then the high road near Lochgoilhead which re-joins the A83 at the summit of the Rest and Be Thankful. We went down to Arrochar, underneath The Cobbler, and on to Tarbet, Loch Lomond then southwards through Luss, along the bonny banks passing Drymen to Aberfoyle. There we took the spectacular Duke’s Pass (A821), which has marvellous views across the Trossachs. We passed Brig O’Turk to Callander heading north on the A84 past Loch Lubnaig to Lochearnhead, then eastwards on the A85 through St Fillans and Crieff to Gilmerton. We took the A822 through the Sma’ Glen to Dunkeld then north on the A9 to Pitlochry, where we lunched at the alpine-like Moulin Inn (which has its own micro-brewery) – a fine stop. We then headed back over to Kirkmichael, through sunny Glenshee, over the Cairnwell to Braemar and then along the North Deeside Road to Aberdeen and a much needed pint at the FP Club Centre.

The total distance covered on the trip was about 900 miles and all the cars performed well. The brakes of the cars take a hammering, with single track driving necessitating half a dozen emergency stops every hour because of sheep, pheasants, roe deer, tourists and so on.

Peter M. Robertson (1967-73)

The Life Cycle of a Grammar Boy or It All Started in The Rubber Shop

It was 1959, the year in which I started at The Grammar as a 12-year-old in the Middle School.

The Rubber Shop in George Street, Aberdeen was a sports shop – just in case you were wondering. It was situated on the east side of George Street beyond the junction with Schoolhill and the Upperkirkgate – a section of George Street now obliterated, having been absorbed into the Bon Accord Centre.

The window displays of The Rubber Shop were sparse. There were a few items of sports clothing, a solitary rugby ball, football boots and wooden tennis racquets. But on a staircase to the basement there were a number of black and white sports posters. One of them grabbed my attention and changed the direction of my life.

Three racing cyclists on a road on a viaduct high in the French Alps, the sun beating down, snow glinting on the peaks. Gaunt of face and body, their legs carved from

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mahogany, jerseys stained by sweat as they look upwards towards the summit. No helmets or specs in those days, so the suffering etched on their faces is clearly visible. This is the breakaway. One of those riders is going to win. Redemption and glory.

I was captivated by the romance, the endurance and the foreignness of it all. This wasn’t the road to Banchory. This wasn’t Pittodrie. This wasn’t Rubislaw playing field. This was an unknown culture and language.

As a direct result I started working hard in the French class and saving for a racing bike. By the end of first year, I bought a new one. It cost £28 : 19 : 6d. Life would never be the same again.

6Cycle racing was very much a minority interest. Boys from The Grammar didn’t join cycling clubs, which were perceived to be for under-achievers. After all, we had rugby or hockey. But we did ride bikes to school back then. Boys from all parts of Aberdeen pedaled to The Grammar.

I started racing in 1962 as a 15-year-old a ten-mile time trial on the South Deeside Road. I catalogued all my results in a notebook which I still have to this day. I went youth hosteling around Scotland by bike and, on one memorable day, crossed the Tay and Forth by ferry as neither had a bridge in the early 60s.

I was not a natural athlete but the stamina from cycling allowed me to become a member, albeit the slowest, of the School’s cross country team of four. It has to be said, however, that running was not a popular recreation in the early 60s and competition for places on the team was limited.

After School I went to Aberdeen University and was one of a group who established a cycling club there in 1965. It was a small collection of men and women who, I suspect, were a little eccentric. I persevered with the sport, even although it was abundantly clear that I could not become a professional. I was never going to be a winner, but I became quite knowledgeable about cycle racing and was fascinated by its culture and legends.

I read extensively in French, and followed the Tour de France from 1960 on French radio because, in those days, there was no coverage in the U.K. During the 1967 Tour de France, while working as a student at a pea-canning factory in Peterborough, I heard of the death of Tom Simpson. He had collapsed on a mountain stage on Mont Vertoux, the Giant of Provence, on a day of searing heat. Simpson, a former world champion and Sportsview Personality of the Year, had taken amphetamines and alcohol. The age of innocence was over.

Despite this, my passion for the sport was undiminished. I was elected as chairman of the local cycling club, which became the largest in Scotland. Cycling was still very much a minority pursuit.

I pioneered some long distance challenges and, as a former Notes Editor of this Magazine, I made sure that some featured in the Magazine! In 1978 I rode a 500-mile event from Trinity College, Cambridge to Keithhall, Inverurie in just less than 48 hours. It was organised to celebrate the centenary of the British Cycling Federation and its first champion, Sir Ion Keith Falconer. In 1878, Sir Ion had completed the journey from his college to his ancestral home, over the rough roads of those days, on a Penny-Farthing. As those high wheelers had no gearing, there was an advantage in having as large a wheel as possible and this was dictated by the length of ones legs! Toffs such as Sir Ion were often taller than average and, it was observed, had the requisite inside-leg measurement to go faster!

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After my 500-mile epic, there was nothing which didn’t appear achievable. So I embarked on events such as Girdleness Lighthouse to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse and back to Girdleness. I went abroad to ride the legendary cobblestones in the 166-mile race from Paris to Roubaix. I discovered that the cassies in Aberdeen were smooth compared with the pavé known as ‘kinderkopjes’ (children’s heads) in northern France and Belgium.

But it was the legendary climbs of the Alps and Pyrenees which really captivated me. The very names of Galibier, Tourmalet, Ventoux, Aubisque, Croix de Fer and Alp d’Huez gave me a frisson of excitement. It was knowing that those climbs would each require an hour or two of unrelenting effort with heart pounding at the very limit of its capability. The achievement of reaching the summit followed seconds later by the exhilaration of the descent at speeds of up to 60 mph. with a mixture of concentration, fear and adrenaline. Experience, judgement, bravado and luck all played a part. There is no question of ever stopping on the ascents or descents. Had the legends of the sport ever stopped? No – so I couldn’t either. Whether it was in a heat wave or in chilling sleet or snow, I rode events from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean over the Pyrenees and from Geneva to Antibes over the Alps.

When I started riding these events they were very much the preserve of cyclists based in France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands or Germany. A participant from the UK was regarded as a bit unusual. But that is certainly not the case now as the UK contingent is vast.

Cycling brought benefits I had never anticipated. My longevity as a Chief Executive Officer was, in no small part, due to the level of fitness I had. It enabled me to cope with stress, appearing to never “lose the heid!” Even the aspect of my work which involved public-speaking was honed as much by my efforts to entertain at the cycling club’s deadly-dull annual dinner as by my experience as a solicitor. I had been advised to take up golf as that would be appropriate given my profession and would help me to “get on.”

The popularity and understanding of cycle-racing in the U.K. was about to undergo a transformation. This was in contrast to 1974 when a stage of the Tour de France had been ridden on the south coast of England along an unopened dual carriageway. The lack of interest, spectacle and spectators prompted the following day’s headline, “Can 50 million Frenchmen be Wrong?” In 2007 the Tour de France started with a prologue in London’s Hyde Park and an opening stage from Trafalgar Square to the south coast. It was then that I knew the tide of popularity had turned. The crowds were enormous and probably even bigger than had the race started in Paris itself.

A whole mixture of factors had contributed. The Olympic track cycle-racing squad were picking up lots of medals and television exposure to the general public. Long distance cycling events for amateurs had captured people’s imagination and were being encouraged by the authorities. Daily television coverage of the Tour de France during its annual three-week Odyssey made its mystique seem much more accessible.

The Tour de France wins by sprinter Mark Cavendish and his World Championship victory, coupled with Bradley Wiggins’ victory in 2012 – the first ever British – win and his Olympic Gold Medal a few weeks later were the icing on the cake. The bikes, equipment and clothing became more technical and expensive and featured in weekend colour supplements. It became acceptable, even fashionable, to know about cycle racing. It was the new golf! Back in the day I was the only CEO who admitted to being a

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cyclist. Now, it seems, it goes with the territory with everyone from Alan Sugar to Pippa Middleton extolling the benefits of being happy in lycra.

But there is a downside for people like me with a fifty or more years connection to the sport. Firstly, we are no longer unique or special or objects of pity or, indeed, interest! On one occasion, whilst attending a large social gathering in London, a future heir to the throne sought me out in the crowd, to ask if I was still riding my bicycle, and also enquired of my wife, if she was required to apply surgical spirit to my saddle area!

It is much more difficult to be an “expert” now and to be able to give authoritative predictions, as so many people are now enthusiasts and are in possession of information from the internet and social media. It is also a bit challenging when the newbies appear to be ignorant of the unwritten rules of the sport and have wanton disregard for the correct clothing and appearance on the bike. The wrong colour and length of socks, the angle of the handlebars, even the size of their water bottles, or bidons as we call them, can cause offence to boring traditionalists like me!

All these aspects have the capacity to irritate, and the ignorance by some new riders of our long-established manners and courtesies as well as the history and ethos of the sport continue to niggle!

As I approach the three score and ten, it is still very much my sport. I look forward to my next new bike as eagerly as did that first-year boy in 1959. I still ride a mountain stage of the Tour de France each year with thousands of enthusiasts from around the world. It is the high point of my year both literally and metaphorically.

And when my final stage is run, the race is over and the finish line is reached, I have asked for my ashes to be scattered on that very Alpine climb just beside that viaduct which featured in that poster all those years ago.

Alan G. Campbell (1959-65)

Alan is a law graduate of Aberdeen University and joined Aberdeen County Council legal department as a law apprentice in 1968. He went on to become Director of Law and Administration of Grampian Regional Council in 1984 and its Chief Executive in 1991. He was appointed CEO of Aberdeenshire Council at its inception in 1995 and served in that capacity and as Returning Officer until 2008.

He is currently a member of the Accounts Commission for Scotland and also serves on the Business Committee of Aberdeen University. He is Honorary President of Deeside Thistle Cycling Club and, to date, has made fourteen ascents of Mont Ventoux on his bike.

He was awarded the CBE in 2002 for his services to local government and received an honorary degree of LL.D from his alma mater in 2005.

A Nautical Experience

A Former Pupil to the Rescue

I was very fortunate when the time for my National Service came round in 1957, as I should have been called up in 1951 but was granted six years’ deferment to take Arts and Law degrees at Aberdeen University. Knowing of impending military service, the first extra-mural activity which I joined was the University Training Corps – this being its name under Attlee’s Labour Government which could not allow the word ‘Officer’ to be introduced into the title. I may say that I enjoyed my time in the Corps much more 44

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than my studies for an MA degree. Before the end of my six years the word ‘Officer’ had been re-introduced into the title and, better still, the opportunity had presented itself to complete basic infantry training at Gordon Barracks and attend and pass the Officer Selection Board procedure.

I was duly called up in August 1957 and had to report to Cameron Barracks, Inverness, the Depot of the Cameron Highlanders which was the first intake to my Brigade area. I was only there for three weeks before being sent to report to Eaton Hall, near Chester, for Officer training. The course was very tough physically, made much more so in my case as in early January of 1958 I caught an extraordinarily virulent attack of the then prevalent Asian ‘flu, which put me in the hospital bay at Eaton Hall. This was an unheated Nissen hut where the floors were concrete and there was almost no medication. Before I was properly fit a couple of Sergeants came in and threatened me that I was likely to be back-squadded if I did not get back to training. I knew that this was unlikely because my previous OTC training had covered a lot of the material, but the thought of a further eight or ten weeks in this dump was enough to make me agree to sign myself out. I had a further period of six weeks when I never took breakfast but spent the extra hour in bed.

Towards the end of one’s time at Eaton Hall one was presented with a document which ended with the opportunity to select the unit with which you wished to serve, although there was no certainty that your choice would be granted. Those of similar vintage to myself will no doubt recall receiving a Government pamphlet as to the branch of the Forces best suited to your degree. I was highly amused to find the two alternatives offered under ‘Law’ were Pay Corps clerk or Education Corps. I had no intention of going anywhere near either of these two options, and the Gordons, to whom the OTC was affiliated, were at this time stationed in Dover. Well, who the devil would want to spend two years being a dogsbody anywhere near there?

During my first spell of square-bashing I had met a lovely New Zealander by the name of John Moffat. I am fairly certain that he had no need to do National Service but just fancied the excitement, as there were several hot-spots around the world such as Malaya, Cyprus and Egypt to name just a few. On his return he called at my home in Aberdeen, I having invited him to spend a long weekend break during the training at Gordon Barracks. He was so enthusiastic about his service with the King’s African Rifles in Malaya that I knew that was going to be my first choice.

The document which allowed you to choose your unit allowed for three possible selections, two of which could be in your own area, which in my case meant the Highland Brigade. My first choice was obviously the Gordons seconded to the King’s African Rifles; for the second choice I put the Camerons, being my existing regiment although I knew that there was no chance of getting this as there were at least three former Generals’ sons wanting to join and not all of these were guaranteed success. My final choice had to be something for which I was totally unsuited, so after a brief pause I put The Household Cavalry.

After all this background, what has this to do with Aberdeen Grammar School? By April 1958 I found myself in the delightful posting to 6 KAR stationed at their headquarters some twelve miles south of Dar-es-Salaam which is the main port of what was then Tanganyika. I was in heaven! I had for long been a keen sailor of small boats, having a share in one at the Loch of Skene. At Dar, the KAR had a 20-plus foot boat which was moored in a line of many such boats on the outskirts of the harbour which in

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those days was of quite modest proportions. Many a pleasant afternoon was spent in taking this boat and sailing less than an hour away to a small off-shore island known as Honeymoon Island which had a lighthouse at its western extremity. There was an idyllic beach only twenty yards in length where one could sunbathe, swim, and relax. We usually took some tea, sandwiches and, of course, several cans of lager. The usual trick played on newcomers was to give them the anchor and tell them to jump overboard when nearing the shore. What we did not tell them was that the sand shelved incredibly steeply and only six or eight feet from the shore one was in over one’s head!

After I had been in Dar for some three months I had been given an old Ford Popular, the type where the windscreen wipers stopped working when you went uphill. I had taken this car into Dar, paused to read the local paper and saw advertised a meeting of Aberdeen Grammar School FP Club members being held in a local hotel later that day. Thank goodness I had taken the car as otherwise I would have had to take a cab back to barracks as the recreational transport would have left long before the meeting was over.

Not surprisingly, I did not know anyone at the meeting, but one of the first people I did meet, whose name I much regret I have quite forgotten, but whose father was a subeditor on the East African Standard in Nairobi, was the only person to whom I talked because we got on like a house on fire. I asked him if he would care to come for a sail, and he readily agreed. We fixed up a suitable date and agreed to meet at the Yacht Club in Dar. I do not now recall why the most unpopular member of the Mess, one Derek Underwood, also came to be there. He was a bolshie Australian who refused to honour our Officers’ Mess customs. I think that he had designs on converting me to Catholicism as I had asked to tag along with him to the Catholic Cathedral, a magnificent edifice in the middle of Dar, merely so that I could see the interior and experience a service – quite a spectacle as the Cathedral is a vast height and the swinging of the incense burner built up a spectacular arc.

We duly set off, and after a time I thought why not go round to the other side of Honeymoon Island and see what is there. BAD IDEA! The gentle breeze which we had been experiencing at first quickly turned into a strong wind which rapidly showed up alarming problems with the seaworthiness of our small vessel. For a start, it began to take in water. The Aussie was in the stern and I asked him to bale out. Another BAD IDEA! With the second scoop he threw the baler out with the minute amount of water in it. He himself was rapidly turning a dismal shade of green.

On the other hand, my FP friend was up to every possible task I set him. Why, you ask, did I not turn around. The simple answer to that is that very quickly the main sail tore, as also did two reefing points all tied up by my doughty FP, and I was certainly not going to risk a gib because there were ominous signs of the port stays pulling out of their sockets which would likely result in no mast! We had no sea room in which to do a conventional turn.

Beyond the lighthouse, to my horror, I saw a reef, the water gently showing white horses along its length for as far as the eye could see. The main was more or less useless and my FP folded it as neatly as possible along the starboard side. Eventually we reached the end of the reef and could at last turn to starboard and head back down the far side of Honeymoon Island running parallel to the shore – more or less! But I could immediately see that with the wind direction as it was and with only a jib I was on a collision course to meet the reef eventually. By this time I had been standing up all the way since our departure and with my knees slightly bent, as one is bound to do in order

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to keep ones balance. My legs were turning to jelly and were shaking unsteadily. I then recalled seeing native fishermen steering their small boats with two outriggers over reefs without difficulty. My problem was, of course, that our draught was very much deeper than theirs. I had only just started to learn to swim in Dar, and I was certain that I could not swim 200 yards to shore if we foundered crossing the reef. Useless Aussie might end up the sole survivor, as he no doubt was used to swimming off Australia. I then concluded that it would be far better to pick what I considered might be a slightly better place rather than wait for the inevitable. I outlined my plan to my companions and my FP organised the duckboards so that we could have one apiece in the event that the bottom came off our dilapidated vessel. We headed for what I hoped might be slightly less turbulent waters. I thought that I would lower the centre plate somewhat in the perhaps vain hope that it might knock off a bit of the coral. As we crossed the reef, the plate shot up out of its housing but did not do any other damage to the yacht and it, or what remained of it, was safely ashore. As for myself, I found that I could not even walk up the beach, and so I had the indignity of having to crawl.

