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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 88th year No. zro (New Series 78th year No. 201)

Vol. LXXV

JUNE 1972

No. 2

The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club twice during the year, in December and June General Editor

Alistair G. Gracie, 8a Arnhall Drive, Westhills, Skene, Aberdeenshire.

Editors of the School Section

Alexander Tait, John A. Morrison, M.A.

Editor of Notes, Obituaries and Marriages

Alan G. Campbell, LL.B. 178 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen.

Advertisements

J. A. G. Mearns, Mearns and Gill Advertising Ltd., 7 Carden Place, Aberdeen.

Secretary of the F.P. Club

Brian K. Crookshanks, T. D., M.A., LL.B. 25 Crown Street, Aberdeen.

The General Editor invites contributions from F.P.s for the next issue of the Magazine and requests that all copy, both for him and for the Notes Editor, be submitted by 3o April, 1973. Readers are asked to support the advertisers, without whose support publication of the Magazine would not be possible.

Printed fur The Former Pupils' Club at The University Press Aberdeen

CONTENTS School Section— Office-bearers . Random Notes . . Notes on the Prefects . . Literary Section . . . The School Play . School Societies . . C.C.F. Notes . . Music Notes . . . Staff Notes . . . School Sporting Activities . F.P. Section— Office-bearers . . Annual General Meeting F.P. Club Accounts . Club Centre Accounts Section Reports . . Apology . . . New President . . Notes About Old Boys Obituaries. . . New Members . .

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„ 93 „ 100 „ 102 „ 103 „ io7

„ '16 „ 118 „ 120 „ 122 „ 124 " 127 „ 128 „ 129 „ 132 — 1 34

An asterisk * appearing after the name of an F.P. indicates tbat he is a member of the F.P. Club. The _years appearing after the name of an F.P. are those of his attendance at School.

School Office-bearers Prefects CAMPBELL R. F. PATERSON (Senior Prefect) WILLIAM BARLOW (Deputy Senior Prefect) KEITH M. ANDERSON JoHN N. ARMOUR STEVEN J. BARNETT DAVID C. BOYNE RICHARD J. CARSON RAYMOND S. CHEYNE GRAEME M. CLARK A. CRAIG CLUNAS DAVID G. DAVIDSON JAMES B. DUFFUS COLIN W. DUNCAN

DOUGLAS FIDDES JAMES FINNIE MICHAEL C. FLErr DOUGLAS C. A. FORBES LESLIE GREEN JAMES D. HENDRY DOUGLAS H. KENNEDY DAVID S. LEIGHTON KENNETH C. MCHARDY DAMIEN M. MCLEOD EDWIN MICHIE

ALAN Nico LsoN JOHN A. REEKIE ROBERT J. G. RITCHIE LESLIE W. Ross RONALD C. SMITH DAVID G. SWEENEY ALASTAIR J. WAITE RONALD M. WALLACE ROBERT L. WHITEFORD LAIN A. WILSON

House Captains Byron

Dun

RICHARD J. CARSON

LESLIE GREEN

Keith

Melvin

JAMES FINNIE

COLIN W. DUNCAN Rugby

Captain CAMPBELL R. F. PATERSON

Vice-Captain DOUGLAS C. A. FORBES Hockey

Captain ALASTAIR J. WAITE

Vice-Captain DEREK A. JOHNSTONE

Literary and Debating Society

President A. CRAIG CLUNAS Secretary DAVID G. SWEENEY

Vice-President I-IuGH R. OSBORNE Treasurer IRVING N. JONES Dramatic Society

President A. CRAIG CLUNAS Secretary WILLIAM BARLOW

Vice-President ROBERT L. WHITEFORD Treasurer DAVID G. SWEENEY Cadet Force

C.S.M. JAMES B. DUFFUS Editors of School Section

A. CRAIG CLUNAS

WILLIAM BARLOW DAVID G. SWEENEY

CAMPBELL R. F. PATERSON

Random Notes What's big and hairy and drives over Forest Road roundabout? * * * Strange reports filtered through to the prefects concerning an exotic phenomenon lurking in the depths of the swimming pool. Was it the Biology Dept. keeping a pet whale? Had the Loch Ness monster sneaked onto the school bus at Fort Augustus and found a tranquil refuge in the pool ? A squad of prefects were appointed to investigate and after having the last rites administered they set off. On entering the pool however they were met with the exclamation, "Hey you guys!" and at once all was explained. * * * This year's spot the Douglas Kennedy competition was won by lain Wilson. * * * All rumours that the Library Action group are going to take over the Prefects' Duties have been hotly denied by the Prefects themselves. * * * Quote from Room D: "Well, twice in ink." * * * "Winner of the former Pupils All Round Trophy—Campbell R. F. Paterson." "Hissssss, Boo, Hisssss" * * * Is it true that the money raised by this year's Library fair will be used to buy subscriptions to the Beano and Dandy in an effort to attract pupils back to the Library? P.S. There will be no smiling in the Library next year. P.P.S. The magazine gained £s from the Library for these plugs. * * * "If anyone wants me I'll be in the Dark Room." * * * This year's pathetic end to the thrilling story of a lad late for his "O" level english exam: "And what do you know, he'd moved house." * * * A crushed variety of Sweet William [see Prefects' Notes—Deputy Head Prefect] won the school 8oom after being given a helping hand and a nudge into the lead by his fellow competitors. * * * Overheard at Cults Hotel: "Do I know you boy?" "No sir." * * * It has been reported to us that a certain Douglas Kennedy was once given a rocket by his maths teacher Mr. Houston. We are wondering why. 70

Random Notes

71 Non-events of the year (a) Mr. McCombie came last in this year's Milk Race, narrowly behind Miss Boyd. (b) The fathers' Race in the School Sports. [Who wants to lay claim to us anyway ?] (c) Keith House Participants in the School Sports. (d) The sale of tickets for the Dramatic Society performance of Henry VI, Part M. *

Here is a news flash: would Leslie Ross please go and see Mrs. Cowie immediately as she's forgotten what he looks like. * * * Speaking of the School play, the stage-crew finally got into lights thanks to the technical genius of the lighting staff and David Sweeney. *

In a Market Research Poll conducted in the Howff it was unanimously decided that David Leighton was the most handsome brute around. Neil Armour was a close second. When asked what his secret was, David replied, "it's because hid I captain hid the ist XI cricket team hid" * * * The cost of an afternoon off to go to the secondary schools sports was ype-a head. * * * D. C. A. Fawbs made a valiant attempt to enter his name in the Guinness book of records by holding his breath for the duration of a rugby game. * * * Are the geography Dept. defecting to W. Germany or are they just keeping in with Jack Wilson (our man for Volkswagens). * * * Since the arrival of the nurse the prefects' health has improved considerably. This is not due to her ministrations but to the amount of walking they have to do in taking little lads to hospital. * * * Applications can now be accepted for the post of personal valet to the Head Prefect for next session: Applicants should support Celtic, like Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones and be able to apply Brylcreem. The position is well paid (a packets of crisps) and rugby training is provided. Return application forms to: Post for Young Idiot The Howff. *

And finally: We wanted to mention Ron but what can we say that hasn't been said before apart from, "Good God boy, I'm 5 9 and still going strong1"

Notes on the Prefects Campbell R. F. Paterson. Our genial, ever-popular (?) Senior Prefect answers to chief-soapy, and C.R.F.P. like a true general, led this year's 1st XV from behind, and when given the ball, inevitably ran away from everyone else, until reminded that it was the Rugby season, and not yet Athletics. Campbell found that he was allergic to oranges when he had a smashing time during a rugby trip. He did a great job as properties manager for the School play, and the only article which was misplaced during the rehearsals was Campbell himself. Since passing his driving test, C.R.F.P. has been seen in a mini, not a lorry. "And when we think we lead we most are lead." Byron "He that falls today may be up again tomorrow." Cervantes William Barlow. Sweet William is loved by the High school, but his colleagues have never really understood him. A noted tabletennis fanatic, he ping-ponged his way through summer term, after he had learned of the diplomatic success gained by the Americans in this field. Bill won this year's best dressed prefect award with his special entry of matching cravat and Y fronts. William tried hard throughout the year, but his all-round efforts were not appreciated. "Every man is of importance to himself, some more than others." Samuel Johnson (adapted) "Other men have aquired fame by industry, but this man by indolence." Tacitus Keith M. Anderson. Answers to Hooper and Anne. Since his father sweeps the stand at Pittodrie Keith is a fervent supporter of A.F.C., much to Les's disgust. Has won the Grand Order of Super Divoter since he has managed to reduce the Howff to rubble in his short stay. Keith always went to classes except Economics (?) "Father, I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet." George Washington "Oh Aberdeen, Oh Aberdeen, We are the Champions." Popular Ditty J. Neil Armour. Neil had a talent for being on the wrong place with the wrong people doing the wrong things at the wrong time. He got on well with most of the prefects who appreciated his finer points but his patronising attitude irked some of the VI Year. Still opens the 1st XI batting despite a succession of ducks which have been laying eggs ever since the third year. Perhaps one day he'll fly away. "He'll play a small game rather than stand out." John Ray "My love is like a pale pink rose." Adapted. Steven J. Barnett. Skinhead Steve is the leader of the Provisional Wing of the Torrydcrry Crew. Played off and on for the 1st XV but 72

73 Notes on the Prefects had great difficulty in seeing above the grass at Rubislaw. Spike made a brave attempt to walk out of Technical with a T-square concealed about his person and has sung soprano ever since. Has to keep in with the minions (in case they hit him) and is looking forward to VI year because he'll be taller than most of the ist year. "No Yield. Ya Bass." Y.F.C. be seen doing his famed often can who David, Boyne. C. David impersonation of a mountain goat in the wilds of Skye, just missed selected for Sapporo due to an unfortunate accident. Saved us all a lot of time and much inconvenience by being the only prefect to do Mr. Houston's maths homework. David plays cards with Barlow—well nobody's perfect. "To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first." Wm. Shakespeare the ist XV and plays for Richard J. Carson. Tricky Dicky sings in the ballet at the success outstanding his After choir. the rugby for school dance, Richard now made his debut as host soprano with the High School Choir. When Mighty Miff's becomes rich he's going to outfit the whole ist XV in vivid pink. Incidentally Richard has a special interest in Welsh Valleys. "The God of Music dwelleth out-of-doors." Edith M. Thomas Raymond S. Cheyne. The only working prefect much to the disgust of friends and enemies alike, Raymond also plays cards with Wullie. During the Students' Charities Campaign Raymond took on one buxom young lass on the Howff floor, the best of three falls to decide.... Fortunately she retrieved her can. Raymondo did his best to save Sweeney's dignity by stemming the flows with his thumbs. "As water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again." Old Testament has still not Graeme mag year's Graeme M. Clark. A propos last finalised his wedding plans. He only played for the ist XV when he felt like it but, to C.R.F.P's chagrin got a cap all the same. Clarkie, the only prefect who has not got a strong right arm, ignores Gillette but once got his hair cut, much to Mr. Falconer's delight and our surprise. Universally acknowledged as Andrew Nisbet's successor as he was never seen before the second bell. "I'll take you home again Kathleen." Popular Song "Though women are angels, yet wedlock's the devil." Byron A. Craig Clunas. Known to minions as Attila, Craig ruled the Dramatic and Debating Societies with a not-so-iron hand. He enjoyed a good argument with the right wing fascists in the Howff but there were always more of them than there was of him. Rumours that he had his head in the clouds have been dispelled but he did sometimes agree with Willie. He politely declined the chance of a lifetime when asked to play for Byron in the inter-house rugby, but

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 74 achieved fame due to his cross-country running. Is going to Cambridge to do Oriental Studies but whoever heard of a 6ft. 3 in. Jap. "Call us not weeds: we are flowers of the sea." E. L. Aveline David G. Davidson. We used to think David was a nice lad but the Howff has finally corrupted him and he has been known to swear at the Senior Prefect. Davidson is a duplicate of Boyne as he also climbs hills, skis and plays cards with sweet William. Keeps trying to beat Sweeney at table tennis but with little success. As a dux of the School he is a cut above the rest but has been found to copy Boyne's homework on occasion. "Ask me nicely .. ." D.D. "Science move but slowly slowly." Tennyson James B. Duffus. Being leader of our Armed Forces Jimmy is part of the four-minute warning. He takes the Cadets, the Pipe-Band, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Gelly and Mr. Will very seriously. Before parading in fancy dress every Thursday, Jim takes the chance to admire himself in his beautifully polished boots. We thought he was one of the saner members of the Howff until he was caught doing his Tarzan act. "A soldier is but a man: a life is but a span: Why, then, must a soldier drink." Shakespeare Colin W. Duncan. Cohn has distinguished himself as a good driver —in a roundabout manner. He often demonstrated his ability to clear the Howff even faster than C.R.F.P. as he is almost as safe with dart in hand as he is behind the wheel. Colin has a major interest in the School play but we cannot reveal her name. He is forever arguing with Miff over who has the longer siders, but Clarkie managed to upstage them both anyway. Played for the 1st XV this year with considerable success—both on and off the field. "For when the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name he marks—not that you won or lost—but how you played the game." Grantland Rice "Colin—keep the heid." C.R.F.P. Douglas Fiddes. Played in goal for the 1st XI but we don't hold that against him. However his managership of Howff Dodgems ended when the team revolted. The Doog has never forgiven Mike Flett for his part in the rebellion. During the Student Charities Campaign, Doog, who sports the longest hair and most girl-friends in the prefecture ran amok through the streets of Aberdeen with a sword stolen from the Dramatic Society. His Biology result is a tribute to his friends' hard work. "I am not much in fear of those fat sleek fellows, but rather of those pale thin ones." Julius Caesar James Finnie. Despite being a late arrival in the Howff Jim was quick to gain popularity as he soon learned how to skive classes without really trying. His biggest blunder of the year was to try Mr. Falconer's rugby training one Tuesday afternoon but he soon got used to it and made a point of having a light lunch. Jim is unofficial

Notes on the Prefects

75 Howff interpreter being one of the few able to speak to the minions in broad Aberdonian. He hopes to make an attempt on Ranald Fordyce's long-standing record of thirty-three free periods per week. Unfortunately he has some competition. "We would all be idle if we could." Samuel Johnson Michael C. Flett. Mike was easily the trendiest prefect keeping up with the fashions and keeping out with Mr. Baxter. After Christmas he reformed however and was to be seen in grey shirt, school tie and regulation trousers. Seldom appeared in the Howff although he claims indignantly he skived his fair share of period. A star player for Howff Dodgems, Mike excelled himself in the House Rugby with undying enthusiasm. "Skill is one per cent effort and ninety-nine per cent ability." M.C.F. "You cannot be both fashionable and first-rate." Logan Peasall Smith Douglas C. A. Forbes. Feekees felt obliged to defend his Howff Darts Championship by following in Sweeney's footsteps. Although he could only make one hole in the pipe he made a larger one in his pocket. Among the many distinctions Doug achieved at school was that of being the first to be carried off the athletics track, seriously injured in the Sack Race! He went on to greater things becoming vice-captain of the 1st XV but the scrum wasn't the only thing he propped up this year. "Those athletic brutes whom undeservedly we call heroes." Dryden Leslie Green. Les, who rivalled Craig and Colin as the tallest prefect, was the only sixth-year prefect who attended all his classes this year. As well as speaking German and reading obscure books he annoyed his friends by using words of more than two syllables. His one claim to fame is that he can leap higher than any other prefect. "Unless one is a genius it is best to aim at being intelligible." Antony Hope James D. Hendry. Third in the long line of Bumbles and although he inherited all the vices of his brothers he still managed to become a prefect. As well as being indisputably the best gambler in the Howff he excelled himself in Chemistry and Biology. Bumble was much mocked after being only the second prefect to fail his driving test and after starring as the Howff Sugar Plum Fairy. "The only athletic sport I ever mastered was backgammon." Douglas Jerrold "Genius is the capacity of evading hard work." Elbert Hubbard Douglas H. Kennedy. Once upon a time during a prefects' meeting the Howff door opened and a tall dark-haired, good-looking stranger walked in. Thirty-three pairs of mystified eyes followed him as he made his way towards the nearest seat and sat down. C.R.F.P. uttered the immortal words "Who is he, what is he ?" That was the first and last time we saw Douglas so if anyone has seen a tall, dark-haired, good-looking prefect wandering the School looking a trifle lost there's a large reward awaiting him in the Howff.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

"He goes where he goes but nobody knows where he goes." Adapted "All men have their faults; too much modesty is his." Goldsmith David S. Leighton. David was a late arrival on the prefecture but in the short time he has been with us he has made his presence felt! Being captain of the cricket XI and Match Secretary of the F.P. Cricket Section we were hoping that perhaps he would volunteer to ease the burden of work on us but unfortunately.... David is a practical joker and it's a pity he hasn't been with us longer for then one of his jokes might have backfired. "Fun's fun and a joke's a joke but ..." Anon Kenneth C. McHardy. Another fifth-year prefect who hasn't yet lost the cherubic innocence unique to one who hasn't yet skived a period. For a wee fella Kenny played with distinction on the hockey and cricket fields and is pipe-major in the Pipe Band. Unfortunately J. V. S. didn't appreciate Kenny using the Howff for practising. He is the Howffs Hell's Angel and can be seen roaring home each night on his Honda 5o. "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth" Matthew v. 5 "With four and twenty men And five and thirty pipers." The Massacre of the Macpherson Sir Robert Aytoun Alan Nicolson. Tried hard to live in Raymond's image by going as many messages as he could but never quite made the grade. Alan was the Howff's Marc Bolan and did everyone know it. He was an ever-present at Mr. Falconer's sessions and sometimes did some training as well. Was famed for his cigar-smoking performances—he preferred Wills' Whiffs. Alan was a staff-sergeant in the B.B. (no, not the Barnett Bootboysl) but has now emigrated to a North Sea Oil Rig. "Music is well said to be the speech of angels." Carlyle "Tobacco is a dirty weed: I like it It satisfies no normal need: I like it It makes you thin, it makes you lean It takes the hair right off your bean It's the worst damn stuff I've ever seen I like it." G. L. Hemminger—This Smoking World John A. Reekie. Also known as Allen or Lum; stolidly propped up the 2nd XV throughout their record-breaking losing spell. Also on the sporting field he made a name for himself in the School sports by coming in third in a gruelling 15oo metres. All rumours that there were only three runners were hotly denied. Alan is one of those funny fifth year prefects who goes to classes and sings in the choir. However,

