THE
ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOM MAGAZINE
Volume 110
Seplember 2007
tholl OT
EL
. , •
•i ,i•• . , •
, a• c-~.
-•
•4 AI ;I
atdire 1:f bYtr ‘.siitess The Atholl Hotel has a proven reputation for consistent friendly service and value for money, but its real secret lies in the belief that nothing is ever too much trouble.
51 King's Gate, Aberdeen • Tel: 0122/1 323505 info@atholl-aberdeen.co.uk • www.atholl-aberdeen.com
391 UNION STREET ABERDEEN }
PROUD TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY
vvi the
Chemist
67 HIGH STREET BANCHORY /
24 MARKET SQ. STONEHAVEN
57 KINGS ST. INVERBERVIE
1 / 287 ROSEMOUNT PL. ABERDEEN I
17 HIGH ST. LAURENCEKIRK
VILLAGE ROAD PORTLETHEN
The Country Life Indoors and Out... Visit Country Ways on Holburn Street, for a range of stylish leisure. equestrian and country clothing by Joules, Barbour. Toggi. Weird Fish and Animal. We also stock a unique collection of gifts and accessories such as picnic baskets. walking slicks and hip flasks. Perfect ideas for all your sporting events this summer
1 I
1 I
115 Holburn St, Aberdeen. Tel: 585150 Experience the country life with our new outdoor activity and hospitality company Country Ways Sportings. Try your hand at clay pigeon shooting, off road driving, quad biking, fishing. carriage driving, gourmet dining, tutored whisky tastings and much more. Tailored packages to suit you and your guests.
"Sr
391 Union Street, Aberdeen. Tel: 07803 131534
www.countryways.com
IFB
,O„, business .
s,...O°`
gr- . .400
o
WO
,. toloc, ,. •
Internet For Business Ltd www.ifb.net IFB has evolved over the last 10 years to provide a comprehensive range of orientated communication buss -solutions & services across the UK.
Nip
Broadband Internet Leased Line Managed Wide Area Networks Virtual Private Networks Hardware Provision & Management Wireless Networking , / , , . \ Data Hosting l N. \ \ / A e , / felt A IIII
\ \
III
rifo@ifb.n i,./,/ 0845 270 11.111L7 II.
\
1
Telecoms eb Development
\
I
For the ultimate personal touch, a short message can be engraved Inside your partner's wedding ring in your own hand-writing style!
opfe FT') I N , ifyid th
pergoio
. son Ja, fie
142 Union Street Aberdeen Telephone 01224 641219
any
Open Monday to Saturday 9am - 5.30prn. Thursday until 7pm
WEDDING WEDDING RINGS
DIAMOND RINGS
WEDDING RINGc
• Weddings • Corporate Events • Gifts
• Teddies • Chocolates • Personal -
34 Schoolhill, Aberdeen Fax: 01224 645395
11a Rose Street, Aberdeen Fax: 01224 645395
Tel: 01224 624634
Tel: 01224 643344
(4i)
:,::::,] Faz-
Interflora
it's all
HERE • Wide range of bathroom suites • Showers & shower enclosures • Towel warmers & designer radiators • Bathroom furniture & accessories
• Open to the public 6 days a week • FREE parking • FREE delivery
William Wilson RATHROOM
SHOWROOMS
Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate ABERDEEN Tel; 01224 335335 www.biginbathrooms.co.uk
G MACHINES 116 Cornhill Road Aberdeen AB25 2EH Tel: 483331 Suppliers of all types of Gaming Machines
TALK TO THE TEAM WITH MORE OF A HEAD FOR BUSINESS 3/5 Albyn Place Aberdeen AB101PY LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY
01224 283100
0 BANK OF SCOTLAND CORPORATE www.bankofscotland.co.uk/differently
www.dmhall.co.uk
DM HALL chartered surveyors
"putting service and professionalism together"
Keith Jones FRICS, Senior Partner
The right decision 30 offices across Scotland Head Office Edinburgh: T 01 31 477 6000 www.dmhall.co.uk
Welcome to Aberdeen
Aberdeen Asset Management is your gateway to more investments in more regions than ever before. As an independent asset manager, we deliver superior performance through specialist product management. Plus our rigorous team approach underlines every product's focus on long-term performance. So whatever your investment requirements visit www.aberdeen-asset.com
A
Equities Fixed Income Multi Asset Property
Aberdeen
issued and approved by Aberdeen Asset Managers limited, 10 Queen's Terrace. Aberdeen A610 lYG. Authorised and regulated by the linen K.RA Selvk
Authin ity.
Bell Lawrie A division of Brewin Dolphin Securities
Complete Investment Management Please contact: Norman Law Bell Lawrie Blenheim House Fountainhall Road Aberdeen AB15 4DT T: 0845 2131110 www.bell-lawrie.co.uk
Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd incorporating Bell Lawrie, Hill Osborne and Wise Speke. A member of the London Stock Exchange, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered office: 12 Smithfield St, London EC1A 9BD. Registered in England No. 2135876
Business and home owner's one stop service Heating & Ventilation Hot & Cold Water Services Plumbing & Drainage Electrical Power & Lighting Air Conditioning Service & Maintenance Boiler Inspection & Maintenance Gas Safety Checks Network Cabling Minor Works & Repairs 24/7 Emergency Call-Out Free Estimates
"A name you can trust"
MI Ih„._ Richard Irvin Building Services Irvin Group Complex, Albert Quay, Aberdeen AB11 5ES Tel: +44 (0)1224 576280 Fax: +44 (0)1224 582758 Email: admin@richard-irvin.co.uk www.richard-irvin.co.uk
r g.3 ?e ELECT wt. =Mg
G
Aberdeen Glasgow Inverness Elgin
Total facilities solutions with Petrofac
Petrofac offers an integrated service across the life cycle of an asset through its three divisions, Engineering & Construction, Operations Services and Energy Developments. We design, build. operate, maintain and manage Oil & gas facilities and provide training solutions. Petrofac is the international facilities provider to the oil & gas industry. www.petrofac.com
Listens. Responds. Delivers.
Petrofac
6
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority
COLLINS HALDEN & BURNETT LIMITED Aberdeen's longest established locally owned broking house We transact all classes of insurance business including commercial and personal lines Tel: 01224 595014 Fax: 01224 573583 www.collinshaldenandburnett.com Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority
rAic71 McHARDY & BURNETT L 111 (Financial Services) LIMITED For professional and impartial advice on Life Assurance. Investments, Pension Planning and Scheme Administration Tel: 01224 578250 Fax: 01224 573583 www.mchardyandburnett.com Both Companies only at 5/7 BON ACCORD CRESCENT, ABERDEEN AB11 6DN
Subsidiaries of McHardy Holdings Ltd whose Directors are as follows: A. Roy Burnett, J. R. McHardy, ACII G. G. McArthur, M.A., C.A. C N Jones M.A. (Hons) cert. PFS G Yule ACII. H. N. Burness, ACII, FCILA
A.G.S.F.P. CLUB CENTRE BAYVIEW HOUSE 86 QUEENS ROAD ABERDEEN AB15 4Y0
"Your Club Centre ?feeds Your Suyport" Opening Hours Monday 5pm to 11pm Tues. Wed. Thurs. 12 noon to 3pm, 5pm to 11 pm. Friday 12 noon to 3pm & 5pm till midnight. Sat. 11 am to midnight. Sun 12.30pm to 11 pm. Lunches & Catering Lunches served Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. 12 noon to 2.30pm. Sat. 12 noon to 6pm. Sun I pm to 5pm (full Sunday lunch or all day breakfast) Function Catering All functions, parties, BBQ's, formal dinners can be catered for. The Garden or Special rooms are available. Club Centre Facilities Lounge Bar Usual bar services including 3 real ales.
1;49
•••• Sports Bar/ Function Room (up to120 capacity) For Discos, Parties, Meetings, Games evenings, Large Dinners etc.
TV Room Large Garden with BBQ area For Barbecues, Out door parties and functions. Petanque Piste. We can arrange Marquees, bouncy castles, and all catering. Snooker Rooms
Full sized snooker table.
Meeting Rooms 3 meeting rooms on first floor available throughout the week from 8am until 1 0pm. Book by day or half day or by the hour. Full catering including coffees, teas, biscuits, water, lunches available. To book facilities or arrange membership phone the Club Centre on 01224 316827 or email brian.deighton@virgin.net
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 123n1 rr it .1.‘). 245 (New Series 112th rear No. 23o)
September 2007
Vol 110
The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club each year
General Editor & Editor of Notes etc.
Brian K. Crookshanks, TD, MA, LL.B 99 Fountainhall Road Aberdeen AB15 4EB
Secretary of the FP Club
John F. Hendry. LL.B 36 Albyn Place Aberdeen AB10 IYF
Treasurer of the FP Club
Alan W. Marr. CA 4 West Craibstone Street. Aberdeen ABI I 6YL
Membership Secretary
J. Martin Jeffrey BSc 6 Westbum Gardens Inverurie AB51 5QU
The General Editor is happy to receive contributions for the nest issue of the Magazine at any time before mid-May 2008
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 briancrookshanks(a Iineone.net
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
1
Contents page School Section — Rector's Report School Office-Bearers School Prizes 2006-2007 Extra-Curricular Activities School Sports Clubs Clubs & Societies Debating Bon Record! Face the Music - "Snork" Charities Group The Grammarian Enterprise Education Sponsored Walk School Social Functions Staff Change School Board The Phil Love Trophy The Late Mr Brian Gordon General Section Life in the Rubislaw Pavilion Book Reviews Former Pupils' Club Section Club Office-Bearers 2007-08 Club Consuls Annual General Meeting Chairman's Report President's Report Presidential Profile Martin Jeffrey - Chairman lixtraordinaire Centre Reports Club Centre Canada Edinburgh Glasgow London Yorkshire Sports Section Reports Social Events - Annual Dinner Re-Unions The 1256 Appeal Club Membership Subscriptions New Members Long Service Members Notes about Former Pupils Marriages Obituaries Abstracts of Accounts
3
7 8 9 II 25 28 33 34 35 36 37 40 41 41 41 42 42 43 45 48 50 50 53 56 58 59 60 6I 61 62 63 64 64 72 74 75 79 80 81 82 86 86 98
OUR ADVERTISERS As a Club we are most grateful to all our under-noted advertisers who have supported the production of this Alagecine by taking advertising space. Club members are encouraged, in turn, please to patronise our advertisers who would value our members' custom every bit as much as we value theirs. Aberdeen Asset Management
Aberdeen College
Aberdeen Property Leasing
Aberdeen Solicitors' Property Centre
Adam Cochran
Albyn Hospital
Anderson. Anderson & Brown
Atholl Hotel
Bain Henry Reid
Bank of Scotland
Bell Lawrie White
Bower & Smith
F.G. Burnett
Campbell ('onnon
Collins Halden & Burnett
Country Ways
Steven Esson
Flower Vogue
G. Machines
D. M. Hall
Michael C. Ilastie
IFB Internet
Richard Irvin
Jamieson & Carry
Kenway Tyres
Langstane Press
MTM Construction
MarclitTe at Pitfodels
Michics the Chemist
Northsleep Ltd
Petrofac
Raebum Christie & Co
University of Aberdeen
William Wilson & Co
Williamson & Dunn
5
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Head Girl and Head Boy 2006-07
Helen Clunas and Gordon Russell
6
Former Pupils' Club Section
School Section Rector's Report Session 2006-07 has been another busy year for the School. In September. all pupils and staff participated in a sponsored walk to raise money to purchase a new mini-bus for the School. Over 1300 people walked from Footdee along the promenade, across the Bridge of Don and along the sands north of the river. The walkers were blessed by warm, sunny weather on the 12-kilometre hike. A total of over £15,000 was raised and another walk in September 2007 will hopefully raise enough money to replace our ageing bus. The music and drama departments joined forces in November to stage a performance of the musical Snot*. Enthusiastic audiences enjoyed the show which was written by a local man, Ken Hossick. The November and March music concerts were a sell-out with the appreciative audiences enjoying the high standards of the many musical groups. One of the highlights of the year was undoubtedly the "Bon Record" show in His Majesty's Theatre at the end of March. Over 1600 people, pupils. parents and FPs, enjoyed the two performances of the variety show. The talented pupils past and present treated the audience to a wonderful evening of entertainment. The show formed the final event of the School's and Former Pupils' Club's celebrations of the 750th Anniversary and raised £10,000 to support the performing arts. 2006-07 was also a memorable year for sports. The senior rugby team embarked on a very successful tour of Western Canada and the USA in September. As you will read within the club reports in the Magazine we had great success in football, skiing, basketball and golf. I am delighted that the facilities of the School are being improved due to a substantial investment in new buildings and improvements by Aberdeen City Council. The new Sports Hall is nearing completion and we hope to enjoy this excellent new facility in October. The rebuilding of the Rubislaw Pavilion is scheduled to start in late summer. On completion the School, FPs and other users will enjoy a high quality facility. A variety of other areas have been refurbished — boys' toilets, business education and biology. A group of talented pupils and teachers worked tirelessly throughout the session to produce "The Grammarian", our new School magazine. This high quality glossy publication reported in words, pictures and artwork on many of the events and activities of the session. One of the articles, written by Jenny Grant of S6, won the prize for the best article in a school magazine in Scotland. Members of the magazine committee travelled to the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh for the presentation of the prize. We hope that the magazine will become an annual feature of the School.
GRAHAM LEGGE
Aberdeen Grammar School June. 2007
Rector
7
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
School Office-Bearers Session 2006-2007
GORDON RUSSELL Head Boy: JOHN DARGIE Depute Head Boy: S6 Prefects: EUAN CADGER KRISTOFER CASTANIE JEREMY COLEMAN BLAIR FINDLAY JONATHAN GORDON HARRY HOUGHTON MELVIN JOY MATHEW KING JAMES LINDSAY CHRIS McKIE PATRICK MAUGHAN MICHAEL PHILLIPS GORDON SMITH CALLUM STEWART SAM WATSON PETER WATT ALIX RATTRAY JENNIFER SWEENEY SS Prefects: CHRISTOPHER BALLARD JONATHAN BROWN DUNCAN CAIRD SCOTT CALDERWOOD JOHN COBBAN TIMOTHY COLEMAN JAMIE CROCKART NICHOLAS FENNELL MATTHEW GARDEN MATTHEW GRAHAM RUARIDH HAMILTON MICHAEL LI YAN HUI NICHOLAS LLOYD ANDREW McALLAN DONALD MACANDREW NEIL MEARNS ANDREW NICOLL JACK NICOLL IAN RICHARD THOMAS RUTHERFORD ROBERT SAMUEL ROSS TAYLOR
Head Girl: Depute Head Girl:
HELEN CLUNAS C. PLASBERG-HILL
LINDSEY ARTHUR ALYSON BOYD LOUISA BUTLER GEMMA DEAN CATRIONA DICK BEVERLEY DUNCAN CIARA DUTHIE MAXINE HAMILTON LUCY HARRINGTON SORCHA HUME JENNY IMRIE TOME LEVI KAREN LITTLE KIRSTY LYNCH JENNIFER LYPKA AILEEN MARSHALL NATALIE PALIN JOANNA ROSS HELEN WILLETT JANE ADAMS VERITY ARROWSMITI-I APOORVA BALLAL HEATHER BLAIR CIORSTAN BLAKE CARA COGHILL SAMANTHA COPELAND PHILIPPA DAVIES REBECCA GRAHAM ELEANOR ILETT MHAIRI JOHNSTONE FFION JONES HANNAH KNUDSON NATALIE MAIR ANNA PLASBERG-HILL NAOMI RAYNER MEGAN ROBERTSON HELEN SAWYER ROSALYN SCLARE STEPHANIE SMART LINDSAY SMITH NATALIE SMITH SUSAN STEEL CAITLIN TAYLOR SHONA THOMSON RACHEL WATSON LORNA WOOD 8
Former Pupils' Club Section
School Prizes 2006-2007 Ailsa Cowie The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Biology Naomi Rayner The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Chemistry Beckie Chong The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Administration Ruairidh Deans The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Graphic Communication Erin Whyte The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Philosophy Eleanor [lett The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Modern Studies Beverley Duncan The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Physical Education Christopher Ballard The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Physics Natalie Smith The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Human Biology Peter Watt The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Religious & Moral Studies Naomi Rayner The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Spanish Carla Plasberg-Hill The Former Pupils' Prize in Drama Heather Blair The Former Pupils' Prize in Home Economics The Samuel Pope Prize in Art. The Arthur L. McCombie Prize Katherine Duff in Art History and The Donald Paton Prize for Painting Mhairi Ruddy The John Muir Robertson Prize in Accounting & Finance Andrew Cairns The ALBA Trophy for Business Management Claire Webster The Gordon McMinn Prize in Computing Studies Eleanor lieu The Masson Bain Prize in English Natalie Smith The William Brebner Prize in French Anna Plasberg-Hill The German Consulate Prize The Joyce Tease Award for Excellence in Post 16 Carla Plasberg-Hill Modern Languages Rachel Watson The Charles Alexander Walker Prize in History Christopher Ballard The Campbell Connon Prize for Geography The J. Mortimer McBain & The George G. Whyte Prizes in Mathematics Naomi Rayner Joe Boyd The Gavin Falconer Memorial Prize in Music Louise McLennan The Bon Accord Metal Prize in Product Design Aleksander Niedziolko The Basil Emslie Memorial Prize in Technological Studies Megan Robertson The Caritas Cup for Contribution to Charities Group Activities Anna MacKay Joint Award The AGS Dramatic Society Award for Drama Emma Sibbett David McCreath Joint Award The AGS Junior Literary & Debating Shield Finn Blake The Rector's Shield for outstanding contribution to the running Natalie Smith Joint Award of the Literary & Debating Society Rachel Watson Gordon Smith The Andrew Middleton McLaren Prize for Enterprise Jeremy Coleman The Philip Love Trophy Laura Baxter The Jamie Blair Fiddes Award Tome Levi The AGS "Face the Music" Award for an outstanding Joint Award Timothy Coleman Performance in the School's Musical Production Lindsey Arthur The Pied Piper 2000 Award for outstanding talent and Joint Award Maxine Hamilton Commitment from a Cast or Crew Member
Sports Awards The Arthur McCombie Golf Trophy The David Swanson Junior Golf Trophy The Isobel O Anderson Medal for Swimming The Fowlie Cup for Swimming (Girls) The Rector's Medal for Swimming
9
Nicholas MacAndrew Lewis Clark Rachel Milne Rachel Milne Blair Bellamy
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The Dr Morland Simpson Cup for Swimming The Former Pupils' Club Rugby Football Section Trophy The Damian Reidy Rugby Trophy The Ronald MacKinnon Trophy for Athletics
Greig Morrison Kristofer Castanie Patrick Maughan Rory Leslie
Inter-House Competition Awards Junior Inter-House Debating Trophy S3 Inter-House Rugby Cup S3 Inter-House Football Cup S4 Inter-House Football Cup S4/S6 Inter-House Netball Trophy for Girls S4/S6 Inter-House Boys/Girls Basketball S I /S3 Inter-House Boys' Cricket S4/S6 Inter-House Boys' Cricket S2 Inter-House Boys' Basketball lain Wolstenholme Inter-House Swimming Cup The Inter-House Challenge Cup
Keith/Dun Melvin Byron Keith/Dun Byron Byron Byron Melvin Keith/Dun Byron Byron
Clare Armstrong James Finlayson Callum Bagshaw Stirling Smith Helen Clunas Helen Clunas Samuel Knudson Connor Lovie Michael Cobban Rachel Milne Christopher McKie
The Dr Alexander Cormack Prize to the best All-round Pupil in SI The David Alexander Irvine-Fortescue Prize — S2 Joint Award The Norman Mackie Memorial Award in S3
Helen Innes David McCreath Beth Fiddes Richard Duffy Cara Mason Laura Burns Timothy Coleman John Dargie
All-Round Awards
The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Award in S4
Joint Award
The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Award in S5 The Former Pupils' Club "1965" Award The Runner-up to the Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy for Girls The Runner-up to the Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy & the Agnes Durward McDonald Prize The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy for Girls The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy & the John Ivo Dawson Prize
Sorcha Hume Gordon Russell Carla Plasberg-Hill James Lindsay Carla Plasberg-Hill
Dux Award
Colours Awards Sport Athletics Basketball
Junior Colour Full Colours Half Colours
Football
Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours
Golf
Full Colours Half Colour
Rory Leslie Helen Clunas, Kirsty Lynch, Kirsty MacLean Beverly Duncan, Rebecca Graham, Sorcha Hume, Naomi Rayner Harry Hendry, Connor Lovie, Grant Mitchell, Gordon Russell Steven Fraser, James Lyndsey Fraser Anderson, Matthew Bremner, Josh Connon, Jamie Hume, Greg Kane, David Law, Lawrence McLelland, Jonathan Mathers, Jamie Rose, David Ross Mhairi Johnstone, Donald Macandrew David Law
10
Former Pupils' Club Section
Junior Colours Hockey
Full Colours Half Colours
Junior Colours
Rowing Rugby
Full Colour Junior Colours Full Colours Half Colours
Junior Colours Swimming
Half Colours Junior Colour
Nick MacAndrew, Mark Wareham Greg Anderson. Helen Clunas, John Dargie, Carla Plasberg-Hill. Helen Willett Verity Arrowsmith, Ciara Duthie, Harry Houghton. Fergus Kulasinghe, Neil Meatus, Alistair Melvin, Andrew Nicoll, Jack Nicoll. Ian Richard, Thomas Rutherford, Helen Sawyer, Susan Steel. Caitlin Taylor, Thomas Taylor Kirsty Cassie, Siobhan Cowie, Beth Fiddes, Alex Lihou, Stephen Molloy, Jack Morrison. Clair Repper, Magnus Willett Joy Davies Catriona Bain, Rachael Fladjitofi. Gary Wilson Kris Castanie, Ross MacDougall, Patrick Maughan, Callum Stewart, Ross Taylor Chris Ballard, Duncan Caird. Andrew Cairns, Mark Davies. Scott Davis, Matthew McCall, Robbie Samuel, Alistair Scott. Michael Zanre Jamie Finlayson, Neil Fraser, Sam Knudson, Lawrence McLelland, Man Smith Blair Bellamy, Rachel Milne Greig Morrison
Extra-Curricular Debating Drama
Full Colours Half Colours Full Colours Half Colours
Music
Junior Colour Full Colours Half Colours
Junior Colours
Natalie Smith, Rachel Watson Ciorstan Blake, Megan Robertson Lindsey Arthur, James Lindsay, Chris McKie, Jenny Sweeney Chris Ballard, Heather Blair, Alyson Boyd, Timothy Coleman, Jame Crockart, Maxine Hamilton, Victoria Lennox, Karen Little, Nick Lloyd, Jenny Lypka, Aileen Marshall, Megan Robertson, Anna PlasbergHill, Carla Plasberg-H i I l Kenneth Lypka Alyson Boyd, James Lindsay, Aileen Marshall, Carla Plasberg-Hill, Peter Watt Jane Adams, Chris Ballard, Ciorstan Blake, Timothy
Coleman. Pippa Davies, Jonathon Gordon, Matthew Graham, Alexandria Grant. Claire McKie, Katy MacLure, Natalie Mair, Anna Plasberg-Hill, Andrew Ross, Stephanie Smart. Rachel Watson, Lorna Wood Satya Anandavijayan, Fraser Anderson, Joe Boyd. Harry Jones, Laura Matson, Rachel Murphy, Ilka Reglitz, Alex Sharpies. Euan West
Extra-Curricular Activities School Sports Clubs Senior Girls' Basketball If we thought we had little chance last season, this season was far worse. With many key players leaving us to go off to University or to pastures new it was decided just to "enjoy" this season. 11
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The games began in October and things didn't look quite as drastic as we had imagined. Although we were winning many games. we were still losing to the stronger teams like Aberdeen University and the Beacon. Our performances were very inconsistent, which made it difficult to determine what needed improving. Mr Adey. a trained neuro-linguistic programming coach (NLP) began coming to our training and worked with us for the first part of our 3-hour session. We set ourselves goals and also followed three goals that winners use - I ) begin with the end in mind; 2) don't stop until you get the result you want, and 3) pay attention to detail. I could write pages about this experience, but basically it taught us how to control our mental and emotional states not only on the court but in life in general. The main thing the team learned. I think, was how to be composed under pressure. With this training the team fought themselves through to not just one but eight finals! The big games arrived and before each we would go into a dressing room where Mr Adeywould talk to us. We imagined every situation possible for the game ahead and, more importantly, we built up an energy right before the game. The team and coaches got into a frame of mind so that the minute the ball was thrown up in the middle of the court we would perform nothing but our best. The Junior Women's League was won reasonably easily. The Grampian Women's League trophy was presented to us after a tough, challenging season. But the exciting games were still to come. The Silver Division Final arrived and our opponents, the Police, were more determined than ever. From the minute the game started they attacked us and proved very difficult. We were down for most of the game, but began to pull back towards the end. There was one point in it for most of the last quarter but we were victorious in the end after a 49-48 win. The Junior Women's Cup Final saw our side meeting with the International School basketball team. All our hard training saw us take the title, winning 43 points. The Henderson Cup against Montrose was very similar. They came at us strong but our fitness and dedication left us with a trophy after winning 78-47. The Gold Division final was against Aberdeen University, who have proved to be tough opponents with our previous games having a score difference of three points on more than one occasion. Once again it was a tight game and the pressure proved too much for the University side in the last few minutes. Mr Adey's training kept us calm, composed and unbeatable! We won 49-44. The following week the two sides met again to battle it out for the Mappin and Webb trophy. The University wanted revenge, but we were having none of it. Our seventh victory occurred with a score of 57-49. Our final meeting was for the League Play-Off. The University had been doing extra training and we were aware how badly they wanted this title. We were losing by half-time and our spirits were low. I honestly think we have one person to thank for our win that evening as Mr Adey lifted our spirits, kept us composed and managed to give us the buzz we needed. The game was tough, both physically and mentally and they were still ahead as we entered the fourth quarter. There was no stopping us now, the score margin grew closer and the University team panicked. We carried on playing at a high intensity and under the excellent advice of our two coaches. Coach Macleod and Coach Greig. the Grammar Greywolves pulled ahead by eight points and played a clever game. keeping possession of the ball to run down the clock. The final score was 57-49. Anybody who was involved in this team would agree that this season was outstanding! Our chances were so low, yet we searched for the hero inside ourselves and produced what was needed on the night. We owe a humongous thank you to our dedicated coaches and a big thank you to Mr Adey for all the time they sacrificed for us this season. Without them it would not have been possible.
12
£I
laeq am! pun d!J) &tot ay) tolom sem ii os ',uana smouoy, dn papua 'Cep ayi •tpintu mew ay) iso! am y8nomie my) Xes 01 my stet luallaaxa sum anaaqmq yauttu isod at{) •sireq nueut mil )ou jjo S£ sty te duisuettisMy airman pallanuo3 jo Aeldsm e u) leq s1q jo aoi ay) Isol pun sanup qtadns ?mos paAeld saute). •Xiqruojumalsamoa ,asnool /(331a!ini, tt itaqie `awes puopas ay) nom am iueaw ruol num( /Cc! 3poutt qmdns n •papuodsal aM uoym ' ib patina.) unoisuoploo pound yogi ty 'trio) e sseum 01 saunme S£ Buytey apes yang 'gamut ,s2teute paw!), a parculd uam aM -aleds 01 tqaptm p gpm stand u! )a$Mel nays patina.' sisoy mo se 1.101IS SUM PP0-02: 'Clyeyold aiaM am - lam suompuoa ayi pasn pay cucti satuef kindap sty pue uospnuN wes Jaddris 'Rimer) am uaym -L£ killed e 01 dn sn stool mauteN s)ma--) tuay smom tap° mei KIsni uawsleq ino pue aaeld ay) Jam tie SmAow sem Hey ay) ,Cifiu!suclins mai v adoa mu ION -sm.!) men e as()) of unolsuopto9 of anotp 3M icEpsaupam /Mum 'Ise:nano ue up aielsap •uatp n gum - palmoq am uaym I Joj £ )O01 pue ley atu yum o£ uo [taunt antuquaRooji piaci -stand 0Z u! 6 mg 55 of smauoddo mo ffu)n)_usal auyaq .nano uz Jno te 6 Joj SL paws am lull 2teues -uaAeyatiols Si—pun sapeto uaapnyv ue sem sma,c yip,pi£ atp Joj atura 1S41 all In ll3IPUI 3aeal
scl JaPull/IX s1I03
imo5 meal ato il!da03! te Lied Jetyl parield Ilk oym spteu uoas pue uoul2noij CJJPH lie2nocjaulA! sso21 •all1C213E113M1 se yaks staiCeld uo Apiutay pap.) aM -amuttu ise! am ie dn patina 3.13M 2(.3w 113LIM ipm PIP air - ix sip.) mo way poi camel- pue ilasstru seiSnou •uospntrx turs siueingap maj v -unipaxa sem `,(Of teAlayq pue •JeaA sell pull !eat e -sdylem lattyam yem lulls Weal -llam pattuopad &tom 'llassnu uoptoo ueeidep-aaiA pue uostapuy Sail laddpis •salp)eLLI 33Ni atu 13.10 Ximourtueup panaldw! ma) ay) •siCep an)ssaaans uo saumfi jo pound 3A!SU'31U! 310 ui •amtetwojiad pun()) lie aull e amtS -I00113S 310 Joj yamw mug sty u! atone muuor) mdaaN -set{ 2e) Joj 5teo5 daap all u! llaj uatusmq maj e nue L Joj 9S dn Papua am -IMMO ZACK' n SEM it -tplutu ay) tem pun 4.1) o) JON() ui SSOI n llsu of pappap am luau) ay) Jaye pun pa-ferny:1 s3pej, leAmitu ea) 3q1 i(q tuaAo Pt jjo z Jo.; gp payarai putt Thu)!!! pawls panois Allnissaaans stapua-pui aM -s2mute ay) u! mod s1gl ie muuetu riinwoisna atp s.luautyldo mo ss suni paanpaul yn)ym _um stand amyl Ise! e papnpu! Imo) seu_ -pti 01 mot) Jno pare.uSal SUNNED tuadns autos pus Sugyall 1115!) *Altlymcx! luallaptc] -uoseas all jo aatrettuopad isaq mo mes ya!ym •unotsuopm)-) le Jam /Cep s panueuoa uoseas all lame 5telmoq paueA put pool n isteeSE yolia alyttpuatutuoa e sera gaup.% nano gz Joj Ina ploy of paReuew a.M palmy am intim -mma le sagalca Sti!puN sd!IIP4d laegailni -splapn 6 ale) re pin PPP.; Inm Polmocl am sr splalm s,niauoddo ino Jo aamyi ump aJOLII 31E) 01 uoseas SNIUM311S41 341 5tutuoaaq -aBallop sanaj IsterSe tilmqmpll u! Imlay yontu pattuojtad am 'Cep temolity ay! -)no Ile ! £ of pasdello3 am se uauolitoj lug 'say s! pamolmj mym •sialtem ay) uaammq 5muuru ASpop 3wos audsap all Joj 8! uo Smund uels of !pm paueq aM Iteurq 3U!nteds autos IMM Zg I Pirinuinam 313N ss .13k0 !Puy ay) !pun Jayume dn paid wu p!p aM .131MOCI 3111 SUM U0S-13PUV Sao JaddpiS .3mi )su!nin atue0 me) mo u! laTem u gym AllySyq_uo palms uoseas all IX isl 133I3IJJ
If19 sgunIJ uaIaH „ -s-dpisuo!cluivip supt amarnpang pun poet ulna! Joy 'smut& slum ouvoi..
-ssaaans Ennui os pai(ofua pun Joj pa,Culd noel moo 1meal mtpo ou s! amyl -saftion-aato trunuelD ayi gem straX wit!) inissooms e Jaw el Am do 5uOurty aq 01 pnoid ktan we ! uopdag quo . spdnd .1d111.0.4
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Three days later it was up to Countesswells to play local rivals RGC. Bowling first they managed to reach 147 for 7, aided by some sloppiness in our catching.. Mr Hutton. who umpired the game, noticed that 7 or 8 decent chances went down which might have been taken on another day. When we batted, only Douglas Russell showed any resolve with 26 to follow his impressive 2 for 27 with the ball, as we subsided to 55 all out. Our next match was an evening league fixture against Aberdeenshire at home. Before the game the question of loyalty reared its head, as two players selected for our team jumped ship and ended up playing for the opposition. The players concerned had already played for us in the same division so, in the opinion of some, should not have been allowed to play for a different team at the same level. Whatever, our Manager was not best pleased as we had to scurry around late on for dependable replacements prepared to play for us. To James Finlayson and Harry Jones, "Thank you". Both had pretty good games so maybe their attitude and performance strengthened our team rather than weakened it. (The players concerned are back in the day team squad but have not been selected for evening league games. That's the end of the matter. Everyone starts with a clean slate next season) In the game itself, our fielding was excellent as we gave away only six runs due to sloppy work by the boys. Most of the bowling was good. The balls that weren't got hit for four - but that's cricket for you. When we batted James Lord did well scoring a gallant 21. On a pleasantly warm May evening at sunny Rubislaw the gamed ended in the final over at 8.45 p.m. School activities, which led to a mid-season break, gave us all something to think about in terms of aspects of the game where we need to improve and try to promote the right mental approach and attitude in what remains of the season in June. Following the break, the team returned to action at Countesswells to play an RGC team a year older than us. Although we lost the game there were definite positives to take out of the performance. We batted for 19 overs chasing a total that was too big for us to have much chance of getting. The '19 overs' are significant in that it shows how resilient we were in the face of some pretty accurate and hostile bowling. Had we known more about the quality of the opposition we might have strengthened our own team by selecting a couple of 5th year players, who were desperate for a game. However we have not done that before for several reasons, not least that it would have been unfair on a couple of our 'fringe players' who regularly attend training and show great commitment to the team. When we batted, in the way that these things happen, Dougie Russell had one of those marginal decisions given against him which may have been unlucky. He was given 'out' in good faith by the umpire, believing the ball had clipped Dougie's glove on its way through to the keeper. Dougie took the decision well, making his way back to the boundary showing disappointment but not anger to the perpetrator of the dreaded finger. Did that critical moment change the possible outcome of the game? Maybe. But Dougie's reaction showed that we are playing the game in the right way, irrespective of what the scorebook says. On the longest day of the year, at a glorious Rubislaw, we played the evening league return fixture against Stonehaven. We bowled and fielded well restricting our visitors to 82 after winning the toss and putting them in. When we batted the one controversial moment of a game played in a good spirit, perhaps had an indelible effect on its outcome. Sam Knudson and Derek Hoogenbrugge had settled steadily in the first few overs. Sam played a big shot skier which was dropped at mid-off by the opposing skipper. Next over, after an unsuccessful lbw appeal, when the ball did not find its way into the keeper's gloves to deaden it, Derek went walk-about out of his crease at the other end. Noticing this, their captain ran him out. Derek looked flabbergasted, believing the ball was dead. It wasn't, so he had to go. In fairness to our lads it did not rattle them and Sam and an injured James Lord rebuilt the innings. Sam led a charmed life but batted well for his retired 30. In the end the total was too much for us in fading light with a swinging ball and we fell short by 21 runs.
