Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 2017

Vol 120

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

133rd year No. 255 (New Series 122nd year No. 246)

September 2017

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 2018

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 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

Tilney Financial Planning Services

Head Girl & Head Boy 2016-17

Kirsty Webb & Jason Alexander

Head Teacher’s Report

The following is the text of the Speech made by Miss Murison at the Prizegiving Ceremonies on 22 and 23 June 2017.

I have taken as the title for this speech “Working together, learning together, achieving together” from our new Vision Statement. Our young people and staff agreed on this as the vision for our school. Successful and ambitious schools are indeed where the whole school community is united in purpose and work together to achieve key goals. In my address this afternoon, I will share with you what we have achieved this year by working together, our key goal and purpose always being the pursuit of excellence and providing opportunities for our young people to experience success.

Anti-bullying Policy

As a parent, you want your child to feel safe and happy in school. From my experience, happychildren achieve. Bullyingbehaviour cannot be accepted. We have worked together this year in House Council groups on the design of an antibullying policy, and a poster is on display in all classrooms entitled “Aberdeen Grammar School is against bullying.” This is a good start, and our young people are clear on what constitutes prejudice-based bullying and the types of bullying behaviour. However, in this age of social media, it is an area about which we must all continue to be vigilant, and work together on as a whole school community. The staff working group has posted materials for parents on our website to provide advice on this important area.

Behaviour is for Learning

In our school we have a strong work ethic as reflected in the “learning together” aspect of our Vision Statement. It is important that we all have a consistent approach to supporting our young people and managing behaviour. As a parent, you want to know that your child is in a positive learning environment and equally appreciate early notification if there are any matters causing concern, thus allowing you to be actively involved in making any necessary interventions. This year we have worked on the design of a new behaviour management policy and procedures entitled “Behaviour is for Learning.” You will already have received a copy of the policy and associated procedures. This is a staged intervention approach where early notification and action is the central rationale. Again, this is a key example of us working together to achieve the best for our

young people. As we launch this policy in August, your support and feedback will be appreciated.

Working with Parents

Our aim is to work with parents in a more interactive way and to provide you with information on a regular basis. With this in mind, a new website has been introduced. There has beenthe odd technical issue but we are movinginthe right direction with our digital strategy. We also invited parents to workshops as part ofour“PlanningforSuccess”seriesofparentalengagementevents. IntheSenior Phase we concentrated on sharing what Google Classroom looks like and what it can do, with some hints and tips on study skills. We changed the format of the Senior Phase Course Choice eveningto a learningpathways event, where parents and pupils had the opportunity to speak with staff, employers, and further and higher education providers. This is part of our “Developing the Young Workforce Strategy”. This coming year, the development of a specific website for pupils and parents on learner pathways based around key industries is an area whichweare exploring.Moreover, we moved toa systemthis year whereparents received two interim reports, the idea being to provide more regular information. This has been well received.

Working across our Associated Schools Group

Central to improving outcomes for all our learners is working closely with Primary School colleagues. This year, the focus has been on literacy and numeracy. Joint training has taken place for teachers on approaches to moderating the standard and agreeing the Curriculum for Excellence level our young people have achieved. Our Primary 7 pupils are currently working on a transition project with a focus on writing outcomes.

Investing in our literacy strategy and the refurbishment of our School Library

Linked to our work on literacy is our total refurbishment of the school Library. This is taking place as we speak and we aim to open the new Library just after the summer holidays. This is a projectwhichI would reallylike the whole school community to get behind. It is a costly enterprise but so worthwhile. We aim to have a new senior study space within the Library where our young people will have more access to IT to support them with any course and assignment work. There will be greater access to Advanced Higher materials. For our younger pupils we will have a bespoke area for them with a greater range of reading materials, both fiction and non-fiction. I know that I have the support of our fantastic Parent Council and PTA, a little plea to you all to support us with

fundraising to ensure that the Library is an amazing space for all our young people.

All this work, what difference has it made?

The above is just a taste of some of the work we have been doing together. However, it is impossible to capture every achievement and every piece of work. The key question is, so what? What difference has it made? Are we improving outcomes for pupils? Are we achieving our vision of achieving together? We can point to the hard data and say that we continue to have strong levels of achievement and examination performance in the Broad General Education and the Senior Phase. By the end of S3, almost all our young people achieve third level outcomes in literacy and numeracy. Sixty per cent achieve fourth level; this is beyond the national benchmark and expectation. In the Senior Phase we outperform schools similar to ourselves at every level – National 3, 4, 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. Our young people achieve well above City and National averages.

Take away the statistics and let us look at our young people. They are hardworking, ambitious, creative, scientific, excelling in sport, music or in whatever field they put their minds. Think back to the outstanding performances in the school show “The Witches of Eastwick” and the moving portrayal of unfolding tragedy in our senior play ‘Chat room’. Think about our triple award winning Platinum Concert Band which continues to perform at the highest level, not to mention the vast array of group and individual talent evident at our music concerts. Think about all our sports teams and their local and national success. Our two Golds and one Silver at the Scottish Schools Volleyball Festival, and our S2 athletics team who won the ACC Giant Heptathlon for the North East, and so many other team and individual successes. Think about our Formula 1 teams and their Scottish and British successes. We wish them well at the World championships in Malaysia in September. Most importantly, they are well rounded, caring and respectful young people. We could not offer all of these opportunities without the dedication of our teachers, instructors and non-teaching staff and a huge thank you is owed to them.

Finally, I do believe that we are living our Vision Statement “Working together, learning together, achieving together.” Congratulations to all our young people achieving awards today. Very well done, and I am sure your parents are extremely proud of you.

Aberdeen Grammar School, Alison Murison

June, 2017 Head Teacher

Head Boy JASON ALEXANDER Head Girl: KIRSTY WEBB

Deputes: ALEX BROWN Deputes: EVE FLETT

CONOR O’RIORDAN KIRSTY MacIVER

S6 Prefects: Soha Ahmed, Calum Armstrong, Helena Coman, Finley Campbell, Gregor Curtis, Chloe Davidson, Guy Davis, Angus Ferguson, Shona Fraser, Heather Gault, Anna Grant, Sinead Harrower, Rutwick Hedge, Tara Horn, Tasneem Islam, Naomi Lang, Maria Levitt, Cameron Mackintosh, Tom McLeod, Robbie McLean, Kirsty Manclark, Freya Martin, Clara-Jane Maunder, Sophie Morrice, Katherine Morris, Anna Morrison, Katie Mundie, Sara Mbarki, Michael Nawrocki, Clara Oxley, Samuel Oyewusi, Zara Pasdar, JackPirie, Innes Pottenger, MatthewSmith, Sophie Smith, CameronSpence, Lauren Tawse, Jack Watson, Greg Will and Leyi Yang

S5 Prefects: Mark Alderson, Ailsa Anderson, Angela Barry, Jonathan Bell, Aaron Blackwood, Grace Carolan, Sophie Caroll, Scott Coutts, Leston D’Costa, Katie Fraser, Kenzie Gibson, Finlay Henry, Alec Howe, Hannah Ironside, Nada Jodeh, Emma Johnston, Iona Johnston, Fergus Kennedy, Calum Lynch, Harry McLeod, Rory Matheson, Aiden Milne, Lauren Milne, Alistair Mitchell, Meghann Paterson, Asia Purdie, Laurel Renton, Caitlin Robb, Malik Salloum, Souparnika Shaju, Joanne Watson, Josie Wigglesworth, Jane Wilson and Kirsten Wilson

School Prizes 2016-2017

The Joyce Tease Award for excellence in Modern Languages

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Modern Studies

Lara Geremia

Justin Reid

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Physical Education Maria Levitt

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Administration Cara McLennan

The Hamish Adams Greig Prize in Biology

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Spanish

Heather Gault

Alice Alcaras

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Drama Meghann Paterson

The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Home Economics

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

Anna Wiftos

Grace Carolan

The John Muir Robertson Prize in Accounting & Finance Jonathan Bell

The ALBA Trophy for Business Management

The Gordon McMinn Prize in Computing Studies

The Sandy McIlwain Prize in Religious & Moral Studies

Helena Coman

Divwesh Sefvaraj

Tasneem Islam

School Section

The Masson Bain Prize in English Cathal Gilmour

The Masson Bain Prize in English Fraser Waddell

The William Brebner Prize in French Nada Jodeh

The Charles Alexander Walker Prize in History Holly Imperiale

The Campbell Connon Prize for Geography Lewis Fotheringham

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

The Gavin Falconer Memorial Prize in Music

Angus Hogg

The CNR International Prize for Physics Fraser Waddell

The CNR International Prize for Graphic Communication Alec Howe

The CNR International Prize for Chemistry Rithin Robin

The Caritas Cup for Contribution to Charities Group Activities Leyi Yang

The AGS Dramatic Society Award for Drama Reece Duncan

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

The Concert Band Player of the Year Gregor Curtis

The Concert Band Award for Outstanding Contribution Finley Campbell

Prefect of the Year Finley Campbell

The Rector’s Shield for outstanding contribution to Debating Patrick Hartley

Cejo Mathew

The Montgomery Trophy Heather Gault

The Philip Love Trophy Shona Fraser

The Jamie Blair Fiddes Award Robbie McLean

The Brian Robertson Prize for commitment to the School Finley Campbell

Sports Awards

The S5/S6 Former Pupils’ Rugby Football Section Trophy Guy Davis

The Arthur McCombie Senior Golf Trophy Jonathan Bell

The David Swanson Junior Golf Trophy Matthew Alderson

The Fowlie Cup for Swimming Alice Alcaras

The Dr Morland Simpson Cup for Swimming Innes McMillan

The Rector’s Medal for Swimming Jack Watson

The Damien Reidy Rugby Trophy Finn Renton

The Ronald MacKinnon Trophy for Athletics Naomi Lang

The W.J. Johnston Quaich Katie Charles

Volleyball Player of the Year Shona Fraser

Inter-House Competition Awards

The Inter-House Hockey Cup Keith & Dun

The S4/S6 Inter-House Basketball

Melvin

The Inter-House Challenge Cup Melvin

The Senior Inter-House Table Tennis Trophy Melvin

The Inter-House Football Trophy Keith & Dun

The Inter-House Chess Shield Melvin

The Rubislaw Jubilee Cup Byron

The Iain Wolstenholme Inter-House Swimming Cup Melvin

The Inter-House Swimming Cup (Boys) Melvin

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

The Inter-House Quiz Cup (Literacy) Melvin

The Inter-House Badminton Shield Keith & Dun

The Inter-House Maths Challenge Cup Keith & Dun

The Inter-House Music Cup Keith & Dun

All-Round Awards

The Dr Alexander Cormack Award to the best all-round pupil in S1 Samuel Armour

The David Alexander Irvine-Fortescue Prize – S2 Jessica Barr

The Norman Mackie Memorial Prize Aaron Babu

The Edith & David Ritchie Bishop Prize

Deirdre O’Riordan

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Award in S5 Rory Matheson

The Former Pupils’ Club “1965” Award Heather Gault

The Runner-up to the Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy Eve Flett

The Agnes Durward McDonald Prize (Runner-up) Jason Alexander

The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy for Girls Kirsty Webb

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

School Cap for Karate

Conor O’Riordan

Andrew Davidson

Volleyball Shona Fraser

Running Naomi Lang

Swimming Jack Watson

Beach Volleyball Kirsty Manclark

Dux Award Eve Flett

Colours Awards

Sport

Athletics

Basketball

Cricket

Fencing

Football

Full Colours

Half Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Golf

Gym

Hockey

Naomi Lang

Areeb Sherjil

Benedikta Bokedal

Becky Carstens, Amy Cukrowski, Femi Yusuf

Leston D’Costa, Divyesh Selvaraj Usman Farbrook

Joss Horn, Tara Horn

Jack Pirie, Greg Will

Matthew Cumming, Calum Lynch, Hamish Macleod, Josh Peters, Jason Ritchie, Ben Schmitz, Richie Troup

Junior Colours Calum Lynch, Alex Cheyne

Half Colours

Jonathan Bell

Full Colours Ailsa Gault, Heather Gault

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Netball Half Colours

Junior Colours

Shona Fraser, Cameron Mackintosh, Katherine Morris, Clara Oxley, Lei Yang

Mark Alderson, Angela Barry, Sonny Cain, Katie Charles, Kieran Christie, Ariana Correa, Katy Fraser, Alessandra Gentilucci, Cathal Gilmour, Emma Johnston, Harry McLeod, Megan Munro, Leon Potts, Ewan Rennie, Cammie Robson, Samuel Sharp

Lucas Findlay, Rebecca Low, Alex King, Nicolas McCormack, Rebecca Wilson

Katie Charles, Kenzie Gibson, Lauren Milne, Jane Wilson

Jennifer Hererra, Jenna McDonald, Louise Morris

Rugby Full Colours Guy Davis, Callum Morrison

Half Colours

William Booth, Lochlann Crombie

Junior Colours

Rowing Junior Colours

Swimming Half Colours

Junior Colours

School Section

Struan Morrison

Stephanie Low, Michael McCrory

Giorgia Alcaras, Alice Alcaras, Fergus Kennedy, Rory Matheson, Innes McMillan, Kirstin Wilson

Fiona Ewen

T/Tennis Junior Colours Elias Bokedal

Tennis Full Colours

Volleyball Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Arts & Culture

Chess

Music

Choir

Concert Band

Jason Alexander

Kirsty MacIver, Lauren Tawse

Emma Johnston, Joanne Watson

Catherine Denison, Cara Gardiner, Mia Hernandez, Jennifer Hererra

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Anoop Babu, Andrei Gheorghe

Andrew Davidson, Clara-Jane Maunder

Jade Lorimer, Kirstin Wilson

Catriona Imperiale, Erin MacDonald

Beneddicta Bokedal, Hila Bidad

Fiona Bender, Catherine Denison, Catriona

Imperiale, Zoe Maunder, Lewa Olaosebikan

Alex Brown, FinlayCampbell, Eve Flett, Amie Mckay, Freya Martin, CallumMorrison, Kirsty Webb

Ailsa Anderson, Sarah Burney, Grace Carolan, Innes Christie, Gregor Curtis, Rory Matheson, Louise Morris, Emily Tomlinson, Fraser Waddell, Josie Wigglesworth, Jane Wilson

Face the Music

Senior Choir

Junior Colours

Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Show Choir Full Colours

Half Colours

Junior Colours

String Orchestra

Half Colours

Junior Colours

Lewa Olaosbikan,Matthew Oxley, Theo Sharp

Chloe Davidson, Sean Farmerey Sophie Morrice

Ben Clark, Helena Coman, Reece Duncan, FinlayHendry, Hannah Ironside, IonaJohnson, Sara Mbarki, Meghann Paterson, Josie Wigglesworth

Eilidh Crofton, Peter Hammond, Angus Hogg, Annabel Lunney, Zoe Maunder

Soumya Tangirala

Peter Hammond

Chloe Davidson, Chloe Johnson

Eve Allan, Holly Imperiale, Hannah Ironside, Iona Johnston,SaraMbarki,MeghannPaterson

Eilidh Crofton, Zuzanna Prusik

Malik Salloum

Katie Affleck, Annabel Lunney

Athletics

Several pupils took part in various competitions sponsored by Rotary International in the SSAA Track & Field Championships. Naomi Lang was highly placed in both the O16 Girls’ 800 metres and 1500 metres events. Sam Griffin had a respectable result in the Boys’ 1500 metres event while Harry Hall was well placed in the U16 Boys 800 metres. A number of other pupils also participated in the heats in a variety of events.

Hockey

In the S2 North HockeyTournament, hosted by Albyn School at their Milltimber Playingfields, in which teams from Robert Gordon’s College, St Margarets, Cults, Albyn and Grammar took part, the School team was placed second.

Swimming

At the Scottish Schools’ Swimming Championships held early in 2017 three Grammar pupils were medal winners. Jack Watson of S6 was awarded a Gold Medal in the 200m. Freestyle and a Bronze Medal in the 400m. Freestyle. Sisters Gaia Alcaras of S3 and Alice Alcaras of S5 were also medallists – Gaia being awarded Gold in the 200m. Individual Medley and Bronze in the 100m. Butterfly, while Alice was awarded Bronze in the 200m. Freestyle. It will be seen from the Prize List printed above that Jack was awarded the Rector’s Medal for Swimming and in addition received a School Cap. Alice Alcaras was awarded the Fowlie Cup for Swimming.

Volleyball

At the Scottish Schools Cup finals at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow in March, the School team defeated Kyle Academy in the Senior 2/3 Boys’ Cup, which was very satisfying in light of Kyle’s fourteen Schools Cup category titles in the past eight seasons.

In the Girls’ Senior 2/3 final we lost 2-0 to Queensferry High School.

The Girls Senior final was a repeat of last year between the holders, Marr College, and ourselves. We won the first set with some strong scoring by Shona Fraser. The second set had some impressive defensive play by Marr and the match was squared. We were much the stronger side in the deciding set and lifted the cup.

The U-18 girls took top spot in the Volleyball National Festival at Aberdeen Sports Village. The team was unbeaten on its way to the trophy, defeating the also unbeaten Queensferry High School in the final match.

Volleyball training in School is now enhanced by the installation of a SAFS Pro systemofthree video cameras, projector, computer and multi-media package in the Games Hall which enables pupils to view and record their performance. Teachers can assist students in the assessment of their standards and thereby develop their playing technique.

Chalk Talk - Shona Fraser

In Aberdeen Grammar School, a wide range of sporting activities is available for our pupils. This allows them to compete both locally and nationally. Shona Fraser, a pupil in sixth year, is a great model for this statement. Shona has been playing volleyball for the school and her club, ‘Aberdonia’, since the start of S2.

Shona first started volleyball for a day off school, as there was a volleyball tournament being held in Huntly. She went along with other players and realised how much she enjoyed playing on court. She started playing for the East of Scotlandin2014andisnowofficiallya memberoftheScotlandSeniorWomen’s U-19s squad. Shona finds representing Scotland in matches to be very nerve wracking, as it is a huge responsibility and there is a lot of pressure, but it further strengthens her love for this sport.

Shona took part in the European Championships in 2016 with her Scotland squad. She travelled to Ireland for the St. Patrick’s Weekend Tournament with the Senior Women’s Scotland Squad and won her first cap against Northern Ireland. She then travelled to Italyto play in a European competition in April this year, winning a further three caps against Iceland, San Marino and Liechtenstein. She was awarded the Achievement of the Term award at the School’s Achievement Assembly.

Shona trains five times everyweek, and her positioninher squad is an outside hitter. She also supports the different volleyball teams which we have in the School by going along to their games as well as helping them with their training. She is very passionate about this sport and this is displayed through her determination in wanting to go further with it by playing professionally in America.

When asked what advice she would give to future aspiring volleyball players, she says to train hard, do your best, make sure to stay motivated and just enjoy yourself. Shona has admitted that she has found juggling school work and volleyball difficult so she recommends keeping a diary which logs in the volleyball details and then sort out the times as to when one can study as well as work. Time management is crucial when you have a tight schedule.

Shona is a huge inspiration to many of our pupils as they hope to achieve what she has inthe last few years. We applaud her outstandingskillsinvolleyball

and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for her. We wish her ‘Good luck’ and to keep on achieving!

Souparnika Shaju

Sports Day

This year’s Grammar Games were another outstanding success, and for Byron Houseinparticularastheywontheoveralltrophyforthefirst timeinmanyyears. Thanks to the commitment of the teachers, and the house teams involved, the day ran smoothly as always. Heats for certain events had to be cancelled earlier on in the week due to the inevitable Aberdeen rain. These heats were instead carried out on the morning of the Games and despite the week’s previous weather, sun cream was needed. Keeping in line with the summer atmosphere, there were burgers and hot dogs on sale as part of a fundraiser for the World Challenge teams who are off to sub-Saharan Africa in 2018. As the day came to a close the much anticipated tug ‘o’ war competition began with teams fromall three houses competing. With much strength and determination the Melvin team came out on top, beating both Byron and Keith & Dun. With a couple of records broken on the day, we hope that next year’s Games can be even better.

Aaron Blackwood and Calum Lynch

School Section

All Round Trophy Winners

June 2017

Music

In March 2017, Aberdeen Grammar School’s annual Spring Concert culminated in a performance of ‘Song of the Sea’, an original composition by the School’s ownClaraJaneMaunder.The piecefollowed the varietyofchoirs,bands, singers and instrumentalists that Aberdeen Grammar School has to offer, and was performed by the Platinum Award winning Concert Band, select string players,

L – R: Eve Flett, Kirsty Webb, Jason Alexander & Conor O’Riordan with FP Club President Gillian Thomas

The School String Orchestra

a pianist and four vocalists, with Clara herself playing first violin. The large orchestra intertwined with the voices of the singers beautifully replicated the building and crashing of waves, the rapid movement of water and the eerie serenity of the ocean, enthralling the packed auditorium.

Clara began composing this piece two years prior to its performance, on a much smaller scale, when she attended Sound Scotland’s ‘GoCompose!’ course. When asked of her inspiration for writing the piece, Clara said that she has, “always been intrigued by the effect of music on the feelings of a person and, as a result, [she] always let any emotions take [her] to a starting point.” Her emotions are very present in the piece and are observed through the sheer intensity of the piece and the journey on which it takes you.

Clara credits the Sound Scotland course for teaching her how to work under pressure and challenging her in many ways, as well as greatly developing her composition capabilities, but pays great tribute to the music department at Aberdeen Grammar School, for it was her hub, and it was there that her piece grew and blossomed. It was because of the help of the teachers and the facilities of the Department that Clara was able to collaborate with a large group of young musicians, all of whom dedicated countless hours to the rehearsals of this piece ofmusic.Theygave upeveningsand weekendstoextensiverehearsals,alltightly compacted and coordinated withina three weekperiod which, Clara says, “didn’t feel like nearly enough [time].”

