Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 2016

Vol 119

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

132nd year No. 254 (New Series 121st year No. 245)

September 2016

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, FP Club 391 Union Street

Aberdeen AB11 6BX

Membership John C.A. Michie, Secretary 391 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 2017

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

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

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Miss Alison Murison

In August 2015 the School welcomed Miss Alison Murison as successor to Mr Graham Legge. This marked the start of a new era for our ancient School, as the use of the title Rector is discontinued and for the first time the School has a lady at the helm.

Miss Murison says that as a young girl she was inspired by a number of talented teachers at Dyce Academy. In particular her history teacher instilled such a love of that subject that she decided to continue her studies in this area. She read History at Aberdeen University in 1986-1990 and graduated with a Master of Arts (Honours) degree in 1990. From there she went on to complete a Post-graduate qualification in teaching and took up post as a history teacher at Portlethen Academy in the then Grampian Regional Council.

Throughout her teaching career she has worked in schools across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. She has a strong commitment to providing the young people of the North East of Scotland with an outstanding education, firmly believing that education opens doors and changes lives.

Prior to taking up post at Aberdeen Grammar School, she was Head Teacher at Hazlehead Academy. Currently, she also works for Education Scotland as an Associate Assessor and works as part of a team inspecting schools throughout Scotland. The knowledge gained through this work allows her to bring best practice back to Aberdeen Grammar School. Her vision for every learner in AGS is that only excellence will do.

Head Girl & Head Boy 2015-16

Daniel Hume & Kate Riddoch

The Head Teacher’s Speech to the 2016 Prize Giving

“Friendship, Respect, Excellence”

I have taken the title for this speech from the Values Statement underpinning the Rio Olympic and Para Olympic Games 2016.

Our pupils, former pupils, staff and parents demonstrate these values each and every day. A school is based on positive relationships, fair play, extending the hand of friendship, respect for others and the pursuit of excellence.

I will concentrate on one of these values, “Excellence”, and the pursuit of excellence over the past year at Aberdeen Grammar School.

Excellent Examination Performance

There continues to be a strong and improving trend in examination performance. In the Broad General Education (S1-S3) our pupils are making very good progress and achieving the required Curriculum for Excellence levels tomoveontofurtherstudyinS4/5/6. InthisSeniorPhase weoutperformschools similar to ourselves at every level (National 3, 4, 5, Higher and Advanced Higher). Our young people achieve well above City and National averages.

Whyis this the case?

First and foremost, it is because our pupils and teachers have a strong work ethic. They want to do well; the young people receiving awards today have that work ethic, ambitious attitude and positive mind set. Mental strength and resilience is the key to success in examinations and in so many other fields in life as we all know. As our pupils will tell you, I like an inspirational quote and here is one I like from Mohammad Ali:

“Champions are not made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them, a dream, a desire, resilience.”

Secondly, it is because our teachers go that extra mile, whether that be by offering an extra revision class or by providing individual feedback to help our pupils make progress in their learning. Our teachers do not stand still, but are always looking to learn about new techniques and they do so in our Teacher Learning Communities.

We have implemented the new National Qualifications

This was a test of endeavour for staff, pupils and, I am sure, parents alike! We now have in place the full range of National, Higher and Advanced Higher courses. Our pupils worked hard to complete unit assessments, assignments and study for the final National Examinations.

For next session, we have further extended the range of courses we offer our pupils

This includes all of the standard courses but exciting new opportunities like Sports Leadership awards, Higher Economics, Musical Theatre, Employability Awards and so the list goes on. We have extended our Higher and Further Education links and vocational provision. Universities and employers are giving us the strong message that, in this economic climate, exam results are not enough – young people need a wider skill set to secure a place on a course or to get that much sought after job. There is more emphasis on providing work-based learning opportunities alongside a strong set of qualifications. You will begin to hear about initiatives such as Foundation Apprenticeships. Achieving one of these is the equivalent to gaining another higher qualification. I am, therefore, delighted that staff, business partners and parents are working with us to deliver an ambitious and relevant curriculum.

We are determined that at Aberdeen Grammar School pupils continue to gain that competitive edge and stand out from the crowd.

We have invested in new facilities this year

Our Pupil Council leaders have worked with Aberdeen City architects on the design of new social areas. Much of this has involved sharing their plans with the Parent Council and Community Councils, and fundraising efforts have led to improved facilities for our young people, most notably a much improved indoor garden and seating areas throughout the building.

Increased Parental Engagement

We have increased parental engagement this year through our well received Planning for Success evenings. Here parents have the opportunity to hear from subject staff about how they can help their child learn. Similarly, we changed the format of our course choice evening in the Senior Phase. It is an interactive event with information from ourselves, employers and subject staff.

We are also fortunate to have a Parent Council ready to discuss current educational issues and provide me with a good sounding board when considering new initiatives for the school. Our PTA offer fantastic support with fundraising and are always on hand at parents’ evenings and whole school events.

We aim to increase communication further with the launch of a new website in August. Here parents will be able to access subject material and up-to-date

information about what is going on in our school. Moreover, you will start hearing your children talking about Google Classroom; again, this is a platform to improve communication and feedback from teachers to pupils about their learning.

Performing Arts/Sports/Extra Curricular

Throughout the year we offer our pupils a wide range of extra-curricular opportunitiescoveringalldisciplines. Iamveryfortunatetohavestaffandpupils willing to give up their own time to run these groups. The programme of interhouse activities continues to grow and the number of pupils participating is impressive. The House Captains and Vice-Captains play a crucial role in planning and running these events. We really do see our young people being provided with opportunities to excel at local, national and international level.

Then we have all our other events throughout the year; who can forget “Zombie Prom” as our school show, and our wonderful music concerts. We can look forward to the “Witches of Eastwick” next session. “The Grammar Games” have just taken place and were enjoyed by all concerned.

I am sure your sons and daughters came home with many stories after Activities Week. It was lovely to receive so many thank you letters and emails from parents regarding Activities Week. We are currently looking at trips for next year and trying to include one other UK-based trip to add to our extensive list.

Although we are approaching the end of term, we have a World Challenge expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia leaving at the end of this week – another fantastic and no doubt life-changing opportunity for the young people involved.

Before I conclude, I would like to say a few words to our senior students who leave us and move on to the next stage of their lives. The future is hardly predictable but I know you leave us with all the skills and personal qualities to thrive and do very well. I wish you much success and happiness. Remember, I am always looking out for a good assembly speaker and theme, come back and see us!

We also have four experienced and valued members ofstaffretiringthis year, Mr Kerr (Geography), Mr K Milne (PE), Mrs Davis (Chemistry) and Miss MacEwen (Computing). We offer thanks to them for their commitment to Aberdeen Grammar School and all our best wishes for the future.

Finally, may I congratulate all our pupils for each and every one of their achievements. I started with the core value of excellence. You have achieved excellence as demonstrated by gaining your awards. Hard work does pay off! Your achievements are sincerely valued and I know that everyone here will take pride in celebrating them with you. Thank you.

Aberdeen Grammar School, Alison Murison June, 2016 Head Teacher

School Office-Bearers - Session 2015-2016

Head Boy DANIEL HUME Head Girl: KATE RIDDOCH

Deputes: GAVIN ELLIOT Deputes: CATRIONA STEWART LACHIE MacLEOD LIBBY TAYLOR

S6 Prefects: Joanna Anderson, Katya Anderson, Emily Barclay, Gemma Black, Gloria Brown, Carter Correa, Duncan Crawford, Neil Cumming, Katie Davie, Grant Davis, Rachael Dixon, Hamish Dunnett, Katya Dickson, Fraser Elder, Mark Gilmour, Sinead Gilmour, Rachael Grant, Abby Griffin, Samuel Harrison, Sofie Hayward, Jonathan Henderson, Joseph Herrera, Rebecca Hughes, Steven Innes, Carys Jessamine, Emma Johnston, Mia Keenan, Emma Lambert, Tony Marshall, ShaunMatthew, Denzil Mathews, CarlyMcCready, SamMacDougall, Lucy McLeod, Sarah Mitchell, Rajaa Monnapillai, Yousif Mohamed, Alice Morrice, Alix Morrison, Kirsten Morrison, Ethan Murray, Wissam Nacef, Sarah Newton, Amanda Paterson, Rowan Quinn, Aaron Ritchie, Megan Robb, Aurora Robertson-Smith, Monika Sapkota, Christian Sharp, Samuel Stead and Abbie Wilson

S5 Prefects: Jason Alexander, Calum Armstrong, Alexander Brown, Finley Campbell, Gregor Curtis, Chloe Davidson, Eve Flett, Angus Ferguson, Shona Fraser, Heather Gault, Sinead Harrower, Rutwick Hedge, Tara Horn, Naomi Lang, Maria Levitt, KirstyMacIver, Cameron Mackintosh, TomMcLeod, Kirsty Manclark, Freya Martin, Clara-Jane Maunder, Sophie Morrice, Katherine Morris, Anna Morrison, Connor O’Riordan, Clara Oxley, Jack Pirie, Innes Pottenger, Benjamin Renton, Robbie Scott, Cameron Spence, Lauren Tawse, Kirsty Webb, Greg Will and Leyi Yang

School Prizes 2015-2016

The Joyce Tease Award for excellence in Modern Languages Martyna Proczeck

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Modern Studies

Amanda Paterson

Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Physical Education Eilidh Macinnes

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Administration Ryan McDonald

The Hamish Adams Greig Prize in Biology

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Spanish

The Former Pupils’ Prize in Drama

Conor O’Riordan

Erica Parfene

Kate Riddoch

The Former Pupils’ Prize in Home Economics Buntita Thongsuk

The Samuel Pope Prize & Donald Paton Prizes for Art & Design Helena Coman

The John Muir Robertson Prize in Accounting & Finance

The ALBA Trophy for Business Management

Amy Chio

Jordan Cruden

The Gordon McMinn Prize in Computing Studies Joss Horn

The Sandy McIlwain Prize in Religious & Moral Studies

Fraser Waddell

The Masson Bain Prize in English Eve Flett

The William Brebner Prize in French

The Charles Alexander Walker Prize in History

The Campbell Connon Prize for Geography

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

The Gavin Falconer Memorial Prize in Music

The CNR International Prize for Physics

Angela Barry

Anna Grant

Heather Gault

Heather Gault

Clara-Jane Maunder

Heather Gault

The CNR International Prize for Graphic Communication Shikshya Subedi

The CNR International Prize for Chemistry

The Caritas Cup for Contribution to Charities Group Activities

The AGS Dramatic Society Award for Drama

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

The Concert Band Player of the Year

The Concert Band Award for Outstanding Contribution

Prefect of the Year

Heather Gault

Rachel Dixon

Kate Riddoch

Sean Farmerey

Sam McDougall

Alice Morrice

Rachel Grant

The Rector’s Shield for outstanding contribution to Debating Denzil Matthews

The Montgomery Trophy

The Philip Love Trophy

The Jamie Blair Fiddes Award

The Brian Robertson Prize for commitment to the School

Sports Awards

The S5/S6 Former Pupils’ Rugby Football Section Trophy

The Arthur McCombie Senior Golf Trophy

Shelby Smith

Dylan Findlay

Emily Barclay

Zahra Pasdar

Ben Renton

Aaron Ritchie

The Fowlie Cup for Swimming & The Dr Morland Simpson Cup for Swimming Giorgia & Alice Alcaras

The Rector’s Medal for Swimming

The Damien Reidy Rugby Trophy

The Ronald MacKinnon Trophy for Athletics

The W.J. Johnston Quaich

Volleyball Player of the Year

Inter-House Competition Awards

Jack Watson

Grant Davis

Naomi Lang

Ben Renton

Shona Fraser & Peter Dijkhuizen

The Junior Inter-House Debating Trophy Byron

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

The S4/S6 Inter-House Basketball

Byron

The Inter-House Challenge Cup Keith & Dun

The Senior Inter-House Table Tennis Trophy Melvin

The Inter-House Football Trophy

The Inter-House Chess Shield

Byron

Melvin

The Rubislaw Jubilee Cup Grammar Games Keith & Dun

The Senior Inter-House Debating trophy

All-Round Awards

The Edith & David Ritchie Bishop Prize

Byron

Sophie Carroll

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Award in S5 Joint Eve Flett Award

Alexander Brown

The Former Pupils’ Club “1965” Award Rachel Dixon

The Runner-up to the Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy Catriona Stewart

The Agnes Durward McDonald Prize (Runner-up) Lachie MacLeod

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy for Girls Lucy McLeod

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy & the John Ivo Dawson Prize Daniel Hume

School Cap for Football

Water Polo

Lachie MacLeod

Megan Wilson

Table Tennis Gavin Elliot

Squash

Volleyball

Dux Award

Sport

Athletics

Basketball

Cricket

Cross

Country

Richard Hollins

Peter Dijkhuizen

Hill Running Lucy McLeod

Murray Whyte

Colours Awards

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Half Colours

Naomi Lang

Areeb Sherjil

Hila Bidad, Benedikta Bokedal, Nada Jodeh, Chloe

Prideaux, Sneha Prothasis, Gabriele Robertson, Souparnika Shaju, Febin Siby

Rajaa Monnapillai

Akil Thanga

Leston D’Costa

Conor O’Riordan, Football

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Golf

Gymnastic Hockey

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Half Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Mark Gilmour, Aaron Ritchie, Matthew Wallace

Jack Pirie, Greg Will

Calum Lynch, Alex Cheyne

Megan Robb

Cameron Spence

Jonathan Bell

Heather Gault

Abby Griffin, Sasha McKenzie Smith

Madeleine Fraser, Maria Levitt, Katherine Morris, Clara

Oxley, Lei Yang

Junior Colours

Netball Junior Colours

Rugby Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Running Junior Colours

Swimming Full Colours

Junior Colours

T/Tennis Full Colours

Half Colours

Volleyball Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Arts & Culture

School Section

Mark Alderson, Angela Barry, Sonny Cain, Sophie

Carroll, Ariana Correa, Katy Fraser, Cathal Gilmour, Holly Grant, Skye Henderson, Harry McLeod, Megan

Munro, Leon Potts, Ewan Rennie, Cammie Robson, Samuel Sharp

Katie Charles, Kenzie Gibson, Lauren Milne, Jane Wilson

Ruari McMillan

Thomas McLeod, Callum Morrison

William Booth, Innes McMillan

Harry Hall

Jack Watson

Giorgia Alcaras, Alice Alcaras, Rory Matheson, Innes

McMillan

Christian Sharp

Lewis Forbes

Rachael Dixon, Shona Fraser, Kirsty Manclark

Angus Ferguson, Asia Purdie, Caitlin Robb, Lauren

Tawse, Matthew Smith

Emma Johnston, Rory Matheson, Deirdre O’Riordan, Joanne Watson

Chess Half Colours Leston D’Costa

Music

Choir

Choir & Show Choir

Concert Band

Face the Music

Full Colours

Anna Morrison

Half Colours Alex Brown, Sophie Carroll, Andrew Davidson, Eve Flett, Freya Martin, Katherine Morris, Beth Morrison, Laurel Renton

Junior Colours Ailsa Anderson, Ella Freeman, Jade Lorimer, Kirstin Wilson

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Show Choir Full Colours

String Orchestra Half Colours

Katie Buchan, Clara-Jane Maunder

Benedikta Bokedal, Sarah Burney, Ella Freeman, Angus Hogg, Holly Imperiale, Jade

Lorimer, Soumya Tangirala

Katie Davie, Denzil Matthews

Chloe Davidson

Megann Paterson

Meghann Paterson

Sam MacDougall, Lachlan Smith

Amie McKay, Callum Morrison

Innes Christie, Rory Matheson

Denzil Matthews, Robbie Scott

Eve Allan, Finlay Henry

Libby Taylor

Clara-Jane Maunder, Clara Oxley

Extra-Curricular Activities School Sports Clubs

Volleyball

2015-16 has been another great year for the Aberdeen Grammar School volleyball teams, with both team and individual successes over the course of the season.

Indoor volleyball team news

Our U-18 girls had a very successful season and competed in a variety of competitions. In the U-18 Junior Scottish Volleyball League, after a strong season, we finished in third place in the league, which booked us a play-off semi-final against second placed City of Edinburgh, our biggest rivals and a team we had yet to beat at play-offs. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be; we lost 2-1 in the end and had to settle for third place. It was a similar story in the Junior Super Cup (the national cup for junior club teams) where, after a great run, we were put out at the semi-final stage, again following a 2-1 defeat to City of Edinburgh. In the Scottish Schools Cup, however, we managed to get one stage further and reach our first ever national cup final, facing Belmont High of Ayrshire. Unfortunately, their experienced players managed to have a big impact on the game and we lost 2-0, despite a good fight in the second set. Success did come our way in the local senior district cup in which we went undefeated to win our only trophy of the season!

The strength in depth of our U-16 girls group was demonstrated by the fact that we were able to enter two teams in the U-16 Junior Scottish Volleyball League. One group was a young team looking to build for the future and the other was a team looking to challenge at the top end of the table. We did just that and managed to finish in third place.

Boys’ volleyball has really taken off this year and we are lucky to have established a link with Beacon Volleyball Club, based in Bucksburn. This has allowed many of our U16 players to play more competitive matches. On the school front our U-18 boys were unlucky to be knocked out at the semi-final stage by Mearns Castle Academy from East Renfrewshire. This cup run inspired us to enter into the U-18 Supercup to test ourselves against thebest club teams in Scotland. As newcomers to theNational stage we performed very well and showed that we were a match for the more established clubs. The U-16 boys have been our most improved team and we now have a very good core group of players who have been playing regular friendly matches against district league teams with the aim of being ready to compete at Junior National level next season.

Individual successes

This year has been a special year with several players getting recognition at district and international level.

European Small Countries Division Championships

School Section

Peter Dijkhuizen and Shona Fraser both came through several rounds of trials over a twoyear training cycle and were selected for the U-20 Men's and U-19 Women's squads. Peter travelled to Cyprus and won two caps versus San Marino and Faroe Islands, helping

Scotland on their way to a Bronze Medal. The Women’s competition was held in Perth which allowed Shona’s family, friends and club mates to go along and support her as she won her first caps. She had an excellent tournament and showed that she is able not only to compete, but also to stand out at that level. She played every match and won caps against Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Faroe Islands, helping Scotland to a Bronze medal.

Beach Volleyball

Beach Volleyball is gathering momentum in our second year of running development sessions. We have managed to have a successful block of sessions with around forty players experiencing the sand version of the game and some varied weatherconditions!We rounded thisblockoff withatriptotheEdinburgh Beach Volleyball Open, which forms part of the Scottish Beach Volleyball Tour. We took 13 pairs with us to compete across the U-16/U-18 Boys’ and Girls’ events and managed to come home with an impressive selection of medals.

1st place U-16 Boys – Patrick Stenhouse and Haydon Campbell

2nd place U-16 Boys – Markus Kan and Euan Fraser

1st place U-16 Girls – Karolina Wroblewska and Kate Renforth

2nd place U-18 Girls – Kirsty MacIver and Asia Purdie

Small Countries Championship

Two School pairs were selected to represent Scotland in the first ever International Beach Competition to be held among the Small Countries Division. Caitlin Robb and Kirtsy Manclark paired up, while Asia Purdie and Deirdre O’Riordan paired. With this being a senior event and the girls being between 1416 years old, they faced some tough competition that was much older. This included three Great Britain 2012 Volleyball Olympians (Lynne Beattie, Jo Morgan and Shuana Mullin) and a number of current and former professional players! The girls learned a lot from their experience and showed the potential they have in the future at this level. They met each other in a match to decide who would reach the quarter finals and meet the tournament top seeds and Commonwealth Games hopefuls Beattie/Coutts. Kirsty and Caitlin managed to come through the all Grammar match 2-1.

2015 UK School Games

A total of six pupils were selected to represent Scotland East at the 2015 UK School Games. Shona Fraser (captain), Asia Purdie, Kirsty MacIver, Kirsty Manclarkand Deirdre O’Riordan were selected for the girls and Peter Dijkhuizen for the boys. The six players progressed through four trials and prepared all summer for the event which was held in Manchester. The girls finished fourth, while Peter won a Bronze medal. Shona also gained individual recognition in the way of a ‘Golden Ball’, signifying that the coaches felt she was one of the tournament’s top six players! Shona, Asia and Deirdre are all currently going through the trial period for the 2016 event along with many of the younger players in the club. Fingers are crossed that we get a few Grammar players in the squad again this time around!

Golf

Grammar Success in the Aberdeen School League

The Grammar School Golf Team won the Paul Lawrie School League this session. Having come top of their league, they beat Albyn School in the semifinal and, after a very close match against Hazlehead Academy in the final, they wonafter a sudden deathat the 19th. Over the league games, semi-final and final the following pupils participated:-

S6 - Meagan Robb, Mark Gilmour and Sam Harrison.

S5 - Jack Pirie, Angus Ferguson and Cameron Spence,

S4 - Jonathan Bell, Harry McLeod and Clark Nicol,

S3 - Greg Pirie and Liam Strath

Paul Lawrie Strokeplay Competition

The Schools’ Paul Lawrie Strokeplay Competition was held on Tuesday 7 June. Five pupils from Grammar took part in the competition and, although we had no winners this year, Jack Pirie was beaten on a countback in the Scratch Competition.

Athletics

The Scottish Schools Athletics Championships took place at Grangemouth Stadium on 10th and 11th June with Harry Hall, Naomi Lang and Areeb Sherjil representing Aberdeen Grammar School. Harry won his 800 metre race whilst Naomi wonher3000 metreraceand wassecondinher800 metre. Areebfinished fourth in the heats of both the 100 metre and 200 metre races.

Swimming

On15thJune,twelve AGSswimmerstravelledtothe Royal Commonwealthpool in Edinburgh to compete against the top schools in the country. It turned out to be a very successful day when all twelve pupils came home with a medal (or two).

Our S2 girls, Gaia Alcaras, Kate Renforth, Charlie McDougall and Emma De Bari, had a storming race to take second place in their age category. The S3/S4 girls team, Alice Alcaras, Giorgia Alcaras, Heather Wallace and Kirstin Wilson, also performed well, picking up a bronze medal in the final, having been placed only sixth in the heats.

With each of them already winning medals, sisters Alice, Giorgia and Gaia Alcaras teamed up with Heather Wallace in the open category to add another medal (Bronze) to their collections.

The Open Boys team, Innes MacMillan, Jack Watson, Fergus Kennedyand Rory Matheson, had a terrific heat swim to go into the final, sitting in first place. Unfortunately, they were out-touched to the wall by Strathallan School and had to be content with second place.