14
Former Pupils' Club Section
Junior Xl/lst/2nd years Our Junior team had their first outing of the season at Gordonstoun. Our team was mostly 1st years, most of them playing their first game of proper cricket in their lives. Inexperience showed as our hosts got plenty for 2 helped by some sloppy fielding and several dropped catches. They'll learn. When we batted, a good stand between Liam Williamson and skipper Chris Leiper took us to 33 for 3 when the rains arrived and washed out the match. On a neighbouring pitch to the 3rd year team at Countesswells, our junior team played their second game of the season against RGC. It is pleasing to report that our bowling and fielding had improved considerably from their first game. Batting first, the team from the other place reached 155. This score would have been a lot less had it not been for several catches of varying difficulty hitting the ground instead of ending up in our hands. Clearly there is lot of work to be done in this part of our game. This was a pity, as our bowling and ground fielding was good and deserved better. When we batted we did quite well to reach 55 all out in the 19th over. Rory Stanyer, who had bowled very well, held the innings together with the bat until he fell to a brilliant juggled catch at mid on. The positives we gained from the game were vastly improved performances from several players who gave a good account of themselves. Had skipper Chris Lciper been available who knows what might have happened? At the time of writing this dispatch, the season has still to run its course. We are trying to find a fixture for the new timetable 'new' I st XI but recent wet weather has made that difficult. Many of our senior and best players are playing Grades cricket so distance from Aberdeen is restricted as we try and work with local clubs, under the proviso that usually school takes priority. The under-15 evening league team still has matches to play. Pupils want an end of season fixture of some kind against mixed school teams or another school. Melvin won the Senior House cricket trophy and Byron the Junior cup after their victories in the twenty-twenty style games. Junior Colours have been awarded to Sam Knudson, James Lord and Douglas Russell who all fully deserve their accolades.. The team has been superbly supported by FPs 1st XI captain Roland Knudson, FP stalwart Richard Ferro, who acted as a `go between' the FP section and the school. Both were excellent and wellreceived coaches. Richard took on additional duties as evening team scorer - another skill we need to pass on to players in addition to technical points in their playing. We also had a coaching session from Jan Stander, SCU Cricket Development Officer, who gave us something to work on. In school, Mr Hutton helped with coaching and in other ways, while Mr Milne and Mr McLeod of the PE Dept were supportive and helpful. Miss Innes, Deputy Rector, also deserves a special mention for letting the Manager take teams away when his classes needed covering. (By extension, to all those staff who got lumbered, our thanks). We also have to thank Hughie Miller, groundsman at Rubislaw, for his help with pitches, nets and kit. Sometimes we let him know arrangements at the last minute. but Hughie being Hughie never complained. Graeme Smith of the CDT Dept. helped us with our helmets and made our game safer accordingly. Not least, we have to thank the pupils themselves for their effort and enthusiasm. One night 57 turned up for practice — brilliant. Average practice attendance was about 40 boys. Some of the Grammar 98 team, who have moved on to a better standard, were very helpful at the practices. Interest is clearly there. We only wish we had more teams to play against. In the winter, net practices have been booked in the new Games Hall. We hope to start next year by hitting the ground fast and sharp in all disciplines before the season starts.
Girls' Hockey The hockey report pushes off with this excellent and upbeat article written by Kirsty Nicoll for the well produced School magazine 'The Grammarian': 15
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 'It has been a great year for both the senior hockey teams, coached by Mo Wisely and organised by Mrs Welsh. This year the first XI hockey team has been successful, securing a majority of wins and only a few losses. Along the way some excellent hockey has been displayed by all the girls. The skills and fitness levels of all players have greatly improved due to the regular Monday night training sessions organised throughout the year for the 4th, 5th and 6th year boys and girls. The second XI hockey team has also had a great year. The team has won almost all of its games, with only a couple of unfortunate losses. In particular, an excellent game was played by the Grammar girls against the Gordonstoun team and after a challenging game the girls came away with a victory of 1-0! Some of the most exciting games for the Grammar second XI have been played against St. Margaret's, the teams having been closely matched throughout the year with many drawn games. During these games the Grammar girls developed super teamwork and skill and the standard of their game has progressed. This improvement was obvious when in the final meeting between the teams the Grammar girls triumphed winning the game 6-I. much to the delight of the spectators. 'The annual "Santa's Hockey Fest" was, as usual, a great success. There was a great turnout from the first to sixth years. and everyone showed great creativity with the teams dressing up as festive characters. The tournament was played in a round robin style and every game was highly competitive but eventually the winners were announced as the Reindeers. The Easter Fest was played with appropriate costumes, and pupils from al I six years had fun playing together. At the end of a super season all players are aiming to continue with regular training so that they can improve their play even further and hopefully have many future successes. 'Links between the Former Pupil's Hockey Club and the School have remained strong with some members of the senior team, in addition to school training, getting extra practice playing with the FP Women's team in the adult leagues. This training takes place on Tuesday nights and offers a great opportunity to any player wishing to improve their hockey. The school teams have also been very lucky to be coached by some of the members of the Former Pupils' Club. James Williams, Ron Fraser, Ben Johnson, Gillian Graham and Super Mo Wisely, in particular, have done an excellent job and are fantastic coaches for the youngsters'. Kirsty Nicoll 4B2 Handing on to Mrs Welsh... I support Kirsty's optimism for a good season 2007-08. The sixth years have already organised four practices during the summer term, with as much emphasis being placed on positive team bonding as on producing skills. The dip moments of last season have only left us stronger with the sixth year determined to give of their best. Hockey matches for 2nd and 3rd years were keenly contested with both groups having regular squads which showed improvement over the season. Saturday morning matches attracted very few I st year girls, however, and to fulfil our fixtures we had to call on the services of some first year boys who did a great job of helping out. Honours went to the following pupils: Rebecca Murray was selected to play for the Scottish under-16 squad, which is a great honour; Alexandria Grant, Kirsty Nicoll and Rebecca Murray were selected to play for the North district under-16 squad; Beth Fiddes was picked for the North under- 15 squad, and Chelsea Gray for a North district under-14 mixed team.. Finally, we can wave goodbye to much of the old Rubislaw pavilion as work will start this summer on the re-modelled version. Visiting teams, exiled to the dubious vapours of changing room 4. will miss the cutting edge lavatories (ouch), the diseased, peeling walls, and the thrill of playing 'guess that smell'. Used to such shabbiness and disrepair, the generations of pupils changing at Rubislaw have nevertheless always respected it as a War Memorial. We are glad that the pillars will remain standing alongside the new changing rooms, to perpetuate the symbol of remembrance for future school students. 16
Former Pupils'Club Section Footnote With two weeks to go to demolition, I have had to restrain a childish urge to spray the following graffiti on changing room 4's crumbling wall - GRAMMAR 12 ROBERT GORDON'S 0 (but we would never be so unsporting as to break our code of honour and beat a team by that many. Or just that once... even in the dream.... would we?) Under-16 Football The 06-07 season was very successful for a team of talented players who represented their school extremely well both as sportsmen and as ambassadors. Local games early in the season established a good team platform with decisive victories over Westhill, Northfield and the International School. This was followed by an outstanding run in the Scottish Cup. initiated by a very competitive home game against Portlethen Academy in which AGS came from a goal down to win 2-I after extra time. The draw then took us to another venue in the North - Stornoway. A round trip of 3 days by minibus and ferry resulted in an exciting 2-1 win in a game played on a rain-swept, sandbased artificial surface in a howling gale after a stormy night in very basic accommodation. The next tie was a home game and a 3-I victory over Ardrossan Academy. Our quarter-final opponents were then Hillpark Academy in Glasgow and an excellent team performance produced a secure 3-1 victory. Semi-final stage now and we travelled to the neutral venue of Station Park, Forfar to meet Queen Anne High School from Dunfermline. After a hard, close contest, a dramatic last-minute winner gave us victory and a passage to the final against Mintlaw Academy. No North-East team had reached the national U-16 final before and now that two had managed this, the game took place at Pittodrie. The AGS team rose to the occasion and played excellent free-flowing football without quite managing to convert the goal-scoring chances being created. Down 1-0 early in the second half, they levelled the score but at full-time the rules being applied meant that the contest went straight to a penalty shoot-out, unfortunately without extra time — a cruel way to decide the outcome, not least because mistakes are made during games at every level but this system puts young individuals under an unforgiving spotlight. In our case the result was a 4-3 loss by the narrowest of margins both in the score and in terms of nearthings. They achieved so much and came so close - they will just have to win it at under18 level! WJJ Team Squad: David Law and Aaron Taylor (joint captains), Riyadh Nacef, Matthew Bremner, David Ross, Jamie Rose. Fraser Anderson, Dan Tough, Steven Boyd, Jamie Hume. Josh Connon, Ben Scott-Wilson, Scott Wisely, Hamish Wilson, William Codona, Steven Molloy and Rory Leslie. Senior Football After what had promised to be a fine year. the senior boys' football team, which was one of the most talented the School has had, was left reflecting on what might have been. With the 6th years returning to the fold, the team was joined by a set of current 5th years with great potential. The 6th years had to put the disappointment of last year's cup final defeat behind them and focus on the opening fixture against Meldrum Academy in the Scottish Cup. They were aiming for Hampden in their final year while the 5th years were anxious to prove their worth. The team put in a strong and efficient performance, recording a 5-0 victory and making the perfect start to the campaign. All the 5th years did well, with Ruaridh Hamilton scoring a good header. Kiefer Guilar hitting home an impressive hat trick and Blair Findlay netting his first goal. 17
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Only a week later we met Cults again, this time in the league. Knowing that this was the smallest league ever (with only three teams in it!) the squad knew they had to get a good result from this game. The first half was once again mundane. with the ball mainly in the mid-field area and it was no surprise that it was goalless at half-time. Both teams started the second half strongly but failed to take advantage of some good chances. Midway through the half Grammar conceded two very soft goals (history repeating itself). However, the lads responded brightly, pressing the Cults side into their own half, and within five minutes broke down their defence, with Harry Hendry and Josh Winton scoring two fantastic goals to bring the score to 2-2. It looked as if we might get the victory, but Cults struck back with what could only be described as a freak goal. They then focused on defence for the rest of the match and secured a 3-2 victory. Within two weeks our team had suffered two very frustrating defeats in games which could have gone either way. That's football! Refreshed from the October break, the team were to play the final league game on the first week back against St Machar Academy. After the cup defeat last year to St Machar, the team were anxious to get their revenge. Hearing that St Machar had been defeated by Cults earlier made us even more determined to get the result. The weather for the match was truly horrendous and the heavy downpour made it very difficult to settle into the game. St Machar dominated throughout, and Grammar were forced back into their own half for most of the game. Some valiant defending from the back line, led by Gordon Russell and Grant Mitchell, and good saves from James Lindsay managed to keep the score line down. Blair Findlay scored our only goal, but no-one could deny that St Machar deserved their 3-1 victory. The Scottish Cup was our last chance for cup success and the whole squad were convinced that this was the opportunity to turn the season around. The second round tie was against Fraserburgh Academy. On a fine autumn afternoon the tie started over an hour late owing to the visitors getting lost on the way to Rubislaw. Grammar started the game positively and had several great chances to take the lead, but the Fraserburgh `keeper was on top form and kept the match goalless at half-time. Grammar kept the momentum going into the second half and after a deal of pressure Kiefer Aguila stormed through on goal and netted to put us ahead. The team then sat back and allowed Fraserburgh to get back into the game, scoring two goals in quick succession. It looked as if it was the same story again until the lads found some inspiration and Blair Findlay scored a great header to get us back into contention. We regained the spark that we had earlier, and in the dying seconds a goalmouth scramble in the Fraserburgh box allowed Blair to slot home his second of the match to clinch a 3-2 victory. Team morale skyrocketed and the atmosphere in the dressing-room was unbelievable. The third round tie threw up Grammar's hardest possible fixture of the campaign: Robert Gordon's. The team knew that Gordon's had some top quality players and that this was therefore going to be a difficult tie. The windy conditions added to the difficulty. Unfortunately we took a very long time to settle and Gordon's kept us under constant pressure. Midway through the first half they took the lead, even though there was some suspicion of an offside. Grammar tried to rebound but the strikers never really tested the Gordon's goalkeeper. To add to a very frustrating afternoon, Gordon's scored again with only five minutes remaining. The second goal really knocked the stuffing out of our team and it seemed a very long way back. The lads tried valiantly to salvage something towards the closing stages but nothing came of it. The exit from the Scottish Cup marked an abrupt finish to the campaign. However, the team couldn't help feeling that on another day they could beat Robert Gordon's. Unfortunately, due to lack of fixtures, the season never really got going for the team. but could be looked upon as part of the learning curve of football. A big thank-you has to go to Mr MacLeod, who put a lot of effort into the team, arranging the fixtures, driving the minibus to away matches and occasionally refereeing. 18
Former Pupils ' Club Section Thanks also go to the loyal band of supporters whose enthusiasm never waned. A big thankyou to all the boys in the team, and the best of luck to the new team for next year's Grammar campaign!! Squad: Kiefer .Aquila, Graham Clews, Philip Duncan. Blair Findlay, Steven Fraser, Dami Gbenle, Ruaridh Hamilton, Harry Hendry, James Lindsay, Connor Lovie (V.C.), David Masson, Grant Mitchell. Gordon Russell (C), Andrew Will, Josh Winton and Grant Wood. James Lindsay S6 Senior Rugby During October of Session 2006-07 the rugby team from the School was lucky enough to go on a tour of Canada and the United States, in celebration of the school's 750th anniversary. After months of organisation, fund-raising and sponsorship from a number of extremely generous parties the day of departure had finally come. We flew from Aberdeen airport on 5th October, stopping off in Amsterdam briefly before completing the rest of our journey to Vancouver, in western Canada. The flight went surprisingly smoothly, with no major hiccoughs. Slightly worse for wear, the team retired to the hotel YMCA to re-charge for the next day's journey to Bellingham, North America. In the morning our bus driver Torn, was introduced to us. He would be our driver for the entire tour. So off we set for Bellingham, where we would be playing out first game against Chuckanut Rugby Club. On the way we stopped off to do a little training in Stanley Park. The team looked in remarkably good shape considering the jet lag and I was confident we would perform well the next day. Mr Montgomery had arranged to meet their team's coach in a 'mall' on the outskirts of the city before we were taken to watch a local high school American football game. The game itself I have to say wasn't particularly exciting, however the crowd was extremely friendly, especially some of the girls. and we ended up having a really good time. After the football we were welcomed by our hosts who would feed and shelter us for the two nights we were there. Some of us became good friends with our hosts. but when match day came all friendly feelings were set aside and everyone focused on getting the one winning goal. Although we had a slightly shaky start, losing the first try., we came back strongly and won the game pretty convincingly. To the amazement of the team, the doctor announced that Joseph Peres, one of the team's props, had broken his thumb during the match. Despite this injury he still managed to play most of the 80 minutes and achieved 'Man of the match'. We couldn't have really asked for a better start for the tour. The next day we left Bellingham and went north, back into Canada so we could catch the ferry to take us across to Vancouver Island. I think everyone was a bit sad to leave Bellingham as we had had such a memorable time, but we had to leave. Our first stop on the island was a town called Ladysmith where we stayed with host families, who were at that time celebrating Thanksgiving. In the true Scottish way, we filled our stomachs at the Thanksgiving feast, while our hosts looked on amazed that we could eat so much. In Ladysmith High school we found a collection of rugby plaques and trophies lining the corridors - this was a little worrying but it didn't put us off. The day of the match dawned and we gathered on the field for the usual warm up. The match was a tough one but although Grammar were not at full strength, they still managed to come out on top! Special mention goes to Euan Cadger for scoring a dramatic try. It was now time to move again, this time to Shawnigan Lake School. This was the school which had come on tour to the U.K. last March. We had beaten them then, so we were hopeful that we could pull off a victory. However, everyone was a little daunted after we were given a tour of the school grounds and shown the extensive facilities that were available to the players. It was impressive to say the least. We were happy to see that three Ladysmith players had come along to support us and although their cheers of "Come on 19
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Scotland" spurred us on. they were not enough as by half-time we were 5-0 down. In the second half, we managed to turn the game around and leveled the score to 5-5. Despite many chances we failed to score a winning try and the game ended in a draw. But who can complain drawing against the best High School team in Canada? The next day we had the opportunity to go shopping in the capital of the island, Victoria. I have to say this came as a welcome rest after having played three matches in the space of only four days. In addition we also went whale watching. Everyone found this an extremely enjoyable experience, partly because we were lucky enough to see probably over twenty whales, but also because the boats which we used were very, very fast! From Shawnigan we moved on to Brentwood College where we would be playing our final game. Originally we had expected to be staying in the school as it is a boarding school; however we were told only just before we arrived that we would in fact be staying with day students. This caused a slight problem as nobody had bought gills for a third host family so as a last minute resort the teachers bought each of us a packet of cookies to give. However, as some people were staying in groups of four some hosts ended up receiving four packets of exactly the same flavour which must have appeared a little strange. Although almost the whole team was exhausted from the previous game we knew we had to put everything into the final game. as it was dedicated to our bus driver, Tom. Despite facing a very strong team we showed great resilience to come away with a win. As soon as the final whistle blew everyone went crazy. we were undefeated after four games. We were all delighted, though completely exhausted. Luckily almost every host had a hot tub which gave us a perfect opportunity to relax and rest our limbs. The next day we were off, back to Vancouver; unfortunately the tour was coming to an end. For our last night we had booked tickets to go and watch the Vancouver Canucks play against the San-Jose Sharks. We're pretty sure that this was the first time any one of us had been to a proper NHL game and we were really looking forward to it. Although the home team played poorly the atmosphere was still amazing and it made a perfect ending to the tour. We think everyone was a little sad as we walked on to the plane in Vancouver airport. The tour for all of us had been an experience of a life-time. We had done things which none of us had done before, we had made lots of new friends and to top it off the team had played at its very best. Adam Leel 6M2 Chris Ballard 5KD2
20
Former Pupils' Club Section Secondary 1 Rugby Like many others I had never played rugby before I came to Grammar. Fortunately some boys, including Cameron Howe. Andy Steel. Findlay Johnston, Liam Alexander, Campbell Simpson and Rory Stanyer, did have experience, having played for a club, and this gave us a solid core. We trained regularly on Mondays, and sometimes Saturdays. There was a good turn out to training and everyone really enjoyed it. got along and made friends. At the beginning we had to learn the rules and concentrated on ball skills, but when we moved on to tackling. rucking and full contact (when we could just crunch each other) more and more people turned up - thirty people on some nights. Players such as Kalle Leopoldt, Nick Logan, Joe Grant and Cameron Howe stood out as solid tacklers. Later on in the season Mr Montgomery started organising matches. We played against Elton, Gordons B, Gordons C. Huntly. Wanderers and a team from Caithness. We also took part in a few mini-tournaments. We won against Gordons C. Caithness and Wanderers and did improve over the season. Even when we lost, the matches were still really good fun. There are a lot of players with skill and potential who I predict will form a good team in the future, including Max McKay, Lewis Clark, Craig Steven, Mathew Bell. Josh Evans and Finn Mueller, but everyone in the squad puts in a lot of effort. It is Mr Montgomery's hope that, having grasped the basics of rugby, many of this school squad will join the Grammar Club side next year to further enhance their skills. Thanks go to the coaches Moz Morrison, Peter Steven and of course Mr Montgomery. Special thanks to Paddy Watson. Pip Lawton and some of the sixth years who took an interest in us. Tommy Morrison Secondary 3 Rugby This season the Under-15/S3 rugby team has improved a lot from last season, due to weekly training on Saturdays at Rubislaw and on Mondays on the astroturf pitch . The team has now a squad of about 25 and is still increasing. We competed in two cup competitions this year, the Scottish Schools ('up and the North of Scotland Cup. Also this season we hosted a Canadian school, Brentwood College. We played three matches against old rivals Robert Gordon's which always brings out the best in our team. The first game was a close one, with Gordon's winning 24-5 in the end. The second game was also very close and again we lost, 20-7. The last game was a disappointing 38-8 defeat. After these defeats the team did well to make progress into the 4th round of the Scottish Schools Cup. We came up against Montrose Academy first, and convincingly beat them 42 14. In the next round we drew Morrison's Academy and beat them 54-7 in CrietT. with Lawrence McClelland, our speedy full back, scoring four excellent tries. In the 3rd round we came up against Douglas Ewart High, who had travelled up from Creetown, and we easily beat them 57-5. In the 4th round we lost to Earlston High in a hard fought game played on a typical Borders waterlogged pitch. Our defensive strength was thoroughly tested, and although we tackled well we were eventually out-muscled. The highlight of the season was when Brentwood College came over from Canada. Their coach was Alistair Thomson, a former captain of AGSFPs. Our under-16 team ( filled with S3s) hosted their squad of thirty for a weekend, playing one game against them. The match was the closest of the season. They scored first and shortly after got another try, but through persistent pressure we came back to draw the game 12-12 with tries from Lawrence McClelland and Duncan Caird. On the evening before the game we entertained them with a traditional Scottish Ceilidh which they really seemed to enjoy. Mr Thomson's
21
auganfry iootps dinuwv.i.9 tooplagy
Rugby Group at St.iiiley
uopaaS qno.rildnd .taud.rog Back: D. McAndrew, M. Vt.acha,ii. \%. Rennie, N. McAndrew, K. Bass, D. Law, K. Booth Front: C. Johnstone and M. Johnston
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine hard work practising the ceilidh dances before they left Canada for Scotland had obviously been worthwhile! Our team is filled with many talented individuals who played for the North-east District side, the Hurricanes, last season - Jamie Finlayson, Michael Stewart. Douglas Russell. David Diack and Sam Knudson (who was also captain). Many of the team play for the FP club side which was successful in winning the Caledonia Cup. Sam Knudson has also been invited to the SRU national rugby camp for the best 40 players in Scotland at each age group and Ross Taylor of S6 has also been selected to attend. Overall the season was a great success and I hope that things are just going to get better over the course of the next few seasons. We would like to thank parents, Roland Knudson and Alistair Duthie. and Mr Montgomery for all the time and effort they have expended throughout the season with the team. Sam Knudson (Captain) Rowing The season started on a high with Joy Davies receiving a gold in women's junior 1R pairs and Gary Wilson winning bronze in men's junior 14 doubles at the National Championships of Britain. Catriona Bain and Rachael Hadjitofi, although trying their best, just missed out on a place in the final in their women's junior 14 double. Joy was also selected to row for Scotland and won silver in her pair and the eight. Throughout the year Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association went to several Head of the River Races and Grammar pupils managed to be successful in most. including the Scottish Schools Head in Glasgow and Tees Head in Middlesbrough. At the beginning of February the Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships were held and Grammar pupils were able to win four gold medals and one bronze. During the Easter holidays most pupils upped their usual training of four 2._-hour sessions a week to go on a training camp in Ghent. Belgium. Typical days consisted of an early morning run and three outings on the water. This routine was broken at the weekend to take part in the Ghent Spring Regatta. where all pupils did extremely well despite the blisters! Training, if possible. was intensified entering the main season for competitions such as National Schools. Scottish Championships and National Championships of Great Britain. At National Schools, Gary Wilson was again in his double but unfortunately missed out on a place in the final. Niall Rundle in a men's junior 14 quad was in an extremely hard heat and narrowly missed getting into the semi-finals. Catriona Bain and Rachael Hadjitofi competed in women's junior 15 quads and managed to progress to the final but it was hotly contested and with little to separate all crews were unlucky not to do better than sixth place. Joy Davies in her pair also progressed to the final but they were overtaken at the last moment and forced into fourth place. At Scottish Championships the girls managed to dominate at their age group and threatened in older ones. Graham Doig won gold in a composite schools crew in the Schools Boys Boyd Cup. while other boys did well also. Most pupils are now training hard for the National Championships of Great Britain in the middle of July, so fingers crossed. For their dedication and achievements in rowing full colours were awarded to Joy and Junior colours to Gary. Catriona and Rachael. Catriona Bain 4B I
24
Former Pupils 'Club Section Nick McAndrew won the North of Scotland Youths' Championships at Inverallochy from a high-class field and David Law distinguished himself when representing the North--East in the Boys' Inter-Divisional Championships at Forres. Donald McAndrew and Mhairi Johnstone joined Nick and David at the Scottish Schools Championship in Gullanc where they represented Aberdeen City in a competition which saw them facing the best Scotland had to offer. David Law played some terrific golf and scores of 72 and 65 saw him finish 4th in the boys' competition. David's good form continued when he became the Aberdeen Schools' Golf Champion after an impressive 66 around the tricky Craibstone course. Donald was beaten into third place on a count-back after shooting 72. At Ms Innes's instigation the in-school competitions were changed from a match-play to stroke-play format. This format proved more successful than its predecessor and from a healthy field the Arthur McCombie Trophy was won by Nick McAndrew and the Dave Swanson Cup (for Sl-S3) by Lewis Clark. In the Aberdeen Schools' Golf League. the team had another very successful season. After winning four matches and drawing the other, the team topped their section and gained a place in the semi-finals. Their opponents were Bridge of Don whom they went on to beat 3-0 and with that a place in the final against arch rivals Robert Gordon's College (a repeat of the final of two years ago, which was won 3-0). The first pairing of David and Nick won their match 4 and 3, finishing 7 under par for the IS holes played (including an amazing five consecutive birdies from the I I th). William Rennie and Kevin Bass (the third pairing) played well but were beaten 3 and 2. With Donald and Mhairi one down standing on the eighteenth tee, the title looked to be heading to Schoolhill. But a birdie on the final hole saw the pair halve the match and the title returned to the Grammar (on a count-back of one hole) for the second time in three years. This capped a line month for the Grammar, but there is a feeling that with the season in its infancy the best is yet to come! Mhairi Johnstone. Golf Captain
Clubs and Societies Rook Club The Book Club is open to the first years who are interested in reading and learning about different books. It runs every Wednesday lunch-time in the Library at 1.15 (so plenty of time to eat). Miss Allard started the club, and now lots of people have joined, including various English teachers. There are lots of perks to being a member of the Book Club such as meeting famous authors, getting a say about new books which are being bought for the Library. getting your hands on the new books before anyone else and, of course, exclusive rights to the Library every Wednesday lunch-time. Samira Ferague & Rachael Matson 1KD4 Recently we had a visit from Karen MeCrombie. a Former Pupil of the School, who came to talk to pupils in Years 1 and 2. While she was here she told us that she enjoyed looking around the school. and her old classrooms as they reminded her of her days as a pupil. In her talk Karen told us about her journey to become an author. lier writing career started from her love of writing short stories in primary school. Once she had lett school she began working for various magazine companies, writing columns and short stories. She told us how living in Aberdeen had been an inspiration for her novels. Many of the stories which Karen told us were true to life and taken from diaries which she wrote as a teenager. One story which sticks out in my mind was about a cross-eyed seagull which would sit outside the window in the flat in Denburn Court where she stayed. 25
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
All-Round Trophy Winners L to R - Sorcha Hume, James Lindsay, Chairman Douglas Watson, Carla Plasberg-Hill, Gordon Russell
Team 2 receive the Geography Worldvise Quiz Cup L to R - Rory Leslie, Alistair Garden, Ryan Hart 26
Former Pupils' Club Section
27 !';,: r iorGirl 's Basketball Team
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine This story can be found in one of her novels, proving that sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. When Karen was talking to us she was very down-to-earth and didn't act as I thought a top-selling author would. Her talk was very inspiring for those in her audience who hope one day to be authors. She taught me an important lesson for my future: don't give up when publishers turn you down the first couple of times. Just keep trying until a publisher likes your books and then you might become world-famous! Watch this space, you never know! Rebecca Cameron I KD4 World Book Day was observed on I st March and as such is the English Department's favourite day of the year. As part of the build-up to World Book Day this year Miss Allard, the School Librarian, organised a survey to establish who were the pupils' favourite authors. In the Junior survey Anthony Horowitz emerged as favourite, followed by Jacqueline Wilson, Darren Shan, JK Rowling, Roald Dahl and Malorie Blackman. The Senior survey had Stephen King in first place, followed by Cecelia Ahern. George Orwell, lan Rankin, Janes Austin and Stuart MacBride. In today's society reading is believed to be an outdated pastime, overlooked in favour of television. computer games and other technological diversions, but Book Club members believe that reading can give much pleasure. To emphasise this it was arranged that at ten minutes before lunch break on World Book Day all classes ceased to do their normal work and everyone picked up a book - the topic of the book was irrelevant - and read, and so did what that special Day is all about.
Craft Club We have been involved in the Craft Club for quite some time and, as the name suggests, the Club involves taking part in a wide range of arts and crafts. Pupils from all year-groups attend on Friday lunchtimes in Room G3 to be guided by Mrs Arthur. Pupils who wish to attend are welcome to take along their friends and it is guaranteed that they will always be working on something creative and will have an enjoyable lunchtime with their friends, building on their craft skills at the same time. Activities include card making, T-shirt decorating. painting, designing jewellery and many other things. Last year we had the opportunity of painting on canvas, which was a new experience altogether. For the past few months we have been hand-sewing bags, and this experience has been very beneficial, making us much more confident when working with material and needlework. Hand-made cards and other items which club members have created are on sale in the library from time to time.
School Debating 750th Anniversary Celebratory Debate To mark the 750th Anniversary of the School a national Debating Competition was held at the School on 16 September. Skilled debaters from all over Britain attended to take part in this exciting event. Some interesting topics for debate were aired, such as the third round motion that "This House believes that Schools should have a duty of care over the health of students". Tensions were high as the finalists were announced - Grove Academy. Robert Gordon's College, City of London School and Dundee High School. They were to debate the motion that "This House believes that profiling is a legitimate security measure to tackle the threat of terrorism". The judging panel comprised Professor Philip Love, Ms Anne Begg MP and 28
Former Pupils' Club Section Andrew Kerr. North Tonight reporter. along with international debaters from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. After long consideration by the judges Prof Love announced the team from City of London School as the winners. They were presented with a silver quaich. Interviewed afterwards by reporters for The Grammarian the winners commented on how well the event had been run. "even better than some University debates we've been to; very organised. There was also a high standard of judging. Aberdeen Grammar surpassed itself'. This praise was a fitting tribute to Mrs Straiton, Miss Innes and Mr Murray for all the hard work put in by them in organising a highly successful event. Junior Debating Session 2006/07 was another successful year for Junior Debating. Our junior team comprising Finn Blake and David McCreath (S2) won through to Finals Day of the International Competition for Young Debaters. They were one of only four teams to qualify from the whole of Scotland. Finals Day took place in Cambridge and gave the boys the opportunity to debate at a high level within the prestigious surroundings of Cambridge University Union Debating Chamber. We were also represented in the Courier and English Speaking Union competitions. fielding some less experienced, but very able, speakers from S I and S2 who are keen to continue to represent the school in a variety of debating competitions. Junior Debating in school goes from strength to strength. In recent months there have been over thirty pupils attending our mid-week lunchtime debates. There was a huge turnout to support our Inter-house Junior Debating Competition which took place in June. The topics for debate ranged from the rights of children to own a mobile phone to the merits of genetic modification! The winning house was Keith/Dun whose speaker, Clare Armstrong. gave a fantastic performance. It was a closely fought competition. with Mugdha Nagrath (Melvin) taking second place and Gordon West (Byron) in third. With such an enthusiastic bunch of participants I know that Junior Debating will continue to be successful throughout next session. Sally MacBean Debating Successes The School has always been one of the names to beat at any national debating competition as reports over the years in the Magazine bear out. This year the senior team combination of Natalie Smith and Rachel Watson has proved a force to be reckoned with. Their results this session have been:Aberdeen University finalists - Natalie best on tab, Rachel best in final Dundee University finalists Glasgow University finalists St Andrew's University finalists Natalie best in final Cambridge University Runners-up - Natalie best on tab Edinburgh University School Debating Competition - Runners-up in final The junior debating team of David McCreath and Finn Blake have also had success in the Regional final of the English Speaking Union debate and in the Cambridge International Competition for Young Debaters. All this has only been possible with the great support of Miss Innes. Mrs Straiton, Miss MacBean and debating society secretary. Ciorstan Blake.
29
.4herdeen Grammar School Magazine
r r
Gary J. G. Allan O963-76) LL.B President O007-08)
3O
Former Pupils' Club Section
.-
-
-
• ..
.
-
-
-- - -
Martin Jeffrey & David Allan step out on the Sponsored Walk
31
- .1^
.
2. -
-- -
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Music The past year has been a particularly busy one for the Music Department. It can boast two concerts, a School show, the carol service and 'Bon Record' as well as contributing to the success of Prize-giving. Our concerts were well received by the parents, family and friends in the audience and consisted of varied and colourful programmes to suit all musical tastes. These concerts arc of great benefit to the pupils and offer the opportunity to showcase not only their hard work but also their unwavering support of the numerous ensembles which are available at Aberdeen Grammar School. Our School show, 'Smirk', has to be recognised as one of the all-time favourites with our pupils. The cast was wildly enthusiastic from the first rehearsal to the last. They always gave of their best and coped beautifully with singing and dancing at the same time (no mean feat). The accompanying rock band gave a strong foundation on which to build the vocal harmonies. resulting in superb performances from all concerned for the three-night run of the show. The composer, Ken Hossick, was in the audience for two of the three performances. which was extremely nerve-wracking for cast, band and musical director. However, he was delighted with our rendition of his creation. The annual carol service took place in St Machar's Cathedral on December 18th and the wonderful setting rang with carols, traditional and new, Quem Pastores from the orchestra, choirs and brass ensemble, with Jest". Joy of Man's Desiring from oboe soloist Alyson Boyd. This celebration of Christmas with its mix of music and readings is always popular with parents and staff and is a splendid way to lift the spirits on a cold winter's evening. The highlight of our musical year must surely be the magical experience of performing at His Majesty's Theatre for the School's 750th Anniversary. Working alongside Steve Robertson and local celebrities proved inspirational for our pupils, and they rose to the occasion, displaying a maturity beyond their years. They were worthy ambassadors for the School on and off stage, impressing audiences with their discipline, behaviour and outstanding range of talents. Jeremy Coleman of S6 wrote a captivating contemporary piece for alto saxophone and piano which he performed with Andrew Ross. The music was specially written to feature Brooklyn Adebowale. a stunning dancer, and proved to be one of the show's highlights. The audience was also treated to the amazing voice of Bethany Gilmour with her solo, 'Only Hope', while the ceilidh band set feet a-tapping with a Gay Gordons and some Eightsome Reels, culminating in Hector the Hero which introduced electric guitars and bagpipes into the line-up. Songs galore, sketches and choreographed routines all contributed to a hugely entertaining and memorable evening. The department was also involved in providing music for the annual Prize-giving in the Music Hall. Alan MacDonald, brass instructor, ably directed the Concert Band and Brass Ensemble to further enhance the ceremony of the occasion. The Brass Ensemble also performed at a lunch-time recital in December in the Cowdray Hall. The Concert Band took part in the Aberdeen and North-East of Scotland Music Festival, as did many soloists and ensembles from school, and was awarded an outstanding certificate for their eflbrts. As always, the music department is indebted to its loyal team of instructors who gladly give of their time to encourage and assist our youngsters in the vast array of extra-curricular activities, but our biggest thanks must go to the pupils themselves for their ongoing enthusiasm, dedication and wholehearted support. The Wildlife Garden The Wildlife Garden has an enthusiastic band of workers from a variety of years who help weed and who plant a wide range of plants in the garden, in addition to growing plants and seedlings in the greenhouse. The group meets for an hour after school on a Tuesday and
32
Former Pupils' Club Section the garden is starting to be tamed. The Intermediate 1 class and the SVS classes have also enjoyed working in the garden this year. The variety of wildlife to be seen in the garden is increasing, with an array of birds and some butterflies having been sighted. The pond is teaming with life, much to the delight of the pupils in the biology department. After summer we will be running our bulb-selling campaign to raise more funds for the continued development of the area. Your support with this activity would be much appreciated. Order forms will be available from the office the first fortnight back after summer.