Notes on the Prefects

77 to himself to endear has managed overcoming these handicaps, he most of the Howff. "I do not tremble when I meet, The stoutest of my foes, But Heaven defend me from the friend, Who comes—But never goes ?" J. G. Saxe Robert J. G. Ritchie. John is another of those prefects who, just to confuse us all, refuses to be called by his proper name. A musically inclined prefect and therefore a friend of Carson, rumour has it that he can actually understand him. John wrestles with a silver object in the Howff, which he affectionately calls a tuba, but has not yet been known to produce any sound from this amazing instrument. R.J.G.R. R.J.G.R. is our eyes and ears in the High School sixthyear Common Room, and his daily reports kept us informed of what was happening there almost before it happened. John also played Cupid, by delivering messages for Miff and C.W.D. to their respective loved ones. "Tis the common disease of all young musicians, that they know no mean, to be entreated rather to begin or to end." Ben Jonson Leslie W. Ross. Les was without doubt the smallest forward in the 1st XV, and worse still was a fervent Celtic supporter, much to Hoofer's disgust. He found his true level in life by becoming a dishwasher in the Lang Stracht Hotel. As a fifth-year prefect he became expert at skiving classes, and any other work which came his way, an ability which will stand him in good stead for the sixth year. Any connection with the "Louisville lip" (Mohammed Ali) is hotly denied by Les. "The difference between a moral man, and a man of honor, is that the latter regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked." H. L. Mencken Ronald C. Smith. Ronald became associated with an ex-Gordonian of doubtful character, called Gilbert, who spent three fruitful terms in the sixth-year toilet. To complete his strange collection of friends, Ron also spoke to fakirs. Ron nosed his way into many school activities. He had considerable difficulty in controlling his animal urges; however members of the opposite sex do not like animals. Ron excelled himself at Physics, but very rarely in the classroom; he was forced to retire from this subject after Christmas. "They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matthew xv. David G. Sweeney. Sweeney, much peeved at not winning the Howff darts championships, set about proving his prowess by puncturing an unfortunately placed water pipe with two simultaneously thrown darts using his now famous nonchalant back hand technique. David claims to have won the schools Chess league single-handed; however it has been rumoured that he didn't win one game. He has cultivated the ability to look busy whilst really doing nothing and this

Aberdeen Grammar Schaal Maga#ne

has saved him from many a nasty job. In doing this he angered Bill, who believed he had copyright on this rnanouvre. David can now be found amidst Anderson's Roses. "A conservative is a man who is too cowardly to fight, and too fat to run." Elbert Hubbard Alastair J. Waite. Ally was captain of the Hockey team, we think! He also played cricket because he's Leighton's friend. He took David under his wing and taught him best how to do nothing, he was a well qualified teacher. Ally was very colour conscious, coming to school in wine coloured jersey, rainbow shirt, blue and white herring bone trousers and blue suede shoes, which no one dared to stand on. The military Junta at Sandhurst took one look at this grotesque garb, and decided he wasn't officer material. "A sweet disorder in the dress kindles and clothes are wantonness." Robert Herrick Ronald Wallace. Les Ross's henchman for next year, and when the appointment was read out at Assembly, there was a loud chorus of "who is Ronald Wallace anyway." Since this announcement there have been four attempts on the Governer-elects' life. Plays cards with Bill Barlow and takes lots of photographs. (Not the blue kind.) He is also a climber or so we're told. "Power like a desolating pestilence, Pollutes whatever it touches." Shelley Robert L. Whiteford. Big Col's sidekick and his constant companion in his efforts to disrupt the sanctity of the Howff and the running of the School. Rab, as he was called [among other things], destroyed many an opposing winger's marital prospects with his many devastating runs down the wing. Was ostensibly in charge of the stage crew during the school play before leaving to answer the call of a quiet, country life on the farm and should not be approached from downwind. "Lend us fifty quid tae mend thae shed. I'm richt doon on mae uppers." RLW "He was a very inferior farmer when he first began, ... and he is now fast rising from affluence to poverty." Mark Twain lain A. Wilson. Always on the fiddle lain played in the School orchestra. A very quiet lad, he is the only prefect, to our knowledge, who has ever been spoken to by Douglas Kennedy. His claim to sporting distinction was to come second to sweet William in the r 500 m. Another one of the dying breed of prefect who attended all his classes. "Music has charms alone for peaceful minds." Pope "Hello, lain." D. H. Kennedy

Literary Section By the River

It was a fine day in spring. The river wandered gently, in and out of the forest, like a snake in the African bush. The sunlight filtered gently down, from the trees above the river, the branches and leaves forming a strangely beautiful tunnel. Everything, the stones, grass, bushes, and denizens of the forest were bathed in a shimmering green light. The whole panorama looked like a picture, viewed by a child, through a piece of a broken coloured bottle. Small ripples spread out from the tips of reeds, which hung over the bank into the slow flowing river, disturbing the mottled blue flies that were floating on the water. The wind blew gently, wafting the orchids, which hung down from the branches of the trees above, to and fro, to and fro. A few bees, attracted by the sent of the flowers, flew madly to one blossom, and then to another. Always collecting, until the time would come, when they could fly no longer and would be on the ground feebly beating their now useless wings. As often happens they were killed, betrayed, by their only love; their work. A frog, green and slimy from its journey through the depths, appeared. It slowly, and heavily climbed onto nature's raft; a waterlily. The frog's legs looked clumsy and grotesque and their movements were akin to that of a baby's, taking its first steps. With a last heaving effort it was on the lily. The chest heaved up and down with its exertions. A may-fly flew past the frog, its young blood intoxicated by the spring. The frog watched it slowly, the bulbous eyes following every movement. A sudden flip, and the may-fly was gone. Ripples spread over the surface of the water. The frog also was gone. LAIN PRICE, IR. A Murder of Sorts I watched a fox die the other day. A pack of hounds were responsible directly, as they pursued and did the fox to death. Behind them rode men and women in red tunics. One blew a horn. They all laughed, smiling down at the tangled mess of blood, flesh and bone. A fat man with a moustache dismounted to pick up the bloodied tail, conveniently torn off already from the carcass. The party squealed with joy, as the fox had done with pain during the two minutes and thirteen seconds it took to die. The hunters rode off and my eyes filled with unshed tears. Not for the fox, though my heart was heavy, but out of shame. Here some of my brothers and sisters had forsaken their humanity. They had killed a living creature, not for food but for sport, to satisfy their lust for blood in a disgusting and depraved manner. Here on this spot those people became lower than the lowest beast in nature. DAVID WATSON, IV 79

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

No Midsummer Night's Dream "A Shakespeare play," thought David as his eyes wandered around the plaster statues above the stage, "is strictly for English teachers, and people who like Shakespeare." The lights began to dim and the red velvet curtain moved slowly upward. Several people wandered on to the stage talking at great length about nothing in particular. David felt his eyes closing. "Beware the Ides of March 1", shouted the hairy thing standing forward from the large crowd of monkeys on the stage. David watched astonished as the whole play fell into chaos. Cries of "All hail Macbeth", and "alas, poor Yorick, I knew him well" flew all over the stage. Suddenly, as quickly as it had started, the noise ceased. An extremely handsome monkey was standing on a large marble rostrum. "Friends, Romans, countrymen," he said, "lend me your ears." At this, all the snakes, seals and birds poured objections on to the stage in the form of nuts and various kinds of fruit. The monkey sat in the shelter of the rostrum until the storm had passed and, cracking a nut with great relish, continued, "I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him." The audience clapped and began to leave their seats. David decided to leave as well. He looked for his family, but finding them all replaced by birds and a snake in the case of his little brother, he went out on his own. The large statue of what used to be William Wallace had been changed. It was now a massive monkey, dressed in a suit of armour and pointing in the direction of the theatre. The other erections in the city had also been changed. The statue of King Edward the Monkey now stood on the opposite side of Union Terrace from the building now laughingly referred to as the "man house". David walked down Union Street looking into all the windows. Everything was changed. The menus all consisted of variations on a theme namely Nuts, Fruit and Roots. On a large billboard was an advertisment for the "Baboon Bros. Circus": "see Bobo the gorilla and his troup of dancing humans." David began to panic. He decided to return to the theatre. He ran down the steps into the gardens beside Union Terrace. It wasn't so crowded there. He ran along the top path and saw, to his horror, that the bandstand had been converted into a massive scaffolding on which the young monkeys could play. He ran into the theatre and at this encouraging sign the monkey started his speech again. He felt a nudge in his side and woke to see Brutus committing an honourable death on the Plains of Philippi. JAMES G. CURSITER, IV2 "Never Again" The Star was first sighted on . . . 1936. It was a peculiarly bright star and visible to all, virtually anywhere. It aroused considerable interest among the astronomers of the day because of its sudden appearance. "A supernova, some dying star has gone supernova, that's what it is." "A reasonable enough suggestion but all the evidence points away from it. The spectroscopic analysis sheets are blank, and a supernova would definitely show up on that." "Nonsense, there must be something on the sheets."

Literary Section

"There's nothing." "Oh well, then the bloody thing isn't there." "But it is . . ." The arguments raged on. Various interesting theories were proposed, as to how something could be; which was it. Interesting theories indeed! Now everyone was so busy arguing, that no one at all gave any thought to the fact that the star was moving day by day. Well almost no one . . . "Let's follow it, the blasted thing is moving, so let's follow it." "Follow it? You must be joking. Following stars around is unscientific, it's almost astrology not astronomy; it's ridiculous; it's ...it's ... it's exhausting, expensive, its ..." " ... it's been done before." "Oh come on, even you aren't suggesting that . . ." "Well not quite, but it is moving and it's moving southwards, towards the Continent, so we could follow it." "Oh, my head hurts, you're mad you're a religious freak, a . . ." Anyway, three astronomers decided that they might as well follow the star, if not just to get away from it all for a few weeks. During the day the star seemed to be guiding them and, during the day . . . "Look there's something queer here, I mean you just don't see stars at noon because the . . ." Well it was a peculiar star. Yet the astronomers followed the star and it led them through France, across the Pyrenees and finally it come to rest above a small town in Northern Spain. In fact it was not over the town but above one particular house. Peculiar, because stars don't usually do things like that. An aura of peace and blessedness surrounded the house and the astronomers "felt" that "good" radiated from within. The door was open, and inside they could just make out a young blue-clad woman and her child. They moved forward, enchanted, to enter, when in waves of searing pain, they felt the inner recesses of their minds echoing and re-echoing with a loud humming noise; screams; crashes, explosions, wails and the weeping of children whirled through their brains in a kaleidoscope of sounds till it fuzzed and numbed their senses. . . . It was like a globule of nightmare expanding and bursting upon their beautiful dream. The air was clear now, the colloid of sound and sight had broken up and harsh reality stared them in the face. The astronomers returned to the house and found just a pile of rubble. They stood numbed. One sank onto his knees and wept repeatedly. "Oh Jesus no, no Jesus; no. . . . Overhead a star went out. "This is the B.B.C. Home Service: here is the news. Yesterday the Luftwaffe bombed the Spanish town of Guernica, as it lay basking in the sun. The town harboured no industry nor any other military installation. No one knows the reason for the raid, a "slaughter of the innocents." DAVID J. M. ANDERSON, IV

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine 257184

"Next on the curriculum." "Number 257184, Pro-Consul." "File ?" "Here, sir." "No. z57184 . oh, one of our more hardened cases." "So I believe, sir." "Sex—Female. Born-1914. Scheduled date of death-1994. Previous charges—expressing harmful ideas in public. Sentence2 weeks in the Torture (cleansing) Department to change ideas. Effect of treatment—Hardly Satisfactory. Children-2. Class—Third. Judgment—could be a danger to the community." 257184 wandered through a mass of corridors. She saw a figure. "Em ... you, which way to the Pro-Consulate ?" "Down this corridor and you'll see a main branch of corridors. Just follow the signs after that." She reached the door of the Pro-Consulate. Just there stood at all military figure clad in blue. "Number ?" "257184."

The soldier opened the shiny steel door. "257184 ?" "Yes." "Take a seat." She sat uneasily. "You've really gone over the score this time, 257184. Harbouring an unnecessary child is a bad offence and also with the trouble you caused last time you're going to have difficulty obtaining your permit which will extend your designated life span! Are you guilty?" "Yes." "I'd better mention the matter at the next meeting. However you can't expect to get off lightly." "Why did you do it ?" "I don't know. This world is not the place for me." "On the contrary, this world is the place for everybody. It is a Utopia. The world is not overcrowded. Nobody starves. No one is unwanted. Everybody gets a decent education. Everybody has a job. Everybody lives in the best of health. Rare animal species are conserved. No sport or pastime is out of your reach. Just by simply cutting down on the number of people inhabiting this earth we have made it a dream world. You said you preferred the world of the 6o's and 7o's. Why ?" "We were free, then. You could work as long as you liked, have as many children as you liked, you could even live to an old age. You were somebody then, not just a nameless nobody." "Really, 257184 your values are distorted." The community of the 7o's was slowly killing itself. Its air was poisoned, its rivers were poisoned, hence, they were poisoning themselves. By destroying the motor car, limiting the number of children

Literary Section

to two, and making the maximum age, 8o, we have changed all this." "We fought two world wars to save the world from tyranny." "Those world wars are only of one use now. They kept the population down. If you called Adolf Hitler's Nazis tyranny we also come into that category. Therefore your world wars didn't help you at all. Time is getting on, 2S7184, you may leave. Who's next?" "Number 13984, Pro-Consul." FORBES MCLENNAN, IIC

What I am I've a head like an antelope But that's not what I am I've got hind quarters Like rafters With the moonlight shining through I eat from tall trees But a giraffe's not what I am A herbivore I am with a nice long neck Yes, I know what you're saying "There is no such wreck" But before you start writhing At this murderous joke You may cover up your ears Before I provoke I'm only a harmless little Okapi I hope that will curb all your terrible fears DARYL THOMSON, IR Looking Through a Bottle

Distorted lines and distorted colours dance and wave in front of my eyes. The room is filled with grotesque shapes. The clock disintegrates into a swirling whirlwind of colour. The floor, walls and roof slants diagonally away from me. People with distorted faces and bodies glide like fishes through a pond. The furniture is transformed into precariously balanced shapes. The whole room spins faster and faster till it is a mere blur. IAN MCCONACHIE IS The Devil's Hump

It was about three in the morning, the worst hour of the night, when an unknown emptiness enters the mind and dwells there, filling the body with the feeling of a premature death. Such a time it was, and above the storm raged like a battle of the Thunder Gods. Lightning came and went, playing over the barren heathland, revealing the landscape in unearthly flashes of blue light, illuminating a bare and

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

stormlashed landscape. The wind drove the rain across the open moor and swirled about the lone figure fighting up the hill into the teeth of the gale. The man looked upwards and a sudden flash of lightning lit up in fire a dark brooding hump on the hill, a huge stone barrow. After the fire left it it sat in black, frowning down at all around and filling them with the nameless terrors of mankind Such was the Devil's Hump. Patrick shivered and strove on upwards, dripping wet. As the barrow drew closer his steps grew slower and less steady. Finally he gained the side of it and stood below its walls, shaking with cold and fear and resting. He kept careful watch but saw notning at all. He began feeling his way along the slimy wall in the inky darkness, then he felt a space and knew it was the entrance. He pulled out a brand of wood and tried to light it. But either there was some magic that prevented it or the air was too damp, for it would not light. So, taking a deep breath he stepped inside. Slowly he groped along and slipped in the pools of water. He sniffed the unwholesome air of the death mound and shivered. Then he reached the main chamber. It was large and gloomy and the roof was lost in the shadows above. Around the wall were small openings, and shining in some of them, white bones. In one stood a skull, grinning, its pearly white surface shining. He saw then in the centre of the chamber, a large stone tomb and resting on it, a large broadsword. He moved towards it, and the scene was transformed. The chamber was red with fire and around him spun fiery horsemen, their horses breathing out fumes, with red eyes, flaming wild. They screamed and howled and flung their lances at Patrick. He ducked and went for the tomb. Then the whole chamber became a spinning conflagration, of flying rocks and hellfire and wild riders howling. Patrick, in mortal terror lifted the sword and swung it at his foes. There came a terrible laugh fading away into the far distance and then silence reigned, the silence of the tomb. Patrick fell towards the tunnel and crawled along it scraping his knees in his headlong flight. He stumbled out and the barrow fell on his heels in a crumbling, crashing tumult. He lay for a long time in the wet heather, shivering wet. Then he rose and without looking back ran off down hill, knowing that the barrow would no longer remain to menace their lives and spread terror over the land. The Devil had left the Devil's Hump. NEIL MCKELVIE IV2 The Death of a Fly

There it was, that miserable wretch of a fly moving round the room from the light to the window like a Stuka with adrunken driver. Causing annoyance to the two stout occupants of the luxurious room. Slowly, a large grubby hand reached for a handy rolled up Daily Mail and took a pot shot at the fly as it swooped down from the lit light to the window. The paper missed by just a few inches. The fly reached the window buzzing frantically, trying to find a way out into the sunshine of the outside world. With great strain a figure got up from an arm-chair

85 Literary Section and strode over to the window clutching the lethal newspaper. At last, with strain on his legs, the man reached the window. He lifted his arm and brought it down with an almighty "crack" like the sound of thunder booming in the distance. When the devastating blow was over, all that was left of the fly was a nasty green splodge on the window and a flattened fly on the newspaper in the middle of another green splodge. The man made his way back to his comfortable armchair throwing down the paper on to a vacant chair. The two people then carried on with their conversation. ANDREW W. MARTIN IR The Transportation As he awoke Richard Sorenson automatically put his hand over his face, for the sun normally shone brightly into his bedroom. I say normally, because on this occasion, the yellow rays of the rising sun, which man has always associated with life and goodness did not shine into Richard's bedroom. Instead an eerie, blue unnatural light enveloped his bed. After a swift session of blinking and eye-rubbing he blurted out, "My God, have I gone blind!" In answer to this question a mysterious gurgling voice said, "No you have not lost your sight. At this very moment you are being transported by a means that does not concern you to a planet which is billions of light years from your own galaxy. This planet is called Zytor." "But why me ?" said Sorenson. "It is better, that you do not know," answered the voice. Sorenson who was known to be nervous and imaginative began to get panicky. One million thoughts rushed through his brain as he screamed, "Let me go. Curse you, let me go!" He paused, expectant of an answer, but he was met with silence, utter silence. Jumping from his bed he mumbled, "They can't do this to me." On reaching the blue haze, he was immediately thrown back with stunning force. At first he staggered about; then dropped unconcious on to his bed. His eyes opened, then blinked unseeingly at the hazy sky. Remembering where he was, he sat bolt upright. "Lie down!" snapped the gurgling voice. He lay down on the hard ground as he was afraid. "Where are you ?" he gasped. "Look to your left!" "But, but I only see small green insects." Quite correct. This is our natural form although we are capable of assuming any shape which is familiar to humans." He looked up in dismay only to see more unbelievable things. The sky was blue, but there were three suns; three fiery balls of light glared down upon the parched terrain. Either he was mad or these deceptively puny insects really had transported him to this weird planet. "Keep still and you will not be hurt. You are here for certain reasons. If you are un-cooperative you will be destroyed. Another of your species would then be taken from earth."

