Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 2004

THE

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHCOL MAGAZINE

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Volume 107

BON-RECORD

September 2004

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 120th year No. 242 (New Series 109th year No. 233)

September 2004

Vol 107

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, 1.L.B 99 Fountainhall Road Aberdeen AI315 4EB

Secretary of the FP Club

John F. Hendry, LL.B 36 Albyn Place Aberdeen ABIO 1YF

Treasurer of the FP Club

Alan W. Marr, CA 4 West Craibstone Street, Aberdeen AB11 6YL

Membership Secretary

Mrs Whilma Jeffrey, The Willows, Dalmuinzie Road, Bieldside, Aberdeen AB15 9EB

The General Editor is happy to receive contributions for the next issue of the Magazine at any time before mid-May 2005

Former Pupils are encouraged to make use of the insert regarding Notes. Marriages etc., to provide details about themselves or others Information may be sent by E-mail to briancrookshanks* lineone.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

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Contents page School Section — Mr William J. Johnston — Appreciations Rector's Report School Office-Bearers School Prizes 2003-2004 Extra-Curricular Activities School Sports Clubs Clubs & Societies Wildlife Garden Face the Music: "Grease" Charities Group Enterprise Education Staff Changes School Board Parent Teacher Association The Phil Love Trophy

15 24 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 34

General Section The Great Wall of China Auld Maisters 7th European Golden Oldies Rugby Festival In Search of Aberdeen

37 40 40 41

Former Pupils' Club Section Club Office-Bearers 2004-05 Club Consuls Annual General Meeting President's Report Presidential Profile Rubislaw - Getting it Fit for the 21st Century Centre Reports Club Centre Canada Edinburgh Glasgow London Yorkshire Sports Section Reports Social Events - Ceilidh & Annual Dinner Re-union of 1947-49 Leavers Club Membership Subscriptions New Members Long Service Members Notes about Former Pupils Marriages Obituaries Abstracts of Accounts

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Mr William J. Johnston

William J. Johnston: Rector 1987-2004 An FP Appreciation A man of integrity, he would not readily sell his soul to any political or pseudoeducational Mephistopheles; a man whofell deeply but kept his emotions in check: a man who thought deeply but did not peddle his ideas in the market place. Tribute to John V. Skinner, Magazine June 1973.

Bill Johnston's decision to retire early from his appointment as Rector of Aberdeen Grammar School may obscure (for some) the fact that he has already completed a span of dedicated service as long as the reign of the legendary Sir James J. Robertson. The relatively calm waters of 2004 to which he has successfully steered the School may similarly blunt the memory of the turbulent and unpromising climate in which he took command of the school in 1987. The decision to rebuild the School after the massively destructive fire on 2 July 1986, of course, had already been taken, but the photograph of Mr Johnston, the new Rector, taken at the school on the day he took up his appointment, 30 March 1987, records him as posed before an edifice which bears at least as much resemblance to a demolition site as to a noble educational institution. It was not until October 1989 that rebuilding even started and, although the main building was reopened on 4 March 1992, Bill Johnston remained concerned about the neglect of the Language Block, for which he continued to campaign tirelessly. At last, in 1996, nine years after his appointment, he could report that, after years of rebuilding and refurbishment, the goal of single site operation had been achieved. The patience and persistence which this long campaign of rebuilding required of the Rector would be in themselves a sufficient badge of distinction to ensure Bill Johnston an honoured place in the annals of the Grammar School. On taking up the Rectorship, however, Bill did not regard the rebuild as his most daunting task. Within weeks of his appointment he declared. "The widespread loyalty and commitment to the school provide a secure foundation on which current physical problems can surely be overcome. The rebuilding of attitudes and relationships in the wake of a long bitter dispute may well prove to be a more difficult challenge in the longer term." Once again, the present happy state of affairs within the School may dull the recollection of the bitterness of the national teachers' dispute in the years immediately preceding Bill Johnston's appointment, and the consequent demoralisation which still prevailed throughout the educational system in 1987. The extent to which this impacted upon the School's extra-curricular activities may be surmised by the observation that the School Section of the 1985 and 1986 Magazines contained (between them) only one extracurricular report, an article on the CCF which included the news that the Army Section had had to be disbanded because, "following the teachers' dispute the Army Section was unable to continue its parades..." How different today, with a plethora of extra-curricular activities enthusiastically supported by pupils and by staff. The new Rector's success, however, was already apparent by 1988, when he was able to report (with carefully acknowledged gratitude to his colleagues) on the substantial evidence of professional commitment from staff and on their preparedness to invest their time and effort to achieve effective transition within a changing educational system. That there had been such a difference in the School's prevailing atmosphere in such a short time was almost no more than the School community expected of a man who had made such a favourable immediate impression. Only some three months after Bill Johnston's appointment, the June 1987 Magazine records, "Reports from all quarters speak of his interest in, and his personal appearance at, a whole range of School activities, and of his willingness to be approached on all matters concerning the School". Indeed, on the very first day of his appointment, when he must have had a list of urgent "things to do" of infinite length, he displayed the most perfect courtesy in being present at the AGM of the

5

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Former Pupils' Club, and attending to the business with a convincing display of genuine interest, when he must have fervently wished for an evening's peace to marshal his thoughts. Throughout his Rectorship, Bill Johnston maintained his conviction that the most important resource in education was people, and that the development of positive relationships was the key to the productive employment of that resource. Perhaps it was his adherence to this mantra which enabled him to appear as though he always had time for everything, or rather that he always had time for everyone. Whatever, Bill's mastery of time management must have been a key factor in his very survival, given the kaleidoscopic changes that beset Scottish education and the Grammar School during the past seventeen years. The rebuilding programme, with its constant meetings with council officials, architects and builders, must have been close to a full-time commitment in itself during the early years, but at the same time there was a school to run, with the added difficulty that a large part of the school was being run in makeshift accommodation with the consequent necessity for all sorts of special arrangements, presumably on a weekly, or even daily, basis. Then there was the introduction of School Boards and the need to reposition management arrangements to respond to them; there was the steady reduction of the previously monstrously inflated School roll and the requirement to manage the consequent staff losses; there was the impact of the 5-14 Development Programme on curricular planning and subsequently the phased adoption of the 5-14 strategies; there was the introduction of Records of Achievement for school leavers; the introduction and development of staff appraisal; a whole new approach to the security of the School in the aftermath of the Dunblane shootings; the adoption of anti-bullying strategies, including the initiation of the Buddy scheme; the completion of the transition from O-grades to Standard Grade; the curricular planning for Higher Still and the eventual introduction of Advanced Highers across a wide range of subjects; the nuisance value of the extraordinary resurrection of the question of the School's name; and throughout it all there was the steady modernisation of the School to fit it to welcome and then embrace the twenty-first century. Reflecting on the momentous changes which occurred during his own Rectorship from 1942 to 1959, Sir James J. Robertson said, "If the Rector of those years must have a kind word, ►et it be simply that he had enough sense to know a good school when he saw it, and to leave well alone." In truth, with the turmoil of educational change all around them, neither Sir James nor Bill Johnston had that luxury, and each has left his own distinctive stamp on the development of the School's traditions. Quite apart from all the educational developments and pedagogical preoccupations already listed in this appreciation, there has been one consistent and ever present leitmotif of Bill Johnston's rectorship, namely his tireless labours to secure improved sports facilities for the School. It is immensely gratifying that, after years of seemingly unrewarding toil, Bill's efforts in this regard (in which he has patiently co-operated with the FP Club) have borne fruit with the construction team moving into Rubislaw just on his retirement. But, of course, there is another glaring deficiency in the School's sports facilities. In his very first Rector's Report in the June 1988 Magazine Bill wrote that "subsequent phases of the overall (School reconstruction) plan should include...provision of a Games Hall". Since then he has missed no opportunity to impress upon anyone who would listen (and quite a few who patently did not) the desperate need for a modern Games Hall within Aberdeen Grammar School. In his Rector's Report for 2003 he was able to report that the Games Hall, though "still admittedly in the realm of good intentions" seemed "to be supported by very definite plans". Since then, some changes have been announced in the planned funding of the Games Hall, but Bill's optimism that it is indeed supported by very definite plans seems still to be justified. When the Games Hall is finally completed, it will behove us all to keep in mind the patience, persistence, diplomacy and unstinting commitment by which Bill Johnston secured it for the School.

6

School Section

Future historians will judge Bill Johnston's ranking in the roll of great Rectors of the Grammar School, and will estimate just how significant in the long history of the School has been his stewardship, which began at one of the School's lowest points in the twentieth century and ended with a school as flourishing as it ever has been. It is expected that future historians will view him as a moderniser, within the context of the long history of the School, but a moderniser with the sensitivity and the intellectual rigour to ensure that the best of the Grammar School's ethos and tradition was maintained and nurtured in the soul of an ever-changing institution. Throughout Bill Johnston's rectorship, the School has maintained highly respectable academic standards and has enjoyed success in as wide a range of extra-curricular activities as ever, with especially conspicuous national successes in chess, debating and, of all things (and possibly Bill's most gratifying success) association football. Certainly, if current popularity is to be the measure for his assessment, then his rank must be very high indeed. The FP Club has always had cause to value Bill's open-hearted friendship, his courtesy and modesty, his relative reticence but readiness to counsel with wisdom when required, and his steely determination when a point of principle is involved. But it is to Bill's pupils that one must look, if one is to understand what a hugely appreciative public he enjoys. For an FP, this is best witnessed at the Club's Annual Dinner, when the tables of recent school-leavers greet his appearance with thunderous applause and a cacophony of adulation, while the Grammar School pupils among the part-time waiting staff vie with each other to serve the great man and to attract his notice. There can be no doubt that, in a very short passage of time, these same pupils, transformed into FPs, like generations before them will be lamenting, at Annual Dinners, on the way things have changed. philosophising sagely "It was quite different in my day. Grammar was a really good school then. Of course, that was in the good old days of Billy J." The Secretary of the FP Club, Jock Hendry, adds:One of the objects of the Club is to foster and promote its links with the School. When Bill

Johnston was appointed Rector in 1987, there was an eagerness to welcome the School's new helmsman and to share with him not only the School's long history but also the strong bond between the School and its former pupils. It was early evident that Bill had quickly grasped the elusive ethos of the School which he and his staff have since nurtured and developed, to the extent that it is now every bit as strong as it has ever been. He has been a quite outstanding Rector. The School's and the Club's debt to him is enormous. The job of Club Secretary carries with it particular privileges, one of which is to be closely involved in maintaining the important ties between the School and its former pupils. It has not only been a privilege but also a great pleasure to have worked alongside Bill in relation to a wide variety of matters which overlap between School and Club. I have been very fortunate indeed to have had that privilege, but not only that - to have got to know him in a much wider sense. We have shared thoughts. views and experiences in all sorts of ways particularly, for example, when travelling by rail together to the Yorkshire Dinner over a number of years. It was a privilege also to be able to get to know Katie and to keep up with the three girls, Eilidh, Shona and Lorna as they grew up during these years. We acknowledge Bill Johnston's immense contribution to the affairs of the School and Club and, in thanking him for that, offer him our very best wishes for a long and happy retirement. A School Appreciation Bill Johnston retired on 2 July from Aberdeen Grammar School after 17 years as Rector. When he arrived at the Grammar in 1987, at the relatively young age of 40, his first task was to oversee the rebuilding of the main part of the school, which had been extensively destroyed by fire the previous year. This he did sensitively and effectively to turn

7

Aberdeen Grammar School Afaga:ine Aberdeen Grammar School into a modern educational establishment, combining its long and distinguished history with the space and technology required to meet the needs of the curricula of the 20th and 21st centuries. Under his leadership, the school has achieved excellent academic standards throughout the many curriculum changes seen during his time — Standard Grade, Revised Higher and then, more recently, the Higher Still Programme. These have been put in place under his leadership in a measured way to allow the school to continue to be recognised locally and nationally as one of the highest attaining state schools in the country. He has, moreover, provided the very positive ethos and strong and effective leadership for which the school was highly commended in its HMI Report in 2000. His commitment to the extra-curricular life of the school has been enormous throughout his time as Rector, giving support to all sporting activities on Saturday mornings, attending school shows and music concerts, as well as recognising the vast range of achievements of many pupils over the last 17 years. When Bill arrived at the School, colours were awarded only for sporting achievements. He introduced similar colours awards for achievement in non-sporting activities, an area that has grown tremendously in number and variety during his headship. The grey bands and ties have enabled the school to recognise outstanding performers in drama and music, as well as members of the school debating team who have witnessed considerable success in recent years on the international stage. An area in which Bill fought tirelessly for the pupils of Aberdeen Grammar School was improvement in PE facilities. Rubislaw had remained the same since the school became co-educational in 1974 and the changing facilities were badly in need of upgrading and modernisation. Pupils were increasingly disadvantaged when playing hockey against other schools, who had invested in all-weather pitches. However, his greatest "fight" was for the provision of a Games Hall for the school, to replace the woefully inadequate gym and to provide his pupils with a similar facility to that given to all other pupils in the city. He leaves the school at a time when all the many hours spent in discussions and arguments seem at last to have achieved a successful conclusion. The first all-weather surface is currently being laid, refurbishment of Rubislaw is a distinct possibility, as is the building of a Games Hall on the school campus. Bill must be highly commended for the hard work and tireless effort he personally has put in over the last 17 years to ensure a PE facility from which future generations of Grammar pupils will draw immense benefit. Bill's reputation as a highly respected Rector was recognised by Robert Gordon University when he was asked to become a Governor in June 1997. Prior to taking up post as Rector of the Grammar, Bill had held posts of responsibility in six other schools throughout Scotland. On being appointed as Rector, he and his wife Katie decided to put down roots in Westhill where their three daughters attended the local schools, prior to going on to University. Sadly, last Sepetnber. Katie died after a long illness which she fought with determination and dignity. Tribute must be paid to Katie for the support she gave to Bill during his years as Rector and for the support she gave the school in her attendance at numerous events. On his last school day, Peter Cross, Head Boy, presented Bill with a watch on behalf of the pupil population who had gathered in the Hall to say farewell. At the same ceremony, Fiona Taylor, Deputy Head Girl, presented him with a cheque, again on behalf of the pupils, to be given to a charity of his choice. In May, at the Leavers' Ball, Michael Lloyd and Gayle Harriman. Head Boy and Girl, presented him with a pen set as a mark of appreciation from last year's 56. The staff, both past and present, will honour his achievements at Aberdeen Grammar and mark the occasion of his retirement at a special dinner to be held in the Queen's hotel in September. The FP Club, the PTA, the School Board and members of the Education Department will also be in attendance. Asked what he plans to do in his retirement, Bill has intimated modestly that he hopes to find more time to pursue leisure pursuits such as cycling, hill-walking and golf. We wish him a well-deserved, long, and fulfilling retirement.

8

School Section

Head Bm and Head Girl 2003-2004

Michael Lloyd and Gayle Harriman

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

School Section Rector's Report This year it seems more appropriate for me to provide a perspective on the last 17 years rather than simply reporting on the school year which is just drawing to a close. I would like to report on the current position within the more extensive timeframe of my tenure as Rector of Aberdeen Grammar School. On reflection, the biggest single positive effect at school was the programme of rebuild and refurbishment which spanned the period 1987-1995, after the fire damage of 1986. Being prominently involved in the planning, management and realisation of new facilities was a privilege for me, and a major benefit for the school. The corresponding negative component of the school estate continues to be the lack of modern facilities for sport and recreation but at last there is discernible progress in the provision of an allweather surface at Rubislaw, scheduled for the summer of 2004, followed by a phased programme to replace changing accommodation and refresh the grass pitches. There is also every prospect of a modem Games Hall being provided on the school campus. Other changes which have brought the school to the forefront of modem educational practice include the rapid growth in ICT equipment and staff training, not just in terms of the hundreds of computers now in school but also the LCD Projectors and phased programme of Interactive Whiteboards replacing Blackboards, and all that this means for different ways of communicating and learning. There are many other positive developments which deserve inclusion in this report and which give me an opportunity to acknowledge my appreciation of personal and professional support throughout my time here. I would like to recognise the welcome extended by the whole school community to the new (then) young Rector in 1987. The school continues to be characterised by co-operation, respect and teamwork. High levels of attainment have been sustained by pupils every year and the school ethos is so strong that it is hard to overstate its value and effects. In my view, this is rooted in the excellent working relationships which exist throughout the school and the tremendously encouraging range of extra-curricular opportunities provided by staff and accepted so successfully by pupils. The richness and variety of achievement is typified by one recent snapshot when on the evening of 5 May the Senior Debating team crowned an outstanding year of national success by winning the Ross Cup awarded after a competition involving the best four teams in Scotland. Simultaneously, this year's Young Enterprise Company swept the board at the Grampian final, the Senior Boys' Cricket Team beat Robert Gordon's College at cricket for the first time in many years and the Senior Girls' Basketball team beat Aberdeen University in the Gold Division final. We continue to recognise high levels of participation and success made possible by the huge commitment of staff time and expertise. More nebulous changes which have been gradual rather than dramatic in recent years have been the subtle shifts taking place, moving along several spectra as formal teaching moves nearer to individual coaching, respect outweighs fear in the minds of pupils and, in management terms, teamworking overtakes benign paternalism. Whilst indicating these signals of change, I would like to add that I have been deeply touched by the recognition from pupils, colleagues, former pupils and parents that I have "made a difference" to the lives of young people and that at least some of that idealism which all teachers bring to the profession has been realised. I know that my successor, Mr Graham Legge, will be taking over a very happy and successful school. I wish him and everyone associated with Aberdeen Grammar School every success in the future.

WILLIAM J. JOHNSTON

Aberdeen Grammar School June. 2004

Rector

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School Section

School Office-Bearers Session 2003-2004 Head Boy.• Depute Head Boy:

MICHAEL LLOYD GRANT JAMIESON

S6 Prefects: STUART AFFLECK GUY DOUGLAS PHILIP GRANT WILLIAM JONES RORY KENNEDY CHRIS LAW CHRISTOPHER LINDSAY MARTIN LITTLE IAN LUMSDEN MALCOLM McLEISH MARTIN PRINGLE STRUAN ROBERTSON ANDREW RUSSELL MALCOLM STILL BLAIR STEPHEN ANDREW WEDDELL

SS Prefects: STUART CADGER KYLE CROMBIE PETER CROSS ANDREW DEAN EDWARD KAY ALISTAIR LYNCH ROBERT MORRISON GRANT SHAW NEIL SHEPHERD DAVID STOTT GREG WISELY

Head Girl: Depute Head Girl:

GAYLE HARRIMAN LYNNE WIGHTMAN

EMMA ARMSTRONG IMOGEN BEGG ANNA CAMPBELL BARBARA DUNCAN CHLOE FITZGERALD JUDITH HERBERT ISABEL HUNTER ELIZABETH ILETT ANNA JOHN TARA KLEIN KATIE McARTHUR TRACEY MAIR MARIANNE MILNE LUCIE MURRAY LUCY NICOLL AMANDA STIRLING HOLLIE TAYLOR RHIANNAN WILL LUCY ARROWSMITH KIRSTY ARTHUR JENNIFER GARDEN ROSE GROGAN AMY PRESTON SHONAH RICHARD GILLEON SHAND SARAH SMITH JUDITH SWANSON FIONA TAYLOR VERITY WYPER

School Prizes 2003-2004 The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Biology The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Chemistry The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Computer Studies The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Geography The Former Pupils' Club Prize in German The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Home Economics The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Modern Studies The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Physical Education The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Physics The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Religious Education The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Spanish The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Technical Subjects The Samuel Pope Prize in Art The Arthur L. McCombie Prize in Art History II

Stuart Cadger Anna John Judith Herbert Shonah Richard Thomas Linington Louise Clark Isabel Hunter Lynne Wightman Stuart Cadger Anna John Judith Swanson Martin Pringle Patrick Kunka Chloe Fitzgerald

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Tara Klein Luigi Govil Tara Klein Nadia Parveen Judith I lerbert The Gordon McMinn Prize in Computing Studies Join• Award Jennifer Garden The Masson Bain Prize in English Rose Grogan Joint Award Shonah Richard The William Brebner Prize in French Judith Swanson Jennifer Smith The German Consulate Prize Malcolm McLeish The Charles Alexander Walker Prize in History Suzanne Home The Jenny C. Archibald Prize in Home Economics Joint Lucy Gray The Campbell Connon Prize for Local Studies Award Anna Harrington Joint Olivia Begg The Derek Stewart Memorial Prize in Award Mhairi Johnstone Mathematics in S2 Carla Plasberg-Hill The Alexander Thomson Prize in Mathematics (S3) Stuart Cadger The Hamish Adams Greig Prize in Mathematics & Joint Award Jennifer Garden Science in S5 The J. Mortimer McBain Prize for Proficiency in Jennifer Garden Mathematics in S5 or S6 Katherine McBride The George G. Whyte Prize in Mathematics in S6 William Jones The Gavin Falconer Memorial Prize in Music Rose Grogan The Dr J. Minto Robertson Prize in Shakespearean Studies Carla Plasberg-Hill The Alastair G. Simon Memorial Prize in Spanish Barry Mitchell The Bon Accord Metal Prize in Technological Studies Morven Alexander The May Thomson Scottish Poetry Prize Jordan Hewitt The Lions School Community Service Award Jordan Hewitt The Caritas Cup Emma Armstrong The AGS Dramatic Society Award for Drama Joint Award Natalie Smith The Runners-up to the AGS Junior Literary Timothy Coleman and Debating Award Rachel Watson The AGS Junior Literary & Debating Shield The Rector's Shield for outstanding contribution to the William Jones running of the Literary & Debating Society The Edith & David Bishop Prize for Public Joint Award Mardi MacGregor Katy Roy Speaking Richard Dargie Judith Herbert The Sir J.J. Robertson Award for outstanding Joint Award John Chrystal Contribution to the School Magazine Paul Davies Anna John The Andrew Middleton McLaren Prize for Enterprise Joint Award Andrew Dean Jordan Ilewitt Anna John The Young Enterprise Grampian Best Presentation Award On Behalf of the Winners of the Young Enterprise Andrew Dean Grampian Award Joint Award Rose Grogan The Philip Love Trophy William Jones Alison Boyd The AGS "Face the Music" Award for an outstanding Joint Luigi Govil performance in the School's Musical Production Award The Donal Paton Prize for Painting The John Muir Robertson Prize in Business Studies Joint Award The ALBA Trophy

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School Section Sports Awards

The McCombie Golf Trophy Melvin The Neil Meldrum Inter-House Rugby Trophy - SI Melvin The Former Pupils' Junior Inter-House Rugby Cup Melvin The Former Pupils' Inter-house Rugby Cup The Former Pupils' House Hockey Cup Melvin The Isobel 0 Anderson Medal for Swimming The Fowlie Cup for Swimming (Girls) The Rector's Medal for Swimming The Dr Morland Simpson Cup for Swimming The Former Pupils' Club Rugby Football Section Trophy Melvin The School Inter-House Football Cup The Ronald MacKinnon Trophy for Athletics The School Colours Committee School Cap

Andrew Henderson Robbie MacGregor Ross Taylor Andrew Russell Stuart Anderson Greg Topp Rachel Milne Mark Webster Rachel Milne Alistair Ferguson John Shaw Sean Maley William Jones

All-Round Awards

The David Alexander Irvine-Fortescue Prize — S2 Rachel Watson The Norman Mackie Memorial Award in S3 for a pupil outstanding in Scholarship, Conduct & Sportsmanship Carla Plasberg-Hill The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Award in S3 Jennifer Sweeney The Former Pupils' Club Certificate of Merit Gayle Harriman Judith Herbert Elizabeth nett Grant Jamieson Christopher Lindsay Struan Robertson The Former Pupils' Club "1965" Award for the greatest contribution to the life of the School Lucy Nicoll The Runner-up to the Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy for Girls Katie McArthur The Runner-up to the Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy Andrew Russell & the Agnes Durward McDonald Prize Lynne Wightman The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy for Girls The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy & the John Ivo Dawson Prize Michael Lloyd

Colours Awards Sport Basketball

Full Colours Junior Colours

Cricket

Full Colours Half Colours Full Colours Half Colours

Football

Junior Colours

Golf Hockey

Half Colours Full Colours

Lucy Arrowsmith, Gillian Clark Rachel Bum, Helen Clunas, Claire Connelly, Nathalie Graham, Kim Latnza, Jenny McArthur, Kirsty MacLean, Carla Plasberg-Hill, Helen Willett Stuart Crichton, Peter Cross Luigi Govil Rory Armand, John Shaw Andrew Bagshaw, Rory MacRae, Alan Majury, Daniel Napier, Alex Sealy Andrew Henderson, Harry Hendry, James Lindsay, Connor Lovie, Philip McCall, Grant Mitchell, Gordon Russell Chris Law Stuart Anderson, Chloe Fitzgerald, Christina Fox,

13

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Half Colours

Netball Rowing Rugby

Junior Colours Half Colour Half Colours Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours

Swimming

Full Colours

Lucy Gray, Elizabeth nett, Katie McArthur, Lucie Murray, Lucy Nicol, Martin Pringle, Lynne Wightman Christopher Ferguson, Sean Maley, Neil Shepherd, Fiona Taylor, Verity Wyper Louise Clark, Ciara Duthie, Helen Willett Nathalie Graham Judith Herbert Alastair Ferguson, Andrew Russell Guy Douglas, Luigi Govil, Grant Jamieson, Ian Lumsden, Nicholas Riddoch, Struan Robertson David Buckett, Richie Dargie, Ross MacDougall, Patrick Maughan, Eoin Robertson, Alistair Scott, Ben Sharp, Callum Stewart, Lewis Watson Anna Harrington, Greg Topp

Extra-Curricular Debating Public Speaking `Face the Music'

School Cap Full Colour Junior Colour Full Colours

Half Colours

Music

Full Colours

Half Colours

Jun. Colours

William Jones Rose Grogan Richie Dargie Emma Armstrong, Imogen Begg, Jennifer Casson, Gayle Harriman, Gillian McHattie, Tracey Mair, Lucy Nicoll, Greg Topp, Rhiannon Will Kirsty Arthur, Alison Boyd, Roisin Corrigall, Andrew Dean, Natalie Douglas, Barbara Duncan, Rose Grogan, Jordan Hewitt, Isabel Hunter, Chris Lindsay, Katie McBride, Neil MacNeil, Struan Robertson, Verity Wyper Barbara Duncan, Judith Herbert, William Jones, Chris Lindsay, Katie McArthur, Malcolm McLeish, Neil MacNeil, Tracey Mair, Marianne Milne, Blair Stephen Keith Allan, Kirsty Anderson, Kirsty Arthur, Steven Christie, John Chrystal, Heather Cowie, Peter Cross, Jenni Garden, Andrew Gibson, Louise Hamilton, Jordan Hewitt, Patrick Kunka, David Lough, Thomas Lough, Jennie Love, Thomas McCabe, Kerrie McFarlane, Olivia Nichols, Michelle Patterson, Shonah Richard, Gilleon Shand, Rebecca Sibbett, Judith Swanson, Jeremy Watt Claire Anderson, Ruth Brown, Ashlea Gilmour, Nathalie Graham, Adam Grant, Zoe Henderson, Aenea Hendry, Mardi McGregor, Laura Murphy, Stuart Reid, James Sinclair, Ralph Thompson, Caileag Walker, Karen Wilson

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School Section

Extra-Curricular Activities School Sports Clubs Basketball What an amazing season for the Grammar Greywolves! Out of a possible seven trophies, six trophies were won by the club. They were the Junior and Senior School Cups, the Gold and Silver Play-off Cups, the Mappin & Webb Trophy and the I lenderson Cup. To be this successful involves many hours of training and dedication. Our senior team trains for six hours each week, plus an hour of shooting practice and an hour of fitness work in the school swimming pool. We were coached in physical, mental and emotional skills, and all the hard work paid of, as we were all able to remain confident and composed even when we weren't playing well. For example, in the Gold Division Play-off Cup Final we were 18-2 down after five minutes! However, we didn't panic and instead played great defence and fought our way back to beat the more experienced Aberdeen University team 63-57. The previous week we had experienced an amazing twenty-four hours. On Tuesday 27th April we played Robert Gordon University in the semi-final of the Gold Division Play-off Cup. The game was extremely close, and at the end of the fourth and final quarter the score was tied at 45-45. This meant that the game had to go into extra time. We stepped up our game to an even higher level and were victorious over the older Uni team. We could not afford to celebrate too much since the following evening we were to play Aberdeen University in the final of the Mappin & Webb Cup. In spite of feeling exhausted from the previous night's game, we laid the most fantastic team performance and the Grammar Greywolves triumphed 50-42. This year's Senior School Team was as follows: Lynne C. Wightman (captain), Stephanie Lai, Katie McArthur, Lucy Arrowsmith, Gillian Clark, Kim Lamm, Nathalie Graham, Jenny McArthur, Fiona Macneil, Mardi MacGregor and Laura Murphy. For the Senior Schools' Cup Final, two promising 3rd year players, Helen Clunas and Kirsty MacLean, joined our team and got to experience an exciting game against Ellon Academy. The opposition showed determination and, like us, they had the desire to win, but in the end our team were by fat the stronger side and we had an easy victory. What made our team so successful was our ability to work as a unit and the following quote highlights this: "It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit" (John Wooden UCLA.) Boys' Hockey — First X1 The hockey team experienced a harder start to their season than any other school team. Not only did we loose seven out of twelve squad players but the team lost their longstanding coach and manager. Dave Swanson. With the squad down to the bare bones of four sixth years and two fifth years they turned to their inspirational 'head steady' captain, Stuart Anderson. to not only find eleven players week in week out but also to play a big part in organising all the fixtures. Stuart gained a vice-captain in the form of Martin Pringle and with help from new head of P.E. Mr. Milne and P.E. department stalwart Mr. Adey the team built a strong foundation. The search for new players began in earnest with two fourth year ice hockey players, Matt Sawyer and Scott MacRory. quickly 'taxed' by Stuz. Along with makeshift goalkeeper Stay Carvalho and new additions Alisdair Lynch, Kyle Crombie and Kieran Findlay the nucleus of the squad was formed. Training began on Friday evenings for the enthusiastic Grammar team and before we knew it our first game was upon us against Edinburgh Academy. Following an excellent start the Grammar team fell behind near the end of the first half. With a stern half-time motivation talk the team opened up the second half at a furious pace and with a good counter-attack goal through Sean Malley and well-worked second set up by Stuart and finished off by Mike Lloyd, Grammar came away with a hard-fought victory. A deserved

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine victory wasn't even tarnished by Mr. Jones pointing out that both our goals were scored when the two female Edinburgh players were off the field. The next match in a busy opening start to the season was the 'glamour tie' with Mr. Swanson's new school, Robert Gordon's. An upbeat Grammar side was suitably prepared for the game by Stuz, who was still searching for his first victory over Gordon's. The game got off to a bad start as the team fell behind to a fast Gordon's break. But a well worked short corner on the stroke of half time brought Grammar level and Matt, whose well hit shot crashed into the backboard, his third goal in 2 games. Gordon's scored quickly after the break following a melee in the 'D' and it stayed that way with 10 minutes to go. Then Stuart made a piercing run through the Gordons midfield and defence and chipped the ball over the keeper with Mike Lloyd making sure the ball found the back of the net. With Grammar thinking they had salvaged a draw a degree of complacency set in. But credit where credit is due, the Gordons captain showed a good piece of skill to score with mere minutes remaining. A cruel result for the Grammar team who put the effort in for at least a draw. Our next three games were played either with a very under strength team, on a playing surface more suited to raising farmyard animals or against players of what seemed an international standard the team managed a respectable: drew I, lost 2. The second match of the season against Gordons was another chance for Stuart to get his revenge on the city centre private school. The match was played on a Saturday morning at the new Gordons Astro pitch but sadly Grammar's defence were still asleep and Gordons scored from the hit-back within 10 seconds. A second followed midway through the first half and Grammar struggled to assert themselves on the game. Chances for the away side were few and far between and Grammar again left as second best. The final match before Christmas was the annual John P. Drummond Trophy match against the F.P.'s Grammarians (over 35s team). For some players this was their third trophy match and with a draw and a win in recent years the omens looked good for the school team. The team played really well and were beginning to gel when, you guessed it, we conceded a goal to go into half time one-nil down. The second half began much better for the school boys with a barrage on the Club's goal for the first ten minutes but it was not until there were ten minutes left that from a quick sideline ball Lloyd found Sawyer on the edge of the D and he rocketed the ball into the back of the net - past Grammarian's 76year-old goalkeeper. The game looked like it was going to penalty flicks when, for one of the few times that season, the Grammar defending was lacklustre and the Club scored with next to no time to go. The match was followed by a meal, speeches and awards at the F.P. Club. lan Goodenough accepted the John Drummond Trophy for the Club while Matt Sawyer won the Young Player of the Year award and Stuart Anderson won Player of the Year. It was a disappointing result during a good day. The first post-Christmas match was against Dundee High School. played this time in lnverurie. With another goal from a short corner for Matt, a good counter-attack finishing with a goal for Sean Malley and the first of the season for Chris Ferguson it was the first time in the season that the team scored three goals in one game but, not for the first time, they still managed to loose (4-3). Dundee went ahead three times only for Grammar to pull a goal back each time before finally losing out, Dundee scoring in the final minute. The draw for the Scottish Schools Cup gave us a home tie against Gordonstoun. The match was twice rearranged and again played at lnverurie. The team knew that they were in for a hard match and spent a long time preparing, mainly due to the fact Gordonstoun were so late in arriving. With International players a-plenty the Grammar defence was under nearly constant pressure and did well only to concede Nish). The highlight was a great counter-attack goal finishing with Scott MacRory managing to stick the ball into the roof of the net, his first goal of the season and a great achievement considering he can't even reach the top of the goals. We were relatively happy with the outcome considering the level of opposition.