Bon Record During the month of March 2007, pupils of Aberdeen Grammar School were involved in a show at His Majesty's Theatre to mark the celebration of the School's 750th Anniversary. Several Former Pupils of the school, including Steve Robertson from Scotland the What, were joined by a large cast of Aberdeen Grammar's current pupils from all year groups of the school. 1st to 6th. Rehearsals started for this fabulous show in the first week back to School after Christmas break in January. We had no time at all, a matter of weeks, to produce a show that was worthy of the grand stage of His Majesty's Theatre. Although rehearsals were long, hard and merciless, we managed to produce one heck of a show. Thanks to our choreographers. a selection of senior girls of the school and Mrs McLeod, the musical director, the cast were soon able to tell their right feet from their left and were dancing to our classes during the school day. Many a night we were singing the lyrics of Auchterturra in our sleep. remember I even woke myself up one night...) As opening night approached everybody slowly but surely began to stress out. Even the FPs were wobbling with their lines. The cast was running far behind schedule and Miss Adams. head of the drama department and director, vowed once again. "I AM NEVER DOING ANOTHER SHOW AGAIN!" However, Miss Adams had no reason to doubt us, oh no, because as always. in good old Aberdeen Grammar School spirit, the cast pulled it out of the hat and "wowed" her to happiness on the last week before the show. (Better late than never. eh?) The opening night resulted in such an adrenaline rush, felt by every member of the cast. It started off with a bit of "comedy tonight" and moved swiftly on to a bit of "Getting to know you." This song was originally in The King and I. Six pupils, including myself, dressed smartly in our school uniform (I don't think I have worn such a long skirt since primary school) and sang sweetly to the teacher, Laura Jarret, one of the FPs. When I first found out that I was part of the cast for Bon Record. I didn't know an awful lot about our FP co-stars, and the theatre-based sketches from "Scotland the What?" and therefore had absolutely no idea what to expect from the Former Pupils. I have been reliably informed by someone unfamiliar with Auchterturra, that you most definitely had to be a local to understand the jokes and the bitter rivalry between Aberdeen Grammar School and Robert Gordon's. a rivalry that has been ongoing a lot longer than anybody actually realised. We rocked our way through "Greased Lightning", boogied our way through "Rhythm ofLife" and smiled angelically through the ballad "The Greatest Love ofAlf'. We dined with "Mack the Knife" and dolled it up in "I love a piano". The ceilidh band also stunned the audience to silence with their beautiful rendition of traditional music, along with the stamina of the highland dancers. I applaud you. Numerous pupils had various extra parts in different scenes, for example "The Lady is a Tramp" including the senior boys, "All that Jazz" including the senior girls and "Fugue for Tinhorns" with some well known faces, James Lyndsey and Stephen Malloy from
33
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine previous School shows such as Snork (performed last November. (Very successful, if I may say so myself!) Bon Record was a tremendous show for the pupils who took part. Friendships were formed through wonky dance routines and over a good old cuppa Tetley with the Brew Crew, a "tradition" that has taken place before curtain call over the past few shows (I was made to include this.) Bon Record really was an amazing experience. I count myself very lucky to have performed with such a great lot of people in His Majesty's Theatre. Once again, the cast would like to thank the FPs for their guidance, patience and support through many a rehearsal: especially with Laura's help to our senior boys (I will name no names...) Bon Record included "Lots of local stories that you'd maybe like to ken..." If you missed it, BUY THE DVD! Once again, many thanks to Miss Adams and Mrs McLeod — we did it in the end! Would really like to stay and chat... "But it's time I was awa!"
Face the Music: "Snork" After last year's production of The Willow Pattern the Mins and Ta-jins were traded in for the alumni of Pitsville and Knobsworth as "Face the Music" took centre stage with Snork. The show having only been produced once before there was a unique buzz about the huge numbers who turned up for audition. With possibly the highest ever standard of audition a very talented cast of eighty was chosen, including some familiar names as well as many newcomers. There were only three months from August to learn lots of scenes and lines, perfect many harmonies and master dances. With fifteen musical numbers and a challenging script it seemed at times that we would never make it. Miss Adams adopted a cool and composed facade suggesting that all was well. Lines were learned thoroughly and everyone did a great job, although Miss Adams was heard at times to question the sanity of several of the principals (no names - they know who they are). The cast was very musically able and was kept motivated throughout rehearsals by Mrs McLeod's enthusiasm and helped by her last minute extra practices to resolve harmony issues near opening night. The dances were brilliantly choreographed by the talented Lindsey Arthur, S6, Maxine Hamilton, S6 and Heather Blair, S5. There were times when I saw them coming up with the dances, and the moves and steps were top-notch, a joy to watch. However, with not the most 'co-ordinated cast' in the world, perfecting these moves, as well as teaching many of the males the difference between their left and right feet, the girls had a real task on their hands. This became even more testing when the cast realised that they had to sing and dance at the same time. At the last minute, however, we managed to do all the right steps in the right order in unison. November arrived all too quickly and, with hair gelled, last minute dances learned, some inappropriate lines cut and school ties pulled down, we opened on a cold, wet Wednesday evening to a packed audience. The 3-night run was a great success and the audiences made it clear that they enjoyed the performances. However, this could not compare with how much the cast enjoyed the experience. This was possibly the closest cast ever, and this was reflected in the performances. There are so many people to thank. Mrs Arthur, with her expertise with costumes and make-up, helped the cast to recreate the style of 1982 down to the last detail. Mr Hutton once again mentored a very efficient stage crew and Mrs Mackie's stage designs were incredible. Ms Bryce was once again a star and Miss Parsons did a fine job as assistant musical director. Mr Smith's cameo in the show was much appreciated. Special thanks go to Ken Hossick for not only writing such an outstanding script and excellent music, but also for allowing AGS Face the Music to produce Snork. The biggest thanks must go to Miss 34
Former Pupils' Club Sedum
Adams and Mrs McLeod. We certainly took them to hell and back over the last few months and the ride could not have been easy, but the cast did well and I am sure that they were proud of them. Their dedication and hard work were appreciated by all. A big thank you to the many other members of staff who dedicated so much of their time and skills to ensuring a great Face the Music production. It was a fantastic experience for all the cast. Good luck to next year's production. James Lindsay 6KD2 (alias Patrick Smith)
Charities Group In line with previous years, the Charities Group has met and tried its best to raise money for worthy causes in its own quiet way. The Healthy Eating Tuck shop at interval continues to be the main source of regular income. Gone are the days when cans of Coke, Mars Bars and crispy things were best sellers and profit generators. Now it's water, fruit juice and cereal bars that attract our loyal band of regular customers, many of whom come with £5, £10 and even £20 notes, presumably looking for change for other uses. We try to be ready for the Monday morning 'note-fest' in our trading. It certainly helps that everything is one price, 50p, and we hope to continue with this policy providing wholesale prices of our products do not increase too sharply in the near future. Then there is the ever-willing Mrs Welsh and the fantastic work she does for different charities over the year. Her mid-winter slog in her cold warehouse produced many shoeboxes of goodies for needy children, of which the school supplied over 120 filled boxes. If there is a special place for good people somewhere in the great beyond, then Mrs Welsh has done more than enough over the years to book her place. All this with three dogs to look after also. This year particular events like the Red Nose Day Celidh organised by Mrs Cawdron, Biology, raised a lot of money for Comic Relief which was sent away along with Red Nose day collection proceeds. Other staff have raised money in different ways for noble causes e.g. Miss Sinclair, English, with her stamp collection appeal: Mrs Arthur, Geography, and her craft club; The HE Dept and their coffee morning for Macmillan Research:. Mrs Nicholson, also of HE, and her work for the Breast Cancer campaign. Former Rector, Mr Johnston. also raised over £2000 when he and his family ran the Edinburgh Marathon for Cancer Relief. Although only a smallish proportion of the total came from school, it's worth mentioning here as it was a tremendous effort from someone who has a significant and unique place in the history of the school.. This was in addition to his sterling work with the under-16 football team which made him a worthy nominee for the 'Manager of the Year' award in schools football circles. Eight senior pupils and a member of staff took part in the Cyrenians sleep-out in early February. Relative to the amount raised in sponsorship by each member of the group, the school was awarded a 'Best per capita' trophy for its efforts. The school has continued to support our six Third World children with voluntary contributions from pupils. The Glasgow-bound Mrs Parker raised £44 for UNICEF with her Social Education Class. 2B1. The school also made a good contribution to Aberdeen Presbytery's Malawi Appeal which requested sewing machines. tools, computers and other equipment to help people in the fourth poorest country in the world. The English Department's Annual Readathon Appeal has been held over until next year due to other major fund-raising taking place in school. The Geography Department ran a Christmas 'alternative present' scheme which raised funds for developing countries. Our friends at Young Amnesty mounted a 'free prisoners of conscience' awareness campaign which was significant in its own way. The Music Department has entertained people and raised money for needy groups with the vast array of talent at its disposal. At this point the writer of this article always gets guilt pangs 35
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine for failing to mention someone who has worked hard for someone or something but who has been missed out in the brief notes above. As usual, Sorry. I need to keep news sheets for the year to keep me up-to-date with everyone's efforts. Those of you who know the state of my desk will appreciate that this is not possible! To all of you who have given us money or goods for whatever cause was being touted at the time, Thank You — it was much appreciated. We end with a few particular accolades and fond farewells to staff members who have supported us directly over many years: to Mr Gray, Deputy Rector, who has been around since the formation of the Charities Group some twenty years ago to offer support. encouragement, advice and generosity: Mrs Nicholson from HE who has worked hard for different causes for many years: Mrs Crowe, PT English for her work in raising thousands of pounds through the Rcadathon Appeal: Miss Midgley, PE and Mrs. Brown, Maths, who were willing registration collectors for poppies, sponsored children and other requests: the now departed Miss Brown, Business Studies, who served as Treasurer when on the staff and supporter as pupil and staff member and the also departed Mrs Parker who tried to make her classes aware of the needs ofothers in the relatively short time she was here as Guidance Teacher. To the hundreds of you who have supported good causes this past year. "Well Done and Thank You". With the proposal to donate to charity whatever is left over from next session's sponsored walk to finally acquire a new minibus, it could be that there will be good news to report this time next year in terms of the school's charitable donations. Attendance at meetings has been good and there are lots of new ideas floating around from a group of enthusiastic and interested pupils. The future looks good! Some of the donations made in 2006-07 : 100.00 Tsunami Appeal 971.00 Aberdeen Cyrenians 100.00 Carla Plasberg Hill's Project Trust trip to Peru 100.00 Barnardo's 100.00 Asthma Association 64.00 UNICEF 1200.00 Comic Relief/Red Nose day 450.00 Voluntary Service Aberdeen 500.00 British Heart Foundation £ 3585.00 World Challenge — Uganda In June/July 2008, a group of 21 pupils and 4 statT are to go to Uganda as part of World Challenge. While there they will trek through junelc, work on a community project, possibly teach. and organise recreational activities. Each member of the team has to raise the money to fund their trip and the challenging sum of £301(1 per pupil has therefore to be raised in advance of the exercise. Sponsorship is being eagerly sought. All this explains why on Saturday 24th March a small group of individuals braved the brisk morning air to venture back into School to run a car boot sale in the car park. Car boot sale excitement was huge as some eager punters were clawing at the wares on some of the stalls even before the sale was officially opened. Turn-out was good, with many people diving into their pockets to bag a bargain. The whole group is grateful to all who came and helped to raise £400 towards their costs.
The Grammarian This year's 750th Anniversary school magazine has proved a great success. As ever, it provided an opportunity for pupils from all years to display their talents and we were 36
Former Pupils' Club Section fortunate to have an excellent team which ranged from SI pupils to S6 pupils. Special mention must go to Jenny Grant, 6MI, who won the award for best written article in the Scottish School Magazines competition for "Teenage Riot - An Idiot's Guide to Youth Tribes". Although Jenny could not make it to the awards ceremony at the Scottish Parliament, a group of pupils involved in the production of the magazine attended the ceremony and Christine Macleod 6B I very ably accepted on her behalf Fortunately, Jenny was able to accept an invitation to attend the events marking the opening of Parliament by Her Majesty the Queen on June 30th and to work alongside national newspaper and broadcast journalists to cover this. Geography Successes Geography Worldwise Quiz Two teams from Geography classes at Aberdeen Grammar School were entered for this annual quiz which is organised by the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers. In the Grampian Heat in February 2007 both teams did exceptionally well and came first and second from eleven teams entered from the Grampian area. Team I retained the Grampian Region Winners Shield donated by Aberdeen University Geography Department. This is the ninth time that a team from AGS has won the Grampian Shield since the inception of the Quiz nineteen years ago. Both teams proceeded to the Scottish final at Linlithgow Academy in March where further success was to follow. Team 2 put in a tremendous performance against teams from seven other schools to win the Scottish Worldwise Quiz Trophy. This means that Aberdeen Grammar School has now won the national final in two consecutive years. This is a great achievement which is a worthy reward for the time and eftbrt which was invested in preparing for the quiz. Many congratulations to all involved. The team members were as follows:Team I: Fraser Anderson (S4), Liam Fraser (S3). John Henderson (52) Team 2: Rory Leslie (S4), Alistair Garden (S3), Ryan Hart (S2) Advanced Higher Geography National Award Richard Dargie completed a very successful 6th year (2006-2007) at Aberdeen Grammar School by gaining the top national place in Advanced Higher Grade Geography. This highly creditable pertbrmance resulted in Richard being first amongst 900 Scottish AH Geography candidates. This is a major achievement to have attained. Richard was presented with his award at the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers' Annual Conference at the end of October 2006 in Dundee.
Enterprise Education Young Enterprise The Young Enterprise project was a rewarding and fulfilling experience for this year's Fifth and Sixth year pupils of the School. It provided all the students involved in the project with a greater insight into what running a business is like in the real world! The project involved the pupils in setting up their own company, making important decisions, including what their company was to be called. what products they intended to make. what the aims of their business were to be. their mission and to whom they were going to market their product. There were two companies which set up at the onset of the year, however only one survived the pressures of setting up and running a business. The
37
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine pupils soon discovered that. to run a business efficiently. they needed to commit a large amount of their time and energy and had to work very cohesively as a team. Inside Track, the surviving company, after successfully organising The Monster's Ball in 2006. went on to compete at the Christmas Fair competition held at the Music Hall last December. To ensure that the company survived and maximised profits they decided to diversify. Inside Track, the parent company, became a Corporate Events Company. It organised functions at the school, for example Discos, and bought and sold tickets for any big bands coming to Aberdeen. They very successfully raised a lot of the capital for the company as a whole. This ensured that the second branch of the company, the Llamas Legges (named after Rector Mr Legge and the Grammar, which rhymes with Llama) could produce their hand-crafted products. There products were environmentally friendly, handmade and were made using recycled goods. All members of the project had to work closely to produce these products which included bottle top jewellery (all bottle tops generously donated by His Majesty's Theatre) and plectrum necklaces. To market their products on the day the Llamas Legges had a pupil dressed in a Llama costume outside and inside the Music Hall with a billboard advertising their product! The pupils, as pan of the remit of Young Enterprise, had to produce a Report on their experiences of running a company, including both the positive and negative aspects of this, in an inter-school competition. After successful completion of the report, Inside Track were then chosen to compete in the next round of the competition hosted by BP at the Marriot Hotel. The judges consisted of a panel of local entrepreneurs who had to listen to presentations given by six schools to determine which company had been the most successful overall. Unfortunately, Inside Track came second out of the six schools taking part in the competition. Pulling through all the troubles that a business can face to reach the better times is an important aim for any business. Inside Track succeeded in doing this. Their products were extremely popular amongst students and other young people, they were environmentally friendly and the company met their main aim of making a profit from their venture. Congratulations to everyone who was involved. Success in the Pipeline A group of S6 pupils took part in the 'STEM in the Pipeline' project. This project is run through the oil and gas industry and each student has to bring a wide range of skills to the table embracing maths, physics, chemistry and geology. These school-based skills are then transferred over and applied to the industry. The participating pupils were Carla Plasberg-Hill, James Lindsay. Melvin Joy and Omar Aly, who were all mentored during the project by helpful staff from ConocoPhillips including, by strange coincidence, Former Pupil Ross Wattie. The team had a three task project to complete. in order to produce a field development plan of the STEM field. This was not just a day-long project, as each pupil had been working in his or her own time from August until the day in December. This took dedication and application in order to get the job done using skills required both in school and outside in the oil and gas industry. After submitting a final report the pupils had to make a presentation and answer questions from assessors working in the industry. The presentation day was held at BP Dyce, and was a stressful and demanding task, but it was done well and with confidence. Each pupil who completed the project was presented with a silver CREST award. However our School team were presented with a special award - the George Buckenham Trophy - for being the 'Most Innovative'. Well done everybody! The whole project was organised by SETPOINT and kindly sponsored by ConocoPhilips and supported by BP, without whom the day would not have gone ahead. And, of course, let's not forget our own Maths department for all their help! 38
Former Pupils' Club Seethm
Home Economics Ready Steady Cook Competition In December. the Home Economics department organised its first 'Ready Steady Cook' cookery competition as part of the School's programme of inter-house competitions. The competition was held on Monday 4 December 2006 at the end of the school day, and this year the competition was open to SI and S2 pupils. Teams of two pupils were invited to submit an entry by selecting from a 'goody bag' a combination of ingredients with which they could create a recipe for a nutritious, original and interesting savoury dish. Eight teams took part in the 'cook-off' and had 35 minutes in which to prepare. cook and present their chosen dish. Each team gave a fiercely competitive performance and presented their completed dishes on time. The finished dishes were of a very high standard and the pupils' enthusiasm was a joy to see. The winning House in each year-group was KeithiDun, with Byron being the runnerup in SI and Melvin the runner-up in S2.
S2 Enterprise Event — Food & Drink Challenge Following on from the of the School's first 'Food & Drink Challenge last year, a second Challenge was organized for Thursday and Friday 24 and 25 May. involving half the S2 year-group each day. This year the event took on a cross-curricular perspective as departmental involvement was extended to include several other departments such as Art. Biology. Business Studies, CDT, Maths and Music in addition to Home Economics. This Enterprise initiative was organised jointly by the School and Scottish Food & Drink, a subsidiary of Scottish Enterprise. Careers Scotland. Aberdeen City Council's Enterprise in Education Challenge Fund and the Olive Tree Restaurant. The pupils, in teams of ten. were challenged to develop a new food product -- a new version of the traditional North-east soup, Cullen Skink. Early on in the day, each team decided which members would take part in the various activities — manufacturing the product, marketing and advertising, food analysis. producing the packaging and costing the product. They then split up and went to the various departments which were organising these different activities. Probably the most demanding was the manufacture of the soup, which was carried out in the Home Economics department, assisted by the Executive Chef from the Olive Tree and his assistant chef who had provided all the necessary ingredients for the pupils. Every team produced a flavoursome soup and some of the variations on the original recipe were most interesting. After a hard day's work, it was time for each team to reconvene and put together a presentation for the product launch. Some excellent presentations were delivered by the teams to their peers and the judges - every team had an original approach. Full use was made of advertising jingles and examples of very attractive packaging were on display. The two winning teams are to be given a tour of the Olive Tree Restaurant premises and the winning soups each day will be put on the Restaurant's menu for a short spell. Whether they were winners or not, everyone enjoyed the experience and learned a lot from it. By the end of each day, the pupils had taken their first steps towards becoming 'enterprising' citizens.
Eco Group After a rather slow year. the Eco group is a little closer to achieving an Eco bronze award for the school. The group has regular meetings of pupils from all years as well as staff. We are now recycling paper, kitchen waste (from the HE department), Christmas cards, mobile 39
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine phones and printer cartridges. Other groups in the school are also recycling stamps and books. We are ending the year on a high with in excess of 100 entries for our poster competition to advertise the work of the eco group.
Sponsored Walk In celebration of the 750th anniversary of Aberdeen Grammar School. the school took part in various commemorative activities throughout the year, one of which was a sponsored walk on 21st September. All the classes throughout each year started at different times throughout the morning and, being in sixth year. I was under the misguided impression that I would be one of the last classes to depart and so wouldn't have to he in school (and out of bed) until later. However. being a buddy meant that I had to arrive at school at 8:45 a.m. on the dot in order to be ready to leave for the walk with the very• excitable 1BI at 9.00. We went by bus to Footdee where we met up with Mr. Legge, who led us along the promenade towards the mist that clouded the view of our destination. The first part of the walk was fairly uneventful, although I did find it rather amusing that Mr. Legge appeared to be picking up police frequencies on his walkie-talkie while he was trying to reach one of the other teachers! However, a couple of hundred games of 'I Spy' later we finally reached the beach. One of the advantages of being with the first class meant that the sand was undisturbed and so was easy to walk over, and it was still quite early in the day, so the sun was low in the sky and therefore soft on our eyes, and there was a cool, calming breeze coming off of the sea. However, Christine pointing out the "washing machine" that was embedded into the wall. which actually turned out to be the end of a sewage line, soon ruined the tranquillity of the location. Once we reached the end of the beach we stopped for lunch, and it was nice for us to be able to spread out across the large expanse of sand and eat lunch comfortably without the threat of being hit by the ever-approaching waves. On the way back. I found a great contrast in the setting. By this time the sand had been trodden on by hundreds of pairs of feet, so it was much harder to walk across, and the sun was close to its highest point of the day, so it was rather harsh on the eyes. However, 1 was more bothered by the fact that my cheeks and the areas around my eyes were so flushed that I was beginning to resemble a "red-eyed raccoon" according to the very complimentary first years. Once we were back on solid ground. however, things became much easier and we moved along a lot faster. and arrived at the Bridge of Don checkpoint at the same time as the final 5th year group, only they were going in the other direction. Having played '1 Spy' to death, we had to think of another way to amuse ourselves on our walk back along the promenade. and the first years came up with an ingenious plan to turn Alvaro into a human carthorse and lumber him with all our bags. He suffered with them all the way along the prom, and once we reached the end of the walk. dropped the bags with a loud 'thump' onto the concrete. The first years then proceeded to sit on his back and force him to do sit-ups whilst we counted the bags - 19 in total, which he had carried roughly three miles! Looking back, I definitely enjoyed the walk much more than I originally thought I would. and I feel it was time well spent as it raised the sum of £15,000 which will be beneficial to the school, as the money raised will go towards a new school minibus. Shonagh Hutson 6B I
40
Former Pupils' Club Section
School Social Functions Leavers' Ball 2007 This year saw a new venue for the S6 Leavers' Ball. Always a very formal occasion for all leavers and staff members, this year's Ball was held in the splendour of The Marcliffe at Pitfodels. The normal venue of the Queen's Hotel was no longer available, having been taken over by a new hotel group and currently closed for refurbishment. All 120 pupils gathered around the Byron statue at 6.30 p.m. some accompanied by their parents who took pride in seeing their children dressed in all their splendour. Buses were on hand to transport pupils and staff to Pitfodels where a champagne reception awaited them. Having consumed a wonderful 3-course meal, the assembled company danced the night away to the lively traditional ceilidh music of Gaelic Bread. "The best yet" was the most common comment heard from members of staff. Much praise must go to the pupils of this year's S6 who behaved impeccably throughout the evening, so much so that the Marcliffe arc welcoming us back next year!
Staff Change The end of the Summer term saw the retirement of Depute Rector. Russell Gray, and the end of a record 52-year connection with the School. Russell became a pupil in the Nursery Department in 1951 and left from Year 6 in 1965 to study at Aberdeen University. After graduating in 1970 and training as a teacher he retumed as a teacher of English and Geography in 1970. then specialising in Geography, and later Modem Studies. Promoted in 1974 to be a Guidance teacher he went on to be principal teacher of Guidance before further promotion to Depute Rector in 1997. He was for many years officer in charge of the School contingent of the Combined Cadet Force. with the rank of Major. He succeeded Ian Stephen as the staff representative on the FP Club Executive and has for several years been the School editor of material for the Magazine produced annually by the FP Club. Although no longer on the Geography staff, he has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the School's successful involvement in the annual "Worldwise Quiz". As Depute Rector he has played a major role in the smooth running of all manner of School functions from shows to carol services to the annual Prize-giving. He is recognised by many FPs as a tour guide of much competence. having conducted parties of nostalgic Re-union groups round their old school of which he is understandably knowledgeable and justifiably proud.
School Board This, the Board's final year, has been a quieter one than usual, but a variety of matters have been considered, including the appointment of a new Deputy Rector (members were represented on the appointment committee): the establishment of the new Parent Council, the successor body to the Board (members took part in the preparation of a draft constitution, for consideration by the parent body in the coming session); the Games Hall, members having followed with interest the progress of the building, now nearing completion. the Rubislaw Field facilities, members being delighted that progress is being made on the provision of a modern and fit-for-purpose Pavilion; consultation on Head teacher/Deputy appointments, the Board having made a response to the proposals from the Scottish Executive; and the Accord Card concerns having again arisen about the operation of the card within the School. With the coming into force of the new Parental Involvement Act, the Board has now reached the end of its tenure and will be disbanded at the end of July, with the Parent Council in place early in the coming session. The Board wishes the Parent Council well for the future. It has been a privilege to have had a place in the illustrious history of Aberdeen 41
Abe:Veen Grammar School Magazine Grammar School and members wish the School every success for the next 750 years — and beyond!
The Phil Love Trophy It was said of last year's winner that "he is a truly accomplished musician" and that "we look forward to hearing a lot more of his performances in the future". This year we have heard more of these performances and have witnessed his accomplishments increase. Consequently, in recognition of his immense musical contribution to the life of the School this year and his own personal achievement in music, the Trophy is awarded again to Jeremy Coleman. "His outstanding talent as a musician" referred to in last year's Magazine has been even more evident this session. Jeremy has had four of his pieces premiered this year. Two of these were during school-related performances. Those who saw and heard his "Movement" for alto sax and piano in the "Bon Record" show will not forget his music, nor the ballet solo which it accompanied. He also composed and directed the musical item for the Prizegiving ceremony entitled "Fanfare for Modem Times". His other two pieces were performed by the "Hebrides Ensemble", a string quartet, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dance youth works group. Jeremy has passed his Grade 8 theory examination and has gained a prize for distinction at each of grades 6. 7 and 8. In the recent Aberdeen Schools Music Festival he won the open piano category. He also continues to play with the Junior Academy of the year R.S.A.M on Saturdays. So where to now? At the time of writing he awaits confirmation of a place at Cambridge University where he will study Music. A bright future obviously lies ahead for him in this field. In the years to come we hope to be able to enjoy more of Jeremy's compositions and performances. Such natural talent combined with his ability to live and love his music! Well done Jeremy and we wish you all the very best success in the future.
The late Mr Brian Gordon The whole School was saddened to learn of the death on 25 January of Mr Brian Gordon, a much respected teacher of Physics for 35 years. He was a dedicated member of staff with a good rapport with his pupils which enabled him to be an effective teacher. He made a huge contribution to the life of the School by his involvement in extra-mural activities such as hill-walking, orienteering and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. A very practical man, he was stage manager for school shows for many years. displaying a rare talent for solving problems. His skills included the ability to create stage sets and scenery from next to nothing. As Miss Adams has expressed it, "What he could do with a piece of hardboard, a few nails and an electric saw was miraculous". His presence among us is much missed.
42
Former Pupils' Club Section
General Section Life in the Rubislaw Pavilion Our Pavilion is being altered and improved with the provision of extra changingroom facilities and a complete revamp of the existing dressing rooms and shower rooms, and not before time, as we all know. I have not seen these areas recently but I understand that they have not been significantly upgraded since I last saw them in 1952, the year in which I was demobilised from the army after completing my National Service — and they were getting tired then. I also left Aberdeen that year to take up employment in London. The Pavilion or. rather, the flat above it, was my home for twelve years if I include the two years spent in the forces. But the flat (which had an old-fashioned coal-burning kitchen range, which had to be black-leaded) is now being demolished and the place in which I grew up during my years at the Grammar School will soon be gone for ever. Reference to the Magazine of 1997, which contains my brother's obituary, would indicate that I am the only living Former Pupil who regularly slept in the Pavilion. Some time ago Martin Jeffrey asked me to consider writing an article for the Magazine about my boyhood memories of Rubislaw, and this is the outcome. My family, consisting of mother, father, sister, brother and myself moved into the flat in 1940 when my father was appointed groundsman and cricket coach to the School following his retirement from professional cricket at Mannofield. It was quite a small flat, although an extension in the form of an extra bedroom had been built in the loft space to help house the Tyson family. We had lots of fun growing up there and, from my father's point of view, it turned out to be a job he loved. For the next eighteen or nineteen years he devoted himself to looking after Rubislaw and encouraging the School's pupils to be interested in sport — particularly cricket, but not only cricket. lie put a lot of effort into producing pitches for rugby and hockey and he refereed football matches for the very small boys. The tennis courts were used, usually by the older boys and by FPs in the evenings. During the war we had what was called "double summer time", which meant that it was light until nearly Ilp.m. After nearly two decades of passing on his knowledge and love of cricket to schoolboys and FPs alike, my Dad retired at the age of sixty-seven. I still have the 1958 issue of the Magazine which was sent to my father with the compliments of Sir James Robertson. That edition contains my father's photograph and two articles concerning his time at Rubislaw and his contribution to the FP Club Cricket Section. Rubislaw -- There were obvious advantages to growing up in that environment. I was never short of space to run about, kick a ball, use the cricket nets to practise bowling, and play tennis. I also fired arrows from a home-made, but nevertheless powerful, bow and practised shooting them between the rugby posts from ever increasing distances. Unfortunately, one day an arrow lodged itself near the top of a rugby post. which made me unpopular as the post had to come down in order to remove the arrow. 43
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Taking down and re-erecting a rugby post is not a five minute job. A lot of time was spent in the equally adventurous company of Bill Brooker. who lived on the corner of Anderson Drive, a stone's throw from Ruhislaw. How many FPs have made their way to the absolute bottom of Rubislaw Quarry (where there was a largish pond suitable for skimming stones) and a small hut and then back to the top via a rough wooden staircase fixed to the rock face? Can you imagine sledging down Anderson Drive from Queen's Road to Cromwell Road? There was very much less traffic during the War years. One of two FPs I know, who indulged in these early examples of extreme sports. went on to climb mountains. Because of the War, Rubislaw was a depot for Air Raid Wardens, and the Games Master's Room (often referred to as Freddie Edwards' room) which was under the staircase leading to the flat was the designated area for our family to go to in the event of an air raid.. Fortunately these did not happen very often. In fact I can only remember one exciting occasion, when an enemy aircraft flew really close to Rubislaw and actually machined-gunned us. No serious damage resulted — a few roof tiles were broken, but more importantly my brother and I were out early the next morning picking up spent cartridges lying on the grass. I wonder what happened to them? Another momentous event was the Winter of 1947. I think Ruhislaw was closed for games for six weeks. It was quite surprising to open the front door one morning (the door faced Bayview Road South) with the objective of going to school and to be confronted by a wall of snow, a drift having formed overnight which was higher than the door. My father had to fetch a shovel and clear an opening. There were drifts on the Field deep enough for us to dig snow caves in them. The clack, clack of snow chains was a common sound during winters of that era, but I cannot recall the School ever being closed because of adverse weather conditions. Playing rival schools at rugby, cricket and hockey was exciting, even if you were only spectating — especially if we were playing the 'auld enemy' Gordon's College at rugby. I can remember, as a first year pupil, standing on the touch line with my fellows chanting One, two, three, four Who are we for? Grammar, Grammar Ra Ra Ra Five, six, seven, eight Who do we hate? GORDON'S until a teacher told us to pack it in. However. I think that the two most exciting events at Rubislaw were an evening athletics match against Gordon's College, which I think was an annual event, and which encompassed a full range of activities such as mile, half-mile, quarter-mile, hundred yards races, long jump, high jump, discus, shot and javelin. We had an exceptional mile runner who was splendid to watch as his party 44
St 1 0!131) 2uttunt-aced e aq [pm utasu puepoas uo pue) ssaid qswoas alp uo suow!do 5uppAwd-ttOnow pue inittlSnow sty pue 'smau ayt puwaq sauots paqsuqnd SS3I al.ll ow! siqS!su! pa5apAud s, cna'a XlieH lopew low kl3A310.4 "pamoddesw `sladedsmou qsuwas Jo ktotsw 341 Jo tunooae leatilopuowa `painttap r Auv S.13A03 sit uniqm puu o7 spadxa oqm 'looq sup Jo op!) 3Ill Cq pals!w
aq
(SSald SMaINV IS) PPS £uui-i
ssav Amnon awfo
ayi : aunpvaa
sua!Aam q001.1 (6.17--t7t6 I ) ucts4 4 P-16113III -atuoa 01 &mai( Attew 1oJ qnp ow pur loops alp tpoq amas anuutwa !pm 1! imp )uapyuoa aas a2euwilpd e 31etu o1 aple aq of adoq i pataldwoa a1E suouwatie me I uaqm pug smaA 3Apetwoj Atu Jo tied e tpnw Alan sum meistqns •pop atp aptsw III0JJ loop HEWS a Suwado 3q) Jo Mal 3L1) 0) ssaaae :OAPs qawm icuruo!seooo punom I yawn loop )usaId 31p Jo stu2yo alp twit Su!daal u! qanw /Clan Alsno!Aqo Si sttp se `110!HAEd 34) loJ )OjZ matt r Jo uo!s!Awd agi 5tupuni ale aiwap untpeueD aq) Jo staqwaw aw ley pani5llap we 1 •ualoyda.‘ /Clouts sem plaid ay) SS013E StwaAa asneaaq 'slip woqe ouoAue plot JaAau 1 •tpetuots ,Cut SS013B 3d01 E wau papuadsns TasAw pug of paroqs sem pue Suwm aupeoq Xw )O `)q2!! letautue ,CUE Jo pwAap )qiu lattqm )UJi)-.flM e uo plo!,4 ayt sswoe papA3 aauo i To padw Apinaas sem tp!qm 'aippttu playa ay) sem potaaTe toll sum tp!qm pla!A alp Jo ).1d /quo aqi - uaddeq 5tuog IIE SUM 1t 'Cep StumolloJ atp uo imp pue waidwoa Allen wam suouwedwd aqt Imp uouea!pu! ue sem LinoJ `aattp `ow •auo„ pue juusat 65unsat luusw„ Jo say° Jo Rol panel= qawm) waisAs ialeads-pnoi atit Jo do ttutas ata -sietatuo atp lie 10j swat putt •slupp )JOS pue aa! Jo ales aq) JoJ aanKtew e Jo 2twaata ag) ut pue meld art ot 313M swanz )uiJJip atp aiaqm scan Jo tno Sunpew aqt papAal i puu 311110j gUlll3X3 X.13A al3Nt suouwedaid aq p •Iirq )3/3113 E Stnmanp pue )JflA apd alp snid pauonuatu Apewir °sow papnpu! qa!qm `swana Jo slow 10 auo ) aq pinom pwaw loops mau r )eg) padoq auoktang -asuatu! sem /Luny ay) putt )S3)UO asnoH-Jaw! tie Jo uuoJ atp loot suods atu 1001pS a tp Jo aloqm atp Auerw!A o1 uouippe u! sft!iws pue viand Jo S3103S uo pun )M e 10J plan ay) JO aauepuaue ue sum maw waAa atp Jo sArp on%) Jo 2u!sop !emir% alp — uouwedwd aSnq paprwa qa!qm '9-10dS luntmV aql SEM ma< 2uwods s,loolps ay) Jo wana paqeme Xuara tsow ay1 •ssalatptanaN .13cituawai moo I leg) qs)m 1 -spcind motto.) sw - awuu wag asnuidde ppm 01 !Nag ay) Jo )sal ay) qsllowap Xiatoldwoa pue Japtu-nuenb e al!! To )JE) pue imams sw To pad •2tquutu this opqm 'tow pue lama alum -numb Jo sdet map tut) atp JoJ &Meet) 1uo1J aqi tp!m aced daal pue suoqs pun Isan sp.) Jo dot uo 131C3MS )3/3l13 paikaals Suoi e 2uugom To uuts ot sem aaapi unwas qn1.3,slidnd aatuaog
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Having retired from Scottish journalism with honorary degrees from Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities after a career which included a range of responsible positions with The Scotsman, the Sports Editorship of the trail blazing though short-lived Sunday Standard, and finally the editorship of the Herald, Harry Reid is ideally equipped to address his subject. The book's main topics arc distinguished Scottish editors (Sir Alastair Dunnct, the lately deceased FP Eric Mackay. Charles Wilson. Arnold Kemp and George McKechnie, for all of whom Harry worked), newspaper proprietors (Lord Beaverbrook, Roy Thomson, Robert Maxwell, Tiny Rowland, Liam Kane), Scotland's favourite newspaper (the Scottish Daily Express of the mid-1950s to the early I970s), the advent of new technology and the decline of Union influence, and the book's kihnoty; Scottish devolution which. Harry claims, "was to a large extent the invention not so much of the Scottish people but of the Scottish press, and The Scotsman in particular". The structure of Deadline, however, is not readily compartmentalised by defined topics. Rather it is an entertainingly rambling, almost picaresque journey through the lore of the Scottish press and of Scottish life, which Harry has lovingly accumulated in a life immersed in Scottish newspapers and Scottish affairs. One of life's great pleasures is an evening spent chatting with Harry Reid and, to a very large extent, reading Deadline reproduces that experience. Harry has the rare gift of writing in a formal literary style, while still somehow addressing the reader's ear in his own familiar, distinctive voice. But Hany is not only a good speaker: he is a great listener, and his work is vibrantly enlivened by the opinions, reminiscences and confessions he has drawn from a whole galaxy of contributors to his tale. I am reminded of the Sunday evening, many years ago (I think 1974), when Harry and I were enjoying a quiet pint at the Club Centre. Our ruminative conversation was disturbed by the rumbustious return home of an FP golf outing, in which the Craig Spoon. the booby prize, but much coveted by members of the Golf Section, had been won by the late Harry Forbes. Harry (Reid) at once offered to have the outing's results published in the Scotsman and. once Harry (Forbes), whom the other Harry had not previously met, had been safely conjoined with a pint, he approached the golfing hero with an air at once eagerly enthusiastic and deeply solemn. and enquired. "Now. Harry. can you tell me just how you felt as you were standing over the last crucial putt on the eighteenth green?" Harry (Forbes') laughter was ample evidence that he was aware that his leg was being pulled, and yet in no time at all he was expatiating authoritatively upon the various quirks of the Deeside golf courses and the strengths and weaknesses of his fellow competitors, and Harry (Reid) was drinking it all in. That particular story is not included in Deadline, but there are many better ones to entertain the reader, along with much insightful opinion to give the reader cause for thought. D.K.Y. ( 1951-65) Dr Harry Reid attended the School from 1952 to 1961, completing his education at Fettes College and Worcester College, Oxford. His other publications include Outside Verdict: An Old Kirk in a New Scotland and The Final Whistle: Scottish Football, the Best and Worst of Times).