At nine thirty, applause reverberated through the auditorium as the performers lapped up the praise and Clara took her final bow. The concert was over, the piece performed, the audience wowed. “It was magical!” Clara was in awe after hearing her composition finally performed. “After around a year of hearing ‘Song of the Sea’ exclusively in my head, I couldn’t wait to hear it for real.” For an observer, the performance was awe-inspiring, so it is hard to imagine the vast range of emotions that would have rushed over Clara Jane at the song’s conclusion. She said, “It turned out to be an amazing experience hearing it come to life.” It is difficult to comprehend, from an outside perspective, just how Clara would have been feeling at that moment, but whatever she felt clearly inspired her as she has already begun work on other composition projects, and it is clear from what we have heard from her already that while this may have been her first composition on such a large scale, it will certainly not be her last.

Meghann Paterson

Autumn Music Concert

In October our Performing Arts Faculty produced our autumn concert. The concert opened withthe String Ensemble performing ‘Basse Dance’byWarlock, with a superb solo form the very talented Clare-Jane Maunder. Our new Jazz Band, led by senior pupils Alex Brown and Sophie Morris, performed ‘September’ by Earth Wind and Fire to huge acclaim. As well as a number of

soloists, including Finn Robertson on the saxophone, we were treated to performances from our award winning Concert Band and from our choirs, with the Senior Choir’s rendition of Life’s a Happy Song from the Muppet Movie going down particularly well. The concert closed with members of the cast of the forth-coming school production of ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ performing ‘Make him Mine’ – it looks like it will be a show not to be missed.

Concert Band

Aberdeen Grammar School Concert Band is a wind band whose members are all pupils of the School ranging fromS1 to S6 and all at the minimum level of Grade 4. The Band has been organised and conducted by Alan MacDonald since 2005.

The group represent the School and often achieve a distinction in festivals such as the National Concert Band Festival and the Scottish Concert Band Festival, with a number of the members being awarded the Outstanding Soloist award.

On Monday 23rd March 2015, following the Scottish Concert Band Festival in Perth, the Band were privileged to welcome American composer Stephen Bulla to the School. The Band has performed a number of his pieces, so were

honoured to spend a day with him playing his compositions. Mr Bulla spent the day working with the group and taking questions on his career and philosophy.

Stephen Bulla with Rachael Watson & Alan MacDonald

2016 proved to be an exceptional year for the Concert Band. In March the Band received a Platinum Award for their performance at the final ofthe Scottish Concert Band Festival in Perth Concert Hall. During November they received a further two Platinum Awards for their performances at the Regional Festivals of both the National and Scottish Concert Band Festivals to cap a remarkable year's work. This meant that the Band had a triple Platinum year. This was an amazing achievement, as they are the first school band in Scotland to achieve this. Between 27th June and 2nd July 2015 the band visited Belgium. They gave four performances at Ypres Town Square, Ghent Cathedral and Bobbejaanland in Lichtert. They also had the privilege of being invited to play at the Menin Gate in an extended Last Post Ceremony. This ceremony is held to remember those who lost their lives during WW1. The Band played during the wreath laying part of the ceremony.

So far in 2017, the Concert Band has been awarded a Platinum Award at the SCBF finals in Perth. This was a special achievement as it was a first time performance in an SCBF final for sixteen of the band members, eight of them being only in their first year of school.

The band performs in the School's Performing Arts Faculty Concerts, Christmas Service and Prize Giving. They have also participated in many other concerts and events in Aberdeen including the Evening Express Carol Concert, the Salvation Army's Community Carol Service, Aberdeen University Wind Bands Annual Concert in the Mitchell Hall and a Tribute to Stephen Robertson (Scotland the What) held in His Majesty's Theatre.

Aberdeen Grammar School Concert Band is very grateful for all the opportunities which it has had. The Band and Mr MacDonald put in a lot of work

and commitment to maintain this high level of performance and hope to keep it going in the future.

By Jane Wilson

Drama at the Grammar

Pied Piper Presents:

In March 2017, Aberdeen Grammar School’s S5 and S6 drama group put on a performance of Enda Walsh’s ‘Chatroom’. The group consisted of ten senior pupils who acted, directed and produced the play. Pied Piper is a drama group which was started up in 2000 by a few pupils. Every year they put on a play of their choice and rehearse and perform it within school.

‘Chatroom’ is about a group of bored, restless teenagers who spend their time deconstructing children's literature and the messages in modern pop music. The seven teenagers - William, Eva, Jack, Laura, Emily and Lindsay - communicate onlyviatheinternet.ConversationsrangeinsubjectfromBritneySpearstoWilly Wonka,but whena newmember,Jane,joinstoshare herdepressionandthoughts of suicide, the conversation takes a darker turn. The group is split between the teenagers who want to help Jane and the ones who want to see her suffer. Jane is depressed and talks of ending her life and Eva and William decide to do their utmost to persuade her to carry out her threat.

From an interview with Reece, who played William, he answered a few questions about playing the character and being in the production itself. Seeing that Williamis anangrycharacter who seeks comfort incontrolling weakpeople, it was more difficult to play him than the average character. On asking Reece what it was like to play a character like William, he replied “It was hard to incorporate what William wanted from his objective to get Jane to kill herself. I didn’t really know how to get around that because I’ve never played such a psychotic character before. Trying to get to that level of anger without coming across as scary was quite difficult to manage.” He was then asked what it was like to play a main character, “I’ve never played a lead before, I have only ever been in the chorus of musicals. It was the first play in which I acted, so playing the main character was pretty intense but it was good, I loved it” Since this was Reece’s first play, I asked him what he got from the whole experience. “It gave me a lot more confidence in myself and hearing feedback from people who came to see it made it so much better. It gave me a lot more courage to audition for Lyric, who are an adult company, and overall it just gave me a confidence boost.”

Pied Piper allows different people to come together and develop a love of all aspects of theatre such as acting, directing and producing. It would not have been such a great show if the director, Meghann Paterson, hadn't put together an amazing production.

Kenzie Gibson

A Prison Visit

On 23 February2017 our Advanced Higher ModernStudies class visited the new Grampian Prison in Peterhead and the old Peterhead jail.

Throughout the year our class had been studying criminology, a subject which covers a wide range of topics aiming to develop our understanding of the causes of crime and the nature of criminal behaviour, the impact of crimes on offenders, their families and wider society, the politics of criminal justice and the successes and failures of our prison system. This trip would allow my class the opportunity of actually seeing the Scottish prison system in action and speaking to key prison staff as well as the chance to compare old and new facilities, practices and attitudes.

The opening of the new Grampian Prison at Peterhead in early 2014 saw the closure of the old jail, which happens to be just across the road. Although it was originally supposed to accommodate both adult and young offenders, it was decided that there were better resources suited to young offenders elsewhere, so that the jail is now an adult only facility for both males and females.

After the class went through rigorous checks by prison security we were greeted by two members of staff and split into two groups. My group was led by John Stocker, a “Through Care” supporter in the prison. John’s role is to aid inmates upon release and provide support thereafter.

As we toured the prison with John we noticed the facility was exceptionally bright and clean. All my classmates noted how welcoming the prison felt, so much so that you might mistake it for a school. We were shown the inmates’ activities room where there was some impressive artwork on display, and the walls of the women’s ward corridors were painted with iconic celebrity females whichwerebright andeye-catching.Johnexplained to usthatthe prisonprovides rehabilitation opportunities for inmates through education programs, skills development and support activities. However this has proved difficult due to a complex cycle of addiction, mental health issues, lack of finance and a lack of support for ex-offenders from societyas a whole. It appeared to be an impossible job, yet somehow John and his co-workers plough on. The greater emphasis on rehabilitation appears to be succeeding as Scottish re-offending rates have decreased in recent years.

Having seen the modern Peterhead facility we crossed the road and stepped into the old Peterhead jail. From the moment we stepped into the prison the stark differences were obvious. Bleak, cold and dreary are the words that spring to mind. We learned about the grim conditions in which inmates lived, as well as some of the Prison’s most dangerous offenders. We were told the story of one escapee who had convinced the prison guards to permit him to keep a number of pet birds in the outdoor fenced area. Next he requested some shrubs for his pets followed by some secateurs so that he could prune the shrubbery to keep it neat for his birds. Needless to say, the secateurs were not for the branches….

We also had the exclusive opportunity to meet with Jackie Stuart, the prison guard who was held hostage in 1987 when the inmates seized control of the prison. Jackie told us how he had been forced onto the roof and had almost been set alight before SAS troops arrived to take control of the riot. At 86 years old Jackie is long retired yet visits the jail regularly, institutionalised to the prison routine in the same way as many of the inmates were. It was clear from talking with Jackie and our guide that the atmosphere of the prison has changed drastically over the years, and both prison workers had very different views on which system was most effective.

This unique trip provided us with an interesting insight into Scottish prisons both past and present. The most significant difference is the change in attitudes surrounding prison and prisoners. Nowadays a more humane approach is taken and Grampian Prison, like others across Scotland, is keen to rehabilitate its inmates in an attempt to ensure that they do not reoffend.

Sophie Smith

Chalk Talk – Volunteering

Many of the pupils within Aberdeen Grammar School are involved in volunteering. One example of this is S3 pupil Lewis Bannerman.

Encouraged by his Dad, Lewis began volunteering for Future Choices, a charity which provides social inclusion for people in the disabled community by offering recreational activities. It also gives respite to carers in the local area. Future Choices won Sainsbury’s Local Charity of the Year Award in 2014 and Charity of the Year in 2013.

Lewis volunteers for four hours each week, playing board games with the elderly service users and chatting to them. In addition to this, he took on further involvement in the organisation when he played a leading role in a recent Future Choices promotional video, which explains the aimofthe charityand encourages other young people to volunteer with them.

As a result of his dedication to this voluntary work, Lewis was awarded a certificate from the Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations (AVCO) and Future Choices. This was presented to him during the School Achievement Assembly in recognition of his commitment to serving the local area.

In an interview with Aberdeen Voice – a weekly independent online news source covering the Grampian area – David Forbes, chairman of Future Choices, explained that Lewis’s volunteering was an “inspiration to all” and it had helped to create a positive image of young people who are often misinterpreted as being “bad”.

Lewis’s Mother, Diane Bannerman, also commented on his achievement, expressing her “pride” that Lewis was an inspiration and had encouraged others to take on a volunteering role.

Lewis continues to volunteer for the charity, acting as a role model and motivating other young people to follow his path. Congratulations Lewis, keep up the good work!

Holly Imperiale

F1 in Schools

Teams Legacy Racing & Volcan

At Aberdeen Grammar School we have many exceptionally talented pupils in all areas including sport, music and STEM. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is widely encouraged at the school, with F1 Challenge being one example. F1 Challenge is a non-profit organisation in which pupils, in teams of three to six, design a car using computerised aid design (CAD) and race these cars using CO2 canisters. The teams also have to perform a verbal presentation to cover all aspects of the challenge. Three teams from Aberdeen Grammar School were entered into the Professional Class level in the regional finals, and two of these progressed to the National Finals.

The first team which progressed to the Nationals was Legacy Racing, composed of Jason Alexander, Akshith Mohan, Adam McLoughlin, Samuel Oyewusi, Kuenzang Losel and Callum Morrison (all in 6th year). Legacy Racing came first in the regional finals with a race time of 1.264s, which in itself is an outstanding accomplishment, but they were also awarded a Judge’s recommendation award. The second team which progressed to National Finals was Team Volcan, composed of Cameron Roe (S5), Soumya Tangirala (S5), Malik Salloum (S5), Arran Brunning (S5), Nada Jodeh (S5) and Faraj Monnapillai (S4). They were placed fourth with a race time of 1.347s in the regional finals but were awarded the wildcard seeing them through.

The Volcan F1 Team

The teams recently travelled to Silverstone to compete, with both doing very well. Team Volcan came first in all of Scotland, which gained them a place in the World Finals taking place in Malaysia. Unfortunately LegacyRacing will not be going to Malaysia, but were awarded the Team Sportsmanship Award which is itself an amazing achievement. Cameron Roe, the team leader, is very excited to be going to Malaysia – he originally joined the Challenge because of his interest is cars and Formula 1 racing. He said “I’m really into cars and I like working withthemso I thought it would be funto make them as fast as possible.” Within the teams there are many roles which are undertaken by different pupils. Soumya Tangirala of Team Volcan is the Sponsorship and Marketing Manager, in charge of the money aspect and arranging the Team’s publicity in order to make them well known. In an interview, she was asked what she has developed by taking part in F1 Challenge and replied “I have gained team-working skills and learned how to work with other people effectively”; initially, we didn’t want to do it, loads of people dropped out, but we decided to stay on and see what would happen and that adventure has taken us to worlds.” Stereotypically, STEM is very male based, with only 21% of STEM professions in the UK being undertaken by women. F1 Challenge has encouraged females to break this stereotype, with two members of Team Volcan being female. The Challenge is encouraging a new generation of engineers. We wish all the best to TeamVolcan in Malaysia in September.

Art Exhibition

An Art Exhibition was produced by second year Art pupils. We took inspiration from The Boyle Family to produce artworks based on our local area. Pupils created multi-coloured reductive poly prints of sections of a map showing Aberdeen Grammar School and the surrounding area. They worked on individual sections from the map which were then re-assembled to create a large map. This gave the pupils an opportunity to work collaboratively. The Exhibition also includes some traditional drawings, mono prints and mixed media outcomes, again, all based on the scenery in our local area. Four second year classes (approximately sixty pupils) took part in this activity.

Cheryl and Russell from Skene Street Dental approached us at a Developing theYoungWorkforcePathwaysEveninghostedattheSchoolandenquired about using their Practice as an exhibition space. We thought it was a great opportunity to showcase some of our junior work and as the Project displayed is based on our geographic area it seemed perfect for the location. Our pupils are proud to be part of an exhibition and were excited when they heard their work was being displayed in a public area.

We are hoping to refresh the artwork shown at Skene Street Dental in the future and give more of our pupils the opportunity to exhibit work.

E Forrest

Charities Group

On 25 April Megan Taylor (S4), assisted by other members of the Charities Group, organised a Quiz Night to raise money for Charlie House, our nominated charity this year. The event was held at the Ashvale Fish Restaurant. As well as the Quiz there was a raffle which was drawn on the night, and the Group would like to give special thanks to the local businesses and individuals who donated the prizes. The event was a great success, with over seventy tickets sold, and a grand total of £679.13 was raised for a very worthwhile charity.

Charities Cheque presentation to Charlie House

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 twelve pupils and three staff, including the former Rector, who meet 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 todeveloplife skills. Part ofthis area would be turned into a sensory/herbgardeninordertosupportbothpupilswithadditionalsupportneedsand our Home Economics classes who are keen to learn about the growing and use of herbs.

Earlier this sessionwe planted seedsofparsley, coriander,basil, mustardanddill and took cuttings of rosemary, and we recently had a sale of these plants 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.

At the time of the Senior Prize-giving ceremony in June the garden took on a whole new aspect as it was crowded by prize-winners and their friends and parents, along with members of the School staff and guests, including the President of the Former Pupils’ Club, enjoying warm afternoon sunshine and securing photographs. It was the perfect setting for such activity and was admired by the visitors, many of whom were previouslyunaware ofthis oasisofcalm inthe middleofabusySchool. ThegardenwasalsoadmiredbyvisitingFormerPupilswhohadlefttheSchoolsixty years ago, many of whom had at the tender age of five in the early ‘40s first entered the School in the former Kindergarten Department, whose playground occupied much ofthe site of the garden.

Battlefields

During the first week of the October holidays, thirteen S4 pupils from Aberdeen Grammar School joined pupils fromNorthfield Academyand Kemnay Academy on a trip to the World War One Battlefields in France and Belgium. The party travelled by coach to Hull and then took an overnight ferry to Zebrugge. Whilst in Belgium visits were made to the Ljzer Peace Tower, war cemeteries at Lijssenthoek, Tynecot and Langemark as well as to the Flanders Field Museum in the Cloth Hall in Ypres. One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity for pupils to lay a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

We then travelled to the area around the Somme in France where much of the fighting took place. On the way to France pupils visited the stunning memorial to Canadian soldiers at Vimy Ridge. Whilst in France visits were made to Newfoundland Park, where pupils saw the memorial to the Gordon Highlander soldiers, many of whom came from Aberdeen. Pupils also visited the Ulster Tower and the gigantic monument to the missing at Thiepval. Some pupils were

Wreath-laying at the Menin Gate

able to locate the names of family members which made the trip more meaningful.

The last two days of the trip were spent on more fun activities which included a visit to the Eiffel Tower, a day at Euro Disney and a visit to the medieval town of Bruges. A last minute stop was made at a Belgian Chocolate Factory before boarding the ferry for the homeward journey.

Safe Drive Stay Alive

A number of senior pupils attended this hard-hitting show put on bya road safety group at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom for pupils and apprentices. The presentation featured video footage and stage performances by members of the emergency services and was designed to shock young drivers into thinking about why accidents happen and about the consequences of such accidents for themselves, their families and the wider community

Poland 2016

In October, 36 senior pupils went on a history trip to Krakow, Poland. Here, we visited many places such as Auschwitz, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, the Jewish Ghetto, and the town of Krakow. We also met a Holocaust survivor. We all learned a great deal about the Holocaust and had an unforgettable experience.

On the first day, we went to Auschwitz and visited the main camp and Birkenau. Here, we had a guided tour of the working camps and were able to go into some of the buildings. For many of us it was truly overwhelming to see horrors such as baby clothes; images we have all seen in lessons and in films. We then took the short journey to Birkenau. Here, we saw the buildings where the Jews slept and worked. We then followed the railway track to the end, the same path the campmates would have taken on their way to the gas chambers. We ended our visit by laying a poppy as a symbol of remembrance on something or somewhere we had felt moved by.

The Jewish quarter of Kazimierz was very interesting as we got to see the square where thousands of Jews had lived. Today the square is a vibrant area which celebrates the Jewish faith. We went to see some of the Synagogues, one of which is still in use. We also visited a small Jewish bookshop that used to be a Synagogue. Hearing about the area during the 1930s from our guide Nicola allowed us to imagine the people livingthere before they were cruellytaken from their homes and forced into the ghetto a short distance away. We then walked the same journey to the area where the Jewish people were forced into what became

the ghetto. We saw part of the wall surrounding it which was designed by the Nazis like large tombstones to symbolise death.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine we visited was a very fun and interesting day. The salt mine reaches a depth of 327 metres and is 287 kilometres long. We walked 378 steps underground to reach the salt mine. We thought it was never going to end!

The Holocaust survivor we met, Rena Stern, was an older woman. She was born in the Ghetto but she and her mother managed to escape when she was only young. They escaped through the sewers with a group of other people and when the group went one way, her mother decided not to jointhemas she thought Rena would give them away at her age. Unfortunately, that group was killed by the Nazis. Rena Stern was later given to another family who agreed to look after her. Years later when her mother came to take her back, she didn’t want to go as she didn’t know that this was her mother. When her mother managed to convince her, she left and met her father. Rena’s father was a Schindler Jew who had gone to Brinnlitz when Schindler saved his Jewish workers from being sent to Auchswitz. Although Rena is fluent Polish, our translator did an excellent job of conveying her feelings to us. Rena went on to live an extraordinary life and told us many of her stories; it was humbling for us to meet her.

Kenzie Gibson and Katy Fraser S5

Lessons from Auschwitz

We formed part of a group of S5/6 pupils from across Scotland who were given the opportunity to go to Poland through the Lessons from Auschwitz Project (LFA), which is run by the Holocaust Educational Trust. This gave us the chance to visit the sites of the Auschwitz concentration camps.

After the visit, pupils from several Aberdeen schools teamed up to form a group called LFA Students Aberdeen. Our aim was to talk about and educate people about the Holocaust and the relevance of this issue today. We were given the opportunity to speak about our own experiences to the public in the Belmont Cinema on Holocaust Memorial Day. This allowed members of our group to speak to people who had never been to the camps about what it was like and how we felt when we were there.

Our group also came together to organise our own event – Life Goes On – to talk about the Holocaust, our experiences and the relevance of the Holocaust today. This gave us the opportunityto educate people about Genocide. The main speaker at our event was Amra Mujkanovic, who works for the charity ‘Remembering Sebrenica’ and is from a family of survivors – three generations before her went through concentration camps at the hands of first the Nazis and then the Bosnian Serbs in the 1990s. We also had speakers from the Aberdeen Law Project, who spoke more about other genocides which have happened since World War Two.

We felt that our event was successful and we hope that people took from it how to rid the world of evil and how to try to stop another genocide occurring. We hope that our event helps to stop hate and prejudice within our community, and the message of love and acceptance is passed throughout the world.

Tasneem Islam

The Phil Love Trophy

This year the Trophy has been awarded to Shona Fraser who has brought distinction to the School as well as to herself through her prowess in Volleyball. As she leaves School now she has represented her region fifteen times at the UK School Games, won four Scotland caps at U19 level and ten Scotland caps at Senior level.

Shona first started playing volleyball towards the end of S2 and in the following year made a first appearance in the Scottish U15 National League. She was recognised at the end ofthat seasonbybeing selected to travel to Manchester with the Scotland East squad to play against the other home nations in the 2014 UK School Games. In the next season, as a S4 pupil, Shona first realised her potential, and again captained the girls to third place in the U16 Junior National League. After trialling for the 2015 UK School Games she was again selected, but this time as captain. They attained fourth place.