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

"Okay, I'll agree to that, on one condition." "What is it ?" "It is that I be transported back to earth when you are finished." "It shall be done," replied the Zytonians. Experiments were carried out, which were quite painless to Sorensen, but were useful to the Zytonians. He was then given a day's rest to recover from his testing week. "You have been most helpful," said Kronos, who was the leader. "Glad to hear it," said Sorensen who had grown to like the Zytonians. A few hours later he was transported back to earth. So happy to be back he shouted, "Hello world! I'm back from Zytor. You've got to hear this. There were these little gr—." He was interrupted by a sharp tug on his shoulder. It was a policeman. "Okay buddy, this is San Francisco not the circus. What's the idea of shouting like that ?" "But I was transported to Zytor wh—." He stopped, seeing the obvious look of disbelief on the officer's face. "Look Mac, you've gotta believe me, I'm telling you I've been to Zytor." "You can tell that to the court," said the policeman sneeringly. By this time a small crowd had gathered round the two figures. "All right, all right get back. Let me get to my car." Turning to Sorensen he said, "You'd better come with me." He hustled him into the car. After a lot of happenings such as a court case, visits to psychiatrists, etc., Richard Sorensen was pronounced insane. The lonely figure stood by the cell window, gazing out at the millions of stars that light the night sky. He knew that up there somewhere was a planet which was populated by intelligent insects, which had three suns, and was called Zytor. Nobody believed him but he didn't care, for he knew that some day he would be proved right. CAMERON MUNRO IP

Perverts

Perverts come in many sizes Facial masks and strange disguises Grubby faces, plastic macs With Porno-kits strapped to their backs They stand and leer at dirty books And give young schoolgirls nasty looks All these people fill with glee When a dirty film is on T.V. MORAL—I don't want to be good I'd rather be lewd A. DAVIDSON IV

Literary Section

Ulster 1922

This is a tale of woe and grief, Futility beyond belief. For years we struggled to keep a peace, To help the people find release, From the gap they found between themselves, That ever widens as they delve. Into that always stricken land, Once again death took a hand. The fathers knew, who were steeped in guilt, The holy churches they had built, To help the people understand, Had driven Him from everyman. This story is of deep despair, But to tell it here is only fair. We fought to halt this gory battle, But ruthless men led them like cattle, If He incited them to fight, We want no part in his delight. And now we find it's all in vain, To help these people live again, For we've discovered in what's passed, To stifle them is to stifle us. PETER S. BROWN IV2 The Bonfire

The fire glares up with sudden vigour Just as if someone had pulled a trigger The flames send out a crimson light Which stretches far into the night. Children run back and fore in joy Just as if the fire was their toy Suddenly the built up logs fall down And, from the top, falls the little stuffed clown Soon the flames begin to die And the red glow disappears from the sky The children now are all in bed Only the last few embers are glowing red. IAIN ADAMS IS

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Poor God

Then out of the hole came a brain with no soul, The modern example of "white", Others were used their colours confused Prejudice always seemed right. "A meeting!" they screamed as their ministers dreamed Yet somehow they knew they must die, When their visions had fled leaving blood to be bled Only the wise men asked "why?" The people who came, they echoed the same, They knew that their efforts were done It was time that they went, for their strength had been spent They might just as well chase the sun. Those who remained, nothing lost, nothing gained, Threw their hands up to the sky And cursed the poor sod that they called their God, For they said that he never did try. As his pinnacle swayed, and not one of them prayed, Their God hung his head down in sorrow He had given his son that their will could be done Yet now there would be no tomorrow. A. DAVIDSON IV

Murder

The field in the north grows concrete, now, in lines of grey plants which blossom in sparkling glass, and where once children would play, there's weeds of cobbled stone and signs which say, keep off the grass (though there's none) And the river of tar flows on to the sun on the edge of the field, where grey meets blue. And as I walked towards that white ball of light I stopped to listen, and heard a cry of death, not human, and yet not animal, and now I look round, and realise it was this earth which died, killed not by a gun but smothered by man in the name of progress. GRAEME MCKENZIE 1113

The School Play Against all the odds, at an unusual and not over convenient date in the School calendar, and with an ominous absence of the usual euphoric advertisement, the School play was finally presented. The very title of this year's choice has an unlikely sound. King Henry VI? King John we know about; we believe that he affixed the royal seal to Magna Carta at Runnymede and died of a surfeit of lampreys. Is not that history? And the world accepts as history that Henry IV had his Falstaff and his Hal, and that that same Hal turned heroically into Henry V, had his soldiers surge into the breach at Harflcur and fought at Agincourt on St. Crispin's day. Henry VIII very differently, had six wives and is reincarnate in twentieth-century T.V. But the life and times of Henry VI are merely a blank to most people. The royal saint who founded Eton means little today to boys who go to Rubislaw Academy or even to their parents who perhaps went to the Grammar School; while the Wars of the Roses, senseless bloody turmoil as they may have been, are remembered only for the pretty, pointless name. So much for the theme and the provenance of our play. Again in its progress from first reading to final presentation it was bedevilled with ill-fortune. The power-strike in the month of February denied to the Dramatic Society the use of the School at a crucial period in rehearsals. The impetus that seemed to be driving the play nicely towards the proposed presentation date in March was lost, spirits sank, examinations intervened, some of the cast left School, and the summer term started with, in many breasts, the feeling that the bright day was past and only the dark lay ahead. And all those circumstances were laid as a peculiar burden on the shoulders, not of a group of masters, but on those of Craig Clunas the pupil who was this year's producer. Then without warning, ten days from the date finally set for public staging, the part of Clifford, a lengthy and essential one in the first acts of the play was left with no one to play it. It was a black moment, but Clunas undertook the part himself, found reserves of energy to continue the direction with greater zest, and in the event produced and acted in a play that could compare with any in the history of the Society. It was a real victory over adverse circumstances. That the play was salvaged so effectively—with indeed, on the second night of showing, a heart-warming panache—witnessed also to the resilience of the Society as a corporate body. They were resolved that the play could and should go on, and that if it did their optimism would be justified. It is pleasant now to be able to record that they were correct in their estimate, for more than the success or failure of one production was at stake this year. Now the Society is in good heart again. It looks back on that period of protracted hesitations with the knowledge that the fears that were then in the way were faced and defeated by its own resolution, in which hardihood and prudence combined admirably, and it can face the future with a confidence that would have been quite sapped if for whatever reasons the play had not gone forward. 89

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Many, indeed, of the Society's senior members remember the disappointment of 1970 when there was no play presented, and when as a result the continuing independent existence of the Society seemed much in doubt; they could not help wondering if they could rely now on the recuperative powers of the Society to bring it back to health and hope, as the success of "Strife" under Mr. Tinto brought it back last year. So it was comforting to feel that there would be no recurrence of such a crisis, and no gap left in the roll of yearly plays, and that this had been achieved essentially by their own efforts. To return to "Henry VI, Part 3". We have said that the choice was hardly the most obvious that could have been made. Many members felt that a twentieth-century play ought to be pressed for, indeed if possible a bang up-to-date twentieth-century play or maybe one that prefigured the future and reflected, sharply, on our own darkened times. It is not denied, of course, that a costume play written in the language of another age and time may allow opportunity for "self-expression" in the sensible meaning of that word, and that plays of that sort deal with situations and feelings that have a relevance for us today— have, if you like, an "eternal significance". And such plays are often of special value for a school company in that they carry a large cast and so allow many boys to participate. Also they have proved their value and actability; they carry, we are told, the guarantee of success. But we have all of us sat through performances of some such plays, and have seen them to be as often vehicles for self-display—for histrionics, empty pageantry, rhodomontade and "tushery"—that held no mirror up to nature either now or in the past or future. Boys at School do look for plays that are relevant to the times they live in; they like to talk and act, as they would say, sense, in plays that may be comic or tragic or satire or farce, but which whatever form they take carry a present-day relevance in their ideas and a ready intelligibility in their words. So there would appear to be a good case for the play that allows its actors to enter into some of the controversies or conflicts of contemporary life through the vicarious life of the contemporary play. That the attitudes expressed in such plays and the language used is often at odds with the more deep-rooted convictions and gentilities of provincial life should not necessarily exclude them from the School repertory. Perhaps one answer to the warring claims of costume and traditional drama on the one hand and contemporary pieces on the other is to alternate between them. This year the Society did not press the claim to try a modern "controversial" play; it accepted Craig Clunas's proposal that "Henry VI" be done, reflecting that "Strife" had at least been a twentieth-century play (though it should be remembered that this century is approaching its last quarter and Queen Victoria spent some part of her life in it). It would seem likely that the good sense that showed itself in the choosing of and acting in this year's play would be also shown in the selection and casting of other plays—modern, directly relevant to our time and provocative of thought. So once again back to our play, Henry VI, Part 3. It does not rate high in the Shakespeare canon. It is said to be neither organically 90

The School Play

91 conceived nor well glued together; it is not a vehicle for great "character-playing", nor has its poetry planted itself in the world's memory. "Flat rhetoric", "doubtful prentice work", "scenes of undifferentiated slaughter"—these are some of the brickbats that scholars have thrown at it; and indeed it would be perverse to make any high claims for its literary or philosophical value. But when staged it revealed dramatic qualities not to be so easily sniffed away. The clash of faction against faction and of character with character took on vitality, and perhaps surprisingly a relevance to life as it is lived today in our less melodramatic surroundings. As the play advanced we saw—or perhaps it is more true to say that the producer and players brought us to see—that the play had a theme and a shape; it was not at all a farrago of inconsequential violence expressed in violent sword-play and undifferentiated rhetoric, but had large elements of recognisable truth-to-life. We are not saying of course that the fifteenth-century is—or was made to appear— a mirror image of our own times. But the naked exhibition of greed, cunning and treachery parading under the resonant battle-cries of York and Lancaster and claiming to act for the common good and the preservation of traditional pieties is, we come to recognise, a valid picture of a society, which, like our own, has failed to hold people together in any common loyalty. Where self-seeking has entirely supplanted in the hearts of the men who wield power the common good of state and people, then that people and country are on the road to self-destruction. And in that destruction, while evil men perish, so do the good and the innocent, and with no redress. It is an agreeable thought that when thieves fall out then good men come into their own, and Shakespeare seems to have believed that in the long run the adage may be true. But it is often a very long run and in the meantime, caught up as victims of the intervening anarchy, son kills father and father kills son, as we saw in mime and stylised speech in the play; an innocent weak king bereft of crown, country and hope is murdered in a cell and his innocent bold son is done to death. These particular scenes in the play made their effective impact, with the result that we could, without rancour, regard Clifford's death and Warwick's as necessary incidents in the working out of justice as well as being a judgment on their particular crimes. That all this general sense came over suggests how judiciously the cuts in the play were made, and how successfully on the whole the main actors understood their words, and entered into the play's argument. A number of individual contributions call for particular mention. Warwick the Kingmaker suggested by his stature and every measured gesture the arrogant confidence of a man who feels no need to strut or posture. At times he spoke his words to be clearly understood, but the essence of what he said and felt was never in doubt; and was projected so as to give life to his own characterisation and draw appropriate response from others on the stage. The sense of outrage, vast but with no effect of hysteria, that he suggested when news came of Edward's marriage to Lady Grey was finely done, and he carried off the death scene in an attentive silence that proved how he had brought

Aberdeen Grammar Sebool Magazine 91 it level with his powerful acting throughout the play. Irving Jones as king of France was not long on the stage, but spoke with an effect of unforced reasonableness. Perhaps it was his own nature talking, but he suggested a most touching natural gentleness of character, and this in turn made his sharp reaction to the news of Edward's double-dealing insolence very credible. The whole little scene, never over-played, conveyed just how uncaring and despicable was this whole business of taking and giving in marriage of kings and princesses, in a society gone over to the naked pursuit of power. David Gordon gave on the whole a consistent interpretation of the part of the Lancastrian King, fated to suffer and to die. This was a sorrow-laden king, defeated or spent before the play began, and rendered impotent by his feeling that he was destined to bear to its final outcome the guilt of his grandfather's seizure of the throne. In the end he died at the hand of Richard of Gloucester with a kind of noble gratitute, and in some soliloquies, speaking as it were to himself, he made us feel the weight of suffering that he as a weak, but good king, had to bear on his country's behalf. At other times, on the other hand, he spoke with a kind of lisping impotence, like a petulant dotard, peevish for his own discomfort. On those occasions he may have been true to life (for people are incredibly inconsistent) but he was false to the words and, I think, Shakespeare's intention. He seemed also at times uneasy in his responses to the other actors' words. He gave his more effective performances when, in soliloquy, he was brooding over the past and looking without hope into the future— a lyrical rather than a dramatic utterance perhaps. On the whole an intelligent and sincere piece of acting. Fiona Waterman was a strong, effective foil to this gentle king. She took hold of her words and from her first entrance showed how efficient to its purposes blank verse can be when it is spoken with a proper feeling for the power inherent in its modulations. She had the right vigour of attack: she moved on the stage with uninhibited stride and gesture, and she addressed her words to whomever she was speaking with professional address and flexibility. Just at times the queen's voice which was always and obviously that of a passionate, violent woman rose to a fish-wife's stridency—but then real queens are likely to be nearer to the fish-wife than to, let us say, Anna Neagle. A very fine interpretation of a consistently demanding part. The Yorkist brothers made a variegated trinity. Richard Mojsiewicz with his powerful presence and voice was adequate as the hard, mean, treacherous Clarence. David McKelvie's strong and carrying delivery and powerful striding movement more than compensated for a lack of physical stature in the part of Edward. The long and testing part of a character whom Shakespeare endows with a remarkable lack of grace or charity was carried through powerfully. When the part called for it he could dominate the scene with a frightening effect of hard cruelty—like a Chicago gangster type of the 'thirties, driving Shakespeare's words home with a grating effectiveness. Derek Ross's effort was quite a tour de force. He had much to do and say, and it was a difficult job to show Richard of Gloucester

School Societies 93 coming from the shadows in the beginning to eventually suggest that he not only was, but recognised and accepted that he was, the very incarnation of the self-regarding anarchy of the times. Perhaps his appearance of youthful innocence combining with a strong and flexible voice added to the impression that this man was indeed the selfdestroying scourge of his age. The various lords, Yorkist or Lancastrian were on the whole adequate. Particular mention should be made of Clifford. The part was played by the producer Craig Clunas who spoke and acted with a flexibility of voice and body which brought out the revengeful brutality of the character very well. The staging and lighting was adequate allowing the play to move with speed. The costumes were varied, and yet consistent in tone, so as to suggest the time of the play's action, and the background music was effective, appropriate and well-timed. The play made no financial profit, for the reasons that we outlined at the beginning of this notice; but the profit to the playing company, to all those, including staff, who helped, and to the audience was very great indeed. A.T.