46
Former Pupils' Club Section The Tower : A Ghostly Affair By James C. Lyon (Author House) This short story is very well written and illustrates the author's depth of knowledge of historical buildings and also of our own North-east corner of Scotland. Although The Tower is set at the beginning of the 20th Century. the book begins with a prologue which provides readers with a detailed background of the troubled history of the castle and its owners, leading to the curse of Lady Ethel which has already brought death and tragedy. In the early 1900s Amanda. who at sixteen years of age loses both of her parents in the sinking of the Titanic, moves north from London to stay with her uncle, Alexander Sloane, the current laird of the castle. Iler uncle, who is an army officer, is away on duty a great deal, and she learns about the castle and its secrets from Martha and Donnie, the two old retainers who have looked after the building for many years. Amanda soon discovers that the ghost of Lady Ethel still haunts the castle but she does not know that her curse is going to strike yet again with deadly consequences, .lim has said that "there is a book in everyone"; while that may or may not be the case he certainly got the inspiration to write an easily read and enjoyable novel, and I hope this is only the first and that others will follow. W.M.M. Jim Lyon is a retired architect, a stalwart of the FP Hockey Section, and a former President of Aberdeen Speakers' Club. He served on the FP Club Executive for many years and was its Chairman in 1990-92. Ile then served as President of the Club in 1996-97. * * * * * * * *
A Little Local History The Press & Journal newspaper recently drew attention to a commemoration plaque which Aberdeen City Council has arranged to be affixed to the house at 10 Ferryhill Place, Aberdeen which was the childhood home of Robert Daniel Lawrence (1900-09) MA, MB, ChB, MD. Diagnosed with diabetes when in his early twenties, he went on to specialise in the treatment of the disease. He wrote extensively on the subject and, along with the author H.G. Wells he was one of the founders of the British Diabetic Association. He served in the RAMC in the first world war and from 1922 was in medical practice in Florence. His brother George Smith Lawrence (1897-07) MC, MB. ChB after war service was in general practice in Worcestershire. Other FPs who grew up in Ferryhill Place include Lieutenant Robert Grierson Combe (1894-97) VC of number 24 who became a chemist in Manitoba and who was killed in action in France on 3rd May 1917 while serving with the Manitoba Regiment of the Canadian Infantry. The award of the Victoria Cross was "for most conspicuous bravery and example". Other FPs who come to mind are David K. Yule (1951-65), author of the review on the previous page. who lived at No 11 and Dr John L. Duncan (1958-71) a one-time resident of No. 6, who was Senior Prefect and All-Round Trophy winner in 1970-71. 47
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Former Pupils' Club Founded 11 September 1893 Club Office-Bearers, 2007-2008 Honorary President: GRAHAM LEGGE. BEd, MEd (Rector) Honorary Vice-Presidents: JOHN W. CRADOCK (1941-46). CA (President, 1977-78) T. GORDON couns (1938-49). QC, MA, LLB (President, 1980-81) JAMES A.N. WATT (1927-39), CA (President, 1982-83) BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46), TD, MA, LLB (President. 1983.84) ERIC D. WATT (1937-50), BEd. (President. 1984-85) Prof. PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58), CBE. DL, MA, LL.B, LL.D (President, 1987-88) W. MORRISON BROWN (1933-46) (President, 1988-89) ERIC' CRAIG (1931 16) (President, 1989-90) T. IAN MORRISON (1934-47). TD, BSc, MSc, CChem, FRSC, (President. 1990-91) DR. J.R.S. INNES (1923-35). MB,ChB. (President, 1991-92) A. KEITH CAMPBELL (1944-53), TEng (CEI). Flint AEA (President, 1992-93) IAN M. DUGUID (1938-43). OduM, MD, PhD, FRCS, FCOpth, LL.D, DO (President, 1993-94) JAMES C. LYON (1953-59). RIBA, FRIAS (President, 1996-97) J. EDWARD FRASER (1936-49). CB, MA, BA, FSA(Scot) (President, 1997-98) RICHARD H. CRADOCK (1940-51) (President, 1998-99) CHARLES RITCHIE (1945-51) (President, 1999-2000) RICHARD F. TYSON (1944-49) (President. 2(8)0-01) STEPHEN A.C. ROBERTSON (1939-51) MBE, MA, LLB, MUniv. (President, 2001-02) DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE (1950-64) MB,ChB, FRCPsych. (President, 2002-03)) ALEXANDER E. MelLWAIN (1945-511 CBE, MAIL.B, SSC, WS (President, 2003-04) IAN H. McLEOD (1951-55) (President, 2004-05) GORDON G. MILNE (1950-611MB.ChB (President, 2005-06) DAVID L. ALLAN (1945-58) QPM, LLB, MPhil, FCMI (President 2006-07) (Specially Elected) ARTHUR L. McCOMBIE, MS, FSA(Scot) (Deputy Rector, 1973-90) (Elected 1991) ALISTAIR M. NORTH (1937-50) OBE, BSc, DSc, PhD, FRSE, FRIC (Elected 2004) WILLIAM J. JOHNSTON, BSc, DipEd (Rector 1987-04) (Elected 2005) President: GARY J. G. ALLAN (1963-76) LLB Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: DOUGLAS M. WATSON (1979-85) LL.B Secretary: JOHN F. HENDRY (1951-65) LL.B Treasurer: ALAN W. MARR (1969-75) CA General & Notes Editor of Magazine: BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46) TD, MA, LL.B
48
Former Pupils' Club Section
Regional Centres Edinburgh: President — KEITH 1. MASSON (1959-72) Secretary NEIL BORTHWICK (1952-65) neilbort4blueyonder.co.uk Glasgow: President - STEFAN COLLING (1990-96) Secretary PETER CAIRNS (1945-57) peekAimsgaol.com London: President — A. GRAHAME B. YOUNG (1940-47) Secretary - SANDY NICOL (1%2-71) anicol4lineone.net Yorkshire: President - DOUGLAS SKENE (1959-64) Secretary — MARTIN COULTER (1983-89) martin4estateplans.co.uk Canada: President IAN THOMSON (1952-60) Secretary - J. PETER JEFFREY (1944-59) jpjeffrey(ashaw.ca Secretaries of Sections Cricket RICHARD S.T. FERRO theferrofamily(a lineone.net Curling — IAN P. SOUTER (1947-61) ianpsouter(aaol.com Football — AUDREY NICHOLSON richardnaiaberdeencity.gov.uk Golf PETER M. ROBERTSON (1967-73) pmrobertsonatadameochran.co.uk Men's Hockey - DUNCAN HARRIS (1985-91) dharrisaoechnip.com Women's Hockey - EMMA A. MAIR (1985-91) emma.mair(a:nautronix.co.uk Petanque - STEVEN J. C. ESSON (1951-64) steve(a esson-ca.co.uk Rugby DAVID ROBINSON davea_t drobinson15.fsnet.co.uk Swimming - ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75) era.aberdeen(ks irgin.net Executive Committee DOUGLAS M. WATSON (1979-85), Chairman H. ALAN S. HAMILTON (1943-56), Vice-Chairman The Secretary, the Treasurer and the General Editor of the Magazine, ex officiis The Rector of the School. ex officio ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) DOUGLAS McALLISTER (1961-74) MELDRUM B. EDWARDS (1947-60) LORI MANDERS (1979-85) NORMAN K.B. EDWARDS (1959-64) LUCY MITCHELL (1985-90) GRANT A. HAMILTON (1988-94) HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65) DEREK A. HARLEY (1974-80) BARRY J. SHEPHERD (1988-94) IAIN S. HOPKIN (1962-68) IAN P. SOUTER (1947-61) ROBERT HUTCHEON (1962-68) INNES TAYLOR (1974-80) ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75) Section Representatives Club Centre - DOUGLAS M. WATSON (1979-85) Cricket IAIN S. HOPKIN (1962-68) Curling - MARIO L. VICCA (1952-56) Football - RICHARD NICHOLSON (1975-81) Golf - GORDON M. INKSON (1986-92) Hockey - BRIAN I. FITZPATRICK (1978-81) Petanque - RONALD R. COMBER (1947-52) Rugby MALCOLM COPLAND (1968-71) Swimming ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75) Women's Hockey — Staff RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65) Auditors
Messrs. BOWER & SMITH. C.A. 49
Aberdeen Grammar Schaal Magazine
Club Centre Committee DOUGLAS M. WATSON* - Chairman BRIAN DEIGHTON* - Secretary HARVEY E. MORRISON -- Treasurer K. DOUGLAS. N. GARDEN*, L. GEDDES, G.A. HAMILTON, H.A.S. HAMILTON. D. HARLEY, P. HENDERSON*, J.F. HENDRY. I.S. HOPKIN*, R. HUTCHEON, D. INKSON. J.D. MOIR. C. PHILIPS, K. STUART. J. WILLIAMS, M.WISELY. D.YOUNG ( 5 Denotes member of Management Board)
Club Consuls Australia — BM W. HOWISON (1937-50), 98A Hull Road. West Pennant Hills, New South Wales 2125. Australia, E-mail: howison(wtech2u.com.au Tel. 00 61-2-9875-1296 Australia - Dr. FORBES J. SMITH (1945-57). 242 Main Creek Road. Main Ridge. Victoria, 3928, Australia E-mail: forbessmithat alphalink.com.au Tel. 0061-3-5989-6234 Canada — GORDON B. SINGER (1949-50), Box 7, Site 5. RR #2. Okotoks. Alberta, Canada T1S 1A2 E-mail: singsingkoelusplanet.net Tel. 00 1-403-995-0331 Canada - PETER J. GREEN (1946-57), 506 Slater Road. RR#2, Kemptville, Ontario, Canada. KIG 1JO E-mail: chantagrieCksympatico.ca Tel. 00 1-613-989-3940 Canada - DAVID R. AULD (1947-61), 2187 Lafayette Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V8S 2P2 E-mail: davidauld(wshaw.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 Ilatton House, 15 Kotewall Road, Hong Kong E-mail: marshall.byres(tthk.eyi.com Tel. 00852-2846-9878 Ireland ANDREW M.M. STEVEN (1936-50), 5 Beechhill Avenue. Sainttield Road, Belfast. Northern Ireland BT8 6NS. Tel. 028-9070-2315. Malaysia — GRAEME W. KING 11966-72), 26 Jalan Pakat, Ukay Heights, 68000 Ampang. Selangor, Malaysia E-mail: gwking@pc.jaring.my Tel. 0060-3-4252-9297 New Zealand - MICHAEL B. THOMSON (1938-51). 39 Jubilee Road. Khandallah, Wellington 4, New Zealand E-mail: thomson.wgtrotixtra.co.nz Tel. 0064-4-479-5678 Thailand — Prof. ALASTAIR M. NORTH (1937-50). 79/78 Soi 7/I Mooban Tararom, Ramkhamhaeng Road Soi 150. Saphan Soong, Bangkok 10240. Thailand E-mail: annnorthla. kse.th.com Tel. 0066-2-373-2818
Annual General Meeting The One-hundredth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Club Centre in Aberdeen on Monday 26 March 2007. with Mr J. Martin Jeffrey. the Vice-President. in the Chair. The Chairman reported as follows: Introduction: As this is my last Annual Report as Chairman, I thought that it would be appropriate to take a slightly different approach on this occasion. I am going to cover the ongoing mainstream activities fairly briefly, but in view of the special projects and events which have taken place over the last twelve months I will prepare another report on these which will appear in the Magazine.
Once again I am able to report that our Club has had another excellent year on all fronts. I say this because all the signs are there and the feedback that I get supports this. However, 50
Fortner Pupils' Club Section at the end of the day it is the view of the members, that counts and members need to let us know whether we are delivering the kind of Club that they want to belong to and support. Membership: Our membership numbers remain strong at about 1.275 and we continue to recruit both new members and also welcome former members back to the fold, mainly via the Website. Finances: The Club has had another excellent year financially with a surplus of just over £2,000 - this is the seventh successive year that we have produced a surplus - and a very strong Balance Sheet. Our income remains strong and has more than doubled in recent years. The Big Draw has been a particularly strong performer with net income now exceeding £3.000 annually three times the figure of seven years ago. Expenses remain under tight control and have been reduced significantly in many areas, which has allowed us to spend substantially more on member communications — mainly the Newsletters and the Website which has been a major plus. In addition to normal operating income we also received some £900 in donations (despite the demands of the 1256 Appeal) and this went straight to the Second Century Fund for School and Club projects. However, as always, we must continue to look for ways to further increase our income and maintain a tight control over our expenditure. We must also seek ways to ensure that all our capital is invested effectively and contributing positively to the Club's financial strength. Once again our thanks go to our splendid Treasurer, Alan Marr% who continues to keep us on the straight and narrow. Communications: Our excellent ,tfagazine continues in the very experienced and capable hands of Brian Crookshanks. The Newsletter (Edition 18) appeared for the last time in its current form at Xmas, but it has served a crucial role in keeping members up-to-date between Magazines. However, today people are seeking instant news and we are studying how we can use email and the intemet to better meet the needs of our members. We have to bear in mind that only about 65% of members currently have easy access to the internet. School: The School and the Club have a long tradition of working closely together and the partnership has worked flat out in top gear during the last twelve months. In addition to all the normal activities, including the presentation to School Leavers, distribution of the Magazine, awards for the Prize Giving, All-Round Trophy interviews, distribution of funds from the Amenities Fund, there have been a number of special events such as fund raising for the Amenities Fund, and the Annual Dinner held in the School Hall which have all placed an extra load on the Rector and his staff. We are very grateful for their active and enthusiastic support. Social Activities: These continue to be an important part of FP life, and the various Centre Dinners play a major role in this. It was marvellous to have a full house of five Regional Centre Dinners (including Canada) for the first time for a few years, with the London Centre organising an absolutely splendid Dinner in the House of Lords. The Club's Annual Dinner was held in the School Hall for the first time since 1967 and was a sell-out. The evening was a great success and we are very grateful to the Rector and Russell Gray for all their help and support. As in previous years, the support by the various Centres for the events and functions run by the other Centres has been splendid. Our thanks and congratulations go to the hard working Office Bearers and the Committees in all the Regions for their very successful efforts to provide a focus for FP activities in their geographic areas. 51
Ahoyleen Grammar School Magazine
The Club Centre: The Club Centre has had another challenging year but, despite some difficulties, just about broke even on the financial front. The prime problem for the Club Centre remains the same how can we significantly increase our revenues and at the same time keep a very tight control of all our costs. The building is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and doesn't really meet the requirements of today's members. That problem is unquestionably going to get more challenging (and expensive) in the future. Doug Watson and a small team are currently developing proposals for presentation later this year. We need to be creative, but realistic, in identifying and rigorously reviewing our options for the future. In doing so we must make sure that we really do understand the current and future requirements of our members and that we are not simply trying to re-create an environment that no longer has the same relevance and appeal that it did in the past. Once again, we have to thank the Operations Committee, particularly Brian Deighton, who takes on the day-to-day running of the Centre, for all their hard work, much of which goes unseen. Our thanks also go to our new Head Barman, Andrew Garden, and his team of part-time staff for their friendly and helpful contribution to the running of the Club.
The Sports Sections and Rubislaw: As usual, each Section will again make its own report. However, FP Sport operating under the umbrella of the FP Club. continues to flourish despite the various shortcomings of the facilities at Rubislaw. The new Astroturf pitch continues to prove an outstanding asset to the School and the two Hockey Sections and at long last there is excellent news on phase 2 of the redevelopment - a new Pavilion. This has been a challenging project. Escalating construction costs have been a major issue and have resulted in several significant reviews. However, I am delighted to announce that the increased budget has now been signed off, the contractor selected, and work should commence towards the end of the summer. The next twelve months are going to be very difficult for both the School and the FP Sports Sections. Changing accommodation is going to be confined to two temporary changing and shower units which have been installed on the middle level. Everyone is going to have to work together and make a lot of compromises. However, I am sure that the thought of a brand new, modern Pavilion with six changing rooms in a year's time will be a powerful incentive to make things work.
A Year of Anniversaries and Fund-raising: The last twelve months have been quite extraordinary and have really stretched us all. As you would expect, the Club and the School rose to the challenge with real enthusiasm and commitment and met with success on all fronts, creating a real buzz. The special events included the 1256 Appeal, the School's sponsored walk. David Yule' and Mike Colvin's book /256 and all that, the Dinner in the School Hall. and we look forward to the show in HM Theatre this coming week-end. Quite a year!
A big thank you: As always. I owe a great deal to many people for all their hard work, commitment and support during the year. Sincere thanks go to all the office bearers - Honorary President, Graham Legge; retiring President David Allan, and his wife Christine; Jock Hendry, Alan Hamilton, Alan Man- and Brian Crookshanks; to Whilma Jeffrey, who finally stepped down from Membership duties after seven years; to Russell Gray, the Staff Representative on the Executive; to all the members of the Executive and the various working groups, and to an increasing number of members of the School staff and the School office. I could not have managed without you. Finally, I wish the Club all the best for the future. Take good care of it, for it really is something very special. 52
Former Pupils' Club Section 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 2006 Accounts (reproduced at the end of this Magazine) were submitted and approved. The Treasurer reported a surplus of £2,094. somewhat less than in the previous year but nonetheless satisfactory. The Balance Sheet confirmed that the Club is in a sound state. Election of Office-Bearers Officials of the Club were elected in accordance with the list published elsewhere in this Magazine. Auditors Messrs. Bower & Smith, CA, were unanimously re-appointed Auditors of the Club and Section Accounts for the coming year In terms of the Club Constitution, the Annual General Meeting is always held on the last Monday in March. The 2008 A.G.M. will therefore be held on Monday, 31 March at 7.30 p.m. in the Club Centre, 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen
Chairman's Report Highlights of a Year of Celebration The year 2006-07 has been a really quite remarkable, busy and exciting twelve months or so. Clearly, the celebration of the School's 750th Anniversary has been an added dimension to many of the Club's normal activities, but it has also been the catalyst for a number of special events and projects. The year of celebrations really kicked off with the "1256" Annual Dinner in March, 2006, complete with Souvenir Menu, a display of photographs and a range of press cuttings and other memorabilia covering a range of events going back to the 650th Anniversary celebrations of 1906. Many thanks to the Rector and Russell Gray for giving me access to the dusty attics at School! The display certainly helped to stimulate interest in the School's remarkable history. The 1256 Appeal was launched in September and has been a major focus for much of the last twelve months. The response from Members has been fantastic, with over 300 from around the world making individual contributions. The Fund now stands at just over £28,500, well ahead of the target of £20,000. There is a full report on the Fund and its objectives elsewhere in this Magazine together with a list of all contributors. The Club will be able donate a fitting and durable commemorative stone or plaque to mark the School's founding prior to 1256 as well as a number of other gifts to the School and to the Memorial Pavilion at Rubislaw, including a new clock which will be known as the Canada Clock. The next project was the conception and production of "1256 and all that" - a marvellous collection of articles culled from Magazines from the past 100 years or so plus some fascinating more recent personal recollections of School life. We have sold all 300 copies of the book and the net proceeds of £2,500 will be donated to the Amenities Fund. David Yule and Mike Colvin deserve the highest credit for their quite remarkable and fascinating contribution to the history of the School.
53
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The Anniversary year was nicely rounded off by the Annual Dinner at the beginning of March. Our usual location, the Queen's Hotel, was not available as it was undergoing extensive refurbishment following a take-over, so we explored the possibility of holding the Dinner in the School Hall. The Rector was very supportive and so we returned there for the first time since 1967. We had a full house of FPs and guests who all enjoyed a very successful evening. It would be nice to see the Dinner return to the School on a regular basis, say every five years or so. Certainly, a return in 2013 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the School on the current site would seem worthy of consideration. There are still a good few members around (including me) who will recall the very special 1963 Dinner which was held in the old School Hall exactly 100 years after the School was officially opened on its present site. But the year of celebration was not quite over yet! An unexpected bonus was the granting of a Civic Reception to the School to mark its 750th Anniversary. The Reception was held at HM Theatre on Friday, 30th March after the first performance of Bon Record! Hosted by Lord Provost John Reynolds, it was a very enjoyable low-key occasion. It is wonderful to have this milestone date formally recognised by the City in this way and for the School, with its long and proud history, to be officially acknowledged as an important part of Aberdeen's own distinguished history and heritage. And then the grande finale! - Bon Record! I know that many of you attended the Show at the Theatre on 30th or 31st March. What an absolutely wonderful show! The sheer energy, enthusiasm and talent of the School cast of 80 or so was magnificent and a wonderful foil to Steve Robertson's splendid team of experienced "pro's". It is impossible to give a mention to everyone who contributed — onstage, back stage, organising, selling tickets, raising funds, searching for props and doing the countless other things involved in putting on such a show - but a huge thank you goes to them all. What a marvellous advertisement for the School. However, we must give a special mention to Janet Adams (Director) and Jean McLeod (Musical Director). who led the production of the School performances, and to the indefatigable Steve Robertson and his marvellous team. Sincere thanks also go to all those who supported the Show financially as sponsors, advertisers, patrons or by attending in large numbers. As well as being a dazzling success from a production and performance point of view, the Show was also a great success financially and a marvellous surplus of some £10,000 will be available to support the activities of the various performing groups and also the Amenities Fund. After the Show on the Saturday night all the performers and other key contributors gathered in the Rehearsal Room for a short celebration and presentation. Needless to say the 80 or so pupils in the cast were bouncing off the roof with excitement and adrenalin following their success. The Rector managed to say a few words and then, with the help of immediate past President David Allan and his wife and also former President Ian McLeod and his wife. I made presentations of flowers to Janet Adams, Sheila McLeod, Laura Jarret and Eva Robertson, and Champagne to Steve Robertson (who also received a very welldeserved bottle of malt) and his fellow performers and creators - Craig Pike, Graeme Wilson, James Reith, Buff Hardie and Greg Gordon. I also presented a giant selection of chocolates to the youngsters who planned to consume them when they all sat down together in the new term to watch a video of their performance! Finally, I handed over Champagne to David Yule who had come up with the original idea of a joint Show involving the School and FPs - I am sure that the final outcome far exceeded David's original expectations and, as David wrote to me later, it realised a very long standing dream of his. I went up to the Club Centre after the informal presentation ceremony and found the place absolutely buzzing! The Centre was full of FPs from all parts who had been to the Show and were absolutely delighted by the performance and just wanted to talk about it. This was the Club at its best. A great event for the School. for FPs, for the FP Club and for the City! What else has been happening? I reported earlier at the A.G.M. that the go-ahead has 54
Former Pupils'Club Section now been given for the new Pavilion at Rubislaw and work should start later this summer. The plans involve a major refurbishment of the core of the existing Memorial Pavilion plus a single-storey new building incorporating six good- sized changing rooms and showers, plus various offices. Now that this project is about to get under way we can begin to dust off plans and start the campaign for phase 3, which hopefully will include improvements to the grass pitches. The Amenities Fund, which provides funds for a wide range of extra-curricular activities at the School, was the outcome of an imaginative fund-raising exercise launched by the FP Club back in 1956. The Fund has provided marvellous support to the School over the years, but somehow we have done nothing to raise additional funds. We are in the process of changing that, and are determined to revitalise the Fund. Already the Club has raised over £3,500 and the School has responded by donating £1,000 from the sponsored walk held last September. It is hoped that the School will be able to contribute some of the surplus from Bon Record! to reflect the efforts from the FP Club towards raising funds from sponsorship, advertising and patrons as well as "providing" the uniquely talented Steve Robertson! However, I think that the onus is still on the Club to do some further fundraising over the next twelve months. After that I feel that we should be setting a target to raise, say, £3,000 to £5,000 every 3 years or so. That would truly revitalise the Fund and allow the Club to increase the level of support to the School and also help to ensure the continuation of the Fund for at least another 50 years! Finally, the Club has designed and presented to the School a magnificent silver medal which will be presented to the Dux each year. We have arranged for an initial supply of 20 medals and we have retained the die so that further medals can be produced in the future as required. The new medal - the "Former Pupils' Medal" - replaces the old Town Council Medal which was presented to the Dux from the late 19th century until 1972, when the award of Dux was suspended. The award was reintroduced in 2006 and that has been a much welcomed move. That was some year that was! As many of you know, I decided to stand down as Chairman and Vice President at the AGM in March after seven years in office. The Club is in excellent shape at the moment, with good forward momentum, so this is a particularly appropriate time to hand over the baton and let someone else lead the Club into its next phase of development. Also, I need time to tackle certain personal and business projects that have been on my back-burner for far too long! My interest in the Club and the School remains as strong as ever, but I feel that I can now best contribute largely on a project basis without the almost day to day demands that fall on the Chairman. Clearly, I retain a special interest in a number of aspects of the Club, including the continuing development of Rubislaw and the Sports Sections as well as the 1256 Appeal. I have had a highly challenging seven years as Chairman of this remarkable Club. However, I have always enjoyed a good challenge. It has been a hugely rewarding experience, and one which I will always remember and value. I am very grateful to Members for entrusting the Club to my care. I have greatly appreciated the wonderful and generous support that I have received at all times, from which I always took great encouragement. I thank you all for that. I just hope that I have managed to make a worthwhile difference. However, I do believe that the last year has confirmed that we have now truly regained our sense of purpose as a Club and that the School and all its activities are right at the very top of our list of priorities, with sport — for School and FPs - being a vital element of that focus. I wish you all well. Martin Jeffrey
55
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
President's Report As I reflect on the past year, I can't help feeling that George Bernard Shaw was right when he said, "Reminiscences make one feel so deliciously aged yet sad". It has been a marvellous adventure, replete with fun, fellowship and festivities. set against the backdrop of a memorable year in the history of the School. Unfortunately, it passed all too soon. My journey started quietly enough in March 2006. but as the emails poured in and my diary filled-up I realised that the year ahead was going to be busy and challenging. I hadn't long to wait until my first formal function. The impressive Clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society was the venue of the Edinburgh Centre's Annual Dinner. On a very warm April evening. FPs and guests were entertained by Gordon Murdie who proposed a light-hearted and amusing toast to the 'School and the Club'. In my reply. I stressed why it was important for FPs to continue to support the School and the Club. and urged them to contribute to the Club's two major fund-raising initiatives - topping-up the Amenities Fund and the 1256 Appeal. It was a theme to which I returned at later Dinners. President Keith Masson very capably chaired what was a relaxed and happy Dinner. I had not been back to School since my Year reunion in 1983. A great deal had happened to the School since then, not least the severe fire which destroyed part of the main building. and I felt that I had to see for myself what changes had taken place. The Rector, Graham Legge. kindly offered to show me around and just as well for, like my predecessor Gordon Milne, I was repeatedly confused by the new build. True, the gym was largely as I remembered it, minus the wall bars and the ropes, but where were the Combined Cadet Force parade ground and the great flagstone main corridor? And many of the old familiar classrooms and laboratories had either disappeared or been altered. I have to say it was all a bit unsettling but. reassuringly, the present facilities were impressive and, more importantly, it was clear that the Rector and his staff are committed to upholding the School's reputation, traditions and ethos. It was also apparent that there is a strong and healthy bond between the School and the Club and that the School does value our support. In June, along with my wife Christine. I attended the School Prize Giving which, for the first time. was held in the Music Hall. It was a wonderful occasion made all the more special by the award of a new prize in memory of Basil Emslie, Secretary of the Glasgow Centre. The whole experience made me very proud to be a Former Pupil. I had two engagements in September. Christine and I travelled to Ottawa for the Canadian Centre's reunion weekend. And what a weekend it turned out to be! We stayed with President Ian Thomson and his wife Norma who were exceptional hosts. On the Friday evening, there was an informal get-together in their home where we met some of the attendees and swapped stories and shared School photographs. It was great to catch-up with Ed Anderson. with whom I had played rugby, and it was quite remarkable how little we had changed! The next evening we attended the Centre's formal dinner at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and among those I met were Willie Balfour, another member of the School rugby team. It was a fabulous evening. Because of family commitments in Toronto we were unable to participate in the brunch arranged by Peter Green and his wife Anne at their home. In fact Peter and Anne organised the entire weekend and what a marvellous job they did: and I must also thank Peter and Judy Jeffrey for meeting us on our arrival in Ottawa and showing us around. They were so kind and generous. Christine and I enjoyed ourselves so much that we plan to attend the 2007 reunion weekend in Calgary. A few days later Christine and I were in York for the Yorkshire Centre's Dinner. It has always been an intimate gathering and it was a pleasure to share the evening with former President of the Club Dick Tyson and his wife Jean and with local President and good friend Doug Skene. Doug still plays soccer regularly and claims to have the most cultured left foot in the UK. Being left footed myself and having kicked a ball or two over the years I thought 56
Former Pupils' Club Sec►ion I might challenge his assertion but, at a time in my life when my back goes out more than
I do, I thought it best just to leave it at that. It was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion. No sooner had I returned home than I was off again, this time to take part in the School's Sponsored Walk along the Aberdeen Beach Promenade in order to help raise monies for the School. I was accompanied by Martin Jeffrey and we were blessed with fine weather and just enough energy to complete the journey. After a brief respite, Christine and I headed for London and the House of Lords. It was great to have London back on track again after a break, and with the generous sponsorship of Lord Wilson of Tillyom the Dinner was held in the Peers' Dining Room. Lord Wilson's outstanding toast set the tone for a brilliant evening. I can now truthfully say that I made my maiden speech to the House. President Grahame Young and Secretary Sandy Nicol are to he congratulated for arranging such a successful event. The Glasgow Centre Dinner took place a week later. This time the toast to the 'School and the Club' was proposed by Bill May. a retired staff member, who regaled us with humorous stories about pupils and colleagues. For Christine and I, it was a very happy and nostalgic return to Glasgow and at the end of a super evening President Malcolm Daniel — who had followed me as President of the Centre three years earlier — handed over to Stefan Coiling. Malcolm did a splendid job during his term of office and I wish Stefan every success. My final FP function was of course the Parent Club Dinner, fittingly held in School. The principal speaker was Lt General Sir Peter Graham, a distinguished soldier whose father and father-in-law were former pupils. Sir Peter's toast was excellent and the whole evening a delight. Martin Jeffrey's organisation was first class and I am most grateful, firstly to the Rector Graham Legge for allowing us to use the School and secondly his staff, particularly Russell Gray. Depute Rector, for assisting us in making all the arrangements. It was a wonderful ending to my Presidential year. In passing, may I just record my sincere thanks to the Rector for his friendship over the year, for his willingness to work in partnership with the Club and for his unfailing courtesy to Christine and me; and I also want to congratulate the Head Boys and Girls with whom I shared the various speakers' platforms. They were in my view great ambassadors for the School and I am certain that at their age I could not have spoken with such maturity and confidence. Apart from Centre Dinners, throughout the year I represented the Club at functions held by the Aberdeen High School / Harlaw Academy FP Club, the Albyn School for Girls FP Club. the Aberdeen and Hazlehead Academy (Central School) FP Club. and Stewart's Melville College Club. I was also invited backstage at His Majesty's Theatre to meet the cast of 'Bon Record' who had put on two evenings of humour, song, music and dance in aid of the performing arts and other extra curricular activities of the School. Steve Robertson, Janet Adams, Head of Drama and Jean McLeod. Head of Music, produced a superb show. Yes, it was an unforgettable year and I consider it a privilege to have been President at such a significant time in the history of both School and Club. I want to thank Martin Jeffrey for his support and encouragement and all Centre Presidents and Secretaries for the warmth of their welcome and hospitality. I know how hard it is for them to keep the interest of members going and to attract younger members and I appreciate their tremendous efforts. Martin. after many years as Vice President of the Club and Chairman of the Executive, moves on too. He has turned the Club around and we arc all indebted to him for his dedication and leadership. I wish his successor, Doug Watson, well. Finally, I want to thank Christine for so willingly and graciously sharing the adventure with me. It was great to have her by my side. David L Allan (1944-58)
57
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Presidential Profile Gary J.C. Allan (1963-76) LL.B When Gary told me that he was to be the next President of the FP club. he kindly reminded me that he and I have an association going back some 37 years. Put another way. we have known each other for all but 13 or so years of our lives. It is a rather sobering thought! Our association began with my arrival at the School in 1971. Gary's association with the school was a lot longer than mine, as he enjoyed both Primary and Secondary education there. Gary went on to become Head Boy, and he will not mind my saying that there was a certain inevitability about that! There was a similar inevitability about his being awarded the FP Club All-Round Trophy in 1976. An all-rounder he certainly was, though he will also not mind my saying that it was probably in the field of sport that he excelled. He gained two awards of full colours for rugby (1973i74 and 1974/75) and a school cap for rugby in 1975/76. He competed at national level in both athletics and swimming and was part of the hugely successful school swimming team coached by Ian Spence in the late 60s/early 70s which competed with outstanding success at national and local level. He continued his rugby career with the FP Club while at University and later, after moving to Glasgow. formed a close association with Hillhead Rugby Club. He is now one of its Vice-Presidents. having been variously a regular I st XV player. 1st XV Captain and Club Captain. There are, of course, other family connections with the school. His late father, Stanley, was Assistant Rector from 1975 to 1994 and his brother Adrian attended the school from 1977 to 1983. After leaving school. Gary went on to Aberdeen University to study Law, as I did, though, unlike myself. Gary chose to stay on and do Honours, graduating in 1980. He was that year's Lord Robertson prize-winner and President of the University Law Society. Gary and I are now in different branches of the legal profession, I a Solicitor and Gary an Advocate. I remember, many years ago. trying to explain to a client exactly what an advocate was (as distinct from a solicitor). I was not finding this easy. but eventually I realised I had got the message through when the client said "ah yes - the guys who ponce around in wigs!!". It does lawyers no harm to be reminded now and then how economical the English language can be! Gary had never made any secret of the fact that his principal interest lay in the field of criminal court work, but I always had a sneaking suspicion that he nursed an ambition to "ponce around in a wig". It somewhat surprised me that after Gary completed his law apprenticeship with McGrigor Donald in 1980/82, he remained for about eleven years in private practice, latterly as a partner with the firm of Hughes Dowdall. With hindsight, this was probably a very sensible thing to have done. There surely can be no better place than Glasgow to cut ones teeth in the field of criminal law. and of course a period in excess of ten years as a Solicitor will certainly not have done him any harm when he became a fully fledged Advocate in I994. Criminal law remains his field of interest, with a particular emphasis on financial and regulatory crime, although he has been involved in many major criminal cases of all types throughout Scotland as Lead Defence Counsel. Since 2001 he has also appeared on an ad hoc basis as Advocate Depute, prosecuting on behalf of the Crown in High Court cases. Gary has been an active member of the FP Club since leaving school. In 1980, during the first year of his law apprenticeship in Glasgow. he was contacted by Andrew McLaren and Basil Emslie. who were attempting to resurrect the Glasgow Centre of the club which had rather withered on the vine. He was persuaded to join the newly-formed committee, and has remained on that for some 26 years (two of those as President). During that time he has seen the Glasgow centre entirely regenerated. Gary has been a regular attender at the Aberdeen and Edinburgh Centre Dinners as well as the Glasgow Dinner and has represented Glasgow on numerous occasions at events with 58
Former Pupils' Club Sec►ion the Glasgow branches of other Aberdeen school FP Clubs and at functions of the Glasgow schools FP Clubs and associations. When invited to accept nomination as President, Gary responded:- "To be invited to be the President of Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils' Club is the greatest honour which can be bestowed on any FP. I am still reeling from the surprise. When I consider the roll of my predecessors I am indeed doubly honoured to be included in such a distinguished list. I shall do all in my power to do justice to the appointment. I shall look forward to each and every duty as a pleasure and take great pride in representing the Club and its members at events and reunions at home and abroad. I have accepted nomination with the invitation to address the issues of membership recruitment at the younger end of the age spectrum, but I had to comment then that to do so as a youth ambassador in my fiftieth year probably says it all! I am however intent on working with my excellent Vice-President and Chairman of the Executive, Douglas Watson, to find an answer to this challenge. The year ahead should be great fun. I look forward to it enormously." When Gary told me of his nomination. I was reminded of a story told to me many years ago regarding one of his illustrious predecessors, Phil Love, who once delighted all and sundry , at a dinner by producing his school blazer and demonstrating that it still fitted him. I asked Gary if he intended to reprise this party-piece, and he advised me that he would, but went on to say that for the sake of variety, he would do it with his school tie rather than with his blazer. Ah, wisdom! It's a great thing isn't it?! A.W.M. (1971-76)
Martin Jeffrey — Chairman Extraordinaire Martin Jeffrey. before 1998, had no involvement with the running of the FP Club, although he was known to have a love of his old School and an interest in the Club. It would have been strange if it were otherwise, as his father was a former Chairman of the Executive and a tireless supporter of the Club. From this background he was elected to the Executive in 1998 and was rapidly made its Vice-chairman. From a standing start he very quickly assessed what he saw as major issues requiring to be addressed. and he set about doing just that. He presented a number of papers to the committee on such things as record-keeping. finance and the burning need to modernise the facilities at Rubislaw. Progress began to be made on some of these before he became Chairman in 2000. Then, fired with ideas and a determination to move things forward, he began to set his stamp on the Executive. The Magazine of that year contains two articles by the new Chairman clearly setting an agenda for change, and change has taken place at quite a pace over the seven years since. The Club's finances were not in best shape in 2000. Subscription collection and related records required immediate attention and, with the right background in business computing. Martin set about the task with gusto. Hours of work checking old card indices and records of receipts resulted in the computerisation of the main records. He put forward proposals for the overhaul of the subscription rates, resulting in the introduction of the concept of periodic top-up payments from Life members, and the exemption of the over-75s from ordinary subscriptions and top-ups. He tied all this in to the now familiar 'cover sheet' issued with the Magazine. As regards Rubislaw, continuous pressure on the local authority to convene meetings of the Field Committee eventually paid off, and a phased development gradually came about. It has all taken time and huge amounts of effort, but by October 2004 the all-weather hockey surface was completed and in use. Phase 2, involving the rebuilding of the Pavilion. has been delayed and is only now getting under way two years later than expected. Throughout all the many meetings with council officials and others, discussions with contractors and so on the driving force from the FP Club angle has been Martin. Our past 59
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Chairman in full flow is a force to be reckoned with and on the Rubislaw front his steely determination has paid off. His firm belief that communication with our members is of first importance led to the creation of the Club's Website and to the Newsletters which have been issued since the Spring of 2000. He produced these single-handed until last Christmas — and now it is proving difficult to identify someone to continue these. He played a significant role in the 2006 Annual Dinner which launched the celebratory year and took on the direction of this year's Dinner on his own. The success of the occasion says it all. He was behind the 1256 Appeal and much, much else. Although his wife, Whilma. was appointed Membership Secretary. Martin dealt with correspondence from FPs all over the world, and enjoyed the tremendous buzz of 'job satisfaction' which this gives as all former secretaries can confirm. Now he has stepped down to a well deserved retirement and we can only look back, as we will more and more over the years, and reflect that. given what he faced when he took office. Martin has without doubt been the right person in the right place at the right time. The Former Pupils' Club is much in his debt.