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School Section The Scottish Cup defeat turned out to be the final game of the 2003/04 season for the school team despite efforts to organise a game against RGC on their new water-based Astroturf pitch. The season was never easy for the team considering the loss of players and Mr. Swanson, while the lack of an Astroturf surface to train on added to our downfall in some games. This is at least one hurdle that should be overcome by Autumn 2004 and hopefully Grammar can produce more quality sides capable of challenging for honours once again. Squad: Stuart Anderson (c), Martin Pringle (vc). Christopher Ferguson. Michael Lloyd,

Cameron Fraser, Stallion Carvalho, Kieran Findlay, Sean Maley, Neil Shepherd. Kyle Crombie, Alisdair Lynch, Matthew Sawyer, Scott MacRoy. Ryan Cowie, Matthew Ross, Barry Mitchell Cricket Cricket at the school in the sununer of 2004 proved to be the most successful season in recent memory. There were several reasons for this. The main factor was the all-round improvement made by everyone in all aspects of the game. We were a real Cricket Club, as we played courteous and competitive cricket. Most of the lads have been playing together for six years and the progress they have made in that time has been considerable. Team spirit has been good. The team was well led by Kieran Findlay, an excellent captain, and senior players Grant Jamieson and Mike Lloyd. In addition fine young players broke through to make an impact. These included Greig Anderson, Blair Findlay and Gordon Russell. The team has been a pleasure to work with. There have been numerous outstanding performances by individuals, and in addition there were a couple of notable 'firsts' - one of them being a visit to the Prime Minister's old school, Fettes College in Edinburgh. The whole day was eventful. Closure of the Forth Road Bridge made the minibus journey via the Kincardine Bridge longer than usual. It was a good job captain Kieran had planned a route for the driver. The game itself ended in a dramatic last over which resulted in a tied game. The return journey got us home at 2330 only to leave again less than 12 hours later for a game at Fochabers against the Moray District Youth Select XI. Despite obvious fatigue, an excellent fielding display was followed by a resolute batting effort, which saw the team win, by 3 wickets. A successful away trip to Gordonstoun, where Kieran and Grant's talent set up our victory, was followed by a first victory against local rivals Robert Gordon's College on the glorious 5th May. The day was glorious because the School did well in other activities, so it deserves to go down in history in the School's annals as a day of great achievement. The turning point was when Ian Lumsden, at fine leg, superbly caught opposing star batsman Kenny Reid off a lifter from Grant Jamieson. Stuart Crichton, our best fielder at gully, point or short third man, scored a brilliantly paced 51 as we successfully chased a challenging 157 to win. The day after the hopefully revered glorious 5th. the team proved too resilient for a strong AGS FP XI in our first evening fixture of the season. Again, everyone made a contribution with either the bat, ball or in the field. Peter Cross, Philip Grant, Luigi Govil have all excelled at different times as all-rounders. Our latest game, at the time of writing, saw a Colts XI snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at that splendid away venue, Gordonstoun. With the home team struggling at 70 for 7 our fielding suddenly became sloppy as we dropped four catches. In so doing Greig Anderson was denied a well deserved '5 for' as three catches were dropped off his bowling. A final score of 148 proved to be just too much for us and we lost a game which we should have won comfortably. It was the only blip in the season. We rested a few of our main team to give a few youngsters a chance. Blair Findlay and Greig Anderson did particularly well but we had enough old heads in there to have won the game. But these things happen. Besides, the manager is hardly in a position to criticise. School team members who have played with or against him in grades cricket know how poor his own game is, so he is hardly in the position to comment. However, the boys have responded I7

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine well to his quiet words of encouragement and advice while umpiring, or sterner rebukes if a firmer line was thought to be necessary. The players took it all in good grace, as they did any dodgy umpiring decisions that occasionally came their way. It is this good atmosphere in the squad that has made it all so enjoyable. We have all enjoyed each other's company. The team, as this is being written, is due to fly off for an end of school jolly to Benidorm The manager volunteered to be a male chaperon, but the Rector declined permission for him to be absent from classes for two weeks in the new timetable! Besides there are junior matches to be prepared for and played, not to mention the Staff -v- Pupils match in the last week of term. If the Manager has driven, umpired and managed, Jim and Fiona Bramald. plus Roland from the FPs, have coached in the after-school sessions on Friday evenings. This has had an undoubted effect on team performances. particularly with the younger players. We thank them for that. Support and interest in school from the Rector, Miss Inns, Mr Milne (our new head of PE), Mr Hutton, Mr McLeod and many others has also been helpful. They have been a great set of lads to be with and work with over the past six years. Apart from myself, traders along the A96 will miss our regular stops for 'munchies'. I wish everyone well in their future cricketing and other careers. PS — Thanks for the Bristol Rovers shirt! The full Squad was: Kieran Findlay, Grant Jamieson, Mike Lloyd, Phil Grant, Luigi Govil, Peter Cross, Stuart Crichton, Scott Anderson, Andrew Russell, Stuart Anderson, Rory Annand, lan Lumsden, Martin Little, Chris Lindsay, Chris Law, Greig Anderson, Blair Findlay, Guy Douglas, Alisdair Lynch and Gordon Russell. Girls' Hockey Most fixtures were played last season due to reasonable weather, although the telephone chain was put to the test for the first time in three seasons. Season 2003-4 heralded in a new stripy strip, with many trimmings. Firstly, congratulations must go to Christina Fox who was selected to play for the North under 18's. The I st X1 had a very steady season, although with mixed results. For the second year, Grammar reached the Knock-out Cup final, collecting the runners-up medal, and enjoying the experience of playing on Gordon's College's new, and second, all-weather pitch. In the senior tournament the team romped through their section with full honours, but despite being camped in Albyn's attack zone throughout the semifinal, the ball would not go in. This team has been together for two years and has made great strides forward, so it was disappointing not to progress to the final due to lost opportunities in the penalty shoot out. It was Albyn's day against Gordon's in the final, and I believe that it also would have been ours. Two years of 'almost' does not reflect the team spirit and dedication which this outgoing band of 6th years has put into the game. Their sterling efforts and excellent sportsmanship remain marked on the memory, if not on plated silver. The 2nd XI, with Mhairi Mclean as captain for the second year, produced good results, and competition for places was keen. When possible, a third XI also played, as so many girls in the senior school vied for places. The 3rd years fielded two teams and, despite a love of covering themselves in mud, they started to focus on the tactics of the game and results improved as the season wore on. They enjoyed a small run in the Knock-out Cup, and three players attended under15 trials. The second years, ably coached by Sari, and helped by Mrs Taylor and Mrs Arrowsmith, continued to progress, with tough competition for 'A' team places. The girls came third in their tournament, and evened up the results from last year. Thanks to the Oakbank connection, these girls have a great input, with indoor hockey and the odd swim being the norm. Never have a group been so well provided for in the history of Grammar girls' hockey, so set your sights high, kids! Season 2007-8 ??

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School Section The first years also proved to be a dedicated group, and we were easily able to field two teams of eight each week. These girls had a great result by coming third in the first year tournament, a place not easily attained with no primary hockey beforehand. Last year the all-weather pitch became more than a whisper, and seemingly the start was to be in May. It is now June 10th and still no diggers have appeared. I imagine that next year's 6th year are getting a bit anxious about ever having the delight of christening the pitch during their last season. Meantime, I look forward to teaching over the noise of diggers and wolf whistles. Lastly I would like to thank the FP hockey players for their help this season, and especially Mo Wisely who organised the umpire's gang for each Saturday. It was a treat to be able to watch the teams, and to be able to get round everyone. For the first time since Joy Webster's era, nineteen seasons ago, we had total half-time input due to all this help. Now, if only Bob the builder would get his digger going, we could be equipped like a 21st century hockey-playing school. No lipstick allowed for games afternoons, girls. We must keep these pitch builders on task. Note: They are on site now - Editor. 7 July First Year Footba0 The Aberdeen Grammar School first year football team did not have a good start to the season. As a result of this, we did not quality for the 'A' League. We certainly had our fair share of great individual players, but unfortunately they just hadn't had enough time to gel together for these first few games. Before long, however, our potential became more obvious. As games went on and results started to go our way, we started to believe we could achieve, even in the biggest competitions such as the Scottish Cup. Our Scottish Cup adventure started against Bridge of Don, then we went on to defeat Bankhead and Kincorth (an Aberdeen City Cup-winning team). The game against Kincorth was won with a display which showed tremendous attitude. Josh Connon scored after two minutes and we held out for the 1-0 victory. We were still in the Cup competition beyond Christmas. After the Kincorth match I think the team really started to believe that winning the Scottish Cup wasn't just a fantasy it could be reality! For the last sixteen, our travels took us all the way to Stranraer - a six-hour trip, which meant we had to travel down the night before. Mr Adcy thought that a good night's sleep after the long journey would be beneficial to the team performance, which was definitely a good idea! On the day of the game, we awoke to a torrential downpour. We thought the game might be postponed and that we would have to make the long journey again, but an alternative to the waterlogged pitch was found. The rain was horizontal as the wind was so strong. Our Rugby tops weighed tonnes before the game had even started! Within the first twenty minutes we were one up. We ran into the changing rooms at halftime pleased and quite confident. With only ten minutes remaining of a game in which the whole team had performed heroically, we lost a goal. Then, in extra time, Stranraer scored two very late goals, so thus eventually defeated us 3-1. The confidence we had felt at half time was no longer there - exhaustion had taken over. The best result of the season for our team was our 5-2 demolition of League A Champions, St Machar. Our team had three strong players missing from the line-up in Daniel Tough, David Ross and Sam McKenzie. Within twenty minutes, we were 2-0 down and things were looking desperate. We got a goal before half time, though, and in the second half we were unstoppable, scoring a further four goals against the strongest team in Aberdeen. That was a semi-final, which meant that, for the first time together, we had reached a cup final! We played Portlethen in the final and, again, they were a very strong team. The match was tight, and in the first half we were unlucky not to score when Jamie Flume out-paced three defenders and his shot across the keeper hit the post. That was the closest either team came to scoring, so the winner had to be decided on penalties! We won 3-2 on penalties,

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Josh Connon putting away the all-important winner. The atmosphere was electric as the Grammar Senior team had another final on the next pitch and both school teams emerged winners. We had won the Green Final trophy in our first Season. We also won League 'B'. Looking back on the season, I think it was successful. Winning two competitions and getting into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup is something of which to be proud. We have heard that Stranraer have made it to the Scottish Cup final, so our dreams of winning the Scottish Cup were almost reality. I feel positive that we have a great chance of winning more competitions next year — especially the Scottish Cup! The full squad for the season was: Sam McKenzie, David Ross (Captain), Kyle Milne, Fraser Anderson (Vice-Captain), Stephen Molloy, Josh Connon, Jamie Rose, Gary Wilson, Matthew Bremner, Jamie Hume, Scott Wisely, Sean Moir, David Law (Club Captain), Riyadh Nacef, Hamish Wilson, Calvin Williams, Daniel Tough and Steven Boyd David Law Senior Football The season started off well with six players from the previous season's team remaining — John Shaw, Rory Annand, Alan Majury, Rory MacRae, Roy Fraser and Chris Lindsay. Of these, John Shaw, Rory Annand and Rory MacRae were also selected for the Aberdeen Schoolboy Select, thus giving the whole team a massive lift. This season there was no ►eague as such; instead the President's Cup competition comprised two groups, each of five teams. You then played all the teams in your group, with the top two from each progressing to the semi-final and then the final. Grammar were selected in a very tricky group with Bridge of Don, Mintlaw, Harlaw and ISA. We all realised that it would be hard to qualify from our group, but there was no doubting the quality we had. Our first competitive game of the season brought us up against one of the favourites, Bridge of Don. This was our first game together as a team, so there were some nerves beforehand and although we were under pressure for the majority of the game we defended magnificently. With only a few minutes remaining Rory Annand popped up to slot the ball home from six yards, and victory was ours. We followed this up with a 6-1 demolition of ISA which included a Roy Fraser hat-trick. Due to poor weather conditions and lack of available dates our next match against Mintlaw was doubly important as it counted for both the President's Cup and the Scottish Cup. We really should have won this match, but only managed a 4-4 draw after 90 minutes. As it was also the Scottish Cup we then played extra time and were beaten 6-4. Now out of the Scottish, the whole team was heartbroken. We managed to lift ourselves for the next match, however, and showed real class against rivals Harlaw, beating them 3-I. This victory also ensured that Grammar would qualify for the semi-finals as champions of our group, with Bridge of Don coming second. We had to play Bridge of Don in the other regional cup, and with mounting injuries the odds were firmly against us. We lost 2-0, and it was most certainly a day to forget. The team put this disaster behind them and concentrated on the next game, the semi-final against Westhill. Conditions were far from ideal on a wet and cold November day at Rubislaw, with gale force winds making it hard for both teams to play good football. This was most certainly a game of two halves. Grammar were playing against the wind in the first half and were under pressure for some periods, going in one down at the break. We dominated the second half, which was a completely different story, and were rewarded for our constant pressure with two goals from Robert Cumming and Alan Majury. This was a tremendous performance in which every player played his part. We had now done the hard work by getting to the final, and all we had to do was win. And whom were we going to play? Bridge of

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School Section Don! With each team winning one of our two previous encounters, both teams would most certainly be up for it. Finally the big day came, the match everyone had been waiting for, the big cup final. There had been a lot of hype about it in school in the weeks leading up to the match, which resulted in a quite hefty turnout to spur the team on, and we were desperate not to let our support down. The first half was fairly even, but Grammar had the best of the play with some good passing moves; we just couldn't make that final pass count. We went into halftime still level at 0-0, with the game perfectly poised until, on about 60 minutes, disaster struck, and Bridge of Don went one up. It was just a long ball over the top and their attacker was first to react and scored. This was the first chance they had and Daniel Napier in goal had had no prior save to make. This only seemed to spur us on and we threw everything we had at them. We even threw big Rory MacRae up front. Eventually our relentless pressure paid off when we were awarded a penalty for a blatant handball, with less than five minutes remaining. Alan Majury stepped up and slotted the ball neatly just inside the left hand post to level the game. So into extra time, and it did not take long for that man Majury to put Grammar ahead with another brilliant free kick. He placed the ball about 20 yards out and lifted it over the wall and past the despairing goalkeeper. This was the lead that we so greatly deserved, and it was well worth the wait. In the second half of extra time big Gavin Leel made it 3-1 with a well-timed header and the game was well and truly won. The final whistle eventually blew, followed by wild celebrations among all the Grammar side. As captain John Shaw lifted the cup high into the air and the wild roars of celebration rung out it was a great moment; one that will not be forgotten for a long time among everyone who was there. It seemed a long way away from our first victory over Bridge of Don back in September, but the team had come on so well that it was a fitting end to a great season in which each member of the squad can be proud of the part he played. An extra thank you must go to Mr McLeod for putting so much of his spare time into the team; his positive attitude lifted everyone, which was much appreciated and did not go unnoticed. The season ended with a testimonial match against the school's winning Scottish Cup team of 1995. A lot of planning went into this game, with players coming from as far as London, and it did not disappoint. It was a very exciting game, which ended in a 3-3 draw. The full Squad for the season was: Daniel Napier, John Shaw (Captain), Alex Scaly, Rory MacRae, Greg Wisely, David Cumming, Rory Annand (Vice-Captain), Alan Majury, Andrew MacGregor, Robert Cumming, Stuart Creighton, Gavin Led, Roy Fraser, Peter Cross, Chris Lindsay, Ryan Goaldie, David Stott, and Neil MacNeil. John Shaw Senior Rugby Before the 2003/04 season started the side was weakened with scrumhalf Rory Armand ruled out for the season with a serious back injury and lightning-paced back David Hume also out for the season with a horrific arm injury. David made it back for the first half of the last game, then dislocated his shoulder early in the second, but it was some tackle! The side consisted of many sportsmen including footballers, cricketers and some rugby players, captained by Andrew Russell with Grant Jamieson as vice. Several players were picked for Northeast District sides and the team also boasted two out of four players in the FP rugby youth academy, Andrew Forman (S4) and Patrick Maughan (S3), who are both capable of going far in the game. This year's team was highly reliant on talented younger players of S4 and some of S3 who all deserve mention for their efforts. Throughout the season there was not one of them who was not fully committed and giving 100%. The team had mixed fortunes, winning only two out of seven fixtures. We beat new rivals Mintlaw 32-21 at Rubislaw, and arch rivals Robert Gordon's 23-16 also at Rubislaw

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with 3rd year Ross McDougall scored the winning try from the last play! We had a disappointing cup run, losing away to Montrose 26-23, where four of our eight tries were disallowed and a penalty was converted by Jamieson. The recorded try scorers were Andrew Russell, Eoin Robertson, Andrew Forman and Struan Robertson. We were genuinely robbed as we actually did play well, four tries more than the opposition, and everyone was gutted, Reidy and Montgomery. "the management", included. Highlights of the season included the comedy bus trip to Gordonstoun, where the bus went on fire, and being able to play against lane Jericevich, also in the FP rugby academy/2nd XV and international squad, at Inverurie where he scored four tries to give his team the win, 32-21. It is important to mention that we were delighted to see former pupil Stuart Martin play 1st XV FP rugby this season. Hopefully some of the players from this year's side will follow; the talent is definitely there. Also congratulations must go to Alistair Ferguson (S5) on winning players' player of the year - it's just a shame that he will not be around next year to captain the side, as he is moving away. Finally thanks are due to Mr Damien Reidy for training the team throughout the season and putting up with them at games; everyone had great fun and learned a lot at his training sessions and we are just sorry that he was not repaid more often on the park. Another thank you must go to Mr Montgomery for arranging all of our fixtures, transport and for travelling with the team to away games. Squad: Andrew Russell (Captain), Grant Jamieson (Vice Captain), Luigi Govil, Guy Douglas, Struan Robertson, Nicky Riddoch, Ian Lumsden, Philip Grant, Andrew Philips, Alex Sealy, Kieran Findlay, Kier Booth, Alistair Ferguson, Raffiq Abdul-Jalil, Nick Hearn, Rory MacRae, Stuart Cadger, Elliot Verdee, Ryan Goldie, Liam Reid, Andrew Forman, David Buckett, Ralph Thompson, Eoin Robertson, Ritchie Dargie, Ross McDougall and Patrick Maughan. Secondary 1 Rugby In SI rugby this year we got off to a great start, beating Robert Gordon's College in our first tournament of the season, but from then on it seemed to go down hill and we lost to Huntly and to Gordon's on more than one occasion. However, thanks to our coaching and the team's perseverance we have improved and now we give everyone we play a hard match. In the team some players require mention for keeping us strong and always turning up. Ryan Craik was always there and was strong in the scrum and also up front; Neil Fraser used his outstanding strength and always hit as hard as possible. Mathew Smith was one of the biggest improvers of the year, and is now a fast and strong ball carrier who is not afraid to go in hard. The most experienced player this year was Patrick Watson, who did not miss a single training session and was always keen to share his knowledge. His outstanding skill helped us in many matches. In the backs this year there were many strong, dedicated players, especially Philip Lawton who secured his place as scrum half early on, and best friends Magnus and Kenneth who were always there. Andrew Smith showed great skill but did not always play, and Patrick Neville had great pace on the wing but was not always keen and let his attention slip in some training sessions. Others such as Callum Hendry did not play regularly, but showed promise for next session. So 1st year rugby this year has been great fun and I am sure the whole team will continue to improve to new levels of excellence next season. I would like to thank our coaches, Mr Montgomery and Adam. They did a brilliant job to encourage us by sharing their skills and knowledge. Even when it was dark and pouring with rain they would still be there to help us on. We must also thank Mr Lawton and Mr Craik, parents of Philip and Ryan, who came along to help and shared their knowledge of the game with us. 22

School Section

Secondary 2 Rugby This season the S2 Rugby team has had mixed fortunes. There have been great successes and unfortunate losses. At the start we were lucky to have coaches from the FP Club's 1st Team who helped us improve our game skills - for which we are very grateful; unfortunately we could not keep them! Our first main tournament was at Gordonstoun. We travelled by bus to Elgin with the senior team but only miles from our destination we had to stop because of technical difficulties. We played Gordonstoun and Nairn, losing against Gordonstoun in our first match but coming back victoriously to beat Nairn in the second and final game. This meant that we would have qualified for the tournament final at Murrayfield, but it was cancelled for financial reasons. During the Christmas period we had a few training sessions with the 1st year team, and enjoyed helping the younger, less experienced players to develop their skills. Our first game after Christmas was against Robert Gordon's C Team. During this we were missing a few of our best players and also some players were given restrictions on how far they could run. We won this game, but only narrowly. Our next big game was against Gordon's B Team. This time we had a full team and we handsomely defeated/thrashed them 71-5. Shortly after this game we faced the Robert Gordon's A Team. We were slightly daunted by this game, but we picked up our courage and performed well. Unfortunately we couldn't withstand the onslaught and lost. During this game one of our centres, Matthew Garden, took down the Gordon's best player with an outstanding tackle. We also scored two well deserved tries. We ended the season on a high note when we played Mintlaw at their home pitches. We again travelled with the senior team, but thankfully this time there were no mishaps. We beat Mintlaw quite convincingly with newcomers Andy Cairns, Jack and Andy Nicoll, Scott Calderwood and Chad Simpson all scoring tries. To sum up the season, we performed well and were only defeated by more experienced teams. Next season we hope to raise our game to a higher standard and hope to have more players at District level to join ow- team-mate and Captain, Ross Taylor, who is currently playing for the U-15 District team. We think after much debate (5 seconds actually), that the award for best player of the year could not go to just one person (apart from Ross) and that the whole team deserves praise for their constant determination and effort. The best newcomers were Chad Simpson and Andy Cairns; Andy only played two games due to his involvement in football, but he was outstanding. Finally, we would like to thank our coach Mr Montgomery for his efforts in coaching us and for organising our games. Rowing Rowing has grown through the School this year bringing many successes for our senior S6 pupils. Wins have been drawn from a variety of events, in a variety of boats. Jack Montgomery:-

Aberdeen Sprint — Men's R2 8 Inverness 4's Head of the River - Men's J 16 4+ Inverness 8's Head of the River - Men's R2 8 North East Regatta - Men's R2 8, .117 4+ Malcolm McLeish:- Inverness 4's Head of the River — Men's J18 4+ Inverness 8's Head of the River — Men's R2 8 North East Regatta - Men's R2 8 Vlad Liubarsky:Scottish Indoor Championships — Men's .118 (lightweight) 2"

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Inverness 8's Head of the River - Men's R2 8 North East Regatta - Men's R2 8 Aberdeen Sprint — Women's R2 8 Judith Herbert:Inverness 4's Head of the River - Women's J18 4+ Aberdeen 8's Head of the River — Women's Novice 8 Inverness 8's Head of the River - Women's R2 8 , Novice 8 Scottish Schools Head of the River - Girls' open 4+ champions North East Regatta - Women's JI8 2-, R2 8, Novice 8 These pupils are members of the senior crews and will be participating at National Level this summer in both Scottish and British Championships. Furthermore they have been attending trials to gain a place on the Scotland rowing team and are ranked highly in Scotland. Things are looking promising for their being selected, which will see them represent Scotland at the Home Countries International Regatta this summer in Nottingham. It has not just been the senior pupils who have been enjoying the sport this year. Many younger girls have been participating and are making their mark with wins at the North East and Strathclyde Park Regattas - Joy Davies S3, Antonia Hausler S2 and Phillippa Davies S2. All girls are showing skill in both skulling and sweep boats, and with the summer season upon us there will be many chances for them to gain more racing experience. Finally, over the last few weeks it has been encouraging to see some S2 boys coming along to the boathouse on a Sunday. Hopefully these boys will continue to enjoy the sport and encourage others to participate.

Clubs and Societies Book Club The club has continued to flourish with fifteen SI to S3 boys and girls, and occasional visits from older former members. Every Thursday lunchtime, discussion flowed about old favourites and new writers. Lively debate crackled on the dubious parentage of Harry Potter, the possibility that "Winnie the Pooh" could be read as a psychology handbook, and the rightful contender to Tolkien's crown: Pullman or Pratchett. To coincide with the BBC's campaign to find the Nation's favourite book (which we correctly guessed would be "The Lord of the Rings") the club published its own list of top ten reads. New writers introduced to the members this session included Mark Haddon — "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night", and Christopher Paolini with his astounding debut novel "Eragon." After a fifty-year hibernation in dusty English Grammar books, punctuation has become the in-thing thanks to Lynne Truss and the marvellous "Eats, Shoots and Leaves", which was the club's most popular non-fiction read. The club also had its annual outing to see "Return of the King" and then made posters promoting it throughout the school. Several suggestions for improvements to the club have been put forward such as extending the scope of the club to include media interests; forging links with other book clubs via the intemet; considering children's books in more detail e.g. Alice in "Alice in Wonderland", the first liberated child; going on more trips; donating old books: and building shelves in room ES. A further change may also be a merger with the Chess Club after which all we would then require to be a fully fledged Gentleperson's Club would be the port, newspapers and cigars. 24

School Section Chess Club When it was discovered that Gary Hughes, who was appointed to the staff at the beginning of the session, was a bit of a chess fanatic he was approached to see if he would be interested in running the Chess Club. He jumped at the chance. He arranged for a room to be available on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes, and games got underway. During the second term a School Championship was held in a knockout format. Players were randomly assigned to play each other. From an initial 16 players Archie Koudreiko (S5) and Jonathan Gordon (S2) fought their way through to the final. The end match saw early attacks from Archie which resulted in some key pieces being lost. Jonathan quickly capitalised on this to take the game and become this year's school champion. Unfortunately for the school and the chess club Mr Hughes is leaving at the end of the session to take up a post in Aberdeenshire. However, before his departure he made arrangements for an amalgamation to take place with the Book Club so that next year the chess club will continue under the supervision of Mrs Walker, who is not a chess player (yet!). We are indebted to Gary for the effort which he put in to revive the club and are obviously disappointed both to lose him and that he will not be there to share in the enthusiasm of the members of the club which he did so much to encourage. We wish him well in his new post. Craft Club The Craft Club continued to run this year, but due to the overwhelming interest last year and the constraint of cash flow, it was limited to SI. From October to Christmas, a dozen regulars turned up to make Christmas cards, decorations, masks and other festive baubles. Six eager beavers persuaded me to continue after Christmas, so we are pleased to say that with a bit of creative book-keeping, the club has run all year on Wednesday lunch-times (and often Thursday and Friday as well). 'Creative book-keeping' do we hear? Nothing 'dodgy', we assure you - we make and sell cards in the staff-room when we need funds for a new project. Craft material is very expensive, and although the pupils have been very good at bringing in materials from home, we are indebted to the staff for their support. Stocks of Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter and Birthday cards must be running rather high in staff households at the moment. In the future, we would like to extend our fund raising next year to cover parents' nights etc, once the current Enterprise Group are no longer competing with us! Theatre Club During this session the Theatre club has run a number of trips to both His Majesty's Theatre and the Aberdeen Arts Centre. Pupils of all ages have attended visits to Romeo & Juliet, Blood Brothers, the HM Theatre Panto 'Peter Pan', Les Miserables and Cats. 'Peter Pan' was a particular hit with pupils. Not only could they cheer on our very own Amy Lennox, who played Wendy, but also Gordon Smith (S3), who played John, and Jack and Andrew Nicoll (S2) who played Lost Boys. They all greatly enjoyed their first experience of professional pantomime. To add to the evening pupils were given a tour backstage and bumped into Cameron from Big Brother on the dressing room stairs — a perfect end to a perfect evening. Literary & Debating Society A recent survey said that a majority of people fear public speaking more than death, which presumably makes me some sort of Evil Knievel-esque lunatic, or perhaps a deluded thrill-seeker who should be viewed with suspicion and ill-concealed distaste. 25

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Perhaps not. Debating probably isn't the next bungee-jumping, but must seem an odd thing to most pupils in Aberdeen Grammar School, who only witness it in the form of the 'talent' shows, the interminable news-sheet items, embarrassing pictures in the local papers and the in-school debates. But debating is more than bad in-jokes and getting into the local rag. A certain gentleman once said that what pupils see of AGS debating was like a bikini -- while it may be suggestive, it also conceals what's important. So is debating important? Well, it is an employable skill, and if that survey tells us anything, it is that being able to stand up in public and talk confidently and persuasively is perhaps quite a rare skill, and one worth trying to be good at. The ancient and honourable art of talking convincingly is one which we all need if we are to survive in the world of university interviews and presentations for tutorials, and to be able to interact with people on a day-to-day basis. A better practical training in logic would be hard to come by outside a university, and the necessity of knowing what's going on in the world creates some of the most wellinformed, politically aware people I have ever met. I think it no coincidence that our three last world-standard speakers got into Oxbridge, and the plethora of students on the debating circuit going to excellent universities such as Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge is testament to debating's huge educational value. But let us not forget that while debating is, of course, all about the skills you acquire and the friends you make along the way, and of course the taking part, it is also about winning. Winning lots. And I think I can say without fear of contradiction that this has been the most successful year in the Grammar's entire very long and illustrious history. Quite apart from numerous smaller successes (the number of 'Best Speaker' prizes alone notched up by both our speakers has been unmatched in recent history) ours has become the only school in living memory to win every single Scottish University Schools' competition in one year (all six of them), and to crown that achievement by beating off 450 other schools to win what is probably Britain's most illustrious debating trophy, the Cambridge Union International Schools Debating Competition, in which not only did we win in the final, but we also picked up best speaker and best team over the course of the whole day. We have also become, I believe, the only school ever to have won an Inter-Varsity Competition by winning the Dundee Open Tournament, a competition normally reserved for students and graduates. I believe that Aberdeen Grammar's success at university level this year has been nothing short of unbelievable. However, it would be a poor reflection on debating if I did nothing but crow about our successes. This has been my final year, so I suppose that this article has something of a swan song about it. It only remains for me to say that it would be very remiss of me not to mention the incomparable help we have received from Noelle Straiton, Helen limes, Duncan Cockburn and the many others who gave us advice and training along the way. We would not have got anywhere without them, and with their continuing help and dedication I'm sure that I leave the Aberdeen Grammar Debating Society in good heart, and I'm also sure that our successes will continue. Just remember never to take it too seriously, always to listen to what the other side are saying, and if you need some facts which you don't have (a survey about death and public speaking, for example), then just make it up.

William Jones Junior Debating The enthusiasm of the younger pupils to go along at lunchtimes twice a week and engage in debate on all sorts of topics just grows and grows. Their spirit for, and skills in, the art of pitting their wits verbally against each other improves with each meeting. Whilst obviously seeking to emulate the excellent example set for them by their senior colleagues, they can feel proud of their efforts in their own right. They have travelled well furth of

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School Section Aberdeen to compete against a variety of opposition and on each occasion acquitted themselves very well. The culmination of the year was the competition for the School Shield for Junior Debating. No one could have predicted just who would win and such was the eagerness to enter that the preliminary rounds had to be held simultaneously in three different rooms. After a close fought contest Rachel Watson emerged as the winner, with Timothy Coleman and Natalie Smith as the runners up. No club can run in the school without the involvement of the staff and in this respect Junior Debating owes a huge debt of gratitude to all who have come along to support them, but especially to Miss MacBean, whose personal enthusiasm and encouragement has done so much to ensure the success of junior debating both at present and in the future — a future which will undoubtedly witness a continuing stream of pupils gaining so much enjoyment, camaraderie and personal development from being members of this club. Music Life in the music department continues at its usual frenetic pace with an abundance of extra-curricular activities on offer at lunchtimes and after school. All of these groups are given a chance to perform at one of the school concerts, and relish the opportunity and welcome the response from playing to a "live" audience. Our most recent event in March featured a newly formed Gospel Choir. This fell under the baton of Tracey Mair, an S6 Advanced Higher music pupil, who founded the group as part of her course under the Training and Directing option. Their lively renditions of "Lean on Him" and "Oh, Happy Day" were warmly received and so impressive that, shortly afterwards, they were invited to participate in the "Visit Scotland" promotion at the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre. This gave them only three weeks to hurriedly learn a Scottish repertoire for the occasion! The two school choirs were again very successful at the Aberdeen and North-East of Scotland Music Festival. The Senior Choir, under the direction of Mrs Zoe Birnie, brought home the Challenge Banner for the fourth time, while the Juniors were equally as efficient in retaining the trines Rose Bowl for another year. The choice of "Grease" for our annual school show caught the imaginations of our pupils as the school abounded with wannabe "Sandys" and "Dannys". The usual intensity of rehearsals continued through the opening term, culminating in an enthusiastic and energetic production in November, aided and abetted by an equally zealous rock band as Grease fever took the Grammar School by storm. In December, St Machar's Cathedral resounded to the seasonal offerings of our choirs, orchestra and brass ensemble as our Carol Service got under way. Parents and friends of the school, whatever the weather conditions, faithfully support this event and are happy to make this annual pilgrimage. The Ceilidh Band meets regularly each Wednesday and, as well as performing at the concerts, is delighted to provide the entertainment for Gilcomstoun Primary at their annual PTA Ceilidh. The band eagerly enter into the spirit of the evening with their jigs and reels, setting toes a-tapping and putting the dancers through their paces and pas-de-bas! Many of our youngsters are extremely gifted and belong to various national music bodies. We have seven pupils in the National Youth Children's Orchestra, two in National Youth Boys' Choir, numerous who attend the North-East of Scotland Music School and a bass pupil at the Junior Academy, in Glasgow. These pupils are to be commended for their hard work and dedication, giving freely of their spare time and holidays to rehearse, perform and to step a little nearer to their goals. We continue to be indebted to our loyal band of instructors who faithfully rehearse our ensembles each week. The love of their subject shines through as they coax and cajole, support and encourage with infinite wisdom and patience. Finally, credit must go to all of our dedicated young musicians who steadfastly support our extracurricular activities throughout the year. They display exemplary self-discipline, a maturity beyond their years,

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine and are excellent role models for others whilst helping promote a healthy working ethos within the music department and the whole school. Science Club The Science Club continues to attract a number of the younger pupils at lunchtimes when they go along to learn things about science, but at the same time have fun. The activities this year have covered a wide range of topics and included the oxygen gas test, the hydrogen gas test, making methane bubbles, looking at things under the microscope, studying the wildlife in the wildlife garden — in fact any number of issues which enhanced their understanding and enjoyment of science. In June members went along to the Beach Ballroom to hear a talk from an astronaut from NASA about his experiences in space. The club is, therefore, a great way for pupils to combine all the advantages of an extra-curricular activity with an interest in one of the areas of the curriculum, and all the members are very grateful to the members of staff from the science department who give up their own time at lunchtimes to encourage them to find out more and, at the same time, expand on their learning in a more informal setting. As the pupils say, they end up thinking that science is cool ! School Magazine A dedicated team consisting of John Crystal, Judith Herbert and Paul Davies worked tirelessly to produce this year's school magazine entitled S.W.I.L. Under the direction of Miss Sinclair of the English Department they gathered in an amazing range of articles from contributors across the different year groups and, using their obvious editorial talents, put together a very interesting and readable publication. There was an excellent mix of articles, ranging from interviews with stars such as Girls Aloud and Mr Johnston to the more traditional short literary items. They also had articles on more curious topics, such as the mysteries of Mr Donald's moustache, things to do with an essay and the diary of a 6th year non-prefect. All in all, it proved to be an entertaining read, with something to interest all members of the school community.