In S5 she was identified as a talented young athlete and was invited by Scotland Head Coach, Craig Faill, into joining the national squad for all their training sessions. After about a year she was selected as one ofthe twelve players and then became one of the starting six. Her game continued to improve through the next season through competing on a weekly basis against the country’s top players. She set herself some ambitious targets for her last year in School, wanting to establish herself as a starting player for her club team, Aberdonia VC (who play in the Scottish Volleyball Premier League), win the U18 Junior National League and the Scottish Schools Cup with her school team, and by March 2017 make the selection for the Senior Women’s team who would compete In Luxembourg in the 2017 European Small Countries Division Finals. To do this, Shona realised that she needed to become more physically able. She managed to find a Strength and Conditioning coach with whom she worked on a weekly basis. On the school front she achieved one aim by leading the U-18 girls to second place; she also established herself as a starting player with her club team. Her biggest achievement was doing enough to make the Scotland squad for Luxembourg, where she helped the team to finish in fourth place and be the only team to beat Iceland, who claimed gold.

Shona now has ambitions of gaining a scholarship to the USA to play college level volleyball, and will take a year out to develop her game to the next level within Scotland to help her get recruited.

One Hundred Years On

Lieutenant Robert Grierson Combe, V.C.

This year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the recognition of the bravery of a Former Pupil on the French battlefield close to the town of Acheville in the area of Vimy Ridge. The anniversary has been recognised in Aberdeen by the laying of a memorial stone in Bon Accord Terrace Gardens. The stone was unveiled by vice Lord-Lieutenant Andrew Lawtie in the presence of pupils from Ferryhill Primary School which Lieut. Combe had attended before coming to the Grammar.

Robert Grierson Combe was born in Holburn Road in 1880. After primary education at Ferryhill School he entered Middle III at the Grammar in 1894. He left School in 1897 and served an apprenticeship as a chemist with Mr William E. Hay in Aberdeen. In 1906 he emigrated to Canada and in the following year opened a pharmacy business in Melville, Saskatchewan. After the outbreak of War in Europe in 1914 he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was awarded a commission in the Manitoba Regiment of the Canadian Infantry. He came to Britain with the Regiment in 1915 and served in France almost continuously thereafter.

On the day of his death he advanced with his company to the attack amidst heavy hostile shelling. Eventually he took command of his company and led it through this shelling into the enemy trenches. He forced the enemy back and captured the position. Later, while consolidating the position he was killed instantaneously by a sniper.

On 27 June 1917 the War Office announced that the King had been pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to Lieut. Robert Grierson Combe ‘for most conspicuous bravery and example’. The citation goes on to read:

“He steadied his company under intense fire, and led themthroughthe enemy barrage, reaching the objective with only five men. With great coolness and courage Lt. Combe proceeded to bomb the enemy, and inflicted heavycasualties. He collected small groups of men and succeeded in capturing the company objective, together with 80 prisoners. He repeatedly charged the enemy, driving them before him, and, whilst personally leading his bombers, was killed by an enemy sniper. His conduct inspired all ranks, and it was entirely due to his magnificent courage that the position was carried, secured, and held” .

Charles Murray – “Hamewith”

The Magazine of December 1957 carried an article on the establishment of The Charles Murray Memorial Fund created as a result of a successful public appeal for subscriptions to perpetuate the memory of Charles Murray who had died in 1941. Charles Murray’s poems may not be so well known nowadays, but sixty years ago they were familiar and often recited or quoted.

“He cut a sappy sucker from the muckle rodden tree…”

“It wisna his wyte he was beddit sae late…”

“There was a couthy packman…”

At one time there were no better-known poems in the North-East of Scotland than Charles Murray’s “The Whistle”, “It wisna his wyte” and “The Packman” whose opening lines are quoted above, and to all who are interested in the life and lore of “Aiberdeen an’ twal’ mile roon” it is still, even in the 21st Century, a joy to hear these verses well delivered, and an even greater pleasure to hear them well put over to a country audience, for “Hamewith” with warm sincerity, racy humanity and at times the gentlest of satire, painted wonderful word pictures of country life in the northeast during the first decades of last Century.

The speech and vocabulary of our forefathers were very different from those of today, but hopefully for many generations to come “the Doric” will remain a living thing among us, and will not become just a strange and unintelligible dialect heard only in certain places and circumstances. So long as interest in the vernacular survives, so long will the poems of “Hamewith” be part of our inheritance.

What fun to follow “The Packman” as he travels round the countryside “to clachan, craft an’ ha’ ” and gradually but determinedly improves his position until he’s a laird himsel’! What pleasure, too, to share the joy of the wee herd with his home-made whistle as “he wheepled on’t at mornin’ and he tweetled on’t at nicht”. And how genuine our sorrow when

“the maister brunt the whistle that the wee herd made”, and brought his artless ploy to a sad end! How human all the various excuses for delaying his going to school found by the young lad in “It wisna his wyte”; and what a homely touch once “he got roadit at last” when

“The fite-fuskered cat wi’ her tail in the air Convoyed him as far as the barn”!

When first established the Charles Murray Memorial Fund was, amongst other benefits, to provide a prize to be awarded triennially for the best original poem in the north-east Doric on some aspect of Scottish Life and Character. The language had to be north-east Doric and not “synthetic Scots”. When this was first reported in the Magazine it was regretted that the closing date for entries was at hand so that no Former Pupil would be able to compete.

This was not to be, as the late Royston J. Milne (1918-30) submitted a poem under the pseudonym W.F. Maitland. This was one of three which the judges considered to be of exceptional merit, and he shared the second award out of seventy-two entries with “The Steen Sodger”. This is now reproduced below.

The Steen Sodger

Gin it’s caul’ an’ dreich an’ dowie; gin it’s sattlet kin’ or fair There’s a lad ye’ll aye see standin’ a’ his lee-lane i’ the Square Heich abeen th’ argy-bargy on a muckle granite steen Wi’s rifle in’s ae hand and a hand that shades his een.

Come the mornin’ sun, new yokit; come the meen, an’ fyles a star, Yon lad ne’er divals fae listenin’ tae the winds that traivel far; And there’s nae byre-door steekit, nor there’s niver a leaf stirred Nor a coble’s tether streekit that the sodger hisna heard.

Fan the lift’s a’ mirkit ower an’ the meen’s sair hauden doon

Fan the bonny gowden windows blink their een ower a’ the toon, Fan a win’s fuffin’ an’ soughin’ower the ley an’ throu’ the breers, Gin ye speir at the steen sodger then, he’ll tell ye a’ he hears:-

“Heich or laich, the soun’s I hear are a’ the soun’s I kent afore

(Bar the putter o’ a tractor faur the horseman learnt his lore)

And the caller winds come souffin’ wi’ a sang frae ilka airt;

Files the cankle o’ a kirk bell, fyles the vrattle o’ a cairt, Or a wheeshin’ whirrication faur the pertrick echt her nest.

Fyles the feeplin’ o’ wee quinies as they warsle throu’ a test, Syne a muckle salmon loupin’ in a pool abeen Blairdaff, (Aye, an’ syne a poacher pechin’ as he raxes wi’ the gaff).

Hine awa, the screich o’ timmer faur the sawyer’s slabbin’ logs;

Fae the commonty, the yelpin’ o’ a tinker body’s dogs; While a turn o’ “Tullochgorum”, fustled saftly doon the fleed, Marks a chiel that hopes anither hairst’ll connach his Trust Deed.

Fae the stytin’ o’ the baker’s dosened early mornin’ beets

An’ th’ auld wife’s Monday mangle (wi’ the weety clap o’ sheets)

Tae the gweedman’s forenicht fiddle as he gars his elbuck jeuk

An’ laich lauchin’ i’ the gloamin’ fae a well-remembered neuk –

Man, they’re nae that muckle different fae the soun’s I left ahin, An’ they’re bonny, bonny, bonny, are the wylin’s o’ the win’.”

An Alpine Holiday

In these days of regular ski and climbing trips to the Alps it is easy to forget how more than half a century ago such a thing was unusual and it is instructive to read again an article contributed to the Magazine of December 1952 written by the late Bill Brooker about his first continental holiday.

A first continental holiday is always something which fills the mind of a young man with wild conjectures and anticipation. To me, it also meant a first Alpine season and my thoughts turned to sunlit spires of rock remote and aloof from the glaciersat theirfeet, mountainvalleys withforested wallsand overallacloudless blue sky. Our party consisted of seven other students and myself and the rendezvous was Chamonix Mont Blanc.

The major problem of our trip was that of transport. The majority decided to travel to London by road and thereafter by boat-train to France. My own voice, crying out in the wilderness, elected to make the whole journey by motor-cycle. As my machine had been manufactured some years before I was born, I had my misgivings, but these proved unfounded and no incurable breakdowns presented themselves.

First impressions of France were too many and vivid to describe; everything was new, from the bumpy, arrow-straight roads to the crisp, slender loaves. My first night ws spent in a field near Versailles. Sleep was elusive by reason of the aggressive chirping of innumerable crickets but, once achieved, was deep and dreamless. All next day I spent riding across France on the magnificently engineered, but poorly maintained, Routes National. The following morning I had my first glimpse of the Alps, incredibly high and white above hazy foothills.

At midday I rattled into Chamonix and proceeded to locate my friends. They were encamped 3,000 feet above the valley on a moraine slope masked in dwarf rhododendron and juniper. Within feet of the tents ran a huge gash in the mountainside in the bed of which frothed a grey glacier stream, a mere trickle by morning and a roaring torrent by evening.

At 3.30 a.m. I was roused from my sleeping-bag, exhorted to swallow a repulsive mess of partially fried and wholly greasy potatoes and told to “Get a move on up the hill”. My breakfast stayed down for perhaps five minutes and I was sick several times during the stumbling grind up twilit moraine slopes to the glacier. My tiring journey and the altitude combined to make me very weary indeed by the time we had at last reached the Col de Nantillons at the glacier head. A short dose in the sun improved matters somewhat and the exhilarating rock ridge springing upwards to our objective, the Aiguille de Blaitière, stimulated me to some awareness of my surroundings. On three sides was a sea of jagged spires couched on slender buttresses whose foundations lay deep in the glittering, twisted glaciers. Here and there high shattered ridges connected the

spires with vast rock walls furrowed by couloirs of dazzling white. The rock was a friendlyred-brown colour and warm and rough beneath my hand. On the fourth side the mountain plunged to the glacier, the glacier to the moraine and the moraine down forested slopes to the dreamy green valley of Chamonix. My eye followed the ridge upon which I stood and soared up the pinnacle crest to the cloudless blue sky of my anticipation. My dreams had come true.

Refreshed by our surroundings, we made short work of the ridge and soon came in sight of the summit tower. It lay vertical and menacing at the far side of a curving snow arête. Some brisk work with the ice-axe disposed of the arête and the formidable steepness above proved a threat without substance as the wall was liberally supplied with cracks and flakes. There was a double summit of twin horns; the first climbed by way of a deep and strenuous cleft and the other by an airy crack.

The descent was by the same route and, as we plunged down the soft snows of the upper glacier, the sun sank in a glory of scarlet and gold. Darkness dogged our footsteps as we unroped at the moraine and began the nightmare slopes of boulders leading to camp. Very tired, we returned seventeen hours after setting out but this weariness was soon dispelled by contentment with the joys of a good meal and a cheerful fire.

Such was my first Alpine day and it had fulfilled all expectations. For the next nine days we climbed among the Chamonix Aiguilles and between us ascended the Aiguilles des Charmoz, Grépon, Fou, Ciseaux, Requin and Moine. These peaks and by far the greater part of the Mont Blanc massif are composed of coarse red granite of a very massive nature. The massif is a remnant of the old Hercynian foreland enclosed in the Alpine young fold system and it is to this coarse granite that the rock owes its excellent climbing characteristics. The area offers some of the finest mountaineering in the world and has always been very popular with British climbers. Indeed, Mummery and other contemporary Britishers made the first ascents of many of these peaks.

Between climbs it was our custom to descend to Chamonix, both for relaxation and supplies, by what must surely be one of the longest and steepest paths in the Alps. Apart from the sumptuous meals occasionally obtained in a tiny restaurant, our diet consisted almost entirely of bread, spaghetti, cheese and fruit. This proved quite adequate and after a few days we were all very fit indeed and withphysical capabilities that surprised ourselves. Chamonixis a boomtown in the sense that it booms during the tourist season. In winter its hotels stand empty, its streets deserted; in summer the whole place swarms like an antheap. Gigantic buses shaped like stratocraft and equipped with terrifying klaxons disgorge their cargoes of trippers in the Square. The streets throng with a gaily coloured multitude in clamorous search for postcards and souvenirs. Here and there a drab object in ragged khaki, shuffling along with dusty boots, betrays the presence of the British climber and his lean holiday purse. However, in

Chamonix nobody condemns by appearance and a companion and I were gratified to hear an awed whisper, Regardez les Guides, as we passed.

Our climbs thus far had been nothing out of the usual but now we laid plans for bigger game. From the Italian valley three great ridges leap northward to Mont Blanc, separated by4,000 feet precipices. Theyare the Brenva, the Péterey and the Brouillard, in that order from east to west. The central ridge, the Péterey, is by far the greatest and between it and the Brouillard lies a lesser ridge, the Innominata. According to all reports, the Innominata route was one of the finest and longest in the Alps and, in spite of only a score of ascents since its discovery in 1919, was not of excessive technical difficulty. This was our choice.

As far as we could judge, conditions promised to be favourable due to the long spell of perfect weather we had enjoyed in France, broken only by an occasional thunderstorm. Ice and snow would be at a minimum but, unfortunately, the dangers of falling stones would be increased. Four of us, J.W. Morgan, M.C.S. Philip, J.M. Taylor and myself, left Chamonix rather late one day for Italy. The remainder of the party, under the energetic leadership of T.W. Patey, climbed Mont Blanc by the Aiguille de Bionassy and later the Aiguille du Dru.

Our way to Italy lay up the Mer de Glace and Glacier du Géant to the Col du Géant. The latter was crossed in thick mist and the only thing to tell us we had passed the frontier was the slight downward gradient. Staying for the night at the Torino hut, we enjoyed the most impressive and beautiful views of the Brenva face and peaks of the Péterey arête against the evening sky.

Next morning we descended to the valley and spent the day eating and provisioning in Courmayeur. This village is a sleepy little place of narrow streets and some very old dwellings of an almost primitive nature. All the roofs are tiled with thick grey slabs of the local slate. Towards evening, we began the approach to our climb, winding up a dusty motor-road to a wooded upper valley. At one point we were surrounded by a horde of gesticulating soldiers flourishing rather alarming sub-machine guns, but it turned out that they merely wished to examine our passports, and we continued without hindrance. Some six miles from Courmayeur we struck off through the forest on our right and bivouacked for the night in one of the most delightful spots it has ever been my good fortune to visit. All round were stately larch and pine and sloping green meadows watered by a bubbling snow-fed stream.

We planned to spend two days on the climb. On the first we intended to reach the Bivouac Eccles, a tiny shelter clinging to the ridge at 13,000 feet. At this point the Innominata ridge merges into the main south face of Mont Blanc and this final section of 2,500 feet presents the chief mountaineering problems. We prayed that the good weather would hold, for on a climb of this nature sudden bad weather may prove extremely dangerous. One drawback was that the

Bivouac Eccles had been destroyed by a rock fall a fortnight previously and we would have to make do with the stars as a roof.

A long morning passed in the warm and strenuous ascent to the Gamba Hut where we made a temporary halt. The serious climbing began here and during the remainder of the day we climbed on by glacier, rock and finally a most exciting ice ridge to the upper shoulder of Pic Eccles. The remains of the hut were scattered over the cliff below and we collected a good deal of splintered debris as firewood. In addition, we found several blankets and our proposed bivouac became a more cheerful prospect. The platform itself was very cramped for four and a fire, and Taylor had to take the precaution of belaying himself to an iron spike in order to avoid a sudden departure valleywards.

All night the avalanches boomed down the colossal precipices on either hand but, in spite of this and the intense cold, we all managed to sleep a little. At 5 a.m. we resumed activity and forced some food down. My boots had been exposed during the night and had to be thawed over the stove. Due to this and other delays, it was 8 a.m. before Col Eccles was behind us and we were embarked on the upper face. A glorious dawn left us in warm sunshine. Taylor and Philip had forged ahead and Morgan and I followed some distance behind. An exhilarating rock rib led upwards by cracks and towers for almost one third of the face. The next move was to cross an ice couloir to a large buttress on the left. We could hear the occasional hum of falling stones and one raked the whole width of the couloir. When our turn came, Morgan balanced precariously across, slashing tiny nicks in the ice. He climbed up the bank in order to safeguard me with the rope. While we were crossing, small stones like a battery of grape-shot spattered abovebut without moreadoIpendulumed across tocomparativesafety.

The buttress upon which we were now established proved fairly easy and we mountedsteadilyupwards,firstbyrockandlaterbyseveralarêtesofratherrotten ice. The altitude was having its effect on our bodies and it was 2 p.m. when we reached the summit ridge. Snow goggles were a necessity for the remainder of the way. Morgan had no crampons and great care was needed along the final icy approach to the top of Mont Blanc (15,781 feet). At 4.30 p.m. we strolled along the firm track beaten by many tourist feet along the apex. It led into the eye of the setting sun and the snows burned with a golden light. The descent was very lovely, easy and rapid. Within an hour and a half we were knocking the snow off our boots at the door of the Grands Mulets hut.

That night a great storm broke and in the morning we descended the long path to Chamonix, first in wet snow and later in torrential rain. A few days later we were all back across the Channel, each with his own vivid memories of an unforgettable holiday.

10th Anniversary Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby Festival

Throughout Scotland, for decades, over 35s have played Rugby under various names – Old Boys, Old Crocks, Buffties etc. – however, through the 60s and 70s there was no real structure to Golden Oldies Rugby in Scotland. Since 1985 Aberdeen Strollers had been the only Scottish team taking part in World and European Golden Oldies Festivals (apart from Dunfermline RFC in 2004, who participated in the BenidormEGOR Festival and Forrester Rubies who took part inthe2010WorldFestivalinSydney).Then,inSeptember2008,sixteenScottish Teams took to the field at Murrayfield, Edinburgh to enjoy the 17th World Golden Oldies Rugby Festival and the associated Fun, Friendship and Fraternity

Following the very successful 17th Air New Zealand Festival, at which over 3000 persons from eighteen countries participated, a meeting was held at Murrayfield to discuss the future of Golden Oldies Rugby in Scotland, organised by the President of the European Golden Oldies Rugby Committee and member of the World Festival Local Organising Committee, Dave McDonald (1961-67). The Meeting was chaired bythe then SRU President, Jim Stevenson, who played in the World Festival in a conglomerate team made up of the Swiss Gnomes from Zurich and Chiba Ken RFC from Nagasaki.....which won Jim over to the Golden Oldies Rugby Ethos. Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby became a properly constituted organisation and joined European Golden Oldies Rugby, which in 2002 was recognised as the Official European Golden Oldies Rugby Organisation, at the Annual General Meeting of FIRA/AER (now Rugby Europe). Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby has also become an Associate Member of the Scottish Rugby Union.

The first SGOR Festival took place at Perthshire RFC in 2009, six months after the World Festival in Edinburgh, and since then the Festivals have moved annually to Rugby Clubs around Scotland. Over the years they have attracted rugby players from Germany, Belgium, France, England, Norway, Israel, Singapore, Hong Kong and Fiji.

Every year, we have attracted newly formed Golden Oldies Teams to our Festivals – we have even had a team of Referees – and I am delighted that the 10th Anniversary SGOR Festival will be held at the home of Aberdeen Grammar RFC, Rubislaw Playing Field, on Saturday5th May, 2018, and will be part of the inaugural Aberdeen Festival of Rugby.

The programme is:

Friday 4th May

“Come & Try” – Youth and Adult Rugby Coaching / Tartan Touch Rugby, Walking Rugby etc

Saturday 5th May 10th Anniversary Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby Festival with Teams from Scotland, UK and Twin Towns, Ladies’ Rugby, Walking Rugby, Tartan Touch, Rugby Demonstrations

Sunday 6th May Aberdeen Grammar Mini Rugby Tournament

Corporate Festival Sponsorship Packages are available, as are other forms of sponsorship, in Cash or Kind, along with Festival Brochure Adverts. For a Team Entry Pack, or details of Sponsorship/Advertising opportunities, contact goldiesrugby@gmail.com

Walking Rugby, as the name suggests, is Rugby where the players can only walk – there is no running or tackling, which allows anyone of a more mature age to enjoy the game they love, and have some Fun! Come along to Rubislaw and try it out, or contact the e-mail address above for more details. Also at the Festival, there will be catering, a beer tent, music, entertainment and a Festival Village, where businesses can promote their products and services. Put the dates in your diaries now, come and meet old friends and enjoy the Fun, Friendship and Fraternity.

Apart from supporting the development of local Youth Rugby –“Without Youth Rugby, there will be no future Golden Oldies Rugby” – the Festival will be supporting the Vascular Ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmaryand the Sandpiper Trust, of which Gavin Hastings OBE is Patron. Maybe, along with some friends, your Club, business or community group could think about arranging a Fundraiser for the Sandpiper Trust? For details, contact admin@sandpiperwildcat.co.uk

Rubislaw Playing Fields is the place to be at the start of May 2018!

Like Us, on the 10th SGOR Festival Facebook Page FUN, FRIENDSHIP and FRATERNITY

Dave McDonald

President, European Golden Oldies Rugby President, Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby

Former Pupils’ Section

Former Pupils’ Club

Founded 11 September 1893

Club Office-Bearers, 2017-2018

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)

DOUGLAS R. HARPER (1944-58) MB,ChB, MD, FRCSE, FRCS (President 2016-17) (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:

GILLIAN A. THOMAS (1975-80)

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

Regional Centres

Edinburgh: President –NIGEL G.M. WATT (1963-69)

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 – TOM J.G. PATON (1952-59)

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 – KATIE McDONALD katiebarnett126@gmail.com

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) RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65)

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

SORCHA HUME (2000-06)

EMMA A. MAIR (1985-91)

NEIL J.G. LAWRIE (1961-74)

JOHN C.A. MICHIE (1944-58)

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

CHRIS CLELLAND – Secretary

COLIN BROWN – Treasurer

BEN JOHNSON – Membership Secretary

G.M.E. GRAHAM, L. LAMBERT, K. McDONALD

J.C.A. MICHIE, L.MITCHELL, D.G. MOIR, G. MORRISON, H.E. MORRISON, W.M. MURRAY, 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 61-2-98751296

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. 0064-4-4795678

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

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

Annual General Meeting

The One-hundred and fifteenth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Club Centre in Aberdeen on Monday 27 March 2016, with Mr Alan Campbell, the Vice-President, in the Chair. The Chairman reported as follows:

This has been an active year for the Executive Committee as we consider how best to make the FP Club relevant to school leavers in these days of social media and instant communication. But it is not just young people whose routines and interests have changed; the whole of society has changed.