Sports Day

Like always, the Grammar Games, held in late June, were a resounding success. The biggest annual showcase of the School’s sporting talent saw hundreds of pupils take part in a variety of athletic events. There were so many participants that a separate heats day had to be held!

Although the day started off cloudy, the sun broke through and shone a welldeserved spotlight on the competitors as the rest of the School joined us for the sprint finals and the relays.

Pupils competed for the much-wanted house points in the 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, long jump and shot put, adding on to the points tally from the high jump which was held the previous week. To finish the day, the highlyanticipated inter-house relays and the tug-of-war were held when an excited crowd of pupils and staff cheered on their houses, willed their teams over the line and most importantly demonstrated the great team spirit which exists at AGS.

Notable winners (and record breakers) include Theo Sharp (S3) with a 100m time of 12.43 seconds and Emilia Jovcic (S2) with a fantastic 1.40m in the high jump, but the overall sports champion was Ben Renton of Byron House.

The Rubislaw Jubilee Cup was hard-fought this sports day. After the points were added up and double checked Keith & Dun were declared the winners, holding on to the title for yet another year.

The highlight of the inter-house calendar certainly lived up to expectations, was enjoyed by all the competitors, but without the staff and everyone who came along to watch it would not have been such a success.

All Round Trophy Winners

June 2016

Music

Concert Band

AberdeenGrammar School concert band members were fortunate enoughto visit Belgium in June 2015. It was a fantastic experience, as we were able to perform ina wide varietyof venues includingGhent Cathedral and a theme park; we were even able to busk. One of the main highlights of the trip was when we travelled to Ypres and participated in the Menin Gate memorial service to commemorate the soldiers who fought in World War I. This ceremony has been running every year since 1928, and so it was an honour for us to be a part of the tradition. The whole experience was extremely powerful and it was huge privilege to have performed in the ceremony. I personally think the band have really benefited fromour time away, as we were able to do what we love ina completelydifferent environment, while also having the chance to spend more time getting to know

L – R: Daniel Hume, Catriona Stewart, Lucy McLeod, Lachie MacLeod with FP Club President Douglas Harper

each other. The band members owe a huge ‘thank you’to Ms Dowfor organising such an amazing trip; it was really special to be able to do something different.

The Concert Band on its Visit to Belgium

Drama at the Grammar

‘Face The Music’ Presents: Zombie Prom

In November ‘Face the Music’ performed their annual musical which this year was ‘Zombie Prom’. The show saw the culmination of months of hard work from the pupils and staff involved. The process started away back in March, with auditions being held before the Easter Holidays. This was slightly earlier than usual but gave the cast time to rehearse before the summer break. Once rehearsals had begun it was clear that the show itself was going to be harder than it looked. The score for the show really tested the company, as it was one of the most complex shows musically that ‘Face the Music’ had attempted. The cast gave up their evenings and weekends throughout the rehearsal period to ensure that they mastered not only the singing, but the acting and dancing as well!

As ifthe cast were not busyenough, they managed in addition to create a promo video which was released on YouTube, as well as performing a selection of songs from‘Zombie Prom’ at the Aberdeen Arts Centre. The cast and band were part of a Halloween Gala which showcased the work of local groups. This meant that with only days left before opening night the cast and band took time out to go to rehearse and perform at the Arts Centre. ‘Face the Music’ were the only youth group there and they did very well as they opened the show…no pressure! It was a great chance for the company to perform in front of an audience in preparation for show week (that performance is also on the ‘Face the Music’ YouTube channel).

When it came to show week all the hard work paid off. Although ‘Zombie Prom’ was not very well known it was very well received. There were great reactions from the audience every night and it was clear that everyone there enjoyed it. The story was set in the atomic ‘50s in a high school named after Enrico Fermi, the father of the atomic bomb. It was the classic tale of boy meets girl, girl dumps boy, so boy drives his motorcycle in to a nuclear power plant and comes back as a nuclear zombie in an attempt to win back girl and take her to the prom. Robbie Scott played the ‘boy’, Jonny Warner. The role had a challenging vocal with which Robbie coped really well. He also had to contend with dying on stage each night and spending time being transformed into a zombie. Aurora Robertson-Smith played opposite Robbie in the role of Toffee. She played the role of innocent teenager well and showed the contrast from happy-go-lucky to distraught when her boyfriend was gone. Aurora also delivered some great vocals including some touching moments, especiallyin theballad ‘Easyto Say’ in thesecond act. Both Robbieand Aurora played their roles well and some of their best vocals were when they sang together.

Like in any good high school the romantic leads were supported by a group offriends. For the boys there were some new faces to ‘Face the Music’. Angus Hogg played the role of Jonny’s geeky friend, Josh. Angus provided a lot of humour to some of the more tense moments. He also showed his musical skills when singing harmony for ‘How Can I say Goodbye’. Hayden Oliver played the role of Joey, one of the cooler jocks in the school. He had a good attitude and swagger that suited his character well. Reece Duncan took on

the role of Jake and had a good presence and confidence on stage which helped compliment the other boys in the group.

For the girls Libby Taylor played the geeky and conscientious Ginger. Libby, like Angus, added a lot of humour to the scenes and really found her inner geek. Sophie Morrice played the too cool for school Coco. She had a strong character reminiscent of Rizzo in Grease. Finally, Amanda Paterson made up the trio of girls as the worrying Candy. Amanda played the role well and also added some humour to the piece. The three girls worked well together and delivered some great harmonies and backing vocals in the number ‘Jonny don’t go’.

Last but by no means least were the ‘adults’ of the piece. Kate Riddoch took on the role of tyrannical Head teacher, Miss Strict. She played the role very well and seemed to be a natural teacher. It was clear that she had been doing some research into her character, as some ofher characteristics seemed very familiar. Miss Strict however was no angel and her secret affair with reporter and journalist Eddie Flagrante was exposed. Sean Farmerey took on the role of sleazy journalist Eddie and played the role very well, showing great maturity and great comic timing. The pair stole the show with their saucy tango number, ‘Expose’. The audience were in hysterics throughout the number and you could have easily forgotten that they were school pupils and not two middle-aged adults rekindling their sordid past.

These principals were, in turn, supported by a large company who worked really hard throughout the show. The company were on the stage a lot, so they had a lot of songs to learn as well as their blocking and dance. There were also a number of feature actors who took on some of the smaller roles within the piece and made for some memorable moments. A mention should also be made of Chloe Davidson, who stepped in on opening night to play the role of Candy as Amanda was ill. She was a credit to the show and it shows how talented our cast are. However the band should not be overlooked as they provided the soundtrack for the show. The music was a challenge and they rose to it. The show was almost sung through, which meant that the band played continually and had to be ready to adapt and move on to suit the dialogue.

Overall it was a long and difficult journey but it is safe to say that everyone enjoyed themselves at the prom and, in the words of Miss Strict, ‘that is all’!

London Business Visit

In October 2015, thirty-eight senior pupils, with accompanying staff, visited London for a four-day Business Excursion. There was an instructive visit to the Chelsea Football Club, where a member of staff gave the group a tour whilst answering their questions. He drew attention to new parts of the club and discussed where the club was developing. Pupils were able to sit in Jose Mourinho’s seat at the pitch side and also to visit the press room.

Pupils were entertained at the Lion King West End show and Harry Potter world, where they participated in a Movie Marketing workshop. As part of business includes buying and selling, the pupils visited Camden Market to see this up close and to experience the busy market atmosphere as compared to Aberdeen’s shopping centres.

All in all it was a worthwhile experience for everyone and it is believed that staff are already looking forward to next year’s trip!

Thorpe Molloy

My Future Aspirations 2015

The Art Department is delighted to announce continued success with the ‘My Future Aspirations,’ competition run byThorpe Molloy, which is a local recruitment agency. The Agency invites pupils from S1 and S2 to submit a piece of artwork portraying their future aspirations.

Most of the S2 Art classes created an entry using varying media to produce a 2D or 3D outcome. The School was allowed to submit eight entries and therefore each class taking part selected two winners to represent the group. Thorpe Molloy were really impressed with our entries and awarded each pupil a Certificate of Achievement. Stephanie Gibson, Weronika Polec and Namisha Jayasinghe were also awarded Certificates of Commendation, while Charlie MacDougall was awarded a Certificate of Excellence. The girls were invited along to the exhibition opening at the Accident &EmergencyDepartmentofAberdeen Royal Infirmary, andtotheSuttieCentre at Foresterhill where their work is displayed. It was a fun opening and representatives from Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust hosted tours of the artwork exhibited throughout the hospital.

A week at Oxford University

After completing the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) multiple choice papers, I was invited to attend the UKMT Summer School for Girls, which took place on the first week of term. It was based at Balliol College Oxford, and was a week packed full of mathsrelated activities designed to stretch the minds of forty of the UK’s young female mathematicians. During the summer school I was introduced to many new maths concepts, which built on what I already knew at school. The sessions were led by university lecturers as well as Oxford students who were studying maths. Over the course of the week, I made lots of new friends with like-minded people, and had the chance to speak to many inspiring people. I strongly encourage others to participate in the maths challenges and hopefully they will get as much out of the challenge as I did.

Heather Gault (S5)

Digital World

As apupil ofAberdeen Grammar School, I wasdelighted to havetheopportunityto attend the ‘Discovering Digital World’ exhibition held in Robert Gordon University recently. The event had several different stages, each highlighting the exciting opportunities and prospects within the digital sector. Such an opportunity is one that no pupil interested

in technology would ever surpass and I was so lucky to be invited to such an entertaining, but highly educational, event.

After being introduced to several employers and exciting businesses we were lead to the workshops, also known as ‘The Challenge Centre.’ Personally, I believe that this section of the event was the best; being able to test out the technology of the future and speak to such inspirational people ensured that I would never forget the experience.

‘The Inspiration Centre’ allowed us to hear personal experiences from employees and employers within the industry. To hear their thoughts, and to personally ask them questions, gave me so much insight into industry as a whole. Of course, there was a sense of inspiration and awe, hence the name!

The amazing experience brought to me by such an entertaining and educational day cannot be put into words. Speaking on behalf of the thirty pupils of the School who attended, I thank our own teachers, the employers and, of course, the amazing staff of Young Scot and Digital World for an amazing day!

The Micro-Tyco Challenge

S2 pupils took part in the Micro-Tyco challenge in November 2015, raising £781.54! Pupils worked in groups to organise and run an enterprise activity, including selling juice and cakes at intervals and before the School Show.

Each group was given £1 by Micro-Tyco to start their business. All money created by the Micro-Tycos is invested in micro-loans for poor entrepreneurs in the developing world. Participants “become an entrepreneur to fund an entrepreneur”. Micro-Tyco is already compulsory graduate training for multinationals such as Wood Group and RBS and is used by Deloitte as a talent identificationstrategyinUKuniversities.ThisisagreatadditiontotheS2pupils’ CV’s.

We held a Trade Fayre on the last day of the challenge to allow all groups to sell at the same time in the same location. The groups were pleasantly surprised by the interest and support from fellow pupils and teachers, with most groups managing to sell all of their products!

Staff Choir

May 2016 saw the fantastic Aberdeen Grammar School Staff choir ‘AGS to Riches’ perform beautifully in the Beach Ballroom. They were part of a ‘Workplace’ Choir Competition, ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ which was produced by VoluntaryService AberdeenandFionaKennedytoraise fundsforVSA’sMental Health work.

Singing Coldplay’s “A SkyFull of Stars” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, the choir wowed an audience of over 800. The event came to an ultimate climax when all ten choirs which competed sang “You’re the Voice”. Nearly £29,000

was raised which was a truly amazing achievement – so well done to Miss Henderson and her choir!

The 2016 Regional Cup

Team Mobius

Andrew Li, Raiaa Monnapilai, Shikshya Subedi,

Hassan Khan, Denzil Matthews

F1 in Schools

Team Mobius

Team Mobius took second place in the F1 in Schools Scottish regional final and also won the Team Identity Award. Team Mobius are now one of three teams representing Scotland at the UK National final, which is held at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire. The F1 in Schools Challenge is a worldwide competition aimed at senior school students, with 12 million students taking part across 34 countries. Each team has to design, analyse, manufacture and test a gas-powered miniature F1 car which is raced at speeds in excess of 70km/h. For further information about the challenge visit the official F1 in Schools website http://www.f1inschools.co.uk/. Through this challenge, the team has developed many key skills such as communication, presentation and teamwork. Team Mobius's aim for this challenge is to create an F1 style car that would be fastest on the track. The name Mobius as the team name is based on the Mobius strip which has one side and only one boundary; this represents team Mobius because it signifies the team's endless enthusiasm and its drive for success.

In order for Team Mobius to reach the National Final, the team is greatly in need of financial support. This can be in the formof sponsorship frombusinesses or just funding the team directly through their "Go Fund Me" page https://www.gofundme.com/d2sv4cxg. For anybusiness interested insponsoring the team, in return for the sponsorship the business's logo will be featured on the team's car, uniform, website and the pit display which will promote the business further as this event is broadcast over the internet and many audiences will be watching. The money received from these sources will significantly aid the team towards team's uniform, travelling and accommodation on the journey to the UK National Final and then the World Final after that which is held in Texas. For any additional information interested readers should visit the team's website http://mobiusags2015.wix.com/teammobius or email the team at mobiusags2015@gmail.com and don't forget to like team Mobius's Facebook page "Team Mobius F1".

Charities Group

Throughout the course of this year our Charities Group has been raising funds for the ARCHIE Foundation. Our aim was to raise £2000 to go towards making the Aberdeen Children’s hospital a happier environment for the children and to make their visit to hospital an easier experience.

We chose ARCHIE because it is a small, local charity which helps people all over the north-east who come to the hospital. We liked the thought of being able to see where the money raised was going and wanted to help make the children and their families have a more comfortable stay.

In order to achieve our goal we have held numerous events which have all been very successful due to the amazing support we have had from everyone.

We recently held a piano tea party at Rubislaw Church Centre, where our fantastic pianists showcased their talents. Selling tickets and home-bakes made this our best event yet! We were able to raise £800 from the evening with help from teachers, pupils and parents. We would like to thank everyone who has donated and helped us achieve this result which would not have been possible without their support.

On 16th March we held a quiz night at the Ashvale Restaurant. There was a huge turn out and everyone had a great time. The raffle was extremely popular and the tickets for it sold out. Well done to the team, ‘The Bennum Babes and Boy’, who won the quiz with an impressive 62/70!

We are grateful to all the parents and staff who donated raffle prizes and to everyone who bought raffle tickets even if they could not attend the event. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Taylor (parent of Megan Taylor B15) for contributing so much towards the event, and also to all the local businesses who kindly donated prizes. The event raised the fantastic sum of £779 for the ARCHIE Foundation.

The Charities Group plan to hold many more fund-raisers in the future and hope that these are all as successful as they have been so far so that we can reach the £2000 target which we have set for 2015-16 our chosen charity

Book Binding Workshops

On 25th November a number of senior pupils in the Art Department were invited to take part in a book binding workshop delivered by Susan Cassie of ‘The Studio,’ Monymusk. The workshop coincided with Book Week Scotland and it enabled us to appreciate the skill of hand crafting books. We were taught how to make a button hole book from scratch and were encouraged to use our own patterns as covers. I personally found the workshop very beneficial, as I am designing a range of stationery as part of my higher Art and Design project. We all thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and learned a valuable new skill – some people even managed to make a unique Christmas present!

Elle Milne KD14 Gardening Club

Our School Garden has great potential and our new Gardening Club has set out to make it a welcoming, calm and friendly place for pupils and staff. The club includes seven pupils and three staff, including the former Rector, and meets twice a week after school. Already the garden is looking much better, as we have

cleared overgrownborders, pruned backshrubs and we have started plantingnew bulbs and plants. Weplantomakeuseof thegardeninanumberofways:asasocial area for pupils and staff to enjoy; as a teaching and learning space for Home Economics, Art, Science and other classes to access; and as an area for some of our more vulnerable pupils to develop life skills. Part of this area will be turned into a sensory/herbgardeninordertosupportbothpupilswithadditionalsupportneedsand our Home Economics classes who are keen to learn about the growing and use of herbs.

Withthe help of Ms Cawdronof the Biologydepartment we have grown tomato plants and we recently had a sale of these and bay leaves form the garden to raise funds for the gardening equipment we need. We are committed to continue to fundraise to buy a shed and other resources to allow us to continue developing the garden and we are delighted with the donations of plants which we have already received.

Oneareaofthegardenistotallyconcreted.Theschoolhasrecentlyboughtpicnic tables for this area but it is very barren and we would like make the area more attractivewithcolourfulpotsandplants. Ourfutureprojectsincludethedevelopment of a herb garden and a vegetable patchand proper maintenance of the pond.

We are very excited that the whole school community will benefit from this fantasticnewprojectandwearecommittedandenthusiasticaboutturningourgarden into the central hub ofthe school.

Gray’s School of Art Trip

On Monday 20th June the Advanced Higher Art and Design class got the opportunity to visit the Gray’s School of Art Degree Show. We were invited to visit students’ displays and we spoke to them about their work, as well as having the chance to look around the other areas of the show. It was a fantastic opportunity to ask questions about their pieces as well as the courses on offer. Being able to interact with the staff and students was beneficial as it gave us an extra insight into the course content and we got some tips and direction for our own projects.

We were given access to the sketchbooks containing development work which underpinned the final outcomes and products. As their projects were similar to ours we found theminspirational and wewereableto incorporatesomeideasintoourown projects at School.

Degree Shows are an excellent way to see the variety of courses, from textiles, garment design and construction, to printmaking, fine art and communication design. It certainly gave us a lot to think about and it was good to see the kind of work that can be produced with a degree in Art and Design.

The Gardening Club in action

Rwanda

Well, that was quite an experience!

Rwandan people are very welcoming, hardworking and resourceful, and the country is beautiful – in a surprisingly green and productive way – and I am very glad that I grabbed the opportunity to live and work in such a different culture.

I, along with fifteen other teachers from the North East of Scotland, travelled to Rwanda on 4th July as part of a global learning partnership initiative, and remained in the country until 4th August. My experiences were varied and memorable, from working with parents in a Democratic Republic of Congo refugee camp in the south of the country, to the north, where I had experienced getting out of the way to allow a juvenile mountain gorilla catch up with its sibling to play.

I stayed well for the month. I worked hard at that, as the conditions I experienced at “home” were very basic: no running water, a squat toilet out the back and, most challenging, no electricity! And when it gets dark – pitch black at 6.30 – you miss electricity! Getting to and from our accommodation, which was Nuns’ accommodation next to the school, was an adventure in itself. We had to travel from the capital, Kigali, on minibuses jam-packed with people. In fact, the buses would not leave until all the seats were filled with adults. This was a hot, bumpy, noisy journey of 3 to 5 hours. We then had to get a taxi for the next twelve miles, but not a taxi as I previously knew one to be – they are motos, motorbike taxis. You sit on the back with your luggage perched somewhere –just about anywhere, in fact – then off you set holding on to your helmet, which never fits! Our 12-mile journey took us through banana and coffee plantations down a dirt track of orange dust, to arrive at our destination looking as if we had a really bad fake tan, or perhaps we had been “tangoed”!

So what was I doing there? You may well ask – I did occasionally! I was working with Rwanda IEE (Inspire, Educate and Enthuse Rwanda) mentors. These are enthusiast teachers, whose job it is to help and guide Rwandanteachers toteachingina moreinteresting,pupil-centred way.Thisisto bedoneinEnglish, although this is not the first language for many. The Rwandan government has a 2020 vision – they aspire to be a “knowledge-based middle-income country” by 2020.Oneoftheiractionsisto make educationaboveprimary3taughtinEnglish – quite a challenge for poorlypaid (£40 per month) teachers, some of whom have relatively little English themselves. My job was to try to inspire and suggest strategies to help the mentors implement their remit. At the same time I gained experiences which would help my class-teaching back in Aberdeen as well as help me promote Global citizenship among staff, pupils and the wider

community here at home. So here I go, did you know that providing quality education for all is one of the UN’s sustainable development goals for 2030?

I had been placed with my friend and colleague Gill Moffat, a teacher at Woodlands School, to live and work in GS Mugombwa school – a school accommodating about 7000 pupils, many of them living as refugees in the neighbouring UN refugee camp. The school taught the children from nursery up to sixth year in secondary school. Education is compulsory in Rwanda, but not in the Democratic Republic of Congo, so classes had pupils of all ages, and some of the seniors were in their 20’s! When a school is as big as this but has just 80 teachers, the pupils have to come in shifts. The first shift is from 7 am until 12ish and the second ends about 5pm. The pupils alternate if they come in the morning or afternoon as some of the children have to walk a long way to come to school.

At the weekends Gill and I explored Rwanda, usually meeting up with some, or all of the rest of the cohort. The first weekend we travelled west to the Nyungwe forest where we did a tree-top walk and I was kept awake by the squabbling of the biggest bats I have ever seen – they were the size of crows!

On the second weekend we travelled to the north-east and spent the day on safari in the Akagera National Park. On the third weekend, the whole cohort travelled to Rubavu, on Lake Kivu, for a working weekend. On our last weekend, most of the group travelled north-west to the Volcanoes National Park, where we had the great pleasure of observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. What a treat! They were so relaxed and did not seem to be at all affected by our presence, except for one little one who looked like a guilty teenager caught doing something he shouldn’t be doing!

I arrived home tired, a little tanned, but life-enhanced, to enjoy a restful and quiet (I had lost my voice teaching) ten days of the summer holidays.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about this experience and if you want to know more I am happy to share my new found knowledge and experiences.

Jennifer Cawdron

Springboard Future Chef Competition 2016

The Springboard Future Chef competition is held annually to inspire young people to explore cooking as a life skill. It aims to develop their culinary talent and inform them about entry routes into the hospitality industry.

The competition is over four stages: school heat, local final, regional final and the national final, which is held in London. Pupils are mentored by a chef from a local hotel.

After a cook-off in school, Megan Taylor of S3 was chosen to represent Aberdeen Grammar School at the local final at North East Scotland College. Megan was mentored by Gary Leishman, a chef at the Chester Hotel.

The brief for the local final was to produce two restaurant-quality dishes for two people with a budget of £7.00. Megan’s main course was cured cod with cauliflower puree, wilted spinach and giant couscous, with a golden raisin and caper dressing. For dessert she made a vanilla panacotta with orange jelly and cinnamon doughnuts. She had one hour thirty minutes in which to produce the meal.