Wildlife Garden The following is an extract from this year's school magazine: "Gardening Guru Gives Exclusive Interview "Recently, the quadrangle has been given a new lease of life by Miss Jenny Cawdron and her very own Ground Force Team. We caught up with the Green Fingered Goddess to ask her how she did it. "Editor: What possessed you to start a maintenance regime in the Wildlife Garden after it has actually been devoid of anything living for so long? "Miss Cawdron: Well, actually Mr Jones did some work on it. He put goldfish in the pond about fifteen years ago, but two years ago I had a teacher placement at the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology. As part of that placement I attended a one-day seminar at which the speakers were trying to encourage people to devote an area of land to wildlife, and I thought, well there's bound to be a place in school and it would be useful. I was going to do the garden next to the 6th year garden, the one that's really wasteland. However, the logistics of keeping that land clean, vandal free and clearing the broken glass, etc., didn't seem a good plan, so the quadrangle seemed best and the Rector was quite happy to have that developed, which is why I'm doing it. "Ed: Is that why you decided to start the renewal this year? "Miss C: I think it was about two years ago that we secured funding from Scottish National Heritage and it was this year we started doing it.

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School Section "Ed: Have you had much help with the work in the Garden? "Miss C: There are three members of staff who are regular helpers and there are about ten pupils who come along and help, but it varies quite a bit. With fundraising and actual help in the garden, around 60 people have been involved one way or another and about a dozen staff have been involved quite actively, but actual physical digging is less popular. "Ed: Are you looking to recruit more helpers? "Miss C: Oh yes, the more the merrier. I give freebies to people who come and work juice, cake and things like that. "Ed: There was recently a fund-raising campaign run by you. Can you explain what that involved? "Miss C: We raised money by getting staff and pupils to sell bulbs to their friends and families. A Dutch company provided the bulbs and we got money for every LI0 worth of bulbs that were sold. In all, I think we raised about £3000 from the bulb campaign for the Garden. "Ed: Is there much work left to do in the Wildlife Garden, or just general maintenance? "Miss C: No, just some small things left to do in the Spring, but the bulk of the work is done. "Ed: Now with the Garden in some sort of order, what will it be used for? "Miss C: It has to be supervised by staff at all times because of the pond, which is a health hazard as someone could fall in, and also because of the wall, as someone could fall off that. In my grant application I said that members of staff could use the Garden and the most obvious uses are as inspiration for Art or English, and obviously for Biology, but any department is welcome to use it and it's supposed to be extended for use by primary schools. "Ed: Is maintaining the Garden something that will be done in subsequent years? "Miss C: The SNH grant is to maintain it for the next 10 years and if 1 don't, I am liable to lose the grant and I'd have to pay the £1300 back, which would be a problem. Part of the contract is to maintain it for the next 10 years". At the end of June the Rector, Mr Johnston, officiated at a tree-planting ceremony in the Wildlife Garden. This was organised and arranged by the School Board to mark Mr Johnston's retinal, and a plaque will be put in place to recognize the event.

Face the Music: "Grease" "There's no business like show business"..... or so they say! In the small world of show business at the Grammar School, 2004 was a year filled with cheerleaders, pink ladies, greasers and geeks, that's right, ladies and gentlemen, 2004 was the year of Grease! This year, the Face the Music production took us on a honky-tonk ride through the various antics of 1950s students at the notorious Rydell High. Crammed with everything from dancing contests to shiny silver toilet roll head-dresses, this musical was like the high-school experience we never had! Back in the dim and distant days of August, it looked like we were NEVER going to make it. Certain 6th year boys were having some slight problems with the dance moves, harmonies for 'Beauty School Dropout' were far from perfect and Miss Adams was having another 'This is my last show EVER' moment! After a few months, however, we were almost there and with some amazing 'Magic Changes' in the production weekend, as always, goodness knows how, we dedicated Rydell students finally made it! With neck scarves tied, last minute lines learned, hair slicked to within an inch of its life, mittens thrown around kittens and certain 'inappropriate' lines doctored to suit the Rector's ears, we were ready to go! Priceless moments were ten a penny during the three performance nights! Some more memorable ones include Lucy's unfortunate incident with the loss of her toilet roll headdress in the middle of a song. Luigi's slight mix up with one of his lines, the stunning 29

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

special effects for the luminous pink 'Greased Lightening' and Jordan receiving a particularly hard slap as the 'Teen Angel' on the last night! But, of course, without moments like these, the show certainly would not have been as extraordinarily electrifying as it turned out to be! All cheesy lines aside, without the incredible time and effort that all staff put into the show, we'd be scuppered, quite frankly! And, ht's face it, a show wouldn't be a show without Miss Adams' comfort cravings and threats of never doing a show again, Mrs MacLeod's last minute rehearsals, Mr Hutton's constant shrieking from the wings, Mr Gordon's technical pottering and calming influence and Mrs Belford's amazing ability to put up with the huge amounts of ironing and strops from the cast! Well, there we have it folks, another year over, another show over. Here's hoping that next year's cast can live up to this year's performance!!!

Charities Group Life in the Charities group goes on pretty much as normal. We meet on the first Tuesday every month and attendance at meetings has been good. Some new young blood has emerged to help with our work, namely the ever enthusiastic Chris McKie, 3/4 and Carla Plasberg-Hill 3/I, both of whom are stalwarts of the Craft Club run by Mrs Arthur (Geography) which puts in a lot of effort. In a changing and often troubled world, Charities Group members decided that our donations should be given to as many different types of Charities as possible, local, national and international. Pupils have continued to support our six Third World children in Uganda, Haiti, Guatemala, India, Malawi and Bangladesh through the Sponsored Child scheme. Kerrie Bavidge, a former pupil and ex-member of the Charities Group, came in to school to talk about her medical placement in Peru. In addition, ad hoc collections were made for Children in Need, the Earl Haig Fund and other charities. Jordan Hewitt, 5/4 the winner of the Caritas Cup for services to the community, was the driving force behind these contributions. There was a tremendous response to Mrs Welsh's (P.E.) appeal for shoe boxes full of goodies for Bosnia. The English department with their Readathon and other schemes raised over f1700. Mr Jones (Biology) and his tube in Lab 9 is just one other example of the many other little projects that go on throughout the school. Dr Selway (Chemistry) made a generous contribution of £130 in early summer last year, which was added to one of our donations. The departing Mrs Belford (Home Economics) has, among other ways, supported our work by organising a coffee morning for Cancer Relief which raised a decent sum of money. Miss Adams (Drama) gave profits from programme sales from her excellent 'Grease' school show to North East Cancer Care (CRANES) in memory of the late Mrs. Johnston. This was to supplement our own donation to the same charity for the same reason. We cannot close this dispatch without thanking our retiring Rector, Mr Johnston, who has been a generous giver to different charities over the years and has supported our efforts to raise money in school for numerous causes. The same can also be said of Mr Wilson, Mrs Belford, Mrs Strachan, Mrs Leiper, Mrs Robertson and Mr Craig, other long serving staff members taking their leave of us. Donations 2003-04 : Bamardos £ 100 Red Cross Iraq Crisis Appeal 100 Kerrie Bavidge's Peruvian Project 100 Cornerstone Community Care 100 Northsound's Cash for Kids Appeal 100 Sue Ryder Donor Care Team 100 Cancer Research Aberdeen & NE Scotland 300 Aberdeen & District Friends of CHAS 350 30

School Section Cyrenians RNLI Appeal Islamic Relief for Iranian Earthquake Victims Flora Bramwell-Hook's Project Trust placement Aris Primary School in Namibia

350 200 200 200 200 £ 2.404

Enterprise Education As indicated in recent editions of the Magazine, Enterprise Education has now become established as a key issue in the curriculum of Scottish schools. Lots of encouragement has been given to the development of this initiative through things like government funding, backing from high profile people in the world of commerce, and work and support from national bodies such as Careers Scotland. Consequently, we have incorporated enterprise education into the development planning at the School and a staff group was set up to take the exercise forward. As well as previously existing opportunities in the form of Work Experience for all Third Year pupils and the Young Enterprise Scheme open to senior pupils, we have organised other whole year group involvement in enterprise activities. The Second Year all attended an event in February which promoted the world of marketing and manufacturing. In June all of First Year were involved in an Enterprise Day organised by Careers Scotland and run in the school. Recognising these developments and the progress made in addressing the required national entitlement for pupils experiencing enterprise initiatives as they progress through school, we are proud to announce that Aberdeen Grammar School gained the Gold Award for Enterprise Education for the 5 - 14 stages. This was handed over at an event in May organised by the Scottish Enterprise Programme of Careers Scotland. Two second year pupils, Rachel Watson and Timothy Coleman, went along to the Exhibition Centre that day to represent the School and collect the framed certificate which is now on display outside the School Office. Young Enterprise Another group of eager fifth and sixth years joined together to form this year's Young Enterprise Company, Lonely Duck. Focusing their main attention on producing a CD featuring local bands, the company began producing greetings cards while the recording of their CD took place. These high quality cards proved very successful and popular amongst all their customers, and continued to feature in their market once the CDs arrived. With enthusiasm, creativity and dynamic sales and marketing techniques, Lonely Duck won the prize for best stall at the annual Christmas Fayre in Aberdeen's Music Hall. They then went on to sweep the boards at the Young Enterprise Grampian Final in May, at which they won both prizes - for best presentation and as overall winner. This is the second year that both prizes have been won by one company - and on both occasions they have been Aberdeen Grammar School companies. Lonely Duck then took part in the Scottish Finals in Edinburgh in June. At this they won the junior Quality Scotland award for Best Quality Report. The team members representing the company in Edinburgh were Andrew Dean, Anna John, Jordan Hewitt, Alison Boyd and Lucie Murray. They were accompanied by Mrs Jackie Laundon who has provided a tremendous level of support to the pupils throughout the session

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Home Economics "Future Cher Competition In this year of debate about a change of name for Home Economics (it could be called "Health, Food & Textile Technology" soon) it seemed fitting that an S2 pupil. Philippa Davies, won the school round of this competition. She represented the School in the Grampian heat of the competition at Banff & Buchan College, where she was placed second equal, with commendation for her skills, a very creditable performance from the youngest competitor. Home Economics already encompasses three different 'Hospitality' courses at the School, all of which have been fully subscribed for next session. This, hopefully, could mean pupils willing to enter more competitions next year.

Staff Changes Rarely, if ever, has there been the simultaneous exodus from the School of so many senior staff all at one time. They have all, unfortunately for the School, come to the point of retirement at the same time, which means that the accumulated talent and experience which will walk out of the building on 2 July 2004 can only be described as unbelievable. One department is suffering a double blow as two of its most senior members both go at once. Mr Michael Wilson, Principal Teacher of Mathematics, joined the staff in 1966, and has presided over the Maths Department for 30 years having taken on the formidable challenge of following in the footsteps of the previous revered incumbent, Archie Baxter. He rose quickly and most efficiently to the challenge, and has coped admirably with all the various demands and initiatives directed at him and his subject ranging through the multiplicity of new curricula from 5-14, with its National Testing regime, to the present Higher Still, with its multi-level assessment criteria. Mike always had his subject, his staff and his pupils at the forefront of his endeavours, and all these groups owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his dedication and efforts. His impact was also felt beyond the classroom, as he involved himself in many aspects of the wider life of the school. The chess club, golf, badminton and the P.T.A. feature among those to have benefited from Mike's skill and wisdom. Mrs Dorothy Robertson, Teacher of Mathematics, is retiring after 27 years here, and an astonishing 42 years in total in teaching, and is the other mathematician who is leaving us. When asked recently what she would like to be remembered for she said "organisation, discipline and hence good results". A host of former pupils will testify to the fact that these were indeed the hallmarks of her time in the Grammar. After her early years spent in the Rosemount Annexe, Dorothy moved to the Main Building into the room previously occupied by John Flett, which may, or may not, have influenced her modus operandi! Prior to the recent reorganisation of promoted staff job titles and roles, Dorothy held the post of Senior Teacher and latterly was responsible for the organisation and administration of Activities Week, a task which she carried out with formidable efficiency. Outside the classroom, she coached pupils in badminton for many years and was a stalwart in helping to organise the Leavers' Ball over many occasions. Mrs Eileen Strachan, Principal Teacher of Guidance, is retiring after 21 years in the School, and has been a Guidance Teacher for more than 30 years. She has been a tower of strength in all her time with us and the absolute epitome of empathy, that quality so essential in Guidance. She has been constantly reliable, approachable. supportive and efficient — all of the characteristics which an ideal Guidance teacher exemplifies. Throughout all that time she has managed to be a very successful History teacher as well. She served the School in many different ways including support for social events like School Dances and extra-curricular activities in addition to being staff representative on the School Board for a four year term of office. 32

School Section

the appointment of Mrs Sheilagh Belford as Principal Teacher Home Economics was the first appointment made by the (then) new Rector in 1987. She has been described by an admiring young teacher as someone who knows absolutely everything about Home Economics and is so nice with it. She is just as well respected by all her colleagues at all stages of experience throughout the country. She has organised a very bright, welcoming Home Economics department, having previously done wonders with the Home Economics department housed at annexe B in Rosemount. She, too, has contributed to the School in so many ways, the most outstanding of which is undoubtedly her twelve highly successful school shows as wardrobe mistress. Mrs Moira Leiper, Principal Teacher Support for Learning, is retiring after 17 years here. Probably more than any other Principal Teacher, Moira has had responsibility for an area of change and development with the political significance of 'inclusion' and the blending of Support for Learning with Guidance and Behaviour Support. She has managed this with very notable diplomacy and tact and, despite two moves of her department. she has created a very stable and welcoming base for this area of responsibility. She, too, has seen quite a change in her working environment having originally been housed in one of the Garrets at Rosemount B. Her contributions to school life have been quietly effective and constant, as the many beneficiaries from the paired reading scheme will testify. Also leaving us, but not quite having reached the 'mature' stage of the others, is Mr Alan Craig, Principal Teacher of Craft, Design and Technology. Alan is, in fact, heading off with his wife and family to start a new life in New Zealand and has secured a post in his subject starting in August. Alan has been with us for twelve years and took over the department in 2000, at a time when the old idea of 'Techy' was being replaced by the new demands of technology, design and a surge of new related courses. Alan's natural disposal towards computers, and the opportunities which they offer, meant that he was well suited to oversee the new demands of his subject. In addition, he very willingly channelled his skills into the creation and building up of the school website. Despite the distance, we will undoubtedly be able to keep in touch with him and his progress through the wonders of email and related technology, and we wish him all success in his new life down under. As stated at the outset, the 2nd of July will be a day of departures which no school wishes to see happen all at one time, and probably few have had such an experience. The position is even worse when one adds to the list the Rector, Mr Johnston, and Miss Kerry Joss who, after six years with us, leaves to take up a promoted post in the Languages department of Robert Gordon's College. Her services here, and in particular her organisation of the Markdorf link, have been greatly appreciated. To conclude on a positive note, successors to all of the above have been appointed and we know that they will bring with them their own high levels of professional skill and ability which will maintain the standards and progress set out by their predecessors. To all those about to leave we bid a very fond farewell and say a huge "thank you" for the 155 years of accumulated service which they have unstintingly devoted to Aberdeen Grammar School. School Board The Board has had, as usual a busy and varied year. Among the many matters which the Board considered were: • The appointment of a successor to the Rector (the Board was represented on the appointment committee). • The provision of a Games Hall. This project has now been transferred from the 3Rs PPP/PFI Programme to direct funding by the City Council, and this should lead to an earlier completion. • The Rubislaw Field facilities. The Board welcomes the imminent start of Phase I of this project.

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.4herdeen Grammar .Sc•hool ,tlagazine Job-Sizing for teaching staff. This was a matter involving the Board in considerable correspondence with officials and ministers. • The Accord Card. The Board's concerns remained regarding the operation of the system for pupils. Readers with long memories will recall most of these topics as being on last year's list! Plus ea change A number of faces have changal - Roddy Begg, John Cowie and Lesley Watson have left the Board, while John Landragon, Andy MacLeod, Euan Meams and Keith Milne have joined it. Finally, the Board regrets the imminent loss of the wise counsels and unfailing courtesy of the Rector, Mr Johnston, but looks forward to working with his successor. •

Parent Teacher Association The year 2003-4 began as usual for the PTA with the Annual General Meeting. This was rather sparsely attended, which was particularly disappointing given that we had invited Mr. Arthur McCombie to come along before the meeting to give us an illustrated talk on the history of the School. This was a fascinating and, of course, very amusing dip into Arthur's phenomenal memory bank. The small audience was most appreciative of his time and effort, and those who stayed on enjoyed learning even more over a glass of wine. The major fundraising event this year was the annual Ceilidh which took place in February and was a great evening with Halleyracket keeping everyone on their feet until the very end. The stovies were prepared for us by Betty from the FP Club Centre and were excellent, as ever. The raffle held during the event contributed to the healthy profit. In April the PTA organised a Car Boot Sale in the rear playground. The weather stayed fine and the atmosphere was very lively, with lots of stalls selling an amazing range of goods. This was a first attempt and the organisers learned quite a lot, so that if we repeat the event we might do some things a bit differently! We still managed to make over f400 in a little over two hours. The focus for fundraising this year has been to raise enough to replace the curtains in the School Hall. These are in a very poor state and their replacement will help to make the hall look more attractive, but will also provide shelter from the sun and privacy for pupils sitting exams. The Association's band of volunteers has once again provided refreshments at school events - parents' evenings, concerts etc. Staff and parents are grateful for the effort that goes into this. Communicating with parents remains one of the PTA's main difficulties. Pupil post is notoriously unreliable in secondary school, and we are reluctant to eat into our funds by posting letters home. We have tried collecting email addresses but that didn't work either. The School website is currently being upgraded, and we have decided to use the PTA page of this to keep people informed of events and to enable parents to contact us. This work has not yet been completed, but watch this space.

Kate Graham

The Phil Love Trophy When considering the potential candidates for this award each year some of the criteria taken into account include the excellence of the level of achievement, the endeavour and dedication shown in their chosen field and the personal and wider honour bestowed on them both locally and nationally. This year the award goes jointly to two young people whose record surpasses the rigorous requirements for being considered and who have established themselves as something of a national team whose reputation now goes before them. They are Rose Grogan and William Jones, and they receive the Trophy for what can only be described as an almost clean sweep of victory and success in the world of debating. They have been very much a team. They have operated very well together and 34

School Section

through their different styles have complemented each other to provide a well-balanced and formidable force to be reckoned with. Individually, however, their talents have also been recognised, as is confirmed by each of them winning the Best Speaker awards in several of the competitions in which they took part. The overall list of their success is quite breathtaking. They have won: • The Lloyds/North of Scotland Senior Schools Debating Competition. ■ The Aberdeen University Senior Schools Debating Competition. ■ The Dundee University Senior Schools Debating Competition. ■ The Edinburgh University Senior Schools Debating Competition. • The Glasgow University Senior Schools Debating Competition. ■ The St Andrews University Senior Schools Debating Competition. • The Cambridge University Senior Schools National Debating Competition. • The Dundee University Inter-Varsity Competition. As if the embarrassment caused to all the university debaters by that last one was not enough, they were also finalists in: ■ The Durham University Schools National Debating Competition. • The English Speaking Union Scottish Senior Schools Competition; and semi finalists in: • The Oxford University Schools National Debating Competition. ■ The Law Society for Scotland National Competition. As a fitting climax to their season of successes they won the Ross Cup on the glorious 5th of May (referred to elsewhere in other articles in this Section of the Magazine). The Ross Cup is competed for by the best four teams in Scotland. Each of these successes is an achievement in its own right, but some detail surrounding them is both significant and indicative of the talent and tenacity of these two. For a start, to get to any finals usually means having won their way through three preliminary/regional rounds. The Glasgow University Debate was then held on the day after the three-night run of the School Musical "Grease" in which they were both involved. It meant a 6.30am start the next day and, to her credit, Rose still managed to gain the best speaker award. They were invited to take part in the Inter-Varsity Competition at Dundee and went along, as they put it, "to learn and to enjoy the experience". It is an open competition with world standard speakers. They won it! At Oxford, in what is probably the biggest competition of its type, they reached the last eight. But perhaps their sweetest success, and proudest moment, was their win at Cambridge University. The competition attracts 450 teams, which means 900 speakers. Having won the regional rounds they won the Scottish final and went on to do battle on the day. As the event proceeded their prowess was becoming evident and people were seeking out their location to go and listen to them perform in the stages leading up to the final debate. In what was a clean sweep they were victorious in winning the trophy, with William being declared 1st on the tab and Rose being declared 2nd on the tab. Truly remarkable. Rose and William are, therefore, very deserving winners of this years' Phil Love Trophy. Their road to success has involved them in masses of preparation and planning, discussion about possible motions, the creation of points they might make, and the obvious research to equip them on a wide range of topics. Debating is an activity where you have to think on your feet and cannot go along with just a speech in your pocket. These two young people have proved just how alert they are in such circumstances and have coped magnificently with the myriad of motions with which they have been confronted. Both have somehow or other also found time to be involved in the wider life of the School as well as unstintingly supporting the School Debating Society at both Junior and Senior Levels. Rose, who has just entered Sixth Year, has been appointed Head Girl for session 2004-05. William, on the other hand, leaves to go to university where he intends to do a degree in Philosophy and Political Economy at Oxford. He is currently ranked

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

highest in School Debating in Scotland and gained a School Cap for his achievements in debating. We congratulate both of them on all they have achieved, culminating in the award of this Trophy, and recognise their achievements with pride. They were very much a team, but we wish them success individually as they progress over the coming years.

Tree Planting Ceremon Mr Johnston & Senior Prefects

General Section The Great Wall Challenge The Great Wall of China is something I've always wanted to see. I know that we shouldn't keep lists of places to visit just so that we can tick them off when we finally make it. But I do have a list, and the Great Wall was on it, or was until 20th May 2004. That was the day that along with my sister, Michelle, and our friend, Judith, I headed for Heathrow to join around sixty others to go to China and trek on the Great Wall. The reason we were doing this was to raise money for Cancer Research UK, and with our £3,000 personal target safely reached we took off for Beijing. Our first glimpse of 'the wall' was as we neared our first night's accommodation at Simatai. If we were nervous about the trek before, we were certainly more apprehensive now. High up on the crest of a very large mountain was a section of the Great Wall, a section that we were informed would be tackled on day three. It looked spectacular as it perfectly outlined the hill-top. It also looked very daunting. Still, that's why we were here. As the sun set on our first day in China we grabbed some beers and started getting to know some of our fellow trekkers. With such a large group we knew we probably wouldn't meet everyone, but we made a start. By the end of the evening we had our new best friends. The next morning, after our 6.30am wake up call, we piled on to buses to take us to Gubeikou - our first day's trek would be on a 14th century section of the wall. Today was to be a relatively easy day, apparently, with just five hours of trekking. As we arrived we were vociferously greeted by local farmers (called 'hello people') whose livelihoods had been taken away from them by the government, and who now relied on the ever increasing tourist trade for income. They want to carry your bag and help you negotiate the wall, for a small fee, and will follow you for the whole day. So, with 'hello ladies' following us, we set off on our first day's trekking. Our one large group was divided into three smaller groups (although not that small with so many hello people) and our newly formed band was first to head off We headed up a dry and dusty path for about twenty minutes until we finally reached the wall. This was it. All our fundraising and training were for this moment. We were about to start trekking on the Great Wall of China. And I can't begin to describe how spectacular it really is. This section is not renovated which, to be honest, I think we all expected. In fact, for the most part it was hard to tell it was a wall at all. For as far as the eye can see the wall meanders its way along, up and down, dividing Mongolia from Simatai. The trekking was hard. It was very hot but there is the chance of shade every 100 to 200 metres in a watchtower, which also offers the chance to catch your breath and drink some water. The undulating nature of the hills meant that as much time was spent going downhill as up, which proved quite tricky, particularly as every step was wobbly, corroded or just not there. There were places where most of the wall just slipped away leaving a three feet wide path with a sheer drop of 50 feet on either side - those with height issues relied on their hello ladies for a helping hand. The rest of the day was spent walking through farmland, since we couldn't walk any further along the wall — the next section was in a military zone and a lone soldier could be seen patrolling — it's nice to see the wall being used for the purpose for which it was intended! Being first to finish, we took advantage of the enterprising Chinese tourist industry to buy some cold beers and toast our first day triumph. If that was an easy day then I wasn't looking forward to the harder ones, but for the time being we all felt slightly smug and satisfied with the day's achievements. Each day's trek would bring different scenery and new challenges. On day two we started where we had finished the day before, at

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

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Monique, Michelle and Judith on Day One of their Trek

General Section Jinshanling, and walked on more renovated sections, although there was still a fair share of treacherous bits. And it was steep. The thighs were burning going up, the knees aching going down. It was a long day, 7 or 8 hours' trekking in blistering heat, but group camaraderie kept everyone going. We finished at our lodge in Simatai. Day three, we had been told, would be one of the hardest (because the first two had been so easy!) We continued on from where we had been yesterday and we all knew that meant a hard trek to begin with, since we had already seen the steps. It was almost as if they had built the wall to keep people away! The first hour was entirely up-hill. Each step was a different height and a different width, and they just seemed to go on forever. The towers again provided shade, but only a quick rest stop as there were more steps to climb. It was a lung-busting morning and possibly even hotter than the previous days. Again, we reached a military zone so had to leave the wall. We waded through a veritable jungle. came across a village, and then carried on up an exposed hill. It was a long and hot trek and by the time we reached the top there were a few of us feeling a little queasy, myself included. One of our group was really suffering and the stretcher was called into action. She was taken off the hill but thankfully recovered enough to rejoin the trek on day five. On day four the weather changed quite dramatically. We had moved lodges to Wuzoulou Mountain and the trekking here involved more of a mountain hike than what we had experienced so far. However, it was raining, a lot, and it was quite cold. After three hours of climbing through lush undergrowth we had to turn back as the path became a mudslide. It was just too dangerous to continue. The next day the weather was back to hot and sunny. We could only see the wall in the distance as we hiked through Black Dragon Pool Park. The change in scenery was as dramatic as the change in weather: lots of waterfalls and rocky river gorges. Day six, Thursday 27th May, our final day of trekking. For the first couple of days of our adventure I'd thought the trekking would never end; now I didn't want it to. Emotions were running high as we took off, our three trekking groups now combined into one for the final stage. The Mutianyu section is one of the most visited sections of the Great Wall; even President Clinton had been here in 1998. As a result, our first mission of the day was to run the gauntlet of the stall-holders who were very determined to sell their wares. Being hardy trekkers, by now, we walked the 500 or so steps that took us to the wall, avoiding the tourist-friendly cable car. We were aiming for a point way off, and up, in the distance, the mythical goal being the last walkable part of this section of wall. The walking was as hard as the previous days, but there was more traffic than before. Tourists, on our wall! Imagine! Our Cancer Research UK T-shirts identified us quite easily and we were getting encouraging comments from the people we passed. At the last tower we all waited so that the final leg could be done en masse. Spirits were high as we set off up the 70% incline. The very last set of steps was by far the steepest we'd seen and was like climbing a ladder which had every second rung missing. One by one we made it to the top, to be greeted by applause and hugs and many tears. It wasn't just the accomplishment of six days of gruelling trekking that charged emotions, it was the realisation of why we had done it, who we had done it for, and the personal tragedies that had brought this group together. It was an amazing feeling. We posed for photos and looked out over the Great Wall. A week ago it all seemed so daunting, so scary; now it looked so peaceful, majestic and graceful. The blisters, the aching limbs, the fear ofheights, the exhaustion, the heat, the dust were now all just distant memories. It was all over, our challenge was done. Well, nearly. We had to get back down. I can now tick the Great Wall of China off my list. But I will never feel that I just saw it, it means so much more to me than that and it always will. Monique Flecher (198248) Monique is to be congratulated on her achievement, the more so because ofthe sum raised for such a deserving cause. She is a regular contributor to Leopard Magazine.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

AULD MAISTERS Stravaigin files throwe mem'ry's haantit haas, A stap maist alien by the pent it cannases O aa the chiels at leemt me at e skweel An set me on e rodd tae wark an life: Fite-fuskert Paasie spootin hist'ry till's, Wi me crivvt up aye in e foremaist dask, Ma heid caad aff for strivin wi the keeng, Ma lug syne yarkit intae war wi Spain. Neist him is Ecky Moz fa gied's wir sooms An telt's the only wye tae dee a thing wis dee't; An gin we leuch, spiert gin we wis A-meesed Or B-meesed. It wis aye the same bit bar. Alang fae him, the heid o parlez-vous, Slee Bacon, telt's he'd cairry's on his back Throwe wir exams. He aften teuk the gee Did Slee; bit we forgya him his ill teens For aa his tent; suspeckin onywye He gat a bark-an-bowff files fae his wife. For Happy Hairry, luve o Latin lear Happt up the hanfae o his sins; Maist aafu strick he wis, bit pawky wi't; An fit we leuch fan he becam joco. He gied's his college goon, fan he retir't; A hiv it yet an canna thraw it oot. Noo here's masel (wi mak-on cloot in han Tae gie the maisters' mem'ry a bit dicht), As aal the day as some o them war than An winrin gin A'‘e climt tae haaf their hicht.

Files Cannases Crivvt up

Bar A-meesed

took the huff teuk the gee forgya forgave bark-an-bowff dressing-down leuch laughed

sometimes canvases enclosed joke amused

Douglas Kynoch (1948-56) Douglas Kynoch is well-known as a writer ofDoric prose and verse. Theforegoing glance back at teachers ofhis day at the Grammar has previously appeared in 'Lallans'. It will no doubt bring back further memories to readers familiar with the characters portrayed.

7th European Golden Oldies Rugby Festival The recent 7th European Golden Oldies Rugby Festival, held in Benidorm, Spain in May, proved to be a great success. It was the largest so far, with a total of 32 teams participating from as far afield as Russia and Israel,and attracted almost 1000 players over the age of 35 to the event. Among those taking part was a team from San Diego, where next year's World Festival will be staged. Most people will be aware that the general laws of Rugby are adhered to, although there are certain variations. Unlimited substitution is permitted, overvigorous play is discouraged, age is shown by the colour of the shorts which a player wears — and the over 60s (and amputees) cannot be tackled !! There are no Trophies 40

General Section

for winning, but teams with the most unusual Playing and Dress Outfits may be selected, as is the team with the 'Ugliest Front Row'. The Munich Old Boys were delighted to retain this last Trophy, gained two years ago in Split, and those who remember them at the 4th European Festival held in 1998 at Rubislaw will understand why. The 'Oldest Player' Award was renamed the Jeff Butterfield Trophy, in memory of the former England and Lions stalwart who died a few days prior to the start of the Festival. A Minute's Silence was held prior to the first matches for the original European President, and flowers were sent to his widow, Barbara. A very fit team representing the British Army Veterans, who had just won an Inter-Services Tournament at Twickenham, arrived a few days early for their first thinking this was another 'Tournament' to win, but Golden Oldies Competition after a few days in the Bar with myself explaining the differences between a 'Tournament' and a 'Golden Oldies Festival' they settled in and enjoyed themselves!! Unfortunately, Aberdeen Strollers were not represented in Spain, but the honour of Scotland was upheld by Dunfermline, attending their first Festival. I had the great privilege last December to represent the European Golden Oldies Movement at the F.I.R.A./A.E.R. Conference in Paris when our Organisation was recognised and F.I.R.A. / A.E.R. President Jean Baque and I signed, and exchanged, formal Agreements. Partly due to this, we now have representatives in over thirty European Countries and the Golden Oldies Movement is spreading. At the Final Gala Dinner, after all the presentations had been made, I was able to announce the venue for the 8th Festival to be held in 2006, which will be Zurich. The Host Club will be the Gnomes of Zurich. This is a multi-national team, well travelled in Golden Oldies Festivals and a great bunch of guys who I am quite sure will prove to be excellent hosts. Anyone interested in playing, supporting or even sponsoring Golden Oldies Rugby can log on to the Official Website on www.europeangoldenoldiesrugby.com or give me a call on 01224-644749 for more details and information. David McDonald (1961-67) IN SEARCH of ABERDEEN The search for Aberdeens around the world has been a remarkable experience which has taken me to all corners of the planet. The number of communities which share the name of my birthplace is truly astounding, and they can be found on every continent. What started as a book ten years ago, is now a recorded journey and the birth of a Global Family. Arkansas, California, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, My travels took me to Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Virginia and Washington in the USA; Alberta, Saskatchewan and Cape Breton in Canada; Jamaica and Antigua in the Caribbean; Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and the remote South Andaman Island in the Bay of Bengal. I have probably seen more of The United States of America than most Americans, and from the East coast to the West coast, from the North to the South, this is an impressive and beautiful country, with some of the friendliest folks you could ever wish to meet. From the Quinault Rain Forest in Washington State, to dry Owen's Valley in California, from the 'Yellow Brick Road' in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to the elegant architecture of Aberdeen, Mississippi, this vast nation has contrast, grandeur, charm and drama in abundance. Canada is equally enchanting, from the coastal splendour of Cape Breton to the endless prairie skies of Saskatchewan and Alberta.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

My search took me on to the Caribbean, Africa, China, Australia and the Bay of Bengal. A voyage of such global proportions requires the assistance of those who know their way around the world and, with professional advice, a complex travelling schedule was designed which tackled the journey in three phases. Phase One began in late February 2001 when, accompanied by Alan White, film maker, I set off with passport, visas, film, my list of contacts and 'mosquito repellent'. South Africa, Hong Kong, the Indian Ocean, Australia, the United States and the Caribbean were the first destinations. It was a demanding schedule. full of contrast and delightful surprise. However, any thoughts of fatigue were dispelled by the exhilaration of arrival at each destination. To see the name Aberdeen in so many varied locations was a fulfilling experience. To see the delight on the faces of my hosts was worth the years of preparation. In a very busy six weeks 2,574 miles had been driven and 50,697 miles flown. Phase Two concentrated on a return to North America, and in June 2001 I set off once more. During the next five weeks I visited many Aberdeens in the USA and four in Canada. In the process, lost' Aberdeens were filmed in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Montana. Despite being bitten by the dreaded buffalo fly, almost crippling myself on the 'Yellow Brick Road' in South Dakota, and surviving a tornado in Billings, Montana, this discovery of North America was truly enlightening and made me re-assess my understanding of the word "hospitable". Each welcome was beyond normal expectations and my 'Scottish Passport' opened up many doors and revealed countless family links back to this small country of Scotland. This trip covered 4,092 road miles and flights of 18,983 miles. Phase Three in September 2001 allowed Aberdeens in the Southern States of Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Arkansas to be visited. There, I met with unsurpassed generosity and a genuine rediscovery of 'Southern Hospitality'. The pace here was of a more gentle nature. 1,280 miles on the road and 9,482 miles in the air completed this phase. In total, the journey to all the destinations covered 8,598 miles driving and 86,84o miles flying, a grand total of 95,438 miles, or 3.8 times around the equator ! For Scots or descendants of Scots, we should be proud of the contribution made to so many communities, whilst recognising that many from other countries also forged the truly multi-cultural wonder that is North America. North-east folks like myself may be surprised to find so many Aberdeens spread across the world, and yet we should not be. For centuries this corner of Scotland has traded with the world, and one of our major exports has been people. Names from this area such as Watson, Gordon, Duguid, Jamieson, Hall. Farquharson and Forbes can be found in every State in the USA and as far afield as the Southern Hemisphere. Wherever my travels took me, I encountered descendants of Scots, heard many Scottish surnames, passed countless towns named after places in Scotland and began to realise the role our small country has played in the development of communities around the world. In West Virginia, just south of Clarksburg, I stood on a hill and ►ooked at a deserted graveyard. The names on the stones reflected a time when the small community of Aberdeen had filled Hacker's Creek with north-east dialect and song. In Aberdeen, Maryland, I met with remarkable civic generosity and was thrilled to meet one of my American researchers, Ruth Duguid. The retirement community of Aberdeen at Ormond Beach. Florida, is owned by Don Forbes, and the serene Bethesda Church in Aberdeen, North Carolina is the resting place of many Scottish settlers who fled there in the 18th century. At the site of the battle of the Little Bighorn, near Aberdeen, Montana, I read more Scots names on the memorial tribute.