School Societies Photographic Society The Society was very active in the Easter Term until the approach of examinations prevented further meetings. Our plans for combining with the photographers from the High School were finally realised and a varied and interesting programme resulted. Mr. Will presented a slide show with recorded excerpts from his favourite organ music entitled "Kathedrals and Keyboards"; this meeting was also in conjunction with the Listening Circle. The girls were taught basic printing and developing techniques by senior pupils, especially Campbell Paterson who helped to equip the new darkroom at the High. We wish the girls every success with their latest enterprise. Feminine charm was also the subject of many of the photographs taken at the Annual School Dance, countless prints of the revellers were sold at a great profit and the dance now rivals the sports as the major event of the photographic year. Various other activities were undertaken including the supplying of passport-type photographs to sixth-year pupils. As always we are deeply indebted to Mr. Will and Mr. McCurroch who help to maintain the Society in its interesting and efficient form. RONALD M. WALLACE, SeereidOf

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Boys' Library Committee This session the boys' library committee has been very busy trying to raise funds to buy more books for the School library. Earlier in the term, the pupils suggested the idea of a fair and it snowballed frcm an improbable suggestion to fact. A special committee was formed which included members of staff and some pupils from years one to four. At the start of the term it seemed that the idea would not get off the ground, but as time passed more and more suggestions were put forward and eventually a final date was fixed. From that point onwards, donations came pouring in from all years. Home baking, books and bric-a-brac began to appear in the library. We then went on a "tour" of shops in the area to collect donations from them. Our target was then fixed at £300. On z7 May, despite bad weather, the fair was held. By the middle of the afternoon, the target had been passed, and we eventually raised over E 5 00.

Our thanks to all the members of staff who helped to organise this fair, and also to the pupils (and especially their parents) who contributed goods. We would also like to thank the prefects and swimmers who helped to organise, and take part in the "Swim-in." They did a good job in raising funds, some of which were donated to the library. GRAHAM K. DEANS Pipe Band Regular weekly practices have continued throughout the session. Pipe Major Jack Taylor of Aberdeen University O.T.C. has again been a most helpful and enthusiastic tutor to the piping section, as has Mr. Gray, of the school staff, to the drummers. All of last year's pipers are still with the band and with the addition of one school member and M. Pat Mollard, the School's French assistant, it is hoped that the piping will show an improvement on that of past performances. The drum corps is again complete and two beginners are showing encouraging progress. The band will play at the two usual engagements: the School sports and the C.C.F. inspection and with new tunes and drum scores should have an increased repertoire. K. MCI-1Am); Pipe Major Alba Club In this, the first year of its being, the Alba Club has overcome the early problems which plague every small club. Low attendances were the major problem, but happily a firm core of interested and enthusiastic members has now been gathered. Tricked the response to the latest trip, which is to the Inverurie area on 3 June, has been most encouraging.

School Societies

93 With continued growth and enthusiasm from existing members, the club can look forward confidently to a successful, new session. IAN HUNTER Scripture Union The 1971-72 session was a quiet one, with only about seven boys attending each meeting. Alan Brownhill led us until Easter. He was a great help and witness to all, leading us in fellowship every week. We feel sure, although membership is quite small this year, that we will grow again in strength and numbers and return to the strength the fellowship has had at other times. JOHN KENNEDY and BRIAN DURWARD, Leaders Badminton Once again the Badminton Club enjoyed a year, notable more for the enthusiasm of a few dedicated members than its success in matches against other schools. Yet morale remained high despite narrow defeats at the hands of Robert Gordon's College and Hazelhead Academy. The future success of the Club depends undoubtedly on a strong 3rd year contingent, some of whom already show considerable expertise in the game. With more experience they should soon reestablish Badminton as one of the School's more successful activities. Ski Club This season was a great success compared with last year, and the Club should expand greatly next year, as there were many new members this year from Classes four and five. Weather conditions this year were reasonable; at times indeed the snow was near-perfect, this was probably one of the main reasons for the increase in numbers. We had some difficulty over the Club's equipment due to these large numbers, as more members seem to be hiring rather than buying their own skis. Everyone in the Club seems very enthusiastic that we should enter a team in the Scottish Schools Ski Championships at Hillend DrySki slope in Edinburgh next year. Many pupils from the School have also been attending the ski course organised by the City Education Department, held at Kaimhill and Glenshee, and many of those attending, obtained passes in the 1 and a star tests sponsored by the British Ski Council. Herr Pilz our German student this year, took an active part in the Club's activities and accompanied us on several occasions. Finally I wish to thank Mr. P. Henderson, who took over from Mr. Walker this year, and his wife for their help and guidance in preparing and organising our outings. CAMPBELL KERR, Secretary

Aberdeen Grammar Scbool Magazine Hillwalking Club

The Club has now completed its trio of spring outings and is well into its programme of summer outings. An ascent of Clachnaben and a traverse of Bennachie began the year in traditional fashion. The third walk, however, was something of an innovation. Complementary to a course in map-reading and compass work, delivered in School, the opportunity was offered to boys themselves of leading parties across the Ladder Hills. Expeditions so far this summer term have consisted of a stay at Aviemore youth hostel with successful ascents of Braeriach and Cairngorm in blizzard conditions; and a day excursion to Cairn Taggart in glorious sunshine. The latter was restricted to Middle School and provided " late starters" with an introduction to hillwalking. We now look forward to the invitation week-end in Skye and the experience of scrambling on the Gabbro of the Coolins. An all night traverse of Ben-y-Gloe will conclude the term. As ever the Club enjoys the considerable support of the pupils. However we should like to thank the many masters whose enthusiasm ensures the Hillwalking Club's continued success. Shelter Set

This term there have been two events, calling for comment. In the first, the "Hush-in", pupils from three schools took part and raised over £300. The second event took the form of a dance in Queen's Cross Church hall. This also raised a fair sum. Nothing has yet been planned for next term, but an effort will be made to raise some more money for this worthy cause. Office-bearers for this session are: President, James W. L. Davidson; Secretary, Graham K. Deans, Treasurer, Ian Watt. GRAHAM K. DEANS Railway Society

The Railway Society has again had a successful year, after a rather abrupt end to the original model railway. However, we got the green light and acquired new premises in the shape of room 42. Most of our work and time over the past months has been concentrated on building the new model for the School Fair; it was completed and in working order just in time. In the future we hope to steer away from the model railway for a while and hold slide and film shows, discussions, quizzes and possibly arrange some visits. Anyone wishing to attend our meetings is cordially invited to come along. Details will be found on the noticeboard. Our thanks once again to Mr. Bruce for his constant and unfailing help and advice on the running of the Society. Thanks are also due to Mr. Will, who kindly donated a lot of scenic materials and paint for the model. K. WILLIAMSON, Treasurer M. YEOMAN, President K. COLLINS, Secretary

School Societies

Chess Club had Chess has mixed fortunes this term, the School teams scoring several successes whilst the Club itself has run down, only a handful of members remaining. This apparent anomaly has been caused by the senior members playing nearly all their chess at Bon-Accord, the only open club in Aberdeen. That the interest is present among the younger years was demonstrated by the large entry for the Easter Congress. Plans are already afoot to increase the playing membership despite this apathy. Our greatest achievement this year was in the Scottish Schools Correspondence Chess League where our team eventually finished third in a tourney more noted for a succession of defaults than for any exhibition of the application needed over a long period of time to play postal chess successfully. Five of our team of eight are representing Bon-Accord Chess Club as the British Correspondence Chess League and four have taken up playing postal chess individually. The outstanding success at over-the-board play has been in the Scotsman Trophy for the Scottish Schools Team Championship. Drawn in a tough preliminary section we sailed through against all opposition, even beating Harris Academy, Dundee 4-o. Our final match was against our arch-rivals, Robert Gordon's College and here we surprised even ourselves by recording our first victory against their senior team in seven years. In a typical anticlimax the match was effectively decided in less than an hour and when we eventually lost on bottom board the match was already ours, with a final score zi-1 i. Thus we advanced to the national stages of the competition where we went through to the quarter-final by overcoming Inverurie Academy with something to spare. At this point in the season, late February, our team was at its peak with all four players regularly representing Bon-Accord. Unfortunately our match with former British champions Dundee High had to be postponed until after the S.C.E. exams when I think we were suffering from a glut of chess followed by the inevitable outdoor distractions. The result was a particularly disappointing display with us winning a solitary half-point. Even at our strongest we could hardly have expected to win, but to lose as we did without even putting up a fight negated much of our earlier achievement. In the Aberdeen and District Schools League we are still unbeaten and have high hopes of repeating last year's success. We expect our clash with Gordon's to decide the title. Perhaps, unfortunately, our players have generally given of their best when competing individually, for not only have our top four had excellent results in Bon-Accord's internal competitions but in the North East Junior Championship held at Easter we had unprecedented success with Graham Cook easily taking the title and Douglas McAllister finishing in a tie for second place. These two are taking over the task of running the Society and team next year and themselves are a good base to build up the team with some younger players. Organisation of the various events was generally very easy despite some vitriolic correspondence with Glasgow over their ignorance of the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

difficulties caused by our geographical remoteness. These problems were eventually resolved, and I would like to thank Mr. Galloway and Mr. Baxter for their help and advice, Mr. Morrison for the use of his room and the Janitor for his forbearance when I slipped up and forgot to notify him of events until the day before they took place! DAVID SWEENEY Literary and Debating Society After the success of the first term's meetings the second part of the year proved a great disappointment. The standard of debating was well maintained, but the cancellation of several meetings because of the miners' strike bought the session to a premature close. Of the few meetings held the highlights were the Staff Debate and "Return to Grammarye ", a folk and poetry evening. Possibly the only quibble about the Staff Debate was that after four fine speeches from the platform there was little time left for any contribution from the floor. For once little difficulty was experienced in persuading teachers to speak, perhaps a reflection of the controversial motion "That Military Service was a Valuable Experience". A varied "cast" were on view with Mr. Spence from the Physical Education Department and Mr. Davidson of Modern Languages supporting the motion, and former Master-in-Charge of the Army Section, Mr. Galloway and Herr Pilz, an Austrian who was German Language Assistant this year, opposing the motion. The result was perhaps surprising for the motion was carried by a considerable majority. Last year's Folk and Poetry evening was repeated and was once again a success. Highlights were recitations by Tom Sellars and Derek Ross. There was also much applause for Alan Nicolson on the guitar. The committee next year might consider having several joint meetings with the Folk-Song Club. An amusing incident occurred in mid term when an extra meeting was advertised on Burns Night. The committee had been informed that a film of the 1959 Literary and Debating Society's Burns' Supper was in existence, and it was intended to celebrate the centenary by showing it. A preview was arranged that morning and to our mortification it was discovered that it was a tape recording which existed. The recording was found to be too poor to be played and there were several red faces when our President made the announcement at the meeting. It was very encouraging, throughout the term, to note the large attendances from the Middle School. It bodes well for the future of the Society that so many of them took an active part in the debate. On the other hand, attendance from the Upper School was rather disappointing, most going to listen rather than participate actively. The A.G.M. was held early this year and the following officebearers were elected: President, Peter Tees; Vice-President, Campbell Kerr; Secretary, David Anderson; Treasurer, Steven Barnett. My thanks to Douglas McAllister and Campbell Kerr for taking

School Societies 99 the minutes in my absence and as always to Miss Boyd for the use of the library, and to Mr. Morrison and Mr. Tait for their help and advice throughout the year. DAVID SWEENEY

Angling Club The second half of this session has been successful. The number of Club members has remained fairly stable, in fact the present trend is an upward one. The Club's main support comes from first and second year pupils who, if they remain with the Club, will provide a good basis for expansion in the seasons to come. The trout season commenced in March and from the accounts given by members the season has been a relatively good one. The Club hope that this trend of consistently good catches prevails until the end of the season. During the weekly Club meetings fly-tying instruction has been given by Mr. S. Reid and D. Mitchell, a skilled young member of the Club. Informative talks on fishing tactics have been given by members of the committee. Financially the Club is reasonably well off. Funds have been raised by hiring out angling magazines and by holding jumble sales. All this will help to pay for bus fares and permits when the club goes on its official outing. Finally it should be recorded that this year's committee consisted of B. Liddle, C. Anstock and J. McClaren, Secretary, President, and Treasurer, respectively. A.G.S. Wargaming Club The School Wargaming Club has now been active for nearly two years. Although we were not recognised as an official Society until a few months ago, we now have a cupboard in the Library, £7 worth of books and another L8 on the way. The main aim of the Club is to teach people how to wargame, with lessons in tactics, as well as demonstrating how to use the very complicated tables for losses and morale, etc. Every year we have a painting competition for all members. Last year it was won by Duncan Findlater of the third year. The Figures are judged by Mr. L. Murray of the History Department, who lets us use his room and helped us to get our grant. As well as Wargaming, we give hints on building and painting figures and aircraft. The main field of interest is the Napoleonic period using 4m/m to the foot scale (i /76th scale). We encourage the use of metal figures although we usually end up using "plastics." The Club meets every Tuesday in room z at 4 o'clock. I hope that this note will help people to realise that Wargaming is not firing matches at toy soldiers. PETER YEOMAN IIIH3 Secretary

loo

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Radio Club

Power cuts apart, the Club continues to function. More and more the Club is becoming open night in the workshops. [What is that famous saying—"Bring us the jobs and we'll finish the tools"1. Mr. K. McIver's interest in the Club is most welcome.

The Stamp Club

This has been a very interesting year. Early in the term we had a talk on stamp design, and first day covers from Mr. Will. We also had a talk, followed by a quiz on music on stamps from Mr. Hawksworth. Mr. Murray gave a talk on German stamps and Mr. Galloway showed us his British collection. New members will be gratefully received. Our thanks to Mr. P. Scott and Mr. E. Duncan for their invaluable help, and also to our speakers. KENNETH SIMPSON II1G2

C.C.F. Notes Since the turn of the year training has continued on the usual lines but there were interruptions due to power-cuts when the machine ground to a halt. In trying to implement the new syllabus for both Sections, we have fallen well behind but from C.C.F. conferences during this year, it has become clear that this is the general pattern elsewhere and so it is likely that some adjustments will be made. Adventurous Training at Easter went well, warming up considerably towards the end. At this time we welcomed Head Janitor Mr. Harry Hopkins in his new role as S.S.I. and we wish him well in the future. Now our thoughts lie in the days ahead as we look forward to the visit of Air-Marshal Sir Leslie Laver, a most distinguished F.P. who will be coming to his old School for the first time since he left as a pupil and has very generously agreed to officiate at the prize-giving on i6 June. Brigadier J. J. G. Smith, also an F.P. and last year's Inspecting Officer is acting as host to the Army Section in taking them to camp at Central Ordinance Depot, Chilwell near Nottingham which he commands and this should be a most interesting camp, starting as School breaks up. In the last week of July, the R.A.F. Cadets will be at Camp at the Royal Air Force, Cranwell for the first time in the history of the Contingent, so to some extent all these events add up to a "Annus Mirabilis".

C.C.F. Notes

so'

Army Section Our Easter training this year was held at Crathie, where we used the A.T.C. Weekend Training Hut as a base. From there full use was made of the excellent training areas round about. With the emphasis being placed on safety and navigation in the hills, most of the training has a bias towards orienteering and organised hill climbing. Having restarted now after our Easter Examination break we have a few things to look forward to this term. First of all a large party of cadets attended a Tri-services Day held in the grounds of Strathallan School, which took the form of a large selection of very good and sometimes very spectacular displays and demonstrations by members of the three Regular Services. Several cadets have also been at the two Wapinschaw week-ends to be held recently, where they both competed and earned their own living by helping out to run the butts. For our Inspection this year we are just having a parade and inspection on the front lawn of the School on Friday, 16 June. The climax of our training this year, however, should come at the end of June when we go to our Annual Camp. This year the Camp will be held at the Central Ordnance Depot, Chilwcll near Nottingham where a very varied and interesting programme should be possible— it will also be a welcome change from Cultybraggan. We are very grateful to Brigadier J. J. G. Smith a former pupil of the School who extended the invitation to us to camp at Chilwcll. During this year we have been joined by Mr. H. Hopkins, the Head Janitor, who has taken on the position of an adult instructor in the contingent. To S.S.I. Hopkins we extend a very sincere welcome. Thinking to the future, we hope to have a large nucleus of the younger cadets with us next year when we will be running courses and cadres for them so that they can gain promotion and swell our depleted N.C.O. ranks. As always, members of the Section arc indebted to Captain Gray, the other officers of the Contingent and also the zz Cadet Training Team for their enthusiastic and invaluable help. J. DUFFUS, C.S.M. R.A.F. Section This year started well, with high recruiting almost reaching our maximum of sixty. Unfortunately the numbers have fallen off, due it is thought, to the new training programme designed to separate the men from the boys, however they all seemed to be boys. Orienteering instruction was given to both sections recruits by corporals Bradford and Simpson of the R.A.F. section. It is hoped to round off this instruction with an exercise in the near future. This year's annual exercise on Bennachie came off very well, although the early part was marred by heavy rain. We regret the loss of Flight Sergeant James McGrath, who left to join the army shortly after Christmas. During the Easter break

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

corporals Simpson and Craib obtained their A and B gliding Certificates at 66z Gliding School, H.M.S. Condor. Unfortunately there has been no air experience "chipm►ink" flying this year and it is hoped that our annual camp, this year at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, will make up for this. The primary glider has already been used this year and it is hoped to use it more often before the summer break.