Bothcoursescomprised manyelementsandthe menuwaschallenginginboth skills and time. Megan kept a cool head and was declared the winner of the local final. She had two weeks to prepare for the regional final in Inverness. The budget was increased to £10. She kept the same menu but was able to add a few extra ingredients. The judges were also looking at knife skills as well as creativity and presentation.

There were eight competitors in the regional final. The competition is open to 12-16 year olds and two of the competitors had already left school and were working as trainee chefs. Megan cooked both dishes perfectly and served them on time. The standard was extremely high and it must have been difficult for the judges to come to a decision. In the end Megan was declared runner up and the winner was Connor Duncan, who is a trainee chef at Trump International. He went on to secure third place in the national final.

Megan enjoyed the experience, learned a lot from it, and would not rule out entering similar competitions in the future.

World Challenge – Cambodia & Vietnam Summer 2016

On 24th June four teachers and thirty-six pupils from the Grammar embarked on a journey to the other side of the world. They will spend a month travelling in Cambodia and Vietnam where they will see such sights as Siem Riep, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.

The group are to be split into two teams, and each team will complete a project phase.

Team 1 will tackle a Community Project based in Hoi An, where they will be working in a homeless and disabled centre which caters for vulnerable members of the community.

Team2 will take on a CommunityProject, again based in Hoi An, where they will be workingina PrimarySchool decoratingclassrooms, teachingEnglishand engaging with the local community.

Both groups will also embark on a major trek through the region’s dense jungle. A full report and photographs will hopefully be published in the next issue of the Magazine.

AMOPA at Aberdeen Grammar School

Advanced Higher French pupils again entered the prestigious AMOPA speaking competitioninFebruary.Wehad fiveentriesandoneofourpupils, LibbyTaylor, took first place. Four of the entrants are shown below. Everyone will receive a certificate and individual feedback on their performance. The competition is sponsored by TOTAL and there will be a presentation of certificates at a later date.

Katryn Dickson, Libby Taylor, Catriona Stewart, Martyna Procek

The Phil Love Trophy

The Phil Love Trophy was awarded this year to a group of pupils for the first time rather than to an individual. The members ofthe AberdeenGrammar School Concert Band have brought a huge amount of credit to the School. They compete at national level and have achieved platinum awards at Scottish and National festivals. They have also performed across the city, raising substantial funds for charity and so are worthy recipients of this prestigious award.

The Club Run 1913

The FP Club Motor Section

Following the article on the Club Centre Classic Car Rally of 2014, published in the last issue of the Magazine, interest has been expressed in the one-time Motor Section of the F. P. Club, and in particular its inaugural week-end run which was the subject of an article in the June 1913 Magazine. It was thought that the article in question was worthy of repeat.

The first serious item in the Section’s programme was a week-end run to Inverness, down the Canal, and home by Pitlochry and Braemar.

The official start was at Hazlehead at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, 3rd May. Edwards and passenger left town in a Palladium earlier in the day, and the following was the party at the start:- Gillies, 8 h.p. Matchless and side-car; Ellis 3¾ h.p. Scott, and side-car; Bisset, 3 ¾ h.p. Scott and side-car; Cook, 2¾ h.p. Twin Enfield; Barron, 3½ h.p. B.S.A.; Bruce, 3½ h.p. Humber; Glegg, 3½ h.p. Triumph; Macdonald, 3½ h.p. T.T. Triumph; and Williamson, 3½ h.p. Rudge.

Craigen (3½ h.p. Rudge), familiarly known as “Tammy”, who had turned up to see the party start, had ignition trouble at Blackburn and had to be towed to Inverurie by the Humber. This caused some delay at the first check, but Elgin was comfortably reached in time for tea. The next “collecting point” was the Fountain at Nairn, but as various ideas of the best route from Elgin to Forres prevailed,andaseveryonetookit forgranted thatthepartywouldgobyhisroute, agooddealofcountrywascovered betweenthesetwoancient burghs,thesection which went by the Priory having the finest views if the longest route. At Forres, where heavy rain started, lamps were lit, and a few miles further on the main body joined the Humber and the Secretary, the former having shown a disinclination for further work that night. However, after the experts on the spot had done their worst, a few dismal groans were extracted from the engine and the party got going again after about an hour’s delay. Nairn was soon reached in pelting rain, in spite of which the local yokel seemed to prefer the middle of the streetforconversingwithhis fellowagriculturalists.Inverness wasreached about 11 p.m. On entering the Station Hotel, Cook – by this time known as the Boy Scout from his penchant for travelling miles ahead – and the luxurious Palladiumites were found comfortably ensconced in the lounge. Under the soothing influence of supper and other refreshments the spirits of the party, at no time very low, rose considerably, and it was at a very early hour indeed that one of the Scott exponents was observed looking for his blankets which had mysteriously disappeared.

Next morning all were up betimes except the Rudge rough-rider, whose excuse was that, having broken a collar stud, he had to effect a repair with a belt

fastener. The Palladium and the Boy Scout pushed off about 10.30, and the rest of the party followed through magnificent scenery to Drumnadrochit. The Triumph had the first puncture of the run, and it was evidently a bad one as its owner and Bruce, the official patch-sticker, took about an hour to repair it, and gave the main partya long interval for refreshments at Invermoriston, which was fully taken advantage of. The road from Drumnadrochit to Invermoriston was found to be more like a scenic railway than a turnpike, and the Palladium, which tried conclusions with a telegraph pole, found the latter quite substantial and had to crawl back to Inverness to get matters straightened out.

Lunch was takenat Fort Augustus. The BoyScout chalked up one kind action for the day by having the meal ready on the arrival of the party. The first stop after lunch was Invergarry, and the road now became – in the words of a side-car passenger on a similar occasion – “most poisonous”. Here and there along Loch Lochy the road had been completely washed away, and the riders had to make their way across long stretches of shingle and water courses with the inevitable result – punctures. The first of the party reached Spean Bridge about 5.30. Rain having fallen heavily for some time and the party being considerably damp there was some disinclination to set out for Loch Laggan, which was at this time thought of as a stopping place for the night. However, the party eventually pushed off, and for the first few miles the road improved. The rain had stopped, leavingclear to the viewa countryoflochs, hillsand waterfalls, the latter ranging from the merest feathery trickle to roaring torrents, a magnificent sight. The road was too good to last, and long stretches of loose metal were soon encountered, with no blinding and no rolling. This may make good going for traction engines but is ruinous for the average motor vehicle, and shooting was mild compared to the ends proposed for the surveyor responsible.

At Laggan it was found that the accommodation was limited, and it was decided to push on to Dalwhinnie. Lamps were lit, and the short cut over to Dalwhinnie was found a few miles from Laggan. Much unparliamentary language was heard amongst the riders of fixed gears, caused by the hilly nature ofthe road, but ultimatelythe lights ofDalwhinnie were seenfar below. The road here is unique and resembles nothing so much as a bunker after the passage of a party of earnest golfers. What are the qualifications for a road surveyor’s job? At the Loch Ericht Hotel a partyoflively Aberdonians who had beentryingto climb Ben Alder had apparently exhausted the hotel’s possibilities, for not only was there no accommodation, but absolutely no food (or drink) could be procured. The enterprising Scout was found slumbering audibly in his little cot – the last vacant bed in the place! A suitable reward for merit. The party therefore shook the dust, or rather sand, of Dalwhinnie from their back tyres and set their faces for Killiecrankie and Fisher’s Hotel, Pitlochry, it now being after 11 p.m. and 30 miles to go. The long descent from Dalwhinnie was made in fast time, and after some joy riding in the neighbourhood of Blair-Atholl, a most excellent supper

and comfortable beds were found at Fisher’s, on whom the party called down blessings about 1 a.m. – the hotel manageress having previously blessed them for rousing her from her beauty sleep at that same hour.

At breakfast next morning the party was joined by the Palladium, which had come on by Carr Bridge after making good all damage – a smart piece of work. Bisset and Brown, his passenger, also re-joined at breakfast. They had lost a sidecar spring in the dark shortly after leaving Dalwhinnie, had returned to Dalwhinnie where theyspent the night in the hotel lounge until 6 a.m., whenthey had sullied forth, found the spring, and re-joined as stated – a very good performance.

Theforenoonwasspentinputtingmachinesinorder afterthe severegruelling they had had the day before, and a start was made about lunch-time for the Glen Shee Hotel, which was reached in beautiful weather about 3 p.m. After light refreshments, the party proceeded to tackle the notorious “Devil’s Elbow”. The majority of the party reached the top without much trouble. The Humber made a clean ascent, as did the Matchless with passenger and luggage aboard. After tea at Braemar there was some speed work over the now excellent road to Ballater and then to Aboyne for dinner. One member of the party, without any special exertion, reached Aboyne 16 minutes after leaving Ballater. The same member of the party had to be towed the last eleven miles into Aberdeen as a result of his petrol drain being accidentally turned on with disastrous results. Such is fate.

The whole party were unanimous in declaring the weekend one of the best ever spent, and a great deal of the credit is due to the secretary, Mr D.R. Macdonald, who, both in his advance arrangements and on the road, was most efficient.

Considering the conditions the machines did excellently, the Rudge and Matchless having no involuntary stops; while in general the riders were particularly smart in effecting repairs, Bruce, in particular, seeming to revel in all sorts of punctures.

Recollections of a Free Place Scholar

Little did I know when I rather nervously entered the portals of Aberdeen Grammar School for the first time in August 1945 that some seventy years later I would be writing an article for the Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine in 2016 about what that experience was like and recalling a connection with that School that encompassed not just the six years I spent there as a pupil, but also a period of seven years – from1959 to 1966 – when I was a member of the English Department.

Even before I became a pupil, I had some experience of knowing a bit about the school in that my family lived just round the corner from the School in number 40 Esslemont Avenue which, at that time, consisted of tenement housing dating back to the late 19th century which offered flats to rent to poorer members of the community - in our case from rural Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire. My Dad’s folk were all farm labourers, my Mum’s were from Banchory Devenick, where they were tenant farmers eking out a living in fairly poor circumstances.

MyDad was a General Labourer, often out of work who, when that happened was ‘on the Bru’ and would be required, if necessary, to assist the Town Council in bad winter weather byshovelling snow off the streets in order to earn his ‘Bru’ money. My pals and I came to despise the Grammar School boys whom we encountered coming and going to the Grammar up or down our street as “toffs” and we were wont to shout after them “Awa’ ye Grammar turdies”, accompanied on snowy days by a volley of snowballs to help them on their way!

I was initially disappointed when I first learned, during my final year at Mile End Primary School, that I had been awarded a Free Place at the Grammar, as at Mile End it was thought that winning a bursary to Robert Gordon’s College was much the better option.

I certainly found it difficult to overcome my nervousness and lack of confidence as an “outsider” in my early years at the Grammar. I tended to hobnob with those new pupils who also came from the other Council-run Primary Schools in the city by sheer instinct, and these formed the core of my friends in the School throughout my time there.

Naturally, over the years, I got to know those other boys who were initiated into the ways of the Grammar by going through the fee-paying Lower School and became, inevitably, the prefects and the most outstanding scholars over the course of the six years I was there. These included Gordon Coutts (a former FP Club President), Denys Henderson who was knighted and became head of ICI and has just recently died, Steve Robertson of “Scotland the What?” fame and Sandy McIlwain, a distinguished figure in the Scottish legal system.

It was not until I reached the Sixth Year that I began to mature and gain a little bit of confidence in myself and appreciate what my teachers had been doing for me. I was particularly influenced by characters such as Tarzan McLeod who taught me Latin in the First Year, and later by ‘Happy Harry’ Milne who was Head of Classics and squeezed me into the Advanced Latin class at Aberdeen University, by Major Sandy Russell, Head of English, whose approach to the subject made me opt for an Honours Degree in English, and by the Rector JJR who stood out as a stern but caring man whom I learned in later years had done much to promote what eventually became comprehensive schools into the Scottish Education system.

Perhaps the most defining moment for me during the whole of my time at the Grammar was the thrill of actually winning a prize for my studies in the Sixth Year which came about because I unexpectedly won a Bursary of, I think, £30 in the Bursary Competition for entry to Aberdeen University. This more than made up for my earlier disappointment at not getting a Bursary for Gordon’s College.

After doing an Honours Degree at Aberdeen University in 1955 and going on to train as a teacher at Aberdeen Training College, I started my career at Torry Junior Secondary School. Here I taught English, History, Geography and Bible and took a big interest in extra-curricular activities, including running football and cricket teams and being Camp Commandant at a School Camp in a country school in Aberdeenshire which, in a way, gave me an excellent grounding for my later career in the teaching profession.

I eventually applied for an English post at the Grammar School which I was very glad to accept in 1959 when, it so happened, I went to see JJR, who was just about to retire. He had probably never heard of me, but gave me a very warm welcome and said that doing a spell in a Junior Secondary School was excellent trainingforcomingtoaSeniorSecondarySchool.Helived uptomyexpectations by being so positive, and I felt proud to come back to the School.

I stayed at the Grammar for seven years and became assistant principal teacher of English under Alex Tait, the principal teacher, and took a very active interest in the Dramatic Society which was wonderfully run by Tabby King and Ivor McGee, before I went on to become Principal Teacher of English at Summerhill Academy in 1966.

It is not recorded in the recently published record of the School’s history, but duringthe early60s approximatelyfourteen members ofthe staffat the Grammar school went ona one-daystrike called bythe ScottishSchoolmasters Association on the grounds that their organisation was not given a seat on the National Joint Committee on teachers’ pay. At the time I happened to be the SSA staff representative and had to tell John Vass Skinner that I would be leading a oneday strike of teachers at the Grammar in support of the SSA Union. He took it in good grace, realising that for many years teachers had been taken for granted and were grossly under-paid. Needless to say, the strike went ahead and I am sure that I am right in thinking that I might be the only teacher at the Grammar over the many years of its existence who ever led a strike at the School!

On that note I would like to say that I owe the Grammar School in retrospect a great debt for the way in which it helped me both as a human being but also professionally in paving the way towards a very successful career. I went on to be Head Teacher of Logie Secondary School, Dundee and latterly the Rector of Whitfield High School, Dundee before finally retiring in 1993.

Peter Murphy (1945-51)

Rubislaw Field

This year marks the Centenary of the opening of Rubislaw Field, and it seems appropriate to put on record afresh how the acquisition of the Field came about.

At the Annual Dinner of the FP Club held in December 1913 reference was made to the wholly unsatisfactory state of the recreation grounds available for pupils ofthe School. These grounds were, ofcourse, on site at Skene Street and the field was the only place available to the whole School. Being constantly in use, it was in winter a sea of mud and during the summer, for cricket, was hopeless. The need for proper provision had long been recognised and the High Schools Committee of the local authority School Board had admitted the unsatisfactory situation.

Mr James Esslemont, President of the Club at the time, was prevented by illness from attending the Dinner but arranged for a letter to be read explaining that the School Board shared the Club’s views and had, in fact, been on the outlook for some years for ground of suitable extent. They had been in treaty for the purchase of a site eminently suitable in every way, the only obstacle to the completion of the scheme being the question of price.

Mr Esslemont further reported that he had taken the matter up, along with the Club’s other senior office-bearers, and he was hopeful that they would be able to obtain the site on the east side of Anderson Drive between Cromwell Road and Harlaw Road, twelve acres in extent and of level surface which was offered at a reasonable price by the Aberdeen Land Association. He explained that the Club Executive proposed to make an appeal for financial support towards acquiring the ground.

The scheme was approved by the School Board on 22 May 1914. The cost of purchase was £4500, plus £1300 required to cover street formation, laying out and enclosing the ground and legal and architect’s fees. The Board pledged its credit to raise the total sum to be repaid in annual instalments which would see the field in possession of the School as a free asset.

The ground was acquired, laid out and completed and was officially opened on Saturday 16 September 1916. The next issue of the Magazine describes that as “a red letter day in the history of the School, for on it the dream of our fathers and even of our grandfathers became a reality. The generations which from the ‘70s had sighed for the acquisition of a playing field worthy of a school such as ours at last had their wishes gratified. Their hopes had been so long deferred that they had begun to abandon all hope. But it was all well worth waiting, for we

now find ourselves in possession of the largest school-field in Scotland – twelve acres in extent”.

The opening ceremony was graced by glorious weather. The sylvan setting to the west, lit up by the rays of the sun, formed a fine setting to the spacious and beautifully laid-out grounds. At the Harlaw gate there was the banner of St. Andrew, at another gate flewthe flags of France and Belgium, while inthe centre of the field was displayed the Union Jack. The day was memorable as being the apotheosis of the athletic spirit which has always pervaded the school, as evidenced by the historic silver medals presented for excellence in archery in the 17th Century. As spectators looked admiringly on teams of fleet young athletes pass the saluting point many recalled those who had passed just a short time earlier and who had now been casualties of War.

The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs Cruickshank, wife of the Convener of the Higher Education Committee of the School Board. Members of the Board, Grammar School and civic representatives assembled at the entrance to the cricket pitch and the Rector, Dr Morland Simpson, invited Mrs Cruickshank to perform the ceremony, which she did by cutting a ribbon with silver scissors, which were then presented to her. Mrs James Esslemont, widow of Mr James Esslemont, was presented with a luminous clock suitably inscribed.

Mr Cruickshank, in a short address, said that the School with its long history had had many epoch-making days, but the ceremony just completed was just as important as any that had ever taken place. They owed, in large measure, to the Former Pupils’ Club the field in which they were met. They owed it in a particularly large measure to the President of the Club, the late Mr James Esslemont, who had taken an extraordinarily keen interest in the movement which led to the acquisition of the field. The facilities for games in the Grammar School had been restricted, but now for the first time in its history full justice would be done to them. The field would play a very important part in equipping the sons of the city who attended the Grammar School, and an important part, through them, in building up the Empire. It was with that objet that those responsible had set themselves to prepare it, and he had the greatest pleasure, on behalf of the School Board and of the Higher Education committee, in placing the field at the disposal of the school and its pupils.

An Unusual Sport

The Editor received an enquiry earlier this year from a Dr Robert Semple who was tasked with giving the R.D. Lawrence lecture to the Annual Professional Meeting of Diabetes UK. The lecture is named after Robert Daniel Lawrence (1900-09), a distinguished diabetologist who, having graduated in Medicine at Aberdeen in 1916, was by pure chance found to be a diabetic. He was one of the

first patients to be treated with insulin when it became available in Britain and then resolved to devote his career to the study of diabetes.

WhatpromptedDrSemple’senquirywas that he had learned throughGoogle that when at Aberdeen Grammar School Dr Lawrence had regularly featured in the School Sports for different events including, in 1907, 2nd prize for “Sword Feats on Bicycle”. Reference to the Magazine of the time confirms this prize and also shows that Dr Lawrence was winner of the Broad Jump the following year. He was also a member of the 1st Cricket XI and served on the School Games Committee.

The Editor’s best efforts have not been able to discover exactly what the bizarre and dangerous-sounding Sword Feats on Bicycle involved. If anyone can throw light on this fascinating mystery from so long ago the Editor will be glad to know.

Former Pupils’ Club

Founded 11 September 1893

Club Office-Bearers, 2016-2017

Honorary President:

ALISON MURISON MA (Head Teacher)

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)

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

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)

MELDRUM B. EDWARDS (1947-60) MBE, BSc, MICE (President 2015-16) (Specially Elected)

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)

GRAHAM LEGGE BEd, MEd, (Rector 2004-15) (Elected 2016)

President:

DOUGLAS R. HARPER BSc, MB,ChB, MD, FRCSE, FRCS (1944-58)

Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) CBE, LL.D, LL.B,

Secretary:

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

Treasurer:

JOHN C.A. MICHIE (1944-58)

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

Former Pupils’ Section

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 – RUARAIDH W. MacINTYRE (1945-51)

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

Secretaries of Sections

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

Curling – NORMAN PATERSON (1947-61) nwp21tp@outlook.com

Football – PETER DAVIDSON grammarfps@gmail.com

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

Executive Committee

ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) Chairman

DOUGLAS MARR (1959-65) 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)

H. ALAN S. HAMILTON (1943-56)

NEIL J.G. LAWRIE (1961-74)

JOHN C.A. MICHIE (1944-58)

RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65)

GRANT A. HAMILTON (1988-94)

EMMA A. MAIR (1985-91)

BRIAN R. MORGAN (1952-65)

GEOFFREY E. MORRISON (1992-98) HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65)

BARRY J. SHEPHERD (1988-94)

ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75)

DAVID R.D. WALLIS (1979-85)

Section Representatives

Club Centre – DAVID LEIGHTON (1959-62)

Cricket – JEREMY D. MOIR (1969-75)

Curling – COLIN R. SUTHERLAND (1947-60)

Football –

Golf – DALLAS G. MOIR (1969-75)

Hockey –Pétanque –

Women’s Hockey – EMMA MAIR (1985-91)

Staff – JANET C. ADAMS (1980-86)

Auditors

Messrs. BOWER & SMITH, C.A.

Club Centre Committee

DAVID LEIGHTON – Chairman

W. MICHAEL MURRAY – Depute Chairman

W. K. PRITCHARD – Secretary

J. MARTIN JEFFREY – Treasurer

BEN JOHNSON – Membership Secretary

K. BARNETT, C. BROWN, C. CLELLAND, G.M.E. GRAHAM, L. LAMBERT, J.C.A. MICHIE, D.G. MOIR, H.E. MORRISON, H. SMITH, G. THOMSON, L. TOMKINS

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 fourteenth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Club Centre in Aberdeen on Monday 28 March 2016, with Mr Alan Campbell, the VicePresident, in the Chair. The Chairman reported as follows:

In mid-May last year, just six weeks after the Annual Meeting, Douglas McAllister intimated that he was stepping down from his involvement with the affairs of the Club

Former Pupils’ Section

with immediate effect. The post of Vice-Chairman of the Executive was unfilled as noone had been nominated at the Annual Meeting, so that there was no natural immediate successor. In the absence at the Annual Meeting of a nominee for the vacant post of Treasurer Douglas had agreed to take that under his wing until a new appointment was made. In the months following Douglas’ announcement he and the Secretary between them continued to deal with day-to-day matters while enquiries were set in motion to identify a new Chairman as well as a Vice-Chairman and a Treasurer.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee held in December John Michie was appointed as Treasurer. At a further meeting on 2nd March I was co-opted to the Executive and appointed as Vice-President of the Club and Chairman of the Executive. At the same meeting Douglas Marr was co-opted and appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Executive. As at that time there was a full set of office-bearers in place.