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General Section At every turn, I was reminded of how many had left our shores for a new life far from home. And so it was in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Australia. Each Aberdeen was named by someone from the north-east who had settled abroad, with the exception of those in Hong Kong, New South Wales and South Andaman Island, which were named by Lord Aberdeen (Haddo), Queen Victoria's Secretary for the Colonies. Jamaica astonished me. It truly is a 'tartan island in the sun'. Near Black River, I stayed in the Invercauld Great House, a splendid hotel in the style of Jamaican Gingerbread architecture. Near my own home is Braemar and the original Invercauld Estate, the land of the Farquharsons. They owned a plantation in Jamaica, which was named Aberdeen by Alexander Forbes, the plantation manager. And so it went on. In this Caribbean Aberdeen, many children had blue eyes, red hair and freckles. We Scots had been there. Even the driver and guide provided by the National Tourism Board was called Wallace Thomson! In Aberdeen, New South Wales, a pipe band played and sang 'The Northern Lights', and in Aberdeen, South Africa, I met a lady from Aberdeenshire. The world seemed full of Scots. The Asian Aberdeens were culturally very different. Hong Kong is a city where the truly ancient and the truly remarkable sit side by side. Dragon Festivals and skyscrapers live alongside each other, making this one of the most vibrant cities I have ever visited. A dazzling spectacle. Aberdeen on South Andaman Island, was quite a contrast, with water buffalo, bamboo plantations, paddy fields and the elegance of national dress. A gentle and fascinating jewel of an island, in the heart of which lies the bustling and colourful Aberdeen Bazaar - an Aladdin's Cave! I am often asked which Aberdeen I would wish to re-visit. This puts me on the spot, since the friendships which I now enjoy could be sorely tested. However, Aberdeen, Mississippi has to be among my favourite places. As an artist, I found it stunningly attractive, with its many fine examples of Southern architecture. A truly beautiful city. Then again, there was the clam chowder in New Jersey, awesome desert scenery in California, stunning Idaho, the majestic rain forest in Washington, a sleepy corner of Arkansas, the neatness of rural Pennsylvania, the histories of Maryland and Ohio, the sweet-smelling pines of North Carolina and countless moments of delight, discovery and occasional drama. I guess I'll just have to do it all again! Since my return and the production of the video 'In Search of Aberdeen', life has returned to almost normal, and I have been able to reflect on my good fortune and new family. I now have friends all over the world who wish to visit their roots in Scotland, and who want folks from Aberdeen to pay them a visit. The opportunity to visit so many distant places with the name of my birthplace was a rare privilege. I trust that the video of my journey will go some way towards sharing my experiences and, with 28 Aberdeens, it moves on from location to location at quite a pace, as did the voyage. The book of my journey, A World of Aberdeens (Scottish Cultural Press, 2003) will reveal more of the history of each Aberdeen and how Scots played a major part in their development. For Scots, it is remarkable to learn just how far our influence has spread, and it is a humbling thought. I sincerely hope that opportunities can be created for all Aberdonians to embrace our 'Global Family', and where better to begin than with youngsters? The 'Aberdeen Project' is in place to encourage schools to participate in a global network which will allow them to exchange ideas and develop joint projects with each other, from Aberdeen to Aberdeen. For me, that is only the beginning. I hope that others have the good fortune to visit and discover for themselves the Aberdeens of the World, since it was courage and a sense of adventure which took so many from this corner of Scotland to all parts of the globe. The discovery of a 'Global Family' has the potential to promote international opportunities in areas such as education, tourism and commerce. This prospect is there for the taking. Aberdeen City has the opportunity to take the lead in Scotland, and one day,

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine who knows, there may even be a 'Homecoming' for fellow Aberdonians from around the world. It would be a fitting tribute to those who never forgot their birthplace and resurrected the name of Aberdeen, worldwide. Fred Bull (1949-55) ABERDEENS AROUND THE WORLD UNITED KINGDOM Scotland UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Arkansas (Monroe Co.); California (Inyo Valley) ; Florida (Ormond Beach); Idaho (Bingham Co.); Indiana (Ohio Co.); Kentucky (Butler Co.); Maryland (Harford Co.); Mississippi (Monroe Co.); Montana (Lewis Co.); New Jersey (Monmouth Co.); North Carolina (Moore Co.); Ohio (Brown Co.); Pennsylvania (Lancaster Co.); Pennsylvania (Lackawanna Co.); South Dakota (Brown Co.); West Virginia (Lewis Co.); Virginia (Hampton City); Washington (Grays Harbor). CANADA Cape Breton (Inverness Co.); Cape Breton (Glace Bay); Saskatchewan; Alberta (Bon Accord) AUSTRALIA New South Wales; Tasmania CARIBBEAN Jamaica (St. Elizabeth); Jamaica (St. Ann's); Antigua (St. John) AFRICA Sierra Leone; Cape Province SOUTH AMERICA Guyana ASIA Hong Kong; South Andaman Island

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Former Pupils' Club Founded 11 September 1893 Club Office-Bearers, 2004-2005 Honorary President: WILLIAM J. JOHNSTON, BSc, DipEd. (Rector) Honorary Vice-Presidents: (Past Presidents ex officio) GEORGE E.C. BARTON (1923-26), MA (President, 1973-74) The Very Revd. J. FRASER McLUSKEY (1920-31), MC, DD (President, 1974-75) JOHN W. CRADOCK (1941-46), CA (President, 1977-78) T. GORDON COUTTS (1938-49), QC, MA, LL.B (President, 1980-81) JAMES A.N. WATT (1927-39), CA (President, 1982-83) BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46), TO, MA, LL.B (President, 1983-84) ERIC D. WATT (1937-50), BEd. (President, 1984-85) Prof. PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58), CBE, DL, MA, LL.B, LL.D (President, 1987-88) W. MORRISON BROWN (1933-46) (President, 1988-89) ERIC CRAIG (1934-46) (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), Flnst 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 2000-01) STEPHEN A.C. ROBERTSON (1939-51) MBE. MA, LL.B, MUniv. (President, 2001-02) DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE (1950-64) MB,ChB, FRCPsych. (President 2002-03)) ALEXANDER E. McILWAIN (1945-51) CBE, MA,LL.B, SSC, WS (President 2003-04) (Specially Elected) ARTHUR L. McCOMBtE, MS, FSA(Scot) (Deputy Rector, 1973-90) (Elected 1991) BASIL D.D. EMSLIE (1929-35) OStl, TD, JP (Elected 1999) ALISTAIR M. NORTH (1937-50) OBE, BSc, DSc, PhD, FRSE, ERIC (Elected 2004) President: IAN H. McLEOD (1951-55) Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: MARTIN JEFFREY (1942-57) BSc. 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

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Regional Centres Aberdeen:

Chairman - RONALD R. COMBER (1947-52) Secretary BRIAN DEIGHTON brian.deighton@virgin.net Edinburgh: President NEIL K. BORTHWICK (1952-65) Secretary - NIGEL G. M. WATT (1963-69) ngmw@globalnet.co.uk Glasgow: President - MALCOLM K. DANIEL (1975-81) Secretary - BASIL D. D. EMSLIE (1929-35) Tel: 0141 956 4299 London: President - A. GRAHAME B. YOUNG (1940-47) Secretary - SANDY NICOL (1962-71) anicoky.lineone.net Yorkshire: President - DOUGLAS SKENE (1959-64) Secretary - MARTIN COULTER (1983-89) martin@estateplans.co.uk Canada: President — GILLIAN A. THOMAS (1975-80) Secretary - J. PETER JEFFREY (1944-59) Pjefli55046@aol.com Secretaries of Sections Cricket - RICHARD S.T. FERRO Curling - IAN P. SOUTER Football - AUDREY NICHOLSON Golf- PETER M. ROBERTSON (1967-73) Men's Hockey — DUNCAN HARRIS (1985-91) Women's Hockey — EMMA A. MAIR (1985-91) Petanque - STEVEN J. C. ESSON (1951-64) Rugby - DAVID ROBINSON Swimming - ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75)

theferrofamily@lineone.net ipsouter@vodaphone.net richard@arts-rec.aberdeen.netulc pmrobertson@ackuncochran.co.uk dharris@technip.com emrna.mair@nautronix.co.uk steve@esson-ca.co.uk dave@drobinson15.fsnet.co.uk era.aberdeen@virgin.net

Executive Committee The Vice-President of the Club, 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) LUCY MITCHELL (1985-90) MELDRUM B. EDWARDS (1947-60) HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65) NORMAN K.B. EDWARDS (1959-64) IAN P. SOUTER (1947-61) IAIN S. HOPKIN (1962-68) INNES TAYLOR (1974-80) ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75) Section Representatives Club Centre RONALD R. COMBER (1947-52) Cricket — 1A1N S. HOPKIN (1962-68) Curling — MARIO L. VICCA (1952-56) Football — CRAIG STUART (1980-86) Golf - GORDON M. INKSON (1986-92) Hockey - BRIAN I. FITZPATRICK (1978-81) Petanque - RONALD R. COMBER (1947-52) Rugby - MALCOLM COPLAND (1968-71) Staff— RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65) Swimming — Women's Hockey — SUSAN M. WATSON (1987-93) Auditors Messrs. BOWER & SMITH, C.A.

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Former Pupils' Club Section Club Centre Committee RONALD R. COMBER* - Chairman BRIAN DEIGHTON *- Secretary HARVEY E. MORRISON — Treasurer B.I. FITZPATRICK, N. GARDEN*, H.A.S. HAMILTON, P. HENDERSON', J.F. HENDRY, I.S. HOPKIN*, M. INGLIS, J.M. JEFFREY, H. MILLER, C. RITCHIE, (• Denotes member of Management Team)

Club Consuls Australia - JIM W. HOWISON (1937-50), 98A Hull Road, West Pennant Hills, New South Wales 2125, Australia, E-mail: howison(i!tech2u.com.au Tel. 0061-2-9487-3164 Australia — Dr. FORBES J. SMITH (1945-57), Level 10, 409 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia E-mail: forbessmith@nabenet.com.au Tel. 0061-3-9820-4170 Canada - GORDON B. SINGER (1949-50), Box 7, Site 5, RR #2, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada T1S 1A2 E-mail: singsing@ielusplanetnet Tel. 001-403-995-0331 Canada — IAN McG. MARR (1954-58), 4 Milne Crescent, Kanata, Ontario, Canada, K2K 1H6 E-mail: ianmmarif4yahoo.ca Tel. 001-613-592-2730 Canada - DAVID R. AULD (1947-61), 2187 Lafayette Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V8S 2P2 E-mail: davidauld@shaw.ca Tel. 001-250-595-0616 Corsica - IAIN WARES (1941-52), Via G.M. Angioi 34, Cagliari 09124, Sardinia, Italy. Tel. 0039-070-652508 Hong Kong - MARSHALL H. BYRES (1960-69), 2A Hatton House, 15 Kotewall Road, Hong Kong E-mail: marshall.byres(d,hk.evi.com Tel. 00852-2846-9878 Ireland - ANDREW M.M. STEVEN (1936-50), 5 Beechhill Avenue, Saintfield Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT8 6NS. Tel. 028-9070-2315. Malaysia — GRAEME W. KING (1966-72), 26 Jalan Pakat, Ukay Heights, 68000 Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia E-mail: gwkinta,pcjaring.my Tel. 0060-3-4252-9297 New Zealand - MICHAEL B. THOMSON (1938-51), 39 Jubilee Road, Khandallah, Wellington 4, New Zealand E-mail: thotnson.wgtn@xtra.co.nz Tel. 0064-4-479-5678 Thailand - Prof. ALASTAIR M. NORTH (1937-50), 79/78 Soi 7/1 Mooban Tararom, Ramkhamhaeng Road Soi 150, Saphan Soong, Bangkok 10240, Thailand Tel. 0066-2-373-2818 E-mail: amnorth(a).ksc.th.com Venezuela DONALD A. LAMONT (1951-65), c/o FCO (Caracas), King Charles Street, London SWIA 2AH E-mail: dalamont@hotmail.com

Annual General Meeting The Ninety-eighth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Club Centre in Aberdeen on Monday 29 March 2004, with Mr J. Martin Jeffrey, the Vice-President, in the Chair. The Chairman reported as follows: Introduction I am really pleased to be able to report that the Club is in good shape after another year of sound progress. Membership numbers continue to grow, our finances are sound, membership communications continue to develop, the Club Centre has had another positive year, our five Regional Centres are active, FP Sport continues to flourish, we have continued to make good progress with the City Council regarding the redevelopment of Rubislaw, and finally we have been able to increase our financial support to the School

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Membership At the end of last year, our total membership had risen to 1,242 — a very healthy net increase of 34 over the previous year. We actually gained 65 new members, including 39 School Leavers a tremendous result. However, we lost a few old friends along the way including that great war-horse, Daily Allardice. All are sadly missed. Communications Regular and friendly communications with members is a vital part of the Club's activities. The Magazine, which remains in the experienced hands of Brian Crookshanks, continues to be eagerly awaited by members every year. The Newsletter is now published 3 times a year and does much to keep members up-to-date between Magazines — can we please have a volunteer to take on the Editor's role!! The website — www.agsfp.com - continues to be a good investment and will receive a major makeover later this year. The site brings in new members as well as being the catalyst for members who have lost touch to return to the fold. The use of email continues to increase, which makes it so much easier to respond promptly to queries from members and generally keep in touch. We will be looking at ways of using email to "market" Club activities later this year. Finances We had another excellent year from a financial point of view and the Club finished with a surplus of just over £300, but this is after allocating £1,600 to the School and a further £1,500 to the Rubislaw project. We have a good budget process in place and have implemented a number of changes which will allow us to continue to maintain tight control over all aspects of our fmances in the future. Once again, members have been extremely generous in their support for the Club and this is greatly appreciated. However, we must continue to look for additional sources of income as well as developing our existing sources. Finally, our thanks must go to our excellent Treasurer, Alan Man-, who continues to do a highly effective job for the Club. School We have had yet another good year working with the School, and the Club continued to benefit from the support and advice of the Rector and Russell Gray, Assistant Rector, who both sit on the Executive Committee, as well as Helen limes, the very able Depute Rector. We will be very sorry to see the departure of the Rector in the summer after 17 years in post and take this opportunity of wishing him well. We are always looking at new ways of increasing our involvement with the School and, in particular, at how we can encourage School Leavers to develop a positive view of what the FP Club can offer them. We continue the practice of issuing free copies of the Magazine to all pupils entering the 6th year — reintroduced 2 years ago. We have also formalised a process for awarding financial support to pupils (and young FPs) who wish to take part in voluntary projects (usually overseas) which require them to raise funds or sponsorship. In addition, we have made contributions to the finances of the School Leavers' Yearbook, which is greatly valued by the 6th year pupils. Social Activities Last year there was no Annual Dinner in Aberdeen as, after consultation with the Regional Centres, it was decided to hold the next Aberdeen Dinner in March 2004 when it would become the final event in the Presidential year. It turned out to be a memorable evening. The last event in the Presidential Year? Well not quite! The irrepressible Basil Emslie felt that Glasgow should put on a special occasion to mark Sandy Mcllwain's year in office as the 2003 Glasgow Dinner took place in March before Sandy had taken office. This special event took place on Friday, 26th March, 2004. It was attended by 100 members and guests and turned out to be another great Glasgow evening by all accounts! The October date normally occupied by the Aberdeen Dinner was filled by a Ceilidh and that was another 48

Former Pupils 'Club Section great evening. Congratulations are due to Lucy Mitchell and her team of hockey helpers who were the stars of that event as well! The Regional Centres All the Centres held successful functions during the year. One of the most encouraging features of the various Annual Dinners has been the marvellous support from the Office Bearers of the various Centres for the events run by the other Centres. Numbers have been falling in London in recent years, but they are taking steps to try and reverse this trend. Our thanks and congratulations go to the hard working Office Bearers in all the Regions for their very successful efforts to provide a focus for FP activities in their areas. Canada these darned colonials again - has blazed another trail by appointing the first Lady President anywhere - Gillian Thomas. The Club Centre The Club Centre had another sound year and produced a very useful surplus of about £3,000. Great credit goes to the Operations Committee which takes care of the day to day running of the Centre Ron Comber (Chairman), Norman Garden, Brian Deighton, Ian Hopkin, David Leighton and Mike Inglis. Our warm thanks also must go to the Head Barman, Mike Tasker and his team of pan-time staff for their friendly and professional service. A major innovation this year has been the implementation of a scheme where ALL members of the Sports Sections also become members of the Club Centre. This has given us about 100 additional Club Centre Members which has opened up opportunities for more bar and food revenues on match and practice days, as well as increased casual use of the Centre. It is going to become increasingly difficult to achieve further financial improvements as, inevitably, the maintenance costs of the current building are going to increase year by year. The Club also needs to find ways of encouraging members to use the facilities more frequently if we are going to continue to build the income. We need to make a decision during the next 12 months or so about the future of the Club Centre so that the Committee can make sound decisions about repairs and refurbishments. The Sports Sections FP Sport continues to flourish despite the shortcomings of the facilities at Rubislaw and the fact that all hockey still has to be played at other locations. However, despite the lack of investment in recent years, the original purchase of Rubislaw plus the later provision of the Pavilion, still represents one of the FP Club's great visionary decisions. Rubislaw We continue to make progress! The City Council has allocated £300,000 in this financial year for a high quality Astroturf pitch — primarily for Hockey - and work should start in the summer. We are extremely hopeful that a further £1.5 million will be allocated at a crucial meeting in April (we also need some Lottery money) and that this will allow the construction of a modem Pavilion to commence in April 2005. Plans are also under consideration for other improvements. A decision on the possible construction of a new FP Clubhouse sited at Rubislaw to replace the existing Club Centre has been put on the back burner for the moment, pending the final decision on the Pavilion and other facilities. The next 12 months Our No 1 priority for the next 12 months? The Redevelopment of Rubislaw!! This includes the successful construction and implementation of a first class facility for School, FP and community hockey; the finalisation of the plans and finances for a new Pavilion, a decision on the future of the War Memorial element of the current Pavilion and a decision on the way forward for the Club Centre! Finally, we need to finalise plans for the best way of running the FP Club, the Club Centre and FP Sport at Rubislaw and the structure we need to achieve this in the future. All of this is on top of the normal activities involved in 4g

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine running the Club such as finance, membership, communications, social activities, there is no shortage of things to do! supporting the School I would like to close by thanking all the Office Bearers - our Honorary President, Bill Johnston, and President, Sandy Mcllwain, for their interest and splendid support throughout the year; Jock Hendry, Alan Hamilton, Alan Marr and Brian Crookshanks — for their dedication and sheer hard work; Lucy Mitchell, our excellent Social Convener, and my wife Whilma, who acts as Membership Secretary. My thanks also go to a hardworking Committee who have contributed much in the way of ideas and comment, as well as the occasional piece of cautionary advice! However, they were still prepared to take the necessary decisions and to follow their Chairman along some challenging routes!! 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 2003 Accounts (reproduced at the end of this Magazine) were submitted and approved. The Treasurer reported a surplus of £324, down from the previous year's high, but he confirmed that the Balance Sheet disclosed the healthy state of the Club's finances. Election of Office-Bearers Officials of the Club were elected in accordance with the list published elsewhere in this Magazine. A proposal from the Executive to confer Honorary Membership of the Club on Prof. Alastair North, the Club Consul in Thailand, in recognition of his enthusiastic support of the Club over a lengthy period, was warmly approved. Auditors Messrs Bower & Smith, CA, were unanimously re-appointed Auditors of the Club and Section Accounts for the coming year. Presentation At the close of the meeting the Chairman presented the now customary Quaich, suitably inscribed, to retiring President Sandy Mcllwain as a memento of his year in office and in token of the esteem in which he is held by members of the Club. Sandy, in acknowledging, repeated his gratitude for the honour done him by the Club in electing him as President.

In terms of the Club Constitution, the Annual General Meeting is always held on the last Monday in March The 2005 A.G.M. will therefore be held on Monday, 28 March at 7.30 p.m. in the Club Centre, 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen

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President's Report When Jock Hendry telephoned to extend the Executive Committee's invitation to become President of the Former Pupils' Club I could hardly believe my ears. It had never occurred to me that I might be considered suitable for such a position, but my acceptance was immediate and I am as conscious now of the honour done to me as I was then. My only regret is that 1 was unable to attend all the functions which come the President's way because of prior commitments. However, I was able to attend a number of these functions, along with my wife, Moira, the first being the London Centre Annual Dinner in the Caledonian Club. This was a very pleasant occasion, although it would have been even more enjoyable had there been more FPs present to participate in it. Such a pity - and so surprising -- that it is not better supported. Perhaps FPs prefer to get out of London on a Friday evening rather than stay in it. However, one FP who was there was my old classmate, the highly successful architect Bill Jack, whom I had not seen since schooldays. I have followed his distinguished career in the Magazine over the years and it was a real pleasure to spend time with him and his wife. The next function which Moira and I were able to attend was, for me, the most nostalgic event of the year. It was the School Prize-giving. I had from time to time toyed with the idea of going back to the School to see the changes which had taken place since I left, but had never plucked up the courage to do so. Now I was able to do so as of right. The transformation was staggering. So far as I could tell, only the Rector's room remained of the interior I remembered, and I was not sure if that was altogether a good thing, visits to Sir J.J. not being high on the list of fun things to do in my recollection. However, Bill Johnston was kindness and courtesy personified and showed us round a thoroughly modern, high tech establishment where every skill relevant to modern requirements is taught and every activity supported with the latest in equipment and technology. The present day pupil leaves school with a range of knowledge and experience undreamed of in my time. It was impressive, also, to observe how well liked and respected the Rector is by staff and pupils alike. Our next outing was something entirely different. It was a new venture for the Club. It was the Ceilidh in the Queen's Hotel, Aberdeen, the aim of which was to encourage the attendance of younger FPs, and in this it was highly successful. There was a grand turn-out of young members, especially from the Hockey Section. There was a good turn-out of older members too! The atmosphere was relaxed and informal, the food was good, and the dancing was fast and furious. The experiment was a huge success, and I hope that it will become a regular fixture in the FP Social Calendar and that the other sporting sections of the Club will support it as enthusiastically as the Hockey Section did. It was brilliantly organised by Lucy Mitchell and Emma Mair. One extraordinary feature of the Ceilidh was the absence of Basil Emslie, but he was busy organising his own event, the joint outing of Glasgow FPs with Gordonians and the High School (as was) to the Falkirk Wheel. This was a visit of great interest, blessed by warm weather and capped with an excellent lunch during which I had the good fortune to be seated beside another contemporary I had not seen for over half a century, George "Podge" Fraser. The main event of the Presidential year is, of course, the Annual Dinner and Reunion of the Parent Club in the Queen's Hotel, where the organising skills of Martin Jeffrey and Lucy Mitchell were much in evidence. There was an excellent attendance of FPs and their guests and the principal speaker, George Donald, of "Scotland the What" and many other accomplishments, delivered a hilarious toast to the School and the Club, drawing upon his experiences as a Huntly loon and trainee teacher at the Grammar (not to mention Gordon's and the Central also) with great good humour and much North-East wit. It was good to meet again so many old friends and especially pleasing to see Phil Love again, who had come all the way from Formby for the occasion. A "good night" was had by all.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine But Basil was not to be outdone! The Glasgow Committee very kindly brought forward the date of the Glasgow Centre Dinner so that its member (me) might be present as President of the Parent Club. Basil laid on a splendid entertainment for the ninety-nine members and guests present. Steve Robertson, his wife, Eva, and Valerie Munro presented a series of sketches and songs, again with a North-East flavour, which had the audience rolling in the aisles with uncontrollable mirth, and Jack Webster rounded off the evening with a vote of thanks in his own inimitable manner. Another great night! Circumstances having conspired to prevent me from attending the Edinburgh Centre Dinner while President, I was touched and delighted to receive an invitation to Moira and myself to attend this year's Dinner, and what a spectacular conclusion to a wonderful year! The first thing that greets you as you enter the Bruntsfield muster room is the magnificent view over the Firth of Forth. Then there was the company - so many people we knew Gordon and Winnie Coutts, Peter Millar, Eddie Fraser. David Brittain to mention a few, and Kenneth Pritchard from Law Society days. The food was delicious. Altogether a delightful evening, and thanks again to President Neil Borthwick and the Edinburgh Centre for their kind and generous invitation. And, finally, to the hand-over of the badge of Presidential office to Ian McLeod. I wish him well, and judging by his performance at the Edinburgh Centre, he will do the Club proud. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the Yorkshire and Canada Centres' Dinners. I sent them my good wishes and congratulations to their new Presidents, Douglas Skene and Gillian Thomas respectively. Gillian is the daughter of Brian Crookshanks, the Editor of the Magazine. She is the first lady President of any of our Centres. Has she set a precedent for the Parent Club? Who knows? We will have to wait and see. And so it has passed. A year during which I was proud and privileged to be your President. A year during which I had the unstinting support and encouragement of Martin Jeffrey and Jock Hendry. A year during which I had the pleasure of the company of, and shared the speaking duties with, the Rector, the Head Boy, Michael Lloyd, and the Head Girl, Gayle Harriman. I wish the Rector a well deserved long and happy retirement and Michael and Gayle happiness in the future and success in their chosen careers. A year during which Steve Robertson, my best friend and best man, has been constantly at my right hand, yes, even at the Ceilidh, and him with a dicky hip! A year of reunions and new friends, of warmth and welcome wherever I went. A year I shall not forget and for which I thank you. A.E. Mcllwain (1945-51)

Presidential Profile Ian Halcro McLeod (1951-55) My first recollection of our new President is when we were introduced by a mutual friend, David Ness, who was one of Ian's work colleagues. David was at that time a stalwart of the Hockey Section and a team-mate of my own. It was not until very recently that I realised that my connection with Ian goes back over 50 years in that we were both members of the School Cadet Force Pipe Band at about the same time. It is therefore a great privilege to have been asked to compile this Profile of our new President. At a time when most of us approaching state retirement age would expect to be able to relax and adjust our lifestyles, the contrary is the case with Ian in terms of his involvement with the FP Club. His commitment to the Club has always been enthusiastic since he became a Life Member on leaving School, and it now reaches its culmination with his election in March to the office of President, an honour richly deserved.