For example, the concept ofa “social club”, which was probablyinits heyday in the ‘60s and ‘70s, is now one which organisations find difficult to sustain with peoples’ changing habits and interests. We, with 86 Queen’s Road, are no different and it is only through careful and imaginative management by our Club Centre officials that we are able to keep the show on the road and provide events which are well-received, particularly by the Sports Sections. We know that we cannot sustain the Club Centre in the longer term, and that is why we are looking at options so that the asset can be put to the best possible use in line with the objectives of the Club.

The response to the Appeal launched in August has been extremely encouraging. Many of our members have a huge affection for the School and a real sense of gratitude for an ethos and education which have shaped lives in a positive way. Manyconsider theyhad the best possible start at The Grammar and have gone on to be life-long friends with school contemporaries. Our President just completing his term of office, Doug Harper, has been very effective in blending the traditional message of the FP Club with the challenge we now face and I am grateful to him.

I am pleased to say that we have reinstated the School Amenities Fund which provides some finance for additional activities at the School. There had not been any payments to the School for several years, although provision had been made in the Accounts each year. Arrangements have now been made for the Fund to be reinstated in the summer term of 2017 with a sum of the order of £3,000 as a “catch up”. Relationships with the School are excellent and there is good cooperation as we explore how best to welcome school leavers to the Club. There will be no initial fee for them but they will require to “register” – electronically of course! And they will receive the Magazine electronically too.

The Magazine continues to be the source of great pleasure to our membership and thanks are due to Brian Crookshanks for his long and distinguished service. He also has the distinction of being the first Past President to have his daughter followhimas President. GillianThomas (1975 -80), who is Secretaryofthe very active Canadian Centre, is the nominee of the Executive to become President for

the forthcoming year and we look forward to welcoming her to Aberdeen and to The School as an excellent role model.

I am very grateful for the support of office bearers and the Executive Committee, as well as the membership at large, as we explore how best to structure the Club and its activities for a future which is relevant and sustainable.

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 2016 Accounts (reproduced at the end of this Magazine) showing a surplus of £8,805 were submitted and approved. The Treasurer expressed his gratitude to those members who had responded positively to the Appeal launched in September by sending donations and making interest free loans. Attention was once again drawn to the consequences of supporting the Club Centre while it is under pressure, although it was noted with satisfaction that the Centre had again shown a profit in 2016

Election of Office-Bearers

Officials ofthe Club were elected inaccordance withthe 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 again expressed his thanks to the members ofthe Executive and ofthe 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 2018 A.G.M. will therefore be held on Monday, 26 March at 7.30 p.m. in the Club Centre, 86 Queen’s Road, Aberdeen

President’s Report

I was surprised and delighted to be asked by the Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils’ Club to be their President for 2016-17. I found the list of former Presidents more thana little intimidating!However,I wasablysupportedbyJock Hendry and the Executive throughout my year.

My first engagement was as a member of the interview panel for the FP All Round Trophy. This involved my first visit to the Head Teacher’s or Rector’s Study in nearly sixty years. The occasion and venue was much the same; but the standard of the short leet was very much better! All the applicants had a bewildering range of interests and abilities, both within the school and outside, and all expressed themselves succinctly. Eventually, after much discussion, we were clear that Lucy McLeod and Daniel Hume were the worthy 2016 winners.

Soon after, Ms Murison and I were to meet again at the Edinburgh Centre dinner,alongwithKateRiddoch(Headgirl)andGavinElliot (deputeHeadBoy). The dinner was held in the beautiful surroundings of the Bruntsfield Golf Course and it was good to be there again with old friends since in years gone by I was a regular attender at the Edinburgh Centre event (and their President in 2000). The dinner was amiably presided over by Neil Borthwick, who proposed the toast to the School and the Club. Replies followed from Ms Murison, Kate and Gavin. I recalled that the first time senior pupils were invited to take part in an FP Dinner was at Edinburgh in 2000.

It was a great disappointment that I was unable to attend the Annual Prizegiving and to present the All-Round Trophies, and I am grateful to VicePresident Alan Campbell for standing in for me.

Now if you must go to Canada for the FP Club, you may as well have a holiday. For a couple of weeks Janette and I toured Ontario by campervan from Ottawa to the Great Lakes and then north to Kapuskasing, a paper town at the northern edge of civilisation, where I had spent time as a young field geologist in 1961. It was great to see the town again – much of it unchanged despite the passage of time. On the Friday of the Canadian Centre Reunion we all met at the Mill Street Brewpub and enjoyed an informal meal and catch-up. The next day Peter and Judy Jeffrey took us to see the sights before we gathered at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club for the formal dinner, organised this year by Phil Barron. Next day we were in Preston, Ontario to Peter and Ann Green’s home, where we had a sumptuous brunch – very much a Canadian Centre tradition, but something of a gastronomic challenge after the night before. During our visit we were pleased to visit classmate and retired dentist, Eddie Anderson, who doesn’t enjoy good health and had been unable to make the Reunion. Happily, he is now much improved.

Later in September came the Yorkshire Dinner, always a treat. We stayed at the Grange Hotel which was also the venue. Once again, numbers were down –

only four Yorkshire members attended – but such is their charisma that the room was full of guests and FPs from further afield. This is, after all, our most southerly active outpost. I was pleased to meet up again with Willson Taylor and Mike Walker. The continuing success of the Yorkshire Dinner is down to the enthusiasm of Doug Skene and David Galloway. The following morning many of the attendees further indulged themselves at Betty’s for the obligatory ‘Yorkshire Fat Rascal’ then joined in a walk through the lesser known streets and attractions of York, ending a very special weekend.

The Glasgow Dinner took place on 28th October. Again, numbers were less than usual and one table had been drafted in by Margery Taylor from her senior pupils! The very pleasant occasion was presided over by Malcolm Gauld, and I was pleased to catch up with Graeme Caie and Peter Cairns, amongst others.

I was invited to the lunch held by the Aberdeen Academy/Central School FP Club at the Atholl Hotel in November. It was a somewhat subdued occasion, since the President intimated that due to their inability to find office bearers, the Club was to wind up at their 2017 AGM.

The School Carol Service in December was memorable. It was the first time I had been at this, and I was most impressed by the standard of music on offer. The Senior Choir’s interpretation of de-Lisser’s arrangement of Silent Night still stays with me, but the Concert Band stole the show. Go along next December, if you can.

I attended on your behalf the Stewarts Melville College Dinner at the Royal Northern & University Club in January. Apart from being asked to reply to the toast to the guests, I enjoyed it. They encourage parents of early senior years to include life membership of their FP Club in their fee notes; yet they still struggle to attract active members from among school leavers.

I was sorry to miss the Gordonian Dinner due to a long planned holiday abroad. Once again, Alan Campbell stood in. I understand 230 attended. Recruitment to the FP clubs of the independent schools is quite a different scene and we should avoid comparisons with ‘the other place’! It must have been an impressive occasion.

Failure to recruit to FP Clubs and their Sections is pretty well universal – and widely shared by other organisations. We are losing members by attrition but not managing to recruit. Apart from the legitimate role of promoting fellowship, offering sporting opportunities and telling old tales, we fail to persuade others across all ages what we stand for. Despite there being many young FPs in the London area, the London Centre is inactive. Likewise, there are many recent FPs in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with whom we are not in touch. Even among more mature members, communication is an issue. They point out that many FPs are on email and would welcome a regular update from the Executive so that theymayfeel more involved. The Club website is beingdeveloped and is another useful tool. However, I received many plaudits from FPs in the centres on the

value of the Magazine and how much they looked forward its arrival each autumn.

Throughout my year in office the ‘elephant in the room’ has been our financial situation. I was asked about this everywhere and my reply was to make sure members made their views known to the Executive. The message I convey to the Executive seems clear. They want their Club to find a solution to the current problem without delay. We know that the membership is supportive and we must keep them fully informed of progress.

Being your President and meeting Grammarians at home and elsewhere has been a huge honour and privilege, and I thank you for this opportunity to serve the Club.

Douglas R. Harper (1944-58)

Gillian A. Thomas (née Crookshanks) (1975-80)

Gillian Anne Thomas has achieved a double first in FP Club affairs – she is the first daughter of a former President to be elected as President and she is the first overseas member of the Club to attain this office. Her father, Brian Crookshanks, served as President in 1983-84 and has been Editor of the Magazine since 1997.

Gillian was brought up in Aberdeen, attending Mile End Primary School before entry to the Grammar in the third year after the School became coeducational. She played hockey, badminton and tennis and was the first girl to receive colours for badminton. She was also an enthusiastic member of the hillwalking club, participating in many of the expeditions arranged and led by Mr Ian Stephen.

After leaving School Gillian studied at the former Aberdeen College of Education, graduating as a teacher of Primary Education in 1983. Three months later she married and in November of that year moved to Calgary in Alberta. Over the next number of years her husband’s employment inthe oil industrytook the family to Yemen, from which civil war compelled their urgent evacuation to Britain in 1994. They later moved to Indonesia before spending several years in Windsor, returning to Canada in 2003.

There Gillian at once associated herself with the Canadian Centre of the FP Clubandserved asitsPresidentin2003-04,the firstladyPresidentofanyCentre. Since 2010 she has been Centre Secretary and is a wonderfully enthusiastic supporter, energetically pursuing any lead for new members. As one of the youngest Canadian FPs she brightens any gathering of the Canadian Centre and keeps a kindly eye on everyone. Her enthusiasm reaches Aberdeen, too, where she encourages Aberdonians and other FPs to join our Canadian Reunion weekends – and they do!

Gillian also has a strong interest in encouraging our Centre to give back to the School, and she joined Bob Scace and Gordon Singer in planning the Canadian Chairs Project. The three of them had planned the 2011 annual reunion in Calgary, not the first time that Gillian has contributed substantially to the success of our reunions. Upon learning of the School’s need for additional platform chairs the trio pursued the project to its successful conclusion and all were on hand for the presentation at the School in 2013. Gillian’s excellent contacts with Canadian FPs enabled her to report that she had discovered that one of the project’s supporters, Roy Brown, as a lad had attended the 1934 presentation of the original set of chairs! Gillian has continued to stay in touch with the School to learn in what other ways our Centre may continue meaningfully to support the School and strengthen our association with it.

Gillian A. Thomas (1975-80)

President 2017-18

Gillian has three daughters and when they graduated and moved away from home she found herself with time to spare. Not for long! Seven years ago she entered the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, an annual cycling fundraiser which benefits the Alberta Cancer Foundation, and she has completed the ride each year since then. She also devotes endless time and energy to self-initiated fundraising activities for the same cause. She drives a friend to medical appointments, offers a driving service to the airport, and drives cars back and forth to California for snowbirds (approximately twenty vehicles to date!). In summary, Gillian has raised an astounding $200,000 over the past seven years for clinical trials in cancer research at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary.

Gillian’s year as President began in March, so she is now well into her year of attending School functions and those at various Centres. Considering that her home is in Calgary, Alberta, she showed incredible commitment in taking on this position. In fact, Gillian plans to attend all FP and School functions in the UK and Canada during her year of office, which will entail flying a total of over 50,000 miles. We in the Canadian Centre are delighted that Gillian is this year’s Club President and wish her a wonderful year.

J. Peter Jeffrey (1944-59)

Centre Reports

Club Centre

It is pleasing to advise that for the year ending 31st December 2016 the Centre recorded a surplus for the second successive year. Trading conditions, however, continue to be challenging as experienced by most private clubs and other licensed premises throughout the city. Onthe positive side, we continue to record very healthy gross profit margins at our monthly stocktake and for the first part of 2017 there has been an improvement in both sales and membership.

The ambiance and history of such a special building as 86 Queens Road comes with the inevitable issues associated with the maintenance and upkeep of the building and grounds. We were fortunate in 2016 not to have any major extraordinaryexpense, other than a planned £5k electrical work upgrade, but this is an area where we cannot be complacent and future maintenance works will have to be budgeted for.

2016 saw the retiral of several senior Centre committee members, most notably Mike Murray as Chairman, Martin Jeffrey as Treasurer and Ken Pritchard as Secretary. These gentlemen made outstanding contributions to the health and wellbeing of the Centre for many years, service for which they are all

commended and graciouslythanked. ColinBrownis the newTreasurer and Chris Clelland the new Secretary and we wish them well in their new roles.

This year’s Centre committee has five lady members, the highest lady contingent in the history of the Centre, and they have all brought positive and different ideas and perspectives to the table. An Events sub-committee has been created under the convenership of Gill Graham. Its members have been entrusted with the marketing of private functions including BBQs, themed food nights, race nights and gin tasting, the income generated from such events being vital for the fiscal health of the Centre.

The various Sports Sections continue to use the Centre as their base and it is encouraging to hear that part of the attraction of joining one of Aberdeen Grammar’s sport sections is the quality of the facilities that the Centre has available. It should be recorded that our representatives in rugby, hockey and cricket are performing at a very high level, both locally and nationally, and represent the Club with distinction and uphold the good name associated with Aberdeen Grammar sport.

There are fundamental challenges ahead of us, most notably the outrageous levels of rates increases levied by Aberdeen City Council, duly exacerbated by the introduction of rates on commercial parking spaces.

The Centre remains in relative good health and capable of enduring and withstanding the difficulties as stated. Long may it continue to be the preferred “watering” destination of all our various categories of members, sports sections and their guests.

David Leighton Chairman

Canada

The 24th annual Reunion of the Canadian Centre of the FP Club took place during the weekend of the 9th to 11th September 2016 in Ottawa, Ontario and was enjoyed bytwenty-two FPs, spouses and guests fromacross Canada, the UK and the United States.

The Reunion started on a beautiful warm Friday evening, which allowed for outdoor dining, with a casual meet and greet at the Mill Street Brew Pub, located in a converted grist mill on the Ottawa River a few hundred yards from Parliament Hill. We welcomed the President of the Parent Club, Douglas Harper, and his wife Janette who had explored some old haunts in Eastern Canada prior to visiting Ottawa.

Saturday was given over to relaxing and sightseeing, as Ottawa has many historic attractions. The Saturday evening Dinner was held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club across the river in Gatineau, Quebec. It is another historic 100-year-

old building overlooking the rolling manicured fairways of the golf club. Rhuraidh Mcintyre was installed as this year’s Canadian Centre President and said the traditional Rabbie Burn’s Selkirk Grace. Peter Jeffrey, without whose energy and enthusiasm these events would never take place, welcomed the group and up-dated us on the affairs of the Canadian Centre, which is thriving. Phil Barron welcomed Douglas Harper and outlined his many achievements over an illustrious medical career. In his Presidential address Douglas referred to the problems of the FP Club, notably the lack of membership by younger school leavers, finances and the Queen’s Road Club Centre. He expressed his hope that the efforts of the Club Executive would find a resolution of these issues. Peter Green replied in his usual ken-speckle fashion. It was splendid evening and a grand opportunity to meet old friend and reminisce.

On a beautiful Fall Sunday morning we gathered at Peter Green’s home in Prescott, a small town on the St Lawrence River, for Brunch. Peter’s generosity and culinary skills make this a not-to-be-missed event. His butteries, amongst other Scottish delicacies, deserve special mention. It was a fitting end to a great weekend. I am sometimes met with incredulous looks when I explain to my Canadian friends and colleagues that I am off to my annual school reunion, but then they didn’t go the Grammar School, did they? Even a continent away the friendships, memories and influence still exist and the opportunity to share them with contemporaries on an annual basis is not to be lost.

The following FPs attended the Reunion (listed in order of entry into the School): Roy Brown (1932-43), Kingston, Ontario; Bill Guthrie (1939-51), Brighton, Ontario; Rhuraidh McIntyre (1943-51), Greely, Ontario; Peter Jeffrey (1944-59), Vancouver Island, BC; Peter Green (1946-57), Prescott, Ontario; Douglas Harper (1946-58), Aberdeen; Phil Barron (1948-56), Kanata, Ontario; Michael Hardie (1948-59), Almonte, Ontario; Alec Home (1952-58), Kitchener, Ontario; Ian Thomson (1952-60), Nepean, Ontario; Ian Marr (1954-58), Kanata, Ontario; John Inglis (1957-64), New York; Sandy Shearer (1959-65), Surrey, British Columbia, and Gillian Thomas (1975-80), Calgary, Alberta.

Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Centre held its Annual Dinner on Friday 21st April 2017 in the Clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society. President of the Edinburgh Centre, Neil Borthwick, took the Chair and welcomed the company of twenty members and their guests, including Gillian Thomas, the recently installed Club President, the Deputy Head Teacher, Janet Adams, the Head Girl, Kirsty Webb, the Head Boy, Jason Alexander and Doug Skene, the President of the Yorkshire Centre.

Apologies were received from the Head Teacher, Alison Murison, Malcolm Gauld, the President of the Glasgow Centre, Sandy Shearer, of the Canadian

Centre and Evie Rae, President of the Edinburgh Branch of the Gordonian Association, and also fromvarious locallybased FPs, all ofwhomconveyed their best wishes for the evening.

The Chairman proposed the toast of “The School and the Club” and replies were given by Janet Adams, Kirsty Webb and Jason Alexander on behalf of the School and Gillian Thomas for the Club, who advised of her intention during her presidential year of improving the Club’s profile on social media with a view to building engagement and support from younger FPs.

The Centre AGM was held during the evening. Proposals to elect Nigel Watt as the Edinburgh Centre President and to re-elect 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 20th April 2018.

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 DenhamGreen 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): Stewart Fowlie (1935-42),GordonCoutts (1938-51), GeraldCrichton(1943-55), Hunter Cairns (1943-56), Robin Rilley (1947-55), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), Dave Smith (1954-65) Norman Edwards (1959-64), Douglas Skene (1959-64), Nigel Watt (1963-69), James Rust (1963-71), Gillian Thomas (1975-80) and Janet Adams (1980-86).

Glasgow

Once again the mighty roar of Glasgow traffic stopped as President (for life?) Malcolm Gauld welcomed 26 members and guests (including Doug Skene, representingtheYorkCentre, James Rust, representingthe EdinburghCentre and Myrtle McGregor, the Glasgow President of the High School FPClub), with the traditional cry of 'HULLAWRER PEEPUL' to our annual dinner on Friday 28th October 2016 at the 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 Kenny Anderson, Malcolm reported that he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and in 1993 founded Anderson Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd. which has gone from strength to strength. After several 'stories' about members of our committee, Kenny proposed a very interesting toast to the School and the Club with memories of his own education and business development and words of encouragement for the younger members of the audience.

The Head Teacher, Alison Murison, very ably assisted by Conor O'Riordon (Deputy Head Boy) and Kirsty MacIver (Deputy Head Girl), giving the pupils' perspective, replied to Kenny's Toast on behalf of the School, updating us on all that was happening within its hallowed grounds, and highlighting its many successes both academically and in the vast range of extra-curricular activities.

In introducing Douglas Harper, the President of the Parent Club, Malcolm advised the company that although he is a retired surgeon, he is a man of many interests and his family background in engineering led him to publish his book “River, Railway and Ravine – Foot Suspension Bridges for Empire”. Douglas repliedonbehalfoftheClub withasummaryofhis mostenjoyabletimeinoffice, but emphasising the continuing concerns of all involved at the heart of the Club in building and sustaining links with all, especially the younger, F.Ps.

Past Head Boy(1995-96) Stefan Colling 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 3rd November 2017, again at 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.

This season, our curling team again took part in the six-team Wanderers League. Sadly, despite their valiant efforts, our squad ofStefanColling, Malcolm Gauld,Alistair Fyall, Jim Leask, Margery Taylor and the occasional guest, came last. However we are not disheartened and 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.

We have 'thrown down the gauntlet' to the Aberdeen Curling Section and hopefully a game can be arranged.

Again the 'annual' golf match against Edinburgh did not take place as we could not raise a teamofthree. So far we have beenunable to find enoughplayers for a match in 2017. 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 on to 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, as always, go to our local committee Gary Allan, Peter Cairns (Treasurer), Stefan Colling, Malcolm Gauld, Jim Leask, David McNay and Margery Taylor.

The following FPs attended the 2016 dinner (in order of entry into school):

Douglas Harper (1944-58), Peter Cairns (1945-57), Malcolm Gauld (194761), Graham Caie (1953-62), Douglas Skene (1959-64), James Rust (1963-71), Brian Davidson (1968-74), Judith Anderson née Leslie (1975-80), Margery Taylor née Coutts(1975-81), and Stefan Colling (1990-96)..

Yorkshire

The 58th Dinner of the Yorkshire Centre was held on Friday 30 September 2016 at the splendid Grange Hotel in the City of York. Our first Dinner was in Leeds in 1948 and our oldest member was at the second, but sadly we have to report his demise earlier in the year. He will be missed. His son has very kindly donated £100 to maintainour stock ofthe essential ingredient for the famous “Birse Tea”.

Local members were well supported by the Aberdeen team – the depute head teacher, head boy, head girl, President Douglas Harper and his wife Janette, with the added bonus of the chairman of the Executive, Alan Campbell, in Yorkshire for the first time, to take the views of local members on the future direction of the Club. The President highlighted the challenge of maintaining numbers, finding other means of communication between FPs and maximising our prize asset in the Club building on Queen’s Road. This was a radical and dynamic treatise on the potential for improvement and by the time these notes are published a much wider debate will have developed.