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 2015 Accounts (reproduced at the end of this Magazine) showing a surplus of £2,920 weresubmitted and approved. Attention was again drawn to theadverseeffect on theClub finances of supporting the Club Centre while it is under pressure, although it was noted with satisfaction that the Centre had returned to profit in 2015.

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.

In closing the meeting, the Chairman recorded that, although he had only been in post for a few weeks, he wished to express his thanks to the members of the Executive and of the Club Centre Committee and all those others who have given their time to support the Club’s activities.

Former Pupils’ Club A.G.M.

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

The 2017 A.G.M. will therefore be held on Monday, 27 March at 7.30 p.m. in the Club Centre, 86 Queen’s Road, Aberdeen

President’s Report

When asked by Chairman Douglas McAllister if I would accept nomination as President of the Former Pupils’ Club, as he said afterwards, “I accepted in a nanosecond”. Not surprising for such a great honour. In days gone by my father, Freddie Edwards, had received a similar request, but turned it down on the grounds of false modesty. So clearly I have no false modesty!

The formal handover of the “gong” took place at the Club’s AGM on 24 March 2015 and I looked forward to fitting in the various dinners and other functions. There were twelve in all, and the only one I missed was the Glasgow Centre dinner (due to a prior commitment).

The first was the Edinburgh Centre dinner at the Bruntsfield Links Golf Society, ably organised by Secretary and Treasurer James Rust and chaired by Neil Borthwick in the absence of Morr Brown due to ill health. The principal guest was Jim Lyon who gave an excellent speech. Rector Graham Legge, Head Boy Christopher Levitt and Head Girl Ailsa Johnston attended. I gave a reprise of my talk at the Aberdeen dinner the previous month - “A lifetime of running, inspired by Aberdeen Grammar School”.

In May I attended the Aberdeen Watsonian Club dinner at the Royal Northern and University Club in Albyn Place. Organised by Richard Bathgate, the guest speakers were Keith Mair and Dr Alasdair Weston. I replied on behalf of the guests. This was a very enjoyable evening.

Next was the St Margaret’s School Quiz night which I attended with our own Aberdeen Dinner convener, Neil Lawrie. We were in the same team and with one topic remaining we were confident of winning. However our dreams were dashed when the last topic was politics rather than sport.

On 26 June the School Prize-Giving took place in the Music Hall. Around 900 pupils, 300 parents and 50 guests gathered to recognise the achievements of the pupils. The Rector performed his final role before retiring and the keynote address was given by Professor Iain Gray, CBE, the Director of Aerospace at Cranfield University. I was pleased to present the four FP AllRoundPrizesto KingshukGosh, JuliaStenhouse, Eilidh McCreath and Cledwyn Viegas. Head Girl Ailsa Johnston gave a vote of thanks.

Next my wife Kareen and I decided to have a two-week holiday in Canada in September to coincide with the Canadian Centre Dinner in Victoria. Kareen has a cousin living there so it was good to meet up. Following a nice evening at Jim Watt’s in Vancouver we headed for Victoria on the ferry and on Friday 11th September Peter and Judy Jeffrey organised an evening get-together and meal for fifty at the Bard and Banker in Government Street. The following day Bob Scace led a walk in downtown Victoria and in the evening the annual dinner took place at the University Club. Around forty-five attended. Michael King handed over the presidency to Sandy Shearer who gave a toast to the School and the Club to which I replied and then I gave a short talk on my recollections of school life and beyond. It was a most enjoyable occasion. The next day there was a Brunch at Peter and Judy’s at Sydney and John Michie spoke eloquently about the lack of links between the FP Club and the School. It was a memorable weekend, superbly orchestrated by Peter and Judy. Kareen and I managed to fit in a sea-plane tour and a visit to the world class Butchart Gardens before flying home from Vancouver.

On 25 September the 57th annual dinner of the Yorkshire Centre was held at the Grange Hotel in York. Thirty FPs and guests attended the event, which was organised by Doug Skene. Malcolm Daniel from Glasgow gave an excellent speech and I gave my “recollections” one and an update on the Club Centre. It was good to meet up with Mike Walker after many years.

As previously mentioned I was unable to attend the Glasgow Centre Dinner at the end of October but Alison Murison attended with the Depute Head Boy and Head Girl. Last year’s President, Margery Taylor, kindly deputised for me.

A very well-attended School Carol Service was held at St Machar’s Cathedral on 14 December. I was most impressed at the Rev. Barry Dunsmore’s introduction. He expressed delight at the large attendance and said “the Lord is very busy at this time of year, so it is unlikely he will be getting in touch with any of us. However, just in case, wouldyou mindturningoffyourmobilephones”. Therewereconfidentreadingsbyseven pupils, but my abiding memory is of the superb playing by the String Orchestra of Dimitri Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2. It was world class!

2016 arrived and the first call was on 15 January, again at the Royal Northern and University Club, for the Annual Dinner of the Aberdeen Branch of the Stewart’s Melville College Club which was chaired by Colin Harris. There were speeches by Ted Bowen CBE QC and the school principal, David Gray.

I attended the Gordonian Association Dinner in early March at the Marcliffe Hotel. Chaired by Robin Whyte, the guest speaker was Hugh Little and his toast was replied to by the Head of College, Simon Mills. There were extremely confident speeches by four pupils. Lord Provost George Adam was in attendance.

Next was the High School buffet at Rubislaw Church Centre and it was good to meet Lesley Reid, Dorothy Dunn, Morna Farquharson and Margy Mellis (who will be their president from October 2016).

Finally, on 25 March, three days before relinquishing the Presidency, there was the Aberdeen Dinner at the Treetops Hotel. I must make mention at the outset of how well DinnerConvenerNeilLawrieorganisedthis. Thefirst act wastocommemorateMagazine Editor Brian Crookshanks’ remarkable contribution over eighteen years with Neil presenting him with an engraved Quaich.

A number of toasts followed, including one to absent friends Morr Brown and Brian’s wife Joyce, who had both passed away in the past year. Then Head Teacher Alison Murison gave an illuminating talk on “Life at Aberdeen Grammar School”. She toasted the School and the Club, after which Head BoyDaniel Hume and Head Girl Kate Riddoch replied on behalf of the School. I replied on behalf of the Club and gave a short presentation of slides from my visit to Canada. The hotel staff must be complimented for their helpfulness throughout the evening. Three days later the Annual Meeting took place and I handed over the Presidency to Douglas Harper.

Finally, I must make mention of the invaluable work being done by the Club Centre Committee as they address the challenges of the viability of the Centre. I have enjoyed my year as President and feel privileged to have been nominated to such a role in such a wonderful institution. I am the third in four generations of Edwards at the School over a period of 130 years – my grandfather, Alfred William (1881-88), his son Fred (1908-21), myself (1947-60) and my son Myles (2004-10).

Meldrum B. Edwards (1947-60)

Douglas R. Harper (1944-58)

President 2016-17

Presidential Profile

Douglas R. Harper B.Sc, MB,ChB, MD, FRCSE, FRCS

Douglas Ross Harper is the third of our recent Club Presidents to have a third generation Former Pupil pedigree, those previously being Nigel G. M. Watt in 2012-13 and immediate past President Mel Edwards in 2015-16. Douglas’ forebears at the Grammar School were his grandfather Louis (1881-1883) and his father Louis R. Harper (1910-17) both of whom enjoyed a traditional education and professional careers focused on City life.

Douglas joined the Grammar in the reign of Miss Winifred Robertson in the Nursery and Kindergarten Departments before moving through the Lower School (and the friendly but firm Headship of James D. Morrison) and so to the Middle and Upper Schools.

It was during these formative years that some of the skills which were to see him through his Universityand post-graduate careers became evident - foresight, drive, enthusiasm, commitment and an ability to get on with people, often in the most challenging of circumstances – skills which led him to participation in the School Choir, Literary and Debating Society, Scripture Union, Hillwalking and the 9th Scout Troop in particular. The fact that he became a Queen’s Scout and was one of only three Scouts representing Aberdeen City at the World Jamboree at Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham in 1958, and his subsequent progress to becoming a holder of the BP Award (1959) and the Scout Wood Badge (1961), the highest awards in Scouting available at the time, was no surprise to those of us who knew Douglas well.

These were preliminaries, however, to a career at the University of Aberdeen where he first developed an interest in the sciences, Geology in particular (BSc) and subsequentlyto a career inMedicine with honours alongthe way(the Silberg Prize in Physiology, the Keith Gold Medal in Surgery and a Doctorate with Commendationfor his research thesis). Thus he started ona medical career based on judgements of a vital nature in patient care and this, coupled to a real dexterity in surgical practice, initially at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, took him then to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, and finally to a Consultant appointment at Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary with a special interest in Vascular Surgery.

His return to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary came in 1999 as Consultant Surgeon and Director of the Day Surgery Unit which he established, despite some local opposition but with the full backing and support of the NHS Grampian Board, as a mechanism by which skilled surgical practice could be offered to increasing numbers of patients requiring intervention in a shorter time scale and at much reduced cost, a long-time requirement ofthe National Health Service as we know it today, and a direct reflection of Douglas’ earlier MD thesis and surgical practice in Falkirk.

He retired from full time clinical practice in 2005 but continued to see and assist in minor outpatient surgical procedures until 2012 when he finally put his scalpel to rest.

During these years of surgical practice there were, of course, many publications in the relevant clinical journals, as well as book chapters and presentations at meetings of Learned Societies across the world. In all of these activities, teaching remained important to him both to medical students and senior colleagues, resulting in numerous committee appointments at his homebasedhospitalandincludingtheFalkirkandDistrict Royal Infirmary(as Medical Director),theForthValleyHealthBoard(Chairofthe Area MedicalCommittee), the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Member of the Examination Committee) and the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow (Examiner). In addition, and very importantly, Douglas was a valued member of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) from 1993 until 2005, with a particular contribution to the Guidelines advising on the management of leg ulcers and peripheral vascular disease, his areas of special interest and expertise, and which are still relevant in practice today.

Perhaps his most meaningful, and personally most satisfying, achievement was his leadership of the campaign for a new centralised hospital to replace the Royal Infirmaries of Falkirk and Stirling during 1989-99 which led to the opening of the Forth Valley Royal Hospital in 2011, a remarkable achievement in the face of both the austerity of the time, which affected every Health Board in Scotland, and the politics of change, never something to be tackled in a slack moment, regardless of profession!

His numerous other appointments led one to believe that sleep could not be important to him, but his role as a Director of the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland from 1990 to 2010 confirmed his belief that integrity of purpose and clarity of thought were required at all times involving patient contact, and that "sleeping on the job" and failing to admit error could not be tolerated in any aspect of Medical Practice, principles which he had espoused as a schoolboy at Aberdeen Grammar School.

So much for Douglas’ professional capabilities. His other interests devolved from his early days at school – he has a continuing interest and participation in singing (choral works of all kinds); he is an elder of the Church of Scotland; he was a member, and subsequently Chairman, of the Council of Management of Strathcarron Hospice; he was a Scout Leader and Chair of the Stirling & TrossachsDistrictScout Association;andheisaMemberoftheCairngormClub. He has, of course, numerous other professional associations and links some of which he has kept up to this day, while more recently he has taken on the duties of Secretary and Trustee of the Monymusk Arts Trust in his local parish. His school background and content (including technical drawing and

woodwork) have also been put to use in Monymusk in the construction of furniture for both indoor and outdoor use, in particular the construction of some 150 Adirondack chairs for the benefit of Strathcarron Hospice and other charities as well as for family members.

In retirement, as can be imagined, he did not let his literary or inquisitive skills lie fallow, but researched the bridge-building activities of his Harper forebears and it could be argued that this has led almost to a second career in the field of Industrial Archaeology. He has published in the Industrial Archaeological Review of 2010 and, last year, a book entitled “River, Railway and Ravine: Foot Suspension Bridges for Empire” which encompasses the world-wide spread of the Harper Foot Suspension Bridges.

Douglas was and is above all a family man, with four children by his first wife Dorothy who died somewhat prematurely of cancer, while by his marriage to Janette he acquired a further three step-children. Together they have 16 grandchildren, a possible problem for their diaries!

All in all a man of the people possessed of multiple skills, friendly disposition, a real commitment to the Grammar School and a clear sense of responsibility to undertake a job for which he is well suited and in which he will assuredly give service to a Club that we all respect and admire. The family tradition of service will continue and he will look forward to meeting you all at the events and dinners held throughout his Presidential year.

DBG (1944-58)

Centre Reports

Club Centre

I am delighted to report that following two years of time-consuming work by the committee the Club Centre has managed to produce a small profit for the year to 31st December 2015 – I believe this is the first time we have produced a positive figure for up to twenty years and my thanks and appreciation goes to the committee for their very positive support.

Whilst it is very encouraging to report the improved performance, we continue to face the challenge of keeping costs under control at a time when our main suppliers are increasing their prices and, of course, we have the ongoing maintenance costs of an aging building. During the past year these costs have included renewing our fire alarm and security systems, redecorating the main lounge, renewing a boundary wall, renewing the floor in the basement bar area and bringing our electrical wiring up to the required standard for both safety and insurance purposes. We have already spent £600 on emergency repairs to the heating system, which is fast approaching the end of its life span and we could shortly be faced with further significant expense if we are to keep warm over the winter months. Both the front and rear gardens have been improved with the

Barbecue area now an excellent facility for both club and visitor use. Unfortunately, due to a significant drop in the number of members using the bar, our income from this source is insufficient to maintain profitability and we are having to rely increasingly on organising special events which to date have been very successful.

The membership records are now up-to-date for the first time in a number of years, which has confirmed our total membership at 440 of which some 60% are associate members. In recent years only a handful of school leavers have joined the Club and later this year an effort will be made to encourage more pupils to join us – this is essential if the Club Centre is to continue in anything like its present form.

As you will expect, the Sports Sections play a leading role in club activities, including the Rugby Club which, although no longer an official Section of the Club remains very keen to promote the use of our facilities by both players and supporters.

Unfortunately, since the end of the financial year, we had to stop providing lunches at weekendsdueto lackofsupport,particularlyon Fridays, but thesituation willbereviewed by the committee towards the end of the summer in conjunction with our caterers.

Although the Club Centre is in better health than for some time there remains a great deal of work to be done to enable us to continue to maintain the fabric of the building and provide a comfortable lounge for socialising. I ask everyone to support the Centre in any way possible – even just 'popping in' for an occasional drink adds to our profitability. Certainly our new Chairman, David Leighton, will be delighted to see you.

Mike Murray Chairman 2014-16

Canada

The 23rd annual reunion of the Canadian Centre of the Former Pupils’ Club took place during the weekend of 2nd to 4th September 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia and was enjoyed by FPs, spouses and guests from across Canada, Bermuda, the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Reunion started on the Friday evening with a casual ‘meet and greet’ at The Bard and Banker pub in down-town Victoria. We had a private room with a beautiful outdoor patio and it was wonderful to host the large contingent from Aberdeen. Fifteen FPs, spouses and guests, including Parent Club President Mel Edwards, made the trip over to be part of our Reunion. Some had enjoyed adventures through Alberta and British Columbia on their way to Victoria, others were doing the same afterwards. Most of the visitors were from the Class of ’58. This trip had been in the works for many years and we were delighted that so many were able to come across.

During the day on Saturday people took in the sights of Victoria and its surrounding areas. We heard of visits to the Butchart Gardens, walking tours of down-town Victoria, walks along the Inner Harbour and tea at the Empress Hotel! We were blessed with beautiful weather on all three days so that everything looked beautiful.

At 6p.m. people started to arrive at the University Club on the University of Victoria Campus for our 23rd Annual Dinner. There were not as many kilts as we had hoped for

but Gordon Singer and David Auld certainly looked the part! Photos were taken both inside and outside in front of the Club. The official part of the evening began with the installation of Sandy Shearer as our new President. Peter Jeffrey welcomed the company and had a bit to say about every FP in the room! Obviously much research had been done, and it made us all feel very much included in the event. After Grace had been said by Phil Barron we all enjoyed a delicious meal with lovely wine, and of course there was a lot of chat about the good old days!

SandyShearer gave the President’s address and proposed the toast to ‘The School and the Club’. Mel Edwards replied and had an excellent power point show and everyone enjoyed the photographs, especially those of the School and Rubislaw Playing Field. Gillian gave the toast to absent friends and read greetings from manyCanadians who were unable to attend. It was wonderful that so many took the time to send heartfelt and witty greetings! Conversations went on for long after the dinner even in the knowledge that there would be more time to catch up at the Sunday Brunch at the Jeffrey’s home.

The setting for the Brunch was stunning. Peter and Judy moved closer to Victoria a couple of years ago. Their new home is warm and inviting. Their garden is surrounded by beautiful, tall trees. FPs, spouses and guests enjoyed a fabulous feast and sat in groups at various spots on the deck and inside. It is always difficult when we all realise that the weekend is drawing to a close. This year it was nice that so many were starting or continuing a great Canadian adventure. I felt veryproud to share thebeautyofmyadopted homeland with the good folks from my original homeland.

The following FPs attended the Reunion (listed in order of entry into the School):

Peter Jeffrey (1944-59), Vancouver Island, BC; David Auld (1947-61), Victoria, BC; Mel Edwards (1947-60), Aberdeen; Phil Barron (1948-56), Kanata, Ontario; Michael Hardie (1948-59), Almonte, Ontario; Gordon Singer (1948-49), Calgary, Alberta; Jim Watt (1950-58), Vancouver, BC; Michael King (1951-60), Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Frank Watt (1951-62), Aberdeen; Alex Home (1952-58), Kitchener, Ontario; Tom Paton (195260),Edmonton, Alberta; Derek Cox (1953-56), St Lambert, Quebec; Robert Scace (195456), Calgary, Alberta; Peter Edwards (!956-64), Okanagan Falls, BC; Sandy Shearer (1959-64), Surrey, BC; Les Ross (1960-73), Langdon, Alberta andGillian Thomas (197580), Calgary, Alberta.

Fromthe Classof 1958: David Galloway(1944-58), John Michie (1944-58), Douglas Harper (1946-58), Mitchell Davidson (1952-56), Alex Forbes (1952-58) and Bill Hutcheon (1953-58) all from Aberdeen

Next year, 2017, the Canadian Centre will mark the 25th anniversary of its foundation in 1992 and to assist any FPs outside Canada who might like to join in the celebrations and at the same time enjoy a holiday in this glorious country, notice is now given that the annual Reunion Weekend will be held in Victoria, British Columbia on the weekend of 8th to 10th September 2017.

Edinburgh

TheEdinburgh CentrehelditsAnnual Dinner on Friday22ndApril 2016 in theClubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society. President of the Edinburgh Centre, Neil Borthwick, took the Chair and welcomed the company of twenty-eight members and their guests, includingDouglasHarper, therecentlyinstalled ClubPresident, theHead Teacher, Alison Murison, the Head Girl, Kate Riddoch, the Deputy Head Boy, Gavin Elliot, Malcolm Gauld, the President of the Glasgow Centre and Doug Skene, the President of the Yorkshire Centre. Apologies were received from Sandy Shearer, the President of the Canada Centre and 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.

Before the meal, Nigel Watt gave a moving tribute to the late Morr Brown, who had served the FP Club so well for so long and is sadly missed.

TheChairman proposed thetoast of“TheSchool and theClub”andrepliesweregiven by the Head Teacher, Kate Riddoch and Gavin Elliot on behalf of the School and by Douglas Harper for the Club, who set out his stall for his presidential year.

The Centre AGM was held during the evening. The proposals to re-elect the Chairman as President and James Rust as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer were approved.

Next year’s Annual Dinner of the Edinburgh Centre is scheduled to be held in the Clubhouse of Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society on Friday 21st April 2017.

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 2016 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), Douglas Harper (1944-58), Robin Rilley (1947-55), Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), Ian McLeod (1951-55), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), Norman Edwards (1959-64), Douglas Skene (1959-64), Malcolm Copland (1968-71), Nigel Watt (1963-69) and James Rust (1963-71).

Glasgow

Once again the cry of 'HULLAWRER PEEPUL' rent the peace of a Glasgow evening as President Malcolm Gauld welcomed thirty-three members and guests (including James Rust, representing the Edinburgh Centre, and Myrtle McGregor, the Glasgow President of the High School FP Club) to our annual dinner on Friday 30th October 2015 at the newly refurbished GoGlasgow Urban Hotel on Paisley Road West. 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 our principal guest, Graham Dunigan F.R.I.C.S., Malcolm advised that they first met in the 1970s when they were both on the Council of the 250-member Glasgow Junior Chamber of Commerce. The current Chairman of GJCC, at the annual

Colquhoun Dinner in the Trades' Hall, described the events in Glasgow '100 years ago'. Malcolm invited Graham for his thoughts on last year, 2014.

After several reminiscences about our President, including the fact that when he was Secretaryof GJCC in 1983, Malcolm was presented to Her MajestyThe Queen at the time of the celebrations for the Bi-centenary of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Graham reviewed 2014 under the heading of “the 5 R's”. These were Referendum, Ryder Cup, Rugby World Cup, Retirement and the Commonwealth Games (or Races). Following many amusing insights into these five, Graham proposed the Toast to the School and the Club

We were truly delighted to welcomeAlison Murison, the new Head Teacher (and first lady in charge of A.G.S.) to her first Glasgow dinner. Very ably assisted by Lachie McLeod and Gavin Elliot (both Deputy Head Boys), giving the pupils’ perspective, she replied to Graham's Toast on behalf of the School, updating us on all that was happening within its hallowed grounds, highlighting its many successes both academic and in the vast range of extra-curricular activities.

Unfortunately, Meldrum B Edwards, the President of the Parent Club had a prior engagement but Margery Taylor, the Immediate Past-President, replied to the toast on his behalf with a report on his activities during his year and the shared concerns of all involved at theheart of the Club in building and sustaining links with members, 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 28th October 2016, again at our new venue the 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.

For the twelfth year running, our curling team took part in the 6-team Wanderers League, and with one win and one game peeled, we came fourth, behind Strathallians, Kelvinside Accies and Old Glenalmond. Our squad of Stefan Colling, Malcolm Gauld, Alistair Fyall, Jim Leask, Margery Taylor and the occasional guest hope to do better next season. New players, even ‘ice virgins’, are always most welcome, so contact Malcolm 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 2016. 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 kept informed of future events. Please contact our Secretary, Margery Taylor on 0141 562 9638 or at marg7ery@ntlworld.com

Thanks, asalways, to ourlocalcommittee GaryAllan,PeterCairns(Treasurer), Stefan Colling, Malcolm Gauld, Jim Leask, David McNay and Margery Taylor.