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Ian H. McLeod (1951-55) President 2004-2005

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Born and brought up in Aberdeen, Ian's forebears hailed from Orkney, Ireland and the West of Scotland. Educated initially at Woodside Primary School, where he was a Prefect, his aptitude for sport was encouraged at an early stage as he played in goal for the school team. Moving to the Grammar, he found that he had an even greater inclination for sport, no doubt encouraged, as many of us were, by people like James and Edwin Hunter and Daily Allardice. Having participated in both athletics and swimming Ian's passion to this day remains rugby, and this enthusiasm has played a major part in his involvement with the FP Club over the years at various levels. Ian would probably agree that his obvious sporting abilities did not always transfer easily to the classroom, despite the valiant efforts of John Flett, Bouncer Bruce or Pa Walker, and in due course Ian left school to take up employment as a junior clerk with the Eagle Star Insurance Company. As with many of our vintage, National Service beckoned and after basic training with the Black Watch he was selected for Officer Training at Mons OCTU at Aldershot. After being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Military Police he was posted to Northern Ireland. As ever, sport was an important part of Ian's service lifestyle and he won numerous awards, both in the Black Watch and the Police, mainly for quarter and halfmile running. On returning to Aberdeen in 1961 Ian joined Mitchell's Self Drive, then a small company with a fleet of only twenty Ford Popular cars. He joined at the same time as his school contemporary David Ness and jointly, with their insurance experience, they were instrumental in the growing success of the company, not only locally but also throughout Scotland and Northern England, with seventeen branches in total. From being promoted Manager in 1965, when Mitchell's moved premises to Chapel Street in Aberdeen, Ian eventually became operations and fleet manager for the organisation, his main responsibilities being the negotiation of the purchase and sale of the fleet, which by now had expanded to include not only cars but also light and medium-sized vans and trucks. Having personally had business dealings with Ian over many years I can vouch for his business acumen, his integrity and the courteous manner with which he did business — undoubtedly a man of his word. The Rugby Section has been very influential in Ian's life, both as player and administrator. Between 1955 and 1959 he played regularly for the 2nd XV, with only occasional outings for the 1st XV, mainly because he was competing with people like Hugh Thomas and Charlie Ritchie as a prop, and they were twice his weight. After a brief respite, because of work commitments, he returned to active play, "for fun" he says, mainly with the 3rd XV for a few years. Ian's organisational skills came to the forefront within the Rugby Section as a management committee member, selector and then as President of the Section from 1984-1988. One of his many successes was as manager of the FP tour to Houston, Galveston and Austin, Texas with FPs' unbeaten run of seven games. I am led to believe that the wearing of kilts as part of the uniform went down very well — sometimes too well. To have to share a room with Big Dave Macdonald during the tour was over and above the call of duty, even for an officer and a gentleman. A tremendous amount of Ian's work with the Section went on behind the scenes, as fundraiser for the new stand at Rubislaw, producer of the match programme for several years, and as Sponsorship Convener, and I am convinced that everyone in the Section is grateful for all that this quiet, unassuming man did for them. Over the years, his contribution to the FP Club in general did not go un-noticed, and he was elected to the Executive in 1988, becoming Vice-Chairman in 1994 and Chairman in 1996. He played a very important role during the period leading up to the proposed development at Rubislaw, acting both as counsellor and mediator. As one would expect, our President is also a keen supporter of the Club Centre, of which he is a founder member. His interest in the Club does not end there, as he made a most valuable contribution as advertising manager for the Magazine for several years. Already, in the early part of his Presidential year, Ian has been a worthy ambassador for our Club by

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attending Dinners and the School Prize-giving, and will shortly be flying to Canada to attend the Canadian Centre Dinner in Ottawa. We wish him all the best for the rest of his year in office. After 3 7 V2 years with Mitchell's Ian took early retirement five years ago when the company was sold to American-based Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Since then Ian has devoted his efforts to numerous pursuits which absorb his time. These include golf (at Deeside, Ballater and with the FP Golf Section), hill-walking, swimming, gardening (with two gardens to look after, in Aberdeen and at the cottage retreat in Ballater), and membership of various clubs and organisations. The latter include Aberdeen Probus Club, the Grampian Houston Association and the Congregational Board of Mannofield Church where he is a valued member of a number of Committees. Earlier, I mentioned time for relaxation, yet none of what I have written so far gives any such impression. May I suggest the phrase "The willing horse gets all the work" - for Ian is certainly willing. He has, however, found time to take up Art - mainly water colour painting, which he finds fascinating. Obviously the efforts of the "Bush" were not altogether in vain. Also, along with his wife Marlene, whom he married in 1966, he now has time to travel and enjoy a social life with the friends and acquaintances made over many years. There would never be a dull moment in their company. Both Marlene and Ian arc most generous hosts. As a person who enjoys a bit of fun and good-natured banter, it will come as no surprise for tan to be on the receiving end for a change. I refer to the slightly embarrassing situation in which he found himself at South Queensferry, when a small group of Mitchell's managers had abandoned their attempts to water-ski. Having tied up the speedboat, they frequented the local hostelry and thereafter, suitably fortified returned to the slipway only to find that with high tide the boat was now out of reach. Undaunted, Messrs McLeod and Ness stripped to the waist and swam out to retrieve the speedboat. Now you may realise why Ian prefers either driving or flying to his destination. Whether at the Club Centre, at Rubislaw, on a golf outing, at a Dinner or at an FP Ball, Ian is in his element, able to meet with, and be at his ease with, anyone. Surely this is a recognition of his friendly and outgoing character. I personally have never heard anyone say a bad word about him. There are, of course, those who have had to put up with some of his caustic comments, but they are few in number and mainly to be found amongst some of his close FP friends on Deeside golf course on a Wednesday afternoon, or in the hockey fraternity in the Club Centre on a Thursday evening. I consider myself to be fortunate to be one of the latter group, and I enjoy every minute of this repartee. Our President has set a fine example of how to support his Former Pupils' Club by attendance at its various functions, and I believe he holds the record for consecutive attendances at the FP Ball since leaving School. Sadly, the Ball is no more, but if it were to be resurrected, I am sure that he would be first in the queue to attend. Keen observers of Ian's mannerisms will have noted that he often leaves you with a statement which, for the conclusion of this Profile, I will borrow: "Bless you my man!" A.K.C.(1944-53)

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Rubislaw — Getting it Fit for the 21st Century! As I write this article (in early July), the diggers are moving on to the hallowed turf of Rubislaw Playing Field and the much-needed, and long-awaited, redevelopment of Rubislaw is about to get under way! We have travelled a long and often difficult and frustrating road to get to this point, but at last we have arrived and must now concentrate on the future. However, it is interesting to look back at the history of Rubislaw for there are a few lessons to be learned. The 12 acres or so that became the original Rubislaw Playing Field were purchased jointly by the School Board of the Burgh of Aberdeen and the FP Club in 1914. Despite the War, work proceeded on preparing the ground, and it was officially opened in September 1916. It was recognised at that time that it would be necessary to add a Pavilion to provide essential changing accommodation. It was decided that the Pavilion should be erected as a Memorial to those of the School who had fallen in the War and "as a constant reminder to the scholars that a genuine all-round education requires them to fit themselves in body, no less than in mind, for the battle of life, in peace as well as in war". Prophetic words, perhaps slightly old-fashioned, even Victorian, but they are as true today as they were nearly 90 years ago, although words such as "fun" and "enjoyment" need to be added. How sad that as a nation we have lost sight of the value of participating in sport on a regular basis, particularly over the last 20 years or so, and are now urgently trying to find ways of recovering lost ground! The appeal for the Pavilion was launched in December 1918 and the final cost of £4,595 was met entirely out of funds raised by the FP Club. The Pavilion was opened at an informal ceremony at the School Sports - remember them! - on 21st June 1924. So what changes have taken place at Rubislaw in the intervening years? Perhaps the biggest change was the purchase by the City Council of several acres of land between the northern boundary of the original Rubislaw and Queens Road. That happened in the early 60s and provided much needed additional grass pitches on the new "middle" and "upper" levels. The Pavilion also underwent some expansion at different times - the number of changing rooms was increased at some stage from 2 to 3 and then, finally, to 4 and residential accommodation was added for the Groundsman. However, this still left the Pavilion well short of suitable capacity as the School expanded and then became coeducational. In addition, the building has been slowly crumbling and deteriorating, and for some years it has ceased to provide an acceptable level of changing accommodation for either School or adult use. What are the plans for redeveloping Rubislaw so that, once again, it can become a first class facility and a real asset to School, FP and City Sport? So far, the City Council have allocated a total of £1.8 million to the project, which is a tremendous step forward. It is hoped that a Lottery application will realise a further £200,000, but the search is still on for additional sources of funding. The project will take place in two Phases, and the City Council have appointed Mansell (formerly Hall & Tawse in Aberdeen) as the Main Contractors for both phases. This is clearly good news, as Mansell have a long established and good track record in the area. Charles Lawrence (Edinburgh) will be the prime subcontractor for the synthetic pitch. Phase 1, which started on 1st July, involves the construction of an all-weather synthetic pitch on the "middle" level (it will run north to south and be located close to the boundary with Anderson Drive) primarily for Hockey, but it will be used for other sports, particularly for training and skills development. This pitch will have floodlighting to maximise use during the dark winter afternoons and evenings. Other works will include essential drainage for the middle and upper levels, temporary car parking for 30 cars, and the removal of the derelict tennis courts on the lower level. The plan is for this phase to be completed by early October, but we really need a prolonged spell of dry weather to achieve this. The return of serious Hockey to Rubislaw after a gap of over ten years will be

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Former Pupils' Club Section a tremendous boost to both School and FP Hockey, and the new pitch will also provide facilities for other organised Hockey Clubs in the community. Both the Men's and Women's Hockey Sections have drawn up exciting development plans which will lead to more players and higher standards over the next two or three years and then on into the future. Phase 2 is scheduled to commence in April 2005 (subject to final approval) and will take about twelve months. The key element of this phase will be the construction of a brand new, modern Pavilion which will incorporate greatly expanded and attractive changing and shower facilities for players and officials of both sexes. There will also be a properly equipped First Aid Room plus storage for sports equipment. The new Pavilion will transform the appeal of Rubislaw as a sports facility and, at a stroke, remove the disincentive of the current changing facilities, which are now in a dire state and an embarrassment to all, despite the best efforts of our Groundsman, Hugh. What else will happen in Phase 2? Further detailed discussions will take place over the next few months, but it is envisaged that most of the remaining work will revolve round a brand new drainage system which will contribute greatly to the increased usability of all the grass pitches (this will benefit all School and FP Sport, and Rugby and Football in particular); the re-location of the artificial Cricket pitch and the nets to better positions; improvements to the Rugby set-up and also the training area used by Rugby and Football; plus a number of other detailed improvements. The exact extent of the scope of Phase 2 will depend on the final level of funding which is secured, but we will continue to persevere exactly as we have done over the past three or four years. What is going to happen to the existing Pavilion? A number of surveys have been carried out and, sadly, they all confirm that the Pavilion has finally reached the end of its useful life. After very careful consideration it has been recommended that the current Pavilion should be demolished once the new Pavilion is up and fully operational in 2006. I know that many FPs have a strong nostalgic attachment to the current Pavilion and will be sad to see it disappear. It is a fine granite building which in many ways personifies Rubislaw. However, we have put forward plans to retain the familiar features of the portico with its four granite pillars and its Latin inscription Caesorum Comitum Memores and to relocate those elements to form the basis of a new, but familiar looking, Memorial. The City Council have been very understanding about the significance of the Pavilion as a War Memorial, and I am confident that we will finish up with a highly appropriate monument which FPs will recognise, and with which they will feel comfortable. As the detailed designs are developed we aim to display them so that FPs will have an opportunity to comment before a final decision is taken on the exact form of the new Memorial. I mentioned at the beginning that it has been a long and difficult road to travel to get to this stage, but I believe it will all prove very worthwhile. As a Club we have already invested about £25,000 in up-front fees for various surveys, plus consultant advice and reports. Latterly, we have done this in partnership with the City Council, but at the beginning the Executive Committee took the decision to involve consultants to help us get the project properly recognised by the Council. This turned out to be a very successful exercise, and following a presentation which we made to the Rubislaw Field Committee in September 2001 the then Convener, Councillor Jurgen Thomaneck, formally gave us the go-ahead to develop the project with the relevant Council Officers. We have had excellent support throughout from all the Councillors who have sat on the Rubislaw Field Committee. This started with Jurgen Thomaneck (when he was Convener) and the late Jack Dempsey, who was always most helpful and supportive. More recently it has been Councillors Pamela MacDonald (the current Convener), Alison Smith (Gilcomston) and Brenda Craig (Queen's Cross) who have endorsed the various recommendations and then steered this project through the various Council Committees. Their support and guidance has been invaluable and greatly appreciated. I would also like to acknowledge the role taken to date by Brian Woodcock, who is the Lead Officer for the

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augavyy loops dPUIJU:119 uaapaNy

85

Work Underway at Ruhislaw, July 2004

Former Pupils' Club Section project. Brian is the Corporate Director for Neighbourhood Services North, so this project is not strictly in his current remit — but he was Director of Arts & Recreation when the project started! He has chaired the Steering Group that was set up to develop the project and his advice and commitment have played a major part in moving the project forward to this stage. Valuable contributions have also come from the Rector, Bill Johnston, the former Head of PE, Dave Swanson and, more recently. Keith Milne. A huge amount of preparatory work has also been done by representatives of the various Sports Sections, and by Jock Hendry and Alan Hamilton who, along with myself, represent the FP Club on the Rubislaw Field Committee. Alan has also been appointed to lead a small Implementation Team, which includes representation from the two FP Hockey Sections, which the Executive Committee has put in place to keep a watching brief on Phase I and provide input as required. No article about Rubislaw would be complete without reference to the Rubislaw Agreement. The current version (which replaced the original 1914 version) was drawn up in 1923 following the decision to go ahead with the Memorial Pavilion. This is an Agreement between the FP Club and the Education Authority of the Burgh of Aberdeen, and it sets out in very simple and clear terms the use of Rubislaw by School and FP Club. Perhaps the key clause in the Agreement is this: "The Rubislaw Field shall be employed for use as a playficld for the pupils and former pupils of the Aberdeen Grammar School in " all time coming This Agreement between the City and the FP Club has been an outstanding success, in that Rubislaw has seen continuous high quality sporting activity, organised by the School and the FP Club, for nearly 80 years. This is despite all the ups and downs experienced by sport over the years, and also despite the many changes which the School has undergone — these include a major increase in size, the loss of the Primary School and the introduction of co-education. The current Agreement - as it relates to the FP Club covers Football (Rugby Football!), Hockey, Cricket and Tennis. Tennis has disappeared, Hockey - now Men's and Women's Hockey - has had to be played elsewhere for the last ten years or so, but Association Football is now firmly on the agenda. The prime reason for this success is that both the School and the FP Club have felt that Rubislaw is their "sporting home" and, as a result, have been hugely committed to keeping sport going and adjusting, where appropriate, to external changes and pressures. One of the biggest changes made by the EP Club was about 25 years ago, when it became appropriate to allow the Sports Sections to open up their membership to non-FPs. This means that all Sections are now genuine Community-based sports organisations and open to all-corners, which is a key consideration in the current environment. It is absolutely crucial that the spirit and principles of the Rubislaw Agreement continue to operate in the future. We are now at the start of one of the most exciting periods in Rubislaw's long and successful history. The next two or three years are going to be extremely challenging, and everyone will have to work together to ensure that the School and the FP Sports Sections manage through the difficult period while construction work is underway. We will be short of some grass pitches for a while, and the changing arrangements will be very limited until the new Pavilion is ready in the Spring of 2006. However, with co-operation and goodwill, plus maximum flexibility from the City, I am confident that we will all cope successfully with the interim problems and limitations and emerge into a brave new era of Sport at Rubislaw where the School, the FP Club and the City will enjoy facilities fit for the 21st Century and establish new levels of participation and excellence! We have much to look Martin Jeffrey forward to. Chairman, Executive Committee

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Centre Reports Club Centre Mike Tasker, our Bar Manager, and his staff have continued to provide excellent service during 2003. Although a couple of staff left. .iew recruits, who are performing well, have replaced them. There has been the usual routine replacement of equipment and while maintenance costs have been kept to a minimum some upgrading work has been done both to the building and to the grounds. David Leighton, our House Convener, has recently resigned from this post, but we are grateful to him for his considerable input of time and ideas in this very demanding job. We have recently introduced bottles of "Club Wine" which are already selling well. We ran several special offers during the year including a real ale promotion and a Summer Pimms Special. We continue to examine better ways to purchase our supplies in an effort to reduce costs and improve margins. Functions, quiz nights and barbecues produced much needed extra income last year, as did the use of our meeting rooms. It is hoped that this area of our business can be increased this year. As the Quiz Nights have proved popular we are running them monthly during 2004, on the last Friday of each month. Please get a team together and join in the fun. If any members require a meeting room, or wish to arrange a function, party. barbecue, etc., they should consider using the Club Centre before looking elsewhere. Betty Longmead, who holds our catering franchise, continues to provide good quality, good value lunches on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as catering for functions and parties. Membership for 2003 ended at 658, up on the previous year due to an excellent intake from the School. So far this year membership stands at 692, a good increase, mainly due to a rise in numbers from the Sporting Sections, especially Hockey. Cricket and Football. This is due to new Sports membership rates and rules approved last year and introduced for this year's membership round. The increased Sports numbers and the anticipated new hockey pitch at Rubislaw should considerably increase the usage of the Centre by all Sports sections. Despite these good figures, there has actually been a drop in the number of Associate members. This is a slight cause for concern, and members should be actively recruiting friends to join. The higher our membership, the better we can make the Club. Canada The I lth annual reunion of the Canadian Centre was held in Calgary over the weekend of 13th-14th September. 2003. Mid-September seems to be a wonderful time of year to hold the reunion weekend, as once again we enjoyed two days of glorious fall sunshine. On the Saturday 18 Former Pupils and their spouses, totalling 30 people, stood on the veranda of the historic Ranch at Fish Creek Park greeting old friends and meeting new ones. Gordon Singer organised the weekend, as this year's President, Gillian Thomas (nee Crookshanks) had only recently returned to Calgary with her husband Tim and family after several years in the UK. FPs travelled from Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba to join the Calgary contingent — a combined travelling distance of some 50,000 km.! A notable first-time attendee was George Rickart, who lives in Vancouver and who was recently in Aberdeen to celebrate his 90th birthday. At the other end of the age spectrum - and representing lady FPs — we were delighted to welcome Gillian Thomas and Danielle Brockie (nee Grieve).

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Edinburgh Centre Dinner

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L-R: William Johnston, Neil Borthwick, Basil Emsliejlan McLeod, Nigel Watt, Douglas Skene

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Gordon Singer eventually managed to persuade everyone to go inside for dinner, where we enjoyed a wonderful meal (including local buffalo!) and excellent speeches from our new President and from Gordon Singer and Bob Scace. Gillian received a warm welcome as the first lady president of the Canadian Centre, and Michael Hardie, the outgoing President, installed her with the Badge of Office and passed the Duguid decanter into her safe-keeping for the coming year. After the official speeches the floor was open to anyone who wished to pass on news of other FPs or reminisce about their schooldays - this is now an integral, and very enjoyable, part of the proceedings. It was easier to say our goodbyes knowing that we would be meeting again the following day. Gordon and Pat Singer hosted a marvellous brunch at their lovely home just south of Calgary. We stood outside on their deck in the Alberta sunshine deciding - as we do every year - that this was the best reunion ever. The following FPs attended the dinner: George Rickart (1923-30), Vancouver, B.C.; Fraser Gauld (1938-44), Vancouver, B.C.; Sandy Watt (1939-50), Summerland, B.C.; Ken Duthie (1943-56), Gimli, Manitoba; Peter Jeffrey (1944-59), Dunrobin, Ontario; Robert Scace (1945-60), Calgary; Peter Green (1946-57), Kemptville, Ontario; David Auld (1947-61), Victoria, B.C.; Michael Hardie (1948-59), Almonte, Ontario; Kenneth Pirie (1948-57), Sidney, B.C.; Gordon Singer (1948-49), Calgary, Alberta; Alan Thomson (1951-64), Victoria, B.C.; Ian Thomson (1952-60), Nepean, Ontario; David Thomson (1954-58), Sudbury, Ontario; Peter Edwards (1956-64), Calgary, Alberta; Les Ross (1960-73), Calgary, Alberta; Gillian Thomas (née Crookshanks) (1975-80), Calgary, Alberta: and Danielle Brockie (née Grieve) (1977-83), Calgary, Alberta. 2004 Reunion Weekend: We are delighted that Alex Home (1952-58) has agreed to be this year's Centre President. The next reunion weekend will be held in Ottawa on 1st - 3rd October 2004. The weekend will consist of a get-together on the Friday evening at Peter and Judy Jeffrey's home, the dinner in downtown Ottawa on Saturday evening, and Sunday brunch, once again hosted by Peter Green and Anne Gregory at their lovely home in the Ontario countryside. We look forward to welcoming FPs and spouses/guests from Ottawa and other parts of Canada for another great reunion weekend. Any FP based outwith Canada but holidaying there is most welcome to attend - fuller details from Peter Jeffrey. Edinburgh The Centre held its Annual Dinner on Friday 23rd April 2004 in the Clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society. President Neil Borthwick welcomed the company of forty-six members and guests, including Douglas Skene, President of the Yorkshire Centre, who was the principal guest, the Rector, Bill Johnston, the Head Girl, Gayle Harriman, the Head Boy, Michael Lloyd, Ian McLeod, the recently installed President of the Parent Club and his wife, Marlene, immediate Past President, Sandy Mcllwain and his wife, Moira, Sam Mackenzie, the President of Edinburgh Gordonians and John Hannah and Martin Coulter, representing respectively the Glasgow and Yorkshire Centres. Douglas Skene proposed the Toast of "The School and The Club" and replies were made by the Rector, Head Boy, Head Girl and Ian McLeod. A most enjoyable evening was again greatly helped by the polished chairmanship of Centre President, Neil Borthwick. In August, the annual golf match with the Glasgow Centre was played within the Centre's outing at Tulliallan and resulted in a victory for our friends from the West for the fourth year in a row. The Morr Brown Trophy for the best individual score was won by John Hannah with a Stableford score of 42 points!! Grant Milne was second and Gordon Barron, third. Next year's Dinner will be held in the Clubhouse of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society on Friday 22nd April 2005. 62

Former Pupils' Club Section Any FP who has recently come to the Edinburgh area and who has not received any communication from the Centre is invited to contact Nigel Watt at his home address, "Deanston", East Links Road, Gullane, East Lothian EH31 2AF (Tel: 01620 842216). The following FPs attended the Dinner:- B.D.D. Emslie (1928-35), WM Brown (1932-46), PC Millar (1933-44), A.J.K. Monro (1933-46), J.E. Fraser (1936-49), D.G. Kilgour (1938-50), T.G. Coutts (1938-51), D.A. Brittain (1943-49), A.E. Philip (1943-56), A.M.M. Beattie (1944-47), A.E. McIlwain (1945-51), W.A. Steele (1945-51), R.S. Rilley (1947-55), I.H. McLeod (1951-55), N.K. Campbell (1952-58), Dr N.M. Borthwick (195265), S. Auld (1953-64), J.G. Hannah (1959-71), D. Skene (1959-64), N.G.M. Watt (196369), J.H. Rust (1963-71), R.H.A. Malloch (1970-76), RBM Howie (1972-78), M. Coulter (1983-89), S. Smail (1993-99), S. Chilton (1994-00), C. Duncan (1994-00), B. Engwall (1994-00) R. Pilling (1994-00) and S. Scott (1994-00). Glasgow This year has seen an expansion of our activities. The Joint Function Committee — Dorothy Ross, Aberdeen High School FPs, Bob Strathdee, Glasgow Gordonians and Basil Emslie, Glasgow Centre FPs - decided at their meeting in January 2003 that the Falkirk Wheel would be the feature of our joint outing on Saturday 21 June. On that day the weather was dull but the shops and cafe occupied our time before boarding the boat under cover. The commentary was informative and entertaining. All were fascinated by Scotland's latest engineering feat. Lunch followed at Bean Cross Restaurant, Polmont (some cars took longer than others to find their way) and the three and a quarter hours allowed renewed friendships and memories of schooldays. We appreciated the Edinburgh Centre joining us. Forty-six FPs, families and friends attended. Our 2004 joint function will be a visit to the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan Castle on Saturday 19 June. Our annual golf outing, including the Glasgow versus Edinburgh FPs Stableford competition, was played at Tulliallan Golf Club on Wednesday 20 August 2003. Glasgow retained the Caithness Trophy, very much helped by John Hannah's 42 points which won him the Mor Brown Trophy as the outright winner. A new sport, curling, was introduced thanks to the enthusiasm of Malcolm Gauld. Our first outing of FPs and families, on Saturday 20 March 2004 at Greenacres Curling Rink, was an opportunity for fun and experimentation in this traditional Scottish sport. Beginners and others all enjoyed their time on the ice followed by a pleasant high tea for the modest price of £12 inclusive. As this event was at the end of the curling season all expressed a wish for a repeat next year. Following that, the Committee decided that the Glasgow Centre should enter a team titled Grammarians in a local public school FP league. Any FPs interested please contact Malcolm Gauld at 013355 237039 or email mwrg@hotmail.com. Centres' Annual Dinner dates have been adjusted to allow the Parent Club Presidents to have their final dinner in Aberdeen in March prior to the completion of his or her year of office. Our 2004/5 Dinner is to be held on 29 October 2004, which meant that Sandy Mcllwain would not have a Glasgow Centre Dinner during his year as President. Our Committee decided to honour him at a special dinner on Friday 26 March 2004. We then learned that our Rector Bill Johnston would be retiring and so it became a joint occasion. The Dinner was held at our regular venue, the Swallow Hotel, Glasgow, whose food and service were well received. There was a company of ninety-nine, with thirty-one FPs, six Gordonians and ten former pupils of Aberdeen High School/Harlaw Academy. Malcolm Daniel, in his first year as President of the Glasgow Centre and wearing the President's chain of office bearing the names of Past Presidents since the revival of the Centre in 1983, welcomed FPs and guests. An entertaining and brief AGM was held, after which Malcolm proposed a wellprepared and thoughtful Toast to our retiring Rector. Mr Johnston, relieved of his 63

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine obligatory annual report on the School, entertained us with amusing and serious memories of his seventeen years at the Grammar, during which he had never had time off for sickness or conferences. Malcolm then presented him with a Quaich inscribed "Tiodhlac do dh' Uilleam I. Maclain nuiar a leig e dheth a dhreuchd, bho lonad Ghlaschu nan Sgoilear a bha roimhe ann an Sgoil Ghramair Obar Dheathain". The Rector expressed his thanks, especially mentioning the Gaelic inscription. Entertainment followed. We were most fortunate that Steve Robertson accepted our invitation, as it was his wish to honour his friend Sandy (and Moira of course) to whom he had been best man, not by a toast, but by an abbreviated edition of a show which he gave for charity at HM Theatre, with his wife Eva accompanying him on the piano and Valery Murray as singer. This group presented a fabulous entertainment and naturally received a standing ovation. Steve adapted one of his sketches with new material especially for a Glasgow FP audience. President Sandy thanked Steve, Eva and Val, and then amused us with his reflections, including those of his year as President of the FP Club. To conclude an evening's high entertainment who better than Jack Webster - a Gordonian - to propose in his own inimitable style a Vote of Thanks. Our next Dinner will be held in the Swallow Hotel, Glasgow on Friday 29 October 2004. The following FPs attended the Annual Dinner: Basil Emslie (1929-35), Wilson McIntosh (1932-45), Craigie Anton (1932-41), Robert Lynch (1934-47), Ian Duguid (1938-43), Steve Robertson (1939-51), Ronald Walker (1941-46), Ronald Malcolm (194356), Graham Mortice (1944-57), David Allan (1945-58), Peter Cairns (1945-57), Sandy Mcftwain (1945-51), David Murray Smith (1946-59), Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), Ian McLeod (1951-55), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), James Lyon (1953-61), Graham U'Ren (1958-64), John Hannah (1959-71), Douglas Skene (1959-64), Jim Leask (1960-66), Gary Allan (1963-76), Margery Taylor (1975-81), Malcolm Daniel (1975-81), John Stevenson (1975-81), Stefan Coiling (1990-96), Colin Shaw (1997-03) and Sarah Proctor (1997-03). London This report must surely qualify as one of the shortest in the history of the London Centre. Since our Annual Dinner in May 2003, we have refrained from holding any formal functions. The primary reason for this apparent inactivity has been the decreasing support for such functions in recent years. As intimated in the last issue of the Magazine, however, our Executive Committee is determined to reverse this situation. A first step has been to send a questionnaire to all those on our membership list in order to establish just what our members want. The response has been very encouraging with nearly fifty percent of those contacted sending a reply. By the time this report is being read we shall have completed our analysis and more than likely put in place the first stages of a 2004/2005 programme appropriate to the preferences of our members. I should like to take this opportunity to thank all those who returned their questionnaires and also for the many helpful additional suggestions provided. It would be inappropriate to close without noting the passing of Harold Watt in late 2003. Shortly after his arrival in England, Harold made contact with the London Centre and went on to serve for many years on our Executive Committee. Assiduous in his support for the Centre, despite having to travel from Cambridge, his wise counsel and unparalleled knowledge of the School and the Club will be sorely missed.

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Former Pupils' Club Section Yorkshire The Yorkshire Centre enjoyed a very special evening on the occasion of our 2003 Annual Dinner. For the first time in the long history of the Centre the dinner was held in York, the historic heart of the county. The Grange Hotel offered an excellent setting at which we shared a relaxed and relatively informal evening, with many pleasant reminiscences recounted over the large open table which seated all of the nineteen FPs and guests present. Our guest speakers for the night were Ian Small, headmaster of the local Bootham School, and the Depute Rector, Helen limes, representing the School. Ian Small, approaching retirement after a similar period of tenure to that of our Rector, delivered a revealing and heart-felt talk, focused on the values and ethos he had sought to maintain at the historic Bootham School, established in 1823 as a boys' school in York for the sons of Quakers. Tradition, high standards, and the school as a shared "place" for Former Pupils (Old Scholars) as they had moved out into world were identified as important themes. In customary fashion, Miss limes then presented a broad summary of the activities, and many successes, of the old school over the past year. This was very interesting and demonstrated the continued high standards of the Aberdeen Grammar School today, particularly in the extra-curricular fields. Doug Skene, in his first year as President of the Centre, then led an innovative and very successful toast to our guests on behalf of the Centre. After mirroring the themes of tradition and high standards raised by our guest speakers, Doug skilfully opened the reply to the audience, eliciting many impromptu anecdotes from the gathered FPs and guests alike. These anecdotes, and the presence of the traditional "Birse Tea" as it passed around the table, made for a very convivial atmosphere. The theme of - place" and the importance of our remarkably common memories of Aberdeen from the nine decades of the School represented, were very evident indeed. Former pupils attending the dinner were: Basil Emslie (1929-35), Wilson McIntosh (1932-45), Dick Tyson (1944-49), Brian Bruce (1947-51), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), Doug Skene (1959-64), Ian Fraser (1962-68) and Martin Coulter (1983-89). The 2004 Dinner will be held at the Grange Hotel, York, on Friday 17 September. We have been fortunate in securing the company of a very special guest speaker, David Craig — FP, writer and former Professor of Creative Writing at Lancaster University. He has chosen to talk on the subject of "Grammar Teachers of the 40's & 50's". We are sure you will find this and our informal atmosphere very enjoyable. Please join us.

Section Reports Cricket First XI Last season was memorable from several aspects, with the highlight being the First XI's promotion to Grade 1. The team finished in second place in the league, our final game against Gordonians settling the last promotion slot and going right to the wire. We ran out narrow victors by one wicket. Messrs Moir and Eagles rescued the batting in this game and will, of course, claim that the result was never in any doubt and that they had it all planned from the outset. Highlights of the season past are as follows:• Three players aggregate runs of >300 for the season in all games ■ Two declarations in consecutive games passing 250 each time Not being bowled out for under 100 batting first • ■ Rhags' maiden 6 and unbeaten maiden century against Queens Cross the day after the Club dinner!

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Aberdeen Grammar School Afagarine

■ • • • • • ■ •

Rhags (our Australian import) sporting a woolly hat and fleecy jumper in the field in the warmest Aberdeen summer on record John Youles' 140 not out against Stoneywood Dyce at Duthie Park Geoff Morrison's outstanding fielding 'Chucker' lnkson topping the league batting averages LBW fest against Dunecht, two given in the last over by the Dunecht umpire to win the game John Youles' dismissal backing up -v- Mannofield at Rubislaw and subsequent sprint to assume the square leg umpiring position and call the bowler for chucking Moir with a gammy leg dancing down the track to hit Milne for 6 at Slopefield in the promotion winning game And lastly, beating Gordonians by I wicket to win promotion at Slopefield in the last game of the season.

Second XI Last summer's glorious weather reflected an exciting and successful 2003 season for the 2nd XL which included a cup final appearance in the Johnston Rose Bowl and securing promotion to Grade 3 for the 2004 season. After a stuttering start involving a tie with Stonehaven and a 10 wicket loss to Methlick, we bounced back to winning ways and managed to beat both Dunecht and Gordonians home and away — memorably the "double" was completed over our old rivals with a 143-run win at Countesswells, set up with an unbeaten knock of 186 by Carl Celedin and with Fiona Bramald taking 5 wickets to complete the rout. The league campaign was wrapped up by a convincing victory against Elton to seal promotion on the last day of the season as Grade 4 runners-up, with John Williams scoring 24 vital runs, taking 5 wickets and holding 5 catches in the same match surely some sort of all round record. The league performance was complimented by an exciting cup run. By dispatching Elton in a close game at Rubislaw and routing Dunecht away, a cup final against Methlick beckoned- Despite limiting the grade newcomers to 209 runs on a good surface at Ellon's Gordon Park, and explosive start to our reply (93 runs coming in 10 overs) it was not to be and we unfortunately slid to defeat. That would prove to be our third loss to Methlick who clinched both the league and the cup. All in all a most enjoyable, if unpredictable, season. As this is written, season 2004 is underway with the 1st Xl making good headway in Grade One, but with the 2nd XI struggling early in the season. Anyone wishing to join the Section can do so by contacting either of the captains via the Club Centre or, alternatively, by turning up at nets which are held at Rubislaw on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the season. Curling Having recruited three new members it was decided to field two teams to play with our friends at Rubislaw Curling Club. This enabled the combined Clubs to have a league of five teams. The team skipped by Ian Souter narrowly won both competitions, and that skipped by Geddie Hay enjoyed a supporting role. Next season the number of combined teams will rise to six, enhancing the friendly competition. Norman Patterson continued to skip the Province team and led that team to the top league, something none of the current players can remember being achieved by an FP team. However a combination of players being unavailable and superior curling from our opponents resulted in a somewhat lowly place at the end of the Spring leagues. Reluctantly a decision was taken at the AGM to withdraw from Province leagues to reduce the commitment of the regular players. Instead the Club will take part in more of the formal competitions. 66

Former Pupils' Club Section At the time of writing, it looks as if the new Curling rink at the Lang Stracht will open on schedule in January 2005. Until it is ready it is intended that curling will continue at Stoneywood, courtesy of BP. One bonus from the move to the new premises is that the late curling session at 9.30pm with an I 1.30pm finish will disappear. There will now be two sessions at 6.30 and 8.30. Our section would welcome new or returning members to enjoy the new facility. Coaching continues to be available, principally on a Saturday morning. Football This season we played in Division 2 (North) of the Saturday Amateur Leagues, which was a strong Division including Cove Thistle and Robert Gordon University, who had been demoted from the Premier Division. We started well with three out of four wins, and thumped Kemnay in the Cup. Cliftonvale were early pace-setters in the League but, despite some closely fought defeats, we realised that a good run of games during the second half of the season could see us make promotion. Unfortunately, only the top three teams were promoted and we finished fourth. Quayside grabbed the third spot and are in a tough-looking Division I (North). Our player of the season was our goalkeeper, Marco Bonato, for his continued efforts, and thanks go to all squad members. Golf The Section had outings in 2003 to Braemar in May and October, Ballater in June, and Taymouth Castle in August. Similar outings are planned for this year. Gordon Inkson won the Carry Cup at Taymouth, which is generally won by higher handicapped players. Gordon's Uncle Dennis took over as Captain this year, although he failed to attend the annual dinner when the chain of office is handed over. Hosting next year's dinner might prove rather costly for Dennis ! Our performance at the Queen Elizabeth went according to plan, losing to Royal High in round 2, having had a bye in round I . Plenty good scoring was achieved throughout the season, but the round of the year was evergreen John Cradock at Braemar in October, comfortably beating his age, in difficult, windy conditions; a very creditable performance for someone who had spent much of the year unable to play. Men's Hockey This year has been unsettling as we have waited to hear whether the redevelopment of Rubislaw would go ahead. The news, when it came, was too late to impact on the season, but has been a tremendous boost to morale. After years in exile hockey for both School and Section will at long last return to Rubislaw. We are determined that this will mark the start of the climb back to the top in hockey circles in this part of the world. This season has thus been one of "treading water" and unfortunately it seems we are not as nimble-footed as expected. All teams have suffered and lacklustre performances have meant that results on the pitch have not been as good as we should aim for, or have achieved in the past. The positives we can take out of the season are the continued development of young players such as Stuart Anderson, who has reached first team status; Shaun Malley playing in Seconds and Matt Sawyer representing North District at U-16 level. Ironically, the presence of hockey members at all FP club functions, including the recent Dinner, has not gone unnoticed, and the other Sports Sections within the Club are certainly more aware of the plight of hockey facilities in Aberdeen.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The very fact of having our own "home" at Rubislaw will immediately allow us to transform our approach. No longer will we be a Club simply "getting teams out at the weekend". Instead, we will be able to refocus and concentrate on being an ambitious, community-based Club, determined to bring more people into the game and to raise standards at all levels. Everyone in the Section will need to contribute to the challenge of getting into schools to promote hockey and the opportunities provided by the Section with its splendid new facilities. This must be followed up by regular evening and weekend coaching sessions for youngsters. We already have an involvement with Grammar but we need to find ways of getting involved with them at 1st and 2nd year if possible. Clearly the plans to restore Grammar hockey to the top of the tree will not happen overnight, and the full results of a greatly extended youth development programme will take several years. However, the benefits of the new pitch will be immediate. Training on our "own" pitch, playing all home matches at "Home" rather than where we can be fitted in at Keith Park, Ellon, Inverurie etc. will make a huge difference. Then there is the fact that the Club Centre is just up the road, so that every weekend will be a hockey celebration rather than just now and again. We have much to look forward to. Look out, Gordonians, you are not going to remain top dogs for ever! ht XI Because of unavailability of players through injury, holidays, exams etc almost 20 players were used at different times and thus the team's performance was not quite as consistent as we would have liked. In National League Division 3 this year we finished in 4th place, but realistically a massive number of points short of the 2nd-placed team. This lack of points stemmed predominantly from poor away form. Indeed, all of the defeats this season have occurred on the road, while home form has been good — unbeaten! The ability is definitely there to progress to better things, but the teamwork this season sometimes could have been better. That said, there is no shortage of commitment attendances at training have been exceptional and the desire to win has been obvious from the entire squad in every game. There were some very good individual performances - up front Simon Tompkins bagged many important goals, especially in the first half of the season; at the back Bob Bruce was easily our most solid defender; and through the middle Dave Urquhart was relentlessly determined to be on the winning side. Like last year, the first team that took the field often had an average age of about 30, but we have been impressed by the commitment and all round play of several younger players. Ally Flett hasn't scored as many goals as last year but has played a huge part in making many for others. Andrew Goodenough has been linking up really well with the forwards recently and should play a bigger part next season if his good form continues, whilst the Anderson brothers continue to play with passion and fearless aggression as only they can. 2nd XI The overall performance of the 2nd XI has been disappointing, with very few wins. While several times they have only lost by the odd goal, performances have been patchy and consistency has suffered on account of changing team selection. However, the Regional League is a very high standard, three of the teams having 1st XIs playing at a higher national league level than our 1st XI, while Ellon and the two younger sides, Quasar & Inveross, both have National League aspirations. We are delighted that Stuart Anderson has decided to concentrate on Goalkeeping, and in a season where there has been very little cheer, his performances, in particular against Dundee Wanderers II in the District Cup, are certainly worthy of mention and he has been rewarded with selection for the 1st XI towards the end of the season. 3rd XI

Former Pupils' Club Section

The 3rd Xl had a very positive start to the season but the problem of getting a regular team on the pitch week in, week out proved fatal, the team picking up many defeats as we went through the season until the last four or five matches, when results finally went their way. There was no lack of commitment from any of the players, including the six or eight regulars who all gave 110% throughout. 4th XI This has almost been a season to forget. After a flurry of fixtures before Christmas the second part of the season was very disjointed with regard to regular fixtures. Announcements of fixtures from week to week has not helped 4ths, 3rds or Colts, and we hope the Rubislaw pitch will help resolve the problem of pitch availability within Aberdeen. Perhaps many are unaware that we have some International team players in our team. Ian Downie and Ron Fraser are both Over-60s Scotland Internationals; Ben Johnson is a Welsh Over-50s international; and this year Tony Duguid is expected to gain a Scotland Over-50s cap or two. There is life in the old players still! However our thanks go to the younger school players in the team (Matt Sawyer, Barry Mitchell, Kyle Crombie, Scott MacRory) who help to bring the average age of the team down. Youth Section For Colts and Badgers teams it was a disjointed season, but it was good to see many of the youngsters moving up through the adult teams. Being able to capitalise on the enthusiasm shown for participation in the indoor game, and Stewart Anderson for being keeper and organising his school team-mates to turn out, we managed to see out the District league commitments and introduce a few youngsters into competitive indoor matches. The Graham Fraser Trophy is awarded annually to the member of the Hockey section who has shown the greatest improvement in his play and club spirit during the season. As always the selection was difficult but last year's winner, David Anderson, kept it in the family and presented it to his younger brother Stuart. who secured several appearances in the 1st Xl towards the end of the season; in addition, his commitments to School hockey and the Colts are to be applauded. The Williams Trophy goes to the 1st XI players' player, taking into account all aspects of hockey, on and off the pitch. This season's winner was David Urquhart. On reflection, then, we all say 'Let the new all-weather pitch be the beginning of a great future for all concerned'. Many Hockey section players are waiting to get back and just play on our own "home" pitch at Rubislaw again. Petanque The Petanque dinner, held in the Club Centre, was once again a feast to be remembered, washed down by copious amounts of red wine. Our thanks are due, once again, to Betty Longmead for an excellent menu. June saw the largest entry yet for the Summer Solstice Singles, Philip Henderson emerging as winner after a hard fought final with Ayron Comber. The Club Championships in August also attracted a large entry and the results were as follows: Singles: Ayron Comber Doubles: Gail Tawse and Dick Cradock Triples: Dick Cradock, Ayron Comber and Ron Comber We need a Captain of Petanque for the coming season — could it be you, or maybe you have a suggestion for the position?