To this day I have absolutely no recollection of how we got the yacht round to the other side of the island, but it duly got there and I can only imagine that it must have been achieved by my redoubtable FP. I do recall that we hitched a tow from another yacht to take us back to the Yacht Club and I took the tiller and steered her to our mooring. For months afterwards I was always expecting an enormous bill for damage to Mess property.

Fortunately I was very soon afterwards transferred to a magic posting to Mauritius, where I had an HLI Colonel, Brian Carson, who had the right relaxed view of service in such a magnificent location. It meant, however, that I did not meet up again with my FP friend, and I have lost his address. I hope that he may read this amusing tale and get in touch.

One last amusing finish. I went to see his father when returning to the UK via Nairobi where our excellent Colonel had given me and another subaltern, also returning, ten days’ all expenses paid in the Nairobi Garrison Mess. My nameless FP had said to me that his father would be good for a cup of tea or a drink, or even a meal if I were to look him up. I duly did so and greeted him with “Whilst in Dar I met up with your son and he said to me that I should call on you”. His memorable reply was “And so?” What do you say to that? I was speechless.

J. Alexander Leith (1939-51)

The Last of the Lower School

Many Former Pupils will have fond memories of the Aberdeen Grammar Lower School – carefree days as they started to discover the big world beyond the safe home environment. Many friendships with fellow pupils were forged in those early years which endure long after schooldays.

On 26th August 1964, sixty-six four- and five-year olds arrived at the doors of the Lower School and were welcomed to the school by Mrs Gray and Miss Brown. The pupils were quickly separated into two classes, the ‘A’s and ‘B’s, divided by the tried and tested method of age – those born up to June and those after. What these sixty-six pupils didn’t realise at the time was that history was being made, as they were the last

ever intake to the Lower School and for the next seven years they were to be the youngsters of the Grammar, the titchies.

A generation of Grammar pupils, and Aberdonians generally, is growing up with no knowledge of the Lower School. The fact that there used to be a Primary Department of the Grammar School is slowly being lost in the mists of time. It was opened in 1900 and for the next seventy-one years occupied the detached building at the north east of the main school. All traces of its past have disappeared, with the building re-named the Bennum Building and currently used by the Languages and Social Sciences departments.

During the weekend of the 28/29 August 2014 a reunion of this last intake was held to mark the 50th Anniversary of the historic event. Many months were spent trying to make contact with the original sixty-six boys, who had now spread throughout the world leaving all their childhood roots behind. With some dogged perseverance the vast majority were traced to places as diverse as China, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Kazakhstan, Qatar and Dunecht, and invited to the re-union to meet old acquaintances and share memories.

On the re-union weekend, thirty-three old boys were able to congregate and attend a series of events organised around the School. Distance was no object and the boys gathered from as far afield as Canada, although most were resident in the UK.

On the Friday night, there was an informal get-together in the downstairs bar of the Former Pupils Club Centre. This was a remarkable evening where acquaintances were renewed after many missing years. The hairs were greyer, and some were follically challenged, but the faces still showed the characteristics from younger years. The evening passed with much reminiscing and the recounting of many tales from our school days. As the evening wore on, the tales got taller.

On Saturday morning we were grateful to Janet Adams, deputy Head Teacher at the School and herself a former pupil, for giving us a guided tour around the School.

The rebuilding after the 1986 fire, along with the new gym, had led to significant changes to parts of the School which meant that some areas were barely recognisable; the remainder of the School, however, remained largely as we remembered it. Of particular interest was the Lower School building, and the opportunity to revisit the classrooms where Ethel Hill and Irene Valentine taught us in primary 7. Although the blackout curtains and blackboards were gone, the rooms were instantly recognisable, albeit a lot smaller than we remembered, although perhaps it was just us growing larger. Our School visit was completed with an Aberdeen Journals photo call.

The weekend festivities were completed on Saturday evening with a formal reception in the Atholl Hotel. We were pleased to welcome Phyllis Barbour, who taught the A’s in Primary 4 and Pamela Mavor who taught the B’s in Primaries 3, 4 and 5. We were also pleased to welcome former Chemistry teacher legend Bill May, whose periodic table rap party piece was a memorable cabaret show. Towards the end of the evening two of our classmates, sadly no longer with us, were remembered.

The evening concluded late, with promises not to wait another fifty years for the next reunion.

The members of the class who attended were:- Iain Adams, Peter Bavidge, Kenny Baxter, Bruce Campbell, Angus Chapman, Alan Connell, Graham Dickie, Keith Garden, Alan Hume, Gordon Lamont, Andy Martin, Ian McConnachie, David McLauchlin, Zander Milne, Hamish Moir, Cammy Munro, Duncan Murray, Keith Murray, Gregor

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Mutch, Les Park, John Pearson, Michael Porter, Neal Robb, Ewen Robertson, Peter Sharp, Alan Taylor, Stewart Walker and Barry Watt.

In addition, apologies for inability to attend were received from John Adam, Calum Falconer, Stephen George, Ian Kay, Ian Kelman, Jeremy Logan, Steve MacPherson, Neil Masson, Michael Prise and Alan Williams.

Andy Martin (1964

–77)

Aberdeen Sporting Hall of Fame

Organised by Aberdeen Sports Council, the official launch of the Aberdeen Sporting Hall of Fame took place recently at the Aberdeen Sports Village, when a number of the Inductees were present. An informal Reception was held and, after the introductions, a DVD of the three intakes of the Hall of Fame was shown to the VIP Guests.

Aberdeen Sports Council, the only voluntary Sports Council in Scotland, is an independent Sports Body within the City of Aberdeen, dealing with a complexity of local sporting matters. The members of the Executive Committee of the Council are all volunteers who are involved in a wide range of sports within their own rights. The original idea for the Aberdeen Sporting Hall of Fame came from the Council’s ViceChairman, Dave McDonald (1961-67).

To celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Aberdeen Sports Council, in 2006, a series of events was planned to mark the occasion, amongst which was to create the Aberdeen Sporting Hall of Fame and, with the support of Aberdeen City Council along with the Press & Journal, the public were asked to make their nominations for this prestigious list.

Certain criteria were drawn up, with all nominees having had to be born in Aberdeen, and a sizeable list was submitted for consideration. This was reduced to around fifty names and the selection panel consisted of the then Lord Provost, John Reynolds, Councillor McDonald, Peter Mitchell of the Press & Journal and members of the Aberdeen Sports Council Executive Committee. Twenty-one Sportsmen and Sportswomen, representing fourteen different sports were selected from the final list –one for each year of the Sports Council’s existence, and the levels of excellence achieved by our own local athletes is clearly shown.

A Special Award was created two years later, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Gothenburg Dons’ great European Cup Winners’ Cup win and the Sports Council was very grateful to the Lord Provost and City Council for the Civic Hospitality offered for the Award Presentation.

The Hall of Fame was added to in the Council’s 25th Anniversary year from a list including many of the Sports personalities who have served the City during their sporting careers, but who had not been born in Aberdeen.

FPs who have been honoured by inclusion in the Hall of Fame are Donnie Innes (Rugby), Dennis Hay (Hockey) and Tracey Menzies (Hockey).

Nominations to be considered for possible inclusion in the next tranche of inductees into the Hall of Fame, may be sent to info@aberdeensportscouncil.com

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The Other Ball Game

It is not widely appreciated that the modern game of Football may have had its origins in Scotland. The earliest evidence of the national game is in an Act of Parliament of 1424 which declared ‘It is statute and the king forbids that no man may play the football’. The country’s rulers clearly believed that football was a dangerous diversion from essential military exercises. There is also evidence that Mary Queen of Scots witnessed a skilful demonstration of the game while imprisoned at Carlisle Castle.

Also not widely realised is the connection of Aberdeen Grammar School to the modern game of football. A pocket-sized book, written in Latin, and now stored in the National Library of Scotland, Vocabula, describes the players passing the ball and scoring goals. This book provides the first evidence of a passing game with goalkeepers and players passing the ball to score goals. The book was penned by David Wedderburn who was Rector of the School conjointly with Thomas Reid from 1602 to 1640.

Former Pupils’ Section

Former Pupils’ Club

Founded 11 September 1893

Club Office-Bearers, 2015-2016

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)

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)

J. MARTIN JEFFREY (1942-57) BSc (President 2013-14)

MARGERY G. TAYLOR (1975-81) (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:

MELDRUM B. EDWARDS MBE, BSc, MSc, MICE (1947-60)

Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive:

Secretary:

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

Treasurer:

JOHN C.A. MICHIE (1944-58) CA

General & Notes Editor of Magazine:

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

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Regional Centres

Edinburgh: President – NEIL BORTHWICK (1952-65)

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 – MICHAEL KING (1951-60)

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 MAIR emma.mair@gmail.com

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

Rugby – GORDON THOMSON g.thomson@talk21.com

Executive Committee

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)

RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65)

GRANT A. HAMILTON (1988-94

EMMA A. MAIR (1985-91)

BRIAN R. MORGAN (1952-65)

HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65)

ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75)

GILLIAN M.E. GRAHAM (1991-97)

H. ALAN S. HAMILTON (1943-56)

NEIL J.G. LAWRIE (1961-74)

JOHN C.A. MICHIE (1944-58)

GEOFFREY E. MORRISON (1992-98)

BARRY J. SHEPHERD (1988-94)

DAVID R.D. WALLIS (1979-85)

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 – DAVID LEIGHTON (1959-62)

Women’s Hockey – EMMA MAIR (1985-91)

Staff – JANET C. ADAMS (1980-86)

Auditors

Messrs. BOWER & SMITH, C.A

Former Pupils’ Section

Club Centre Committee

W. MICHAEL MURRAY – Chairman

K. PRITCHARD – Secretary

J. MARTIN JEFFREY – Treasurer

DAVID LEIGHTON – House Convener

K. BARNETT, C. BROWN, C. CLELLAND, K. DOUGLAS, G.M.E. GRAHAM, J.F. HENDRY, BEN JOHNSON, J.C.A. MICHIE, D.G. MOIR, H.E. MORRISON, H. SMITH, G. THOMSON, K. VASS, D.YOUNG

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 841033346 USA E-mail: michaelking806@comcast.net Tel. 1-801-363-3097

Annual General Meeting

The One-hundred and twelfth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Club Centre in Aberdeen on Monday 30 March 2015, with Dr Douglas McAllister, the VicePresident, in the Chair. The Chairman reported as follows:

As we near the end of another FP Club year I have looked back on my annual reports to the last three Annual Meetings, and I fear that many of the messages from these are going to be repeated yet again. However, the year has seen some very positive developments which offer encouragement for the future of the Club.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Club Centre

Last year I described the Club Centre’s position as precarious; this year I can happily say that it is less so. The Centre Committee has, throughout 2014, focussed on reducing costs and increasing the use of the facility. While this has largely eliminated the apparent trading position it seems unlikely that the Centre will get to a position of repaying the loan sitting on the FP Club’s balance sheet any time soon – a topic which I will cover in the next section on finances.

Finance

Lyndsey Caldwell unfortunately had to step down as Club Treasurer at the end of January this year due to pressure of work. In the absence of an immediate replacement, I worked the accounts up to a point where they could be handed in for audit, which has been completed and we are in a position to present these as part of the Treasurer’s report. There has been little change in the overall position of the Club finances, but the continuing demands of servicing the Club Centre borrowing are steadily eroding the Club’s reserves to the point where we will need to take some more serious action in the near future.

Membership

Membership over the year has remained relatively static; a small number of new members are joining but the demography of the Club continues to drift relentlessly upward (15% over 80, 45% over 70, 70% over 60, 80% over 50).

Rubislaw Field

Over the past year issues relating to Rubislaw have settled (although not improved) for most Sports Sections. The City Council appear to have accepted that we will not budge on our rights in perpetuity at Rubislaw, to the extent that the Field Committee has not met for over a year.

Communications

Another successful Magazine under the editorship of Brian Crookshanks received very positive comments from FPs on all continents and we should be in no doubt that this is a really valued product. We have not suffered from posting all the fliers with the Magazine – Big Draw, Dinner, Membership etc., but as we are all aware the pressure on postal costs is only up. We are initiating a review of the Magazine – how we produce it and who does what, which will also look into alternative approaches in a number of areas.

Grant Hamilton continues to act as Webmaster for our website, but we continue to suffer from lack of content – news, results, events and articles can all help and Grant is very keen to get anything of that ilk. Our thanks are also due to Grant for running the Big Draw, which is a great and dependable source of funds for the Club.

Annual Dinner

It was our fourth year at the Treetops last Friday and the feedback which I received personally was very positive. The event was a great success with Margery in the Chair as her last official duty. Unfortunately she is unable to be with us tonight due to work commitments, but sends her best wishes both to the Club and her successor. The

Former Pupils’ Section

principal speaker, Mel Edwards, proposed an excellent toast to the School and the Club in a gentle meander through his career, his experiences influenced by the School and the FP Club and in particular by Dally Allardice and Dicey Paterson.

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 of a very different place to the School which most of us recall, the positive message of success was very encouraging.

A big thank you for the success of the evening must go to Neil Lawrie, who in his second year did a great job of getting a good turnout – and has come out the other end with an unqualified success and the good news is that he has lots of good ideas for next year.

Books

As we contemplate a second sales push for Bon Record we can report that we had a new book published in “The Grammar School at War” written by Richard Dargie. I am delighted to report that this has nearly sold out.

In conclusion

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

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 2014 Accounts (reproduced at the end of this Magazine) showing a surplus of £5760 were submitted and approved. Attention was drawn to the adverse effect on the Club finances of supporting the Club Centre while it is under pressure.

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 2016 A.G.M. will therefore be held on Monday, 28 March

at 7.30 p.m. in the Club Centre, 86 Queen’s Road, Aberdeen

President’s Report

When asked to be the President of Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils’ Club I was delighted to accept this great honour. I have been a member of the Glasgow Centre for nearly 25 years, since I moved down to Glasgow to take up a teaching post in the Independent sector at Lomond School in Helensburgh. It was Peter Cairns, whose daughters attended Lomond, who introduced me to the Glasgow Centre, where I met the infamous Basil Emslie. Yearly Dinners and meetings took place to rekindle some of the AGSFPs within the area and both pupils and friends met up on these occasions to chat and dine together.

My first honour was to speak at the Edinburgh Dinner in the beautiful settings of Bruntsfield Links Golf Society. Unfortunately for me and my husband Gerry the weather was very wet and the view of the golf course was marred by these conditions. Very nervous for my first Dinner, I was soon introduced to Morr Brown who was an excellent host and put me at my ease. Richard Dargie was the main speaker and he was able to speak about his new book ‘The Grammar at War 1914-1918’. He explained some of the research and stories he had found from former FPs and relayed them to the interested audience. I, in turn, was able to introduce myself to this group and was delighted with the food and company for the rest of the evening.

The next appointment as President was a visit to Canada. In teaching, it is hard to take time off during the term and I was grateful to my new Principal for giving me the time to travel to Toronto for the weekend. My College friend, Helen Lesniak, was able to meet me at the airport and accommodate me during my whistle-stop trip. I was able to meet up with her family and enjoyed being a tourist and viewing the city from the CN Tower the following day. My friend is Headmistress of St. Joseph College, Toronto and was able to accompany me to the Meet ‘n’ Greet on Friday evening at Halsey & Joan Bradford’s house. Sadly, that evening there was a thunder and lightning storm which tragically claimed two lives in the city. We were all welcomed very warmly at this informal evening and it gave us all a chance to talk to most of the Former Pupils and their guests before the official dinner. The following day, I was able to visit the Lakes with my friend before we both attended the Canadian Centre Dinner at the beautiful Lambton Golf & Country Club. With these magnificent settings we were able to take a group photo in the sunshine, before we sat down with our cocktails to a wonderful meal. The Dinner started with the Installation of President, when Peter Jeffrey passed on the Presidency to Michael King. The evening was well attended and I was able to inform the Canadian Centre of some of the positive reunions there have been throughout the year and how vital the Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine has been to keep these centres in touch with the true running of our excellent school. I was unable to attend the informal meeting the next day at the Granite Brewery as I was returning home to Scotland. This was a very memorable trip and I was very grateful for the warm hospitality everyone showed me.

The Yorkshire Dinner was a first for myself and Gerry, and we were fortunate that it landed on the School September weekend. Being chauffeured by my husband allowed me to practise my speech during the journey, but also gave Gerry a chance to visit his

Former Pupils’ Section

favourite curry city of Bradford on our way down to York. Fed and nourished satisfactorily, we continued our journey taking a little longer than expected. I decided to stay in the hotel to prepare for the Dinner, meanwhile Gerry wanted to go for a leisurely stroll. Nearly an hour later he returned a little flustered, as he had managed to drop the room card key when taking the camera from his pocket, and it subsequently was blown through the railings of a locked up area of posh flats. By guessing the 4-digit codes necessary to call someone to open the gates he did eventually manage to retrieve his key. I was glad that I had managed to relax and was now ready for the evening.