The following FPs attended the 2015 dinner (in order of entry into School): Hunter Cairns (1943-56), Peter Cairns (1945-57), Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), Jim Leask (1960-66), James Rust (1963-71), Brian Davidson (1968-74), Alan Kinghorn (1973-79), Malcolm Daniel (1975-81), Margery Taylor (1975-81), Ailsa Johnston (2009-15), Christopher Levitt (2009-16) and Matt Fraser (2009-16)

Yorkshire

Twenty-nine members and guests attended the 57th annual dinner ofthe Yorkshire Centre on 25 September 2015, which was held once again in York’s delightful and popular Grange Hotel.

In his opening welcome Yorkshire President Doug Skene topically observed that this year the Centre was out-performing national headline statistics concerning immigration, since there appeared to be more immigrant attendees than actual Yorkshire residents – but they were no less cordially welcome.

Robert Owen, Chaplain of the local St Margaret’s School, was invited to say grace prior to an excellent meal, after which Malcolm Daniel proposed the toast to “The School and the Club”. Malcolm took everyone on an entertaining trip down memory lane with his memories of earlier schooldays. One interesting reflection was that the absence then of modern bureaucracy let everyone loose to enjoy Grammar sports facilities – without the encumbrance of such things as ‘risk assessments’.

In his response, Parent Club President, MeldrumEdwards, made reference to the Club Centre, which continues to have some financial concerns but is benefiting from enormous hard work fromdedicated FPs and staff. He mentioned the recent significant changes with the retiral of the Rector and Deputy Rector. He reported that Alison Murison, the new (and first) lady Head Teacher has some exciting challenges. Mel gave an interesting power-point presentation to illustrate some of his memories and made special reference to some notable FPs who inspired him – Dally Allardyce, Dycie Paterson and, of course, his father Freddy Edwards.

Doug Skene read out a rather special letter – an apology for non-attendance from one ofYorkshire’soldest FPs, MalcolmGrant, aged 91, and theninvitedthecompanyto enjoy the traditional Birse tea. Theformalities ended with an enthusiasticvote ofthanks to Doug proposed by Mel Edwards

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), Michael Walker (1946-57), Brian Bruce (1947-51), MeldrumEdwards (194760), Willson Taylor (1950-63), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), Ivor Douglas (1952-57), Douglas Skene (1959-64), James Rust (1963-71), Malcolm Daniel (1975-81), David Galloway (1976-82) and Stefan Colling (1990-96).

Section Reports

Cricket

1st XI

Rob Swiergon, in his second season, took some great catches in the gully and also made some good contributions with thebat, scoring 235 runs at 19.6. Hemade a match winning 71 not out to rescue us against Lahore Karahi as he shared 140 with good friend Harry

Mapplebeck who made 68 in a stand of 140. With Vice-captain John Davey unavailable for much of the season he also took on this role for long spells and added much to the team.

Arul Sentil also batted well making 214 at 21.4 with one half-century, although his talents meant he should have made more. Bowling-wise, Vijay Vijapur took 29 wickets at 16.6, Sajid Hameed claimed 23 at 15.7 and the ever-improving Harry Mapplebeck took 25 at 19.8. Experienced campaigners Roland Knudson claimed 16 victims with John Thomson taking 14. Thomson, a friend of the club for many years, finally joined us and played for all three teams, taking 33 wickets in total. He was an inspiration to others, always putting the team before himself and always happy to umpire as needed.

Top catchers were Paul McDonald, Rob Swiergon and Arul Senthil in a five-way tie. Captain Geoff Morrison also proved himself as one of the best keepers in the league, claiming the Wicket-keeping Trophy for all of the Aberdeenshire Grades.

We were the only side to defeat champions Bon Accord, an improbable win inspired by 16-year old schoolboy Rutwik Hegde, who made 42 not out. He, Rajaa Monnapillai, Jeston D’Costa, Leston D’Costa, and Akil Thanga all made an impression with Rajaa and Rutwik both appearing in the 1st team and more than holding their own.

Off the field at the end of the season a number of players decided to form their own side, but rather than stifle progress it proved a positive bloodshed as new players have joined and brought a renewed enthusiasm to the club. I was very proud that everyone played in the correct spirit, walking when out, which unfortunately is in stark contrast to many opponents. Off the field, Roland Knudson, Chris Clelland, Ian Johnston, Matt Barker, John Davey, Gary Stuart and Rob Swiergon did a power of work and these contributions were most welcome and should not be underestimated.

2nd XI

The 2nd XI enjoyed a successful first season in Grade 2 following promotion in 2014. After aslowstart, failingto win anyofour first sixgames includingadisappointingdefeat to Gordonians in the Bon Accord Cup, we ended the season in a creditable fourth place. Our league record: Played 13, Won 5, Drawn 3, Lost 5.

The season turned after a remarkable game at Groats Road against 2nd Knight Riders, chasing down 242 to win for the loss of only three wickets. Guru Thangamani was the match winner,scoringanunbeaten62,including26fromoneover,andhittingthewinning six with just two balls to spare. The foundations for one of the most memorable 2nd XI wins for many seasons was an opening stand of 140 between Clelland (67) and Lord (50). TheprolifichittingofThangamani, assistedbyschoolboyRutwikHegde, madelight work of the required rate of 98 runs in the final 11 overs.

The batting was generally solid, with six fifties scored, the top score for the season being Matt Barker’s 84 not out in a three wicket win at Methlick. Thangamani topped the averages, scoring 285 at 25.9, Clelland (219 at 24.3), Barker (192 at 21.3), Lord (173 at 21.6) and Hegde (142 at 20.3) all chipped in with valuable runs throughout the season.

The bowling unit performed well, led by Bharath Manogna’s opening spells. Bharath comfortably took the bowling trophy with 20 wickets at an average of 26.5. John Eagles (13 at 16.0) and Magesh Devedran (12 at 29.4) were the other bowlers to reach double figures in the wickets column. Eagles’ left-arm spin continues to deceive batsmen from

all corners of Aberdeenshire, and he enjoyed the best bowling figures of the season of 4 for 26 against Stonehaven.

At the end of the season we said farewell to a number of regular 2nd XI players, including captain Magesh Devendran. He has worked tirelessly for the club over many years and we wish him well for the future. The responsibilities of captaincy should never be underestimated and Magesh has established the 2nd XI as a strong Grade 2 side since taking over as captain in 2013 when the 3rd XI was re-constituted.

With a number of youngsters coming through the ranks, and new blood coming into the club for the 2016 season, the future is bright. Matt Barker has taken up the captaincy duties, ably assisted by new vice-captain Keiran Whyte, and they look forward to continuing the progress the team has made over the last few seasons, both on and off the field.

3rd XI

A quick glance at the final Grade 4 League Table for 2015 showing 3rds in fourth place, coupled with a first round exit in the Johnston Rose Bowl, does not give a true reflection on season 2015 for AGSFP's 3rd XI. There were no fewer than four matches where the 3rdswere within onedeliveryof winning, and theyalso played atied match against league runners-up Siyapa. The two league matches against undefeated champions Portcullis saw a six run defeat with only ten men and the return fixture had the champions desperately holding on for a draw. The cup defeat to the eventual winners was by one wicket – all very frustrating, but it showed the great fighting spirit in the team.

There were eight schoolboys who played in at least one match – Rutwik Hegde, Kingshuk Ghosh, Rajaa Monnapillai, Leston D'Costa, Akil Thanga, Jason Alexander, David Blues, MatthewMcCaughtrieand Faraj Monnapillai. Theprogress fromlastseason was highlighted by Hegde who began the season playing for 3rds, then 2nds, then 1sts and was then chosen to play for the Grades Select team where he also kept wicket! He showed great maturity and application throughout the season, deservedly winning the Grades Batting U-18 Abdul Hayes Cup, scoring an aggregate of 334 runs while playing for the various FP teams, and averaging a mere 62.5 for 1sts.

Wicketkeeper Kingshuk Ghosh had another excellent season, winning the 3rd XIAll Rounder trophy, scoring 171 runs batting for 2nds and 3rds with 9 victims. Rajaa Monnapillai topped the 3rds bowling averages with 13 at 9.38, (best 4-23), also taking three wickets for 1sts, and was deservedly chosen as 12th man for the Grade 4 Team of The Year.

Leston D'Costa's leg breaks took 8 wickets at 23.38, (best 4-53), while Hegde took 7 at 16.7, (best 3-25), Akil Thanga 6 at 27.83, (best 4-39), Jason Alexander 5 at 14.8, and Matthew McCaughtrie took 1-6 in his only match. The experienced John Thomson took 10 at 12.6 and Jeston D'Costa 9 at 12.56. When we bowled well, we bowled well, when we bowled badly, we bowled wides; one or two of the close matches could have been won comfortably had the wide total been reasonable.

The batting averages were topped by new player Matt Garratt, who made the most of his three appearances with 143 runs and scoring the only two fifties of the season, top score 78 not out, with final average 143! Ghosh was second in the averages with 31 followed byAly MacDonald with 24.25.

The team as a whole need to bat more overs and build bigger partnerships which would givethecaptainthesatisfactionofdeclaringmoreoften, the202 for4 againstGrade 4 winners a perfect example.

The fielding during the season was good, the highlight being seven excellent catches taken against Turriff, and Ghosh was again a standout as wicketkeeper during the season. Jeston D'Costa held six catches, with Jason Alexander taking four good catches.

Theboysbenefited fromtheafter-schoolcoachingfromMr Milne,who alsoorganised the various school teams and matches.

The Ken Peters Trophy was awarded to Rutwik Hegde who made the jump to Grade 1 cricket with ease, scoring runs for every team.

Four boys, Leston D'Costa, Rutwik Hegde, Rajaa Monnapillai, Akil Thanga, have been selected to attend U-16/ U-18 Caledonian North Regional Academy Development squad coaching sessions at Huntlyduring the winter with the fees being paid fromthe Ken Peters Fund.

Curling

The Section has enjoyed another year of friendly curling in the Combined League.

In both winter and spring sessions we finished in mid table, having our usual mix of brilliant and less good games. As in previous seasons we have suffered from a shortage of players which makes the availability of a consistent team difficult. However, we performed well in the Henderson Trophy, eventually losing a close game in the third round.

Prospects are less hopeful for 2016-17 unless we find a replacement for Hugh Miller, who has decided to hang up his curling brush. As in previous years the section would welcome anyone interested in curling and they should get in touch with either myself or our new secretary, Norman Paterson (nwp2ltp@outlook.com).

ianpsouter@aol.com; Tel: 01224 867000

Football

The Football Section continues to play in the Aberdeen Amateur Leagues – Division II East on Saturday afternoons, with their home pitch on Rubislaw.

Our preferred training schedule has been disrupted due to the fact that Rubislaw (Grass) has been deemed by the City Council to be full on Tuesday and Thursday nights, so we have had to look elsewhere for facilities, which are both scarce and costly in the Aberdeen area.

Thissituationhasledtoourpoorstart tothecurrentseason,havingplayed eight games and only amassed 7 points, leaving us in the relegation zone. We also lost a lot of experienced players last year and have failed to recruit any younger blood, especially any young players coming directly from the School itself. This is something that we would like to see happen again, as it did until a few years ago, and we would like to build closer ties with the School.

After our poor start, the aim and objective is to try and stay in the Division and also to win one of the divisional cups on offer.

With regard to recruiting new players, we are a very friendly, hard-working club and would like to encourage more ex-Grammar School players to get in touch with our Manager/Secretary at grammarfps@gmail.com or via our Facebook page. Any such will be made most welcome.

Men’s Hockey

After the disappointment of last season, where the 1st team were relegated into National League Division 3, hopes were high that a strong team could bounce straight back into Division 2. Despite scoring 64 goals in their fourteen league games and only losing one match, they were controversially denied top spot when Dundee University were awarded a walk-over and 3 points when Strathclyde University (who finished third) failed to honour the final fixture of the season.

FollowingthescrappingoftheNationalRegionalLeagueNorthattheendofthe201415 season, the 2nd and 3rd teams both played in North District League Division 1 this year. A very well organised 2nd team won the league, playing a lot of excellent, fast flowing hockey and only dropping 4 points during the whole season. In fact, the only team which managed to beat them was our own 3rd team, near the start of the season. Unfortunately, the 3rds were unable to produce the same form consistently over the rest of the season and finished second bottom in 7th position.

The 4th team played in division 2 of the North District leagues, where they finished 9th. Consisting mainly of the older members of the club, this team is used to introduce the younger players to senior hockey. This season, however, their older legs appear to have found it tough going against the younger legs in some of the opposition teams.

The 1st indoor team topped their Regional League, winning all eight of their matches and scoring 70 goals in the process, to gain promotion into National Indoor League Division 3 for next season, with the indoor youth team finishing third in the North District Indoor Development League.

Our outdoor team captains for the season were John Greig (1sts), Gavin Reid (2nds), Charlie Smith (3rds) and Rob Parfitt (4ths). The indoor 1sts were jointly captained by Harry Leggett and Paul Weston, with Geoff Weston coaching the indoor youth team.

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

Once again Geoff Weston and Malcolm Ewen took a youth team to the HDM European under-19 youth tournament in The Hague at Easter. Although this year’s very young squad failed to win any matches, they gained a lot of experience playing against older and stronger players.

Away from the competitive leagues, we had a very enjoyable and entertaining Grammarians Cup and John Drummond Trophy during a cold weekend at the end of November. Honours were again shared, with the under-16 schoolboys winning the Grammarians Cup against the older Grammarians and Grammarians winning the John Drummond Trophy against the under-18s. The hockey, lunches and raffle managed to raise approximately £1400 towards our youth hockey activities.

Former Pupils’ Section

Duringtheseason, Kieran MacLernan wasselected to playforScotland over-70s, Ben Johnson was selected to play for Wales over-65s, Murray Bissett was selected to play for Scotland over-50s, and Hamish Robson was selected for Scotland under-18s. Fraser Ramseyer was selected to play for Scottish Universities and Ciaran Mackland, Kieran Christie, Harry MacLeod, Leon Potts, Cammie Robson, Mark Alderson, Sam Sharp and Cathal Gilmour were all selected to play for North District.

Awayfromthepitch and onto thesocial sideofthings, weheld averysuccessful fundraising race night at the Ashvale Fish Restaurant at the end of November. Just over 50 club members and guests alternated between eating fish suppers and studying the form guide and helped to raise just over £1,700.

We also are very grateful for the sponsorship received this season from Ixar.

The AGM washeld in theClub Centreon22ndMay2016 when theweatherjustabout stayed kind enough to allow us to fire up the barbecue in the garden and hand out the season’s trophies in the afternoon sunshine.

Pétanque

The Section continues in good heart with 42 paid-up members of whom 30 are regular players. All competitions were well attended. The start of the season saw the purchase of a new barbecue and the fine weather throughout the summer saw it well used.

The opening competition, the Triples, was held in May, followed by the Peter Tawse Memorial Competition in June, marking the Summer Solstice. There was a good turn-out of players This was followed by a very fine barbecue.

In August the first competition for the new Ronnie Comber Trophy was held and this was won, very appropriately, by Ronnie’s son Ayron. In September we held our Singles and Doubles Competitions, again followed by barbecues.

The following are the results of the 2015 competitions:

Singles Championship

Winner: Ayron Comber

Runner-up: Philip Henderson

Doubles Championship

Winners: Peter Henderson and Philip Henderson

Runners-up: Katie Barnet and Steve Esson

Triples

Winners: David Earp, Peter Henderson and Derek Young

Runners-up: Patrick Buick, Jennifer Cham and Craig Falconer

Peter Tawse Memorial Trophy (Summer Solstice)

Winner: Peter Henderson

Runner-up: David Earp

Ronnie Comber Trophy

Winner Ayron Comber

Runner-up Philip Henderson

At the Annual General Meeting before the start of the 2016 season Alistair Ritchie stood down as Club Captain and has been succeeded by Barbara Buckett.

Office Bearers: Captain: Barbara Buckett

Secretary/Treasurer: Karen Vass

Rugby

Another season has passed and, as always, nothing stands still on the Scottish Rugby scene. First of all I would like to express thanks to all members who have supported the Club through the tough financial times of the last two seasons which look set to continue into the foreseeable future.

Having operated on a budget of £330,000 in 2013 we are now operating on a reduced budget of £120,000 for 2016-17. The costs associated with fielding two senior teams and a full complement of youth teams equate to £90,000 per annum. This annual report does not normally start on finance but, as with all businesses, financial planning and control are essential and in sport these have an impact on the product on the field; we can no longer sustain multiple foreign imports, accommodation for players/coaches or a full time development officer (without SRU/SportAberdeen support, whichis no longeravailable).

Having sustained substantial financial losses in each of 2012, 2013 and 2014 a full review of our structure and operating processes has been undertaken and we have substantially reduced our costs in respect of equipment, player/accommodation expenses, coaching and physiotherapy. We have produced a small operating surplus in 2015 and in the year ending 30th April 2016. As part of the management review the structure of the Section was examined both internally and externally.

The SRU issued guidance on 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 (Stewarts Melville and Dundee, to mention two in our league) steps are being taken to alter the status of clubs to charitable bodies or companies limited by guarantee. Unincorporated Associations work perfectly well for amateur groups of players meeting purely for sport but do not allow protection of committee members who sign contracts on behalf of such groups, enter into lease agreements and/or employ staff. Liability could fall on committee members, membership and ultimately on the Former Pupils Club itself.

Our club has now become Aberdeen Rugby Ltd as the umbrella entity controlling the operation of Aberdeen Grammar Rugby. This allows protection of committee members, 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 as the controlling bodyfor Aberdeen Grammar Rugby. 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 fromSport Scotland, Aberdeen CityCouncil and the Scottish RugbyUnion as the club is now totally open and has no overseeing body or committee with a closed membership (which automatically debars applications for funding in almost all cases).

Having detailed the behind-the-scenes work to protect the club in its place within the top 20 clubs in Scotland, the playing side of this report is a mixed bag, but reflects the reduced playing squads with which we currently operate.

1st XV

The season started with Stuart Corsar as head coach assisted by Alisdair O’Connor and began brightly enough with an away victory at Dundee High School F.Ps . Over the next few weeks victories against Musselburgh, Peebles and Kelso (all at home) brought us to 31st October when we were heavily defeated at Edinburgh Accies. This led to a series of defeats which continued until another heavy defeat away to champions Watsonians on 5th March. This left us at the bottom of the league with four games to play. Stuart Corsar was relieved of his duties and Alisdair O’Connor was appointed interim head coach. The playing squad rallied to the new coach and senior players such as Tony McGinness and Alex Hagart assisted with coaching drills and training was upped to four sessions per week. The last four games saw four superb, high-scoring performances at home to Stewart’sMelvilleand Howe followed byresoundingaway wins at G.H.A and Jedforest.

Chris Jollands (back row) was called up by Scotland U-19s during the season and Hamilton Burr (lock) was called up to Scotland U-20s

From bottom of the league the First XV finished ninth from twelve, with only a single point separating them from seventh place. Alisdair O’Connor has been appointed head coach for the forthcoming season and is assisted by Iain Stanger, Duncan Massey. Matthew Reid and Mark Cowie.

The Player of the Season/PressPlayer of the Year is Alex Hagart (10) and thePlayer’s Player of the Season is Tony McGinness (7)

2nd XV

Our seconds were led by former player Andrew Wilson and got off to a bright start in National Reserve League 2 with fine victories over Marr and Aberdeenshire away from home. However, as the season progressed, we struggled to find enough players willing to travel to Hawick, Currie, Musselburgh etc. We were penalised for cancelling three games and the points deductions led to the team being placed ninth in a league of twelve (Played 22, won 8). Due to restructuring of the Reserve Leagues the bottom four teams (9-12) were relegated and our squad will therefore be in Caledonia North 2 where they will have derbies against Garioch, Aberdeen Wanderers, Banff, Deeside and Shetland in the first half of the season. The future of national reserve leagues hangs in the balance, as most clubs failed to fulfil all fixtures and the SRU may scrap National Reserve Leagues below Premiership level next season .

As with every season we have said goodbye to some fine players, and this season our 1st XV captain, Alex Hagart returns to Edinburgh and has signed for Heriots. Morgan Ward isplayingin Dubai andStuart Smith hasmoved to Glasgowwhereheiscurrentlydeciding on a club. On 3 September Peceli Nacavaluto, our star centre for five seasons, is leaving for a new Army posting in London and will bowout at Stewart’s Melville. He is a shining example of a man with rugby in his heart and we wish him and his family all the best wherever they end up.

We have a number of new players arriving in Aberdeen and have secured the services of two locks and a scrum half (two with Scotland U-19 caps) as well as a number of other trialists who are going through their paces at Rubislaw over July/August. We also have two Fijian players arriving with Naka at pre-season who have been posted to Kinloss as he departs south.

Youth Report

Under-18s

The U-18s had a reasonably successful season, and were able to fulfil most fixtures, given theproblemsin tryingto attract playersat this age grade. In theCaledoniaRed Conference League we finished mid-table winning four and losing five. The main achievement of the season was a good run in the Caley Cup competition, eventually running out winners of the Caley U-18 Bowl. The squad also entered a team at the Moray U-18 7-aside competition and won the Shield Trophy.

U-16s

Aberdeen Rugby U-16s had a great year. Good player numbers ensured that there was competition for places and cover for the injuries which inevitably happen. When the Rubislaw pitches were closed, training was held at the beach. The team won the U-16 Club Red Conference, maintaining an unbeaten record. The team travelled to sunny Inverness on 22nd December 2015 to play Highland in the National Cup competition, losing in a highly competitive match with a significantly depleted squad. A run in the Caledonia Cup followed and led to a place in the Cup final against Stirling County. The Cup-final day was a great event, played in great weather. The team played well but was beaten by a disciplined and organised performance by Stirling County.

U15s

The U15s, despite persistent problems raising a full team, ended the regular season played eight, won four, lost four with two games cancelled due to weather. In the new year we managed to reach the Caledonia Bowl final, beating Deeside Wanderers and Orkney en route to losing against Madras in the Cup semi-final and Mackie in the Bowl final. Without the four U-15 qualified U-16 players who occasionally turned-out for us we would have had a much less successful season

S2s / S1s

The S1s and S2s both entered squads in the inaugural Red Conference league this season. The S1s had a great season winning nine matches and only losing one close fought match against our closest rivals, Mackie. The S2s had a mixed season winning three and losing three, with a number of games cancelled due to player unavailability or weather.