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Rugby At the AGM in April, Charlie Ritchie stood down after five years as Club President. He felt that someone younger ought to learn the ropes! The Club's success over this period can, in no small part, be directly attributed to his tireless championing of the Club at both local and national levels. He saw the Club gain promotion to Premier Division 1, finishing fourth in both the first and second seasons and third in his final season as President. Under Charlie we won the inaugural IT Trophy and the first CEAG Caledonia Sevens, and beat every other club in the Premier division (though not as regularly as he would have liked). In true Charlie fashion he ensured that his successor. Prof. Alex Forrester was introduced to the finer points of the President's role by acting as his mentor at both home and away games in the latter part of the season. The Committee, players and all Club members offer their thanks to Charlie for his guidance and superb advice, and Alex will have ready access to his advice as he faces his new responsibilities. The season started with a bang, the I st XV winning its first six league games, at which point we were the clear leaders of the BT Cellnet Premier Division 1. The middle part of the season, however, left much to be desired, the result at Meggetland vs. Boroughmuir being best forgotten. We bounced back mightily during the season's closing stages with such determination that we beat both the teams destined for first and second place in the League so as to finish a creditable third, our highest finish ever. Notable scalps in the initial games included Hawick (away 35-20), Watsonians (away 49-9) and Melrose (home 28-23). The most memorable game was, however, the draw at Goldenacre vs. Heriots, where only a last-ditch penalty saved Heriots from defeat. While most attending this game came away very happy to have drawn, our Head Coach will go down forever on the STV's "Bloops" as, when asked for his thoughts on the match, he admitted "We came a long way today and were in control for most of the game - losing in the dying seconds is very rough justice." The middle part of the season saw the chain come off, losing away games vs. Hawks (16-35) and Boroughmuir (18-53). We still find it hard to beat Hawick at Rubislaw, losing a very close match, marred by the sin-binning of Rory McKay for a quite trivial offence, by 19-22. Apart from another victory over Stirling at Bridgehaugh, the losing streak continued with both Watsonians and Heriots beating us at Rubislaw, though the second half fight-back in the Watson's game was a sign of things to come. The season ended on a high with wins over Melrose (away 20-16), Boroughmuir (37-8) and Hawks (37-21). The latter two games were played after the official end of the season, having been postponed when Rubislaw was unplayable. Hawks came to Rubislaw as Champions, not having lost a match all season. We soon put that right with a memorable victory, the only team in Scotland to defeat them all season Following Derek Younger's decision to stand down his good work has been continued with Brian Clark as Rugby Convener and David Robinson as Secretary. Alistair Thomson has taken over the financial role, which required a complete re-think now that Anderson, Anderson & Brown are providing their professional expertise not only on accounting practice, but also on Tax, VAT and other related matters. David Leighton continues his recruiting role as well as looking after membership and the on-line registration of players. Alex Buchan is now the Club's Child Co-ordination Officer and also has the vital task of liaising with the Minis and Juniors. Both of these are thankless tasks and we all owe Alex a big "Thanks" for all his efforts. Malcolm Copland, in his first year on the Committee, has dealt with match-day organisation, where he quickly made his mark. Fund-raising continues to be the life blood of the Section and our heartfelt thanks go to Doug Watson, who contributed greatly to our being able to offer our members the high grade of Rugby they deserve. While not a Committee member, Alan Mekie has continued in his position as Match, Referee and Fixture Secretary. In addition, with the launch of the Academy, he has taken on the new and exciting role of Academy Manager. To augment the development of the best players in the North-East, both within and without the Club, we have established a Rugby Academy and are very grateful to

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Fortner Pupils 'Club Section I lalliburton for their sponsorship. The Academy is already providing specialised support and monitoring of the brightest hopes in the area and is an extension of the support we already give to Rugby outwith the Club by providing coaching assistance at other Clubs and at the School. The Rugby Section is rightly proud of its achievements in this area and, in accepting this responsibility, AGSFP will ensure it remains an integral part of the future of rugby in both Caledonia and Scotland. The Rugby Section wish to record their gratitude for the support of the FP Club and Club Centre over the past year. Strong and successful Sports Sections are the key to the future success of the Club Centre. Playing Report and Record Damian Reidy continued as head coach, with Rod Seib continuing as Captain and role model for any aspiring young Rugby Players. Our playing squads were strengthened by a number of new players, including John Beattie (junior), Mark McLean, Kasey Mitchell, Matt Rogers, Regan Stark and Martin Stanning. Ben Prescott made a welcome return to full match fitness. Who can forget his reception when he came on as a sub in the Boroughmuir match. All of these have played in the Ist XV this season and have been a credit to the Club. During the season we used over 70 players throughout the senior teams. Ist Team Squad Performance With two seasons in the BT Premier League under our belts, we have now beaten every other team in the league. This has given the players the confidence to approach each game knowing that the opposition hold no fears for us. The 1st XV league record was as follows: Played 22: Won 13 - Drawn 3 - Lost 6 For 603 — Against 503; Bonus Points - 14; Total Points — 72 The number of players who turned out for the 1st XV was 48 from the Club plus one (Bob Kenny) from Ellon under our Association agreement. At one time we had in Rod Seib and Keith Oddie the top try and top points scorers in the League. By the season's end Keith had pocketed 173 points in League games and a grand total of 215 points for the season — not bad for a selfconfessed veteran!! Rod, not to be outdone, had amassed 16 tries in League games and a total of 19 tries for the season, and was also honoured to be selected as the P1 Players' Player of the Year at the recent awards dinner at Murrayfield. When the SRU dished out their "Fair Play" awards we were a creditable third, so let's keep on being helpful in our advice to visiting referees. You never know, we may come out top of the tree if we are really nice to the men with the whistle! Our Cup competition started well with another win over Hamilton (this time away) by 43 to 20. The next round saw us drawn against Boroughmuir, but at Rubislaw. Those of us who went to Meggetland the week prior to the Cup match could be forgiven for having a slight air of despondency as the Cup game approached (being on the wrong end of a 5318 drubbing tends to prejudge the issue). Nonetheless, on the day the boys were magnificent, giving Boroughmuir an object lesson in offensive defence. The final score of 21-16 to Aberdeen did not reflect the overall superiority of the boys in blue on the day. The sheer rugby 'nous' on display was a lesson to us all, with Luke McCann's drop goal being the pick, taking us more than two scores clear of the visitors. Mother home tie against Stewart's Melville in Round 5 posed a few questions as we had not played them for some years. Our spies (sorry, scouting team) of Colin Robertson/David Leighton/Alan Mekie came back with a few thoughts on how we needed to play. They must have been spot on as we ran out easy winners by 60-0 to progress to the Quarter Finals, where we had been drawn against Hawick at Mansfield Park. To say that their pitch was a quagmire would be to praise it — no club wanting to play Rugby as a running, passing (and, dare one say it, interesting) game would have got very far that day. Needless to say the Hawick tactic of ball up jumper and slither along the ground reaped them the dubious benefit of a

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

sizeable victory (41-13), though at half-time there was everything to play for. How a game played in such atrocious conditions can benefit Scottish rugby defeats the writer. Finally, I am sure we would all like to congratulate Colin Robertson on his appointment as Head Coach of the Scotland U-18 side, following which he has recently been appointed Manager of the Caledonia Academy team — we hope his success continues and look forward to working with him in his new roles. 2nd Team Squad Performance Given the number of injuries and players used in the 1st squad it is no surprise that 2nds had a disappointing season, finishing at the foot of the 2nd XV National 1st Division. With the number of changes in the 1st XV it was difficult for them to get a settled side on which to build results. Most players kept faith and attended training regularly and will be the better for it next season when promotion to Division One will definitely be the target. For the record their league statistics are: Played 16: Won - 3 Drawn - 0 Lost 13 For - 214; Against - 439; Points 21 2B's Team Squad Last year we decided not to run a 3rd side this season but instead to farm out our players under our Associations with ElIon, 'Shire, Gordonians and Mackie. These players have proved to be useful to these sides in completing fixtures and it is hoped that this will go some way to building a better structure for rugby in the North East. Sevens This season we accepted an invitation to the Melrose 7s where we were unlucky to draw one of the invitational overseas teams, Stellenbosch University. The team performed well but the opposition proved to have too much all round gas in their side. On a brighter note, Tim Dinnen's try was judged "try of the tournament". We declined other invitations to the Borders due to the backlog of fixtures and cost constraints of competing on a weekly basis on the Border circuit. However our 2nd Seven performed well in winning both the Highland and Aberdeen & District 7s in successive weeks and then going on to win at Banff. A Club away-day (well, weekend) to Orkney saw one of the two teams entered take the trophy, but not until Super Coach Damian Reidy had shown his most valuable asset as a 7s player - the ability to step down gracefully following one of the 2nd 7s ties which was played in Arctic conditions. The season ended with the CEAG Caley 7s at Countesswells, where we beat Kirkcaldy to retain the trophy. Mini Section The mini section has had an excellent season, running from last August to the end of May, when the last tournament was played at Aboyne. There is a regular attendance of 110 with a total of 136 children being registered. The mini tournament at Rubislaw on 23 May with games at P4 to P7 level was a great success. Anyone looking for future players should be impressed with the standard of some of the older children. Games have been played at Madras, Elton, Mackie, West of Scotland and Bundy. Most of the primaries have done well with the P7 team having played the entire season without losing a single match until our own tournament at the season's end. The children get a well-earned break after a run of tournaments from the end of April to the end of May. The club is particularly strong at P6 and P7 level, with some outstanding individuals moving up to SI level next season. Midi Section The season started well for the U-15 team, with a strong squad of 22 players, even after losing 5 strong players from last season due to age grade rules. The coaches were hopeful of their chances in the league and the players did very well in the first two games. After the Xmas break, and back to full strength, they were confident that the team would do well in the Caledonian McLean Cup. The other main achievement was to reach the finals of the 72

Former Pupils' Club Section Highland 7s competition, being narrowly beaten by a very strong Stirling County team. Eleven of the squad represented the U-15s Hurricanes team which, for the first year ever, went on to win the Caledonian District Competition. The U-16s also accredited themselves extremely well, season's honours including winning the U-16 MacLeans Caledonia Cup, beating Howe of Fife by 35-7 in the final, winning the U-16 competition at the Scottish Festival of Rugby in Ayr in April (beating teams from England, Wales and Scotland, including Ayr, who went through to the national finals at U-16 level this season), and defeating Stirling County 27-0 in the Caledonia League with a brilliant all-round performance. The fact that Stirling got to the final of the U-16 national competition is a measure of the significance of this win. Welcome new recruits developed extremely well over the season, with Joe Lovie and Scott Kemp making big contributions to the success of the squad in the latter part of the season. The main disappointments included coming third in the Caledonia League (so that we did not qualify for the national competition), losing to Dunfermline (the runners-up) and, most disappointingly, to Ross Sutherland (with many of our players unavailable). Again the U-I6s were we►l represented at both local and District levels with twelve of them playing with the NE Hurricanes, five being selected for the Caledonia 1116 team.

Swimming Recreational swimming continues on Tuesday evenings at the School pool from 7-9 p.m. Accompanied children are welcome during the first hour. The second hour is used by adult swimmers only, most of whom move on to the Club Centre afterwards. The Section Office-bearers are as follows:President - Peter Robertson Treasurer - Gordon lnkson Secretary — Angus Thompson As usual, new members are always welcome — could that be you this year?

Women's Hockey Season 2003-2004 presented another milestone for the AGSFP Hockey Girls with the launch of a 3rd Xl who were entered into the North District Division Two. This proved to have been a seriously fortuitous decision as record numbers of girls were coming to training from the very beginning of August and in fact all through the Season. AGSFP Ladies now have the grand total of fifty-five registered players — the most in the history of the Club. As a Club the girls could not have started the season more positively. Having said that, improving on last season's position as Champions of Divisions I and 2 was always going to be a seriously tall order. The 3rd X1 had a tremendous inaugural season. Their team spirit was second to none in the whole District and their efforts were rewarded with some great results towards the end of the season. The team was a real mixture of schoolgirls and adults returning to hockey as well as some adults with little previous experience at all. They turned up to training sessions in droves and certainly saw huge improvements across the team over their first experience of League hockey. The future looks bright with this gang firmly installed in our Club. Played 20 Won 2 Drawn 3 Lost 15 Results: Goals For 8; Goals Against 69; Goal Difference -61; Points 9 The 2nd Xl had a really tough season facing the might of North District Division One for the first time in a couple of years. Their relegation two seasons ago allowed some regrouping. However, the jump from Division Two to Division One is still a real challenge. The girls kicked off the season with some great results in the form of very

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine narrow defeats to top of the table sides. Most teams who struggle in the Division are regularly beaten by five of six goals. Not our 2nd X1 — they held teams to 2-0 and 3-0 defeats regularly. Unfortunately for them, a combination of unfortunate results and subsequent disappointment meant the team found themselves a little despondent towards the latter stages of the season. That said, they are more than ready and excited about starting afresh next Cf son and, in fact, summer training will begin in July to enable the girls to be fit for the start of the new season. Results: Played 22 Won 0 Drawn 1 Lost 21 Goals For 5; Goals Against 79; Goal Difference -74; Points I The 1st X1 found themselves once again locked in a very tight battle at the other end of Division One, Their goal difference was yet again the best in the whole league, which is no mean feat in this really competitive hockey league. The girls were the only side in the District to complete all of their fixtures. Other teams certainly benefited from a few scratched matches. The final blow came when the girls had the chance to win the league outright in their final match of the season but, notwithstanding a valiant effort they fell at the last hurdle. They scored an early goal which was chopped off on a technicality and then the opposition snatched a victory. The girls had had a tremendous season and lost the league by the narrowest of margins. The fact that not everyone else in the league had finished their complete match programme was by this point simply salt in the wound. There is no doubt the team will be back for revenge next season! Results: Played 22 Won 17 Drawn I Lost 4 Goals For 54; Goals Against 16; Goal Difference 39; Points 52 The indoor season was enjoyed by two teams again this year. The ten-week block of indoor matches really tests the girls' fitness levels and, but for a draw on the first day of indoor matches where a win would have been expected, the team certainly proved their fitness. The first game was somewhat overshadowed by a highly successful 'hockey girls' night out' some twelve hours before the match -- not perhaps the best preparation! The first team finished in second place again! As for the second team, they went from strength to strength in the indoor Division Two and almost stole the league on the final day of the season, having started their league campaign fairly quietly. The final result was not important as other results meant the league went elsewhere, but our girls were proud of their efforts and, as ever, they all gained a great deal of experience from taking part in the indoor league. Socially, the club is as active as ever with lots of impromptu nights out as well as formal events. The formal events were again a great success this year and are a real fixture in the hockey club's calendar. It would appear that 'inter-club' weddings are also now a permanent fixture in the hockey club's social calendar with one of the ladies' team marrying one of the men's team this year, and with so far already another two 'inter-club' weddings planned for this coming season the book is open as to which couple will be next - there are certainly plenty of candidates - and you know who you are!!!! The thank-you list this year resembles last year's, but the girls are all truly forever indebted to those volunteers who give of their time, experience and effort through all weathers and sincerely they can never be thanked enough. The girls' thanks go firstly to Richard Wallis who has once again umpired superbly; Scott Forsyth who has taken a large proportion of the astro-turf training sessions; Chris Johnson, Rob Bruce, Carl Celedin, James Williams, Kevin Pope and Stephen Mair for umpiring assistance; and also a huge thank-you to all the supporters who have come and cheered the teams on — the turn-out this year has been fantastic even when the weather was less than pleasant — having a little encouragement really lifts the teams. Finally, a big thank-you to all the players who volunteer to coach, umpire, organise, give lifts, arrange umpires, keep the books, arrange pitches and carry out all the other thankless tasks that need to be taken care of to keep the club functioning - you also know who you are and the girls are also forever in your debt for your efforts.

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Former Pupils' Club Section The impending excitement of an astm-turf pitch at Rubislaw is growing day by day and the club will only benefit from the opportunity this gives the girls to take the club to the next level. There is a great deal of hard work still to be done but with the foundation the girls have there is a great deal of confidence that this club will continue to go from strength to strength. The girls look forward to entertaining some supporters on home turf for the first time in almost fifteen years, and that can only bode well for the facilities at 86 Queen's Road where you can almost guarantee to find them all directly after the matches!!! As ever, new members are very welcome - even if you have not played for years, or have never played hockey before - for further information please contact: t 01224 313386 01224 483372

Emma Mair Morag Wisely

Club Secretary Club President

Social Events Ceilidh A gathering of some 130 or so FPs and guests attended the Ceilidh in the Queen's Hotel on Friday 24 October. All ages were represented, with the Hockey Sections, particularly the "girls", making up a significant and lively proportion of the company. President Sandy Mcllwain, who with his wife Moira had travelled from Glasgow to attend the event, welcomed the company with a few well-chosen words. An excellent Buffet was then enjoyed by all, washed down with copious quantities of wine. Without more ado the band struck up and the dance floor was at once filled with gyrating bodies dancing to the music of "The Reel Estate". The evening passed with much hilarity, vigour and many decibels. Even the " mouldy oldies" present joined in and did not seem to miss the modem waltzes and slow foxtrots. The "Hockey Girls" added their inimitable style of entertainment, which certainly livened up the proceedings. The evening was a great success thanks to the efforts of Lucy Mitchell, with valuable assistance from Emma Mair and Norman Edwards. A similar event is planned for Friday 29 October and a larger attendance would be welcome, particularly from the more mature further details to follow. FPs, just to be up-sides with the younger generation! --

Annual Dinner •

The Annual Dinner, which was attended by about 140 members and guests, was held at the Queen's Hotel, Aberdeen on Friday 5 March 2004, the departure from the former October date not making a significant difference to the numbers. The President, Mr Sandy Mcllwain was in the chair and presided over the gathering with his considerable charm and wit. Nine of the Club's Honorary Vice-Presidents were in attendance as well as the Presidents of the Edinburgh, Glasgow and Yorkshire Centres. As usual, representatives of other local FP Clubs and Associations were in the company. The Head Boy and Head Girl of the School took part in the proceedings. The hotel staff excelled themselves both in the quality of the meal which they served and in the attention which they paid to the needs of the company. The principal toast, to the School and the Club, was proposed by George Donald, who is perhaps best known as the musical part of Scotland the What? He took a nostalgic look back to his own teacher training days when he carried out his continuous teaching at the Grammar, Gordon's and the Central. His amusing anecdotes about teachers of the time, and of the pervading atmosphere in these establishments, had the older members of the company in continuous fits of laughter, although it was disappointing that his nicelyobserved gems of humour were to a great extent lost on the younger FPs present. The Rector, replying on behalf of the School for the last time before his retirement in the summer, was in reflective mood. He described the physical rebuilding of the School 75

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

following the fire of 1986 as the high point of his time in office, and he was glad to have been a major influence on that. The low was without doubt the lack of progress on the provision of a Games Hall at the School and of the all-weather surface and other overdue improvements at Rubislaw. He expressed his appreciation of the support, understanding and encouragement which he had received from the staff, and of the constant respectful support of the Former Pupils' Club. The rich spirit of the School is exemplified by the rich variety of extra-curricular achievements, and he singled out for praise the recent successes of School debaters in both national and international competitions. "Yes," he said, to warm applause, "the School is comprehensive, but it is different and special." Looking back on his career, he commented that First Minister Jack McConnell claims to have left teaching for politics in order to make a difference, whereas he, the Rector, had come into teaching to make a difference. The President, replying for the Club, expressed his pleasure at the experience of his year in office which had enabled him to meet members of the Club in its various Centres, and he found it in good heart. He congratulated all those concerned in keeping its Centres and Sections functioning. The formal proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the President and to Lucy Mitchell for her first-class organisation of a splendid evening. Most people were around for a long time after rising from table, renewing friendships and establishing new ones in the happy atmosphere which had characterised the whole occasion. The following FPs attended the Dinner (in order of entering School): J.R.S. bins (1923-35), J.C. Sellar (1924-34), B.D.D. Emslie (1929-35), W.M. Brown (1932-46), A. Stuart (1932-45), I. Stuart (1933-46), B.K. Crookshanks (1934-46), W. Wood (1937-48), S.A.C.Robertson (1939-51), J.W.Cradock (1940-46), R.H.W. Cradock (1940-51), H.B. Paterson (1941-50), R.H. Thomson (1941-50), J.M. Jeffrey (1942-57), N.M. Munro (194256), H.A.S. Hamilton (1943-56), A.K.Campbell (1944-53), A. Cromar (1944-50) G. Cruickshank (1944-54), E. Grieve (1944-50), D.R. Harper (1944-58), D. Jack (1944-50), J.C.A. Michie (1944-58), A.E. McElwain (1945-51), W.M. Murray (1945-54), D.F. Ross (1945-58), R.R. Comber (1947-51), J.B. Davidson (1947-60), S.A. Howard (1947-58), M.L. Wolkoff (1947-59), R.W. Grant (1948-61), F.K.S. Lawson (1948-61), D.G. Millar (1948-61), M.A. Pratt (1948-61), H.A.B. Will (1948-62), G.F. Webster (1949-62), M.S. Webster (1949-57), H.A.B. Harper (1950-57), R.S. McKay (1950-57), A.D. Milne (195058), G.G. Milne (1950-61), S.J.C. Esson (1951-64), J.F. Hendry (1951-65), I.H. McLeod (1951-55), M.B. Colvin (1951-65), H.E. Morrison (1951-65), R.C. Shirreffs (1951-65), R. Gray (1951-65), D.K. Yule (1951-65), N.M. Borthwick (1952-65), H.O. Cameron (195258), G.C. Cowie (1952-65), A.C. Dickie (1952-58), P.N. Love (1952-58), E.A.S. Porter (1952-58), H.R. Millar (1952-65), W.R. Hutcheon (1953-58), J.C. Lyon (1953-59), J.H. Gauld (1956-62), D.B. Campbell (1958-64), F.I. Lloyd (1958-65), M.A. Batchelor (195965), A.G. Campbell (1959-65), B.M. Drummond (1959-65), N.K.B. Edwards (1959-64), D. Skene (1959-64), N. Garden (1960-66), D.W. Inkson (1960-66), D.N. Yule (1960-66), I.S. Hopkin (1962-68), W.R. Hutcheson (1962-68), S. Nicol (1962-71), P.W. Morrison (1965-71), P.M. Robertson (1967-73), G.N. Edwards (1968-74), D.G. Moir (1969-75), D.A. Harley (1974-80), L Taylor (1974-80), M.K. Daniel (1975-81), B.I. Fitzpatrick (1978-81), D.M. Watson (1979-85), T. Watt (1983-89), D. Harris (1985-91), L. Mitchell (1985-90), G.M. Inkson (1986-92), S.M. Watson (1987-93), N.M. Fox (1988-94), K. Stuart (1988-94), M. Wisely (1988-94), S.A. Johnson (1990-96), C. Shaw (1997-03), J.A. Bain (1991-97) and S. Millington (1998-01). In addition to the Rector, W.J. Johnston, former Staff member I.T. Stephen was present.

4th Reunion of 1947-49 School Leavers As in the past the fourth Reunion eased into action early in the afternoon of 21st May when some forty colleagues and wives met for coffee in the Athol! Hotel,

76

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and to study probably the best display of memorabilia at any of our gatherings to date. Amongst the items on show were Kindergarten class lists from 1936-37, class photographs, Scout groups, athletics, cricket and rugby teams over the years until 1949 and, most moving of all, the press tributes to Daily Allardice — someone we all knew. By 6.30 pm the company was facing the camera in an attempt to have their best features recorded before being welcomed in humourous vein by Alastair Flume, who also intimated apologies from friends unable to attend due to ill health. He then asked Peter Gordon to say grace, which he did with elegance and sincerity. After a very enjoyable meal, Allan Macdearmid gave a resume of our last three Reunions and, after recalling those friends who are no longer with us, proposed the toast to Absent Friends. Ron (Tarzan) McLeod, our Guest of Honour for the fourth time in ten years, rose to propose the toast to `the School and the 1947-49 Leavers'. Displaying his customary quickness of wit and use of Latin and English languages to prove that he is still as sharp as a tack, he completed the toast to prolonged applause. In reply, George (Podge) Fraser thanked Ron for his eloquent speech and added his own reminiscences when describing the ploys which recalcitrant pupils used in their attempts to outwit sorely tried members of staff. In closing the evening Fred Lynch thanked the speakers and complimented the hotel staff on the excellence of their service and attention to our needs. Towards the end of informal exchanges amongst the company there was an enthusiastic response to a suggestion that another Reunion should be held in 3-4 years time — although this may have been due in some small part to the effects of liquid refreshment !! The weekend's activities finally drew to a close on Saturday morning when about fifty colleagues and wives, assisted by continuous supplies of coffee, continued to reminisce until the final whistle sounded at 12.30 pm !! The members of the class present were:- David Brittain, Bill Brooker, Sandy Chcyne, Harry Connochie, Willie Craig, Peter Cromar, Leslie Cruickshank, Ian Donald, Keith Farquharson, Eddie Fraser, George Fraser, Peter Gordon, Brian Gray, Ken Haining, Myron Hampton. Alastair Hume, Pat !lutes, Albert Lawrie, Herbert Longmore, Malcolm Lyall, Fred Lynch, Allan Macdearmid, George Macdonald, Bill Morrice, Brian Morris, Campbell Murray, Alistair Nisbet, Hamish Paterson, Dennis Ritchie, Ron Sangster, Moray Slater, Michael Williams, Graeme Wilson and Willie Wood. ( l 936-47) A. M. (1941-48)

F.P. Club Membership Subscription Rates The Executive Committee carried out a thorough review of the membership structure and the relevant subscription rates in 2000. Prior to that, the last time that subscription rates had been adjusted was in 1982, and 18 years is far too long between such reviews. The feeling is that it would be sensible to review rates every 5 years although, of course, changes can be made at any time if circumstances require it. The Executive has just completed another review and hopes that this will see us through until 2009. Only two changes have been made. Firstly, the Life Member "Top up" which has been hugely successful -- has been increased from £15 to f20. The Life Fund is looking stronger, but still requires further "topping up". The £20 "Top up" proposed works out at just £4 per year for the 5-year period 2005 to 2009 inclusive. We also draw down 5% of the Life Fund each year and this works out at roughly f 1 per Life Member, so that, when this is added to the £4 from the "Top up", the Club receives £5 per Life Member in total. 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 77

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

"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. I hope that we will get an even better response this time round — it is a vital part of the Club's income. The second change is to the Annual Subscription. This has been increased from £I I to £12.50 (if paid by cheque), which is pretty well in line with inflation. We have maintained the Subscription for those who pay by Standing Order at £10, as this is so much easier to administer as well as saving hassle and time for those who pay this way, as opposed to paying by cheque each year. As will be seen from the details below, all other Subscriptions remain unchanged. Life Membership: New Life Members: £100 plus a £20 "Top up" every 5 years, the first "Top up" being payable 5 years after Life Membership is taken out. Existing Life members: £20 "Top up" every 5 years Annual Membership: Ordinary Members: £12.50 by cheque or £10 if paid by Standing Order) Under-25 Members: £6 (Members must be aged under 25 on 1 January of Subscription Year) School Leavers: £5 (covers remainder of year of leaving plus 1 year) School Leavers — (Extended): £20 (covers remainder of year of leaving plus 5 years) Note: School Leavers also become Members of the Club Centre when they reach the age of 18, for the same periods as defined above for their Membership of the parent Club. Special Notes for Members over 75: All members of the FP Club become "Long Service" Members from 1st January after 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 he sent to the Membership Secretary, Mrs WhIlma Jeffrey, who will also deal with all Membership queries, changes of address etc: Her address is: The Willows, Dalmuinzie Road, Bieldside, Aberdeen AB15 9EB. Fax: 01224 862020 Email: martin.ieffrevathtintemet.com Donations and Bequests When we set up the Second Century Fund in 2000, we decided that all Donations and Bequests should be paid into that Fund rather than used to defray the normal running costs of the Club. This has not only given us a Fund that we can draw on for specific projects which could not be financed in other ways, but also allows those who have made Donations to see clearly how their contributions are being used. Members continue to be extraordinarily generous in their support of the Club and typically we receive over £1,000 each year in the form of Donations, in addition to any Bequests. This support makes a huge difference to the Club and the Second Century Fund was used to finance the splendid oak panels outside the Rector's office which incorporate the names of the winners of the FP Club's All-Round Trophy. The Fund has also contributed substantially to the various up-front costs associated with the plans to redevelop Rubislaw Playing Field as well as to a number of smaller projects. Donations come in a variety of ways. Often they are straight Donations and are specified as such. Sometimes they result from a "Long Service" Member paying a subscription or a "Top-up" which he no longer needs to make - these are treated as Donations with the agreement of the member concerned. Occasionally, a member makes a duplicate payment in error and, when contacted, agrees to convert this to a Donation. Whatever the circumstances, all Donations, large and small. are very welcome and 78

Former Pupils' Club Section represent an important contribution to our Second Century Fund which benefited to the extent of £1,152 in 2003. Our grateful thanks go to everyone who has made a donation. New Members of the Club — I July 2003 to 30 June 2003

Norman Woodman

Life Member 1938-49

Jillian Bain Kenneth Coutts Paul Cowie Robert Davidson Ivor Douglas Nikki Fox Steven Fraser David Galloway Mitch Gibson Kate Goodenough Gillian Graham Ron limes Steven Jack

Annual Members 1991-97 David Johnston 1977-82 Gordon Lees 1978-83 Andy Leighton 1983-89 Alisdair MacKenzie 1952-57 Eric Malcolm 1988-94 Brian Middleton 1986-91 Neill Robertson 1976-82 David Sinclair 1956-62 Paul Smith 1996-02 Ian Torvaney 1991-97 Susan Watson 1952-64 Alan Western 1979-85

1983-89 1948-85 1997-03 19 -65 1970-74 1986-92 1990-96 1983-89 1986-92 1943-48 1987-93 1987-

Sean Ambrose Colin Anderson Deborah Arantes Imogen Begg Stavlon Carvalho Liam Connelly Angus deBoth Barbara Duncan Kieran Findlay Cameron Fraser Stephanie Gordon Luigi Govil Lucy Gray Gayle Harriman Judith Herbert Chris Law

School Leavers, 2004 Christopher Lindsay 1998-04 Michael Lloyd 1998-04 Ian Lumsden 2001-04 1998-04 Neil-Angus MacNeil 1998-04 Gillian McHattie Marianne Milne 1998-04 2002-04 Cameron Morrison Lucie Murray 1998-04 Nick Riddoch 1998-04 1998-04 Christopher Robb 1998-04 Andrew Russell 1998-04 Kirsty Shand 1998-04 Blair Stephen Lynne Wightman 1998-04 Kim Young 1998-04 1998-04

1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04 1998-04

Long Service Members Last year we published the full list of Long Service Members in the Magazine, and we shall probably continue to do this every two or three years from now on. However, I think it would be appropriate to publish annually the names of our magnificent Nonagenarians. Today we have no less than seven members who have reached the 90-year mark, with a further three who will do so by the end of the year. Congratulations to them all. Colin Jackson George Barton Alfred Raffan Norman Clark Norman Beattie

26 May, 1907 9 November, 1909 21September, 1912 13 October, 1912 26 April, 1913

1921 - 24 1923 - 26 1919 - 31 1919 - 29 1921 - 31

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine George Rickart James Mackay

1923 - 30 1919-32

4 June, 1913 18 March 1914

Fraser McLuskey Tom Hutchison Eric Cruickshank

1920-31 1920-31 1926-31

19 September 1914 26 September 1914 14 December 1914

The following Members of the Club reached the age of 75 during 2003 and so became Long Service Members on 1st January 2004 : Annual Member 1933-46 Sandy Monro

Allan Archibald Ian Brooker William Coulson Eric Craig Eddie Cran Pierre Fouin Ian Henderson Sandy lnnes Colin Kelly Arthur Main

BAIN HENRY REID CH•RTERED

ACCOUNTANTS

Life Members 1933-45 Arthur McCombie 1935-45 Alexander Robertson Norman Robson 1936-44 1934-46 Maurice Roe 1944-47 Neil Scott 1944-47 F. Keith Sellar 1943-44 lan Stuart Sandy Watson 1933-45 Gordon Williams 1940-44 1939-45

Staff 1942-44 1933-40 1934-45 1937-46 1932-45 1933-46 1933-46 1933-46

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Former Pupils' Club Section

NOTES about

FORMER PUPILS Honours and Awards Order of the British Empire Joseph Leiper (1953-59) MA, DipEd, ACII was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year's Honours List 2004 for services to education. He retired at the end of June from the post of head teacher at Oldmachar Academy which he had held since it opened in 1982. In that time he has seen the school roll grow from an initial 300 to 1,100 pupils, making it one of Aberdeen's largest secondary schools. He is currently Convener of the Business Committee of the General Council and a member of the University Court of Aberdeen University. Alistair Kenneth Gordon Lamont (1952-65) FIWM was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2004 in respect of his services to sustainable waste management. He left the Dundee City Cleansing Department in 1977 to set up Alistair Lamont Associates, specialising in waste and environmental management training, assessment, research and consultancy. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Waste Management of which he has been a leading member for many years. Order of St John of Jerusalem At a ceremony in St John's Church, Perth on 24 June 2004 Basil Emslie (1929-35) 1D, JP was invested as an Officer of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. the oldest of the Orders of Chivalry. Basil has been a serving brother of the Order for the past twenty years. He is, of course, the tireless and enthusiastic Secretary of the Club's Glasgow Centre. Honorary Degrees At a Graduation Ceremony held by Robert Gordon University in July 2003, the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts (D.A.) was conferred on Alexander Fraser (1955-58). He studied drawing and painting at the former Gray's School of Art, now part of the University, and graduated in 1%2. He became a lecturer there 1966, a senior lecturer in 1981, and was later appointed head of drawing and painting. He has been responsible for teaching, guiding and nurturing the creative talents of many of the University's notable art graduates, and is known as one of the most significant portrait painters of his generation, his subjects including many of the most prominent Scottish leaders of recent years in civic, academic, legal and religious circles. At a ceremony held by New York University earlier this year, the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters was conferred on Charles Duncan Rice (1949-60). After teaching briefly at Aberdeen he spent much of his professional life in America, firstly at Yale and then at New York which he joined in 1985 as Dean of the Faculty of Arts. In 1991 he was appointed Vice-chancellor, holding that post until 1996 when he returned to Aberdeen as Principal of the University. Commenting on the honour, Principal Rice said "New York University is now one of the great universities of the highest quality, and prides itself on its long tradition of developing innovative research. l am privileged to have played a part in its recent outstanding achievements."