Centre Reports Club Centre It was reported last year that much time had been spent by the Management Board on plans for the refurbishment of the Club Centre. It is the same this year, and in some ways it is disheartening that more progress has not been made. However, detailed plans, with associated costings. have been put together. The overall cost is significant. being in the region of £500,000. There is, I believe, strong support for the continuation of the Centre in its present location and, in the absence of any alternative, we owe it to future generations to do what we can to hand the assets of the Club on to our successors in the best possible state. As many have said, we are merely the custodians of what we ourselves have inherited. As we have been able to attract new members from other Clubs, which closed last year, there is a need and desire to retain a Club of this type for FPs, friends and associates. It is imperative that our members are not just members in name only but are active participants and users of the premises — for social or business activities, for functions, lunches or merely as a meeting place. All the Sports Sections, too, have a responsibility to help the Centre to thrive. Without the support of all members — FPs, Associates, Sports players and their supporters and administrators - there will not be a demonstrable need on which we can justify the type of revamp which we wish to undertake. Our Bar Manager. Mike Tasker left during the year and has now been succeeded by Andrew Garden. We are confident that Andrew will be an excellent replacement and we wish him well. The thanks of all members are due to all bar and catering staff for all their hard work and for their pleasant and friendly approach to members throughout the year. The functions and meeting rooms have been well utilised by companies, firms, sections and visitors throughout the year and arc an important source of revenue to the Centre. In addition, lunches continue to be served on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. while our caterers are available for functions or business lunches. Our members' support is essential and I would encourage anyone who has not done so to come and sample the cuisine. On the financial side, this year has seen a deficit of just over £5000 but, whilst this is disappointing, it is largely due to an increase in expenditure on the Club Centre itself and continuing rises in wages, rates. insurance and other costs. The committee is actively exploring ways of minimising the impact of certain of these costs in the long term. In a year in which the smoking ban has adversely affected other establishments, we have seen our 60
Fortner Pupils' Club Section turnover increase, our margins maintained and our membership remain reasonably stable. Thanks are due to the committee members and in particular to the Management Board of Brian Deighton, Norman Garden, Ian Hopkin, Peter Henderson and Derek Young for their immense support throughout the year which has involved them all in a considerable amount of work. These busy individuals are to be commended for giving so freely of their time in unstinted support of the Club. Douglas M. Watson Canada The 14th Annual Reunion Weekend of the Centre was held in Ottawa on 8-10 September 200t. With the agreement of the Yorkshire Centre the first weekend after Labour Day is now the permanent date for the Canadian Centre, and again we enjoyed a glorious Fall weekend. We were delighted to welcome the Parent Club President, David Allan, and his wife Christine. The reunion activities started with an informal get-together at the home of Ian and Norma Thomson on the Friday evening. The formal dinner took place on the Saturday evening in the historic setting of the Founder's Room of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club - all ably organised by Anne Gregory. The proceedings commenced with the installation of Ian Thomson as our new President. Ian proposed the Toast to the Club and the School, and shared memories of school and Scouts. The Club President. David Allan. replied with an entertaining speech outlining some of the lighter moments of his police career, and updating us on FP Club activities. Peter Jeffrey then read messages from other Club Centres and FPs and proposed a Toast to 'Absent Friends'. He also talked about the Club's plans to renovate the Rubislaw Pavilion and proposed that the Canadian Centre add to the tradition of the Shanghai Clock and the Malay Clock at the School by raising the funds to donate the Canada Clock for the Pavilion. Over the weekend this proposal was further discussed and enthusiastically accepted. Our traditional Sunday brunch was hosted by Peter Green and Ann Gregory at their lovely old stone farmhouse. We wandered about their lovely garden in Fall sunshine sharing yet more stories from days of yore, while enjoying Peter's famous butteries, kedgeree and ecelefechan — what a memorable end to another reunion weekend! The following FPs attended the dinner (in order of entry to School): Peter Jeffrey (1944-59), Qualicum Beach. British Columbia: Ruaraidh McIntyre (1945-51), Greely, Ontario; Edward Anderson (1945-57), Manotick. Ontario; David Allan (1945-58), Aboyne, Scotland; Peter Green (1946-57). Kemptville, Ontario; Philip Barron (1948-56), Kanata, Ontario: Kenneth Pirie (1948-57), Sidney, British Columbia: William Balfour (1949-58), Westmount, Quebec; Michael King (1951-60), Sudbiry, Ontario; Alex Home (1952-58), Breslau, Ontario; David Thomson (1952-58), Val Caron. Ontario; Ian Thomson (1952-60), Nepean, Ontario; and Ian Marr (1954-58), Kanata. Ontario. This year's Reunion will be held on September 7-9 in Calgary, Alberta and is being organised by Peter Edwards. Gordon Singer and Gillian Thomas, and we look forward to another great Calgary weekend. Edinburgh The Centre held its Annual Dinner on Friday Ilth May 2007 in the Clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society. President Keith Masson welcomed the company of thirty members and guests including Alasdair McLelland. who was the principal guest, the Rector, Graham Legge, the recently installed President of the Parent Club, Gary Allan, Calum Bruce, the President of Edinburgh Gordonians and Doug Skene and Stefan Coiling. the Presidents of the Yorkshire and Glasgow Centres respectively. 61
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Alasdair McLelland proposed the toast of The School and the Club' and replies were made by the Rector on behalf of the School and Gary Allan in his first function as President of the Parent Club. At the Edinburgh Centre Annual General Meeting held during the Annual Dinner, James Rust was elected as President to succeed Keith Masson. In August the annual golf match with the Glasgow Centre was played at Tulliallan. resulting at last in a victory for Edinburgh by 92 points to 69 and the return of the trophy for the first time in eight years.. The Mor Brown Trophy was won by David Kilgour with the best individual Stableford score of 38 points. Dave Smith was second and Malcolm Daniel third. The next Annual Dinner will be held in the Clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society on Friday 25th April 2008. Any FP who has recently come to the Edinburgh area, and who has not received any communication from the Centre. is invited to contact Neil Borthwick at his home address. 24. Carfrae Road Edinburgh EH4 3QQ ( Tel. 0131 336 1361). The following FPs attended the Dinner (in order of entry into School) : A. Stuart (193245), A.J.K. Monro (1933-46), D.G. Kilgour (1938-50), T.G. Coutts (1938-51), D.A. Brittain (1943-49), A.H. Cairns (1943-56), A.M.M. Beattie (1944-57), J.H. McLaren (1945-59), R.S. Rilley (1947-55). N.M. Borthwick (1952-65), D.W. Smith (1952-64), K.I. Masson (1959-72), D. Skene (1959-64), G.J.G. Allan (1963-76), J.H. Rust (1963-71), R.H.A. Malloch (1970-76). D.M. Watson (1979-85), and S. Coiling (1990-96). Glasgow
The Golf Match against the Edinburgh Centre saw Glasgow lose for the first time in seven years. The team of Malcolm Daniel. Graham Morrice, John Hannah and David McNay came away empty-handed. The next match will take place on the last Wednesday in August 2007 at a venue still to be decided. David Kilgour of Edinburgh won the Mor Brown Trophy. The Dinner held in the Swallow Hotel was a great occasion for all concerned. The speaker, Bill May. was fondly remembered by many present from his position as Head of Chemistry. In a humorous Toast to the School and Club, more given over to reminiscing about his own and pupil's endeavours, he held everyone both spell-hound and thoroughly entertained. Replies came from the Rector, Graham Legge, Head Boy Gordon Russell and Head Girl Helen Clunas. The Club President, David Allan, replied on behalf of the Club telling us of the enjoyable hard work he was undertaking for us all and of plans for the future, whilst reminding us of the 1256 Appeal Fund. Subsequently the Committee decided to donate £ 1000 to the Fund. Malcolm Daniel handed over the President's Chain to Stefan Coiling. Gary Allan, one of our own past presidents, had the honour of being appointed the Parent Club President at the AGM held in March 2007. Well done. Gary. During the year we lost a number of Committee members due to house or work moves. David Allan, John Hannah and Lesley Galloway were thanked for the work they had put in on behalf of the Centre members over a number of years. As previously advised Malcolm Gauld has organised a Curling Team. To date this year the team has had a run of bad results, having played 3 and lost 3. Malcolm would make very• welcome any new members willing to participate in the game. Anyone interested should contact him on 01355 237039 or by email: mwrg@hotmail.com. It is hoped that Glasgow Gordonians will arrange a Joint Function this year to Cruachan Power Station. 62
Former Pupils ' Club Section Any FP new to the West of Scotland is invited to contact Peter Cairns, tel 01436 671708 email AGSFPGlasgowcent@aol.com or peekairns@aol.com to have their names added to the mailing list. This year's Dinner will be held in the Swallow Hotel. Paisley Road West, Glasgow on Friday 26th. October, when the Speaker is to be Frederick Bull, the well known author of Aberdeens mound the Nbrld. He will include a shortened talk on some of the Aberdeens he visited. He will be well worth coming to hear. The following FPs attended the dinner (in order of entry into School): Hunter Cairns (194356). David Allan (1945-58), Peter Cairns (1945-57), Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), Douglas Campbell (1958-64), Graham U'ren (1958-64), David McNay (1956-69), Gordon McNay (1966-70), Keith Masson (1959-72), Gary Allan (1963-76), Allan Kinghorn (1974-79), Malcolm Daniel (1975-81), Margery Taylor (1975-81) Stefan Coiling (1990-96) and Thomas Young (1990-96). London 2006 proved to be a very successful year for the London Centre. In mid-August we held an informal evening visit to the award-winning London Wetland Centre in Barnes. Our tour around the Centre was significantly enhanced by our President Grahame Young, who enthusiastically led us to the best vantage points and, with his remarkable ornithological knowledge, was able to identify and give background to each of the wide range of bird types we sighted. At the end of the tour we repaired to enjoy a convivial barbecue meal at the Centre restaurant. On Thursday 19 October we celebrated 750 years of the Grammar School in grand style with our Dinner in the Peers' Dining Room at the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Wilson of Tillyorn. former Governor of Hong Kong and now Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen and Master of Peterhouse. Cambridge. President Grahame Young introduced Lord Wilson and welcomed our guests who included the President of the Parent Club. David Allan and his wife Christine, Depute Rector Helen Innes, Head Girl Helen Clunas, Head Boy Gordon Russell, Edinburgh Centre Secretary Neil Borthwick, Yorkshire President Doug Skene and President of the London Gordonians Chris Taylor. It might be noted that this was the first London Centre function at which we have entertained the Head Girl and Head Boy. After an excellent meal Lord Wilson proposed the toast to "The School and the Club", which he carried out with great charm and erudition, not only highlighting the immense contribution Grammarians have made to society over the years but also how many of them have had an influence on his own career. Helen Innes, in concert with the Head Girl and Head Boy, replied very ably on behalf of the School. David Allan then gave a masterly reply in his own inimitable style on behalf of the Club. Only too soon the Dinner was over and we had to hurriedly vacate the House of Lords before the regulation deadline of I I .00pm. Overall, a very successful event which saw a number of new faces in addition to our old stalwarts. There was one small difficulty encountered, however. Although unable to attend the Dinner, Patrick Innes (1935-49) had very kindly supplied after-dinner chocolates, embossed with the School badge, to be served with the coffee at the end of the meal. At first the House of Lords had been agreeable to this but at the last moment decided that they would be contravening food safety policy to do so! As a result, the chocolates had to be mailed to the guests after the event. We are indebted to Lord Wilson of Tillyorn for making this memorable Dinner possible. The following FP's attended the Annual Dinner (in order of entry into School): Michael Aggett (1930-42), Ian B. Taylor (1933-40), Gordon S. Williams (1933-46). Steve Robertson (1939-51), A. Grahame B. Young (1940-47), Hamish Duncan (1941-50), Martin Jeffrey (1942-57). Roy G. O. Dixon (1943-57), David L. Allan (1944-58), Ken Coutts (1944-50), 63
Aberdeen Grammar School Muga:ine Bill Jack (1945-51), Brian McEwen (1946-51). Dennis G. Norrie (1946-52), John Sinclair (1946-59). Michael Walker (1946-57), Brian Bruce (1947-51). Dick Kitson (1947-58), Wilson S. Mitchell (1949-55). Ian H. McLeod (1951-55), Neil M. Borthwick (1952-65), David Colvin (1955-68), Duncan J. Hopkin (1955-61), Hamish Norbrook (1959-65), Douglas Skene (1959-64), Ron Caie (1962-68), Sandy Nicol (1962-71), Robert Muir (196268), Gavin Milne (1979-84). Graham C. Thomson (1979-83). Trevor Watt (1983-88) and Susan Watson (1987-93). Events planned so far for 2007 include a Cambridge area summer lunch and an autumn AGM/supper. Dates and details will be published shortly. Yorkshire A first for Yorkshire! For the first time we were able to welcome the Head Boy and Head Girls to our Annual Dinner at the Grange Hotel in York on Friday 15 September 2006. We have always had superb support from the Rector and his management team, but this time Gordon Russell and Helen Clunas provided our members and guests with a real insight into their final year at School. Delivered with absolute professionalism and aplomb, reflecting so well on them as individuals and on the school as a whole, our special thanks go to Graham Legge. Helen and Gordon. The added attraction of the Head Boy and Girl certainly added to our numbers, and a total of 26 attended, with valued support from our colleagues in Edinburgh. Glasgow and London. Our key-note speaker was the Parent Club President. David Allan, who was accompanied by his wife, Christine. David and Christine have been on several occasions to the Yorkshire Dinner, but in a very special year for the School we were well represented by a very special President, an excellent ambassador for the Club. Our Dinner this year is again at the Grange Hotel in York, on Friday 28 September and a warm invitation is extended to FPs to join us then.
Section Reports Cricket First XI In summary. season 2006 was a much worse season than 2005 in Grade 1. Once again the First XI started the season well by beating Bon Accord in the first game at the Links, however they ended the season only narrowly escaping relegation to Grade 2. Despite having a reasonably consistent team throughout we struggled to maintain the form of the previous year. Everyone contributed to the best of their ability, although we were much weaker in the bowling department, with injury to Jerry Moir and with others not finding a regular line and length. Only 101 wickets were taken all season (the second lowest in the league). Failure to bowl teams out resulted in more bad defeats and less drawn games, hence the relegation battle. We had a good run in the 20:20 Turriff Cup. but we were eliminated early from the Aberdeenshire Cup. On the positive side it was good to see some new players coming along, including Ed Perry, Muthu Valliappan, Karthik Mohanan and Daniel Milne and we were glad to see Australian Glen Miller returning and hitting form with both bat and ball. Glen Miller and Jerry Moir took the season's batting honours, while the bowling honours went to Glen Miller and Roland Knudson. John Youles took the catching cup with 7. The wicket-keeping was keenly contested and it was good to see Muthu keeping the veteran Chris Clelland on his toes. 64
Former Pupils' Club Section In 2007 we hope to see further progress regarding the Rubislaw re-development and we are pleased that net practice facilities for cricket have been re-instated. Of concern are the condition of the outfield due to over use in winter and a gradual deterioration of the allweather cricket pitch and changing facilities. The same applies to the overall state of cricket facilities in the City. There is a need to radically improve the standards of pitches at the Links and Sheddocksley if cricket is to arrest the current decline in playing teams and numbers. We hope Duthie Park will be retained for cricket in future years, although this is far from certain. Hopefully 2007 will prove to be as enjoyable as recent seasons, and that FPs will once again be competitive in Grade. Results: Played 16 Won 5 Drawn 4 Lost 7 Void 2 Points 294 61.25% Second XI The highlights of season 2006 were few and far between, as we were relegated to Grade 4. We lost our first three games to teams who finished the season first, third and fourth, and it took us eight games for our first win. The week before that win we had batted really well to draw with Grade 3 runners up. Caledonian. batting for 48 overs against a very strong attack. Our younger players held out against some hostile bowling for a well-deserved draw. The first win was against Portcullis, and featured a hat trick by Naeem. (2 bowled I caught), and we won by 20 runs. We then had to wait a further six games before we managed our second victory, away to Fraserburgh, winning by just 9 runs in an exciting game in glorious sunshine. It was a good all round team performance; we batted, bowled and fielded very well, with everyone contributing. Our main problem during the season was unavailability of players. We were unable to field the same team two weeks running, using a total of 37 players during the season. Our top two batsmen played less than half the games, and our top wicket taker from 2005 missed the whole season as she was pregnant! The top batsman was Martin Budd who scored 368 runs in seven innings, an average of 52.57 runs. John Eagles scored 219 runs in six innings and averaged 43.8 runs. Bowling wise John Eagles was top wicket taker with 16 wickets at 11.38. Jim Bramald also bowled well, but without much luck, and took 13 wickets at 32.54. while Naeem took 10 at 16. Sam Knudson was nominated as Young Player of the Year, with James Lord as runner up. Sam and James opened the bowling against Caledonian, our last game of the season; they are only 14 years old and are great prospects for the future. Our captain, Jim Bramald, was unavailable towards the end of the season due to Fiona having a baby, but mention must be made of the tremendous efforts on and off the pitch Jim has made during the last five years as captain. Highlights of his captaincy include winning promotion to Grade 3. reaching the Johnston Cup final, topping the bowling averages, coaching our under-15 team and finding eleven bodies every week to play! We look forward to 2007 with confidence, despite being relegated. Several of our younger players will benefit from coaching sessions against our bowling machine at net practice, and we have a nucleus of very keen players who have gained a lot of experience in a short time. Promotion is a definite possibility if we can maintain the excellent team spirit generated last summer. Played 17 Won 2 Drawn 3 Lost 12 Void 1 Results: Curling Now that Curling has duly settled at Summerhill, in what is fast becoming an important neighbourhood facility for a wide variety of leisure activities, many National and International competitions have been or will be held there. For anyone interested in the sport, either playing or spectating, it is well worth a visit to see one of these competitions 65
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine being played. The standard of Curling is high and there have been some exciting matches. Meanwhile. FPs continue to curl in a mini league with Rubislaw. As has happened in recent years. the spoils have been shared by both FP teams skippered by Geddie Hay and lan Souter. We were pleased to welcome new members Catherine Proctor and Liz Hunter and hope that they will continue to enjoy their curling with us. Any FP interested in taking up the sport - or rejoining the Club - should contact Ian Souter (ianpsouter@aol.com). Football The season 2006/07 started off on 5 August, with the team playing in Division 2 (East) of the Aberdeenshire Amateur leagues. Tommy Hyslop was our manager, with help from Alan Fowlie, and Audrey Nicholson was Secretary. The players signed included quite a number of our previous players along with some newcomers, and eventually we had 32 signed players. This worked out quite well as there were times when players were unavailable due to work or injury. The season started off well with several wins and some draws. Towards the middle of the season we did not fare so well, but by the end we were doing by far the best of the season, and we finished 6th in the League. We had several players who were fairly regular and who played well throughout the season. Most consistently available were Richard Duncan. Neil Robertson, Robbie Davidson, Kenny MacPherson, Louis Houston, Richard Nicholson, Alan Western, David Walker, Dave Sinclair. Chris Fowlie, Steve Fraser and Stewart Campbell. At times when some were unavailable other players filled in with good effect. Unfortunately, we did not do very well in the cup games, only reaching the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup and going out in the first round of the others. The season ended with Stuart Campbell being voted as the players' Player of the Year and also Player of the Year picked by our opponents. Golf We had our usual spring and autumn outings to Braemar. For the first time in many years, we did not have an outing at Ballater. A replacement outing was held at Huntly, where we have not been for over a decade, and this having been very successful we will return to Huntly this year. We also had a mid-week outing to Kemnay which was very well supported. We had our August trip to Taymouth Castle which was a great success and Fraser Webster won the Carry Cup for the best 3 scores. In September we competed in the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Schools Trophy at Bamton where we lost narrowly to old Novocastrians in round 2. With Peter Robertson and Dallas Moir losing narrowly and Fraser Webster and Dennis Inkson winning well, it fell upon Ian Creswell and Colin Shaw to do the needful. Alas, the prospect of another night in Edinburgh induced three putts on the last green. What is worthy of mention is the age profile of this partnership. Colin was Head Boy in the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. whereas Ian left school during the reign of George VI. FPs age well! Men's Hockey The I st team squad has been relatively stable for the season, although 24 players have been used during the season so far, six less than in the previous season. Sixth place in National League Three was not good enough for a Hockey Club the size of AGSFP Men's Hockey Club. With no disrespect to the present 1st team squad. we don't have the players with the necessary skills in the 20 to 30-year-old age group who are available every week for us to gain promotion to National League Two. We have appointed a 1st team Coach for next season to improve standards and gain promotion. A Club of our size with our resources just 66
Former Pupils' Club Section can't keep underachieving season after season. Alan McKay won the Graham Fraser Trophy this season. Last season he was playing District League hockey for our third team. This season has seen Alan progress to our first team and play National League hockey. We need more players in Alan's age group to progress and achieve as he has done this season if we are to improve as a club and gain promotion. The captains of our six X Is were respectively Bob Bruce, Roy Kennedy, Craig Sinclair, Charlie Nathaniel, Howard Smith and Greg Anderson. The 2nd team progress this season has been hampered by lack of continuity of team selection and our Regional League position was not as high as in previous seasons. We made the last 16 of the Scottish District Cup. The 3rd team finished fifth in North Division League One and made the quarter finals of the Scottish Plate. The 4th team finished third in North Division League Two. The 5th team, our veteran side, finished in the bottom half of North Division Two. We have players still playing 5th team hockey in their fifties, sixties and even seventies. The 6th team, our Development side, which comprises U-16 and U-18 schoolboys. finished second in North Division League Two. They contested the play-offs for Division One and won promotion. Our U-18 side lost on sudden death penalties to Glenalmond in the semi-final of the U-18 Reserve Cup. They also lost on sudden death penalties to Glasgow Academy in the semifinal of the Schools Cup. Twice in one season we have just missed a national final by a penalty stroke. Our U-I6 side, who won were the Scottish champions last season, defended their title against the winners of the other districts. They didn't win the cup but did beat Gordonians at Peffermill. We have two U-14 mixed sides in the North League. We have also run U-12 primary school hockey training for boys and girls. AGSFP Hockey took over the running of all the schools hockey training this season on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. We have volunteer coaches and now paid coaches to improve the skills levels of these young people. Ten of our players completed a Hockey Leadership Course. Our Club Captain, Innes Taylor, completed his Level 1 Hockey Coaching badge and is currently Scottish Hockey Union North District Under-I8 Boys Manager. The tenth John Drummond Trophy was won by the Grammarians who beat the schoolboys 1-0. This is our biggest fund raiser of the year. the proceeds going towards youth hockey. A big thank you to Ben Johnson tbr again organising this event. The adults even won all the raffle prizes at the Lunch. Luck was not on the school boys' side that day! Unfortunately a lot of boys at the school are receiving too good an education and are moving to Universities sides. We just can't keep the best but we will keep a few and hope that when the rest finish with university they will return to their spiritual home at AGSFP Hockey. Off the pitch, the Management Committee have been productive. We have a Mission Statement and 3-year objectives in place. We implemented a child protection policy and a selection policy this season. We also have a new Web-site which players can access to find out about team selections and news of events etc. We voted as a Section at our end-of-year annual general meeting to become a mixed hockey club. Next season we will have players of all ages from under 12 to over 70 years old, and we will be applying tier status as an amateur sports club. Petanque The Section continues with a certain 'joie de tivre"(naturellement). The annual dinner was the usual success, and two barbecues were held during the season. The trophy winners were as follows: Peter Tawse Cup - Ron Comber Doubles Trophy - Ron & Aaron Comber Singles Trophy - Peter Henderson
67
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Grateful thanks are proffered to Ron Comber, Peter Henderson and their associates for gardening and tidying of the Piste. Rugby During the season the Rugby Section held a number of Special General Meetings to discuss the Section's playing name and the revised constitution. At a well-attended meeting in January it was agreed unanimously to adopt the playing name "Aberdeen Grammar Rugby" and following this Mike Inglis designed a new logo for the Rugby Section, which has been very well received. The revised constitution was formally adopted. At the AGM in April, David Robinson was re-elected as President for a second term. Alex Forrester. Malcolm Copland and Mike Inglis all stood down from the Committee, which now comprises Derek Younger, Chairman and Treasurer; Brian Clark. Director of Rugby: Gordon Thomson. Youth Convener: Alan Mekie. Fixture/Match/Referees Secretary; and Arthur McCulloch. the Club representative on the Aberdeen Youth Rugby Association. David Robinson continues as Secretary until a volunteer can be found for this role. The retiring members were thanked for their sterling work on the Committee. The AGM also saw a first for the Rugby Section with the election of Donny Ines and Charlie Ritchie as the inaugural Honorary Life Members of the Section. David Leighton was elected as an Honorary Vice-President. In recent months a team has worked hard to find a successor to Damian Reidy as Head Coach. and we can now report that Mike O'Donovan has been appointed to this role. He joins us from Old Belvedere in Ireland, whom he took to success in Division 2 of the AIR League. Prior to this Mike was at Kirkcaldy, and a measure of his success and popularity there is the number of people from Fife who approached us at the SRU Annual Meeting to say us how pleased they had been with Mike, and wishing him every success at Aberdeen. We have also lost the services of Alan Hardy from our coaching team, and we thank both him and Damian for all their efforts over recent seasons. On the playing front this year's report sadly reflects the Angus Horrihilis that the season has been for our senior squad. the Club having now been relegated from Premier League I. Damian Reidy continued as head coach for his sixth consecutive term at the Club, along with our Captain, Rod Seib. Damian was ably supported by Rod, Alan Hardie, Alan Mekie and Johan Van Deventer (Johnny). A number of new players were recruited to our playing squads this season. among them Billy Russell. Ben Spearritt, Matt Quilty, Rab Barrie and Rob Lawson (whom we could refer to as the senior recruits). They were joined by a number of young talents including Alistair Robertson, Ranald Baird, Fraser Young. Michael McNaughton. Morgan Ward, Will Yates, Angus Dixon. Redha Guedroudj and David Reekie. All of these players have played in the 1st XV at some time during the season and, given time, these youngsters will develop and go on to become very accomplished players for the Club. Like Damian, Rod has now left us on retiring from rugby, having taken up a teaching post in Kuala Lumpur in January. In his time at Rubislaw Rod set new standards for the players in terms of his dedication, attitude, preparation and fitness. He was never anything but "professional" in all that he did both on and off the field of play. We think it will be a long time before we "see his likes again". Damian for his part must be thanked for his dedication and for the success he helped bring to the Club during his time here. It is too easy, in a season that has seen us relegated, for people to forget what has been achieved in the recent past. The first five years of his term with the Club were probably the most successful in the Club's history, certainly in modem times. We were never out of the top half of Premier I (once sixth, twice fourth and twice fifth), we won the inaugural IT trophy and reached the semi-final of the Scottish Cup for the first time. In addition, several players have moved on to the professional ranks 68
Former Pupils' Club Section during this period. When did we previously achieve that type of success? 1st Team Squad We finished in 10th and last place in the league. We only managed two wins in the league. one over Hawick and the other over Boroughmuir, both at Rubislaw. Narrow defeats against Currie (away) and both Watsonians and Melrose (home) proved to be crucial in deciding our fate in what turned out to be a relegation battle with Hawick. Played 18, Won 2. Drawn 0, Lost 16 League Record: Points For 292; Points Against — 599; Bonus Points 3; League Points I I This season saw the introduction of the Super Cup for Premier 1 teams, where the new IRB Experimental Law Variations were tried out. This competition gave us the opportunity to play a number of the younger players and let them gain some first team experience and cut their teeth against PI opposition. Hopefully this experience will help them for next season's challenges. While we finished at the bottom of our league group, playing under the experimental laws brought a new challenge, not only for the players but also the Referees!! It is probable that we will see some of these laws incorporated into the game on a permanent basis. In the National Cup we broke some new ground with our first full match away to Orkney, where everyone was made most welcome. In subsequent rounds of the cup we recorded good victories over Perthshire and Cartha Queens Park to reach the quarter finals, when in an exciting match at Rubislaw we lost narrowly to Boroughmuir. During the season we have used the staggering total of 47 players in all First team games, which reflects how badly affected our season was by injuries, unavailability and retirements from the game. The top try scorer in the league was Grant Strang with 8 tries, comfortably ahead of his nearest rival (that well known player — the penalty try). Top points scorer in the league was Ben Spearritt with 72 points. In all games played. again the top try scorer was Grant Strang with 13 tries and the top points scorer Ben Spearritt with 136 points. 2nd Team Squad In the early games of the season the team took a little while to settle but soon started to record a number of excellent wins, both at home and away, and a top four finish looked a distinct possibility. However due to the mounting injury list and retirements from the 1st squad, a sizeable number of the 2nd team players were promoted into the first squad and after Xmas. with depleted numbers, their results fell away. However, they have managed to maintain their 1st Division status and finished seventh in their league. The number of players used in the first squad (47, which would have fielded three teams in my day) is a clear indication of the number of players who had to make the step up this season. Our thanks should be recorded to Alan Mekie who worked extremely hard with this squad and helped to turn their season around. We also thank the evergreen Jim Sugden. and Roger Bartlett and Bill Sugden, who gave tremendous support to the team. League Record: Played 2l, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost I I Points For — 373. Points Against — 419, League Points 38 3rd Team Squad This year we managed to run a 3rd XV until around Xmas. when the number of injuries etc in the playing squads became so great that we did not have the numbers to continue. They managed to play eight games against local opposition. and their proud record is that they were undefeated in all their games. Hopefully next season we will have sufficient numbers to again run a third XV. Juniors Mini Section The Midgets and Mini section continues to thrive and has played in a number of "gatherings" so far this season.