Mini Section

Our Mini Committee was formed in April 2016 following a demand from parents that things had to change. This was coupled by the launch of RGC's Pelicans who will target a significant proportion of our members next season. I'm pleased to report that at the moment we have retained 100% of our coaches and the feedback is positive on the efforts the Mini division are making to improve and grow the Section.

Recruitment

We have recently put in place a campaign to grow our members for next season. This consisted of targeting schools with which Stuart Corsar had worked, and those within close proximity of the pitches. We attended summer fairs at Mile End, Ferryhill, Ashley Road, St Joseph's, Cults and we distributed leaflets at Kingwells and Airyhall. It was parents and committee members who attended schools, and where possible we also had coaches attend and run drills with the kids.

Our next step on this is follow up with the Active School Co-ordinators to distribute information at the beginning of the Autumn term to reach the new P1 starters.

Marketing

Wehavecreated leaflets for theschool fairs which will also bedistributed at thebeginning of term to highlight a taster event on 4th September.

Events

The taster event will be a fun day with food available and fun and games for kids of all ages. Wewill encourageexistingmembersto 'bringafriend'. Wewould welcomesupport from the wider Club at this event and if any of the senior players were able to join some of the training groups this would be well received by existing members and certainly provide a strong club ethos to new participants.

 We plan to hold a mini festival on 2nd October.

 There will be a family fireworks night on in November.

 We are discussing an alternative fundraiser to the Nov/Dec BBQ.

Coaches

We have appointed a Coaching Co-ordinator, Chris MacKenzie, who is a central point of contact for all coaching support. Chris has contacted all coaches ahead of the new season to see where everyone is at with skills and development.

Aberdeen Colts

We have considered the impact of the new SRU directive leading towards the formation of an Aberdeen Colts set-up which combines players from local clubs at U-18 initially for the Scottish cup.

The Clubswithin Aberdeen Cityhave aspirations to deliver an Aberdeen-based Youth section (U13-U18) capable of competing on a National level, challenging Clubs in the Central belt and further afield.

At present both Clubs which have youth sections (Aberdeen Wanderers RFC and Aberdeen Rugby), are competitive at all age levels, but fall short when playing on a national level. During on-going discussions both Clubs, along with Aberdeenshire RFC, agreed that combined teams from Under-13 through to Under-18 will make them more competitive. The belief is that, supported by the SRU and Sport Aberdeen, this new entity will provide a higher quality of games and coaching and so creating a pathway for all of the players to play at the correct level for their needs.

Aspreviouslyhighlighted,therunningofaclub aslargeasAberdeen Grammar Rugby takes a great deal of effort from a number of volunteers as well as financial support from

members, businesses and the SRU. We cannot control the impact of oil prices or the economic situation in Aberdeen. We can, however, aim to increase our membership at senior level, currently less than 100. An increase in membership reduces the strain on those who fulfil many roles in the Club, so we are actively looking for volunteers to assist in the running of the Club in season 2016-17 and beyond.

Anyone who can donate time, money or services to the Club would be welcomed and our priority off the field this season is to expand our senior membership. Please assist if you can.

Gordon Thomson Chairman & Director of Rugby

Women’s Hockey

The Hockey Girls are delighted to report that 2015-2016 has been the most successful season for the Club in recent years. As in many of the recent seasons the start of the campaign brought with it many challenges, mostly surrounding players and their injuries, pregnancies and work commitments. Just when it was thought that the year was going to prove one of the tougher ones the fortunes turned and a variety of ‘new’ players were available to train and were fit to play.

There were returners (some had not played for the Club in the last ten years!), new players (some had not played for more than ten years) and some super youngsters for the Captains to add to their ranks. The Captains and Vice-Captains, Fiona Spence, Hannah Mitchell, Wendy Bruce and Sheila Reid did a marvellous job of keeping everyone informed of game times and venues and ensured this season has been such a success for all the girls involved.

The number of younger players who have pushed into the first and second teams, both outdoors and indoors, has again been a great help to the Club. The Club is forever indebted to Gillian Graham, Martin Fraser, Kym Fraser, Andy Deady, Alasdair Freeman and others for their help with schoolgirl coaching at Aberdeen Grammar School. It is hoped that the future is even brighter as there are a super group of primary school players beginning their hockey careers, with FP’s own Emma Mair, Tony Duguid, Ben Johnson, Howard Smith and Fred Lawson guiding them. The AGSFP’s Women’s Section has also directly benefited from a very supportive set of parents and Active Schools working with us and the children across all the age groups. Long may these relationships be strong.

It has been another busy year for Eileen Mutch and the Club Committee who have ensured that the players are all insured and registered appropriately as well as attending all the other meetings associated with running the Hockey Club. Thanks to all those involved.

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. The playing highlights for this season have been the 1st XI winning the North District Division One (outdoors) and the 1st VI winning the North District Division One Indoor League.

Outdoor Season

The 1st XI had a truly fantastic season. The team thanks Fiona (and Hannah) for all her efforts in getting the players and umpires to the right places on the right days – even with theadventof‘FixturesLive’ thisisno easyjob. Fionaissteppingasidefromher Captain’s role at the start of the next season but the team very much hopes to see her back playing very soon.

Having re-read last season’s Magazine report it is noted that the author was spot on in saying that “A brighter start to next season’s campaign should be enough to get the team challenging for the league title next season”. In short, the team played their hearts out from the start of the campaign and thoroughly deserved their League title. This all happened in spite of losing a couple of players this season and goes to show the strength and depth of the Club’s reserves. With a few games to go in the League there were still six teams who could catch the 1st XI and it was again testament to their hard work that the girls carried on through the last few critical matches to take the title. With other teams in the League having come out of the National Leagues the standard in the District was certainly higher this season. Well done to all involved – a very hard earned title, in the end won by eight points!

The 2nd XI, under the Captaincy of Wendy Bruce, had another great season. It was particularly pleasing to see so many returners to the game enjoying their matches at the weekends. Wendy (and Sheila) supported the players, both young and old, with their unique style. 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 (in fact the same position as last year) is a great result. The Club is very proud of a true mix of young and old players enjoying their hockey.

Indoor Update

The 1st VI had a tremendous indoor season and won the Indoor League. The team had to dig deep as, owing to scheduling, they had back-to-back matches on two occasions with which to contend! The RGU sports hall is a big place and running around there for a full eighty minutes on those two occasionsprobablyplayed a part in theoutdoor teamwinning the outdoor league, as players’ fitness was really put to the test! Well done to Lisa Tomkins for getting the team in order. Sadly, the Indoor Cup was cancelled this year owing to the flooding of the indoor court…it is safe to say in the history of our Hockey Club an indoor hockey match had not previously been cancelled due to rain!!!

The 2nd VI really enjoyed their indoor season. Again they had to contend with some rule nuances meaning they lost a couple of matches before they began as they were unable to field under-18 players owing to the under-18’s being away playing matches for the School. The Club has proposed that this rule be removed from the North District Indoor League and it is hoped that this will help the team next season. While the Club is hugely supportive of playing youngsters in League matches, sometimes they are simply unavailable! Well done to all those who did play this season.

In other news, two of our players, Helen Bruce and Sheila Reid, have been selected again to play for Scotland in Masters Teams in Four Nations events this summer. Good luck to them both! The Club also wishes the School leavers well. You will be missed…come back soon!

Finally, many, many thanks are due to Murray Bissett, the girls’ coach. Murray tolerates all weathers and the terrible banter from the girls at training. The girls are delighted that he is staying for more hassle next season! Sincere thanks also to all this season’s umpires, in particular to Gillian Graham, Martin Fraser and Rob Parfitt, among many others, for all your efforts in this regard – the teams are very grateful.

As ever, if you are keen to take up hockey again (or even 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

The Annual Dinner was once more held in the Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel on Friday 25 March 2016. The attendance was disappointing, possibly due to it being Good Friday and many members being on holiday for Easter. More care will have to be taken in a few years’ time when next Holy Week is in the last week of March. As is the usual practice there were representatives from other Former Pupils’ Clubs both local and from further afield. Only Edinburgh of our own Centres was represented this year.

Former Pupils’ Section

We were delighted to welcome Alison Murison, the School’s new Head Teacher,who wasaccompaniedbyHeadBoy, Daniel Hume, andHead Girl,Kate Riddoch. Also present were six of the Club’s Honorary Vice-Presidents.

The President of the Club, Meldrum Edwards, was in the chair and, with the assistance of the Dinner Secretary, kept the evening’s proceedings flowing in an orderly manner. At the outset a presentation was made to Brian Crookshanks, in the form of a silver Quaich, “in admiration of selfless editorial commitment to Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine”. An excellent meal was enjoyed, after which the company contributed to a raffle of several generously donated prizes which helped to defray some of the costs of the evening

The principal toast, to “The School and the Club”, was proposed by Miss Murison who spoke of her vision for the School based on principles of excellence and equity, with the aim of providing the best possible deal for each pupil. Her view of the ethos of the School is that everyone feels valued, which requires the input of all involved in the School – staff, pupils and parents. She was proud to record that the School exceeds both city and national standards, all complemented by the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.

Replying on behalf of the School, the Head Girl and Head Boy gave a flavour of the wide variety of sporting activities available to today’s pupils and of the extra-mural clubs and societies which cater for their interests. They made particular mentionof music and drama, which figure largelyonthe School scene, praised the outstanding success of the Concert Band, and recorded the fact that School musicians are involved in the National Youth Orchestra.

Replying for the Club, President Mel reflected on his Presidential year and of the various Club and other events in which he had been involved. He remarked on his visit to Vancouver Island for the Canadian Reunion and gave a powerpoint presentation of the highlights of the visit.

Neil Lawrie, Dinner Secretary, expressed a vote of thanks to the President and to all who had contributed to the success of the evening, mentioning in particular the hotel staff who had looked after the company’s needs in a professional manner.

The following FPs attended the Dinner (in order of entering School): B.K. Crookshanks (1934-46), H.B. Paterson (1941-50), R.H. Cradock (1940-51), Ian MacDonald(1940-52), A.K.Campbell(1944-53),D.R.Harper(1944-58),J.A.C. Michie (1944-58), D.B. Galloway (1944-58), W.M. Murray (1945-54), J.B. Davidson (1947-60), M.B. Edwards (1946-60), H.A.B. Will (1948-61), A.D. Milne (1950-58), I.H. McLeod (1951-55), 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), N.J.G. Lawrie (1961-74), N.G.M. Watt (196369), D. Moir (1969-75), A.T. Thompson (1969-75), D. Harley (1974-80), I.

Taylor (1974-80), G.K. Crookshanks (1979-85), D.R.D. Wallis (1979-85), and T.J. Rolfe (1982-86).

The Head Teacher, Miss Alison Muirison, was also present.

A change of venue has been agreed for next year’s Dinner which will be held on Friday 24 March 2017 at the Royal Northern & University Club.

Scouting

An Up-date on Former Grammar School Troops

Many Former Pupils were members of one or other of the three Scout Groups associated with the Grammar School, and Neil Lawrie thought that a report of the most recent situations would be of interest.

There were at one time three Scout Groups, the 1st, 9th and 17th, all “closed” to pupils ofthe School. “Closed” simplymeant that onlyGrammarians could join these Groups. The closure of the Lower School meant that the recruitment of Cubs could nolongerbe ‘Schoolonly’andall three groups becameopen toserve, astheystilldo,theirlocalcommunities.Onlythe1stretains “AberdeenGrammar School” in their title, the others being simply Aberdeen Scout Groups.

This year sees two anniversaries in national Scouting. The Cubs were inaugurated one hundred years ago, in1906, nine years after the Scouts. Beavers, for 6 to 8 year-olds are marking their thirtieth birthday this year. Locally, the Templars Park camping ground, still owned and very successfully operated by Aberdeen District Scouting at Maryculter, was opened by Baden Powell eighty years ago. Co-incidentally that also saw the opening of the headquarters of the 9th Group in Granville Lane, where they still meet, which had a visit fromBaden Powell that same weekend.

The Groups have submitted the following notes:

The 1st (Aberdeen Grammar school) Scout Group continues to provide fun, challenge and adventure to more than 120 young people and has this year celebrated its 108th birthday. Scouting remains as popular as ever and increased demand calls for more leaders and improvements to our hut at Forbesfield Lane. We are always delighted to hear from ex-members. People looking to become leaders or make a donation should contact the Group Scout Leader, Jill Simpson by email at firstaberdeenscoutgroup@gmail.com

The 9th Aberdeen Scout Group has a roll of about 150, including Leaders, and this is also our 108th birthday (albeit slightly behind the 1st – apparently!!). The Troop represented Aberdeen District at the finals of the National Camping Competition last year AND WON! We are thus currently “Scottish Champions”. We have won through to the final again to represent Aberdeen District and will be defending our title for 2016. It is an unrivalled achievement for the Troop which is led by an intensely dedicated Scout Leader in Alastair Macdonald – a Gordonian!

The 17th Aberdeen Scout Group. It is confirmed in a Minute from the 9th Troop Court of Honour in 1936, still available in the 9th Archive, that to meet popular demand Leaders from the 1st and 9th were leaving their own groups to set up a newone, to becalled the 17th, meetingina purpose-built hall inPitstruan Terrace. As all three groups have experienced over the years, the 17th fell on hard times recently and was only saved by the dedication and determination of one leader, Mrs Jacqui Duncan. The original headquarters became unusable, although the large family of squirrels seemed very comfortable nesting in the pans in the loft! The remaining few Beavers, with Jacqui, moved to meet at District Headquarters in Ruthrie Terrace, previously the headquarters of the now sadlydisbanded 24th, where theycurrentlyremain. InFebruary2013 a recruiting campaign was run with considerable success. New leaders volunteered from the parents who brought their children and, with support once again fromthe 9th, the Beaver Section was boosted and a Cub Section begun. They have now been joined by a Scout Section who have just held their first summer camp for many years. A Group Scout Leader and a Scout Leader came forward from amongst the parents of the Scouts and our membership is now over 40 Scouts and six leaders. Although not exclusively, the Group is establishing an identity as “The Garthdee Scouts” and considerable support has been forthcoming from community organisations. Any offers of assistance, or even just memories, from former members or interested parties are very welcome as we are still ‘recovering’ and growing. Contact should be with the Group Scout Leader, Angela Taylor at 17thaberdeen@gmail.com

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. Topups 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 fromthe “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 2016 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 membersoftheFPClubbecome “LongService” Members from1stJanuary in the year following the year in which they reach the age of 75.

Former Pupils’ Section

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:

391 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6BX.

Tel: 01224 – 580641

Email: membership@agsfp.com

Donations and Bequests

The Second Century Fund was set up in 2000 to receive all Donations and Bequests. This Fund is used to finance specific School and Club projects, and is not used for normal ongoing Club expenses. As will be seen from the Accounts elsewhere in this Magazine, the total from this source in 2015 was £135 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.

Congratulations to the following members of the Club who will attain the age of 75 during 2016 and so will become Long Service Members on 1st January 2017

Michael

David

John

Jeffrey

Joseph

James

Annual Members

Long Service Members

For several years now we have published the names of our Nonagenarians. Sadly, two of these died in the past year, but seven 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

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

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

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

Roy Brown 1932-43 29 July 1925

Michael P. Littlejohn 1939-43 26 September 1925

Ellis M. Philip 1937-43 15 October 1925

Alastair H. Tawse 1930-43 31 December 1925

William J. Farquhar 1938-42 17 March 1926

Peter Cooper 1938-44 23 April 1926

Eric A. Alexander 1935-43 28 May 1926

Quintin A. Aitken 1939-45 14 July 1926

Harry L. Warder 1939-44 3 October 1926

George W. Warder 1935-46 3 October 1926

James G. Matheson 1939-45 24 December 1926

NOTES about FORMER PUPILS

Honours and Awards

Order of the British Empire

Graham Douglas Caie (1949-63) CBE, FRSE, FEA, FRSA, MA, PhD, was appointed to the rank of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 Queen’s BirthdayHonours. After graduating with honours in English from the University of Aberdeen in 1966 he continued his studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, graduating with a doctorate. He took up a post in the English Department of Copenhagen University in 1972 and was appointed to the Chair of English Language at Glasgow University in 1990, eventually becoming Vice-Principal and Clerk of Senate. He was a Vice-President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh until 2014, having been made a Fellow of the Society in 2004. He served on the Board of the National Library of Scotland for eighteen years and is now Vice-President of the Scottish Text Society, a trustee of the Faculty of Advocates Abbotsford Collection, a member of the British Council Advisory Committee, an Observer on the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and a member of the Court of Queen Margaret University. In 2014 he was elected to represent the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Society of London and the British Academy on the Board of ALLEA, the Federation of European Academies.

John McLeod (1946-50) was appointed to the rank of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Music. He has been at the forefront of contemporary Scottish music for over forty years. He first studied music in Aberdeen before joining the RAF School of Music on National Service. There he learned to play the clarinet which he then studied at London’s Royal Academy of Music before turning to composition. He studied under Sir Lennox Berkeley and was influenced by the Polish composer, Witold Lutoslawski. He has been resident in Edinburgh for forty years and has been a prolific composer. He became a Fellow of the Royal Academy and was a recipient of the Guinness Prize for British composers.

Elisabeth Ann Innes (1974-80) BSc, PhD was appointed to Membership of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2015 New Year’s Honours in recognitionofher services to scientific research and science communication. She graduated with honours in Immunology from Glasgow University followed by a doctorate in Tropical Animal Health from Edinburgh University. She then

worked in Africa for several years before returning to Scotland to set up a research group at the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh. She is currently a Principal Research Scientist and Director of Communication at Moredun. She is married with two children and her outside interests include hill-walking, wine tasting and photography. She was inspired to take up a career in science by Bill Williams, her Biology teacher at School.

Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur

Eric Johnston (1935-40) has recently been appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the French Legion of Honour in recognition of his acknowledged military engagement and his steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France during the Second World War. In the written intimation of the award he is told “We owe our freedomand security to your dedication, because you were readyto risk your life”.

Eric’s career with AberdeenSavings Bankbegan whenhe left School but was interrupted by his War service with the 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards, latterly in North-west Europe following D-Day. His recent book Reflections of a Tank Trooper (Rtd) was reviewed in the Magazine of 2014. Eric is one of the Club’s nonagenarians.

Honorary Degree

George Kynoch Yule (1963-67) was awarded the honorary degree of Master of the University at Aberdeen’s 2016 Summer Graduation. His business career has extended over thirty years in the oil and gas industry. He is a Burgess of Guild of the city and a former President of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce. He is currently vice-chairman of Aberdeen Football Club and thus heavily involved in the current plans for a replacement stadium for Pittodrie.

George was invited to join the board of Aberdeen Sports Village in 2007, two years before its completion, and was asked to become chairman almost at once. He has seen it grow from an initial 44 employees to its current staff of 240.

George established the George Yule Scholarship at the University to provide financial support for any student on a full-time degree programme who can demonstrate sporting achievement along with a commitment to develop sporting potential.

Russell Craig Borthwick (1979-85) has been appointed as chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. He began his career at Aberdeen Journals but has most recently been managing partner of a marketing

agency network based in Newcastle. He hopes to bring new perspectives and fresh thinking to the challenges which face the Chamber, its members and the region as a whole.

Ian William Derek Buxton (1947-54) MBE, MA now lives in retirement in Shenfield, Essex. At School he was Proxime Accessit in Classics, captain of Melvin House, and a member of the 1st Hockey XI of 1953/54. From School he went up to Aberdeen University to read Classics, graduating with honours in 1958. He also played hockey for FPs, captaining the very successful “A” XI of that period. After graduation he joined the then Colonial Audit Service (which became the Overseas Audit Service), one of the attractions being the chance of serving in all of Britain’s then overseas possessions. He was posted to Uganda as an Assistant Auditor and, specialising in the audit of local authorities, was posted at different times to all four of Uganda’s provinces – the most travelled auditor who had ever served in Uganda. In the absence of organised European hockey in Uganda he reverted to rugby, which he had last played as a Colt at School, and played for Nile Rugby Club where he was a teammate of the infamous Idi Amin, at that time a sergeant in the 4th King’s African Rifles. As the nearest away game was 50 miles away, he travelled all over Uganda and Northern Kenya for matches. In 1960 he appeared in the final Uganda trial as a prop forward.

With McMillan’s “Wind of Change” blowing through the colonies, most territories in the Empire were becoming independent, transfers of auditors between territories virtually ceased and when Uganda’s time for independence came in 1962 he opted to remain in the service as part of the British Overseas Aid programme, and accordingly served throughout his audit career in Uganda –a truly beautiful country. In 1971 he retired as Director of Audit (Local Authorities) and returned to Britain. He was awarded the MBE for services to Audit in Uganda in 1971. He then worked for three years in the London Borough of Redbridge as assistant to the Chief Executive before joining the newly formed Commission for Local Administration for England (the Local Government Ombudsman) where, as Administrator, he helped establish the organisation, and where he became the Finance and Estates Manager, serving until retirement in 2001. In 1986 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Essex and sat on the Brentwood Bench, becoming a court chairman, until the reorganisation of the Judiciary and the closure of the Brentwood courthouse, when he transferred to the newSouthWest Essex bench, sittingat Grays. There he was appointed Bench Chairman until his mandatory retirement from the bench at the age of 70. An obituary on his younger brother, Neil, appears elsewhere in this Magazine

JeremyWynneCreswell (1962-65)has writtenabook ABZ and Big Oil charting the relationship between Aberdeen and the North Sea energy industry over the

last fifty years and looking ahead to the future of the sector. Jeremy is editor of the Energy Supplement of the Press & Journal.

Meldrum Barclay Edwards (1946-60) MBE, BSc, MSc, MICE who has been instrumental in raising funds for charities over many years has recently run 100 metres one hundred times in a single day in aid of a campaign to raise funds for children at Woodlands School in Aberdeen who have speech, language and physical difficulties. The aim is to provide the school with specialist Eye-Gaze technology, a computer-based aid with a camera attached which allows the system to pick up what the children are looking at and allows them to choose what they would like to do. On this occasion he ran 40 of the runs at Rubislaw Field at 4a.m., 30 at Countesswells Forest at 11a.m. and the final 30 back at Rubislaw at 5p.m. in front of supporters. He raised over £8,600.