John Black (1986-92) is one of three FPs and a Gordonian, all school contemporaries, who have set up a their own shipping agency and marine logistics company in Aberdeen. He. Innes Murdo Cameron (1990-95) and Keith Sim (1990-95), along with James Braid.

.4herdeen Grammar School Magazine

a Gordonian, all played rugby together at school and found themselves working together for an established shipping agency before realising that they had between them the ability and knowledge to start their own business. Assisted by an older colleague, with thirty years' experience of this type of business, as chairman, and with private finance, they are confident of success. The new company, Enship, aims to provide advice, detailed planning and quayside services to the shipping and marine logistics sector, and already there is worldwide interest in what they have to offer. Frederick George Bull (1949-65) was one of the many Grammarians inspired by Charles Hemmingway who went on to train at Gray's School of Art. A career in teaching followed. He retired in 1992 as Co-ordinator of Expressive Arts at Craigie College of Education, Ayr and National Development Officer (Art & Design). He at once started work on his project to discover the Aberdeens of the world, about which he writes elsewhere in this Magazine. Alan Grant Campbell (1959-65) OBE, LL.B, who in his spare time is chairman of Deeside Thistle Cycling Club, gained a silver standard in one of the world's toughest one-day cycle challenges in July 2003. This was the gruelling 110-mile La Marmotte event, which crosses four Alpine mountain passes including the Galibier, last year's highest point on the Tour de France, and finishes at the summit of the legendary Alpe d'Huez. Peter David Carry (1957-70), a partner in Jamieson & Carry, jewellers, Aberdeen, has retired from the Board of Scottish Enterprise Grampian. David William George Chillas (1968-71) made his debut on the Euro Seniors Golf Tour in 2003, having just turned 50. Winner of the Scottish Boys' Stroke Play Championship in 1970, he was a regular on the European Tour for several years thereafter. He has fronted a number of successful business enterprises and has recently competed in several golf events in the United States. Robin Finlayson Cook (1950-60) MP, whose resignation from the Cabinet created a major sensation last year, has now published his account of the background to his decision, The Point of Departure.

Graeme Forbes Coutts (1971-76), who has been a director of the Expro International Group since 1995, has recently been appointed chief executive of the Group. Having started out in banking after leaving School, he early changed to engineering, joining Schlumberger as a trainee and progresing to be field service superviser. After three years in marketing and business development with Baker Hughes, gaining knowledge of oilfield technologies, he joined Expro, a company specialising in the key products and services required to safely complete and manage oil and gas wells. Under his direction the company is at the forefront of using the latest technologies to recover oil reserves previously thought to be non-viable. Despite being based in Reading, he has maintained his interest in football and is a member of the Aberdeen F.C. youth development board. John William Curran (1963-69) LLB, who is senior property development patner with Ledingham Chalmers, advocates, in Aberdeen has overseen the creation of a dedicated unit within the firm to provide advice on planning and environmental issues, ahead of radical changes to the planning process proposed by the Scottish Executive. Malcolm Kennedy Daniel (1975-81) MB,ChB, FRCP, FRCA graduated from Aberdeen University in 1986. After training in general medicine in Aberdeen he went on to train in anaesthesia in Aberdeen and Glasgow. He spent two productive years as a visiting assistant professor at the University of California in San Francisco. He was appointed as a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 1997, and also works as a clinical adviser for NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. Due to work commitments, he turned up late at a meeting of the FP Club Glasgow Centre Committee, only to be informed by the redoubtable Basil Emslie that he was to be the next President of the Centre — a task which he was happy to accept. Malcolm's marriage is reported elsewhere in this Magazine; his best man was his brother Brian James Daniel (1977-82) and, as ever, John Stevenson (1975-81) beat him in the pre-wedding golf match. Ivor William Douglas (1952-56) who entered School in Lower V and left from Upper IV, moved with his family to Bristol in 1958 and has lived and worked in that area ever since. 82

Former Pupils' Club Section He was employed with the local authority there for thirty years, taking early retirement in 1991. He then started a further career in administration at TV Licensing Headquarters until reaching his 60th birthday in 2000. He then moved to Aust, a small village a few miles outside Bristol. He is a keen supporter of Bristol Rugby Club and still swims 3 km. every week. He is a recent recruit to the FP Club. Nicolas Allan Fair (1991-95) MA has taken up a post at Gordonstoun School looking after outdoor education. He has a degree in Economics from Edinburgh University, has played cricket for Aberdeenshire, and recently had a job as a walking tour leader in the Alps. Edward Arthur Fletcher (1972-76) has completed twenty-one years with Aberdeen fish merchants and retailers, Granite City Fish, of which he is currently managing director. The firm, which participates in the very successful monthly Aberdeen Farmers' Market, has recently opened a retail outlet in Crieff. This is in addition to branches in Perth, Forfar and Carnoustic. George Leslie Fraser (1936-49) met up with former members of an Aberdeen University Golf team to mark 50 years from their triumph in the Scottish Universities Golf Championship of 1954. They met up at Cruden Bay towards the end of April and enjoyed great golf on a glorious spring day. Also in the party were Myron Grant Hampton (194649) now living in Henley and Alister Macgregor Nisbet (1938-48) who travelled from Bridlington. A fourth FP in the 1954 team was John Philip Grant (1937-45) whose death earlier this year is recorded elsewhere in this Magazine. David Brian Galloway (1944-58) MB,ChB, a consultant physician at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, has recently co-ordinated a study by the medicines research unit at the hospital into the effects of Deeside mineral water, flowing from Pannanich Wells, near Balmoral, on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Experts suggest that the low alkaline and mineral content of the water may explain its apparent ability to calm inflammation. Norman Garden (1960-66) is the chairman of a new business "angel" syndicate, Aurora Private Equity, a private initiative by some entrepreneurs in the Aberdeen area focussed on helping both established and emerging firms with growth prospects. One aim of the new enterprise is to help plug gaps left by mainstream venture capital companies and public sector initiatives. Membership of Aurora, already 25-strong, is expected to embrace 30 to 40 investors within its first year. Norman retired in 2000 as Managing Director of SAIC UK, the UK subsidiary of the world's largest employee-owned science and technology company, having spent his entire career in the computer industry. Peter Mitchell Gordon (1939-48) MA, BD reports his involvement in a significant Gordonian occasion in August last year when, in the absence of the parish minister, he was invited to take part in the commemoration of Captain Archibald Bisset Smith VC in Rhynie Kirkyard. The Otaki Award was instituted at Robert Gordon's College in memory of Captain Smith, who went down with the New Zealand steamship Otaki in 1917 after an epic sea battle. The ceremony at Rhynie was the occasion of the first ever reunion of Otaki winners, over thirty of whom were present. Peter now lives in retirement near Cupar, Fife where another retired minister is Andrew L. Stevenson, principal PE teacher at the School from 1957-66, who later moved to the College of Education and then into the ministry of the Church of Scotland. Ronald William Grant (1948-61) TD, MB,ChB has been honorary medical adviser to the Aberdeen branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for the last fifteen years, and this was recently recognised by the award of the Institution's Silver Brooch. He continues to serve on the Aberdeen management committee. lain Gilmour Gray (1969-75) BSc(Eng) has been appointed managing director and general manager of Airbus UK. He will be responsible for the management of the Airbus business in the UK and will directly manage the A380 aircraft programme, overseeing the design, manufacture, assembly and supply of the wings and landing gear for the new 555-seater aircraft which is due to make its first flight next year. After graduation he joined British Aerospace in 1979, working in the wing structures office, and his career has concentrated

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on the development of large aircraft. Prior to his new appointment he was senior vicepresident of the Airbus wing engineering integration centre. Trevor Gray (1921-32) took part in a gathering of twenty-one of the last sixty surviving pilots who flew Spitfire fighters in the Battle of Britain held at Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire last year. A commemorative photograph was published, together with biographical notes, in the Mail on Sunday of 14th December. After 1945 he worked on the development of marine radar and navigational aids for aircraft. Many years after the war he was put in touch with the pilot of a Messerschmitt 110 on which he had scored a direct hit but which had been able to limp home to its base. They thereafter kept in touch until the German's death three years ago. His first wife died in 1983. Now aged 87 (he was 24 on the very day that the Battle of Britain started) he lives with his second wife, a greatgranddaughter of Charles Dickens. Michelle Gabrielle Herd (née Flecher) (1977-82), who accompanied her younger sister on a trek on the Great Wall of China, as described in an article elsewhere in this Magazine, is a personnel manager at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel in Aberdeen. She graduated from the Open University earlier this year. Stephen Charles Inglis (1957-70) BSc, PhD has been director of the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control since 2002. Laura Jarret (née Pike) (1982-88), whose musical talent was early recognised while still at School, now teaches music as part of an expressive arts course at Aberdeen University. Married with a two-year-old daughter, Laura turned her gifts to good use with family and friends in a musical soirée in Aberdeen's Arts Centre last summer. This was to raise funds to purchase equipment for the stroke and brain injury rehabilitation centre at Windygates, Fife where she received expert treatment after a stroke in the last weeks of her pregnancy. Formerly living in Dalgety Bay, she is now living in Aberdeen. Robert Fransiscus Johnstone (1963-68) has merged the insurance consultancy business which he founded in Aberdeen twelve years ago with the business of the Falkirk-based Crosbie & Jack. He is remaining with the Aberdeen branch of the business. Keith Greig Jones (1957-66) LL.B, a railway enthusiast, is currently chairman of the Great North of Scotland Railway Association. Graeme William King (1966-72) MA, ACII, FCILA, FCLA, FUEDI, ELAE, who has been the FP Club Consul in Malaysia for many years, has accepted the post of Technical Adviser with PT Japenansi Nusantara, an Indonesian company which he founded in 1990. He is based in Jakarta, Indonesia, but commutes to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia each weekend to be with his family — wife, Shirly (a Malaysian), son Silvan and daughters Samantha and (a recent addition) Heather. Graeme is a chartered loss adjuster, chartered insurer and European Expert D'Assurance. Andrew Francis Lovie (1950-55), after a career as a telecommunications engineer with BT, has graduated from Dundee University with a BSc in Health and Sport Studies. He was the University's oldest graduate of 2003, having gained direct entry into the third year of the course following successful completion of an HND. He first became interested in fitness over twenty years ago, when he joined karate training with his sons. He then started power lifting, and is now the holder of nine Scottish records. Alexander (Sandy) Aitchison McConochie (1965-67) FRCIS, IRRV came to the Grammar from Kaimhill Junior Secondary School with a view to gaining university entrance qualifications, but failed narrowly and instead joined the City Assessor's Department as an apprentice valuation surveyor. He qualified as a chartered surveyor in 1972 and was subsequently elected a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a corporate member of the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation. Despite not making university entrance, he spent eight years with the Department of Land Economy at Aberdeen University as a visiting lecturer dealing with the law and practice of valuation for rating. In 1997 he was appointed Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer for Grampian, having spent his entire professional career in a single organisation, changed only in name by local government re-organisations in 1975 and 1996. In May 2003 he was 84

Former Pupils' Club Section elected President of the Scottish Assessors' Association and regularly advises the Scottish Executive in relation to non-domestic property valuation and council tax matters. David McDonald (1961-67), a former President of the Rugby Section, has been busily engaged with the European Golden Oldies since becoming their President in 2001. Since his below-knee amputation in 2000 he has become very involved in local and national disability groups, and has recently set up the first Amputee Support Group in the Northeast of Scotland. He is chairman of the Aberdeen Physically Disabled Swimming Club, an executive member of the Aberdeen branch of Disability Sport (Scotland) and vicechairman of the Aberdeen Disability Consortium. George Yuill Mackie, Lord Maclde of Benshee (1933-35) has recently published his autobiography, Flying, Farming and Politics: A Liberal Life. Brought up on a farm at Tarves, an RAF navigator-bomber in World War II, a successful farmer at Benshee, briefly a Liberal Member of Parliament, former President of the Scottish Liberal Party and now a member of the House of Lords, he argues in his book for reform of the Upper House, but by having peers picked by the political parties in proportion to the votes cast for them in a General Election. Maitland Mackie (1946-54) has completed his five-year term as chairman of the Scottish Agricultural College. It has been a trying period as SAC struggled to refocus in a situation of severe financial problems, ebbing student numbers and estates which were no longer fit for their purpose. lie steps down confident that the College has found a fresh direction and strategy along with a management and board ready to take it into a new century. Maitland is still on the board of Lloyds TSB and continues as a member of Aberdeen University Court. The running of the family farming and ice-cream business is now in the hands of his three children. lain Edgar MacLean (1957-58) MA, ABPsS, after twenty-five years with Northern College, retired from the post of Director of Development in 2000. He has been a member of the board of Voluntary Service Aberdeen since 1983, and last year was elected chairman. Appointed as vice-chairman was Norman Esslemont (1948-52) MA. David Alexander McLeod (1973-79), who has been with Halliburton Energy Services in Aberdeen for the past few years, has moved to Houston as the company's Global Strategic Manager. David and his wife Gillian McCready (1976-81), with their two children, are living in Twin Lakes, West Houston. David Christopher MacLeod (1973-78) and David Christopher McLaughlin (1964-77) were two of a five-strong rock group, The Restless Breed, who performed before a large and enthusiastic audience in Aberdeen's Café Drummond earlier this year. As the band Blaze they last played in public as a heavy metal band in 1984, which was the culmination of four years' highly successful performances. They have recorded a new album of twelve songs under the title Hiding in Plain Sight and they are in course of producing another new album. MacLaughlin is now a software developer in Aberdeen while MacLeod, based in London, is an announcer for Channel 4. Gavin McLeod (1996-02), who was in his second year at Aberdeen University studying a degree course in English literature and art history, has won one of only seventy places at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He had attended a summer school in London run by the Academy and auditioned for a place. The course, which begins in October, lasts for two or three years. Alexander Norman Main (1954-60) MA is Professor of Psychology at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, Honorary Professor at the University of Notre Dame and Visiting Professor in Ontario. He largely trains students in counselling skills. Until recently he has been President of the Council for International Students and Chairman of the Western Australia Torture and Trauma Service, but is now moving on to become President of the Refugee Council. John Gillen Mitchell (1990-96) LL.B has been an assistant with Edinburgh law firm A. & W.M. Urquhart since the end of last year.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Kenneth Edward Pirie (1948-58) FCII, FIIC was in April last year the oldest competitor in the Canadian Technical Ski Championships held at Whistler, British Columbia. He gained the silver medal in the Over-50s category. In the following month he completed his final Munro (the 284 mountains in Scotland over 3000 feet) when he climbed Bruach-na-Frithe in Skye. He was accompanied on that climb by, amongst others, Duncan Macrae (194852) and Peter Stevenson (1953-57). The former, as scoutmaster of the 28th Aberdeen Troop, had accompanied Ken on the climbing of his first Munro, Mount Keen, in July 1955. Carol Margaret Preston (1993-99) starts as a trainee solicitor with Ledingham Chalmers in Aberdeen in August. She is one of six FPs who all obtained honours degrees in Law at Aberdeen University in 2003. The others are Keith Angus (1993-99), Anna Scott (199399), Catriona Shaw (1993-99), Matthew Thomson (1993-99) and Alan Thomson (199399). Matthew is now studying for a Master's degree in criminal law and Alan is pursuing further studies at Robert Gordon University. Craig William Ritchie (1980-86) MB,ChB, who is now based in the department of psychiatry at the Royal Free and University College Medical School in London, has been in the forefront of a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. He helped to set up clinical trials for the drug clioquinol and analysed the results while working in Australia for one of the world's leading experts on the disease. His present appointment means his close involvement in the next stage of the development of the drug, which is likely to lead to clinical trials with British patients. University College London plans to be involved in further testing using clioquinol in a larger UK multi-centre study for which public funding is being sought. Tracey Jayne Robb (1981-87) LL.B. has now retired from international hockey. In a career spanning fifteen years, the last two as captain, she represented Scotland on over 150 occasions, including two World Cups, two Commonwealth Games and four European Cups. Her only regret is that she was not selected for Great Britain at an Olympic Games, having been selected as reserve for Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. Tracey still lives in Aberdeen and is a partner in Ledingham Chalmers. solicitors. Describing last year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester, she says: "My lasting impression of the Games will be the unique spirit generated within the Scotland team, the support and encouragement of friends, family and other athletes, the friendly interaction with competitors from other nations, the thousands of volunteers who made the whole event run like clockwork, the fabulous new sports facilities and the vast catering hall offering the 24-hour dining experience." Donald George Ross (1957-61) MB,ChB retired in 2003 from the post of Medical Director of the Acute Trust, following a thirty-six year career in the Health Service. Originally a consultant anaesthetist he was, prior to his final post, clinical director of anaesthetics, intensive care and hyperbaric medicine. He has had a lifelong interest in art, influenced by a School trip to northern Italy in 1961 which took in visits to many galleries and was a formative experience. Now, in retirement he has been able to concentrate on his painting. He was a founder member of the Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust in 1985 which was set up with a view to getting more art on to hospital walls. Leslie Wilson Ross (1960-73), winner of the All-Round Trophy in 1973, has been tracked down in Calgary, where he is director of human resources for a large consulting engineering company. After some years in the West Midlands he had been back in Aberdeen from 1989 and worked for a time with AMEC, eventually as their human resources manager. He moved to Canada in 2001 and already has a number of FP contacts there. Graham John Russell (1967-73) MA has recently joined Equant NV as Vice-president of financial systems, and is based in Reston, Virginia. Alison Norma Smith (née Smart) (1982-86) is the managing director of Aberdeen-based Activepayroll, a firm set up to provide payroll and other workforce accounting solutions to employers throughout the UK and Europe. She was one of five women finalists for the

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Former Pupils 'Club Section 2003 Enterprising New Business Award. The business was only established in 2002 and already looks set to expand into the Central Belt. After leaving School Alison joined her parents in Grampian Business Bureau as an office junior. The firm took on a big payroll contract and she became involved as payroll administrator, later supervisor, and this side of the business took off. In 2001 the business split and Activepayroll became a limited company. Alison's brother David Allan Smart (1982-85) has been director of business development since 1999. David Taylor (1997-02), who is studying engineering at Newcastle University, is one of a group of students spending this summer helping to build an education centre in Mbarara in South-west Uganda. They will be working with local builders and craftspeople on the first phase of a project which will provide advice and training to 35,000 members of the youth population of the area on a wide range of subjects. David was Head Boy in 2001-02. Colin David Taylor (1958-63) has been appointed chairman of the Aberdeen & District Cerebral Palsy Association which is instrumental in raising large sums each year for the relief of sufferers from this condition. Peter Christopher Tees (1967-73) is a recruitment consultant with Castle IT Services in Aberdeen. He is also, in his spare time, a guitarist and fiddler with the band Makfolk. Lawrence Michael Tough (1959-64) LL.B has been elected President of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen. He is a partner in Raebum Christie where he specialises in commercial property. Ralph Charles Sutherland Walker (1949-55) BA, BPhil, MA, DPhil remains a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, but is spending five years as Head of Oxford University's Humanities Division, one of the five academic divisions into which the University has been organised. He spent the academic year 2002-03 as Director of the University's new Rothermere American Institute, and is coming to the end of a ten-year term as a delegate of Oxford University Press. Although living in Oxford, he always spends part of the year at Dinnet. Nigel George Morley Watt (1963-69) WS, the long-time Secretary of the Edinburgh Centre, has left the Law, after thirty years in private practice, and has been appointed Secretary of Gullane Golf Club. He is in his fourth and final year serving on The Rules of Golf Committee of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and continues as a fully qualified R & A referee. He refereed at seven events last year comprising The Benson and Hedges International at The Belfry (European Tour), The Irish Seniors at Adare Manor (European Seniors' Tour), the Boys' Internationals at Royal St. Davids, the Regional Qualifying for The Open Championship at Alwoodlcy, the final qualifying for The Open Championship at North Foreland, The Open Championship at Royal St. George's and the UBS Cup at Sea Island, Georgia. This year he has officiated at The Deutsche Bank - SAP Open TPC of Europe at Heidelberg, the Regional Qualifying for The Open Championship at Renfrew, when he was Tournament Director, the final qualifying for The Open Championship at Glasgow Galles, The Open Championship at Royal Troon and The Boys' Internationals at Portmarnock. He has also helped to conduct Rules Schools, on behalf of the R & A, in Buenos Aires, Sau Paulo and Quito. Graeme Joss Wilson (1938-48), chairman of William Wilson Ltd., plumbers' merchants in Aberdeen, continues his involvement in theatrical production. He is to produce the world premiere of a new musical in Aberdeen Arts Centre at the end of August. The show, Silverthorpe, is based on the transportation of convicts to Australia's Botany Bay. William Angus Troup Wisely (1948-58) BSc(Agri) went from the Grammar at the age of fourteen to Glenalmond and then to Edinburgh University, where he graduated with a degree in Agriculture in 1967. He joined the family business, farming at Ury Estate, Stonehaven, until retiring in 2002. He married in 1968 and has two children. He served for fifteen years in the Royal Naval Reserve and now lives in Stonehaven. Norman Woodman (1938-49) has recently joined the FP Club. He began his journalistic career with Aberdeen Journals before moving to Fleet Street in 1957 where he worked as a sub-editor on various newspapers including the Daily Mirror and the London Evening

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine News. Latterly he was a television critic with The Mail on Sunday. Now retired, he lives in

Edinburgh.

Marriages Anderson (1981-87) - At First Coleraine Presbyterian Church, Co. Londonderry on 29 September 2003 Mark James Anderson, son of Mr & Mrs William S. Anderson, 6 Woodstock Road, Aberdeen to Dr Karen Darragh of Coleraine Comber (1986-91) — At the Gordon Highlanders' Museum, Aberdeen on 11 June 2003 Ayron Stuart Comber, son of Ronald Reginald Comber (1947-52) and of Mrs Joan Comber, 46 Annfield Terrace, Aberdeen to Suzanne Jess, daughter of Mr & Mrs Ian Jess, Dumfries (formerly of Dyce) Coutts (1975-81) — In Glasgow on 4 July 2003 Gerald M. Taylor to Margery G Coutts, youngest daughter of the late Mr George Courts and of Mrs Margery Coutts, 54 Forbesfield Road, Aberdeen Cradock (1940-51) — At St Clements Church, Aberdeen on 21 June 2004 Richard H. Cradock, 33 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen to Kathleen Marioni, of Fraserburgh Daniel (1975-81) — At Gleneagles Hotel on 30 August 2003 Malcolm Kennedy Daniel, elder son of Mr Renwick Daniel, 27 Kingshill Road, Aberdeen and of the late Mrs Daniel to Isma Quasim, eldest daughter of Dr & Mrs Quasim, Nuneaton, Warwickshire Duckworth (1985-91) — At St Eustathio's Church, Melbourne, Australia on 23 November 2003 Jonathan Duckworth, son of Mr & Mrs Kenneth Duckworth, 34 Whitehall Terrace, Aberdeen to Katerina Sarhanis, of Melbourne Gracie (1989-95) - At Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen on 22 August 2003 Alistair Benjamin Gracie, son of the late Alistair George Grade (1953-56) and of Mrs Wendy Gracie, Carnegie Crescent, Aberdeen to Joyce Hardie, daughter of Mr & Mrs Robert Hardie, 200 Queen's Road, Aberdeen Gracie (1984-90) — In the St Francis Basilica, Siena, Italy on II July 2003 Stewart, elder son of Mr & Mrs David Robertson, Stirling to Sarah Joanne Grade, elder daughter of the late Alistair George Grade (1953-66) and of Mrs Wendy Gracie, Carnegie Crescent, Aberdeen Grant (1985-90) — At Cluny Castle Chapel on 20 September 2003 Paul Livesey, formerly of Manchester to Sally-Ann Frances Grant, daughter of Mr & Mrs William Grant, 125 Cranford Road, Aberdeen Hardie (1978-82) — At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen on 13 September 2003 Grant Duncan Murray Hardie, son of Mr & Mrs Ian Hardie. 86 Stanley Street, Aberdeen to Joanna Dalgamo, daughter of Mr & Mrs Stewart Dalgarno, 217 Countesswells Road, Aberdeen Hay (1977-82) — At the Atholl Hotel, Aberdeen on 21 February 2004 Graham Alexander Hay, elder son of the late Mr Herbert Hay and of Mrs Elizabeth Hay, 37 Belvidere Street, Aberdeen to Dare Frances Walker, daughter of Mr & Mrs Frank Walker, Kilmacolm Inglis (1983-89) At Maryculter House Hotel, Aberdeen on 21 December 2003 Graeme Powell, only son of Mr & Mrs William Powell, 2 Broaddykes Avenue, ICingswells to Jane Elizabeth Inglis, only daughter of John Edward Inglis, (1957-64) and of Mrs Inglis, 2 Seafield Avenue, Aberdeen Johnson (1986-88) — At the 291 Gallery. Hackney, London on 5 July 2003 Harris John McPherson, only son of Mr & Mrs Ian McPherson, 145 Broomhill Road, Aberdeen to Catherine Johnson, elder daughter of Mr & Mrs William Johnson, 139 Desswood Place, Aberdeen McKimmie (1985-91) - At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen on 5 July 2003 Arron Buchanan Finnie, only son of Mr & Mrs Ivor Finnie, 16 Seafield Road, Aberdeen to Sarah Spence McKimmie, only daughter of Mr & Mrs Allan G. McKimmie, 4 Albert Terrace, Aberdeen

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Former Pupils' Club Section Scott (1987-93) — At St Silvester's Church, Elgin on 29 May 2004 David Scott, second son of Dr John Scott, 51 Forest Road, Aberdeen and of the late Mrs Rosemary Scott, to Stephanie Dunbar, younger daughter of Sir Archie and Lady Dunbar of Duffus, Moray Taylor (1984-90) — At Aberdeen Town House on 25 July 2003 Neil Moir, Fochabers, to Nicola Taylor, daughter of Mr & Mrs Patrick Taylor, 279 Westbum Road, Aberdeen Wilson (1982-88) — At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen on 31 October 2003 John Neil Wardlaw Wilson, second son of Dr W. Alan Wilson (1946-60) and of Mrs Wilson, 9 Kepplestonc Avenue, Aberdeen to Angela, daughter of Mr & Mrs John Robb, 35 Morven Crescent, Westhill

Obituaries Spence Alsop (1930-40) died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen following a long illness on 26 July 2003, aged 77. After War service as a commando he joined the family butchery business founded by his grandfather in 1888. He developed an extensive retail business in Aberdeen and a thriving wholesale business to supply top hotels and restaurants in London and the south-east of England. He was also concerned in a joint venture to set up Aberdeen Beef Packers Ltd, establishing a meat plant at Dyce. A pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd was built up at Wogle Farm at Kinellar to supply quality beef cattle for the retail business, and the breed championship was won at the 1977 Royal Highland Show. After the retail shops and the farm were sold in 1983, Spence continued the operation of a wholesale business for a number of years supplying local retailers. He was a staunch supporter of the retail meat trade, a former President of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders, a member of the editorial board of the Meat Trades Journal, and a life member of the Royal Smithfield Club. Spence was also actively involved in the business life of Aberdeen as a Burgess of Guild, a member of St Machar Rotary Club and of Bonaccord Probus Club. He had a lifelong interest in Jaguar motor cars, while also enjoying golf and bowling. Spence was predeceased by his wife, Yvonne, three years previously. He is survived by his son, Spence Alsop (1959-69) and by his daughter Diane.