69
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Midi Section (SI & S2) The SI s and S2s have had varying success this season, the Sls finishing as runners-up in the North Tournament while the S2s won their North of Scotland Cup competition and went on to compete in the finals at Murrayfield where they narrowly lost to Stewarts-Melville Lions in the semi-final. Youth Section (U-15/16/18s) The U-15s have had a steady season finishing third in the Caledonia league and winning the Caledonia Cup Final. The U-16s had a regular squad of about 27 players and finished mid table in their league. They won their Caledonia Bowl final. Our U-I 8 side has maintained a steady squad of around 24 players throughout the season but suffered from a lack of backs and had to rely on playing a number of forwards in their back-line. However they went on to finish mid table in their league and, like the U-16s, won their Caledonia Bowl final. With close on 230 playing members at the various age-group levels, the Junior Section continues to attract new players to the Club and remains very much an integral part of the Club and its future in Scottish Rugby. Numbers remain very healthy throughout the age groups, allowing us to field teams at all levels from P4 to U-18. Already we have a number of new children waiting to register for next season. The Club is grateful to all the coaches and managers for their time, enthusiasm and commitment. The Academy Halliburton withdrew their support for the Academy but we are delighted that Sovereign Oil has stepped in to support the continuing development of our young talented players. AYRA We continue to give financial support to Aberdeen Youth Rugby Association in their work to develop youth rugby throughout Aberdeen. Gordon Thomson continues as chairman of the Association and the coaching development team is headed up by Colin Philips. Notable Achievements this Season Congratulations are due to Johnny Beanie on being capped for Scotland: to Moray Low an Apprentice at Glasgow Warriors, who played for the Barbarians in March against the East Midlands and was included in the Scotland A squad for the Churchill Cup; to Sean Crombie, an Apprentice at Border Reivers who was in Scotland 7s squad for the IRB sevens (Hong Kong, Adelaide. LA); to Angus Dixon and Redha Guedroudj, selected for Scotland U-19 squad for the IRB tournament in Belfast; and to James Millar, selected for Scottish Universities. Leaving / Retiring A number of our senior players are leaving, or have already left, the Club this season and a number are retiring from the game, some enforced through injury. We would like to thank all of them for their dedication over their time with us and we wish them the very best for their future. It is maybe unfair to single out any one player for special mention, but as with lain Stanger retiring last season, this season we are losing someone who is a wee bit special. Keith Oddie has told us that he intends to step down from competitive rugby. Keith has been referred to in the press as a "stalwart" and a "veteran" (long before he was a veteran) but we believe he became more of an "institution" with this Club. Keith joined the Club as a fresh faced 18-year-old in season 1992/93, and within a couple of seasons found himself in the 1st XV where he has remained regularly until this season. We do not have complete records but estimate that he has played between 250 and 300 games for the Club. the vast majority of these in the 1st XV. He has been a prolific points scorer, and was regularly the season's top points scorer with his trusty goal kicking. We believe he felt it was time to step down when he saw his photo on the front page of a Golden Oldies Brochure. The Club says sincerely. "Keith. thanks for the memories". Vote of Thanks We record our sincere thanks to all coaches, team managers el al in both the Senior and Junior Sections for their hard work and commitment throughout season. These volunteers 70
Former Pupils' Club Section give up a considerable amount of their own time, turning out in all kinds of weather to help further the game ofrugby football. Thanks also to our physio. Julie Campbell, and our Team Doctor. Louise McCullough, for their valuable assistance. On behalf of the players we would like to thank Gareth Wood (Bieldside Inn) and Alison Reidy for providing the lads with their pasta meals on Thursday evenings. And Finally — Next Season Next season is going to be one of the most important in recent years for the Club. one in which we need to re-group and focus firmly on the task ahead - to re-establish our Club in Premier 1. We have started recruiting players to strengthen the squad for next season and with a good number of talented youngsters in our ranks we must work hard with them over the coming months to develop their skills and conditioning ready for the start of next season. Swimming It is with considerable regret that I must report that the Swimming Section has been forced to discontinue its activities. There has been no FP swimming during the 2006 - 07 session. This is due to Aberdeen City Council's insistence that a qualified lifeguard be present during all sessions. However, it has not been possible to identify a suitable lifeguard. The demise of the Section atter more than 40 years has been a source of great sadness to its members. The Section was one of the FP Club's social activities in which all ages were able to participate. We view the loss as considerable and hope that the closure will be temporary only, until a lifeguard can be found. We would like to thank the School for its support of the Swimming Section over the years and especially for managing to provide a lifeguard at the end of 2005 —06. Angus J. Thompson (1969 — 75) Women's Hockey The hockey girls have enjoyed another busy season. The 1st and 2nd Xls challenged for silverware this season and the 3rd XI had one of their best ever sets of results. In particular, the attendance at training from the 2nd and 3rd Xls for a good portion of the season really brought the girls on and it has been great to see our younger members challenging for places in the 1st XI. The 1st XI had a good set of results this season. They challenged for the Division One title which. as with many recent years. was a two-horse race. The difference between the teams at the top came down to the final couple of games and the Grammar girls were pipped at the post for the title and finished as Runners-Up. This season the 1st XI would like in particular to thank Richard Wallis for his commitment to umpiring for them. As ever his stalwart efforts have been very much appreciated. Their Scottish Cup run got off to a bad start by the Club's standards when the girls lost early on in the competition. However they then went on to compete in the Scottish Plate event instead, and were delighted to reach the Cup Final. Much to their delight they had a great day out and secured a victory at the finals day in Edinburgh. The girls will be hoping to go all the way in the Cup competition next season. Drawn I Lost 3 Played 20 Won 16 Results: Goals Against 12 Points 49 Goals For 58 The 2nd XI had a great season in North District Division Two. They finished in second place and really enjoyed their hockey this season. In many ways their season might have been even better had the 1st XI not had to borrow some of their players to fill in gaps in their team at crucial times. The girls had finished third last season and their standard of play improved again this season. Hopefully they will step it up another gear next year and take the Division Two title. The 2nd XI would like to thank Andrew Wadsworth for his umpiring services this 7I
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine season and also all the supporters they have had through the trials and tribulations of one of their best ever seasons. Drawn I Lost 4 Won 13 Played IX Results: Goals Against 10 Points 40 Goals For 46 This season has been the best season since the 3rd XI was established. With a few new faces and a few old ones lending a hand, the thirds had a great start to the season. Gone are the days of the defeats in double figures. the 3rd XI came into their own and their league position can only go from strength to strength next year. Thanks go to the people who have made the effort to coach and umpire for the girls this year. This made a big difference to the skills level, playing standards and, most importantly, the confidence of the 3rd Xl players. In particular they would like to thank Pete Williams and Emma Mair. Beating Inverurie 2nd XI. who at the time were second in the league, has got to be one of the highlights for all concerned. It was a grim day with respect to weather, but by far the best day for the 3rds so far! The 3rd Xl is and will remain all about the fun. but this season has shown what can be done! The team remain an excellent option for anyone looking to build on their skills and to join one of the most sociable clubs in the District. Drawn 0 Lost 14 Won 4 Played IS Results: Points 12 Goals For 17 Goals Against 43 The indoor season was a little disappointing in comparison to last year's success. The team battled hard but lacked the focus of the previous year. They finished third in the League, which was pretty good, all things considered. The girls will hope to be back on track to challenge for the title next season. Won 6 Drawn I Lost 3 Results: Played 10 Points 19 Goals Against 20 Goals For 31 The 2nd VI was pleased with their indoor efforts as they had an inexperienced side this year. They had a mixture of players from our 2nd and 3rd outdoor Xls and gave some very strong opposition to some of the better teams in the League. Drawn I Lost 5 Results: Played 8 Won 2 Points 7 Goals For 23 Goals Against 21 Socially. the Club was as active as ever and took advantage of the Club Centre facilities whenever possible. There were some organised events, including quiz nights and a Christmas event, and some impromptu nights out, but it would always be fair to say that the girls do their best to continue their reputation as a sociable and friendly club. Thanks go to all the supporters. players, organisers, umpires and the management committee for their input to this season. Finally. well done to Rebecca Murray, who has been part of the Scotland under-16 squad this season and is a current member of our 1st Xl. As ever if you are keen to take up hockey again, or have never played before, you are very welcome to come along to training to see how you get on. Training is on Tuesday evenings at Rubislaw from 6.00 to 7.30pm. and starts in August. 313386 For further information contact - Emma Mair 561865 Helen Bruce Annual Dinner When it was learned in early autumn last year that Aberdeen's Queen's Hotel, which had been the scene of so many FP Dinners in recent years, had been sold to a prestigious company which specialises in small private functions and does not cater for larger formal functions, there was general dismay. We were geared to a particular night in the calendar, and so many groups now cast aside by the Queen's were looking for accommodation that it seemed we had an impossible task on our hands. Then the School Hall was mooted as a possible location - we had successfully dined in the old Hall at the front of the building in
72
Former Pupils' Club Section 1963 before it was convened to other uses, and we had held the Dinner in the present Hall in 1965 when it was new and again in 1967. The suggestion was welcomed by the Rector, caterers were sought and engaged and plans took shape. What an inspired thought it turned out to be. The premises were transformed, the Hall attractively laid out, the dining hall converted into a bar, and floral decorations in place. A group of very smartly turned out Prefects was on hand to direct the company on arrival, and the whole organisation worked smoothly. For this credit goes to Martin Jeffrey who characteristically spared no effort to ensure the success of the function. As has now become accepted practice. the past Presidents, official guests. and the top table company were piped into the hall by young members of the Rubislaw Pipe Band, which is under the direction of John Lawson (1958-61). The company included representatives from the Regional Centres of the Club, including two from Canada. and as is customary there were official guests from the local FP Clubs and two of the local branches of Edinburgh Schools. The caterers provided an excellent meal, efficiently and courteously served and the selection of wines available proved to be to the company's satisfaction. The President, David Allan, occupied the chair, and kept proceedings on track and on time, which is well recognised to require particular skill and humour, both of which qualities the President possesses. The principal toast, to "The School and the Club". was proposed by Lieutenant-General Sir Peter Graham, KCB, CBE who, it had transpired, had connections with the School unknown when he was invited to be the principal guest. His father, Walter Graham, was a pupil in 1913-19, while his wife's father was a pupil in 1922-27. From his military background as well as from his current involvement with the Gordon Highlander Museum he emphasised the importance of heritage to a School like the Grammar, binding its pupils, both past and present, to the School and inducing a healthy sense of pride in the School. He referred to several FPs who had gone out into the world in a variety or roles and made it a better place. He paid tribute to Morland Simpson and his vision for the Fonner Pupils' Club, and reminded us that we belong to something special and precious. Replying for the School, the Rector brought the company up-to-dale on significant events in the life of the School including the almost completed Games Hall. The President replied for the Club and reflected on his pleasure at meeting so many loyal FPs in the course of his year in office and confirmed that the Club is in good heart. The following FPs attended the Dinner (in order of entering School): J.R.S. Innes (1923-35), J.C. Sellar (1924-34). A. Alexander (1930-36), A. Stuart (1932-45), A.J.K. Monro (1933-46), 1. Smart (1933-46). B.K. Crookshanks (1934-46), J.E. Fraser (1936-49). E.P. Watson (1937-43), W. Wood (1937-48), W.D. Brooker (1938-50), C.L. Forbes (193851). G.J. Wilson (1938-48), S.A.C.. Robertson (1939-51), A.G.B. Young (1939-47), J.W.Cradock (1940-46), H.B. Paterson (1941-50), J.M. Jeffrey (1942-57). A.D. Johnston (1942-54), W.W. Wolkoff (1942-53), I. Wolkoff (1942-55). W.B. Brown (1943-57), A.H. Cairns (1943-56), R.G.O. Dixon (1943-57), H.A.S. Hamilton (1943-56). I.B. Kennaway (1943-57). A.K.Campbell (1944-53), A. Cromar (1944-50) G. Cruickshank (1944-54), D.B. Galloway (1944-58), E. Grieve (1944-50). D.Jack (1944-50), J.C.A. Michie (194458), D.I.. Allan (1945-58), W.M. Murray (1945-54), A.B. Broomfield (1946-55), P.J. Green (1946-57), S.A. Howard (1946-58), J.B. Davidson (1947-60), M.W.R. Gauld (1947-61), M.L. Wolkoff (1947-59), R.W. Grant (1948-61). F.K.S. Lawson (1948-61), H.A.B. Will (1948-62), D.G. Millar (1949-61), L.M. Nicol (1949-57), G.F. Webster (1949-62). M.Webster (1949-57), R.S. McKay (1950-57), A.D. Milne (1950-58), M.B. Colvin (195165), R. Gray (1951-65), J.F. Hendry (1951-65), I.F1. MeLeml (1951-55). H.E. Morrison (1951-65), M.J. Shirreffs (1951-64). R.C. Shirreffs (1951-65), D.K. Yule (1951-65), J.R. Baird (1952-64), N.M. Borthwick (1952-65),B.1. Carrie (1952-58), A.C. Dickie (1952-58), 1.W. Douglas (1952-57), W.A. Hutcheon (1952-58), H.R. Millar (1952-65), M.F. Rennie (1952-65). J.C. Lyon (1953-59), K.G. Jones (1957-66). R.E. Donald (1958-66). I.A. Hogg (1958-67). J. Lawson (1958-61), M.A. Batchelor ((959-65), A.G. Campbell (1959-65), 73
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine B.M. Drummond (1959-65), N.K.B. Edwards (1959-64), K.1. Masson (1959-72), D. Skene (1959-64), W. Barlow (1960-72), S.L. Forbes (1960-66), D.K. 1nkson (1960-66). D.N. Yule (1960-66), G.C. Archibald (1962-68), K.C. Carter (1962-68). I.S. Hopkin (1962-68). G. Hutcheon (1962-68), W.R. Hutcheon (1962-68). N.G.M. Watt (1963-69). G.K. Yule (196368), G.I. Hardie (1965-70), A. Juroszek (1966-71). A.E. Archibald (1968-70), R. Nugent (1968-70), D.G. Moir (1969-75), J.D. Moir (1969-75), A.J. Thompson (1969-75), I. Taylor (1974-80), D.A. Harley (1974-80). G.A. Thomas (1975-80). G.K. Crookshanks (1979-85), J. Smith (1979-85), L. Manders (1979-85). D.M. Watson (1979-85). J.C. Adams (1980-86), A.C. Rutherford (1990-96). S. Juroszek (1996-02), In addition to the Rector, G. Legge, former Rector W.J. Johnston, and former Staff members A.L. McCombie and W.S. May were present, along with H.J. inns, N.T. Montgomery and B. Thom of the present Staff
RE-UNIONS Class of 1967 There is still a proposal to hold some form of re-union this autumn to mark the 40th anniversary of leaving School. The organising committee, comprising Geoff Wilkinson, Ray Clarke, Sandy Lyon, Harry Barlow and Dave McDonald, are finding it difficult to arrange a convenient date on account of people's work commitments and the number of the class who are working in various parts of the world. They are planning that the group should gather at the Club Centre prior to a home Rugby match at Rubislaw and then adjourn for an evening meal over which they can catch up on everyone's news. Any member of the 1967 class wishing to be informed of the arrangements should contact Dave McDonald by email at dave.mcdonal&a btconnect.com as soon as possible. Class of 1958 Calling all members of the years 1944-1958 A 50th Anniversary Reunion is planned to fbIlow the Annual Dinner of the FP Club in March 2008 on the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 8/9 March 2008. For fuller details and to register interest contact either of John Michie on: john.michiea itb.net Douglas Harper on: douglasharperacbtintennet.com 1st City of Aberdeen Scout Group The First City of Aberdeen Scout Group will celebrate its centenary in 2008. Current and former members of the Group will know that this milestone will not be allowed to pass without a celebration to mark the event. A dinner is to be held at the Britannia Hotel in Bucksburn on Saturday 4th October 2008 to which all current and former Group members are cordially invited. It is also hoped to have an open day at the Scout Hut in Forest Avenue Lane the next day where there will be an opportunity to view archive material from the group's first 100 years. More details of these and other centenary events will be placed on the group associates website in due course : www.firstgroupassociates.homestead.com It is planned to send out invitations to the dinner in spring 2008. To help update the group mailing list, would former members please send their contact details to Frances Merson, 35 Quarry Road. Cults. Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 861329 Or by e-mail to: fmersontatiscali.co.uk
74
Former Pupils' Club Section
9th (Grammar School) Scouts The plans for the 100th Year of the 9th Aberdeen Scout Group are still not finalised. The format will be as described in the last issue of the Magazine, "People Places and Programme", but due to a clash with the main Wedding season an appropriate venue appears difficult to obtain in September. Any formal Dinner will probably be later in the year. Thanks are extended to the small band of members who have already contacted the organiser and the invitation is still open to everyone who wants to be part of our 100th year celebration. The contact for the event is Neil Lawrie (1961-74). the current Group Scout Leader, who can be contacted by post at 9 Braeside Terrace, Aberdeen AB I5 7TS. Telephone 01224 316819 or e-mail at neiLlawriegbtintemetcom. "
The 1256 Appeal Aberdeen Grammar School has a long and illustrious past which stretches back over 750 years which stands comparison with that of any other educational establishment in the land. That past represents a very important part of the City's history and heritage of which we are all proud. Although it is unlikely that the founding date of the School will ever be confirmed with 100% certainty, the FP Club has always been firm in its belief that Aberdeen Grammar School was founded prior to 1256. The 750th Anniversary of the founding of the School provided a unique opportunity for the Club and its current generation of members to do something tangible to mark this very special milestone in the history of the School. It did not take long to develop the idea of an Appeal Fund and this was first announced at the 2006 Annual Dinner, before being formally launched last September with an initial target of £20,000. We felt that the target was fairly ambitious and we were a little nervous as, apart from the successful Club Centenary Appeal organised by Dick Cradock in 1993, the last major Appeal by the Club was the Amenities Fund Appeal in 1956! However, the response from FPs world-wide has been truly magnificent, with more than 300 contributions received, and when we closed the Fund at the 2007 Annual Dinner it stood at just over £28,500! As promised. we have included a full list of the names and School dates of all contributors, which will provide a fascinating record for inclusion in the next edition of 1156 and all that! We have received some particularly generous contributions and I referred to some of these in the Xmas Newsletter. However, I would also like to record here the contribution from Dr Norman Clark (1919-29) and members of his family. He had been our oldest member for some time, but sadly died last December aged 94. How marvellous that, with the help of his family, he was able to make this splendid gesture back in September. There are many, many more FPs whom I would like to mention individually, but space simply doesn't permit. All I can say is that every single pound contributed made a real difference and helped us on the way to a truly magnificent total. My thanks go to you all for your wonderful and generous support. There were also some other contributions which were particularly appreciated because they were quite unexpected..... Generous support came from Lt. General Sir Peter Graham. the main speaker at the 2007 Dinner, and his brother. Sir Alexander Graham, a former Lord Mayor of London; the Glasgow Centre; the Athol! Hotel (a regular location for Class Re-unions) and, finally, a wonderful effort from the members of the Canadian Centre. The Canadians raised some C$9.000 (just under £4,000) for a new clock for the Memorial Pavilion. The current clock is certainly looking a little tired and just about ready for Steptoe's scrap yard (it also needs winding up!) and the plans for the refurbishment of the Memorial Pavilion did include a replacement clock. The Canadians spotted an opportunity and stepped in with an offer to raise extra funds for the 1256 Appeal if the new clock could be named the Canada Clock, in line with the tradition of the Shanghai Clock and the Malayan Clock, the latter sadly lost in the fire of 1986. The Canadians excelled themselves with a fund-raising campaign,
75
.4herdeen Grammar School Magazine master-minded by Centre Secretary Peter Jeffrey, which far exceeded expectations. Well done the Canucks! The Executive will shortly appoint a committee to develop detailed plans for the Appeal Fund. However the broad objectives and purposes were set out very clearly in the original Appeal document, and they include a commemorative stone at the School necessary repairs to the War Memorial in the School Hall, the creation of a Gallery of outstanding sportsmen and women — FPs and school pupils — in the Pavilion, the provision of high quality audio-visual equipment for sports and other instruction in the Pavilion, the refurbishment of the Memorial Panel and Hall, plus the provision of the Canada Clock. When all this work is completed we will have a marvellous set of enduring reminders of "1256 and all that- and the 750th Anniversary.
Martin Jeffrey Appeal Organiser The full list of donors is as follows (• denotes Canadian members):Frank Alexander David Allan Gordon Allan • Ed Aderson John Anderson Brian Angus Allan Archibald Jenny Archibald • William Balfour • Philip Barron Martyn Batchelor Norman Beattie David Bishop Neil Borthwick Halsey Bradford Nick Bradford David Brittain Bill Brooker Bill Broomfield Bryan Broomfield Barton Brown Ian Brown Ken Brown Kenneth Brown *Roy Brown Derek Buchan Roy Burnett Ian Buxton • Colin Caie David Cairns Hunter Cairns Peter Cairns Henry Cameron Alan Campbell Douglas Campbell Keith Campbell Martin Campbell
1935-42 1945-58 1939-51 1945-57 1948-64 1961-69 1933-45 Rtd. Staff 1949-58 1948-56 1959-65 1921-31 1928-38 1952-65 1951-65 1961-74 1943-49 1938-50 1945-54 1946-55 1943-57 1930-42 1971-75 1935-47 1932-43 1961-66 1948-59 1947-54 1959-65 1961-63 1943-56 1943-57 1952-58 1959-65 1958-64 1944-53 1947-60
Douglas Kynoch Albert Lawrie Neil Lawrie Bill Leiper Charles Levitt Robert Lindsay Mike Littlejohn Michael Lloyd Herbert Longmore Philip Love Malcolm Lyall Fred Lynch Robert Lynch Stephen Lynch Jim Lyon Gordon McAndrew Arthur McCombie Hector Macdonald Ian MacDonald Ian Macdonald Jimmy McGregor Sandy Mcllwain Wilson McIntosh • Ruaraidh McIntyre Ron McKay Len MacKay *Neil McKenzie Sandy Mackie Rhona MacLennan Ian MacLeod Ian McLeod David McNay Peter MacPhee Harry McPhillips Mike McPhillips Arthur Main Andrew Marjoribanlcs
76
1948-56 1943-46 1961-74 1959-65 1940-54 1933-39 1939-43 1998-04 1943-48 1952-58 1935-48 1936-49 1934-47 1972-77 1953-59 1944-51 Rtd Staff 1949-55 1940-52 1943-45 1935-44 1945-51 1932-45 1945-51 1950-57 1959-64 1949-62 1944-57 1981-87 1952-54 1951-55 1956-69 1929-41 1945-52 1979-85 1939-45 1952-58
Former Pupils' Club Section Brian Carrie Michael Carry Bob Carswell Ian Chalmers *Gordon Christie Harry Christie Meston Christie Alistair Clark Michael Clark Norman Clark Brian Cockburn Ron Comber *Jim Cook Ken Coutts William Coutts David Cowie Dick Cowling Dick Cradock John Cradock David Craig Eric Craig Joseph Craig Bob Cromar David Crombie Brian Crookshanks Eric Cruickshank Eric Cruickshank Brian Daniel Malcolm Daniel Richard Dargie Jim Davidson Gordon Dawson Harley DeLeurere *Tom Dempster Roy Dixon Robin Donald Ivor Douglas Bob Downie Gordon Downs John Duguid Hamish Duncan *Ken Duthie Roddy Duthie Neil Edward *Peter Edwards Gordon Elmslie Dudley Fiddes Norman Fiddes James Finnie *Keith Finnie Pierre Fouin Douglas Fowlie
1952-64 1953-66 1933-43 1942-50 1961-65 1938-44 1958-63 1959-65 1949-57 1919-29 1965-71 1947-52 1945-49 1944-50 1935-46 1942-44 1959-65 1943-51 1940-46 1937-50 1934-46 1926-39 1944-49 1944-53 1934-46 1940-49 1926-31 1977-82 1975-81 1964-73 1947-60 1921-34 1957-58 1954-58 1943-57 1943-52 1952-57 1949-52 1950-63 1962-67 1941-50 1943-56 1969-74 1948-55 1956-64 1933-43 1936-43 1965-71 1934-41 1954-67 1944-47 1950-64
Alan Marr *Ian Marr George Matheson Nigel Matthews William May Tracey Menzies Jim Merson Charles Michie lain Michie John Michie Peter Millar Alistair Miller Alan Milne Grant Milne John Milne Peter Milne Douglas Mitchell Wilson Mitchell Bill Moncur Sandy Monro Neill Montgomery Graham Morrice Michael Morrice David Morrison James Morrison Tim Morrison John Muir Hugh Munro Neil Munro Campbell Murray Leslie Nicol Norman Nicol Phil Nicol Michael Park David Parkinson *John Parkinson Hamish Paterson *Tom Paton Douglas Patterson Harold Pearson Don Pennie Alistair Philip Pat Philip Bob Philips *Kenneth Pine Michael Plowman Kenneth Pole Erik Porter Richard Rae Michael Raeside-Auld John Raitt Richard Reece 77
1969-75 1954-58 1928-32 1958-61 Rtd Staff 1981-87 1963-69 1946-60 1946-56 1944-58 1933-44 1942-55 1950-58 1981-87 1934-46 1959-72 1946-61 1949-55 1945-48 1933-46 Staff 1944-57 1969-75 1947-53 Rtd Staff 1934-47 1958-71 1951-64 1942-56 1943-49 1949-57 1925-39 1954-65 1942-55 1946-59 1942-50 1941-50 1952-59 1926-38 1927-36 1928-37 1943-56 1944-54 1958-7 I 1948-57 1949-60 1986-91 1951-58 1959-65 1943-58 1944-57 1952-65
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Sandy Fox Edward Fraser Ian Fraser David Galloway Norman Garden Fred Gardiner Alistair Garvie Fraser Gauld Malcolm Gauld Garth Glentworth Harry Golding David Goodall Peter Gordon Malcolm Grant Brian Grassick Alfred Gray Brian Gray Russell Gray Trevor Gray • Peter Green Edwin Grieve Jim Guy George Hadden Hamish Hamill Alan Hamilton Grant Hamilton • Michael Hardie Douglas Harper David Henderson Ian Henderson Denys Henderson Gordon Hendry Jock Hendry Jim Herd Scott Hodge Ian Hogg Ken Hogg William Hogg • Alex Home Duncan Hopkin lain Hopkin Stanley Howard John Hunter Bob Hutcheson Gordon lnkson Donny Innes Sandy Innes Leslie lronside 'Norman Ironside Ernest Jack Douglas Jamieson John Jamieson
1925-37 1936-49 1962-68 1944-58 1960-66 1937-44 1960-69 1938-44 1947-61 1948-61 1926-37 1972-77 1939-48 1941-43 1939-52 1960-65 1943-49 1951-65 1921-32 1946-57 1944-50 1924-36 1925-37 1951-61 1943-56 1988-94 1948-59 1944-58 1945-59 1943-44 1937-50 1927-39 1951-65 1949-63 1942-54 1958-67 1929-41 1952-63 1952-58 1955-61 1946-58 1946-58 1963-76 1962-68 1986-92 1923-35 1933-45 1947-58 1949-61 1930-38 1922-34 1930-35
Harry Reid Douglas Reith Lessel Rennie Malcolm Rennie • George Rickart Douglas Robbie Brian Robertson Clifford Robertson Steve Robertson Norman Robson Eric Rogers Donald Ross Doug Ross James Rust • Bob Scace Ronald Scott Brown John Shearer Alistair Shewan George Shirriffs • Gordon Singer Bill Sleigh Dave Smith Erik Smith Graham Smith Nicholas Smith Ian Souter Bertram Spence Bill Steele *George Stephen Ian Stephen Andrew Steven Donald Stewaart James Stewart Ron Strachan Douglas Stuart Ian Stuart Sandy Stuart Bruce Sutherland Ian Taylor Innes Taylor • Gillian Thomas Angus Thompson *Alan Thomson • David Thomson • Ian Thomson Roy Thomson Sandy Thomson Arthur Tough Graham Truscott Dick Tyson Graham U'ren Derek Walker 78
1922-34 1924-35 1946-53 1952-65 1923-30 1936-48 1968-74 1936-42 1939-51 1933-40 1940-43 1946-60 1945-58 1963-71 1954-60 1946-55 1955-68 1949-62 1947-57 1949-50 1948-55 1954-65 1926-38 1977-80 1989-95 1947-61 1932-45 1945-51 1936-42 Rtd Staff 1936-50 1945-58 1940-44 1957-60 1929-43 1933-46 1932-45 1963-69 1933-40 1975-80 1975-80 1969-75 1951-64 1954-58 1952-60 1940-50 1930-41 1946-49 1969-75 1944-49 1958-64 1959-65
Former Pupils'Club Section Diane Jeffrey Martin Jeffrey *Peter Jeffrey *Garry Jenkins Leslie Johnston Norman Johnston Sandy Johnston John Jones Keith Jones *Ian Keith Mitchell Kelty Forbes Kemp Neil Kemsley Ian Kennaway Bob Kessack David Kilgour *Michael King Alan Kinghom
1978-84 1942-57 1944-59 1939-44 1932-44 1951-54 1942-54 1937-47 1957-66 1951-61 1944-55 1928-39 1941-51 1943-57 1942-47 1938-50 1951-60 1974-79
Michael Walker Michael Walker *George Warrack Sandy Watson Eric Watt Jim Watt Nigel Watt Fraser Webster David Wilding Geoff Wilkinson Gordon Williams Stephen Williams *Elliot Williamson Graeme Wilson Bill Wisely Ivan Wisely William Wood Norman Woodman
1956-59 1946-57 1924-37 1933-45 1937-50 1927-39 1963-69 1949-62 1947-61 1954-67 1933-46 1963-76 1943-46 1938-48 1948-58 1948-61 1937-48 1938-49
Sadly, Obituaries appear elsewhere in this Magazine in respect of five of the contributors, Bob Carswell, Norman Clark, Gordon Dawson, Robert Lindsay. Harry Reid and Ian Stephen.
F.P. Club Membership Subscription Rates The current policy of the Executive is to review Subscription rates annually, but in normal circumstances we hope that it will only he necessary to amend them every 5 years. The last increase was applied in 2005. so the next increase will hopefully not be until 2010. The Life Member "Top up" scheme — which has been hugely successful - currently involves a payment of £20 to cover the five-year period 2005 to 2009 inclusive. The Life Fund is looking stronger, but still requires further "topping up". The £20 "Top up" works out at just £4 per year for the 5-year period. We also draw down 5% of the Life Fund each year and this works out at roughly El per Life Member, so that, when this is added to the £4 from the "Top up". the Club receives £5 per Life Member in total each year. This doesn't yet match the £10 or so we receive from Annual Members, but we are moving in the right direction and we are certainly much better off than we were before the "Top up" scheme was introduced in 2000. We had a tremendous response to the introduction of the "Top up" scheme, which is voluntary, and the vast majority of Life Members responded very positively. The response to the "Top up" appeal for 2005-09 has also gone very well, but there is still time to make a payment if you have not already done so. These payments are a vital part of the Club's income.