Music Notes The Music Department was involved in two carol events last December. On x 5th, our choir formed the nucleus of a large chorus drawn from various secondary schools at the Evening Express Carol Concert, which drew a capacity audience to the Music Hall, and also raised a considerable sum for charity. The School Orchestra, augmented by about a dozen High School pupils, accompanied some of the carols, and contributed two movements from Victor Hely-Hutchinson's "Carol Symphony". On zo December we held our Annual Carol Service, which on this occasion took the traditional form of a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. It took place in Beechgrove Church, which we hope to visit again in October for a special service to mark the centenary of the i 87z Education Act. Lunch Time Recitals took place, as usual, during the Spring Term. We had a visit from the girls of the High School, and later sent some of our musicians to entertain them. Three recitals were held in the Library, which proved a popular venue. We had large audiences to hear music for Clarsach and Guitar played by Mrs. Brown and Mr. Allan, and also to hear the attractive programme given by our excellent Brass Ensemble, which goes from strength to strength. A highlight was the visit of Former Pupil Neil Mackie, now a professional singer. He came along with Dr. Jeffrey, his lute and guitar accompanist, and they gave a first class performance of music "ancient and modern". Although this was certainly a highlight, surely the highlight was the Staff Recital, which included a distinguished interpretation of the "Toy" Symphony (once held to be by Haydn, but now, the scholars tell us, by Leopold Mozart). Mrs. Shaw sang some operatic arias, and Mr. Galloway both sang and acted his way through some Russian folk songs. Besides Neil Mackie's visit, we had one from another Former Pupil, Alistair Smith, now on the threshold of a career as a professional horn player. He brought along the Endellion Ensemble, six young musicians, who entertained and instructed our whole first year and some visitors from other schools at a special recital. It is always gratifying to welcome back Former Pupils, and to see many of them making a mark in the wider musical world. One particularly exciting piece of recent news has been the appointment of Martin Dalby as Head of B.B.C. Scottish Music Programmes—a fine achievement for this 3o-year-old composer.

to3 Staff Notes At the time of writing, the Music Department is recouping after one concert, and gathering its wits together for another. On 16 May a special recital was given in St. Machar's Cathedral to raise funds for the Save the Children Fund. It was appropriate, therefore, to include as the main work of the programme, the "Children's Crusade", which Benjamin Britten composed in 1959 for the fiftieth anniversary of this fund. It is a setting for trebles and altos of a poem by Brecht, and is a but moving difficult work. As we had been first in the field with "Noye's Fludde" and "The Golden Vanity", so this was the first Scottish performance of a work, which presented a big challenge to the choir—a challenge to which they responded magnificently. A large battery of percussion is needed—including such rarities as anvil, guiro (scraper), cowbell, etc., Mrs. Proudfoot and Mr. Tulloch supplied the important piano duet part, and Peter Inness (of Aberdeen University)• was at the organ. It is hoped to take the "Children's Crusade" to Edinburgh during the first week-end in September as part of a concert of Britten's music to be presented in St. Mary's Cathedral. The recital also included items by the Brass Ensemble (who exploited the Cathedral's architecture to good effect in some striking antiphonal passages), the Madrigal Group, and the Tenors and Basses of the choir, who sang another Britten work, "The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard". This and the "Crusade" were repeated at a University Lunch Time recital the following day. Our Annual Choral/Orchestral Concert in the Music Hall on 5 June will include a centenary tribute to Vaughan-Williams, and, to cap an exceptionally busy season, on 19 June seventy-six boys and ten adults set out for a fourth musical pilgrimage to Regensburg. Staff Notes Even the most casual newspaper reader must have observed over the last few years a great change in the size, shape and language of those notices that advertise vacancies for teachers. Whole areas are now regularly given over to heady proclamations offering in the boldest of type, jobs, houses and promotion, attractive working conditions, congenial colleagues and a range of work that is variously described as "interesting", "forward-looking", "adventurous" and challenging. Drabness and drudgery, qualities long associated in the public mind with the profession of teaching as it once was, are not mentioned and presumably no longer exist. Small wonder then that, with such blatancy of opportunity and appeal, teachers axe so often on the move, and if not actually moving, thinking about it or just recovering from a bout of it. And no matter how insulated any particular school may once upon a time have been from the temptations of the world-at-large it can no longer remain so, for the advertisements of which we speak do reflect the large, insistent fact that teachers are in demand and that tried and tested ones are in great demand. It is also a fact that schools such as ours have conspicuously the kind of talent that is called for. Moreover new types of openings, carrying

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with them responsibility payments that are equal or comparable to those attached to the posts of departmental heads in the old hierarchical structure have been created, and in large numbers. Hence a general restlessness, even among young teachers whose main ambition in life is not primarily "to get on." As this summer term draws to its close the number of staff changes that fall to be recorded is not all that large, and might suggest that our analysis is exaggerated and sensationally portentous. But movements of teachers, like the migrations of populations, tend to go in waves, and we can be pretty certain that by the beginning of the new term some further changes will have brought the figures closer to the statistical norm of recent years. Departures Not surprisingly quite a few of the staff who have left have gone to become heads of departments in their new schools. Mr. Bradford Houston went to Northfield Academy as Principal Teacher of Biology. Mr. Williams, head of our Biology Department writes in tribute: "A graduate of Aberdeen University, Mr. Houston returned to the city after about fifteen years as a research worker and administrator in East Africa. This background of practical biological experience allowed him to set much of his teaching in a broader, applied context. Mr. Houston proved to be an admirable colleague, always displaying good humour, patience, tact and a ready willingness to shoulder more than his share of any task." Mr. James B. Morrison went to Peterhead Academy as Principal Teacher of Technical Subjects in the month of February. The School as a whole will remember Mr. Morrison as a man cast in a generous mould, of mind as of body. His commanding presence had ample power to awe and quell, though his natural geniality of temper ensured that this power was never tyrannously used. Mr. Murray writes an appreciation in the following terms: "Mr. Morrison joined the technical staff initially on a part-time basis the remainder of his teaching week being spent in that other place of which he himself was a product. This arrangement lasted for one year. As a full time member of the technical department he proved invaluable both to the department and his pupils through his flair for organising his classes and in preparation of work. "Two years ago he joined Cruden Bay Golf Club, made a wide circle of friends and obviously enjoyed the social life surrounding the club. It was no surprise therefore that he showed interest in the post of Principal Teacher at Peterhead and that in due course the punishment was made to fit the crime. "Now happily settled in a fine villa with a large garden (for which he employs a gardener) and but a stone's throw from the course we wish him well at work and play." The English Department lost two young members of staff, Mr. Eric Brown to the Royal Air Force, Mr. Stanley Watson to Ellon Academy. Mr. Brown left at the beginning of January, Mr. Watson

Staff Notes

105

towards the end of February. Both had served the School briefly in terms of time, and both had shown qualities that made them popular with boys and colleagues so that we would fain have kept them longer. Mr. Brown won the regard and affection of the English staff to a remarkable degree. His warmth and unpretentious sincerity were perhaps most appreciated by them; but boys and masters alike were bound in time to see how his words and actions were happily in accord, consonant always with his gentle, tolerant nature. He is not what is commonly understood by the term "a military man"; he did not in school ever dragoon or hector people, but his unassuming courtesy achieved results that men of war, whether their element be land, sea or air, might well be counselled to emulate. Many people too must have benefited from his remarkable knowledge of motor-cars, and his uncanny instinct for spotting where any fault or deficiency lay. We wish him well in his new uniformed way of life. Mr. Watson was here for no more than a year and a half, but from his first appearance he was obviously an efficient teacher, well-organised in the mechanics of the job, professional in all his ways. Outside the classroom he advised and nurtured the Motor Club and helped to organise the School trip to Holland and Germany, both before and throughout its eventful but never dislocated course. Typewriters, record-players and tape-recorders were, if not meat and drink to him, at the very least things to be understood, mastered and used, and the English Department were consistently indebted to him for his efficiency with all these teaching aids. The pupils of Ellon Academy will benefit from his meticulous attention to administrative detail and from his real interest in their welfare. The Science side of the School has been badly hit. Miss K. Massie who served effectively in a temporary capacity as a teacher in general science subjects throughout the session has taken a post elsewhere, and will not be returning. The School is indebted to her for her work over a period of time when staffing difficulties were consistently pressing. These difficulties continue, for since the year begun two masters both of whom have deserved well of the School have been appointed to other schools, Mr. William Walker and Mr. Alexander Garrow. Mr. Wiseman who as head of Department knows them well as colleagues and friends writes: "Mr. Walker and Mr. Garrow joined the Physics staff together in August 1967. They came straight from the College of Education to a heavy burden of Certificate work. Though different in temperament they formed an excellent team. Both were keen and hardworking and soon became very effective teachers. They were appreciated by the boys both for their presentation of the subject and for their extra-curricular activities. Mr. Walker was at various times in charge of the Ski Club, a member of the Hill-Walking Club and in charge of the School Tuck Shop. He also went on a School trip abroad. Mr. Garrow was a very keen member of the Hill Walking Club and took part in many expeditions, and when Mr. Walker left in January he took over the running of the School Tuck Shop.

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While we feel that the School will be the poorer for their going we wish them both every success in their new posts. Mr. Garrow is now Principal Teacher of Physics at Kincorth Academy and Mr. Walker Principal Teacher of Physics at Inverness Royal Academy. To complete the tally we have to record that Mr. Edward Tricker of the Mathematics Department has been appointed to Powis Academy as a Housemaster. Powis will welcome Mr. Tricker not only as an efficient teacher of his subject but as a skilful football player keen to encourage others in the game; and perhaps also as a money-raiser for he was one of the committee who contributed to the success of the recent School Fair for Library funds. Arrivals We welcome the following new members of staff. Mr. Ronald C. Grant has joined the History Department, Mr. Ian Ritchie the Science Department. Mr. Kenneth McIver after a short teaching spell elsewhere has returned, this time to the Technical Department. Mr. Robert Erridge who previously taught in Kaimhill School and has just completed an Honours English course at Aberdeen University is one of two additions to the English Department; the other is Mr. Adam Findlay who comes here from a teaching post in Fraserburgh Academy. And finally Mr. George B. Walker is our new workshop technician. Other changes fall to be recorded, most of them promotions from within the existing staff structure. Mr. Hugh Diack, Mr. John Morrison Mr. Stuart Reid and Mr. Michael Wilson have been accorded Special Assistantships in their respective departments, and Mr. Patrick Scott after promotion to the post of Principal Assistant became one of the two successful candidates for the post of House-Master. The other master appointed in this latter category was Mr. William Barber, presently teaching mathematics in Summerhill Academy. Mr. Barber is the first person from outwith existing school staff to be appointed to a house-master's post here; on the other hand the pattern of appointment remains fairly consistent in that he will be joining three other mathematics masters operating in this new, exacting section of the School's work. To all these gentlemen we would extend our congratulations and our good wishes for success in their new spheres.

School Sporting Activities Hockey 1st XI Success this season has been moderate against schools opposition, but creditable against senior sides. In a number of the games played the defence lacked urgency in pushing the ball forward and it took some time to eradicate the tendency to hit most clearances down the middle of the pitch. Too often the defence caused themselves needless difficulty by indecision in dealing with a loose ball in the twenty-five. The opposition forwards won and controlled too many of these, and a few goals were unnecessarily conceded in the ensuing scrambles. In goal Fiddes played with a consistent soundness and resolution; his mistakes were rare, and deservedly he reached the Scottish schoolboys' final trial. Leighton worked hard in defence, emerging a much improved player at the end of the season. Sutherland was quiet but tenacious and with greater experience and stronger wrists should dominate more in future. Waite worked hard for his team off the field. On the field his performances were somewhat inconsistent. At times his stopping, trckling and clearing were of a high order, but occasional lapses in concentration would sometimes throw the rest of the defence into uncertain confusion. At wing-half Macindoe and Cou11 were both enthusiastic and hardworking. Each covered long distances in the course of a game and both tended to push up into attack. As Macindoe is in fourth year he should contribute much to the side next season, particularly as his performances so far have been of a standard to gain him Half Colours. In the forward line Cruickshank showed marked improvement in stickwork over the season, developing from a hard-running outside right into a player very capable of holding his place in mid-field. Johnstone played powerfully but sometimes too selfishly; he never lacked courage in taking on defenders. McHardy's strength lay in his positional play and in distributing the ball, but he must now develop a stronger shot to take advantage when the half chance offers. Davidson has both the stickwork and an inventive mind, making him the outstanding player in the side. The team is fortunate that his talents will be at their disposal again next season. In eight games against senior sides in the league School lost only two. It is gratifying to do well against more experienced opposition, but the boys as a team were usually faster and fitter. Many of the senior teams tended to play two defenders well back, perhaps to cover slowness on the turn, but this allowed School forwards to lie up in their opponents' twenty-five behind most of the opposing defence. Yet the standard of the senior sides seemed less high than in previous years; they appeared to have fewer players who could compensate for lack of speed with intelligent positional play and deft stickwork. During the Spring Term School drew with Gordonstoun and with 107

rob Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Abbey. Against Abbey, School led z-i until the last minute of the game when Abbey equalised. To come so close to beating Abbey who always have a strong, fluent team, is a good result. Although Gordon's College were well beaten in the first match, they had a much improved defence for the second and the game was hard and tight and a draw a fair result. Against Melville College in Edinburgh the uneven pitch made ball control chancy. The game was played in gloom and mist. With the bouncing ball neither side played any real hockey and although School had the superior stickwork they could only gain a goal-less draw against a team that concentrated rather on stopping the ball than hitting it upfield. After the unedifying game against Melville on the Friday evening School met Fettes on the Saturday morning. This season Fettes had a team that they regarded as probably their best ever. They had soundly trounced all opposition and made no exception of School, defeating us 7-o. While Fiddes in goal had an outstanding game Davidson had his most subdued match of the season, and lacking his prompting the forward line never achieved cohesion and it was left to Johnstone and Cruickshank who fought hard but without avail. Record School matches P II League matches P 8

W 2

D 4

L 5

For 2I

Against 29

W 4

D 2

L z

For 16

Against I2

x st XI Players. D. Fiddes, A. Waite (captain), G. Sutherland, I. Macindoe, D. Leighton, S. Coull, R. Cruickshank, D. Johnstone (vice-captain), K. McHardy, S. Davidson, R. Mills, G. Mutch. Hancock Trophy. Under the tutorship of Dr. Innes North District won the Hancock Trophy for the first time. This trophy is awarded to the district team that heads the schools inter-district championship. North District won all four games beating Midlands i-o, West 2-i, South-West 3-o, and East I-o. School provided five members of the team which represented North District, each of the boys playing in all four matches. The School representatives were D. Fiddes, R. Cruickshank, D. Johnstone, S. Coull and S. Davidson. Dr. Innes and the members of his team are to be warmly congratulated on their success. Colours. Full colours (re-award): D. Fiddes. Full colours: S. Davidson. Half-colours (re-award): S. Coull, R. Cruickshank, D. Johnstone. Half colours: I. Macindoc, A. Waite. Without the effort and time freely given by many masters in organising and umpiring hockey in the School it would be impossible to provide so many boys with the opportunity to play the game, or to run so many teams allowing the boys to enjoy competitive hockey.

SIIVIPSONS' FOR SPORTS SWIMMING SPEEDO TRUNKS ALWAYS IN STOCK FOOTBALL BOOTS by:— PUMA — ADIDAS HUMMEL -

PATRICK

MITRE

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BADMINTON -

SKIING -

SQUASH

TABLE TENNIS

Large Selection of Toys and Games including Subbuteo and Spirograph Also Fancy Goods and Lighters

EXPERT REPAIR SERVICE

impsons'

LOCAL DAILY DELIVERIES SPORTS EMPORIUM BRIDGE ST

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PHONE 21094

Open Thursday till 8 p.m. and all day Saturday

I TO

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

To these members of staff, and to Mr. Fred Lawson and Dr. Innes, for their support, encouragement and interest, we are once more indebted. 2nd XI The second half of the season did not bring the expected increase in the number of wins recorded by the team. However, we did manage to secure four league points which lifted us from the bottom rung in the table. Unable to field the same team for two consecutive games, teamwork, performance and results suffered consequently. To show how bad the results actually were, we could not even manage to score a goal against Gordon's College, let alone a victory. However, one bright note in the whole year was the very good result achieved at Fort Augustus against Abbey School. Although the ist XI could only scrape a draw (they were very unlucky), the znd XI got what is actually quite rare at Abbey, a victory by 3-I. Looking back over the year, six games were cancelled after the break, February being the worst month for "off matches". Despite the fact that we lost more games than we won, with a little more luck and better umpiring the morale of the team would have soared as we recorded victory upon victory. 3rd XI The 3rd XI made a good start to the season by beating Bankhead 3-1; unfortunately, as in previous years, results from then on deteriorated. This was not, however, due to any lack of enthusiasm on the part of the team, but was partly due to the fact that the majority of our opponents were F.P.s and senior sides. Our thanks must again go to the members of staff who supported us throughout the season by umpiring our games. Fourth Year Hockey By losing to Ruthrieston the team did not get off to a good start. But the defeat was soon forgotten and the team won all the remaining games except one to Gordonstoun where their pupils' greater physical stature won the day. The Ruthrieston defeat was avenged at the end of the season when 4th year won by a convincing 3-I margin. Robert Gordon's College provided the stiffest opposition and the keenest games which were won z-o (h) and 2-1 (a) respectively. The latter game was the only one in which the strongest 4th year team was fielded. It included Mclndoe, Mutch and Henderson who were promoted to more senior teams earlier in the season. During the season the boys worked hard to play formation hockey, using a 1-3-2-4 system. M. Craib was the sweeper and performed his job very efficiently: in front of him K. Lawson marshalled the defensive line. They had only 1 z goals scored against them. The endeavour and combination play of the attackers allowed them to knock in 38 goals.