The Grange Hotel and company from the Yorkshire Centre was very welcoming and Doug Skene and his good lady Gina sat at the table along with David Galloway who was the guest speaker for the evening and entertained us all with his props and amusing stories. We enjoyed the Birse Tea afterwards and had an entertaining open discussion about various matters to do with the Former Pupils’ Club and solving the world problems. In the morning, a few of the die-hard group from the night before were able to meet up at the infamous Betty’s for a late breakfast. Jovial chat and memories were exchanged once again, before Gerry and I headed off to wander round the Shambles. Taking a typical picture of Gerry walking through the Shambles I coincidently managed to snap Michael Portillo walking along making his next episode of Railway Journeys, sporting his obligatory pink jacket. Further round the corner, we encountered a very talented violinist who was another famous celebrity in my husband’s eye. It was Ed Alleyne-Johnson, a Progressive Rock violinist, formally of the New Model Army. What a great time we had in York.

The last commitment of my Presidency was the Aberdeen FP Dinner in March at the Treetops Hotel in Aberdeen. Taking my 1st XI hockey team from Lomond School up to Aberdeen for the weekend allowed me to attend the Dinner and continue the Hockey Tour of Aberdeen at the end of the season. My sister, Kathleen Duncan, accompanied me to the Dinner and as she is one of the longest serving teachers at Aberdeen Grammar School, it seemed appropriate that she attended the evening. On arrival at the Hotel, we were met by Hamish Paterson, who was delighted to meet George Coutts’ daughters and gave us photographs of our father with some of the staff at Mile-End School, where he had been Headmaster. Hamish reminisced his very fond teaching days at Mile-End with his wife and Mr Coutts. Kathleen and I were both very proud of our Dad and out of four daughters, three of us ended up in the teaching profession. The evening was very well attended and I was delighted to meet Mel Edwards, our guest speaker who was very inspiring in his very personal speech ‘A lifetime of Running, Inspired by Aberdeen Grammar School’. The Rector’s reply to the toast was his last such speech, and I would like to wish him a very happy and healthy retirement.

I have enjoyed my year as President which passed (as I was told would happen) incredibly quickly. I have to thank all those FPs who looked after me at the various functions which I attended and would personally thank Neil Lawrie for all his efforts at organising a very successful evening in Aberdeen, and Brian Crookshanks for continuing to produce the Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine, which is appreciated by all our members around the world.

Presidential Profile

Meldrum Barclay Edwards MBE, BSc, MSc, M.I.C.E (1947-1960)

Meldrum, or Mel to all who know him, was born in Aberdeen in December 1942, the only son of another distinguished Former Pupil, the late Alfred J. M. (Freddie) Edwards (1908 -21) and his wife Joy.

Mel first attended the Grammar in the Lower School in 1947 and it was at primary school that it became obvious that athletics would be not only his preferred sport and pastime but would become an interest and commitment which would last a lifetime.

After leaving the School in 1960 Mel embarked on a Civil Engineering course at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1964 with a B.Sc Honours degree, which was followed by an Engineering course at the University of Cambridge from which he graduated as a Master of Science (M.Sc) in 1966.

Being aware of the massive infrastructure changes which were taking place in the UK in the 1960s, and believing that the concept of building new highways and motorways was only in its infancy, Mel enrolled himself at the University of Newcastle for a diploma course in Highway and Traffic Engineering. In 1967, on completion of this course, Mel’s first venture into full employment was as a Research Assistant in Transportation at the University of Southampton. This lasted until 1969 when the call of home became too hard to resist, as the opportunity arose to return to Aberdeen to take up a position in the Engineering Division of the former Aberdeenshire County Council. With local government reform Aberdeenshire County Council was swallowed up into the new Grampian Regional Council, and it was at this time, in 1975, that Mel qualified as a Chartered Civil Engineer. He remained in Local Government service until 1995. Since then, Mel has been a self-employed sports consultant, an engineer with BEAR Scotland, and Principal Engineer in the Road Safety Engineering unit of Aberdeenshire Council

This is now the appropriate moment to reflect on the long list of Mel’s athletic achievements, earned through sheer effort, determination and commitment during his adult life. School athletic champion in 1960 was followed in 1964 by the Junior Scottish Cross Country Championship, then in 1967 the English Universities 3-mile title and the Scottish 6-mile track record. 1967 was also the year of his first Marathon, which he completed in just over 2 hours 18 minutes. Unfortunately, just a few months later, he narrowly missed out on selection for the Marathon at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. Despite this disappointment other representative honours followed, but Mel did not restrict his running to the track and field; he was much more adventurous than that. The mountains, hills, glens and valleys of Scotland and the rest of the UK became another irresistible challenge, culminating in 1979 when he set a record which was to stand for 23 years, for the ascent and descent of the four Cairngorm mountains over 4000 ft.

With the passing of time, organisational roles and charity work were his next challenge. From 1979 to 1983 Mel was heavily involved in the inauguration and organisation of the initial Aberdeen Marathons. His charity work has included the organisation of 3-km runs for CLAN, an organisation of which he has been a patron since 2008. Somehow, he managed to acquire a Jamaican running vest signed by the great World and Olympian sprint champion, Usain Bolt, which was then auctioned in

Former Pupils’ Section

aid of Myeloma UK, raising £6,000. In 2012 he co-ordinated the passage of the Olympic Torch Relay through Aberdeenshire. This was also the year of his 70th birthday and on that

Meldrum B. Edwards (1947-60)

President

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

2015 - 16

Former Pupils’ Section

December day he ran for 70mins (70@70) and in doing so was sponsored for the grand total of £7,500, the beneficiary being the Friends of Anchor at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

In 2014 for his services to both athletics and charity Mel was awarded an MBE.

Mel currently lives in Aberdeen with his wife Kareen. Their son Myles (2000-2006) is a Scottish International middle-distance athlete and the co-founder of the Gathimba /Edwards Foundation, a charitable organisation benefitting under-privileged and orphaned children in Kenya.

Mel’s father, Freddy Edwards, was head of the Lower School from 1934 until 1947, and was himself the son of a Former Pupil, Alfred William Edwards (1881-88), a solicitor in Aberdeen, who served as Secretary of the Former Pupils’ Club for ten years from 1896. Our President is thus a third generation Former Pupil and another in the long line of distinguished, inspirational and committed Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils to hold this post, an honour which is thoroughly deserved.

DSL (1959-1972)

Centre Reports

Club Centre

In last year's report it was made clear that the Club Centre was in a very worrying situation and after Mike Murray was elected Chairman early in May 2014 it quickly became clear that Martin Jeffrey had not exaggerated – our financial position was extremely serious, indeed without a personal loan received towards the end of the previous year we would have run out of cash with the real possibility of having to close our doors.

The encouraging news is that during the past sixteen months or so the situation has improved to such an extent that creditors are now all up-to-date and paid on a regular basis. How has this been achieved? We have re-negotiated contracts with our major suppliers including Sky TV and our cleaning company, and we have changed our beer, spirits and water suppliers. All of this has helped to reduce our annual expenses by around £12,000. The cost of part-time staff has also been reduced and through preparation of detailed monthly accounts we can now monitor our expenses on a very regular basis.

Those of you who visit the Centre will know that early last summer we had to close our kitchen and after a great deal of effort, including being “let-down” by our original choice of partner, a completely new kitchen was opened towards the end of the year at a cost of some £15,000. Also during last summer trees and overgrown shrubs were removed from the front of our building which can now been seen from Queens Road and which has in general created very favourable comment. The garden area to the rear of the building has also been improved and with the purchase of a new BBQ we hope to increase this side of our business.

Other necessary costs which have been incurred include the redecoration of the main lounge, the partial repainting of the windows, repairing boundary walls, renewing the fire alarm system, and renewing the floor in the downstairs bar area. The age of the building is such that ongoing maintenance and repair work is a concern, and we are having to prioritise the outstanding work.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Following improvements in the management of our bar the gross margin on sales has increased from some 54% a couple of years ago to 64% which is most encouraging keeping in mind that we did not increase prices in line with increased supplier prices. The committee is very conscious that as a club we should keep prices for members as low as possible consistent with maintaining an acceptable margin. However, to achieve this ideal, we have to increase bar usage which is proving to be very difficult and has not been helped by the new drink driving law which has contributed to a fall in sales of some 15%.

Substantially greater use of our facilities by both ordinary and sports members is essential if we are to maintain our club in anything like its present form. Recently we had to stop lunches being served on Saturdays due to lack of support (Friday lunch still available) and I urge everyone to use the club as often as possible.

Finally, we have to remember that the club has to be run as a business which takes up many hours and I wish to record my appreciation of the support I have received from our committee.

Mike Murray Chairman

Canada

The 22nd annual reunion of the Canadian Centre of the Former Pupils’ Club took place during the weekend of September 5th to 7th 2014 in Toronto and, as always, left us with wonderful memories.

The weekend started with a very pleasant evening at Joan and Halsey Bradford’s home. Old friends gathered and exchanged stories, and we welcomed the Parent Club President, Margery Taylor, who came from Aberdeen just for the weekend.

The formal dinner was once again held at the very impressive Lambton Golf and Country Club, thanks to George Stephen, who is a member and past President of the Golf Club. It was a beautiful summer evening and we enjoyed standing outside with our drinks before going indoors for dinner.

The incoming President, Michael King, was installed by the outgoing President, Peter Jeffrey, and after an excellent meal (wonderful Cullen Skink!) we listened to speeches from the President of the Club and the President of the Centre.

On Sunday we gathered more informally for an al fresco brunch at the Granite Brewerie and, to nobody’s surprise, the conversations kept going. Finally it was really the end of the weekend – but hopefully we will meet up again in Victoria BC next year, or “back east” again in 2016.

Our warmest thanks go to Halsey and Joan Bradford for a lovely evening at their home and for planning the weekend, to George Stephen for making it possible to have the dinner at his golf club, to Margery Taylor for travelling from Aberdeen and to all who came from far and near to join in our Annual Reunion Weekend.

The following FPs attended the Reunion (listed in order of entry into the School): George Stephen (1936-42), Etobicoke, Ontario; Bill Guthrie (1939-51), Brighton Ontario; Peter Jeffrey (1944-59), Vancouver Island, BC; Phil Barron (1948-56), Kanata, Ontario; Michael Hardie (1948-59), Almonte, Ontario; Ian MacMillan (1950-53), Toronto, Ontario; Jim Watt (1950-58), Vancouver, BC; Halsey Bradford (1951-65), Toronto, Ontario; Michael King (1951-60), Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Alex Home (1952-58), Kitchener, Ontario; Tom Dempster (1954-58), Don Mills, Ontario; Colin

Former Pupils’ Section

Caie (1959-65), Toronto, Ontario; Ian Urquhart (1959-65), Toronto, Ontario and Margery Taylor (1975-81), Aberdeen, Scotland.

Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Centre held its Annual Dinner on Friday 24th April 2015 in the Clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society. Neil Borthwick took the Chair in the absence of President W. Morrison (Morr) Brown, who was unfortunately indisposed. Neil welcomed the company of thirty members and their guests, including former Club President, James Lyon, who was the principal guest, the Rector, Graham Legge, the Head Girl, Ailsa Johnston, the Head Boy, Christopher Levitt, Meldrum Edwards, the recently installed Club President, Malcolm Gauld, the President of the Glasgow Centre and Doug Skene, the President of the Yorkshire Centre. Apologies were received from Evie Rae, President of the Edinburgh Branch of the Gordonian Association and also from various locally based FPs, all of whom conveyed their best wishes for the evening. Following an engaging address James Lyon concluded his remarks by proposing the toast of “The School and the Club”. Replies were given by the Rector, Ailsa Johnston

Michael King, Margery Taylor & Peter Jeffrey

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

and Christopher Levitt on behalf of the School and Meldrum Edwards for the Club, aided by a most entertaining PowerPoint presentation – a first for the Edinburgh dinner! A warm tribute was paid to Graham Legge, who was attending his last Edinburgh dinner in advance of retiring as Rector at the end of the Summer term.

The Centre AGM was held during the evening. Morr Brown’s resignation from his third stint as Edinburgh Centre President was noted. The Chairman spoke for all present when he recalled Morr’s many years of dedicated service in various guises to the FP Club, for which sincere thanks were due. The proposal of the Chairman as Edinburgh Club Centre President was approved and James Rust was re-elected as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer.

Next year’s Annual Dinner is scheduled to be held in the Clubhouse of Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society on Friday 22nd April 2016.

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@jjrust.co.uk

The following FPs attended the 2015 Dinner (in order of entry into School): Peter Millar (1933-44), Stewart Fowlie (1935-42), Edward Fraser (1936-49), Gordon Coutts (1938-51), David Kilgour (1938-50), Gerald Crichton (1942-54), Hunter Cairns (194356), Michael Murray (1945-54), Gordon McAndrew (1946-51), Robin Rilley (1947-55), Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), Ian McLeod (1951-55), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), Meldrum Edwards (1947-60), James Lyon (1953-59), Norman Edwards (1959-64), Douglas Skene (1959-64), James Rust (1963-71), Margery Taylor (1975-81).

Glasgow

Once again the mighty roar of Glasgow traffic stopped as President Malcolm Gauld welcomed twenty-nine members and guests (including Doug Skene representing the York Centre, Nigel Watt representing the Edinburgh Centre and the Glasgow President of Gordonians), with the traditional cry of 'HULLAWRER PEEPUL' to our annual dinner on Friday 31st October 2014 at the Hilton Garden Inn on the banks of the bonnie River Clyde. After an excellent meal, the A.G.M. of the Centre was held, the accounts approved and the committee, yet again, unanimously re-elected.

In welcoming John Stevenson M.P., Malcolm acknowledged the debt he was due to John's late father, Andrew Stevenson, who was the very encouraging head of P.E. when he was at school. John proposed a very interesting toast to the School and the Club with memories of his days at 'the school', his early desire to serve, his election as M.P. for Carlisle in 2010 and many fascinating insights into the workings of the 'Mother of all Parliaments'. (John was re-elected this May).

The Rector, Graham Legge, very ably assisted by Christopher Levitt (Head Boy) and Ailsa Johnston (Head Girl), giving the pupil's perspective, replied to John's Toast on behalf of the School, updating us on all that was happening within its hallowed grounds, highlighting its many successes both academically and in the vast range of extracurricular activities.

In introducing Margery Taylor, the President of the Parent Club, Malcolm advised the company that she was only the second lady to hold this honour but the third member of the Glasgow Centre (and our curling squad) over the past nine years. Margery replied

Former Pupils’ Section

on their behalf with a summary of her most enjoyable time in office but the continuing concerns of all involved at the heart of the Club in building and sustaining links with all, especially the younger, F.Ps.

Malcolm Daniel proposed a most appropriate 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 30th October 2015, at the newly refurbished GoGlasgow Urban Hotel on Paisley Road West. Will our existing membership please come along and support this event and any F.Ps new to the area or those interested in ascertaining more, please get in touch as indicated below.

This season, our curling team again took part in the 6 team Wanderers League, which was won by Kelvinside Accies with Strathallians in second place. Despite our valiant efforts, our squad of Stefan Colling, Malcolm Gauld, Alistair Fyall, Jim Leask, Margery Taylor and the occasional guest, with one win and one game peeled, came last. We are not disheartened and hope to do better next season. New players, even ‘ice virgins’, are always most welcome, so contact Malcolm either on 01355 237039 or mwrg@hotmail.com

Again the 'annual' golf match against Edinburgh did not take place as we could not raise a team of three. So far we have been unable to find enough players for a match in 2015. Where are all our golfers?

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

Thanks, as always, are due 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): Martin Jeffrey (1942-57), Hunter Cairns (1943-56), Peter Cairns (1945-57), Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), Ian McLeod (1951-55), David McNay (1956-69), Graham U’Ren (1958-64), Douglas Skene (1959-64), Gary Allan (1963-76), Brian Davidson (1968-74), Alan Kinghorn (1973-79), Malcolm Daniel (1975-81), John Stevenson (1975-81), Margery Taylor (1975-81), and Stefan Colling (1990-96).

Yorkshire

On 26 September 2014, in York’s lovely Grange Hotel, President Doug Skene welcomed a total of twenty-seven members and guests to the 56th Annual Dinner of the Yorkshire Centre. In his welcome he included some amusing and entirely apposite soubriquets for the regular FP attendees – ranging from ‘elder statesman’ to ‘cub reporter’.

After an excellent meal, which had a real Scottish flavour, Doug asked David Galloway to propose the toast to ‘The School and the Club’. He now teaches at Pocklington School which is only 500 years old but is known locally as ‘the Grammar’ and boasts one notable ‘OP’ – William Wilberforce. David’s lively proposal included some interesting ‘props’ to demonstrate his love of languages, drama, music, history and sport – all traits with which Grammar pupils and FPs can readily identify.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

In his response Rector Graham Legge referred to the on-going imposed changes which the School continually has to address, and then introduced Head Girl, Ailsa Johnston, and Head Boy, Christopher Levitt who captured attention with their enthusiasm and their achievements in so many academic and extra-curricular activities.

The our Parent Club President, Margery Taylor, shared her personal passion for sport and for teaching –both wonderful ways to communicate on local, national and international levels, and she suggested that Former Pupils might participate with pupils in sport, drama and music to encourage senior pupils into FP membership. She also acknowledged, with special thanks to Brian Crookshanks, the huge contribution to the Club/School liaison that the Magazine continues to provide. After prompting more interesting discussion on the theme of ‘recruiting younger FPs’ Doug closed the formal proceedings, but not, of course, before ensuring that a delightful and memorable evening included, as ever, the traditional Yorkshire Birse tea.