Our dinners inYorkrelyheavilyoncolleagues fromother Centres supporting the local few, so we were indebted to our friends from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Bristol, Colsterworth, Manchester and an exchange teacher from Germany – a guest of David Galloway. Our numbers are small but we are always good company in a splendid building, occupying the library and green rooms, being served excellent food – so put Friday 29 September 2017 in your diary now. We even manage to have stage and television personalities to grace proceedings, and to finish our night with couthie tales and Scottish poems our dear friend Malcolm Rennie (most recently in Mr Selfridge) and his lovely wife Tamara (née Ustinov) came to York to celebrate their wedding anniversary and delighted the company with a real taste of home, pride and purpose.

Former Pupils attending the Dinner (in order of entry into School) were:Wilson McIntosh (1932-45), Robert Cromar (1944-49), Douglas Harper (194458), Brian Bruce (1946-51), Michael Walker (1946-57), Willson Taylor (195063), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), Ivor Douglas (1952-57), Alan Campbell (195965), Douglas Skene (1959-64), David Galloway (1976-82) and Stefan Colling (1990-96).

1st XI

The 1st XI had a very good season, improving markedly from the 2015 season to finish in second place, the highest finish in many, many years. There was also a silver lining as FPs shocked their old nemesis Bon Accord to win the Small Clubs Cup, a Scottish-wide competition, against all odds. Overall, we won 12, disappointingly losing twice to Academy and once to Crescent, both sides we would have expected to defeat, our only three losses. Once again we were the only side to beat Bon Accord, in part from taking a far more positive approach against them on both occasions than witnessed by other sides.

We also made 20/20 finals day again and were again the losing finalists to Bon Accord. We will hope to go one better at the third time of asking in 2017. Our usual poor form in the Aberdeenshire Cup continued, when we crashed out to Bon Accord Ellon in unmemorable circumstances, in a similar manner to previous years. Geoff Morrison once again captained the side for the fifth and final season, and was delighted to finish his run with some silverware in the Small Clubs Cup. He will continue as a player in2017 and was delighted to hand onthebatontothekeenandenthusiasticRobSwiergon.NewcomerKaranAnand proved quite the signing, with some stunning batting and bowling displays and his largerthan lifecharacter. Havingmade116against Knightriders,he followed up with 100 from 34 balls against Gordonians in a run avalanche as FPs racked up a mind-blowing 360 for 7, before knocking their opponents over for just 55. He made 501 runs at 46 to claim the batting honours. He was well supported by Alex Kaith who made over 400 at 31 and Geoff Morrison who made close to 300 at 21. Rob Swiergon continued to build on 2015 with 339 at 28 and made two excellent scores in the 80s and one 96 not out against Mannofield in a rainshortened game. Arul Senthil made 197 at 17.9 and again suggested he was capable of a big score without delivering one of real note. Sajid Hameed made a maiden 50 in typically flamboyant style at number 10, as he and Harry Mapplebeck bailed us out in a game against Cults.

With the ball Harry Mapplebeck was the top wicket-taker with 32 at 14, and he continues to improve each year. Veteran John Thomson showed that he was a canny addition as he took 31 at 13 and they were well supported by Sajid Hameed with 24 victims, Karan Anand with 22 and Martin Worseley 16. Rory High also bowled some good off-spin claiming 15 victims and making useful middle order runs.

The Small Clubs Cup win was the highlight of the season, and for many was the first time that they had ever won anything while playing cricket. In an

eventful game, Karan Anand was named man of the match as he took 2 for 9 in sevenovers and thensmashed 31 from16 balls, includingfour sixes inone Malik over. Earlier, Bon Accord had collapsed from84 for 1 to 128 all out and FPs then reached 99 for 3, before also collapsing to 119 for 8, when Martin Worsley calmly struck the winning runs, finally getting off the mark for the season in unbelievably tense scenes and there was a real mix of joy and shock amongst the long-term team members as the winning run was scrambled.

JohnThomson’sattitudeisan example foranyyoungplayertofollow,having been left out of the semi, he still came down and supported the team and ensured he won his place in the final team. Everyone was delighted for him to play such a pivotal role with the ball, removing three of Bon Accord’s top players. Alex Keith’s experience was vital in keepingeveryone calmand anchoringthe innings initially while Clelland was superb behind the stumps, showing he is the best around and also an unsung member of the club for all the work he does. Karan Anand was rightly named man of the match for a tight bowling spell followed by his monster hitting, and he has been a vital addition to the team. Arul Senthil and John Davey batted with great calmness and Mike Nattrass fielded brilliantly to save many runs.

Sajid Hameed produced some unplayable stuff and as always lifted the team with his easy-going attitude, while Sam Knudson also rediscovered his bowling form with a great spell. Martin Worsley kept Bon Accord in check with a great spell and then showed that he could use a bat, with the winning runs. It all made it very easy for the captain, who just had to make the odd bowling change and then collect the trophy which the team had deservedly won.

Overall, the attitude of the team was first class and in a league which has unfortunately become more volatile in recent seasons, FPs behaved impeccably and played the game in the correct spirit. We also boasted probably the best fielding unit in the league, which swung a number of games in our favour.

Off the field, Roland Knudson, Chris Clelland, Ian Johnston, Matt Barker, John Davey, Gary Stuart and Rob Swiergon did a power of work and their contributions were most welcome and should not be underestimated.

2nd XI

Pre-season brought some big changes to the 2nd XI with Magesh Devendran stepping down as Captain and leaving to form the Super Kings. Unfortunately, this ledtoalossofa numberofplayerstothe newfranchise. Matt Barkerstepped up from vice-captain to take the reins.

Westartedtheseasonbrightly, winningsomecloselyfought matches,notably against Queens Cross, Stoneywood-Dyce and Banchory, but as the season progressed and the holiday season began the performances went downhill. Missing a few key personnel we had some particularly disappointing

performances against Crathie and Fraserburgh, both fellow strugglers in the league. Ultimately this led to our final league position of 7th and, with only Crathie below us, we were unfortunately relegated.

On a positive note, our cup run to the final was enjoyable and we were able to field strong teams for most fixtures. The final, against Inverurie, was a tense affair and one which we lost by just eight runs against the league champions.

On that note, another highlight of the season was being the only team to recordaleaguevictoryoverInverurie,doingsoat KellandsPark.GeoffMorrison stepped in to score a flowing 59 and Syed returned figures of 6-31 on a damp wicket and without spikes.

The main problem throughout the season was our lack of runs, failing to bat out our overs in virtuallyevery matchand, whilst our bowling was tight, it lacked penetration and wickets were often hard to come by.

The stand out performer with the bat was Chris Clelland, who featured in ten innings and compiled an aggregate of 239 at an average of 30, high scoring with 56. With the ball in hand, Kieran Whyte returned the best figures across the season, bowling 103 overs, 15 maidens, conceding 334 runs and taking 26 wickets for an average of 12. His best match figures were 4-23. The Club Catching Cup was won by 2nd XI Captain Matt Barker.

In terms of the league, we finished 7th in a league of eight, and played 13 matches, winning five. We scored 1,322 runs and lost 109 wickets, taking 79 ourselves. It is worth noting that we won the same amount of matches the previous year and finished fourth, but under a different scoring system.

Despite our relegation, it was a good season and it was particularly positive to see youngplayers like LestonD’Costa and Rajaa Monnapillai movingup from the 3rd XI and establishing themselves.

3rd XI

Season 2016 saw AGSFPs 3rd XI reach the final of the Johnston Rose Bowl and finish sixth in Grade 4, winning two matches and losing six. Team selection proved to be difficult, due to a lack of regulars, which necessitated the recall of several retired players to help out. Every game had a debutante and in one match FPs fielded seven nationalities. But FPs were not the only team with player shortages, something which is becoming a worrying trend in the Grades.

The 3rds lost their opening three matches but won a memorable Johnston Rose Bowl cup match against Aberdeen Super Kings by one wicket, with Agha Haider as the bowling hero with five wickets. The next match, at a sunny Ellon, saw Vineet Khandari score 114 and schoolboy Leston D'Costa hit 47 as FPs rattled up 276 for 6, winning by 57 runs, the highlight of the league season. Only two further matches were won in Grade 4, with victories over Turriff and 2nd Kemnay/Kintore.

The Johnston Rose Bowl final ended in defeat to a strong Stonehaven 2nd XI by 75 runs, with Haider taking 3- 32 and top scoring with 19.

Top run scorers were AlyMacDonald with 157 @ 31.4, Vineet Khandari 145 @ 36.2 and Leston D'Costa 105 @ 26.2. Leston also scored a further 66 runs playing for the 2nds and 1sts, deservedly winning the Grades Under-18 Batting Trophy.

Best bowling performances came from Agha Haider, 9 wickets @ 10.33, Risan Rafeek 7 @ 22.86, Vinod Karmilla 7 @ 31.14.

Schoolboy appearances for the 3rds were fewer due to promotion to the 1sts and 2nds, but also because of exams and holidays. Leston D'Costa's batting progressed very well as mentioned, and wicketkeeper Kingshuk Ghosh claimed six victims, including five in one match. Bowling wise, Matthew McCaughtrie took four wickets @ 30.5, Divyesh Selvaraj three wickets @ 21.3, Leston D'Costa two wickets and Rajaa Monnapillai one. Newcomers McCaughtrie and Selvaraj both look to be good prospects.

Leston D'Costa's outstanding batting performances saw him win the Ken Peters Trophy.

Curling

The Curling Section is relatively small but is most certainly very active in the curling months of September through to the end of March/early April each year. Currently we have one team of curlers who are regularly available to curl on the main indoor matches in Curl Aberdeen and take part in the prearranged programme of games in the Combined League throughout the winter months. There are currently three other Curling clubs playing competitively with us in this League and they bring another ten teams to play against which gives us an opportunity to develop our own curling skills. We also curl on special competitions such as the Henderson Trophy at Curl Aberdeen and the Grant Trophy in Forfar. We are currently about halfway up the Combined League.

Curling is very much a team game; it is also a polite and friendly game, usually with a refreshing drink afterwards as both teams socialise. The days of curling outdoors in the country are now rare and require different gear, but the earlyspirit ofcomradeship continues into today’s indoor rinks and more accurate ice. It would be ideal to have more FPs (both male and female) joining us in this great sport and members of the Club Centre who are not FPs will also be made most welcome and would fit in with us very well indeed. Any of our curlers would be delighted to have an informal chat with a view to any of the above having a try-out with us at say the restart of the game in September.

Contact: Colin Sutherland – csutherland196@btinternet.com

Tel: 01330 825687

Football

The Football Section had a slow start to the 2016-17 season as unavailability of players meant that the run of games before Christmas proved to be disappointing.

After the winter break, the team pulled in some good results against higherplaced opposition, but the damage caused earlier in the season saw FP Football relegated to the third division for the first time in five years.

The team is looking to re-build and place emphasis on committed players to mount a strong title challenge, having previously bounced right back from third division to then win the second division and compete in the first.

The club are keen to bring in new players and extend this invitation to both pupils of the School as well as Former Pupils. For players interested we would advise to contact the Facebook page at Grammar FPs Football Section for details of pre-season training and friendlies.

Men’s Hockey

A new season and a new surface at Rubislaw ushered in some very green yet sandy shoots of expectation. At the time of writing, the firsts narrowly missed out on promotion to National League 2, falling just short in the final few games of the season. The seconds and thirds are both in North District 1, the seconds holdinga mid-table position, the thirds proppingup the best ofthe rest and facing undoubted relegation into District League 2. The fourth team continue in District league 2 and are unlikely to reach the required points tally for play-offs or promotion, however their reputation for consumption of assorted brown ales remains unblemished for the season.

There have been much better fairings in the warmer climes of the indoor arena. The firsts finished in a respectable mid-table position and retained National League Indoor Division 3 status, whilst the seconds clinched the North District Indoor Development League on goal difference from Gordonians, which added to the undoubted satisfaction of a title win.

More than ever, Hockey in the North-east continues to head towards becoming a ‘minority sport’, despite successes at Olympic and National level, as our governance aim for ‘quality over quantity’. The social and activity choices available for the younger generations require that we have to work all the harder to encourage themto take up and enjoyhockeyfromanearlyage, over and above the many, many opportunities which exist for the youth of today. Whilst we are delighted to see the generations which commit to hockeytravel throughthe ranks of the School team and into the FP men’s teams it is however, academic success achieved at school that often sees our teams depleted a generation at a time as they head off to the bright lights of university, usually away from the reaches of

home in Aberdeen. Our demographic therefore consist of well-seasoned veterans, some MAMILs (Middle Aged Men in Lycra), and a rather large gap to a handful of students and the school-aged generation. Coupled with the downturn in the oil industry, our reduced numbers affect our lack of competition for first and second team places, which continues to hinder sustained growth. Unfortunately there does not seem to be an immediate fix for this slide, but we continue to fight a good fight.

That being said, from adversity comes great triumph, and it is fulfilling to see so manyofthe School teamsteppinginto the breach and adequatelyholdingtheir own in the men’s leagues and who, despite some unfavourable results, are still keen to keep coming back for more hockey. Playing at this level has also other benefits, with the School team continuing to perform at an exceptional level.

Season 2016/17 marked the twentieth anniversary of the John Drummond Trophy, and the annual hockey fixtures between the School and Grammarians associated with this were played during the second weekend in December. Fortunately the weather was kind and both Grammarians teams were strengthened by the return of John’s son Alan from Vancouver. He scored in both games and earned a two minute spell on the sideline for some over-zealous tackling…..a trait he inherited from his father.

On the Saturday the School S3 (U-16) team beat Senior Grammarians 2 – 1 and retained the ‘Grammarians Cup’; while on Sunday Grammarians (Over 35s) drew 1-1 with the School 1st team in the John Drummond match. Both games were evenly matched, played in good spirit and well umpired.

After the Sunday fixture a large crowd returned to the FP Club for the traditional lunch, (Mike Stewart’s soup went down well again), the raffle and the awards ceremony. A substantial sum was raised to support the FPs boys’ hockey programme.

Before the awards ceremony glasses were raised in memory of both Eric Watt, who passed away in 2016, and his good friend John Drummond. The opportunity was also taken to thank all those FP officials, captains and umpires who run the Hockey Section plus the FP coaches who support the School and its feeder primary schools.

Mrs. Dianne Drummond was Grammarians’ guest of honour and presented the Grammarians Cup to Cameron Ogilvie and the John Drummond Trophy to Duncan Harris.

Individual Youth Awards were:

‘DuncanJeffreyAward’(FP U-21PlayeroftheYear) –HamishRobson

‘Colt of the Year’ 2016 (AGS Player of Year) – Cammie Robson

‘Grammarians Medals’ – Lucas Findlay and Harry McLeod

As always, the Hockey Section functions solely on the tireless efforts of a small unwavering band of its collective in running and maintaining the day-to-

day operations of the Section. Without this dedication and ongoing commitment the picture would not be worthy of review. The hard work of coaches and some committed hockey-lovingparents continues to see outreach to the primaryschool communities, sowing early seeds for grass roots hockey and the future of the Club. The management of the Section continue to explore avenues to lower costs and increase funding to keep the good work going. However, the administration burden betweenScottishHockey, NorthDistrict, club cap, PVG, School, parents, City Council and other interested parties ensures Howard Smith’s ‘semiretirement’ is spent fulfilling a Rubislaw sized carbon neutral footprint with recycled paper. Therefore we would welcome with open arms assistance from any quarter in the running of the Section.

As ever, we are thankful for the ongoing support from the parent Club, other Sections and the Club Centre, and look forward to your support for next season.

Pétanque

The Pétanque Section for 2016 had thirty members who enjoyed a busy season, taking part in our various competitions during the six-month period from May to September.

We introduced a Round-Robin Competition which twenty of our members entered and this allowed each to enjoy playing their nineteen competitors at convenient times. This, of course, also helped out by increasing Club Centre bar sales on evenings when the premises are not that busy. Our thanks go to David McDonald for keeping the various scores and eventually we had a winner in Derek Young.

As this was a popular event we will again be running such a competition in 2017, starting at the beginning of May.

As the Piste was becoming overgrown with weeds a number of members got together, re-laid the gravel, put down weed-killer and even painted the fence. We have brightened up the area by putting a large mural on the fence and adding piste numbers.

Our Annual Prize Giving was held in the Club Centre at the beginning of December when we had a superb luncheon and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon was had by all. Details of the Winners are as undernoted.

On Boxing Day we tried something new in that we opened up the Petanque Piste and some thirty people joined members of the Petanque Section where we organised a “Come and Try Event” and had a hilarious time playing on the Piste which was covered with snow. We all warmed ourselves up after the games with hot Gluevin, Sausage Rolls and Xmas Pies and some sweet tit-bits.

Our Annual General Meeting was held at the beginning of April 2017, when a new Committee was elected and our various Competitions were inserted in the Diary for the 2017 Season.

The following are the results of the 2016 Competitions:

Singles Championship

Winner: Philip Henderson

Runner-up: Elizabeth Chrystall

Doubles Championship

Winners: Roger Bartlett and David Earp

Runners-up: Ian Esslemont and Mark Shewan

Triples Championship

Winners: Barbara Buckett, Patrick Buik and Sheila Ritchie

Runners-up: Derek Young, Richard Cradock and David Earp

Peter Tawse Memorial Trophy (Summer Solstice)

Winner: Patrick Buik

Runner-up: Stuart Duncan

Maurice Chevalier Trophy

Winner: Ian Esslemont

Runner-up: Stuart Duncan.

Ronnie Comber Trophy

Winner: Ken Pritchard

Runner-up: Richard Cradock

The Alistair Ritchie Plate

Winners: Heather Auld, Sheila Ritchie, Patrick Buik and Jennie Duncan.

The Petanque Section is always looking for new members at all levels and age and anyone interested in joining us should contact Katie McDonald katiebarnett126@gmail.com. for further information.

Office-bearers:

Captain: Barbara Buckett

Secretary: Katie McDonald

Treasurer: Karen Vass.

Women’s Hockey

This time last year I reported that we were coming towards the end of a tough and exciting season for our 1st XI. I can nowconfirmthat our 1st XI did, indeed, wintheNorthDistrictDivisionOnetitle. Westillruntwo outdoorteams weekly and with our Captains standing down at the end of last season, this season felt like the dawning of a new era for the teams with new Captains for both squads.

Our 1st XI started the outdoor season brightly and we carried on as we had finished the previous season. We have a super blend of old and young with the ages ranging from 15 to 47 in our First team. The team remains undefeated this season so far in the League. Most notably, we have only let in two goals so far! The defence have a vast amount of experience and our youthful front line keep popping away the goals in a timely manner. We did go out of the Scottish Cup after a hard fought two-all draw with a Shetland select team, losing to them on penalties...a very frustrating way to go out of any competition, but we have taken pride in knowing that we were undefeated in the match in normal time and Shetland have made it through to the Final. This has made the defeat easier to take, as we know the match with them could have gone either way!

The first XI are currently sitting at the top of North District Division One and are eight points clear with a game in hand, having beaten the second-placed team just last weekend. There will be matches until earlyMaythis year so there is still a long way to go but we hope to continue on this fine run of form and retain the title.

Our 2nd XI are also a blend of ages, and range in age, most weeks, from 14 to 74!!! While the statistics for the 2nd team are not quite as impressive as those of the 1st XI, they are certainly enjoying their sport and do the Club proud each and every week.

The indoor season this year saw us enter two teams in the North District Indoor Division One. The 1st VI had an incredible season and retained the Division One title. Again the defence was significant in the victories, as they kept their opposition at bay. Although they won the League element of the season there was a play-off day and so they had to face their toughest opposition twice, as the top three teams played cross-over matches for the title. It would be fair to say that the League Title was all the sweeter having been won in this fashion! Interestingly, out of our squad of just nine players this year four are FPs and two are still at the School.

The 2nd VI loved every minute of their Division One experience. Their determination was second to none and they gave some of the teams a much tougher match than they had been expecting. We saw some of our younger players getting a real opportunity to shine this year, and the season was fun for all.

Former Pupils’ Section

Our usual thanks must go to our coach, Murray Bissett, who tolerates all the weather and terrible banter from the girls on a weekly basis. Thanks, in particular, also go to Gill Graham and Rob Parfitt who umpire regularly for the girls. Thanks also to all the unsung heroes, too, who make our matches happen week to week.

For further information contact:

Emma Mair, Secretary, emma.mair14@gmail.com

Annual Dinner

This year saw a change of venue for the Annual Dinner. After several years at the Hilton Aberdeen TreetopsHotel we gathered inthe grand surroundings of the Royal Northern & University Club on Friday 24 March 2017. The attendance was once again disappointing. As is the usual practice there were representatives from other Former Pupils’ Clubs both local and from further afield.

We were delighted to welcome Janet Adams, Deputy Head Teacher, who is herself a Former Pupil. She was accompanied by Deputy Head Boy, Conor O’Riordan and Deputy Head Girl, Kirsty McIver. Also present were seven of the Club’s Honorary Vice-Presidents.

The President ofthe Club, Douglas Harper, was inthe chair, and with his own calm assurance kept the proceedings under control. The Club provided an excellent menu accompanied by a choice selection from their wine list. After the meal raffle prizes were distributed to successful winners. The Dinner committee is grateful for the generosity of members who contribute these prizes, the draw being a means to contain the costs of the Dinner and keep the price reasonable.

The traditional principal toast, to “The School and the Club”, was proposed by Kenneth McHardy, a distinguished endocrinologist, who reflected on his own days at the School in 1964-73, immediately before its brief transformation into Rubislaw Academy. He recalled his own happyexperience of schoolboyhockey, cricket and playing in the Pipe Band. He considered his Grammar schooldays to have laid the foundation for his life’s work in the battle with diabetes, much of the training for which was down to other FPs distinguished in that field of medical expertise.