School Sporting Activities Rugby A review of the season's rugby can often be just a catalogue of games won and lost, but this neglects the important thing about the game, what it all stands for: what the players get out of it. The youngsters in the first year quickly showed that they were able to add to their skill and enthusiasm a feel for the wider values of the game. This was evident all through the various teams right up to the 1st XV. For those who played in teams it was evident that they got nothing out of the game until they were prepared to put a lot into it. Physical work is only part of it and, for those who realise this, the gates fly open to much more than a game. This is most apparent with ist XV members. This season it was remarkable that only eighteen players were required throughout a testing year. What they got out of it will be greater than what they put in. rat XV We continued our run of success of last session with a fine win over Hazlehead Academy at Rubislaw. Playing flowing rugby with a superiority in all aspects of the game, we scored 27 points with no reply. Our form slumped in the next game at Glenalmond, where we played Trinity College in the most atrocious conditions of the season. Our small forwards were unable to cope with the power of the Glenalmond pack, and the backs were unable to play their normal game because of the waterlogged pitch—the final score being 34-6. Our next match was a new fixture against Daniel Stewart's College; in this match, backs and forwards combined well and we played some of our best rugby to win 17-7. Our form continued into the next match where we defeated a strong Paisley Grammar side 15-1/. The narrow margin of the score line did not reflect our superiority. At Glasgow, playing against the High School we played outstanding rugby to produce a shock result of 21-6. This was perhaps our best over-all game, and we excelled in all aspects of the game. In this match our right winger was carried off horribly injured after colliding with a strategically placed plate of oranges. In mid-week we played the second of our matches with Gordon's College who were determined to revenge their humiliating defeat in our last game. However we defended stoutly and prevented Gordon's from crossing our line, their only score being from a penalty. We replied with a penalty and a fine breakaway try in the corner, leaving the final score at 7-3, and making a great double for the season. The team obviously suffered from this match, and on the following Saturday, against Morrison's Academy, we looked tired and jaded and were well beaten 18-3. The next week we played Hutcheson's Grammar School at Glasgow. We allowed ourselves to be overcome in the first half, though we rallied in the second half, scoring to points, bringing the score to 31-1o. Our final match of the season was our annual match against the F.P.s; this was a fine open game, both sides playing

I 12.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatim

good rugby, and it was much to the school's credit that they kept the score to zz-zo in favour of the F.P.s. Finally, on behalf of the team I would like to thank Mr. Falconer for the time and effort he expended on us, and the way in which he brought us through a bad spell early in the season. Also we would like to thank Mr. Mathew and Mr. Milne for always keeping Rubislaw, pitches and Pavilion, in such perfect condition throughout the season, and also for the encouragment throughout the season. C. R. F. PATERSON

Who's Who in the x st XV C. R. F. Paterson (Captain). Had to keep things going when the team was going through a sticky spell at the start of the season. His speed and outside running created as many chances for others as it did tries for himself. A four games per jersey man! D. C. A. Forbes (Vice-Captain). He had a big job to keep a small pack on the go against bigger scrums. That was just his own problem with opposing props sealed up! K. M. Anderson. His contribution increased as he realised his capabilities. He grew to relish more the close game and was much more in evidence once he opened out the attack. S. J. Barnett. A competitive player whose growing confidence could be seen with his more frequent sorties into attack. Inclined to be soft headed! R. J. Carson. Reliable in performance and temperament and capable of injecting confidence in his team-mates with his steadiness. He is suspected of having his happiest moment in the season when he broke his nose! G. M. Clark. A consistently sound forward in both defence and attack especially so when the ball was on the ground. A broken arm tended to slow him down at Cross Country, but he resumed playing where he left off. C. W. Duncan. A gifted player who often found his most difficult opponent was himself. I. M. Gilbert. Always good for a laugh off the field, but a "boiler house" man has got to get on with it when it counts. He did. A. W. Martin. A willing and much improved player. No claim to the "most elegant player" title, but his enthusiasm was never in question. A. Nicolson. Another of the unruly front row toilers who carry out their essential roles quietly and effectively. Played with injuries without any fuss because it was needed, not requested. L. W. Ross. A club man with a strong sense of teamwork and a desire to do what is needed most even if it is not the most attractive job.

ix 3 School Sporting Activities J. A. Shearer. Direct in attack and in the tackle and with great potential for improvement in attack when he decides subtlety pays sometimes. There is sometimes a gate in a brick wall! D. H. Smith. Took over a key position and established both his own skills and the team ones quickly. His right boot is well worn! R. C. Smith. A versatile forward who was prepared to play where it suited the team most and do it well. One half of the "deadly duo" or, as some might say, the front end! D. G. Sweeney. A real team player who did his not inconsiderable work quietly and effectively without show. Most often seen covering or covered by bodies. N. Stronach. A younger and fast improving player. With his experience and abilities he should be an asset to the side for some time. R. L. Whiteford. His determined running made the most of his chances even the slim ones. Being a "foreigner" he sometimes had difficulties with places like "Fittie"1 B. S. Wood. A get up and get on with it forward without any frills who made the the most of his abilities. Sometimes his own team wished he could play in his glasses!

Soccer 1st XI Our first game of the season proved to be rather disappointing with a 4-2 defeat from Hazlehead "A"; however, we managed to go through our next eight fixtures with good results, but received our second defeat from Ellon Academy in our tenth and final match. Our biggest win was an eight goal trouncing over Northfield with Mojsiewicz scoring 6 of the goals. During the Christmas holidays, a Canadian team touring Scotland paid a visit to Aberdeen and we were fortunate in being able to arrange a match with them at Rubislaw. In a hard fought match, the school ran up another victory, winning 4-z. Our only away game was a visit to Fraserburgh where we had a competent victory, winning 4-3 over a strong side which had managed to reach the semi-final of the North of Scotland Cup. The full results table was as follows; PIVLDFAP I9 I5 2 I 33 IO 7 with it goals which Anderson was G. of the season Top scorer included three hat-tricks. R. MCANULTY, Captain

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

114

1972 School Sports

This year a considerable—but not necessarily a traumatic—break from tradition was made in that the School Sports were held not on a Friday and Saturday, but on a Monday and Wednesday, so becoming less of a public spectacle and more an extension of the School's ordinary functioning. Attendances at the sports have been in steep decline over the last few years, and so it was thought only realistic to adopt this new time-table, which is, in fact, more in line with the practice of other schools in the city. Conditions on the Wednesday threatened to be chilly and squally, not such as gave promise of recordbreaking, but spirited performances were put up and in many events records under the new system were left well behind. The significant results are detailed below: HOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Byron 2. Melvin 3. Dun 4. Keith

points toz (Capt. D. G. SWEENEY) 84

76 43

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Group 1

Group 2

points 1. D. Sweeney (B) 2. C. Paterson (M) 3. W. Barlow (B)

13 7

Group 3 points r. S. Brady (D) 17 z. G. Allan (K) x5 3. M. Bowring (M) 6

points 1. J. Wiseman (M) 13 2. S. Gilbert (D) to 3.equal C. Campbell (B) 9 3. equal M. Foley (B) 9 Group

4 points 1. K. Murray (M) 14 a. W. Watt (D) 7 3. D. Freeland (B) 4

RECORDS

Group i—D. Sweeney (B) i to m Hurdles 18.o sec. equalled R. Whiteford, 1971 Group 2—S. Gilbert (D) 8oo m 2 min. 13.2 sec. equalled W. Barlow, 197O S. Gilbert (D) roo m Hurdles 15.5 sec. beat S. Gilbert, 1971 (16.O) Group 3—G. Allan (K) too m 12.7 sec. equalled M. Foley 197O S. Brady (D) zoo m 26.2 sec. beat I. Wilson 1970 (26.3)

School Sporting Activities (K) 8o m Hurdles '3.1 sec. G. Allan beat S. Gilbert 1970 (13.2) Group 4—K. Murray (M) Too m 12.9 sec. beat C. Murray 1970 (13.5) K. Murray (M) zoo m 27.4 sec. beat C. Murray 1970 (29.0) K. Murray (M) Long Jump 16 ft. 4 in. beat N. Armour 1968 (15 ft. 8 in.) (D) Long Jump 15 ft. 9 in. W. Watt K. Murray (M) 400 m 60.5 sec. beat C. Murray 1970 (63.1)

xl 5

Swimming In competitive swimming this year, results have been rather disappointing compared with previous years, due to a lack of older swimmers. The younger boys have nevertheless proved their worth. In the Aberdeen Schools Swimming Championships the School gained eight firsts, four seconds and three thirds. As this list is a long one, the winners only are named. They are: C. Falconer, D. Fleming, D. Begg, G. Allan, E. Rose, C. Morgan and J. Logan. Most of these boys are in the Middle School, and this augurs well for future success. The School gala was very lively and some exciting swimming was seen by the large c-owd present. The Group Champions were as follows: Group 1, E. Rose (Keith); Group z, F. Mitchell (Byron); Group 3, C. Morgan (Dun); and Group 4, C. Falconer (Byron). The House Championship was won by Keith with 99 points, followed by Dun and Melvin, each with 89 points and Byron following with 61 points. Recently the pupils and staff have become more aware of the importance of lifesaving and survival swimming. Awards for these were as follows: Lifesaving: z8 Bronze Medallion, 53 Intermediate Certificate, I Elementary Certificate. Survival Grade 1 Distance-16z Grade 2 Distance—I46 Grade 3 Distance-13o Grade 4 Distance—t 12 Finally, we would like to thank the gym staff, and Mr. Spence in particular for devoting so much time to the swimmers both good and bad.

Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Founded ix September 1893)

Club Office-Bearers, 1971-72 Honorary President: JOHN VASS SKINNER, M.A., M.LITT., DIP. ED., J.P.

(Rector since 1959) Honorary Vice-presidents: ERIC Ros BIRKETT (1920-22), C.A. JOSEPH ROBERT CARRY (1918-30), M.B.E., T.D. DOUGLAS PATERSON COCHRAN (1906-15), F.INST.I.B., A.A.I.B. GEORGE EDMOND CROMBIE (1916-2I), C.M.G., M.A. ALLAN CAMERON FRAZER (1925-30), M.A., LL.B., W.S. ALEXANDER GRAY (1910-22), M.A., LL.B. THE HON. LORD JOHNSTON (1913-26). JOHN ADAM LILLIE (1893-1903), LL.D., M.A., LL.B., Q.C. ERIC LINKLATER (1913-16), C.B.E., M.A., LL.D., T.D. IAN GOWANLOCK MCPIIERSON (1910-17). THE RIGHT HON. LORD MESTON (1901-02). JAMES SCOTT GRAY MUNRO (1922-28), M.B.E., T.D., B.L. JOHN LENNOX RIDDELL (1907-16). CECIL A. G. SAVIDGE (1913-24), M.B.E., M.A.

Sir JOHN WILLIAM TAYLOR (1906-11), K.S.E., C.M.G. Sir JOHN MACKAY THOMSON, C.B., M.A., F.R.S.E. (Rector, 1920-2I). Sir LANDSBOROUGII THOMSON (1899-1908), C.B., O.A.E., M.A., D.SC., P.R.S.E., LL.D. ROBERT BERTRAM WILLIAMSON (1906-18), D.S.O., T.D., M.A., LL.B. EDWARD JAMES WOOD (1908-2I), M.A. President: AIR MARSHAL SIR LESLIE DEANE MAVOR (1923-33), K.C.B., A.F.C. Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: IAN LEWIS SMITH (1918-30) B.SC.(ENG.) Secretary and Treasurer: BRIAN K. CROOKSIIANKS (1934-46), T.D., M.A., I.L.B.

25 Crown Street, Aberdeen. General Editor of Magazine: ALISTAIR GEORGE GRACIE (1953-66) 8a Arnhall Drive, Westhills, Skene, Aberdeenshire.

I16

Former Pi Ails' Club Section

117

Secretaries of Centres: Central Africa—GEORGE M. GROAT (1927-40), 2 Cornwall Lodge, Umptali Road, Beams Station, Salisbury. Dundee— Edinburgh—DAvm A. BRITTAIN (1943-49), M.A., LL.B., 2 Circus Gardens, Edinburgh. Glasgow—JoHN G. M. BIRSS (1926-38), M.C., M.A., A.C.W.A., S7 Whittingehame Drive, Glasgow W 2. London—ROBERT FALCONER (1944-58), 56 Hilland Rise, Headley, Bordon, Hants. Malaysia—G. MURRAY MILNE, Diamond Jubilee Estate, Jasin, Malacca. Yorkshire—PATRICK G. INNES (1935-49), 2 Edgerton Road, West Park, Leeds 16. Ireland—ANDREW M. M. SrEvEN (1936-50), M.A., LL.B., c/o Secretary's Office, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast. Secretaries of Sections: Cricket—ALEXANDER M. DAVIDSON (19;7-45), B.L., IS Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Golf--CoL1N C. ALLAN (1936'401 cit.., 63 Gray Street, Aberdeen. Hockey—STEWART L. FORBES (1960-66), r It King's Gate, Aberdeen. Rugby—CHARLES RITCHIE (1945-51), 25 Nethermains Road, Mud:idls, Kincardineshire.

Executive Committee The Vice-President of the Club, Chairman. Vice-Chairman—JOHN W. CRADOCK (1940-46) The Secretary and Treasurer, and General Editor of the Magazine, ex officlu The Rector of the School, ex officio A. KEITH CAMPBELL (1944-53) RONALD R. COMBER (1947-52) ERIC CRAIG (1934-46) JOHN P. DRUMMOND (1947-58) WILLIAM M. EWEN (1932-44) PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58) JOHN MCBAIN (1939-51)

ALASTAIR C. MAITLAND (1943-51) NEIL I. W. MELDRUM (1925-37) Joust C. A. MICHIE (1944-56) W. DOUGLAS MITCHELL (1946-61) DR. RANALD F. F. STEVEN (1 933-43) ERIC D. WATT (1937-50)

Section Representatives :

Cricket—RoNALD S. McKAY (1949-57) Golf—CoLiN C. ALLAN (1936-45) Hockey—DENNis YULE (1960-66) Rugby—CHARLES RITCHIE (1945 -5 1 ) Staff—Roy FALCONER Swimming—H. A. B. HARPER (1950-57)

Hon. Auditors: MESSRS. BOWER & SMITH, C.A.

118

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Club Centre Management Committee PHILIP N. LOVE ( I 952-58) Chairman. BRIAN K. CROOKS HANKS (1934-46) Serretaty and Treasurer. COLIN C. ALLAN (1936-45) ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) RONALD R. COMBER (1947-52) JOHN W. CRADOCK (1940-46) ERIC CRAIG (1934-46)

DOUGLAS N. GEORGESON (1929-40) JOHN F. HENDRY (1951-65) RONALD S. MCKAY ( I 949-57) MELVILLE F. WATSON (1942-56) ERIC D. WATT (1937-50)

Sieward—Mr. William Mackie Tclephonc—Aberdeen 36827.

Annual General Meeting The Seventieth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held in the Club Centre, 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, on Wednesday, 29 March 1972. There were sixty-five members present. Executive Report The Report by the Executive Committee of the Club for the year 31 December 1971 was submitted by the Chairman of the Meeting, Mr. Ian Lewis Smith, the Vice-President of the Club, and the following are extracts from the Report. Membership 28.2.71 29.2.72

Life 1126 1147

Ordinary 1232 I216

Honorary 6 6

Staff 29 27

2396

+2I

-16

- 2

Total 2 393

During the year the deaths of fifteen Former Pupils were reported in the Magazine, of whom ten were members of the Club. These included J. Scott MacLachlan, Secretary and Treasurer of the Club from 1946 to 1965, and Henry J. Butchart, President of the Club in 1955/56•

Annual General Meeting

119

General Business The Accounts for the year, duly audited and certified, were submitted and approved (they arc reproduced elsewhere in this issue). Reports on the year's activities were submitted on behalf of the various Athletic Sections, all of which appeared to be in a sound state. A report on the working of the Club Centre was given by the Chairman of its Management Committee. The appointment of Office-bearers then took place, and the Chairman expressed the Club's thanks to Mr. James S. G. Munro, the retiring President, for the interest he had shown in the affairs of the Club. Air-Marshal Sir Leslie D. Mayor, K.C.B., A.F.C., was appointed President in succession to Mr. Munro. Mr. Ian Lewis Smith was reappointed Vice-President of the Club and Chairman of the Executive fo- a second year. The Meeting then considered at length, and approved, three alterations in the Club Constitution, the effects of which are more fully reported below: Changes in F.P. Club Constitution At the Annual General Meeting of the Club held in Aberdeen in March of this year approval was given to three alterations in the Club Constitution the effect of which is to make two basic alterations in the Club. The proposals to the Meeting were in name of the Club Executive and resulted from several months of careful deliberation on the issues at stake. The first change was to define the word "school" as used in the Constitution as including Rubislaw Academy. The second change was to restrict membership of the Club to male former pupils. As a result of these alterations being approved boys who have attended Aberdeen Grammar School or boys now and hereafter attending Rubislaw Academy and who have had no previous connection with the Grammar School as it existed in 1970 may join the Club. If the change-over to comprehensive schooling goes to the ultimate extreme and the school becomes a mixed school, the issue of whether or not the ranks of the Club should be opened to female former pupils remains to be considered in the light of the circumstances then obtaining. The change did not meet with approval at the Annual Meeting without some spirited discussion of the issues involved and a suggestion that the Grammar School having died in 1970 membership of the Club should be allowed simply to decline, no recognition being given to former pupils of Rubislaw Academy. The Executive in considering the matter had taken the view that there was no future and no sense in presiding over a dying organisation and as the Club, particularly now that it has its own Club Centre in Aberdeen, is a thriving organisation the Executive considered that the intake of members ought to be maintained. As at present, only those interested in the Club and in what it stands for will join. The matter was put neatly into perspective at the Annual Meeting with the observation by the Rector that had the name

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine of the School not been changed there would have been no occasion to consider this alteration in our Constitution. The third alteration in the Constitution is almost as radical as the first two, but has been dictated by circumstances. There has been during recent years a growing tendency amongst other former pupils' Sports Clubs to become "open" Clubs. This process has now reached the stage where there remains only a small number of Clubs which are completely closed, i.e. drawing their membership only from former pupils of their schools. In addition an increased number of boys on leaving school tend to go to Universities and other Institutions in the south, thereby reducing the available recruits for the Former Pupils' Sports Sections. Over the years the Sections have built up very strong and attractive fixture lists but fears have increased, especially in the last year to two, that these fixture lists cannot be retained unless the Sections can admit a percentage of non-Former Pupils. The Sports Sections all have as a primary aim the provision of the highest standard of games for Former Pupils and what was proposed to the Annual Meeting is designed to enable the Sections adequately to fulfil this aim. The proposals had already been approved by the Rector and the agreement of the Local Authority had also been obtained. This last was essential to protect the rights and privileges which the School and the Club possess in Rubislaw Field and it has been agreed with the Local Authority that these rights and privileges will not be prejudiced in any manner. The Annual Meeting approved the removal from the Club Constitution of the provision that only members of the Former Pupils' Club shall be eligible for membership of the Sections of the Club. It should be emphasised that no Section will be permitted to admit more than a small percentage of outsiders and as Section Constitutions must have the approval of the Club Executive there is effective control of the situation in the hands of the Executive. Adequate steps will be taken to prevent control of any Section Management Committee being obtained by outsiders, and of course such outsiders cannot become members of the Former Pupils' Club itself. 12O

F.P. Club Accounts INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for year ended 31 December 1971 INCOME • . . . £220 Ordinary Subscriptions received prior to January 1971 £193.90 318.25 .. .. 331 Ordinary Subscriptions received in 197i . 84.25 90 Arrears recovered in '971 2-97o

L64.1" 3r5

. Revenue from Investments (Gross) Transfer from Life Member Capital Fund at 3% . . • • • 73 Magazines: Sales 262 Advertising Revenue 222

. . .