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), Bill Moncur (1945-48), Brian Bruce (1947-51), Willson Taylor (1950-63), Cailean Taylor (1951-60), Ivor Douglas (1952-57), Robert Falconer (1952-63), Douglas Skene (1959-64), Ian Fraser (1961-68), Nigel Watt (1963-69), Margery Taylor (197581), David Galloway (1976-82) and Martin Coulter (1983-89).

Section Reports

Cricket

1st XI

The 1st XI had a very good season in 2014, played 13, won 2, lost 11 when it came to tossing the coin on League duty. Thankfully, when it came to playing cricket, our record of played 15, won 7, drawn 2, lost 6 was a bit better as we finished in sixth place. Thirty-two players appeared for Firsts over the course of the season. We made 20/20 finals day but lost in farcical circumstances to Lahore Karahi and had a short run in the Small Clubs Cup before losing to Edinburgh side Tranent. Our usual poor form in the Aberdeenshire Cup continued, as after making the semi-final we suffered our standard loss to Bon Accord.

At the top of the order was new recruit and Grades legend Alex Keith, who made an incredible 625 runs for us at an average of 39.06, and even pitched in with six wickets, although others can judge if his bowling subsided as the season went on, since he did claim the six on his debut as he single-handedly played against Inverurie. He batted with poise, purpose and great skill in passing 50 six times, but annoyingly never managed to reach a well-deserved ton. He was a great team player too, and was never shy of a word of advice to his opponents, which on occasion did eke out a surprise wicket for us.

Pehlaj Tenneti, who although not quite as dominant as in season 2013, still made one excellent ton against Banchory. He also pulled off some great catches, adopting the planking technique while claiming skiers.

Former Pupils’ Section

Another new recruit, Rob Swiergon, promised much but was pretty unlucky all season, with some awful LBWs going against him. He did finish the season in some style, helping us win the 6s in Glasgow. His catching was also a highlight at times. At under-25 he will be a key player going forward.

Chris Clelland made a match-turning 75 against Inverurie and was joined by Sam Knudson who made a maiden 50, although proud father Roland missed it because he was washing the dishes. Roland deserves special praise for his excellent commitment to the Club and it can honestly be said that no-one else does as much unsung work. His ideal afternoon now appears to be making the teas, not batting, not bowling and then buying the beer.

That Inverurie game was one of the best of the season, as we brilliantly recovered from 90 for 7 to post 216 for 8. We then won in an exciting finish where a slightly unlikely caught at the wicket was given in our favour with only a few balls remaining.

Another favourite game was away to Mannofield, when highly depleted. Opening bowler Vijay Vijapur made a gritty 50 and his bowling all season was brilliant as he picked up 32 wickets and always wanted to bowl regardless of the situation.

Sajid Hameed was top bowler of the season with 39 wickets, in the mould of Brett Lee. He brushed off unfair criticism about his unorthodox action and also did the job with the bat, smashing a great six to win the 20/20 quarter final. He made a few other dashing runs, including 42 not-out off 16 balls in the Small Clubs Cup.

Arul Senthil made a couple of great scores, but did not reflect his true talents and we hope he can get a few more next season. Harry Mapplebeck bowled some great spells and also brought good humour to the team. His is a great talent, as he can bowl with real pace and is also a very capable batsman.

Overall there were eight players who reached 50 in an innings. Alex Keith on six occasions, his opening partner Geoff Morrison twice, Pehlaj Tenneti twice plus a century, Arul Sentil, Sam Knudson, John Davey, Chris Clelland, Vijay Vijapur and Tom Booth, who made a scintillating 92 in one of his too-few appearances during the season. Alex Keith not surprisingly won both batting cups.

Bowling-wise, Sajid Hameed claimed a very impressive 36 wickets @ 11.4 and took both bowling prizes. He was well assisted by Vijay Vijapur 28 @ 18.2, Sam Knudson 17 @ 18.1, Roland Knudson 15 @ 19.8, Harry Mapplebeck 13 @ 21.2 and newcomer Mo Ahmed 11 @ 15.2, the youngster really impressing with his pace and accuracy. Behind the stumps Geoff Morrison narrowly missed out on the Grades prize, claiming ten victims.

It is impossible to mention everyone, but everyone worked hard for the team and every win was a team effort with people stepping up. It is also worth mentioning the winning of the Andy Parkin 6s in Glasgow, where FPs pulled off an unlikely win against a number of much more decorated sides. It is fair to say Glasgow Accies were shocked, and not impressed, as we completely outplayed them in the final. Excellent batting from Rob Swiergon, Mo Ahmed and Harry Mapplebeck throughout the tournament backed up by wickets from Geoff Morrison, Gary Stuart and Sam Knudson, ensured that FPs triumphed on the day and will hope to defend their trophy in 2015.

Ours is a great Club which plays in the right manner; we all want to win, but realise that it is important to play in the correct manner. We have been heartened by the number of young players now playing for the Club, with up to eight schoolboys turning

out for the 3rd XI. The pick of these players are Rutwik Hegde, Rajaa Monnapillai and Kingshuk Ghosh, who can all go on to have real success at a high level.

2nd XI

In 2013 the FP Second XI finished in 5th place in Grade 3 and had a good run in the Reid Cup finals against a relatively superior team which they managed to beat comprehensively on the field. Even although the Reid cup was awarded to the opponent in the Grades committee room, the team took a lot a credit away from the way they played the game and maybe for the first time realised that we were better than what we thought we were.

In 2014, our Grade 3 league record was eleven wins and just two defeats and we finished on 91.8%. Because of this consistent achievement we were rightly crowned the Grade 3 League title winners, which took our team deservedly to a whole new level. This was an incredible achievement for not only the 2nds but also for the whole Club, since it was a group effort.

As a team, right from the beginning of the season we approached each game with a well-defined strategy which evolved into a solid plan which, more importantly, was well executed by all our players. Our keeper batsman Chris Clelland spearheaded the batting attack along with Matt Barker and on plenty of occasions gave us the right start. John Eagles, Guru Thangamani and Mahesh Narayanan brought the stability we needed in the middle order, and the rest of us supported them well whenever the situation demanded. What was noteworthy in 2014 was that not only our batting performance as a team improved drastically, accumulating a colossal 1676 runs in 13 games but our guys displayed a lot of confidence and character when it came to batting. This was evident when our star batsmen failed to score on the day – there was always someone in the team to fill their place and deliver the result our team needed. We need more of this in 2015.

Congratulations to John Eagles for scoring 303 runs at an average of 30.3 to become our Number One batsman in 2014. He was well supported by Chris Clelland, scoring 286 runs at an average of 31.73 and Guru Thangamani closely following with 285 runs at an average of 35.63.

As expected, our bowling attack has been disciplined and created phenomenal results this season. John Eagles finished with an astonishing 41 wickets with Hemal Kumar and Kieran Whyte taking 16 and 15 wickets respectively and Phil Whiteley getting the only hat-trick of the season. Vishal Desai, who was a newcomer to 2nds this year, made a big impression by bowling accurately and grabbing 14 wickets. Including the Reid Cup matches, out of sixteen matches only in three games did we fail to achieve our bowling unit’s target of conceding only 10 extras. This tells a lot about our bowlers’ talent and their disciplined display which played a key role in our becoming the League winners.

We were also Reid Cup finalists, but were marginally defeated by just three runs by a team which was relegated to Grade 4. This game revealed some of the minor flaws in our team which will be addressed in 2015.

One of the key lessons we learned from the 2013 season was that some of our players are prone to injuries due to the lack of warm-ups before a game. The ever proactive Vice-captain Matt Barker was given the additional responsibility, of course on mutual consent, to be our physio and he did a great job in ensuring that all the players

Former Pupils’ Section

got adequate warm-ups prior to match start. These warm-up sessions were great and special thanks are due to Matt for making it more fun. Even some of our opponents found our team warm-ups amusing to watch – notably, one opponent captain mentioned that it looked like some sort of Tribal dance.

Thanks to Jim Lee and Arun Kumar for being flexible enough to play some games for both 2nds and 3rds. Thanks to the 1st team captain for being flexible with player selection and often lending some quality players whenever we were short of regular players. Special thanks to the 3rd team captain, Ian Johnston, for developing incredible talents like Rutwik Hedge and Raja Monnapillai. These two schoolboys showed immense potential and will surely go on to become great players for the Club.

In summary, 2014 has been a fantastic season for Grammar FP 2nds and every player should be proud of what we have achieved. 2015 will be a much more exciting season, and we all need to work and train harder to compete at a higher level. We are up for the Grade 2 challenge and hope to be successful again.

3rd XI

Thirds’ second season in Grade 4 saw mixed fortunes for the team, with fourteen games played, three wins, three draws, and eight defeats, gaining 208 points (49.5%) while finishing sixth out of nine teams. The Johnston Rose Bowl cup match was lost to a very experienced Ellon team in a match which could have gone either way.

While the results were mixed, the overwhelming success of the season was the emergence of seven schoolboys who all showed potential to eventually play for the 1st XI. Jason Alexander, Leston D'Costa, Rutwik Hegde, Kingshuk Ghosh, Rajaa Monnappalai, Jack Pirie and Akil Thanga all played for the 3rd XI and all contributed with runs, wickets, catches and even a stumping.

The biggest impact was made by Rutwik Hegde who scored 180 runs in all games at an average of 20 and included a maiden fifty. Rutwik also took eight wickets and as a result won the Aberdeenshire Grades Junior Batting and Bowling Trophies. The trophies were presented to him at the Grades Dinner by former England captain and top run scorer, Graham Gooch. Rutwik also topped the 3rd XI catching with four well-taken catches. A swift promotion to at least the 2nd XI is expected.

Kingshuk Ghosh showed good progress as wicket keeper/batsman, taking four catches, a stumping and also scored a maiden fifty, calmly reaching the landmark with a six to win a very enjoyable match at Methlick. He also had the confidence to volunteer to open the batting.

Leston D'Costa took four wickets in six games and showed great determination as a batsman and while fielding. Rajaa, Jason, Akil and Jack's appearances were limited by exams, holidays etc but all showed that with regular practice and games they could become very good players. The Club policy is that if the schoolboys are available, they play, and if they play, they bat and they bowl.

The team used a total of 42 players during the season and played only one match under strength, winning at Methlick with ten men. Four batsmen scored 50s during the season, ex-pupils Melvin Joy 65 and Doug Russell 53, current pupils Ghosh 51 not out, Hegde 51 not out, with a century partnership between Ian Johnston and Jim Lee another batting highlight.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Top wicket taker was spinner Sandeep Dhanamani who took twelve wickets @ 17.5. Kiran Bhanu Yalamanchilli took ten @ 23.8, Rahul Gopal nine @ 13.8, Hegde eight @ 24.5. Abdul Khan took five for 27 against Kemnay Kintore.

Although results were mixed, the team showed great character in drawing the two matches against champions Dunecht, which in many ways were more important than the easy victories gained. The team played the matches in the correct spirit throughout.

After-school coaching continued under the instruction of PE teacher Mr Milne who also organised the various school teams. FPs’ outdoor net sessions were well attended during the summer.

The Ken Peters Trophy was awarded to Kingshuk Ghosh. Kingshuk's wicketkeeping and batting improved greatly, achieving a maiden fifty, and he showed great potential as a future captain.

Curling

As indicated last year, we participated in a new league with teams from five other clubs. We had a challenging but enjoyable season, finishing mid-table each session.

In a change to our team selection we rotated our team positions throughout the season and this gave valuable experience to our members. We intend to do the same next year – provided that we have sufficient members to spread the load!

As usual we are desperately short of members and would welcome new joiners. Please contact me if you would like to try this very sociable sport.

ianpsouter@aol.com; Tel: 01224 867000

Golf

Outings were poorly attended last year and, with an ageing membership, the change in the drink-driving limit in December 2014 is possibly the final nail for the Golf Section. Rural golf clubs like Braemar are really going to struggle with alcohol sales being reduced significantly.

What would our founding members have thought, back in 1947, had they known that seventy years later driving home from Deeside, having consumed a pint of beer, would be an act of criminality.

George Orwell, obviously, didn’t have John Flett for Maths. He was 30 out in his calculation.

Men’s Hockey

Following the successes of last season, where the 1st XI made a strong challenge near the top of National League 2 and the 3rd XI won the Scottish Hockey Union’s District Plate competition, 2014-15 has been a rather disappointing season on the pitch. To some extent, all teams were hampered by non-availability of and/or injuries to key players, but this mainly affected the 1st team where several of 2013-14’s mainstays had either moved away from Aberdeen or had decided to devote more time to their families, resulting in a much younger and less experienced squad finding it tough in National League 2. Despite playing a lot of excellent hockey, they could not manage to convert

Former Pupils’ Section

possession into goals and consequently finished second bottom of National League division 2, resulting in relegation into division 3 for next year.

Before Christmas, the 2nd and 3rd XIs played in a very sparsely populated National Regional League North Division against Aberdeen teams only, following the withdrawal of the Dundee opposition. The 2nds finished second and the 3rds finished fourth. After Christmas, the same teams competed in a North League Cup competition, with the 2nd XI finishing second and the 3rd XI finishing sixth. The problems caused by a small squad after Christmas meant that the 3rd XI were unable to defend the District Plate, and also contributed to the poor performance in the League Cup competition.

The 4th team played in division 2 of the North District leagues, where they finished third. Consisting mainly of the older members of the club, this team is used to introduce the younger players to senior hockey.

The 5th team, also playing in division 2 of the North District leagues, and consisting of schoolboy and youth players, topped up with the occasional sprinkling of “experience”, finished 6th.

Our team captains for the season were John Dargie (1st XI), Gavin Reid (2nd XI), Mike Watt (3rd XI), Rob Parfitt (4th XI) and Ben Johnson (schoolboys team organiser).

A huge vote of thanks is also due to the youth coaching team : Geoff Weston continues to co-ordinate the Colts and youth players, and Ben Johnson, Fred Lawson, Tony Duguid, John Dargie and Scott Harper have given huge amounts of their time on various evenings during the week at Rubislaw and elsewhere in Aberdeen.

Geoff Weston and Malcolm Ewen took the under-18 youth team to the HDM European under-19 youth tournament in The Hague at Easter, where they finished a very creditable 3rd out of eight very high standard, international teams. This was a fantastic achievement, and something of which all involved should be very proud.

Away from the competitive leagues, we had a very enjoyable and entertaining Grammarians Cup and John Drummond Trophy weekend at the end of November. Honours were shared with the under-16 schoolboys winning the Grammarians Cup and Grammarians winning the John Drummond Trophy. The hockey, lunches and raffle managed to raise approximately £1300 towards our youth hockey activities.

During the season, Murray Bissett was selected to play for Scotland over-50s, who participated in the English Divisional and Home International tournaments, and Alex Morrison was selected for Scotland under-18s. Mitchell Deighton, Robbie Wallace, Jack Taylor, Paul Weston, Harry Leggett, Alex Morrison and Kingshuk Ghosh were all selected to play for North District.

Away from the pitch and onto the social side of things, we held a very successful fund raising race night at the Ashvale Fish Restaurant at the end of February. Just over fifty club members and guests alternated between eating fish suppers and studying the form guide and helped to raise the grand total of £1,400. The same venue has already been booked for another race night on 27th November where we will bring a whole new meaning to “surf and turf”.

We are very grateful for the sponsorship received from Aberdeen Stratlab, Ixar, Relocation Scotland, Quensh and North East Corrosion Engineers.

The AGM was held in the Club Centre on 24th May 2015 when the weather stayed kind enough to allow us to fire up the new barbecue in the garden and hand out the season’s trophies in the afternoon sunshine.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Pétanque

The Section is in good heart with 43 paid-up members in season 2014. All competitions were well attended and, as indicated in last year’s report, we have reverted to holding all of these on Saturdays.

The opening competition, the Triples, was held in May and, while conditions were over-cast, the weather this year stayed dry. Eight teams took part.

In June we held the Peter Tawse Memorial Competition marking the Summer Solstice. Thirty players entered the competition and we had a first, with the final played between Grandfather and Grandson, Ken Pritchard and Mathew Donnelly, with Ken the victor. This was followed by a very fine barbecue, thanks to Lynda, Toby and Katie.

On 19 July we held the Club Petanque challenge Quaich, played between FPs and Collieston Petanque who gave us a close Doubles match and won the Round Robin.

On 23 August we held our Singles and Doubles Competition, followed by another barbecue. Twenty-four members entered the Singles and twelve teams played the Doubles.

The Maurice Chevalier Competition, the last of the season, was held on 6 September and was again a highly enjoyable occasion despite the inclement weather.

On Sunday 7 December we held a Cheese and Wine Party at which the season’s Trophies were presented. Thanks are due to Katie Barnet for providing a lovely spread of food and organising the raffle, to Karen Vass for presenting the Trophies and to Dave Macdonald for the quiz.

The following are the results of the 2015 competitions:

Singles Championship

Winner: David Stuart

Runner-up: Peter Henderson

Doubles Championship

Winners: Christy and Ian Esslemont

Runners-up: Jenny and Stuart Duncan

Triples

Winners: Peter Henderson, David Earp and Graeme Craig

Runners-up: Katie Barnett, Roger Bartlett and Steve Esson

Peter Tawse Memorial Trophy (Summer Solstice)

Winner: Ken Pritchard

Runner-up: Matthew Donnelly

Members of the Section were very saddened in March 2014 when they learned of the death of Ronnie Comber, who was a founder member of the Section in 1985, and who had himself won many of our competitions. His widow, Joan, has donated Ronnie’s boule to the Section and a Trophy in his memory has been created from the boule.