Replying on behalf of the School, Miss Adams remarked on the Head Teacher’s focus on her pupils inspiring the staff to do their utmost to give their pupils the very best opportunities. Those working towards to National 4 and 5 and on to Advanced Highers were very dedicated and the School is presently ranked 14th out of 400 in Scotland. New opportunities have become available so that a group of teachers has got together to improve the quality of education for the present generation of pupils. The two pupil Deputes gave their particular flavour of life in the School, commenting on the variety of interests open to them to follow and on the successes of the extra-curricular activities available to them.

Replying for the Club, the President commented on some of the highlights of his year in office with his attendance at the gatherings of the Centres which he had been able to attend. He also stressed the importance of the consultation upon which the Executive Committee was engaged to increase membership of the Club and to renew and strengthen the links between the Club and the School.

Mr Alan Campbell, Vice-President and Chairman of the Executive, proposed a toast to our guests and a vote of thanks to Neil Lawrie for the excellence of his arrangements for the evening and expressed the company’s thanks to the staff of the R.N.U.C for the courteous manner in which they had met our needs.

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), A.K.Campbell (1944-53), D.R. Harper (1944-58), J.A.C. Michie (1944-58), D.B.Galloway(1944-58),D.L.Allan(1945-58),M.B.Edwards(1946-60), A.D. Milne (1950-58), I.H. McLeod (1951-55), I.W. Douglas (1952-57), J.C. Lyon (1953-59), K.G. Jones (1957-66), F.I. Lloyd (1958-65), A.G. Campbell (195965), D. Leighton (1959-72), N.J.G. Lawrie (1961-74), N.G.M. Watt (1963-69), K. McHardy (1964-73), D.G. Moir (1969-75), A. J. Thompson (1969-75), G.K. Crookshanks (1979-85), D.R.D. Wallis (1979-85), J.C. Adams (1980-86), T.J. Rolfe (1982-86) and T.R. Philpot (1983-86)

Next year’s Dinner will be held at the Royal Northern & University Club on Friday 23 March 2018.

Club ’57 - 60 Years On!

Club ’57 was an idea which emerged clearly in early 2009 after a number of small, informal gatherings over the previous two years of classmates who had been in the stream that left School in 1957. Since then, about fifteen of us have met for Lunch every three months to put the world to rights and chat about old times. There are about a dozen others who live down south or abroad who also keep in touch and who are always welcome to join us when they visit Aberdeen. Our Festive Lunch, to which wives are always invited, is held in early December and these are always special occasions.

Earlier this year we decided that it would be funto markthe 60th Anniversary of our leaving School in 1957. The event was to be fairly low key, as travel is getting more difficult for some, but despite this we were joined by Peter Green from Canada and Andy Stout from Perth, Australia. We also had several very supportive communications from those who could not attend. The get-together

was to have two mainelements – a visit to the School and RubislawonThursday, 29th June followed by lunch on Friday, 30th June at Deeside Golf Club.

Alison Murison, the Head Teacher, was very supportive and helpful when discussing the possibility of a visit to the School and asked Janet Adams, Deputy Head Teacher, to coordinate the arrangements as she was attending a Graduation Ceremony. Peter Green and Andy Stout were staying at the Atholl Hotel so we all met there for coffee before heading to the School for an 11.10am start. On arrival we were met by a group of Prefects, including the Head Boy and Head Girl, who were to accompany us (keep an eye on us?) on our Tour. We headed for the Hall where Janet (who is herself a Former Pupil) gave us an interesting talk about the School today and answered a range of questions, as did the Prefects. We then headed off round the building, starting with the Library, which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, and then it became increasingly difficult to identify familiar landmarks. Next it was outside to head to the old Lower School, where the layout of the classrooms was unchanged, althoughtheir use was. We spotted Freddy Edwards’ old office with the word ‘Headmaster’ still on the door! Then out into the drizzle and across into the old Kindergarten building. I don’t think any of us had been in that building since we progressed to Lower School in 1946, so that was interesting, as a few of us had first gone to Nursery School there in 1942 and 1943. Then it was back into the main building and along the old main corridor – the old stone flagstones are now covered up and there are no ”Tombstones” on the walls – past the old Jannie’s Box and into the Rector’s Office (not much changed) for a final chat with our excellent guides. We took the opportunity to present some flowers to Janet Adams and also to thank the Prefects who were helpful, considerate and articulate and clearly had a great pride in the School and in their position as Prefects.

Afterourvisit weheadedforRubislawwheretwooftheGroundStaffshowed us round the splendid changing rooms and the restored Memorial Pavilion –much talk about the cramped old changing rooms and the cold showers and disgusting soap, but good memories (for most of us) all the same! Then off to the Atholl Hotel for a bowl of soup and more chat.

On the Friday we all assembled at Deeside Golf Club (courtesy Ian McLeod) at 12 noon sharp, with all the chaps wearing FP Ties! We had also invited wives and, in addition, we were joined by Isabel Wright, Joannie Fowlie and Vivienne Harper which was marvellous. A very welcome late attendee was Gillian Thomas, current President of the FP Club, who was over from Calgary to attend the School Prize Giving the previous week. Ian McLeod and Barton Brown had worked extremely hard to assemble a great display of Photos and other memorabilia in the Trophy Room. There was lots of browsing and chat before going through for lunch in the dining room which we had to ourselves and which was beautifully set out. A short welcome and then a Toast to the School, the FP Club and Absent Friends before an excellent meal was served. Over coffee

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Back (LR) Barton Brown, Bill Duff, Ian Kennaway, Malcolm Webster, Alastair Mathieson, Robin Rilley, Peter Green, Andy Stout

& Martin Jeffrey Front (LR) Ron McKay, Ian McLeod, Gillian Thomas (Club President), John Barber, Graham Barron, George King

Alastair Mathieson gave us an interesting insight into the “Bush” (Head of Art) and also displayed a portrait of an unknown person painted by the “Bush” and which Alastair had traced and purchased some time ago. Gillian Thomas talked to us about her hopes as President for the regeneration of the FP Club and in particular her objective to increase recruitment, particularly among younger former pupils. Then it was open house for anyone to talk briefly about their experiences of School – a surprisingly large number of which involved punishment with the infamous Lochgelly Tawse wielded by Staff including JJR and John Flett. The contribution that surprised most was Barton Brown standing up in his original School Blazer which could still be buttoned and fitted remarkably well!

After that it was time to retire to the Trophy Room for a last browse through the Memorabilia. It was well after 4pm when the last of us left, which confirmed what a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting gathering we had experienced. A date has still to be set for our next major Anniversary get together!

Those attending were: John Barber (1947-57), Graham Barron (1943-54), Barton Brown (1943-57), Bill Duff (1953-57), Peter Green (1947-57), Martin Jeffrey (1942-57), Ian Kennaway (1943-57), George King (1946-54), Alastair Mathieson (1943-57), Ron McKay (1950-57), Ian McLeod (1951-55), Robin Rilley (1947-55), Andy Stout (1951-57) and Malcolm Webster (1949-57).

Martin Jeffrey

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 2017 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

School Leavers: Free up to five years from leaving Note: School Leavers may also become Members of the Club Centre when they reach the age of 18 on application to the Club Centre Secretary.

Special Notes for Members over 75:

Historically, all members of the FP Club become “Long Service” Members from 1st January in the year following the year in which they reach the age of 75. Thereafter Life Membersarenolongerexpectedto make “Topup”Payments and Ordinary (Annual) Members no longer have to pay Subscriptions. However, as a very significant number of members are aged over 75, it is suggested that they might continue making payments, i.e. Top-up and Annual, on a voluntary basis

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 2016 was £4343 of which £600 was placed in the Second Century Fund. Our grateful thanks go to everyone who has contributed. It is hoped that this Fund will receive a significant boost from the current round of Top-up payments now being requested.

New Members of the Club – 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017

Life Member

Kenneth C. McHardy (1964-73)

Annual Members

David G. Anderson 1954-58

Congratulations to the following members of the Club who will attain the age of 75 during 2017 and so will become Long Service Members on 1st January 2018

Life Members

David R. Auld 1947-61

Nigel F. Matthews 1958-61

Colin G.F. Brockie 1955-60 Charles A. Michie 1946-60

Martin A. Campbell 1947-60

James M. Clark 1947-59

William Crighton 1955-61

David G. Miller 1953-60

W. Douglas Mitchell 1946-61

Thomas J.G. Paton 1952-59

James B. Davidson 1947-60 M. Plowman 1949-60

Michael Gibb 1947-61 C. Duncan Rice 1949-60

Alan W. Gillies 1954-59

Albert King 1954-59

Michael G. King 1951-60

Keith D. Large 1947-60

Gordon O. McDougall 1946-58

Ian M. Marr

George A. Robb 1946-60

Donald F. Ross 1946-60

Alastair I. Soppit 1954-60

Colin R. Sutherland 1947-60

David J. Thomson 1954-58

Ivan C.F. Wisely 1948-61

Annual Members

Meldrum B. Edwards 1947-60

Robert C. Scace 1954-60

Roger D. Gallie 1952-60 Ian Thomson 1952-60

David N. Marshall 1952-60

Long Service Members

For several years now we have published the names of our Nonagenarians. Sadly, five of these died in the past year, but three 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:-

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

Alexander C. Thomson 1930-41 30 June 1923

Eric Johnston 1935-40 15 October 1923

Neil C. Irvine

Robert J. Bain

Joseph Farquharson

George M. Anderson

Alastair G. Robertson

Peter Rennie

John C.G. Brown

Roy Brown 1932-43

Michael P. Littlejohn 1939-43

Ellis M. Philip 1937-43

Alastair H. Tawse

William J. Farquhar

Peter Cooper

Eric A. Alexander

Quintin

Harry

George

James G.

Peter

Frederick M. Gardiner

January 1924

April 1924

April 1924

November 1924

November 1924

December 1924

May 1925

July 1925

September 1925

October 1925

December 1925

March 1926

April 1926

1926

1926

July 1927

NOTES about FORMER PUPILS

Honours and Awards

Queen’s Birthday Honours

Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Charles Pirie Skene (1940-47) DBA was appointed to the rank of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in this year’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his contribution to entrepreneurship and enterprise. Charles has been a visiting professor of Entrepreneurship at Robert Gordon University for the last twenty years. He has had a long involvement with education, having had a spell as a governor of the former RGIT in Aberdeen and an appointment as an Industrial Consultant to the Scottish Education/Industry Committee. As a PriceBabson Fellow of the Babson College, Boston he played a key role in the fostering of strong links between Scottish universities and best practice in entrepreneurship studies in American universities. Charles is the founder and chairman of the Skene Group which operates business centres, hotel suites and the Inchmarlo Retirement Village near Banchory. He was previously awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. He is committed to encouraging enterprise education for young people, in pursuance of which he established the Skene Young Entrepreneurs Award open to Scottish primary and secondary schools.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Graham Charles Murray Watt (1957-70) BMedBiol, MB,ChB, MD, FRSE was appointed to membership of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in this year’s Birthday Honours for services to healthcare. Graham has held the Norie Miller Chair of General Practice at Glasgow University since 1994. Previously he worked for the Medical Research Council Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit at Glyncorrwg, South Wales, where he gained accreditation in community medicine (public health) and general practice. As well as his teaching role at the University, he is the co-ordinator ofGeneral Practitioners at the Deep End, where he listens, captures, expresses and adds to the views and experience of general practitioners working in the most deprived communities in Scotland.

Honorary Degrees

At the Summer Graduation Ceremony held at Aberdeen University in June the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on Donald Alexander Lamont (195165) MA in recognition of his long and distinguished career in the Diplomatic Service. He served in Vienna and Moscow before being posted to Berlin at the Republic of Ireland Department soon after the IRA ceasefire. In 1999 Donald was appointed Governor of the Falkland Islands and Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. He was involved in major diplomatic initiatives which saw the greatest progress with Argentina since the end of the 1982 invasion. He later served as Ambassador to Venezuela.

After retiring from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 2007 he was for two years the chief executive of Wilton Park, with a role in the organisation of conferences on a range ofinternational policyissues. He also served onthe board of Sistema Scotland, bringing to Scotland the very successful Venezuelan scheme of classical orchestral education for disadvantaged children.

Donald was President of the FP Club in 2010-11.

Gordon Grant Benton (1946-50) OBE, DTech, RIBA now lives in Newburgh, having worked in twelve countries around the Indian Ocean and the Far East for sixty years. He was an apprentice to Aberdeen County Council, qualified as an architect in the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture on Schoolhill and worked with Scott Sutherland, Bennet Mitchell and the Allan, Ross & Allan offices in Aberdeen. He found himself attracted overseas by huge challenges and worked in East Africa, Iran, East and West Pakistan and finally back in his birthplace in charge of an architect’s office in Kuala Lumpur. He became a partner in the firm’s regional practice, based in Singapore, with offices from Sri Lanka to Vanuatu.

Twenty-one years later he set up his own practice in Singapore with competition-winning projects until he won an urban planning competition for an Edge City near Jakarta in Indonesia, Lippo Village, on which, as Director of Planning & Development and later as a Development Audit Consultant, he worked for the next twenty-six years. For eight years he was the city’s first Mayor.

Since returningto Scotland he has continued to work for clients in South-East Asia as a master planner, currently on ongoing city developments.

John Munro Corall (1962-65), who has served as SNP councillor for Ashley, Hazlehead & Queen’s Cross ward on Aberdeen City Council for the past five

years, did not seek re-election at the local elections in May. He had previously served the Midstocket & Rosemount ward following a by-election victory in 2007. He has been vice-convener of both the infrastructure and the housing & environment committees. A former seafarer and teacher, he has strong views on conserving Aberdeen’s heritage and plans to continue to give lectures on the city’s past.

Zoey Clark (2006-12) graduated from Aberdeen University in June with first class honours in chemical engineering. She is taking a year out to concentrate on her athletics career which she has pursued throughout her time at University. Her speciality is the 400-metre relay race, and she is predicted to finish in the top two at the British Athletics Championships which would mean automatic selection for the 2018 Olympic Games. Zoey won a School Cap for Athletics in 2012 having won Gold in the European Junior Championships and medalled in the ScottishSchools indoor championship. She also competed inthe Commonwealth Youth Games.

Jeremy Wynne Cresswell (1962-65) has retired as editor of Energy in association with the Press & Journal newspaper. Having previously served with HM Coastguard and at the Aberdeen Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, he was working with the Sea Fish Industry Authority at the time of the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988. The following year he joined the staff of the Press & Journal to take on its Energy desk and he has been writing about oil and gas ever since.

He was honoured with a Significant Achievement Award at the last Oil & Gas UK Awards ceremony in Aberdeen in recognition of his tireless work over the years to champion the industry. More recently, celebrating his 25th visit to the Offshore Technology Conference, he was honoured by having May 1 named as Jeremy Cresswell Day in Houston. He has not retired completely, having been asked to continue to write Energy Eye.

Iain Esslemont (1939-50) MB,ChB, DObstRCOG, FRCGP, Dip.Aust.COG, has been ona visit to Aberdeenrecently fromhis home inWestern Australia. Havingspent his National Service in the Far East, latterly with a Gurkha Battalion, he opted for medical practice in Malaya where he spent seventeen years. He then migrated to Western Australia where he was in general practice until retiring in 1999. Ten years later he wrote his autobiography Life is what you make it published by Melrose Books. This has been well reviewed, one reviewer commenting “Everyone, who can, should write a book about their life and learning. Mostly, it will be for the benefit of their descendants. Sometimes, such books deserve a wider audience and this book is one of them”. The book can be obtained through the publisher or through Amazon.

Gillian M.E. Graham (1991-97), who has been deputy head teacher at Walker Road Primary School for the past six years, has been appointed head teacher of Manor Park Primary School.

Gregory John Herrera (1981-87) is a partner in Energy Ventures, a private equity firm, headquartered in Stavanger but with offices in Houston and Aberdeen, which is planning to invest in North Sea businesses which have high growthpotentialbutare presentlystrugglingfinanciallyinthe oilpricedownturn. The firm is prepared to invest substantial sums in upstream service and technology suppliers.

Greg’s younger brother Keith Joseph Herrera (1980-85) is a priest attached to St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Aberdeen.

William (Bill) Jack (1945-51) studied architecture at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, now Robert Gordon University, and after working for a year in Edinburgh went to Cornell University in New York State, USA on a Fellowship to study for a Master’s degree in Architecture. He graduated in 1960. He worked for a year in America before returning to the UK where he joined Building Design Partnership, a new practice in course of formation. This quickly developed into a major national and international multi-disciplinary practice, with all professions involved in designing large projects. Based in the London office, Bill was a senior partner responsible for many projects in the UK and overseas, one of the most notable of which was the Royal Opera House development in Covent Garden, won in an international competition with an architect friend. Bill became chairman of BDP and retired in 1991. He was then appointed to the Board of the Docklands Development Corporation and served as chairman of the Planning committee until the LDDC was closed in 1998, having done its job in making the docklands into a new and thriving part of London.

Bill had indirect contact with Aberdeen as he opened the Glasgow office of BDP in 1970 having been commissioned to do two large projects in Glasgow, one of them for Strathclyde University, and this office was also responsible for the shopping centre at Aberdeen Railway Station and for the new building for the School of Architecture on the RGU campus at Garthdee.

Jennifer Laing (née Lamond) (1977-83) MA was re-elected as a Labour councillor for Midstocket and Rosemount ward in Aberdeenat the local elections in May. First elected to the City Council in 2007 she has recently been convener of the Education, Culture and Sport committee. For the last two years she has been leader of the City Council and has been confirmed as such in the new administration although Labour is no longer the majority party.

Ian McIntosh (1950-56), who was formerly a draughtsman and later a writer of computer software for Ferranti and later Vickers Defence before retiring nearly ten years ago, earned a reputation of being able to prepare the most complex programme effortlessly. A colleague described how Ian sat at his keyboard and generated code straight from his head and into computer memory without any preparation. He has written a book, The Book of the Brain, challenging the view of neuroscientists that the brain cannot work at speed without extensive practice. He proposes the view that, far from being slow and lazy and prone to making mistakes, his brain was telling him what to type and he was struggling to keep up.

RamsayGallowayMilne (1958-71),whohasbeenaLabour councillorfor many years in Aberdeen, lost his seat as councillor for Tillydrone, Seaton and Old Aberdeen at the local elections in May. He was until then convener of the City Council’s planning committee.

John Edgar Mutch (1980-84) is the owner and managing director of John Mutch Building Services in Aberdeen. The expanding business, which specialises in commercial and industrial maintenance and installations as well as domesticelectrical,plumbing, roofingandjoineryservices,hasrecentlyacquired another Aberdeen plumbing business on the owner’s retiral It is hoped that this will drive new business and allow the firm to expand its work-force.

Alastair Edward Duff Nicol (1962-75) MA retired in April after thirty-seven years in local government, first with Grampian Regional Council and, after local government reorganisation, thereafter with Aberdeenshire Council. With an honoursdegreeinGerman hetookatemporarypostintheGRC mailroombefore appointment as a Committee Officer. By 1988 he was Principal Committee Officer responsible for the Education committee. With Aberdeenshire Council from 1996 he continued with the Education Committee and three years later also clerked meetingsofthe fullCouncil.Inretirementhe plans to complete his hobby of Munrobagging, which is well on the way to achievement, and to continue his attendance at operas and concerts of the various Scottish orchestras.

Alastair M. North (1937-50) OBE, BSc, DSc, PhD, FRSE, FRIC continues as a visiting Professor at Mahidol University, Bangkok where he supervises a couple of postgraduate research students and does a small amount of lecturing on Polymer (Plastics & Rubbers) Molecular Physics. He is also adviser to White Group Ltd. Which imports speciality chemicals from overseas and markets them to Thai clients.

RichardRennie(1999-2004),whogave someexcellentperformances with Face the Music while at School, and who performed with Stagecoach and Scottish Youth Theatre, left Aberdeen as soon as he left School to join the cast of Disneyland Paris. He later obtained a place at the Doreen Bird School of Dance in London. After graduating in 2008 he was signed up by modelling and commercial agencies and recruited by brands such as River Island. He was then offered, but turned down, a place in the Moulin-Rouge in Paris. A year later the offer was repeated and for the last six years he has been performing to more than 2000 people each night on what is arguably the most glamorous stage in the world. His sights are now set on Los Angeles.

Melissa Smart (2006-12) graduated from Aberdeen University in June with first class honours in French with distinction in spoken French. During her course she spent a year on a teaching placement in Lille which she credits with greatly improving her French language skills. She is now undergoing teacher training with a view to becoming a secondary schoolteacher of French.

Roy Stirrat (1959-64) BA, FRTPI is now concluding town planning consultancy work in northern Scotland and stepping down as Chair of Link Ltd, one of Scotland’s largest groups of housing associations and social enterprises. He previously studied architecture at the Scott Sutherland School in Aberdeen and then geography and sociology at Leeds University before taking up local authority work, first in Hampshire and then in Aberdeenshire at the onset of oil developments. From 1974 he worked in private practice, self-employed from 1978, working on property data and town planning projects. He has lived for the past 33 years in Edinburgh.

George Kynoch Yule (1963-67) MUniv has retired from the chairmanship of Aberdeen Sports Village after nine years in post. He was recommended by his old friend Marshall Byres (1960-69) who had been approached but declined as he was living and working in Hong Kong. He has seen the operation grow from a staff of 44 to its present strength of over 240. He recalls observing that this was a fantastic facility but that it had to be backed up by fantastic people to deliver a first class service, and now can claim that this is exactly what has been achieved. George continues to be vice-chairman of Aberdeen Football Club.

Marriages

McDonald (1961-67) – At Ferryhill Church, Aberdeen on 5 July 2017, David McDonald, 126 Osborne Place, Aberdeen to Katie Barnett.