. • .

Surplus on Entertainments Account (after Honorarium to Entertainments Secretary) 350 Donation from Club Centre

£1.899

596.4 0

• • .

L42 2387..4249 461.60 270.33

226

331.93 12 .74

1,625.00

£3.531.80

F.P. Club Accounts

I2I

EXPENDITURE

2 970

£317 Working Expens, including Honoraria to Secretary, Treasurer and Magazine Editors 15 Honorarium to Auditors for 1970 — Loan Interest £23.35 r8 Corporation Tax to 32.3.70 . 274.22 rag Income Tax paid by deduction from Investment Income 24 School and Trophy Medals Capitation Grants: . • London 3o . Edinburgh . 9

£404.04 15.00

1,575.00 1 97.57

28 74

. .

. •

. .

Expenses of visits to London and Edinburgh Centres Sports Prize Fund Magazines: Cost of . . . . Printing and Postage 2,253 . . . . Envelopes . . 6/

•

. .

30.0o 9.00 •

39.00 33.30

•

20 00

36 Transferred to Entertainments Reserve • to Miscellaneous £1,859 £40

SURPLUS mu YEAR

•

1,021.51

. .

•

BALANCE SHEET

2,021.52 o.oo

•

as at 31 December

•

12.74 5 oo

1971

ASSETS

1970

I. HERITABLE PROPERTY, At cost including alterations as at 31 December 1970

.....

Cost of alterations during year II.

3.850

•

£34,810.27 355.00

£35,365.27

INVESTMENTS

3,220 Ordinary 25p Stock Units Standard Trust Ltd. (At Cost) (Market ..... Value £4•354) . . 4,032 Ordinary 25p Stock Units Raeburn Investment Trust Ltd. (At Cost) . (Market Value £5,322) . Common Shares United Corporation Ltd. (At Cost) (Market 270 Class Value 6.,7.55) - 11 Northern invesinaent Trust Ltd. 25p Shares Sc;ris , . . . . ?A.2t9 ost) (MarrketValue£ 3,783

£990.07 999.57 884.45 976.34

(Total Market Value £15,214) (2970 £12,457) III.

LIFE. ASSURANCE Policy on the life of Mr. W. B. Hogg in repayment of

Loan from Standard Property Investment Co. Ltd. .

IV. CASs AND BASIC BALANCES

(1) Aberdeen Savings Bank Ordinary Account . . . Special Investment Account (z) Bank of Scotland Current Account Deposit Account (3) Cash in Hand of Treasurer

202 899

V. SUNDRY DEBTORS .

•

• . . . .

•

1 ,615.45

•

£2 3.04 25.42 -£176.03 15.94

£38.46

•

- 87.71

191.97 318.14 2,397.82

£43,747.11

4,951 LIABILITIES Less: 999 Sundry Creditors Ordinary Subscriptions paid in advance Balance of Ordinary Sub. . . . scriptions received prior to January 1971 . . . 372 Subscriptions received in 1971 for future years .... . (7,294) Loans: Club Centre — Standard Property Investment Co. Ltd. (5.929) £10,875

3,850.43

NET ASSETS

•

. .

. •

£2 ,553.98 £577.10 203.00 --

. .

•

380./0

15,565.8,2 25,000.00 32,499.90 £11,247.21

I zz

Aberdeen Grammar School Maga#ne

1970

REPRESENTED

BY:

I. ENTERTAINMENTS RESERVE

Balance at 31 December 1970 . . ... Add: (1) Bank Deposit Account Interest .... (2) Transfer from Income and Expenditure Account

£463

•

£463.18 0, 73 /2.74 £476.65

II.

LIFE MEMBER CAPITAL FUND

Amount at credit at 31 December 1970 Life Members' Subscriptions received in x971

7,173

•

£7,173.06 435.00

Less: Transferred to Income and Expenditure Account

•

£7,608.06 228.24

7.379.82 III.

CAPITAL ACCOUNT

Amount at credit at 31 December 197o

Add: (I) Surplus on Income and Expenditure Account for year (2) Proceeds of Scrip Issue

. .

2,991

•

£2,990.97 179.90 19.87

. .

£xoo.oo 100.0o

3,190-74 IV.

OTHER FUNDS

(a) Legacy—D. J. T. Jamieson (b) Magazine Fund—Donation

248

. .

200.00

£10,875 -

£11,247.21

Note: These Accounts Incorporate the Club Centre premises, the Loan thereon from the Standard Property Investment Co. Ltd., and the accumulated Life Assurance premiums relative to the Collateral Security. All of these were shown in the Club Centre Balance Sheet at 3x December x97o. ABERDEEN, 28 March I972.—We have examined the foregoing Account for the year ending 31 December and relative Balance Sheet as at 3x December 1971 and found the Account correct. We are of the opinion 197x the Balance Sheet correctly states the position of the Club as at 3t December 1971. We have had exhibited that to us the various Securities supporting the Funds at the close of the Accounts. BOWER & SMITH, C.A., Honorary Auditors

Club Centre Acounts BAR TRADING AND GENERAL INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS for year ended 31 December 1971 From 1 319169 to 31/22/70 £21,106 BAR SALES . Less: COST Or SALES

—

•

1 5.559

Opening Stock Bar Purchases

£15.559 971

Less: Closing Stock

•

£14,588 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

—

£11'310

1 5,492.32

1,248.00

£6,766.46

1,878 Annual Subscriptions . . . .. 2,364 Gaming Machine Revenue (Net) . .. 250 Commission on Insurances and Other Commissions . 203 Billiards Revenue . ... . 2

£971.74 14,520,58

1 4,244.32

6,518

283

£22,010.78

•

Catering Revenue Donations Miscellaneous Income

. . . . .

. . . .

x,888.5o 764.10 220.14 66.8o o.oo 596.50 6.oo

£10,308.50

Club Centre Accounts

I23

OVERHEAD EXPENSES

£2,464 1,530 83r 678 350 1,537

300

64 16o 34 140 — —

423

Wages and National Insurances, etc. . Rates, Insurance and Feuduty .. Heating and Lighting . . . Repairs and Maintenance Donation to F.P. Club . . . Loan Interest . • . . . Administration Expenses . .. . . Telephone (Net) Cleaning . . Hire Purchase Charges . . . Miscellaneous Expenses . Honoraria Television Rental and Licence . Depreciation

•

• • • •

. . .

•

• •

•

£2,772.26 1,322.15 739.09 495.14 1,925.00 39.05 142.04 34.25 161 54 28.80 162.69 500.00 96.97 286 24 8,705.22

£8,511 £2,799

SURPLUS FOR YEAR

•

£1,603.28

CURRENT ASSETS

£80 —

972 233 2,600

r85

Life Assurance Policy on the life of Mr. W. B. Hogg in repayment of Loan from Standard Property Investment Co. Ltd., ..... . Premiums Paid (see note) . Loan Account Club . . . Former Pupils' Aberdeen Grammar School . . . . . . . . Stock in hand . . . . . . . . . Sundry Debtors Cash at Bank Cash in Hand

£o.oo 15,565.82 1,248.00 485.10 123.61 163.62 £17,586.15

£4,798 Less: CURRENT LIABILITIES

169

. .... Sundry Creditors . Lloyds and Scottish Finance Hire Purchase Loan, . . . As per last Balance Sheet Less: Repaid

Subscriptions in advance

£7,952

£6,911.01

. £169.60 91.20

78.40 388.00 7,377.41

£8,'95 (13.397)

10,208.14

£34,765

{ 12,774.74

Less: LONG TERM LOANS 15,00o 2,500 1,200

7,294 1,375

Standard Property Investment Co. Ltd. (see note) Scottish Rugby Union . . . . A.G.S.F.P. Rugby Section . . . . . A.G.S.F.P. Club . Individual F P.'s

. .

£o.oo 1,500.00

1,200.00 0.00

1,1 75.00 3,875.00

£27,309 £6,796

£8,899.74

NET ASSETS

REPRESENTED

BY:

CAPITAL ACCOUNT

£3,997

Appeal Fund and Other Donations

£4,497.13

SURPLUSES

Amount as per last Balance Sheet •

2,799 £6,796

Add: Surplus on foregoing Income and Expenditure Account

• •

• .

£2.799.33 1,603.28 4,402.61 O,899.74

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

124

Note: The Heritable Property, the Loan from the Standard Property Investment Co., Ltd., and the accumulated Life Assurance Premiums paid relative to the collateral security for the Loan, which were shown in the Balance Sheet at 31st December, 1970 have all been transferred to the Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils' Club Accounts. ABERDEEN, z8 March rgyz. We have audited the foregoing Accounts for the year ended 31 December 1971 and Balance Sheet as at 3r December 1971. We certify that, to the best of our information and the explanations given to us they are correct. BOWER Sc SMITH, C.A.

Section Reports Rugby Although season 1971-7z has been a very disappointing season on the field, the Section has had a notable success off the field in that it has achieved its aim to go "Open" to a limited extent. The vast majority of the F.P. Clubs throughout Scotland have gone "Open" and it would be impossible for the Section to maintain its position in Scottish Rugby without the assistance of a small proportion of outside members. The whole concept of Scottish Rugby to-day is for bigger and stronger Clubs. It was with the greatest difficulty that the Section fielded three XV's during the past season and the very disappointing playing records of these XV's were as follows:

1st XV 2nd XV 3rd XV

P 35 23 16

W 16 82 8

L 18 II

D I o 0

For 459 378 278

Points Against 628 273 237

Throughout the season we were bedevilled with injuries to, and unavailability of, very many players. The 1st XV was seldom a settled side—in fact, forty-two players turned out for it. We might have won more games had they all turned out at the same time! Although the 1st XV's record is no worse than it has been in many former seasons, usually during such seasons the znd and 3rd XV's have remained strong but, during the past season, even the performances of the and and 3rd XV's have been very disappointing. It is hoped and anticipated that as a result of going "Open" the performance of all XV's will improve out of all knowledge in season 1972-73. There has been a general lack of commitment to the game by many players in all XV's and it is hoped that during the coming season a greater effort will be made by all players to attend official training sessions regularly throughout the whole season so that the "Open" Section will get off to a flying start during its inaugural year. Floodlights will be installed by the start of next season so that those players who formerly did not attend training sessions in the School Gym because they claimed that training indoors was not beneficial, will no longer have any specious excuses to put forward for nonattendance at training sessions.

Section Reports

125

The Scottish Rugby Union, whose last attempt to introduce a National League System was unsuccessful, intend at their Annual General Meeting this year to propose that an amended National League System be introduced in season 1973-74. If the proposal receives approval, there will be 4 divisions of 12 clubs each (with F.P.s in league z and Gordonians in league 3) and a fifth division comprising the remaining S.R.U. full member clubs which are prepared to take part in the League System, this 5th division being divided into Eastern and Western sections. Not surprisingly, our representation at district level has been very poor this season, but our congratulations do go to Jim Andrews and Forbes Stuart who played for the North XV against the Midlands XV, to Ian Gray who played for the combined North Midlands XV against Scottish Universities and also against Edinburgh, and to Richard ("Tufty") Duncan who played for the combined North Midlands Under 23 XV against Edinburgh and also against Glasgow. Section full colours have been awarded to Fraser Webster, Ian Gray and "Tufty" Duncan while half colours have been awarded to Gordon Anderson, Forbes Stuart and Jim Andrews. The Section's very well deserved praise is due to our Vice-Captain, Fraser Webster, for the fine manner in which he "captained" the 1st XV between the beginning of September and mid-February when, after recovering from what appears to have been a successful cartilage operation, the Captain, Phil Love, returned to the fray again for the final ten games of the season. Dr. J. R. S. Innes, a distinguished F.P. Captain and Scottish Captain, is to be congratulated on his selection as Vice-President-elect of the S.R.U. for season 1972-73. PHILIP N. LOVE, Captain

Hockey Since the last report we have completed all our fixtures and the season has been as successful as previous ones. Our domination, at all levels, of the North District was firmly established when the 1st, znd and 3rd XI won their respective league sections. This most convincing performance in depth by the Club should ensure continuing success at district level for the next few seasons, but we have tended to become somewhat complacent at the comparative ease of winning matches at this class. This was brought to light very noticeably by our premature exit at the hands of Inverleith in the Scottish Cup match. Although opposed by no fewer than eight Internationalists we seemed incapable of raising the standard of our game and our o-I defeat was a justified result against a star-studded side which, for once, played above their normal mediocrity. The inconsistency of Inverleith was shown by their exit from the cup in the quarter-final. On the home front we suffered from spasms of inconsistency ourselves and were unexpectedly beaten o-z by Academy F.P.s, our first

iz6

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

league defeat for two seasons. This reversal was not really significant as regards the league title but it brought home the need for all members to apply themselves in all matches. The introduction of younger members to the side and the gradual decline in pace of our older players, gives the impression that our teamwork is on the wane and it will take some time before the youngsters gain the necessary experience to take us to the top again. The Easter tour to Dublin was cancelled due to the political unrest and anti-British feeling prevalent in Eire and this was most disappointing as we had all looked forward to playing against our Irish friends. Our social evenings this season have been most enjoyable but the younger members, with very few exceptions, have again failed to attend. It was fine to see so many rugby guests in attendance and the close bond between the two major sections of the Club appears to be improving, a major success for the Club Centre's formation. Our players were well represented at District level but the poor results in the Baxter Trophy Tournament reveals the same problem at District level that we have had at Club level with age the common factor. It is hoped that with better coaching and selection the District will improve its poor standards. We completed the official season with the retention of the President's Cup at the six-a-side tournament in which our three sides all distinguished themselves. For the statistically minded the ist XI results and trophies are listed below.

All games League

P 37

W 31

L 3

D 3

Goals For Against io1 19 38 7

North District Trophies David [Food Memorial Trophy—Section z League Champions. President's Cup—Six-a-side Champions. Moira Forbes' Cup—North District Top Scottish Cup Qualifiers. May Tournament Trophy—District Knock-out cup winners. Outside District Trophies Isabella-Dix-Perkins Cup—Scottish League Champions. Kilmarnock Six-a-side Tournament Cup. 2nd XI Finks Trophy—Section z League Champions. 3rd XI Section 3 League Flag—Section 3 League Champions. J. C. LYON, Captain

Section Reports

127

Golf At the time of going to print, the Section has had only one outing, after the winter break. Forty-four members and guests attended an outing to Ballater on 7 May, where once again the weather was kind to us.

Five new members were made welcome at the outing and it is rewarding to find that the popularity of the game and Section is not diminishing. Some of the scores recorded were quite phenomenal as can be seen from the prize list, and the committee have revised their handicaps for the remainder of the season. Further outings have been arranged for Ballater, Huntly and Fraserburgh. Contrary to the general trend of the other Sports' Sections, the Golf Section is increasing in membership and it has been decided for the 197z Season, the Section will remain closed. Prize Winners Category I Category II R. H. Cradock 7o-4 = 66 E. Craig 8o—zo = 6o W. D. Mitchell 79-10 = 69 H. McLean 8 i — x 8 = 63 R. J. Armstrong 77-6 = 71 M. Pratt 89-24 = 65 COLIN C. ALLAN, Hon. Secretary

Apology The General Editor wishes to apologise for the late appearance of this magazine. This was due to circumstances completely outwith the control of himself or the printer. Within the past few weeks, Alan G. Campbell (1959-65) has been appointed Notes Editor of the magazine. We trust he can count on the support of every F.P. Alan replaces "Sam" Rennie who has held this post for several issues and we would like to thank him for his efforts. It has been decided that due to the lateness of the magazine there will be no December issue. The next magazine will be published in June, 1973.