We were also sad to learn of the untimely passing of Maggie Tirey, an enthusiastic member of the Section.

Former Pupils’ Section

Office Bearers: Captain: Alistair Ritchie

Secretary/Treasurer: Karen Vass Rugby

1st XV Playing Report

The picture gallery and match reports may be viewed at aberdeenrugby.org.uk

Pre-season commenced in July 2014 under the direction of head coach Stuart Corsar assisted by Rob Currie, Thomas Pinet and Ali Barron. It became obvious from the start of training that the number of 1st team players expected to leave the club after our relegation was far greater than expected. As well as the eight listed in last year's report a further eight players moved on to a variety of clubs or moved from Aberdeen. Another distraction was the rise of Aberdeenshire Rugby Club who, by implementing a pay per play structure, attracted a couple of our 1st team squad to head across the City.

The Club Captain was Doug Russell, who had played at the club since the age of five and is the first Grammar Former Pupil to hold the position in over a decade. He performed his duties with good humour and dedication and was a great help to the coaching staff as well as to the committee.

Pre-season saw a comfortable win at Perthshire followed by a crushing defeat at Stirling after parity for the first twenty minutes. A number of injuries reduced the team to thirteen players, with one of the injuries putting our fastest winger, Calum Gordon, out for the entire season with a broken shoulder.

The season started with an exciting 26-26 draw at Stewarts Melville but thereafter a combination of the loss of those sixteen first team players in the close season and the large number of players being tried in various positions, some of which moves worked but many of which failed, produced some poor results. A run of five defeats left the club sitting in the relegation zone once again. At game six a more settled squad (mainly the Seconds from the previous season) began to develop and as the season progressed the team began to play fast attacking rugby, culminating in an excellent 30 - 26 away win at Watsonians in March. The development of the raw young squad over the season was heartening to watch and our coach did well in his first season in charge, as his task was far more onerous than he first anticipated due to the exodus of players.

We played 22 league games, won 9, lost 12 and drew one match, scoring over 500 points but conceding as many. The second half of the season provided evidence of improvement and our aim to 'steady the ship' after relegation from the Premiership was achieved with a mid- table finish of seventh place out of twelve, with 51 points from 22 games.

Our top try scorer was Ali Mackie, our number 8, who scored eleven tries and has shown great improvement over the season. International honours at U-18/U-19/U-20 were achieved by flanker Chris Jollands, No. 8 Ali Mackie and prop Murray McCallum.

We are delighted to have International players in the squad, but the downside is that Murray McCallum has been signed by Edinburgh on a level 3 contract. He has been allocated to Heriots and we wish him all the best in his professional rugby career.

Our Club Player of the Year was Morgan Ward who filled in for the previous first team captain, Greig Ryan, who was unable to train or play for most of the season due to work commitments, before leaving us for Aberdeenshire. Morgan had an outstanding season and helped mold the young players who stepped up to the first team.

2nd & 3rd XVs

After the loss of so many of our first team players the playing squad was so depleted that we had to withdraw the 3rd XV from the Caledonia North 3 League. Most of these players moved into the second XV to replace those who graduated to the first XV.

National Reserve League 1 was always going to be a tough challenge as the league is populated by the Premiership clubs who fill their Second teams with first team players who are displaced by professional players released to them by Glasgow and Edinburgh and the Scotland 7's teams.

The squad ran the course of the league, beating Watsonians in the opening fixture and running Ayr and Heriots close, but in the main were heavily beaten most weeks. Prior to the season commencing Selkirk withdrew their 2nd team as they did not want to play in a league with so many Premiership 1st team players. We persevered, and the experience will have toughened up some of the young players who moved up from the Thirds and make them stronger for the seasons ahead. The players have to be congratulated for sticking to a very hard task over a 22-game season.

Youth Report

U-18s

The Caley North U-18 League was a bit of a wash-out this season, not least because of a lack of decent pitches in Aberdeen. With an 8-team league, there should have been fourteen games played, however only seven matches were played, of which we won five, and lost two with points for 195, points against 78, and finishing in fifth place. Fielding a team was not an issue but, due to ground call-offs in Aberdeen and other clubs, such as Caithness, being unable to field a side we ended up playing fewer games than any other team in the League. The top team, Gordonstoun School, played 10 won 10.

In the Cup competitions, we lost to Ellon narrowly in the second round of the Caley Cup and dropped into the Plate which we won, beating Orkney in the final. We won the Sid Clark Quaich at the Madras 7s.

We played a total of fifteen games in the season, including friendlies, winning eleven and losing four. But fifteen games in a season is not really enough! All in all it was a reasonably good season with a good squad, only hampered by a lack of front-row players.

We benefited from Dual Registering with Ellon, being able to play the dualregistered Ellon players in the front row as otherwise we would possibly have struggled to complete fixtures in the latter part of the season

U-16s

Like the U-18s the U-16 Caley league was disappointing. In an 8-team league the team played a total of five matches, winning three, losing two and finishing in fourth place. The maximum number of games played by any one team was seven. The League was similarly disrupted due to fixture call offs, weather issues etc. In the Cup competitions we lost to Mackie in the Caledonia Cup 2nd round. We dropped into the Plate, losing to Caithness in the 2nd round.

We played a total of thirteen games in the season, including friendlies, winning seven and losing six. Again, thirteen games in a season is not really enough!

Former Pupils’ Section

On the positive front there was a good core group of lads all season who started the season well after a good joint pre-season with the U-18s and seniors. Team morale is good, they enjoyed their rugby, and they should move up to U-18s in a positive frame of mind, knowing that they can beat most teams in the region.

U-15s.

Unlike the U-18s and U-16s the U-15 Caley League was successful. In a 12-team league the team played a total of ten matches, winning eight, losing two and finishing third. In the Cup competitions we lost to Stirling in the Caledonia Cup Semi-Finals, dropped into the Plate and beat Dunfermline in the final to win the Plate. The squad trained all through the winter, and if the grounds were shut or frozen they used the area near the beach and trained on – a good example to some of the other sections.

S1s and S2s: The S1 section is well attended with a squad of twenty-five players and growing. The S2 squad has similar number. It was a mixed season, disrupted by weather and other clubs only able to play a mixed age group team.

There is good squad morale and the kids are enjoying their rugby.

The Future

There are new SRU proposals for next season which are still under review and awaiting final ratification from the SRU. These proposals will have a major impact on the future of our Youth Section. For Club leagues and School leagues children at the top end (Tier 1 - 3) will play in one or other but not both. The proposals have been presented to the Chief Executive and the SRU Council who are due to report back to the clubs soon.

A Youth Committee must be set up before the start of the season, covering all age groups from Minis to U-18, with responsibility for assisting in fixture arrangements, dealing with coaching issues, facilities and training issues, Festivals and Tournaments, representation at local rugby meetings and liaising with the Senior Club. If this is not done, and insufficient volunteers come forward to support such a committee consideration will be given as to the future of the Youth Section as a whole. The whole structure of youth/school rugby is changing, with an emphasis on schools playing rugby and producing a larger pool of players. We have renewed our offer to Aberdeen Grammar School to provide ten hours each week of coaching to help re-establish the game within the School and we await a positive response.

As with youth rugby, nothing stands still in Scottish rugby and the new Caledonia Academy has opened at Hillhead of Seaton with a staff of five full-time managers, coaches, physios etc. This will take between three and five years to have an impact on the quality of players in Scotland, and our Club has assisted in the use of facilities and we are keen to assist in the development of the game and players. As always, the lack of rugby facilities in the City is a major issue and the promised G3 pitch at the Aberdeen Sports Village now appears to be two years behind schedule, with 2017 the likely opening date of the all-weather floodlit pitch.

The SRU issued guidance on the legal structures of Clubs, with particular emphasis on the top-end clubs, who are spending on average £176,000 per annum running rugby clubs in National 1. It is no longer acceptable to be an unincorporated association and like many other clubs (such as Stewarts Melville and Dundee in our league) steps are being taken to alter the status of clubs to charitable bodies or companies limited by guarantee. Our club has now become Aberdeen Rugby Ltd as the umbrella entity

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

controlling the operation of Aberdeen Grammar Rugby. This gives protection to committee members and allows us to contract staff, own property and enter into commercial contracts. This was approved on 4 June 2015 and accepted by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Club maintains its links to the School, Rubislaw and the F.P. Club Centre. This alteration also allows us to be transparent with funding streams from Sport Scotland, Aberdeen City Council and the Scottish Rugby Union, as the club is now totally open and has no overseeing body with a closed membership (this debars applications for funding in most cases).

The formation of the four regional academies and the vote by the Premiership clubs to move to an 8-team league means that clubs which do not grow or combine resources will not reach the top level. The funding available in the Premiership is substantial, with a baseline in the region of 100k from the SRU for coaching, medical, support staff etc. If we do not grow the club and reach this level the financial loss will be substantial and the disparity will grow season upon season.

For the season ahead we have re-signed Tony McGinness (7) from New Zealand, Hamilton Burr (5) who is returning to Scotland from Melbourne Rebels, John loane (12) from New Zealand and Chris Patience (3) who has returned from England. We have the services of Stuart Corsar and Rob Currie, and a number of other coaches are in discussion with the club.

The collapse of the oil price and the impact on our sponsors has caused a substantial drop in income to the club last season and it will be worse for the season coming. Some on the committee provide substantial financial input to the club and any member who feels that they can assist by sponsoring the club should contact Diane Dow or Gordon Thomson if they can assist us in returning Aberdeen Grammar Rugby to the Premiership before the league is reduced in size, with the threat of a moratorium on promotion being imposed for several seasons.

Women’s Hockey

At the end of the season, for the first time in years, the League matches finished as scheduled, before the end of April. Thank goodness the teams were not due to have games this May or the season would still be running into July given the weather experienced in May! Having started the year with some concerns over player numbers and injuries, the season has gone remarkably smoothly. The Captains and ViceCaptains, Fiona Spence, Birgi Legge, Wendy Bruce and Sheila Reid, did a fantastic job of keeping everyone informed of game times and venues and ensured that this season has been a success for all the girls involved.

This season has been particularly pleasing with respect to the number of younger players who have pushed into the first and second teams, both outdoors and indoors. Sincere thanks go to Gillian Graham, Martin Fraser, Kym Fraser, Andy Deady, Alasdair Freeman and others for their help with schoolgirl coaching at the School. The future is even brighter as we also see a huge increase in the number of primary school players beginning their hockey careers with FPs’ own Emma Mair, Tony Duguid, Ben Johnson, Howard Smith and Fred Lawson guiding them. The AGSFP Women’s Section has also directly benefited from a very supportive set of parents working with us and the children across all the age groups. Long may these relationships be strong.

Former Pupils’ Section

Eileen Mutch and the Committee have done a super job of keeping things on track this year. Keeping on top of all the requirements of running a hockey club is no mean feat and the Committee has had many added pressures to handle this season. The new Committee has been elected and the continuity of having Jo Rice as the Treasurer again will be a huge help to the Club.

As has been the case for five seasons now AGSFPs have entered one team in North District Division One and one team in North District Division Two in both the outdoor and indoor leagues. Other Clubs have expanded and travelled in the National Leagues but recent research shows they then have to travel six times further than their National League opponents in the duration of a season. In fact in further research it would appear that FPs have to travel further to play in the North Leagues than teams from Glasgow have to travel to play in the National Leagues!

The playing highlight of this season was the 1st Indoor team winning the Indoor Cup early in January and then finishing as runners-up in the Indoor League. In fairness to them, critical players missing just a couple of matches probably cost them the League title. The team thoroughly enjoyed the season and Fiona Spence captained them with enthusiasm and true grit as always. The second indoor team had their first year playing a full season in the RGU Sports Hall. The court is huge and new rules meant that under18s had to be on the pitch at all times, exposing them to further pressure early on. The team acquitted themselves very well and enjoyed their hockey. More training is planned for next season as the more the girls play the more benefit the Club sees both indoors and outdoors!

Outdoor Season

The 1st XI had a challenging season. The team thanks Fiona (and Birgi) for all her efforts in getting the players and umpires to the right places on the right days. As has been the case for the last few seasons, Fiona’s job has been made harder with the playing personnel available to her being less flexible in their availability than they once were. In particular in the first half of the season the team lost crucial players to injury and other commitments meaning some of the youngsters were thrown in at the deep end with little notice.

The team finished lower down the table than usual but some of the points lost were in very close matches which gives the girls plenty to work on next season. A brighter start to next season’s campaign should be enough to get the team challenging for the league title next season. The girls did beat the league winners this time!

Results: Played 16 Won 6 Drawn 2 Lost 8

Goals For 30 Goals Against 28

Points Deducted 0 Points 20

The 2nd XI can be very proud of their performances this season as older members supported the younger ones coming through. Wendy and Sheila encouraged the players with their usual amazing enthusiasm. They are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to getting enough players to each game! The team will continue in Division 2 next season, which allows the younger players the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence at the top end of the table. Fourth in the League is a great finish. The Club is very proud of them.

Results: Played 14 Won 7 Drawn 2 Lost 5

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Goals For 50 Goals Against 32

Points Deducted 0 Points 23

Indoor Update

The 1st V had an excellent run in the indoor season and, as described earlier, won the Indoor Cup and finished second in the League. A couple of draws (unusual in the fast and furious indoor leagues) cost them the title. It was a particularly satisfying finish, as there were some very tough matches.

Results: Played 8 Won 5 Drawn 2 Lost 1

Goals For 33 Goals Against 22 Points 17

The 2nd V really enjoyed their indoor season and had every right to be proud of their performances. The rules will change again next year and Clubs will play indoor matches with six players on the pitch, which will improve things for the second team in particular. The RGU Sports Hall takes its toll on players, and the recent rule change to having only five players on the pitch at a time was hardest felt by those in Division Two. Reverting to six players will allow a much more balanced game and hopefully some preseason indoor training will boost the girls’ chances further.

Results: Played 10 Won 4 Drawn 0 Lost 6

Goals For 40 Goals Against 49 Points 12

Other highlights of the season were the School first XI versus the President’s XI fixture and for this the teams took to Rubislaw late in April. Luckily the weather was kind and the match was played in glorious sunshine and in a great atmosphere. It was enjoyed thoroughly by the players and spectators alike. Again the President’s XI was triumphant (it was a close one this year!) but the School team gave the team plenty to think about and scored good goals.

In other news, two of our players, Helen Bruce and Sheila Reid, have been selected to play for Scotland in Masters Teams in four Nations events in the summer. The Club is immensely proud of them and their dedication to hockey. Well done to them both! The Club would also like to wish the School leavers well. For those who have played for the Club over the last few seasons, you will be sorely missed. Keep playing hockey, good luck with your studies and come back soon!

Finally, many thanks are due to the girls’ coach, Murray Bissett, for his tireless encouragement at training in all manner of weathers. Also without the umpires there would be no hockey so heartfelt thanks to Gillian Graham, Martin Fraser, Bob Dixon among many others for all your efforts in this regard.

As ever, if you are keen to take up hockey again or even if you have never played before, you are very welcome to come along to training to see how you get on. Training is on Tuesday evenings at Rubislaw from 7.00pm – 8.30pm and starts on the second Tuesday in August.

For further information contact:

Emma Mair, Secretary,

emma.mair14@gmail.com

Annual Dinner

Former Pupils’ Section

The Annual Dinner was once more held in the Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel on Friday 27 March 2015. The attendance was slightly higher than in the previous year, but there is still room for improvement in this regard. Those present included, in tribute to the President, a good representation of the Women’s Hockey Section who can always be relied upon to be in party mood. As is the usual practice there were representatives from other Former Pupils’ Clubs both local and from further afield. Rector, Graham Legge, was present and was accompanied by Head Boy, Christopher Levitt, and Head Girl, Ailsa Johnston. Also present were eight of the Club’s Honorary Vice-Presidents.

The President of the Club, Margery Taylor, was in the chair and, with the assistance of the Vice-President, Douglas McAllister, kept the evening’s proceedings flowing in an orderly manner. An excellent meal was enjoyed, and the company then contributed to a raffle of several generously donated prizes.

The principal toast, to “The School and the Club” was proposed by Meldrum Edwards, son of the renowned Freddy Edwards, who reflected on his own “Lifetime of running, inspired by Aberdeen Grammar School”. This was illustrated by a skilfully crafted power-point presentation showing many of the highlights of Mel’s athletic experience. It also included the classic photograph of the legendary Dally Allardyce flying, apparently horizontally, into a tackle in a 1st XV match at Rubislaw.

Replying on behalf of the School, for the last time before his retiral, the Rector reported with satisfaction that the School is in the top 10% of Scottish schools for all measures of academic achievement. In the previous session 64% of leavers went to University, 19% to the North-East College and 15% directly into work. He remarked on the attendance of a party of senior pupils at one of the Referendum debates in Glasgow, on the Concert Band’s Gold Award and on the fact that the school was the only Scottish state school to reach the Oxford and Cambridge debate.

The Head Girl and Head Boy shared their reply on behalf of the School giving a flavour of the wide variety of sporting activities available to today’s pupils and to the number of extra-mural clubs and societies meeting their needs.