Obituaries

Two FP Nonagenarians

Francis William Alexander (1935-42) died peacefully in a nursing home in Torphins on 29 December 2016 following a short illness. He was aged 92 and was thus one of the FP Club’s celebrated Nonagenarians. At School he was a front row forward in the 1st XV and an enthusiastic member of the 9th Troop of Boy Scouts. Soon after leaving School he was called up for military service, joining the Fleet Air Arm. He was posted for training in Canada, America and Trinidad as well as in Europe and at Lee-on-Solent before being posted to Burma just as the War in the Far East ended

On his return, Frank worked as a cost accountant in the Caledon Shipyard in Dundee. After his marriage he moved to Dublin where he worked with a joinery business. In 1957 he returned to Aberdeen where he joined Charles Davidson & Sons, board and paper makers at Mugiemoss as a cost accountant and financial manager. Later he held a similar post with Donald C. Stewart, builders and engineering contractors before finally joining Core Laboratories (UK) Ltd, geotechnical engineers in Dyce, with whom he worked until into his seventies.

Frank enjoyed holidaying in Glenelg on the Scottish west coast. He was closely involved with the Dolphin Swimming Club and in the provision of swimming training for children. In his later years he was a keen philatelist.

Following the death of his wife in 1981 Frank remarried. Sadly he was predeceased by his second wife and a daughter, but is survived by his children Grant (1961-70), Eunice (1976-82), Neil (1978-84) and Lesley as well as by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His younger brother Eric Archie Alexander (1935-43), who is also a Nonagenarian, lives in Derby.

Robert James Armstrong (1934-41) died peacefully in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness on 4 December 2016 aged 94. Born in Bannockburn he came to the Grammar at the age of twelve when his father, the general manager of W. Alexander & Sons bus company moved to Aberdeen. A keen rugby and cricket player, he played inside forward in the 1st XV in season 1940-41 but his season was spoiled by twice suffering a broken collar-bone. On leaving School he was called up for military service in Royal Signals with the Commandos, and after training at the Commando Basic Training Centre at Achnaharry he saw service in Greece, Albania, Sicily, Italy and Palestine.

On release from the forces Robin entered the motor trade and, despite his father’s senior position, started at the bottomas a bus driver. Apost with Leyland and Scammell took him to Glasgow. A switch to SMT saw a return to Aberdeen. A broad interest in sport narrowed to golf, which became his abiding passion.

With a family of four, holidays in the 1950s were in Nairn or Elgin with beaches for the youngsters and golf courses for Dad. He was a lomg-time member of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.

Robin had golfed frequently at Dornoch and identified it as his retirement spot, but in 1974, long before he reached retirement age, the owner of the Dornoch Inn called him to say he was selling up and offered him the chance to buyit. With no previous experience of the licensed trade Robin seized the chance and was a firm, no nonsense landlord who kept the place inorder and encouraged his customers to have a good time. He retired in 1984 to spend more time on the golf course.

Apart from golf, rugby and his family Robin loved cars, preferably fast or sleek. He had owned two Mercedes Benz, and liked the VW Sciroccos and the bigger Toyota models.

Robin is survived by his wife, Betty, to whom he had been married for just months short of seventy years, by three sons and a daughter, nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He was proud to be recognised as one of the FP Club’s distinguished group of Nonagenarians.

Ian Ogilvie Brown (1937-48) died peacefully in a care home in Aberdeen on 6 February 2017 after a long illness. He was aged 83. On leaving School he joined the wholesale department of Esslemont & McIntosh in Aberdeen, his time there being interrupted when he was called up for National Service. After two years in the Royal Navy he became a sales executive for E&M and later for Blindcraft in Aberdeen, covering the North and North-east of Scotland and the Islands. Ian was a member ofthe SevenIncorporated Trades ofAberdeen for over fifty years, and held offices in the Weaver Incorporation.

Ian was an enthusiastic member of the 9th (AGS) Troop of Boy Scouts for many years and served as Cubmaster and later as Troop Leader. It was at a scout camp that he acquired his nickname: the scouts wanted to know what his middle initial stood for and they were invited to guess. Their eventual decision was “Oscar” and so he became widely known as such.

Ian played rugbyat School and played for 1st FPs in the late ‘50s, after which he was a staunch supporter of the game.

Ian is survived by his wife, Rhoda, with whom he celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2009. He is survived by two sons, one of them being Iain Campbell Brown (1974-78). His two grandsons also attended the School – Richard C. Brown (1997-2002) and Alexander W. Brown (1999-02). Ian’s brother KennethForbesBrown (1935-47)nowlivesinAustralia.Their youngerbrother Alexander Scott Brown (1939-51) died in 2011.

Eric Alexander Buchan (1951-65) died peacefully at his home in Edinburgh in July 2016 following a short illness. From school he studied at the Scott

Sutherland School of Architecture in Aberdeen. As part of the course he spent a placement year in Edinburgh. On qualifying he moved to London, returning a few years later to Edinburgh. He worked for a number of practices there until he set up his own firm which he ran successfully until his death.

Eric was a dedicated family man enjoying the company of his children and grandchildren. He was a keengardener, a Dons supporter, and enjoyed good food and wine.

Eric is survived by his wife, Fiona, by two children and by grandchildren.

Malcolm Ernest Christie (1955-61) died suddenly in Spain on 12 August 2016 aged 73. From School he joined Aberdeen City Police as a Police Cadet. A year later he became a Constable and after a time in uniform transferred into C.I.D. and spent most of his career in plain clothes. He retired through ill health in 1989 with the rank of Sergeant. He is survived by two sons.

Graeme Craig (1942, 1944-55) died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 15 May 2017 aged 78. At School he played on the wing with the 1st XV. He served as a scientific officer with the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen, work which included the necessity of trips at sea. When he retired from that post in 1988 he became Estate Factor for Adam Cochrane, advocates. There, like so many of his generation, he was a model of punctuality, in long before office opening hours. He retired in 2004.

Graeme played Rugbyfor FPs for several years and later served onthe Rugby Section committee. His was a regular presence at home matches and he frequently manned the gate. He was later honoured by election as an Honorary Vice-President of the Section. In recent years his health prevented him from attending matches but his interest was as keen as ever as he followed the Section’s fortunes.

Graeme became a member of the Club Centre very soon after it was established in 1969, and was to be found in his own accustomed seat at the bar on Saturday afternoons and evenings.

Graeme is survived by his three daughters and by grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. His elder brother Alan Gordon Craig (1933-46) lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

William Alexander Craig (1942-48) died peacefully in a nursing home in Barton, Hampshire on 18 June 2014 following a short, but severe, battle with dementia. He was aged 85. In his sixth year at School he played in the 1st XV. Following National Service, much of it spent in Hong Kong, he took up a post in the paper industry with Wiggins Teape in Aberdeen. In 1977, following redundancy, he was appointed as a training adviser with the Paper & Paper Products Industry Training Board covering London, Essex and Suffolk. He lived

at that time in St Albans. In the early eighties redundancy struck again and Bill and family moved further south, to Barton on Sea in Hampshire where they settled happily. Bill never lost his love for Aberdeen, and visited on many occasions for holidays.

Bill is survived by his wife and two daughters.

George Edward Fearby (1937-45) died peacefully in a care home in Perth, Western Australia on 21 April 2016 aged 89. He left School three weeks after the end of the War in Europe in 1945, and was immediatelycalled up for military service in the army. On his demobilisation he left for the Far East where he spent all his working life. He was appointed to Messrs. McAllister & Co, one of the earliest trading houses in Singapore.

George began his career in Kuala Lumpur, later moving to Ipoh and then to Singapore. He was actively involved with the former Malayan Centre of the FP Club and regularlyattended their reunions. He retired manyyears ago and moved to Australia.

His wife died a number of years ago, but he is survived by two daughters, both of whom live in Perth.

Alexander James Forbes (1952-58) died suddenly in Bermuda on 9 December 2016 aged 76.

Douglas R Harper (1944-58) writes: “Academically able, Alex excelled in athletics and rugby, playing prop forward for the 1st XV. As a prop he was always in the thick of it and always came out on top. Flight/Sergeant Forbes was also an enthusiastic member of the RAF Section of the Combined Cadet Force. He went on to Aberdeen University, but after a couple of years decided it wasn’t for him. However, he did make his mark. Alex had elected in the University Bursary Competition to include Geology as one of his subjects. This the Department of Geology found intriguing, but they had a paper prepared and printed, examiners appointed and a room set aside. On the day, no-one showed up. Meanwhile, the Geography examination was oversubscribed by one. They were a paper and a seat short! Alex was merely bemused.

“He first went to Northern Rhodesia for a spell before joining the Bermuda Police Force in 1965. He won the Cedar Baton of Honour as the best recruit at the Police Training Centre. He served in various departments including Traffic and three years with Special Branch. In the '80s he was in charge of the Force’s financial department. In 1988, while a Superintendent, he was awarded the Colonial Police Medal in recognition of his outstanding ability and exemplary conduct. Alex reached the rank of Deputy Commissioner and retired in 1995, ending his career as Acting Commissioner. An avid sportsman, he represented the Police in boxing, cricket, rugby, golf and the Police motorcycle display team.

“Alex is survived by his wife, Valerie, whom he married in 1968, by a son and daughter and by four grandchildren. He and Valerie joined the Canadian Centre reunion in 2015 and he visited a get- together of some of his school year the previous year during a trip to Aberdeen”.

Donald Atkinson Fowlie (1944-57) passed away peacefully at Morningside House in Aberdeen on 14 December, 2016 following a period of increasing health challenges borne with his usual stoicism, dignity and good humour.

Martin Jeffrey (1942-57) writes: “Donald was born in Carlisle (his father was a General Practitioner in the area) on 21 April, 1939. The family moved to Aberdeen shortly after this and took up residence at 1 Carden Place (right next to the School entrance) and his father set up in practice as a GP.

“Donald started at the Grammar in the autumn of 1944 in the then Kindergarten (Primary 1). He was a sound, steady, successful pupil, but never sought stardom on the sports field although always willing to participate. He did, however, become a very good golfer. He built a strong network of classmates and was seen as a friendly, supportive and loyal friend – a reputation that continued throughout his life. In senior School he joined the RAF Section of the CCF and progressed to become an excellent Flight Sergeant. He took the opportunity to try gliding and was very proud to be awarded a Proficiency Certificate for going solo at the age of just 17.

“After leaving School in 1957, Donald took up a place in Medicine at Aberdeen University. However, as the course developed, he decided to focus on Pharmacy which had become his real love. He completed his course successfully and took up the offer of an apprenticeship with Davidson & Kay at Holburn Junction. In 1970 Donald’s reputation led to him being offered a partnership in the firm of W. M. Harold in Forres. He and the family enjoyed more than twenty very happy years there and Donald and his wife, Joannie, became heavily involved in the community. Donald joined the local Rotary Club, took up Curling (he toured Canada with the Scottish Rotarians in 1984), became a founder member of the Culbin Singers and, with Joannie, enjoyed the generous hospitality of RAF Kinloss on many occasions.

“In 1996, following a battle with cancer, he returned to Aberdeen for a while before moving to the delightful countryside outside Lumphanan – perhaps it reminded him of his farming connections in the Buchan area. Over the next few years Donald acted as a locum for Michies the Chemist in Banchory, Stonehaven and Inverbervie. As Donald’s health problems continued, he and Joannie moved back to Aberdeen. He joined a walking group known as the “Galloping Geriatrics” and this allowed him to continue his life-long interest in walking and the countryside.

“Throughout his life Donald developed and maintained a strong interest in Jazz (Duke Ellington and Count Basie were high on his list): all forms of

transport, particularly cars, trains and buses, and he had an encyclopaedic knowledge and collection of books and models to go with that; a model railway that was hisprideandjoy.He wasalsoanavidreaderalthoughonlyfactual books and autobiographies – NO novels.

“Donald was a remarkable person and faced up to a series of major health challenges during his life. He had an enduring love for the Grammar School, was a Life Member of the FP Club and an enthusiastic supporter of the Dinner and the FP Ball. His passing is a great loss to his family and many friends. We will all miss him” .

Donald is survived by his wife Joannie, whom he married at Newhills Parish Kirk in 1966, his son Russell and daughter Julia (who taught Music at the Grammar in the early part of her career) and three grandchildren”.

Donald’s younger brother is Douglas Gibb Fowlie (1950-64)

John Thomson Clifford Gillan (1934-46) MA, LL.B died peacefully in a care home in Aberdeen on 3 August 2016 aged 87. He went up from School to Aberdeen University where he graduated with honours in Classics in 1950. He then graduated in Law in 1953 and was admitted as a solicitor. National Service in 1953-55 saw him commissioned in the Royal Artillery.

On his returnto Aberdeen he joined his father in the familyfirmof Alexander & Gillan and was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen. He was Depute Procurator Fiscal, and later Procurator Fiscal, for the County Justice of the Peace Court from 1956 until these courts were discontinued in 1975. At this time Cliff left the family firm and joined Messrs. Wilsone & Duffus, advocates, as a partner. He retired as a partner in 1994 but continued in business as a consultant for a further five years.

Cliff was predeceased by his wife a few years ago, but is survived by a son and daughter and five grandchildren. His brother is Robert Fairweather Gillan (1941-55).

Robert Malcolm Grant (1941-43) KM, IAOC died peacefully at his home in Molescroft, Beverley on 22 June 2016 aged 91. Born in Hull, his first school was Hull High School where he earned a reputation as being one who delighted in testing the school rules and it was decided to send him to the Grammar, where his older brother had spent six months in 1936. Malcolm resided in the Boarding House and found teachers who provided discipline combined with understanding and encouragement. He enjoyed Rugby and was a sergeant in the Army Cadet Force. On leaving School at Christmas 1943 to return to his home in Hull (and without any prior notice to anyone) he broke his rail journey at Edinburgh to enlist in the army – typical of his determination and independence.

In training for posting to the Lovat Scouts, Malcolm received serious injuries which to his regret prevented him playing for the army at Twickenham. He rose

through the ranks to Captain, first with the Lovat Scouts, then the Liverpool Scottishand later at the Royal India Academy. Post-war he remained inthe Army and was posted to India during the independence period. He used the time to immerse himself in the Indian language and its food culture which led him, years later, to open the first authentic Indian restaurant in Hull.

After service in Burma and Palestine Malcolm left the army in order to allow his father to retire from his long-established building company in Hull. He studied civil engineering and construction and by the mid-50s had bought over the family business and was expanding into property maintenance. This caused stress which led to serious health problems and after major surgery he sold up and took early retirement in the late ‘60s. He continued to enjoy rugby as a spectator sport, and created an immaculate garden in which he took great pride.

Despite his short time as a pupil at the Grammar he took great pride in it and would often reminisce about the School and cherished his life-long enthusiasm for it as a Life Member of the FP Club. He was one of the Club’s celebrated Nonagenarians.

Malcolm was predeceased by his wife in 2009. His elder brother was John Peter Grant (1936).

David Jack (1944-50) BSc(Agri), Dip.Agri, Dip.Trop.Agri. died suddenly near his home in Inverurie on 22 February 2017 aged 84. After primary education at the Central Primary School, Peterhead he came to the Grammar School aged twelve, living in the Boarding House. He was a Prefect in his final year and Company Sergeant-Major of the School Cadet Force.

From School he attended Aberdeen University, graduating in Agriculture in 1954. He then spent a year at Cambridge University, where he took a Diploma in Agriculture, followed by a year in Trinidad where he obtained a Diploma in Tropical Agriculture. He spent the next three years in Tanganyika (Tanzania) with the Overseas Civil Service in the Tanganyika Department of Agriculture, advising on agricultural development. He returned to Scotland to manage Charleton Farm near Montrose following which, in 1963, he bought his own 200 hectare farm at Jackstown, Rothienorman where he ran dairy, cereals and seed potato enterprises until his retirement in 2000.

He had a successful, active and distinguished farming career, participating in many organisations for the benefit of Agriculture. He was a Director of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture from1988 to 1991, President of the Aberdeen and Kincardine Area National Farmers Union in 1990-91, a member of the NFU National Council 1988-97, vice-chairman of Cereals R&D, HGCA, 1988-99. As founding chairman of Scottish Quality Cereals Ltd in 1994-99 he pioneered the introduction of the first national quality assurance scheme, which in subsequent years became the benchmark for food safety assurance and integrity across UK agriculture.

David was married to his wife Isabell for 54 years and she survives him along with their four children and nine grandchildren, all of whom live in Scotland. In addition to being a strong and loving family man he also enjoyed his golf and his wide circle of friends.

David’s younger brother William (1945-51) is a retired architect living in London.

David Gray Kilgour (1938-40, 1945-50) died suddenly in Edinburgh on 22 February 2017 aged 84. He was a third generation FP, being the elder son of James Gray Kilgour (1909-16) and grandson of David M. Kilgour (1876-82). From School he studied as an apprentice engineer at the former Robert Gordon’s Technical College before going to India in 1955 to work on a tea estate in Assam withtheJamesWarrenGroup. Between1959and1962heintroducedautomation to improve quality and productivity and was appointed mechanical and electrical engineer for all companies in the Warren Tea Group.

David came back to the UK in 1963 to study at Faraday House Electrical Engineering College before returning to the Warren Group for whom he went on to design and implement factory amalgamation schemes incorporating electrification and automation. He returned to Aberdeen in 1968 and attended a work study course at RGIT. He joined the Hammerman trade of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen and was made a Burgess of Trade.

In 1969 David joined Christopher Salvesen in Fraserburgh as a work study manager for their Macconnachies canning factory. After re-organising the factory he moved to their Edinburgh office in 1971, joining the cold storage division in 1972. With the Group’s expansion he was involved in France and laterinBelgium.He had warehousingequipmentadaptedfor -30Coperationthus giving Salvesen a competitive advantage. He was a member of a committee which prepared and introduced a Code of Practice for the frozen food industry. In 1990-93 he relocated to Belgium as Logistic Director for Salvesen with responsibility for all logistic support in the six countries in which they operated. After retiring in 1993 he undertook part-time logistic consultancy work.

David was a keen supporter ofthe Edinburgh Centre ofthe FP Club, regularly present at its dinners and serving on its committee. He was President of the Centre in 1996. A keen golfer, he participated in the Centre’s regular golf outings.

Earlier, David was a member of the 1st (AGS) Troop Boy Scouts, moving up through the ranks with a spell as Troop Leader. He was Scoutmaster in 1954-55 immediately before he left for India.

In retirement David enjoyed travel, visiting China and Patagonia; he walked the Milford Track in New Zealand and the Chilkoot Trail in Canada. He was also a keen gardener and much of his spare time was spent in his well-stocked garden.

David is survived by his wife, Josie, with whom he celebrated their Golden Weddingin2012, and byhis two daughters and three grandchildren. His younger brother Lindsay (1940-52) died in 2014.

Gordon Miller McAndrew (1944-51) MB.ChB, FRCP, FRCPE died peacefully at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh on 1 July 2016 following a testing illness. He was aged 83. At School he was Deputy Senior Prefect, President of the Debater, the Arts Club, the Rambling & Mountaineering Club and VicePresident of the Dramatic Society. He was also one of the School Editors of the Magazine. He won the Liddell Entrance Bursary to the Faculty of Medicine at Aberdeen University and graduated in 1957.

While a senior registrar in Aberdeen he was for three years a member of the BMA Central Committee for Hospital Medical Services and later as a consultant he was an elected member of the General Medical Council, serving on the then Disciplinary and Ethical Committees. From 1969 he was a consultant geriatric physician in York for two years before being appointed as consultant physician in Medicine for the Elderly at the Royal Victoria and Western General Hospitals in Edinburgh. He served for two years on the Medical Advisory Group and later the Professional Advisory Committee during the planning stages of the St. Columba’s Hospice.

Gordon retired in 1996, but continued to run private clinics and served as a part-time medical member of the Appeals Tribunal Service and as part-time medical assessor for Seafield and Warriston Crematoria. A man of widespread and diverse interests, he developed an interest in the Incorporated Trades ofEdinburgh, joining the Hammermen Incorporation. He held office as Deacon and later Boxmaster of his trade before election as Deacon Convener of the twelve Trades. In 2007 Gordon became a Burgess and Free Citizen of the City of Edinburgh.

Gordon’s love of the mountains of Scotland, started with the School hillwalkers, was a feature of his life. A member of the Cairngorm Club from the age of 16 he soon became an expert mountaineer. He finally completed his ascent of the Munros is 1986. Having obtained permission to reproduce Sir Hugh Munro’s coat of arms he firstly designed a commemorative tie and later a badge for ‘Compleaters’. As Keeper of the Regalia he was the official supplier of Munro regalia until his death.

Gordon was a long-serving trustee for the John Wilson Bequest Fund providing pensions for male citizens of Edinburgh and East Lothian who were in straitened circumstances and was also a Governor of the Edinburgh Tradesmaiden Fund. He was a regular volunteer at the night shelter run by the Bethany Christian Trust.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Leonora, to whom he had been married for 54 years, a son and daughter and three grandchildren.

Harry Bishop Tod McLaren (1929-40) died peacefully at his daughter’s home in Fleet, Hampshire on 29 April 2016 aged 91. He started an apprenticeship with the Aberdeen Harbour Board engineer’s office in October 1940 which was broken shortly thereafter when he was called up to the Royal Air Force. After training as a pilot he was posted to Rhodesia as a pilot instructor.

He returned to Aberdeen, completed his apprenticeship, and after marriage in 1949 moved to North Wales. For the next eighteen years he worked on many building projects with Courtaulds Technical Services Ltd., including Pilkington’s Glass Factory, a Chemistry block at Bristol University and the building of Salford University. He was then engaged by Fitzroy Robinson & Partners to oversee the buildingofthe Manchester branch ofthe BankofEngland in 1967.

In 1971 Harry joined the Bank of England as manager of its Premises Department and moved to Threadneedle Street in London. In 1982 he was appointed as Principal of the Department and retired in August 1984 at the age of 60.