Raymond Forrester Blackburn (1941-46) MB.ChB, DPH, DRCOG died suddenly at Frimley Park Hospital on 15 October 2003, aged 74. father, the Rev. Erskine Blackburn, was a remarkable and dynamic churchman who came to Aberdeen in 1942 to become minister of Holbum Central Church. Raymond left Edinburgh Academy and came to the Grammar School, where he quickly made many friends and developed his love of hockey. "In 1946, together with eight Grammar School classmates, he began his medical training at Aberdeen University. As a student he led a very full life. He won a hockey blue, and reached the final trials for the Scottish national team. He was an enthusiastic member of the University Climbing Club and served on the Union Management Committee. In his final term he threw himself into the rectorial campaign on behalf of the comedian Jimmy Edwards, who was duly elected, to the obvious dismay of the University Establishment. "In 1953 Raymond began his National Service with the RAMC at Crookham. He at once volunteered for overseas service and spent his two years in Japan, Korea and Malaya. "On demob he went into general practice in Peterhead for some years, took his Diploma in Public Health and then joined Aberdeen County Health Department. However, he found these positions to be on the dull side, and before long he rejoined the RAMC, this time on a permanent career basis. Although well into his thirties, he undertook the rigours of parachute training in order to join the 23 Para Field Ambulance, a unit he proudly came to command at a later stage. He served in many parts of the world, including Cyprus at the time of the troubles there, Germany, Northern Ireland, and had two tours of duty in Hong Kong. He retired with the rank of Brigadier, and his last roll after formal retirement took him round the medical schools, recruiting young doctors for service in the RAMC. He

Leslie Bow Bartlett (1939-45) MB.ChB writes:- "Raymond's

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settled in Fleet in Hampshire, close to the military areas around Aldershot which he knew so well. "His last ten years were sadly marred by ill-health, which he accepted with characteristic good humour. Throughout this time he was very ably supported by the love and constant attention of his wife, Ann, who survives him". Donald Morison Buyers (1936-48) died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen, following a long illness, on 30 December 2003, the day after his seventy-third birthday. Inspired by the late Charles Hemingway he went from School to Gray's School of Art where, as a senior student, he was chosen by Robert Sivell as one of his assistants in completing the murals in the hall of Aberdeen University Students' Union. After graduating, he was employed as an art therapist in Aberdeen hospitals during the post-war tuberculosis epidemic. After a short spell in Paris he returned to Aberdeen where, for a time, he and a colleague ran a commercial art business in Back Wynd. He then qualified as a teacher and taught art at Kemnay and Inverurie before taking up a post as lecturer at Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology in 1964. Elected to the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours in 1973 he was from 1981 until his retirement four years later a visiting lecturer at Gray's School of Art. For forty years until 1993 he held annual one-man exhibitions, and until 1999 he was sending works to, or was being invited to contribute to, group exhibitions throughout the country. His work figures in the Duke of Edinburgh's collection and in many others, public and private, national and international. Donald is survived by his wife, his son and daughter and four grandchildren. Theodore J. Crozier (1931-43) MA died peacefully in Aberdeen, after a long illness, on 27 November 2003 aged 77. Classical Dux of the School in 1943 he proceeded to Aberdeen University where he had a distinguished record. A prizeman in Latin and Greek as well as in Classical Philology, he demonstrated the breadth of his skills by winning the Sir William Hamilton Fyfe Trophy for platform speaking at the University Debater in 1950. He went on to graduate with first-class honours in Classics, collecting further medals and prizes. He was awarded an Open Scholarship to Caius College, Cambridge, where in 1951 he obtained a first-class in Part I of the Classical Tripos. He went to the United States shortly thereafter and married in Salem, Massachusetts. It is believed that his wife died within a few years and he returned to this country. His second wife predeceased him earlier last year. He is survived by three sons and a daughter, of whom one, Alan Theodore Crozier, (1964-77) attended the School. He was a brother of Ian Arthur Crozier (1943-46). Sydney Elmslie Durno (1935-37) BSc, PhD, MIBiol died in Aberdeen in March 1999 aged 79. He was born in Cutter and received his early education there, coming to the Grammar in Upper IV. He was a science student at Aberdeen University on the outbreak of War in 1939, and later enlisted in the RAMC as a Private. He was serving in Burma when the Japs invaded in 1942 and subsequently, after many joumeyings and close encounters with the enemy, he was able to escape to India. His gripping account of that escape was published in the Magazine in three instalments in vol. xlvi, 87 and xlvii, 61 and 161. After the war he resumed his studies and graduated in 1949. He then took up an appointment as a scientific officer at the then Macaulay Institute of Soil Research in Aberdeen and spent his entire career there, retiring in the early 80s. A member of the Institute of Biology, he obtained his PhD degree in 1967. His brother also attended the School — Charles Annandale Wilson Durno (1927-33) — as did his son Stuart Annandale Durno (1957-63) Alexander Henderson Duthie (1945-50) CA died peacefully, but unexpectedly, at his home in Aberdeen on 9 November 2003 aged 70. He served his apprenticeship with James A. Jeffrey & Co, chartered accountants in Aberdeen and on qualifying remained with that 90

Former Pupils' Club Section

firm, eventually being assumed as a partner. When the firm amalgamated with Meston & Co. he became a partner in that firm, and on the later merger with Deloitte Haskins & Sells he continued as a partner. The last five years of his career were spent with Scott Oswald, who for a short time had an office in Aberdeen. He retired from practice ten years ago. He was a keen bowler with Woodend Bowling Club and with Queen's Cross Bowlers. He was an elder of Queen's Cross Church and played an active role in its life. He is survived by his wife, Norma, whom he married in 1961, and by his two sons, both of whom are also accountants. Robin Wattle Glashan (1938-51) MB.ChB, FRCSE, FRCSGlas, died suddenly at his home in Aboyne on 13 December 2003 aged 70. He had been in indifferent health for some time. He graduated in medicine at Aberdeen University in 1957 and held house officer posts in Aberdeen hospitals for two years before entering general practice in Dorset for a short time. A variety of hospital posts followed in Bristol and in Glasgow, where he was a senior registrar in urology in 1965-68. He had in the meantime obtained his Fellowships of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Colleges of Surgeons in 1963 and 1964. In 1968 he took up an appointment as a consultant urologist in Huddersfield. He retired to Deeside a few years ago, living firstly in Aboyne but latterly in Ballater. Robin is survived by his wife, Wilma, whom he married in 1959 and by two sons and two daughters. Charles Eddie Talbot Gordon (1930-40) MB.ChB died recently at the age of 80. He was at Aberdeen University during the war years, graduating in medicine in 1946. He spent two years in the RAMC, serving in India and Sudan, before entering general practice in Shetland in 1949. He moved soon to Peterhead where he was in practice for thirty-three years until retiring in 1982. He later lived at Drumallochy, Fordyce. He is survived by his wife to whom he had been married for 57 years and by children and grandchildren. lan Grade (1949-62) MA died at his home in Stirling on 19 August 2002 following a short illness. He was aged 58. He graduated from Aberdeen University in 1966 with honours in Economic Science, after which he entered the service of Central Regional Council as an accountant. He remained in this employment until taking early retirement about five years ago. He was a keen hill-walker and rock climber both in this country and abroad. He was the elder brother of the late Alistair George Gracie (1953-66) who died in 1998. Champion Golfer John Philip Grant (1937-45) LL.D, BL, CA died suddenly in hospital in Aberdeen on 11 March 2004 aged 73. He completed his schooling at Fettes College before proceeding to Aberdeen University where he graduated in Law in 1953. He was awarded a full blue in golf, and in 1954, while studying for a post-graduate degree, he was a member of the first Aberdeen team since 1938 to win the Scottish Universities Golf Championship. In 1955 he qualified as a chartered accountant. After National Service, much of it with the Nigerian Military Forces, he was assumed as a partner in Flockhart & Grant in Aberdeen. Following various alliances and mergers of that firm he was finally a partner in Ernst & Young. He had a long association with the University, returning as a part-time lecturer in accountancy and later, in 1989, being invited to join the Audit Committee, which he later chaired. He was co-opted to the University Court in 1990. As reported in last year's Magazine, John's service to his alma mater was recognised by the award of an honorary Doctorate of Laws at the summer graduation in July 2002. John was an outstanding golfer, having won all the major amateur competitions. He was a member of Royal Aberdeen for 47 years and his score of 63 at Balgownie in 1960 is still the unbeaten course record. In 1967 he was invited to join the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and five years later was invited to join the Championship Committee.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and by a son and daughter and two granddaughters. His brother Gregor Thom Grant (1940-47) also attended the School. Forbes Graham Hunter (1954-57) MRPharmS died peacefully in Toronto, Canada on 10 January 2004 following a long struggle with ill health. He was aged 63. Having received his early education in Banff, he came to the Grammar in what was then Middle 3A. From School he proceeded to the former RGIT from which he graduated in Pharmacy in 1960. His career was spent in progressively more senior positions in the pharmaceutical industry in Britain, Switzerland, Germany, France, the United States and eventually Canada. His last appointment was as President and Chief Executive Officer of a major company in his field. He served with the RAF(VR) between 1963 and 1969 as an instructor pilot, based mostly in the North of Scotland. On going to Canada he obtained his pilot's licence and for twenty years engaged in what he called 'challenge flying jobs' like banner towing, glider towing, delivery of aircraft and pilot instruction. He is survived by his wife, son and stepchildren. Douglas Yeats Lobban (1922-34) died peacefully in a nursing home in Aberdeen on 4 April 2004 aged 86. At School he was a Prefect, House captain of Dun and was a back row forward in thel st XV in 1933-34. He had begun a career as a tea-planter in Assam prior to the outbreak of War in 1939, but left his estate to join the Baluchi Regiment of the Indian Army. In 1945 he resumed his career and was engaged in tea-planting in Bengal and Assam. He retired many years ago and was latterly living in Cults. He is survived by his wife to whom he had been married for 56 years, and by his son and daughter. William Youngson Salter (1932-45) died suddenly at his home in Fochabers on 26 February 2004 aged 76. He had a distinguished career as a student of architecture at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture in Aberdeen, from which he obtained his diploma in 1954. He was for a short time with Aberdeen County Council before joining the City Architect's department in Aberdeen. He remained there until the re-organisation of local government in 1975 when he was appointed to take charge of the Grampian Regional Council's northern office at Buckie. He retired in 1987 and was able to devote himself to Christian work. He and his wife ran a Christian bookshop in Elgin for a number of years. He was also responsible for the design of the Riverside Gospel Hall in Elgin. He is survived by his wife with whom he celebrated his Golden Wedding in 2002. His younger brother is Ronald Salter (1940-51). Distinguished Soldier Roderick Ferguson McKenzie Semple (1927-38) MBE, MC, BSc(Eng) died on 31 July 2003 aged 81. The son of the late Robert Semple (1898-1905) OBE, MD, he graduated with a degree in Engineering from Aberdeen University in 1941. He volunteered for the Airborne Forces and, on being commissioned into the Royal Engineers in July 1942, he joined 591 (Antrim) Parachute Squadron RE. He was always the first man to jump from his aircraft, his height of 6ft 4in making it awkward to move around in confined spaces. He landed in Normandy in the early hours of D-Day to take part in the 6th Division's seizure of the sector east of the Ome in order to clear poles and other obstacles in time for gliders to land. In the absence of his squadron commander and the second-in-command Semple had to take command and the job was completed in time in the face of stiff opposition from enemy forces. The citation for his Military Cross, awarded for his part in this action reads simply "for his efficiency and devotion to duty". At the end of the war in Europe he transferred to 3 Parachute Squadron RE, ready for the Far East, but the end of hostilities there saw him instead go with 6th Airborne Division to Palestine at the start of the Jewish terrorist campaign. In 1947 he became assistant director of military training at the newly opened Royal Military College at Sandhurst. He returned to the Airborne Forces in 1950, later attended Staff College, and by 1957 was commanding

92

Former Pupils' Club Section an Airborne RE Squadron in 16 Parachute Brigade. He held a variety of other posts before commanding 131 Para Engineer Regiment of the Territorial Army. He reached the peak of his career in 1969 when he was promoted Brigadier and appointed Director of the SAS, and was almost at once involved in assisting the Omani authorities to deal with tribal rebellion. His resulting close association with the Sultan of Oman meant that the value and significance of Semple's advice to Whitehall increased. He left the army to become director-general of defence administration in the Muscat Sultanate of Oman and a member of the Sultan's National Defence Council. He remained in these posts until the end of the rebellion in 1976. Awarded the MBE in the 1961 New Year Honours he was the recipient of the Order of Oman in 1976. Brigadier Semple's wife predeceased him and they had no family. Neil Carter Sharp (1923-30) MBE, MB.ChB died on 26 September 2003 aged 86. He was a son of Alexander Sharp (1889-91), advocate in Aberdeen. He involved himself in student affairs while a student at Aberdeen, being elected to the Students' Representative Council and serving a term as its Senior Vice-President. He graduated in medicine in 1940, and after house posts at Woodend Hospital served in the RAMC from 1941 to 1946. On his return from service he became a general practitioner in Keith where he spent the rest of his professional life. He was awarded the M.B.E. in 1975 and became a member of Grampian Health Board in 1977. He was predeceased by his wife. Robin Knowles Simmers (1924-35) died peacefully on 17 April 2004 aged 87. He went from School into the family business of Simmers of Hatton, where he joined his uncle. He entered the RAF early in the War and underwent training in Canada. Illness brought his service to an end, but on his return home he rejoined the family business, remaining with the firm even after it was taken over by United Biscuits Ltd. He retired in 1979 after over thirty years' service. He played golf for enjoyment. He is survived by his wife and son. Sydney Robertson Smith (1924-30) BSc(Eng) died peacefully in a Kirriemuir nursing home on 27 May 2004 aged 92. He had been in poor health for the past two years. While at School he was a Prefect in session 1929-30, was House Captain of Dun and played in the 1st XV. After graduating from Aberdeen University in 1933 he was employed by the roads department of Aberdeen County Council and later was a senior roads engineer with Motherwell and Wishaw Burgh Council. During the '39-45 War he was engaged as an assistant engineer with the Air Ministry Works Directorate. On his return to civilian life he was for a time chief assistant engineer for Aberdeen County Council before appointment in 1948 as county engineer for Angus. He retired from this post in 1969 but continued to live in Forfar. He was predeceased by his wife some years ago and they had no family. James (Jake) Wood Strachan (1958-63) LL.B died on 12 April 2003 aged 57. From School he attended Aberdeen University where he graduated in Law in 1966. After an apprenticeship served with the former Watt & Cumine in Aberdeen he moved south to Montrose where he joined the firm of T. Duncan & Co. as an assistant. He later became a partner, and was senior partner when ill-health compelled him to retire.He was latterly a consultant with the firm. He was for a number of years secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce and of the Montrose Scout Association. He was an enthusiastic jogger to the extent that he kept a fastidious record of all jogging activities. He is survived by his wife, Christine, and a daughter. Alexander Abel Taylor (1944-49) BSc, SM, AIFST, FIFST died suddenly at Winscombe. Somerset on 4 February 2004 aged 73. Born in North Queensland, Australia, he entered the Grammar School in Middle I. From School he attended Aberdeen University, from which he graduated with honours in Chemistry in 1953. He was briefly a temporary scientific officer with the Ministry of Agriculture & Food in Aberdeen before completing

93

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

National Service with Royal Signals. He returned to the Ministry for a short time before taking up a W.IC Kellogg Foundation Research Fellowship in the United States during 1958-59, at the end of which he obtained a Master of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After a further short spell with the Ministry in Aberdeen he took up a post as Senior Scientific Officer in the Food Science and Atomic energy Division of MAFF in 1960, moving to a similar post with the Atomic Research Council at Cambridge in 1961. He was appointed a principal scientific officer with their Meat Research Institute at Bristol in 1967 and later moved to the Meat Research Laboratory at Langford, Somerset. He became first an Associate, and later a Fellow, of the UK Institute of Food Science & Technology. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. His brother is George Abel Taylor (1946-52) MB.ChB. Gerald Kilvington Townshend (1941-45) BSc died on 13 May 2003, following a short illness, aged 75. He played a full part in School life as a Prefect, 1st XI Hockey captain, Dun House Platoon sergeant in the ACF and he was the Modern Dux of the School in 1945. At Aberdeen University he was awarded a full blue for hockey and played for the Scottish Universities against the English Universities in 1949. He graduated in 1949 with honours in Geology. He was employed by Thomas Hedley & Co from 1949-59, much of that time in charge of the packaging group, a job which took him all over Europe. He was then engaged at the Common Market HQ in Brussels with responsibility for all research and development on packaging. In 1964 he was elected a member of the Institute of Packaging. From 1986 he was responsible for market development and public relations with the Lawson Mardon Group which embraced thirty companies in the UK producing packaging materials. He was based in Bristol and lived in Weston-super-Mare. He was for some years Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Packaging and President of the World Packaging Organisation. He retired about ten years ago but remained active in hockey circles, having been Chairman of his County Hockey Umpires' Association and a former Western Counties umpire. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Last of Theodore Watt's Sons Donald Elmslie Robertson Watt (1931-43) MA, DPhil, DLitt, FRHistS, FRSE died peacefully in hospital in Perth on 18 April 2004 aged 77. Ile was the youngest, and the last survivor, of the four FP sons of the late Theodore Watt (1889-1901) MA, LL.D. who was Editor of this Magazine for thirty-nine years and Secretary and Treasurer of the FP Club for twentyseven of these years until his sudden death in 1946. Donald was a Prefect at School, was heavily involved with the Dramatic Society and with 9th Troop Scouts and, along with Theodore Crozier (1931-43) whose death is reported above, was one of the two School Editors of this Magazine in 1943. His studies at Aberdeen were interrupted by service in the RAF, where he received a commission in the Personnel Selection Branch. In 1950 he graduated MA with first-class honours in History and was awarded a Carnegie Research Scholarship to Oriel College, Oxford for research into Medieval History. There, his work so impressed his supervisors that they secured him a lectureship at St Andrews University, which he took up in 1953. The thesis resulting from his research earned him a Doctorate of Philosophy from Oxford University in 1957. He was elected a Fellow of both the Royal Historical Society and of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and was joint editor of the Scottish Historical Review from 1963-71. He was visiting professor of Medieval History at Columbia University in New York in 1966-67, but that apart his highly distinguished professional career was spent at St Andrews, where in 1977 he was appointed to a personal Chair in Scottish Church History in the University's department of Medieval History. He retired in 1988, but continued to work on a variety of the projects which had occupied and fascinated him throughout his life.

94

Former Pupils' Club Section

His research into medieval history, especially in relation to the Christian churches, was a lifelong mission and his published works bear tribute to his scholarship. Two major works, each remarkable in itself, are his Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Graduates to 1410, and his Scotichronicon, published six years ago, the product of twenty years' diligence on the part of Donald and a team of editors who translated the Latin text of the original work of that name published in the 1440s. Donald is survived by his wife, Helen, and two daughters. His brother Harold died just four months previously, as recorded below. The other brothers were George Theodore Robertson Watt (1918-30), who was killed in April 1941 during the evacuation of Crete, and Alan Cromble Robertson Watt (1925-37) who succeeded his father as Editor of the Magazine and who died on 15 March 1989. Magazine's Former Printer Harold Murray Robertson Watt (1926-38) MA, LL.D, JP died very suddenly at Great Eversden, Cambridge on 8 December 2003 aged 82. The second son of the late Theodore Watt ( l 889-1901) as mentioned above, he was actively involved in the life of the School as Prefect, president of the Rambling & Mountaineering Club, vice-president of the Literary & Debating Society and a member of the 9th Troop of Scouts. He graduated from Aberdeen University in 1941 with first-class honours in Classics and at once entered the RAF. After training as a pilot in the Transvaal he was commissioned, attaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant. His father, the managing director of Aberdeen University Press, died very suddenly around the time that. Harold was demobbed. He embarked on training at the London School of Printing, spent a short time gaining further experience with T & A Constable of Edinburgh, and joined AUP at the end of 1947. A year later he became joint managing director. He involved himself in the business affairs of the city, was President of Aberdeen Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1953 and chairman of the Federation of Scottish Junior Chambers. From 1958 he was sole managing director of AUP and became joint deputy chairman when the business was amalgamated with Pergamon Press in the early 1980s. He was a past President of the Society of Master Printers both in Aberdeen and in Scotland, and held office in the British Federation of Master Printers. Harold was involved in the community, as a member of the Valuation Appeals Committee of the city and then of the Valuation Panel for Grampian. lle served as chairman of both the Newtondee Village Community Committee and the Aberdeen & North-east Society for the Deaf. He was actively involved in, and one-time president of, the Cairngorm Club. Harold took a very active role in the work of the General Council of the University, was a member of the Business Committee from 1968 and was its Vice-convener from 1971-82. From 1970 he was a member of the University Court, having been elected by the General Council as one of its Assessors. This long period of service was recognised by the award of an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1984. Harold served on the FP Club Executive Committee for a number of years from 1954 but, more importantly, he took a personal interest in the publication of the Magazine by AUP. Even after retiral from business this interest continued, and the current Editor can vouch for the concern which he showed right up to the time of his death. Harold read the whole Magazine for interest and information, but also studied every line with his printer's eagle eye for the smallest detail; then he penned a few pages to the Editor with his comments and suggestions, even down to what he termed 'the minutiae'. Sadly, he died before writing his comments on the 2003 issue. From soon after his move to Cambridge he was associated with the London Centre of the Club and, as a member of its Committee, gave its members the benefit of his detailed knowledge of the FP Club. Harold married Elizabeth Richards in 1943, but was predeceased by her some years ago. After her death he left his home in Cults for Great Eversden, Cambridgeshire, where he lived with his second wife, Barbara. by whom he is survived. He is also survived by a son and daughter of his first marriage and by two grandsons.

95

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

John Cowie Whyte (1931-41) MB.ChB died in Sydney, Australia on 11 July 2003 aged 79. He studied medicine at Aberdeen University during the war years, graduating in 1947. He was briefly in a house post at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary before two years' service in the Royal Navy as a Surgeon-Lieutenant RNVR. On his return he spent a short time at the City Hospital in Aberdeen before entering general practice in Fraserburgh with Dr Slessor, the father of Robert Stewart Slessor (1927-29), one-time Club Consul in the Falklands. At this time he married Flora Clark, a nursing sister. hi Fraserburgh he was the honorary physician to the Life-boat and also involved himself in Rotary. In 1964 he decided to move to Australia, as he put it at the time "as a refugee from the NHS", and he spent the rest of his career as a general practitioner in the Castle Hill area of Sydney where he was very highly thought of, his patients especially appreciating his sense of humour. He retired in 1997. His hobbies were mainly golf, reading and a keen interest in Rugby Union. He is survived by his wife, his two sons and by three grandchildren. His nephew, George Garden Whyte (1943-54) MB.ChB is in general practice in Hobart, Tasmania. Thomas Leighton Wilson (1964-66) died peacefully on 6 August 2003 aged 55. He had been ill since earlier in the year. Born in Staffordshire and receiving his early education in Newcastle-under-Lyme, he came to Aberdeen in 1964. While at School he studied piano under Donald Hawksworth with whose encouragement he went on to an undergraduate programme at Liverpool University. After graduating he was urged by his Professor to continue his studies, but he opted instead to go into teaching. He qualified at Aberdeen College of Education and thereafter taught class music in several North-east schools before deciding to devote his time to piano teaching. He retired from teaching to concentrate on private teaching, from which he derived considerable pleasure. Described as a highly intelligent musician who played the piano with great passion and with complete technical assurance, he found that he lacked the necessary self-confidence for public recitals, which he found a lonely and nervous existence. He is survived by his father and brother. Under the terms of his will he bequeathed his precious Steinway piano to his close friend Neil Mackie (1963-66) CBE, who is professor of voice at the Royal College of Music in London. Former Members of Staff Henry Charles Hopkins died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 8 January 2004 aged 84. He was Head Janitor at the School for seventeen years until his retiral in 1983. The major extensions to the buildings in the early 1960s were just completed when he arrived in 1966, but he saw many further changes in buildings, staff and pupils. The run-down of the old Lower School, the establishment of the Language Block in what had been the Lower School building, the absorption of the former Rosemount School and the arrival of girls in 1973 all made for a very changed environment, all of which he took in his stride. In his early years at the School he helped those members of staff involved with CCF cadets both with training in the playground and at their annual camps. His retiral co-incided with a re-organisation of the Region's janitorial services, so that he had the distinction of being the last resident head janitor of the School. He is survived by his wife and an extended family. David Murray (Staff 1956-59) died peacefully at Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital on 23 December 2003, aged 91. One of Scotland's most distinguished and respected church musicians, he taught in Aberdeen and at Turriff Academy before coming to the Grammar following the departure of William Norris. In his short time at the School he impressed everyone, pupils and colleagues, with his musicianship and with his unique ability to get the very best out of those whom he trained. He did not spare himself and demanded, and usually got, a like commitment from his pupils. In 1959 he was appointed head of music at 96

Former Pupils' Club Section St Margaret's School in Aberdeen, remaining there until retiring in 1974. Being a skilled choirmaster, he was conductor of the Aberdeen Bach Choir for many years, and was also associated with June, Marchioness of Aberdeen in her music projects at Haddo House. He was for twenty five years organist and choirmaster at St Machar Cathedral. He has been described as a very fine organist but one whose own exacting musical standards led him to underestimate his own gifts. The comparatively few solo recitals which he gave were all memorable. He acted as curator of keyboard instruments at Aberdeen University, which honoured him with an honorary degree in 1988. He was predeceased by his wife, herself a music teacher, in 1985. His son Nigel Murray (1953-62) is a professional violinist and was for a number of years the head of St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh. His daughter Loma is married to William Stevenson (194859) who is director of chapel music and organist at St Andrews University.

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,4herdeen Grammar School Magazine

Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2003 Former Pupils' Club Income and Expenditure Account 2003 £

2002 £

2,051 1,000 -

2,234 505 11

849 2,471

861 2,189

3,500

21.284

3,500 (1,564) (1,564) 259 3,121 3,470 2,383 355 2,263 201 21.352

2,046 445 4,688 506 462 3,225 1,023 710 1,200 400 575 1,500 3,249 588 343 20.960

1,420 254 4,515 649 527 3,225 597 860 66 925 575 148 3,050 682 121 1,115 598 19,327

3.24

2,023

INCOME Subscriptions Existing Members - Annual New Members - Annual & Extended Arrears Life Members Transfer from Life Members' Account Top-up Payments Donations Club Centre Members' Donations & Bequests Less : Transfer to Second Century Fund Dividends Interest Magazine — advertising Fund Raising - Beyond 500 Social Events — Surplus Share of Rent less Expenses — 1 Bayview Road Miscellaneous

1,152 1.152

3,221 3,390 2,638 32 2,132

EXPENDITURE Membership Communications Newsletters — Printing, stationery & postage Printing, stationery and postage Membership Secretary Printing, stationery & postage Magazine Printing, stationery & postage - Secretarial Website Development & Support Honoraria Travel and accommodation Grants - Capitation School - Prize-giving School - Amenities Fund School - Prefects' Badges Accountancy Fee Corporation Tax Special Projects Bank Interest paid Loss on Redemption of Investment Professional Fees & Bank Charges re Loan facilities Miscellaneous

SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR

98

Former Pupils' Club Section Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2003

2003 £ 113,969

2002 £ 113,969

163 4,647 60,000 42.154 106,964

200 5,548 60,000 35,988 101,736

64,045 91,810 2,024 2,472 12 345 172,696

60,799 91,810 1,830 4,378 8.856 167,673

NET CURRENT LIABILITIES

05,7321

f65,937)

CAPITAL ACCOUNTS Life Members

16 337

16.686

REVENUE ACCOUNTS Beyond 500 Second Century General

4,836 9,071 17.993

4,416 9,261 17.669

31,900

31.346

HERITABLE PROPERTY

CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors Club Centre - Loan Drawdown Bank Accounts

CURRENT LIABILITIES Bank Overdraft Club Centre Loan Subscriptions in advance Life Member Top-up Payments Creditors

48,032

99

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2003 F.P. Club Centre Income and Expenditure Account

2002 £

f

£

BAR ACCOUNT

136.516

BAR SALES

5,550 71.467

COST OF SALES Stock on Hand at 31 December 2002 Bar Purchases

77,017 5,L1 5 2 70.404 66,112

11,766 2,961 (177) 2,280 3,740 111

138,977

6,613 72.019 78,632

Less Stock on Hand at 31 December 2003

6.547 72,085 66,892

GROSS PROFIT MISCELLANEOUS INCOME Annual Subscriptions Gaming Machine Revenue (Net) Snooker and Pool Surplus from 1 Bayview Road Miscellaneous Income Interest Received (Net)

11,779 2,967 (206) 2,099 3,407 323 87,261

$7Q13 25,760 17,430 7,660 467 3,414 3,500 555 1,835 1,287 7,426 2,750 5,694 1.240 79.018

OVERHEAD EXPENSES Wages and National Insurance Rates and Insurance Heating and Lighting Telephone (Net) Repairs and Maintenance Donation to Former Pupils' Club Other Donation Interest Payable to Former Pupils' Club Administration Expenses Cleaning Honoraria Miscellaneous Expenses Depreciation

29,245 17,956 7,352 441 4,240 3,500 254 2,729 1,925 7,293 2,750 5,647 I 21 84.553

SURPLUS FOR YEAR

100

2,708

Former Pupils' Club Section

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2003 2002

FIXED ASSETS £ 855 6,200 = 91,810 6,613 8,471 23,063 61 0 130.567

23,597 8.667 32.264

Furniture and Fittings Equipment

As per last Balance Sheet f 855

6.200 7

Added £

Depcn. £ 130

1.071 1.071

1.091 1,221

CURRENT ASSETS Loan Account - AGSFP Club Stock in Hand Sundry Debtors Cash in Bank Cash in Hand

£ 725 6.180 6,905

91,810 6 ,547 5,352 31,217 1.401 136,327

CURRENT LIABILITIES Sundry Creditors Subscriptions in Advance

32,135

8.718 40.853

98.303

95.474

105 358

102379

4,050 11,834 60.000 75.884

LOANS AGSFP Rugby Section Tennent Caledonian plc AGSFP Club

10,197

60,000 70,197

29,474

NET ASSETS

13,495

CAPITAL ACCOUNT Appeal Fund / Donations

15.979

SURPLUSES Amount per last B/Sheet Surplus for Year

32,182 13,495

15,979

2.708

Z2AZi

101

18.687 32,182

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You may contact us using Type Talk, Information is available in large print, audio and Braille on request; please call for details.

G MACHINES 116 Cornhill Road Aberdeen AB25 2EH Tel: 483331 Suppliers of all types of Gaming Machines

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Building Services

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Irvin Group Complex, Albert Quay, Aberdeen AB11 5ES Tel: 01224 576280 Fax: 01224 582758 Email: admin@richard-irvin.co.uk Website: www.richard-irvin.co.uk O 24 HOUR EMERGENCY CALL OUT A Diviston of Richard Irvin &Sons Ltd

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WILLIAMSON & DUNN CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Providing a Personal and Comprehensive Audit, Accountancy and Taxation Service I. C. TAYLOR, H. E. MORRISON, G. S. FLETT, K. S. TAIT, G. R. PYLE, K. KIRKLAND 3 WEST CRAIBSTONE STREET, BON ACCORD SQUARE, ABERDEEN AB11 6YW TEL: 01224 581288 • FAX: 01224 583948 E-MAIL: info@williamsonanddunn.co.uk

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Professional accountancy and taxation service FAIRFIELD 9 ANGUSFIELD AVENUE ABERDEEN AB15 6AR TELEPHONE: 01224 315397 EMAIL: info@esson-ca.co.uk

Aberdeen's only 5 star Visit Scotland Hotel, destination for all VIP's celebrities and golfers visiting the North East. Set in 11 acres of wooded grounds, on the A93. 3 miles from the city centre.

Quality Scottish Seafood and Beef alC year round North Deeside Road, Aberdeen A815 9YA Tel: 01224 861000

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Get Your Property in the Spotlight

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Aberdeen Solicitors' Property Centre, 40 Chapel Street, Aberdeen

Tel (01224) 632949 • aspc.co.uk OPEN: Mon, Tues, Wed: 9am-7pm, Thurs: 9am-8pm, Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 9am-4.3Opm

OtA4irig44 610.is your Pleasure It's such a well-loved landmark in Aberdeen's leafy West End it's difficult to remember a time when there wasn't an Atholl Hotel. True the Atholl Hotel has a proven reputation for consistent friendly service and value for money, but it's real secret les in the belief that nothing is ever too ally do

info@atholl-aberdeen.co.uk www.atholl-aberdeen.com

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Barbour c 0 UNTRY CLOTHING available from:

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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

McHARDY & BURNETT L ]) (Financial Services) LIMITED Is registered as an Independent Financial Adviser and can attend to all your Life Assurance and Pension requirements 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. B S Findlay ACII, C N Jones M.A. (Hons) M.L.I.A. (Dip.) G Yule ACII.

CHARTERED QUANTITY SURVEYORS

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For all your property requirements rely upon the professionals. We will cost manage and procure the best option route for you. Building projects need not cost as much as you think. Contact us now for advice. ABERDEEN 52 Bon Accord Street Aberdeen AB11 6EL Tel: 01224 591566

INVERNESS 17 Queensgate Inverness IV1 1DF Tel: 01463 230365

STORNOWAY 15 Kenneth Street Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2DP Tel: 01851 702156

EDINBURGH 51 Timberbush Edinburgh EH6 6QH Tel: 0131 555 0101

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 Robertson 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

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 those 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.

i For more information on Albyn Hospital and the services available, please contact Customer Services on

01224 577415

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lbyn Hospital

21-24 Aiuyn Place Aberdeen ABIO 1RW www.bminealthcare.co.uk

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC Managing Investments for Private Clients, Charities, Trusts and Family Offices

Aberdeen Private Investors Limited is the specialist company within Aberdeen Asset Management PLC Group, responsible for the management of portfolios for individuals, trusts, charities and pension funds, ranging in size from f 100,000 upwards. Whatever the size of the client's investment, each portfolio is managed by a dedicated portfolio manager who is responsible for the implementation of an agreed investment strategy. Our clients are able to benefit from a range of investment services offered by the Aberdeen Group including segregated portfolio management, socially responsible investment, private equity and private unit trusts. The Group has grown to its present size through a combination of acquisition and organic growth. It is now a significant UK independent investment company managing over £22.9` billion. Our teams operate from dedicated Private Investor offices giving full coverage of the UK.

For further information please contact: Colin Crosby / Bill Greenhalgh, 10 Queen's Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1YG Telephone +44 (0)1224 631999 Email colin.crosby@aberdeen-asset.com or bill.greenhalgh@aberdeen-asset.com Website: www.aberdeen-asset.com

A Aberdeen • Source: Aberdeen Asset Management PLC 30 April 2004. issued by Aberdeen Private investors Ltd. authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Member of the Aberdeen Asset Management Group of Companies. Registered in Scotland No. 112020. Registered Office: 10 Queen's Terrace, Aberdeen ABI0 1YG.

49 - 53 Queen's Road. ABERDEEN AB15 4YP Telephone: 01224 209999 Facsimile: 01224 209009

e mail: enquiries@the-queens-hotel.com

Still your friendly local hotel in Aberdeen's West End, with superb function /conference facilities excellent accommodation and our renowned "Friday Carvery".

The Queens Hotel is proud to host many of the AGSFP Club functions www.the-queens-hotels.com

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ABERDEEN

PROPERTY LEASING LIMITED

Property Management I-1

Facilities Management General Insurance

For all your residential letting needs contact: Alan Pirie at

Rosemount House 138/140 Rosemount Place Aberdeen AB25 2YU Telephone: (01224) 635355 Email: alan@a-p-I.co.uk

or Bill Urquhart at

373 North beeside Road Cults Aberdeen AB15 95X Telephone: (01224) 868997 Email: billea-p-I.co.uk

Website: www.primelet.com

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Halliburton Energy Services

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Make your next stop ABERDEENCOLLEGE

Scotland's largest and most progressive further education college offers an excellent range of full-time, part-time and distance/open learning courses. Our exciting course provision includes study opportunities in the following areas... • • • • • •

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For information on courses, bursaries/grants, please contact THE INFORMATION & BOOKING CENTRE, Aberdeen College, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BN. Telephone: 01224 612330 • Fax: 01224 612001 E-mail: enquiry@abcol.ac.uk • Web: www.abcol.ac.uk

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