Martin George Findlay (1978-84) is the senior partner in the Aberdeen office of KPMG, chartered accountants. Oil and gas accounts form much of the Aberdeen office’s workload and the recent down-turn in the industry is critical for manyoftheirclients.Thepresentdownturnis notthe first hehasexperienced, but he reflects when the oil price came down the impact was greater than on previous occasions.

David Brian Galloway (1944-58) MB,ChB is the medical and scientific director of Cytosystems, a clinical stage diagnostic development firm which is researching the potential to assess bladder cancer by means of a urine test so as to avoid the necessity for invasive procedures using fibre-optic tubes. The company has recently been awarded a substantial grant from the UK Government.

Kenneth George McHattie (1968-73) CA, LL.B has been appointed President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland. He qualified as a chartered accountant with Thomson McLintock in Aberdeen in 1978 and then as a solicitor in 1985. He worked for venture capitalists 3i before becoming a partner in Ledingham Chalmers, solicitors in Aberdeen. He was a co-founder of the North Sea operator Tuscan Energy and was for a time finance director of oil and gas investment fund Energy Development Partners. He is currently chairman of Aberdeen based Aurora Petroleum and Aurora Energy Resources.

Alexander Norman Main (1954-60) MA continues, in his retirement from Murdoch University, to work pro bono on mental health services for migrants and refugees to Western Australia. He is also actively involved in historical research, documenting the extensive part played by the Benedictine monks of

New Norcia in opening up the pastoral industry of the Victoria Plains District of the State, and in the education and welfare of the Aboriginal people in the nineteenth century. In 2014 Dr Main married Hui Yean Tan, previously from Malaysia but now a psychologist in Perth.

Calum Reid (2007-13) has completed his third year at The Royal Conservatory of Scotland in Glasgow. Calum, who plays the tuba, was a finalist in the Aberdeen Young Musician of the Year for three years in a row and a brass semifinalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2012. He has frequently performed as a soloist at the Conservatoire in Windband and Brass Ensembles. He has now taken up an apprenticeship with both the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Lewis Reid (2007-13) is Calum’s twin brother and has completed his third year at TrinityLaban Conservatory of Music and Dance in London. He studies double bass under Chris West and has played regularly for the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. He has also been able to tour China, playing in Shanghai’s Grand Theatre, the Beijing Concert Hall and the Grand Theatre in Tianjin with NYOS, and has taken part in a BBC Proms concert series.

Peter James Sharp (1964-77) LL.B was presented with the Top Cherry award in the 2016 cHeRries awards sponsored by publishers D. C. Thomson. This award is presented to an individual who has been nominated by his peers and selected by a panel of judges. The awards in general recognise the success of specialists in human resources, training and recruitment in the North-east. The Top Award is for Outstanding Contribution and reflects Peter’s new employment since he retired from private practice in Aberdeen to be principal employment solicitor at Aberdeen University. He had been senior litigation partner with Ledingham Chalmers and thereafter a consultant with Pinsent Mason, solicitors, Aberdeen.

Erin Smith (2000-03) has now commenced a career as a professional musician. Having started violin lessons at the unusually early age of four, she had by age twelve won over two hundred competitions. She has been a Mod winner three times in succession and six successive times at the Scottish Championships.

Erin left School during her 3rd year to go to Aberdeen Music School, where a teacherdescribedherasbeing‘inleaguedivisionone’. WithaDewar Arts Award and holding acceptances for all the major UK Music Conservatoires she elected to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, from which she graduated as a Bachelor of Music in 2011. She then proceeded to Trinity Laban Conservatoire from which she received her Master’s degree in 2013. She has now joined three of her colleagues from Trinity to form the Camilli Quartet, the

winners of the Trinity Laban John Barbirolli Competition in 2015. They have performed at venues throughout the UK including Aberdeen.

Obituaries

Former Club and Centre President

William Morrison Brown (1932-46) died suddenlybut peacefullyat Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on 19 December 2015 following a long period of ill health. He was aged 88. Mor, as he was always known, was Captain of the School 1st XV in season 1945-46, and was awarded a Cap. He was also House Captain of Byron and its Captain of Athletics. He had what was then the rare distinction of playing for FPs while still at School. He was called up for military service in May 1946 and during his basic training he played rugby for Scottish Command. He served with the Gordon Highlanders in Malaya, Tripoli and Egypt and was demobilised in 1953.

It has been said that Mor had three main interests – scouting, rugby and Aberdeen Grammar School. He was a member of the 38th Aberdeen Scout Troop and was awarded the King’s Scout badge. He played rugby for FPs and for diverse representative teams – London Scottish, North & Midlands and others. When his playing days were over he took up refereeing to which he brought both his wide knowledge of the game and his unbridled enthusiasm.

Mor served as a clerical officer with the Equity & Law Insurance Company until forced to retire on health grounds in 1983. Retirement simply meant redirecting his energies elsewhere. He became associated with St. Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh where his second wife, Moira, was Church Secretary, and took up the post of Congregational Treasurer. He modernised the accounting system and successful computerised the Church accounts.

Mor was increasingly handicapped by mobility problems, enduring no fewer than seven hip replacements before eventually having his right hip removed. He bore these difficulties with fortitude, and in the late nineties enrolled for a 3-year BA Accountancy course at Napier University. He reflected that the University had never had someone of 69 with his disabilities.

Mor’s lifelong affection for his old School found an outlet in the FP Club’s Edinburgh Centre. He served as President in 1980-88, standing down in order to serve as President of the parent FP Club in 1988-89. He served for a second term at Edinburgh from 1997, and after a break he was again elected President for a third term in 2009. He was still in office at the time of his death.

Mor and his wife spent a lot of time on Deeside in the summer months and were regular and very welcome visitors at 86 Queens Road – one always knew

when Mor was holding court at the Centre and his greetings were always warm, genuine and robust.

Mor is survived by his wife Moira, by children of his first marriage, stepchildren and grandchildren. His elder brother Robert (Roy) (1932-43) lives in Kingston, Ontario.

Neil Keith Buxton (1948-58) LL.D, MA died peacefully at Port Macquarie, Australia on 11 November 2015. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1940, wherehisSchoolsInspectorfatherhad justreturned fromleavetheprevious year. Sadly, when Neil was only two months old his father died but the return of the family to Britain was delayed by the ongoing North African hostilities. In June 1944 the family went home to Scotland where his mother held various supply teaching posts in Aberdeenshire and Neil attended Gallowhill Primary, Alford, Culter and then Tarves Schools until his mother took up a post at Skene Square and Neil entered Lower II at the Grammar in 1948.

Neil was a member of the 1st Cricket XI as wicketkeeper and of the 1st Hockey XI as goalkeeper during his last two years at School, and was capped for Aberdeen Schools at Hockey and also for Scottish Schoolboys. He then went up to Aberdeen University to read Economics and Politics, graduating with honours in 1962. He continued his hockey career, playing for the University and for Scottish Universities.

After graduating, he took a post at Aberdeen University as an assistant lecturer before moving to the University of Hull in 1964 as a lecturer. He continued to play hockey, for Hull Welton, and was selected for Yorkshire, playing alongside the Yorkshire and England cricketer, Phil Sharpe who, as well as being a Test cricketer, was a very fine hockey player. Neil’s next post was at Heriot Watt Universityin Edinburgh, first as a senior lecturer then as a professor, from 1969 to 1984. While there he obtained his Doctorate and played hockey for Inverleith. At this time he was capped for Scotland, winning his first against England in 1968 and his last against Finland in 1970, a total of nine caps in all.

When he retired fromplaying he and a colleague ran the Scottish Universities side, and he took up umpiring, becoming an international hockey umpire in the mid-70s. In 1976 his appointment as a FIH Grade 1 International umpire was confirmed inMontreal at the time ofthe Olympic Games there. Inall, he umpired nineteen international matches (all outdoor – he never did indoor hockey).

While working in Aberdeen he co-authored books with Professor Donny McKay, and subsequently, while at Heriot Watt, produced further books on the Scottish and UK Economy and the British Coal Mining Industry. His next career move was to the Glasgow College of Technology, as Deputy Director from 1984 to 1987. During this period he took over as manager of the Scottish Hockey side, but gave this up on moving to Hatfield Polytechnic as Director in 1987 and then, when it became the University of Hertfordshire in 1992, he became its first Vice-

Chancellor, a post which he held until 2003 when he retired. He also lectured in both Australia and the USA while on sabbatical postings. While at Hertfordshire he oversaw a period of considerable growth at the University, which grew from 5,000 to around 22,000 students, and he was successful in integrating the university into one campus, the De Havilland site formerly occupied by British Aerospace, and in effecting mergers with a number of local colleges. This resulted in the opening of a new School of Art & Design and in an ambitious building programme, including the Learning Resources Centre, the Buxton Centre, which was named after him.

After retiring in 2003 Neil emigrated to Australia, but maintained his interest in further education, becoming a part-time lecturer on Australian history and economics as well as convener of a U3A Australian History Class. In November 2010 he received from the University of Hertfordshire an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of his contribution to its success and growth.

Martin A. Campbell (1947-60) writes: “I was privileged to be a teammate of Neil when he played for Inverleith Hockey Club. On retiring from the playing side we both took up umpiring. I remember many a happy time playing and officiating with Neil, even when our decisions on the field of play were controversial. He was an entertaining character who, with his pipe in his mouth, gave an aura of someone who should be listened to.”

Neil is survived by his wife, Garry, a former pupil of Aberdeen High School for Girls, by his sons Alan and Patrick and his daughter Julie. He is also survived by his older brother Ian W.D. Buxton (1947-54)

Alexander Ian Cheyne (1937-48) MB,ChB, DPM, FRCPsych, FRCP(Glas) died peacefully at his home in Kippen on 29 August 2015 aged 84, following a long illness. He was born in Rangoon, Burma where his father George Collie Cheyne (1900-04) was working in teak management. He became a boarder at the School Boarding House and in 6th year was a prefect, Vice-captain of the 1st XV and Rugby Captain of Keith House. He went up to Aberdeen University to read Medicine and while there gained a Rugby Blue, was captain of the 1st XV and played for Scottish Universities. He graduated in 1954 and held the usual house posts in orthopaedics at Aberdeen and in medicine at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

After National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps at Depot Crookham in charge of the medical centre he took up a post as a trainee general practitioner inBanchory, followed byanassistantshipandthenprincipalatLittleport,Cambs. A change of career followed when he went into psychiatry, becoming registrar at the Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries.

He spent a year in Australia at Hillcrest Psychiatric Hospital, Adelaide. In 1972 he was appointed consultant psychiatrist at Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow where he remained until retiring in 1990. He established the psychiatric

serviceatGlasgowUniversity’sstudenthealthservice,started adayandinpatient service for adolescents in the west of Scotland, and served as an adviser for deaf adults for forty years at the Hayfield Unit, only retiring shortly before his death.

Sandywas interested infarming, owninga hill farminDumfries for a number of years and managing a farm in Kippen. His early love of sport continued and in his later years he took up squash and golf.

Sandy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean, their three daughters and by five grandchildren. His brother James Milne Thomson Cheyne (1938-52) died in 1999.

David Cumming Crombie (1944-53) died in hospital in Kirkcaldy on 22 January 2016 aged 78, having sustained very serious injuries in a road accident in Abingdon some weeks earlier. He was the son of David Low Crombie (190712) and entered the former Lower School aged seven. On leaving School he took up an apprenticeship with the Inverurie Locomotive Works, studying in the evenings at the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology from which he gained his Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering.

He moved to Glasgow in 1959 where he was involved in the electrification ofthe AirdrietoHelensburghrailwayline. Later movingtoEdinburghhe worked with the Department of the Environment (later the Property Services Agency) with responsibility for projects at the Botanic Gardens, the Royal Scottish Museum and Holyrood Palace. Married in 1973, he transferred to the PSA office at Rosyth where he was responsible for HMS Cochrane and for staff housing in that complex, as well as being on call for emergency breakdowns (usually in the middle of the night).

He took early retirement in 1992 which enabled him to pursue his lifetime love of and interest in steam engines and railways. He participated in many Railway Preservation Societies and groups at Bo’ness, where he worked and advised for forty-seven years, as well as at Brechin, Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway and GNSR Railway. He still found time to be a visitor guide at the Bo’ness Railway Preservation Society. The Isle of Mull narrow gauge Railway (now defunct) had benefited from his Technical Directorship and for a time he was part owner of an engine called ‘Waverley’ which is now at Rudyard Lake Railway.

David was an Elder of Dunfermline Abbey and his engineering experience was put to good use by the Fabric Committee when a new heating system was designed. He sang in the Cathedral choir and enjoyed performing with them at many venues across Scotland as well as at Notre Dame in Paris and at Chartres Cathedral. He was a member of the National Trust and enjoyed travel – his favourite city was Budapest where, needless to say, there is a railway museum.

David is survived by his wife, Aileen, and by a son and daughter.

Ian Summers Cruickshank (1960-66) died at his home near Aberdeen on 27 March 2016 after a battle with lung cancer. He was aged 67. Born and brought up in Keith he entered the School aged twelve when his father was transferred to Aberdeen.

Norman Edwards (1959-64), a former partner, writes: “Ian was an outgoing lad, whosoonhad a widerangeoffriends, withmanyofwhomhe remained incontact throughout his life. On leaving School he began a traineeship as a Quantity Surveyor with Armour & Partners in Aberdeen, a relationship which was to last for fifty years, as he died while ‘still in harness’ with the business – a record that will never be matched.

“After a number of years in the Aberdeen office he transferred to run the Stornoway office, followed a few years later by a move to the firm’s Inverness office, by which time he had been elevated to partner. About twelve years later he returned to Aberdeen where he eventually became senior partner. While in Stornoway he met and married his wife, Rosemary.

“Away from family and work Ian was an enthusiastic golfer who could be found on the Westhill course, just across the road from the family home, every week. He was also a popular member of Westhill Rotary Club and the 41 Club.”

Ian is survived by his wife, a son and daughter and by one grandson.

Hugh Diack (1948) MA died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 27 January 2016 85. He was the son of the late Rev. Peter Diack (1904-09) who took over the charge of Drumoak Parish Church in the spring of 1948. Hugh moved from Glasgow Academy and was enrolled in Upper VI of the Grammar in May of that year. He left six weeks later at the end of the session and went up to Aberdeen University graduating Master of Arts in 1951. After teacher training he was appointed to the former O’Neill Corse Junior Secondary School in 1953. He moved to Bridge of Don Academy in 1956 and then taught for a year at Glasgow Academy before appointment to the Grammar in 1968 as an assistant teacher of History and English. He later became an assistant principal teacher of English and with the transition to comprehensive education he had a role as a Guidance teacher.

Hugh was predeceased by his wife but is survived by his two sons and bytwo grandchildren.

Harold Duffus Ewen (1934-40) MRPS died in a care home in Aberdeen on 19 March 2016 aged 93. He qualified as a pharmacist in 1946, becoming a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. After spells in the pharmacies of Woodend Hospital and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary he entered the retail trade and in the mid 1950s opened a chemist’s business in Summerhill Drive, Aberdeen. There he was a highly respected servant of the large local community. He retired in 1989.

In retirement he was an enthusiastic member of the City of Aberdeen Probus Club.

He was predeceased by his wife, but is survived by his son David Forbes Ewen (1972-78) and his daughter Kathleen Mitchell Ewen (1977-83) who was Head Girl of the School in 1982-83.

Distinguished Company Chairman

Denys Hartley Henderson (1938-50) KB, MA, LL.B, LL.D died peacefully in hospital at Beaconsfield on 21 May 2016 following a short illness. He was aged 83. He was a Prefect, vice-captain of the 1st XI and of Dun House cricket and secretary of the school branch of the Scottish Schoolboys Club. He went on to Aberdeen University to read arts and law, graduating in 1953 and 1955. He served his law apprenticeship with Esslemont & Cameron, advocates, and National Service saw him commissioned as a Captain in the Directorate of Army Legal Services

This experience told him that a career in law was not for him and he applied for a job in the secretarial department of ICI – a company of which he later claimed he had never previously heard. His big opportunity came when he was appointed new ventures manager of the Nobel explosives division in Ayrshire in 1966. In 1977 he became head of the Slough-based paints division – which led to his appearance on television with an Old English sheepdog in the company’s celebrated advertisement for its Dulux paint.

Sir Denys joined the ICI main board in 1980 and became deputy chairman in 1986 He became chairman in the following year, at which time he was the youngest-ever chairman of the company. At this time the company was widely seen to be bloated and bureaucratic in its structure and ill-equipped to weather the economic crises of the late ‘80s. Sir Denys devised a scheme to split the group, with its pharmaceuticals and bioscience businesses becoming a new company, Zeneca, while chemicals and paints continued as ICI. This, he later conceded, was the most difficult decision he ever had to make, but it transpired as the correct one. When he retired in1995 he had acquired the further distinction of being the longest-serving chairman since the company’s founder sixty years earlier.

Sir Denys went on to chair the Rank Organisation for six years, hold various directorships, including of Barclays Bank, and serve as a Trustee of the Natural History Museum. He was First Commissioner of the Crown Estate and served as Chancellor of Bath University. His charity work included fund-raising for Save the Children. In addition he was an energetic driving force in securing funds for Aberdeen University and chaired the committee set up to raise additional funds in recognition of its Quincentenary, which ingathered £25 million for this

purpose. The University awarded him an honorary Doctorate in 1987. He was knighted in 1989.

Sadly, over the last three years of his life he suffered increasingly from dementia. He is survived by his wife, Doreen, two daughters and six grandchildren.

Norman Gill Johnston (1951-54) FRICS, FCIOB died on 29 September 2015 after a long illness. He was aged 79.

Alexander D. Johnston (1942-54) writes: “Norman, the youngest of a large family, a ‘Torry Loon’ and dux of Walker Road School, arrived at the Grammar with a determination to succeed. Sitting next to me in our shared surname on his first day at school was the start of a life-long friendship, playing hockey and joining the school pipe band together where, due to his commanding height, he was selected for the ‘Big Drum’. He qualified as a quantity surveyor in Aberdeen and was the winner ofthe Earp-Thomsonprize incompetition withall final exam candidates in Great Britain. He moved to Salisbury in 1964 to join Reema Construction as chief estimator. He became a director in 1967, progressing to managing director ten years later.

“He returned to Aberdeen in 1986 as managing director of the newly merged Alex Hall and William Tawse construction operations. In 1988 he moved south again to join Tilbury Docks plc as main board director responsible for all group construction activities, retiring in 1996.

“In retirement he enjoyed playing golf and bridge, splitting his time between Berkshire and Florida where he had a home.

“He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and two sons.”

James Kincaid (1943-52) MA, BD died peacefullyat his home near Fintrayon 11 January 2016 aged 81. From School he went up to Aberdeen University to read Arts and Divinity, graduating in 1957 and 1960. He was inducted as an assistant at the former North Church in Aberdeen in 1960, moving to Mossgreen and Crossgates in Fife in 1963.

Three years later he moved to South Africa where he ministered to a thousand Bantupeople in the Transkei Reserve. After returning to Scotland in 1976 he was inducted to Fintray linked with Keithhall and Kinellar where he conducted what has been described as a very successful ministry. He retired several years ago.

He is survived by his wife Valerie, with whom he celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2013. His daughter Sarah Ann Kincaid attended the School in 1986-90.

John Robertson Wood Leiper (1939-48) died suddenly, but peacefully, at his home in Westhill, Aberdeen on 28 September 2015 aged 81. He was the son of

John Leiper, a well-known general practitioner in the city, and left School aged 14 to complete his education at Fettes College. He undertook his National Service with the Royal Air Force, mostly in Egypt. He later served in the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve, attaining the rank of Pilot Officer.

He spent several years as an insurance broker in Aberdeen before taking over a farm at Tilquhillie, near Banchory. He did a great deal of work in support of a Veterans’ charity.

Patrick Bernard McCann (1938-46) died peacefully, following a short illness, in Aberdeenon21 February2016 aged 87. Hejoined Macfisheries, the Aberdeen branch of the Unilever company, in the early days of frozen food processing. He was later appointed planning manager for all their UK factories. After twenty years in this post he made a complete change and, along with his wife, set up a gift shop in Aberdeen specialising in the best of contemporary design. He retired nearly twenty years ago.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary, and by two sons and a daughter.

Angus Alexander McGougan (1959-72) died peacefully in an Aberdeen hospital on 6 July 2015 after a short illness following an accident. He was aged 60. On leaving School Gus initiallyplanned to attend RobertGordon’s Technical College, but instead joined Aberdeen City Police in 1977, where his father was a Chief Inspector.

On the formation of Grampian Police he served in Cults. In about 1982 he transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department where he remained until promoted to Sergeant in 1987, when he moved to Divisional Headquarters at Bucksburn. He returned to the cityHeadquarters CID until 1996 whenhe became a Detective Sergeant at Peterhead. Three years later he was promoted to uniform Inspector at Fraserburgh, remaining there until retiring in 2005. He then took up a post as a Firearms Enquiry and Licensing officer at Turriff and was still in that post at the time of his death.

Gus is survived by his wife, a son and daughter and one grandchild.

Henry (Harry) George McPhillips (1945-52) died peacefully at Aberdeen RoyalInfirmaryon16April2016. He was inthe same yearatschoolasIan Milne who would later return as Principal French teacher in the late seventies, and whose death is reported elsewhere in this Magazine. During their fifth year they were the only two pupils in the German class, possibly as it was so soon after the War. Their language studies were greatly assisted when they obtained a radio to listen to German broadcasts, though it is believed that cricket and other things featured prominently.

The 9th Scout Troup played a large part in his life while at school and for several years thereafter, as he eventuallybecame Scoutmaster, leading his Scouts in an unorthodox but fun way until he relocated to Glasgow.

Upon his return to Aberdeen in 1958 Harry went up to Aberdeen University where he studied electrical engineering under Professor R V Jones. On the completion of his studies he turned down a research post under Prof. Jones in order to move to Corby, where he took up a management position with Stewarts & Lloyds, the steelworkers, in their galvanising plant.

After his marriage to Margaret in 1966 Harry moved back to Scotland and worked at Gartcosh and other steel works in and around the Motherwell area. In thelate ‘60sHereturnedtoAberdeenwhereheattended the CollegeofEducation and obtained a teaching qualification. He went on to teach French at Hilton Academy for several years before leaving to embark on a new challenge, this time in the developing oil industry. He spent a few years at this, including a spell offshore, but then returned to teaching in Aberdeenshire, at Mearns Academy and later at Mackie Academy, where he taught mathematics.