Replying for the Club, President Margery reflected on her own sporting career and on the honour which she felt at being elected by the Club as its President. She remarked on the pleasure derived from visiting the Club’s Centres, singling out her trip to Canada as a particular highlight.

Douglas McAllister, Chairman of the Executive, expressed a vote of thanks to the President and to all who had contributed to the success of the evening, mentioning in particular Neil Lawrie who had organised the function, and the hotel staff who had looked after the company’s needs in courteous fashion.

The following FPs attended the Dinner (in order of entering School): B.K. Crookshanks (193446), H.B. Paterson (1941-50), J.M. Jeffrey (1942-57), A.K.Campbell (1944-53), D.R. Harper (1944-58), J.A.C. Michie (1944-58), D.Galloway (1944-58), W.M. Murray (1945-54), M.B. Edwards (1946-60), J.B. Davidson (1947-60), M.W.R. Gauld (1947-61), M.L. Wolkoff (1947-59), H.A.B. Will (1948-61), N. Ironside (1949-61), A.D. Milne (1950-58), I.H. McLeod (1951-55), N.K. Borthwick (1952-65). R.Gray (1951-65), M.S. Davidson (1952-56), I.W. Douglas (1952-57), W.R. Hutcheon (1953-58), J.C. Lyon (1953-59), K.G. Jones (1957-66), F.I. Lloyd (1958-65), D. Skene (1959-64), N.J.G. Lawrie (1961-74), D. McAllister (1961-74), N.G.M. Watt (1963-69), D. Moir (1969-75), G.C.C. Henderson (1971-78), B.A. Blacklaws (1974-79), M.G. Taylor (1975-81), G.K. Crookshanks (1979-85), D.R.D. Wallis (1979-85), H.. Wallis (1981-87), R.MacLennan (1981-87), T.J.H. Menzies (1981-87), L. Brooks (1984-90), J. Lockhart (1984-90), E. Webster (1984-90), P. Alderson (1985-90), E.A. Mair (1985-91), L. Watson (1985-90), W. Bradford (1990-

95), G.M.E. Graham (1991-97), C. Fettes (2002-08), S. Steel (2002-08), L. Souter (2002-08) and M. Henderson (2006-12), The Rector, Mr Graeme Legge, was also present.

The Class of 1951 - 65

Back Row: Richard Dempsey, Malcolm Rennie, Dave Smith, George Farquhar, Patrick Scott(Staff)

Second Row: Bill Williams (Staff), Brian Mair, Pete Rankine, Bill Cameron, Alan Merrilees, Jack Main, Alan Campbell, Richard Rae

Former Pupils’ Section

Third Row: Ian Quigley, Richard Shirreffs, Donald Lamont, Steve Esson, Graeme Munro (Staff), George Letts, Fred Lloyd, Bobby Gauld

Fourth Row: Halsey Bradford, Harry Millar, Lawrence Tough, Norman Edwards, Roddy Anderson, Harvey Morrison, Neil Borthwick, Bill Leiper

Front Row: Martyn Batchelor, Al Clark, Roger Houghton, Derek Walker, Russell Gray, Bruce Drummond, Pete Collier, Mike Colvin, Richard Reece, Roddy McDonald

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

RE-UNIONS

The Class of 1951 to 1965

A Reunion was held on the weekend of 26 to 28 June, 2015 to celebrate exactly fifty years from the 1965 School leaving date of a large contingent of our group.

Friday’s hill walking, golf and snooker were cancelled due to an inclement weather forecast, a lack of numbers and a lack of interest, but the much acclaimed Old Aberdeen walking tour went ahead with 26 attendees on the Saturday morning in beautiful sunshine. Dave Robertson, our classmate and couthie guide, was informative and amusing in equal doses and the morning and early afternoon stroll was deemed a huge success.

We ambled through the burgh, gaining a wonderful sense of history and viewing a mixture of architectural styles, while being regaled with tales of the various landmarks. These included the Snow Kirk, Powis Gate, King’s College Chapel and Bishop Elphinstone’s Tomb, the Sir Duncan Rice Library, the MacRobert Memorial Garden, the Mercat Cross and the Old Town House.

Two hours later, outside the Machar Bar, Dave said “this is where the tour ends and I will leave you now .....or…we could continue inside if you wish”. No one needed a second invitation and there followed a lively singsong and a few beverages. Malcolm Rennie, protesteth too much when asked for a party piece .... “my singing voice deserted me several years ago, David” .... but a mere thirty seconds later gave us a word-perfect rendition of ‘A Pair o’ Nicky Tams,’ – the full seven verses.

Forty souls, including three staff, attended the Saturday night Dinner in the Thistle Caledonian Hotel. Initially in the bar, over aperitifs, there were a few whispered “who’s that with the candy-stripe jacket / bad hip / receding hair / George Hamilton tan”, but once introductions were made, friendships renewed and drinks purchased, the evening progressed wonderfully well.

The programme comprised a “Welcome” from Harry Millar, our Head Boy, “Reflections” from Alan Campbell (not a Prefect) and a “Vote of Thanks” from Donald Lamont, our Deputy Head Boy.

Those present were Roderick Anderson, Martyn Batchelor, Neil Borthwick, Halsey Bradford, William Cameron, Alan Campbell, Alistair Clark, Peter Collier, Mike Colvin, Richard Cowling, Richard Dempsey, Bruce Drummond, Norman Edwards, Steve Esson, George Farquhar, Robert Gauld, Russell Gray, Roger Houghton, David Lamont, William Leiper, George Letts, Fred Lloyd, Jack Main, Brian Mair, Roderick McDonald, Alan Merrilees, Harry Millar, Harvey Morrison, Ian Quigley, Richard Rae, Peter Rankine, Richard Reece, Malcolm Rennie, Richard Shirreffs, Dave Smith, Laurence Tough, Derek Walker, G Munro (staff), Patrick Scott (staff), William Williams (staff).

At the same time, but at a different venue, Ethel, the partner of Norman Edwards, organised and hosted a social evening for the wives and partners.

On Sunday, a family brunch was organised at the FP Club Centre. The food provided was excellent, the company congenial and all the participants left hoping to be around to celebrate the next reunion.

Mike Colvin

Former Pupils’ Section

A happy group of Canadian FPs with their Year 58 visitors

In September of this year a group of Former Pupils who had left School in 1958 were all celebrating their 75th birthdays at this time and marked this significant event by arranging to holiday in Western Canada. The trip was timed to enable them to attend the annual Canadian FP Centre reunion weekend, which this year took place on Vancouver Island. They travelled independently, some with wives, so as to visit the various resorts in the area such as Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper and admire the magnificent scenery of the Rocky Mountains. FPs in Calgary ensured that the delights of that city were explored and one couple enjoyed a conducted tour of Banff and its National Park.

The group met up with the Canadian FPs at the Friday evening ‘get together’ and spent the rest of the weekend as part of the Reunion. The photograph above shows an obviously very happy company. All reports indicate a high degree of satisfaction with the trip – a first of its kind for FPs –and lasting memories – and photographic records – will be treasured.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

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 period 2015 to 2019 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 which 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 is 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 have responded very positively. These payments are a vital part of the Club’s income.

Subscription rates for 2015 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

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, John Michie, who will also deal with all queries about Membership, changes of address etc: His address is:

387 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6BX.

Tel: 01224 – 585312

Email: membership@agsfp.com

Former Pupils’ Section

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 2014 was £491 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.

New Members of the Club – 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

Annual Members

David Cowie (1972-78)

Douglas W. Gibb (1974-78)

Kieran McDonald (2006-12)

Congratulations to the following members of the Club who will attain the age of 75 during 2015 and so will become Long Service Members on 1st January 2016.

Life Members

Bruce S. Allan 1952-58

David L. Allan 1945-58

Michael R. Auld 1943-58

Edward Anderson 1945-57

William Balfour 1949-58

Neil K. Buxton 1948-58

J. Peter Cairns 1943-57

John P. Cook 1948-55

Mitchell S. Davidson 1952-56

Brian R. Donald 1944-58

Douglas J. Fettes 1953-59

David B. Galloway 1944-58

Douglas R. Harper 1944-58

Alexander J.F. Home 1952-58

Leslie Ironside 1944-57

William W. Leiper 1944-55

Colin S. McIntosh 1952-58

And. Marjoribanks 1952-58

John A.C. Michie 1944-58

Alan D. Milne 1950-58

Stuart F. Robertson !947-58

Douglas F. Ross 1945-58

Charles G.T. Scott 1946-59

George G.G.Shirriffs 1947-57

Gordon B. Singer 1949-50

James G.G. Watt 1950-56

William Yule 1945-58

Annual Members

Edward Anderson 1945-57

Alastair M.M. Beattie 1944-57

Arthur Dickie 1952-58

Ivor W. Douglas 1952-57

William Y. Doverty 1943-58

A. Stuart D. Fraser 1944-57

Alastair J. Garvie 1946-56

Stewart T. Leslie 1945-58

David W. Levack 1944-57

William M. Rae 1946-58

Magnus Stewart 1952-58

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Long Service Members

For several years now we have published the names of our Nonagenarians. Sadly, one of these died in the past year, but six others have been added to the list 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:-

James R. Guy 1924-36 2 July 1919

Donald D. Pennie 1928-37 12 October 1919

Geeorge C. Hadden 1925-37 22 May 1920

Harry S.W. Golding 1926-37 15 January 1921

Joseph Craig 1926-39 29 September 1921

Eric G. Sangster 1927-39 3 May 1922

Ian B. Taylor 1933-40 6 June 1922

Gordon F. Hendry 1927-39 7 June 1922

Robert J. Armstrong 1934-41 25 July 1922

Luther K. Smith 1928-40 1 February 1923

Alexander C. Thomson 1930-41 30 June 1923

Eric Johnston 1935-40 15 October 1923

Neil C. Irvine 1928-34 12 January 1924

George Stephen 1936-42 4 March 1924

Robert J. Bain 1929-41 13 April 1924

Joseph Farquharson 1929-43 27 April 1924

Harry B.T. McLaren 1929-40 13 August 1924

William A.C. Robertson 1936-42 12 October 1924

Francis W. Alexander 1935-42 16 November 1924

George M. Anderson 1930-42 18 November 1924

Robert M. Grant 1941-43 21 November 1924

Alastair G. Robertson 1930-40 30 November 1924

Peter Rennie 1938-43 29 December 1924

Frederick J. Meldrum 1929-41 2 April 1925

John C.G. Brown 1930-42 10 May 1925

Roy Brown 1932-43 29 July 1925

Michael P. Littlejohn 1939-43

Ellis M. Philip 1937-43

September 1925

October 1925

Alastair H. Tawse 1930-43 31December 1925

Former Pupils’ Section NOTES about FORMER PUPILS

Honours and Awards

Member of the British Empire

Stuart Devine (1982-88) was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2015 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his services to the seafood industry and to charity. He became a trainee manager of The Fish Restaurant soon after leaving school and ten years later was named as its operations director. He is a qualified trainer and assessor for the Sea Fish Industry Authority Customer Service Award and is vicechairman of the Scottish Seafood Training Association. He actively promotes the use of sustainably-caught fish from well-managed fisheries and is a committee member of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. His business hosts regular fund-raising events and has raised over £600,000 for charity in the last couple of years

Alastair Hislop Hume (1936-47) was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2015 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his services to Fisheries Management and Angling in the North-east of Scotland. He is a founder member of The Aberdeen & District Angling Association and of the Scottish Anglers’ National Association, and is a director of the River Dee Trust.

Eric Hamilton Crockart (1965-71) MA has been Convener of the Business Committee of Aberdeen University since 2014, having been Vice-convener for the previous four years. He was, from 1982, a BBC news reporter working on high-profile stories. He held offices as a lay official and negotiator for the National Union of Journalists. After leaving the BBC in 2008 he became a self-employed media consultant, writer and trainer. Having been a member of the Musicians’ Union since 1980 he maintains his dexterity on piano, guitar and horn.

Gordon Kenneth Crookshanks (1979-85) has been a pilot with Bristow Helicopters for the past twenty-five years, most recently combining his North Sea flights to oil installations with the duties of a training captain. The company having been awarded the national Search & Rescue contract he has now moved to that division of the company and is based at Dalcross Airport, Inverness.

Meldrum Barclay Edwards (1946-60) MBE, BSc has played a major part in setting up the Myeloma Support Group in Aberdeen which works in conjunction with Clan Cancer Support in the city to provide help for those coping with a diagnosis of myeloma, a form of bone cancer, and their family members and carers.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Douglas Robert Harper (1944-58) continues to enjoy retirement in Monymusk. Over the last few years he has been researching the bridge building activities of his greatgrandfather John and grandfather Louis (1881-83) which have taken him all over the UK and abroad. His book, River, Railway and Ravine: Foot Suspension Bridges for Empire, is to be published this summer by The History Press.

Eric Johnston (1935-40) who served in the 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards during the 193945 War, and whose book Reflections of a Tank Trooper (Retd.) was reviewed in the last issue of the Magazine was one of twelve D-Day veterans selected to have their portraits painted for the exhibition “The Last of the Tide”. The portraits were commissioned by the Prince of Wales and will be part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace.

David Law (2002-08) continues his successful golf career, which began while he was a pupil at the School. He won the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre North-east Open in 2014 for the second time. He won this tournament as an amateur in 2011 and finished second in the last two years. On this occasion he had a three-stroke winning margin. He is regularly in competition at tournaments around the world and also finds time to contribute as a sports journalist to the columns of The Press & Journal

Kate Longmuir (2002-08) LL.B graduated from Aberdeen University with an Honours degree in Law and after obtaining her Diploma in Legal Practice was a trainee solicitor with Ledingham Chalmers in Aberdeen. She recently moved to take up a post with Pinsent Mason in their Edinburgh office. In October 2014 she and a fellow trainee took part in a sponsored team challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. They had to cover a distance of 45 miles, climb almost 20,000 feet and endure overnight temperatures as low as -20C during the night. The object of their efforts was to raise funds for Cornerstone.

Kenneth George McHattie (1968-73) LL.B, CA, who has for the past year been vicepresident of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for Scotland, has been appointed as deputy president. A qualified solicitor and chartered accountant, he worked with venture capitalist group 3i before becoming a partner of Ledingham Chalmers. After a long involvement with the oil industry, he is chairman of Aurora Petroleum.

David Alexander McLeod (1973-79) has recently been appointed by EnerMech, the energy service firm, as its regional director for the Middle East and Caspian region. He was most recently senior director in charge of global quality systems and quality strategy for Halliburton with whom he has spent the past thirty years. He has worked variously in the UK, the USA, Gabon, Nigeria, Malaysia and Australasia.

John McLeod (1946-50) was honoured last year by a series of concerts in celebration of his eightieth birthday. The Aberdeen concert featured two young musicians, a guitarist and a pianist paying tribute to the work of someone recognised as one of Scotland’s most prolific composers. The series of concerts took place throughout the UK, in various parts of Europe and as far afield as Australia. John recalls that when a teacher at School asked him what he wanted to do and was told that he wanted to be a musician, the response was ‘For God’s sake do not do that, you’ll never make it’.

Former Pupils’ Section

John Alexander Charles Michie (1944-58) CA has been elected by Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce as one of its representatives on its policy council.

John Gillan Mitchell (1990-96) LL.B who has been a solicitor with Aberdeen-based Ledingham Chalmers for several years, has recently been assumed as a partner in the firm. He completed his traineeship with the former firm of Adam Cochrane before taking up a post with A. & W.M. Urquhart in Edinburgh.

Murray George Horley Pittock (1973-78) D.Litt is now the Pro Vice-Principal of the University of Glasgow. His responsibilities include delivering the University’s part in the Kelvin Hall project, a unique access, wellbeing, teaching and research partnership in museums, sport, collections and film between the University, Glasgow Museums, Glasgow Sport and the National Library of Scotland, due to open in autumn 2016.

James Merrylees Rae (1963-71) MA set up his own consultancy practice in 2000, his particular interest being in public relations and government affairs. Five years ago he founded his specialist oilfield decommissioning company, D-Comms (Scotland). After a long career working on some of the most challenging de-commissioning projects in the North Sea he has become convener of the Capturing the Energy project which aims to collect and preserve oil and gas firms’ important records as a social history of the North Sea. He works with companies which are investing billions in clearing away old infrastructure, and sustainably re-using materials is a key value driving his work.

David Thomas Graeme Reid (1975-80), who was reported two years ago as having bought the Bridge of Dee Bar in Holburn Street, Aberdeen has now made his second purchase of licensed premises in the city by acquiring the Kittybrewster Bar and Ashgrove Lounge in Powis Terrace. Both premises are run by his Doric Pub Company. David was previously a property agent, most recently as a partner in Knight Frank, estate agents, and before that as a director of Christie & Co. He still carries out some property work for a few specific clients.

David Scott (1987-93) LL.B, who is a partner in Aberdeen law firm Ledingham Chalmers, has been running marathons for several years but has now progressed to ultramarathons, a distance longer than the standard. In the summer of 2014 he ran the 41mile Wolftrek and the Speyside Way ultra, followed by a 31-mile run round the entire Wild Dolphin Display which had been mounted at various locations around Aberdeen. This last was to raise funds for the ARCHIE Foundation.