New President

Air Marshal Sir Leslie Deane Mayor, K. C.B., A.F.C. Our President for 1972-73, Sir Leslie D. Mayor (1923-33) is a man who has had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Air Force. He entered the R.A.F. College, Cranwell, as a cadet of nineteen in 1935 and was commissioned in 1937. From then until 1944 he served, principally with No. 31 Squadron, on army co-operation and on transport support operations in India, the Western Desert and in Burma. In 1944 he was appointed Chief Instructor at No. 109 Operational Training Unit and in 1945 he attended the R.A.F. Staff College at Bracknell. An appointment to the air staff at Headquarters No. 38 (Tactical Support) Group followed, after which Sir Leslie held various flying and staff posts until in 1956 he returned to the R.A.F. Staff College as a member of the Directing Staff with the rank of Group Captain. After a course at the R.A.F. Flying College, from which he graduated in 1958, Sir Leslie's service career was one of steady upward progress—Officer Commanding R.A.F. Lindholme in 1959; Deputy Director, and later Director, of Air Staff Briefing at the Air Ministry in 1961 in the rank of Air Commodore; Air Officer Commanding Headquarters No. 38 Group as Air Vice-Marshal in 1965; Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Policy) at the Ministry of Defence in 1966; and finally in 1969 his present appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Headquarters Training Command with the rank of Air Marshal. Sir Leslie was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1942, became a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1964 and was elevated to Knight Commander of the Order in January 1970. Not surprisingly, he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He is in addition President of the R.A.F. Gliding and Soaring Association and of the R.A.F. Angling Association. Despite the years that have elapsed and the brilliant career he has followed, Sir Leslie's affection for his old School is undimmed. He has been associated with the London Centre of the Club over many years. It was with genuine delight that he accepted the Rector's invitation to address the School at the prize-giving ceremony in mid-June and to inspect the boys of the Combined Cadet Force Contingent on the same day—an invitation, to be fair, which was extended and accepted long before the Rector, let alone Sir Leslie, knew that he was to be asked to accept the Presidency of the Club. In electing him as President, the Club recognises, in the only way it can, a Former Pupil who has served his country with distinction and who has thereby brought honour to himself and to his old School : we in the Club are proud to share some of the proverbial reflected glory.

I28

Ian William Derek Buxton* 0947-54) was made a M.B.E. in the birthday honours for his work with the Uganda Government. He returned recently to the United Kingdom after thirteen years in Uganda during which he rose to the post of Deputy Director of Audit. He has now taken up an appointment in the Civil Service and is living in London. James Campbell Williamson* (1924-34) was awarded the O.B.E. in the Queen's birthday honours list for services to economic development in the North East. Early this year he retired after two years as President of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce and in this capacity he became a Vice-president of the Scottish Council (Development and Industry). He was President of Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce from 1963-65 and he retired this year after thirteen years on the Aberdeen Harbour Board. He is Chairman of A. R. Gray Ltd., wholesale grocers, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. David Leith Allan (1945-58) has been promoted to the rank of

Chief Inspector with the City of Glasgow Police Force at the age of 33. Since leaving school he has worked his way from the rank of constable in Aberdeen City Police to the rank of Inspector which he has held until his present promotion. He was an outstanding student at the Police College at Tulliallan and thereafter qualified for an accelerated promotion course. Martyn Aubrey Batchelor* (1959-65), M.A., who graduated with honours in Geography from Aberdeen University in July 1969 then obtained a Diploma in Landscape Design at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in September, 1971. He has recently taken up an appointment as Assistant Landscape Architect with Newcastle City Architect's Department. Malcolm Booth (1952-56), who was until 1970 employed with Alexander Hall & Co. Ltd. in Aberdeen, is now with the Trinidad & Tobago Government National Housing Authority in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Edward Kerr Borthwick* (1933-42), PH.D., has recently organised and performed a series of recitals on the theme "Worship through Music" at St. Matthews Parish Church, Edinburgh. Mr. Borthwick is captain of the Braid Tennis Club of which Eric Ros Birkctt (I 9.20-zz), C.A., is meantime President. Neil Keith Buxton* (1948-58) a -OrMer e Scottish Hockey Internationalist is at present Senior Lecturer in Economic History at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh. Having retired from active participation 129

130

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

in hockey he is an East District Hockey selector. He has recently had published a manual on Economic History. Douglas Paterson Cochran* (1906-15) has recently retired for the second time from the Insurance World. His first retiral was from the managership of the Royal Exchange Assurance in Dundee in 1960, and his most recent retiral was from the post of Chairman of Directors of Cochran Insurance Consulters. He has been recognised as Dundee's most versatile sportsman—Secretary and Treasurer of the Midland District Rugby Union, President of the Games Tennis Club, member of the Royal Tay Yacht Club, and Broughty-Ferry Tennis Club. He has been elected the first Honorary Life Member of the recently opened Forthill Sports Club in recognition of his being "father of the whole concept of the Club." He still manages the occasional game of tennis and as a hobby is an "infulaphilist"—he collects cigarbands 1 l John A. Davidson* (t9t9-2.2) who has been in business in Brazil for over forty years retired recently but still resides in Sao Paulo. Kenneth Stroud Duncan* ( R ) who was for some time Club Consul in Trinidad, has now returned to this country at the end of his tour of duty with Texaco Trinidad Inc. and is resident in Farnham, Surrey. In a letter to the Secretary some time ago he mentioned that while in Trinidad he was awarded his first Rugger International Cap (at the age of 34) when he was twice selected for Trinidad and Tobago National XV at scrum half. Alastair Stewart Durno* (19z1-31) last year attended a unique ceremony in Coventry Cathedral, when the Victoria Cross posthumously awarded to a Petty Officer of H.M.S. Coventry, mortally wounded during the evacuation of Crete during the last War, was presented to the Cathedral to be kept in perpetuity. Although he is not aware of any other F.P.s having been present at the ceremony, or at the subsequent Re-union Dinner for "old hands" of H.M.S. Coventry, doubtless other F.P.s were involved in the evacuation of Greece and Crete and will be interested in this news. Steven Leslie Henderson* (1932-38), c.A., has been appointed a member of the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board in succession to Lord Tayside. A senior partner in the firm of Thomson, McLintock & Co., Chartered Accountants, he is a past president of the Scottish Federation of Junior Chambers of Commerce, past president of the Aberdeen Junior Chamber, and is at present a member of the Aberdeen Chamber's economic advisory committee. Bertram Andrew Lyon* (1954-58) who graduated in Divinity at Aberdeen University in 1971 was ordained and inducted to his first charge at St. Andrews, Harthill, Lanarkshire, in October. Robert Norrie Mackie* (1941-54), M.D., has since July 1971 been Founder Director of the Student Health Service of the University of Western Australia. After graduating in medicine at Aberdeen University in 1960 he served successively as Lecturer in anatomy and in medicine at the University and was then from 1966 first assistant physician with Aberdeen University Health Service. Soon after graduating Dr. Mackie was awarded a Garden Research Fellowship on embryology

Notes About Old Boys 731 and his M.D. thesis "The Teratogenic Action of Hydrocortisone", submitted in 1964, was sustained with honours. Although now resident in Australia Dr. Mackie continues to own a farm near Auchnagatt. Alexander Aitchison McConochie* (1965-67) has passed the final examination of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and is now employed as a valuer on the staff of the City Assessor's Department, Aberdeen. John McLeod (1946-50) has been awarded a Scottish Arts Council Bursary which will enable him to work with Scottish Theatre Ballet for a period of six months. A composer and conductor he received his musical education in Germany and at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 1971 he presented a highly successful concert of his own music at the Edinburgh Festival which was performed by leading Scottish musicians. As a conductor he has studied with several distinguished British conductors—notably Sir Adrian Boult—and perhaps his biggest achievement in this field has been the building up of Perth Choral and Orchestral Societies into two of the finest musical bodies of their kind in the country. He is also conductor of Glasgow Orchestral Society and is currently conducting the Scottish National Orchestra concerts in Glasgow. He has already conducted the B.B.C. Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Northern Symphonic Orchestra, and the Pro Arte Orchestra of Edinburgh. Harvey Elmslie Morrison* (i951-65) has been awarded the Albert J. Watson prize in Accountancy for the most meritorious student completing Part IV of the Chartered Accountants of Scotland examination. He is the present vice-captain of the F.P. Strathmore Union Cricket XI. Alistair Fowlie Philip* (1953-64), m.sc., graduated at Cranfield Institute of Technology in 1971 with a degree in aerodynamics. Thereafter he joined the R.A.F., graduated from Cranwell as a pilot and has been promoted Flight-Lieutenant. He is now training in helicopter flying at Market Drayton. Robert Scott Riney* (1947-55) who for some time has been Accountant in the Bank of Scotland at Grangemouth has been appointed Accountant at Polmont, Stirlingshire. Alastair D. Smith (1947-55) is the present Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party's Northern Regional Council. Andrew Frost Taylor* (1929-35) has retired as Manager of underwriting and administration of the Guardian Royal Exchange Group Aberdeen office after thirty-seven years in insurance. He joined the then Motor Union Insurance Company as a junior clerk in I935 and following war service with the Royal Engineers returned to Aberdeen becoming an Inspector and then Manager in 1956. Frank Salmond Taylor* (1923-28) secretary of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland since 1947, has recently retired. He began his banking career with the Bank of Scotland at Stonehaven in 1928, and transferred to the Inspectors Department in Edinburgh in 1935. After War Service from 1940-46 he became the first full-time secretary of the Institute in 1947.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine Ralph Spence Walker* (191o-22) retired from the Molson Chair of English at McGill University in September 197o when the Senate conferred the title of Emeritus Professor on him. He is now living at Peaveley House, Haslingfield, near Crambridge, teaching part time at St. Catherine's College while editing the eighteenth-century letters of Thomas Twining for publication. His son Ralph Charles Sutherland Walker* (x949-55), B.A., B.PHIL., M.A., D.PHIL. who went from Montreal with a Rhodes Scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, and for the past four years has been a Fellow of Merton College, has been elected Fellow and Tutor in philosophy at Magdalen College, Oxford. Eric Douglas Watt* (1937-50) who made a record number of Scottish International hockey appearances has been appointed a member of the new zo-strong Scottish Sports Council recently named by the Secretary of State for Scotland. Geoffrey Edward Wood* (1949-63) is presently on a two year appointment as an Economist at the Bank of England having been given leave of absence from his post at the University of Warwick.

13z

Obituaries James Alexander Campbell* (1950-64) died suddenly at the age of 24 on z6 June, 1971. A laboratory technician at the Medical School, Foresterhill, he was taken ill whilst attending a wedding and died later the same day from a heart attack. He had been married for ten months. Robert Niven Gilchrist* (1901-5), M.A., died at Aberdeen on 21 January 1972, aged 8z. The son of a Fyvie farmer he graduated with honours at Aberdeen University in 1910. Later the same year he joined the Indian Educational Service. He became a professor at Presidency College, Calcutta, principal and professor of political economy Krishnagar College, Bengal, and labour intelligence officer and deputy secretary of the commerce department of the Government of Bengal in 1922. In 1934 he was made a Companion of the Indian Empire and was appointed joint secretary to the Government of Bengal, and labour commissioner for Bengal. From 1934 to 1941 Mr. Gilchrist was reforms commissioner for the Bengal Government and he was for ten years a member of the Bengal Legislative Council. During his retirement in Aberdeen he was a member of the Board of Management of Aberdeen General Hospitals from 1957-61. Donald McCombie Grassick* (1935-39) died on 2 October 7971 in a drowning accident in Corfu. Brigadier John Moir Mackenzie* (1905-8), C.B.E., M.G., M.B., CH.B., died on 25 December 1971, aged 81, at his home, New Kinord House, Dinnet, only a few months after the death of his brother Campbell Grant Mackenzie which was reported in our last issue. He was awarded the M.C. following service with the R.A.M.C. in France and Belgium in 1914-18. During 1939-45 he served with the R.A.M.C. in India, North Africa and Italy. He was one of four brothers who attended the school.

Obituaries

T 33

Donald Marr (1919-2.6) died very suddenly in hospital in Edinburgh on 24 January 1971. After leaving School he joined Malayalan Plantations Ltd. as a rubber and tea planter, retiring in 1965 after almost forty years in South India with the same Company. He served with the 16th Punjab Regiment (4th Indian Division) during the 193945 war and was badly wounded in both feet in Libya in 1941 after which he spent three years in and out of hospitals in the Past before returning to South India in 1946. His retiral was spent in Aberdeen. He is survived by his widow and a son and daughter. James Melvin (1904-10), C.B.E., M.C., M.B., mai., died suddenly in hospital in East London, South Africa on 29 April 1972, aged 81, on the eve of a trip to Scotland on holiday. After graduating at Aberdeen in 1915 he saw War service during which he was awarded the Military Cross. He then went into private practice in Lancashire and later in London. During the 1939-45 War he served in Palestine and Egypt being awarded the O.B.E. in 1941 for' his work at 64th General Hospital in Alexandria. As assistant Director of Medical Services with the loth Division he served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy and thereafter landed at Arromanches on D-Day. After serving in France and Belgium he was promoted Brigadier and appointed Deputy Director of Medical Services with the 8th Corps. He was awarded the C.B.E. for his work in planning medical services for the closing phase of the war including the Rhine and Elbe crossings. Dr. Melvin emigrated to South Africa in 1949, moving in 1952 to Salisbury, Rhodesia as a Health Officer. He returned to East London, South Africa on his retiral ten years later. Dr. Melvin is survived by his wife and two sons, one of whom is a Doctor in East London. Robert William Young* (1914-21) died at his home in Barranquilla, Colombia, South America on 18 June 1971. Mr. Young made his home in Barranquilla thirty-five years ago and was founder of the first authorised bottling plant for coca-cola in Colombia. Until his death he was very active in all the social, industrial and commercial life of his adopted city and he was F.P. Club Consul for Colombia for many years. At a memorial service arranged by the Coca-Cola parent company held in Bogota on 31 January 1972 his widow was presented with his portrait in oils.

New Members of the Club

(15 November 1971-15 May 1972) Life Members (Including conversions from Ordinary to Life Membership) ALEXANDER, Donald Edward (1950-61), 5 Oakdale Terrace, Mannofield, Aberdeen. ALSOP, Spence Jun. (1959-70), Ica Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen. ANDERSON, Eric Robert (1948-52), 15 Breval Crescent, Hardgatc, Dunbartonshire. BissEr, Reginald Rust (1922-31), 18 Viewfield Gardens, Aberdeen. HENDERSON, David Andrew (1945-59), Rosenheim, I3aillieswells Road, Bieldside, Aberdeen. HUTCHESON, John (194619), zo Binghill Road West, Milltimber, Aberdeen. MCLEOD, Ian Halcro (1952-55), 53 Northcote Avenue, Aberdeen. MORGAN, David William (1958-64), 89 Duthie Terrace, Aberdeen. PARKINSON, John Thompson Low (1942-5o), Parklca, North Deeside Road, Cults, Aberdeen. REID, Harry Campbell (1922-34), 28 Woodburn Avenue, Aberdeen.

Ordinary Members ADAMSON, Bryan John (1959-71), 14 Beechgrove Place, Aberdeen. BARRON, John (1965-71), 4 Abbots Place, Kincorth, Aberdeen.

Con-ELL°, Patrick Michael (1959-65), 27 Mackay Road, Kincorth, Aberdeen. CRAIG, David Meldrum (1956-69), 29 Polmuir Road, Aberdeen. CURRAN, John William (1963-69), 175 Kincorth Circle, Aberdeen. DONNELLY, Seamus Gabriel Martin (1963-69), 62 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen.

DtrrrnE, Alastair William (1958-71), 37 Sanday Road, Aberdeen. DUTHIE, George McDonald (1965-71), 37 Sanday Road, Aberdeen. FARQUILAR, George Gardiner (1952-62), 4 Stanley Street, Aberdeen. FYFE, David George (1968-71), 25 Gray Street, Aberdeen. McINToski, Sandy (1953-66), 158 Market Street, Aberdeen. MCLELLAN, Alan (1965-71), 53 Deansloch Terrace, Aberdeen. MAEBorr, Robin John (1958-66), 38 Desswood Place, Aberdeen. MALCOLM, David (1956-70), I14 Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen. MAssoN, Keith Ian (1959-72), 88 Burnieboozle Crescent, Aberdeen. MILNE, Ramsay Galloway (1958-71), 24 Cornhill Gardens, Aberdeen. Nur-rEisi, Derick Robert (1958-71), 183 Great Western Road, Aberdeen. O'HARA, Stuart Kerr (1958-70), 74 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. RAE, James Merrylees (1963-70, 17 Royfold Crescent, Aberdeen. REID, Frank John (1958-63; 1965-70), Beckhill, Contlaw Road, Mil!timber, Aberdeen. STANBRIDGE, Derek (1 954-65), 57 Victoria Street, Aberdeen. STEPHEN, Brian D. (1957-63), 54 Gaitside Drive, Aberdeen. STEPHEN, William Simpson Younie (1958-67), 12 Irvine Place, Aberdeen. S-rnsoN, Ian Charles (1965-71), 4 Ashgrove Gardens South, Aberdeen. YOUNG, David Alexander (1965-71), 1 Shapinsay Crescent, Aberdeen. ZANRE, Eduardo Ricardo (1969-71), 59 Union Grove, Aberdeen.

134

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