The oil industry was never far from his thoughts and he returned in the late 1970stospendthenext fifteenyears workingforvariouscompaniesasanoilfield equipment sales manager.

In the last few years before his retirement Harry returned to teaching, this time in a supply role in various schools in the city and in Aberdeenshire –including a spell at the Grammar.

In his retirement a great deal of his time was taken up with one of his great passions, amateur radio. He eventuallyobtained his radio licence and spent many hours broadcasting and listening to other enthusiasts from around the world. He also kept up his language studies by attending Spanish classes and enjoyed watching foreign documentaries like Wallander and Montalbano to name but a few.

Harry is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Margaret, his sons Michael (1979-85), Andrew (1987-93) and his granddaughter Victoria Francis Petrie (2008-14) daughter of the late Ann (1983-89).

Leading Theologian

Ian Howard Marshall (1946-51) MA, BA(Cantab), BD, PhD died peacefully in an Aberdeen hospital on 12 December 2015, following a short illness. He was aged 81. Born in Carlisle, and having his early education at Dumfries Academy, he moved to Aberdeen aged twelve, entering the first year of the old Upper School. He then went up to Aberdeen University to read Classics, graduating with First Class honours in 1955 and receiving a Fullerton, Moir & Gray scholarship in Classics. He was a regular winner of academic prizes in each of the four years of

the course. He next studied at Cambridge for the Theological Tripos with a view to entering the Methodist ministry. He enrolled for Divinity training in Bristol, graduating in 1959.

He spent two years as an assistant tutor at Didsbury College, Bristol and then two years as minister of Darlington Methodist church. Describing himself as a square peg in a round hole he then changed career, returned to Aberdeen, and in 1964 was appointed lecturer in New Testament Exegesis in the University Divinity Department. He became a personal senior lecturer in 1970, Reader in 1977, and in 1979 was appointed Professor of Divinity. His reputation as a theologian of distinction was strengthened by his extensive writing, with in excess of thirty books to his name. These included The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, which was recognised as a state of the art reference work. Prof. Marshall’s reputation attracted a steady flow of research students to his department.

His reputation as a preacher was formidable and he regularly preached in the city and further across the North-east, often driving huge distances on a Sunday. For over forty years he devoted his Sunday afternoons to a youth group known as the Crusaders which enjoyed great popularity in Aberdeen.

Prof. Marshall was married in 1961 but his wife died in 1995. In 2011 he married the principal of Evangel Seminary in Hong Kong. He is survived by her and by the four children of his first marriage.

Ian McDonald Milne (1938-52) MA died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 21 January 2016 aged 81. In Upper VI he gained first place out of 2367 candidates from 456 British schools for a French essay in a competition organised by the Alliance Francaise, a department of the French Embassy in London. He was the guest of the French Government for ten days in Paris.

He went up to Aberdeen University to read Modern Languages, graduating with Honours in 1957. While a student he was a script assistant in the Students’ Show of 1956. After teacher training he joined the staff of Inverness Royal Academy in 1959, moving two years later to Daniel Stewart’s College, Edinburgh. He was promoted to principal teacher of modern languages at the Gordon Schools Huntly in 1966 and in 1977 became principal teacher of French at the Grammar. He retired in 1997.

Ian was a gifted linguist and, in addition to French, had a knowledge of German, Italian and Russian. For many years he was involved in organising and accompanying the Aberdeen Grammar/Regensburg exchange.

Ian is survived by his wife, Kath, with whom he celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2010, by a son and daughter and by a grandson. His younger brother Patrick (1944-59) died in 2007.

Alexander John Kirby Monro (1933-46) BSc(Econ), DPE, LL.B died peacefully in a care home in Perth on 8 June 2016 aged 87. He had battled dementia with his customary determination for eight years. A rugby enthusiast at School, he captained the 2nd XV in his sixth year.

Following National Service he trained as a physical education teacher and after a spell in Aberdeenshire became an assistant teacher of PE at Robert Gordon’s College. While there he gained a BSc degree fromthe Open University and after qualifying at Aberdeen College of Education he moved to Perth Academy as principal teacher of PE and an assistant in the Economics Department.

Sandy retired from Perth in 1989, but continued to teach part-time at Dundee High School and at Craigclowan Preparatory School, Perth. His enthusiasm for learning continued and he enrolled at Dundee University in 1995 to study Law, graduating in 1999. His enthusiasm for rugby continued and he served as Honorary President of Perthshire Rugby Club and did occasional refereeing. In 2000 he gave evidence on Schools Rugby to Lord Mackay’s Investigatory committee on Scottish Rugby.

Sandy was a long-time member of the FP Club Edinburgh Centre, serving as Vice-President in 1999-2000 and as President in the following year. He was a member of Aberdeen Cairngorm Club and an enthusiastic percussionist with Tayside Big Band.

Sandy is survived by his wife, four children from his first marriage, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his eldest son. Sandy was a nephew of the late Professor Percival Robson Kirby (189201) emeritus professor of Music at Witwatersrand University and responsible for the present South African national anthem.

Former Law Society President

Ian Michael Scott Park (1942-55) CBE, MA, LL.B died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 25 May 2016 following a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was aged 78. He was the son of Ian Park, a senior assistant in the School’s Science Department from 1927 to 1960. From School he went up to Aberdeen University to read Arts and Law, graduating in 1958 and 1960. Following graduation he was appointed as a part-time assistant in International Law at the University.

After serving an apprenticeship with Paull & Williamsons, advocates, Michael became anassistant solicitor withthe firmin1961 and a partner in1963. He was admitted to membership of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1962. He earlybecame noted for his enormous capacity for work and an enviable ability to get through it. As his career progressed he became his firm’s senior

court practitioner and soon developed a wide range of legal knowledge to the benefit of those for whom he acted.

Having been for some years a member of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland, Michael served as President of the Society in 1980-81 and was in such regular demand by broadcasters for comment on legal issues that he became widely known simplyas ‘Mike Park,LawSociety’. Suchcomment,onaninfinite range of topics, was always very much to the point. Commenting on his tenure of office, a senior member of the Law Society remarked that he had the ability to go straight to the heart of a matter and explain with easy clarity the seemingly inexplicable. “Succinct and incisive in his pronouncements, his advice and guidance are valued alike by clients and colleagues and mark out his as a vintage Presidential year”.

As the oil and gas industry grew and developed in the Aberdeen area Michael was heavily involved and had a role in many of the Fatal Accident Inquiries which soon arose from the dangerous off-shore activities. Acting for Occidental Petroleum at the time of the Piper Alpha tragedy in the North Sea in 1988, he was involved in the resulting long-running Inquiry by Lord Cullen which led to far-reaching changes in off-shore safety.

Michael was appointed as a temporary Sheriff in 1976, which enabled him to sit in any Scottish Sheriff Court, and his keen mind brought a welcome clarity of decision-making into this sphere of his activity. Twenty years later he became an honorary Sheriff of Grampian, Highlands and Islands at Aberdeen. Having previously been its Treasurer, Michael served as President of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1992-93. He was for more than twenty years secretary of the Aberdeen Granite Association and was for eight years chairman of the city’s Citizens Advice Bureau.

Michael was appointed to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in 1983 and played an active role in its decision-making process until 2000. He also served on the Board’s appeals panel for several years. His manifold services to the law of Scotland were recognised in the 1982 New Year Honours by his appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Michael was a long-serving elder of the former Beechgrove Church in Aberdeen and was Clerk to its Congregational Board for thirty-five years. Here again his advice on a whole range of matters involving Church law was much valued and appreciated and the conciseness of his minutes was legendary.

In 1988 Michael was diagnosed as suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and three years later felt compelled to retire from full-time practice, although he continued to serve as a consultant to Paull & Williamsons for several further years. Despite his illness, he continued to follow his many interests, not the least of which was tending the plants in his large garden, of which, typically, he had an extensive knowledge. He was a genial host with a love of French wines, and

derived immense pleasure from a wide range of music ranging from classical to Scottish country dance. He continued for as long as possible to enjoy golf.

Michael bore his illness with great fortitude and, in keeping with his particular sense of humour, he listed Cheating Parkinson’s Disease among his recreations. He was acknowledged to be one of the longest-surviving sufferers in the North-east.

Michael is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, to whom he had been married for fifty-two years, and by his son William. His first son, Sandy, who was severely disabled throughout his life, and to whom Michael was devoted, died several years ago.

Andrew McIntosh Philip (1950-53) died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 9 February 2016 aged 77. Brought up in the Elmfield area of Aberdeen he came to the Grammar from the former Powis Junior Secondary School but left at age 15. The Rector of the time asked why he was leaving so early but accepted the explanation that Andrew had decided to work in his father’s butcher’s shop.

Three years later he was called up for National Service which he spent with the Gordon Highlanders, mostly in Germany. On his return he had a change of plan and sat the Civil Service exams after passing which he joined the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries. In the course of a long and successful career he came to know every butcher’s shop and abattoir in Scotland.

Andrew was a long-time member of Murcar Golf Club, served on the Children’s Panel for some years and was a regular helper at the Gordon Highlanders Museum. He was for many years a faithful supporter of the former Beechgrove Church.

Andrew’s wife of over fifty years died in 2014. He is survived by a son and daughter and two grandchildren.

William Alexander Reid (1935-39) died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 8 December 2015 aged 93. After war service he was an engineer with the then Post Office Telephones in Aberdeen before receiving an appointment with Cable & Wireless in Peru. He worked for many years in Lima before returning to the UK to continue his telephone engineeringcareer. He retired over thirtyyears ago. He is survived by his wife of nearly seventy years, two sons and a daughter and two grand-daughters. His brother George attended the School in 1936-40.

George Hugh Bremner Sim (1942-56) MA died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 9 July 2015 aged 78. From School he went up to Aberdeen University to read Geography, graduating with honours in 1960. He devoted his career thereafter to the wholesale fruit and flower merchants’ business of George Sim Ltd in Aberdeen and was entirely focussed on this. He was regularly away

from home at an early hour due to the nature of the business and brought it to be a leader in its field in Scotland. In the biographical details supplied to a class reunion some years ago he listed his interests as food and wine, which says a great deal about his single-mindedness in business..

George is survived by his wife of over fifty years, by his two sons and by five grandchildren.

Douglas Reith (1924-35) CBE, MA, LL.B, QC died peacefullyat his Edinburgh home on 15 April 2013 aged 93. Orphaned at the age of 14 he left School at age 16 and went up to Aberdeen University to read Arts and Law. He graduated MA in 1938 while still aged only 18. In the spring of 1939 he joined the Territorial Army and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals. He was mobilised on the outbreak of War in 1939 and went with the 51st Highland Division to join the B.E.F. in France. He was captured at St Valery in June 1940 and spent the next five years in prison-of-war camps in Germany and Poland. Before the outbreak of war he had almost completed his lawdegree, with only Conveyancing left to do. He was able to complete his studies and sit the examination with Red Cross assistance while in captivity. On his repatriation he graduated with distinction in July 1945, being awarded the Edmond Prize for the most distinguished LL.B. graduate of the year. Before demobilisation he was posted to the Army Legal Section in Edinburgh and while there decided to go to the Scottish Bar.

He duly moved to Edinburgh and was called to the Bar in 1946. He was for a time Standing Junior Counsel in Scotland to the Department of Customs & Excise, an Advocate Depute for the Sheriff Courts in1951, and then an Advocate Depute in Crown Office for four years. He took silk in 1957. His career then took a fresh direction when, in 1964, he was appointed as a part-time deputy commissioner for the purposes of the National Insurance Acts. This soon became a full-time post and he went on to be President of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal (Scotland) from 1958 to 1964 and Chairman of the N.H.S. Tribunal (Scotland). He spent the rest of his career as Deputy Social Security Commissioner in Scotland His long service in this field was recognised by his appointment to be a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours of 1994.

A faithful member of the Edinburgh Centre of the FP Club, Douglas served as President of the Centre in 1983-84.

Douglas, who has been recognised since 2009 as one of the Club’s honoured nonagenarians, was predeceased by his wife but is survived by his son and daughter as well as by grandchildren and a great-grand-daughter.

Alexander (Sandy) Stuart (1932-45) BSc died suddenly, but peacefully, at his home in Aberdeen on 1 July 2016 aged 89. At School he was a Flight Sergeant

in the A.T.C. Squadron and represented it in the London Review of May 1945 following V.E. Day. He was an enthusiastic Cub and then Scout with the 17th (AGS) Troop which led to his love of hill-walking. He often recalled his schooldays as some of the happiest of his life. After leaving School Sandy worked in a number of sectors before going up to Aberdeen University to read Science. He graduated with a degree in Chemistry in 1953 and was employed for a time as a chemist for the North British in Edinburgh. He then trained as a teacher and took up a post at Bankhead Academy.

After marrying in 1959 Sandy moved to Singapore to teach at the Alexander Grammar School, becoming head of Physics and then of Science. He returned to Aberdeen in 1964 and taught at the Central School (Aberdeen Academy) and then at Hazlehead on the School’s migration there. During 1972-78 Sandytaught at a British Forces school, the Prince Rupert School in Rintein. Following his return to Scotland he owned a small hotel in Cullen, but following the death of his wife he moved to Ellon in 1983 and resumed teaching at Peterhead Academy. At this time Sandy agreed to help a friend who owned a transport training company in the area and required someone to help with Dangerous Goods training. Sandy readily took on this commitment and what was meant to be a temporary arrangement lasted for fifteen years. Sandy returned to live in Aberdeen in 1989 but continued to teach at Peterhead on a supply basis.

An enthusiastic FP, Sandy acted as Team Secretary for the 1st XV in the 1940s and ‘50s and was involved with the former Malayan Centre while in Singapore. He was one of the original members of the Petanque Section and was very proud to be the Singles Champion in 2010.

Sandy spent much of his retirement travelling all over Asia, Australia, Singapore, and Europe exploring new places and returning to old favourites.

Sandy is survived by his son Graham.

Nicol Stuart Valentine (1948-59) died peacefully at Banks o’ Dee Care Home, Aberdeen on 16 February 2016 aged 74.

James C. Lyon (1953-59) writes: “Born and brought up in Aberdeen, the oldest child and only boy in a family of three, Nick joined the Lower School in 1948, but his early school years were overshadowed by illness. He developed a love of music and learned to play the flute. His final year in Upper School was marred by serious illness due to Crohn’s Disease. On leaving School he worked for a short time with the accountancy firm Garden & Marshall and then with NorwichUnionInsurance. In 1967 Nick entered Aberdeen College ofEducation, and graduated as a primary school teacher three years later. His first appointment was to Hillock Primary School at Bucksburn. In 1972 his love of driving led to a career change when he joined Campbell & Sellar, Taxi Hirers, as office manager of their Fountainhall Road premises, later progressing to be managing director.

When the owners sold up in 1976 Nick set up his own company, Nicol Valentine t/a Valentine Chauffeur Drive – VCD.

“In 1989 Nick met a young bank employee, Eleanor, affectionately known by all as Ellie, and they married the following year. Although not blessed with family, they ran their thriving company for thirty-three successful years until, in 2009, he reluctantly retired. The company VCD continues today run by one of its ex-drivers. Cars were always Nick’s passion, and amongst his favourites were a red Morgan, Daimler limousines and his beloved burgundy Jaguar. During his life’s work he met and drove some very special people – members of the Royal family (his favourite was Lady Diana), government ministers, TV personalities, local business leaders, and many brides and grooms on their special day. His business ethos was to provide a consistent, dependable service with his own personal touch.

“Friends and family were always important to him and played a major part in his life. Sadly, in 2014, Nick was diagnosed with dementia and two months later he wastoldthat hehadcolorectalcancer.Despitechemotherapyandradiotherapy the cancer spread and following a fall, when he damaged bones in his back, he spent his last few months in the excellent care of the care home where he died. Despite his lack of inches he was a giant in many respects; a true gentleman, a loving husband and brother, and a faithful friend to all who knew him. He will be sadly missed”.

Alexander Lindsay Watson (1933-45) BSc(Eng), CEng, MIEE has died at his home in Coventry. From School he went up to Aberdeen University to read Engineering and graduated in 1948. He then completed a post-graduate course at the radio-development works of the General Electric Company in Coventry before becoming a graduate apprentice there. He was engaged on development of semi-conductor devices for the Admiralty and later for domestic radio. From 1955 he spent nine years as a project leader on Admiralty receiving equipment and then four years on mobile radio receiving equipment. From 1968 to 1971 he was a group leader with the company on the development of VHF and UHF mobile radio.

In 1971 he took up a post as lecturer in telecommunications at Coventry Technical College. After retiring he moved to Somerset and was for a short time company secretary of Carlton Mews Ltd., a company in Wells dealing in the management of real estate. After retiring in 2001 he returned to Coventry.

Past Club President

Eric Douglas Watt (1937-50) BEd died peacefully at Hawkhill House care home, Aberdeen, on 13 April 2016 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was aged 78. Eric’s name was synonymous with sport. Throughout his time

at the School he participated in every sport – football in Lower School, then rugby, hockey and cricket, being School Captain of the latter two. He was a Prefect and Captain of Dun House.

A. Keith Campbell (1944-53) writes: “For it to have been said in 1946, when Eric had to make a decision as to which sport he would choose on entering Middle 3, that there would be no future for him in hockey seems to have been illconceived. Surely his decision then was the incentive and inspiration to take him to the top in International Hockey. His natural ability as a sportsman and as an outstanding hockeyplayerbrought himtothe forefront,andtheScottishselectors recognised his potential by choosing him to play for the Scottish national team against Wales at Paisley in 1950, while he was still at school. Many of his contemporaries will recall the half-holiday granted to the School in celebration of this unique achievement. Eric’s international hockey career extended for sixteenyears, while heaccumulated fifty-two nationalcapsandtwoGreatBritain caps. He was also selected for the 1962 Olympic pool, but on account of his father’s illness he was unable to go. His achievement should be put into proper perspective with the present international scene. His record fifty-two caps were mainly gained at home country internationals over a number of years, whereas in International tournaments now a player could achieve four caps in the space of one weekend.

“Eric still managed to find time to play occasionally for Grammarians and also for North Veterans, of whom he was a founder member. He was also one of the original Scot Vet members to travel to Le Touquet to represent Scotland at one of the early Veterans’ International Tournaments in 1972. In addition to being Captain of the FP Hockey Section and playing Cricket for FPs, Eric was at one time Captain of the Golf Section. He also captained the North District Hockey Team and was for a short time a member of the Scottish Hockey Disciplinary Committee.

“Eric’s outstanding sporting achievements were recognised in 1963 when he was awarded the Usher-Vaux Trophy as Sports Personality of the Year. He was also able to put something of his knowledge and technical skill back into the game through his appointment as one of the first National Hockey Coaches, and he was for two years a member of the Scottish Sports Council.

“On leaving School Eric attended Aberdeen University as an engineering student and while there he played hockey for the University and represented Scottish Universities. He completed National Service in 1954-56 with R.E.M.E. and sport was prominent in his service life – he captained the R.E.M.E. hockey team and played for the British Army.

“On his return to Aberdeen he entered his father’s wholesale fish business and took over management of it on his father’s death in 1966. He became a director of the local Fish Trade Association. His own business was disposed of

in1968and,althoughhe maintained hisconnections withthe industryforanother two years, he entered Aberdeen College of Education, graduating in 1974. He took up a teaching post at Mosstoddloch Primary School, later progressing to be head teacher at Mosstowie, near Elgin. He stayed for many years in Cullen, only moving back to Aberdeen early in 2016 to be nearer family.”

Eric is survived by his wife Mav, two sons and a daughter and two granddaughters.

Former Members of Staff

Isobel Kynoch Garden (Houlding) née Taylor MusBac (Edin) died peacefully in a care home in Aberdeen on 4 September 2015 aged 87. Educated at Aberdeen High School for Girls, she was the daughter of the one-time chief Probation Officer for Aberdeen. She then studied Music at Edinburgh University before undertaking teacher training.

As Isobel Houlding she joined the School Music staff in session 1972-73 and quickly made a name for herself as a dedicated teacher who could inspire her least enthusiastic pupils in matters musical. She elected for early retirement in 1980 on grounds of ill-health and tribute was paid to her valuable services to the music department in which she continued to take a keen interest. She was also a long-serving member of Beechgrove Church choir.

Fiercely independent, she was latterly compelled by again declining health to surrender her independence and move into Maryfield West care home.

She is survived by her son Alastair John Houlding (1976-82) and by her two grandsons.

Arthur Leiper McCombie MA, who served as Depute Rector from 1973 until retiring in 1990, died peacefully in an Aberdeen care home on 4 December 2015 aged 87. He had been in care since suffering a stroke some months earlier.

Educated at Ashley Road School and at Robert Gordon’s College he went on to read History at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1950. After teacher training he first taught History and geography at Elgin Academy from 1952, becoming principal teacher of History in 1955. Six years later he returned to Aberdeen as Principal Teacher of History at the Grammar. In 1973 he took on a shared deputyship with Archie Baxter, which made himthe first depute in charge of the Rosemount Annexe when it was added to the school when comprehensive education was adopted. Later, when Archie retired, Arthur assumed the full remit.

He was a man of great energy and his enthusiasm for all things Grammarian knew no bounds. The Rectors with whom he worked valued his commitment and support, especially at the time of the fire in 1986, when much of the smooth resumption of near normal activities was due in no small measure to his tireless

efforts. He was a fund of knowledge about the history of the School and this was nowhere more evident than in his collaboration with Brian Lockhart in the authorship of Bon Record three years ago. It was reported in the last issue of the Magazine that on Doors Open Day in September 2014 Arthur was on hand at the School to answer any questions about the School’s history that members of the public might pose to him.

Arthur had a life-long love of sport – he was a skilled cricketer, played both rugby and cricket for Gordonians, was a keen golfer and a staunch follower of Aberdeen Football Club. He was for almost fifty years an elder of Mannofield Church, and was a past President of Bon Accord Probus Club.

Following his retiral Arthur was made an Honorary Vice-President of the FP Club and he presented the School with the Arthur McCombie Golf Trophy.

Arthur’s wife, Vaila, was a part-time member of the Physical Education Department at the School from 1976 and played a major part in the development of the Games programme for girls, in the success of the girls’ hockey teams and the development of badminton for girls. She suffered a serious illness early in 1984 and died five months later.

Arthur is survived by his daughter Fiona (1975-81), who was Head Girl in 1980-81, and his son Iain (1981-87).

Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2015