When living in North Wales he developed a love of salmon fishing. He became involved with his son in the Scout Movement and enjoyed many Scout camps when working in the Bristol area. Good with his hands and with an eye for design, he built a canoe for his children and a bespoke tree house in the oak tree in their garden. The arrival of grandchildren in the year of his retiral gave him further reason to employ these skills.

Harry enjoyed travel and loved planning holidays and adventures around the world. Life for him was never dull – he always had a project on the go or was planning his next adventure. He was the first in the family to own a computer, always kept up with technology and loved his iPad into his nineties.

Harry was a Life Member of the FP Club for sixty-five years and was proud of his long connection with School and Club, becoming one of the Nonagenarians in 2014.

He was predeceased in 2016 by his wife of sixty-five years but is survived by his son and daughter, four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

John Bryce McLeod (1937-46) MA, BA, MA(Oxon), DPhil(Oxon), FRS, FRSE died peacefully at his home in Abingdon on 20 August 2014 aged 84. He was the grandson of Charles McLeod, head of Maths at the School from 1893-1927, who gave him his first introduction to Algebra at the age of 10, to his initial perplexity but the experience was a foretaste of what was to come. He was a Prefect and vice-president of the Dramatic Society. Classical Dux in 1946, he was described in the Profiles of the Prefects in the Magazine of June 1946 as “Our much bemedalled Dux,100% mathematician100%classicist–itisrumoured that hedoes Euclid in the original Greek”.

Former Pupils’ Section

Bryceproceeded toAberdeenUniversitywherehe wasaregularprize-winner at all stages of his four-year course. He graduated with First-class honours in Mathematics & Natural Philosophy in 1950, winning the Rennet Gold Medal & Simpson Prize in Maths and a Fullerton, Moir & Gray Scholarship. This last took him to Christ Church, Oxford where he graduated B.A. in 1952. With a Rotary Foundation Scholarship he then studied for a year at the University of British Columbia.

Called up for National Service, Bryce served as an Education Officer with the Royal Air Force. On demobilisation he became a Harmsworth Senior Scholar at Merton College, Oxford before taking up a lectureship at Oxford in 1956 and at Edinburgh University in 1958. Two years later he was elected a Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford and later was appointed as a lecturer. He graduated Doctor of Philosophy at Oxford in 1958. He was awarded the Whittaker Prize by the Edinburgh Mathematical Society in 1965 and the Keith Medal and Prize of the Royal SocietyofEdinburghin1987, and wasappointeda FellowoftheRoyal Society of Edinburgh in 1974. He was in regular contact with applied analysts in the United States and was a visiting professor at Wisconsin Madison University in 1964-65 and 1970-71, and at Minnesota, Minneapolis in 1977-78.

After several years at the Mathematics Institute of Oxford Bryce was appointed Professor of Mathematics at Pittsburgh University in 1987. There he taught the department’s graduate course in differential equations for many years, several hundreds of students coming under his influence. He regularly presented seminars, notably in applied analysis, and he also taught undergraduate courses in linear algebra and differential equations. In all these areas he was noted for the elegance and clarity of his presentations. He also made ample time available to supervisethe workofindividualstudents.He wasdescribed byaseniorcolleague as a distinguished scientist and mathematician.

Bryce carried out extensive research throughout his career, collaborating widely in the mathematical community. He produced more than 150 research papers notably, early in his career, a landmark study of the principal mathematical model of coagulation which is still of interest and reference. Much of this research was conducted with colleagues at Pittsburgh. Bryce was characterised as a problem-solver of genius, and he considered himself to be that rather than a builder of general theories. Often others came to him with problems which they were having difficulty in resolving and he would look at these in a fresh, often very simple, way. One such solution elicited from the poser, himself an eminent Professor of Mathematics, the response ‘however did you think of that?’

Bryce was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society in 1992. Twenty years later he was awarded the Naylor Prize and Lectureship of the London MathematicalSociety‘inrecognitionofhisimportantandversatileachievements

in the analysis of nonlinear equations arising in applications to mechanics, physics and biology’.

Bryce is survived byhis wife, Eunice, to whom he had been married for fiftyeight years, by three sons, a daughter and three grandchildren.

John Maxwell Milne (1934-46) MA died peacefully in an Aboyne nursing home on 4 February 2017, aged 87. At School he was a Prefect, vice-captain of Athletics, House Captain of Athletics for Keith House and played in both the 1st XV and the 1st XI. He went up to Aberdeen University, where he was awarded a half-blue in Rugby. He also played for FPs and was a frequent trialist for District sides. In 1950 he was selected for Scottish Universities against English Universities.

After graduating in Arts in 1949 John embarked on a law degree course at Edinburgh University but abandoned this at the end of first year. After call-up for National Service he received a commission in the Gordon Highlanders. He served in Malaya with the 1st Battalion in jungle warfare and was in charge of a patrol which killed one of the senior bandit leaders in Malacca State. After demobilisation he served with four other FPs inthe 4/7 Gordons TA for a number of years.

On his return to Aberdeen in 1953 John was appointed managing director of James G. Bisset, the well-known University booksellers and continued in this capacity until his retiral in 1987. He was a member of the Board of Governors of Albyn School for a number of years and served as Chairman in 1982-84.

John served on the FP Executive Committee as Rugby Section representative for several years and was elected Vice-chairman in 1967. He was active in the discussions in the following year which led to the purchase of the Club Centre at 86 Queen’s Road, and in 1969 was elected Chairman of the Executive and VicePresident of the Club. He stood down in 1971 and thereafter ceased to take an active interest in the Club.

John had lived in Aboyne since soon after he retired from business. He was predeceased by his wife Sheila, after sixty years of marriage, but is survived by his son, Malcolm, and his daughter Carol-Anne.

Gordon David Mitchell (1950-64) BSc (Eng) died peacefully, but unexpectedly, in a Peterborough Hospital on 15 December 2016 aged seventy. One of two outstanding brothers, he was Dux of the school in 1964 following the achievement of the late Stuart John Mitchell (1948-61), who was Dux in 1961. Gordon was consistently first in his class in virtually every subject throughout his school years. Whilst less than enthusiastic about activities at Rubislaw, which the familyhome overlooked, he was in several Dramatic Societyproductions and was a formidable debater. In 1964 he played the role of Corvino in Volpone with rare distinction and attracted rave reviews in the Evening Express.

Throughout his life Gordon was passionately enthusiastic about cars and engines and, following graduation with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering from Aberdeen University in 1968, he joined the Ford Motor Company in Essex. There he met his wife Elizabeth at an Amateur Dramatics Club. In 1979 he was recruited by Perkins Engines in Peterborough, initially as General Sales Manager (Vehicles) and later Business Planning Manager, where the Company drew on his extensive knowledge of the diesel, automotive, construction and agricultural sectors. He travelled extensively, frequently to the parent company Caterpillar in Illinois, and was for a period head of the European office in Paris. Troubled by health issues, which he bore without complaint, he took the opportunity of early retirement fifteen years ago, although apparently it took him about thirteen to adjust. His enthusiasm for all matters motoring remained and he continued to drive his BMWs with verve. He and his wife enjoyed the Greek Islands and returned there on holiday most years. He is survived by his wife and sons Matthew and Nicholas.

Gordon is perhaps best summed up by a quote in the Perkins Engines inhouse publication at the time he retired – “A very friendly, approachable individual with a ready wit. It was always a joy to be in his company, whether it was in a relaxing atmosphere over a drink or at meetings. A real character who frequently lit up long drawn out meetings with penetrating points or difficult questions – almost always done with incisive wit. An irreplaceable dear friend”.

Gordon Grieve Peters (1960-66) BSc, MSc, PhD died peacefully at Cuckfield, West Sussex on 4 September 2016 aged 67. Having achieved sixth place in the Bursary Competition he went up to Aberdeen University to study science, graduating with honours in 1970. He went on to study at Aberystwyth where he obtained his Master’s and then at Edinburgh for a Doctorate. In 1974 he took up an appointment as a research assistant with the Medical Research Council in Edinburgh before spending three years as a residential fellow at Wisconsin in Madison County USA.

In 1977 he joined the RNA tumour virus section at the Imperial College Research Foundationat the Lincoln’s InnFields laboratories and devoted the rest of his career to the study of cyclin dependent kinases and their inhibitors. He earned a reputation as meticulous in his researches and in the interpretation of his findings and always ready to share his knowledge and skills with others and to provide his expert opinion on any new finding.

He became Head of Molecular Oncology at Cancer Research UK, retiring in 2013. Sadly he himself became a victim of the disease which he had fought all his life to cure.

Gordon is survived by his wife and two daughters. His brother is David James Peters (1957-63).

Douglas Stewart Robbie (1935-48) MB, ChB, DA(Lond), FFARCS died peacefully in a care home in Fulhamon 15 September 2016 following a long illness. He was aged 85. He was joint Modern Dux of the School in 1948, was a Prefect, Cricket vice-captain of Byron House, played rugby and was secretary of the Dramatic Society. At Aberdeen University his enthusiasm for sport continued and he was awarded a half-blue for cricket and for rugby and later a full blue for rugby. In 1954 he was one of three FPs selected to play Rugby for the Scottish Universities against the English Universities. He graduated in Medicine in 1954 with commendation and following house appointments at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was called up for National Service with the RAMC, serving with the rank of Captain at their regimental depot at Crookham.

Douglas obtained his Diploma in Anaesthetics in London in 1958 before going on to be a senior registrar for five years with the Westminster hospital group based on Brompton Hospital. He then became a consultant in anaesthesia at the Royal Marsden Hospital, a cancer hospital withaninternational reputation. He was awarded a Fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1960 and was early in the field in the difficult area of the management of intractable pain. He taught and lectured extensively, which brought him to the attention of Dame Cicely Saunders, a pioneer in the hospice movement. She recruited him for St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham where he acted for several years as her consultant. He was also an adviser on her Drugs and Therapeutics Committee.

In the early ‘80s Douglas became chair of the Division of Surgery at the Marsden and focused his practice on cancer anaesthesia, often for long and difficult operations. It was said of him that there was no-one whom he could not intubate.He madeapriorityofsharinghis knowledge withhis juniorsandtrained a whole generation of anaesthetists in difficult airway management for which, even now years later, they and their patients are grateful.

Douglas was long associated with the London Centre of the FP Club, serving on its Committee for several years and acting as its Treasurer for some of that time.

Douglas was married for sixty years to Terry who survives him, along with two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren. His brother was George Muir Glen Robbie (1930-41)

Norman Lewis Simpson (1950-55) CA died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 5 November 2016 aged 78. He was apprenticed to Messrs Flockhart & Grant in Aberdeen and was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland in 1962. He was in practice for several years with J. McP Mutch & Co before later practising on his own account in Aberdeen until his retiral a number of years ago. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter as well as by four grandchildren.

William Lee Sleigh (1948-55) MInstM, MIPA died peacefully at the Cathay Care Home, Forres on 22 September 2016 after many years of ill health. He was aged 78.

Douglas Kynoch (1948-56) writes: “Bill came froma well-knownNorth-east farming family, who had enjoyed a long connection with the Grammar School, mainly as boarders. His father, John L. Sleigh (1913-16), boarded with Rector Morland Simpson before the establishment of the Boarding Houses at 6 and 8 Queen’s Road. Bill was brought up at the farm of Newseat of Tolquhon in Tarves, the old dower house to Tolquhon Castle. The son of a tenant farmer on the Haddo estate, he gave an account of his early life in David Northcroft’s book Grampian Lives 2. Unlike his brothers, Jack (1936-40), Ronald (1943-45) and David (1942-44), however, Bill did not go into farming but spent the larger part of his career in advertising and marketing, being Managing Director of T.C. Bench, a long-established advertising agency in London, specialising in overthe-counter medicines. He was appointed a Freeman of the City of London in 1976 and was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors.

“On taking early retirement from City life, Bill moved from his home in Hampton first to Dorset, where he and his wife, Sara, ran holiday cottages for a five-year period. From there to Kent, where they had a bed and breakfast business for ten years, and the former Chief Executive Officer was able to hone his considerable table-laying skills.

“Aside from professional work, Bill was also closely involved with a number of national charities, including Diabetes UK (he himself being diabetic) and the Abbeyfield Society. On retiring to Aboyne, he was invited to become chairman of the Society’s house in Torphins.

“In dress, Bill was a cuff-links and cravat man; in style, he favoured fast cars, usually Mini Coopers; yet in contrast with these mild displays of flamboyance, he was somewhat diffident in manner; a man of perfect politeness, of pawky wit and of great personal kindness. Given to occasional absent-mindedness, once, before taking his wife out for the evening, he was asked by the baby-sitter for the name of his son and, being unable momentarily to remember what it was, told her “We sometimes call him ‘Doodle’”. Some years later, he drove to the office with his son in the back seat, having neglected to drop him off at school.

“In 2014, the Sleighs moved to the village of Dyke in Morayshire but, as his health continued to deteriorate, Bill went into the Forres care home for the last few months of his life. He is survived by Sara, son Robert and three granddaughters”.

Bill’s brother Ronald died in 1998 but David lives near Toronto and the eldest, Jack, lives near Oldmeldrum.

James Simpson Maxwell Smart (1943-56) ARIBA. died at North Merchiston Care Home, Edinburgh on 25 January 2017 aged 79.

Douglas Kynoch (1948-56) writes: “James’ father, James Smart, was manager of a rubber estate in Malaya, while his mother, May Simpson was the daughter of the dominie at Monymusk. Though his brother Norman (1937-48) and sister, Esmay, were born in Malaya, they returned home in 1936, for Norman to begin school, with the result that Max was born in Aberdeen in 1937. At school, he proved himselfa talented artist, as well as takingpart inseveral Dramatic Society productions. These abilities developed, on the one hand, into a professional career in architecture and, on the other, into a lifetime love of amateur operetta.

“Trained at Aberdeen School of Architecture, Max was then taken on by Aberdeen City Architect’s Department, for whom his first commission was to design the plaque commemorating the life of the missionary, Mary Slessor, which can still be seen in Belmont Street today. On leaving Aberdeen, he moved into private practice in Edinburgh, in which city he spent the rest of his life. He worked first with Robert Matthew Johnson Marshall & Partners, mainly on the development of Stirling University. Later he was a member of Ian G. Lindsay & Partners engaged on university projects, and the conservation of Newhaven. Other major schemes were the new Orkney Islands Council offices, Inverary Court House and Thirlestane Castle at Lauder.

“Max became well known for the prominent part he played in Edinburgh amateur theatre with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society and the Southern Light Opera company. He and his wife, Jinty, were leading performers in both companies, Max having particular success in such roles as the Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe, Bunthorne, the male lead in Patience and Peter Doody, the unsuccessful jockey in The Arcadians. An able pianist, he was responsible, too, for devising and composing an ending to the unfinished operetta Thespis, which the Society then mounted. His skill as a painter found outlet in the charming water colours which graced the Smart Christmas card each year. One of his lessobvious talents was that of synchronised curtain-drawing at the pull of one cord, a skill which he developed while constructing his own marionette theatre in boyhood and put to more practical use in his marital home. Had this been an Olympic event, it might have made him world famous!

“As well as their appearances on the amateur stage, Max and Jinty regularly performed on the concert platform, taking part in many a charity entertainment till the onset of Parkinson’s Disease put an end to Max’s performing career. He moved to the care home in the last few weeks of his life. He is survived not only by Jinty but by his son, Derek, daughter, Jenny, and the three grandchildren to whom he was a devoted grandpa”.

George Stephen (1936-42) died peacefully in hospital in Toronto on 15 March 2017just after his 93rd birthday. He lived inthe BoardingHouse while at School,

wasaPrefect,CaptainofDunHouse, played FullBackinthe 1stXV, wascaptain of Tennis and President of the Dramatic Society. He enlisted in the Fleet Air Arm, trained as a fighter pilot in Canada and served as such in South-East Asia and the Pacific. With an extended service commission he finally was an instructor at the Naval Operational Flying School at Lossiemouth. Many years later, George self-published a book On the Morning Watch based on his experiences as a naval pilot.

In 1950 George moved to Toronto as the advertising manager of Caxton Publishing and married his wife, Lorna, whom he had met while on pilot training seven years earlier. In 1954 he became Caxton’s Canadian manager and was also in charge of their business in the U.S.A. He then joined the Montreal Trust Company and embarked on a 25-year career in the pension planning and trust business. In 1957 George and a co-worker developed the concept of the Registered Retirement Savings Plan and succeeded in convincing the Federal Government in Ottawa to offer these plans to all Canadians as a savings and tax deferment opportunity.

With the Trust Company George worked in Toronto, Montreal, Nassau and Vancouver before finally returning to Toronto. He served as Vice President, first in British Columbia and then in Ontario. While in the Bahamas he was deputy chairman and managing director of the Trust Company of the Bahamas.

George was an avid golfer, being a past President and devoted member of Lambton Golf Club in Toronto. He was a member of Forest Hill United Church in Toronto since he first arrived there in 1950 and had a leadership role as a Trustee and as an Elder.

George retained happy memories of his days at the Grammar School and associated himself with the Canadian Centre of the FP Club, serving as its President in 2010-11. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, by two sons and by two grandchildren. His brother John Lindsay Stephen (1946-53) lives in Aboyne.

Robert Smart Taylor (1949-58) MA died very suddenly at his home in Brussels on 12 June 2017 aged 77. At School he was a Prefect, House Captain of Melvin House and played for the 1st XV. Having been awarded a bursary in the Bursary Competition he proceeded to Aberdeen University to study Modern Languages, graduating with First Class Honours in French and German in 1963.

His then entered a career in journalism, initially in Berne with the overseas service of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and then with Reuters News Agency in Geneva and finally Brussels. There he reported for the BBC’s European Service and between 1982 and 2000 was an EU correspondent for The Economist. In 1984 he was a founding partner and managing director of European Research Associates, a Brussels consultancy specialising in European public policy. He also managed European Union-funded reconstruction and

development projects in broadcasting and telecommunications in the Balkans and the Middle East countries of Lebanon, Jordan and Syria and was an international member of the broadcasting and telecoms regulatory authority in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2000-04.

Robert has written and edited several books on EU-related matters and is the co-author of The Routledge Guide to the European Union, which is a definitive guide to the workings of the EU and described as “giving comprehensive, straightforward and readable coverage of this sometimes misunderstood and complex institution”.

In the souvenir of the 1958 Class Re-union of 2008 he listed his interests as books, travel, jogging, gardening and “armchair punditry.”

Robert is survived by a son, three daughters and six grandchildren.

Ronald George Sutherland Walker (1941-46) died suddenly on 11 May 2017 while on holiday at Craigendarroch in Ballater aged 87. From School he joined the former North of Scotland Bank in Aberdeen. Two years later he was called up for National Service in the Royal Air Force stationed at a seaplane base at Calshot on the south coast. Returning to the Bank he then worked at various Aberdeen branches before a period in the Inspection Department and a spell at Banchory. In the mid ‘50s he was moved to Newington and later to Edinburgh.

In 1962 Ron was transferred to Glasgow as part of a team setting up the Bank’s Computer Department. The rest of his banking career was spent in this sphere, latterly in the Bank’s subsidiary computer company of which he became General Manager. He retired in 1987.

Ron enjoyed hillwalking, swimming and the occasional round of golf. He drove the Age Concern bus in his home area of Glasgow for about ten years. He enjoyed the north-east and, with a timeshare at Ballater, liked to return there twice a year.

While at School, Ron was a keen member of the 1st Troop Scouts and soon after leaving School he moved from Patrol Leader to Assistant Scoutmaster. Soon after leaving the RAF he became Scoutmaster before his banking career took him south.

Ron is survived by his wife Doris, to whom he had been married for sixty years. Their only child, Susan, died some years ago.

Archibald Graham Bain Young (1940-47) BA(Camb), MA(Camb) died peacefully in a nursing home in Surbiton on 27 January 2017 following a long period of ill health aged 81. The son of the late Dr. Archibald Graham Brown Young (1924-26) he left the Grammar after Lower School, when he moved to Bedford School. He then began to study Medicine at Cambridge, but while on holiday work in Stockholm he was introduced to the celebrated Wallenburg family, who suggested to him that, while a medical career was very worthy, a life

of integrity in ethical finance and business could change whole societies for the better. Grahame took this on board and changed his course, graduating from Christ’s College, Cambridge with a BA in Natural Science in 1957 and an MA five years later.

National Service in the Royal Marines followed, after which he embarked on a career in banking and financial services in London and the Far East, specialising in developing trade links with East Asia. What motivated him was the belief that ethical trade practised to the highest standards of integrity was the surest way of improving lives worldwide and especially in the poorest countries. His personal standards of integrity were absolute and this earned him the respect of those with whom he came in professional contact.

As a management consultant Grahame was associated with at least nineteen company roles. He was chairman of the South-East Asia Trade Advisory Group at the British Overseas Trade Board. Elected to the council of the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, he went on to be a member of its Board and Deputy Chairman of its International Committee. In recognition of his major contributiontointernationalbusinesseducationhe waselected toitsExamination Board. He was a co-founder and trustee of the Anglo-Indonesian Student Trust, thus helping to ensure that his ethics and standards are those to which new entrants to international business and world-wide merchant banking aspire.

Grahame was a stalwart of the Caledonian Club in London, of which he was for a time chairman, and a member, and one-time President, of the Caledonian Society of London. He became a Freeman of the City of London in 1997 and the following year a Freeman of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen of the River Thames. He was also a Fellowof the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce.

In retirement, Graeme made extensive research of his family’s genealogy and, proud of his Scottish identity, he presented the result of his researches to the Lord Lyon who conferred armorial bearings on him in 2014. His chosen motto was “Stand Tall”.

Grahame served foranumberofyearsonthecommitteeoftheLondonCentre of the FP Club and was President of the Centre for the twelve years 2000-11.

Grahame’s first wife, Mary, died far too young in 1986. He is survived by his second wife, Jane, by his son and daughter and by four grandchildren.