Peter James Sharp (1964-77) LL.B has been elected as a vice-president of the board of Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce. He was formerly senior litigation partner in Aberdeen law firm Ledingham Chalmers but is now a consultant with Pinsent Mason in the city.

Colin Gordon Taylor (1958-63) is currently the Dean of Guild of the City of Aberdeen. Colin retired in 2006 after over forty years as an insurance broker, over thirty of these years being spent in Aberdeen. He was admitted as a Burgess of Guild in 1986 and was appointed as an Assessor to the Guild in 2004. He then served as Senior Assessor to the

previous Dean for seven years. He was installed as Dean for a four-year term in May 2014. His term of office has included presiding over the celebration of 800th anniversary of the founding of the Aberdeen Guild.

Colin is a director and Deputy Chairman of Sport Aberdeen and immediate pastChairman of Aberdeen & District Cerebral Palsy Association. He has been President of Junior Chamber Aberdeen, President of the Insurance Institute of Aberdeen, Chairman of the Royal Northern & University Club, Aberdeen and a director of Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce. Last year he was presented with a Scottish Samurai Award.

Marriages

Hendry (1996-2002) – At Haddo House on 27 September 2014 Richard Oliver Lee, son of Mr & Mrs Tom Lee, Reading to Lorna Margaret Hendry, younger daughter of John Fraser Hendry (1951-65) and of Mrs Hendry, 25 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen

Obituaries

David Nicol Angus (1943-53) MA died on 18 June 2014 in Shaftsbury aged 79. He came to the North-east with his parents when his father, a country schoolmaster, moved to Arnage, near Ellon. In 1943 his father and brother died within three months of each other. His mother, Mrs Stella Angus, moved to Peterculter and David became a pupil in the Lower School. Shortly afterwards his mother took up a temporary teaching post in the Lower School which became permanent. She retired in 1966.

David studied at Aberdeen University, graduating with honours in Latin-English in 1958. He then became a trainee manager with London Transport, becoming a railway operating executive, based in London on completion of his training. He retired several years ago and lived latterly in Shaftsbury

Eric Mackenzie Bird (1934-39) died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 31 January 2015 aged 93. Soon after leaving School he was mobilised in the Royal Air Force, and served as a radio/wireless mechanic in various spheres of operations. On demobilisation he joined Aberdeen Savings Bank with whom he spent his entire career, latterly, and for several years, as manager of the St Machar Branch in Aberdeen.

George Harley DeLeurere (1957-58) died peacefully at his home in Hendricks, West Virginia on 13 September 2014 aged 73. Born in Gary, Indiana, he lived in Hobart when his father received a short-term appointment in Aberdeen in 1957. After his return to the States he studied for the Methodist ministry, graduating in 1962 from Allison College. His fifty-plus years in ministry began in 1962, forty of these years as pastor of Hendricks Free Methodist Church. He was known as a devoted pastor who never knew a stranger and who shared the gospel until the day he died.

Harley worked for several years for the CSX and Western Maryland Railroad and collected Lionel trains. All who knew him knew that his three great loves, in order, were God, family and trains.

Harley is survived by his wife, Sharon, with whom he celebrated their Ruby wedding just two weeks before his death, by two sons, two daughters and four grandchildren. His brother Armand Pierre DeLeurere also attended School in 1957-58.

Former Pupils’ Section

William Harley Dey (1942-44) BSc(Eng) died peacefully in hospital in Haddington in December 2014 following a long illness. He was aged 87. The younger son of Rev. James R. Dey of Kelman Memorial Church, Peterculter, his early education was at Culter but he moved to the Grammar from Culter Higher Grade School at age 15 to enter Modern IV. He went up to Aberdeen University to study civil engineering, graduating in 1947. He then spent two years on military service with a commission in the Royal Engineers, serving with 36th Army Engineering Regiment, mainly on construction work. After demobilisation he joined Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons, civil engineering contractors.

He worked for a time in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire but later his responsibilities took him all over the world supervising large building projects including, for a spell, in the Falkland Islands. The final projects in which he was involved were on Scottish sites and he took up residence in Haddington, Midlothian near his elder brother. He retired nearly thirty years ago.

Bill is survived by his wife, a son and daughter and two grandchildren. His brother James Alexander Dey (1935-38) predeceased him.

William Sainsbury Donald (1938-49) died suddenly but peacefully, after a short illness, at his home in Aberdeen on 2 July 2014 aged 81. His whole life had been spent in the meat industry as farmer, slaughterer and wholesaler. He was for many years managing director of McIntosh Donald Ltd., wholesale meat contractors at Portlethen and was a director of Donald Farms Ltd, engaged in mixed farming. He is survived by his wife, Bertha, by a daughter and four grandchildren.

Former Club President

Ian McIver Duguid (1938-43) OduM, MD, PhD, FRCS, FCOpth, LL.D, DO died peacefully at his home in Edinburgh on 27 December 2014 aged 88. Born in Penang, where his father was a company director, he came to Aberdeen as a 12-year-old in 1938. At School he was a member of the 1st XV and on leaving he at once involved himself in FP Rugby, playing as a wing-forward in Donnie Innes’s celebrated 1947-48 side. His close interest in FPs’ playing continued to the last.

Ian read Medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1948. He had already resolved to specialise in Ophthalmology, and after a brief spell as a house surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary he was called up for National Service in the Royal Air Force. He spent the next two years as an ophthalmic officer at the Central Medical Establishment at the RAF Hospital in Ely.

He returned to continue his training at Woodend Hospital before his appointment as an assistant in the Anatomy Department at Aberdeen University. He was then awarded a Medical Research Council scholarship for a year at the Foundation Ophtalmolagique in Paris. On his return he joined the Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London where he received complete training in the treatment of eye disorders and at the same time carried out research into the diseases of the eye and in particular parasitic eye infection. He gained an MD from Aberdeen University, was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons and gained a Ph.D at London University.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Ian was appointed as a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields and at Westminster Hospital in London, rising to be senior surgeon, in addition to which he had an extensive practice as a consultant in Harley Street with Arab sheikhs, royalty and stars of stage and screen among his patients. He became the British representative to the French Ophthalmic Society and in 1985 was awarded the Ordre National de Mérite for his services to French ophthalmology. He was a Fellow of both the College of Ophthalmologists and of the Royal Society of Medicine of London and was a Freeman of the City of London.

Always an enthusiastic member of the FP Club, Ian served on the Executive while in Aberdeen, served on the committee of the London Centre for many years and was its President on a number of occasions. He gave valuable support to the visits of Grammar pupils sponsored by London FPs in the 1980s. Ian was elected as President of the FP Club in its Centenary Year, 1993-94 and, although not living locally, he played a full part in the various celebrations.

Ian was also active in the Aberdeen University Club, London. This was recognised by the award of an Honorary degree at the time of the Quincentenary of the University in 1995.

Ian is survived by his wife, Christine, and by two sons, one of whom, Graham, played rugby for FPs while he was a medical student at Aberdeen University.

Bryan William Sinclair Dunbar (1949-59) died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen in August 2013 aged 68 following a long spell of ill health. As a child he lived on Esslemont Avenue opposite the Grammar School and, about a year before he was due to start school, he simply followed his older brother to school one day.

When Bryan left aged 15 he enlisted in the Army, entering the Army Apprentices School at Carlisle. He then joined the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers and his service with them took him to Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Libya and Cyprus.

After twelve years’ service he returned to work in motor advertising for Aberdeen Journals. He was then appointed business development supervisor for Business News when niche-targeted special productions were introduced. This post gave him much satisfaction.

Bryan is survived by his wife and son. His brother Graeme Clifford Dunbar was a pupil in 1946-56.

Ashley William Forbes (1945-47) died peacefully in hospital in Kirkcaldy on 6 November 2014 after a short illness. He only spent two years in the School after coming to Upper V from Culter Higher Grade School. On leaving he went into the insurance industry, originally in Aberdeen before taking up a post with the Eagle Star Insurance Co. in Dundee. In 1964 he became the company’s manager in Wick. Latterly he lived in Kircaldy.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jean, and by a son, but is survived by his other son, by six grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Distinguished Artist & Teacher

Brian Peter Gill (1939-52) DA, died peacefully in hospital in Edinburgh on 23 March 2015 aged 80. Born in Glasgow he came to Aberdeen aged five and at once was enrolled

Former Pupils’ Section

at the Grammar. An early demonstration of his theatre skills was in his final year when he took part in the Dramatic Society’s presentation of Shaw’s Captain Brassbound’s Conversion, in which he played the part of Lady Cecily Wainfleet. A report of this in the Magazine described him as being the dominant figure as the very elegant, if rather elevated, Lady Cecilia, the physical maladjustment working admirably as it heightened the effect of Lady Cecily’s overbearing attitude to the diminutive males.

Mike, as he preferred to be known, was awarded the Samuel Pope Medal for Art in his 6th Year before being awarded a place at Gray’s School of Art. In his second year he was awarded a Steele Cornwall scholarship to enable him to study water colour painting, especially in the branch relating to pictorial art. He designed the sets for the 1957 Students’ Show College Bounds and graduated with a Diploma in Art, winning a postdiploma scholarship for further study. He was awarded a prize for his painting of the Crucifixion which was exhibited in Aberdeen Art Gallery during Kirk Week.

Mike carried out two years’ National Service with the RAF in Aden after which he spent some time painting and designing stage sets and doing some teaching in Aberdeenshire which inspired him to enrol at Moray House College of Education. He became a special assistant in Art at Madras College, St. Andrews before becoming Head of the Art Department at Fettes College. In 1971 he applied for the same post at George Watson’s College in the knowledge that the school was about to expand into a large coeducational establishment by amalgamating with George Watson’s Ladies College. There was also to be developed a Design Centre bringing together the departments of art, home economics and technical education. As head of the new Centre, Mike was able to ensure that the arts and crafts were on the same footing as the academic subjects and sport for which the school was famous and the curriculum was expanded to include printmaking and sculpting (his own teaching specialities) as well as photography, pottery, ceramics and jewellery.

In addition to his teaching Mike was also curator of all works of artistic merit and value in and around the school. He was responsible for staging an annual musical production at Watson’s and produced musicals at the Assembly Rooms during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He retired from teaching in 1995 after which he directed his energies to managing a house and 12.5 acre estate in North Lanarkshire which became a labour of love.

Mike was diagnosed with diabetes in his early 40s when life expectancy was very limited and a fall resulted in permanent damage to his spine the pain of which he had to endure during the later years of his teaching career. He did not allow this to curb his enthusiasm and vigour.

Mike is survived by his wife and son.

Thomas Houghton (1952-58) MB,ChB died suddenly at his home in Jersey on 12 September 2014 aged 74. He moved with his parents and younger brother to Aberdeen from Brighton and after a few months at Rosemount Junior Secondary School entered the Grammar in 1952. House Captain of Byron and Captain of Swimming he was the winner of the Rector’s Cup for that sport in Year 6. He proceeded to Aberdeen University to study Medicine. While there he served for a time on the Union Management Committee. He won the Pharmaceutical Prize and graduated in 1964, after which he undertook further study at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. After a spell in anaesthetics at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary he entered general practice in

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Cruden Bay before moving in 1967 to a practice in the Channel Islands where he made his life and his home.

Tom retired from general practice in 1989 but then undertook seven locum posts in Australia before finally retiring in 1999.

An accomplished sportsman and swimmer he was captain of the University Team, winning numerous awards and medals. He was a lifeguard at Aberdeen Beach in the summer breaks in the late fifties and early sixties. Also at that time Tom was a patrol leader in Ron Comber’s 14th YMCA Scout Troop.

Married to Florence, Tom’s home was at St Brelade, Jersey. The measure of his popularity was shown by the attendance at his funeral of many of his friends from School and Scouts who crossed from the mainland to show their support. He is sadly missed by patients and friends.

Tom’s younger brother is Roger David Houghton (1959-63) LL.B

Ian Harrison Howie (1956-62) BSc, MSc, PhD died on 1 April 2014 at the Beatson Cancer Centre, Glasgow, following a long illness. At School he was secretary of both the Film Society and the Film Study Group. He had a distinguished scholastic career at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1966 as Bachelor of Science with first class honours in Natural Philosophy. He obtained his Master’s degree the following year and was awarded his doctorate in 1977.

John (Ian) Wilson Howie (1941, 1950-54) died peacefully in Perth Royal Infirmary on 26 June 2014 aged 76. He was the elder son of Rev. Thomas Howie of St Peter’s Parish Church at Peterculter and was briefly a pupil at the Grammar in 1941 before moving to Culter Primary School. He later returned to the School from Culter Higher Grade School to join Upper IV. After leaving he was for a time associated with the FP Hockey Section and served for a spell as 3rd XI vice-captain.

After training he became a management tax inspector. He was Treasurer and an elder of his father’s old charge, St Peter’s, prior to its unification with Kelman Memorial Church to become Peterculter Church.

Ian was predeceased by his first wife but is survived by his second wife, by a son and daughter and grandchildren. His younger brother David Neville Howie (1961-62) died in 2012.

Derek McIntosh Ingram (1959-62) died very suddenly at Blairgowrie, Perthshire on 7 September 2010 aged 63. He was at the time President of Rattray Bowling Club and his death occurred on the bowling green as members and visitors looked on.

After leaving School Derek joined his father in the family-owned and run fish merchant’s business in Aberdeen. When that business was sold he had a variety of jobs, including as a fresh meat salesman and a council road-worker. He was for a time in the bookmaking business and later in the licensed trade, eventually running guest houses and hotels. For a short time he bought and ran a restaurant in Tenerife. For some time before his death he had lived in Blairgowrie.

Derek is survived by his son and three daughters. His brother is Charles Edward Baird Ingram (1957-61).

Former Pupils’ Section

Ernest Munro Jack (1930-38) MB,ChB. died peacefully in Bolton on 21 April 2012 aged 94. He studied Medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1945. After a post as a house surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Germany with the rank of Captain. During his service he developed a special interest in physical rehabilitation medicine. On his return he was a registrar at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and at Woodend Hospital. He moved to Bolton in 1948 where he was in general practice for almost 40 years. He was admitted to membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1962. From 1967 he was a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

He is survived by his wife, Violet, to whom he had been married for sixty years. He was a life member of the FP Club and proud to be one of its nonagenarians.

William Charles Kemp (1953-59) BSc, MSc died in Bracknell on 17 September 2015 following a short illness. He was aged 74. Following primary education at Cults he entered the Grammar at the age of 12. He studied at Aberdeen University from which he graduated with honours in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He spent two years as an engineer with Elliott Automation at Rochester and obtained his Master of Science degree from Birmingham in 1966. His career thereafter was in the field of electrical and electronic systems for military ships and aircraft at Elliott Automation, with Ferranti in Bracknell and with British Aerospace in Farnborough.

Bill was a lifelong member of the Scout Association, being a member of the 17th Group while at School and then of the 41st Rover Crew. This interest continued throughout his adult life. He was a Scout Leader and a member of the B.P. Scout Guild, later Scout Adult Support, working in many local, national and international events, including the World Jamboree in 2007. He was awarded the Silver Acorn by the Scout Association.

Bill is survived by his wife and two step-sons who continue the family interest in Scouting.

David Alfred Morrison Kynoch (1948-53) died peacefully at Dysart on 18 April 2015 aged 78. He had been incapacitated for a number of years following a severe stroke. He was unmarried. His younger brother is Douglas Robert Kynoch (1948-56)

Martin McArthur Lees (1947-52) MB,ChB, MD, FRCOG, FRCSE, FRCPE died peacefully at Haylodge Hospital, Peebles on 22 June 2015 following a long illness. He was aged 80. He was born in Saltcoats where his father was a doctor, and after a short time in Dundee came with the family to Aberdeen in 1947. He did well at school and often recalled Andrew Milne, better known to his generation as Happy Harry, principal Classics teacher, taking him to the Edinburgh Festival to see a ballet, an opera and soliloquies about the work of Charles Dickens. This awakened in Martin an interest in culture which remained with him throughout his life.

He went on to study Medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1958. House posts in adult and paediatric medicine followed, but his career choice was influenced by Sir Dugald Baird, Professor of Midwifery. After surgical training in London Martin carried out research work in the University of Edinburgh of such high calibre that he was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine in 1971 for his original work on cardiovascular dynamics during pregnancy.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Martin went on to become a clinical obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in Edinburgh where he was recognised as an admired leader in this field. He is recalled for his calmness even in the most stressful situations. He went on to lead the Infertility Service of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and set up the donor insemination service.

As a result of his vision Lothian Health Board was persuaded to centre perinatal services on one site making the most up-to-date facilities available for mothers and babies leading to improved clinical care and more babies surviving. In addition, Martin was recognised as a committed teacher who provided continuous support for the trainees under his charge, taking a keen personal interest in their welfare and progress. He was for many years a senior lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology at Edinburgh University, was medico-legal adviser in this area of speciality to the Medical & Dental Defence Union of Scotland and a member of Council of the Union.

Martin earned the rare distinction of being awarded both a Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and of the College of Physicians of Edinburgh. In addition he was an examiner for the FRCS and St Mary’s Hospital, London.

Outside his professional life Martin enjoyed tennis and golf, and was regularly to be seen at Murrayfield in support of Scotland. He enjoyed classical music and was extremely well-read with a particular fondness for Kipling. He was a gifted pianist and an award-winner at successive Music Festivals in Aberdeen in his school-days, to the extent that at one stage he considered a career as a professional pianist.