Subscription rates for 2008 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 Mier I ife Membership is taken out. Existing Life members: £20 "Top up" every 5 years
Annual Membership: Ordinary Members: £12.50 by cheque or £10 if paid by Standing Order Under-25 Members: £6 (Members must be aged under 25 on 1 January of Subscription Year)
79
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
L5 (covers remainder of year of leaving plus 1 year) School Leavers: School Leavers: L20 (covers remainder of year of leaving plus 5 years) (Extended): Note: School I.eavers also become Members of the Club Centre when they reach the age of 18, for the same periods as defined above for their Membership of the parent Club. Special Notes for lcmbers over 75: All members of the FP Club become "Long Service" Members from 1st January in the year following the year in which they reach the age of 75. Life Members over 75 are no longer expected to make "Top up" Payments. Ordinary (Annual) Members over 75 no longer have to pay any Annual Subscriptions. Payment of Subscriptions; Subscriptions should be sent to the Membership Secretary, J. Martin Jeffrey. who will also deal with all Membership queries, changes of address etc: His address is: 6 Westburn Gardens, Inverurie AB51 5QU. Tel: 01467 — 622330 Email: martin.jeffrey@btintemet.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 2006 was £940 - a marvellous total, particularly considering the impact of the 1256 Appeal. Our grateful thanks go to everyone who has contributed. New Members of the Club — 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007
Andrew Bochel Barry Shepherd
Life Members 1992-98 David Colvin 1988-94
1954-68
Angela Christie Alistair Cormack Graeme Dean Norman Johnston James Keay Michael McPhillips
Annual Members 1990-96 Robert Muir 1966-72 Elizabeth Rose 1965-71 Graeme Sedgewick 1951-54 Emma Sim 1955-61 Robert Walker 1979-85
1962-68 1987-93 1969-74 1989-95 1940-46
In addition to the above, contact has been re-established with five Life Members and one Ordinary Member who had been 'lost' for several years - Robert Cranston (1962-68), Mike Littlejohn (1939-43), Ian McIntosh (1951-57), Ramsay Milne (1958-71), Doug Ross (194558) and Graeme Simpson (1968-74).
80
Former Pupils' Club Section
Long Service Members In recent years we have published the names of our magnificent Nonagenarians. Sadly, five of these have died in the last year, but six others have attained the remarkable age of 90 or will do in the next few months. We congratulate them all and thank them for their continuing interest and support. The full list is as follows:Norman Beattie George Rickart James Mackay Eric Cruickshank Herdman McDougall George Matheson Douglas Jamieson Trevor Gray Andrew Taylor Ronald Mcleod James Morrison Hugh Willox Donny Innes John Jamieson
1921-31 1923-30 1919-32 1926-31 1921-34 1928-32 1922-34 1921-32 1929-35 Staff Staff 1925-35 1923-35 1930-35
26 April, 1913 4 June, 1913 18 March 1914 29 December 1914 3 February 1916 7 February 1916 14 May 1916 10 July 1916 18 April 1917 18 April 1917 23 July 1917 1 September 1917 16 September 1917 27 November 1917
Congratulations to the following members of the Club who will attain the age of 75 during 2007 and so will become Long Service Members on 1st January 200
William Anderson Kenneth Coutts David Craig Hamish Duncan lain Esslemont Arthur Grant David Greig Edwin Grieve Denys Henderson David Jack
Life Members 1939-51 John McClellan 1944-50 Peter Murphy 1937-50 Alastair North 1941-50 Murray Smith Roy Thomson 1939-50 1947-51 Dick Tyson 1943-49 Sandy Watt 1944-50 Eric Watt 1937-50 William Wood I944-50
1944-50 1945-51 1937-50 1937-46 1940-50 1944-49 1939-50 1937-50 1937-48
Robert Cromar Alexander Cromar Alastair Milne
Annual Members I944-49 William Morrice 1944-50 Hamish Paterson 1940-45
1943-48 1941-50
81
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
NOTES about FORMER PUPILS Honours and Awards Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) Garth William Glentworth (1948.61) MA, MIA, D.Phil was awarded the OBE in the 2007 New Year Honours List. The award is in recognition of his contribution to public service and governance development in developing countries. He is now in the process of retiring from the UK Department of International Development (and its — "sequentially" predecessors "ODA" and "ODM") where he has worked since 1978. He has most recently been a Senior Governance Adviser for the African Region. Prior to joining 'government' he was a Lecturer in Public Sector Management at Birmingham University and Makerere University in Uganda. A lifetime in development has taken him all over Anglophone Africa to South and South-east Asia, and in the '90s to East and Central Europe with the break-up of the USSR. During his time, 'governance' - which embraces everything from the effectiveness and accountability of the political process, civil service and local government through the legal system and media to the security sector - has come to be recognised as one of the decisive factors in increasing economic and social development. Recognition does not mean successful improvement necessarily, but at least it is firmly at the centre of the agenda, especially in those post-conflict countries where he has worked mainly in recent years - Sierra Leone. Liberia, Sudan and Somalia - where recovery is both desperately difficult and desperately needed. Honorary Degrees Norman Roderick Darroch Begg 11951-59) MA, LL.B, former Secretary of Aberdeen. Aberdeen University received an Honorary Doctorate honoris causa at a Graduation ceremony last November. The degree recognises the significant contribution made by him to University administration over many years. Tracey Jayne Houston Robb (1981-87) LL.B, LL.M received an Honorary Doctorate honoris caeca at a Graduation ceremony at Aberdeen University in November 2005 for her services to sport. Tracey, a former Scottish hockey captain, is a partner with law firm McGrigors LLP, specialising in commercial property development, and is based in Aberdeen.
DugsId Euan Baird (1957-66) was recently presented with the Wallace Award, which is made to individuals judged to have enhanced American-Scottish relations. The ceremony took place in New York and marked the fiftieth anniversary of the American-Scottish Foundation. It also marked Euan's first public appearance since suffering a devastating stroke while in Aberdeen in 2003 to receive an honorary doctorate from Robert Gordon University. Having steered the oil services company Schlumberger to a global concern. he joined Rolls Royce in 2003 to shake up the company. Illness compelled him to resign in the following year. He remains a director of ScottishPower and is interested in both the environment and education.
82
Former Pupils' Club Section Douglas Bruce Campbell (1958-64) FCIBS has recently been awarded Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland. Nw retired and living in Strathaven. Lanarkshire, he spends some of his time as a volunteer facilitator, giving talks to schools on such topics as 'Managing your Money'. His 31-year career with Clydesdale Bank began in Aberdeen in 1964. He worked in London and the Glasgow area, progressing to the position of Branch Manager. He later held a managerial role with a company in Coatbridge, and more recently helped form a Charitable Limited Company delivering jobs access services to the local community in a deprived area. A church elder and Gill Aid convener for 25 years. he was his church's commissioner to the General Assembly in 1996. Douglas played cricket and hockey for many years and was in the first Scottish Schoolboys hockey team to win a match, when they beat Wales in April 1964. He was School hockey captain in 196364 and was a member of the FP Hockey team which won the Hockey Cup in 1966. He also captained Midland Bank London 1st XI hockey team and played for United London Banks. being awarded their colours. He is a brother of past- President Alexander Keith Campbell (1944-53). Graeme William Fraser (1956-62) MA and Norman William Downie (1951-62) MA have fulfilled a boyhood ambition by cycling from Ballater, which when they were still at school was always too much for a day run. This trip was on cycles made from parts bought on a website to recreate bikes from the 1960s and was done in aid of cancer charities in memory of their third school pal. Dr Michael Alexander Pratt (1948-61) whose death was reported in last year's Magazine. The two cyclists both studied Geography at Aberdeen. Graeme now lives in Edinburgh and Norman in Oxfordshire. lain Gilmour Gray (1969-75) BSc(Eng), DEng, FRAS, managing director of Airbus, was back in Aberdeen recently to deliver a lecture at the University on the experience of directing such a dynamic company. He explained the details of the design, development, assembly and testing of the new A380. nicknamed the superjumbo. Philip Hendry (1988-94) has returned to Aberdeen to take up a position within Commercial Relationship Banking for Bank of Scotland Corporate. He has worked for the Bank since 2000 and has been based in Edinburgh for the past six years, latterly working in the Corporate Real Estate Division. Michelle Gabrielle Herd (née Flecher) (1977-82) was one of a team from Spires serviced suites in Aberdeen who took part in Pedal for Scotland, a cycle run between Glasgow and Edinburgh in aid of the children's charity ChildLine. She has also been involved in fundraising for the Crimestoppers charity. She is fundraising manager for an area covering Grampian to the Highlands and Islands Gordon Mackay lnkson (1986-92) LLB who, as reported in the last Magazine, has joined the Hugh Fraser International legal and business services consultancy in the Middle East, has now been appointed to head the firm's new office in Qatar. Gillian Margaret Jack (née Taylor) (1975-81), who trained as an opera singer at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, is now a singing tutor at Aberdeen City Music School and at Robert Gordon's College Martin Jeffrey (1942-57) celebrated stepping down from office in the Club by taking part in his first marathon at the age of 67. He would like to report that he completed the event in under 4 hours (which would be excellent for a first event running), but this marathon was strictly for walkers and he finished just inside 8 hours, which was pretty respectable. The charity event, known as the Moon Walk, raises money for a range of cancer-related charities
83
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine and involved walking round most of Edinburgh. The entry this year reached 10,000, mostly women who appeared in imaginatively decorated bras. Martin, who did not feel the need to don such attire. was accompanied by his wife Whilma and daughter Nicola. The Walk is expected to have raised over f.2.500,000. Keith Greig Jones (1957-66) LL.B has recently taken early retirement from Aberdeenshire Council after 31 years in local government, latterly as Head of Law and Administration based in Banff. As well as a significant responsibility for providing legal advice to councillors. committees and senior officers of the Council. in recent years he has played a major role in the development of the Registration Service, both locally and within Scotland. He has served on a number of professional working groups and for several years was Chair of the Board of Registration Examiners. During 2002;03 he served as President of the Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland. Always interested in travel and transport, Keith is currently President of the Great North of Scotland Railway Association and a trustee of the Grampian Transport Museum, Alford. In February he was appointed to the Board of Grampian Housing Association. His brother Irving N. Jones (1963-72) LL.B has for over twenty years worked for the Home Office, based in London. currently as Head of Extradition Casework. Jennifer Laing (nk. I .amond) (1977-83) MA has been elected as Labour Councillor for the new Rosemount and %I idstocket ward on Aberdeen City Council. Having studied economic history at Aberdeen University, she now works for HM Revenue & Customs in Aberdeen. Donald Alexander Lamont (1951-65) MA has now retired as British Ambassador to Venezuela and has taken up the post of Chief Executive of Wilton Park. the agency of the Foreign Office established to organise conferences on international policy issues. He is living in West Sussex. Philip Noel Love (1952-58) CBE, DL ,MA, LL.B, LL.D has been appointed by the Queen to be High Sheriff of Merseyside. He will be a key member of the retinue accompanying any royal visit to the area, but will also he taking a close interest in legal, military and charitable matters. He will hold office for a year. and expects it to be busy as 2007 is the 800th anniversary of Liverpool being granted a charter by King John and next year the city is to be the European capital of culture. Andrew Francis Lovle (1950-55) BSc, a retired telecommunications engineer with BT. has added to his academic achievements. In 1997 he obtained an Open University degree, followed in 2002 by an HND in fitness health and exercise from Aberdeen College and a BSc degree in health and sport from The University of Abertay in 2003. Last summer he graduated from Aberdeen University with a first class BSc honours degree in sports and exercise science. He took up weight training as a hobby twenty years ago, started power lifting as a sport, and having gained some general knowledge of training methods and techniques wanted to learn more about physiology, nutrition and biomechanics. James Cay Lyon (1953-59) has just completed a term as President of the City of Aberdeen Probus Club, the oldest Probus Club in the city. Two of his recent predecessors have been Brian Crookshanks (1934-46) and Campbell Murray (1943-49) lain McCombie (1981-87) MA, CA, ASIP now lives and works in Edinburgh where he is a partner in the Fund Management firm Baillie Gifford & Co..
84
Former Pupils 'Club Section
David McDonald (1961-67) was in Wellington, New Zealand last autumn for the Golden Oldies' world tournament which attracted 4,000 players from 15 countries. As President of the European Golden Oldies, Dave made a presentation along with Gavin Hastings for the 2008 event which is to be staged in Edinburgh. While there he met and was entertained by Club Consul Michael Thomson (1938-51). Dave, who had a partial leg amputation a few years ago, is currently chairman of Aberdeen Disability Consortium and of the local support group Loons (Limbless Organisation of North-East Scotland). Barry James McGlashan (1986-92) spent some time last year in America, travelling from Chicago to Tucson, Arizona with stops at Flagstaff. Monument Valley and Tombstone, the site of the OK Corral. He has succeeded in capturing in oils on canvas the amazing variety of US landscapes, and he held an exhibition, 'The Big Country', of 41 of these works in Aberdeen last autumn. Barry, a graduate of Gray's School of Art who then lectured there on drawing and painting for seven years from 1998, is now a full-time painter with two studios in Aberdeen. His works are highly collectable. Timothy Euan McKay (1976-81), who has since 2004 been Rec►or of Alford Academy, has bee appointed Rector of Ellon Academy from the start of the new session in August. He is married to Fiona (née McCombie) (1975-81) and they have two boys. Maitland Mackie (1946-54) has joined the mentoring team at Business Scotland. This is a joint initiative between Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Scottish Enterprise and is a free service which connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced business mentors, whose role is to empower the young entrepreneurs rather than telling them what to do. Alan Ducat Milne (1950-58) MB,ChB was elected to Aberdeen City Council in this year's elections as a Conservative councillor for the Lower Deeside ward. He has since been elected as leader of the Conservative group on the Council. Ramsay Galloway Milne (1958-71) who has been involved in local government for many years. most recently as Labour councillor for Aberdeen's Mastrick ward, failed to secure reelection to the City Council in May when he stood for the new Northfield ward. Geoffrey Morrison (1992-98) BA graduated from Robert Gordon University in 2002 and worked for a time at Weatherford before joining Vetco Gray UK as overseas management accountant. He moved to Kazakhstan in 2006 as Caspian Financial Controller and is now in Cairo with his remit expanded to take in North Africa as well. David Thomas Graeme Reid (1975-80), who was formerly Scottish Licensed director of Christie & Co, licensed trade and health-care marketing specialists, has now joined Knight Frank & Co. where he expects to continue to specialise in the purchase and sale of licensed premises but also to broaden his client base in other types of property. Peter James Sharp (1964-77) LL.B has been elected to the council of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Re-elected to the council were John Charles Alexander Michie (1944-58) and David Romer Paton (1941-43). Richard Cameron Shirreffs (1951-65) LLB is this year's President of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen. His senior colleagues are also FPs - John Stott (1954-67) LL.B and Denis Noble Yule (1960-66) LLB as Senior and Junior Vice-Presidents. Alison Norma Smith (née Smart) (1982-86), who is managing director of Activpayroll, has seen the company expand its business both locally and internationally. Recently named
85
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine the best small company at the Northern Star awards, the company now has offices in Houston, the Netherlands. in both Perth and Melbourne in Australia and looks to open in Singapore shortly. In addition to payroll operations the company has a global solutions division providing compliance and audit services. Innes Taylor (1974-80) BA, MCSD is currently the Club Captain of the FP Men's Hockey Section and has completed his Scottish Hockey Union Level I hockey coaching badge. He is also Scottish Hockey Union North District Under-18 Boys' hockey manager. At work, he has recently completed a BTEC in E-Learning from Netskills at Newcastle University.
Marriages Allan (1995-01) and Nekonham (1995-01) - at Gilcolmston Church, Aberdeen on 30 June 2006 Richard Thomas Colin Allan. younger son of Mr & Mrs Colin Allan. Aberdeen to Naseem, only daughter of Mr & Mrs Farhad Nekonam, Bieldside, Aberdeen Carle (1988-94) - At Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen on 16 September 2006 Norman, son of Mr & Mrs Norman Wisely, 70 Forest Road. Aberdeen to Joanne Leigh Carle daughter of the late Mr Alexander R. Carle and of Mrs Judith Carle. 133 Desswood Place, Aberdeen McColl (1985-91) - At Raemoir House Hotel, Banchory on 21 October 2006 Colin Roderick McColl son of Mr & Mrs Roderick McColl, II Bums Road, Aberdeen to Sonia. daughter of Mr & Mrs Peter Dyson. Edinburgh Pole (1986-92) - At Haddo House. by Tarves, on 5 August 2006 Kenneth Harvey Montford Pole son of Mr & Mrs Harvey Pole. 20 Seafield Road, Aberdeen to Imogen Sarah Kate, daughter of Mr & Mrs Michael Pearce, Dorset Reid (1988-94) - at Loch Lomond on 2 June 2007 Marino Presotto of Pordenone. Italy to Nicola Mary Reid, daughter of Dr & Mrs I.N. Reid, 142 Osborne Place, Aberdeen Rolfe (1982-86) - At Aberdeen Town House on 12 May 2007 Timothy John Rolfe, elder son of Mr & Mrs Geoffrey D. Rolfe to Wendy, daughter of Norman John Horne (195056) and Mrs Home, Westhill, Aberdeen Shepherd (1996-02) - at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels on 23 June 2007 Martyn Robertson Orchard, son of Mr & Mrs Russell Orchard, 13 Devanha Gardens West. Aberdeen to Karen, daughter of Mr & Mrs Dave Shepherd, 20 Laurelwood Avenue, Aberdeen Smail (1988-94) - at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels on 20 May 2006 Fergus Charles Small, eldest son of Dr & Mrs Peter Smail, 36 Ashley Gardens, Aberdeen to Genevieve Davies, Nuneaton, West Midlands
Obituaries Henry Craigen Anton (1932-41) MB.ChB. DMRD(Edin), FFR died in Glasgow on 7 August 2006 following a long illness. He was aged 82. A distinguished School career culminated in his being Classical Dux in 1941 and the winner of four medals at the Prize-giving of that year. He went up Aberdeen University to study Medicine, graduating in 1946. He served for a time in the RAMC. returning to the usual house posts in Aberdeen hospitals before entering general practice in 1950. He then trained as a radiologist and from 1963 until retirement was a consultant radiologist at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow.
86
Former Pupils' Club Section He is survived by his wife, with whom he celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2005. a son and three daughters, four grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He was the step-son of Professor WILLIAM ELDER LEVIE (1889-93) and a brother of Alexander Elder Anton (1932-40) and Charles Edward Anton (1937-43). A third brother. JOHN BERNARD ANTON (1936-46), died in 2000. John Wilson Baird (1936-46) MA died peacefully in hospital in Hemel Hempstead on 7 January 2007 following a short illness. He was aged 77. A prefect, house captain of Melvin and captain of Athletics. he shared the individual championship at the School Sports in 1946. After graduating from Aberdeen University with an honours degree in History he undertook National Service with a commission in the Intelligence Corps. Soon after he contributed an interesting article on a visit to post-war Yugoslavia to the Magazine of December 1952 (vol. lvi, 8). In 1954 he took up a post as mercantile assistant with Jardine Matheson & Co in Hong Kong where he remained for fifteen years. After a short spell with Laporte in London he joined Mocatta. a firm dealing in gold bullion, with whom he remained until retiral in 1989. He then worked with a financial firm in London for a further five years. John is survived by his wife, Julia, and by one son. Harold Fordyce Bell (1945-57) died peacefully, following a short illness, in hospital in Aberdeen on 17 December 2006. He was aged 66. From School he undertook a 3-year course on hotel management at the Rosshall Scottish Hotel Catering School. He joined his father in the licensed trade at Bell's Hotel and the Balmoral Bar in Aberdeen's Union Street. He took over the business on his own account in 1980 and was known as the last of the oldstyle publicans. He retired four years ago. He is survived by his wife, three sons and six grandchildren. John Douglas Bell (1950-64) MA, LRAM died peacefully in London on 3 June 2006 after a short illness. He was aged 59. A gifted musician, he studied at Aberdeen University where he graduated with honours in Music in 1969. He had obtained his Licentiate of the Royal College of Music the previous year. He moved to London. where he worked for the B.B.C. for their house bands, radio orchestra. Radio Big Band etc. He then met the American singer Salena Jones for whom he did arrangements for cabaret, television and recording sessions. He gained wide experience of the music industry through freelance work with orchestrations, and arrangements for films, theatre and television. He spent much time with pop groups. writing backings for singers or adding orchestral sounds to pop group recordings. He is survived by his wife and a son and daughter. Nelson Charles Bowman (1931-43) died suddenly in Edinburgh on 4 September 2006 after a short illness. He was aged 80. He trained in Aberdeen as a civil engineer qualifying in 1952. He worked in local government throughout his life, in Chichester, Gateshead. Harlow and finally in Livingston New Town. where he was Chief Engineer. He retired from there in 1988 but continued to live in the Edinburgh area. He had many interests. He was a founder member of the Pentland Singers, remaining an active member for over twenty years. He started a Lapidary Club in Currie. which engaged in polishing stones and making jewellery from semi-precious minerals. His main passion was fishing, and he enjoyed his sport in the local reservoirs and rivers near his home well into his retirement. Nelson was survived by his wife, to whom he was married in 1950. but sadly she died only three months after him. He is survived by his son (also a civil engineer), a daughter who. like her mother, is a teacher of domestic science, and by two grandchildren. Robert Finlayson Carswell (1933-43) BSc died peacefully at home in Grantown-on-Spey on 14 March 2007 following a short illness. He was aged 81. He was born in Perak where his father was a rubber planter. After graduating in Electrical Engineering at Aberdeen 87
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
University in 1945 he joined the English Electric Company at Stafford. In 1947 he was working with GEC Switchgear Ltd dealing with the erection and commissioning of electricity stations. He was for twenty years the district engineer for the company's switchgear construction division in London and the south-east of England, retiring in 1989 to Grantown-on-Spey. He is survived by his wife with whom he celebrated their Golden wedding in 2002. The Club's Oldest Member Norman Stuart Clark (1919-29) BSc, MD, FRCP, FRCP(Ed), DCH died in Hertfordshire on 4 December. 2006 aged 94. He was one of the Club's distinguished nonagenarians. and the oldest member of the FP Club. From School, where he was in Byron House, he went on to Aberdeen University - no gap year in those days! - and graduated BSc with anatomy and physiology as principal subjects in 1933. He then studied medicine, graduating in 1936. He 'lost' his MB ChB when he was awarded MD, with honours, for a research paper on acute nephritis in children in 1955. His family often joked that even after the 'loss' of the MB ChB he still had more letters after his name than in it! While at 'varsity he was a fencing champion. He was a keen Boy Scout in the 9th troop and later assistant scout-master, and fondly recalled his part in organising the opening of Templar's Park at Maryculter in 1935 with Baden Powell as the guest of honour. He was for a time acting County Commissioner for Aberdeen. After qualifying he joined the staff of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, and it was there that he met his future wife, Connie. They married in 1940, just before he was posted to India with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He served in India throughout the War, rising to Lieutenant-colonel in charge of a 700-bed hospital. He returned to Aberdeen where he became medical registrar at the Royal Aberdeen Children's hospital and lecturer in child health at the University. He was appointed Reader in Child Health in 1964, and remained in this post (as well as an honorary consultant paediatrician to Aberdeen Special Hospitals) until he retired in 1978. He was an understudy and protege of Prof John Craig, of the Chair of Child Health at Aberdeen, who formulated the concept of the mother and baby unit, established in 1947 at the Children's Hospital. Norman published numerous papers starting when he was in India, when he presented a paper to an all-India conference of medical specialists on the incidence of anaemia in Indian troops. A member of many medical organisations, he was a president of the Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society and acted as its scientific secretary for many years. He also served on the management committee of Linnmoor Children's Home. He was for many years an elder of the former West Church of St Andrew. He and his wife were enthusiastic hosts and many new staff of both hospital and university were welcomed to Aberdeen in his Great Western Road home. In his very forward-looking valedictory paper on Communications in the Paediatric Profession he wrote, "Children are not young adults", a quotation which was then used to caption his photograph in the annual medical graduation year-book in 1978 when he retired. Another favourite caption in the year-books was the Chaucer quotation "He was a verray parfit gentil knyght", but perhaps the best comment on his retiral from Sick Children's was from one of the ward sisters, "He was a gentleman". All these comments are surely in the best traditions of Aberdeen Grammar. Norman left Aberdeen and made his home in Brockenhurst, in the New Forest in Hampshire — a long-time holidaying place for the family where he played a leading role in the local church. He was a Samaritan. a role for which he was ideally suited, and taped books for the blind.
88
68 SUIILI! 0I 77/17.01/ .1407?%77/9 3111 5111M paws-El 3H •wsllewnof pwawa osie ay Snsiantun moilsrio is Supcpws pus aalmas .tem. nor •molissiD 01 pa/tow iayeJ tsystunor sty pa3e sum aH •yquay in do pound e uaym titnAsal loops ay w sis3,5 OW /quo wads aH iaus 000z laqopa Z uo mo8ssio u! iendsoy u! pip yp (6Z-LZ61)113uail HoasJapusioni •siais!s ciAt1 pus siwusd sw Cq paAwns s! 3H •o!lowod sw Jo tied patwoi aAvy of sem ywym dno.18 poi 5.10J ispamw isuonowwd patd!sap pey pus wit; pus wyssed s peg all Jo vamps asinoa sawnis swydw2 e Jo maX !mu Dcsntu ay lama 01 wogs sem ay •iawl!sap palliate) v Page 900Z Jaqwwdas 01 uo uaapiaqV u! ;1.1u 350011 'summon us Jo qnsal e se Ausa!Se.n palP (00-17661) pleiaSzni seloyam •aleaoApe uaapiaqv painal P '(L£-SZ61) OOSAilla drifild s! Jaywq iaguna sill •uaippyapusig-lease aAu pus suospum5 any Ecq pus law2nep pus uos e Ay pan!Ains s! ay •„uonnwsui alp 01 aawas pue knsnpu! Rutiaawilua 0141 ty lama paqs!nSunsy scy„ Jo uonwiloaw awou pus 8w31 u! uonnwsui ay J moilaA kiwouoy us se palanpui s" 9861 u! Pue 1861 u! 31!thlig ystwu ay Jo .tapustuwoD s apsw sem aH modal' uosmea ay sr Ansnput ay u! UMOU71 wiew e Jo 8L61 uonsayqnd ',.ainind ay Ku 'Ca od suonsaullento e spiemoL, ay) toJ aupsuodsw sem ay wog suonsatmenb yaw Jo uswygya sv •atun e 10J wap!said nays se pamas pue£t;,6 I Luau siaawilug isaweyam Jo uonnwsui ay Jo Jaquiaw s sem aH •awoy sty turd.) atuu-lied vom of &mai( lmAas 10J p3a1.911103 Pue tusqnsuoa 8Upaall!IIU3 us auwaay 01 0861 u! Painai aH 'LL6 I U! w payp Su!Seuew pus ustuyey3 flunnoaaq %warp SUlgellrill se .03.10112am:11ED ytuaz 3111 pawor uato pus 6961 01 9961 way dnwo ktmoa ay Jo Anawy s sem aH '6561 11110133AP tupaaty2u3 yato Stywoaaq -yanwoyalad Jo suppad •A siamormustu awilua lasay pawor uay aH .a.nua.) yaseasall uwwoyi nays 15 Jaatn8u3 Jaw se Aliattei •gc6 i 01 01761 11101J iplIS 111VE pa,pom aH •wpaysi ay pue uctupp ay se sataua snows.; tons yym 173/110AU! sem ay filpedso ywym u! .watnRua 1501 tuawdolanap auaua-was way iityluoaaq ralel 33,Com suox pawor 3H Ittuaau!Sua lemmata '8£61 m ltdnd Supaataua us se Ayaa pue 'gawp= unouoy sseia Ism.; tinm L£61 u! flunenpad .J5nsianwril uaapncIV lendsoy le PlImas 3H '06 pa8s .5531111! boys e nue LOOZ ktenusf 6z uo q2nowywad • XiwJaasad Pa!P 3VSJ '3113.9148J .6u3d '(6u3)3S8 '390 (17E-1Z61) uosAtua uop.m9 sawep '07L-6961) almoJ autual9 paqom Si .13410.14 s,a8JoaD -suospusiS omi pus iwySnep e pue suns Owl 'akm 5111 Cq paA!Ains s! aH •ssawnpaaya pue £ranerq IsaiS ynm nignoJ se.m ssaull! 15111 s!H •paAlow! sem ay ywym sloalwd Amu 341 ro3 wssysnywa papunoqun tutm '.13135.11143 3311 usy1 JaWigl e sum alma!) •dnoyD umpv ay pus ydwilettwd 2wpwaty 'sassawsnq inoJ Jo ustuyey3 pug laployaisys Jorew ay sem ay yaw* yinann 'p11 s2typioH auguser powioi ay 'an2ealloa s ypm '0661 111 .sassawsnq _taw Jo iaqtunu Rio do ueis 341u! palsanty ay ssa3ans su Stymolloi pus ssawsnq snit do lung aH •uonsauqeJ pus Supaau!Sua tuys!awd u! 2u!sqe!aads riusdwoa " e pnatupays ua3uv SOME( JO ssou!snq 0141 JOAO itl8noq ay uaym Jowl sisaX 33.142 ual aH .03 awmas =paw,/ paw!' 'lay pus i7L-zL6 i u! dnoi pooh ay y!At 'uoapiaqv u! swewno33epa131.18113 .UUlla 7g uostusqum yym pa)µ0M uay aH • 1L61 111 SUOETTP.18 */CpsiaA!un uaapiaqv 111 paymns all -ssaum 8U01 E 210,110110J LOOZ kmauEf z! uo uaapiaqv u! awdsoq a u! P!P 'VW (59-Z56I I atiAto3 maw"' aioaD •aausid pue pusi5ua uaipuyapurd uaappppuw2 xis sanual -1e312 inoi se 11am se pueiwas pus. Austwao .3ausid 'punifitt ow ay Alluisi 'psi) ay JO ejodsey 3111 PI '1313d NE (59-6561) WED uyor Junsuv suns painew] rallleM ktswasoN pue piny lanSiew siwy8nep pus [(59-6561) JalleM sal Aq pm/tins si 0H .awlsp.nuu3H 01 (85-£1761) PInV aplsae21 lawipm mei-w-ttos )U5 ianany lawSnsp 5111 twm any 01 paAOUI UPUUON VOOZ 111 VA% sw Jo 11waP 041 rags 110WaS fil213,814?1,1 rawaod
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The Bulletin. He spent several years as chief reporter on the Tanganyika Standard, rejoining the Bulletin on his return to Scotland. After a spell with The Scotsman he joined the Scottish Educational Journal of which he was editor at the time of his retiral in 1986. He is survived by his wife and son. William Alexander Morrison Gill (1923-26) died in Edinburgh on 14 September 2006 aged 88. He left the Grammar aged 8 and completed his education at Robert Gordon's College. From a start as a junior clerk he went on to become a chief accountant. He spent five years in the RASC during the 1939-45 War, mostly in Palestine, attaining the rank of Captain. Alistair Gray (1929-41) died at his home in Aberdeen, after a short illness, on 30 March 2007, aged 82. He was known to everyone as Peter, a soubriquet given to him by the Doctor who attended at his birth and which he retained for his whole life. On leaving School he joined the family poultry business, but as soon as he was old enough he volunteered for service in the Royal Air Force and was accepted for training as a pilot. He trained in Southern Rhodesia, but as the completion of his training coincided with the end of the War he was never posted to an operational squadron. However he retained a keen interest in flying and flew for several years with 612 (County of Aberdeen) auxiliary squadron. His main activity was rescuing a business which had suffered from the effects of the war. This he achieved by sheer hard wok and with conspicuous success. He did, however, find time to achieve a single-figure handicap at golf. He also enjoyed salmon fishing on the Dee and visited Kenya to sample big game fishing. He was a lifelong member of the Aberdeen Conservative Club. later renamed the Albyn Club, and held the offices of both Chairman and President for several years. During the later stages ofhis life his principal interests were foreign travel and the game of snooker, which he played with some degree of competence. As he was acquainted with many of the top international players he was able to arrange for them to visit Aberdeen and play exhibition snooker. frequently entertaining them in his home. He leaves a widow. Margaret (nee Stratton) to whom he was married for 57 years, together with three daughters, a son, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild. His elder brother is Trevor Gray (1921-32). Steven Leslie Henderson (1932-38) CA died peacefully at home in Aberdeen on 22 December 2006 aged 81. He left the Grammar aged 13 and completed his education at Loretto. He served for the latter part of the 1939-45 War as an officer in the Royal Engineers. He then began an apprenticeship with James Meston & Co in Aberdeen. qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1951. He became a partner in G.& J. McBain, Aberdeen. in 1954 and on the merger of that firm he became a senior partner in Thomson McLintock & Co. He was meticulous in all his work as a busy practitioner whose advice on taxation matters, and on business in general, was highly valued. He claimed to have no time for the technology of computers, his brain plus pen and paper being all he required. He was involved with the Aberdeen Junior Chamber of Commerce from 1951, serving as Secretary and later as President. In 1960 he was elected President of the Federation of Scottish Junior Chambers of Commerce. He later joined the Aberdeen Chamber and was for several years a member of its economic advisory committee. He was a member of the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board. In 1975 he was admitted as a Burgess of Guild in Aberdeen. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and twin grand-daughters. His twin brother. Thomas Jaffray Henderson (1932-38) RN, died a number of years ago. Thomas Mundie Hutchison (1920-31) BSc(Eng), CEng, FIMechE, FlAgrEng. MEIM, FIMC died at his home near Aberdeen on 30 June 2006 aged 91. After graduating at Aberdeen 9()
Former Pupils ' Club Section University in 1936 he joined Ruston & Hornsby, a firm of agricultural engineers in Lincoln. He returned to Aberdeen in 1938 where he worked with Scottish Agricultural Industries designing and making agricultural machinery. After the war he joined a firm of management consultants in London and his work over the next thirty years took him all over the world. He retired in 1974. As recently as 2005. through the good offices of his nephew Hamish Norbrook (1951-65), he offered his home at Monymusk as 'base camp and refreshment station' for the assault on Bennachie which formed a part of the 1951-65 Year's Reunion activities. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Alexander Sauter James (1949-50) BSc died in Melbourne, Australia on 6 April 2007 after an acute exacerbation of a chronic illness. Coming from Forres Academy for 6th year at School, he went on to graduate in 1954 with first class honours in Civil Engineering from Aberdeen University. He worked briefly with civil engineering consultants in the west of Scotland before a National Service commission in the Airfield Construction Branch of the RAF, serving mainly in Germany. He then joined Foundation Engineering, a subsidiary of Richard C'ostains in London. transferring in 1960 to Melbourne for four years to start its Australian office. The family found life in Melbourne to their liking and Sandy returned in 1965 to found his own company of geotechnical engineers, working throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea. The firm flourished despite the ups and downs of the Australian economy and he retired in 1991. Ile then travelled extensively in the Australian outback and South-east Asia, indulging his interest in camping and photography, but his passion was the welfare and education of his family, in which he succeeded brilliantly. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, two sons. a daughter and two grandchildren. lain lmray Johnston (1947-61) OBE died suddenly on 6 March 2007 while on holiday in Egypt. He was aged 63. He spent a year at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture before following his true ambition, cultivated in the CCE at School and in the University OTC, and enlisted at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot in 1962. Commissioned into the Royal Artillery, his early service was with 26 Field Regiment and later the 7th Royal Horse Artillery before he volunteered for sers ice with the Trucial Oman Scouts. He became fluent in Arabic and developed a deep respect for the country and people of Oman. lle held a stall' post as GSO3 Police in Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles there and the dangers of the situation were brought home to him and his family when their quarter was damaged by an IRA bomb - happily without injury to the occupants. He was posted to the Directorate of Military Operations at the Ministry of Defence and was awarded the OBE for his work within the DMO during the Rhodesian crisis and the setting up of internationally observed elections. Regular promotions ensued and as Brigadier his final appointment was as Commander Royal Artillery in HQ Land Command. He retired in 1993. After a short time in the financial services industry he was appointed Director of Operations and Deputy Head of Mission for Regional Stabilisation and Disarmament in Sarajevo. Opting not to follow a second career he retired again, going on to serve as an independent member of Wiltshire Police Authority and as chairman of his local branch of the Royal British Legion. He was predeceased last October by his wife of 33 years. but is survived by two sons. Emanuel Buckland Kelbie (1945-51) BSc(Eng), CEng, MICE, FIHT died suddenly in hospital in Melrose on 20 December 2006 aged 74. He studied at Aberdeen University from which he graduated in 1955. He spent four years with the Highways and Bridges department of Cumberland County Council before joining the Colonial Services in Nigeria. He was resident engineer at Lagos engaged on the construction of Ikeja airport, and later Kano airport before touring the Delta as the Queen's representative inspecting the unmapped Delta area. He returned to the UK to a post with one of the leading consultancies in 91
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine London where, as part of the team which designed the Thames Barrier, he was awarded the Queen's Award for Industry. He was then seconded to the World Bank to work in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and elsewhere. He was responsible for designing 120 airports all over the world. Finally, he joined Plessey Airports (later Siemens) with whom he developed a very successful Airport Package which included all buildings and layout. He retired some years ago to Coldstream, where he enjoyed golf, bowling and bridge. He is survived by his wife to whom he had been married for almost 50 years. Robert Arthur Drysdale Lindsay (1933-39) died in hospital in Harare. Zimbabwe on I March 2007. aged 85. He had been caring for his invalid wife for two years when he himself became seriously ill. A member of the School 1st XV, Rugby captain of Keith House, secretary and treasurer of the Rambling & Mountaineering Club, he was Senior Prefect in 1938-39 and Runner-up to James Wyness for the All Round Trophy. Commissioned in the Royal Engineers during the 1939-45 War, he served in East Africa, latterly as an instructor at an Officer Cadet Training Unit. In 1947 he was for a short time with the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Co. in Aberdeen, but in the following year he obtained his Planter's certificate from the North of Scotland College of Agriculture and went out to Nyasaland as a planter with the African Lake Corporation. In 1950 he joined the estates department of the Imperial Tobacco Company, and the rest of his career was spent with that company. From 1960 he lived and worked in Southern Rhodesia, later to become Zimbabwe. He contributed an interesting article to the Magazine in 1953 (vol. Ivii 37) on "Trouble in Nyasaland". In recent years he has been in regular correspondence with Martin Jeffrey and has given an interesting commentary on events in modern Zimbabwe. He remarked in one letter that "life is a day-to-day affair. Fortunately, we are completely in touch with international sport, rugby, cricket, golf and soccer, through satellite TV services of the BBC, Sky News and CNN. They also provide us with excellent news". It was very clear in his letters that he was extremely proud of being a pupil at the Grammar and membership of the FP Club was of huge importance to him. He is survived by his wife, to whom he had been married for almost 60 years. and by one daughter. Distinguished Musician James George Lobban (1954-60) MA died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 10 November 2006, after a long illness. He was aged 64. His extraordinary musical talent was first recognised at Mile End Primary School where his Year 7 teacher realised that he had perfect pitch. His father was persuaded to buy a piano and a career in music was begun. At age 17 he played the organ for a performance of Handel's Messiah and he went on to an honours degree in music at Aberdeen University in 1964. He was appointed to Inverurie Academy in 1965, was promoted to principal teacher of music there in 1967 and moved to the same post at Hazlehead Academy ten years later. He was conductor of Aberdeen Bach Choir from 1969 and produced concerts of the highest quality and attracting high calibre soloists. He joined St Machar Cathedral choir in 1968 as a bass, and was later for quarter of a century organist and director of music at the Cathedral. He was also a diligent examiner and from 1987 was the principal examiner in music for the Scottish Examination Board. It was said that James had music breathing through every pore of his body, and his talents were put to generous use in a wide range of musical activities. He was described as "a rather shy and private man, whose overall earnestness of purpose sometimes served to conceal from the less discerning a well developed sense of humour, and particularly a sense of the absurd. His rehearsals were matched by a rare line in dry wit". 92
Former Pupils' Club Section In terms of his Will there has been bequeathed to the FP Club the sum of £10,000. a most handsome and generous legacy. He was a valued member of the Cricket Section several years ago as a first class bowler, but had to stop in order to avoid the risk of damage to his hands. James was unmarried, but is survived by his brother Graeme Alexander Lohhan (195864). Alistair Gordon MacDonald (1942-52) died suddenly at his home in Aberdeen on 17 February 2007 aged 69. Leaving School at 15 he entered an engineering apprenticeship with John M. Henderson Ltd. at their works in King Street. He was later called up for National Service which he completed in the RAF. On his return to civilian life he joined the family business, Aberdeen Glass & China Co. He had been retired for several years. He is survived by his elder brother Ian Robert MacDonald (1940-52). Derek McKay (1944-50) died peacefully in Aberdeen on 10 October 2006 after a lengthy spell of ill-health, aged 73. After leaving School he worked fora short time in banking prior to National Service. It was in the Royal Air Force that he found his true vocation. He had a long and successful career with postings all over the world, including Holland. Germany and Cyprus as well as in numerous locations in the UK. His work with the RAF included covert intelligence work, some of it behind the iron curtain in the late 1960s. He worked his way from Flight Lieutenant to having command of his own squadron in Cyprus from where he returned in 1971 following the outbreak of hostilities between the Greeks and Turks. He left the RAF in 1974 and, after a short spell with a life assurance company, joined Bristow Helicopters as a pilot trainer, co-leading the world-wide programme for the company. He was latterly based at Dyce and in charge of simulator training for pilots. He retired in 1998. He was for a number of years a member of the FP Club Executive. A member of the 1st XV at School. he kept up a life-long interest in the sport and was an enthusiastic supporter of FP Rugby. serving as President of the Rugby Section in 1997/99. He is survived by his son Timothy (1976-81) and daughter Nicola. Colin Campbell Bannerman Mackenzie (1941-54) MA died in Aberdeen on I I September 2006 aged 70. He graduated from Aberdeen University with an honours degree in History in 1970 and, after training at Aberdeen College of Education, was appointed as a teacher of history at the then Powis Academy and was promoted to principal teacher of history there in 1973. Alexander Smith Mather (1957-621 BSc, PhD died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 14 November 2006 aged 63. Originally from Maud. he attended Peterhead Academy for a year before coming to the Grammar. From School he went on to Aberdeen University, graduating in 1966 with First Class honours in Geography. He joined the staff of the Geography Department the following year as a lecturer. He obtained his doctorate in 1972. A top quality researcher and a highly regarded teacher he was appointed chairman in Geography in 1995 and served for a time as head of department. He was an elder of Bon Accord Free Church in Aberdeen. He is survived by his wife and a son. Douglas Gordon Patterson ( l 929-36) BL died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 7 July 2006 aged 82. The son of JAMES PATTERSON (1906-12). he left the School aged 13 and completed his education at Strathallan. Aged 19. he volunteered for the Royal Air Force and served as a navigatoriwireless operator in Canada and India during 1942-46. He then studied law at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1949. He was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen, joining his father's firm. Watt & Curnine, as a legal assistant. He was assumed as a partner the following year. after his father's death. He was elected to the FP Club Executive in 1953 and was an active member of the Golf Section. 93
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine He was a long-standing member of both Deeside Golf Club. of which he was a former Secretary and past President. and of Royal Aberdeen. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, three sons and a daughter. and by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Harry Campbell Reid (1922-34) MA, LL.B died peacefully at a nursing home in Aberdeen on 2 January 2007 aged 89. He graduated from Aberdeen University in Arts in 1937 and in Law the following year. He served with the RAMC from 1940-46 after which he returned to Aberdeen and qualified as a chartered accountant. He was for a short time in the Income Tax department of Mann Judd Gordon & Co of Glasgow before joining James Milne & Co in Aberdeen, becoming a partner in 1958. He was for a number of years a member of the Examination Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. He was for four years manager of the industrial work therapy unit of Royal Comhill Hospital before joining Mackenzie & Wilson. advocates, as an accountant in 1968. He became a partner in the firm in 1977. He retired several years ago. Harry was predeceased by his first wife. but is survived by his second wife. Helen. Michael Cartney Robinson (1958-62) CA died suddenly in hospital in Aberdeen on 31 December 2006 aged 62. At School he was president of the chess club. After qualifying as a chartered accountant he emigrated to Trinidad where he was in practice as an accountant in Port of Spain for three years. He returned to the UK in 1972 and, after a brief spell in Norfolk, moved to Elgin to work as an accountant in the building and professional fields. He was for eight years manager of the Delloites accountancy practice in Huntly, leaving in 1988 to set up his own practice there. He kept his competitive spirit honed through playing bridge and chess. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a grand-daughter. Robert Lewis Ross (1923-32) MA, LL.B died suddenly in hospital in Aberdeen on 28 July 2006, aged 87. Born in Wallasey. Cheshire. he entered Junior Infants at the School but left aged 14 to complete his education at Bootham School, York. He returned to Aberdeen to the University and graduated in Arts in 1940. His then joined the Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment with whom he was sent to Malta in 1941. The troopship taking him to Malta was torpedoed. but an escorting naval vessel rescued them. He endured the continuous bombing of the island during the six-month siege of Malta. After D-Day in 1944 his unit was sent to France and from there travelled through France. Holland and Belgium. ending the war at Wilhelmshaven in Germany. He then returned to study Law, graduating in 1949. After an apprenticeship with Edmonds & Ledingham, advocates, he took up an appointment as a solicitor with Clydebank Town Council. From 1965 he spent five years with the British Railways Board before a return to local government with Dumbarton County Council. Indifferent health occasioned early retirement in 1972 and a return to Aberdeen. He is survived by his wife, with whom he celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2001, a son, four daughters and nine grandchildren. Distinguished Architect Denis Michael Alastair Shewan (1935-43) ARIBA, MRAIC died peacefully at his home in Forres on 21 May 2006 following a long illness. He was aged 80. At School he was Melvin House swimming captain and was involved with the Dramatic Society, notably in the design of stage sets. He obtained a place at Aberdeen School of Architecture for a six-year course. but at the end of the first year he joined the RAF and was undergoing pilot training when the War ended. He returned to his studies and completed his course with distinction. winning a silver medal for Civic Architecture with his model of a North-east Civic Arts Centre in Guestrow. In 1954 he was awarded the Diploma of the School of Architecture, but lack of places for young architects took him to Canada and a post with a prestigious firm of architects in Totonto. There he was responsible for the design of several major buildings.
94
Former Pupils' Club Section He worked for a time with a firm of structural engineers to extend his professional expertise. Mike returned to Aberdeen in 1959 and joined Allan, Ross & Allan prior to becoming an associate of Tom Scott Sutherland, on whose death he became principal of the firm. He later practised in his own name and was responsible for the design of many public buildings, most notably the Aberdeen School of Art. now part of the RGU complex at Garthdee. Mike eventually moved to Morayshire and in retirement lived in Forres. In his leisure time he was a skilled pianist, a keen golfer, and a skilled sailor with the Royal Findhom Yacht Club, who could build his own boats. He is survived by his wife, a son and daughter and one grandchild. His younger son predeceased him. Clyne Robert Bruce Stewart (1931-41) MB,ChB died in Shrewsbury on 31 July 2006 aged 82. After graduating from Aberdeen University in 1947 and holding the usual hospital training posts he trained as a general practitioner. He was in practice for a time in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire before joining a practice in Shifnal, Shropshire as an assistant. He became a partner in the practice in 1956. On retiring in 1989 he moved to live in Shrewsbury. Kenneth Alexander Thomson (1944-57) died peacefully in Cyprus on 30 August 2005 following a long illness. He was aged 66. On leaving School, where he had played scrum halt' for the 1st XV, he studied for a diploma in Agriculture in Aberdeen. He then went as a tea planter to Cholo in Malawi. and while there represented Malawi at Rugby for several years. He returned to Scotland in 1971 and ran a number of businesses on his own account for the next thirty years. On retiring in 2001 he relocated to Cyprus. He is survived by his wife, who continues to reside in Cyprus, by three sons. who live in the Glasgow area, and by four grandchildren. Kcn was one of five brothers who attended the School. all sons of DOUGLAS ROBERTSON THOMSON (1909-14) and grandsons of WILLIAM J. CRUICKSHANK (1887-92). The eldest brother, ALAN DOUGLAS THOMSON (1933-45) died in 1980, followed by IAN WILLIAM CRUICKSHANK THOMSON in 1981. The death of ANGUS GRAHAM THOMSON (1946-57) was reported in last year's Magazine and the Editor regrets that, although Ken survived him by nearly three months, he had also died a year before that paragraph appeared. The fifth brother is Michael Boyd Thomson (1938-51) the Club Consul in New Zealand Charles Walker (1929-41) MRCVS died peacefully on Waiheke Island. Auckland, New Zealand on I I September 2006 aged 82. The second son of Canon Vane Walker. he left Aberdeen to study veterinary medicine at Edinburgh. After qualifying and becoming a member of the Royal College he went into practice in Surrey, but by 1952 had emigrated to Kenya where he bought a farm and worked as a vet in Kabete. Eventually he was forced by the Mau Mau insurgency of the late '50s to leave Kenya and he moved to Auckland. He continued in practice until retiring about five years ago. He retained a strong affinity for the North-east and was keenly interested in its development. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. His brother William Lumsden Walker (1925-36), who lived in Westbury-on-Trym near Bristol, died a month earlier, on 4 August 2006, aged 87. James Marshall Rennie Wetherley (1919-28) MB,ChB, MRCP died at his home in Aberdeen on 11 Jabuary 2007 aged 97. After graduating in Medicine from Aberdeen University in 1951 he was a house officer at Woodend Hospital before entering general practice in Aberdeen in 1953. He was, from 1959. a medical assistant in the department of physical medicine and rheumatology at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He retired in 1978. He was predeceased by his wife but is survived by a daughter.
95
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Norman Robertson Wishart (1927-40) died peacefully in York on 14 November 2003 following several years of ill health. He was aged 81. He was survived by his wife, who died last year, and by a son. Former Members of Staff Robert McNay BSc died peacefully in a nursing home in Dumfries on 2 September 2006 aged 90 following a long illness. Born and educated in Wishaw, he was a graduate of Glasgow University, where he took a double first in Geography and Botany in 1939. The outbreak of war prevented his completing teacher training and he spent the war years on research work as a metallurgist. After completing training he spent only five terms in his first post, at Berwickshire High School. So successful was his teaching of Geography that he came to the Grammar as Principal Teacher of Geography in 1947, a responsible post for one so newly qualified. Under his skilled leadership his Department went from strength to strength, and his success in this may be gauged from the number of his pupils who went on to do distinguished work in Geography at the University. Promotion to be Depute Rector came in January 1967 and, at a time of continual change and of uncertainty as to the future of the School, he brought to that responsible post the same dedication, forcefulness and vigour as had characterised his earlier work. A born footballer. who had played for Motherwell and Queen's Park and later for Duns, he found the Grammar to have no football provision and Hockey at once took his interest. He quickly became the established Hockey coach and devoted his energies to developing the skills of the boys under his charge. It is due in no small measure to his skill that during this period strong and successful School and FP Hockey teams were forces to be reckoned with and a number of Internationalists were among their numbers. In 1970 came well deserved promotion to be Rector of Dumfries Academy, where another generation of youngsters benefited from his incisive mind and his genuine concern to bring out the best in his pupils. He was a strict disciplinarian but fair in his judgement. always with the aim of doing his best for his pupils, staff or players on and off the field of play. In classroom, corridor and games field his incisive voice "of ample power to chasten and subdue" - and his decisive energy were continuously in evidence. As it has been well put, "One look at those eyes over the top of his glasses told you — you're beats Bob was predeceased by his wife, Ella, but is survived by his daughter, Mary, and by his three sons Alexander (1957-66), David (1956-69) and Gordon (1966-70). Laurence Murray MA died peacefully in an Aberdeen hospital on 22 March 2007 aged 82. He joined the History Department in 1964. His previous experience in accounting work in local government and the Gas Board proved to be a sound basis for his careful and methodical work in both History and, later, Modern Studies. In 1974 his contribution to the department was recognised and rewarded by his promotion to Principal Teacher, a position he held until his early retirement from ill-health in 1988. He was a conscientious and diligent member of staff and a popular colleague, esteemed for his wide knowledge and scholarship, his strong views and strict principles. Outside the classroom he was delighted to share his great love of angling with the club which flourished among the pupils. He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters and six grand-daughters. Ian Trail Stephen MA died suddenly, but peacefully, at his home in Buckle on 23 May 2007 aged 85.The son of two teachers. his career echoed that of his father who was principal teacher of Maths at Buckie High School and later its Deputy Rector. His studies at Aberdeen University were interrupted by war service, when he held a commission in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers. He returned to graduate with honours in Maths in 1946. After teacher training he joined the staff of the Grammar in 1948 where he became one of
96
Former Pupils' Club Section the major players in a strong Maths department. He became one of the first Principal Teachers of Guidance in the '70s, and there followed promotion to Assistant Rector, with special responsibility for Careers. He applied himself to this role with his customary diligence and developed an expertise in all aspects of employment and further education. He ensured, as a member of the Board of Studies, that all plans and proposals which were put into practice had first passed very critical examination before they were acceptable to him. Away from the classroom, Ian involved himself in all aspects of School life. House master of Keith House for many years, he coached and refereed rugby and umpired cricket, and was a regular participant in the Masters -v- Boys cricket match of former years. Perhaps his most notable extra-curricular contribution was in Hill-walking. He organised and took part in the outings, enthusing staff colleagues and pupils alike, and to this day it is the first thing many FPs associate with him. Activities as diverse as the Film Society, music concerts, carol concerts and school dances all commanded Ian's interest and enthusiastic support. When he retired in 1985 his 37 years' devoted service to the School stood comparison with that of any other member of staff before or since. He was much touched by the Rector's invitation to him to present the prizes at that year's annual prize-giving. Ian was for many years the Staff representative on the FP Club Executive Committee, and his input to discussions on the Club's affairs was much valued. He was invariably present at the Club's Annual Dinner, and this continued throughout his years of retirement. He was accorded Honorary Membership of the FP Club in recognition of his lengthy support of both School and Club. RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65) writes: "I knew Ian both as a pupil when I was in his First Year register class ( 1 S) and later as a colleague. Throughout that time various characteristics of Ian were evident. He was an intelligent man with an appetite both to learn and to deliver learning. His brain, which now-a-days would be described as 'computer-like', allowed him to store and retrieve information about virtually all his pupils, reflecting the interest which he always had in the progress and success of those whom he had taught. He was a kind and generous man who gave willingly of his time and energy. He put tremendous energy into supporting the wider life of the school, helping with and organising extra-curricular activities. While he could be stern if the occasion required it, he otherwise had a smile on his face and a cheerful disposition. You could always depend on him for support, which he would give without question. It was a pleasure to be in his class as a pupil and a privilege to work with him as a colleague".
97
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2006 Former Pupils' Club Income and Expenditure Account
INCOME Subscriptions Existing Members - Annual New Members - Annual & Extended Life Members Transfer from Life Members' Account Top-up Payments Donations Club Centre Members' Donations & Bequests Less: Transfer to Second Century Fund Interest Magazine - advertising Fund Raising - Big Draw Social Events — Surplus Expenses — I Bayview Road Share of Rent J, Miscellaneous
2005 £
2,164 312
2,321 404
793 2.008
802 1.704
3,500 3.240 4,490 3,425 4,974
3,500 (2,502) (2.502) 3,461 4,320 3,451 317 4,981
10 24.916
43 25.304
1,128 727 5,892 450 359 3.225 2,323 785 (160) 1,800 550 250 350 344 588 1,176 2.610 379 22.822
1,017 374 5,413 450 429 3,225 1,208 785 71 1,400 550 50 50 588 3,361 554 19.525
_2A)18
5.779
940 2.4a
EXPENDITURE Membership Communications Newsletters - Printing, stationery & postage Membership Secretary - Printing stationery and postage Printing, stationery & postage -- Magazine Printing, stationery & postage — Club Secretary Website Operations Development & Support Honoraria Travel and accommodation Grants - Capitation to Regional Centres School - Prize-giving (net of dividends of £258) School — Amenities Fund School - Prefects' Badges School - Canada Tour School - Year Book Project Trust Sponsorship Social Events - Deficit Accountancy Fee Corporation Tax Bank Interest paid Miscellaneous
SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR
98
2006 £
Former Pupils' Club Section
Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2006
2006 I 113.969
2005 £ 113.969
5.109
6.015
1,035 50,000 47.890 98.925
784 50.000 42.666 93,450
43.822 91,810 1,999 6,024 7.942 151.597
41,250 91,810 1,946 6.816 6.706 148.528
152.6721
(55.0781
6 -1. 11)6
64.906
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS Life Members
15.361
15.569
REVENUE ACCOUNTS The Big Draw Second Century School Prize Fund General
5,808 10,712 5.720 28.805
6.455 10.156 6.015 26.711
51.045
49.337
66.406
64.90(z
HERITABLE PROPERTY INVESTMENTS CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Club Centre — Loan Drawdown Bank Accounts
CURRENT LIABILITIES Bank Overdraft Club Centre Loan Subscriptions in advance Life Member Top-up Payments Creditors
NET CURRENT LIABILITIES
99
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2006 F.P. Club Centre Income and Expenditure Account 2005 £
i
£
BAR ACCOUNT 145,944
138 281
BAR SALES
5,602 68364
Stock on Hand at 31 December 2004 Bar Purchases
6.530 68,733
73,966 6.530
Less Stock on Hand at 31 December 2005
75,263 5.162
67.436 70,845
GROSS PROFIT
COST OF SALES
70.101. 75,843
MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 11,521 2,427 4,644 2.269 243 9L949
12,158 1,146 4,032 3,950 5,101
Annual Subscriptions Gaming Machine Revenue (Net) Surplus from renting out 86 Queen's Road Surplus from I Bayview Road Miscellaneous Income Interest Received (Net)
125 102,355
OVERHEAD EXPENSES 33,098 19.482 10.845 396 4.027 3.500 2,699 1.777 8.950 2.750 2.942 1.112 91.578
Wages and National Insurance Rates and Insurance Heating and Lighting Telephone (Net) Repairs and Maintenance Donation to Former Pupils' Club Interest Payable to Former Pupils' Club Administration Expenses Cleaning Honoraria Miscellaneous Expenses Depreciation
371
(DEFICIT) / SURPLUS FOR YEAR
38.121 23.054 12.571 781 10,291 3,500 2,695 1.370 8,708 2,750 2,381 1.300 107.522
100
15.1671
Former Pupils' Club Section
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2006 2005
FIXED ASSETS
As per last Balance Sheet
Added
£
£
£
f
525 5.780 6.305
523 1827 2350
158 1.142 1.300
890 6.465 7.355
f 525 5.780 6.305
Furniture and Fittings Equipment
Depcn.
CURRENT ASSETS 91.810 6.530 4,881 7,615 1.862 112.698
91,810 5.162 5,741 9.266 1.406 113,385
Loan Account AGSFP Club Stock in Hand Sundry Debtors Cash in Bank Cash in Hand
CURRENT LIABILITIES 23,008 6.832 29.840 82.858 89.163
Sundry Creditors Subscriptions in Advance
6,950 50.000 56.950
Tennent Caledonian plc AGSFP Club
32.213
NET ASSETS
24.399 9.787 34.186 79.199 86.554
LOANS 9,508 50.000 59.508 27.046
CAPITAL ACCOUNT 13.495
13.495
Appeal Fund / Donations
SURPLUSES 18,718
18.718 (5.167)
Amount per last B/Sheet Surplus/(Deficit) for Year
13.551 27.046
32.213
101
II
celebratin
60
Iangstane
1947-2007
all your office needs...
N
Scotland's leading office supplies specialist... • Office Supplies • Computer Supplies • Office Interiors • Business Gifts • Printing Services...
ki)
;;) .. V r I k \
ISO 14001 Registered
01.,
INVESTOR IN PEOPLE
Aberdeen: 1 Links Place, Aberdeen AB11 5DY Tel 01224 212212 Fax: 01224 210066 Dundee: Faraday Street, Dryburgh Industrial Estate, Dundee DD2 3OO Tel 01382 818885 Fax: 01382 832635 www.langstane.co.uk
FREE tyre inspections Call in today
KENWAY TYRES Broadfold Road, Aberdeen
60-70 Virginia Street, Aberdeen
01224 821163
01224 597080
KEEPING YOU MOVING
ABERDEENCOLLEGE
our future starts here! Whatever your learning choice, let us get your career on track. Study at first level (e.g. Highers, SQA, GSVQ) then move on up to HNC/HND or university. For further information on our wide range of courses or assistance with your career choice, CALL NOW - your future starts here! Aberdeen College, Gallowgate Centre, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1 BN T 01224 612330 • E enquiry@abcol.ac.uk • W www abcol ac uk
0 I FAM WORK 'A IN . :INC. CONIIIINATIO , ..,
-
THE 'PLUS FACTOR' IS OUR CONTINUED COMMITMEN I TO Ol-FERINS: COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS SOI.UTIONS WHICH. THROUGH OUR CORE STRENGTHS. CONSISTENTLY DELIVER BEYOND LXPI ( Lit IONS
e
ENTHUSIASM
RECAUSE ATTITUDE CQUEITV
Ao
11 B. ADDING VALUE THROUGH THE PLUS FACTOR (t) COMMITMENT BUILDING LASTING RELATIONSHIPS.
AUDI I OCcro Xl- I\ ❑
V INVOLVEMENT {N5'111.1(44 Ant" MOTIVATING INPUT.
TAX S I ION. CORPORA I I FINA NUE •
I.T. SERVICES •
ACCOUNTS
OtTSnuRciNci
IT ALL ADDS Up TO A MORE POSITIVE SERVICE ANDERSON ANDERSON & BROWN CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
6 CARDEN PLACE ABERDEEN It I
lII.T21 03411
ABDO ICE
PAX: 01224 62613D7 accountants@mab.so.uk wabsila: www.nab.sn aM
Acc Taxation Payroll VAT Bookkeeping Business Plans • ' 1
•
•
Bower+Smith,, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Accessible, affordable health care at Albyn Hospital Albyn Hospital, in Aberdeen, is part of BMI Healthcare - a leading provider of private health care services throughout the UK. At Albyn Hospital a wide range of services are available to tnose both with and without private medical insurance and as there are no waiting lists, you can have your treatment at a time that suits you. .4\
For more information on Albyn Hospital and the services available, please contact Customer Services on
01224 213399 or email info - albynhospital.cO.uk
Cl
.11tiyit Hospital
21-24 Albyn Place Aberdeen AB10 1RW www.brnlhealthcare.co.uk
/
WILLIAMSON & DUNN CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Providing a Personal and Comprehensive Audit, Accountancy and Taxation Service PARTNERS: H. E. MORRISON. G. S. FLETT, K. S. TAIT. G. R. PYLE, K. KIRKLAND. G.N. REID CONSULTANT: I.C.TAYLOR 3 WEST CRAIBSTONE STREET, BON ACCORD SQUARE, ABERDEEN AB11 6YW TEL: 01224 581288 • FAX: 01224 583948 E-MAIL: info@williamsonanddunn.co.uk
(O.- RICS Michael C. Hastie
Chartered Quantity Surveyors Project Management Consultants
Core Services: QUANTITY SURVEYING PROJECT MANAGEMENT Consultancy Services: CONTRACT ADVICE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CLIENT REPRESENTATIVE & EMPLOYERS AGENTS BUILDING REINSTATEMENT VALUATIONS (FOR INSURANCE) CONTRACTUAL CLAIMS EXPERT WITNESS PLANNING ADVICE
567a Great Western Road, Aberdeen, AB10 6PA Tel. No. (01224) 325000 Fax No. (01224) 312596
I
Construction Limited MTM House, Blackburn Industrial Estate Blackburn, Aberdeen AB21 0RX
1
% BUILDING
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING DESIGN & BUILD/TURNKEY PACKAGES FREEHOLD INDUSTRIAL SITES AVAILABLE PROPERTY & HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
CIVIL ENGINEERING ROADWORKS & CAR PARK CONSTRUCTION SITE SERVICING & DRAINAGE BITMAC CONCRETE & PAVING SURFACES SPORTS & RECREATIONAL PROJECTS For quality Industrial. Commercial and Residential Developments
(01224) FAX:
79088
(0112.4)
79092IP.
*
A
Fit for Anything Thanks to my bed from
NORTHSLEEP LTD. 19-21 St. Clair Street, Aberdeen
Tel: (01224) 632334 (Opposite King St. Morrisons Car Park) Open 7 Days - Free Local Delivery
11 THE
MARCLIFFE HOTEL, SPA AND RESTAURANT
Situated In 10 acres of wooded grounds
Our chefs specialise in quality fresh
101 visiting
Grompion produce - Aberdeen Angus
North Fnst
Beef, game with fish and shellfish hum
uud idectlly SrntInnrl's srenir
Many of the beautifully appointed
local rivers and ports. The wine cellar
rooms and suites hove nntirpiefiirnitilfP
holJs ove, 400 wines old the Di-owing
and paintings, and all hove satellite TV
Room bar is stocked with more than
and direct dial telephones.
The
100 Malt whisklet.
Conservatory Restouront serves brenkfost, Lnrh (outside in summer)
Golf, fishing and game shooting con oll
and a la carte dinner.
be orronged.
North Deeside Road, Pitfodels, Aberdeen AB15 9YA Hotel tel: 01224 861000 Spa tel: 01224 865928 Email: enquiries@marcliffe.com
www.marcliffe.com
***** HOTEL
The all new Aberdeen Solicitors' Property Centre in Chapel Street now makes finding your new home even easier than ever!
• • •
Touch screen searching - so easy Help and advice - when you need it Relax with a coffee and take your time - no pressure
As the leading source of information on homes for sale in the north-east, 40 Chapel Street is the only address you need to know when you're looking for your new home.
asp 40 CHAPEL STREET • ABERDEEN • 01224 632949 aspc.co.uk
Aberdeen's Leading Independent Leasing Agent 30 years Experience and Knowledge of the Aberdeen Property Market The Complete Leasing Service to Landlords and Tenants, including Tax Specialist and Insurance Services An Advanced Property and Client Management System Full range of Investor Packages Member of Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
Rosemount House, 138 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen AB25 2YU Tel: 01224 635 355 Fax: 01224 626 698 Web: www.a-p-I.co.uk
CBAIN
Building business relationships!
HENRY REID
CHARTERED
ACCOUNTANTS
As one of the North East's longest established practices. we have the resources and commitment to provide concise. accurate advice, without any jargon, to individuals and to every type and size of business.To find out how we can make the numbers work for you, use the telephone numbers below. services include :: :: Auditing
:: Business Tax
:: Accountancy
:: VAT
:: Personal Tax
:: Payroll
Financial Planning
)
:: Computer Consultancy
Registered to carry out audit work and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
t: 01224 590227
f: 01224 575409
28 Broad Street, Peterhead AM? I BY
t: 01779 476384
f: 01779 470797
51 - 53 High Street, Turriff AB53 4EJ
t: 01888 569022
f: 01888 569033
55 Station Road. Flinn AB41 9AR
t: 01358 729725
f: 01358 726726
4 West Craihstohe Street, Aberdeen AB I I 6YL
raeburn christie clark&wallace Main Office Aberdeen • 12-16 Albyn Place 01224 332400
Property Shop Aberdeen • 399 Union Street 01224 56 46 36
www.raeburns.co.uk
solicitors a estate agents
we do our homework, whatever your legal requirements aberdeen
ba , chory
•
•
, ,-,erJr.e
•
stonehaven
We will cater for all your legal requirements from Agricultural Law, advice on Wills and Executries, Domestic Conveyancing and advice on the Housing Market to all Court related matters including Divorce or Debt Recovery and claims arising from Personal Injury.
For more information or advice please contact: Peter Robertsoit or Douglas Watson or call in at our office.
Adam Cochran SOLICITORS
6 Bon Accord Square Aberdeen AB11 6XU Tel 01224 588913 Fax 01224 581149
STEVEN J C ESSON CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT Professional accountancy and taxation service FAIRFIELD 9 ANGUSFIELD AVENUE ABERDEEN AB15 6AR TFLEPHONE: 01224 315397 EMAIL: info@esson-ca.co.uk
For all your property needs.
EG.Burnett
CHARTERED SURVEYORS F. PROPERTY CONSULTANTS
33 Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB10 1YL t: 01224 572661 I: 01224 593496 ,:dww.tgburnett.co.uk
e-mail: inloatgburnett.co
also at Glasgow t: 0141 249 6620
CAMPBELL CONN ON Solicitors and Estate Agents 36 ALBYN PLACE, ABERDEEN AB10 1YF Telephone: (01224) 585585 Fax: (01224) 580766 E-mail: info@campbellconnon.co.uk Also at THE HALL, CHARLESTON ROAD, ABOYNE, ABERDEENSHIRE AB34 5EJ Telephone: 013398-86732 Fax: 013398-87303 E-mail: aboyne@campbellconnon.co.uk We provide a comprehensive range of personal and business legal services. We shall be happy to discuss your requirements. Please contact us.
Bright, talented, charming, ambitious... but enough about us.
Call: 01224 272090/91 or Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/sras
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
Printed by Thyport Printers Ltd. Shanwell Court Industrial Estate. Shanwell Road. hi port. I ilt DD6 9EA ICI: (01382) 55138I Pax: (01382) 553395 E-mail: stilestgtayribrtpnrIttr.00.Uk