Martin is survived by his wife of fifty-two years. His brother is Gordon McArthur Lees (1947-55).

Alan Gordon McBain (1941-50) CA died very suddenly at his home in Cults, Aberdeen on 15 May 2015 aged 78. Gordon was a third generation FP, his grandfather John McBain having been at the School in 1877-79. His father, Alan McBain (190314) was Dux of the School in 1914 and was the first winner of the All Round Trophy.

Gordon left the school aged thirteen and completed his education at Merchiston. He then went on to train as a chartered accountant, apprenticed to the family firm of G.& J. McBain in Aberdeen. He was admitted to the profession in 1961.

The McBain practice later merged with Thomson McLintock & Co. and latterly Gordon was in practice on his own account. He was for fifteen years secretary of Whitehaugh Pig Enterprises Ltd of Alford.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Fiona, to whom he had been married for over fifty years.

Distinguished Farmer & Parliamentarian

George Yule Mackie (1933-35) DFC, DSO, CBE, Lord Mackie of Benshie, died peacefully on 17 February 2015 aged 95. He was the son of Maitland Mackie (18971902) of the well-known and respected farming dynasty of Rothienorman. After education at Tarves and Methlick he came to the Grammar in what was then Middle IV, leaving at age 16 to study Agriculture at Aberdeen University. He played rugby for the University but left to manage one of his father’s farms. On the outbreak of war in 1939 he joined the Royal Air Force, and after training to fly Wellington bombers at Lossiemouth he served in the Middle East during the North African battle. After

Former Pupils’ Section

returning to the UK he flew on the first of the “1000-bomber raids” on Germany as an instructor, going on to fly more than seventy missions including several over a fiercely defended Berlin. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944, the citation stating that “His fine leadership, determination and courage in the face of the enemy have always been of the highest order and have set a splendid example to all”.

Just before his demobilisation in January 1946 he bought the farm of Benshie, near Kirriemuir. This started as an arable farm before he later diversified into pig rearing, calves and soft fruit, to which were added other business ventures in the area. In 1953 he purchased an estate at Braeroy, near Fort William to raise sheep and cattle.

In 1949 there began what was to be a life-long association with the Liberal Party which was in sharp contrast to his two brothers, John who was a Labour member of Parliament, and Maitland who was a Conservative councillor in Aberdeenshire. He contested South Angus in 1959 unsuccessfully, but was elected MP for Caithness & Sutherland in 1964. Two years later when a snap election was called he lost the seat. He maintained his links with the north by setting up the Caithness Glass company,was chairman of Caithness Pottery and bought two local hotels.

He served as chairman of the Scottish Liberals from 1965-70 and was their President in 1983-88. In 1974 he was created a life peer, taking the title Baron Mackie of Benshie, and served as spokesman on agriculture, devolution, industry and Scottish affairs for the Liberal Democrats for twenty-five years until 2000. He served on the Council of Europe from 1986 to 1997.

Lord Mackie served as Rector of Dundee University for three years from 1980, and was for a short time a director of Scottish Ballet. His autobiography Flying, Farming and Politics: A Liberal Life was published in 2004. In it he argues for reform of the House of Lords by having peers picked by the political parties in proportion to the number of votes cast for them in a general election.

Lord Mackie was twice married. His first wife, with whom he had four children, died in 1985. In 1988 he married the widow of a former business partner. He is survived by three children, seven grandchildren as well as by great-grandchildren and stepchildren. His FP brothers John (1924-26) died in 1994 and Maitland (1926-28) died in 1996.

Peter Thomas Macqueen (1996-2001) died tragically on 17 February 2015 as a result of an accident in Vietnam. He had only been there for a holiday with a party of friends for a few days. His brother is Adam Macqueen (1991-96)

Norman Gray Marr (1949-55) KStJ, DipArch, FRIAS, ARIBA died in hospital in Aberdeen on 21 June 2015 aged 78. At School he was heavily involved with the Arts Club and was its vice-president in his sixth year. He was a student at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture for a time, but decided he was unsuited to the School and did not complete the course. Instead, he went into architectural practice and gained his diploma after private study. While so engaged he designed schools at Midmar and Finzean for Aberdeen County Council. He passed the final exams of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1967 when he was employed in the Aberdeen city architect’s office. He later joined the City Planning Department as a senior research assistant.

In 1975 he was appointed Director of Planning and Development for Kincardine & Deeside District Council and amongst other duties he supervised the production of a

local plan for the suburban area of the authority. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland in 1987.

Norman took early retirement in 1992 but at once involved himself in a wide variety of interests, in particular the Aberdeen Civic Society and the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, serving terms as chairman of both. He prepared monthly reports on planning applications for the Civic Society.

In 1956 he was appointed as organist and choirmaster of Gilcomston St Colms Church, later re-named Denburn Church, and was still in post at its closure fifty years later. He trained adult and boys’ choirs with noted success, earning a reputation with the boys of being a slave-driver.

Norman was an elder of the Church, acted as property convener at Denburn, served on various Church committees, and as closures became more frequent he was often engaged as arbiter, or as architectural adviser to arbiters, tasked with deciding which of two or more buildings was to be used by a united congregation. He was also a member of sundry other committees concerned with historic architecture, amenity and organs. He was in regular demand as a speaker to clubs and societies, one of his most popular presentations being on “Churches I have known” reviewing what had become of former church buildings in Aberdeen.

In 1993 Norman was elected as a Commander of the Order of St. John and in 2004 was promoted to the rank of Knight Commander of the Order.

Norman listed his interests as building and playing organs, hill-walking, long distance running (including marathons), books, swimming (he was for several years secretary of the FP Swimming Section) and entertaining.

Norman was unmarried.

David Gavin Millar (1948-61) MB,ChB, FRCGP died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 30 November 2014 aged 70. Born in Edinburgh, the second child and first son of a family of six, he came to Aberdeen, where his father was to become Professor of Mental Health, when he was a young boy. After leaving School he went on to study Medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1967. After qualifying he trained in medicine and surgery and held posts in both surgery and pathology at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He opted to move into primary care in 1971 and subsequently joined the Peterculter practice, working in a new Health Centre, the first such in the North of Scotland. David was a very accomplished GP, with a calm and unassuming manner and was highly respected and valued by colleagues and patients.

Roxburghe House, a purpose built hospice, opened in 1977 within the practice area. David was actively involved from the outset as a general practitioner until 1992, when he joined Macmillan Cancer Relief as a palliative care GP Facilitator. In 1994 he was appointed as Macmillan Primary Care Advisor for Scotland and Northern Ireland, and travelled extensively around practices throughout the country, developing and promoting all Macmillan primary care advances in palliative care and cancer management. A huge amount has been achieved in this area of care and many patients and their families have reason to be grateful for his commitment. He was instrumental in appointing Macmillan GPs and creating lead cancer GP posts and he participated in, and led, numerous Scottish and UK cancer working groups and committees, including chairing the Scottish Gold Standards Framework.

Former Pupils’ Section

David became a GP trainer in 1985. Some twenty-five trainees received a comprehensive training from an enthusiastic trainer. Following his retirement from the practice and Macmillan in 2007, he worked for three years as a Grampian GP Appraiser. During his career he served as Provost of the local College of General Practice and also as President of the Aberdeen Medical-Chirurgical Society. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club played a big part in David’s life and he was Captain of the Club in 2001. A keen sailor, he crewed on small yachts and on the tall ship, the Malcolm Miller. He was a skilled bridge player, an avid photographer and enjoyed hillwalking and bird-watching.

David survived for two years after a diagnosis of cancer, coping with his illness with immense courage and dignity. He died on St Andrew’s Day 2014 leaving his wife Judy, three children – one of them a doctor – and five grandchildren. His younger brother is Henry Rankine Millar (1952-65)

Hamish McDonald Munro (1940-51) died peacefully in a care home in Aberdeen on 20 June 2015 aged 79. He had been in indifferent health for some time. Another third generation Grammarian, his grandfather James Manson Munro was at School in 188084 followed by his father Eric McDonald Munro in 1912-23. His uncles were Hamish Andrew Munro (1908-21) and Ian Barclay Munro (1911-22).

Mr Munro’s entire career was devoted to the management of the celebrated Aberdeen shoemaker’s business of Milne & Munro which had been in family ownership from the latter part of the 19th century. He retired several years ago.

He is survived by his wife, a son and daughter and three grandchildren. His two brothers also attended the school – Roderick Constable Munro (1941-51) and Neil Malcolm Munro (1942-56).

Hugh Sandison Pirie (1949-55) died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 1 October 2014 aged 77. After leaving School he trained as an accountant and was for many years management accountant for Messrs George T. Fraser, haulage contractors in Aberdeen. He later held a similar post with John Fyfe Ltd, granite merchants before in 1986 becoming self-employed as a management accountant.

Hugh spent twelve years founding and running Aberdeen Road Transport Instruction Centre, training staff for the haulage industry through the National Training Board. In 1987 he was elected chairman of the Aberdeen Centre of the Institute of Transport Administrators.

Hugh was throughout his life an enthusiastic philatelist, starting in his primary school days at Woodside. In 1993, he volunteered his services to investigate the possibility of having a Commemorative Cover issued on 11th September of that year to mark the Centenary of the foundation of the Former Pupils’ Club. His bid was successful and such a Cover was issued and the surplus on the purchase of these by FPs was added to the Centenary Fund which had been set up.

In the mid-90s Hugh served for a number of years on both the Executive and on the Club Centre Committee.

Hugh is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Maureen, by two children and by his eight grandchildren. Hugh’s two brothers also attended the School – David James Pirie (1949-52), who died in 2001, and Ian Maxwell Pirie (1957-63)

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

James Dures Reid (1954-65) MA died suddenly at his home in North-West London on 3 November 2014 after a long illness. He was aged 67.

Halsey Bradford (1951-65) writes: “Jimmy did very well at School, regularly carrying off the gold medal for Greek. He was a keen musician, hill-walker and photographer, was in the 1st Troop Scouts, and became a prefect. In the Scouts he became known as ‘Jammy Breed’, and this nickname was soon adopted by many of his friends and colleagues, although never fully understood by his English wife and sons.

“He studied Economics at Aberdeen University, graduating with Honours in 1969. He then began a long career in the coal and gas industries, which was only incidentally related to the boom in Aberdeen’s energy sector. He started with the National Coal Board in England, and by 1976 had become head of contracts at the Opencast Executive. He subsequently worked for several companies in the engineering side of the oil business, mainly in purchasing, contracts and project management. His last position was as head of procurement for M.W.Kellogg in London, a company which built refineries all over the world. This afforded him many opportunities to travel, and collect air miles, two of his great loves.

“Jimmy had many hobbies, and several involved underlining things. This started with trainspotting in Aberdeen’s Ferryhill engine sheds, and expanded into ship- and plane-spotting, Munro-bagging, and subsequently into keeping lists of countries, airports and pubs visited. He was also a somewhat keen occasional golfer, gardener and equestrian.

“In his youth, he was a gifted musician, both on the piano and the French Horn. As he got older he allowed these interests to wane, although his sons did inherit his musical talent.

“He was a volunteer in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary for twenty-six years, culminating in the rank of Commandant. It was through this connection that he gained his Private Pilot’s Licence. It also enabled him to give two Year 6 pupils from the Grammar a conducted tour of the Metropolitan Police Training Centre at Hendon during one of the FP London Centre’s sponsored visits.

Jimmy leaves Angella, whom he married in 1980, and their sons, Daniel and Callum.

“We will miss his insightful commentary on politics and just about everything elseit’s just a heap of s….”

Robert Cameron Birnie Reid (1933-37) CA died peacefully in a nursing home in Knaresborough, Yorkshire on 6 November 2014 aged 86. He was the son of the late Edward Birnie Reid (1902-13) and his early education was in the Infant Department and the first two years of the Lower School before he moved to Craigflower Preparatory School near Dunfermline. He completed his schooling at Loretto, studying English literature, history and mathematics. He furthered his interest in English literature at Clare College, Cambridge before being called to National Service. He received a commission in the Royal Corps of Signals, and after demobilisation continued as an officer with 51 (Highland) Signal Regiment, T.A.

He joined the family accountancy firm of Meston Reid, training in their north London office, and qualifying as a chartered accountant. He became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland in 1952. Working initially for Meston

Former Pupils’ Section

Reid he later was a partner in Deloittes and then Price Waterhouse, with all of whom he enjoyed a busy, but satisfying, professional life.

Always a keen sportsman, Robin had played squash at school and university and after his return to the city took a major part in the revival of the Aberdeen Squash Racquets Club, once flourishing but which, by the 1950s, had become sadly run-down. With a few colleagues he was instrumental in securing its survival.

Robin’s wife, Pauline, to whom he had been married for sixty years, died three months before him, but he is survived by five children and eleven grandchildren.

Michael George Simpson (1963-69) LL.B, LL.M died suddenly at his home in Perth on 29 July 2014 aged 63. At School he was President of the Literary & Debating Society and Treasurer of the Dramatic Society. He went on to study Law at Aberdeen University from which he graduated in 1972, later studying at Edinburgh for a Master’s degree. He was apprenticed to a firm in Eyemouth after which he took up a local government post in Banff.

He soon moved to Perth as an assistant solicitor with Condies, and at the time of his death he was their senior partner. He was for almost thirty years secretary of the East of Scotland Farmers giving them skilled guidance on complex issues on the basis of his keen interest in agricultural law.

Michael had a lifelong enthusiasm for bridge, which he first took up as a youngster and which he developed through the University club. He was, for many years, a member of Perth Bridge Club and was respected as a skilful player. He was also a keen concertgoer.

Michael is survived by his wife, Lili, by three daughters and two grandchildren.

Roy Deans Weir (1932-44) OBE, MB,ChB, MD, FFCM, FRCP(Lond), MRCPE died in hospital in Aberdeen, after a short illness, on 6 September 2014 aged 87. He read Medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1950. Following National Service with the Royal Air Force he was in general practice in Rhodesia for a year and then briefly in Sheffield before returning to Aberdeen as Lecturer in Public Health and Social Medicine in 1954, in which year he also obtained his diploma in Public Health.

In 1962 Roy was awarded his Doctorate, with commendation, for a thesis on “Discharges from Hospital”, being a twelve-month follow-up study of 503 male patients discharged from the general wards of Aberdeen hospitals. Three years later came his appointment as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Medicine at Aberdeen and in 1969 he took over the chair of Community Medicine. He became a Vice-Principal of the University in 1985.

In 1987 Roy took up the part-time post of Chief Scientist in the Scottish Home & Health Department, which involved him in the management and development of research and scientific programmes supported by the Department. This fitted with his own main research interest which was in the development of information systems for the handling of medical data.

Roy was vice-chairman of Grampian Health Board for several years and served on various national committees of the Health Service. His work in all these areas was recognised by his becoming an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours of 1987.

Roy was predeceased by his first wife but is survived by his second wife.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Former Members of Staff

Mrs Eva Jean Cowie MA died suddenly at her home in Aberdeen on 21 February 2015. She spent twenty years on the staff of the School from 1969 as a teacher of Modern Languages. Born in India, where her father was serving as a Gordon Highlander, she came to Scotland aged three and was brought up in Keith. She took an Arts degree at Aberdeen University, trained at Aberdeen Teacher Training College and took up her first post at the former Powis Junior Secondary School. After her marriage to an army officer she lived in various military bases at home and overseas before their return to Aberdeen in 1966.

She then taught for a year at Aberdeen Academy before moving to the Grammar. With interests in drama and the Children’s Theatre, she had a supportive role in many of the School’s dramatic productions and much enjoyed taking part in the Staff Panto, on the view that it was good for the kids to see their teachers making idiots of themselves. In retirement she studied reflexology and computing, and joined Theatre Serendipity, an over-50s group which she much enjoyed. She was also a member of several of the groups in the Aberdeen branch of the University of the 3rd Age.

Her husband, Gordon, died in 2003, but she is survived by her daughter, Fiona (1973-78), now Mrs Fiona Bowers, her son and by Fiona’s two sons.

Ewen McDonald MA, better known to older FPs as ‘Pogo’, died at Huntly on 6 May 2015 aged 94. He was studying Divinity at Glasgow University at the outbreak of war in 1939 and tried to enlist in the army; he was told to complete his degree, as clergymen were exempt from military service. He instead was able to enlist in the RAF, where he turned out to be a very capable pilot. He elected not to train others but to go into active service. In early 1943 his Wellington bomber was shot down off Crete when trying to prevent a ship entering Heraklion harbour. He was rescued from the Mediterranean and taken prisoner, but three of his four-man crew were killed. He was detained in the famous Stalug Luft III from which he was eventually freed by advancing Soviet tanks in the closing days of the War. He then made his own way back across Europe.

He returned to Glasgow University to study for an Arts degree and then trained as a teacher. He taught English in Blairgowrie, then at the Grammar and Oban before being appointed rector of the Gordon Schools in Huntly in 1961. He became a Justice of the Peace, chairman of the Children’s Panel in Aberdeen and was once chosen as Huntly’s Citizen of the Year. He retired in 1982.

He is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

Former Pupils’ Section

Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2014

Former Pupils’ Club

Former Pupils’ Section

Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2014

F.P. Club Centre

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine